Terry Gou, president of Taiwan's Hon Hai Group, delivers a speech at the third World Internet Conference (WIC) in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang province, Nov 17, 2016. [Photo/IC]

Sakai Display Products Corp, which is controlled by Taiwan tycoon Terry Gou, signed a framework agreement with the Guangzhou city government on Friday for building a 10.5-generation 8K display industrial park.

With a total investment of 61 billion yuan ($8.79 billion), the complex will produce highly advanced display screens, smart TVs and electronic white boards when it starts operation in 2019, according to an official statement.

Adopting indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) technology in the production of large-screen ultra-high definition 8K display products, the facility is expected to generate annual output of 92 billion yuan when it is fully operational.

In the Guangzhou park, SDP, the sole company with a 10th-generation 8K production facility which turns out the world's largest display screens, uses IGZO technology from its partner Sharp Corp, which was acquired by Gou's Foxconn Technology Group earlier this year.

Products from the park, located in Zengcheng district of Guangzhou, can be used in the industrial Internet of Things (IoT), connected cars and many other areas.

The global market for 8k ultrahigh definition display technology is expected to be worth $5.15 trillion annually by 2020.

SDP will also collaborate with Sharp in the research and development of cutting-edge large-sized screens and 8k content.

The project will inject power into the efforts of the Guangzhou government to turn the city into a strong one in manufacturing, said Mayor Wen Guohui.

It will also help SDP optimize its industrial layout in the Chinese mainland, he said.

Gou said: "8k technology is not only a cornerstone for the 'Made in China 2025' strategy, it is also a core technology that will transform and enhance the way we live. We see 10.5th-generation 8k display fabrication as only the beginning of this digital revolution."

With Guangzhou actively developing industries related to big data and IoT, the park is expected to catalyze the development of solutions enabling big data analysis to better forecast future trends and opportunities.

Gou restated his commitment to investment in manufacturing. Using the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong as a base, Foxconn is repositioning itself as a leader in industrial IoT and connected car technology in its vision of building an ecosystemfor smart lives.
News / National

by Staff Reporter

A 63 year old man from Mkoba 13 Philip Hlabati is living a lonely life after his wife and children left him for South Africa following the mysterious fires that have been occurring occasionally at his house since 2013.Hlabati is appealing to people who can assist him to get rid of the spirit that is tormenting him and the family.The Hlabati family in Gweru's Mkoba 13 has been tormented by powerful invisible forces that have turned their lives upside down.For the three years, the invisible forces have sporadically pelted members of the Hlabati family with stones and eggs and then without any warning, fire would be mysteriously ignited engulfing the whole house and leaving a trail of destruction.When ZBC News visited Hlabati, the distraught 63 year old cast a lone figure at his home in Mkoba as his wife and children have left him at the haunted house while his neighbours shun him because of the strange happenings at his house.He says his wife left him for South Africa because she was always the target of these invisible forces.He says every time when they are going to experience the attacks they usually see through his daughter who feels weak and sleepy just before the mysterious fire breaks out.The fire is usually ignited by mysterious eggs that fall from nowhere.The last time the fire broke out was in September when an egg was found under the bed, another one on top of a couch and soon after a fire broke out engulfing the entire semi detached house.Hlabati says he has tried everything to solve this problem of mysterious torments on his own but he has not found any solution and appealed to people to assist him find a lasting solution to his predicament.Although many people had promised to assist Hlabati after his story came out on ZBC television and National FM radio, only a church from Harare and the civil protecting unit have assisted him with clothes and blankets.
News / National

by Simbarashe Sithole

A 38 year old Centenary farmer was bashed by Alick Macheso's bouncers before being surrendered to police for trying to break in his BMW X5 vehicle at 007 hide out Glendale, Mashonaland Central yesterday (Friday) .It is alleged Pozias Mupukuta from Mutute farm in Centenary tried to search for goodies from Extra basso's car but was very unfortunate to be seen by Macheso's bouncers peeping and forcing a wire on the driver's door in trying to unlock the door.Macheso was informed while playing his hit Gungwa and he had to stop the guiter and inform the public about the shameful act."Nhai vanhu vaMwari tiri busy kukupa gungwa panomumwe ukuda kupaza mota yngu paseri apo tadirei kuita zvinonyadzisa kudaro ukasungwa nhasiunobuda gore rinouya,"he said.After Macheso's remarks his security guys pounced on the suspect and severely bashed him but they surrendered him to police.The show was characterised by violence and police had a mountain to climb in apprehending the culprits.When Bulawayo24.com visited Glendale charge office it was filled with suspects and they had to temporary lock them in the yard.Due to cash crises the show was not fully packed since most people failed to raise the $5 admission fee.We failed to get it because the admission fee was too much as you know we have cash crises in our country so we just head the guitars from outside," said Tichafa Muzanenhamo.
















Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday told Fatah party officials that 2017 would be the year of the independent Palestinian state. At a torch-lighting ceremony marking the 52nd anniversary of Fatahs founding, Abbas hailed the recent UN anti-settlement resolution as a diplomatic victory.

The settlements are illegal, and in recent days, we were given an unprecedented decision regarding this issue, he told members of his party at the ceremony, held at the grave of former PLO leader Yasser Arafat in Ramallah, Channel 10 news reported.

The PA president said the Palestinians would not tolerate Israeli efforts to fool the international community, Israel Radio reported, and said that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was building colonies in the West Bank and was seeking to perpetuate Israeli rule there, and racist discrimination against the Palestinians. Nonetheless, the Palestinians were ready to work with the incoming Donald Trump presidency to achieve peace via a two-state solution based on the relevant UN decisions and the Arab Peace Initiative, the radio report said. We want to emphasize our willingness to work with the newly-elected American administration to achieve peace based on a two-state solution, he said.

Netanyahu has insisted he seeks a two-state accord with Abbas, and is ready to negotiate without preconditions. He has blamed Abbas for the failure of past peace efforts, and insists that the Palestinians must ultimately recognize Israel as a Jewish state  a requirement endorsed by Secretary of State John Kerry in his valedictory address on Wednesday and immediately rejected by the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinians are setting their sights on a Mideast peace conference in France next month in a bid to rally support as they prepare for the uncertainty of the Trump administration. The Palestinians are hopeful that a strong international endorsement in Paris will insulate them from what they fear will be a close alliance between President-elect Donald Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. With their hopes for gaining independence in a deep freeze, the Palestinians had a rare week of optimism. First, the US allowed the UN Security Council to adopt Resolution 2334, which declared Israeli settlements illegal. Then, Kerry delivered a farewell speech that harshly criticized Israeli settlements, saying Israels continued construction was imperiling hopes for a peace agreement and endangering the countrys democracy.





Palestinian officials say they are now counting on the French-hosted Mideast peace conference to build on the momentum and set clear terms of reference for any future negotiations with Israel. Some 70 nations are expected to attend, although Israel and the Palestinians will not be participating. The Palestinians seek the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War, for an independent state. They say that Israeli settlements in these areas (including Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem), now home to about 600,000 Israelis, are threatening their hopes for independence by taking in lands where they hope to establish their state. The latest UN resolution, along with Kerrys speech, essentially endorsed the Palestinian position by calling for the pre-1967 lines to serve as the reference point for a final border. Netanyahu, who opposes a return to the 1967 lines, has condemned the moves as skewed and shameful. He says all disputes must be settled through direct negotiations without any preconditions, and that any international pressure undermines the negotiating process.





























Minister of Regional Cooperation Tzachi Hanegbi, a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected suggestions that Israel may unilaterally annex the West Bank Saturday, saying such a course of action would be a disaster for the country.









Jewish Home party leader Naftali Bennett has frequently called to annex the 60% of the West Bank, Area C, where Israel maintains security and civilian control and where most settlements are located. On Thursday he asserted that government policy once President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20 will be to annex the large settlement city of Maale Adumim.





Zionist Union chairman Isaac Herzog, speaking at a cultural event in Haifa Saturday, said those supporting annexation were brainwashing the public with lies, such as claiming that we can annex Area C and the world will allow it. Herzog said such action would lead to a reality similar to that created by the civil wars in Syria and Bosnia.












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News / Press Release

by Dr. D. Dabengwa - Zapu President

My fellow countrymen the year 2016 has been a year of great difficulties that started and is ending with political uncertainty and a deteriorating economy, as we have stumbled towards the end of the year, it is my duty, indeed my responsibility as the current leader of the oldest alternative to the ruling nightmare regime that has ruined the country in various combinations, to share some thoughts on our condition.It is imperative not to let the year pass without commenting on the state of the nation and country and what this means for us in the short term and in the future.A few weeks ago we were subjected to an address by President Mugabe that purported to be a state of the nation address. That address left us none the wiser in terms of what is happening and how we shall get out of the mess First and foremost, we are all aware that our problems are induced by political instability in the ruling regime and its failure to control looting of the country's wealth and destruction of institutions and systems that would make the country viable. It is therefore important to stop the rot and to bring the country back on track.For our part as I outlined last year, we have been on a drive to rebuild our party so that it recovers its role as a fit instrument to continue what it has done before; to spearhead the need and dream of Zimbabweans for accountable government and a fairer future for all. This year we embarked on a nationwide restructuring and mobilization exercise to meet the people, traditional leaders and business community to engage them and listen to their concerns and aspirations. This was aimed at coming up with current people oriented programmes to augment our policies and help in refining our policy options in time for our Congress which we held in August 2016 against all and great odds.This process gave us an opportunity to focus our attention on the 2018 elections and the manifesto issues which we shall present to the general public in the course of 2017. Our 2016 Congress, having been postponed in December for lack of resources, was a triumph of will and perseverance by increasingly impoverished members who contributed to make it happen. One of our leaders once said in a meeting, "ZAPU will survive not because of itself, but in spite of itself". This was a way of saying that this durable brand in Zimbabwean politics is ingrained in the hearts of many people who keep making sacrifices to keep the party going without external support or connection to local official institutions that keep some afloat. It is one organization whose members, supporters and well wishers associate with the unfinished business of liberation and self-fulfillment of generations of Zimbabwean people. I would like to thank Mugabe for finally admitting that the chaotic land reform programme of 2000 has caused unprecedented financial and economic ruin to the country. That unfortunately chaotic land grab and election ruse disguised as a reform programme has brought the country to its knees and torn the very fabric of our nationhood.It has caused social upheaval that has seen an exodus of productive professionals to the diaspora and the collapse of the primary manufacturing sector which is the foundation of exports and a favourable balance of payments.The vacuum created by this collapse has been abused by ZANU through the government and state machinery to loot the raw resources together with their friends from the East who have disappeared with our $15 billion. In most countries it is unimaginable for such a figure to be given out as "missing" by people in government without accountability, even promise to follow up.Not satisfied with the robbery of such scale, because that is what it has to be unless the resources are recovered and accounted for, the government has looted the country's nostro accounts and left the country bankrupt. It is worth noting that the funds in the nostro accounts did not belong to the government but were the earnings of the few hardworking corporations remaining in the country to pay for their international commitments.With limited access to hard cash for their luxurious trips and other conspicuous consumption, the government came up with an unsecured paper currency, appropriately named the Bond Currency. This worthless currency is allegedly backed by an unconfirmed $200 million dollar facility with the AFREXIM bank to supposedly resuscitate manufacturing and boost economics. The irony of a $4 billion economy needing a mere 5% of its net to resuscitate it is totally lost on ZANU.I daresay that if they were not greedy Mugabe's cabinet can raise $1 billion between them and lend it to the country, without even bothering about the $15 Billion that evaporated into thin air. After all they stole it from Zimbabwe in the first place and surely their cut of the $15 billion is much more than a mere $1 billion At least we would not be forced as a sovereign country to resort to a make believe currency.The Reserve Bank Governor declared that this currency will solve the perennial cash shortages and subsequent queues at the banks. Instead the advent of the Bond has resulted in longer queues and fuel shortages. We find it hard to believe that an educated economist like Dr. Mangudya can dream up such a scheme and we therefore think it is one of the President's advisors from the Diesel kuChinhoyi Group.It is apparent from President Mugabe's address that the dictator regime has no viable solution to the problems facing the country at large and common people in particular. What is even more apparent after the recent regime party's conference in Masvingo is that the country will continue on auto pilot as the ageing leader clings to power at the centre of spider's web, struggling to manipulate warring factions angling to get their "inheritance" when he departs as he surely will according to the laws of nature.A short term solution to halt this decay and lay a foundation for long term peace and reconciliation is to negotiate a National Transitional Authority to manage the shift of power from an incapacitated and increasingly dysfunctional dictatorship in preparation for democratic elections.A democratic all inclusive body must manage 2018 elections. ZANU alone cannot be trusted to manage that transition. Witness the deadly succession fights within that party. Joyce Mujuru admitted in an interview with eNCA last week to abuse of state machinery for manipulation of the electoral process. Hence we call for the establishment of a National Transitional Authority to manage the change.In the short to medium term and in the interests of building trust ZAPU is also committed to the formation of a coalition to contest the elections as a united front. It is in pursuit of this goal that ZAPU has participated in the formation and negotiations of the Coalition of Democrats. (CODE). This is in response to calls from the population and civic society for the need to present a united front in the fight against ZANU. Electoral Reforms remain a short to medium term solution to the problems our country is facing. The establishment and capacitation of a truly independent Electoral Commission as called for and provided for in the constitution has to be achieved immediately.The long term goals of ZAPU remain unchanged. In our negotiations for a brighter future of Zimbabwe we continue to call for the implementation of comprehensive devolution of power to the 5 regions we have identified and named in Zimbabwe. Self-determination is a God given right. We believe that diversity as contained in the colonial physical borders can only be a blessing for our beautiful country.Fellow citizens, I wish you a prosperous new year, free from the chains of dictatorship as currently is the case under ZANU PF and Robert Mugabe. A new year free of the current economic hardships and social, political upheavals as experienced under the ZANU PF regime which has no respect for basic human rights as contained in our national constitution.Happy 2017!!!!
News / Religion

by Staff Reporter

The Muslim community has called upon all Zimbabweans to come together and unite in order to eradicate violence and terrorism.In the face of a rise of terror attacks, the Muslim community in Zimbabwe hosted a seven day unity workshop in the capital which brought together the different schools of thought to debate on how unity and peace can be achieved.The chief coordinator of the unity workshop Dr Ayatullah Muhammad Mokhtari who is the Director Research And Aproximation School in Iran said in the wake of extremist groups in the world who are disturbing peace and tranquility, there is need for Zimbabweans despite religion or race to increase the common determination to counter the inhumane and barbaric ideology of terrorist groups.The schools of thought agreed to be united and resist these extremists.They resolved the need to open an office with a branch of the committee on unity and proximity among Islamic schools of thought in Zimbabwe, which in future will spread its wings to the whole of Southern African countries.
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"My mandate is to get young people jobs," he said at a meeting with the Catholic Bishops Conference Friday. "We have the human material to be able to confront the challenges facing our country. There is no reason why our country should be poor.

He said there is no reason Ghana should be poor in the midst of abundance resources, promising to harness it to the benefit of all Ghanaians.

Akufo-Addo also added that his administration will work in the interest of Ghanaians and "not ourselves."

The president-elect said he believes in "the concept of Ghana as the star of Africa" because it captures the "spirit of what Ghana should be."

He also called for the support of the Conference to rebuild Ghana together.

According to him, the Catholic Church has been a strong pillar in Ghana's democracy, urging the church's highest decision body to offer criticism when he goes wrong.
A video circulating on social media claim the rice brand is artificially manufactured of grains of rubber.

It said: "Ramani Distribution is a company that prides itself in offering proper nutrition from its products and has subjected the full range of its products to scrutiny and tests by the Food and Drugs Authority of Ghana and the Ghana Standards Board. Products from Ramani Distribution have passed all these tests and are fully certified by all relevant regulatory bodies.
The decision to suspend Connel was heavily criticised especially by the St. Augustines Past Students Union (APSU), who called for his reinstatement.

In a letter to GES, dated December 28, 2016, the president of APSU, Dr Ernest Anthony Osei, has expressed his appreciation to the education management body for the decision to reverse Connels suspension.

While the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service have been criticised for overly interfering with the running of public secondary schools, it says the move to police the collection of fees is to ensure that headteachers do not overbill parents and continue to price of public education is within the means of many ordinary Ghanaians.
Opinion / Columnist

May I take this time to commend Nqobizitha Khumalo for his courage to criticize MLF in particular for what he calls lack of direction and unlike him who first intended to hide his image, may I make it clear that I am Dalubuhle Dube from Dongamuzi in Lupane, an MLF supporter. That was "great" of you Mntungwa. Your questions were and remains very crucial to be answered. There's no way we will achieve our set goals if we do not set ourselves targets and time frames or even take ourselves to a mirror and check our behaviours and dealings.What you called for from MLF and MLO is what I am calling for from you as a member of the royal family, the Khumalos. Mthwakazi nation is now running to 2 centuries without the king while you people are enjoying royalty grants meant to suppress the Mthwakazi statehood restoration, from the oppressive Zanu pf. It would call for a sober mind to judge MLF and MLO without noticing the role that one should playing in Mthwakazi restoration agenda. Khumalo in as much as you read MLF and MLO articles with anger, I read your article with serious disgust considering that the state of Mthwakazi is today regarded as a dream just because of you. On that note may I commend King Mzilikazi Tshuma Khumalo for realizing how much your house was betraying the nation and installed himself as the next king to sort out your mess. So far so good King Mzilikazi II, keep up the fire. Coming to the strategy of MLF, which you regard as useless, I think in as much as you are entitled to your opinions, MLF is also entitled to its strategic beliefs whether you like it or not.What I in person has tempted me more into following MLF is that I regard them as the early rains. It comes when everything has lost hope for a better tomorrow and the next moment that very thing that had lost hope, sees itself as untouchable. Like the early rains, MLF rose up tall and advocated for the restoration of Mthwakazi statehood, the next day all weed and frogs came to existence. As a grown-up and knowledgeable about the nature of things, I can not shower praises to the weed and frogs for their existence but to what brought about the existence of those frogs.@MLF big up gentlemen, you remain a historic organisation of our land. It takes a sober mind to realise the role you have and are playing in the Mthwakazi cause. I support your thinking that going into Zimbabwean elections is just as good as legitimising the government of Zimbabwe simply because the election of any country is aligned to the Constitution of Zimbabwe. No one recognising him/herself as non Zimbabwean would dare contest in the Zimbabwean elections unless otherwise.
He told the media after his swearing in ceremony at the seat of government that "When the appointment was given me, I thought I had to go back to my previous employers.

He added: "I was with the World Bank. It was not good for them to see on news that I have been appointed so I sought permission to go back before I come in and accepted."

His clarification came after the managing editor of the Ghanaian Observer newspaper, Egbert Faibille Jnr, claiming to be speaking on authority said Domelovo has rejected the offer to serve as the Auditor General.

Mr Faiblle said Domelovo rejected the offer because of the controversies surrounding Mahama's last minute appointments.

Domelovo, 55, downplayed the timing of his appointment, adding that the timing rather ensures independence.

"I don't think there will be any problems. One of the things about the Auditor-General is his independence. And so if one administration should appoint you for you to work with another administration, it guarantees your independence better", he said.
READ MORE: Rawlings pays tribute to Castro

There will be a wreath-laying ceremony and parade to mark the anniversary.

The theme for this years ceremony is 31st December  The Principles Never Change.

Cadres of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are expected to grace the occasion.

A release from the Planning Committee says Saturdays ceremony is expected to be short and solemn.

The revolution, which occurred in 1989, ousted the Dr Hilla Limann administration which was less than two years old after winning a democratic election.

This year's event comes weeks after the party he founded, the NDC, was crushed as the polls by more than a million vote.

READ MORE: JJ sues Africa Watch magazine for defamation

Rawlings could be tempted to use the occasion to outline reasons the party performed so poorly at the polls.
His said the posture of the president is reassuring to the peace of the country.

I think all of us in Ghana have to be thankful that we have in him [Mahama] a man who is also devoted to the peace and stability of our country," Akufo-Addo said in a meeting with the leadership of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference at his Nima residence Friday. "He has comported himself in a manner to ensure a smooth transition.

We believe that the manner in which he is going about it, is reassuring to our peace especially when you see what is going on in other parts of our continent and we have to be thankful for that, he added.
Her statement was in reaction to claims by the transition team of the incoming Nana Akufo-Addo administration that it has forfeited allowances, food and drinks offered them in the course of the transition.

The working committees and the nine members from the side of the president-elect have also declined sitting allowances, lunch and other beverages as a sign of commitment to the austere times in which we are, and same has been communicated to the co-chair and the team on the other side, its spokesperson, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said.

But Hanna Tetteh added that the provision for snacks and lunch for the transition team is from the Office of the President.

According to her, it is available "only for members of the transition team working from the Accra International Conference Centre."
We wish to extend our congratulations to the President-elect of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo and his Vice, Alhaji Doctor Mahamudu Bawumiah and the leadership and members of our great party for the convincing victory chalked in this years elections, Alhaji Musah said.

He added: Our last and most important advice to His Excellency the President-elect is that he should fight corruption in the Ghanaian society. All Government officials who are found to be corrupt either in the outgoing regime or in the NPP government should be made to face the law.

Alhaji Musah also commended the leadership of the NPP in the region led by its "dynamic chairman Abdul-Fatawu Bugri Naabu and his team, Constituency and Polling Station Executives and all the Parliamentary candidates and Parliamentarians elect for their resilience and hard work that brought glory the party to power."

To all those who lost in the elections, we urge them not to relent but cooperate and fully support our President and members of Parliament to fulfil the promises made to Ghanaians, he said.

He further added the partys district industrialisation policy, the re-organisation of the SADA to Northern Development Authority, one-village-one-dam policy and the restoration of scrapped allowances will improve the standard of living of the majority of northern farmers.

Alhaji Musah said: As the regions advisory body of the party, we are very optimistic that the Nana Addo led government will truly bring socio-economic transformation to Ghana.

We are very confident that the implementation of the one village one dam and the one district one factory policies will not only create numerous jobs for the youth but also improve the living standards of majority of people in the Northern region who are predominantly farmers.
The NDC, which currently holds the majority bench, will move to the minority bench in 2017 after the party lost over 40 MPs in the December vote.

The strongly worded letter noted that "even before the Seventh Parliament swings into action come January 7th next year, it appears there is jostling for who makes it to the leadership of the NDC Minority in Parliament in the media; creating discomfiture in and among the elected members."

The letter added that "Sources of information by the media are not clearly defined except for allusions being made to the Party leadership. The resort to the media by certain faceless elements in the Party to fly kites and to test public opinion among party faithful can create confusion and disorganise the incoming minority front in Parliament. I would imagine that more matured and reasoned procedures will be followed in the selection of those who make up the minority leadership in Parliament."

To this end, the MP is calling for broad consultation before any person is decided on to serve on the minority front bench.

It continues: "it will be apt, therefore for the views of the following categories of persons to be sought going forward:

The outgoing President and leader of the NDC.

The views of the Council of Elders, most importantly the founder or founding father of the Party depending on which terminology suits ones ear.

The outgoing MPs

Regional leaderships of the Party should be asked to interface with their elected MPs before submitting proposed names to national leadership for further deliberation.

Above all, a dialogue with all elected MPs on the subject matter is crucially important.

The MP believes broad consultation will create transparency and oneness of purpose as well as generating a needed working energy among the incoming minority Members of Parliament.
However, he added that the NDC party he founded lack the intelligence "to recognise the presence of the evil-natured ones. The eyes and the nose to smell them."

There was sustained laughter after he called for the evil ones to be weeded out of the party.

His called is similar to the one he made four years ago for the 'babies with sharp teeth' to be lowered in the bath water if the party cannot throw away the baby with the bathwater.

Former president Rawlings made the call when he addressed the 35th anniversary of the 31 December Revolution in Accra Saturday.

According to him, the defeat of the party was self-inflicted and that victory was handed over to the NPP on a silver platter.
Ugolee who is currently in need of a kidney transplant is N33 million away from having the procedure carried out.

ALSO READ: Desmond Elliot solicits financial aid for ill veteran actor

Seun took to his Facebook page to write, "Donate to save the life of our friend, brother and colleague. We as a people should come together and help heal our own."

D'Banj also described Ugolee as a good man, hoping that many others would respond to the plea that would literally save his life.

He wrote on his post via Instagram, "I hardly do this but, I have known you a long time and you are a Survivor. I remember when I first signed my Glo deal in 2008, you were there working and I've always been a Good Man, a supporter of Creative talent and Creative Being yourself. How I wish we had a great health Insurance system in Nigeria. Pls accept my little contribution and pls my people, let's Help a Brother Stay Alive, nothing is too small. OooSssHhhEee. God bless us all."

Sadly, this is quickly becoming a trend with entertainers in the country, with most of them suffering from varying ailments and then asking for Nigerians to assist them.

It might have been easier with the aid of a corporate body that sees to the needs of such entertainers but with the numbers rising on a daily, even that is no longer fail-safe.
The accused who hails from Likoni in Mombasa County, Kenya, accused her husband of cheating and on Sunday, December 25, 2016, bought two litres of cooking oil, boiled it and poured it on his head, chest, and private parts.

ALSO READ: Husband pours boiling oil on wife over food

Daily Post reports that the suspect absconded immediately after committing the act.

While other Christians basked in the festivities, Mr Omondi was in the hospital fighting for his life after being rushed to a local hospital in Likoni before being referred to Coast General Hospital for advanced treatment.

The 30-year-old woman has since been apprehended by the police for her crime.

Likoni Officer Commanding Police Division, OCPD, Willy Simba, confirmed the incident on Friday, December 30, saying that it was gathered that the couple had been quarreling quite much recently.

According to Simba, the police launched a manhunt for the suspect who was apprehended on Friday.

ALSO READ: Jealous girlfriend bathes boyfriend with hot oil for impregnating another woman
The accused, Victor Ojiaku, who sells automobile parts and resides at 22, Arike John Close, White Sand, Isheri-Osun in Lagos State, reportedly committed the dastardly act using a broken bottle, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports.

Mr Ojiaku is reported to have flown off the handle after accusing his wife of having sexual relations with his sales representative.

NAN reports that the case was taken up by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT).

The Coordinator of DSVRT, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, told NAN how the victim was kept indoors and punished severely by her husband.

The victim, Faith Ojiaku,27, a student, was held hostage by her husband for two days, depriving her of calling any of her family members for help or for receiving medical attention.

She was subsequently rushed to the hospital for treatment after which she collapsed, she then pleaded with the doctor to make use of his phone to call her sister.

It was her sister that informed DSVRT which advised her to report the case at the police station on behalf of her stabbed sister.

He also injured the sales representative with a broken bottle and some dangerous weapons.

We had an official meeting with the DPO who told us that the suspect was arrested on December 27 and he ensured that justice would be done in the case."

The father-of-three was arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on grievous harm, threat to life and assault, in a suit filed by the police.

NAN reports that the presiding Magistrate, Akeem Fashola, who gave the ruling, stated that the accused must produce two sureties in like sum and that the sureties should be working in reputable organisations. They must also possess three years tax clearance as well as the states residents identity card.
Opinion / Columnist

First and foremost Xoxani Ngxoxo must be applauded for emphasizing in his article that Resorationists are just but Restorationists and not secessionists as advanced by the hostile Zimbabwean media and its supporters.The Mthwakazi Restorationists must therefore stand their ground and refuse to be labelled Secessionists for the Restoration Agenda of Mthwakazi is not any close to Secession by any means.However it must be pointed out to Xoxani Ngxoxo, who seems to use an unreal name, that his attack on the Royal House of Khumalo and those on the ground who are doing real work and real politics on this Agenda is a step gone too far. They are doing a better job than him who is hiding under fictitious names and most likely in the Diaspora enjoying the comfort of those Western countries while others are seriously working.For starters Xoxani Ngxoxo has continued to bring confusion in the Restorationist camp with a number of confusionist articles.At one point, this chap/lady, suggested that Restorationists must join hands with Zanu PF in order to achieve their Agenda. Such a suggestion casts some doubt on his/her authenticity as a Restorationist. No tried and tested Restorationist can ever suggest such rubbish and be taken seriously. He/She is a confusionist meant to muddy waters!If he/she so wishes to form an alliance with Zanu PF with his/her so called United Kingdom of Matebeleland, an invisible Organisation we have never heard of and whose members we have never heard of or seen, he/she should do so himself/herself and leave others to get on with the job at hand.It is very clear that He/She is a suspicious character who might be a Zanu PF imposter, a double agent, who wishes to throw some spanners in the Restoration Agenda. He/She is up for a big rude awakening.If he/she feels he/she has good advice to give to other groups, why on earth would he/she want to give such advice via a newspaper? His/her authenticity is in question. Here is someone using a fictitious name, leading a fictitious Organisation, giving advice to Real Restorationists to form an alliance with Zanu PF to achieve Restoration. He/She seems a bald head that is crazy.Which authentic Restorationist can then look for advice from this suspicious character who seem to love Zanu PF so much, such that he/she sees Zanu PF as the most possible and credible animal that can bring a Restored Kingdom of Matebeleland? What an insane and crazy advice to Restorationists!Xoxani Ngxoxo might as well be a double agent doubling in Restorationist politics but equally being a Zanu PF spy. Restorationists must be worry of him and his/her fictitious organisation that is not known by anyone.If he/shevhas guts, he/she must come out of the woods and do better and face the animal here at home and engage people and stop producing long and senseless articles which he/she terms "advice".Xoxani Ngxoxo must demonstrate that he/she has balls like Mzilikazi II, Raphael Khumalo and make open declarations like Mzilikazi II has done in the belly of the Zanu PF animal and stop pretending he/she knows better than others while hiding behind pseudo names and pseudo organisations. If he/she is not able to do so, he/she must zip his/her mouth and keep his/her unsolicited advice to himself or herself.Therefore Xoxani Ngxoxo must know that other Restorationists are on the ground, meeting people and spreading the word and defying the most criminal regime ever to emerge in Africa while he/she is busy producing endless, long and senseless articles which he/she terms "advice". He/She is advised to make a pact with his/her Zanu PF and do his/her stuff from that angle as a double agent while authentic Restorationists do their work the way they see fit. He/She therefore must keep his/her advice in his/her briefcase and let other Restorationist do their work in peace.Lastly Mthwakazi has never been representative of the whole of Zimbabwe. It is a blue lie that Xoxani Ngxoxo wants to advance to the public. Matebeleland and Mashonaland have always existed separately and colonised separately. Mashonaland was colonized in 1890 and Matebeleland in 1893/4 after the defeat of our Impis. There may have been some chiefs who paid taxes to the Kingdom in exchange for protection but never has Mthwakazi been the whole of Zimbabwe. It is a blue lie and one wonders what the intentions of this double agent are. He/She must concentrate on his/her proposed pact with Zanu PF and leave authentic Restorationists to do their work.Xoxani Ngxoxo must know that Britain has a colonial responsibility to Mthwakazi and as such it needs to be challenged to partake in the proper de-colonization of Mthwakazi. He/She must remember that the Mau Mau of Kenya in the recent past brought a case against Britain and won it. Therefore Xoxani Ngxoxo must stuff it in his/her briefcase and continue to liaise with Zanu PF and form a pact with them on his/her fake Restorationist Agenda. We are with the people here doing some work. We are sick and tired of the Pull Them Down wannabe political activists who hide behind pseudo names, pseudo organisations and behind keyboards and yet claim to be the best of the best!
The suspect who claims to be a bricklayer, when interrupted said it was an herbalist by the name Tajudeen Jawesola that asked him to exhume skulls from graves in a cemetery in return for N10,000.

Fimihan Adeoye, the Commissioner of Police in the state, said police detectives got the hint about the atrocities of Ajao and trailed him until he was caught with the skull.

Speaking to newsmen, Ajao said: It was Jawesola that asked me to get the human skull for him.Everybody knows Jawesola to be a herbalist and he wanted to use the human skull to do his work. He said he would give me N10, 000. I should not have listened to him. It is a mistake.

Nemesis caught up with him when policemen deployed around the cemetery acting on a tip off caught him red handed with a skull.

The state police command said efforts to arrest Jawesola will soon yield a fruitful dividend as police are already on the trail for him.
Madaki, the chairman, Medical and Health Workers Union of the school, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna.

He said that the school might lose its accreditation because the schools structure was fast deteriorating.When there are no facilities and modern infrastructure, we are bound to lose accreditation.

Lecturers lack office accommodation; most of the lecturers, after classes, hang around.

There are no adequate classrooms. The premise is too small for a school of this nature.

When these basic things are not in place, there is no doubt that we can have graduates that are half-baked.If we dont have a good medical laboratory, there is no way we can train good medical laboratory technicians.

Neither can we have good pharmacy technicians, if we dont have good pharmacy laboratory that will stand the test of time, he said.

Madaki said the school also lacked physics, biology and chemistry laboratories, adding that all cadres of students need modern laboratories.

He also called for appropriate training that would make the school to continue to enjoy full accreditation, rather than provisional accreditation.

Almost all the professions in the health sector require middle manpower that we can train, but because we lack infrastructure and a permanent site, we are constrained. Health is a critical sector; training of health personnel is a critical aspect of healthcare delivery in any state, he said.

The union chairman said that the schools clinic, which accommodate the demonstration room, lacked simulation equipment.

According to him, the models available are over 20 years and have lost its relevance.He said the school was still operating from its temporary site, adding that some unscrupulous individuals had encroached on the schools land and turned its surrounding to commercial and residential area.Madaki said that there was need for the school to move to its permanent site to enable it to expand and run other courses such as X-ray Technology,.
Atiku in the statement described 2016 as a year in which the nation faced a multitude of challenges, but which ended on a high note, giving us hope and confidence in what we as a nation can achieve when we stand to work together.

He spoke further on the great feat achieved by the Nigerian Army in fighting the terrorist group, book Haram, describing it as an important victory and urging Nigerians to make peace not just in the North but in the East too.

Our military has recorded an important victory over Boko Haram and we should be grateful for the sacrifice our men and women in uniform are prepared to make to keep us safe. To honour them, we should also remember that it is our collective responsibility to make peace, and not just in the North East.

I believe we can and will work around our differences, because we know that our strength lies in our diversity. And when we make our New Years resolutions, I hope my countrymen and countrywomen will join me in aspiring to be tolerant and to listen with an open mind and heart to those who do not share our views. We should respect each others views and traditions, and we should remember that our humanity shows in how we treat the most vulnerable. He said.

On the Economic state of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku admitted that Nigerians have faced a lot of hardship, but that with time, we would become innovative and competitive.

I am confident that we will see investments in key sectors, and that steps will be taken to restore business confidence. Weve been dealt a cruel hand, but things are looking up, and Im confident we will emerge stronger: were learning to be more efficient and effective, and were learning to evaluate what we really need and what we can afford. Were suffering, but well become more innovative and competitive. Atiku said.

Conclusively, he urged Nigerians to keep aspiring for a better life. In his words, We must never stop aspiring for a better future and a better life  for us and for future generations. And we must persevere, changing the small things we can influence without losing sight of the bigger picture.
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The media aide made it known that Governor Ayo Fayose was not pleased with the Presidents directive to the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), to investigate the Department of State Services report on the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu. Specifically, asking if the President no longer has faith in the DSS reports as being credible.

Magu was indicted by their own DSS and they are still saying the AGF should investigate. Is AGF the police? After Magu had been indicted by the DSS, what are they investigating again? Are they saying DSS report is no longer credible?

As far as I am concerned, President Buhari is not fighting any corruption. He is fighting his political foes. They are just trying to make all Nigerians papers so that when they share N1, 000 at the polling units, it will be like N1m.

God is a God of single-standard, not double-standard. This Buharis government is a government of double-standard.

In response to whether the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for 16 years was responsible for the present state of the Nigerian Economy, he responded saying Maybe we should even return to that past because, in that past, Dollar was N200 and one bag of rice was N8, 000.
According to The Guardian, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Friday, December 30, issued a letter to Magu, directing him to hand over to the EFCC Director of Operations.

It was gathered that Buhari would present another nominee to the Senate for approval.

Multiple reports also saythe Federal Government has directed the Police authority to re-deploy some senior officers to make Magu's re-deployment back to the Force look like a routine exercise.

Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, declined to comment on the development when Pulse reached out to him.

"EFCC has a spokesman...call him," he said.

However, the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, could not confirm the news either.

"I am about to go for prayers. Call me later. Just call me later please," he told Pulse correspondent on the phone in an angry tone.

Pulse also reached out to Magu but his phone was switched off.
The attorney in a statement made available on Friday, December 30, 2016, to pressmen in Imo State gave the Governor a 7 days ultimatum to do so.

In his words, I have watched with dismay on AIT today how Governor Fayose, without regard for caution, went wild castigating General Buratai as being Corrupt. Fayose merely alluded to an alleged Dubai property belonging to Buratais spouse without furnishing further details on how Buratai became Corrupt.

I am yet to see any evidence presented by Governor Fayose over his labeling General Buratai as Corrupt. Or, does Fayose think he can just malign and injure the credibility of General Buratai and go scot free without providing evidence to substantiate the corruption allegation?

Speaking on right to immunity possessed by Fayose being a current Governor in Nigeria, he said that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria allows the investigation of a serving governor. Against that backdrop, Fayose cannot only be investigated but can also be invited and detained.

The constitutional immunity only shields President and Vice together with the governors from prosecution while on the seat but not from been investigated. If the constitution allows investigation of a sitting governor, there is nothing wrong getting him invited and detained if there was enough evidence that he has breached any part of the criminal laws including that of criminal defamation. A sitting governor can be investigated, invited and detained.

Mr. Fayose can be detained and investigated by the Police. To buttress this point, the Supreme Court has held in FAWEHINMI v. IGP that any of the office holders mentioned in Section 308 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (the President, Vice President, Governor and Deputy Governor) can be investigated by the police or any other law enforcement agency for any allegation of crime or offence in office.

It is a shame that while the whole world is busy celebrating the exploits of the Nigerian Army, General Buratai, the Air Force, and President Buhari, Governor Fayose is busy undermining this feat and making a jest of the Nigerian Army, he said.
Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, the Commissioner of Police in the state, revealed this to nesmen on Friday in Lafia.

The commander disclosed that investigations pointed to the fact that one Yahuza Yahaya was the leader of the criminal gang responsible for the ambush and killing of the three miners and their police escort.

He also claimed that one AK-47 riffle, military uniform and two photographs of the gang leader were recovered from the suspects.

In one of photographs, the gang leader was dressed in military uniform and brandishing an AK-47 riffle.

Investigation is still on to apprehend other accomplices in the case and all the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded, Sadiq-Bello said.

Some gunmen on November 28, kidnapped and killed the mine workers, including a Chinese in the Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area of the state.
This was contained in a statement made available to Pulse on Saturday, December 31, 2016.

"It is such a shame that Speaker Dogara denied the fact that former Governor James Ibori provided huge support to his emergence as Speaker by mobilizing members from Delta state and some from the the south south and south east zone to support him," Jibrin said.

"Since he has disown Ibori, he should at least have the honour to return the $600,000 Ibori donated to his speakership campaign. Iam sure he cannot deny the fact that he collected that money cash!"

The Kano state lawmaker also accused Speaker Dogara of "spreading lies and propaganda" in the House of Representatives aimed at "watering down his popularity".

He said: "No such planted stories will deter me from this crusade and using every legal means to regain the mandate of my people. The Speaker and members of the axis of evil in the house whom I will name in due course should rather focus on responding to the mountain of allegations i have raised against them.

"This is 163 days after and no response to any of the allegations of budget fraud and corruption.

"I remain very proud that despite the organized witch hunt against me using the institution of the house they have not been able to establish any offense that I have committed during the course of discharging my duties in the five years I have spent in the house.

"It is noteworthy that no member of the house has formally accused me of corruption or abuse of office as I have consistently done against the Speaker and others," Jibrin added.
Multiple reports on Saturday, December 31, said Magu has been re-deployed back to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in a move to pave way for a fresh person to be presented as the EFCC Chairman.

It was also reported that the Attorney-General of the Federal (SGF), Abubakar Malami, on Friday wrote a letter Magu, directing him to hand over to the EFCC Director of Operations.

But in a series of tweets on Saturday, Buhari's spokesman, Garba Shehu, refuted the claims.

"No report has been made available to the Presidency by the Attorney General of the federation over the matter," Shehu said, adding that report of Magu's sack is "therefore speculative and preemptive."

ALSO READ: Presidential aides block Magu from seeing Buhari over Senate rejection

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina also buttressed Shehu's statement.

He said the AGF is "even yet to submit his probe report to the President."
Mr. Laolu Akande who is the VP's spokesperson told Pulse that "Osinbajo is on a short end of year vacation abroad with his family. He left after Christmas and is expected back in Nigeria early next week".

has been able to independently verify that Nigeria's Vice President is holidaying somewhere in the middle East..in one of the smaller Arab nations.

Osinbajo who heads the economic management team within the Presidency, is sure to have his plate full upon his return with Nigeria's economic realities looking rather grim since the turn of the year.
He also admonished the federal government from relaxing in the war against Boko Haram, as the battle is far from over.

Below is a summary of his entire prophecies:

1. I see terrorism on the increase

2. Federal Government of Nigeria should not relax yet on Boko Haram. Its a deception.

3. Buhari to face impeachment threats.

4. America and China to have major face-off

5. Crude Oil to flow in Northern Nigeria.

6. Abuja to experience major fire explosion.

7. Donald Trump to face impeachment attempt as members of congress are divided on his style of leadership.

8. I see an airplane that has Nigerias logo (national carrier)

9. Things will pick up a bit in Nigeria but hunger will persist.

10. I saw people crying over Bamanga Tukur

11. Buhari will be bereaved in 2017.

12. Ecobank, Diamond, Fidelity, GTB to retrench staff.

13. President Buharis health needs attention.

14. 2017 budget will have crises.

15. More judges to be humiliated.

16. MMM to dupe more Nigerians and I see court cases.

17. Dollar to exchange for N615.

18. Recession in Nigeria to become depression in 2017

19. MTN and Glo to face hardship.

20. A former First Lady of Nigeria needs prayers over her health.

21. Forces in Aso Rock planning to poison current First Lady (Aisha Buhari)

22. I saw huge number of Chibok girls released; some of them with kids

23. Nnamdi Kanus detention to cause international crises. God is angry with Buhari for the continued detention.

24. Donald Trump to favour Israel. American Embassy in Israel to be moved to Jerusalem.

25. Liberian election: CONTINUITY.

26. Ghanas new president to send many to jail.

27. Buhari and Senate to have crucial disagreement.

28. Nigerias Budget will be delayed.

29. I see killings in Ekiti.

30. EFCC to come after National Assembly members in Nigeria in a politically motivated arrests because of their refusal to confirm Magu.

31. I see kidnappers entering schools.

32. Nigeria will lose a great man of God and the New Year is when the Nigerian government will fight the Church like never before.

33. Some terrorists will be arrested in Lagos.

34. Traditional rulers indicted and arrested for corruption.

35. Lufthansa, Dana Air, Ghana Air, Aero Contractors I see staff protests.

36. America to have financial crises.

37. A serving cabinet minister in Nigeria will die.

38. Nigeria to secure foreign funds.

39. Doctors will embark on strike in Nigeria.

40. A new mega party in Nigeria will swallow up APC.

41. I see a new leadership for the APC in Nigeria.

42. I see the DSS being taken to court.

43. France, Spain, Russia to pray against train going off the rail.

44. I saw a huge school building collapse.

45. Nollywood to pray. They will get help but will lose two major people. The Yoruba movie industry too; but prayer can avert it.

46. Fulani herdsmen again! Taraba, Benue, Imo and Jigawa states.

47. Kogi State to organise state prayers to avoid major deaths and natural disasters.

48. Edo State; major celebration but pray against road crashes.

49. I see presidents being removed in Africa, I see presidents being installed.

50. Two times, Nigerias vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, will face removal from office. They will alienate him and they will make attempts to remove him. But God will humble Buhari in 2017.
The meeting, expected to start at 10 a.m, would hold at Camp Neya, Kalus country home in Igbere, Abia State, according to Daily Sun.

A statement signed by former Secretary to Abia State government, Pastor Raph Egbu, said the meeting, which is strictly by invitation is convened by Kalu who recently joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Those expected at the meeting include former Deputy Governors (1999-2007), former Secretaries to the State government (1999-2007), former Chief of Staff (1999-2007), former Deputy Chief of Staff (1999-2007) and former members of National Assembly (1999-2007).

Others are former Commissioners of Ministries (1999-2007), former Local Government chairmen (elected and appointed, (1999-2007), former members, Abia State House of Assembly (1999-2007), former Special Advisers (1999-2007) and former Board Chairmen and Heads of Parastatals (1999-2007).

The former governor recently joined the ruling APC from the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), with a commitment to contribute his quota to the political and economic development of the country.

Daily Sun reported that the National chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who received Kalu to the party, described his entrance as timely, giving the fact that we need his experience, and to help lift.
Rebel supporter Turkey and key regime ally Russia, which brokered the truce, say the talks in the Kazakh capital Astana aim to supplement UN-backed peace efforts, rather than replace them.

They want to involve regional players like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan.

Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin voiced hope that the council would vote Saturday on the draft resolution -- which also endorses the planned talks in Kazakhstan -- "and adopt it unanimously".

Diplomats however, said they did not see how a quick UN weekend vote could occur as the resolution needed to be "seriously studied" and hinted Russia might be hard-pressed to muster the nine votes needed for it to pass.

Washington is conspicuously absent from the new process, but Moscow has said it hoped to bring US President-elect Donald Trump's administration on board once he takes office in January.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitor of the war, said that most of the country remained calm on Saturday.

But limited clashes continued in some areas including Wadi Barada near Damascus and the southern city of Daraa where one opposition fighter was killed.

Rebels in Wadi Barada have cut water supplies to the capital leaving four million people without water.

Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said that five rebel fighters were killed on Friday in the opposition bastion of Eastern Ghouta near Damascus and in Wadi Barada where helicopters carried out raids on rebel positions.

A civilian was also killed by regime sniper fire in Eastern Ghouta while another died in shelling in Wadi Barada, he said.

The forces in Wadi Barada include former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front, previously known as Al-Nusra Front, which Syria's government says is excluded from the ceasefire.

The Observatory also reported at least 16 government air strikes across several areas in Hama province in central Syria, with no casualties.

Tired of war

In rebel-held Idlib province, however, it was quiet and residents expressed hope for respite from the bloody conflict.

"I support the ceasefire... and I support its continuation," said 31-year-old Ahmed Astify. "Everyone, whether (they are) rebels or regular people, is tired," he added.

Mohammed, 28, said: "We hope that this will lead to the end of the war."

Syria's government and its ally Iran both welcomed the ceasefire deal.

Damascus called it a "real opportunity" to find a political solution to the war, which has killed more than 310,000 people since it began in March 2011 with protests against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Despite being left out of the process, Washington described the truce as "positive".

Analysts were cautious but said the involvement of Russia, Iran and Turkey could be important.

Sam Heller, fellow at The Century Foundation, said there was "real interest and urgency" from Moscow and Ankara, but expressed doubts about whether Tehran and Damascus were on board.

"All indications are that Iran and the regime want to continue towards a military conclusion," he said.

He said renewed fighting in Wadi Barada or Eastern Ghouta could pose major threats to the truce.

Talks in Astana

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he would now reduce Moscow's military contingent in Syria, which has been fighting to bolster the government since last year.

jpegMpeg4-1280x720But he added Russia would continue to fight "terrorism" and maintain its support for the government.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said Ankara would continue the operation it began in August targeting the Islamic State group and Kurdish fighters.

Despite backing opposite sides in the conflict, Turkey and Russia have worked increasingly closely on Syria, brokering a deal this month to allow the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians and rebel fighters from Aleppo.

Their ceasefire deal calls for negotiations over a political solution to end the conflict that has killed more than 310,000 people and forced millions to flee.

UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura has said he hoped the agreement would "pave the way for productive talks", but also reiterated he wants negotiations mediated by his office to continue next year.

The council held closed-door consultations on the text early Friday and Russia later amended the draft at the request of several member states.
Award-winning filmmaker and author Nicholas Clapp is holding a lecture and book signing in Goldfield on Saturday.

Award-winning filmmaker and author Nicholas Clapp is holding a lecture and book signing in Goldfield on Saturday.

Clapp will talk about his latest project entitled, Old Magic, Lives of the Desert Shamans, which explores the day-to-day lives of desert shamans in the far west and the ability to adapt to the harsh environment.

Clapp said shamanism is a worldwide tradition that goes back thousands of years.

Its defined as a practice that involves a shaman or medicine man achieving altered states of consciousness to encounter and interact with the spirit world and channel energy into the present world.

During such rituals, shamans practice divination and healing the sick.

Clapp said shamanism appeared in this country when the first migrations arrived thousands of years ago.

Its purest form happens to be in our western deserts where you and I live, he said. Its not on the coasts, its not in Hopi or Navajo land, its right here. All of the tribes are remarkably similar and the shamans really stand out because at the time there was no great tribal infrastructure. They had only the shaman, who was generally the head man of the tribe.

Clapps curiosity spurred him to study shamanism.

He said he stumbled upon obscure works by anthropologists on the topic and decided to provide his input.

As far as I know, there hasnt been a book like this anywhere, he said. What is a shamans life? How does he decide hes going to be a shaman? Its been fun to reconstruct their lives.

Another element of Clapps curiosity is the fact that there are no shamans in present day.

It was a pretty rough profession, he said. It was demanding and scary because there was a general rule that if they failed in a cure, three times in a row, they were killed.

Clapp said when diseases such as measles and small pox showed up in some American west populations, the shamans tactics were not effective to cure the infected tribespeople, which meant certain death to the shaman and the infected.

There was an epidemic that hit that area and the shamans were powerless to cure people, he said. As a result, practically every last shaman was killed for failure to cure people. It was a tough calling.

Clapp is a graduate of Brown University. He has received 70 film awards and Academy Award nominations.

Saturdays lecture and book signing is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Saloon on Highway 95 in Goldfield.

Light refreshments will be served.

Clapps latest book and other works can be purchased online at Amazon Books.
A deputy district attorney with the Nye County District Attorneys Office has announced his intent to run for a judicial seat as justice of the peace.

A deputy district attorney with the Nye County District Attorneys Office has announced his intent to run for a judicial seat as justice of the peace.

Deputy District Attorney Nathan Gent is one of three people running for a seat in Pahrump Justice Court in the upcoming election.

Gent graduated from University of Nevada, Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law in 2010. Since then he has worked in both private practice for himself at his own law firm and as a prosecutor with the district attorneys office.

After a short stint as a prosecutor, Gent currently works as a civil attorney for the county, Hes been a resident of the Pahrump area since 2007.

Gent said he is running for justice of the peace to further serve the community hes grown to love.

Gent recently sat down with the Pahrump Valley Times to discuss his judicial campaign.

Q: What brought you out to Pahrump?

A: Ive actually been a resident of Pahrump since 2007 when I started going to law school. I kept my permanent residence out here in Pahrump, just because Ive had family thats lived in the area and I love it out here.

Q: How did you end up working for the District Attorneys Office?

A: After I passed the bar, I actually opened my own law firm, the law firm of Nathan L. Gent, PLLC, Professional Limits and Liability Company, and I did that until a position became available at the district attorneys office. Then I was able to apply and was hired on. I always knew I wanted to be a public servant.

Q: Youve worked in both criminal and civil areas for the DAs office, do you think that will help you as a justice of the peace?

A: Absolutely. As a justice of the peace, you handle both criminal and civil cases, so having that depth of knowledge on both sides, having that experience working on both sides I think definitely helps me to be a more qualified servant of the people.

Q: What made you decide this was the time to run for judicial office?

A: You know its interesting, you have different times of your life, different periods of your life that youre going through different things, but now is just right for me. I actually just got married three months ago and life is good. Im just at a place in my life now where I feel comfortable, I have some experience under my belt and I feel like Im in a position to serve the people of Pahrump well.

Q: If elected what are some of your goals youd like to accomplish?

A: Im a huge believer in service. Thats one thing as a justice of the peace I would definitely stress the importance of.

I believe when people commit crimes, they need to pay back society for what theyve done. A great part of that is in community service. Its included sometimes, but a lot of times its not.

I would put a huge emphasis on really making community service a part of peoples sentences if they are found guilty. I think it helps society out and I think it helps the individual out when theyre out there helping the community.

Q: Anything else we should know about you?

A: I believe I am the best person that could serve Pahrump in the capacity of justice of the peace. I think that Pahrump deserves the best and I believe that I am that person.

I love Pahrump. I absolutely love being here. I just got married and this is where I want to raise my future family.

As justice of the peace, I would be in a unique position where I would be able to help keep Pahrump safe and protect Pahrump for years to come.

I think Pahrump really is an amazing place to be. Theres a reason why people have come from all over the United States and even the world to be here.

Its funny because a lot of people come here after they retire, but we dont have to wait to retire to come here, we can enjoy it now.
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Throughout the Quad-Cities, 2016 could best be described as a year of a new beginnings and some lost opportunities.

The region's landscape changed as Rhythm City and Isle of Capri both moved from their longtime gaming boats to new land-based casinos. Alcoa Davenport Works began a new life as Arconic. Exelon's Quad-Cities Station got the news it had waited for with new Illinois energy reform.

The longtime Lodge, formerly Jumer's Castle Lodge, was demolished for new development. Both Restoration St. Louis' City Square project in downtown Davenport and the future passenger rail facility and Element hotel in downtown Moline, collectively known as The Q, moved forward with construction.

But in the losses column, the Quad-Cities saw Rock Island lose out on a new Walmart store and a long-fought-for-flight between the Quad-Cities and Washington, D.C., have a short life.

Here's a look at a few of the top business stories in 2016:

Arconic emerges as Alcoa divides

After nearly seven decades, the Alcoa name disappeared to make way for the new company's name, Arconic.

The mammoth plant in Riverdale, now known as Arconic Davenport Works, became part of the new company that was created when Alcoa Inc. officially split into two, publicly traded companies Nov. 1. Alcoa Corp. remained the name for the commodity side of the aluminum business, while the manufactured products side assumed the Arconic Inc. name.

Gathered in front of the new black Arconic entrance sign, a crowd of more than 50 business and community leaders, elected officials, and employees celebrated the new beginning. Company leaders reminded supporters of the plant's pride in their past as Alcoa and the strong future it holds as Arconic.

Not only did the company's popular Eaglecam assume the Arconic name, but the two new eaglets, Sky and Star, became part of a scientific study last May with West Virginia University and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Wildlife experts arrived on the Riverdale plant's property in May to band the young birds with special GPS transmitters that will collect flight pattern data as part of the Midwest Bald Eagle Project.

Q2030 sets region on united path

The words "cool, creative, connected, prosperous," and "Quad-Citizen" became part of the region's vernacular in 2016 with the rollout of a new strategic plan.

Known as the Q2030 Regional Action Plan, the plan was kicked off at a community event June 30 at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport.

Described as "a game-changer," the plan is designed to grow the region's jobs, investments and economic opportunity for all by encouraging "Quad-Citizens" to think and act in cool, creative, connected and prosperous ways.

Driven by the efforts of three volunteer co-chairs, a steering committee and the Regional Opportunities Council of the Quad-Cities Chamber, the Q2030 plan was two years in the making. It has been endorsed by more than 200 community leaders, stakeholders, as well as businesses, government, non-profit and civic organizations.

Moving forward, a cross-section of Quad-Citizens are working out more detailed plans to advance the region within four priorities: Cool Places; Creative People; Connected Region; and Prosperous Economy.

Ag downturn hits Deere workforce

Faced with continued pressure on its agricultural and construction equipment markets, Deere & Co. initiated several rounds of layoffs in the Quad-Cities and Midwest last year as well as a voluntary employee separation program.

Over 2016, the Moline-based manufacturer announced new layoffs at its Davenport and Dubuque construction and forestry plants; East Moline Harvester Works; and at its Iowa plants in Dubuque, Ankeny, Davenport and Waterloo. Across the Midwest, nearly 1,800 hourly manufacturing workers remained on layoff, including 800 at the various Quad-City production plants, when Deere announced year-end earnings in late November.

Also as part of its earnings report, Deere announced that it had offered a voluntary employee separation program to its U.S. salaried workforce. About 6,000 salaried workers  or half its U.S. workforce  were eligible. The company did not say how many accepted the program.

It was Deere's first broad-based separation program since 2009, when 800 workers left the company. The majority of the separations were effective Nov. 28. The program was rolled out to employees in September and October. The criteria was not disclosed.

While company officials called fiscal 2016 one of Deere's ten-best years in both sales and earnings, it was the lowest year-end operating profit since 2009. Company officials forecast that the slumping ag downturn may be nearing bottom.

Celebrated Q-C-to-D.C. flight ends

Only five months into a new Q-C-to-D.C. flight, United Airlines announced in March that it would discontinue the air service in June.

The flight, which the community had rallied behind for years to bring to the Quad-Cities, did not produce the passenger numbers needed.

To land the service, the Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce and the Quad-City International Airport had secured a $1.9 million subsidy through federal, state and local monies to be used as a revenue guarantee. It included a $1.5 million annual subsidy approved by the Illinois General Assembly for three years.

But with flights only being half-full, airport officials said the subsidy was set to run out in just eight or nine months. The United Express flight, operated by TransStates Airlines on a 50-seat Embraer E145 aircraft, began with a ceremonial send-off Oct. 26, 2015.

New legislation saves Exelon, jobs

With years of lobbying for new energy reform behind it, the future of Exelon's Quad-Cities Station came down to a bipartisan, 11th-hour action as the Illinois General Assembly passed the Future Energy Jobs Bill got on the final day of its fall veto session.

The new legislation, which Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law Dec. 7 before 1,200 supporters in Port Byron, ensures Exelon's nearby Quad-Cities Station and its Clinton, Illinois, station will stay open for at least another decade. The two plants, which together employ 1,500 workers, had faced closure without new energy legislation: Clinton in 2017 and Quad-Cities in 2018.

Exelon employees, who have lived under a cloud of uncertainty for the past couple years, rejoiced at the passage not only for securing the plant's future but for allowing them to move on with their lives.

Exelon has said the $235 million in annual subsidies were warranted because nuclear generation is a clean energy like subsidized wind and solar power. But critics continued to call the measure "a bailout" for a profitable company.
According to Callow, the group has not followed through on the threat and has not yet released any installments of Davenport's data on its multiple platforms.
It began with the playing of the traditional African drums, and then the people got up to dance.

From there it was a classic Kwanzaa family celebration as a community came together Friday at the Martin Luther King Center in Rock Island to celebrate Kwanzaa sponsored by Ebony Expressions.

The celebration included all that is special about Kwanzaa  the music, the songs, the storytelling, poetry and speeches, and, of course, the traditional feast. It is all about community and sharing and reflecting on a shared heritage during Kwanzaa, said Shellie Moore Guy, of Rock Island, president of Ebony Expressions.

It keeps African Americans and Africans around the world connected to the continent of Africa and to the long-held traditions and beliefs that go back to the earliest foundations of the world, said the Rev. Dwight Ford, pastor of Grace City Church, Rock Island.

It reminds us what it means to be part of the human family, Ford said. But those traditions are ones to be shared with the rest of the world, regardless of race, ethnicity and heritage, he added.

Guy told the gathering of about 50 people that Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach. Karenga was looking for ways to bring the African American community together after the Watts riots in Los Angeles.

Kwanzaa is celebrated Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, and takes its name from the first harvest celebrations of Africa. Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which means "first fruits, she said.

It is not a religious holiday, but a cultural holiday, Guy said.

There are seven principles to Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

There also are seven symbols: the crops, which represent the gathering of people for harvest; the place mat, which symbolizes history, culture and tradition; the ear of corn, which symbolizes fertility; the seven candles, which are symbolic of the suns power and to create light; the candle holder, which represents the original stalk from which everyone came; the unity cup, which is used to perform the drinking ritual on the sixth day of Kwanzaa; and meaningful gifts, to encourage growth, self-determination, achievement and success.

Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in their own way, Guy said. And each night one of the seven principles is discussed and a candle representing that principle is lighted.

Kwanzaa gives us a sense of community and these seven principles by which to live, but really, they are common sense principles by which we can all live, as a nation. said Tracy White of Davenport.

Especially now with the country so divided, the principles could bring everybody together, she said. Im an optimist. It can start in the home and then go to the neighborhood and then the community and the city and the nation. I know it wouldnt happen overnight. But it could happen.

But on this night, White said, We celebrate our culture and what is uniquely us.
Rock Island Public Library will offer a free class "Using Library Databases for Genealogy" at 3 p.m.Wednesday, Jan. 11, at its main library, 401 19th St.

No registration is required for the one-hour workshop. Additional library databases that will be discussed include the library's subscriptions to Ancestry.com Library Edition and Heritage Quest. Fold3 and Ancestry are available for in-library use.

Participants can explore how to use the library's newest database, Fold3, which offers free access to historical U.S. military records, Native-American history, African-American record collections, FBI case files and Holocaust records.

The growing collection of nearly 450 million records from world-class archives provides details of Americas military veterans with stories, photos and personal documents. The Fold3 name comes from a traditional flag folding ceremony in which the third fold is made in honor and remembrance of veterans.

For more details, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ or sign up for the library's email events newsletter.
Davenport looks for world-class riverfront

The biggest question for the city of Davenport in 2017 hinges on the future of its riverfront.

Restoration St. Louis and U.S. Inland Marine Inc. had submitted proposals for the Rhythm City Casino's floating platform, but the Davenport City Council ultimately decided the proposals were not part of the long-term vision for the riverfront.

As a result of the council's decision, notification was sent to the Rhythm City Casino to have the barge and porte cochere removed by March 1.

With the Treble Clef casino boat off to Memphis and the barge required to leave, the council has elected to move away from water-based development and instead will look at developing a request for proposals for land-based development at the beginning of 2017.

While it looks at public-private partnerships to spur development, Davenport is prepared to invest $1 million per year for the next five years into capital improvement projects along the riverfront.

One of the projects being proposed would create a multi-use space and zone for food trucks to operate next to the skybridge and across from the Radisson Quad-City Plaza Hotel.

 Devan Patel

Development at top of Bettendorf's list

Development, development and more development sit atop the Bettendorf City Council's goals for 2017.

Bettendorf already has made headway toward its top two priorities for the year: redevelopment of the Twin Bridges Motor Inn and The Lodge Hotel and Convention Center.

Twin Bridges Associates LP has agreed to purchase and demolish the blighted motel off State Street near the Interstate 74 bridge and construct a $22 million, 135-unit apartment complex in its place.

Construction for the project is expected to begin within 120 days as stipulated in the development agreement.

Although The Lodge was torn down in September, the plans for the site at Spruce Hills Drive and Utica Ridge Road continue to be a mystery.

Bettendorf approved a tax increment financing district for the property in August, but the city still is awaiting plans from developer Russell Companies to proceed.

Aside from Twin Bridges and The Lodge, the city is anticipating more momentum in the area it refers to as Town Square. The 2.5-acre block between 20th and 21st streets and State and Grant streets cost the city almost half a million dollars to purchase.

The city had agreed to partner with Russell Companies to incorporate the property as part of its downtown development plans.

 Devan Patel

After the elections, the consequences

For Iowans, the result wrought by the Nov. 8 election was clear: Republican control.

In Washington, D.C., and in Des Moines, the Republican Party will embark on 2017 eager to make its mark on the state and the country.

They will face opposition from Democrats, of course, but the minority party will be limited in what it can do.

Whether it's on health care, taxes, foreign policy or immigration, Republicans in Washington will wield uncommon power.

Among the GOP's first tasks will likely be unwinding the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare. In the Quad-Cities, people who have seen premiums rise sharply will be eager for some kind of change. But for the thousands who have found coverage, whether it's via Medicaid or through government subsidized private insurance policies  coverage that now is at risk  the stakes will be enormous.

Obamacare is likely to be just one of many areas in which Republicans will seek to put their stamp on America.

Meanwhile, in Des Moines, Republicans will gain full control of the state Legislature on Jan. 9. This is something Gov. Terry Branstad has worked to get for years, although for him, the fruits of his efforts will be only temporary. He has been tapped to be the new ambassador to China, pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will replace him.

There are sure to be battles in the state Capitol, too, as Republicans set out to make big changes. Among the likely areas: tax reform and limiting collective bargaining rights for state employee unions. Social conservatives also see GOP control as an opportunity to move on abortion-related measures that have been stopped previously by a Democratic-controlled Senate.

 Ed Tibbetts

Schools await funding decisions

Several topics affecting the Davenport Community School District will unfold in 2017, starting in January.

Davenport, along with other school districts in Iowa, will closely watch the Iowa Legislature on what lawmakers will propose for school funding.

Davenport has taken the lead in arguing for change in the decades-old per-pupil funding formula. This formula leaves about half the state's school districts with less money for each student than the other half. The difference ranges up to $175, and that represents a critical amount of funds for large metropolitan districts, including Davenport.

The 2017 Legislative session begins Jan. 9.

In related action, Davenport Superintendent Art Tate was handed an ethics complaint, filed on Dec. 14 by Ryan Wise, director of the Iowa Department of Education.

The case could affect Tate's professional license and is now in the hands of the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. It is to be settled within 180 days. Excluding weekends and holidays, that would be Aug. 31, 2017.

In addition, a class-action lawsuit on behalf of two graduates of Davenport public schools was filed against the state, including the Iowa Department of Education.

It was filed Dec. 19 by Davenport attorney Cathy Cartee and seeks equity in the school funding formula. That case, too, will be making its way through the court system in 2017.

 Deirdre Cox Baker

Construction to begin on Urban Campus

Construction is expected to begin in January on the new Urban Campus of Scott Community College in downtown Davenport, following financial closing at the end of December.

The goal is to have the new campus of Eastern Iowa Community Colleges open in January 2018 for the start of the spring semester, Honey Bedell, assistant to the chancellor, said.

One piece of the $28 million project is a capital campaign; at the end of 2016, that stood at $4.5 million in gifts and pledges, Bedell said.

US Bank Foundation recently pledged $50,000, and the Bechtel Trusts pledged a $500,000 challenge grant, contingent on the college raising $1.5 million, Bedell said. The Bechtel Trusts have so far committed $1.3 million, she added.

Other funding includes a loan, federal and state historic tax credits, new market tax credits and direct investment deferred fees.

The campus will be built on the city block fronting 3rd Street between Brady and Main streets. On the same block fronting 2nd Street is the $60 million City Square project under way by Amrit and Amy Gill's development company, Restoration St. Louis.

The campus will be created in the former First Federal Savings and Loan building, sometimes called the Social Security building, and the former First Midwest Bank, with a new "connector" build in between the two.

The Urban Campus will replace the district's two existing downtown locations, the Kahl Building and the second floor of the Ground Transportation Center, consolidating them in one place for more efficiency.

 Alma Gaul

Niabi to add marine life, giant tortoises

Quad-Citians can expect to see a variety of new wildlife in the New Year at Niabi Zoo.

A marine life exhibit, dubbed Oceans, will replace the zoos current replica rainforest called Jungle Trek, located in the zoos education center.

The display will feature animals, including an octopus, in numerous aquariums that represent various marine habitats, said Lee Jackson, director of the zoo since June.

Its going to be a lot of fun, said Jackson, who expects the attraction to be completed prior to opening in the spring. Theyve certainly never had an octopus here.

Niabi also will become home to two Aldabra tortoises in 2017. These land-dwelling reptiles, Jackson noted, are one of the largest tortoise species in the world and can weigh up to 500 pounds.

Additionally, staff will introduce 200 parakeets, which guests will be able to feed, to the zoo's Australian Walkabout exhibit.

In other business, the Coal Valley institution, which is governed by the Rock Island County Forest Preserve Commission, is figuring out the roles and responsibilities of the Niabi Zoological Society, the zoo's nonprofit fundraising arm.

Jackson, who hired seven new employees last year, said he is more optimistic about the zoo's future than he was three months ago.

"Everybody just wants to get down to work and make things happen," he said.

 Jack Cullen
MUSCATINE, Iowa  Ten firefighters received a Unit or Company Citation this week for the successful high-angle rope rescue they completed in November, the first time the award has been given since the award program was implemented in 2012.

Fire Chief Jerry Ewers of the Muscatine Fire Department said the firefighters who participated in the rescue received the award for their success in the rescue, the first of its kind Ewers has seen during his almost 30 years with the department.

"This was truly probably a once in a career, or once in a lifetime rescue of this nature at these elevations," he said.

A contracted employee of MidAmerican Energy was in need of rescue on Nov. 15 at the Louisa Generating Station after he became trapped in an industrial elevator basket, suspended more than 200 feet in the air inside a more than 600-foot chimney. That height would be comparable to being trapped outside the 20th floor of a 60-story building.

Although Muscatine Fire Department employees have practiced and trained for rope rescues, doing drills at a water tower and local businesses, nothing they have done was on the scale of what they encountered on the call in November, Ewers said.

"And it's important to recognize our employees for a job well done, because again the idea is that, you know, we practice and we train and we educate people," he said. "The whole idea of our jobs is preparation."

That preparation is critical, Ewers said, and the department works throughout the year to train employees for a wide variety of situations.

"You have to train and you have to be prepared because you never know when that alarm goes off what kind of call or what kind of emergency you're gonna have to encounter," he said.

The recipients of the award are as follows: Battalion Chief Darrell Janssen, Captain Gary Ronzheimer, Lieutenant Joe Timmsen, Mechanic Chris Brase, and firefighters Travis Edward, Aaron Meredith, Jon Wieland, Michael Hoppe, Spencer Ripperger and Trevor Levins.

Each was given a formal citation, a letter with a description of the event, and a ribbon for their formal uniform.

Ewers said although some of those who responded may not have had recent practice with a rope rescue, they were able to draw on their training and work together.

"You still have to be competent enough to use all your skills as a team to accomplish the task at hand," he said. "And so they did that and I was proud of the guys that did this five/six hour rescue."
MUSCATINE, Iowa  Area teens will be able to travel through Platform 9  to a world of witchcraft, wizardry, and adventure that will come to life at Musser Public Library's first Yule Ball on Saturday night.

Betty Collins, the children's librarian, will perform the role of Professor McGonagall, a character in the "Harry Potter" book and film series. Collins said the event will begin small this year, but she hopes it will continue to grow as it becomes a yearly event.

"We want to try it out first ... and then we'd love to make it a big thing in the new building," she said.

Students will be sorted into houses  Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin  and will then earn points for their house throughout the evening. The winner of the house cup will be announced at the end of the night, after points have been tallied.

Guests from the Environmental Learning Center and the fictitious world of Harry Potter are also expected to attend the ball.

Library Assistants Julie Lear and Kimi Bridgewater helped create the decorations and shape the world of Harry Potter in the library. The event fit with the library's desire to encourage readers, Collins said.

"Harry Potter is such a big thing for kids ... and it was sort of a milestone in reading for children because all of a sudden all of these kids and teens wanted to read these enormous books with lots of words and then it just really caught on," she said.

Students from Central and West Middle School, Ss. Mary and Mathias Catholic School, Muscatine High School, and home school students were invited to celebrate New Year's Eve at Musser Public Library.

"We wanted to do something about Harry potter but we were also thinking it would be nice to have something for teens on New Year's Eve that was fun and special and just for them," Collins said.

Collins said several free tickets are still available, and can be picked up from the library or held if parents call before 2 p.m. Saturday. Middle School students will attend the ball from 9-10:30 p.m., and High School students from 11 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

To collect a ticket for the event, visit the Musser Public Library, 304 Iowa Ave., or call 563-263-3065 before 2 p.m. Saturday to reserve a ticket.
For America, 2016 was a dark year. The country was still at war. Our election was a brutal grudge match that left us more polarized than ever. Our closest allies were rocked by terrorism and turmoil. Adversaries toyed with our politics. Even the basic facts about life and science seemed to be in dispute.

However you voted, this was a year few would want to repeat. Now, as the calendar is about to turn, many of us look to the new year with a mix of hope and concern.

If you're like me, this holiday season is a time for reflection, sometimes with anguish, about how we got here and where we're going. I found comfort in the image at the center of the Christian faith, of an innocent baby arriving in a dark land -- the beginning of a story that has been more powerful over the last 2000 years than all the tyrants and tax collectors.

Americans are optimists, by birth or affirmation. We pledge allegiance to a country that is "indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." We believe in "The Fair Land," the abundant nation evoked by the Wall Street Journal in its Thanksgiving editorial, which has been printed every year since 1961: "We can remind ourselves that for all our social discord we yet remain the longest enduring society of free men governing themselves without benefit of kings or dictators. Being so, we are the marvel and the mystery of the world."

The year ahead will test how well the system devised by our founders works under stress. Our new president Donald Trump proposes radical changes welcomed by his supporters but feared by many who voted against him. He won't succeed if he drives the country to the breaking point.

How hard will Trump push to undo existing laws and agreements? Will Congress play its role in checking raw executive power, or will Republican majorities be loyal to party first? Will officials who swear to protect and defend the Constitution demonstrate by their behavior in office that they mean it?

As Trump's inauguration approaches, he remains a mystery to many of us. He seeks to be a disruptive agent of change, but what are the limits? What if Trump tries to place himself above the law? He wouldn't be the first president to do so, but are the country's institutions still strong enough to resist? What if he tries to subvert investigations of Russian hacking that are being conducted by our intelligence agencies and Congress? The cliche "profiles in courage" may actually get a test in 2017.

This coming year, America will face the severe strains that accompany change and political division. We're a soft target for our adversaries right now -- a country whose nerves are raw and jangled, whose tribal fault lines are exposed and easy to exploit.

Our national heroes are the men and women who get up every day and serve the country -- in the military abroad, in schools and hospitals and fire stations at home. We want to be as steadfast in adversity as they are. We'll find out in 2017 how healthy our body politic really is, and whether our democratic institutions remain resilient.

This holiday season, I got a burst of sunshine in a production of "Carousel," the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, produced at the Arena Stage in Washington. Many strands of our national myth come together in this sentimental story of a carnival barker who falls in love with a sweet, shy girl who works in a factory. It's a hymn to blue-collar America, to rebellious young people who insist on being free spirits despite the prissy elitists and censorious prudes who want to tell them what to think. Like "Oklahoma," it describes the America many of us have in our heads when we think about the way life used to be.

How did this quintessential American story of working people in Maine emerge? It was adapted from a 1909 Hungarian play. The 1945 Broadway version was written by two Jewish-Americans and directed by an Armenian-American. Nowadays, the phrase "melting pot" is sometimes taken as a "micro-aggression." Not then.

When Trump says "Make America great again," he evokes the national mythology that binds us together, whatever racial or other biases it may conceal. After a bruising 2016, perhaps this is a theme that we all can embrace. America is at its greatest when it's united, confident and inclusive of all its citizens. Let's hope that's what Trump has in mind for this country. We need to be great in that way again.
Former Cuban President Fidel Castros death saddened me deeply. Most media reports l read portrayed Mr. Castro as a monstrous dictator. I watched Cuban expatriates in South Florida celebrate his passing, a perfect illustration of disrespect for the sanctity of human life. Many of those Cuban exiles were from a long line of oppressive rulers who, for 500 years, committed genocide; enslaved, exploited, impoverished, tortured and imposed a lifestyle on the Cuban people devoid of education, healthcare and dignity.

Fidel Castro overthrew Fuigencio Batista's regime in 1959. By 1960 an embargo was imposed on Cuba by the U.S. State Department with the intent, as outlined by declassified documents, to use every tool at its disposal to topple Fidel Castro through hunger and disease. Despite a 56-year embargo and 634 assassination attempts on Mr. Castros life, the Cuban people not only survived; they thrived. Cubans enjoy almost 100 percent literacy rate and offer free education to all from kindergarten through college. Cubans enjoy free universal health care and a higher life expectancy rate than U.S. citizens. Cuban infant mortality rate (IMR) is 4.5 per 1,000 live births; U.S. IMR is 5.8 per 1,000 live births. Cuban children enjoy one of the highest nutrition levels in the world.
Kay Koeper SorensenThe Colors of My Life & June SeriesJanuary 25 -March 29, 2009Anderson Arts Center Kenosha, WIScroll down to January 25 March 29, 2009
PIERRE | A raft of criminal charges in high-profile financial misconduct cases were big news in 2016, but the year's top story may have been a historic sales tax hike to boost South Dakota's lowest-in-the-nation teacher pay.

It almost fell apart in the state House, coming in one vote short. After another try, the half-cent sales tax increase  the first permanent bump since 1969  scraped through with none to spare and headed to the Senate.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard's package of education measures became law in March. Teachers cheered average pay projected to rise almost 12 percent to nearly $47,000.

Other notable stories:

Big bills

Daugaard started 2016 without having knowingly met a transgender person. By March, he had met with a group of transgender people and vetoed a bill that would have made South Dakota first in the U.S. to approve a law requiring transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender at birth.

The bill drew national condemnation. Supporters said it would protect student privacy.

In another high-profile move during the 2016 session, Daugaard signed a bill prohibiting most abortions beyond 19 weeks of pregnancy.

Building collapse

Construction worker Ethan McMahon, a 24-year-old former Marine, was killed in a December building collapse in downtown Sioux Falls that also trapped a woman for three hours under the debris. McMahon and his brother, who made it out of the wreckage, were working when the 100-year-old building fell down around them.

The trapped woman, 22-year-old Emily Fodness, was able to call her mother and eventually gave directions that helped rescuers find her.

Ballot boxing

The shine on a voter-approved government ethics overhaul didn't last long. A group of two dozen GOP lawmakers and others filed a lawsuit, and a state judge put the measure on hold while the challenge proceeds. In jeopardy are major political changes: an ethics commission, public campaign funding and limitations on lobbyist gifts to lawmakers.

The dispute appears likely to spill into the 2017 legislative session.

Big court cases

Joop Bollen, the man who once ran South Dakota's investment-for-visa program, was charged in March in a long-running and complicated financial misconduct case. Bollen, who has pleaded not guilty, is accused of diverting more than $1.2 million from an account created to protect the state against costs or liability from South Dakota's EB-5 visa program. Authorities say he put back most of the money.

A tragedy in Platte stretched into this year, with charges filed in March against three people for allegedly aiding in an embezzlement scheme that eventually ended in Scott Westerhuis killing his wife, Nicole, and their children. Authorities believe the couple stole more than $1 million beforehand.

Dan Guericke, Stephanie Hubers and Stacy Phelps have pleaded not guilty.

Two consultants who helped a Native American tribe plan the nation's first marijuana resort were charged with drug offenses in August, eight months after the Flandreau Santee Sioux destroyed their crop amid fears of a federal raid. Jonathan Hunt, who oversaw the first crop for the tribe, pleaded guilty to a drug conspiracy count. Eric Hagen, the CEO of the Colorado-based consulting firm Monarch America, has pleaded not guilty.

Seth Jeffs, brother of Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints leader Warren Jeffs, was one of 11 people indicted in an alleged multi-million-dollar food stamp fraud scheme. Authorities say Seth Jeffs, who has pleaded not guilty, has led a compound of the faithful in rural Custer County, South Dakota.

Black Elk Peak

A federal board surprised South Dakota by renaming the state's tallest peak after Lakota spiritual leader Black Elk, who died in 1950. The August decision by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names swept aside the old name, Harney Peak, removing the name of a man whose soldiers killed Native Americans.

The board determined that Harney was offensive to area Native Americans. The Oglala Sioux member in his 80s who pushed to rechristen the peak said the decision was a sign of compassion and reconciliation. The change to Black Elk Peak was panned by Republicans Daugaard and U.S. Sen. John Thune.
I recently read an article in the Ravalli Republic about two men who decided that they like fishing together and made a commitment to fish together every month during 2017.

The newspaper will follow their adventures for the next year and I for one am looking forward to reading about them each month. Over my lifetime of fly-fishing, I have had the opportunity to fish with others who have become fishing buddies.

My first trip to fish the Bitterroot was with two such individuals who became fishing buddies occurred through an unusual agreement. One of the individuals was a hiker and loved to spend time hiking in the mountains and the other was a fly fishermen.

Their agreement was to share each others passion and hike together and fly fish together. The hiking went by the wayside and fly-fishing became their passion. They still fish together, when possible, but their lives have changed and they rarely get together to fish the Bitterroot.

Another group of individuals that I have had an opportunity to fish with recently live in Spokane and get together to fish different places in Washington, Idaho and Montana. I was invited to go along on one of their adventures last spring when they took a trip to Canada to fish a private lake.

Fortunately for me I knew all of these fishermen, because I lived in Spokane for several years, and was accepted into the group with hardy welcomes. Even though the group fishes together individuals from the group get together in pairs and make their own excursions on a regular basis.

I know that there are many fishermen who get together and fish on a regular basis.

If you belong to the local fly fishing club you could meet some of these individuals and maybe strike up a new friendship so that you could have a fishing buddy to go fishing with this summer.

One of the advantages of fishing is that it can be done individually or with someone else. I prefer being with another fisherman when I go fishing and have turned away many trips because owning a fly shop required me to be there every day to make sure the fishermen who came into my shop had the best and latest updated information to take out on their river with them.

My best fishing buddy has moved away from the Bitterroot and has developed some new friendships where he lives near Lake Tahoe. I like to see or hear about his adventures fishing there and look forward to when he will come back to the Bitterroot for a visit.

Fishing on the river during the next couple of months will be a challenge because of the cold weather and icy conditions. There are going to be a few days that will be sunny and allow us to get on a few stretches of the river so take advantage of them when they come. Make sure you stay warm and watch for the underwater ice that tends to build up during the winter.

Good Fishing,

Bill Bean
America must return to conservative principles of less government,reduced taxes, less spending and a balanced budget! Cut,cap and balance!
Mohan Gupta

Where ever Muslims live or go any where in the world, they expect people must meet their demands. They want halal products, Sharia law, Islamic Banking system, space for saying prayers in schools, universities, workplaces, airports. Sad part is many countries and people meet their demands. Many companies have started manufacturing Halal products like halal sugars, restaurants' started serving halal meats, and many canteens in school and universities along with serving halal meats have stopped serving pigs.

Muslim leader Akbaruddin Owaisi has accused Indian government that Hyderabad having large Muslim population, government is not opening many banks and not installing many ATM machines, while fact is that opening of banks and installing ATM machines are based on certain facts. Muslims do not get loans. There are not many facilities for Muslims for education and jobs in Bhaarat according to Muslim leaders. Muslims all over the world do not give any right to Hindus and other non-Muslims but keep asking for facilities and benefits from non-Muslims.

Muslims get more facilities and benefits in Bhaarat than according to their percentage of whole population of Bhaarat. More over they get several benefits being minority community while they are about 17% of the population. Usually any community is considered minority if they are less than 2% of the total population. I think Muslims would be considered minority community in Bhaarat when they reach more than 50%. Not any amount of appeasement of Muslims by political leaders and Hinduu people would not satisfy Muslims. But still Bhaartiya leaders keep appeasing Muslims.

Most recent incident is Mr. Rawat of congress government of Uttrakhand has decided to give separate holiday to Muslims for saying Muslim prayer Namaaj. Muslims keep demanding from other people but never give anything. Once a government officer made a comment that whenever any Indian officer goes to Pakistan or Bangladesh, first question is what you have brought for us, if any Muslim officer comes to Bhaarat from these countries then at the time of leaving they ask what you are going to give us.

Their demands keep growing all the time. When one demand is met, another

demand is raised.

Here is the latest demand by Muslims of Bhaarat

Schools should be allowed to close on Fridays, instead of Sundays!

Here is another demand that's worrisome: Madrasas-Schools should be allowed to close on Fridays, instead of Sundays!

The natural and immediate reaction that stings on seeing such headline is "OMG, look at them...

They must push their own agenda even today! ...Why could'nt they be a part of the national mainstream?

Hope and pray that there is no need to be alarmed, yet, let's review the following headline:

"Shifting of holiday will create problems.So many other issues need govt attention": Ashraf Ali Talukdar, head of Mohimari Senior Madrasa / Indian Express/04DEC2016..So says, Ashrtaf AliTalukdar in an interview, in response to the Assam Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who had "objected to madrasas remaining closed on Fridays instead of Sundays. A Friday off could be okay in Pakistan and Bangladesh",as widely reported in the Press , quote-

1. Why do you have your weekly off on a Friday?

This has been the practice since the British days. Assam has continued the tradition and every year the Directorate of Madrasa Education issues an academic calendar showing Friday as a holiday.

2. What do you think about Sarma's statement?

We are government employees and have to follow decisions of the government. But the fact is there will be a lot of problems. It has hurt our religious sentiments. West Bengal, Bihar and UP too have Friday holiday for government madrasas.

3. What would be the problems if the weekly holiday was Sunday?

A tradition would get disturbed. Our students, who go to namaz on Friday, will lose valuable two hours study time.

4. What would be your suggestion to Sarma?

So many other issues require immediate government attention. Teacher shortage is the biggest problem...

5. What about the private madrasas?

Yes, the government should make a survey of those madrasas over which it has no control...unquote.

Now, time for some unsavory truths:

Remember, the fate of Vande Maatram? Need not be reminded, It had played a vital role in the Indian independence movement, first sung in a political context by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress. But what happened? Many Muslim organisations in India declared fatwas against singing Vande Mataram, due to the song giving a notion of worshipping Mother India which they consider to be shirk.

Even long after the Partition, on 6 September 2006, All India Sunni Ulema Board issued a fatwa to declare that the Muslims can sing only the first two verses of the song. They should not praise anything except Allah as desired in Quran. Preachers like Dr. Zakir Naik continue to prohibit muslims to bow down. Saying "Vande Mataram" means "Mother I bow down before you!"

How about our National Anthem - Jan Gan Man? Seemingly, the same fate is in store, sooner or later. Shocking but true, several Madrasas have been discovered recently for not allowing to sing the National Anthem for years, because there could not be a "Bharat Bhagya Vidhata" other than the Allah.

And, surprisingly, it never bothered the successive governments in U.P. They preferred to be in deep slumber.

Next, how About the Yoga ?.The whole world, including several Muslim countries, are now enjoying the physical and meditational benefits of Yoga, but our Madrasas and their learned scholars do not favour it. They find it against their religious sentiments.

The Triple-Talaq is another issue currently in debate. Although permitted in various Muslim countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is brewing in a big way, disrespecting the constitutional need to save the dignity of women irrespective of their religion. Now, the point is why blame the Muslims?

Why not look at their rulers and patrons, be it Mughal, British or the Indians, who , for centuries, purely intheir own vested interests, have been feeding regular dozes of separation and selective segregation thereby resulting into unfortunate events, such as the Partition of India.

And post-Partition, fuelling their aspirations as a separate entity in the name of Minority; frightening them of the so-called "communal" forces, and fulfilling their demands, within or outside the constitutional boundaries, somehow to keep them in good cheer?

In 1947, everyone had hoped that once Jinnah's demand for partition was met and the nation divided on two-nation theory (purely on religious lines), everything shall fall in place. Sadly, despite losing millions of hearths, homes and lives besides lakhs of acres of fertile land and seashores in

creating Pakistans, the ground realities, even after solid seven decades of constitutional guarantees, continue to foster separatist tendencies, and we continue to be silent spectators.

Wonder what is the fate of our nation in time to come. Lot of people feel, as grows the demographic strength of Muslims, so increases their bargaining power. As a result, their clumsy demands continue to swell, in one or the other form, on one or the other issue, to confuse the people, create chaos,

and ultimately force bring tremors for another unmentionable D.who knows! God save our Nation.

Mohan Gupta can be reached at <mgupta@rogers.com>
File-The National Pension Service (NPS) Chairman Moon Hyung-pyo is summoned to the Independent Counsel Team in Seoul, South Korea, on December 27, 2016. Photo: News1 via Reuters

SEOUL: A South Korean court issued an arrest warrant on Saturday for the head of the national pension fund, the worlds third largest, in a corruption scandal that has led to South Korean President Park Geun-hyes impeachment, an official said.

A special prosecutor probing the wide-reaching scandal has sought the arrest of the National Pension Service (NPS) Chairman Moon Hyung-pyo on charges of abuse of power and perjury.

The Seoul Central District Court issued the warrant saying evidence supported the charges against Moon, an official at the court said, but did not provide further details.

The special prosecutors office said on Thursday Moon had acknowledged that he had pressured the fund to approve an $8 billion merger between two Samsung Group units last year while he was Health and Welfare Minister.

He denied during a parliamentary hearing in November that he had exerted pressure on the NPS, which is run by the ministry, to back the merger. His lawyer in a court hearing on Friday about the warrant again denied Moon had presured the NPS, local media reported.

The merger last year of Samsung Group affiliates Cheil Industries Inc and Samsung C&T Corp has become central to the investigation of the scandal that led parliament to vote this month to impeach Park.

The merger has been criticised by some investors for strengthening the founding familys control of Samsung Group, South Koreas largest chaebol, or conglomerate, at the expense of other shareholders.

The NPS, which had 545 trillion won ($451.78 billion) under management at the end of September and was a major shareholder in the two Samsung affiliates, voted in favour of the merger without calling in an external committee that sometimes advises it on difficult votes.

The special prosecutors office is probing whether Samsungs support for a business and foundations backed by the presidents friend, Choi Soon-sil, at the centre of the corruption scandal, may have been connected to the NPS support for the merger.

Park (64) is accused of colluding with Choi to pressure big businesses to make contributions to non-profit foundations backing presidential initiatives.

She has denied wrongdoing but apologised for carelessness in her ties with Choi, a friend for four decades, who has also denied wrongdoing. Choi is in detention while on trial.

Parks impeachment is being reviewed by the Constitutional Court, which has 180 days from the December 9 parliament impeachment vote, to uphold or overturn it and reinstate the leader.

A large crowd gathered in central Seoul for a 10th consecutive weekend rally to demand that Park step down immediately. They listened to speeches and music ahead of a march towards the presidential Blue House.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and United Democratic Madhesi Front leaders hold a meeting in Baluwatar, Kathmandu on Saturday, December 31, 2016. Photo: PMas Secretariat

Kathmandu, Nepal: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and leaders of the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), the alliance of the Madhes based parties, have agreed to forward the Constitution Amendment bill registered at the Legislature-Parliament.

In the meeting held at the Prime Minister Dahals official residence in Baluwatar on Saturday morning, Prime Minister Dahal agreed to forward the Constitution Amendment bill registered at the Legislature-Parliament before the elections at all three levelslocal, provincial and federalat the earliest.

The Prime Minister Dahal has made the agreement to forward the Constitution Amendment bill registered at the Legislature-Parliament in the mean time his party CPN Maoist Center, Nepali Congress and the main opposition CPN UML had already agreed to announce the date for the local level election.

It is said that the UDMF leaders have agreed to participate in the elections process only if their demands are addressed through the amendment in the constitution.
CPN-UML secretary Yogesh Bhattarai

Kathmandu, Nepal: CPN-UML secretary Yogesh Bhattarai has said that his party will not let to table the constitution amendment bill in the parliament.

Addressing a program organized by the Press Chautari Nepal Online Pratishthan in Kathmandu on Saturday, Bhattarai, who is also the chief of the partys Publicity Department, said adding that they will obstruct the process of tabling the bill if government forcibly tries to forward it.

Bhattrai has said so just hours after the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and leaders of the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), the alliance of the Madhes based parties, agreed to forward the Constitution Amendment bill registered at the Legislature-Parliament.

The government is trying to create tussle by agreeing to forward the constitution amendment bill, Bhattrai said. During the function he also said that the decision of the government would invite tussle between the legislature and judiciary as it was under consideration in the court.
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It seems as if an earthquake visited The Great Wall movie set and left cracks everywhere. The photo shopped abyss has opened and the ideas that could be worthwhile fell into it with colorful screeches which were lost in translations. Or, to write it in a different way: it feels like a movie put together by a committee on strange meetings (with bad translators paid too well).

Crack number one: The Great Wall is basically a monster movie. Its The Battle at Helms Deep with orcs all the time and no Fellowship of the Ring. So, it should be at least a bit scary, a bit bloody. And it is a tiny bit bloody. But not scary, since Zhang Yimou finds every opportunity he can to shoot large groups of people in wonderful colors doing something in synchronization. It feels as if he is still making the opening of Beijing Olympic Games. How this two things combine? Badly. Can they even be combined? Well, maybe, but certainly not today, and not this time.

Crack number two: the movie has two different plots. The second one is there only to keep on repeating the point which, in movie time, we learn early on  that foreigners should be taught honor  but the first one, the one with the monsters, which at least might be of some interest, is at least occasionally neglected in favor of the second one.

Many things are neglected. Motivations. Logic. Willem Dafoe. Cracks everywhere.

One of the generals dies in the middle of the movie. All of a sudden we must take time to mourn, because everybody is very affected by this, although we might be left wondering if weve seen this guy for more than a passing minute. We are supposed to feel although we dont remember him. But of course, the mourning scene is colorful. So there you go. We need it.

We, supposedly, need Jing Tian. Chinese rumors has it that she has been pushed into a lot of movies because she is some VIPs, em, protegee. So she is not neglected. She is, on paper, a possible love motivation for Matt Damon. Making love on The Great Wall sounds nice, but you know that you can scratch that idea away right from the start. Do you think they at least kiss? Sorry. She does not look that interested, and Matt Damon is fully employed doing his Jason Bourne thing, being great fighter. He has no time, he carries all the weight of his former roles on his shoulders, and that kind of works for a while. Then you realize thats all there is to him. He is an import, meant to look good fighting. Why exactly would white people of that time excel in fighting? Why Chinese people are not doing martial arts? Wonderful crazy flying kung fu? It would make more sense. No, it would be better. Stop asking questions.

The CGI has been bought (relatively) well. Again, it does not feel organically connected to the rest of the movie. Cracky, crack. But the interesting thing to note is the subtext. The monster movie featuring attack on such an epic wall protecting culture is surely the movie about The Others. In a smart movie, The Others would have a motivation, a goal, perhaps at least a language. In a very smart movie they would even turned out to be us, or at least similar. But here, although they do communicate, and have developed intelligence, they are just ugly, mindless, hungry, and violent. You cant understand them and it looks like theres nothing really to understand. Hm.

On the other hand, the whites are there, firstly, to be amazed by China, and learn values, yet finally, the Chinese and whites see the light and learn from each other, and understand that they need to work together. To protect the civilization, probably. Thats all well. But by the end you cant be sure whether you really care and want to dig out the right metaphor.

I love Zhang Yimou, or at least used to love him. The dramas. The Road Home, Not One Less, Raise the Red Lantern, Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles His strongest directing card is details, relationships, emotions; this is where and when his choices of colors work; they mean something. When he is immersed into big events, he loses the eye for relationships. Gods eye blinds him. Oh, the things he directed lately, performances like Beijing Olympic Games or the story of Liu San Jie in Guilin are feasts for taking photos. But movies? In The Great Wall, he is playing one of his weaker non movie cards in the wrong movie. And yes, there is something about the idea of ancient China as a fantasy land. The Wall has so many layers coming with it. This monster do belong to the legends, but we are not given any background about them. Isnt there more to do? The wall has been built through centuries. It cements zombies of thousand workers underneath its blocks. Its probably got unknown labyrinths, doors, ending and beginnings. It would be amazing if the movie would offer some more clues to real enigmas, or at least less known information. It can be done in different ways, and it can be done more; Id really love to see, for example, the lore of national minorities used in this way.

Maybe next time.
The San Francisco food and drink world was abuzz this week with news of the abrupt shuttering of Pasta Pomodoro's 15 Bay Area locations, and the transformation of Mr. Bing's into something a lot less divey and divily charming, not to mention Quince's use of iPads as plates and Quince chef Michael Tusk's subsequent defense of this. Meanwhile, Cafe Flore was sold to new LGBT owners who say they'll keep it mostly the same, the 32-year-old original Lori's Diner location is closing, and we told you the best spots to go for brunch on New Year's Day where you hopefully won't have to wait. Here's what else happened:

The new champagne bar we told you about earlier this year, The Riddler, is getting close in Hayes Valley. They missed the chance to be popping corks for NYE, but Hoodline reports that they will open sometime in the first half of January and will serve caviar, cheese, and charcuterie in addition to plenty of bubbly. (Disregard the 12/31 opening announced in the New York Times Magazine.)

Meanwhile over in Nob HIll, a new coffee and breakfast spot by the name of Milkbean is open and serving customers. According to Hoodline, the pastries are baked on site and the shop, in the former What a Grind space at 881 Post Street, is open seven days a week.

There's another bar-within-a-bar concept being added to the offerings at ABV. Eater reports that, under the name Over Proof, the place is now offering a food and cocktail tasting menu of at least five courses, in the upstairs mezzanine area, for $80.

Union Square's Sushi Boat, which has been in operation for close to 30 years, will close on December 31. Hoodline tells us that the landlord is planning on remodeling the building and then significantly increasing the rent when it reopens  and this appears to be connected to the closure of Lori's Diner around the corner in the same building.

Luke's Local, an online meal and grocery delivery service, opened up a physical location in Cole Valley. The Chronicle reports that the 3,000-square-foot market opened this week inside of what used to be Alpha Market.

The Dogpatch just lost Poquito, a tapas spot that had been in the neighborhood for six years. Hoodline tells us that the restaurant shut its doors on December 22.

According to Inside Scoop, Almanac San Francisco Taproom will officially open its Potrero Avenue doors tomorrow. However, we learn via owner Jesse Friedman that the bar is actually having a soft opening today  so feel free to head on over to sample the locally brewed offerings.

DNA Lounge, which is in financial trouble and may be forced to close, has now started accepting donations as a way to put off what the owner fears may be inevitable.

Speaking of closures, Inside Scoop did a roundup of all the big restaurant losses of 2016. Big names on the list, as you likely know by now, include Range, Cadence, Bon Marche, and Oro.

Lazy Bear is launching a cocktail bar spinoff that is slated to open in May, and Eater does us the favor of scoring some details. The as of yet unnamed bar will open up in the former Tradesmen and will have an extensive cocktail list.

The bar guys behind the group that includes Bullitt, Tonic, Dr. Teeth, etc., have brought in new manager Matt Schweitzer from Seattle's Marrow Kitchen & Bar and Hilltop Kitchen to take over two of their properties, Divisadero's Wild Hare, and Cow Hollow's Lightning Tavern, which is now being rebranded as Hollow Cow. Both have undergone big changes,as Eater reports, with new menus, and Schweitzer explained his philosophy to the publication. The crux of our whole operation is capitalizing on the difference between service and hospitality, making people feel warm, welcome, invited, and delivering people an experience thats maybe slightly elevated from what theyre used to having outside of a fine dining restaurant."

This Week in Reviews

The Weekly's Peter Lawrence Kane hit up a San Francisco favorite this week, chowing down at the 10-year-old Front Porch. He heaps praises on the fried chicken, and notes that the menu has some legit vegan offerings (although, unsurprisingly, he doesn't sample them). Kane enjoys the blue crab hush puppies and blackened catfish, but calls the fried chicken "the star." "Stunningly", the ten-piece bucket comes in under $30  which pleases the critic greatly. The cocktails aren't bad either, with a mezcal, Aperol, yellow Chartreuse, lime, and grapefruit bitters mix serving as the perfect aperitif. All in all, Kane finds that the Front Porch is still doing what it does best, and that that is enough to get him through the door time and time again.

Kane next makes his way to August 1 Five, a modern Indian restaurant that serves up a turmeric-infused fruit lassie complete with rum. He finds it creative and enjoyable  a sentiment that mostly extends to the food. The pappadum and chaats both earn high marks, while the pepper chicken leaves something to be desired. That is more than made up for by the lamb shank, which Kane says "appears to have marinated in tomato and onion since the Mughal Empire." Sounds flavorful.

San Francisco Magazine's Josh Sens gives us his take on The Morris, the restaurant that now occupies what was once Slow Club. Owner and sommelier Paul Einbund hits it out of the park with the duck, he says, adding that the skin is "as bronze as a Saint-Tropez sunbather." The foie gras dumplings are also of note, and the crab porridge gets high marks. The rock cod was a letdown, but we imagine offerings from the 61-page wine list made up for that. Sens, who appears to not like leaving his own neighborhood, says a trip to The Morris is definitely worth it  even if only for the sunbathing duck. The verdict: three stars.

Anna Roth of the Chronicle takes readers on a tour of some of the better Russian eateries in the city, and it is no surprise that she starts with Cinderella Bakery. The Inner Richmond bakery has long been a go-to location for many seeking Russian food in San Francisco, and the pork-filled pelmeni washed down with kvass are clearly a favorite. Roth next calls out Red Tavern and Katias Russian Tea Room, suggesting an a-la-carte crawl of sorts. Royal Market on Geary and 18th Avenue gets a mention for stocking Russian staples, and Roth is clearly excited about the surfeit of options for someone seeking authentic Russian delicacies. Readers would be wise to follow in her footsteps.
Generations of readers have loved Beatrix Potters books without giving much thought to the woman who wrote and illustrated them. Who was Beatrix Potter? Perhaps a proper young Victorian who rambled the English countryside in her country tweeds with her watercolor kit, waiting for inspiration to strike.

Seattle writer Emily Zachs new book, The Art of Beatrix Potter (Chronicle, $40), a collection of Potters lifes work, shows she was far more than a 19th-century weekend painter. She was an artist of astonishing range. She composed accurate illustrations of the natural world and its creatures, from lizards to mushrooms to her beloved bunnies. She painted beautiful landscapes. Her architectural drawings had grace, proportion and scale.

She used all her talents in the service of her creations  Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Mrs. Tiggy-winkle the Hedgehog and Jeremy Fisher the Frog, to name a few of the cast of creatures in her 30 books. Just one Potter book  The Tale of Peter Rabbit  has sold an estimated 45 million copies worldwide.

Zach, a 26-year-old graduate of Western Washington University, went to work for local books packager Becker & Mayer right out of college. She spent years doing photo research and negotiating rights for the use of images.

She thought she had a great job. Then she got a better one.

When San Francisco publisher Chronicle Books decided to put out a book to mark the 150th anniversary of Potters birth, they put Zach to work researching images. That involved some satisfying detective work  contacting museums, mostly in England, in search of Beatrix Potters art. Eventually, she was asked to write the book; with the exception of some essays by Potter experts, she wrote all the text.

Zach, who now works as a production editor and photo researcher for Seattle-based Girl Friday Productions, answered some questions about her subject and inspiration:

Q: You organized the book according to the different parts of the U.K. that provided Potter with inspiration  Scotland, the Lake District, Wales. How did that come about?

A: I was contacting museums that have collections of her art, looking for exciting things that people hadnt seen before. I realized that her family went on holiday, sometimes for as long as nine months out of the year, and that it was at those locations that she did a lot of her art. I thought that would be a really interesting way to organize it.

Q: She came from a privileged background, but she was no dilettante  she showed enormous talent and drive early on. What did her parents do to encourage her?

A: Her father definitely encouraged her. Both her parents did, but he was a photographer in his spare time. He would take her with him on his photography expeditions. I think she picked up a sense of composition and observation from those trips.

They also brought art instructors into her home. You can see that, from her earliest work, she is recording her observations and noting differences.

Q: She was an animal lover. She rescued and tamed two mice; she had her own hedgehog. She even kept frogs, the inspiration for her Jeremy Fisher character.

A: When she was a child, they (Potter and her brother) kept cages for their animals in their schoolroom, tucked away in the nooks and crannies. The parents and the rest of her household might not have been aware of how many there were.

There was a lizard named Judy. There was her own Benjamin Bunny  she had him for a week before people noticed. She spent most of her time in this room, a nursery that became her schoolroom that eventually became her scientific laboratory.

Q: She did love bunnies.

A: She enjoyed their personalities. They could be naughty, or they could be lazy, they were always her companions. She was fascinated with how they were put together.

Q: She was an early self-publisher  she paid to have Peter Rabbit printed before a publisher picked it up. And then it sold 56,000 copies within a year of its publication.

A: She had been sending sketches and ideas to a few different publishers; she had shopped Peter Rabbit around. She had very specific ideas about what she wanted  she didnt want them to be too expensive for kids. The original run (200-300 copies) was in black and white because of the expense (of printing color). She gave them away for Christmas presents. Warne (Frederick Warne, her eventual publisher) pointed out to her that they could do color more inexpensively because of advances in technology.

Q: She really knew animals, and some of the books are pretty scary because they reflect real animal behavior. Im thinking about The Tale of Mr. Tod, in which a fox captures some young bunnies. Hes ready to have them for lunch  until an obstreperous badger intervenes.

A: She told her editor on that book, Im tired of writing about goody-goody creatures. The fight scene (between the fox and the badger) shows realism when it comes to the animal world. As interested as she was in animals, she was not sentimental. Thats just the cycle of life  they fight, sometimes you have to slaughter them.

Q: Youve put a lot of time and effort into studying Beatrix Potters life. If you could meet her today, what would you ask her?

A: She had scientific aspirations, but a paper she gave to the Linnaean Society of London (on mushroom reproduction) was dismissed.

If it hadnt been dismissed, would she have pursued science? She was really interested in science and natural processes. I think she would have done really well.
If Viola Davis has learned anything in the near 30 years since she graduated from Julliard, its that you dont play games with August Wilson, the work or the man. An actor should honor him, and his words, because he honored the lives and words of the black men and women he wrote about.

My whole thing is, Ive got to be as good, as courageous as whats written on the page, Davis said. If he wrote a four-page monologue where I tell this man the depth to which hes hurt me, then Ive got to go there. If he went there as a writer, Ive got to go there as an actor. If I dont, Im not respecting his work.

This is how she approached the role of Rose Maxson in Wilsons Fences on Broadway and its how she approached its reprisal in the plays cinematic adaptation. Both have paid off: She won her second Tony in 2010 for the role (she won her first for another Wilson play, King Hedley II, in 2001) and is a front-runner for Academy Award recognition next month.

Over lunch  the night after she won two honors at the Critics Choice Awards and just hours after nabbing a Golden Globes nomination (she would also get a SAG Award nomination two days later)  Davis, 51, is calmly collected.

You can tell shes been here before, a place where her day off is now populated with a press interview and photo shoot and a moment in which Hollywood recognizes her gift; but also, a place where she still marvels that a dark-skinned girl born into poverty in St. Matthews, South Carolina, could feel at home.

Davis is no stranger to the world of celebrity, though fame was a long time coming. While the beginning of her television and film career was populated with minor roles, often as nurses, it was through a recurring role as an attorney on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit that audiences began to take note of her. But it wasnt until the 2008 Oscar-nominated role  her first  in Doubt, opposite Meryl Streep, that people clamored to know her name.

Still, she didnt truly blow up until her second Oscar nomination, for playing a humble maid in 2011s The Help. Though she lost that year to Streep, as almost every actress worth her salt does at one point or another, it cemented her as a force to be reckoned with.

Since, Davis has claimed ground in TV with How to Get Away with Murder, for which she became the first black woman to win an Emmy for lead actress in a drama in 2015. With Fences, undoubtedly, this is her year to take home all of the awards.

And the credit goes to Wilson, the playwright known for chronicling the African American experience during the 20th century through a series of 10 plays  one for each decade.

Davis relationship with Wilson, whom she considers the best writer about black life, began with a 1989 staging of Joe Turners Come and Gone, the second of the series.

Thats how she earned her Actors Equity card and became a professional, and since shes found herself continually drawn to his work. Fences, the sixth in the series, set in the 1950s, was her third time performing Wilsons work on Broadway. (He wrote the film adaptation of Fences before his death in 2005.)

When describing his uniqueness, Davis puts him in a category with only one other person: Streep.

They are people who are living their lives, available and open, but at the same time theyre watching, she said about both Wilson and Streep. Theyre taking it in and at the most opportune time, they use it.

Wilson used it in his writing, translating with precision and authenticity what he saw and heard while living in the boarding houses of Pittsburghs historically black Hill District. Davis said Wilson was so exacting in his writing, evoking the natural rhythm of how black people speak, that when he was in a rehearsal, he would sit, put his head down and you would think he would be asleep.

Then, as soon as you missed one word  youve got to be word-perfect  his head would jump up, hed look around, grab and look at the script and look at the actor, she said. Hed start tapping on the (directors shoulder) and then youd have to go back and do it again.

According to Stephen McKinley Henderson, who reprised his Broadway role as Mr. Bono for Denzel Washingtons screen adaptation, Wilsons ability to capture the intricacies of black life was unmatched.

Hes got kind of a blues poetic that goes throughout (his work), said Henderson. When you hear the characters talk, you also hear some of the great blues songs (of the time) and as the decades go by, it starts to get jazzy with that blues bass in it.

Davis said Wilson had also perfected writing roles for women, her character Rose being a perfect example, complete in her narrative, starting as someone assumed to be a background character who, through pain and devastation, becomes much more.

It is a complete journey of a human being and I dont get that in most of the characters that come her way, she said. I dont get (roles with) journeys  You get your three scenes and you hope, you just pray, that you get even a tiny bit of backstory. Its fabulous that I got all of that and then some.

And with that, she goes all the way, Henderson said of Davis. Thats just how she rolls. She only has an A game, and it can go A-squared.

Charles D. King, a Fences executive producer and leader of Macro Ventures, which co-financed the film, agreed, saying it was quite apparent that she channeled and took (the role) to another level than what she did on stage, noting the power and nuance of her performance.

One scene of the film perhaps best illustrates this. Confronted by her husband (Washingtons Troy), Rose is told that he will be a father  of another womans baby  and hes not ending the affair. Her response is intense, emotional and traumatic, for the character and, in a way, the audience. She ugly-cries. Snot runs from her nose.

Its like a jazz riff, knowing how to ride that wave and still have it grounded in truth, Davis said. Its not one of those tiny cries-with-the-handkerchief, Im-really-deeply-hurt scenes. Its I-dont-care-whos-watching, I-can-rip-my-clothes-off-right-now, I-could-claw-every-bit-of-skin-off-your-face  Vanity and everything else gets thrown out the window.

Luckily, Davis said, the trust between the cast and Washington allowed her performance to flourish. Because they all staged the Broadway production together, she knew that they could handle the work, that you could throw the ball at them and theyll throw it back at you.

Davis admits that being cast as Annalise Keating on How to Get Away with Murder, helped her better emotionally connect with Rose because with the television role, I had to give myself permission to fit into those adjectives of being sociopathic, sexualized, manipulative, she said. Then, as I was thinking of that not being me, I asked, Why cant that be me?

The whole idea that youve got to be big to be maternal, if youre dark skinned, you cant be the girlfriend  Im trying to fit that into what I understand about life and they dont fit, she said. They are diametrically opposed to each other. Thats why I asked why with Annalise and I have to say as soon as I did, my whole brain exploded with possibilities.

Shes since become a vocal critic of the roles written and opportunities for women of color. At our sit-down, she talks of what the industry can learn from Wilson, whose plays have traveled worldwide.

We have to stop thinking about diversity and start thinking about inclusion, she said. Thats what you can take from August Wilson. That there are whole cultures out there living experiences exactly like yours and their stories can be just as dynamic, sold in the foreign market, put as many butts in the seats as any Caucasian movie out there.

And that brings her to what Hollywoods most recent diversity conversation, prompted by #OscarsSoWhite, is missing: our own participation in it.

We sort of just want it to happen, but we dont want to be the one that makes it happen, she said. How are you moving the whole idea forward? Are you plopping your money down to see that different narrative that includes people of color? If youre a studio exec, are you giving the green light to those stories?

Thats why she, along with her husband Julius Tennon, created JuVee Productions: to ensure the next generation of filmmakers and artists have the space to craft dynamic stories spanning the broad spectrum of humanity, as the website reads. The company has already had some successes, signing an overall deal with ABC in April and partnering with HBO for a TV movie on Harriet Tubman in which Davis is set to star.

Im just looking for any new voice thats going to be inclusive, that is going to be different, she said about the types of stories shes looking to tell with her company. All I know is that there is a need for people to see their own images. Theyre hungry for it.
HILTON HEAD, S.C.  For two weeks now, Ive worn a 2-inch bandage across my forehead to cover the gash where skin cancer had put down its ugly roots.

Im 26, so the bandage and the cancer beneath it prompted a lot of awkward conversations with strangers who asked me what happened. Some of them expected to hear a drunken tale about how I wiped out at the bar.

The conversation almost always ends there, because most people, especially those my age, dont want to talk about skin cancer or any of the bad things that could happen to them.

But we need to talk about it because this didnt have to happen to me at such a young age, and it doesnt have to happen to other people.

I didnt know how emotionally, financially and physically exhausting such a diagnosis is, even when it is a non-melanoma cancer.

The moment my doctor told me I had it, my heart sank and my world spun. I had never felt fear like that before in my life, and I wouldnt wish it on anyone.

And I was one of the lucky ones, in the grand scheme of things. I was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, the less serious form of skin cancer. That diagnosis came two years after my mom beat melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and just a year after a rare melanoma claimed the life of my beautiful and brilliant friend Kelly.

She was 25 and had more passion and grit than 99 percent of the human race  she actually passed the bar exam while battling cancer. She deserved every minute of the next 75 years, but didnt get a second of it.

Her death was shocking and devastating. I think of her all the time, but especially so over the past few weeks.

Though her story is rare, its becoming more common. The number of young women getting skin cancer has increased eight-fold since the 1970s, according to a New York Times report.

So youre really young; howd you get this? my dermatologist asked as he dug the cancer out of my forehead last Wednesday.

He usually does this surgery on older people. Not someone my age. I wanted to scream. Why me?

But I knew why. This was my fault.

I was a stupid teenager who tanned a lot, I told him.

I got skin cancer because I didnt think being a fair-skinned redhead was good enough. I wasnt confident in my natural skin, so I crawled into a tanning bed to cook my pale skin brown.

I got skin cancer because I listened to the messages from advertising and womens magazines that told me I needed that healthy glow to be considered beautiful.

I got skin cancer because in high school all the popular girls hit the tanning beds hard before every dance  three times each school year in Kansas. And in college, most of the girls in my sorority tanned regularly, especially before date parties  basically all of the time.

Sure, not everyone tanned, but when youre young, just a few girls and a few media sources hold a great power to shape  and distort  any idea of normal.

Im sure there were skin cancer warnings in the magazines I flipped through as a teenager, but the messages telling me I needed to be tan were so much louder.

So it didnt click, and I continued tanning until I was in my early 20s and really started piling on the sunscreen. And by then it was too late.

There is so much I didnt know then that, unfortunately, I know now. I cant change any of it, of course, but I can tell you things that might make young people think twice:

Skin cancer is not an old persons disease. It can strike and kill someone in their 20s. Like it did with Kelly.

Non-melanoma skin cancer is not something you have zapped off like a mole and it goes away. The process is painful. The wounds shocking. And none of it is pretty.

Once you get skin cancer in your 20s, its likely youre going to get it again or some other kind of cancer.

Skin cancer changes you. It means a lifetime in fear of  and worry about  the sun. It means expensive creams, dermatologist appointments and ugly scars. The sun that used to serve as a sparkling, steady source of endorphins, energy and delight is now something to constantly worry about and protect yourself against.

All it takes is a scab. My skin cancer looked like a zit that wouldnt heal. Check every part of your body and demand a biopsy if you dont feel right about a mark (another doctor looked at my skin cancer a year ago and said it was nothing to worry about).

You regret every minute you spent in a tanning bed or in the sun with no protection. That tan that seemed so important then had no real impact on my memories or my experience.

It hurts even more when you know it was your fault, when you realize youre paying a heavy price for being a self-absorbed teenager.

I still see that were a tanning-obsessed culture. I live on an island in South Carolina  a place with nearly 12 months of sunshine. Yet there are more than a dozen tanning salons in Beaufort County. Several apartment complexes offer free tanning as a lure to young people. Even my gym has a tanning booth.

More than 30 million Americans use indoor tanning beds each year, including 2.3 million teens, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

A year ago, the FDA proposed a ban on the use of tanning beds by minors. It should have become law. The proposal has been dead in the water for a year now, but earlier this month, a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found the ban would save thousands of lives and millions of dollars.

As much as I want my story, Kellys story, and the stories of other young womens to be heard and shared  used to scare teenagers out of tanning beds  I dont think that will stop them.

Teenagers are too young to process risks and rewards. And young girls will always be helplessly vulnerable to things that make them feel beautiful, even if theyre dangerous. I certainly was. And that will never change.

But we can change the conversation.

We dont have to live in total fear of the sun.

But we need to see the light.
SIOUX CITY | An appointment to fill the remaining year of resigning councilman Keith Radig's term may not come until mid-February.

City Council members said this week they plan to use an application and interview process to fill the vacancy that will take several weeks.

"We're going to take probably a month to let people get their applications in to the city," Mayor Bob Scott told the Journal Thursday. "Then we'll take a few weeks to go through and interview them."

Scott said he has heard of nearly a dozen people expressing interest to fill the spot. Four have so far made their intentions known to the Journal: former Council members Craig Berenstein and John Fitch and Sioux City residents Alex Watters and Doug Waples.

Radig's resignation will go into effect Tuesday, the same day he will take his oath of office on the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors.

Scott said the council has chosen an application process similar to how the council appoints members of city boards and commissions in order to be sure it gives a fair ear to the many people who are interested. He said he will likely make an announcement about how to apply at the Jan. 9 City Council meeting.

"We want to be sure that we give everybody an opportunity to interview, and we want to be sure we get the very best candidate," he said.

That means the new council member would likely not be as involved in the city's annual budgeting process, which starts in January and concludes with a scheduled vote on the finalized budget March 7.

According to Iowa law, once Radig's resignation takes effect Tuesday, the City Council has 60 days to make an appointment to fill the void. Once appointed, that person will finish out Radig's original term, which will expire at the end of 2017.

After an appointment is made, voters then have the option to force a special election by gathering at least 126 signatures, equal to 10 percent of the voters who cast ballots in the last city election. In the case of a special election, the council's appointee will serve in the interim until the special election is complete.

If the council were to wait the full 60 days and a special election was then triggered, it could be as late as mid-May by the time the newly elected member takes the position. A special election would cost the city approximately $15,000 and would double if a primary election also were necessary. A primary would be triggered if three or more candidates filed for the seat.

So far, only Waples has said publicly that he has taken out a petition to force a special election. Waples, who has expressed interest in an appointment as well, is a longtime Sioux City resident who cites a bridge project on Dearborn Boulevard for his interest in running.

Waples declined to comment whether the council's intention to use an application process would alter any plans to turn in his petition, which he said already has the required number of signatures.

Fitch, who served on the council from 2010 through 2013, said he has discussed the appointment with other council members. Fitch said he will be out of town until February but would be interested if the timing works out.

"I said that if it's something that drags until February, that I would be available," he said.

Fitch earlier this year lost to Radig in the Republican primary election for the Woodbury County Supervisors' District 1 seat.

Fitch said there are "a lot of good things that potentially could happen now" with the new county board, which adds to his interest in the council position.

In the case that a special election is forced by petition, Fitch said he would not be interested in pursuing the position.

"In that case I would not be a player," he said.

Berenstein also told the Journal Friday he is ready to serve again.

"I absolutely loved the responsibility and have always been wanting to get back in," he said. "The timing is right."

Berenstein served on the council from 2000 to the end of 2007, including two stints as mayor from 2002 to 2003 and from 2006 to 2007.

He did not vie for a third council term because he wanted to spend more time with his children during their final years of high school, he said. Now that they are older, he said he's ready to once again pursue a seat.

Watters, a first-year advisor at Morningside College who is a member of several local committees including the city's Events Facilities Advisory Board, also told the Journal Friday he is interested in the position.

"The opportunity to serve in this capacity and offer a different perspective and a different voice is something I'm really excited about," Watters said.

Watters ran unsuccessfully for the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors as a Democrat against Republican supervisor Matthew Ung in 2014.

Berenstein and Watters both said they would still be willing to pursue the position through a special election process.

Councilman Dan Moore said Friday he is encouraged to see so much interest in the position.

"To have people showing a genuine interest really speaks highly of our community and all that we've got going for us," he said.
SIOUX CITY | From the first moments of 2016, Siouxland voters held a high-profile role in a presidential campaign season that would dominate the headlines for the entire year.

It began with the bombardment of television ads, phone surveys and candidate meet-and-greets leading up to the Feb. 1 Iowa caucuses, where Northwest Iowans were asked to play their first-in-the-nation role to help begin winnowing the field of three Democrats and 17 Republicans.

The campaigning in the battleground state never completely let up, continuing through the June 7 primary and culminating in the Nov. 8 general election.

On Election Day, Northwest Iowa voters made their mark on 2016, turning the corner of the state a much darker shade of red in support of Republican candidate Donald Trump. It was only the second time in the past seven presidential elections that a Republican has won Iowa's six electoral votes.

Voters in Nebraska and South Dakota also helped propel Trump to his electoral vote win, which was made official Dec. 19 when 304 electoral college members officially cast their votes in his favor -- 14 of those coming from the three Siouxland states.

But the implications of 2016's elections in Siouxland stretched far beyond the White House.

Sixty-one percent of Nebraska voters in November supported Referendum 426, the ballot measure that has now negated a 2015 state legislature decision to do away with the death penalty. The reinstatement of the death penalty was voted Nebraska's top story of 2016 by newspaper and broadcast members of The Associated Press and AP staffers.

In Woodbury County, voters tipped the balance on the county board of supervisors from a 3-2 Democratic majority to a 4-1 Republican one, ousting two incumbents and completing what has been a complete turnover of the board over the past two years. How the fresh-faced board moves forward will be one of the top things to watch for in 2017.

For these reasons and more, this year's nod for the Journal's Newsmaker of the Year goes to the people who played a central role in creating many of the year's top headlines: Siouxland's voters.

In the run-up to the Iowa caucuses, presidential candidates campaigned across the region, with many of the stops giving voters a chance to personally see and hear many of the top contenders.

As thousands stood in line at a Nov. 6 Trump rally in Sioux City that drew 4,500, the largest Siouxland crowd of the election cycle, local Trump supporters cited rising health care costs, business savvy and many other reasons for their support.

"I've been saying for 30 years we need a business guy instead of a politician," North Sioux City resident Tim Granstrom said that day. "If I could pick a business guy, he wouldnt be my first choice, but hes 10 times better than her.

Tracy L., of Ida Grove, Iowa, who declined to give her full last name while standing in line, said treatment of military and law enforcement was also an important factor in securing her support.

"I have a son in the military and a husband in law enforcement," she said. "I hear he's the best candidate to represent those."

Trump ended up winning all 14 Journal circulation counties in Northwest Iowa, claiming at least 65 percent of the vote in 11 counties, and at least 70 percent in seven counties. Voters in Lyon and Sioux each gave Trump 81 percent of their support.

Trump outperformed 2012 Republican candidate Mitt Romney by more than 10 percent or more in six of the 14 counties, propelling him toward a national win that, given the numerous polling forecasts that placed the odds against him, many found surprising.

Regardless of political party, on Election Day, many voters at area polling locations told Journal reporters they were happy the election season had finally reached its conclusion.

With all that voters did this year, they've earned the reprieve. That is, until the next election cycle begins.
SIOUX CITY | A woman was transported by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center -- Sioux City after her minivan rolled through a ditch and up against train tracks along South Lewis Boulevard Friday afternoon.

The crash occurred shortly after 4:30 p.m. near 3100 S. Lewis Boulevard, across from Sioux City's wastewater treatment plant.

Sioux City Police Sgt. Judy Kellen said the incident occurred when the driver of the minivan -- the vehicle's only occupant -- had to stop suddenly while traveling in the northbound lanes.

Kellen said the driver over-corrected with her steering, causing the vehicle to travel through the median, cross the southbound lanes of traffic and roll several feet through the ditch before coming to rest on its roof up against train tracks.

Sioux City Fire Rescue Capt. Dustin Johnson said authorities were able to coordinate with the communications center to ensure no trains were in the area as crews worked at the scene.

Johnson said the woman was conscious and transported to the hospital with minor, non-life-threatening injuries.
SIOUX CITY | An unconscious woman had to be mechanically extricated from the back of a Nissan Pathfinder after a two-vehicle crash in downtown Sioux City that sent two people to Mercy Medical Center -- Sioux City.

The incident occurred at 3:45 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Court and Sixth streets.

Sioux City Police Sgt. Jeremy McClure said the Pathfinder was traveling north on Court Street when it collided with a westbound Chrysler Town & Country minivan in the intersection. The Pathfinder, which was carrying four occupants, rolled over and came to rest at the northeast corner of the intersection.

McClure said police were still investigating which vehicle ran the red light.

Two people from the Pathfinder were transported to Mercy Medical Center -- Sioux City with injuries. McClure said the woman who was extricated had been thrown around inside the vehicle and sustained a head injury. He said she was regaining consciousness as she was being carried into the ambulance.

McClure said both injuries appeared to be non-life-threatening.

Police closed Sixth Street between Iowa and Court streets for several minutes as they cleaned up fluids and debris from the crash.
SOUTH SIOUX CITY | Lance Allen Cole, 39, formerly of South Sioux City, passed away on Dec. 25, 2016, at his home in Glenwood, Iowa.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Glenwood, with visitation two hours prior to the service. Inurnment with military honors will be in Omaha National Cemetery. online condolences may be made at www.loesshillsfuneralhome.com.

One of five children, Lance was born on July 18, 1977, to Alfred Bertram and Jean Marie (Kent) Cole in Sioux City, where he graduated from high school in 1996.

Lance served a total of 13 years in the United States Marine Corps and United States Army, including during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He received the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. After his honorable discharge at the rank of Sergeant, Lance worked as a Machinist for Union Pacific Railroad.

Lance and Jennifer Lynn Gill were married on May 30, 1997, in South Sioux City. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Tyler and Nathan.

Lance enjoyed working on cars, trucks and motorcycles. He was a wonderful husband, dad, son, brother and friend.

Lance is survived by his wife, Jennifer Cole; sons, Tyler and Nathan; his siblings and their families; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; maternal grandparents; paternal grandparents; and nephew, John Webster.

Memorials may be directed to the family.
WASHINGTON -- "Spare us the kissy-face."

It was June 2001 and I was covering President George W. Bush's trip to Slovenia, where he had just met Vladimir Putin for the first time. I and others were struck by Bush's praise for the Russian leader as "trustworthy." Said Bush: "I was able to get a sense of his soul."

But back in Washington, my editor had no interest in such talk. He rewrote my lede with other news -- a tidbit about missile defense -- and he moved the "kissy-face" stuff about Putin's soul down to Paragraph 18.

In retrospect, that moment in Slovenia defined the Russia relationship for years to come. Putin had seduced Bush, who only slowly came to understand he had misjudged this adversary's soul. Putin opposed Bush in Iraq and was unhelpful with Iran. He shut down independent television, sent business leaders who criticized him into exile and prison, ousted democratic parties from government, canceled the election of governors and invaded Georgia.

The kissy-face happened all over again when President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tried to "reset" relations. Russia responded by working against the United States in Syria, sheltering Edward Snowden, invading and occupying parts of Ukraine, and hacking and meddling in the U.S. election to defeat Clinton.

Now it's Donald Trump's turn for kissy-face, and the president-elect is practically groping the Russian dictator. After Putin gloated last week that Democrats need to learn "to lose with dignity," Trump tweeted Putin a sloppy kiss: "So true!" he said of Putin's comments.

Trump also celebrated a letter he received from Putin calling for more collaboration between the two countries. "His thoughts are so correct," Trump said.

Trump's blush-inducing embrace of the strongman has included repeated praise of Putin's leadership, deflected questions about Putin's political killings and disparagement of U.S. intelligence for accusing Russia of election meddling.

In three weeks, Trump will assume the presidency, and we'll learn what his embrace of Putin really means. Perhaps Trump is just a dupe and he'll realize over time that Putin is no friend. The alternative, supported by Trump's choice of Putin-friendly advisers Michael T. Flynn and Rex Tillerson, is that Trump really is pro-Putin and will grant the Russian dictator more latitude internationally and will emulate his autocratic tendencies at home.

The former would require us to endure some policy failures as Putin proved himself again to be an adversary. The latter would test the limits of our democratic institutions.

In either case, it would be useful for Americans to have at least a cursory sense of the man our new president proposes to embrace. Here's a quick glimpse into Putin's soul to get us started:

Opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was killed outside the Kremlin as he walked home one night last year. Putin's regime blames Chechens, but Nemtsov's is one of a dozen high-profile murders of opponents widely thought to have been sanctioned by Putin's government.

Another Putin opponent, Alexander Litvinenko, was killed in London by polonium poisoning in 2006. The British government said Putin "probably" approved the hit. That same year, opposition journalist Anna Politkovskaya was shot and killed outside her apartment.

Among the many business leaders imprisoned or ousted under Putin are Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who was head of the oil giant Yukos, and associate Platon Lebedev. The Russian human rights group Memorial says there are 102 people held in Russian prisons for their political or religious beliefs.

The Kremlin has provided funding and training for far-right nationalist parties in Europe, and it used its state media and an army of hackers and social-media trolls to spread disinformation in the United States, in continental Europe and in Britain before the Brexit vote. The goals: to weaken European unity and the NATO alliance and to keep Europe dependent on Russian energy.

Russia also used disinformation to destabilize the Ukrainian government as Russia annexed Crimea. In Syria, where Russia propped up the Assad regime with indiscriminate bombing in Aleppo and elsewhere, Britain, France and the United States have blamed Putin's government for the mass slaughter of civilians.

An Amnesty International summary of Putin's rule leaves no doubt about his totalitarian state: "Journalist Killed  Human Rights Lawyer Killed  Gay Rights Protesters Attacked  Repressive Laws Enacted  Fines for 'Promoting Homosexuality' Imposed  President Putin Signs Law to Re-criminalize Defamation  USAID Expelled  Federal Treason and Espionage Act goes into effect  Moscow Authorities Detain Protesters and Opposition Party Members."

This, Mr. President-elect, is the man you are embracing. Please spare us the kissy-face.
CINCINNATI -- One mans efforts to save the history of signs across America has resulted in an amazing collection of just about every type of sign imaginable. Those signs are now on display at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati.

Tod Swormstedt, founder of the museum and former editor and publisher of Signs of the Times magazine, knew that many of the signs that once adorned businesses and highways around the country were being lost. In order to save those pieces of Americana he founded the Signs of the Times Museum in 1999 that he admits was a mid-life crisis project.

He rented some space in 2005 to display his signs but soon ran out of room for the growing collection. Swormstedt then found a suitable building that had once housed a womens clothing factory and later a parachute factory in the historic Camp Washington neighborhood of Cincinnati. With the support of others who believed in the project, he opened the renamed American Sign Museum in its new location on June 23, 2012.

The new location has more than 19,000 square feet of display space and another 20,000 for future expansion. The building has 28-foot ceilings to accommodate even the largest signs. The museum also features a working neon sign shop where visitors can watch the owners of Neonworks create neon signs and ask questions during the museum guided tour. Theres a large open area that can be rented for events and a library with books, photos and documents relating to the art and history of sign making.

Kevin Wallace, guest services manager at the museum, said the sign collection dates back to the late 1800s. He said that back then signs were typically symbols rather than words. That was because at the time few people could read, said Wallace. Examples in the museum include a large hammer for a carpenter shop and a pestle and mortar for a pharmacy. Many of those early signs were hand-carved and sometimes covered in leather. In some cases the letters were coated with real gold.

Wallace said that many of the signs in the collection were donated by businesses, while others were purchased by Swormstedt. The collection includes such iconic signs as a 1963 era porcelain McDonald's Golden Arch from Huntsville, Alabama, and a 1950s Howard Johnsons sign from Utica, New York.

To some people signs are a passion. John and Andree Woosley of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, were recent visitors to the American Sign Museum. Andree Woosley said as they travel across the country theyre always looking for signs. Were always sign-spotting, she said. They photograph the signs and share them with other sign enthusiasts on the internet.

The museum has some of the iconic Burma Shave signs that once graced highways across America. The set of six signs along the side of the road dispensed folksy humor for drivers while promoting Burma Shave. One set in the museum says, Others claim; their product good; but ours; does what; you think it should; Burma Shave. Wallace said they have another set that was rescued by a sign painter. He found the signs in the attic of a house owned by Clinton Odell, the founder of the Burma-Vita Company. Odell had used the signs in the attic. He used them as floorboards, said Wallace. But a sign painter bought the house and saved them.

The art of neon sign making is alive and well at the American Sign Museum, said Wallace. Neonworks of Cincinnati has a shop in the museum. The shop is part of the guided tour of the museum.

Tom Wartman, owner of Neonworks of Cincinnati, said his business is the only full-time neon shop in town. While talking to visitors at the museum Wartman explained some of the secrets to making a neon sign as he held a glass tube between two flames. The flame is 1,500 degrees, explained Wartman. And we heat the tube to 500 degrees in order to bend it. He said the shape of the tube is drawn on a pattern on the workbench and then the tube is bent according to the drawing.

In a recent television interview Swormstedt said signs are an important part of our history and his museum reflects that history. Its a mini slice of American history and its a fun way to learn American history.
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Ltd., Accenture (South Africa) Pty Ltd, Accenture (UK) Limited, Accenture 2 Business Process Services S.A., Accenture 2 LLC, Accenture A/S, Accenture AB, Accenture AG, Accenture AS, Accenture Africa Pty Ltd, Accenture Agencia Interativa Ltda, Accenture Australia Holding B.V., Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture B.V., Accenture BPM Operations Support Services S.A., Accenture BPM S.C.R.L., Accenture BPS Services S.p. z o.o., Accenture Branch Holdings B.V., Accenture Bulgaria EOOD, Accenture Business Services for Utilities Inc, Accenture Business Services of British Columbia Limited Partnership, Accenture Business and Technology Services LLC, Accenture C.A., Accenture Canada Holdings Inc, Accenture Capital Designated Activity Company, Accenture Capital Inc, Accenture Central Europe B.V., Accenture Chile Asesorias y Servicios Ltda, Accenture Cloud Services GmbH, Accenture Cloud Software Solutions Limited, Accenture Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions LLC, Accenture Cloud Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd, Accenture Co. Ltd, Accenture Communications Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, Accenture Company Ltd, Accenture Consulting Pty Ltd, Accenture Consulting Services Ltd Tanzania, Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A., Accenture Consultoria de Industria e Consumo Ltda, Accenture Consultoria de Recursos Naturais Ltda, Accenture Credit Services LLC, Accenture Customer Services Distribution SASU, Accenture Customer Services Ltd, Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, Accenture Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Accenture Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Accenture Delivery Poland S.p. z o.o., Accenture Dienstleistungen GmbH, Accenture Digital Holdings GmbH, Accenture East Africa Limited, Accenture Ecuador S.A., Accenture Egypt LLC, Accenture Enterprise Development (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Accenture Federal Services LLC, Accenture Finance II Limited, Accenture Finance Limited, Accenture Finance and Accounting BPO Services S.p.A., Accenture Finance and Accounting Services S.r.l., Accenture Financial Advanced Solution & Technology S.r.l., Accenture Flex LLC, Accenture GP LLC, Accenture Global Capital Designated Activity Company, Accenture Global Engagements Limited, Accenture Global Holdings Limited, Accenture Global Services Limited, Accenture Global Solutions Limited, Accenture GmbH, Accenture HR Services S.p.A., Accenture Healthcare Processing Inc, Accenture Holding Brasil Ltda, Accenture Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Accenture Holdings (Iberia) S.L., Accenture Holdings B.V., Accenture Holdings France SASU, Accenture Hungary Holdings Kft, Accenture Inc, Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions Kft, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions SA, Accenture Insurance Services B.V., Accenture Insurance Services LLC, Accenture International B.V., Accenture International LLC, Accenture International Limited, Accenture Japan Ltd, Accenture Korea B.V., Accenture LLC, Accenture LLP, Accenture Lanka (Private) Ltd, Accenture Limited, Accenture Lithuania UAB, Accenture Ltd, Accenture Ltda, Accenture Maghreb S.a.r.l., Accenture Managed Services SRL, Accenture Management GmbH, Accenture Marketing Services LLC, Accenture Marketing Services Limited, Accenture Middle East B.V., Accenture Minority I B.V., Accenture Mozambique Limitada, Accenture Mzansi Pty Ltd, Accenture NV/SA, Accenture NZ Limited, Accenture Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Co., Accenture OOO, Accenture Operations GmbH, Accenture Operations S.p. z o.o., Accenture Operations Services Private Limited, Accenture Operations Services Sdn Bhd, Accenture Outsourcing S.r.l., Accenture Outsourcing Services S.A., Accenture Oy, Accenture Panama Inc, Accenture Participations B.V., Accenture Participations II Limited, Accenture Peru SRL, Accenture Post Trade Processing SASU, Accenture Post-Trade Processing Limited, Accenture Process (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Pte Ltd, Accenture Puerto Rico LLC, Accenture Qiyun Technology (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, Accenture S.C., Accenture S.L., Accenture S.R.L., Accenture S.p. z o.o., Accenture S.p.A., Accenture SASU, Accenture SG Services Pte Ltd, Accenture SRL, Accenture Saudi Arabia Limited, Accenture Sdn Bhd, Accenture Service Center SRL, Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Services AB, Accenture Services AG, Accenture Services AS, Accenture Services GmbH, Accenture Services Morocco SA, Accenture Services Oy, Accenture Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Services S.p. z o.o., Accenture Services SRL, Accenture Services and Technology S.r.l., Accenture Services s.r.o., Accenture Single Member S.A. Organization Information Technology & Business Development, Accenture Solutions Co. Ltd, Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Accenture Solutions Pte Ltd, Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Solutions S.p. z o.o, Accenture Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC, Accenture Sub II Inc, Accenture Sub III Inc, Accenture Sub LLC, Accenture Systems Integration Limited, Accenture Sarl, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Accenture Technology Solutions (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (HK) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions S.r.l., Accenture Technology Solutions SASU, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures B.V., Accenture Technology Ventures SPRL, Accenture Tecnologia Consultoria y Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co. Limited, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Ltda, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Advoco, Agilex Technologies Inc., Alfa Consulting, Allen International, AlphaBeta Advisors, Altevie Technologies S.r.l., Altima, Altima (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Altima Asia Ltd, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Altius Consulting Limited, Altius Data Solutions Private Limited, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Apis Group Pty Ltd, Appaloosa Technology SASU, AppsPro, AppsPro, Arca, Arca Ingenieros y Consultoria S.L., Arca Telecom S.L., Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Artio People (Payroll) Pty Ltd, Artio People Pty Ltd, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Automation Partners Pty Ltd, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd., Avanade Asia Pte Ltd, Avanade Australia Pty Ltd, Avanade Belgium SPRL, Avanade Canada Inc, Avanade Consulting Poland S.p. z o.o., Avanade Denmark A/S, Avanade Deutschland GmbH, Avanade Europe Holdings Limited, Avanade Europe Services Limited, Avanade Finland Oy, Avanade France SASU, Avanade Holdings LLC, Avanade Hong Kong Ltd, Avanade Inc, Avanade International Corporation, Avanade Ireland Limited, Avanade Italy S.r.l., Avanade Japan KK, Avanade Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avanade Middle East Limited, Avanade Netherlands B.V., Avanade Norway AS, Avanade Poland S.p. z o.o., Avanade Schweiz GmbH, Avanade South Africa Pty Ltd, Avanade Spain S.L., Avanade Sweden AB, Avanade UK Limited, Avanade do Brasil Ltda , Avanade Osterreich GmbH, Avenai, Avieco, Axia Ltd., BABCN LLC, BCS Consulting, BCT Solutions, BCT Solutions Pty Ltd, BENEXT, BPO Servicos Administrativos Ltda, BRIDGE Energy Group, BRIDGEi2i, Beacon Consulting Group Inc., Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co. Ltd., Beijing Zhidao Future Consulting Co. Ltd, Benext, Berico Technologies LLC, Bionic, Bionic Solution LLC, Blue Horseshoe, Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Bow & Arrow, Bow & Arrow Limited, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, Byte Prophecy Private Limited, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CS Technology (Australia) Pty Ltd, CS Technology (UK) Limited, CS Technology Group LLC, CS Technology LLC, CadenceQuest Inc., Callisto Integration Europe B.V., Callisto Integration Europe Limited, Callisto Integration LLC, Callisto Integration Ltd, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc, Certus Solutions Consulting Services Limited, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cirrus Connect Australia Pty Ltd, Cirrus Connect Limited, Cirruseo, Clarity Insights, ClearEdge Partners, Clearhead, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas Japan G.K., Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Limited, Cloudeasier SAS, Cloudpoint Limited, Cloudsherpas Inc, Cloudworks, Cloudworks Consulting Services Inc, Cloudworks Technology LLC, Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda, Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda, Context Information Security, Context Information Security LLC, Context Information Security Limited, CoreCompete LLC, CoreCompete Limited, CoreCompete Private Limited, Corliant Inc., Creative Drive LLC, Creative Drive US LLC, CreativeDrive, CreativeDrive Digital Content Services (Shenzhen) Co Ltd., CreativeDrive EMEA Limited, CreativeDrive Singapore Pte Ltd, CreativeDrive UK Group Limited, Cutting Edge Solutions Limited, Cygni AB, Cygni Norrsken AB, Cygni Stockholm AB, Cygni Syd AB, Cygni Vast AB, Cygni Ost AB, Cygni Ostersund AB, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Limited, DI Futures Corporation, Data Essential SARL, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings LLC, Decora Marketplace LLC, Decorado Marketplace Ltda-EPP, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digital Results Group LLC, Double Digit Limitada, Double Digit Pty SA, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Limited, Duck Creek Technologies, ESR Labs, ESR Labs AG, EdenOne Solutions Limited, Edenhouse ERP Holdings Limited, Edenhouse Solutions Limited, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting LP, End to End Analytics LLC, End-to-End Analytics, Endorphin Medici (M) Sdn Bhd, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Limited, EnergyQuote JHA, Enimbos, Enimbos Global Services S.L., Enkitec, Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions LLC, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V., Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enthusian Pty Ltd, Entropia, Entropia (M) Sdn Bhd, Entropia Holdings Pte Ltd, Entropia Intercraft Sdn Bhd, Epylon, Ergo, Espedia S.r.l., Ethica Consulting Group, Ethica Consulting S.p.A., Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Experity, Exton Consulting, Exton Consulting Spain Strategy&Management S.L., Exton Germany GmbH, Exton International SAS, Exton Italia S.r.l., Exton SAS, FGM LLC, Fairway Technologies Inc, Farah BidCo Limited, Farah MidCo Limited, Farah Topco Limited, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Formicary, Founders Intelligence, Fruendo S.r.l., FusionX, Future State Consulting LLC, FutureMove (Beijing) Automotive Technology Co. Ltd., FutureMove Automotive, FutureMove Automotive Co. Ltd., GRA Supply Chain Pty Ltd, Gagel Group S de R.L. de C.V., Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gevity, Gren utvikling AS, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., HRC Retail Advisory, Hagberg Consulting Group, Hahntel Ltda, Halo Partners LLC, Hamilton Holding Company S.A, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Happen GP Limited, Happen Limited, Headspring, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl A/S, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn Bhd, IBB Consulting, ICM.S S.r.l., IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INSITUM, IQSP Consulting LLC, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Icon Integration (NZ) Limited, Icon Integration Pty Ltd, Imagine Broadband (USA) Limited, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Imaginea Technologies LLC, Industrie IT (Hong Kong) Ltd, Industrie IT (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Industrie IT Group Pty Ltd, Industrie IT Pty Ltd, Industrie&Co, Infinity Works Consulting Limited, Infinity Works Holdings Limited, Infinity Works Management Limited, Infinity Works Midco Limited, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Innotec International EAD, Innotec International S.p. z.o.o., Innotec Marketing GmbH, Innotec Marketing International Ireland Limited, Innotec- Marketing Spain S.L, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., International Biometric Group LLC, International Biometric Group UK Limited, Intrepid, Intrepid Futureworks Sdn Bhd, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Technology Ltd, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, ItSafer Continuity Services S.L., JKD Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, K Comms Group Limited, KSC Studio LLC, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, King James Group, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Limited, Kogentix Singapore Pte Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon US LLC, LEXTA, LINKBYNET, LINKBYNET Indian Ocean (L.I.O) Ltd, LabAnswer, Lexta GmbH, Lexta UK Limited, Lien par le reseau Inc, Lien par le reseau infrastructures Inc, Lin Bo (Shanghai) Network Technology Co. Ltd., Link By Net SAS, Link By Net SRL, Link By Net Vietnam Company Limited, Linkbynet East Asia Ltd, Linkbynet Singapore Pte Ltd., Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, Lumenup S.A., MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision LLC, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte Ltd, Mackevision UK Limited, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd, Maihiro, Matter, Maud Corp Pty Ltd, Maxamine International, Measuretek LLC, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing LLC, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mistral Wind Operations  Servicos Empresariais Unipessoal Lda., MobGen, Mortgage Cadence LLC, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, Mudano Limited, Myrtle Consulting Group LLC, N3, N3 (Dalian) Business Consulting Co. Ltd., N3 Brazil Consultoria em Marketing Ltda, N3 Germany GmbH, N3 LLC, N3 North America LLC, N3 Results Australia Pty Ltd, N3 Results Ireland Limited, N3 Results Japan G.K., N3 Results Limited, N3 Results Malaysia Sdn Bhd, N3 Results Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., N3 Results S.A.S., N3 Results Singapore Pte Ltd, N3 Results Unipessoal Lda, NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., Nell'Armonia Israel Ltd, Nell'Armonia SAS, Nell'Participation SAS, NellArmonia, Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda, New Energy Group, News Imaging LLC, NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage Pte Ltd, Northstream, Novetta Holdings LLC, Novetta LLC, Novetta Solutions LLC, Novetta Topco LLC, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Olikka Pty Ltd, Olympus Systems Corporation, Openmind, Openmind S.r..l., Openminded, Openminded SAS, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium AG, Orbium Consulting Limited, Orbium Inc., Orbium Ltd, Orbium Pte Ltd, Orbium Pty Ltd, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PLM Systems S.r.l, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, PacificLink Group, Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production A/S, Pegasus Production K/S, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pollux Automation Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pollux Canada Inc, Pollux S.A.S., Pollux USA LLC, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Limited, Pramati Technologies Europe Limited, Pramati Technologies Private Limited, Presence of IT Workforce Management North America LLC, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Limited, Procurian Inc., Prof. Homburg GmbH, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co. Ltd., RBCP Fund 1-A Vapor Blocker LLC, RBCP Platform Vapor Blocker I LLC, REPL Consulting LLC, REPL Consulting Limited, REPL Digital Limited, REPL Group K.K., REPL Group Pty Ltd, REPL Group Worldwide Limited, REPL Pte Ltd, REPL Software Limited, REPL Technology Limited, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Root LLC, Rothco, Rothco Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SALT Solutions GmbH, SEC Servizi, SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Salt Solutions, Sandbox Studio LLC, Sapling Bidco Limited, Sapling Midco Limited, Sapling Topco Limited, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Search Technologies BPO Inc, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Securiview SAS, Sentelis, Sentor Managed Secuirty Services AB, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Seven Seas Business Ventures LLC, Shackleton, Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton S.L.U., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., SigInt Technologies LLC, Silveo, Silveo Consulting India Private Limited, Simian Pty Ltd, SinnerSchrader, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., Sirvart S.A., Sistemes Consulting S.L., Skylink SAS, Soltians Limited, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Somers Ventures Ireland Limited, Somers Ventures LLC, Spacelink SAS, Storm Digital, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Synership LLC, Systor AG, T.A. Cook, TXF LLC, Tambourine, TargetST8, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Ltd, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Tquila, Trivadis, Trivadis AG, Trivadis Austria GmbH, Trivadis Denmark AS, Trivadis Germany GmbH, Trivadis Holding AG, Trivadis Partner AG, Trivadis Services AG, Trivadis Services SRL, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Vector Acquisition Company LLC, Vector Topco LLC, Verax Solutions, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd, Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd, Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Wabion GmbH, WaveStrike LLC, White Cliffs Consulting LLC, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wise Partners SAS, Wolox, Wolox Colombia S.A.S, Wolox LLC, Wolox Mexico S.R.L de C.V., Wolox S.A., Wolox SpA, Workforce Insight, Workforce Insight LLC, Yesler, Yesler LLC, Yesler Limited, Yesler Singapore Pte Ltd, Zag, Zag Australia Pty Ltd, Zag Limited, Zag USA LLC, Zebra Worldwide Australia Pty Ltd, Zebra Worldwide Group Limited, Zebra Worldwide Media Pty Ltd, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines Inc, Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc, Zestgroup, Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, solid-serVision.com GmbH, and umlaut.

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Yelp Inc. operates a platform that connects consumers with local businesses in the United States and internationally. The company's platform covers various local business categories, including restaurants, shopping, beauty and fitness, health, and other categories, as well as home, local, auto, professional, pets, events, real estate, and financial services. It provides free and paid advertising products to businesses, which include cost-per-click search advertising and multi-location Ad products, as well as enables businesses to deliver targeted search advertising to local audiences; and business listing page products. The company also offers other services comprising Yelp Reservations that provide online reservations for restaurants, nightlife, and other venues directly from their Yelp business pages; Yelp Waitlist, a subscription-based waitlist management solution that allows consumers to check wait times and join waitlists remotely, as well as businesses to manage seating and server rotation; Yelp Knowledge program that offers business owners local analytics and insights through access to its historical data and other proprietary content; and Yelp Fusion, which offers free and paid access to content and data for consumer-facing enterprise use through publicly available APIs. In addition, it provides content licensing, as well as allows third-party data providers to update and manage business listing information on behalf of businesses. Further, the company offers its products directly through its sales force; indirectly through partners; and online through its website, as well as non-advertising partner arrangements. It has strategic partnership with Grubhub for providing consumers with a service to place food orders for pickup and delivery. Yelp Inc. was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
There's a saying. Remember all the people you step over on the way up. They're going to be stepping on you on the way down.



Obama alienated traditional allies in favor of enemies. Then he decided to pick a fight with Israel on the way out. Except that some of America's closest allies, the ones he had been the most determined to alienate from the start, including Israel, decided that they weren't going to put up with it anymore from a lame duck weasel.



Netanyahu struck back and he struck back hard.



Obama Inc. was not expecting that. Israel's policy had been to strive for bipartisanship. To keep things outwardly friendly no matter who was in office. And to say nothing bad about Obama. And Obama had counted on that civility over the years to pull assorted dirty tricks on Israel from espionage on behalf of Iran to attempts to force Netanyahu out of office.



And then, with Trump as the winner, much of the Jewish liberal leadership backing Keith Ellison and refusing to do the right thing on Iran, the dam broke.



But Obama's people thought it would strictly be a fight between Israel and Obama. And his powerful media corps of admirers. Not to mention the rest of the world.



Except something funny happened on the way to the lynching of the Jewish State.



The UK PM directly criticized Kerry's remarks on Israel. Australia made a point of parting ways with Obama. Egypt leaked a transcript that showed Obama had been behind the dirty UN resolution trick.



Despite all the media's hysterical claims, close US allies are preparing to work with Trump. And they despise Obama. And quite a few of them are happy to give the pretentious, treacherous and inept Nobel Peace Prize winner a sharp kick on the way down.



The UK has not forgotten Obama's Brexit threats or how he blamed its government for the Libyan War. Obama counted on the Brits to stay silent, just like Israel, but he failed to realize that he has lost power and everyone hates him.



They always did.




Hussein Tamek Complex (Shaheed El-Hafed), December 30, 2016 (SPS) - The national partners in the external action called Thursday FOR deepening relations in order to expand international solidarity circle, on the sidelines of the annual conference ON foreign relations, in the presence of members of the National Secretariat of the Polisario Front, SADR government and diplomatic corps.

The interventions focused on ensuring the Sahrawi participation and it continuity at all international forums, especially the new generations at different universities to raise awareness about the national cause.

It also called for the establishment of missions in Europe, Africa and Latin America to include all representatives of associations and civil society.

The partners also called for doing more by sending delegations to Saharawi refugee camps and the occupied territories of Western Sahara, such as international observers, journalists and lawyers to expose the grave violations committed by the Moroccan state of occupation against Sahrawi civilians.

The partners in the external action that intervened were the Ministry of Cooperation, the National Directorate of Protocol, the Pan African Parliament, the Youth Union, the National Union of Sahrawi Women, Sahrawi Workers Union, Sahrawi Students Union, the Saharawi Red Crescent and the Ministry of Education.

The work of the annual conference on foreign relations will continue until the evening to complete the interventions of national partners in the external action, the Saharawi National Council, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and of the Ministry Information. (SPS)

062/090/
Trot Insider has learned that longtime horseman and race secretary Alan Douglas Armstrong passed away suddenly at his home on the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016 at the age of 65.

Alan was born in Owen Sound, Ont. and moved to Winnipeg in 1983 to race his beloved Standardbred horses at Assiniboine Downs. After a few moves throughout Manitoba, Carman was his home for the past five years.

Alan was predeceased by both his parents, Bessie and Harry Armstrong, and his sister, Helen Adams, all of Owen Sound, Ont.

He will be sadly missed by his wife (partner) of 33 years, Jacqueline Dott, his two step-children, Melanie (Myron) Peters and Christopher (Nancy) Dott, and his three precious grandchildren, Samantha, Justin and Tyler. He is also survived by his brothers, Bob (Joyce) and Roger (Marylou), and his sister, Dorothy (Howard) McMann, of Owen Sound, Ont., and his many nieces and nephews.

Alan loved racing and made many friends over the years. In 1996, he reconnected with harness racing in Manitoba after being absent from it for a few years and helped train harness horses for the fair circuit in Manitoba. For the last two years, he had the privilege of being the race secretary for the Manitoba Great Western Circuit.

Alan was known as being very knowledgeable of horses and was a great friend to many. He loved playing cards with friends from both the Standardbred and Thoroughbred industries. He loved all animals and they loved him, especially his latest dog, Riley. He was very well respected by all.

Alan also worked for the Prairie Rose School Division for the past five years doing lawn maintenance, etc.

As per Alans wishes, there will be no funeral service. A family gathering will be held at a later date. Should you wish, a donation may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Alan Armstrong.
The following message was penned by Sue Leslie, Chair of Ontario Racing and sent as a release on Friday (Dec. 30).

As we welcome the New Year, we have cause to reflect on the year that has passed. 2016 was marked by significant milestones for the horse racing industry in this province. We have been given good reason to be hopeful about a long term, sustainable future for horse racing in Ontario: the government has proposed an unprecedented long term investment in our business and there is growth in wagering for the Standardbred Alliance. As an industry, our efforts to right the ship are showing promise for success into the future.

Ontario Racing conducted consultations across the province about what that future could look like, and on behalf of our directors and staff, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to participate. While challenging at times, the passion of our industry participants was reflected as a shared commitment to finding the right path forward.

As an organization, Ontario Racing is committed to working with government and the OLG to represent the needs of our industry with vigor in 2017. As we continue to advance our governance structure, Ontario Racing emphasizes the importance of unity and support from the industry as we negotiate and secure a new long term funding framework.

There are challenges but also great opportunities facing us in 2017. I encourage everyone to be positive, stay invested in our industry and do your part to move forward collectively on the issues that will surely shape our industrys future. Together we will continue to rebuild and grow.

Warmest wishes for a prosperous new year,

Sue Leslie

Chair - Ontario Racing

(with files from Ontario Racing)
The essential component of totalitarian propaganda is artifice (het toepassen van kunstgrepen. svh) . The ruling elites, like celebritie...
FISH of Cowlitz County  an all-volunteer nonprofit agency  has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington to help low-income people pay utility bills.

FISH spends more than $30,000 each year to help people pay overdue water and power bills and buy propane for heating and cooking, according to a press release. The Community Foundation is headquartered in Vancouver and funds grant programs that benefit some Cowlitz County nonprofits.

The Community Foundation has been essential to our program, said Bob Gaston, president of FISH. Its grant will make it possible for us to help hundreds of families keep their lights on and water flowing.

The foundation chose to give funds to FISH because it has been a longtime partner of the foundations and because FISHs services will help a large portion of people in the community, said Maury Harris, spokesperson for Community Foundation. The grant is also part of the foundations larger goal on decreasing inter-generational poverty, acting as a safety net program, Harris said.

FISH helps around 350 households pay water bills and about 150 with PUD bills, according to the press release. It also helps those who have trouble paying for prescriptions, vaccinations, dental care, eye glasses and emergency medical care. FISH partners with 18 churches and provides food five days a week for those in need, and it also helps those in need of tests, clothing or work boots, according to the release. The organization has about 400 volunteers.

Donations can be sent to FISH of Cowlitz County, P.O. Box 135, Longview, WA, 98632, or made via PayPal at www.fishofcowlitzcounty.org.
Alien hunter UFO Sightings Daily that constantly posts about aliens and UFO sightings has spotted ultimate proof of alien life on Mar while scanning NASA image. Although he has discovered several mind-boggling objects on the red planet which can make us believe that extraterrestrial life do exists, but this new discovery has the ability to shut the mouth of every conspiracy theorist.

Editor of UFO Sightings Daily, Scott C Waring claims to have discovered a four-legged alien creature on Mars which appears like a hairy spider monkey. The species is standing with support of its longer upper arms and shorter lower legs. The UFOlogist then zoomed in the image and threw some light upon to find two distinct eyes in the image. Waring says that the creature is watching the Mars rover while NASA spacecraft was busy in clicking images.

Waring has also discovered some other objects to prove aliens live on Mars which include a slug animal on the Red Planet which shows different kind of species thrive on Martian surface, a face sculpted on a rock which only an intelligent lifeform could have made, a snail  another species living on Mars, some sculptures carved on rock and some unique designs have been spotted by the alien seeker.

All these findings suggest that alien life that lives on Mars is intelligent and cultured like humans on Earth or else they could not have made such distinct sculpturs or face on rocks.





Waring preached that the public no longer needs to depend on the US government to drop feed them information about life on Mars and other celestial bodies. We are taking the initiative and we have proven on this site that life exists a thousand times over, he writes.

Somewhere along the line, Americans got lost and began depending on the government for all their important informationbut some information is a threat to national securitysuch as UFO technology and alien intelligence, so they cant announce it. He went on to say, What would happen if Taiwan found out about aliens and got some of their DNA and began cloning aliens so that they could help Taiwan become more power nation. That would be a game changer. Tilting the scale of power from the big countries to the smallest. We no longer need to depend on our government for knowledge. We have each other, and that gives us more hard working people and more in-depth research results.

Earlier, alien hunters have spotted several objects to prove alien life on Mars including insects near Curiosity rover, UFO near ISS, carved face monument on Mars, alien missile on Mars, Greek God Pan, Machine used by aliens, two strange artifacts, gold ring and alien gloves, Gautam Buddha statue, and much more including alien city, drone, goblin face, etc. All these things point towards the alien life on the red planet.

Some also claim that the US space agency NASA can not ignore such things and they know that aliens do live but they are hiding it from us. However, NASA unofficially claimed it to be Pareidolia  a psychological phenomenon involving a stimulus wherein the mind perceives a familiar pattern of something where none actually exists.
tech2 News Staff

After a bunch of holiday Google Doodles, we are down to probably the last one for the year. It is New Year's eve and with that Google is celebrating it on it's homepage with a new Doodle. It features some excited and jumpy balloons tied up in a net. The balloons are clearly waiting for 2017 to begin as they all have their eyes set on a clock which is about to strike twelve.

Google's blog post reads, Happy New Years Eve! All across the world tonight, were sharing the eager anticipation of counting down to midnight: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

We are expecting these balloons to be released right when its midnight. So make sure you check it out.

Right before Christmas, Google had started a series of holiday doodles which showcased six characters that form the word Google doing various activities. The first doodle of the series had all of them singing carols joyfully. Google actually made two versions. The second version was for countries with warm climates like Brazil, Australia and the lot that features the same carollers on the beach. The second doodle saw the same cute characters playing around with fogged up windows in cold climates while those with warm climates, saw them taking to the beach to make some sand angels instead. The third one had all the cast of characters relaxing at home on a Christmas morning symbolising the importance of family.
Nothing is better than the Best Sheet Cake Recipes! You are going to love the sweet delicious flavors of these treats and that you can serve so many people with just one cake.

Best Sheet Cake Recipes

Nothing to me is better than a sheet cake. They have the most incredible and delicious flavors and they are the perfect dessert for when you need to feed a lot of people.

Sheet cakes are some of the most delicious desserts and there are so many different ways to make them. Included in this list are chocolate, fruity, coconut, apple, vanilla and a number of other amazing sheet cake flavors.

1. Caramel Apple Sheet Cake

From Belly Full :: Click HERE for the RECIPE This Caramel Apple Sheet Cake is moist and buttery, with cinnamon and apples throughout. Plus a silky icing infused with caramel flavor that is to die for!

2. White Texas Sheet Cake

From The Seasoned Mom :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Whether youre preparing a birthday treat for a child, a sweet dish for a school class, or a festive dessert for the next holiday, this easy homemade cake can be decorated with sprinkles to suit any special occasion!

3. Almond Sheet Cake

From Tastes Better From Scratch :: Click HERE for the RECIPE A delicious white sheet cake with a hint of almond flavor and a vanilla almond frosting. This amazing cake is one of my all-time favorites!

4. The Best Texas Sheet Cake

From Tastes Better From Scratch :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Ive tried several sheet cakes and this one completely surpasses them all! Its my husbands favorite recipe and its beloved by everyone in the family.

5. Pumpkin Sheet Cake

From The Novice Chef :: Click HERE for the RECIPE This Pumpkin Sheet Cake is a moist spiced pumpkin cake that uses melted butter for easiness. Then you pour on some gorgeous cinnamon cream cheese frosting that sinks a little into the cake as it cools. Its pure heaven.

6. Strawberry Sheet Cake

From Spicy Southern Kitchen :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Strawberry Sheet Cake with fresh Strawberry Buttercream Frosting has so much strawberry flavor and it is a cinch to make with a box of white cake mix. The cake itself gets its strawberry flavor from fresh strawberry puree and a box of strawberry gelatin.

7. Lemon Buttermilk Sheet Cake

From Gonna Want Seconds :: Click HERE for the RECIPE How yummy and delicious does this sheet cake look?

8. Caramel Pumpkin Sheet Cake

From The Novice Chef :: click HERE for the RECIPE This will be the BEST dessert you make this fall! The caramel-pumpkin combination is HEAVENLY! The cake is so moist and the caramel frosting is the perfect finishing touch!

9. Lemon Sheet Cake

From Tidy Mom :: Click HERE for the RECIPE This no-fuss Lemon Sheet Cake is super moist and makes a wonderful spring or summer dessert that easily feeds a crowd. It may not be a fancy cake, but each slice is pure lemon bliss!

10. Pineapple Sheet Cake Recipe

From Spicy Southern Kitchen :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Pineapple Sheet Cake flavored and moistened with crushed pineapple and topped with a sweet icing laced with shredded coconut, and sprinkled with pecans is a wonderful dessert to make to feed a crowd.

11. Cherry Chocolate Sheet Cake

From The Recipe Critic :: Click HERE for the RECIPE A moist and perfect chocolate sheet cake with cherries hidden inside. This cake is so easy to throw together and the perfect crowd pleaser!

12. Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

From Culinary Hill :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Texas Sheet Cake is moist and chocolatey with a butter-cocoa frosting. Its easy to make and always a crowd favorite with NO leftovers!

13. Gingerbread Texas Sheet Cake

From Lemons For Lulu :: Click HERE for the RECIPE This Texas sheet cake recipe is ready to feed a crowd! This chocolate cake is tender and soft and with lots of festive gingerbread flavor!

14. Caramel Praline Sheet Cake

From Chef in Training :: Click HERE for the RECIPE A moist and delicious brown sugar sheet cake with an amazing caramel frosting. The sheet cake is topped wight he most delicious sweet and crunchy pralines for a perfect bite each and every time!

15. Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

From Spicy Southern Kitchen :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Peanut Butter Sheet Cake is a moist sheet cake topped with a super creamy and sweet peanut butter icing. It is a peanut butter lovers dream and perfect for potlucks and picnics.

16. Eggnog Sheet Cake

From Chef in Training :: Click HERE for the RECIPE This Eggnog Sheet Cake is perfect for the holiday season! Even if you dont care for eggnog, you will LOVE this cake! It is so moist and the flavor is a fabulous addition. This cake is melt-in-your-mouth DELICIOUS!

17. Peanut Butter Texas Sheet Cake

From 5 Boys Baker :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Moist, buttery, rich, & absolutely divine, this Peanut Butter Texas Sheet Cake is melt-in-your-mouth amazing! Its a peanut butter lovers dream dessert!

18. Coconut Sheet Cake

From Chef in Training :: Click HERE for the RECIPE The hot frosting melts into the warm cake, making each bite infused with delicious coconut flavor. This cake literally MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH!

19. Skinny Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

From The Recipe Critic :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Skinny. Yeah you heard right! This cake is made with healthier ingredients. And trust me when I tell you that it is absolutely incredible. In fact, I think this is better than the original!

20. Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

From Chef in Training :: Click HERE for the RECIPE If you love peanut butter, then you absolutely need to try this MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH Peanut Butter Sheet Cake. It is truly amazing!

21. Key Lime Sheet Cake

From Chef in Training :: Click HERE for the RECIPE This Key Lime Sheet Cake is a tart and sweet cake with a delicious creamy frosting. It has a light and refreshing flavor and is loved by all who try it! If you love the citrusy flavors, then this cake is for you!

22. Easy Lemon Sheet Cake

From Plated Cravings :: Click HERE for the RECIPE An easy lemon sheet cake recipe that is made in a 913-inch pan and has a delicious simple lemon glaze on top. This lemon cake tastes even better on the next day!

23. Strawberry Frosted Sheet Cake

From Life Made Sweeter :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Strawberry Frosted Sheet Cake is a perfectly light and fluffy strawberry cake and best of all, its made from scratch with NO cake or jello mix. Its full of fresh and freeze-dried strawberries and topped with an easy buttercream cream cheese frosting.

24. Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake

From Taste and Tell :: Click HERE for the RECIPE The perfect, no-fuss fall dessert, this Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake is moist and full of apple flavor with the perfect amount of cinnamon.

25. German Chocolate Sheet Cake

From Chef in Training :: Click HERE for the RECIPE This German Chocolate Sheet Cake is so moist and SO delicious! The Coconut Pecan Frosting on top adds a richness and flavor that will blow you mind! This recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd!

26. Raspberry Fool Sheet Cake

From Willow Bird Baking :: Click HERE for the RECIPE This cake is so beautiful!

27. White Texas Sheet Cake

From Spicy Southern Kitchen :: Click HERE for the RECIPE White Texas Sheet Cake is an exceptionally moist almond-flavored cake with a delicious almond-flavored icing. One of the great things about this sheet cake is it gets better with time, so its perfect to bake for a party or potluck when you dont have the time to do it the day of.

28. Chocolate and Peanut Butter Texas Sheet Cake

From The Novice Chef :: Click HERE for the RECIPE The whole cake takes about an hour and is SO worth it! Its like a Reeses Cupbut in perfect cake form. If you feel like going over the top, you can sprinkle chopped up Reeses Cups on top of the finished cake!

29. Caramel Apple Sheet Cake

From Chef in Training :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Caramel Apple Sheet Cake this delicious apple cake is perfectly moist and has caramel frosting infused in each and every bite! It is heavenly!

30. 7-Up Sheet Cake with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

From Valerie's Kitchen :: Click HERE for the RECIPE An incredibly moist and tender white cake with an easy-as-can-be strawberry buttercream frosting. This 7-UP Sheet Cake with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting will go over in a big way at your next summer gathering!

31. Brown Sugar Butterscotch Sheet Cake

From Life Made Sweeter :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Brown Sugar Butterscotch Sheet Cake is soft, moist and perfect for your holiday dessert table.. Topped with brown sugar frosting, a drizzle of butterscotch glaze with chopped pecans.

32. Boston Cream Pie Sheet Cake

From Chef in Training :: Click HERE for the RECIPE A simple and delicious yellow cake with an incredible cream layer and smooth chocolate frosting to top it off! This serves a crowd and will be a huge hit wherever it goes!

33. Texas Sheet Cake Skillet

From Life Made Simple Bakes :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Rich, moist chocolate sheet cake topped with chocolate frosting and toasted pecans. Made in a cast iron skillet in just a little over 30 minutes!!
Tribal armed gangs looting trees in CHT

It leaves adverse impact on environ

Reza Mahmud :

The tribal armed gangs are looting thousands of trees from the reserve forests in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), leaving a very adverse impact on the environment.. Besides, the terrorists have burned many hills to prepare those for Jhum cultivations. But the officials of forest department have expressed their helplessness in these regards.

"It is really hard to protect the reserve forests in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. We have sent the reports to the competent authorities for necessary action," said Baghaighat Range Officer Syed Golam Shahid.

Some other officials on condition of not to be named said, "There is another government in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The forest officials cannot inspect all areas of the reserve forests in the CHT areas. They seek consent from the tribal armed terrorist gangs to visit

the forests. The terrorists are selling the trees of the reserve forest without any obstacle."

According to the Forest Department, the reserve forests have 15, 66,935 acres of land of which 46,476 acres are in Baghaihat range, where no big trees were found when this correspondent visited the area recently. The 34 kilometers long Baghaihat to Sajek valley has now lots of illegal houses built by the tribal people.

Apart from these, the correspondent visited the areas of Guimara, Sajek, Kasalong, Baghaihat, Baghaichhari, Mohalchhari, Burighat and other areas of the CHT recently and found many hills free of green trees.

Experts say that the reserve forests of the CHT are being deforested day by day. It has damaged the natural beauty of the region, considered a potential tourist spot. As a result, the bio-diversity of the area is at risk. It also hampers environment seriously. Besides, the peaceful people are losing natural resources.

The local people said that the armed terrorists groups of JSS, JSS (reformists) and UPDF are behind the forests lootings.

The armed terror groups are selling the trees and bamboos of the reserve forests, earning lots of money and buying arms. They have made the hill unstable.

The armed groups are sheltering their party men to build houses in the hilly lands. And to prepare the hills for houses, they are cutting huge trees. Now few hills beside the roads and bazaars are found with some trees, but other hills situated at a few distance from the roads are empty.

One of the officials of Baghaihat range said there are 10 to 12 forest employees there. They have no arms. But the miscreants who are looting the trees have modern fire arms.

"How we can stop the armed groups from cutting the trees while they have modern foreign weapons," said one of the forest officials of the area.

He also said, if any one tries to prevent tree looting, he will be either abducted or killed. So the forest officials working there enter into negotiations with the armed groups. They said, many forest officials became victim of torture of the tribal terrorists.

Rabiul Islam, Range Officer of Shuvlong Range was kidnapped by the tribal terrorists in 2014. He was rescued after 17 to 18 days when the Army went into action. The Army stands guard against the terrorism in the hilly areas.

In these circumstances, the officials keep themselves away from showing any desparity to visit the reserve forests without getting permissions from the armed tribal groups.

Mantua Chakma, a resident of Kasalong area, said, many tribal people are now building houses in reserve forest areas near the roads. "We are now leaving the remote areas as the armed terrorists groups have made our lives hell by torturing in various ways."

When contacted, Sayeed Tarikul Hassan, the Superintendent of Police of Rangamati Hill District said, "The police are always ready to catch any culprits in the area. If anyone informs us about the presence of the terrorist groups' we shall take action."


Fears continue over India, Pakistan dispute

Army personnel place the coffin of Chittaranjan Debbarma, an army soldier who was killed in a militant attack on an army base near the Indian city of Jammu on Tuesday

International Business Times :

As much of the world focuses on the growing hostilities between the United States and Russia as well as the war in Syria heading into 2017, it would be easy to forget about an ongoing conflict between two nuclear-armed neighbors.

For Indian and Pakistan, which have fought three wars since becoming independent states in 1947, 2016 was a year of drastically deteriorating relations. And as they prepare to welcome in the new year, the two countries continue to be locked in an exchange of fire along the border separating the disputed region of Kashmir.

A ceasefire agreement signed between the two countries in Kashmir in 2003 has been rendered effectively redundant. That was evident just this week when India claimed that the Pakistani army engaged in heavy fire targeting Indian positions across the Line of Control, killing one civilian. India made clear it would retaliate strongly.

The latest spike in tensions between India and Pakistan began when an Indian army base in Kashmir was attacked on Sept. 18, killing 19. India claimed that the attack was carried out by militants hailing from Pakistan and retaliated by carrying out what it called "surgical strikes" on a terrorist stronghold on the Pakistan side of the Line of Control. Pakistan vigorously disputed that version of events. Pakistan also claimed this week that India was violating a 1947 United Nations Security Council Resolution on Kashmir by attempting to change the demography of Kashmir through the settling of non-locals in the region.

Escalating fears yet further, India successfully tested Monday its most powerful nuclear-capable missile.

There is particular concern over recent developments, not only because of the warring history of the two countries but because of their large stockpiles of nuclear weapons. Both India and Pakistan have over 100 warheads. They are two of only three countries in the world not to sign up to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. India has also been increasing its buildup of arms, purchasing defense equipment worth $34 billion between 2008 and 2015, second only to Saudi Arabia across the world, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service.

Its nuclear stockpile could soon be on the increase, too. India is bidding to gain membership to the 48-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group in order to attain full atomic trading privileges. Pakistan.
IT workshop held

Chittagong Bureau :

Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) held a workshop on 'Information, information technology, report preparation and presentation at Golden in Hotel hall in the port city on Wednesday.

General Secretary of BILS and workers leader A M M Najim Uddin presided over the workshop and Pahari Bhatyachariya moderated the function.

Former General Secretary of Chittagong Union of Journalists (CUJ) poet and journalist Nazimuddin Shyamol presented a key note paper and conducted the workshop. Workers leader Comrade Balagat Ullah also addressed the workshop as a guest.
PM slams those who criticise standard of education

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina poses in photo session with school children after distribution of Textbooks free of cost at Ganabhaban on Saturday.

UNB, Dhaka :

Taking a swipe at those who have been questioning the standards of education, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday asked the critics to fix the standards first. "Those who are raising questions about the quality and standard of the education in the country, I'll tell them everything cannot be fixed overnight. We don't get the scale of standard of the education from them," she said. The Prime minister said this while speaking at the inauguration of textbook distribution among schoolchildren at her official residence Ganobhaban. She also asked the critics to give some voluntary services to find out the areas where the standard of the education is not good. "You can go there, give some lessons to the students, it'll be of a great help to us," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also said it is not a good gesture just saying anything as one needs to show the process of implementation. "I think they should help us to that extent."

Noting that the government has given utmost importance to the education sector, the Prime Minister said that numerous programmes have been taken to flourish merit, creativity and mind. She said education is a basic human right of people, and that education is the only tool for building a poverty-free Bangladesh. Hasina again defended the stance of her government in holding Primary Education Completion (PEC) and Junior School Certificate (JSC) examinations, saying that such examinations will boost the self-confidence of the children before sitting for higher public exams. About the success of such examinations, the Prime Minister said, the children are doing better in public exams as fear of sitting for examination is being shrugged off.



Pointing out the previous scholarship examination system, she said only a few of the students were selected for the examination and the teachers took very special care of them depriving others. The Prime Minister hoped that from now on, all hesitation of the parents, guardians, teachers and students about PEC, JSC, JDC and equivalent examinations would be removed for ever. Hasina also elaborated her government's success in increasing literacy rate, number of students and reduction of dropout as well as various steps to protect the mother language of different small ethnic communities of the country.

In her speech, the Prime Minister also mentioned about BNP-Jamat's arson attacks and vandalism during 2013, 2014 and 2015 to unseat the government. Sheikh Hasina handed over textbooks among the pre-primary, primary, 'ebtedayee', secondary, 'dakhil' and technical students of city's different educational institutions during the time. She also handed over new brail textbooks among a number of visually disabled students on the occasion. Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Primary and Mass Education Minister Mustafizur Rahman, Education Secretary Sohrab Hossain, Primary and Mass Education Secretary Asifuzzaman, Technical and Madrasa Education Secretary Md Alamgir and NCTB Chairman Prof Narayan Chandra Saha were present.

Earlier, Education Minister and the Primary and Mass Educating Minister adorned the Prime Minister with two Uttarias painted with Bangla alphabets on the occasion of the textbook distribution.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid will inaugurate the central programme of the 'National Textbook Festival-2017' at AzimpurGovernmentGirlsSchool and College in the capital at 9.30 on the New Year's Day (Sunday). The government will distribute over 36. 21 crore textbooks among the primary and secondary students of the academic year 2017. Nearly 4.26 core pre-primary, primary, secondary, 'ebtedayee', 'dakhil', vocational, SSC vocational, small anthropological group and visually challenged students will get the textbooks free. The government has been distributing free textbooks since 2010 to lessen the burdens of the parents and encourage students of poor families to continue their studies.


NZ's Auckland first world city to welcome 2017

BBC Online :

Auckland in New Zealand has become the first major world city to welcome 2017. Fireworks erupted from the 328m (1,080ft) tall Sky Tower in the city centre. Polynesia and Pacific islands including Samoa, Tonga and Kiribati entered 2017 at 10:00 GMT.

Many cities around the world have stepped up

security for New Year's Eve celebrations, after a year in which attackers drove lorries into crowds in Berlin and Nice.

In Paris, Madrid and New York, concrete barriers and heavy goods vehicles will be used to block off central squares where crowds gather to celebrate.

Thousands of extra police will be on duty in London and other cities.

Revelers in Sydney, Australia, got the party started early with a fireworks display over the Sydney Opera House and the harbour at 21:00 local time (10:00 GMT). Another display at midnight is expected to include tributes to Prince and David Bowie.

On Friday a man in Sydney was charged in connection with threats made against Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations.

Police said he was charged with a "crimes act offence, but not a terrorist offence" and there was no continuing threat to the community.

Israel has also warned its citizens travelling in India to avoid crowds, saying there is a risk of imminent "terrorist attacks". Celebrations in some European cities were overshadowed by security arrangements last year. In Paris and Brussels, cities that saw major terrorist attacks in 2015, official celebrations were cancelled.

In Cologne, Germany, about 1,500 extra police officers will be deployed at the city's New Year's Eve events.

It is a year since scores of women reported being assaulted, groped and in one case raped by men they described as being of Arab or North African appearance.

At the time the justice minister warned against linking the crimes to the issue of migrants and refugees, and for this year's celebration, two extremist far-right groups have been banned from holding rallies. The police cited security reasons. Meanwhile, "leap second" will be added to the countdown to compensate for a slowdown in the Earth's rotation. The extra second will occur as clocks strike midnight and a time of 23:59:60 GMT will be recorded, delaying 2017 momentarily.


Textbook Festival today

Over 4cr students to get new books

M M Jasim :

The National Textbook Festival 2017 will be celebrated across the country today (Sunday) with the distribution of new textbooks among the students of schools and madrashas free of cost.

A total of 36 crore 21 lakh 82 thousand and 285 textbooks will be distributed among the 4, 26,00,000 pre-primary to secondary level students for 2017 academic session.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated free textbook distribution programme by giving textbooks to the students at a function in her official Ganobhaban residence on Saturday.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid and Primary and Mass Education Minister Md Mustafizur among the 4, 26,00,000 pre-primary to secondary level students for 2017 academic session.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated free textbook distribution programme by giving textbooks to the students at a function in her official Ganobhaban residence on Saturday. Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid and Primary and Mass Education Minister Md Mustafizur Rahman spoke at the function conducted by Md Sohrab Hossain Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Division of the ministry. Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid will inaugurate the festival at the Azimpur Government School and College ground by distributing new sets of textbooks among the students.

Secretary of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Division Md Sohrab Hossain, Secretary of Vocational and Madrashas department Md Alamgir and National Curriculum and Textbook Board Chairman Professor Narayan Chandra Pal and senior officials of the ministry and teachers will be present on the occasion.

The minister hoped that the festival would be held with the participation of the students and the guardians.

The Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman Fizar will celebrate the day at Dhaka University Playground. Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith is likely to attend the function as the chief guest.

The government this year printed textbooks in five ethnic languages. Textbooks printed in Braille method will be distributed among the challenged students.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has printed Braille system textbooks for the visually challenged students and it also printed pre-primary books in the languages of five small anthropological groups which would be distributed free of cost on January 1.
MP Liton killed

Staff Reporter :

Ruling party lawmaker from Gaibandha-1 constituency Manzurul Islam Liton was shot dead by some unidentified miscreants in a broad daylight at his house in Shahbaz village under Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha district on Saturday evening.



He was rushed to Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH) where the on duty doctors declared him dead around 6:30pm, said Khondakar Golam Faruque, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Rangpur Range.



"Three unidentified miscreants fired several rounds of bullet targeting MP Liton when he was taking rest in his bedroom around 5:00pm. His relatives rescued him and rushed him to the RMCH," said our Rangpur Correspondent quoting Abdullah Al Faruque, Additional Superintendent of Police of Gaibandha district.



The motorcycle-riding miscreants shot him from the window at his bedroom and also fired bullets in the open place for creating panic, the police official said.



"We are investigating into the incident," the ASP said.



Sundarganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Atiar Rahman said that police were trying to arrest the killers.

the window at his bedroom and also fired bullets in the open place for creating panic, the police official said.

"We are investigating into the incident," the ASP said.



Sundarganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Atiar Rahman said that police were trying to arrest the killers.

Additional police personnel were deployed in the area to avert any untoward situation, the OC said.



The body was sent at the RMCH morgue for an autopsy, he said. Two bullets pierced at his chest and two others bored at head and stomach, said Dr Bimal Chandra Roy, Assistant Professor of Surgery Department of the medical college.



Earlier, Liton hit the headline when he allegedly shot a 10-year boy Sourav on October 2 in 2015. The locals rescued the boy and sent him to Sundarganj Hospital. Later he was taken to Rangpur Medical College Hospital.



Sourav's father Saju Mia alleged that his son was hit by the MP`s pistol, when he was walking with his uncle in the morning. The lawmaker was passing the area and told a man to get into his car. Instead of getting in, the man, who had apparently panicked, began to run, when the agitated Liton opened fire and Sourav was bullet hit.
We did not have and we shall not have terrorism if election politics is allowed

The killing of a Member of the Parliament Mr Manzurul Islam Liton from Gaibandha is undoubtedly very disturbing. He was fired at six times by the assailants. We do not know much about him but according to the media reports, he was facing a criminal case for shooting a minor boy and was released on bail from jail. A group of assailants entered his house. In another incident on the same day another Awami League leader in Khulna was fired at but missed. We do no know if central Awami League leaders will care to find out what kind of persons they have chosen to represent the party. The tendency is to think that only the dangerous elements are useful for making the party strong. No political party can remain strong or popular with the help of dangerous persons and who are feared but not popular and respected by the people.



The most frustrating side of the present party politics is its dependence on muscle power. These political parties are guided by the idea that popular elections are to be manipulated by stealing votes or terrorising the voters to remain away. The last general election was across the table transaction.



In short, the election politics has been replaced by muscle power politics and it's obvious result is crime, corruption and lawlessness in politics. When in power the political leaders use police as stronger muscle power. The professional police suffer professionally and that is a national loss.



We have been warning that using police power for party politics just for remaining in power is dangerous because this means politics of gun power, which is no politics. The opposition also looks for armed politics and politics turns into gun warfare unless it also resorts to violent means. No sensible political opposition can survive in the politics of gun power. Thus society itself also becomes a dangerous place to live in and it has already become so.



When an MP is easily killed in spite of all the police protection, one should not have difficulty to sense how uncertain is the safety and security situation in the country. By increasing the police activities politics cannot be made safe.



We have been emphasising that police success with terrorism is no lasting success. Such success will also not be convincing to the people outside for participation in economic activities of the country.



Terrorism must be politically met to end it politically.



The terrorism, as we see in Bangladesh, is not real terrorism but political acts of violence in terrorism style. These acts of violence are much more easy to deal with politically. But the trends are ominous expressions of restless politics.



We must accept that the country is being run in an atmosphere of no public accountability. We have a government that can be rightly regarded as the government of the VIPs for the VIPs.and not of the people.



It is a terrible mistake not to accept our great leaders of the past who made the people see the dreams of democracy and the government to be elected by their votes. For realisation of those dreams, the people suffered and struggled.



To kill those dreams of living in the security of rights and the protection of the rule of law cannot be the way to build a peaceful country.



Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, an eminent economist, said in a television talk show on Channel-i last week that those who promise development without democracy are dim witted narrow thinkers and they must not be taken seriously. The real development and democracy have to go together.



The Constitution that was given in 1972 immediately after independence reflects our national dreams. We do not have to know of our dreams from others who went to India. Our government will be parliamentary. The people's representatives elected by the people will run the government at every level. There will be independent judiciary to protect the rights of every individual under the rule of law.



But some people believe that the country belongs to the privileged VIPs and not to the people. As a result, we have VIP election and VIP development. The general elections are to be held under party government with the assurance that elections will not be for removing them from power. The Parliament must not have an effective opposition. The police will not be our friends. This is not democracy.



The free election offers an opportunity for the people to change a failed government. The election that denies the opportunity of change peacefully invites violence in politics.



In the words of Mr Debapriya, those who talk of development without democracy are dim witted narrow thinkers.



Thus it is clear that the government is badly managed and badly advised.



The police should not be used for politics because police are not for politics. If politicians cannot have right politics for peace in the country then politics of violence or terrorism will finds its way.



It is admitted by all that Bangladesh was not a terrorist country but for intolerant politics violent exposures of anger have been increasing. Temporary calm is no calm. The peaceful politics is the election politics and not election rigging police politics.



I want sincerely to see the realisation among our political leaders not to forget the dreams of our people to make a new beginning in the new year.
United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ELDER GEOVANY SABILLON-UMANA, a/k/a Elder Umana, a/k/a Pablo Casillas, Defendant-Appellant. No. 15-1110 Decided: December 29, 2016

Before HOLMES, SEYMOUR, and PHILLIPS, Circuit Judges.

ORDER AND JUDGMENT*

Elder Geovany Sabillon-Umana pleaded guilty to money laundering and conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine. He was sentenced to ninety-six months' imprisonment, but we reversed and remanded that sentence in an earlier appeal. On remand, the district court resentenced Mr. Sabillon-Umana to eighty-four months' imprisonment. He now appeals, arguing that during resentencing proceedings, the government breached his plea agreement in two respects. Exercising our jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C.  1291, we affirm the judgment of the district court.

I

In 2011 and 2012, Mr. Sabillon-Umana distributed heroin and cocaine for a drug distribution organization (DTO) run by a man known as Gordo. R., Vol. I, at 21 (Plea Agreement, filed Oct. 23, 2012). Mr. Sabillon-Umana eventually entered a plea agreement under which he pleaded guilty to money laundering and conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine.

The plea agreement provided for a potential substantial-assistance downward departure. More specifically, the agreement provided that Mr. Sabillon-Umana underst[ood] and agree[d] that, if he desired the government's consideration of a potential 18 U.S.C.  3353(e) and U.S.S.G.  5K1.1 motion for downward departure, he would be required to cooperate fully by providing truthful and complete information and testimony, appearing at required judicial proceedings, and agreeing to continuances of his sentencing hearing until his testimony had been provided. Id. at 1415. The agreement also provided that the government expressly reserve[d] the sole right to evaluate the nature and extent of the defendant's cooperation and to make the defendant's cooperation, or lack thereof, known to the Court at the time of sentencing, making clear that in the exercise of [the government's] discretion, the government may make a [18 U.S.C.  3353(e) and U.S.S.G.  5K1.1] motion  reflecting that the defendant  provided substantial assistance. Id. at 15.

In exchange for Mr. Sabillon-Umana's substantial assistance, the agreement stated that the government anticipate[d] that a  5K1.1 motion would ask the court to impose a sentence as much as 40% below the bottom of the otherwise applicable Guidelines sentencing range, assuming that the judicial process allowed Mr. Sabillon-Umana to fully demonstrate his assistance to law enforcement. Id. Furthermore, the agreement reiterated in the GUIDELINES PREDICTION section that the Government anticipate[d] asking the Court to reduce the defendant's sentence by up to 40% (measured from the bottom of the otherwise applicable Sentencing Guideline range) for substantial assistance. Id. at 4344 (emphasis omitted).

Before Mr. Sabillon-Umana's initial sentencing hearing, the government filed a substantial-assistance motion in which it request[ed] a departure from the otherwise applicable Sentencing Guidelines range and the ten year statutory minimum mandatory sentence for [the conspiracy charge], and from the otherwise applicable Sentencing Guidelines range for [the money laundering charge]. Id. at 94 (Gov't's  5K1.1 Mot., filed June 27, 2013). In its motion, the government requested a sentence of 108 months' imprisonment; however, at the subsequent initial sentencing hearing, the government changed its recommendation to a range of 96 to 120 months' imprisonment. See Supp. R., Vol. II, at 165 (Tr. of Sentencing Hr'g, dated Aug. 15, 2013) (court stating that [i]n the motion,  the Government asked that I grant the downward departure under 5K1.1, and 18 [U.S.C. ] 3553(e), and impose a sentence of 108 months. However, [the government], within the last 30 minutes, modified the motion to indicate that the Court had a sentencing range of 96 months, to,  120 months); see also id. at 159 (government amending the downward-departure request stating that Mr. Sabillon-Umana's debriefing testimony was full of prevarication).

At the initial sentencing hearing, the district court calculated a Guidelines range of 121 to 151 months' imprisonment, and observed that the statutory mandatory minimum sentence was 120 months' imprisonment. The court granted the government's substantial-assistance motion and sentenced Mr. Sabillon-Umana to ninety-six months' imprisonment, below the bottom of the Guidelines range of 121 months' imprisonment. We reversed and remanded that sentence on appeal. See United States v. Sabillon-Umana, 772 F.3d 1328, 1335 (10th Cir. 2014).

During resentencing proceedings on remand, the government did not request a forty-percent downward departure from the bottom of the Guidelines range. Instead, in a Statement Concerning [the] Re-Sentencing of [Mr. Sabillon-Umana] filed before the resentencing hearing, R., Vol. I, at 104 (filed Mar. 3, 2015), the government recommended a substantial-assistance departure to a range of 96 to 120 months (the same recommendation it had made at the initial sentencing hearing), noting that [a] 96 month term of imprisonment would represent a downward departure of 20% from the 120 month statutory minimum mandatory sentence, id. at 114. In its pre-hearing Statement, the government made clear that Mr. Sabillon-Umana's 5K1.1 debriefing was difficult because he generally limited his remarks and went no further than the information already disclosed in discovery he had been provided with in the case, and his utility as a witness would have been hampered by his unwillingness to admit the extent and nature of his involvement in narcotics trafficking. Id. at 11415.

At the subsequent resentencing hearing, the government clarified that it believed that Mr. Sabillon-Umana's sentence should be ninety-six months. The government explained that this determination was based on the statutory mandatory, the thought  was to give a person a couple of years off, a couple of years benefit for allowing us to basically indicate for the fact that he did sign this plea agreement. R., Vol. III, at 30. The government continued that it did not think of [the downward departure] as a percentage off of any particular number necessarily, and that instead, it was thinking about one year or two years off of [the 120-month statutory mandatory minimum] sentence. Id. at 32. In addition, the government reiterated that Mr. Sabillon-Umana's debriefing was pretty atrocious. It was very difficult, hard going. The defendant did a lot to minimize his own involvement in anything. And  he was untruthful, incomplete, with regard to other things. Id. at 3031. In fact, based on Mr. Sabillon-Umana's debriefing testimony, the government stated that it had seriously considered not giving him any 5K at all. Id. at 31.

At the resentencing hearing, the district court renewed its ruling granting the  5K1.1 substantial-assistance motion that the government had filed in the initial sentencing proceedings. Id. at 28 (Tr. of Sentencing Hr'g, dated Mar. 18, 2015) ([A]t the prior sentencing hearing I had granted the Government's 5K motion  I will reaffirm the granting of that motion for purposes of this resentencing so that there's no ambiguity about that.). Accordingly, the court stated that it would depart downward from the guideline range and  impose a sentence below the minimum sentence required by statute [of 120 months]. Id. at 64. The court calculated a Guidelines range of 97 to 121 months' imprisonment. Then, it departed downward to a sentence of eighty-four months' imprisonment.

Not only did the plea agreement provide for a potential substantial-assistance downward departure, but it also provided for a potential minor-role decrease. Specifically, the agreement stated: the Government submits there should be a two level decrease for [playing a] minor role in the offense if the Court takes a broad view of the GORDO DTO conspiracy because the defendant [wa]s a subordinate in relation to  GORDO, the activity of the conspiracy was extensive, and the activity involved more than 10 persons. R., Vol. I, at 41.

During the initial sentencing proceedings, however, the PSR did not apply a minor-role decrease in calculating Mr. Sabillon-Umana's offense level. The PSR explained:

the defendant's role was more than an average participant in the organization. The case agent informed that the defendant was [Gordo's] right hand man. The factual basis of the plea agreement notes that defendant lent managerial assistance to [Gordo]. Furthermore, he was entrusted with the wire transfer of $44,000, which he transferred to his Honduran bank account. On occasion, the defendant sourced the Gordo DTO with cocaine drug supplies obtained from another DTO. His contributions to the DTO were integral to the success of the organization.

R., Vol. II, at 62. Similarly, at the initial sentencing hearing, the government argued that the minor-role decrease was not appropriate [i]f you look at what happened here in Colorado, which is how the probation officers looked at it, instead of taking a very telescopic, very far away view of [the conspiracy]. Supp. R., Vol. II, at 138. In line with both the government's recommendation and the PSR's calculation, at the initial sentencing hearing, the district court used the PSR to calculate the offense level without the minor-role reduction. However, at resentencing, the minor-role decrease was not discussed at all, and the court did not apply it in calculating Mr. Sabillon-Umana's offense level. See R., Vol. III, at 63 (noting that there are no adjustments for role in the offense).

This appeal followed.

II

Mr. Sabillon-Umana argues that during resentencing proceedings, the government breached the plea agreement by: (1) not recommending a downward departure from the bottom of the Guidelines range in its substantial-assistance motion, and (2) not arguing for a minor-role decrease in offense level. We address each of these claims in turn, and affirm.

A

Mr. Sabillon-Umana first argues that the government breached the plea agreement by not seeking a substantial-assistance departure calculated from the bottom of the Guidelines range. Below, we conclude that the government did not breach the plea agreement with regard to its substantial-assistance departure recommendation.

1

As a preliminary matter, the parties disagree about the applicable standard of review. Mr. Sabillon-Umana argues that we should review de novo whether the government breached the plea agreement. See, e.g., United States v. Rodriguez-Rivera, 518 F.3d 1208, 1212 (10th Cir. 2008). The government responds that we should review only for plain error because, although Mr. Sabillon-Umana argued below that the bottom of the guidelines range was the proper starting point for the departure  he never claimed that the government breached the plea agreement. Aplee.'s Br. at 8.

We sidestep this dispute concerning the proper standard of review because we conclude that even applying de novo review, Mr. Sabillon-Umana cannot prevail on the merits.

2

Even applying de novo review, Mr. Sabillon-Umana cannot prevail on the merits. Under the plain language of the plea agreement, the government did not unequivocally promise to recommend a departure of a certain percentage below the bottom of the Guidelines. Instead, the government retained discretion to evaluate Mr. Sabillon-Umana's cooperation, and that evaluation ultimately resulted in a less favorable downward-departure recommendation.

Mr. Sabillon-Umana argues that the government breached its promise to request a percentage reduction and departure based on the bottom of the applicable guidelines' range. Aplt.'s Opening Br. at 8 (capitalization and emphasis altered). He points to the plea agreement's language that the Government anticipates asking the Court to reduce the Defendant's sentence by up to 40% (measured from the bottom of the otherwise applicable Sentencing Guideline range) for substantial assistance. R., Vol. I, at 44. Mr. Sabillon-Umana argues that despite this language, the government did not argue for a downward departure from the bottom of the Guidelines range, but instead asked for a couple of years off of the statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 120 months. Aplt.'s Opening Br. at 10 (citing R., Vol. III, at 30 (stating that the government's recommended downward departure was based on the statutory mandatory, the thought  was to give a person a couple of years off, a couple of years benefit for allowing us to basically indicate for the fact that he did sign this plea agreement)). In Mr. Sabillon-Umana's view, [t]he government's failure to recommend a sentence where the basis of the substantial assistance departure was calculated from the bottom of the Guidelines' range breached the plea agreement's plain language because pursuant to  the plea agreement, the government was required to recommend such a departure. Aplt.'s Opening Br. at 10.

Mr. Sabillon-Umana's brief, however, cites little in the way of legal authority to support his position. Besides noting that 18 U.S.C.  3553(e) allows a departure below the statutory minimum, he cites only to United States v. VanDam, 493 F.3d 1194, 1199 (10th Cir. 2007). In VanDam, we stated that:

General principles of contract law define the content and scope of the government's obligations under a plea agreement. We thus look to the express language in the agreement to identify both the nature of the government's promise and the defendant's reasonable understanding of this promise at the time of the entry of the guilty plea. We construe all ambiguities against the government, to the extent it is the drafting party. We evaluate the record as a whole to ascertain whether the government complied with its promise.

493 F.3d at 1199 (citations omitted). In that case, we held that the government had breached a plea agreement because its unambiguous language required the government to recommend a sentence at the low end of the guideline range found applicable, but the government did not do so. Id. at 1199 (quoting the record). Instead, the government recommended a sentence at the low end of the range that it believed was applicable, even after the court held otherwise. Thus, we concluded that the government had directly contravened its obligations under the plea agreement. Id. at 1200.

In the present case, however, Mr. Sabillon-Umana cannot point to any unambiguous language in the plea agreement that the government directly contravened. As the government points out, the relevant portions of the plea agreement state only that the government anticipate[d] making a substantial-assistance motion recommending a forty-percent downward departure from the bottom of the Guidelines range. R., Vol. I, at 15; id. at 44. Moreover, the agreement expressly conditioned any substantial-assistance motion on the government's assessment of Mr. Sabillon-Umana's cooperation. See id. at 15 (stating that the defendant underst[ood] and agree[d] that, in order to secure a substantial-assistance departure recommendation, he would be required to cooperate fully by, inter alia, providing truthful and complete information and testimony); id. (stating that the government reserve[d] the sole right to evaluate the nature and extent of the defendant's cooperation, and that, in the exercise of its discretion, it may make a motion  reflecting that the defendant  provided substantial assistance). Critically, the government later determined that Mr. Sabillon-Umana had provided little assistance to law enforcement. See, e.g., id. at 11415 (stating that Mr. Sabillon-Umana's 5K1.1 debriefing was difficult because he generally limited his remarks and went no further than the information already disclosed in discovery he had been provided with in the case, and his utility as a witness would have been hampered by his unwillingness to admit the extent and nature of his involvement in narcotics trafficking).

Thus, there is no reason to conclude that the government failed to fulfill any promise in the plea agreement or contravened the defendant's reasonable understanding of any promise. See VanDam, 493 F.3d at 11991200. We therefore reject Mr. Sabillon-Umana's first argument.

B

In his second claim, Mr. Sabillon-Umana argues that the government breached the plea agreement by not recommending a two-level reduction for Mr. Sabillon's minor role in the conspiracy. Aplt.'s Opening Br. at 13 (capitalization and emphasis altered). Applying plain-error review, we conclude that the district court did not err, much less plainly, in failing to find a breach because there was no binding obligation for the government to recommend the minor-role downward adjustment.

1

The parties again disagree about the applicable standard of review. Mr. Sabillon-Umana acknowledges that he did not make an objection concerning this issue at the resentencing hearing, but maintains that de novo review applies regardless of whether the issue was preserved. See Aplt.'s Opening Br. at 13 (citing VanDam, 493 F.3d at 1199 (This Court reviews de novo the question of whether the government has breached a plea agreement, even when the defendant fails to preserve this objection below.)). However, as the government points out, VanDam's standard-of-review holding is no longer good law; it was overturned by the Supreme Court's subsequent decision in Puckett v. United States, 556 U.S. 129, 133 (2009). And, since Puckett, we have applied a plain-error standard in the breach-of-plea-agreement context. See United States v. Mendoza, 698 F.3d 1303, 1309 (10th Cir. 2012); see also United States v. Willis, 607 F. App'x 788, 79091 (10th Cir. 2015).

Mr. Sabillon-Umana's reply brief does not address this point, nor does it argue that the district court plainly erred. Accordingly, we could determine that Mr. Sabillon-Umana has waived any argument for plain error, and decline to reach the merits of this issue at all. See, e.g., United States v. Ibarra-Diaz, 805 F.3d 908, 916 n.3 (10th Cir. 2015); United States v. Zander, 794 F.3d 1220, 1232 n.5 (10th Cir. 2015); Richison v. Ernest Grp., Inc., 634 F.3d 1123, 113031 (10th Cir. 2011). Nevertheless, we exercise our discretion to reach the merits of Mr. Sabillon-Umana's minor-role argument, and review for plain error. See Ibarra-Diaz, 805 F.3d at 916 n.3.

2

Under plain-error review, Mr. Sabillon-Umana must show (1) error, (2) that is plain, which (3) affects substantial rights, and which (4) seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings. Mendoza, 698 F.3d at 1309 (quoting United States v. Weiss, 620 F.3d 1263, 1274 (10th Cir. 2010)). Mr. Sabillon-Umana has failed, however, to demonstrate any error, much less one that is plain, and we therefore resolve this issue under the first prong of the plain-error test.

Mr. Sabillon-Umana argues that the government failed to seek a two-level reduction for his minor role in the conspiracy, despite having promised to do so in the plea agreement. See Aplt.'s Opening Br. at 13 (citing R., Vol. I, at 41 (stating that the Government submits there should be a two level decrease for [a] minor role in the offense)). His brief, however, ignores other pertinent language in the plea agreement. Read in full, the relevant provision of the plea agreement states: the Government submits there should be a two level decrease for [a] minor role in the offense if the Court takes a broad view of the GORDO DTO conspiracy because the defendant [wa]s a subordinate in relation to  GORDO, the activity of the conspiracy was extensive, and the activity involved more than 10 persons. R., Vol. I, at 41 (emphasis added). As this language makes clear, the government's promise regarding the minor-role adjustment was conditioned on the court taking a broad view of the conspiracy.

At both initial sentencing and resentencing, the district court did not take a broad view of the conspiracy. More specifically, the court held Mr. Sabillon-Umana accountable for only his direct drug involvementnot the larger conspiracy. See, e.g., Supp. R., Vol. II, at 131 (at initial sentencing hearing, court stating that it would be just wrong  to attribute all of the drug quantities that are associated with the conspiracy with Mr. [Sabillon-] Umana); R., Vol. III, at 5960 (at resentencing, court stating that, I reject as not supported by the facts in this case the Government's assertion that all of the drugs that were a part of the conspiracy in this case should be attributable to this defendant. I just don't believe that there is a factual basis for me to make that finding.). The government argues that as a consequence, it was not required to seek a minor-role reduction under the plain language of the plea agreement. Mr. Sabillon-Umana offers no explanation as to why that is incorrect. Given the view that the court took of the conspiracy, we conclude that the government was under no obligation to request a minor-role reduction. Thus, we hold that the district court did not err, much less plainly, in failing to find that the government breached the plea agreement.

III

For the foregoing reasons, we AFFIRM the district court's judgment.

ENTERED FOR THE COURT

FOOTNOTES

. The Presentence Investigation Report (PSR) filed six days before the government's substantial-assistance motion calculated a Guidelines range of 240 to 262 months' imprisonment.

. As grounds for its downward-departure request, the government stated in its motion that Mr. Sabillon-Umana ha[d] appeared and met to be debriefed with staff of the office of the United States Attorney, Special Agents, and Task Force Officers, and that he ha[d] indicated he would testify to the best of his ability at trial if called upon to do so. R., Vol. I, at 94.

. The Addendum to the PSR filed during resentencing proceedings calculated a Guidelines range of 97 to 121 months' imprisonment, and noted that the statutory mandatory minimum sentence was 120 months' imprisonment. The government's low-end recommendation of ninety-six months did not represent a forty-percent departure from the bottom of that Guidelines range.

. The only other legal authority cited in this section of Mr. Sabillon-Umana's brief is United States v. Mendoza-Haro, 595 F. App'x 829, 833 (10th Cir. 2014), which Mr. Sabillon-Umana cites for the proposition that a sentence reduced under  3553(e) for substantial assistance cannot be further reduced based on the  3553(a) factors. Aplt.'s Opening Br. at 10. Mr. Sabillon-Umana relies on Mendoza-Haro to argue that the reduction he seeks is not prohibited double-dipping under  3553(a) and (e). Id. Prohibited double-dipping, however, is not at issue.

. Mr. Sabillon-Umana also briefly argues that the district court was confused about whether it could depart downward from the Guideline range, and that, for this reason, we should clarify what happens when a plea agreement  requires a substantial-assistance departure below the bottom of a Guidelines range. Aplt.'s Opening Br. at 12 (emphasis added). However, we need not address this issue because the plea agreement contained no such requirement in this case; it merely described what the government anticipated it would do, assuming Mr. Sabillon-Umana fully cooperated.

Jerome A. Holmes Circuit Judge
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United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. TAYLOR JORDAN WARDLOW, Defendant-Appellant. No. 16-10151 Decided: December 22, 2016

Before WILSON, MARTIN, and ANDERSON, Circuit Judges.

Taylor Wardlow appeals his convictions for production of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and sex trafficking two minors. He argues that (1) there was insufficient evidence to sustain his production-of-child-pornography conviction; (2) the district court both erred in refusing to provide a theory of defense jury instruction that he requested and in providing a consent jury instruction proposed by the government; and (3) the district court violated his Sixth Amendment right to confront the witnesses against him. After careful consideration of the parties' briefs and the record, we affirm.

I

Wardlow first argues that his conviction for production of child pornography must be reversed due to insufficient evidence. At trial, Wardlow requested a judgment of acquittal on this ground, but the district court denied the request. Wardlow's sufficiency challenge is therefore preserved, and we review the challenge de novo. See United States v. Holmes, 814 F.3d 1246, 1250 (11th Cir. 2016). However, in doing so, we must view all facts and inferences in the light most favorable to the government. See id. If, viewing the evidence in this light, a jury could have reasonably found that the evidence supports Wardlow's conviction, then we must affirm the conviction. See id. at 1252.

A conviction for the production of child pornography requires proof that a defendant, among other things, employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, or coerced a minor to engage in  any sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct or for the purpose of transmitting a live visual depiction of such conduct. 18 U.S.C.  2251(a); accord United States v. Lebowitz, 676 F.3d 1000, 1013 (11th Cir. 2012) (per curiam) (Section 2251(a) require[s] the [g]overnment [to] prove beyond a reasonable doubt that one purpose of [the minor's] sexually explicit conduct was to produce a visual depiction.).

Wardlow asserts that the government failed to prove that he employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, or coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. While Wardlow admits that he took pornographic pictures of a minor during sexual encounters with her, he argues that he did not induce the minor to engage in any sexual conduct for the purpose of taking the pictures. According to Wardlow, he was in a romantic relationship with the minor and the pictures were merely incidental to that relationship.

Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, the record supports a finding that Wardlow induced the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing the pornographic pictures. In the pictures, the minor was lying down, engaging in sexually suggestive poses. The minor testified at trial that Wardlow made her lie down while he took the pictures. And in taking the pictures, Wardlow focused on the minor's genital area. Based on this evidence, a jury could have reasonably found that Wardlow induced the minor's sexually explicit posing for the purpose of producing pornographic pictures. See Lebowitz, 676 F.3d at 1013 (rejecting the defendant's argument that pornographic pictures were merely incidental to a sexual encounter where the defendant took purposeful steps to facilitate the pictures).

II

Wardlow next argues that the district court committed reversible error by (1) refusing to provide a theory of defense jury instruction that he requested and (2) providing a consent jury instruction proposed by the government. We disagree.

A

We review for abuse of discretion the district court's denial of Wardlow's request for the theory of defense jury instruction. See United States v. Rutgerson, 822 F.3d 1223, 1236 (11th Cir. 2016). A refusal to incorporate a requested instruction will be reversed only if (1) the requested instruction was substantively correct, (2) the court's charge to the jury did not cover the gist of the instruction, and (3) the failure to give the instruction substantially impaired the defendant's ability to present an effective defense. Id. (internal quotation marks omitted).

The district court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to provide Wardlow's theory of defense jury instruction; the court's charge to the jury  cover[ed] the gist of the instruction. See id. (internal quotation marks omitted). Wardlow's instruction stated:

As to [the production-of-child pornography count in] the [i]ndictment, it is Taylor Jordan Wardlow's theory of defense that the photographs at issue in this case are the result of, and not the motive behind, his sexual activity with the minor and, therefore, he did not induce the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a photographic depiction of such conduct.

If you find that the photographs were the result of, and not the motive behind, the sexual activity you must find Taylor Jordan Wardlow not guilty as to this [c]ount.

Thus, the instruction emphasized that Wardlow could be found guilty of production of child pornography only if he induced the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of taking pictures. The district court's charge to the jury addressed that same point:

The Defendant can be found guilty of this crime only if all the following facts are proved beyond a reasonable doubt  the Defendant employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, or coerced the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction, of the conduct 

Indeed, this instruction closely tracked the production-of-child-pornography statute's for the purpose of language upon which Wardlow's theory of defense jury instruction relied. See 18 U.S.C.  2251(a).

B

We review the consent jury instruction challenged by Wardlow de novo to determine whether the instruction[ ] misstated the law or misled the jury to the prejudice of Wardlow. See United States v. Gibson, 708 F.3d 1256, 1275 (11th Cir. 2013) (internal quotation marks omitted). But we will reverse [the] district court  only if [we are] left with a substantial and ineradicable doubt as to whether the jury was properly guided in its deliberations. See United States v. Felts, 579 F.3d 1341, 134243 (11th Cir. 2009) (per curiam) (internal quotation marks omitted).

We are not left with a substantial and ineradicable doubt as to whether the jury was properly guided in its deliberations here. See id. (internal quotation marks omitted). The consent jury instruction did not misstate the law or mislead the jury. The instruction noted that, when a defendant is charged with commercial sex acts (i.e., sex trafficking) involving a minor, whether the minor consented to the acts is irrelevant:

I further instruct you as a matter of law that minors lack the capacity to consent to unlawful sexual conduct. Therefore, whether the alleged minors involved in this case voluntarily agreed to engage in commercial sex acts has no bearing on the issue of whether the Defendant is guilty of the charges contained in the indictment.

This statement was consistent with the sex trafficking statute18 U.S.C.  1591(a)under which Wardlow was charged. See 18 U.S.C.  1591(a) (criminalizing a commercial sex act involving a child, even if the defendant did not use force, fraud, or coercion).

III

Finally, Wardlow argues that the district court violated his Sixth Amendment right to confront the witnesses against him by limiting his cross-examination of the minor victims. At trial, the district court precluded Wardlow from questioning the minor victims about (1) prostitution activities they engaged in before and after meeting Wardlow and (2) their independent efforts to market themselves on a sex-trafficking website. According to Wardlow, such questioning was relevant to whether he harbor[ed], transport[ed], provide[d],  [or] maintain[ed] the minors while they engaged in commercial sex acts. See 18 U.S.C.  1591(a).

In assessing a defendant's claim based on the right to confrontation, we examine whether th[e] right was actually violated, then turn to whether th[e] error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt  See United States v. Hurn, 368 F.3d 1359, 136263 (11th Cir. 2004). Here, we need not determine whether Wardlow's right to confrontation was violated because any error the district court may have committed in limiting Wardlow's cross-examination of the minor victims was harmless. The government offered overwhelming evidence that Wardlow violated  1591(a) by engaging in sex trafficking. See United States v. Culver, 598 F.3d 740, 750 (11th Cir. 2010) (finding an alleged error harmless because the evidence establishing [the defendant]'s guilt was overwhelming).

AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

. In his principal brief, Wardlow asserts that the district court's decision to limit his cross-examination of the minors harmed him by preventing him from offering evidence relevant to whether he engaged in sex trafficking. Wardlow does not argue in the brief that the decision affected his convictions for producing and possessing child pornography. Therefore, Wardlow has abandoned any such argument. See United States v. Jernigan, 341 F.3d 1273, 1283 n.8 (11th Cir. 2003).

PER CURIAM:
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The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now.

Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market.

In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender.

India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex.

Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted.

But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted?

Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner.

If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems.

I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now.

I want more variation in masturbation

I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own.

If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end.

What is sex toys for Indian?

Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation.

It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms.

They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable.

Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner.

The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner.

It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past.

In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping.

Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order.

In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing.

Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome.

Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own.

But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance.

More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around.

Sextoy situation in India

Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years.

In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India.

Mumbai

Kolkata

Bangalore

Delhi

Chennai

Hyderabad

These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India.

In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well.

If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too.

If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it.

What are Sextoys for beginner?

Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms.

Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy.

I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion.

I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy.

If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma.

Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it.

Advantages of using sextoy for Indians

There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians

You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways.

Can have stimulating sex

Can develop new sexual zones

If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern.

However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways.

You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation.

Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever.

There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure.

This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it.

When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems.

It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms).

For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles

[Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou...

Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India.

Sextoy for beginner men in India

So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners.

For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men!

The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men

Masturbator

Cock rings

Love Doll

Sex Lubricants

Toys for the prostate

Lets check each one in detail.

Masturbator

The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products.

It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands.

Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands.

They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.)

Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much.

Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! !

Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa   SEXToys India PR  (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018

Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood.

If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here

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[For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien...

Cock Ring

A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis.

It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow.

It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber.

In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection.

Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction.

It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it.

Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time.

Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function.

Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy.

You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect.

[Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat...

Love Doll

Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex.

There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women.

Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price.

The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true.

You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste.

There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice.

You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls.

If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here

Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to...

Sex lubricants

Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules.

It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution.

Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse.

There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent.

Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent.

If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here.

What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many...

Toys for the Prostate

Another sextoy for men is prostate toys.

The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line.

Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men.

Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm.

You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus.

By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms.

Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.)

The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation.

Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure.

sextoy for beinner women in India

The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy.

The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy.

Vibrator.

Dildo

Electric Masserger

Lets check out what each one is in detail.

If you want to check out womens toys, click here.

[BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm...

Vibrators

A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator.

Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy.

It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy.

Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women.

For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators.

Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex.

Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself.

This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual.

Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men.

When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons.

Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most...

Dildo

A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis.

It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass.

A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it.

They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well.

It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device.

A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo.

Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands.

For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis.

This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one.

To learn more about dildo, please click here.

What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th...

Electric Masserger

A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores.

It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low.

Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels.

Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation.

It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure.

For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm.

It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out.

If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager?

To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here.

What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th...

How to choose a sextoy for Indian

Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one.

Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points:  Does the size fit you (the partner)?

Does the size fit you (your partner)?

Is the environment able to produce sound without problems?

Price range

First of all, the choice of size is quite important.

Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women.

For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage.

Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems.

Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise.

If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level.

Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it.

Finally, there is the price range.

The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest.

Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy.

Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy?

I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance.

For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics.

If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out.

How to buy sextoys in India

The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping.

For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below.

Sextoy is one of them.

Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping.

SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India.

They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry.

Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card.

To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy.

ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal.

Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on.

Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture.

Cautions for Indians using sextoy

When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind

Keep sex toys clean

Watch out for electrical leakage

Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy

As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone.

Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there.

It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case.

In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness.

Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful.

If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it.

You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly.

Summary

What did you think?

In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India.

The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future.

As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values.

However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health.

If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try?

Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women.

I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it.
MARION  Angelo Hightower remembers being a young boy who left his father's home in Chicago to move in with his mother in Marion.

At times, while walking on streets in Marion, he said he was accosted by men hurling racially derogative comments at him.

These encounters caused him to start carrying a stick, he said.

Over time, he said, he learned that these interactions did not define all of Marion or Southern Illinois residents and, when he came of age and started a family, chose to live in the city to raise his sons.

Marion is now a place that Hightower has embraced, even if he hasn't always found it totally embracing.

That little boy who walked roads where he was tormented is now a grown man who walks the city in a different way, first as a Marion police officer and department sergeant and now as a Marion City Commissioner. He has served the public through work and through public duty, and most recently, through a panel discussion he hosted in Marion with area law enforcement, community members and the media to discuss some relationship challenges.

He was selected as The Southern's Person of the Year for 2016, chosen by the newsroom editorial staff from a final slate of top five candidates.

Hightower said he was humbled by the nomination and votes.

"This award means the world to me," Hightower said. "I've been on Cloud 9 I'm almost at a loss for words to express the happiness. I appreciate you guys for thinking of me, as well as the person who nominated me in the first place."

He also thanked his longtime partner, Courtney, for supporting him and his family  the couple's 10-year-old son and his older son in the U.S. Air Force Force  and allowing him to go forth and do what he does.

In addition to serving as a Marion police officer for years, he's entering his second year as a Marion City Council member. He's also a member of the Marion Rotary and a former member of the Marion School Board.

Hightower told The Southern he is considering a run for mayor of Marion. He was elected to the Marion City Council in 2015, but encountered a hurdle when he learned that as a public official, a police officer, he could not also hold elected office. He is now a police officer for the city of Carterville.

Hightower said that it was his experience as a Marion police officer, helping people solve their problems, that prepared him for his public service as a council member.

The nomination was open to the community and The Southern staff members also submitted names of individuals and groups. The staff voted for its top five, with the candidate or group with the most votes becoming Person of the Year.

The other top vote-getters were: Tim Beaty, a Carbondale musician who was killed Easter morning when he was struck by a stray bullet fired by someone at a party next door to his house; DeAnna Price, an SIU track and field star who finished eighth in her event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro; Unity Race Group of Carbondale, a group of area residents who started meeting in January to have hard discussions about race; and Heather Reno, the first woman to head the police department in Carterville.
MARION  During its meeting on Friday the Electoral Board for Williamson County denied a petition for Marion Park District Commissioner and confirmed a petition for a seat on the Johnston City District 1 School Board.

Laurie Fields, whose petition for a seat as commissioner for the Marion Park District was denied, was present at the hearing where her application was reviewed.

The words "Williamson County" were abbreviated on Fields' petition. The Electoral Board also said Fields did not get enough signatures on her petition to make it onto the ballot.

"As far as the Williamson being abbreviated, I think if anything that's a technical violation," Wendy Cunningham, assistant states attorney for Williamson County, said. "I think that petitions themselves are still in substantial compliance and I don't think that abbreviation validates the petitions because I think (other parts of the application) had the county abbreviated but at the top of the sheet it specifically says 'Williamson County, Illinois.'"

John Etherton, who applied to run for a seat on the Johnston City School Board for District 1, was not present at the hearing.

According to documents from the Electoral Board, Etherton's petition was defective and void. The objections for Etherton listed the lack of a date and official stamp on pages of the application, and questioned the validity of signatures due to unmarked addresses.

In review of the case law, Cunningham said although the date was not listed on the petition it is still clear, through the seat he hopes to fill, the date that the election will be held. Cunningham also confirmed that although an official stamp was not placed on the first page of the petition, the petition possessed a notary from a valid employee.

The Electoral Board overruled objections concerning the notarization and election date, but threw out seven signatures on the petition which did not acquire registered addresses.

Even without those seven signatures, Etherton got more than the required 50 signatures for his petition. Etherton's name will be present on the ballot for the Johnston City School Board District 1 seat.

Petitions for the election were due Dec. 19. The Board will hold another hearing to distribute the results to each petitioner at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017.
United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. EULALIO LOPEZ, Defendant-Appellant. No. 15-14803 Decided: December 29, 2016

Before MARCUS, WILSON and ROSENBAUM, Circuit Judges.

Eulalio Lopez appeals the district court's denial, in part, of his motion to reduce his sentence under 18 U.S.C.  3582(c)(2) and for a resentencing. He argues that the district court erred by: (1) denying his motion for a resentencing hearing and his request to allow him to be present at a hearing; and (2) reducing his sentence on Count V from life imprisonment to 327 months' imprisonment. After careful review, we affirm.

We review questions about the legality of a criminal sentence de novo. United States v. Taylor, 11 F.3d 149, 151 (11th Cir. 1994). However, the decision whether or not to grant an evidentiary hearing generally is committed to the discretion of the district court. United States v. Yesil, 991 F.2d 1527, 1531 (11th Cir.1992). We review the district court's decision of whether to reduce a sentence under  3582(c)(2) for abuse of discretion. United States v. Smith, 568 F.3d 923, 926 (11th Cir. 2009). A district court may abuse its discretion by failing to apply the proper legal standard or by failing to follow proper procedures. United States v. Jules, 595 F.3d 1239, 1241-42 (11th Cir. 2010).

First, we are unpersuaded by Lopez's claims that the district court erred by denying his motion for a resentencing hearing and his request to allow him to be present at a hearing. We've observed that  3582(c)(2) proceedings do not constitute a full resentencing of the defendant, and all original sentencing determinations remain unchanged with the sole exception of the guideline range that has been amended since the original sentencing. United States v. Bravo, 203 F.3d 77, 781 (11th Cir. 2000). Thus, while it is true that Rule 43 states that a defendant must be present at sentencing, Fed. R. Crim. P. 43(a)(3), the rule also provides that a defendant need not be present when a proceeding involves the correction or reduction of sentence under Rule 35 or  3582(c). Id. 43(b)(4); United States v. Webb, 565 F.3d 789, 795 (11th Cir. 2009) (recognizing that Rule 43(b)(4) permits a court to hold a  3582(c)(2) hearing without the defendant being present due to the limited nature of a resentencing under  3582(c)(2)). As we've explained, a defendant's right to be present extends to the imposition of a new sentencing package after an original sentencing package is vacated in its entirety on appeal and the case is remanded for resentencing. United States v. Jackson, 923 F.2d 1494, 1496 (11th Cir. 1991). In contrast, where the entire sentencing package has not been set aside, a correction of an illegal sentence does not constitute a resentencing requiring the presence of the defendant, so long as the modification does not make the sentence more onerous. Id. at 1497.

We've repeatedly held that a  3582(c)(2) proceeding is not a de novo resentencing. United States v. Jules, 595 F.3d 1239, 1245 (11th Cir. 2010). We've also said that although a hearing is a permissible vehicle for contesting any new information, the district court may instead allow the parties to contest new information in writing, as long as the parties have notice of and an opportunity to contest any new information the district court relies on in the proceeding. Id.

Here, the district court did not abuse its discretion in declining to hold a resentencing hearing on Lopez's  3582(c)(2) motion or to allow his presence at a hearing. For starters, Lopez was only entitled to be resentenced on Count V, so his entire original sentencing package was not vacated. Jackson, 923 F.2d at 1497. Additionally, Lopez's amended sentence was not more onerous than the original one because it was reduced from a maximum sentence of life imprisonment to 327 months' imprisonment. See id. Moreover, the court gave Lopez an opportunity to contest in writing any new information that the court would rely on. In any event, Lopez did not have any new information to contest, since the only new information presented was his mitigating arguments for a downward departure, which he sufficiently requested in his motion to be resentenced. Nor were any factual disputes at issue because the government acknowledged that Lopez was eligible for a reduction in his sentence based on Amendment 433, the government did not present new information, and it did not challenge his arguments for a downward departure. Accordingly, the hearing on Lopez's  3582(c)(2) motion did not constitute a full de novo resentencing, and the district court did not abuse its discretion in declining his request for a hearing or his request to attend a hearing.

We also find no merit to Lopez's claim that the district court erred by reducing his sentence on Count V from life imprisonment to 327 months' imprisonment. A district court may modify a defendant's term of imprisonment if the defendant was sentenced based on a sentencing range that has subsequently been lowered by the Sentencing Commission. 18 U.S.C.  3582(c)(2). Any reduction, however, must be consistent with the Sentencing Commission's policy statements. Id. When the district court considers a  3582(c)(2) motion, it must apply a two-step approach. Dillon v. United States, 560 U.S. 817, 826 (2010). First, the court must determine if the defendant is eligible for relief under 3582(c)(2), and if so, determine the amended guideline range that would have been applicable to the defendant had the relevant amendment been in effect at the time of the initial sentencing. Id. at 827 (quotation omitted). The court must then decide whether to exercise its discretion to impose the newly calculated sentence under the amended Guidelines or retain the original sentence by considering the  3553(a) factors. Id.

When initially imposing a sentence, a district court shall consider, among other factors: (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense; (2) the history and characteristics of the defendant; (3) the need for the sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment; (4) the need for adequate deterrence; (5) the need to protect the public from further crimes; (6) the guideline range; and (7) any pertinent policy statement from the Sentencing Commission. 18 U.S.C.  3553(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(4)(A), (a)(5). When ruling on a  3582(c)(2) motion, the court is not required to state how each factor applies to the defendant's case if the record shows that it considered the pertinent  3553(a) factors. Smith, 568 F.3d at 927. The court can demonstrate that it has considered the  3553(a) factors, to the extent they are applicable, by stating which factors weigh against granting a sentence reduction, even if it does not present particular findings for each individual factor. See United States v. Brown, 104 F.3d 1254, 1255-56 (11th Cir. 1997) (affirming the denial of a sentence reduction where the district court mentioned the scope of the crack-cocaine conspiracy, the defendant's significant involvement, and his lack of remorse or acceptance of responsibility). The district court has discretion to determine how much weight to grant to a specific  3553(a) factor. United States v. Alvarado, 808 F.3d 474, 496 (11th Cir. 2015).

Here, the district court did not abuse its discretion in reducing Lopez's sentence on Count V to 327 months' imprisonment because it properly conducted the two-step analysis in deciding Lopez's  3582(c)(2) motion. First, it properly determined that Lopez was eligible for relief under Amendment 433. In recalculating his amended guideline range, it nevertheless determined that Lopez still qualified as an armed career criminal, which had not been affected by Amendment 433. The district court then properly recalculated Lopez's amended guideline range to 262 to 327 months' imprisonment, based on a total offense level of 34 and criminal history category of VI. Second, in determining that Lopez's sentence for Count V should be reduced, the court properly considered the  3553(a) factors, including the nature of the instant offenses, Lopez's criminal history, and the need to provide sufficient punishment and deterrence. In consideration of these factors, the court noted that while Lopez's behavior had improved over the last fourteen years, the aggravating circumstance of the instant offenses, as well as his extensive criminal history, warranted a sentence at the high-end of the advisory guideline range. On this record, we cannot say the district court abused its discretion in conducting its analysis or in imposing the sentence. See Jules, 595 F.3d at 1241-42 (stating what constitutes an abuse of discretion in a  3582(c)(2) proceeding); Alvarado, 808 F.3d at 496 (asserting that the sentencing court has discretion to assign weight to the  3553(a) factors).

AFFIRMED.

PER CURIAM:
United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Appellee, v. RICKY PATRICK HESTER, Defendant-Appellant, 16-130-cr Decided: December 22, 2016

PRESENT: GUIDO CALABRESI, JOSE A. CABRANES, RAYMOND J. LOHIER, JR., Circuit Judges. FOR APPELLEE: LAUREN B. SCHORR, Assistant United States Attorney (Brian R. Blais, Assistant United States Attorney, on the brief), for Preet Bharara, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, New York, NY. FOR DEFENDANT-APPELLANT: PATRICK A. MULLIN, Law Offices of Patrick A. Mullin, Fort Lee, NJ.

SUMMARY ORDER

Defendant-appellant Ricky Patrick Hester appeals from a judgment of conviction entered on January 6, 2016, after a jury found him guilty of receiving and distributing child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C.  2252A(a)(2)(B) and (b)(1), and possessing child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C.  2252A(a)(5)(B) and (b)(2). The District Court sentenced Hester to 97 months' imprisonment.

On appeal, Hester argues that we should overturn his conviction because: (1) the District Court erred in permitting the government to produce excerpts from child pornography videos to the jury; (2) his conviction for receiving and distributing child pornography violated the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment; (3) the District Court committed plain error in failing to give the jury a lesser-included offense instruction; (4) the government violated its duty under Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), and Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150, 154 (1972); (5) the District Court erred in denying the admission of polygraph evidence; (6) the District Court erred in denying Hester's motion to suppress his confession; (7) participation of United States Army Criminal Investigation Command (Army CID) agents in the search of Hester's dormitory room violated the Posse Comitatus Act, 18 U.S.C.  1385; and (8) the District Court erred in denying Hester's motion for acquittal. We assume the parties' familiarity with the underlying facts and the procedural history of the case.

1. The District Court Did Not Err in Permitting the Government to Produce Videos Containing Child Pornography to the Jury.

Hester argues that the District Court erred in permitting the Government to show the jury two videos containing images of child pornography because the probative value of such evidence was substantially outweighed by the risk of unfair prejudice. See Federal Rule of Evidence 403. We disagree.

To establish that Hester committed the charged offenses, the government had to prove that the videos at issue contain[ed] an image of child pornography. 18 U.S.C.  2252A (a)(2)(B) and (a)(5)(B). The government has the right to present evidence  to establish the human significance of the fact and to implicate the law's moral underpinnings.  United States v. Polouizzi, 564 F.3d 142, 153 (2d Cir. 2009) (quoting Old Chief v. United States, 519 U.S. 172, 18788 (1997)). In other cases involving similar crimes, we have held that the admission of images of child pornography was not an abuse of discretion. See, e.g., id. at 15253. The videos here do not compel a different ruling. Moreover, the government minimized the risk of unfair prejudice by selecting only two videos (in addition to two still images) out of the more than one thousand files allegedly containing child pornography and by playing each video for only ten seconds.

2. Hester Has Waived His Double Jeopardy Claim.

Hester contends that his two convictions, for receiving and distributing child pornography and for possessing child pornography, violated the Double Jeopardy Clause because possession of child pornography is a lesser-included offense of receiving child pornography and because the jury might have convicted him of both crimes based on the same images. See, e.g., United States v. Muhlenbruch, 634 F.3d 987, 1004 (8th Cir. 2011) (finding a violation of the Double Jeopardy Clause where defendant's convictions for both possession and receipt of child pornography were based on the same conduct). Assuming arguendo that the possession of child pornography is a lesser-included offense of receiving and distributing it, we hold that Hester waived his Double Jeopardy claim by failing to request an instruction that directed the jury to base its receiving-and-distributing conviction on different images or videos than its possession conviction. See United States v. Anson, 304 Fed. App'x 1, 56 (2d Cir. 2008); see also United States v. Roman, 870 F.2d 65, 72 (2d Cir. 1989) (holding that [w]here the defendant believes that certain alternative bases on which the jury might rely are impermissible because of an insufficiency of evidence, he must request the trial judge not to submit the invalid basis to the jury or else the objection will be deemed waived  (quoting United States v. Washington, 861 F.2d 350, 352 (2d Cir. 1988))).

3. The District Court Did Not Commit Plain Error By Failing to Give a Lesser-Included Offense Instruction.

Hester argues that the District Court erred in failing to instruct the jury that possession of child pornography is a lesser-included offense of receiving and distributing child pornography. Because Hester did not request that instruction from the District Court, we review his claim for plain error. We conclude that there was no error, much less plain error.

Under federal law, a defendant is entitled to a lesser-included offense instruction  only if (1) the elements of the lesser offense are a subset of the elements of the charged offense  and (2) the evidence at trial permits a rational jury to find the defendant guilty of the lesser offense and acquit him of the greater. United States v. Diaz, 176 F.3d 52, 101 (2d Cir. 1999) (internal citations omitted). Assuming again that the possession of child pornography is a lesser-included offense of receiving and distributing it, Hester was not entitled to the instruction because no rational jury could have convicted him of possessing child pornography and acquitted him of receiving and distributing child pornography. Specifically, the government presented evidence that included: (1) nearly 100 emails from Hester's email account in which he sent and received child pornography; (2) files from Hester's Dropbox account where he shared child pornography with others; and (3) Hester's confession admitting to sending and receiving child pornography.

4. The Government Did Not Violate Brady or Giglio.

Under the Supreme Court's decisions in Brady and Giglio, the government is required to disclose all evidence that a defendant could use to impeach the credibility of a government witness. United States v. Coppa, 267 F.3d 132, 135 (2d Cir. 2001). Hester contends that the government violated that duty by failing to disclose that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Steven Cerutti had participated in a search that a district court in United States v. Bershchansky, 958 F. Supp. 2d 354 (E.D.N.Y. 2013), had found to be unreasonable. We disagree.

In affirming the District Court's decision in Bershchansky, this Court concluded that the search in which Special Agent Cerutti participated was unreasonable because the agents could not have reasonably concluded that [the target] actually lived in Apartment 1 and that they were authorized to search Apartment 1 when the warrant clearly specified Apartment 2. United States v. Bershchansky, 788 F.3d 102, 112 (2d Cir. 2015). Neither court found that Special Agent Cerutti lied in his suppression hearing testimony or in the warrant affidavit, which a different agent drafted. Id. at 106. Because the incident in Bershchansky does not reflect on Special Agent Cerutti's character for truthfulness or indicate any bias against Hester, it was not impeachment evidence, see United States v. Schwab, 886 F.2d 509, 511 (2d Cir. 1989), and thus was not Giglio material.

5. The District Court Did Not Err in Denying The Admission of Polygraph Evidence.

Hester argues that the District Court erred in denying his motion to admit polygraph evidence in the form of an expert opinion. We disagree.

In Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 597 (1993), the Supreme Court held that Federal Rule of Evidence 702, assign [ed] to the trial judge the task of ensuring that an expert's testimony both rests on a reliable foundation and is relevant to the task at hand. The District Court concluded that the polygraph evidence at issue in this case did not have the hallmark of reliability. A. 92. While we have never held that polygraph evidence is per se inadmissible, we have upheld its exclusion on grounds that it may be unreliable, unfairly prejudicial, or misleading to the jury. See United States v. Kwong, 69 F.3d 663, 668 (2d Cir. 1995); United States v. Rea, 958 F.2d 1206, 1224 (2d Cir. 1992). No factors presented here convince us that Hester's test was sufficiently reliable or sufficiently relevant to warrant admission. Rea, 958 F.2d at 1224.

6. The District Court Did Not Err in Denying Hester's Motion to Suppress His Confession.

The District Court denied Hester's motion to suppress the confession he gave to HSI Agents McManus and Appelbaum without the benefit of a Miranda warning, see Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), on grounds that Hester was not in custody during questioning and that Hester gave his statements voluntarily. We agree.

A defendant is in custody for purposes of Miranda when a reasonable person in the defendant's position would have understood himself to be subjected to restraints comparable to those associated with a formal arrest. United States v. Ruggles, 70 F.3d 262, 265 (2d Cir. 1995) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). The District Court held an evidentiary hearing on Hester's motion and found that Agents McManus and Appelbaum credibly testified that the interview was not confrontational; defendant was not threatened, coerced, physically restrained, or denied access to an attorney during the interview; and defendant was not told there would be negative consequences if he refused to speak with [the agents]. A. 46. The District Court also concluded that Agent McManus [ ] credibly testified [that] she told defendant he would be able to take a final exam later that day. Id. Based on those findings of fact, which we have no cause to disturb, we agree that no reasonable person would have considered himself or herself not free to leave, see United States v. Mitchell, 966 F.2d 92, 98 (2d Cir. 1992), or would have felt his or her will overb[orne], see United States v. Kaba, 999 F.2d 47, 51 (2d Cir. 1993).

7. Hester Waived His Suppression Claim Premised on a Violation of the Posse Comitatus Act.

Hester argues, for the first time on appeal, that the District Court erred in admitting evidence obtained during the search of his dorm room because the participation of Army CID agents violated the Posse Comitatus Act. He has waived this claim.

Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 12(b)(3) requires parties to raise motions to suppress before trial. If a party does not meet that deadline, the motion is untimely. But a court may consider the defense, objection, or request if the party shows good cause. Rule 12(c)(3); see United States v. Yousef, 327 F.3d 56, 12425 (2d Cir. 2003). A strategic decision by counsel not to pursue a claim, inadvertence of one's attorney, and an attorney's failure to timely consult with his client do not constitute good cause. Id. at 125. While Hester did raise a motion to suppress prior to trial, he did not specifically address the Posse Comitatus Act. Because Hester fails to provide this Court with good cause why he failed to raise these grounds before trial, there has been a complete waiver of his claim.

8. The District Court Properly Denied Hester's Motion for Acquittal.

In challenging the sufficiency of the evidence, defendants bear[ ] a heavy burden, as our standard of review is exceedingly deferential. United States v. Coplan, 703 F.3d 46, 62 (2d Cir. 2012) (internal quotation marks omitted). We examine a defendant's challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence de novo and affirm if the evidence, when viewed in its totality and in the light most favorable to the government, would permit any rational jury to find the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Yannotti, 541 F.3d 112, 120 (2d Cir. 2008).

Hester asserts that the government introduced insufficient evidence for a jury to conclude that he, rather than his roommate, possessed, received, and distributed child pornography and that he possessed the requisite technical expertise to commit the crimes alleged. We disagree. First, viewing the evidence as a whole, we conclude that a rational jury could find that Hester, and not his roommate, knowingly possessed, received, and distributed child pornography. The government presented evidence from which a reasonable jury could infer that Hester controlled the email account, cell phone, and Dropbox account where child pornography files were stored, sent, and received. Second, we agree with the District Court that no special technological knowledge is needed to use an email account, cell phone, or Dropbox account.

CONCLUSION

We have considered all of the arguments raised by defendant-appellant on appeal and find them to be without merit. For the foregoing reasons, we AFFIRM the January 6, 2016 judgment of the District Court.

FOR THE COURT:

Catherine O'Hagan Wolfe, Clerk

FOOTNOTES

. Under a plain error review, a defendant must demonstrate that (1) there was error, (2) the error was plain, (3) the error prejudicially affected his substantial rights, and (4) the error seriously affected the fairness, integrity or public reputation of judicial proceedings. United States v. Cook, 722 F.3d 477, 481 (2d Cir. 2013).
Dogs and puppies

Kristi, a 9-week-old Terrier-mix, is sure to steal your heart (case 478).

Carol, a 10-week-old Labrador-mix, is looking for her forever home (case 477).

Comet, a 6-month-old Shepherd/Labrador-mix, loves treats and toys (case 472).

Prancer, an 18-month-old male Labrador-mix, wants to be your best friend (case 471)

Joy, a 6-month-old female Shepherd/Labrador-mix, is very sweet (case 470).

Tina, a 2-year-old female Carolina-mix, wants a friend to play with (case 466).

Holly, a 9-week-old female Labrador-mix, loves to be held (case 461).

Yancy, a 3-month-old male Labrador-mix, is very playful (case 457).

Ranger, a 3-month-old male Terrier-mix, needs lots of love and attention (case 436).

Rose, a 5-year-old female Staffie-mix, is very loving (case 433).

Polly, a 6-week-old female Shepherd-mix, loves attention (case 432).

Suzy, a 6-week-old female Shepherd-mix, is fluffy like a teddy bear (case 431).

Kelley, an 8-month-old female Hound-mix, needs a lot of love (case 428).

Piper, a 2-year-old male Labrador/Pointer-mix, who loves attention and other pets (case 424).

Daphne, a 16-month-old female Carolina-mix, is as sweet as she can be (case 423).

Willie, a 2-year-old male Boxer-mix, who is very affectionate and playful (case 422).

Blade, an 8-month-old male Lab/Hound-mix, loves belly rubs (case 421).

Domino, an 8-month-old male Lab/Hound-mix, loves to give puppy kisses (case 420).

Addie, an 18-month-old female Boxer/Pit-mix, must have a fenced yard (case 0418).

Haley, a 3-month-old female Labrador-mix, is a perfect little lady (case 0348).

Skippy, a 2-year-old male Dachshund/Chihuahua-mix, needs an experienced owner (case 0338).

Sweet Potato, a 1-year-old female Hound-mix, is as sweet as her name (case 0161).

Oscar, a 9-month-old male black Lab-mix, wants to be your new best friend (case 0156).

Cats and kittens

Sunny, a 12-week-old female muted calico, loves to play (case 414).

Sophia, a 3-month-old orange tabby, is a typical little girl (case 417).

Susie, a 3-month-old female patched tabby, is a diva in the making (case 403).

Sebastian, a 3-month-old orange male, thinks he's a tiger (case 402).

Pumpkin, a 9-month-old female orange cat who loves to snuggle (case 360).

Mellie, a 6-month-old black-and-white female, was left in a box at the front door (case 343).

Grace, a 10-month-old female tortie loves attention (case 342).

Tasha, a 6-month-old female tortie is just a little reserved (case 333).

Scotti, a 6-month-old orange female, is a real lover (case 295).

Zora, a 7-month-old black-and-white female loves belly rubs (case 294).

Grady, a 7-month-old orange male, is a typical little boy (case 238).

Moppett, a 7-month-old black male who loves to snuggle (case 212)

Kylee, a 7-month-old gray female, has the ticket to a lifetime of happiness (case 199).

Sosa, a 7-month-old gray male, whose little motor runs all the time (case 196).

Carson, a 7-month-old black-and-white male, loves to explore (case 195).

Casey, a 1-year-old black female, is sweet and playful (case 191).

Jenny, a 1-year-old black female, has a gorgeous coat (case 202).

Kiki , a 2-year-old female diluted calico DLH, needs some TLC (case 385).

Chloe, a 2-year-old black-and-white female, loves to purr (case 311).

The SPCA will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, for adoptions. The Orangeburg SPCA's normal adoption hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays. They are located at 225 Ruf Road and the phone number is 803-536-3918. Check out available adoptions online at orangeburgspca.petfinder.com, interactive website at www.OrangeburgSPCA.org and Facebook page at Orangeburg SPCA. Email any questions to adopt@orangeburgspca.org.
Storm clouds gathered across The T&D Region the afternoon of Oct. 7 as Hurricane Matthew inched closer to the South Carolina coast.

Preparations were underway, but Hurricane Matthew proved stronger and more powerful than originally anticipated. It damaged homes and businesses throughout the region, and left tens of thousands without power.

Hurricane Matthew was The T&Ds top story of 2016 in recognition of the storm's widespread impact on the region.

Hurricane Matthews winds ripped through The T&D Region Friday night, Oct. 7 and Saturday morning, Oct. 8, downing trees and power lines.

A high-wind warning was issued for The T&D Region, with forecasters calling for potential gusts up to 58 mph.

A flash flood watch was also issued, with forecasters saying between 5 and 12 inches of rain was possible.

A peak wind gust of 64 mph was reported Saturday morning at the Orangeburg Municipal Airport. The gust was the highest recorded in the Midlands during the hurricane.

Wind gusts in Bamberg were reported at 58 mph, in Holly Hill at 62 mph and St. Matthews at 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Despite the damage and intensity of the storm, there were no fatalities or serious injuries reported in The T&D Region.

Power outages

About 20,431 Department of Public Utilities customers were without power at 1 p.m. Saturday, the peak of the outage.

South Carolina Electric and Gas reported about 17,700 customers in The T&D Region without power at the height of the storm.

Tri-County Electric Cooperative reported about 9,000 outages in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties and Edisto Electric reported about 5,200 outages in Orangeburg and Bamberg counties at the storm's height.

In some cases, individuals were without power a week after the storm.

Storm damage

The storm downed trees onto homes and littered yards and streets with fallen debris.

In total, there was $6.7 million in damage to Orangeburg Countys homes from Matthew.

About 21 homes were destroyed, 145 received major damage, 222 homes had minor damage and 105 more were affected.

Similarly, 28 businesses caught Matthews wrath.

In addition to the nine destroyed businesses, eight received major damage, 10 had minor damage and another was affected.

Commercial property damage reached a total value of $505,500.

Damage to public properties reached $50,275.

The overall value in residential, commercial and public damage reached almost $7.3 million.

Calhoun County received about $146,000 worth of damage to county buildings and roads. Tri-County Electric saw between $400,000 and $500,000 worth of damage to poles and lines. The storm also cost the county in debris cleanup.

A total of 16 homes were damaged by the storm in the county.

In Bamberg County, there was no damage reported to public buildings as a result of the storm. The county reported about 400 trees down.

The entire T&D Region was declared a natural disaster, meaning residents in the area qualified for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance and U.S. Small Business Administration loans.

FEMA received about 1,674 assistance applicants from individuals in Orangeburg County alone. These individuals were awarded $713,313.

About 123 individuals received assistance from FEMA in Calhoun County.

Rainfall and flooding

Heavy rains flooded roads, closing some.

The Orangeburg Airport recorded 6.28 inches of rain with other reports including 9.7 inches in Santee, 8.4 inches in Holly Hill and 4.5 inches in North.

Rainfall generally totaled between 4 inches and 10 inches, with the largest amounts falling in the eastern portion of The T&D Region.

The North Fork of the Edisto River crested Monday afternoon at 8.89 feet, causing minor flooding along the low points of the river. The river's flood stage is 8 feet.

A number of roads were closed in the region for days after the storm.

U.S. highways and interstates were the first to be cleared while some secondary roads remained closed for much of the week after the storm.

The storm hurt cotton farmers, with bolls being blown out of the unharvested crop. For many farmers, the storm did not impact peanuts because many harvested their crops before the storm's arrival.

Orangeburg County crop loss assessments show a 15 to 20 percent loss in cotton and a 5 percent loss on peanuts and soybeans.

The storm impacted about 1 percent of the county's timber.

Shelters

Schools were closed for more than a week due to the storm as many served as shelters.

At the height of the storm, about 350 people stayed in shelters in Orangeburg County and 22 in Calhoun County. A number of individuals also stayed at the Bamberg County shelter in the Kearse building. The facility remained open for days to house those without power.

A total of 13 shelters were open across The T&D Region during the storm.

Matthew's origins

Originating from a tropical wave that emerged off Africa on Sept. 22, the storm quickly intensified as it tracked across the Caribbean Sea.

Matthew became a hurricane on Sept. 29 and reached category 5 intensity the following day.

The storm became only the second category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean since Hurricane Felix in 2007. It proved to be the deadliest storm since Hurricane Stan in 2005.

Matthew weakened slightly while making a northward turn toward the Greater Antilles, remaining a strong category 4 hurricane as it made its first landfall over Haiti's Tiburon Peninsula early on Oct. 4.

The storm then moved parallel to the coast of the Southeastern United States, gradually weakening while remaining just offshore before making its U.S. landfall just south-southwest of Myrtle Beach as a category 1 hurricane on the morning of Oct. 8.

Overall, the storm killed about three dozen people in the Southeast.

The property damage in the United States is estimated to be about $10 billion. The storm was the costliest since Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Tropical Storm Hermine

A month earlier, the T&D Region was hit by weaker Tropical Storm Hermine.

According to the National Weather Service, wind gusts during the Sept. 2 storm reached 48 mph at the Orangeburg Municipal Airport.

The storm downed trees and power lines throughout the T&D Region. The storm also resulted in a number of road closures due to downed trees and flooded roads. A home was destroyed when a tree fell on it.

No injuries were sustained in the region as a result of the storm.

Schools also closed as a result of the storm.

Rainfall totals from Hermine were anywhere between 5 and 10 inches in the area.

Lessons learned

Orangeburg County Emergency Services Director Billy Staley said the two storms have confirmed what emergency response officials have already known.

"It reiterates the fact that we need to plan as a team and work as a team to meet the needs," Staley said. "There have been no glaring problems."

Staley said he believes county residents have done well in preparing for storms.

"We encourage them to continue to prepare and make sure they have a plan that sustains them for five days," Staley said. "We always encourage people to plan for five days as we have seen with the last couple of disasters we had, we can anticipate long-range power outages or power outages in excess of three days."

Staley said there are still between 100 and 150 people in the county with unmet needs and having to deal with long-term recovery efforts.

He said volunteers and groups such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Harvest Hope continue to assist individuals.

Calhoun County Emergency Manager David Chojnacki said Hurricane Matthew, Tropical Storm Hermine and the October 2015 floods have shown how important communication is between emergency response agencies.

"I would say we need to continue to do what we are doing by getting together on a statewide level on a regular basis as well as preparing for hurricanes and talking about the events that could happen across the state," Chojnacki said. "We need to continue to be aware and let our citizens know about these kinds of things and what they should do for them."

Chojnacki said the Calhoun County Emergency Operations Center is prepared with various response plans for any disaster. He has been pleased with the implementation of the plans and the communication between agencies.

"Of course, there are some minor improvements that can be made, but that is with everything," he said.

Chojnacki encourages individuals to ensure they are capable of surviving at least 72 hours during and after a storm. He says it will often take at least that long before individuals will be able to receive any substantial assistance from outside agencies.

"They should have enough food, water, shelter, clothing and fuel for 72 hours," he said. "That would be a smart thing for them to do."

Chojnacki also encouraged individuals to take a Community Emergency Response Team training class.

"This way they are able to learn the basics in preparing themselves for these types of emergencies," Chojnacki said.

As 2016 neared a close, Calhoun County has recovered fairly well from Matthew with the exception of fixing Griffith Lane, which was damaged by the storm.

The road was under repair when the hurricane hit.

"We have to finish the job," Calhoun County Administrator Lee Prickett said. The county is hoping to receive some assistance from FEMA to do the job but is uncertain what type of help will be offered.

He said the road is drivable, but it needs to be finished.

Bamberg County Emergency Services Director Brittany M. Barnwell said the 2016 storms show the importance of training.

"We have learned that adequate training is a valuable mechanism in order to make things come together during any man-made or natural disaster," she said. "It teaches you how to effectively use all your resources and to be able to identify all the resources as well."

Although nothing specifically stands out as needing to be corrected, Barnwell says improving communication is always a need.

"Overall, we did an awesome job for Hurricane Matthew," she said.

Barnwell said one of the ways the public can better prepare for disasters is to stay tuned to various media outlets for information about impending storms and response. Bamberg County and Bamberg County Emergency Services are also on Facebook.
United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Appellee, v. RICKY KESSLER, Defendant-Appellant. 15-3997 Decided: December 27, 2016

PRESENT: RALPH K. WINTER, JR., DENNIS JACOBS, JOSE A. CABRANES, Circuit Judges, FOR APPELLANT: FLORIAN MIEDEL, Miedel & Mysliwiec, LLP, New York, New York. FOR APPELLEE: IAN C. RICHARDSON, for Robert L. Capers, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

SUMMARY ORDER

UPON DUE CONSIDERATION, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that the judgment of the district court be AFFIRMED.

Ricky Kessler appeals from the judgment of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (Irizzary, C.J.) imposing a ten-month sentence after his plea to a violation of his conditions of supervised release. We assume the parties' familiarity with the underlying facts, the procedural history, and the issues presented for review. We affirm because the district court's within-Guidelines sentence was neither procedurally nor substantively unreasonable.

Kessler did not preserve his procedural objections to the sentence, and we therefore review them for plain error. United States v. Aldeen, 792 F.3d 247, 253 (2d Cir. 2015), as amended (July 22, 2015). Kessler's first procedural objection is that the district court failed to adequately explain the reasons for his sentence. Although the district court must state in open court the reasons for its imposition of the particular sentence, 18 U.S.C.  3553(c), it need not individually walk through all the sentencing factors of  3553(a). United States v. Villafuerte, 502 F.3d 204, 210 (2d Cir. 2007). Where, as here, the sentence concerns a violation of supervised release and the ultimate sentence is within the recommended range, compliance with the statutory requirements can be minimal. United States v. Cassesse, 685 F.3d 186, 192 (2d Cir. 2012). The district court acknowledged its need to consider the  3553(a) factors and explained the reason for its sentence in detail. There was no plain error.

Second, Kessler argues that the district court sentenced him under the mistaken belief that he had failed to seek employment. Even if the district court was wrong to blame Kessler for failing to seek employment (and it is not clear that it was), that mistake was only a small part of the sentencing colloquy, and Kessler did not object to it at the time. It is not an error that seriously affected the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of the judicial proceedings, and it is therefore not a plain error that requires resentencing. Villafuerte 502 F.3d at 209 (internal quotations omitted).

Third, Kessler argues that the district court sentenced him under the mistaken belief that he owed restitution. However, Kessler advised the district court of this mistake before the imposition of the sentence, and the district court thanked him for the correction. This too is not plain error.

As to the length of the sentence, Kessler argues that his within-Guidelines sentence of ten months was so shockingly high  or otherwise unsupportable as a matter of law that allowing [it] to stand would damage the administration of justice. Aldeen, 792 F.3d at 255 (internal quotations omitted). Kessler's sentence was well within the range of permissible decisions and was therefore substantively reasonable. Id.

For the foregoing reasons, and finding no merit in Kessler's other arguments, we hereby AFFIRM the judgment of the district court.

FOR THE COURT:

CATHERINE O'HAGAN WOLFE, CLERK
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United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff  Appellee, v. WILLIAM HENRY MULDROW, a/k/a William Cooper, a/k/a Willie, a/k/a Fred Washington, Defendant  Appellant. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff  Appellee, v. LUIS GOMEZ, Defendant  Appellant. No. 15-7298, No. 15-7608 Decided: December 27, 2016

Before DUNCAN and AGEE, Circuit Judges, and Bruce H. HENDRICKS, United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina, sitting by designation. ARGUED: Sapna Mirchandani, OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER, Greenbelt, Maryland, for Appellants. Sujit Raman, OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, Greenbelt, Maryland, for Appellee. ON BRIEF: James Wyda, Federal Public Defender, OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER, Baltimore, Maryland, for Appellants. Rod J. Rosenstein, United States Attorney, Debra L. Dwyer, Assistant United States Attorney, OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, Baltimore, Maryland, for Appellee.

Defendants William Henry Muldrow (Muldrow) and Luis Gomez (Gomez) challenge the district court's determination that the Guidelines commentary--as amended by United States Sentencing Guideline Amendment 759 (Amendment 759)-- requires a district court at resentencing to calculate the applicable guideline range without applying any departures or variances from a defendant's original sentencing range. For the reasons that follow, we affirm the district court and join all of our sister circuits that have considered the issue in holding that Amendment 759 binds sentencing courts.

I.

A.

Both Defendants were convicted of drug offenses in unrelated cases--Muldrow in 2006 and Gomez in 1996. This court consolidated their appeals.

Muldrow pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five or more grams of cocaine and oxycodone, on January 19, 2006. At his sentencing on March 29, 2006, the district court adopted the findings of the presentence report with one exception. It departed from a criminal history category VI to a category V because it found Muldrow's criminal history category overrepresented the seriousness of his criminal record. U.S.S.G.  4A1.3. Employing an offense level 34 and a post-departure criminal history category V, the district court calculated a guideline range of 235 to 293 months and sentenced Muldrow to 235 months in prison.

A jury convicted Gomez of one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, on June 29, 1996. At sentencing, the district court calculated his guideline range based on an offense level 44 and a criminal history category III, resulting in a then-mandatory guideline sentence of life imprisonment. On November 6, 1996, the court imposed a life sentence, but subsequently granted Gomez's 28 U.S.C.  2255 petition in part, vacating his sentence. The district court recalculated Gomez's guideline range as 360 months to life imprisonment based on an offense level of 41 and a criminal history category II. Like Muldrow, Gomez received a downward departure under  4A1.3 because the district court found that a criminal history category III overstated the seriousness of his criminal record. The court resentenced Gomez on February 27, 2006, imposing a below-guideline-range sentence of 340 months.

B.

In 2014 and 2015, Defendants separately filed motions for resentencing under 18 U.S.C.  3582(c)(2) based on the retroactive application of United States Sentencing Guideline Amendment 782. U.S.S.G., app. C., amend. 782 (2014) ( Amendment 782). Amendment 782 reduced the base offense level for drug offenses by two levels. Id. The United States Sentencing Commission (Commission) has the power to make its amendments retroactive, and although it has done so sparingly, it did so with Amendment 782 by listing it in subsection (d) of  1B1.10 of the Guidelines Manual. U.S.S.G.  1B1.10(d); United States v. Williams, 808 F.3d 253, 263 (4th Cir. 2015). Before the district court, the parties agreed that Defendants are eligible for relief under Amendment 782, which altered the Defendants' amended guideline range. They dispute the extent of relief authorized based on the calculation of this range.

Each Defendant argued that the district court should calculate his guideline range at resentencing by using the post-departure criminal history category determined at his original sentencing. However, the district court did not reduce the sentences to the extent Defendants requested. At resentencing, the district court instead chose to calculate their ranges using their pre-departure criminal history categories. After recalculating the guideline ranges in this manner, the district court reduced each Defendant's sentence to the low end of his amended guideline range.

For Muldrow, the district court granted relief in part on July 29, 2015, reducing his sentence from 235 months to 210 months--the low end of the amended guideline range using a pre-departure criminal history category. For Gomez, the district court granted relief in part on October 6, 2015, reducing Gomez's sentence from 340 months to 324 months--the low end of the amended guideline range using a pre-departure criminal history category.

The district court based its decisions to use a pre-departure criminal history category on a separate guideline amendment--Amendment 759. U.S.S.G., app. C., amend. 759 (2011). Specifically, the district court found that Amendment 759 (1) precluded the district court from considering  4A1.3 departures during resentencing, and (2) abrogated this court's prior decision in United States v. Munn, 595 F.3d 183 (4th Cir. 2010), which had adopted Defendants' desired approach. Both Defendants appealed.

II.

On appeal, Defendants argue that the district court incorrectly deemed itself bound by Amendment 759, and thus, erred in not granting them greater relief. According to Defendants, the district court should have applied  4A1.3 departures when calculating their applicable guideline ranges. The government counters that the district court properly followed Amendment 759 in calculating Defendants' applicable guideline range because Amendment 759 is consistent with the Guidelines and abrogated Munn.

We review a district court's decision to reduce a sentence under  3582(c)(2) for abuse of discretion and its ruling as to the scope of its legal authority under  3582(c)(2) de novo. United States v. Mann, 709 F.3d 301, 304 (4th Cir. 2013). For the reasons that follow, we affirm the district court.

A.

Our decision today respects a congressionally mandated--and Supreme Court sanctioned--balance between the interpretive power of the Commission and our duties as an Article III court. With the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, 18 U.S.C.  3551 et seq., Congress established the Commission and authorized it to (1) promulgate Sentencing Guidelines and (2) issue policy statements governing application of the Guidelines. See 28 U.S.C.  991, 994(a); Stinson v. United States, 508 U.S. 36, 4041 (1993). The Commission also issues commentary to the guideline provisions and policy statements. Stinson, 508 U.S. at 41. In interpreting the Guidelines, commentary is authoritative unless it violates the Constitution or a federal statute, or is inconsistent with, or a plainly erroneous reading, of that guideline. Id. at 38.

In addition, Congress entrusted the Commission with the power, and duty, to periodically review and revise the guideline provisions, policy statements, and commentary. 28 U.S.C.  994(o), 994(p), 994(u); United States v. Braxton, 500 U.S. 344, 348 (1991). This power includes the ability to override our precedent through amendments to the Guidelines. Williams, 808 F.3d at 258. With this framework in mind, we turn to the Guidelines applicable to sentencing reductions.

B.

Under the Sentencing Reform Act, a federal court generally may not modify a term of imprisonment once it has been imposed. 18 U.S.C.  3582(c). However, Congress has provided an exception to that rule: when the Commission makes a Guidelines amendment retroactive, a district court may reduce an otherwise final sentence based on the amended provision, as long as the reduction remains consistent with applicable Commission policy statements. Id.

In considering whether and by how much to reduce a sentence under  3582(c)(2), a district court follows a two-step inquiry. Dillon v. United States, 560 U.S. 817, 826 (2010). The court first follow[s] the Commission's instructions in  1B1.10 to determine the prisoner's eligibility for a sentence modification and the extent of the reduction authorized. Id. at 827. Specifically,  1B1.10(b)(1) requires the court to determine the amended guideline range that would have been applicable to the defendant if the amendment(s) to the guidelines listed in subsection (d) had been in effect at the time of the defendant's initial sentencing. U.S.S.G.  1B1.10(b)(1). At step two, a district court considers relevant sentencing factors to determine whether, in its discretion, a reduction is warranted in whole or in part under the particular circumstances of the case. Dillon, 560 U.S. at 827.

C.

This appeal--and the issue in Munn--concerns how a court calculates the amended guideline range at step one. In particular, the parties dispute whether the resentencing court calculates the range using a pre-departure criminal history category or a post-departure criminal history category. In Munn-- decided prior to Amendment 759--this court held that a defendant's applicable guideline range is determined after applying any departures. 595 F.3d at 19295. Therefore, the defendant in Munn--a career offender who received a departure for overrepresentation of criminal history at his original sentencing--was entitled to have the district court factor in departures before calculating his applicable guideline range for resentencing purposes. Id. at 18485, 19495. Other circuits interpreted the Guidelines similarly. See United States v. Flemming, 617 F.3d 252, 272 (3d Cir. 2010); United States v. Cardosa, 606 F.3d 16, 2122 (1st Cir. 2010); United States v. McGee, 553 F.3d 225, 22930 (2d Cir. 2009) (per curiam) superseded by United States v. Montanez, 717 F.3d 287 (2d Cir. 2013) (per curiam). However, three other circuits decided that the applicable guideline range for resentencing was the range produced prior to any discretionary departures, reasoning that a district court cannot depart from a range before it is established. United States v. Pembrook, 609 F.3d 381, 384 (6th Cir. 2010); United States v. Darton, 595 F.3d 1191, 1197 (10th Cir. 2010); United States v. Blackmon, 584 F.3d 1115, 111617 (8th Cir. 2009) (per curiam).

In response to this circuit split, the Commission promulgated Amendment 759. U.S.S.G., app. C., amend. 759 (2011). Amendment 759 revised the commentary to  1B1.10, at Application Note 1(A), by defining applicable guideline range as the guideline range that corresponds to the offense level and criminal history category determined pursuant to  1B1.1(a), which is determined before consideration of any departure provision in the Guidelines Manual or any variance. U.S.S.G.  1B1.10 cmt. n.1(A) (2011) (emphasis added); U.S.S.G., app. C., amend. 759 (2011). In so doing, Amendment 759 explicitly adopt[ed] the approach of the Sixth, Eighth, and Tenth Circuits. U.S.S.G., app. C., amend. 759 (Reason for Amendment).

III.

The issue on appeal is a narrow one. Defendants do not contest that the Commission can resolve circuit splits and abrogate our prior precedent by promulgating amendments. Instead, they argue that the district court erroneously deemed itself bound by the revised commentary to  1B1.10 found in Amendment 759 for two reasons: (1) the commentary conflicts with the Guidelines text, and (2) Amendment 759 is not one which by its nature applies retroactively. We consider each argument in turn.

A.

If the commentary conflicts with the Guidelines text, it cannot bind courts. Stinson, 508 U.S. at 38. In deciding whether commentary conflicts with the Guidelines text, we recognize that the Commission has the first responsibility to formulate and announce how guideline provisions should be interpreted. Id. at 45. Cognizant of our role vis-a -vis the Commission, this court rarely invalidates part of the commentary as inconsistent with the Guidelines text. See United States v. Shell, 789 F.3d 335, 357 (4th Cir. 2015) (Wilkinson, J., dissenting). This is unsurprising given that [t]he functional purpose of commentary (of the kind at issue here) is to assist in the interpretation and application of those rules, which are within the Commission's particular area of concern and expertise. Stinson, 508 U.S. at 45.

1.

To argue that the commentary, as amended by Amendment 759, conflicts with the Guidelines, Defendants first point to the text of  1B1.10(b)(1). That section instructs resentencing courts calculating the amended guideline range to substitute only the retroactive amendments listed in  1B1.10(d) and leave all other guideline application decisions unaffected. U.S.S.G.  1B1.10(b)(1). Defendants claim that this means courts must calculate the amended guideline range without excluding any factor that was taken into account at the original sentencing--that is, to mirror whatever sentencing findings it originally made. Appellants' Br. at 25. Under Defendants' view, the revised commentary in Application Note 1(A) conflicts with the text of  1B1.10 because that commentary expressly prohibits courts from incorporating any departure or any variance into the guideline calculation. Appellants' Br. at 25.

However, Amendment 759 does not conflict with the text. Amendment 759 revised Application Note 1(A) to define the applicable guideline range as the guideline range that corresponds to the offense level and criminal history category determined pursuant to  1B1.1(a), which is determined before consideration of any departure provision in the Guidelines Manual or any variance. U.S.S.G.  1B1.10 cmt. n.1(A). Consistent with that definition, U.S.S.G.  1B1.1(a) makes no mention of departures or variances. Montanez, 717 F.3d at 292. Rather, a district court calculates departures and variances pursuant to  1B1.1(b) and 1B1.1 (c), respectively, only after determining the applicable guideline range under  1B1.1(a). See id.; U.S.S.G., app. C., amend. 741 (Reason for Amendment) (explaining the three-step process for calculating sentences). Logically, the phrase in  1B1.10(b)(1)--shall leave all other guideline application decisions unaffected--refers to decisions sentencing courts make in establishing the amended guideline range, which, pursuant to  1B1.1(a), does not take into account departures or variances. Therefore, Amendment 759's clarifying definition is consistent with  1B1.10 of the Guidelines text.

2.

In another effort to manufacture an inconsistency, Defendants next point to  1B1.1--the application instructions for an original sentencing--to suggest that the commentary conflicts with  1B1.10. Section 1B1.1(a)(6) directs a sentencing judge to [d]etermine the defendant's criminal history category as specified in Part A of Chapter Four. U.S.S.G.  1B1.1(a)(6). Downward departures for overrepresentation of criminal history appear in Chapter Four-specifically at  4A1.3(b). U.S.S.G.  4A1.3(b). Under this line of argument,  4A1.3 departures are integral to determining the applicable guideline range under  1B1.1(a)(6). Thus, Amendment 759's definition of applicable guideline range, which excludes such departures, conflicts with  1B1.10(b)(1)'s instruction to leave all other guideline application decisions--including those in  1B1.1(a)(6)--unaffected. U.S.S.G.  1B1.10(b)(1).

This argument reads more into  1B1.1(a)(6) than the text can support. Section 1B1.1(a)(6) instructs sentencing courts to determine a defendant's criminal history category, but it does not instruct them to follow each section in Part A of Chapter Four. Part A of Chapter Four has three sections, and only the first two sections directly govern how to determine the criminal history category. Section 4A1.1 is titled Criminal History Category and  4A1.2 is titled Definitions and Instructions for Computing Criminal History. U.S.S.G.  4A1.1, 4A1.2. By contrast,  4A1.3 is titled Departures Based on Inadequacy of Criminal History Category (Policy Statement). U.S.S.G.  4A1.3. That  1B1.1(a)(6) instructs a sentencing judge to determine the criminal history category does not give the judge a license to factor in a departure for overrepresentation of criminal history at that stage. See United States v. Watkins, No. 15-6205, 2016 WL 3924240, at *4 (6th Cir. July 21, 2016) (unpublished) (citing Pembrook, 609 F.3d at 38586). [A] court does not depart under  4A1.3 when calculating a defendant's applicable guideline range, but instead departs from the applicable guideline range under  4A1.3 after having calculated that range. Montanez, 717 F.3d at 292. Holding to the contrary leads to a nonsensical circularity. A district court cannot factor in a departure from a range in calculating the range itself. See Pembrook, 609 F.3d at 385. This leads inescapably to the conclusion that a defendant's applicable guideline range under U.S.S.G.  1B1.10 is his pre-departure guideline range. Id.

Here, we see no inconsistency between the Guidelines and the commentary as revised by Amendment 759. We decline to strain the text to create one.

B.

Defendants next contend that Amendment 759 does not apply retroactively. But this argument misses the point. The question is not whether Amendment 759 applies retroactively, but rather whether the district court properly applied Amendment 759 to Defendants who were resentenced after Amendment 759 took effect.

Normally, a sentencing court must apply the edition of the Guidelines in effect at the time the defendant is sentenced. U.S.S.G.  1B1.11(a). However,  3582(c)(2) requires a sentencing court to adhere to the Commission's policy statement in Guidelines section 1B1.10 when assessing a motion for a sentence reduction. Williams, 808 F.3d at 262. The commentary to  1B1.10 at Application Note 8, as amended by Amendment 759, instructs that [c]onsistent with subsection (a) of  1B1.11 (Use of Guidelines Manual in Effect on Date of Sentencing), the court shall use the version of the policy statement that is in effect on the date on which the court reduces the defendant's term of imprisonment as provided by 18 U.S.C.  3582(c)(2). U.S.S.G.  1B1.10, cmt. n.8; see also U.S.S.G., app. C., amend. 759 (2011) (originally adding current application note 8 as application note 6). Because Amendment 759 went into effect prior to the district court's resolution of [Defendants']  3582(c)(2) motion[s], the court was required to assess the motion[s] in light of the now applicable policy statement as elucidated in the binding commentary revised by Amendment 759. Williams, 808 F.3d at 262.

Nevertheless, Defendants still contend that Munn, decided prior to Amendment 759, should apply to their resentencing. But our precedent in the sentence-reduction context must give way if it conflicts with the Commission's amendments. Id. at 259; see also Braxton, 500 U.S. at 348. The Commission specifically stated that it promulgated Amendment 759 in response to a split among the circuits, and rejected the approach taken by this court in Munn. U.S.S.G., app. C., amend. 759 (Reason for Amendment). As the Supreme Court has recognized, Congress necessarily contemplated that the Commission would periodically review the work of the courts, and would make whatever clarifying revisions to the Guidelines conflicting judicial decisions might suggest. Braxton, 500 U.S. at 348; see also 28 U.S.C.  994(p). As an amendment to the binding commentary, Amendment 759 applies to Defendants unless it is inconsistent with the Constitution, a federal statute, or the Guidelines. Stinson, 508 U.S. at 38. We rejected above Defendants' argument that the revised commentary introduces an inconsistency. See supra Part III.A. Today we join the Second Circuit in formally recognizing that with Amendment 759 the Commission has foreclosed the exact approach that [Defendants] now advocate. Montanez, 717 F.3d at 294.

IV.

Defendants' argument hinges on finding an inconsistency between the commentary and text of the Guidelines. We fail to see one, and decline Defendants' invitation to recreate the split that the Commission hoped to resolve. Id. at 292 n.2. For this and the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the district court is

AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

. Commentary has several different purposes:First, it may interpret the guideline or explain how it is to be applied. Failure to follow such commentary could constitute an incorrect application of the guidelines, subjecting the sentence to possible reversal on appeal. See 18 U.S.C.  3742. Second, the commentary may suggest circumstances which, in the view of the Commission, may warrant departure from the guidelines. Such commentary is to be treated as the legal equivalent of a policy statement. Finally, the commentary may provide background information, including factors considered in promulgating the guideline or reasons underlying promulgation of the guideline. As with a policy statement, such commentary may provide guidance in assessing the reasonableness of any departure from the guidelines.U.S.S.G.  1B1.7; see also Stinson, 508 U.S. at 41.

. In United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220 (2005), the Supreme Court invalidated statutory provisions that made the Guidelines Mandatory, and held that courts must treat the Guidelines as advisory. 543 U.S. at 265. Although the Court decided Stinson before Booker, we have no reason to reject the Stinson holding regarding commentary's binding effect. See United States v. Shell, 789 F.3d 335, 340 (4th Cir. 2015) (citing Stinson as good law).

. Section 1B1.10 (Reduction in Term of Imprisonment as a Result of Amended Guideline Range (Policy Statement)) prohibits courts from reducing a term of imprisonment below an amended guideline range's minimum except in certain cases in which the defendant originally received a downward departure for providing substantial assistance to the government. U.S.S.G.  1B1.10(b)(2). Defendants do not seek terms below their amended guideline ranges. Instead, they challenge the application of Amendment 759 to their resentencing.

. Defendants do not argue that the commentary conflicts with the statute. Defendants also do not challenge that the district court has discretion to grant or deny relief at step two of the  3582(c)(2) process.

. Defendants also argue that there is a material difference between applicable guideline range, in  1B1.10(a), and amended guideline range, in  1B1.10(b). They assert that these phrases refer to different things--eligibility for sentencing reductions and the extent of relief available, respectively. Because Amendment 759 inserted a definition to applicable guideline range, Defendants contend that definition only affects eligibility. From this premise they argue that Amendment 759 does not preclude a sentencing court from considering departures. This argument fails. As the Second Circuit explained, such a positionignores the relationship between the applicable guideline range and the amended guideline range. Under  1B1.10(a)(2)(B), a defendant is not eligible for a reduction if an amendment does not have the effect of lowering the defendant's applicable guideline range. In the absence of any change to the applicable guideline range, speaking of an amended guideline range makes little sense. Where an amendment does change the applicable guideline range, however, the court can calculate a new applicable range by substitut[ing]  the amend[ed guideline provisions] for the corresponding  provisions that were applied when the defendant was sentenced. U.S.S.G.  1B1.10(b)(1). Section 1B1.10(b)(1) defines this new, applicable range as the amended guideline range. The phrase amended guideline range, then, is simply the name by which the guidelines distinguish one applicable guideline range--i.e., the one that incorporates guideline amendments--from another--i.e., the one that applied under earlier versions of the guidelines. It follows, then, that courts should use the same procedure to calculate both the applicable guideline range and the amended guideline range, departing from that procedure in the case of the amended guideline range only to substitute  the [relevant guideline] amendments. Id. Under the guidelines, courts applying this procedure should not consider[ ] any departure provision in the Guidelines Manual or any variance. U.S.S.G.  1B1.10 cmt. n.1(A).Montanez, 717 F.3d at 293 (alteration in original).

. Defendants also argue that application note 8 is inconsistent with the Guidelines. But in Williams this court recognized that application note 8 is consistent with both  3582(c)(2) and the Guidelines. See 808 F.3d at 26263.

DUNCAN, Circuit Judge:
This site focuses on Republican politicians and conservatives that rip off their constituency. We have the Tea Party, fundamentalist churches, the corruption of ALEC and other special interests groups. But the site also supports progressive Democrats and the local Democratic Socialist of America. We must have ideas on how to replace regressive and corrupt politicians with something better. For comments steveotto2001@yahoo.com or ottozero2001@yahoo.com.
By Trend





The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has expressed deep concern over the recent intensification of provocations of Armenia.

The Foreign Ministry said the Armenian provocations are aimed at undermining the Vienna and St. Petersburg negotiations and the efforts on peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and are aimed at expanding the scope of the conflict.

A reconnaissance-subversive group of Armenian armed forces perpetrated yet another provocative act by violating the state border of Armenia and Azerbaijan on December 29, the ministry said.

This provocative act by Armenian armed forces has been halted and the Armenian reconnaissance-subversive group was forced to retreat with losses.

Serviceman of the armed forces of Azerbaijan Chingiz Gurbanov was killed while preventing the attack and his corpse was taken to the Armenian side, said the Foreign Ministry.

Initially, the Armenian side denied that they have the body of the Azerbaijani serviceman, the ministry said in the statement. However, later the Armenian side with a view of hiding its responsibility for the incident and misleading the international community attempted to present the situation as the violation of the state border of Armenia.

Contrary to the moral and ethic norms and basic human values, Armenian side resorted to dirty propaganda and disinformation by sharing photos of the killed Azerbaijani serviceman in social networks, said the ministry.

The Foreign Ministry added that numerous signs of torture after death were also registered on the bodies of the Azerbaijani servicemen killed during the April battles, which occurred with the provocation and instigation of the Armenian side.

Their photos were also shared in media and social networks by Armenia.

A couple of years ago the body of Mubariz Ibrahimov, a serviceman of the armed forces of Azerbaijan, was also kept by Armenia, acts of vandalism were committed on the body and only after persistent international pressure his body was returned to Azerbaijan a few months later, according to Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry.

Ignoring international humanitarian law, the Republic of Armenia pursues a systematic policy of committing acts of vandalism on the bodies of the servicemen killed during combat operations and in a consistent manner makes the return of bodies the object of political speculation, said the statement.

Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry expressed hope that the necessary and urgent measures by international humanitarian organizations, especially the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is guided by the principles of compassion and humanism, will be taken to ensure the return of Chingiz Gurbanovs body to Azerbaijan.

Abusing his authority with regard to the abovementioned issue, the Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization Nikolai Bordyuzha distorted the essence of the incident and claimed that it happened in the territory of Armenia, the statement said.

Besides, addressing the illegal regime established in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan as Nagorno-Karabakh republic, Bordyuzha attempted to question the territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan, according to the Foreign Ministry.

This irresponsible statement by the CSTO secretary general serves to undermine the negotiations on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, as well as is contrary to the basic principles of the relationship with the other member-states of the organization which support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, reads the statement.

Bordyuzha has in the past made biased statements on the conflict, the Foreign Ministry reminded.

Attempts by Armenia to bring the armed conflict directly to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and to involve the CSTO in the conflict by misusing the politicians like Bordyuzha who have particular attitude and sympathy towards Armenia serve for the escalation of the political situation in the region and pose serious threats to the regional stability and security, Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry said.

We reject this irresponsible statement by Bordyuzha and expect other member-states of the organization to come up with the proper assessment, said the ministry.

The Republic of Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated that continuation of aggression by Armenia against Azerbaijan and the illegal presence of the Armenian armed forces in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan is the main cause of the escalation and incidents in the conflict zone and the principal impediment to the political settlement of the conflict, the statement said.

The Republic of Azerbaijan calls upon the international community to enforce Armenia for peace and demand the implementation of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
By Trend





A plane flying from Las Palmas, the capital of Spains Gran Canaria, to Warsaw had to make an emergency landing in Prague amid a bomb threat, local media reported.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft had 160 passengers on board, all of them have been safely evacuated from the plane, Czech Radio said late on Friday citing the countrys Interior Minister Milan Chovanec.

The aircraft is being inspected and police have started an investigation into the incident. The suspect has been dealt with, Czech Radio said.
By Trend





Irans gas export to Turkey reached 6.14 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 10 months of 2016, remaining almost unchanged from the same period of 2015, the official website of Turkey Energy Regulatory reported.

According to the report, Turkeys total gas imports (including LNG) decreased by 1.65 bcm to 37.3 bcm during the 10 months of 2016.

Iran delivered about 8.6 bcm of gas to Turkey in 2015.

Turkeys gas import

Seller Jan-Oct 2015 Jan-Oct-2016 Azerbaijan 5,002 5,307 Iran 6,149 6,140 Russia 21,582 19,169 Total pipeline 32,733 31,590 LNG 6,209 5,698 Total 38,942 37,288




Why Politics Matter

Politics, the crooked timber of our communal lives, dominates everything because, in the end, everything  high and low and, most especially, high  lives or dies by politics. You can have the most advanced and efflorescent of cultures. Get your politics wrong, however, and everything stands to be swept away. This is not ancient history. This is Germany 1933.  Charles Krauthammer
Kuwaits Health Insurance Company (Daman) said it has awarded a KD162 million ($535 million) contract to China's Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) for the construction of two 600-bed hospitals in the country.



As per the agreement, the MCC would carry out design, construction, equipping and maintenance works for the two hospitals which will come up in the Jahra and Ahmadi governorates of Kuwait.



The Medical Insurance Hospital Project is being jointly implemented by Shanghai Baoye, MCC Huatian and MCC International Group as a consortium.



Both the hospitals will be ready for operation by the end of 2019, stated Dr Ahmad Al Saleh, the board-member and chief executive of Daman, after signing the design and building contract with MCC international group deputy general manager Ma Xiaoh in Kuwait.



These hospitals are aimed at serving the insurance-paying expatriates, who account for some 70 per cent of Kuwaits 4.4 million population, he stated at the signing ceremony held in the presence of MCC vice president and Shanghai Baoye chairman Wang Shilei and other senior officials.-TradeArabia News Service
United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit. United States of America Plaintiff - Appellee v. Mark Fuehrer Defendant - Appellant No. 16-1248 Decided: December 28, 2016

Before COLLOTON, MELLOY, and SHEPHERD, Circuit Judges.

Mark Fuehrer pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C.  841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B). The district court sentenced Fuehrer to 188 months' imprisonment. On appeal, Fuehrer challenges the search of his vehicle and asserts that the district court erred in sentencing him as a career offender. We affirm.

I.

In December 2014, Josh Mulnix, a Special Agent with the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, received information from a confidential informant that Fuehrer was distributing methamphetamine. The informant had seen Fuehrer with methamphetamine at his residence and told Agent Mulnix that Fuehrer's methamphetamine source was Marty. After obtaining this information, Agent Mulnix obtained judicial authorization to affix a global positioning system (GPS) tracking device to Fuehrer's vehicle.

While the GPS device was affixed to Fuehrer's vehicle, Fuehrer drove to the home of Martin Lawrence in Monticello, Iowa. Investigators learned that Lawrence was being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Cedar Rapids, which had conducted multiple controlled purchases of ice methamphetamine from Lawrence.

In January 2015, officers observed Fuehrer driving a second vehicle. Agent Mulnix obtained authorization to attach a GPS device to that vehicle and began tracking that vehicle as well. Investigators believed that Fuehrer would be transporting methamphetamine from Lawrence's home on January 11, 2015. Officers intended to attempt to conduct a traffic stop on Fuehrer's vehicle after he left Lawrence's home. Officers also believed that, even if Fuehrer committed no traffic violation, officers would make an investigatory stop based on the evidence gathered during the investigation.

Agent Mulnix coordinated with the Dubuque Drug Task Force to ensure that officers would be able to observe Fuehrer's vehicle after leaving Lawrence's home. Deputy Adam Williams was positioned to observe Fuehrer's vehicle and began running a stationary radar, which he had been trained to use and did, in fact, use nearly every day. Deputy Williams stopped Fuehrer's vehicle after observing Fuehrer driving 66 miles per hour in an area where the speed limit was 65 miles per hour.

During the traffic stop, Fuehrer was unable to provide a license. Deputy Williams asked Fuehrer to sit in the patrol car while he completed paperwork for the traffic violation. During this time, a second deputy, Deputy Kearney, arrived with a trained narcotics canine. Deputy Kearney conducted an open-air sniff of Fuehrer's vehicle and the canine alerted to the presence of narcotics. After the dog-sniff search was complete, Deputy Williams finished the tasks related to the traffic stop and wrote Fuehrer a warning for the traffic violation. Deputies Williams and Kearney then informed Fuehrer that the canine had alerted to the presence of narcotics, and Deputy Williams gave Fuehrer his Miranda warnings. Officers searched the vehicle and found 26.09 grams of methamphetamine.

Fuehrer was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Before trial, Fuehrer filed a motion to suppress, arguing that the stop of his vehicle was a pretext stop in violation of his Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure. At the suppression hearing, Deputy Williams testified as to the accuracy of the radar he used the night of the traffic stop. Deputy Williams testified that the radar was affixed to the patrol car he drove every day for approximately six years. Deputy Williams stated that he checked the accuracy of the radar by balancing the speed displayed by the radar with the speed displayed on the speedometer of his vehicle. If he detected a discrepancy, Deputy Williams would use another method to check the radar's accuracy. Deputy Williams also testified that the radar had never had any discrepancies since he began using it and that [i]t works the way it is supposed to and displays accurate information. The magistrate judge recommended denying the motion, finding that the traffic stop was supported by probable cause that Fuehrer was driving in excess of the speed limit. The magistrate judge also found that there was no evidence that the dog sniff prolonged the traffic stop. The district court subsequently adopted the magistrate judge's recommendation.

Following the denial of his motion to suppress, Fuehrer entered a guilty plea. The probation office prepared a presentence investigation report (PSR), which designated Fuehrer as a career offender. As a career offender, Fuehrer's base offense level increased from level 26 to level 34. The PSR determined that Fuehrer was a career offender based on two prior convictions for controlled substance offenses. On December 3, 1998, Fuehrer was arrested for possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. Fuehrer pled guilty in state court and was sentenced on September 10, 1999. On May 25, 2000, Fuehrer was arrested for the distribution of cocaine base in controlled purchases from October 21, 1998; October 26, 1998; and December 21, 1998. Fuehrer was indicted in the Northern District of Iowa and pled guilty to Count 1, which involved distribution of cocaine base on October 21, 1998. Fuehrer was sentenced on August 20, 2001.

Fuehrer objected to his designation as a career offender. He argued that the prior controlled-substance convictions were related and should not be counted separately. The district court applied the career offender enhancement and sentenced Fuehrer to 188 months' imprisonment.

II.

A. Fuehrer's Fourth Amendment Rights

This Court reviews the facts supporting a district court's denial of a motion to suppress for clear error and reviews its legal conclusions de novo. United States v. Cotton, 782 F.3d 392, 395 (8th Cir. 2015). This court will affirm the district court's denial of a motion to suppress evidence unless it is unsupported by substantial evidence, based on an erroneous interpretation of applicable law, or, based on the entire record, it is clear a mistake was made. United States v. Hogan, 539 F.3d 916, 921 (8th Cir. 2008) (quoting United States v. Annis, 446 F.3d 852, 855 (8th Cir. 2006)).

1. The Traffic Stop

Fuehrer contends that the traffic stop in this case was merely pretextual. Pretextual traffic stops are a violation of the Fourth Amendment. United States v. Eldridge, 984 F.2d 943, 947 (8th Cir. 1993). However, if police observe a traffic violation, no matter how minor, there is probable cause to stop the vehicle. United States v. Mendoza, 677 F.3d 822, 827 (8th Cir. 2012); Eldridge, 984 F.2d at 948. Subjective intentions play no role in ordinary, probable-cause Fourth Amendment analysis. Whren v. United States, 517 U.S. 806, 813 (1996). Once an officer has probable cause, the stop is objectively reasonable and any ulterior motivation on the officer's part is irrelevant. United States v. Frasher, 632 F.3d 450, 453 (8th Cir. 2011) (quotation omitted). Similarly, it is irrelevant that the officer would have ignored the violation but for his ulterior motive. Id.

Because Deputy Williams had an objectively reasonable basis to believe Fuehrer was speeding, Deputy Williams had probable cause for the traffic stop. See United States v. Coney, 456 F.3d 850, 857 (8th Cir. 2006) (We completely agree  that [the officer] had probable cause to stop the  van because he objectively had a reasonable basis for believing that the van was speeding.). Such probable cause existed regardless of any motivation to search for drugs. Fuehrer argues that there was no probable cause because of the standard deviation on radar equipment of at least one mile per hour. At the suppression hearing, Deputy Williams testified that he received training in the use of stationary radar and that, prior to joining the drug task force, he used stationary radar nearly every day. Deputy Williams stated he was assigned to his patrol vehicle in 2009 and the radar has been affixed to the vehicle's dash and windshield the entire time. Further, Deputy Williams testified that he checked the accuracy of the radar he used the night of the traffic stop earlier that day and had no reason to believe the radar was not functioning correctly. Finally, the standard deviation of radar equipment that Fuehrer relies on is associated with the tuning fork method of testing the radar, which Deputy Williams did not use the day of the traffic stop. As a result, Deputy Williams' observation of the traffic violation based on his use of the radar gave him probable cause to stop the vehicle, and his subjective intent to detain the vehicle for a dog-sniff search is irrelevant.

2. The Dog Sniff

Fuehrer argues that he was unconstitutionally detained while officers executed the dog sniff. [I]f a defendant is detained incident to a traffic stop, the officer does not need reasonable suspicion to continue the detention until the purpose of the traffic stop has been completed. United States v. Ovando-Garzo, 752 F.3d 1161, 1163 (8th Cir. 2014) (alteration in original) (quoting United States v. Bueno, 443 F.3d 1017, 1025 (8th Cir. 2006)). An officer may complete routine tasks during a traffic stop, which can include a computerized check of the vehicle's registration and the driver's license and criminal history, as well as the preparation of a citation or warning.  Id. (quoting United States v. Quintero-Felix, 714 F.3d 563, 567 (8th Cir. 2013)). However, once an officer finishes the tasks associated with a traffic stop, the purpose of the traffic stop is complete and further detention  would be unreasonable unless something that occurred during the traffic stop generated the necessary reasonable suspicion to justify further detention [.]  Id. at 116364 (alterations in original) (quoting United States v. Flores, 474 F.3d 1100, 1103 (8th Cir. 2007)).

The Supreme Court has held that the use of a well-trained narcotics-detection dog  during a lawful traffic stop, generally does not implicate legitimate privacy interests. Illinois v. Caballes, 543 U.S. 405, 409 (2005). A seizure that is justified solely by the interest in issuing a warning ticket to the driver can become unlawful if it is prolonged beyond the time reasonably required to complete that mission. Id. at 407. Thus, as long as a traffic stop is not extended in order for officers to conduct a dog sniff, the dog sniff is lawful.

In this case, Deputy Kearney arrived within two minutes of Deputy Williams initiating the traffic stop. Because Fuehrer did not have a license, Deputy Williams asked Fuehrer to sit in the patrol car while he completed paperwork. Deputy Kearney conducted the dog sniff while Fuehrer was in the patrol car. Deputy Williams completed the tasks related to the traffic stop and wrote Fuehrer a warning after the dog sniff was complete and the dog had alerted to the presence of narcotics. Thus, there is no evidence that the dog sniff unlawfully prolonged the traffic stop beyond what was necessary to complete the stop. Fuehrer's reliance on Rodriguez v. United States, 135 S. Ct. 1609 (2015), is misplaced. In Rodriguez, the officer had already issued the driver a warning before conducting the dog-sniff search. Id. at 1613. The Supreme Court held that the search was unlawful because it prolonged the traffic stop at issue in that case. Id. at 161516. The facts just set forth distinguish the instant case from Rodriguez.

B. Sentencing

Fuehrer argues that his two prior convictions are related under U.S.S.G.  4A1.2(a)(2) and, thus, he does not qualify as a career offender. We review de novo the district court's construction and interpretation of the criminal history provisions of the sentencing guidelines, and we review for clear error the district court's application of the guidelines to the facts. United States v. Williams, 533 F.3d 673, 676 (8th Cir. 2008) (quoting United States v. Borer, 412 F.3d 987, 99192 (8th Cir. 2005)).

Under the Guidelines, a defendant is a career offender if

(1) the defendant was at least eighteen years old at the time of the instant conviction; (2) the instant offense of conviction is a felony that is either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense; and (3) the defendant has at least two prior felony convictions of either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense.

U.S.S.G.  4B1.1(a). Prior convictions must be counted separately to satisfy the two prior felony convictions requirement. Id.  4B1.2(c).

Prior sentences always are counted separately if the sentences were imposed for offenses that were separated by an intervening arrest (i.e., the defendant is arrested for the first offense prior to committing the second offense). If there is no intervening arrest, prior sentences are counted separately unless (A) the sentences resulted from offenses contained in the same charging instrument; or (B) the sentences were imposed on the same day. Treat any prior sentence covered by (A) or (B) as a single sentence.

Id.  4A1.2(a)(2).

Fuehrer committed the federal predicate offense on October 21, 1998 and the state predicate offense on December 3, 1998. Fuehrer was arrested for the state offense on December 3, 1998, but was not arrested on the federal offense until May 25, 2000. As a result, his two prior offenses are not separated by an intervening arrest. See Williams, 533 F.3d at 67677. Further, the Government concedes that there was no intervening arrest.

Because there was no intervening arrest, we consider whether Fuehrer's prior sentences resulted from offenses contained in the same charging instrument or were imposed on the same day. See U.S.S.G.  4A1.2(a)(2). Fuehrer was charged in separate charging instruments, one in state court and one in federal court. Further, Fuehrer's sentences for his prior convictions were imposed on different days. Fuehrer's sentence for his state conviction was imposed on September 10, 1999. Fuehrer's sentence for his federal conviction was imposed on August 20, 2001. As a result, these two convictions should be counted separately as two prior felony convictions for controlled substance offenses.

Fuehrer nevertheless argues that his two prior convictions should be counted together because they were part of a single course of conduct. Fuehrer asserts that the conduct underlying his state conviction was part of the same criminal scheme, and was committed during the same time period, as the federal offense. Thus, Fuehrer claims his state conviction was relevant to his federal conviction and they should be counted together. This argument, however, is based on an erroneous reading of the Guidelines and ignores the straightforward application of U.S.S.G.  4A1.2(a)(2).

Fuehrer claims specifically that, under U.S.S.G.  4A1.2(a)(1), his federal conviction in 2001 is the instant offense and that the conduct underlying his state conviction in 1999 was part of the instant offense. However, under the Guidelines, instant offense refers to the current offense for which a defendant is being sentenced. U.S.S.G.  1B1.1 cmt. n.1(H). In the context of the career-offender analysis, a prior sentence will not be counted if it is for conduct relevant to the instant offense. See id.  4A1.2 cmt. n.1.

In this case, Fuehrer's instant offense is possession of methamphetamine on January 11, 2015. Fuehrer's prior state and federal convictions, in 1999 and 2001, respectively, for distributing crack cocaine do not involve the same underlying conduct as his 2015 possession of methamphetamine. Thus, neither conviction is relevant to the instant offense. Fuehrer's argument incorrectly applies the Guidelines. As a result, based on the correct career-offender analysis, Fuehrer has two qualifying prior convictions. The district court did not err by sentencing Fuehrer as a career offender.

III.

For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgment of the district court.

FOOTNOTES

. The Honorable Linda R. Reade, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa.

. Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).

. The Honorable Jon S. Scoles, United States Chief Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Iowa.

MELLOY, Circuit Judge.
Bahrain government has drawn up a strategic roads network plan that would cost tens of millions of dinars in co-ordination with the works, municipalities affairs and urban planning ministry, said a report.



However, its details cannot be revealed yet because the national budget for 2017-2018 has not been finalised, Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf told MPs, according to the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

For futher details visit http://www.gdnonline.com
Saudi Aramco and Siemens have inked several agreements to collaborate in the fields of renewable energy, research and development, as well as digitalization in the oil & gas industry during the recent IKTVA Forum in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.



Amin Nasser, president and CEO of Saudi Aramco, said: Saudi Aramcos agreements with Siemens resonates with the overall goals of the IKTVA programme where partners collaborate closely to drive additional domestic value creation, support the Kingdoms economic transformation and enable the future prosperity of the Kingdom. The participation of partners like Siemens in IKTVA is crucial to enabling a sustainable and competitive world-class Saudi energy sector.



The In Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) programme, which marked its first anniversary at the IKTVA Forum this month, is instrumental in leveraging opportunities to drive additional domestic value creation and support a rapidly changing Saudi economy.



Joe Kaeser, president and CEO of Siemens AG, said: While factors such as economics, technology and organizational capability continue to drive competition, the localization of value chains in Saudi Arabia is a compelling driver for the Kingdoms Vision 2030. Our strategy resonates with this approach because we believe that business must add lasting value to communities. Localization is therefore critical for further advancing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.



Siemens investments in the expansion of its local footprint expansion across the value chain translates into creating quality jobs for Saudi nationals, enhancing innovation, economic diversification and increased global competitiveness for the Kingdom.



Furthermore, Siemens signed an MoU with the MiSK Foundation, an independent non-profit organization that aims to advance youth development in technology, business and arts. The MoU outlines the joint intention to expose a greater number of Saudi youth to advanced technologies, to expand the Kingdoms tech community, and to develop the next generation of business leaders and experts in digital technology.



Arja Talakar, CEO of Siemens Saudi Arabia, added: Our partnerships with stakeholders in Saudi Arabia are fully in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 and with the IKTVA objectives. Our joint activities tremendously contribute to the objectives of high-tech development in the Kingdom, create new and highly qualified jobs for Saudi citizens, diversify local industries, drive energy efficiency and advance the environmental aspects in the Kingdom.  TradeArabia News Service
Four Points by Sheraton, Bur Dubai, has launched its first Italian restaurant, Ricetta.



Ricetta features the authentic ambience of an Italian trattoria with mustard yellow walls, endearing red and white checkered tablecloths and black and white posters featuring scenes from Italy.



Ricettas dishes are made with bona fide Italian ingredients to enhance the flavours of home-cooked Italian meals. Guests are offered such classics as Gamberi Piccanti or Ossobucco alla Milanese, in addition to numerous vegetarian options.



Guests may also experience a number of homemade dishes including homemade ravioli featuring pumpkin and cheese (Provola Affumicata) or lamb and broccoli (Agnello e Broccoli), the statement said.



Multilingual head chef Alex Sebastianutti hails from a 13-year career and extensive expertise in the realms of Italian cuisine and fine dining. The Italian chefs professional culinary journey includes positions as Chef de Partie and Chef de Cuisine in Italy, Germany, Abu Dhabi and now Dubai.



Italian cooking calls for great recipes, high quality, authentic ingredients and a good dose of passion. You can be sure youll find the heartiest homemade meals at Ricetta the kind of meals that intrigue, satisfy and keep guests returning for more. High end comfort food at its finest, said Sebastianutti.  TradeArabia News Service




Meet award-winning artisans and buy their products at Kerala Arts and Crafts Village
In Wyoming, the bust rolled in as a blizzard of bad news. Its lasted almost two years. And what started as a problem for producers slowly crept along to other sectors, those that serve production operations in the oil fields. From forklift rental agencies to hotshot crews, myriad businesses depend on oil producers doing what they do best  drilling for oil.

However, a company that drills for oil and gas can wait only so long for prices to climb before finding a way to return to work. It is not a high-prices-or-bust scenario, producers say. Norms change. Payrolls contract. Operations shrink. Eventually, producers must return to business or have no business.

Over the second half of 2016, the price of oil has remained steady, and cautious hope for a stronger price in 2017 is widespread. As a result, Wyoming companies are slowly increasing activity in the oil fields. But this small surge has revealed just how bad things were for the service industry.

The hollowed-out sector cant yet meet the modest flow in demand, leaving some oil and gas companies waiting up to six months for service crews.

A gutted service sector

Nothing is done in Wyomings oil patches without the people, parts and equipment of service companies. There are a few larger firms, like Halliburton and Schlumberger, that are more present than not in Wyoming operations. Then there are hundreds of smaller operations, most based in Casper, Rock Springs and Gillette. Great and small were gutted in the bust.

They are having a devil of a time, said Peter Wold, CEO of his family company, Wold Oil Properties. The fact of the matter is these companies dont have much of an inventory.

Since a high in 2014, Halliburton, the most prolific oil field service firm in Wyoming, has shed about 27,000 jobs as a result of the downturn. The Houston-based company cut 25 jobs in Casper in last year.

With producers across the U.S. making small gains, Halliburton has shifted, slightly, toward bringing workers back, even in Wyoming.

At this point, we are hiring for a few positions in the Casper area, but the majority of our hiring is taking place in other areas of the U.S. where drilling activity is increasing more rapidly, said Emily Hir, director of public relations for the company.

It will be a modest increase for Wyoming  likely fewer than 20 employees. The boost pales in comparison to the losses suffered across the sector in the state. Wyoming had 1,400 fewer oil and gas jobs this November compared with last year.

The challenge for these companies is re-flushing the ranks to keep up with demand.

Many of their former workers have likely left the state or found other employment, said Mark Watson, supervisor of the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

They will have to hire and retrain a workforce.

You lay that many people off  what happens when things get busy? he said. You cant just call them up and say come back to work.

Wold, the family oil man, brought two rigs down to drill east of Casper in the fall. The company intended to capitalize on the low costs in drilling, parts and personnel.

Since then, an international service company has reneged on a contract, unable to provide personnel. A search for a drill bit and a motor stretched across the country, ending many weeks later, in the case of the bit, in California.

Its a hurdle that producers are eager to see their comrades overcome.

Its tough right now for the (producing) companies that do want to get busy, said Timm Smith, vice president of engineering for Casper-based Nerd Gas. I hate to say it, but you are somewhat at the mercy of the service company.

An industry on sale

Smaller firms are fielding the calls, but they have their own challenges. The market has evolved since the bust, some say.

Trilliant Oilfield Services used to hire out roustabout teams of 10 to 15 guys along with rentals of dumb iron  equipment that doesnt require employees to run. Now they are down to three guys, said sales manager Wolf Baldwin.

The way he sees it, the entire service industry is on sale, like a Black Friday event thats lingered. The rollback of prices appeared to have no end.

Since the bust, rig companies have tried to become a one-stop shop. They are now buying the type of equipment Alliant used to rent, as well as hiring crews to do the job Trilliants employees once did, Baldwin said.

Were seeing an uptick, but there is a different business model, he said.

Meanwhile, oil rig daily rates are so low that rigs are jumping from site to site the best they can to make up, Baldwin said.

I think that service crunch will probably get worse before it gets better, said Smith, the Nerd Gas engineer. I do see a lot of companies starting to pick up and wanting to get a little more active.

Even as evidence for a return to drilling emerges, the numbers remain grim.

This September, oil production was down by 22 percent from September 2015, said Watson, the state oil and gas regulator.

However, there are promising numbers as well. There were 6,487 application for permits to drill between January and November. Last year there were 5,314 in that span.

The APDs signal intentions to drill in the future, not necessarily an immediate uptick in production, Watson said.

The question now is are they completing those wells, said Jim Robinson, an economist for the states Economic Analysis Division. Completion requires crews, parts and construction  service sector work.

The trouble with finding service for the oil fields is unsurprising, producers say. Its part of the commodity cycle.

When busts come along, the service sector in places like Casper holds on a little longer, said Smith, from Nerd Gas. On the other side, as a bust levels out, the sector lags again, he said.

Things will get better, most say, holding out hope in the rhythm of the boom and bust cycle. Ultimately, the demand for service jobs will bring in workers despite less than boom prices.

People get used to it. Some of those companies, thats all you do, drill and produce oil and gas, Smith said. At a certain point, you have to go back to doing it.
Scholarship notice

The Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration  Central Wyoming Section offers up to four $2,500 scholarships, the Coates, Wolff, Russell, & Swank Memorial Scholarship. Applicant must have graduated from a Wyoming high school, must be enrolled full-time for the 2016-2017 academic year, upperclassmen  current college sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student, enrolled in mining/mineral extraction-related discipline, and have a 3.0 GPA minimum. Application forms are available by email request to smecasper@gmail.com

Auto club hosts brunch

Oil Capitol Auto Club will start off the New Year with a great breakfast at the Ramada on the River. All members are reminded that there will be a New Years Brunch at 10 a.m., on Jan. 1, 2017. The cost is $20 per person. Also yearly dues will be due in January as well. Call Jerry Russell at 577-7119 for questions and to make a reservation. A head count is very important. Lets start the New Year with a good meal and fellowship.

Pork chops at

Elks Jan. 6

Friday Night Feed at the Elks Lodge on Jan. 6 is pork chops and fixings. Cost is $7 per person, serving from 6 to 7 p.m. or until gone. Members, significant other and guest accompanied by a member. For more information call 234-4839. Stay and play games for the Family Game Night in the Elks library.

Republican women elect officers

Natrona County Republican Women announce the officers for 2017-2018 term. The officers are president, Laura Johnson; vice president, Rachel Allen; secretary, Hope Herbst and treasurer, Marcie Buchholz. The officers will be inducted at the meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017 by WFRW president Amy Womack. The meeting will be at Boscos Italian Restaurante on the corner of N. Jefferson & A street at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is $15 and $17 for gluten free. Please join us in welcoming the new officers and what they have planned for NCRW. Reservations can be made by e-mailing ncrwmember@gmail.com or calling 215-9749. Please RSVP no later than Jan. 6, 2017.

OCAC awards scholarships

The Oil Capitol Auto Club would like to introduce the recipients of the veterans scholarship awards for 2016. These scholarships are awarded each year to deserving Casper College students from the proceeds of the Memorial Day Car Show. Everyone who attends the show and all of the sponsors generously contribute to the educational advancement of our service men and women here in Wyoming. All of these recipients have served our country honorably and are pursuing their educational goals and life after their service. The OCAC is proud to help them along the trail toward their educational goals and wish them all of the best. The 2016 scholarships to Casper College were awarded to Adam Stamp, Brian Hiser, Ariel Wagner, and Colton Sasser. To all of our men and women in uniform, and to these students, thank you for your service, and good luck.

Civil Air Patrol meets

Civil Air Patrol meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Casper National Guard Armory, 5905 CY Ave. For more information, call 259-0855.

Stammtisch at Applebees

After Jan. 5, the Casper German Stammtisch is meeting weekly on Thursdays at Applebees from 6:30 to 8 p.m. New this year  on the second Thursday of each month we will focus on speaking German! All ability levels are welcome, as long as they are eager to hear German.
Scholarship notice

The Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration  Central Wyoming Section offers up to four $2,500 scholarships, the Coates, Wolff, Russell, & Swank Memorial Scholarship. Applicant must have graduated from a Wyoming high school, must be enrolled full-time for the 2016-2017 academic year, upperclassmen  current college sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student, enrolled in mining/mineral extraction-related discipline, and have a 3.0 GPA minimum. Application forms are available by email request to smecasper@gmail.com

Bonander speaks at Reveille

Global hunter Rick Bonander will speak at the 7 a.m., Wednesday meeting of Reveille Rotary at the Casper Senior Center. He is president of Inter-Mountain Pipe and Threading Company, which he started in 1982.

This presentation will be on Ricks hunt in Tajikistan for Marco Polo Sheep and Ibex on the roof of the world.

Pork chops

at Elks on Jan. 6

Friday Night Feed at the Elks Lodge on Jan. 6 is pork chops and fixings. Cost is $7 per person, serving from 6 to 7 p.m. or until gone. Members, significant other and guest accompanied by a member. For more information call 234-4839. Stay and play games for the Family Game Night in the Elks library.

Republican women

elect officers

Natrona County Republican Women announce the officers for 2017-2018 term. The officers are president, Laura Johnson; vice president, Rachel Allen; secretary, Hope Herbst and treasurer, Marcie Buchholz. The officers will be inducted at the meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017 by WFRW president Amy Womack. The meeting will be at Boscos Italian Restaurante on the corner of N. Jefferson & A street at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is $15 and $17 for gluten free. Please join us in welcoming the new officers and what they have planned for NCRW. Reservations can be made by e-mailing ncrwmember@gmail.com or calling 215-9749. Please RSVP no later than Jan. 6, 2017.

OCAC awards scholarships

The Oil Capitol Auto Club would like to introduce the recipients of the veterans scholarship awards for 2016. These scholarships are awarded each year to deserving Casper College students from the proceeds of the Memorial Day Car Show. Everyone who attends the show and all of the sponsors generously contribute to the educational advancement of our service men and women here in Wyoming. All of these recipients have served our country honorably and are pursuing their educational goals and life after their service. The OCAC is proud to help them along the trail toward their educational goals and wish them all of the best. The 2016 scholarships to Casper College were awarded to Adam Stamp, Brian Hiser, Ariel Wagner, and Colton Sasser. To all of our men and women in uniform, and to these students, thank you for your service, and good luck.

Civil Air Patrol meets

Civil Air Patrol meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Casper National Guard Armory, 5905 CY Ave. For more information, call 259-0855.

Stammtisch at Applebees

After Jan. 5, the Casper German Stammtisch is meeting weekly on Thursdays at Applebees from 6:30 to 8 p.m. New this year  on the second Thursday of each month we will focus on speaking German! All ability levels are welcome, as long as they are eager to hear German.
Saturday support meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous: 9:30 a.m., womens meeting, 500 S. Wolcott; 10 a.m., 328 E. A; noon, 500 S. Wolcott; 7 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 8 p.m, 328 E. A; 8 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 10 p.m., 917 N. Beech. Douglas: 7:30 p.m., 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back). Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are open. Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: (307) 351-1688.

Al-Anon: 10 a.m., 4600 S. Poplar, Shepherd of the Hills Church, New Starts. Nonsmoking.

Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 6 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club, closed meeting; 7 p.m., 15th and Melrose, at the church. Web site: http://www.urmrna.org.

Bonander speaks at Reveille

Global hunter Rick Bonander will speak at the 7 a.m., Wednesday meeting of Reveille Rotary at the Casper Senior Center. He is president of Inter-Mountain Pipe and Threading Company, which he started in 1982.

This presentation will be on Ricks hunt in Tajikistan for Marco Polo Sheep and Ibex on the roof of the world.

Kick-off for new Alzheimers event set

Volunteers from Wyoming will join people across the globe to honor those facing Alzheimers disease by participating in The Longest Day on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. The Wyoming chapter of the Alzheimers Association is kicking off The Longest Day with a statewide online party, and everyone is invited! The party will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 5:30 p.m. All you need to join is an internet connection and computer, tablet or similar device.

The Longest Day is all about love. Love for all those affected by Alzheimers disease. On the summer solstice, people across the world will join the Alzheimers Association to do an activity they love  or an activity loved by those affected  to help end Alzheimers. Together, we will raise funds and awareness for care and support while advancing research toward the first survivor of Alzheimers.

To register for the Virtual Kick-Off Party, contact Janet at jlewis@alz.org by Jan. 4 to receive log on information and your party kit.

Alzheimers disease is a growing epidemic and the nations sixth-leading cause of death. More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimers, including over 9,100 in Wyoming.

To start a team or learn more about The Longest Day, visit alz.org/thelongestday. For more information about Alzheimers disease, visit the Alzheimers Association at alz.org.

Self-help classes set

Conscious Co-Creation/Self-Transformation & Healing will be taught Jan. 21 and 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., in person at the Agricultural Learning Resources building on Fairgrounds Rd in Casper and also via live webinar. Its not too late to take advantage of the Early Bird Registration discount! Regular tuition pricing goes into effect on Jan. 7. Also, be sure to visit my website Home page and click on the Special Offers link to see the additional Bring A Friend discount!

In this seminar/playshop, we will learn how the universal and physical laws of creation work together to form our daily experience, how modern physics bears out what the ascended masters have known for eons, and how to become aware ofand instantly start changingthe patterns of consciousness that are preventing you from realizing your best potentials for a joyful, truly fulfilling life. Join me for this expansive, life-changing class!

For a full class description and registration information, visit: www.cathyhazeladams.com/pp/classes-webinars-event/

Conscious Co-Creation, Part Two: Field Play, Feb. 18, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., offered in person at the Agricultural Learning Resources building on Fairgrounds Rd in Casper and also via live webinar.

In this follow-up to Conscious Co-Creation Part One, well explore in depth some of the ideas and skills gained in Conscious Co-Creation. Well workshop more fleld of the heart exercises, look at different healing modalities and learn why, ultimately all healing comes through the heart. Well also PLAY with idea fields, which are the very building blocks of our experience!

Prerequisite: Conscious Co-Creation/Self-Transformation & Healing

For a full class description and registration information, visit: www.cathyhazeladams.com/pp/classes-webinars-event/

Living from the Heart: The Key to Peace, Freedom & Creative Empowerment, Feb. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offered in person at the Agricultural Learning Resources building on Fairgrounds Rd in Casper and also via live webinar.

In this new four-hour class/playshop, well learn what the field of the heart really is, practice easy, practical ways to go into Heart field, and learn how to live every day from this place of peace, love, well-being and personal empowerment. When you start living from the Heart, your life immediately changes for the better! No prerequisite.

For a full class description and registration information, visit: www.cathyhazeladams.com/pp/classes-webinars-event/
Several people with binoculars and cameras at the ready huddled around a cluster of Russian olive trees at Hells Gate State Park in Lewiston, Idaho on Wednesday.

They watched, whispered and waited for a small, olive-colored bird with a brush of yellow under its wing and a distinctive blue tail to make an appearance.

It soon did, and the birders lifted binoculars to their eyes and snapped photos as the bird proceeded to flit about the trees and occasionally land in the grass just 10 yards from their feet.

For dedicated bird watchers, the small bird is a huge deal. They are now among only a handful of people who have laid eyes on a red-flanked bluetail while standing on North American soil.

This is only the second time its been in the Lower 48 states, said Russ Morgan. This is a very, very rare bird.

So rare that people will travel far and wide to see it. Morgan and his wife Dana Reid drove to Lewiston from La Grande, Ore., for the chance to add the bird to their life lists, the tally of avian species that birders keep.

Scott ODonnell drove to Lewiston from his home in Troy, Ore., to see the bird. He speculated that the pretty little female soon would draw in people from much farther away.

If it stays, people will be flying in from all over the country to see it, said the fishing outfitter and avid birder.

Almost on cue, Jeff Rusinow approached the group holding a pair of binoculars. He flew in from Milwaukee, Wis., solely to see the rare visitor.

Im a lister. I keep a life list so Ill get on a plane to get a new bird, he said. I think this bird will be my 17th new bird this year.

The bird was first spotted Monday by John Hanna of Lewiston during a monthly trip he makes to count raptors. He didnt immediately know what it was but had an inkling it was special.

I knew there was something different about the bird so when I saw it I spent a couple of hours trying to get a photo of it, he said.

It wasnt until he returned home and had a chance to pore over guidebooks that he realized it was a red-flanked bluetail. His posting quickly attracted the attention of local birders and then began radiating outward. On Tuesday, Hanna returned to Hells Gate and was able to meet many of the incoming birders, including one who was in the home stretch of a big year  birders sometimes devote a calendar year to spot as many different species as they can. Hanna said the red-flanked bluetail was the 750th species the big year devotee had tallied.

Im glad a lot of people have gotten to see it, Hanna said. It was fun just to meet a lot of interesting birders and talk with them a bit.

Lewiston resident Keith Carlson, president of the Canyon Birders, spent much of Tuesday photographing the bird. He met people from Boise and Missoula, Mont., who dropped everything and fought through terrible winter driving conditions for the chance to add the bird to their lists.

She is unusual, he said. They are normally in Siberia and other parts of Asia and winter in southeast Asia.

Why the bird is spending time in north central Idaho is anybodys guess.

Its a Siberian bird that winters in Asia and somehow took a wrong turn, Morgan, a wildlife biologist, speculated. Its by far the rarest bird Ive ever seen.

On Wednesday, like the day before, the bird seemed to stay in a small area but often would disappear from sight for several minutes. The birders visited while waiting for it to return.

Patience is a virtue when birding, said Terry OHalloran of Lewiston.

It was in one of its elusive periods when Rusinow arrived and was forced to exercise patience. When it finally reappeared, it did so fleetingly. He spotted the bird, but only briefly.

Youve got to get a satisfying look and Im not there yet, he said.

Perhaps another 20 minutes later the bird was back and this time perched prominently on a branch.

That was a satisfying look, I saw the blue and everything, he said. Awesome.
United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit. United States of America Plaintiff - Appellee v. Arthur Lee Starks, Jr. Defendant - Appellant No. 16-1874 Decided: December 28, 2016

Before RILEY, Chief Judge, WOLLMAN and SMITH, Circuit Judges.

Arthur Lee Starks, Jr. pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C.  922(g)(1). He appeals from his sentence of 80 months' imprisonment, arguing that the district court erroneously calculated his offense level under  2K2.1(a)(4)(A) of the United States Sentencing Guidelines Manual (U.S.S.G. or Guidelines) because his underlying Arkansas conviction for domestic battering in the third degree was not a crime of violence within the meaning of that section. He also argues that his sentence is substantively unreasonable because the district court considered an improper factor in varying upward from the Guidelines range. We affirm.

The presentence report (PSR) calculated Starks's advisory sentencing range under the 2014 version of the Guidelines. The PSR determined that Starks had a total criminal history score of 10 and thus that his criminal history category was V. The PSR also determined that the base offense level was 20 under U.S.S.G.  2K2.1(a)(4)(A), because Starks committed the felon-in-possession offense after sustaining a felony conviction for a crime of violence, namely, a 2008 Arkansas conviction for domestic battering in the third degree, second offense, in violation of Arkansas Code Annotated  5-26-305. The PSR recommended a 2-level reduction for acceptance of responsibility. The district court adopted the PSR and granted a 3-level reduction for acceptance of responsibility. Based on a total offense level of 17 and a criminal history category of V, the district court calculated an advisory sentencing range of 46 to 57 months. The district court varied upward from the Guidelines range and imposed a sentence of 80 months, giving the following explanation:

The justification for my upward variance from the guideline range is Mr. Starks' consistent and violent criminal history. It is to protect the public from the situation that now Mr. Starks is in possession of a firearm which, in the Court's opinion, will escalate that future danger to the public as well as to his family. It's also to address his needs for his alcohol problems and perhaps his mental health needs.

Starks first argues that the district court committed procedural error in calculating his Guidelines range because Arkansas Code Annotated  5-26-305 does not qualify as a crime of violence under U.S.S.G.  2K2.1(a)(4)(A). We review de novo a district court's interpretation and application of the guidelines. United States v. Rice, 813 F.3d 704, 705 (8th Cir. 2016). As relevant here, the Guidelines define a crime of violence as an offense that is punishable by more than one year's imprisonment and that has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another. U.S.S.G.  4B1.2(a). To determine whether a prior conviction was for a crime of violence, we apply a categorical approach, looking to the elements of the offense as defined in the  statute of conviction rather than to the facts underlying the defendant's prior conviction.  Rice, 813 F.3d at 705 (quoting United States v. Dawn, 685 F.3d 790, 794 (8th Cir. 2012)). If the statute of conviction is divisible in that it encompasses multiple crimes, some of which are crimes of violence and some of which are not, we apply a modified categorical approach to look at the charging document, plea colloquy, and comparable judicial records' for determining which part of the statute the defendant violated. Id. (quoting Dawn, 685 F.3d at 794-95). We then determine whether a violation of that statutory subpart is a crime of violence. Id.

The district court did not err in determining that Starks's 2008 third-degree domestic battering conviction was for a crime of violence. At the time of conviction, Arkansas Code Annotated  5-26-305 provided:

(a) A person commits domestic battering in the third degree if:

(1) With the purpose of causing physical injury to a family or household member, the person causes physical injury to a family or household member;

(2) The person recklessly causes physical injury to a family or household member;

(3) The person negligently causes physical injury to a family or household member by means of a deadly weapon; or

(4) The person purposely causes stupor, unconsciousness, or physical or mental impairment or injury to a family or household member by administering to the family or household member, without the family or household member's consent, any drug or other substance.

Because this statute is divisible we apply the modified categorical approach. See United States v. Eason, 829 F.3d 633, 642 (8th Cir. 2016) (determining that Arkansas Code Annotated  5-26-305 is divisible in a case under the Armed Career Criminal Act). The felony information from Starks's underlying conviction alleged that Starks with the purpose of causing physical injury to a family or household member, did cause physical injury to [the victim], a family or household member. Reviewing the felony information at the sentencing hearing, the district court determined that Mr. Starks was being charged under [ ] Arkansas Code Annotated 5-26-305, and it appears further from the information that it was under paragraph (a)(1). The record thus establishes that Starks was convicted of violating subsection (a)(1) of  5-26-305. The only remaining question, then, is whether subsection (a)(1) has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another.

Our precedent establishes that subsection (a)(1) falls within the force clause of U.S.S.G.  4B1.2(a). In Rice, we held that a subsection of the Arkansas second-degree battery statute was a crime of violence. That subsection provided that a person commits second-degree battery if the person intentionally or knowingly, without legal justification, causes physical injury to one he knows to be a member of certain enumerated groups. Rice, 813 F.3d at 705. We reasoned that the defendant's conviction under this statute includes the use of violent force as an element since it is impossible to cause bodily injury without using force capable of producing that result.  Id. at 706 (quoting United States v. Castleman, 134 S. Ct. 1405, 1416-17 (2014) (Scalia, J., concurring)). And in United States v. Vinton, we held that a subsection of a Missouri assault statute ha[d] as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another because the subsection covered cases in which a person [a]ttempts to cause or knowingly causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. 631 F.3d 476, 485-86 (8th Cir. 2011). Starks argues that physical force is not an element of  5-26-305(a)(1) because it is possible to cause bodily injury intentionally without using physical force, and that other circuit courts that have considered the issue have come to that conclusion. But we considered these arguments in Rice, and still held that the offense in question was a crime of violence. See 813 F.3d at 706. Accordingly, under our precedent, Arkansas Code Annotated  5-26-305(a)(1) has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another and is thus a crime of violence under U.S.S.G.  4B1.2(a).

We see no reason to depart from our precedent in this case. Although one panel of this court ordinarily cannot overrule another panel, this rule does not apply when the earlier panel decision is cast into doubt by a decision of the Supreme Court. United States v. Williams, 537 F.3d 969, 975 (8th Cir. 2008) (emphasis removed) (quoting Patterson v. Tenet Healthcare, Inc., 113 F.3d 832, 838 (8th Cir. 1997)). Starks contends that Mathis v. United States, 136 S. Ct. 2243 (2016), supports his argument that Arkansas's domestic battering statute is broader than the crime of violence definition set forth in U.S.S.G.  4B1.2(a). In Mathis, the Supreme Court held that a defendant's prior convictions under an Iowa burglary statute were not crimes of violence under the Armed Career Criminal Act because the Iowa statute was broader than the generic offense of burglary in the Armed Career Criminal Act. The Court emphasized that in determining whether a prior conviction was for a crime of violence, courts must look to the elements of the offense, not the factual means by which an offense may be committed, even if the statute of conviction lists alternative factual means. The Iowa burglary statute reached any building, structure, [or] land, water, or air vehicle, but the generic offense of burglary covers only a building or other structure. Id. at 2250 (emphasis removed). The Court concluded that the locations listed in the Iowa statute are not alternative elements, going toward the creation of separate crimes, but instead they lay out alternative ways of satisfying a single locational element. Id. The Court based its conclusion largely on a decision of the Iowa Supreme Court, but it also instructed that if state law fails to provide clear answers, courts may look to the record materials, such as indictments, jury instructions, plea colloquies and plea agreements to determine whether the statute describes separate crimes or merely different ways of committing the same crime. Id. at 2256-57, 2257 n.7.

Mathis does not affect this case, because  5-26-305 sets forth alternative elements, not merely alternative ways of satisfying a single [ ] element. Id. at 2250. The statute clearly delineates alternative elements, and the judicial record establishes that Starks was charged under subsection (a)(1). Accordingly, application of the modified categorical approach was proper, and, applying that approach as discussed above, a violation of subsection (a)(1) constitutes a crime of violence.

Starks also argues that Voisine v. United States, 136 S. Ct. 2272 (2016), supports his position that Arkansas Code Annotated  5-26-305 does not have as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person of another. Starks points to an example used by the Court, in which it stated that letting a door slip while trying to hold it is not the use of force, even though the result is that the door catches someone's fingers, but slamming a door with someone following close behind is the use of force, whether the door was slammed with the certainty that someone's fingers would be caught or with only the awareness that catching someone's fingers was very likely. Id. at 2279. But the Court offered this example to support its holding that a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence under 18 U.S.C.  922(g)(9) includes an offense committed recklessly. See id. (Once again, the word use does not exclude from  922(g)(9)'s compass an act of force carried out in conscious disregard of its substantial risk of causing harm.). Because Voisine concerned the mens rea required for a use of force, it does not affect this case, in which subsection (a)(1) of  5-26-305 requires the purpose of causing injury to a family or household member.

Starks also alleges that his sentence is substantively unreasonable because the district court impermissibly based its upward variance on the need to address Starks's alcohol-treatment and mental-health needs, in violation of Tapia v. United States, 564 U.S. 319 (2011). Because Starks did not object on this basis before the district court, we review for plain error, under which the defendant must show: (1) an error; (2) that is plain; and (3) that affects substantial rights. United States v. Blackmon, 662 F.3d 981, 986 (8th Cir. 2011). The district court justified the sentence based on Starks's consistent and violent criminal history, as well as the need to protect his family and the public from the danger he poses by possessing a firearm. The district court then noted that its sentence was also to address his needs for his alcohol problems and perhaps his mental health needs. We acknowledge that the district court's statement can be read as going beyond merely discussing the opportunities for rehabilitation within prison, id. at 987 (quoting Tapia, 564 U.S. at 334), and we are reminded that Tapia forecloses district courts from imposing or lengthening a sentence to promote rehabilitation or facilitate a defendant's participation in a treatment program. Nevertheless, assuming that the district court erroneously considered Starks's needs for alcohol and mental-health treatment in imposing the sentence, Starks has not shown that he would have received a different sentence absent such error. See id. at 987 ([W]here the effect of the error on the result in the district court is uncertain or indeterminatewhere we would have to speculatethe appellant has not met his burden of showing a reasonable probability that the result would have been different but for the error. (quoting United States v. Pirani, 406 F.3d 543, 553 (8th Cir. 2005) (en banc))); see also United States v. Pickar, 666 F.3d 1167, 1169-70 (8th Cir. 2012) (citing Blackmon and holding no plain error in part because proper sentencing factors were dominant). Having failed to show that any error affected his substantial rights, Starks has thus not shown plain error.

The judgment is affirmed.

FOOTNOTES

. The Honorable James M. Moody, Jr., United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

. This definition is the force clause of the crime of violence definition. U.S.S.G.  4B1.2(a) also defines as a crime of violence any offense punishable by more than one year's imprisonment that either qualifies as one of certain enumerated offenses or falls within the residual clause. Because we conclude that the underlying Arkansas conviction in this case falls within the force clause, we do not consider the residual clause.

PER CURIAM.
How do four people whove never owned a retail space or worked in the beverage industry end up owning a boutique liquor store in Casper?

Like any good story about alcohol, its complicated and the timeline is blurry, but it also comes down to simple enjoyment.

We all love the product, co-owner Lauren Griffith explained, laughing.

Thats the name that Griffith, co-owner Linda Boatright and general manager Travis Winchell use for the wide variety of alcohol they sell. Its sales-speak, but its also a fair description. People view the drinks they sell more as a delight than an intoxicant, more a beverage to enjoy and explore than a bottle whose buzz is the goal.

It started more than three years ago, when Boatright and her husband, Art, heard that the old Pacific Fruit & Produce Co. building in the Old Yellowstone District was for sale. They brought in Griffith and her husband, John. They kicked around ideas. Maybe a restaurant. Maybe a bar. Maybe a retail space.

Eventually, the idea of Urban Bottle was born. Boatright and Griffith gushed about obtaining the retail liquor license  a typically expensive and difficult acquisition. But the city of Casper leased them the license, tying it to the building.

Boatright said the city has been a partner in the process, working with the owners as part of the citys effort to revitalize the Old Yellowstone District.

The city said, Would you be interested in a retail (liquor) license? she recalled. And we said, Heck, yeah.

They are enthusiastic. The women love wines. Art Boatright enjoys the beer. John Griffith is drawn to the spirits. But none was an expert.

Enter Winchell. Or maybe its more accurate to say he gently forced his entrance.

I kind of threw myself at the Boatrights, he joked. At the time, he was the food and beverage director at a country club, where he met them.

Not really! Linda Boatright objected, laughing. We thought, Wow, hes really showing us a lot of attention tonight. He was bringing us over little samples of wine.

So they brought him on board. Travis brought the wine wisdom and beer brilliance, and he does marketing through social media.

The original goal was to open the store in fall 2014.

That didnt happen. Though the four owners bought the entire space on Ash Street, the majority went to Raccas Pizzeria Napoletana. The owner of Raccas, Mark Dym, was an old friend of the Griffiths.

To save money, a lot of the renovation was done by John and Art, both of whom have a background in construction. The work took months, and getting the bar and grill license for Raccas added to delays. They had to change the entire design of the space during construction.

The pizzeria finally opened in August. Urban followed four months later, finally uncorking its first bottle in mid-December.

The newly completed space is open, with high ceilings and concrete and brick walls that are partially obscured by shelves of spirits. Wine racks, kept below head level so customers dont feel like theyre trapped in a maze, stand perpendicular to a row of refrigerators that contain a variety of beer.

Some of the spaces original wood is nailed above the back wall, over a small, L-shaped bar at which Urban Bottle hosts wine tastings twice a week. In the future, they plan to hold classes on mixology, wine pairings and more.

Boatright handles most of the tastings. Her book club has come through. Usually, she tries to pick an interesting, relatively inexpensive beverage of which the store has ample supply  just in case tasters want to become drinkers.

Urbans business model  selling a mix of interesting, unique drinks that are approachable and affordable for aficionados and average consumers alike  was partially dictated by the space. The character and history of the building called for something different.

The space lent itself perfectly for this, Griffith added. Its just perfect.

Boatright said they did some research, checking out similar boutique stores in Denver, Jackson and elsewhere in the country.

It was like, well, why doesnt Casper have a place like that instead of just these basic, run-of-the-mill grocery stores? Boatright said.

And in the more than two weeks that Urban has been open, customers have appreciated the difference. Winchell and the owners said business has been good so far, though its too early to start looking at trends. But they credit their unique approach with their early success.

Thats a component a lot of people miss out on: telling a story along with a bottle, Winchell said. They like the environment, the comfortable feel.

Were hoping this becomes a place where people  maybe they have to go out of their way, maybe not  but they want to come here because they get something they cant get anywhere else, Boatright added.

Winchell, Boatright and Griffith all talked about how much they enjoy running the business. They take pleasure in not only walking customers through the process of buying liquor or finding a new beer but also the joy they find personally in running the business and tasting their wares.

Everything we bring in here is picked out carefully and thoughtfully, Winchell said. We dont have 50 vodkas on the shelf, but we have a handful of select vodkas that are all interesting for different reasons.

The store offers hundreds of different kinds of wines, spirits and beer, the work of Winchell. The owners strive to offer a wide array of drinks at a variety of price points.

The social side  offering these beverages to customers  in particular has been worth the delays and effort.

Im surprised that so many people want to just hang out, Griffith said. That is the coolest thing.
Caspers effort to lower selenium levels in its water during the coming year will be tested in 2018 when the citys wastewater treatment plant must apply for a new permit from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.

If the DEQ finds that selenium levels are too high, it could require Casper to build a facility to remove the chemical, potentially costing the city up to $50 million.

We have been very concerned about pending potential EPA regulations that might require us to make some major upgrades, said councilman Charlie Powell at a Dec. 21 council meeting.

While the DEQ grants permits to wastewater plants, the agency relies on the federal Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.

Selenium is a heavy metal that naturally occurs in the Cody Shale formation that lies under most of Natrona County. Selenium can break off from the shale and become mixed with soil and leach into groundwater and irrigation runoff.

While small levels of selenium are healthy, in high levels the metal can be toxic to both humans and aquatic life. Humans can tolerate much higher levels than fish and waterfowl.

In 1998, the DEQ designated 37 miles of the North Platte River as an impaired waterway due to high selenium levels.

Based on 1999 regulations, the EPA currently allows the county to treat the high selenium levels by working with local landowners, especially those who irrigate, who wish to voluntarily reduce selenium runoff from their land.

Lisa Ogden of the Natrona County Conservation District said her organization encourages converting dirt ditches to pipelines and using sprinkler systems instead of flood irrigation to cut down on the amount of sitting water on land around the county.

That does minimize how much selenium is taken up into the water, Ogden said.

While Ogden said the county has seen a steady reduction in selenium levels since the 1990s, the risk faced by Casper is that new EPA recommendations might no longer allow the current pollution mitigation strategy of cutting down on selenium runoff across the county.

Instead, Casper may be forced to treat high selenium levels at a single point: the wastewater treatment facility.

Federal regulations currently require selenium to be kept below 5 micrograms per liter in waterways and below 50 micrograms per liter in drinking water.

Ogden said that based on monthly tests the North Platte River has exceeded the 5 microgram limit only three times in the last 15 years.

However, the wastewater treatment plant in Casper takes in water that has 8-12 micrograms of selenium per liter, according to public utilities manager Bruce Martin.

Its about 8 to 12 coming into the plant and about the same going out, Martin said.

But once the treated wastewater, with its high selenium levels, is deposited into the river, it disperses and falls below the EPA limits, Ogden said.

The new EPA recommendations are more detailed than the 1999 standards, but states are not required to adopt them.

The agency specifically noted that states can set their own site-specific regulations for selenium. Ogden said the hope is that when the wastewater treatment plants permit comes up for review in 2018 the DEQ will take into account the countys unique circumstances.

Ogden said concerns about selenium in water originated at mines where the chemical discharge killed birds and fish in huge numbers. In such cases it is easy to treat the source of pollution  a mine  and stop the selenium from entering waterways. But thats not the case in Natrona County.

We are sitting on the Cody Shale, she said. Its not like you can shut down geology.

If the new EPA recommendations do force single-point treatment, Martin said that will put the city in a jam because there is little that can be done at the Sam H. Robbs Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility  without spending tens of millions on a new facility  to lower selenium levels in the water it treats.

Council to spend $2M on wastewater plant upgrades Sometime in the next decade, Casper will likely have to spend anywhere from $24 million to $

As it sits right now, with our current treatment we wouldnt be able to meet a limit  depending on what that limit was, he said.

Martin said that the city was currently working with a consultant to explore options to reduce selenium levels at the wastewater plant and both the city and county fund the conservation district.

Ogdens work is focused on ensuring other waterways in the county, especially the North Platte River, have low enough selenium levels that the wastewater plants discharge does not bring the entire river above allowed thresholds.

If we keep it low in the river, then what comes through the wastewater plant will mix and be low enough, she said.

The DEQ employee who has been working on selenium issues in Natrona County was out of the office for the holidays and unable to comment.

Powell, the councilman, said the city was making progress but it appears that what happens over the next year will be a serious test for water treatment in the region.

EPA is watching us very closely, Powell said. We hope those levels will continue to come down so the EPA will say, Theyre low enough, youre safe and you dont have to spend $50 million.
Lights twinkle to the beat along the house and through the yard. A 21-foot Christmas tree, candy canes, a snowman, reindeer and Santa along with some more of his friends flash in the same dancing rhythms to holiday music on 98.1 FM. Its the Christmas in Wyoming light show at Whispering Springs Road.

A steady beam on the south side of the yard lights up the sign for a Joshuas Storehouse donation bin.

People have dropped off about 8,000 pounds of provisions for the food pantry since Brian Wagner and his family began the light show and drive for the food pantry about seven holiday seasons ago, he said.

The event has raised more than 500 pounds of food so far this year, he said.

Were trying to do this, everything, for the community, Brian said.

The light show will continue through New Years Day before likely coming down this week. The family plans to swap out some Christmas tunes for music to greet 2017, like maybe Flo Ridas Welcome to My House, Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO and Mariah Careys rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

Brian has spent many hours choreographing the light shows from his computer.

The show has grown from 2,000 lights to nearly 50,000 this year. Ten thousand lights form the cone-shaped large Christmas tree.

The whole family gets in on the act. Brians wife, Danielle Wagner, and their two daughters, Amanda, 11, and Haley, 15, helped decorate and choose music, and they gather and pack the food to take to Joshuas. The family also often hands out candy canes to their audiences.

This year a donor gave toys for the family to also give to kids who stopped by. Brian dressed as Santa to hand out the gifts.

Joshuas Storehouse executive director Kim Perez said its people like the Wagners who keep the food pantrys doors open and are a boon to the the community.

These are some of the most caring, giving people Ive ever met, she said. They are just so giving and ask for nothing back.

The show and food drive are a lot of work, but its also nice to help people and see them happy, Amanda said. Haley agreed, though shes conflicted with all the attention the house draws.

Christmas Eve brought a traffic jam in the normally quiet residential street in west Casper. The light show also has been featured on TV, the radio and in the newspaper.

The whole family once made the cover of a local magazine. Someone in Gillette even recently recognized the family on the street.

Sometimes it gets overwhelming, Haley said. Still, she thinks shell have a Christmas light show and food drive at her own home when she grows up.

The lights and decorations soon will retire for the year, but the familys efforts to help others wont. They recently expanded Christmas in Wyoming into a registered nonprofit to help youth in need participate in programs, camps and clinics for sports, arts and other activities.

The nonprofit will still be called Christmas in Wyoming, Danielle said, because Christmas is about giving back all year round.
United Blood Services is expanding its hours to make donations more convenient in both Casper and Cheyenne.

Throughout the winter months, blood donations can fall as much as 20 percent, and every two seconds every day of the year, a patient in the country needs a blood transfusion, according to UBS, a nonprofit blood collection service.

During the holidays there tends to be a drop because so many people are busy with extra activities, on vacation and or out of their normal routines, said marketing and communications specialist Liz Lambert.

Blood donation numbers usually peak during the school year, when we see more blood drives, Lambert said.

Lambert indicated that weather and illness are the biggest reasons blood donations drop during the winter months. If donors are not feeling well, they should wait until they recover before they donate, she said.

The Casper center, which had been open four to five days a week, will now be open every day except Tuesday.

The operating hours are also extended. UBS was open on Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. but is now open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Cheyenne UBS will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

According to the Red Cross, about 36,000 red blood cell units are needed each day in the United States. In Wyoming, Colorado and the Rapid City area combined, about 3,500 donations of one pint of blood each are needed every week.

To save time, donors can fill out a health history questionnaire at unitedbloodservices.org on the day of their contribution. All volunteers must be at least 16. Sixteen- and 17-year-old donors must be in good health and have a minor donor permit, which is available online.
CHEYENNE  Wyoming lawmakers are considering whether to restrict public access to state data on the movement of big-game animals.

Many elk, mule deer and antelope in Wyoming wear electronic data collars as researchers study how animals move across the landscape. The bill seeks to prevent hunters and poachers from using the data to track down game.

Another bill prepared for the upcoming legislative session would prevent the release of personal information about people who buy state hunting and fishing licenses.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department spokesman Renny MacKay said businesses and organizations use contact information to solicit hunters and anglers.

The Legislature's Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee is sponsoring the bills.
For the second year in a row, state lawmakers will attempt to pass an ambitious bill that would alter many aspects of sentencing and rehabilitation programs in the face of statewide worries about paying for preexisting programs and concern from some in the criminal justice system.

The bill, sponsored by the Joint Judiciary Committee, would implement wide-ranging changes to sentences for some offenders without previous felonies, early release requirements and probation and parole proceedings.

The goal is to keep criminals out of prisons for many nonviolent crimes or violations of probation and parole while also making sure they have better access to rehabilitation, said Sen. Leland Christensen, R-Alta, a chairman of the committee. Keeping and treating offenders in their own communities helps them stay employed and connected to their families, he said. The bill would reduce the number of inmates and save the Wyoming Department of Corrections money in the long run.

Not everybody needs to be locked up, Christensen, a former deputy sheriff with the Teton County Sheriffs Office, said. There are certainly those who need to be locked up at the get-go. But this is meant to give more tools to (judges, prosecutors and agents of probation and parole).

But others who work in the criminal justice system were concerned about the complicated repercussions the bill could cause.

Reform has a nice ring to it  but its really a get-out-of-jail-free card, one district attorney said.

Multifaceted reform

Although Wyoming has one of the lowest rates of recidivism in the country, Christensen said, it also has above-average lengths of incarceration. The bill, he hopes, will help reduce the number of years nonviolent offenders spend in prison while maintaining the low recidivism rate and keeping communities safe.

The bill would allow judges to halt court proceedings for offenders without a previous felony conviction who have been charged with a misdemeanor or a nonviolent felony. With the consent of the prosecution and the defendant, the judge could then place him or her on probation  up to three years for a misdemeanor and five years for a felony  and postpone a conviction pending the successful completion of the period. The conditions of the probation would be set by the judge.

People charged with murder, sexual assault in the first or second degree, aggravated assault and battery or arson in the first or second degree would not be eligible for probation under the proposed law. Similarly, a person charged with a second or subsequent misdemeanor offense of domestic battery, domestic assault or driving under the influence, would also not be eligible. However, people charged with crimes like robbery, fraud, child abuse, kidnapping, making a terroristic threat, all drug offenses and third-degree sexual assault and arson would be eligible for the new program.

If the defendant successfully completes the probationary period, the judge can dismiss the pending court proceedings and not convict the defendant of the crime. If they violate the rules of probation, the judge will hold a hearing and can choose to alter the conditions of the program, impose a sentence if the defendant has already been found guilty or continue the case to trial if not.

Another section of the bill allows more good time  or time deducted from a sentence as an award for good behavior  to be allocated to inmates and parolees.

The bill allows time to be deducted from the maximum and minimum limits of a prisoners sentence if he or she is complying with an individualized case plan, has served at least half of the maximum sentence and has no record of serious disciplinary actions. These changes will not apply to offenders serving time for a violent felony.

A parolee can also receive extra good time at the recommendation of their parole supervisor based on how well he or she is following through with the individualized case plan, as long as they have completed half of the time required and have had no documented contacts with police.

The bill also offers alternative punishments if a person breaks a condition of probation or parole instead of revoking it and sending them to prison. Instead, an offender could agree with this or her supervisor to spend two or three days in a county jail without appearing before a judge. A judge can also order offenders who repeatedly break probation or parole for drinking or using drugs to be detained in a county jail for a maximum of three months to attend outpatient substance abuse treatment.

The bill would also:

allow judges to require defendants to complete in-patient substance abuse treatment for up to 6 months as a condition of probation.

limit the amount of time offenders have to serve if they violate a condition of their parole to a maximum of four months for a first violation and six months for a second. However, this limit wouldnt apply if the offender broke parole by committing a separate felony or by absconding while on parole.

Potential consequences

While proponents of the bill said it would reduce spending, lower the prison population and better rehabilitate offenders, critics said the proposed law is too lenient and gives too much leeway to supervisors of probation and parole while stripping judges of control.

Gov. Matt Mead, a former federal prosecutor, said he was concerned about the judges role in the proceedings and whether offenders would be allowed correct due process. He said there was room for improvement but thought the bill could pass with some minor changes.

I think, as a whole, theres a lot of good things in there, like how we treat nonviolent offenders and those involved in substance abuse, he said in December at a meeting with Star-Tribune reporters. I think theres opportunities to recognize that some of the people we have in the penitentiary now could do just as well on parole and could be productive members of society.

Christensen said many of the changes to punishment for violations of probation and parole require the offenders consent and therefore do not deprive them of their rights.

Natrona County District Attorney Mike Blonigen said he was concerned that the bill would implement a cookie-cutter approach to crime and punishment that would disregard a persons background and the circumstances of the offense. Generally, a judge offers a neutral perspective and a knowledge of the offenders history when making decisions about probation and parole, but the bill would remove judges from many proceedings.

It reduces the criminal justice system to a stack of forms and an assembly line, he said.

While proponents of the bill have said it will help reduce prison overcrowding, Blonigen said he is hesitant to accept that explanation because in the past year he has seen more people discharged from the departments facilities than have been taken in.

As of Dec. 15, the Department of Corrections had a total of 2,169 inmates in its six facilities  about 81 percent of the facilities capacity.

He also said the bill gives a lot of power to the Department of Corrections and probation and parole services without also installing a system of checks and balances to hold them accountable. Corrections officials do not have to run for office like judges or prosecutors, he said, and much of what the department does is shielded from the public eye and open record laws.

This bill to me seems to make life easier only for the DOC, he said. Theyre hardly accountable now; this will make them less accountable.

Christensen refuted this claim and said that all defendants would still have to appear before a judge at some point.

This does not take away their power and authority to take away key decisions, he said. This is to give more tools, not to take away options.

There is significant opportunity to make the criminal justice system more fair and efficient, Blonigen said, but this bill is not the right option. More focus and funding for early prevention of criminal behavior as well as money for mental health and substance abuse programs would be more effective, he said.

(The bill) is driven by bureaucratic desire, not community need, he said. Theres things to be done for sure, but this isnt going to make our communities safer.

Tara Muir, public policy director for the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, said that her organization supports the bill but that shes concerned it lets people charged with their first domestic violence misdemeanor off easy. With the changes, a judge could send such an offender to probation and never convict them of the crime.

When a person chooses to use violence against an intimate partner, research says swift and sure jail time along with probation with a well run psycho-education program is the best way to keep victims safer and alive, and hold offenders accountable, she said in an email.

Julie Gliem processes many of the states criminal background checks through her company, Day and Night Processing. She said the increased leeway given to judges and agents of probation and parole would make punishments for crimes vary widely around the state. In her work, she already sees great county-by-county variation in sentencing and probation lengths and this could potentially make it worse.

We need to have consistency around the state, she said.

A balance

The bill is the result of three years of work for the judiciary committee.

A similar bill was killed last year when members of the appropriations committee said there wasnt enough money to pay the upfront costs of the changes. That challenge would remain this session, especially as legislators stare down a $400 million shortfall in the states operational budget.

I think weve got a good shot, Christensen said. But this is a tough year  were looking at every dollar.

Overall, the bill would save the Department of Corrections about $7.6 million annually, according to the departments analysis. However, the upfront cost of $2.8 million makes it a more difficult sell.

Its not inexpensive, Christensen said. But building prisons and warehousing people isnt cheap, either.

The money would allow the department of corrections to hire two full-time staff members to help manage the rules set forth in the bill. It would also pay for substance abuse treatment for people on probation and the shock incarceration of people who violate probation or parole.

But the Department of Corrections would save money because it is cheaper to place offenders in substance abuse treatment than prison, even when the department calculated the numbers knowing that a certain percentage of offenders would fail to stay in treatment and eventually be sent to prison.

Mead said he wanted more information about the estimated savings and the number of people who would be affected by the bill. He also said he was concerned that health care costs per inmate would become more expensive because there would be fewer inmates total and the rates charged for medications and other services would be higher.

Im not saying we keep people in the pen to keep economy of scale, but if this is being given to us as a cost-saving measure, then I would like a better idea of what that net is, he said.

Blonigen, the district attorney, said any positive effects of the changes would be compromised if the Department of Corrections did not hire more parole and probation agents, who are often already overwhelmed by their case load.

Another bureaucrat in Cheyenne isnt going to solve anything, he said.

He also said that community resources  like counseling and work programs  will need more funding to handle the increased number of people out in the community on probation and parole. He doubted that the $2.8 million would be enough to pay the costs of the changes.

This is fine for the (Department of Corrections), but youre going to start straining community resources, he said.

Christensen acknowledged that the changes would create a larger demand for those resources but said the money allocated in the bill would help cover those costs.

The idea is not to change all of this and then not pay for the corresponding treatment and programs, he said. If were going to do it, we got to fund it appropriately.
CODY  Nine vocalists from Cody High School choirs and five instrumentalists from band are part of All-State music groups.

More than 450 of Wyomings best high school music students will convene in Cody from Jan. 15-17, for the 2017 Wyoming All-State Band, Orchestra and Choir Clinic.

CHS choir direct Larry Munari said students must audition for All-State. Thirty students from Cody tried out and 14 made it. They are Skylah Bree, Sara Cappiello, Caden Crooks, Gaston Osterland, Aili Roberson, Elisha Smith, Trisha Tamblyn, Ben Wambeke and Evan Wambeke for choir, and Sarah Crawford, Sierra Erb, Tayler Kindt, Porter Laing and Elise Seuferer for band.

Statewide about 600 vocalists try out for band and 1,000 try out for choir.

Theres no quota that has to come from any part of the state, Munari said.

Then event rotates each year to different schools around the state. All-State hasnt been in Cody since 2011.

Cody is the smallest town its ever in, Munari said. We only have seven music teachers here.

Smith, a senior who is part of the choir, is in her third year of All-State.

Its an experience to sing with advanced vocalists, Smith said. Its really amazing the music you can make when you combine with people at a higher level. The moments are something I will always remember.

Kindt, who is also a senior in her third year participating in All-State, will play the alto saxophone. Her first two years she played the tenor saxophone. She is particularly excited that All-State takes place in Cody this year.

Its in Cody, so its local, Kindt said. Its fun, all my family members can come and see; I am excited about that.

She said performing in All-State has helped her consider new and better ways to improve and make friends she may not have met otherwise.

Its opened my eyes to playing with a group of people at the same level and helped me to be better, she said.

Crooks, a senior, has been a part of the All-State Choir all four years of high school, which he said is a great achievement.

Its a really cool experience. You learn a lot from All-State, Crooks said. Ive been singing under the great tutelage of Mr. Munari.

He said his mom was the one who encouraged him to get involved initially. Singing is something he does with his family.

Me and my mom go to church and thats where I learned how to sing, Crooks said. My family is part of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Its a big influence in my life; at family reunions we all get together and sing.

The event is sponsored by the Wyoming High School Activities Association and the Wyoming Music Educators Association, which will hold a Professional Development Conference during the event.

The All-State Gala Concert will be 7 p.m. Jan. 17, at Sweitzer Gym. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for students.
A Laramie County District Court judge heard arguments Friday afternoon over motions to dismiss and to amend the lawsuit over the Capitol Square Project filed earlier this year by a state resident and a state lawmaker.

The lawsuit was filed in March by Rep. Gerald Gay, R-Casper, and Karl Allred, an Evanston resident, against Gov. Matt Mead and legislative leadership.

It alleges Mead and legislative leaders improperly awarded contracts for the nearly $300 million Capitol Square Project. It also seeks judicial examination of the contracting practices for the Capitol Square Project, as well as for the state in general.

Gay and Allred are being represented by Cheyenne attorney Drake Hill.

In April, state attorney general Peter Michael filed a motion to dismiss the case. The plaintiffs later filed a motion seeking to add a plaintiff to the case.

Arguments for both the motion to dismiss and the motion to amend the lawsuit were heard by Judge Catherine Rogers on Friday.

Special assistant attorney general Jay Jerde argued Gay and Allred dont have standing to sue.

The law is very clear  you have to have a personal interest at stake, he said.

Jerde said the plaintiffs need to show they have suffered a specific injury to sue.

Jerde also said there is not a separation of powers issue  an argument by the plaintiffs  because the Capitol Building Restoration Oversight Group is a collaborative executive-legislative effort and not one branch taking over the duties of another.

The Capitol Building Restoration Oversight Group is overseeing the Capitol Square Project and is made up of representatives from the executive and legislative branches of government.

Hill countered that Gay and Allred do have standing to sue as citizens of Wyoming.

Its a case about constitutional rights  inherent and inalienable rights, he said.

Hill said the plaintiffs feel the contracts for the Capitol Square Project need to go through the states competitive bidding process.

Further, Hill reiterated that the plaintiffs believe the Legislature has reached into the functions of the executive branch, which violates the Wyoming Constitution.

He said the State Building Commission  an office under the executive branch  is properly suited to oversee construction projects.

Rogers did not set a date for her ruling on the matters.

Another lawsuit is also pending in relation to the Capitol Square Project.

That suit was filed in May by State Treasurer Mark Gordon and claims the way the projects contracts have been carried out violates the Wyoming Constitution.
LARAMIE  It takes no small amount of courage to approach a 1,000-pound animal and offer to lead it with a rope.

But the students in Laramie High Schools interpersonal communication class did just that, taking turns guiding horses around the Ark Regional Services Equestrian Arena.

They showed their understanding of the animals by walking beside them, within a horses range of vision. They talked in low voices and maintained a steady pace.

Weve learned about respect and what you should do respecting the horses, and how theyll show us respect, LHS junior Kiersten Bands said.

Sophomore Anistyn Holt said a black horse named Jet is one of her favorites and one she recommends for others.

He has the tendency to calm kids down if theyre angry or upset, she said.

There are 17 horses in the Ark program, and this semester, theyve been working with students in Albany County School District No. 1 for the first time.

More than 50 students from LHS, Laramie Junior High School, Indian Paintbrush Elementary and Transition Academy have been taking part in an equine-assisted learning curriculum called Cowboy Poetry. Students dont ride the horses but instead work from the ground.

Ami Egge, vice president of community resources for Ark, said the curriculum uses horses to teach academic skills, character traits and social skills.

It ties all of that together using the horses as feedback, she said.

For example, a student cant effectively work with a horse if he or she is nervous or wound up.

To get the result you want, youve got to bring yourself to the level to where the horse will respond, she said. Thats been really great for the kids to experience.

Teacher Angie Hampton and paraprofessional Judy Roehrkasse said theyve seen students in their interpersonal communication class show compassion, teach their peers and become more expressive since they started working with the horses.

Students also learn skills like roping and knot-tying, and nobody turns down a chance to brush the horses.

People are coming out of their shells, Roehrkasse said.

Some students without prior horse experience were afraid or didnt know what to expect, but shes watched them gain confidence.

You see them helping each other, where they really havent done that before, she said.

The Ark Equestrian Center has traditionally offered hippotherapy, therapeutic riding and stable management classes to people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Hippotherapy is therapy provided with the help of equine movement.

The center recently organized a fundraiser to install lighting that will allow it to expand its hours of operation.

Tammy Aumiller, who teaches at Transition Academy, said students apply lessons from the arena to classroom discussions.

This week, were learning about personal space and reading body language, she said. We talked about how we do that with each other, but then it was brought up with the horses.

Timmy Frazier, a student at Transition Academy, said hes learned how to be safe around horses by being alert and reading their behavior.

If I get scared, they get scared too, he said.

The center is working to expand its services and include more community partners, Egge said.

This is such a great resource, she said. We have the horses, we have the facility and we were just ready to do more.

As she and Equestrian Center Coordinator Ed Ulrich researched equine-assisted learning, they saw potential for working with students, veterans and other community members.

Theres a lot we can do, she said. Were just getting our feet wet with the schools.
United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit. United States of America Plaintiff - Appellee v. Rolando Jamal Downey Defendant - Appellant No. 16-1320 Decided: December 29, 2016

Before COLLOTON, MELLOY, and SHEPHERD, Circuit Judges.

Rolando Jamal Downey pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C.  922(g). At sentencing, the district court applied a four-level enhancement for possessing the firearm in connection with another felony offense, U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual  2K2.1(b)(6)(B), namely, possessing a user quantity of methamphetamine. Downey argues on appeal the government failed to prove that the substance he possessed was methamphetamine or that he possessed the firearm in connection with the drug possession offense.

We review for clear error the determinations that the substance was methamphetamine and that Downey possessed the firearm in connection with the methamphetamine offense. U.S.S.G.  2K2.1(b)(6)(B); see also United States v. Smith, 535 F.3d 883, 885 (8th Cir. 2008) (clear error review of in connection with determination). It was the government's burden at sentencing to establish the facts by a preponderance of the evidence, and we apply our clear error review in light of this standard. See, e.g., United States v. Holm, 745 F.3d 938, 94041 (8th Cir. 2014).

The record shows officers responded after receiving a report of a robbery. Downey matched the description of the alleged robber and ran from officers. While running, he discarded a loaded firearm. Officers eventually captured and arrested Downey in public. When booking Downey into detention, officers discovered two bags of suspected drugs in a cigarette pack. A field test confirmed the presence of methamphetamine and indicated the substance weighed approximately 0.5 grams. The government conducted no additional testing.

Downey does not deny a field test occurred. Rather, he argues lab testing was required. For sentencing purposes, however, lab testing is not required, and a court may rely on circumstantial evidence such as field tests or testimony describing the substance. See United States v. Lugo, 702 F.3d 1086, 1090 (8th Cir. 2013) ([T]he identity of a controlled substance can  be proved by circumstantial evidence and opinion testimony. (alteration in original) (citation omitted)); United States v. Walker, 688 F.3d 416, 423 (8th Cir. 2012) (The Guidelines do not require the government to establish the identity, quantity, or purity of methamphetamine by laboratory analysis.). Downey notes district courts are not required to infer from circumstantial evidence that a substance is a prohibited drug. He fails, however, to cite authority holding such an inference is impermissible. We find no clear error in the court's identification of the substance as methamphetamine.

Regarding the nexus requirement, a firearm is possessed in connection with a drug possession felony if it facilitated, or had the potential of facilitating  the drug possession felony. Holm, 745 F.3d at 940 (quoting U.S.S.G.  2K2.1(b)(6)(B) and cmt. n.14(A)). [W]hen a drug user chooses to carry illegal drugs out into public with a firearm, an in connection with finding will rarely be clearly erroneous.  Id. at 940 (citations omitted). Here, the district court viewed the firearm as emboldening, and therefore facilitating, Downey in his choice to go out into public with illegal drugs. Further, there exist no mitigating factors sufficient to show clear error. See, e.g., Smith, 535 F.3d at 88586 (finding an in connection with determination clearly erroneous where: (1) the drug quantity did not exceed mere residue; (2) the substance and defendant were discovered in the defendant's home; and (3) the defendant had not ventured into public armed and with drugs).

We affirm the judgment of the district court.

FOOTNOTES

. The Honorable Gary A. Fenner, United States District Judge for the Western District of Missouri.

PER CURIAM.
JACKSON  Searchers have recovered the body of a Grand Targhee Resort worker who failed to return from snowboarding in the backcountry.

Lee Kidd, 34, was found dead Thursday under about 2 feet of snow at the bottom of a 500-foot cliff. Rescuers believe he had been buried since Dec. 23, when he did not show up for work at the resort.

Natalie Kidd said her older brother was working his first season at Grand Targhee and had recently moved to Driggs, Idaho, from Bozeman, Montana.

Officials believe Kidd intended to ski Steve Baugh Bowl and hiked up along a nearby ridge. Sgt. Matt Carr with the Teton County Sheriff's Office said it appears Kidd was walking with his snowboard when he moved out too far onto a cornice, which broke off.
For the third year in a row, Medicare is penalizing Banner-University Medical Center Tucson for its rate of patient injuries and infections.

The hospital was among the worst-performing 25 percent of hospitals nationwide on a matrix of hospital-acquired conditions, recently released data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) show.

One of two local academic medical centers owned by Phoenix-based Banner Health, Banner-University Medical Center Tucson was the only Tucson hospital penalized by Medicare for the current fiscal year, which began Oct. 1.

An analysis of federal data by Kaiser Health News shows a total of 15 hospitals in Arizona were hit with the penalty, which amounts to a 1 percent reduction in federal Medicare payments through Sept. 30. For some hospitals, the penalty means a cut in payments of a half million dollars or more this fiscal year. Sixteen Arizona hospitals were fined during the last federal fiscal year.

Nationally, 769 of 3,203 hospitals rated will have their payments cut this year, CMS officials say. The federal agency released the data Dec. 19. Childrens, psychiatric, veterans and long-term care hospitals werent scored; also excluded were hospitals deemed critical access  rural facilities that are often the only hospitals in their area.

While supporters say the penalty program is an effective way to improve patient safety, critics argue it unfairly penalizes hospitals like Banner-University Medical Center Tucson  Southern Arizonas only top-level trauma center  that deal with the sickest patients with the most complex cases.

Improvements

at Banner

Banner Health did not own Banner-University Medical Center Tucson for much of the data collection period, nor when the hospital was penalized in the first two years of the program, said Dr. Gordon Carr, who is the hospitals chief medical officer. Banner became owner of the hospital after a merger with the University of Arizona Health Network in March 2015.

The data cited by CMS are drawn from July 2013 through December 2015, Carr emphasized, and do not reflect new investments the company has made and new strategies it has put in place here, he said.

Banner has made substantial investments in the clinical infrastructure since the merger, he said. Among other things, the hospital has new central-line protocols, and a new electronic intensive care unit monitoring system that engages a virtual Banner medical team to back up bedside caregivers by constantly monitoring patient vitals for changes that require immediate medical intervention.

Carr said hes hopeful that more recent improvements will positively affect future CMS reports for the local hospital. He cited Banner-University Medical Center Tucsons latest data for January through September of this year, which, using the same clinical reporting areas, show a 46 percent reduction in central-line-associated bloodstream infections.

A central line is a catheter inserted into a large vein for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, such as administering medications. Central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) cause thousands of deaths each year and billions of dollars in added costs to the U.S. health-care system, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Banner Health is committed to continuous quality improvement for the safest, most reliable clinical care, Carr said.

Reducing infections

The federal penalties were created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, also known as Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The penalty programs official name is the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, and it was created to provide incentives for hospitals to improve patient safety and reduce medical costs.

The hospitals are scored on their self-reporting of quality measures, among them central-line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), surgical site infection rates for colon and abdominal hysterectomy surgeries, and a composite score of eight patient-safety indicators, among them pressure ulcers, postoperative hip fractures and postoperative sepsis rates.

The government added two more measures to this years data: rates of the antibiotic-resistant infections methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and clostridium difficile, often known as C. diff.

Banner-University Medical Center Tucson scored worse than the national benchmark on its rate of central-line-associated bloodstream infections in ICUs and select wards.

The hospital also scored worse than the national benchmark on surgical-site infections from colon surgery, on MRSA infections and on C. diff.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says C. diff, which is shed in feces, was estimated to cause almost half a million infections in the United States in 2011, including 15,000 deaths.

C. diff causes inflammation of the colon and the risk of infection increases with age. The germ can live for long periods on hard surfaces.

Those most at risk are people, especially older adults, who take antibiotics and also get medical care. Any surface, device or material that becomes contaminated with feces may serve as a reservoir for C. diff spores, which CDC officials say are transferred to patients mainly via the hands of health-care personnel who have touched a contaminated surface or item.

Publicly searchable information is on the federal website Hospital Compare, and tells how a hospital compares to the national benchmark.

C. diff is a problem around the country. Other local hospitals that scored worse than the national benchmark on C. diff were Carondelet St. Marys Hospital and Tucson Medical Center.

Tucson Medical Center

This years data release marked the first time in the three years of the program that Tucsons largest hospital  Tucson Medical Center  was not penalized.

Tucson Medical Center officials say they have made a concentrated effort in recent years to reduce both hospital-acquired infections and the incidence of the eight patient-safety indicators that are part of the federal scoring system: pressure ulcers; accidental puncture or lacerations; postoperative rupture of a wound incision; postoperative sepsis; blood clots during all phases of surgery; postoperative hip fractures, central venous catheter-related blood stream infections; and lung injuries due to medical care.

Two years ago, TMC scored in the worst 10 percent of hospitals nationwide for its composite patient-safety indicator score. Its score now is in the top 20 percent of all hospitals, chief medical officer Dr. Rick Anderson said.

Weve gone from worse than the national average to better than the national average, he said.

The hospital improved by focusing on three of the eight patient safety indicator areas: pressure ulcers, blood clots, and accidentally puncturing or piercing somebody during surgery, Anderson said.

The hospital looked at best practices in medical literature and shamelessly stole protocol from hospitals like Mayo Clinic whose scores are high, Anderson said. Most hospitals are more than happy to share that because it really is all about protecting patients and keeping them from harm, Anderson said.

Tucson Medical Center used the Mayo Clinics protocol, for example, to reduce its incidence of infection rates following colon surgery.

We noticed their rate was very low. They actually have something they put in place that starts before the patient even comes to the hospital, Anderson said. We put that whole cascade of things in place from before the patient gets here to after the patient leaves. It goes from changing instruments out when you close the colon, to changing gowns, changing instruments, timing of antibiotics, making sure patients blood sugars are well-controlled and that their temperature is well-maintained in surgery.

C. diff a problem

Tucson Medical Center still has work to do in sustaining its improvements, and in further reducing hospital-associated infections, particularly C. diff, officials said. Anderson said the hospital has an ongoing emphasis on hand-washing and stressed that hand sanitizer doesnt work against C. diff.

If a patient is in isolation because he or she is at risk for C. diff, or already has it, Tucson Medical Center tells nurses and visitors that they must wear gowns and gloves. An audit revealed that rule was being ignored, so hospital officials became more strict about it.

Its so important because a cellphone, anything can get contaminated and if it goes out, or if patient families then go to the cafeteria, we just worry about where that goes, Anderson said. We really just put our foot down.

In 2013, the CDC published a report that categorized C. diff as an urgent drug-resistant threat in the U.S. Because overusing high potency antibiotics puts patients at risk for C. diff, Anderson said at Tucson Medical Center theres a constant evaluation of antibiotic use.

Criticism of penalties

Some critics say that the penalty program for hospital-associated infections is not a fair way to judge a hospitals level of safety for patients. For one thing, 25 percent of hospitals are always penalized under the current formula, which means that even if they are all good, one quarter are always penalized.

Also, several hospitals that were penalized are highly rated on other matrices. For example, Banner Heart Hospital has a five-star quality rating with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, yet it finished in the worst quartile in the nation under this years hospital-acquired condition reduction program.

Akin Demehin, director of policy for the American Hospital Association, calls the Medicare penalty program poorly designed policy that results in unfair penalties, especially for teaching hospitals and large hospitals that care for the sickest patients and perform the most complex surgeries.

The program, which has assessed more than $1 billion in penalties since it began, is in need of reform to more effectively promote improvement, Demehin said. And we need better measures that more accurately reflect performance on important issues, he said.

The government did not release an estimate of how much the program will cost penalized hospitals. But an analysis by the Association of American Medical Colleges says the hospitals altogether will pay about $430 million, up 18 percent from $365 million last year.

The public should remember that the data does not take recent improvement efforts into consideration, said Sandra Severson, vice president of care improvement for the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association.

The difference in a hospital being penalized and non-penalized can come down to one-tenth of a point, which is an arbitrary point and not a valid measure of safe or unsafe care, she said.

Patient safety

But supporters note that hospital-acquired infections have dropped nationally, which is the ultimate goal of the program.

Its important stuff. I think whether you want to complain about the measurement, or say the data is old, who wants to have hospital-associated infections or patient safety problems like blood clots or pressure ulcers? said Tucson Medical Centers Anderson.

When you look at your measurements, it should really be that you dont want any of those things to ever happen. ... For us, it is so important to patients, but also to our bottom line. In general I think its a good program.

The Kaiser Health News analysis says 241 hospitals nationwide, including Banner-University Medical Center Tucson, were punished all three years of the program. Others include Brigham & Womens Hospital in Boston; Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta; and Northwestern Memorial in Chicago.

It really is a disservice to the public to dismiss these findings, said patient safety expert Helen Haskell, a South Carolina resident who founded the national group Mothers Against Medical Error.

The hospitals are upset because theyve shown some of the most famous and wealthiest hospitals have safety problems.

Haskell said the public also deserves to know that large academic medical centers can and do have safety problems  they have young, inexperienced people working there and a lot of turnover, she said.

Transparency always helps, she said.
A new effort by migrant-aid workers to search desert areas west of Tucson for illegal border crossers who died led to the discovery last week of four sets of skeletal remains near Ajo.

The discovery of human remains near Hat Mountain on Dec. 18 and in the Growler Valley in the following four days brings the total number of remains found in the desert since Jan. 1 to 155, according to the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner.

The remains of more than 2,700 people, many of them undocumented border crossers, have been found in Southern Arizona since 2001, medical examiner records show.

All of the recently discovered remains were found in desert areas and consisted of pieces of bone, such as skulls or jaws, that were obviously very, very old, said Deputy Ryan Inglett, a spokesman with the Pima County Sheriffs Department.

The remains were discovered during the first week of a new volunteer program, made up of aid workers from the Ajo Samaritans and the No More Deaths chapters in Tucson and Phoenix, that focuses on areas near Ajo that have not been thoroughly explored, Genevieve Schroeder, a spokeswoman for No More Deaths, said via email.

The Ajo area is arguably the most remote and deadly area along the entire border, she said, noting the extreme heat, lack of water and shade, and long distances without roads or towns.

The fact that illegal immigrants cross the border through the Ajo corridor illustrates that border enforcement policy continues to drive migration into increasingly perilous terrain, she said.

Coming across human remains in these areas is sad and infuriating, Schroeder said. These are deaths caused by global inequalities and an inherently inhumane border policy  prevention through deterrence.

As a result of that policy, which began in the 1990s and was designed to funnel migrants away from urban areas and into the wilderness, the threat of death, and further, of disappearance, is leveraged against migrating people, she said.

The Border Patrol did not respond to questions about the claims made by No More Deaths, but the agency issued a statement saying Tucson Sector agents partner with foreign and local authorities through the Missing Migrant Program to gather pertinent information which may lead to a rescue, recovery, or identification of deceased migrants.

Although apprehensions in Southern Arizona have fallen precipitously since peaking in 2000, authorities and aid workers continue to find bodies in the desert, and families still look for lost loved ones.

Fingerprint identification records provided by the Border Patrol show 339,000 individuals were arrested in fiscal year 2000. In fiscal year 2015, agents arrested 54,000 individuals.

But the 133 human remains reported by the Pima County medical examiner in fiscal year 2015 and the 146 in fiscal year 2016 follow the trend of between 100 and 250 sets of remains found annually in recent years.

As was the case with the remains found last week, many of the remains are skeletal, which indicates they are not recent deaths.

While migrant deaths rightfully receive attention, Schroeder said, the numerous cases of migrants who have gone missing while crossing the border is an equally important crisis.

More than 800 people along the length of the U.S.-Mexico border called the Missing Migrant Crisis Line in 2015 to report a friend or family member had gone missing while crossing the border, according to a Dec. 7 report from No More Deaths and the Coalicion de Derechos Humanos.

A looming question is how many undiscovered human remains are on the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range southwest of Ajo, where access for aid workers is restricted, Schroeder said.

The Dec. 7 report attributes many of the missing migrant cases to a Border Patrol practice of chase and scatter, in which agents come upon groups of people who run away into dangerous terrain. The report acknowledges that chase is the sole method of apprehension available to agents if border crossers do not surrender to them.

But it can have tragic consequences, such as the March 2015 death of Jose Cesario Aguilar Esparza, who died after falling from a cliff while running from agents during a border-crossing attempt.

In the report, the groups describe missing migrants as disappeared, the word used most often by callers when they describe their missing loved ones. It also is a term widely used in Latin America to refer to people kidnapped and killed without explanation by authoritarian regimes. The report cited a 2006 United Nations definition of enforced disappearance, in which a state policy causes disappearances but does not target specific individuals.

Along the U.S.-Mexico border, the disappearance of hundreds of border crossers is not a natural or inevitable phenomenon, but rather a direct consequence of U.S. border-enforcement policies and practices, the report said.

In response to the report, the Border Patrol issued a statement saying many migrant deaths result from smugglers who knowingly victimize people wanting quick passage across the border.

Smugglers lie, telling their customers their passage will be safe, but in reality, the terrain is treacherous and the conditions are extreme, the agency said. Many are led to their deaths by smugglers more concerned about making money than they are about the lives of others.

The Border Patrols Tucson Sector has 36 rescue beacons, and all agents are trained to handle immediate medical needs while in the field, including 230 agents trained as emergency medical technicians and 54 Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue agents, the agency said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the parent agency of the Border Patrol, values human life and collaborates with foreign and local authorities and organizations to educate potential migrants about the true dangers of crossing the border illegally.
Tucson police officers will be deployed in specific areas to combat illegal gunfire and fireworks used to celebrate the New Year.

Recklessly discharging a firearm within the city limits is a felony, according to a Tucson Police Department Facebook post.

Celebratory gunfire remains a problem, particularly on New Year's Eve, and officers and federal agents assigned to the Gun Crimes Task Force will investigate all criminal gun activity this holiday weekend, authorities said.

In addition to Tucson police, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are on the task force.

Since 2000, firing a gun into the air has been a felony in Arizona under Shannon's Law. The law is named for Shannon Smith, a 14-year-old Phoenix girl killed by a falling bullet in June 1999.

On New Year's Day 2008, Tucson police responded to a south side home after a 5-year-old boy was grazed by a stray bullet fired during a New Year's celebration, according to an Arizona Daily Star article.

The bullet penetrated the roof and ceiling of the home. The child was sleeping in his bedroom and was hit behind the ear by the bullet likely fired by someone ringing in the new year, said police. The boy suffered minor injuries and was treated at a hospital and released.

Also shortly after the new year began in 2008, a second incident was reported on the city's west side. A bullet smashed through the kitchen ceiling of a house near North Silverbell and West Grant roads. No one was injured by that bullet.

Bullets can travel thousands of feet into the air, slowing as they ascend. They regain their speed as they fall back toward the ground and can reach a velocity of 700 feet per second, an officer said in a 2004 interview.

On Jan. 1, 1997, a pregnant Tucson woman was struck in the abdomen by a falling bullet. She and her baby survived.

Police ask that anyone who sees someone discharging or preparing to discharge a firearm in the city limits to call 911.

The TPD Facebook post did not list information about illegal fireworks, but a 2014 Star article mentioned that novelty fireworks are legal to use. This includes small, hand-held sparklers no longer than 10 inches, toy smoke devices such as smoke balls and snakes, party poppers and drop caps.

Ground spinners, sparkling-wheel devices, cylindrical, square and cone fountains, as well as California rocket-shaped fountains are permitted seasonally. That means you can use them in early July to July 6 for Independence Day, and again, Dec. 24 through Jan. 3.

Fireworks that detonate in the air are illegal to use within city limits and in the unincorporated areas of Pima County. This includes bottle rockets, skyrockets, Roman candles, helicopters, firecrackers, jumping jacks, M-80s and the like.

In the article, Tucson Fire Capt. Barrett Baker said if the item's packaging has a "Caution: Flammable" label, then the product can be used. However, if it has a "Warning" sign on it, then the product cannot be used in the city.

If caught setting off illegal fireworks, a person faces a civil fine of $1,000.

Cities and counties cannot legally prohibit the sale of fireworks, but the municipalities can restrict or prohibit their use.
PHOENIX  Gov. Doug Ducey is threatening legal action if President Obama sets aside 1.7 million acres of public lands in Arizona for a new Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument.

But his chief spokesman wont  or cant  cite any authority for such litigation.

And lawsuits to quash previous presidential designations, including two in Arizona, left challengers empty-handed.

The governors threat comes on the heels of the president earlier this week setting aside 1.35 million acres in the Four Corners area of Utah for the Bears Ears National Monument. That move had been urged by conservationists and Native American tribes who consider the land sacred.

Separately, Obama created the Gold Butte National Monument near Las Vegas, a 300,000-acre site designed to protect an area that includes rock art, artifacts and fossils.

Todays actions will help protect this cultural legacy and will ensure that future generations are able to enjoy and appreciate these scenic and historic landscapes, the president said.

But Ducey, responding to the twin designations, is urging Obama not to try the same thing in Arizona in the area around Grand Canyon National Park believed to be rich in uranium deposits. He pointed out that Arizona already has more presidential-designated monuments than any other state.

Our state needs no further designations, the governor said in his own statement. And Ducey said existing ones already have harmed the ability of the state to manage wildlife, claiming the Sonoran Desert National Monument has resulted in a decline in the number of desert sheep because the state cant maintain water catchments the herds need.

And if gubernatorial urging does not stop the designation, Ducey has a warning.

If designated by the president in his waning hours, Arizona will take every step necessary  legally and legislatively  to stop it, the governor said in his statement.

Yet gubernatorial press aide Daniel Scarpinato was short on specifics of what would be the legal basis to challenge such action.

Well talk about that if there is an action by the president, he said. At this point there has not been.

And Scarpinato rebuffed questions of whether there really is any precedent for actually winning such a lawsuit.

But the record shows challengers to prior presidential actions have had little success.

More than a decade ago, for example, Mountain States Legal Foundation challenged a series of designations made by President Clinton near the end of his term, including the massive Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument of more than 1 million acres in northwest Arizona as well as the nearly 129,000-acre Ironwood Forest monument near Tucson.

Challengers argued Clinton acted outside the scope of his authority and asked the courts to review.

A federal judge threw out the complaint. And the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in 2002 found no legal infirmity in what Clinton had done.

The closest Ducey comes to suggesting a basis for a lawsuit is that Antiquities Act, the 1906 federal law allowing the president to designate national monuments, says such areas must be confined to the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the objects to be protected.

This proposed designation of 1.9 million acres of land would be a clear violation of that intent, the governor said in his statement. But there appears to be no case law where courts have been willing to second-guess a presidential determination that any given area is not the smallest necessary to achieve the objective.

This isnt a political issue, Scarpinato said of Duceys opposition to a new monument. What it is, he explained, is taking action to ensure that such designations do not undermine local economies.

One big issue deals with the future of uranium mining.

The Department of Interior in 2012 closed off the area to new uranium mining until 2032. That decision is being challenged by mining interests, with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals expected to rule on the issue this coming year.

Monument designation likely would leave existing operations intact. But it would forever preclude new claims regardless of the outcome of the pending lawsuit.

I think the governor wants to strike the right balance between not negatively impacting our state and also preserving our natural resources, Scarpinato said. He said Ducey believes were doing a great job right now and weve struck that balance.

Even if litigation proves fruitless, Scarpinato said Ducey could pursue other avenues.

I think we all know that there will be a new President and a new Congress sworn in next month, he said. I think there would be legislative options at our disposal.

Congress can override a presidential declaration and remove a monument designation. But it is an open question at best whether Donald Trump, if he wanted to, could unilaterally undo any or all of Obamas designations.

Ducey is correct that Arizona does have more national monuments than any other state. What he did not acknowledge in his statement is that half of them actually were created by Republican presidents going back to Theodore Roosevelt who gave such designations to Montezuma Castle, Tonto and Navajo monuments.

In terms of pure acreage set aside, though, Democrats hold the edge by far. In fact, out of more than 2.1 million acres of national monuments in Arizona, Clinton alone is responsible for more than 1.5 million acres.

Ducey is not alone among Republicans in his opposition. The states two senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake, sent their own letter to the president earlier this year saying they believe that 1.7 million acre designation goes beyond the intent of the Antiquities Act.
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. FRANK CHAVEZ, Defendant-Appellant. No. 15-10496 Decided: December 27, 2016

Before: HAWKINS and CALLAHAN, Circuit Judges, and SOTO,** District Judge.

MEMORANDUM*

Defendant Frank Chavez was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C.  922(g)(1), 924(a)(2). He appeals from the District Court's partial denial of his motion to suppress. Defendant primarily argues on appeal that the District Court improperly found that a third party, who was visiting the house where Defendant was residing, had apparent authority to consent to police officers' entry into the house and living room where Defendant was found in possession of a firearm.

A district court's denial of a motion to suppress is reviewed de novo. See United States v. Arreguin, 735 F.3d 1168, 1174 (9th Cir. 2013). A district court's factual findings are reviewed for clear error, and its credibility determinations based on testimony are given special deference. See id. Whether a person has actual or apparent authority to consent to a search is a mixed question of law and fact that is reviewed de novo. See id.

The Fourth Amendment provides that the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated. Id. A warrantless search of a house is per se unreasonable and absent exigency or consent, warrantless entry into the home is impermissible under the Fourth Amendment. United States v. Reid, 226 F.3d 1020, 1025 (9th Cir. 2000). Evidence that is recovered following an illegal entry into a home is inadmissible and must be suppressed. Id.

Consent to search is a recognized exception to the Fourth Amendment's protection. See Arreguin, 735 F.3d at 1174. However, the existence of consent to a search is not lightly to be inferred  Reid, 226 F.3d at 1025.

The government has the burden of establishing the effectiveness of a third party's consent. It can do so in three ways. First, the government can come forward with persuasive evidence of both shared use and joint access to or control over a searched area, which would demonstrate actual authority to consent. Second, it can show that the owner of the property to be searched has expressly authorized a third party to give consent to the search. Finally, it may establish consent by means of the apparent authority doctrine.

United States v. Welch, 4 F.3d 761, 764 (9th Cir. 1994).

Before the District Court and on appeal, the Government did not argue that there was valid consent in this case based on express authorization or actual authority. Rather, the Government only argued that there was valid consent based on apparent authority, and the District Court likewise only found valid consent based on apparent authority. We hold that the District Court erred in its determination as to apparent authority.

Under the apparent authority doctrine, a search is valid if the government proves that the officers who conducted it reasonably believed that the person from whom they obtained consent had the actual authority to grant that consent. Welch, 4 F.3d at 764; see also Arreguin, 735 F.3d at 1175 (Apparent authority is measured by an objective standard of reasonableness, and requires an examination of the  surrounding circumstances.). Actual authority exists if one has shared use and joint access to or control over a searched area. See Welch, 4 F.3d at 764; Arreguin, 735 F.3d at 1174. Apparent authority is applicable only if the facts believed by the officers to be true would justify the search as a matter of law. See Welch, 4 F.3d at 764. A mistaken belief as to the law, no matter how reasonable, is not sufficient. Id. at 765. The government has the burden of establishing apparent authority to consent to each specific area searched, not just authority to consent to a generalized search of the residence. Arreguin, 735 F.3d at 1175. In assessing whether an officer's belief was objectively reasonable, the court considers the facts available to the officer at the moment of the officer's warrantless entry into a home or relevant search of an area. Id. (emphasis in the original).

In this case, the officers' warrantless entry into the home where Defendant was residing was based on the consent of a third party (Sandra Rentfro) who was visiting the home. For apparent authority to exist, the officers had to have an objectively reasonable basis to believe that Ms. Rentfro had actual authority to consent to entry into the home and living room. Actual authority would exist if Ms. Rentfro had shared use and joint access or control over the home and living room.

At the moment the officers entered the home based solely on Ms. Rentfro's consent, the officers knew that: (1) Ms. Rentfro did not own the home, (2) Ms. Rentfro did not reside at the home, (3) Ms. Rentfro's adult son (Raymond Fletcher) owned the home and resided at the home with his roommate (Defendant), (4) Ms. Rentfro had come in from out of town to visit with her son for his birthday, and (5) the owner and residents of the home (Mr. Fletcher and Defendant) were present inside the home.

At the moment the officers entered the home based solely on Ms. Rentfro's consent, they did not know any of the following regarding Ms. Rentfro's connection to the home: (1) whether she had a key to the home, (2) whether she could enter and leave the home at will, (3) how often she was alone in the home, (4) whether she was left in charge of the home when the other residents were not home, (5) the frequency of her visits to the home, (6) what rooms she routinely used and accessed when she visited, (7) whether she invited other guests into the home, or (8) whether she could invite guests into the home without the permission of the residents and what areas of the home would these other guests be permitted.

Despite the circumstances before them prior to their entry into the home, the officers never asked to speak to the owner or other resident of the home. Rather, they proceeded into the home based solely on the consent of a third party that they knew did not own or reside at the home, and that they knew had come in from out of town to visit her adult son that owned the home in question.

In light of the foregoing, the officers did not have an objectively reasonable basis to believe that Ms. Rentfro had shared use and joint access to or control over the home and living room. Therefore, Ms. Rentfro did not have apparent authority to consent to their entry into the home and living room under the particular circumstances of this case.

As all subsequently found evidence must be suppressed under the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine as there was no apparent authority to enter the home and living room, we do not address Defendant's alternative grounds for appeal (i.e., that the officers exceeded the scope of Ms. Rentfro's consent to search and they did not have reasonable suspicion or probable cause to search and arrest Defendant). See United States v. Redlightning, 624 F.3d 1090, 1102 (9th Cir. 2010).

REVERSED.

The apparent authority doctrine requires that a police officer reasonably believe that a person consenting to a search has shared use and joint access to or control over a searched area. United States v. Welch, 4 F.3d 761, 76465 (9th Cir. 1993) (emphasis omitted). The inquiry turns on an examination of the actual consent as well as the surrounding circumstances. United States v. Arreguin, 735 F.3d 1168, 1175 (9th Cir. 2013) (internal quotation marks omitted). Because I find that Officers Christina Alfonsi and James O'Leary had an objectively reasonable belief that Ms. Sandra Rentfro had authority to consent to a search of a common area within her son's residence, I respectfully dissent.

It is reasonable for an officer to infer that a resident's guest would have at least joint access to common areas such as an entryway, kitchen, and living room. See United States v. Ladell, 127 F.3d 622, 624 (7th Cir. 1997) (Third-party consents to search the property of another are based on a reduced expectation of privacy in the premises or things shared with another.). Officers Alfonsi and O'Leary knew several facts when Rentfro, the mother of the owner of the residence, Raymond Fletcher, allowed them entry into the residence: (1) Rentfro had reported a domestic disturbance involving Chavez within the residence, (2) Chavez possessed a firearm the location of which was unknown, (3) Rentfro emerged from the residence to greet the officers, (4) Rentfro was staying with her son at his residence, and (5) the living room (where the search occurred and where Chavez was located) was visible from the entryway. From these facts the officers could reasonably infer that Rentfro had joint access to the entryway and living room, both of which were common areas that comprised a continuous and unobstructed living space. That Rentfro is a family member of the owner's, and was visiting from Indiana, only bolsters this conclusion.

The majority makes much of what the officers did not know, see Maj. Op. at 5, but this merely distracts from the operative inquiry. Our case law does not require, for example, knowledge of whether a third-party can enter and leave the home at will, the frequency of [the third-party's] visits to the home, how often [the third-party] was alone in the home,whether [the third-party] invited other guests into the home, and on and on. Cf. id. This grab-bag of factors may be helpful in some instances, but the majority cites no authority suggesting that satisfying any or all of them is determinative, let alone necessary.

The majority relies on Arreguin and Welch, but those cases actually support a finding of apparent authority here. In Arreguin, the officers knew virtually nothing about the third-party who opened the door to the residence and consented to a search, yet proceeded to investigate a private bedroom anyway. 735 F.3d at 1176. Here, by contrast, the officers did know Rentfro's relationship to the owner of the house and searched only a common area to which she clearly had use and access.

Similarly, Welch makes clear the distinction between consent to search common rather than private areas of a residence. Welch involved a party's consent to search a car and purse located within the vehicle on suspicion that they contained counterfeit money. 4 F.3d at 76263. The consenting party, McGee, was traveling in the rental car with his girlfriend, Welch. Id. at 765. At the time of consent, the officers knew three things: (1) Welch was McGee's girlfriend, (2) Welch had traveled with McGee in the rental car, and (3) the purse belonged to a woman. Id. The officers searched both the car and purse, the latter of which contained counterfeit money. Id. at 76263. The court upheld the search of the car but suppressed the contents of the purse. Id. at 76465. The court reasoned that McGee had authority to authorize the search of the car because he and Welch had joint access to and mutual use of it. Id. at 764. But the officers lacked a reasonable belief that he had a similar interest in the purse. Id. at 765. Unlike the car, Welch had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the contents of her purse. Id. at 764.

Just as McGee had authority to consent to a search of the rental car in Welch, so, too, Officers Alfonsi and O'Leary reasonably concluded that Rentfro had authority to consent to a search of her son's living room. The officers did not expand the search beyond common areas of the home into rooms where the owner or another resident might have a reasonable expectation of privacythe ills identified in Welch and Arreguin.

The officers also confined their search to the scope of Rentfro's consent. The scope of a search is generally defined by its expressed object. Florida v. Jimeno, 500 U.S. 248, 251 (1991). Here, the object of the officers' search was Chavez on suspicion of theft. It was therefore reasonable for O'Leary to enter the living room where Chavez was located to investigate the allegation. Moreover, neither Rentfro nor her sonwho had emerged from the back of the residenceobjected to O'Leary's entry into the living room, further indicating that O'Leary acted within the scope of Rentfro's consent.

O'Leary's subsequent pat-down search of Chavez was also reasonable. We review for clear error a district court's determination of the voluntariness of a defendant's consent to a search. United States v. Brown, 563 F.3d 410, 414 (9th Cir. 2009) (internal quotation marks omitted). O'Leary testified that he asked Chavez, [d]o you mind if I pat you down for weapons? Chavez answered yes, but then immediately complied with a consensual pat down and continued to answer O'Leary's questions. The district court committed no errorlet alone clear errorin finding that Chavez consented to the search.

As the pat-down progressed to the back of Chavez's waistband, O'Leary testified that Chavez pulled forward, releasing his hands from my grip, and hunched forward in what could reasonably be characterized as an aggressive stance. The officers then placed Chavez in handcuffs.

Chavez claims that the officers placed him under arrest when they handcuffed him. He argues that the officers lacked probable cause to do so because, at the time he was handcuffed, the officers lacked specific information about a criminal offense. But placing Chavez in handcuffs did not convert a permissible investigatory stop into an unconstitutional arrest. A brief but complete restriction of liberty, if not excessive under the circumstances, is permissible during a Terry stop and does not necessarily convert the stop into an arrest. United States v. Bautista, 684 F.2d 1286, 1289 (9th Cir. 1982). The detention here was reasonable to protect the officers' safety after Chavez took an aggressive stance. Accordingly, the district court properly concluded that handcuffing Chavez did not amount to an arrest.

I respectfully dissent.

FOOTNOTES

. Unless otherwise noted, internal quotes and citations have been omitted when quoting authority in this Memorandum Disposition.

. Welch was overruled on other grounds in United States v. Kim, 105 F.3d 1579 (9th Cir. 1997).

. While we recognize the special familial relationship between a parent and child, and this is certainly a factor that is weighed in assessing consent, the officers in this specific case did not have an objectively reasonable basis to conclude that Ms. Rentfro had apparent authority.

. Because the majority concludes that Rentfro lacked apparent authority to authorize a search of the residence, it does not analyze the district court's finding that the officers conducted a valid pat-down search of Mr. Chavez's person.

. O'Leary subsequently testified that he could not recall the exact phrasing of his questioni.e., whether he asked if Chavez minded if he conducted a pat-down or if he could conduct a pat-down.
There are the moments at Macaroni Grill, and then there are the moments that I'm talking about: where suddenly Tucson becomes real again  vibrant and distinctly alive  and you look up across the table and remember why you love to eat in this desert called home.

We've all been there. For me this year, it came while dipping bread into a bowl of steamy red menudo as the morning light streamed through the cafe window, and we drank coffee from Styrofoam cups. Sometimes it comes eating a bagel, you never know!

But I figure, these 10 new dishes might spur something in you. They are a snapshot of our City of Gastronomy in 2016, the ambitious young chefs lighting up downtown and the immigrants who make a go of it by starting their own businesses.

Despite our recent recognition, it has actually been a tough year for locally-sourced restaurants, with the closings of Proper, Pizzeria Bianco and the decade-old Acacia. Chefs have had to become more creative with their ingredients, while keeping prices low and customers happy.

We have seen a shift from food trucks to brick-and-mortar restaurants, although there are several food hall concepts on the way in 2017. We're also doing Southern food more often and better than before, with the Phoenix hipster spot Welcome Diner and some new projects opening soon on the north side.

But most importantly for our border city, it has been an incredible year for regional Mexican food. We are no longer just a Sonoran food town. Now we've got refined plates of hazelnut mole at Elvira's, Central Mexican enchiladas at Benny's, real tacos al pastor on the west side and an innovative seafood restaurant shaped like a submarine.

Tucson has become hip, but if you want to search for its soul, start here ...

Chicken curry at The Curry Pot

roaming food truck, check Facebook for current location

Sri Lanka native Amjaad Jhan was inspired by Indian fusion truck The Twisted Tandoor, and decided to start his own truck serving curries from his hometown Kandy, the "hill capital." While not working shifts at Trader Joe's, he's been dishing up Sri Lankan quesadillas and a spicy sambol of grated coconut at beer bars like Tucson Hop Shop and Tap & Bottle. The difference is in his specially curated 10-spice blend, and coconut milk he uses to enrich the curries but keep them vegan. If you eat meat, get your curry as a combo plate with a golden crackly beef samosa. It's out of this world.

Frango Louco sandwich at Latin It Up

344 N. Fourth Ave., 520-622-2410

We forget that Latin America loves bread, and that every country seems to have a different, unbelievable sandwich. Irene Echeandia and her family have brought them to Tucson at their little Fourth Avenue shop Latin It Up, in a former crepe cafe. Their Frango Louco sandwich has a Brazilian name (crazy chicken) but features that silken Peruvian cheese sauce Huancaina mixed into a dollop of shredded chicken and hard-boiled eggs. The more you eat, the richer it becomes.

Roasted pork Pernil at Cuban Blaze

10110 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley, 520-395-1297

This suburban Oro Valley spot used to be called Blaze  A Flavor Inferno until chef Ernesto Guzman took it over and turned it into a badass Caribbean restaurant, Cuban Blaze. (Guzman has since moved on to start his own catering company Havana Lights.) The restaurant's two different takes on the plantain tostones and maduros and downright flawless; I would suggest a visit for these alone. But you can get them both on the Pernil plate, which featured the most succulent chunks of crispy shredded pork that I believe to exist.

Jackfruit Po'Boy at Welcome Diner

902 E. Broadway, 520-622-5100

Sorry to get you guys all riled up about pork products, but if you can't eat that, I have a nice fallback. The spiky Asian jackfruit has become super trendy as of late, and the best rendition I've seen stateside is this Louisiana sandwich at the new Welcome Diner. The chunky fruit is braised in Barrio Rojo beer and smothered with Tucson's finest BBQ. When it's done, it's as close to the swine as you can get. Honestly though, I just love the zippy purple slaw they put on top. Nom nom nom...

Al pastor sopes and tacos at Polo's Taqueria

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918 W. Prince Road, 520-407-5569

I wanna eat 100 tacos again and eat them all at this place. Polo's Taqueria is pretty much the only Mexican joint where you can get real al pastor pork from the rotating spit, and flawlessly executed with a fragrant chile kick. Leopoldo "Polo" Moreno gained a following at the Tohono O'Odham Swapmeet for his massive spinning trompo, and 2016 saw him opening his own restaurant serving food from Mexico City. The corn masa sopes are also a delight, with uncooked salsa verde that smacks of tangy tomatillos.

Enchiladas Potosinas at Benny's Restaurant

2702 E. Grant Road, 520-881-8841

Enchiladas aren't always the roll-y cheesy things that give us fatigue later in the day. When done Central Mexican style  the way Irma Palomo makes them  they can look more like folded tacos. Palomo is from the state of San Luis Potosi, and these cheese-stuffed Enchiladas Potosinas are the specialty at her midtown restaurant Benny's. The masa itself is mixed with chiles which turn it bright red and spicy. Except for the tangy Mexican cream, they are sauceless. They are delish.

Arizona grass-fed beef tartare at PY Steakhouse

5655 W. Valencia Road, 855-765-7829

When Ryan Clark took over the old school PY Steakhouse at Casino Del Sol earlier this year, he ramped up the restaurant's relationships with local ranches and farms. Some of the items on his fall menu go balls-to-the-walls crazy with gastronomic technique and showmanship, but I loved the simplicity of this raw steak from Arizona Grass Raised Beef Co in Northern AZ. The egg is cooked at sous vide 155 degrees for an hour, and is so rich and custardy you can cut it with a spoon. Eat it, then hit the slots.

Space Oddity cocktail at Obon

350 E. Congress St., 520-485-3590

This new cocktail deserves a spot with the food, not because it has squid ink in it, but because it's just that good ... Obon's bar manager Marlee Palmer came up with this wonder for the downtown sushi spot's new fall menu. It's a tribute to David Bowie and has edible "pearl dust" stars that swirl around the glass like a shifting galaxy. It looks really black and murky, but it tastes sweet and lemony from the drink's main ingredient, apple brandy.

Chicken katsu at Island Plate Lunch

5575 E River Rd #141, 520-989-0001

This cozy Hawaiian joint is owned by two Islanders Justin Eder and his wife Renee, a classically trained pastry chef who studied under French chef Michel Richard. This restaurant was just getting started when I visited a few weeks ago, and the expertly-cooked chicken katsu left an awesome first impression. I don't know how she gets the inside so juicy and the outside so crispy, but kudos. I can't wait to try their expanded menu with coconut milk crepes and peanut butter and jelly banh mi?!

Sea Aguachile at El Berraco

2960 N. First Ave., 520-620-9828

Gotta say El Berraco is my favorite new restaurant of the year. The cheesy submarine shtick and the outlandish seafood creations just speak to my inner Jack Sparrow. I'm always trying to get people to order that shrimp-stuffed coconut or the whole octopus on a plate, but since I've so far been unsuccessful, this is the next best thing. Well actually it's pretty amazing. The Sea Aguachile is like a Mexican crudo platter with raw scallops, shrimp and octopus that have been expertly filleted and bathed in salty soy sauce. You better share, because there's a lot of tostadas to go around. PS: If anyone can figure out what the word "Parce" means you get fifty friend points and a subavocado on me.
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. CHRISTINE MYERS, as Guardian Ad Litem for L. MYERS, a minor, individually, Plaintiff - Appellant, v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Defendant - Appellee. No. 14-56895 Decided: December 27, 2016

Before: KOZINSKI, and RAWLINSON, Circuit Judges, and BENNETT, Senior District Judge.**

MEMORANDUM*

Plaintiff Christine Myers seeks damages from the United States for injuries to her child, L. Myers, allegedly caused by exposure to toxic heavy metal thallium. The thallium allegedly came from soil dumped by a Navy contractor into a landfill adjacent to L. Myers's residence and school during a soil remediation project at Camp Pendleton in 1999 and 2000. In 2009, three years after phase one of the bench trial was submitted, the district judge ruled the United States did not breach any duty in conducting the soil remediation project and the discretionary function exception to tort liability of the United States deprived the court of subject matter jurisdiction. On Myers's first appeal, we reversed and remanded for trial phases two (actual and proximate causation) and three (damages), but we declined Myers's request to reassign the case to a different judge. Myers v. United States, 652 F.3d 1021, 1037-38 (9th Cir. 2011) (Myers I). After a second bench trial in early 2013, the district judge entered a lengthy and thorough decision. He found the breaches of duty we had identified were not the cause of any injuries and, based on several alternative holdings, directed entry of judgment for the United States. Myers v. United States, No. 02cv1349-BEN, 2014 WL 6611398 (S.D. Cal. Nov. 20, 2014). This second appeal followed. We affirm.

1. Myers contends the district judge erroneously failed to recuse himself on remand, pursuant to 28 U.S.C.  455(a), because of his bias and lack of impartiality. Myers did not file a formal motion for recusal before the district court. Failure to move for recusal at the trial level  does not preclude raising on appeal the issue of recusal under [28 U.S.C.]  455, Noli v. Comm'r, 860 F.2d 1521, 1527 (9th Cir. 1988), but it ordinarily means that review is for plain error, United States v. Holland, 519 F.3d 909, 911 n.1 (9th Cir. 2008). At a hearing on the record almost five months after our decision in Myers I, the district judge expressed his unhappiness with the remand, this panel's decision, and even members of this panel. Myers's counsel then stated that he underst[oo]d the court's feeling about [a panel member] and the finding that he made, but that counsel d[id]n't want [L.] Myers to get caught in that cross fire. Tr. of Hr'g 12/05/11, 20:10-14. The district judge responded, I think you asked for me to be removed and some other judge to bethat is not going to happen. Id. at 20:15-17 (referring to Myers's request in Myers I briefing that, if a remand was ordered, it should be assigned to a new judge). Myers's counsel clearly stated grounds for the judge's recusal; her failure to make a formal motion for the judge's recusal was excusable, as doing so would have been futile, in light of the judge's response; we construe her counsel's comments as a motion for recusal; and we review the judge's refusal to recuse himself for abuse of discretion. Glick v. Edwards, 803 F.3d 505, 508 (9th Cir. 2015).

A substantial part of Myers's opening brief in this appeal is devoted to the district judge's statements about members of this panel and this panel's remand decision as indicative of, or as the basis for, his bias and lack of impartiality. Myers argues such expressions warranted recusal under 28 U.S.C.  455(a) and suggests they violated the Code of Conduct for United States Judges. Inexplicably, the United States did not deign to respond to that argument in its answering brief, even though it was Myers's lead argument.

When questioned at oral argument, counsel for the government attempted to explain this omission on the ground that he did not believe that the issue of the district judge's unhappiness with the panel and its decision was relevant or that it was a strong argument for recusal. We disagree. We are troubled by the cavalier attitude expressed by counsel for the government in the brief and at oral argument. His view of the issue does not justify a complete failure to address it; indeed, failure to address an issue in an answering brief may waive any argument on the issue. See, e.g., United States v. Dreyer, 804 F.3d 1266, 1277 (9th Cir. 2015) (en banc) (stating, Generally, an appellee waives any argument it fails to raise in its answering brief, but noting exceptions); see also United States v. Johnson, 812 F.3d 757, 762 n.1 (9th Cir. 2016) (identifying additional circumstances as exceptions to waiver). Here, counsel's failure to address the issue is all the more deficient, where the district judge made numerous disparaging comments about this panel's decision and its members that could erode public confidence in the judiciary.

Section 455(a) of Title 28 of the United States Code requires a federal judge to disqualify himself in any proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned.  Liteky v. United States, 510 U.S. 540, 541 (1994) (quoting  455(a)). [P]redispositions developed during the course of a trial will sometimes (albeit rarely) suffice to cause a judge's impartiality to be reasonably questioned, id. at 554, while judicial rulings alone almost never constitute a valid basis for a bias or partiality motion, id. at 555. The question is whether the judge's opinions formed on the basis of facts introduced or events occurring in the course of the proceedings display [ed] a deep-seated favoritism or antagonism that would make fair judgment impossible. Id.

There is no question the district judge was unhappy about the remand and with members of this panel at a hearing almost five months after our opinion was filed. Nor is there a question that he was still unhappy, more than three years later, at a hearing well over a year after the trial on remand from Myers I ended and only a few months before he issued his decision on the second phase of the bench trial. The district judge's comments about this panel are a cause for serious concern. Indeed, the more professional approach would have been for the district judge to focus solely on the legal issues rather than injecting personal comments that could be easily interpreted as inappropriately attacking members of the panel. Nevertheless, given the very high standard in Liteky, we find his comments insufficient to warrant reversal. Similarly, the district judge's alleged predispositions against the plaintiff, her counsel, and her witnesses were developed during the course of trial. Id. at 554. Also, his rulings and opinions on issues in the case are reasoned and supported by the record. Id. at 555. Thus, we cannot conclude that the district judge display[ed] a deep-seated favoritism or antagonism that would make fair judgment impossible. Id. Myers is not entitled to remand or other relief on the ground that the district judge's failure to recuse himself pursuant to  455(a) was an abuse of discretion.

2. Next, Myers contends the district judge failed to follow the rule of the mandate by regularly making findings contrary to our findings on the prior appeal. Under the rule of the mandate, [t]he district court may  decide anything not foreclosed by the mandate But  commits jurisdictional error if it takes actions that contradict the mandate. Stacy v. Colvin, 825 F.3d 563, 568 (9th Cir. 2016) (quoting Hall v. City of Los Angeles, 697 F.3d 1059, 1067 (9th Cir. 2012)). The mandate after the first appeal was that the United States breached its mandatory duties to review the health and safety plan (HASP) and to ensure adherence to the safety plan in conducting the remediation project, Myers I, 652 F.3d at 1036-37, and the district judge was to conduct the actual and proximate causation phase and the damages phase of the bench trial, see id. at 1037. The district judge did not violate the mandate on remand by attempting to vary from or revisit our decision on breaches of duty, but proceeded to the causation phase of the trial, as directed, taking those breaches of duty as decided. Stacy, 825 F.3d at 568. Myers's claims of contrary findings by the district judge do not withstand careful scrutiny. Rather, she reads our findings or the district judge's findings more narrowly or broadly than the language used will bear or simply reads them out of context. No remand or other relief is required on this second ground, either.

3. Myers argues the district judge erred by disregarding the opinions of her experts because the district judge erroneously found her counsel improperly poisoned the well and manipulated their opinions. She contends the experts were all treating physicians who had formed and expressed their opinions based on treatment, before her counsel provided them with publicly available information on thallium, reports of others, or lab tests. The mere fact that an expert witness has talked with a party's lawyer and then altered his or her opinion language, though it might be considered relevant, does not require a factfinder to find that expert witness is other than credible. Hawaii Stevedores, Inc. v. Ogawa, 608 F.3d 642, 650 (9th Cir. 2010) (emphasis added). On the other hand, where a treating physician or expert is exposed to information that was not obtained from examination or treatment, but from a party's counsel, the factfinder may reasonably believe the information influenced or colored the treating physician's or expert's subsequent testimony. Cf. id. Indeed, while there may be good reasons for providing treating physicians or experts with materials outside of their own examination and treatment records prior to depositions or trial testimony, Myers provided none. Ultimately, it is clear that [f]acts casting doubt on the credibility of an expert witness  are questions reserved for the fact finder. City of Pomona v. SQM N. Am. Corp., 750 F.3d 1036, 1053 (9th Cir. 2014). No remand or other relief is required on this ground.

4. Myers's last contention is that the district judge erred by denying her motion to shift the burden to the United States to prove its negligence was not the proximate cause of L. Myers's injuries. Under California law, a shift of the burden of proof  may be said to rest on a policy judgment that [1] when there is a substantial probability that a defendant's negligence was a cause of an accident, and [2] when the defendant's negligence makes it impossible, as a practical matter, for plaintiff to prove proximate causation conclusively, it is more appropriate to hold the defendant liable than to deny an innocent plaintiff recovery, unless the defendant can prove that his negligence was not a cause of the injury. Haft v. Lone Palm Hotel, 3 Cal. 3d 756, 774 n.19 (1970) (emphasis in the original). This is a narrow exception to the usual allocation of proof. Thomas v. Lusk, 27 Cal. App. 4th 1709, 1717 (1994).

Here, the district judge refused to invoke the exception, because he found uncertainty (i.e., no substantial probability) as to either L. Myers's injuries or whether any such injuries were caused by thallium dust escaping from the landfill, citing Jones v. Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp., 163 Cal. App. 3d 396, 406 (1985), which in turn cites Haft. Myers argues there is no doubt L. Myers suffered injury and the cause of her inability to prove causation with certainty is the negligence of the United States. We disagree.

First, the district judge did not erroneously conclude the evidence of injury from thallium exposure was uncertain. The district judge reasonably concluded the claim of elevated thallium in L. Myers's system was based on only one urine test reported out by the tester, but that test was not reliable. The district judge also identified evidence casting doubt on whether any of L. Myers's alleged symptoms or injuries were the result of thallium exposure or were actually injuries at all. That evidence included, but was not limited to, evidence that L. Myers's younger sister, for whom thallium exposure was never alleged, also suffered from alopecia (hair loss) a few years after L. Myers did, suggesting that the cause of both girls' hair loss was genetic, rather than thallium exposure. Lone Palm Hotel, 3 Cal. 3d at 774 n.19 (first requirement). Similarly, extensive sampling of L. Myers's yard, house (inside and outside), other family members, pets, and school showed no elevated thallium levels, suggesting that no thallium dust had escaped from the landfill. Id. Such extensive testing also demonstrates that the defendant's breaches of duty in dust monitoring did not make[ ] it impossible, as a practical matter, for plaintiff to prove proximate causation conclusively, if there was evidence of causation to be found. Id. (second requirement).

No remand or other relief is required on this last ground.

AFFIRMED.
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the nation at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 31, 2016. The citizens of India and Indians living abroad are keenly awaiting the speech as the 40 day period post demonetization ends today. Experts predict that Modi will have some important announcements to make.

Live TV telecast and streaming information

National broadcaster Doordarshan and many other channels like NDTV, AAJ-Tak, CNN-IBN will telecast the speech live from 7:30 IST onwards. Internet users can watch the live streaming of the Narendra Modi's speech online on the PM's Youtube channel.

This will be Modi's 2nd address to the country since he banned the Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination currency on November 8th. The deadline to deposit the old notes in banks ended on Dec. 30th. 85 percent of the countries old notes worth Rs 15 lakh crores were said to be deposited in Indian banks during this period.

Rs 4,500 can be drawn from ATM's from January 1, 2017

A number of stringent rules were applied for people who had stocked the old notes. Only Rs. 2.5 lakhs was allowed to be deposited per account while the daily withdrawal limit was restricted to just Rs 2000 a day and Rs 24,000 per week.

Got confirmation.There is something VERY BIG announcement in Narendra Modi speech,likely to happen at 8 PM today  Narendra nath mishra (@iamnarendranath) December 31, 2016

The Reserve Bank of India yesterday issued a statement saying fro January 1, 2016, a maximum of Rs 4,500 per day per account can be withdrawn from ATM's.

AAJ-TAK live news

Like other developed countries, the Indian PM pitched for cashless transactions and use of debit cards to make payments to avoid hoarding of black money and curb corruption. The Indian PM also launched an e-wallet App BHIM for the citizens to help them make cashless transactions and payments.

After the notes ban, a number of news reports appeared on TV channels about the stone pelting and terrorism that was reduced in the Northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Doordarshan News:

The BJP Govt led by Modi has also come under criticism for the lack of preparation in executing the mammoth task of the currency swap as banks had long ques and ATM's empty within minutes.
There have been times when the expulsion of diplomats of a foreign power from the national territory was tantamount to a declaration of war. The one between the US and Russia has always been "cold" and today the ice between the two countries has reached the highest level and the air within a radius of over 7,800 km that separates Washington from Moscow is tense. But what seems all too obvious is the goal of Barack Obama who is the outgoing president, but still in charge of the United States. The 'hot potato' passing into the hands of Donald Trump is literally hot.

Putin is waiting for Trump to start the settlement

Donald Trump is between a rock and a hard place. The expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats, accused by the Obama administration to have played an important part in the alleged Russian interference in presidential elections this year was an act that irreparably damaged the relations between the White House and the Kremlin. vladimir putin has so far been limited to dispute the action but is not acting with aggression, at least for the moment. Therefore, there will be no retaliation on US diplomats working in Russia. It is as clear as day that the Russian president awaits the settlement via his new counterpart.

What is the situation for Trump?

For Donald Trump, the situation is not quite as smooth as glass.

If he implements the promised dialogue with Moscow without investigating the matter this could not only confirm the suspicions of those who argue that the Kremlin has really helped Trump but also delegitimize the work of US intelligence. Obama's decision is the result of detailed reports of the organizations that are concerned with the security of the states.

First Russian mission

At the moment the President-elect is not yet in office and cannot do anything about the tension between the two countries. The first step announced by Donald Trump is to meet the leaders of the Russian secret services. Vladimir Putin for his part, expects the moves of one who declares himself always as a future "ally." For the moment the proposal of Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov, who had suggested the president immediately expel 31 US Embassy officials in Moscow and four others of the St. Petersburg consulate in the name of a principle of reciprocity, remains in the drawer .
Hyacinth Bucket of the hilarious "Keeping up Appearances" series would be totally over the moon to know that her real-life character Patricia Routledge has been honored with the female version of knighthood and is now officially a "Dame".

It would be fantastic to see an actual episode of this remade just so we could watch "the lady of the house," deal with the moment - after all, how does one get off to the Palace without Onslo pitching up to ruin the moment?

Patricia Routledge is now eighty-four years old, and every inch a lady. Now she is also a Dame and was granted the award for her services to theatre and charity, the Daily Mail reports.

Mrs. Bucket Dame tweets on Twitter

There are often meme type comments about Mrs. Bucket on Twitter - namely one saying she should be made "Home Secretary," but the New Year 2017 shows that many people love the idea of her being honoured in the New Year List.

Best news of 2016. Hyacinth Bucket herself is now officially a Dame. Congratulations Patricia Routledge xxxxx #NewYearsHonours  Rylan Clark-Neal (@Rylan) December 30, 2016

Fans are absolutely delighted that Hyacinth will from henceforth be known as Dame Commander of the British Empire! One can only chuckle with happiness at this joyful news and say "well done," to the British. The mind actually boggles to imagine her calling up "My Sheridan," to tell him the news!

We can already just imagine her finding out when the white telephone rang and Twitter, of course, does not disappoint.

Hyacinth Bucket picks up her white, slim line telephone with last number redial to discover she has been made a Dame! #NewYearsHonours pic.twitter.com/hbC777NMtG  Michael  (@Taylor_Mickey_) December 30, 2016

Keeping up Appearances ran for five years until Patricia Routledge moved on to other projects

The sitcom was immensely popular when it ran for five years between 1990 and 1995.

The 44 episodes showed us the actress Patricia pulling off a wonderful performance as the middle-class woman trying so hard to live above her station. The comedy was never slapstick and this was probably due to the especially good casting of the other characters: brother in law Onslo, a chain-smoking slob in a dirty vest, her "daddy," always letting the side down and the secretly appalled vicar.

Richard, long-suffering husband, the two pole-opposite sisters, and Elizabeth next door.

The BBC reported that the series was one of their biggest earners and was sold over a thousand times. Patricia Routledge went off to do other things, including a lot of charity work but left behind the memory of Mrs. Bucket, (pronounced" Bouquet") in the minds of millions of fans across the world. Across Europe, Canada, the USA and Australia, the laughter rang out, and to this day people visit Youtube just to relive the moments.

Watch Hyacinth Bucket (Patricia Routledge) on Youtube

The Daily Mail reminded us that "although she was best known for the sitcom, Miss Routledge, who has never married or had any children, also appeared in films such as 1967s "To Sir, With Love" alongside Sidney Poitier and Lulu, and the BBC detective comedy-drama "Hetty Wainthropp Investigates"'

The Dame knighthood honour for Hyacinth Bucket of "Keeping up Appearances" is the best news to come out of the UK in 2016.
2016 was a bad year for the world of travel, if you believe everything you read in the media that is. Here's 5 places you NEED to visit in 2017!

1. Dahab,South Sinai,Egypt

Formerly a Bedouin fishing village on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, Dahab is now considered to be one of the world's most treasured diving destination and is adored by those that give Egypt the chance. Tainted by bad press over the last few years Egypt's decline in tourism is obviously, but this slice of magic in Sinai remains a bubble of beauty. The Red Sea of Dahab provides scuba divers with some of the most beautiful corals and marine life in the world, while the Blue Hole gives freedivers the ultimate spot to sink into the abis.

When the lights dim the stars come out to play and illuminate the sky showing only the shadows of the breath-taking Sinai desert and a small glisten of Dahab below. One of the most unique towns in the world, every one who lives there knows it, but their small voice is yet to be heard. Until now.

2. Jersualem, Israel

One of the oldest and most historic cities in the world, Jerusalem used to be called "Urusalima", meaning "City of Peace". However, if you tell anyone now that you are travelling to Israel their response may be something along the lines of "but isn't it dangerous?". This electric city is saturated in history and energy yet offers so much more than just that. It's emerging night life and music scene has encouraged a flock of younger people to move to the city searching for a more creative and fulfilling lifestyle.

The passion and love Jersualem exhales in each breathe is inspiring. A country that has received so much bad press is finally coming out the other side and with a push on tourism in 2017 you'll be seeing Jersualem pop up everywhere very soon. But remember, you saw it here first.

3. Amman, Jordan

Who knew how happening Amman was?

Millennia's sip their lattes in cafes full of books, bite into chocolate brownies on rooftop coffee shops and smoke shisha while watching outdoor movies. The capital city of Jordan is electric, vibrant and a complete surprise to any of those expecting the conflict you see in the media. A popular city for expats, community projects are popping up all over the city integrating local culture with modern trends.

There's even a hip, yet small, nightlife scene in the ever-trendy Rainbow Street where falafel sandwiches meet beer and coffee's mingle with cocktails. Becoming one of the most sophisticated cities in the Middle East, Amman is ridiculously underrated and more than deservers a place on your 2017 must visit list.

4. Cappadocia, Turkey

If you haven't seen "those balloon photos" you may well have been living under a rock for the last few years. As voted as one of the most "Instagrammable" destinations in the world by numerous publications, Cappadocia is a dream destination for most - if you don't let what you read about Istanbul put you off. Around 5am every morning (weather permitted) hundreds of hot air balloons cover the morning sky creating an out-of-this-world experience.

Back on steady land Turkish feasts wait for you as you sip coffee on cave hotel rooftops and sit on traditional Turkish carpets. The "land of the fairy chimneys" looks like it has come straight out of a fairytale and is somewhere everyone needs to visit now.

5. Ramallah, Palestine

Would you ever Travel to Palestine? What horrible press it gets. But, it really deserves your chance, it really deserves your love. Hidden in between the conflict is a beautiful soul. Palestine is more than just war. Palestine is the best hummus in the world, Palestine is a creative hub of genuine people, and holds beautiful terrain and peaceful sunsets. It is nothing like you see on T.V. Ramallah, in particular, is its own little bubble, with locals smoking shisha in cafes, drinking arak in bars and eating sweet treats and Shawarma goodness. Give Palestine a chance in 2017.
The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that application of the Exclusionary Rule Reform Act, Tenn. Code Ann.  40-6-108(a), to cases in which the evidence was seized prior to the statutes enactment does not violate the constitutional prohibition against ex post facto laws. Ex post facto laws are laws that are passed and take effect after an event takes place but are still applied to that event. Both the United States and Tennessee constitutions prohibit such laws under certain circumstances. The ERRA provides that evidence seized pursuant to a search warrant shall be admissible notwithstanding a good faith mistake or technical violation made by a law enforcement officer, court official, or issuing magistrate. In determining that retroactive application of the ERRA did not violate the federal or state constitution, the Court concluded that the ex post facto clause of Tennessees Constitution is similar in definition and scope to that contained in the United States Constitution, overruling prior precedent that held that our states ex post facto clause provided greater protection than its federal counterpart.

This case arose when law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for the residence of the defendant, John Henry Pruitt, executed a search, and seized evidence of a crime that was later admitted into evidence against the defendant at trial. The warrant displayed two dates, October 18 and 19, 2010, giving rise to a question of when the warrant was actually issued. Testimony at the pre-trial suppression hearing established that any error in the warrant was a technical error or a mistake due to the time of daythe proximity to midnightand that the warrant was not executed prior to being officially issued.

The trial court ruled that the ERRA applied to the defendants case, even though the statute did not take effect until July 1, 2011. Following a trial, the defendant was convicted of two counts of first degree premeditated murder, one count of attempted premeditated murder, and three counts of aggravated assault. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The defendant appealed to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, which upheld the defendants convictions on different grounds than the trial court.

The Supreme Court granted the defendants application for permission to appeal to consider whether retroactive application of the ERRA would violate constitutional protections against ex post facto laws and to reevaluate prior Tennessee ex post facto analysis. The ex post facto challenge was the only constitutional issue involving the ERRA that was at issue in this case.

In a unanimous opinion released Friday, the Court concluded that retroactive application of the ERRA does not infringe upon ones constitutional protection against ex post facto laws. The Court explained that to run afoul of the ex post facto prohibition, a statute must fall into one of four prohibited categories: it criminalizes an action that was innocent when done; it aggravates a crime; it changes the punishment for the crime; or it changes the rules of evidence to lower the quantum of evidence required to convict the offender. The ERRA does not fall into any of those categories.

Moreover, the Court revisited prior Tennessee precedent analyzing our constitutions ex post facto clause and concluded that nothing within the text of our constitution or our States history supports the conclusion that our ex post facto clause is more expansive than its federal counterpart. This Court overruled prior precedent to the contrary.

Read the opinion in State v. John Henry Pruitt, authored by Justice Roger Page.
Kyriakos Amiridis (59), Greek Ambassador to Brazil, was reported missing by his wife on Monday, December 26 after visiting her relatives in their holiday home in Nova Iguacu, a town outside of Rio.

A body was found in a burnt-out vehicle rented out to Amiridis on Thursday after an extensive search by Brazilian authorities.

Late Thursday, police had reported finding blood spots on a sofa inside the holiday home where the wifes family apparently lives.

State-run news Agencia Brasil said that Kyriakos Amiridis was appointed as ambassador in January and spent his holidays in the house where he had been consul-general from 2001 to 2004.

Tragic soap opera love affair

Late Friday, lead investigator, Evaristo Pontes Magalhaes, stated in a press conference that police officer Sergio Gomes Moreira Filho (29) had confessed to killing Amiridis, Greek Ambassador to Brazil, in self-defence. Filho claimed that he was having an affair with the ambassadors wife, Francoise Amiridis (40), a Brazilian national. Eduardo de Melo, Filho's cousin, has also acknowledged being a lookout and helping during the coverup, Magalhaes said.

The cousin claimed that the Ambassador's wife offered him 80,000 reals (approx. $25,000 US) 30 days after the crime when things cooled down. Francoise Amiridis has denied any role in the killing and insists she was not at home at the time of the crime.

Lead investigator, Evaristo Pontes Magalhaes, said late Friday at the press conference that the evidence clearly puts the ambassadors wife as a conspirator of the crime. According to Magalhaes, Francoise had begun plotting with Filho to kill the ambassador after the couple had a row a few days before Christmas.

What was the motivation for killing the Greek ambassador?

All the evidence suggests that she was motivated to cash in on the inheritance after the ambassador was killed so she could enjoy life with her lover Sergio, the investigator said. He continued to say that a judge had ordered the arrest of all three parties, Francoise, Filho and his cousin.

Filho told police that during a fight, he strangled the ambassador but the blood evidence found on the scene proves otherwise, the investigator said. Investigators believed Filho stabbed Amiridis to death.

Further evidence showed that Amiridis body was removed from the house in a carpet. The ambassador's wife arrived with their 10-year-old daughter during this time, the investigator said. Magalhaes stated, "It was a crime of passion committed by Ms. Francoise and the military policeman...They were in a romantic relationship between them. She only told us that her lover -- let's call him that -- the military policeman, was the mastermind of the crime, executed this crime against her husband.

She denies taking part."

On December 31st, the Greece Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on their official website saying, "We express our deepest sorrow at the tragic death of Ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis, a friend of Brazil, who throughout his diplomatic career served Greece conscientiously and responsibly."
Students pose in front of the gate of Renmin University of China on June 20, 2016 in Beijing. [Photo/IC]

A report on entrepreneurship among Chinese college students published by Renmin University of China revealed an inverse proportion between the level of students' academic degrees and their intentions to start their own businesses. According to the report, released on Dec 28, students from prestigious universities were less willing to start businesses, likely because of high opportunity cost.

A total of 430,000 students from 1,767 universities in 31 provinces were surveyed. Of the respondents, 89.2 percent had considered starting a business, with 18.2 percent reporting firm intentions to do so. More than 70 percent said self-realization was the biggest motivation to start a business.

Common industries for college startups include catering, agriculture, IT, transportation, education and culture. According to the report, 13.8 percent of the entrepreneurs were interested in hospitality and catering, while 13.7 percent choose agriculture. Ninety percent of the students believe their universities' guidance on entrepreneurship would help their future businesses. In addition, they professed appreciation for policies intended to encourage entrepreneurship.

The report found that students majoring in art, agriculture and engineering were more willing to start businesses, while those majoring in history and science showed relatively low interest.

A lack of capital and experience is the biggest obstacle for college entrepreneurs, the report suggested, stating that 40 percent of such young entrepreneurs rely on external capital such as loans from banks, investment organizations, schools and the government.
BEIJING - The Chinese mainland's trade with Hong Kong totaled $274 billion in the first 11 months of 2016, down 7.1 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The value accounted for 8.3 percent of the mainland's total overseas trade in the January-November period.

Mainland exports to Hong Kong hit $258 billion, a decrease of 9.3 percent year on year, while the mainland's imports from the region saw an increase of 51.9 percent to $16.1 billion.

Hong Kong is the mainland's fourth-largest trading partner and third-largest export market, according to the ministry.

The mainland approved 11,309 Hong Kong-invested projects from January to November, with the actual use of Hong Kong capital reaching $72.8 billion, down 6.8 percent from the same period of last year.

By the end of November, the mainland had approved 397,522 Hong Kong-invested projects, with the actual use of Hong Kong capital reaching $906 billion, accounting for 51.6 percent of the mainland's actual use of overseas capital.
BEIJING - China's banking industry recorded more external financial assets by the end of September compared with the second quarter, according to official figures.

China's banking industry, excluding the central bank, reported external financial assets of $827.6 billion dollars by the end of September, up from $777.9 billion at the end of June, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) said.

However, the nation's banking industry witnessed external liabilities growing at an increased pace, reaching $979.6 billion by September, resulting in net external liabilities of $152 billion.

The net external liabilities figure increased from $140 billion at the end of June, said SAFE.

By September, external financial assets of the banking industry reached $633 billion for deposits and loans, with bonds investment reaching $81.8 billion, and other assets, including equity, topping $112.8 billion.

Breakdown figures by currency showed RMB external financial assets were $84.9 billion by September, with US dollar assets reaching $582.3 billion and assets in other currencies standing at $160.4 billion.

SAFE started publishing external financial assets and liabilities banking data for the first time in March.

The data reflects foreign-related business operations of China's banking industry as well as the global allocation of their assets and liabilities, which is important for improving statistical transparency and monitoring cross-border capital flows.
BEIJING - A total of 278 overseas institutions have received quotas amounting to $87.3 billion under the Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFII) program to move money into the country's capital account, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange said.

As of Dec 28, the quota in the RMB Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (RQFII) program came in at 528.5 billion yuan ($76.1 billion).

China's currency, the yuan, is convertible for trade purposes under the current account, while the capital account, which covers portfolio investment and borrowing, is largely run by the state in efforts to control capital flows in and out of the country.

To gradually open the capital account, the government introduced the QFII and RQFII programs in 2003 and 2011 respectively. They give foreign investors the right to move money into the account, to encourage controlled flows.

The RQFII program is currently open to 18 countries and regions, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Britain, Singapore, France, the Republic of Korea, Germany, Qatar, Canada, Australia and Luxembourg.
BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping offered congratulations to a media organization launched Saturday, urging it to "tell China stories well" to the world.

"The relationship between China and the rest of the world is undergoing historic changes. China needs to know better about the world and the world needs to know better about China," Xi said in a congratulatory letter to the China Global Television Network (CGTN).

Set up by China Central Television (CCTV) as a rebranding of CCTV news, CGTN will integrate resources as part of the trend in media convergence, and be a multi-language, multi-platform media group.

It will consist of six TV channels, three overseas branches, a video content provider and a digital media division.
The Granfalloon will host its second annual series of free Out of the House Winter Family Shows in January.

As the Granfalloon celebrates a year of open doors under new management and the addition of Adelles Creperie during daytime hours, it will bring back local talent now on Saturdays from noon-1 p.m.

Out of the House is a way for families to gather to enjoy food and drink from Adelles menu and to hear local artists as they explore the music of their childhood and original music. The Out of the House series is a way to entertain the family during the cold winter months when indoor fun is needed, said officials.

With Adelles launching its expanded menu of crepes, paninis, salads, soups, omelettes and waffles, it offers options for breakfast, brunch and lunch, along with adult beverages.

Schedule and reviews for Out of the House performers:

Jan. 7 Alex Volz: Alex has been a local favorite for a while and fans are always blown away by his creativity and love for children, inspired by his nieces. Now a father himself, we are honored to have him return as a solo act to The Granfalloon. Alex specializes in kid music that even adults can enjoy. Make sure to request his version of Old McDonald.

Jan. 14 Tyler Martelli: Tyler was first introduced to The Granfalloon through our Open Air Music nights. His versatile range of genres and abilities is only matched by his fast strumming fingers and huge heart. He has toured the world with Slim Pickens, spreading the good word of Bluegrass, and can be found on a stage or behind a live feed many times a week. He recently began working on a monthly music series that spotlights the issues of our homeless population year round, and we cant wait to see what stories he will share with us for Out of the House.

Jan. 21 Amber Fults: A shining star in the Chattanooga local music scene, Amber was the first artist to perform for Out of the House last year. Her charisma will warm your heart on the coldest January day, and her vocals and songwriting abilities will astonish you. From winning Road to Nightfall to participating in Make a Wish, Amber is now a full time musician and demonstrates the gold standard of class and hard work.

Jan. 28 Rick Rushing: A longtime favorite on the Chattanooga music scene, Rick Rushing is pretty much the coolest guy you can meet. Rick is the band leader, vocalist and guitarist of the local blues band, Rick Rushing & the Blues Strangers. The Blues is where everything comes from, it is raw and revives the soul. Rushing explains his style to be todays blues, jazz, and rock and rhythm. Rick was also the three-time board president of the Folk School of Chattanooga, which is a non-profit music and educational organization seeking to cultivate a thriving community of musicians and music supporters.

For more information contact Tara Viland at tara@chattanoogapresents.com
        "Shout for joy, daughter of Zion! For behold, I come, and I will dwell within you, says Adonai."

That's the first line of the special haftarah reading for Shabbat Chanukah, Zechariah 2:14-4:7, which I chanted many years ago at my bat mitzvah.

I've remembered that opening line all these years. But there's much in this haftarah from Zechariah that I didn't remember. For instance, Zechariah's vision of Joshua, the high priest, standing before God as though on trial, with  / ha-satan, "the Accuser," there to accuse him. But God rebukes the accuser, says that Joshua is a "firebrand plucked from the fire," and makes his dirty garments white as snow.

Then an angel wakes Zechariah and asks what he sees. Zechariah describes a vision of a golden menorah, mystically fed by a stream of flowing oil direct from two olive trees. Zechariah asks the angel what this means, and the angel tells him, "'Not by might, and not by power, but by My spirit alone' -- so says the God of Hosts."

The vision of the golden menorah may be why these verses are chanted on Shabbat Chanukah. They evoke the miracle: the oil that should not have been enough to keep the eternal flame kindled, but somehow it was enough. Or maybe the miracle is that our forebears took the leap of faith of lighting the eternal flame in the first place.

These verses evoke, too, our sages' decision centuries ago not to include the story of guerilla warfare in our sacred scripture. The Books of Maccabees, which tell the tale of the insurgency against Antiochus, are not part of the Hebrew Bible. When we tell the story of Chanukah, we tell the story of the miracle -- the oil, and the faith -- not the story of insurgents fighting soldiers. "Not by might, and not by power, but by My spirit alone."

What we have, what we are, is enough -- even at times when we fear we don't have enough to offer. Even when all we have are the tiny sparks of hope we nurture and carry in our own hearts. We read in Proverbs that "The candle of God is the soul of a human being." Our souls are God's candles. It's our job to be the light of the world. So far, so good. But what do I make of that perplexing passage earlier in the haftarah, the vision of Joshua and ha-satan, the Accuser?

This year I read those verses as a parable about internal reality. I know what it's like to hear the words of my inner accuser. That voice tells me that my mis-steps disqualify me from being the person I want to be. Who am I to claim to be a servant of the Most High when my garments are so shabby -- when the life I try to weave is so riddled with mistakes, disappointments, inadequacies? That voice reminds me of all the good I intended to do in the world that I failed to do, the loved ones whose suffering I cannot alleviate, the problems I cannot fix.

But the Holy One of Blessing sees me otherwise. God sees me through loving eyes. God sees my good intentions, even when I don't live up to them the way I wish I could. God sees my struggles and my griefs not as a sign that I am failing, but as the refining fire that burns away my illusions. God says to my inner accuser: this soul is a burning branch plucked from the fire of human circumstance, and her yearning to do better and be better is what enables her light to shine. God says to my inner accuser: see, I forgive this soul's mis-steps, and I make the garment of her life as white as snow.

Each of us has that inner accuser... and each of us can experience redemption from that voice when we remember that we are seen also through loving eyes. If you believe in a God Who sees you, then those loving eyes are Divine. If you don't believe in that kind of personalized deity, then those eyes may be those of someone in your life... or they may be your own eyes, when you take the leap of faith of seeing yourself the way you wish your dearest beloved could see you.

In Zechariah's vision, Joshua's garments become white as snow. Just so for all of us. When we do our own inner work to try to be better, our tradition teaches, we are forgiven. And the sorrows of the old year, the stains and smudges on our life's "garment," do not disqualify us from hoping for better in the year to come. On the contrary: it is precisely with awareness of our mistakes and our sorrows that we are called to hope for better -- to kindle the light of hope even when reason would argue otherwise.

Our task is to let our light shine, and to trust in the One Who ensures that what we have, that what we are, is enough to meet whatever comes.

This is the d'var haftarah I offered at my shul earlier today, on New Year's Eve Day which is also Shabbat Chanukah which is also my bat-mitzvah-versary. (Cross-posted to my From the Rabbi blog.)
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ICE Is Detaining A Leading Local Trans Activist & Supporters Are Urging Help

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Dec 30, 2016 11:10PM



Nina Chaubal, photo via Twitter.

Updated Jan. 3 10:30 a.m.: Activists are raising money through GoFundMe to help Chicago's Nina Chaubal, who has been held in ICE detention in Arizona since Dec. 28. Chaubal's wife, Greta Martela, expects Chaubal to be released on bond Tuesday, and is raising money to help pay the cost of the bond, legal fees, and other expenses as a result of Chaubal's detainment.

A local LGBT activist and the founder of the crisis hotline Trans Lifeline is being detained by immigration authorities in Arizona after being stopped while driving home to Chicago.

Nina Chaubal, 25, an India-born Chicagoan and the co-founder of Trans Lifeline (a San Francisco-based non-profit), was driving to Chicago from California on Interstate-8 with her wife and two friends when the group encountered an immigration checkpoint in Arizona on Wednesday. There, officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Chaubal and demanded she show them her passport (Chaubal was carrying her Illinois drivers license at the time, but not her passport, because she was traveling through the United States and not crossing international borders, so she provided ICE with a photo of her passport) and that she provide proof that she is married to a U.S. citizen. They then took her into custody after learning that her gender identity did not match the gender listed on her Indian passport and that she was in the country on an expired work visa, her wife Greta Martela told Chicagoist.

Chaubal's family and friends are urging ICE to release Chaubal, who has been held since Wednesday by ICE in two Arizona immigration detention facilities. She is currently being held at Eloy Detention Center in Eloy, Arizonaa privately operated prison with a disturbing reputation for violence against LGBT detainees.

"For a lot of trans women, the thing we fear most is ending up in prison," Martela, the co-founder and executive director of Trans Lifeline, told Chicagoist. Trans Women in prison and detention facilities are disproportionally at risk for assault, rape and harassment, and it's common for prisons to place trans women in male-only facilities or in solitary confinement.

"This is pretty much the worst thing I could think of happening besides her being murdered," Martela said. "I have really had to try to suppress my emotions so I can do what I need to do to get through this. If I think about the things that could be happening to her then I would completely lose it. I'm sad and I'm angry. I really want her out."

Martela, is pushing to have Chaubal releasedreasoning that the well-known activist and non-profit founder should not be imprisoned and is not a flight riskor at least transferred to another detention center with a better track record for treating LGBT people. She is also urging friends, family and supporters to help amplify her voice by contacting ICE with these requests.

"Nina left a six-figure tech job to found Trans Lifeline, where she's helped 18,000 people in crisis," Martela said. "She's kind of exactly what we say you're supposed to be to immigrate to the United States. She has sacrificed in her own life to help her community. It's distressing that in America you can be everything you're supposed to be, and if you're an immigrant you can have no rights and be imprisoned on the whim of somebody who is a police officer."

Chaubal, who moved to the U.S. in 2009, graduated from the University of Illinois and worked as a software engineer at Google before leaving her job to found a suicide prevention hotline for trans youth, has been in the process of applying for a Green Card for two years, according to Martela. But that process has stymied due to various bureaucratic hurdles. The pair were due to return to Chicago Friday. Authorities have told Martela that Chaubal's two options are to deport herself to India or apply for asylum in the United States.

"She was [in the U.S.] as an H1B, a tech worker here on a visa that lasts as long as the person is employed," Martela said. "We thought we would get married, we were in love, and we figured we'd be able to get a Green Card. But because it's not that easy to apply for a Green Card, we ended up in a bureaucratic catch-22."

Martela is hopeful that Chaubal will be granted asylum in the United States, because it is illegal to be gay in India, and it is not uncommon for trans people to experience violence and harassment in India. But the past 48 hours have also left her worried about the safety of Chaubal and other trans immigrants at a time when the President-elect's political agenda involves curtailing the rights of immigrants and deporting immigrants.

"I'm afraid this is what the country is going to be like over the next four years," she said.

Virginia Kice, a regional spokeswoman for ICE, confirmed Chaubal is in ICE custody in an email to Chicagoist Friday evening, but said ICE cannot release information about individuals in custody without their signed consent.

Responding to a question about the conditions of trans detainees, Kice said that ICE "continues to work closely with community-based groups and other stakeholders to enhance conditions for those in the agencys custody," and pointed to a 2015 agency directive specifically to improve housing for trans detainees.

"The updated guidance is the result of a six-month agency working group that examined issues with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) subject matter experts, sought input from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Field Offices, transgender individuals, and visited various non-federal facilities across the country to observe best practices," she wrote.
HCM CITY Industrial zones in HCM City hope to attract investments worth US$500 million next year, according to the HCM City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority.

Exports by companies situated in Industrial parks (IPs) and export processing zones (EPZs) are expected to top $6 billion next year, Tran Cong Khanh, head of the HEPZA office, told a press meeting on December 30.

HEPZA continues to encourage investment in four key industries, including -- mechanical engineering, electronics and IT, chemicals and food processing, and supporting industries -- he said.

To achieve the target, it plans to expand Le Minh Xuan IP and complete the third phase of Hiep Phuoc IP.

It will develop areas set aside for supporting industries in Hiep Phuoc, Le Minh Xuan No.3 and Automotive-Mechanical IPs.

Tran Viet Ha, head of the investment management department, said foreign direct investment halved this year to $255.61 million.

Investments by domestic enterprises were worth VN5.2 trillion ($237.71 million), a year-on-year decrease of 14 per cent, he said.

He attributed the decline to a shift in investment towards high-tech industries instead of labour-intensive sectors, meaning there was a fall in investment in sectors like textiles and footwear.

Exports by enterprises in IPs and EPZs were estimated at $5.86 billion.

A total of 1,385 projects with a combined investment of $9.22 billion, including 535 FDI projects worth $5.41 billion, are operating in IPs and EPZs.

They employ more than 285,700 workers, including 2,346 foreign nationals.

Tet bonus

The average Tet (Lunar New Year) bonuses to be paid by domestic and foreign enterprises in IPs and EPZs are respectively VN7 million (US$300) and 6.8 million (US$295), Khanh said.

The highest is VN1 billion (US$43,480) to be paid by a domestic company, he said.

The lowest is VN3.5 million (US$152).

A total of 6,000 workers will also get bus tickets to return home for Tet and gifts. VNS
The Viet Nam Information Technology Press Club this week issued a list of the top ten domestic information and communication technology (ICT) events of 2016.

1 Hackers attack Vietnamese airports and Vietnam Airlines

An alleged Chinese hacker group carries out several cyberspace attacks on Viet Nams two biggest airports, Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat International airports, and the official website of the national flag-carrier Vietnam Airlines on July 29.

The hackers also took control of the speaker system at Noi Bai airport for a few minutes, during which the speakers broadcast an English-speaking male voice distorting Viet Nams claims over the East Sea.

The hackers claimed to be the 1937CN from China, which is one of the biggest hacker groups in the country.

The official website of Vietnam Airlines, vietnamairlines.com, was hacked by the 1937CN group on the same day. The airline customer database was stolen and made public on the internet.

2 4G officially licensed

Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan this year granted licences for VNPT, Viettel, MobiFone and Gtel to provide 4G service on broadband 1,800 MHz.

On November 3, VNPT officially launched its 4G service on Phu Quoc Island in the southern coastal province of Kien Giang. This is the first locality in the country where VNPT is providing the 4G service.

3 PM approved scrapping Article 292

Article 292 of the Penal Code, which stipulates penalties, including prison sentences, for providing unlicensed online or telecom services, is inimical to IT start-ups.

At the second session of the National Assembly, with the authorisation of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Justice asks to revoke Article 292.

Previously, a petition calling for the scrapping of Article 292 was sent to officials, ministers and agencies and collected nearly 6,000 signatures after only one week.

4 VN mobile phone users pickpocketed

The Ha Noi Department of Information uncovered a case involving Sam Media, a Hong Kong-based company, which cooperated with four Vietnamese carriers to steal VND230 billion ($10 million) from 94,000 mobile users.

These users received advertising messages from Sam Media, which they thought were free. After the case was uncovered, Sam Media was given a fine of VND55 million ($2,400).

5 Cyber attacks on major banks

The Tien Phong Commercial Joint Stock Bank (TPBank) is almost cheated out of US$1.13 million by international hackers in May.

Fortunately, the bank detected the suspicious transactions in time and promptly contacted relevant agencies to stop the hackers.

In August, a Vietcombank customer said she discovered that her account had notifications of transfer of VND500 million. At a meeting between the customer and Vietcombank, the bank found that she had browsed a scam website on her phone and the site had stolen her banking information and password.

The cases indicats that hi-tech criminals are targeting banks and Vietnamese users who do not have experiences in information security.

6 Clamp down on pre-activated SIMs

Five mobile network providers - including Viettel, VNPT (VinaPhone), MobiFone, Gtel Mobile and Vietnammobile - sign a commitment on October 28 with the Ministry of Information and Communications to intensify the confiscation of pre-activated SIM cards in order to reduce spam text messages.

More than 15 million pre-activated SIMs have been locked and retrieved since.

7 Dialing code changes

The dialing codes of all cities and provinces will be changed early next year, according to a decision by the Ministry of Information and Communications in November. The process will kick off after the Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays, on February 11.

In the first phase, the calling codes of Son La, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, ien Bien, Yen Bai, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, a Nang, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh will be changed.

Another 23 localities will get new codes on April 15. The final phase will be initiated on June 17 for the rest of the country.

8 2016 chosen to be National Startup Year

The Government chooses 2016 to be the National Startup Year.

Promoting entrepreneurship based on innovation and building Viet Nam to become a startup nation is the fastest way to develop enterpreneurial forces, especially high-tech enterprises, creating breakthrough for the development of a digital economy.

9 Cyber-Information Security Law takes effect

The Law on Cyber Information Safety takes effect on July 1.

The law comprises eight chapters and 54 articles prescribing the rights and responsibilities of offices, organisations and individuals in ensuring cyber information safety and civilian encryption.

10 Three mobile network providers cancel roaming charges

At the 9th Summit of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area (CLV 9), Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc tasks Viettel with modernising the telecommunication networks of the three countries with 4G technology.

He also asks Viettel to support the building of e-Government for the three countries and deploy phone calls among subscribers in the three countries at domestic rates, which means cancelling roaming fees for subscribers in Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia. - VNS
HA NOI - Russia and Viet Nams oil and gas exploration joint venture Vietsovpetro has exploited five million tonnes of crude oil in 2016.

This generated yearly revenue of more than US$1.7 billion, a slump of 28 per cent year-on-year.

The company contributed over $680 million to the State Budget, some $300 million less than last year.

The Russian partner posted profit of $121 million, while the Viet Nam side made profit of nearly $126 million, a year-on-year decrease of 71 per cent for both sides against last year.

According to Vietsovpetro, the main reason for this years decline in production was due to the lower oil price. The average oil price this year stands at $45 per barrel, $9 less than in 2015. In addition, the oil reserve in existing mines also continues to decline gradually even as technology has degraded quickly.

In 2016, Vietsopetro provided ashore some 1.68 billion cu.m. of gas, representing 130 per cent of the yearly plan, bringing the total amount of gas shipped ashore, so far, to over 30.9 billion cu.m.VNS
HA NOI  Museums in Ha Noi have signed a cooperation agreement to promote themselves, introduce their activities and raise peoples awareness of the value of their historic and artistic content on display.

The co-operation agreement will last from now to 2020, by which time a nationwide association of museums will be established along the lines of the International Council of Museums, according to Nguyen Van Cuong, director of the National Museum of History.

We will strengthen co-operation to upgrade the quality of the exhibitions with the intention of luring more visitors, he said. Accordingly, we will develop tours between museums to serve tourists, students and researchers. We will also set up virtual exhibitions and introduce ourselves on each others websites.

The sites participating in the memorandum of understanding include the National Museum of History, the Museum of Ethnology, the Vietnamese Womens Museum, the Ha Noi Museum, the Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace Historical Site and the Culture-Tourism Village of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups.  VNS
VNA photographers took shots of the first of the three day holiday to celebrate the year 2017 in Viet Nam.
The Government has banned enterprises from using residential apartments as offices in 2015. However, the use of apartments for business operations is rampant. Vietnam News Agency talked about this with Nguyen Manh Khoi, deputy director of the Ministry of Constructions Housing and Real Estate Market Management Department.

What is your comment on the use of apartments as business offices in spite of the ban?

Four or five years ago, we did not act against such practice because there was no legal basis for requiring apartment owners not to rent their apartment for business operation. Now, we have specific regulations on the issue in the Housing Law, which was passed by the Government in 2015.

Decree 99/2015/ND-CP stipulates that within six months from its entry into force, enterprises and companies must move out of the apartments they rented for their operation and must relocate.

This involves many industries and sectors, and localities have begun to implement it. The Ministry of Construction has organised training courses for local authorities. In the future, local authorities must strengthen compliance with the regulation.

There are different opinions about the responsibility for ensuring compliance. Could you talk about the responsibilities?

The Housing Law says that those using their apartments as an office or leasing it for business purposes, must change their location. Business registration agencies, such as the Department of Planning and Investment and local authorities, must also ensure a change of address.

The decree also clarifies that the Government assigned the peoples committees of district and city levels to implement the provisions on banning the use of apartments as offices.

To implement the decree, the Ministry of Construction has organised dissemination and training courses. According to the Housing Law, primary responsibility for the implementation of the decree is the district-level peoples committees.

Could you tell about the penalties for violators?

The penalties for those who violate the law are currently being finalised. The ministrys inspectors will be in charge of the issue.

The Housing Law bans the use of apartments for business purposes. The registration of business locations in apartment buildings will be banned.

The district-level peoples committees will be in charge of guiding the departments of Planning and Investment and Construction to inspect premises and fine violators.  VNS
HCM CITY  HCM City has announced measures to ease traffic congestion, which has worsened recently, during the upcoming festival season.

Bui Xuan Cuong, director of the Department of Transport, told a meeting this week the congestion would remain bad from now until the Lunar New Year.

But 40 key infrastructure works related to public transport, reduction of private vehicles and increase in the use of IT in transport management would be finished soon.

This will clear the roads where the work is going on and is expected to make traffic flows more efficient and smoother.

The department also called on the traffic police to regulate traffic during peak hours and increase fines for violators.

Encroachment of pavements and roads by small businesses is one of the most important causes of gridlock, Nguyen Ngoc Tuong, deputy head of the citys Traffic Safety Committee, said.

He said that in 2012 the chairpersons of all 24 districts signed a commitment to clear businesses on 159 streets, but it has not been done so far.

He said the city should hold the local authorities responsible.

Le Van Khoa, a deputy chairman of the city Peoples Committee, instructed the Traffic Safety Committee to monitor all 159 streets and said local authorities have to play a part in unclogging the citys streets.

Peoples Committee Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong instructed the Department of Information and Telecommunications to provide information about blocked roads at 37 hot spots to the public through mobile phone text messages and to related authorities, especially the traffic police and transport department so that they can send officers to the spot.

Unlicensed buses and illegal bus stops must be eliminated. All traffic violations will be punished severely.

Meanwhile, VietUnion announced recently it would sell train and bus ticket online through an application called Paytouch.

To use Paytouch, computers will first be installed in 20 Circle K and BSmart convenience stores around the city before Lunar New Year at the end of January 2017.

People can buy tickets using electronic wallets, cards or cash.

The service will later be expanded to 300 Circle K and BSmart stores as well as others like FPT shop, Vien Thong A, The gioi di ong, Vinmart, and Ministop.

This is expected to reduce the crowds at train and bus ticket counters before Tet. -- VNS
Phung Xuan Nha, Minister of Education and Training, speaks to the newspaper Kinh te & o thi (Economic and Urban Affairs) about the goals of his ministry for 2017.

As the commander-in-chief of the education sector, would you please share with us some of the major shortcomings in the education system over the past year?

In 2016 the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) did its best to develop good and workable policies and guidelines. But in reality, some of them were not as good as expected. They were not feasible and were hard for the teaching and management staff to implement.

The other weaknesses that I have to mention were in the staff demand forecast, training and planning of teachers and management staff to meet actual needs.

Last but not least, the investment resources were much lower than the actual demands, particularly in infrastructure development.

What about the quality of the education in 2016?

I have to admit that the educational quality was not as good as had been expected, particularly in tertiary education. Im sorry to say it has failed to meet the countrys demand in socio-economic development and international integration. The scope of the tertiary education was expanded, but its quality was not on a par with its expansion, particularly the quality of the graduates. Although we have emphasised the close linkage between the State, schools and enterprises, students were taught more theories than practice. In my opinion, this is the weakest point of our tertiary education system.

Theoretically, decentralisation was a major task of the year, but it was poorly done at the grass roots level. Some local authorities felt this was not their task.

With lessons learned from 2016, what will be the focus of the MOET in 2017?

Discipline will be the first priority. We have set a goal to put everything in order while improving educational quality across the board, from pre-school to university levels. Well take school students as our focal point. So we focus on teaching the students ethics, life skills, civic responsibilities in society and their community, and more.

For tertiary education, well focus on improving the training of human resources, particularly high quality human resources. Of course, well continue to implement the nine groups of main tasks and five basic measures that have been laid out for the school year 2016-2017 and the following years.

However, in 2017 well focus more on the practicality of each policy while strictly implementing the Governments policy on decentralisation.

Another important mission for 2017 is to improve the quality of the teaching and management staff and to make sure they are up to the standards and requirements laid down by the Ministry.

Last but not least, in 2017 the MOET vows to improve the quality of teaching and learning at university level along the lines of accountability and transparency. We will then give rankings to each university. Hopefully, with lessons learned in 2017 well be able to have a better network of higher education to cater for the people and nations needs and demands.

Confidence from the society is the most important driving force for us to accomplish all the tasks that we have set out for 2017.

How will you gain public trust?

Education is a very special sector that has an impact on the whole society. Thats why it has received special attention of people from all walks of life. No one can deny that high hopes create high pressure on the educational sector.

Im confident that in 2017, with support from all employees and staff, the MOET will achieve its goals. Last but not least, support from the students themselves, their parents and society are also very important. Thats why 2017 will continue to be a year of listening, renewal and actions for the whole educational sector.-VNS
Viet Nam News

The Vietnam News Agency has selected 10 events that shook the world in 2016:

1. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague rejects Chinas claim of the East Sea: On July 12, the Tribunal, constituted under Annex VII to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), issued the final ruling on the Philippiness lawsuit against China on a dispute in the South China Sea (known as the East Sea in Viet Nam). The ruling clarified that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea area enclosed by the so-called nine-dash line, and the nine-dash line drawn by China was contrary to the UNCLOS. This was the first international ruling related to the East Sea disputes.

2. Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro passes away: The great revolutionary leader of the 20th century and a close friend of the Vietnamese people died on November 26 at the age of 90. Fidel Castro gathered and led revolutionary forces and founded the first socialist state in the Western Hemisphere. His funeral procession passed through the island nation during nine days. Commemorative events were held worldwide.

3. The UK chooses to leave the European Union: The majority of UK voters opted for the countrys separation from the EU in a referendum on June 23. The result shocked the world and shook the UK political scene. The decision by one of the EUs major pillars also increased the risk of political, security and economic instability across the union.

4. The surprise triumph of Donald Trump in the US presidential election: On November 8, Donald Trump, a populist without any political experience, won an overwhelming victory in one of the most dramatic elections in the countrys history. For the first time, the US has a businessman president. Trumps strategy is controversial, making it hard to predict the new US administrations policy.

5. Security instability continues to plague Europe: A series of increasingly bloody terrorist attacks in European countries, including Germany, France, Belgium and Turkey, shocked the world, highlighting information and security gaps and poor cooperation on the continent. Along with terrorism, the prolonged migration crisis, the political disorder after Turkeys failed coup detat and worries about the new US administrations policies are posing some of the greatest security challenges for the continent since the World War II.

6. The Paris Agreement on climate change takes effect: Adopted by nearly 70 countries and territories, including those with the highest green house gas emissions such as the US, China and India, the Paris Agreement officially took effect on November 11, much earlier than expected, reflecting the stronger awareness of climate change threats. One of the typical examples is the El Nino phenomenon, which lasted from late 2015 to 2016 and caused extreme weather conditions such as record heat in South Asia, forest fires in Southeast Asia and serious floods in Latin America.

7. A major turning point in the Syria conflict: With the support of the Russian army, Syrian Government forces took control of almost all of the strategic city of Aleppo, the second largest city of Syria and capital of the opposition. The late December development marked an important watershed in the conflict that has been going on for nearly six years among the Syrian Government and its allies and opposition and terrorist groups.

8. Colombia reaches historic peace deal: After almost four years of negotiations, on September 26 the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) signed a peace agreement, ending 52 years of conflict and opening up opportunities for peace and national conciliation. After being rejected in a referendum, the deal was revised and signed on November 24. It was passed by the Colombian parliament on December 1. It is considered a model for the settlement of conflict in many other countries such as Syria, Yemen and South Sudan. For his contribution to the historic agreement, Colombian President J.M. Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016.

9. Zika virus spreads in the world: The mosquito-borne Zika virus, a cause of birth defects and fatal diseases, spreads in many Latin American and Caribbean countries, forcing the World Health Organisation to declare a global emergency. The virus also infiltrated into the US, Canada, a number of European countries, and many Southeast Asian countries, including Viet Nam. Currently, no vaccine or effective medicine against the virus have been found.

10. The Panama papers shake the world: The largest-ever data leak of over 11 million documents sheds light on a series of tax evasions and money laundering activities beginning from the mid-1970s and relating to hundreds of thousands of companies all over the world. The case forced administrations and authorised agencies of many countries to launch investigations, causing many officials and politicians to step down.  VNA
Chinese President Xi Jinping offered congratulations to a media organization launched Saturday, urging it to "tell China stories well" to the world.

"The relationship between China and the rest of the world is undergoing historic changes. China needs to know better about the world and the world needs to know better about China," Xi said in a congratulatory letter to the China Global Television Network (CGTN).

Set up by China Central Television (CCTV) as a rebranding of CCTV news, CGTN will integrate resources as part of the trend in media convergence, and be a multi-language, multi-platform media group.

It will consist of six TV channels, three overseas branches, a video content provider and a digital media division.

The president said CGTN should be culturally confident, news-focused, audience-aware, and to use integrated media.

CGTN should tell stories about China well and spread China's voice well; enable the world to see a multidimensional and colorful China; present China as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and an upholder of international order; and make efforts to build a community of common destiny, Xi said.

Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said CGTN should take responsibility for bridging China with the rest of the world.

CGTN should put news content first, highlight new ideas and strategies of state governance with Xi as the core, tell stories about China's development, explain China's path, theory and contribution, and have a voice in major global affairs and international issues, Liu said.

Liu called on CGTN to encourage media integration and use new technology to become a media brand with global influence.

In February 2016, Xi called for innovation in concepts, content and methods while visiting the country's three leading media institutions -- the People's Daily, the CPC's flagship newspaper; Xinhua News Agency, the state news agency; and CCTV, the country's broadcaster.

Xi told media groups to use the new media's edge in reaching people, turn up their voice on the international stage, tell stories about China well, and build flagship media groups with strong global influence.
SYDNEY - Australia rang in the new year Sunday with a spectacular fireworks display in Sydney, sending rainbow-coloured showers into the night sky and defying the global terror attacks that cast a pall over 2016.

Around 1.5 million people packed Australias biggest city to watch as the midnight fireworks erupted from Sydney Harbour Bridge, with the extravaganza

beamed to television sets and phones across the world.

The visual feast paid tribute to some of the international musical legends who died this year, including David Bowie and Prince, with purple rain pouring

off the bridge in an early display and firework "stars" soaring high above the harbour.

2016 has seen repeated bloodshed, most recently a deadly truck attack at a Berlin Christmas market, a similar incident on Bastille Day in France that

killed 86, and atrocities in Turkey and the Middle East.

But the New South Wales state premier urged "business as usual", as a larger-than-usual crowd gathered due to the weekend timing and warm weather.

"My encouragement to everyone is to enjoy New Years Eve... in the knowledge that police are doing everything they can to keep us safe," Premier

Mike Baird said.

Around 2,000 extra officers have been deployed in Sydney after a man was arrested for allegedly making online threats against the celebrations.

There were a number of other reported threats this holiday period, in Asia-Pacific and elsewhere.

In Melbourne, police foiled a "significant" Islamic State-inspired Christmas Day terror plot.

Indonesia said it foiled plans by an IS-linked group for a Christmas-time suicide bombing, and 52 died in the Philippines in bomb attacks blamed on

Islamist militants.

Israel on Friday issued a warning of imminent "terrorist attacks" to tourists and western targets in India.

Despite the terror fears, revellers in Hong Kong and Taipei were expected to throng city streets to watch firework performances.

In Japan, shoppers filled markets to buy tuna and crabs -- seen as expensive items for special feasts -- for New Years Day family gatherings.

Dancing in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. AFP photo

Truck blockades

Security concerns have hit many New Year events with truck blockades a new tactic to try to prevent vehicles ploughing into crowds, with Sydney using

garbage trucks.

The German capital has beefed up security after the December 19 carnage, deploying more police, some armed with machine-guns.

"This year, whats new is that we will place concrete blocks and position heavy armoured vehicles at the entrances" to the zone around Brandenburg Gate,

a police spokesman said.

In Paris, there will be a firework display again, after muted 2015 celebrations following the massacre of 130 people.

Nearly 100,000 police, gendarmes and soldiers will be deployed across France against the jihadist threat.

With more than a million people expected to turn out to watch the ball drop in Times Square, New York is deploying 165 "blocker" trucks and some 7,000

police.

Rome has deployed armoured vehicles and greater numbers of security forces around the Coliseum and St Peters Square, where Pope Francis will celebrate a "Te Deum" hymn of thanksgiving.

Moscow police will deploy more than 5,000 officers backed by thousands more from the new national guard and volunteer militia to maintain order.

Thousands traditionally gather in Red Square, but for the second year in a row, the area will be open solely to 6,000 invitees.

London will have 3,000 officers on patrol with crowds flocking to line the banks of the Thames to watch the fireworks.

Up to two million people are expected to party at Rios Copacabana beach.

But with Brazil mired in its worst recession in a century, the fireworks have been cut to just 12 minutes.

Normally boisterous Bangkok will see in the new year on a more sombre note as the nation grieves for King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in October.

And, at the stroke of midnight, the celebrations will last one second longer -- a leap second -- decreed by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service to allow astronomical time to catch up with atomic clocks that have called the hour since 1967. AFP
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Sakai Display Products Corporation, based in Japan, signed an agreement with the local government of Guangzhou on Friday to build a 61 billion yuan (8.79 billion U.S. dollars) factory in the southern Chinese city.

According to the agreement on the "industrial park" of liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), the factory in Zengcheng District will produce 10.5-generation 8K displays, smart TVs and electronic whiteboards.

Production is expected to start in 2019, with an annual production value of 92 billion yuan.

The production line of the 10.5-generation 8K displays was jointly designed and developed by Sakai Display Products Corporation, Taiwan's electronics giant Foxconn Technology Group and Sharp Corporation.

Terry Gou, founder of Foxconn, is the largest individual shareholder of Sakai Display Products Corporation.

The already fierce competition in LCD manufacturing is expected to grow as Chinese makers BOE and Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics have announced investment in their 10.5-generation and 11-generation LCD production line respectively.
George Dvorsky in Gizmodo:

Researchers from the University of Liverpool have shown that its possible to detect neurodegenerative disorders in famous artists by analyzing subtle changes in their brush strokes over time. The technique could eventually be used to flag Alzheimers and Parkinsons in artists before theyre diagnosed.

A new study published in Neuropsychology shows that a mathematical technique known as fractal analysis can be used to detect signs of neurodegeneration in an artists work. A research team led by Alex Forsythe from the University of Liverpools School of Psychology made the discovery by examining 2,092 paintings from the careers of seven famous artists who experienced either normal aging or neurodegenerative disorders.

Using fractal analysis, the researchers were able to identify complex geometric patterns in the brushstrokes of each artist. Fractals can reveal hidden and often self-repeating patterns in everyday objects and phenomena. These distinctive geometrical shapes are like fingerprints, allowing scientists to match an artist with his or her work.

More here.
Central, Herreid-Selby, Warner just 1 win away from state title games

Aberdeen Central, Warner, Herreid-Selby and Hitchcock-Tulare are all just one win away from high school football championship games.
Le Dake, a former senior legislator in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for taking bribes on Friday.

According to the court, Le was also fined 2 million yuan (290,000 U.S. dollars), and his illegal gains shall be recovered and turned over to the state treasury.

Le, former deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Regional People's Congress, was found to have taken advantage of various official posts from 2005 to 2014 to seek benefits for others in project contracting and official promotions and reassignment.

He accepted bribes worth over 18.7 million yuan either himself or through his relatives, according to the ruling.

Zhengzhou City Intermediate People's Court in central China's Henan Province said it showed leniency as Le confessed to his crimes, expressed remorse and voluntarily returned his illegal gains.








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New Year greetings eagerly awaited provide an opportunity with optimism to be happy, join other millions out there to have fun and frolic. A hectic activity of felicitations and joviality through greeting cards, exchange of gifts generates a blooming economic movement. One may, perhaps, pessimistically ask what is good about a happy new year when contrarily it should perhaps be a day of reckoning as living human beings lose a year pushing all closer to the grave or cremation.

The stark factuality depicts a scenario of so much bad happening in the world and pessimism apart; it looks like we witness the triumph of evil over good. Last year around this time we had amongst us hundreds and thousands of our fellow species looking forward to celebrate another New Year and make merry. But for many it was not to be and now all those missing ones were consumed either by natural calamities, criminal mindset, and terrorism including state sponsored terrorism. The recent carnage of rammed vehicle in a Christmas gathering in Berlin, Children in US schools, killings in Pakistan, India, Burma (Myanmar), Middle-East or Kashmir facing multiple genocides are glaring examples of triumph of evil over good for the world to ponder about.

The history of New Year celebrations take us to the fact that Roman pagans observed the occasion by engaging in drunken orgies believing in the chaotic world being ordered by the gods. The Christian celebration of Jesus circumcision on January 1st according to Jewish tradition was an occasion when child Jesus was formally given his name. This also signifies that the circumcision is traditionally seen as the first time the blood of Christ was shed.

The celebration of the New Year on January 1st is a new phenomenon keeping in view the historical data available that Egyptians, Phoenicians and the Persians began their new year with the fall equinox. The first time the New Year was celebrated on January 1st was in Rome in 153 B.C.; though the claim is disputed as the month of January did not exist until around 700 B.C. Judaism on Line (simpletoremember.com) records "In 46 B.C. Julius Caesar introduced a new, solar-based calendar that was a vast improvement on the ancient Roman calendar which was a lunar system that had become wildly inaccurate over the years. The Julian calendar decreed that the New Year would occur with January 1, and within the Roman world, January 1st became the consistently observed start of the New Year."

The new tradition followed popularly like celebrating end and dawn of the New Year in public squares or city centres finishes off with a large majority indulging in drink, dine and dance involving kisses, hugs leading to unbridled indulgence of passions. Many more out there prefer to stay indoors thinking to be rational to avoid any trouble. Some hold parties inviting friends and relatives while others get a thrill from costume parties and the culminating point firework displays. January 1st is usually a holiday and very rightly so as people in the New Year eves activity become exhausted and worn out. The nostalgia of previous nights enjoyment makes people feel lazy to get involved with the usual routine the following day.

The uniqueness of the occasion is a reminder that there is no other moment in the year getting this sort of attention. The motivation of survival or as some believe the fear of death becomes the driving force to share something good or purposeful for which most of the people seem to be in agreement. The facilities provided by technology allows millions to share the joy watching television or interact through internet, telephones and social media to unanimously exchange Happy New Year greetings wherever.

The celebration also gives contentment and relief for having survived unscathed from any serious mishap or trouble for the year gone by. Who has seen the next year phrase rings the bells about the uncertainties, ups and downs and even failures or successes keeping one guessing about futuristic view of the times ahead. So the chance of grabbing moment of happiness, in spite of the risks, takes precedence for man or woman to avail it.

Death is inescapable and people deal with fear of death differently; some turn to religion and others pin every man made cataclysm on religion. Stephen Hawking the world famous theoretical physicist revealed that "God did not create the universe but our universe followed inevitably from the laws of nature." However, the entity nature and its origin have not yet been defined, interpreted or comprehensively explained. The tussle between believers and non-believers in religion is on and perhaps will continue for a long period of time but as some unknown quipped "All sciences will end in religion".

To sum it up, humans do need a break and for the most long stay on our planet becomes as short as asking someone living in nineties if he or she remembers when he or she was in school and the answer invariably comes looks like only yesterday and how the time slipped by, one keeps wondering. The prime of youth does not give anyone time even to think about this short span of life. Thus only alternative always would be to make best use of time according to ones capability and perception. So at best, make merry, enjoy and have fun to exchange the golden words VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a New Year speech at 7:00 o'clock Beijing time on December 31, 2016.[Photo: Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday extended New Year greetings to all Chinese compatriots and people around the world, saying hard work and joint efforts in 2017 will make China and the world better.

He said 2016 is an extraordinary year for China as it has achieved progress in many aspects, urging the international community to work together to build a more peaceful and prosperous world.

In the address transmitted by state broadcasters and on the Internet, Xi extended good wishes to Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, overseas Chinese, as well as people in other countries and regions.

"To Chinese people 2016 is an extraordinary and unforgettable year, as the country has made a good beginning of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020)," the president said.

China actively promoted economic growth, fully deepened reform, achieved breakthroughs in national defense and military reform, promoted rule of law, advanced strict governance of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and resolutely cracked down on high-ranking and low-level corruption, Xi added.

He said China made great progress in its space program in 2016, and its athletes gained excellent achievements in the Olympics Games. Reforms have facilitated urbanization and the school conditions of children in poverty-stricken areas have improved.

At the G20 Hangzhou Summit, China contributed its wisdom and solutions to addressing global issues. The Belt and Road Initiative is advancing in fast paces, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank went into operation, Xi said.

"We adhere to peaceful development, and resolutely safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," Xi said. "Chinese people will never allow anyone to get away with making a great fuss about it!"

The president also expressed his condolences to victims of natural disasters and accidents in 2016 as well as Chinese soldiers having sacrificed their lives in UN peacekeeping missions.

He said the 95th anniversary of founding of the CPC and the 80th anniversary of victory of the Long March were commemorated in 2016. "We will always bear in mind our predecessors who made contributions to the Chinese people and the Chinese nation, and stay true to the mission and move onwards."

In 2017 the 19th CPC National Congress will be convened, and the country will make more efforts in building a well-off society in all respects, deepening overall reform, rule of law and strict governance of the Party. "There is no such thing as a free lunch, and only hard work will make dreams come true," Xi said.

Although 10 million more people were lifted out of poverty in 2016, Xi said what he cared most about was impoverished people. It is the Party and the government's duty to address people's difficulties in employment, children's education, health care, and housing, among others.

He urged the whole Party and the whole of society to continue to help people in poverty, so that the outcomes of reform and development will benefit more people.

"As long as our 1.3 billion-plus people are pulled together for a common cause, as long as the Party stands together with the people and we roll up our sleeves to work harder, we will surely succeed in a Long March of our generation," Xi said.

The Chinese people hope for a better life for people in other countries as well as for themselves, Xi said, noting that at the present time people in some countries and regions are still plagued by wars and poverty, and many people have been stricken by diseases and disasters.

"I sincerely hope that the international community can join hands and uphold the concept of a community of shared future for mankind in a bid to make our planet more peaceful and more prosperous," the Chinese president said.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Sunny, along with a few afternoon clouds. High 78F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.
In this Dec. 8 photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, and others, listen as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, speaks on Capitol Hill.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speak to each other at a CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States, former Soviet republics) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Europe's leaders are not expecting a smooth ride in 2017 following a year marked by political upheaval, terror attacks, unchecked immigration, and a rising military threat from Russia.
December 30, 2016

US: Erdogan's claims are "ludicrous"

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans frustration over his failed and costly Syria policies ventured into the bizarre when he claimed he had confirmed evidence, with pictures, photos and videos of the United States providing support for the Islamic State (IS), the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the PYDs armed wing, the Peoples Protection Unit (YPG).

Semih Idiz provides the background for Erdogans outburst: The United States initially provided air support to Turkish forces and the FSA [Free Syrian Army] as they moved against IS in the towns of Jarablus and Dabiq, which were captured with relatively few casualties. The US military announced in November, however, that it was not participating in Turkeys operation in al-Bab. This announcement came after Turkish forces started bombing YPG positions around al-Bab. In August, the town of Manbij was captured from IS by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is comprised mainly of YPG fighters. Erdogans determination to move on to Manbij appears to be another reason why the United States is reluctant to help Turkey in al-Bab. According to the perplexing scenario put forward by Erdogan, Turkeys aim is to capture al-Bab before the YPG, rid Manbij of YPG fighters and work with the US-led coalition to liberate Raqqa from IS, after convincing Washington to dump the YPG. How it plans to achieve all of this on its own is not clear.

Although on Dec. 27, State Department spokesman Mark Toner ridiculed Erodgans charge as ludicrous, he nonetheless felt obligated to add the usual bromides that Turkey is a NATO ally and a strong partner in the anti-[IS] coalition. I certainly dont want to give the impression that were trying to send a message.

This column asked back in May whether the United States and Turkey can keep up appearances in Syria as relations plummeted. It is worth asking so again, in this last column of 2016.

In addition to the seeming unbridgeable differences over Syria, US-Turkey bilateral relations are also clouded by conspiracy theories in some Turkish circles that the United States was somehow involved in the attempted coup in July, fueled by the American refusal, to date, to extradite Fethullah Gulen, who the Turkish government has claimed was behind the coup.

Sibel Hurtas reports this week on the draft report of a Turkish parliamentary commission empaneled to address the causes and consequences of the failed coup in July 2016.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the draft appears to reflect the heavy hand of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), with many questions left unanswered.

Hurtas writes that the draft report echoes the partys strategy to water down its responsibility for the Gulenist entrenchment in the state. It asserts the Gulen community was strengthened by all the governments that preceded the AKP since the 1970s. The report claims the Gulenists were backed by the MIT [National Intelligence Organization] as well as the United States and the CIA. The relationship between Gulen and the United States is discussed at length, including claims that children of US President Barack Obamas relatives in Kenya had been admitted free of charge to Gulenist-run schools in the African country. The only mention of the AKPs own ties with Gulen is limited to a statement that Gulen sought to project an image of someone close to the government after the AKP came to power in 2003. Yet the report contains some scandalous admissions as well. The main financial sources of Gulens organization, for instance, are listed as government incentives, public tenders and municipal grants. Many public tenders are said to have been awarded to businesspeople who paid racket money to Gulen. According to the document, Gulens followers, who used to be called the community, should be defined as a terrorist organization after 2013, when Erdogan and Gulen fell out. This definition is the main argument that could help the AKP save its skin in the upcoming trials.

Iran celebrates "victory over terrorists" in Aleppo

Ali Hashem reports this week that despite the costs of the campaign in Aleppo, Iranian leaders feel vindicated by the Syrian regimes victory.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, following a telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Dec. 25, said, This victory sent the message to terrorists that they cannot achieve their goals," and backed the forthcoming Syrian political negotiations in Kazakhstan.

Explaining the high costs for the campaign, Hashem writes, Over four years of fighting in Aleppo depleted the Iranian-led axis more than clashes in any other area in Syria. Without any accurate count, it is enough to say that hundreds of pro-Iranian fighters were killed in the battles; among those who died were high-ranking officers in both Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah.

Hashem adds that Iran and its allies also capitalized on the shifting international and regional context regarding the war in Syria. To the coalition fighting on the side of [Syrian President Bashar al-] Assad, there were no concerns about game-changing decisions with respect to the international community. The United States is busy with the presidential transition and about all it could do was issue statements of condemnation. Turkey is on bad terms with the West and has started investing in new relationships with Russia and Iran; this brought about the possibility of involving Ankara in the final solution to the Aleppo dilemma and later in efforts to reach a nationwide cease-fire that could help stabilize the situation. On the opposition side, the same givens clearly mean that a defeat in Aleppo will have dire implications on the status and morale of Syrians opposed to the regime. Regional countries backing the opposition kept their distance while waiting to see what the new administration in Washington was going to do in terms of the Syrian crisis. This doesnt mean a total withdrawal from the scene, but rather that there is a moment to reassess and later decide whether to be part of an overall strategy or to start a separate strategy.

Adnan Abu Amer writes that Iran-Hamas ties, already strained, are likely to worsen after Aleppo. Hamas has backed armed groups battling Syrian government forces and has been investigating the Iran-linked Harakat al-Sabireen Movement for Supporting Palestine in Gaza. Hamas receives some funding from Iran, but ties have soured over Syria.

Hashem concluded that the next steps in Syria may include increased progress toward a diplomatic settlement. It seems more likely, Hashem writes, with Turkey, Iran and Russia unifying efforts, that the new chapter might involve more words and fewer bullets, where politics will be the tool to transform the anti-Assad struggle into a much weaker insurgency. Assad perhaps should thank his adversaries  inside and outside Syria  for having been so divided in a battle that seemed, at the beginning, to have been a rare opportunity to unite all those against him.
wong.png

Tyrus Wong (Walt Disney Family Museum)

Tyrus Wong, best known for his "evocative" sketches for Disney's animated feature film "Bambi," died Friday at the age of 106, according to the Walt Disney Family Museum.

"Legendary Disney artist, Tyrus Wong had a gift for evoking incredible feeling in his art with simple, gestural composition," the museum said in a statement on its website.

Wong worked at The Walt Disney Studios for only three years, from 1938-1941. He drew hundreds of sketches of Mickey Mouse, before learning the studio was in pre-production for "Bambi."

Wong went home and painted several small pictures of deer in a forest, which caught Walt Disney's attention, the museum stated. The "evocative" sketches became the basis for "Bambi's" visual style. Disney said Wong's sketches felt like the forest.

According to the museum, Wong's work still influences animated films.

After leaving Disney, Wong went to Warner Brothers and worked as a concept and story artist for the next 26 years. He retired in 1968 and began designing and building hand-made kites.

In 2001, Wong was named a Disney Legend, and his work has continued to inspire and influence the leading animators of today.

The Walt Disney Family Museum honored Wong in 2013 by celebrating his work in the exhibition "Water to Paper, Paint to Sky: The Art of Tyrus Wong."

Wong was born in Canton, China in 1910. He and his father immigrated to America leaving behind his mother and sister, whom they never saw again. Wong attended the Otis Art Institute on a full scholarship.

[Celebrities who died in 2016]
When Anniston's Center for Domestic Preparedness resumes offering training for first responders around chemical and biological material, there will be some changes in procedures, officials said today.

The changes are part of the response to the disclosure last month that almost 10,000 first responders were exposed to toxic ricin at the center over a five-year period.

An investigation is continuing into the situation, as all training has been suspended with chemical or biological agents through January.

In an email, Alexa Lopez, press secretary for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Office of External Affairs, said the center will be hiring "an independent, third party to test the biological agents we receive."

In addition, the center is in the process of obtaining American Biological Safety Association accreditation. The ABSA was founded in the 1980s to promote biosafety measures among professionals.

In addition, the Anniston Star reported yesterday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has concluded an inspection of a lab that sold the ricin by mistake. The CDC has not identified the lab, saying the ricin was purchased from a non-public vendor registered with the CDC. USA Today this month identified the lab as Florida-based Toxin Technology, but the company said at that time that its shipments were properly labeled.

According to FEMA, the center began training with ricin as early as 2011, and 9,648 students used the toxic form unknowingly during that time. No workers or trainees showed apparent effects or sickness over that period.

The CDP trains emergency responders from across the nation in dealing with chemical, radiological and biological events through the Department of Homeland Security. The training deals with natural disasters as well as possible acts of terrorism.

Officials this month said the CDP in November discovered that, due to an error by the supplier of the biological material ricin, the CDP received the toxic form of the material, ricin holotoxin, and not the less toxic, ricin A-chain, as ordered.

According to CDP protocols, any use of ricin was performed by center personnel while wearing safety equipment inside a biosafety cabinet. Lopez said students wore protective gear that "exceeded what would be required for working with ricin."

"Students who trained with the agent were in full Level C personal protective equipment, which is commensurate with the level of protection used by the United States military at similar training facilities," she said.

Level C protocols can include a full-face or half-mask with air purifying respirators; hooded chemical-resistant clothing consisting of disposable chemical-resistant overalls or coveralls; inner and outer chemical-resistant gloves; chemical-resistant steel toe and shank boots with disposable covers; hard hat; escape mask and a face shield.

Ricin is an extremely toxic natural poison made from castor beans. It kills cells by preventing them from making proteins needed to survive. Effects from exposure typically show up within a day, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Ricin poisoning is not contagious, though associated illnesses can occur through person-to-person contact. It has been used as a poison and weaponized in war and acts of terrorism.

Lopez said the ongoing inquiry "indicated there are additional measures CDP could have taken" but did not elaborate on what those measures might have been.

"There is no higher priority than the health and safety of our employees and those we train," she said.
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Devan Ray Bailey

(Shelby County Jail)

A Pelham man is behind bars after an armed domestic kidnapping in Shelby County on Thursday night.

Shelby County sheriff's deputies responded about 7:30 p.m. to a domestic incident in the 6000 block of Retreat Circle. Authorities didn't release any details about what happened next, but a lookout bulletin broadcast over police radios Thursday night said a female was taken at gunpoint. They didn't say whether the female was an adult or a child.

A press release issued by the sheriff's office Friday afternoon said deputies, with the assistance of Vestavia Hills Police, arrested 26-year-old Devan Ray Bailey about 11 p.m. Thursday at an undisclosed location on U.S. 280.

Bailey is charged with first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery, interfering with child custody and violation of a protection order. He is being held in the Shelby County Jail with bond set at $300,000 for the felony charges plus $3,000 for a misdemeanor charge.

The press release offered no further details and authorities there said they don't release information about domestic violence cases. "Fortunately there were no injuries to any of the parties involved and the investigation is ongoing. Fortunately, there were no injuries to any of the parties involved and the investigation is on-going," the press release read. "These types of incidents can be especially hard for families to deal with this time of the year and we are thankful and relieved that it was resolved quickly and without tragic consequences."

Court records show Bailey's wife recently filed for divorce, and that the two have a 2-year-old daughter. On Dec. 22, the wife was granted a Protection from Abuse order against Bailey and granted custody of their daughter. After the PFA was requested, according to court documents, Bailey's threat against his wife increased in "frequency and intensity," including Bailey threatening to murder his wife in front of their daughter if she didn't allow him to move into her apartment by Christmas Day.

The records also show Bailey called his wife at least 66 times on Dec. 19 alone. The victim said she feared for her safety and the safety of their child.

Bailey was arrested on a domestic violence case in 2013, and was given probation in that case, court documents show. While on probation, he was arrested by Hoover police last year after police say Bailey struck a female with his white Tahoe, and then almost hit an officer as he arrived on the scene. The records do not list the female victim in either of those incidents.

During that incident with Hoover police, Bailey told officers he had consumed a 12-pack of beer. Before being taken into custody, he had hit a power transformer and run over shrubbery before crashing.
Birmingham Water Works logo

The Birmingham Water Works Board logo is shown in Birmingham, Ala., Monday, August 5, 2013.

(Mark Almond)

Amid an outrage on social media by customers questioning why their water bills were much higher this month, the Birmingham Water Works said Friday that base charges on the invoices were not properly reflected.

A spokeswoman for the utility told AL.com that the errors weren't due to the billing system -- ratepayers received new account numbers in November - "but there is a concern regarding base charges."

"Some customers were charged more, but we're looking at putting out a statement regarding it," the spokeswoman said. Asked when the statement would be released, they said, "maybe today, maybe early next week."

She said the statement would include "whatever resolution" the utility comes up for addressing the issue, including credits for those who paid more than they were supposed to.

Customers took to social media, including Facebook and Nextdoor, to complain about high water bills - in some cases as much as four times greater than their average bill.

While the utility instituted a 200 percent drought surcharge in October for customers who used more than 8,977 gallons a month, many of the customers with higher bills said they didn't meet that threshold. Some complained of long wait times with the utility's customer service department.

"Our bill was $300 this month; three times normal," one Birmingham resident wrote on Nextdoor. "We have [called] and waited in the incessant queue for 45 minutes twice."

Birmingham resident Elizabeth Fox voiced a common complaint on the social media site.

"I know that a lot has been said about the BWW's recent change to new account numbers and problems with the billing system. All of my electronic payments have gone through as scheduled over the past several months, so no trouble there, but today I got a statement for $100 more than what I normally pay each month," she said. "My water bill is normally between $55 and $65 per month, and this time it was $165! My water usage did not increase during the drought (the state of my yard proves it), so it isn't a drought surcharge. Anyone have any idea why it has increased so much? Is it worth going by in person to inquire?"
New Years would not be the same without a midnight countdown from "Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve."

Thankfully, you don't have to leave your home to join in the festivities.

You can join in the fun of saying goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017 even if you don't plan on fighting the crowds at Times Square. Here's what you need to know:

What's going on Dec. 31?

New Year's Rockin' Eve is the traditional countdown to the New Year from Times Square in New York City. The annual event includes celebrity appearances, musical performances and the traditional ball drop at midnight Eastern Time. The event will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest, who has served as the master of ceremonies for the past 11 years.

As many as 1 million people are expected to ring in the new year in Times Square.

If Ryan Seacrest is the host why is it called "Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve?"

The name comes from the production company - Dick Clark Productions - that produces the annual show.

Clark, the late host of "American Bandstand," appeared on the first countdown show in 1973 before becoming the host in 1975. Clark hosted the show annually from 1973 to 2004 until a stroke prevented him from hosting in 2005. He returned to the show in 2006 but Seacrest took over as main host. Clark last appeared on the show ringing in 2012 before his death on April 18, 2012.

Dick Clark Productions has contracts to broadcast the show on ABC through at least 2024.

What time does New Year's Rockin' Eve Start?

The show starts Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. The show will actually be split into two parts: 8-11 p.m. ET and then starting again at 11:30 p.m. and finishing just after 1 a.m. ET. The show will include events in New York, New Orleans and Los Angeles.

Who are the hosts?

Seacrest will have the main hosting duties with Jenny McCarthy reporting live from Times Square and superstar Fergie returning to host the Billboard Hollywood Party.

Who is performing?

This year's performers include 14-time Billboard Music Award winner and 10-time American Music Award winner Mariah Carey; multi-platinum selling band DNCE; international superstar Gloria Estefan with the cast of her Broadway musical "On Your Feet!;" and chart-topping country artist Thomas Rhett.

What's new this year?

This year's New Year's Eve event includes the first-ever Central Time Zone countdown. The New Orleans' broadcast will feature 11-time multi-platinum artist Jason Derulo and certified double platinum supergroup Panic! at the Disco from the Allstate Fan Fest. Award-winning actress Lucy Hale, best known for her role as Aria Montgomery on Freeform's hit series Pretty Little Liars, will host the live celebration from the Crescent City, complete with fleur-de-lis drop near Jackson Square.

How can I watch online?

To watch ABC live online, cable subscribers can visit abc.go.com/watch-live and input their provider information.
Authorities said five people were injured, including a child, in a two-vehicle wreck in Baldwin County on Friday.

Foley Fire Chief Joey Darby said the accident happened at the intersection of U.S. 98 and County Road 65 at 3:03 p.m. He said two victims, including a 4-year-old, were airlifted to the hospital. The other three victims were taken to the hospital by ambulance. All the people involved are in stable condition, Darby said.

"It was a very serious side impact," Darby said. "So, the nature of the wreck itself presented some trauma issues. So, they went to a trauma center."

The accident caused authorities to close the as they investigated the scene. Alabama State Troopers are investigating the cause of the accident.
Country is not ready for an open discussion about civil-war-era graves believed to lie throughout Beirut, critics say.

Beirut  Visitors to the pricey district of central Beirut should be careful where they tread: dead bodies from the Lebanese civil war could be buried at every corner.

Everything from the citys pedestrian pathways, to its car parks, to its flashy malls and luxurious skyscrapers may stand on the graves of civilians killed during Lebanons 1975-1990 war  and more buried remains could lie scattered throughout Lebanon, experts say.

Everyone knows that in Lebanon, but no one wants to talk about it, said Assaad Chaftari, who served as a deputy commander of Christian fighters during the war.

Chaftari, who published an apology letter to his nation for his role in the conflict, has worked since 2000 on peace-building projects, with the aim of healing the wounds of war.

[The graves are] not an easy subject to speak about, he told Al Jazeera. Its a shame. Its trauma. Its an unhealed injury. Its many sad things altogether.

The Taif Agreement was signed in 1989 to end the war, which killed an estimated 250,000 people, displaced more than one million others and left 17,000 missing  but according to Chaftari, the conflict has continued to live on.

The civil war never ended, he said. The violence might have been reduced, but the war didnt end. Militias from all sides are still present across the country. They are armed.

READ MORE: Of war and coffee in Lebanon

Chaftari believes that the current lack of interest in uncovering Lebanons mass graves is tied to the endless political infighting that has dominated discourse in the country.

For now, the country is not ready to discuss this issue, he said, noting that without measures such as transitional justice to address what happened during the 15-year war, Lebanon will remain haunted by its dark legacy. Truth tribunals and reconciliation committees were established in other countries to help heal the wounds from their past, but this has not happened here.

Fabien Bourdier, a former delegate with the International Committee of the Red Cross Missing Project in Lebanon  an initiative that aids the families of the missing  said that national commissions have played an important role in helping to resolve the fate of missing persons in other countries.

If an independent national commission was established, it would have the mandate to investigate the cases of the missing, which means to uncover the mass graves and start the identification process. by Fabien Bourdier, former delegate with the International Committee of the Red Cross 'Missing Project' in Lebanon

If an independent national commission was established, it would have the mandate to investigate the cases of the missing, which means to uncover the mass graves and start the identification process, said Bourdier, who has also worked on cases of forced disappearances in Iraq and Ukraine.

Lebanon is a very complicated case due to the absence of a mechanism, or a national entity with a mandate to collect data and uncover the fate of missing people, he told Al Jazeera.

Over the past two decades, the Lebanese government has avoided discussion of the mass graves and forced disappearances that occurred during the civil war. In 2000, a government committee consisting of five military and intelligence officers recommended considering the missing people dead.

Many Lebanese politicians have said that instead of rehashing the past, Lebanon needs to move forward. We must leave the past in order to build a future, former army general Michel Aoun, who has since been appointed president, said in a press conference early this year.

Hassana Jamaleddine, a founding member of the Committee of the Families of Kidnapped and Disappeared in Lebanon, says this attitude is unacceptable.

They started the civil war, all of them  not us, Jamaleddine told Al Jazeera. All those who now believe that talking about the past brings back the civil war, are the same ones who started the war and fought it for 15 years.

In 1991, an Amnesty Law pardoned crimes that took place during the war  a move that civil rights activists say has thwarted the quest for justice, truth and reconciliation in Lebanon.

They got amnesty for killing and burying people, not for hiding the truth, said Jamaleddine, sipping a coffee at a pavement cafe in the heart of Beirut. If you have information about the fate of the people that you killed and you dont reveal it, if you hide the truth, then this is a continuing crime. There is no amnesty for this crime.

For the families of the missing, she added, the tragedy is not just what happened during the civil war. The bigger tragedy is the unending, deep impact of the war on their uncertain lives.

READ MORE: Lebanon set for new presidential era

The quest to discover the whereabouts of those who went missing during the civil war is not an easy one in Lebanon, which has been in a state of political turmoil and only recently appointed a new president after the position stood vacant for two years.

Under international law, enforced or involuntary disappearance is a continuing crime until the fate of the disappeared person has been clarified. According to the United Nations, enforced disappearance is a crime against humanity and the perpetrators are prosecutable in a court of law. But the reality of what happens on the ground often differs from the regulations on paper.

Mass graves are not our only unsolved case, said Carmen Abou Jaoude, who heads Lebanons International Centre for Transitional Justice. Look at the car bombings, assassinations and other violations of law and human rights in Lebanon. Which one of those cases has been brought to justice?

The mass graves are simply the most symbolic issue in the countrys post-civil-war era, she added.

It is like burying a war, as if nothing had happened on this land, Abou Jaoude said. They dont want to open these graves and face the truth about what happened back then. This is a huge denial of the past, and thats how the perpetrators enjoy impunity.
Tens of thousands of political prisoners are being held without charge or on confessions obtained through torture.

For the crime of providing food to displaced Aleppans, her friends say, activist Zilal Salhani became one among tens of thousands of political prisoners left to an uncertain fate in Syrias jails.

Arrested at 19 by regime forces in Aleppo in July 2012, Salhani has now spent her university years in a series of shadowy government detention centres. She was convicted of supporting terrorists, but according to friend Mohammad Shbeeb, Salhani was always peaceful.

Before her detention, the Free Syrian Army had recently taken certain areas in and around Aleppo, prompting retaliatory government air strikes. Salhani, an engineering student who had been an active participant in civil demonstrations against the government of President Bashar al-Assad, took food to those displaced by the heavy fighting and helped them to find shelter, Shbeeb said.

SPECIAL SERIES: The disappeared of Syria

According to Human Rights Watch, tens of thousands political prisoners are being held in Syrian jails, many without charge. Other activists have been convicted on unsubstantiated evidence or confessions obtained through torture.

Families are kept in the dark about the fate of their loved ones, causing rumours to swirl.

Noor, a former prisoner who was held in the same cell as Salhani in the overcrowded Adra prison outside Damascus for eight months before her release earlier this year, said conditions in the jail were unspeakable.

I cannot describe the injustices we faced in Adra, Noor, who declined to give her last name, told Al Jazeera.

Noor, who now lives in neighbouring Turkey, was also held on terrorism charges after distributing food to displaced Syrians and handing out pamphlets in support of the countrys civil uprising.

Civilian activists who took to the street at the beginning of the revolution were considered by the regime as very dangerous people, because they were against using weapons and tried to keep the resistance peaceful despite the regime trying to militarise it, said Kareem Hourani, a member of the Detainees Voice activist group.

Noor said that Salhanis arrest had a significant effect on other activists.

Zilal was one of the first detainees in Aleppo, and other people joined demonstrations because of her arrest, so they are making an example of her, she said. For us, it was a very big loss when she was arrested. We were so disappointed. She was so strong.

READ MORE: You probably wont read this piece about Syria

Amid the appalling conditions in prison, Salhanis health had been suffering, Noor said. Breakfast, served at 10am, consisted of a slice of bread and either a segment of cheese or some jam, and the only other meal for the day, served at 6pm, was rice or bulgur with a potato or a tomato and a slice of bread.

When the prison guards initially asked her to remove her niqab, Salhani refused, said Shbeeb, citing information from other prisoners. Its bad for anyone to enter the prison, but it is even worse for girls. They looked at her like an animal looking at his prey.





Shbeeb was himself arrested for attending a demonstration in 2011 and held for seven hours, during which time he was beaten and tortured.

Significant prisoner exchanges have been few and far between in Syria, but could hold the key to any political transition.

The Red Cross is the only agency with access to government-run detention facilities, and officials made several visits to prisons last year, according to Robert Mardini, the Middle East director for the International Committee of the Red Cross. The organisation declined to provide details of its confidential findings.

A lot of our friends are still in prison. Some of them have been killed there, Shbeeb said.

Noor said that her conversations with Salhani focused on their fate in prison, and on the disappearance each week of three to six women from their block  although such political discussions were banned inside Adra, punishable by beatings.

More than 65,000 Syrians have been forcibly disappeared since the beginning of the civil war in March 2011, according to Amnesty International.

INTERACTIVE: Life on hold

In an effort to silence dissenting voices, the Syrian regime has painted the entire opposition as terrorists, despite the pacifistic beliefs held by many activists. Yahya Shurbaji, known as the man with the roses because he met soldiers with flowers in the initial days of the uprising in Daraya, has been in jail since September 2011. Another Daraya activist arrested with him has since died in prison.

I can mention many names  who adopted the methodology of responding to violence by distributing flowers and water to Assads soldiers, Hourani said. The regime was afraid of them because they were refuting its claims of fighting terrorists and armed people.

Syrias policy of political imprisonment long predates the civil war. In one case from 2009, blogger Tal al-Mallohi was arrested at 18 for her online writings, held without charge for years, and ultimately sentenced in 2011 to five years in prison for spying.

There have also been rare rays of light, including the release last year of prominent human rights defender Mazen Darwish, who had been held for three years in government jails. Hourani believes that his release was made possible through international pressure.

[The international community] stood up for their justified cause, confronted the regime and demanded a cease to its farcical trials of activists, Hourani said. That concrete pressure is missing in the cases of the other detainees.
In August 1953, when I was a two-year-old toddler growing up in my hometown of Ahvaz in oil-rich southern Iran, the British and the Americans conspired against the newly elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, toppled his democratically elected government, reinstalled a runaway tyrant, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, to rule over us, and robbed an entire nation of the possibility of living in a democracy.

As fate would have it, some 63 years later, now in the homeland of the very same plotters who toppled Mosaddegh, a vast segment of Americans are legitimately concerned that Donald Trump, their newly elected president, may usher in a dictatorial abrogation of their democratic institutions, particularly their cherished freedom of press which he seems to be able to torpedo with a few words in his noxious nocturnal tweets.

The British liberals are equally incensed about how the Brexit vote may be the sign of a nasty xenophobic turn in the history of European liberal democracy. Brexit and the election of Trump are therefore seen as cataclysmic events marking 2016 as a turning point in the history of Western democracy.

Today I of course deeply empathise when I read a piece in the New York Times such as The End of the Anglo-American Order, in which Ian Buruma argues quite eloquently how for decades the United States and Britains vision of democracy and freedom defined the post-war world  and then asks quite anxiously: What will happen in an age of Donald Trump and Nigel Farage?

But still I cannot help whispering to myself ever so politely: Excuse me, sir, but are you sure that the US and Britain had a vision of democracy and freedom that defined the post-war world? Was Iran part of this world? Was 1953 within that post-war era? What about Chile in 1973, or any number of other nasty covert operations the British or Americans conducted around the globe?

What about us? Are we not people, do we not deserve democracy? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us 

Persian poetic justice

More than half a century after the CIA plot against Mosaddegh I have lived to see the same CIA accusing the Russians of interfering in the presidential election of 2016, manipulating the electorate to get a charlatan businessman into the White House. If Bernie Sanders were the American Mosaddegh, Trump is their Mohammad Reza Shah, as it were.

Is the US being administered a bit of its own medicine, perhaps? According to a report by The New York Times back in 1984, the CIA contributed more than $1.4m to two political parties in El Salvadors presidential campaign.

This, however, was no isolated incident. Since the 1940s, the CIA has played a covert role in elections and in the affairs of political parties in other countries.

We also know that between 1953 and 1961, under Allen Dulles, the CIA overthrew the governments of Guatemala, invaded Cuba, and was tied to the killing of Patrice Lumumba, Congos first democratically elected leader.

The task today is for Trump not to be allowed to do to the US - or nativist xenophobia in UK and elsewhere to Europe - what the US and UK conspired and did to Iran and elsewhere. by

More recently, The Washington Post has also allowed into its pages the fact that the United States does have a well-documented history of interfering and sometimes interrupting the workings of democracies elsewhere.

In his report, Ishaan Tharoor further adds: In the late 1940s, the newly established CIA cut its teeth in Western Europe, pushing back against some of the continents most influential leftist parties and labour unions.

Today you may think the US has repented from such unsavoury behaviour, except it has not. Again, as Tharoor reports: After the end of the Cold War, the United States has largely brought its covert actions into the open with organisations like the more benign National Endowment for Democracy, which seeks to bolster civil society and democratic institutions around the world through grants and other assistance.

OPINION: The prospect of the US as a banana republic

I know of quite a number of discredited expat Iranian opposition who are the beneficiary of such largesse, being cooked up for a potential regime change back in their homeland.

Recently a particular group among them wrote a letter to Trump asking him to dismantle the Iran nuclear deal, impose more crippling sanctions on their own people, and help them to bring democracy to their homeland.

Once Jesus upon a path

The moral of the story is not a vindictive reading of history. Iranians today live in the throes of a repressive theocracy brought upon themselves by their own domestic tyrants.

But the troubled soul of Anglo-American liberal democracy today in both the US and UK will have to be read as the historic closure to the false distinction it has made between domestic prosperity and foreign warfare.

The task today is for Trump not to be allowed to do to the US  or nativist xenophobia in UK and elsewhere to Europe  what the US and UK conspired and did to Iran and elsewhere. In that task we, the survivors of those atrocities, have much to share with our former tormentors and present hosts.

OPINION: What went wrong? A withering West

Its the festive season associated with the name of Jesus Christ  so let me conclude with a magnificent poem by the towering moral authority of Persian poet Nasir Khusraw in which the figure of Christ appears prominently:

Should you have a sword in hand dont rush to slaughter people,

For in Gods eyes evil will never be forgotten.

Jesus once saw a dead body wasting upon a path,

He wondered and paused for a moment of reflection:

Whom did you kill, he whispered quietly, so you were killed in return?

And where would the man who killed you be in return killed by someone else!

Dont harass people knocking at their door with your fingertip!

So no one would bother you banging at your door with a tightened fist!

Hamid Dabashi is Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University in New York.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Iraq and Afghanistan deadliest countries for journalists in 2016, IFJ says, as it deplores impunity for killings.

Ninety-three journalists and media staff were killed around the world in the course of their work in 2016, with Iraq and Afghanistan the deadliest countries, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has said.

The IFJ said on Friday the number included those killed in targeted attacks, bomb blasts or caught in the cross-fire. A further 29 died in plane crashes in Colombia and Russia.

Though the number is lower than previous years, the IFJ warned against complacency and continued impunity. Justice has been served for just four percent of journalists killed worldwide.

Countries with the highest numbers of media killings Iraq: 15 Afghanistan: 13 Mexico: 11 Yemen: 8 Guatemala 6 Syria: 6 India: 5 Pakistan: 5 Source: IFJ

Any decrease in violence against journalist and media personnel is always welcome but these figures  leave little room for comfort and reinforce hopes for the end of the security crisis in the media sector, Philippe Leruth, IFJ president, said in a statement.

There cannot be impunity for these crimes.

Regionally, the Middle East was deadliest with 30 killings, followed by Asia-Pacific with 28, Latin America with 24, Africa with eight and Europe with three, the watchdog said.

IFJ said it was aware that there many more journalists who had disappeared through the course of the year.

The numbers could be higher, if it werent for lack of credible information on these missing cases and for the self-censorship by journalists in some countries to avoid drawing the unwelcome attention of crime barons, added Anthony Bellanger, IFJ general secretary.

There is, therefore, urgency in pressing governments to investigate all forms of violence, including killings and disappearances, in a speedy and credible manner to protect the physical integrity and professional independence of journalists.

Self-censorship

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), based in New York, said in a report earlier in December that impunity fostered acts of self-censorship. Many journalists were being intimidated into exile or being to forced withdraw from the field completely.

The CPJ cited the independent Pakistan Press Foundation, who in in November said: Threats and violence have forced many journalists to move from these danger zones and to leave the profession or to resort to self-censorship, particularly in conflict areas.

The CPJ said Syria was the deadliest country for journalists in 2016, followed by Iraq and Yemen.

The number of journalists who have been killed in Syria since the war began in 2011 is now at least 107.
Security Council passes resolution supporting truce and planned peace talks despite signs of shakiness on the ground.

The UN Security Council has unanimously endorsed a ceasefire currently in effect in Syria, as well as plans for peace talks to be held in the Kazakh capital next month.

The resolution, approved late on Saturday, called for the rapid, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid throughout the country.

Russia, which supports Syrias President Bashar al-Assad, brokered the ceasefire with Turkey earlier this week in the hope of paving the way for peace talks in Kazakhstan in the new year.

The truce calls for negotiations over a political solution to end the conflict that has killed more than 400,000 people and forced millions to flee.

READ MORE: Syrian activists languish in government jails

Vitaly Churkin, Russias ambassador to the UN, praised efforts to end the year with an international agreement for Syria and thanked Turkey for its substantive contribution.

It is very important that the Security Council backed these efforts by Russia and Turkey, he said.

Endorsing the resolution means that if all of us look together to certain objectives rather than to attempt to gain benefit, then we are able to make important decisions.

However, in remarks after the vote, several delegates voiced their concern, saying the agreement contained grey areas and that its implementation was fragile.

Amendments accepted

Al Jazeeras Mike Hanna, reporting from the UN headquarters in New York City, said Russia was forced to accept a number of amendments to see the resolution pass.

Key among them was that the Russia-Turkey brokered ceasefire was part of a wider UN initiative aimed at restoring political dialogue, he said.





Russia has made it clear that this resolution is in no way meant to supplant a UN push to start talks in Geneva.

Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy for Syria, has said he intends to bring together representatives of the rival parties for talks in Geneva after February 8.

The truce remained largely intact on Saturday, despite opposition forces accusing Assad loyalists of attacking 33 locations.

Rebel groups threatened to abandon the ceasefire if the government continued its assault on areas under their control.

Rebel leaders told Al Jazeera that Assads government were trying to take advantage of the situation to further expand its territory.

At least 10 air strikes hit rebel-held villages and towns in the strategically important Wadi Barada valley near Damascus, activists said.

Delicate moment for truce

Al Jazeeras Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Turkeys Gaziantep near the Syria border, said it was a delicate moment for the ceasefire.

They [Syrian rebel groups] have sent an urgent appeal to the UN and to Turkey, which is the key player in the ceasefire, to negotiate with the Russians and try to stop the Syria government, warning that if this continues, there will be no option but to resume the fighting, he said.

OPINION: Who are we to say the Syrian revolution is dead?

The terms of the ceasefire insist that the moment it comes into effect, there should be no military operation, no party should take advantage of it. But the Syrian opposition would need that guarantee, that the guns must fall silent across Syria.

The Syrian civil war started as a largely unarmed uprising against Assad in March 2011, but quickly developed into a full-on armed conflict.

Calculating a precise death toll is difficult, partially owing to the forced disappearances of tens of thousands of Syrians whose fates remain unknown.

Almost 11 million Syrians  half the countrys prewar population  have been displaced from their homes.
South Korean diplomat bids farewell to his colleagues as he transfers stewardship to Antonio Guterres.

Ban Ki-moon, the outgoing UN secretary-general, says he laments not ending conflicts or doing more to promote peace as he ends 10 years at the UN.

Thronged by UN staff as he made his way out of UN headquarters on Friday, the South Korean diplomat thanked his colleagues, saying it was an honour to have worked with them.

You should be very proud, just as I am so very proud to call you my colleagues, he said.





The 72-year-old transfers stewardship of the world body to Antonio Guterres, a former Portuguese prime minister, amid continuing conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Mali, the Central African Republic and Libya, to name but a few.

Ban said he lamented the fires still burning, and in a rare show of criticism of world leaders, criticised unnamed presidents, prime ministers and monarchs for the turmoil.

Singling out Syria, he said he could not understand why it was being held hostage to the destiny of Bashar al-Assad.

The Syrian conflict has killed an estimated 400,000 people, contributed to Europes worst refugee crisis since World War II and allowed the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group to emerge as a global threat.

Turning elsewhere, Ban said in his decade at the UN he had endeavoured to never give up. To keep dreaming, to keep believing, and to keep working hard until we achieve progress.

He urged UN staff to remain focused on advancing UN development goals and work towards addressing issues ranging from climate change to gender empowerment.

Mixed legacy

Despite serving two terms and being unanimously re-elected in 2011, Ban leaves behind a mixed legacy.

In his first term, he was criticised for not speaking out against human rights abuses in China and Russia.

And, in his second term, for the UNs handling of the cholera epidemic in Haiti and its failure to deal effectively with sexual abuses by UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic and elsewhere.

His decision to remove an Arab coalition bombing Yemen from a UN blacklist after Saudi Arabia threatened to stop funding UN programmes was sharply rebuked.

On the other hand, he has won plaudits for helping move climate change to the top of the global agenda and strongly backing gay rights despite opposition from many countries.

From Sunday, Guterres, 67, takes over from Ban. He is the first former head of government to lead the UN and will preside over a five-year term.
Code associated with Russian hackers allegedly found on electricity companys laptop in Vermont, prompting inquiry.

Malware code linked to Russian hackers has been detected on a laptop associated with an electricity company in the US state of Vermont but not connected to the grid, according to the company.

The Burlington Electric Department said in a statement on Friday that it took immediate action to isolate the device and alerted federal officials of the finding.

Our team is working with federal officials to trace this malware and prevent any other attempts to infiltrate utility systems, the municipally owned company said.

We have briefed state officials and will support the investigation fully.

The Burlington Electric said it checked the devices after the Department of Homeland Security alerted utilities on Thursday night about a code used in Grizzly Steppe, the name the authorities have applied to a Russian campaign linked to recent hacks.

WATCH  Secrets and hacks: Russias role in the US election (24:59)

This attack shows how rampant Russian hacking is. Its systemic, relentless, predatory, said Peter Welch, a Vermont Democratic congressman, in a statement.

They will hack everywhere, even Vermont, in pursuit of opportunities to disrupt our country.

Welch said the breach also underscores that sanctions President Barack Obama took against Russia this week were warranted.

Peter Shumlin, Vermonts Democratic governor, said his administration has been in touch with the federal government and the states utilities.

Vermonters and all Americans should be both alarmed and outraged that one of the worlds leading thugs, [Russian president] Vladimir Putin, has been attempting to hack our electric grid, which we rely upon to support our quality-of-life, economy, health and safety, he said in a statement.

Russian meddling

Shumlin said the hacking episode should highlight the urgent need for the federal government to vigorously pursue and put an end to this sort of Russian meddling.

The matched malware code on the laptop may have resulted from a relatively benign episode, such as visiting a questionable website, a source familiar with the matter said, suggesting Russian hackers may not have been directly involved.





It was not clear when the incident occurred.

Jody Westby, CEO of Global Cyber Risk and an adjunct professor at Georgia Institute of Technologys School of Computer Science, told Al Jazeera the incident has been overly dramatised.

It is very important to take any malware thats found seriously and investigate it, but it is equally important not to overly dramatise it. And I am afraid thats whats happening in this case, she said.

She said the malware found on the laptop was the type that was able to just extract information from the device, but it could not possibly disrupt the functioning of the utility systems, even if the laptop was connected to the grid.

On Friday night, a US intelligence official who was familiar with the incident and critical of Russian actions said: This intrusion by itself was a minor incident that caused no damage.

However, we are taking it seriously because it has been tracked to familiar entities involved in a much broader and government-directed campaign in cyberspace and because the electric grid is a vulnerable and interconnected part of the nations critical infrastructure.

President Barack Obama on Thursday ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian suspected spies and imposed sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies over their alleged involvement in hacking US political groups in the 2016 presidential election.
An Egyptian court has upheld an agreement to give control of two islands in the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia, providing a boost for the government.

The appeals court in Cairo upheld on Saturday a verdict by a lower court that annulled a ruling by the administrative court, which had said the agreement to hand over the islands was void, judicial sources said.

Last week, the Egyptian government approved the deal to hand over the islands and sent it to parliament for ratification, despite the legal dispute over the plan.

The territorial deal, announced in April, caused a public uproar among many Egyptians, who said the uninhabited islands of Tiran and Sanafir belonged to their country.





The administrative court had said the agreement violated Egypts constitution, which prohibits giving away any part of Egyptian territory to another country.

A more senior tribunal, the higher administrative court, is due to issue a verdict on January 16.

Tiran and Sanafir are in the narrow entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba leading to Jordan and Israel.

Saudi and Egyptian officials say the islands belong to Saudi Arabia and were only under Egyptian control because Riyadh asked Cairo in 1950 to protect them.

Many Egyptians reject the government argument, accusing it of selling part of their homeland.

Lawyers who oppose the handover say Cairos sovereignty over the islands dates to a 1906 treaty, before Saudi Arabia was founded.

Saudi Arabia has provided billions of dollars of aid to Egypt, but recently halted fuel shipments.
Government and opposition agree that President Joseph Kabila will step down after elections are held next year.

Joseph Kabila will step down as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo after elections are held before the end of 2017, under an agreement apparently finalised by the government and the opposition.

The deal was concluded on Saturday in the capital Kinshasa, according to negotiators, ending a lengthy stalemate in the country.

We have reached agreement on all points, said Marcel Utembi, the bishop who chairs the Episcopal Conference (CENCO) overseeing the talks.





Alexis Thambwe Mwamba, DRCs justice minister, confirmed that a deal had been reached, saying: Everything is settled.

The negotiations, launched on December 8, took place under the aegis of the influential Catholic Church, which had initially set Christmas Day as the deadline for a deal.

The draft deal was made on Friday, but the finalisation of the agreement was delayed due to new demands.

Al Jazeeras Fahmida Miller, reporting from Kinshasa, said one of the sticking points was the issue of a referendum.

The government representatives said they wanted to reserve the constitutional right provided by Article 5 to have a referendum before elections are held next year. But they didnt say what the vote would be about, she said.

The opposition said they wanted to remove any loopholes from this agreement. They, of course, opposed the referendum and said the government was trying to keep President Kabila in power.

Kabila has been holding on to power although his second and final five-year term ended on December 20.

Political transition

The deal envisages a political transition with fresh presidential elections to be held at the end of 2017.

The vote was supposed to be organised in late 2016. The government had previously said it was impossible for elections to be held before April 2018.





A transitional government will be put in place by March next year.

The agreement also guarantees that Kabila will not seek a third mandate and lays the groundwork for a national transition council charged with carrying out the agreement.

In return, the opposition headed by Etienne Tshisekedi, 84, would accept that Kabila can stay in power until he hands over to an elected successor.

It had previously demanded Kabilas immediate departure from public life.

In May 2016, Kabila managed to get a court to rule that he could remain in power until a successor was chosen.

The deadline for his departure from office prompted clashes that have left between 56 and 104 people dead.

If Saturdays deal is followed through, it will be DRCs first peaceful transfer of power since independence in 1960.

International and African powers feared the failure to secure a peaceful transition of power could lead to a repeat of conflicts seen between 1996 and 2003 in eastern DRC, in which millions died, mostly from starvation and disease.
Opposition groups warn they will cancel truce if government offensive persists in area northwest of Damascus.

Syrian rebel groups warned they would consider a ceasefire deal brokered by Russia and Turkey null and void if government forces and their allies continued to violate it.

Clashes and air strikes persisted in some areas since the ceasefire began on Friday, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said on Saturday that the truce was still largely holding.

Continued violations by the regime and bombardment and attempts to attack areas under the control of the revolutionary factions will make the agreement null and void, a statement signed by a number of rebel groups said on Saturday.

READ MORE: Russia seeks UN endorsement of Syria truce

It said government forces and their allies had been trying to press advances, particularly in an area northwest of Damascus.

Al Jazeeras Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Turkeys Gaziantep near the Syria border, said it was a delicate moment for the ceasefire.

They [Syrian rebel groups] have sent an urgent appeal to the UN and to Turkey, who is the key player in the ceasefire, to negotiate with the Russians and try to stop the Syria government from fighting, warning that if the fighting continues there will be no option but to resume the fighting, he said.

The terms of the ceasefire insist that the moment it comes in to effect there should be no military operation, no party should take advantage of it. But the Syria opposition would need that guarantee that the guns must fall silent across Syria.

Russia, which supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has urged the UN to give its blessing to the fragile ceasefire, the third truce this year seeking to end nearly six years of war in Syria.

Russia and Turkey, which backs the armed opposition to Assad, brokered the ceasefire agreement in the hope of preparing the way for peace talks in Kazakhstan in the new year.





In their statement, the rebels said it appeared the government and the opposition had signed two different versions of the ceasefire deal, one of which was missing a number of key and essential points that are non-negotiable, but did not say what those were.

There is a different interpretation on this ceasefire between Syrian opposition groups on the one hand and the Russians and other parties on the other, Marwan Kabalan, an analyst at Doha Institute, told Al Jazeera.

There was confusion over which groups in the opposition are included in the ceasefire. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group, which has made enemies of all sides in the conflict, is not included.

The opposition said the ceasefire includes all Syrian factions excluding ISIL, whereas the Russians said it would exclude all UN-designated terrorist organisations including al-Nusra Front, said Kabalan. This [difference] is a ticking bomb that will jeopardise the whole process as the Syrian forces will go after al-Nusra and that will put the Syrian opposition factions in a very difficult position.

The ceasefire deal calls for negotiations over a political solution to end the conflict that has killed more than 310,000 people and forced millions to flee.

Talks in Astana

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he would now reduce Moscows military contingent in Syria, which has been fighting to bolster the government since last year.

But he added that Russia would continue to fight terrorism and maintain its support for the government.

Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara would continue the operation it began in August targeting ISIL and Kurdish fighters.

Despite backing opposite sides in the conflict, Turkey and Russia have worked increasingly closely on Syria, brokering a deal this month to allow the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians and rebel fighters from Aleppo.

UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura has said he hoped the agreement would pave the way for productive talks, but also reiterated he wants negotiations mediated by his office to continue next year.

The council held closed-door consultations on the text early Friday and Russia later amended the draft at the request of several member states.

The latest draft of the resolution, a copy of which was seen by AFP news agency, includes a reference to the talks being led by de Mistura.
Kyriakos Amiridis wife denies participating in killing but says she knew of crime as police question her account.

Greeces ambassador to Brazil was murdered in a plot hatched by his Brazilian wife and her police officer lover, who confessed to the crime, officials said.

The envoy, Kyriakos Amiridis, 59, was killed on Monday by the officer, Sergio Gomez Moreira, Rio homicide division chief Evaristo Pontes told a news conference on Friday.

Amiridiss charred body was found on Thursday in Rio in his burned-out rental car, a day after his Brazilian wife, Francoise de Souza Oliveira, declared him missing.

Oliveira, 40, and Moreira, 29, both admitted to having an affair, police said.

The pair is in custody, along with Moreiras 24-year-old cousin, Eduardo Tedeschi, who allegedly also took part. According to the homicide division chief, Oliveira denied participating in the murder itself, but confessed she knew of the crime.

Family vacation

Amiridis, who was named ambassador this year, had been on a family vacation with his wife in the north of Rio de Janeiro since December 21. They had been due to fly back to the capital Brasilia on January 9.

His wife had originally told police that he had left the Rio apartment they were staying in, taken the car and not returned.

But her version had contradictions, and after Amiridiss body was found in the burned-out car under a bridge, police took Oliveira in for more questioning, and also detained Moreira.

Traces of blood were reportedly found on a sofa in the apartment Amiridis and Oliveira had been using, leading investigators to believe he had been killed there, then his body was placed in the rental car and driven to the spot it was found.

Pontes said that Oliveira had offered Tedeschi the equivalent of $25,000 to help with murdering the ambassador.

Moreira acknowledged that he and Amiridis had had a physical fight and that he had strangled the ambassador in self-defence.

Amiridis had previously served Greeces consul general in Rio from 2001 to 2004, where he met Oliveira. The couple has a 10-year-old daughter.

A Greek police team was headed for Brazil to take part in the investigation, while Greeces ambassador in Argentina was travelling to Brasilia, Athens said.
Source close to DRC mediators says both sides making new demands, making final settlement increasingly difficult.

Opposition parties and representatives of Joseph Kabilas government are struggling to reach an agreement that would end a long-standing political stalemate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

A source close to the mediation team  made up of members of the Catholic Church  said on Saturday that both parties continued to bring new demands to the table, making the final steps increasingly difficult.

The agreement is ready, but this morning, all the groups came with new demands for details to be included in the accord, which is delaying the signing ceremony, the source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.

Al Jazeeras Fahmida Miller, reporting from Kinshasa, said the sticking point was the issue of a referendum.

The government representatives here say they want to reserve the constitutional right provided by Article 5 to have a referendum before elections are held next year, but they dont say what the vote would be about, she said.

The opposition says they want to remove any loopholes from this agreement. They, of course, oppose that referendum and say the government is trying to keep President Kabila in power.

Talks between the DRC government and opposition aim to resolve the future of President Kabila, who is holding on to power although his second and final five-year term ended on December 20.

The negotiations, launched on December 8, are taking place under the aegis of the influential Catholic Church, which had initially set Christmas Day as a deadline for a deal.

Political transition

Representatives from both sides met on Saturday at the headquarters of Congo National Episcopal Conference (CENCO).

On Saturday, Marcel Utembi, CENCO president, said the two sides are on the verge of concluding an accord.

The various delegates have reached agreement on the points where divergences lay, he said, adding that the pact is set to be signed tomorrow morning.





The working document for the deal, seen by AFP news agency, envisages a political transition with fresh presidential elections to be held at the end of 2017.

The vote was supposed to be organised in late 2016. The government had previously said it was impossible for it to be held before April 2018.

The draft deal also guarantees that Kabila will not seek a third mandate and lays the groundwork for a national transition council charged with carrying out the agreement.

In return, the opposition headed by 84-year-old Etienne Tshisekedi would accept that Kabila can stay in power until he hands over to an elected successor.

It had previously demanded his immediate departure from public life.

In May 2016, Kabila managed to get a court to rule that he could remain in power until a successor was chosen.

The deadline for his departure from office unleashed clashes that have left between 56 and 104 people dead, according to various tolls.
As 2016 draws to an end, we review some of the years most interesting interviews. Talk to Al Jazeera was fortunate enough to talk to many world leaders and the people influencing our times, but we also turned the mics and cameras to alternative voices, individuals who by accident or choice have found themselves in extraordinary events.

In this end of year special edition of Talk to Al Jazeera, we begin with an episode set in the Brazilian city of Recife, in the northeast of the country, which was at the centre of a global health crisis over the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease that is suspected of causing birth defects in babies.

Our Latin America editor, Lucia Newman, was on ground zero of the epidemic to find out how parents and children were coping and what help they were getting.

We now catch up with Newman from Santiago, Chile to hear what has happened to one mother and her baby and the latest on the virus.

In the middle of the Zika health crisis, a political crisis also erupted in Brazil. Newman interviewed the now impeached president, Dilma Rousseff at the most critical moment, just a few days after she had been suspended over corruption allegations.

Newman updates us on how impeaching President Rousseff was far from the end of the corruption scandal and Brazils dire political and economic outlook for 2017.

Talk to Al Jazeera interviewed several South African officials throughout the year: people from the governing ANC, as well as opposition leaders. But perhaps the most controversial interview of the year was one with the South African international relations minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane who spoke to Al Jazeeras Jane Dutton, herself a South African.

Dutton reflects on how the personal tone  as a conversation between two South Africans  struck many viewers, sparking online debate and coverage by local media in South Africa. The interview was even captured in a cartoon by the Cape Town-based cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro, known as Zapiro.

This year we spoke to one of the most prominent thinkers of our time, Zygmunt Bauman. Bauman has considered and written extensively about the modern era, this time of uncertainty and about our place in it.

We spoke to digital producer Annette Ekin about why Baumans uncomfortable words on the fear of refugees and why theyre a reminder that what happened to them could happen to anyone, resonated with our viewers. Our digital team also animated Baumans words to bring this great thinker to a younger more digital audience.

Al Jazeeras Martine Dennis spoke to Nigerias president, Muhammadu Buhari, about the countrys economic crisis and corruption, but mostly about his fight against Boko Haram.

Dennis tells us why she decided to focus on security in the interview and what the situation is now. Attention, she says, has turned to fastest-growing displacement crisis on the continent due to the armed groups attacks, with more than 2.6 million forced out of their homes from the neighbouring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon and now congregating in northeastern Nigeria.

One of biggest headline-grabbing world leaders of the year has been the controversial Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. Correspondents Jamela Alindogan and Wayne Hay spoke to him about his brutal war on drugs and foreign policy.

Alindogan joined us from Manila to update us on how Dutertes war on drugs is now alienating the voters who propelled him to power and why the presidents radical shift away from the US and a closer move to China has been one of his most unpopular decisions.

Finally, as 2016 comes to an end, so too does the second term of Ban Ki-moon at the United Nations. Our diplomatic editor James Bays had an exit interview with the UN secretary-general.

Bays joins us from London to discuss for what Ban will be remembered. While he is known to have been hard working and decent, Bays says Ban has not confronted the big powers  the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, in particular, Russia. Many in the UN, Bays says, believe he has not been a strong leader and hasnt given the UN the resonance and relevance that people think it deserves.

Bays also says theres a strong possibility Ban could become the next president of South Korea.

I think he hasnt finally decided. I think he was telling the truth there, I think he is going to go back in the coming days to South Korea and take soundings. But I think from some of those close to him, that he is minded to run. He believes that he can do something for his own country. Even though hes in his 70s, he has a great deal of energy and he believes that he has got more to offer.

Certainly, I think in South Korea, theres a much more favourable impression of Ban Ki-moon than perhaps there is in some other parts of the world. Moving on from President Park, the idea of having someone who doesnt come from a previous family that has had power in South Korea, comes from a humble background, someone who has been a public servant and someone whos a bit older, a grandfather figure  that might just be what South Korea in its current political turmoil is looking for.

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 If this is spirituality India will be better without it

Alwihda Info | Par Hem Raj Jain - 31 Decembre 2016



Bengaluru, India

Sub:- Solution to Kashmir problem will be litmus test for Sri Sri Ravi Shankar brand of spirituality.



----The spiritual guide of PM Modi Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (SSRS) who also conducted international Art of living grand program in 2016 at the bank of river Yamuna in Indias capital Delhi with the support of Government of India (GOI) including of its military for making temporary bridges for crossing the river by devotees] has wrote an article published in prominent and leading English Newspaper The Times of India on December, 31 titled Do swim with appearances, but take care not to be taken in by them



In this article about demonetization SSRS said Demonetization has caused some discomfort to people in the short term but will benefit the nation eventually. Though substantially inconvenienced themselves, most Indians wholeheartedly supported the measure. The collective willingness to go through austerity for long-term greater good is a rare quality, not found in most societies in the world today. It is the spiritual temperament prevailing in India that makes it strong enough to withstand challenges that would cause chaos elsewhere.



If as per SSRS this is spirituality, India will be better without it as explained below:-



(1)- What is so spiritual about 99 % of ~ 1.3 billion innocent Indians cowardly tolerating harassment and torture and helplessly watching their children starving, women delivering a baby in the Q of Bank / ATM, senior citizens dying, (as they could not be provide food and medicine) millions losing job & business and all these for the want of cash though these Indians had money which was denied to them through illegal and criminal demonetization.



(2)- What is so spiritual about 99 % of ~ 1.3 billion innocent Indians unable to protect themselves against oppression of illegal and draconian demonetization [despite Article 21, 14, 19 (1) (g), 300 A, 78, 56 (1) (b), 124 (4) of the Constitution, Section 26 (2) of the RBI Act, section 304 A, 34, 120 B of IPC and section 12 (b) of the Protection of Human Rights Act] and every State authority (President, Parliament, Supreme Court, RBI, NHRC) could fail India



(3)- What is so spiritual about Indians getting carried away by false propaganda of GOI that this demonetization is about eliminating black-money & recovering Income Tax when Indians know that GOI did not recover Rs ~ 1,000 Trillion Income Tax from the income which people illegally declared as agriculture income as mentioned at http://www.alwihdainfo.com/Now-India-bound-to-get-Rs--1000-Trillion-income-tax-as-Delhi-Police-steps-in_a31456.html



(4)- What is so spiritual about Indians getting carried away by false propaganda of GOI that this demonetization is also about cashless (less-cash) economy whereas Indians know that less-cash economy could have been achieved painlessly (without illegal & draconian demonetization) by merely making transactions of goods & services provided by Union Government, all the State Governments and Local bodies (like diesel, petrol, govt. fertilizers, govt. pesticides, electricity, water, Railways, State transport Services etc) cashless in first stage. This would have addressed the problem of connectivity etc needed for electronic transfer and then in second stage cashless transaction could have been extended to other fields also.



In said article SSRS also said  The world is looking for new ways to solve problems and spirituality can provide these solutions. That peace can be a real and effective tool in resolving even long-standing conflicts. In India too, a sustained effort is needed in creating an atmosphere conducive to meaningful dialogue involving all stakeholders in Kashmir to find concrete long-term solutions.



It is not expected from a venerated celebrity like SSRS to talk so casually about chronic and gory Kashmir problem (which has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people). SSRS has already met with the father of Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani at his Bengaluru Ashram and has even gone to Kashmir during 5 months shutdown of Kashmir where SSRS has met many Kashmiri leaders from various fields.



Therefore if SSRS really believes that his brand of spirituality (which calls the cowardice and immoral submission of Indians to illegal and draconian demonetization as spirituality) can solve Kashmir problem then SSRS should behave responsibly and should tell the Kashmiris that in how much time bound period Kashmir problem will be solved and for this what will have to be done by Kashmiris.



With best wishes for happy New Year



Hem Raj Jain



(Author of Betrayal of Americanism}



Bengaluru, India



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)
I am not Spanish, but I am following in the path of other Americans -- such as Washington Irving, Ernest Hemingway, and Orson Welles -- who find Spain absolutely fascinating. Recently, Spain has revved up its always impressive offerings of Hispanic chaos, and the cacophony has spilled over into France.

Spain is fascinating because it is not a country, but at least five countries, possibly more: the Basque country, Catalonia, Galicia, Andalusia, and the interior where the hated Madrid bureaucrats live. The closest equivalent might be the United Kingdom. If so, the Basque history of armed insurrection finds its closet equivalent with the Irish. The Catalans find their equivalent with the Scots, with a mix of present legal wrangling and a past of armed resistance. Wales might be similar to Andalusia, in that Andalusia, similar to Wales, is not really able to go it alone.

Galicia is quite surprising. It speaks a dialect closest to Portuguese, and claims a genetic heritage with the ancient Celts, before they left for Ireland about 2,000 years ago. There is no equivalent analog to the UK.

Despite centuries of forced centralized intermingling, and Franco's quasi-genocidal policies to force a unified Spanish identity, separatism is alive and well, and threatening not only Spain, but all of Europe.

Right now, Catalonia is going ahead with a referendum for separation in 2017. Unlike Scotland's push for independence in 2014, the Catalans have laid a strong foundation for separation. Thanks to the local school system, the Catalan language has roared back; and Madrid is furious that Castilian Spanish is being successfully contested and de-emphasized.

Among those under 25, only 3% do not speak Catalan. Those who can speak the language are 84%, while the remaining 13% understand but are not able to speak it. -- Nationalia.info

Catalonia has secured the next generation. They are wise enough to embrace those Spaniards who moved in during the Franco era, as long as they learn Catalan. There is a Catalan-speaking region just across the Pyrenees border in France -- well, sort of -- but the Catalans have been wise enough not to emphasize it... for now.

...French Catalans are largely indifferent, in large part, because they feel French. Catalan, too, but mainly French. Key to that has been language. In Spain, Catalans have defended their language for centuries... In France, only about 1 in 5 people use Catalan daily and even fewer can read it and write it, says Jaume Pol, Perpignan's Catalan Affairs counselor. "We have lost the Catalan language," Pol said. "There is only one official language in France, and that is French, period." -- Public Radio International

It would have seemed that France was safe, but bureaucratic bungling never fails. The French tried to merge two regions obliterating the name of the French Catalan region from the official map. Suddenly, the French Catalans are upset.

The 450,000 or so French Catalans -- or Catalans of the North, as most people here call themselves -- regard the new name as erasing their presence from the map. In Perpignan, which was once an important military fortress, opponents of the name Occitania are determined to resist. -- NY Times

The sleeping bear has been awoken.

In Spain, so real is the continued threat of Catalonia bolting that the Spanish High Court suspended a referendum.

Spain's Constitutional Court on Wednesday suspended a resolution by Catalonia's regional parliament that called a referendum next year on independence from the rest of the country. -- The Local, Dec. 14, 2016

Apparently, the Catalans are going ahead anyway.

Catalan separatists gather, prepare independence vote -- The Local, Dec. 24, 2016

With the linguistic foundation laid, and with better economic performance than Spain in general -- both of which Scotland lacked with regard to England in 2014 -- it will almost certainly be a Catalexit.

However, as noted in my other articles on Spain, behind every polite Catalan separatist using legal methods, there is a Basque separatist, with the implied threat of a renewed guerrilla war. As Catalonia goes, so goes the Basque country. About one week ago...

French and Spanish police forces have made five arrests over the weekend in relation to a weapons cache belonging to the Basque terrorist group ETA. -- New Europe

Of all the groups vying for independence, the Basque clearly have the best case. They have a unique genetic profile with unusually high Rh- concentrations.

Basques are a cultural isolate, and, according to mainly allele frequencies of classical polymorphisms, also a genetic isolate -- Discover Magazine Blog

Basque is not only a separate language, but a language isolate. The Basque did have a kingdom once: Navarre, which province today ironically has a Castilian population in the south. The Basque have a stronger claim to nationality than most countries. History has been grossly unfair to them.

What is interesting about the Basque is that this drive for independence cuts across the political spectrum. Both left and right support a break with Madrid, only the methods and goals differ. After a supposed ETA disarmament, there was a few years of peace in the Basque country; but as last week's story shows (see above), there remains quite a fire in the Basque belly. It is the Basque country which has to frighten Spain the most.

As the central government in Madrid squares off against secessionists in Catalonia, separatists in another Spanish region have begun formally laying the groundwork for their own push for independence. EH Bildu, a leftwing pro-independence party in the Basque country, has submitted a bill to the regional parliament that it hopes will pave the way for consultations to be held in the region. The aim is to put the political, economic and social future of the Basque country in the hands of its citizens, EH Bildus spokesman, Hasier Arraiz, said as he presented the legislation. The bill mirrors that passed by the Catalan parliament last year. -- The Guardian (2015)

Making matters worse, the Basque, along with Catalonia, are the industrial engines of Spain, without which Spain would devolve to third-world status.

The northern Spanish region of the Basque country has Spains highest GDP per capita, at 30,051 ($32,600), almost double that of Spains poorest region, Extremadura, at 15,133 -- The Local.

Metro Madrid, the receiver of taxes, and home to the Spanish bureaucracy, competes with the Basque for local income; but if the Basque taxes were cut off, and remained in Donostia ...? [Note: figures can vary because of date or exchange rate]

Some videos for those interested:

CATALAN INDEPENDENCE:

Dec. 2016

From 2011, but a classic documentary

November 2016

BASQUE INDEPENDENCE:

April 2016

Short but accurate history.

Orson Welles - great documentary

Sept. 2016

Sept. 2016

This specter haunts both France and Spain, which are closing ranks against European separatism. Hence, both France and Spain oppose the EU dealing with Scotland,

Brexit: Spain and France oppose Scotland EU talks -- BBC

And the French foreign minister supports a united Spain. The elite of Europe want no trouble from their "peasant classes," and have put aside rivalries to close ranks.



But Spain is not disappointing the viewers of history. It remains ever fascinating; and unlike the more Nordic areas of Europe, volatile enough to surprise.

Mike Konrad is the pen name of an American who wishes he had availed himself more fully of the opportunity to learn Spanish in high school, lo those many decades ago.
As the world learned of the death of Carrie Fisher two days after Christmas, 2016, social and legacy media were (of course) swamped with saccharine platitudes and cringeworthy cliches. The most nauseating were the endless kudos to Carrie for being a "strong" woman and for playing a "strong" female character.

Allow me, as I mourn her passing over multiple pints, to make a counter argument. There was strength in Carrie, to be sure, a strength that she brought to her portrayal of Leia Organa of Alderaan.

But more importantly, Carrie Fisher was a deeply vulnerable person, brimming with weaknesses and anxieties. These, too, she brought to her portrayal of Leia. Allow me to suggest that it was this vulnerability that made Carrie Fisher a relentlessly endearing person, and Leia such an enduring and beloved character.

As it happens, I received for Christmas, and finished the night before she died, Carrie's latest memoir, The Princess Diarist. The book has been billed as a confessional in which she lays bare at last her torrid affair with (the much older and then-married) Harrison Ford while filming the first Star Wars in 1976.

And it is that, in part. But is also much more than that. More accurate to say that the book is a thorough examination of her inner state as she auditioned for, filmed and suffered the aftermath of Star Wars. It is a meditation on the cruelties of celebrity, a dive inside the fishbowl of fame as well as the trap and trappings of wealth.

In the opening chapters she writes openly about her struggles with body image, even from a young age. It turns out that the gorgeous, vibrant teenager the world saw in 1977 was inside prone to self-loathing and self doubt. She admits she was desperate for people to like her, then shocked if they somehow did. She writes about seeing the lines that formed 'round the block to see Star Wars "in disbelief, wondering how anything that popular could include me."

So was she the scrappy, gorgeous dame the world saw, or the frightened, unstable child she felt herself to be? Why, both, of course. It's precisely what made her so interesting and (dare I say) sexy.

Whatever else she was, Carrie Fisher was also a wonderful writer. In The Princess Diarist, she looks upon her younger self with the perspective that age brings, but without the casual dismissal that often comes with it. It's a lovely read, and you should read it. As a woman approaching 60, she looks at the 19 year-old girl with the buns in her hair and a blaster in her hand with amusement, chagrin, and, yes, affection and admiration. The book is filled with achingly beautiful passages, brave admissions and a deep, thoroughly earned wisdom.

Earned. Let's talk about that word for a minute. For in movies, as in life, it makes all the difference. Let's compare Princess Leia, the heroine of the first Star Wars, to Rey, the heroine of 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Over Christmas I also purchased and watched The Force Awakens on Blu-ray, including the bonus features included as a DVD extra. Over and over again in the commentary and behind the scenes footage we are told that Rey is a "strong female character." And so she appears: Though an orphan with no training in combat or the Force, she easily defeats a stormtrooper in close combat with a mere staff and bests Sith lord (or at least Sith wannabe) Kylo Ren in a lightsaber duel.

There's more. Though not a pilot, Rey flies the Millennium Falcon perfectly the first time she sits in the cockpit; she even knows how to fix it better than its longtime owner Han Solo. And though it took Luke Skywalker years of training and practice -- including instruction from Obi-Wan Kenobi -- to be able to use the Force to pull his lightsaber to his hand from a distance (remember when he first used that power to free himself from that ice cave on Hoth in Empire Strikes Back?), Rey knows how to do that within a few hours of our meeting her with no training whatsoever.

In short, there is nothing Rey does not know how to do, and seemingly, do perfectly. As a result, there is zero tension in her adventure, and her victory at the conclusion of the film feels completely unearned. The movie and the character are thus complete bores.

Now consider Leia. In the first film, she is captured, imprisoned, and tortured. She puts on a game face through it all, treating her captors Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin with open disdain. But when they power up the Death Star to destroy her home planet of Alderaan, that mask falls away and her face betrays the terror and desperation that we know was always lurking just beneath the surface.

Then she watches her home - including presumably everyone she knows and loves -- become a Roman candle in the black of space. Her captors have inflicted upon her the deepest suffering, and she returns to her cell knowing that her participation in the Rebellion has cost her family their lives.

In the ensuing escape from the Death Star, she proves more than capable with a blaster, but her and Han and Luke bicker the entire time; not one of them really knows what they're doing. When they do escape, she alone realizes it's only because her captors allowed it so that she may lead them to the Rebel base (how wonderful that moment where she casually dismisses Han's bragging about facilitating their escape; she hasn't the time to soothe his male ego or to explain to this clueless guy what is so obvious to her -- sound familiar ladies?).

Now, the astonishing part: Knowing that Vader and Tarkin are right on their heels, she leads them to the Rebel base anyway, hoping that the stolen plans in R2-D2 can unlock the secret of victory before the Death Star blows them all to smithereens. In other words, even having just witnessed her planet's destruction, she's willing to risk another world and the survival of the Alliance on one last chance.

During the final assault on the Death Star, Leia watches helpless from the control center on Yavin 4 while Luke and the rest of the Alliance attack fleet embark on their kamikaze mission. She's done all she can by that point and and can only watch and hope like everyone else who's not a fighter pilot. The look on Carrie Fisher's face in these scenes -- as she listens to X-wing after X-wing meet its maker -- betrays resignation and...what? Regret? Guilt? Shame?

Yes, all of those things, and more.

Of course, Luke, with the help of Obi-Wan and the Millennium Falcon, triumphs and the Death Star is destroyed, but only a few pilots of the many who began the mission survive. When Luke lands, Leia rushes to him and her cold, royal demeanor evaporates in a euphoric cry and embrace. Her gamble has paid off, but just barely. She knows how lucky they all are.

It's an ending -- and a victory -- that is joyous because it feels earned. Leia struggled, she suffered. We see her fail as often as she succeeds. She is good at some things (blaster fights with stormtroopers) and useless in others (piloting ships, showing patience for walking carpets in her path). She does her part with nerve and moxie, but also must let others do their part.

Goddamn, Leia feels like a real person. Rey? Comparatively, a paper-thin plot device, and nothing more.

There's something else about Leia, something that gets revealed in Star Wars' immediate sequels that must be addressed. In The Empire Strikes Back, she allows herself to fall in love with Han Solo. In spite of all the suffering and loss she's experienced, and knowing that Han could be dead or gone (as could they all) at any time, she opens herself up to him.

She allows that great kiss to happen in that darkened Falcon hallway, in spite of her visible fears and reservations. Leia is fearless before Vader, but trembles in Han's embrace.

What could be riskier, braver than that? Falling in love is the worst thing for her (for anyone) to do, intellectually. She does it anyway. She's not just a military leader, after all. She's a woman. She's human.

And then there's Return of the Jedi and that infamous gold bikini. Feminists have long decried the scene for all the usual reasons, and as usual only betray their ignorance of both reality and film context. In reality, women are desired sexually by men. In reality, there are terrible men who seek to exploit that sexuality. This is just a true in this galaxy as it is in a galaxy far, far away.

Return of the Jedi acknowledges that Leia is a sexual being, whose desirability opens her up to exploitation. But let us not forget that Leia in the end uses the very chains that Jabba bound her in to choke the shit out of that fat bastard. And the ease with which she does it suggest she could have done it anytime. She chose to lure Jabba into a false sense of security, chose to let him believe she had been subjugated.

It was all part of the plan, and when the trap was sprung as Luke exploded on the skiff above the Sarlaac pit, she launched into action and killed her captor. And it wasn't easy -- she has to use all her strength, and it takes what seems like an eternity, but at last Jabba expires at her hand.

Though the actress behind Leia hated wearing that bikini costume, she understood the point. Consider this excerpt from a December 2015 Wall Street Journal interview with Fisher:

WSJ: Theres been some debate recently about whether there should be no more merchandise with you in the Return of the Jedi bikini. Fisher: I think thats stupid. WSJ: To stop making the merchandise? Fisher: The father who flipped out about it, What am I going to tell my kid about why shes in that outfit? Tell them that a giant slug captured me and forced me to wear that stupid outfit, and then I killed him because I didnt like it. And then I took it off.

Exactly.

The Leia that emerges over the course of the three original Star Wars films is that of a woman who succeeds in spite of -- and sometimes -- because of -- her vulnerabilities. She is a military and political leader who is also a loving and sexual human.

Leia is strong, but what the writers of The Force Awakens and Leia's feminist critics fail to understand is that strength does not exist in a vacuum. To be strong is to by definition overcome a vulnerability. Bravery is only brave if it involves overcoming fear.

Carrie Fisher gave us a heroine that was both vulnerable and strong, both weak and brave, both certain and fearful, because Fisher herself was all of these things and more. It's why we love both the character and the person. It's why audiences at the Rogue One showing I saw the day after her death erupted in applause and cheers at Leia's appearance onscreen, buns and all.

I admit, I got choked up.

Goodnight, princess. We'll miss you.

Matt Patterson is executive director of the Center for Worker Freedom and president of 1st Amendment First. Mpatterson.column@gmail.com.
Who is the real winner in the passing of U.N. Resolution 2334 condemning Israeli settlements in so-called Palestinian land? It is not the Arabs who live in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, nor the leftist BDS movement, nor the world community which acted in usual blind lock-step in condemning Israel, or even the Obama administration which sacrificed American stature and credibility to express personal pique, though all appear to be gleefully rubbing grubby hands. The real winner is radical Islam, which the aforementioned parties claim to oppose.

For all the talk of preserving a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs, and its attendant equivocating between Arab violence and incitement and the peaceful building of Jewish homes, the real heart 2334 is the first paragraph, which states that the Resolution

Reaffirms that the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law

That international law is the creation of U.N. Security Council, which invents such law with the passage of resolutions, regardless of whether standard principles of law-making, such as precedent, judicial or statutory authority are present. If the U.N.S.C. passed a resolution declaring Mars and its inhabitants a country, that would be international law. Its resolutions on Israel are almost pure exercises in self-referential circular reasoning. But that does not mean that they are without legal or practical impact, especially when endorsed by the United States, still -- if barely -- the worlds preeminent power.

With Resolution 2334 the U.N.S.C. and the United States (thanks to President Obama) have endorsed and enshrined in international law the idea that Jerusalem is a historically Arab city, a bit of myth-making that could have come directly from an ISIS spokesman. For while it is a fact that Jerusalem (East and West) is and mostly has been a Jewish city, about which there can be no reasonable historical cavil, it has been the mission of Islam to convince otherwise.

That Islamic mission is part and parcel of the broader Muslim conception which sees Islam as the true and culminating expression of the god of Abraham. By extension Jews and Christians are, at best, deluded inauthentic monotheists, who may pay to be tolerated by Muslims, but nothing more. Denying Jerusalems Jewish identity denies its Christian identity as well. Thus, this resolution is as much an attack on Christians and Christianity as it is on Israeli settlement activity.

A couple days before the passage of the Resolution 2334, historian Bat Yeor carefully delineated the U.N.s continuing attack not only on Israel but on the West and Christianity in criticizing last Aprils Jerusalem Declaration of UNESCO which ignores historical Jewish ties to the Temple Mount and declares the entire area Muslim. Unlike U.N.S.C. resolutions, the decisions of UNESCOs executive council are not considered binding international law, but taken in conjunction with Resolution 2334 that is now the practical effect.

This is yet another example of how Islam, including its most radical adherents, is winning the war of ideas with the Judeo-Christian West, a war that has been going on physically and intellectually since Mohammeds first revelation in the early 7th Century.

From the start, Mohammed was acutely aware that to spread the new faith he had to give it legitimacy in the eyes of pre-Islamic pagan Arabs who were already gravitating toward monotheistic beliefs, some tribes having already adopted Christianity or Judaism. Mohammed supplied this legitimacy in large part by tying Allahs revelations to existing belief systems, pagan and monotheistic alike. Thus, the Quran famously references Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and several other notable New and Old Testament figures. Per Mohammed these men were all Muslim prophets whose words and deeds were misinterpreted by the Christians and Jews who created the Old and New Testaments.

So obviously, Christians and Jews have long presented a problem for Islam. Mohammed believed that they would be eager converts to Islam, since they were already monotheists and Allahs revelations acknowledged those Christian and Jewish prophets. When this did not happen, Mohammed and his successors variously slaughtered, enforced conversions or reduced the status of the people of the book and taxed them.

Jerusalem plays an important role in this process as I explained in detail here. While Jerusalem in not mentioned in the Quran, supposedly, early in Mohammeds time in Medina -- possibly to encourage Jewish conversion to Islam -- Muslims prayed toward Jerusalem. Mohammed gave this up after a few months and turned toward Mecca.

Islams second caliph, the very capable Umar, captured Jerusalem a few years after Mohammeds death. He deliberately chose the Temple Mount, where the Jewish temple stood and where Jesus walked, as the site of Islams first work of monumental architecture, the Dome of the Rock. He claimed the space for Islam not only physically, but spiritually, asserting that the rocky outcrop within the shrine was the very rock upon which Abraham took Isaac to be sacrificed, and Muslim scholars began to claim that the furthest precinct referenced in the Quran as part of Mohammeds night journey was Jerusalem.

Of course, this was a lot of hooey and still is. Certainly, medieval and later Christians didnt buy it, nor Jerusalems Jews then or now, but evidently President Obama and the U.N.S.C. does. Because between the UNESCO decision and Resolution 2334 it now appears that international law (with the concurrence of the sitting U.S. Government) establishes East Jerusalem with the Temple Mount and its ancient Jewish Quarter as historical Arab territory, although it most assuredly is not.

Unlike the New and Old Testaments, the Quran eschews narrative. It is neither a story nor a history. Muslims believe it is the direct revelation of Allah given to Mohammed as Allah saw fit, which is not mans role to question. In failing to veto Resolution 2334 in the wake of the UNESCO move, the United States along with the rest of the international community, has now officially bought into the Islamic version of Jerusalems history, and with that, effectively the Muslim assertion of divine revelation in support of Islamic activity and the implementation of international law. That is a godsend to Islamic terrorists and they will see it that way too.
The election of Barack Obama, the first black president of the United States, was seen as a landmark achievement for a nation that once dehumanized blacks and held them as slaves. The expectation was that President Obama would lift up the socioeconomic status of blacks throughout the nation and rid the country of its attitudes of racial discrimination and bias.

But the exact opposite has happened. Obamas record of black achievement is not just dismal, it is shocking. Obamas policies have put blacks out of the work force, their unemployment rate has risen. Welfare use and food stamp enrollment have also seen startling and disappointing increases.

At first one could argue that this is because the nation was too prejudiced to allow him to establish any programs that would elevate blacks in the U.S. But this argument cannot be made, since Obama spent and borrowed more money than any government leader in world history, not just U.S. history. How this historical expenditure failed to lift up the economic status of blacks is the most important issue of Obamas presidency, for no other reason than that was his self-avowed goal.

An analysis of Obamas failure to help blacks can only be understood when the long-term policies of Democrats toward blacks are acknowledged. The plain truth is, Democrats have never been concerned with raising the socioeconomic status of blacks. To the contrary, history shows that Democrats have been solely focused on controlling blacks, segregating them into impoverished communities, and restricting their families to lives of poverty, crime, incarceration, and desperation.

The oppressive policies of Democrats toward blacks has a history over two hundred years old. It extends back to the Democrat partys support of slavery in the South. Time and again, at every opportunity, southern Democrats consistently acted to suppress the rights of blacks. For example, when the U.S. was first being formed as a nation, some northern representatives wanted to completely abolish slavery, but their efforts were curtailed by southern slave owners.

When efforts were made to allow slaves to escape to free states, the states rights movement, led by Democratic politicians like John Calhoun, argued that a slave belongs to his owner no matter if he goes to a free state or not. This states rights approach is still being seen today when Democrats argue they have the right to promote illegal immigration.

The Civil War was fought to abolish slavery. Two amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the Thirteenth and Fourteenth, were passed to abolish the practice. Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican President, signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing blacks from the bonds of slavery.

Democrats have never wanted equality for blacks. In retaliation for losing the Civil War, Democrats in the South started oppressive vigilante groups and wrote laws to hinder the participation of blacks in politics. The laws written to suppress black voting were not banned until the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The 1964 Civil Rights Act was filibustered by Senator Robert Byrd, who was an active KKK leader and recruiter. The KKK was started after the Civil War to intimidate blacks and keep them from voting.

And shockingly, Hillary Clinton, who promoted herself as a protector of civil rights, supported Senator Byrd and called him a man of nobility, protector of the constitution and her mentor. It is startling that this anti-black agenda of the Democrat Party persists to this day.

During the 2016 presidential election, President Obama and other Democrat leaders started the Black Lives Matter movement. They had the help of financier George Soros, who is most accurately seen as the financier of a resistance movement, the movement of the Democratic Party to resist change in its oppressive institutions. Blacks are no longer held by chains, they are held back by poor education, poor education guaranteed by the institutions of the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association. These two organizations have millions of members through the U.S. ensuring that blacks will never overcome the oppression Democrats have institutionalized for them.

Democrats are now renewing their efforts to maintain their control of blacks by introducing the concepts of white privilege and white supremacy. Curiously, they fail to confess that their institutions, established through Democrat government policies, are the real obstacles blacks, and now Hispanics, face.

Liberal Democrats make sure that blacks and Hispanics will never improve their socioeconomic status. An improvement in their socioeconomic status will threaten the Democratic Partys control. The 2016 election was narrowly lost, and Democrats see their only hope as restoring their absolute control of black and Hispanic voters. To do this they are blaming the oppression of racial minorities on Republicans, but Republicans were not responsible for creating the big city ghettoes and barrios where Democrats are now creating a second, oppressed racial group, Hispanics.

In fact, the promotion of illegal immigration and the segregation of illegal immigrants into barrios in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York proves that liberal Democrats still cling to their principles of impoverishing minorities by race and then using their despair to obtain votes. No one can argue that Democrats respect Hispanics when they say illegal immigrants are in the U.S. to do low paid jobs no one else will do. This is racist, exploitive, and brutal language, intended to achieve only one goal: to keep Hispanics in poverty, just as they did blacks. In fact, this degrading language toward Hispanics is an exact duplication, a precise resurrection, of the language used to enslave blacks: that people from Africa are needed to pick cotton and tobacco because these are low paid jobs no one else will do.

This intentional degradation of an entire group of people is shocking to see practiced today, but it has been done with such subtlety and rhetorical sleight of hand that it has worked.

When these facts of history are combined with the rhetoric and actions of liberal Democrats today, the true nature of their scheme can be understood: that they, and they alone, have institutionalized white supremacy, in order to maintain their political power. Political power enables them to control these two racial groups and guarantee political power far into the future.

Anyone who argues that these are not facts needs to review the history of the Democratic Partys abuse of blacks, and explain how, after spending more money than any government leader in history, Obama totally failed to elevate the blacks of the U.S. The only explanation is: its far too important to the Democrats to keep the black and Hispanic vote for them to allow these two groups to improve themselves.

Liberal Democrats institutionalized white supremacy by keeping blacks and Hispanics in poverty through government institutions, particularly education and the support of single motherhood through entitlement programs. These facts are indisputable.

The only way blacks have improved their lives is to leave, on their own, their institutionalized poverty of place: they have begun to leave the ghettoes of New York and Chicago. Blacks are leaving the cities of the Northeast and moving back South.
Freedom of speech is a topic upon which liberal thinking is perhaps a little idiosyncratic. Leftists  the current attorney general of the United States being only one example  call rioting protest and invoke the First Amendment. They discern protected speech in nude dancing, obscenities on T-shirts that refer to the draft, simulated child pornography, and panhandling on the public streets. But they consider it outrageous that the First Amendment should protect the right of people to make a film criticizing a political figure by first forming a corporation to produce and distribute it.

When we come to the specific issue of burning things as political demonstration, there are again nuances to interpret. Liberals will not put up with Christian preachers who burn the Koran. That is Islamophobia and hate speech. So are films that mock the Prophet, like the one whose maker was hustled off to jail in the wake of the Benghazi massacre, bolstering the Obama administration's canard about the cause of that calamity. Director Martin Scorsese and actor Willem Dafoe, on the other hand, escaped a similar fate for The Last Temptation of Christ. That was mere anti-Christian blasphemy  obviously protected speech.

Burning the American flag is the topic of a recent New York Times editorial, prompted by the president-elect's tweet that those so expressing themselves should get a year in the clink and maybe lose their citizenship. The Times rejoins that Mr. Trump, in swearing to uphold the Constitution, will not "know[] what he's talking about" and it should be unnecessary to explain that "flag-burning is constitutionally protected speech." The editorial refers to an opinion of the United States Supreme Court, Texas v. Johnson (1989). The decision was 5-4, so apparently four of the justices, including Chief Justice Rehnquist, also did not know what they were talking about or grasp what should require no explanation. The Times, like all exponents of this jurisprudence, is quick to point out that Justice Scalia, conservative titan, voted with the majority. The fact that Justice Stevens, usually thought to be in the other camp, wrote in dissent is not worthy of mention. Noting which justices voted which way, in any event, does not establish the merits of a Supreme Court ruling.

Writing for the majority in Johnson, Justice William Brennan found that burning the flag in public is "expressive conduct," constituting protest of the 1984 Republican convention and its renomination of Ronald Reagan. The act "was conduct 'sufficiently imbued with elements of communication' ... to implicate the First Amendment." The Court determined this by asking "whether [a]n intent to convey a particularized message was present, and [whether] the likelihood was great that the message would be understood by those who viewed it" (emphasis supplied; citation omitted). The answer to each of these questions was an unequivocal "yes," since the flag-burning coincided with the Republican convention, and the defendant, Mr. Johnson, said he did it "as Ronald Reagan was being renominated as President."

The State of Texas, perhaps improvidently, conceded for the sake of argument that the burning was expressive conduct. It relied on the act's constituting a breach of the peace. But it was not a breach of the peace, Justice Brennan explains, for the State of Texas "fails to show that a disturbance of the peace was a likely reaction to Johnson's conduct." A breach of the peace, then, occurs only when the subject action is likely to provoke a violent reaction by those present, by which formulation the learned Court would appear to exempt the St. Valentine's Day Massacre from the category of breaches of the peace. Black's Law Dictionary defines "breach of the peace" as "[a] violation or disturbance of the public tranquility and order. The offense of breaking or disturbing the public peace, by any riotous, forcible, or unlawful proceeding." Does setting something afire along a public thoroughfare in a display of contumacious destruction not fall within that category? Would a public book-burning not do so?

But Justice Brennan has more to say in furtherance of his position. He wishes to remove flag-burning from the category of "fighting words" defined, he says, in the 1942 decision, Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire, as "likely to provoke the average person to retaliation, and thereby cause a breach of the peace." This category plainly has no applicability to public burning of the American flag since "[n]o reasonable onlooker would have regarded Johnson's generalized expression of dissatisfaction with the policies of the Federal Government as a direct personal insult or an invitation to exchange fisticuffs" (emphasis supplied). And so what was a "particularized message" when the objective was to label it political expression turns into a "generalized expression" when the time comes to deny that it is likely to provoke anyone.

Now, we might surmise that there are fairly reasonable Americans, if not Justice Brennan and his social acquaintances, who would find the scornful burning of their nation's flag an incitement. But we will neither dwell on that nor ponder when, in Justice Brennan's estimation, a "reasonable onlooker" chooses to "exchange fisticuffs."

The analysis of the court in Chaplinski actually is not confined to the provocation of violence, though it says the utterances at issue there might have had that effect. Mere epithets and abuse "are no essential part of any exposition of ideas, and are of such light social value as a step to truth that any benefit that may be derived from them is clearly outweighed by the social interest in order and morality." Thus does the Chaplinski court articulate what long had been understood the purpose of the free speech clause: to foster the dissemination of argument and information, particularly regarding politics. Obscene abuse does not do that, and neither, certainly, does setting fire to something. It really does not have anything to do with stifling a man's viewpoint  Johnson could have said whatever he wanted about the country and its flag. Setting fire to an object to destroy it (we speak not of candlelight vigils) indeed reveals the actor's passions, but it is not expressing a viewpoint. You can readily tell how he feels, just as you can with one who pours blood on the steps of the Pentagon, or paints a swastika on a house of worship. But does that bring the act into the realm of even faulty discourse? What should those disagreeing with Mr. Johnson's "viewpoint" have set ablaze as counter-speech?

This is not even akin to such sanctified "symbolic speech" as wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, or displaying the flag with a peace symbol superimposed. In affording constitutional protection there, the Court, at least, could reason that no destructive act was involved and something like lamentation for war's carnage and association of the national well-being with peace was implied  more than a "generalized expression" of hatred for the Republic.

It is necessary to add that in dismissing the First Amendment interpretation of Texas v. Johnson, we do not imply that a municipality or state should criminalize flag-burning or that it should not. There are perfectly good reasons why a city or state might decline to prosecute such behavior, including law enforcement priorities, economy of police and judicial resources, or a desire not to confer martyrdom on the perpetrator. The president-elect's reference to people losing their citizenship  banishment for dishonoring the realm, in effect  contemplates what simply is not on the menu of constitutional punishments.

Whether anyone is prosecuted for burning the flag is not so important as the Constitution's remaining the foundation of our civic comity and nationhood. Leftist activist jurisprudence turns the Constitution into the people's enemy. The odious First Amendment protects burning the flag, protects the display at public expense of obscene or scatological representations of Christian symbols, yet prohibits prayer in the schools, benedictions at graduations, and images of the Ten Commandments in courthouses. Let anyone seeking explanation for Mr. Trump's election take account of this anomaly, among many other things.
The flip-side of schadenfreude is gloating. Both are seductive, pleasurable, and dangerous to the souls of those who over-indulge. Yet both have an irresistible pull, especially after years of abuse by those being humiliated as the butt of the jokes.

If there is a day to over-indulge, it is New Years Eve. And in the political sphere, there is a huge cohort that has been demonized, degraded, and all but destroyed at the hands of people richer, more famous, and more powerful.

So here is a little guilty pleasure from Nigel Farage, a man I love to listen to. I am a sucker for an educated English accent, though I hate to admit it. In this video on Twitter, he addresses a British audience and speaks mostly of Brexit, which his party, the UKIP (U.K. Independence Party), won, and which therefore he no longer needs to lead. But he is also addressing the prospects for nationalist parties aware of the threat of jihad in other countries, specifically addressing the prospects of Marine Le Pen in France.
The unity of the Progressive chorus repeating the evidence-free assertion that Russia hacked our election has been marred by an inquisitive writer for Rolling Stone, of all publications. Matt Taibbi, a progressive in good standing, cant ignore the stink he sees around the storyline.

Whatever his motives (Taibbi loves to sneer), Taibbi deserves credit for potentially opening a few minds on the left to the fraud being perpetrated. He writes in Something About this Russia Story Stinks:

Absent independent verification, reporters will have to rely upon the secret assessments of intelligence agencies to cover the story at all.

Many reporters I know are quietly freaking out about having to go through that again. We all remember the WMD fiasco.

"It's deja vu all over again" is how one friend put it.

You can see awkwardness reflected in the headlines that flew around the Internet Thursday. Some news agencies seemed split on whether to unequivocally declare that Russian hacking took place, or whether to hedge bets and put it all on the government to make that declaration, using "Obama says" formulations.

The New York Times was more aggressive, writing flatly, "Obama Strikes Back at Russia for Election Hacking." It backed up its story with a link to a joint FBI/Homeland Security report that details how Russian civilian and military intelligence services (termed "RIS" in the report) twice breached the defenses of "a U.S. political party," presumably the Democrats.

This report is long on jargon but short on specifics. More than half of it is just a list of suggestions for preventive measures.

At one point we learn that the code name the U.S. intelligence community has given to Russian cyber shenanigans is GRIZZLY STEPPE, a sexy enough detail.

But we don't learn much at all about what led our government to determine a) that these hacks were directed by the Russian government, or b) they were undertaken with the aim of influencing the election, and in particular to help elect Donald Trump.

The problem with this story is that, like the Iraq-WMD mess, it takes place in the middle of a highly politicized environment during which the motives of all the relevant actors are suspect. Nothing quite adds up.
Repeal action on President Obama's health care law is about to heat up after the New Year, as Politico reports:

President Barack Obama will head to Capitol Hill Wednesday to meet with congressional Democrats about how to shield Obamacare from Republican efforts to dismantle it, a Capitol Hill source told POLITICO. The meeting is at 9 a.m. in the Congressional Visitors Center auditorium and is for both House and Senate Democrats, according to a notice sent to members Friday morning. With Republican[s] vowing to begin repealing Obamacare almost immediately when the 115th Congress convenes next week, Democratic lawmakers are immersed in strategy sessions on how to protect the nearly seven-year-old health care law.

In a "'Dear Colleague' letter this week," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) writes:

The Affordable Care Act has been successful in meeting its goals of reducing cost, increasing access and improving quality of care.

Who could argue with that?

As Politico recounts, Republicans are likely to use a budget reconciliation bill  requiring only a simple majority to pass the Senate  to undo "significant portions of Obamacare" while "also mulling a lengthy transition period" for full repeal of the health care law.

With President-Elect Donald Trump having made immediate repeal of "the disaster known as Obamacare" a closing argument in the final days of the presidential election campaign, and President Obama having claimed that his "policies are on the ballot," an Obamacare battle royal is likely in the coming months.

Opposition to Obamacare has arguably driven heavy losses by the Democrats at all levels in the 2010, 2014, and now the 2016 elections.

Yet Democrats from Obama to Pelosi to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) seem oblivious. An amusing column by Amanda Carpenter at Conservative Review traces Senator Schumer's tortured logic:

2010 "[A]s people learn about the bill, and now that the bill is enacted, it's going to become more and more popular." 2014 "Democrats lost the opportunity the American people gave them. We took their mandate and put all of our focus on the wrong problem health care reform." Now Schumer is saying Republicans will "rue the day" they repeal Obamacare. "It's a political nightmare for them."  "They'll be like the dog that caught the bus." So what is it? Schumer's arguments can't be reasoned. If Obamacare was so popular, why did Democrats lose their Senate majority over it? If Obamacare is so unpopular, why would Republicans "rue the day" they repealed it?

What Mr. Schumer really means is that Democrats now rue the day they passed this millstone of a health care law in the first place.

Betsy McCaughey, writing at The New York Post, dismantles the Democratic Party's "pre-existing conditions" argument against repeal:

President Obama says repeal will mean going "back to discriminating against Americans with pre-existing conditions." That's fake news. The truth is, all Republican proposals to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act protect people with pre-existing conditions. Likewise, they all eliminate ObamaCare's invidious discrimination against healthy people. To see how the GOP approach would work, look to Alaska, a state that seized the initiative when healthy consumers rebelled against their soaring ObamaCare premiums. The burden of caring for 500 chronically ill patients was making ObamaCare unaffordable for all 23,000 Alaskans in the individual market. So in June state authorities created a separate "high-risk" pool for the sickest people, with the cost shouldered by all Alaska taxpayers, instead of being thrust on buyers in the individual insurance market. As a result, premium hikes were kept to single digits. The Alaska remedy is a microcosm of what congressional Republicans propose for all 50 states.

McCaughey figures that subsidies for high-risk pools nationwide would cost around $16 billion annually:

Now, $16 billion sounds like a fortune. But it's less than half the $43 billion spent on ObamaCare plan subsidies last year. And it's money far better spent, because it directly helps the sickest among us.

The Post column notes that, prior to Obamacare, 35 states offered high-risk pools and that such pools offer better coverage to seriously ill patients, such as the cancer patient who need to choose the right oncologist without the severe limitations on choice of doctor and hospital posed by Obamacare plans. As McCaughey observes:

The pre-existing conditions crisis was largely concocted to sell Obama's health law.

The Democrats will certainly make a lot of noise over Obamacare and other objects of progressive affection, but who will be listening aside from their far-left base?

Roger Kimball's observations at PJ Media about Trump Derangement Syndrome apply equally well to the remnants of the Democratic Party in Congress:

The scales have fallen from our eyes and we find that we don't care about almost anything they have to say about any subject. ... But they will become ever more irrelevant even if they become ever shriller and more histrionic.

Don't look now, Democrats, but there's a new sheriff in town.
Is there a more repulsive example of progressive arrogance and privilege than Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.? He flies around in private jets and lectures the rest of us to shiver in the dark (OK, I paraphrase) in order to prevent the planet from Thermageddon. He so damaged his first wife that she hanged herself (like father, like son?). Hes all for bird-killing windmills except when they impinge on the views from his familys properties.

Now, this gravel-voiced hypocrite has come out endorsing physical violence against people who say things he doesnt like. The U.K. Daily Mail reports:

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he is 'happy' his oldest son was arrested after getting into a fight outside a nightclub and tussling with a police officer, because he was taking a stand against bullying. John Conor Kennedy was booked by police in the early morning hours of Thursday on a charge of disorderly conduct after brawling with a man outside an exclusive club in the tony resort town of Aspen, Colorado. The incident started around 1.40am when authorities were called to Bootsy Bellows to escort people out of the venue following last call, and Officer Andy Atkinson witnessed Conor grab another man and 'hit him four or five times in the back of the head with his fists' outside the club. Conor then tried to break free when Atkinson attempted to restrain him, and another individual had to aid the officer as he pinned down the 22-year-old so he could be put in handcuffs. Police on the scene later listened as Conor explained that he was attacking the other man because he called his friend a homophobic slur, an explanation that drew praise from his father.

Political thuggery now carries the Kennedy family stamp of approval unless he is loudly rebuked.
What do get when you combine arrogance, condescension, and ignorance? Thats right: MSNBC (except for Morning Joe, some days).

So, in dealing with the rise of Donald Trump and the movement of deplorables, the net haduha little trouble understanding what was about to befall it (again, except for Morning Joe, some days).

Our friends at the Washington Free Beacon have assembled a compilation of the worst moments of the network.

Thats repulsive enough to limit the potential audience, but after all, we live in a media market that consists of niche audiences, and there are enough angry, frustrated, arrogant Trump-haters out there to sustain the network, if it plays its cards right. That said, Al Gores Current TV overplayed the fevered leftist role and had to be bailed out by Qatar, a medieval petro-monarchy that enforces sharia, but whose money was good enough for greedy Gore.

But if MSNBC commits suicide on the Current TV model, there wont be another oil-enriched dictatorship to bail it out. Not at $50 a barrel.

Whos left as Plan B? China?
President Obama has learned well from Majority Leader McConnell. A few days ago, U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power, acting under direction of Secretary of State Kerry, who was himself obeying a diktat from President Obama, abstained from a Security Council resolution condemning Israel's legal settlement of the territory known as "the West Bank." As any student of history and international conventions knows, annexation and settlement of territories captured as a result of a "defensive war" are perfectly legal. I won't go into the hows and whys of that in this space. Suffice it to say, there is no international convention preventing Israel from outright annexation of the West Bank, as those lands were captured as a result of Israel winning a war in which she was attacked first.

What is important is what this decision enabled and more importantly, what it precluded. First of all, it gave away U.S. advantage, thus enabling passage of the measure  a measure that codified Israel as being in violation of "international law," thus placing her soldiers assigned to security missions in the West Bank at risk of being put in the dock at The Hague.

Second, this decision is difficult for subsequent U.S. administrations to undo. Now, instead of a simple U.S. veto to prevent this particular hostile U.N. action toward the State of Israel, the U.S. needs all of the permanent members of the Security Council to agree or at least abstain from any corrective action the U.S. may propose.

When, you might ask, have we seen this particular paradigm recently? It seems to me, we saw pretty much this same thing when the U.S. Senate, along with the House, approved the Iran Nuclear "treaty." As I'm sure we all know, a treaty in which the U.S. is a party must be "consented" to by two thirds of the senators present. Led by Senator McConnell, the Republican-majority Senate, along with a Republican House, abdicated the Senate's treaty power and instead passed the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015. Much like the U.S. Security Council abstention, this bill reversed the constitutional balance of power when "consenting" to treaties. Instead of requiring 67 votes to ratify or consent to the Iran nuclear deal (treaty), the Senate must now obtain 60 votes to overcome a filibuster to stop that same "treaty."

Note: From Senator Bob Corker's (R) website:

The bill passed the Senate 98 to 1 and the House of Representatives 400 to 25.

Thanks, Senator McConnell  and all the Republicans who voted with you to undermine the Senate's treaty oversight power. As Republicans, we have indeed met the enemy, and he is us.

Mike Ford is a sometime contributor to American Thinker, frequently edited by his lovely bride, a retired high school principal.
President Obama claims that the Russians broke into Democratic databases to obtain and leak damaging information in an attempt to influence our election. The Russians deny it. And yesterday it was also claimed, by anonymous Obama administration officials who refuse to be named, that the Russians tried to infiltrate our power grid.

A code associated with the Russian hacking operation dubbed Grizzly Steppe by the Obama administration has been detected within the system of a Vermont utility, according to U.S. officials. While the Russians did not actively use the code to disrupt operations of the utility, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss a security matter, the penetration of the nations electrical grid is significant because it represents a potentially serious vulnerability. Government and utility industry officials regularly monitor the nations electrical grid because it is highly computerized and any disruptions can have disastrous implications for the function of medical and emergency services. American officials, including one senior administration official, said they are not yet sure what the intentions of the Russians might have been. The penetration may have been designed to disrupt the utilitys operations or as a test by the Russians to see whether they could penetrate a portion of the grid.

The question, of course, is whom to believe: Vladimir Putin or Barack Obama?

Vladimir Putin is a quasi-dictator. He murders political opponents. He has an occupying army in eastern Ukraine and Crimea. He is singlehandedly responsible for Iran having nuclear weapons  Russia provided the reactor that Iran used to enrich uranium. He gives arms to every major radical Shi'ite regime, whether it be Iran, Syria, or Hezb'allah.

But Barack Obama is a proven liar and law-breaker. He lied when he told people they could keep their doctors and their health care plans. He lied when he said our war against terrorists has nothing to do with Islam. He lied when he said he wouldn't raise taxes. He broke the law when he unilaterally changed both Obamacare and workfare legislation on his own, without enabling legislation. He broke the law with his amnesty for children of illegal aliens. He set aside a huge area in the Atlantic and Arctic from oil and gas drilling and claimed that his ban cannot be undone by future presidents or congresses. He made a bad deal with Iran and did not submit the treaty for verification, as law required.

So whom to believe? Right now, at least until we have a change in administration, there is no way to know. We have to choose between the word of a quasi-dictator and someone who tries to act like a quasi-dictator.

Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com.
When the sun sets on the evening of December 31 this year, and the world awaits the arrival of the new year, a tiny island country on the extreme east will already have begun celebrations. Located just to the west of the International Date Line, the Republic of Kiribati is one of the first places on earth to see the first rays of the rising sun. Their time zone is 14 hours ahead of UTC - the farthest forward time zone in the world.

The Republic of Kiribati consist of 33 atolls and low coral islands in the central Pacific Ocean dispersed over 3.5 million square kilometres of water. The nation comprises of three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Phoenix Islands, and Line Islands, the last of which are located as far as 30 east of the 180 longitude line. Geographically, Line Islands lie directly to the south of the U.S. islands of Hawaii, and should logically be in the same time zone. But this is not the case, because the International Date Line is not a straight line but zigzags around quite a bit and over the years has been shoved and shifted for various political and economic reasons.

The Island of Kirimati, part of the Republic of Kiribati, is one of the few inhabited islands to experience the arrival of the new year before anybody else. Photo credit

Take Kiribati itself, for example. Prior to 1995, Kiribati straddled the International Date Line with the eastern and western islands groups having a time difference of 24 hours. This was viewed as an annoying economic nuisance, as there were only four days in each week when both sides experienced weekdays simultaneously, and these were the only days when government offices on opposite sides of the line could conduct business. To put an end to this situation, the president of Kiribati at that time announced that on 1 January 1995 the International Date Line would henceforth move eastwards to go around this country. In doing so, Kiribati became the first nation to greet the rays of the rising sun at the begin of the third millennium. To celebrate the occasion, they even renamed Caroline Island to Millennium Island in the year 2000.

The bending of the International Date Line also created a new time zone UTC+14 that didnt exist until then. The new development meant that some places were pushed as far as 26 hours behind, or more than a day.

The crooked International Date Line. See how it goes out of the way to wrap around Line Islands. Click here to see the uncropped version.

Taking a cue from Kiribati, another island territory  Tonga, advanced their standard times to UTC+14 and therefore celebrates new year at the same time as the Line Islands in Kiribati. Changes to the date line occurred as recently as 29 December 2011 when yet another island  Samoa moved the international date line to the other side of the country and advanced the country from UTC11 to UTC+13. Following Samoas decision, Tokelau also advanced its standard time from UTC11 to UTC+13.

Although a nation is authorized to modify their respective time zones, many countries and organizations do not recognize the change. The International Date Line is established by international agreement and there are no treaties or formal agreements associated with the line. Countries are free to choose whatever time zone they wish to observe. This has caused many date line disputes among a handful of island nations each claiming to be the first to celebrate a new year. Then there is the question of whether uninhabited islands count, or whether or not locations within the same time zone but slightly more eastern than the others actually can claim to celebrate the holiday first.

According to the current accepted time zones, the first place to welcome the new year is Kiribati, followed by Tonga. Western Samoa, and Tokelau, follows an hour late. The New Zealand territory of Chatham Islands and the Republic of Fiji follow close behind. The first major city is Auckland, New Zealand, and the last place to celebrate the arrival of the new year is the uninhabited Baker Island and Howland Island, both belonging to the United States.

Correction: Fiji and New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands, has Daylight Saving Time during the Southern Hemisphere Summer, which is around New Year. During this time their time zone advances to UTC+13, except for the Chatham Islands which goes even further to UTC+13.75. This makes New Zealand among the first places in the world to celebrate the New Year - just behind Kiribati's Line Islands. (Thanks Ross).

Also see: Diomede Islands: Two Islands Split by the International Date Line

Satellite photo of Caroline Island, whose name was changed to Millennium Island in 2000 to celebrate the new millennium. Photo credit

Satellite picture of Atafu Atoll, an inhabited island belonging to Tokelau, that lies in the time zone UTC+13. Photo credit

American Samoa, the last place on earth to see the new year. Photo credit

Sources: International Date Line (Wikipedia) / Kiribati (Wikipedia) / About.com / www.staff.science.uu.nl / CBC
This will be the last post for 2016. Happy New Year to everyone. See you next year.

From the archives of Amusing Planet.

When the sun sets on the evening of December 31 this year, and the world awaits the arrival of the new year, a tiny island country on the extreme east will already have begun celebrations. Located just to the west of the International Date Line, the Republic of Kiribati is one of the first places on earth to see the first rays of the rising sun. Their time zone is 14 hours ahead of UTC - the farthest forward time zone in the world.

In the last few days of the year leading up to the midnight of December 31, two Dutch teams from the neighboring districts of Scheveningen (in Noorderstrand) and Duindorp (in Zuiderstrand) battle each other on Scheveningens North Beach for the title of the largest bonfire in the Netherlands. The long tradition and a matter of pride keeps the emotions churning as enthusiastic participants stack wooden crates and pallets as high as they can. The battle is closely monitored not only from Scheveningen and Duindorp, but also in the rest of the Netherlands and beyond. Tourists come all the way from America, Germany, France and England to see the bonfires.

Scientifically that are called spirobranchus giganteus, but they are better known by their colloquial name  Christmas tree worm. The worm is so called not because they feed on fig trees but because they look like them.

Every year on Christmas, the small medieval town of Gubbio, in northern Italy, lights up the worlds biggest Christmas tree on the slopes of Mount Ingino that lies outside the city. The tree is not an actual tree, rather a light installation shaped like a Christmas tree. With no biological restriction on size, this tree rises 650 meters up the slope, made up of nearly a thousand multi-coloured lights and 10 km of cabling. A shining shooting star at the top itself covers an area of more than 1,000 square metres and is made up of 250 lights. In 1991 the Guinness Book of Records named it "The World's Largest Christmas Tree"

In Catalonia - a historic territory in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula, mostly in Spain and adjoining portion in southern France  a bizarre tradition is followed. During Christmas, a large model of the city of Bethlehem is created along with the typical nativity scene with Mary, Joseph, Jesus and the Shepherds. But tucked away in a corner of the model is a little figurine of a defecating Catalan peasant. Its called the Caganer, which means shitter in Catalan.

A fascinating new pair of residential tower called Bosco Verticale is being constructed at Milan, Italy. Towering over the citys skyline it has been hailed as the world's first forest in the sky. The 27 storied building will accommodate nearly one hectare of forest trees as tall as oak and amelanchiers in its cleverly designed balconies. The 365 and 260 foot emerald twin towers will house an astonishing 900 trees, 5,000 shrubs and 11,000 ground cover plants.

Madeira International Airport, located near Funchal, Madeira in Portugal was first opened on July 1964 with two 1,600-meter (5,249 ft) runways. The short runway made landing a tricky business for even the most experienced of pilots. The high mountains surrounding the airport and the nearby ocean only complicated matters. First the pilots has to aim their aircraft at the mountains, and then break a hard right to meet the runway. Aside to the shift of direction, the warm winds coming off the ocean meet the cooler mountain dry air, which in-turn produces massive turbulence.

The story of Moses is a famous tale among Christians and Jews throughout the world. The miracle of the parting of the Red Sea when Moses and the Jews were trapped between the Red Sea and the armies of Egypt is perhaps the most memorable and impressive part of the story. But do you know that the same miracle happens in Korea every year?

If you are scared of the loops and dizzy heights of a roller coaster, you can try out the new roller-coaster walkway at Duisburg that lets you take them at your own speed, on foot. Designed by Hamburg-based designer duo Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth, the walkable roller-coaster titled Tiger & Turtle - Magic Mountain is 45 meters high and consist of 249 steps. Visitors can climb on the curved sculpture and walk around, and take in the surrounding views from the spiral walkways in their own pace.

Every year the inhabitants of Faroe Islands in north of Europe catch and slaughter pilot whales (Globicephala melaena) during the traditional whale hunt known as 'Grindadrap'. The mass hunting is non-commercial  the whale meat cannot be sold but is divided evenly between members of the local community. The hunters crowd the whales into a bay and then cut their spines leaving the animals bleed to death slowly, while the surrounding sea turns bloody red. These images of a blood-red sea can often have a shocking effect on bystanders.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Thanks to Lets Keep Children in Families charity program implemented by the joint efforts of Ucom Foundation and World Vision Armenia this month as well as the help of Ucom subscribers 2 more families to create their source of sustainable income. This time the support was provided to the family of Zakaryans with 2 children and the single-parent family of Balayans with five children, living in Syunik region of Armenia, Ucom told ARMENPRESS.

Zakaryan family lives in poor socio-economic conditions in their relatives house. Parents have higher education, but are not employed and thus have no opportunity to provide the minimal needs of their two sons. Zakaryans eldest son has disability since early childhood for he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The income source of the family are the fathers disability pension and the family poverty pension, which are barely enough to cover the most urgent needs of the Zakaryans. Although there is quite a difficult situation in the family because of the dire social conditions, the parents treat their children with great love and care.

In the family of the Balayans the mother was going to deliver her fifth baby, when her husband suddenly passed away in a heart attack, thus leaving the care and upbringing of their children on his wifes shoulders. The Balayans live in exceedingly poor housing conditions, the source of their income are the family poverty pension and childrens pension for the unilateral abandonment of the family, which are not sufficient to meet the primary needs of kids.

Within the scope of Lets Keep Children in Families program, taking into account the tailoring skills of the Zakaryans mother for the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of the family, Ucom Foundation has provided her with working tools and necessary accessories: sewing machine, overlock machine, iron, textiles and etc. Meanwhile, the Balayans were provided with a cow, calf, forage, the improved minimal sanitary conditions, children were given some clothing and bedding. All these will help families ensuring their steady income and improve their socio-economic situation.

Both family mothers are now convinced that they will be able to satisfy the most basic needs of her family and to keep her children home under the parental care.

Today we conclude the process of SMS-charity of this year, thanks to which Ucom subscribers helped creating a sustainable source of income for the families living in extreme poverty. During the three years of project implementation 49 families received support within the scope of the amount gathered via SMS-donations and doubled by Ucom, - said Ashot Barseghyan, the head of brand development and communications department at Ucom.

Within the scope of World Vision and Ucom Foundation joint program we provided the Zakaryans family with an opportunity to deliver tailoring services, conducted different workshops for Mrs. Anahit and helped her develop her skills. Meanwhile, it is not only the material assistance that we provided to the family of Mrs. Veronica, but also support on the basis of the individual development plan drawn up by World Vision. In both cases by creating stable income sources we prevented children from landing in boarding institutions, - said Artak Ordyan, the head of marketing at World Vision Armenia.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani armed forces suffered another loss, Armenias defense ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan said.

Earlier Hovhannisyan reported Azerbaijani forces had suffered 4 losses as result of Armenias punitive actions.

Azerbaijani forces attempted a sabotage infiltration in the Armenian state border south-east of Chinari village, Tavush province in the morning of December 29.

The Armenian Armed Forces have neutralized the Azerbaijan attacks. Azerbaijani forces were pushed back, suffering 7 losses and WIAs, including in the military positions.

Unfortunately, the Armenian side also suffered losses during the combat. During the battle for defending the Armenian state border, Senior Lieutenant Shavarsh M. Melikyan, Private Edgar G. Narayan and Private Erik G. Abovyan were killed.

The defense ministry of Armenia shares the grief of loss and extends condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers.

The defense ministry possesses irrefutable evidence and proof of the Azerbaijan violation in the Armenian state border. The military-political leadership of Azerbaijan is fully responsible for the instigation.
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New Mexico Senate majority leader and longtime open government advocate Peter Wirth says the time might be right for an overhaul of the states campaign finance laws.

The Santa Fe Democrat has been pushing for years to require more reporting of campaign spending and fundraising and to address the effects of the U.S. Supreme Courts 2010 Citizens United ruling, which removed caps on how much corporations, unions and interest groups can spend as long as they dont coordinate with candidates.

One measure that Wirth plans to push again when lawmakers return to Santa Fe next month would change that.

It has bipartisan support and, frankly, bipartisan opposition, Wirth told The New Mexican.

Since New Mexico has never defined coordination, legislative analysts have said that without a new law, the states campaign spending system will continue to have serious holes. Wirth sponsored a reform bill with Republican Rep. James Dines during the last legislative session. The Senate gave unanimous approval, but it died in the House, which has consistently been the cemetery for Wirths previous legislation on campaign finance.

Hopes for the bill faring better in 2017 have been buoyed by the victory in November of Maggie Toulouse Oliver as secretary of state. She took office in December after campaigning for greater transparency in election finance. Wirth said Republican Gov. Susana Martinez also has signaled interest in his bill.

A spokesman said that while Martinez has yet to see the latest proposal, she has always been open to discussing the issues.

The 2017 proposal is expected to mirror the previous measure. Under that legislation, super PACs would have been prohibited from making an expenditure of $500 or more at the request or suggestion of, or in cooperation, consultation or concert with, a candidate, campaign committee or political party or their representatives.

Super PACs got the name because of their legal ability to raise and spend as much money as they want as long as they do so independently of candidates. A regular PAC can coordinate with candidates, but its subject to contribution limits set by law.

Reform advocates say the state is generally limited under the ruling in Citizens United to requiring greater transparency in spending and fundraising.

States that have tried updating their laws since Citizens United have either loosened rules or tightened regulations by requiring that campaigns and committees provide more information about donors and expenses, said Denise Roth Barber, managing director of the National Institute on Money in State Politics. New laws have spurred new legal challenges, she said.

Opponents of disclosure are targeting disclosure requirements and contribution limits, she said.

Legal challenges have generally been unsuccessful in rolling back rules requiring more information on donors and political spending, Roth Barber said.
The following is the first in a series of columns on the situation at Standing Rock:

Lavonne, if I dont go I will always wonder why I didnt.

Then you must go, she responded. I just want you to be safe.

And with that I began preparations to join fellow veterans in North Dakota. A call had gone out that the Water Protectors at Standing Rock needed us. They asked that we stand with them  not as protestors, but as protectors of their water. I was to answer that call along with 2,000 to 3,000 other military veterans.

The last time I was in North Dakota I was traveling home from a series of meetings. It was late February, and I ended up stranded in some motel room just off the interstate for two days. The blizzard had shut North Dakota down. Weather can be brutal on the plains and I had experienced it, stuck in a motel with a full service restaurant and cable television. I expected the camp at Standing Rock would have no such amenities. The advantage I had this time was that I heeded the organizers recommendation to be as self sufficient as possible.

I put the call out to my Prairie Farm and Menomonie communities asking for any interested traveling partner as well as food and clothing donations to be offered to the Oceti Sakowin Camp. A number of people contacted me, but in the end, their lives got in the way and job and family obligations didnt allow them to go. I simply couldnt guarantee I would be back on a certain date. The decision to go had been made, and it was not going to change. I would simply go it alone.

Using the internet, I developed a list of items that the water protectors were in need of. Publishing the list to my Facebook page, I soon had a great many offered donations. Arrangements were made with friends willing to serve as drop off points in both Prairie Farm and Menomonie.

People donated boxes of glove and sock warmers, boots, jackets, shovels and flashlights. One person provided three new pairs of insulated coveralls. A half dozen wool army blankets came in. Another friend coordinated making and gathering of baked goods. I was a very popular veteran when I arrived in camp and unloaded my car.

To be as self sufficient as possible, I began making up containers of food. Soon there was a cooler of precooked meals consisting of chili, spaghetti and beans. My cooking equipment was stowed, sleeping gear and extra clothes were packed. I intended to sleep in the back of my car.

A phone call changed my planning for the better. In this community, word of need gets out. Someone knew someone who heard of someone needing a ride back to Standing Rock. Soon Leland Brenholt and I were playing telephone tag.

Although we had not met before, Leland grew up in the same Menomonie church Lavonne and I attended for over 30 years. We had a connection and he had experience, having been to Standing Rock twice before as part of the medical team. Leland was needed back at camp as soon as possible.

His experience camping on the North Dakota prairie in winter guided him to purchase an insulated tent, a dome often used for ice fishing. I was to join him in the tent, and we would use the car for storage.

We left my home, bound for North Dakota. There had been a change in the veterans leadership plan to gather. Entering the Standing Rock reservation from North Dakota at Fort Yates was increasingly considered problematic.

Cars were being stopped and searched. Rumors of civilian travelers being told they would be arrested for bringing supplies to the reservation were beginning to surface. It was suggested that we approach Standing Rock from the South Dakota side of the reservation. Veterans were now planning to stage at Eagle Butte, S.D. From there, we would be transported by bus to the Oceti Sakowin encampment.

Arriving at Eagle Butte, I signed in at the makeshift office serving as veterans headquarters. As I was leaving, a group of cars and trucks were lining up to convoy the 40 miles or so to the camp. Leland needed to be there as soon as possible, so we joined the convoy for the ride north. The veterans would arrive by bus the next day.

Upon entering camp, we were asked by the guard if we had any drugs, alcohol or weapons, all items banned from the camp. After setting up our tent, I went in search of veterans and was directed to a familiar-looking olive drab mess tent that served as headquarters for a group of veterans that have been at Standing Rock for months. I enjoyed some food and conversation then headed out to explore the camp.

At the time, the weather was great, a nice warm and sunny winter afternoon, a good day to wander the camp and watch as the new arrivals came in.

Wherever you turned, you found signs that it is a peaceful and prayerful camp. The Sacred Fire burns 24/7, and native elders are on hand leading prayers. Radio Standing Rock kept up announcements, music, prayers and commentary from 5:45 a.m. until 10 p.m. Various rituals were followed and customs shared among the many indigenous people from around the globe.

People continued to arrive, and the camp grew by the hour. Leland had been amazed at the growth he saw just within the week he had been away. Tents were being set up all over the place, wherever they could fit between existing tents another tent would pop up.

The weather remained friendly all day, and other than a chill in the air most people remained comfortable. A nice day on the plains is to be cherished  and always subject to change.
Beijing: Taiwan tech-giant Foxconn plans to build an $8.8-billion factory in China, state media said Saturday, amid reports its billionaire boss is cooling off on future US investments.

Foxconn, a major Apple supplier, will spend the vast sum on an industrial complex in the sprawling southern city of Guangzhou.

The factory will make large-screen liquid crystal displays (LCD), the firm said at an event in the Chinese city on Friday. It will be operational by 2019.

"We have in China a government that knows how to be efficient and supports new technology," said Foxconn president Terry Gou in an interview with China's 21st Century Business.

"As to whether we'll invest in the US in the future I've no idea. As a matter of fact, the new administration isn't in office and its new policies aren't in place," Gou added.

Foxconn employs around a million workers at its factories across China and has operations in more than 10 countries.

In the US, it has a plant in Virginia for packaging and engineering which employs over 400 people.

Earlier this month Foxconn confirmed it was in talks over a new US investment, while Japanese telecoms giant SoftBank shares soared after President-elect Donald Trump unveiled a $50 billion deal with the two firms.

Trump announced the agreement -- which he said would bring 50,000 jobs -- in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York.

Gou said he would only divulge details after discussions with relevant US authorities, but made no mention of it during the factory announcement Friday.

The Guangzhou plant will be jointly run by Foxconn and Japan electronics firm Sharp, which Foxconn has a 66 per cent stake in.
Refuses to say when RBI restrictions on cash withdrawals will be lifted.

New Delhi: Finance minister Arun Jaitley said that the currency situation has stabilised to a great extent but did not give any indication on lifting curbs on cash withdrawal from banks and ATMs though the 50-day window of demonetisation ended on Friday.

RBI has sufficient stock to inject a lot more currency which they will continue. Yesterday, I had gone around Delhi and we are getting reports from all over the country the crowds at the banks have eased significantly, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a surprise announcement on November 8 declared the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes invalid. While RBI will continue remonetisation exercise which is market driven depending on how much currency it will require.

RBI keeps in releasing that money. There are three categories. One, legitimate currency which continues to be a legal tender... The second category is that Rs 500/2,000 notes are being added every day by the RBI. There is third category which is not new currency, but with effect from tomorrow the entire currency in recirculation will be the legitimate permissible currency, he said. Mr Jaitley further said that from December 31 onwards banks will have only valid currencies.

On Friday, RBI has asked banks to report details of deposits of old notes to it after the close of banking hours and deposit the same at any issue office of the Reserve Bank or a currency chest by Saturday itself. RBI said the old notes cannot form part of banks cash balances from the close of business as on December 31, 2016.

When asked when the cap on withdrawal limit would be lifted, Mr Jaitley said please wait. When we decide we will let you know.

RBI directed banks to put a withdrawal ceiling of Rs 24,000 per account in a week and the withdrawal from ATMs have been limited to Rs 2,500 per day.
The actress has confirmed that she will be doing two Bollywood films next year.

Mumbai: Priyanka Chopra recently returned to India after shooting for her international television series 'Quantico' in the USA for the past couple of months.

The actress has confirmed that she will be doing two Bollywood films next year and it was reported that one of them could be Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film based on Sahir Ludhianvi starring Shah Rukh Khan.

In the film, SRK was rumoured to play the renowned poet Sahir and Priyanka his ladylove Amrita Pritam.

But, PeeCee has finally commented on the rumours and said that there is no truth to such reports.

She was reported as saying, "No truth to any such reports. Yes I am meeting Sanjay sir and we always discuss work and he is someone I would work with all my life till the time he wants to work with me. I am his eternal fan. Every time we discuss a film but we have to still figure out which one will it be. I haven't given my commitment to any Bollywood film yet. I am not someone who says no to Sanjay sir."
The superstar got nostalgic when he got cleaning them recently.

Mumbai: Shah Rukh Khan made his debut in the film industry with the film 'Deewana' in 1992, which would complete 25 years in 2017.

There is no doubt that the superstar has essayed extremely varied roles over his illustrious career. Be it negative roles at the start of his career to his romantic roles which brought him immense popularity, Shah Rukh has done it all.

An actor often gets into the skin of the characters they play on screen and sometimes start feeling and thinking like the characters while shooting for the films. That is perhaps the reason actors often collect memorabilia from the films like costumes and other items.

Considering Shah Rukhs lengthy career, he would also have also collected many such items.

The superstar took to Twitter on Friday and said that he was feeling nostalgic cleaning his costumes that he had collected since the beginning of his career. This included his 'cool' chain from 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and his jacket from 'Fan'.

We all know how good Shah Rukh is with philosophical quotes and he caps the tweet brilliantly by saying, I have been so many people and still been none.

We are sure that he would feature in more such memorable films, and he would have more such iconic costumes to collect, one of which could be from his much anticipated Raees.
The PM said there would be a 33 per cent increase in housing across rural India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he addresses the nation on the eve of New Year, in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: With the crucial Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab approaching and a few days left for the announcement of the poll schedule and model code of conduct to kick in, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on New Years eve announced a slew of measures for the poor, farmers, middle-class, small businesses, senior citizens and women.

The measures seem to be an attempt to offer relief to economically backward sections hit hard by his sudden move to demonetise high-value currency and push the country towards a less-cash economy.

Mr Modis announcement on November 8 to scrap 86 per cent of the cash in circulation to fight black money and fake currency led to a cash crunch, hitting Indias largely cash-based economy and clouding growth forecasts.

Though Mr Modi promised to restore normalcy by December-end, queues have stayed outside low-on-cash banks and ATM kiosks.

In his televised address to the nation on Saturday, the PM thanked people for their support to demonetisation and acknowledged the pain they had to go through. He said efforts were on to ensure normal banking resumes as soon as possible.

He praised bankers for their hard work, but also warned that shameless efforts by some to benefit would not be tolerated, referring to a string of cash seizures after Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes were scrapped. The Opposition immediately criticised his speech, saying his move to promote digital transactions was an afterthought to cover up no real black money windfall.

India has gone through a shuddhi yagna (purification ritual) since Diwali People have shared their experiences and pain with me It will be an example for generationsKuchh to baat hai ki hasti hamari mitati nahi he said a day after the governments 50-day demonetisation drive ended.

The scramble for cash has also caused a string of deaths, prompting an Opposition campaign against the government, disrupting an almost entire Parliament session.

The PM said his war on corruption would only intensify. You might either laugh or get angry to know that only 24 lakh people in the country admit that their income is more than Rs 10 lakh. Every city you see has people with large bungalows and cars. Dont you think the fight against black money and corruption deserves more power? he asked.

The PM who did not use the word mitron (friends) in his address said, Brothers and sisters, law will do its job, punish the guilty. But for the government the priority is to secure the honest and ensure that honesty is more widely established.

While offering the sops, the PM also weaved in his pet theme of holding simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and state legislatures. Time has come to start a debate on this issue, he said.

Speaking about how demonetisation has worked to weed out black money, check use of fake currency by terrorists, and contain human trafficking, the PM asked political parties to keep aside their holier than thou image and join hands to end political corruption from the system.

In his 43-minute address, which sounded like a budget speech, Mr Modi tried to reach out to a cross-section of people. He said that pregnant women would get a financial assistance of Rs 6,000 in over 650 districts. Currently its Rs 4,000 in 53 districts. He also announced a four per cent interest cut in home loans of up to Rs 9 lakh for urban poor. There would be a three per cent interest cut in home loans of up to Rs 12 lakh in cities.

The PM said there would be a 33 per cent increase in housing across rural India. There would also be a three per cent interest cut in loans to build or renovate homes in villages. Senior citizens would get a guaranteed interest of at least 8 per cent on deposits up to Rs 7.5 lakh.

For small businesses, he increased credit guarantee from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore. Cash credit limit would go up to 25 per cent, from 20 per cent.

Claiming that there was a six per cent increase in sowing during the last season, the PM announced that his government would bear 60 days of interest incurred on farmer loans. This amount will be directly transferred to farmers bank accounts. He said 3 crore Kisan cards would be converted into RuPay cards in three months.
The surgical strike came 11 days after one of the deadliest terrorist attacks on Army headquarters in Uri in which 17 soldiers were killed.

New Delhi: Not the iron cartridges bursting out of the pellet guns, not the chilli shells that followed, not the blinding of agitators in Kashmir, not the surgical strikes nor any other event can surpass the overwhelming impact Prime Minister Narendra Modis game changing announcement of demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes had on the nation. 2016 will be known as the year of demonetisation, the year the BJP government forced the country to hurtle towards a cashless economy.

There were bouquets and there were brickbats. If the BJP and the RSS mouthpiece, Organiser, hailed the decision as historic, the international media was scathing. Indias government perpetrated an unprecedented act that is not only damaging its economy and threatening destitution to countless millions of its already poor citizens but also breathtaking in its immorality, an article in Forbes screamed.

The year 2016 will be remembered for long queues outside banks and ATMs, and people dying while being made to wait for hours to access their own money.

The era of demonetisation also stirred the creative juices. For one, it rocked and transformed the Bhojpuri pop music scene. Set to an addictive uptempo disco beat, a Bhojpuri song capturing the scene of honest men and women slugging it out, outside banks and ATMs for a glimpse of the new currency, was immensely popular.

As the PM again addresses the nation on New Years Eve, marking the 50-day deadline, 2017 will spell out the outcome of the biggest gamble the Prime Minister has so far taken.

The crucial elections in Uttar Pradesh in early 2017 will be viewed as a referendum on Mr Modis so-called jihad against black money. If the BJP wins UP, theres no stopping the Modi juggernaut. But if BJP loses, the party will have to do more than mere introspection.

Uttar Pradesh

2016 also witnessed the most savage family feud in Uttar Pradesh and a possible generational shift in the Samajwadi Party. Marginalised by his own father and SP chief, Mulayam Singh Yadav, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav rose in rebellion. Both father and son came out with parallel lists of candidates. The father, desperate to keep the party under his thumb, expelled his son. Little did he know that over the last couple of years his influence over his party had waned. In a show of strength of the SP, nearly 200 MLAs rallied around Akhilesh leaving Mulayam Singh Yadav no option but to revoke the expulsion or face complete isolation. The last day of 2016 witnessed the rise of a son and 2017 could possibly see the all-powerful regional satrap, Mulayam Singh, walk towards the sunset.

2017 will also decide the fate of Dalit queen Mayawati. With the Modi wave sweeping the nation in the 2014 general elections, Mayawati and her elephant were wiped out from UP. Following the crisis in SP, the fight is now between her and the BJP. Both these parties desperately need a victory for their survival.

Surgical strikes

This year will also be the year when, for the first time, the Indian government deviated from the norm of quietly crossing over into enemy territory to inflict as much damage as possible.

2016 was the year of chest-thumping and jingoism as the government announced that on September 29, the Indian Army crossed the Line of Control in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and inflicted significant casualties, including 35-50 militants and two Pakistani soldiers. It was claimed that such surgical strikes had been carried out for the first time and nobody but only Prime Minister Modi had the courage to take such a bold step.

The surgical strike came 11 days after one of the deadliest terrorist attacks on Army headquarters in Uri in which 17 soldiers were killed. The surgical strike, apparently, was to avenge the Uri attack and teach Pakistan a lesson.

According to a report, after the surgical strike at least 51 soldiers of the Indian Army and border security forces, including one from SSB, have been killed in militant attacks and cross-border firing by the Pakistani Army in Jammu and Kashmir alone.

Kashmir protests

The Valley was gripped by agitation and unrest after the killing of Burhan Wani, a militant commander of Hizbul Mujahideen by Indian security forces, on July 8. After the killing anti-India protests raged across the Valley, where the protestors defied curfew and attacked the security forces. The Valley remained under curfew for over 50 days. During the agitation, paramilitary forces used pellet guns. The cartridge of pellet guns  small iron ball bearings which burst when fired with high velocity, piercing human body at a dozen spots  resulted in more than 90 deaths and injuries, including blinding at least 1,000 young men and women. For scores of agitators, life will never be the same again.

Demise of Jayalalithaa

This year saw the demise of the iron butterfly of the nation  J. Jayalalithaa. The AIADMK supremo had ruled the party with an iron fist after the death of her mentor, MGR. Her death, shrouded in mystery, continues to haunt Tamil Nadu even as the AIADMK crossed over from the era of Amma to Chinamma.

Rise of Mamata

In Bengal, the mercurial didi has begun her journey to lead the Opposition in 2019 general elections. As the year comes to an end, the road ahead is blurry. Prime Minister says demonetisation is the remedy to all ills, while the Opposition paints a dark, grim picture. Only the Doris Day song provides solace  Que sera sera, whatever will be, will be, the futures not ours to see.
According to police, he created a fake Gmail account under Id Pak ISIS to send the extortion note.

Cyber sleuths of MP police were taken aback when they tracked the call to Jabalpur and zeroed in on the boy who was making the extortion calls after nearly two weeks of efforts.

Bhopal: A 13-year-old boy, student of a local private school, in a Madhya Pradesh town, has stumped the cyber sleuths of the state police as well as the Intelligence Bureau (IB) by making anonymous extortion calls to promoter of his school to pay `2 crore in Bitcoins, an international online currency. The incident took place in district headquarters town of Jabalpur.

Cyber sleuths of MP police were taken aback when they tracked the call to Jabalpur and zeroed in on the boy who was making the extortion calls after nearly two weeks of efforts.

He is damn good in studies. He had used the internet to make extortion calls like a cyber expert, although, he has no formal education in information technology, a senior district police officer said.

He was finally caught on Thursday and later let off on bail. According to police, he created a fake Gmail account under Id Pak ISIS to send the extortion note. He then generated two international phone numbers through internet to make Whatsapp calls to Arpita Malpani, the promoter of the school, to take revenge against her for scolding him in school. The IB got alerted as the email has Pakistan and terrorist group ISIS as ID. The cyber cell of the police, however traced the WhatsApp calls to Jabalpur and then tracked the location of the laptop to reach the boy.
The mother had earlier tweeted to the minister seeking help to procure medicines for her daughter.

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday extended help to a woman in getting her daughter who was suffering from 'absence seizures' examined by an AIIMS doctor.

Absence seizures are seizures that generally last just a few seconds, and are characterised by a blank or absent stare.

Swaraj's help to the woman, Monika Mittal Sood, came after she wrote to the Minister on twitter seeking assistance in getting some "critical medicines" for her child from abroad as they are not available in India.

To this, Swaraj said she has spoken to Dr Padma Srivastava at AIIMS and that a wide spectrum of medicines is available to treat her child.

"I have spoken to a reputed physician, Dr Padma Srivastava of AIIMS. There is a wide spectrum of medicines available in India. I can request Dr Padma to examine your child. If a permissible medicine is not available here, we will arrange it from abroad," Swaraj tweeted.

She then asked Sood to send her contact details by direct message so that the arrangements could be made. The Minister, shortly thereafter, tweeted to the woman to "see Dr Padma at the given time".

"AIIMS is our prestigious institution. I am sure your daughter will be well soon," Swaraj said. Happy over Swaraj's help, Sood thanked her.
After consultation with central party leadership, BJP state president Tapir Gao inducted the chief minister and 32 MLAs in the party.

Guwahati: Just a day after Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu was suspended from People's Party of Arunachal, he along with 32 MLAs joined the BJP, which on Saturday formed government in the state with their support.

The 33 MLAs joined the BJP after a meeting at Itanagar on Saturday. After consultation with central party leadership, BJP state president Tapir Gao inducted the chief minister and 32 MLAs in the party.

Khandu also paraded the MLAs before the Assembly Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok who accepted their joining. The PPA is now left with only 10 MLAs.

The political drama in the frontier state had started on Thursday when the PPA president Kahfa Bengia temporarily suspended Khandu, his deputy Chowna Mein and five legislators from the primary membership of the party for alleged anti-party activities.

The PPA, member of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) led by BJP, went on announcing Takam Pario as the new chief minister of the state on Friday.

However, the political equation started changing when majority of the PPA MLAs deserted the party and later shifted their allegiance to Khandu.

Soon after announcing the decision of joining the BJP at Itanagar, Khandu told reporters, Lotus has finally bloomed in Arunachal. The people of the state will see a new dawn of development in the new year under the new government.

The chief minister said that circumstances compelled the MLAs to take this decision in the interest of the people and the state.

He said, After several years of Congress misrule we observed that there was no visible development in the state. We joined the PPA with the intention to take the state to progress and prosperity, but there too, we find similar condition where the party president treated the MLAs undemocratically.

So with focus on development, our MLAs unanimously decided to join the BJP for overall progress of the state, the chief minister said.

Admitting that political instability in the state has slowed down the development, Khandu said, Now with NDA government at the Centre, the state will witness a sea change in the coming years. Until and unless there is stability in the government, no development can take place. There will be no more dissident politics and we shall now focus on development only.

Khandu said, The decision to join the BJP is a blessing in disguise for the people and the state.

Terming the decision of the PPA president to suspend the MLAs as "undemocratic" Khandu said that before such a move the party leadership should have issued at least a show cause notice to the MLAs.
Banerjee said that in the past 50 days, since Modi announced demonetisation, the countrys GDP has suffered a loss of Rs 4 lakh crore.

Kolkata: Calling upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step down as he has failed in his agni pariksha, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday suggested the formation of a national government for the next two and half years to save the country. Mr Modi, you have lost the moral authority to remain in power. You had sought 50 days time. Your time is up and you have failed in your agni pariksha. You should therefore, resign, she said, addressing mediapersons at the state secretariat, Nabanna.

Ms Banerjee, who has been in the forefront of anti-demonetisation protests, said Mr Modis decision to scrap high-value currency notes has brought disaster across the country. Such a situation had never occurred before. The country and its people are not safe in the hands of the present (Modi) government. Mr Modi should apologise to the people and resign from his post. And till the next general election, a national government should be formed comprising senior leaders of all major political parties, she added.

Ms Banerjee said that in the past 50 days, since Mr Modi announced demonetisation, the countrys GDP has suffered a loss of Rs 4 lakh crore. The economic situation cant be normalised even in years, she claimed. Rejecting the PMs claim that demonetisation will help the poor, Ms Banerjee said it actually benefits only 50 super rich industrialists of the country. Mr Modi and the BJP despise the poor, the SC, ST, minorities....His government is anti-poor and communal, she said.

Ms Banerjee said the common people are petrified under Mr Modis rule. The people of India are terrified. Families are unable to organise a wedding or even celebrate a festival. Even during Emergency, the situation was not so grave, she added.

Reacting to the arrest of her party MP Tapas Paul by the CBI in the Rose Valley chit fund case, Ms Banerjee said the BJP government has unleashed a terror. Today, the 50-day deadline ends. The Centre anticipated we will seek explanations for demonetisation. The PMO and BJP office issued directives to the CBI and ED to arrest our MPs. Even before Independence, the country did not witness such persecution and state terror, she said, adding she will continue her fight against demonetisation even if all her party MPs are arrested.

Ms Banerjee also attacked the Modi government for its promotion of Paytm (without naming it) in the name of cashless transactions. The government passes resolution against China in Brics and then hand over entire countrys financial data to a blacklisted Chinese company. This is a very serious scam. Our country is not secure because confidential information is being leaked, the chief minister added.
Two motions to dismiss charges against a former substitute teacher at Chippewa Falls Senior High School facing two counts of exposing a child to harmful materials were rejected by Judge Steven Cray on Thursday.

Instead, Cray continued a $5,000 signature bond for Merlin H. Kardin, 70, of Fall Creek. He is scheduled to return to court at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18.

According to a criminal complaint, Chippewa Falls Police were told on Oct. 20 several students had seen Kardin view pornographic images and videos on a school computer during a science class on Oct. 18. A student also reported that Kardin viewed pornography in a math class on Oct. 20.

Defense attorney Harry Hertel of Eau Claire argued that Wisconsin case law says a person must make a knowingly and affirmative act of offering or presenting harmful material to minors to be prosecuted.

But Cray said that wasnt in the jury instructions in the case Hertel was citing in his motion.

It didnt say thats the only possible definition, Cray said.

The judge said the prosecution alleges if you expose the screen to a group of people, you intended it to happen.

Hertel also argued that, as a paid teacher, Kardin qualified for immunity granted under state law to district employees.

Assistant District Attorney Wade Newell said the immunity was intended to protect teachers and school libraries from being prosecuted for having what some people could consider questionable material.

He makes it sound like a janitor in the school gets this blanket immunity, Newell said of Hertel.

Cray said while there is immunity, there are conditions that go with it. While he dismissed Hertels motion, he said it could return later if Hertel developed his argument.

There will be issues we will be looking at in the future, Cray said.

Hertel said the defense has not yet seen images police took from Kardins school computer and would like to see them as soon as possible.
Manish Tewari had asked the Prime Minister about the economic impact of this move and details about the number of jobs lost.

New Delhi: Not impressed with Prime Minister Narendra Modis address on New Years eve, the Opposition parties hit back hard. The common refrain was that the Prime Minister did not answer specific questions posed to him. Instead, they said, he took over the role of the finance minister and delivered what was virtually a pre-Budget speech. Congress termed the address disappointing.

First one to take on the Prime Minister was Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari. He tweeted: This is perhaps the first time that a Budget is being delivered outside Parliament. This is a total bypass of the supreme legislature body. He also asked the Prime Minister to share with the nation how many old currency notes had come back to the RBI and what the government plans to do with them. Will they be recycled or destroyed, he wanted to know. Partys communications incharge Randeep Surjewala said, The PM has not told us how much fake currency came, what is the amount of black money.

The Congress maintains its demand that a white paper be issued by the government on demonetisation. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had asked the government to declare how many people deposited more than Rs 25 lakh in old currency preceding November 8. He had also asked the Prime Minister about the economic impact of this move and details about the number of jobs lost. The Congress did not get answers to its questions in the Prime Ministers speech on Saturday, marking the end of the demonetisation drive.

West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee also hit out at the Prime Minister. Where are the figures of demonetisation? What did the nation gain after 50 days of pain? PM deviated from actual agenda of black money and took over the post of finance minister and made a pre-Budget speech, she said and added, Modi babu wanted 50 days to deliver promises. He has failed miserably. Sudhikaran just underwent Budhiharan.

The Left parties also took on the Prime Minister, asking what budgetary allocations have been made to pay for the sops announced. D. Raja, CPI MP said, The announcement which the PM made about pregnant women is already there in the National Security Act passed by Parliament in 2013. Why hasnt the PM and his government implemented it as yet? He also added that initially the Prime Minister had said that honest people are sleeping peacefully, now he has acknowledged their pain. The PM should tell the people about how much black money came, what are the NPAs and also about the black money in Swiss accounts.

The BJP, of course, hailed the Prime Ministers address, saying that the welfare measures announced by him were his way of thanking people for their unstinted support to demonetisation. They will help the poor and boost economy, BJP spokesperson G.V.L. Narsimha Rao said.
If Akhilesh manages to return his party to power, he will become the undisputed leader of his party with the stamp of an electoral victory.

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadavs show of strength that has catapulted him once again to the drivers seat has put UPs strife-torn but ruling Samajwadi Party once again in the reckoning for power which means the BJP will have to muster all its resources to ward off the might of its rivals the SP and BSP.

When Akhileshs expulsion was announced by SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday evening, the BJP was sniffing a chance.

This was because the SPs chances would clearly have been over at the hustings if the party had split. It would have also made the UP elections a direct contest between the BJP and BSP. But no longer.

Akhileshs swift return to the party on Saturday after it became clear that he enjoyed the support of the overwhelming number of MLAs means that the young, popular CM can push forward for a second term in power.

Observers feel the young CM enjoys considerable goodwill due to his clean image and opposition to giving tickets to candidates with criminal records. There are also indications that his supporters may formally push for the top job in the SP for him which will mean the end of the dominance of his father Mulayam Singh in the party.

If Akhilesh has his way completely or even overwhelmingly in the selection of his party's candidates, the his appeal could mean a strong consolidation of both Muslim and Yadav votes along with votes of a section of non-Yadav OBCs and even the upper caste-dominated middle class who see Akhilesh as a progressive face of his party.

It will also halt any possible complete exodus of Muslims to the BSP. Had the two SP factions contested the elections separately, BSP supremo Mayawati would have emerged as the only leader capable of stopping the BJP.

But now, the SP will be fancying its chances. If a united SP under Akhilesh forges a strong alliance with the Congress and Ajit Singhs Jat-dominated RLD, the combined vote arithmetic could also prove to be the deciding factor. Such an alliance is bound to test both the BSP and BJP severely.

If Akhilesh manages to return his party to power, he will become the undisputed leader of his party with the stamp of an electoral victory. On the other hand, if he stumbles, his rivals like Shivpal Yadav in the party will gain and the clamour for Mulayam Singh Yadav to steer the party again will grow. The stakes are high.
Muslims, which have so far backed Mulayam Singh Yadav, could now split between the father, the son and the dalit leader, Mayawati.

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav announces the expulsion of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The virtual collapse of the Samajwadi Party on Friday evening has put the Bharatiya Janata Party back on top of the ladder in the forthcoming Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. After the demonetisation move, the BJP had reportedly slipped down to the third position and the fight was expected to be between the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party.

With Fridays developments, it now seems that the fight will be between the BJP and the BSP, with the former having an edge because of the possible division of the Muslim and Yadav votebanks.

Muslims, which have so far backed Mulayam Singh Yadav, could now split between the father, the son and the dalit leader, Mayawati. Same could happen to the Yadav votebank, splitting between Akhilesh and Mulayam. If this indeed happens, it would be advantage BJP which already has the upper caste votes in its kitty.

A section in BJP, however, cautions that while the obvious outcome is that the Muslim and Yadav votebanks will split, the developments in SP could also consolidate the 20 per cent Muslim votebank in favour of Mayawati.

In 2007 Assembly elections, when Mayawati came to power with full majority, she had the support of Muslims, dalits and Brahmins.

If Muslims, who dominate 125 of the 403 Assembly constituencies, gravitate towards the BSP, the state could see the return of Ms Mayawati as the BJP has not been able to make a dent in her dalit vote bank.

In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, not a single Muslim MP was elected to Parliament from UP.

Mulayam and Mayawati are likely to play the Muslim card in their campaign, but it remains to be seen whether Muslim voters will vote tactically or are left confused by the developments, the latter scenario bringing cheer to the BJP.

The third possibility, though it now seems like an uphill task, is Akhilesh floating a new party and going to the polls as an alliance partner of the Congress and the RLD.

If this happens, a huge chunk of the Muslim votebank could move towards the secular alliance and benefit bhaiyya, as Akhilesh is fondly called. With Akhilesh being a young face and a future leader, a large chunk of the Yadav vote bank could also shift towards him.

There are reports that despite his expulsion, talks between Akhilesh and the Congress are still on. Trinamul Congress leader and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has reportedly extended her support to Akhilesh.
Insiders maintained that a majority of the 229 Samajwadi Party MLAs were present.

Lucknow: Setting the stage for a show of strength, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who was expelled from Samajwadi Party by his father and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, today held a meeting at his residence where a majority of the 229 party MLAs were present.

Though the exact number of those present at the meeting was not immediately known, insiders maintained that a majority of the 229 SP MLAs were present. Besides, some SP MLCs and senior party functionaries loyal to Akhilesh attended the meeting.

Akhilesh is expected to meet his supporters and party workers later in the day to prove his strength.

The chief minister's 5-Kalidas Marg residence appeared to be the hub of high drama with youth supporters of Akhilesh assembling in large numbers to vent their fury over his expulsion and that of his uncle Ramgopal Yadav.

Political activities hotted up right from the morning with a series of meetings planned during the day, when Mulayam will meet party candidates announced by him and state SP chief Shivpal Yadav, the warring uncle of Akhilesh.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh today termed the crisis in the party as "unfortunate" and asked party members to support Mulayam in the family feud.

"I appeal to the party members to stand with Netaji (Mulayam). Whatever is happening is very unfortunate," Amar, who had recently made a comeback to the party after a long exile, said.

Mulayam had yesterday expelled his son Akhilesh and Ramgopal from SP for six years after they put up candidates against the official nominees and summoned a party meet tomorrow, pushing the ruling party to the precipice of a split just ahead of the UP Assembly elections likely to be announced any day now.

Mulayam had said he took the action against Akhilesh and Ramgopal to save the party which he had built through hard efforts.

"We have to save the party. The party comes first. That is why we are expelling both Akhilesh and Ramgopal," he said.

He explained that the decision was taken after Ramgopal, in his capacity as general secretary, called an emergency meeting of the party on January 1 and Akhilesh "supported" it.
'All issues have ended now and will together fight the election,' Shivpal Yadav said.

Lucknow: After a massive show of strength by Akhilesh Yadav, who was expelled from SP by father Mulayam Singh Yadav, the party supremo today backed down revoking with immediate effect the expulsion orders of his son and brother Ramgopal.

After hectic confabulations involving Akhilesh Yadav's warring uncle Shivpal Yadav, Mulayam and the Chief Minister, Shivpal tweeted that on the SP supremo's directive, expulsion of Akhilesh and Ramgopal Yadav from SP was being revoked with immediate effect.

"I am coming after having met party chief Mulayam Singh along with CM Akhilesh Yadav. Netaji has given the order that the suspension orders of Akhilesh and Ram Gopal are terminated with immediate effect," Shivpal said.

"All of us together will fight communal forces and we will once again form a SP government in UP with full majority.

These are my orders. We will hold discussions within ourselves and decide, and prepare for the upcoming elections," he said.

"All matters have been solved and we will fight the upcoming polls together. We will all sit togther with Netaji and I am sure all problems will be resolved," he said.

On a day of fast-paced developments, Akhilesh earlier in the day convened a meeting of SP legislators where over 200 of the 229 party MLAs turned up expressing their loyalty with the chief minister, a day after he was expelled from the party for indulging in "indiscipline", pushing the ruling party to the precipice of a vertical split.

Some SP MLCs and senior party functionaries loyal to Akhilesh also attended the meeting at the chief minister's official residence at 5-Kalidas Marg.

Senior SP leader and UP cabinet minister Azam Khan then arrived at the CM's residence and after a brief stay, they drove to Mulayam's bungalow at a stone's throw distance.

Mulayam had on Friday expelled Akhilesh and Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years over indiscipline.

This move comes after Akhilesh had released a list of 235 candidates out of the total 403 seats for upcoming state assembly elections on Thursday, rejecting the list announced by Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday.

Akhilesh's name did not figure in the first list. Mulayam said his son being the Chief Minister, can contest from any assembly seat he wishes to.
"The pollution level at present is in very poor category.It is likely to remain in very poor category until new year.

A person may develop respiratory illness on prolonged exposure to 'very poor' quality air while 'severe' may affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing respiratory diseases, CPCB guidelines say. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The new year is likely to be greeted by 'very poor' quality air in the national capital with relatively windy conditions poised to prevent any major build up of suspended particulates, SAFAR today forecast.

The agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences said while current pollution level is also in the very poor category, the situation will see a marginal deterioration from tomorrow before improving from January 2.

"The pollution level at present is in very poor category.It is likely to remain in very poor category until new year.

However, a marginal increase in the level of PM 2.5 is predicted from 164 micrograms per cubic metre on Dec 30 to 192 on January 1. Thereafter, a significant drop to 159 on January 2 is expected," the forecast said.

Although, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) pitched for early implementation of the CPCB-mandated and SC approved graded response system saying pollution was once again hitting the "emergency level".

"If the notification of graded action plan, as directed by the Supreme Court is delayed, it can worsen the health emergency. The Ministry of Environment must notify it under section 3 of the Environment Protection Act immediately," the green NGO said.

The National Air Quality Index (NAQI) of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had a reading of 345 (running average) based on the data of seven monitoring stations across the city, as against yesterday's 402.

SAFAR said the drop in temperature, which will bring down the inversion level which contributes towards accumulation of pollutants, will be offset by moderate wind speed at around6-8 km per hour.

"If wind becomes calm (unlikely) then air quality may deteriorate but probability of calm wind situation is less than 20 per cent," it said.

SAFAR recorded today's average levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 (24 hour, rolling) at 164 and 262 micrograms per cubic metre respectively as against the prescribed standards of 60 and 100.

A person may develop respiratory illness on prolonged exposure to 'very poor' quality air while 'severe' may affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing respiratory diseases, CPCB guidelines say.

"It is already evident from the analysis of pollution data that the number of days falling in severe and emergency categories has increased during the second half of December.

It has hit the emergency levels yesterday. This situation demands immediate response," a CSE statement said.

Referring to the latest Delhi government data that showed a massive jump in the number of registered vehicles in the city, CSE said "uncontrolled motorisation" was threatening to undo the gains of the ongoing action against pollution.

The total number of registered vehicles plying in the city rose by nearly 10 lakh in 2015-16 financial year, an increase that went hand in hand with a fall in the number of DTC buses and ridership, establishing the public transport system's further erosion, the Delhi Statistical Handbook 2016 said.

"Despite improved wind speed on December 29 (from 1.4 metre per second to 1.7 metre per second), the PM 2.5 levels have increased and crossed the emergency levels of 300 microgramme per cum -- 5.3 times higher than the standard.

"Over the last three days, temperature is dropping continuously. As much as 14 per cent of the days in December have been in emergency category, 21 per cent days in severe category and 65 per cent of the days in very poor category," it said.
Merry Chinaapa, the patient, has gone missing despite there being six security personnel at the hospital.

Mumbai: A 60-year-old inmate of the BMC-run Ackworth Leprosy hospital has gone missing, following which a police complaint has been lodged. Merry Chinaapa, the patient, has gone missing despite there being six security personnel at the hospital.

One of the women inmates at the hospital, who did not want to be named, said, Merry was residing in Ward no 2, from where all of us women were shifted to Ward no. 6. Merry was upset and was not ready to shift from that particular ward. Then the hospital authorities mercilessly threw her luggage out of the ward. That made her upset and she disappeared. Ms Chinaapa has been missing since December 27.

A police officer from the Matunga police station said, We do not have concrete information, but we will start our search. The hospital wrote a letter on December 29 to the Matunga police station, stating Ms Chinaapa was missing.

One of the security officers from the hospital claimed none of them saw her leave the hospital. When we were counting the number of patients in the hospital while serving tea on December 29, we realised that one was missing, he said.

Repeated attempts to contact, Dr Amita Pednekar, superintendent of the hospital, Dr Padamja Keskar, Executive Health officer, BMC, Datta Patil, Security head officer of BMC, were unsuccessful.
The accused, Vikas Kanojiya, had allegedly entered her house when the complainant was alone.

Mumbai: A 19-year-old married woman was raped in her house at knifepoint by her neighbour. The accused, Vikas Kanojiya, had allegedly entered her house when the complainant was alone on Thursday afternoon. The Kalwa police has registered a case against Kanojiya on Friday and booked him under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for rape. The arrest is yet to be made.

The complainant, a resident of Kalwa, had recently moved to Bhaskar Nagar, after marrying a labourer three months ago. The victim was working as a domestic help in adjoining areas to support her husband financially. The complainants husband left for work at 8.30 am on the day of the incident.

The complainant was left traumatised by this incident, and when her husband returned home, she broke down. The couple lodged a police complaint on Friday and the police booked the accused under IPC sections 376 and 452 for punishment of rape and trespassing respectively along with 506 (2) for criminal intimidation.

When The Asian Age spoke to police inspector Vilas Kadam of Kalwa police station, he said, Kanojiya has been absconding since the incident took place. He was unemployed and carried out odd jobs here and there to feed himself. The girl has been left traumatised and has been sent for the medical tests.
The Shiv Sena has blamed the BJP government for being discriminatory towards the Hindu community.

Mumbai: After Income Tax (I-T) raids at offices and homes of two priests in Trimbakeshwar in Nashik earlier this week, the Shiv Sena has blamed the government for being discriminatory towards Hindus.

The raids were conducted in the backdrop of the demonetisation decision announced by the Modi government. The I-T sleuths had seized an undisclosed amount of money in cash from the priests. According to reports, searches were conducted on the offices and homes of two top priests of Trimbakeshwar last Tuesday for allegedly possessing unaccounted cash. Shiv Sena in its mouthpiece Saamana on Saturday sought to know if the authorities would show the same courage when it comes to places of worship other than Hindu temples.

Even if they (priests) do have money, the wealth is not created by illegal means. There is nothing wrong in earning money by working hard in extreme weather conditions, the Sena said. The saffron party has been against the implementation of the demonetisation and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has criticised the government on the issue. Trimbakeshwar is a place where all kinds of Hindu rituals are performed for which hundreds of people from across the nation come. People say priests here must be having a lot of money. But how much money will priests have? Even if they do have money, the wealth is not collected by illegal means, it said.

Lashing at the government for the raids, the Sena said the BJP has declared itself as secular by conducting the searches at the Hindu priests homes. The BJP government has shown that only Hindus posses black money. What about the churches that received money from abroad to convert dalits and tribal? Also, Islamic countries provide money to the madarsa and masjids. Will the government conduct raids on them too? it asked.
Overuse of digital devices has been blamed for everything from burnout to sleeplessness as well as relationship problems.

Paris: French companies will be required to guarantee a "right to disconnect" to their employees from tomorrow as the country seeks to tackle the modern-day scourge of compulsive out-of-hours email checking.

From January 1, a new employment law will enter into force that obliges organizations with more than 50 workers to start negotiations to define the rights of employees to ignore their smartphones.

Overuse of digital devices has been blamed for everything from burnout to sleeplessness as well as relationship problems, with many employees uncertain of when they can switch off.

The French measure is intended to tackle the so-called "always-on" work culture that has led to a surge in usually unpaid overtime - while also giving employees flexibility to work from outside the office.

"There's a real expectation that companies will seize on the 'right to disconnect' as a protective measure," said Xavier Zunigo, a French workplace expert, as a new survey on the subject was published in October.

"At the same time, workers don't want to lose the autonomy and flexibility that digital devices give them," added Zunigo, who is an academic and director of research group Aristat.

The measure was introduced by Labour Minister Myriam El Khomri, who commissioned a report submitted in September 2015 which warned about the health impact of "info-obesity" which afflicts many workplaces.

Under the new law, companies will be obliged to negotiate with employees to agree on their rights to switch off and ways they can reduce the intrusion of work into their private lives.

If a deal cannot be reached, the company must publish a charter that would make explicit the demands on and rights of employees out-of-hours.

Trade unions in France which see themselves as guardians of France's highly protected workplace and famously short working week of 35 hours have long demanded action.

But the new "right to disconnect", part of a much larger and controversial reform of French labour law, foresees no sanction for companies which fail to define it.

Left-leaning French newspaper Liberation praised the move in an editorial on Friday saying that the law was needed because "employees are often judged on their commitment to their companies and their availability."

Some large groups such as Volkswagen and Daimler in Germany or nuclear power company Areva and insurer Axa in France have already taken steps to limit out-of-hours messaging to reduce burnout among workers.
Unlike other political leaders, BJP President Amit Shah has his own style of managing party affairs.

When Sonia Gandhis political secretary Ahmed Patel rang up other Opposition leaders to invite them for a joint press conference in Delhi last week, it was assumed that he was calling on behalf of the Congress president and that she would be presiding over the meeting. As it turned out, Rahul Gandhi was the partys lead representative at this meeting, which was initiated by the Congress vice-president. Ever since Mr Gandhi started playing a larger role in party affairs, there has been considerable speculation about the choice of his team members, specially his political secretary. At the same time, the party has also been agog about the role of the old guard (as Mrs Gandhis advisers are called) in the new set-up. Mr Patels name invariably crops up in these conversations given the key position he holds in the Congress presidents office and the crucial backroom role he plays in organisational matters. If last Tuesdays meet is any indication, Mr Gandhi has to necessarily turn the senior leaders to bail him out when tackling important issues. Clearly, nobody in his team has the seniority or the gravitas to pick up the phone and talk to Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee or Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad Yadav. Whatever the outcome of the meeting, what has clearly emerged from it is that the party needs leaders like Mr Patel to do its heavy lifting.

When the Narendra Modi government picked Lt. Gen. Bipin Rawat as the next Army Chief by superseding two senior officers, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party urged critics not to politicise the armed forces by questioning the Centres motives. Despite the unofficial explanations put out by the defence ministry about why the government had ignored the legitimate claims of the two senior officers, few were convinced that there was no political motive behind this appointment. Delhis political grapevine is abuzz with speculation that Lt. Gen. Rawat was chosen with an eye on next years Uttarakhand Assembly polls. It is no coincidence that the new Army Chief, the new chief of the Research and Analysis Wing Anil Dhasmana and national security adviser Ajit Doval are all from the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Apparently, the BJP plans to showcase these appointments to play up the divide between the Kumaon and Garhwal regions in the forthcoming elections by running a campaign against Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat for giving greater preference to Kumaon. In doing so, the BJP hopes to make political gains in the Garhwal region which has more Assembly seats, specially since the Congress chief minister has been under attack for meting out step-motherly treatment to this area.

Before Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi launched his Kisan Yatra in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh last September, the party had declared with great fanfare that former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit would be projected as its chief ministerial face in the Hindi heartland state. At the same time, it rejigged its state unit and appointed actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar as the Uttar Pradesh Congress president in a bid to energise its cadres before the elections. But, as it happens, the campaign soon ran out of steam once it became clear that the Congress is making no impact on the ground. Similarly, the initial enthusiasm displayed by Ms Dikshit and Mr Babbar has also waned. Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders complain that it is impossible to meet Ms Dikshit and Mr Babbar as they visit the state only occasionally. Even when they do travel to Uttar Pradesh, it is at best a guest appearance because they disappear after putting in a brief appearance. Mr Babbar, they maintained, never comes to the party office in Lucknow and sets up appointments with party workers at odd hours and at secret venues. He behaves more like an abhineta instead of a neta, grumbled a Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh.

Unlike other political leaders, Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah has his own style of managing party affairs. For instance, every party chief sets up a system to mollify unhappy leaders. This is particularly so in election-bound states as the distribution of tickets invariably leads to dissension in the ranks. The party leadership generally has a backup plan to deal with such contingencies so that the unhappy leaders do not sabotage an election. But an impatient Shah has no time for such niceties. He has made it clear on several occasions that his decisions are final and those who are not in agreement with him are free to leave. Recently, when it was suggested that it may be good idea if Mr Shah were to placate some senior disgruntled leaders in the poll-bound states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, his response was on expected lines, I dont have to worry about such people. All I have to do is to send out a message to the cadres that a particular leader does not enjoy my confidence... his supporters in the party will immediately desert him.
Agriculture employs 65 per cent of our workforce but contributes only 14 per cent to GDP.

2016 is over. 2017 has begun. Should we look at the past or cast an eye on the future? Each one of us nurtures the hope that the future will bring to fruition what the past could not deliver. Hazaaron khwaishein aisi ki har khwaish pe dam nikle, as Ghalib would say: A thousand wishes such, that for each Id give my life!

Wishlists can be infinite, but I am  perhaps arbitrarily  compressing mine to 10:

Electoral reform: India may be the worlds largest democracy, but 2017 must be the year when it becomes a more credible democracy. For this, the top priority must be electoral reform that severs the link between unaccounted money and politics, since this unholy link is the seed of all corruption in India. We need to do away with anonymous donors. Every penny must be accounted for. Party funds and financial transactions, must be audited, put up on a public website and brought under the RTI Act. The Election Commission has recommended this. The government and Parliament needs to act.

Functioning Parliament: I hope that the New Year will see a Parliament that functions with decorum and gravitas. No more throwing of missiles in the House, no more rushing to the well. No more debasing cacophony.

Mission agriculture: Agriculture employs 65 per cent of our workforce but contributes only 14 per cent to GDP with annual growth rates now hovering as low as one per cent. The need of the hour must be a special mission to enhance agricultural productivity through investments in better seeds, inputs, irrigation, cold storage, transportation and transportation. It has been estimated that for every one per cent increase in agricultural output, overall GDP grows by two per cent. After two successive drought years, let the New Year focus on the well being of our farmers.

Mission manufacturing: A quantum growth in the labour-intensive manufacturing sector is the best means of providing employment to the unemployed and under-employed workforce in agriculture. The government has a declared aim to create 100 million jobs in the manufacturing sector by the year 2022 but little of this has translated to the ground for the absence of a planning and policy focus. Can we in 2017 get our act together on this pivotal economic goal?

Poverty reduction: It is an assault on our credentials as a successful democracy that India still has the largest number of the abjectly poor in the world. This must change, and can only do so if economic policies are so designed as to reach the poorest of the poor. More needs to be done than to merely wait for the dividends of economic growth to trickle down to the poor. The quality of life of the poorest must improve dramatically. In Bihar, for instance, Nitish Kumar, as part of his seven-point resolve, has committed to providing potable water, electricity and roads to every village within a specified time frame.

Mission health and education: Notwithstanding the fact that India produces some of the finest doctors, our medical infrastructure outside the handful of super specialty hospitals in a few chosen metropolises is woefully poor. The state of education, specially in government schools and colleges is unacceptably poor. Both these sectors need much more funds and attention. Will 2017 see this policy change?

Balanced regional development: Five relatively developed states in India receive the bulk of all public and private flow of funds, while many of the least developed states, such as Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha, are starved of investments. This lopsided spread of economic wellbeing must be rectified by policy interventions like the granting of special category status. 2017 should be the year when we realise that all of India must be given the opportunity to develop.

Mission tourism: India, that has almost everything to offer to a tourist, gets a paltry five to six million tourists, while countries like South Africa and Mexico get three to four times this figure and China receives six times more. Even with such low tourist footfalls, our tourism industry contributes about eight per cent to our GDP and is a major employment generator.

The time has come to end the institutional neglect of this sector and to begin in 2017 a concerted drive to double the number of tourists coming to India in the next three years.

Foreign policy: It is time that our foreign policy becomes part of a carefully calibrated strategic framework and rescued from high publicity ad hocism. In particular, one can only hope that our relations with our neighbours see a qualitative improvement, and that we are able to deal with Pakistan with greater anticipation and policy coherence. Heres also hoping that we are able to persuade China to be a more understanding neighbour.

Culture: India is one of the oldest civilisations of the world, with a culture that is marked by peaks of refinement and great diversity. Unfortunately, while all governments pay lip service to our cultural heritage, all of them uniformly ignore the institutional investment required to sustain this great legacy, specially at the grassroots level. Culture in our country needs to be rescued from the stranglehold of soulless bureaucracy and provided the infrastructure to flourish. Will 2017 see this happen?

Democracies survive because they have the institutional mechanism to nurture hope. Let us hope then that the New Year will see some of the things in the wishlist above begin to happen. Let us hope that India in 2017 will guarantee a more civilised public space for dialogue and debate, shun hatred and exclusion, and allow our multi-cultural, plural and multi-religious social fabric to flourish. Happy New Year!
The Trojan uses unsuspecting Android device users as tools to redirect traffic from Wi-Fi connected devices to attackers websites.

The infection is spread by users downloading one of two versions of the Android Trojan from a website created by the attackers.

A newly discovered Trojan is using Android users as tools to redirect traffic from Wi-Fi connected devices to websites controlled by the attackers, said Kaspersky.

Kaspersky Lab experts have uncovered another evolution in Android OS malware: the Switcher Trojan. In their research, the experts found that the malware treats unsuspecting Android device users as tools to infect Wi-Fi routers, changing the routers DNS settings and redirecting traffic from devices connected to the network to websites controlled by the attackers, leaving users vulnerable to phishing, malware and adware attacks and more.

The attackers claim to have successfully infiltrated 1,280 wireless networks so far, mainly in China.

Domain Name Servers (DNS) turn a readable web address such as x.com into the numerical IP address required for communications between computers.

The ability of the Switcher Trojan to hijack this process gives the attackers almost complete control over network activity which uses the name-resolving system, such as internet traffic.

The approach works because wireless routers generally reconfigure the DNS settings of all devices on the network to their own  thereby forcing everyone to use the same rogue DNS.

The infection is spread by users downloading one of two versions of the Android Trojan from a website created by the attackers.

The first version is disguised as an Android client of the Chinese search engine, Baidu, and the other is a well-made fake version of a popular Chinese app for sharing information about Wi-Fi networks: WiFi.

When an infected device connects to a wireless network, the Trojan attacks the router and tries to brute-force its way to the web admin interface by guessing the password, relying on a long, predefined list of password and login combinations. If the attempt is successful, the Trojan exchanges the existing DNS server for a rogue one controlled by the cybercriminals, and also a secondary DNS, to ensure ongoing stability if the rogue DNS goes down.

The attackers have built a website to promote and distribute the Trojanized Wi-Fi app to users. The web server that hosts this site doubles as the malware authors command-and-control (C&C) server.

Internal infection statistics spotted on an open part of this website reveal the attackers claims to have compromised 1,280 websites  potentially exposing all the devices connected to them to further attack and infection.

Nikita Buchka, mobile security expert, Kaspersky Lab, said, The Switcher Trojan marks a dangerous new trend in attacks on connected devices and networks. It does not attack users directly. Instead, it turns them into unwilling accomplices: physically moving sources of infection.

"The Trojan targets the entire network, exposing all its users, whether individuals or businesses, to a wide range of attacks - from phishing to secondary infection. A successful attack can be hard to detect and even harder to shift: the new settings can survive a router reboot, and even if the rogue DNS is disabled, the secondary DNS server is on hand to carry on.

"Protecting devices is as important as ever, but in a connected world we cannot afford to overlook the vulnerability of routers and Wi-Fi networks."

The company recommends that all users check their DNS settings and search for the following rogue DNS servers: 101.200.147.153, 112.33.13.11, 120.76.249.59. If you have one of these servers in your DNS settings, contact your ISP support or alert the owner of the Wi-Fi network.

Kaspersky Lab also strongly advises users to change the default login and password to the admin web interface of your router to prevent such attacks in the future.
India's repeated threats to run Pakistan dry pose a real threat to Pakistan's food and economic security.

Islamabad: Pakistan has sought support of the US on the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with India, as Secretary of State John Kerry called for an amicable settlement of the issue by New Delhi and Islamabad, media reported on Saturday.

The development came after Pakistan was irked by the World Bank pause in mediation to resolve differences over construction of two water projects by India.

The Express Tribune reported that Kerry made a phone call to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday night and discussed the row over the IWT implementation and the role of the World Bank (WB), which had brokered the treaty in 1960.

After Kerry's call, US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale also met Dar in Islamabad at the Finance Ministry.

The back-to-back contacts highlight the importance of the water issue, which can potentially endanger regional stability if the situation slips out of control, according to sources at Finance Ministry.

"The US would like to see an amicable solution to this (water) issue," a Finance Ministry statement quoted Kerry as saying.

Kerry told Dar that the WB president had informed him about Pakistan's complaint against India on the IWT. The water dispute has catapulted the US back into Pakistan's economic picture.

The American civilian and military assistance to Pakistan has drastically come down in recent months and its implications on Pakistan's fiscal situation have started emerging in the shape of a larger-than-anticipated budget deficit.

Independent analysts argue that Washington may not play an effective role in resolving the water dispute, as the Obama administration is preparing to hand over the White House to Donald Trump in January.

"Senator Dar indicated that the US support on the principles and legal position of Pakistan will be greatly appreciated," stated the Finance Ministry.

Early in December, the WB had announced a pause in playing its legally binding role of mediator in the IWT implementation.

In October, Pakistan had approached the WB seeking appointment of the Chairman of Court of Arbitration to resolve a dispute over construction of two mega hydropower projects by India in violation of the IWT.

The Finance Minister told Kerry that the IWT was an international commitment and it was the WB's responsibility to make sure India honoured the treaty and the water rights of hundreds of millions of Pakistani people were protected, said the finance ministry.

Dar added that the Court of Arbitration was the legal requirement, and the World Bank must fulfil the commitment to appointing the Chairman of the Court of Arbitration.

India's repeated threats to run Pakistan dry pose a real threat to Pakistan's food and economic security.

The civil and military leadership has already announced that materialisation of Indias threat would be considered 'open aggression' and a blatant 'act of war'.

Pakistan and China on Thursday decided to make water security a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework aimed at preparing a plan against any adverse impact of any such Indian move on Pakistan's economic security.

Dar informed Kerry that the WB president had been in touch with him during the current month.

Sources, however, said the WB has yet not made a formal commitment that the mediation process would be started immediately.
In the training video, children aged between 9-13 years, were seen hunting down real prisoners and executing them in an abandoned building.

Raqqa: In a disturbing video, footage of child soldiers chasing down and executing prisoners in a training exercise ISISs trademark cat and mouse style has emerged in Syria.

Carrying handguns, youngsters between ages 9-13 were ordered to take part in a training mission where they went around in an isolated building looking for tied-up captives, according to a report on Daily Mail.

The video spanning 34 minutes video titled My father told me, shows the next generation of the Caliphate in the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa going through military drills in the middle of the night and learning to use handheld rocket launchers.

Filmed in first-person, the video captured child warriors shooting one prisoner in the leg before killing him with a head shot. Another prisoner was cornered on a root top, before he takes the plunge ending his life.

While a few were video graphed learning to fire machine guns and martial arts, a few others were documented chanting jihadist statements to the camera.

However, the report claimed that this is not the first instance ISIS has released videos of training children. Earlier, the children were seen shooting prisoners in the back of their head apart from giving out bone-chilling threats to the terror outfits enemies.

The militant group had begun to educate children the Daesh way, immediately after it seized power in parts of Syria and Iraq in 2013. Teachers were ordered to teach ISISs extreme interpretation of the Koran and orphanages were also built where children came under the patronage of ISIS commanders.
Russia and Turkey, who brokered the agreement, circulated the text and the draft resolution to Security Council members on Thursday night.

United Nations: The UN Security Council has scheduled a vote Saturday morning on a Russian resolution that would endorse the cease-fire agreement in Syria and reiterate support for a roadmap to peace that starts with a transitional government.

The draft resolution also calls for "rapid, safe and unhindered" access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country. And it looks forward to a meeting in late January between the Syrian government and opposition in Kazakhstan's capital Astana "as an important part of the Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations."

Russia and Turkey, who brokered the cease-fire agreement, circulated the text and the draft resolution to Security Council members on Thursday night. After closed discussions in the council, Friday morning, Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin circulated a revised text, called for a vote on Saturday, and urged council members to support it.
"As another year draws to a close, we pause before the crib, to thank all the signs of divine generosity in our lives and in our history." " Looking at the manger means recognizing that the times ahead call for bold and hope-filled initiatives, as well as the renunciation of vain self-promotion and endless concern with appearances". We live in a culture that "idolizes youth trying to make it eternal," but which "condemns our young people to have no place in society".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Looking at the year that ends "you feel encouraged to think about how we're affecting the place that young people in our society". We have created a culture that idolizes youth and seeks to make it eternal. Yet at the same time, paradoxically, we have condemned our young people to have no place in society". Pope Francis dedicated his final reflections of 2016 to young people, just like the young Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, as he presided at first Vespers for the solemnity of Mary Most Holy Mother of God in St Peters Basilica during which the Te Deum hymn of thanksgiving at the years end is traditionally chanted.

God, the Pope said, he decided "to love" to waive any privilege and to get closer to the man "through the smallness and vulnerability of a newborn child. He decides personally to draw near to us and in his flesh to embrace our flesh, in his weakness to embrace our weakness, in his littleness to envelop our littleness. In Christ, God did not put on a human mask; instead he became man and shared completely in our human condition. Far from remaining an idea or an abstract essence, he wanted to be close to all those who felt lost, demeaned, hurt, discouraged, inconsolable and frightened. Close to all those who in their bodies carry the burden of separation and loneliness, so that sin, shame, hurt, despair and exclusion would not have the final word in the lives of his sons and daughters".

The manger invites us to make this divine logic our own. It is not a logic centred on privilege, exemptions or favours but one of encounter and closeness. The manger invites us to break with the logic of exceptions for some and exclusion for others. God himself comes to shatter the chains of privilege that always cause exclusion, in order to introduce the caress of compassion that brings inclusion, that makes the dignity of each person shine forth, the dignity for which he or she was created. A child in swaddling clothes shows us the power of God who approaches us as a gift, an offering, a leaven and opportunity for creating a culture of encounter.

We cannot allow ourselves to be naive. We know that we are tempted in various ways to adopt the logic of privilege that separates, excludes and closes us off, while separating, excluding and closing off the dreams and lives of so many of our brothers and sisters.

Today, before the little Child of Bethlehem, we should acknowledge that we need the Lord to enlighten us, because all too often we end up being narrow-minded or prisoners of all-or-nothing attitude that would force others to conform to our own ideas. We need this light, which helps us learn from our mistakes and failed attempts in order to improve and surpass ourselves; this light born of the humble and courageous awareness of those who find the strength, time and time again, to rise up and start anew.

As another year draws to an end, let us pause before the manger and express our gratitude to God for all the signs of his generosity in our life and our history, seen in countless ways through the witness of those people who quietly took a risk. A gratitude that is no sterile nostalgia or empty recollection of an idealized and disembodied past, but a living memory, one that helps to generate personal and communal creativity because we know that God is with us.

Let us pause before the manger to contemplate how God has been present throughout this year and to remind ourselves that every age, every moment is the bearer of graces and blessings. The manger challenges us not to give up on anything or anyone. To look upon the manger means to find the strength to take our place in history without complaining or being resentful, without closing in on ourselves or seeking a means of escape, looking for shortcuts in our own interest. Looking at the manger means recognizing that the times ahead call for bold and hope-filled initiatives, as well as the renunciation of vain self-promotion and endless concern with appearances.

Looking at the manger means seeing how God gets involved by involving us, making us part of his work, inviting us to welcome the future courageously and decisively.

Looking at the manger, we see Joseph and Mary, their young faces full of hopes and aspirations, full of questions. Young faces that look to the future conscious of the difficult task of helping the God-Child to grow. We cannot speak of the future without reflecting on these young faces and accepting the responsibility we have for our young; more than a responsibility, the right word would be debt, yes, the debt we owe them. To speak of a years end is to feel the need to reflect on how concerned we are about the place of young people in our society.

We have created a culture that idolizes youth and seeks to make it eternal. Yet at the same time, paradoxically, we have condemned our young people to have no place in society, because we have slowly pushed them to the margins of public life, forcing them to migrate or to beg for jobs that no longer exist or fail to promise them a future. We have preferred speculation over dignified and genuine work that can allow young people to take active part in the life of society. We expect and demand that they be a leaven for the future, but we discriminate against them and condemn them to knock on doors that for the most part remain closed.

We are asked to be something other than the innkeeper in Bethlehem who told the young couple: there is no room here. There was no room for life, for the future. Each of us is asked to take some responsibility, however small, for helping our young people to find, here in their land, in their own country, real possibilities for building a future. Let us not be deprived of the strength of their hands, their minds, and their ability to prophesy the dreams of their ancestors (cf. Jl 2:28). If we wish to secure a future worthy of them, we should do so by staking it on true inclusion: one that provides work that is worthy, free, creative, participatory and solidary (cf. Address at the Conferral of the Charlemagne Prize, 6 May 2016).

Looking at the manger challenges us to help our young people not to become disillusioned by our own immaturity, and to spur them on so that they can be capable of dreaming and fighting for their dreams, capable of growing and becoming fathers and mothers of our people.

As we come to the end of this year, we do well to contemplate the God-Child! Doing so invites us to return to the sources and roots of our faith. In Jesus, faith becomes hope; it becomes a leaven and a blessing. With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, Christ makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew (Evangelii Gaudium, 3).
by Shafique Khokhar

The toxic liquid came from a local police station. Many are still hospitalized in serious condition. About 30 people have been buried. Family members of the deceased praying in the streets.

Toba Tek Singh (AsiaNews)  The death toll of people, mostly Christians, who have died after drinking toxic alcohol at Christmas in a city of the Pakistani Punjab has risen to 49. Fr. Bonnie Mendes, a prominent activist, visited the injured (about 100) still hospitalized in serious condition in the hospital in Toba Tek Singh, where the incident occurred.

He relayed the latest news to AsiaNews according to which the alcohol poisoned by methanol came from the police station of the Christian town of Mubarakabad. "This fact - he says - poses many questions: why did the police have alcohol? And who brought it to the Christian village? ".

The priest noted that Msgr. Joseph Arshad, visiting some of the injured in the hospital in his diocese of Faisalabad, demanded immediate clarification and that an investigation be launched.

Most of the victims are Christians, but there are also some Muslims among them. Pakistan recently prohibited alcohol consumption. The only ones exempt from the prohibition are minorities and tourists, who can purchase liquor, wine and beer but only in authorized shops and with a permit.

Given the extreme poverty of the population and close controls, often drinks are produced at home in the traditional way and may contain harmful substances such as methanol.

Fr. Mendes reports that he brought comfort to the relatives of the victims. Many of them, about thirty, have already been buried and the coffins were provided by the Pakistani government. Several family members, shocked by the disaster, are still on the streets and praying for the departed souls.

"May the Child Jesus  he says in conclusion - bless us all and get us through this tragedy."
home Life HIV/AIDS cure news: Interferon production may accelerate the spread of HIV infection, studies show

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is considered to be one of the most destructive pandemics in history, having ended the lives of about 34 million people since 1984.

And with an estimated 35 million people across the world currently living with this type of vicious and deadly virus, researchers are more hard-pressed than ever to discover the most effective treatment and defense against it.

However, despite the efforts of world organizations to spread awareness about HIV and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) it can eventually lead to, the number of infected people continues to rise. There is still no definitive cure for the virus, but research and studies through the years have found some positive progress toward developing the most efficient way to combat HIV/AIDS.

A team of researchers based in University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have reportedly discovered that temporarily blocking a particular type of protein in animal subjects known as the type I interferon could effectively restore immune functions, thereby speeding up viral suppression brought about by anti-viral drugs.

However, the researchers were quick to note that this study was not actually aimed at finding cure for HIV/AIDS. Rather, it was meant to disprove the popular belief that the more interferon at work, the better. It turns out that the type of interferon that the human body produces at chronic stages of HIV infection may actually have the opposite effect of accelerating the effects of the disease. By effectively blocking its production, HIV-infected people may be given a better chance of fighting off disease.

In other news, an experimental treatment regimen that was first tested on monkey and was later tried on humans has reportedly shown favorable results. The treatment regimen included a combination of the standard Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and an experimental antibody that had similar effects as the Takeda Pharmaceutical Entyviro, which is an approved medicine for Crohn and ulcerative colitis diseases in 50 countries. This combination has been observed "to put the virus into sustained remission" in monkeys and has also been noted to bring about quite the same result in humans.

Further studies need to be conducted to make sure that the treatment is safe to use and does not bring about any detrimental side effects in HIV-infected humans.
Brand to be internal only, focus on emerging markets.

Toyota and Daihatsu have announced that the two companies will create a new budget brand on January 1, 2017 for emerging markets. The company, named Emerging-market Compact Car Company, will only be internal, meaning the two brands will not be spinning off a separate budget brand like Datsun is to Nissan, but will instead produce a range of small, cheaper cars under the Daihatsu brand.

No new badge would be created from the deal, but the two companies would pool knowledge on small cars. Daihatsus models would benefit from Toyotas TNGA platform. The new cars will emerge within a

few years.

Daihatsu will have responsibility of product and quality planning, while the product and business planning division will be shared. While the brand is yet to name target markets, India is likely to be included in the list with Toyota reportedly interested in bringing in more small

cars developed jointly

with Daihatsu.
kWh

EV

It arrives there only one month after the same model was detailed for the US market . However, it's actually been over two years since its unveiling at the Shanghai Auto Show 2015. Large sedans from Western automakers are usually very expensive, but we think this one is reasonably priced. The cheapest version costs RMB 558,800, the equivalent of $80,300. That's only a few measly thousands of dollars more than in the US. There's also a higher-end model costing RMB 658,800, which is equivalent to roughly $94,500. But we have to ask: what is it with number 8 in China?The powertrain will consist of the same 2-liter turbo matched by electricity to deliver up to 335 horsepower and 432 lb-ft (586 Nm). Cadillac says that this is enough to get you from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds or to sip only 1.7 liters of fuel every 100 kilometers. Of course, you can't do both at the same time.At the heart of the CT6 Plug-In is a lithium-ion battery pack comprising 192 cells. It has a capacity of 18.4, which is large for a car of in this segment and gives the car anrange of 80 kilometers. Cadillac is offering CT6 Plug-In buyers across China a 220V charger with free installation, plus an eight-year unlimited-mileage warranty for the vehicles battery pack, electric motors, and electronic control system. Using said charger, the 18.4 kWh battery can be topped off in a little as 5 hours, which we find hard to believe.Lightness also contributes to the efficiency of the CT6, who's body is said to be made from 11 composites, matched by the 57% aluminum in the body. Besides the charging port located on the left rear side, the only cosmetic change is the exclusive interface displays the vehicles battery life, power delivery, and energy distribution. So we think Cadillac wants this car to fly under the radar.
We're here to answer the question with the help of the video below, one that makes an important claim, talking about both the Hellcat and the ZR1 being stock - forum rumors surrounding this Challenger, which wears the nickname you can see on its number plate, show a different opinion about what's under the hood, but we won't pay attention to that.The two supercharged animals duke it out on the highway and, as we mentioned in the title above, the drivers won't stop for anything in their quest to see which beast is faster - engaging in multiple races, the two speed tools go past 200 mph at a certain point.It's worth noting that, with a bit of effort, we could find some cars whose overall weight matches the scale footprint difference between the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the Dodge Challenger Hellcat Returning to the racing action involving the blower beasts we have here, police happened to be around when the Chevy and the Dodge were racing. However, the path-crossing was only partial, so the two street racers simply pretended they were law-abiding drivers for a while and went over the cop moment without breaking a sweat.The clip involves scenes captured from both cars, so you'll get a complete view of the battle. The adventure comes to a rather abrupt end and this is the bit where fanboys, whether from the LS or the Mopar camp, will have plenty of reasons to go crazy.
The approval itself was given to Wanxiang, the Chinese auto parts giant that has purchased Fisker Automotive and turned it into Karma . China will be the second country where the Revero will be manufactured, because the 2017 model is already being produced in California.Chinese regulators have granted Wanxiang the approval they needed to build a factory that has the capacity of making 50,000 electric vehicles a year. As Green Car Reports notes, the said facilitys location has not been specified, but it is believed that it will be located in the city of Hangzhou, where its headquarters are positioned.The investment behind the new factory is quoted at $375 million, according to the application that requested government approval for the new manufacturing site. Two models will be manufactured at the new plant, and the Revero will be one of them.The second model is presumed to be the Atlantic, which might get a name change with the new ownership of the rights to the Fisker Automotive name.Some of you might remember the Atlantic as a project that was supposed to be completed by Fisker Automotive, but it never managed to leave the factory in production guise because the automaker encountered financial problems, which led to its acquisition by Wanxiang.Fisker Automotive had concluded the development of the Atlantic sedan before entering the bankruptcy procedure, but no units were manufactured before it happened.The old owners of this name wanted to build the car in an old General Motors factory that was located in Delaware, but plans have changed with the new owners of the company.High import duties and shipping costs might make the Chinese-built Karma models exclusive to the local market, but that has yet to be determined. We must still account for the possibility of exporting them to other markets, because shipping costs for a car that starts at $130,000 Karma Revero ), are negligible. Import duties are another matter, which might lock those cars on the Chinese market.
The man who caused the disturbance at the airport this morning is Richard Hogh, 29, of Calgary, Canada. Arrested 4 trespass & grand theft pic.twitter.com/1PpjPCLTr2  Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) December 23, 2016

A 29-year-old Canadian man was refused to board at the Orlando International Airport. The man was removed from the flight because he acted erratically, which started after he tried to occupy an unassigned first-class seat. He claimed he was a pilot, and told the airline employees that he wanted to sit in the jump seat.Evidently, safety norms prevent airline employees from allowing any passenger to sit in the designated place for the crew, but the man would not budge.Airport employees were summoned, and the guy was removed from the flight. Usually, this would have ended with a lengthy discussion with security staff at the airport , and probably getting his name on the no-fly list.However, the Canadian got out of the service elevator that was carrying him along with the airport employee that removed him from the flight, and he continued his unusual behavior by removing his pants. From there, he got into the passenger seat of a luggage vehicle, and asked the operator to help him catch a flight.The said driver feared his safety and decided to get off the vehicle that is used for transporting luggage at the airport. From there, the pantless Canadian drove onto an airplane taxiway. Fortunately, he did not manage to cause an incident or hurt anyone, and airport employees quickly apprehended him.At the moment, it is not clear why the man, who was later identified as Richard Hogh, had decided to take off his pants. Joyriding an airport luggage vehicle is also difficult to understand, but doing it without your pants on does not make any more sense to us. Mr. Hogh was handed over to Orlandos police departments representatives, who arrested him for trespassing and grand theft auto, CBC notes.We are baffled by his actions, and we cannot understand why he refused something as simple as moving from a seat that hadn't been assigned to him. One could say that Florida 's worst has gotten into him.
home Tech iPhone 8 release date, specs rumors: Four new iPhone models to launch in smartphone's 10th anniversary?

Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the first ever iPhone model which was launched back in June 2007. This significant event has led fans of Apple's flagship smartphone to speculate on bigger things to come for 2017's iPhone offerings.

To begin with, the Cupertino-based tech company is rumored to be gearing up for four iPhone releases in the coming months. Aside from the rumored iPhone 8, Apple may also launch an iPhone 7s and an accompanying iPhone 7s Plus along with a yet unnamed 5-inch 2017 iPhone model.

The 5.8-inch iPhone 8 model may come at the forefront of these rumored releases with the much-anticipated OLED display. Well-reputed KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also suggested that the iPhone 8 could come with an active screen area that may measure between 5.1 to 5.2 inches. The rumored smartphone may also feature an all glass design and an edge-to-edge display, which may well be the first new design alteration since 2014's iPhone 6.

The iPhone 8 is also speculated to run on a 10-nanometer A11 chip and may feature long-range wireless charging. With its rumored 5-inch display, the iPhone 8 is believed to be wide enough to feature a vertical dual camera, which could essentially rival the specs in far more expensive DSLR cameras.

Some enthusiastic designers have also been coming up with concept designs for the rumored iPhone 8, giving it an ultra-thin and almost bezel-less look, and equipping it with a Touch Bar and a Thunderbolt 3 port that could make for faster charging and file transfer on the upcoming iPhone 8.

Apple has yet to issue an official statement regarding the rumored iPhone 8 and its specs. There is also no official news yet regarding the other iPhone models rumored to be released next year, and consumers are thus advised to take every unofficial update about it with a grain of salt.
EV

January will be marked by two important events as far as the automotive industry is concerned. One of them is the North American International Auto Show held in Detroit, but this year it seems like it will be largely overshadowed by the ex Consumer Electronics Show, now just CES The IT show is held in Las Vegas, which virtually puts it Tesla's backyard. Well, second backyard after the one it has in Palo Alto, California. In later years, the event has been taken by storm by most of this world's carmakers, proving once again that the two industries are coming together now more than ever. Tesla is well known for the fact it doesn't like to blend in with the plebs, so it refuses to attend to car or technology shows - or at least that was the case so far, and no intention to change that has been announced. Instead, themaker is holding its own event a few hundred miles away, at its ever-expanding Gigafactory.Both Elon Musk and CTO JB Straubel have confirmed their presence at what the company describes as an "investor event." Scheduled for January 4, it will take advantage of all the high-profile names who will find themselves in Nevada during that time and snatch them away from the CES 2017 for one evening.This should be the last public meeting before Elon Musk hosts the third and final unveiling stage of the Model 3, and despite the fact it will be held at the Gigafactory (where Tesla builds batteries and storage units), we suspect the upcoming mass-market sedan will be a hot topic.Tesla is going to need all the support it can get - both financial and mediatic - as it prepares for the most important phase of its existence. If everything goes to plan, the next two years will see the company start the Model 3 production (late 2017) and ramp up its total output to 500,000 units. That's a considerable effort, so Musk just wants to make sure that everything is within optimal parameters.
HP

The description comes from Chinese philosophy, and it also says that those apparently opposite forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world. That is what we thought when we saw this accident with two Mercedes-Benz G500 models in China We are talking about two 2017 Mercedes-Benz G500 vehicles that crashed each other after the first one hit a pole. While the first one was reportedly involved in a test drive, according to Car News China , the second vehicle was all new. To make the two apparent opposites even closer, they were reportedly coming from the same dealer.The accident took place in the city of Chongqing, and both cars are gray imports. Apparently, the demand for the G500 is so high that many models have entered the country through different channels. Regardless of how these two cars entered China, they will both have to come to the dealer for repairs, and the bill is going to be consistent for the white one.The G500 starts at $122,000 in the U.S., and it comes with a 4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine that provides 416. It can sprint from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 5.9 seconds, and it has a curb weight of 5,724 pounds. It is worth noting that the 2017 G-Class is the last model year of the ongoing Gelandewagen, as it will be replaced with a new generation for 2018 Fortunately for the fans of the legendary off-roader, Mercedes-Benz is not going to change the recipe behind this car by a dramatic margin. Instead, improvements will come to all essential components, and the interior will get an infusion of technology. Its iconic shape will be mostly unchanged, as spyshots have already revealed
Donlen has been recognized by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) as one of the 2016 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation.

This is the second consecutive time that Donlen has been recognized for the award, according to the company.

The 2016 winning companies were assessed in several categories, including compensation, employee enrichment, employee education, and strategic company performance.

At Donlen, we strive to ensure each employee is provided opportunities for development, said Kelly Elliott, Donlens human resources business partner. To attract top talent, employee satisfaction is one of our core values. To be recognized by the Nations Best and Brightest organization for our efforts for the second year in a row is an honor for all of us at Donlen.

The companies that have been selected for the award will be featured in the Jan. 12 online edition of Corp! Magazine.
The 2017 Global Fleet Conference will be returning to the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, Miami, Fla. site of the sold out 2015 conference (pictured). Photo: Chris Wolski

As you are making your New Years resolutionsthis year resolve to attend the 2017 Global Fleet Conference in Miami.

The Global Fleet Conference offers educational sessions and ample networking opportunities for fleet managers and fleet stakeholders with global responsibilities. Topics that will be covered at the 2017 conference include: the top 10 trends that will influence the future of global fleet management, how to create a global fuel program, and several regional fleet market reports.

One of the highlights of the conference will be keynote speaker G. Mustafa Mohatarem, Ph.D., chief economist of General Motors, who will speak on the state of the global economy and offer a forecast of future trends.

The Global Fleet Conference, which is in its fifth year, has sold out weeks in advance for each of the previous conferences, so early registration is highly recommended. Registrants will save $100 if they sign up by May 6.

The conference is a joint venture between Bobit Business Media, the publisher of Automotive Fleet magazine, and Nexus Communication, the publisher of Fleet Europe magazine. It will be held at Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay in Miami, Fla., June 6 to 8.

Dont delay in making plans to participate! To find out more or to register, go to the event website.
The Honda Odyssey's second-row seats apparently pose a risk of injury to passengers. Over 641,302 Odyssey minivans have been recalled and a stop-sale order issued.

Second-row seats of Honda Odyssey minivans are faulty. A press statement made by Honda says that the recall is due to a faulty mechanism that allows the tilting and moving forward of the outboard second-row seats to gain access to the third-row seats. The seats may not lock into place after it is returned to its normal position. This issue covers 633,753 recalled 2011 to 2016 Honda Odyssey models that were built between August 17, 2010, and October 1, 2015.

Another recall involves a defect in the latch mechanism that enables the center seat on the second row to slide forward. The seat may not lock when the adjustment handle is released therefore posing a risk to injury to passengers in the whole vehicle. A total of 7,549 Odysseys with this issue have been recalled bringing the total up to 641,302.

Warranty claims concerning the defects were how the issue was brought to Honda's attention with a total of 689 warranty claims already received as of December 16. Honda then reported the flaw to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who, in turn, issued a statement on their website. The statement said that the faulty adjustment handle "increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash."

Although no injuries or accidents have been reported, Honda had pushed through with the recall to install additional brackets and springs to second-row outboard seats through dealerships. However, the necessary parts will not be available until spring of 2017 due to the volume needed.

Honda will send a notification to affected Odyssey owners in February next year and a second notification once the necessary parts are available. In the meantime, Honda advises that owners should "slide the seat into the desired position and manually lock the seat into a fixed position by pushing down on the horizontal position adjustment bar."
1 January 2017 00:01 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

New Year, marking the beginning of new intention, new ideas, and new actions, has come!

So, it means new beginning in life, new hope and new cheer and also indicates the beginning of new plans and activities.

The festive holiday uniting many peoples of different faiths and races is the most remarkable day for billions of people on the Earth. This is the very holiday gifting majestic and wonderful feelings, joy and happiness.

With the start of the new year ahead, its a perfect time to think about making a new beginning in your life.

Azerbaijan is celebrating the New Year with colorful performances, concerts, contests, and parties that last through the night.

Baku is full of images of roosters, souveniers and predictions. People are excited with upcoming changes and despite there is no certain forecasts on that 2017 will be perfect, hope and peoples mood are the most important things.

The New Year celebration is a family holiday and most Azerbaijanis spend this day at home, surrounded by their nearest relatives and friends, talking about past and laughing on some funny stories.



The table is served always with traditional national dishes. There is a tradition to unite beyond a delicious lunch and right before the midnight they give a toast to the year.

Traditionally a New Year Tree (like Christmas-tree) is decorated in a house at approach of December 31 which is removed only after the Old New Year passes January 13. A necessary attribute of celebration is Shakhta Babah, a character like Western Santa Klaus.

New Year is a wonderful holiday that reminds everyone about their childhood. We can feel the approach of that day even a month ahead because the whole city is hung with garlands, noisy Santas ask to take a picture with them and decorated Christmas trees are everywhere!

On the New Years Eve even adults are ready to believe in miracles and to come back in their childhood, expecting their dreams to come true.

Azerbaijan meets New Year with fireworks at the Baku Boulevard and start after the Clock Tower chimes midnight.

Every year thousands of people gather in the city center to view how spectacular fireworks paint the cold winter sky over the city with bright colors, immersing visitors in the New Years atmosphere.

This year, 2017, is a year of Fire Rooster, symbolizing strength, power, energy, movement, renewal and leadership, which in combination with the temper of the ambitious representative of the sign will fill the year with great prospects and a lot of life-determining moments.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
1 January 2017 00:16 (UTC+04:00)

A message of congratulation of President Ilham Aliyev to the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year!

The message reads:

Dear fellow compatriots!

Year 2016 is about to be consigned to history. It has been one of the most challenging years for the national economy. Azerbaijan is an integral part of the global economy. The global economic recession continued in 2016. In addition, in the aftermath of the oil prices plummeting three- to fourfold on global markets, our revenues have dramatically declined. Under such circumstances, we could find a way out of this predicament only by conducting profound reforms, and we achieved that.

Azerbaijan has managed to maintain its economic sustainability and ensured economic stability. The drastic and comprehensive economic reforms carried out this year have opened up great horizons and prospects for our future development. I would also like to mention that despite all the difficulties, our countrys non-oil industry has grown by 5 per cent and agriculture by more than 2 per cent this year. We have managed to safeguard our currency reserves this year. This is also a very important issue because our economic potential and financial resources precondition both economic and political independence.

All social programs were over-fulfilled in 2016. New settlements and townships for the internally displaced persons were built. Even though 2016 was a year of crisis, population incomes have increased by 7 per cent. The average wage has risen by 9 per cent.

In other words, despite all the difficulties, Azerbaijan continued to develop in 2016. Let me reiterate that the decisions made this year, in particular the steps towards economic diversification, will yield fruit. At the same time, we have taken significant steps to diversify our exports, because our currency revenues have dropped in the wake of a reduction in oil revenues, and we can fill this gap by developing non-oil exports.

Our international positions were further reinforced in 2016. The number of our friends has increased, while the forces opposed to us, those conducting occasional campaigns against us are leaving the political firmament. Azerbaijan has managed to make great strides in international organizations. In particular, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement have adopted very important documents in relation to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is top of our foreign political agenda. I can say with confidence that our political and diplomatic positions have become even stronger over the past year. No country of the world recognizes and never will recognize the self-styled Nagorno-Karabakh formation. The conflict must be resolved on the basis of Azerbaijans territorial integrity. There is no other option. The four UN Security Council resolutions must be fulfilled. The presidents of the co-chair countries dealing with this issue, the OSCE and other organizations have repeatedly pointed to the unacceptability of the status-quo.

Year 2016 will also remain in history as one of our glorious victories. For the first time since 1994, Azerbaijan has managed to liberate a portion of its lands from the aggressors. By preventing an Armenian armed provocation in April, our army dealt a devastating blow to the enemy and freed a portion of our occupied lands. Thousands of hectares of lands in Agdara, Fizuli and Jabrayil districts have been freed from the aggressors. The Azerbaijani army is currently in control of tens of thousands of hectares of land.

We did have martyrs. May Allah rest their souls in peace. The Azerbaijani people, the Azerbaijani soldiers and officers demonstrated true heroism. Our flags currently fly over the freed territories of Agdara, Fizuli and Jabrayil districts. While visiting the liberated lands, I said under the Azerbaijani flag again that the people of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani state would never allow a second Armenian state to be established on our lands. The April battles are a glorious page in our history. The April battles are a historic victory for us. This victory brings a settlement of the conflict closer.

Year 2016 also brought us great sporting success. Our athletes made a historic achievement in the Rio Olympic Games. By winning 18 medals, Azerbaijan proved yet again that it is a sporting nation and that Azerbaijani athletes are among the best. For the number of medals, Azerbaijan finished in 14th place among 200 countries, seventh in Europe, second among post-Soviet republics and first in the Muslim world. This is a huge sporting achievement for us. At the same time, this victory is a demonstration of the power of our people, our state.

This year we also marked the 25th anniversary of our independence. Our servicemen and sportsmen delighted us with their victories on this occasion.

Important steps were taken to ensure energy security in 2016. The implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project is well under way. On the initiative of our country, a meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council was held in Baku for the first time. In the final resolution at the end of the meeting, all participating countries and international organizations reaffirmed the leading role of Azerbaijan. The Southern Gas Corridor is a project being implemented on the initiative and with great financial support from Azerbaijan. It is a historic project. After the project has been executed and all work has been finalized, Azerbaijan will receive a huge profit. Therefore, all our plans have been successfully implemented this year. I am sure that this gigantic transnational project will be commissioned in a timely manner. At the same time, the volume of gas to be produced from Azerbaijans new gas fields was also determined this year. Thus, the Southern Gas Corridor will be fed not only by the Shah Deniz gas but also by gas from the Absheron field.

I believe that we have also taken historic steps in the area of transport security this year. As you may know, the construction of the East-West transport corridor, which has been under way for many years, is drawing to completion. Azerbaijan has taken very important steps for the commissioning of the North-South transport corridor. It is possible to say that Azerbaijans share of the work related to the East-West and North-South transport corridors has been completed. We have completed all work in a short period of time and will do our best in the future to put these important transport arteries into operation as soon as possible.

A referendum was conducted in Azerbaijan in 2016. The referendum was held in a free and transparent atmosphere. All exit-polls confirmed the official results of the referendum. International observers also acknowledged that the referendum was held in a free and transparent manner, there were no irregularities and it fully reflected the will of the Azerbaijani people. The results of the referendum represent our peoples support for our policies. I would like to thank the people of Azerbaijan very much for this support and confidence. I would like to convince the people of Azerbaijan again that I will do everything in my power to further protect the interests of our state and people.

Year 2016 was declared a Year of Multiculturalism in Azerbaijan. Our country has hosted a number of prestigious international events this year. Azerbaijan has demonstrated to the world again that representatives of different religions, nationalities and ethnic groups can live together in one country, under the same sky and in dignity. Azerbaijan is a country playing an exceptional role in the promotion of the ideas of multiculturalism in the world.

Dear fellow countrymen, it is the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis today. I salute all Azerbaijanis of the world and send them all my best wishes. They know and should know that a strong and powerful Azerbaijani state stands by them at all times.

Dear brothers and sisters, I wish you a Happy New Near and the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis. Please accept my wishes for good health and happiness.

Happy holidays!

--

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Resolution ideas which arent your typical promises that youd make to yourself. Isnt that refreshing? I think these are much more do-able!

It sounds trite, but I just cant believe how quickly 2016 came and went. I think most of you would agree.

Here are the highlights of my calendar in 2016. Ill then share my resolution ideas with you.

March~ my family and I flew to Toronto to surprise my dad for his 80th birthday. It was a great surprise, but an ice storm hit while we were there!

April~ my son moved back to the East Coast and a day later, my mother and I left for Amsterdam to embark on our AmaWaterways Enchanting Rhine River cruise! We cruised from The Netherlands into Germany in April.

May~ We continued on our fabulous cruise from Germany, and visited France and ended in Basel Switzerland. It was truly one of the best vacations weve ever had. Mum and I then stayed on in Europe, met my daughter in Rome, and visited family in Italy. We flew to the UK and Paris, and returned to LA near the end of the month.

August~ After a horrible disappointment of having to turn down an incredible press trip to Sri Lanka due to the flight itinerary they booked for me (45+ hours travel time one way), I joined my husband and daughter on a mini trip to Monterey and Central California. I then flew to Michigan to see my parents.

September~ Spent a week in San Francisco while my husband was working there.

October~ I TURNED 50! Yikes, I used to think 50 was old! LOL!

November~ I won a trip to Lyon, France! Thanks to Accor Hotels, Air France and all my wonderful readers who voted for my winning photo!

December~ I took an unexpected trip to Barcelona, Spain because my husband was working there! What a fabulous city!

Tomorrow is January 1st, full of promise and the feeling of change that comes with a brand new calendar, yet most of us wont keep those new years resolutions that we make, past February 1st. Why? Is it just human nature? Are we a bit overzealous? I cant answer those questions, but with my psychology background, I can tell you that I think not making resolutions, just lowering the bar, and taking tiny steps in the direction you want is probably the best plan.

Heres an analogy: would you rather set a goal to build a house, or each day, have a manageable task on your to-do list: something you can absolutely achieve, such as spackle the garage? Give yourself a break with slip ups, and just continue from where you left off when you falter. Theres no point in giving up completely.

Id like to give some suggestions to throw onto your 2017 calendar. Dont even put them on there in an orderly fashion. See how doing something wildly different will feel. It may be fabulous, or may not work at all, but youll only know once you give it a try, right?

Additionally, some of the things Ive chosen are just for fun and to give you a bit of a break. Others may give a sense of accomplishment, while another may be a step towards a healthier lifestyle. Im not calling them resolutions, as they are truly just things to do. If you add one, follow through on it, and really like it, add it to your calendar again. Let me know what you think of the list, and suggestions for your own additions.

Christinas Suggested List of Things to Do in 2017

Resolution Ideas

If you see any you like, jot them down on your 2017 calendar.

Go see something (an attraction, building, park) in your hometown or nearby that youve never visited before. Watch an hour of your favorite childhood cartoons (for me: Looney Tunes) :) Take a hike. Do one small thing that is a relative splurge, like getting a pedicure if youve never had one, or buying something you normally wouldnt buy (within reason)! Choose an ingredient from this list Clean out one drawer in your kitchen. Do a random good deed for someone: friend, neighbor or better yet, a stranger. Bring them something, or help them when they dont expect it. This is a win-win as youll love how you feel afterwards! Plant something (even if you have no garden, get a basil plant for your kitchen window), anything, even in a pot is fine. Then care for it. Make jam, even if its only one jar. (Be sure to put this one in a month that has fresh fruit available). Stretch or try to do a yoga pose. If you already do yoga, try something new that youve never tried. Make that doctors or DDS appointment which youve been avoiding/procrastinating. Choose one of my recipes and make it! (I do have gluten free/vegetarian/vegan/dairy free recipes.) Volunteer at a local charity. Go for afternoon tea, or invite friends over and host afternoon tea. Neither option needs to be anything elaborate, just tea and scones are fine. Hand write a note or card to someone and mail it. We all love receiving snail-mail (thats not bills), but its almost nonexistent nowadays. Plan a picnic . Create your own cocktail (or non-alcoholic mixed drink). Plan a dream trip, right down to where youd go, stay, what youd do, and restaurants youd love to try. Watch a movie that youve never seen (and seems like everyone else has). Make cookies and take them to your local police and/or fire department. They SO appreciate this!

You get the idea! Come up with your own additions to put onto this resolution ideas list (share them below in the comments if you have some good ones and youll help others).

Finally, I wish each and every one of you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2017 and thank you most sincerely for continuing to follow me into the new year. I hope to have a newsletter that I will send out just once a month, and hope to begin some new features on my site. If you have any suggestions or ideas for me, Id love to hear them; just leave them in the comment section below.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Dont miss another recipe or travel post, sign up for my free subscription below

resolution ideas
The Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown is actually older than Cigar Coop itself. The original Countdown was done on social media back in 2009, and when Cigar Coop formed in 2010, we did the first Countdown on the web-site. However, 2011 was the first Countdown done with a full year of operation with Cigar Coop.

The Cigar Coop Countdown has always been based on whats new for a given Cigar Year  stretching from the day after Thanksgiving the previous year to Thanksgiving of the current Cigar Year. The original intent was something called Epic Encounters  namely try to identify the best 30 cigars smoked  regardless of availability and distribution. In 2015, the philosophy of the Countdown changed and started to factor in these variables.

Today, we look back at the 2011 Cigar of the Year Countdown and look at where these cigars stand in the marketplace. It was an interesting and fun exercise to do this. What I soon discovered, it was quite difficult to track some of these cigars down. This exercise has led me to appreciate the importance of longevity in the marketplace when building a Top 30 cigar list of the year.

The Cigar: The E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut introduced a Connecticut Shade offering into the EPC portfolio.

Since 2011: For the most part, the E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut has been a steady performer for E.P. Carrillo. This line is still around, but this past year the line underwent a packaging overhaul.

Status: In Production, but undergoing new packaging

The Cigar: Humo Jaguar is a cigar that was blended by Nestor Plasencia and won a blending contest at the Humo Jaguar Festival in Honduras. Following the festival, Miami Cigar and Company made a decision to distribute the cigar as its first Honduran puro.

Since 2011: Following the 2011 Trade Show, the Humo Jaguar had some buzz, but that soon died down. While its still listed on the Miami Cigar and Company web-page, today this is a cigar youd be hard pressed to find at your brick and mortar retailer (although we have seen it online).

Status: Difficult to Find

The Cigar: This was the first Viaje Candela release. It was a limited production candela release meant to coincide with the 2011 St. Patricks Day holiday.

Since 2011: This was a controversial release because at the time Illusione had also released a Candela offering out of the same factory (Raices Cubanas). While a small production, this cigar flew off the shelves. It led to two follow-up St. Patricks Day releases by Viaje in 2012 and 2013. Since 2013, we have not seen a candela release from Viaje.

Status: Out of Production, Difficult to Find

The Cigar: This was the first installment of Torano Family Cigars Blends From the Vault. The story of this line dates back to 1982 when president Carlos Torano started a book that logged all of the blends since 1982 that were worked on by company. This book was literally kept under lock and key in a safety deposit box (i.e. Vault). The purpose of this series was to revisit some of these blends, tweak them, and see if they can come to reality. The A-008 was the first of this series.

Since 2011: General Cigar Company acquired the brands of Torano Family Cigars in 2014. Since then the Vault line has been revamped with four new regular production offerings now center stage.

Status: Out of Production, Difficult to Find

The Cigar: This is the 2011 installment of My Father Cigars (almost) limited edition series. This series incorporates Pelo de Oro tobacco, a tobacco often available in limited quantities due to the fact it has low yield.

Since 2011: This was a one and done release. My Father Cigars has released several other limited edition cigars since this release, including ones branded under the Jaime Garcia and Don Pepin Garcia names.

Status: Out of Production, Difficult to Find

The Cigar: This was the first installment of the Quesada Oktoberfest, a cigar that that is intended to be paired a malt liquor (aka beer) around the time of Oktoberfest celebrations.

Since 2011: Originally this was released in two sizes as Dominican puro made in different offerings. Since 2011, there have been annual releases with additional sizes added. Each year uses a different tobacco vintages. In 2015, the line was expanded to also include Nicaraguan-made, Nicaraguan tobacco offerings. The line also underwent a packaging change in 2013

Status: The 2011 Edition is out of production. Its safe to say the 2011 release is difficult to find.

The Cigar: This a shop exclusive cigar made by My Father Cigars for South Florida retailer Smoke Inn as a shop exclusive. It was the third installment of Smoke Inns MicroBlend Series.

Since 2011: This was a one and done release. The last we saw, there were some of these floating around the Smoke Inn Vintage Room. There also were some released as a part of the retailers MicroBlend Collection Sampler.

Status: Out of Production, but still available through MicroBlend Collection Sampler.

The Cigar: This was introduced in 2011 by Oliveros Cigars prior to the company rebranding itself Boutique Blends. Until this year (when the brand was resurrected), this Nicaraguan puro was the last new regular production handmade cigar under the Oliveros name.

Since 2011: Once the company rebranded as Boutique Blends, the focus shifted to the Aging Room, Swag, and La Boheme lines. Sadly this regular production cigar eventually went out of production.

Status: Out of Production.

The Cigar: This was a new regular production line introduced under Davidoffs Zino brand in 2011.

Since 2011: From everything weve seen this cigar is still around. However, in the past few years, rebranding efforts around the Camacho, Avo, and Cusano brands  along with a big push with the Davidoff brand itself has almost made Zino a forgotten about brand.

Status: In Production, but lately tougher to find

The Cigar: This was a new regular production line introduced by Emilio Cigars in 2011. Production was handled by Tabacalera Fernandez in Nicaragua.

Since 2011: Emilio Cigars bursted on the scene in 2011 and Emilio AF2 became one of its more popular cigars. Emilios 2011 success led to the formation of a distribution company known as House of Emilio where at its peak distributed nine brands in 2013. However, things have changed over the past three years and the distribution company has streamlined to five companies and is now known as Boutiques Unified. While Emilio remains a brand (and from what we understand AF2 is still around), it seems it has struggled to find itself over the past 18 months. As a result, the AF2 which was becoming a staple of many humidors has seemed to vanish from many of them.

Status: In Production, but diminished presence

The Cigar: This was a new regular production line introduced by Tatuaje Cigars in 2011. There was also a limited production offshoot of this blend known as the Tatuaje Avion. Fausto was based off a shop exclusive cigar in Hawaii known as the T110.

Since 2011: Pete Johnson created a sensational blend with the Fausto  and I still think it ranks as one of his best to date. However, minus the Avion offshoots, Fausto has only seen one regular production line extension. It seems to have gotten lost in the world of Tatuaje Monsters and shop exclusives. While nothing wrong with those projects, Fausto still very much is an excellent brand and Id love to see it front and center.

Status: In Production

The Cigar: This was a limited production box-pressed cigar line released under Quesada Cigars Domus Magnus brand. Originally released in two sizes, it was expanded to five. Production of the cigar was limited by the availability of the wrapper, so once the wrapper supplies exhausted production ended.

Since 2011: While it was a limited release due to the wrapper, the line saw new life when a comparable wrapper was obtained. At tat point, the cigar was branded Casa Magna Domus Magnus II (or D.Magnus II) and remains an on-going line.

Status: Out of Production, but resurrected under the Casa Magna D. Magnus II line.

The Cigar: This was a brand spearheaded by Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate and produced at the Joya de Nicaragua factory.

Since 2011: Back in 2011, it was simply called Uzi and it was a line originally released in three unbanded 60 ring sizes. It became known as My Uzi Weighs a Ton and eventually grew to seven regular product sizes. Today its called MUWAT and has a new packaging look. While the MUWAT is production, it sometimes gets lost with the Liga Privada, Undercrown, and Willy Herrera releases.

Status: In Production

The Cigar: This Connecticut Shade cigar was a special bonus cigar released with the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011 (Maduro). In 2012, the Connecticut Shade became the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2012 Edition.

Since 2011: Except for this cigar being released as the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2012 Edition, this blend has pretty much been retired.

Status: Out of Production, Retired

The Cigar: This cigar was introduced under Studio Tobacs Cain line. It was meant to deliver a more refined and slightly dialed back offering under the Cain brand.

Since 2011: When this cigar hit the market in 2011, it generated a lot of buzz, however since 2011, the brands of Studio Tobac have been very quiet. Studio Tobac is a part of Oliva Cigar Company. Now that Oliva is a part of J. Cortes, it will be very interesting what the future holds in store for that brand. In the meantime, Cain Daytona line is alive and well.

Status: In Production

The Cigar: This cigar became the fourth Rocky Patel Premium Cigars blend under the Vintage series. It also introduced the first Cameroon wrapped blend into the Rocky Patel portfolio.

Since 2011: Over the past five years, Rocky Patel has had its share on new brands and lines introduced to the market. Some have had more success than others. The Rocky Patel Vintage Cameroon 2003 is one of those lines that has been a steady performer for the company. It very much remains in production.

Status: In Production

The Cigar: 2011 saw Dion Giolito add his first maduro line into his portfolio. The line was originally launched in five sizes based on the Illusione Original Documents line.

Since 2011: The Illusione Maduro line has been one of the quieter ones in Giolitos portfolio. Since its initial release, the 4 x 44 ~68~ Maduro size was added. With the exception of the Illusione Singulare 2012, it has remained the one maduro offering by Illusione.

Status: In Production

The Cigar: The Viaje Satori 2011 was the second installment of Viajes Satori series  an (almost) annual release the company has made available to retailers who attend the IPCPR Trade Show. The 2011 release saw the previous years dark oscuro wrapper replaced by a more traditional San Andres Maduro.

Since 2011: Until this year, Satori has remained an annual release made available to those retailers who attend the IPCPR Trade Show. Brand owner Andre Farkas is known to sometimes rest an annual release for a year or so. While Satori was not made available in 2016, it is a good bet it will return for 2017.

Status: The 2011 Edition is out of production. However with the exception of 2016, Viaje fans could always look forward to a Satori.

The Cigar: This was an ultra-premium cigar to commemorate Rocky Patels Fiftieth birthday. It came in three sizes with a limited production of 2,000 twenty count boxes per size.

Since 2011: Its hard to believe thats its five years since Rocky Patel turned 50 as this year a 55th birthday cigar has been released. There was large limited production run of this cigar. As more time passes, this cigar gets harder to find.

Status: Out of Production, remaining cigars dwindling.

The Cigar: This was the fourth installment in Tatuajes annual Monsters Edition Series. It was the first Ecuadorian Sumatra blend introduced into the series and was a box-pressed torpedo with a shagged foot. The full-size Tatuaje Wolfman was been a one and done release.

Since 2011: While its almost impossible to find the full-size Monster on the shelf, this blend has lived on in other forms found in samplers  namely the Little Monsters Wolfie, Pudgy Monsters Wolf, Skinny Monsters Wolf, and soon to be released Cazadores and full Lancero formats. The Skinny Monsters Wolf has also also had a limited 25 count box run.

Status: Out of Production (Full Monsters Size), but you can find this blend in some of the samplers or the Skinny Monsters 25 count boxes.

The Cigar: This was the third regular production cigar by Matt Booths Room 101 cigars. As the name indicates, it introduced a Connecticut Shade offering into the portfolio.

Since 2011: This release was overshadowed by the concurrent release of the Room 101 Namakubi, which really was the cigar that turned the corner for Booth in the cigar industry. These days, the Room 101 Connecticut is more difficult to find. It seems like this years Big Payback Connecticut has become the showcase Connecticut Shade blend in the Room 101 portfolio. You can still find these at some retailers, but it is getting harder.

Status: Somewhat more difficult to find

The Cigar: This was a cigar shrouded in mystery released by Emilio Cigars in 2011. It became one of the companys biggest hits.

Since 2011: Early in 2012, word came that the Grimalkin to be re-branded as La Musa Mousa and incorporated into a larger La Musa brand under Emilio. It is widely believed that the cigar was going to be subject to a potential trademark issue. Once the rebranding occurred, the cigar didnt seem to have the same momentum as the original Grimalkin release.

Status: The original Grimalkin is out of production, and pretty hard to find. Like many Emilio Cigars, the La Musa Mousas also seems to be more difficult to find these days.

The Cigar: This was a regular production offering by E.P. Carrillo. It was the companys first maduro offering.

Since 2011: The E.P. Carrillo Core Line Maduro was received with much fanfare. As the E.P. Carrillo portfolio grew, this cigar seemed to decline in popularity. This year as a part of the E.P. Carrillo portfolio restructuring, the Core Line Maduro has been replaced by the E.P. Carrillo Core Plus Maduro.

Status: Diminishing on shelves, will be replaced by E.P. Carrillo Core Plus Maduro.

The Cigar: This was a limited production offering introduced by Matt Booths Room 101 Cigars

Since 2011: This is the cigar that turned the corner for Room 101 Cigars. It has become the basis for many other Room 101 offshoot blends since its release. Room 101s portfolio has grown and it seems like Namakubi now gets forgotten about.

Status: Limited Production

The Cigar: This was a limited production offering cigar that was distributed by Miami Cigar and Company that was produced at the El Titan de Bronze factory in Miami, Florida.

Since 2011: The cigar was received some fanfare and acclaim when it first hit the market. Because it had a higher price point, it became a tougher sell stating at $10.00 and up. It would give way to Casa Miranda Chapter Two, a limited production cigar made at My Father Cigars. The original Chapter One has pretty much completed its run.

Status: Out of Production, Difficult to Find

The Cigar: This was the 2011 installment of the annual Avo Limited Edition series. Each installment of this series features a different blend and a different size.

Since 2011: This is a true one and done limited edition. However, in 2014 this cigar was included in a sampler called Avos Greatest Hits. As time continues to pass, this cigar gets more difficult to find

Status: Out of Production, Difficult to Find.

The Cigar: This was first Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition cigar. This incorporated Pelo de Oro into the blend.

Since 2011: In 2011, the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition Connecticut (see #17) was included as bonus cigar with this maduro. A year later the Connecticut became the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2012 and the Maduro became the bonus cigar. Since then, these cigars have been out of production and are getting more difficult to find.

Status: Out of Production, Retired

The Cigar: This was the first installment of Smoke Inns MicroBlend Series.

Since 2011: The Tatuaje Anarchy quickly achieved legendary status. In 2015, Smoke Inn released a redux version of the Tatuaje Anarchy. The original Tatuaje Anarchy is also a part of the MicroBlend Collection Sampler.

Status: Out of Production. Finding the original release the Anarchy is hard, but still available through MicroBlend Collection Sampler. The Redux version has also sold out.

The Cigar: This was the first release by the La Sirena brand. It was the original Connecticut Broadleaf release. At the time this was a brand distributed by Miami Cigar and Company.

Since 2011: The original La Sirena quickly established itself as one of the great Connecticut Broadleaf produced from My Father Cigars. When La Sirena parted ways with Miami Cigar and Company, the production of this cigar ended at My Father Cigars. While the La Sirena line moved production to La Zona, it is a new blend that uses a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. The original Connecticut Broadleaf releases are now difficult to come by

Status: Out of Production, Difficult to Find (Original Connecticut Broadleaf), but a new Nicaraguan Habano version is still available and easier to come by.

The Cigar: This was the second line produced by Bill Paleys La Palina Cigars. La Palinas first line, the Family Series was positioned as an ultra-premium offering in the $20.00 range. El Diario was meant to be more of an everyday premium cigar at about half the price.

Since 2011: El Diario continues to be in production, but it was the El Diario KB (Kill Bill) line extension released in 2012 that contributed to putting La Palina on the map. El Diario is still in production, but with larger portfolio, this cigar often gets overlooked.

Status: In Production

Final Thoughts

It was interesting that with the exception of one, all of the companies that sell the brands on this list are still in business. The one exception is Torano Family Cigars, but that brand still lives under the General Cigar portfolio. With FDA regulation set to kick in over the next few years, consolidation will most likely be a consequence. It will be curious to revisit this list again five years from now and see where things stand.

Of the Top 30 Cigars, only nine of these cigars qualify as regular production cigars that are still active in the market. Those cigars designate as limited production or annual release are not included. Two of these cigars (*) underwent a packaging change.

La Palina El Diario

Illusione Maduro

Rocky Patel Vintage 2003 Cameroon

Cain Daytona

My Uzi Weighs a Ton (MUWAT) *

Tatuaje Fausto

Emilio AF2

Zino Platinum Z-Class

E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut *

This leads me to believe  was the method of Epic Encounters the best way to determine what the best cigar of the year was? The fact that a little over 20% of our Top 30 list is a regular production release still in the market in its present form has me questioning that. At the same time, perhaps it shows how flooded the market has been with releases (especially limiteds) and ultimately it comes down to a game of supply and demand in the market. Perhaps too much effort was put into chasing this down in the past.

On the other hand, there were some great limited releases from 2011  and some of these I really miss being able to get my hands on them.

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
Picture a product that combines donuts, honey buns and apple fritters. Mix it, rest it, fill it, cut it, extrude it, cut it again, fry it and glaze it. Its one ugly but delectable pastry, said Matt DeBoer, president, Apple Baking Co., Salisbury, NC. Its not only ugly, in a beautiful sense of the word, but inconsistent in looks  no piece looks the same: Its perfect.

Started in 1984 as a storefront bakery selling snack and creme cakes, also known as ring cakes, the company soon began experimenting with other pastries trying to expand its offerings. Through a series of trials and errors, the combo pastry, affectionately branded the Apple Ugly (Ugly for short), was born. Sales grew quickly and captured the attention of local retailers and supermarkets.

Within a year, the company switched to mass production. From the storefront in Kannapolis, NC, the company relocated to a manufacturing facility at Salisbury.

Converting a 40,000-sq-ft shuttered meat packing plant into a bakery was made easier with the spacious layout and plant design already in place. Slow but steady growth prompted the company to introduce line extensions including four new varieties of Uglies. Other mainstay products include nine varieties of batter cakes in whole and half rings, 3-oz single-serve wedges and 4-oz mini-Bundt cakes. Its newest products are Cheerwine (see Say Cheers! on page 40) and mini Bundt cakes.

With Apple Baking celebrating its 25th year, current output is on track to produce more than 7 million Uglies and 3 million cake slices this year. And the company is on the verge of taking giant leaps forward. We are in the midst of significant investments in technology and equipment to become more efficient and flexible and to expand our capability, said Mr. DeBoer, who joined the company in January 2008. He predicted that within three to five years, operations will require either physical expansion of the current facility situated on 30 acres or a move to a larger, better designed building.

In the past 12 months, the company went from flat sales to double-digit increases. New branding and marketing strategies are paying off. Expansion into local and regional grocery chains such as Food Lion, with more than 1,200 stores in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states; a new Web site with online sales; and media exposure through contests, festivals and community events have helped get the company noticed.

Recently, Apple Baking began contract manufacturing for customers such as Tasty Baking Co., producing sliced, individually packaged 3.75-oz pound cake wedges. Tasty found the company through a Web search.

The mini Bundt cakes may be one of our most promising products, Mr. DeBoer noted. It crosses category lines by being great for convenience stores, vending machines and upscale food service.

REFINED UGLINESS.

Investments are only beginning at Apple Baking. On the Ugly side of operations, the company may soon install a new extruder to provide enhanced consistency in weight, length and width but not in appearance. This was a hurdle that had to be overcome because machines are normally designed to produce a consistent appearance, Mr. DeBoer explained. Part of the overall investment is a feedback system from the checkweigher to the extruder to maintain consistent weight.

Consistency in length, width and weight will save on product giveaway and also save on packaging film. The current setup produces a wide range in product size  short and fat to long and skinny, Mr. DeBoer said. It creates havoc with wrapping and packaging. He estimated the weight variance resolution could yield close to $1 million annually or nearly 30% in savings.

With the new system, we hope to achieve a product appearance that is even more inconsistent, Mr. DeBoer noted. We also eliminated proof time by changing to an auger versus gravity feed system. While the surface of the continuous extruded dough is smooth, when it is guillotine portioned, it is the cut surface that becomes the top and bottom of the pastry and that makes the Ugly, well, ugly.

PHAT AND UGLY.

Uglies are produced in Apple, Blueberry, Raspberry, Chocolate Chip and Raisin Honey varieties. The business is split almost evenly between Cstores and vending with a small but growing retail presence.

The 1.5-hour production process for Uglies starts with hand-scaled ingredients added to the Triumph 400-lb-capacity mixer. After mixing , dough is portioned into totes, each holding approximately 100 lb and allowed to rest.

After resting, portions of dough are dumped on a work table where a specific measure of apple or other filling is added and spread across the dough. The operator then takes a 5-blade rotary cutter and randomly runs the roller blades through the dough, folding the dough on itself several times during the process.

The dough mass is hoisted to the hopper and extruded as a continuous solid round ribbon. After receiving r i a dusting d of corn starch, the ribbon is portioned and transferred to another belt, falling on its side in the process. Proofing in a DCA automated proofer helps develop unique surface patterns because of the manual rotary cutting and the blend of fruit pieces and raised dough.

Upon leaving the proofer, Uglies are fried less than one minute per side, and subsequently cool on a 9-tier ambient spiral system. We are looking to enclose the spiral and condition the air within to speed the process, Mr. DeBoer added.

All Uglies get a full glaze after cooling. Operators mix the powdered sugar-based glaze in an 80-qt bowl mixer and pump it to a kettle cooker before application to ensure smoothness and set. Two Allpac wrappers complete the process.

Each wrapper runs at 65 pieces per minute and requires two sets of operators, Mr. DeBoer said. It is very labor intensive. Were looking at a laning system that will take and automatically move the product into a single feeding lane to load a wrapper running at up to 150 pieces per minute.

After labels are applied using a Label-Aire applicator, quality is checked using Lock checkweighers and metal detectors as well as by taking physical measurements before manually casing and palletizing.

RINGS OF FLAVOR.

For cake production, mixed batter is deposited using a new Hinds-Bock system for ring cakes as well as mini-Bundt cakes. The depositing system helps reduce overfills and adds efficiency. Ring cakes are deposited and baked in individual tins while mini-Bundts use moulded rubber tray forms. Cake varieties include Lemon Creme, Vanilla Creme, Chocolate Creme, Strawberry Creme, Walnut, Pineapple Crush, Orange Crush, Plain Pound and Cheerwine  a wide array of flavors.

For now, products are baked in revolving deck ovens for about 30 minutes at 300F. The company has reserved 6,000 sq ft for a tunnel oven in the near future.

Finished cakes can be iced with a manual stringer applicator and/or sliced using knife forms to ensure consistent piece weights. Automating these two processes is also on the capital spending agenda.

A new Ameripak wrapper with capacity of up to 140 pieces per minute more than triples production capacity and reduces bottlenecks. ROI is less than one year, and the wrapper opens up the possibility to use printed film on this line as well, Mr. DeBoer said.

Another update in cake production was the installation of a washdown-capable false ceiling. Current ceilings are up to 35 ft high and not accessible for cleaning. The new ceiling will lower energy cost, improve hygiene, add light and enhance overall appearance.

APPLES CORE.

The plant has tremendous capability, capacity and potential pot ntial. The The current setup also enables donut, muffin and cookie production. Marketing has always been word of mouth, but Mr. DeBoer secured the commitment of company shareholders to reinvest in the business and expand market reach. But we will do so in a controlled fashion with consistent sales growth to maintain top service, he said.

Mr. DeBoer is the companys first full-time president. For years, Rob Watts, a principal shareholder but also a full-time landscape architect, tried to split his time and run the operation. The company has always been profitable, but it needed someone to provide full attention and take the company forward, Mr. Watts said. Profits are now being invested into marketing, technology and machinery. That was part of the agreement when Matt took over. We have a great, unique and niche product with the Ugly and tremendous potential with our Cheerwine license and our contact manufacturing.

Since it has been a small company for so long, Apple Bakings corporate structure is deliberately shallow. A lot of empowerment and responsibility is placed on employees. I sell and manage the business and deal with customers, but I am nothing without the employees working every day to make the quality products we offer, Mr. DeBoer noted. And I am certainly not any better than anyone else in the company. If I am needed to help on the line or sweep the floor, Ill do it. Thats my philosophy and way of conducting business. But it was not always that way, and the employees appreciate the effort, which translates into positive morale and more care and concern over quality as well as efficiency.

Central to its current business are vending and convenience stores. These are our bread and butter, Mr. DeBoer noted. But were looking to expand retail sales and grow geographically into the Midwest over the next few years. We are already in Ohio with one private-label customer and the Northeast with the Tastykake business. All products are baked to order, shipped fresh and have a 30-day shelf life but can also be frozen to maintain quality.

No one at Apple Baking Co. defines its products as healthy. They are definitely indulgent, Mr. Watts said.

While you will never see a low-fat Ugly, we are working to remove trans fat and even formulate a gluten-free Ugly,Mr. DeBoer added.We are not opposed to producing low-fat items for customers, but not the Ugly.

To the company, Ugly is not an offensive word. Its actually pretty sweet.
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League City police have charged an ex-husband with first-degree murder after authorities discovered his former wife's body in his garage.

Shaun Hardy, who was arrested Friday and charged with tampering with evidence (corpse), is in the Galveston County Jail on $500,000 bail.

The body of Anne-Christine Johnson, a 30-year-old missing for three weeks, was found on Friday wrapped in plastic in Hardy's garage in the 600 block of Chesterfield.

"I am literally devastated right now," Stephanie Johnson, the woman's mother, told the Houston Chronicle. "All that searching and she was right in the house."

Johnson disappeared on Dec. 8. Police say the last person to report seeing her alive was Hardy, who told police he saw her get into a car with a man he could not identify after she left Hardy's house.

After hunting for weeks, police had launched a new search Thursday at an undisclosed location for the missing waitress and mother of two.

TURBULENT HISTORY: Records show troubles for missing woman, ex

Hours earlier, League City law enforcement served a search warrant at Hardy's home. Initially, police hoped to "secure property" relating to the investigation  but even after their morbid discovery, authorities declined to say what they'd been looking for.

After realizing the house was a crime scene, police got a second search warrant and found human remains.

"I can't speak on the condition of the remains or where in the house it was found," League City police spokesman Kelly Williamson told reporters.

FAMILY PAIN: Missing woman's mother clung to hope

The couple had had a volatile relationship with Johnson accusing Hardy of beating and choking her in a June 2015 request for a restraining order, telling the court that she feared Hardy could kill her. Hardy filed a request for a restraining order about the same time, accusing Johnson of physical abuse.

Hardy, through an attorney, has refused further interviews with League City police.

Stephanie Johnson said she'd already feared the worst.

"I've known and I've been crying for months that this was going to happen," she said.

She said she planned to turn her daughter's death into part of something bigger.

"I'm no expert on abuse but I'm going to become one," she said. "This is my mission in life ... This is an epidemic of violence against women and if her death is going to have any meaning at all it is going to be to put a very public face on the killers of women."

Anne-Christine Johnson's 5-year-old autistic son was living with Hardy, the child's father. However, Stephanie Johnson says the child is now safe.

Her 8-year-old child is in the care of another former husband.

The Chronicle's Brooke Lewis contributed to this report.
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The BBC raises millions of pounds for charity through appeals such as Children in Need and Comic Relief

BBC boss Tony Hall has thanked television viewers for helping to raise more than 100 million for charities this year.

The broadcaster's director-general said he was "hugely grateful" for the support, which is shared among organisations such as Barnardo's, Cancer Research UK and Oxfam.

"Whether it's on the big appeal nights like Children in Need and Comic Relief, or our smaller Radio 4 and Lifeline appeals, the generosity of our audiences makes a real difference to charities up and down the country," he said.

"We're proud to continue to support these charities and we're proud of our role in raising awareness of their work and the issues they tackle."

This year's campaigns included Prison, My Parents and Me, a film made for Children in Need giving a voice to young people who have a parent in prison.

Last December, Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra launched the year-long #1MillionHours, which saw young listeners devote a total of one million hours of time volunteering to support good causes.

A total of 104 million was raised by viewers this year.
I didn't expect the Tory peer Julian Fellowes - Baron Fellowes of West Stafford - to be quite as camp he is, sitting before me, spooning multiple sugars into his coffee "because I have left my Hermesetas in my evening trousers". It adds an unlikely shade of pantomime dame to the Oscar-winning author of Gosford Park and Downton Abbey and undermines his efforts to persuade me that he has always been serious, out of step with his time - a man who, essentially, "wanted to be a 40-year old, even as a child".

And as the world anticipates the long-promised film version of Downton ("I am very keen on the idea and the cast is keen. We're just waiting for the go- ahead from NBC Universal"), Fellowes (67) seems in general rather content. School of Rock - the musical he wrote with fellow peer Andrew Lloyd Webber - recently launched in the West End. "People were so surprised that I did it," he says. "I mean, it wasn't as if I'd founded a hula dance group."

He gurgles with pleasure that he made it in show business at all after a stint as "a not very good actor", and he puts his entire career down to luck. "I think one's temptation in these encounters is to tell your life as if you've overcome all these difficulties but really I've been very lucky. There are a hell of a lot of people out there who are more talented than I am who haven't been lucky."

But "luck" came late. He was 52 when Gosford Park came out. A number of other writers, including Tom Stoppard, had turned it down. Before that, he claims his career was stalled by the fact that his graduation from drama school was badly timed with the rise of the working-class hero. "Alan Bates, Tom Courtenay, Albert Finney - these were the exciting people. I would've fitted in more easily 15 years earlier."

Of course, Fellowes, with his "incredibly privileged" childhood "of ponies and birthday cakes", was a diplomat's son whose family had a townhouse in South Kensington and a "vicarage-y type house" in Sussex ("although there wasn't any great money going on").

With this in mind, he wants me to imagine his extreme discomfort growing up in the swinging Sixties - an era he sums up as "a girl on a top of a yellow taxi covered in shaving foam".

The whole thing was "so incredibly boring", he baritones, particularly the "dope smoking", which happened all the time after dinner. "I was in Cambridge in 1968 and there was a cloud of marijuana hanging over the city. People would say things that weren't funny and then they'd laugh and then everyone would laugh, except you, because you weren't smoking. And you would think: 'Jeeper's, how can I get out of here?'"

Everyone else was lighting spliffs, enjoying free love and dropping out. "I remember thinking that they'd got it wrong with this idea that getting on and being successful and making money was not going to matter. I thought, 'But I bet it is'."

But just as I'm buying the idea that he was a stuffed shirt in black tie reading the FT while everyone else was "shaving their heads and going to India", he ruins it all by confessing to a phase.

This included growing his hair "Mick Jagger"-long and trying to wear "pretty outrageous" outfits brought from shops in the King's Road and Carnaby Street. And later he admits that he was once at a party in the King's Road where everyone was spiked and "went mad". "So I've eaten a hash cake," he concludes. "You couldn't imagine that now, could you?"

Well actually I could. There's something about Lord Fellowes that's quite mischievous. Despite all the fustian bluff, he's not as conventional as he'd have you believe.

It turns out to be fabricated nonsense that he railed against "blue jeans", as was once reported, when actually he "couldn't care less" what anyone wears.

And although he is married to a former royal lady-in-waiting, Emma Kitchener, descendant of the belligerent war hero Lord Kitchener, has a son called Peregrine and lives in a splendid house in Dorset, it doesn't stop him taking pops at the Establishment.

As president of the Thomas Hardy Society, he's currently battling Prince Charles over a plan to built 100 Arts and Crafts-inspired houses on a patch of land next to Max Gate, the home where Hardy lived, died and wrote, among others, Tess of the d'Urbervilles and The Mayor of Casterbridge. (Far from the Madding Crowd is Fellowes's favourite - "in that it's the only one that doesn't actually depress you").

He was a "Deb's Delight" back in the day, so it's no surprise that he ended up penning scripts centred on rich families who lived in big houses.

But he also enjoyed shining a light on the lives of all the characters "downstairs" that made up "the beehive" of the grand family seat. If anything, he sees those people as more interesting in some ways.

And he won't stop rattling the cage of the aristocracy over male primogeniture, something he finds splutteringly inexplicable in 2016. "I am so surprised it's legal. I don't agree with the total exclusion of women from anything," he continues. "You have to separate those who don't approve of hereditary titles full stop - which is a perfectly valid argument - but while they do exist, I don't really see the logic of the exclusion of women."

Initially he was spurred on by the case of his wife - were titles not sexist, she would be Countess Kitchener. "But I don't want to make it sound as if I lie awake in bed worrying about it."

I suggest he's an unlikely champion of equality of the sexes. He regards me gruffly, with an eyebrow raised. He's hugely pro-women: women in the army, women in politics. He loves Theresa May - "although she has an Ariadne-like task to steer her way though Brexit".

He points out that those "lady baronesses" who are in the House of Lords "in their own right" are not given equal treatment to their male counterparts because "the wives of life peers all have a courtesy title. In the case of women, husbands get nothing. It's an issue that a lot of people mind about.

"On the other hand," he drawls, "at least we're not in Aleppo."

But later, out of nowhere, he comes back to the subject of women again, while saying how important it is to feel safe, and those with that luxury often forget how it is for others, such as those suffering domestic abuse.

"Those who have jobs and happy families and so on can forget how important it is to feel safe. When your husband hits you, then cries and says he can't imagine how he did something so terrible and how he'll never do it again and so on, you know what it is to be unsafe. You know deep down that he's broken a barrier and you can never feel completely safe again because if he gets sufficiently angry, he might do it again."

While a Brexiteer, Lord Fellowes says he's determinedly "pro-immigration. And I feel this country not only benefits from immigration but has always done so." Having Cairo on his own passport as his place of birth has caused its own problems at immigration, he adds. "I was stopped in the US and they said, 'Do you still have friends in Cairo?' And I said, 'No, because I left before I was one'. 'And they said, 'Do you still have any friends in Cairo?' And I said, 'Obviously your infancy was much more social than mine.' Of course, one lesson we should all learn is never joke with an immigration officer. I was there for hours."

Another valuable lesson, he says, is the importance of re-invention. "I don't agree with sending a child to the same school from nought to 18 because at certain points they'll want to get rid of the person they were at that school.

"I had periods of re-invention. After I'd been at school in Sussex and Yorkshire and in the shadow of my brother, I found a new gang in London. I was able to be me without being compared to my brother. So it felt very liberating and good fun and a happy time."

He's so bombastic in some ways, I ask if he was ever afraid of anything? He says he had a "subterranean fear" of going blind - something he muses may have contributed to the charity work he does with the RNIB now. His stepmother went blind, which caused him to redouble his efforts on behalf of the charity.

As a child, he says: "You often saw wounded and blind soldiers begging or shaking tins. They were a common sight on the streets of London. I had a nanny who said, 'Don't look at them', and my mother when she heard got angry. She said, 'No, do look at them. And smile.'"

Find out how you can support RNIB's Talking Books service at rnib.org.uk/sponsortalkingbooks
It's funny how things turn out.

For years Co Down girl Sheena MacAuley (22) was the smallest in her group of friends. Then one summer she underwent a growth spurt - and by the time she returned to school she was towering over everyone else.

"I was a bit gangly for a while," she laughs.

Before that, her lack of height meant she could never have considered modelling as a career.

But Sheena has gone on to be one of the stars of Belfast Fashionweek. Not only that, but she's been the face of CastleCourt and has done shoots for George at Asda. She has been the face of Ten Square hotel in Belfast and also of the prestigious Lough Erne Resort in Co Fermanagh.

"I grew up in Banbridge, 20 miles south of Belfast, at The Corbet, and I went to primary school in another townland close by called Dechomet," she says.

Sheena went to Our Ladies Grammar in Newry for a year and then completed her schooldays at Banbridge High, before heading to Glasgow University to study business.

Sheena's dad Diarmaid is in his mid 50s and runs a glazing business in Banbridge, while her mum Helen, also in her mid 50s, is a housewife. But it was through her mum that the doors into modelling began to open.

"When I was 15, I was asked by my mum's friend and her hairdresser Shane Bennett to take part in one of his hair shows at Hillsborough Castle - and then I was scouted there by Cathy Martin," she says.

"When I started I couldn't drive and my mum was a big influence on my career by taking me to assignments. Once I was able to drive, there was a great sense of independence driving around to jobs. That independence helps you to mature a lot and engage with lots of new people and always remain professional."

Sheena admits she wasn't particularly confident growing up and still isn't, when it comes to large group situations, but her confidence has gradually improved over the years.

"The most nerve-racking thing about modelling is always the moment before you walk out onto the catwalk where you think, 'I am going to trip'," she says.

"But one of my favourite moments is also that first step out onto the Belfast Fashionweek catwalk. It's so well organised and it's great, having all the other girls there as well. I think that moment is the best."

Sheena has been seeing her boyfriend Adam Fallis (23), a business student at the University of Dundee, for the last five years and says he is very laid back about her modelling career.

"He always just waves me off to shoots and doesn't really take it under his notice much. I did a fashion show at the University of Glasgow and it was the first time he came to see me and I think he was quite surprised by it all.

"This year he was roped into doing a bridal shoot with me which was very funny to all our friends. I think he secretly likes it.

"Any time I appear in newspapers or magazines, my mum always buys him a copy of the articles or photographs and I know he has my CastleCourt leaflets up in his university room."

Sheena's sister Lisa (27) and brother Daniel (25) are both accountants, but she has taken a different path and is in her final year studying business at Glasgow University.

She is hoping her career will eventually combine fashion and business.

"I was always interested in clothes and fashion. I'd like to go into the fashion industry as a buyer, but I'm finding out very quickly how competitive it is," she says.

"I would eventually like to move to London to where all the action is."

Sheena has met a few celebs along the way, including Alex Zane from Rude Tube on Channel 4, but she still has one major star to cross off her tick list. "I've yet to meet Niall Horan from One Direction so that would be my ultimate goal," she laughs.

Meanwhile, Ellen Lundy (23), from Portadown, has recently picked up on modelling again after going to Leeds University to study.

She is the youngest of three - her sister Anna (30) is a lawyer in London and her brother Michael is studying anthropology in Tokyo.

Her dad Paul (58) is a teacher in senior management and her mum Vivienne (59) is a retired special needs teacher.

"Everyone said since I was a young girl, 'You should be a model, you're so tall', so that gave me the idea of doing it," Ellen says.

"I was asked to do photos from an early age. Then CMPR approached me through Instagram and I went to audition with them, but after that I moved away to Leeds.

"Then when I graduated, I got in touch with Cathy Martin to remind her that I still existed. Since then I've been pretty busy doing modelling work with CMPR - catwalks, photography and so on. I was at Corick House hotel in Tyrone to do shoots for their website and brochures - that was one of my biggest jobs this year.

"I'm always invited to Belfast Fashionweek and I do shoots for DV8."

Ideally, Ellen would like to stay involved with both modelling and film production as her career progresses.

"I want to travel more and raise awareness of different issues. Education in developing countries is more my focus at the minute," she says.

She has already been to Nepal and will soon be heading to Uganda to do a documentary with LRTT, which recruits teachers in the UK and sends them to rural developing regions to train local teachers.

"Their film-making scheme is new, so I jumped on the bandwagon. It was really tough but amazing at the same time. I was both the interviewer and camera operator," she says.

"We had really dire accommodation - just a different way of living - and we were eating rice all the time. It was really challenging but I can laugh about it now.

"I really wasn't anxious. I love travelling so I wasn't scared. I was thrown in at the deep end - I was only worried for about an hour and then that was it, I was over it. But every job I do is so amazing.

"I meet amazing people every time, every photoshoot or fashion job is so much fun and I get to know the models a bit more.

"It's like having a good time with your friends."

Ellen admits she finds Belfast Fashionweek quite nerve-racking.

"All the models are so supportive and they help calm you down. I just try not to think about it until I'm doing it," she says.

And her advice for aspiring models: "Make sure you have a lot of confidence and really work with what you've got - that is about it. You can't do it unless you are super confident."

Aimee Boyle (19) is the youngest of the four and she is all set for the bright lights and big city after growing up in the rural town of Newtownbutler in Co Fermanagh.

She is studying communications management and PR at Ulster University and is the face of Blush Boutique and English designer Kevan Jon. She has had recent interest from international agencies in Milan and was Sunday Life Cover Girl in 2014.

Aimee still lives with her mum, classroom assistant Angela (40), and her brother Ryan (18), who studies business at Magee College in Londonderry.

She pays tribute to her mum, who gave her a lots of lifts to jobs around the country when she was just starting out: "She's always done her best for us - she's great."

When Aimee was 16, she was asked to feature in a lifestyle spread for the Impartial Reporter newspaper in Enniskillen, which included a shoot with photographer John McVitty - and this led on to other things.

"John got me to do some PR pics for Donnelly Brothers (car business) and another photographer saw them on Facebook and asked me to come up to Dungannon - and then Cathy [Martin] saw them," she says.

"It was really random. Down in Fermanagh, you would never really hear of modelling and stuff. I'd never heard of modelling agencies - I'd heard of ACA model agency run by Alison Clarke because of Miss Northern Ireland, but I never thought you could go and do such a thing. I thought it was just for people from the city.

"That seems silly now because I know there are people from all over the province doing modelling."

Aimee is currently the face of Blush Boutique and has also been asked to model for English designer Kevan Jon, who supplies dresses to Blush.

"He asked me over during the summer to do a shoot for him. At the end of January, I am to fly over to Manchester to shoot his autumn/winter 2017 and spring summer 2018 collection. It seems strange talking about 2018 now."

Aimee admits it was hard to stick to her school studies when so many jobs were coming in. She won the Sunday Life Cover Girl competition in 2014, which involved a lot of work.

"There was a four-day shoot in Portugal and I had to take lots of time off school during my A-levels, but they were really nice about it," she says.

"I am at university at the minute, but I am thinking of dropping out because I don't think it's for me. I'm doing communication management and PR."

Aimee admits that when she gets a call from CMPR asking if she is available, she would rather go ahead and do the job.

"I actually have an interest in becoming an air hostess, working somewhere else in the UK and seeing if I could branch out. I'm definitely not a home bird. The more things you do, the more people you meet and the more travelling you do."

Yet she was not always so confident: "When I was flying to Manchester on my own, I was like, 'I am so out of my depth'."

Aimee admits her style has changed since becoming a model. "My style is pretty modern, plain - skinny jeans, knee boots and a coat at the moment. Nothing too out there," she says.

"I learned you could be called last minute for a job, so you have to be ready - no piercings, no false eyelashes, like most girls my age would have. I've learned it's so much better to have plain nails - it's better for clients and then you don't get told off."

Aimee says there is a lot of waiting around behind the scenes at the catwalk shows. "You kind of zone out for a while. Before the people come in, I always try to have a wee practice run with the girls on the catwalk, so you get a feel for the catwalk and the audience and what outfits you are wearing," she says.

Aimee says the biggest star she has met was Louis Walsh, who was at the Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards when she was there as Sunday Life Cover Girl.

"But I am taking everything as it comes at the minute - I don't like to set myself up too high in case of a fall. I've learned that everything that comes is a bonus," she says.

Sarah Kennedy (26), from Portnoo in Donegal, is now modelling part-time here after returning to education with the hope of forging a career in the hospitality industry.

The red-headed Irish beauty placed second in Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model and has recently been scouted by Kate Moss' agency following her participation in the Cirque show in Portrush.

Sarah lives with her dad Michael (75), who is a farmer, her mum Breege (61) and has three siblings - sister Caroline (44), a clerical officer, law student Hugh (24) and Michael (46), who works in the concrete industry.

She says she had never considered modelling when she was a child.

"When I came to my teens, people used to say, 'You should be a model', but I never took it on board," she says.

However, when she was 18, Sarah signed up with an agency in Londonderry, but she now admits it didn't really happen for her, so at the age of 22, she entered the Next Top Model competition.

"I came second in it and that skyrocketed my career. But after two years, I went back to college to get an education and I'm now at the LYIT school of hospitality at Killybegs and working at Solis Lough Eske Castle, which is the only five-star hotel in Donegal," she says.

"But I suppose probably my most exciting time in modelling was when I was in Top Model and Elle Macpherson mentored me on the show for seven weeks. That experience was like nothing else. I was very lucky to get that. The shoots, the challenges and the people I got to work with and meet - that was the highlight for me.

"I also met Dannii Minogue, who was part of the show. Those are the most famous people that I've met and I was lucky enough to work alongside them for seven weeks - that was incredible.

"Elle is such a well-known supermodel and having her critique you and push you drives you to do better - and not everyone gets an opportunity like that. I got a lot of confidence from that.

"Top Model was an incredible experience, but it had definitely a lot of challenges. It has really helped me with my career after it and as long as people want to book me, I am going to continue modelling."

Sarah says when she is preparing for the catwalk, she prefers to keep herself to herself.

"I am happy to get in my zone because the catwalk is my favourite thing to do with modelling. When I step out, I just know I am going to give it my all," she says.

"It's the adrenaline rush you get from that - it's such a high. I relax and enjoy every second."

Sarah says her goal now is to go into general hotel management.

"I love hospitality, I love meeting people. You meet people from all over the world. It's like my catwalk buzz - it's almost the same. That's definitely why I love it," she says.

Sarah moved back to Donegal to live with her parents when she went back into study and is really enjoying it.

"It's nice to be getting spoiled, especially at Christmas," she says.

CMPR Models: Sheena MacAuley, Sarah Kennedy, Ellen Lundy, Aimee Boyle

Styling: Blush Boutique

Make Up: Stevie Lennox

Location: Ritas at The Perch

Photographs: Kevin Scott
The abandoned pups being looked after by the USPCA

The abandoned pups being looked after by the USPCA

The abandoned pups being looked after by the USPCA

The abandoned pups being looked after by the USPCA

Meet some of the lovable puppies abandoned over the Christmas holiday and now in search of a new home.

Among them are four seven-week-old collie-cross dogs who were dumped in Co Armagh by their owner.

A dog walker brought the scared and nervous litter to the USPCA hospital in Newry, where they are now being cared for, along with 40 other canine friends.

They are just some of hundreds of Christmas-bought pets who will be dumped or left in the care of rehoming centres across Northern Ireland.

The USPCA hospital has experienced one of its busiest festive periods to date.

The animal charity was forced to bring in extra staff and volunteers to ensure the dogs and puppies were cared for.

Colleen Dowdall, USPCA development manager, said it was preparing for a surge of pets being handed in the coming days.

"We have been very busy this Christmas and didn't foresee having to take in these abandoned pups over the holidays," she said.

"We have about 40 dogs that need rehomed. We have had a very busy Christmas.

"At the moment we have four litters in, and then we will get a lot of dogs handed back in a few weeks."

Alan Bolton, who was recently appointed as the USPCA's first vet, said the four puppies were "very frightened" when they arrived.

"They were also very young to be away from their mother," he said.

"They needed a lot of care and attention but they are coming along very well. They were very scared when they first came in. It's been a big change in them in a week."

The charity also warned of buying pets as Christmas presents for relatives who never wanted one.

"We did have a query over Christmas from someone who bought a puppy for their older sister, but the sister didn't want it and she asked if we could take it after Christmas," Colleen added.

"Anyone who does that is adding turmoil to the animal - particularly when it comes in through an abandoned situation, and then it has false hope of going out to a home, then he comes back in again and that adds extra stress and annoyance to the dog."

Alan, who started working at the facility last month, added that Christmas was not the best time to settle new pups or dogs in to a family home.

"We have a lot of puppies come in before and after Christmas that have been bought by Santa, and that's not a message we would support," the vet added.

"Christmas isn't a good time to bring a puppy into the home because there is too much going on and you don't have time to settle them in."

Colleen went on to stress the importance of training a puppy at a young age, as well as getting it checked and ensuring that all of its vaccinations were up-to-date.

"Now is the time to be saying: you made the decision to get a dog for Christmas and you must be putting in the time and effort," she said.

The USPCA animal hospital also helps families struggling to pay their veterinary bills and encourages owners to neuter their pets.

After moving home to Northern Ireland after working for some years at a not-for-profit animal organisation in Australia, Alan was shocked at the number of dogs here which are not neutered.

"There's lots of older dogs here with prostate problems and tumours," he pointed out.
Pressure continued to mount on First Minister Arlene Foster yesterday as the controversy over the bungled Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI) scheme escalated.

Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt called again for Mrs Foster to resign, saying it would help restore public confidence in the integrity of the institutions.

His call came in the wake of the release of a letter from Mrs Foster to Northern Ireland's main banks urging them to give support to those who applied for RHI.

In the letter she said the State-funded eco-subsidies offered applicants a "good return on investment".

Mrs Foster wrote: "Tariffs are 'grandfathered', providing certainty for investors by setting a guaranteed support level for projects for their lifetime in a scheme, regardless of future reviews."

She added: "The government support, on offer through the incentive schemes, is reliable, long-term and offers a good return on investment."

The letter was written to encourage banks to lend to would-be RHI applicants who needed initial capital to purchase the costly green boilers.

Mr Nesbitt said it had been "a disastrous Christmas" for the DUP leader.

"As every day passes, further information emerges regarding Mrs Foster's central role in what she herself told the Northern Ireland Assembly was the debacle of the Renewable Heat Incentive she introduced during her time in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment."

He added: "Mrs Foster has not only failed to do the honourable thing, by accepting the consequences of ministerial responsibility and resigning, she has spun a web in which she now finds herself trapped, ensuring a legacy of debt to be paid by children yet to be born, and leaving her reputation as a competent minister in tatters.

"Once again, with no pleasure, I ask Mrs Foster to prioritise the future of the Stormont institutions over her role within them and resign.

"She knows it is the right thing to do for Northern Ireland."

The SDLP and Sinn Fein have also called on her to stand aside.

Mrs Foster was Enterprise Minister when she set up the RHI scheme in 2012.

A lack of cost controls in the scheme has left taxpayers facing a 490m bill over the next 20 years.

The First Minister has remained defiant, and insists the overspend can be halved.

Sinn Fein Health Minister Michelle O'Neill said that an independent and transparent investigation into the RHI "debacle" was needed.

"Arlene Foster should stand aside to facilitate that judicial-led investigation until it brings forward a preliminary report," she said.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said Mrs Foster had lost the confidence of the Assembly and the public.

He urged the First Minister: "Stand aside and begin to restore faith in our institutions."

But Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said the response showed other parties were more interested in political scalps than the truth.

"The DUP supports an investigation which can be entirely free from political interference and which can report speedily in order to assist public confidence," he said.

"That the Opposition would seize on letters such as these, which contain no revelations, highlights that, whilst I and colleagues in the DUP want to get to the facts, other parties simply want a political scalp."
A man thought to be from Belfast is being held by Garda in connection with a kidnapping and murder in the Republic 25 years ago.

Charles Brooke Pickard (43) was last seen at White Strand, Co Kerry, on April 26, 1991.

A young girl out horseriding told police she saw five masked men with shotguns bundle him into his blue Ford Transit van.

Originally from Leeds, Mr Pickard had been living in the remote area for eight years with his wife Penny and four children.

He had arranged to cut turf with a neighbour that day.

But he was apparently tricked into giving a man, who said he had run out petrol, a lift to White Strand, where he was set upon by the gang.

Three weeks later his van was found burnt out 26 miles away on an isolated mountain road at Derrennageeha, near Waterville.

It was previously reported that Mr Pickard had been in debt to a major drug dealer, who hired gunmen from Northern Ireland to kill him.

Other reports suggested the motivation was robbery, as false information had spread that he had recently acquired a large amount of money.

The Garda has long suspected INLA involvement.

The arrested man is being held in Killarney under section 30 of the Offences Against The State Act 1939. This allows for him to be detained for 72 hours.

The Irish Times reported that the man is understood to be from Belfast, and that a number of UK police forces, including the PSNI, are co-operating with the investigation.

RTE said the individual is usually based in Northern Ireland, but would travel to the Republic on occasion.

A source told The Irish Independent that the arrest was a "major breakthrough".

"This is a person of interest and a key player in the investigation," they said.

"He had been living outside the State, but had returned home recently and was arrested."

Mr Pickard's son Crohan was seven years of age when his dad disappeared.

Now a father-of-five, he said he hoped the arrest would help to free his family from the nightmare of the last quarter-of-a-century.

"If we do get closure it would be the beginning of a grieving process," he said.

"There's no happy ending to this.

"But the short-term process would be preferable to the long-term limbo that we have been in."

He said he had not yet been briefed on Wednesday's arrest, but it gave the family hope the Garda had not given up on his father.

"It lets us know that the case is still active - for many years it sat on a shelf somewhere," he added.

The investigation was reopened following an appeal on RTE's Crimecall programme in June.

One man who was watching the programme reported that, 25 years ago, he had seen freshly dug earth about 1km away from where Mr Pickard's van was found, but had not made the connection until he saw the television appeal.

In September Garda started a 16-day excavation in the hope of finding Mr Pickard's remains. While nothing was discovered, police said they still had other leads to follow.

Speaking earlier this year, Killarney Garda Superintendent Flor Murphy appealed for witnesses to do the right thing.

"There are people who may not have been in a position to assist the investigation 25 years ago, but with the passage of time their circumstances may have changed," he said.

"Relationships, friendships, associations and loyalties may have changed, and people may be in a better position to help us now."
There was anger among Ulster people over a lack of information after their plans to welcome in the New Year in London were grounded by freezing fog.

A number of flights to London airports from both Belfast City and Belfast International Airports were cancelled yesterday.

Co Antrim man Craig Lutton told the Belfast Telegraph he and his family had missed out on their planned New Year celebrations in London due to the chaos. He said the trip was booked in February and they had been looking forward to it all year.

They had been due to fly on a lunchtime Flybe service to London City from George Best, but instead left the airport to return home last night.

"Totally devastated missing our family trip to London for NYE," he said. "No one for answering questions. A shambolic day, George Best would have been ashamed of his airport!"

Mr Lutton said it was not confirmed that the flight was cancelled until 4pm, leaving a number of passengers extremely frustrated.

David McCleery - who is from Belfast but lives in Bristol - was due to be on the same flight. "I was due to go to Suffolk for New Year's Eve but have cancelled those plans, as by the time I get back to London it will be too late to head up to Suffolk," he said, describing the scenes at the airport yesterday as chaotic and frustrating.

The blanket of fog covered the south east of England yesterday, causing cancellations and delays at major airports.

In a statement Flybe said passengers whose flights had been cancelled were being accommodated on the next available flight or would be offered a full refund.

"Flybe regrets the inconvenience experienced due to the adverse weather conditions that are entirely out of its control. The safety of its passengers and crew is the airline's number one priority and it would like to thank its customers for their continued patience," it said.
A Chelsea pensioner says he is being hounded by investigators over the death of an IRA man who was killed in a firefight more than 40 years ago.

The man, who is a former Royal Marine, disclosed he had become a suspect in the killing of the terrorist who was killed in Belfast in 1972.

Speaking to the Daily Mail from Royal Hospital Chelsea, where he said he was questioned by officers from Northern Ireland for four hours, he said:

I am now under suspicion. My case is an example of how far these people are willing to go.

Are they going to look for 95-year-old Normandy veterans next?

It does not matter if you've served for 22 years in the Army and in the Marines, these people are still going to chase you.

It does not even matter if you live in a castle in Scotland, a council estate in England, or a magnificent place like the Royal Hospital Chelsea, these people will still want to find you.

The veteran, who is now 75, says he is fearful of another knock on his door.

It was reported he was awarded a 'certificate of appreciation' following the incident, which praised him for his 'good service' and 'devotion to duty'.

A new body has been set up to reinvestigate Army killings during the Troubles.

The Historical Investigations Unit (HIU) is among a suite of organisations planned to investigate the bloody legacy of the Troubles.

Speaking to the Daily Mail about the day of the shooting, the pensioner said: My company commander put me in the situation to ambush and if necessary kill an enemy who was trying to kill us.

An ambush includes calamity never written about in any training manual. I fired at him but I don't know where my rounds landed. After 45 years, I still don't know. When I looked through my rifle scope I saw a man in the attack mode with a weapon.

He was pointing his weapon toward my main gate where I knew there were other marines on sentry duty. I could have killed a man in July 1972, a man who was trying to kill Royal Marines that I was in a covert ambush to protect. I was acting under orders. This is a Catch-22 monstrosity but the act of ambush is legal in the eyes of our defence laws.
Ex-Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald ordered an overhaul of preparations for a mass exodus of "refugees" from Northern Ireland in the event of chaos breaking out after the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

Secret files, just released under the 30-year rule, show defence and health chiefs in Dublin were told in 1986 to update contingency plans previously drawn up in 1974 and 1975 - among the bloodiest years of the Troubles.

The revamped preparations would take into account the then new hospital at Letterkenny in Co Donegal being used for casualties and expanded Irish Army bases to house the "initial reception of refugees".

The updated contingency plan was ordered against a background of growing fears of a loyalist backlash to the 1985 accord signed between Mr Fitzgerald and Margaret Thatcher descending into a full-blown emergency.

The Irish government's Inter-departmental Committee on Wartime Emergency Preparations, which first met in October 1986, had raised the "planning assumptions in relation to Northern Ireland".

In a secret letter to the Department of Health in December, the Taoiseach's office sought confirmation that "plans previously drawn up by your department to cater for such an eventuality have been kept in place and updated to take account of developments such as the opening of the major new hospital in Letterkenny".

The contingency referred to "medical and hospital treatment of casualties".

In a similar missive to the Department of Defence, the Taoiseach's office said the likelihood of such an exodus across the border "as far as it can be foreseen" was "not particularly strong" at the time.

But it added: "However, in view of the unpredictable nature of the situation and outlook in Northern Ireland, it is considered advisable to seek confirmation that the plans previously drawn up in your department have been kept in place and updated to take account of any subsequent developments."

These included "for example some premises being no longer available or an expansion in accommodation in Army premises that could be utilised for the initial reception of refugees: it is clearly necessary that plans for this contingency should be up to date".
Gangland boss Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch has been keeping a low profile in a safe house in Northern Ireland

Gangland boss Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch has been keeping a low profile in a safe house in Northern Ireland.

Gardai have received information that a number of The Monk's closest associates travelled to the secret hideaway to meet him over the past week.

The 53-year-old, who is the main target for the Kinahan cartel, is believed to still be in the property in Northern Ireland.

However, it is not known if he will attend the funeral of his pal Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan (62) which is expected to take place next week.

Kirwan, who was shot dead at his Ronanstown home in south Dublin on Thursday night of last week, was the 11th victim - including two innocent men - of the brutal feud between the Hutch and Kinahan families.

However, gardai are still on high alert that the gang will attempt to fight back against the cartel, possibly even over the New Year's period. After the shooting of Kirwan and a botched murder attempt on a so-called gangland banker weeks earlier, gardai are working on the theory that cartel members are attempting to "take out individuals who have knowledge of the finances of the Hutch gang".

The Monk's Christmas vacation in Northern Ireland is the first time that he has surfaced since being spotted in the Turkish city of Istanbul in October. The last time publicity-shy Hutch was photographed was when he showed up in disguise at his slain older brother Eddie's funeral in February.

He attended the funeral alongside Noel Kirwan, who was warned shortly afterwards by gardai that his life was under threat from the cartel.

The murder of The Monk's nephew Gary sparked the feud on September 24 last year.

The cartel's determination to wipe out associates of The Monk has dozens of his extended family members worried and many have been warned about active threats against their lives simply because they are related to the alleged crime godfather.

Sources say that in particular three men remain under grave threat and are middle-aged men who have known Hutch since they were children.
A 22-year-old man is due to appear in court following an armed robbery of an off-licence in south Belfast.

He has been charged with robbery, possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, and threats to kill

He's due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The charges relate to an armed robbery on the Ormeau Road at around 10pm on Friday night.
Three people have been stabbed in Newry

Three people have been stabbed, including one man who received a head injury, during an attack in Newry.

A man in his 40s suffered a stab wound to his head, while two others in their 20s received stab wounds to their bodies.

It happened at around 5am in the Ardcarn Park area of Newry on Saturday morning.

All three were taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries that are not believed to be life threatening.

PSSNI Detective Constable Skillen is appealing for anyone who was in the area of Ardcarn Park, Nursery Drive or Springfarm Heights this morning and who witnessed an altercation or anyone with any information.
Northern Ireland meat giant Dunbia has seen its pre-tax profits grow to more than 7 million, but attributed a slip in turnover on a drop in the price of livestock.

The firm, which is headquartered in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, saw turnover fall from 826.6m, to 787.6m, according to its latest accounts.

Dunbia is one of the UK's biggest red meat producers.

It was set up 40 years ago by brothers Jim and Jack Dobson.

Just last month it sold its pork business in Ballymena to British firm Cranswick for 18m.

The Belfast Telegraph revealed at the end of 2015 that a teaser document had been prepared for potential buyers who may be interested in snapping up the pig business.

In its latest company accounts, ending March 27, the firm said a drop in turnover "was driven by deflation in livestock price".

"Improved gross profit and operating profit margin percentages are the result of a continued focus on margins and improvements in productivity," it said in its strategic report. The strategy for the coming period will continue to be that of product development and volume growth.

"While the group and the industry as a whole have battled with fluctuating livestock prices, the group has been able to work closely with customers in retaining gross profit margin and will continue to do so.

"The focus each and every period is heavily weighted towards maintaining a stable, high-quality supplier base."

The company said the current financial position of the group was "considered to be satisfactory".

Dunbia also increased its staff numbers from 3,605, to 3,778 for the year.

The company started life as a red meat processor, primarily beef, but has now grown its reach across the wider meat industry.

Set up in 1976 in what was a Dungannon butcher's shop, it has since added sites throughout the UK and Ireland.

Around 1,200 of its workers are based in Northern Ireland across a dozen sites, which export beef, lamb and pork all over the world.
Police says they are investigating a number of recent sudden deaths of teenagers and other young people in Belfast which may be linked to drugs.

District Commander Belfast City, Chief Superintendent Chris Noble said, While most post-mortem examinations have been carried out, we are waiting for the results of toxicology tests to determine the cause of each tragic death.

However in some instances, possible links to drug or substance abuse are strong lines of enquiry.

Our advice is very simple: Do not take illegal drugs; do not take prescription medication that has not been prescribed for you and do not mix either with alcohol.

The consequences of ignoring this advice can be life-threatening.

We do not want officers calling with families of loved ones to deliver the heart-breaking news that someone is seriously ill, or has died as a result of drug or substance abuse.

Drugs bring misery to individuals, families and communities. There is no such a thing as recreational drugs. All drugs that are not taken as prescribed by your own doctor can be lethal. The consumption and mixing of illegal drugs can be a lottery of death as it is often unclear what the substance is, its strength or the harm it can do to your body.

Anyone who is suspected of involvement in the supply of drugs can expect to be arrested by police and presented before the courts.

Police will continue to disrupt and arrest drug dealers involved in the sale and supply of drugs, bring individuals before the courts and work with communities and partner agencies to reduce the threat of harmful and illegal activity.

We are asking everyone for their support and co-operation in tackling this problem through the criminal justice system.

If you are concerned about your own or someone elses drug use, there are a number of services that can help you including your GP. For a list of services operating in your local area visit www.drugsandalcoholni.info

Do not be tempted to take drugs or other substances. If you see or know of anyone who is dealing drugs in your local area, contact your local police on 101 or call 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 and pass on any details that you may have.
John Hume and Seamus Mallon - the two big beasts of the SDLP in its heyday - had an open row about whether nationalists really cared about a united Ireland.

The party leader and his deputy, whose differences were mostly kept under wraps during their dominance of northern nationalism for much of the Troubles, were fundamentally split on the definitive issue.

The schism erupted during a meal at the Irish Embassy in London in January 1986. They had been invited, along with other SDLP members and family, by then ambassador Noel Dorr to mark Mr Mallon officially taking his newly won Newry and Armagh seat for the first time at Westminster.

In a missive - marked 'secret' - sent back to Dublin, Mr Dorr told the Irish Government "considerable differences of outlook and approach between John Hume and Seamus Mallon came out quite clearly in discussion".

"An argument developed between them in which Hume spoke of the ambivalence of Northern nationalists about Irish unity - they want it but they know the time is not ripe for it and the concept of unity is more important as a factor in what he called 'the tribal conflict' than in itself," the diplomat reported.

Mr Hume argued that his native and predominantly nationalist Derry had closer links with Glasgow than the west of Ireland or even Dublin, according to the newly declassified documents released into the National Archives.

"Mallon on the other hand disagreed with this and spoke of the desire for Irish unity as a deep motivating force North and South of the border," Mr Dorr said in the letter, which was copied to the Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald and Tanaiste Dick Spring.

"He also challenged Hume's view that Irish unity, of necessity, would have to be a very long-term prospect.

"Mallon sees the Anglo-Irish Agreement as a kind of last throw by constitutional Irish nationalism."

The fledgling Agreement had been signed just two months beforehand and was facing a revolt from unionists.

Mr Mallon told the dinner party if it failed the outlook would be "bleak".

But his party leader "dissented" from this analysis - insisting the treaty that gave Dublin an advisory role in Northern Ireland was a new beginning rather than a last opportunity.

Mr Hume argued that a substantial number of Northern Catholics would never support violence in any circumstances, and agreed with a suggestion that there would be "another agreement if the Anglo-Irish Agreement failed".

The pair also appeared to differ on what direction the SDLP should take in the immediate aftermath of the Agreement.

Mr Hume said the choice was to "play it safe" by appealing to its own supporters, or to reach out to unionists to resolve the "fundamental historic problem".

He strongly favoured reaching out to unionists and wanted to do it sooner rather than later.

But Mr Mallon had a "longer timetable in mind" and said his voters - many of whom gave him conditional support - were giving the Agreement a chance and wanted to see it delivered.

In the letter, Mr Dorr appeals for discretion around his report as he was sure neither Mr Hume nor Mr Mallon would appreciate having their differences talked about.

O Fiach saw Eames as 'cold fish'

Robin Eames' elevation to Archbishop of Armagh caused consternation among his Catholic counterparts - who thought he was a "cold fish".

In a meeting between Cardinal Tomas O Fiach and an Irish Government official in 1986, the Catholic Church leader let it be known he was less than enthusiastic about his new ecclesiastical neighbour.

"Eames, whom he has known for years, has a poor ecumenical record and, at the personal level, is something of a 'cold fish'," the official reported being told by Cardinal O Fiach in a missive to the Taoiseach's office. The Catholic leader indicated he would have preferred Bishop of Derry and Raphoe James Mehaffey to take up the position as his opposite number in Armagh. Lord Eames (below) was active in Ulster Unionist circles, said Cardinal O Fiach, but he remarked he would keep an "open mind" about him, as he appeared constructive about the recently-signed Anglo-Irish Agreement.

Separately, Bishop Cathal Daly - who went on to become Catholic Archbishop of Armagh - also confided in an Irish official in February 1986 that he had his doubts about the new Anglican leader.

"From his time as Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Eames does not have a good record as an ecumenist and in private conversation his unionist views emerge quite clearly," Bishop Daly said, according to a note of the meeting.

Bishop Day hoped that Eames' responsibility for the Church of Ireland on both sides of the border "will cause him to offer more balanced views in future".

By Brian Hutton

Let violence go on: civil servant

Northern Ireland's top civil servant suggested "doing nothing" to tackle loyalist violence to teach unionists that it "does not pay".

Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, who went on to become the region's Victims Commissioner, told Irish officials during a confidential meeting in April 1986 that a "completely logical line of action" amid increasing unrest would be no action at all.

There was a ferocious unionist backlash at the time to the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

"The situation in the North is becoming more serious by the week," he said, according to notes of his meeting with senior Anglo-Irish negotiators at Government Buildings in Dublin.

"The petrol bombing and attacks on police houses are particularly worrying."

Sir Kenneth said politicians were "becoming more concerned daily". He suggested: "One alternative would be to look to a long campaign of violence and attrition - doing nothing and bringing home to the unionists that this sort of action just does not pay.

"There may be arguments for this, which could be a completely logical line of action."

But he added: "On the other hand, there are arguments now for discussions, which could bring constitutional politics back into the picture again."

He went on to say: "There is much to be said for encouraging dialogues within Northern Ireland among the political parties."

Sir Kenneth was head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service at the time.

By Brian Hutton

Reagan hotel room wrangles

A year after President Ronald Reagan's high-profile visit to Ballyporeen in Co Tipperary, both Irish and US officials were arguing over who should pay for unused hotel accommodation.

Confidential files revealed that major Irish groups including the Great Southern Hotels and Ryan Hotels were pressing for compensation. The claims were based on hotel bedrooms booked but not used.

Irish officials insisted that some of the cancellations were a matter for the US visiting party - and had nothing to do with the Republic.

Similarly, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs insisted it was not responsible for profitability issues of hotels.

A memo dated April 4, 1985, indicated the Great Southern Hotel Group was told to raise the issue of 50 cancelled rooms with the US authorities.

In the case of the Galway Ryan Hotel, the department accepted "there was considerable confusion in the days leading up to the visit of President Reagan."

The Department offered an IR7,000 compensation payment.

By Ralph Riegel

How Tories grilled Irish diplomat

A top Irish diplomat warned the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin that he felt like he was "on the menu" when he had dinner with senior Tories who opposed the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

Counsellor at the Irish Embassy in London, Richard Ryan, wrote to his Department of Foreign Affairs bosses on July 30, 1986, to brief them in a top secret memo about a dinner he had with senior Conservatives.

During the dinner at Pratt's Club in London the discussion moved on to Northern Ireland.

Among those present was Ian Gow MP, a close ally of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who was assassinated by the IRA in 1990.

He had resigned from Government over the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

Also present was Jonathan Aitken, who was at the time viewed as a potential future leader of the party. He was born in Dublin.

The secret briefing note was made public as part of the release of State papers in Dublin.

"Gow hosted a dinner for me at Pratt's Club where there is only one dining table around which present members sit at dinner," he wrote.

"It became quickly clear that I was pretty well included on the menu."

The diplomat said that, during a five-hour analysis of a heavily underlined copy of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, he had one friend at the table.

"One's only ally was the port decanter which one pushed around at them as fast as possible all the quicker to wear them down."

Mr Ryan stressed that the MPs were "effusive" in their praise of the Irish Government and their efforts to secure a peace deal. However, he said Mr Gow believed the Anglo-Irish Agreement was a mistake.

"He just thinks that our case is misfounded and, large as he is, he wriggles deftly from the grip when he is invited to give a counter-analysis of the best way to deal with the broad problems of an alienated minority in a State run by his friends.

"He acknowledges that his friends are not the kindliest when it comes to our own in Northern Ireland but this, of course, merely reinforces further his own integrationist beliefs."

Mr Ryan said he didn't doubt the commitment of the group towards a peaceful solution.

He added: "Overall, and again leaving Gow aside, the mood was of some scepticism but a continued preparedness to be proved wrong, allied to a blunt Saxon sense that the bottom line, when all the talking is finished, is a major breakthrough on the security front."

By Ralph Riegel

'Not bright' King was a problem

Secretary of State Tom King was "a major problem" during a critical episode in Anglo-Irish relations, a high-ranking official reported.

In a secret briefing to then Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald in January 1986, Lord King was described as "not bright", outraged by the Anglo-Irish Agreement and distrustful of Dublin.

The official Irish assessment was written up by Michael Lillis, who co-headed the Anglo-Irish Secretariat in Belfast at the time.

The fledgling peace-building institution was set up in the wake of the landmark Anglo-Irish Agreement, signed by Mr FitzGerald and Margaret Thatcher just months beforehand.

In a 13-page analysis of "some serious problems" amid an unexpectedly vociferous unionist backlash to the accord, Mr King was highlighted as one.

Mr Lillis reported to Dublin that he had been told by people very close to Mr King that he is "not bright" and "in his 'gut' opposed to, even outraged by, the Agreement" which he thought unfair to unionists.

Furthermore, the Secretary of State was convinced that British negotiators were mistaken and misled in their "estimate of the effects of the Agreement" on unionists and Mr King was also "distrustful of Dublin".

But because of a changing of senior British government figures in the region, he had become the "untrammelled supremo on the British side" and as such would set the pace of the Agreement's implementation.

This was causing problems for Dublin, who wanted to reforms made quickly and clearly.

Mr King, at the time, believed progress should be more subtle in the face of a growing revolt.

In a clearly pessimistic view of him, Mr Lillis suggested the only positive factor about the Secretary of State was that his appointment was a "demotion" and so his "last chance to restore his career" which effectively meant making a success out of the Agreement.

By Ralph Riegel

Minster told children to leave NI

A former leader of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland encouraged his children to move away from Northern Ireland because he believed Britain would eventually pull out, according to released state papers.

Rev John Dunlop, a north Belfast minister known for his cross-community peace-building and who went on to become Moderator of the church, met an Irish government official at his home in December 1986. Notes of the meeting show Rev Dunlop "speculated that, in the longer term, the British Government would decide for financial reasons to withdraw from Northern Ireland".

"Already quite a few unionists (including himself) were advising their children to seek employment not in Northern Ireland but in Britain."

By Brian Hutton
Tributes have been paid to a young man whose body was found in a cemetery in Limavady yesterday

Tributes have been paid to a young man whose body was found in a cemetery in Limavady yesterday.

Police investigating the death of the man, named locally as Ben Morrow, are not treating it as suspicious.

The entrance to Enagh Cemetery was sealed off, after council workers discovered the remains.

Friends expressed shock at the tragedy on social media.

One of them wrote: "Still can't get my head around this.

"Ben was one of the most nicest and down-to-earth boys out there.

"He was so easy to talk to and was always there for me.

"I honestly can't believe he's gone. I'm so devastated."

Another friend added: "Can't believe I woke up to hear the news. It is actually heartbreaking hearing you are gone. Rest easy."

A PSNI spokesman said: "Police attended the sudden death of a male in the Scroggy Road area of Limavady on the morning of Friday December 30.

"At this time, the death is not being treated as suspicious."
Hollywood has said its final farewell to Zsa Zsa Gabor at the actress and socialite's funeral.

Gabor died at the age of 99, after suffering a heart attack at her home in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, on December 18.

An intimate memorial service was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills yesterday, hosted by her widower Frederic Prinz von Anhalt.

An urn containing Gabor's ashes was taken into the church in a Louis Vuitton bag and placed next to a photograph of the Hungarian-born star, with the words "farewell my love".

Gabor's ninth husband, von Anhalt (73) paid tribute to his late wife and said his life was "empty" without her.

"She left peacefully. It was beautiful the way she passed," he said.

"She was a good woman. She helped people, especially the homeless. She loved the red carpet. Her life was red carpet or nothing.

"Keep her in your heart the way she was in Hollywood."

After the service, von Anhalt said Gabor would be laid to rest in Hungary next to her late father.
Taiwan's leader has urged China to engage in "calm and rational" dialogue to maintain peace, vowing not to give in to Beijing's recent moves to "threaten and intimidate" the self-ruled island.

"As long as we can be calm, rational, and maintain a flexible attitude, I believe we should be able to find a solution that allows both sides to maintain peaceful and stable relations," President Tsai Ing-wen said in a year-end news conference.

Tensions have grown since China suspended contacts with Ms Tsai's administration in June over her refusal to endorse China's claim that Taiwan and the mainland are part of a single Chinese nation. They were further amplified earlier this month when US President-elect Donald Trump broke protocol by speaking with Ms Tsai on the phone and said later he did not feel "bound by a one-China policy".

Earlier this week, China's first aircraft carrier and five other warships held drills that passed by Taiwan and sailed through the contested South China Sea, prompting Taipei to deploy fighter jets to monitor the fleet. China maintains a standing threat to use force to achieve its goal of absorbing Taiwan.

Referring to such recent actions, Ms Tsai said Beijing has been "gradually returning to the old ways of dividing, suppressing and even threatening and intimidating Taiwan. We hope that this is not a policy decision of the Beijing authorities."

"We will not yield to the pressure nor go back to the old ways of confrontation," the president told reporters.

Beijing has ratcheted up efforts to diplomatically isolate Taiwan, intervening to prevent the island's participation in international forums and establishing diplomatic relations with former Taiwan allies Gambia and Sao Tome and Principe.

The moves have been seen as effectively abandoning the unspoken diplomatic truce which lasted eight years under Tsai's China-friendly predecessor.

Meanwhile, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the island has drastically fallen.

Ms Tsai said her administration expected 2017 to bring uncertainties, particularly in the first half, noting that the incoming US administration could potentially bring "changes in international affairs".

Trump advisers have made conflicting statements about whether Mr Trump's call with Ms Tsai signalled a new policy toward China but some analysts read it and other remarks critical of China as signals of a willingness to increase ties with Taiwan, which would further anger Beijing.

But such a policy could bring economic advantages for Taiwan's export-dependent half trillion-dollar economy, long-term access to senior American officials and more sales of advanced US weapons to defend against China.

Ms Tsai's office said on Friday that she and a delegation of Taiwanese officials will make two stops in the US as part of a visit to diplomatic allies in Central America next month. China has repeatedly urged Washington to prevent Ms Tsai from passing through.

AP
What a perfect story for the Christmas season. A child is born to salve troubled souls. The new baby boy for Stephen and Leona Knox brings them great joy as they, and we, prepared to enter a new year. They endured great highs and tremendous lows in the roller-coaster life of their son Oscar whose battle against cancer won him friends around the world. Tragically he died in 2014.

The new infant is not a replacement for Oscar, but another providential gift of life which always brings its own hope.

Another person feeling hope after the odds were stacked against him is Co Antrim man Peter McGarry who suffered a rare type of stroke while living in Guatemala and was given only a 29% chance of survival.

But the skill of doctors who performed a hugely complicated nine-hour operation saved his life and he is now looking forward to being able to come back to Northern Ireland in February.

These feelgood stories are a welcome counterpoint to the news so often making the headlines in a turbulent world, a world of political surprises, of terrorist atrocities, geopolitical manoeuvring and chicanery.

But then we hear of the selfless people who donated 50,000 to fund Mr McGarry's operation, of the doctors working in places like Aleppo to provide medical help in the most inhuman working conditions, of our own NHS staff at all levels who work tirelessly against a rising tide of demand to heal the sick and care for them.

Hope springs eternal in the human mind, especially as a new year dawns. We always believe that the coming 12 months can only be better than the year just ended and frequently that belief is crushed, but never extinguished.

No matter how often it seems to the contrary, the kindness of people, the humanity displayed in the face of the greatest challenges and our faith, denominational or otherwise, keep our optimism alive. Like the Knox family and Mr McGarry, may we all look forward to 2017 with hope that things will indeed get better.
Geekery: New Years Traditions

2 Minute Read

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They are numerous, and sometimes strange.

Start the new year off by warding off evil spirits: wear white, sweep out your house, turn on all of your lights and open all of your cabinets. Fill post with water and throw the water out of your front door at midnight, per Puerto Rican tradition.

Several Latin American countries have traditions based on what color underwear youre wearing when the click strikes midnight. In Venezuela its yellow for luck, and in Argentina its pink to attract new love in the coming year. Handy guide if youre into it

Do some odd things with food: throw pomegranate seeds and throw them from a balcony for good fortune. Crack an egg into a bowl at midnight then leave it on a window sill over night, and use the yolk to predict your fortune in 2017.

Want to drive off the evil spirits of the past year (and bother your neighbors)? Go outside and bang on some pots and pans like they do in Australia and New Zealand  and Wisconsin!

Hungry? Eat a spoonful of lentils  or 12, one for every month  to ensure a new year filled with work and money. Chow down on a grape every time the clock strikes at midnight for prosperity like they do in Spain. Eat oliebollen!

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Go hard core  pour molten lead into cold water, the shapes the metal creates will tell you what the next year has in store.

Watching the ball drop in Times Square? The original was a 700 pound wood and iron ball that was lowered down a pole  and we only have it because fireworks were banned in 1906. The current model was produced by Waterford Crystal in 2008, is 6 feet in diameter, and weighs 1,200 pounds.

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However you celebrate  have a good time tonight, and be safe!

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Author: Mars Garrett Pop culture staff writer that has been on the BoLS team since 2010. Contributor on the One of Us podcast. Marvel, Vertigo, and dystopian sci-fi fan. Enjoys bad movies, amazing stunt performances, and the internet. Hates rom-coms. (she/they)

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Police and members of Densus 88 (in masks) stand guard during a search of the house of a suspected terrorist in Sukoharjo, Central Java, Dec. 11, 2016.

A sharp increase in terrorism arrests in Indonesia in 2016 point to an ongoing threat in the coming year, amid evidence that Islamic State figures abroad are actively directing militants at home.

Terrorism attacks and arrests more than doubled to 170 this year, from 82 in 2015, National Police Chief Tito Karnavian told a press conference in Jakarta on Dec. 28.

There are still terrorism suspects on the wanted list, he said.

Morevoer, the loss of territory held by the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has led its leaders to call for acts of terror in other locations, including Indonesia, he said.

Earlier this month, police disrupted a planned attack outside the presidential palace in Jakarta that would have been the first by a female suicide bomber in Indonesia.

In chilling television interviews after their arrest, the woman and her husband said they were following orders given via Telegram text messages by Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian IS figure who went to Syria in 2014 but may have since moved to the southern Philippines, according to police.

Santoso slain

Police say that Bahrun Naim also masterminded an attack outside a department store in central Jakarta on Jan. 14 that left eight dead, including four attackers. That incident was the first Islamic State-claimed attack in Southeast Asia.

At least five people have been convicted and sent to jail for support roles in that attack.

Most of these cases we prevented. But for those that turned into attacks, we want to successfully solve them, Tito said.

The 2016 figure of 170 attacks or arrests includes 33 suspected terrorists killed by security forces, a sharp increase from seven in 2015.

Among those killed in 2016 was Santoso, Indonesias most wanted militant since 2012, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2014.

Indonesia security forces also succeeded in 2016 in reducing his group, the Eastern Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT), to some nine fugitives, thanks to a series of joint police-military operations in Central Sulawesi launched in January 2015.

The MIT, which carried out a series of attacks on police in 2012, was seen as the remnants of the Jemaah Islamiyah network responsible for the 2002 and 2005 Bali bombings. At the start of this year, MIT numbered around 30 people, including six ethnic Uyghurs from China and three women.

Excessive force

Indonesias counterterrorism force, Densus 88, has foiled dozens of planned terrorist attacks over the years  at least 54 since 2010, according to an analysis by Reuters.

Densus 88 has become better than pretty well any other counter-terrorism group in the world, Greg Barton, a terrorism export at Alfred Deakin Institute in Melbourne, told the British news agency.

But the unit is deeply unpopular in many parts of Indonesia, accused of secrecy and killing too many alleged terrorism suspects.

In March, there were calls for reform and oversight of the unit after a suspect died three days after being taken into custody by Densus 88 in Klanten, Central Java.

The following month, at a press conference in Jakarta, a national police spokesman claimed that Siyono, 34, was the leader of a new offshoot of Jemaah Islamiyah.

Also in April, at the request of his wife, Siyonos corpse was disinterred for an autopsy, which found that he had suffered six broken ribs, a fractured sternum and blunt trauma to the chest cavity that affected heart tissue and caused his death.

In May, a police commission on ethics and professionalism ordered that two Densus 88 members receive a no-confidence demotion, effectively terminating their work with the force.

Haris Azhar, coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), expressed appreciation for the work of the counter terror force combating what he called a real terrorism threat in Indonesia.

But there are still many accountability matters over the least ten years that have not been addressed. There needs to be accountabilility for every bomb found and every person killed, and clear accusations, he told BenarNews.

Hafid Abbas, who sits on the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), urged Densus 88 to adhere to human rights principles in carrying out its work.

There must be accountability and auditing institutions, so that it [Densus 88] is not the only source of truth, he said.

Many victims would have fallen

In an interview with BenarNews on Friday, Saud Usman Nasution, the former head of Densus 88, said the force follows clear procedure and shoots only at suspects who resist arrest or brandish weapons or explosives.

If my men didnt succeed in the field, many attacks would have taken place and many victims would have fallen, he said.

Terrorism will remain a problem as long as militants groups aspire to establish a state based on Sharia law and a radical understanding of religious ideology, said Saud, who is also the former director of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT).

The ideology alone is not so (dangerous) but it can become dangerous when there is poverty, social inequality  and a will to force their goals, he said.
A food flotilla that a Malaysian Muslim organization plans to send to restive northern Rakhine state to help ethnic Rohingya affected by communal violence is an insult, Myanmars home affairs minister said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Kyaw Swe, who served as minister of border affairs under the previous government, made the comment to reporters after a meeting of Myanmars central anti-human trafficking organization about the boats laden with 200 metric tons of rice, medical aid, and essential supplies for Rohingya Muslim communities, which are scheduled to depart Malaysia on Jan. 10.

It is impossible to accept it because it doesn't make any sense, he said. It must be done as a government-to-government matter. They cant go straight to Rakhine state.

It shouldnt be accepted, and we wont accept it, he said. If they want to do it, then they have to do it through the foreign affairs ministry and must inform the central government. We cant accept it if they just do it with the Rakhine state government.

It is an insult, he said. We wont accept it. We are sorry.

Zaw Htay, spokesman of the Presidents Office, warned on Wednesday that the organization, which has not yet obtained permission from the Myanmar government to enter the country, can do so when the boats arrive or risk being stopped or attacked by Myanmar security forces, and its crew deported.

The Indonesian government has already sent 10 shipping containers of food, baby food, and clothes for Rohingya affected by the violence in northern Rakhine.

The two predominantly Muslim countries called on Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmars de facto leader, to allow unimpeded humanitarian access to the areas affected by violence when they and other member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met with her on Dec. 19 to discuss the crisis in northern Rakhine.

Two suspected attackers detained

In the meantime, security forces that have been deployed in northern Rakhine since deadly Oct. 9 attacks on three border guard stations have detained two more suspected attackers  Kodi Mula and Mamut Arlong  in predominantly Muslim Maungdaw township, the State Counselors Office announced Friday.

Authorities have detained roughly 600 people in connection with the raids during which nine officers were killed and subsequent violence between security forces and armed men in northern Rakhine. Nearly 90 others have been killed in the crackdown.

The State Counselors office also said a village administrator from Gwasone village in Maungdaw township had been kidnapped on Dec. 29 by six armed men.

Security forces and authorities are investigating the matter, along with the apparent murders of three other Muslim men who worked in local administrative capacities in their communities.

The men, who all were found dead in the past week, are said to have collaborated with government authorities as they continue to try to round up those who raided the border guard stations.

The security lockdown and search for suspects has forced about 50,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh, according to the Myanmar government, where some have accused troops of arson, rape, and murder.

On Friday, the Myanmar government said it would take back 2,415 of the estimated total 300,000 of its citizens who have taken refuge in Bangladesh during the past decades, amid growing tension between the two countries about the recent tens of thousands of Rohingya who have sought refuge there, Reuters reported.

Bangladesh has refused to grant the Rohingya refugee status because it considers them citizens of Myanmar, while Myanmar considers the Rohingya illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

There are only 2,415 Myanmar citizens, according to our data, Kyaw Zaya, director general of the foreign affairs ministry told Reuters, referring to the number of Myanmar citizens in Bangladesh.

Appeal to U.N.

The crisis prompted 23 Nobel laureates, politicians, philanthropists, and activists on Thursday to urge the United Nations to intervene in the situation.

They wrote an open letter to the U.N. Security Council asking it to add the crisis to its agenda as an urgent matter, calling it a human tragedy amounting to ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity and requested that the secretary-general visit the country in the new few weeks.

The signatories also blasted Aung San Suu Kyi, the countrys de facto leader and a Nobel Peace Prize winner herself, for not doing enough to protect the Rohingya, who are denied citizenship and rights to basic services such as education and health care in Buddhist-majority Myanmar.

If we fail to take action, people may starve to death if they are not killed with bullets, and we may end up being the passive observers of crimes against humanity which will lead us once again to wring our hands belatedly and say never again all over again, the letter said.

In a related development, a Rakhine volunteer group in the town of Thandwe started monitoring the citizenship process for Muslims on Dec. 24, the groups leader Myint Moe told the Myanmar Service of Radio Free Asia (RFA), a sister entity of BenarNews.

The group has informed the General Administration Department of the Police and Immigration Office and will meet with immigration officers from the capital Naypyidaw, he said.

Of Thandwes population of 120,000, about 8,000 hold temporary identification cards known as white cards, and more than 800 have applied for national identification cards, he said.

White card holders must show proof of a long family history in Rakhine state if they want to obtain Myanmar citizenship and have a national identification card.

Under the previous government, the holders were supposed to surrender their cards by May 31, 2015, and receive green cards from the immigration ministry so they could apply for citizenship, but not everyone turned them in.

Those who possess green cards can apply for full Myanmar citizenship, but must first undergo a citizenship verification process.

We have 474 ethnic Kaman people [who practice Islam], so it is OK to issue ID cards to them, Myint Moe said.

But the 8,000 others who are applying for ID cards include Rohingya trying to pass themselves off as ethnic Kaman, he said.

We dont want these people to get IDs, he said. We will be watching. Local people know who the real Kaman are and who is not.
Malaysian forensic experts inspect the site of a grenade attack at the Movida nightclub in Puchong, near Kuala Lumpur, June 28, 2016.

The terrorist threat in Malaysia is under control but recruitment of locals by extremist groups like Islamic State persists, the chief of the Malaysian polices counter-terror special branch told BenarNews in a year-end interview.

In 2016 Malaysian authorities arrested, charged and prosecuted more suspects in terrorism-related cases than in the previous year, and they also foiled six terrorist plots by IS, according to special branch chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.

The Middle Eastern-based group, however, claimed responsibility for a grenade attack at a nightclub near Kuala Lumpur six months ago that injured eight people  its first terror act committed on Malaysian soil.

And while arrests and prosecutions of suspected militants were up this calendar year, 60 Malaysians, including 12 women and 17 children, are currently in Syria or Iraq  where IS is fighting to hold on to territory it controls  compared with 95 previously, Ayob said.

Recruitment is still active. Malaysians still find ways to go to Syria, Ayob said Friday in an interview at his office in Kuala Lumpur.

They are getting smarter and daring. Nevertheless, my team is on high alert and we are on our toes all the time, he said.

Yet he declined to disclose his departments plans to counter terrorist threats in 2017.

As for the threat, the situation is under control. Monitoring and surveillance have been increased, Ayob added.

Crippled plots

The number of arrests of suspected terrorists has increased each year since 2013, according to the police official.

Police made 119 arrests this year compared with 82 last year  a 45 percent increase. Fifty-nine arrests were made in 2014 and four arrests in the previous year, Ayob noted.

This year saw an increase in arrests, but not only just that as there was also an increase in the number of charges and prosecutions, he said, adding that 122 suspects have been charged in court, including 62 convicted for terror-related offenses in the past three years.

Out of a total of 264 suspects arrested since 2013, 66 have since been freed, according to figures given by Ayob.

Among radicalized Malaysians who have managed to reach Syria or Iraq, 27 have been killed in the region since 2013, including nine who killed themselves in suicide bombings, he said.

Sixty Malaysians are believed to still be in the war-torn region.

Rating his branchs performance as good, Ayob conceded that it can always do better.

We have crippled 6 IS attempts to create chaos in the country this year and seized caches of weapons and IEDs from suspects, who were mostly lone wolves who were awaiting directives to launch attacks on individuals and buildings, Ayob said, noting that five terrorist plots were foiled in 2015.

Constant

Security analyst Ahmad El-Muhammady commended the Royal Malaysia Polices counter-terrorist special branch for a remarkable track record in combating the problem over many years, but he warned that the threat of terrorism wouldnt go away in the new year.

The threat of terrorism in Malaysia is constant. It does not go away, Ahmad, who assists Malaysian authorities in de-radicalization programs, told BenarNews.

He said the so-called lone wolf threat was the most difficult to stop, and added that Malaysian IS members still communicate with people in their home country.

Police have accused Muhammad Wanndy Mohamad Jedi, who left for Syria in January 2015, of recruiting the people who threw the grenade at the Movida nightclub in Puchong on June 28. Authorities also blame him for allegedly orchestrating a foiled terrorist plot targeting Malaysian Independence Day celebrations in August.

The possibility of local elements operating independently - this is the hardest target, Ahmad said.

Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, an analyst with Bower Group Asia, a risk consulting firm, said Malaysian authorities have done a tremendous job in combating terrorism.

But with terrorism, we cannot depend on the authorities alone and need greater public awareness, which I think we are severely lacking, he told BenarNews.

Malaysians, especially Malays, still assume the country is safe from attacks because we are a Muslim country but terrorism is blind to race and faith.
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It's an article of faith among corporate lobbyists and public affairs storytellers--and the lawmakers from both parties who love them-- that those of us who live in Greater Minnesota loathe environmentalism.

Meet Johanna Rupprecht, the young woman from Winona County who is the Rochester Post Bulletin's Newsmaker of the Year. Rupprecht clarified rural values and organized people in Southeastern Minnesota to stand for those values.

Brian Todd writes in Year in Review: Rupprecht leads charge to ban frac sand:

On Nov. 22, the Winona County Board of Commissioners did something no other county in Minnesota  likely in the nation  had done. On a 3-2 vote, the board approved final language of an amendment to the Winona County Zoning Ordinance that effectively banned the mining, storage, processing and transportation of silica sand for fracking. In the public gallery, as she had done for most board meetings, sat Johanna Rupprecht, the Lewiston native who was a key player  if not the key player  in making this historic moment happen. After about 17 months of work focused on a ban in Winona County, Rupprecht said it took a moment or two for the final vote to sink in. It had been such a long process," she said. "In spite of the threats and pressure from the frac sand industry, just the fact we built something so strong, that people built a case for it." Passing the ban showed an example of democracy working the way it should, she said. That means people expressing their opinions and policymakers listening to their constituents to act upon their wishes. "For the vast majority of the people involved in this, it's about the big picture," she said -- the beauty of the land, the reduction of the use of fossil fuels and the environmental degradation both in Winona County and where the hydraulic fracturing occurs. Her commitment to the cause was key in her selection as the Post Bulletin's Newsmaker of the Year. . . . Rupprecht said she was just leading a cause in which she believed. "The land has inherent value, not just to be used for profit by a few," she said. "Frac sand mining is too destructive. People see what it does to the land and the local communities, and they did not want that."

Read the profile at the Post Bulletin of this remarkable young woman who mobilized thousands. She spent some time in Big Stone County while an intern for Land Stewardship Project (it maintains a western field office in Montevideo), before returning to Winona County where she was raised. If that ain't country. . .

Photo: Johanna Rupprecht (right) at 2014's Citizens' Frac Sand Summit. Via What's Happening In/Around Winona in Photos Facebook page.

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Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 31/12/2016 (2133 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

While some might view this past year as an economic bust for both Brandon and Westman in general, Brandon Chamber of Commerce president Terry Burgess suggested it merits a closer look.

A downturn in the oil industry contributed heavily in making 2016 a challenging year, although Burgess believes that this hardship carries a silver lining.

The last several months economic shortcomings have fuelled behind-the-scenes work than should begin paying off in the coming months, he said.

Combined with a possible resurgence of the oil industry, Burgess is maintaining a healthy optimism looking forward.

I think the work in 2016 certainly sets the seed for the future, he summarized.

One effort that comes to mind is the multimillion-dollar soybean processing plant a group of Westman agricultural leaders are actively trying to bring to the area.

The Westman Opportunities Group partnered with Economic Development Brandon to hire a consulting group to map out a course of action, which should be completed in late January.

Theres also the state-of-the-art fertilizer facility being built near Maple Leaf Foods, City of Brandon economic development director Sandy Trudel reported  one of two facilities being built by Federated Co-operatives Ltd.

Between the Brandon-based fertilizer facility and the other near Saskatoon, the total project cost is about $75 million.

The Brandon facility will warehouse, blend and distribute various nutritional product and be able to store 27,500 metric tonnes of fertilizer.

Structural panel developers Greenstone Structural Solutions comes to mind as another success story, Trudel said, noting that once up and fully optimized, itll be another great win for the community.

Feeding Brandons reputation as a retail hub for Westman is the ongoing expansion effort at Shoppers Mall, which will help ensure the Wheat City retains more of the areas 180,000 shoppers.

While the expansion consists primarily of new restaurants, including Harveys, East Side Marios, Fionn MacCools, a Thai Express and Swiss Chalet, as well as a Sobeys Extra and GoodLife Fitness, Trudel noted that anything that might draw in people is a positive.

Once shoppers come in, whatever additional spending options the business community is able to throw their way the better, she suggested, noting that as much shopper leakage to other areas that local businesses can prevent, the better.

While both Burgess and Trudel both expressed optimism regarding 2017 economic prospects, it might prove difficult getting past the pessimism that plagued much of 2016.

We didnt have a bad year, but we didnt keep pace with the banner years weve seen of late, Trudel clarified.

While theres no sense getting ones hopes too high, Trudel noted that 2017, if not a banner year, should at least be an improvement over 2016.

Things seem to be pointing in this direction, she suggested.

At 6.6 per cent, November marked Brandons lowest monthly unemployment rate since the 6.5 recorded in December of 2015.

The Conference Board of Canada has estimated that Brandons real GDP will grow by 2.3 per cent in 2017, supported by increased exports from the manufacturing and agri-food sectors.

We seem to see some stabilizing within the oil sector, so thats a good sign, Trudel said.

We had what I would call a decent year in 2016, and indications are  cautiously optimistic  that 2017 will be improved.

 tclarke@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 31/12/2016 (2133 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This week found Premier Brian Pallister state that raising the minimum wage would not reduce poverty, reinforcing his governments decision to not raise it this October.

The previous NDP government had been raising the provinces minimum wage every year up to its present $11 per hour rate.

Those randomly polled by The Brandon Sun at Shoppers Mall on Friday were overall supportive of an increase to the minimum wage, with many noting that living on a minimum wage job is difficult, if not impossible, in Brandon.

Tyler Clarke/The Brandon Sun Id say yeah. Minimum wage can be a big issue for a lot of people.

The rents in this city are insane, a respondent who went only by Sherry answered, noting that having lived in Toronto recently, Brandon rents are comparable.

A farmer by trade, Barry Miller said that while changes to the minimum wage dont directly affect him, he recognizes that living on $11 per hour must be difficult. Still, he clarified that the economy must be able to support it.

Respondent Lois Robson said that while she cant imagine anyone living on minimum wage, she also recognizes that when companies increase wages they might also have to decrease their staffing levels.

Im a fence-sitter, she shrugged.

On this front, Brandon Chamber of Commerce president Terry Burgess offers a potential solution that he said might benefit many Manitobans.

Tyler Clarke/The Brandon Sun No  Theyre raising it a lot, now.

The chamber has been advocating that the province increase the personal tax exemption level. At $9,134, it is the lowest basic personal exemption among the provinces west of New Brunswick.

As you increase that, that means you get more of that tax money back immediately rather than having to take it off your payroll, Burgess explained, clarifying that while it would positively impact low-income earners the most, itd also put more money in the pockets of all earners, thereby fuelling the economy.

 tclarke@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB
The first private pesticide training sessions of the new year are Feb. 1-2 during the Farm Show, inside the Club Room at Platte County Agricultural Park in Columbus. The Feb. 1 session starts at 1:30 p.m. On Feb. 2, the session starts at 9:30 a.m.

In addition, training will be held 10 a.m. Feb. 7 at the Community Building/City Hall in Lindsay and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Pinnacle Bank east location, along 23rd Street near Applebees, in Columbus. Another 2017 training session is 6:30 p.m. March 22 at Pinnacle Bank.

The training is for individuals to be certified to apply restricted-use pesticides, including initial training for those who have never been certified and recertification for those who have previously been certified.

Farmers attending are reminded there is no provision for late entry to the training sessions. Those arriving late will be asked to leave and attend training at a later date.

Private applicators need to check their license from the Department of Agriculture to see if they need the training. If the certification card expires on April 15, 2017, farmers need to recertify. The cost to attend one of the training programs is $30. For training programs in surrounding counties, please contact the Platte County Extension Office at 402-563-4901.

Most of the producers needing the training have or will be receiving a letter with a printed bar code from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. It will save them time if they bring that letter along with them to the training.

Upon the completion of your private pesticide applicator training, Platte County Extension will mail the application to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA). After processing, NDA will send a billing invoice for the $25 state license fee. The license fee covers the three-year certification period. Upon receipt of the license fee payment, NDA will issue your pesticide license card to you.

To summarize, farmers who need the pesticide training in 2017 will pay $30 to attend one of the meetings, then will be billed $25 from the Department of Agriculture to receive their license. Preregistration to the pesticide training meeting is not necessary. Attendees only need to bring $30 (cash or check payable to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln) and the bar-coded NDA letter (if they have one) with them to the training.

Reminder: An estate planning workshop will be held 3 p.m. Wednesday at Central Community College, with lunch sponsored by First National Bank. Call 402-606-6793 to register or for more information about attending this free session.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 31/12/2016 (2133 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

At eight months pregnant, an expectant mother is filled with nervous anticipation as she prepares to welcome her child into the world.

For Wesene Wegaso, that excitement quickly turned to heartbreak when she was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.

Plans for a joyous maternity leave turned to a chemotherapy treatment schedule, and Wesene was faced with agonizing questions:

(Tim Smith/Brandon Sun) Mulugeta Atomissa-Negaro, Wesene Wegaso and their son David in the kitchen of their Brandon home. Wesene, denied Blue Cross maternity benefits after missing the deadline to apply by two days, is fighting cancer while raising her young son as her husband Mulugeta works two jobs and attends school.

Am I going to see him growing up, or am I going to die?

Wesene, 38, went into labour about a month early. She and her husband, Mulugeta Atomissa-Negaro, welcomed their son David in February and he was sent to the Childrens Hospital of Winnipeg for a few weeks after birth.

The trauma of the devastating diagnosis, combined with the premature birth and time away from home, led to Wesene missing the deadline to apply for her Blue Cross maternity benefits by two days, and she was denied.

This was another blow for the family, as they were financially prepared to care for a baby, but not the added expense that cancer brings.

It was only two days, Wesene said with tears in her eyes. I need it the most, and I paid for it for six years. I thought they might cover something for me, for sure. But they didnt accept my cheque.

Wesene, originally from Ethiopia, has been living and working in Brandon as a health-care aide with Prairie Mountain Health since 2008.

A NEW LIFE

When Wesene was about 13 years old, she and her family were sponsored by a relative, and were able to start a new life in Canada.

My mom was a single mom, she had eight kids and she didnt have enough income, she said.

Prior to moving to Brandon, Wesene had been living in Winnipeg for a number of years. She was planning to go to Calgary to find work, but her sister suggested she put in an application in Brandon.

After three or four days, I got called for interview. I was so excited. I was dressing like a million dollars, I was so happy.

Wesene spoke about one of her happiest memories  when she married her husband in Ethiopia in 2012. It was a combined wedding day for the couple, along with Wesenes sister and her fiance, something she jokingly said she wouldnt recommend.

You have to share all of it, she said with a laugh.

Wesene met her future husband when she was back in Ethiopia for her brothers wedding, and they had stayed in touch via email and Skype calls.

Mulugeta was able to join Wesene in Brandon two years after their wedding, in 2014.

The young couple didnt have the funds for a honeymoon, but they were excited for the life they were building together.

I wanted a house, I wanted kids, I wanted everything, Wesene said.

THE DIAGNOSIS

Life had been falling into place for the couple. They bought a home in Brandon and were thrilled to be expecting their first baby. But as the months went by, Wesene noticed something was off  instead of gaining weight, she was losing weight. At a regular checkup, she asked to have her breast looked at, as she noticed it was feeling tender. She had just chalked it up to pregnancy-related changes. After a few tests, she heard the devastating news: it was cancer.

Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun Wesene Wegaso, Mulugeta Atomissa-Negaro and their son David in the living room of their Brandon home. Wesene was diagnosed with cancer late in her pregnancy, missed the deadline to apply for Blue Cross maternity benefits by two days and was denied the assistance. Her husband Mulugeta works two jobs and attends school as financial pressures mount on the family.

When I heard that, I was just shocked. I couldnt say anything for almost 20 minutes, Wesene said. I was thinking its a happy time for me  and then its the other way.

The intense cancer treatment has left Wesene in pain, specifically on the palms of her hands and soles of her feet.

Its very tough. Theres pain everywhere sometimes. Its just hard to explain.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Westman Dreams for Kids heard about Wesenes story after a referral from a friend. The organization provided funding to help the family while David was in hospital in Winnipeg, as well as some home care through Daughter On Call.

We treat families on an individual basis to their needs, said Susan Stoetzel, advisory member with Westman Dreams for Kids. Its very catered, very individualized.

In this case, Wesene has had some difficulty caring for David, so it was important to the charity to help out where it could.

Our focus is bringing that ray of sunshine to a kid at a difficult time, Susan said. Its just through the wonderful support of our community that were able to step up and help out.

Gail Freeman-Campbell, CEO/owner of Daughter On Call, was introduced to the family in August. She now goes above and beyond what the funding provides for, often volunteering her time.

I really feel for her. Shes a new mom that may or may not see her child grow up, Gail said. Theyre the most grateful, thankful people ever. They come to this country for a better life, and life is not fair.

The bond between Gail and Wesene is evident. What brings them even closer is the fact that Gail went through breast cancer treatment recently as well.

Shes my family, Wesene said, as she reached for Gails hand across the kitchen table. She said, We can go through this, and well be together. Im sure nobody understands me better than her  She gave me anything she has. Its just amazing to have a person like that.

FINANCIAL STRUGGLE

The family continues to deal with mounting financial strain. Wesene receives her modest Employment Insurance benefit and Mulugeta works two jobs and is also going to nursing school. As a result, they dont see each other very often.

Mulugeta said his heart is broken, but stays strong thanks to the supportive community.

I dont know how to pay (back) these people, to be honest, he said. Sometimes, communities teach you in ways you never expected  thanks to God, Im not alone.

Monthly bills (hydro, cellphone, etc.) are becoming harder and harder to pay, and Wesene expects to have to use her credit card in the new year to cover some of the costs.

They have been able to get a few one-time emergency grants through CancerCare and other organizations. Friends and acquaintances have also stepped in to help with bills when they can.

Gail Freeman-Campbell, CEO/owner of Daughter On Call, shares laughs and tears with Wesene Wegaso in the kitchen of Wesenes home in Brandon. Gail has offered tremendous support to Wesene and her family.

Until recently, Wesene was only taking extra-strength Tylenol for her pain. While cancer treatment is covered through health care, pain pills are not.

I was actually amazed that shes gone this long without taking anything stronger, Gail said.

The extra maternity benefits would have helped cover medications, and may have included a clause for professional help, such as a nurse or a health-care aide.

Sadly, Wesenes cancer has spread to her bones and kidney.

A request was made to speak with a Prairie Mountain Health official on the issue of benefits, and if there are ever exceptions made when dealing with extenuating circumstances.

CEO Penny Gilson responded via email, stating the benefit rules are set by the Healthcare Employee Benefit Plans, not by each participating employer, and I am unable to speak to the specifics on this.

The Brandon Suns questions were referred to HEB Manitoba, but our calls were not returned.

  

Through all the tribulations of the past year, Wesene still tries to stay positive. She is grateful for the support she has received, and is thrilled to watch her baby grow and thrive.

Seeing him growing is the happiest days. I forgot sometimes what I have when I play with him, she said. Im a lucky person to live until now. I wasnt thinking Im going to survive.

Wesene says she takes life day by day.

Every day is a thankful day for me  I dont want to plan longer things anymore, because I dont know whats going to happen next.

Gail has set up a trust fund for the family, at Sunrise Credit Union, under the Wesene and family trust. Donations can be made at any Sunrise Credit Union branch.

 jaustin@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @jillianaustin
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 30/12/2016 (2134 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

@03 Body Copy:<t-1f$>Eight years of increasing tensions, between two very close friends, blew up this past week as the United States chose to abstain from a vote in the United Nations. The Security Council vote went

14-0 and the resolution was passed.

The UN resolution, like many before, essentially condemned Israel for its policy of annexing land in the West Bank to build Jewish settlements. The U.S. has always used its veto to shoot down these resolutions. This time it didnt.

CP In this Sept. 30 photo, U.S. President Barack Obama, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talk during the funeral of former Israeli president and prime minister Shimon Peres in Jerusalem. Kerry Auriat, who was in Israel last week, writes that while Israelis are irate over the U.S. decision to abstain from voting on a United Nations resolution that essentially condemned Israel for its policy of annexing land in the West Bank to build Jewish settlements, it is difficult to see how Israel can continue on its present course.

I was in Israel last week. The reaction to this vote was palpable. Led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the right wing of Israeli politics was apoplectic about U.S. President Barack Obamas decision to abstain. In fact, one paper I saw stated that, to paraphrase, President Obama doesnt understand Jerusalem politics.

To amp up the tension, Netanyahu publicly admonished the Obama administration, while U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry gave an hour-long speech on Wednesday defending the administrations position.

President-elect Donald Trump, more right wing on Israel than most, joined Netanyahus chorus.

Let me attempt to help readers understand the issue without spending countless hours replaying centuries of contentious history.

During the 1967 war, Israel captured Arab-held land including the Sinai Desert, Gaza, the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. This was a remarkable destruction of the combined forces of the Arab League in only six days.

At that time, there was discussion in Israeli political circles, including from luminaries as Moshe Dayan, to return much of the captured lands back to Palestinians. The idea, in simple terms, was that Israel ran the risk of being an occupying force. The costs,

in terms of morality, blood and treasure, would be momentous.

Of course, giving back land that was fiercely battled over just days before was an unpopular decision and failed to gain any traction.

The Israeli government, in fact, went the opposite direction and began to settle Jews in the captured areas. Many of these settlers have religious imperatives that underscore their commitment to Judea and Samaria, among the disputed lands.

With this as very simplistic background, today we find ourselves in a 50-year quagmire that shows no end.

Israel has faced many challenges to its very existence, and so no small amount of wariness is warranted in regards to dealing with its Arab neighbours. That, combined with the Holocaust and the many thousands of Jews who have been expelled from neighbouring countries, helps to explain the Israeli reticence to negotiate.

The construction of many settlements in the Palestinian-held lands is a major impediment to peace, according to past U.S. administrations, and the UN. Simply, expanding the Israeli footprint into Palestinian lands makes further negotiations more problematic.

The two-state solution, in simple terms, is that Israelis live in Israel, and the Palestinians have their own nation in the West Bank and Gaza. Given the Palestinian birth rate, and other demographics, this seems to make sense.

Unfortunately, emotions and distrust run very high.

Kerry views that Israel cannot remain a single state and democratic. The state would be forced to use military means to keep Palestinians under wraps, or ensure Palestinians have all of the same rights as Israelis and, in doing so, democratically lose control of the Jewish state.

While the Palestinians appear unable to make progress in peace talks with Israel, thanks most often to their own muddled leadership, it is difficult to see how Israel can continue on its present course.

While I am a committed Zionist with strong ties to Israel, with respect, we can only make peace with our enemies. That is, Netanyahu might want to consider hearing Obama and ponder that true friends sometimes tell us things we dont wish to hear.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 30/12/2016 (2134 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Today we mark four years since police boards have been reintroduced to Manitoba. While civilian oversight of police services has been common in most provinces for a long time, here we are still adjusting to a more modern governance practice for law enforcement.

Under provincial legislation, any municipality that wants to have its own police force must establish a police board. In Manitoba, forces range from the Winnipeg Police Service with more than 1,000 sworn officers, to the Brandon Police Service with 88 sworn officers, down to some police services which have a single member.

In our four years since the legislation took effect, the experience of police governance has been very different. In some areas, we have witnessed municipal reluctance to cede control and oversight. In others, there have been fireworks as police services adjust to civilian oversight. Meanwhile, most have seen a relatively smooth transition to a new model of governance.

If one goes back to 2012 in Brandon, the issue that was most frequently raised in the public discourse about policing was cost. The cost of policing (and other emergency services) had increased substantially between 2002 and 2012. This was not unique to Brandon. At that time, the economics of public safety was a dominant issue on the national stage in police governance as well.

There was trepidation in some corners that civilian police governance could exacerbate this problem as citizen governors might be less responsive to calls for cost controls in favour of more active policing measures. However, in Brandon, that has not turned out to be the case.

In fact, the fiscal track record of the police services has been better since 2012 than the years that preceded it. The police board has consistently recommended reasonable budget increases to city council, usually ending up below the mandate established by city council and outperforming other elements of city operations.

This has been achieved despite the fact that wage level increases for police have typically eclipsed other city workers. It should be noted that wages are a matter of negotiation between city council and the police association (and to a lesser extent CUPE). The police board does not participate in negotiations and simply must deal with the settlements that council ultimately approves.

In the first year of operation, the police board identified cost containment as a key issue for both the sustainability and the reputation of the police service. In addition to its own approach recommending reasonable budgets to city council and making cost containment a priority for Chief Ian Grant, the police board embarked on a few other items.

One was a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City of Brandon which would help to facilitate communication and understanding of police governance inside the context of a single legal entity, the City of Brandon. While the MOU has numerous benefits, it also helped with cost containment by ensuring existing services could be leveraged by the police service without duplicating costs. That allows many services such as payroll, vehicle maintenance, information technology and others to continue to be provided to the police service without having to ask for additional money. In many larger services, police have separate systems for these functions. In Brandon, both the police board and city hall saw the wisdom in not spending scarce resources to duplicate service,

but rather to allow the BPS to continue to access these functions from city hall.

Early on, the police board also recommended measures that would make the police more accountable for their spending, guard against the financial risk associated with major cases and codify a culture of fiscal responsibility inside the police service. Ultimately, this past month city council rejected some of that advice. While the city has accepted more risk, the decision is not all bad. Personally, I think it partly reflects a changed culture about fiscal issues, reflecting the approach of Chief Grant and the police board over the past number of years.

And while fiscal issues have been important at the governance level, this has not impeded forward progress on the introduction of more modern and effective public safety practice.

In 2014, following public consultation, the police board adopted a renewed strategic plan for the service. The hallmark of that renewal was the introduction of a focus on community mobilization. Community mobilization is a model built on a philosophy that you can reduce crime, victimization and social disorder when a variety of community agencies work in partnership to serve the needs of its citizens.

Chief Grant played an instrumental role in the introduction of this initiative to Brandon in April 2015. After 18 months of operation, community mobilization had encountered 203 unique situations with 741 discussions taking place, ultimately helping 339 people.

Intelligence-led policing has also grown stronger roots in Brandon over the last four years. The introduction of a civilian crime analyst has been of great benefit to the service. This past year, the board and the service leveraged this capacity in introducing a new policing approach to the downtown. Brandons downtown is both a source of consternation for residents and merchants and is an area of great hope for the future development and vitality of community. The police have embraced their role in playing a more active role in contributing to a vibrant city core, which is important to future development of the downtown.

The first four years of police governance in Brandon have also been coincident with the term of Chief Grant, who has recently signalled he will retire in July 2017. The board, the police service, the City of Brandon and community have benefited greatly from the chiefs leadership during this period. He has embraced civilian oversight and governance and understands how it serves community interests, guards against political and bureaucratic interference in police operations, and ultimately provides greater accountability to a variety of audiences.

And while there has been steady progress, there remains much to be done. In 2017, the police board will be hosting a community forum on public safety. This will build on a recently completed survey by the police service with an eye to further renewal of our strategic plan.

Public safety remains an important issue for Brandon. In addition to protecting our citizens, I believe it could be a differentiator for our community. Brandon can be a safe, vibrant and growing urban environment that will be attractive to many on the Prairies and from around the world. As we mark Canadas 150th birthday in 2017, Brandon is well positioned to be emblematic of the best Canada has to offer for its next 150 years.

 Mark Frison is president of Assiniboine Community College and chair of the Brandon Police Service board. Twitter: @markfrison
Irish farmers say they are well prepared for the threat from bird flu.

The alert has been heightened after the Department of Agriculture confirmed the H5N8 strain of avian flu has been identified in a wild duck in Co Wexford.

The Irish Farmers Association said that Irish poultry farmers have some of the highest bio-security standards in the world.

Nigel Renehen, chairman of the IFA's Poultry Committee, welcomed the Government's order to keep all commercial flocks inside.

"The freerange sector and the organic sector were the two sectors I was the most afraid of, because of the fact that the bird are out on the range," he said.

"Now the fact that we have an order, that I was calling for for quite a while, in place that the birds will not be on the range and they will be kept indoors is a very positive measure.

"So we have reduced the risk quite dramatically by doing that one simple measure."

The bird was found alive but unable to fly on December 28.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre said although the H5N8 subtype can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, no human infections with the virus have been reported worldwide.

The risk to humans has therefore been rated as very low.

The department said the detection was not unexpected, as there had been infections of a "highly pathogenic" variant detected in Great Britain in the last two weeks.

Last week Agriculture Minister Michael Creed introduced regulations under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 requiring the compulsory housing of poultry as a result of the increased threat.

Further tests are being carried out to determine whether the virus found in Ireland is the same highly pathogenic strain that is currently present in Great Britain and mainland Europe.

The results of the tests will not be available until the middle of next week.

A department spokesman said: "The Department reiterates that strict bio-security measures are necessary to prevent the introduction of avian influenza into poultry and captive bird flocks.

"Flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Veterinary Office."
A deputy sheriff investigating a domestic dispute shot dead a man armed with a knife, authorities said.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Teri Barbera said deputies were called to the house in Loxahatchee, South Florida, early on Saturday about a man threatening family members with a knife.

Barbera said the man refused to comply with the deputies' commands. She said one deputy used a "non-lethal weapon" to knock the man to the ground.

According to Barbera, the man jumped up and lunged at the deputies attempting to arrest him.

Barbera said one deputy shot the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The races and names of the deputy and the man were not released.

Barbera said the deputy who fired the gun was placed on paid administrative leave.

AP
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America's "Wreck it Ralph" is at it again. This time, President Obama decided to give Israel one last (we can only pray) kick in the behind before he leaves office. On December 23, the U.N. Security Council brought a resolution to a vote declaring that settlements Israel had built on and occupied since 1967 have "no legal validity."

When U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power abstained rather than voting against the resolution, the Obama administration took the bizarre and unprecedented move to turn its back on Israel.The move serves to end Jewish settlement building and threatens to plow Israel back to its 1967 borders, potentially leaving them indefensible.

And the enemies of God's chosen people cheered.

Cheer all they want, but Israel will never be indefensible because Bible scripture clearly states that God is on its side.Zechariah 2:8 says those who touch Israel "touch the apple of his eye." And Isaiah 43: "...O Israel, fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you won't be burned...For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly responded to the U.N. action saying the resolution was nothing more than "old world bias against Israel." He said the resolution is out-of-whack because it stipulates the Western Wall and Jewish quarter are "occupied" territories.

Call it "occupied" or whatever they wish, but Israel is the land God promised through a covenant to Abraham with specificity in Genesis 15, confirming it to Abraham's son, Isaac, in Genesis 26, and again to Isaac's son, Jacob, in Genesis 28. Deuteronomy 1:8 reiterates that promise: "See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the Lord swore he would give to your fathers ---- to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob ---- and to their descendants after them."

Scriptures aside, one would think that with so little time left until January 20, Wreck-it-Ralph Obama would concentrate on something productive like fixing his legacy problems rather than steamrolling over our longstanding and faithful ally in the Middle East. After all, coddling our enemies made Israel (and the world) less safe. Obama's legacy includes the bloodbath that is Syria, ISIS, and an empowered Iran with nuclear capabilities, to name a few.

With "friends" like that, Israel needs no new enemies.

Now that Obama's made peace difficult to achieve, our only hope is that Congress will counter the impact of this destructive resolution with the enactment of a statute stating this damnable resolution in no way represents US policy. Better yet, would be disassociating ourselves from the UN. But now I'm dreaming.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan responded, promising the GOP will repair damages done by the human wrecking ball to all things good and right. "Today's vote," Ryan said, "is a blow to peace that sets a dangerous precedent for further diplomatic efforts to isolate and demonize Israel."

The United Nations is a despicable waste of U.S. taxpayer dollars, so maybe 2017 is the perfect time for the United States to divorce itself from the U.N. and then boot the U.N. out of the U.S. Trump should buy the U.N. building and turn it into a presidential library and museum with a special section allocated for Israeli memorabilia when he leaves office in 2025.

So, hang on Israel, there's hope. With January 20, 2017, just around the corner, please know that you have a friend in us, and an American president-elect who will stand with Israel and rebuild that which the Obama administration sought to demolish.
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An eighth floor apartment has been damaged tonight following fire at Lyneham.



ACT Fire & Rescue responded to the Axis Apartment Complex on the corner of Northbourne Avenue and Mouat Street after being alerted by an automatic fire alarm at 9:20pm.



Fire crews arrived and quickly extinguished the blaze before it could spread to adjoining apartments.



There was no one inside the apartment when firefighters reached the apartment. Occupants of the eighth floor were also evacuated.



ACT Fire & Rescue attended with two fire trucks, the bronto aerial firefighting appliance, breathing aparartus support van and two commanders.



Firefighters ventilated smoke from the building.



The cause of the fire will be investigated.


Two years before Fisher was born, Rubin had completed her PhD at Georgetown University, in which she found that galaxies were not scattered randomly throughout the universe, but clustered together in bright splats of light. (She had gone to Cornell to study her masters, as women were not allowed to do so at Princeton.) As she peered into a new world, she saw it was "more mysterious and more complex than we had imagined".

We barely blink when women in the sciences achieve (who remembers that Professor Elizabeth Blackburn won a Nobel prize in 2009?), so it is hardly surprising we are often caught napping when they die. And yet it is important to remember, in a year when science has often been miscast as partisan, with consensus dismissed as conspiracy and gut instinct elevated above data, and when women's enduring status as sexual playthings of the powerful has been constantly dissected, and we are mourning the deaths of a host of celebrated stars, that quiet, plodding empirical work by devoted, curious, imaginative women into things that most of us cannot see and can barely comprehend, is what spins the cogs of medical and scientific advance, year by year.

Which is why Scientific American annually honours some of those women we lost in the past 12 months; we should too. We should remember, for example, Ann Caracristi, who earned her reputation as a top code-breaker in World War II and became the first female deputy director of the US National Security Agency in 1980, the year before George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley formed Wham! (She died in January, aged 94).

Suzanne Corkin was a neuroscientist who discovered that consolidation of long-term memory occurs in the brain's hippocampus. Yvette Fay Francis-McBarnette, who enrolled in Yale Medical School in 1946, and was the second African-American woman to do so, developed a treatment for sickle-cell disease that saved thousands of lives. (March, age 89)
Police across Sydney made 15 arrests during the New Year celebrations, a low figure they say, considering the crowds were the biggest they've seen in recent years.

Assistant Commissioner Nick Fuller told reporters that, as of 1:30am on Sunday, the number of arrests was half what it was last year, an "outstanding result".

He said the arrests were mainly to do with heavy alcohol consumption and assaults, including some minor assaults on police officers.

"From our perspective we really feel the community heeded our warnings. They planned the night and they've acted in good faith and really seen 2016 out in a positive way," he said.

Crowd numbers at many vantage points around the harbour reached capacity by 9pm, which is "very unusual", he said.
Concrete blocks were placed on the Gold Coast to protect those celebrating the new year on Saturday, despite Queensland Police assuring residents there was no security threat.

The cube-shaped blocks, more than a metre in size, were placed in Cavill Mall about lunch-time on Saturday.

Blocks have been installed at the popular Gold Coast spot ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations. Credit:7 News Queensland

The concrete cubes, combined with the existing iron poles at the entrance to the mall, would prevent vehicles driving through the crowds expected to gather for New Year's Eve celebrations.

Despite additional security measures, Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said there was no known terrorism threat.
Thousands have lined South Bank to bring in the new year with a bang, with a double firework display to captivate the young and old.

About 90,000 people were estimated to have packed into South Bank to watch the annual fireworks display at 8.30pm, while many thousands more watched on from Eagle Street Pier and Portside at Hamilton for simultaneous displays.

Crowds at South Bank watch as the skies above Brisbane explode with New Year's Eve fireworks. Credit:Glenn Hunt

Plenty of families set up camp on the grass by the Brisbane River and for some it was their first time at the New Year's Eve firework display, including the L'Estrange family.

"It's nice to feel the community spirit here tonight and be with a lot of people," Marissa L'Estrange said.
Police were out in force in Melbourne's CBD on New Year's Eve to curb trouble and show safety in numbers after the thwarted Christmas Day terror attacks.

An estimated 450,000 people rung in the new year in the city, with more than 13.5 tonnes of fireworks being lit off 22 city rooftops.

A large police presence was felt, especially near St Paul's Cathedral and Flinders Street, which were named as targets in a suspected Christmas terror plot. Uniformed officers swarmed through Federation Square, Swanston Street and Collins Street from around 6pm.

By 9.30pm when the "early Eve" fireworks began, police numbers had grown still more.
LINCOLN  Two long-time death penalty supporters showed up at a hearing Friday morning to support a newly proposed execution protocol developed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

Nineteen people, most of whom identified themselves as anti-death penalty, pointed out flaws and what they called potentially unconstitutional content and law violations.

"I ask ... that this protocol be dumped. And start over," said Lincoln attorney Alan Peterson. "And don't try to hide this horrible procedure from the public. And from me. And from the people remaining on death row."

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, former state medical director Gregg Wright and Nebraska Pharmacist Association Director Joni Cover objected to the many ways the protocol errs by shrouding the process in mystery.

"I see difficulties (with the protocol) of a constitutional proportion, so the governor will be out of office before anybody would be executed in this state," Chambers said.

But Bob Evnen, co-founder of Nebraskans For the Death Penalty, said the protocol is sound and should be adopted.

There is much hue and cry from death penalty opponents about the transparency of the protocol, he said. But there are good policy reasons for protecting the identity of the execution team appointed by the Corrections Department, Evnen said.

"Your proposed regulations properly implement that protection, as they should. As they must by law," he told Corrections attorney Mark Boyer, who presided over the public hearing.

Death penalty supporter Rick Eberhardt, sheriff of Pierce County, said the protocol should be workable and asked that the state model its process after other states that successfully use the death penalty. He also asked that Nebraska carry out death sentences as quickly and humanely as possible.

The public hearing was necessary to comply with the state's administrative procedures act, but Corrections Director Scott Frakes can send it on as is for review of Attorney General Doug Peterson and approval by Gov. Pete Ricketts.

In late November, the Corrections Department released proposed revisions to the state's execution protocol that would keep secret the drugs and method of administration until 60 days before request for a death warrant.

Concerned citizen Eleanor Rogan of Omaha said that when the state compromises its principles for the sake of expediency, messy, corrupt government can creep in.

Unknown drugs, unknown dosages and unknown providers are a recipe for medical disaster, she said.

It's clear the protocol was politically motivated, said Chambers. It is not scholarly, and it is not based on medical or professional consultation or assistance.

"It is what I would describe as a slap-dash, loosey-goosey affair," he said.

About 494,000 Nebraskans voted to do away with the Legislature's 2015 repeal of the death penalty, and nearly 321,000 voted to retain the law that would have replaced it with life in prison.

Chambers said the vote didn't surprise him.

"When the people are allowed to vote, it's not always based on intelligence, knowledge, information, but usually emotion," he said.

ACLU of Nebraska attorney Spike Eickholt called the protocol a step backward for the Corrections Department, which seemed to be progressing after scandals and problems in recent years.

"Even people who support the death penalty don't agree with hiding the process and the means and the death penalty itself from the public," he said.

Those attending Friday hearing were allowed five minutes each to testify. A number of them said the protocol conflicts with state law.

Attorney Shawn Renner, representing Media of Nebraska, said authority claimed by the department to keep confidential the name of any person or company supplying the lethal injection drugs is directly contrary to the Nebraska public records law.

"It's illegal and it will not be enforced by courts," he said.

Alan Peterson said that to adopt a protocol that allows a director, who is an administrative officer in the executive branch, to decide which records are public and which are an exception is "amazing."

"There's no authority for that," he said. "None.

"Any changes have to be legislative changes. You can't just write an administrative reg like this and expect it not to be challenged."

Peterson appeared incredulous the state would try to shroud the procurement of drugs so that dealing with people as shady as Chris Harris of Harris Pharma could be hidden from everyone except the Corrections director. Nebraska paid tens of thousands of dollars to Harris in its last failed attempt to buy death penalty drugs.

"Come on. This state is better than that," he said.

Former state medical director Wright objected to the section of the protocol that would allow the director to designate a health professional qualified to determine whether an inmate is dead once the lethal drugs are injected.

"I can say pretty clearly there is no health professional who, by their license, is qualified to determine death in this setting," he said.

It would be unethical for a physician to do so, he said.

Corrections attorney Julie Smith has said no written documents, correspondence or records exist to show if she consulted with anyone, including pharmacists or medical personnel, in writing the new protocol.

"The watchfulness of the state requires the state to keep some records," said Wright.

At one point, Courtney Lawton went to the microphone in the hearing room at the State Office Building and prayed for the intercession of St. Maximillian Kolbe, the patron saint of prisoners who was executed at Auschwitz by lethal injection with carbolic acid.

Corrections Director Frakes has said he'll keep an open mind about any comments or testimony on the proposed protocol.

Dawn-Renee Smith, the Corrections Department's communications director, said the testimony will be transcribed, compiled with submitted written testimony and reviewed. A summary will be included in the final draft of the protocol before it is filed with Secretary of State John Gale.
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Community Bookstores pick: The End of the Story by Lydia Davis

You might know Lydia Davis as the cutting edge of the short-short story, but her only novel, The End of the Story, is an absolute gem of clarity and concision. The story follows the dissolution of a relationship and the unnamed narrators attempts to cast her memories into novel form. As with the best of Daviss work, every word is so deliberate, every sentence so perfect in rhythm and sound and form, that the book becomes a kind of argument for the future of fiction made from memories.

 Hal Hlavinka, Community Bookstore [43 Seventh Ave. between Carroll Street and Garfield Place in Park Slope, (718) 7833075, www.communitybookstore.net].

Words pick: Music Is by Brandon Stosuy

Our current obsession at Word is Music Is This colorfully illustrated board book from music journalist Brandon Stosuy takes us on a journey through the world of music, in all its varied iterations. Educate and entertain your future audiophile with concepts that range from music is loud vs. music is quiet to the more esoteric music is hi-fi vs. music is lo-fi. Filled with bright bold colors and shapes, Music Is is a perfect read-out-loud gift for new parents, ultimately teaching us that music is for everyone.

 Michelle Chen, Word [126 Franklin St. at Milton Street in Greenpoint, (718) 3830096, www.wordbrooklyn.com].

Greenlight Bookstores pick: Serve The People by Karen Ishizuka

With scholarship and verve, Ishizuka traces the creation of what would be called the yellow power movement. Her chronicle, subtitled Making Asian America in the Long Sixties, is contextualized within the civil rights movement at large, and draws on more than 100 interviews to create its history. From San Francisco to New York to Los Angeles, from students to activists, Ishizuka depicts how the story of Asian America is multi-voiced and variegated.

 Stephanie Bartolome, Greenlight Bookstore [686 Fulton St. between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 2460200, www.greenlightbookstore.com].
Nailbiter: Astros survive in Game 5, take control of World Series in 3-2 win

The Astros are one win away from the second World Series title in their history because of the greatest bullpen in postseason history.
As many as 44.81 million  16.6 per cent male and 9.5 per cent female Indian undergraduate students aged between 18 and 24 are too poor to pursue higher education, according to data from the National Sample Survey (NSS), 2014.
The world in 2015 admitted COP 21 agreement in Paris to protect our planet from ongoing climate change challenges. This becomes important because 2016's COP 22 conference failed in achieving its goal. Different governments of the world are still not sure on how to reduce carbon emissions to help prevent global temperature from rising.



To support the Paris climate change goals, investments in renewable energy must go up swiftly in the next couple of years, changing economies will play a crucial role to achieve this. Now that the year 2016 is coming to an end, it is usual that we will look at the past, assess what's good we had done for the environmental after historic Paris agreement. Business Standard takes a look on the environmental happenings of 2016.
The deadlock in Northeastern state of Manipur continues as the economic blockade imposed on two of its lifeline highways is set to enter its third month.



United Naga Council (UNC), an umbrella group of Nagas, had been imposing economic blockade on Highways (NHs) 2 and 37 since November 1 protesting against the state governments decision to create seven new districts.



The UNC has now decided to further intensify its protest and there appears no hope of any early diffusion of the crisis and lifting of the blockade. The decision was taken at a meeting of the council on Wednesday.



Due to the blockade, goods-carrying vehicles are unable to enter states Imphal Valley, resulting in extreme crisis of essential commodities, including fuel and medicines.
Prime Minister on Saturday announced a scheme to provide pregnant women financial aid of Rs 6,000 as part of efforts to bring down the maternal mortality rate.

"The scheme will be applicable over 650 districts of the country. Under this scheme a pregnant woman will be provided with Rs 6,000 for covering hospital admission, vaccination and nutritional food," said Modi in his special address to the nation on New Year's Eve.

"The money will be directly transferred to pregnant women bank accounts," he said, adding that it "will greatly help in bringing down maternal mortality rate".

Currently the scheme is being implemented on a pilot basis in 53 districts with the benefit amount being Rs 4,000.
Prime Minister on Saturday set out a stern warning of tough action against the "dishonest" people even as he announced a slew of sops for senior citizens, farmers, rural housing, women and small entrepreneurs to soften the blow of demonetisation.

He also assuaged the honest people that the government will act as a friend to them so that their difficulties are eased.

Among the sops announced in his address to the nation at the end of 50-day demonetisation period, Modi said senior citizens will get 8 per cent interest on deposits of upto Rs 7.5 lakh for 10 years and deposit of Rs 6,000 into accounts of pregnant and lactating women in rural areas to meet medical expenses.

For farmers, he announced that banks will not charge interest for 60 days on loans taken from district co-operative central bank and primary societies for rabi crop.

For construction or expansion of a rural house, 3 per cent interest will be waived on loan of up to Rs 12 lakh.

Announcing two new schemes under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, he said 4 per cent interest subvention on loans upto Rs 9 lakh and 3 per cent on loan upto Rs 12 lakh.

"The law will take its course with full force. The government will help the honest and protect them and see their difficulties are eased. How honest will gain from the government. This government is a friend of good people and wants to build on the good environment for the people to return to goodness," he said.

Acknowledging that "serious offences" have been committed by some bank and government officials taking advantage of situation, he said "they will not be spared".
Women who smoke during pregnancy may be more likely to have children with kidney damage than mothers who steer clear of cigarettes, a study suggests.
Lieutenant General Praveen Bakshi, who has been superseded by General Bipin Rawat as the chief of army staff (COAS) from the New Year, has announced he will continue in service.
Women who took during the last three months of pregnancy significantly lowered the risk that their children would develop asthma, a study in Denmark has found.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced several measures for senior citizens, farmers, pregnant women, the MSME sector and home buyers. In his address to the nation on the New Year's Eve, Modi thanked people for enduring the pain caused after the government's November 8 decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had on Friday increased the daily withdrawal limit from ATMs to Rs 4,500 from Rs 2,500 per card per day. This will be effective from January 1, 2017. The weekly withdrawal limit (Rs 24,000), however, remains unchanged. RBI said disbursals would be mostly in Rs 500 notes.
Headhunter Casey Abel spent four months trying to hire a data-centre architect for a Japanese automaker, including five meetings with the client  one with the top executive. In the end, the IT specialist joined an e-commerce company abroad for significantly more money. Theres just a massive mismatch in salaries, said Abel, managing director at recruiter HCCR K.K., who has spent as long as a year trying to land some IT candidates. Youve got some engineers making 20 million yen ($170,000) a year. Then you try to fit them in the traditional ...
Chinas military has become alarmed by what it sees as US President-elect Donald Trumps support of Taiwan and is considering strong measures to prevent the island from moving toward independence, sources with ties to senior military officers said.
A nationwide Syrian cease-fire brokered by Russia and Turkey that went into effect at midnight has been held despite minor violations, marking a potential breakthrough in a conflict that has disregarded high-level peace initiatives for over five years.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported clashes early on Friday between troops and rebels in the central province of Hama and near the capital, Damascus.

It said that later in the day a man was killed by sniper fire in eastern suburbs of Damascus, becoming the first fatality since the truce went into effect. The group also reported an aerial attack on the rebel-held Barada Valley near Damascus.

The Syrian army denied reports it was bombarding the Barada Valley region saying opposition claims aim to show that the army is not abiding by the truce.

Opposition activist Mazen al-Shami, who is based in the Damascus suburb of Douma, said minor clashes nearby left one rebel wounded. Activist Ahmad al-Masalmeh, in the southern Daraa province, said government forces had opened fire on rebel-held areas.

Several past attempts at halting the fighting have failed.

As with previous agreements, the current cease-fire excludes both the al-Qaida-affiliated Fatah al-Sham Front, which fights alongside other rebel factions, and the Islamic State group.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the cease-fire will be guaranteed by both Moscow and Turkey, and the agreement has been welcomed by Iran. Moscow and Tehran provide crucial military support to Syrian President Bashar Assad, while Turkey has long served as a rear base and source of supplies for the rebels.

If it holds, the truce between the Syrian government and the country's mainstream rebel forces will be followed by peace talks next month in Kazakhstan, Putin said in announcing the agreement. He described it, however, as "quite fragile" and requiring "special attention and patience."

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called the cease-fire a "major achievement" in a tweet yesterday. "Let's build on it by tackling the roots of extremist terror," he added.

Russia said the deal was signed by seven of Syria's major rebel factions, though none of them immediately confirmed it, and one denied signing it.

At UN headquarters in New York, Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin circulated a draft resolution that would endorse the cease-fire agreement and the Security Council scheduled a vote on it for on Saturday.
President-elect Donald Trump praised Vladimir Putin as very smart after the Russian leader ruled out a tit-for-tat retaliation for the Obama administrations expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats over cyberattacks aimed at interfering with the U.S. election. Great move on delay (by V Putin)  I always knew he was very smart! Trump wrote on Twitter Friday, hours after Putin said Russia wont order U.S. diplomats out of the country in reaction to President Barack Obamas action the day before. Trumps message  which was ...
With conventional spices from India unable to post considerable growth in exports, the has gradually turned towards value addition in the form the brand 'Flavourit'. The board aims to partner with private players to sell premium spices, value-added products such as spice chocolates, mouth fresheners and cosmetic products in international .
With the announcement of close aide of Jayalalithaa V. K. Sasikala Natarajan elected as the new general secretary of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the whole of Tamil Nadu has again submerged in the sea of celebration.

Sasikala will be formally taking the charge as AIADMK general secretary today.

In her support, the party members were seen wearing t-shirts bearing picture of Sasikala, welcoming her in her new office of general secretary.

Sasikala earlier on Thursday accepted the resolution to be the general secretary of AIADMK.

"Chinnamma accepts the resolution as Honourable CM Thiru.O.Panneerselvam hands over a copy of it. Chinnamma accepts to take over as AIADMK General Secretary," the party's Twitter handle wrote.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam handed over a copy of the resolution to Sasikala.

The AIADMK had passed a resolution to work under the leadership of Sasikala.

The decision was taken in the party's general body meeting.

"AIADMK adopts resolution to work under the leadership of Chinnamma," said the party's Twitter handle.

After Jayalalithaa died, the party had announced that Natarajan would replace her as the chief of her party even though she was not technically qualified.

Jayalalithaa who passed away on December 5 evening after suffering cardiac arrest was the party's general secretary from 1989 to 2016.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sasikala Natarajan, the closest friend of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, on Saturday formally took over the AIADMK's leadership.

54-year old Natarajan took charge as the AIADMK's general secretary this afternoon, a post held by Jayalalithaa till she died on December 5.

Natarajan, also called 'Chinamma' (mother's younger sister), paid tributes to party founder MGR and Jayalalithaa at the office before taking the charge.

cadre assembled outside the party headquarters in Chennai to show their support for 'Chinamma'.

The party members had in a unanimous resolution adopted at the party's general council meeting earlier this week, appointed Sasikala to the post.

The AIADMK in its general body meeting passed a resolution to work under the leadership of Sasikala.

The resolution was accepted by Sasikala, the confirmation of which was posted on the party's Twitter handle.

"AIADMK adopts resolution to work under the leadership of Chinnamma," it read.

After Jayalalithaa died, the party had announced that Natarajan would replace her as the chief of her party even though she is not technically qualified.

The general secretary has to have completed five years as an active member.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday extended her New Year wishes to the people of India.

"I expect 2017 to be the year of peace, social harmony and development for India. Hope that the country be leader in world peace, humanity and love," she said.

Gandhi also wished the soldiers of the Indian Army posted at the border. She said, "'because of the courage and valour of our jawans, we all are protected and secure."

She also expected the borders to be calm and peace throughout the year

"Hope that the people of the country in 2017 live with social harmony, equality and fraternity," Gandhi added.

Earlier, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also expressed his New Year greeting through social media platform Twitter before leaving for his holidays.

"I will be traveling for the next few days.Happy New Year to everyone,wishing you and your loved ones success & happiness in this coming year," he said in a tweet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Describing demonetisation as a historic decision, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said people should bear short term pain for long term gain.

"Demonetisation is a bold and historic decision and will help India become an economically sound nation," said Singh, adding that people can and should bear short term pain for long term gain.

Singh was speaking at the 'Digi Dhan Mela' event in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh which was also attended by the state governor Ram Naik.

"The nation is changing and developing. I know there are some who will question the development path of the nation, but they will realise its benefit in the coming years," Singh added.

He further said that if people would deposit their money in the banks instead of keeping it with themselves, then it would help in development works.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
From January 1, 2017, India will supply an additional 80 megawatts of power to Nepal, bringing the total supply of electricity to that country to about 400 megawatt.

Nepal's Energy Minister Janardan Sharma recently held discussions with his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal on this issue.

Besides reviewing cooperation and expanding ties between the two countries in the power and energy sector, Sharma requested Goyal for an additional supply of 80 megawatts of power to alleviate shortage in Nepal due to seasonal reduction in supply from domestic hydro projects in the winter months.

In a swift response to this request, within a period of 20 days, the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) installed an additional 220/132kV, 100MVA transformer at the Muzaffarpur substation in India.

This transformer will facilitate additional power supply up to 80 megawatts to Nepal through the Muzaffarpur (India) - Dhalkebar (Nepal) transmission line. With this augmentation, a total of 160 megawatts can now be supplied to Nepal through this transmission line.

The electrical grids of India and Nepal are connected through various radial lines at 132kV, 33kV and 11kV voltage levels. Prior to February 2016, as per the request received from Nepal from time to time, various short-term augmentation schemes were carried out which resulted in enhancement of power flow to Nepal from 50 megawatts to about 240 megawatts.

In February 2016, Prime Ministers of India and Nepal inaugurated the first high capacity 400kV cross-border line, initially being operated at 132kV, from Muzaffarpur in India to Dhalkebar in Nepal. This had resulted in additional flow of 80 megawatts, enhancing the total power supply to Nepal to about 320 megawatts.

The Muzaffapur - Dhalkebar line is planned to be charged at 220kV with the commissioning of 220kV Dhalkebar substation in Nepal by March 2017. This will facilitate additional 150 megawatts of power transfer to Nepal. This would be followed by commissioning of 400 kV sub-station at Dhalkebar (Nepal), which would enable operation of Muzaffarpur - Dhalkebar 400 kV DC line at its rated voltage, leading to increase in power transfer to Nepal by 300-400 megawatts.

India is also working with Nepal to supply power through two more radial 132kV lines viz. Raxaul-Parwanipur and Kataiya-Kushaha, which are being commissioned through the grant assistance of Government of India.

India, through PGCIL, has also assisted Nepal in preparation of electricity Master Plan for Nepal- short term (up to 2018-19), medium term (up to 2021-22) and long term (up to 2035). Accordingly, a number of high capacity cross-border interconnections are being considered between India and Nepal. Initially, these interconnections would be utilized for transfer of power from India to Nepal and later with the development of hydro projects in Nepal, these links would be utilized for transfer of surplus power from Nepal to India.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], Dec.31 (ANI): The lotus bloomed in Arunachal Pradesh again with 33 legislators of ruling People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) led by Chief Minister Prema Khandu joining the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The BJP came to power in Arunachal Pradesh, 13 years ago in 2003, making it the first north eastern state to be ruled by a right-wing party, albeit for a brief period.

The state's political stalwart, Gegong Apang, the second longest serving chief minister in India after former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu, took over the state's reins as the leader of a BJP-led United Democratic Front ministry on August 3, 2003. He had joined the BJP later but had deserted the saffron brigade lock, stock and barrel just 40 days before the 2004 assembly elections to re-embrace the Congress.

The 33 PPA legislators led by Khandu along with state BJP president Tapir Gao marched into assembly secretariat at Naharlagun and merged with the saffron brigade in writing. Khandu and Gao informed the media in the assembly that 33 PPA MLAs had merged with the BJP.

"The PPA adopted the Congress culture blocking development process which prompted us to decide to join the BJP," Khandu said and rubbished all allegations levelled against him by the PPA while Gao welcomed all the new comers to saffron brigade.

Later, in the BJP office, Gao, Khandu and senior BJP leader and sitting minister Tamiyo Taga, in their separate addresses, said the development agenda would be taken up jointly without any discrimination and rising above political differences.

"We all ministers will resign today or tomorrow to give a free hand to Chief Minister Khandu to choose his cabinet," Taga said, while Khandu pitched in to add: All sitting ministers would continue.

The state's political situation has been taking swift twists. PPA president Kahfa Bengia had suspended seven PPA MLAs, including Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on December 29, while government spokesman Bamang Felix on December 30 on behalf of Khandu group had told media persons that Khandu has the support of 49 MLAs - 35 PPA, 12 BJP and two independents.

However, Khandu today dropped senior ministers Tanga Byaling (RD and Panchayat, Rajesh Tacho (Sports and Youth Affairs), Takam Pario (PHED and Disaster Management) while PPA president suspended four MLAs - Honchun Ngangam, Bamang Felix, Punji Mara and Pani Taram - from the party today.

With the 33 PPA MLAs embracing the lotus, the party position in the 60-member assembly is BJP 45, PPA 10, Congress 3 and independents 2 (BJP Associate members).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Joint Naga Civil Societies, Delhi (CJNCSD) yesterday organised a mass protest rally at Jantar Mantar to further intensify their protest against the arrest of the two United Naga Council (UNC) leaders and the unconstitutional formation of the new seven districts.

Thousands of Nagas thronged the streets of Jantar Mantar chanting "Nagas shall defend their land to the last man standing" and effigies of Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his deputy Gaikhangam Gangmei were burnt down.

The CJNCSD raised serious doubt on the political intention of the central government for its continued silence on the issue and questioned why the Centre has not raised even a single question to the Manipur Government for the imprisonment of the two UNC leaders and the unconstitutional formation of the new seven districts.

The CJNCSD states that Nagas have been defending every inch of their ancestral land, liberty, identity and dignity with blood and tears since the mighty British times and dares the Government of Manipur to attempt to carve out even an inch of the Naga ancestral territory in the name of formation of new districts.

The CJNCSD reaffirms that Naga issue is a political issue and vows to stand its ground with UNC till the unconditional release of the two incarcerated UNC leaders and rolling back of the proposed seven districts.

Stating that the UNC has been observing partial peaceful shutdown along the highway which absolutely is a legal and democratic form of protest, the CJNCSD further stated that Ibobi and paid valley-based media ingeniously coined the term "economic blockade" to criminalise the Naga political issue and illegally arrested the president and the information secretary of UNC.

The CJNCSD also submitted another memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterating the following demands: immediate nullification of the creation of the seven new districts; unconditional release of the two UNC leaders; to respect the 3rd August Naga Framework Agreement and to expedite the finalization of the Framework Agreement; imposition of President's Rule in the State of Manipur; CBI enquiry into the 18th December, 2016 communal violence against the innocent Naga civilian passengers at Imphal and immediate compensation for the victims.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa was awarded with Nishan-e-Imtiaz (military) by President Mamnoon Hussain at a ceremony in Islamabad on Saturday.

The President was conferring awards to senior military leadership in recognition of their valuable services.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat was also awarded with Nishan-e-Imtiaz (military) by the president, reports The Express Tribune.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, along with federal ministers were present at the ceremony.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan has sought the support of United States on the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with India.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry had a telephone conversation with Pakistan Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday.

Kerry said that the Bank President had recently informed him about Pakistan's complaint against India on the subject of Indus Waters Treaty.

Kerry urged for an amicable solution of the dispute between the two countries.

"The U.S. would like to see an amicable solution to this issue," he was quoted as saying.

Dar said that the Indus Waters Treaty is an international commitment and it is the responsibility of the Bank to make sure that India honours this treaty and the water rights of hundreds of millions of people of Pakistan are protected.

He said that the Court of Arbitration is a legal requirement and appointment of the Chairman of the Court of Arbitration must be fulfilled by the Bank.

Dar said that the World Bank President had been in touch with him in writing and also on telephone during the current month.

He indicated that Washington's support on the principles and legal position of Pakistan would be greatly appreciated.

Kerry also appreciated the improvement in the economic indicators of Pakistan and congratulated Dar on the economic recovery brought about by Islamabd.

Dar said that the government after having achieved macro-economic stability is now focused on achieving higher sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Kerry also recalled his association with Senator Ishaq Dar went back to the days when he was Leader of Opposition in the Pakistan Senate.

The Finance Minister also warmly acknowledged his association with Secretary Kerry.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan on Monday is expected to submit a report on alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav and evidence of attempted violation of maritime boundary by an Indian submarine to the United Nations.

The dossier is expected to be handed over by Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dr. Maleeha Lodhi to incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on his first working day at the UN headquarters in New York, reports the Dawn.

Jadhav's capture this year was flaunted by the Pakistan military as "proof of Indian interference and state-sponsored terrorism".

India has rejected Jadhav's recorded confessional statement where he is shown accepting that he had been assigned by the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) to promote unrest in Balochistan and Karachi.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan government is facing criticism for delaying the presentation of evidence to the international community of Jadhav's involvement in subversive activities.

Earlier this month, the Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had said that "insufficient material" had been delaying finalisation of the dossier.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has appreciated Russian President Vladimir Putin for not expelling the U.S. diplomats in response to Washington's sanctions on them.

"Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!" Trump tweeted.

The Russian President had responded to the United States' sanctions against the country and the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats from Washington by deciding not to expel any U.S. diplomats from the Russia.

Putin has invited U.S. diplomat's children accredited in Russia to the New Year party in the Kremlin.

He asserted that the move by Washington against Russia causes damage not only to the bilateral relations but the as a whole.

"We consider the new unfriendly steps by the outgoing U.S. administration to be provocative and aimed at further undermining the Russian-US relations. This definitely contravenes the fundamental interests of both the Russian and American people," Tass News agency quoted, Putin, as saying.

He said that Russia has every reason for an adequate response in accordance with the established international practice.

"While reserving the right to take retaliatory measures, we will not stoop to the level of the so-called 'catfight', irresponsible diplomacy and take further steps to restore the Russian-US relations taking into account the policy that will be pursued by the administration of President Donald Trump," he said.

The President said that Russia will not create problems for U.S. diplomats by expelling them and neither will they prevent their families from using the customary rest and leisure facilities and sites during the New Year holidays.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had suggested expelling 35 U.S. diplomats in response to sanctions announced by Washington.

United States President Barack Obama had imposed sanctions on Russian officials and intelligence services in retaliation for Russia's alleged interference in the November 2016 U.S. presidential election by hacking American political sites and email accounts.

The State Department had expelled 35 Russian diplomats from its embassy in Washington and consulate in San Francisco, giving them and their families 72 hours to leave the United States.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday termed the Samajwadi Party split a New Year gift to people of Uttar Pradesh, saying that the 'Vidaai' of the current first family of Uttar Pradesh is certain now.

"It's was a drama going on in the Samajwadi Party which has now come to an end. The people of Uttar Pradesh must be relieved because a day before the New Year begins, they got a gift. They don't need to press the EVM button any more to throw out the Samajwadi Party. The split is certain, and therefore, Samajwadi Party's Vidaai is also certain from Uttar Pradesh," BJP Secretary Siddharth Nath Singh told ANI.

Singh also reacted on Amar Singh's statement of supporting Samajwadi Party Supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, saying that his role always had the element of suspicion and that he only adds fuel to the fire.

"It's an internal matter and certainly, Amar Singh's role has always been looked with a prism of suspicion. It is for Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh, whether father doesn't trust son or son doesn't trust father. Amar Singh is there to add fuel to the fire. At the end of the day, it is good riddance to bad rubbish. Therefore, the people of Uttar Pradesh must be very grateful," he said.

Samjwadi Party's general secretary Amar Singh earlier in the day said he is supporting party's chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and going against his decision is unconstitutional and immoral.

"Those who are going against him are unconstitutional, immoral and are incorrect and I condemn them," he told ANI.

Dubbing the rift taking place in the Samajwadi Party as 'unfortunate', Singh appealed to the party workers to support Mulayam in this crucial situation.

Commenting on the speculations of the Congress entering into an alliance with the Samajwadi Party, Singh said Congress had no future in Uttar Pradesh.

"There were reports of Congress joining the Samajwadi Party but there was resistance within the SP as it appeared that the Congress may not be welcomed. Now with the split happening, the Congress will certainly be looking at some other faction because they want to survive in the Uttar Pradesh elections, because otherwise it is a doomed party. Whatever happens between the Congress and Samajwadi Party, which is Akhilesh Yadav's side of party, at the end of the day, Congress has no future in Uttar Pradesh," he said.

Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday expelled Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years over indiscipline.

"I solely founded the party, what is their (Akhilesh and Ram Gopal) contribution? They are destroying the party," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Saturday termed the crisis in the party as 'unfortunate' and asked party members to support Mulayam Singh Yadav in the family feud which has seen Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav being expelled for six years.

"Netaji (Mulayam) had said yesterday that if the chief minister admits his fault, then he will try to end the matter. When in 2012, Netaji made Akhilesh Yadav chief minister, then both of them didn't think that such thing will take place," senior party leader Madhukar Jetley told ANI.

"This was very unfortunate. Both Akhilesh Yadav and Mulaym Singh did not imagine this would happen. Mulayam Singh Yadav had made many efforts and struggled a lot to make the party. I hope that he will handle the situation very nicely. I am hopeful that Akhilesh Yadav will realise these things in the future," he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, former cabinet minister Raj Kishore Singh said party members have been working with Mulayam Singh's party for 14 years, and therefore, will always stand by him.

"We have got information from the party that there is a meeting. So, we came here. Netaji called us for a meeting that is why we came. We are with Netaji and will always support him," he added.

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh has called a meeting of all 393 candidates today.

Akhilesh, too, has convened a meeting of MLAs as a showdown against his father to establish that the majority of Samajwadi Party MLAs are with him.

Mulayam yesterday expelled Akhilesh and general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years over indiscipline.

This move comes after Akhilesh had released a list of 235 candidates out of the total 403 seats for upcoming state assembly elections on Thursday, rejecting the list announced by Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday.

Akhilesh's name did not figure in the first list. Mulayam said his son, being the chief minister, can contest from any assembly seat he wishes to.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rumours and controversies have always been an inseparable part of tinsel town. Be it break-ups, patch-up or fights, here is a list of the most talked about controversies of 2016.

-Kangana-Hrithik tiff

The most controversial tussle between Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut and Hrithik Roshan has not just been this year's but one of the Bollywood's ugliest fights and as 2016 comes to an end, the 'Queen' of Bollywood poured her heart out and shared her "part of the story". Hrithik till date is yet to officially open up to the press on the issue.

-The CBFC and censorship in cinema

After the Central Board of Film Certification review committee suggested a whopping 89 cuts in the drug-themed bollywood movie 'Udta Punjab', almost everyone had a side to take in the controversy. They also asked the filmmakers to delete all references to Punjab and its cities, politics, elections and doing away with the expletives.

-Is Taimur the name of Kareena's baby?

After Kareena Kapoor gave birth to baby boy, the newborn became the talk of the town after his parents, Saif and Kareena, revealed his name -Taimur. Social media went crazy with the name, which is taken after the conqueror known for his brutal conquests.

-National anthem in theatres before every movie

The Supreme Court recently ruled that the national anthem should be played before the screening of every film in cinema halls, and for that everybody should "stand up in respect." Ever since the judgement, there have been cases registered against those 'disrespecting' the anthem. And of course, voices have been raised against why it is that movies are always 'targeted'.

-The 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' row

The terrorists attacks that killed 17 Army soldiers and injured 19 in a suicide attack on an Army camp close to the headquarter of the 12th Brigade at Uri in Baramulla District, was followed by the ban of Pakistani actors in India.

With political parties and public opposing casting Pakistani actors in Indian cinema, director Karan Johar's 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' was caught between a rock and a hard place as actor Fawad Khan played a small role in the film.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis too received flak for 'brokering' a deal between the MNS and the makers of the film to ensure its smooth release.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Blamed for the onging infighting in the Samajwadi Party (SP), its leader Amar Singh on Saturday dubbed the recent developments as "very unfortunate" and urged his supporters to back party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

"Whatever is happening in the Samajwadi Party is very unfortunate. I appeal to party members to stand with Neta ji (Mulayam Singh)," he said.

The SP leader quipped: "Ram Chandra keh gaye Siya se aisa Kalyug aayega, beta karega raj bechara baap jungal jayega."

Amar Singh was admitted into the SP fold after a long exile. He is considered close to Mulayam Singh but does not have the same equation with his son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, whose supporters have blamed him for the political rift between Akhilesh and his father.

Mulayam Singh on Friday expelled the Chief Minister and party General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav for six years for "indiscipline and anti-party activities" after the latter called for an emergency meeting of the SP's National Council on January 1.

The latest round of the crisis was sparked when Mulayam Singh released the names of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, ignoring Akhilesh's recommendations. The Chief Minister hit back by releasing his own list of candidates.

Amar Singh said the party foundation was laid by Mulayamn Singh with much dedication and hard work.

"I have said this earlier, and I am saying it again -- Mulayam Singh Yadav ji is the father of the Samajwadi Party and also the father of Akhilesh Yadav," he said.

He also condemned Samajwadi Party workers protesting against the party chief and said: "Those who are going against him (Mulayam) are immoral and wrong and I condemn them."

Earlier on Saturday, Akhilesh held a meeting with party legislators at his official residence in state capital Lucknow. Later, he went to meet Mulayam Singh Yadav, who had called a party's Parliamentary Board meeting later in the day.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Andhra Pradesh police have no information about Maoists keeping an eye on the movements of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during his visits to Delhi, the state police chief said on Saturday.

Director General of Police N. Sambasiva Rao, however, said a general alert was received from the Union Home Ministry about the increased threat perception a month ago.

The DGP was replying to queries at a media conference here about reports that Maoists were keeping an eye on the movements of Naidu during his visits to the national capital.

According to reports quoting Delhi police sources, Maoists in the garb of media persons might attack Naidu at Andhra Bhavan.

Delhi police also reportedly alerted AP Bhavan over the loopholes in his security.

Sambasiva Rao said the police were taking all necessary steps for the Chief Minister's security.

The DGP said the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a general alert following the killing of 30 Maoists in a gunfight with the police in the Andhra-Odisha border area in October and also keeping in view the fact that Naidu had survived an assassination bid in 2003.

He said police kept evaluating the situation and taking additional security measures whenever required.

The police chief said the state police was capable of taking care of the situation.

Following the killings of Maoists in the Andhra-Odisha border area, a letter purportedly written by the outlawed CPI (Maoist) was sent to media houses in which it threatened to take revenge on Naidu.

The outfit had threatened a suicide attack on Naidu and his son Lokesh.

Currently, Naidu is under 'Z plus' category protection and his security detail includes members from the elite National Security Guard apart from Andhra Pradesh police's Intelligence Security Wing.

Naidu had survived a claymore mine attack by Maoists on October 1, 2003 in Tirupati.

Naidu, who was then the Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, had sustained injuries in the blast.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Outgoing Army chief General Dalbir Singh on Saturday said he had promised "more than adequate, immediate and intense" response to any action, and the had delivered on it during the two and a half years he was at the helm.

He said that the was fully prepared and well trained to undertake any challenge, be it external or internal.

As many as 141 terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir this year alone, General Dalbir Singh said.

General Singh, who retired on Saturday, inspected a Guard of Honour on the lawns of the South Block in the morning, before handing over charge to his successor General Bipin Rawat.

Addressing the media, the outgoing General thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for giving the Army a "free hand" in conducting operations and also thanked the citizens for respecting the Army that boosted their morale.

General Singh saluted the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation, the soldiers who serve in challenging areas like "Siachen, icy mountains, scorching deserts and dense forests" and those fighting insurgency and terrorism in the northeast and Jammu and Kashmir.

"I express my sincere gratitude to the honourable Prime Minister and the government for their full support and for giving free hand in conducting operations; for giving impetus to modernisation and for granting 'One Rank One Pension' to the ex-servicemen," General Singh said.

"I also thank the citizens of this country for supporting and respecting the soldiers which has enhanced the morale of the immensely," he said.

"As you are aware, I have never given any TV interview because I strongly believe that actions must speak louder than words. The day I took over as Chief of the Army Staff I had said that our response to any action will be more than adequate, immediate and intense," he said.

General Singh, when he took over as the Army chief on August 1, 2014, had said India's response to any aggression from Pakistan will be "more than adequate".

"The Indian Army has delivered that in the last two and a half years. The Indian Army is the finest and the strongest Army in the world. Our leaders are most competent and unit leaders lead from the front and soldiers are bravest. I want to assure the nation that Indian Army is fully prepared, well trained to undertake any challenges, be it external or internal," he said.

General Singh said the focus of the Army was on operational preparedness and training during his headship.

Asked about the attacks like that in Uri, in which 19 soldiers were killed, and Nagrota, in which seven soldiers were killed, the outgoing Army chief said the attacks and infiltration have increased, but the Army has also killed double the number of terrorists compared with last year.

"We have displayed the power of firmness, resolve, ability and will power... as far as casualties are concerned, the infiltration attempts have increased. If we leave the casualties caused in those two incidents (Nagrota and Uri), the casualties are not so high," General Singh said.

"In 2012, we killed 67 terrorists, in 2013 we killed 65 terrorists... this year, only in Jammu and Kashmir, we have killed 141 terrorists. There are more incidents of infiltration, but we have killed more terrorists, almost double the number," he added.
Former Union Home Secretary Anil Baijal on Saturday took over as the new Lt. Governor of Delhi.

Baijal was administered the oath of office by Delhi High Court Chief Justice G. Rohini at the Lt. Governor's Office here.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his cabinet colleagues and senior officers of the Union and Delhi governments were present at the ceremony.

Soon after, Kejriwal took to Twitter to welcome Baijal's appointment.

"We welcome you sir. We look forward to work together for Delhi's development," Kejriwal tweeted.

Jung, who resigned on December 22 was at loggerheads with Kejriwal and his ministers ever since the Aam Aadmi Party swept to power in the national capital in February 2015.

In his first message to Delhi residents soon after taking charge as Delhi's Lt Governor, Baijal extended his greetings to the people for the New Year.

"On New Year Eve, Lt. Governor Anil Baijal extends his warmest greetings to all the residents of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the citizens of India," a statement said.

Baijal, a 1969-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, retired from service in 2006.

In his 37-year-long career as a top bureaucrat, Baijal held several posts, including those of the Union Home Secretary, Chairman and Managing Director of Indian Airlines, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Joint Secretary and Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former Union Home Secretary Anil Baijal on Saturday took over as the new Lt. Governor of Delhi with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hoping for better relations with him compared to his predecessor Najeeb Jung.

Both Baijal and Kejriwal expressed hope to work in coordination with each other and resolve any issues that may arise by "sitting together".

Soon after taking the oath of office, Baijal told reporters here he will try to resolve problems being faced by Delhi, and will sit together with Kejriwal to resolve the conflict between his office and the elected government.

"I don't know how they (relations with Aam Aadmi Party government) will improve and whether they will improve. We will sit together and find out how to go forward," he said.

Welcoming Baijal, Kejriwal, who attended his oath ceremony, said he hoped for cooperation from the new Lt. Governor to resume "stalled work".

"I welcome him on behalf of the Delhi government and hope to work with him in the coming days for Delhi's development," he said.

"During the last few months, many of Delhi's works were stopped. We hope that in the coming days, we will be able to resume them with the same pace with which they were being carried out earlier," he added referring to Jung's intervention in many of Delhi government's decisions.

Baijal's predecessor Jung was at loggerheads with Kejriwal and his ministers ever since the AAP swept to power in the national capital in February 2015.

In September, Jung set up a committee to review over 400 files related to decisions taken by the Delhi government.

Baijal on Saturday morning was administered the oath of office by Delhi High Court Chief Justice G. Rohini at the Lt. Governor's Office here.

Kejriwal, his cabinet colleagues, many judges and senior officers of the central and Delhi governments were present at the ceremony.

In his first message to Delhi residents soon after taking charge as Delhi's Lt Governor, Baijal extended his greetings to the people for the New Year.

"On New Year Eve, Lt. Governor Anil Baijal extends his warmest greetings to all the residents of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the citizens of India," a statement said.

Baijal also wished for health, happiness, progress, peace and prosperity for all.

Baijal, a 1969-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, retired from service in 2006.

In his 37-year-long career as a top bureaucrat, Baijal held several posts, including those of the Union Home Secretary, Chairman and Managing Director of Indian Airlines, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Joint Secretary and Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

He succeeds Najeeb Jung, who resigned on December 22.

Jung is a 1973-batch former IAS officer and also Jamia Millia Islamia University ex-Vice Chancellor. He had assumed charge as Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on July 9, 2013.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Bangladeshi ruling party law maker died after being shot at home on Saturday in the country's Gaibandha District, a police officer said.

The officer, who preferred to be unnamed said three unidentified assailants riding on a motorbike stormed into Manzurul Islam Liton's house at around 5.45 p.m. and opened fire at him, Xinhua reported.

Liton, a member of parliament from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League party, was rushed to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, said the officer.

The murder motive was not immediately known, but the police officer said they were investigating if it was a terrorist attack or an incident as a result of the previous internal feud.

The lawmaker in October this year drew widespread flak after he shot a 10-year-old boy without any apparent reason.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The BJP on Saturday said it was now at the helm in Arunachal Pradesh after 33 legislators, including Chief Minister Pema Khandu, of the Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA), defected to it, making it the 10th state in the country ruled by the saffron party.

"Arunachal Pradesh becomes 10th BJP ruled state and 14th with the BJP (as an ruling ally). Congratulations to CM Pema Khandu and welcome into the BJP Parivar," party General Secretary Ram Madhav tweeted.

The announcement of Khandu and 32 legislators from the PPA joining the BJP was earlier announced by state BJP President Tapir Gao

"Thirty-three MLAs of the PPA joined us today. It will be a strong BJP Government now," Gao told IANS.

He said the BJP government has the majority support in the 60-member Arunachal assembly and Khandu would continue as the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister paraded his MLAs in front of Speaker Tenzing Norbu. "Lotus has finally bloomed in Arunachal Pradesh. The people of the state see a new dawn of development in the New Year," Khandu told reporters after meeting the Speaker.

The political development in Arunachal Pradesh took a turn on Thursday when Khandu was suspended from the PPA along with six other MLAs.

The PPA is a constituent of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led North East Democratic Alliance. However, it was not immediately clear whether the PPA remains a constituent of the NEDA.

Asked about the remaining PPA MLAs, including the richest legislator Takam Pario, Gao said: "It is for them to decide what they have to do.

"There will be no separate claim to form the government as the BJP has formed the government automatically."

With 12 of its own MLAs, the BJP now has 45 members in the assembly. Two of the independent lawmakers have also supported it.

The PPA is now left with only 10 MLAs.

However, its President Kafha Bengia said the merger was "illegitimate" and that he would challenge it in a court.

"We will move a court against those MLAs who have joined the BJP," Bengia said.

Khandu, son of former Congress Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, has become second BJP Chief Minister in the northeast with Sarbanand Sonowal heading the party's government in Assam.

Khandu, who took over as the Chief Minister from Nabam Tuki in July, had quit the Congress along with 42 MLAs to join the PPA in September.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A court here on Saturday rejected the bail plea of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Tapas Paul and allowed the CBI to take him on three-day remand.

Paul would be in the investigating agency's remand for further questioning in connection with the multi-crore Rose Valley chit fund scam.

The Special CJM court of CBI here allowed the Central Investigation Bureau (CBI) to take the TMC MP on remand.

The investigating agency had requested the court to take him on a five-day remand for further questioning into the chit fund scam.

After arresting Paul on Friday from Kolkata for his alleged links with Rose Valley chit fund scam, the agency brought him to Bhubaneswar.

CBI sources said they would question the TMC MP to elicit more information about his financial transactions with the chit fund firm.

However, Paul's counsel said his client's arrest in politically motivated.

"He has been made a victim under political pressure since he is a celebrity and an MP. Some are trying to take political mileage over the issue," Paul's laywer Arun Acharya told the mediapersons here.

After four hours of investigation, Paul was arrested in Kolkata.

A CBI official said the investigating agency was not happy or satisfied with the answers provided by Paul.

The TMC MP said this is vendetta politics and he would contest this arrest in the court of law.

According to the official, Paul was involved in "financial transactions" with the Rose Valley chit fund organisation.

The actor-turned-politician was summoned by the agency on Tuesday along with Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay for questioning in relation to the ponzi scam.

Following the summon, the Trinamool Congress accused the central government of doing vendetta politics and using central agencies to scare the party as they were protesting the demonetisation move.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
If signing of the trilateral agreement on developing the Chabahar port in Iran, the civil nuclear deal with Japan and the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (Lemoa) with the US marked the major highlights of Indian diplomacy in 2016, deteriorating relations with Pakistan and China stalling India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) are the negatives.

With two major cross-border terror attacks from Pakistan and the Islamic State's attacks in Europe, the fight against terrorism figured majorly in India's diplomatic initiatives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Brussels in March fresh after bombs ripped through the Belgian capital's airport and a Metro station, claiming dozens of lives, including that of an Indian techie, and injuring an Indian air carrier's staffer.

Modi's visit to Brussels also marked the resumption of summit-level talks with the European Union after a gap of four years following the case of two Italian marines being charged with killing Indian fishermen off the coast of Kerala.

Though India managed to draw the support of Switzerland, Mexico and South Africa for its membership of the NSG during Modi's visits in June and July, China stalled New Delhi's bid on the ground that for a country to be a member of the 48-member bloc, it has to be a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Despite two rounds of discussions between India's Joint Secretary (Disarmament) and the Chinese Director General leading the NSG talks, Beijing continued to block New Delhi's membership bid.

This, when India and Japan signed a historic civilian nuclear deal during the Prime Minister's visit to Tokyo for the annual bilateral summit. Japan being an active player in the civil nuclear market, the agreement will help major companies like GE and Westinghouse of the US in setting up nuclear plants in India.

Though China said the test firing of the Agni V intercontinental ballistic missile earlier this month should help the strategic balance in South Asia, Beijing's blocking of New Delhi's NSG membership should be seen in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) perspective. India has raised concerns over the CPEC that passes through Pakistan-adminsitered Kashmir (PoK) ending at the newly-developed Gwadar port in southwest Pakistan.

Against this, what can be seen as a major boost to New Delhi's Act East Policy is its strengthening of ties with Myanmar that has newly acquired democracy. After Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's League for Democracy (NLD) assumed power in March, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Nai Pyi Taw in August which was followed by a visit to New Delhi by Myanmarese President U Htin Kyaw within a week.

India's relationship with Southeast Asia was further emphasised with Modi's visit to Vietnam in September during which the bilateral relationship was elevated from "Strategic Partnership" to "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership". India also offered a $500-million defence credit line, part of which will be used for the construction of offshore patrol boats by Larsen & Toubro.

This came in the wake of the an international arbitration tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague ruling in July that China violated the Philippines' rights in the South China Sea, one of the world's busiest commercial shipping routes.

India urged all stakeholders to follow the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

During Indonesian President Joko Widodo's visit to New Delhi earlier this month, both sides agreed to ensure safety and security of the sea lanes while prioritising defence and security cooperation.

On the western front, India's ties with Pakistan dipped to a new low with two major cross-border terror attacks at an Indian Air Force Base in Pathankot in Punjab in January and at an Indian Army base at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir in September. A peace initiative that was launched by Sushma Swaraj's visit to Islamabad in December 2015 and Modi's visit to Lahore on Christmas Day the same year was thrown completely off the tracks.

But New Delhi gained significant upper ground when it signed a trilateral agreement with Kabul and Tehran for developing the Chabahar port in Iran, boosting connectivity with Central Asia.

Modi visited Iran in May after inaugurating a redeveloped mega dam in Afghanistan signifying India's Neighbourhood First policy with its western neighbour. In December last year, Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani jointly inaugurated a new building of the Afghanistan parliament that was built with Indian aid.

India's engagement with its extended neighbourhood in the west can be gauged from the fact that the Prime Minister visited Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar across May and June in quick succession.

Following the India Africa Forum Summit hosted by New Delhi in October last year, Modi made his first trip to mainland Africa visiting Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya. India-Africa ties were further boosted by the visits of President Pranab Mukherjee to Ghana, Ivory Coast and Namibia, and Vice President Hamid Ansari to Tunisia, Morocco, Nigeria and Mali.

India's growing ties with the US got a significant boost with the signing of the Lemoa. Earlier this month, the US made India a "major defence partner" during the visit to New Delhi of US the Defense Secretary. What India-US ties will see in the incoming Donald Trump administration is the subject of much speculation

On the multilateral front, India hosted the annual BRICS (Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa) Summit in its role as the chairman and the Sixth Ministerial Heart of Asia Istanbul Conference on security and development.
Some 3,000 police were on duty on Saturday in London ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations in light of the recent terror attacks in Nice and Berlin, security forces said.

There would be a large police presence in the centre of London, particularly at Trafalgar Square and near Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster where thousands of people gather annually to watch the New Year's fireworks along the River Thames, Efe news reported.

London's Metropolitan Police said they will be working alongside the British Transport Police in order to ensure the safety of the public.

Police were expected to cut off traffic on Saturday afternoon in central London.

Transport for London, which manages the capital's public transport, said travel would be free on its network between 11.45 p.m. on New Year's Eve and 4.30 a.m., on New Year's Day.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Middle Eastern security and -- especially -- the situation in Syria, according to an Israeli government statement.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening ... spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders discussed developments in the region, with emphasis on Syria and continued security coordination in this sphere, which has already proven itself in preventing misunderstandings," EFE news quoted the Israeli premier's office as saying.

The Russian President's office added that the pair also spoke about the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, without providing any further details, an issue that the Israeli communique did not mention.

The two countries maintain strategic ties, given that there are 1.5 million Russian-speaking Israeli residents, and in 2016 they celebrated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The Kremlin recently tried to spur peace negotiations, proposing Moscow as the site of a meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Netanyahu, but those talks were ultimately postponed at the request of Israel.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
General Bipin Rawat and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa on Saturday took over as the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Air staff from General Dalbir Singh and Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha respectively.

General Rawat's appointment as the 27th Army chief courted controversy as the Eastern Army Commander Lt. Gen. Praveen Bakshi and Southern Army Commander Lt. Gen. P.M. Hariz were superseded in the process.

On Saturday, however, Lt. Gen. Bakshi squashed speculation about his resignation and telephoned General Bipin Rawat to congratulate him.

The two outgoing chiefs laid wreaths at the Amar Jawan Jyoti here ahead of handing over charge to their successors.

General Singh, after inspecting a Guard of Honour in the lawns of South Block, said he had promised "more than adequate, immediate and intense" response to any action, and that the Indian Army had delivered on it during the two and a half years he was at the helm.

"...I strongly believe that actions must speak louder than words. The day I took over as Chief of the Army Staff I had said that our response to any action will be more than adequate, immediate and intense," General Singh said.

During General Singh's tenure, Indian Army conducted two surgical strikes -- one in the eastern front along the Myanmar border in June 2015 in response to an ambush in Manipur in which 18 soldiers died; and second in September this year across the Line of Control in response to the Uri attack in which 19 soldiers were killed.

General Rawat had played key roles in both the strikes -- as Corps Commander of Dimapur-based 3 Corps in the Myanmar strike and as Vice Chief of Army Staff in the attack across the LoC.

The outgoing Army chief said the focus of the Army has been on operational preparedness and training.

"The Indian Army has delivered that in the last two and a half years. The Indian Army is the finest and the strongest Army in the world. Our leaders are most competent and unit leaders lead from the front and soldiers are bravest. I want to assure the nation that Indian Army is fully prepared, well trained to undertake any challenges, be it external or internal," he said.

He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government for "giving free hand in conducting operations", impetus on the Army's modernisation and 'One Rank One Pension'.

General Singh retired after putting 43 years in service. An alumnus of Sainik School Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, General Singh joined the National Defence Academy in 1970. He served as a Company Commander during "Op Pawan" in Sri Lanka , commanded the 53 Infantry Brigade involved in counter-insurgency operations in the Kashmir Valley and commanded the 8 Mountain Division in Jammu and Kashmir.

General Rawat was commissioned in the 5th Battalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles in December 1978, from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, where he was awarded the 'Sword of Honour'.

The Defence Ministry justified General Rawat's appointment, saying he was found to be "best suited among the eligible Lt. Generals to deal with emerging challenges, including a reorganised and restructured military force in the north; continuing terrorism and proxy war from the west, and the situation in the north-east".

Lt. Gen. Bakshi on Saturday called up to congratulate General Rawat and requested that "speculations and trolling in the media and social media should stop and everyone should focus on contributing their best to the betterment of the Army and the nation."

Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa, meanwhile, took over as the 25th Chief of the Air Staff.

Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa, in his address to the air warriors stressed on training and equipping the IAF to deter unconvetional threats.

Commissioned into the IAF's fighter stream in June 1978, Dhanoa, who has flown various types of fighter aircraft and is a qualified flying instructor, commanded a fighter squadron during the Kargil Operations and flew numerous night strike missions in the mountainous terrain.

Air Chief Marshal Raha was commissioned into the IAF on December 14, 1974, in the Fighter Stream of the Flying Branch. During a career spanning over nearly 39 years, he held various command, staff and instructional appointments.

He also served as Air Attache at the Embassy of India, Ukraine, and commanded the Central and Western Air Commands.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A solution to the two-month-old crippling Naga indefinite economic blockade of Manipur is

nowhere in sight with Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and the United Naga Council (UNC) not budging from their respective stands, officials said.

The UNC had imposed the indefinite blockade on November 1 in protest against the government's plan to create two new districts.

According to the UNC, several "lands of the Nagas" will be usurped by the new districts.

However the government responded by creating seven, and not two, new districts.

All sections of people welcomed it saying that apart from administrative convenience this has been their long standing demand for speedy development.

Ibobi told IANS that first UNC should call off the blockade and give an assurance that it will not be repeated. Only after that can talks be held and Gaidon Kamei and Stephen Lamkang, two UNC leaders, may be released to create a conducive atmosphere.

Chief Secretary Oinam Nabakishore said: "One of the conditions of UNC is that the talks should be held in the district headquarters of Senapati".

In response Ibobi said, "The UNC is a club of a handful of persons. If the government goes to Senapati district all other organisations may put such conditions in future. At the most we are ready to go to Delhi for the proposed tripartite talks".

Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, recently said that the Manipur government is not serious about ending the blockade. However Ibobi denies it saying that there was no question of playing since it is a question of starving the people of the state.

Manipur has been without consumer items, baby foods, building materials and other items since November 1 as a result of the blockade.

Rijiju who said that the "blockade is totally unacceptable" had despatched additional paramilitary personnel who are being used to escort trucks and oil tankers along NH 37.

But the UNC said that it shall intensify the agitation.

From Saturday, it is picketing government offices in the Naga dominated areas in the hill districts.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With his self-imposed 50-day deadline having ended, Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued to be targetted by the opposition on as both the Congress and the Trinamool Congress on Saturday assailing him over the continued restrictions on cash withdrawal.



Leading the assault, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi said the trust in Modi has been destroyed in the last 50 days and put forth a charter of demands that included compensating all bank account holders with a special interest at 18% per annum till the time the restrictions on withdrawal continue.



"Destroyed in the last 50 days: trust in the Prime Minister's word. Weekly cash withdrawal limits must go," Gandhi tweeted.

Gandhi, who has been leading his party's charge against Modi, demanded the prime minister to compensate Below Poverty Line (BPL) families with Rs 25,000 besides abolishing charges on digital transactions.



Former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram also took to Twitter to target Modi, questioning the continuance of restrictions on withdrawal even post the 50-day deadline.



"Will all ATMs be functional and have sufficient cash from January 2? If not, why not?



"Will there be no demand hereafter for black money capitation fee for admission to medical and engineering colleges. Will no bribes be given or taken after January 2?" he wondered.



The Congress, which will undertake a month-long nation-wide anti- campaign across the country, said the decision to spike the Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes was a disaster which will slow down the economy in 2017.



Congress leader Rajeev Gowda said the "disaster" of demonetisation has "decimated" autonomy and authority of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and claimed the all the economic indicators will see a "drop" in 2017.



"Rather than creating jobs, Modi has destroyed jobs," he said.



Pointing to the regular change and reversal of rules concerning demonetisation, Gowda said: "We have seen a mockery of governance in every sense".



The Congress on the day also unveiled a book 'Demonetisation- Attack on India's Economy' that provides a "detailed analysis of everything that has gone wrong in implementing demonetisation".



Trinamool supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who has been calling for Modi's resignation held him responsible for the alleged 112 deaths post .



"Modi Babu, public are not beggars of your Government. Why are there still restrictions on cash withdrawal? 50 days are now over. How can you take away the rights of citizens to withdraw their own hard-earned money," she tweeted.



"Modi babu, you are totally arrogant. You are responsible for 112 deaths," said Banerjee who will lead her party's statewide campaign beginning January seeking Modi's removal as the prime minister.




President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday greeted Cuba on its National Day.

"It gives me great pleasure to felicitate you on the happy occasion of the National Day of Cuba," Mukherjee said in his message to the President of Cuba, Raul Castro.

"Relations between India and Cuba are based on strong foundations of shared values and convergence of views," he said.

Mukherjee said the meeting between Raul Castro and India's Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari in Margarita, Venezuela, in September 2016 had added further "impetus to our ongoing cooperation".

"Our two countries now look forward to a closer partnership in various areas of our shared interest including biotechnology, wind energy, power co-generation among others."

Cuba is a Caribbean island nation and celebrates its National Day on January 1.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The number of dead in Thursday's Jharkhand coal mine cave-in has reached thirteen with the recovery of two more bodies on Saturday, police said.

"Two more bodies have been recovered on Saturday. The rescue operation is going on. There are chances of some more people still trapped in the debris," said a police spokesperson to IANS.

The tragedy occurred at the Rajmahal Opencast Project of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) around 7.30 p.m. on Thursday.

The relatives of those killed took the visiting ECL officials hostage on Saturday morning at the accident site. Police, however, managed to rescue them after three hours.

Rescue operations were being carried out by the National Disaster Response Force with assistance from the ECL, Bharat Cooking Coal Limited (BCCL), the state government and experts.

In a statement, the Coal Ministry said that senior officials from the Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS) were at the site and have started an enquiry into the incident.

The Coal Ministry has termed the incident "unprecedented".

An area of 300 metres length by 110 metres width solid floor of the overburden dump area slid down by about 35 metres involving around 9.5 million cubic metres of earth material.

"This could be due to failure of the bench edge along the hidden fault line/slip," it said.

Besides the probe by the Director General of Mines Safety, a "high level committee of experts" was constituted by Coal India Limited (CIL) to investigate the causes of the accident.

The Raghubar Das government has also announced a compensation of Rs two lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 25,000 for the injured.

--IANS

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One country, one flag and one President. Then there is the President-elect. One thinks "Yes, we (still) can." The other can't wait to undo it before his date with destiny -- January 20.

Twenty days before Donald Trump gets the keys of the White House, sparks are flying in a right royal turf war between him and its first black tenant, Barack Obama.

Call it a desire to save his legacy or pique over the stunning defeat of his chosen successor, Hillary Clinton, Obama is trying to erect "roadblocks", as the mogul sees them, on issues ranging from environment to ties with Israel and Russia.

To "punish" Russia in what American spooks branded operation "Grizzly Steppe" to help Trump in the presidential poll, Obama expelled 35 Russian "spies" and closed two Russian recreation compounds.

For their "malicious cyber activity," and phishing expeditions, Russians allegedly used several outlandish secret code names like "Seadaddy," "Hammertoss," "Energetic Bear," "Fancy Bear and "Carberp."

Ever sceptical of the spooks' finding that the Russians had hacked into Democratic Party and the rival Clinton campaign chief's emails, Trump was not impressed. The country needs to "move on to bigger and better things," he responded with atypical restraint.

"Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and its great people," Trump agreed to meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week "to be updated about the facts of this situation."

Russian President Vladimir Putin too did not take the bait. Declining "to create problems for American diplomats" in a deft political move, he instead invited children of US diplomats to celebrate the New Year and Russian Orthodox Christmas at the Kremlin.

Breaking rank with his own Republican Party leaders, Trump, who wants to mend fences with Moscow called Putin "very smart!" for his "great move on delay" in responding to the 'lame duck' Obama administration's provocation.

Earlier, as the US abstained on a UN resolution condemning Israel for Jewish settlements in the West Bank, a livid Trump tweeted: "We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect."

"Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!" wrote Trump. "As to the UN, things will be different after Jan. 20th."

"Doing my best to disregard the many inflammatory President O statements and roadblocks. Thought it was going to be a smooth transition - NOT!" Trump complained in another tweet.

But what really got the mogul's goat was Obama's claim that he would have defeated Trump if he was allowed to run for a third term.

"President Obama said that he thinks he would have won against me. He should say that but I say NO WAY!" Trump responded though Obama's criticism appeared directed more at Clinton.

"Hillary Clinton performed wonderfully," but sure of victory, she "played it safe," and missed opportunities to present a narrative that would have appealed to voters, Obama suggested.

But loathe to give up a good fight, Trump doubled down saying, "Obama campaigned hard (and personally) in the very important swing states, and lost. The voters wanted to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!""The world was gloomy before I won - there was no hope. Now the market is up nearly 10 percent and Christmas spending is over a trillion dollars!" he tweeted.

Taking yet another jab at Obama, the mogul thanked himself as "the US Consumer Confidence Index surged. to its HIGHEST LEVEL IN MORE THAN 15 YEARS! Thanks Donald!"

Obama may or may not have won in a presidential contest against Trump, but he bested the billionaire 22 percent to 15 percent in a Gallup poll to retain his title as America's most admired man for the ninth year.

And Hillary Clinton might have lost the race for the White House, but for the 15th year in a row, she was America's most admired woman - a title she has won a record 21 times.

Another AP-Times Square Alliance poll found that Democrats were more likely to say 2016 was worse for them with a Miami University professor using just three words to explain why: "Trump, Trump, Trump."

But having won the poll that mattered, Trump did not fire a tweet to contest either poll or call them rigged as winners and losers of 2016 mulled what it could be and what 2017 would be.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)

--IANS

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The Narendra Modi government came under increasing attack by opposition parties through the year over a range of issues, including demonetisation, but larger opposition unity remained elusive due to the competing interests of political outfits opposed to the ruling BJP-led alliance.

The year also saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regaining its electoral momentum after its emphatic victory in the Assam assembly polls and the main opposition Congress unable to halt its downslide as it lost power in Assam and Kerala.

Demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, suddenly effected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, emerged as the biggest political issue of the year with opposition parties vigorously focusing on the plight of people forced to stand in unending queues to withdraw their own money.

Opposition parties also found an issue to personally target Modi and sought an inquiry into allegations that he received money from the Sahara and Birla corporate houses when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Demonetisation is set to be a key issue in the forthcoming assembly elections in five states, with people, specially the poor and middle classes, expecting tangible results from the massive exercise that forced them to endure hardships in getting cash and also affected jobs and businesses.

Both the opposition parties and the government have been using demonetisation to rally people behind them. With the responsibility of delivering results squarely on his shoulders, Modi, in his speeches, has been seeking support by terming demonetisation as a struggle of the honest tax-paying citizens against unscrupulous elements out to usurp money meant for the welfare of the poor. He also has been reaching out to people through radio and social media on demonetisation and other issues.

There was no effective debate on demonetisation during the winter session of parliament but several opposition parties came together to target the government on its impact on the people, the frequent change in rules and "shifting goalposts". But the unity was not visible outside due to competing interests of parties ahead of assembly polls in the crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, expected early next year. Besides Uttar Pradesh, assembly elections will also be held in Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa.

Even as they targeted the government on demonetisation, there was no unanimity in the demands of opposition parties. The Aam Aadmi Party and the Trinamool Congress demanded a rollback of demonetisation while the Communist Party of India-Marxist said that old notes should be allowed till the crash crunch was over. Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as also Biju Janata Dal leader and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik welcomed demonetisation.

Also, despite demonetisation affecting people in every nook and corner of the country, the opposition could not stage a mass nationwide protest.

The Left parties, JD-U, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Nationalist Congress Party did not attend a meeting called by the Congress to target the Prime Minister over demonetisation and the Birla and Sahara papers.

The Congress, which suffered a debacle in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, has not won any major assembly election in the past over two-and-a-half years. In the assembly polls held this year, it could win only Puducherry in alliance with the DMK. The AIADMK returned to power in Tamil Nadu and the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.

The BJP, which lost the assembly polls in Delhi and Bihar in 2015 but regained its momentum, also performed credibly in civic election polls held during the year in some states.

Much is at stake for the BJP in the assembly polls in the five states, particularly Uttar Pradesh, which sends the largest number of parliamentarians to the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

The year also saw opposition parties finding a slew of issues to target the Modi government including the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, "failure" of ruling alliance's Pakistan policy, arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Kanhaiya Kumar, suicide of Hyderabad University student Rohith Vemula, the Centre's action in relation to the assemblies of Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh and the "politicisation" of surgical strikes carried out on terror launch pads across the Line of Control in Kashmir.

The Congress and some other parties also accused the government of "helping" liquor baron Vijay Mallya leave the country despite being probed for loan defaults.

Political commentator and senior journalist S. Nihal Singh said the opposition ineffectiveness has been because it was unable to get its act together.

"There are conflicting views. Too many differences, ambitions by each leader," Nihal Singh told IANS.

He said the Congress does not appear to be in a position to effectively challenge the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and Nitish Kumar could emerge as a possible choice of opposition parties.

Political analyst and senior journalist Kuldip Nayar said that "people are beginning to realise there has to be another alternative. An alternative to the Congress and BJP."

"I think an alternative will emerge by the next Lok Sabha elections in 2019. I think people will vote for regional parties rather than all-India parties," he said.

Nayar said the BJP may not be able to fulfill all its election promises and the Congress has still not come out of dynastic . "So people are not yet convinced. If there was some other leader, Congress probably would have become (more) relevant."

He said opposition parties can come together in future on a common minimum programme but there is no indication of this happening as yet.

(This is a part of a series of articles from IANS that look back at the year that was. Prashant Sood can be contacted at prashant.s@ians.in)

--IANS

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The fact that almost the entire Rs 15 lakh crore of old currency has come back to the banks proves how the noble intention of our Prime Minister has been frustrated by many corrupt bank officials. Much of the hoarded black money from corrupt government officials and others has been deposited not in the hoarders accounts, but in bogus Jan Dhan and shell company accounts that are totally under the control of bank officials. The existence of such accounts is common knowledge, as a report some months back revealed how bank officials were quietly depositing one rupee from their pockets to erase zero-balance accounts. Crores of valid currency in shiny new bundles have been taken out from these accounts and is back with the same corrupt government official or businessman. I suspect out of Rs six lakh crore of new printed currency at least Rs 2.5 lakh crore is not in circulation and is with the same people whom the surgical action was aimed at. This could have been checked had the RBI been transparent and announced how much of the new currency is being doled out every day to each branch in these two months, so that the crowd standing outside the bank could have protested against being given only Rs 4,000, and bulk being siphoned off somewhere else.

Net Central Tax Revenue has been increasing at a rate of 10.7 per cent annually between 2010-11 and 2015-16. Therefore the Finance Ministers announcement that the increase would be 14 per cent in the current year is no big deal. However one understands political compulsions for the PM to announce certain sops in view of the forthcoming Assembly elections. He promised strict action against the corrupt, but to what extent reduction in interest on loans on various farm sector schemes would enthuse the farmers is difficult to say. Such interest subsidies have been part of Central Budget for the last three decades with little impact.

His best announcement was to make the existing scheme of Maternity benefit of Rs 6,000 to pregnant and lactating women universal, as is already mandated in the National Food Security Act, 2013. As of now the scheme runs in only 53 districts which amounted to violation of the Act.

His interest subsidies in the housing sector would, unfortunately, cover only those who would want to own a house. However the poorest in urban India, such as rickshaw pullers, rag-pickers and unskilled wage earners, have no financial capacity to own a flat, as no bank would give them a loan. The PM should have focussed on provision of rental housing stock for the urban poor and migrant population. PM Aawas Yojana must include government-owned rental units, as well as dormitory and night shelter options. Such shelters should be built close to place of employment, as the poorest cannot afford travelling by even public transport.

The old-age pension amount and coverage have not been enhanced during the past five years. The PM should have increased the amount to Rs 400 a month with the condition that states must contribute at least Rs 200, so that the minimum increases from Rs 200 to 600 a month. As regards entitlement, all elderly who are drawing subsidised rations should be included in the scheme, which would double the number of pension holders.

Whereas the national wage for NREGA has increased from Rs 82 a day in 2009-10 to Rs 190 in 2015-16, the overall Central Government expenditure on the programme has fallen during this period from Rs 37,905 crore to Rs 35,975 crore, signifying a big fall in actual employment created. Moreover, in 2015-16, the Government spent Rs 9,045 under NREGA on each rural poor in Kerala -- the least poor state in India - as against a paltry Rs 320 in Bihar and Rs 485 in Uttar Pradesh! GOI needs to earmark NREGA funds for states on the basis of poverty, just as PMGSY allocations are in proportion to state-wise shortage of rural roads. A free-for-all approach punishes poorer states as they are not able to compete with better-governed states in attracting funds from GOI.

The Government should abolish the dual-pricing system in PDS and sell stocks to the fair price shop dealer at the market price, say Rs 20 for wheat. The consumer would go to him with only Rs two in cash as before and use her/his UID card to pay the remaining Rs 18, to buy a kg of wheat. This will vastly reduce leakages and also improve the dealers attitude towards the buyer. It would also ensure entitlement portability that will allow PDS entitlements to be accessed anywhere in the country and greatly help the poor migrant worker.

Lastly, the PM could have announced a new legal entitlement of Universal Health Coverage on the lines of the Right to Education Act.

It is a matter of concern that Indias pace of improving the social indicators is much slower than countries poorer than India, such as Bangladesh and Vietnam. The overall expenditure on social sector is constrained by the low tax collection due to the pernicious parallel economy, as the Tax:GDP ratio in India is just about 17 per cent, as opposed to 31 per cent in South Africa, 32 per cent in Russia, and 34 per cent in Brazil. This is the main factor why investment in health, education and social protection in India does not reach the level of other middle-income countries. Let us hope our government launches a strong drive to improve tax collection, and implement GST.

The writer is a former NAC member and former secretary of Planning Commission of India
Over 200 of 229 Samajwadi Party legislators attended a meeting called by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on Saturday morning in Lucknow. A couple of kilometers away, only 20 legislators attended the meeting called by party chief and his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Former union home secretary on Saturday took oath as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi at Raj Niwas.

70-year-old Baijal, however, said that he will work together with the AAP government for betterment of Delhi.
In a new turn of events in the politically volatile state of Arunachal Pradesh, chief minister Pema Khandu, along with 32 other MLAs, on Saturday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The year 2016 was replete with political developments from the beginning till the end. From Mehbooba Mufti's taking over as the first woman chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, to President's rule in Uttarakhand and Arunachal to the bitter fight in the first family of Samajwadi Party, the nation saw it all.
Extending her support to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee has wished him well and asked him to stay strong.

Sources said Mamata spoke to Akhilesh on Friday evening for about three minutes.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo's support comes in the wake of Akhilesh's suspension from the Samajwadi Party for six years.

SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday expelled Akhilesh and national general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years over indiscipline.

This move comes after Akhilesh had released a list of 235 candidates out of the total 403 seats for upcoming state assembly elections on Thursday, rejecting the list announced by Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday.

Akhilesh's name did not figure in the first list. Mulayam said his son being the Chief Minister, can contest from any assembly seat he wishes to.
Leaders across the political line hit out at Prime Minister over his New Year's eve speech in which he has announced many populist measures. Modi announced a slew of sops for senior citizens, farmers, rural housing, women and small entrepreneurs to soften the blow of demonetisation.
Congress Vice-President is likely to address a rally in Hyderabad as part of the party's nation-wide campaign against demonetisation and subsequent "anti-people" measures taken by the Centre, a senior party office-bearer said on Satjrday.

"As part of the nation-wide campaign being undertaken by our party against demonetisation and subsequent anti-people measures by the Narendra Modi government, Gandhi is expected to visit Hyderabad during January," said Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president N Uttam Kumar Reddy.

"He (Rahul Gandhi) will address a rally. The exact date of visit is yet to be fixed," Reddy said.

Karnataka Energy Minister DK Shivakumar, who is member of the central committee on anti-demonetisation campaign of the Congress, said the party has chalked out various programmes throughout the country to highlight various "difficulties" faced by people in the wake of demonetisation and subsequent restrictions on withdrawals.

He said the party is demanding that the BJP government adequately compensate women and small businessmen who have incurred losses during the past 50-days.

The party also wants the Centre to pay 18 per cent interest per annum for deposits made during past 50-days and give tax sops to small businessmen as they have "plunged into losses" due to demonetisation.

"Our party demands that Modi government deposit Rs 25,000 each in bank accounts of women belonging to Below Poverty Line. We also demand the government to double the number of working days under MNREGA scheme and one time 20 per cent bonus on MSP for Rabi crops," Shivakumar said.

According to him, the party cadre, throughout the nation will sit on a 24-hour hunger strike in January.
In a new year eve tragedy, two young software engineers, including a woman, from Maharashtra drowned in the sea off a nearby village today.

However, another colleague of them was rescued by fishermen present there, police said.

The three software engineers employed with a IT company in Maharashtra had come here for celebrating new year and ventured into the sea for a bath in Poornankuppam village.

Abhit Tripathy and Navaneet Kaur, both aged 24 drowned when strong currents swept them away.

Hearing their cries, fishermen in the area rescued Anul.

Police said the fishermen retrieved the bodies of the two techies.

A case had been registered and further investigation was on, police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sixty-six Indian fishermen have been arrested for alleged illegal fishing in Pakistani waters and a court here remanded them into custody today.

The Indian fishermen along with five boats were arrested last evening for "illegally" fishing in Pakistan's territorial waters and have been sent to jail by a judicial magistrate.

The Maritime Security Agency had arrested the fishermen and seized five boats yesterday, a spokesman for the agency said.

"The fishermen were arrested after they remained in Pakistani waters in the Arabian Sea despite warnings to move out of our territorial waters," the spokesman said.

The arrests come just five days after the Pakistan government released 220 Indian fishermen and sent them home via Wagah border on December 26 as a goodwill gesture.

On November 20, the Pakistani Maritime Security Agency had arrested 43 Indian fishermen for entering its territorial waters.

Amin Marri, the station house officer of Docks police station, said the fishermen were booked under the Foreigner's Act and the Fisheries Act and had now been sent to jail on court orders after being provided with clothing and food by a welfare organisation.

Pakistan and India frequently arrest fishermen as there is no clear demarcation of the maritime border in the Arabian Sea and these fishermen do not have boats equipped with the technology to know their precise location.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has been invited by Afghan leaders to visit the war-torn country and work together for peace in the region, army said today.

The invitation was extended on the eve of New Year when General Bajwa reached the Afghan leaders on telephone.

Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said in a tweet that General Bajwa called Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and "conveyed best wishes for 2017 and pledged to work together for peace in the region".

He also said that "peace in both countries is in greater interest of the region".

"Afghan leadership invited COAS for a visit to Afghanistan," he said in the tweet.

It was not known when Genera Bajwa will pay the visit which would be his first since taking over charge of the Pakistan Army in November.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Allan Williams, who was the first manager of The Beatles, has passed away at the age of 86.

Williams was the owner of the Jacaranda club in Liverpool, which confirmed the of his death on December 30, reported The Guardian.

"His legacy has allowed us to remain at the heart of the Liverpool music scene for almost 60 years, and his memory will live on through every band that plays our famous stage. Allan, you will be missed.

"All of our thoughts and wishes go to his family and his wife Beryl," a message on the club's Facebook page read.

It was Williams, who took the '60s most influential rock band to Hamburg, where its members learned much of their craft, before returning to the UK and stardom.

The Beatles Story, an exhibition in Liverpool celebrating the band's success, praised Williams for his "significant role".

"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Allan Williams. Our thoughts go out to his family at this sad time. Allan was a friend to many of us at the Beatles Story and his legacy will continue to be told for years to come," the exhibition's spokesperson Martin King said.

Williams parted ways with the band in 1961 following a disagreement over his fee.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
AMU students today squatted on tracks at the Railway station here protesting "failure" of Delhi Police to trace missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed, who has been missing for 76 days.

A number of AMU students later courted arrest when police used mild force to foil their attempt to block movement of trains and vehicles on main roads.

District Magistrate Rajmani Yadav said the exact number of those detained was being ascertained.

AMU Students' Union has already demanded a CBI inquiry into Ahmed's mysterious disappearance.

The students' union President Faizul Hasan has accused the Modi government of protecting ABVP leaders in this connection.

The union in a memorandum sent to President Pranab Mukherjee alleged that instead of trying to trace Ahmed, police was harassing the family of the missing student and shielding criminals.

Ahmed, an MSc Biotechnology student, went missing on October 15 after a scuffle allegedly with ABVP affiliated students at his hostel on the JNU campus.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Lt Gen Bipin Rawat today took over as the 27th chief of the 1.3 million strong Indian Army succeeding Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, who retired after 42 years of service.

Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa also took charge as the 25th Air Force Chief replacing Anup Raha.

Gen Rawat superseded two senior most Lt Generals, Praveen Bakshi and P M Hariz.

Lt Gen Bakshi, who heads the Kolkata-headquartered Eastern Command, announced "full support" to the new chief and told theatre officers through video conferencing he will continue to lead with "full professional sincerity as hither-to-fore".

"I convey my best wishes and full support of Eastern Command to Gen Bipin Rawat on having taken over as the Chief of Army Staff," he said.

Earlier, there was speculation that Lt Gen Bakshi may resign or take premature retirement. He had also met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar recently.

He requested that speculation and trolling in media and social media should stop and everyone should focus on contributing their best to the betterment of the army and the nation.

The Eastern Commander called the new Army chief to congratulate him on taking over the reins of the army.

Speculation is rife that Lt Gen Bakshi may be given the new post of Chief of Defence Staff pertaining which Parrikar will meet Prime Minster Narendra Modi next month.

Sources, however, have indicated that no such development will take place.

Gen Suhag, who superannuated today, said army is prepared to meet any challenge as he thanked the government for "providing a free hand" and implementing the One Rank One Pension scheme.

He said that infiltration bids had increased during the year and the number of terrorists killed was nearly double the previous year.

The General said the army focused on operational preparedness during his tenure.

Suhag said that when he had taken over he had asserted the response of the army to any action against our interest would be immediate, adequate and intense. "Indian Army has done that in the last two-and-a-half years," he said.

Later at noon, he handed over the charge to Rawat, who was commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles in December 1978 from IMA, Dehradun. He was awarded the 'Sword of Honour' at the academy.

Earlier in the day, Gen Suhag and Air Chief Marshal Raha paid tributes at Amar Jawan Jyoti and inspected the guard of honour.

The new IAF chief, Air Marshal Dhanoa, had developed the country's aerial targeting philosophy against potential adversaries and transformed the concept of air operations of the air force into contemporary war fighting practices.

He has mainly flown Kiran and MiG-21 aircraft though he has the experience of flying the entire spectrum of fighter aircraft from Jaguar to state-of-the-art MiG-29 and Su-30 MKI.

The Air Marshal has many feathers in his hat. As the



commanding officer of a frontline ground attack fighter squadron, he led the IAF punch during the "Limited War" against Pakistan to drive the enemy out of their "dug in" defences in the icy heights of Kargil region.

During the conflict, under his leadership and supervision, the squadron devised unique and innovative methods of bombing at night at altitudes never before attempted in the history of air warfare, the IAF said.

Prior to the attack, the squadron had been adjudged as the best fighter squadron of western Air Command for its high degree of professionalism and peace-time training. After the conflict, it emerged as the most decorated IAF unit of Kargil War.

He also holds the highest flying instructional category in the IAF and was handpicked to establish the "IAF Training Team" abroad.

Gen Rawat has vast experience in high altitude warfare and counter-insurgency operations.

He commanded an infantry battalion, along the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Sector, a Rashtriya Rifles Sector and an Infantry Division in the Kashmir Valley, a Corps in the Eastern theatre and the Southern Command.

He has tenanted instructional appointments at Indian Military Academy and at Army War College, Mhow.

Gen Rawat has held important staff appointments at Directorate General of Military Operations and Military Secretary's Branch at Army HQ.

He has also been Major General General Staff (MGGS) at HQ Eastern Command.

The General commanded a Multinational Brigade in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC). While serving with the United Nations, he was twice awarded the Force Commander's Commendation.

An alumni of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, he has been awarded various medals of high honour for gallantry and distinguished service in a span of over 38 years in uniform.

He also attended the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, USA.

Academically inclined, Rawat has authored numerous articles on national security and leadership, which have been published in various journals and publications.

He was awarded M.Phil in Defence Studies from Madras University. He has a Diploma in Management and another Diploma in Computer Studies.

Gen Rawat has also completed his research on military media strategic studies and was awarded Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D) from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut in 2011.

(Reopens DEL 31)



Meanwhile, sources said that during his address, Lt Gen Bakshi said he understands that it is the government's prerogative to select the army chief.

He said promotion should be based both on seniority and merit and that he had endorsed it at Army Commanders conference.

The army commander also said that one month before the announcement of the new chief, he had learnt there was a "smear campaign" against him, according to the sources.

This, he said, was "very intelligently" being done for the last four to five months.

Anonymous complainants were made to various authorities regarding alleged irregularities in purchase of equipment ordered by Lt Gen Bakshi from the funds under his command, the top General was quoted as having said.

The Commander said he learnt of an enquiry by Controller General of Defence Accounts in which CDA Guwahati and CDA Patna probed his procurements and nothing came out of it.

He also said he would like to get to the bottom of the issue.
Assam government today said it has reconstituted a Tripartite Committee for ensuring and monitoring speedy implementation of the recommendations of the Majithia Wage Board in the state.

On expiry of the terms of the Tripartite Committee constituted in August 2015, the government has reconstituted it with representatives of the government, newspaper managements and the journalists/non- journalists workers unions, an official release said.

The committee has been constituted with Assam labour and welfare minister as the chairman, additional chief secretary (labour and welfare) as member, labour commissioner as convener and director (information and public relations) as member.

Besides, the Committee has 16 members from newspapers management and eight representatives of journalists/non-journalists employees.

"The notification laid down terms of the committee for a period of one year from its constitution. The first sitting of the committee should be held within 30 days from its constitution," the statement said.

The committee would devise its own procedure of sitting and venue of the meeting as convenient and the office of the labour commissioner will render secretarial assistance to it.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ban Ki-moon ends 10 years at the helm of the United Nations lamenting the "fires still burning" from Syria to South Sudan but buoyed by a global agreement to combat climate change and new UN goals to fight poverty and inequality.

As a final act before his term ends at midnight on New Year's Eve, the secretary-general will push the button starting the descent of the glittering 11,875-pound ball in New York's Times Square in the countdown to 2017's arrival.

At that moment, former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Guterres will start his tenure as United Nations chief for the next five years.

Looking back at his stewardship of the United Nations at a farewell conference earlier this month, Ban told reporters "this has been a decade of unceasing test."



While he has seen collective action improve millions of lives, Ban expressed frustration at the failure to end Syria's war, now in its sixth year, and conflicts in South Sudan, Yemen, Central African Republic and Congo, to name a few.

And in rare criticism of world leaders, he blamed unnamed presidents, prime ministers and monarchs for the turmoil in the world today and expressed disappointment many care more about retaining power than improving their people's lives. He singled out Syria, saying he can't understand why it is being held hostage to "the destiny" of one man, Bashar Assad.

Even after leaving the UN, Ban said he will keep urging new and longstanding leaders to embrace the "pre-eminent 21st century fact" that "international cooperation remains the path to a more peaceful and prosperous world" and to demonstrate "compassionate leadership."



To reinforce this, the secretary-general's final trip this month was to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. "Lincoln was a heroic force for equality, integration and reconciliation; and desperately, we need that spirit today," Ban said of the US leader during America's Civil War.

Ban has also expressed frustration at the way the UN operates and expectations in some quarters that the secretary-general has the power "to be some almost almighty person."



That's impossible, he told the AP in September, because the UN's 193 member states make decisions and the secretary-general implements them. The UN chief cannot implement his or her own policies and initiatives.

John Bolton, who was US ambassador to the UN when Ban was selected to be secretary-general, said President George W Bush's administration supported him because "we wanted someone who would do what the member governments wanted" and not take the lead on issues and act as the world's top diplomat like then-secretary-general Kofi Annan.

"I think Ban Ki-moon lived up to our expectations, which is not to say I agreed with every position he took on climate change and things like that," Bolton told AP.

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In a dramatic development, BJP formed a new government in Arunachal Pradesh today with 33 MLAs of PPA led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu joining the party, two days after he was suspended by his own party that triggered another round of political maneuvering.

Khandu, a former Congress leader, paraded the 33 of the 43 MLAs of Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA) before Assembly Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok who recognised them as BJP members in a House of 60. BJP has 11 MLAs.

The high-voltage political drama began since late Thursday night after PPA President Kahfa Bengia temporarily suspended Khandu, his deputy Chowna Mein and five legislators from the primary membership of the regional party for alleged anti-party activities.

The PPA, an alliance partner of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) government in the state, yesterday selected Takam Pario as the new chief minister.

However, on a day of fast paced developments the political equation changed when majority of the PPA MLAs who initially extended support to Pario, later shifted their allegiance to Khandu. Khandu broke away from the Congress along with 42 lawmakers in September this year.

The PPA today also suspended four other party MLAs including Honchun Ngandam, Bamang Felix, Punji Mara and Pani Taram.

"Lotus has finally bloomed in Arunachal. The people of the state will see a new dawn of development in the new year under the new government," Khandu told reporters in the Assembly premises.

BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav hailed the installation of a party government in Arunachal Pradesh.

"Arunachal Pradesh becomes 10th BJP ruled state and 14th with BJP alliances. Congratulations to CM Pema Khandu and welcome into BJP Parivar," Madhav tweeted.

The PPA accused the BJP of hijacking its MLAs to instal its government in the state.

Addressing media persons, PPA President Kahfa Bengia criticised North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma for remaining a silent spectator during the political crisis. PPA is a partner of NEDA.

"The NEDA convenor instead of coming to the state to resolve the ongoing crisis went to Kenya. He should have deputed somebody to sort out the differences between the MLAs of the party," Bengia said.

"The PPA is not comfortable with NEDA in the state and we are going to discuss the issue with other constituent members of the alliance soon," PPA central working committee (CWC) Chairman Kamen Ringu said while supporting Bengia.

Elaborating on the decision to merge with the BJP, Khandu said that circumstances compelled the MLAs to take the decision in the interest of the people and the state.

"After several years of Congress misrule we observed that there was no visible development in the state. We joined the PPA with the intention to take the state to progress and prosperity, but there too, we find similar condition where the party president treated the MLAs undemocratically.

"So with focus on development, our MLAs decided to join the BJP for overall progress of the state," the chief minister said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The ruling CPI-M in Tripura has said the BJP managed to increase its vote in the recent bypolls in the state taking advantage of "our organisational weakness and by luring people with false assurances."



"The results of the recent two by-elections held for two Assembly seats and by-polls in panchayat seats show that the BJP managed to increase their votes," Party Secretary Bijan Dhar told reporters last night.

"All these things happened due to our organisational weakness and due to their alluring people by giving false assurances," he said.

"Taking advantage of being in power at the Centre they also misused money to woo voters," Dhar said.

He alleged that RSS, Bajrang Dal and BJP have brought their activists from outside the state for trying to build up a political base for the party.

"Those activists are indulging in false campaign against the Left Front government and organising demonstrations in front of the residences of ministers, government offices and roads by raising false issues," Dhar said.

"We have asked the administration and common people to remain alert about the activities of the BJP activists," he said.

He said the opposition Congress has become "very weak" due to split in their party and the breakaway faction who formed Trinamool Congress in the state also could not be certain about their political future in the state.

The Left Front has been in power for the last 23 years in Tripura.

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State-run Bank of Baroda today said it has launched an agricultural investment credit for the farmers of Rajasthan.

The first loan has been disbursed in Sri Ganganagar, the bank said in a statement here today.

Under the scheme, farmers can avail of loan from the bank's branches for construction of farm ponds, installation of solar pumps, installation of micro irrigation, and for any other viable agriculture and allied activities.

"We intend to work with the farmers to address all their needs. We are focusing on an outcome based approach and this in tandem with other initiatives being undertaken by the Bank will help the farmers in doubling their income by the year 2022," bank's executive director Mayank Mehta said.

He said the farmers will be incentivise for timely repayment of loan under the scheme.

Initially, the scheme will be implemented in the districts of Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and Bikaner and will be gradually extended to all the districts of Rajasthan.

The bank has already entered into tie-ups with leading suppliers of irrigation equipments to boost micro irrigation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Brushing aside cash crunch, Mumbaikars are all geared up to bid the passing year a good- bye and welcome New Year-2017 with full celebrations.

For many revellers, New Year celebrations will be an open-air extravaganza at spots like the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Worli Seaface, Juhu and Aksa beach as demonetisation dampened the spirit of celebration at places like hotels, restaurants and discos.

Office-bearers of hotel and restaurant association confirmed that there was a considerable drop in hotel bookings.

"There has been a drop of 25 per cent to 30 per cent in the booking as compared to last year," an office-bearer of the Hotel and Restaurant Association, Western India, told PTI.

Some of the residents in city meanwhile decided to celebrate only after listening to the speech of PM Narendra Modi who will be addressing the nation tonight.

"We are pretty much sure that he (PM Modi) is going to give us all the reason to celebrate the New Year in a fantastic way," said Amit Kumar, an executive with a pharmaceutical company.

Transport operators mainly Railways and BEST undertaking will be running special services for the revellers.

Central Railway has planned to run four services on the Main line from CST to Kalyan and on Harbour Line from CST to Panvel each, while Western Railway is set to run 8 services between Churchgate to Virar in the intervening night of December 31 and January 1.

BEST undertaking will be operating 17 additional services.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sony may not have released any details of its untitled animated Spider-Man movie, but a casting call for the project has sparked rumours that it could be a black character.

Codenamed "Cabin Fever," it is rumored to follow "the adventures of two unlikely friends, Terrence and Pete", reported Ace Showbiz.

A male aged 13 - 15, Terrence is "a young African-American/Puerto Rican teen from Brooklyn; he is new to this suburban school and now feeling out of place, overwhelmed, pressured with new responsibilities, and dealing with puberty; while trying to fit in he must do his best to stay out of trouble; along the way in developing his identity he's losing old friends but now making a new one, Pete."



Meanwhile, Pete is "a young, slightly geeky, Asian-American teen; he's smart, sweet, and encouraging; although very unlike any of the friends Terrence had in his old Brooklyn neighborhood, Pete proves to be a good fit for Terrence making good decisions.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP MP from Chandni Chowk Harsh Vardhan today claimed that traders of the city's key business hub are "embracing" digital transactions in the wake of demonetisation.

Vardhan, the Union Minister for Science and Technology, said contrary to fears that Chandni Chowk would be badly hit by the note ban measure, traders are "enthusiastically" switching to digital platforms.

"People of Chandni Chowk are embracing digital transactions enthusiastically. All have been most appreciative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I have got no negative representation," Vardhan said in a statement.

He claimed to have based his assertion on road shows and meeting with shopkeepers of the area.

Incidentally, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had visited the wholesale hub four days after the move was effected. Traders were facing "severe issues" due to the measure, he had claimed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China will ban trade and processing of all domestic ivory by the end of 2017 in a bid to save the fast dwindling tusker population in the country, a "historic move" hailed as a "game changer" for African elephants.

The decision came after China had imposed a three-year ban on ivory imports in March this year, in an escalated fight against illegal trading of wild animals and plants.

"China will gradually stop the processing and sales of ivories for commercial purposes by the end of 2017," the official Xinhua agency said, citing a government statement.

The move will impact China's 34 processing enterprises and 143 designated trading venues, with dozens to be closed by the end of March 2017, state-run Xinhua agency quoted an official statement as saying.

Before that deadline, law enforcement agencies will continue to clamp down on illegalities associated with the elephant's tusk, an official told the agency.

China's move, if implemented, strictly could a "game changer", specially the African elephant conservation as hundreds killed every year by poachers to feed into the burgeoning markets in China and Hong Kong.

As a result the numbers of Africa's savannah elephants dropped to 3.5 lakh thousand in 2014.

China's move to ban ivory trade followed a resolution at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) in South Africa in October.

China has the biggest ivory market in the world - some estimates suggest 70 per cent of the world's trade ends up there. Ivory's price can reach USD 1,100 per kg in China.

Conservation group WWF welcomed the latest news, calling it a "historic announcement", signalling an end to the world's primary legal ivory market and a major boost to international efforts to "tackle the elephant poaching crisis in Africa", BBC reported.

Elly Pepper, deputy director of wildlife trade for the Natural Resources Defence Council, praised China for its "great leadership" on the issue.

"Setting such an aggressive timeline to close - once and for all - the largest domestic ivory market in the world is globally significant, Pepper said.

"It's a game changer and could be the pivotal turning point that brings elephants back from the brink of extinction," she said.

While the international market in ivory has been closed since 1989, legal domestic markets have continued in many countries around the world.

A surge in the killing of elephants over the past seven years has seen populations across Africa shrink by a third, according to the recently published Great Elephant Census.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said one of the four companies said to have been shortlisted for supplying plastic notes appeared to be "blacklisted" which he felt smacks of corruption.

Producing portions of a copy of a report of the Public Untertakings Committee of Parliament in 2013, he alleged that the company was named in it for not meeting certain security parameters for printing 1365 million pieces of Rs 100 notes during 1997-98.

The parliamentary panel, then chaired by Jagadambika Pal, had cited grave implications of such move and "fervently emphasised that outsourcing of printing of currency notes/minting coins should never be resorted to in the future", Chandy said.

"Now, a company, against which a Parliamentary committee had given a report in 2013, has been roped in by the Government for supplying plastic notes. It is a big scam. A joint parliamentary committee should probe it," Chandy said in a Malayalam note distributed at his press conference here.

He said the parliamentary panel has noted that the very thought of India's currency being printed in three different countries is alarming to say the least.

With Congress leader and Parliament's Public Accounts Chairman K V Thomas by his side, Chandy, citing newspaper reports, claimed that the banknote manufacturer was earlier "blacklisted" by the Union Home Ministry.

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Dubbing Congress and Aam Aadmi Party as the "enemy parties of Punjab", Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the people of the poll-bound state to distinguish between own people and strangers and ensure that the reigns of state are given in safe hands.

Addressing the people during Sangat Darshan in Budhlada assembly constituency here, the five-time CM alleged that Congress can never think about the betterment of Punjab.

"Congress has ruled over country for a long time but has always committed economic, social and religious atrocities on Punjab. On the other hand SAD is the party that has always worked to safeguard interests of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat," he said.

Dubbing Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal as "anti-Punjab", he said that neither Kejriwal was aware of the issues of Punjab nor he knows about people of Punjab.

"AAP has no agenda for development and promotion of the Punjabis and is trying to entice the voters by mere slogan raising. The governments do not work on baseless slogans instead one has to set agendas for development and take initiatives to wipe off miseries of people," Badal said.

He said the agenda of SAD-BJP coalition has always been that of development, brotherhood and in future the coalition will reiterate this agenda.

Warning the people of Punjab, Badal said that "if the Congress or AAP comes in power even by mistake, these parties will stop the benefit of free power, water, atta dal, shagan scheme and many other benefits being given to them...They are the enemy parties of Punjab".

He asked the people of Punjab to remember that when Capt Amarinder Singh led Congress government was in power (2002-7), "he had stopped the benefit of free power and water and the same was restarted after the SAD-BJP coalition raised voice for it".

"Similarly, the Amarinder Singh led government had imposed blanket ban on government recruitments," he said.

Later, talking to reporters, Badal while replying to a query on assembly segment from where he will contest the elections, said that he will follow the orders of party in this regard.

"In politics, the party is supreme and during my entire life I have been following the orders of my party," the 89-year-old CM said.

Holding Congress responsible for the Satluj Yamuna Link "fiasco", the Chief Minister alleged that "the Congress leaders are puppets in the hands of high command".

"Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi forced the then Chief Minister Darbara Singh to follow her diktat on issues of water. Thereafter, playing another trick with Punjabis, she herself started the digging up work of the SYL canal in Punjab," he stated.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "lacklustre" address to the nation on demonetisation, Congress today called him a merchant of "false promises", saying he totally failed to show any sensitivity to people's pain as no relief from financial restrictions was announced as expected.

Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also wondered why the Prime Minister did not mention how many "lakhs of crores" in black money and fake currencies the government managed to wipe out through demonetisation in the last 50 days.

He said though crores of people were reeling under "severe difficulties and pain" and large number of them lost their jobs, Modi did not talk about any roadmap for them, showing his "insensitivity".

"The Prime Minister's so called cleansing drive took 125 lives of innocent Indians and put crores of people in severe difficulties. But Modi did not uttter a single word for those who died. This is reflection of his insensitivity to the people's pain," Surjewala said.

Attacking Modi for not lifting restrictions on withdrwals even after the 50-day period, the Congress spokesperson said the PM only believes in "hitting headlines and giving no deadlines".

"The entire country was listening with curosity that the Prime Minister will lift the restrictions on withdrwal of their hard earned money from banks. But people will still have to reel under this economic anarchy.

"The Prime Minister said it will take time to improve the banking system in the new year. It means he belives in hitting headlines and not giving deadlines," he said.

Calling demonetisation an economic anarchy, Surjewala said said the Prime Minister did not answer crucial questions even though the move paralysed the economy.

"Mr Prime Minister, people wanted to know how many lakhs of crores of black money did you wipe out in the last 50 days? Why didn't you speak about it," he asked.

Surjewala said, "We are disappointed with PM's speech as many questions were left unanswered. His decision paralyzed economy; country can't run this way. How will you bring the country onto the growth path once again."



Coming down hard on the Prime Minister, Surjewala said demonetisation has taken away the jobs, hit the farmers and traders and made life difficult for every section of the society but there was no word of relief for them in PM's address.

"Who benefited from the demonetisation. Only a handful of 50 people who are Modiji's friend. This is why he said yesterday that the deposits of the people in the banks would be used for strengthening banking system and infrastructure," he said.

The Congress Spokesperson said National Food Security Act already has special focus on women and entitles them to receive "maternity benefit of not less than Rs 6,000 and that there was nothing new in PM's announcement of the financial assistance for them.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress today said it will stage month-long protests till the end of January to expose the "government's biggest scam" demonetisation, which it claimed had brought miseries to the people, damaged the economy and destroyed jobs.

The party would, in three phases, highlight the "failures" of demonetisation, the "biggest scam" in independent India, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

He added that the first phase has already begun and on January 2-3, all the state Congress leaders would go to the district headquarters and "expose the real face of demonetisation".

On January 3-4, state-level meetings would be called, while on January 6, all the district collectorates would be gheraoed by Congress leaders and workers, Surjewala said.

On January 9, the Mahila Congress cadre, along with the workers of the other wings of the party, will stage countrywide protests, the theme of which would be 'Garib ki jeb khali, bajao thaali', he added.

The first phase of the protests would end on January 10, while the next two phases would be over by January end, Surjewala said.

He alleged that demonetisation had given birth to "new black markets".

"One market is to convert old notes into new notes for commissions ranging from 20 to 30 per cent which is happening with tacit and at times, active complicity of the government and its officials as various raids have exposed," the Congress spokesperson said.

He alleged that "another black market was selling new currency notes" while the ordinary people struggled for cash.

The Congress also launched a booklet on the occasion, titled 'Arth-quake: 8/11 Attack on India's Economy', in which the party has come down heavily on demonetisation.

Terming demonetisation as "Modi's curse", Surjewala



alleged that it had affected farmers, labourers, the common people and only "a few" close to the prime minister.

"That is why he (Modi) said in an interview yesterday that the government will use the money deposited in people's accounts for infrastructure development and strengthening of the banking system. This means, the money belongs to the people, but the government will play with it," he said.

The Congress leader claimed that the prime minister's voice was "lacking in credibility" and the government had made different statements at different times on demonetisation.

"Even after 50 days, a new 'tughlaqi' diktat has been issued that the (weekly) withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000 would continue," he claimed.

Referring to a couplet in the Tulsidas Ramayan about honouring one's words, Surjewala alleged that Modi believed in "not living up to what he says".

Describing demonetisation as a "Modi-made disaster", Congress spokesperson MV Rajeev Gowda said the government seemed unable to understand the complexities of the Indian economy.

He claimed that 2017 would witness a drop in all the economic indicators and by "hitting" sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and real estate, the government had given rise to a situation where no job will be created, belying the expectations of the youth.

Gowda alleged that exposes had indicated that BJP leaders had prior information about demonetisation and raised questions about alleged deposits in a bank in which BJP chief Amit Shah is reportedly a director.

He also took a dig at the government for the "circus" of announcements.

In the booklet released today, the Congress demanded that restrictions on withdrawals from bank accounts be lifted and the people be given a special 18 per cent interest till it was done.

It also demanded that the prices of foodgrains under the PDS system be halved, a special one-time bonus of 20 per cent above the minimum support price for Rabi crops, Rs 25,000 be deposited in the accounts of a woman each in BPL families, tax rebates and an increase in the number of MGNREGA work days.
Hitting back at Congress over its plan of month-long protests against demonetisation, BJP today said the protests in reality are against the VVIP chopper scam probe as it has reached the "doorsteps" its top leadership.

Congress wants to pressure the Modi government into "diluting the investigation" but it will continue to have zero-tolerance against corruption, said BJP's National Secretary Shrikant Sharma.

"Its (Congress') planned protests against demonetisation are in fact against the VVIP chopper scam probe, which has reached the doorsteps of 10 Janpath," he said.

Congress should rather atone for its baseless charges against the government in the last two-and-half years, Sharma said.

"It only highlights ideological bankruptcy of Congress that on the one hand it celebrates its 132nd foundation year while on the other its vice president levels untrue and baseless charges against the government everyday," he said.

Making light of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's "earthquake" claim with his attack on the government, he said the quake happened in 2014 when people voted out UPA and elected BJP and since then many earthquakes have happened as Congress lost elections in Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand and Assam, where it was in power.

People continued to reject Congress while their faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi has only grown, the BJP leader said.

Earlier today, Congress said it will stage month-long protests till the end of January to expose the "government's biggest scam" demonetisation, which it claimed had brought miseries to the people, damaged the economy and destroyed jobs.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Cuba welcomed a record four million tourists in 2016, up 13 per cent over last year, with much of the increase thanks to a crush of visitors from the US and Europe, officials said today.

Havana's Ministry of Tourism said in a statement published in the Granma official newspaper that the island set a record for international visitors this year, exceeding projections by some six percent.

Tourism is the number two source of revenue on the cash-strapped island, second only to the export of doctors and other medical services.

Officials in Havana say the surge in US visitors is a result of the restored relations with the United States -- a thaw first announced by US President Barack Obama and Cuba's President Raul Castro almost exactly two years ago.

Although a decades-old US economic embargo remains in place, Obama has chipped away at many trade and travel restrictions, easing access to the communist island for many Americans.

The first US cruise ship to come to Cuba in more than 50 years docked in Havana in May. Regular flights between the two countries have resumed.

US companies like Airbnb and Netflix now operate in Cuba, and hotel group Starwood opened a Sheraton in Havana in June.

Nearly 137,000 Americans came to Cuba in the first half of 2016, an 80 per cent surge from the same period in 2015.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
DMK Treasurer and Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly M K Stalin today told Chief Minister O Panneerselvam that the deaths of farmers in parts of Tamil Nadu due to alleged crop failure was shocking and sought an appointment with him to discuss the matter.

In a letter to Panneerselvam, he referred to the recent reported deaths of five farmers in Madurai, Tuticorin, Nagapattinam and Ariyalur allegedly due to reasons, including crop failure and huge debts, and similar previous incidents in the past few months.

Also pointing to issues like insufficient Cauvery water in the Delta region and protests by farmers, he said "I would like to make some key representations to save farmers and I request you allot time for me."



Earlier, speaking to reporters here after launching storm water drain work in his Kolathur assembly constituency, he said his party had been urging the State government to "listen to the grievances of farmers," and convene an all party meeting in this regard.

Stalin alleged that the government was "overlooking" the deaths of farmers and it was "shameful."



"Considering the present plight of farmers, Tamil Nadu should be declared drought hit. I have been urging action in this regard all along and had also demanded a special session of the Assembly," he said.

Yesterday, farmers outfits held protests in places including Tiruchirappalli seeking declaration of Tamil Nadu as a drought hit State.

Representatives of farmers bodies also called on State ministers including Agriculture Minister R Doraikannu to press their demands at the Secretariat here.

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Fire broke out at Bharat Petroleum's depot here this afternoon causing injuries to six employees, a police official said.

The incident took place when the employees were filling diesel in a tanker and fire engulfed it resulting in injuries to six employees, Shapura Police Station's sub- inspector, Raghushankar Upadhyaya said.

The fire fighters immediately brought the blaze under control, he said.

The injured were admitted to government medical college here and their condition is reported to be out of danger, the official said.

The cause of the fire was not yet known and depot management has started a probe in this regard, he added.

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Praising efforts of bankers during the 50-day demonetisation period, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked them to focus on normalising situation as fast as possible and prioritise lending to poor and lower middle class.

"My effort is to take the banking system to normalcy as fast as possible in the new year. I have asked all concerned officers in government to focus their attention to this task," he said.

Addressing the nation on the eve of new year, the Prime Minister asked banks to work pro-actively especially for the rural and remote areas so that the difficulties of farmers and villagers can be removed.

In a stern warning to those indulged in malpractices during the 50-day period, he said, they will not be spared.

"Amid this herculean effort, some grave crimes by some officers in some banks have come to light. Some government official also committed serious offences and tried to take advantage of the situation and they will not be spared," he said.

Stressing that Indian banking system has never received such a large amount of money in such a short time, he said "While respecting the autonomy of the banks, I appeal to them to move beyond their traditional priorities and keep the poor, the lower middle class, and the middle class at the focus of their activities."



Prime Minister praised bank employees for their hard work to make demonetisation a success.

"Female employees too, worked till late hours as part of this mission. Post office staff, banking correspondents - all did exceptional work," he said.

Asking banks not to let go opportunity to serve poor in the centenary year of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, he said they should take appropriate decisions in public interest promptly.

"When policies and programmes are made with clear objectives in mind, not only are beneficiaries empowered, but both short term and long term benefits are achieved. Spending is carefully scrutinized, and chances of good results are maximized," he said.

Noting that the progress of the MUDRA Yojana has been very encouraging, he said nearly 3 and a half crore people have benefited from this last year and the government now aims to double this, giving priority to Dalits, Tribals, Backward Classes and Women.

(Reopens DEL86)



SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya said initiatives aimed at benefiting the lower income segments of the country is indeed a welcome move by the government.

"It is fairly evident that the government is serious about comprehensive inclusion. Low cost housing should witness growth in the medium to long term. The government's commitment to a less cash society will also aid in reforming the tax structure for the better," she said in a statement.

The measures announced by the prime minister in terms of encouraging housing for lower-income groups will reinvigorate the sector and would go a long way in aiding financial inclusion, Axis Bank MD Shikha Sharma said.

This entire demonetisation exercise has given the much-needed boost to India's journey towards becoming a less-cash economy and we are glad to be a part of it, she added.

According to Assocham the new schemes announced for 2017 would further help financial inclusion, give a boost to affordable housing, MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) with a combined positive impact on the overall economic growth.

"In particular, the interest subsidy on loans for low cost housing, waiver of farm loans for two months and increasing the credit guarantee cover for MSMEs to Rs two crore would help the vulnerable sections of society and revive consumer confidence at the bottom of the pyramid," the chamber said.
Following is the text of the



speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the end of the 50-day demonetisation exercise.

My fellow citizens,



In a few hours, we will be ushering in the new year of 2017. 125 crore Indians will join the rest of the world, in welcoming it with new hope, new energy and new dreams.

Since Diwali, our nation has been witness to a historic rite of purification. The patience, discipline, and resolve displayed by 125 crore Indians, will play a critical role in shaping the future of the nation for years to come.

In God's creation, humans are endowed with fundamental goodness. With time, the distortions of badness creep in. People feel suffocated in a bad environment, and struggle to come out of it. Corruption, black money, and counterfeit notes had become so rampant in India's social fabric, that even honest people were brought to their knees.

People were forced by circumstances, in defiance of their inherent goodness. It seemed at times, that the evils and corruptions of society, knowingly or un-knowingly, intentionally or un-intentionally, had become a part of our daily lives. Developments post-Diwali have shown, that crores of Indians were looking for an escape from this suffocation.

We have, during the external aggressions, of 1962, 1965, 1971 and Kargil; witnessed the intrinsic strength of our citizens. Such collective energy and patriotism is under- standable, in the face of external threats.However, when crores of Indians unite to fight a war against internal evils, it is unparallelled.

Indians have, with firm resolve and infinite patience, faced difficulties with a smile, re-defining the concept of sacrifice. We have lived these ideals. 125 crore Indians have shown, in their fortitude, the importance we place in truth and goodness. This has been written on the sands of time.

Indians have displayed the strength of people power, utmost discipline, and the ability to discern the truth in a storm of disinformation. They have shown that resolute honesty, can defeat dishonesty.

They have shown how much, even people trapped in poverty, are willing to do, to build a glorious India. The people, through persistence, sweat and toil, have demonstrated to the world, an unparallelled example of citizen sacrifice, for the brighter future of a nation.

Usually, when people's movements have arisen, the people and the government have been at loggerheads.

It is historic, that both the people and the government are on the same side in this battle against evil. The Government is well aware, that in this period, you had to queue up, and face difficulty in withdrawing your own money. I received letters from many people.

They have shared their pain and sorrow with me, but also emphasized their support. You have talked to me as one of your own. In this fight against corruption and black money, it is clear that you wish to walk shoulder to shoulder with us. For us in Government, this is a blessing.

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Gujarat government today said it had invited the convener of Sardar Patel Group (SPG), Lalji Patel, for discussions on the demands of the Patel community including that of reservations in educational institutes and government jobs.

SPG and Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti are two prominent Patel organisations which are demanding quota for the community in OBC category.

Deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said the BJP government had invited Lalji Patel and SPG leaders for talks.

"Our three-minister committee is ready to talk to SPG representatives in the coming week," he said.

The state government recently held talks with PAAS, but so far the two parties have failed to reach any agreement.

While PAAS is firm on demand of quota under OBC category, SPG has softened its stand, saying it wants reservations for poor Patidar youths in educational institutes and jobs, but it is for the government to decide how to make it possible.

Lalji Patel said SPG had accepted the government's invitation. SPG would present other demands before the government's committee too, he said, including report on probe of rape and murder of a woman at Mandvi in Bhavnagar district.

"We will also raise the issue of police repression of Patel youths, martyrdom of Patel youths during 2015 agitation and demand withdrawal of police cases against Patidar agitators," Lalji said.

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The Madras High Court has directed the Life Insurance Corporation Limited to revise the pay scale of a retired employee, who was sacked for five years pending verification of his community certificate, and pay all allowances from the date of his reinstatement.

It also directed disbursal of all terminal benefits with "reasonable interest from the date of dues".

Justice R Subbiah gave the direction on a petition by AK Jayakumar seeking an order to LIC, Chennai, to revise his pay scale and disburse all terminal benefits withheld by the Corporation citing verification of his community certificate, which was submitted at the time of his appointment.

When the matter came up, the judge said: "The LIC is directed to revise the scale of pay of the petitioner by extending all the allowances and increments from the date of his reinstatement and disburse all terminal benefits with reasonable interest from the date of dues.

"However, LIC is at liberty to move before the Scrutiny Committee for early completion of the proceedings pending before it with regard to the community status of the petitioner."



The petitioner said he had joined service in 1980 as an assistant and that he had produced a "valid" community certificate at the time of appointment.

But, on the basis of a few complaints, his community certificate was sent for verification to the District Level Vigilance Committee in Chennai, he said.

The committee cancelled his community certificate and terminated his service in 2000.

Subsequently, he filed separate petitions challenging the move in the High Court, which dismissed both the pleas, following which he filed two writ appeals.

The court had decided in his favour and issued an order to reinstate him, he said. He was reinstated in 2005 and retired in July this year.

However, his terminal benefits were withheld by LIC citing verification of his community certificate pending with a Scrutiny Committee, he added.

Rejecting the arguments of LIC's counsel, the judge said: "I am of the opinion that the petitioner is entitled to the relief as prayed for in the present writ petition.

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Iceland is ending an eventful year in a political quagmire, left without a government for two months after the Panama Papers scandal and a snap election reflecting deep divisions in the island nation.

"In recent years we thought we were seeing the craziest, but we were proven wrong every time - Iceland found ways to be even crazier," a parliamentary assistant from the Icelandic opposition said on April 6, seeing a government in tatters hesitate on its next move.

Former Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson had resigned the day before over revelations of his holdings stashed away in a tax haven.

This prompted demonstrations for six consecutive days with protesters shouting "Elections right away! Elections right away!" while striking metal fences in front of Iceland's parliament.

The anti-establishment Pirate Party was pushing at the gates of power - but they never opened.

The government said it would wait six months to hold a snap election, triggered by the latest scandal in a country that had seen its share already after the 2008 financial meltdown.

The outcome in October dashed the hopes of a clear-cut exit to the political crisis. Neither the left, the right, nor the centre had a majority.

Efforts to form a coalition were paralysed by everyone's refusal to deal with Gunnlaugsson's centrist Progressive Party, which won eight of the 63 seats.

Journalist Johannes Kristjansson, the only Icelander to have access to the Panama Papers, had been bewildered when he saw how many politicians were listed in the documents. Two months after the election he commented: "They were all re-elected."



Icelandic Finance Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, who had set up an offshore company in the Seychelles, even saw his party, the Conservatives, win the most seats, with 21. Gunnlaugsson is still an MP.

The "Pirates" revolution did not take place. Instead, the 2017 budget, adopted days before Christmas, was a compromise between the outgoing government's bill and concessions to other parties.

To form a new cabinet, "several formal and informal talks have taken place without leading to anything, and no one knows yet what will emerge," the daily Frettabladid wrote yesterday.

In November, the right first tried its luck with the centre, without any success. So did the left.

Even the sworn enemies, the Independence Party and the Left-Green Movement, made an attempt. The Pirate Party, given a mandate by the president in December, failed as well.

In the last days of 2016, it was back to square one with the right renegotiating with centrists.

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In his new year message, Jharkhand



Chief Minister Raghubar Das today called upon the people to participate in taking forward the state with renewed enthusiasm and pledge.

Issuing the message on New Year eve, Das said the country would become world leader under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an official release said today.

The people of Jharkhand would make the state strongest with their determination and see the state developed.

The achievements made in Digital India should be taken forward, Das said while wishing the people a prosperous, healthy and clean future.

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The first meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries between India and Sri Lanka took place here today ahead of the second round of ministerial level talks to be held on Monday.

The day-long meeting was co-chaired by secretaries for animal husbandry and fisheries department of the respective countries. Members of External Affairs Ministry, Coast Guard, Indian Navy and officials of Tamil Nadu government were also present at the JWG meeting.

"The issues related to release of detained fishing vessels, modalities for handing over of apprehended fishermen, mutual cooperation in fishery sector among others were discussed in detail," according to official sources.

The outcome of the JWG meeting will be further discussed at the ministerial talks to be held on January 2 in Colombo.

Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh will be attending the meeting. It is not yet clear if External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would attend the meeting as she is recuperating from an operation.

During the first round of ministerial talks held in New Delhi in November 2016, India and Sri Lanka decided to set up a JWG on Fisheries to meet every three months and hold a meeting between the Ministers for Fisheries every six months to find a permanent solution to the emotive issue of fishermen.

There have been several alleged incidents of Sri Lankan Navy personnel firing at Indian fishermen fishing in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats.

The Palk Strait, which is a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both the countries.

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The Income-Tax department has exposed a Kolkata-based bogus firm and seized unaccounted cash worth Rs 1.78 crorefrom its account at a private bank here.

The money was deposited at Chowk branch of Axis bank in the account of a Kolkata based firm Himadri Wincom Private Limited after the demonetisation move, said GR Nirwan, Assistant Director ofIT (investigation).

A Varanasi-based local businessman Sudhir Rastogi and his wife Asha Rastogi were found registered as the firm's directors, he said.

Sudhirruns a business of makeup items and his annual income filed with the IT-department is around Rs 5-6 lakh.

During investigation, Rastogi denied any links with the deposited money in the bank account and has also given an affidavit to the I-T department in this regard.

He claimed that he had already quit the firm a year ago and hadnot deposited the cash in the bank.

Following the suspicious transaction, IT department sealed the account and seized the unaccounted cash worth Rs 1.78 crore out of total Rs 2.35 crore, deposited between November 10 to 29, said GR Nirwan, Assistant Director ofIT (investigation).

He said the IT department went throughthe records ofthe firm andtried to find out its registered address in Kolkata, but could not find it there.

They then traced the firm's directors who are presently residingin Varanasi and owns a shop here.

He said, "the seized cash in the bank account is now considered as 'benami' after the denial of claim over the money by firms directors Sudhir Rastogi and his wife Asha Rastogi".

He said the investigation in the case is further on and the Banks CCTV footage will be checked to find out who deposited money in the bank account and appropriate action would be taken.

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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said the state government has released Rs 862 crore for drought relief measures.

"We are not sitting quiet waiting for funds from the central government. We have already released Rs 862 crore for drought relief measures," Siddaramaiah said.

He said Rs 400 crore has been released for drinking water and fodder for cattle, and Rs 325 crore is already available with the District Deputy Commissioners.

Maintaining that the state was reeling under severe drought, the Chief Minister said there is scarcity of drinking water with no adequate water in reservoirs and lakes being dried up.

"District Deputy Commissioners have been directed to take adequate measures in ensuring the availability of drinking water and fodder for cattle," he told reporters.

Karnataka is reeling under successive years of drought, and the state government has already declared 139 taluks in 29 districts as drought-hit.

The Chief Minister had earlier said the state has incurred an estimated loss of Rs 25,000 crore this year due to severe drought.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had yesterday assured the all-party delegation led by Siddaramaiah that a decision on release of Rs 4,702 crore drought relief to Karnataka for kharif crop loss in 2016 will be taken on January 4.

Speaking about the meeting with the Prime Minister, Siddaramaiah said in a few districts there was damage to crops due to floods, for which Rs 386 crore had been sought as relief.

Pointing out to the deficit rainfall, he said state has efficiently implemented job guarantee scheme and "we have requested Union government's support in making this more effective to support drought affected families."



On the Mahadayi river water dispute with Goa, Siddaramaiah said during the meeting with Prime Minister "we have requested his intervention, as the court has provided an opportunity for finding a solution through discussion, and it was also informed to him about Karnataka legislature's resolution seeking his intervention."



He said "Prime Minister heard us, but did not give any assurance. BJP members in the delegation remained silent, only Ananth Kumar (Union Minister) said they have had discussions with Goa and Maharashtra Chief Ministers.

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said he is hopeful the works that have come to a standstill in the national capital will be expedited under new Lt Governor Anil Baijal.

Baijal (70), a former Union Home Secretary, took over as the Lt Governor of Delhi today.

"I am very hopeful that in the future, we all - MLAs, Delhi government, people of Delhi - will work with the Lt Governor for development of Delhi.

"In the last few months, some works of Delhi government have come to standstill. I hope that these works will be expedited," Kejriwal said.

Baijal's predecessor Najeeb Jung and the Delhi government have been at loggerheads on a range of issues including transfer and posting of officers since AAP came to power.

On being asked about his relationship with the AAP government after taking oath, Baijal said, "This is a speculative thing and I don't know how the relationship will improve. We will sit together and talk."



Baijal was administered the oath of office and secrecy of Lt Governor by Chief Justice of Delhi High Court G Rohini.

Apart from the Chief Minister, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, judges, Delhi Chief Secretary M M Kutty, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Water Minister Kapil Mishra, New Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi, Opposition leader Vijender Gupta and other two BJP MLAs O P Sharma and Jadgish Pradhan, senior bureaucrats attended the oath-taking ceremony.

Baijal, a 1969 batch IAS officer, had served as Union Home Secretary under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, besides holding key positions in other ministries.

He had retired in 2006 as secretary of the Urban Development Ministry. He was also the vice chairman of Delhi Development Authority.

Baijal was actively associated with the designing and roll-out of Rs 60,000 crore Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) launched by the Manmohan Singh government.

The former bureaucrat was also on the executive council of the think-tank Vivekananda International Foundation, several of whose former members have been appointed to senior positions by the Modi government including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

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Lokayukta Police has converted Rs 1.61 crores, seized in now banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes in the last 10 years, into fixed deposits as per court a Madhya Pradesh High Court order.

"We have deposited Rs 1,61,56,000 cash seized during raids at various premises of government officials and deposited it as fixed deposits at a nationalised bank," Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Lokayukta Indore, B S Patihar told PTI.

The amount was seized in connection with 30 cases of alleged corruption in the last one decade.

He said as per rules, the money seized in raids is deposited in the government treasury and then court while deciding the matter takes a call to whom the cash should be handed over.

As per the court order, the sum was withdrawn from the government treasury in the last 10 days and has been now parked as fix deposits with a bank, the senior official said.

The Indore bench of MP high court while hearing a case of alleged corruption against a former government employee on December 19, had directed the Lokayukta to deposit the seized cash as fixed deposits in a nationalised bank ahead of December 30, the last date of depositing old notes post demonetisation.

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Maharashtra Samajwadi Party chief Abu Azmi today pledged support to the Akhilesh Yadav camp after party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav expelled the UP chief minister along with General Secretary Ramgopal Yadav for six years for putting up candidates against the official nominees.

Azmi, who is in Lucknow now, said he will discuss further course of action after meeting Akihlesh and Ramgopal Yadav.

Azmi also claimed that the Maharashtra unit of the party is with Akhilesh.

"As far as we (Maharashtra SP unit) are concerned, we are with Akhilesh Yadavji because he enjoys the support of the entire state (UP) as well as the nation," Azmi told PTI.

Azmi, who represents Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar segment in the state assembly, had expressed concern over the growing political instability in Uttar Pradesh in the wake of the dramatic developments in ruling party.

"This is very unfortunate. Whatever is taking place is not a good sign and will further embolden anti-secular forces in the state. Netaji's (Mulayam) decision will weaken the party," he had said.

"Mulayamji is not very much active on the party front and most of the decisions are taken by other leaders. Akhilesh Yadav is his son. This feud must have been settled within the family. This is very unfortunate that it has come to the fore," he had said.

SP has presence in some pockets of Maharashtra and has nine corporators in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Mulayam Singh Yadav yesterday expelled Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and party general secretary and cousin Ramgopal Yadav for six years for releasing a list of candidates, parallel to the one issued officially by Mulayam and summoning a party meet tomorrow.

The decision has led to unprecedented crisis in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tonight said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a great New Year gift to the country with his announcements in the televised address to nation on the new year's eve.

"Thank you Hon @narendramodi ji! There can't be a better #NewYear gift. PM on one hand fights against corruption& #blackmoney.. #IndiaWithPMModi (sic)," Fadnavis tweeted.

"..But on other hand all resources collected thereby are spent on poor,middle class,farmers &vulnerable sections of society. #IndiaWithPMModi (sic)," he said in another tweet.

In a stern warning of tough action against the "dishonest" people, PM Modi earlier tonight announced a slew of sops for senior citizens, farmers, rural housing, women and small entrepreneurs to soften the blow of demonetisation.

Among the sops announced in his address to the nation at the end of 50-day demonetisation period, Modi said senior citizens will get 8 per cent interest on deposits of upto Rs 7.5 lakh for 10 years and deposit of Rs 6000 into accounts of pregnant and lactating women in rural areas to meet medical expenses.

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Questioning the restrictions imposed on cash withdrawal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said the government cannot simply "snatch away" economic rights of the people.

"Modi Babu, public are not beggars. Why are there still restrictions on cash withdrawal?," Banerjee asked in a statement.

"50 days are now over. How can you take away the rights of citizens to withdraw their own hard-earned money ? A government just cannot snatch away people's economic rights," she said.

The Reserve Bank of India said last night that cash withdrawal limit from ATMs would be increased to Rs 4,500 per day from the current Rs 2,500 from January 1.

There has been no change in the weekly withdrawal limit, which stands at Rs 24,000, including from ATM, for individuals and Rs 50,000 for small traders.

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Hailing Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu for officially joining BJP with 32 other legislators, the party's Meghalaya unit today said its effort to provide good governance will be rewarded in the northeast.

"First it was Assam that woke up from being misruled. Now it is Arunachal Pradesh. Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram will soon elect the BJP to office," BJP state president Shibun Lyngdoh told PTI.

He said the trust that people have shown in the party has only increased under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The party's bid to provide good governance and its seriousness in dealing with issues concerning the poor people will be rewarded," he said.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and 32 other MLAs of the PPA officially declared their joining the BJP today, making it the second state in the region where the party is in power.

The Meghalaya BJP chief lauded the leadership in Arunachal Pradesh, saying that it is the people that stand to gain from his "foresight".

"We are proud that Khandu made the decision and the people of Arunachal Pradesh will benefit," Lyngdoh said.

He also hailed the BJP leadership for making it mandatory for Union Ministers to visit North East and hosting at least six of them, including the Prime Minister, this year.

"Their visit has boosted not only the party and its workers but people in general have started to change their negative opinion towards the party," he said.

He alleged that the Congress has always spread rumours about the party affecting the opinion of the people in general towards the BJP in the past.

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Raking up the issue of conversions, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat today said such attempts are unlikely to be successful in the country as the missionaries "do not have the strength".

Bhagwat pitched for Hindu unity and asked members of the community to come together irrespective of caste and language.

"...After converting people to Christianity in the US, Europe, they (missionaries) are eyeing Asia. China calls itself secular, but will it allow itself to come under Christianity? No. Will Middle-East countries let it happen? No. They now think India is the place.

"But they should keep it in mind, notwithstanding their strong push over 300 years, only six per cent of Indian population could be converted to Christianity. Because they do not have strength," he said.

The chief made the remarks while delivering valedictory address at Virat Hindu Sammelan, organised by Bharat Sevashram Sangh in Vansda in the district.

Bhagwat sought to buttress his point by saying how two churches, one in the US and another in Birmingham in the UK, were converted into Ganesh temple and offices of Vishwa Hindu Parishad respectively, by a Hindu businessman in America.

"This is the condition (of missionaries) in their own countries and they want to convert us. They cannot do it, they do not have that strength," he added.

Bhagwat asked Hindus to remember "who they are" and that their culture is "superior".

"Hindu community is in trouble. Which country are we living in? Our own country. This is our land, from the Himalayas (in the north) to the sea (in south). This is the land of our ancestors. Bharat Mata is mother of us all.

"We have forgotten ourselves. We are all Hindus. Let our castes, languages we speak, regions we come from, gods we worship be different. Those who are sons of Bharat Mata, are Hindus. Hence, India is called Hindustan," he said.

Terming Hindu religion as one based on truth, Bhagwat said Hindus never tried to convert people pursuing other religions as they believe in co-existence.

He urged people of all religions to "walk together" to make the world a better place and India a world leader.

He reaffirmed the RSS stand that Hindus and non-Hindus living in "integrated India" have common ancestors who share the same DNA.

Bhagwat urged the attendees to reach out to their "brothers", to whom they have not gone for ages, keeping aside differences of caste, religion and language.

"We should go to our brothers whom we have not gone to for ages. We did not go to them and hence these things (spread of other religions) are happening. We should go to them to share their pain, cooperate with them and perform our long-forgotten duty to make them aware of who they are, that we have common ancestors," he added.

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Terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address as "disappointing", Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today accused him of "cheating" people and claimed that "not a single penny" of black money was recovered and there was no reduction in corruption due to demonetisation.

He also hit out at the prime minister for "not offering any relief" to the people suffering due to demonetisation.

In a series of tweets, Kejriwal said, "Modiji sounds so hollow now. People have stopped believing anything that he says. He has become a subject of ridicule internationally.

"Modiji has cheated the entire nation. Neither a single penny of black money has been recovered nor has corruption come down. He has lost all credibility.

"Prime Minister's boring speech was heard patiently by the people in the hope that he will announce when can they withdraw their own money without restriction. In the end, they were disappointed."



Senior AAP leader Ashutosh also accused the prime minister of trying to "bribe" the people hit by the currency ban "by offering them sops" and termed his address as an "election speech".

"Modi's speech was not about demonetisation, but about election. He tried to bribe the people of India who are angry with him by giving them sops," he said.

Taking a dig at the prime minister's address, Delhi



minister Kapil Mishra said Modi sounded like "a doctor who has not understood his patient's ailment".

Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav said the speech had no reference to the number of new currency notes printed or steps taken to curb black money.

He described it as "below expectation".

"What happened to black money? How much black money (was) recovered? What are the future plans against black money? What about black money in politics?," Yadav tweeted.
The power sector in Madhya Pradesh has set a new record by successfully meeting the demand of 11,421 MW power during the ongoing Rabi season.

On December 23, the state registered a peak power demand of 11,421 MW which the electricity generating companies successfully met, an official of MP Power Management Company Limited said today.

Besides, the farmers were also supplied 10 hours of dedicated power during the Rabi season, he said.

The company is supplying 24 hours uninterrupted power to the consumers in the state for long, the official said.

To meet the peak power demand of 11421 MW on December 23, the contribution of hydro and thermal power stations of MP Power Generating Company was 3,079 MW, Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar hydro power projects contributed 1,401 MW, Central Sector provided 3,127 MW, Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project and IPP 2,196 MW, 1,026 was obtained through power banking process and 662 MW from other and renewable energy sources, he added.

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Thailand's new King Maha Vajiralongkorn urged his subjects to unite in a New Year's Eve speech delivered today, his first major address to the politically-split nation since ascending to the throne.

Thailand has been gripped with grief ever since the October passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, a profoundly revered monarch who steered the country through seven decades of political turmoil.

His only son Vajiralongkorn, who has spent much of his life abroad, does not enjoy the same level of adoration.

Yet like his father the 64-year-old is shielded from criticism by a harsh royal defamation law that effectively blocks public scrutiny of the monarchy.

As a result, little is known about what the 64-year-old will do with a crown that is granted few legal powers but became a position of vast influence under his father's charismatic reign.

In the nationally-televised speech today, Vajiralongkorn urged his countrymen to find common ground as they head into the new year.

"No matter what types of obstacles, problems, or irregularities occur, if we unite then all of them can definitely be resolved", he counselled from behind a desk in Bangkok's Dusit palace.

The monarch added that he was "overwhelmed and impressed" by the outpouring of grief sparked by his father's death.

"This is a testament to how Thais are grateful, kind, compassionate and patriotic," he said.

Bhumibol charmed Thais with his reputation as a hard-working king who dedicated himself to rural development projects for the poor.

His also delivered annual speeches that were peppered with moral guidance to a country battered by political protests and military coups.

But the revered monarch largely retreated from public life as his health declined over the past decade, while Thailand became increasingly engulfed by a bitter power struggle between a royalist elite and a rural poor.

The new king has inherited this fractured kingdom, now firmly in the grip of an arch-royalist junta that has clamped down on pro-democracy voices.

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Five star hotels, fine dining restaurants and cafes in the city, known to be food lover's paradise, plan to ring in 2017 with a lavish spread as they don't see demonetisation affecting New Year revelries.

"We did not face any cancellation of bookings or dip in turnout at our Christmas brunch at Smoke Shack. So, we are confident that demonetisation has not affected us. Being a big establishment, we have not slashed our usual New Year's eve menu," Anukam Tiwary of Park Plaza told PTI.

The New Year eve buffet at the hotel's restaurants range from chicken consomme with Gorgonzola quenelle, mustard marinated peppered bekti, shredded chicken and green bean salad with white wine vinaigrette, crispy lamb and bean sprout salad with Thai chilli sauce to traditional New Year season English meals like English ham slice and Awadhi-Mughali dishes.

In Park Pavilion besides the usual chicken biryani and dum ka gosht, there will be rosemary turkey and white garlic fish in the non-vegetarian segment on offer.

"We have not been hit by any currency crunch. After all people can transact with different modes of payment. The Christmas-New Year time is the biggest period of festivity in hospitality industry here and everyone wants to be part of the celebrations - more after 50 days of demonetisation," its executive chef said.

The city's new social media themed popular hang-out cafe What's Up will have a-la-carte menu of turkey specials like roasted turkey stuffed in panini with BBQ sauce, turkey Irani kebab, Turkey seekh kebab and Turkey pepperoni pizza in the starter section.

The main course comprises roasted turkey with cranberry sauce served with saute vegetables and potato and turkey a la king (turkey cooked in rich creamy sauce and herb rice).

The cafe owner said the economy priced buffets might have faced a little crunch at the outset but picked up from mid-December.

At JW Kitchen of Kolkata's brand new JW Marriott, the 22



course lavish buffet spread includes roast turkey in cranberry sauce, barbecued lamb chops, kung pao prawn, lamb stew, pork vindaloo, Anglo Indian soups and assorted desserts with unlimited drinks and a lot more, a hotel spokesperson said suggesting demonetisation did not dampen the festivities.

In the heritage Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata, which has a sizeable number of loyal customers, orange muffins, Christmas stolen bread, ginger bread were among the assorted items on offer besides the signature dim puff and plum pudding, a spokesperson said.

At the city's fine dining restaurant Red Hot Chilli Pepper, the note ban had initially caused a dip. "But there are encouraging signs of the buzz returning since mid-December which picked up from Christmas week," a chef said.

"We are not backing out from introducing new signature dishes like kung pao mushroom, mandarin sliced chicken and roast chilli pork, tsing tu bhetki, stir-fried duck, kung pao mushroom to name a few from hundreds of Christmas-New Year delicacies. The crowd is back," executive Director Namrata Borthakar said.
Pakistan has sought support of the US on the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with India, as Secretary of State John Kerry called for an amicable settlement of the issue by New Delhi and Islamabad, media reported today.

The development came after Pakistan was irked by the World Bank pause in mediation to resolve differences over construction of two water projects by India.

The Express Tribune reported that Kerry made a phone call to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday night and discussed the row over the IWT implementation and the role of the World Bank (WB), which had brokered the treaty in 1960.

After Kerry's call, US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale also met Dar in Islamabad at the Finance Ministry.

The back-to-back contacts highlight the importance of the water issue, which can potentially endanger regional stability if the situation slips out of control, according to sources at Finance Ministry.

"The US would like to see an amicable solution to this (water) issue," a Finance Ministry statement quoted Kerry as saying.

Kerry told Dar that the WB president had informed him about Pakistan's complaint against India on the IWT.

The water dispute has catapulted the US back into Pakistan's economic picture.

The American civilian and military assistance to Pakistan has drastically come down in recent months and its implications on Pakistan's fiscal situation have started emerging in the shape of a larger-than-anticipated budget deficit.

Independent analysts argue that Washington may not play an effective role in resolving the water dispute, as the Obama administration is preparing to hand over the White House to Donald Trump next month.

"Senator Dar indicated that the US support on the principles and legal position of Pakistan will be greatly appreciated," stated the Finance Ministry.

Early this month, the WB had announced a pause in playing its legally binding role of mediator in the IWT implementation.

In October, Pakistan had approached the WB seeking appointment of the Chairman of Court of Arbitration to resolve a dispute over construction of two mega hydropower projects by India in violation of the IWT.

The Finance Minister told Kerry that the IWT was an international commitment and it was the WB's responsibility to make sure India honoured the treaty and the water rights of hundreds of millions of Pakistani people were protected, said the finance ministry.

(REOPENS FGN007)



Dar added that the Court of Arbitration was the legal requirement, and the World Bank must fulfil the commitment to appointing the Chairman of the Court of Arbitration.

India's repeated threats to run Pakistan dry pose a real threat to Pakistan's food and economic security.

The civil and military leadership has already announced that materialisation of India's threat would be considered 'open aggression' and a blatant 'act of war'.

Pakistan and China on Thursday decided to make water security a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework aimed at preparing a plan against any adverse impact of any such Indian move on Pakistan's economic security.

Dar informed Kerry that the WB president had been in touch with him during the current month.

Sources, however, said the WB has yet not made a formal commitment that the mediation process would be started immediately.
Contrary to the popular perception, subjective patient satisfaction ratings may actually lead to lower-quality care in some situations, according to new research.

"Increasingly used as a measure of physician performance, patient satisfaction data can be flawed and not broadly applicable," said Terence Myckatyn of Washington University School of Medicine in the US.

"While patient satisfaction is important, we think that better rating tools are needed to measure it," said Myckatyn.

Myckatyn and colleagues share some concerns about the trend towards using patient satisfaction ratings as a measure of physician performance.

The focus on patient satisfaction is driven by the fact that the US spends more than any other nation on health-care, but lags behind in outcomes, researchers said.

Patient satisfaction is now among the quality of care indicators used in "pay for performance" programmes tying financial reimbursement under Medicare and the Affordable Care Act.

However, using patient satisfaction ratings in this way is having some unintended consequences, the researchers said.

For example, some hospitals are upgrading their physical facilities and adding luxury amenities, in an attempt to improve patient satisfaction scores.

"One could argue that these costly expenses have more to do with the perception of health-care quality rather than actual outcomes," Myckatyn said.

There are even anecdotal reports of doctors altering their medical judgement to improve patient satisfaction and minimise negative reviews - for example, prescribing antibiotics or strong pain medications to keep patients happy and move them quickly through the system.

"Behaviour motivated by patient satisfaction becomes especially dangerous when ratings are directly tied to compensation," researchers said.

Meanwhile, it is unclear whether satisfaction and other measures of patient experience are correlated with traditional measures of health care safety and quality.

"The truth is that there is little high-level evidence to support that patient satisfaction surveys will provide Americans with improved medical outcomes, but there are plenty of contradictory data," said Myckatyn.

Some studies even suggest that higher-intensity health-care is associated with increased patient satisfaction but also with increased mortality, with no impact on objective quality measures.

While other studies have linked higher satisfaction to better outcomes, interpretation of these studies is limited by the fact that patient satisfaction is "inherently subjective and labile."



Plastic surgery does not have a strong body of research on patient satisfaction and its relationship to outcomes. Yet especially for aesthetic surgery, plastic surgeons have always been attuned to the importance of patient feedback.

The research was published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

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: With an aim of spreading the message of preventing ecological damage by pilgrims in and around the famous Sabarimala hill shrine, a 20 member group of devotees today left for the temple, carrying the traditional 'Iru Mudi' in eco friendly parcels and also saplings to be planted there.

Advocate Gandhi, coordinator of the group, said that they would not only offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa, but spread the message "Protect the greenery..Protect Sabarimala".

"The pilgrims will carry 'Iru Mudi' (a small bundle containing coconut,ghee, holy ash, turmeric, sandal paste) in eco-friendly parcels. They will also have with them not only pooja articles, but also saplings of sandalwood, teak and other varieties for being planted there," he said



He said nearly four crore pilgrims visit the temple during the pilgrimage season and as such it was necessary to protect the hills around the temple from dumping of plastic waste by them.

Though the Supreme Court had ordered a ban on plastic use in the hills, it was necessary to create awareness about the damage caused by the plastic to the environment, he said.

Gandhi said Pathanamthitta district officials on coming to know of their interest in protecting the environment in and around the shrine, had said they would receive them at the shrine.

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Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan today termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's televised address to the nation as an act of "dangling the carrot."



"The address was more of a political speech. There is no immediate relief offered by Modi. The demonetisation decision has competed 50 days, but he did not offer any major relief to people," Chavan told PTI.

"People, mainly from rural areas are suffering more. There has been no crucial decision taken in this regard," Chavan, a former Maharashtra Chief Minister, added.

Echoing similar views, Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam said the PM had failed to provide relief to citizens suffering due to demonetisation.

"Just like Modi has been touring the world as India's first foreign minister, he has presented the Budget. What will (Finance Minister) Arun Jaitley do in February?", he questioned.

"It was expected that Modi will provide relief to citizens, but the restrictions on withdrawing their own money remain. There was no word on how much black money has been collected and whether corruption had stopped. He did not say a word on how many new new notes have been printed so far," Nirupam said.

"If high denomination notes result in generation of black money, why a Rs 2,000 note was introduced," Nirupam, a former MP, asked.

"At the end of 50 days, Modi has failed to give relief to citizens," he charged.

Nirupam also claimed that Modi has not referred to small traders, farmers, who were suffering and those who had died waiting in queues outside banks, in his televised address.

In a bid to soften the blow of demonetisation effects, Modi tonight announced a hosts of sops for rural and urban poor, middle class, women and senior citizens while sending out a tough message that law will come down with "full force" against the "dishonest".

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NCP today said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation was a budget presentation with an eye on upcoming Assembly elections.

"Instead of presenting the budget in Parliament, Modi gave a budget speech in the televised address," NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik told PTI.

"If high denomination notes were banned to curb terrorism and counterfeit currency, what is the purpose of introducing Rs 2,000 note. Modi has failed to answer this question. Also, most of the schemes announced already exist," he said.

"What Modi announced was only cash transfer. Prime Minister must answer whether houses are available in cities for Rs 9 and Rs 12 lakh. In case of farmers, where 2 per cent interest on crop loan is provided, how will 4 per cent subsidy work," the NCP spokesperson questioned.

"This is just to influence people ahead of Assembly polls. There was no analysis of the demonetisation and hardships being faced by people," Malik said.

Modi today sent out a stern warning of tough action against the "dishonest" people even as he announced a slew of sops for senior citizens, farmers, rural housing, women and small entrepreneurs to soften the blow of demonetisation.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will offer worship at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at nearby Tirumala on January 3.

Modi, who will be here for the inauguration of the 104th Indian Science Congress on January 3, would visit Tirumala on an hour-long pilgrimage in the afternoon, a top temple administration official said today.

The Prime Minister would offer prayers at the hill shrine and return to New Delhi, TTD Chairman Chadalawada Krishmurthy told PTI here.

This is Modi's second visit to the ancient temple since he became Prime Minister in 2014. He had earlier offered worship at the shrine on October 22 last year.

The Science Congress is being held at the Sri Venkateswara University here from Jan 3 to 7.

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A man from Pune district has been booked for allegedly conning a policeman by selling him a car, procured through means of cheating, police said today.

Vishwas Magar, a police naik posted with ATS, Thane city police, lodged a complaint against Sachin alias Rakesh Padwal, a dealer of used cars, for allegedly duping him off Rs 5 lakhs by selling him a car that he had apparently got by cheating another gullible customer, Thane Police said in a press release issued here.

Magar stated in his complaint that the accused was an acquaintance and he had once casually enquired about buying a used car.

In June, 2015, he purchased a four-wheeler from Sachin by paying him Rs 1 lakhs in cash as the first instalment of the total Rs 5 lakhs sum. He then took loan of Rs 4 lakh from bank based on valid documents.

The registration of the vehicle was also transferred on the police naik's name, Thane police said.

On November 25, 2015, Magar's car, being driver by one of his friends to Satara, was stopped on the way by police near Hingewadi, Pune. When Magar was enquired about the seller, it was revealed that Sachin, whose real name is Rakesh Padwal, had earlier cheated customers in a similar fashion.

The car that was sold to the police naik, originally belonged to one Vikesh Patel from Goregaon, Mumbai. The accused had allegedly changed the registration number and also got a fake RC book made on the new name, the release said.

Police is now probing that how the accused, who is currently at large, procured the car from its original owner.

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A Boeing 707 operated by a Polish charter airline made an emergency landing in Prague after a bomb threat by a passenger who was then detained by police, Czech officials said.

"A man who threatened to detonate a booby trap... Is in the hands of the Czech police," Interior Minister Milan Chovanec told the Czech public television yesterday.

"The man was Polish, just like most passengers," he added but declined to say whether the police had actually found a bomb.

Richard Klima, spokesman for Prague's air traffic controllers, told AFP that the Enter Air plane flying from Las Palmas, Spain to Warsaw landed in Prague following the pilot's request.

Chovanec said about 160 passengers were evacuated from the plane that had landed at a disused old airport next to Prague's Vaclav Havel Airport, and that the situation was safe.

He added the passengers would stay the night in Prague pending a thorough check of the plane which could finally leave for Warsaw yesterday morning.

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today told Water Minister Kapil Mishra to prepare a blueprint to revive all water bodies in order to solve the problem of water shortage in the national capital.

The move comes after noted historian Sohail Hussain suggested the government to revive all baolis in Delhi.

During the launch of Delhi Assembly calendar for the new year, whose theme is 'baoli', Hussain said every village in the national capital has water body and if the government revives those, there will be no water shortage till 2025.

On Hussain's suggestion, Kejriwal told Mishra to sit with experts and prepare a blueprint to revive all water bodies.

Informing that revival of water bodies is one of the main agendas of the AAP government, the Chief Minister said, "I request Kapil Mishra to work on this and sit with experts next week to prepare a blueprint."



Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel proposed that every MLA should form a team and inspect baolis in their constituency.

Hussain also suggested the government to check all signboards installed by the Public Works Department (PWD) as "incorrect" Urdu is written on many of those.

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President Pranab Mukherjee left for the national capital from here today after his 10-day annual southern sojourn.

Governor ESL Narasimhan, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and his cabinet colleagues, besides Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and other senior officials were present at the Hakimpet Airforce station to see him off.

Mukherjee stayed at the Rashtrapati Nilayam here, the erstwhile Nizam palace built in 1860, spread across sprawling 90 acres, and now serves as a presidential retreat.

During his stay, he had attended convocation at the Army College of Dental Sciences, Secunderabad; addressed centenary celebrations of Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

The President also participated in various programmes in Karnataka and Kerala. He visited the famous Balaji Temple in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

An 'At Home' reception was also hosted at the Rashtrapati Nilayam for senior dignitaries, ministers, officials and journalists yesterday.

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Terming the opposition to SC ruling on the SARFAESI Act with respect to Jammu and Kashmir as "completely misplaced", state Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu today said the apex court has only reaffirmed that the state laws prevail.

"I think we will have a lot of occasion to discuss this in the Assembly, but I think it (opposition to the SC ruling) is completely misplaced... The Opposition has been doing this for very very long."



While speaking at a Jammu and Kashmir Bank event here, Drabu told reporters that "there is nothing in the Act (to be opposed). In fact, it reaffirms quite a few things, one of which is that the Transfer of Property Act actually prevails over SARFAESI (the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act)".

According to him, banks cannot sell any immovable mortgaged property to non-state subjects.

"In the event of a bank taking recourse to property, they cannot sell it to a non-state subject and in the last budget, I had already made a provision for an asset recovery company with the J-K Bank which can buy these impaired assets," he said.

"So, I think the Opposition is completely clueless in what they are saying and bears no relation to what the Act has and it is not today, this has been going on since 2003," he claimed.

Referring to his stint in the bank as its chairman, he recalled making some pertinent proposals.

"But I think what eventually has happened is we have got clarity on it that the Transfer of Property Act of J-K will actually prevail over this (SARFAESI) and you cannot sell any immovable mortgage property to non-state subjects."



It can be a huge business opportunity for J-K bank, he felt.

Asked if the state would bring any other law on the issue, he said the law department will have to discuss the same.

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The Union Home Ministry has cleared a proposal to add 15,000 more personnel to the and it awaits the Finance Ministry's nod, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said terming its strength as "inadequate".

Singh made the announcement at a mega police event in the capital where ranks were awarded to 24 personnel out of the 27,000 promoted in 2016.

The expansion, if effected, will make the force nearly 1 lakh strong.

"I feel strength is not adequate. It has to increase. The proposal pertaining to recruitment of 15,000 personnel have been sent to the Finance Ministry by the Home Ministry. I hope the approval will be received soon," he said.

The event also saw the presence of Ministers of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir and Commissioner Alok Verma and a bevy of senior officials, inspectors, constables and their family members.

Singh said it was "raining promotions" in Delhi Police as "no where" have so many personnel been promoted together. He lauded Verma's efforts toward removing the stagnation in promotion.

"Promotions are in short supply in police as well as in paramilitary forces and when it happens the person is on the last leg of his career. I had told the police commissioner to promote personnel when it is due without any hesitation," Singh said.

According to official data, Delhi Police at present has a total sanctioned strength of around 82,242, of which 77,083 are filled.
Chief Minister V Narayanasamy today vowed to ensure that all the four regions of the Union Territory witnessed balanced development in all sectors in 2017.

In his New Year eve message, he said various development oriented programmes had been set in motion during 2016 and they would be sustained and carried on further so that a balanced development was achieved in the four regions of Puducherry Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.

Narayanasamy, heading the Congress Ministry, said his government would spare no efforts to register industrial development in the new year and said the cooperation of the people was absolutely necessaryfrom all sections.

Puducherry Assembly Speaker V Vaithilingam, Ministers, Leader of the Oppositon N.Rangasamy of AINRC, MLAs, MPs, and leaders of various political parties extended their greetings on the eve of New Year to the people.

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Farmers associated with Rajasthan cooperative dairy federation will be covered with an insurance of Rs 5 lakh under a "first-of-its-kind" scheme announced by the state government today.

The scheme, announced at the initiative of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, is probably the first ever personal insurance scheme for dairy farmers in the country, according to Rajasthan Cooperative Minister Ajay Singh.

Women and SC/ST category beneficiaries will have to pay a premium of Rs 20.25 annually, while the premium for general category dairy farmers will be Rs 24.30, he said.

The state government has signed an MoU with United India Insurance Company Ltd for the 'Raj Saras Suraksha Kavach Bima Yojna' under which insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh will be provided.

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Rear Admiral Amit Vikram, will assumecharge as the Principal of Indian Naval Academy (INA) at Ezhimala in neighbouring Kannur District tomorrow.

An alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington in Tamil Nadu and the Naval War College at Goa and JBIMS, Mumbai, Rear Admiral Vikram is a specialist in Anti Submarine Warfare and has over 32 years of rich and varied experience in the Indian Navy, an INA release said today. His important appointments include Command Education and Welfare Officer at Southern Naval Command, Director of Naval Institute of Educational and Training Technology (NIETT), Kochi and Director at Directorate of Naval Education, New Delhi.

Prior to assuming current appointment, he was the Command Education and Welfare Officer at Eastern Naval Command, the release said.

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Unidentified miscreants today shot dead a ruling Awami League lawmaker at his constituency in northwestern Gaibandha, police said.

They said 48-year-old Manzurul Islam Liton was shot at his village home as he was holding a meeting with local activists.

He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition at neighbouring Rangpur district where doctors declared him dead.

"He (Liton) was brought here (Rangpur Medical College Hospital) with wounds but he possibly died somewhere on his way to the hospital," acting director of the facility Dr Ajay Kumar Roy said.

Police said unidentified miscreants on motorbikes shot Liton from a close proximity at his village home at Masterpara near Bamondanga railway station.

"Three assailants arrived at the yard of Liton's house where he was holding a meeting with some people. One of them fired two shots from a pistol," Gaibandha's additional police Superintendent Abdullah Al-Faruk said.

He said the miscreants fled the scene using the motorbike.

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Russia has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council supporting the ceasefire it helped broker in Syria as well as planned peace talks in Kazakhstan.

Moscow drew up the text yesterday endorsing the plan it spearheaded with the help of Turkey and Iran for a nationwide ceasefire.

The truce went into effect at midnight and appeared to be mainly holding Friday despite reports of sporadic clashes near Damascus.

The deal calls for subsequent negotiations in late January in the Kazakh capital Astana, Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters.

The council held closed-door consultations on the text yesterday.

Russia later amended the draft at the request of several member states.

While Churkin voiced hope that the council could vote Saturday "and adopt it unanimously," diplomats said they were skeptical that such a vote would take place.

The ceasefire deal calls for negotiations over a political solution to end the conflict that has killed more than 310,000 people since 2011 and forced millions to flee.

The ceasefire -- which involves 13 groups representing 60,000 fighters who control "large chunks" of Syria -- appeared to be "holding adequately," the Russian envoy said.

The deal excludes jihadist groups including the Islamic State and Fateh al-Sham Front, an Al-Qaeda affiliate previously known as Al-Nusra Front.

Russia's plan, which pointedly excludes the United States, does not overlap with an initiative for negotiations in February mediated by UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura, Churkin said.

Nevertheless, Moscow expects the UN will be "fully involved" in preparing for the Astana talks, he added.

"We hope others will join in, like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar," Churkin said.

Diplomats said they did not see how a quick weekend vote would occur.

"It needs to be studied seriously," said one Western diplomat.

There are still "a lot of unanswered questions," said another Western diplomat, adding that Russia might be hard-pressed to muster the nine votes needed for its resolution to pass.

The latest draft of the resolution, a copy of which was seen by AFP, "endorses the documents mediated and issued by Russia and Turkey on December 29."



It "stresses the importance of their full and immediate implementation and calls upon all parties to be guided by the aforementioned documents and provide support to their implementation."



As opposed to the first draft, the text also includes a reference to the talks being led by de Mistura, the UN special envoy.

It says the council views the eventual Astana talks as "an important part of the Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations.

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Sasikala Natarajan becoming the AIADMK general secretary was the party's internal matter and she could also become the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said today.

"It is purely an internal matter of the party. There is also a chance of her becoming the chief minister," he told reporters here when asked about Sasikala's appointment to the top post in AIADMK.

On the criticism that Sasikala lacked the political ability for such a big post, Swamy shot back saying what capability did Sonia or Rahul Gandhi have when they took charge of the Congress.

Swamy, who spent a week at an ayurveda centre here, said the verdict in the disproportionate assets case against late chief minister J Jayalalithaa and Sasikala was expected to be delivered by the Supreme Court next month.

The case against Jayalalithaa and three others for allegedly amassing disproportionate wealth to the tune of Rs 66.65 crore during 1991-96 was filed on Swamy's complaint.

The BJP leader said with the changing political scenario in the state, the Tamil Nadu unit of the party required a new leadership as also new executive and general council members, adding that the party's January 6-7 national executive meet could take a decision in this regard.

Later, talking to reporters at the Chennai airport, Swamy said mediapersons did not ask questions when Sonia Gandhi took over as the Congress president.

On demonetisation, he said the intention behind it was good and welcomed initiatives such as the BHIM app which he said will be accepted by the people.

Swamy expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will give its nod to 'jallikattu' (a bull-taming sport) with some riders and the order would be delivered ahead of the coming Pongal festival.

He blamed some "foreign-funded NGOs" for creating an alleged prejudice against the traditional sport and added that he too had argued in the apex court for allowing 'jallikattu' by putting forth "strong grounds".

To supervise the safe conduct of the event, a committee may be asked to monitor the sport, he said.

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People taking public transport in Delhi will have to wait for some more time to travel in DTC and cluster buses on reduced fares as the government has "sought comments" from its departments on slashing charges by 75 per cent.

"Government has sought comments on the file pertaining to reduction in fares from departments. New fares are expected to come into effect next week," a government official said.

The reduced fares - aimed at encouraging people to use public transport - were to come into effect from tomorrow for a month, but with the late government move that seems unlikely now.

The city administration has planned to reduce monthly bus pass rates from Rs 800 to Rs 250 for non-AC buses, and from Rs 1,000 to Rs 250 for AC buses.

There will be a flat fare of Rs 5 in non-AC DTC and cluster buses, while it will be Rs 10 in air-conditioned buses for a month on trial basis. At present, a ride in a AC bus can cost anywhere between Rs 10 to 25 while the same in non-AC buses are from Rs 5 to Rs 15.

Government has also proposed to make DTC bus travel free for students up to the age of 21 years. Daily bus pass for non-AC buses is currently available for Rs 40 and Rs 50 for AC buses, but government will bring down the rate of both pass services to Rs 20 for one month.

"We are also planning to provide free travel to students of age up to 21 years so that they could be encouraged to use public transport," official said.

Presently, Delhi Transport Corporation has 4,355 buses while there are 1,600 cluster buses (orange).

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Taiwan's leader today urged China to engage in "calm and rational" dialogue to maintain peace, vowing not to give in to Beijing's recent moves to "threaten and intimidate" the self-ruled island.

"As long as we can be calm, rational, and maintain a flexible attitude, I believe we should be able to find a solution that allows both sides to maintain peaceful and stable relations," President Tsai Ing-wen said in a year-end conference.

Tensions have grown since China suspended contacts with Tsai's administration in June over her refusal to endorse China's claim that Taiwan and the mainland are part of a single Chinese nation.

They were further amplified earlier this month when President-elect Donald Trump broke protocol by speaking with Tsai on the phone and said later he did not feel "bound by a one-China policy."



Earlier this week, China's first aircraft carrier and five other warships held drills that passed by Taiwan and sailed through the contested South China Sea, prompting Taipei to deploy fighter jets to monitor the fleet.

China maintains a standing threat to use force to achieve its goal of absorbing Taiwan.

Referring to such recent actions, Tsai said Beijing has been "gradually returning to the old ways of dividing, suppressing and even threatening and intimidating Taiwan. We hope that this is not a policy decision of the Beijing authorities."



"We will not yield to the pressure nor go back to the old ways of confrontation," Tsai told reporters.

Beijing has ratcheted up efforts to diplomatically isolate Taiwan, intervening to prevent the island's participation in international forums and establishing diplomatic relations with former Taiwan allies Gambia and Sao Tome and Principe.

The moves have been seen as effectively abandoning the unspoken diplomatic truce that lasted eight years under Tsai's China-friendly predecessor. Meanwhile, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the island has drastically fallen.

Tsai said her administration expected 2017 to bring uncertainties particularly in the first half, noting that the incoming US administration could potentially bring "changes in international affairs."



Trump advisers have made conflicting statements about whether Trump's call with Tsai signaled a new policy toward China but some analysts read it and other remarks critical of China as signals of a willingness to increase ties with Taiwan, which would further anger Beijing.

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A special court here today rejected the bail plea of Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Pal, arrested for his alleged involvement in Rose Valley Chit Fund scam, and sent him to three-day CBI custody.

Pal was produced in the court of Special CJM, CBI, P K Mishra.

Against it plea for a five-day remand of Pal, the court allowed CBI to take him into custody for three days.

The cine star-turned politician was one of the directors of the tainted chit fund group that allegedly duped investors in Odisha, West Bengal and some other states.

Pal is also accused of promoting the company and "misleading" people to deposit money in the firm. He was also charged with giving senior posts to his family members in the company, a senior CBI official said.

In its charge sheet submitted in the court on January 7, CBI had accused the ponzi firm of duping investors of Rs 17,000 crore, of which Rs 450 crore is from Odisha alone. The company was active in Odisha and had 28 branches in the state.

Pal was brought from Kolkata in the morning and taken to the CBI state headquarters. From there, he was sent to the Capital Hospital for medical examination before being produced in the court.

CBI sources said a special investigation team led by DIG N K Singh, CBI Superintendent of Police, Bhubaneswar, Rajeev Ranjan and investigating officer will interrogate Pal.

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Trying to dispel fears that the MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) sector had taken a big hit from demonetisation, Union Minister on Saturday said things are falling in place slowly despite initial difficulties.

Addressing reporters here on the ministrys achievements in 2016, Mishra admitted that there were difficulties initially, but things are moving towards normalisation.

There were difficulties initially, but wage payment to labourers has started normalising and migrant labourers who had left are returning, Mishra said when asked about reports of job losses in the informal sector after the cash recall exercise.

About banks' reluctance to disburse loans under the MUDRA Yojana in the wake of demonetisation, Mishra acknowledged some issues, saying these are only for the time being.

Banks are expected to disburse Rs 1.80 lakh crore loans under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in the current financial year.

Last year, 3.5 crore beneficiaries availed of Rs 1.22 lakh crore loans under PMMY. Under the scheme, loans ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 lakh are provided to small entrepreneurs.

To increase sales of khadi products, the government is also trying to penetrate global markets and adopt a franchisee model to open more outlets in India, with an emphasis on attracting youth towards the indigenous fabric, the minister said.

Sales of khadi goods went up by about 29 per cent to Rs 1,510 crore in 2015-16.

Mishra said the much-awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) will benefit micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country


Three men have been arrested with fake currency notes worth Rs 5,300 in denominations of Rs 50 and new notes of Rs 500 in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan, police said today.

The accused were trying to purchase items on shops in Pahadi area with fake notes of Rs 500. One of the shopkeepers informed the police, following which the accused were held, they said.

10 fake notes of Rs 500 and six notes of Rs 50 were recovered from the accused, identified as Mohammad Naushad, Noor Mohammad and Iqbal.

"They brought the fake notes from Delhi," assistant sub-inspector of Pahadi police station Dharmpal said, adding, that they have been arrested under relevant sections of IPC.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three persons were arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle 1.2 kg gold at Hyderabad airport here, police said today.

Acting on a tip-off, sleuths of Commissioner's Task Force, South Zone Team with the assistance of Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officials apprehended Mohammed Amir Ahmed, Mohammed Fasiuddin and Fahad Yaqe Khan who arrived from Jeddah yesterday, a release issued by Hyderabad police said.

Yesterday, Customs officials had seized 1.2 kg gold, worth Rs 35 lakh, from four passengers when they were allegedly trying to smuggle it at the international airport.

"The accused concealed the gold bars in a pocket of specially designed undergarments. It is suspected that the seized foreign-origin gold bars are smuggled from Jedda to Hyderabad for selling the same for illegal gains," it said.

As per the release, the seized gold and the accused were handed over to AIU officials for investigation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 40-year-old tribal man was hacked to death by his cousins suspecting him as a witch in Dalmabeda village, police today said.

Ramsingh Banra, who along with his own elder brother Bada Mangu Banra live in the same village, had a blister on his leg, which had expanded further around the affected part a few days later.

Bada Mangu and his younger brother Ramsingh accused the victim Chotu Mangu Banra, who happened to be their cousin living in the same village with his wife and five children, responsible for the blister, police said.

They accused Chotu Mangu for engaging an Ojha (witch doctor) to harm them through black magic.

The accused brother duo in an inebriated state attacked Chotu Mongru with a machete after an altercation and he died on the spot yesterday.

The victim's wife Raimuni Banra, who rushed to rescue Chotu Mangu, was also suffered injury.

On being informed about the incident today, a police team rushed to the spot and recovered the body and arrested Bada Mango and Ramsingh. The weapon used in the killing was also seized.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two persons were killed and 11 others were injured in an explosion inside a crackers manufacturing unit at Porlukatta on the outskirts of Nellore town in Andhra Pradesh today, police said.

The cause of the explosion is not yet known, District Superintendent of Police Vishal Gunni said.

SPS Nellore district Collector Revu Mutyala Raju and SP Gunni rushed to the spot to over the rescue operation.

Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China Rajappa spoke to the district SP over phone and directed him to ensure better medicare to the injured.

He directed the SP to conduct an inquiry into the incident and submit a report immediately.

The Deputy CM also asked the district administration to crackdown on illegal cracker manufacturing units, if any.

Meanwhile, sources said the toll might go up as many suffered serious burns in the incident.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and jump-start peace negotiations, as a fragile country-wide cease-fire wavered.

The resolution also calls for the "rapid, safe and unhindered" delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Syria. And it anticipates a meeting of the Syrian government and opposition representative in Kazakhstan's capital Astana in late January.

The resolution's final text dropped an endorsement of the Syria cease-fire agreement reached Thursday, simply taking note of it but welcoming and supporting Russian-Turkish efforts to end the violence. Western members of the council sought the last-minute changes to the draft resolution to clarify the UN's role and the meaning of the agreement brokered by Moscow and Ankara.

US deputy ambassador Michele Sison said the Obama administration strongly supports a cease-fire and "unfettered humanitarian access," but she expressed regret that additional documentation to the agreement brokered by Russia and Turkey with details about its implementation have not yet been made public.

Meanwhile on the ground in Syria, rebels warned yesterday that cease-fire violations by pro-government forces threatened to undermine the two-day-old agreement intended to pave the way for talks between the government and the opposition in the new year.

Airstrikes pounded opposition-held villages and towns in the strategically-important Barada Valley outside Damascus, activists said, prompting rebels to threaten to withdraw their compliance with a nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey last week.

The airstrikes let up in the late evening, but rebels nevertheless staged retaliatory attacks against government-held areas in other parts of the country, according to the media arm of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is fighting alongside the government in Syria.

Hezbollah military media reported a barrage of rebel rocket fire on the twin Shiite villages of Foua and Kfraya in northern Syria which have remained loyal to the government in the otherwise rebel-dominated Idlib province.

The government's side has rallied thousands of Shiite militia fighters from across the Middle East on the grounds of defending the sect in Syria.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group also reported the attacks. It added that pro-government forces had advanced against rebels in the eastern Ghouta region outside Damascus, in a clear violation of the cease-fire.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The UN Security Council will vote today on a resolution that would endorse the cease-fire agreement in Syria brokered by Russia and Turkey, and reiterate support for a roadmap to peace that starts with a transitional government.

The resolution also calls for "rapid, safe and unhindered" access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country. And it looks forward to a meeting in late January between the Syrian government and opposition in Kazakhstan's capital Astana "as an important part of the Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations."



Russia and Turkey are on opposing sides of the Syrian conflict: Moscow along with Iran provides crucial military support to Syrian President Bashar Assad, while Turkey has long served as a rear base and source of supplies for the rebels.

Divisions in the Security Council between Russia and the veto-wielding Western powers, the US, Britain and France who support the moderate opposition and demand that Assad steps down, have blocked action to end the war, now in its sixth year.

Russia and Turkey sent the cease-fire agreement and the draft resolution to Security Council members Thursday night.

After closed discussions in the council today morning, Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin circulated a revised draft, urged council members to support it, and called for a vote today.

The Security Council needs to participate "in this important process," Churkin said.

The council is scheduled to meet at 11 am (local time). Russia's UN Mission said members would hold closed consultations and then vote.

The cease-fire agreement, if it holds, would mark a potential breakthrough in a conflict that began in 2011 with an uprising against decades of rule by President Bashar Assad's family and has left over 250,000 dead and more than 13.5 million people in need of urgent assistance, and triggered a refugee crisis across Europe.

The draft resolution reiterates "that the only sustainable solution to the current crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process based on the Geneva communique of June 30, 2012," which was endorsed by the Security Council.

The communique, adopted by key nations, calls for the formation of a transitional government with full executive powers "on the basis of mutual consent" and steps leading to elections.

Churkin told reporters "there is no competition" between the talks in Astana and negotiations that the UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, hopes to arrange between the government and opposition in Geneva on February 8.

"As you know Staffan de Mistura had trouble reconvening the talks, so Russia and Turkey obviously decided to give the United Nations a hand in pushing things forward, and this is what we see happening," Churkin told reporters.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The UN Security Council today unanimously approved a resolution supporting a Russian-Turkish peace initiative for Syria, including an ongoing ceasefire and talks next month in Kazakhstan.

The resolution aims to pave the way for the new talks under the aegis of key Syria government backers Russia and Iran, and of Turkey, which backs rebel groups.

The text of the measure "welcomes and supports the efforts by Russia and Turkey to end violence in Syria and jumpstart a political process.

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The Pentagon has said it believes that Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is indeed alive, despite repeated efforts by the US-led coalition to take out the jihadist group leader.

Baghdadi has kept a low profile, despite having declared himself the leader of a renewed Muslim caliphate, but last month released a defiant audio message urging his supporters to defend the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

It is not clear if he is in the besieged city, where he declared his caliphate in 2014 after the IS group seized territory covering much of eastern Syria and northern Iraq.

"We do think Baghdadi is alive and is still leading ISIL and we are obviously doing everything we can to track his movements," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told CNN.

"If we get the opportunity, we certainly would take advantage of any opportunity to deliver him the justice he deserves," he said.

"We're doing everything we can. This is something we're spending a lot of time on."



In mid-December, the United States more than doubled the bounty on the shadowy IS leader's head to USD 25 million.

The group has only released one video of Baghdadi, showing a man with a black and grey beard wearing a black robe and matching turban, dating back to 2014.

Cook suggested that Baghdadi is isolated because coalition raids have killed many IS leaders.

"He's having a hard time finding advisers and confidants to speak with because a lot of them are no longer with us," the spokesman said.

According to an official Iraqi government document, Baghdadi was born in Samarra in 1971. He apparently joined the insurgency that erupted after the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq and spent time in an American military prison.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A youth, involved in eight criminal cases in various police station limits in Ganjam district, today sustained injuries on both legs in a pre-dawn encounter between him and the police at Bhanjanagar- Durga Prasad Road, about 90-km from here today.

The youth was identified as Mithun Bhuyan. He was wanted in eight different police station like Bhanjanagar, Buguda, Jagannath Prasad and others, police said. He was admitted to the MKCG Medical College Hospital.

A motorbike, one pistol, two magazines and four round of ammunition were seized from him, while one of his accomplices Babu Nayak fled from the spot, SP (Ganjam) Asish Singh said.

Two policemen, including inspector-in charge A K Sahu, also sustained minor injuries as Bhuyan's accomplice hurled bombs and fired one round targeting to the police vehicle.

"We chased the vehicle for about an hour to nab them, while the duo coming from Durgaprasad to Bhanjanagar in the motorbike early in the morning," the SP said adding police has intensified patrolling in the area to arrest Babu Nayak.

Police said Bhuyan was the mastermind in loot of a jwellery shop at Balipadara under Buguda police station limit on November 11, 2016.

It was the second encounter between the police and anti-social in a week. The last encounter had taken place at Chanchadapalli-Barapalli jungle on December 27 while police arrested Shayam Sundar Gouda (23) of Lathi village on the outskirt of the village.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A website for the Brazilian president has been hacked, plastered with messages calling for the death penalty for legislators in a country where many are frustrated with public corruption.

The G1 portal says the site, www.Micheltemer.Com.Br, is maintained by President Michel Temer's party. It usually carries about the president but is not an official government site.

A banner in English at the top of the site today read, "Exploited by Anarchy Ghost." Below a picture of a grimacing Temer, the hackers wrote in Portuguese that they wanted "the death penalty for whoever is in Congress."



Watchdog groups estimate 60 percent of lawmakers in Brazil's Congress are under investigation, and every week seems to bring a new arrest in an investigation into kickbacks at the state-run oil company Petrobras.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP today condemned Hurriyat and other political parties for opposing the grant of domicile certificate to the West Pakistani Refugees residing in Jammu and Kashmir and said it will continue to support the rights of the WPRs.

"Hartal called by Hurriyat and other separatist groups yesterday to oppose the grant of domicile certificate to WPRs is very unfortunate, unwarranted and uncalled for. BJP strongly opposes the efforts of these pro-Pakistan elements to politicise a humanitarian issue," BJP state spokesperson Brig Anil Gupta (retd) said.

He condemned the attitude of Hurriyat and political parties who are opposing the grant of domicile certificate to the WPRs residing in the state and said what was more discomforting is that these people belong to economically backward segment of the society and have been denied the growth opportunities due to no fault of theirs.

"It is very unfortunate that a section of society living among us is termed as refugees and denied basic rights on the plea that they are not the state subjects and have migrated from West Pakistan at the time of partition," he said.

Even after 70 years of independence they are being given this treatment in their own country due to the "parochial outlook" of the majority community in the state is tragic, Gupta said.

"It is the influx of illegal Bangladeshi and Burmese migrants that has resulted in the demographic change and ironicallythey do not raise any voice against them but welcome them.

"This highlights their communal outlook. Our Party will continue to support the WPR and ensure that justice is delivered to them," he said.

Taking a dig at the National Conference's stand, Gupta said political parties like NC are misquoting history and trying to mislead the people of Jammu using the name of late Maharaja Hari Singh.

"Their contention that State Subject laws were enacted by the Maharaja to safeguard the interest of Dogras is being quoted out of context.

"The State Subject Act was enacted by the Maharaja in 1927 to protect the rights of its citizens when J&K was an independent state.

"It was the Maharaja only who had acceded the state with India in 1947 and it was his desire that his state should be a part of Union of India," he said.

He said, "All citizens of J&K are now citizens of India."



Had the Maharaja been alive he would have himself ensured that any law that keeps his state away from rest of the country should be "abrogated", the spokesperson said.

"He would have ensured that these helpless people are given all rights immediately and they would not have to suffer this humiliation for 70 years," he said.

It was surprising and unfortunate that parties which had included this issue in their election manifestos in the past were now opposing the issue of the domicile certificate.

"The statements of Ambika Soni in Jammu and Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal in Srinagar clearly show that the Congress was only exploiting them for narrow political gains and now that their plight is being improved by the present BJP government they have joined hands with the Hurriyat and others to oppose the same," he said.

"Issue of domicile certificate will enable the WP refugees to seek central government jobs including in the armed forces. There will be quota for them in the 5 IRP Battalions being raised under Prime Minister Special Package for J&K," he said.

The contention that it is an attempt to change the state's demography, Gupta said it is not understood as to how it will affect the demography of the state since they have been staying here since 1947.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Turkey detained a staff journalist for The Wall Street Journal for almost three days without access to a lawyer, the newspaper reported today, adding to growing concerns over press freedom in the country.

Dion Nissenbaum was taken into custody on Tuesday by police at his Istanbul home, for allegedly violating a ban on publishing images from an Islamic State group (IS) video.The newspaper said on its website,



Although the paper provided no further details, IS jihadists last week shared a video purportedly showing two Turkish soldiers captured in Syria being burned alive.

Ankara said earlier this week there was no confirmation of the IS claims.

The 49-year-old American correspondent was held for two-and-a-half days without access to lawyers or contact with his family, the WSJ said, adding for most of the period, it "couldn't determine" his location.

His detention comes a day after one of Turkey's best-known investigative journalists, Ahmet Sik, was charged with "making terror propaganda" on behalf of those alleged to be behind the failed coup in July and Kurdish rebels.

According to the P24 Platform for Independent Journalism, 118 journalists have been arrested during the state of emergency imposed after the attempted putsch against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Istanbul police authorities had no immediate reaction to the WSJ report.

However, Ankara insists it does not jail journalists because of their job.

The WSJ's editor-in-chief Gerard Baker said although the paper was "relieved that Dion was released unharmed after nearly three days, we remain outraged at his peremptory detention, without any contact with his family, legal counsel or colleagues".

The paper claimed plainclothes officers detaining the journalist told him he would be deported, comments heard by another WSJ member of staff who had been on the phone with Nissenbaum at the time. This threat was later dropped, Nissenbaum said.

Nissenbaum said he was "physically comfortable and treated well" during his time in a detention centre outside Istanbul.

He was released on Friday and has now left Turkey for the United States accompanied by his family, the WSJ added.

He thanked well-wishers on Twitter, describing his detention as a "very trying ordeal".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The year 2016 has been a packed year when it comes to technology, with some of the biggest trends emerging out of India. From a $20 billion investment on setting up a 4G network to Aadhaar now becoming part of the billion club that only companies such as Google, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft have been members of.
Reports said that Tata had a 20-minute talk with the RSS chief. PTI reported that Tata also paid tributes to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar before meeting Bhagwat.
Amazon is considering using giant air- ships carrying fleets of flying drones to deliver goods and food to its customers. The company has submitted detailed plans for storage depots in the sky which will hover over towns and cities at 45,000ft as drones buzz back and forth to customers.

The ships could speed up deliveries of goods around the world if they are built. A patent lodged in the US by Amazon suggests that a fleet of support ships would be used to restock the structures in the air.

Detailed drawings show that the warehouses would be carried by airships similar in design to Zeppelins which were used by Germany to bomb Britain in the First World War. They could be flown near sporting events or festivals where they would sell food or souvenirs to spectators.

The patent suggests the world's biggest online retailer is planning to increase its use of unmanned flying vehicles to make deliveries. Earlier this month it made the first successful UK delivery using a drone to ship a parcel to a customer in Cambridge.

In the documents, Amazon said the combination of drones and flying warehouses, which it calls 'airborne fulfilment centres', would deliver goods much more quicklythan its current shipping times using couriers and normal, ground-based warehouses. The drones would use almost no power gliding down to make deliveries, the patent said.

And they could even bring ready meals. It suggests smaller airships could act as shuttles taking drones, supplies and even workers to and from the larger hubs. It is not clear whether the designs will ever make it off paper to reality.

Amazon's patent was filed in late 2014 but has only now come to light after technology analyst Zoe Leavitt, from the business website CB Insights, unearthed the documents. As well as being the largest online shop Amazon last year overtook Walmart to become the US's biggest retailer. Daily Mail
A gun-toting gang on Friday looted 30 kg gold, kept in vault, at the Dunlop bridge branch of Manappuram Finance Ltd, in the northern outskirts of the city, a senior officer of Barrackpore Police Commissionerate said.

Four helmet-wearing youths looted 30 kg gold after forcing the employees of the finance firm, known for dealing in gold loans, to part with the vault key at gun point and escaped with 30 kg of gold, Deputy Commissioner (Belgharia division) of the Commissionerate said.

He said the police were scanning the CCTV footage to track the gang who melted in the crowd during morning office hours after the incident.

The Manappuram group said in a statement, "The Dunlop Bridge branch of the company was targeted by a gang of armed robbers who overpowered the security guards on duty and physically assaulted the branch manager before stealing the gold. The company promptly alerted the police and all necessary information including CCTV footage from the surveillance cameras has been shared with them."

It said the company has an advanced centrally-monitored security systems in place across all branches to ensure that customers gold is fully protected.
Just a day after 50-day deamonetisation deadline ended, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation in a televised speech today late evening.



This was Prime Minister's first televised address since the demonetisation on November 8.

Mr PM, people wanted to know how many 'lakhs of crores of black money' did you wipe out in the last 50 days? Why didn't you speak about it? pic.twitter.com/OJkvdwnJpk INC India (@INCIndia) December 31, 2016

PM deviated from actual agenda of black money & #DeMonetisation PM just took over post of Finance Minister and made pre- Budget speech 4/5 Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 31, 2016

2017 can do without the economic & political bombshells, so in a sense the anticlimactic #ModiSpeech was a relief Milind Deora (@milinddeora) December 31, 2016

No proof yet on impact on controlling black money. Is PM realising he is on very shaky grounds now...#ModiSpeech #Mitron #Jumla_e_Modi Sandeep Dikshit (@_SandeepDikshit) December 31, 2016

? !! Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) December 31, 2016

Happy New Year . Dr Kumar Vishvas (@DrKumarVishwas) December 31, 2016
North West Governor LELE L'Afrique Flanked By Close Aides Visiting Check Points Wilson MUSA

The governor of the North West region, Adolphe LELE LAfrique, has told Police officers that sanctions await those who will go out of the norms put in place as they maintain security in town during this period

In a surprised visit to various entry check points into Bamenda, LELE LAfrique told the men in uniform to be polite when checking identity cards and vehicles and avoid certain malpractices that will fetch them sanctions.

Among other areas, he visited the check point at Up Station flanked by his close collaborators, Military, Gendarmerie and Police heads.

There have been several reports of police harassment, bribe taking in some check points which at certain moments leads to tension between travelers and the men in uniform.

One of the check points visited by NW Governor (c) Wilson MUSA

His visit comes a few days after he ordered the closure of all entry points from Nkambe and Kumbo and thorough check on vehicles entering Bamenda from Up Station. The measures were aimed at preventing youths from these two divisions from entering into Bamenda town and subsequently disrupt teachers meeting with ad hoc committee created by Prime Minister to look into problems raised by Anglophone teachers.

His visit is also on the heels of reports of police brutality to peaceful demonstrators in Bamenda.

Bamenda has remained militarized since the strike action which began on November 21, 2016.

By Wilson MUSA
Friday, December 30, 2016 at 8:18PM

If your children havent discovered it yet (or youre trying it out for the first time), Netflix has a kid-friendly fake New Years Eve countdown video ready for 2017. The idea behind this clip is to show it to your child/children a few hours before midnight and then send them off to sleep afterwardsitll supposedly give you time to party with the adults after. Head to Netflix and search for Countdowns. You can see clips from 10 Netflix videos (including the likes of Chasing Cameron, Fuller House, Trollhunters, All Hail King Julian, Beat Bugs, etc.) with each video lasting between one and five minutes. Common sense dictates you dont try this on kids that can tell time, how else are you going to fool them to head to bed early?

Source: Lifehacker
Friday, December 30, 2016 at 9:48PM

Samsung has closed its Galaxy S7 Nougat beta program to make way for the official release of the latest Android operating system version. At the moment, those who took part of the beta will not be able to leave individual feedback related to Error report and Suggestion within the app. If you want to leave feedback, itll have to be via community from now on. Samsung is targeting to release Android 7.1.1 for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge as soon as it can in the coming month so better keep your eyes peeled for the update.

Source: SamMobile
"My interest was triggered by photos I took in Cape York several years back, which triggered me to looking into what ones are in Canberra and there's a lot more than you would think," he said.
In the ACT, consuming or possessing open containers of alcohol is also unlawful at all bus stations and interchanges as well as any place within 50m of a bus station or interchange as well as any shop or licensed premises. Fines up to $750 apply and the alcohol can be seized.
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 ...
Fears for future of two cruise ships after last-minute cancellation of New Year voyages

The first New Year voyages of two of Britains best-known cruise lines have been cancelled at short notice due to operational reasons.

A one-line message on the website of Voyages of Discovery announces with regret that Voyagers Riches of the Orient cruise due to start in Malaysia on 4th January 2017 has been cancelled. Voyages of Discovery apologises to all of its passengers who were due to sail on this cruise.

An almost identical message on the Swan Hellenic website announces the cancellation of Minervas Gateway to the Atlantic Isles cruise scheduled to leave Marseille on January 3.

Unconfirmed reports say that potential buyers inspected the 540-passenger Voyager (above) during a recent dry-dock at the Keppel yard in Singapore. Representatives of Sea Chefs, the company that operates the vessels hotel services, are said to be flying from Germany to address crew members on Monday.

According to the Voyages website, the 15-day cruise from Port Kelang in Malaysia was sold out. Scheduled ports of call were Muara, Brunei; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; Bangkok, Thailand; and Kuantan, Malaysia. The cruise should have ended after an overnight stay in Singapore on January 17/18.

Guest speakers booked for the voyage were Professor Marie Conte-Helm, a specialist in Asian art; Professor Brian Ford, described as the worlds leading expert on obtaining images with early microscopes; and Sir James Hodge, a retired diplomat and former British ambassador to Thailand and Laos.

Minervas 15-day cruise, with fares from 3,145 per person, should have been visiting Sete, France; Cartagena, Motril and Cadiz, Spain; Gibraltar; Portimao, Portugal; Funchal, Madeira; and Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

Speakers were retired diplomat Robin Kealy, art historian Sarah Searight, and the Very Rev Victor Stock, Priest Vicar at Westminster Abbey and a former Dean of Guildford.

The subsequent 14-night Atlantic Archipelagos cruise on Minerva, scheduled to depart Tenerife on January 17, is also reported to have been cancelled.

Voyages of Discovery and Swan Hellenic are owned by the All Leisure Group, based in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Its other brands include Hebridean Island Cruises, Travelsphere and Just You. Hebridean Princesss first cruise of 2017 is scheduled for March 1.

Company executives have yet to reply to requests for further information. One leading cruise travel agent, who has been informed of the cancellations, said the future for the two ships looked grim.

One employee on Minerva told me that crew had been given no information other than the cancellation of the next cruises, although there were rumours that the ships might be for sale.
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.

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You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
2016 will undoubtedly be remembered for a lot of things, even within the confines of the automotive industry.

Hyundai spun off the Genesis line as its own luxury brand. Toyota pulled the plug on Scion. Bugatti revealed the Chiron as the successor to the legendary Veyron. Aston Martin launched the DB11, and with it a new era for the company. But well recall 2016 as the year in which exotic automakers replaced their chief executives.



It wasnt just the CEOs, either: the past year saw several automakers replace their chief engineers. And a handful of top designers moved around as well. But the top job at most automakers  no matter at what level of the market they compete  tend to stay in place. Nevertheless, 2016 saw several of them replaced.

Of course, small operations like Koenigsegg and Pagani are still run by their namesake founders  nobody would have ousted Enzo Ferrari and Ferdinand Porsche in their day. And others had only named new chief execs within the past few years. But four of the biggest names in the business of producing high-end European automobiles put new names on the doors of their biggest offices this year, and theyll probably each stick around for a while to come.

Ferrari

The biggest upheaval, without a doubt, took place at Ferrari. That started late in 2014 when FCA chief Sergio Marchionne fired longtime Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo and took his place. But the consolidation of Marchionnes power in Maranello wasnt complete until this past year when Amedeo Felisa retired after more than a quarter-century at Ferrari and nearly half a century in the Fiat group  and with it handed his position of CEO to Marchionne as well. (Pictured above, from left to right, are vice-chairman Piero Ferrari, team principal Maurizio Arrivabene, chairman Sergio Marchionne, former CEO Amedeo Felisa, and FCA chairman John Elkann.)

Lamborghini

Ferrari wasnt the only Italian supercar manufacturer to get a new chief exec this year, either. So did Lamborghini, which had been under the leadership of Stephan Winkelmann for more than a decade. But this past February, parent company Audi moved Winkelmann out of the big office in SantAgata and put him in charge of (whats now known as) Audi Sport GmbH instead. In his place, they installed Stefano Domenicali, who used to work for you guessed it: Ferrari.

Maserati

The seizure of power in Maranello wasnt Marchionnes only big change this year. He also replaced the CEO of Alfa Romeo and Maserati. That job belonged to Harald Wester, but this past May, FCA announced it would go instead to Reid Bigland  an Auburn Hills veteran who had previously headed up the Dodge and Ram brands. But as Marchionne is fond of his top lieutenants wearing multiple hats like he does, Bigland remains head of sales for all of FCA in both the US and Canada, while Wester remains the groups Chief Technology Officer.

McLaren

As big an upheaval as has transpired in Maranello is still under way in Woking  the London-area town that McLaren calls home. After a prolonged power struggle with the other shareholders, Ron Dennis was forced out as group chairman just last month. His replacement has yet to be named, but in the meantime, the board named Zak Brown as executive director, and is expected to terminate Jost Capitos contract (penned by Dennis) after just a few months as CEO of the racing division. However Mike Flewitt, head of the automotive division, isnt going anywhere.

What About The Others?

If such a trend was sweeping through the top levels of the industry this year, how did others manage to keep the same chief executives in place? Largely because they had just named new ones within the past few years. Andy Palmer (Aston Martin), Jean-Marc Gales (Lotus), and Wolfgang Durheimer (Bugatti/Bentley) all took their posts as CEO of their respective automakers in 2014. Meanwhile Oliver Bloom stepped up to steer Porsche late in 2015, and was probably still get comfortable in his new chair when the year started.
2016 was clearly not the best year for a lot of people, including many Mustang drivers who were, lets say, involved in way more accidents than they wanted to.



It wasnt exactly a bad year for the Ford Mustang itself, but it sure was for the reputation of the people driving one, as the internet was flooded with video after video showing everything from uncontrollable spins, completely destroyed cars and of course the famous Cars & Coffee crashes.

Perhaps the need to show off combined with the lack of driving experience explains the many crashes after these car gatherings, but we really cant explain why Mustang accidents gained so much traction (no pun intended) in 2016. We even saw one ending up on top of another car in a parking lot for crying out loud.

Lets see together which ones were the most stupid, dangerous and unfortunate incidents where a Ford Mustang was the unlucky protagonist.

That Was A Close One, Kansas

We start off with a near crash, starring a Roush Stage 3 Mustang that was leaving a Cars & Coffee meet in Kansas when the driver attempted to accelerate, causing the back end to step out and send the car off the road. Fortunately, no one was hurt, including the car.

Thats Not A Parking Spot, Texas

A fairly new Mustang GT crashed somehow in front of a grocery store in Texas, blocking the entrance completely. The cars front end suffered substantial damages as it ended up on a steel post. No one was hurt, luckily.

Rental Demolition Man, Washington

Easily the most severe crash on this list, a rental Ford Mustang Convertible was left completely destroyed with its parts scattered across the side walk. The car split in two, indicating that the driver was going at a high speed the moment of impact. Whats even more unbelievable is that he walked away without injury.

Like A Glove, Location Unknown

We dont really know how this accident occurred, but the sight of a Mustang resting on top of a Toyota Corolla inside a parking lot points to a really unfortunate situation. Add the remains of what looks like a tree and our best guess is that this Mustang driver speared through a hedge before finding his parking spot.

Supercar Destroyer  Literally, New York

Easily the most expensive crash here, this one involves a Mustang ending up on a 2017 Audi R8 after a failed attempt from the Ford driver to drift(?) his way around a left turn which left the German supercar totaled.

No Grip At All, Illinois

You know the drill: a Cars & Coffee event ends, dude with Mustang tries to leave, Mustang meets the ditch.

The Curse Is Real, Texas

It appears that exiting safely a Cars & Coffee event is a not an easy task, especially when youre trying to show off in a Mustang. This Shelby GT350 driver was very lucky in the end, as the car hit the curb and not anyone in the crowd.

I (dont) Got This, Chicago

Easily one of the biggest Mustang f@ckups of the past year is this one right here: a red Ford Mustang trying to powerslide its way into traffic before the car fishtailed the other way and crashed onto a stationary car that was waiting to make a left. Words cant even begin to describe the stupidity of the whole thing.

Stay safe out there and save the Mustangs!
Wong received credit on the film only as a background painter, but wasnt recognized for his role as the production designer of the film until many years later. Despite the low pay he received, Wong stayed inside the studio with all the veteran artists during the 1941 strikeI was being a good boybut that didnt matter. He was let go from the studio a year before Bambi was released. I dont feel bitter toward Disney at all, except for a few guys who I know to this day kinda resent me, he told historian John Canemaker.

Reflecting on his work on Bambi, Wong said, The script would say, Early morning: the deer goes out onto the meadow. I would try to create the atmosphere of that meadow, the fog on it and so forth . . . mood sketches. My painting has always been very poeticthats the Chinese influence. In Chinese art, the poet is a painter and the painter is a poet. The object isnt to reproduce photographic reality, as it is in Western painting, but to capture a feeling.

Wong himself considered animation to be a minor, very small part of his artistic life, which also included twenty-six years as a live-action production designer at Warner Bros. where he worked on classic films like Rebel Without a Cause, Around the World in Eighty Days, and The Wild Bunch. He also enjoyed a long career as a greeting card designer, and in his spare time, created murals, ceramics, lithographs, and kites.

Born in Guangzhou, China, Wong came to the United States at the age of 9, where he lived with his father, a laborer. A surprisingly in-depth New York Times obituary offers some fascinating details on Wongs early years.

Wongs father encouraged him to practice calligraphy every night, but they were so poor that they couldnt afford ink. We cant afford ink or rice paper, Wong once said. But he made me do it with water. Thats a good training.

In the final decades of his life, Wong received significant attention, starting with a chapter in John Canemakers book Before the Animation Begins (1996). More recently, in 2014, Wong had a major retrospective Water to Paper, Paint to Sky: The Art of Tyrus Wong at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.

A feature-length documetnary about Wongs life, Tyrus, was recently completed by Pamela Tom. Here is the trailer:

Wong is survived by his daughters Kim, Kay, and Tai-Ling.

Tributes have been pouring in from around the industry, including from Frozens head of story Paul Briggs, Zootopia director Rich Moore, Inside Out co-director Ronnie del Carmen, and visual development artist Claire Keane, among others:

Can't express how much of an influence #TyrusWong has been to me lately and @DisneyAnimation . Will deeply will miss him. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/eOVasn2dGC  Paul Briggs (@_paul_briggs_) December 31, 2016

Met him back in 2013 at the Disney Family Museum show of his life's work. It was an honor I almost couldn't bear. Asian American artist hero pic.twitter.com/o9PlnqA6eD  Ronnie del Carmen (@ronniedelcarmen) December 31, 2016

The alluring atmosphere and sentiment in Tyrus Wong's pastels for Bambi have been a great source of inspiration for me #RIP #tyruswong pic.twitter.com/iZBd5MGSzx  Claire Keane (@claireonacloud) December 31, 2016

Here are a few of Wongs iconic pastel concepts for Bambi:

Beginning in the 1960s, Wong started creating kites that he would fly on weekends at Los Angeles area beaches. Here are a few examples:
Photo: Contributed

You dont have to even like musicals to fall in love with LaLa Land.

The story follows two aspiring artists  jazz pianist Sebastian (Ryan Gosling  The Notebook) and actress Mia (Emma Stone  The Help) thrust together by fate through a series of chance meetings.

Brazenly opening with an enormous one-shot production number that takes place on a highway overpass in bumper-to-bumper traffic, the film explodes to technicolour life and never stops.

Movies like this just arent made any more. The story line, the production numbers, the lush colours and lighting are all reminiscent of the biggest Hollywood musicals of the 1950s.

Instead of being annoying or feeling corny though, the heart that beats in this film renews not only our nostalgia for a kinder and more beautiful time, but rather faith in the magic of Hollywood to allow us to dream.

Set in present day Los Angeles, everything about this film feels retro. Sebastian drives an old car with a tape deck.

He listens to vinyl records, wears silk ties and wing-tipped shoes.

Mia drives a Prius but has old movie posters on her walls and wears dresses reminiscent of the 1950s and 60s.

This is almost exclusively a two-person film as secondary characters dance and drift in and out either in silence or with minimal dialogue.

The casting couldnt have been more perfect. Gosling is the quintessential, starry-eyed poet, tortured by his artistic soul and frustrated by the worlds obstinate refusal in helping him achieve his dreams.

Stone is positively luminescent as Mia. Her acting audition scenes are heart breaking and she can convey with a glance of those inhumanly large eyes exactly what her mind is thinking.

Aside from being exceptionally attractive human beings, Gosling and Stone have fantastic chemistry together.

Despite neither possessing what might be considered a strong singing voice, their sincere delivery of the songs perfectly serves their characters and communicates the music.

John Legend is charming as Sebastians successful musician friend, Keith, who wants to lure him away to the world of commercial music.

There is an exceptional cameo by J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) as the cranky restaurant owner who fires Sebastian.

Thirty-one-year old writer/director Damien Chazelle (Whiplash) proves that threes the charm with this perfect gem of a movie, his third.

The film took six years to write and was a real labour of love for Chazelle and music composer Justin Hurwitz who also worked together on Whiplash and Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench.

Clearly, the writers are passionate musicians whose love of jazz pervades their previous works. In the film, Sebastian expresses his fear to Mia that real jazz is dying but that its not gonna happen on my watch.

As he educates Mia, she becomes a fan. One cant help think this line is somewhat autobiographical for Chazelle and Hurwitz.

There are 17 songs on the soundtrack and the music is spectacular with fun lyrics and memorable melodies.

The film has been nominated for seven Golden Globes and Im predicting an Oscar win for best score as well as nominations for best film, director, actor and best actress.

This movie is about staying true to ones dreams while grappling with fear of ones inadequacy.

Bring your tissues, as the final music sequence is enough to bring even the most jaded movie-goer to tears.

I give this film 5 enthusiastic hearts.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: Dustin Godfrey

To wind the year down, Castanet is counting down the top five South Okanagan stories of 2016, with our top story of the year to be named on New Years Eve.

Our number one story this year is the deal that divided the city  the Skaha marina and the doomed waterslide.

What brought hundreds to protests last year continued to rally the community by the hundreds in Penticton this year.

Trio Marine Group's deal with the City of Penticton to lease land at and around the marina at Skaha Lake was the most contentious issue to hit the city in 2016, and ultimately culminated in a pair of special council meetings to re-work and re-configure the deal.

At the heart of the contention was largely a proposed, and ultimately doomed, waterslide that was set to take up a portion of green space at Skaha Lake Park.

On top of protests that drew hundreds, the proposal was also the subject of a pair of lawsuits both against the city and against Trio. The first lawsuit, from the Save Skaha Park Society, was ultimately dropped this month, after the society felt their mandate  to challenge the waterslide and protect green space  had been met.

But while one lawsuit was dropped, the complainant in the other, Nelson Meikle, hinted during a council meeting that he would be continuing his fight against the deal with Trio.

It took a while and plenty of meetings to get to the point of dropping one of the suits, however, with the nixing of the slide on Nov. 1 not quelling the resentment toward the deal.

At a special council meeting later that month, with 700 in attendance, many of those who voiced their concerns before council asked the city the question: Why not just drop the deal altogether?

Ultimately, Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said dropping the deal could cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars, and found the city would be better off to try to negotiate a new deal with no waterslide and no infringement on green space.

But perhaps the most common theme in the argument against the waterslide was the call for a referendum that never happened, with debates over whether or not a referendum would be required for the project.

The city's first revised deal with Trio, to the ire of many, still made way for a potential amenity taking up a smaller portion of the park, but that, too, was eventually dropped, leading to the SSPS dropping their lawsuit.

While Meikle says he will fight on, Jakubeit told Castanet the city hopes to put the issue to rest for once and for all moving forward.
After a couple days of heavy snow on mountain passes, clearer skies are expected next week, along with chilly temperatures.

Following a brief period of snow Saturday afternoon, clearer skies are expected through most of the week.

(Saturday) afternoon we are going to see a system push down from the north, and we will see some snow develop, Environment Canada meteorologist Ross McDonald said, predicting five centimetres in the valley before it tapers out on New Year's Day.

But what this system will do is pull down and establish an Arctic pipeline, similar to what we saw for those two weeks in December, but not quite as cold.

McDonald says the cold should linger all week, with daytime highs struggling to hit -7 C, and lows of -15 C.

December was cooler than normal for Kelowna.

So far this month, the average daily high has been -2.3 C, with overnight lows dipping to -8.5 C. That's well below historical temperatures of -0.7 C and -6 C.

And it's in line with what much of B.C. has experienced, says McDonald, pointing to two weeks where the province was hit by Arctic air right down from the Yukon.

While it might feel like there's been more snow than usual, McDonald says thats not the case  26 cm fell, compared to the usual 32 cm.

However, McDonald says the cold temperatures prevented melting and helped snow accumulate.
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Anywhere between 100 and 150 people are expected at the Penticton soup kitchens New Years Day sit-down dinner.

Its the second major meal of the 2016 holiday season offered by the Soupateria on Orchard Avenue.

"It's for people who don't have family here, the homeless and those on fixed incomes," said board member Lauraine Bailie. "We want to make it as comfortable for them as we can."

Food will be served between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

The Soupateria offers lunch every day of the year, with guests enjoying a sit down meal on major holidays.

The facility is operated completely by volunteers and no government funding, relying solely on donations from the community.

"It's a big humanitarian effort here, compared to big cities," said a volunteer who identified himself as Worsevold. "It's all donations and volunteer work."
Photo: Castanet staff

A child rapist described by a Kelowna judge as a monster will spend seven years behind bars after terrorizing a 10-year-old girl for more than a year.

After pleading guilty in May 2015 to sexual interference of a person under 16 and making child pornography, 47-year-old Steven Walsh was sentenced Friday in Kelowna court.

Walsh was arrested in November 2012. Police found over 100 pornographic videos and pictures of a child he knew.

While the relationship he had with the victim is protected under a publication ban to protect the identity of the child, Walsh was in a position of trust.

The videos must be experienced to fully understand the full measure of the crushing depravity of it, said Justice Mark Takahashi. There are no words to describe the despair one felt for the child and the loathing to Mr. Walsh.

Walsh had applied to have his charges stayed, due to the trial taking too long. While it took 49 months, Takahashi attributed the majority of the delays to Walsh, who went through five different lawyers.

The victim has been devastated by Walsh's abuse.

The child in this case wants to kill herself in her humiliation and shame, Takahashi said.

A doctor's pre-sentence psychological assessment found Walsh to be a low risk to reoffend, and even described him as not a pedophile. Takahashi rejected the assessment.

How can a person who is a low risk to reoffend repeatedly victimize a child in a sexual way? This defies belief.

Walsh told the assessing doctor he thought the victim performed sex acts on him because she saw it brought him happiness.

He will be added to the National Sex Offender Registry.

Walsh has been free on bail for the four years his trial proceeded and received no credit for time served.

After sentencing, Walsh was handcuffed and taken away by the sheriff as several people in the viewing area hugged and cried.
Photo: DFO

Scientists have yet to find a cause for the massive fish kill off southwestern Nova Scotia, but one federal official said he doesn't think there is a reason to be concerned based on testing so far.

Kent Smedbol, manager of population ecology for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), said Friday that while the lack of an obvious cause is "perplexing," he doesn't personally believe there is need for concern at this point.

"I can't speak for the department, personally at this point from most of the studies that have been undertaken, the evidence provided to date, I don't think there's a great cause for concern," Smedbol said in a news conference Friday.

Since late November, thousands of dead herring have been found in a 100-kilometre swath from St. Marys Bay to Tusket, with most found between the mouth of the Sissiboo River and Plympton. More recently, scores of starfish, clams and lobster have also turned up dead, and a dead whale also washed ashore on a beach in Whale Cove.

Smedbol said scientists conducted testing on the Bay of Fundy on Thursday and preliminary results for temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen came back normal.

A camera scan of the bottom of St. Marys Bay also showed normal conditions and an abundance of live lobster in the area.

"That would indicate that the die off was unlikely due to an environmental event, because you would expect more broad-scale die offs across species particularly in the benthos, animals on the bottom," Smedbol said. "Things seem to be pretty normal on the bottom of St. Marys Bay."

Derreck Parsons, a senior compliance program officer for DFO, said officers tracking and collecting samples of the dead herring have noticed a change.

"It isn't appearing as if there's new observations of more dying or actively dying fish," said Parsons. "In all essence as far as we know it doesn't look like it (the fish die off) is increasing."

Fish kills are not uncommon, especially in fresh water, but the last kills of comparable size involving herring occurred in the Bay of Fundy in 1976 and 1979, one official said Friday.

Smedbol said that to date scientists have not turned up evidence of disease, parasites or toxins, and nothing has "stood out" in the physical examination of the fish and other marine life.

He said DFO would be conducting further tests on recently collected invertebrate samples and was also willing to look for any connections by examining the carcass of the humpback whale, which he described as being in "a fairly advanced state of decomposition."

"We have certainly worked through what I call the usual suspects and the fish health lab is working on a few more viral probes ... we will have to wait and see what happens over the next week," said Smedbol.

He said a storm during the holiday period caused a sudden temperature drop to minus 5 degrees in shallower waters near Digby. The temperature dip and rough surf may have caused some creatures living on the bottom to die and wash up, Smedbol said, however he cautioned the examinations have turned up nothing conclusive.
Castanet's Evening Update for Friday, Dec. 30, with Director of Content Jon Manchester.
Photo: Google Maps

A vehicle hit a lamp pole at Dilworth and Springfield at 9:05 P.M.

One person was in the car at the time of the crash. An ambulance and tow-truck arrived on scene.

No word yet on the severity of the injury.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A house explosion that left two people dead and forced the evacuation of 69 homes west of Toronto last summer has been ruled a double suicide.

The bodies of Robert Nadler and Dianne Page, both 55, were found following the blast that levelled the Mississauga, Ont., home and rained debris on the neighbourhood.

Investigators say natural gas lines to the water heater had been disconnected, causing gas to build up in the home prior to the "intentional" explosion on June 28.

Police say they were unable to determine what ignited the gas, but say both of the victims were alive at the time of the explosion and died of blunt force trauma consistent with the blast.

The investigators say they have not found a motive for the double suicide, but haven't ruled out all of the other possible scenarios.

Mayor Bonnie Crombie says 33 families are still displaced because their homes had to be demolished due to damage from the explosion.

The investigators say they believe notes found in the debris were written by Page, but handwriting analysis was inconclusive.

And they say Nadler had been involved in a dispute with his brother over the estate of the house, but they don't know if it had anything to do with the explosion.

Police say a witness told them Nadler had said the couple were suffering from cancer and didn't have long to live, but investigators found no history of cancer.
Photo: Canada 150

A Canada Day tradition is being repurposed tonight to herald the start of Canada's 150th year.

A massive fireworks display over Parliament Hill  usually reserved for July 1  will take place to mark the beginning of 2017 and a year-long birthday bash across the country.

New Year's Eve events with a 150th birthday flavour are being held in 19 cities across the country, including St. John's, N.L., which will be the first to hit the midnight milestone.

"It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation," said Heritage Department spokesperson Katherine Cyr.

The celebration in the capital, which Cyr says is set to cost about $2.5 million, will include performances by Canadian artists Radio Radio, Brett Kissel and Carly Rae Jepsen, and will also feature remarks by Canada's Heritage Minister Melanie Joly.

She's in charge of more than $210 million being set aside for 150th anniversary projects and events planned for the anniversary.

More than three dozen national programs have received federal funding, ranging from history exhibits to a dance day being put on by Canada's national ballet school.

A red leather couch is set to tour the country next year, beginning with a tour of the North in March and a journey from Newfoundland to B.C. in June and July, after organizers received $155,000 in federal dollars.

Ela Kinowska, the manager of the tour, said it will involve compiling stories shared on the piece of furniture from Canadians about what the country means to them.

"It is a very expensive operation to be in every province so what we get for that is the unifying factor," she said. "It is a nation-building sofa."

The federal government has also established a national infrastructure program to support renovation, expansion and improvement in community and cultural infrastructure.

The initial $150-million program was created by the previous Conservative government, which was accused of doling out much of the money to ridings represented by Conservative MPs ahead of the 2015 election.

The current Liberal government has added a further $150 million for more projects.
Photo: Contributed

A Sunwing Airlines pilot faces charges after police allege he was impaired before takeoff.

Police say the pilot boarded the Boeing 737 in Calgary early Saturday for a flight that was scheduled to make stops in Regina and Winnipeg before continuing on to Cancun, Mexico.

But before it took off, police say the gate crew as well as crewmembers on the aircraft indicated he was behaving strangely.

Police allege he passed out in the cockpit.

The pilot was escorted from the plane and has been charged with having care and control of an aircraft while being impaired, as well as one count of having a blood-alcohol level exceeding .08 while in care and control of an aircraft.

Sunwing spokeswoman Janine Massey says in an email that the suspect was the captain, and the airline praised the rest of the crew for handling what it calls a "very unfortunate matter."

"We can confirm that shortly before 7 a.m. local time, the gate agents, first officer and crew of Sunwing flight 595, departing from Calgary and destined for Cancun, determined that the captain was unfit to fly and reported this accordingly," Massey stated.

"The captain was immediately escorted off of the aircraft and the incident is now under investigation with local authorities."

Police said there were 99 passengers on the flight and six crew. They said the pilot's name will be released after he has appeared before a justice of the peace.

Sunwing said the plane took off a short time later with another captain.

"We are very apologetic for any upset that this has caused and would like to assure our customers that safety remains our utmost priority," Massey said.
Photo: The Canadian Press

The prime minister says his resolution for 2017 is to "stand against the politics of fear and division."

Trudeau's New Year's message released Saturday said he will focus on what brings people together.

The message noted that 2017 marks the country's 150th anniversary, and Canadians will use it to honour past generations.

Trudeau also took the opportunity to say that in 2016, his government cut taxes for the middle class and revamped the Canada Child Benefit.
The Newville Borough Council recently adopted a final budget for 2017 that calls for a 35 percent increase in the real estate tax millage for the general fund.

Effective Jan. 1, the tax rate will go from 2.108 mills in 2016 to 2.858 mills in 2017, Borough Manager Fred Potzer said. He added the 0.75 mill increase will cost the average homeowner an additional $45 to $60 a year, depending on their assessed property value.

This increase will generate about $45,000 more in annual revenue, which the council plans to use to build a reserve fund and to offset substantial increases in police salaries and benefits in the wake of a three-year contract approved in July that takes effect Jan. 1, Potzer said.

He said that, during contract talks in 2016, borough officers were seeking parity with other municipal police departments in the region. The results were pay adjustments where one full-time officer received an $8,000 raise and the hourly wage for part-time officers went from $17.74 to $18.45.

The new contract also adds dental and vision coverage to the health insurance package police officers receive as a benefit, Potzer said. Recently, a full-time officer resigned from the borough police department to take a job with the Middlesex Township police department.

His departure has reduced the Newville police force to two full-time officers and one part-time officer, excluding Chief Todd Koser, who is not included in the contract. The council in December authorized staff to advertise two openings for part-time officers to replace the full-time officer who resigned.

Though the chief is not part of the contract, state law requires the borough to compensate him at a rate comparable to those officers included in the contract, Potzer said.

The council recently eliminated the part-time code enforcement officer position held by Koser for a projected savings of $8,424 per year. This means that Timothy Wolfe will be the only code enforcement officer for Newville. His office has been moved from the police station at 27 W. Big Spring Ave., to the borough municipal building at 4 West St.

The borough recently upgraded the computer station at its police station to enable officers to access the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network, Potzer said. Because state regulations prohibit civilians from having access to CLEAN, Wolfes office had to be relocated to a different building.

To cut costs, the borough plans to reduce its police department vehicle fleet from four cars to two cars. One car will be an unmarked SUV that council plans to fund using money drawn from a $17,500 grant and a $32,500 low-interest loan, Potzer said. Both the grant and the loan were approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which provides financial assistance to rural communities.

Aside from offsetting increases in police salaries and benefits, revenue from the tax increase will build up a reserve fund council can use to pay for infrastructure improvements, cover emergencies or unforeseen expenses or put toward the local match for a state or federal grant.

General fund revenue for 2017 is projected at $578,475 while expenses are budgeted at $550,250. The streetlight and fire tax will remain at 0.29 mills and 0.5 mills respectively.
It began with the ringing of church bells and the blowing of factory whistles.

The moment had arrived when the train rolled into Mechanicsburg carrying a cherished symbol of freedom on an open gondola.

Just as the railroad cars pulled into the depot, a grand shout went up from every throat as a crowd estimated at 2,000 witnessed the spectacle. A reporter with The Daily Journal, the local newspaper, chronicled the visit of the Liberty Bell that Jan. 6, 1902.

As usual, on occasions of this kind, Mechanicsburg did itself proud and turned out in great numbers to pay a tribute to the greatest relic of the Revolutionary days, the unnamed journalist wrote.

He mentioned how the combination of sound from all the sources made a pandemonium of noise that could have been heard for miles.

Liberty in the valley

There was excitement throughout the land as the special train hauling the bell made stops along the Cumberland Valley Railroad at Mechanicsburg, Carlisle and Shippensburg.

Normally based in Philadelphia, the relic was on its way to an exhibition in Charleston, South Carolina. The railroad ran west from Harrisburg to the Franklin County line where it turned south for the Scotland School, Chambersburg, Greencastle and Hagerstown.

The train was a special one composed of eight different cars and a specially built gondola in the center of which was placed the Liberty Bell, The Daily Journal reported.

The engines and gondola were trimmed with patriotic bunting, and the bell was guarded by four members of the Philadelphia police department  all of whom were over 6 feet in height.

With the train came an entourage of officials including Samuel Ashbridge, mayor of Philadelphia, and a number of city council members and influential residents.

The schedule called for a 15-minute layover in Mechanicsburg. Burgess J.O. Saxton introduced Ashbridge, who made a brief address referring to the bell as a great teacher of patriotism and calling on one and all to teach the children to be patriotic.

School children were marched to the depot in step to the beat of drums and lined up along the north side of the tracks. Everybody had a good view of the relic, and a number of children of youthful years were placed alongside of the bell and had their pictures taken, the reporter wrote.

Hundreds of booklets detailing the history of the bell were distributed during this brief ceremony, which ended with a chorus of cheers from the crowd.

On to Carlisle

The train moved west, slowing down somewhat in towns like New Kingstown so that residents living there could at least catch of glimpse of history in motion.

The bell arrived promptly at noon on the Square in Carlisle where it was greeted by an immense crowd, The Sentinel newspaper reported. About 1,500 school children carrying flags occupied the southern side of the square near the monument and about 700 Indian boys and girls also reviewed the relic.

At the time, the Carlisle Indian Industrial School was in operation on the campus of Carlisle Barracks. The school had a band of native children who played the national anthem while other youths sang patriotic songs.

Enthusiasm ran high, The Sentinel reported. The crowd surged against the car, and on all sides for a considerable distance the throng was so dense that it was impossible to penetrate it.

A number of little folks were handed up to the car that they might sit for an instant on the bell, the news story read. Enthusiastic patriotic boys wildly climbed up the car that they might simply touch the historic relic, which in 1776 proclaimed to the world that people were to be given freedom and that submission to tyranny on the part of any nation was a thing of the past.

Burgess Harry G. Brown introduced Ashbridge, who expressed his pleasure at being in an historic town like Carlisle. The city mayor also praised the work of the Indian School.

He wanted all to feel that the bell did not belong exclusively to Philadelphia, nor to Pennsylvania, but to the whole United States, The Sentinel reported. Dr. Shoemaker of Philadelphia, who graduated from Dickinson College in the class of 72, was also introduced. He referred to Carlisle as the great educational center of southern Pennsylvania.

Beautiful souvenirs were distributed from the train in the shape of pamphlets, badges, etc., the article reads. The train moved down the valley promptly at 12:25 amid the cheering of the populace and passed through almost solid walls of humanity for two blocks.

The Sentinel mentioned how the Liberty Bell was fastened securely on its wooden frame. Heavy strands of copper had been wrapped around the clapper to prevent it from swaying into the side of the bell during transit.

Shippensburg bound

As the train moved through Newville, it was greeted by factory whistles and a cheering public. Here a drum corps played patriotic airs, and a member of the party took great delight in lifting tots to a seat on the bell while their pictures were taken, The Sentinel reported.

The train arrived in Shippensburg around 1 p.m. greeted by a crowd of between 1,500 and 2,000 residents who had gathered along Railroad Street from Main to Orange Street.

At one point, it stopped for five minutes in front of the Cumberland Valley State Normal School, the precursor to the modern day Shippensburg University. There the college students, along with pupils from the local public schools, were given the opportunity to have a good view of the Liberty Bell.

After leaving the Normal School, the Liberty Bell train steamed slowly into the town where it was greeted with the shouts and huzzahs of the populace, The Shippensburg News reported. The train pulled past the station and stopped beyond Orange Street where the car was surrounded by the throng.

Once again, Ashbridge gave a short speech, but the crowd was distracted by the presence of the bell and by the short 15-minute window that it had in Shippensburg.

Scores of little children were lifted to the car and permitted to touch it or bump against it as some did, The Shippensburg News reported. Thousands of school children throughout the Cumberland Valley can now proudly say they viewed the old bell which proclaimed liberty to the American people.

Past journeys

Seventy-four years later, The Sentinel published a front-page story on the 1902 visit by the Liberty Bell. It was 1976 and the country was gearing up for the bicentennial.

The article mentioned how the bell had an unfortunate history. First cast in London at the request of the colonial assembly, it cracked when rung for the first time in Philadelphia in 1752.

The bell was recast in 1853, but eventually cracked again. Prior to its 1902 trip to Charleston, the bell had made journeys to the Worlds Industrial and Cotton Exposition in New Orleans in 1884 and 1885; the Worlds Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 and the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta in 1895.
CSL completes delivery of 20 FPVs to India Coast Guard

Published: December 31, 2016

The Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has delivered ICGS AYUSH, the 20th Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) to the Indian Coast Guard. With this, CSL has completed construction of 20 FPVs for the Indian Coast Guard.

ICGS Ayush will be operated from the Coast Guard Station at Krishnapatanam. It is last in the series (CSL Yard No BY 520) and was delivered three months ahead of schedule.

Background

Cochin Shipyard Limited was awarded the contract of constructing 20 FPVs in October 2010. CSL had delivered the first vessel in September 2013 and subsequently delivered vessels at about two months interval. CSL started delivering vessels ahead of schedule from the 13th vessel onwards. These vessels are 50 metre length and 7.6 metre beam. They are small in size compared to the large vessels that CSL had been building.

Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs)

The FPVs will help to secure Indian waters by patrolling within Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), coastal patrol. They will be used to carry out anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, search and rescue operations and for fisheries protection and monitoring. They will also play a secondary role of providing a communication link and escort coastal convoys in times of hostilities and war.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2016

Topics: CSL  Defence  FPVs  India Coast Guard  maritime security  National

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RBI extends period of enhanced Prepaid Payment Instruments limit

Published: December 31, 2016

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the period of enhanced Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) limit of Rs 20,000 as part of efforts to promote digital payments. The limit has been extended till the completion of review of the PPI guidelines.

However, the balance in such PPIs cannot exceed Rs 20,000 at any point of time and the merchants can transfer funds from such PPIs to their own linked bank accounts up to Rs 50,000 per month, without any limit per transaction.

About PPI

PPIs are methods that facilitate purchase of goods and services against the value stored on such prepaid instruments. These instruments can be issued as online wallets, mobile accounts, mobile wallets, smart cards, magnetic stripe cards, internet accounts, paper vouchers and any such instruments used to access the prepaid amount. The value stored on such instruments represents the value paid for by the holder, by debit, by cash to a bank account or by credit card.At present, 47 non-bank entities and 45 banks are operating payment systems for PPI.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2016

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Headhunter Casey Abel spent four months trying to hire a data-center architect for a Japanese automaker, including five meetings with the client  one with the top executive. In the end, the IT specialist joined an e-commerce company abroad for significantly more money.

"There's just a massive mismatch in salaries," said Abel, managing director at recruiter HCCR K.K., who has spent as long as a year trying to land some IT candidates. "You've got some engineers making 20 million yen ($170,000) a year. Then you try to fit them in the traditional manufacturer-based salary structure where it should be 7 to 9 million yen."

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Attracting the best information technologists is becoming increasingly important for Toyota, Honda and Nissan as they seek a bigger share of revenue from IT-driven services such as ride-sharing and cloud-based monitoring of vehicles. Nissan Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn has said Japanese carmakers can't afford to lose the "global war for talent" to new rivals like Uber Technologies and Tesla Motors.

Luring such talent requires big pay bumps in Japan because the companies are chasing the same experts that banks, tech companies and everyone else needs, said Abel. The automakers "operate within extremely strict budgets and the business is generally low margin." Japanese companies suffer from a dearth of domestic talent and the perception their business is more "mature and slow moving" than the new wave of tech startups.

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Honda said it will adopt a more flexible salary policy at its new Tokyo lab, while Nissan declined to comment specifically on pay at its new Tokyo data office. Toyota located its so-called connected-car business unit and AI research center in the U.S., which a spokesman said offer competitive compensation.

Japan has had the most severe talent shortages in the world since 2010, with IT professionals among the top three hardest positions to fill, according to Manpower Group's annual market survey. The country is short of an estimated 171,000 IT staff in 2016 and the number may more than quadruple to 789,000 by 2030, according to a survey by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

That race for staff is accelerating. Nissan said in October it plans to hire about 150 engineers in Tokyo by 2018 for software, cloud computing, data analytics and machine learning. Honda starts operation next year of a Tokyo research center mainly for artificial intelligence and IT. Volkswagen AG said this week it will hire more than 1,000 IT experts, tapping high-technology sectors, gaming industry and top-level research centers, in the next three years.

Toyota last month announced its connected-car strategy, which includes building a big data center to create new business using drivers' data such as tailoring insurance policies to drivers' habits, and hired former U.S. defense scientist Gill Pratt to set up and lead an AI research institute in the U.S.

"You need really good talents to do those really complicated things," said Jeremy Carlson, an analyst of autonomous driving at IHS Markit. "Japan has an educated and intelligent population, but many highly motivated and capable individuals in these fields flock to areas like Silicon Valley."

Japan came last in METI's survey in terms of the proportion of respondents who thought IT was an interesting area to work, while Indonesia, India and the U.S. ranked highest.

The Japanese corporations are following the lead of U.S. rivals Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. Ford established a science lab in Silicon Valley in 2012 to develop software, while GM has built two data centers since 2013 to streamline product development, manufacturing, marketing, sales as well as connectivity services.

Honda is trying to address the salary issue by adopting a more flexible work and pay system at its new Tokyo lab, rather than the rigid, seniority-based pay grades used elsewhere within the company, said Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, president of Honda's research arm, which operates largely autonomously.

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With the intense competition for staff in Japan, Toyota in April set up its Toyota Connected Inc. data unit in Plano, Texas. The division works with Microsoft Inc. to develop data management and services for its operations worldwide, including systems for connected cars that help make it easier for people to use automotive technology.

Then there's the problem of attention span.

The development cycle for a car usually last years, which can be frustrating for programmers used to building a system in weeks, said Mandali Khalesi, Asia-Pacific chief of Netherlands-based digital map-maker HERE, owned by German automakers Audi, BMW and Daimler. "These people are from complete IT backgrounds and they don't expect these long-time cycles," he said in an interview in Tokyo.

Nissan decided to try to turn that to its advantage. It's building the 150-person connectivity division in Tokyo, partly in the belief that the long-serving work attitude is Japan's edge over Silicon Valley, according to Ogi Redzic, head of the unit. About half the IT professionals in Japan have never changed jobs, compared with 14 percent in the U.S. and 21 percent in China, according to the METI survey.

"We cannot afford to have people that only come here for a year or two," said Redzic, a former executive of HERE, who joined Nissan and alliance partner Renault SA this year to head the group's IT service for connected cars.

"The way that people are going to get remunerated is going to be tied to the type of work that they do," said Redzic, declining to give details. "We fully get it that if you want to build data-analytics themes there are certain market conditions around what those people expect."

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With assistance from Yuki Hagiwara
With 2016 now toast, hooray, it's time to look forward to the cold weather harvest of theatrical bounty in Chicago in 2017. While I never know for sure about a show until I see it, and I usually miss some magnificence with this list of 10, here is a sample of productions opening in the early weeks of the year that have particular promise. I'm bullish, as always, on exciting new work.

"The Book of Joseph": Director Barbara Gaines stages the world premiere of a play by Karen Hartman ("Roz and Ray") about the real-life find by a man named Richard Hollander of swastika-stamped letters, leading him to a discovery of the complexity of his family's wartime past. Sean Fortunato plays the father Joseph Hollander, while Francis Guinan plays the role of a son whose life is changed by finding a suitcase of correspondence. Jan. 29 to March 5 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier; chicagoshakes.com

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"By the Water": Northlight Theatre, which has an admirable commitment to new work, stages the Midwest premiere of a play by Sharyn Rothstein about the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and its effect on a married couple who feel the earth shifting beneath their feet. Young director Cody Estle steps up to the Northlight mainstage. March 16 to April 27 at the North Shore Center for the Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie; northlight.org

"Circus 1903: The Golden Age of Circus": By blending technology, high-end puppetry and live performers, this fascinating new touring show will try to offer the thrills and nostalgia of the traditional circus experience without carting animals around the world and thus offending many potential audience members. Find out if it works. March 21- 26 at the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St.; broadwayinchicago.com

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"Earthquakes in London": As a storefront theater known for the power of its acting, Steep Theatre stages the first Chicago production of the epic 2010 play by British writer Mike Bartlett. The piece is centered on the lives of three sisters who were abandoned by their father, a prominent scientist working in the field of climate change. Jonathan Berry, whose work in this space has often dazzled, is the director. Jan. 26 to March 4 at Steep Theatre, 1115 W. Berwyn Ave.; steeptheatre.com

"Gloria": The Goodman Theatre offers the first Chicago production of a play by the red-hot, ever-provocative Branden Jacobs-Jenkins that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. It's all about a group of young, ambitious, poorly paid editorial assistants at a prestigious but toxic Manhattan magazine who smell their opportunity for success in the new media landscape. Watch out, oldsters! Jan. 14 to Feb. 19 at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.; goodmantheater.org

"The Hard Problem": The Chicago premiere of a play by the great Tom Stoppard is a notable event  and Court Theatre is doing the honors with a 2015 play that begins with a sexual encounter between a university student and her professor, and moves from there into genetics and other cerebral Stoppardian matters. Artistic director (and Stoppard specialist) Charles Newell is at the helm, with Chaon Cross in the starring role. This is the first new Stoppard play in nine years. March 9 to April 7 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave.; courttheater.org

"Hedwig and the Angry Inch": The first (and likely only) national tour of Michael Mayer's smart, kind, funny and justly lauded 2014 Broadway production of the fascinating and groundbreaking 1988 rock musical by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask spends two weeks at the Oriental Theatre. Euan Morton is touring in the lead role of Hedwig, a personally invested storyteller and a showperson of thrilling renown. March 7-19 at the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St.; broadwayinchicago.com

"Straight White Men": The daring, widely acclaimed writer and performance artist Young Jean Lee deconstructs the traditional father-and-son narrative in this 2014 work examining the current state of the titular demographic and the complexities of privilege and identity. It's a rare foray into the world of so-called downtown New York theater for Steppenwolf, which more usually has its eye on Broadway. Feb. 2 to March 19 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.; steppenwolf.org

"Sweeney Todd": The demon barber of Fleet Street rises to cut again! The hilarious Bri Sudia stars as Mrs. Lovett in the Paramount Theatre's all-new production of the famously macabre Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler musical from 1979, all about the purveyance of human-filled pies in Victorian London. Jim Corti, whose "West Side Story" was among the best of 2016, is the director, with Paul-Jordan Jansen doing the honors in the barber's chair. Feb. 8 to March 19 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora; paramountaurora.com

"Wit": The Hypocrites canceled most of its 20th anniversary season  money and audience problems, alas  but retained the excellent Marti Lyons' assignment to direct the very fine play about cancer by Margaret Edson. Hopefully, this is the show that will revive this essential Chicago company's fortunes. Jan. 20 to Feb. 19 at the Den Theatre, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave.; the-hypocrites.com

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Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.

cjones5@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @ChrisJonesTrib

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 126 Woody introduces the gang to a homemade spork toy with self-esteem issues in "Toy Story 4." Read the review. (Pixar / AP)
Marshall Hatch Jr. talks about the youth of New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church and their project to make stained glass windows commemorating the freedom of slaves and a contemporary memorial dedicated to young African-Americans whose deaths changed the course of history. (Nuccio DiNuzzo, Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

At New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in West Garfield Park, worshippers will assemble Saturday  as many black church congregations do on New Year's Eve  to commemorate the promise of a new year.

Called Watch Night, the New Year's Eve tradition dates to Dec. 31, 1862, when slaves gathered to celebrate, at the stroke of midnight, the freedom granted by the Emancipation Proclamation. But more than 150 years later, the beginning of the new year takes on a particular solemnity at New Mount Pilgrim, in the heart of the police district with the city's highest homicide rate.

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For the first time, the church's youth have planned the New Year's Eve observance. Instead of a formal service with time-honored hymns and sermons by seasoned preachers, the teens will play tunes by Chance the Rapper and Kendrick Lamar. There will be a dance contest, open mic and karaoke. After the countdown to midnight, the congregation will kneel and pray for children's safety in the coming year.

"We're trying to retain the traditions that have ethnic and religious significance, but we're going into a new year where there is an expectation and uncertainty," said Marshall Hatch Jr., 28, the son of the church's longtime pastor, the Rev. Marshall Hatch Sr.

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Though Watch Night is typically a grown-up affair, Hatch Jr., a former high school guidance counselor and the church's youth minister, has helped the church's teens plan this year's event as a safe haven in a police district where there has been nearly 100 homicides since last New Year's Eve. The West Garfield Park neighborhood alone has had 31 slayings so far this year.

The church ceremony gives the teens a stage to unveil a new project this year  replacing an empty rose window on the west side of the worship space to honor young African-Americans whose deaths have changed the course of history. Its top four panes will feature the four girls killed in the 1963 Birmingham, Ala., church bombing. The other panes will include young victims of Chicago's violence.

Team leaders, with youth members of Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, meet to discuss Watch Night for this New Year's Eve celebration at the church at 4301 West Washington Blvd., on Dec. 28, 2016. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)

Sadly, Hatch Jr. says, there have been so many victims that a choice must be made. If the church tries to memorialize all of the lives lost, the window will no longer conjure hope, he said, but instead be a graveyard of glass. That's been a hard reality for the youth to grasp, especially after losing one of their own.

"I'm still (thinking) we should include most if not all (young homicide victims)," said Kenneth Ayers, 17, a junior at Providence St. Mel High School who attends New Mount Pilgrim. "Everybody has a story and every story should be told, and no story is more important than the other."

The stained glass project is part of a greater mission to transform the aesthetic of what once was an Irish Catholic parish, St. Mel-Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church, to reflect the legacy of today's African-American Baptist occupants. In 1993, the north-facing rose window became an homage to the Great Migration, when many African-Americans came to Chicago from the rural South.

In 2000, the eastern window became a portrayal of the trans-Atlantic slave trade with a ship personified as Christ rising above the Atlantic, his shackled arms outstretched. The congregation calls it the Maafa window, a Swahili term meaning "unspeakable horror."

The youth's window, which is expected to cost about $100,000, will complete the trilogy. It has been dubbed the Sankofa Peace window after a term in the Twi language of Ghana that refers to reclaiming the past in order to move forward. At its center, it will portray Christ, the "Prince of Peace," accompanying a group of young homicide victims.

The top four panes will feature likenesses of Carole Denise McNair, Addie Mae Collins, Carole Rosamond Robertson and Cynthia Wesley  the four young girls killed in September 1963 when a bomb exploded at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham.

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Reclaiming the past and moving forward with new aspirations is what Watch Night is all about. In the years before the Civil War, historians say slaves would gather Dec. 31 when plantation owners often determined who they would have to sell to balance their books. Slaves would pray that their families would not be divided.

Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church youth members, left to right, Ke-nia Ayers, 15, Brayden Young, 6, and his sister Phylon Riley, 14, during their youth ministry group meeting at the church at 4301 West Washington Blvd., on Dec. 28, 2016. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)

The New Year's vigil took on new significance when President Abraham Lincoln declared the Emancipation Proclamation would become law at the dawn of 1863. Because it was against the law for blacks to gather for worship, slaves nationwide met secretly to watch the clock and pray for the new law to take effect.

Today, pastors imbue the worship service with a sense of renewed purpose  one of gratitude, empowerment and hope. Some incorporate the observance of Kwanzaa to remind members of their African roots.

Ayers and others hope the Sankofa Peace window will serve as a call to action. There are at least eight candidates being considered for the stained-glass memorial  so far. As time goes by, the list grows, Ayers said.

"You don't want to leave anyone out. But you're forced to in a situation like this," he said. "We're kind of in a bind. Because Chicago is getting rougher, something new happens every day, so a new idea shows up."

Jada Roberson, 17, a senior at Michele Clark High School, said choosing a few names should not take away from anyone's individual story.

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"There are so many people that have been affected by this brutality, by this violence, you just can't name them all," she said. "There are thousands upon thousands who have been abused and who have been victimized, and you never know all of their names."

Hatch Jr. said the goal is to feature portraits of young people whose deaths altered the city's discourse about violence and thereby offered the promise of a better day.

He said the window likely will include Laquan McDonald, a ward of the state who died in 2014. Squad car video released by court order in 2015 showed a Chicago police officer shooting McDonald 16 times as the teenager, who was holding a knife, was walking away.

"Whenever you mention Laquan McDonald in public spaces, there's a certain unease that we notice from the powers that be," Hatch Jr. said. "We think that has theological significance. My father always talks about Laquan McDonald symbolizing the stone that the builders rejected. But his story has become the chief cornerstone of Chicago discourse about policing and about race. ... That's why he has to be immortalized, if you will, in stained glass."

Maurice Hatch, with other members of the youth ministry team of Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, during their meeting over details of the Watch Night for this New Year's Eve celebration at the church at 4301 West Washington Blvd., on Dec. 28, 2016. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)

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Other children being considered include Hadiya Pendleton, an honor student shot in the back in 2013, a week after performing at President Barack Obama's second inauguration; Blair Holt, a 16-year-old killed in 2007 while shielding a friend from gunfire on a CTA bus; Tyshawn Lee, a 9-year-old executed in an alley in 2014 in retaliation for a gang murder; Derrion Albert, an honor student beaten to death outside Fenger High School in 2009; Eric Morse, a 5-year-old lured to a vacant 14th-story apartment in 1994 and dropped from the window; and Leroy "B.J." Brown, a 7-year-old who identified a killer to police and was then killed in 1997 before he had a chance to testify.

The church's youth also believe the window should include one of their own. In September, the body of 15-year-old Demetrius Griffin Jr. was found burned near a garage in Chicago's Austin neighborhood. Griffin, a freshman at Steinmetz High School, was a well-liked and active member of New Mount Pilgrim's youth team.

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Griffin's death was a shock to Roberson, who said she was shielded from much of the neighborhood violence until high school. She hopes the stained glass window will be a wake-up call for others like her and a comfort to those whose lives have been touched by tragedy.

So far, the youth team has raised $5,700 on a GoFundMe page devoted to the project.

"Some people are affected by violence and they think they're alone," she said. "They feel so lost. But there are so many people who have gone through this and have made it. This is a loss to the community but we've grown from it, learned from it. We have a part to play in being better."

mbrachear@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @TribSeeker
The title of this week's column is: 2017?

I hope the reason for the question mark is apparent; no one knows what will happen this year. We may have plans for the upcoming year - wedding dates, expecting a child, anticipating a new location or job, graduation, and the list goes on - but no one knows for sure what the next hour will bring with 100% accuracy. We may be right much of the time, but we never know for sure until the event is history.

People will also differ in their opinion of the future. In light of our recent elections some people believe America will be smoking in ruins by the end of 2017, while others think everyone will see prosperity and the nation will be near utopia status. Odds are it will be someplace in the middle, but again, that is a third opinion.

Biblical prophecy is similar, yet with a significant difference. The Bible does tell us what will happen. However, it does not say when it will happen. Even Jesus is not sure when prophetic events will take place. The Apostles asked Jesus of His coming and the end of the world. His answer takes up two chapters of the Bible (Matthew 24-25). In the middle of His response, He says, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Matthew 24:36).

Most Bible students and prophecy teachers agree on the major events coming our way, but often the order of events is in dispute.

You may be thinking, "This guy is writing about 2017, and he tells us he has no idea what will happen." Well, sort of. I, nor any Bible teacher worth his salt, can say 2017 will be the year of the rapture, the rise of the Antichrist, the war of Psalm 83 or any other yet to be fulfilled Biblical Prophecy. Here is the thing, we know all three of these events will happen, but we do not know when. All three of these prophecies and others can take place in 2017; we just cannot say they will with any amount of certainty.

The Bible does give us signs that the end time prophecies are coming. Preachers, books, and movies well document some of the most commonly known signs - earthquakes, famines, wars and the rumors thereof.

The Bible also compares these signs to a pregnant woman (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3). The closer to the birth of the child, the "travail" of labor, will increase.

Think of pregnancy. At first, there is almost no indication whatsoever. After awhile, the belly is a little larger than before. As time goes on the belly grows, cravings for weird things to eat, mom may get more irritable than normal. As the pregnancy continues the back aches more every day, it becomes harder to get in and out of a chair. As birth is eminent and, contractions begin, sometimes there will be false contractions; momma rushes to the hospital only to return home a few hours later still waiting for the young one arrive. However, eventually, the day comes when the contractions are real. The contractions start slow, hardly noticeable, then increase in intensity and the time between them grows shorter. Then after much pain and travail Junior is here.

The signs leading up to Jesus' return are the same way. At first, there was no indication whatsoever, then over the centuries they became more intense and noticeable. We did not have a world war until just over a hundred years ago (1914). We have since had a second, and there have been rumors of a third coming and going since the 1950s. Wars and rumors of wars.

What signs can we see increasing in intensity during 2017? Again, hard to tell, but there is a list of signs in the Bible that have been increasing every year for several years and there is no indication of a turnaround any time soon.

2 Timothy 3:1-4, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;"

With each passing generation and with each passing day that last phrase, "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" is more and more true in America. It seems like the primary goal of life with many people is to seek better ways to be entertained.

Scoffers will say all this stuff has been going on since time immortal, but the Bible even tells us this will be people's response (2 Peter 3:3-4).

Will the rapture come in 2017? Will we see other Biblical prophecies come to pass this year? I sure do hope so.

Preacher Johnson is Pastor of Countryside Baptist Church in Parke County Indiana. Email: preacherspoint@gmail.com. Website: www.preacherjohnson.com. Preacher Johnson is available for revivals, prophecy conferences, and other speaking. All Scripture KJV.
This week's sentencing of a woman who plotted to have her husband killed nearly four decades ago in the basement of their spacious Inverness home did not bring an end to the murder case.

The hunt continues for the two men who carried out the shooting death of Carl Gaimari during a staged home invasion in 1979.

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But authorities say they may be closing in.

"We're still very actively pursuing leads," said Mike Kirby, a detective with the Inverness Police Department. "We're anticipating further arrests in this matter."

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Gaimari's wife, Jacquelyn Greco, 69, was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison after being convicted in October of first-degree murder by a Cook County jury.

The lead prosecutor, Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Ethan Holland, said the trial has raised awareness of the case.

"Since the trial, we have received promising leads, which we will be pursuing," Holland said.

The murder remained a puzzle until five years ago when Inverness police began re-examining evidence. That led to the arrest and conviction of Greco  formerly Jacquelyn Gaimari.

Prosecutors said money was a factor in the plot to kill Gaimari. That included a Chicago Board of Trade account with $250,426 in it, money that Greco tried to acquire the morning after her 34-year-old husband, a soybean trader, was shot to death, trial testimony revealed.

After Gaimari's life ended, his wife started a new one with her lover and future husband, Sam Greco, a Chicago police officer, authorities said.

Sam Greco showed up at the Gaimari house on Turkey Trail Road within an hour of the April 30 murder and moved in a few days later, according to trial testimony. He married Jacquelyn that August. The Gaimaris had four children, and the chain of events was particularly difficult for the older girls, Becky, 15, and Bobbie, 13.

"We learned Sam Greco was moving in. That was devastating," Becky Wykel, the daughter, now 52, testified.

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By 1981, the investigation hit a dead end and the file eventually came to rest in the basement of the Barrington Police Department, the agency that covered Inverness at the time.

After Inverness formed its own police department, Kirby and fellow detective Bill Stutzman began reviewing the cold case in 2011 and thought it sounded odd. For one thing, Kirby noted, the intruders left behind Gaimari's handguns, which they used to kill him. They tucked one into the crook of his arm as he lay dying on a couch.

"When I first read over the file, that's what struck me," said Kirby, a veteran of more than 100 homicide investigations with the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force. "It wasn't a home invasion. It looked like the suspects were familiar with the scene, knew where his guns were."

In the file, the detectives found a Barrington police report stating that a family member had called and said Jacquelyn Greco had something to do with the murder. The detectives followed that thread, which led to a recorded phone conversation between Greco and her sister, Elsie Fry, in which Greco implicated herself in the murder. The recording was a major piece of evidence at the trial, and Fry testified for the prosecution.

Jacquelyn and Sam Greco divorced in 1990. Sam Greco, who has not been charged in connection with Gaimari's death, is retired from the Chicago Police Department, lives on the city's Northwest Side and is in poor health, authorities said.

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For Gaimari's family, the murder was devastating and divisive, relatives said. Carl's daughter Bobbie, who with her mother and two siblings had been tied up in a bedroom closet the day of the murder, committed suicide in 2009 after a lifetime of substance abuse, relatives said. Wykel blamed her death on the murder.

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"I believe I lost my sister because she knew that her mother killed her father," Wykel said.

Kirby said the case was difficult but resulted in a conviction and a sense of justice for Gaimari's family.

"It wasn't a DNA case. It wasn't a forensic case," he said. "We hit the pavement, went to six different states to interview witnesses, and spent about 900 hours on it. It's not over."

John Gaimari, brother of Carl, said Thursday outside the courtroom there is still fear among family members. He did not want his photo taken for the newspaper.

"They shot my brother. Those two guys are still out there," he said.

George Houde is a freelance reporter.
Not even politicians' best friends were spared from 2016's wrath.

Governors on both coasts this week said goodbye to the beloved first dogs of their states - Lexi of Maryland, 16, and Sutter Brown of California, 13.

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Sutter, a Welch corgi, was the cuddly adorable foil to Gov. Jerry Brown, a gruff 78-year-old Democrat who prefers quoting philosophers to kissing babies.

Brown's sister gifted Sutter to the newly elected governor in 2010, and lobbyists and lawmakers of both parties in Sacramento became enamored with the pooch. Sutter's Twitter page, loaded with cute photos and the occasional message encouraging conservation, amassed more than 11,000 followers. His official page on the governor's website touted regular appearances on Buzzfeed's "Most Important Corgis" list.

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Sutter also proved to be a potent political asset.

He traveled the state with Brown in 2012 as the governor promoted a successful ballot initiative to increase taxes. At the governor's 2014 state of the state address, Brown showed playing cards featuring photos of Sutter and messages encouraging fiscal discipline, such as "Bark if you don't like deficits."

Heeding Sutter's success, a Republican lawmaker tried to launch a similar social media campaign around his cat. It didn't do as well. (Californians are apparently dog people.)

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 133 William Christopher, who was known as Father Mulcahy on "MASH" from 1972 to 1983, died Dec. 31, 2016. He was 84. Read more. (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)

In October, the governor's office received an outpouring of support after announcing Sutter underwent surgery for an aggressive form of cancer that couldn't be cured. The corgi returned to the governor's mansion after a week and a half in the hospital, greeting trick-or-treaters in a bumblebee costume and celebrating one last Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Sutter's health deteriorated rapidly in recent days, a spokeswoman for Brown said, and the governor and first lady decided "it was time to say goodbye." He died Friday, with his owners at his side, and is buried at the governor's family ranch in rural Colusa County where "he loved to roam, sniff and play."

"It's a sad day for all who loved Sutter," said Brown spokeswoman Deborah Hoffman.

Colusa "Lucy" Brown, a fellow corgi who joined the governor's family as a puppy in 2015, will take over first dog duties.

Maryland's first dog, Lexi. (Courtesy of the Maryland Governor's Office)

Maryland's Lexi played a more low-key role in Republican Gov. Larry Hogan's administration. He'd occasionally post photos of her to his Facebook page, including when she returned home from a five-day stay in the hospital in September 2015. Hogan would walk the dog around the governor's mansion while he was undergoing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2015.

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Two days after Christmas, Lexi died in Hogan's arms as the governor kissed her goodbye. The cause was old age, an spokesman said.

Hogan's heartfelt tribute to Lexi on Facebook drew about 1,500 sympathetic comments and 4,700 "sad" reactions.

"They say that a dog is man's best friend. That sure was true for me. For 16 years our dog Lexi has been a much loved member of our family. Through good times and bad, she was always happy, and her love was unconditional. It is hard to describe how much she meant to us and how much joy she brought to our hearts. Our family is so thankful, not only for the 16 years we got to spend with her, but also that we got to spend this one last Christmas with her. Sadly at 10:40 am this morning Lexi died in my arms as I kissed her goodbye. 'Dogs have a way of finding people who need them, and filling an emptiness we didn't ever know we had.' We sure will miss her."
Reporting from Hamdaniya, Iraq  With the offensive to reclaim the Iraqi city of Mosul now in its third month, smartphones are everywhere on the battlefield, where the appetite for selfie photos is proving to be irresistible  and problematic.

Troops and commanders pose atop tanks, Humvees, checkpoints and even on the front lines with bullets flying. They snap pictures of themselves with a mix of generals, civilians, reporters, priests, doctors, babies and anything associated with the Islamic State, including flags, detainees and bodies.

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They document themselves with reality-show glee clearing Islamic State tunnels, hoisting salvaged weapons, pointing to graffiti, prisoners and corpses. The photos are far from an official archive of events. But as questions arise about the Iraqi military's treatment of detainees and the bodies of dead fighters, amateur images may become evidence.

Lt. Gen. Abdel Wahab Saadi, Iraqi Special Forces commander, center, does not have a Facebook account but has posed for enough selfies that troops recognize him - and request more. (Molly Hennessy-Fiske / Los Angeles Times)

Human Rights Watch has cited the amateur photos and videos in complaints about extrajudicial executions of prisoners and other abuses during the offensive.

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The organization posted photos and video stills online in accusing Sunni militias and allied Iraqi Security Forces of dragging the bodies of at least five dead militants and executing at least one after he surrendered in Qayyarrah, about 40 miles south of Mosul, on Oct. 3. On video, a fighter could be seen stepping on the militant's body and posing for a photo, the group said. A man in an Iraqi special forces uniform calls for a razor, saying he wants the head of the dead fighter.

"It never ceases to amaze me, nor stops disturbing me, that armed forces take pleasure in photographing themselves during or after committing an abuse. Over the last year, we were able to document the most serious abuses because of forces' own photos," said Belkis Wille, senior Iraq researcher at Human Rights Watch.

This week, troops snapped selfies with the top U.S. and Iraqi commanders as the top brass arrived at an army post east of Mosul for an update on the offensive, which began Oct. 17. Among the most popular: Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq; Maj. Gen. Najim Jabouri, Iraqi commander of the Mosul offensive, and Lt. Gen. Abdul Wahab Saadi, Iraqi Special Forces commander, recognizable thanks to Facebook.

"I don't have a Facebook account, but because of the selfies they are posting, I became like a hero," Saadi said as he stood among the uniformed crowd. Many held cellphones aloft.

Saadi said the photos are good for morale, and help reassure families back home.

But they can be risky.

U.S. forces are allowed to take selfies in Iraq, as long as their commanders approve, but they may be restricted based on security classification, operational security, safety, or force protection, officials said.

Islamic State fighters monitor social media, and use it to identify and target commanders. Saadi showed video posted online by militants who recently shot at him in Mosul. The bullet lodged in a camera lens he keeps in his office.

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He said Iraqi forces are advised not to take selfies in sensitive locations, including bases and areas where they're fighting in Mosul, "so the enemy will not know our position."

But judging from online posts, it's a rule that's rarely enforced. Soldiers post selfies daily from in and around Mosul, especially in recent weeks as the offensive slowed.

Many see the selfies as the digital continuation of a grand tradition.

An Iraqi soldier snaps a selfie during Shiite militia forces training south of Mosul. (Molly Hennessy-Fiske / Los Angeles Times)

Haval Mohamed is a Kurdish police special forces officer, grandson of a Peshmerga fighter whose photos he grew up admiring. They showed his grandfather armed, wearing a traditional red and white headdress and baggy pants, fighting then-President Saddam Hussein's army to free the Kurdish north, now an autonomous region.

As Mohamed guarded a displaced persons camp this week, he scrolled through photos of himself in front of sandbags on the front lines southeast of Mosul. Five soldiers in the photo were later killed in combat, he said.

Now Mohamed, 26, snaps selfies for his daughter, 4-year-old Hasti. Her wide-eyed pictures, complete with superimposed animal faces, are mixed with his. Mohamed said his daughter has seen him in uniform, but doesn't understand the significance.

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"One day if I die, she will know her dad was fighting for his land and will be proud of those photos," Mohamed said.

In Shakoli, a village about 20 miles east of Mosul, Mohamed Garib, 27, showed off selfies taken with would-be Islamic State suicide bombers, who were fatally shot by his unit of Kurdish fighters before the extremists could detonate their explosive belts.

He wanted the photographs, he said, "To prove to people we had fierce and hard fighting" with Islamic State and "to show people how dirty and criminal they were."

Several miles west in the recaptured Christian city of Bartella, special forces soldier Eskander Shamary posed for a selfie atop his Humvee this week with the popular Tiger energy drink, then scrolled through other recent photos.

In one, he wore a black and white ghost mask, used to hide his face from militants, as he guarded a crumbling strip mall. In another, he distributed water to children, making the "V" for victory sign with them.

"The best selfie I took was with the bodies of Daesh," Shamary said, using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

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In the photo  a close, intimate shot in which the backdrop of a Mosul street is barely visible  the soldier looms large in the frame above the body of a bearded militant in baggy brown shirt and pants. The man had been shot several times.

"I'm posting them on Facebook and showing my friends and family," said Shamary, 29.

A fellow special forces soldier, Safaa Sabah, joined him to compare shots.

Sabah showed off selfies taken with a tattered black and white Islamic State flag recovered in east Mosul. In another, Sabah, 29, of Baghdad, pointed his gun at the head of a shirtless detainee  an Islamic State captive, he said.

"The reason I took a selfie with Daesh was to show my people we are making progress," he said.

The Iraqi army's reputation was tarnished here two years ago when Islamic State seized Mosul, and Sabah sees the photos he takes, especially the ones of soldiers helping civilians, as a way to rebuild credibility. They want to win back not just the city, but its mostly Sunni Muslim people.

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He said restrictions on selfies mostly have to do with being careful about showing too much background.

"It might be a danger to us: Daesh could figure out our position," he said.

He said selfies also pose the risk of becoming Islamic State propaganda.

Sabah's Facebook account was recently hacked, his photos stolen and used by someone who misidentified the special forces as sectarian Shiite militias who had come to the mostly Sunni city "to kill our people."

As they prepared to return to the front line, the soldiers said they planned to continue taking selfies. Shamary had his sights set on the ultimate shot: "With commanders, celebrating the last neighborhood we liberate."

molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com

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Twitter: @mollyhf
The headquarters of FSB, the gray building at center, in downtown Moscow, Russia on Dec. 30, 2016. President Barack Obama on Thursday ordered sanctions against FSB, one of the leading Russian intelligence agencies. (Alexander Zemlianichenko / AP)

A code associated with the Russian hacking operation dubbed Grizzly Steppe by President Barack Obama's administration has been detected within the system of a Vermont utility, according to U.S. officials.

While the Russians did not actively use the code to disrupt operations, according to officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a security matter, the discovery underscores the vulnerabilities of the nation's electrical grid. And it raises fears in the U.S. government that Russian government hackers are actively trying to penetrate the grid to carry out potential attacks.

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Officials in government and the utility industry regularly monitor the grid because it is highly computerized and any disruptions can have disastrous implications for the country's medical and emergency services.

Burlington Electric said in a statement that the company detected a malware code used in the Grizzly Steppe operation in a laptop that was not connected to the organization's grid systems. The firm said it took immediate action to isolate the laptop and alert federal authorities.

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Burlington Electric Official Statement posted on FB. Read here: https://t.co/Zz59H1o2Ix pic.twitter.com/AJiY7PPzwq  Burlington Electric (@BurlingtonElec) December 31, 2016

Friday night, Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) called on federal officials "to conduct a full and complete investigation of this incident and undertake remedies to ensure that this never happens again."

"Vermonters and all Americans should be both alarmed and outraged that one of the world's leading thugs, Vladimir Putin, has been attempting to hack our electric grid, which we rely upon to support our quality-of-life, economy, health, and safety," Shumlin said in a statement. "This episode should highlight the urgent need for our federal government to vigorously pursue and put an end to this sort of Russian meddling."

American officials, including one senior administration official, said they are not yet sure what the intentions of the Russians might have been. The incursion may have been designed to disrupt the utility's operations or as a test to see whether they could penetrate a portion of the grid.

Officials said that it is unclear when the code entered the Vermont utility's computer, and that an investigation will attempt to determine the timing and nature of the intrusion, as well as whether other utilities were similarly targeted.

"The question remains: Are they in other systems and what was the intent?" a U.S. official said.

This week, officials from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence shared the Grizzly Steppe malware code with executives from 16 sectors nationwide, including the financial, utility and transportation industries, a senior administration official said. Vermont utility officials identified the code within their operations and reported it to federal officials Friday, the official said.

The DHS and FBI also publicly posted information about the malware Thursday as part of a joint analysis report, saying that the Russian military and civilian services' activity "is part of an ongoing campaign of cyber-enabled operations directed at the U.S. government and its citizens."

Another senior administration official, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss security matters, said in an email that "by exposing Russian malware" in the joint analysis report, "the administration sought to alert all network defenders in the United States and abroad to this malicious activity to better secure their networks and defend against Russian malicious cyber activity."

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According to the report by the FBI and DHS, the hackers involved in the Russian operation used fraudulent emails that tricked their recipients into revealing passwords.

Russian hackers, U.S. intelligence agencies say, earlier obtained a raft of internal emails from the Democratic National Committee, which were later released by WikiLeaks during this year's presidential campaign.

President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned the veracity of U.S. intelligence pointing to Russia's responsibility for hacks in the run-up to the Nov. 8 election. He also has spoken highly of Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite President Obama's suggestion that the approval for hacking came from the highest levels of the Kremlin.

Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said it would be "highly inappropriate to comment" on the incident given the fact that Spicer has not been briefed by federal authorities at this point.

Obama has been criticized by lawmakers from both parties for not retaliating against Russia before the election. But officials said the president was concerned that U.S. countermeasures could prompt a wider effort by Moscow to disrupt the counting of votes on Election Day, potentially leading to a wider conflict.

Officials said Obama also was concerned that taking retaliatory action before the election would be perceived as an effort to help the campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

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On Thursday, when Obama announced new economic measures against Russia and the expulsion of 35 Russian officials from the United States in retaliation for what he said was a deliberate attempt to interfere with the election, Trump told reporters, "It's time for our country to move on to bigger and better things."

Trump has agreed to meet with U.S. intelligence officials next week to discuss allegations surrounding Russia's online activity.

Russia has been accused in the past of launching a cyberattack on Ukraine's electrical grid, something it has denied. Cybersecurity experts say a hack in December 2015 destabilized Kiev's power grid, causing a blackout in part of the Ukrainian capital. On Thursday, Ukranian President Petro Poroshenko accused Russia of waging a hacking war on his country that has entailed 6,500 attacks against Ukranian state institutions over the past two months.

Since at least 2009, U.S. authorities have tracked efforts by China, Russia and other countries to implant malicious software inside computers used by U.S. utilities. It is unclear if the code used in those earlier attacks was similar to what was found in the Vermont case. In November 2014, for example, federal authorities reported that a Russian malware known as BlackEnergy had been detected in the software controlling electric turbines in the United States.

The Russian Embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Representatives for the Energy Department and DHS declined to comment Friday.

The Washington Post's Alice Crites and Carol Morello contributed to this report.
Uber driver Keith Avila picked up a passenger who looked like a 12-year-old girl in a short skirt on Monday night. That was the first sign that something was off, he would say later.

Two women got into his car with the girl outside a house in Sacramento, Calif. Halfway to their destination - a Holiday Inn in the suburbs - they asked Avila to turn up the music, he said.

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Then the women turned to the girl. Avila listened in.

"They were describing what they were going to do when they get there: 'Check for guns. Get the money before you start touching up on the guy,'" Avila said on Facebook Live minutes after he dropped off the passengers, then called police to report the women whom he suspected of prostituting the child.

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The girl was 16, not 12, Elk Grove, Calif., police told local news outlets. But Avila's suspicions were right, they said. The teen was being sold for sex at the Holiday Inn, and her eavesdropping Uber driver had saved her.

A 34-year-old husband, father and quinceanera photographer by day, Avila had started driving for Uber just a few weeks earlier, the Daily Beast reported. Monday's fare made him an instant celebrity.

"The police is just right there; look at that!" Avila said in the Facebook video, as blue lights flashed in his rear windshield.

Outside, in the hotel parking lot, police were arresting Destiny Pettway, 25, and Maria Westley, 31, on charges of pimping and threatening a minor.

"I told police, 'If you don't come, I'm going to go in there myself and take pictures of these guys,'" Avila said on Facebook. "That's not a good life, to be under the control of another human being for the purpose of sex trafficking."

He said he even gave police the hotel room number after overhearing the girl call her john, "probably some douche-bag pervert," he said.

Police said they caught Disney Vang, 20, in the hotel and "determined that [he] had been involved in unlawful sexual activity with the victim." Vang was arrested and charged.

Avila broadcast from the arrest scene for 10 minutes on Monday, until an officer beckoned him out of his car to help pick the suspected pimps out of a lineup. His video has been viewed more than 170,000 times since then, and the photographer-turned-Uber driver has become a public hero.

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"He could have said nothing and gone on his way and collected his fare," Elk Grove police spokesman Christopher Trim told Fox affiliate KTXL. "And that 16-year-old victim would have been victimized by who knows how many different people."

The girl - apparently a runaway - was taken "to an alternative housing location," according to the authorities.

"She was reunited with her family," Avila told the Daily Beast. "I felt kind of good about that."
With predictions that the village will face its share of snowfall this winter, officials with the Arlington Heights Public Works Department are reminding residents to follow local rules regarding parking and shoveling. This 2014 photo shows a man clearing snow in Arlington Heights. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

With experts and even the "Old Farmer's Almanac" predicting an abundance of snowfall in Illinois this winter, officials with the Arlington Heights Public Works Department are reminding residents to follow local rules regarding parking and shoveling.

After two inches of snowfall, no parking is allowed on village streets, until the street is completely cleared of snow, said Cris Papierniak, the village's assistant director of public works.

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The year-round rule prohibiting no parking on village streets between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. also remains in effect during the winter months, Papierniak said.

Residents who violate the local parking restrictions will be ticketed, Papierniak added.

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"Whenever residents park their cars in the street when the snow plows are out, it creates a lot of maintenance headaches," Papierniak said. "When a car is in the street, the plows aren't able to push the snow off the road. Residents will also face their cars being blocked in by snow."

Residents are also reminded that when shoveling, snow cleared from their driveways and private walkways must not be deposited on public sidewalks and streets, Papierniak said.

With the village's public works crews this month tackling nearly double the amount of snowfall that typically blankets the village during the month of December, Papierniak said their strategy begins with preventive measures, in particular, treating local streets in advance of snowfall with a solution known as, "super mix."

The solution, which contains brine, or salt water, a carbohydrate, usually beet juice, calcium chloride and sodium chloride, is applied to local streets to help prevent ice from bonding to the pavement, Papierniak explained.

Each village-wide treatment conducted prior to an anticipated snowfall  which targets all local streets  requires a total of 6,000 gallons of super mix, Papierniak said.

But given the temperamental Midwestern winter weather, knowing when to apply the super mix can change by the hour, Papierniak said, as crews avoid administering the treatment if rain is in the forecast, as it will wash the solution off the roads, prior to the snowfall.

Despite village crews working 12-hour shifts, with 24-hour coverage during severe snowstorms, Papierniak said he does still receive calls from residents reporting poor conditions, some of which involve state roads that are not under the village's jurisdiction, including Arlington Heights Road, Route 12 and Route 14.

"Every winter we prepare for the worst, but hope for the best," Papierniak said. "We want to remind residents to be safe, pay attention to the roads, and don't read that text until you get home," he added.

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kcullotta@tribpub.com

Twitter: @kcullotta
A crowded field of candidates is running for seats on the Community Unit School District 308 school board.

Eight candidates are seeking four seats on the Oswego-based school board, including three incumbents.

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The candidates are vying for seats as the district prepares for recently-approved school boundary lines to take effect next school year and faces grim financial projections. The school board is issuing bonds to cover facility and technology needs, and the district is predicting budget gaps in coming years.

Amid this financial picture, seats currently held by Danielle Paul, Mike McDowell, Greg O'Neil and board president Matt Bauman are up for election in April. Bauman, McDowell and Paul have filed to run again, joining a former district teacher, a member of several district committees, a former board member and parents.

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Among the challengers who have filed to run is Oswego resident Toni Morgan, 50. Morgan was formerly a district teacher, and now teaches in Yorkville.

When the District 308 school board voted to end the district's dual language program  before later reinstating the program  she, a dual language teacher in the district at the time, was among those who urged the district to keep the program.

Recently, she said the dual language program is not the district's biggest issue. She wants to focus on ensuring the district is transparent and accountable to the community, she said. She anticipates decisions on state school funding and a state budget coming up.

"I know that there might be tough decisions in the state of Illinois coming up, so I think it's time to look at what we can do to make the best decisions possible," she said.

Dominick Cirone, 41, has also filed to run. Cirone, who lives in Oswego, is a treasury analyst for a company.

He said he wanted to be research driven and look for cost-effective ways to improve the district. Citing his financial background, he said he thought cutting isn't always the best long-term financial option. He wants to see resources shifted from the district's central office into the classroom, he said.

He also wanted to focus on the district's special education program, which was recently moved in-house after the dissolution of a countywide cooperative, looking at both a short-term and long-term plan for students in the program.

Cirone is on the planning and zoning commission for Oswego. He has recently been involved in PTAG, the group that represents District 308's gifted and talented students, the finance and operations advisory committee and the English-learners task force.

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"I want to make sure that every decision that the school district makes is kind of vetted by the principle of having every kid be the best they can be," he said.

Montgomery resident Heather Moyer, 36, has filed to run. She is a social worker at a DuPage County organization that works with teen parents.

Moyer said she wants to focus on communication and transparency between district parents and administrators. She also wants to work to ensure a smooth transition for students affected by the boundary change, though she thought the boundary-redrawing process was handled well, she said.

"Having, now, a child in the school system myself, I can really understand the importance of having a well-functioning board that's able to govern and guide our district," she said.

Former board member Brent Lightfoot, who served from 2011 to 2015, is running again for a board seat. Lightfoot, 48, lives in Aurora and works in media research.

During Lightfoot's previous term, the school board approved new school boundaries and voted to eliminate the district's dual language program, though it was later reinstated and changed. Ethics concerns were raised about a series of emails Lightfoot and another board member at the time exchanged with a district staff member when they were up for re-election, though the school board ultimately found no basis for the allegation.

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Lightfoot said he can offer historical perspective, which he thinks is currently missing, because of his time on the board,

Lightfoot, who sits on the district's finance and operations advisory committee, said he is running now largely because he is "alarmed" by some of the financial projections he has heard. He is disappointed the board is working to issue bonds through a move known as a "back door referendum" for technology, which he said should not be paid for using bond money.

He said he is also concerned the district might not be on track to hit previously-set educational goals. He wants to ensure teachers are given the tools they need and that administrators are doing all they can to move the district toward those goals.

"I think that my experience being on the board in the past, understanding how school finance operates, I can provide a unique perspective to the board," he said.

The incumbents running include current school board president Bauman, 42, a Montgomery resident. He is a funeral director.

Bauman said the district is working toward projecting its finances in detail to determine whether cuts can be made or dollars set aside for certain needs, and he wants to be part of that work. He also wants to work toward ensuring the community understands where the district's money is going, he said.

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The district has seen a change in the district's leadership and culture that he'd like to see continue, he said, referring to a new superintendent taking over the district.

"We've made a lot of great progress and have accomplished a lot in the last four years," he said. "And I'd like to be part of continuing that movement forward."

McDowell, another incumbent and a Montgomery resident, has also filed to run. McDowell, 48, teaches at Lewis University and is a nurse practitioner.

McDowell initially said he did not plan to run again now that his kids are no longer in the school system, but said he decided to stay in part because the district's financial situation is "going to be kind of ugly" in coming years. He said new blood on the board can be nice, but it can take time for new members to get a sense of how the district is run and he doesn't want to push the financial situation off on newcomers.

"I feel an obligation to kind of stay in there and help fix some of the financial problems that we knew were coming," he said. "But we had so many other things we had to work on that we kind of put them off."

Incumbent Danielle Paul, 49, has also filed to run again. She lives in Aurora and works for a recruitment research services company.

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She said she wants to see through the English and math curricula put in place in recent years. She also anticipates "tough" financial decisions, and said she wants to stay for those decisions.

Paul also sits on the school district's foundation board, she said.

"I'm not sure that I'm finished with what we started," she said. "I mean, we started a lot of really great initiatives, but I think there is more yet to accomplish."

Challenger Robert Graves, an Aurora resident, has also filed to run. He could not be reached for comment.

sfreishtat@tribpub.com

Twitter @srfreish
A man is in custody in connection with an early morning break-in to an Oswego Sprint store, police said.

Police were called to the 2800 Route 34 store at 3:45 a.m. Friday after witnesses reported hearing an activated alarm and saw two men running from the business toward Douglas Road and a white Nissan with Pennsylvania license plates, an Oswego Police Department news release said.

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The burglars shattered the store's front window and stole an estimated $500 worth of merchandise, the release said.

Police were able to pull the Nissan over and arrested driver Cortez R. Morrow, 34, of the 6000 block of Rhodes Avenue, Chicago, on a charge of driving on a revoked license. One count of burglary was added later after being authorized by the Kendall County State's Attorney's Office, the release said.

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No other occupants were in the vehicle, police said.

The two suspects seen running from the store were described as male, with medium builds and average heights. One appeared to be in his mid-30s with short hair and the other was described as being in his 20s with wavy hair, the release said.

Cortez is being held in the Kendall County jail. A bond hearing is scheduled for Sunday.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Oswego Police Department at 630-551-7300 or anonymously to Kendall County Crime Stoppers at 630-553-5999. Cash rewards are paid for tips leading to an arrest.

Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
Ste. Genevieve County has earned an official designation as a Certified Work Ready Community.

Participating in the initiative offers several benefits for employers, employees and the community as a whole. The work readiness process can help identify skill gaps, match individuals to jobs based on skill levels and quantify the general skill level of the area workforce.

It also helps a community stand out and be recognized for its workforce development efforts. A strong workforce, of course, is a tremendous economic development advantage.

Overall, the initiative helps communities validate the skills and knowledge of their current, emerging and transitioning workforce.

Nationally, the majority of businesses that have participated in the work ready initiative have found it improves hiring outcomes. It also benefits prospective employees by proving them with a useful credential after training and evidence of achievement beyond a diploma or degree.

At a recent ceremony commemorating the designation, held at the Mississippi Lime Company Learning Center, a large supporter of the program, Missouri Department of Economic Development Director Mike Downing said, I would like to congratulate Ste. Genevieve County on this significant milestone, becoming Missouris latest certified county. Missouri continues to grow as Ste. Genevieve and other local counties throughout the state strengthen workforces, the number one asset to attracting and retaining business.

By recognizing the value provided by employees who earn a National Career Readiness Certificate and by achieving CWRC status, communities demonstrate they have the necessary partnerships with their local employers in place to help attract, develop and retain a workforce with the education and fundamental skills to succeed in modern society.

"The Work Ready status is an important distinction for communities like Ste. Genevieve," said Chauncy Buchheit, director of SEMO Regional Planning. "This national certification is good for job applicants and for the companies that are hiring. It also sends a message to companies, who may be considering a move to the area, about the qualifications of the workforce."

In 2012, Missouri was selected to be one of the first four states to participate in the CWRC initiative, and in 2013, Jasper County became the first CWRC in the nation. Currently, Missouri has 83 counties actively participating in the initiative and 38 fully-certified counties. New certifications are considered on a quarterly basis.

Ste. Genevieve County is part of the only region in the state with four connected counties certified as work ready  St. Francois, Madison, Iron and Ste. Genevieve. This distinction gives the region a unique selling point for attracting new businesses into the area: the local workforce is prepared to succeed and becomes a valuable asset to your business.

CWRC status also makes communities more attractive to businesses because it offers a feedback loop for whats needed by the different players in a dynamic 21st Century workforce. Advocates for the initiative say employers benefit from CWRC certification in numerous ways.

Participating employers have reported less employee turnover because of a focus on new hires who have been tested and who have earned a career ready certificate.

CWRC employer partners also report they spend less time and money on advertising, recruiting, and training and that its generally easier to train the newly hired work-ready candidates.

The Work Ready certification process provides quality candidates that can streamline the recruiting process," said Robert Roth, human resource director for Mississippi Lime.

In turn, workers who earn a career readiness certificate generally have a better understanding of what skills are required by employers and how to prepare themselves for success.

Overall, communities that become certified as work ready tend to have a more skilled workforce.

Along with the Mississippi Lime Company, other Ste. Genevieve County CWRC employer partners include Sabreliner Corp, PIVA Group NA, Citizens Electric Corporation, Contemporary Engineering Designs Inc., East Missouri Action Agency Inc., MERS Goodwill, the Ste. Genevieve R-II School District, the Ste. Genevieve Chamber of Commerce, the Ste. Genevieve IDC and more.
In this Nov. 16, 2016, file photo, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks in Springfield, Ill. Whoever runs against Rauner in the 2018 election should be prepared for relentless attacks, writes Scott Reeder. (Seth Perlman / AP)

Gov. Bruce Rauner is loaded for bear.

We are two years out from the 2018 elections and he deposited $50 million into his own campaign coffers. Why so much, so soon?

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He's sending a message.

Whatever Democrat considers taking him on will be attacked relentlessly.

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In 2014, when Rauner was elected, he spent $65 million.

Rauner, an ultra-rich venture capitalist, has money to burn. And the person it will scorch is whatever Democrat takes him on.

Mike Madigan, who heads the Democratic Party and is about as popular statewide as tooth decay, is busy recruiting liberal gazillionaires to meet the challenge.

There is Chris Kennedy, the son of the late Sen. Robert Kennedy, and then there is J.B. Pritzker, an heir of the Hyatt hotel fortune. Both men, unlike Rauner, were born to great wealth.

It will be interesting if either of these fellows run. Somehow, I doubt it.

Why? Whoever challenges Rauner should expect to be attacked relentlessly. If you are a rich guy living a comfortable life, why would you put yourself through that? And it's worth noting that neither Kennedy nor Pritzker have ever run for office before.

The interesting thing is that despite his loaded campaign coffers, Bruce Rauner is vulnerable.

First of all, mid-term elections almost always favor the party that doesn't hold the White House. And given the animosity Democratic voters hold toward Donald Trump, particularly in blue states like Illinois, Rauner will likely be swimming against the tide.

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It doesn't mean he will drown, but it will be a tougher race than when he first captured the Executive Mansion.

And I make that statement reluctantly. Of all of the governors who have served in my lifetime, he comes the closest to matching my own libertarian ideology.

I want government out of my wallet and out of our private lives.

But Illinoisans are weary of the constant war between Madigan and Rauner.

Rauner views his election as a voter indictment of the longtime political boss, who he blames for Illinois' fiscal ills.

And he's right for blaming Madigan. But Rauner has done a poor job of messaging about why he is engaged in this struggle. I've covered every governor since James R. Thompson and this administration has done the worst job by far of sharing its vision for the state.

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Because of this, voters view this conflict as a personality clash between two egos, rather than a conflict between divergent political philosophies.

Madigan is hell-bent on making sure Rauner has no successes to run on when he seeks re-election. And the people of Illinois are suffering for it.

Many voters have taken to viewing Madigan like mildew on the shower curtain. They don't like it, but it's hard to get rid of so they just put up with it.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

While they may agree with much of what Rauner is trying to accomplish  term limits, independent redistricting and lower property taxes  they may view Rauner as the more expendable part of the equation in ending the strife in Springfield.

Yes, Rauner is vulnerable.

I anticipate the next two years of the Rauner administration will look pretty much like the last two. The state will fall further behind in paying its bills and we will go four-years-straight without a state budget.

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The majority in the legislature will do everything it can to block any Rauner endeavor.

And don't be surprised if state workers go on strike in the middle of this chaos.

Madigan, who collects power the way some grandmothers collect buttons, has every interest in continuing to stir the chaos. After all, Rauner is a threat to his power.

Scott Reeder is a veteran statehouse journalist. He works as a freelance reporter in the Springfield area.
The south suburbs will have local elections coming up next spring. Let's see if the suburbs with the most speak out writers really do something to change their communities. One town in particular seems to have more issues than others. It will be interesting to see if all the issues some residents say are valid will result in change. Or is it the case of all talk and no action?

Oak Forest

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I saw on the news that a FedEx worker was forced out of her truck at gunpoint and the truck was stolen. Local activists suggested that FedEx is partially responsible for this violent occurrence. As usual, it has to be somebody else's fault. The criminals are never responsible for their crimes.

Each year during the holiday season Tinley Park celebrates many traditions. Unheralded and overlooked are the works of Brad Bettenhausen, village treasurer and historical docent, and the Tinley Park Historical Society in producing an annual ornament. Each year since 1989 an ornament reflecting a different aspect of Tinley Park's rich history is offered accompanied by a write up of its significance. Many kudos to Bettenhausen and the historical society for this excellent holiday tradition.

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Bob, Tinley Park

The Daily Southtown reported that 144 Illinois school districts gave bonuses last year. Does the elected school board have the authority to do this without agreement from the taxpayers? Do the school boards now have a license to steal? The school boards have a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers first, and the employees second. Sure, doesn't sound that way to me.

Brad, Frankfort

What's Speak Out?

Speak Out allows readers to comment on the issues of the day. Email Speak Out at speakout@southtownstar.com or call 312-222-2427. Please limit comments to 30 seconds or about 120 words and give your first name and your hometown.
Now, after eight years of being soft, it's announced that President Barack Obama has put sanctions on a bevy of Russian diplomats for supposedly hacking and swaying the election results. They are persona non grata and must leave our country. Publicly, he said, I'd like a smooth transition of power when Donald Trump takes office but by riling the Russians now, anyone with common sense knows his primary motive is to make it as difficult as possible for Trump to regain some form of diplomatic relations with Vladimir Putin.

Bob, Oak Forest

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President Barack Obama said we should be alarmed by Russia's hacking actions. Mr. President, I'm alarmed they were so easily able to do it.

Tinley Park

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Two recent opinions in the Daily Southtown blamed the tax burden as the reason why many Illinois residents are leaving the state. To be sure corporate taxes, and especially property taxes, are higher than the national average and need to be lowered. But the overall state and local tax burden is at, or near, the national average. Most states tax retirement incomes, at least after some amount. Most states tax more services than we do in Illinois. Most states have a higher income tax rate, many with a graduated tax. Denny

I object to the fact that a large chunk of my property taxes goes toward the local public schools. Half of the students who leave high school and enroll in community colleges and universities seem to need remedial classes. Those students need remedial classes because they cannot academically handle college-level coursework. They struggle to read proficiently, they struggle to write basic sentences, and they cannot perform basic mathematical functions. I'm not talking about calculus or geometry, either. The state of our educational system is horrific when high school graduates cannot fill out a form or add simple fractions. It's pathetic, actually. Why should my tax money go to the schools, then? People often suggest that an increase in educational funding is the answer, as if that's going to be a magic cure-all for this sad situation. I highly doubt that throwing more money at the schools will produce dramatic results.

Oak Forest

Gov. Bruce Rauner needs to adopt these suggestions for a new bill in his budget: No politician can collect for more than one pension, no matter how many offices were held. A politician can only collect a pension from four or eight years of service at the most, no matter how many years in one position, retroactive. This bill must be effective immediately.

Senior citizen

What's Speak Out?

Speak Out allows readers to comment on the issues of the day. Email Speak Out at speakout@southtownstar.com or call 312-222-2427. Please limit comments to 30 seconds or about 120 words and give your first name and your hometown.
Deerfield hopes to avoid the delays that plagued the Deerfield Road project when constrction starts on the Kates Road bride. (Steve Sadin / Pioneer Press)

Commercial real estate development and navigating Springfield budget drama will be among the major stories to look for as Deerfield heads into 2017.

Deerbrook renovation moves along

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More changes are expected in 2017 at the Deerbrook Mall shopping center at the southwest corner of Lake Cook and Waukegan Roads. Jewel-Osco continues massive renovations at its store and village officials hope to hear about additional tenants in the near future.

Jewel is expanding and renovating its existing building with a projected opening this summer, according to Mary Frances Trucco, the company's communications manager. Jewel is in the midst of building a new 61,799 square foot store around its existing 46,000 square foot market.

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Trucco said in an email the new store will have an enhanced seafood, produce and deli section that will include soup, salad and hot bars as well as a gourmet bakery and floral department.

"The store will have a sushi and fresh juice bar plus an upgraded wine/spirits/liquor department and expanded pharmacy," Trucco said. "Customers will also be to enjoy the fresh food in the new seating area."

Meanwhile, shopping center ownership is getting closer to finalizing leases for vacant space, according to Mayor Harriet Rosenthal.

"They're getting close," Rosenthal said. "We hope to hear something new soon."

While Jewel received sales tax incentives from the village in 2015 when it proposed building the new store, Rosenthal said she has not heard about similar requests from Deerbrook ownership. She said the village will consider that if and when it happens.

Village navigates Springfield's uncertainty

As the state of Illinois continues without a budget , Deerfield is trying to deal with the uncertainty in Springfield.

The village passed a food and beverage tax in 2016 while keeping property taxes unchanged, according to Andrew Lichterman, the assistant village manager. He said the tax should add $500,000 to Deerfield's revenue. Rosenthal said it is something the state cannot alter.

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Deerfield officials are taking several steps to avoid fallout from state budget problems. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

"It's not just a tax on Deerfield residents," Rosenthal said. "It's a tax on everyone who eats here. We were able to keep our tax levy flat."

The $18.2 million Deerfield Road reconstruction project came to a temporary halt last summer because of the budget stalemate even though 80 percent of the funds came from a federal grant. With history in mind, the village has taken steps to make sure the similarly funded $2.8 million Kates Road bridge overhaul will not meet the same fate, according to Lichterman.

Lichterman said the project is expected to start in July, after the state is required to have a budget in place. Though the project is funded by the village and a federal grant, he said it is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation which caused the temporary shutdown of the Deerfield Road project.

"Fool me once, shame on you," Rosenthal said regarding the timing of the Kates Road bridge project.

Downtown development nears completion

While Deerbrook is moving along at a deliberate pace, renovation of the former Overstock Furniture Building, 636 Deerfield Road, is 87 percent leased with three tenants and an anticipated opening in March or April, according to Jonathan Berger, one of the owners.

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Taking over one 14,000 square foot building, Berger said in February that he planned to subdivide the property to fit multiple tenants. Now he has three.

Erik's Bikes, a Minnesota-based business, will open its first Illinois store in the redesigned space, Berger said. It will be joined by a Naf Naf Grill restaurant and Shred 415, a physical fitness business.

A Naf Naf Grill will open in Deerfield at the former Overstock Furniture building. (Lenny Gilmore / RedEye)

"It's really exciting," Berger said. "This is going to really add to the downtown shopping experience."

A new local census

Deerfield will begin taking a special census in January that will both increase the village's share of sales tax from the state's Local Government Distributive Fund and hopefully help the Deerfield Police Department keep its dispatch center, according to Lichterman.

With the completion and leasing of the 248-unit Woodview Apartments in the Parkway North Development and the 240-unit Amli Deerfield on Lake Cook Road, Lichterman said he anticipates approximately 798 new residents.

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Lichterman said since a town's share of sales tax is based on its population, the additional people counted in the census will add between $207,967 and $453,064 to Deerfield's revenue between 2017 and 2021 when the next regular census results are known.

The additional residents may also help the village keep its police dispatch center, according to Mary Anne Glowacz, the communications director for the Deerfield Police Department.

A state law requires all dispatch centers not servicing a population of more than 25,000 to consolidate with another service.

The village currently handles emergency calls for Deerfield, Bannockburn and Riverwoods, according to Glowacz. She said the towns' combined population is 24,337. With 798 more, it exceeds 25,000. The village is currently in an appeal process with the state to keep its dispatch center.

Steve Sadin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Holding up a banner showing the record breaking Deerfield High School School Chest fundraising number of $168,332.35 are (from left, back to front) Adam Gold, Ben Goldman, Sam Fradin, Brett Schneider, Ben Michel, Parker Karmel, Rachel Rappaport, Matthew Swill, Jonah Sugarman, Matthew Miller, Dani Gottstein, Abby Aaronson, Tyler Jensen, Jessica Kaplan, Shayna Rosenson, Amy Rosenson. (Deerfield High School photo)

Creating awareness for a little known disease  propionic acidemia  was important to students who raised money during the annual Deerfield High School School Chest drive this year because the cause was personal.

Jordan Franks, of Highland Park, died from the disease June 26 at the age of 16. His classmates wanted people to know about the disease that killed him and the Propionic Acidemia Foundation that was created by his mother to help fight it.

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"We were really concerned with raising awareness as much as money this year," Tyler Jensen, a Deerfield junior and one of the two event chairs, said. "We really got the name out there so people in the community knew about the organization. After three weeks a lot of people knew about it."

"Everyone who knew Jordan was really into it," added Jessica Kaplan, the other co-chair.

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The three-week School Chest drive not only raised awareness, but also collected $168,332.35 at the school and around the North Shore. A record amount for the third straight year, according to Kaplan.

Kaplan said the disease is a rare genetic disorder that causes cognitive brain impairment. Jordan Franks had to communicate with an iPad because he could not speak.

With a number of large events as well as efforts organized in most of the school's homerooms, this year's effort eclipsed the record set a year ago for the Greater Illinois Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition, according to Mollie Kaplan, the Deerfield Student Council School Chest sponsor.

The increased awareness was not lost on Jill Chertow-Franks, Jordan Franks' mother. She said she started the Highland Park-based foundation in 2003 when her son was a toddler to help fund research about the disease.

"The PAF board and families are so overwhelmed by all that was accomplished during School Chest 2016 in spreading awareness and breaking the record for fundraising made it even more amazing," Chertow-Franks said.

The money raised will also make a large impact on the foundation, according to Chertow-Franks. She said the School Chest effort doubled the organization's annual budget in three weeks.

"There are no words to describe how difficult the grieving process is and continues to be," Chertow-Franks said. "Every day brings tremendous sadness and loss. For our family, School Chest gave us a silver lining in creating a legacy for Jordan and bringing hope to families suffering with pa (propionic acidemia)."

Jordan's Day held during the three-week span of the School Chest Drive was an awareness building event designed so Deerfield students could personally help those who have the disease. Jessica Kaplan said they wrote letters to people with propionic acidemia.

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"Kids wrote birthday and holiday cards to kids (with propionic academia) around the world," Jessica Kaplan said. "There were kids in Europe and the Middle East who got them. We said we are here for you."

Chertow-Franks said the impact has already been felt.

"People have been in touch with the foundation wanting to know where they can send thank you notes," Chertow-Franks said.

One school organization that was more heavily involved than usual was the Warrior Buddies. The club's members spend time with students with disabilities, according to Jensen. He said he and Jessica Kaplan are members of Warrior Buddies and Jordan Franks was part of the class.

Some of the events like Skate for School Chest held Dec. 10 at the Centennial Ice Arena in Highland Park drew larger than usual crowds this year because it was geared to include participation from those students, according to Jensen.

"We were able to push them around the ice on skates," Jensen said. "They really got into it."

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Steve Sadin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Deyana Matt, here in her South Elgin living room, had 50 boxes set up around the region, collecting socks for area charities, in October and into November. (Deyana Matt / HANDOUT)

Last year, Deyana Matt and her husband Chris Goodwin, could hardly give away a sock.

The South Elgin couple have built their home-based business Socks and Souls  a subscription sock service that also donates socks to organizations in need  since late 2014.

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But last fall she heard about Socktober  an annual sock-collecting drive that has national roots  and decided to join in.

They put out fliers and boxes and gathered about 5,000 socks in 21 locations.

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When they started calling local charities about taking those socks, they had a hard time giving them away, Matt said. No one knew what to do with 1,000 socks.

In 2016, however, they had boxes collecting new socks in 50 locations and gathered 11,020 socks through the end of November. This time, they had takers.

"For a month, I was counting socks," laughed Matt. Her living room was, at different times, filled with socks and boxes of socks as she was able to pick them up and deliver them.

Their involvement with the charity sock drive began when a St. Charles teacher suggested they Google Socktober.

The event was created by "Kid President" aka Robby Novak, a 12-year-old YouTube personality, Matt explained. Working with SoulPancake  an online media company  the Socktober website includes "how to" steps and a video including Sesame Street's Grover.

With just a week's notice, Matt got the boxes together and secured donation locations from Bloomington to Elgin.

Those socks went to locations like PADS of Elgin, a veterans shelter, and a Roselle church that holds free health clinics.

"It was a struggle to find places to take the socks," she said.

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This year, organizations were coming to her, looking for socks for their clients. The Elgin Community Crisis Center took many  five boxes this year  and some of the socks went to a church in Chicago, Matt said.

At the same time that she was collecting socks here, Matt began to get emails from all over the country from people wanting to know how to do a Socktober drive where they lived.

"I had 10 emails a day," from people asking questions, she said.

She forwarded those people the fliers she created so they had a template, and offered one piece of advice: know who the socks would go to.

Sock are difficult for many charities to collect because, unlike other articles of clothing most people aren't done with a pair of socks until they develop holes, Matt said.

They collected mostly mens socks, she said, but noted that children's and women's socks are also needed.

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They also found out after that first year, when organizations didn't know what to do with such a large donation of socks, that they realized later what a bonus the socks would be.

"We had calls later, asking if we still had socks," Matt said.

Janelle Walker is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
To Abbey, the upturned hand is an invitation to get petted. The 10-year-old dog was certified as a therapy animal this year after losing one of her front legs to cancer. (Janelle Walker / The Courier-News)

Abbey, a 10-year-old lab/boxer mix, has something in common with the patients she visits in a hospital oncology ward. And she has the scars to prove it, too.

Diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer just about a year ago, Valerie Maloian made the difficult choice to amputate her dog's left front leg all the way to her shoulder.

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That surgery, in February, barely slowed Abbey down, Maloian said. But the experience encouraged Maloian to do something she'd thought about for awhile  get Abbey certified as a therapy dog.

Rescued nine years ago by Maloian, Abbey is happiest when she's fetching a ball out of the Fox River in the summer, cuddling up with Maloian on the couch, or getting attention from the people she stops to visit in Advocate Sherman Hospital.

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Now into its 11th year, the dog therapy program at Sherman allows dogs and their handlers to take regular volunteer shifts at the Elgin hospital. The dogs will visit any patient who agrees to have a dog stop in and can help with recovery as they cheer the patient's spirits, program organizers said.

Maloian had taken Abbey out to a St. Charles-area dog park on Jan. 23 and were back in their South Elgin home when Maloian noticed something on Abbey's paw.

"There was a lump on her paw," Maloian hadn't noticed before. The lump was large and wouldn't move. "It looked bad," she said.

Maloian took Abbey to an emergency vet appointment the next day  a Sunday. A biopsy followed a few days later and the veterinarian's office confirmed Abbey had a form of sarcoma.

They could try radiation to treat the tumor, but because the edges of the growth were so badly defined that might not work, Maloian said.

She had also heard from a friend who said they tried that with their own dog, only to have to put the animal to sleep after the cancer spread.

Amputating the leg was the best choice, Abbey's vet said, to prevent the cancer from spreading.

The surgery was scheduled for Feb. 9. Maloian went to work that day to stay distracted, and waited for news. At 2 p.m. they said Abbey was out of surgery and doing well, Maloian said.

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"Then they called the next morning and said to come get her, even though she just had surgery. She had snuck out of her crate overnight and was already out," Maloian laughed.

Even though Abbey would now have to learn to walk with just three legs "that didn't stop her from sneaking out for cuddles from somebody," Maloian said.

Abbey hardly missed a beat once she got home, Maloian said. While Abbey may not have been ready to climb stairs, she was completely ready to jump onto her spot on the couch.

Maloian had picked up a cot so she could sleep downstairs with Abbey. Instead of staying on the couch, Abbey decided a spot on the cot would work while she recovered.

At first, Maloian was a little worried that Abbey was depressed following the surgery and brought it up at one of the follow-up vet appointments.

The vet suggested that maybe it wasn't Abbey that was depressed, but Maloian  perhaps her own guilt at choosing the amputation.

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"Dogs feed off of our energy. When I decided to change by attitude  she turned around," and Abbey was her same happy, loving self, Maloian said.

She's also considered getting Abbey certified as a therapy dog for awhile, but just hadn't done the testing and work to get the designation.

As a self-described workaholic, Maloian knew some volunteer hours would be good for the both of them.

And now that Abbey had gone through her own medical scare, bringing her to meet kids in the pediatrics ward or patients in the oncology ward seemed like the right thing to do, Maloian said.

The scales were tipped during a shopping trip in Geneva, she said.

"There was a gentleman in a wheelchair who had lost a leg. I heard someone call over to me and I turned around  and Abbey went right over to him," and begged for a pet, nuzzling a hand with her nose, Maloian said.

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The man's demeanor instantly changed as Abbey brushed up against the man. "That is when I knew I had to get her certified," she said.

To work at Sherman as a therapy dog handler, Maloian had to go through the paces, too  getting shots for herself and ensuring that Abbey would heel when called.

That can be a little tough  with just one front leg, Abbey's momentum sometimes keeps her going a little longer than another dog, Maloian said.

In just the month that Abbey has been working at Sherman, they have already stopped at the hospital four or five times, Maloian added. Abbey loves the attention and the extra cuddles.

It was those cuddles that brought Maloian and Abbey together.

Maloian had brought one of her cats to the vet's office and the cat took a sniff at Abbey, then a swipe of her paw to the nose. Abbey just turned around and sat in the corner.

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The vet explained that Abbey's owner had moved in with family and couldn't keep the dog. After being unable to find a shelter to take Abbey, the woman asked the vet to put her down.

The vet asked if they could keep her and try to find her a new home instead, and the woman agreed, Maloian said.

She was taken by the story but went home that night. The next day, Maloian suggested a sandwich shop next to the vet's office for lunch with a friend.

Abbey came home with her that day.

Janelle Walker is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Lawrence Burnside of Elgin looks for clothing recently at the YWCA Elgin Clothing Center. The former Elgin Junior Service Board project was taken over by the YWCA this year after the service board disbanded. (Janelle Walker / The Courier-News)

The Elgin Junior Service Board shut down in 2016 after 85 years of women and community involvement, but at least one of its service projects has continued.

The JBS Clothing Distribution Center has changed its name as part of a move into a new location at the YWCA of Elgin at 220 E. Chicago Street.

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The service board began operating its clothing center in 1970, according to Courier-News stories. For many years, it was operated out of the basement of a downtown Elgin bank until flooding there forced a move to the Association for Individual Development's Bowes Road building.

As of August, the Clothing Center moved to the YW, said Sherry Kinser. A former member of the service board, Kinser agreed to take on the clothing center chairperson job as a volunteer.

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The clothing center takes gently-used clothing for men, women and children. Those who are referred to the center by another organization  often the Elgin Community Crisis Center  can pick up clothes on the second or fourth Wednesdays of every month at no fee.

The center is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for women with referrals and from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. for men with referrals, Kinser said. There are clothing limits for each group.

On the opposite Wednesday, the center is open as a Thrifty Threads for families seeking low-cost clothing.

Any funds raised from the thrift store days goes back to the YWCA for programming, Kinser said.

On a recent Wednesday, Daniel Schmidt, 50, of Elgin, was looking for some clothing. Getting clothes from the center helps him as he lives off a Social Security income, Schmidt said.

"Clothes are real expensive. Any money I can save is great," he said.

If not for the YWCA center, he'd pick up clothes from a dollar store or another thrift store, Schmidt said.

He left that day with a new scarf, sweater and shirt. He got his current winter coat eight years ago from the crisis center, Schmidt added, saying he hopes to wear it for one more season.

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"I know it is pretty battered but I love my leather coat," he said.

There is definitely more clothing for women and children there, Kinser said, perhaps because men are not as likely to get rid of a piece of clothing until it was too ratty to be worn.

They are always in need of mens jeans that are in wearable shape, she said.

They also need socks and underwear for children.

In the past, the clothing center had a deal with a local big box store that allowed them to donate opened sock and underwear packaging. But after a management change, that donation went away.

Amy True Flota  another former JSB member  ran to the rescue. She and other area running clubs put together a "Great Undies Run." All the runners were asked to donate either socks or underclothes as their race fee.

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They ended up with 496 pairs of underwear for children, Kinser said.

There is one man who often shops there that picks up clothing for seniors he is helping out, too, Kinser said. "We let him get things because we know he is a caretaker," for those who are not as able to leave their homes, she said.

When the Junior Service Board disbanded, the organization did have some funds in the bank, Kinser said. Moving the clothing center to the YWCA also included a check  closing out that account  to help offset the cost of being there.

Gently-worn, clean or new children's, men's or women's clothing can be donated at the YWCA during regular business hours.

Janelle Walker is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Trustee Allen Skillicorn is sworn in by Heather Maieritsch, deputy village administrator, in 2015. (Erin Sauder / The Courier-News)

Allen Skillicorn is a bit of an accidental politician.

Other than being an active voter throughout his life, he had no designs to hold office.

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But when East Dundee opted to install its first red light camera in 2009 at the routes 68 and 72 intersection, he contacted members of the Village Board to express his disappointment.

"I didn't think that was the best idea," said Skillicorn, 42. "It seemed to be more about money than safety."

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The majority of the trustees did not respond to him about his concerns, so he decided to go to a board meeting.

"And it was when they were discussing the budget," Skillicorn said.

He asked for a copy and was told he would have to go to Village Hall because it was not available on the municipal website.

"I was frustrated because I thought (the village) should be more transparent about it," Skillicorn said.

He began submitting Freedom of Information Act requests for East Dundee's financial documents and soon after launched the nonprofit and nonpartisan Grassroots Revolution website. It was there that he posted the budgets he had compiled.

Some suggested Skillicorn, who has lived in the village since 2005, run for a trustee position on the Village Board. Initially, he was hesitant.

"But then I ended up doing it, and I ended up very much enjoying it," he said.

His goals as a board member?

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"I immediately wanted to make things more transparent and save money," he said.

On Tuesday, the Village Board approved the formal resignation of Skillicorn, who attended his last meeting last month. Skillicorn resigned as a result of winning the 66th State House seat in November, replacing retiring Rep. Mike Tryon. Skillicorn was on the East Dundee board for two terms.

On one of the whiteboards in the meeting room, someone had written, ""Thank you for your service, Allen Skillicorn! Best of luck to you!!"

In 2015, Skillicorn announced he would run for the State House Seat to succeed Tryon.

"People had asked me to run for state representative before, and I said no," Skillicorn said. "But after (Tryon) said he was going to retire, I started to think about it more and decided I would run."

In November, he won the seat.

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Some of Skillicorn's goals in his new role are to make it harder to raise property taxes, increase economic development and reform the state's school funding formula.

But it's not just politics that keeps Skillicorn busy.

He and his wife, Heather, are passionate about animal rescue. The pair are volunteers with Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus, and have also done therapy dog work with Therapy Dogs Inc.

Skillicorn himself is also a race car driver and a motorsports enthusiast.

"It's a very natural outlet for me," he said. "I'm the kind of person who jumps in with two feet. It's a big commitment and a huge part of my life."

The Algonquin native began racing cars right out of high school. Today he is a two-time National Auto Sport Association champion and the owner of a Chevrolet Corvette C6R.

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Often, he combines his passions for dogs and racing by teaming up with Rescue Pet Motorsports. The organization uses racing to spread the word about Petfinder.com as well as pet rescue and shelter organizations.

Skillicorn has been working at Power Electronics in East Dundee since 1998.

Soon, he will be spending more time downstate.

Skillicorn will be sworn into his new role this month. He plans to rent a house in Springfield while the legislature is in session.

But he doesn't plan to be a stranger to the village.

"I'll still be here in East Dundee on the weekends," he said.

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Courier-News reporter Rafael Guerrero contributed.

Erin Sauder is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
At a lengthy and oft-times confusing hearing Friday afternoon, the Rutland Township electoral board upheld an objection to the paperwork incumbent supervisor Margaret Sanders filed to run again in the spring election, but voted against an objection to the paperwork turned in by Trustee Thomas "Ray" Eaton.

"This was a kangaroo court, and we will be filing an appeal with the circuit court after the first of the year," Sanders' attorney, Kenneth Shepro, said after the hearing.

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In Sanders' case, the electoral board consisted of township trustees Steve Schuldt and John Payson and court-appointed panelist Gordon Mueller. In both cases, the objections were made by Sun City Huntley resident Richard Stack.

In Sanders' case, Stack's allegation was that Sanders removed her statement of economic interest from the bound paperwork which she filed, then brought forth that document to be included with the paperwork, thereby tampering with the filing.

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Township Clerk Charlene Carlsen and Deputy Clerk Deb Schuldt  who is married to Steve Schuldt  both offered testimony in which they admitted that paperwork filed the morning of Dec. 12 by 15 or so candidates to run for various township offices had been left unsecured on the dais in the front of the township hall while they were handling the tasks at hand. Sanders' packet was in Steve Schuldt's possession at the beginning of the hearing.

Sanders claimed she did not remove or add anything to her filing. During the course of the busy morning, she said, in addition to filing, she was mopping the floor, making copies of other candidates' paperwork and doing her own job. She spotted a copy of the economic interest statement on her own desk, she said, and brought it out to Schuldt.

"I thought somehow it has gotten in there, but I wanted to make sure it was in the packet," Sanders said.

Deb Schuldt said the document appeared to be the original document because of its markings and that she told Sanders she couldn't receive the document because Sanders already had it in the packet.

"There is no evidence (Sanders) touched the paperwork after handing it into the deputy clerk," Shepro said. "There was no eyewitness, and there is no possible way you can decide (Sanders) tampered with the petition."

Mueller voted against the objection stating it had not been proved Sanders' election paperwork had been tampered with. But Payson and Schuldt both felt someone must have tampered with the paperwork.

Stack objected to Eaton's paperwork because he attached his pages together with a paper clip of some sort  with even the type of clip becoming a point of contention.

Eaton and his attorney Jeffrey Meyer decided to proceed despite the fact that, as of Friday afternoon, Eaton said he had not directly received a copy of the objection.

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Stack told the panel the way he understood election law was that candidates could not use paper clips to file paperwork in a "secure and suitable manner," as an election guide advised against their use.

However, township attorney Ron Roeser advised the board that rulings by Illinois courts have been mixed as to what constitutes a secure and suitable manner for holding documents together.

During her testimony, Carlsen indicated that that the paperwork  presented at the hearing in an envelope without anything binding it  apparently had been bound by a one-and-a-half inch paper clip. But Eaton said he used a sturdier binder clip, and attorney Meyer showed there appeared to be marks matching such a type of clip on the paperwork Eaton filed.

In his closing remarks, Stack said he was glad the binder clip was mentioned as it would not be suitable, either.

"There is nothing secure about it," Stack said as he dropped his own paperwork for dramatic effect.

Serving as the election board in the Eaton matter were Sanders, Mueller and court-appointed member Curt Kojzarek, who all voted against Stacks' objection.

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Since past court rulings had been made in both directions, Kojzarek said it was best to leave Eaton on the ballot and let the voters decide. Stack said he would not be appealing the board's finding on Eaton.

After the session  which lasted almost 3 hours  Roeser said this was the first time in more than 25 years as township attorney that objections had been filed to candidate paperwork.

Eaton said the hearing was another sign of the divisiveness among trustees and politics being played.

"I was appointed trustee (to fill a vacancy when another member moved) about a year-and-a-half ago," Eaton said. "Depending on the issue, one side or other thinks I'm siding with them. I'm not siding with anybody, but the people."

mdanahey@tribpub.com
Ronald Edmiston, 48, of the 38300 block of North Wilson Road, Beach Park, faces multiple charges for allegedly robbing a Beach Park service station with a knife on Dec. 22. (Lake County Sheriff's Office)

Waukegan police announced charges Thursday for one of the armed robberies reported in the city last week, but they also released information on three armed robberies this week, including one early Friday.

Ronald Edmiston, 48, of the 38300 block of North Wilson Road in Beach Park was charged for a Dec. 22 armed robbery of a Travel Lodge on north Lewis Avenue and was held late this week on $750,000 bond with a court date of Jan. 19, Waukegan Police Cmdr. Joe Florip said.

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The Travel Lodge robbery was the fourth in five hours on Dec. 22 in Waukegan. Police believe Edmiston walked into the motel at 3633 N. Lewis just before 2:30 a.m. brandishing a knife and demanding money. The clerk turned over an undisclosed amount of money, and the suspect was last seen fleeing the area in a two-door, silver pickup truck traveling north on Lewis Avenue, Florip said.

According to the Lake County Sheriff's Office, Edmiston was taken into custody around 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 22 after a Beach Park armed robbery at 5:30 a.m. at a Citgo service station at 38512 N. Sheridan Road. Police report the store clerk was threatened with a knife with the suspect took an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register and drove away.

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Sheriff's officials report the car believed to have been used in that incident was spotted by Zion police officers, who tried to initiate a traffic stop before the car sped away. The car later crashed into a snowbank, and Edmiston was taken into custody along with the driver, who was cited with offenses related to the pursuit, according to police.

The most recent armed robbery reported by Waukegan police occurred Friday, with two liquor-store employees telling police that they were robbed at gunpoint around 1:30 a.m. by two men in the parking lot of the store, located in the 1000 block of 10th Street.

The two had closed the store up for the night and had exited the business when the robbery occurred, according to a news release. The release added that the two suspects were both described as black males about 5 feet 7 inches in height with a medium build, and both were wearing all-black clothing.

The man carrying the handgun was also described as wearing a blue bandanna partially covering his face, and he had dreadlocks and a tattoo under his right eye, police report. The other man wore jeans with a red design on the back right side, according to the release.

On Wednesday, Waukegan police received a 911 call from a Metro PCS cellphone store at 1815 Washington St. around 7:40 p.m., with the caller reporting that two men had just robbed the store and one had a handgun, Florip said.

The one suspect was described as being a black male with a thin build wearing a black beanie hat, brown jacket, black mask and black gloves. He was armed with a black handgun, Florip said. The second suspect was a black male with a thin build, wearing a dark beanie hat, black jacket over a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, black mask and black gloves, he said.

Florip said the offenders fled westbound from the Metro PCS store on foot.

On Thursday about 1 p.m., Waukegan police responded to Cribbs Fine Foods at 626 Franklin St. for a report of an armed robbery, Florip said.

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Employees reported that a male suspect, either white or Hispanic, entered the store and demanded money at gunpoint. The suspect had a medium build, gray sweatpants with a white string, dark hoodie sweatshirt, white socks and dark shoes, he said. The suspect was armed with a black handgun and left the store and fled the area in a dark-colored small or mid-size SUV, Florip said.

The Waukegan Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division is looking into the incidents, and anyone with information is asked to call the department's tip line at 847-360-9001.

fabderholden@tribpub.com

Twitter @abderholden
Sheri Stucky, of Crete, looks at a memorial for people who have recently died due to drug use during the 2016 HERO-HELPS-Southwest Coalition Community Summit held in April at The Edward Hospital Athletic and Event Center in Romeoville. (Sean King / Naperville Sun)

Will County saw a record number of heroin-related deaths in 2016, up more than 40 percent over the previous year, Coroner Patrick O'Neil said.

He won't hazard a guess as to what the future holds. All he can do, he said, is continue to speak out on the issue and work with health professionals and lawmakers in the hope that first-hand experience and education will ultimately prove to be the most potent weapons in their arsenal.

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"Those who have died can help those who are alive," he said. "By reporting this as a public health issue, I think (Illinois) coroners are getting the message out" about the dangers of heroin and its even more deadly substitutes or additives, he said.

Deaths in Will County in 2016 attributable to heroin or fentanyl  the latter an increasingly common, far more lethal heroin substitute  stood at 75 as of Friday, O'Neil said. That was 42 percent higher than the previous record of 53 reported in 2012 and 2015.

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Two other recent deaths in which heroin or fentanyl was suspected to have played a role have not yet been classified, pending the final results of toxicological testing.

Two of the 2016 victims died in Naperville from what O'Neil said was "fentanyl intoxication." The men, ages 30 and 46, died March 15 and Sept. 17, respectively, according to statistics compiled by O'Neil's office.

A third man, 33, died Oct. 31 in Aurora, from what O'Neil said was "heroin and alcohol intoxication."

Will County Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Jerz shows how to give a Narcan shot to reverse a heroin overdose during the 2016 HERO-HELPS-Southwest Coalition Community Summit held in April at the Edward Hospital Athletic and Event Center in Romeoville. (Sean King / Naperville Sun)

DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen would not release the number of heroin- or fentanyl-related deaths tallied in his county as of Friday.

"The precise number of deceased will not be available until all cases are finalized," Jorgensen wrote in an email. His office "cannot confirm drug deaths until we receive toxicology results, complete autopsy and complete investigation," which will most likely be in February, he said.

The peak year for fatal heroin overdoses in DuPage County was 2013, when 46 such deaths occurred, according to statistics provided by Jorgensen. There were 43 heroin overdose deaths in 2015.

"We did not track fentanyl prior to last year,"Jorgensen wrote. "Last year, we had eight deaths due to fentanyl alone."

Carfentanil and W-18 are two other potentially lethal heroin substitutes or additives that contributed to deaths in the U.S. in 2016.

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O'Neil said carfentanil has been seen in Indiana and Ohio, but not yet in Will County. W-18 was detected in the system of one Will County overdose victim in 2016, he said.

Jorgensen said he and his staff do not track carfentanil or W-18, although he added, "I know anecdotally that we have had one case" involving carfentanil and one involving W-18.

O'Neil credited Jorgensen with starting a movement that allows area law enforcement officers and others to carry naxolone -- commonly known as Narcan -- which, when administered quickly, can revive a heroin overdose victim. "I bet that (initiative) alone is responsible for saving many, many lives," O'Neil said.

Naperville police Cmdr. Jason Arres said his officers employed Narcan five times in 2016, successfully reviving four of the five people.

Sgt. Bob Harris, spokesman for the DuPage County Sheriff's Office, said sheriff's officers revived eight overdose victims last year using Narcan. In Will County, sheriff's office spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer said "at least five" lives were saved by the use of Narcan in 2016.

O'Neil also praised the 2015 passage of the Illinois Heroin Crisis Act, the first legislation of its kind in the nation. Its chief architect, state Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, has said the measure saves taxpayers $58 million annually by referring drug abusers to treatment centers and keeping them out of hospitals, jails and prisons.

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O'Neil said he believed significant progress in alerting people to the growing heroin and opioid problem has been made by "coroners reporting how dangerous and how deadly this stuff is, and how serious a problem it is."

"And look at what's happened. Many, many new laws have been created, and now President Obama knows about it."

Jorgensen was less optimistic, saying in his email that he believed "as long as we have addiction and overdose deaths ... the message has not been adequately received."

"I cannot predict the future," Jorgensen wrote. "However, current statistics would indicate an increase in opioid drug usage and overdoses."

O'Neil said he wants to hope things will improve, but it's impossible to know.

"I don't have a crystal ball," O'Neil said. "I honestly don't know what's ahead."

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wbird@tribpub.com
Fixing even minor repairs on a vehicle can be daunting without a bit of training, but a recent Ivy Tech Community College workshop helped equip about 10 people with the know-how.

Co-sponsored by the Northwest Indiana Community Action, the first annual Automobile Maintenance Workshop was held at the East Chicago campus on Columbus Drive.

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The goal of the workshop was to teach basic automotive maintenance skills, especially to people who have never been taught these skills and depend on others to help them with these needs, according to teacher Lionel Henderson.

"Many car owners are scared of the constantly changing technology in today's vehicles including electric vehicles and hybrids," said Henderson, who is the Ivy Tech Automotive Program Chair. "Over 30 percent of the public relies on automotive service centers to inspect and service their vehicles. These people are the target of our workshop."

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Teachers demonstrated tasks, including routine checking and monitoring engine oil, coolant and brake fluid levels; using a simple, inexpensive gauge to check tire air pressure; and visual inspection of the condition of tires, lights, brakes, wiper blades, and hoses.

Henderson and Manuel Rodriguez led the workshop, and they are both ASE master certified instructors at the Ivy Tech Department of Automotive Technology, which offers technical certificates and degree programs in several fields of automotive diagnosis and repair.

Northwest Indiana Community Action's family development supervisor Kelly Diernfeld and family development specialist Megahn Sexon helped put together the event.

"Our focus is to help people become independent and workshops such as this teach the needed skills that make them able to take care of their cars on their own," Diernfeld said.

Attendee Emelyn Sexon, mother of Megahn, was pleased with the knowledge of car care she obtained from the workshop.

"I found the course very useful for people who don't know anything about their cars, especially about car safety," Sexon said. "I recommend it to everyone."

Henderson stated that he plans to offer more in-depth demonstrations and "how-tos" in the warmer months with the help of the Ivy Tech's auto club.

Jane Bokun is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.
Akeeshea Daniels, who lives at the West Calumet Housing Complex, is an activist living in the U.S.S. Lead Superfund site and was photographed in her home on Dec. 30, 2016. Since residents of East Chicago's Calumet neighborhood learned the extent of contamination in the area, they've banded together to take action to protect their interests. (Mark Davis / Post-Tribune)

The warnings came in the mail.

Residents of East Chicago's West Calumet Housing Complex this summer received word of the high levels of lead and arsenic around their homes and Mayor Anthony Copeland ordered them to relocate. In other areas of the Calumet neighborhood, some received letters from the federal Environmental Protection Agency detailing the contamination around their homes. Others received requests to take soil samples.

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One thing was certain as city and federal officials told residents of the danger that lurked around their homes: It was time for them to act.

"I'm fighting to be heard," West Calumet resident Akeeshea Daniels said.

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As news spread of the extent of contamination in the Calumet neighborhood, Daniels and residents across the U.S.S. Lead Superfund site banded together and put pressure on government officials to meet the needs of those affected by the lead and arsenic contamination.

In just a few months, the residents of the Calumet neighborhood worked with the Shriver Center to ensure West Calumet Housing Complex residents have all the resources they need to find safe housing; organized into a series of community groups to put pressure on state and federal officials; and sought a formal role in court proceedings between the EPA, Justice Department and companies held responsible for the contamination in the area.

"The most inspiring piece about watching the residents organize and effect change is that they are accomplishing so much, all while dealing with their own problems  dislocation, health issues and more  caused by this contamination," said Debbie Chizewer, of Northwestern University's Environmental Advocacy Clinic, which is assisting the residents.

As information trickled out about the contamination, it shook the residents.

"I was knocked back a little bit," Daniels said, and she had not gotten any indication from housing officials that her home was contaminated with lead and arsenic.

Once those letters went out, the city and housing authority should have had a plan to help the residents relocate, Daniels said, but they didn't.

In the beginning, Daniels said, officials seemed to think residents would accept what they were told and not check the facts. That wasn't the case.

Activist Sherry Hunter's sister showed her the letter she and the other West Calumet residents received from the mayor ordering them to relocate.

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"I stepped into gear," Hunter said.

First, Hunter called state Sen. Lonnie Randolph and the pair organized a meeting at Greater First Baptist Church to hear from the neighborhood's residents. Then, she formed Calumet Lives Matter to help advocate for the residents.

"That's when we hit the pavement," Hunter said.

A group of residents, working with the Shriver Center, filed a complaint with HUD that argued the announcement to vacate the housing complex, because of the high levels of lead and arsenic contamination in the soil, didn't give residents enough time or resources for them to make proper housing choices.

In response, HUD agreed to ensure all eligible residents of the West Calumet Housing Complex have access to relocation benefits, including housing vouchers; waiving any rent owed by residents from July 22 to March 31, or until their tenancy ends; and reimbursing rent paid for November 2016.

"That was beautiful," Hunter said.

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By having residents advocate on behalf of the whole community and opening channels of communication with government agencies and officials, they can get at issues where the intent is good but the execution misses the mark, Chizewer said.

"Just having zealous advocates can really improve the outcome," Chizewer said.

As HUD settled the housing complaint, residents throughout the Superfund site realized people didn't have the information they needed, organizing into a series of community groups to demand answers.

Maritza Lopez, who lives in the eastern portion of the Superfund site, first attended an EPA forum about the contamination and clean up in 2012. What few residents attended never had any indication the land was so contaminated, Lopez said, but officials didn't appear to see the urgency.

"This is Pompeii," Lopez said. "This is going to blow up."

Lopez began researching and talked to neighbors about what she learned about the Superfund site. Lopez said the moment had come for people to step up and organize.

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"Let's go and let's do this to help everybody out," Lopez said.

People from a number of community groups put their efforts together and formed a community advisory group  dubbed East Chicago Calumet Coalition  to communicate residents' needs and questions to the EPA.

"We're pushing forward hard," Lopez said. "We're one united force."

Another group went to city hall and presented Copeland with a list of grievances.

In response, Copeland agreed to weekly meetings with the residents to report on what's happening in the neighborhood, Chizewer said. That's holding the city accountable, she said.

Residents can take pride because the pressure they put on the city likely led to the letters Copeland sent to Gov. Mike Pence and Governor-elect Eric Holcomb asking for a disaster declaration, Chizewer said.

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Lopez said the groups' efforts are to safeguard the residents and protect their homes and livelihood.

"We're speaking from out heart and we're taking it out there," Lopez said.

Residents are giving the mayor a different point of view about what's happening in the Calumet neighborhood, Daniels said.

"It's making a difference," Daniels said.

Chizewer said students are taught at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law's Environmental Advocacy Clinic that there's more than one lever to pull when there's an environmental problem, including legal avenues, political pressure and raising awareness.

"This case is a perfect example of how all the levers have been activated," Chizewer said.

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clyons@post-trib.com

Twitter: @craigalyons
Dynamite Fireworks employee Michael Kitchell organizes smoke bombs on shelves on Friday in preparation for New Year's Eve shoppers. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

With 2017 just hours away, some residents will take celebrations into their own hands, putting on brief, dazzling fireworks displays in their neighborhoods as the clock strikes 12.

For Edward Rincones, 38, of Chicago, shopping at Phantom Fireworks in Highland, some smaller scale fireworks like roman candles were a better way to ring in the New Year. Plus, he had to convince his wife to let him do it, he said.

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"I wouldn't get the same amount for New Years that I would for Fourth of July," he said.

"When I was a kid, I used to see everybody blowing off fireworks and I was like, 'When I'm an adult, I'm going to do it.'"

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Area businesses are happy to supply them with legal fireworks on New Year's Eve, even if it only makes up a small percentage of annual sales.

Since Hammond-based Dynamite Fireworks began selling New Year's Eve fireworks 25 years ago, owner Kris Zambo has watched sales steadily increase.

Currently, it makes up about 1 percent to 2 percent of annual sales, he said.

Ambitions are usually bigger than July 4th -- rather than roman candles and sparklers, hot sellers are aerial fireworks, cakes, and confetti cannons.

A patron walks behind a Santa statue on Friday as he shops for fireworks at Hammond's Dynamite Fireworks for New Year's Eve. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

"We see a lot of people who want to do a very impressive show," he said. "They want to make a statement for a few minutes out in the cold, then go back to the party."

Nearly 90 stores are authorized to sell fireworks in Lake, Porter, Newton and Jasper counties, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, although most sell primarily for Independence Day.

The overwhelming majority are in Lake County, with many located near the Illinois border where fireworks sales are prohibited.

As in July, Zambo estimates at least 70 percent of his customers come from Illinois.

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According to the American Pyrotechnic Association, national sales of consumer fireworks have shot up to $755 million in 2015 from $284 million in 1998.

In 2006, Indiana legalized the use of most types of aerial consumer fireworks. That law authorized an additional 5 percent fireworks tax on sales -- with the funds designated for firefighter training and a statewide disaster relief fund.

At Phantom Fireworks of Burns Harbor, manager Andrew Prater said about two-thirds of his customers come from Illinois. About another quarter come from Michigan, although the numbers of customers from there has dipped slightly since that state legalized fireworks sales in 2012, he said.

"The use goes up every year," he said. "People want to celebrate for every holiday."

mcolias@post-trib.com
Although the housing market seems to be going toward an upward economic trend, some homeowners still face serious financial concerns, particularly the threat of foreclosure.

But there is help available to residents, in the form of the Indiana Hardest Hit Fund.

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"This is a federal grant and funds are distributed by the State of Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority to counseling agencies, such as City of Gary Community Development," said Judith Samson, programs manager for the City of Gary and administrator for the Hardest Hit program. "The mission of the program is to provide monetary assistance for individuals who have experienced a hardship that was not their fault, or outside their control. Also, to educate homeowners of services/resources available and to help them make good choices and stabilize the communities."

And in simple terms  it will help them save their homes.

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That was the happy outcome for a homeowner from Winfield, who worked with Samson when she got behind on her mortgage payments.

After a series of work layoffs over the past seven years, she found herself unable to continue paying bills and the mortgage on her home.

"I was in dire straits, so my attorney provided me the information on this (Hardest Hit) program," said the woman, who didn't wish to use her name. "It only took about three weeks for processing and acceptance ... and current mortgage payments to be made on my behalf to the mortgage company. This is a Godsend for those of us who have been hit really hard in this economy."

She added that she feels "blessed" to have become aware of the assistance.

"It is with deep sentiment that I acknowledge the opportunity to have been exposed to this program, and I would offer anyone who has a situation where their income doesn't meet their expenses, to take the time to apply," she said.

If a homeowner has experienced a qualifying involuntary hardship, they may be eligible to receive assistance up to $30,000 in order to bring their delinquent mortgage payments current, or to reduce monthly mortgage payments to an affordable level.

In 2010, the U.S. Department of the Treasury created the Hardest Hit Fund to provide targeted aid to homeowners in those states most affected by the housing market crash.

As part of this program, Indiana received over $221 million to provide assistance to homeowners who are at risk of defaulting on their mortgage payments or who face foreclosure.

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A Lowell couple echoes those same thoughts as the Winfield homeowner, as the Hardest Hit Fund also helped them.

They found out about the program through the WorkOne unemployment office in Gary.

"We were in need of the program due to the company my husband worked for closed the doors this year, and he is currently unemployed," said the Lowell woman, who didn't want to use her name. "I am permanently handicapped due to a disease and do not receive any income at this time. Unemployment is not enough to even cover our utility bills, electric, water etc., let alone our mortgage payment."

Samson guided the couple through the process, they were approved and have kept their home.

The couple also understands the stipulations placed on those who enter the Hardest Hit program.

"The only reason we would have to pay back the amount they have helped us with is if we move before the next 10 years," the Lowell woman said. "The program goes by how long you remain at your residence after receiving approval. If you move within 1-5 years after receiving help from the program, then you must pay back 100 percent of the loan. Then, every year the amount goes down the longer you stay at your residence. At year six, you are responsible for 80 percent of the loan; year 7 you are responsible for 60 percent of the loan and so on. So by year 10, there is no payback amount."

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Similar to the Winfield resident that benefitted by the program, the Lowell couple also calls the experience a blessing.

"We were about to lose everything and our hope was gone....I advise anyone who is in risk of losing their home due to unemployment to apply. This program has saved our home and has allowed us to stay here in Lake County," the Lowell woman said.

Samson initially applied for the program in May of 2013. She was awarded funds for 2013-2014, 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. She said the process for applying isn't too involved.

"For the Counselor, it takes a couple of days, depending upon the homeowner," Samson said. "Once all supporting documentation is submitted to the Counselor, it is uploaded to the system to an underwriter through the State of Indiana and submission to the lender/mortgage company. The lender/mortgage company could take up to 31 days. Most files are completed and ready for closing within 30 days."

Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.

For more information

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Call the Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network toll-free hotline at (877) 438-4673; or locally at the City of Gary Community Development Division at (219) 881-5075, which serves Lake County homeowners.

Consumer Credit Counseling at (219) 980-4800 serves homeowners in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Jasper, Newton, Starke and Pulaski counties.

Housing Opportunities Inc. at (219) 548-2800 serves homeowners in Porter, Jasper, Fulton, Starke, LaPorte, Newton and Pulaski counties.
Gary police are asking for the community's help in locating a 65-year-old man reported missing after detectives have exhausted all leads, according to a release.

Ray Charles Barnes may have traveled to an unknown destination in Chicago by foot, as he does not drive, the release states. Barnes is described by police as a black male, 6 feet tall, weighing 185 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. Police do not know what he may be wearing.

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There are no known mental or physical disabilities, and there is no known reason for his absence, according to the release.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call Detective Lt. Nelson Otano at 219-881-1209 or the crime tip line at 866-CRIME-GP.

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rejacobs@post-trib.com

Twitter @ruthyjacobs
U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky kicks off what's been a longtime tradition of town forums held across his district on Jan. 7.

In all, he will host 12 forums throughout Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties.

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"I have held town forums throughout my career in order to hear directly from residents about their issues of concern and provide an opportunity for discussion on how I can best serve and represent their interests," Visclosky, D-Merrillville, said in an email.

Visclosky, who was first elected to represent the First Congressional District in 1984, went on to say that the forums give him the opportunity to provide an update and seek feedback on efforts to transform the region's economy and describe the outlook for the progress anticipated during the coming year.

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"I believe these town forums do make a difference," he said, adding in 2009, residents in the Glen Ryan neighborhood in Gary brought a water problem to his attention that resulted in a $700,000 project to reduce flooding in their homes and on their streets.

Some residents request help specific to their circumstances, Visclosky said, such as receiving benefits or requesting information from government agencies.

"I also appreciate the expression of support or concerns about how specific legislation may impact a resident's life or business," he said.

The schedule for the town forums follows.

Saturday, Jan. 7: 10 a.m., Lake Station City Hall, 1969 Central Ave.; noon, Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St.; 2 p.m., Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St.; 4 p.m., Chesterton Town Hall, 726 Broadway; 6 p.m., Michigan City City Hall, Council Chambers, 100 E. Michigan Blvd.

Sunday, Jan. 8: noon, Wicker Park Social Center, 2215 Ridge Road, Highland; 2 p.m., Purdue University Northwest, Student Union Library Building, Room with a View, 2200 169th St., Hammond; 4 p.m., St. John Township Community Center, 1515 West Lincoln Highway, Schererville; 6 p.m., Crown Point Civic Center, 101 S. East St.

Monday, Jan. 9: 10 a.m., East Chicago City Hall, Council Chambers, 4525 Indianapolis Blvd.; noon, Gary YWCA, 150 West 15th Ave.; 2 p.m., Lake County Public Library, 1919 West 81st Ave., Merrillville.

Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Throngs of Chicagoans and visitors make their way down Michigan Avenue, in Chicago on May 18, 2016. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Sixteen seconds.

Just imagine this short amount of time to get anything done. You likely can't make it from your living room to the garage in 16 seconds. Or name everyone in your extended family in 16 seconds. Or pour yourself a glass of ice water in just 16 seconds.

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Just think how many 16-second spans of time you've wasted in your life doing absolutely nothing. Either you drifted off in thought. Or mindlessly escaped the boredom of adolescence. Or paused at work to break up the monotony of your job. Go ahead, take another 16 seconds to consider how many times you've done this. I'll wait.

Are you back? OK, good. Here's why I'm fixated today on the time construct of 16 seconds: Starting this month, this is how quickly our country's population will increase by one person, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Every 16 seconds.

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This annual estimate is based on the United States' registering one birth every eight seconds and one death every 11 seconds, while net international migration is expected to add one person every 33 seconds. The result is an increase in the total population of one person every 16 seconds.

In other words, by the time you've read this sentence, another person has joined America the Bountiful. By the time you finish this column, another 14 or so will have joined us.

I first began noticing this annual estimation using government figures almost exactly one decade ago (give or take a month), when our nation reached the mythical 300 million mark. It was one of the first columns I wrote for the Post-Tribune in late 2006.

In 1996, I remember writing my first newspaper story on U.S. Census Bureau figures and I've been hooked ever since. Or at least for every 10 years. That head-counting government agency oozes every kind of statistic you could think of, and it churns out press release after press release on its findings.

Most of those emailed releases I instinctively delete. For example, the annual Manufacturing Trade Report, or Living in Near Poverty figures, or the Quarterly Summary of State and Local Government Tax Revenue.

Yawn. I'm not a lover of numbers. I'm more of a wordsmith. But there is something about certain statistics that has always captivated me. They can be used as tools or weapons, to convince or fool people. I've been guilty of all of the above over the past 20 years, I guess.

Remember the British adage popularized in this country by Mark Twain: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

I don't get easily seduced by sexy statistics but I do in regard to the annual estimates for our nation's population. It was projected to be 324,310,011 by Jan. 1, 2017, give or take a few tens of thousands. That's an increase of nearly 2.3 million people from last year at this time, and an increase of 15.5 million people since 2010, according to the Census Bureau.

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Our country is swelling a little more each year, each month, each day (and remember, each 16 seconds) with new residents, not all who are legalized citizens, by the way.

Census projections take into account the estimated 12 to 14 million illegal immigrants in our country, the majority with Hispanic origin. But I believe that figure  which has been used as both a tool and a weapon  is woefully under-counted, whether we like it or not.

No one, not even the bean-counters in our government, know for sure how many illegal immigrants are living on U.S. soil. Regardless, our country is brimming with a substantial amount of new inhabitants each new year.

Does this make you proud or worried? Elated or outraged? Territorial or welcoming?

I asked these same questions in 2006 and 1996, not to be redundant but to show that our concerns have not done much to curb the influx of new Americans.

Are we already too overcrowded and too densely populated, putting unprecedented burdens on our natural resources, our fragile environment and, more telling, our racial and ethnic relations? Or are we bulking up our labor muscles and infusing younger blood into a country whose wrinkled face is more diversified than ever?

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With President-elect Donald Trump in office this year and beyond, some Americans may hope our population figures start dropping a bit.

Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Births and deaths by Americans are one thing. More foreign-born residents, the largest group coming from Mexico, is quite another. Nevertheless, our rapidly multiplying Hispanic population  with an expected 185 percent growth between now and 2050 - will accelerate our next milestone of 400 million, the Census Bureau predicts.

Along the way, non-Hispanic whites will hover around 50 percent of that total, down sharply from previous decades and centuries. At some point around the mid-century mark, our once seemingly gated country will become a majority of minorities.

With such a tidal wave of growth and diversity, I'm sure there are Chicken Little doom-sayers running among us, warning of impending catastrophes related to "all these new people" in our country. Relax, Native Americans may have said the same thing.

A similar apocalyptic attitude took place in 1967 when we reached the 200 million mark. It was popularized by the book, "The Population Bomb," predicting mass starvation and other dire consequences. Shame on us for even considering it then, or seriously considering it now.

Yes, it can be startling that our country's populace is rising every 16 seconds. Don't fall, however, for all the misinformation or misdirection that will be cited with this deceiving new statistic. Some of it will be lies.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for more efforts to carry out reforms in the coming year, stressing policy coordination and responsibility.

China will push forward reform measures in key areas, which are state-owned enterprises (SOEs), taxation, finance, land, urbanization, social security, ecological progress and opening up, according to a meeting of the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform, chaired by Xi.

The year 2017 will be crucial to deepening reforms, Xi said when addressing the conference.

Friday marks the third anniversary of birth of the leading group, which has convened a total of 31 meetings since its establishment, with hundreds of measures designed and released to address issues such as urbanization, poverty alleviation, innovation and the market's role in resource allocation.

After more than three years of efforts, China has basically built the main framework of reforms, by rolling out a series of landmark reform plans, making breakthroughs in some key areas, and innovating in theories, mechanisms and practice, Xi said.

The meeting reviewed reform progress this year and mapped out work priorities in 2017.

The leading group held 12 meetings and deliberated on 146 major documents this year. Thanks to the top-down planning, hundreds of reform tasks have been basically completed.

A slew of guidelines and plans were passed during the meeting.

China should accelerate developing its own philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics under the guidance of Marxism, and improve the Communist Party of China (CPC) leadership in the area.

Official regulation on medicine and medical equipment will be strengthened, with stricter approval systems for new drugs, improved supervision over production safety and quality, and better medical service price management.

The government will improve its administrative law enforcement, by disclosing information without delay, promoting full-time recording, and guaranteeing legitimacy.

Central SOEs will initiate pilot schemes on powers and checks of the board of directors to improve corporate governance.

Policymakers also discussed government budget management reforms, improvement in mining rights transfer to safeguard national interests, and the role of grassroots CPC organizations in community governance in rural and urban areas.

The meeting was also attended by Li Keqiang, Liu Yunshan and Zhang Gaoli, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy heads of the group.

The most recent emphasis on reform came three years after the key Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee in 2013, which featured a comprehensive reform package covering 15 areas and 60 tasks.

China aims to achieve "decisive results" in major reform areas by 2020.
President Xi Jinping on Friday called on political advisors to conscientiously perform their duties in 2017 and give more advice and suggestions on state affairs.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks while addressing a New Year gathering held by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Xi urged political advisory bodies to perform their functions of political consultation, democratic supervision, and participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs.

The president hailed the CPPCC's contributions to the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) this year, the first year of the national economic and social development blueprint for the years up to 2020.

Xi stressed the importance of developing a patriotic united front and system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC in 2017 in order to gather consensus and "positive energy" for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The CPPCC should make efforts to deepen problem-oriented investigation and research, and carry out effective consultation and discussion of state affairs, so as to come out with forthright advice, good suggestions and concrete measures, he said.

Xi vowed to support the efforts of Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions in 2017 to develop their economies and improve people's livelihoods.

"We must ensure the practice of 'one country, two systems' is firmly upheld without losing shape or becoming distorted," Xi added.

He also pledged adherence to the 1992 Consensus as the common political foundation, as well as relentless efforts to boost the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait, and to achieve the complete reunification of the motherland.

"We will hold high the banners of peace, development, cooperation and mutual gain to build a human community of shared future," Xi said.

In his speech, Xi highlighted the 19th CPC National Congress to be held in 2017, calling it a major event in the political life of the Party, the state and people of all ethnic groups.

He also stressed 2017 as an important year for implementing the country's economic and social development blueprint for the 13th Five-Year Plan period, and deepening supply-side structural reform.

Looking back, Xi said, 2016 was a crucial year in the journey of the Chinese nation to great rejuvenation.

The CPC Central Committee, rallying and leading people of all ethnic groups across China, embarked on the "great march" in the decisive stage of building a moderately prosperous society, launched the uphill battle of supply-side structural reform, and "sounded the bugle to call the charge" on poverty, Xi said.

China has scored a good beginning for the 13th Five-Year Plan, the president added.

China has continued to build a moderately prosperous society in 2016, with its economic growth still ranking atop the world, and an additional 10 million people lifted out of poverty, Xi said.

The country has carried on deepening reform in all aspects, with 97 key reform tasks completed, 419 reform plans put forward by various sectors, and frameworks for reform in major sectors established, he added.

Moreover, efforts have been made to carry on with comprehensively advancing the rule of law and governing the Party strictly, Xi said, adding major breakthroughs have been scored in national defense and military reform.

"We have implemented the 'one country, two systems' principle comprehensively, maintained prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao, adhered to the common political foundation of the 1992 Consensus, and strived to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Xi said.

"We have deepened foreign relations in all dimensions, accelerated the Belt and Road Initiative, successfully hosted the G20 Hangzhou Summit, and handed out a Chinese proposal for building a better world," Xi added.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, State Council and CMC, Xi extended New Year greetings to non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, non-CPC personnel, people's organizations, as well as people from all walks of life, including workers, farmers, intellectuals, cadres, soldiers and police officers.

His greetings were also extended to compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese, as well as international friends.

The gathering was also attended by Premier Li Keqiang, top legislator Zhang Dejiang, top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng as well as Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli, along with non-CPC members, leading officials of central departments, members of different ethnic groups and people from all walks of life.

Yu Zhengsheng presided over the gathering.
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A court in east China's Shandong province decided on Friday that a private car owner's fine should be revoked in China's first case involving a cab-hailing app.

Chen Chao, a private car owner who was fined 20,000 yuan (2,900 U.S. dollars) for not having a license to carry paying passengers, takes interviews after the court trial on April 15, 2015. [File photo]

The Shizhong District People's Court of Jinan, capital of Shandong, ruled that the Jinan public passenger transport administration center should withdraw a 20,000 yuan (2,900 U.S. dollars) fine it issued to Chen Chao, a private car owner, in January 2015.

Chen was carrying passengers who found him via Didi in January and was fined for not having a license to carry paying passengers.

Private car owners are not allowed to carry passengers for profit in China under the current law.

The court decided that although Chen did transport passengers without a license, his behavior posed little threat to society and the punishment was too severe.
The State Oceanic Administration (SOA) announced Saturday that forecasts on the marine environment of three reefs in the Nansha Islands will be released from Sunday.

Forecasts for waves, tides, ocean temperatures, winds and tropical cyclones, as well as warnings of marine disasters will be posted daily on nh.hyyb.org.

The SOA has carried out five projects on the Yongshu, Meiji and Zhubi reefs, including marine observation centers and marine research facilities, in order to meet growing demands for services regarding marine environmental protection in the South China Sea, including research and navigation safety.

Marine meteorological monitoring, hydrological observation and routine marine environmental monitoring on the reefs will start on the first day of 2017, the SOA said.

Tsunami and seismic observation, along with special marine environmental monitoring activities, is expected to follow.

The SOA's development of a marine observation and early warning network and its monitoring activities will significantly improve marine environmental protection, island surveillance and monitoring, oceanographic survey and research, as well as disaster prevention and mitigation, an SOA official said.

The development of marine observation and forecasting on Nansha reefs is of much value in the peaceful exploitation and use of marine resources in the South China Sea, and for China's fulfillment of international responsibilities and obligations of environmental protection in the region, the official said.

The move will also boost the social and economic development of China and countries around, the official added.
China's recently completed annual Central Economic Work Conference in December offers a sharp contrast to a world where developed economies are sliding sideways, developing and emerging economies are nervous, and xenophobia, anti-globalization and demagogy are on the rise. Rather than ringing alarm bells, Beijing's report highlights China's 2016 economic progress, Beijing's commitment to sustainable global economic, environmental and governance systems, and a mildly optimistic outlook for the coming year. It's a sharp contrast to the E.U.'s dire outlook on Brexit and America's rhetorical direction under Trump.

So how did a country, which was a fledgling entrant to the WTO 15 years ago, become the champion of global trade and responsible economic, environmental and political governance, while the U.S.  the originator and enforcer of the WTO and climate change policies  has changed its tune to "America First?"

When China joined the WTO, the rules were created by Western nations and the organization was dominated by the world's sole superpower, the U.S. It wasn't an easy bargain for China, which had virtually no intellectual property, immature banking, legal, insurance and finance systems and a massive need for investment in private and public sectors; China's only advantage was a large labor pool and a committed centralized system of government. Represented by the able Madame Wu Yi, China cut the best deal it could, but far from what it would have liked.

From these humble beginnings, the world's GDP grew from 50 trillion in 2001, to 113 trillion in 2016, a more than 125 percent increase. China's GDP went up by over 400 percent, other emerging economies went up by lower triple digits, and even developing countries experienced double digit growth; but in the U.S. and the E.U., GDP growth was slightly less than 70 percent and 65 percent, respectively. One thing these numbers do not tell is the amount of profits from lower cost manufacturing, new market development and investment banking and finance fees that went into the pockets of companies from developed nations. For example the trillions in profits and fees from the tech and Investment banking sectors.

Today, as technology replaces people with machines and global supply chains create productivity and lower prices, there is a movement in first world nations to replace economics with politics and an effort to recapture past glories with revisionist policies  policies that unfortunately threaten to unravel the global economic and political progress made over the last 70 years.

Why this is happening now is due to the lower middle class voters who were marginalized by the changes and watched while the rich got richer; economically, it is the Technological Revolution that is displacing workers at rates and magnitudes not seen since the Industrial Revolution. Their anger and the inability of many democratically elected governments to make unpopular but necessary structural changes, like in Greece, has created a downward spiral of recriminations, entitlement and disappointment.

In contrast, Beijing, "the government which should have collapsed," under American Exceptionalism and Francis Fujiyama's "The End of History" theories, has emerged as the positive voice for many of the values once championed by the U.S. The irony is inescapable.

In 2017, China will continue to fight for Market Economy Status, Yuan Internationalization, escape from the Middle Income Trap and to preserve economic and political order; Trump will seek to "make deals" without regard to history. It will be another tale of two cities, but, through the sour grapes, regrets and crocodile tears, remains the truth that, to create a better world, it is better to work with it than against it.

Let me add a few caveats: Though China is an emerging country which looms large on the world stage, because of its size and accomplishments over the past 35 years, it is still a new government, it has problems with debt, asset bubbles, the maturity of its legal, financial and governance institutions, the road ahead may be different, but in some ways it could be just as difficult. The difference between China and many other governments around the world today are not the challenges, but the tools it has to meet them.

Einar Tangen is now an economic and political affairs author and commentator.

Opinion article reflected the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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Russia hopes the UN Security Council can adopt a draft resolution endorsing a cease-fire plan it helped broker in Syria, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin told reporters on Friday.

After a closed-door council discussion, Churkin said he hopes the council can go for a vote on the draft resolution on Saturday morning to endorse the cease-fire arrangements as well as planned peace talks among parties to the Syrian conflict in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

The nationwide cease-fire in Syria, brokered by Turkey and Russia and agreed upon by the Syrian government and major opposition groups, came into force at midnight local time Thursday, as the latest attempt to end nearly six years of civil war.

Churkin said there is "no competition" between the Astana meeting and Geneva peace talks. "We expect the UN to be fully involved in the preparation of the meeting in Astana. If it is successful, they could move it on to Geneva."

According to local monitor group, the nationwide cease-fire is holding in most areas in Syria despite sporadic breaches near Damascus and in the countryside of the northern city of Aleppo.
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Upper Madi Hydropower Project, a China-Nepal joint venture company, started generating power on Friday, giving much-needed boost to the government's effort to reduce load shedding in this winter.

The 25MW power plant is the second China-invested power project in Nepal coming online in the past three months.

Earlier, 50MW Upper Marsyangdi-A Hydroelectric Project, developed by another China-Nepal joint venture company, had started operation in September.

Energy Minister Janardan Sharma inaugurated the Upper Madi plant site in Kaski district in western Nepal on Friday.

Sharma said the development of hydropower projects with the participation of private sector was helping reduce the load shedding in the country.

China International Water & Electric Co (CWE) has bankrolled the project under the build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) model together with Nepalese investor Bijay Babu Malla.

CWE, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG), is also developing the 750MW West Seti Hydropower Project. Chinese contractor Sino Hydro started the construction work in December 2012.

Malla said the completion of the plant would encourage them to make investment further. "We are now also studying the possibility of investing in another 98MW hydel project," he told Xinhua.

According to the Independent Power Producers of Nepal (IPPAN), private sector power producers added 140MW of power in 2016.

"The Chinese companies investing in partnership with Nepalese investors is great news for Nepal," said IPPAN President Khadga Bahadur Bisht. "We are also finding growing interest among Chinese investors to make investment in Nepal's hydropower sector."
ALBANY POLICE

Guns taken from pot shop parking lot  9:10 p.m. Thursday, 1900 block of Santiam Highway. A caller at Oregon Cannabis Company reported two handguns and a cell phone were stolen from his car. He says he lost a .45-caliber Taurus Judge, and a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .38-caliber.

Kick-start foils cycle thief  6:13 p.m. Thursday, 5000 block of Pacific Boulevard. When the owner of a motorcycle noticed someone he didn't know on his bike, he confronted the would-be thief, who told him that he "just bought it" and was having trouble getting it started. He then tried to strike the motorcycle's owner, and finally leapt off the bike and ran away.
Saying he is always impressed by the quality of government work done here, Circuit Court Judge Daniel Murphy administered the oath of office to five incumbent Linn County elected officials Friday at the courthouse.

Taking office for four-year terms were county commissioners Roger Nyquist and Will Tucker; treasurer Michelle Hawkins; district attorney Doug Marteeny; assessor and tax collector David Swartzlender and surveyor Chuck Gibbs.

Im also pleased that the transfer of power here is peaceful and follows the laws, our system of laws, Murphy said. I am grateful for all you do.

None of the officials was opposed in the May primary or November general election.

Marteeny will serve his second term as district attorney. After spending 10 years under former D.A. Jason Carlile, Marteeny first took office in January 2013.

The 45-year-old Brigham Young University and Rutgers University graduate said the purpose of the District Attorneys office is to protect the public by delivering justice.

Marteeny thanked his staff and also his family for their support.

Families help elected officials in many ways, he said. I want to thank them for that.

Hawkins will begin her fifth term as county treasurer, serving since 2000.

I want to thank the residents of Linn County, Hawkins said. Its a wonderful place to work and I love my job. I wouldnt trade it for anything.

Swartzlender was appointed to the assessor and tax collectors position three years ago after the retirement of Mark Noakes.

Swartzlender had 20 years experience in the office and had been the countys chief appraiser and deputy assessor.

His office handles taxes and public information about more than $8 billion in property in the county.

Swartzlender oversees a staff of 20. Total county valuation is about $9 billion.

He has a degree from Oregon State University.

Gibbs has been the county surveyor since 2003. He is a Lebanon Union High School graduate and studied forest technology at Central Oregon Community College.

He oversees a staff of six.

He is active with the Oregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors, and has served as president and past president.

This will be the fifth term in office for the 54-year-old Nyquist, a West Albany High School graduate.

Im incredibly grateful and it is a humbling experience realizing I have the honor of getting to serve the citizens of Linn County for another four years, he said.

He currently chairs the Board of Commissioners that in the past year has challenged the Oregon Department of Forestry in a $1.4 billion breach of contract class action lawsuit and the State of Oregon in an unfunded mandates lawsuit that focuses on mandatory paid sick leave issues.

When he announced plans to seek another term, Nyquist said that the local economy is improving after the long recession and noted that local programs that educate young people about the qualities needed to find and keep jobs are vital.

He praised the continued growth of the Samaritan Health Sciences Campus in Lebanon as an example of diversified economic growth.

Tucker, 64, said he considers serving on the Board of Commissioners a tremendous opportunity.

This will be his third term on the board and he said it will be his last.

Having listened to Judge Murphy and District Attorney Marteeny speak this morning, I was struck by what a privilege it is to serve the residents of Linn County, Tucker said. Linn County is very well run.

Tucker said he plans to continue helping the county improve its economy with a goal of full employment.

Tucker is involved with numerous civic groups and projects across the county ranging from the annual Runaway Pumpkin fundraising race in Lebanon, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), United Way, the Salvation Army, Furniture Share and the Rural Advisory Committee of the Bureau of Land Management.

Tucker also represents the Commissioners on the Santiam All-Lands Collaborative, which is developing a long-term, sustainable economic plan in east Linn County.

Several dozen county employees and family members attended the ceremony.
BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for greater efforts to make innovation and breakthroughs in the construction of free trade zones (FTZ).

The building of Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone is a strategic move that the central authorities take to deepen reform and opening up under the new situation, Xi said in a recent instruction on Shanghai Pilot FTZ.

Priority must be given to identify key tasks for the FTZ in the next stage and take the initiative in reforms, so as to score greater successes in institutional innovation which could be copied and promoted nationwide, Xi stressed.
Robots in the Kuka stand pour a beer into a glass at the Hannover Messe industrial trade fair in Hanover, Germany, on April 23, 2016.[Photo/Agencies]

GUANGZHOU - Chinese home appliance maker Midea Group announced Friday it has secured approval for its bid to take over German robotics firm Kuka and will complete the deal in early January.

A statement from Midea, best known for washing machines and air conditioners, said the bid will promote the robot and automation technology in China and worldwide.

Midea attaches great importance to Kuka's advantages in products and services, said Fang Hongbo, chairman of Midea, adding that Midea will help Kuka in markets in China and other regions and expand investments.

Midea announced the bid on June 16, offering to pay 115 euros (around $120) per share. It will take 94.55 percent of Kuka after the bid is settled.

In August, Germany's economy ministry gave the green light to the takeover. It then passed through anti-monopoly investigations from the European Union, and countries including Russia and China.

The last barrier was cleared Friday after the bid received approval from the US Committee on Foreign Investment and Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.

One of the world's top four robot makers, Kuka, founded in 1898 and based in Augsburg, has a workforce of 12,000 and its 2015 revenue was nearly 3 billion euros.
Goals include 'rejuvenating' western China and country's economy, transportation official says

In the next five years, China will invest 3.5 trillion yuan ($503 billion) to accelerate railway construction, including expansion of the country's high-speed rail network to 30,000 kilometers, a senior official said on Thursday.

"By 2020, more than 80 percent of China's major cities will be connected by high-speed railways," said Yang Yudong, vice-minister of transportation.

China released a white paper titled "Development of China's Transport" on Thursday, which Hu Kaihong, director of the State Council Information Office's Press Bureau, said is the first white paper to review the sector's tremendous changes in recent decades and to set goals for its future.

In the past few years, China's railway network, especially high-speed rail, has undergone dramatic change. From 2011 to 2015, China invested 3.58 trillion yuan to build 30,000 km of railway. By the end of this year, the nation's total railway length will reach 124,000 km, including 20,000 km of high-speed railway, accounting for 65 percent of the world's total high-speed rail.

In July, the National Development and Reform Commission issued an updated national railway development plan envisioning a 175,000-km rail network by the end of 2025, with 38,000 km of high-speed rail.

However, the high-speed railway network still faces challenges, especially in the less-developed western part of China. Yang, the vice-minister of transportation, said he is confident that lines in western China will eventually become profitable.

"Plus, building high-speed railway in less-developed regions is not only about recouping investment. It is part of the big project of rejuvenating the whole region and the country's economy," said Yang.

The high-speed rail linking Beijing and Shanghai showed a profit last year, Xinhua News Agency reported in July, quoting Tianjin Railway Construction Co, a shareholder of Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway Co.

Yang Hao, a professor of rail transportation at Beijing Jiaotong University, said the economic returns of a high-speed railway network shouldn't be judged solely on whether lines are profitable, since these rail-ways can leverage the development of such industries as tourism, logistics and real estate.

According to China Railway Corp, construction began on Thursday on a high-speed rail line linking Guiyang, Guizhou province - a transportation hub connecting members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations - and Nanning, the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The 482-km line will connect the Shanghai-Kunming railway and the Chengdu-Gui-yang railway to the north and will also link to southern coastal areas including Hainan province and Guangzhou, Guangdong province.

The new railway will accelerate communication between China and ASEAN countries and play an important role in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Contact the writers at suzhou@chinadaily.com.cn

The world's highest bridge, at 565 meters, opened on Thursday at the border of Southwest China's Guizhou and Yunnan provinces. By the end of last year, China's highways totaled 4.58 million km.He Junyi / For China Daily

(China Daily USA 12/30/2016 page3)
President Xi urges more efforts on FTZ construction

Xinhua | Updated: 2016-12-31 11:12

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for greater efforts to make innovation and breakthroughs in the construction of free trade zones (FTZ).



The building of Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone is a strategic move that the central authorities take to deepen reform and opening up under the new situation, Xi said in a recent instruction on Shanghai Pilot FTZ.



Priority must be given to identify key tasks for the FTZ in the next stage and take the initiative in reforms, so as to score greater successes in institutional innovation which could be copied and promoted nationwide, Xi stressed.
Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (front), bids farewell to the UN staff at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec 30, 2016. Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday bid farewell to the United Nations where he has worked for 10 years. [Photo/Xinhua]

UNITED NATIONS - Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday bid farewell to the United Nations where he has worked for 10 years.

Ban said "thank you" to UN staff here at UN headquarters before his departure and encouraged them to keep working hard on UN causes and never give up.

A crowd of UN officials, staff members, diplomats gathered here to see him off.

Ban told the crowd that he will join the New Year celebration at the Times Square in New York City on Saturday. He will push the button beginning the official 60-second countdown to the New Year, and call on people worldwide to take actions in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"Millions of people will be watching as I lose my job," he quipped. "Now I feel a bit like Cinderella. Tomorrow at midnight, everything changes."

Ban's tenure as the eighth UN secretary-general started on Jan. 1, 2007 and will end on Dec. 31, 2016.

Portugal's Antonio Guterres will succeed Ban on Jan. 1, 2017.
BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Saturday exchanged congratulatory messages on the coming New Year.

On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, Xi extended sincere greetings and good wishes to President Putin and the Russian people.

The two countries marked the 15th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation and the 20th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination in 2016.

Taking the anniversaries as an opportunity, Xi said China and Russia have carried forward the concept of friendship between the two peoples from generation to generation, enhanced communication and cooperation in various fields and coordination in international affairs, thus led the development of bilateral ties with new fruitful results.

Xi pointed out that the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has been an important force in promoting peace, development and stability in the region and the world.

In the new year, the Chinese president said he is willing to continue to make joint efforts with Putin in maintaining close high-level bilateral exchanges, consolidating strategic and mutual trust, promoting the Belt and Road construction and alignment with the Eurasian Economic Union, deepening practical cooperation and successfully holding the media exchange year.

China will also work with Russia to strengthen strategic coordination in international affairs and keep the stable, sustained and high-level development of their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, so as to bring benefits to the two peoples, Xi said.

Putin congratulated President Xi on the coming New Year and the Spring Festival in his message, and wished the Chinese people happiness and health.

In 2016, the president said, Russia and China have carried out effective collaboration as always.

The two sides successfully implemented the third program under the Russia-China Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, and effectively pushed for resolving major global and regional issues with coordination and collaboration, Putin said.

The president said he believes that in the coming New Year, the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination will further flourish, which will benefit the two peoples and contribute to strengthening international security and stability.
BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday exchanged New Year congratulations with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev, while both praised the development of bilateral relations over the past year.

In his congratulatory message to Medvedev, Li said that China-Russia relations have witnessed a high-level of development in 2016.

On the basis of the principles set in the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, "both sides have seen close strategic coordination, effectively safeguarding the interests of each country, while boosting global and regional peace, stability and development," Li said.

The Chinese premier reviewed the details of the 21st China-Russia Prime Ministers' Regular Meeting with Medvedev in November in St Petersburg, saying that he spoke highly of it.

The meeting reached important consensus on expanding practical bilateral ties.

In the coming new year, "I am willing to maintain close communication with you, to push forward cooperation in a number of fields including the economy and trade, energy, aviation and space, high-speed railways, and in Far East development to yield more results," Li said.

He added that both countries shall continue to "actively explore potential in cooperation regarding medium- and small-sized enterprises, technological innovation and agriculture, among others, and to develop close people-to-people exchanges, so as to benefit the two countries and the two peoples."

In his congratulatory message, Russian Prime Minister Medvedev praised the growth in coordination between China and Russia in their comprehensive strategic partnership over the past year.

He noted the enhancement of bilateral ties in trade and investment, the implementation of a series of cooperative projects in the energy, infrastructure and industrial sectors, as well as the smooth development in building closer media ties.

Medvedev said the coming together of the Russia-proposed Eurasian Economic Union and the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative provides more opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation and will move further ahead.
BAGHDAD - Two roadside bomb explosions struck a marketplace in downtown Baghdad on Saturday, leaving 19 people killed and 45 others wounded, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua.

The attacks took place in the morning when two roadside bombs detonated coordinately in the crowded car spare part market in Sinak area, while another roadside bomb went off near a post office in the same area, the source said.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the Islamic State (IS) militant group, in most cases, is responsible for targeting Iraqi security forces as well as crowded areas, including markets, cafes and mosques across the country.

Terrorist acts, violence and armed conflicts killed 2,885 Iraqis and wounded 1,380 others in November across Iraq, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq said.

The attacks came as the Iraqi security forces backed by anti-IS international coalition are carrying out a major offensive to drive out the IS militants from its last major stronghold in and around Mosul.

Many blame the current chronic instability, cycle of violence, and the emergence of extremist groups, such as the IS, on the US, which invaded and occupied Iraq in March 2003.




China's Global Newspaper





Sorry, the page you requested was not found. Please check the URL for proper spelling and capitalization. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Chinadaily.com.cn, try visiting the Chinadaily home page
State Sen. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, will hold meetings in the new year to discuss legislative issues with area voters.

All are free and open to the public.

The first, Legislative Advocacy 101, is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the main branch of the Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. S.E.

Gelser said many people write and call her every day to check on the status of bills. She plans to show attendees how they can keep up to date on bills, committee meetings, votes and video testimony and how they can access official materials lawmakers consider when debating bills in committee.

You will also learn the best way to let me know your concerns about bills and how the legislative timelines work and how to write letters, generate phone calls and organize advocacy days for the greatest impact," she said. Bring your questions and ideas.

All ages are welcome, including students studying politics or government.

Gelser also plans two 2017 legislative session previews in January. The first will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, also at the Albany Public Library. The second will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave., Corvallis.

At both, Gelser will give a brief preview of emerging policy issues and the Oregon budget situation, but will reserve time for questions and ideas.
(Photo : Facebook) In vitro fertilization is the process of fertilization that involves a series of procedures used to treat fertility or genetic problems and assist with conception.





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A Dutch in vitro fertilization (IVF) center is launching an investigation after it found that at least 26 women may have been fertilized by the wrong sperm.



The Utrecht University Medical Centre said on Wednesday that a "procedural error" between April 2015 and November 2016 may have caused the mix-up in sperm.



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Traces of the Error



According to BBC, it is believed that a lab technician has used an inappropriate pipette to inject sperm. Instead of conducting the IVF procedure, the lab technician conducted a technique called Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection wherein a single sperm is directly injected into the egg using a pippette, which really differs from IVF.



An alarm was raised by the technician after tracing the error in the rubber top that would normally have a filter, but in this case it did not, according to a hospital spokesman.



However, of the 26 couples involved in this IVF mix-up case incident, nine already had children, four pregnant, and 13 other embryos frozen.



The couples had already been informed, the medical center said. It also expressed its regrets for the incident especially to the couples involved.



"During fertilisation, sperm cells from one treatment couple may have ended up with the egg cells of 26 other couples; Therefore there's a chance that the egg cells have been fertilised by sperm other than that of the intended father," the center said.



Although the chance of that happening was small, the possibility "could not be excluded," the centre added.



All the couples are due to meet doctors from the center in the coming days and will be offered the option of a DNA test.



What is IVF?



In vitro fertilization or commonly known as IVF is the process of fertilization that involves a series of procedures used to treat fertility or genetic problems and assist with conception.



It manually combines mature eggs and sperms in a laboratory dish and then transfer the embryo to the uterus. One cycle of IVF takes about two weeks.



The success rate of IVF clinics depends on a number of factors such as reproductive history, maternal age, cause of infertility, and lifestyle factors. It is important also to understand that pregnancy rate is different from live birth.



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TagsIVF Mix-up, Ethnically Chinese, baby-swapping, in vitro fertilization, fertization
(Photo : Getty Images) China once again snubbed India in UN by blocking New Delhi's latest proposal to designate Pakistani national Masood Azhar as a globally designated terrorist.

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Much to India's annoyance, China once again blocked New Delhi's proposal at the United Nation to enlist Pakistani national Masood Azhar as a globally designated terrorist. China's latest blockade follows after it had imposed a technical hold on India's proposal at UN in October.



Reacting to China's latest snub, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a stern statement raising concern on China's supposed "double standards."



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"Chinese action confirms prevalence of double standards in the fight against terrorism," the MEA said.



The MEA expressed surprise over China's decision by claiming that "it is herself affected by scourge of terrorism." The ministry added that it will continue to push forward in its fight against terrorism through available options.



China's latest snub should not come as a surprise to the Indian government, given that China's foreign ministry last week warned New Delhi that its stand on contagious issues of "Masood Azhar" and "NSG" remains unchanged.



"As for India's application for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and listing issue pursuant to resolution of 1267 (to list Azhar as terrorist), China's position remains unchanged," China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.



The Chinese government has been blocking India's proposal on Azhar at UN since last year. Foreign analysts said that Beijing's inflexibility over the issue is largely due to its diplomatic proximity with Pakistan, India's arch rival in the South Asian region.



Although the Indian government over the past several months has made sustained diplomatic efforts to engage with Beijing, the Chinese government has refused to budge.



India Considers Masood Azhar as a 'Globally Wanted Terrorist'



The Indian government has enlisted Azhar under the official list of most wanted terrorist, as it accuses the Pakistani national as the mastermind behind several deadly terrorist attacks in Indian administrated Kashmir.



New Delhi also blamed Azhar's organization Jaish-e-Mohammed for a deadly attack on Indian parliament in 2001, which left several Indian police officials dead.



Pakistan, however, rubbished New Delhi's accusations and maintained that Azhar is a well-known social activist who enjoys immense popularity across Pakistani masses.



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Tagschina, Masood Azhar., China and India, India
(Photo : Getty Images) Russian president Vladmir Putin wants to give the incoming Trump administration to streamline relations between the two countries.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin will not counter the United States' decision to kick out 35 Russian diplomats over allegations of interference in the Presidential elections.



Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov suggested earlier on Friday that he would recommend that Putin expel 35 American diplomats. However, Putin has seemingly decided to take no retaliatory action, in what some observers believe are overtures to the incoming US President Donald Trump.



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Putin said that Russia's final response would depend on the United States' attitude towards Russia once Trump moves into the White House.



"While we reserve the right to respond, we will not drop to this level of irresponsible diplomacy, we will make further steps to help resurrect Russian-American relations based on the policies that the administration of Trump will pursue," Putin said in a statement on the Kremlin's official website.



Putin also wished outgoing President Barack Obama, Trump, and the American people a happy new year. He also extended an invitation to the children of all the American diplomats based in Russia to the New Year celebration to be held at the Kremlin.



On Thursday, the US announced that it had placed sanctions on Russia's GRU and FSB intelligence services. The sanctions will extend to individuals and companies linked to them.



The expelled diplomats were given 72 hours to leave the country. According to state media, Russia will send a special government plane to the United States to pick up the diplomats.



Diplomatic expulsions usually get reciprocated. In 2001, then US President George W Bush expelled 51 Russian diplomats accused of being spies. Russia responded by expelling 50 US diplomats.



US intelligence services believe that Russia was behind the cyberattacks on the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign. The cyberattacks are believed to have been an effort to help Trump win the presidential elections.



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Tagsdonald trump, Vladimir Putin, Barack Obama, Russia, US
(Photo : Getty Images) South Korea is building its own cyber team to counter threats from the North.

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A North Korea-initiated full scale cyber attack could potentially paralyze the US Pacific Command control centre (US PACOM), according to a report issued by the South Korean Defence Agency for Technology and Quality (DATQ).



The state-run agency is warning that North Korea's growing cyber capabilities have the potential to cause widespread damage to the US military and critical infrastructure.



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A recent simulation conducted by the Pentagon showed that a targeted and large-scale cyber attack initiated by North Korean-sponsored hackers could potentially cripple the US PACOM and also simultaneously cause massive damage to the American power grid.



"The enemy (North Korea) will seek to disable our cyber capacity at a critical point via an all-out cyber attack. It is crucial (for South Korea) to establish an asymmetrical cyber warfare capacity to overwhelm that of the North," the report said.



The report also revealed that North Korea's hacking abilities have gained notoriety among cyber security experts. In 2013, a mass hacking hit three major banks and major broadcasters in South Korea, successfully infecting an estimated 48,000 computers with malware.



Cyber tensions between the North and South Korea have recently escalated. South Korea recently accused the North of attacking its military cyber command, an allegation that was dismissed by Pyongyang's official state media, calling it a 'childish plot' by Seoul to shift focus from the country's political uncertainties.



The South Korean Defense Ministry said that North Korea has an estimated 6,800 cyber warriors who have extensive experience in hacking protocols. However, some experts put the number to as high as 30,000.



There have been reports that South Korea is working on building its own cyber army. The two nations are said to have specialist cyber units that can counter threats or launch offensive attacks of their own.



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TagsNorth Korea, South Korea, cybersecurity
(Photo : Getty Images) Foxconn Technology Group has signed an agreement to construct an $8.8 billion television flat-panel factory in Chinas south-eastern city of Guangzhou. The factory will become operational in 2019.

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Taiwan-based Foxconn Technology Group aims to build an $8.8 billion television flat-panel factory in China's south-eastern city of Guangzhou. The new plant will manufacture advanced liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) that will be outsourced from Sharp Corp, a Japanese electronics brand acquired by Foxconn this year.



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Foxconn signed an agreement for the plant with local officials of Guangzhou on Friday. The Taiwanese electronic giant said that the factory will become operational in 2019. It will manufacture 10.5-generation 8K displays, smart TVs, and electronic whiteboards.



Foxconn expects Guangzhou factory to play a key role in meeting the rising demands for large-screen televisions and monitors across Asia in the coming years.



The global LCD production took a major hit this year by the sudden closure of Samsung plant that contributed nearly 3 percent to the global production, as well as due to production stoppage across Taiwanese factories due to an earthquake earlier this year.



However, China's domestic LCD panel makers like BOE Technology and Shenzhen China Optoelectronics are still adamant about their expansion plans. BOE Technology already started the construction of its own Gen-10.5 factory in Hefei in December last year, while Shenzhen China announced that it will soon start the construction of its LCD panel factory in Shenzhen city.



The $8.8 billion Guangzhou factory will further consolidate Foxconn's investment in China. The Taiwanese electronic giant is already operating several factories across China that produces many electronic products including Apple iPhones.



Apparently, the current tension in cross-strait relation has had little impact on Foxconn's investment plan in China.



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TagsFoxconn, Guangzhou, Foxconn China, china, Foxconn Factories in China
(Photo : Virgo consortium / A. Amblard / ESA) Left: simulations of the distribution of dark matter in the Universe around 3 billion years after the Big Bang. Right: clumps of dark matter (red), with those larger than 300 million times the mass of the Sun highlighted in yellow.

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Scientists dead set on unraveling the secrets of dark matter are crunching six years worth of data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope to develop novel approaches as they search for cosmic signals that could reveal what dark matter is made of.



They've turned their attention to hypothetical axion particles; studied the gamma-ray emissions from a large satellite galaxy of our Milky Way and analyzed the faint glow of gamma rays covering the entire sky.



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None of these studies, however, identified signals clearly attributable to dark matter, which is invisible and undetectable. Despite this, the hard work and the results help scientists determine what dark matter cannot be by ruling out numerous theoretical dark matter models.



The nature of dark matter remains one of today's biggest mysteries. Dark matter constitutes 85 percent of all matter in the universe. This massive presence affects how galaxies rotate and how light passes through massive galaxy clusters.



But what dark matter is, and its constituents remain unknown.



The first study investigated the possibility dark matter consists of hypothetical particles called axions or other particles with similar properties.



A team led by Manuel Meyer at Stockholm University searched for these effects in the gamma rays from the central galaxy of the Perseus galaxy cluster, whose high-energy emissions are thought to be associated with a supermassive black hole at its center.



Meyer's team collected observations from Fermi's Large Area Telescope (LAT) but didn't find any axion-related distortions in the gamma-ray signal.



"While we don't yet know what dark matter is, our results show we can probe axion-like models and provide the strongest constraints to date for certain masses," said Meyer.



Other dark matter candidates are weakly interacting massive particles or WIMPs. In some theoretical models, colliding WIMPs either annihilate each other or decay in space.



In the second study, scientists sought these signals from the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), the second-largest of the satellite galaxies orbiting our Milky Way. The SMC's conventional sources of gamma rays, such as pulsars and processes related to the formation of massive stars, are well established, and its dark matter content is known from the galaxy's well-measured rotation.



"These properties make the SMC a great object for searches for any unexplained gamma-ray excess, which could potentially be a WIMP signature," said KIPAC researcher Eric Charles, co-author of a paper published on March 22 in Physical Review D.



The researchers modeled the dark matter content of the satellite galaxy, showing it possesses enough dark matter to theoretically produce detectable signals for two WIMP types.



However, "no signal from dark matter annihilation was found to be statistically significant," said lead author Regina Caputo from the University of California, Santa Cruz.



In the third study, a research team led by Clemson University's Marco Ajello and KIPAC's Mattia Di Mauro analyzed the background glow of gamma rays seen all over the sky.



The nature of this light, called the extragalactic gamma-ray background (EGB), has been debated since it was first measured by NASA's Small Astronomy Satellite 2 in the early 1970s. Fermi has shown that much of this light arises from gamma-ray sources that cannot be identified as individual sources, particularly galaxies called blazars powered by material falling toward gigantic black holes.



"We performed a statistical analysis of the EGB, in which we looked at very dim objects and asked whether we can account for all detected gamma-ray photons with known astrophysical sources," said Di Mauro.



"There is very little room left for signals from exotic sources in the EGB, which in turn means that any contribution from these sources must be quite small. This information may help us place limits on how often WIMP particles collide or decay."



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Tagsdark matter, Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, NASA, axions, weakly interacting massive particles, WIMPs
To find trees in the desert, we often have to go up in the mountains. I grew up in the Midwest, so every once in awhile I get a yearning to ...
National Hispanic Leaders Congratulate Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, 58th Presidential Inauguration Contact: Jonathan Williams, 434-426-5310



GLENDALE, Calif., Dec. 31, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- National Hispanic Christian leaders issue the following joint statement of congratulations for Rev. Samuel Rodriguez on his being selected to participate in the 58th Presidential Inauguration.



Rev. Rodriguez is one of six faith leaders selected to participate in the Swearing In ceremony, including: Rev. Franklin Graham, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Rabbi Marvin Hier, Bishop Wayne T. Jackson, and Pastor Paula White. The letter of congratulations follows: Rev. Rodriguez,



We write today to congratulate you on being the first Hispanic evangelical to ever be selected to participate in the swearing in of a President of the United States, and only the second Hispanic faith leader of any type to receive such an honor. Your honor is our honor, your representation is our representation, and your leadership inspires each of us.



As some of your closest friends and colleagues, we have watched as you have never towed any party line. You have been a prophet to the left and a prophet to the right. You have refused to be used by any political party to advance their political agenda. In your own words, you have stayed committed to the "agenda of the lamb, not of the elephant or the donkey." You have indeed sought to embrace "the march of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the message of Billy Graham." Many of us increasingly view you as having been entrusted with a portion of the mantle of each of these great leaders at a time when the Hispanic community has been used as a political pawn by both parties. Your prophetic witness transcends all the rhetoric and all the politics.



In addition to being critical, you have also praised the left and the right when they have made decisions in our favor. You have taken your influence and used it in a truly bi-partisan manner.



At a moment where other Hispanic leaders refused to work with President-elect Donald J. Trump you worked very hard to build relationships with him and with those around him in order to make sure you had the access and trust to speak into policy and to speak up for your community. We watched you do the same with Presidents' Barack Obama and George W. Bush. Yet, in every circumstance, you never changed your message or your values. This is why we have often trusted you with our future.



There is no greater honor, and no more bi-partisan an honor than to be invited to participate in the Inauguration. Your spiritual leadership and prophetic witness is what has afforded you this privilege. We could not be more pleased that you will represent all of us on that day. Congratulations.



Sincerely,



Gilbert Velez



Carlos Campo



Daniel Prieto



Dennis Rivera



Gus Reyes



Tony Suarez



Angel Marcial



Eddie Rodriguez



Eli Bonilla



Jesse Rincones



Samuel Pagan



Jaime Loya



Luis Avila



Jeremiah Torres



Richard Robles



Ruben Mendez



Sergio De La Mora



Sam Segundo



Jason Aguilar



Daniel Mendoza



Magda Hermida



Jason Lozano



Alfonso Aguilar



Rondell Trevino



Mario Bramnick



Edward Ramirez



Albert Bello



Julio Guarneri



Teo Cisneros



Andrea Ramirez



Juan Daniel Gonzales



Sergio Ramos



Yvette Santana



Girien Salazar



Gilbert Montelongo



Carlos Moran



Josiah Silva



Ivette Ruiz



Gabriel Cortes



Joe Rios



Jesse Miranda



Carlos Ortiz



Albert Reyes



Rev. Enedeo Garza

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Christian Man Refuses to Deny Christ as ISIS Fanatics Hang Him and Torture Him With Nails

Islamic State (ISIS) militants have destroyed several areas in Mosul and are driving Christians away to refugee camps. Those who fail to escape and are captured by the jihadists face a terrifying ordeal.

One refugee in Jordan said he was captured by ISIS militants back in 2014 after they took over the house where he and his parents were staying. They forced them to convert to Islam or pay the jizya, a tax on non-Muslims worth $300 per person. The man, who chose to be called Carlos, refused to convert and pay the tax, forcing the ISIS militants to torture him.

He was taken to an unknown location and was hung upside down on one leg. "They tortured me by electric shock, beat me with sticks, stuck with nails, and bound me with barbed wire," Carlos told Christian Aid. "They put salt on my wounds. I was shouting from the intense pain."

They tortured him until he was dragged in court, where a judge told him to convert to Islam or else face death. "I refused and said, 'If I die, I will die proud, because I am a Christian,'" said Carlos. "The judge responded, 'You will be shot and executed on Sept. 26."

Carlos was taken to the outskirts of Mosul during that date, but before they could execute him, the militant in charge received a call from a superior, ordering him to leave the Christian there. So they kicked and hit Carlos, then threw him from a car.

He could not believe his luck, but Carlos was so worn out from all the beatings that it seemed impossible to survive. "I tried to walk, but after a while, my bleeding wounds caused me to fall down and pass out," he said.

Thankfully, when he regained consciousness, he found himself in a hospital in Kirkuk. Indigenous Christian missionaries even went one step further by taking Carlos to Spain where his leg injuries were treated.

"In Iraq, they could not treat my leg and told me it needed to be amputated," he said. "But then I went to Spain, and my leg was treated in the Spanish hospital through an organisation. Thank God I can walk now, but I have nothing to live on here in Jordan."
Denzel Washington Tells Bishop T.D. Jakes That He Has Found a New Calling: Being Servant of God

Highly acclaimed American actor Denzel Washington has found a new calling: being a servant of God.

Appearing as guest in the "TD Jakes Show" last week, the two-time Academy Award winner surprised everyone, including the host Bishop T.D. Jakes, when he boldly declared, "I'm in the service business now, I'm fine. I've done well. I don't need any watches and all of that. So I'm here to serve God, here to serve my family."

Washingtonwho celebrated his 62nd birthday on Wednesday, Dec. 28said at this point in his life, he sees himself as someone who's more than just an actor and that he's now focusing on serving others, The Christian Post reported.

Washington spoke about his reenergised Christian faith in a video clip that has gone viral after it was shared by musician Jermaine Dupri on his Facebook page.

In the video, Washington discussed materialism, service and how his faith informs his values, Relevant magazine reported.

One of his statements that resonated well was when he said, "You'll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse. Whatever you have in life, you can't take it with you ... It doesn't matter what you have, what matters is what you do with what you have ... with what God has given you ...

"Who have you lifted up? Who have you made better? Today. That's what I'm about," Washington said.

Washingtonwho starred in iconic films such as "Training Day," "American Gangster" and "Philadelphia"has been hailed as "one of the most powerful Christians in Hollywood" today because of his outspoken ways of expressing his Christian faith.

The renowned actor is the son of a former pastor of the Church of God in Christ, and has in the past credited his massive success in Hollywood to the influence of his father and the prayers of his mother.

The words Washington spoke during a church event in 2015 still ring a bell. In that gathering, he urged attendees to pray daily and maintain a spirit of gratitude. "Give thanks for blessings every day. Every day. Embrace gratitude. Encourage others. It is impossible to be grateful and hateful at the same time," he said, as quoted by The Gospel Herald.

"I pray that you put your slippers way under your bed at night, so that when you wake in the morning you have to start on your knees to find them. And while you're down there, say 'thank you.'"

Last May 9, Washington spoke to graduates of Dillard University, telling them to "put God first in everything you do."

"Number one, put God first in everything you do. Everything that you think you see in me and everything you think I've accomplished and everything you think I have... everything I have is by the grace of God, understand that. It's a gift," he said.
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg Denies He's An Atheist: 'Now I Believe Religion Is Very Important'

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg has just debunked a more-than-a-decade-old public notion about himself.

The chairman, chief executive officer and co-founder of the world's most popular social media platform is now saying he's not atheist.

In a post wishing everyone a "Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah," Zuckerberg answered a commenter who wondered why he made the greeting and asked him, "But aren't you atheist?"

Zuckerberg responded with a definitive "no," adding, "I was raised Jewish and then I went through a period where I questioned things, but now I believe religion is very important."

This contradicted his Facebook profile that at one point said he was an atheist before he removed his religious preference from his page, according to Patheos. The Wall Street Journal also alluded to his atheism in a 2007 story.

In the same Facebook thread, Zuckerberg even joked about religion.

When a commenter asked why Facebook doesn't notify that Dec. 25 is Jesus birthday, Zuckerberg replied: "You're not friends with Jesus on Facebook?"

Could it be that Zuckerberg had a change of mind on religion when he and his wife met Pope Francis in Vatican City last August?

No one could tell for sure. In a statement he posted on Facebook about that Vatican meeting, Zuckerberg said he and Pope Francis talked about efforts to help poorer communities connect to the Internet.

"We told him how much we admire his message of mercy and tenderness, and how he's found new ways to communicate with people of every faith around the world," wrote Zuckerberg.

Zuckerberg is not the first notable public figure in the United States to be tagged as atheist only to publicly deny it.

U.S. Senator and former Democratic Party presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders also found himself in the same situation and responded just like what Zuckerberg did.

"First of all, I am not an atheist," Sanders said last July in response to leaked emails claiming that he was an atheist and that it should be used against him to benefit Hillary Clinton.
ISIS Beheads Elderly Prisoner Accused of Being a 'Wizard'

A ginger-bearded Islamic State (ISIS) fanatic, who is known as the "Red Beard," has ordered the beheading of an elderly prisoner after accusing him of being a "wizard" and a "practitioner of magic."

The jihadist group released several photos of the execution, according to The Daily Mail. In one photo, the ginger-bearded militant is seen using a microphone as he reads out the elderly man's charges in a town square near Damascus, Syria.

Another photo shows the blindfolded elderly pensioner being held down over a wooden chopping block by two more militants while one man raises his arms getting ready for the beheading.

A crowd of men and boys watch as the executioner wields his sword and decapitates the prisoner. The last photo shows the corpse of the man with his severed head placed on top of his torso.

For now, the nationality of the ginger-bearded jihadist remains unknown. But the execution was carried out by the ISIS-affiliated Khalid Bin Al-Walid Army. The group was formed back in May when several radical groups merged, enabling them to control a strip of territory south of the Syrian capital.

The ISIS affiliate is named after Khalid ibn al-Walid, a historical figure who led the Muslim armies in the Battle of Yarmouk in the year 636 and inflicted a heavy defeat on the Christian army.

The photos released by ISIS were part of a report called the "Implementation of the law of Allah in the presence of Muslims." Like many other ISIS executions, the barbaric act took place in public with dozens of onlookers.

Meanwhile, the ISIS executed one of its leading commanders in western Mosul for still unknown reasons, a local source said on Thursday amid reports of increasing rifts within the group's ranks, Iraqi News reported.

"Daesh (Islamic State) have executed their emir of Zangili, west of Mosul, after storming his residence, dragging him out to a public square and shooting him dead," the source told Alsumaria News, claiming that the the execution was carried out as per directives by the group's supreme commander, Abu-Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Local sources said earlier this month that divisions grew among ISIS fighters after Baghdadi excluded Iraqi fighters from commanding the current battles with Iraqi government and other coalition forces, instead assigning foreign fighters to take the lead.

Tensions rose further on Wednesday when the son of a senior commander was reportedly assassinated in Tal Afar, an ISIS stronghold in Mosul, with local fighters within the group suspected to be behind the killing.
The Forgotten Christians Who Faced Brutal Persecution In 2016

Religious freedom has deteriorated rapidly across the globe, that was the conclusion of a US State Department report published in August.

The 2015 International Religious Freedom Report released on August 10 said that a quarter of countries around the world, which account for about 75 per cent of the global population, curtail religious liberty through "government policies or the hostile acts of individuals, organizations, or societal groups".

"Around the world, governments continued to tighten their regulatory grip on religious groups, and particularly on minority religious groups and religions which are viewed as not traditional to that specific country," the report said.

"By any measure, religious freedom abroad is under sustained and serious assault, with governments responsible for many of these abuses," Thomas Reese, chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) told Christian Today.

"Governments' violations of religious freedom take many forms including: suppressing religious activity; detaining prisoners of conscience; and implementing anti-terrorism and anti-extremism laws (in, for example China and Russia), and blasphemy laws (in, for example, Pakistan and Egypt). Many of these governmental violations seek to control or marginalise those religious groups and their adherents who are deemed threats to the states' supremacy."

"The actions of non-state actors also present a major challenge to freedom of religion or belief," Reese added. "For example, in countries including Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, and the Central African Republic, non-state actors are among the primary perpetrators of egregious abuses of religious freedom and other human rights. Governments in these countries either are unable or unwilling to protect the rights of potential victims of persecution."

Here are some of the stories of persecution that have stood out over the past year.

Iraq and Syria

The battle to retake Mosul  ISIS' last stronghold in Iraq  is well under way, but Islamic State has over the past year continued to perpetuate serious abuses against religious minorities, including Christians, Yazidis and Shia Muslims.

At least 30 mass Yazidi graves have been discovered in liberated areas to the north of Sinjar Mountain in Iraq and harrowing stories continue to emerge from groups persecuted by ISIS. The systematic persecution of Christians, Yazidis and Shia Muslims was this year labelled a genocide by the US administration, European Parliament, UK Parliament and Council of Europe.

"Religious freedom conditions continue to deteriorate in Iraq, especially in areas under the control of ISIL [ISIS]," Reese said.

"While ISIL targets anyone who does not espouse its extremist Islamist ideology, minority religious and ethnic communities, including the Christian, Yazidi, Shi'a, Turkmen, and Shabak communities, especially are vulnerable. In Kirkuk, ISIL has used churches as bases, stormed cemeteries, and desecrated several graveyards; it also destroyed Assyrian monasteries. In late January 2016, it was reported that ISIL had destroyed the oldest Christian monastery in Iraq, the St. Elijah's Monastery in Erbil, which has been a place of worship for more than 1,400 years."

In Syria, civilians are suffering not only under ISIS, but also as the nearly six-year-old civil war rages on.

"Syria's religious communities largely are deprived of religious freedom due to the actions of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, elements of the armed opposition, and terrorist Jabhat alNusra and ISIL," Reese said.

"Since 2011, government forces targeted between 50 per cent and 63 per cent of Christian places of worship as well as members of the Christian community... Prominent Christian civil rights activists, humanitarian workers, and religious leaders have been among the detained and killed."

Isaac Six, advocacy director at International Christian Concern (ICC), told Christian Today that the Christian community in Iraq has been "decimated over the past thirteen years."

"Of the relatively small number who remain, hope is in very short supply," he added. "ICC has been working since August of 2014 with many of these communities to provide relief and assistance, and what we see now, even with ISIS slowly being pushed out of the country, is still a tremendous amount of fear that it's only a matter of time until they will have to leave the region all-together."

In Syria, he continued, the church "has endured incredible suffering over the past five years. Incredibly, there are still some Christians who remain, and our prayer is that they would endure and one day rebuild the church out of the ashes of the civil war."

Pakistan

One of the most infamous cases of Christian persecution in Pakistan is that of Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five who was sentenced to death in 2010 after being accused and convicted under the country's notorious blasphemy laws.

In October, she was due to appear before Pakistan's Supreme Court in Islamabad for her final appeal after languishing for years on death row, but it was postponed on the day, leading campaigners to question whether the judge had bowed to Islamist pressure. Hardline Muslim groups in Pakistan want Bibi hanged for her alleged crime, and on the day of her appeal, the cleric of the Red Mosque in Lahore said he would issue a fatwa against the Prime Minister of the country if Asia Bibi was set free.

Campaigners say Pakistan's blasphemy laws are frequently misused and used against minority groups, especially Christians. The laws prescribe life imprisonment for the desecration of the Qur'an and the death sentence for "defiling" the Prophet Mohammad, and accusations of incidents have often prompted mob violence. According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies in Pakistan, more than 62 people have been killed in such incidents since 1990. More than 40 people are currently on death row for blasphemy, the majority of whom are members of religious minorities.

"The Pakistani government continues to perpetrate and tolerate systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations," Reese said. "Religiously-discriminatory constitutional provisions and legislation, such as the country's blasphemy law and anti-Ahmadiyya laws, violate international standards of the freedom of religion or belief and result in prosecutions and imprisonments."

Reese also condemned "chronic sectarian and religiously-motivated" violence experienced by Shi'a and Ahmadiyya Muslims, Christians, and Hindus, and blamed the government's failure to protect religious minorities. This has created "a deep-rooted climate of impunity," he said.

North Korea

A horrifying report released in September revealed that Christians in North Korea face rape, torture, enslavement, and being killed for their faith.

CSW, a UK-based religious freedom charity, said in the report, Total Denial: Violations of Freedom of Religion or Belief in North Korea, that freedom of religion or belief "is largely non-existent" under dictator Kim Jong-Un's leadership.

"Religious beliefs are seen as a threat to the loyalty demanded by the Supreme Leader, so anyone holding these beliefs is severely persecuted," the report said. "Christians suffer significantly because of the anti-revolutionary and imperialist labels attached to them by the country's leadership."

Among the documented incidents against Christians are "being hung on a cross over a fire, crushed under a steamroller, herded off bridges and trampled underfoot".

Other crimes include "extra-judicial killing, extermination, enslavement/forced labour, forcible transfer of population, arbitrary imprisonment, torture, persecution, enforced disappearance, rape and sexual violence, and other inhumane acts".

Though the regime officially says there are just 13,000 Christians in North Korea, the true figure is believed to be much higher. Cornerstone Ministries International, which works with North Korean Christians in the country as well as in China, estimates that there are between 200-300,000 in total.

Believers are forced to practise their faith in secret, and if caught, get sent to North Korea's notorious hard labour camps. One escapee told CSW that while he was detained, he met a prisoner who was sent to the camp simply because he had spent a month in China studying the Bible.

Six told Christian Today it was "nearly impossible to imagine the horrors that are a daily reality for so many of faith in North Korea".

"Religious freedom conditions in North Korea remain dire, especially for Christians," Reese added. "Christians believed to have propagated religion, carried out religious activities, been in contact with religious persons, or are in possession of religious items typically are jailed, forced into hard labour, or executed."

China

The Chinese government this year continued its campaign to crackdown on Christianity and up to 1,700 churches have been demolished or had their crosses removed over the past three years.

However, new rules were drafted this year by the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) that will further restrict religious freedom in the country. Due to be brought into effect in 2017, the new regulations will mean that no religious materials may be published without approval by SARA, no one may study theology without official permission, and no venues may be used for religious services unless a permit is granted.

China already has in place a number of draconian laws on religion that systematically repress the liberty of its citizens, and campaigners fear that the proposed new laws could see the climate for Christians and other minorities significantly worsen.

In November, it was reported that Christian children in Zhejiang  at the centre of the church demolition campaign  were being lured away from churches by a government scheme aimed at stopping them from taking part in Sunday services with other believers.

In October, more than 20 Christians in Henan province were detained and beaten, and another couple detained for hanging a cross in their home.

"It was generally believed that conditions were slowly improving in China over the past decade, but these incidents make it clear that the Communist Party is dedicated to crushing any perceived threat to its authority, regardless of the cost to freedom," Six said.

Nigeria

Open Doors has ranked Nigeria as one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. President of the charity's UK and Ireland division, Eddie Lyle, told Christian Today in September that the Church there "is facing its Gethsemane".

"For the most part it stands alone and misunderstood. It has endured years of destruction, great human loss, and its people scattered. It's time for the Church around the world to hear not only their cries, but their screams for help, and for the support of the family of God around the world," Lyle said.

Much of the violence perpetuated against Christians in Nigeria is by Boko Haram; an Islamist militant group whose name means 'Western education is sinful'. Since uprising in 2009, it has targeted more than 900 schools, deliberately killing at least 611 teachers and forcing another 1,900 to flee. In total, 20,000 people have been killed over the past seven years as a result of the insurgency.

In August, Boko Haram's new leader Abu Musab al-Barnawi vowed to eradicate Christianity in Nigeria. Militants will blow up "every church that we are able to reach... killing all of those who we find from the citizens of the cross," he said.

"In Nigeria, more Christians have been murdered because of their religious identity than in any other country we know of over the past year," Six said. "Boko Haram and Fulani militants are running rampant in the North and across the Middle Belt of the country. While the Nigerian military and government have taken some action against Boko Haram, the almost weekly slaughter of Christians by Fulani militants desperately needs to be addressed."
Did your credit card company miss a zero when entering your last payment? Is there a mystery charge for $3,000 worth of pink flamingoes erroneously assigned to your account? Were your credit card rewards mistakenly sent to someone in Peru? These and other more common everyday mishaps can be resolved with your credit card company, but it is important to use the right methods to do so.

Do Not Delay  The Fair Credit Billing Act offers significant consumer protections against credit card fraud and other issues, but it is important to act quickly. If a creditor is not notified in writing within sixty days of the incident, you lose many of your protections. Start the process quickly so you have plenty of time to get the situation addressed should it reach the letter-writing point.

Consider Social Media First  Your massive, highly corporate bank may seem stodgy on the outside, but they are quite conscious of their public image. Generally, they retain staff to maintain and review their social media input and attempt to address reasonable complaints.

A well-crafted post on their Facebook page is likely to get a positive response from the bank that can direct you to the best contact for resolution. Stay positive ("My service is usually great, but...") and point out that you are rethinking whether to move your account elsewhere. Most banks will respond to a constructive complaint.

Try the 800 Number  The 800 number on the back of your credit card is there for just this reason. Call with a clear summary of your complaint and log the results of the conversation. Wait times can be long, but maintain your cool. Again, you will get better results by calmly stating your case and pointing out that you are considering closing your account if the situation is not resolved to your satisfaction.

Contact the Bank in Writing  Do not let actions through the 800 number drag out too long for you to send in the written complaint. Keep a copy of the written complaint for your records. They owe you a written response within thirty days of receiving your complaint. You have now reached a new level of formality on your complaint, but it is important to stay civil.

Contact the CFPB  The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) exists to help protect consumers in multiple ways, including notifying the bank on your behalf. CFPB complaints carry weight because the CFPB can apply penalties to egregious offenders. You can easily lodge a complaint on the CFPB website.

Here are a few things you do not want to do:

Berate the Customer Service Personnel  Should you manage to reach someone on the 800 number or be contacted through social media, keep in mind that they are not responsible for your problem. They are here to help you fix the problem to the extent they can. Raised voices, abusive language, and threats to fill their office with pink flamingoes will not help the situation. Be assertive while staying calm.

Slander the Bank  You aren't going to get much sympathy if you trash the bank on social media or other public outlets. Rip the bank however you like in your thoughts if it makes you feel better, but keep your expressions civil.

Refuse to Pay a Bill  You are not increasing your leverage by refusing to pay the bill; you are increasing the credit card company's leverage should things come to legal action. Pay your bill and target compensation later. If you don't, you will likely incur a series of late fees and penalties, even if you win in the end.

If the erroneous bill is so large that you cannot pay it without hardship, point that out up front. You may be able to strike a deal with the customer service representative. If you want to settle outstanding debts for less than what you owe, try our debt settlement tool.

If your efforts fail, there is always legal action if the error is serious enough to warrant the cost. Otherwise, close out the account at the first opportunity and transfer your balance to a new card with an issuer that is more attentive to your needs. After all, you did give them a chance.

If you want more credit, check out MoneyTips' list of credit card offers.
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Sen. Ted Cruz and other Republicans are hoping to get a bill preventing the federal government from retaliating against businesses or people who refuse service to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals.

The bill, known as the First Amendment Defense Act, was introduce in 2015 and didn't make it far in Congress. With Donald Trump set to become the next president, Cruz is expecting the bill to become a law.

THE DARK SIDE: Ted Cruz has look-alike in 'Return of the Jedi'

"The prospects for protecting religious freedom are brighter now than they have been in a long time," Cruz told BuzzFeed. "Any effort to protect religious liberty has brighter prospects with a new Congress and a new administration." He told the website that a "relentless assault" on religious liberty was an issue for voters.

The bill states, "... the Federal Government shall not take any discriminatory action against a person... with a religious belief or moral conviction that marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman..."

Sen. Mike Lee of Utah is the bill sponsor. Lee's spokesman Conn Carroll told BuzzFeed, "Hopefully November's results will give use the momentum we need to get this done next year."

MAN OF MANY FACES: Real and fictional people who could be Ted Cruz's twin, according to the Internet

The bill also allows people and businesses to sue the federal government for punishment after a refusal of sale or service.

Chuck Smith, CEO of Equality Texas, told TV station KXAN the bill is intended to use religion to hurt people and would be devastating to the LGBTQ community in Texas.

Trump said on the campaign trail that he will sign the First Amendment Defense Act into law to "protect the deeply held religious beliefs of Catholics and the beliefs of Americans of all faiths."

A LOOK BACK: Awful things Trump and Cruz have said to each other

Trump has also said that he would "do everything in my power to protect our LGBTQ citizens from the violence and oppression of a hateful foreign ideology" while campaigning, reports the Associated Press.
'Blockbuster' review: Netflix builds sitcom on company it killed The video chain is dead, but there's hope still for the comedy named after it.

Houston may see severe thunderstorms Friday night An incoming cold front may push a line of strong thunderstorms into Houston Friday.
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South of Houston in the tiny town of Hitchcock, mysterious columns tower near the intersection of FM 2004 and FM 646.

They may not look like much but they hold a rich military history. During World War II, the site served as a US Navy air station and housed blimps that were used to protect the Gulf Coast from German attackers, according to a Facebook post by the Santa Fe Area Historical Foundation.

The foundation has shared a collection of amazing photos from the time the base, originally 3,000 acres, was in service, and later, when it was used for various other purposes, from grain storage or government vehicle repair to offshore drilling companies and public recreation.

The large columns were part of the entry to a hangar that was so large it could house up to six blimps at one time, according to the historical foundation.

According to a 1943 Galveston Tribune article posted by the historical foundation, the original base cost $10 million and was used for anti-submarine warfare.

BRINGING THE PAST TO LIFE: We can't stop looking at these colorized historical photos

"Similar naval bases are now located at Miami, Fla., Brunswick, Ga., and Houma, La.," the article states. "They are part of the Navy's plan to defeat the submarine menace to shipping along the Gulf coast."

Another article is dated 1962 when the property was owned by oilman John Mecom. At the time, Mecom planned to have the giant hangar demolished for safety purposes after it was damaged by two hurricanes, Audery and Carla.

The article says the base was sold to H.L. Harvey of Fort Worth for about $144,000 when the war ended. Harvey then sold it to Mecom, who used the old barracks and officer's quarters for his drilling business. Mecom also housed planes and helicopters on the property to transport workers and supplies to offshore drilling sites.

"The base has been used for a little of everything," the 1962 article states. "Several million bushels of grain were stored there for a while, and during the Korean War, it went into action for the armed services again. An untold number of tanks were built at the base by the Bowen-McLaughlin Co."

The property is now privately-owned.

Above, see historical photos of the base and learn more about its past, courtesy of the historical foundation.
First responders called to a southwest Houston apartment complex about 7 p.m. Friday found a man in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds.

The man, whom police later identified as 26-year-old Sir Don Bell, was rushed to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, where he died.
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A pair of soldiers from Fort Bliss in West Texas were last heard from on Dec. 19. Now their families are trying to find them.

Jake Obad Mathis and Melvin Jones were last seen traveling in a 2013 Black Chevrolet Camaro with Texas plants HTV-9983.

Neither soldier has spoken with family in two weeks and their phones are off.

FOUND DEAD: Missing woman's ex-husband charged, body found in home

An Army Warriors in Recovery program spokesman said no activity has been recorded on their social media accounts.

Melvin Jones' father, Duane Jones, told KVIA-TV in El Paso that his son was supposed to meet him at the airport with plans to go to the Sun Bowl between North Carolina and Stanford. But, Melvin Jones never showed up.

Jones was last seen with his friend, Mathis, on post. Loved ones weren't aware the two were missing until Mathis failed to report for work.

COURT VICTORY: Judge awards death row inmate new trial in 1992 slaying

Mathis' mother, Kathy Mathis, said her son is now considered "AWOL" by the Army. Jones was on leave until January. He won't be considered Absent Without Leave until then.

The pair must be AWOL for 30 days before the Army will conduct a search for them. And, El Paso police do not conduct missing persons investigations at Fort Bliss, considering it a military matter.

With no clues as to why they're missing, the families say they're taking things into their own hands now and hoping for the best.
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Santa Clause is typically pictured with a big, bushy white beard and a red hat.

And, for a while, a statue of St. Nick outside a north Texas man's home showed just that. But, now, Santa may need more than Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer to guide him. Someone knocked off and stole Santa's head.

The decapitated Mr. Clause still stands outside Ed Lujan's home in Lewisville, but with the addition of a sign to the vandals: "Whoever did this WE still believe in Christmas."

POLITICAL GRAFFITI: 'I Love Tacos So Much' wall marred by obscene Trump quote

Lujan, a police officer recovering from being run over by a suspect earlier in the year, told WFAA-TV that the vandals struck on either Christmas Day or the day after.

It isn't the first time Santa has been attacked by vandals. Lujan said the six-foot-tall statue has been egged,stolen and the arm broken.

But for now, Lujan said, headless Santa will stay in defiance of whoever decapitated him.
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For strange crime, it's hard to beat Texas.

Why else would the London tabloids so often recount odd news from the Lone Star State?

Texas law enforcement annals of 2016 are ripe with stories to be plucked. Some of them might bring a chuckle  the San Jacinto County man arrested while driving a pink toy version of the Cadillac Escalade  while others are horrible and heartbreaking, such as the Baytown teen stabbed more than 50 times allegedly by her boyfriend.

GRUESOME DISCOVERY: Body found at home of missing woman's ex

Odd crimes got off to a roaring start on Jan. 31, when a speeding SUV went through Jugs Draft in the 3100 block of South Shepherd and came to a stop in the dining room of Jenni's Noodle House next door.

It takes little to cause a traffic jam on U.S. 290, and a 25-year-old naked woman dancing on top of an 18-wheeler on March 7 brought traffic to a standstill.

In the grip of a psychiatric emergency, the young woman walked into westbound lanes near Huffmeister, causing a minor three-car accident before scaling the cabin of a big rig.

WEIRD HEADLINES: Texas stories too strange to make up

"She just crawled up the front of that truck," Brian Shirley, a public information officer for the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department, told the Houston Chronicle. "Up on the bumper, up on the hood, all the way up."

After first responders persuaded her to come down, she was taken to an area hospital for a mental evaluation, Harris County sheriff's deputies said.

On the last Sunday in June, Vincente Rodriguez, of Liberty County, ended up shot to death after apparently being lured outside his house by his van bursting into flames. The suspected shooter, Melvin Adalberto Morales-Rivas, 28, told authorities he and his partner in a lawn-service business went to Rodriguez's home to discuss a dispute over a weed trimmer.

FBI STATS: Safest, most dangerous cities in the Houston area

Sheborah Thomas, 30, allegedly told an acquaintance on Aug. 14 that she had drowned her children and had to leave Houston. According to investigators, she tried to bury them but couldn't dig a hole big enough and rolled them under a neighbor's house.

In more public crimes, Houston-area law enforcement continued to crack down on sex trafficking, and Texas continued to lead the nation in reports of inappropriate relationships between teachers and students.

Click through the gallery above to see some of the headline-grabbing Texas crimes of 2016.
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.
St. Ignatius High School students help pack a number of toys that were included in hampers provided by the Thunder Bay Christmas Cheer Fund. The local high school raised 12,855 food items for the cheer fund as well as raising $5,350 in donations. They were among dozens of students from the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board and Lakehead Public Schools who were at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition Coliseum on Dec. 10 to help the holiday fundraiser. Schools across the city were collecting for the annual food drive and donations were all delivered on Dec. 10 in preparation for the distribution of Christmas hampers.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hatchimals were the hot Christmas toy this season that left many parents and kids hot and bothered when the toy didn't perform as advertised. Just as some Hatchimals failed to fully hatch, so to did the Hillary Clinton coronation campaign, leaving all involved with egg on their faces. Egg they've been trying wash off with sour grapes ever since.

There were plenty of signs from the start that Hillary Clinton's candidacy and campaign wouldn't be all it was cracked up to be. In a way, it was an accomplishment that the DNC could even put all their eggs in the Hillary basket with all the Hillary and Bill Clinton baggage it was already stuffed with.

Hillary Clinton was one of the least popular candidates to ever run for president. More than 50 percent of voters found her to be untrustworthy. At the end of the campaign, polls showed voters found her less honest than even Donald Trump. Contrary to what the Clinton campaign would have you believe, that wasn't because the press failed to truth test Trump's statements, they did.

Clinton made her own credibility bed. The private server/email issue, and how she responded to it, just reinforced her already well established reputation for not being candid and transparent. The damning information that came out in DNC and Clinton campaign emails also just reinforced already established negative perceptions of Clinton.

The selling point of the Clinton was supposed to be her experience. The email controversy exposed the empress as having no pantsuits, so to speak. She, along with her State Department staff, were harshly rebuked by FBI director James Comey for being careless and reckless in handling something as basic as department email. Clinton would have voters believe she didn't recognize the markings for classified documents, yet at the same time she was hailed as the most qualified person to run for president?

Hillary Clinton wasn't just a bad candidate for the 2016 election. She was a bad candidate for the 2008 election, as Barack Obama established. The flaws in Clinton's game in 2008 were still present and clearly evident in 2016.

Both Hillary and Bill Clinton have blamed her loss on James Comey's letter to Congress, in the closing weeks of the campaign, updating them on the FBI investigation into Clinton's email management.

Long before Comey sent that letter, Clinton was tied or losing to Donald Trump in Ohio. Clinton had already lost Michigan to Sanders in the primary. Her early poor performances in both Ohio and Michigan, despite bombarding the airwaves with attack ads on Trump, should have sent alarm bells off in DNC and Clinton campaign headquarters that their candidate and campaign message were seriously flawed.

The Clinton campaign is arguing that the Comey letter swayed late deciding voters in the final weeks. Those voters, they argue , equal the margin of Clinton's loss. An article in The Huffington Post, no less, debunked that theory. They interviewed late deciding voters who said the Comey letter wasn't the deciding factor the Clinton camp made it out to be.

All that winning the popular vote means is that Clinton won the east and west coast. What the Clinton supporters ignore when boasting about the popular vote count, is that Clinton lost almost all the states in between the east and west coast. Trump won the clear majority of states in the nation. We have the Electoral College for a reason. The country is called the United States of America for a reason.

If Trump lost the Electoral College, no Democrat would be calling for the College to be expelled from the election process established by founding fathers far wiser than the Democrat leadership we have now.

Trump won because he out worked, out smarted and out messaged Hillary Clinton. Not because of Russian hacks and Comey letters.

The gallery above contains 45 cartoons I've posted on Hillary and Bill Clinton. Most of them are from the campaign during 2016 and 2015. There are also a few from 2008 and 2009. In 1993 I began drawing cartoons for The Plain Dealer. So I spent 8 years during the Clinton presidency skewering Bill and Hillary, who provided plenty of material. And during the 2008 campaign I produced plenty of cartoons lampooning the Clinton. Something tells me Chelsea Clinton may be providing cartoonists more fodder in a future campaign, carrying on the Clinton family business.

Have a safe and happy New Year's eve.
Burke Lakefront Airport.JPG

Divers will begin to look for the small plane that went missing over Lake Erie Thursday night.

(Kaylee Remington, cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - After searching for a small plane that went missing following takeoff from Burke Lakefront Airport on Thursday night, the Coast Guard, along with Cleveland officials, said they will use divers to try to find the plane in Lake Erie.

A Saturday morning news conference was held to talk about the recovery process after the search was suspended Friday evening. The plane was carrying six people, including an Ohio beverage distributor executive from the Columbus area. In the plane were executive John T. Fleming and five family members and neighbors, according to media reports.

Officials determined all available resources and leads were exhausted.

See video from Saturday's news conference from cleveland.com's Facebook page:

Press conference to give update on missing plane Posted by cleveland.com on Saturday, December 31, 2016

Many entities are working together, including the U.S. Coast Guard, city of Cleveland, Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, Cleveland Department of Public Safety and the Cuyahoga County Port Authority, among others, according to Fred Szabo, interim director of the Department of Port Control.

A command center is being set up at Burke Lakefront Airport, Szabo said. A joint information center also will be at that location, he indicated.

A contract has been made with private divers and U.S. Marine Corps. divers to find the aircraft and extract it from the water.

An investigation is being conducted on what the cause of the disappearance is. Operations will begin Saturday, Szabo said. Officials haven't said if the weather was the cause.

Many highly trained professionals will be at the airport, according to Khalid Bahhur, commissioner of Burke Lakefront Airport.

There will be a grid put together with the divers as they try to find out where exactly the plane was when the last communication was made, he said.

"We are working closely with the Cleveland Police Department, fire department, EMS, the Coast Guard, port authority and a number of other folks who have offered their services to help resolve this issue," he said.

Searchers looked over nearly 130 miles of Lake Erie to try to find debris or the missing people, which turned up negative.

The missing plane took off from Burke on Thursday night after the passengers attended a Cleveland Cavaliers game. The group was headed to the Ohio State University Airport when the plane disappeared off the radar about two miles outside of downtown around 11:30 p.m.

Coast Guard personnel were searching Lake Erie throughout the day Friday for plane wreckage, but none was located in the search area, said Capt. Michael Mullen, the chief of response for the Ninth Coast Guard District in Cleveland.
A visible reminder at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Noon Year's Eve celebration Saturday that the entire park system will spend the coming year marking its Centennial. (James Ewinger, The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Metroparks' Centennial got a 12-hour headstart Saturday as families crowded the Welcome Plaza of the Metroparks Zoo to ring in the New Year promptly at noon.

Yes, that stellar strand of green known as the Metroparks turns 100 in 2017.

The early acknowledgment was at the 11th annual Noon Year's Eve celebration in family friendly vernacular.

Professor Wylde's Animal show moved indoors, commandeering the chill-resistant exhibition hall inside the zoo's administration building.

The informative hands-on presentation ran every half hour from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with every seat taken each time.

Kids also got to try their little hands at craft projects and had a chance to post their 2017 New Year's "ReZOOlutions."

"Put out acorns," one said. "East less candy," another pledged.

One grown-up wag asked rhetorically whether any said "help dad pay for my college tuition."

Dr. Chris Kuhar, the zoo's executive director, used the event to recount high points of 2016, including the opening of the Rosebrough Tiger Passage.

That exhibit got a full workout Saturday because the resident tigers are of the Amur species -- native to a region where the climate includes long winters.

Kuhar said zoophiles should stay tuned for the announcement of new exhibits in the coming year.

He said he expected 3,000 to 4,000 people to visit the zoo Saturday, which is good for this time of the year.

He accurately predicted that there would be a surge of people just before noon.

The human flood tide ebbed not long after noon, even though the zoo was to remain open until 5.

The people on the Welcome Plaza had no trouble staying warm because DJs led them through calorie-burning dance steps.

Sam Cario, a spokesman for the zoo, said Saturday night would mark a first for the zoo's Stillwater Place event center that opened last year: a wedding reception. Stillwater is weatherproof and open all year.
When a stock hits the new-high list, it is either because it is part of a bull market, it announced fantastic earnings or the sector has tremendous sales momentum.

These are stocks that hit a new high in trading for the day, especially on days when the market is in bad shape. If a stock hits a new high on a down day, then obviously it has something good going for it.

One of the easiest ways for the " Mad Money " host to identify the stocks that should be on his radar is to look at the new-high list.

You only buy stocks that have pulled back from the new-high list if you are confident they will make a comeback for substantive reasons not having to do with the market.

However, that doesn't mean Cramer recommends chasing after every stock on the new-high list. That would just be completely ridiculous.

The list is merely meant to serve as a jumping off point for stocks to start watching. Homework is still key to ensure that the fundamentals of the company are strong.



One thing to keep in mind is that there is often more continuity in the market than change. That means once the stock is purchased, things will pretty much keep going the way they were until a major shift happens.

Cramer likes to wait for a pullback before pulling the trigger to buy a stock. The key is to buy on weakness and sell into strength. He recommended waiting until a high-quality stock falls at least 5 percent, as that will give you a solid entry point.

"You only buy stocks that have pulled back from the new-high list if you are confident they will make a comeback for substantive reasons not having to do with the market," Cramer said.

The most important tip is to make sure you understand why a stock has pulled back. Make sure there isn't a really good reason why everyone is selling the stock and driving the price down, otherwise the stock could turn out to be a disaster.



Cramer looks at the fundamentals to tell the difference between a troubled stock that is momentarily damaged and a troubled company headed down the tubes. As long as the fundamentals of the company haven't changed, it is likely that it just pulled back for mechanical reasons.

"Some of my best picks have come out of this process, and hopefully some of yours can, too," Cramer said.
Eating healthy can be pricey.



A 2015 study by Consumer Reports found that organic food was, on average, nearly 50 percent more expensive than non-organic options. Still, that hasn't deterred consumers from flocking to healthier foods, and those that sell them.

If shoppers are looking for food that is either organic, gluten-free, non-GMO and they're not in a major city, healthy options can be not only expensive, but also difficult to find.

One startup is trying to change that dynamic. Thrive Market, which sells non-perishable healthy foods at comparatively reasonable prices, will ship customer orders within two days to 85 percent of the country.

"Our idea is to make healthy living affordable and accessible for anyone," Thrive Market co-CEO Nick Green told CNBC's "On The Money" in an interview.

Conceived as a kind of online-only Whole Foods combined with a Costco-like warehouse club model, Green and fellow co-founder Gunnar Lovelace created the organic delivery company just two years ago.

"We offer natural and organic products, shelf-stable products you put in your pantrythat are 25 to 50 percent off what you find in a conventional retail store," Green told CNBC.

Thrive Market charges $60 for an annual membership and Green said there are "more than 350,000 paid members on the site." He said the cost savings are achieved because of the membership model, and the fact they buy direct from supplierseliminating the middleman.




Low water on the Mississippi River has high cost

A historically low Mississippi River has backed up barge traffic as demand rises. And there's no real end in sight.
Silicon Valley is an amazing place of innovation. It's a geek Mecca, a destination for professional nerds -- the technology capital of the world.

Silicon Valley is the only district in the world where people know more about the Wojcickis than the Kardashians, are more likely to have an elevator pitch than a committed relationship, and are more familiar with Github than with snow.

So many of the products and services that have transformed our world for the better were cooked up here. Today's smartphones, social sites, search engines and app-centric sharing economy services like Uber and AirBnB were all dreamed up by young visionaries in towns like Cupertino, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Jose and San Francisco.

Despite the best efforts of city planners around the world, Silicon Valley cannot be replicated. The Silicon Valley miracle is not the product of incentives, zoning, universities or planning. It's the product of culture -- a perfect blend of utopian, hippy, business, researcher, hacker, inventor and imperial mindsets.

But this mindset has a dark side. And now that tech has gone so thoroughly mainstream, the dark side is more apparent and affects and annoys more people.

Here are the seven things Silicon Valley needs to stop doing in 2017.

1. Stop using the 'D' word (disrupt)

Silicon Valley moguls and entrepreneurs talk about "disruption" as a primary goal for their businesses.

Here in Silicon Valley, the word "disrupt" is code for fixing something.

The assumption is that something out there is deeply flawed and by applying Silicon Valley pixie dust -- apps, algorithms or artificial intelligence -- that flawed thing can be fixed with a better way to do things.

Outside Silicon Valley, the word "disrupt" is code for breaking something.

People own or work for businesses that have or could be targeted by some tech company for "disruption." If you own a small trucking company, and a Silicon Valley entrepreneur starts talking about "disrupting" the trucking industry, he's talking about crushing your business and taking away your livelihood to make himself a billionaire.

Silicon Valley, stop trying to transfer wealth from the many to the few. Stop trying to do a scorched earth on traditional industries. Instead seek out win-win business that benefit as many people as possible.

2. Stop pretending you're not a media company

I'm talking to you, Facebook, and all you companies out there with Facebook-envy. If users publish or share content on your site, and you do anything to that content -- algorithmical sort or filter it, delete it for objectionable themes or offer "top stories"-type favoritism, guess what? You're a media company. You're not like the phone company. You're like a newspaper company, with all the attendant social and editorial responsibilities thereof.

Facebook is the leading hypocrite in this realm. It's an aggressive filterer of News Feed content, showing you a fraction of the posts sent by friends using secret criteria designed to boost "engagement," and in the process, determining which of your relationships you tend and which you abandon. It strongly censors posts based on its values or, barring that, the values of its critics who have shamed them in the court of public opinion.

Facebook is the biggest source of news in the history of mankind. But when confronted with its role in the spread of fake news, it first threw up its hands and said, "hey, we're not a media company."

(After public pressure Facebook backtracked, and announced that it will work with FactCheck.org, PolitiFact, ABC News, the Associated Press and Snopes.com to fact-check stories, then label fake stories as such.)

Too many Silicon Valley companies want it both ways. They want to "disrupt" or displace traditional media organizations and gain all the influence, power and money, but then claim to bear no responsibility for the quality of information delivered to the public.

I say: Stop pretending you're not a media company. Step up and take responsibility. Or get out of the content distribution business.

3. Tech journalists: Stop pretending you're better than your audience

Access journalism has tech journalists rubbing elbows with the seats of power, so to speak, and Silicon Valley arrogance is contagious.

I read too many tech posts and listen to too many tech podcasts that refer to their audience as "normals" -- which is a condescending euphemism for "people who aren't awesome enough to be tech journalists." Some tech journalism these days reveals a cringe-worthy superiority complex among bloggers, podcasters, reviewers and writers -- especially among newer, less experienced publications and podcast companies.

Here's the problem: Tech journalists get access, junkets, review units, invitations and a modicum of notoriety, then confuse all that for personal achievement. From that vantage point they view the priorities of their audience -- you know, people who actually have to buy stuff and deal with the consequences -- as flawed.

Here's what newer tech journalists need to learn, and quickly: Among your audience are people who are better at what they do than you are at what you do. There are people who are more technical than you, too. They probably know less about the subject of your article in part because they have better things to do than obsess over the minutiae of every new app or smartphone. So they turn to you for help, information and perspective, not condescension.

Stop doing this, Silicon Valley tech journalists. Be suspicious of your own technology priorities and take the priorities of your audience as gospel. View your audience as a partnership for mutual learning.

4. Stop launching copycat products

It seems like most of the new software startups these days are launching products that copy apps that have been around for years, with no differentiating feature set.

I love Product Hunt. It's a great way to discover the newest apps (and other things) and put your finger on the pulse of Silicon Valley software. For every unique, useful, powerful and interesting new app on Product Hunt, there are several boring, copycat, been-there-done-that apps.

Really? It's 2017 and you're living in a two-bedroom apartment with eight people in Silicon Valley to make a yellow sticky note app, a minimalist online writing site or a consultant time-tracking app? Those app ideas have been tried and have failed a thousand times. Think of something new.

5. Stop naming your product or company with an "LY" on the end

So you have an outline app. Do you have to call it Outlinely? Does a customer service app have to be called Customerly? And I don't even want to know what Zittly is. (I'm not kidding. These are the actual names of apps that have emerged in the past month or so.)

If you want more advice, I'll create an app called Advicely.

6. Stop acquiring companies and products just to kill them

Silicon Valley companies tend to acquire promising startups. Sometimes they unceremoniously kill them off -- not because they're failing but because they're succeeding.

In some cases, the enthusiasm for the product is so high a grassroots effort emerges to simulate or open source it. But these rarely succeed in the market.

Some of the greatest apps and sites ever created were acquired as they were rising in popularity, then terminated. Remember Posterous, Pownce, Dodgeball, reMail, Nextstop and Friendfeed? These were all innovative, powerful, well-designed apps or services that were terminated on purpose because they were so good.

Stop it, Silicon Valley. Stop using your billions to crush innovation for your own gain.

7. Stop taking away great features users love

In the past few years, major Silicon Valley companies have taken brilliant features that everybody was enjoying and unceremoniously killed them off.

Google Photos is a great example. When Google started stripping Google+ for parts, the photo features were removed and spun out as the separate Google Photos service.

Google also "improved" it by neutering the photo-editing features. Now, you can hardly do anything to pictures using the editing tools beyond cropping, adjusting "light," "color" and "pop" or choosing one of their ugly filters. Ironically, Google owns Snapseed, which is by far the best mobile photo-editing tool.

The website hosting and design company Squarespace used to let you send blog posts via email. This was a fantastic and convenient feature (pioneered by the aforementioned Posterous). Recently, the company announced the termination of this great feature.

Another example is the Apple MacBook Pro. One of the best and most beloved features on Apple laptops in recent years was Apple's patented MagSafe connector, which used a magnet to attach the electrical cord. If somebody kicked the cord accidentally, it would disconnect without destroying your laptop.

The latest MacBook Pros plug in with a USB-C charging cable. Apple removed a great feature to pursue its obsession with minimizing holes in the laptop.

Stop it, Silicon Valley. If you're good enough and lucky enough to come out with a feature everybody loves, don't kill it.

It's 2017. Just stop already.
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The 2017 session of the General Assembly will face the challenge of cutting the current $20 billion state budget by a billion dollars.

But that wont stop the 36 senators and 151 members of the House of Representatives from filing thousands of bills that will be whittled down to around 250 by the time the session ends at midnight May 3.

The main goal of the Legislature in odd-numbered years is to create a new two-year spending package, but with the effects of the Great Recession still reverberating, combined with a sharp decline in revenues, lawmakers are faced with the priority of cutting existing programs.

Leaders on both sides of the aisle will have to communicate more than in recent years, because with a dwindling 79-72 Democratic majority in the House and an 18-18 tie in the Senate, bipartisan work on a budget will be required.

Its budget, budget, budget, said House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, whose caucus has grown by 35 seats during the last four two-year election cycles. This is such a bad situation. Democrats have done a minimal amount to change it, and this is where it ended. We just cant keep hoping that the economy comes back.

Our first priority is the budget, agreed Senate

Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk. It needs to be a balanced budget that works for the state of Connecticut.

GOP at the table

Part of the problem, Duff said, is the chronic, long-term underinvestment in state pension plans.

We are tackling issues that have been left on the table for multiple decades, he said. The decisions were making are not those wed normally make, but we have to pay down the debt accumulated from the 1930s to the 80s and beyond. There are only so many ways in which we can maneuver. The fixed costs that we have really tie our hands. We expect the Republicans to not only be at the table, but to stay at the table.

Obviously the big issue is the budget, said Sen. Len Fasano, R-North Haven, the minority leader whose new title, when the General Assembly convenes on Wednesday, will be Senate Republican President Pro Tempore, thanks to the Election Day pickup of three seats.

We have to talk long-range, Fasano said in a recent interview. We have to start now, to give future legislators something to hang onto and get us out of this hole.

Fasano said he wants to bring vitality back to the states major cities and help get impoverished residents back to work.

We need to take despair and hopelessness and replace with prosperity and sense of destiny, he said. Those are things we should be doing.

Fasano said pension reform is a big part of the budget challenge. He also wants to revise the states brownfield remediation program to let businesses use their own money to clean up contaminated properties in exchange for tax deductions.

No student left behind

Klarides said she will reintroduce legislation that would increase penalties for trafficking in Fentanyl, the dangerous narcotic often added to heroin and is linked to dozens of overdose deaths in the state. Last year the House approved the bill, but it failed in the Senate.

Now, if you get caught with fentynal, the penalty is less than heroin, said Klarides, stressing that her city was the site of a recent record fentanyl bust.

Shes disappointed that Senate leaders have failed to reduce the number of legislative committees, particularly in light of the overarching fiscal problems.

If were not going to be able to save money in our own backyard, how can we expect other people to do it? Klarides said. Weve been talking about this for years.

The states program to fund public education also needs a major revamping, particularly in the light of last years court order that said inner-city schools are being shortchanged.

Its an issue that has dogged the Legislature for 30 years, Duff said. Its not like there is extra money to shift around for the districts. The pot of money, at best, is going to stay the same. The current funding formula is broken.

Duff wants to raise expectations for students, whether they are college-bound or job-ready.

Its important that we have kids who are prepared and ready for the workforce or college, Duff said. I think were leaving too many kids behind. We have a lot of needs that we didnt need 10 years ago.
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BRIDGEPORT  TV viewers nationwide mourned 13-month-old Michael Citrons death, broadcast on a reality show featuring local cops and law enforcement from five other cities.

For most, the tragedy of the toddler from Bridgeport could be forgotten when the cameras were off and the credits of that Dec. 2 episode of A&Es Live PD series rolled.

But the mystery behind Citrons death  he was in the care of a state-approved foster family  lingers, despite a city spokesman having initially attributed the fatality to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The case is under investigation by two state agencies  the Department of Children and Families, which placed Citron in his foster home  and by the Office of the Child Advocate.

Certainly a child dying in foster care is a significant event, said Faith Vos Winkel, who investigates child fatalities for the child advocates office.

But both agencies are awaiting a ruling from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner before moving forward.

Meanwhile the biological mother, Lauren Citron of Greenwich, has hired attorneys Christopher Kenworthy and Anissa Klapproth, the latter a child protection specialists, to conduct a separate probe.

This was a terrible tragedy only worsened by the fact that the Citron family is still in the dark regarding the circumstances leading up to, and the ultimate cause of, Michaels death, attorney Christopher Kenworthy wrote in a statement Friday. The Citron family is no closer to finding out what happened at this time then they were when the police arrived at their home at the beginning of the month to inform them of this terrible tragedy.

All we want is justice for Michael, Kenworthy continued. We need to determine if this tragedy could have been prevented in any way, and if so, to be sure that appropriate steps are taken in the future to ensure that no other family has to go through what the Citron family is going through right now.

According to DCF, Citron was placed in the Bridgeport foster home Nov. 13, 2015, just weeks after his birth. The foster family had been licensed by DCF that September.

Prior to licensure we conduct criminal and child protective background checks on all adults in the household and require extensive training, said Josh Howroyd, a DCF spokesman. The training is pretty rigorous and takes over a five to ten week period. We also inspect the home for safety and compliance with foster care regulations.

Citron was rushed by ambulance to St. Vincents Medical Center on Live PD. The episode drew attention not only for the toddlers death, but the reaction of one of the responding officers, Police Sgt. Chris Robinson. Robinson teared up in his patrol car as he informed viewers that the toddler did not survive.

It was kind of lifeless upon arrival at the hospital. Its um... Robinson said. Its a heartbreaking scene. These are the calls that just, they get to you.

Av Harris, Bridgeports director of communications, told Hearst Media at the time, There doesnt appear to be any foul play.

It appears to be sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); were awaiting on autopsy results, Harris had said.

The Mayo Clinic defines sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, as the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old.

According to the clinic, Although the cause is unknown, it appears that SIDS may be associated with abnormalities in the portion of an infant's brain that controls breathing and arousal from sleep.

Vos Winkel said its a rare event that we classify a case as a SIDS. I want to say in three years weve had actually one case diagnosed as SIDS.

Vos Winkel added that, in her experience, It would be almost unheard of to call a one-year-olds (death) a SIDS. Not that I can rule anything out. Im not a medical examiner. But that would be pretty unusual.

Kenworthy in his statement said, We expect cooperation and transparency from all involved agencies, because speculation, surmise and conjecture run rampant in the absence of information, evidence and proof.

Bridgeport has since decided not to participate any longer in Live PD.

City officials have cited no one incident, but were pressured by the University of Bridgeport and business leaders to reconsider being a part of the program over fears it hurt efforts to improve the citys image.
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BRIDGEPORT  Mayor Joe Ganim sat in his spacious downtown office, nearly 13 months after his historic comeback and just short of two years after publicly apologizing for the crimes that toppled his first administration.

In 2003 the then-political star and possible future governor was sentenced to prison for pay-to-play corruption, but never pleaded guilty.

So when he ran again in 2015 after a New Years Day mea culpa at a Baptist Church, some critics questioned his true motivations. Did Ganim really want to govern, or did he just want the satisfaction of winning and sticking it to his detractors?

We joked after we got elected, OK. I won. We got the message out. Were done. Somebody else run this place, Ganim admitted.

Jokingly, he added again.

On this particular day, Ganim talked like a man who wants the job, and not just for the next three years of his term.

I plan on being here for the balance of this term. I plan on running for re-election (in 2019), Ganim said. Were setting an agenda that will certainly look at the next three years as a horizon, but then well look at the next eight to ten years.

I think rebuilding (Bridgeport), a lot of its started, Ganim said. But theres a lot of years of work to do.

Above average

The mayor would grade the past 13 months back in office  he was sworn in Dec. 1, 2015  a B-plus.

Its not an A but its certainly not average, Ganim said. I think were above average.

The first half of the year was consumed with closing what the administration claimed was a $20 million deficit inherited from ex-Mayor Bill Finch, whom Ganim toppled in 2015s bitter Democratic primary. The budget was balanced with department restructuring and layoffs, some tax increases and one shot revenues like the sale of municipal land to Sacred Heart University.

If you dont have a budget balanced, it stops everything, Ganim said.

The tax increases, which Ganim also blamed on a state-mandated real estate property revaluation that increased homes values, drew intense criticism for a short time. Ganims campaign had produced lawn signs with the simple, appealing message: Stop Raising Taxes.

In July around 450 people packed a City Council meeting to express their outrage, some charging Ganim broke a promise to cut taxes.

The administration also moved aggressively to keep one of Ganims campaign promises to hire around 100 police officers to rebuild a department gutted by retirements and other departures. And the mayor also promoted his longtime friend, Police Capt. Armando A.J. Perez, to the position of acting chief.

Hes doing an outstanding job, Ganim said.

Homicides are down to 10, versus 19 at this time last year. But there have been high profile, non-fatal shootings. Thirteen were wounded when gunmen opened fire at a backyard party in August, and in November five guests at a Sweet 16 birthday party were shot.

Ganim during the campaign was not shy about using a shooting spree that killed one and injured eight against Finch.

Are crime levels low enough? No. Are there too many shootings? Absolutely, Ganim said of 2016s crime statistics.

Given that his prior administration ended in scandal, Ganim pledged to be more transparent. His first year back also saw the launch of a new online system to open the citys fiscal books to the public and a smartphone application for residents to lodge and track complaints about potholes, broken street lights, and other quality-of-life issues.

Second chance

Though Ganim still grumbles about the rough transition  he still insisted his predecessor intentionally kept the incoming administration in the dark over budget woes  the returned mayor inherited several economic development projects from Finch.

And Ganim has also, with prodding from local business leaders, gradually embraced Finchs legacy of making Bridgeport a destination for green companies and projects that create jobs and taxes while protecting the environment.

Stuff that we werent doing 12, 15 years ago, Ganim said. We werent doing sustainability.

Ganim has made Bridgeport more welcoming for other returned felons who lack some of the advantages  connections, a wealthy family  he enjoyed. The mayors second chance initiative included opening a City Hall office to provide post-prison support; lobbying companies to hire individuals with criminal records; and making it easier for contractors with criminal pasts to bid on city work.

I do take a little special pride in that, Ganim said. Its a great opportunity within the parameters of being mayor, someone who has a little louder voice, who has the ability to encourage resources and policies in a certain direction, to speak up on that stuff.

Asked if his style of governance has changed since he last held office, the mayor said he is more deliberative. Ganim said he was forced to slow down his pace and recognize that the staff he hired last winter  many of them campaign advisers  did not share his government experience.

Im coming back thinking this is year 13, right? Ganim said. Its year one for everybody else in the office.

When he returned to office, Ganim found or created well-paying jobs for many of his campaign loyalists. And while the team has had successes, there have been high profile shouting matches between aides; two stormed out of City Hall in anger and threatened to quit; another owed $55,000 in property taxes; a city-owned SUV wound up stolen and in Kentucky after staff left the doors open and keys inside; and relatives of the mayors close aides have been hired despite dozens of layoffs.

As 2017 approaches, Ganim has shaken up his team, demoting some, changing others responsibilities and, most notably, elevating two individuals from outside of Bridgeports traditional Democratic circles to top roles. Kimberly Staley, hired from the private sector, takes over as Chief Administrative Officer. And Christine Bartlett-Josie, who helped run the mayors campaign during its final months and lives in New Haven, will be deputy chief of staff. There will be no chief of staff.

I think we had the right team in place for the first year, Ganim said. Its not unusual that you make tweaks, adjustments.

Budget blues

Ganim said his style is to hold people accountable at some point while giving them a lot of latitude to get things done.

The mayors 2017 to-do list includes crafting a budget for the spring that addresses long-term problems like pension debt.

Can I say were going to cut taxes? No. Can I say Id like to maintain the same (tax) rate or less? Id certainly like to do that, Ganim said. Well see what happens.

Ganim was also criticized for flat-funding education in his current budget. He said he is hopeful the state Legislature will send more money Bridgeports way in the New Year after a state Superior Court judge deemed the current funding formula irrational. That trial included testimony from outgoing Bridgeport Interim School Superintendent Fran Rabinowitz.

But so far things are not looking optimistic. The state this week cut $20 million in overall school aid to plug its own deficit.

Im very sensitive to we have 22,000, 23,000 young people, students, children in our school district ... underfunded by tens of millions of dollars, Ganim said. But (the city giving them) another half million, $750,000 or $2 million is not the answer to solving the challenges of the Bridgeport school district.

Rabinowitz, whom Ganim is sorry to see go, resigned amidst infighting among independently elected school board members. Finch, frustrated with similar behavior, had helped orchestrate a state takeover of the board that was later overturned in court.

Ganim has had the opportunity to fill three vacancies. Still, he said he wants to partner with the board, not strong-arm it

I dont think I should, nor do I have any desire in addition to running the city, to try to run the Board of Education, Ganim said. As good as I think our management team is and will be over the next year, I think thats a lot to take on.

Back to the future

When he returned to politics in 2015, the news coverage often spoke of Ganims redemption. Critics said he had yet to earn it, though out-of-town Democrats have publicly accepted Ganims return..

The state party chairman, lieutenant governor, comptroller and attorney general all appeared at a local party fundraiser in November that also celebrated the year anniversary of Ganims win. And Ganim attended national Democrats nominating convention over the summer to witness history made when Hillary Clinton became the first female presidential candidate.

The mayor said he has been redeemed, not over the last 13 months, but when he beat Finch and one 2015s general election.

To come back out of nowhere, having not even been in town 12 years, and say, Wait a minute guys. You still kind of like me? You still want to give me a shot? And have enough people ... give me a second chance, Ganim said. If this redemption thing really has to be defined, I think it was getting re-elected.

I dont think Im graded on that anymore, Ganim said. Im graded on, Did he balance the budget? Howd he do with responding to my neighborhood? Did he fix the pot hole? Is the downtown really getting redeveloped? (Is he) moving the city forward? And thats fair. Thats why I took the job.
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Handicapped signs

The traditional blue-and-white handicapped signs will slowly but surely be replaced with a new logo, with a character in a wheelchair leaning forward, simulating action. The image will be shown on special license plates and rearview mirror hangers, as well as new or replacement parking-space signs. Instead of handicapped, the signs will read reserved.

Higher pay

Connecticuts minimum wage will rise to $10.10 per hour, up from $9.60. The increase could affect earnings for about 200,000 lower-paid state residents, according to the Connecticut Association for Human Services.

Home improvement

Contractors engaged in water and fire-damage repairs, storm restoration and mold remediations will now have to register with the state Department of Consumer Protection.

More access to marijuana

Advanced practice registered nurses will now be able to certify patients for the states medical marijuana program.

Overdose protection

Drug stores will now sell anti-overdose drugs such as Naxalone without a prescription and health insurers that provide prescription coverage, must pay for it without requiring prior authorization.

Breast cancer screening

Connecticut health insurance policies must cover three-dimensonal mammograms, called breast tomosynthesis, including baseline mammograms for women aged 35 and 39, plus annual mammograms for those 40 and older.

Ban the box

Employers will now be prohibited from asking job candidates about their history of arrests, criminal charges or convictions, except for jobs requiring a security or fidelity bond and for certain employers required by state or federal law to ask.

Juvenile detention

The new law establishes a maximum amount of time  seven days  a juvenile may be held in criminal detention. After a review, a renewal period may not exceed seven days. Courts may also impose alternatives to detention based on a new risk-assessment protocol. Also, the state Office of Policy and Management must track and analyze recidivism rates for children.

Family support magistrates

The governor will now nominate and the General Assembly approve nine family support magistrates to serve five-year terms. Prior law allowed the governor to make direct appointments, without legislative approval, to three-year terms.

kdixon@ctpost.com;
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.
Union clouds threaten our happy New Year

Like most voters, this paper refused to be intimidated by the Remain campaigns Project Fear.

But even the Mail has been bowled over by the robustness of the economy at the dawn of the New Year.

Since the Brexit vote, almost every indicator  growth, jobs, exports, shares, consumer and business confidence, foreign investment  has exceeded the most optimistic expectations.

The London stock market again hit a record high last night as enthusiastic investors backed British business - since the Brexit vote, almost every indicator has exceeded expectations

True, we must brace ourselves for inevitable storms. But as we look forward to Brexit negotiations in the spring, this country is in a far stronger position than most dared hope, while 2017 offers magnificent opportunities to build on our successes.

So how depressing that union dinosaurs are intent on sabotage, planning a wave of strikes to usher in the New Year  starting with the disruption of commuter rail services into the capital, to be followed by a crippling six-day stoppage.

In the early days of the months-long Southern dispute, RMT negotiators pretended they were concerned that trains without guards would jeopardise passengers safety. (Never mind that driver-only trains have been operating safely for 30 years, with union consent.)

This month union president Sean Hoyle threw that fiction aside, declaring his true aim of bringing down the Government, abolishing capitalism and establishing a Socialist order.

With unions in other sectors jumping on the bandwagon, this is out-and-out industrial warfare. Its a battle the Government must win.

Mick Wheelan ASLEF, left, Mick Cash RMT, centre, and Manuel Cortes, right, TSSA band together to protest last year - this year there have been a number of protests by unions

In the early days of the months-long Southern dispute, RMT negotiators pretended they were concerned that trains without guards would jeopardise passengers safety

Today, this paper reveals that rail unions have amassed a 66million war chest, which could help them prolong destructive action for months.

Doesnt the case grow ever stronger for making them legally liable for the huge losses they cause?

If Britain is to make the best of the global opportunities offered by 2017, ministers must first disarm the saboteurs at home.

For services to whom?

WHAT a slap in the face to taxpayers and victims of the social care crisis! After a year of scandal over the waste of foreign aid, a top honour on todays list goes to the mandarin in charge of pouring our borrowed cash down the drain.

Doesnt the knighthood for Mark Lowcock of DfID have all the hallmarks of the unheeding political class?

Yes, some honoured today richly deserve it, including athletes who lifted our spirits in the Olympics (though some will agree with Sir Andy Murray when he suggested he was too young for a knighthood).

But once again, there are far too many of the usual cronies, timeservers and celebrities with dubious claims.

To be fair to Theresa May, this list was in preparation before she came to power. So well have to wait for the next one to see her stamp. Is it too much to hope she will include someone with the public spirit to end the foreign aid racket  and spend the cash where its needed, at home?

Obamas unhappy exit

As the first African-American in the White House, as well as a fine orator and doughty fighter for the welfare reforms he believed in, Barack Obamas place in history was always assured.

So what is he playing at, whipping up diplomatic storms against Israel and Russia in the last days of his presidency?

US President Barack Obamas place in history was always assured - but what is he playing at, whipping up diplomatic storms against Israel and Russia in the last days of his presidency?

Not only has he handed a propaganda coup to Vladimir Putin, letting him look statesmanlike by refusing to indulge in tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats. He also leaves the impression of trying to create problems for Donald Trump.
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They are the candid photographs that capture the overwhelming emotions felt during childbirth.

And they were all taken by this year's Australian Birth Photographer of the Year - Selena Rollason.

Ms Rollason, a mother-of-four from Brisbane, has shared with FEMAIL the story behind some of her most beautiful and heartbreaking images.

One image captures the agonising moment a couple meets their baby boy - who they had been told would be stillborn - for the first and last time.

Heartbreak: Sarah and Adrian are pictured comforting each other beside their baby boy Theodor, who was stillborn

'Sarah and Adrian found out at 20 weeks pregnant that their baby boy would not share a life with his parents  something no new parent should ever have to face,' Ms Rollason said.

Capturing the moment was especially difficult for her, she explained as she was pregnant herself at the time.

'I was engaged as a birth photographer to capture the birth of darling Theodor because there was a chance that he would take a breath at birth and they wanted that moment recorded,' she said.

'Doing this was not easy because I was 39 weeks pregnant myself and my own child was in Intensive Care at the time.

'Unfortunately baby Theodor passed away during the birth and the precious memories of baby Theodor are so now incredibly treasured by his parents that we have kept an ongoing special friendship ever since.

'This image and the other images from his birth are all they have of him now and therefore so very special.'

Joy: Selena captured the elation on the faces of a new aunty, grandmother and grandfather as they first set eyes on the new addition to their family

Other memorable photographs, taken by Ms Rollason include an image of a newborn baby surrounded by family.

'When we think of birth, we often only think of the parents and their baby,' Ms Rollason said of the picture above.

'However there are many more people who are keen to eager to share in this special moment. Parents and grandparents, sisters and aunties, brothers and uncles.'

She added: 'The joy and emotion of that first meeting with other significant members of your family is something that I absolutely love to capture.

'This image depicts the face of a new aunty, a new grandmother and a new grandfather as they first set their eyes on their new nephew and grandson.

'The love is evident and the moment is one that this family will treasure for many years to come.'

Miraculous: This picture captures the moments after Theresa Hohenhaus gave birth to her own grandson for her daughter

This image captures the moment Theresa Hohenhaus, 46, gave birth to her own grandson in June.

Her daughter Alice Hohenhaus, 25, had been diagnosed with leukaemia when she was four and relapsed at age nine.

The radiation left her with scarring and complications with her uterus meant she couldn't have a baby so her mother offered to be her surrogate.

'This birth is one of my all-time favorites,' Ms Rollason said. 'The miracle of surrogacy is a wonderful blessing from modern day medicine and so very special.

'Being witness to the delivery of a baby through surrogacy and being honoured enough to capture these special moments is a wonderful thing to experience as a photographer.

'The atmosphere at this birth was electric and cannot be described in words.'

Life-saving: Ms Rollason captured the moment a baby came out of her mother's womb 'foot-first' during a caesarean section

Ms Rollason said: 'This baby was breech orientation in the womb so when she was delivered by caesarean section, she came out 'foot first'.

'This incredible image shows the baby half inside and half outside of the womb and beautifully depicts the incredible modern medical miracle that is the caesarean-section.'

She added: 'Without this life-saving surgical practice, neonatal mortality would most certainly be higher.'

Rare: Kate Hill holds her baby daughters Charlotte and Olivia - who were conceived 10 days apart

This shot captures the moment Kate Hill holds her baby daughters Charlotte and Olivia - who were conceived 10 days apart.

Kate and her husband Peter were struggling to conceive after Ms Hill was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a hormonal condition that left her unable to ovulate.

She underwent hormone treatment and fell pregnant, not once, but twice - a rare medical phenomenon called superfetation, which essentially means she fell pregnant while already pregnant.

'These twin baby girls were the beautiful result of a long journey to parenthood for this couple. They have their own amazing conception story - conceived 10 days apart in process called superfetation,' Ms Rollason said.

'This image shows the 2 sides of the caesarean curtain. Whilst the family are enjoying and loving on their babies on one side, doctors and nurses are busily completing surgery on the other.

'One is completely oblivious to the experiences of the other and yet they are both in the same place.'

Traumatic: Ms Rollason explains that there are psychological benefits to being able to photograph a caesarean section

'The psychological benefits of being able to photograph professionally in the caesarean theatre should NOT be underestimated by medical staff,' Ms Rollason said.

'Having a caesarean is usually not the preferred choice for giving birth for most women and it can be VERY traumatic.

'A caesarean, planned or not, can be emotionally and psychologically difficult for women to deal with and images like these are instrumental for helping women accept that a caesarean is necessary.'

She explained that the mother whose caesarean had previously delivered a baby at 23 weeks - one that did not survive.

'This successful delivery of her 'rainbow baby' boy was such an emotional and beautiful moment for all involved and the images from this day will forever be treasured as a day where the storm finally ended and a rainbow was gifted,' she said.

Ms Rollason added: 'As a mum that she needed a caesarean section myself when I didn't want it, I know how important these images can be.

'My own caesarean births were traumatic for me and I cried through them both. Giving birth that way was not what I had wanted and having those images were very important for me to heal and process the experience.'

Incredible: Ms Rollason says this picture shows a baby whose head is out of the womb but the body remains inside

'The birth process is an incredible process and yet still very private and hidden,' Ms Rollason said.

'This image depicts a baby half way between the inside world and the outside world where just the baby's head has been born (supported by the doctors and midwives hands) and the body is still inside the womb.'

'A baby at this point often does not even realise that it is on the outside yet. Their little faces and heads are also a little misshapened and wrinkled from the delivery.'

She adds: 'The next contraction following this one will usually see the rest of the body delivered and bring on the baby's first cry.
Lee Daniels has hit out at actors of color claiming systemic racism in Hollywood, saying that they need to 'stop complaining'.

The 57-year-old producer and director, best known for creating shows Empire and Star, recently addressed the #OscarsSoWhite controversy in an interview with the New York Times - and he had a few choice words for the actors behind it.

'Go out and do the work. Oscars so white! So what? Do your work,' he said.

Making a statement: Lee Daniels, the creator of Empire and Star, has hit out at the actors supporting #OscarsSoWhite

Pointing out: The director (pictured with Taraji P. Henson and Jussie Smollett of Empire) told actors of color to 'stop complaining' and 'do the work'

'Let your legacy speak and stop complaining, man. Are we really in this for the awards?' he added.

Although the words seemed blunt, Lee also went on to explain that his reasoning comes from a career that has benefited from ignoring the expectations of white America.

He explained that taking on the attitude that 'the world was against me' wouldn't have gotten him very far in his career.

'These whiny people that think were owed something are incomprehensible and reprehensible to me. I dont expect acknowledgment or acceptance from white America. Im going to be me.'

Juggernaut: Lee's hit show Empire has tackled social issues like trans rights and the Black Lives Matter movement

Thoughtful: Lee also questioned of the actors and artists 'are we really in this for the awards?'

Lee's show Empire has become known for tackling social issues from trans rights to the Black Lives Matter movement.

The #OscarsSoWhite controversy began was created by activist April Reign, who offered Mic a comment in response to Lee's remarks.

'#OscarsSoWhite is not about a statue but the lack of opportunities for those from marginalized communities,' she said.

'The underlying issue begins on the writer's page and permeates the process through the distribution of the finished product.'

Heading up the charge: Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee were among those supporting the #OscarsSoWhite movement

Forgetting expectations: Lee also recently told The Real that he was glad that he never 'embraced racism'

The movement picked up the support of actors and artists last year - including the likes of Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Spike Lee and more - some of whom eventually boycotted the Awards.

The New York Times interview isn't the first time Lee has spoken out about racism in Hollywood. Earlier this month on The Real, the producer stated: 'I wouldnt be where I was if I embraced racism.'
Dear Bel,

I doubt youll get to answer this in time for Christmas but I shall feel better for asking this question.

Im a widow with two children of my own and two stepchildren. All are married and all but my own son each have two children.

Each Christmas and birthday I give my step-grandchildren money in with their cards.

This is always the same amount as I spend on my own daughters two children.

However, the eldest step-grandchild turned 18 last summer and I gave a larger cheque than usual (normal amount is 30, but I gave 100 that time).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Remember the time of year, When the future appears, Like a blank sheet of paper, A clean calendar, a new chance. From Promise by Jackie Kay (Scottish poet and novelist) Advertisement

But even though she lives 100 yards along the road, I never got an acknowledgment or a thank you.

Her mum (married to my stepson) said, when I bumped into her a month or two later, Oh, thanks for Emmas cheque, yeah, I think she wrote you a note but . . . well . . . you know what shes like.

Well, I feel that at 18 she should have said thank you in some way and since she lives along the same street, it cant be that difficult.

So now I feel I dont want to give her any more money. I bumped into her mum (ten days before Christmas) and told her this, making the excuse that, as shes an adult now, I thought it was time to stop and also she is now working full-time.

Well, my step-daughter-in-law didnt seem best pleased. I really wanted to tell her the real reason I was stopping, but didnt have the courage. I said Id have another think on it, so I dont know what to do now.

Though my step-grandchildren live just down the road, I never have any phone calls or anything to ask how I am  while Ive always gone along to them to take their Christmas money or birthday money and Ive sometimes been invited to sit down while they carry on watching TV!

I do get cards on my birthday and Christmas from the mum. I just want to know what you would do, as I need your thoughts and clarity.

Marlene

Though its certainly too late to give you advice about Christmas donations, printing your email now is timely  because Christmas is over and thank-you notes must be written. Yes, they must.

Since I am on your side, Im hoping your dilemma will be read by parents like your step-daughter-in-law  who need to get their act together and ensure their children say thank you properly for Christmas and birthday gifts.

I remember all those Christmases when I handed my two children pencil and paper and instructed them to write down a list of gifts and givers.

Then, after Christmas, came the ritual of enforcing. And the nagging was just as tedious for me as it was for them  but it worked.

Are kids and teens going to write thank-you letters without being made to? No. So its up to the parents to ensure their youngsters grow up with a proper understanding that gratitude is essential.

I know this sounds judgmental, but if parents fail in this duty, they do so through laziness (why else?) and that very feebleness lets their own children down, as well as disappointing the older people who have every right to be thanked, yes, even for the smallest gift.

And if any parent reading this is irritated by my uncompromising opinion, I suggest it might be because you feel guilty!

Teaching gratitude is one of the most valuable lessons to bestow. It starts when the toddlers are reminded to go and kiss granny to say thank you for the toy  and also when they are encouraged to deliver parcels to others in the room before they open their own.

Expressing thanks is one of the most positive and beautiful things we can do.

Simply saying, Oh, how kind, thank you so much, spreads happiness around  since the person doing the thanking doubles their own happiness by making the giver pleased.

What is this about but basic good manners? I was once friendly with a professional couple who regularly came to my home for dinner, eating and drinking their fill. But never once did a thank-you note arrive (just how taxing is it to scrawl, What a great night, wonderful food, thank you so much on a postcard?).

I often wonder if they ever asked themselves why the invitations stopped. I remember thinking: You two are adults and so there is no excuse for your lack of courtesy. And there wasnt.

In your place, I would continue with the 30 gifts (because it would be odd to stop now), but let it be known that you will indeed stop when the young people come of age.

I doubt you should deliver the cards and money in person, though. Frankly, if they have not been taught to bother much with this lady who has always been so generous to them, I see no reason why they shouldnt now pay a visit to collect their loot.

At least that will require effort. There would be nothing malicious about this shift: all you would have to do is get their email addresses and send a festive greeting, saying there is a gift for them at your house.

At this time of year many of us are considering changes we can make in our lives.

This seems to me to be a healthy thing  not to make resolutions about giving up bad habits, but to be determined to develop some good new ones in the coming year.

And my suggestion to everyone is simple: give thanks every day. Give thanks to the man or woman on the supermarket checkout.

Give thanks to the person who holds open the door for you.

Give thanks to the nurse at the GP who gives you the flu jab.

Give thanks to the van driver who delivered the parcel.

And get out a pen today and write thank-you notes to everyone who gave you a Christmas gift, no matter how small. Or pick up the phone.

And to you, Marlene, I give heartfelt thanks for reminding all of us how important this is.

AND FINALLY... It's better to talk than fight... Blessed as I am with a wonderful second marriage (and a harmonious relationship with my first husband), I realise Im lucky. But I know about family conflict, too. Thats why I was concerned to learn that more than a million children have spent Christmas with unhappy, stressed parents who fight or give each other the silent treatment. That situation is classified as low conflict  while a further 194,000 children spent the so-called festive season with hostile, fighting parents. Such people know no boundaries; their childrens welfare is the last thing on their mind. The latest study was by The Marriage Foundation. Earlier this year, the Office for National Statistics found that more than a million people are extremely unhappy with their spouse or long-term partner. Thats about one in 20 of all couples  double the number recorded five years ago. This is a time of year when many couples feel theyve had enough. When there are children involved, Id want people to try very hard to sort out the problems within their marriage  but not at any price. Some unions need to end  and those figures above make it clear why. As patron of Relate, Im a great believer in counselling as a means of either helping to iron out the problems within a relationship  or to end it in a civilised way. People need to learn to talk. The question many of us ask at some stage is this: how long can I go on feeling miserable without working for change? Change was a key theme running through my book Lifelines, and I know from experience how exhilarating, if frightening, it can be. What is the point of accepting misery? This may not seem a very upbeat New Year message, but remember you are in charge of your life. If things are wrong, work out how to put them right, and get help if necessary. Make 2017 the year you move forward. Advertisement

Dear Bel,

I am a 53-year-old service professional, a father of two wonderful adult children and now well positioned in life.

I raised them both essentially on my own, as a result of their mother leaving the home early in our marriage to pursue what excited her.

I remarried  but seven years into that failed ten-year marriage, my second wife became addicted to the prescription drug Xanax and alcohol.

The family fell victim to a relentless series of rages, and after three years of torment, four stints in rehab and two arrests, I called it quits.

Fast-forward three years. Developing programmes in the private sector, I met a wonderful woman who is 20 years my junior.

I am well aware of the challenge the age gap represents  in fact, my reluctance to pursue a relationship with her is because of this. I cringe to think that 30 years down the road I would be, God willing, a very old man, while she would still be a relatively young woman.

She is not married, but is involved in a relationship.

Given my experiences, I am reluctant to be a wedge between them. But there is a magnetism between us thats impossible to ignore. I enjoy being close to her and her to me. Weve conversed for hours on end. We laugh. We even considered going out to see a show, but I have purposely shelved it.

Enjoying a show would not be a declaration of love, but I cant get her out of my mind.

Im at the crossroads: shall I make a stand and discuss how I feel, or not? If she continues her relationship, should I not just abandon this?

Whats wrong with me?

DANIEL-ACROSS-THE-POND

You write from the U.S.  testimony of the enormous reach of MailOnline. And, of course, timeless human problems know no borders.

In the 14th century, Chaucer satirised January-May marriages  but it was very common for young women to be paired off with much older men, rarely having a choice in the matter. (This is also the case in certain cultures today.)

The author of The Canterbury Tales apparently thought it inevitable that a pretty girl hitched to a grizzled old geezer would sneak off to canoodle with a hot young clerk. As you do.

Its easy to be as cynical as Chaucer and poke fun, but there is no reason why a 20-year age gap should matter one jot.

Imagine if we had no birth certificates, but relied instead on personality and interests to guess age . . . why, the 17-year gap between my younger husband and I would disappear in a trice.

I knew a woman who was blissfully married to a man 30 years her senior, had two children with him, and was truly inconsolable at his loss  never looking at another man.

One of my favourite poems is a short lyric by an overlooked genius called A. S. J. Tessimond. Called Age it begins, Do men grow wholly old . . .? The answer is, of course, that they do not, that the all-too-youthful heart goes on grieving  because it is always longing for love.

So my instinct tells me that you shouldnt obsess about the age gap. Surely its more important to work out the nature of the emotional baggage you carry due to two failed marriages?

With a terrific career (you gave details) you are clearly intelligent and engaged with the world, yet surely you cant have endured the stress of those two disastrous marriages without being scarred? This is something to think about.

You say the lady is involved with someone else, but not how serious and/or lengthy that relationship seems to be. Since you and she talk so much, you must have an inkling, and she must know about your past, too.

So isnt the way forward to carry on as you are, being great friends drawn together, sharing talk and laughter and just see where it goes? What would be the harm in going to a show together?

Honestly, I dont see why you shouldnt have a shot at being happy, just dont push the friendship too far at this stage.

Who knows what might happen in 2017  for any of us?
For Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, it was like a stab to the heart. Shortly before Christmas, he hugged his six children in turn under the watchful eye of a court-appointed supervisor and bade them an emotional farewell. It was the conclusion of only his third paternal visit since the highly publicised split from his wife Angelina Jolie last September.

Pitt may be widely regarded as one of the biggest Hollywood stars of his generation, but like many other fathers embroiled in bitter custody battles, he was only allowed to give his children their Christmas presents under strict supervision.

And for a man still struggling to come to terms with life away from Angelina and their brood, the meeting seemed to be over in minutes.

'This has been the worst holiday season of my life,' Brad told one of his closest friends

He feels betrayed by the woman he still loves

As his children  Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, ten, and eight-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne,  filed silently away to be ferried back to their mother in the former family home overlooking Hollywood, Pitt broke down in tears.

Small wonder that he subsequently told one of his closest friends: This has been the worst holiday season of my life.

As the friend, speaking exclusively to The Mail on Sunday, explains: Brads anguish is palpable right now. He desperately misses having his kids with him at Christmas and New Year. These supervised visits are sheer hell on him. Hes broken down in tears so many times  hes not ashamed to cry any more.

A friend of Brad's told Mail On Sunday he was blindsided by the divorce and misses Angelina

Brad is like a broken man. He feels betrayed by a woman whom he says he still loves. He misses her despite everything that has happened between them.

He was blindsided by their divorce  he still believes Angelina made an impulsive decision and cant figure out how to reverse it and save face.

He vacillates between being furious with her and longing for her. He thumbs through scrapbooks of photos of better times and wonders how it all went wrong. He calls her but she doesnt return the calls. He sends gifts as peace offerings but she sends them back.

Hes learned to stay away from the internet rather than risk reading about his situation.

He reportedly met five of his children again in Los Angeles on Christmas Day  Maddox didnt want to see him.

Why has she allowed it to get so ugly

As Pitt, 52, goes into the New Year, people who know him best say he is determined to get his kids back, no matter what it takes, what humiliating hoops the legal system makes him jump next.

As Pitt goes into the New Year, people who know him say he is determined to get his kids back

ANGELINA IS BRANDED A 'MALEVOLENT' MUM Fathers 4 Justice, a campaign group, made this post featuring Angelina Jolie

Campaign group Fathers 4 Justice has sought to take advantage of the custody battle between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie by mounting a publicity campaign accusing the actress of lying. The group, whose members have previously climbed Buckingham Palace and thrown flour bombs in the Commons, has hired several mobile billboards featuring a mocked-up movie poster starring Miss Jolie, and is displaying them at key Hollywood sites. The poster is titled Malevolent  a play on the title of her 2014 fantasy film Maleficent  and features the tagline: Every fathers worst nightmare. The move comes after Angelina was granted custody of the couples children while divorce proceedings continue. Fathers 4 Justice founder Matt OConnor said the group hoped the campaign would raise awareness about the plight of loving dads like Brad Pitt, who are being excluded from their childrens lives, and highlight the use of false allegations by some mothers to maliciously restrict dads access to their kids. It is disappointing that Jolie, a UNHCR Special Envoy and humanitarian with a proclaimed love of children, would set such a poor example to other mothers. Children deserve the best of their parents, not the worst. Advertisement

Brad and Angelina Hollywoods ultimate power couple throughout their 12-year relationship

Though the Pitts are scheduled to appear before a judge this month, its likely to be many months before theres any resolution to their situation. Brads anguish is set to continue long into 2017  and he still cant work out how he got here.

Brad and Angelina were feted as Hollywoods ultimate power couple throughout their 12-year relationship. Then in September, she unexpectedly filed for divorce and his world spiralled out of control.

Details began to leak out about an altercation on a private plane in which Pitt allegedly verbally and physically abused son Maddox.

There were rumours of an affair between Pitt and French actress Marion Cotillard  which Cotillard vehemently denied  and dark mutterings of drug and alcohol abuse.

Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard starred in the film Allied together, sparking affair rumours

Marion Cottilard, 41, is married to actor Guillaume Canet and vehemently denied the rumours

The abuse allegations led to brief investigations by the FBI and social services, which both cleared Pitt of wrongdoing. Meanwhile, he has had to submit to random drug tests in order to be allowed supervised visits to his children.

It may appear to be just another Hollywood power struggle, with claim and counterclaim played out in the public eye, but the truth is somewhat different. Despite the torrent of allegations, there has been near-silence from Pitt, who, according to his friends, spends his days picking over the small domestic details he believes might have contributed to the marriage breakdown.

To make matters worse, Angelina has not talked to him since September  all communications have been through lawyers.

If Angelinas sudden decision to file for divorce came as a bombshell to Pitt, it was coming to the conclusion  rightly or wrongly  that his wife was bent on blackening his name as an unfit father that has been particularly traumatic.

Angelina and Brad have not spoken since September when the actress filed for divorce

Indeed, he prides himself on his down-to-earth parenting style. As a father, hes strict, fair and protective, says one friend.

Of course, there are two sides to every family break-up. But Pitts friends are notably quick to spring to his defence. You can imagine how overwhelming all of this is to Brad, who was raised in a small town in Missouri and wanted nothing more than to raise a big, happy family, says another. All of his friends are dismayed by the way Angelina has gone about things. She knows how the fame game works. She knows whatever legal documents she files are likely to get a partial airing in the media. Why has she allowed it to get so ugly?

One of Pitts relatives takes up the same theme: There must have been a better way than to file for sole custody of the kids and to blacken his name. Brad has only seen his kids a handful of times since then, and always with court-appointed monitors.

He has to undergo drug tests several times a month, which he has passed. He has also been cleared of all abuse allegations, which makes Angelinas request for a trauma therapist to see the kids after the aircraft incident strange.

You have your hands full in a fight with Angelina

What did Brad ever do to this woman? Its a big mystery.

Another close friend adds: To us, it feels like some sort of weird character assassination. Angelina loves her kids and will fight to the death for them, as well she should. But these tactics are mind-boggling.

Though the Pitts are scheduled to appear before a judge this month, its likely to be many months before theres any resolution to their situation

Two weeks ago, Pitts lawyers fired back at Angelina in court papers, suggesting she didnt have the welfare of their children in mind when she allowed the names of their therapists to be released.

Other than that one legal salvo, Pitt has only issued a benign statement saying that his concern is solely for his children.

In all the analysis of what is surely one of the most public divorces of modern times, the role of Angelinas medical crises are seldom discussed and for good reason: they are so personal and delicate. Yet I have learned they certainly played a part. In 2013, she had a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with a mutation to the BRCA1 gene  a sign that the carrier is susceptible to breast cancer.

Then last year, she had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, a procedure which brought on an early menopause  associated with emotional and physiological upheaval. She was just 41.

Brad holding Zahara Marley Jolie, Angelina's daughter, an Tokyo International airport in 2005

The pair have seven children: Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, ten, and eight-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne

Her bravery aside, friends say she is no longer the same woman Pitt married, becoming difficult and hard to fathom.

One friend reports: I ran into Brad about that time. He looked like hell. I asked how he was and he said what he always says  Its all good. No worries.

After talking to him for a while, I realised his life was a living hell. The treatments, the medications, the ups and downs with Angelina, everything she was going through had worn him down to almost nothing. He told me, I cant complain. How dare I complain? Look at what shes going through. But its eaten him alive.

I will have to battle like hell for my kids

It seems he feels the guilt often experienced by people dealing with a loved ones illness. Pitt has told friends that he feels he failed Angelina and should have been a better husband. One close friend recounts a revealing anecdote: About a year or so ago, Angelina returned home from a medical examination. It had been a real ordeal for her. She dragged herself into the house and found Brad in the den watching television and having a few beers. Meanwhile, the children had ransacked the place, playing with their toys.

In 2013, Angelina had a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with a mutation to the BRCA1 gene  a sign that the carrier is susceptible to breast cancer

Brad had given their staff the day off and now kicks himself over it. He told me, A marriage doesnt break up over big things  its those little things, those small blow-ups you think mean nothing. Theyre the ones that add up, man. You look back and you think to yourself, Damn, I should have done better. How did I not see that?

He now wonders about the consultations Angelina had while he was on location and the lonely moments she may have experienced when he wasnt there. He wonders if he should have been a better husband. It torments him.

It is, perhaps, telling that when Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston, one of her chief complaints was that he had a sensitivity chip missing. His close friends knew what she meant.

One says: He has difficulty accessing his emotions. During an argument, he usually goes off and simmers before becoming totally incommunicative. Both his wives have interpreted this to mean that he doesnt care.

Once, Jennifer was in a restaurant with Brad and some of our friends. She was trying to have a fight with him, saying, Youre sloppy, the house is a mess all you do is smoke pot all day you dont care about anything but acting!

There was no reaction from Brad. Finally, she stood up and screamed, I may as well be talking to a stone! and stormed out. He just rolled his eyes and said, Shell get over it. Jens always on my ass about something. Thats just marriage. 

Old friend Lawrence Miller, who grew up with Pitt in Springfield, Missouri, says: It has to do with how he was raised. Brad comes from a small town where everyone was exceedingly polite to one another. His parents wouldnt have raised their voices if the house was on fire. Brad thought it was an ideal family.

To my memory, though, there was also a lot of suppressed anger in the Pitt household. His mum was the dominant force  his dad didnt say much, keeping his discontentment to himself. A lot went unsaid, but thats how Brad was raised. Basically, when he married Angie, he married his mum  and then became his dad.

Angelina had an entirely different background. Her parents divorced when she was young and she grew up in a household where the mother despised her father, actor Jon Voight, causing Angelina to feel the same way about him.

He vacillates between being furious with her and longing for her,' a friend of Brad's said

Growing up, Angelina experienced severe emotional problems, experimenting with drugs, including heroin. There were suicide attempts and a number of nervous breakdowns. Perhaps as a result, shes a woman who has no trouble expressing herself.

Angelina does not have trouble accessing her anger, I can tell you that much about her, says one good friend of the actress in Los Angeles. Once youre in a fight with her, you have your hands full. She can be very dramatic.

In truth, Brad and Angelina havent got along since legally marrying two years ago. Theyd been happy for close to ten years, but began sleeping in different bedrooms within weeks of saying I do. Two months later, they went into marriage counselling. All that did was illuminate fundamental differences they didnt have the tools to handle, says a close friend of Pitt.

Perhaps the most damaging revelation is that Pitt abuses drugs. His friends acknowledge that over 25 years he has occasionally smoked pot. Sure, Ive seen him out of it a few times, says one. But its pot, which is now legal in California. I dont know how you indict someone for smoking pot.

Brad and Angelina got married two years ago and had been an item for 12 years

He drinks, too, but in the 20 years I have known him, I have only seen him inebriated a few times, and that was during the transition from Jen to Angie when things were really tense. Look, hes no saint. The guy has his problems. He gets tired, has a short fuse and could be a lot more patient, he admits that.

He becomes obsessed with his work. Once, he told me that when the kids fight with one another he disappears on his motorcycle and lets Angelina handle it.

Still, he thought they were working it out. Apparently not.

One thing is certain, according to what Pitt told intimates over the Christmas holidays  hes not interested in another romance. Reports of him dating actress Kate Hudson or anyone else are simply not true.

As he recently put it: Trusting any woman is going to be real tough after this mess.

Hes even said he could be celibate for the rest of his life. If he never has another woman in his bed, he says, he would have no complaints  obviously, the ramblings of a man with a broken heart.

Brad knows he cant go on the way he has been: crying, upset, angry and devastated, says one of his circle. He told me last week, 2016 sucked for me  2017 cant be the same. Whatever happens, though, I know what I have to do. I have to fight like hell for my kids. Thats all I care about right now. 
Dr Brown, co-invented Viagra in the 1980s and is well known for his

Dr David Brown (pictured) has made a ground-breaking discovery that could be a game-changer on beating superbugs

A British scientist who invented Viagra is close to a major breakthrough in the war on superbugs.

Dr David Brown has discovered that combining antibiotics with commonly available drugs can make them more effective against bacteria.

The idea could revitalise key antibiotics, many of which have become powerless against common illnesses.

Dr Brown, who co-invented Viagra in the 1980s, has tested more than 30,000 combinations of drugs against five superbugs in the lab  and discovered 30 mixtures which successfully break superbugs resistance.

The 67-year-old scientist, who is advising the Antibiotic Research UK charity in retirement, hopes to start clinical trials of those 30 most promising treatments within a year.

Scroll down for video

They could provide new ways to tackle serious diseases including blood poisoning, urinary tract infections and pneumonia.

This is a low-risk quick win, said Dr Brown. Its a short-term fix that can fill the gap we have ahead of us. It can lower the death rate. We can save our essential antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance  the process by which bacteria evolve to fight off drugs  is increasingly seen as the biggest crisis facing modern medicine.

The more that existing antibiotics are used, the more resistant bacteria become to them.

Superbugs are breeding at a rapid rate, with increasing numbers of germs evolving to become untreatable.

David Cameron, as Prime Minister, (pictured) prioritised the issue, warning that superbugs resistance to antibiotics could send medicine back to the dark ages

Earlier this year, a report by Lord ONeill, the Governments superbugs tsar, concluded that they will kill more people than cancer by 2050.

David Cameron, as Prime Minister, prioritised the issue, warning that superbugs resistance to antibiotics could send medicine back to the dark ages.

If antibiotics become unusable, key medical procedures could become too dangerous to perform because of the risk of infection.

While no new class of antibiotic has been discovered since 1987, a new infection emerges on an almost yearly basis.

Part of the problem is that major drug companies see no incentive in developing antibiotics  which can cost at least 1.2billion each and could take 20 years  when they will make little profit because usage will be tightly controlled.

But Dr Brown has found that combining drugs can get around bacterias evolved defences, effectively bringing antibiotics back to life.

Amazingly it is not being done elsewhere, he said. The UK can lead this change. More work needs to be done.

If antibiotics become unusable, key medical procedures could become too dangerous to perform because of the risk of infection. (Stock image)

Before retirement, Dr Brown spent 40 years in pharmaceuticals developing new drugs.

During the 1980s and 1990s he led the team at Pfizer which developed Viagra, the erectile dysfunction drug. He is named as co-inventor on the patent.

Professor Mark Enright, a microbiologist at Manchester Metropolitan University, said Dr Browns project was hugely promising. He added: Anything that is going to improve the life or usefulness of antibiotics is to be welcomed.

A Department of Health spokesman said: This approach is an avenue worth exploring.
Tonight is a night for partying and letting our hair down. But spare a thought for doctors up and down the country  not only those on the night shift in A&E, but for the comparatively lucky ones joining in the festivities.

If there's one thing I've learned about being a doctor, it's that you're never really off duty. Quite apart from dinner party companions button-holing you about their 'funny mole', the dreaded cry of 'Is there a doctor in the house?' goes up more often than you'd think.

Whether it's someone tripping and cutting their lip or an over-inebriated teenager, my guess is tonight will see many doctors  and, indeed, nurses  having to snap into work mode. In fact, this happens to me with such alarming regularity that my friends and family are convinced I'm jinxed.

Tonight is a night for partying and letting our hair down. But spare a thought for doctors.

The last time was just before Christmas. What had promised to be a quiet Saturday night at the theatre descended into something more like an episode of TV's Holby City.

I'd gone with my mum, sister and partner to see Sir Antony Sher in King Lear at the Barbican in London. We'd met early to have a bite to eat in the cafe, but we'd barely sat down and got our food before there was an almighty crash at the next table.

An elderly lady had tripped and fallen, landing with a sickening, bone-crunching thud. Everyone in the cafe stopped and stared.

My partner is also a doctor, so we rushed over and got her to her feet. She'd been holding a cup when she fell and it had broken.

A piece of the crockery had gouged into her wrist, severing a small artery, so the poor woman  who was very distressed  was bleeding profusely.

What you learn as a doctor is that in times of panic like this, all people really want is someone to take charge. It's not actually about great amounts of medical knowledge: it's about being sensible and decisive, and offering a few kind words. So we applied pressure to this lady's wound and elevated her hand, while holding her other hand to reassure her.

By the time she and her companion were taken off to A&E, our barely touched meals were cold and the play was about to start. 'Why does this sort of thing always happen to you?' joked my sister.

We took our seats just in time, feeling that we'd already seen enough drama for one day. In fact, there was more to come.

About ten minutes towards the end of the play, I heard a strange whining noise from the row behind me. I tried to ignore it at first: our seats were in the front row and I didn't want to distract the actors even more by turning around.

Then a female voice cried out. I turned and could see a woman shifting restlessly in her seat.

Chaos: This picture of Manchester during the New Year's Eve celebrations went viral after social media users turned it into hilarious memes

I turned back and tried to concentrate on the actor on stage, who was mid-monologue.

Then came the unmistakeable sound of vomiting and (sorry, if you're eating your breakfast) flecks of sick hurtling towards the stage.

A thud followed. The woman had slumped off her seat. The cast exchanged anxious glances.

Then, to my horror, I heard the unmistakeable sound of choking. I turned round and met the gaze of the man behind me who had been sat next to the woman, now choking at his feet. He looked utterly shell-shocked.

'I'm a doctor,' I said. 'What's happening?' By then most of the stalls were craning to see what was going on. There was nothing for it. I stood up and jumped over the back of my chair. 'Help me lift her,' I shouted. We carried her out, past the front of the stage, with half the actors staring open-mouthed while the others gallantly pressed on with their lines.

Again, an ambulance was called. It transpired the woman had got very drunk and taken Ecstasy. Who on earth does that before seeing Shakespeare?

I'd like to say this was a one-off, but just a few weeks ago I was at a glitzy awards ceremony for the mental health charity Mind, where I was presenting a prize.

One of the other presenters was giving a speech when, mid-sentence, he suddenly collapsed. The audience collectively gasped.

Without really thinking, I jumped up on to the stage and started checking his vital signs.

Others rushed to help, and with Jeremy Paxman and Freddie Flintoff (yes, really!), who were also presenting awards, I lifted him into the wings.

He was having trouble breathing, so we hastily put him in the recovery position.

Hungry: Two women tuck into a late-night hotdog and burger while sitting on the pavement on New Year's Eve, in the centre of Newcastle

The night got even weirder. As I leant over the patient, one of the organisers rushed up, clearly panicking, and grabbed my arm: 'Go on and finish his speech.' 'Yes,' urged Jeremy Paxman, 'go on!'

So before I knew it, I was standing at the lectern with my heart in my mouth trying to read an Autocue. Fortunately, I made it to the end of his speech without too many stumbles and  most importantly  the man made a full recovery.

You might think doctors would live for moments such as this: the chance to play the hero. Far from it.

Actually, there's inevitably a moment when your heart sinks as you realise the unfolding drama is going to have you  literally in this case  centre stage. And then there's self-doubt. Should you step in? Is someone else going to? Some- one better qualified, perhaps?

And quite apart from just wanting a quiet night out, there's the fear that you will make a mistake.

There's only one thing worse when you're off-duty than the phrase 'somebody get a doctor', and that's hearing these same words in another language, as I discovered on a ferry in the middle of the Channel, tending to a German teenager.

I was supposed to be taking a relaxing weekend trip with friends for a birthday party in Paris. We were making our way to the on-board shop, concerned with little more than buying a king-size Toblerone, when we passed a young man lying in the corridor.

Taking a tumble: A woman holds out a hand to be helped back up after falling over in Newcastle

I assumed he was just drunk and was about to walk by when his friends started shouting. 'They're saying something about a doctor,' said my friend Rhiannon, dredging up her finest GCSE German.

My heart sank. I took a closer look at the boy lying on the floor. His friends were holding his legs up, assuming he had fainted. In fact, it seemed to me that he was in a coma.

'Do you speak English?' I shouted slowly, a true Englishman abroad. I was met with blank expressions.

Could things get any worse, I wondered? A member of staff arrived and informed me that it would take as long to turn back to England as it would to continue on to France. (Ah yes, apparently they can.) I had to keep him alive for 40 minutes.

'Can you ask his friends if he's on any medication?' I said to Rhiannon. 'Erm, no,' she said with a frown. 'But I can ask them the way to the nearest tourist information centre.'

We established that they could speak French  but I'd given that up when I was 12. I did do Latin, but an emergency translation of Ovid was not really warranted.

'You!' I said, pointing to a group of very large men wearing rugby shirts who were standing drinking. 'Come over here, please.'

They seemed shocked at being addressed in such a forthright manner, but did as they were told.

A stretcher then arrived and on my count they lifted the boy on to it and carried him to the medical room below deck.

Bust up: A man with a bloody nose tussles with police outside a take-away shop in Birmingham late on New Year's Eve

The room was so small that we couldn't all fit in, and the boy's legs dangled off the end of the bed and out through the doorway.

It was at this point the boy had a seizure. Up until then, I had felt relatively confident. Suddenly, though, it hit me how exposed I was away from a hospital, without a trained team and a properly stocked pharmacy.

I frantically rummaged through the cupboards and eventually found some medication to terminate the seizure.

'I'll get a glass of water,' said my friend Tash, from the doorway.

'Erm, he's in a coma and having a seizure,' I said. 'It's not going in that end.' She looked horrified and averted her eyes.

Fortunately, the medication worked, the seizure stopped and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he had another one.

It was at about this time that I began wishing I'd trained as an accountant.

Happy New Year! It was kisses all round for police officers in Edinburgh, with two more girls giving another policeman a kiss on the cheek

Finally, after what felt like hours, sweating profusely as I tried to stabilise the boy, a member of staff came to say we had docked and an ambulance crew was boarding. He hadn't died!

I emerged from the room expecting to be greeted with cheers and a slap on the back, but instead a group of stony-faced French medics pushed past me.

I stopped the last one and explained who I was, giving him the history and the medication I'd given him.

The doctor looked at me with a mixture of disgust and disinterest.

'You are in France now,' he said, in perfect English. 'You must speak French.'

I stood there blinking, knowing that 'Bonjour. Je m'appelle Max. J'ai douze ans' (Hello. My name is Max. I'm 12) wasn't going to get me very far.

The French doctor shook his head and followed the stretcher into the ambulance.
I don't want to be discouraging, but you know that New Years resolution you just made  to get fit, lose weight, or eat more healthily? Its (probably) doomed to failure.

A third of us make a resolution, but almost half fall by the wayside come February. Eighty per cent dont last the year.

Why is it so hard to achieve our goals? And is there anything we can do to strengthen our resolve?

Mail on Sunday reporter Sara Malm found out how self-help book Small Move, Big Change can help you strengthen your resolve to keep New Year's resolutions

A new book, by Wall Street executive turned self-help guru Caroline Arnold, just might have the answer.

Already a bestseller in America and now out in the UK, Small Move, Big Change explains how to make what she calls micro-resolutions.

Her theory is that resolutions fail mostly because they involve vast, vague goals, such as get fitter or be slimmer, that people tackle with a scattergun approach, throwing themselves into a horribly unsustainable plan of action.

Instead Arnold, 49, a Goldman Sachs executive who lives in New York City with her husband and daughter, suggests setting little resolutions that are do-able and easy to keep for long enough that they become second nature.

It could mean, rather than resolving to get into shape, you instead put by a non-negotiable hour after work on Tuesday to walk home. Or not saying Ill be a size ten but deciding to have fruit instead of biscuits, and walk up the office stairs rather than taking the lift.

Its so glaringly obvious that it hardly seems to warrant a book. But as psychotherapist Anna Albright explains, it is sound advice. She says: When you try to tackle a big problem, it can become overwhelming and causes anxiety and stress.

However, if you break it down to a step-by-step plan, you are working in a way which is consistent. You cant take five steps in one go, so by doing one at a time you are giving yourself a chance to achieve.

Could it work for me? A few months back, I decided to put Arnolds technique to the test by seeing if it could help me tackle my very common problem: insomnia. And, amazingly, it worked.

Small Move, Big Change explains how to make what author Caroline Arnold calls micro-resolutions

I was sceptical. Ive tried going to bed ridiculously early, not eating too late in the evening and reading myself to sleep. These have all helped but not for long.

In the book, Arnold outlines how to make micro-resolutions that have an impact, and points out common resolution mistakes.

First, make sure that the micro- resolution is just that: micro. A limited and achievable promise to yourself. Then think of how to word your promise. A micro-resolution addresses one specific action you need to do to get one step closer to a change. There is no wiggle room, and this ensures you see immediate results.

Once the micro-resolution is clear in your mind, give it a cue or trigger for when you do it. For mine to work, the trigger had to be bedtime.

Finally, Arnold highlights the importance of making micro-resolutions just two at a time  changing a lifelong habit or deeply ingrained negative behaviour requires concentration.

I knew what caused my insomnia, and it wasnt failing to get to bed on time or late-night snacking. It was all because I would never go to bed without my trusty companions  my laptop and my phone. Id check emails and surf the net and before I knew it, several hours had passed.

And so I made only two micro-resolutions. My first was: never take the laptop into the bedroom. I put a sticky label on it, to remind myself that the laptop stayed in the front room. At first I felt rather alone. It was unpleasant and I forgot a couple of times and, on autopilot, went to bed carrying the laptop.

MICRO-RESOLUTIONS: FIVE STEPS Convinced? Why not try making a micro-resolution right now? Here are Arnolds tips for success. A micro-resolution should BE EASY: A micro-resolution is a promise you know you can reasonably achieve. The reason many peoples New Year resolutions fail is because they aim too high. Really, who is never going to eat chocolate again? FEEL PERSONAL: Analyse yourself. If you want to lose weight, which one bad habit could you address that works for you. Taking stairs instead of lifts, maybe? GET STRAIGHT TO THE POINT: A micro-resolution spells out the change you need to make. For example, rather than resolving to eat fewer calories, set out to swap whole milk for skimmed. DELIVER IMMEDIATELY: A micro-resolution requires a single action carried out at a specific time, meaning you will see straight away that you have kept your promise. HAVE A TRIGGER: A cue or trigger will help you turn a resolution into a habit. So, for the insomniac: When Ive put the kids to bed, Ill start getting myself ready, the cue being their bedtime. Advertisement

It took me a good three weeks before I started leaving it without thinking about it  Arnold suggests a two-week minimum before a new behaviour starts to feel natural.

Mission one: accomplished. But I would still stir at least twice between 3am and 6am. Waking up would always trigger checking the time, and as I dont have a watch or clock, I would tap my phone screen  emitting light, email and social media notifications.

So my second micro-resolution became: keep the phone out of reach from the pillow.

This eliminated my ability to reach out and tap it awake, but ensured I would still hear my alarm in the morning. Even though I still woke up, I dropped off to sleep again almost straight away. I felt more rested immediately.

Months later, I am sticking to the laptop rule. I just dont think about it, and though I do still absent-mindedly plug my phone in next to the bed, it doesnt happen very often.
Touring the Taj Mahal via Googles Daydream headset from the comfort of my London home, my wife said, I actually stood here, on this spot, seven years ago. I remember it.

The experience of stepping inside locations by wearing a Virtual Reality (VR) headset is surprisingly intense. The first time I tried one, I nearly pulled the contraption off in genuine fear as I viewed a demo where you stood on the edge of a multi-storey block. Dont jump off, dont jump off, I muttered to myself  pleading with the computer artists who had created the scene in the first place.

The PlayStation VR headset and controllers

Birdly. This Oculus Rift app shows off the boundless scope of VR  it turns the user into a bird, flying high above a city. It was first shown off with a contraption that allowed users to lie down and fly by flapping their arms

That intensity is what has got film-makers excited about VR, with Steven Spielberg planning a film that can be viewed on VR headsets in 2017.

Although he did sound a note of caution: I think were moving into a dangerous medium with virtual reality. It gives the viewer a lot of latitude not to take direction from the storytellers but make their own choices of where to look.

The Imax cinema chain is also going to offer a VR centre, with pods where users can experience 15-minute journeys to virtual worlds, some based on the special-effects of major Hollywood movies.

Virtual reality works via a headset with a screen inside, which tracks the motion of your head to let you see inside a virtual world.

Broadly speaking, there are two kinds youll be able to buy and use at home  expensive sets like Oculus Rift, which need a PC to work and has a built-in screen, and cheaper ones such as Google Daydream View, which work by using your mobile phone for both the apps and the screen.

For home users, the big problem with VR  that the first experiences often just let you look around, rather than do anything  is being fixed as 2017 dawns.

Googles Daydream View headset has its own little controller for moving around within apps, bringing a whole new dimension to Google Street View. The Oculus Rift has also added its own controllers, and other firms are working on treadmills so you can actually walk around inside virtual environments.

Youll also see VR being used increasingly by businesses. Thomas Cook has filmed experiences using 360-degree cameras  similar to the ones on Google Street View cars  so customers can visit exotic locations while sitting in the travel agents offices.

For estate agents, the technology allows people to explore new properties via a headset rather than traipsing around town.

Georgina Wilczek, director of the upcoming VR and AR World conference, says, Ikea sees virtual reality as playing a major role in the future of its customers, changing the way people plan the layout of their homes and shop for home furnishings.

Many believe that VR will also change the way we use computers. Facebook hopes the technology will enable users to meet in virtual environments  a hi-tech new take on how Facebook has already changed the world.

Facebook CTO Mike Schroepfer said the firm hopes its technology reaches a level by 2025 where using it is like teleporting to another location: Facebook wants to build a device that allows you to be anywhere you want, with anyone, regardless of geographic boundaries.

What you need to go virtual

PlayStation VR

This is aimed squarely at gamers  and delivers high-quality thrills direct from PS4 (so you dont need an expensive PC). The headset is comfortable, and its easy to set up. Its not cheap, and it takes a while to load. Plus, playing it too long can make you feel a little seasick.

Requires: PlayStation4

Rating:

Playstation VR 349

Daydream View

For home use, this is about the best-value VR headset you can get  with the one snag being that (so far) the only phone it works with is Googles pricey Pixel. Its very easy to use, however, and looks far better than other cheap headsets. Crucially, it comes with its own controller to let you move around.

Requires: Google Pixel phone

Rating:

Google Daydream View, 69

Samsung Gear VR

Just above entry level, and all you need is a compatible phone or tablet. The headset is light, comfortable and the set-up easy. The quality is pretty decent and you blink to navigate. The image is mainly clean, the sound decent and the headset light.

Requires: Samsung phone

Rating:

Samsung Gear VR, 80

Oculus Rift

This doesnt come cheap but it is pin-sharp, seriously thrilling VR. The headset is light and comfortable, the sound incredible and the different game demos breathtaking. The only problem is that youll need a seriously powerful computer to make it work. Virtually perfect.

Requires: PC

Rating:

Oculus Rift, 549

VR experiences to enjoy

The Climb: 39.99, Oculus Rift (oculus.com). Virtual reality is awful for anyone with a hint of vertigo (this includes me). If you suffer, steer well clear of this, a game where you claw your way up near-vertical surfaces

Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them: Free, Daydream View. Of the cheap headsets, Googles Daydream View is by far the best  and the monsters in this Harry Potter adventure feel alarmingly real, like standing next to a living creature

First Life With David Attenborough: Free, Google Cardboard. It wouldnt be a new technological frontier without Sir Davids dulcet tones to guide you through it. This lets you explore the dawn of life in the oceans

Inside The Hadron Collider: Free, Google Cardboard. The Large Hadron Collider is the most expensive building on Earth, but you have no idea how big it is until you watch this. It should be called the Very Large Hadron Collider
Dreamgirls

Savoy Theatre, London Until May 6 2hrs 20mins

Rating:

Shedloads of sequins, crystals and rhinestones, acres of brocade and flocks of ostriches have gone into the making of Dreamgirls.

If it glistens, glimmers, sparkles or flutters, its part of one of Gregg Barness dazzling costumes, which in themselves chart the rise and rise of a trio of naive hopeful teens, from their homemade Sunday best at a local talent show to superstardom, shimmering in sophisticated sheaths.

But Glees Amber Riley shines brightest as Effie White, the supersize talent pushed out of the spotlight because shes got too much soul, is too loud, takes up too much space and will not be shrunk or toned-down into the more palatable sound and prettier packaging of popular music  ie, music that will appeal to white people.

Shedloads of sequins, crystals and rhinestones, acres of brocade and flocks of ostriches have gone into the making of Dreamgirls. Youre gonna love it

Twice, she blows the roof off with her effortless yet almighty voice. First, when shes double-dumped by manager Curtis, as one of the Dreamettes and as his lover, with And I Am Telling You Im Not Going. Surely the best break-up song ever, she belts it out, full of hurt, fury and wounded pride, and yet mustering up defiance from the depths of her broken heart with the challenge Youre gonna love me. (Dont worry, Effie, he may not, but we do.) Then there is One Night Only, the song specially written for Effie by her brother, which Curtis rips off and tones down for the Dreamettes.

This 1981 Broadway musical by Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen, loosely based on the story of Diana Ross and the Supremes, only really got noticed when it was turned into a film with Beyonce Knowles and Jamie Foxx, and a so-whattish score acquired two stonking showstoppers.

While director Casey Nicholaws show stays pretty close to the movie, he also adds some stunning, expertly executed choreography, sequins and outstanding performances. Not least from Adam J Bernards Jimmy, who, like Effie, fails to make the required transformation from his notion of R & B  rough and black  into a more temperate rhythm and blues.

Youre gonna love it.

Cinderella

London Palladium Until January 15 2hrs 45mins

Rating:

Panto this year makes a long overdue return to the London Palladium. However, star line-up, amazing costumes and big-budget effects are undermined by an excessively blue script.

Even Julian Clarys Dandini seems to flag at the amount of sexual innuendo he has to deliver.

Paul OGrady is a truly repulsive stepmother and Amanda Holden is our sparkly Fairy Godmother. Nigel Havers constantly begs  quite funny, this  for more time on stage.

Paul OGrady is a truly repulsive stepmother and Amanda Holden is our sparkly Fairy Godmother. Nigel Havers constantly begs  quite funny, this  for more time on stage

The show is held together by the ventriloquist Paul Zerdins Buttons, with his lippy puppet. Natasha J Barnes, the understudy who triumphed in Funny Girl, is a terrific Cinders to Lee Meads dim Prince Charming.

A horse and carriage fly thrillingly out over the stalls and theres a great slapstick routine and plenty of songs. Such a shame its not more suitable for children.

Robert Gore-Langton

Mary Stuart

Almeida Theatre, London Until January 21 3hrs

Rating:

Two of this countrys finest actresses, Juliet Stevenson and Lia Williams, stride on to the stage in velvet trouser suits. Who will play Elizabeth I and who the title role, the deposed Mary, Queen of Scots, imprisoned by Elizabeth? A coin spins. Fate takes its course.

Director Robert Ickes point about duality is immediately and potently made. These two are reflections of one woman, two sides of one coin. One Catholic, one Protestant, both victims of male conspiracy, both isolated, one literally held captive, the other imprisoned by her position. As Elizabeth puts it in Ickes brilliant new version: The Crown is prison with jewels.

Two of this countrys finest actresses, Juliet Stevenson and Lia Williams, stride on to the stage. Who will play Elizabeth I and who the title role, the deposed Mary, Queen of Scots?

The play charts a duel to the death, at the end of which one queen will have her head on a coin, the other will lose hers at the scaffold. Elizabeth wants Mary dead but cant quite bring herself to sign her death warrant.

What proceeds is an electrifying battle, within Elizabeths soul, between Elizabeth and her courtiers and, ultimately, in the big scene that the original playwright Frederick Schiller made up  when the two women meet and the political gets personal. Who is the rightful heir? More pressing, who is the better woman? And who is the luckier one?

I saw both actresses in both roles and while, of course, there are differences  Stevenson more impassioned, Williams more sensual  both are highly intelligent, matchingly magnificent, equally compelling. More important, whichever part they are playing, the balance of power (and, paradoxically, their sense of their own powerlessness) could not be more taut  or more tragic.

Mary finally goes to her death, smiling, unburdened, free, in a meagre shift dress, having confessed her sins and received absolution. Elizabeth, by contrast, her face a blank, slathered in white make-up, is weighed down by her huge farthingale robe and the heaviness of having paid for her security with her humanity. Utterly alone, horribly afraid, trapped, she spins like a doll in a shop window.

A stunning, gutting study of the sacrifices of leadership.

She Loves Me

Menier Chocolate Factory, London Until March 4 2hrs 35mins

Rating:

This may be the best production of She Loves Me Ive seen, said its snowy-haired lyricist, Sheldon Harnick, when he took to the stage on this versions first night. He wrote it in 1963 and, now aged 92, he has doubtless seen quite a few.

But it was a first for me and is all the more charming for being such an unexpected treat. Not just for the snappy lyrics (More and more Im breathing less and less! sings a nervy lover) but for the sumptuous score by Jerry (Fiddler On The Roof) Bock.

Imagine a song-and-dance version of Much Ado About Nothing, with Scarlett Strallens spiky Amalia and Mark Umbers stiff Georg (above) gradually getting over themselves and going soft

Joyously old-fashioned, superlatively romantic, it slips down as sweetly as Vanilla Ice Cream, a fabulous number that is, like the rest of the show, anything but plain vanilla. Its a knickerbocker glory with hundreds and thousands on top. I watched with such a broad beam on my face that by the end my cheeks ached.

Set in a rococo jewel box of a pink-and-gold perfume shop that swivels ingeniously into different spaces (Matthew Whites staging is as pretty as it is witty), the piece is based on Hungarian Miklos Laszlos play (updated in the movie Youve Got Mail) about two lonely hearts who have been exchanging passionate love letters. They are also, though they dont know it, working in the parfumerie together, exchanging peppery insults.

A gloriously high-voltage Katherine Kingsley plays a Cockney comedy vamp, Ilona, let down by caddish Steven, beautifully played by Dominic Tighe (her real-life husband, both above).

Imagine a song-and-dance version of Much Ado About Nothing, with Scarlett Strallens spiky Amalia and Mark Umbers stiff Georg gradually getting over themselves and going gooey and soft. Meanwhile, a gloriously high-voltage Katherine Kingsley plays a Cockney comedy vamp, Ilona, let down by caddish Steven, beautifully played by Dominic Tighe (her real-life husband).

Delicious. I smell a hit.

Wild Honey

Hampstead Theatre, London Until Jan 21 2hrs 30mins

Rating:

Chekhovs rarely performed Platonov, a tragicomedy about a married schoolmaster who cant resist the various women who throw themselves at him, was turned by Michael Frayn into Wild Honey in 1984.

Geoffrey Streatfeild is a splendidly infuriating, weak Platonov but too old to be plausibly irresistible to the teenage Sacha, leaving Justine Mitchells widow Anna to steal his limelight

Jonathan Kent has valiantly taken over this production following the death of the late, great Howard Davies. But alas, he fails to nail the cruel comedy, the frantic farce or the moments of stabbing pain with the extravagant intensity of the original staging at the National.

Geoffrey Streatfeild is a splendidly infuriating, weak Platonov but too old to be plausibly irresistible to the teenage Sacha, leaving Justine Mitchells widow Anna to steal his limelight. Always a tiny bit drunk but absolutely in control, she plays with this man like a cat with a rat.
Spaceships. Aliens. Gold platform boots? The TV physicists childhood obsessions with space and David Bowie made him who he is today

Martin Amiss autobiography, Experience, is brilliantly written, and I also recently enjoyed Norman Mailers Of A Fire On The Moon

My movie magic

The chest-burster scene in Alien was shocking, but I was more interested in the suits, the spaceship and the world Ridley Scott had created

I was obsessed by science fiction as a kid, so when they showed Alien at the school film club when I was 11, I thought it was awe-inspiring. The chest-burster scene was shocking, but I was more interested in the suits, the spaceship and the world Ridley Scott had created.

Interstellar Live at the Royal Albert Hall last year, where the sci-fi epic was brought to life with a live orchestra, was an amazing spectacle and it really did look as if it had been shot in space.

My TV gold

Im going to sound like a geek, but I loved the sci-fi series Space: 1999. I watched it again on DVD recently, and realised that its actually a really dark, high-concept piece of fiction

Im going to sound like a geek, but I loved the sci-fi series Space: 1999. I watched it again on DVD recently, and realised that its actually a really dark, high-concept piece of fiction. For my tenth wedding anniversary, we threw a fancy-dress party and I had a Space: 1999 costume made with gold platform boots.

I binge-watch box sets. The US sitcom Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia is so funny. I used a line from it, Master of Karate and Friendship, as my Twitter profile and some people took it seriously.

Words of wonder

Childhoods End, the 1953 science-fiction novel by Arthur C Clarke, made an enormous impact when I was 12. The story follows a peaceful alien invasion

Childhoods End, the 1953 science-fiction novel by Arthur C Clarke, made an enormous impact when I was 12. The story follows a peaceful alien invasion.

Martin Amiss autobiography, Experience, is brilliantly written, and I also recently enjoyed Norman Mailers Of A Fire On The Moon.

Music to my ears

I listen to a lot of jazz now  I love Billie Holidays (above) Songs For Distingue Lovers for its musicianship

David Bowies Hunky Dory has been a constant for me. I particularly like the songs Quicksand, Queen Bitch and The Bewlay Brothers. I listen to a lot of jazz now  I love Billie Holidays Songs For Distingue Lovers for its musicianship. As for modern artists, I like Kate Rusby a lot. Shes a powerful interpreter of old folk songs, but also writes terrific new material.

Two moments got me started as a musician [Cox was in Nineties band D:Ream]: the first was seeing Duran Duran at Leeds Town Hall in 1983. Thats when I decided I wanted to be a pop star. And New York State of Mind by Billy Joel was the song I learned to play piano with.

Dont touch that dial

When I was 16, I used to man the phones on Timmy Malletts pop show, Timmy On The Tranny, on Piccadilly Radio in Manchester. Chris Evans manned the phones, too

When I was 16, I used to man the phones on Timmy Malletts pop show, Timmy On The Tranny, on Piccadilly Radio in Manchester. Chris Evans manned the phones, too, and ended up producing the show. He was a bit quieter then.

I have a minor interest to declare because I sometimes feature on it, but I love Shaun Keavenys breakfast show on BBC Radio 6 Music.

The art in my heart

I visited the Asylum of St Paul de Mausole in Provence, where Van Gogh painted his series of works that include The Starry Night

I visited the Asylum of St Paul de Mausole in Provence, where Van Gogh painted his series of works that include The Starry Night. It elevated my connection to them  the colours he saw really are the colours of space.

Cosmonauts: Birth Of The Space Age, an exhibition charting the history of Russian space flight, which ran at the Science Museum in London last year, was a work of art.

The plays my thing

Recently I saw Tim Minchins musical Groundhog Day in London. Tim is a terrific artist and this production struck a chord

Recently I saw Tim Minchins musical Groundhog Day in London. Tim is a terrific artist and this production struck a chord  what it means for time to pass and what a visceral but subtle experience it is.
In India, iPhones will be manufactured Wistron, a Taiwanese OEM maker for Apple

Apple is all set to start manufacturing its iconic iPhones at Bengaluru, as part of efforts to cash in on the fast-growing Indian smartphone market.

Local manufacturing is expected to help Apple price its phones more competitively in India as it currently attracts 12.5 per cent additional duty on imports.

The phones would be manufactured by Wistron, a Taiwanese OEM maker for Apple, according to top government sources.

Wistron has plans for setting up iPhone manufacturing plant for domestic market in Peenya, top government sources familiar with the developments told PTI.

Another senior government official said Bengaluru has the talent required for quality high technology products and that was the reason for selecting the city.

The official added that Foxconn, which also manufactures iPhones for Apple, had come with similar plans to the city some time back.

China has maximum iPhones manufacturing units

This would be Apple's second big project for Bengaluru. In May, Apple had announced setting up a design and development accelerator in the City to grow the iOS developer community.

The announcement was made during the visit of Apple CEO Tim Cook to India.

The Cupertino-based company has been in discussions with Indian government seeking incentives to set up a manufacturing unit in the country.

A group of senior officials from ministries, including commerce and finance, will early next month deliberate on the incentives sought by Apple to set up a manufacturing unit in the country.

Apple had asked for several tax and other incentives to enter India in the manufacturing sector.
Much to India's chagrin, China has yet again blocked its efforts to have Jaish-e-Muhammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations.

Earlier, China had put a technical hold on the sanctions list seeking more deliberations on the subject, but with barely 48 hours before the hold lapsed, China, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council blocked India's move.

New Delhi hit back at Beijing saying China's decision is surprising as the country has been affected by the scourge of terrorism and had declared opposition to all forms of terror.

China has yet again blocked its efforts to have Jaish-e-Muhammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations.

'The international community is aware that the Pakistan-based Jaish-e- Mohammed, which is proscribed by the United Nations, has been responsible for innumerable terrorist attacks on India including the Pathankot Air Base attack.'

'The inability of the international community to list its leader Masood Azhar is an unfortunate blow to the concerted efforts to effectively counter all forms of terrorism, and this confirms prevalence of double standards in the fight against terrorism,' Vikas Swaroop, spokesperson for the external affairs ministry said.

China was the only country in the 15-member UN Security council blocking sanctions against Masood Azhar.

Twice this year, China has extended a technical hold on sanctions - the first time in April and the second time in October.

In the past, China has indirectly accused India of pursuing political interests in the name of countering terror, a charge India has denied. File picture of Indian PM with Chinese president Xi Jinping

In fact, Syed Akbaruddin, India's Permanent Representative at the UN had hit out at the UN Security Council calling it unresponsive and indecisive.

Akbaruddin said that UNSC had become unresponsive to the needs of our times and ineffective to meet the challenges (of terror) it is confronted with.

'JeM is a designated terrorist organization. There is an evidence in the public domain of its involvement in terror activities. However, China repeatedly blocks sanctions against its chief despite India repeatedly putting evidence in the public domain,' sources said.

In the past, China has indirectly accused India of pursuing political interests in the name of countering terror, a charge India has denied.

Undeterred, India intends to pursue building a strong case against Masood Azhar and his brother Rauf.

The NIA charge-sheeted the two for the Pathankot terror attack along with two others - Shahid Latif and Kashif Jaan - all Pakistani terrorists.

China has also invested heavily in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor connecting Xinjiang to the Arabian Sea port of Gwadar.
Bollywood churned out to big budget wrestling movies in 2016, but they paled in comparison to the grand bout in the political arena between two heavyweights - Akhilesh Yadav, the chief minister of India's most populous state, and his father as well as chairperson of the ruling party, Mulayam Singh Yadav.

While on Friday, Mulayam - a former grappler - expelled his son from the Samajwadi Party months ahead of the crucial Uttar Pradesh elections, Akhilesh seemingly had the upper hand by rallying a majority of the SP MLAs to his side.

'Politically speaking, if Akhilesh goes into polls on his own, possibly with the support of the Congress, and (RLD chief) Ajit Singh too might join him, then it will be a force to reckon with,' said a senior SP leader requesting anonymity.

Political observers call it the biggest dangal between a father and son which divided Samajwadi Party

'In this entire drama, his image has not been hit and he stands tall. The young Yadav cadre will go with him, though the old guard will not shift support to him owing to emotional attachment with Mulayam Singh.

In that case, he will split Yadav votes and can well rally the Muslim voters behind him.

'Moreover, if he can do it, then the caste-based politics of UP is going to change forever as he will fight polls on developmental issues.'

The groundswell of cadre support that was evident at his residence in the wake of the expulsion was reason enough to convince his detractors and observers as to which direction the wind is blowing inside SP.

A SP suppoerters trying to self immolation out side the Chief Minister's residence in Lucknow

Soon after the expulsion, supporters started gathering outside the CM's official residence and within hours, thousands thronged the place.

A few even attempted self-immolation. The Samajwadi Party was threatening to implode for many months now owing to a bitter battle for control between the chief minister and his uncle, Shivpal Yadav.

Mulayam has consistently sided with his brother, subjecting his son to humiliation with snubs delivered publicly.

Mulayam has consistently sided with his brother, subjecting his son to humiliation with snubs delivered publicly

How can Akhilesh release a list when the party has declared its candidates? Akhilesh and Ram Gopal want to finish the party. - Mulayam Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief

'We are with Akhilesh and now he will emerge stronger,' a supporter said.

According to claims of Akhliesh supporters, 80 per cent of the sitting MLAs are with him.

'I can present the signature of nearly 200 MLAs who are in support and whom the CM met inside his official residence after the decision,' said MLA Indal Singh.

Out of the 235 candidates in Akhilesh's list for the Assembly polls, 171 are sitting MLAs and of the 325 nominees on Shivpal's list, 175 are sitting MLAs.

The interesting fact is that the lists have 145 names in common and all of them are sitting MLAs. Akhilesh appeared to be relieved after the decision.

A purported leaked mail from Akhilesh's US poll advisor Steve Jarding was doing the rounds on social media late on Friday night. In the mail, the PR agency suggests that the SP's internal war is orchestrated to project the CM as a strong leader and a development icon.

He held a closed-door meeting with some of his legislators and cadre at his official residence amid the ruckus outside.

'I will meet all my supporters after 12 noon tommorow. We have to save the party. Please go back and rest,' he sent a message through loyalist and minister Pawan Pandey before leaving.

According to later developments, Akhilesh has called a meeting of MLAs at 9am on Saturday, while Mulayam will meet his MLAs at noon.

Akhilesh has called for a meeting on Saturday to decide the plan of action

Another casualty was the expulsion of party's national general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav, for six years.

The BJP, which is looking to make further inroads into Uttar Pradesh after a near clean sweep in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, was in a celebratory mood.

Senior party leader Sidharth Nath Singh told Mail Today: 'People of UP are celebrating New Year a day early as they can see their emancipation from 'goonda raj' and 'parivar raj' in this split.'

'Best is they have achieved it without pressing a button.'

Another BJP leader took things with a pinch of salt. 'SP is a very dicey party. We need to wait and watch if this split is permanent as still there is scope of some drama over which the two factions will unite again.'

'It is quite possible that Mulayam himself steps in to become the CM, forcing the factions to patch up,' he said, requesting anonymity.

The Congress, which has been attempting to stitch together an anti- BJP alliance, expressed concern.

'Congress doesn't delve into internal divisions in another party, but we are deeply concerned about growing political instability in UP,' party spokesman Randeep Surjewala said.
One doesn't like to be a fusspot, but the league tables of bids and deals for 2016 compiled by Thomson Reuters among others are all but meaningless.

They may be scrutinised in the parlours of the investment banks, who are only too happy to cite their genius in organising deals and collecting fat fees and bonuses, but much of what is announced is unfinished business.

Among other things, the arrival of Donald Trump in the White House on January 20  along with a new economic and business team heavily loaded with Wall Street panjandrums  might signal a whole different approach to takeovers.

No deal: The 21bn Deutsche Boerse 'merger of equals' with the London Stock Exchange is far from being done

As far as Britain is concerned, the two largest unsettled transactions  the 21billion Deutsche Boerse 'merger of equals' with the London Stock Exchange and 21st Century Fox's 18billion bid for Sky  are far from being done.

The London Stock Exchange is going through all kinds of contortions to try and convince the European Commission that the transaction is not anti-competitive.

It is currently seeking to do a deal with its Paris rival Euronext to sell its French clearing house LCH.Clearnet, thinking that this will sweep away obstacles.

But the serious objections to this transaction run far deeper. From the start it has seemed far more attractive to the LSE chief executive Xavier Rolet, who has been looking for a neat and profitable exit, than anyone else.

That is with the possible exception of Wimbledon dweller Carsten Kengeter, the present chief executive of the Frankfurt exchange, who has a real shot at cutting down his commuting time.

Aside from all of that, there are more hurdles. The Hesse authorities are deeply worried about the operational HQ of the new exchange moving to the City.

And prudential regulators in London and Frankfurt have serious concerns about capital levels in the clearing operations.

And who would stand behind the merged exchange in the case of a multi-billion pound failure in the complex futures markets.

Similarly, there is absolutely no certainty that 21st Century Fox's bid for the 61 per cent of Sky that it doesn't already own will be done.

Independent directors have signed off on a premium of 40 per cent, which is by no means as good as it may seem. Sky's shares were in the doldrums for most of 2016.

The fall in the pound has made the premium 15 per cent or so cheaper for Fox, a US company whose shares are in dollars.

And Sky's minority shareholders gifted Fox 5billion in cash when the minority interests in Sky Deutschland and shrinking Sky Italia were bought out.

Fox's reasons for buying Sky are more about its own problems in the US than anything else.

Rupert Murdoch's attempt to go big and buy Time Warner was a failure and it finds its American operations under threat because of streaming operations such as Netflix and Amazon.

Sky, to its great credit, saw this coming and has adapted to the streaming market using its own technology and Fox clearly finds this attractive.

The Murdoch family faces considerable regulatory obstacles. The deal will almost certainly have to be referred by the Secretary for Culture, Media & Sport, Karen Bradley, to regulator Ofcom for review in the light of rules on concentration of media ownership.

The case will be made that the buyer, 21st Century Fox, and News Corporation  ultimate owner of the Sun and other media properties  are separate entities. A quick perusal of the boards and cross-shareholdings reveals this is a chimera.

As the Wall Street Journal proudly says each day on its editorial page, the Executive Chairman of News Corp is Rupert Murdoch. He also is none other than the Executive Co-chairman of 21st Century Fox.

Moreover, at a time when Britain's newspapers are engaged in a do-or-die battle for freedom of the press  amid the effort by tycoon Max Mosley to impose draconian penalties on the written media  it is hard not to forget that this assault has its origins in the behaviour of the News of the World, when Sky chairman James Murdoch was its ultimate boss. And claims involving the so-called Fake Sheikh are still to be settled.

Many of the giant US bids also are still open to challenge. German chemical firm Bayer's 51billion offer for America's Monsanto is still being scrutinised, and with the shares showing an 18 per cent discount to the offer price, no-one is betting this is a done deal. In the media sector, AT&T's mammoth 86billion offer for Time Warner also is caught in a regulatory quagmire.

When investment bankers and highly paid PR consultants seek to pretend every announced deal is already a done deal, or that mergers and acquisitions in 2016 amounted to 2.9trillion or some other bloated figure, just don't believe them.

Feathers are being plumped up like those of a peacock in full splendour. Bravado should not get the better of reality.
The stock market enjoyed a record- breaking year in 2016 despite warnings of Armageddon following the Brexit vote and election of Donald Trump.

A new high for the FTSE 100 index leaves investors in bullish mood heading into the New Year.

But with the outlook as uncertain as ever, picking winners in 2017 will not be easy.

Here is what City & Finance's team of experts think will do well in the next 12 months.

Ditching mines to make a mint - Hugo Duncan

It's all change at Aurum Mining  and at 5.12p, now could be the time to get in.

New chairman David Williams, who turned building materials group Breedon into a 1billion company, has outlined plans to sell Aurum's gold and tungsten mining assets and shift into cybersecurity, changing the company's name to Shearwater in the process.

Williams has assembled a board including former Airbus UK boss Robin Southwell and Stephen Ball, former head of Lockheed Martin in the UK.

Aurum's new chief executive Mo Stevens is the former head of the cybersecurity business at Airbus.

The company now plans to acquire or take stakes in small cyber businesses and turn these minnows into major players.

An investment in Aurum/Shearwater is not without risks. But the management team looks worth a punt.

Costa owner is full of beans - Ruth Sunderland

Shares in this firm, whose brands include Costa Coffee and Premier Inns, have had their ups and downs in 2016 and are now more than 15 per cent lower than this time last year. To my mind that looks like good value.

The performance of Whitbread is strongly linked to that of the UK economy and I'm optimistic on that front, given many leading organisations have shown we are doing better than most of our rivals in the developed world.

Even if the economy cuts up rough, caffeine addicts will still see coffee as an affordable luxury.

Meanwhile, Premier has been named the UK's top-rated hotel chain by consumer magazine Which? for the second year running.

And there are plans afoot to launch a chain of budget hotels in Germany, aimed at the domestic market, which is not well served.

Chief executive Alison Brittain is highly rated in the City. Prudently, she has embarked on a 150million cost-cutting drive.

My tip of Lloyds last year was hit by the Brexit vote  and a chief executive with a wandering eye didn't help matters.

With Whitbread shares currently at 3776p, hopefully I've woken up to smell the coffee with this year's tip.

LET THE CYBER HACKERS LIFT YOUR RETURNS - Alex Brummer A combination of turmoil among the eurozone economies, fractures in the Italian and German banking systems and the success of the hard right in Holland, France and Germany will dominate the political and financial agenda. Last year's selection of GlaxoSmithKline did reasonably well as its pipeline of new drugs started to bear fruit. But I fear this year will be more difficult for the pharma giant as President Trump seeks to pin back prices in the US. So in 2017 I am switching from health sciences to war. Concerns about conflict in Asia, a geopolitical mess in the Middle East and pressure on European members of NATO to step up defence spending should be good for BAE Systems. Its ace in the hole is the fast expansion of its cybersecurity division. There is no greater threat to corporate stability than hacking attacks and BAE has expertise that will give comfort to boards of major firms seeking to minimise risk. Shares have enjoyed a recent renaissance, rising 12.9 per cent over the last three months, and are now 591.5p.

Take a punt on eSports boom - James Coney

Unless you grew up playing them or know someone who is addicted to them, it's hard to grasp quite just how huge the video games market is.

And it is one that is changing. These days it's not just about playing a game yourself  fans of gaming spend hours watching other people play competitively.

At stake are prize funds of up to $1million. I think this is a market which is about to boom. And Gfinity, which hosts so-called eSports events, is the stock to hold if you want to cash in.

It's a risky punt. The firm is worth around 20million and it's made a loss for the past two years as it invests to expand.

Shares are 13.5p but have traded as high as 17.5p in the past 12 months.

A rare find in UK tech sector - Sabah Meddings

It's not a household name but Micro Focus has become a giant in the tech sector.

The FTSE 100 firm creates software to allow large firms to squeeze extra life out of their existing computer systems, while enabling them to introduce new technology if they choose to do so.

That's big business in these days when software lasts the blink of an eye.

It is also that rare thing  a British firm taking over foreign rivals. It is buying Hewlett Packard Enterprise and more acquisitions are probably on the way.

All this should help Micro Focus continue on its upward track from 2179p.

Back Lloyds now to beat the rush - James Burton

Earlier in 2016, Lloyds seemed to be on the up  but then the Brexit vote happened.

The stock dived nearly 30 per cent in two days as traders panicked and feared an approaching economic collapse.

They have so far been proved wrong and the bank has clawed back some ground, although its price remains more than 15 per cent lower than at the start of the year.

At 62.51p, Lloyds now looks oversold  and although chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio's private life has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, professionally speaking he is a capable boss.

The bank is buying credit card business MBNA in its first major acquisition since being rescued by taxpayers during the financial crisis.

PPI mis-selling payments  for years Lloyds' Achilles' heel  are finally drawing to a close. And in another important milestone, the Treasury is likely to sell its remaining 7 per cent stake within months.

This will put the bank back in private hands and mark the final stage of its long road to rehabilitation.

Investors will realise Armageddon isn't round the corner and see a lender putting its troubled past behind it, with solid dividend payments.

HUNGRY FOR GROWTH-Holly Black There's a new generation of tech firms that have one major advantage over their failed dotcom predecessors  their lack of assets. Takeaway app Just Eat does not actually own anything other than software and that makes it quick to adapt, cheap to operate and easy to grow. Just Eat took 33.3m orders in the third quarter of the year (up 33 per cent on the year before). And now it is starting to gobble up smaller firms and expand into new territories. At 583.5p, shares climbed 18 per cent over the year, but there could be further to go.

Investing in the future - Rachel Millard

Lithium is one of the hottest commodities on the planet and demand is only set to grow alongside that of electric cars.

Its price has more than tripled since 2000 and climbed 13 per cent since last year.

The mineral is now worth around 16,000 per tonne.

So I'm backing Bacanora Minerals, an AIM-listed company planning to produce lithium from its Sonora project in Mexico by 2019.

Led by Mark Hohnen, a founding chairman of Cape Mentelle and Cloudy Bay wines, Bacanora has some hefty backers, raising 7.7million from BlackRock in May.

David Lenigas's Rare Earth Minerals has a 19.2 per centstake in Bacanora and is in a joint venture with the firm on some of the mines.

Investment in Bacanora at 67.5p is not without risk; the mining process is tricky but the rewards could be high.

Packaging is big business - Victoria Ibitoye

DS Smith may not be glamourous, but it has a business model that's near enough foolproof.

The company supplies packaging to the likes of Amazon, Domino's Pizza and Cadbury-owner Mondelez, and saw its profits jump 60 per cent earlier this year before currency considerations.

And while that in itself is an impressive feat, it's not what makes the business so appealing.

DS Smith has a booming display business which determines how products are presented in stores.

Consumers are increasingly making their decisions about which products to buy in the shops, rather than beforehand, meaning retailers are becoming more demanding about their packaging.
LOAN CLOSURE The Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme, which is to finish tomorrow, supported 95,000 mortgages since it began in October 2013, according to official figures to the end of September.

The scheme helped people with deposits as low as 5 per cent to purchase a property, but the Government said it was no longer needed as more lenders were offering low-deposit mortgages.

SHOPPING SPREE Singapores sovereign wealth fund has splashed out 48.5million on acquiring a 50 per cent stake in the newly opened Watermark leisure complex in Southampton.

GIC purchased the stake from shopping centre owner Hammerson. The scheme is part the Hammerson-led WestQuay shopping complex that will provide an annual income of 5.5million when fully leased.

POWERED UP Shares at crisis-hit Toshiba have staged a mini-comeback after three days of losses, closing up 9.4 per cent in Tokyo.

The Japanese company had nearly 40 per cent wiped off its value following its warning about a multi-billion dollar write-down involving its nuclear energy arm, which triggered fears about its project in the UK.

Toshiba owns a 60 per cent stake in NuGen, which is building a nuclear power plant in Cumbria.

WATER WAR A bidding war for a water company serving Wales and the north west continues after one suitor extended the deadline for its offer to be taken up.

Investment fund Ancala Fornia said shareholders now have until January 13 to accept its final offer of 1706p per share for Dee Valley Water, despite a higher offer of 1825p from rival Severn Trent, which has the support of the Dee Valley board.

CHINA REFORMS The Chinese government is set to ease restrictions on foreign investment in sectors from banking and internet services to rail equipment and motorcycles.
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Out of the 657 cities in China, there is one that cannot be found on any maps. People don't read about it on newspapers or see it on TV. Most Chinese people don't even know of its existence.

Welcome to 404, a remote city in the far-flung Gobi Desert which was built as a national secret in 1950s so that Communist China could make its first nuclear bomb during the height of the Cold War.

As if it's to add to its mystery, the city's code name - also the name of the nuclear plant it served - happens to be the responsive code one gets nowadays when a webpage cannot be found.

Scroll down for video

The statue of Chairman Mao was the centre of 404 city where the residents went to relax, socialise and find entertainment

The model aircraft in the Nuclear City Park has become derelict after all residents of 404 city were relocated in 2005

After all residents left, the 404 city became empty, however many pets were were left behind by their former owners

The 404 city had its own train station and Li Yang took this picture recently which shows the deserted coal storage

The mysterious city had two kindergartens which looked exactly the same and were designed by the Russians, Li Yang said

The run-down building used to house the 'Old Granny Hot Pot', a popular restaurant in the far-flung community

Once thriving and full of life, the 500-acre city, located among the barren sands of central Asia, is now largely deserted.

A set of incredible pictures, taken by a Chinese photographer who claims to grow up there, captures the haunting presence of today's 404 city - after all residents were relocated by the authority in 2005.

'You wouldn't find my hometown on any Chinese map,' said Li Yang, a 32-year-old photographer who now lives in the glamorous capital city of Beijing, 2,000 kilometres (1,242 miles) from the isolated 'nuclear city'.

Mr Li said during an exclusive interview with MailOnline: 'Other people would say their hometown is Beijing or Wuhan. What about me? I would say I come from 404 city. It feels strange.'

For about half a century, the city of 404 existed for one sole purpose: as the living quarters of the employees who worked for the state-owned nuclear factory of the same name, which built China's first nuclear bomb in the 1950s and 1960s.

There were no buses, taxis or even traffic lights in 404 city because 'you could walk from one end to the other in 15 minutes', recalled Mr Li.

It was such a tight-knit society that everyone knew everyone - because residents either worked for the factory or were family members of the workers.

All the residents, no matter they were managers or normal workers, went to the same public bathhouse, which is now empty

The heaters have been taken down from the wall of the city's public bathhouse, where all residents came to relax

An apartment building is now left in an eerie status as water from burst water pipes were frozen outside the deserted building

The gate of 'Nuclear City Park', the only scenic spot in 404 city where residents chilled out with friends and visiting relatives

Male customers of Bitan public bathhouse would have used this handrail between to go from the ground to the second floor

Female customers of Bitan public bathhouse would have stood in these cubical to take showers after a long day of work

The apartment building was built in the 1960s. The green frames on the wall were used to hang the pictures of Chairman Mao

However, the small community was equipped with all the functions one can think of in a large city, from a dance club to a library, from a public bathhouse to a vinegar factory.

There was and still is a towering statue of Chairman Mao, the founding Communist leader of the People's Republic of China, and 'that was the city's central square where you could show up after dinner to find all your playmates'.

All the children were sent to the two kindergartens whose interiors were identical and were designed by the Russians. Afterwards, they would study in one of the two primary schools - No. 1 and No. 4 Primary School - before entering the same middle school and the same high school.

The city, in the far west of China, even had pastry chefs specialised in making a popular snack from Shanghai, an eastern coastal metropolis some 2,800 kilometres (1,739 miles) away.

The building was used as the entertainment centre of workers and contained a library, training room and card game room

These apartment buildings were among the newest that had been built in 404 city before all residents left in 2005

The city had two kindergartens, two primary schools, one middle school and one high school to serve the workers' families

A forest and an irrigation system had been built to stop sandstorms from invading the city which was located in Gobi Desert

The city had a small forest in the centre and walls were built to protect the trees. Nowadays, only animals walk past it

Kitchen containers were left outside the windows of the residential building which was full of life during the city's heyday

'It was a typical Communist collective lifestyle,' Mr Li said. 'People were sent from around China to live and work in the purposely built city to accommodate three generations. They brought their customs and languages to the melting pot.'

He added: 'At the time, China wanted to build a nuclear bomb at all costs.'

Mr Li said when he was growing up, there were about 20,000 people in the city.

The 'nuclear city', built from scratch in the most remote part of China, did not let the country down. On October 16, 1964, the country successfully exploded its first atomic bomb at the Lop Nor nuclear test site, and Mr Li said the bomb was built by the scientists and workers living in 404 city.

'In the exhibition hall of the China National Nuclear Corporation today, there is a picture near the entrance showing a young woman celebrating the success of the explosion. That woman was my relative, and she was so young at the time,' said Mr Li.

An old office building in the city centre is now left standing in the empty crossroad as all residents have moved away

'You could walk from one end to the other in 15 minutes', recalled Mr Li. He took the picture standing at one end of the city. The city ended at the end of this road

Gas pipes had been installed to supply energy to the desert city as it could get as cold as minus 30 during winter

The community had all the functions of a big city, including a dance hall, a library and a post office (pictured)

Li Yang said the city had two primary schools, No.1 and No.4 Primary school. He studied in No. 4 Primary School (pictured)

The No. 1 Primary School was pictured. The slogan on the wall encouraged pupils to be 'united, attentive, serious and lively'

The professional photographer lived in 404 city for 19 years until he went to university in 2003.

Two years later, the city was largely abandoned. All the residents in the city were relocated by the authority to live in another city, also in the Gobi Desert.

'It was a strange feeling,' said Mr Li. 'I lost my hometown.'

Like many people, Mr Li feels nostalgic about the good old days, even if his hometown technically never existed in the modern Chinese history.

There was a zoo in 'Nuclear City Park', which kept bears, birds, monkeys, peacocks and deer. Above was the birds' enclosure

A high wall has been erected outside one of the two kindergartens since all residents left the 404 city in 2005

Sheep have taken over the enclosure which was used to keep deer inside the 'Nuclear City Park', the city's only scenic spot

The pavilion and the fountain in the 'Nuclear City Park' stood in a lonely manner in the 404 city which no longer has residents

A greenhouse had been built in the park to keep plants from around China so residents of the desert town could see nature

The entertainment ride in the park became rusty and stood in solitary as the city is no longer occupied by residents

A part of the empty park in 404 city, a remote community in the far-flung Gobi Desert built as a national secret in 1950s

Workers who got married were given wedding flats. Above was one of them and lucky ornaments can still be seen on the wall

Li Yang's pictures capture the haunting presence of today's 404 city - after all residents were relocated in 2005

He went back to 404 city for four times during 2013 and 2016 to document its deserted streets, buildings and parks

He went back to 404 city for four times during 2013 and 2016 to document its deserted streets, buildings and parks.

'As soon as I stand on the ground of 404 city, my memories would rush back. I could hear, see and smell things in this empty city,' he said.

One of Mr Li's favourite pictures is of two lonely trees standing on the barren Gobi sand.

'I planted them when I was four near the backyard of my house,' he said.

Now one of the trees is live, and one of them dead - just like the two 404 cities living in Mr Li's mind.

One of Mr Li's favourite pictures is of two lonely trees standing on the barren Gobi sand. He planted them when he was four

The picture shows the ruins of the dormitories of the construction workers who were sent to build 404 city from scratch

Residents would gather to fish and socialise in the pavilion inside the 'Nuclear City Park' when Li Yang was growing up

Mr Li said when he was growing up, there were about 20,000 people in the city, but now the place is eerie and empty

More apartment buildings of the deserted 404 city, which was built to accommodate workers at a nearby nuclear factory

The wall of a kindergarten of 404 city. Li Yang said there were two kindergartens and they looked exactly the same
As temperatures plunged to below freezing and beneath a slate-grey sky, Abdullah Taher Mahmoud lay to rest the daughter he had known for only 18-days.

The 48-year-old knelt alone at the end of the unmarked grave of tiny Mona in the anonymous bleak stone burial area near the ever growing Jadaa-3 camp, in the town of Qayyarah, on the edge of the besieged city of Mosul in northern Iraq.

Few, if anyone, outside her immediate family knew of baby Mona. Now she is another statistic in the death toll of the ISIS occupation of Mosul  they did not kill her but, like so many fleeing the group, her death is a direct consequence of their presence.

According to the International Organisation of Migration, 130,248 of Mosuls 1.4-million population have so far been driven from the city since the much-heralded US and British-backed Iraqi military operation to right one of its biggest ever humiliations began in mid-October.

Heartache: Abdullah Mahmoud, centre with his family, in the safety of the Jadaa-3 camp, in Qayyarah, told of his two month trek across the country after fleeing the horrors of Mosul

Buried: Abdullah kneels at the unmarked grave of his baby daughter Mona who died at just 18 days old after coughing up blood. His wife Hanaa gave birth to her alone and cut the umbilical cord herself as their 17 relatives slept during the journey from Mosul to Qayarah

Night flit: The family, pictured moving their belongings, told of the horrors of living in ISIS controlled Mosul and how, despite losing baby Mona, they have no regrets at leaving the city

The enormity of the crisis is unmeasurable, the needs huge, an IOM spokesman from Mosul visiting Qayyarah said, In a worst-case scenario, the crisis could displace up to one million people with 700,000 people who may need urgent emergency shelter, non-food items, health support and emergency livelihoods.

Little has emerged of the families who each night brave ISIS fighters to try to escape to the safety of the Iraqi countryside but in tribute to Mona, Abdullah and his wife Hanaa told the harrowing story of their flight to freedom to MailOnline, providing a fascinating insight into the horrors of life for those forced to abandon everything they owned.

Mona was born during that flight to freedom. Abdullah, who delivered fuel before the ISIS takeover of Mosul, said he lost his job because he was told he could only work if his three elder boys Fathi, 22, Wissam, 18, and Bassam, 15, pledged allegiance to the fanatical fighters.

With no money coming in the family was forced to sell their belongings  first, the furniture, then their land and eventually the jewellery.

I opted to become poor, even to go hungry, rather than to allow my children to join them (ISIS) or me to work for them, Abdullah said. He explained that as fighting intensified and ISIS stepped-up operations, the family moved from their home, staying at one stage in a single room before deciding to try to escape into the safety of Iraq. We left with nothing, but the clothes on our backs, Hanaa, said.

Escape: Revealing the misery of life inside Mosul, the family said that ISIS cut off and poisoned their water supply. They also said that when they went to the shops ISIS forced people to watch a public beheadings in the street. Pictured: Refugees arrive at Jadaa-3 camp, Qayyarah

Moving on: Abdullah, who delivered fuel before the ISIS takeover of Mosul, said he lost his job because he and his three elder sons refused to pledge allegiance to the fanatics. But he said he would rather go hungry than join ISIS. Pictured: Family on their journey to freedom

Under siege: Abdullah said as fighting intensified and ISIS stepped-up operations, the family moved from their home, staying at one stage in a single room before deciding to try to escape into the safety of Iraq. Pictured: Safety of the Jadaa-3 camp, in the town of Qayyarah

Their last few steps to freedom almost ended in disaster, they recalled. It was dark and shortly after 8pm as they began their escape but they had walked only a few meters when ISIS began firing mortars and flares with the military launching its own barrage in reply.

We were caught in the middle and had to wait it out, Abdullah said. It was muddy, wet and cold, but we had no choice. We stayed lying low until the flares drifted away and the shooting between both sides stopped, he added.

Baba I am scared, Abdullahs five-year-old daughter Sidra told him as she lay in the mud.

When they eventually carried on walking, the kids lost their slippers and shoes in the deep slippery mud and had to walk barefooted.

Every day we walked a bit and good people would take us in, help and feed us as we moved along, the 40-year-old explained. Seventeen relatives were with them but Hanaa was alone when she gave birth to Mona.

The children were asleep as was my husband when I went into labourI sneaked out to the toilet and as they slept, I squatted there and gave birth to Mona, she said choking back tears. I gave birth to her alone and then cut the umbilical cord with a scissors, she said matter-of-factly, adding she knew how to do this from previous births.

We had no money to go to a doctor or a hospital along the way. Adbullah said : It was dawn when I heard the babys first cry and knew Hanaa had delivered the baby.

After resting for a day the family moved again and Hanaa said she carried her baby wrapped in her arms.

When I tired, my elder daughters and sons helped me carry her, Hanaa said.

Anguish: His wife Hanaa said that with no money coming in the family sold their belongings  first, the furniture, then their land and eventually their jewellery - but they finally left Mosul with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Pictured: A young girl in Abdullah's family

Struggle: But their last few steps to freedom almost ended in disaster, Abdullah, pictured with Hanaa and their family, recalled. It was dark and muddy under foot as they began their escape when ISIS began firing mortars and flares with the military launching its own barrage in reply

Frightened: During their two month trek to safety of Qayyarah, pictured, the children lost shoes and ended up walking barefoot. Hanaa gave birth to Mona but could not produce milk to breast feed her. Finally six days before Christmas they arrived at an army post and taken in

Safety: The following day they were taken in trucks to the giant, new unfinished Jadaa-3 camp pictured, that is being built to house the thousands of refugees fleeing Mosul every day

But the days were cold and the nights freezing, as temperatures plummeted in northern Iraq. Torrential rain was also hard to avoid and although Hanaa, tried to keep her daughter warm, wrapping her inside her gown, the damp from the rain was hard to prevent at times. Hanaa could not breast feed her child as she had no milk herself to give to her baby. The family could not even afford to buy formula milk for her.

An elder married sister who had a child of her own, shared her milk with baby Mona and at other times we gave her hot water and sugar to keep her going, Hanaa said.

Finally, six days before Christmas and nearly two months after beginning the journey from Mosul, Mona and her family waiving a white flag arrived at an army post that took them in, fed the children and offered beds for the night.

The following day they were taken in trucks to the giant, new unfinished Jadaa-3 camp that is being built to house the thousands fleeing Mosul.

With the intensity of the fighting dragging on in the city and the Iraqi army bogged down by suicide bombers, booby trapped routes and an enemy moving in an elaborate network of underground tunnels, the number of those fleeing is set to increase massively, aid workers fear. When Hanaa arrived at the camp she knew her baby girl was sick.

She was refusing to feed and vomited blood after we arrived, she said.

Hanaa, settled her other children around her sharing the few blankets and mattresses that were given to them by other neighbours in the camp and sat with Mona in her arms. I stayed up all night with her in my arms, hoping and praying that she will be fine. By the early hours of dawn she vomited more blood, she said quietly before breaking down in tears.

Fierce fighting: With intense fighting dragging on in Mosul and the Iraqi army bogged down by suicide bombers, booby trapped routes and an enemy moving in an elaborate network of underground tunnels, the number of those fleeing is set to increase, aid workers fear

Exodus: The International Organisation of Migration says 130,248 of Mosuls 1.4m people have so far been driven from the city since the much-heralded US and British-backed Iraqi military operation to right one of its biggest ever humiliations began in mid-October

Later that day Baby Mona died. She went cold in my arms by the time everything was ready for her to be taken for burial, she said. But despite their loss, the family have few regrets about leaving Mosul because of the threat of ISIS, which has cut off and poisoned water supplies. Wissam said: Whenever we went to the market they would stop people and force them to watch some execution.

Sometimes it was a beheading and at other times it was execution by gun fire. We all had to watch whether we liked it or not.

Sometimes they had prisoners in orange suits as they beheaded them.

One time we had to watch as they threw a man off the third floor of a building then proceeded to stone him and to ensure death finally shot him, he recalled. On Fridays we were forced to go to the mosque where they preached to us about jihad

No regrets: Abdullah is among the 130,248 to have left Mosul and is pleased they did in despite losing his baby Mona, pictured

We had to grow our beards and hair and they would cut our trousers to above the ankle [in the style of shirwal by Afghans], even the labels on our tracksuits were cut off by them when they saw us in them. The labels representing infidel brands and world and were not allowed. They removed all satellite dishes to prevent us hearing news or watching television, young girls had to wear the full niqab and cover their eyes and face, older women were just about allowed to leave their eyes uncovered, he said.

The IOM spokesman said : Of the tens of thousands of internally displaced that have made it out, baby Mona was one of the few unlucky ones.

She arrived in this world with little celebration and died unobserved, but for her familys memories of the very brief times she was alive. There are no photos of her, the family owns no mobile phone, which was also banned by ISIS.

Of the thousands of Iraqis who have been displaced by Mosul operations since October 17, many are in desperate need of life-saving humanitarian assistance, especially in these cold winter months.

In the last 24 days alone over 12,528 people arrived at IOMs E-site occupying 2,360 plots of the 2,400 ready with wash facilities.

The capacity for 10,000 plots is ongoing for the expansion phase.

The IOM spokesman continued : While the humanitarian operation in Iraq remains to be one of the most complex in the world, IOM has provided ongoing humanitarian aid to displaced families fleeing ISIS and other conflicts across the country with over a 1,000 staff on the ground working day and night to provide basic needs to those in need.

Families with children are arriving with the bare minimum, but the clothes on their back. Some have walked, others have crossed a river  all arriving tired, drenched, cold, scared and bewildered.'
The most bizarre benefits frauds of 2016 can be revealed - including a woman claiming to have superpowers and a 'blind' driver.

A record 1billion was recovered from thousands of offenders who were brought to justice for wrongly claiming welfare over the last 12 months.

The Government pays out a whopping 172billion in benefits to around 20million people every year.

Among the 5,000 convictions of benefit fraudsters over the last year was Amanda Barrymore, who claimed thousands of pounds in jobless benefits despite making a living out of her apparent 'psychic' ability to communicate with the dead.

Maria Hughes received 42,000 in disability benefits, claiming her arthritis was so bad that she couldn't walk. Footage revealed her globetrotting lifestyle as a bodybuilder, pictured

Another was 54-year-old Ann Grigor, who was seen driving at speeds claimed she was wheelchair bound, blind and needed round-the-clock care.

Maria Hughes received 42,000 in disability benefits, claiming her arthritis was so bad that she couldn't walk. Footage revealed her globetrotting lifestyle as a bodybuilder.

Another benefit fraudster caught out this year was Stephanie Meakin, a 51-year-old dancing church Pastor from Crewe, who also claimed she was unable to walk.

Steven Peters defrauded taxpayers out of 23,000 of disability living allowance money claiming he had heard disease, struggled to walk and required 24/7 care support but he was spotted in a motorbiking magazine and had spent his benefits on expensive Harley Davidson and Norton bikes.

And then there is David Prewitt, 62, who claimed he couldn't walk or dress himself but was found hurling heavy bowling balls down the lane in his weekly ten-pin bowling league.

Welfare minister Caroline Nokes told MailOnline that these cases proved the Government is catching up with benefit fraudsters up and down the country.

Among the 5,000 convictions of benefit fraudsters over the last year was Amanda Barrymore, pictured, who claimed thousands of pounds in jobless benefits despite making a living out of her apparent 'psychic' ability to communicate with the dead

Another benefit fraudster brought to justice in 2016 was 54-year-old Ann Grigor, who was seen driving at speeds claimed she was wheelchair bound, blind and needed round-the-clock care

She said: 'Our message is clear; benefit fraud is wrong and will not be tolerated,' she said.

'Defrauding the benefit system isn't a victimless crime. It diverts money away from those who need it and cheats people out of the vital support they deserve.

'That's why we pursue fraudsters relentlessly and try to recover the money they steal  to protect taxpayers and ensure our welfare system is there when people hit hard times.

'As these cases show, we're protecting the system and cracking down on swindlers. Our message is clear; benefit fraud is wrong and will not be tolerated.'

The six most audacious benefit swindlers brought to justice in 2016 were:

Amanda Barrymore fraudulently claimed both housing benefit and council tax credits for four years despite charging customers 40-a-time to talk their dead relatives

1. Amanda Barrymore, 62, claimed nearly 27,000 in jobless benefits and council tax credits over four years, despite making a living out of her bizarre claim to have a superpower to communicate with the dead.

She charged clients 40-a-time to talk to their dead relatives.

Ms Barrymore, a transgender, boldly appeared in psychic magazines, on radio and television, according to her website and even released her own autobiography while claiming dole money.

She escaped jail after paying back the entire 27,000 she had fraudulently claimed.

2. Ann Grigor, 54, claimed she was blind, wheelchair bound and needed round-the-clock care, claiming around 23,000 in disability benefits for 10 years.

But despite her apparent severe illnesses, she was miraculously able to drive.

She was caught walking unaided and driving at speeds of up to 70mph around Edinburgh.

So desperate was she not to lose her benefits that she continued her ruse when DWP investigators caught her.

She rode around in a mobility scooter and pretended to be blind by wearing dark glasses.

3. Maria Hughes, 45, stole 42,000 in disability benefits despite being a globe-trotting bodybuilder.

She claimed her arthritis was so bad that she couldn't walk, but was somehow able to finish sixth in the Mrs Universe competition in Germany while on state hand-outs.

Ms Hughes, who had a stage name of Maria Glazowska on the bodybuilding circuit, claimed that she relied on walking sticks, struggled to climb stairs and went to the effort of turning up to court in a wheelchair.

But in a YouTube video she explained how she had been 'built for bodybuilding'.

4. David Prewitt, 62, claimed more than 18,000 over the last decade by claiming that his injured knee prevented him from being able to walk or dress himself.

But despite his apparent difficulties at home Mr Prewitt was magically able to play in a ten-pin bowling league in Southampton every Wednesday.

Video footage shows him hurling a heavy bowling ball down the lane and sauntering back to high-five his mates.

He even carried out building work which involved climbing up ladders and cutting down a tree with a chainsaw.

Mr Prewitt was sentenced to five months in prison, suspended for 18 months. His original claim for disability living allowance in 2006 was genuine.

5. Stephanie Meakin, 51 from Crewe, had claimed Disability Living Allowance on the basis she was virtually unable to walk and needed extensive care support.

But surveillance footage revealed her walking and standing unaided as Pastor to the Church of Abundant Life International, a gospel ministry, delivering sermons in high heels and even running in heavy rain.

Often seen carrying large handbags without any sign of discomfort, Meakin stole nearly 37,000 before being found guilty of fraud this year and was sentenced to 15 months in jail, suspended for 12 months, with a year supervision order.

Stephanie Meakin , 51 from Crewe, had claimed Disability Living Allowance on the basis she was virtually unable to walk and needed extensive care support. But surveillance revealed her walking and standing unaided as Pastor to the Church of Abundant Life International, a gospel ministry, delivering sermons in high heels and even running in heavy rain

6. Steven Peters, 57, fraudulently received 23,000 in disability living allowance at the highest rate from 2009, claiming he had heart disease, struggled to walk and required 24/7 care support.

But despite his apparent disability, investigators revealed his biker lifestyle, which subscribers of the hard-core motorbike magazine Back Street Heroes read all about.

The magazine featured three double-page spreads on him in 2013, featuring Mr Peters and his expensive Harley Davidson and Norton bikes.

Investigators also found numerous insurance documents for his collection of motors and surveillance of his wife at a dog show revealed Mr Peters walking with ease and with no support.

Investigators found numerous insurance documents for Steven Peters' collection of motors and surveillance of his wife at a dog show revealed Mr Peters walking with ease and with no support. He had fraudulently claimed 23,000 in disability living allowance at the highest rate from 2009, claiming he had heart disease, struggled to walk and required 24/7 care support
Driving fast cars, posing with endangered animals and dressing in designer clothes - these are the lifestyles of some of the men accused of trying to smuggle a tonne of cocaine into Australia.

Police allege that Benjamin Allan Sara, 32, Darren 'Stripes' Mohr, 42, 63-year-old Joseph Pirrello, 37-year-old Richard Lipton and Jonathan Cooper, 29, were all dreaming of the high life when they tried to bring $15million of drugs to this country.

But it seems from these social media images that Sara, an entrepreneur from Greenacre, and former Bondi cafe owner Mohr were already well acquainted with the finer things in life.

It seems from these social media images that Sara (pictured), an entrepreneur from Greenacre, and former Bondi cafe owner Mohr was acquainted with the finer things in life

In another picture he holds a python around his neck while wearing a Paul Smith vest-top, with the caption: 'I love snakes.'

Sara's online accounts are littered with images of himself posing next to various luxury cars, including Bentleys, Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Range Rovers.

There are also multiple images of his 'pride and joy', a Nissan GTR kitted out to compete in motor racing events.

Sara also seems to be a fan of endangered animals - with pictures showing him posing with his arms folded on top of a tiger and riding on the back of an elephant.

In another picture he holds a python around his neck while wearing a Paul Smith vest-top, with the caption: 'I love snakes.'

Sara also brags about buying a pair of $800 Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, made from what appears to be crocodile leather.

There are also plentiful pictures of Sara with his now-wife, Stephanie, who he married back in February while under police surveillance.

Sara also seems to be a fan of endangered animals - with pictures showing him posing with his arms folded on top of a tiger

He was also pictured taking a ride on top of an elephant in a picturesque location

The couple were due to board a cruise ship together just days after Sara was arrested, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Meanwhile Mohr, the former owner of Bondi Rescue HQ cafe, filled his own online profiles with images of himself tanning on remote beaches, wearing designer suits at yacht clubs during the Grand Prix in Monaco, and flying on a private helicopter.

Mohr spent Christmas in the Gold Coast with his family and girlfriend of nine months, bikini model Krissy Marsh, who documented their sun-baking sessions, restaurant visits and helicopter ride on Facebook.

The mother-of-two featured in an image with his parents and smiled as they hovered over picturesque scenery boasting no one 'had a better day than us'.

Ms Marsh was also pictured wearing a diamond encrusted Rolex believed to be worth more than $45,000, while Mohr had a Hubolt wrapped around his wrist which retails at around $17,000.

There is no suggestion that Stephanie or Krissy had any involvement in the alleged drug syndicate.

Sara, 31, is pictured here with his glamorous wife Stephanie Sara

There are also plentiful pictures of Sara with his now-wife, Stephanie, who he married back in February while under police surveillance

Mohr (left) spent Christmas in the Gold Coast with his family and girlfriend of nine months, bikini model Krissy Marsh (right)

The couple have travelled to Thailand together, while Mohr has been on a string of international trips in the last year.

He has uploaded images from beaches in Vietnam and Thailand, while he claimed to have motorcycled across the Himalayas and India in July.

Mohr also posed for a picture with friends at a prestigious Riva Lounge yacht club in Monaco and snapped a shot of his view at lunch as the boat he travelled on cruised around the harbour.

Sara and Mohr are accused of acting as middle-men for alleged mastermind Pirrello, the boss of a fishing company, as they tried to smuggle a huge haul of cocaine into Australia by boat.

Cooper, a security guard and the youngest of the group, is accused of acting as middle-man between drug producers in Colombia and the rest of the group.

Meanwhile Lipton, the son of prominent Sydney lawyer Norbert 'Norrie' Lipton, is also accused of being involved.

Lipton is reported to live at home with his parents, and faced off with a screaming girlfriend as he was dragged from his home in cuffs.

Darren Mohr (pictured with girlfriend Krissy Marsh) could face life imprisonment if he is found guilty for his alleged involvement in a 'sophisticated' Sydney-based drug syndicate
You, sir, (or ma'am): Focus, if you will, on a historic, on fleek listicle containing words nominated for bigly banishment.

But don't convene a town hall meeting or get your dandruff up in the echo chamber over them.

Northern Michigan's Lake Superior State University on Saturday released its 42nd annual List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness.

The tongue-in-cheek, non-binding list comes from suggestions to the Sault Ste. Marie school.

The election campaign brought us words like 'bigly' and 'post-truth'. Hillary Clinton (left) and Donald Trump (right) are seen after their debate in Hempstead, New York on September 26

Two other words that entered the colloquial lexicon in 2016 were 'selfie drone' (left) and 'dad bod' (right)

It includes 'you, sir,' 'focus,' 'town hall meeting,' 'historic,' 'echo chamber,' 'on fleek,' 'bigly,' 'listicle,' and 'get your dandruff up,' an apparent substitute for 'dander,' its hair-and-skin kin.

The others were 'Frankenfruit,' 'bete noire,' 'guesstimate,' 'ghost,' 'dadbod,' 'selfie drone,' ''manicured,' ''post-truth,' ''disruption' and '831'  a texting encryption of 'I love you' (eight letters, three words, one meaning).

Lake Superior State University's 42nd Annual List of Banished Words for 2017 1. You, sir 2. Focus 3. Bete Noire 4. Town Hall Meeting 5. Post-Truth 6. Guesstimate 7. 831 8. Historic 9. Manicured 10. Echo Chamber Advertisement

The divisive 2016 election influenced nominations, and was reflected in the inclusion of 'bigly' and 'post-truth.'

'Bigly' also made Merriam-Webster's Top 10 for 2016.

President-elect Donald Trump was fond this year of saying 'big league' but making it sound like 'bigly,' an archaic adverb or adjective dating to around 1400.

'Post-truth,' a term sometimes used to describe the current political climate, is Oxford Dictionaries' word of the year.

John Shibley, Lake Superior State spokesman and list-compiler in chief, said 'lots of political vitriol' came in this year, with people wanting to ban 'President Trump,' 'Crooked Hillary' and 'Electoral College.'

Shibley said he 'made an editorial decision not to wade into that swamp,'  drained or otherwise.

2016 List of Banished Words 1. So 2. Conversation 3. Problematic 4. Stakeholder 5. Price Point 6. Secret Sauce 7. Break the Internet 8. Walk it Back 9. Presser 10. Manspreading Advertisement

He said all words that made the final list garnered 200-300 votes apiece, and the top vote-getter was 'echo chamber,' with more than 500 submissions.

Overall, the university received submissions from about 8,000 people and maintains an archive of more than 850 words.

Another Michigan school takes the opposite approach: Detroit's Wayne State University attempts through its Word Warriors campaign to exhume worthy words that have fallen out of favor.

This year's list included 'absquatulate,' which means to discreetly and abruptly leave a place, such as a gathering or party, without informing the host.

That's an old-school analog to 'ghost' on the banished words list.

The previous year's list featured other misused words in conversational English.
Western women will be groomed to become ISIS suicide bombers in a so-called comedy from the BBC.

The Real Housewives of ISIS is a mock-reality show sketch and in one scene a hijab-wearing woman says to the camera: 'It's only three days to the beheading and I've got no idea what to wear.'

The fictional show is part of a new BBC2 programme, Revolting, written by Heydon Prowse and Jolyon Rubinstein, who appeared on The Revolution Will Be Televised, which went out on the doomed BBC Three.

The programme was written by Jolyon Rubinstein (left) and Heydon Prowse (right)

The Sun reports that in one scene from the show a woman tries on a suicide vest as if it is a new dress and asks a friend: 'What do you think? Ahmed surprised me with it yesterday.'

But another jihadi bride walks into the room, wearing the same vest and says: 'What a complete b****. She knew I had that jacket.'

It is clearly a parody of shows like The Real Housewives of Orange County but is poking fun at women such as Samantha Lewthwaite, whose Jamaican-born husband Germaine Lindsay blew himself up on the London Underground on 7 July 2005.

The show is a parody at the experience of women like Samantha Lewthwaite (pictured), the Ulster-born Muslim convert who became known as the White Widow after her husband blew himself up on a Tube train on 7 July 2005

Lewthwaite, who was born in Northern Ireland but had converted to Islam, later vanished and became known as the White Widow, a will o' the wisp figure who is widely believed to have joined jihadist groups in East Africa and to have masterminded a shopping mall attack in Kenya in 2013.

The first episode of Revolting also features jokes about drones, the NHS budget deficit and abortion.

Prowse is quoted as saying: 'It's important not to pull your punches in satire. You have to be fearless or it undermines your credibility. You can't go after David Cameron for five years like we did and not go after Islamic State.'
Two men have been stabbed during a violent brawl after a heated

Two men are in hospital with stab wounds following a violent brawl outside an apartment complex.

Emergency services were called just after 9pm after reports of a stabbing outside a unit block in Pennant Hills in Sydney's north-west on Friday night.

An argument between two groups of men quickly escalated into a fight outside the Pennicock street building, 9News reported.

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Two men have been stabbed during a violent brawl following a heated argument between two groups of men that escalated into a fight outside an apartment block in Pennant Hills

Paramedics found two men suffering from stab wounds.

A man, 21, was stabbed in his torso and arms, he was rushed to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition.

While another man, 24, was treated at the scene for a wound to his arm.

Both are now in a stable condition.

A number of men reportedly fled the scene just before the police arrived.

Officers are investigating the matter and continuing to search the nearby area.

Anyone who witnessed the incident who has not yet spoken to police, or anyone with information is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A number of men reportedly fled the scene just before the police arrived, they are continuing investigation into the matter
Disney is set to receive 41million over Star Wars actress Carrie Fishers untimely death after taking out insurance to cover her failing to fulfil a three-film contract, it was claimed last night.

Fisher died on December 27, aged 60, having suffered a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles.

The actress, who rose to prominence playing Princess Leia in George Lucas original 1970s Star Wars trilogy, had reprised her role in last years Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Carrie Fisher first found found fame in the original Star Wars in 1977. She played Princess Leia (pictured, right, with the droid C-3P0)

And she is set to have major role in Star Wars Episode VIII, which will be released next year, with filming completed before her death.

However, Fisher was also due to have a starring part in Star Wars Episode XI  scheduled for release in 2019  which is now expected to be substantially re-written in the wake of the actress death.

Disney are yet to comment on how the planned plot will be affected.

The ensuing insurance payout is thought to be the markets biggest-ever single personal accident insurance claim, according to trade publication The Insurance Insider.

In The Force Awakens Princess Leia was seen hugging Han Solo and Fisher revealed in her memoirs that her and actor Harrison Ford had a fling during the making of the original series

Sources spoken to by the website say Lloyds of London will make the payout after Disney took out $50million of contract protection cover, in the event Fisher was unable to appear in any of the new Star Wars films.

Fisher, who found worldwide fame at the age of just 19 in the 1977 original, led a turbulent life punctuated by battles with substance abuse and bipolar disorder, which is thought to have led to the surprising policy.

It is said to be underwritten by US-based company Exceptional Risk Advisors, who describe themselves as experts in insuring complex human capital risks for highly successful individuals.

After years of abusing drugs, Carrie Fisher's health was poor and she died after suffering a heart attack on a flight to Los Angeles

Fishers tragic death led to an outpouring of grief from moviegoers worldwide.

She had recently completed a publicity tour of the UK, but suffered a heart attack on a flight back to America and died four days later.

Her mother, the Hollywood actress Debbie Reynolds, died one day later, aged 84.

Disney and Lloyds of London did not immediately respond to requests for comment last night.
Antonio Rosales is charged with murder over the death of Desiree Robinson, whose body was found in a garage on Christmas Eve in Markham, Illinois

A man has admitted murdering a 16-year-old prostitute after he couldn't afford to pay her.

Antonio Rosales is charged with murder over the death of Desiree Robinson, whose body was found in a garage on Christmas Eve in Markham, Illinois.

The 32-year-old had found the teen on a classified ads website, on December 23, and invited her to attend a party with him, prosecutors say.

Witnesses say they saw Robinson at the party before the pair went to have sex in his truck.

Robinson met up with Rosales again the following day, on Christmas Eve.

But on this occasion, the meeting turned violent.

The pair went into the garage, where Rosales admitted he had no money for a second session and tried to negotiate a free 15-minutes, the court heard.

'She refused his offer and insulted him. After he punched her in the face and strangled here as she tried to call for help,' assistant state's attorney Christina Dracopoulos told ABC 7.

Rosales then slit her throat, killing the 16-year-old.

Her friends, who had been asleep in a car outside the property, said that Rosales had knocked on the door and promised Robinson would be out soon.

Desiree Robinson was beaten and had her throat slit after she met with Rosales

A funeral service will be held for the murdered teen (left and right) on January 6

The teen's mother said she was still in shock. 'I just am numbed right now. I am just numb. I am just numb,' Yvonne Robinson (pictured with her daughter) said

But when they went to try and find her, they discovered lying naked, and dead in the garage.

The teen's mother said she was still in shock.

'I just am numbed right now. I am just numb. I am just numb,' Yvonne Robinson said.

Rosales was arrested a few days later on December 27.

He will return to court again for a preliminary hearing on January 18.

Family and friends of the Robinson have thanked the local police for catching her killer, as they paid tribute to the teen.

Her uncle Darenius Robinson simply wrote yesterday: 'They Got 'em.'

Desiree Robinson's naked body was found with her throat slit in a garage in the 16200 Block of South Hamlin Avenue, after a confrontation with Rosales

Family friend Maureen Moe Forte wrote on Facebook: 'Thank you to the Task Team for capturing the awful person! Yes! He has been Caught!

'May Desiree's Sweet Spirit rest! Continue to lift Yvonne Robinson-Ambrose, her mother and all our family in Prayer!'

Tc Dala added: 'Life can be so heartless. My youngest sons classmate Desiree Robinson was found murdered yesterday & I'm heartbroken.

'We took her to Great America with us this past summer & now another young life is gone too soon. Yvonne Robinson-Ambrose we are here for you. #RIP #desiree.'
Sydney's New Year's Eve bonanza has kicked off in style with an early fireworks display enjoyed by more than one million revellers around Sydney Harbour.

The world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and other landmarks were lit up in a range of colours by the 9pm show, which is a precursor to the enormous midnight display.

Partygoers flocked to key vantage points on Sydney Harbour from early on Saturday morning in an effort to nab prime position for Australia's biggest annual celebration.

Competition to secure a good spot for the highly anticipated show was fierce, with hundreds of thousands camping out with chairs and tents throughout the day, even as temperatures soared to 27 degrees by midday in Sydney.

Australia will be one of the first countries to welcome in 2017, with millions partying across capital cities and thousands more planning to go well beyond midnight at Falls Festival in Byron Bay - even if they're doing so topless.

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Sydney's New Year's Eve bonanza has kicked off with an impressive 9pm fireworks display that included this 'Purple Rain' tribute to musician Prince, who passed away earlier in 2016

A record amount of more than $1 million will be spent on the 9pm and midnight fireworks

The 9pm fireworks display were met by large cheers and applause from the millions who have squeezed around Sydney Harbour to catch a glimpse of the display

While the fireworks is the star of the show, a large scale light show featuring boats on Sydney Harbour is also part of the New Year's Eve bonanza

Excited young children look on in awe from the shoulders of their parents during the fireworks

Many families made their way into the Sydney CBD for the early fireworks meaning they could get young children home before the clock ticked past midnight

The 9pm 'family fireworks' was enjoyed by young children and their elders gearing up for the large midnight performance

Fireworks in Darling Harbour proved popular for families on New Year's Eve

Despite the controversy caused at the sister event in Lorne, Victoria, on Friday, there were no dampened spirits at the music festival in Byron Bay.

The heat saw many in attendance strip down to their bathers or even less and jump into swimming pools onsite in an effort to cool down.

However some seemingly weren't phased by temperatures in the 30s, still wearing unique leather outfits and large hats throughout the last day of 2016.

In Sydney, many revellers had set up camp on Friday, more than 24 hours before the fireworks kicked off.

It meant that long before the first round of entertainment kicked off at 9pm, many of the most sought after vantage points in the city and north Sydney were at capacity.

For those who did manage to have a view over the harbour they were treated to a spectacular tribute to musician Prince, who died in 2016.

With the Sydney Harbour Bridge lit purple, fireworks spewed from the lower road of the bridge in an effort to produce 'Purple Rain' - one of his most famous songs.

Earlier on Saturday more than one million revellers flocked to Sydney Harbour to see in the New Year

One partygoer at Falls Festival in Byron Bay chose to go topless in an effort to escape the heat

The seemingly excited woman received a raucous round of applause from her fellow ravers

Partygoers crammed into prime locations around Sydney Harbour long before midnight

More than one million people are expected to attend the Sydney New Year's Eve event

While spots around the Harbour were hard to come by, this group found the perfect vantage point on the water

These friends scored this prime position overlooking both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House

This woman was cooled down with the help of a hose at Falls Festival in Byron Bay, NSW

Seemingly enjoying being drenched by the water the woman laughed as her hat was flushed from her head

Donning flower crowns and bathers the crowd at Falls Festival were all smiles on Saturday

While revellers on Sydney Harbour relaxed as they await the fireworks, music lovers at Falls Festival in Byron Bay (pictured) partied hard throughout the day in the lead up to 2017

Lugging inflatable toys to the pool was just part of the experience at Falls Festival in Byron Bay

Despite the heat this pair of friends dressed to impress on the first day of the Byron Bay festival

As the year drew to a close it was all fun and games for the thousands of revellers in Byron Bay

As temperatures topped 30 degrees these two men lugged their camping gear into the festival

Thousands flocked to the three-day festival which is one of four being held around the country

While international acts such as Childish Gambino, London Grammar and Broods will take to the stage these partygoers chose the pool over the dancefloor on New Year's Eve

In Melbourne, hundreds of thousands of people crammed into Federation Square and along the Yarra River to catch a glimpse of the 9.30pm 'family fireworks'.

Up to 450,000 people are expected to welcome in the year with a bang as the city's biggest ever pyrotechnic display gets underway when the clock strikes midnight.

Renowned as being among the best displays in the world, travellers from as far away as Mexico travelled to Australia for the event.

One man told the Nine Network he and his wife had secured a position on Friday and slept in their tent overnight to ensure it wasn't taken.

Another woman said she and her friends also arrived on Friday night to ensure they bagged a prime position to watch the Harbour of Light Parade - a score of illuminated vessels gliding across the water.

'And the fireworks,' she added.

Thousands of revellers have donned blue 2017 crowns available at popular vantage points

Bringing an end to 2016 was cause for celebration for this excited group on Sydney Harbour

These lucky revellers didn't have to contend with the crowds on land, taking a perfect vantage point on this boat on the harbour

This trio of friends donned colourful headwear to get in the festive spirit on New Year's Eve

In Brisbane, some 90,000 people lined the banks of the Brisbane River which flows through the city.

Organisers of Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations have promised this year's firework display will be bigger and better than ever before.

The 120 tonne fireworks display - costing a record breaking $1 million - is inspired by music and film greats David Bowie, Prince and Gene Wilder, who all died in 2016.

A team of fireworks technicians will also join the hoards of people who will help make Sydney's New Year's Eve one to remember.

The team is led by 20-year veteran Fortunato Foti, and will bring the masses a show at 9pm, and a main display again at midnight.

McMahons point directly opposite the Sydney Harbour Bridge was packed full of revellers

This woman appeared excited as she waited for the fireworks display which organisers have promised will be the biggest ever

This person chose to shelter from the scorching sun underneath a bollard in Circular Quay

Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House were packed to the brim with revellers by early afternoon on Saturday

A panoramic image shows the large crowd and numerous tents gathered at McMahons point

More than 2000 plain clothes and uniformed police officers will patrol the harbour all night

'It's been a long 10 days trying to get everything prepped, but we're well under way and we're hoping tonight will be a nice, clear night with a bit of breeze which will hopefully blow the smoke away and everyone will be happy,' Mr Foti said.

Lighting designer Ziggy Ziegler said Sydney would 'get a real treat tonight'.

'We want to show off the harbour bridge as it is in its natural beauty and use the shape of the harbour bridge to enhance that,' he said.

'This year they are going to be a lot brighter than they have been in the past ... they're going to be very, very bright.'

Mrs Macquarie's Point is proving a hotspot for tourists with its prime position on the harbour

These two girls began celebrating early on Saturday afternoon on Sydney's foreshore

'Fifteen hours to go to Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks and the best spots are taken. Milsons Point is chocas!' Mark Beretta wrote alongside his photo posted to Instagram

The base of the iconic Opera House resembles a tent city with thousands around Circular Quay

Tents, umbrellas and camping chairs are littering the foreshore in preparation for the party

This group entertained themselves with a game of cards as they waited for the fireworks

One woman prepared to welcome in the New Year in style with a glass of bubbles in each hand, while others took the unusual step of using light bulbs as drinking glasses

The scorching heat has failed to deter the crowds from descending onto Sydney's foreshore

It's all smiles and laughs as party-goers celebrate the occasion early, nabbing top spots along the water

'And the waiting begins, started waiting at 8.20am' this group of revellers said alongside their happy snap

'Perfect shaded area for NYE picnic ... it's going to be a long New Year's Eve,' this woman wrote on Instagram

'New Year's Eve in Sydney and it's a bit crowded,' one woman wrote alongside her photo taken next to the Opera House

One woman's view was impeded by a group of people shading themselves from the sun with umbrellas

NYE lighting designer Ziggy Ziegler, City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Sydney NYE Fireworks Director Fortunato Foti at Dawes Point Reserve

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said Sydney was a fantastic city and deserved the celebration.

'(It's) a beautiful city, a wonderful harbour, amazing creative talent, fabulous climate and most importantly a multicultural, safe and harmonious community,' she said on Saturday.

To help cater for the huge crowds, NSW police say they an extra 2,000 officers will be out in force across Sydney.

But not just limited to land, squads of officers could be seen on jetskis on the sea and also in helicopters in the air - both in uniform and plain clothes.

People entering the Botanical Gardens to watch the fireworks at midnight on New Year's Eve on December 31

A family wait in Kirribilli for the fireworks to start, first round at 9pm on New Year's Eve, December 31

People taking their motor yacht onto the harbour to watch the fireworks at midnight on New Year's Eve

The countdown is on for this group of partygoers waiting at the Opera House in Sydney

Key vantage spots along the water show both the iconic Opera House and the Harbour Bridge

'It's 8.30am in Sydney and we are at our vantage point, I hope it will be worth the hype,' this group posted

Police also warn they will be using buses and garbage trucks as safety barriers in an attempt to prevent a Nice or Berlin-style terror attack.

Police have also urged people to head in early if they plan to celebrate their night on the harbour, to ensure they are able to secure a spot.

Temperatures are expected to remain in the high twenties during the day, and are only forecast to drop slightly, down to 23 degrees, come nightfall.

Clouds are also predicted to set in across the city, and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says there is a 40 per cent chance of short-lived rainfall in the city's west.

New South Wales police man roadblocks near the Opera House, as dozens of road closures pop up across the city

Hoards of people flock to Circular Quay to nab a good spot in lead up to the NYE fireworks

Portable toilets are already set up to cater for the one million people expected to flood the harbour

Hundreds of people wait in line during the scorching heat to enter into the Botanical Gardens

New South Wales police keep an eye on people entering the Botanical Gardens and Mrs Macquaries Chair

The crowds were also flooding onto the grounds at the Royal Botanical Gardens, in Sydney

The Royal Botanical Gardens are also a hotspot to catch the fireworks on New Year's Eve

There is also a slight chance of an afternoon thunderstorm in Sydney's west, but BOM says it is unlikely to make its way further east and into the city.

Sydney is not the only city preparing for a massive night of celebration, Melbourne is also readying itself for half a million people to pack into the city.

Firecrackers have been positioned on 22 of the city's rooftops, ensuring the show will be seen across Melbourne's skyline.

Keen revellers have also packed out the banks of Melbourne's Yarra River to score themselves a prime spot at one of the city's best vantage points.

This keen group, who nabbed themselves a spot right at the front, are sure to witness the best of what Sydney's New Year's Eve has to offer

'Getting in early to take the best position from shore,' this group wrote as they pitched a tent and camping chairs in front of the Habour Bridge

Last minute work going on on top of the Harbour Bridge in preparation for the night's events

'Scored decent seats for New Year's Eve fireworks tonight in Sydney. Now just another 14 hours to go,' one man wrote alongside his photo of the harbour

A side-by-side picture shows before (top) and after a harbourside vantage point to watch the New Years Eve fireworks
Teenagers from only five counties in the South make up almost one fifth of all pupils across the country admitted to Oxbridge, statistics show.

Government figures reveal just how much the two elite universities are dominated by pupils from the south of England, despite efforts to attract a more diverse range of students.

A total of 2,720  or 18 per cent  of total admissions in three years from England and Wales were to pupils from the five local education authority areas.

A student walks across the courtyard at St Catherine's College in Cambridge

Hertfordshire sent 695 students to Oxford and Cambridge  the highest number in the country  while Surrey sent 570, Kent sent 535, Oxfordshire sent 475 and Hampshire sent 445.

This is despite these areas making up only 10 per cent of the population of England and Wales.

In contrast, over the same period  2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14  a total of 12 councils, mostly in the North, saw only around 60 pupils enter the two universities. It means there are now vast areas of the country that send virtually no students to the nations elite universities.

Poor schools, low aspirations and no history of attending Oxbridge are believed to be some of the reasons why some councils end up with virtually none of their students getting into the top two universities.

Keble Collage, at the University of Oxford. Concerns have been voiced about the diversity of students accepted at Oxbridge

Sir Peter Lampl, founder of the Sutton Trust, a charity providing educational opportunities for children from under-privileged backgrounds, said: These figures show that your chances of getting to a great university arent just a matter of family background, but also of where you go to school.

London has benefited from a lot of programmes and attention over the years, and we need that attention to spread across the country, particularly to the North and to coastal towns, if young people are to improve their chances of getting a good degree and progressing to a good career.

The worst-performing local education authority areas are Knowsley on Merseyside, and Sandwell in the West Midlands, where the number making it to Oxford or Cambridge in the past three years is fewer than five in each case, the figures show. There were ten other LEAs where only five pupils (figures rounded down) from each area got a place at either university. Seven were in the North and Midlands: Barnsley, Halton, Middlesbrough, North East Lincolnshire, Redcar and Cleveland, Rochdale and South Tyneside.

Sir Peter Lampl, founder of the Sutton Trust (left), has hit out at the new figures, while Dr Samina Khan, of Oxford University (right) has said the institution is committed to accepting students from a full range of backgrounds

The others were: the London boroughs of Islington, and Barking and Dagenham, plus Thurrock in Essex.

Dr Samina Khan, of Oxford University, said: Oxford is totally committed to increasing its intake of students from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing one of the most generous financial support packages for UK students and undertaking a huge amount of work aimed at attracting applications from bright young people from under-represented backgrounds.

A Cambridge University spokesman said it has a number of outreach programmes which work with thousands of state school pupils, and a summer school for 500 selected state school pupils.

A Department for Education spokesman said: Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to go to university than ever before. But there is still more to do.
The world-famous name is known for high-quality Suffolk-bred ducks, which proudly bear the Red Tractor mark of quality.

But some of the duck sold under the Gressingham logo is being shipped in from farms in Thailand, the Daily Mail can reveal.

This meat is being sold under exactly the same branding as Gressinghams Suffolk-bred birds.

Some of the duck sold under the Gressingham logo is being shipped in from farms in Thailand, the Daily Mail can reveal

And some customers have been left furious after ordering the products  advertised online as originating in the UK  only to find in the small print that the duck has actually come from south-east Asia.

On the website of online grocer Ocado, it states that the duck in Gressingham products has been grown and packed on Gressinghams Red Tractor-assured farms in East Anglia.

But some customers said the packaging  which is not visible online  described the duck as coming from Thailand.

One Ocado customer complained of false advertising, writing: The duck is grown on farms in East Anglia according to the description.

Country of origin  Thailand according to the packaging. I will not be buying this item again.

Another wrote: Very disappointed to find the duck is imported from Thailand.

A third said: Very disappointed and will not buy again, as in the small print it makes it clear it is a Thailand duck, not as one would assume British.

Gressingham is selling its Thai duck products under the same branding as the Suffolk-reared duck.

But in some products it is sourcing more expensive cuts  such as duck breast  from Thailand.

In Sainsburys  despite the packaging being nearly identical we found that the Gressingham Duck Legs in a plum sauce were from the UK.

Some customers said the packaging  which is not visible online  described the duck as coming from Thailand

But the Gressingham Duck Breasts in a plum sauce  from the same range  were from Thailand.

Gressingham is also selling different versions of its Crispy Half Aromatic Duck. While the packets sold in Waitrose contain duck from Suffolk, those sold in Tesco contain duck from Thailand. Confusingly, in Tesco the Crispy Half Aromatic Duck is 7.50 and contains duck from Thailand.

But in Waitrose the Half Aromatic Crispy Duck is 6.99 and contains duck from the UK. The product looks almost exactly the same in both supermarkets, with the front of the packet identical except for the wording being ordered slightly differently. Gressingham duck was first bred in the Lancashire village of that name when the wild mallard was crossed with the Pekin duck. East Anglia-based Gressingham Foods has the exclusive right to breed the succulent birds.

Its website boasts of rearing the duck in East Anglia. However, Gressingham admitted that the ducks it sources from Thailand are Pekin ducks.

Despite this the products made with Thai duck meat state Gressingham in huge letters across the front of the packets.

Gressingham said less than 5 per cent of its range used the Thai duck meat, and that the use was specifically for Asian-themed recipes. A spokesman added: The country of origin is stated clearly on all packaging in all instances.

'Thai breast meat is often cheaper than UK produced breast meat. The packaging also states that these ducks are Pekin breed ducks.

We will immediately review the information on the websites of our retail customers.

Since the Mail contacted Ocado the Thai duck labelled from East Anglia has been removed from sale on the website. A source said the mislabelling had been accidental.

Tesco and Sainsburys said some of their Gressingham products contained Thai duck but were clearly labelled as such.
Did a Black Lives Matter sympathizer spit into the coffee served to a local police officer in Northern California?

At least that is what is being claimed on Thursday by an organization that posted an image on Facebook of whom it claims to be a police officer in Stockton, California, who was served a Starbucks coffee 'with a side of spit.'

Both the Stockton Police Department and Starbucks have denied that a pro-BLM barista spit into the officer's coffee, according to FOX40 TV.

But pro-Black Lives Matter activists told the television station that the incident did indeed happen.

An organization that sympathizes with Black Lives Matter posted an image on Facebook of a police officer in Stockton, California, who was served a Starbucks coffee 'with a side of spit'

'We are happy to report that today this officer from the Stockton Police Department got to have coffee at Starbucks...served with a side of spit,' read a post that was written on the Facebook page 'Stockton Police Department, Corruption Reporting Page.'

'They even gave it to him with a smile and a nice comment.'

A police spokesperson told FOX40 that they investigated the incident at the Starbucks branch on Waterloo Road on Wednesday and found no evidence that a barista spit into the officer's coffee.

Starbucks also issued a statement saying that the incident never happened.

A police spokesperson said that the local police department (above) investigated the incident and found no evidence that a barista spit into the officer's coffee

A spokesperson for Starbucks said that the company investigated the complaint of the alleged incident at its Stockton shop (above) and found no evidence it took place

'We are proud of our relationship with the Stockton Police Department, who initially notified us of this rumor,' the company told FOX40.

'We can confirm there is absolutely no truth to this post, and we are disappointed with the suggestion.'

But activists claiming to belong to the Black Lives Matter chapter in Stockton insist the claim is true.

They said that the barista, who has refused to identify themselves to the press, knew of the officer pictured in the post.

The barista claims that a family member had a race-related encounter with the officer and that other complaints of police mistreatment of blacks have been ignored by the department.
Members of an anti-extremism group which won praise from the Prime Minister have been found to have made homophobic and anti-Semitic comments.

Odara is a Muslim womens group claiming to promote integration. It has received more than 150,000 of taxpayers money from counter-terrorism programme  Prevent.

Last year, then home secretary Theresa May said she was proud to support the group working to stand up against the extremists who seek to divide us.

Members of an anti-extremism group which won praise from the Prime Minister have been found to have made homophobic and anti-Semitic comments

But leader and co-founder of the organisation, Aysha Iqbal, and outreach worker, Tasmiyah Bint Naeem had posted a series of messages on their Facebook accounts which suggested they had extreme views themselves.

Miss Iqbal posted conspiracy theories claiming a series of mass shootings, including the US Sandy Hook massacre, were committed by Israel. Alongside a video entitled, Israel did Sandy Hook, Newtown CT School Massacres says Michael Harris, she wrote: Truth be told.

Miss Bint Naeem made homophobic comments on the social media site, saying she would not be in the company of those that are gay.

She said she would not embrace homosexuality and added: Shoot me for my views dont care if times have changed.

In another, she posted a video claiming 9/11 was an inside job, alongside the caption: Watch and think.

She also appeared to make anti-Semitic comments  in one she said may Allah destroy Zionists. She repeatedly used the word Zionist to describe Israelis  a term considered by many to be anti-Semitic in some contexts.

These views have now been taken off their Facebook pages.

Odara, based in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, runs workshops on personal and educational development for women and provides a safe environment for discussion on issues like domestic violence, mental health and extremism.

Last year, then home secretary Theresa May said she was proud to support the group working to stand up against the extremists who seek to divide us

The groups website states: We dont judge. We wont discriminate. What we can promise is a warm welcome. It is not known exactly how much Government money the group has received, but sources say it is in excess of 150,000.

Dame Louise Casey  who conducted a Government-commissioned review into the integration of minority groups, released earlier this month  even used Odara as an example of how Muslim women with poor English are being supported and encouraged to integrate.

But two groups that had considered working with Odara told the Daily Mail they decided against it last year over concerns about the groups homophobic and anti-Semitic views.

Miss Iqbal said her Facebook posts were from January 2013, before she began work challenging extremism.

She said they were meant to be tongue in cheek but she realised now how inappropriate and offensive it appeared without the context. She added that Miss Bint Naeem had stopped working for Odara last month.

Miss Bint Naeem said: I want to make it very clear I am not homophobic or anti-Semitic. What has been picked up on are online profile statuses from a long time ago  since then I have developed personally and professionally and reject any of the views in question.

Birmingham Labour MP Khalid Mahmood said: Again this is an example of how the Home Office has been duped into supporting, recommending and funding organisations that spring up from nowhere.
Looking for tonight to go off with a bang  but without the hit to your wallet?

Now you can pick up a bottle of champagne for as little as 7.99, as the supermarket price war fizzes over into the New Year.

Aldi slashed the price of its award-winning Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut by 20 per cent yesterday, bringing it down to under 8  the cost of a decent bottle of prosecco.

Now you can pick up a bottle of champagne for as little as 7.99, as the supermarket price war fizzes over into the New Year

Hot on the heels of the discounter is Tesco, which is offering both its Andre Carpentier Non Vintage and Louis Delaunay champagnes for 8 a pop.

And Morrisons, Asda and Lidl were all offering bottles of champagne for as low as 10. Marks & Spencer has a case of Louis Chaurey Champagne for half price, at 99.Sainsburys champagne offers included 8 off the usual 25 cost of Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top Brut  a price matched by Asda.

The price cuts allow champagne to compete more directly with prosecco, which has taken a large slice of its market share.

But supermarkets said that cuts are being made across all luxury food and drink lines.

Aldi slashed the price of its award-winning Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut by 20 per cent yesterday, bringing it down to under 8  the cost of a decent bottle of prosecco

Aldi  which sold 12.5million bottles of wine in December  said its Veuve Monsigny accounts for one in every 12 bottles of all champagne bought in UK supermarkets and off-licences.

The drink beat Laurent-Perrier and Moet & Chandon to be named one of Which? Magazines Best Buys for Christmas 2016 list last month.

A Tesco spokesman claimed there was not a price war, saying its 8 champagne was an offer from December 28  before Aldis intervention.

The spokesman also denied that the offers were a result of the store over-ordering on champagne or a response to poor sales prior to Christmas, saying they were merely part of seasonal price reductions. He added: We are offering customer great deals on champagne, prosecco and on sprits.

This is something we have been doing across the whole festive season and across all product areas.

Morrisons said its Veuve Devanlay had been reduced on December 21.

n If youre raising a glass of ale tonight, beware  the sound of Big Bens bongs at midnight might make your pint taste worse.
Legendary actress Debbie Reynolds may be laid to rest in one of her favorite red dress suits, as son Todd Fisher was pictured with it while planning a joint funeral for her and his sister Carrie Fisher.

Still in shock over the unexpected deaths of his sister and mother, Todd was spotted visiting Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles on Thursday, as it was his first public outing since his mother's death on Tuesday.

The mother and daughter died within less than 24 hours of each other. The 60-year-old Star Wars icon passed away four days after suffering a heart attack while on board a transatlantic flight from London to Los Angeles last Friday.

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Legendary actress Debbie Reynolds may be laid to rest in one of her favorite red dress suits, as son Todd Fisher was pictured with it while planning a joint funeral for her and his sister Carrie Fisher on Thursday (above)

Reynolds is pictured in the suit in 2006 with Carrie Fisher (right). Todd (left looking at his phone) said his mother had left meticulous funeral instructions

Her screen legend mother suffered a suspected stroke while discussing her funeral plans and died hours later at a Los Angeles hospital aged 84 on Tuesday.

Todd and his wife, Catherine Hickland, along with other family members were seen carrying what's thought to be one of Reynolds' favorite red dress suits and handing it off to officials at the memorial park.

The 'Singin in the Rain' star has been photographed several times in what appeared to be the same suit given to the officials at the memorial park.

In one of those instances, Reynolds and Fisher were pictured together during a celebrity roast for Jane Fonda at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia in 2006.

It's unclear what day the funerals for Reynolds and Fisher will be held, as the latter's autopsy was put on hold by medical examiners in Los Angeles to allow the famous family to grieve Reynolds' shock death.

Todd, who is now Reynolds' only surviving child, also gave a touching tribute to the pair online on Thursday night.

Todd Fisher and his wife Catherine Hickland visited the Westwood Village Memorial Park, on Thursday after the deaths of his sister Carrie and mother Debbie Reynolds

He shared an artist's sketch of the duo, dressed in the costumes of their most iconic film roles, and told fans warmly how their love was 'everlasting'.

'This is a beautiful love story to witness in my 58 years. I miss them both so much,' he added.

Fisher had not left any instructions for her family with regards to a funeral.

However, her mother had planned hers meticulously, Todd said, and intended to be buried in a large plot owned by the family.

He revealed that his mother's last words were that she wanted to be 'with Carrie'. .
Music revellers have recounted the harrowing moment they became trapped under a pile of bodies at Falls Festival as people collapsed like 'dominoes' in a stampede that resulted in partygoers being rushed to hospital.

Olivia Jones, 19, and Nick Moriarty, 22, were at the front of the crowd leaving DMAs performance at Falls Music and Arts Festival in Lorne, Victoria, when the overcrowded exit became congested and partygoers started pushing.

The Geelong man said he watched two women and a man fall over at the front of the massive crowd and he and some friends attempted to help them up.

'It was just over and there was too many people in the first place. We were leaving and everyone starting pushing and pushing,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

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19-year-old Olivia Jones was injured in the crowd and passed out after becoming trapped

Teenager Olivia Jones said she was 'begging for my life' when she became trapped

Olivia Jones, 19, passed out after becoming trapped at Falls Music and Arts Festival in Lorne, Victoria, when the overcrowded exit became congested

'Two girls and a guy fell over. And we were trying to shepherd people away from them and hold people back while they tried to get up.

'But they collapsed again. And we all collapsed and then everyone fell for about 10 metres and there were people underneath me and on top.'

'They was a lot of screaming. People were still pushing, but it went on for about five minutes as know one knew what was happening.'

Teenager Olivia described people falling like dominoes as she became crushed under the falling bodies.

'I began gasping for air looking around seeing people unconscious underneath stacks of people,' she told The Herald Sun.

'I was begging for my life.'

Ruby Campbell and Sophie Baldock collapsed as they left the tent and Ms Baldock described how she was trapped under people for more than five minutes as she became covered in blood and urine.

'Ruby was in front of me and she went down and I was trying to pull her up and then I fell down as well. We were stuck under there for at least five minutes,' Ms Baldock told The Age.

'Someone wet their pants because they were so scared and I was covered in someone else's blood and urine.'

Ruby Campbell (pictured) and Sophie Baldock collapsed as they left the tent and Ms Baldock described how she was trapped under people for more than five minutes as she became covered in blood and urine

Ruby Campbell, 19, said she heard people screaming, 'I am dying' and bones snapping as she lay under a pile of bodies, according to The Age

Nick Moriarty, 22, was at the front of the crowd leaving DMAs performance at Falls Music and Arts Festival in Lorne, Victoria, when the overcrowded exit became congested and partygoers started pushing

Nick sustained swelling to his knee and ankle after becoming trapped under bodies

Ruby Campbell, 19, said she heard people screaming, 'I am dying' and bones snapping as she lay under a pile of bodies, according to The Age.

Hurting his knee and ankle under the sheer weight of the bodies piled on top of him, Nick struggled to get free.

Both Nick and Olivia recounted watching partygoers pass out around them under the frantic weight of the crowd.

Olivia claimed she watched a girl scream for help before she herself passed out in a chilling scene.

'I was woken by people slapping me on the face to wake me. People were screaming trying to find their friends, it was as if we were in a war zone,' she told The Herald Sun.

Nick tried to break free but was trapped under bodies but he saw men and women being carried off unconscious.

He said his friend was one of the 19-injured-partygoers rushed off in an ambulance with initial fears of a spinal cord injury, but he has been told medical staff think he may have broken his leg.

The scene at Falls Festival in Lorne after the stampede took place exiting DMAs performance

Falls Festival attendee was hurt in the crowd crush and required bandaging to the both legs

'He [my friend] was one of the worst off, he was the first one in the ambulance and sent to Geelong Hospital,' Nick told Daily Mail Australia.

'They're not too sure what his initial injury was and thought it was spinal, but it is not, now they don't know if it is his knee or a broken leg.'

'A lot of people helped and people that were just at the festival helped and all the security were helping.'

Nick said the response from security, medical and fans was incredible.

'We went in there and everyone was giving out jumpers, blankets waters and it was a top notch response.'

'When we got sent to the medical room there were heaps of people in there. People required stitches and there was large gashes. There was a lot of blood.'

Music revellers have recounted the harrowing moment they became trapped under a pile of bodies at Falls Festival as people collapsed like 'dominoes'

Falls Music and Arts Festival released a statement claiming up to 50 people were attended to after the incident

Both Olivia and Nick were bandaged up and have swollen legs and ankles after their limbs were crushed.

Paul Holman, Ambulance Victoria state health commander, said more than 60 people were treated in a 'chaotic scene'.

'Injuries included leg, rib, hip and pelvic fractures, possible spinal injuries, head and facial injuries, cuts and abrasions,' Mr Holman said in a statement.

'It was quite a chaotic scene and required a major response.'

Social media is alight with chilling recounts of the 'stampede' with partygoers describing broken bones, large cuts and even people performing CPR on the injured after a large crowd was leaving the DMAs set.

A Reddit thread of partygoers at Falls Festival in Lorne have described the horrible crowd crush with one user claiming she could hear chilling screams from the crowd.

'The screams you can hear in that are absolutely chilling,' she wrote.

People took to social media to express their shock at the chilling incident

A statement from the Falls Festival Facebook page said up to 50 people were attended to after a large number of people were injured after those at the front of a crowd leaving the DMA's set on route to London Grammar lost their footing at about 9.50pm on Friday.

Police said up to 19 people were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

No one sustained life-threatening injuries but 19 people were taken to hospital with serious injuries, police said in a statement.

Medical treatment was provided on site to others with injuries.
An artist was given 9,931 by the Government for a bizarre project which involved dancing with migrants in the Calais Jungle camp.

The generous grant was given to Rita Marcalo, a Portuguese migrant who has lived in England for 20 years, by the taxpayer-funded Arts Council England.

Miss Marcalo, who calls herself Instant Dissidence, used the cash to travel to Calais in May, where she set up a dancing workshop and filmed herself dancing with migrants.

Rita Marcalo, who calls herself Instant Dissidence, used the cash to travel to Calais in May

The second part of her project, entitled Dancing With Strangers: From Calais to England, involves Miss Marcalo, 44, wearing a T-shirt that reads Dance with Me and trying to dance with British people in cities. If they agreed, they were made to listen to an interview with a Jungle migrant and dance with Miss Marcalo for up to ten minutes.

One of the migrants she interviewed admitted to trying to infiltrate the UKs borders every night by climbing into lorries.

The teenager from Afghanistan said: Ive been here for six months and I dont like the Jungle. The Jungle is a big problem.

After six months I am getting really tired here, because every night I try, try, try to get on to a lorry. And the police tell me: Dont, dont. So every night, you know, every night I try, try by lorry.

Rita Marcalo in her 'Jungle Dance Tent' at Calais, in a project awarded 10,000 by the government

Another migrant, who Miss Marcalo called Addisu and claims to be from Ethiopia, said he wanted to come to the UK because Britain would give him residency quickly.

He said: Im going to England because in Africa we learn English in school. In England they will give me the documents within four months or six months, whereas in France or Germany, it would take two years.

John OConnell, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance, said: What an utterly bizarre way to waste taxpayers money. How can spending nearly 10,000 on these projects be possibly justified? Who are the projects meant to help and in what way? To families who are struggling with forever rising tax bills, this will come as a cruel joke.

Defending the project, Miss Marcalo said: It raised awareness for the people in England about the stories behind what would make people flee their own country  the country they love and were born in

Defending the project, Miss Marcalo, who is in a civil partnership and lives in Ilkely, West Yorkshire, said the project was aimed at raising awareness of the plight of migrants. She said: Because the project was Arts Council England funded, it had to focus on how it could benefit people in England.

It raised awareness for the people in England about the stories behind what would make people flee their own country  the country they love and were born in.

It is not the first time Miss Marcalo has received controversial funding from Arts Council England.

In 2008, the department handed her 13,889 to put on a stage show entitled Involuntary Dances in which she attempted to induce an epileptic seizure.
The fallout from the junior doctors strike and the growing social care crisis has made officials at the Department of Health the unhappiest in Whitehall.

An annual survey of civil servants shows morale at the department is falling, with just 24 per cent saying it is a great place to work  down from 44 per cent last year.

Just 41 per cent of officials are proud to tell others they work there, down from 56 per cent last year.

An annual survey of civil servants shows morale at the London-based department (pictured) is falling, with just 24 per cent saying it is a great place to work  down from 44 per cent last year

And only 25 per cent said they felt inspired to do their best, another dramatic fall from 40 per cent in 2015.

The findings will make difficult reading for Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who has endured a series of bruising clashes with doctors leaders this year.

Just 27 per cent of health officials said they were satisfied with the leadership of the department, compared with 65 per cent at the Treasury and 62 per cent at the new Brexit department.

Labour health spokesman Jonathan Ashworth said: Its shocking that on every measure of staff satisfaction the Department of Health has gone down.

A Department of Health spokesman said the poor results resulted from an internal reorganisation carried out this year.

She added: The survey coincided with a significant restructure and consequently an unsettling time for staff.
A hacking code associated with a Russian operation has been found within the system of a U.S. electric utility.

The code was detected within the system in Vermont, and it is believed to be linked to a Russian hacking operation dubbed 'Grizzly Steppe' by the Obama administration.

The Russians did not actively use the code to disrupt operations of the utility, the unnamed officials told the Washington Post.

A hacking code associated with a Russian operation has been found within the system of a U.S. electric utility. Pictured is the FSB security headquarters in Moscow

However, the penetration of the nation's electrical grid is significant because it represents a potentially serious vulnerability.

Government and utility industry officials regularly monitor the nation's electrical grid because it is highly computerized and any disruptions can have disastrous implications for the functioning of medical and emergency services, according to the Post.

U.S. officials, including one senior administration official, said they are not yet sure what the intentions of the Russians might have been.

Federal officials have shared the malware code used in Grizzly Steppe with utility executives nationwide, a senior administration official said, and Vermont utility officials identified it within their operations, the newspaper reported.

There are two main utilities in Vermont, Green Mountain Power and Burlington Electric (pictured)

Green Mountain Power is one of the other main facilities in Vermont that could have been hacked. Pictured is GMP's White River Junction substation

Tensions between the U.S. and Russia have been on the rise in recent days since President Obama announced sanctions against Putin's government for hacking during the election. The two are pictured together in November 2015

While it is unclear which utility reported the incident, there are just two major utilities in Vermont, Green Mountain Power and Burlington Electric.

The attack may have been designed to disrupt the utility's operations or as a test by the Russians to see whether they could penetrate a portion of the grid.

The White House and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Green Mountain Power and Burlington Electric did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Todd Fisher has revealed the saddening moments leading up to screen legend Debbie Reynolds' death and how she was 'technically gone' within 30 minutes of saying she really wanted to be reunited with his sister Carrie Fisher who had died 24 hours previously.

In an interview with ABC's 20/20, the producer went into detail about the moment leading up to the death of his mother, Debbie Reynolds, who passed away from an apparent stroke on Tuesday.

Fisher explained that he was at his mother's bedside at the Los Angeles hospital she was taken to after falling ill while they planned his sister's funeral together, when she said she wanted to be 'with Carrie'.

'She then said that she really wanted to be with Carrie in those precise words,' he told ABC's Elizabeth Vargas in the interview that aired Friday night.

'Within 15 minutes, she faded out and within 30 minutes she technically was gone.'

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In an interview with ABC's 20/20, Todd Fisher (above) went into detail about the moment leading up to the death of his mother, Debbie Reynolds, who passed away from an apparent stroke on Tuesday

Fisher told ABC's Elizabeth Vargas (above) that he was at his mother's bedside at the Los Angeles hospital she was taken to after falling ill while they planned his sister's funeral together, when she said she wanted to be 'with Carrie'

Of his mother, Fisher said: 'She then said that she really wanted to be with Carrie in those precise words. Within 15 minutes, she faded out and within 30 minutes she technically was gone.' He is pictured above left with Reynolds, Carrie and her daughter Billie Lourd in 2015

Fisher said his mother 'had a stroke and effectively went to sleep and didn't wake up.'

'She closed her eyes, peacefully like you're going to sleep,' Fisher added.

'She literally went to sleep and left.'

Vargas questioned if Reynolds 'willed herself to die'.

'I'm saying that my mother, if anybody, had somehow a way to do that and I watched it happen in front of my face,' Fisher replied.

'I was on her bed with her and I watched her leave and go to Carrie.'

He shared that from 'the family's perspective, this is Debbie's destiny (and that) she didn't want to leave Carrie and did not want her to be alone.'

'She didn't die of a broken heart,' 58-year-old Fisher added. 'She just left to be with Carrie...Carrie was a force of nature in her own right, you know, it took another force of nature to bridle and work with that and she was great with her.'

The iconic 60-year-old Star Wars actress died on Tuesday, four days at a hospital after suffering a heart attack while on-board a transatlantic flight from London to Los Angeles.

He explained that when she was brought off the plane to the hospital, the Star Wars actress had 'always' been in critical condition.

'My mother had always felt that [Carrie] had sort of left the building sort of speak,' he said.

Fisher (above) said his mother 'had a stroke and effectively went to sleep and didn't wake up.' 'She closed her eyes, peacefully like you're going to sleep. She literally went to sleep and left.'

He said: 'I was on her bed with her and I watched her leave and go to Carrie.' Above Reynolds is pictured with her daughter in 2011 in Los Angeles

Fisher said that his mother was very strong and not completely distraught in the days immediately following her hospitalization before her death.

'It wasn't that [Reynolds] was sitting around inconsolable, not at all,' Fisher said.

'She simply said that she didn't get to see Carrie come back from London, she expressed how much she loved my sister.'

On Wednesday, the Singin in the Rain actress died aged 84 after suffering a stroke, as her son said that 'she didn't want to attend her daughter's funeral', as she felt that they should not die before her.

Fisher, who is now the only surviving child of Reynolds with her first husband Eddie Fisher, said the family is 'happy' that she is reunited with Carrie.

'We're brokenhearted, those of us that are left behind,' he said.

'We also are happy that they're together. It's horrible, it's beautiful, it's magical they are together, it's beyond words, it's beyond understanding.'

Through the years, Reynolds and her daughter's relationship was rocky, but they had recently become close as they lived right next door to each other in Los Angeles.

He shared that their relationship was a 'magical' love story that had 'many ups and downs, but not at the heart level.'

Fisher revealed that his mother was able to watch the upcoming HBO documentary, 'Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds'.

Fisher, who is now the only surviving child of Reynolds with her first husband Eddie Fisher, said the family is 'happy' that his mother is reunited with Carrie. Above he is pictured with Carrie and her daughter Billie in 2015

Carrie (above center in 1956) and Todd Fisher's parents were Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher - but her father left not long after this picture to marry Elizabeth Taylor, a scandal which rocked Hollywood

The documentary is set to air on January 7, as it follows the mother-daughter duos everyday life living next door to each other.

Fisher said that his mother realized how much she truly loved her children after she watched it.

'She at her core felt that [her children were] her greatest production or her greatest accomplishment, she made no bones about it,' he said.

'And she did the ultimate balancing act in life where she was able to be a mother and have that career.'

Of his mother's decades-long career in Hollywood and on Broadway, Fisher said that her favorite role was playing the lead in the 1964 musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown, in which she earned an Academy Award nomination.

'I'm not sure that even Molly Brown was Molly Brown compared to my mother. ... She was the eternal optimist,' he said.

Fisher shared that his mother was so proud of his sister's career in show business.

Of his mother's decades-long career in Hollywood and on Broadway, Fisher said that her favorite role was playing the lead in the 1964 musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown (above), in which she earned an Academy Award nomination.

The mother-daughter duo are set to have a joint funeral and be buried next to each together at the Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Above Fisher is pictured on Thursday speaking with an official at the memorial park

'The fact that Carrie could overcome these incredible obstacles, bipolar disorder and all the things that come with that, and it's no simple matter,' he said.

'She was a powerful woman and people like that about her. But she was also the most vulnerable little girl I know.'

On Friday, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Officer performed an autopsy on the Star Wars' actress, but they have 'deferred' reaching a conclusion on the cause of her death.

More tests need to be conducted to figure out what exactly ended her life, but a death certificate was issued so that the family could bury the body.

The mother-daughter duo are set to have a joint funeral and be buried next to each together 'among friends', including actress Bette Davis and legendary pianist Liberace at the Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

Star Wars' fans around the world have mourned the loss of Carrie Fisher, as members of the Krewe of Chewbacchus, a Mardi Gras Krewe, hold a parade where they dressed up as her character in New Orleans on Friday

Dozens of people, both young and old, participated in paying tribute to the late icon who died aged 60 on December 27

He revealed that while they were selecting the area where they'd be buried, hummingbirds appeared at one spot in particular.

Fisher said he knew that's where he wanted them to rest forever.

'My mother loves hummingbirds, and had hummingbirds in her yard,' he said.

'We were going all over the place, and we got to this one place to look at this one thing, these hummingbirds came, and it was just like 'fait accompli,' as my mother would say.'

Of how he wants his mother to be remembered, Fisher said as a 'great, strong person who was an inspiration to others, and his sister as an amazing champion of women.'
Firefighters were slowly lowering 21 people from an amusement park ride stuck 100 feet in the air for more than five hours Friday night at Southern California's Knott's Berry Farm.

The riders, both children and adults, were harnessed to firefighters and hugging them tightly as they were lowered one-by-one from the Sky Cabin.

The process could take hours before all are safely on the ground.

The tourists and fun-seekers on the slow-moving ride are most likely hungry, claustrophobic and badly in need of a bathroom, but Orange County Fire authorities and park officials have both said they are not in danger.

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Firefighters were slowly lowering 21 people from an amusement park ride stuck 100 feet in the air for more than five hours Friday night at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California

A park employee is aboard and has been communicating via walkie-talkie with mechanics and firefighters throughout the afternoon and night

'We're visiting from Oregon,' rider Gave Javage told KNBC-TV via cellphone. 'There's nine in our group.'

'My son and his cousin are down below. They elected not to go on the ride. Good choice for them, huh?'

The Sky Cabin is a slow-moving attraction where riders in a circular tram travel up a large cylinder, which firefighters had to climb to begin saving the passengers.

The ride is fully enclosed and is more like being in a room than on a ride.

The riders, both children and adults, were harnessed to firefighters and hugging them tightly (as seen above) as they were lowered one-by-one from the Sky Cabin

The process could take hours before all are safely on the ground

The tourists and fun-seekers on the slow-moving ride are most likely hungry, claustrophobic and badly in need of a bathroom

Firefighters tend to one of the stranded riders after they lowered her by rope

Orange County Fire authorities and park officials have both said they are not in danger

The ride stopped at around 2pm, but park officials waited until 5pm to alert the fire department after unsuccessfully trying to lower the ride themselves

The Knott's website calls it 'mild' and says it's meant to give 'a 360 degree panoramic view of Orange County, Catalina Island, and the LA basin.'

It was 100 feet high when it stopped at about 2pm, Knott's said in a statement.

Park mechanics made several attempts to bring it down before calling the fire department.

A park employee is aboard and has been communicating via walkie-talkie with mechanics and firefighters throughout the afternoon and night.

County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz said the ride is confined and the riders are not exposed to the elements, so time is on firefighters' side.

There was no immediate word on the cause of the breakdown.
Falls Festival in Lorne Victoria will not be shut down despite a terrifying crowd crush that injured up to 80 people and left music revellers covered in blood and with broken bones.

Changes from WorkSafe to the exit - where the terrifying crush saw music revellers trapped underneath a pile of bodies - has been reviewed and changed to stop it happening again.

Nineteen people were taken to hospital with broken bones and other serious injuries overnight after they were crushed in a crowd at the Falls Music and Arts Festival at Lorne.

'What happened last night was unacceptable and indeed was very, very dangerous,' Victoria's Creative Industries Minister Martin Foley told reporters in Melbourne.

Falls Festival in Lorne Victoria will not be shut down despite a terrifying crowd crush that injured up to 80 people and left music revellers covered in blood and with broken bones

Nineteen people were taken to hospital with broken bones and other serious injuries overnight after they were crushed in a crowd at the Falls Music and Arts Festival at Lorne

Olivia Jones was injured when she became trapped under the stampede at Falls Festival

He said WorkSafe and festival organisers have investigated and made changes to the venue's layout.

Most of the concert goers were young people aged in their late teens and 20s.

With concerned parents turning to social media to contact their children with little phone reception in Lorne, partygoers opened up over their horrific stampede experience.

Nick Moriarty, 22, told Daily Mail Australia he was at the front of the pushing crowd when two girls collapsed triggering bodies to pile up.

Nick Moriarty was also trapped in the pile of bodies after he attempted to help the people that fell at the front of the crowd

Nick, the 22-year-old Geelong man injured in the crowd crush, suffered swelling to the knee and ankle after the incident at Falls Festival

'But they collapsed again. And we all collapsed and then everyone fell for about 10 metres and there were people underneath me and on top.'

'They was a lot of screaming. People were still pushing, but it went on for about five minutes as know one knew what was happening.'

Teenager Olivia Jones, 19, described people falling like dominoes as she became crushed under the falling bodies.

'I began gasping for air looking around seeing people unconscious underneath stacks of people,' she told The Herald Sun.

'I was begging for my life.'

Ruby Campbell and Sophie Baldock collapsed as they left the tent and Ms Baldock described how she was trapped under people for more than five minutes as she became covered in blood and urine, according to The Age.

Both Nick and Olivia recounted watching partygoers pass out around them under the frantic weight of the crowd.

Huge crowds descend upon Lorne in Victoria for Falls Festival

The popular Falls Festival at Lorne is in its 24th year and runs between December 28 and December 31

Another partygoer had both his legs crushed and bandaged after the incident

Olivia claimed she watched a girl scream for help before she herself passed out in a chilling scene.

'I was woken by people slapping me on the face to wake me. People were screaming trying to find their friends, it was as if we were in a war zone,' she told The Herald Sun.

The crush began when patrons at the front of a crowd leaving a DMA's performance in the Grand Theatre en route to watch London Grammar in the Arena lost their footing at about 9.50pm on Friday.

Eleven people were recovering in hospital on Saturday.

Mr Foley said he was confident the festival would go ahead without any further incidents.

'It would be in the best interests of all that the festival continue in a safe and controlled environment, and we're confident this will happen,' he said.

Authorities have changed the festival's layout so that a similar crush cannot occur.

'The immediate change goes to the bottleneck pinch point that had been created at the venue,' Mr Foley said.

'They have removed all of those pinch points and is now, in WorkSafe's view, safe.'

The Facebook page for Falls Music and Arts Festival released this statement after the incident

Ambulance Victoria state health commander Paul Holman said injuries included leg, rib, hip and pelvic fractures, possible spinal injuries, head and facial injuries, cuts and abrasions.

'It was quite a chaotic scene and required a major response,' Mr Holman said in a statement.

Mr Foley said festival organisers have set up a dedicated landline for family to contact loved ones.
Tragedy: Landon Weaver died on December 30 responding to a domestic-violence call

A Pennsylvania state trooper responding to a call of a report of a protection-from-abuse violation has been fatally shot, as authorities are searching for the shooter that's considered to be armed and dangerous.

State Trooper Landon Weaver was fatally shot near Hesston in the Juniata Township while he was investigating a domestic-related incident at a home around 6:30pm, NBC 10 reported.

Jason Robison, 32, is suspected as being the shooter, as authorities are still searching for him.

Police say Robison may have purple hair and he is considered to be armed and dangerous.

Officials are asking for anyone who comes into contact with him to call 911 immediately.

Juniata Township is a community of a few hundred residents in Huntingdon County located in the central part of the state.

The remote area around where the shooting occurred has been closed off while police officers on foot and in a helicopter search for the trooper's killer.

Tragic: State Trooper Landon Weaver (pictured above with his newlywed wife) was fatally shot near Hesston in the Juniata Township while he was investigating a domestic-related incident at a home around 6:30pm

Jason Robison (above) , 32, is suspected as being the shooter, as authorities are still searching for him

Weaver enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in December 2015 and was assigned to the Patrol Unit in Troop G in Huntingdon.

According to Facebook, Weaver and his wife just got married over the summer, as she just graduated from graduate school earlier this month.

He's the 97th member of the Pennsylvania State Police to be killed in the line of duty.

Police say Robison (above) may have purple hair and he is considered to be armed and dangerous

Weaver enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in December 2015 and was assigned to the Patrol Unit in Troop G in Huntingdon. He is pictured above with his wife who just graduated from graduate school earlier this month

Of the tragic shooting, Gov. Tom Wolf released the following statement:

'On behalf of all Pennsylvanians, Frances and I extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Trooper Weaver and all members of the State Police across Pennsylvania in this moment of tragedy.

'Landon will always be remembered for his bravery, his sacrifice, and his willingness to serve.

'The State Police are our best and bravest Pennsylvanians, who risk their lives to keep all of our families safe.

'I just spoke with Commissioner Tyree Blocker and have full confidence that the person who committed this senseless act of violence will be captured and brought to justice.
The prime minister sent holiday wishes to Australia's Jewish community

Turnbull's appearance was in celebration of the seventh night of Chanukah

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull danced with members of Sydney's Jewish community on Friday night to celebrate the seventh night of Chanukah.

The festivities took place at Central Synagogue, and Mr Turnbull took to Facebook afterwards to wish Australia's Jewish community happy holidays.

'As the candles of the [Chanukah] are lit each night we are reminded of the enduring resilience and courage of the Jewish people in the face of the darkest adversity,' Mr Turnbull wrote.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull danced with members of Sydney's Jewish community on Friday night to celebrate the seventh night of Chanukah

The festivities took place at Central Synagogue, and Mr Turnbull took to Facebook afterwards to wish Australia's Jewish community happy holidays

A video from Mr Turnbull's visit to Central Synagogue showed the prime minister holding hands and dancing with two men

'Australia would not be the remarkable nation it is, the most successful multicultural society in the world without the extraordinary contribution of the Jewish community,' Mr Turnbull wrote. 'Happy Chanukah!'

The prime minister's wife Lucy also joined the celebrations.

A video from Mr Turnbull's visit to Central Synagogue showed the prime minister holding hands and dancing with two men.

In the background, joyous members of the congregation are seen clapping their hands and singing along.

'As the candles of the [Chanukah] are lit each night we are reminded of the enduring resilience and courage of the Jewish people in the face of the darkest adversity,' Mr Turnbull wrote

'Australia would not be the remarkable nation it is, the most successful multicultural society in the world without the extraordinary contribution of the Jewish community,' Mr Turnbull wrote. 'Happy Chanukah!'

Also on Friday, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop reiterated that Australia is 'firmly committed to a two-state solution, where Israel and a Palestinian state exist side-by-side in peace and security, within internationally recognised borders,' in a statement to ABC.

'Australia urges both sides to refrain from steps that damage the prospect for peace and to resume direct negotiations for a two-state solution as soon as possible,' the statement continued.

Her comments came after the United States controversially abstained from voting on a New Zealand-co-sponsored United Nations resolution to demand an end to Israeli settlement building in occupied Palestinian territories.

Israel recalled its ambassador to New Zealand amidst the row, ABC reported.
A cunning South Carolina man has found a way to cash in on the spate of celebrity deaths this year to raise money for a local theater.

Demetrios Hrysikos, from Spartanburg, started a GoFundMe account earlier this week, claiming to be raising cash to: 'Help protect Betty White from 2016.'

'Help 2016 catch these hands if it goes anywhere near Betty White! If she's okay with it I will fly to where ever Betty White is and keep her safe till Jan 1 , 2017,' his fundraising message read.

Demetrios Hrysikos, from Spartanburg, started a GoFundMe account earlier this week, claiming to be raising cash to: 'Help protect Betty White from 2016'

'Help 2016 catch these hands if it goes anywhere near Betty White!' a message on the page read

However, it then quickly changed tone and revealed the true purpose of the call-out for cash.

'Now , assuming she doesn't want a strange Greek standing gaurd outside her door all monies will be donated to the Spartanburg little theater to help craft new stars of stage and screen to carry mantle of the legends that have left is this year.'

As of Friday night, almost $9,000 had been donated to Hrysikos' cause.

And judging from the comments left by those opening their wallets, it appeared many did not realize they were not 'protecting Betty White'.

But the post went on to explain how the money was being raised for a local theater, not Betty White (pictured at the Emmys in 2015)

Some commenters accused the fundraiser of trying to con people into donating money, and of using White's name without permission

'2016 what you WONT do is get your hands on B-Dub,' one person wrote, after donating $20.

'Long live, Betty White!!!! May she remain with us and golden forever!!!!' another person said.

All the money raised by the account will go the Spartanburg Little Theater (pictured)

'I love Bette White. I saw her flash mob. Thank you for loving someone enough to make a difference!' another said.

However, the comments on the page were quickly flooded with people accusing Hrysikos of trickery.

'This guy is a scam. Betty white has plenty of money,' one person said.

'It will be a very sad day when this happens but people please get real. What a joke!' another wrote.

'How dare you use someone's name to raise money for your theater,' one upset person said.

'Seriously and how are you planning on getting this money to her? Do u (sic) honestly think she doesn't have 10 grand laying around? SCAM,' another added.
Two people were killed in a shooting outside a Meek Mill concert in Connecticut on Friday night, it was reported.

A total of four people were shot around 11.15pm in the parking lot outside the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford where doors for the rap concert opened at 7pm.

One video shows the rapper emerging from the venue just moments before shots rang out, and police are investigating whether a hit-and-run is linked to the shooting.

Two people were killed and another two were injured in a shooting outside a Meek Mill concert in Connecticut on Friday night (pictured the rapper left and right with Nicki Minaj)

#PressPlay: Shots rang out at #MeekMill concert at the #OakdaleTheater in Wallingford Connecticut... hopefully everyone is okay... we will keep you updated on the story via @ozzi.1012 #TSRExclusive A video posted by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) on Dec 30, 2016 at 9:13pm PST

One fan who filmed Meek Mill as he walked out of the venue captured the chaos that ensued when shots broke out.

People could be seen running from the scene, and one man, who appears to be a security guard, advises others to stay down.

Police received a 911 call as the event was wrapping up. An employee at the Oakdale Theatre reported that one victim had been shot in the leg, and police arrived at the scene to find four victims.

Two were pronounced dead at the scene and another two were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, Wallingford Police Lt. Cheryl Bradley said.

While none of the victims were identified by police, family members told NBC Travis Ward was killed after the concert along with one of his cousin's friends.

Ward, a 31-year-old from New Haven, attended the concert as an early birthday celebration along with his brother and cousin.

His cousin Stacey Ward said he wasn't 'into the streets at all' and would not have been intentionally targeted in a shooting, NBC reported.

Ward, a 31-year-old from New Haven, attended the concert as an early birthday celebration when he was killed along with his cousin's friend, family members said

A hit-and-run occurred in the parking lot around the time of the shooting, and police are looking into whether the two incidents were linked

An investigation is ongoing, and no suspects have been arrested. It is unclear what led to the shooting.

A hit-and-run occurred in the parking lot around the time of the shooting, and police are looking into whether the two incidents were linked.

'Were looking into that evading vehicle. We have good information on that. Were not sure if that was a suspect or somebody who for whatever reason just didnt want to stop,' Bradley said.
The mother who ran over and killed her baby boy following a funeral is unlikely to be charged over his death, police say.

The seventh-month-old infant was lying in his pram when he was hit by a reversing vehicle on St Paul's Drive in Woodridge in Queensland's south-east on Friday.

The baby died on the way to hospital - but a police spokesperson told the Courier Mail 'its unlikely theyre going to charge a mother over something like this.'

Investigations are continuing into the tragic incident, police said.

The baby boy was taken to Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in a serious condition on Friday afternoon but he was pronounced dead a short time later.

A baby boy has died after he was struck by a reversing car being driven by his mother

The baby boy struck by the car as he was lying in his pram (pictured here underneath the four-wheel-drive)

Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia that they are not treating the incident as suspicious, but rather a 'tragic accident'.

His mother was not physically injured in the crash.

The fatal accident occurred outside St Paul's Catholic Primary School and church.

Senior Sergeant Tony Jackson told the ABC that the Brisbane woman was leaving a funeral at the church when she backed over the pram.

'The woman is being cared for by police and is assisting them with their investigation,' he said.

'It's a timely reminder to parents if they have children that are in prams or walking around vehicles [to] ensure that they know exactly where they are.'

Forensic Crash Unit investigations are continuing.

Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia that they are not treating the incident as suspicious, but rather a 'tragic accident'

Senior Sergeant Tony Jackson said the Brisbane mother was leaving a funeral at the church when she backed over the pram
A group of backpackers will have to find another way to get around after their car fell off a barge as it made its way to Fraser Island.

Video captures the exact moment the four-wheel-drive rolled into the deep waters between Inskip Point and Fraser Island, north of Brisbane, at about 10:00am on Saturday.

Backpacker Chloe Swift witnessed the sinking event, and believes the 4x4 is now rusting 60 metres under water.

A group of backpackers will have to find another way to get around after their car fell off a barge as it made its way to Fraser Island

'Luckily nobody (was) inside the car,' she said.

'But quite a few phones, debit cards, passports and valuables all gone.'

But the group of backpackers, who were on their way the sand island to celebrate New Year's Eve, were left devastated.

'There were a lot of girls obviously crying (because) their phones and everything are in the car that sunk,' she told the ABC.

'The guys took it quite well but a lot of the girls were crying and a lot of people haven't rung their families because they are so upset right now.

The group of backpackers, who were on their way the sand island to celebrate New Year's Eve, were left devastated

Backpacker Chloe Swift witnessed the sinking event, and believes the 4x4 is now rusting 60 metres under water

The bridge at the back of the 'Manta Ray' barge appears to be down in the video

A spokesman for Manta Ray Fraser Island Barges said they were investigating the incident

Brisbane woman Katrina Lawrence was parked up next to the 4x4 when it rolled off.

'A young guy tried to grab it by the bull bar but he didn't have much luck,' Ms Lawrence said.

'It skidded along for a bit, he let it go, and it proceeded to just roll over the back and into the water where it stayed up for about 30 seconds before it sunk down.

A spokesman for Manta Ray Fraser Island Barges said they were investigating the incident.

Ms Lawrence said she didn't see any barge staff help during the incident, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

A 'quite cranky' worker reportedly told passengers to calm down.

In the video, a man can be be heard shouting at people to 'f***ing chill out'.
Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, have been criticised for attending fewer events than Prince Charles at the same stage in his life.

Statistics compiled by Timothy ODonovan, from Berkshire, from the daily court circular, show William attended 188 engagements this year, while Kate attended 140.

The pair say they are committed to raising their children, but comparisons will be drawn with Charles and Diana who managed more engagement a year when Harry and William were children.

Prince William and Kate visit the National Football Museum in Manchester in October this year

Prince Charles had more than 500 engagements this year while Camilla had more than 200 and both took a royal tour in Bahrain, above

In 1985, when William was three-years-old, Prince Charles managed 404 engagements, more than double the number William has attended this year.

Diana attended 299 in that year, while Catherine has been at 140 with George at the same age.

Harry also turned one that year, the same age as Princess Charlotte, and between them, the royal couple attended 703 events.

A source told the Sun: 'The Cambridges are the reluctant royals.

'They would much rather be at home with the children but so would most British parents.

'Unfortunately, ordinary people dont get the choice.'

According to the court circulars, the Queen attended 332 events in the year she turned 90, with Prince Philip going to 219.

Charles has been to 530 events, while his wife Camilla has attended 221.

Royal author Phil Dampier told the Sun: 'I have long thought that William and Kate are not doing enough.

'The Queen and Prince Philip are in their 90s, and Charles and Camilla are pushing 70, so it is time the younger generation stepped up.

'William would never dream of letting his gran down by shunning his royal duties, but has tried to put them off for as long as possible.

'Its getting to a point now where he and Kate need to knuckle down to the job William was born for.'

A Christmas card from the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1987. When the princes were slightly younger, their parents were still frequently attending engagements

Prince William and Kate have been criticised for managing less than half the annual engagements of William's parents at the same stage of their lives

William and Kate are not yet the Prince and Princess of Wales and their duties are shared across other members of the family, including William's younger brother Harry.

William and Kate's engagements this year have included a trip to Canada, where they were a full family unit as Charlotte took her first royal visit.
A student who spilled the beans on the Duke of Edinburgh's infamous 'slitty-eyed' remark during a Royal tour of China wrote to apologise insisting he wasn't a 'communist nutter'.

The new revelation emerges 30 years after Prince Philip's gaffe which was made public when a then 21-year-old Simon Kirby lifted the lid on the incident to reporters.

When describing his experience to the gathered press on the 1986 tour, the student told journalists about what the Duke had said, which has gone down in history as one of his biggest blunders.

The state visit in 1986 became renowned for the incident, in which he advised the students: 'If you stay here much longer you will all be slitty-eyed'.

Prince Philip toasting Queen Elizabeth with Chinese officials during the Royal tour in 1986

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on the Great Wall of China at the Bedaling Pass, 50 miles north-west of Peking, on the third day of their State Visit to the country in 1986

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh with members of Chinese ethnic minority groups when they visited the Minorities Institute in Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, close to the Burma-Laos-Vietnam border

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh arrive by the Royal Flight for a State Visit to China on October 12,1986 in Peking, China

The Queen and Prince Philip attend a banquet in The Great Hall of the People during the Royal tour of China which became synonymous with the 'slitty-eyed' gaffe

Fresh details released through a Freedom of Information request by The Telegraph, indicate the Duke of Edinburgh graduate wrote to a disgruntled ambassador at Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

In the handwritten note to Sir Richard Evans, Mr Kirby said: 'I would like to convey my regrets to you for being the cause of such embarrassment to you and to the royal tour.

'It was unfortunate for me that I was singled out and I have since suffered the consequences.

'Please be assured that I was in no way guided by anti-Royal sentiments, I am certainly not some kind of Communist nutter.'

The ambassador replied to the apologetic student, saying, 'I of course accept what you say about the frame of mind in which you spoke to the journalists.

'I now regard the incident as closed,' according to The Telegraph.

Mr Kirby was a student at the University of Edinburgh at the time studying Chinese.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh pictured on the iconic Great Wall of China in 1986

Queen Elizabeth II viewing some of the Terracotta Army soldier statues at the Qin Shi Huang's Museum Of The Terra-cotta Warriors And Horses, Shaanxi Province, during a state visit to the People's Republic Of China China, 1986

The Queen is guided through the streets of China as huge crowds gather to catch a glimpse of the Monarch

Prince Philip's notorious comment was that British students would become 'slitty-eyed' if they stayed in China and became one of his most famous - some would say infamous - gaffes.

It caused tension between the two nations and despite a long career in the spotlight, and the international opprobrium his intervention produced, it seems the Duke is steadfast in his belief that he was right.

He told a BBC documentary to mark his 90th birthday in 2011, reported in the Telegraph: 'I'd forgotten about it.

'But for one particular reporter who overheard it, it wouldn't have come out.

'What's more, the Chinese weren't worried about it, so why should anyone else?'
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In a haze of glitter, bikinis and little else, revellers descend on the coastal town of Byron Bay to welcome in the New Year at the Falls Festival.

Some appeared to enjoy the performing artists a little too much at the three-day event, letting just about everything loose and leaving nothing to the imagination.

The Byron Bay Falls Festival began with a smashing start on Saturday, after two party-goers were captured on camera performing a wrestling stunt in front of a rowdy crowd at the music festival.

And as the New Year ticks closer, many others are enjoying whats left of 2016.

Scroll down for video

Merrymakers ring in 2017 with confetti and smiles at the Falls Festival in Byron Bay

Some appeared to enjoy the performing artists a little too much at the Falls Festival in Byron Bay, letting everything loose and nothing to the imagination

Bikini-clad revellers descend on the coastal town of Byron Bay to welcome in the New Year at the Falls Festival

One delighted festival-goer gets a hosing down during the first day at the Falls Festival in Byron Bay.

The Byron Bay event is already making a splash on it's first day, but the Falls Festival has been ongoing in other locations across Australia since Wednesday

The Marion Bay Falls Festival in Tasmania has been in full swing since Thursday, as has the Lorne Falls Festival in Victoria which began the day before

Two revellers enjoy the Falls festival in Byron Bay. The festivals have already made headlines before the northern NSW event kicked off after a number of horrific incidents

Charlotte Hancock, 18, from the Central Coast, NSW, does her impression of a glittery disco ball as she twirls in a sparkly skirt

A glammed up festival goers gets caught up in the music at the Byron Bay Falls Festival

It's only day one of the music event in Byron Bay, but festival has been ongoing in other locations across Australia since Wednesday.

Marion Bay in Tasmania has been in full swing since Thursday, as has the Lorne Falls Festival in Victoria which began the day before.

But the Western Australian Falls Festival in Fremantle wont kick off until January 7.

The festivals have already made headlines following a number of horrific incidents.

Sixty people were injured at the Falls Music and Arts Festival in Victoria in the crush of a crowd trying to leave a performance.

None of the injuries were life-threatening, but 19 people were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, Victoria police said in a statement.

Sophie Baldock was another victim in the crush and collapsed as she left the tent with friend Ruby Campbell.

Ms Baldock described how she was trapped under people for more than five minutes as she became covered in blood and urine.

'Ruby was in front of me and she went down and I was trying to pull her up and then I fell down as well. We were stuck under there for at least five minutes,' Ms Baldock told The Age.

'Someone wet their pants because they were so scared and I was covered in someone else's blood and urine.'

Happy New Year! Crowds and musicians alike welcome in the new year in Byron Bay

This merrymaker sparkles and she gets her groove on at the Falls Festival in Byron Bay

And as the New Year ticks closer, many others are enjoying whats left of 2016

A grinning woman sits aloft amongst the crowd at the Bryon Bay festival on Saturday

Two smiling companions twirl and dance to the musicians at the Falls Festival line up

Two glammed up music lovers take a moment out of the summer heat to relax in the shade and smile for a picture

Does someone have a mop? A rowdy group splash about at a pool in Byron Bay's Falls Festival

Relaxing in the water: A group of woman take a moment to pose for a photo while swimming at the Northern NSW music festival

Even the guys got into the spirit of things: One gentleman was accompanied by a stuffed giraffe for the festival, while another embraced his inner pirate

Just hanging around: One woman flaunts her legs in a tasseled skirt as a friend gives her a push on the swing

The overheated crowds receive a much needed hosing down as the enjoy the musical entertainment

Hoards of people crowd around a stage at the Byron Bay event. Sixty people were injured at the Falls Music and Arts Festival in Victoria in the crush of a crowd trying to leave a performance

A music lover appears carefree and enjoying the festivities at Byron Bay on Saturday

The main event is the music: The Falls Festival line-up boasts the performing talents of bands and artists including Childish Gambino, London Grammar, Hot Tub Time Machine just to name a few

Teenager Olivia described people falling like dominoes as she became crushed under the falling bodies.

'I began gasping for air looking around seeing people unconscious underneath stacks of people,' she told The Herald Sun.

'I was begging for my life.'

Two girls were sexually assaulted at Falls Festival in Tasmania on Thursday and another at the event on Friday, according to police.

The sexual assaults have prompted increased security, and further warning from the police to stay safe.

However, music lovers appeared carefree and enjoying the festivities at Byron Bay on Saturday.

Some posed for smiling selfies, while many appeared to be enjoying the water amenities on offer.

But of course the main event was the music, the Falls Festival line-up boasts the performing talents of bands and artists including Childish Gambino, London Grammar, Hot Tub Time Machine just to name a few.

A group poses for smiling snapshot as they enjoy the water amenities on offer

One person at the festival appears to be struggling as she transports a large flamingo shaped pool flotation

Some stylish music lovers enjoy a quick sip before the late night festivities really kick in on Saturday night

Hoards flock to the Byron Bay venue on the first day of the highly anticipated event

Covered in glitter and a native american headdress, a part-goer takes a minute to check her phone during the festivities

Strike a pose! Fashion is also a huge part of the festival culture, as these two festival goers point out

Sharing the burden: Two men help carry in much needed items for their stay at the music festival

All packed and ready to party: Two heavily-laden festival-goers arrive to set up camp at Byron Bay

The '40 degree weather is worth it' according to this Falls Festival fan

Reaching new heights: Merrymakers jump, or use a friends shoulder to give a different view of the festivities

Chaos ensued after the overcrowded exit became congested and partygoers started pushing as they tried to leave DMAs performance at Falls Music and Arts Festival in Lorne, Victoria (pictured)
Dramatic footage has emerged of a shop owner chasing four thieves out of his Melbourne business.

The four men pulled up outside of Cignall tobacconist on Miller St, Thornbury in a black BMW on Saturday and stole cigarettes in the violent robbery.

The owner of the shop Paul Zhu was attacked with a hammer and suffered facial injuries that required hospital treatment, according to the Herald Sun.

Dramatic footage has emerged of a shop owner chasing four thieves out of his Melbourne business on Saturday

The footage shows four men exiting the Melbourne business and heading to the double parked black BMW while alarms ring out.

All four men are wearing long sleeved hooded jumpers and long pants while the second man to exit appears to be carrying a large package.

Moments after the last man exits the store a man in a white t-shirt and grey shorts appears carrying what looks like a bar stool.

The man then swings the stool at one of the thieves who is also brandishing a weapon.

Both weapons collide before the man in the white shirt backs off and the thief retreats to the safety of the car.

The footage shows four men exiting the Melbourne business and heading to the double parked black BMW while alarms ring out

As the car drives away the man in the white t-shirt swings the stool at the car, glancing the rear passenger side.

The car then speeds off through a round about as bemused onlookers watch on, all while a man in a red shirt filming the ordeal.

A man emerges from a neighboring business brandishing a large pole as the footage cuts away.

Mr Zhu's son Kevin told the publication that he thought that the thieves had inside knowledge of the business and were possibly involved in a previous theft on the premises.

'They'd definitely been here before because they knew where everything was,' Mr Zhu said.

'Basically, they knew things they shouldn't have. We don't show people where our storehouse is.'
Ranjit Singh Boparan, a multimillionaire businessman known as the 'chicken king', was fined 8,000

Factory workers boiled more than 60 chickens alive during a row at a halal slaughterhouse.

Faulty equipment at 1Stop Halal in Eye, Suffolk, meant a total of 81 birds were plunged into scalding water in separate incidents over a period of four months.

The plant uses an electrically charged water pool to stun some birds before cutting their throats.

Chickens are also killed using the same method without being stunned for some Muslims who want to know the animals are alive when they are killed.

But in the first incident the water pool stopped working which meant workers had to cut each chicken's neck whilst the animals were still awake.

An argument then broke out between two slaughtermen over the quality of cutting as some birds passed them without being killed.

This led to 64 chickens suffering agonising deaths by being plunged into boiling water for two minutes.

The workers, who have since left the firm, had to keep up with the production line, which processes 60,000 to 100,000 chickens a day.

1Stop Halal, which supplies major supermarkets, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to 81 chickens.

The animals, killed in a tank intended to remove feathers off already dead birds, were disposed of and not sent to supermarkets.

Company boss Ranjit Singh Boparan, a multimillionaire businessman known as the 'chicken king', was fined 8,000 and ordered to pay 6,000 costs.

He is not involved in the factory's day-to-day running.

The firm suggested the birds died in a single incident in July last year but The Times reported that chickens were killed in boiling water on ten occasions on different days.

1Stop Halal told MailOnline: 'We deeply regret the circumstances which occurred on the 6th July, 2015, during our non-stun slaughter when up to 81 birds were caused unnecessary suffering.

Faulty equipment at 1Stop Halal in Eye, Suffolk, meant a total of 81 birds were plunged into scalding water in separate incidents over a period of four months

Chickens are also killed using the same method without being stunned for some Muslims who want to know the animals are alive when they are killed (stock)

'This occurred on our first day of operating the facility at Eye and involved a degree of human error. Employees who were involved in the incident no longer work for the business.

'Since this incident the company has invested substantially in further training [and] improved control systems and have processed more than 30 million birds.'

Morrisons, Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's have all sold chicken which has come directly or indirectly from 1Stop Halal.

A Morrisons' spokesman said it did not sell chickens which were affected by the failure.

Sainsbury's said it had received assurances that its chicken was not affected by the factory error.
More than 1,500 people died when the ship sank in the North Atlantic Ocean

He says the fire had been raging since she set sail from Southampton

The tragic sinking of RMS Titanic was caused by a fire in the liners boiler room not simply a collision with a giant iceberg, a new documentary will claim.

Since the Titanic went down in the North Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912, during her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, historians have long pinned the blame solely on her striking an iceberg.

But journalist Senan Molony, who has been researching the disaster for 30 years, believes that a fire in a coalbunker caused serious damage to the Titanics hull  in the same area where the iceberg later hit - and is the real reason for the disaster.

Mr Molony suggests, in the documentary Titanic: The New Evidence, that the fire had been raging since she left the shipyard in Belfast, meaning those in charge could be criminally negligent.

The Titanic departs Southampton, England on its maiden Atlantic voyage

In the documentary Titanic: The New Evidence images that were uncovered at a recent auction will show a mark on the ship's hull that is said to be from a boiler room fire

He says the 1,000C temperatures weakened the hull so much that when the Titanic collided with an iceberg what could have been a minor knock became an unimaginable disaster.

More than 1,500 people died when the ship, which was carrying 2,224 passengers and crew, sank under the command of Captain Edward Smith.

Mr Molony told The Times: The official Titanic inquiry branded it [the sinking] as an act of God. This isnt a simple story of colliding with an iceberg and sinking. Its a perfect storm of extraordinary factors coming together: fire, ice and criminal negligence.

The documentary, which will air on Channel 4 on New Years Day, will present pictures showing dark marks on the starboard side of the ship which Mr Molony believes proves there was a fire inside.

The fire was also mentioned at the inquiry but Mr Molony believes not enough attention was given to it.

The largest piece of the hull of the legendary ship Titanic ever to reach the surface, is seen following its arrival in Boston in 1998, aboard the French recovery ship Abeille Supporter. The 20 ton, 26-foot by 20-foot section was recovered in the North Atlantic

The bow of the Titanic at rest on the bottom of the North Atlantic, about 400 miles southeast of Newfoundland

The RMS Titanic is pictured here at sea before it struck an iceberg and sank on April 15, 1912

At the British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry in London, which began on the 2 May 1912, led by Wreck Commissioner Lord Mersey, firemen onboard the ship confirmed there was still a fire in the boiler room when it set sail at Southampton.

And on 20 April, 1912, one fireman who survived the sinking, J. Dilley from London, said a fire had raged in the bunkers of the liner Titanic from the day she left Southampton until she went to the bottom of the ocean off Newfoundland, The Syracuse Herald reported.

He declared that Captain Smith and his officers knew of this fire, but kept it secret.

He further declared that seamen had fought the fire during the five days that the ship was racing westward on her maiden voyage and that the highest speed was maintained on this account, the paper said.

His account supports Mr Molonys theory that instead of suffering a PR disaster by delaying the Titanics departure for a third time, those in charge were committed to Titanic setting off on her maiden voyage on April 10th despite the fire.

Some of the wealthiest people in the world were on board, including property tycoon John Jacob Astor IV, great grandson of John Jacob Astor, founder of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

Millionaire Benjamin Guggenheim, heir to his family's mining business, also perished, along with Isidor Straus, the German-born co-owner of Macy's department store.

This map shows the approximate location where the Titanic wreck was found

This photo from James Cameron's 1997 film Titanic shows how a scramble for life boats played out as the ship went down

The Titanic is seen sinking a scene from Broadway musical Titanic, at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

The ship was the largest afloat at the time and was designed in such a way that it was meant to be 'unsinkable'.

It had an on-board gym, libraries, swimming pool and several restaurants and luxury first class cabins.

There were not enough lifeboats on board for all the passengers due to out-of-date maritime safety regulations.

After leaving Southampton on April 10, 1912, Titanic called at Cherbourg in France and Queenstown in Ireland before heading to New York.

On April 14, 1912, four days into the crossing, she hit an iceberg at 11:40pm ship's time.

James Moody was on night watch when the collision happened and took the call from the watchman, asking him 'What do you see?' The man responded: 'Iceberg, dead ahead.'

By 2.20am, with hundreds of people still on board, the ship plunged beneath the waves, taking many, including Moody, with it.

Despite repeated distress calls being sent out and flares launched from the decks, the first rescue ship, the RMS Carpathia, arrived nearly two hours later, pulling more than 700 people from the water.

It was not until 1985 that the wreck of the ship was discovered in two pieces on the ocean floor.
A group of men thought to be on a stag trip in Benidorm have shocked fellow guests by dressing as convicted criminals including celebrity paedophiles Rolf Harris and Jimmy Savile.

A photograph emerged of the group of five at the Hotel Gala Placidia, showing them dressed as Saddam Hussein, Oscar Pistorius and Osama bin Laden.

They are said to have been aiming to offend.

The group in the Hotel Gala Placidia in Benidorm, dressed as Oscar Pistorius, Jimmy Savile, Rolf Harris, Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein

According to the Sun, the men told fellow guests at the hotel: 'Were The Offenders. Were here to offend and were doing a b***** good job at it.'

A guest at the hotel told the paper the group was causing 'mayhem'.

He explained: 'There were older people and families around. Everyone felt uncomfortable.

'They were non-stop drinking and pratting around.'

The identities of the men is not known but the members of the group allegedly spoke with southern accents.

It is thought the man dressed as Rolf Harris was the groom.

Details of Jimmy Savile's behaviour around young children on his shows in BBC studios and even in hospitals were revealed after his death, while Rolf Harris, right, was part of Operation Yewtree and is set to stand trial in January 2017

Oscar Pistorius is serving a jail term after he shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in South Africa on Valentine's Day

Osama bin Laden, left, who died in 2011, was the founder of terrorist group al-Qaeda, and Saddam Hussein, right, ruled Iraq for decades and was hanged for crimes against humanity

The man dressed as Oscar Pistorius carried a blow up doll, dressed in a t-shirt with gun shot wounds to indicate his deceased girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius is serving a jail term in Atteridgeville Correctional Centre in South Africa for the muder of Ms Steenkamp.

Rolf Harris is set to stand trial in January 2017 for indecent assault charges.

Jimmy Savile died before any convictions were brought, but his death provoked a series of revelations about his behaviour with children throughout the BBC and even in hospitals.

Osama bin Laden, who died in 2011, was the founder of terrorist group al-Qaeda, who took responsibility for the September 11 attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.
The reuse of an alarming photograph of flames and smoke erupting from the Sydney Harbour Bridge has sparked outrage from the public who were afraid the image reflected the iconic land mark on New Year's Eve.

The photograph, from September, shows a bus on fire on the Sydney landmark - but was used by 7 news as the picture lead for their 2016 recap video.

The post which was shared on the media' company's Facebook page was criticised by viewers who vowed to 'unfollow' the organisation for 'creating unnecessary fear'.

A photograph showing fire and flames on the Sydney Harbour Bridge was used as the 7 News 2016 overview video cover photo, and people are outraged

Many thought the alarming image was taken on New Year's Eve - when it was put on Facebook

From the comments on the post many thought there had been a disaster on the bridge - with some speculating an attack and others assuming the fireworks had malfunctioned.

'Such an insensitive screenshot to have on this one 7 News,' Brad Seehusan said.

'Let's instill fear in everyone who has loved ones celebrating on the harbour today.' he wrote.

Kylie Wallis agreed with the remark which earned more than 22 'likes'.

People have called the image click bait and reacted with strong, negative comments

'Stop scaring us' wrote one user in the comments section below the image

'I thought the same. Disgusting pic and so irresponsible from a leading news team,' she wrote.

'That made me think the Harbour Bridge was on fire,' Davide Rolfe said.

'Exactly how I felt,' agreed Dorothy David.

' I have my son and daughter inlaw there!' she wrote.

This man deemed the photo as 'inappropriate' to use on New Year's Eve

Matt Crouch jumped in to defend the validity of the image.

'This is a photo from a few months back when a bus caught fire on the Harbour Bridge, but definitely an inappropriate photo to use on New Year's Eve,' he said.

Kirsten Payne said it was a 'poor image to use as clickbait' while Sarthak Kaushal asked the media giant to 'stop scaring us'.

The post has received more than 200 angry faces since it was shared.

Some Facebook users tried to argue the picture was current - saying the smoke came from a kitchen fire at a nearby hotel.
Mbah Gotho claims to be the oldest human ever at 146

A man who claims to be the oldest human ever has just had a party to celebrate turning 146.

Saparman Sodimejo, also known as Mbah Gotho, has an Indonesian ID card that purports his date of birth is December 31, 1870.

He celebrated his birthday with his living relatives in the Seragaen district of Central Java.

Attending his party were his grandson Suryanto and wife Suwarni, with their children Erika Kurniawati and Anisa Kurniawati, among other younger surviving relatives.

He has, unsurprisingly, outlived all 10 of his siblings as well as his four wives, the last of whom died in 1988.

All of his children have also died, and now he is survived by his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Despite his alleged advanced age the man is still able to walk and move independently.

If correct, that makes him significantly older than the verified oldest person in the world ever, a title that belongs to French woman Jeanne Calment, who lived to be 122.

'He eats everything and has never even been ill,' a family member said.

Attending his party were his grandson Suryanto and wife Suwarni, with their children Erika Kurniawati and Anisa Kurniawati, among other younger surviving relatives

Whether or not he will ever be listed as the world's oldest man however is open to question, as his paperwork has so far not been independently verified

Suryanto, Mbah Gotho's grandson, said his grandfather has been preparing for his death ever since he was 122, but it never seemed to come.

He said: 'The gravestone there was made in 1992. That was 24 years ago.'

In addition, Suryanto said Mbah Gotho's family has already prepared a gravesite for him - near his children's graves.

Staff at the Indonesian records office have confirmed Mbah Gotho's birthdate, which is specified on his Indonesian ID card as 31st December 1870.

Saparman Sodimejo, also known as Mbah Gotho, has an Indonesian ID card that purports his birthday to be birthday to be December 31, 1970

Despite his alleged advanced age the man is still able to walk and move independently

Whether or not he will ever be listed as the world's oldest man however is open to question, as the paperwork has so far not been independently verified.

If so he will join to others without verifiable records who are purportedly older than Mbah Gotho - 171-year-old James Olofintuyi from Nigeria and 163-year-old Dhaqabo Ebba from Ethiopia.

These days, his grandchildren say Mbah Gotho mostly sits listening to the radio because his eyesight is too poor to watch television.
Angela Merkel has told German citizens that the biggest challenge the country is facing is from Islamist terrorism.

In her New Year message she tells Germans that their country is stronger than terrorism and the government will do everything to ensure 'security in freedom'.

In her annual televised message, which is being broadcast today, chancellor Mrs Merkel says 2016 has been 'a year of severe tests', the toughest of them Islamic extremist terror.

But she adds, however, that she is 'confident for Germany'.

Twelve people were killed in a lorry attack on a Christmas market in Berlin on December 19.

In her New Year message, Angela Merkel has told German citizens that the biggest challenge the country is facing is from Islamist terrorism

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for that rampage, as it did for two attacks in Bavaria in the summer in which the assailants, who, like the chief suspect in Berlin, came to Germany as asylum-seekers.

In the Bavaria attacks the two assailants were killed, while 20 people were injured.

'It is particularly bitter and sickening when terror attacks are committed by people who claim to seek protection in our country,' Mrs Merkel, who has faced criticism for allowing large numbers of migrants into Germany in 2015, says in her address.

In her annual televised message, which is being broadcast today, chancellor Mrs Merkel says 2016 has been 'a year of severe tests', and referred to terror attacks, including the Berlin Christmas Market attack, pictured

But 'in going about our life and our work, we are telling the terrorists: you are murderers full of hatred but you will not determine how we live and want to live'.

'We are free, considerate and open,' she adds.

More than a million asylum-seekers entered the country in 2015, while a further 300,000 were projected to have arrived over the past year.

In her New Year message Mrs Merkel says that in the face of pictures of the devastated Syrian city of Aleppo, 'how important and right it was for our country to help those who really need our protection find their feet here and integrate'.

German police and rescue workers at the scene where a truck crashed into a Christmas market, close to the Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church in Berlin on December 19

Her country's democracy and values are the opposite of 'the hate-filled world of terrorism, and they will be stronger than terrorism', she adds.

'We are stronger together. Our state is stronger. Our state is doing everything to guarantee its citizens security in freedom,' she continues.

Mrs Merkel also took the opportunity to pledge that in 2017 the government will take action quickly 'where political or legal changes are necessary'.

Flowers and candles are placed at the Christmas market at Breitscheid square in Berlin in the wake of the deadly terror attack, carried out by Islamic State

Mrs Merkel is seeking a fourth term as chancellor in an election expected in September, and has already said that she expects her toughest campaign yet.

She is facing a stiff challenge from Germany's surging far-right party, which is rapidly gaining ground, in the face of Mrs Merkel's unpopular open door immigration policy.

In her address she calls for 'an open view of the world and self-confidence, in ourselves and our country' and attacks 'distorted pictures' of the European Union and parliamentary democracy.

She acknowledges that Europe is slow and difficult and says it should concentrate on 'what it really can do better than the national state'.
China says it plans to shut down its ivory trade by the end of 2017 in a move designed to curb the mass slaughter of African elephants.

The plan to close off China's domestic trade in ivory and ivory products will shut the door to the world's biggest end-market for poached ivory.

The move has put added pressure on Britain to close the loopholes in its own ban on the trade.

The Chinese government will end the processing and selling of ivory and ivory products by the end of March as it phases out the legal trade, according to a statement released on Friday.

'To better protect elephants and better tackle the illegal trade... China will gradually stop the processing and sale of ivory for commercial purposes', it read.

'Before then, law enforcement agencies will continue to clamp down on illegality associated with elephant tusks,' the official Xinhua news agency said, quoting a government official.

An elephant walks through the bush at the Southern African Wildlife College on the edge of Kruger National Park in South Africa. Conservationists estimate that 20,000 are killed for their ivory every single year

In September, Prince William said he feared the African elephant would be extinct in the wild by the time Princess Charlotte turned 25.

In what was seen as a swipe at the British government, he criticised the 'mixed messages' being sent out about the ivory trade in Britain.

His comments came after environment secretary Andrea Leadsom said pre-1947 ivory antiques could continue to be traded, while 'modern-day ivory sales' were outlawed.

Last year's Conservative Party manifesto had said pledged a 'total ban' on ivory sales.

China had previously announced it planned to shut down the commercial trade, which conservationists described as significant because China's vast, increasingly affluent consumer market drives much of the elephant poaching across Africa.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge meets a rescued elephant called 'Ran Ran' at the Xishuangbanna Elephant Sanctuary in Xishuangbanna, China

'This is a game changer for Africa's elephants,' said Aili Kang, the Asia director for the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society.

'I am very proud of my country for showing this leadership that will help ensure that elephants have a fighting chance to beat extinction. This is a game changer for Africa's elephants.'

China, which has supported an ivory-carving industry as part of its cultural heritage, said carvers will be encouraged to change their activities and work, for example, in the restoration of artifacts for museums. More efforts will be made to stop the illegal trade, the statement said.

Ivory carving is an ancient art in China and finely worked pieces, whether elaborate depictions of traditional Buddhist scenes or more simple seals and chopsticks, are considered highly collectible.

China has allowed trade in ivory acquired before a 1989 ban on the ivory trade by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which seeks to regulate the multi-billion-dollar trade in wild animals and plants.

China also permits trade from a one-time, CITES-approved purchase by China and Japan of an ivory stockpile from several African countries in 2008.

Ivory carving is an ancient art in China, and the country has a stockpile of ivory purchased with CITES approval in 2008, which it releases for sale with certification

Conservation groups say China's illegal trade has since flourished and that criminal syndicates have used the legal Chinese market as cover for their illicit business in tusks.

Conservatinists applauded the ban, with WildAid's wildlife campaigner Alex Hofford calling it 'the biggest and best conservation news of 2016'.

Environmentalists say poached ivory can be disguised as legal as long as trade is allowed in licensed outlets on the high street and online.

Poaching is a major factor contributing to the rapid decline in the numbers of African elephants, with about 20,000 slaughtered for their ivory every year, according to the WWF.

The number of Africa's savannah elephants dropped by about 30 percent from 2007 to 2014, to 352,000, because of poaching, according to a study published this year. Forest elephants, which are more difficult to count, are also under severe threat.

The United States - the world's second-largest consumer of illegal ivory after China -announced in June a near-total ban on the trade of African elephant ivory but with notable exemptions including antiques.
Sydney has welcomed 2017 in sensational fashion with a huge fireworks spectacular lighting up the world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and surrounding city.

As the clock struck midnight more than $1 million in fireworks lit up the night sky to the delight of one million revellers crammed along vantage points around foreshore.

In what has become an annual feature, Australia's biggest city came to a standstill at midnight as it became one of the first in the world to welcome in the New Year.

Eager partygoers camped out at spots around the harbour from as early as Friday in an effort to ensure they had prime viewing for the enormous annual celebration.

In Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth millions more flocked to see fireworks, while thousands were determined to party well beyond midnight at music festivals around the country - even if that meant going topless.

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Sydney has welcomed 2017 in sensational fashion with a huge midnight fireworks spectacular

More than one million people gathered around Sydney Harbour to welcome in the new year

As the clock struck midnight more than $1 million in fireworks lit up the night sky in Sydney

A colourful fireworks and lighting display saw Sydney Harbour better resemble a rainbow

The fireworks were met by large cheers and applause from the millions around the harbour

While the fireworks were the star, a large light show featuring boats on Sydney Harbour was also part of the New Year's Eve bonanza

While Sydney Harbour was home to the main show, there were also smaller fireworks displays at beaches and locations around the city

With a glass of champagne in hand, these revellers said goodbye to 2016 and welcomed 2017

Excited young children look on in awe from the shoulders of their parents during the fireworks

In Sydney, many revellers camped out for more than 24 hours before the incredible fireworks production kicked off.

It meant that long before the first round of fireworks hit the sky at 9pm, many of the most sought after vantage points in the city and north Sydney were at full capacity.

Those who did have a view over the harbour were treated to a spectacular tribute to musicians David Bowie, Prince and movie star Gene Wilder, who all died in 2016.

With the Sydney Harbour Bridge lit purple, fireworks spewed from the lower road of the bridge in an effort to produce 'Purple Rain' - one of his most famous songs.

In Melbourne, locals crammed into Federation Square and along the Yarra River to catch a glimpse of Victoria's midnight fireworks.

Up to 450,000 welcomed in 2017 with a bang as the city's biggest ever pyrotechnic display got underway when the clock hit midnight.

In Melbourne more than 450,000 people crowded into the CBD for a fireworks spectacular

The Victorian capital also had an early display and midnight show, both attended by thousands

Fire crackers and pyrotechnics were packed on to the top of 22 high rise buildings across Melbourne including Etihad Stadium (pictured)

Earlier in the night an impressive 9pm fireworks display included this 'Purple Rain' tribute to musician Prince, who passed away in 2016

Brisbane also brought in the New Year with a bang as 90,000 sat by the Brisbane River

Many families made their way into the Sydney CBD for the early fireworks show at 9pm

The 'family fireworks' was enjoyed by young children, while the adults geared up for the larger midnight performance

Early fireworks around Darling Harbour proved popular for families on New Year's Eve

Earlier on Saturday more than one million revellers flocked to Sydney Harbour to see in 2017

Partygoers crammed into prime locations around Sydney Harbour long before midnight

Picnic rugs, tents and umbrellas were pitched in an effort to secure a prize piece of property

Firecrackers were positioned on 22 of the city's rooftops, ensuring the show was seen across Melbourne's skyline.

While millions crammed into capital cities to enjoy fireworks, thousands of others saw in 2017 at music festivals around the country.

Despite the dozens of people being trampled at Falls Festival in Lorne on Friday, there were no dampened spirits at the sister event in Byron Bay on Saturday.

The heat saw many in attendance strip down to their bathers or even less and jump into swimming pools onsite in an effort to cool down as the party kicked off.

However some seemingly weren't phased by temperatures in the 30s, still wearing unique leather outfits and large hats throughout the last day of 2016.

Thousands of partygoers at Falls Festival in Byron Bay took the top off 2017 on Saturday

This seemingly excited and topless woman received a huge round of applause from the crowd

While revellers on Sydney Harbour relaxed as they await the fireworks, music lovers at Falls Festival in Byron Bay (pictured) partied hard throughout the day in the lead up to 2017

This woman was cooled down with the help of a hose at Falls Festival in Byron Bay, NSW

Seemingly enjoying being drenched by the water the woman laughed as her hat was washed from her head

Donning flower crowns and bathers the crowd at Falls Festival were all smiles on Saturday

Lugging inflatable toys to the pool was just part of the experience at Falls Festival in Byron Bay

Despite the heat this pair of friends dressed to impress on the first day of the music festival

As the year drew to a close it was all fun and games for the thousands of revellers in Byron Bay

As temperatures topped 30 degrees these two men lugged their camping gear into the festival

Thousands flocked to the three-day festival which is one of four being held around the country

While international acts such as Childish Gambino, London Grammar and Broods will take to the stage these partygoers chose the pool over the dancefloor early on New Year's Eve

Travellers from as far as Mexico visited Australia to be among the first to wish one another a 'happy New Year'.

One man told the Nine Network he and his wife had secured a position on Friday and slept in their tent overnight to ensure it wasn't taken.

Another woman said she and her friends also arrived on Friday night to ensure they bagged a prime position to watch the Harbour of Light Parade - a score of illuminated vessels gliding across the water.

'And the fireworks,' she added.

These friends scored prime position overlooking both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House

While spots around the harbour were hard to come by, this group found the perfect vantage point on the water

Thousands of revellers have donned blue 2017 crowns available at popular vantage points

Bringing an end to 2016 was cause for celebration for this excited group on Sydney Harbour

These lucky revellers didn't have to contend with the crowds on land, taking a perfect vantage point on this boat on the harbour

This trio of friends donned colourful headwear to get in the festive spirit on New Year's Eve

McMahons point directly opposite the Sydney Harbour Bridge was packed full of revellers

This woman appeared excited as she waited for the fireworks display which organisers said would be the biggest ever

In Brisbane, some 90,000 people lined the banks of the Brisbane River which flows through the city.

Organisers of Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations had earlier promised this year's fireworks display would be bigger and better than ever before.

The 120 tonne fireworks show - costing a record breaking $1 million - was organised by a family-run pyrotechnic business.

Led by 20-year veteran Fortunato Foti the show brought the masses incredible shows at 9pm and again at midnight.

This person chose to shelter from the scorching sun underneath a bollard in Circular Quay

Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House were packed with revellers by early Saturday

A panoramic image shows the large crowd and numerous tents gathered at McMahons point

More than 2000 plain clothes and uniformed police officers will patrol the harbour all night

'It's been a long 10 days trying to get everything prepped, but we're well under way and we're hoping tonight will be a nice, clear night with a bit of breeze which will hopefully blow the smoke away and everyone will be happy,' Mr Foti said.

Lighting designer Ziggy Ziegler said Sydney would 'get a real treat tonight'.

'We want to show off the harbour bridge as it is in its natural beauty and use the shape of the harbour bridge to enhance that,' he said.

'This year they are going to be a lot brighter than they have been in the past ... they're going to be very, very bright.'

Mrs Macquarie's Point is proving a hotspot for tourists with its prime position on the harbour

These two girls began celebrating early on Saturday afternoon on Sydney's foreshore

'Fifteen hours to go to Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks and the best spots are taken. Milsons Point is chocas!' Mark Beretta wrote alongside his photo posted to Instagram

The base of the iconic Opera House resembles a tent city with thousands around Circular Quay

Tents, umbrellas and camping chairs are littering the foreshore in preparation for the party

This group entertained themselves with a game of cards as they waited for the fireworks

One woman prepared to welcome in the New Year in style with a glass of bubbles in each hand, while others took the unusual step of using light bulbs as drinking glasses

The scorching heat has failed to deter the crowds from descending onto Sydney's foreshore

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said Sydney was a fantastic city and deserved the celebration.

'(It's) a beautiful city, a wonderful harbour, amazing creative talent, fabulous climate and most importantly a multicultural, safe and harmonious community,' she said on Saturday.

To help cater for the huge crowds, NSW police say they an extra 2,000 officers will be out in force across Sydney.

But not just limited to land, squads of officers could be seen on jetskis on the sea and also in helicopters in the air - both in uniform and plain clothes.

It's all smiles and laughs as party-goers celebrate the occasion early, nabbing top spots along the water

'Perfect shaded area for NYE picnic ... it's going to be a long New Year's Eve,' this woman wrote on Instagram

'New Year's Eve in Sydney and it's a bit crowded,' one woman wrote alongside her photo taken next to the Opera House

One woman's view was impeded by a group of people shading themselves from the sun with umbrellas

NYE lighting designer Ziggy Ziegler, City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Sydney NYE Fireworks Director Fortunato Foti at Dawes Point Reserve

People entering the Botanical Gardens to watch the fireworks at midnight on New Year's Eve on December 31

A family wait in Kirribilli for the fireworks to start, first round at 9pm on New Year's Eve, December 31

People taking their motor yacht onto the harbour to watch the fireworks at midnight on New Year's Eve

Police also warned they would be using buses and garbage trucks as safety barriers in an attempt to prevent a Nice or Berlin-style terror attack.

An large number of families and parents with young children left the city shortly after the 9pm show came to a conclusion.

However local residents in some of Sydney's harbourside suburbs were left angry after police refused to allow them back to their homes because of large crowds gathered nearby.

Hoards of people flock to Circular Quay to nab a good spot in lead up to the NYE fireworks

Hundreds of people wait in line during the scorching heat to enter into the Botanical Gardens

The Royal Botanical Gardens are also a hotspot to catch the fireworks on New Year's Eve

Last minute work going on on top of the Harbour Bridge in preparation for the night's events

The scene before (top) and after a harbourside vantage spot packed with revellers on Saturday
executive Alan Joyce was caught up in the first round of delays

Hundreds of Qantas passengers will spend New Year's Eve stranded in

Frustrated Qantas customers who were forced to cancel their New Year's Eve plans in Australia after becoming stranded in Dubai could face a second night in the country following further delays.

A video obtained exclusively by Daily Mail Australia shows Qantas staff addressing frustrated passengers who say they were given two options  continue to wait or fly somewhere else for a connecting flight.

Andrew McDonald  who had laid out $600 for a New Year's Eve party ticket  chose to fly to Doha, Qatar after waiting in Dubai for more than 24 hours.

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The Waldron family, David, Alistar, Di and Angus are preparing to spend a second night in Dubai despite Di being a diabetic - which makes her a priority passenger

Frustrated customers crowd around gate A24 for information about their cancelled flight

'If we don't laugh we will cry,' Andrew McDonald, right, spent $600 on a New Year's Eve event ticket in Sydney but was stuck in Dubai instead. (pictured with Rebecca Chambers)

'The flight will take 20 hours, so won't get home until the 1st at 7pm,' Mr McDonald said.

'I hope they reimburse me for my event ticket,' he said.

The young man, who made friends with fellow passenger Rebecca Chambers, sat posing in the airport with a champagne and said if they 'didn't smile they would cry.'

Some passengers are staying at the airport hoping spots become available on upcoming flights, and revealed Qantas executive Alan Joyce managed to avoid the huge delay home to Sydney by boarding one of the first flights out.

Di and David Waldron and their two children Alistar, 11, and Angus, 8, are facing a second night in the city  which was supposed to serve as a quick fuel stop on their way home from a holiday in the UK.

'I am a priority passenger because I am diabetic and only have enough insulin for another few days,' Di Waldron said.

'But we have heard Mr Joyce managed to make an early flight out - so he wasn't caught up - he is obviously higher priority than people with children or those who are sick.'

The mother-of-two said the worst thing about the constant delay was not knowing how long they could be stuck for.

'We were told it would be a few hours, then a few more hours, then they gave us meal vouchers, then they told us to go to our hotels,' she said.

'If we had known we would be waiting so long we would have organised to do something with the kids or went to the airport hotel and rested.'

The family made the most of their stay in Dubai but were disappointed they couldn't be home for the New Year's Eve fireworks

Guests in an area 'out of the way' of general traffic at Dubai's airport are briefed on the delays and their options of getting home

The Waldron's were happy with the hotel they were forced to stay at in Dubai - but would have preferred to be at home

While the family hadn't forked out money for their New Year's Eve plans they were still disappointed to have to cancel.

'We were supposed to arrive home to Brisbane at 9am on the 31st  we had planned to go to a friend's house and watch the fireworks from their veranda,' she said.

'I doubt we will even be able to relax with a glass of champagne now.' The delays have been caused by a technical fault on the company's A380 aircraft  which engineers continue to work on.

The company have received negative social media attention over the incident.

Hundreds of frustrated Qantas passengers will spend New Year's Eve stranded in Dubai while a 20-hour delay to their flight to Sydney continues (stock image)

Some customers expressed their anger on social media after the lengthy Qantas delays

This woman said she spent 8 hours in Dubai airport and urged the airline to get her home

'I've been delayed for eight hours in Dubai airport,' Mia Parkes-Talbot posted to the airline's Facebook page from Dubai on Friday night.

'You sent people that you delayed yesterday off on my plane and now I'm stranded.'

'I really want to go home and celebrate New Year's Eve with family, friends and dog.

'Please get me home now! Please get me home before I have to spend the first moments of 2017 in an airport hotel.'

Meanwhile, others searched for answers.

'You've put us up in a lovely hotel but we have no idea what time we'll be leaving tomorrow. What time do we set our alarms for please? Help and communication would be great. Lots of uncertainty. Thanks,' Rob Voase wrote.

This man was forced to check into a hotel in Dubai for New Years Eve instead of celebrating back in Australia

This young man was told he'd be spending New Year's on a plane

Many were forced to check in last minute to nearby hotels to bring in 2017

'Hi Qantas, what's happening with your flights from Dubai? A friend is stranded there for days and may even miss NYE in Sydney. What's the story?' said Steven Powell.

The airline said it will safely fly passengers to Sydney as soon as possible.

'The engineering assessment is continuing and, once resolved, we'll be able to provide an updated arrival time,' a Qantas spokeswoman said on Saturday.

'We're keen to get passengers on their way, but only when it's absolutely safe to do so. We thank everyone for their patience.'

Sydney Airport confirmed Flight QF2 had been delayed

The airline said it will safely fly passengers to Sydney as soon as possible
A Jewish family built a seven-foot tall menorah in their yard out of PVC piping, only for it to be disassembled and turned into a swastika overnight.

Naomi and Seth Ellis obliged their three sons' request to light their house in Chandler, Arizona, for Hannukah to match their neighbors' Christmas decorations this year.

But the couple woke up on Friday morning to find the menorah had been defaced, and Naomi said she struggled to explain the 'horrible act of aggression' to her children, the Washington Post reported.

Naomi and Seth Ellis built a seven-foot tall menorah (left) in their yard out of PVC piping for their three kids this Hannukah. But vandals turned it into a giant swastika (right)

Seth awoke on Friday morning, and the two parents were shocked by the 'horrible act of aggression'

Naomi said she 'broke down in tears waiting for the police to come' and asked: 'How can people can be filled with so much hate and violence?'

When Naomi and Seth's three children, ages 5, 7, and 9, asked to light up their house for Hannukah, they built a menorah out of PVC pipes and solar-powered lights.

Seth awoke on Friday, however, to find that someone had unscrewed the menorah and reassembled it in the shape of a giant swastika.

Naomi called it a 'clear act of hate and racism' and said she cried while waiting for the police to arrive.

In a Facebook post, she wrote: 'I broke down in tears waiting for the police to come and hoping that my kids would not be awake to see it...

'Im still not sure how I will explain this to them.... How can people can be filled with so much hate and violence?

'To think that someone would make such an effort to hurt and vandalize a family, is downright sickening.'

While the two parents have taught their kids about the Holocaust, Naomi said her children had never seen a swastika - and she watched her oldest son well up when she explained what had happened, the Washington Post reported.

But the family decided to rebuild the menorah, and welcomed the community to join them on Friday night for a lighting ceremony

'This is the real reality that we live in: People hate us for no reason or want us to feel scared for who we are. Thats not something I wanted to have to tell them,' Naomi Ellis told the Post.

But the family decided to rebuild the menorah, and welcomed the community to join them on Friday night for a lighting ceremony.
Sydney's world famous New Year's Eve fireworks attract tens of thousands of visitors from all around the world but as one holidaying couple found out they can cost an arm and a leg.

Honeymooners Robert and Camilla Stanyer had planned to watch the stunning light display on Saturday from the foreshore for free, but were forced to fork out $1,600 just to get a glimpse of the fireworks.

The Welsh couple spent four hours queuing to gain entry to Mrs Macquaries Point but were unable to get in the gate for a viewing spot.

Honeymooners Robert and Camilla Stanyer (pictured) have forked out $1,600 just to get a glimpse of Sydney's world famous New Year's Eve fireworks after their initial plans fell through

'It was rammed. We could barely see the Opera House or the bridge. It was a disaster,' Mrs Stanyer told the Sydney Morning Herald.

But all was not lost as the quick thinking couple did an internet search of harbourside restaurants that still had seats available and lucked out when Sydney Cove Oyster Bar said they could accommodate them.

The catch, each seat would cost $800 but Mr Stanyer said it was a small price to pay to make a lifelong dream come true.

'Yes, it's a lot of money. But you only come here and do this once,' said Mr Stanyer.

The price includes a six-course degustation dinner and unparalleled views of Sydney Harbour.

The Welsh couple had planned to watch the fireworks at Mrs Macquaries Point but after lining up for four hours in stifling heat had interrupted views

So the couple did an internet search of harbourside restaurants that still had seats available and lucked out when Sydney Cove Oyster Bar said they could accommodate them

The Welsh couple were married in August of last year and planned their holiday to Australia around New Year's Eve.

Sydney welcomed 2017 in sensational fashion with a huge fireworks spectacular lighting up the world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and surrounding city.

As the clock struck midnight more than $1 million in fireworks lit up the night sky, as some one million revellers crammed along vantage points around foreshore.
The mother who accidentally ran over and killed her baby boy following a funeral has revealed her devastation and grief over the accident.

Darcy Thompson, seven months, was in a pram hit by a car driven by his mother Danielle as she was reversing on St Pauls Drive in Woodridge in Queensland's south-east on Friday.

He was rushed to Brisbane's Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in a serious condition but died a short time later.

'We have lost our son, Darcy Alexander, our precious, beautiful, bubbly, intelligent, generous, loving baby far, far, far too soon and we will be forever the poorer whilst heaven will be more the richer for his presence,' Danielle says in the Sunday Mail.

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Seven-month-old Darcy Thompson was in a pram hit by a car driven by his mother Danielle as she was reversing on St Pauls Drive in Woodridge in Queensland's south-east on Friday

Darcy died after he was struck by a reversing car being driven by his mother Danielle

Darcy had recently celebrated his first Christmas with his mum, dad and two brothers, receiving toys to relieve his teething pains.

That was sadly overshadowed by tragedy just days later.

'We miss him with every fibre of our beings, and whilst grief in its many forms, ebbs and flows, the memories of our beautiful boy will be etched in our hearts for our lifetimes until we meet him again in Paradise,' Ms Thompson said.

'Darcy, we love you infinitely, we miss you utterly, and our hearts ache for you.'

Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia that they are not treating the incident as suspicious, but rather a 'tragic accident'.

Danielle was not physically injured in the crash and is not expected to face charges.

The fatal accident occurred outside St Paul's Catholic Primary School and church.

'We miss him with every fibre of our beings, and whilst grief in its many forms, ebbs and flows, the memories of our beautiful boy will be etched in our hearts for our lifetimes,' Danielle said

Danielle was not physically injured in the crash and is not expected to face charges

Senior Sergeant Tony Jackson told the ABC that the Ms Thompson was leaving a funeral at the church when she backed over the pram.

'The woman is being cared for by police and is assisting them with their investigation,' he said following the accident.

'It's a timely reminder to parents if they have children that are in prams or walking around vehicles [to] ensure that they know exactly where they are.'

Senior Sergeant Tony Jackson said the incident was 'a timely reminder to parents if they have children that are in prams or walking around vehicles [to] ensure that they know exactly where they are'
Donald Trump tweeted a holiday message on Saturday morning, wishing his 'enemies' a happy new year and saying that they 'lost so badly they just don't know what to do', seemingly mocking Obama and the Democrats for sanctioning Russia.

The president-elect's full triumphant tweet said, 'Happy New Year to all, including my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!'

His message came two days after President Barack Obama retaliated against Russia for its efforts to influence the outcome of the presidential election, expelling 35 Russian intelligence agents and closing two luxurious Russian compounds in the United States. The Russian officials were expected to leave on Saturday.

Trump praised Putin's decision not to retaliate with similar sanctions yesterday, calling him 'very smart', after the Russian President reached out on Friday morning with a warm message that raised hope they could improve 'bilateral cooperation'.

The statement released by the Kremlin said, 'Putin congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump with the Christmas and New Year holidays.'

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Donald Trump on Saturday hit back at Democrats in a triumphant tweet and mocked their efforts to sanction Russia over attempts to influence the outcome of the presidential election

President Barack Obama on Thursday expelled 35 Russian diplomats and closed two Russian compounds in the United States. Trump accused Democrats of having lost 'so badly they just don't know what to do'

Trump's New Year sentiment continues his antagonism of Democrats, who have partly blamed Hillary Clinton's defeat on interference by Russia, under the form of hacking during the election year and disclosure of political secrets.

The latest retaliation by a Democrat was Obama's executive order, which sought to punish the Russian government's for its 'aggressive harassment of US officials and cyber operations aimed at the US election', the president said.

He ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian suspected spies, giving them and their families 72 hours to leave the country. These officials were expected to leave on Saturday.

They worked at the Russian Embassy in Washington and the Russian Consulate in San Francisco and, Obama said, were acting 'in a manner inconsistent with their diplomatic status'.

Russian officials have revealed that one of the 35 diplomats is a chef, who will be leaving America on Saturday, as two of their KGB country clubs outside New York City and Maryland lie abandoned after President Obama's expulsion. A photo of the last dinner for some of the diplomats was posted on Facebook with the caption: 'It's so difficult to remain diplomatic but we will'

One of the compounds vacated shortly after Obama's announcement was the Upper Brookville home (pictured) in Long Island. It was shut down after Obama said he would be closing a Russian compound in New York that had been used for intelligence gathering

On Thursday and Friday, Russian officials were seen hurriedly closing their Maryland estate (pictured). The Russian Embassy's compound in Centreville, Maryland, is located along the Corsica River

Reports indicate that the 45-acre Maryland retreat (pictured) was bought by the former Soviet Union in 1972 and historically served as a recreational getaway for its diplomats seeking a respite from the diplomatic whirl in nearby Washington, DC

Obama on Thursday also announced that Russians would be denied access to two sprawling Russian-owned compounds in Maryland and in New York. The president also placed sanctions on six Russian individuals and five Kremlin-associated entities.

The expelled diplomats and their families 'will fly back to Russia on Saturday', according to a Facebook post by the Consulate General of Russia in San Francisco.

A photo of the last dinner for some of the diplomats was posted on Facebook with the caption: 'It's so difficult to remain diplomatic but we will.'

The consulate also called Obama's expulsion 'bizarre and ridiculous' and mentioned that one of the expelled individuals is a chef, who 'will be leaving with his wife and two-year old son'.

'We strongly condemn the unfriendly and completely unjustified step taken by the outgoing US administration,' officials from the consulate wrote.

Two of Trump's previous tweets in the past 24 hours were also dedicated to Russia, with Trump making a point of siding with Putin against Obama and some American media outlets.

'Russians are playing @CNN and @NBCNews for such fools - funny to watch, they don't have a clue! @FoxNews totally gets it!' he tweeted Friday.

Trump had previously written: 'Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!'

Putin meanwhile has said he hoped to restore cooperation with the US when Trump steps in as president.

'Putin congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump with the Christmas and New Year holidays,' the Kremlin press office said Friday according to Tass.

'In his congratulatory message, the head of the Russian state expressed the hope that after Trump takes office as the US president, the two states acting in a constructive and pragmatic way will be able to take real steps for restoring the mechanisms of bilateral cooperation in various fields and bring the interaction on the international scene to a qualitatively new level.

'Serious global and regional challenges our countries have to face in recent years vividly confirm that the Russian-US relations remain an important factor of ensuring stability and security in the contemporary world.'

Many expected Putin to retaliate against Obama by expelling US diplomats, which he chose not to do. Russia has denied interfering with the presidential election.

Instead, he invited children of American diplomats to the Kremlin for a New Year's party.

Cars are seen entering the Killenworth estate on Friday, as Russian officials officials closed down one of their Long Island compounds

Dasvidaniya: The Russian government is sending this plane, an Ilyushin Il-96 - to the U.S. to ferry its expelled diplomats out of the country by New Year's Day

While Putin appeared to take the high road, Russian officials launched a verbal onslaught on Obama, with one calling him a 'political corpse' while the president and his administration were being referred to as 'losers'.

Obama gave the government until noon on Friday to get out of the compounds - which he said were used for spying - before the State Department took custody of the residences.

There was heavy traffic in and out of both estates, Elmcroft and Killenworth, before the deadline on Friday.

One of the compounds vacated shortly after Obama's announcement was the Upper Brookville home, also known as Elmcroft, in Long Island.

KREMLIN RESPONDS The Kremlin press office said in a statement Friday that Putin hopes to restore cooperation with the US when Trump becomes president. 'Putin congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump with the Christmas and New Year holidays,' the Kremlin said. 'In his congratulatory message, the head of the Russian state expressed the hope that after Trump takes office as the US president, the two states acting in a constructive and pragmatic way will be able to take real steps for restoring the mechanisms of bilateral cooperation in various fields and bring the interaction on the international scene to a qualitatively new level. 'Serious global and regional challenges our countries have to face in recent years vividly confirm that the Russian-US relations remain an important factor of ensuring stability and security in the contemporary world.' Source: Tass Advertisement

'The premises have now been vacated,' Village Mayor Elliot Conway said after at least eight vehicles with diplomatic plates departed the upscale North Shore village.

The Gold Coast estate, once called Elmcroft, was purchased by the Soviets in 1950s.

It was initially believed that the Killenworth compound, which is in Glen Cove, Long Island, was the target in New York.

But Glen Cove Mayor Reggie Spinello said Friday that Killenworth was not being closed down by the government and instead it was the Brookville retreat, which is located on Long Island's exclusive North Shore.

'For years, it's basically been a facility just for the caretakers. They take care of the facility,' Spinello said. 'The people there use our beaches, our parks. They are very quiet people, they fly under the radar.'

The compound in Maryland is located along the Corsica River in Centerville.

Reports indicate that the 45-acre Maryland retreat was bought by the former Soviet Union in 1972 and historically served as a recreational getaway for its diplomats seeking a respite from the diplomatic whirl in nearby Washington, DC.

Previous reports stated that some of the diplomats were having a hard time booking travel out of the US at the last minute and during the holiday season.

The Kremlin addressed the issue on Friday, saying they would be sending a plane to the US to pick up these expelled diplomats and their families, ensuring that they are out of the country by Obama's New Year's Day deadline.

In their announcement on Twitter, the Kremlin included a picture of the Rossiya Special Flight Squadron aircraft that will be sent to the US.

The plane, an Ilyushin Il-96, is part of the fleet of aircraft which ferry Putin, his ministers and senior politicians around Russia and beyond.

HOW THE RUSSIANS 'PULLED OFF THE ELECTION HACKS' The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security determined in a report released Thursday that Russian state actors were behind computer hacks this year that exposed some of the Democratic National Committee's secrets. America's intelligence community, the report reveals, code-named the effort 'Grizzly Steppe,' and referred to specific hackers or groups of hackers by pet names including 'CosmicDuke,' 'COZYBEAR,' 'CrouchingYeti,' 'Energetic Bear,' 'Fancy Bear,' 'OnionDuke,' 'Sandworm,' 'SOURFACE' and 'Tiny Baron.' Evidence is strong, the FBI and DHS concluded, tying Russia to the DNC hack, which unmasked an intra-party plot to promote Hillary Clinton's primary candidacy while marginalizing her main opponent, Senator Bernie Sanders. The report makes no reference, however, to the more explosive leaks of emails hacked from the personal account of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta. The 13-page document's main purpose is to educate government and political IT professionals about how to protect their computer systems from future cyber attacks. But its most volatile statements concern intelligence findings that establish the involvement of Russian military and civilian intelligence agencies in past hacking. Those services found ways to 'compromise and exploit networks and endpoints associated with the US election, as well as a range of U.S. Government, political, and private sector entities,' Thursday's report concludes. The two agencies had already released a statement in October attributing the attacks to Russia, claiming they were an attempt to 'interfere' with America's presidential election.The new report does not expand on that specific allegation or provide new evidence to support it. The two main Russian entities identified on Thursday include a hacking group known as APT29, tied to Russia's Federal Security Service  the FSB, one of several successor agencies to the infamous KGB which Russian President Vladimir Putin once led. That group is thought to have infiltrated the DBC's computers for more than a year, pulling out documents regularly. The FBI and DHS tied another group of hackers, known as APT28, to Russia's military intelligence service, known as the GRU. Some security experts have written that APT28 was the entity behind the hack of Podesta's emails, but Thursday's report is silent on that claim. APT28, The Hill reported Thursday, is thought to be the responsible for providing stolen files and emails from both hacking operations to WikiLeaks, which published them online. The attackers, the two U.S. intelligence agencies reported, executed 'spearphishing' operations that lured computer users to click on links inside emails which led to malicious addresses. Some of those online destinations fed malware into the victims' computers, which then allowed the code to migrate into the DNC's servers, providing the hackers with long-term access. The result, the FBI and DHS concluded, was 'the exfiltration of information from multiple senior party members.' 'The U.S. Government assesses that information was leaked to the press and publicly disclosed,' the report declares. And some Russian intelligence operatives, the agencies write, continued to launch cyber attacks as recently as 'just days after' the November 8 election. Advertisement
Ryan McTighe, 30, has been wanted since May for breaching the terms of his release

A thug who is on the run has gloated about his freedom by posting gym selfies and pictures of trips to festivals.

Ryan McTighe, 30, has been wanted since May for breaching the terms of his release from prison on a temporary licence.

The criminal was released on parole part way through a six-year sentence handed down over a robbery in 2011 where a businessman was killed.

West Midlands Police named McTighe as one of their most wanted suspects but he still has not been arrested.

While officers have searched for him he has been gloating about his freedom online in posts about going to gym and music festivals.

McTighe has enjoyed trips to the Cheshire dance festival Creamfields, the Ibiza Carnival in Birmingham and the Electric Daisy Carnival at the Milton Keynes Bowl.

The muscular yob has also posted a string of selfies, including one of him in a red vest taken in a gym.

West Midlands Police named McTighe as one of their most wanted suspects but he still has not been arrested

The criminal was released on parole part way through a six-year sentence handed down over a robbery in 2011 where a businessman was killed

Commenting on his mugshot, McTighe said: 'I don't appreciate being put in the same category as these people when I haven't even committed an offence.'

West Midlands Police said they needed the public's help in tracking him down.

A force spokesman said: 'As we move in to the festive period we are asking for the public's help to catch a number of Coventry's most wanted criminals.

'Some of these offenders have been on the run for years and are wanted in connection with serious crimes.

'We are urging anyone who has any clue, no matter how small, to their whereabouts to contact us immediately and in full confidence that we will act on all information that is offered.

'If you have seen any of these people or know where they are, please contact West Midlands Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.'

McTighe was jailed after businessman Ali Jawaid, 43, died when he was hit with a metal bar outside a mobile phone shop in November 2011.

The muscular yob has also posted a string of selfies, including one of him in a red vest taken in a gym

West Midlands Police said they needed the public's help in tracking him down

The father-of-two was ambushed outside Benzer Communications in Coventry before his attackers made off with his van and its 13,000 cargo of phones and accessories.

Gregg Robertson, 24, who struck Mr Jawaid, and Glenroy Blackstock, 25, were both jailed for eight years for manslaughter and robbery.

Shaun Mills, 27, who instigated the ambush, was jailed for 11 years for manslaughter and robbery.

Four other men, including McTighe, were also jailed after they admitted handling stolen goods.
More than 500 crimes including murder, rape and child abuse have been linked to Tinder and Grindr.

Police forces across the country have dealt with a total of 162 sexual offences linked with the two dating apps, including 63 rapes.

The figures come a month after serial killer Stephen Port was jailed on a whole life tariff for murdering four men he met through Grindr.

Stephen Port (left) is serving a whole life sentence for killing four men he met through Grindr

Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron has warned the figures could be the 'tip of the iceberg'

Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron told the Daily Mirror he feared the true number could be 'significantly higher' and added: 'I worry that these shocking figures could just be the tip of the iceberg.

'While many people have found their perfect match through these dating apps, there are those who have became victims of horrific crimes.

'The police need to do much more than they currently are to highlight the real dangers of online dating.'

More than 500 crimes including murder, rape and child abuse have been linked to Tinder and Grindr

Forces recording the highest number of crimes related to the two apps are the Met Police with 98, Greater Manchester with 58 and there were 49 reported incidents in Merseyside.

The figures came from a Freedom of Information request by the Mirror, from which data sent by 31 forces suggest the problem is on the rise.

As well as a number of sexual crimes being committed on children including grooming, child sex abuse and child prostitution, theft and harassment were also reported.

Greater Manchester police dealt with 12 rapes this year alone, compared to two last year.

Chief Constable Simon Bailey, national lead for violence and public protection, told the Mirror: 'The rising popularity of online dating apps and websites has contributed to an increase in the number of recorded crimes.
WhatsApp users could find themselves no longer able to use the app after the clock strikes midnight, when the technology stops running on older phones.

Changes in technology will see the hugely popular app stop working on certain mobiles, meaning that some users will be forced to upgrade their handsets if they want to continue using the service.

The popular messaging app, which has more than a billion users worldwide, announced earlier this month that it will no longer support a range of older operating platforms by the end of the year.

The changes are expected to affect millions of users globally, who use handsets including the iPhone 3GS and Windows Phone 7.

WhatsApp said it will be phasing out support for older Windows, Android and Apple models by January, with the service set to end for Blackberry users and Nokia models by mid-2017.

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WhatsApp has announced it will be phasing out support for older Windows (centre), Android (right) and Apple (left) models by the end of 2016, and Blackberry and Nokia by mid-2017

The older smartphone platforms can no longer keep up with the latest features being rolled out for the app, claims a blog post by the Facebook-owned app.

WHICH PHONES WILL LOSE OUT? WhatsApp has announced that it will no longer support a range of older operating platforms by the end of the year. By the end of this year Whatsapp will no longer work on: - Android 2.1 and 2.2 - Windows Phone 7 - iPhone 3GS/iOS 6 In June 2017, WhatsApp will no longer be supported for: - BlackBerry - Nokia S40 - Nokia Symbian S60 Advertisement

WhatsApp made the announcement as it celebrated its seventh anniversary, after first launching the popular messaging platform in 2009.

The app, which is now used by more than one billion people worldwide, was launched in the early days of Apple's App Store, when seven out of ten had operating systems offered by Blackberry and Nokia.

However, today's smartphone market is dominated by Google, Apple and Microsoft, with almost all newer models running on these platforms.

The firm wrote: 'As we look ahead to our next seven years, we want to focus our efforts on the mobile platforms the vast majority of people use.'

The full list of platforms being left behind at the end of the year includes: Android 2.1 and Android 2.2; Windows Phone 7 and iPhone 3GS/iOS 6.

And by June 2017, WhatApp will no longer be available for BlackBerry, including BlackBerry 10; Nokia S40; and Nokia Symbian S60.

Platforms being left behind include BlackBerry (pictured left), including BlackBerry 10; Nokia S40; Nokia Symbian S60 (pictured right); Android 2.1 and Android 2.2; Windows Phone 7 and iPhone 3GS/iOS 6

Whatsapp was launched in the early days of Apple's App Store, when seven out of ten had operating systems offered by Blackberry and Nokia. However, today's market is dominated by Google, Apple (iPhone pictured) and Microsoft

WhatsApp said the Nokia S40 platform and application user interface software on Nokia's broad range of mid-tier feature phones will no longer be supported

The Nokia Symbian open source operating system, launched in 2007, is the oldest OS capable of running the app.

HOW DO I CHECK WHICH SOFTWARE VERSION I HAVE? FOR ANDROID PHONES: Go to Settings, then select About Device, then choose Software Info, where the name of the operating system eg. 'Android 6.1' can be found FOR iPHONES Go to 'Settings', then choose 'General', then go to 'About' and scroll down to 'Version' to find the operating system eg. '10.2.1' Advertisement

WhatsApp explained: 'While these mobile devices have been an important part of our story, they don't offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app's features in the future.'

Users still on one of the listed platforms are advised to upgrade to newer Android, iPhone or Windows phone platforms.

The firm added: 'This was a tough decision for us to make, but the right one in order to give people better ways to keep in touch with friends, family, and loved ones using WhatsApp.'

In its seven years since being set up by former Yahoo! employees Jan Koum and Brian Acton in Canada, the messaging app has grown from strength to strength.

Last month, WhatsApp officially launched video calling, in a bid to compete with Apple's Facetime and Skype.

In keeping with WhatsApp's data security standards, the new video calling feature will be fully encrypted, protecting calls from being listened into.

The move comes as privacy advocates worry about the potential for stepped-up government surveillance in the US under a Trump administration.

WhatsApp, which boasts more than a billion users worldwide, adopted end-to-end encryption early this year, making it technically impossible for the company or government authorities to read messages or listen to calls.
Hollywood producers are in talks about making a film documenting Nigel Farage and the Brexit campaign.

The film could be based on the diary of Arron Banks, the main financial backer for Leave.EU which campaigned to take Britain out of the European Union.

Sales of the diary, titled the Bad Boys of Brexit, have exceeded expectation and have led to the US interest.

Hollywood producers are in talks about making a film documenting Nigel Farage's Brexit campaign

Sales of the rights to the first photograph of Mr Farage and Mr Trump together following his shock US election win have made 200,000, Mr Wigmore said

The official Leave.EU Twitter account posted this message, asking 'who should play Nigel Farage' in the movie

Warner Brothers producers could meet with Mr Farage and Mr Banks when they visit for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in January.

The major Hollywood filmmakers are behind the Harry Potter and Batman franchises.

Andy Wigmore, a spokesman for Mr Banks, told the Telegraph: 'We have had some very serious Hollywood people in touch with us who are going to buy the rights to the book. They want to buy the option on it.'

It is thought the producers will be able to liberally use sections of the book which reads like a screenplay.

Mr Wigmore added that any money made from the film would go to charity.

Mr Banks worked with Mr Farage (pictured together), Mr Wigmore and American pollster Gerry Gunster on the Leave.EU campaign

'It is not like it is something we would personally benefit from,' he said. 'The Bad Boys of Brexit  the film. It is a comedy.'

Mr Banks worked with Mr Farage, Mr Wigmore and American pollster Gerry Gunster on the Leave.EU campaign.

It was not recognised as the official Leave campaign which was called 'Vote Leave' and spearheaded by Boris Johnson and Michael Gove.

Sales of the rights to the first photograph of Mr Farage and Mr Trump together following his shock US election win have made 200,000, Mr Wigmore said.

The receipts will be split between veterans' charities in the US and UK.
An Afghan migrant attacked a Christian woman at an asylum centre because he could hear her reading the Bible.

The 50-year-old was attacked in accommodation in Timelkam, Voecklamarkt in North Western Austria.

Her alleged attacker was a 22-year-old man from Afghanistan who had taken offence to the fact that the woman had been invited by Christian residents of the property to discuss the Bible.

When he found out what she was doing, he stormed into the kitchen where the woman was standing and tried to plunge the knife into her upper body.

Luckily her thick winter coat protected her from serious injury, but she did injure her ear when she fell backwards from the force of the man's violent blows.

When questioned by police, the man accepted he had overreacted but claimed he was suffering from 'personal problems'.

He was ordered remanded in custody and taken to Wels Prison in Upper Austria.
New Year's Eve revellers were spared the dreaded Uber surge charge getting a ride into city centres to join the party.

But as soon as the clock struck midnight, passengers were slapped with huge fare hikes to get home across major cities.

Heat maps of Sydney available to Uber drivers showed spikes of more than seven times usual prices in some areas as millions tried to make their way home.

Uber surge pricing could be triple the usual charges on New Year's Eve across Australia's big cities as millions try to get home after fireworks and parties

As the clock struck midnight, passengers were slapped with huge fare hikes to get home across major cities.

The worst surges were in Cronulla with some areas up to 7.6 times while the Northern Beaches were slugged more than 500 per cent more than normal.

Other outlying areas like Western Sydney, the Hills District and Watsons Bay were hit hard too while the centre city was comparatively cheap.

Sydney CBD went from no surge half an hour after the fireworks ended to just over double usual fares 20 minutes later.

Heat maps of Sydney available to Uber drivers showed spikes of more than seven times usual prices in some areas as millions tried to make their way home

The worst surges were in Cronulla with some areas up to 7.6 times

The Northern Beaches were slugged more than 500 per cent more than normal

Meanwhile in Melbourne drivers reported surges of between four and eight times uaual fares in some areas but said few customers were asking for rides.

Overall drivers seemed disappointed, having expected to make at least $1,000 profit over the course of the night but some made barely $15 an hour.

Some complained that drunk passnegers threw up in their cars, forcing them to miss hours of rides cleaning up on the biggest night of the year.

One even gave up in disgust in time to watch the fireworks on television with his girlfriend.

Sydney CBD had no surge half an hour after the fireworks ended

But this jumped to just over double usual fares 20 minutes later

There were no serious horror stories reported on social media, though some passengers complained about high estimates and multiple drivers cancelling rides.

'Uber extorting harder than a Mexican government official tonight,' one wrote, while another was shocked by a $96 quote to get from Mt Eliza to Frankston in Melbourne.

But as punters wake up and check their spending, some may get shocks like a Sydney woman who was last year slapped with a $720 bill for a trip that would usually cost $91.59 with an eight-times surge price in effect.

There were no serious horror stories reported on social media, though some passengers complained about high estimates and multiple drivers cancelling rides

Another passenger spent $213 just to get from the Sydney CBD to Coogee, which usually cost about $35.

The company earlier warned customers to use its new upfront fare estimate feature to find out how much their trip would cost ahead of time.

'If dynamic pricing is in effect, the app will show the fare estimate and the surge multiple that will apply to the fare and ask the rider to confirm before requesting. The goal is no surprises,' spokeswoman Katie Curran told the Herald Sun.

The company warned customers to use its new upfront fare estimate feature to find out how much their trip would cost ahead of time

Last year about 70 per cent of trips had no surge pricing and only 10 per cent were jacked up more than three times

She said last year about 70 per cent of trips had no surge pricing and only 10 per cent were jacked up more than three times.

The company also suggested customers split rides to keep costs down and double check the driver name and car details to make sure they get in the right one.

Uber drivers expected to earn at least a net profit of $1,000 for about 10 hours work in bigger cities, banking on at least three times surge after midnight.

Uber drivers expected to earn at least a net profit of $1,000 for about 10 hours work in bigger cities, banking on at least three times surge after midnight

Many drivers planned to start at about 4pm and take a break from 11pm to midnight before collecting passengers after the fireworks well into the early hours.

Though newer drivers were excited, others said driving on NYE wasn't worth the hassle or expected it to be disappointing.

For those willing to wait longer and save their money, most cities are putting on extra public transport to help people get home after festivities.

Sydney has promised 1,000 extra trains and 3,500 buses.
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These pictures show the shattered remains of what was once one of the most magnificent cities in the Middle East.

The ancient Iraqi city of Nimrud has been reduced to rubble by Islamic State, who were forced out of the famed archaeological site in November.

The terror group was driven out by Iraqi forces, but left behind scenes of devastation, with much of the ancient Assyrian city destroyed.

Nimrud, in northern Iraq, was 3,000 years ago the capital of what is believed to have been the world's first empire.

The remains of a large stone figure of a lamassu, an Assyrian winged bull deity, are piled near the gates of the ancient palace where they once stood in Nimrud

This picture, taken by the U.S. Army in 2008, shows the statues of the lamassu, the winged, human-headed bulls that stood at the gates of the palace

Iraqi archaeologist Layla Salih, who has devoted herself to guarding the ruins of the ancient site, examines the remains of one of the destroyed lamassu statues

Since 2014, Islamic State has deliberately destroyed cultural heritage in Iraq, Syria, and to a lesser extent in Libya, including 28 historic religious buildings.

The valuable items from some buildings were looted by jihadis in order to smuggle and sell them to finance terror.

The winged, human-headed bulls that once stood sentry at the nearly 3,000-year-old palace at Nimrud were believed to protect the king from evil.

Now their stone remains are piled in the dirt, hacked to pieces by Islamic State in its fervor to erase history.

More than a month after the militants were driven out, the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire is still in danger: It lies unprotected, vulnerable to looters, and the treasures of one of the Middle East's greatest archaeological sites are disappearing, piece by piece.

With the government and military still absorbed in fighting the war against Islamic State in nearby Mosul, the wreckage of the Assyrian Empire's ancient capital lies unprotected and vulnerable to looters.

Sami Al-Khoja, a UNESCO official, pauses while participating in an assessment tour of the damage to the ancient site

A stone tablet with cuneiform writing is seen in the foreground as UNESCO's Iraq representative Louise Haxthausen documents the damage wreaked by Islamic State

An ancient relief lies shattered in the Northwest Palace at the nearly 3,000-year-old site of Nimrud, which has been left devastated by Islamic State

'When I heard about Nimrud, my heart wept before my eyes did,' said Hiba Hazim Hamad, an archaeology professor in Mosul who often took her students there.

Perhaps the only vigilant guardian left is an Iraqi archaeologist, Layla Salih. She has visited multiple times, photographing the wreckage to document it and badgering militias to watch over it.

'The good thing is the rubble is still in situ,' she said. 'The site is restorable.'

However, Salih estimates that 60 percent of the site was irrecoverable.

Earlier this month, the UN's cultural agency called for emergency measures to be put in place to prevent further looting at the historic city.

This image made from video posted online by Islamic State group militants in April 2015 shows militants using heavy tools to destroy a large stone figure of an lamasssu

Militants blew up and hacked apart much of the nearly 3,000-year-old city's remains, destroying one of the Middle East's most important archaeological sites

Nimrud was founded in the 13th century BC on a dirt plateau on the edge of the Tigris River valley about 18 miles southeast of Mosul, and the site's palaces and temples were spread over 360 hectares (900 acres).

From 879-709 BC, Nimrud was the capital of the Assyrians, one the ancient world's earliest empires.

The city and was retaken by Iraqi forces on November 13 after it was overrrun by ISIS in 2014.

A 140-foot-high ziggurat once arrested the gaze of anyone entering Nimrud. Now there is only lumpy earth.

Archaeologists had never had a chance to explore the now-bulldozed structure.

Iraq archaeologist Layla Salih, left, confers with UNESCO's representative in Iraq Louse Haxthausen amid the rubble of one of Nimrud's destroyed buildings

An Iraqi Army general stands near a stone slab depicting a winged genie at the entrance to the Northwest Palace

UNESCO's Iraq representative Louise Haxthausen documents the damage wreaked by the Islamic State group at the ancient site

A fact-finding mission sent by the UNESCO agency confirmed 'large-scale, systematic' destruction and recommended greater protection for what remains of the site.

'Emergency measures will entail the immediate physical protection of the site in order to allow for detailed documentation and preventing potential looting of remaining fragments,' said a statement.

In modern excavations , the site yielded a wealth of Mesopotamian art, while troves of gold and jewellery were found in the tombs of queens.

Hundreds of written tablets deepened knowledge about the ancient Middle East.

Touring the site, UNESCO's representative to Iraq, Louise Haxthausen, called the destruction 'absolutely devastating.'

'The most important thing right now is to ensure some basic protection,' she said.

But the government has many priorities. It is still fighting IS in Mosul, and the list of reconstruction needs is long.

A fragment of an Assyrian-era relief shows the image of a genie holding a pine cone at the ancient site of Nimrud that was destroyed by Islamic State

Those remains that have survived the assault by Islamic State are vulnerable to looters, who have been raiding the historic site

Some of the carvings and buildings remain, but archaeologists estimate that 60 per cent of the ancient site is irreparable

There are also tens of thousands of citizens living in camps, and much of the city of Ramadi is destroyed.

More than 70 mass graves have been unearthed in IS territory, which other ancient sites remain under IS control.

None of the various armed groups around Nimrud - whether the military or various militias - has been dedicated to guarding it.

Salih said that during the UNESCO tour she noticed that some of the ancient bricks from the rubble had been neatly piled up as if to be hauled away - perhaps, she suspects, to repair homes damaged in fighting. Stone tiles at the palace entrance vanished from where she saw them last.

Two locals were arrested with a marble tablet and stone seal from Nimrud, presumably to sell, but it was unclear what happened to the artifacts seized from them.

Salih is seeking international funding to pay someone to guard the site, but she recognises the job will have to go to one of the militia factions, who are unlikely toprovide full protection.

'There isn't another choice, as you see,' she said.
A pod of dolphins put on a spectacular show as they rode the waves on a British beach.

Seven of the mammals were seen cutting through the surf together in a synchronised display in west Cornwall.

Delighted mum-of-two Shona Potter caught them on camera as she walked along the beach at Gwithian on Wednesday afternoon.

A pod of dolphins put on a spectacular show as they rode the waves on a British beach

Seven of the mammals were seen cutting through the surf together in a synchronised display in west Cornwall

Shona, 41, a chef from nearby Hayle, said: 'It was about half past four in the afternoon when I saw them.

'I was walking with my son Oakley, his friend, Harvey, and my nephew Ezra when I heard someone say 'there are dolphins!'

'There were lots of people taking photos. I've never seen dolphins before. It was amazing.'

Delighted mum-of-two Shona Potter caught them on camera as she walked along the beach at Gwithian on Wednesday afternoon

They showed off their skills alongside a man in a kayak for around ten minutes before disappearing

Shona said she counted seven dolphins riding the waves.

They showed off their skills alongside a man in a kayak for around ten minutes before disappearing.
John Zaccaro Jr. was a Middlebury College student when he was arrested in 1986 (1988 photo)

The son of former vice presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro has been pardoned by the governor of Vermont nearly 30 years after he was convicted of selling cocaine to an undercover officer.

John Zaccaro Jr. was a Middlebury College student when he was arrested in 1986 and accused of selling $25 worth of cocaine to an undercover state police officer.

Zaccaro was convicted in 1988 and received a four-month jail sentence.

He was put in an house arrest program in which inmates paid for their living arrangements, and served 90 days 'in a luxury $1,500-a-month Burlington apartment,' UPI reported in 1988.

The program would eventually be closed to drug offenders by then-Gov. Madeleine Kunin, the report said.

Zaccaro's defense attorney argued it had been entrapment, and that a pretty officer claimed she was a student and lured Zaccaro, a 1988 report from People said.

Ferraro had accused prosecutors of unfairly targeting her son because of her high profile after becoming the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 1984.

Geraldine Ferraro (seen with her family) had accused prosecutors of unfairly targeting her son because of her high profile after becoming the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 1984

The news outlet quoted Ferraro as saying in the wake of the verdict: 'We love our son, and we do not minimize in any way his use of drugs at Middlebury College.... [But] we still believe he was set up.'

Outgoing Gov. Peter Shumlin, a Democrat, pardoned Zaccaro and nine others on Saturday.

Shumlin said in a statement: 'I believe in second chances, and I believe we as a society will continue to move towards a more sensible approach to drug addiction and criminal justice.

'As governor, I am honored to be able help people move past their mistakes and help relieve what can essentially amount to a life-sentence of burden and stigma.'

Ferraro (left) had said: 'We love our son, and we do not minimize in any way his use of drugs at Middlebury College.... [But] we still believe he was set up.' Zaccaro is pictured with Hillary Clinton (right)

Ferraro died in 2011 at age 75.

An online biography says that Zaccaro 'is a Principal of P. Zaccaro Company Inc., a third generation full service privately held real estate investment and management firm'.
Bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes mercilessly taunted her defeated opponent Ronda Rousey, shortly after beating the former UFC poster girl in less than a minute.

Nunes shared an edited photo on Twitter in the early hours of Saturday, making it look as if she is pushing an upset Rousey in a baby stroller. The 28-year-old Brazilian champion also appears to be clutching her bantamweight belt, which she earned in July and fiercely defended against Rousey Friday night.

The mocking picture came hours after the fight between Nunes and Rousey at UFC 207 was called in just 48 seconds, ending Rousey's hope for a triumphant comeback in Las Vegas.

Nunes, who made $200,000 in the fight versus Rousey's guaranteed $3 million, has relentlessly derided her former rival since her victory, calling for Rousey's retirement and predicting her a new career in film.

Amanda Nunes posted this edited photo on Twitter Friday, shortly after defeating Ronda Rousey in less than a minute at UFC 207

Nunes has relentlessly derided her former rival since her 48-second victory. Rousey had been hoping to make a victorious comeback but barely put up a defense against Nunes

'Forget about Ronda Rousey!' Nunes shouted to the crowd after her victory. 'She's going to go do movies. Forget about her. She has a lot of money already.'

She later added: 'I knew I was going to beat [Rousey]. I'm the best on the planet.'

Rousey, who had been hoping that Friday's fight would turn a new leaf for her career, left the cage pitifully, flanked by her mother.

The former champion suffered the first defeat of her career in November last year against rival Holly Holm. She had been teasing out her return on social media ahead of UFC 207, posting photos of her training and showing off her leaner physique.

Rousey's own mother called for her daughter to retire after her brutal defeat.

'I think she's sad and disappointed like anybody would be in the circumstances,' AnnMaria De Mars told TMZ Sports.

'I think making snap decisions like that is probably not the best idea, so I don't know, but I would like to see her retire.

'I would like to have seen her retire a long time ago. Who wants to see their kid get hit? She's got a lot of talent in a lot of other things. She could do movies, writing, producing. She's really really smart and beautiful.'

Rousey (pictured after the fight was stopped Friday) had teased her returned on social media but her future in the sport is now compromised after her stunning defeat

After the fight was stopped, Rousey left flanked by her mother AnnMaria De Mars (pictured), who later said she would like to see her daughter retire

But Rousey never managed to get her footing against Nunes, who rocked Rousey with her very first punches. Rousey showed little defensive acumen as she staggered and stumbled backward with Nunes relentlessly pursuing her and landing 27 punches in the brief bout.

Rousey's future in the sport is clearly in question. The biggest star in the women's game, who left the arena without giving an interview, is likely considering retirement shortly before her 30th birthday.

'That's it for her,' Nunes said. 'For sure, she's going to retire.'

Justin Bieber also rubbed salt in Rousey's wounds on Friday. The two have feuded for the past year, since Rousey said he had refused to take a picture with her sister at the Cannes Film Festival. Bieber had then mocked Rousey for her defeat against Holm in an interview.

He did the same thing on Twitter Friday, writing: 'You just got knocked the f*** out.'

Rousey, who had been on a media blackout ahead of the fight, has yet to comment publicly on her defeat or plans for the future.

Nunes (pictured celebrating her victory Friday) later said: 'I knew I was going to beat [Rousey]. I'm the best on the planet'. She first earned her bantamweight belt in July
Young women are losing their looks faster than their mothers because they are addicted to sun- drenched holidays, say experts.

A study of the faces of more than 155,000 women revealed that those aged over 60 are much more likely to look younger than their age than those under 45.

Decades ago, few people took regular breaks abroad, so their skin was rarely exposed to the strong rays of the Mediterranean or the Caribbean.

But millions of Britons now head overseas, and dermatologist Dr Christopher Rowland Payne said: Affluent people now regularly have six or seven holidays a year.

A study of the faces of more than 155,000 women revealed that those aged over 60 are much more likely to look younger than their age than those under 45

'They go into intense sunshine with no time to acclimatise, which causes the worst type of damage.

The study, to be presented at the American Academy of Dermatologys annual meeting in March, examined how many women looked at least ten years younger than their real age.

Among women over 60, more than ten per cent were judged to be blessed with unusually youthful-looking faces, compared with 3.6 per cent of those under 45.
German police officers will flood the streets of Cologne tonight after 600 women celebrating New Year's Eve were sexually assaulted in the city 12 months ago.

Around 1,800 officers will be deployed this evening - compared to just 140 in 2015 - following the wave of attacks last year.

Terror threats around the world means there will be a heightened security presence in major cities to prevent a similar incident to the Berlin Christmas market attack from happening.

And police will be on patrol in Germany after 1,200 women were sexually assaulted by 2,000 men in a number of cities across the country on New Year's Eve in 2015.

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Police in Cologne were on guard when people gathered near the city's Cathedral on New Year's Eve

Police officers stand watch in front of Cologne Cathedral, not far from where hundreds of women were sexually assaulted last year

German police officers gather near the Hauptbahnhof before New Year celebrations for 2017 in Cologne, Germany

German Police stand in front of the Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, on New Year's Eve after hundreds of women were attacked in the city

In Cologne, police have installed new video surveillance cameras to monitor the station square after women were attacked nearby last year.

The attacks in the western German city, where police said the suspects were mainly of North African and Arab appearance, fuelled criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to accept nearly 900,000 migrants last year.

A leaked police document revealed the bulk of the crimes were committed in Cologne and Hamburg where 600 and 400 sexual assaults on women were reported respectively.

Authorities have therefore increased police presence at hotspots in the major cities, including Cologne.

Other cities where there was a large number of police on the streets included Brussels, Berlin, London and Madrid.

Policemen walk around the main train station on December 31, 2016 during the New Year's Eve celebrations

German police officers carry barriers near the Hauptbahnhof before New Year celebrations for 2017 in Cologne

A security officer carried out a security check in front of the famous Cologne Cathedral on Saturday night

Security guards patrolled the area in front of Cologne Cathedral - one year after 600 women were sexually assaulted on New Year's Eve 12 month ago

The tone of public debate in Germany has become shriller over the past two years with the influx of hundreds of thousands of migrants.

Some Germans blame Merkel for attacks such as the recent rampage in Berlin, where a failed asylum-seeker from Tunisia rammed a truck into a crowded Christmas market, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more.

The German capital has beefed up security after the December 19 carnage, deploying hundreds more police, some armed with machine-guns.

A police spokesman said: 'This year, what's new is that we will place concrete blocks and position heavy armoured vehicles at the entrances.'

Officers in Brussels, Belgium, carried out searches as people attended the New Year's celebrations in the capital

A police officer checks people while controlling access to the centre of Brussels, Belgium

A German police officer patrols the area near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, on New Year's Eve

Armed British police officers stand on duty ahead of the New Year's celebrations, in central London on December 31, 2016
A 29-year-old is among the hundreds of adult asylum-seekers in Britain who lied to officials and posed as children, according to newly released official figures.

Official age assessments carried out by social workers across the country revealed that a staggering number of those claiming to be lone refugee children were far older than they pretended to be.

In some cases they were close to 30 and could have posed a risk to school pupils or foster families had they not been checked.

Migrants arriving from the Jungle camp in Calais (not those who were found to be older by social workers)

The revelation comes after concerns were raised that some of the refugees allowed into Britain from the Jungle camp in Calais were no longer teenagers.

Figures obtained by The Mail on Sunday from 50 local authorities across England show that social workers carried out 2,028 age tests between 2013-14 and 2015-16. Over these three years, almost one in four of the claimants  465  were found to be over 18.

Detailed figures provided under the Freedom of Information Act to this newspaper show that the eldest was found to be almost twice as old as he had claimed.

The man, assessed by Hampshire County Council in 2014-15, claimed to be 17 but was assessed as 29. In Portsmouth last year, a man claimed to be 17 but was assessed as being 26. And in Manchester in 2013-14, a woman said she was 17 but was also found to be 26.

In Hillingdon, West London, a man who said he was just 15 was assessed as being 25  a full decade older. Another man was found to be 25, in Newcastle, although he claimed he was just 17. Astonishingly, in some areas almost every claimant considered turned out to be aged over 18.

Last night Tory backbench MP David Davies, who led calls for young asylum-seekers to undergo dental X-rays to determine their real age, said: This backs up everything Ive been saying and I make no apology for saying we need to have medical checks for people who appear to be over 18.

Two refugees arrive in Britain from the Calais jungle camp, amid concerns many 'children' were lying about their age. These people are not those found by authorities as having fabricated their ages

The alternative is that men in their late 20s end up being put in foster homes with vulnerable children and in classrooms, with all the risks that entails to childrens welfare.

Overall, the number of people arriving in Britain and claiming to be lone refugee children has almost tripled in recent years, Home Office figures reveal, from 1,125 in 2012 to 3,253 in 2016.

The Home Office said it had transferred more than 750 lone children from France to the UK since October 2016 and all of them were age-assessed.
Reverend Jesse Jackson led hundreds of people as they marched in downtown Chicago to commemorate the 775 homicide victims in the city this past year.

Greg Zanis, of Aurora, Illinois, built two-foot long crosses for each victim, and demonstrators walked down Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago silently carrying each one.

The Chicago Tribune has tallied up 775 victims in 2016 - a staggering 57 per cent increase from the 492 people killed in 2015.

Reverend Jesse Jackson (pictured left) led hundreds of people as they marched in downtown Chicago to commemorate the 775 homicide victims in the city this past year

Jackson said he was 'honored' to join Rev. Michael Pfleger who marched alongside the famed civil rights activist

Women embrace in front of a cross bearing the name of murder victim Louis Antonio Torres who was shot dead while he was driving in November

August was the deadliest month with 96 homicide reports, according to figures reported by the Chicago Tribune. Victims ranged from just a few months old to those in their 80s

Zanis has honored homicide victims in Chicago for several years, and even drove down to Orlando after the nightclub shooting left 49 dead in June.

The crosses were lined outside Restoration Church, organized by month, before they were carried in the march on Saturday.

August was the deadliest month with 96 homicide reports, according to figures reported by the Chicago Tribune.

Some victims in the past year were just infants, while others were in their 80s.

Greg Zanis, of Aurora, Illinois, built two-foot long crosses for each victim and demonstrators quietly shouldered each one as their names were announced on a megaphone

Rev. Michael Pfleger says he hopes the visuals of the protest along Chicago's premiere retail street will inspire people to take action to prevent further violence in 2017

Zanis told ABC: 'When I look out at these crosses here, even though I made them, I'm shocked to see this portable cemetery here. I don't know what to call it.'

On Saturday, hundreds convened downtown, with Reverend Jesse Jackson shouldering a cross on the front lines as one woman announced the long list of names through a megaphone.

Rev. Michael Pfleger who marched alongside Jackson, says he hopes the visuals of the protest along Chicago's premiere retail street will inspire people to take action to prevent further violence in 2017.

Zanis (right) said he was shocked by the figures even though he made the crosses himself

'It will remind us first of all, these are not just numbers or statistics, these are human beings,' he said.

The crosses will then be placed in a vacant lot on the city's South Side.

Chicago has become notorious for its gun violence and the city's police department has reported a shooting every day from February 2015 to December 29, 2016.

There were 775 homicides over the course of 2016, according to the Chicago Tribune, which made a concerted effort to tally up each homicide.
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Grieving Polish truckers have paid a fitting tribute to their colleague who was murdered in the Berlin Christmas market attack.

Lukasz Urban, 37, was the first victim of the attack which killed 12 in the German capital on December 19.

He had been waiting to deliver a shipment of steel in Berlin when his truck was hijacked by Tunisian Anis Amri who shot him dead in the cab hours before careering into a packed crowd.

Mourning: Grieving Polish truckers have paid a fitting tribute to their colleague who was killed in the Berlin Christmas market attack

As one: Polish truckers attended his burial in Wysoka Zachod, north-west Poland and left in convoy to pay their respects

Dazzling: With their lights shining brightly in the evening twilight, the truckers made their way along the motorway

Polish truckers attended his burial in Wysoka Zachod, north-west Poland and left in convoy to pay their respects.

With their lights shining brightly in the evening twilight, the truckers made their way along the motorway as they said goodbye to their esteemed colleague.

Mr Urban's funeral on Thursday was attended by the country's President and Polish special forces.

President Andrzej Duda joined Mr Urban's family, friends and neighbours in a church in the village church in Banie, near the border with Germany.

Polish Police special forces officers check the area before the funeral ceremony of the Polish truck driver Lukasz Urban, who was killed by the terrorist in the Berlin Christmas Market attack

The Polish special forces were on high alert and are pictured checking the bushes before the ceremony in Banie

Polish President Andrzej Duda presents condolences to a relative of Lukasz Urban at the church near Szczecin

Huge crowds gather behind the hearse as it slowly makes its way down the streets to the church in Banie near Szczecin

Mourners stand around the white coffin of Lukasz Urban who has been hailed a hero in the aftermath of the attack

Several other Polish political officials and a representative of the German embassy to Poland were also there and security forces personnel in full uniform using bomb detecting tools searching bushes near the church.

A letter from prime minister Beata Szydlo was also read out in which she described her 'great pain and sadness' and expressed her sympathy to Mr Urban's family.

'Poles have fallen victim to terrorist attacks carried out by Islamic fundamentalists but the tragedy that happened in Berlin is unique when it comes to the ruthlessness and cruelty of the perpetrator,' Ms Szydlo said.

Polish President Andrzej Duda gives his condolences to the wife of Lukasz Urban as they hold hands in an emotional embrace

Mourners of Lukasz Urban, who was was shot dead by ISIS maniac Anis Amri shortly before the market attack on December 19

Polish President Andrzej Duda (centre) with deputy Sejm Speaker Joachim Brudzinski (right) pray during the funeral

The coffin of Lukasz Urban inside the church in the village of Banie near Szczecin in Poland

The funeral procession makes its way through the village of Banie where the funeral of the trucker was held on December 30

Relatives of the family and representatives of Polish authorities pray in front of the coffin with remains of the Polish driver Lukasz Urban, who was killed during truck attack in Berlin

People gather in front of the church for a funeral mass of the Polish truck driver Lukasz Urban

Bishop Henryk Wejman delivered a homily in which he described Mr Urban as a man who was open to others and conscientious in his work.

'His willingness to work and serve others won him the trust of other people and the openness to fellow man,' Bishop Wejman said.

As the Mass was winding down the president bowed his head at Mr Urban's coffin before offering his condolences to the dead man's wife and teenage son.

The coffin was then carried out of the church and placed in a hearse, which drove it slowly through the village to a cemetery for burial, as mourners walked alonside it.

Before the Mass, a group of truck drivers honked the horns of their trucks to honour Mr Urban.

Polish President Andrzej Duda kneels in front of the coffin and holds his hand across his chest to pray

The view on the funeral procession after the funeral mass of the Polish truck driver Lukasz Urban

The wife of Lukasz Urban leans over to place her hand on her husband's coffin which is decorated with white roses and flowers

Huge crowds gathered for the truck driver who captured the hearts of the world as a fund was set up to help his family

Pallbearers carry the white coffin of Mr Urban to the church as solemn looking crowds gather to pay their respects

Mourners follow the hearse through the streets as more than 170,000 was raised in a fund for Mr Urban's grieving family

Three men look earnest on December 30 as the crowds gather to celebrate the life of the trucker who was killed by a terrorist

Undertakers in red shirts and red ties, black coats and white gloves carry the coffin emblazoned with his name to the church

The wife of Lukasz Urban leans over and puts her right hand on the coffin of her husband as she clutches a white rose

Mr Urban's body was discovered in his hijacked lorry after the Berlin terror attack died several hours before the attack.

A confidential coroner's report revealed that Lukasz Urban died up to three-and-a-half hours before terrorist Anis Amri ploughed into the middle of a large crowd.

It had previously been thought that he had attempted to foil the atrocity and there were calls for him to be awarded the highest medal for bravery in Germany.

It was been claimed at the time his actions stopped the death toll from soaring even higher.

The coffin is carried in to the church by the undertakers as film crews attempt to catch the event on camera

The sun beams through the stained windows at the church in Banie near Szczecin in Poland

Several Polish political officials and a representative of the German embassy to Poland attended the funeral

A woman touches the coffin of Lukasz Urban, which is surrounded by flowers in tribute to the popular trucker

Despite conflicting reports, more than 9,500 people signed the petition for him to be recognised.

Thousands of people also donated to a fund for Mr Urban's family and as of Friday afternoon, the total was at 178,000.

It was set up by British trucker Dave Duncan from Otley in West Yorkshire and more than 10,000 have donated.

He said: 'You don't know me, my name is Dave and I am a truck driver just like your brave husband.

'I am so sorry, as are all his truck driving brothers across the UK for your terrible loss.

'Your man should never have been taken this way and in my eyes he is an hero.
The wife of the Greek ambassador to Brazil hid her face Saturday as she was taken to jail, as authorities suspect her of having her husband murdered by her policeman lover.

Francoise Souza Oliveira, 40, held a shirt over her head while officers escorted her out of the police station to a jail in Belford Roxo, Brazil. Her transfer came the day after her Officer Sergio Moreira, with whom she was romantically involved, confessed to police he had killed her husband, according to investigators.

Ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis, 59, went missing on Monday night. Oliveira, his Brazilian wife and the mother of their 10-year-old daughter, reported him missing to police on Wednesday.

But authorities now believe that 29-year-old Moreira killed Amiridis in a 'crime of passion' at Oliveira's direction. They said the ambassador was likely stabbed in the Rio De Janeiro home he owned with his wife, and that his body was burnt afterwards.

Oliveira and Moreira were both taken into custody on Friday. Police have also detained a cousin of the officer, who investigators believe acted as a lookout while the crime was committed and helped carry the body from the house with the promise that he would be paid $25,000.

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Francoise Souza Oliveira (center), 40, held a shirt over her head while officers escorted her out of the police station to a jail in Belford Roxo

Investigators believe Oliveira (pictured Friday) directed her policeman lover Sergio Moreira to murder her husband, ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis, 59

Moreira and Oliveira had arranged the murder a few days in advance, according to investigator Evaristo Magalhaes.

'This was a tragic, cowardly act, but we worked tirelessly to crack this case as soon as possible,' Magalhaes told a news conference. 'It was a crime of passion.'

Magalhaes said that blood was found on a couch inside the home and the ambassador was likely stabbed to death as no shots were reported in the area.

However, he said it was not yet possible to determine the exact cause of death because the policeman had burned the ambassador's body in an attempt to cover up the crime.

A civil policeman escorted Oliveira to jail on Saturday. Her lover Moreira confessed to police he had killed her husband Monday night in Rio De Janeiro, investigators said

Oliveira (pictured hiding her face) reported her husband missing to police on Wednesday, but investigators now believe she and her lover hatched a plan to have him killed

A burned corpse was found on Thursday evening inside the car that Amiridis and his wife had rented. It was parked under a highway overpass in the area where the couple had been staying.

On Thursday, police confirmed that the ambassador had been missing since Monday night, when he was last seen leaving the Rio home he shared with his wife, which was located near her family's residence in Nova Iguacu.

Brazilian President Michel Temer, in a letter addressed to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, said the ambassador's killing had caused him profound sadness and he extended his condolences to the ambassador's family, friends and the Greek people.

The Greek embassy in Brasilia declined to comment. In Athens, Greek foreign ministry spokesman Stratos Efthymiou said the government also had no comment.

Ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis mysteriously vanished on Monday night in Rio de Janeiro. His wife Francoise (pictured) raised the alarm after being unable to contact him for two days

The charred remains of Mr Amiridis were found on Thursday afternoon in a Ford Ka car left underneath an overpass in the city

Kyriakos Amiridis (pictured with his wife), 59, mysteriously vanished on Boxing Day night after leaving his relatives' home in a poor suburb of Rio de Janeiro

Amridis, who took over as Greece's ambassador to Brazil in January this year, was Greek consul in Rio de Janeiro for three years from 2001, where he met his wife.

Before returning to Brazil, he was also the Greek ambassador in Libya for four years from 2012.

Crime in Rio has been rising and the state is deeply indebted, often unable to pay police and other salaries on time, if at all.

The neighborhood where the car was found is dominated by powerful and politically connected armed groups comprised mostly of off-duty or retired police and firefighters who control vast areas.

They often extort residents in exchange for keeping drug gangs from taking over the areas.

The armed groups have grown for several years and often curry favor with local politicians by promising to deliver votes from entire neighborhoods as long as authorities allow them to carry out their crimes.

The Nova Iguacu area of Metropolitan Rio, where Mr Amiridis and his wife were passing the Christmas holidays, is notorious for crime and its high murder rate.

In April this year Brazilian senator Aureo Riberito was kidnapped by four armed men in the same region and later released.

In October the well-known president of the Belford Roxo samba school, Reginaldo Gomes, was also kidnapped by four armed men on a street in Nova Iguacu. The gang also later released him after stealing money and his car.

In the run up to Brazil's municipal elections, at least 14 politicians were murdered in the region in nine months, blamed on death squads operating in the region.

Amiridis (right), is pictured talking to Brazil's President Michel Temer during a government ceremony in Brasilia in March

A man looks at the burned-out rental car of Amiridis, at a parking lot outside the police station in Belford Roxo, in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro

The Ford Ka car Amiridis had rented to spend Christmas with his wife's family was found underneath an overpass at the entrance to the Nova Iguacu district of Rio yesterday afternoon
Meanwhile Trump recently tweeted that Putin was 'very smart' for not

As Donald Trump continues to shower president Vladimir Putin with praise, Sen. John McCain is leading GOP criticism of Russia's recent hacking.

The Arizona senator called Russia's alleged cyber attack to influence the 2016 presidential election an 'act of war' on Friday.

'When you attack a country, it's an act of war,' he said on Ukrainian TV after meeting with President Petro Poroshenko.

Arizona Republican Sen John McCain (pictured in Latvia on Thursday) alled Russia's alleged cyber attack to influence the 2016 presidential election an 'act of war' on Friday

McCain and Republican Sen Lindsey Graham (pictured together) issued a join statement saying they intent to 'lead the effort' in Congress for stronger sanctions against Russia

'And so we have to make sure that there is a price to pay so that we can perhaps persuade Russians to stop this kind of attack on our very fundamentals of democracy.'

McCain, who serves as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also scheduled a hearing next week on foreign cyber threats that will focus on Russia, according to CNN.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, NSA Director Mike Rogers and Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence Marcel Lettre are scheduled to testify.

McCain is also pushing for the creation of a Select Committee in Congress to investigate allegations that Russia hacked the US to help Trump win the election.

Both he and Republican Sen Lindsey Graham issued a join statement saying they intent to 'lead the effort' in Congress for stronger sanctions against Russia.

'The retaliatory measures announced by the Obama Administration are long overdue,' the statement began.

McCain's calls for a tougher stance against Russia go directly against president-elect Donald Trump's desire for the country to 'move on' from the hacking scandal

The president-elect put himself directly at odds with Obama as he tweeted that Putin was 'very smart' for not retaliating against the president's sanctions

'But ultimately, they are a small price for Russia to pay for its brazen attack on American democracy.'

Obama's sanctions, announced on Thursday, included the expulsion of 35 diplomats the White House accused of being intelligence agents.

The president also ordered the closure of two luxury compounds used by diplomatic aides and the announcement of economic sanctions on Moscow's spy services.

While some GOP members, including House and Senate leaders Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell, called the sanctions 'overdue' and a 'good step', Trump decided to praise Putin instead.

The president-elect put himself directly at odds with Obama as he tweeted that Putin was 'very smart' for not retaliating against the president's sanctions.

'Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!' Trump wrote, even momentarily pinning the tweet to the top of his timeline.

Putin went against his foreign minister Segrey Lavrov's calls to retaliate against Obama's sanctions, saying he would wait to deal with Trump instead

The Russian government is sending this plane, an Ilyushin Il-96 - to the U.S. to ferry its expelled diplomats out of the country by New Year's Day

He then tweeted later in the day: 'Russians are playing @CNN and @NBCNews for such fools - funny to watch, they don't have a clue! @FoxNews totally gets it!'

The official Twitter account of the Russian Embassy in Washington quickly retweeted the message.

Putin went against his foreign minister Segrey Lavrov's calls to retaliate against Obama's sanctions, saying he would wait to deal with Trump instead.

'We will not create problems for American diplomats. We will not expel anyone,' Putin said in a statement inviting children of US diplomats to the holiday soiree.
Of all the wounded children of Aleppo who passed before me, the memory of one has lodged in my mind like no other. Maram.

I spent the week before Christmas in a field hospital in Syria operating on many tiny souls see-sawing between life and death, their bodies held together with metal pins and scaffold-like fixators.

But in Maram, a five-month-old orphan and beautiful despite her injuries, I saw my own child and, perhaps because I missed her so desperately, I felt intensely overwhelmed.

A search and rescue member carries a child from the site of a barrel bomb attack staged by Syrian army in the opposition-controlled Mashhad district of Aleppo

I have made numerous trips to Syria to treat the casualties of this war, but none was as sorrowful as the week I spent with Aleppo's children.

Bone-weary and drained emotionally, I returned to London on Christmas Eve and couldn't wait to hold my 17-month-old daughter and see my wife and family. Christmas was a joy.

Yet Maram was never far from my mind's eye: a haunting, residual memory that I could not have shaken even if I had wished; I find myself waking in the early hours worrying about her.

NHS surgeon David Nott has been to Syria numerous times to help war-wounded children

I first saw Maram on December 20, a few days after she was evacuated from Aleppo in an ambulance.

Her legs and left arm had been shattered in a bomb attack that killed her parents and injured her brother and sister.

Pieces of ordnance shell were embedded in her infected wounds but, because the Aleppo doctors had run out of dressings, disinfectant and saline, they had no choice but to operate on her dirty body tissue.

As I looked down at Maram on the treatment table she was crying, not because she was tired and hungry, even though she was both, but because she was in great pain.

There are no paediatricians in Aleppo, or at the hospital where I was working; nobody qualified to make the very difficult decisions about how much analgesics and fluids to dispense. So in spite of all her suffering, Maram was simply on a small dose of paracetamol. It was heartbreaking. I checked her charts. In the UK, these would have been filled in with scrupulous attention to detail, but in Syria, with doctors battling to save the lives of so many, charts were overlooked.

I couldn't even tell what medication she had already received.

Maram wriggled uncomfortably. I tried to think logically about how to help her and what I'd need to do when I operated on her the following day.

Dr David Nott with an injured child, Maram, in Syria after being evacuated from the city of Aleppo in the days before Christmas

But precise thought was difficult as I felt myself experiencing the same sort of emotions that any father would have towards a wounded child.

I operated on December 21, carefully debriding Maram's wounds and removing the decaying tissue inside her.

The whole hospital stank of the bacteria that had caused her infections, and those in other patients.

I worked delicately around the open compound fracture Maram had suffered in her left leg.

Correctly in my opinion, the surgeon who had operated on her in Aleppo had applied an external fixator, but this was so big and heavy that Maram couldn't move her leg when she was awake.

It was so sad to see. She also had a pin in her femur and another in her tibia, and she had a really big gap of leg bone missing from the explosion.

I often wonder what life was like for Maram and her family when Aleppo, the most benighted city on earth, was relentlessly pounded by bombs from above. On the night I first saw Maram, I encountered other children who had been injured in the same attack. Some had already been operated on and had limbs amputated.

A Syrian baby receiving treatment at a field hospital after an airstrike on a residential area

Picture taken in September 2015 of a woman covering her face and fleeing with a baby

Towards the end of the siege of Aleppo, doctors were conducting amputations on anyone with a serious injury.

Due to flesh-eating infections and a lack of basic supplies, they simply didn't have a choice.

Another tragedy was that the locals had stopped donating blood to the hospitals because they were so scared of getting injured themselves and not having enough of a reserve blood supply.

This meant no blood supplies in the hospitals in Aleppo.

So any casualties from the bombings who arrived bleeding profusely and needing transfusions couldn't be treated; instead, they just died on the floor.

In all that week, I treated 110 children. Yesterday I heard Maram has been taken to an unspecified specialist unit in Turkey.

BOB GELDOF WANTED TO AIRLIFT INJURED SYRIAN CHILDREN TO UK Bob Geldof failed in his attempt to get wounded children airlifted out of Syria

Sir Bob Geldof enlisted the help of Sir Richard Branson in a plan to airlift children wounded in war-ravaged Syria to Britain for medical treatment. The singer persuaded the airline mogul to lend him a Virgin passenger jet for the mercy mission just before Christmas. However, the Turkish government refused to give permission for the use of an airport near the Syrian border to collect the injured. Sir Bob, pictured, told The Mail on Sunday that the plan was finally abandoned after Syrian government troops took control of the war-torn city of Aleppo. He said: 'The airlift had been organised and approved at all levels of government, by the United Nations and the World Health Organisation and with the warring factions. 'It was deemed unnecessary, however, following the surrender of Aleppo which avoided the final massacre that was feared.' A Russian-backed ceasefire is holding in most parts of Syria and last night the UN Security Council voted unanimously in support of a resolution put forward by Russia calling on all sides in the conflict to take part in peace talks. Advertisement

Good news, but she has no parents and no one to look after her. Even if she recovers from her injuries, she is likely to be placed in an orphanage somewhere in Turkey.

I hope somebody reading this article is inspired to attempt to adopt her, because she needs so much love and cuddles and care after what she went through in Aleppo.

But I know how complicated it would be, legally and politically, to make that happen.

Men carrying babies make through the rubble of destroyed buildings in Aleppo in September

While I was in Syria there was talk of an airlift to rescue the most badly wounded children from Syria to the UK. This was eventually shelved due to complications, but if there was just one child that could be brought here, I would want it to be Maram; not just because she's lost her parents and because her older siblings are also wounded and are too young to look after her, but due to the nature of the treatment she requires.

Maram might be able to get that treatment in Turkey but I don't know. For the extensive orthopaedic management she needs, she should be fast-tracked to somewhere like Great Ormond Street Hospital.

She needs to be repaired psychologically as well as physically. She needs expert care. But still, she is one of the lucky ones.
For one blissful moment, Michael Smith thought the person waking him at 4.45 on Christmas morning was his former wife, Ning. But reality soon dawned. Smith, a British businessman, was being roused from his sleep by one of five people sharing his prison cell in Dubai. A Tanzanian man doing time for drug crimes had misread his watch and thought it was time for breakfast.

Ning was at home in Thailand.

It was Smiths sixth Christmas Day behind bars, despite being pardoned and told he was about to be freed two-and-a-half years ago. Forgive me if I say I didnt feel very festive, he told The Mail on Sunday in a phone call from jail.

Briton Michael Smith, who unearthed evidence of corruption at Dubai World, was granted a pardon two-and-a-half years ago

Smiths case  as this newspaper first revealed in March 2015  is truly Kafkaesque. In 2007, the 50-year-old from West London started a 150,000 tax-free job at Dubai World, the property empire owned by Dubais ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum.

In 2008, shortly before the firm went bust owing 40 billion, Smith resigned, having tried unsuccessfully to persuade bosses to act on evidence he had unearthed of corruption. This seems to have made him enemies.

He and Ning returned to Thailand. But in July 2009, Smith was arrested by local police and accused of stealing 100 million from Dubai World  which he denies. Eventually, this sum was reduced to 550,000. Meanwhile, Smith was detained for more than two years at the notorious Bangkok Hilton jail fighting extradition to Dubai.

After becoming infected with HIV from a dirty prison needle used by a nurse to lance an abscess, Smith dropped his extradition battle and returned to the Gulf. He was assured by the Dubai prosecutors that even if convicted, his sentence would be only three years, and that the time he had served in Thailand would count towards it.

Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum and his wife Princess Haya

Instead, Smith was sentenced to 12 years, later reduced to six on appeal. However, almost every prisoner in Dubai is automatically given a pardon or rulers amnesty at the halfway point of their sentence  which in Smiths case was in 2012. In vain, he sought an explanation, as well as help from the British Consulate, only to be told repeatedly that the UK could not intervene.

The pardon finally came in June 2014, yet even then he was not freed. A prison official told him informally that to be released, he would have to pay back the 550,000 he had supposedly stolen. By now, he was penniless. The Dubai authorities have told the British Consulate that Smith is lying, and was jailed for only 72 days in Bangkok, not 747  a claim that flies in the face of stamped and signed Thai documents seen by the MoS.

Either this is incompetence on an epic scale, or someone really has it in for me, Smith said. Yet the British have been useless. I dont expect them to park a gunboat off the coast but they have done nothing.

Recently, Smith was told he may be released in October this year, but he said: After what happened in 2014, how can I believe them?

The most painful moment of Smiths Christmas Day came when he spoke to Ning on the phone.

He said: It was wonderful to hear her voice. But then I found myself telling her that a year from now, all this would be over. Then it hit me: Ive been telling her that every Christmas since 2012.
An incredibly adorable bald eaglet has finally broken out of its shell in its Florida nest.

Eagle parents, Harriet and M15, are Fort Myers' most beloved bald eagles and onlookers from across the globe watched eagerly as the pair welcomed their first hatchling Saturday morning, CTV News reported.

After it was born, the baby bird was heard singing as Harriet and M15 continued their wait for their second egg to hatch.

An incredibly adorable bald eaglet (pictured) has finally broken out of its shell in its Florida nest. After it was born, the baby bird was heard singing as its mother, Harriet, and father, M15, continued their wait for their second egg (pictured) to hatch

Harriet and M15 are Fort Myers' most beloved bald eagles and onlookers from across the globe watched eagerly as the pair welcomed their first hatchling Saturday morning

The hatchling began tapping on its shell Thursday but took until Saturday morning to finally break from its shell.

Both eggs were expected to hatch between Christmas and News Year's Day.

And since the second egg has yet to hatch, some are speculating that the sibling eaglets may be born in 2016 and 2017.

Harriet and M15 are Fort Myers' most beloved bald eagles and onlookers from across the globe watched eagerly as the pair welcomed their first hatchling Saturday morning

At one point the mama bird (pictured) left her nest, allowing viewers to get a good look at the newest addition to the bald eagle family

The little ball of fluff waited patiently for its mother to return and even chirped a little. Once Harriet came back to the nest, she carefully maneuvered her body so that the egg and her hatchling would fit comfortably under her belly

At one point the mama bird left her nest, allowing viewers to get a good look at the newest addition to the bald eagle family.

The little ball of fluff waited patiently for its mother to return and even chirped a little.

Once Harriet came back to the nest, she carefully maneuvered her body so that the egg and her hatchling would fit comfortably under her belly.

A video live stream, provided by Florida real estate company Dick Pritchett Real Estate, captured the incredible moment the baby emerged from its shell.

The nest is not in a wildlife refuge, but rather in a residential area in Fort Myers.

Throughout the process, both Harriet and M15, have continuously taken turns incubating their young by maintaining the 105-degree temperature necessary for the embryos to develop properly, according to KING 5.

As the eagle parents prepare for their eggs to hatch, they will nurture them until they feel movement and the chick scratches the inside the surface of the egg.

During the last two to three days before hatching, the parents can hear and feel activity inside the egg and will watch the egg closely, the station reported.

The mother eagle even fed her little hatchling just a few hours after it emerged from its shell

The nest is not in a wildlife refuge, but rather in a residential area (pictured) in Fort Myers. A video live stream, provided by Florida real estate company Dick Pritchett Real Estate, captured the incredible moment the baby emerged from its shell




As well as being awarded the 700 franchised Bikram Yoga studios, Minakshi Jafa-Bodden (pictured) will also receive Choudhury's multi-million-pound fleet of 43 cars

He made his name and a 60 million fortune from superheated yoga in which devotees, including celebrities such as David Beckham, Lady Gaga and Madonna, sweat through exercise routines in 105F heat.

But The Mail on Sunday has established that Bikram Choudhury, the charismatic 'yogi to the stars', has been stripped of his worldwide empire by a Los Angeles court  the latest twist in a 6.4 million sex harassment case brought by Oxford-educated lawyer Minakshi Jafa-Bodden, a former employee.

As well as being awarded the 700 franchised Bikram Yoga studios around the globe, Miss Jafa-Bodden will also receive Choudhury's multi-million-pound fleet of 43 cars, which includes 13 Rolls-Royces, eight Bentleys and three Ferraris.

That's if she can find them. Last week, as letters went out to the Bikram Yoga franchises worldwide telling them of the change at the top, Choudhury's garage manager was summoned to the Los Angeles Superior Court, to explain where the cars are  and why they have been removed from a vehicle compound in violation of court orders.

Last night, Miss Jafa-Bodden, 47, who left her career in international litigation with a London City law firm to take what she thought would be her dream job as the head of Bikram Yoga's legal team, told The Mail on Sunday: 'Bikram is no longer the boss of Bikram Yoga. I am. I've been to hell and back, but the jury has spoken. Bikram has tried to conceal assets and has fled America, but justice will be done.'

The demise of Choudhury  who developed his signature 90-minute workouts after arriving in California in the 1970s  is as extraordinary as his rise to fame.

Raised on the streets of Calcutta, he became a self-made tycoon thanks to an innovative new yoga style that offered lithe bodies and spiritual enlightenment in equal measure to its participants.

This photograph shows some of Bikram Choudhury's supercars, including his Rolls Royces

His business model was simple: he charged students about 13,500 to train as Bikram Yoga teachers and rolled out licensed franchises around the world, charging handsome fees for the benefit of using his name.

But as his fame and wealth increased, Choudhury began to behave, according to Miss Jafa-Bodden, like a man 'drunk on power', making lewd pronouncements, including boasts that he had 5,000 women 'begging' to sleep with him and that a single drop of his sperm 'is worth a million dollars'.

Eventually, she said, his out-of-control ego turned him into a violent sexual predator who preyed on young female devotees.

Miss Jafa-Bodden, a mother of one, studied at Oxford and Birmingham Universities before joining the Bikram empire in 2011 as the 90,000-a-year head of his legal team.

She said: 'He can be very charming when you first meet him, but that didn't last long.

'There were allegations of rape and assault. Perhaps the first complaint was a surprise but then I began to see a pattern. He told me to 'fix' these women, but when I refused to cover up his alleged crimes, he became abusive, calling me a 'f***ing bitch'.

'He would sit on a throne at the front of this vast room filled with trainees. During lectures the throne would be lowered. There would be a girl stroking his hair, another massaging his back and another stroking him under orange towels that would be placed on his lap.

'It was disgusting, but it was a daily occurrence. He is a cold, calculating predator. I witnessed him routinely abusing that power, often with the most vulnerable students.

Bikram Choudhury (left) has been stripped of his worldwide empire by a Los Angeles court

'These were young women who looked up to him as a spiritual guru. They loved him. And he took advantage of that in the most heinous way imaginable.'

Miss Jafa-Bodden sued for sex discrimination and last January was awarded more than 5 million.

Choudhury immediately fled to his native India and the sum has now risen to 6.4 million because of interest.

Miss Jafa-Bodden's legal team, headed by lawyers Mark Quigley and Carla Minnard, has been trying to locate the guru's property, including a diamond-encrusted watch worth 1 million, various properties around the globe  and his fleet of luxury classic cars.

The garage manager, an old family friend of 72-year-old Choudhury, claims he does not know where the vehicles are  even though lawyers for Miss Jafa-Bodden claim to have photographic evidence of him taking part in their removal.

Miss Jafa-Bodden said that the ruling by Los Angeles Superior Court was 'a delicious irony', adding: 'I started off working for him and I ended up with his company.

'In a million years I never imagined that would be the outcome. Now I want to sell what we can so I can get my money and move on with my life.'
Seth Berkley has taken home more than 2 million over the past four years

A foreign aid fat cat has made millions out of the cash handed to his charity by the British taxpayer.

Seth Berkley has taken home more than 2 million over the past four years as chief executive officer of Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi), which has been given 1.5 billion by Britain.

Another official at the Geneva-based group collects a pay package of more than 500,000 a year.

Incredibly, Dr Berkley was given a housing allowance on top of his 623,370 pay package.

Like others at Gavi, he is also offered help with school fees and is exempt from paying Swiss income taxes under a deal struck by the organisation.

The astonishing pay arrangement is the latest outrage, exposed by The Mail on Sunday, of charity chiefs pocketing massive salaries and bonuses while taking British aid to fight world poverty.

Gavi is one of six new groups paying exorbitant amounts to senior executives. Two weeks ago, we revealed how seven major charities were doling out salary packages of up to 618,000 a year.

International Development Secretary Priti Patel demanded an end to excessive profiteering when she was questioned over our revelations by the Commons International Development Select Committee two weeks ago.

Now MPs on the committee want her to stop taxpayers cash going to charities and private firms that hand out six-figure pay deals.

These eye-watering sums are quite appalling, said Tory MP Nigel Evans. Priti Patel needs to send a bombshell. This money should be going to the poorest people in the world, not into the pockets of the rich.

Some of the most explosive new examples of fat cats creaming off cash from Britains 12 billion aid giveaway are found at Gavi, which was set up in 2000 to increase vaccine access in poor nations.

Britain, which already gives more than twice as much to the alliance as any other country, has pledged another 1 billion over the course of this government.

Certainly there is no chance of poverty among its own top players. According to the most recent US Form 990 tax data, Gavi handed 12 top staff more than 188,000 in their salary packages in 2014.

Mr Berkley is chief executive officer of Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi), which has been given 1.5 billion by Britain. Pictured: David Cameron speaking at a Gavi conference in 2011

Jeffrey Rowland, director of private sector partnerships, took home 511,004. In the past five years, he has received almost 2 million.

A spokesman said Gavis executive salary structure reflects Genevas cost of living and the CEOs position as a world-renowned epidemiologist, adding that the tax detail figure for Dr Berkley included his US income taxes.

Overhead costs make up just 2.7 per cent of our total budget, meaning Gavi has some of the lowest overheads of comparable organisations, the spokesman added.

Since 2000, Gavi has helped to immunise over half a billion children in 73 countries.

Another high payer is Aeras  a US non-profit organisation focusing on tuberculosis eradication  given 10 million by the Department for International Development (DfID.) Aeras shared more than one million dollars in 2015 between its two top executives, according to its most recent tax data.

Its president, Thomas Evans, collected a package worth 420,463 while chief executive Jacqueline Shea was given 407,412.

The firm did not respond to requests for comment.

The US-based Population Services International (PSI) is also reported to have been handed 48.8 million from British taxpayers in 2015 to improve health and family planning in poor countries.

According to its most recent tax data from the previous year, at least 17 PSI officials took home more than Theresa May, who earns 143,462 as Prime Minister.

They include president Karl Hofmann, given a pay deal worth 373,447, and former chief operations officer Peter Clancy who received 325,667.

International Development Secretary Priti Patel has demanded an end to excessive profiteering

Four more executives collected over 250,000 each, while 128 staff earned more than 80,000.

A spokesman said PSI benchmarked salaries on industry standards while running programmes in over 50 countries. Were extremely proud of our health impact and of how little we spend on overheads  nearly 93 cents of every dollar goes to programmes, they added.

Plan International, which focuses on childrens rights and equality for girls, has seen staff costs soar from 107 million to 190 million in seven years.

It is reported to receive at least 30 million a year from DfID, helping cash from Britain to make up almost one-fifth of total income. Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen, the Danish chief executive and a former UN official, pocketed 259,000 last year  30,000 more than her predecessor, who left the charity 15 months ago.

Mark Pierce, Plans regional director in Asia who has since joined Save The Children, collected an impressive 244,000 despite a basic 102,000 salary. His package was boosted by short-term employee benefits worth 142,000.

Davinder Kumar, Plans global media manager, said such payments were in line with similar-sized charities.

Our board believes our salaries are appropriate and critical to attracting and retaining talented individuals, he added.

Two other big recipients of British aid are charitable foundations run by former US Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Clintons controversial charities have received more than 50 million since 2011, much of it going to the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).

CEO Ira Magaziner, a long-term Clinton aide, saw his pay package leap from 121,746 in 2010 to 302,232 in 2015  the most recent year for which tax data is available.

Bruce Lindsey, one of Clintons closest confidantes, received 319,383 as chairman of the Clinton Foundation.

... AND HERE ARE 5 MORE CHARITY BOSSES BACKED BY US RAKING IN HUGE SALARIES Thomas Evans, the President of Aeras, receives a pay package worth 420,463. The US non-profit group focuses on TB eradication and was handed 10 million by the DfID last year. Britain gives 10m Boss gets 420,463 Thomas Evans PSI President Karl Hofmann has a pay deal worth 373,447. The organisation was reportedly handed 48.8 million in 2015 to improve world health and family planning. Britain gives 48.8m Boss gets 373,447 Karl Hofmann Bruce Lindsey was awarded 319,383 as chairman of Bill Clintons charitable foundation. The ex US Presidents charities have received more than 50 million in British cash since 2011. Britain gives 50m Boss gets 319, 383 Bruce Lindsey Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen, of UK-based Plan International, received 259,000. The organisation, which combats child poverty, is reportedly given at least 30 million a year from the DfID. Britain gives 30m Boss gets 259,000 Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen John Hardman, president of the Carter Center, took home 243,000 last year  and almost 1million in three years. The organisation was given 4.5 million last year by UK officials. Britain gives 4.5m Boss gets 243,000 John Hardman Advertisement

Regan Lachapelle, CHAIs spokesman, said senior salaries were benchmarked against comparable charities.

The exception is our CEO whose pay is significantly lower than the median, she added. Our CEO volunteered for the first six years of CHAI and received no salary.

The Carter Center was given 4.5 million last year for its guinea worm eradication programme in Africa.

President John Hardman took home almost 1 million in three years  including $300,399 (243,000) last year, according to its most recent tax data.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he is willing to work with President-elect Donald Trump to reach a two-state solution to the conflict with Israel.

Abbas spoke Saturday at an event marking the anniversary of his Fatah party, in which he declared 2017 would be the year 'of the independent Palestinian state'.

'We want to emphasize our willingness to work with the newly-elected American administration...to achieve peace...based on a two-state solution,' he said.

Abbas thanked the US for its UN abstention vote last week, which allowed the Security Council to adopt a resolution declaring Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to be illegal.

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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he is willing to work with President-elect Donald Trump to reach a two-state solution to the conflict with Israel

Abbas thanked the US for its UN abstention vote last week, which allowed the Security Council (pictured) to declare that Israeli settlements in territory claimed by Palestinians were illegal

'The settlements are illegal, and in recent days, we were given an unprecedented decision regarding this issue,' he added.

Although Abbas is willing to work with Trump, it will remain to be seen if the president-elect will feel the same way.

Trump blasted the UN after the landmark Security Council vote, saying it only causes 'problems'.

'The UN has such tremendous potential. Not living up to its potential,' Trump said in a brief statement to the press outside his Mar-a-Lago resort club in Palm Beach, Florida. 'There is such tremendous potential, but it is not living up.'

'When do you see the United Nations solving problems?' he asked. 'They don't. They cause problems.'

'So if it lives up to the potential it's a great thing. And if it doesn't it's a waste of time and money.'

Trump blasted the UN earlier Wednesday in a pair of tweets that claimed the US is no longer Israel's friend, but that Israel should 'stay strong' until his January 20 inauguration

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted his own thanks to Trump for his 'clear-cut support' of Israel

Trump said President Barack Obama had called him earlier that day but the current and future president only 'had a very general conversation. Very, very nice.'

He didn't elaborate on any discussions the two may have had about a lengthy afternoon speech in which Secretary of State John Kerry defended Obama's decision to withhold the traditional U.S. veto and allow the UN resolution to pass unopposed.

'I think the secretary's speech really spoke for itself,' Trump said in response to a question about Obama's phone call.

But in typical Trump fashion, the president-elect made his thoughts clear about the UN resolution on Twitter.

'We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect. They used to have a great friend in the US,' he wrote.

'But...not anymore. The beginning of the end was the horrible Iran deal, and now this (U.N.)! Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!'

Trump said President Obama called him for a 'general' discussion on Wednesday and would only say of Secretary of State John Kerry's defense of the UN vote that it 'really spoke for itself'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted his own support for Trump.

'President-elect Trump, thank you for your warm friendship and your clear-cut support for Israel!' he wrote, also tagging Trump's daughter Ivanka in the post.

Netanyahu called the recent UN resolution 'skewed' and 'shameful', saying he believes any negotiation with Palestine should come without international pressure.

The prime minister is in opposition of marking the final border between Israel and Palestine to the pre-1967 lines that came before the Six Day War.

Palestinians are seeking the West Bank and East Jerusalem for an independent state.
A mother of two having a video chat with perhaps thousands of her friends died live on Facebook.

On December 28, Keiana Herndon, 26, was holding her one-year-old son, Rylee, and streaming on Facebook Live from her friend's house in El Dorado, Arkansas.

She was telling her audience how she would like to go back to school, when witnesses say she suddenly began wiping her face and shaking her head, according to KATV.

One of her viewers, aunt Barbara Johnson, noticed her niece acting strangely.

Social media lover Keiana Herndon, 26, was documenting her desire to go back to school on Facebook Live while holding son Rylee, 1, when she suddenly began having trouble breathing

Keiana Herndon, above, died on Facebook Live - her father, Richard, shared her last video with Arkansas Matters but says he himself can't watch it. The outlet did not show her death

'She go to wiping her face and shaking her head, and I was thinking, whats wrong with Kei? We call her Kei. She then, she fell back and then Rylee picked the phone up and started talking and playing and then I hear [gasping noise], then I heard one more ... I didnt hear nothing else,' the stunned aunt told the outlet.

The last thing recorded was Herndon's friend running into the room and calling 911. The devoted mom was rushed to the hospital but it was too late.

A friend said on GoFundMe that Herndon's two sons 'were her world'

Herndon's aunt, Barbara Johnson, demonstrates how the mom of two began to suddenly wipe her face and shake her head while on Facebook Live

Herndon's mother, Mary Morgan, said her daughter had thyroid issues and it 'messes with everything' and led to heart failure

Herndon, an aide at a rehabilitation center, loved to document her life on social media, said friends. But none of them were prepared to see her die on it.

'Never knew that was going to be the last breath she would take [would be on] on social media live,' said Johnson.

Herndon had over 3,400 friends on Facebook and it was likely thousands were watching her live stream when she died

The original video was removed from Facebook.

Herndon had over 3,400 Facebook friends but it's unclear how many were watching her video stream.

Her father, Richard Herndon, says he can't bear to watch the video just yet, according to Arkansas 4 News. 'I don't have the strength to watch it right now,' he said.

Family says that as soon as she died, rumors began circulating about her cause of death, and they want to clear things up.

'She had thyroid problems. The thyroid messes with everything and it triggered her heart. Its a tragedy, I know that much, and I know one thing, I would love to have my baby back with me,' said her mother, Mary Morgan.

An autopsy is to be performed to determine cause of death.
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New Year's Eve may be over but the celebrations kicked on at Bondi Beach, with party-goers continuing the annual tradition of stripping off and diving into the surf for an early-morning skinny dip.

People could be seen frolicking in the waves as the sun came up in Sydney for the first time in 2017, while others were more than happy to curl up on the sand and sleep off their shenanigans from the night before.

The lack of swimsuits did not stop a group of revellers from getting into the water, with both ladies and gents stripping down to their underwear to enjoy the water.

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Women are pictured playing in the sand at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday morning

Topless women walk along the beach after a night of New Year's Eve celebrations

A couple pictured enjoying the surf on Sunday morning to ring in 2017

People remained at the famed Sydney beach into daylight on Sunday

Some young women even opted to go without their bras and dared to bare their breasts at the beach in Sydney's east.

The early-morning swim followed a night of massive celebrations where more than one million people descended on Sydney's city centre for the world-renowned fireworks display from the Harbour Bridge.

Police patrolling New Year's celebrations across Sydney said they made 15 arrests.

NSW Police said that was a low figure, considering the crowds were the biggest in recent years.

Some appeared to be passed out on the sand on Sunday morning

A man celebrates the new year at Bondi Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Sunday morning

Two young women run into the surf topless on Sunday morning

People braved the surf in their underpants on Sunday morning

Assistant Commissioner Nick Fuller told reporters that, as of 1.30am on Sunday, the number of arrests was half what it was last year, an 'outstanding result'.

NEW YEAR'S EVE DEATHS A man has died after being hit in the head by a firework at Budgewoi on the NSW Central Coast during New Year celebrations. A 46-year-old man died in a separate fireworks incident at Hollands Landing, east of Melbourne, on New Year's Eve. Advertisement

'From our perspective we really feel the community heeded our warnings,' he said.

'They planned the night and they've acted in good faith and really seen 2016 out in a positive way.'

The arrests were mainly to do with heavy alcohol consumption and assaults, including some minor assaults on police officers, Assistant Commissioner Fuller said.

Crowd numbers at many vantage points around the harbour reached capacity by 9pm, which is 'very unusual', he said.

Two men have been killed in fireworks explosions during New Year's celebrations in NSW and Victoria.

Young people are pictured in the surf at Bondi Beach on Sunday morning

People are pictured enjoying the summer conditions on Sunday

A 46-year-old Springhurst man died next to the beach when a firework went off at Hollands Landing in Victoria about 9.35pm.

A 52-year-old man also died in NSW after being hit in the head by a firework at Budgewoi on the Central Coast at 3am.

Emergency service crews were called just after 3am on Sunday to find the 52-year-old man had suffered a serious head injury.

Despite the efforts of friends and emergency services the man could not be revived.

A group of people went into the surf in their underpants

Two young women play in the sand on Sunday morning at Bondi Beach

Police launched an investigation and say initial inquiries suggest the man may have been lighting a firework at the time.

Three people were also treated for injuries in Victoria due to fireworks mishaps.

A man in his 20s suffered facial burns when he was hit by a firecracker in Drouin, near Warragul. He was taken to Dandenong Hospital in a stable condition.

While in South Morang, a teenager was treated for minor injuries after he was hit in the face by fireworks.

Three men aged in their 20s were also injured after an aerosol can exploded in a fire in Cobram.

New Year's Eve celebrations continued on Sunday

A group of people are pictured after taking a dip in the ocean at Bondi Beach

In total, more than one million people squeezed onto Sydney's foreshore to watch the iconic fireworks display.

NSW Police beefed up normal Saturday resources by 2,000 officers.

Fireworks lit up the night sky to the delight of one million revellers crammed along vantage points around the foreshore.

Some eager partygoers camped out at spots around the harbour from Friday in an effort to ensure they had prime viewing for the enormous annual celebration.

Those who did have a view over the harbour were treated to a spectacular tribute to musicians David Bowie, Prince and movie star Gene Wilder, who all died in 2016.

A woman is pictured at Bondi Beach on Sunday morning after a night of New Year's Eve celebrations

People are pictured taking the night's celebrations into the morning on Sunday

People appeared to be passed out under the summer sun

With the Sydney Harbour Bridge lit purple, fireworks spewed from the lower road of the bridge in an effort to produce 'Purple Rain' - one of his most famous songs.

Millions more flocked to see fireworks in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

In Melbourne, up to 450,000 people crammed into Federation Square and along the Yarra River to catch a glimpse the display.

Firecrackers were position on 22 rooftops for the city's biggest ever pyrotechnic display.

A group of young people are pictured on New Year's Day at Bondi Beach

A woman is pictured swathed in the Australian Flag at Bondi Beach to celebrate New Year's Day

A group of young people appear to be passed out on the sand as the sun rose

While millions crammed into capital cities to enjoy fireworks, thousands of others saw in 2017 at music festivals around the country.

Despite the dozens of people being trampled at Falls Festival in Lorne on Friday, there were no dampened spirits at the sister event in Byron Bay on Saturday.

The heat saw many in attendance strip down to their bathers or even less and jump into swimming pools onsite in an effort to cool down as the party kicked off.

In Brisbane, some 90,000 people lined the banks of the Brisbane River which flows through the city.

A group take a New Year's Day selfie at Bondi Beach on Sunday

Young women are pictured at Bondi Beach as the sun rose on Sunday

More than one million people gathered around Sydney Harbour to welcome in the new year

As the clock struck midnight more than $1 million in fireworks lit up the night sky in Sydney

A colourful fireworks and lighting display saw Sydney Harbour better resemble a rainbow

The fireworks were met by large cheers and applause from the millions around the harbour

While the fireworks were the star, a large light show featuring boats on Sydney Harbour was also part of the New Year's Eve bonanza

While Sydney Harbour was home to the main show, there were also smaller fireworks displays at beaches and locations around the city

The 'family fireworks' was enjoyed by young children, while the adults geared up for the larger midnight performance

Early fireworks around Darling Harbour proved popular for families on New Year's Eve

Earlier on Saturday more than one million revellers flocked to Sydney Harbour to see in 2017

Thousands of partygoers at Falls Festival in Byron Bay took the top off 2017 on Saturday

This seemingly excited and topless woman received a huge round of applause from the crowd

While revellers on Sydney Harbour relaxed as they await the fireworks, music lovers at Falls Festival in Byron Bay (pictured) partied hard throughout the day in the lead up to 2017

This woman was cooled down with the help of a hose at Falls Festival in Byron Bay, NSW

Seemingly enjoying being drenched by the water the woman laughed as her hat was washed from her head

Donning flower crowns and bathers the crowd at Falls Festival were all smiles on Saturday

This trio of friends donned colourful headwear to get in the festive spirit on New Year's Eve

McMahons point directly opposite the Sydney Harbour Bridge was packed full of revellers

Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House were packed with revellers by early Saturday

More than 2000 plain clothes and uniformed police officers will patrol the harbour all night

'New Year's Eve in Sydney and it's a bit crowded,' one woman wrote alongside her photo taken next to the Opera House

A family wait in Kirribilli for the fireworks to start, first round at 9pm on New Year's Eve, December 31

People taking their motor yacht onto the harbour to watch the fireworks at midnight on New Year's Eve
Ray Johnson, whose son Elliott (pictured) committed suicide after alleged bullying by Tatler Tory Mark Clarke, criticised the decision to make Alexandra Broadrick, Feldmans chief of staff, an MBE

The father of the young Tory activist who died in the Tatler Tory scandal last night attacked an insulting honour for a senior aide of ex-Conservative chairman Lord Feldman.

Ray Johnson, whose son Elliott committed suicide after alleged bullying by Tatler Tory Mark Clarke, criticised the decision to make Alexandra Broadrick, Feldmans chief of staff, an MBE.

Ms Broadrick was one of two Tory officials who reportedly made intimidating phone calls to try to gag female Conservative Party bullying victims.

Mr Johnson senior said: This award is an insult. Lord Feldman and the Conservative Party as a whole behaved disgracefully to my son.

To give an honour to a senior member of Feldmans staff, and [one] who was involved in this matter, is appalling. It shows that the Tory Party has learned nothing. They have covered up the truth from start to finish and have no sense of shame.

Elliott died in 2015 after Clarke, once tipped as a future Cabinet Minister by Tatler magazine, was accused of bullying him.

After Elliott complained, other young Tory activists made similar complaints against Clarke.

Elliott was found dead after further alleged bullying by Clarke, (pictured) a former Tory Parliamentary candidate who has been banned for life by the Party after an investigation into his behaviour

Elliott was found dead after further alleged bullying by Clarke, a former Tory Parliamentary candidate who has been banned for life by the Party after an investigation into his behaviour.

The calls by Ms Broadrick and the other official were made to an activist who was being falsely accused by journalists of having an affair with a Tory MP.

The activist said at the time: It was like an implicit threat, if you dont do what we say, this will come out.

'I took it to mean they wouldnt be able to protect me [and] potentially that they wouldnt want to protect [me].

At the time, a Conservative Party spokesperson said the activists account of the conversation was materially incorrect and any suggestion of bullying or threatening behaviour was untrue.
The hacking code detected at a Vermont utility was found on a single laptop that was not connected to the grid systems, it has been revealed.

'We took immediate action to isolate the laptop and alerted federal officials of this finding,' the Burlington Electric Department said in a statement on Friday.

The code was not used to disrupt the utility operations and a source familiar with the matter said the malware could have been the result of visiting a questionable website, suggesting Russian hackers may not have been directly involved at all.

A hacking code associated with a Russian operation was found on a single laptop at a Vermont utility. Pictured is the FSB security headquarters in Moscow

The code was believed to be linked to a wider Russian hacking operation dubbed 'Grizzly Steppe' by the Obama administration.

But the Russians did not actively use the code to disrupt operations of the utility, unnamed officials told theWashington Post.

Burlinton Electric issued a statement on Friday that read: 'Last night, U.S. utilities were alerted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of a malware code used in Grizzly Steppe...

'We detected the malware in a single Burlington Electric Department laptop not connected to our organizations grid systems.

'We took immediate action to isolate the laptop and alerted federal officials of this finding.

Burlington Electric (pictured) said the hacking code was found on a single laptop that was not connected to the grid systems

'Our team is working with federal officials to trace this malware and prevent any other attempts to infiltrate utility systems. We have briefed state officials and will support the investigation fully.'

The matched malware code on the laptop may have resulted from something as benign as visiting a questionable website, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Regardless, the incident revealed a potentially serious vulnerability since the nation's electrical grid is highly computerized and any disruptions can have disastrous implications for the functioning of medical and emergency services, according to the Post.

Federal officials have shared the malware code used in Grizzly Steppe with utility executives nationwide, a senior administration official said, and Vermont utility officials identified it within their operations, the newspaper reported.

Tensions between the U.S. and Russia have been on the rise in recent days since President Obama announced sanctions against Putin's government for hacking during the election. The two are pictured together in November 2015

The attack may have been designed to disrupt the utility's operations or as a test by the Russians to see whether they could penetrate a portion of the grid.

The White House and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Green Mountain Power and Burlington Electric did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Keith Olbermann accused Trump of being disloyal to the US and a 'Putin stooge'

Donald Trump has been accused of committing treason by those concerned with his seeming closeness to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Thousands have taken to social media to call out the president-elect, including a number of high-profile journalists, liberal advocates, celebrities, and one former State Department official.

Many of the allegations were made in response to a pair of tweets Trump sent on Friday, the first of which read: 'Russians are playing @CNN and @NBCNews for such fools - funny to watch, they don't have a clue! @FoxNews totally gets it!'

Donald Trump (pictured) has been accused of committing treason by those concerned with his seeming closeness to Russian president Vladimir Putin

'Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!' Trump's second message read.

Allegations flooded social media in the hours that followed the president-elect's glowing praise of the Russian government.

'WHO are the Russians playing for a fool? Got a mirror? Go take a look at Putin's stooge. Go look at a man not loyal to the United States,' Keith Olbermann tweeted.

'I don't think Trump committed treason with this tweet, but he's in the neighborhood,' ThinkProgress Editor Judd Legum wrote.

'What's the threshold for treason?' community activist Deray McKesson said.

'I hope you get charged with treason you melted Hostess snack cake,' MTV writer Ira Madison III tweeted.

A number of high-profile journalists and liberal celebrities - including Keith Olbermann (left) and Deray McKesson (right) slammed Trump's behavior towards Russia

Olbermann and McKesson were two of the biggest names to tweet out against Trump's approach to Russia

'Not helping on this whole treason thing, are you, buddy?' strategist Eric Garland chimed in.

'This is borderline treasonous. I don't know what Putin has on this cat, but my Lord, it must be incredible. God help us,' MTV senior writer Jamil Smith added.

Some then took aim at the Republican Party for continuing to support Trump despite the his public support of Putin.

'I'm not shocked by Trump. I'm appalled that the GOP is so gutless and amoral it's going along with treason & calling it a diplomatic reset,' David Atkins said.

Other journalists and media personalities took aim at Trump, blasting his behavior as 'borderline treasonous'

But the outrage wasn't just on social media, with law professor and former senior State Department official John Shattuck said Trump's behavior should 'raise eyebrows'.

'Seventeen US national intelligence agencies have unanimously concluded that Russia engaged in cyberwarfare against the US presidential campaign,' Shattuck wrote in the Boston Globe.

'The lead agency, the CIA, has reached the further conclusion that Russias hacking was intended to influence the election in favor of Trump.

Thousands took to social media to call Trump out for alleged treason as a result of his comments about Putin

'Why does Trump publicly reject these intelligence agency conclusions and the bipartisan proposal for a congressional investigation?

'As president-elect, he should have a strong interest in presenting a united front against Russias interference with the electoral process at the core of American democracy.'

The former government official then went on to list several reasons, one of which was that Trump: 'may be seeking to cover up evidence of involvement or prior knowledge by members of his campaign team or himself in the Russian cyberattack'.

Republican Senator and former presidential candidate also spoke out about the hacks, describing them as an 'act of war'.

Republican Senator and former presidential candidate also spoke out about the Russian hacks, describing them as an 'act of war'

Russia's President Vladimir Putin makes his annual New Year address to the nation in Moscow

'When you attack a country, it's an act of war,' McCain said.

'And so we have to make sure that there is a price to pay so that we can perhaps persuade Russians to stop this kind of attack on our very fundamentals of democracy.'

Since the election, Trump has repeatedly tried to discredit or dismiss the reports from security agencies about Russian hacking.
Turkish police have launched a huge manhunt for the gunman who stormed a nightclub in Istanbul during New Year celebrations and killed 39 people before leaving his weapon behind.

The gunman, who appeared to be dressed in a Santa Claus hat, opened fire in the Reina nightclub in Istanbul's Ortakoy district sending terrified revellers diving into the Bosphorus River for cover.

A further 69 people are thought to have been wounded in the attack, which happened in the early hours of this morning.

Crying relatives gather around the coffin of one of the victims of the Turkish nightclub massacre ahead of a funeral

A young boy breaks down and rests his head on top of the coffin of one of the victims of the massacre

It is unclear who carried out the shooting, however recent terror attacks in Turkey have been carried out by groups such as ISIS and Kurdish militants.

Already people in the city have started burying the dead, just 13 hours after the attack as per Muslim tradition which dictates people should be buried as soon as possible after their death.

And Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has revealed that the gunman left his weapon inside the venue and escaped by 'taking advantage of the chaos' that ensued.

But he also said there was no truth to reports that the attacker wore a Santa Claus costume, despite the CCTV footage from inside the club.

A man kisses the top of the coffin of Ayhan Arik, one of the 39 people to be killed in the attack last night

People in the Turkish capital have began burying the dead, just 13 hours after the attack as per Muslim tradition which dictates people should be buried as soon as possible after their death

Fifteen of the casualties are believed to be foreign nationals, including one Israeli woman and people from Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Lebanon and Libya.

The gunman was described as raining down 'a hail of bullets' on the New Year revellers and is still on the run.

And now Turkey's president Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to fight to the end against all forms of attack by terror groups and their backers.

In a statement he said: 'As a nation, we will fight to the end against not just the armed attacks of terror groups and the forces behind them, but also against their economic, political and social attacks.

'They are trying to create chaos, demoralize our people, and destabilize our country with abominable attacks which target civilians.

'We will retain our cool-headedness as a nation, standing more closely together, and we will never give ground to such dirty games.'

CCTV believed to be from inside the club shows a gunman who appears to be wearing a Santa outfit

This morning armed police with shields formed a ring of steel around the nightclub in Istanbul, where 39 people were shot dead

Police secure the area as the convoy of Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu leaves after his visit to the nightclub where the attack took place

Special forces stand guard outside the nightclub this morning. A further 69 people are thought to have been wounded in the attack

This morning a Turkish police boar was anchored on the Bosphorus close to the nightclub as a manhunt for the killer continues

A Turkish policeman stands guard next to the scene. Turkish interior minister Suleyman Soylu said the attacker has not been identified and is still at large

While the governor of Istanbul Vasip Sahin has described the shooting as a terrorist attack. He revealed that a police officer was among those shot.

He said: 'Unfortunately (he) rained bullets in a very cruel and merciless way on innocent people who were there to celebrate New Year's and have fun.'

Interior minister Suleyman Soylu said the attacker has not been identified and is still at large.

Relatives of the victims gather outside of the forensic medical institute in Istanbul for news about their loved ones

Many of the victims' relatives broke down in tears as they waited on news on their family members

A woman falls to the ground in tears after hearing bad news about one of her loved ones following the nightclub attack

A man and a woman are led away from the institute weeping. The building is where the dead bodies have been taken

Relatives embrace and cry as they wait for news of their family members following the New Year attack

An ambulance brings another body into the Forensic Medical Center in Istanbul following the attack

'Our security forces have started the necessary operations. God willing he will be caught in a short period of time'

'This was a massacre, a truly inhuman savagery' he said.

The British Foreign Office said it is liaising with authorities to establish whether any Britons were caught up in the massacre.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson tweeted: 'Thoughts with Turkey after cowardly act of terrorism in Istanbul nightclub attack. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Turkish friends.'

Footage taken from inside the Reina nightclub around an hour before the attack showed people dancing and ringing in the New Year

The White House condemned the shooting as a 'horrific terrorist attack', and pledged their support to Turkey.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has sent her condolences to the victims of the Istanbul attack, saying 'terrorists ... have carried out an inhumane and devious attack on people who wanted to celebrate the New Year together.'

'My thoughts this morning are with the victims, their families and friends,' she said.

While Russian president Vladimir Putinhas sent Turkey's president a telegram of condolences, denouncing the Istanbul nightclub attack.

CCTV footage from outside the club showed the gunman walking down the street to the entrance before opening fire at a policeman

A bullet ricochets off a vehicle after the gunman opens fire at the nightclub in Istanbul, where 39 people were killed

It is believed that the policeman the gunman shot dead as he entered the club was Burak Yildiz, pictured

Medics carry a wounded person at the scene after an attack at the popular nightclub in Istanbul

Thirty five people were killed and a further 40 were injured in the atrocity, the city's governor announced

The taxi used by the killer to travel to the Reina nighclub is loaded on to the back of a pick-up truck

Police were seen towing away a taxi from outside the club, which the gunman is believed to have travelled in

'It is hard to imagine a more cynical crime than killing innocent people during New Year celebrations,' Putin said in the message.

'However, terrorists don't share moral values. Our common duty is to combat terrorists' aggression,' Putin added.

Eyewitness Sinem Uyanik said she had to lift bodies off her in order to get out of the building.

It happened at one of the most popular nightclubs in the heart of Istanbul, and footage shows survivors being taken to safety.

The attacker is believed to have shot the law enforcer and a civilian before opening fire inside the nightclub last night.

A Turkish police officer stands on guard at the site of the armed attack which claimed 39 lives

Ambulances outside the scene of the shooting, in which many people are believed to have been injured

The city's governor has said the massacre was a terrorist attack as almost 40 people were gunned down

Turkish special force police officers and ambulances at the site of the armed attack at 1.15am on New Year's Day in Istanbul

It is believed the terrorist set off a smoke bomb during the attack, and was reported to have calmly reloaded his weapon before gunning down more victims.

He did not specify who he believed was behind the massacre.

Turkish authorities have imposed a temporary blackout on coverage of the attack, claiming it may cause 'fear in the public, panic and disorder and which may serve the aims of terrorist organizations'.

US President Barack Obama has offered 'appropriated assistance' to Turkish authorities.

Survivors embrace after the atrocity, which saw a gunman armed with an automatic weapon open fire inside a busy nightclub, killing 39 people

Nightclub owner Mehmet Kocarslan told Turkey's Hurriyet news site that security at the venue had been increased over the past 10 days following warnings from American intelligence officers.

He stated that the attack had been carried out with Kalashikov rifles.

Initial reports suggested that two gunmen had stormed the building, but authorities are currently understood to be searching for one killer.

Turkish news site Virgul reports that the killer was shouting in Arabic during the attack.

The nightclub, which is popular with celebrities, sits on the banks of the Bosphorus

Ambulances were on the scene within minutes of the attack, which claimed 39 lives and left 69 wounded

Eyewitness Sinem Uyanik told the Associated Press she saw several bodies inside the Istanbul nightclub that was attacked during New Year's celebrations.

Her husband Lutfu Uyanik was wounded in the attack.

'Before I could understand what was happening, my husband fell on top me,' she said outside Istanbul's Sisli Hospital.

'I had to lift several bodies from on top of me before I could get out.'

Her husband was not in serious condition despite his wounds.

Armed police on the scene of the atrocity. It is estimated 17,000 police officers were on duty during the New Year's Eve celebrations

Footage from the scene showed at least six ambulances with flashing lights and civilians being escorted out.

Meanwhile, Mehmet Dag, 22, was passing by the club and saw the suspect shoot at a police officer and a bystander.

He said the suspect then targeted security, gunning them down and entering the club.

The eyewitness added: 'Once he went in, we don't know what happened. There were gun sounds, and after two minutes the sound of an explosion.'

Footage filmed by Dag a showed a police officer lying on the ground outside the club, and then a woman.

Dag told the woman, who was lying on the floor face down in a pool of blood, 'my sister, you will get better.' He called for an ambulance.

Meanwhile a handful of WNBA players, including Essence Carson, Chelsea Gray and Jantel Lavender of the Los Angeles Sparks, were next door to the deadly shooting at a nightclub in Istanbul.

A survivor is taken away on a stretcher by ambulance staff after the attack at the nightclub

There is a huge police presence outside the Reina nightclub in Istanbul after gunmen opened fire

It is believed that 17,000 police officers had been on duty in the Turkish city before the attack

Sparks coach Brian Agler confirmed that Carson had texted him that the three players were OK.

She had tweeted earlier in the evening that she was 'stuck inside of the club because of `terror' shooting in Istanbul. Praises to the most high.'

Footage showed ambulances and the lights of an Istanbul bridge when the sound of gunfire rang out inside the club.

The nightclub lies on the European side of the Bosphorus Strait which divides Istanbul in two.

An estimated 17,000 police officers had been on duty in the city. Turkey has been heavily hit by terror attacks in 2016.

The nightclub is one of the city's most popular venues, and past celebrity guests have included Hollywood stars Kevin Costner, Uma Thurman and Salma Hayek, as well as British star Sting.

Yesterday Neslihan Dogruol, a restaurant owner in a chic Istanbul neighborhood, said she hopes for peace in 2017 following a year filled with 'unrest and death.'

'2016 affected everyone badly,' she said, referring to major attacks that hit Turkey in the past year.

The attack happened in one of Istanbul's busiest nightspots as people celebrated New Year's Eve

The Reina nightclub, in Istanbul, where the attack took place. It is a night spot popular with celebrities

The restaurant, adorned with snowflakes and tiny decorative lights for the evening, will have fewer people for dinner, she said.

At a commemoration for the 45 people killed in twin bombings on December 10 in Istanbul, Murat Manoglu hoped for a better year ahead.

'We lived through terrible days,' he said.

Security measures were heightened in major Turkish cities. Traffic leading up to key squares in Istanbul and the capital, Ankara, had been closed.

Armed police on the streets of Istanbul for the New Year's celebrations following the nightclub shooting

TERROR IN TURKEY: ATTACKS IN 2016 On December 19, the Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov was shot dead by an assassin as he gave a speech at an art gallery in Ankara. On 10 December 2016, a car bomb exploded near the Besiktas football stadium in the Macka/Dolmabahce area of Istanbul. 44 people, mostly police officers, were killed, and over 150 injured. On 24 November 2016, a bomb exploded near the Governor's office in Adana. 2 people were killed and 21 injured. On 14 October 2016, a rocket attack took place on the outskirts of Antalya towards Kemer; no casualties were reported. Separately on 14 October 2016, attacks also took place against the Turkish military in Hakkari, Diyarbakir, Van and Adiyaman resulting in 13 injuries to service personnel On 6 October 2016, an explosion occurred near a police headquarters in the Yenibosna area on the European side of Istanbul On 24 August 2016, a roadside bomb injured 2 Gendarmerie officers on the Antalya  Kemer road near Topcam. On 20 August 2016, an attack on a wedding party in Gaziantep killed more than 50 people and injured around 100. On 28 June 2016, Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul was attacked. More than 40 people were killed. On 7 June 2016, a bomb attack in the Vezneciler area of Istanbul killed 7 police officers and 4 civilians. 36 people were injured. On 1 May 2016, a bomb attack at the Central Police Station in Gaziantep killed two police officers and injured 23 others. On 27 April 2016, there was a suspected suicide bomb attack at Bursa Ulu Mosque. The bomber was killed and 7 people slightly injured. On 19 March 2016, there was a suicide bomb attack against tourists on Istiklal St in Istanbul, in which 4 tourists died and at least 36 people were injured. On 13 March 2016, a bombing in Kizilay Square, central Ankara killed more than 30 people. On 17 February 2016, a large bomb attack near a military barracks on Eskisehir Road in Ankara killed 28 people. On 12 January 2016, a suicide bomb attack in Sultanahmet in Istanbul killed 10 tourists. (Source: gov.uk) Advertisement

European cities on high alert as revellers welcome in 2017

The attack in Istanbul came as police in cities across Europe were on high alert over fears of a New Year terror attack.

In London, where 2017 was welcomed in with a huge fireworks display around the London Eye, more offficers than ever before had lined the streets.

More than 3,000 officers patrolled the British capital with guns and sniffer dogs and for the first time ever, armed police were on the London Underground network.

On guard: Two officers stand at the ready in central London where more than 110,000 people gathered for New Year celebrations

Police officers gathered for a meeting as they prepared to patrol the streets while hundreds gathered to watch the fireworks

A steel wall was also erected on London's Westminster Bridge to prevent a lorry attack

In Berlin, which is sitll mourning the truck terror attack that killed 12 people earlier this month, revellers around the Brandenburg Gate were guarded by hundreds of armed police.

In addition concrete blocks and heavy armoured vehicles were put in place along thoroughfares.

On guard: Citizens of Berlin, still mourning the truck terror attack that killed 12 earlier this month, were guarded by hundreds of armed police who placed concrete blocks and heavy armoured vehicles along thoroughfares near the Brandenburg Gate

Cologne: Police officers in the German city stand guard in front of Hauptbahnhof main railway station

Paris: France's President Francois Hollande reviews police officers as he visits the security measures at the Champs Elysees before ushering in 2017

Elswehere in Cologne, where 600 women were sexually assaulted amid last year's festivities, around 1,800 officers were deployed compared to just 140 in 2015.

And in Paris yesterday, French President Francois Hollande met with beefed up security forces who were guarding celebrations around the Eiffel Tower.

In Brussels, which also experienced a terror attack last year, and in Madrid, party-goers were searched by armed police, who kept a careful eye on the swelling crowds.

Brussels: Revellers queue to get in the De Brouckere square for the fireworks performance as Belgium's police officers conduct searches
They also visited nearby Orvieto - famous for its wine and explorable

When I was little, the first thing my mum wanted to know on holiday was: Can you drink the water?

A few decades later and weve just arrived at our villa in the Italian hilltop town of San Gemini.

We spot a note from the owner: Tap water is good for cooking and brushing teeth. As for drinking, wed suggest mineral water in bottles.

Historic: Casa del Poggi, originally the stable block of the palazzo, is carved into the town walls

Im sure this is not because the family fortune that paid for this splendid house (and the 15-room palazzo next door) came from, well, bottled mineral water.

The owners great-grandfather began bottling Sangemini water in the late 19th century. Its one of the best-known brands in Italy, but is no longer in the family.

But we havent come to Umbria for the water.

The adults are here for the pretty medieval streets, Roman ruins and a few glasses of Orvieto. George, nine, and Daisy, six, are big on pasta, ice cream and afternoons in the pool.

This is also truffle country. Weve promised to take the children truffle hunting, which they like the sound of.

Our white-stoned villa, Casa del Poggio (house on the hill), originally the stable block of the palazzo, is carved into the walls of the town. Throw open the front door and youre slap bang in the main square.

That's dinner sorted: Daisy and George unearth a truffle with a little canine assistance

San Gemini is not a tourism hub.

Its a place where old men in baggy trousers play cards in the cafes, the marketplace is ringed by wild jasmine and Daisy makes such good friends over dinner one night in a 13th century restaurant that she plays in the street with her new pals while we finish off our grilled lamb.

The city of Orvieto, home of the famous wine, is an hours drive away. A Gothic cathedral is caked in gold leaf and built in horizontal black and white stripes.

But its whats beneath our feet that we wont forget. In the Seventies, Orvieto suffered two landslides and stumbled across a forgotten past.

Underneath the streets was a network of 1,200 man-made caves, the oldest dating back 2,500 years. These caves  lit up for visitors on guided tours  have had a succession of uses: quarries, olive-pressing factories, wine and cheese storage.

Their most fascinating chapter was in medieval times, when they housed a network of pigeon farms. Everywhere you look, there are slots drilled into the rock for birds to roost in.

So why pigeons? For their meat. Theyre the perfect farm animal  every day theyd fly out of the cave, feed themselves for free in the countryside and return home.

George and Daisy love scuttling around and hearing strange stories about cheeky birds and ancient Etruscan factory workers.

Rocky: The historic city of Orvieto, home of the famous wine, was only an hours drive away

Another great place to visit is Spoleto. Think mini Florence without the crowds. The city is built out of white stone.

The duomo (cathedral) dates back to the 12th century and is crafted out of reclaimed Roman rubble. Yet theres a peace to the place. At 4pm, all you can hear is footsteps, birdsong and the hubbub of conversation.

Imagine that in Florence!

We stop for a ricotta-and-fig ice cream. Cheesy ice cream? Its much better than it sounds.

And the truffle hunting? In Italy, they use dogs instead of pigs to sniff out the fungi, so we go hunting in a forest up in the hills with an excitable mongrel, Pippo, and truffle hunter Paolo.

Pippo unearths lots of truffles. Its thirsty work. Now, remind me: can you drink the local water?
Travelling in Tuscany with a toddler? Were we a little pazzo in the head, as the Italians would say?

And could we still have an out-of-this world experience, even though lifes more about Aptamil than Aperol at aperitivo time.

The website Ciao Bambino was a great starting point on what would and wouldnt work with little Mary.

Emma Crosby, right, took her toddler Mary, left, with some trepidation on an Italian tour through Tuscany, where she was pleasantly surprised by how child-friendly it could be

We landed at Pisa airport armed with the encouraging advice that all Italians love children, and after a two-hour drive we arrived in Val dOrcia, where rolling hills and rustic farmhouses abound.

La Bandita was our first stop. Its a 200-year-old property, with an incredible hilltop setting, thats been converted into a cool minimalist villa by a former US music executive.

We even had a chef to rustle up delicious dinners, with fresh ingredients bought daily, including Marys first plate of spaghetti bolognese.

Armed with early holiday enthusiasm, we strapped our little one into the Baby Bjorn and explored the nearby town of Pienza.

The local tipple around these parts just happens to be Brunello di Montalcino, one of Italys finest wines. So after building up a thirst, we dropped into a couple of local vineyards to taste a glass or two of this delicious red.

Most Britons bypass the beaches in Tuscany, but I wanted to dip Marys toes in the Mediterranean for the first time, so after a few nights in our rural idyll, we bundled back into the car and headed west to Forte dei Marmi.

Armed with holiday enthusiasm, she strapped Mary into her Baby Bjorn to first explore the Tuscan town of Pienza, and its famous vineyards

With the Apuan Alps framing miles of wide sandy beaches, Forte dei Marmi is a stunning spot. Everybody cycles here, so the resort has a relaxed charm; the expensive clothes shops are the only giveaway that this a holiday spot for the wealthy.

After being cooped up in a car for large chunks of the day, Mary loved being able to crawl around on the sand in the mid-September sun

In true Italian style  you wont find this in Margate  a day on the beach here is done with panache. Theres row upon row of immaculately kept, brightly coloured beach clubs with fantastic family facilities.

After being cooped up in a car for large chunks of the day, Mary loved being able to crawl around on the sand in the mid-September sun. Not wanting to venture too far from our beach spot, we stayed at Hotel Byron, right on the seafront.

Its a fantastic family-run hotel, with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Its upscale but not uptight. Call it cheating, but here we procured the services of the hotels nanny for a few hours. Mary had a wonderful time being entertained by someone far more interesting, while mum and dad feasted on prawns and risotto. Everyones a winner!

The family later wandered around Duomo in Florence, pictured, and made a hasty retreat to their urban oasis at the Four Seasons when the crowds became too much

So far so good, but how about attempting a quick cultural pit stop in Florence, with the little one? Ha! Now the wheels were sure to come off.

Surprisingly enough, they didnt, and again the hotel made all the difference. We stayed at the Four Seasons. Yes, its an expensive treat. But the hotels location, in the middle of the citys biggest private park, was worth it.

Within spitting distance of the Duomo and the Accademia, we strolled out with Mary to see the citys must-do sights and made a hasty retreat to our urban oasis when the crowds became too much.

The hotels a beautiful old palace that once belonged to one of the Renaissances most powerful families. But despite worrying that Mary would go barrelling into some Murano masterpiece, the staff could not have been more child-friendly.

Local favourite wine: Brunello di Montalcino

To finish off our trip, we headed back into the heart of the Tuscan countryside, near the town of Casole dElsa and within easy reach of Siena and San Gimignano.

The scenery here, of course, is jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Even Mary stopped chewing on her breadstick to admire the sunsets.

We stayed at Castello di Casole, a once medieval village thats been remodelled into a boutique hotel, with its own on-site restaurants and spa.

And after a week on the move, we tore up our sightseeing schedule and decided this was the place to flop. We picked our spot by the infinity pool (heated so that Mary could splash around in the shallow end) and ordered a glass of pinot grigio to toast the view.

Molto bene!
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson bought his dad the gift of a lifetime this season.

The 44-year-old shared a pic of him, his father and a gleaming truck on Instagram Friday.

He expressed his gratitude to his father in a lengthy caption that described just some of the sacrifices dad Rocky has made for The Rock and his family.

Gift giving: Dwayne The Rock Johnson shared a picture of himself and his father on Friday. In the caption, the star explained why his father more than deserved the shiny new truck for Christmas

The star surprised his no-frills father by giving dad a brand new car.

The American actor's caption read: 'Bought my dad a Christmas gift and surprised him. He's had a hard life. This one felt good.

'My dad, Rocky Johnson is a minimalist. Always has been. Never asks me for much and over the years his needs are always the barest.'

'Dwanta Claus': The Moana star was a generous giver this Christmas. He looked the part, sporting a Santa hat before getting in a short work out Christmas Day

The former wrestler went on to tell a unforgettable story about his dad, explaining how dad Rocky was left to fend for himself at only 13-years-old.

One traumatic Christmas after his own father's passing, the Canadian native's life was forever changed

' That Christmas, my dad's mom had her new boyfriend over for Christmas dinner. Her boyfriend got drunk and pissed on the turkey.

'My dad went outside, got a shovel, drew a line in the snow and said if you cross that line I'll kill you. The drunk crossed it and my dad laid him cold as a block of ice.'

Family man: The Baywatch star honored his father Rocky's hard work and perseverance in a touching Instagram post. Here, the muscular celeb poses with his parents Rocky and Ata at the star's 2015 hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood

He continued: 'The cops were called. They told my dad's mom that when her boyfriend regains consciousness, he's gonna kill your son so one of them has got to go.

'In front of the entire family, my dad's mom looked at him and said get out. He was 13 years old and now homeless.

'That f*cked up true story happened in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1954. He needed the bare minimum then, just like does now.'

Heartfelt tribute: The Fast and Furious star made a lengthy tribute to his father Rocky, describing just some of the hardship his dad overcame in life and why he deserved a new pair of wheels this Christmas

So this Christmas, the Hercules actor did something special to honor everything his father has overcome.

'Every Christmas, I always think about that story and my dad having every odd stacked against him at 13, but he fought thru it and still made something of himself.

'Makes me appreciate his struggle and hard work... Just a small way of saying thank you dad and Merry Christmas!'

'Small way of saying thank you' The former WWE wrestler explained giving his father Rocky a car is just one 'small way' the actor thanks his father for everything. Here, The Rock poses on the blue carpet for the premiere of the computer animated film Moana

He finished the heartfelt post with the tag #DwantaClaus, naming himself after the premier holiday gift giver.

Dwayne will share his acting gifts with the public in several highly anticipated project in 2017.
Bethenny Frankel, 46, showed off her toned physique in a sexy bikini while lounging beach-side in Mexico on Friday.

The former Real Housewives Of New York City star was loving her look so much that she shared the same photo to multiple social media platforms. 'Feelin' a little beachy today,' she wrote.

And the reality diva was not alone. Her boyfriend Dennise Shields, who she started romancing in the spring, was seen splashing around with her in the Pacific Ocean.

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Beach babe: Bethenny Frankel, 46, showed off her toned physique in a sexy bikini while lounging beach-side in Mexico on Friday

Her romance with the NYU graduate and Manhattan banker has not wbeen without some scandal.

He was still legally wed to Jill Schwartzberg - his wife since 1990 - when he started dating the outspoken brunette. Bethenny just happens to be a longtime friend of Jill's (they went to high school together), which makes the situation even more difficult.

This summer the two were seen looking at real estate together in NYC. She is divorced from Jason Hoppy with whom she has daughter Bryn.

She loves him: And the reality diva was not alone. Her boyfriend Dennise Shields, who she started romancing this summer, was seen splashing around with her in the Pacific Ocean

While holidaying in Mexico the beauty wrote a navy blue, textured bikini with contrasting white straps for her time in the sun.

The Bravo stadnout blocked too many rays on her face with wide-brimmed sunhat and rose-tinted aviator sunglasses with gold frames.

In addition to a dainty martini glass charm necklace, she also accessorized with a long, gold chain with a large pendant by Jennifer Zeuner, several metal bracelets and a silver,over-sized watch.

It's a black-and-white situation: The Skinnygirl founder chose a teeny bikini for the trip

Looking good! The mother-of-one is seen here posing while Dennis lounges in the background

The cocktail connoisseur also shared views of the resort where she stayed, true to her straight-forward personality with nothing more than the simple caption, 'Ok,' written across the scenic display.

The white sand beaches looked pristine and fairly secluded, with beautiful blue water splashing softly into the coastline.

With just a few puffy, white clouds in the distance, it was apparently a gorgeous day at the beach for the entrepreneur.

If you've got it...: The TV darling put her chest on display with this makeup-free selfie

This is 'Ok': With just a few puffy, white clouds in the distance, it was apparently a gorgeous day at the beach for the entrepreneur

Always with the fruit cocktails: The TV star shared this image where she was holding her pineapple drink

Another suit: Instead of a black two piece, the diva wore a red one

But it wasn't all sunshine and roses from the Bethenny Ever After star's perspective.

She snapped a video clip showing two different bottles of water, labeled with '$70.00' and $120.00' written on the bottle caps as price tags, writing, 'I'd have to be seeing mirages in the dessert' to apparently express her disapproval of the cost.

Even a four-time best-selling author does have her spending limits, but someone should let Bethenny know that the symbol for the Mexican peso is the same as the symbol for the US dollar, so it's likely these basic necessities would be well within her price range at around $3.38 and $5.79 in US currency, respectively.
Gilmore Girls actor Danny Strong is getting hitched to his girlfriend of three years.

On Friday, the 42-year-old star announced he and actress Caitlin Mehner are tying the knot.

The actor shared the news by posting a pic of his new fiance rocking a diamond engagement ring with a seriously large stone on Instagram.

Headed the the altar: Danny Jones and girlfriend Caitlin Mehner announced they're getting hitched on Friday

Hope she likes carats: The indie actress showed off her stunning engagement ring in a post from fiance Danny on Instagram

In the announcement photo posted by Danny, a stunned Caitlin held up her hand to show off a massive princess cut ring with a pave diamond band.

She wears a pair of beautiful chandelier earrings while covering her mouth in surprise in the snap.

The Paper Store actress sported a coat of red nail polish and wore her blond locks partially pulled behind her ears in the shot.

Cute couple: The acting and producing pair are tying the knot after 3-years dating. Here, the quirky couple lovely and low-key wearing both wearing sneakers at the New York premiere of the film Don't Think Twice

The Emmy-winning writer told the tale of the couple's romance in the pic's caption.

'3 and a half years ago I saw the cutest girl I'd ever seen and got up the nerve to talk to her. She gave me her phone number but it was missing a digit.

I was convinced she had to have made a mistake (delusional?) so I tracked her down and asked her out.

Then last night I got up the nerve to ask her to marry me and she said yes! The moral of the story is never be deterred by a missing digit. Love you @mehns #yes'

Island proposal: The Emmy-winning writer proposed to his longtime girlfriend while the pair was vacationing in Hawaii. Here, you can see the star in a photo posted by Caitlin hours before popping the question

The Empire co-creator popped the question to his longtime girlfriend while vacationing together in Hawaii.

On Thursday, Caitlin posted a pic of Danny raising his hands on a Maui beach with a view of the island's Haleakala volcano lightly smoking in the background.

She captioned the photo with a simple 'Aloha', adding the tags Aloha #Hawaii #bae #vacay #maui #peaceout2016. The picture was taken just hours before the star popped the question.

Behind the scenes: The Gilmore Girls actor has been a frequent collaborator with filmmaker Lee Daniels. In 2010 he wrote the screenplay for the critically acclaimed film The Butler and in 2014 the star helped co-create TV hit Empire with Daniels

The California-born talent is best known for his role as Doyle McMaster, Rory Gilmore's Yale peer from the beloved TV series Gilmore Girls.

Danny also helped create several wildly successful films and series as a screenwriter and producer.
Christine El Mussa was celebrating as she shared a champagne toast Friday with the daughter of her rumored new beau.

The Flip Or Flop star beamed as she posed with contractor Gary Anderson's daughter in front of a Veuve Clicquot promotional yurt in the ski resort of Park City, Utah.

The two women are dressed in similar black ensembles and have their arms around each other as they each raise a glass in a photo Christina posted to her Instagram.

Cheers! Flip Or Flop reality star Christina El Mussa beamed as she posed with contractor Gary Anderson's daughter in the ski resort of Park City, Utah in a snap shared to Instagram Friday

'My fav champagne at my fav place = perfection,' the reality star, 33, wrote alongside the snap.

It's not clear if Gary is also with them on the trip.

Christina's social media post comes after she joined estranged husband Tarek El Mussa on Christmas Day as they spent time with their two young children, six-year-old daughter Taylor and 15-month-old son Brayden.

The couple who have been married for seven years announced their separation just before the holidays.

Christmas Eve: Christina shares two children - Taylor, six, and Braden, 15 months - with her HGTV co-star and husband of seven years Tarek. The couple announced their split this month

Holiday fun: Tarek, 35, posted this sweet pic to his Instagram over Christmas as he and his estranged wife spent time with their kids

Though they announced the breakup in December, the couple has been secretly separated since May.

It followed an incident when police were called to their property following 'a call of a possibly suicidal male with a gun' at the home of the HGTV stars, TMZ reported .

Gary, the family's contractor, was present during the incident, working in the neighborhood on a separate job, according to the gossip website.

He told authorities that he saw Tarek depart on a hiking trail, and that Christina had told him that her husband was armed.

Tarek and Christina later described the incident as 'an unfortunate misunderstanding,' adding that that nothing violent occurred and that charges weren't filed.

Law enforcement officials subsequently said that Tarek had cooperated with authorities who responded to the scene, and relinquished his collection of guns to them afterwards. He did not threaten his wife, himself or anyone else in the incident, according to officials.
The TV funnyman is not shy about expressing his love for wife Holly.

And Dave Hughes took to Instagram on Saturday to share his excitement about their 10-year wedding anniversary.

Posting a picture from their 2006 wedding, he wrote, 'Ten years ago today', before adding the hashtag: 'Still getting lucky'.

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Happy man! Comedian Dave Hughes (L) and wife Holly (R) celebrated their 10-year wedding anniversary on Saturday

The couple met 14 years ago at a bar in Melbourne when he was hosting Nova's breakfast show.

Since then, they have had three children - Sadie, Rafferty and Tess.

Recently, Dave shared an Instagram photo from a Hughes family brunch to celebrate Holly's birthday.

He's no Bachelor! The couple met at a bar in Melbourne 14 years ago

The family of five sat in a cafe next to a quote which read: 'Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love'.

Dave wished his wife a happy birthday in the caption and added a sweet message about their first encounter.

'Birthday brunch for brilliant bride. The quote on the wall reminds me of first laying eyes on her almost fifteen years ago,' he wrote.

Sweet sentiments: Dave often posts photographs of his wife and family on Instagram

In an article for the Herald Sun in 2014, Holly revealed Dave's career had both its downsides - like being mentioned on radio - and unexpected upsides.

'There were advantages - he never had to have awkward conversations, because he and his radio co-hosts would have them for us on air,' she said of their early relationship.

'I believe it was Kate Langbroek, not me, who asked him after a few weeks if we were officially dating. Dave confirmed that yes, I was his girlfriend.

'Good to know, I thought. Thanks Kate.'
She's starring as the Evil Rat Queen in a panto production of Dick Whittington.

And Samantha Womack, 44, seemingly left it all on the stage on Friday night as she emerged from the Milton Keynes Theatre in a pair of pyjamas.

The EastEnders star looked in high spirits, if not a little weary, following another successful performance alongside her co-star Stacey Solomon, 27.

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A hard night's work: Samantha Womack, 44, seemingly left it all on the stage on Friday night as she emerged from the Milton Keynes Theatre in a pair of pyjamas

The actress teamed the all grey nightwear with a warm knit and matching slippers, while she carried a large carrier bag and an orange as she made her way through the night.

She still sported some of her stage makeup with bronze eyeshadow and winged eyeliner most noticeable.

Samantha wore her golden locks in two chunky plaits and smiled as she made her way past the photographers.

Made up: She still sported some of her stage makeup with bronze eyeshadow and winged eyeliner most noticeable

Home time: The EastEnders star looked in high spirits, if not a little weary, following another successful performance alongside her co-star Stacey Solomon, 27

Stacey, who plays Fairy Bowbells in the production, tried to keep a low-profile as she left the venue.

She pulled the hood of her tan, faux fur-lined coat up and turned her head away from the cameras as she exited.

The reality star wore a longsleeved black top and matching trousers tucked into tan UGG boots.

Earlier this month, Stacey came in for criticism when she took to the stage on opening day holding her lines.

Walk this way: Stacey, who plays Fairy Bowbells in the production, tried to keep a low-profile as she left the venue

The 1pm matinee performance came after she landed back from Australia at 5:30pm the previous day, following her time presenting the I'm A Celebrity spin-off Extra Camp.

Representatives of Stacey confirmed to MailOnline at the time that the star had been unable to attend any rehearsals for the pantomime, due to her presenting role abroad.

She was sent the songs, script and a video while away in the Gold Coast, but had little time to practice in isolation from her co-presenters due to such a busy filming schedule.

Camera shy: She pulled the hood of her tan, faux fur-lined coat up and turned her head away from the cameras as she exited

Her spokesperson said: 'She arrived at the theatre this morning jet lagged and shattered, and got straight on with it.'

'After 2 hours prep with the director and cast she went on and performed in front of a packed theatre. I could not be prouder of this woman right now. She's an absolute fighter.'

'She didn't want to let one person down so she went on, clipboard in hand, and smashed it.'
She announced her engagement on social media on Saturday.

And Olivia Buckland, 22, couldn't resist flashing her diamond encrusted ring once more as she reflected on the moment she got engaged to Alex Bowen.

The reality starlet was a vision of beauty as she lay in bed with the sparkler on show as she wrote: 'When does this sink in. Last night was the most amazing thing.'

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'My everything': Love Island couple Olivia Buckland and Alex Bowen have announced their engagement, little more than five months after developing a relationship on the ITV2 show

The Love Island couple have decided to tie the knot little more than five months after developing a relationship on the ITV2 show.

Breaking the happy news across social media on Saturday morning, a delighted Alex shared a snap of his new fiancees stunning, diamond encrusted ring.

Captioning the image, he wrote: She said yes.

In shock: Olivia, 22, was a vision of beauty as she lay in bed with the sparkler on show as she wrote: 'When does this sink in. Last night was the most amazing thing'

Olivia, 22, later updated her Instagram account with a shot of herself modelling the striking ring as she stands alongside her husband-to-be.

'I have no words for how happy I am,' she wrote. 'My fiance my everything @ab_bowen this was magical. So magical.'

Alex and Olivia found love during the second season of ITV2 show Love Island and their relationship has gone from strength to strength.

'She said yes': Breaking the happy news across social media on Saturday morning, a delighted Alex shared a snap of his new fiancees stunning, diamond encrusted ring

The handsome star recently moved into his girlfriend's Wolverhampton home, and the pair bought an adorable French bulldog puppy together called Reggie.

Speaking to MailOnline's FEMAIL about her beau, Olivia recently gushed: 'I know it sounds cliche but I honestly dont think it could be any better.'

She continued: 'When Im with him it just feels so right, its like nothing Ive experienced before.

So happy: Alex and Olivia found love during the second season of ITV2 show Love Island and their relationship has gone from strength to strength

'My mum always told me that when you find The One youll see why your past relationships werent right. Alex is The One.'

The engagement comes a week after Alex hit back at Twitter trolls for attacking his girlfriend in a barrage of angry tweets.

'You silly people commenting nasty stuff about my gf most of u look like a skip.... she's real,' he wrote.

Defensive: The engagement comes a week after Alex hit back at Twitter trolls for attacking his girlfriend in a barrage of angry tweets

However, one fan was quick to fire back: '@ab_bowen07 yeah shes real..with fake boobs fake lips and tons of tattoos lol. Nice girl tho.

But Alex was sure to defend his girlfriend, shooting back: 'She doesnt have fake boobs or fake lips jealousy is ugly man.'

Another Twitter user then wrote: '@ab_bowen07 @SiobhanMarston I agree Olivias got lip fillers but not fake boobs! Everyones different man.'
Brave Kym Marsh has revisited her emotional miscarriage, in which she lost her son Archie at 21 weeks and five days, for an upcoming Corrie storyline.

The actress, 40, is hoping her character Michelle's upcoming late miscarriage at 23 weeks pregnant will help raise awareness surrounding the devastating loss of a child.

She explained: 'I am very proud of what we have done with this storyline and I hope it helps raise awareness and helps people to talk about their own experiences.'

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Raising awareness: Brave Kym Marsh has revisited her emotional miscarriage, in which she lost her son Archie at 21 weeks and five days, for an upcoming Corrie storyline

It is estimated one in six women who are aware they are pregnant miscarry.

The statistic suggests the issue is far more widespread than many people realise, and it for this reason Kym is so passionate about the script.

She said: 'I thought long and hard before agreeing to take on the challenge of this storyline.

'It is obviously a cause very close to my heart having lost my beautiful Archie at 21 weeks and 5 days. I discussed it with my family and friends, all of who were very supportive.

Heartbreaking: The actress, 40, is hoping her character Michelle's upcoming miscarriage at 23 weeks pregnant will help raise awareness surrounding the devastating loss of a child

'In the end I felt it was an important story to tell in order to raise awareness of something which affects thousands of women every year.'

She added: 'I have had to go to some very dark places in my mind whilst filming these heartbreaking scenes but my family, friends and colleagues have been incredible.

'Losing a child is something that never leaves you so to revisit those feelings as Michelle has been challenging.'

The Coronation Street actress gave birth 18 weeks early to Archie Jay Lomas in 2009 but he died seconds later.

The mother of two, who was four months pregnant, had been taken to Trafford General Hospital in Manchester where doctors spent three days trying to prevent the baby's early arrival.

Devastating: The Coronation Street actress gave birth 18 weeks early to Archie Jay Lomas in 2009 but he died seconds later

A statement from the couple at the time said: 'Archie is our beautiful angel and we will miss him so much. Thank you all for your support.'

Kym had still been working on the soap opera and was planning to take maternity leave in early summer.'

Kym and her then husband Jamie Lomas announced they were expecting a child together in December 2008 after a whirlwind six-month romance.

The pair first met on a train to the TV Quick Awards in London in 2007, and got together just months after Kym's marriage to former EastEnders actor Jack Ryder ended in arch 2008.
He has two children with ex wife Reese Witherspoon: Ava and Deacon Phillippe.

And Ryan Phillippe talked about their 17-year-old daughter and her social media fame during an interview with People on Friday.

The 42-year-old actor told the magazine: 'Well she has an incredibly famous mother and a moderately famous father, but that's how that works.'

Devoted: Ryan Phillippe talked about Ava, his 17-year-old daughter wth ex wife Reese Witherspoon and her social media fame during an interview with People on Friday

Ava currently has 230,000 followers on Instagram.

Ryan told People: 'Also social media is largely driven by the youth and the associations made within that group. She's incredibly talented.'

The handsome star, who was 24 when he became a father, divulged that having kids who use social media can be tricky.

Ryan explained to the magazine: 'The danger would be if you had a kid who didn't have perspective and didn't have an understanding of it.'

Joy: The 42-year-old actor said: 'Well she has an incredibly famous mother and a moderately famous father, but that's how that works;' Ryan pictured in February and Ava last month

Adding that: 'I don't feel like our kids are as caught up in the value that some might place on those things. It's a byproduct of the life that they've been born into.'

The good-looking star, who currently stars on the USA Network show Shooter, said that it's important as a parent to 'stay connected and stay involved and stay aware of what they're doing.'

Ryan shares a son, Deacon, 13, with his ex Reese; he also has a daughter Kailani, five, with ex girlfriend Alexis Knapp.

Smiles all around: Reese is married to agent Jim Toth; they have a four-year-old son named Tennessee James; Ava pictured with mom Reese, stepdad Jim and brothers Deacon and Tennessee at the Sing premiere in early December

Mother and daughter duo: Ava, who is the spitting image of mom Reese, often posts artistic pictures of landscapes and stunning photos of nature.

Ryan and Reese married in 1999 and divorced eight years later in 2007.

Reese is married to agent Jim Toth; they have a four-year-old son named Tennessee James.

Ava, who is the spitting image of mom Reese, often posts artistic pictures of landscapes and stunning photos of nature.

What a great photo! Ava shared a picture of her dad last year in honor of Father's Day; she gushed about him in the caption, saying that she's 's lucky to have a dad like you'

She also shares her drawings, snaps of her brothers Deacon and Tennessee, and a handful of selfies or posing with friends.

Ava shared a picture of her dad last year in honor of Father's Day to her Instagram; she gushed about him in the caption, saying that she's 's lucky to have a dad like you.'

The teenager also posted a sweet baby photo of herself with her dad Ryan in honor of throwback Thursday.

Doting: The teenager also posted a sweet baby photo of herself with her dad Ryan in honor of throwback Thursday

Ryan recently talked to People about his struggles with depression when he was younger, revealing that he is 'a lot more at peace' now.

He struggled with depression in his 20s and 30s, but he said he's found ways to cope, including being more careful about the choices he makes and also just breathing.

He also took a step back from acting to focus on his kids during that time.

'Now Ava and Deacon are teenagers, so the pressure and the guilt have decreased some. Im really enjoying acting again, which is nice!'
She walked in the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show for a whopping 16th time last month.

So Alessandra Ambrosio certainly made the most of her time off after the huge milestone on Friday, as she relaxed with friends and family in her native Brazil.

Taking to her Instagram page, the 35-year-old posted a video of her and her gal pals frolicking in a swimming pool in Floripa as they kicked off New Year celebrations - showing off her famous body as she did so in a racy swimsuit.

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Taking the plunge: Alessandra Ambrosio showed off her killer body in a racy cut-out swimsuit on Friday as she posted a video of her and her friends jumping into a swimming pool in Brazil

In the short but sweet Boomerang clip, the statuesque model's toned physique is clear for all to see as she plunges into the water in a saucy cut-out one-piece.

The black swimsuit was sure to show off plenty of her bronzed skin as it cut into a single string at the back, as well as slashing at the front to tease at her abs.

The racy back design then split into a number of barely-there spaghetti straps, which sexily extended out to her hips to further enhance her petite waist.

Cut-out for the catwalk: In the short but sweet Boomerang clip, the statuesque model's toned physique is clear for all to see as she plunges into the water in a saucy cut-out one-piece

Stunning: The racy back design then split into a number of barely-there spaghetti straps, which sexily extended out to her hips to further enhance her petite waist

As if the style was not saucy enough, the swimsuit then rose up into a skimpy thong at her rear to showcase her enviably peachy derriere, as she jumped excitedly into the water.

Leaving her hair in its everyday state and dressing her face with a set of glamorous sunglasses, the Brazilian beauty looked effortlessly gorgeous and utterly relaxed as she frolicked in the pool with a host of bikini-clad friends.

Making the snap even more cheeky were her two children - daughter Anja, 8, and son Noah, 4 - who pulled funny faces and stuck their bottoms out at the girls as they threw themselves into the water.

Splash! Leaving her hair in its everyday state, the Brazilian beauty looked effortlessly gorgeous and utterly relaxed as she frolicked in the pool with a host of bikini-clad friends

Later that day she uploaded a group shot of the entire family beaming as they kicked off celebrations for 2017, which she captioned: 'The penultimate day of 2016 [in her native Portuguese]' before the hashtags 'family and friends' and 'happiness'.

Alessandra jetted back to her home country last week to celebrate the festive period and ring in the new year with her family.

Clearly happy to be back in the sunshine after travelling to a chilly Paris with Victoria's Secret last month, the model has been quick to share a number of sizzling bikini posts on her Instagram.

Happy New Year! Later that day she uploaded a group shot of the entire family beaming as they kicked off celebrations for 2017

Let's go to the beach: Clearly happy to be back in the sunshine, the model has been quick to share a number of sizzling bikini posts on her Instagram

Alessandra first uploaded one which saw her holding up a peace sign on a golden beach in a printed bikini - leaving her taut and toned stomach on show.

She later shared another cheekier snap with her 7 million followers, which saw her pose with her back to the camera to showcase her pert posterior in all it's glory.

Looking back at the stunning view wistfully from beneath a chic straw hat, she wrote beside the photo: 'Gone to the beach...'

Life's just peachy: She later shared another cheekier snap with her 7 million followers, which saw her pose with her back to the camera to showcase her pert posterior in all it's glory

Family first: The model also shared a number of sweet snaps of her and her family on Christmas Day (above) clad in an array of festive hats for the occasion

Before the tanning began however she also shared a number of sweet snaps of her and her family on Christmas Day, clad in an array of festive hats for the occasion.

Alessandra appears to be taking a much-needed break after a hectic few weeks - which saw her most notably fly to Paris for the prestigious 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

This year's show was made even more exciting after she given the honours of closing the catwalk alongside Adriana Lima - in light of the fact the pair have now walked in a whopping 16 shows, more than any other model for the brand.
She's been known to post inspirational quotes and busty selfies on her social media accounts on a daily basis.

But fans can expect a shock when visiting Brynne Edelsten's website this week, after it was hacked by political activists raising awareness of events in Aleppo and Palestine.

The website, which once chronicled the glamourous life of the former Melbourne socialite, now shows a disturbing video of 'Israeli attacks on Palestinian women'.

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Hacked: Brynne Edelsten's official website was recently hacked by political activists who have turned the page into a platform to raise awareness of events in Aleppo and Palestine

When scrolling down the page, the words, 'Aleppo under Attack! Palestine under Attack! Message To The World!' are featured alongside shocking footage.

The full text reads: 'Bashar killing Women And Children. Israel Kill US! Stop Killing Us!

'We just Sending a Message without Hurting Your WebSite (sic). Syrian And Brazilian Hackers!'

According to a link at the top of the page, an anonymous hacker named Cyber_Ps took credit for hijacking the 33-year-old's website.

Shocking: When scrolling down the page, the words, 'Aleppo under Attack! Palestine under Attack! Message To The World!' are featured alongside shocking footage

'Just sending a message': According to a link at the top of the page, an anonymous hacker named Cyber_Ps took credit for hijacking the 33-year-old's website

It is unknown whether Brynne is aware of the changes which have been made to her offical website just days before New Year's Eve.

Cyber_Ps allegedly hacked other websites including one belonging to Oakleigh Grammar in Victoria, which has since returned to its normal state.

Meanwhile, Brynne took to Instagram a day later to reveal her plans for 2017 saying she's hoping to 'tidy up before the new year'.

Split: Brynne previously married 73-year-old millionaire Geoffrey Edelsten. They split in 2014

She wrote: 'Tidying up before the New Year. After all the tragic losses in 2016 of so many we loved and admired.

'It's a reminder that life is too precious to waste another moment on anything that keeps us from living every day we have to the fullest.'

Brynne rose to fame after marrying 73-year-old Melbourne millionaire Geoffrey Edelsten, who is 40 years her senion.

They separated in 2014 and Brynne has since spoken about her financial problems as a result of the costly divorce battle.
She recently revealed her engagement after sharing a heartfelt proposal video.

And Ashley Greene took to the streets of Sydney on Friday to flaunt her happiness with new fiance and Paul Khoury.

The happy couple were all smiles as Ashley showed off her new sparkler and even took the time to pose for photos with fans.

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Plenty of sparkle in the sun! Ashley Greene flaunts engagement ring in Sydney after proposal from Aussie beau Paul Khoury

Wearing a pair of dark sunglasses, the 29-year-old glowed as she walked with her husband-to-be in The Rocks.

The couple were going to Sake Restaurant, likely to celebrate their wonderful news.

Ashley showed of her slim legs in a pair of tiny denim shorts and white trainers.

How obliging! Ashley generously took the time to pose for a selfie with an excited fan

She paired her bottoms with a striped blue singlet, which was cropped slightly to reveal a glimpse of her toned midriff.

She styled her hair up in a ponytail and looked positively glowing with minimal make-up while talking on her phone.

Her fiance, 41, dressed casually in dark shorts and brown sandals, which he paired with a checked shirt and wide brimmed hat.

Sharing the news? She styled her hair up in a ponytail and looked positively glowing with minimal make-up while talking on her phone

Finger bling! Ashley's new engagement ring was on display as she made her phone call

After the Breaking Dawn actress made a phone call, she even took time out to pose for a selfie with an excited fan.

On Friday, Paul confirmed their engagement by sharing a photo of Ashley holding up her diamond ring for the camera.

He proposed to the Hollywood star next to a romantic waterfall while on holiday in New Zealand earlier this month.

Proposal: On Friday, Paul confirmed their engagement by sharing a photo of Ashley holding up her diamond ring for the camera

'This is the woman I'm going to spend the rest of my life with,' he captioned the Instagram post.

Ashley also wrote: 'I'm SO lucky and SO excited that I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend but the ring doesn't hurt either.'

The couple began dating in 2013 after meeting through mutual friends.
Bachelor reject Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris had an interesting way to gush about the 'amazing' people set to attend her New Year's Eve celebrations on Saturday.

Laying on a bed in skimpy lingerie the beauty was seen seductively flaunting her pert derriere in revealing black underwear in a post to social media.

Smiling off camera the 28-year-old appeared relaxed as she lazed on the bed with , with her honeycomb tresses off her face into a messy bun.

'Can't wait to bring in the new year': Bachelor's Kirralee 'Kiki' Morris lay on a bed in skimpy lingerie as she gushes over the 'amazing' people set to attend her New Year's Eve celebrations

She captioned the alluring image: 'The struggle is real today the past weeks been a whirlwind, The calm before the storm.

'Lying here thinking how much I can't wait to bring in the new year with some amazing ppl tonight (sic)! How'd I get so lucky.'

Three days prior to the snap, Kiki posted a picture of herself in the same lingerie in celebration of her 'booty game'.

Standing with her back to the camera in front of a huge window, Kiki captioned the image: 'Never get sick of the view, booty game strong over Christmas.

'Booty game is strong': Three days prior to the snap, Kiki posted a picture of herself in the same lingerie in celebration of her 'booty game'

Romantic getaway: Meanwhile, the bachelor star has been spotted spending the festive season with her new boyfriend Jeremy Banks after returning from a recent trip to Bali with him

'Keeping me on the level, tight tight!,' she added.

Meanwhile, the bachelor star has been spotted spending the festive season with her new boyfriend Jeremy Banks after returning from a recent trip to Bali with him.

The pair appear serious after saying their 'I love you's' in heartwarming snaps posted to Instagram.

Happy holidays: Kiki spent Christmas with her boyfriend Jeremy at his family's farm recently

Boo-tiful: Although Kiki didn't find love with Richie Strahan on the Bachelor she seems to have fallen head-over-heels for Jeremy who she confirmed she was seeing on Halloween

Although Kiki didn't find love with Richie Strahan on the Bachelor she seems to have fallen head-over-heels for Jeremy who she confirmed she was seeing on Halloween.

Kiki found fame on the Bachelor with Richie before being unceremoniously dumped on national television.

The reality star has since moved in with Bachelor bestie Noni Janur and is often seen with her at events and on Instagram.
Zilda Williams has offered her condolences to Sam Frost and Sasha Mielczarek following The Bachelorette couple's tragic split, announced earlier this week.

The notorious party girl, who failed to find love with Sam Wood on season three of The Bachelor, gushed over Sasha while sympathizing with the heartbroken Sam in an interview with Daily Mail Australia.

'Sam definitely had an amazing catch with Sasha,' said the 33-year-old, before adding: 'He seems like a total legend. He was my favorite of her season of the Bachelorette!'

'Sam definitely had an amazing catch with Sasha!' The Bachelor's Zilda Williams gushed over Sasha Mielczarek whilst discussing his split with Sam Frost to Daily Mail Australia

The former Maxim centerfold threw in her two cents on the split, admitting that it must have been hard for the couple to spend time together given their very different work schedules and lifestyles.

The aspiring actress also admitted that the pressure of a public relationship may have been too much.

'Being in the public eye wouldn't help,' mused Zilda.

'Being in the public eye wouldn't help': Zilda revealed the reasons why she felt that Sam and Sasha, who met on The Bachelorette, couldn't last the distance

Flashback: The 33-year-old model failed to find love with Sam Wood on season three of The Bachelor

'It's hard enough to keep a happy and healthy relationship as it is, let alone with all the extra stresses of having a public relationship.'

Zilda added that she 'definitely feels sorry for Sam,' before comparing her own unlucky love life with the 2Day FM star's.

'Sam isn't having the best of luck with love... and I know that feeling all too well,' lamented the busty blonde.

Mrs. Zilda Mielczarek? Despite offering her sympathies to Sam Frost, Zilda seemed smitten with the newly-single Sasha

'He seems like a total legend. He was my favorite of her season of the Bachelorette!' Zilda couldn't resist gushing over Sasha

'It sucks. Maybe we will both have some luck in 2017?'

Despite Zilda's gloomy demeanor, her love life may not be as dead as she's implying.

Earlier this week, the voluptuous vixen was spotted enjoying a steamy midnight swim in a hotel pool with The Voice runner-up Jackson Thomas.

'My crush!' Zilda and The Voice runner-up Jackson Thomas were spotted getting steamy in a hotel pool on Wednesday night

'Whose jugs are better?' The next day, the pair were spotted partying at an event in Bondi

In a social media post, Zilda called Jackson 'my crush,' and was then seen partying with him at an event the next day.

She was also recently seen flirting with former Australian Idol star Rob Mills during a charity photoshoot in Bondi earlier this month.

Sam and Sasha announced their split earlier this week after 18 months together.
She's preparing to welcome in 2017 with husband Luke Hunt.

And Samantha Harris took to Instagram on Saturday, sharing a sweet snap with her beau, alongside the caption: 'who I'll be kissing this new years.'

The post marks an eventful year for the 26-year-old model, with her beau released from prison in May.

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'Who I'll be kissing': Samantha Harris, 26, took to Instagram on Saturday, sharing a sweet snap with husband Luke Hunt, as she prepares to welcome in 2017

The snap shared with Samantha's 68,600 Instagram followers saw the stunning beauty closing her eyes and beaming for the camera, as husband Luke plants a kiss on her cheek.

Samantha is seen sporting a white ensemble and has her locks styled sleek and straight.

Her striking facial features are enhanced with a flawless complexion, defined brows, a metallic eyeshadow and lashings of mascara.

Freedom: Luke served half of a four-year sentence he received in June 2014, after he was found to be over the speed limit when he ran a red light, causing a collision with another car

The post marks an eventful year for the couple, with Luke being released from prison in May.

Luke served half of a four-year sentence he received in June 2014 after he was found to be over the speed limit when he ran a red light, causing a collision with another car.

The driver of the other car, Kenneth Lay, a 78-year-old grandfather, was killed in the smash, which occurred in 2012.

Reunited: Samantha and Luke were reunited in May after he was released from St Heliers Correctional Centre. Pictured in April 2016

In October, Samantha revealed to Marie Claire she married Luke two months before he was sent to prison.

The model kept her marriage a secret out of respect for the victim's family.

She told the publication: 'My family was there, Luke's family, and a few of our close friends. It was more like a family gathering or a Christmas dinner, full of love and support.'

She continued: 'Would our wedding have been bigger under normal circumstances? Probably not, but I would have posted a photo or something on social media.'

Keeping secrets: In October, Samantha revealed to Marie Claire she married Luke two months before he was sent to prison
She's ringing in her New Year soaking up the sun in South Africa with her beau Hugo Taylor.

While Millie Mackintosh had been flaunting her enviable figure in a number of saucy swimsuits, she decided to take it one step further as she shared a completely nude snap on her Instagram.

Proud of her gym honed physique, the 27-year-old former reality star posted the incredibly saucy snap of her gazing out of her hotel room starkers to her 1.3 million followers on Saturday.

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Naked ambition: Millie Mackintosh shared a completely nude snap on her Instagram

Captioning her naked pic, she cheekily wrote: 'My morning view'.

Holding a mug in her hand, the former Made In Chelsea beauty showcased her pert derriere in the intimate photo as she leans on a railing soaking up the idyllic sea view.

Her chestnut locks appear to fall loosely down her chest as she posed to display her tiny waist and toned legs in the sexy snap.

The incredibly sultry photo comes after Millie hilariously denied she had a boob job as she posed up a storm in a black scallop-edged halterneck bikini top and matching retro-style bottoms.

Bust-booster! Millie Mackintosh put on a busty display as she posed in a retro black bikini as she enjoyed her 18th holiday of 2016 in Cape Town, South Africa, on Friday morning

Bootylicious! Millie also shared a smouldering snap in a high cut purple swimsuit. She captioned the shot 'leaving 2016 behind' as she gazed out over the ocean

Cute couple: Millie slipped into another sexy swimsuit for a sweet picture with Hugo Taylor

With the two-piece giving her bosom a rather ample boost, Millie joked that she hadn't gone under the knife to achieve her busty look in the accompanying picture caption.

Alongside the Instagram snap, she wrote: 'I have a high waisted bikini obsession! Loving this one from @arabellalondon and no I haven't had a boob job! That's just how good this bikini is.' (sic)

Wearing her wavy auburn locks tied halfway off her face, the reality TV personality turned fashion designer offset her winter tan with a pair of mirrored circular sunglasses as she headed off for a dip in the sea.

Earlier in the week, Millie and boyfriend Hugo, 30, kept their legion of social media followers updated as they packed on the PDA while watching the sun set.

Isn't life peachy? The ex-reality star showcased her gym-honed figure as she ran into the sea in her black scallop-edged halterneck bikini top and matching retro-style bottoms

Fun in the sun! Wearing her wavy auburn locks tied halfway off her face, the TV personality turned fashion designer offset her winter tan with a pair of mirrored circular sunglasses

Pucker up, baby! Millie and former Made In Chelsea co-star boyfriend Hugo, 30, looked more in love than ever as they packed on the PDA in a social media snap on Thursday

The couple looked more in love than ever as they passionately locked lips while the sun went down behind them.

Admitting he was ending the year on a definite high, Hugo held a glass of champagne in one hand as he wrote beside the sweet shot: 'Magical sun down drinks in Cape Town. Very lucky man!'

In a second envy-inducing snap for followers, Hugo then turned his back to the camera to pose in front of the stunning vibrant sunset of orange and gold.

Millie and Hugo jetted to South Africa on Christmas Day, and have since posted an array of photos on social media from the trip - which marks Millie's 18th holiday this year.

Stunning: Admitting he was ending the year on a definite high, Hugo held a glass of champagne in one hand as he looked out towards a beautiful sunset

Chic: The reality star turned fashion designer looked typically stylish in a blue gingham bardot top and white hotpants as she posed in front of a picturesque back drop with a glass of wine

Puppy love: Bikini-clad Millie showed off her tattooed back as she perched on the beach, while surrounded by adorable pooches during Thursday daytime

Meanwhile, Dog-lover Millie seemed to be in her element as she perched on the sand, while surrounded by adorable pooches.

Stroking one of her canine companions as she grinned away, the lifestyle blogger displayed a pretty butterfly inking on the small of her back as she posed in a aubergine-coloured bikini.

The fitness enthusiast appeared make-up free and wore her auburn locks hanging in loose tendrils around her shoulders.

Millie captioned the snap: 'I made some new friends at the beach.'

Hugo then gave her a run for the money in the tattoo department, showcasing his tanned, heavily-inked back, which featured four large etchings, as he strolled towards the sea in another snap.

Inked up: Hugo gave Millie a run for her money in the tattoo stakes as he showcased four etchings on his back as he wandered towards the sea in another Instagram snap

Although it's been a turbulent year in terms of Millie's personal life - announcing her split and subsequent divorce from rapper husband Professor Green, 33, in the early part of 2016 - she's taken her mind off things with plenty of exotic holidays.

The statuesque beauty left her Instagram followers positively green with envy as she revealed she was on her 18th holiday in 12 months on Wednesday, by posting a snap from glorious Cape Town.

Perfect blue seas and rolling waves proved to be the ultimate back-drop for a gratuitous bikini picture as she strolled towards the camera.

She simply captioned the picture: 'Trying to act natural when the sea is bloody freezing.'

In search of sun: The statuesque beauty left her Instagram followers green with envy as she revealed she was on her 18th holiday in 12 months on Wednesday

Holiday glow: Although it's been a turbulent year in terms of Millie's personal life, she's taken her mind off things with plenty of exotic holidays

Millie's surroundings weren't the only source of envy because the brunette looked like a swimwear model in her tiny black two-piece.

Toned at her middle and lithe of leg, the reality star's superfit figure proved to be the ultimate reward for her months of hard graft in the gym.

Millie and sunglasses entrepreneur Hugo flew Business Class to South Africa in the evening of Christmas Day following a low-key yuletide in London.

This time last year, Millie was celebrating her second Christmas married to rapper Pro Green.

They closely followed it up with a 'make or break' trip to Florence, Italy, in February, which turned out to be their last holiday together.

Christmas looks very different this year: Millie was waking up to beau Hugo and 'the breakfast of dreams' on Christmas Day, following her split from husband Professor Green in February

Quite the contrast... This time last year, Millie (centre with ex-husband Professor Green) was celebrating her second Christmas with her now-ex-husband, her parents and grandfather

The couple announced their separation later that month, two years and six months after tying the knot.

The ill-fated vacation in Florence was to be only Millie's first trip of 2016, since her fairytale reunion with beau Hugo has taken her globe-trotting to Monico, Mauritius, Greece and Antibes, since May.

In fact, by the time Millie and Pro Green's divorce was finalised that month, she was kicking off a string of jet-set vacations with a celebratory trip to Monte Carlo on Hugo's 30th, which came just two days after the paperwork was completed.

Millie and Hugo previously dated back in 2011 when they met on E4 reality show, Made In Chelsea.

Jet-setter: Millie and sunglasses entrepreneur Hugo flew Business Class to South Africa in the evening of Christmas Day following a low-key yuletide in London

Make-up free Millie: The former Made In Chelsea let fans know that she was happily watching the sun rise in South Africa on Tuesday

But the union was not to last and ended rather dramatically when Millie discovered Hugo had cheated on her with her friend, Rosie Fortescue.

At the time, Millie claimed she would always love Hugo, saying in an interview: 'I loved him - those feelings dont disappear  but I just always have to remind myself why were not together.

'I do think that, for the rest of my life, every time I see him, Ill get that feeling in my stomach. I dont think I could ever not get that butterfly feeling.'

Millie and Pro Green announced their split in February after just over four years together. Their two-and-a-half-year marriage was dissolved in just 30 seconds in May.

Full steam ahead! Millie's string of jet-set getaways sped up in May, when she took a break to Monte Carlo for Hugo's 30th birthday just two days after her divorce was finalised

In a statement at the time, they said: 'It is a mutual decision, we still care deeply about each other and would like it to be known that it is on amicable terms and we wish each other well.'

They were granted a decree nisi at Central London Family Court with Millie citing 'unreasonable behaviour' as the reason for their split.

Millie and Stephen started dating in November 2011 after the rapper saw her on the cover of men's magazine FHM.

The rapper contacted Millie through her agent and they had their first date at the Groucho Club in Soho.

They went public at the Brit Awards in February 2012, with Stephen proposing on holiday in Paris just over a year later.

The sweet life: One of her most luxurious holidays was a trip to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius with a large group on a shoot for Hugo's sunglasses brand, Taylor Morris

Romantic: While her year of holidays began with an ill-fated trip to Florence with husband Pro Green, Millie was ending 2016 with boyfriend Hugo

The couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at Babington House in Somerset in September 2013.

Pro Green recently lashed out at Millie in his new track Eye On The Door, rapping about their lack of sex life, drug use and hinting that cheating was to blame for their split.

But in spite of his very public bashing of his ex-wife, the musician admitted last week that splitting from Millie felt like experiencing 'a death.

He told the i newspaper: 'Of course whether youre happy somethings finished or not, it doesnt change the fact that it does still feel like theres been a death.

'An energy thats always been in your presence is suddenly no longer there and youre an idiot if you think thats not going to affect you.'

The rapper has since moved on with model Fae Williams.
She's always the life and soul of the party.

And Tamara Ecclestone got into the spirit ahead of her New Year's Eve festivities by donning a coat of gold body glitter for a sultry photoshoot.

Completely nude with the exception of the body paint, the 32-year-old socialite was a vision of beauty in the shots.

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Golden girl: Tamara Ecclestone got into the spirit ahead of her New Year's Eve festivities by donning a coat of gold body glitter for a sultry photoshoot

Facing away from the camera, Tamara exposed her bare back as she arched her slender physique, carefully positioning her arm to protect her modesty.

She captioned the shot: Wishing you all a happy healthy peaceful NewYear filled with lots of love.'

For a second snap she gazed seductively down the lens whilst her pretty features were framed with flecks of glitter.

All that glitters: Completely nude with the exception of the body paint, the 32-year-old socialite was a vision of beauty in the stunning shots

Accentuating her baby blue eyes, she donned a thick rim of kohl, whilst her plump pout bore a slick of bronze gloss.

Her glossy tresses were left loose and tousled in big bouncy curls as she posed up a storm on the shoot.

'All that glitters is gold': she captioned the stunning snap.

Family fun: Tamara will be seeing in the New Year with husband Jay Rutland and their daughter Sophia, two. They are currently in Gstaad, Switzerland with her father Bernie Ecclestone

Tamara will be seeing in the New Year with husband Jay Rutland and their daughter Sophia, two.

The family unit are currently in Gstaad, Switzerland, where they have been staying in her billionaire father Bernie Ecclestone's luxury lodge.

Tamara has been keen to keep her fans in the loop on their getaway and has posted several snaps of the family hitting the slopes.
Miranda Kerr's brother Matthew, wed his longtime partner James Wright in a commitment ceremony on Friday.

The outdoor nuptials took place in the Hunter Valley.

Kerr family matriarch Therese posted a series of beautiful snaps from the special day on Saturday, captioning one particular image: 'They decided on forever.'

'They decided on forever': Miranda Kerr's mother Therese Kerr (pictured), shared a series of beautiful snaps to Instagram on Saturday, of her son Matthew Kerr's wedding to his long-time partner James Wright

The images shared with Therese's 19,900 Instagram followers saw the family posing for photos at the picturesque outdoor venue.

Miranda looked beautiful in a detailed white frock, accessorised with a vibrant flower crown.

The supermodel was accompanied by fiance Evan Spiegel, 26, who happily posed for photos with Miranda's family.

Another image saw John Kerr walk his son down the aisle, the pride evident on his face.

Proud father: Another image saw John Kerr walk his son down the aisle, the pride evident on his face

Picture-perfect: Therese (pictured) shared wedding images with her 19,900 Instagram followers showing the close-knit family at the picturesque outdoor venue

Friends of the family also took to Instagram to share images from the special day.

Matthew appeared a picture of content as he embraced his life partner after the vows were said.

'We decided on forever,' was the overall message of the day, displayed on a canopy.

Nothing but love: Matthew appeared a picture of content as he embraced his life partner after the vows were said

Happy day: 'We decided on forever,' was the overall message of the day, displayed on a canopy

Therese Kerr spoke about the special day, telling the Daily Telegraph this week that same-sex marriage laws in Australia do not dictate the great love that Matt and James share.

'We don't need an Australian government or the law to tell us what love is,' she said adding that she's 'proud as punch.'

Miranda was a part of the wedding party and Therese played an official role in the ceremony by acting as the celebrant.

Nuptials: Matthew (R), 31, tied the knot with James (L) 38, at a ceremony in the Hunter Valley, where Therese acted as celebrant

'It's beautiful, I'm actually celebrant,' she said ahead of the nuptials.

Miranda, 33, arrived in Australia on Thursday, ready to celebrate her 31-year-old brother's special day.

The supermodel's fiance Evan Spiegel, who is the founder of Snapchat, was also in attendance at the wedding.

Tight-knit family: The Kerr clan are pictured here, with father John Kerr on the far right

Miranda made a stunning arrival as she touched down at Sydney airport on Thursday, ready to take a helicopter ride to the Hunter Valley.

The entrepreneur looked effortlessly chic in an all-black ensemble, sporting ripped jeans, a midriff-style top that flaunted her toned stomach, pointy-toed heels, and a jacket that draped over her shoulders.

She accessorised with stylish sunglasses, and a black Saint Laurent bag, that was filled to the brim with items.

Sighting: Miranda Kerr, 33, made a stunning arrival as she touched down at Sydney airport on Thursday, ready to take a helicopter ride to the Hunter Valley, with partner Evan Spiegel, 26

The Swarovski ambassador swept her short locks into a low ponytail, while adding a pop of red lipstick over her plump pout, to finish off the look.

Same-sex marriage is not legally recognised under Australian law and remains a hot button issue across the nation.

There are growing calls from marriage equality activists around the world, including American TV star Ellen DeGeneres, for the government to finally legalise marriage equality Down Under.

Last month, Australia's parliament rejected the government's proposal for a national vote on whether to legalise same-sex marriage.

Now wed: Miranda's brother Matthew Kerr (L) was engaged for less than to years to his life partner James Wright (R), who is seven years his senior, at 38 years

The upper house Senate voted 33-29 against the coalition government's bid to hold a plebiscite on the issue.

Miranda's brother Matt was engaged to his life partner James for nearly two years.

'I want to get married and I think, "Why should two people that love each other not be able to have that, right?"' Matt previously told WHO magazine.

Miranda also showed her support for same-sex marriage, telling the publication: 'Obviously I support gay marriage, I have a gay brother.'

While the model didn't appear to return home for her little brother's engagement party in 2015, she did return home in June to celebrate his bucks party in Sydney at The Ivy Penthouse with friends and family.
With her plunging top and sheer black shimmering skirt, Lauryn Goodman cut an eye-catching figure as she stepped out in Mykonos on Friday.

The 24-year-old beauty blogger flashed the flesh in the unusual ensemble which consisted of a black leotard with split black and silver sheer skirt over the top.

The dress fastened in a halterneck style, and featured a plunging neckline which accentuated Lauryn's busty figure.

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Striking: Lauryn Goodman cut an eye-catching figure as she stepped out in Mykonos on Friday

Lauryn teamed her ensemble with silver studded black towering sandals complete with several straps running up to her ankle.

The sister of reality star Chloe wore her ombre hair straight and sleek over her shoulders while heavy smoky eye shadow and a dash of pink lipstick added to the look.

She accessorised with a delicate silver necklace and black and silver bangles and clutched her phone as she headed out to a jewellery store on the Greek island, emerging with a large black bag.

Made up and ready to go: The sister of reality star Chloe wore her ombre hair straight and sleek over her shoulders with smoky eye shadow and a dash of pink lipstick

The star has been enjoying herself on the island paradise - on Thursday she oozed glamour in a gold swimsuit as she soaked up the sun poolside.

And while Lauryn has been enjoying herself in Greece, her sibling Chloe has been busy hitting the beach further away from home in Mexico.

However, Lauryn did spend a homey style Christmas back in the UK, posting a selfie on the big day which read 'Merry Christmas Everyone. Family Day...'

Pert posterior: The star showed off her toned rear through the sheer ensemble

The star has enjoyed her own taste of fame as the elder sister of the Ex On The Beach star.

She has since become a staple on the reality show scene due to her circle of friends.

Lauryn not only runs her own beauty blog, but is the owner of fashion brand Nineteen Clothing.
They've all enjoyed career successes in 2016.

So it was understandable that Ashley James, Zara Holland and Vogue Williams wanted to treat themselves to some last-minute fun in the sun as they prepared to ring in the New Year on Saturday.

Choosing Gambia as the setting to kick start 2017, former Made In Chelsea star Ashley, 29, sizzled as she shared a shot from beside the pool.

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Fun in the sun: Ashley James wanted to treat herself to some last-minute fun in the sun as she prepared to ring in the New Year in Gambia on Saturday

Flaunting her ample cleavage, the blonde bombshell wore a tiny snake print bikini that also offered a look at her toned stomach.

She teamed the garment with a pair of skimpy tie side briefs that clung to her peachy posterior.

Love Island's Zara Holland, 21, dazzled in a leopard print bikini as she kicked off the celebrations in Bali.

Wild thing! Love Island's Zara Holland, 21, dazzled in a leopard print bikini as she kicked off the celebrations in Bali and thanked her followers for their support over the year

Cheeky: Vogue Williams, 31, cheekily quipped that she'd be heading out on the town in her lingerie, as she posted a snap of herself clad in a lacy black bra and briefs

Thanking her followers for their support over the year, she wrote: 'Happy New Year's Eve... What a year hey.

'But here's to the future, exciting times, my amazing boyfriend (the love of my life), my fantastic friends and you truly find out who they are when time are hard! and family, especially my amazing mum.

'And thank you for all your amazing support.'

Beach babe: , TOWIE's Courtney Green was seeing in the New Year from Mauritius and put on a busty display in a neon orange bikini

Vogue Williams, 31, cheekily quipped that she'd be heading out on the town in her lingerie, as she posted a snap of herself clad in a lacy black bra and briefs.

After layering up with a furry blue coat, heels and clutching a bottle of bubbly, she captioned the snap: 'New Years Eve outfit sorted! Thanks'

Meanwhile, TOWIE's Courtney Green was seeing in the New Year from Mauritius and put on a busty display in a neon orange bikini.

Adding to the glamour, she also donned a bejewelled black turban.

Loving life: Over in The Maldives, MIC's Louise Thompson was feeling reflective as she shared some bikini snaps

Two's company: As she cosied up to boyfriend Ryan Libbey in one shot, she wrote: 'Can't believe 2016 is nearly over. I knew it was going to be an eventful one'

Over in The Maldives, MIC's Louise Thompson was feeling reflective as she shared some bikini snaps.

As she cosied up to boyfriend Ryan Libbey in one shot, she wrote: 'Can't believe 2016 is nearly over. I knew it was going to be an eventful one.

'Tonight I can't wait to get way too drunk with @ryan.libbey on a remote island and talk about what has happened over the past 365 days ! Hopefully we will steer clear of politics and any row inducing topics. And focus on what 2017 may bring, including MANY resolutions I need to make !

'Let's not forget, No mention of ex's. lots more positivity!'

Not-so mellow: Tallia Storm was working on topping up her tan in Barbados and slipped into a skimpy yellow bikini for the honour

Tallia Storm was working on topping up her tan in Barbados and slipped into a skimpy yellow bikini for the honour.

'2017 we're coming for you!' she captioned the shot.

Joining the festivities on the blazing Caribbean island was Immy Waterhouse, who was quick to flaunt her sensational body and toned abs in a saucy beachside snap.

In a dramatic black and white photo, the model showed off her enviably tiny waist and flat stomach for all to see as she posed sultrily against the idyllic backdrop.

Model material: Joining the festivities on the blazing Caribbean island was Immy Waterhouse, who was quick to flaunt her sensational body and toned abs in a saucy beachside snap

'I give you... a tourist': Meanwhile Caroline Flack soaked up the Mexican sunshine in a simple black sundress as she explored the country and its exotic animals

Also soaking up the sunshine for the festivities was Caroline Flack, who chose to explore the sights of Mexico as she rung in the New Year.

Posting a shot of her holding a number of exotic birds, the former X Factor host wittily wrote to her fans: 'Ladies and gents I give you .... a tourist'

Not all the stars were heading for sunshine to see in the New Year, however, as Pixie Lott jetted off to France to hit the slopes.

Joining her in a day of snow sports was pop star Madonna, who sipped on a Heineken beer as she enjoyed a day of skiing with her family in Switzerland.

Nice to ski you! Not all the stars were heading for sunshine to see in the New Year, however, as Pixie Lott jetted off to France to hit the slopes

Happy new beer! Joining her in a day of snow sports was pop star Madonna, who sipped on a Heineken beer as she enjoyed a day of skiing with her family in Switzerland

Peace out! Daisy Lowe was happy chilling at home. Clad in a black bra and denim hotpants, she wrote: Peace out 2016.... and here's to making 2017 our best year yet!!'

Meanwhile, Daisy Lowe was happy chilling at home as she discussed her lingerie range.

Clad in a black bra and denim hotpants, she wrote: Peace out 2016.... and here's to making 2017 our best year yet!!

'Thank you for all your loving support this year love you all to pieces @triumphuk.'

Hot to trot: Made In Chelsea's Frankie Gaffe saw in the New Year in the sunshine
Phoebe Tonkin took to Instagram over the weekend to wish her 3.4 million followers a happy new year.

However, fans may have been in for a bit of a shock to see that the Australian actress decided to quote President-elect Donald Trump in her 2017 well wishes.

'Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies,' quoted the star.

'Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies!' Phoebe Tonkin quoted Donald Trump in a new year's message for fans

She continued: 'And those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!'

She then credited Trump for the quote, before adding: 'Regardless, happy new year love from these babes.'

The caption was accompanied by a photo of the star partying up a storm with some of her girlfriends.

Phoebe recently returned home to Australia to spend Christmas with her family.

Wakey wakey! Phoebe shared a picture of herself enjoying her first class seat as she travelled home to Australia for Christmas

In a post shared to social media last week, the starlet praised airline Virgin Australia for their great service.

'Thank you @virginaustralia for an incredibly cozy and comfortable flight back home,' she wrote.

'I slept like a kitten, and managed to watch the entire 3rd season of Friends. A++ - also, one of the best soy lattes I've ever had at 38,000 feet. '
Kenya Moore pulled a gun on two unidentified men and one woman after they climbed over the security gate onto her Moore Manor property in Atlanta, Georgia and knocked on the front door on Friday.

On Saturday, in a series of Instagram posts, the Real Housewives Of Atlanta Star shared photos of security footage, which showed her aiming the gun at the trespassers as they ran down the driveway.

The 45-year-old reality star said: 'I will f***ing shoot and ask questions later!'

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Life-threatening: Kenya Moore was compelled to pull out her gun on three trespassers on Friday after they climbed over her security gate and knocked on her front door

Kenya explained to her followers what happened just minutes after the incident: 'Imma get real real wit' y'all right now. I just had three motherf***ers come to my front door and knock on it. I didn't know who they were. They climbed over my fence where I live and came and thought it was a good idea to say, "Hi, Kenya!"'

'Like, b****, you are on my motherf***in' property and you are trespassing, because you climbed over my fence to get over here. Even though it's under construction, b***, you can't crawl over it to get to me,' she added.

In anther fired-up video, the Michigan native warned the individuals she will be prosecuting them.

Footage: The 45-year-old RHOA shared the security footage to her Instagram on Saturday

Fired up: The Michigan native took to Instagram to explain to her followers what happened

'This b**** over here is on high alert. We on level orange up in this b****. If you come over here, you come to my door, you find out where I live, please do, because if you come over here, you gonna get a motherf***ing cap in your ass...I will f***ing shoot and I will ask questions later. Try me!' Moore exclaimed.

She added: 'This is far from over. I will be pulling the security footage and I will be getting your license plates and I will be prosecuting you for trespassing. You come over here, you gonna go to jailand you might get an a** whipping on your way to getting shot.'

Along with the stills from the security footage outside her house, Kenya offered a $1,000 reward to anyone who can identify the trespassers and her e-mail, mooremanor2016@gmail.com

Warning you! Kenya said: 'You come over here, you gonna go to jailand you might get an a-- whipping on your way to getting shot'

High alert: The reality star, who frequently promotes Moore Manor property on the show was not having it with the trespassing individuals

She provided more information on the individuals describing them as driving a white car, with the female recording on her phone the whole time.

Kenya wrote alongside the photo: 'I have a right to feel safe in my home and to protect myself. I don't care if I'm on TV. What if 3 strangers banged on your front door ...2 of them being grown men wearing dark clothing knowing they could only get to you by jumping fences or trespassing onto other properties and mine?'

'There are home invasions, robberies, rapist...What if your children or loved ones were threatened this way? Anyone who is bold enough to commit a crime, endanger themselves and others needs to be punished.'

'Try me!' Kenya was not backing down as she said, 'I will f--king shoot and I will ask questions later. Try me!'
He's the son of a Hollywood superstar who has been taking in the local sights during his recent trip Down Under.

But despite being in Australia for over a month, Scott Eastwood still couldn't hide his excitement while watching New Year's Eve fireworks in Sydney.

The 30-year-old actor has returned to the country to film scenes for Pacific Rim: Maelstrom after spending Christmas in Los Angeles.

'Oh Jesus this is the best fireworks show ever!' Scott Eastwood couldn't hide his excitement while watching New Year's Eve fireworks in Sydney

In videos shared to Instagram, an excited Scott is seen spending the last day of 2016 soaking up the sun on a yacht in Sydney Harbour.

And After dark, the son of Clint Eastwood secured prime position to watch the fireworks over the Harbour Bridge.

In a short clip, he films the fireworks and can't hide his delight as he narrates the spectacular display.

'Oh my god!' Scott films the fireworks and can't hide his joy as he describes the display

'It's like on fire, it's melting': The Suicide Squad star was also amazed when the Harbour Bridge became a part of the pyrotechnic display

'Oh my god! This is the best fireworks show ever! Oh my god what!' Scott said excitedly.

He added: 'Oh Jesus this is the best fireworks show ever!'

The Suicide Squad star was also amazed when the Harbour Bridge became a part of the pyrotechnic display.

'It's like on fire, it's melting,' Scott exclaimed.

'So blessed to have so many good people in my life': Earlier that day, the Hollywood hunk shared a photo of himself with friends on Instagram

Earlier that day, the rising Hollywood star shared a photo of himself with a group of friends on Instagram.

In the caption, he reflected on his hopes for 2017, writing: 'Well this New Years weekend got started off with a bang. What a great day with this motley crew!!!

'So blessed to have so many good people in my life. 2016, l thank you for the amazing year,' Scott added.

Down Under: The actor began filming the sequel to Pacific Rim in mid-November

'Everyday is a great day to be alive, remember that. Live everyday like it's your last!!!'

He began filming the sequel to Pacific Rim in mid-November, with shooting reportedly taking place at Sydney's Fox Studios and in Queensland.

The film also starts Star Wars: The Force Awaken's actor John Boyega.
New Years is the time many people resolve to whip themselves into amazing shape, once and for all.

And Doutzen Kroes, 31, was the embodiment of body goals for everyone out there as she showed off all the results of her training during a romantic beach day with her husband Sunnery James in Cancun on New Year's Eve.

The star, 31, wore a tiny bikini as she cosied up to her husband on the sand during their well-deserved getaway.

Hello gorgeous! Doutzen Kroes was showing off all the results of her training as she hit the beach in Cancun on New Year's Eve for a romantic day at the beach with her husband, Sunnery James

The look of love: The cute couple cosied up on the sand and chatted each other up as they soaked up the sun during a well-deserved getaway

And it's no wonder Sunnery could hardly take his eyes off of his gorgeous wife, as she proudly paraded her killer physique on the sand.

Leaving little to the imagination, the Victoria's Secret model wore a pretty olive green bikini top and black bottoms with side ties.

Dropping jaws: Kroes proudly paraded her killer physique on the sand

Having a chat: The couple cosied up together on the warm sand

She had her strawberry blonde hair slicked over her head and accessorized with a pair of sunglasses, gold bracelets, and a delicate necklace.

Strolling towards the water, Doutzen was the picture of contentment and relaxation as she enjoyed a well-deserved break from the catwalk.

And it's clear Doutzen was taking full advantage of her idyllic settings.

Making a splash! Kroes looked incredible as she walked through the water

Over here! The star appeared to be trying to capture someone's attention

Hat's off to you! The model took off her hat

Whether she was topping up her tan or chatting up her husband, Doutzen was truly enjoying every moment of her getaway to paradise.

Doutzen and Sunnery have been married for six years now, and last month in November they celebrated their wedding anniversary.

The couple have two children together, a son Phyllon, age five, and daughter Myllena, age two.

Soaking up the sun! The 31-year-old's bikini made it easy for her to top up her tan

So in love: Doutzen and Sunnery have been married for six years now, and last month in November they celebrated their wedding anniversary

Family matters: The couple have two children together, a son Phyllon, age five, and daughter Myllena, age two

Phyllon and Myllena appear to have also joined their parents for their trip, as the couple have been posting snaps of their children on the beach as of late.

Doutzen had a reflective message for fans as she looked forward to the new year.

She wrote on Instagram: 'Another year has passed and a lot has happened! It has been a year with a lot of changes and a lot of big losses of iconic people and also a lot of innocent victims!

Duty calls: Doutzen, a Hunkemoller brand ambassador, ended her contract with Victoria's Secret in late 2014 due to a conflicting work schedule

More recently: The model has devoted her time to wildlife preservation and the Elephant Crisis Fund

R&R: Strolling towards the water, Doutzen was the picture of contentment and relaxation as she enjoyed a well-deserved break from the catwalk

'I hope 2017 will bring love and peace! It's my biggest wish... I'm counting my blessings and I'm so grateful everyday that I wake up healthy and happy together with my family that I cherish so much'.

Doutzen, a Hunkemoller brand ambassador, ended her contract with Victoria's Secret in late 2014 due to a conflicting work schedule.

More recently the model has devoted her time to wildlife preservation and the Elephant Crisis Fund, with whom she has collaborated on the #KnotOnMyPlanet campaign.

Doutzen was inspired to get involved after meeting wildlife conservationists during a trip to Kenya with her husband and their two children.

'I dont want my kids to grow up in a world without elephants in the wild,' she told Vogue magazine in September. 'This could become a reality if we dont do something.'

Time for a rest: The mother-of-two laid flat on her back on the sand

Bottom's up! The statuesque star laid flat on her belly, tanning up her backside
After bloody year in Chicago, no clear path forward

For a few days in December, no one was shot dead in Chicago.

In most US cities, that would be the norm. In the Windy City, where blood has stained the streets all year, it's an aberration.

Sure enough, after the mid-month lull, the city tumbled back into a grueling and seemingly endless series of killings, with 15 people gunned down in subsequent days.

Chicago, effectively the capital of America's Midwest, hurtles toward the end of its deadliest year in nearly two decades, with over 750 murders and 3,500 shootings Joshua Lott (AFP/File)

Chicago, effectively the capital of America's Midwest, is hurtling toward the end of its deadliest year in nearly two decades, with more than 750 murders and 3,500 shootings.

By comparison, America's two biggest cities, Los Angeles and New York, had about 600 murders combined.

The shootings in Chicago, which spiked nearly 50 percent in 2016, were concentrated mostly in historically segregated, economically struggling and predominantly African-American and Latino neighborhoods.

As 2017 arrives, there are few clear answers as to how to staunch the bleeding, but city officials are looking at a number of new -- and rehashed -- plans.

- Guns and gangs -

Chicago police chief Eddie Johnson spent much of 2016 hammering home a key idea: Gangs, guns and an outmatched police force were a toxic brew.

With the support of the city's Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Johnson intends to hire almost 1,000 additional officers over the next two years.

"This will make us a bigger department, a better department, and a more effective department," Johnson said in September when he announced the plan.

The first class of new recruits will graduate in 2017 and join a force under increased scrutiny and pressure.

The department is facing a federal civil rights probe, the outcome of which could change how officers operate, adding a measure of uncertainty in the new year.

The force already has difficulties dealing with a wary African-American population. Some do not cooperate in murder investigations out of fear of retribution or distrust of police.

The department solved only about a third of the murders committed in 2016.

Tensions intensified when a video became public in late 2015 showing a white police officer fatally shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald.

Jason Van Dyke, who was later charged with murder, shot McDonald 16 times, continuing to fire his gun even after the 17-year-old had fallen to the ground.

- Police less proactive -

The resulting political uproar led Emanuel to fire then-police chief Garry McCarthy, leaving the department's leadership team in disarray.

At about the same time, the department changed its policy for stopping and searching people, requiring officers to fill out more complicated paperwork.

Police activity dropped. Gun violence did not.

"It wasn't until March-April that we started seeing (police) activity increase," police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told AFP in November.

But a dozen current Chicago cops admitted to the CBS news program "60 Minutes" that they remain less proactive than in the past.

"Aggressive patrol, when you're out looking for people breaking the law -- that's not happening as much as it was," said Brian Warner, a former officer who counsels current cops.

Whether a police department on the defensive has contributed to the rocketing murder rate is up for debate.

But Chicago police say the true measure is how they deal with the approximately 1,400 people who perpetrate the majority of the gun violence.

Targeting this group  identified through past arrests on firearms charges, and surveillance of real-world and social media associations  is effective, police argue.

A new proposal, to be taken up by the Illinois state legislature in January, would increase prison sentences for repeat gun offenders.

The theory is that if they are behind bars for longer periods, the number of shootings and murders would decline.

"Our biggest problem in Chicago is the gun problem and the culture that allows offenders to commit gun crime after gun crime. So we need better accountability," Johnson said in November.

- A public health issue -

This is not an idea all Chicagoans support.

"Are people not in prison for long enough already? Have we not used policing as much as is possible?" asked Gary Slutkin, a former World Health Organization epidemiologist and founder of the group Cure Violence, which treats gun violence as a public health issue.

"You have to come at the problem from a different angle," he said.

Slutkin's group turns former gang members into counselors, teaching them to talk to at-risk youths and convince them to avoid resolving disputes with guns.

Chicago's murder spike directly correlated with cuts in state funding for his group, he said. The funding loss affected all non-profit organizations with state contracts.

"At that exact moment, I mean within a week, the shootings and killings turned the corner from going down to going up," Slutkin said.

Government, philanthropic and community leaders are now back at his doorstep, he said, looking to find the money for the group to resume its work.

"This really has to be managed like an epidemic with some urgency," Slutkin said.

On that point, there is agreement with the police chief, who has repeatedly called Chicago's violence a societal issue.

"The violence in Chicago... is not just for police to resolve," Johnson said.

Still, he believes his officers can be more effective.

In late December, Johnson visited the New York Police Department to learn about some of their policing techniques.

"I liked what I saw in New York," Johnson told the Chicago Sun-Times after his visit, adding that he will test out some of the Big Apple's ideas in the coming year.

Hand guns are tagged and placed in a bin during a Chicago police gun turn-in event Joshua Lott (AFP/File)

Chicago police chief Eddie Johnson spent much of 2016 hammering home a key idea: Gangs, guns and an outmatched police force were a toxic brew Joshua Lott (AFP/File)
Taiwan won't cave to Beijing threats, says president

Taiwan will not bend to pressure despite China returning to its "old ways" of intimidation, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Saturday, following Beijing's protests over her call to US President-elect Donald Trump.

China has stepped up military drills near Taiwan since the call earlier in December, in a move seen as putting on a show of strength as its ties with the self-ruled island and the United States deteriorate.

The call with Trump upended decades of diplomatic precedent in which Washington has effectively ignored Taipei in favour of Beijing, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province to be brought back within its fold.

In her end-of-year address, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen urged calm from Beijing and warned that recent actions by China were affecting cross-strait stability Sam Yeh (AFP/File)

In her end-of-year address, Tsai urged calm from Beijing and warned that recent actions by China were affecting cross-strait stability.

"Beijing authorities are returning to their old ways of isolating and suppressing Taiwan, and even of threats and intimidation," Tsai said.

"We hope this is not a policy decision by Beijing," she said. "We won't bend to pressure yet we also won't return to the old path of confrontation."

The Taiwanese leader called on Beijing to resume dialogue to find a "reasonable" solution.

China cut off official communications with Tsai's government after it refused to accept Beijing's interpretation of the "One China" concept.

Taiwan's defence minister warned Tuesday that enemy threats were growing daily after China's aircraft carrier and a flotilla of other warships passed south of the island.

Tsai said Saturday that Taiwan was "sufficiently capable" of handling the challenges and changes it was facing, whether they were national defence or economic issues, and that people should not "overly panic".

The two sides split in 1949 after a civil war but Beijing still claims the self-ruling island as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring about unification.

The Taiwan Strait that separates them has been heavily fortified for decades.

"Whether cross-strait relations can be turned around next year depends on our patience and belief," Tsai told reporters.

Tsai is scheduled to transit through the United States when she travels to Central America in January, stopping in Houston and San Francisco.

Beijing has asked Washington to bar Tsai from flying through its airspace.

She did not confirm whether she would be meeting with any officials in Trump's team during her stopover.

Tsai said diplomatic relations with Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador -- the Central American nations she will visit -- were all "considered stable".

The comment comes amid speculation Taiwan may lose more allies after the small African nation of Sao Tome and Principe cut ties with the island in favour of Beijing in late December.

That leaves Taiwan with formal diplomatic ties to only 21 states, including the Vatican, its highest profile supporter.
The bit about union boss rather than a more respectful alternative is a symptom of a larger truth. The Times (like most other papers) has a daily and often very voluminous business section. If its lucky, labor has to make do with maybe a token column or two around Labor Day, and even that may be written from a business point of view. Maybe if labor, organized and not, were given regular coverage and workers interests recognized as a matter of course, politicians would have paid more attention over the years instead of pushing increasingly anti-labor policies.

union boss is as acceptable as capitalist pig. Im waiting to see that usage in The NY Times.

I have worked for places with unions and for places without unions. As imperfect as my union is, I am grateful to be working in a union workplace every day and embarrassed that this newspaper is so openly siding with the union-bashing world.  This was [a] very disturbing and inadequate report from the Public Editor this week. So glad my fellow readers are demanding more and better.

Flummoxed synonyms according to Merriam Dictionary can mean distracted, confused.

I did not read either of those words into the letter written in response to [the] article referring to union leaders as union bosses.

I would say the author took umbrage but your public editor preferred her snarky comment.

Obviously, the Times Public Editor appears to think that union boss isnt a pejorative; otherwise, she probably wouldnt have ended todays column with a barely concealed bit of sarcasm.

Fair is fair. Can we see the Times employ the following descriptors so we can all better identify each other: conservative rednecks, liberal faculty, flyover whites, angry blacks, Republican blank checks, confused Democrats, evangelical Taliban, climate deniers, global warming alarmists, environmental crybabies, union-led teachers, left-wing think tank, conservative think tank, alt-right agitators (aka racists), and shrinking newsrooms.'

Ms Spayd [the Public Editor] reveal[s] what a right-wing hack she truly is with this reference. Chris Sturr writes in to protest the use of the term union boss, which he rightly points out is used by people who are hostile to unions.

But instead of addressing The Times use of that loaded term, Liz Spayd just blows him off with red-baiting: Happy weekend, workers of the world.

Seriously, Liz? You treat someone standing up for union members with a sleazy reference to communism?

Shame on you!

I  think that the flip close of the column, responding to Chris Sturrs very legitimate complaint with a breezy Happy weekend, workers of the world just stinks. NY Times: get you a different public editor, this one dont hunt.

Thanks for the article and its reminder that for many at the Times, unions and their workers are marginal or, even worse, a joke. Even if it is just obtuseness it highlights how you and your presidential candidate lost the election. Unfortunately, you and your candidate will not be paying the price, just the people on the margins.

Union boss? Really? In the NYT? The degree to which even the allegedly liberal media adopts right wing propagandistic phrasing scares me. How about a less pejorative and accurate description such as democratically elected union president?

The reader you quoted seemed far less flummoxed than angry. Either way, why no explanation from you about the use of the term?

We werent flummoxed by the term union boss. We were and are angry at the Timess consistent anti-labor stance, as shown yet again by making this last item in the Public Editor column a sort of joke. The other items mentioned in the column may be more crucial at the moment but thats no reason to denigrate workers of the world. If more folks like you realized they too were workers, perhaps we would not have to fight so hard.

I do not see many happy weekends for the workers of the world, or the U.S.

You did absolutely zero to address why the NYT refers to union leaders as bosses, a loaded propaganda term.

I notice that the ONLY leaders of organizations that are routinely referred to as boss are labor union leaders, who are generally elected officials, and in an older usage, leaders of big-city political machines (sometimes elected, sometimes rising to power without a formal vote). In neither case is the term used respectfully. Meanwhile, work supervisors and heads of big companies, routinely called boss by those who work under them, who none of us got to vote for, are only referred to in print by mroe respectful terms. Its as if getting elected to office makes you a boss, but not getting elected to a leadership position exempts you from the term.

From Betsy Aron: Evidently union bosses are a NYT inside joke. Blood has been shed to free unions from their bosses, and distinctions are warranted when discussing union leaders. Especially now your readers are counting on the Times for unbiased and nuanced reporting.
WSJ says Turkey detains reporter for three days

Turkey detained a staff journalist for The Wall Street Journal for almost three days without access to a lawyer, the newspaper reported Saturday, adding to growing concerns over press freedom in the country.

Dion Nissenbaum was taken into custody on Tuesday by police at his Istanbul home, for allegedly violating a ban on publishing images from an Islamic State group (IS) video.the newspaper said on its website,

Although the paper provided no further details, IS jihadists last week shared a video purportedly showing two Turkish soldiers captured in Syria being burned alive.

US journalist Dion Nissenbaum (foreground), seen in 2005, was detained in Turkey for two-and-a-half days without access to lawyers or contact with his family, according to the Wall Street Journal, his employer MOHAMMED ABED (AFP/File)

Ankara said earlier this week there was no confirmation of the IS claims.

The 49-year-old American correspondent was held for two-and-a-half days without access to lawyers or contact with his family, the WSJ said, adding for most of the period, it "couldn't determine" his location.

His detention comes a day after one of Turkey's best-known investigative journalists, Ahmet Sik, was charged with "making terror propaganda" on behalf of those alleged to be behind the failed coup in July and Kurdish rebels.

According to the P24 Platform for Independent Journalism, 118 journalists have been arrested during the state of emergency imposed after the attempted putsch against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Istanbul police authorities had no immediate reaction to the WSJ report.

However, Ankara insists it does not jail journalists because of their job.

The WSJ's editor-in-chief Gerard Baker said although the paper was "relieved that Dion was released unharmed after nearly three days, we remain outraged at his peremptory detention, without any contact with his family, legal counsel or colleagues".

The paper claimed plainclothes officers detaining the journalist told him he would be deported, comments heard by another WSJ member of staff who had been on the phone with Nissenbaum at the time. This threat was later dropped, Nissenbaum said.

Nissenbaum said he was "physically comfortable and treated well" during his time in a detention centre outside Istanbul.

He was released on Friday and has now left Turkey for the United States accompanied by his family, the WSJ added.
Draft deal agreed on DR Congo crisis: mediators, govt

Opposition parties reached an agreement Saturday with the government on a deal to end a political crisis over DR Congo President Joseph Kabila's fate that has caused months of deadly unrest, a church mediator and officials said.

The talks were launched by the Roman Catholic church to ward off violence as Kabila's second and final mandate ended on December 20 with no sign of him stepping down and no election in sight.

"We have reached agreement on all points," said Marcel Utembi, who chairs the Episcopal Conference (CENCO) overseeing the talks.

Talks on the country's political future were launched by the Roman Catholic church to ward off violence as the mandate of Democratic Republic of the Congo President Joseph Kabila, seen at the UN in April 2016, ended December 20 JEWEL SAMAD (AFP/File)

"There will be a plenary session at 8:00pm (1900 GMT) to formally adopt it and a solemn signing ceremony at 8:30pm."

Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba confirmed a deal had been reached, saying: "Everything is settled."

However a spokesman for Kabila's longtime rival, Etienne Tshisekedi, said negotiators would submit the deal to the 84-year-old opposition leader for approval before returning to sign the accord.

"We want to be absolutely sure" (of Tshisekedi's response), said his advisor Valentin Mubake.

A working document for the deal previously seen by AFP proposed a "political transition" with fresh presidential elections to be held at the end of 2017. A prime minister would come from opposition ranks.

That document also guaranteed Kabila would not seek a third mandate.

In return, the opposition would accept that Kabila remain in office until he hands over to an elected successor.
California governor's 'first dog' Sutter has died

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  "Sutter" Brown, a Pembroke Welsh corgi christened California's first dog by his owner Gov. Jerry Brown, died Friday following a brief illness. He was 13.

The dog's health had deteriorated rapidly in recent days and the decision was made to say goodbye, the governor's press office said in a statement.

He passed away peacefully with the governor and first lady Anne Gust Brown at his side, and was laid to rest at the family ranch in Colusa County, where he "loved to roam, sniff and play," the statement said.

FILE - In this Feb. 15, 2011 file photo, Sutter the dog walks around the east steps of the Capitol as California first lady Anne Gust Brown, background, officially announces that he would remain as the First Family dog while talking with reporters, in Sacramento, Calif. Sutter Brown, the Pembroke Welsh corgi christened California's first dog by his owner Gov. Jerry Brown, has died at age 13. Sutter passed away Friday afternoon, Dec. 30, 2016, at the family ranch in Colusa County, where he was laid to rest. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Sutter was a fixture at the Capitol and on the campaign trail where he softened the image of the cantankerous governor and helped cut the tension between Democrats and Republicans in the midst of contentious negotiations.

Legislators, lobbyists and aides from both parties sought selfies with the short, pudgy, brown and white fluffy dog. Sutter obliged, starring in countless photos with his mouth open and ears perked.

A Twitter account in his name racked up more than 11,000 followers. Tweets show Sutter and younger sister Colusa, a corgi mix, lounging around the governor's office or promoting his owner's top priorities.

Sutter was rushed to an animal hospital Oct. 7 and underwent emergency surgery, said Evan Westrup, a spokesman for Brown. Veterinarians discovered several masses suspected to be cancer in his intestines, lymph nodes and liver, but they were unable to remove them all.

Sutter, who shares the name of the 19th-century pioneer who established Sacramento's earliest settlement, was the pet of Brown's sister, Kathleen Brown, until she moved out of state following Jerry Brown's election as governor in 2010.

The governor and his wife adopted Sutter and were often seen walking him from home to the Capitol in the morning.

Anne Gust Brown, who is her husband's chief adviser, joked in a rare public address in 2013 that Sutter is better known than she is. "It's hard in my household to get any attention between my husband and the dog," Brown said to laughter at the luncheon.

Sutter's sister, Colusa "Lucy" Brown, will assume his duties as first dog.

The press office said goodbye in a tweet:

No colleague brought us more joy - & distraction - than you, @SutterBrown. We'll miss you buddy. #GoodBoy

___

Associated Press writer Jonathan J. Cooper contributed to this story.

FILE - In this Oct. 31, 2016, file photo, California Gov. Jerry Brown holds first dog, Sutter, as his wife, Anne Gust Brown holds deputy first dog, Colusa, as they wait for trick-or-treaters outside the Governor's Mansion in Sacramento, Calif. Sutter Brown, the Pembroke Welsh corgi christened California's first dog by his owner Gov. Brown, has died at age 13. Sutter passed away Friday afternoon, Dec. 30, 2016, at the family ranch in Colusa County, where he was laid to rest. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 31, 2016 file photo, California's first dog, Sutter, keeps an eye out for trick-or-treaters with his owners, Gov. Jerry Brown and Anne Gust Brown in Sacramento, Calif. Sutter Brown, the Pembroke Welsh corgi christened California's first dog by his owner Gov. Brown, has died at age 13. Sutter passed away Friday afternoon, Dec. 30, 2016, at the family ranch in Colusa County, where he was laid to rest. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
Always mangle Korean names? It might not be your fault

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  Impeached President Park Geun-hye's surname is "Park," right? Nope. In Korean it's closer to "Bahk." Park's allegedly corrupt confidante, Choi Soon-sil, pronounces her name more like "Chwey" than the way it's rendered in English. And Samsung's ailing chairman, Lee Kun-hee? That English "Lee" is more like "Yi" or "Ii" in Korean.

There is a gulf, often a wide one, between the way Koreans write their names in English and the way they actually sound.

Even the ubiquitous "Kim"  the moniker of beloved South Korean Olympic figure skating champion Yuna Kim and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un  belies: It's pronounced "Ghim" in Korean.

In this Wednesday, Dec. 28 photo, a boy sits on a screen showing Korean traditional characters at the National Hangeul Museum in Seoul, South Korea. Impeached President Park Geun-hye's surname is "Park," right? Nope. In Korean it's closer to "Bahk." Park's allegedly corrupt confidante, Choi Soon-sil, pronounces her name more like "Chwey" than the way it's rendered in English. There is a gulf, often a wide one, between the way Koreans write their names in English and the way they actually sound. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

While the flubs of foreigners who take the Romanized spellings literally cause smirks for the bilingual, the mispronunciations can also create confusion and embarrassment among visiting politicians, tourists and business people.

The disputed reasons behind the discrepancies are linked to a complex mix of history, American influence, herd mentality and individual quirks.

Here's a brief look:

___

THE HISTORY

South Korea's guidelines for converting the Korean language into the Roman alphabet were last revised in 2000 to try to get road signs, places, internet domain names, guidebooks and surnames closer to their actual Korean pronunciations.

When those rules are applied to surnames, "Lee" should be "I'' (pronounced "Ii"), "Kim" should be "Gim," ''Park" should be "Bak" and "Choi" should be "Choe." But because people can decide how to spell their own names, many simply go with the way everyone else does it, which means they follow what their families have favored for generations.

So Kim, Park and Lee still dominate.

Experts differ about the origins of these English spellings of Korean surnames.

Some think that when South Korea was briefly under U.S. military rule following the end of Japan's 1910-45 colonial occupation, Americans chose existing English names or words  such as Kim, Lee and Park  for Korean pronunciations that sounded similar. Others say it was South Koreans who started borrowing those recognizable English words.

When there wasn't any easy match in English, South Koreans simply settled for spellings that "felt O.K.," according to Brother Anthony of Taize, a British-born scholar and prolific translator of Korean literature.

The spellings of some names are linked to a 1939 Romanization system invented by two Americans that was widely used before the 2000 revision.

Isolated, proud Pyongyang uses a variant of the old system. "Kim" is the same in both Koreas, but the southern "Lee" and "Park" are "Ri and "Pak" in the North.

___

THE MISTAKES

English mispronunciation, of course, happens in many languages that don't use the Roman alphabet, but the list of foul-ups by foreigners relying on the confusing Korean system is long.

During a joint news conference with South Korean President Park Geun-hye in Washington in October 2015, President Barack Obama called her "Park," just as it sounds in English, not "Bahk." When he held another joint press conference with Park's predecessor, Lee Myung-bak, in 2012, he pronounced his name as "Lee," not "Ii."

If Obama, who has a staff of Korean experts, couldn't get it right, your average visitor to South Korea is doomed.

In some ways, the new Romanization rules are as bad as the old ones.

For instance, an affluent southern area in Seoul, and the inspiration for the world-dominating 2012 song by South Korean rapper PSY, is spelled "Gangnam." The first part of this word will look to many English speakers without any Korean like the first syllable of the word "gangster." But a better spelling is "Gahngnam."

A southern town famous for traditional red pepper paste is spelled "Sunchang." Many English speakers pronounce the first part of the word as "sun" from "sunshine;" it's actually "soonchahng."

The rules are simply too far off from the reality, according to Yaang Byungsun, a linguist at South Korea's Jeonju University. "It's a system that no one, except for South Koreans, can pronounce," he said.

South Korean officials defend their Romanization rules by saying they are for all foreigners, not just English-speakers.

___

THE BIG THREE, AND BEYOND

The National Institute of Korean Language says it's working to come up with a recommended standard for spelling surnames.

But it's probably too late.

The English spellings of the three surnames that account for nearly half of South Korea's 50 million people  Kim, Park and Lee  are firmly in place.

A study by the institute that ended in 2015 showed that about 99.5 percent of South Koreans with the country's most popular surname spelled it "Kim," while the rest used "Gim," ''Ghim" or "Khim." For the second most common surname, about 98.5 percent favored "Lee," overwhelming "Yi," ''Rhee," ''Li" and "Yee." In the case of the third most popular surname, "Park" was used by about 96 percent.

For other surnames, some English spellings are meant to avoid embarrassment.

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang stayed away from the awkward "Gang," which is what South Korea's Romanization suggests.

Former President Roh Moo-hyun used to spell his surname as "Noh" in English, which is how it's pronounced. But during his 2002 presidential run, he reportedly switched to "Roh" to stay away from the negative sounding "Noh."

There are calls to overhaul the current, awkward Romanization system to avoid problems for foreigners who do businesses and travel here.

But it would be expensive.

A 2011 study showed that revising public signs and government-issued publications and performing other changes needed under a new system would cost 300 billion won ($250 million).

Some also question whether a perfect Romanization of Korean is even possible.

"It's confusing and stupid, but that's the way it is," Brother Anthony said.

___

Follow Hyung-jin Kim at www.twitter.com/hyungjin1972 and Kim Tong-hyung at www.twitter.com/KimTongHyung

In this Wednesday, Dec. 28 photo, high school students take a selfie in front of a screen showing Korean traditional characters at the National Hangeul Museum in Seoul, South Korea. Impeached President Park Geun-hye's surname is "Park," right? Nope. In Korean it's closer to "Bahk." Park's allegedly corrupt confidante, Choi Soon-sil, pronounces her name more like "Chwey" than the way it's rendered in English. There is a gulf, often a wide one, between the way Koreans write their names in English and the way they actually sound. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

In this Thursday, Dec. 29 photo, a dual-language street sign written in Korean and English is displayed at a subway station in Seoul, South Korea. Impeached President Park Geun-hye's surname is "Park," right? Nope. In Korean it's closer to "Bahk." Park's allegedly corrupt confidante, Choi Soon-sil, pronounces her name more like "Chwey" than the way it's rendered in English. There is a gulf, often a wide one, between the way Koreans write their names in English and the way they actually sound. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2015 file photo, U.S. President Barack Obama, right, gestures toward South Korean President Park Geun-hye during their joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Impeached President Park Geun-hyes surname is Park, right? Nope. In Korean its closer to Bahk. Parks allegedly corrupt confidante, Choi Soon-sil, pronounces her name more like Chwey than the way its rendered in English. There is a gulf, often a wide one, between the way Koreans write their names in English and the way they actually sound. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2016 file photo, newspapers reporting about South Korean President Park Geun-hye's address to the nation are displayed at a newspaper distributing station in Seoul, South Korea. Impeached President Park Geun-hyes surname is Park, right? Nope. In Korean its closer to Bahk. Parks allegedly corrupt confidante, Choi Soon-sil, pronounces her name more like Chwey than the way its rendered in English. There is a gulf, often a wide one, between the way Koreans write their names in English and the way they actually sound. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
Trump's praise of Putin could signal a new day for US policy

HONOLULU (AP)  Moscow is hoping Donald Trump will reconsider the sanctions the U.S. is levying in response to its finding of election hacking, a wait-and-see strategy bolstered by the American president-elect's own approving words for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin has essentially put relations with the U.S. on hold until Trump replaces President Barack Obama on Jan. 20. Though his foreign minister encouraged him to slap back at Washington for the sanctions imposed by Obama, Putin decided that Russia wouldn't immediately retaliate.

"Great move on delay (by V. Putin)," Trump wrote Friday on Twitter. "I always knew he was very smart!"

FILE _ In this Monday, Dec. 26, 2016 file photo Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the meeting in St.Petersburg, Russia. President Vladimir Putin said, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016 that Russia will not be expelling US diplomats in response to a new round of US sanctions. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File)

Praise for a longtime adversary at odds with a sitting American president is remarkable for a president-elect  and the latest signal that U.S.-Russia relations, among other policies, could be getting a makeover from Trump.

Whether he steers the U.S. toward or away from Russia is shaping up as the first major test of his foreign policy disposition and his willingness to buck fellow Republicans, who for years have argued Obama wasn't being tough enough on Russia.

In response to the election hacking he blames on Russia, Obama ordered sanctions on Russian spy agencies, closed two Russian compounds and expelled 35 diplomats the U.S. said were really spies. Brushing off Obama, Putin said Russia would plan steps to restore U.S. ties "based on the policies that will be carried out by the administration of President D. Trump." Not only would Russia not kick Americans out, Putin said, he was inviting the kids of all U.S. diplomats to the Kremlin's New Year's and Christmas parties.

"At this point, they're trolling Obama," said Olga Oliker, who directs the Russia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The Obama administration said it had seen Putin's remarks but had nothing more to say.

Russia denies the U.S. intelligence community's assessment that in an attempt to help Trump win the presidency, Moscow orchestrated cyber breaches in which tens of thousands of Democrats' emails were stolen and later made public. Trump, too, has refused to accept that conclusion and insisted the country should just "move on," though he has agreed to meet next week with intelligence leaders to learn more.

Notably, after the U.S. on Thursday issued a report it said exposed Russia's cyber tactics, Putin's aides didn't offer any specific rebuttal. The report included detailed technical information like IP addresses and samples of malware code the U.S. said Russia uses.

One utility company, Burlington Electric Department in Vermont, reported Friday that it had detected the malware on a company laptop that was not connected to its grid systems. Burlington said, "We took immediate action to isolate the laptop and alerted federal officials of this finding."

There's little certainty about how Trump will actually act on Russia as president. Though he's praised Putin as a strong leader and said it would be ideal for the two countries to stop fighting, he also suggested this month the U.S. might mount a new nuclear arms race, triggering fresh anxieties about a return to Cold War-style tensions.

Ambassador Michael McFaul, Obama's former envoy to Russia, said while Trump has defined his top objective as "getting along with the Kremlin," Putin has higher goals, including the lifting of economic sanctions and, ideally, U.S. recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea.

"Obviously, Putin's not responding because he's waiting for Jan. 20," McFaul said in an interview. "He's got these much more important objectives to him than getting into a tit-for-tat response with the outgoing administration."

Trump's warm outreach to Putin, combined with picks for secretary of state and national security adviser who are seen as friendly to Russia, have left hawkish Republicans with a particularly unpleasant choice: look hypocritical for backtracking on their own tough talk, or risk a public rift with their party's new president.

In the House, many Republicans who have long called for tougher sanctions have been silent or vague about Obama's penalties and Trump's positions. But a handful of GOP senators have shown they have no intentions of letting up pressure on the Kremlin.

"We intend to lead the effort in the new Congress to impose stronger sanctions on Russia," Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said in a statement. McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, scheduled a hearing next week on "foreign cyber threats" in an attempt to further spotlight Russia's actions.

Even if Trump opts to pull back Obama's sanctions and overlook hacking allegations, he may find rapprochement with Russia isn't that simple. The past two presidents both tried to reach out to Russia early in their terms but left office with relations in no better shape.

Though Trump has suggested the U.S. and Russia should align strategies in Syria by focusing on their mutual enemy, the Islamic State group, Russia's military campaign has almost exclusively targeted American-backed Syrian rebels, the U.S. has said. Nor is it clear whether Trump and Putin share a common approach to Europe's security issues.

And if Trump follows through on his vow to renegotiate the Iran nuclear deal, he won't find a receptive audience in Moscow. Putin's government brokered the deal with the U.S., Iran and other world powers and has no intention of slapping sanctions back on Iran.

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Associated Press writers Nataliya Vasilyeva and Jim Heintz in Moscow and Lynn Berry in Washington contributed to this report.

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Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP

The U.S. Embassy with its national flag, see behind a monument to the Workers of 1905 Revolution in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. President Vladimir Putin said, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016 that Russia will not be expelling US diplomats in response to a new round of US sanctions. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a sword while listening an explanations from the head of Russian First Channel Konstantin Ernst, during his meeting with the historical action film Viking's crew, in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. Viking is a historical action film based on the historical document Primary Chronicle and Icelandic Kings' sagas. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

In this photo taken Dec. 16, 2016, President Barack Obama speaks during a news conference in the briefing room of the White House in Washington. President Barack Obama has imposed sanctions on Russian officials and intelligence services in retaliation for Russia's interference in the U.S. presidential election by hacking American political sites and email accounts. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

This image provided by the FBI shows the wanted poster for Evgeniy Bogachev. In a sweeping response to election hacking, President Barack Obama sanctioned Russian intelligence services and their top officials, kicked out 35 Russian officials and shuttered two Russian-owned compounds in the U.S. It was the strongest action the Obama administration has taken to date to retaliate for a cyberattack. Other individuals sanctioned include Bogachev and Alexey Belan, two Russian nationals who have been wanted by the FBI for cyber crimes for years. (FBI via AP)

This image provided by the FBI shows the wanted poster for Alexsey Belan. In a sweeping response to election hacking, President Barack Obama sanctioned Russian intelligence services and their top officials, kicked out 35 Russian officials and shuttered two Russian-owned compounds in the U.S. It was the strongest action the Obama administration has taken to date to retaliate for a cyberattack. Other individuals sanctioned include Belan and Evgeniy Bogachev, two Russian nationals who have been wanted by the FBI for cyber crimes for years. (FBI via AP)

Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis, right, looks at US Sen. John McCain centre left, during a press conference, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016 in Riga, Latvia, while Lindsey Graham, R-SC., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., stand in the background. Russia can expect hard-hitting sanctions from United States lawmakers if an investigation proves that Moscow interfered in the presidential election, a U.S. senator said Wednesday during a visit to Latvia. (AP Photo/Vitnija Saldava)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks to reporters at Mar-a-Lago, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Eager to stop Republicans from destroying his signature health care law, President Barack Obama and Democratic lawmakers will meet next week to try to forge a common strategy. Obama also plans a major valedictory speech in Chicago, his hometown, shortly before his presidency ends.

Obama will travel to the Capitol on Wednesday morning for the meeting with House and Senate Democrats, according to an invitation sent to lawmakers.

The White House is casting it as an effort to unite Democrats behind a plan to protect the law, known as the Affordable Care Act, before Republicans have a chance to settle on their own plan for repealing it.

President Obama will strategize next week with Democratic lawmakers about how to prevent Republicans from destroying his Affordable Care Act. He'll also give a speech in Chicago on January 10 that is expected to be his closing message as president (file)

The White House is casting it as an effort to unite Democrats behind a plan to protect the law before Republicans have a chance to settle on their own plan for repealing it

Democrats are on edge over the future of the ACA, given the GOP's disdain for 'Obamacare' and President-elect Donald Trump's vows to gut it.

Though Republicans are united behind the notion of repealing the law, they're split over how best to replace it.

Some want to strip out unpopular provisions while leaving others intact, while other Republicans prefer a start-from-scratch approach.

It's that lack of unanimity among Republicans that Obama and Democrats hope can be exploited, if they can lay the groundwork even before Trump takes office.

To that end, Obama also planned to answer questions about the future of the health care law next Friday during a livestreamed event at Blair House, just across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House.

Initially stunned by the defeat of Hillary Clinton, Democrats are now trying to organize a counter-attack to preserve the ACA, among the most significant expansions of the social safety net since Medicare and Medicaid were created 50 years ago.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi has urged her lawmakers to make health care their focus at the start of the year.

Defenders of the law have also launched a political coalition called 'Protect Our Care,' bringing together more than 20 groups, including the NAACP and the Service Employees International Union.

One of their objectives is to try to prevent Republicans from repealing the ACA without also enacting a replacement.

Democrats are on edge over the future of the ACA, given the GOP's disdain for 'Obamacare' and President-elect Donald Trump's vows to gut it

(Currently Republicans plan to quickly vote on repealing the law, and delay the effective date to give them time to craft a replacement.)

Another goal for Democrats is to pre-empt bigger health care changes to Medicare and Medicaid long sought by Republicans.

Since the ACA passed, about 20million people have gained coverage and the uninsured rate has dropped to a historic low of around 9 per cent.

Some of the coverage gains are due to employers offering jobs with health care in a stronger economy, but most experts mainly credit Obama's law.

A recent poll suggests that defenders of the law may get a receptive hearing from the public.

Only about one in four Americans want Trump and the GOP-led Congress to completely repeal the ACA, according to a post-election survey by the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation.

'Republicans don't fully appreciate the implications of even a partial repeal of the ACA,' said Rob Restuccia, executive director of Community Catalyst, one of the advocacy groups in the coalition trying to preserve the law. 'People use the analogy of the dog that caught the car.'

Obama's speech in Chicago on January 10 is expected to serve as his closing words to the nation as president.

His appearance will be open to the public and followed by a 'family reunion' for alumni of Obama's former campaigns, according to a save-the-date notice sent to Obama alumni and obtained by The Associated Press.
UN backs Russian-Turkish Syria efforts as cease-fire wavers

BEIRUT (AP)  The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Saturday supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and jump-start peace negotiations, as a fragile country-wide cease-fire wavered.

The resolution also calls for the "rapid, safe and unhindered" delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Syria. And it anticipates a meeting of the Syrian government and opposition representative in Kazakhstan's capital Astana in late January.

The resolution's final text dropped an endorsement of the Syria cease-fire agreement reached Thursday, simply taking note of it but welcoming and supporting Russian-Turkish efforts to end the violence. Western members of the council sought the last-minute changes to the draft resolution to clarify the U.N.'s role and the meaning of the agreement brokered by Moscow and Ankara.

New Zealand's U.N. Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, left, and Russia's ambassador to the U.N., Vitaly Churkin, raise their hands as they join other members of the Security Council at the United Nations headquarters on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, voting to pass a resolution supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end violence in Syria and jumpstart peace negotiations. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

U.S. deputy ambassador Michele Sison said the Obama administration strongly supports a cease-fire and "unfettered humanitarian access," but she expressed regret that additional documentation to the agreement brokered by Russia and Turkey with details about its implementation have not yet been made public.

Meanwhile on the ground in Syria, rebels warned on Saturday that cease-fire violations by pro-government forces threatened to undermine the two-day-old agreement intended to pave the way for talks between the government and the opposition in the new year.

Airstrikes pounded opposition-held villages and towns in the strategically-important Barada Valley outside Damascus, activists said, prompting rebels to threaten to withdraw their compliance with a nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey last week.

The airstrikes let up in the late evening, but rebels nevertheless staged retaliatory attacks against government-held areas in other parts of the country, according to the media arm of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is fighting alongside the government in Syria.

Hezbollah military media reported a barrage of rebel rocket fire on the twin Shiite villages of Foua and Kfraya in northern Syria which have remained loyal to the government in the otherwise rebel-dominated Idlib province. The government's side has rallied thousands of Shiite militia fighters from across the Middle East on the grounds of defending the sect in Syria.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group also reported the attacks. It added that pro-government forces had advanced against rebels in the eastern Ghouta region outside Damascus, in a clear violation of the cease-fire.

Rebels also accused the government of signing a different version of the agreement to the one they signed in the Turkish capital of Ankara, further complicating the latest diplomatic efforts to bring an end to six years of war.

Nearly 50,000 people died in the conflict in 2016, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which maintains networks of contacts on all sides of the war. More than 13,000 of them were civilians, according to the Observatory. Various estimates have put the war's overall toll at around 400,000 dead.

If the truce holds, the government and the opposition will be expected to meet for talks for the first time in nearly a year in the Kazakh capital of Astana in the second half of January. Those talks will be mediated by Russia, Turkey and Iran, though Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin has said other key players including the United States are welcome to participate.

Churkin said after Saturday's vote that the Astana talks will be the first face-to-face negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition and he expressed hope that 2017 will see a political settlement of the conflict that has claimed over 250,000 lives.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem and Major General Ali Mamlouk, head of the National Security Bureau, were in Tehran Saturday to discuss developments with their Iranian counterparts, according to Iranian state media. They met with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

The Kremlin meanwhile said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani confirmed their commitment to negotiations in Astana, in a phone conversation between the two leaders.

Iran and Russia have provided crucial military and diplomatic support to Syrian President Bashar Assad throughout the conflict, while Turkey has served as a rear base and source of supplies for the opposition.

The developments follow months of talks between Ankara and Moscow that culminated in a cease-fire agreement that went into effect Friday at midnight.

But in a statement issued by a coalition of 11 rebel factions, including the powerful Army of Islam group operating in the Damascus countryside, rebels said they could not abide by the cease-fire if the government continued its assault on Barada Valley.

The statement also complained that the government's version of the agreement signed in Ankara last week had deleted "a number of essential and non-negotiable points."

It said the opposition had agreed to a cease-fire encompassing the whole of Syria, without any exceptions to region or faction.

The Barada Valley Media Center said Lebanese Hezbollah militants were firing on villages and towns in the water-rich region as Russian and government aircraft carried out raids for the 10th consecutive day Saturday. The Lebanese militant group is a key ally to President Assad's forces.

The Barada Valley is the primary source of water for the capital and its surrounding region. The government assault has coincided with a severe water shortage in Damascus since Dec. 22. Images from the valley's Media Center indicate its Ain al-Fijeh spring and water processing facility have been destroyed in airstrikes. The government says rebels spoiled the water source with diesel fuel, forcing it to cut supplies to the capital.

The Observatory reported at least two civilians and five militants have been killed in battles over opposition-held Eastern Ghouta and Barada Valley regions around Damascus, since the truce came into effect Thursday at midnight.

The Syrian military on Friday denied attacking the valley, saying it respected the Russian and Turkish brokered truce.

Meanwhile, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency reported the death of an Islamic State commander in a Turkish airstrike near the north Syrian town of al-Bab on Friday. The truce does not cover operations against the Islamic State group or al-Qaida's Syria affiliate, the Fatah al-Sham front.

Anadolu identified the commander as Abu Ansari. The report could not be independently verified.

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Lederer reported from the United Nations. Associated Press writers Zeynep Bilginsoy in Istanbul, James Heintz in Moscow, and Mohammad Nasri in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
Suspect in trooper's death shot and killed during encounter

JUNIATA TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP)  The suspect in the fatal shooting of a first-year Pennsylvania trooper was shot and killed after making threats to police who located him Saturday morning, authorities said.

Trooper Landon Weaver, 23, was killed responding to a domestic complaint Friday evening in a rural area in Huntingdon County, in central Pennsylvania. An overnight manhunt for the suspect ended Saturday morning when police found 32-year-old Jason Robison at an unoccupied mobile home in the area, authorities said.

Cpl. Adam Reed, a state police spokesman, said Robison refused orders and threatened officers on the scene, leading police to shoot him. His death was confirmed at about 10:30 a.m.

This undated photo provided by the Pennsylvania State Police shows Trooper Landon Weaver, who was killed responding to a domestic complaint Friday evening, Dec. 30, 2016, in a rural area in Huntingdon County, in central Pennsylvania. The suspect in the fatal shooting of Weaver was shot and killed after making threats to police who located him Saturday morning, authorities said. (Pennsylvania State Police via AP)

Weaver was responding to a reported violation of a protection-from-abuse order when he was shot. Details of that complaint were not immediately available, and Reed did not immediately know who owned the home where Weaver was killed.

The search for Robison was focused on an area around the home and nearby Raystown Lake.

He had been arrested more than a dozen times in the county, on charges that included making threats, assault, theft and driving on a revoked license. Robison last appeared in court on Dec. 16, when he was released on theft and driving charges after posting $10,000 bail.

Weaver, originally from East Freedom in Blair County, was assigned to a patrol unit with Troop G in Huntingdon. He had joined the department in December 2015 and had graduated from the police academy in June. His survivors include his wife, Reed said.

Gov. Tom Wolf in a statement said Weaver will be remembered for "his bravery, his sacrifice, and his willingness to serve."

Wolf also praised state police for working through the night and concluding the search without injuries to other residents.

Weaver was the 97th member of the Pennsylvania State Police to be killed in the line of duty.
Egypt releases remains of Paris flight crew

CAIRO (AP)  Egypt's Forensics Authority says it has released the remains of ten crew members of the EgyptAir Paris flight that crashed in May, killing all 66 passengers on board.

Authority spokesman Hisham Abdel Hamid told the Associated Press Saturday that the remains of the passengers will be released by the end of next week, a delay the French authorities have repeatedly protested.
16 bodies recovered after mine collapse in India

PATNA, India (AP)  Rescue workers have recovered the bodies of 16 miners buried after 23 miners were trapped by a mound of fallen earth in eastern India, police said Saturday.

R.K. Malik, the police spokesman for the state of Jharkhand, where the mine was located, said that hopes of finding any survivors among the remaining seven miners still missing were slipping.

The collapse happened late Thursday, but heavy smog prevented rescue workers from entering the open coal mine in Godda district until early Friday morning.

Godda is around 1,570 kilometers (975 miles) southeast of New Delhi.

The coal mine is owned by the state government, but is leased to a private contractor.
Elizabeth Warren Fires A Shot Over The Bow Of The Fakest Progressive In Congress Weve written a lot lately about how right-wing opportunist Tulsi Gabbard , a classic Fox News Dem, is not, despite her commendable backing for Bernie during the primary, a progressive. As weve discussed before, Gabbards record in the Hawaii legislature was pitiful and her record in Congress has earned her an F from ProgressivePunch. What few on the mainland understand but what everyone who follows politics in Hawaii does know, is that the ravenously ambitious Gabbart plans to challenge progressive U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono in a primary. Republicans already know Tulsi is their gal and she doesnt have to campaign directly for their votes. Instead, shes hoping to catapult herself into the Senate and beyond by combining the mindless support she gets from the crackpot Chris Butler cult in Hawaii and the naive Bernie supporters on the mainland.









It seems unfathomable to Bernie fans that their hero, Gabbard, has a putrid conservative record going back for years and years. Just during her time in Congress, while Mazie Hirono has earned a solid A in the Senate and a lifetime crucial vote score of 96.39, bested only by Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey (chart above), the same algorithm gave Gabbard a 73.75 lifetime crucial vote scoreand in one of the safest, bluest districts in America. She votes with the Wall Street-owned New Dems, not with progressives.









Someone must have alerted Elizabeth Warren to what Gabbard is up to because on Friday she sent her supporters a note about Mazie Hirono, asking them to support the woman with the third most progressive voting record in the Senate. No mention of Gabbards planned primary, just a subtle shot across the bow for the devious Hawaiian crony of Trump political agent, Steve Bannon . There's only one way we're going to stop Donald Trump, wrote Warren By standing together. All of us. That's why I'm proud to stand alongside my friend, Senator Mazie Hirono. Except for the most politically astute among them, most Berniebots who worship Gabbard have probably never heard of Maize Hirono. They will once the 2018 primary draws closer.

Hard-working families in Hawaii and all across the country can count on Mazie and me to fight for them in the U.S. Senate, every single day -- and to stand up to Donald Trump's dangerous policies that threaten America.



Mazie is one of my closest allies in the Senate, and she needs our support to get her reelection campaign off to a strong start.



Mazie and I both arrived in the Senate in 2013 at the start of President Obamas second term. Since then, we've been allies on issue after issue -- fighting to advance comprehensive immigration reform, defend Obamacare, protect women's health, raise the minimum wage, and ensure equal rights for all Americans.



And we're going to keep up that fight, with your help.



Over the past eight years, our country has made incredible progress. We have boosted the economy with more than 15 million new jobs, delivered quality, affordable healthcare to more than 17 million Americans, and fought to defend civil liberties for countless more.



But too many Americans still feel like the system is rigged for the millionaires and billionaires and giant corporations  and as Donald Trump prepares to take office (as much as it pains me to say that), that feeling will only get worse. All our progress hangs in the balance. We must fight to protect what we have won, and must fight our way forward.



That's why we need to keep Mazie Hirono in the Senate.

So far, Warren has only contacted her list for 3 senators 3 absolutely staunch progressives, two, Tammy Baldwin and Sherrod Brown, who will face conservative Republicans, and one, Mazie, who will face a more insidious threat: a poisonous conservative posing as a progressive (Gabbard).





In a separate e-mail, she warned her supporters that in November right-wing Super PACs drowned our Democratic Senate candidates with nasty attacks this election cycle  and many of our candidates couldnt recover. She knows conservatives will do the same thing again Republican conservatives opposing Baldwin and Brown and shadier conservatives against Hirono.




WSJ: Reporter detained in Turkey for nearly 3 days released

NEW YORK (AP)  The Wall Street Journal says one of its reporters was detained in Turkey for nearly three days before authorities allowed him to leave the country.

Editor Gerard Baker says in a statement Saturday that national security reporter Dion Nissenbaum was prohibited from calling his family, editors or a lawyer while in custody.

A newspaper spokesman says Nissenbaum's detention was likely related to Turkey's ban on reporting Islamic State terror group videos. He wouldn't comment further.

A top Turkish official recently warned journalists against sharing a video that allegedly shows two Turkish soldiers being burned alive. The Turkish Consulate General in New York hasn't returned messages seeking comment.

A State Department spokesman says officials are aware of Nissenbaum's case but couldn't discuss it.
Puerto Rico governor calls for swift debt restructuring

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla is urging his successor to demand that a federal control board overseeing government finances move immediately to restructure much of its nearly $70 billion in debt.

The outgoing governor tells Governor-elect Ricardo Rossello in a letter released Friday night that the commonwealth cannot afford to pay $3.5 billion in annual debt service.

He says Puerto Rico faces $3 billion in additional liabilities by 2018 after federal health care funding sources and pension system assets are depleted and warns that action is needed before a litigation stay against creditor lawsuits expires in February.

The board can restructure debt through a court-supervised bankruptcy process but board chairman Jose Carrion has said it will try to reach voluntary deals with creditors.
Texas family blame Apple's FaceTime in suit over fatal crash

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP)  A Texas couple whose 5-year-old daughter died in a crash involving a driver who was allegedly using Apple's FaceTime video chatting app is suing the tech company.

The lawsuit filed this month in Santa Clara Superior Court accuses Apple of not implementing iPhone features that would automatically disable FaceTime based on technology that calculates highway speeds.

Apple hasn't responded to the lawsuit and didn't immediately respond to an email Saturday seeking comment.

Moriah Modisette was killed in a 2014 Christmas Eve accident near Dallas. The lawsuit obtained by California television KTLA claims police found FaceTime running on the iPhone of the driver who struck the Modisette family at 65 mph.
Michael Brown's family fights Ferguson push for his records

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  Michael Brown's parents are objecting to a request from Ferguson for their son's medical and academic records as the city defends itself against a lawsuit the parents filed over the 2014 police shooting death of the unarmed 18-year-old.

Michael Brown Sr. and Lezley McSpadden, in December court filings, asked U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber in St. Louis to at least limit if not scuttle altogether a push by the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, its former police chief and the officer who shot their son to turn over the documents. The parents say the documents are irrelevant and that the repeated demands for them are harassing and invasive.

Brown's parents argue in their lawsuit that the death of their son during an August 2014 confrontation with Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson deprived them of financial support through his future potential wages. An attorney for Ferguson, Wilson and the former police chief have countered in court filings that Brown's lifelong medical records are pertinent to determining his potential life expectancy and future income.

In her 2016 book, "Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil," McSpadden acknowledged that her son had high blood pressure, headaches, impaired vision and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In court filings rebuffing the push for all of her son's medical records, Brown's parents said his afflictions "have no bearing on a person's life expectancy."

"Although (the lawsuit's defendants) are admittedly entitled to some discovery regarding (Brown's) physical health, any and all medical records spanning his entire lifetime is overly broad in scope and time and vague," the family's filing read.

Brown's parents insist the academic records are shielded as private because they involve a juvenile.

Peter Dunne, an attorney for the defendants, wrote in a recent court filing that while the lawsuit's two sides "have resolved the majority of the disputes" involving the legal action's sharing of documents and potential evidence, "the parties have agreed there remain disputes over which no further compromise can be made," requiring Webber to sort it out.
Long gas lines, price hike mar holiday season in Mexico

MEXICO CITY (AP)  The holiday season has been a little less merry for car owners in Mexico as gasoline shortages in many parts of the country have forced grumbling customers to contend with hours-long lines.

In hard-hit parts like Leon, in Guanajuato state, filling up your tank often means driving around from one station to the next just to find one that has fuel.

"It's chaos," said Guadalupe Lopez, a customer service worker in Leon who visited eight stations on a recent day before she finally found a pump that wasn't dry. "One worker told me they had gone a day and a half without supply."

A taxi driver fills containers in his trunk with gasoline after waiting for hours at a fuel station in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, late Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. Most of the city's fill-up stations were closed on Friday night because they were out of gas, and drivers waited up to three hours at this pump. On Jan. 1, Mexicans will start paying market prices for gasoline as part of a price deregulation, triggering gasoline shortages in many parts of the country. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

Rumors are swirling of gas station owners purportedly hoarding fuel ahead of a price deregulation that takes effect Sunday, and will let them sell it for as much as 20 percent more. Stories abound of Mexicans stocking up as much as they can before the hike kicks in.

Officials are largely downplaying the problems, citing factors such as pipeline theft, increased holiday demand and unforeseen shipping delays, and have sought to reassure consumers that they're working hard to get the fuel flowing. But even with conditions improved somewhat since Christmas, analysts say a neglected fuel infrastructure is finally catching up with the country, and there's no quick fix in sight.

Jorge Pinon, an energy expert at the University of Texas, Austin, said Mexico is refining less than 1 million barrels of crude per day this year, down from 1.065 million per day last year. More and more the country is importing its gasoline  about half its current consumption  but state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, lacks adequate distribution and storage capacity.

"We are up against a total collapse of the refining system of Pemex," Pinon said.

As examples, he pointed to tankers backed up in the Gulf of Mexico because the port of Veracruz is a bottleneck for offloading, and said pipelines that carry gasoline to central parts of the country are in poor shape and vulnerable to illegal taps.

Fuel theft is big business for organized crime groups such as the Zetas drug cartel, which has a strong presence in the oil-producing Gulf coast region, and officials estimate it accounts for $1.4 billion in losses per year.

In mid-December the Mexican Gas Station Owners' Association warned that refineries were not operating at full capacity and imported gasoline was not being offloaded from ship because of delayed payments.

"The entire system of refining and distribution is rotten," said Miriam Grunstein, an energy analyst at Rice University.

Pemex has acknowledged supply deficiencies in four central and western states, though Mexican media reported problems in 13 of the country's 31 states.

On Saturday, it issued a statement saying fuel supply was being carried out "with normality" and just 155 of the country's 11,400 gas stations were now understocked, concentrated in the states of Puebla, Queretaro and San Luis Potosi.

San Luis Potosi is where Mexico City resident Ignacio Lanzagorta shot a widely seen video of dozens of vehicles and people with jerry cans on the side of a highway, waiting for their turn at a Pemex station in the town of Salinas de Hidalgo. Lanzagorta told the AP he made the video Monday while driving from the capital to the central state of Zacatecas.

Pemex says tankers have been stranded in the Gulf by bad weather and unable to unload their shipments on time. It also cited the fuel thefts, which force pipelines offline, and said consumer stockpiling and panic-buying only exacerbated the shortages.

The federal consumer protection agency announced on Wednesday that it was investigating whether some stations may be hoarding fuel until January, as is widely rumored.

"The problem is that there has not been enough investment in infrastructure for the storage and transportation of fuels, which has increased the risk of shortages," the Mexican government said in a statement debunking "myths" about gasoline that was also retweeted by Pemex. "Going forward, the government will be obligated to increase minimum storage capacity to 15 days of total national consumption."

Pemex executive Carlos Murriet said in recent days that the country currently has six days' worth in storage.

Grunstein called that "ridiculously low" and a sign of short-term thinking by the company.

"With Pemex there is no planning ... and simply fixing small holes ends up being more expensive," she said.

The 2017 price deregulation  part of a broader energy reform passed two years ago under President Enrique Pena Nieto allowing some private investment and ending more than seven decades of state monopoly over the sector  establishes 90 different tariff zones where prices will be allowed to fluctuate.

Officials say it's time for Mexicans to pay market prices for gasoline and longtime subsidies are not sustainable especially with the peso's dramatic fall against the U.S. dollar. Earlier this year, the first gas stations run by companies other than Pemex began operating as part of the reform, on the theory that injecting competition will level the field for consumers. They are still far outnumbered by Pemex stations, however.

In a second phase in 2017, other companies will be also allowed to import and distribute gasoline instead of Pemex handling the entire supply chain.

Pricing will no longer be a government decision but rather "a result of what happens in the market," Treasury Secretary Jose Antonio Meade told Radio Formula on Thursday.

But many Mexicans are skeptical that a dose of capitalism is a good thing for the energy sector, which was nationalized in 1938 and has long been considered part of the national patrimony. Opposition politicians on the left have lent support to calls for protests against the deregulation.

One message that circulated on social media called on people to fill their tanks before New Year's and boycott gas purchases the first three days of the year as a "peaceful revolution."

Pinon said as long as the country suffers from its logistical limitations, Mexicans will be paying "an internal overpricing" at the pumps. "I don't see a near-term solution," he said.

He added that Pemex badly needs restructuring, and Grunstein said the company is weighed down by a powerful and corrupt union that obstructs attempts at reform.

"Anyone saying gas is going to rise because of competition is crazy," Grunstein said. "It will go up because of the lack of competition and lousy management."

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This story has been corrected to reflect that 1.065 million barrels of crude were refined last year.

In this Dec. 26, 2016 photo, drivers wait in line to fill up their gas tanks in Charcas, in Mexico's San Luis Potosi state. Ahead of a price deregulation that takes effect Jan. 1, gasoline shortages in many parts of Mexico have forced customers to contend with hours-long lines. Officials say its time for Mexicans to pay market prices for gasoline and longtime subsidies are not sustainable. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

A driver fills containers in the trunk with gasoline after waiting for hours at a gas station in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, late Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. Most of the city's fill-up stations were closed on Friday night because they were out of fuel, and drivers waited up to three hours at this pump. On Jan. 1, Mexicans will start paying market prices for gasoline as part of a price deregulation, triggering gasoline shortages in many parts of the country. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

Gas prices per liter are displayed at a station in Mexico City, late Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. Rumors are swirling of gas station owners purportedly hoarding fuel ahead of a price deregulation that takes effect Sunday. Officials say it's time for Mexicans to pay market prices for gasoline and longtime subsidies are not sustainable. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Workers inspect a tanker truck inside the storage and dispatch terminal of Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), Mexico's state-owned oil company, in the port of Veracruz, Mexico, Dec. 30, 2016, days before the deregulation of gas prices. Many Mexicans are skeptical that capitalism is a good thing for the energy sector, which was nationalized in 1938 and has long been considered part of the national patrimony, while opposition politicians on the left have lent support to calls for protests against the deregulation. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

A girl peers out the back seat as her car gets fueled up at a service station in Mexico City, Dec. 30, 2016. Mexicans will begin paying market prices for gasoline on Sunday after longtime subsidies are eliminated, as part of energy reform passed two years ago under President Enrique Pena Nieto. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Website for Brazil's President Temer hacked

SAO PAULO (AP)  A website for the Brazilian president has been hacked, plastered with messages calling for the death penalty for legislators in a country where many are frustrated with public corruption.

The G1 news portal says the site, www.micheltemer.com.br, is maintained by President Michel Temer's party. It usually carries news about the president but is not an official government site.

A banner in English at the top of the site Saturday read, "Exploited by Anarchy Ghost." Below a picture of a grimacing Temer, the hackers wrote in Portuguese that they wanted "the death penalty for whoever is in Congress."

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2016 file photo, Brazil's President Michel Temer arrives to take part in a ceremony at the Planalto Presidential Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil. Temer predicted Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, Latin America's largest economy would emerge from a deep recession next year to "defeat the crisis," even as unemployment jumped yet again. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File)
A look at the House's power brokers: committee chairmen

WASHINGTON (AP)  The power brokers in the House are the committee chairmen, all Republicans who will steer President-elect Donald Trump's agenda. Some are back at the helm this year, others are new:

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ARMED SERVICES: Texas Rep. Mac Thornberry returns to lead Armed Services, which has oversight of the military's vast operations and a more than $610 billion budget. Trump wants more money for defense and Thornberry will happily comply. Washington state Rep. Adam Smith will retain his spot as the top Democrat.

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2016 file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Republicans' grip on all levers of power stands as a mandate to the GOP-led Congress, which will move swiftly to try to undo eight years of outgoing President Barack Obama's agenda. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

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ENERGY AND COMMERCE: The new chairman is Oregon Rep. Greg Walden, who will head a panel with broad oversight over health care, manufacturing, trade, communications, energy and the economy. One of the panel's major issues will be coming up with a replacement for the health care law, which Republicans promise to rewrite after repealing the current version. New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone will continue to be the top Democrat.

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WAYS AND MEANS: Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, remains chairman of the committee, which has sweeping jurisdiction over tax reform, replacing the health care law and massive benefit programs like Social Security and Medicare. Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts will take over as top Democrat.

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APPROPRIATIONS: New Jersey GOP Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen is taking over the panel, which writes more than $1 trillion worth of agency spending bills and is expected to steer more to defense under Trump. Veteran New York Rep. Nita Lowey is the top Democrat.

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BUDGET: Rep. Tom Price is the current chairman, but the Georgia Republican has been tapped by Trump to run the Department of Health and Human Services. Several Republicans are interested, but the decision won't come until Price is confirmed. Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth will be the top Democrat.

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FINANCIAL SERVICES. Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling, a strong opponent of Obama administration rules tightening regulation of Wall Street, remains chairman, with veteran California Rep. Maxine Waters back as ranking Democrat.

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JUDICIARY: Virginia Rep. Robert Goodlatte is to lead the panel with oversight of the Justice Department and law enforcement. Tougher immigration rules, a conservative priority, are likely. Michigan Rep. John Conyers is expected to remain the top Democrat.

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FOREIGN AFFAIRS: California Rep. Ed Royce heads the panel, which will conduct broad oversight over developments in Syria and Iran. New York Rep. Elliot Engel will continue to be the top Democrat.

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INTELLIGENCE: Rep. Devin Nunes of California remains chairman of the committee, which oversees the CIA and the intelligence community. The committee will continue investigations into foreign cyberattacks, including Russian interference in the U.S. election. California Rep. Adam Schiff was the top Democrat on the committee and is expected to continue in that role, though he hasn't yet been officially appointed.

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RULES: Texas Rep. Pete Sessions chairs this powerful panel, which sets the terms of floor debates, usually at the direction of top GOP leaders. New York Rep. Louise Slaughter will continue as ranking Democrat.

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TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Pennsylvania Rep. Bill Shuster chairs the committee, which would share jurisdiction of Trump's infrastructure initiatives. Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio is the ranking Democratic member.

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AGRICULTURE: Texas Rep. Mike Conaway is chairman of the panel, which is expected to have a role in possible changes to the federal food stamp program. Conservatives have eyed new work or eligibility standards for the costly program. The committee will also start work on a new five-year farm bill, as current law expires in 2018. Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota will remain the top Democrat.

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EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE: North Carolina Rep. Virginia Foxx is the new chairman, and favors the use of public money to enable disadvantaged students to attend the public or private school of their choice. Trump has said such policy will be a priority. Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott will continue as ranking Democrat.

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ETHICS: Indiana Rep. Susan Brooks is the new chairman of the committee, which disciplines lawmakers who break the rules and gives advice on avoiding ethical quandaries. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi hasn't yet named a new top Democrat on the panel.

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HOMELAND SECURITY: Texas Rep. Mike McCaul continues as chairman of the panel, which oversees border security, cybersecurity and the Transportation Security Administration. Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson is the ranking Democrat.

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OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM: Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz has targeted the Obama administration and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Now it's unclear what the committee will do for four years. Ranking Democrat Elijah Cummings of Maryland wants the panel to focus on Trump, which is highly unlikely.

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NATURAL RESOURCES: Utah Rep. Rob Bishop chairs the panel, which has jurisdiction over mining, public lands and energy production and will try to undo Obama's policies. Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva is the top Democrat.

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SCIENCE, SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY: Texas Rep. Lamar Smith, the committee chair, is skeptical about climate change caused by human behavior. The panel's top Democrat is likely to be Texas Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson.

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SMALL BUSINESS: Ohio Rep. Steve Chabot chairs the panel. New York Rep. Nydia Velasquez in the longtime top Democrat.

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Rural New Mexico exports mentoring model for physicians

ESPANOLA, N.M. (AP)  The heart of an unborn child beat strong and steady through an amplified monitor, as physician Leslie Hayes examined a pregnant 40-year-old who recently was weaned from heroin with help from anti-craving medication.

Hayes and her colleagues treat more than 200 patients for drug-use disorders involving heroin and prescription opioid pain medication at a rural clinic in New Mexico's Espanola Valley, where rates of opioid addiction and mortality are among the nation's highest.

Hayes' ability to effectively treat opioid addiction with the medication buprenorphine, which blocks cravings and withdrawal symptoms, would not be possible without years of regular videoconferences with specialists at a major medical center in Albuquerque under a program known as Project ECHO.

In this Dec. 21, 2016 photo, family physician Leslie Hayes attends to a 31-year-old mother (right, partially obscured) who is being treated for an addiction to heroin with the anti-craving medication Subutext, at the El Centro Family Health medical clinic in Espanola, N.M. Hayes credits her ability to effectively treat opioid addiction disorders to a training and mentoring program known as Project ECHO that is being tapped by federal officials for possible broader applications. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

The model is being tapped by federal officials now that President Barack Obama has signed legislation aimed at improving patient access to specialized treatments for a variety of diseases and complex conditions, from HIV and diabetes to bone ailments associated with osteoporosis.

Project ECHO's long-distance training for physicians, their assistants and nurse practitioners mimics the mentoring that interns and residents receive at elite urban hospitals.

Sanjeev Arora, Project ECHO's founder, came up with the concept in 2003 when he realized most New Mexicans with hepatitis C were being left without proven treatments, often leading to liver failure and premature death.

His training model has expanded to 57 medical conditions, while Arora sees a unique opportunity to contain the nation's epidemic of opioid addiction. In 2015, more than 15,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opioids, while many prescription addicts have transitioned to cheaper heroin.

"There are very few doctors in the country right now to match the scale of the problem," Arora said.

Under the ECHO Act, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department  which oversees Medicare and Medicaid  will review the mentoring programs and look at ways they could be integrated into one of the world's largest health care systems. The study also is expected to produce suggestions for continued funding.

The outcome will fall largely to the administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to replace portions of Medicaid and Medicare that are the bedrock of funding for federally qualified health centers that serve impoverished rural communities in New Mexico and beyond.

Bipartisan support for the ECHO legislation came from Republicans including Sen. Orin Hatch of Utah and Democrats such as Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico.

Proponents believe the training can result in dramatic cost savings, especially if the health care industry embraces reforms that place a value on treatment outcomes rather than fees for each medical service.

Borrowing military terminology, Arora describes ECHO as a "force multiplier" for attacking rural America's most pressing ailments.

With guidance from the Project ECHO Institute at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, the effort has been expanded or replicated in 30 states and other countries including India, Brazil, Namibia and Northern Ireland.

"I think the opportunity is, if they are looking for innovation to improve access and improve quality and lower cost at the same time, and create a workforce that stays in the rural areas by producing joy of work for them, then we would like to share" our project, Arora said.

New Mexico, with its grinding rural poverty and patients who are cut off from overbooked specialists hundreds of miles away, provided an ideal laboratory for ECHO  short for Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes.

A peer-reviewed study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2011 showed primary care physicians paired with mentors in New Mexico were just as effective in treating hepatitis C as established specialists at the University of New Mexico.

The model defers to local physicians who are in tune with local cultural nuances.

At El Centro Family Health in Espanola, Hayes attends mostly to Hispanic patients in a community that grew over centuries out of a patchwork of Native American and Spanish-colonial settlements.

Hayes believes the valley's high incidence of heroin addiction dates to the 1960s, when veterans returned from Vietnam with a drug habit linked to pain treatment.

"It became intergenerational," she said. "I would say half of my patients who use drugs had it in their household growing up."

On a recent December morning, she met with two patients who are being treated for opioid addiction with Suboxone and Subutex, brand name drugs containing buprenorphine. One woman arrived with her 9-month-old son; the other was several months pregnant.

Taken at home, Suboxone provides a more practical alternative to daily visits to methadone dispensaries.

Hayes' questions for her patients extend beyond drug cravings. They talk about family relations, nutrition, exercise routines, daily anxiety and even nighttime dreams during pregnancy.

With training at no direct cost from Project ECHO, Hayes began prescribing Suboxone in 2006  before the nation's opioid epidemic came into prominent view.

"I always felt like it was an issue here," said the physician from nearby Pojoaque, whose work was lauded this year with an award from the White House. "Once it hit the middle class, suddenly, it became important."

Once a trainee, Hayes now mentors others. New Mexico has more physicians per capita with licenses to prescribe buprenorphine than all but two states.

Miriam Komaromy, associate director of the ECHO Institute, is busy turning all that experience into a playbook for other medical centers  in Washington state, Montana, Boston and New York state. The federally funded initiative launches in January with more than 400 front-line medical practitioners.

"We have a whopping big problem with opiates," Komaromy said of New Mexico. "So it's been a very rich opportunity for us to try to intervene and help because so much help is needed."

In this Dec. 14, 2016 photo, Project ECHO Director Sanjeev Arora (left) talks with Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., about a model for mentoring physicians in isolated rural areas that could be expanded under legislation signed in December by President Barack Obama. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

In this Dec. 21, 2016 photo, family physician Leslie Hayes listens for a fetal heartbeat while attending to a 40-year-old mother (right, obscured) who is being treated for an addiction to heroin with the anti-craving medication Subutext, at the El Centro Family Health medical clinic in Espanola, N.M. Hayes credits her ability to effectively treat opioid addiction disorders to a training and mentoring program known as Project ECHO that is being tapped by federal officials for possible broader applications. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

In this Dec. 21, 2016 photo, family physician Leslie Hayes begins her workday at the El Centro Family Health medical clinic in Espanola, N.M. Hayes credits her ability to effectively treat opioid addiction disorders to a training and mentoring program known as Project ECHO that is being tapped by federal officials for possible broader applications. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
No big New Year's celebrations for Iraq's displaced

BARTELLA, Iraq (AP)  There were no big New Year's celebrations for the Iraqi men, women and children who narrowly escaped the fighting in Mosul, only to wait for hours under armed guard while the fighting-age males among them were cleared of links to the Islamic State.

The lucky ones would go with their families to one of the wind-swept camps for displaced Iraqis, where they will endure the remainder of northern Iraq's bitterly cold winter in tents and learn to survive on insufficient supplies of food, heating oil and blankets.

Those whose names were found on the wanted list would be detained, interrogated and likely face trial.

Displaced Iraqis, who fled fighting between Iraqi security forces and Islamic State militants, waiting at the gathering point to be taken for a camp for internally displaced people, in Bartella, around 19 miles (kilometers), from Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Dec 31, 2016. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)

Many of the Iraqis told of going hungry in Mosul for weeks, surviving on a single daily meal and drinking murky water extracted from recently dug wells. There was no formula for their small children, who survived on bread soaked in tea or soup made of rice or crushed wheat. Life was miserable without electricity or medical care. They watched mortar shells or stray bullets kill their relatives and neighbors.

They don't know when they will go home, but are thankful.

"The camp is the lesser of two evils. Life in Mosul now kills you," said 33-year-old English teacher Ahmed Abu Karam, from the IS-held Karama neighborhood east of the Tigris River. "What happens in 2017 is in the hands of God alone, but let me tell you this: My escape, thanks be to God, has given me a new life."

Abu Karam was among about 200 men ordered by grim faced Iraqi soldiers to squat outside a row of abandoned stores on a main road close to the mainly Christian town of Bartella near Mosul. It is the gathering point for the mainly Sunni residents who fled Mosul to avoid being killed in the crossfire between government troops and IS militants or because they ran out of food and money.

The ground where they gathered was wet from a heavy downpour a few days before and scattered with trash. Many men sported long beards they had to grow under IS rule, but some were shaving off their facial hair on Saturday as they waited. As the men were processed, the women and children sat on buses. The men were expected to be transferred separately, many in the back of army trucks, one of which flew a Shiite banner.

"We Sunnis are marginalized," said Abu Karam. "The security forces ran away and left us with Daesh in 2014. Now they suspect us of being terrorists," he said, using the Arabic acronym for IS.

Iraq's Shiite-dominated military and security forces launched a new offensive in Mosul on Thursday, breaking a two-week lull in fighting that began in mid-October, more than two years after Iraq's military and police melted away in the face of an IS blitz across northern and western Iraq.

The renewed fighting in Mosul has forced hundreds of civilians to flee, joining an estimated 120,000 who already left. Most gathered in Bartella on Saturday came from neighborhoods where the latest fighting is taking place.

Electrician Ibrahim Saleh and his family escaped Mosul's Quds neighborhood on Friday and spent the night at the home of "kind strangers" in a suburb just east of the city. He said he, his wife and children endured most of the last two months hiding under their house's staircase for fear of shelling.

"We have survived only by divine intervention," he said.

The camps for Iraqis displaced by the fighting in and around Mosul are mostly south and east of the city in Nineveh province and in the nearby self-ruled Kurdish region. There, many complain of rain and other severe winter conditions, or inadequate supplies of heating oil and medicines.

But in one of the larger camps for the displaced in the Kurdish region  Hassan Sham  a local non-governmental organization provided a welcome change from the drab daily life there by throwing a New Year's party for the children, complete with clowns and face painting.

But the children's excitement did little to conceal the camp's grim realities, or erode the painful memories of life under IS and the horrors of war in Mosul since October.

Shortly before the party began, camp residents pushed and shoved over blankets and clothes distributed by local donors. Some spoke of feeling imprisoned in the camp, unable to secure a sponsor allowing them to live in the urban bustle of nearby Irbil, the Kurdish region's capital.

Akram Ali, a former cameraman for a Mosul TV channel, now makes less than 10 dollars a day cutting hair, but still enough to buy fresh vegetables and fruit to supplement the food handouts he, his wife and four children get from camp organizers.

"We died 20 times every day when we lived under fire in Mosul," he recounted emotionally. "Under Daesh, it was oppression, tragedies, persecution and suffering. I can do without food and water, as long as I and my family are safe."

Fellow camp resident Mustafa Mahmoud, a 21-year-old who quit school when IS took over his native Mosul in 2014, sees little to celebrate with the arrival of 2017. Since arriving at the camp six weeks ago, he goes to bed at 7 or 8 every evening.

"Nothing will change tonight," he said.

Displaced Iraqis, who fled fighting between Iraqi security forces and Islamic State militants, waiting at the gathering point to be taken for a camp for internally displaced people, in Bartella, around 19 miles (kilometers), from Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Dec 31, 2016. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)

Displaced Iraqis, who fled fighting between Iraqi security forces and Islamic State militants, waiting at the gathering point to be taken for a camp for internally displaced people, in Bartella, around 19 miles (kilometers), from Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Dec 31, 2016. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)

A clown performs during a New Year's celebration for internally displaced children at the Hassan Sham camp, east of Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Dec 31, 2016. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)

Iraqi internally displaced children cheering during a New Year's celebration at the Hassan Sham camp, east of Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Dec 31, 2016. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)

Iraqi internally displaced children gather for gifts before a New Year's celebration at the Hassan Sham camp, east of Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Dec 31, 2016. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)

Iraqi internally displaced children having their faces painted during New Year's celebrations at the Hassan Sham camp, east of Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Dec 31, 2016. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)

Iraqi internally displaced children having their faces painted during New Year's celebrations at the Hassan Sham camp, east of Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Dec 31, 2016. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)

Iraqi internally displaced children having their faces painted during New Year's celebrations at the Hassan Sham camp, east of Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Dec 31, 2016. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)
Congo president to leave after 2017 vote under new deal

KINSHASA, Congo (AP)  Political parties in Congo signed a deal late Saturday that calls for President Joseph Kabila to leave power after an election that now will be held by the end of next year instead of mid-2018 as his party originally proposed.

The New Year's Eve agreement comes after months of unrest that left dozens dead and threatened to further destabilize the vast Central African nation with a painful history of dictatorship and civil war.

Catholic church officials had mediated talks to reach a compromise and initially imposed a Christmas deadline. The negotiations reached a stalemate, though, and resumed again Thursday under mounting pressure to avoid major violence amid opposition calls for Kabila to step down.

FILE- In this Thursday, June 30, 2016 file photo, Congolese President Joseph Kabila, center, waves as he and others celebrate independence for the Democratic Republic of Congo in Kindu, Congo. On Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, political parties signed a deal that calls for Kabila to leave power after an election that now will be held by the end of next year instead of mid-2018 as his party originally proposed. (AP Photo/John Bompengo, File)

Officials announced that a deal had been reached Saturday evening on the major issues though representatives did not sign it until around 11 p.m. local time on New Year's Eve.

Monsignor Marcel Utembi, president of the church body known as CENCO, hailed the progress but acknowledged the challenges still ahead with implementation.

"It's one thing to have a political compromise but putting it into place is another," he said.

Neither Kabila nor opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi was to personally sign the agreement Saturday. And even before the night was over, some members of Kabila's party already were casting doubt on the feasibility of the electoral deadline.

"Elections in 2017  yes. But not to lie, the questions (about the dates) are highly technical. If they won't work, there will be an evaluation. It's why we have adopted a council to follow up on the agreement," said Ramazani Shadari, the deputy prime minister of the interior and a member of Kabila's party.

Kabila became president in 2001 after the assassination of his father, and was constitutionally barred from seeking another term after his mandate expired Dec. 19. However, no presidential election was held in November and a court ruled he could stay in office until such a ballot could be organized.

The president's party said that wasn't possible before mid-2018 because of logistical challenges in organizing the ballot. An angry opposition took to the streets demanding that the vote be held as soon as possible.

In his New Year's message to the Congolese people, Kabila reasserted his commitment to democracy even as opponents accused him of prolonging his rule through a technicality.

"The source of legitimacy is only through the people at the ballot box," he said Saturday.

Under the deal, the vote will be organized by the end of 2017 though some details still need to be finalized. That process could reveal other disputes, and opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi already has signaled that his supporters "will only be satisfied the day the transfer of power will happen."

Still, the agreement to not modify the constitution effectively blocks Kabila from rewriting it so that he can seek a third term, a major victory for the opposition.

Another point of conflict in the ongoing negotiations had been who would serve as prime minister until the elections. Kabila already had gone ahead and appointed someone this month who is from the opposition, but he came from the minority of opposition politicians who had taken part in negotiations back in October. The coalition of opposition parties that boycotted those talks wanted the prime minister to come from their group instead. It was not immediately clear late Saturday who would take the position.

The opposition also had demanded the release of political prisoners, and the dropping of criminal charges against opposition leader Moise Katumbi that they believe were politically motivated. Katumbi fled abroad as prosecutors announced their intent to try him on charges of hiring mercenaries, which he denied. Before going into exile and the canceling of the election, he was seen as a leading contender for the presidency.

Under Saturday's deal, mediating group CENCO will examine Katumbi's case.

Human Rights Watch has said that at least 34 people were killed in violence during demonstrations after Kabila's mandate expired. Earlier this year, more than 50 others died in protests that took place when the electoral commission failed to schedule the November election, according to the U.N.

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Growth, or jobs for Americans? By: Scott Sumner

The New York Times has a good article on the trade-off between growth and jobs (a theme I have repeatedly discussed):

Donald J. Trump wants us to dream bigger about the economic future. We shouldnt be content with the roughly 2 percent annual growth that has been the norm this century, he has said. And he thinks he can bring about the kind of robust growth of 4 percent or more that was commonplace in decades past. But the closer you look at the math of economic growth, the more you see the inherent contradictions in trying to make that happen. The two strategies that would most directly help achieve that goal clash with other planks of Mr. Trumps economic agenda. Economic growth can happen two ways: More hours are worked, or more economic output is generated from each hour of labor.

Higher productively often leads to job loss:

[S]ome of the very innovations that have helped improve workers productivity are also the main culprit behind the decline of well-paying manufacturing jobs. These advances have made the United States richer  with jobs like designing software systems and taking medical images. But thats not much solace for former manufacturing workers who havent found lucrative or rewarding work in growing fields, a group that is at the core of Mr. Trumps campaign appeals. Its not just manufacturing. Consider one innovation that could plausibly become a reality in the years ahead: trucks that drive themselves. Over time, that will make the United States economy more productive and raise incomes. But if you are one of the 1.7 million long-haul truck drivers in the United States, making an average of $42,500 for a job that doesnt require advanced education, it should be concerning. Its plausible to imagine a majority of those jobs going away over the next decade, which will be a boon for the countless industries that rely on trucks to bring in supplies and distribute finished goods. That will raise G.D.P., the broad measure of economic growth.

The other way to raise growth is immigration. Consider this story about the opening of the worlds highest bridge:

The Beipanjiang Bridge took three years to build, cost more than $146.7 million dollars, and stretches to be 4,396 feet long. Its four-lane roadway sits nearly two thousand feet over the Beipan River, which its named after, to connect the Yunnan and Guizhou provinces in southwest China, Peoples Daily Online reported. It surpassed the 1,837-foot-tall Sidu River Bridge for its world record title. We know what youre thinking: $146.7 million is cheap! And it is! After all, when the Golden Gate Bridge spanning San Francisco Bay was built in 1933 it cost $1.5 billion (in adjusted dollars), and the brand new New Bay Bridge, on the other side of town, ended up costing a whopping $6.7 billion when it was finished in 2013.

In fairness, the two Bay Area bridges are both longer and wider. Nonetheless, the Chinese bridge would have certainly cost far more than $147 million if built in the US.

The best way to rebuild our infrastructure would be to bring in Chinese construction firms and Chinese temp workers, who would live in prefab dorms while providing America with first-rate infrastructure. But we wont do that, because American workers would complain. Hence we will not end up with first-rate infrastructure. Despite all the talk, we will fail to rebuild our infrastructure.

Unlike Canada, this country has not yet accepted that the things that would provide faster economic growth (trade, immigration and automation) are exactly the same things that threaten to take jobs away from domestic workers. This is why I believe that growth will remain low over the next 10 years, even if there are occasional spurts of above 2% growth. We say we want faster growth, but we simply do not want to do the things that would be necessary to achieve that goal.

Its even worse in southern Europe. They say theyd like to have the sort of healthy economy that Germany has, but their governments are not willing to adopt German style economic reforms. Indeed they dont even like it when the Germans tell them how to do it.

Youd think that people would appreciate good advice.
Former Newcastle points machine Jimmy Gopperth emerged from the replacements bench at Kingston Park to plunder the try bonus score in a 34-30 win that ensured Wasps would go into the new year on top of the Aviva Premiership table.

Wasps only needed a single point to overtake Saracens, who are away to Leicester on New Years Day, and Gopperths 46th-minute try guaranteed that Dai Youngs side that they would at least achieve that.

FULLTIME: Despite 2 early Falcons tries, Wasps battled back to grab a valuable win from Kingston Park. Newcastle Falcons 30-34 Wasps pic.twitter.com/ifvKilQPZW  Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) December 30, 2016

Ultimately though, Wasps managed to bag a maximum five points  no mean achievement considering they leaked two tries in the opening four minutes and trailed 12-0.

Wasps' Jimmy Gopperth

Congratulations to our good friends @WaspsRugby on the win. What an advert for @premrugby, and a season-high home crowd. Top entertainment.  Newcastle Falcons (@FalconsRugby) December 30, 2016

Thank you very much for having us! Brilliant spectacle for the neutral no doubt and a great atmosphere at Kingston Park tonight! https://t.co/NCsyDOiwz8  Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) December 30, 2016

Danny Cipriani, their maverick fly-half, led the fightback with a superb opportunist try before Gopperth, his half-time replacement, helped to finish the job - at the expense of the club with whom he twice won the Premierships Golden Boot.

There was just a minute on the stadium clock when Newcastle full-back Alex Tait sliced through the Wasps defence before shipping a pass inside to Tonga scrum-half Tane Takulua, who dotted down to the right of the posts.

We have lots to improve on. Which is a great thing, we can keep getting better. Attitude and desire can not be questioned  @WaspsRugby  Danny Cipriani (@DannyCipriani87) December 30, 2016

Joel Hodgson was off target with his conversion attempt but from the botched kick-off England Sevens star Marcus Watson scooped up the loose ball and hared up the left wing, outstripping former Newcastle full-back Rob Miller on a 70-metre scoring run.

This time Hodgson added the extras, leaving a stunned Wasps 12-0 down and in a state of some disarray.

Congratulations @_ThomasYoung who made his 50th Wasps appearance in this evening's win over Newcastle Falcons! #WeAreWasps pic.twitter.com/YGwJ0xcPLg  Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) December 30, 2016

Youngs side quickly got their act together thereafter but it took them until the 20th minute to get a score on the board. A piece of sublime simplicity from Cipriani did the trick, the outside-half gathering his own chip over the Newcastle defence to score under the posts.

Cipriani damaged his left leg in the process and had to have treatment before taking the conversion, which he duly slotted, reducing the deficit to 12-7.

Two minutes later Wasps were in front. Ciprianis former Wasps midfield partner Dom Waldouck, a replacement for the injured Watson, made a hash of fielding a kick from scrum-half Dan Robson and flying wing Christian Wade beat Newcastle centre Belisario Agulla in a race to touch the ball down over the try line - by a fingertip, after lengthy examination by the TMO.

Ciprianis conversion put Wasps 14-12 up with 22 minutes on the clock but their lead only lasted four minutes.

Newcastle prop Rob Vickers barged over from close range in the 26th minute and Hodgsons conversion left Newcastle back in front, 19-14.

Wasps were fortunate not to lose Kyle Eastmond to a yellow card for a dangerously high tackle on Tait, though Hodgson kicked the resultant penalty. That stretched the home sides lead to 22-14 but in first-half overtime Wasps had a third try.

After patiently pounding away with a wave of attacking phases, Thomas Young - Wasps blindside flanker and son of boss Dai  cut through the Newcastle defence from 10 metres out for a try that Cipriani converted to cut the deficit to 22-21.
A spectacular start to Hulls tenure as UK City of Culture has been promised by organisers who say: The stage is set, were ready for showtime.

Crowds are expected to pack the citys waterside and every other vantage point on New Years Day for a fireworks display over the Humber which organisers say will top the New Years Eve show in central London 24 hours earlier.

And visitors will also be able to tour the first of hundreds of planned artistic events  Made In Hull, which is a celebration of more than 70 years of the citys history told through massive projections on some of its best known buildings.

Hull 2017 chief executive and director Martin Green said the people of the city have been watching the final preparations around major landmarks with a mixture of surprise and jaws hitting the floor.

Mr Green said: Were all set. All the building work thats supposed to be finished for today is finished. Theres a real sense of the stage being set and were ready for showtime.

He said: You can see the whole country talking about this city and that has a chain reaction of pride, which breeds confidence. Were ready to open the doors and say to everyone Come on in.

He said social media has helped spread the word around Hull about what is coming up as the city centre has been transformed by artists from across the UK and the world.

The #Hull2017Volunteers are ready. Are you? Thanks to @samiloulou123 for lending her amazing vocals to this film! https://t.co/TdBHyGSdSN  Visit Hull (@VisitHull) December 23, 2016

Asked about the reaction so far, Mr Green said: A mixture of surprise and jaws hitting the floor. I think people had an idea of what we were trying to achieve, which is a very different way to start a year as well as a very Hull way to start a year.

What we knew from the outset was that we didnt want to do a one night opening ceremony because it means that so many people cant come.

Thats why we designed something that was spread through the city centre over seven days because absolutely everybody is invited.

And that is absolutely indicative of the attitude to the year. Everyone will find something they will like and its for everyone.

Hull is the second city to be given UK City Culture status, following Derry-Londonderry in 2013.

The city was selected in 2013 amid some surprise, from a shortlist which included Dundee, Leicester and Swansea Bay.

Organisers have been determined to develop a programme aimed at attracting visitors from around the world but also engaging the 250,000 people who live in Hull and Mr Green said the opening day was unashamedly intended to make a loud and bold statement that the event had arrived.

Love this @Hullccnews #destinationHull timelapse of public realm work in the city in 2016  #HullsReady! https://t.co/EQ7vYm3M5Q  Visit Hull (@VisitHull) December 22, 2016

Bafta-nominated documentary-maker Sean McAllister has curated the opening Made in Hull event and has said he thinks the effect will be euphoric.
At least 28 people were killed and 54 others injured when two bombs exploded in central Baghdad, Iraqi officials have said.

The attacks happened early on Saturday morning in al-Sinak, a busy market selling car accessories, food and clothes as well as agricultural seeds and machinery.

Iraqi people gather at the site of bomb attack in a busy market area in Baghdad's central al-Sinek neighborhood (Karim Kadim/AP)

Details were sketchy in the immediate aftermath.

Police initially said a pair of back-to-back roadside bombs exploded. But a police official later said that first a roadside bomb exploded and then a suicide bomber detonated his device amid the crowd that had gathered.

The site of bomb attack (Karim Kadim/AP)

Finally police concluded that the carnage was the work of a pair of suicide bombers.
The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and jump-start peace negotiations.

The resolution approved on Saturday afternoon also calls for the rapid, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Syria. It also anticipates a meeting of the Syrian government and opposition representative in Kazakhstans capital Astana in late January.

The resolutions final text dropped an endorsement of the Syria ceasefire agreement reached on Thursday, as Western members of the council sought changes to the circulated draft resolution to clarify the UNs role and the meaning of the agreement brokered by Moscow and Ankara.

The Russian delegate votes for a UN resolution on peace talks in Syria

#UNSC adopts resolution that welcomes & supports efforts by Russia & Turkey to end the violence in #Syria and jumpstart a political process. pic.twitter.com/9rbZrnhAcM  NZ at the UN (@NZUN) December 31, 2016

Meanwhile on the ground in Syria, rebels warned on Saturday that ceasefire violations by pro-government forces threatened to undermine a two-day-old agreement intended to pave the way for talks between the government and the opposition in the new year.

Air strikes pounded opposition-held villages and towns in the strategically-important Barada Valley outside Damascus, activists said, prompting rebels to threaten to withdraw their compliance with a nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey last week.

Rebels also accused the government of signing a different version of the agreement to the one they signed in the Turkish capital of Ankara, further complicating the latest diplomatic efforts to bring an end to six years of war.

Nearly 50,000 people died in the conflict in 2016, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which maintains networks of contacts on all sides of the war. More than 13,000 of them were civilians, according to the Observatory. Various estimates have put the wars overall toll at around 400,000 dead.

If the truce holds, the government and the opposition will be expected to meet for talks for the first time in nearly a year in the Kazakh capital of Astana in the second half of January. Those talks will be mediated by Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

#UNSC unanumously adopted resolution 2336 welcoming and supporting the efforts by #Russia and #Turkey on Syrian settlement (#UNphoto) pic.twitter.com/7PUhPuh8pV  Russia at the United Nations (@RussiaUN) December 31, 2016

Syrian foreign minister Walid Moallem and Major General Ali Mamlouk, head of the National Security Bureau, were in Tehran Saturday to discuss developments with their Iranian counterparts, according to Iranian state media. They met with foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council.

The Kremlin meanwhile said Russian president Vladimir Putin and Iranian president Hassan Rouhani confirmed their commitment to negotiations in Astana, in a phone conversation between the two leaders.

Iran and Russia have provided crucial military and diplomatic support to Syrian president Bashar Assad throughout the conflict, while Turkey has served as a rear base and source of supplies for the opposition.

The resolution also calls for rapid, safe and unhindered access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country.

Happy New Year World. May it bring peace to all Syria. pic.twitter.com/Yi8FYvjrVk  The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) December 31, 2016

The developments follow months of talks between Ankara and Moscow that culminated in a ceasefire agreement that went into effect on Friday at midnight.

But in a statement issued by a coalition of 11 rebel factions, including the powerful Army of Islam group operating in the Damascus countryside, rebels said they could not abide by the ceasefire if the government continued its assault on Barada Valley.

The statement also complained that the governments version of the agreement signed in Ankara last week had deleted a number of essential and non-negotiable points.
Manchester Uniteds in-house television channel got a shock when Usain Bolt called up to discuss the 2-1 win over Middlesbrough.

In the traditional post-match phone-in, MUTV presenter Mandy Henry introduced the next caller as being a Usain from Jamaica and added: Its not Usain Bolt is it?

Bolt, a triple-triple Olympic champion and the fastest man of all-time. replied: It is Usain Bolt.

Usain Bolt

Henry still looked disbelieving as Bolt gave his opinion on Uniteds win, saying: They came through like the old Manchester United.

Come on lad of course it was me on @ManUtd TV just now  Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) December 31, 2016

Sorry Usain - we didn't think it was you! Enjoy your celebrations in Jamaica & call again after West Ham on Monday night! https://t.co/64hfB6l5Gk  Mandy Henry (@MandyHenryMedia) December 31, 2016

They came through and pushed on and persevered, the Manchester United way. It was a great match, I am very happy about this.
Congo deal reached for Kabila to step down after 2017 elections

By Aaron Ross

KINSHASA, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Congolese President Joseph Kabila will step down after elections to be held by the end of 2017 under a last-minute deal struck by political parties on Friday, the lead mediator of the talks said.

Negotiators spent weeks in tense talks seeking to ensure Democratic Republic of Congo's first peaceful transfer of power since independence in 1960. But it remains unclear if elections can be organised by the end of next year, or if leading politicians, including Kabila, will keep to the terms.

"The government is asked to take all steps so that the elections are organised by the end of 2017 at the latest," said Marcel Utembi, president of Congo's Catholic Bishops' Conference, which has mediated the talks.

Under the deal, which is expected to be formally signed on Saturday, Kabila will be unable to change the constitution to allow him to stay in power for a third term.

Kabila's mandate ran out on Dec. 19, but authorities have effectively extended it until 2018 because the government said it could not arrange elections before then.

The parties agreed that Kabila will appoint a prime minister from the country's main opposition bloc to oversee the transition, a major sticking point in the final stages of the talks.

Neither Kabila nor the country's leading opposition leader, Etienne Tshisekedi, are expected to sign the deal, raising concerns about whether it will be respected.

Spokesmen for the government and Kabila's ruling coalition were not available for immediate comment.

Election experts also question the feasibility of organising presidential, legislative and provincial assembly elections together by the end of 2017.

"If the accord calls for organising the three elections together, it (shows) a common will to not organise good elections, or at least to not organise them within the planned timeframe," Sylvain Lumu, a lawyer and election expert, told Reuters shortly before Utembi's announcement.

Kabila's extension of his rule has sparked bloody confrontations. Security forces killed around 40 people last week protesting over the tenure of a leader who came to power in 2001 following his father Laurent's assassination.

Western and African powers feared the current impasse could lead to a repeat of conflicts seen between 1996 and 2003 in eastern Congo in which millions died, mostly from starvation and disease.

A successful deal, however, is seen offering a boost to pro-democracy activists in other African countries and help buck a trend in which presidents have changed constitutions to stand for third terms.
Thai King urges unity in first New Year speech

BANGKOK, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn called for unity in his first New Year address since taking over from his late father, who was widely seen as a unifying force during decades of turbulence.

Any appearance by the new king is closely watched and the pre-recorded address was only the second time he has spoken to the public since taking the throne on Dec. 1 after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The new king has yet to command the popularity that his father enjoyed and has spent much of his adult life abroad.

"No matter what problems we may face in our country, we believe that if we work together we can overcome and alleviate any situation," said the king in the broadcast on Saturday evening.

He thanked the public for their show of loyalty towards his father, still widely mourned after a rule that spanned seven decades. The usual New Year firework displays in Bangkok have been cancelled this year out of respect for the mourning period.

In the coming weeks, King Vajiralongkorn is expected to endorse a constitution drafted by the military government to start the process of restoring democracy.
France's Hollande says to visit Iraq Monday

PARIS, Dec 31 (Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande on Saturday said he would visit Iraq on Monday to salute troops which are taking part in a U.S.-led military coalition against the Islamic State.

"We're not done with the plight of terrorism. We have to keep on fighting it," Hollande said in a New Year address to the nation that was broadcast on French television.
Italy president says electoral law needed before new vote

ROME, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Italian President Sergio Mattarella said on Saturday that the country must adopt a new electoral law before a national vote can be called.

Italy's president is largely a ceremonial figure, but he does have the power to pick prime ministers and dissolve parliament.

When Matteo Renzi resigned as prime minister in early December after losing a referendum over his flagship constitutional reform, many party leaders called for a snap election.

Mattarella refused and instead named former Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni to form a government. The normally tight-lipped Mattarella explained his decision in a traditional end-year address broadcast by all the country's main television channels.

"There's no doubt that in certain moments it is best to consult voters. But to call voters to an early election is a very serious choice," he said.

"There must be clear and effective voting rules so that electors can express, with efficacy, their will and find it applied in an elected parliament ... Today, these rules do not exist," he said.

Although the current legislature is not due to end until 2018, most parties, including Renzi's Democratic Party and the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, say they want elections in 2017.

However, parliamentary factions remain far from agreement on new voting rules after the referendum left Italy with different rules for the upper and lower houses of parliament.

The referendum would have eliminated the Senate, or the upper house, which now has a proportional voting system, while a first-past-the-post law was approved for the lower house in 2015. The lower house law has since been challenged to the Constitutional Court, which is expected to rule in January.
France's Hollande warns against nationalism in New Year address

PARIS, Dec 31 (Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande on Saturday warned against the risks of rising nationalism in his last New Year address ahead of the election of his successor next spring.

Hollande, who said this month he would not seek a second term in 2017, defended his legacy as president and addressed the policies of the anti-immigration and anti-euro National Front, whose leader Marine Le Pen is set to make it to the second round of the election, if recent polls are correct.

"There are periods in history when everything may change dramatically. We're in one of them," Hollande said an address that was broadcast on French television.

"How can we imagine our country being curled up behind walls, reduced to its internal market, going back to its national currency and, on top of that, discriminating between its own children according to their origins?" he said.

Hollande, who did not directly name the FN, mentioned British voters' decision in June to leave the European Union, and the U.S. presidential election won by Donald Trump in November, as events that demonstrated that democracy, freedom and peace were "vulnerable and reversible".

He also warned against the calling into question of the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change.

"France will not let anybody or any state, be it the biggest one, call into question this major achievement of the international community," Hollande said.

U.S. President-elect Trump has called global warming a hoax and has promised to quit the Paris Agreement, which was strongly supported by outgoing Democratic President Barack Obama.

Hollande's comments on Brexit in particular echoed those made earlier on Saturday by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Merkel, seeking a fourth term as chancellor in 2017, described 2016 as a year that gave many the impression that the world had "turned upside down".

In her address, she compared Brexit to a "deep incision" and said that even though the EU was "slow and arduous", its member states should focus on common interests that transcend national benefits.

In a statement following Hollande's address, Le Pen brushed off his criticism.
About 6,500 deserters of the tri-forces get themselves legally discharged from the service during the month-long amnesty from December 1, Army Spokesman Roshan Seneviratne said yesterday.

He said nine officers and 6,502 soldiers of the Army, two high-ranking officers and 614 other ranks of the Navy and 20 Officers and 294 Airmen of the Air Force had reported to their respective stations expressing their desire to obtain legal discharge.

Among them, 5,667 soldiers and four officers had already obtained their legal discharge. A large number of tri-forces personnel who are considered as Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) have reported to their respective services to get their legal discharge during this month, he said.

Earlier, a month long general amnesty period was announced by the Defence Ministry starting from December 1 to 31 for tri-forces deserters to get their legal discharge.

This is the second general amnesty offered to tri-forces deserters during this year while the first was in effect from June 13th to July 12th.

Authorities have decided to take tough measures against deserters who fail to report during this amnesty period, the Ministry said.
Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. is a mortgage-focused REIT externally managed by Invesco Advisors Ltd. Invesco Advisors LTD is a subsidiary of Invesco which is a leading wealth manager and investment company for individuals, high net-worth clients, institutions, public entities, corporations, and governments. The firm created Invesco Mortgage Capital, Inc to focus its decades of experience in the mortgage markets to generate a steady stream of cash for its investors.

The company was incorporated in 2008 in order to acquire, finance, and manage a portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and mortgages. Invesco believes that achieving the full potential of the mortgage market requires a blend of discipline, structure, and creativity because of long-term structural changes in the way real estate transactions and ownership are handled. The units of Invesco Mortgage Capital tend to yield high-double-digits and have paid more than $26 per unit on a split-adjusted basis since the dividend was initiated.

The objective is to provide risk-adjusted returns through dividends and capital appreciation using the combined strengths of three key Invesco groups; the in-house real estate team, the Worldwide Fixed Income team, and subsidiary WL Ross & Co. Invesco Mortgage Capital is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. As of Q3 2022, Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc held $4.9 billion in assets, $4.7 billion of which were listed as agency RMBS.

Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. elected to be taxed as a REIT and so distributes at least 90% of its income to shareholders each year. The fund seeks to generate a high level of income while maintaining a stable portfolio and book value within a dynamic market. The investment strategy is opportunistic and not limited to a single type of mortgage security and so provides greater diversification than most other REITs as well.

Invesco invests in a blend of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) that are and are not guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or federally chartered corporation. The fund also invests in credit risk transfer securities, residential and commercial mortgage loans, and assorted real estate-related financing. Among the opportunities, the fund is pursuing are commercial real estate loan origination, securitizing residential mortgages, and risk-sharing arrangements with federal housing authorities.
Our portfolio of high quality UK commercial property is focused on London Offices and Retail around the UK. We own or manage a portfolio valued at 13.7bn (British Land share: 10.3bn) as at 30 September 2020 making us one of Europe's largest listed real estate investment companies. Our strategy is to provide places which meet the needs of our customers and respond to changing lifestyles - Places People Prefer. We do this by creating great environments both inside and outside our buildings and use our scale and placemaking skills to enhance and enliven them. This expands their appeal to a broader range of occupiers, creating enduring demand and driving sustainable, long term performance. Our Offices portfolio comprises three office-led campuses in central London as well as high quality standalone buildings and accounts for 65% of our portfolio. Our Retail portfolio is focused on retail parks and shopping centres, and accounts for 31% of our portfolio. Increasingly our focus is on providing a mix of uses and this is most evident at Canada Water, our 53 acre redevelopment opportunity where we have plans to create a new neighbourhood for London. Sustainability is embedded throughout our business. Our places, which are designed to meet high sustainability standards, become part of local communities, provide opportunities for skills development and employment and promote wellbeing. In April 2016 British Land received the Queen's Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development, the UK's highest accolade for business success for economic, social and environmental achievements over a period of five years.
Delek US Holdings, Inc. engages in the integrated downstream energy business in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Refining, Logistics, and Retail. The Refining segment processes crude oil and other feedstock for the manufacture of various grades of gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, asphalt, and other petroleum-based products that are distributed through owned and third-party product terminal. It owns and operates four independent refineries located in Tyler, Texas; El Dorado, Arkansas; Big Spring, Texas; and Krotz Springs, Louisiana, as well as three biodiesel facilities in Crossett, Arkansas, Cleburne, Texas, and New Albany. The Logistics segment gathers, transports, and stores crude oil, intermediate, and refined products; and markets, distributes, transports, and stores refined products for third parties. It owns or leases capacity on approximately 400 miles of crude oil transportation pipelines, approximately 450 miles of refined product pipelines, an approximately 900-mile crude oil gathering system, and associated crude oil storage tanks with an aggregate of approximately 10.2 million barrels of active shell capacity; and owns and operates ten light product distribution terminals, as well as markets light products using third-party terminals. The Retail segment owns and leases 248 convenience store sites located primarily in West Texas and New Mexico. Its convenience stores offer various grades of gasoline and diesel under the DK or Alon brand; and food products and service, tobacco products, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, and general merchandise, as well as money orders to the public primarily under the 7-Eleven and DK or Alon brand names. It serves oil companies, independent refiners and marketers, jobbers, distributors, utility and transportation companies, the U.S. government, and independent retail fuel operators. Delek US Holdings, Inc. was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Tyler Technologies, Inc. provides integrated information management solutions and services for the public sector. The company operates in three segments: Enterprise Software; Appraisal and Tax; and NIC. It offers financial management solutions, including modular fund accounting systems for government agencies or not-for-profit entities; utility billing systems for the billing and collection of metered and non-metered services; products to automate city and county functions, such as municipal courts, parking tickets, equipment and project costing, animal and business licenses, permits and inspections, code enforcement, citizen complaint tracking, ambulance billing, fleet maintenance, and cemetery records management; and student information and transportation solutions for K-12 schools. The company also provides a suite of judicial solutions comprising court case management, court and law enforcement, prosecutor, and supervision systems to handle multi-jurisdictional county or statewide implementations, and single county systems; public safety software solutions; systems and software to automate the appraisal and assessment of real and personal property, as well as tax applications for agencies that bill and collect taxes; planning, regulatory, and maintenance software solutions for public sector agencies; software applications to enhance and automate operations involving records and document management; and data and insights solutions. In addition, it offers software as a service arrangements and electronic document filing solutions for courts and law offices; software and hardware installation, data conversion, training, product modification, and maintenance and support services; and property appraisal outsourcing services for taxing jurisdictions. The company has a strategic collaboration agreement with Amazon Web Services for cloud hosting services. Tyler Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas.
CNO Financial Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, markets, and administers health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance, and other insurance products for senior and middle-income markets in the United States. It offers Medicare supplement, supplemental health, and long-term care insurance policies; life insurance; and annuities, as well as Medicare advantage plans to individuals through phone, online, mail, and face-to-face. The company also focuses on worksite and group sales for businesses, associations, and other membership groups by interacting with customers at their place of employment. In addition, it provides fixed index annuities; fixed interest annuities, including fixed rate single and flexible premium deferred annuities; single premium immediate annuities; supplemental health products, such as specified disease, accident, and hospital indemnity products; and long-term care plans primarily to retirees and older self-employed individuals in the middle-income market. Further, the company offers universal life and other interest-sensitive life products; and traditional life policies that include whole life, graded benefit life, term life, and single premium whole life products, as well as graded benefit life insurance products. CNO Financial Group, Inc. markets its products under the Bankers Life, Washington National, and Colonial Penn brand names. The company sells its products through agents, independent producers, and direct marketing. CNO Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana.
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The following companies are subsidiares of Caterpillar: Advanced Tri-Gen Power Systems LLC, Anchor Coupling Inc., Asia Power Systems (Tianjin) Ltd., AsiaTrak (Tianjin) Ltd., Banco Caterpillar S.A., Berg Propulsion International Pte Ltd., Bucyrus, Bucyrus Australia Surface Pty. Ltd., Bucyrus Europe Holdings Ltd., Bucyrus Europe Limited, Bucyrus International (Chile) Limitada, Bucyrus International (Peru) S.A., Bucyrus Mining Australia Pty. Ltd., Bucyrus Mining China LLC, Bucyrus UK Limited, Cat Rental Kyushu LLC, Caterpillar (Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, Caterpillar (China) Financial Leasing Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (China) Machinery Components Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (HK) Limited, Caterpillar (Huainan) Machinery Service Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Langfang) Mining Equipment Co. Ltd., Caterpillar (Luxembourg) Investment Co. S.a r.l., Caterpillar (NI) Limited, Caterpillar (Newberry) LLC, Caterpillar (Qingzhou) Ltd., Caterpillar (Shanghai) Trading Co. 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. 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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. 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Elko  More than 100 well-wishers and supporters filled District Judge Nancy Porters courtroom Friday afternoon to witness Choch Goicoechea sworn in as Justice of the Peace for the newly created Department B.

The ceremony included remarks by Porter, Elko County Commissioner Delmo Andreozzi, Justice of the Peace Mason Simons, Judge Pat Calton, and Judge Barbara Nethery. Carlin Municipal Judge Teri Feasel was also in attendance.

Today marks an important transition in your career of public service, said Simons, referring to Goicoecheas 17 years with the Nevada Highway Patrol.

Simons, who will now sit as justice of the peace for Department A, noted how since the election Goicoechea has jumped in with both feet attending weekly meetings with Simons and the justice court staff, meeting with the District Attorneys office, and attending a week-long technology conference in Las Vegas.

It is my privilege to formally welcome you to the justice and municipal court team, he said.

Goicoechea was sworn in by Judge Nethery twice, once for justice of the peace and then for municipal court pro tem.

After being helped into his robe by his wife, Kathy, Judge Goicoechea addressed the crowd and thanked the Highway Patrol for his 17 years on the force.

I had an excellent family there, one I will not forget and have not forgotten, and I have a new family that Im moving into, he said. Im just very humbled, very thankful that the citizens have entrusted me with the position of being the justice of the peace.

Beppie Green, who helped with Goicoecheas campaign, noted the large turnout for the ceremony.

He has a wonderful support group  the church, family and friends, she said.

Mayor Chris Johnson agreed that support for the criminal justice system is important from the community, something he learned the last few years in office.

Judges have tough decisions, he said. Citizens need to be there to show their support, Ive noticed in my experience.

Kathy Goicoechea was also pleased by the attendance and the overall confidence in her husband.

Theres a lot of joy, she said after the ceremony. The feeling of support and confidence in him and his capabilities. People seem to have faith in him.

Its very uplifting.
The Elko Daily Free Press is counting down the days until marijuana is legal in Nevada by answering questions concerning the law.

Q: How has the law changed through the years regarding marijuana?

A: When looking at the history of marijuana in the United States, some might say how we treat the plant is coming full circle.

The national history of the plant, Cannabis sativa, begins before the U.S. even existed.

From 1600 to 1890s the domestic production of hemp was encouraged, according to Frontline on PBS. Both hemp and marijuana come from the same plant, Cannabis sativa L.

The important difference to note is that industrial hemp contains only less than 0.3 percent of Tetrahydrocannabinoids or THC (the ingredients that make a person high) while marijuanas THC content can be 5 to 10 percent or more, stated Phil Lempert, who writes about the food and agriculture sectors, in a Forbes article.

People might say cannabis is quite American since George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams all grew hemp crops on their land.

In the late 19th century marijuana became a popular ingredient in many medicinal products and was sold openly in public pharmacies, Frontline stated.

In 1906, the Pure Food and Drug Act required over-the-counter remedies to be labeled if they contained cannabis.

From 1900 to 1920s, Mexican immigrants introduced the recreational use of marijuana and anti-drug campaigners started speaking of the Marijuana Menace.

During the Great Depression, research linked the use of marijuana with violence and other deviant behaviors. By 1931, 29 states had outlawed marijuana.

The federal government still didnt take direct action against the drug, but the Federal Bureau of Narcotics encouraged state governments to accept responsibility for control of the problem by adopting the Uniform State Narcotic Act, Frontline stated.

The Marijuana Tax Act was passed in 1937. This statute began the criminalization of marijuana by restricting possession of the drug to individuals who paid an excise tax for certain authorized medical and industrial uses.

Samuel Caldwell of Colorado was the first person arrested and prosecuted under the federal charge, according to the Denver Post. Federal drug-enforcement agents busted him with three pounds of cannabis.

Federal laws against the drug began in the 1950s. The Boggs Act and the Narcotics Control Act set mandatory sentences for drug-related offenses, including marijuana. A first-offense marijuana possession carried a minimum sentence of two to 10 years and a fine up to $20,000.

Congress repealed most of the mandatory penalties in 1970 and marijuana was categorized separately from other narcotics. During the 70s, 11 states decriminalized marijuana.

Parents groups lobbying for stricter regulation and prevention of drug use by teenagers led to the 1980s War on Drugs, Frontline stated. The federal government raised federal penalties for marijuana possession and dealing, and based the penalties on the amount of the drug involved. Possession of 100 marijuana plants received the same penalty as possession of 100 grams of heroin, Frontline stated.

In 1996, California voters passed Proposition 215, which allowed the medical use of marijuana. Nevada voters legalized medical use of weed in 2000, but it took 15 years before the drug was sold legally in the state.

In 2012, Colorado and Washington were the first states to approve recreational marijuana for people 21 and older. In 2014, Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C., also voted to legalize adult use of pot.
ELKO  Miguel Zamudio has been in the commercial food business since he was 13 years old. Now, with two successful local restaurants going strong, he is ready to offer the community a new location with fantastic food  with the emphasis on local.

I am passionate about food, said Zamudio. I have learned a lot about sustainability, non-GMO choices and organic products.

Zamudio recognizes the trend that food has come full circle, beginning with a history thousands of years old where people ate local, to mass farming and importing and back again.

Zamudio has contracted with local food producers to supply the restaurant with fresh meats, vegetables, eggs and other ingredients.

Besides using food grown or raised right here, the restaurant will also be offering only beers brewed in Northern Nevada, including their own brand, Fresh Fare IPA.

The way the beer is served differs from other area eateries in that Zamudio is selling the bubbly brew in large bottles, or growlers, made from recycled glass to either drink on site or take home. Once the beer is gone, a customer can bring the bottle back and have it refilled for the price of the beer.

Although the restaurant is styled with an emphasis on local foods and an organic trend, meat and potato eaters will not be disappointed. Some of the specialties will include cheeseburgers, pot roast, steak and eggs, and comfort foods like macaroni and cheese.

Along with the feel-good foods, diners will be happy to enjoy a family friendly atmosphere along with a wholesome meal.

Dont feel like eating in? Zamudio is in the process of setting up to-go meals that can be picked up on the fly and he hopes to begin a delivery service in the near future.

Operational Manager Eriko Foshee pointed out that diners would enjoy homemade food whatever the entree. She said there would be nearly 50 items for making specialty salads and sandwiches. Of course, the bread will be baked fresh daily.

We can make any kind of salad or sandwich you want, said Foshee.

The restaurant is almost ready to open and people can expect to try the custom recipes by mid or late January. Look for the big green and white sign in the shopping center next to Himiko.

We pledge to always provide high quality ingredients, Zamudio said.

The owner and manager are still looking for local food providers and interested suppliers should call for more information.

Zamudio is also the owner of Himiko and Sweet Barrel, located on the Great Basin College campus.
A Massachusetts student became a national punchline after she tried to use a slice of pizza as a form of identification to get into a college town bar  then slapped the bouncer when he refused her entry. Monkey Bar co-owner Rasif Rafiq said the unidentified Amherst College student proffered the slice when asked for proper ID at the door. The club didn't buy it, and police ordered her to stay away.
ELKO  The Nov. 18 crash of an American Medflight plane was the worst aviation accident in the Elko area in the past 70 years. While 2016 was a busy year for news, no story was more compelling than the accident that left four people dead, including a flight nurse from Elko and patient from Spring Creek.

It happened in one of the busiest parts of town on a dark and cold Friday evening. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the plane experienced a loss of control as it climbed from takeoff at Elkos airport, turned sharply and crashed in a parking lot. Killed were American Medflight pilot Yuji Irie of Ely; paramedic Jake Shepherd of Nibley, Utah; flight nurse Tiffany Urresti of Elko; and patient Edward Clohesey of Spring Creek.

Two police officers were injured by a secondary explosion as they ran to help, but there were no ground fatalities despite the fact that the crash site was only half a block away from an apartment complex, motel, casino and shopping mall.

Elkoans held a candlelight ceremony to honor the dead, and nearly a thousand first responders, friends and family of Urresti attended her funeral the following weekend.

It was the worst plane crash in the Elko area since Sept. 5, 1946, when a Trans-Luxury airliner slammed into a hill just west of the airport, killing 21 people and leaving only one survivor.

Readers at elkodaily.com clearly viewed the Medflight crash as the top story of the year, based on the hundreds of thousands of page views our coverage generated.

The top 10 list of most widely read articles in 2016 also includes several fatalities involving individuals. At the end of July, a 20-year-old Spring Creek man died while hiking in the Ruby Mountains, possibly succumbing to exposure. In mid-October, a 27-year-old Spring Creek man died when his car plunged off the road in Lamoille Canyon, landing upside down in the creek below. And in November, a 39-year-old miner at Turquoise Ridge Joint Venture died of unknown causes in one of the mines underground wash bays.

Two tragic deaths in 2016 resulted in criminal charges.

Jose de Jesus Segundo-Huizar, 46, of Jerome, Idaho, was charged with open murder in the death of Carmen Magallanes-Sanchez, 34, of Ryndon, after her decapitated body was found buried in the high desert north of Elko in September. Police believe she was bludgeoned to death with a hammer.

In June, Elko Federal Credit Union President and CEO Doug Schwartz was struck and killed by an SUV while crossing the street in downtown Elko. Daniel Vasu, a 27-year-old Elko miner, was charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident involving death or personal injury.

One of the top 10 stories involved a murder that happened five years ago. Eduardo Estrada-Puentes, 34, was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2011 death of his estranged wife, Stephanie Gonzalez, after a trial in October. Estrada had fled the country after the crime and remained free until he was taken into custody in Mexico in October 2014.

Not all of the top articles at elkodaily.com dealt with death and destruction.

In January, local cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell penned a commentary about the Bundy occupation of a wildlife refuge in Oregon, which was in protest of ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond being sentenced to prison time for terrorism after starting fires that burned into the refuge. How are these mentally under-endowed, overpaid grass mis-managers equipped to pronounce citizens terrorists? asked Mitchell.

Our annual Readers Choice collection also was in the top 10 list of items published in 2016. The contest asks Elko Daily Free Press readers to identify their top choices in a number of categories, including businesses, restaurants, recreation and more.

Also in the top 10 list was our running series in honor of Elkos upcoming centennial. Writer Toni Milano is compiling 100 articles of people who have helped make Elko what it is today.

The series will end in February but watch for more to come as the city prepares for a major celebration in May.
Global LCD output was hit this year by the closure of a Samsung factory that accounted for 3 percent of the market, as well as factory stoppages in Taiwan after an earthquake in March.

A joint venture between Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, known as Foxconn, and Sharp Corp plans to build a 61 billion yuan ($8.8 billion) factory in China to produce liquid-crystal displays (LCDs).

Sakai Display Products Corp's plant will be a so-called Gen-10.5 facility specializing in large-screen LCDs and will be operational by 2019, the company said at a signing event with local officials in Guangzhou on Friday. It said the plant will have capacity equating to 92 billion yuan a year.

The heavy investment is aimed at increasing production to meet expected rising demand for large-screen televisions and monitors in Asia. Global LCD output was hit this year by the closure of a Samsung factory that accounted for 3 percent of the market, as well as factory stoppages in Taiwan after an earthquake in March.

China's largest LCD panel maker, BOE Technology Group, began construction on its own Gen-10.5 plant in Hefei in December last year, with production scheduled to begin in 2018. In May Shenzhen China Optoelectronics Technology Co, asubsidiary of TCL Corp, announced that it would begin construction on a 50 billion yuan LCD plant in Shenzhen.

Sakai Display Products Corp's plans for the Guangzhou plant come as Hon Hai seeks to turn the joint venture into a subsidiary, investing a total of 15.1 billion yuan in the company.

The venture will also sell 436,000 shares for 17.1 billion yuan to an investment co-owned by Hon Hai Chairman Terry Gou, giving Hon Hai a 53 percent interest in the business and lowering Sharps stake from to 26 percent from 40 percent.
Mumbai: In a first-of-its-kind deal to help turnaround a lender, the Reserve Bank has given its nod to Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa's Fairfax Financial Holdings to pick up a majority 51 per cent in the Kerala-based Catholic Syrian Bank, sources said today.

"The RBI has allowed Fairfax to take a 51 per cent stake in the Thrissur-headquartered Catholic Syrian Bank," a source told PTI. The exception has been made considering the need to ensure adequate capital availability for turning around the struggling bank, the sources said, adding the ownership norms released earlier this year allow for such a case by case exceptions.

As part of the deal, the RBI has asked for a five-year lock-in for Fairfax and asked it to get down its holding in the bank to 15 per cent in 12 years, the sources said.

"Generally, it takes at least three-four years for turning around and there has to be a certainty due to which the five year lock-in has been suggested," they said. It can be noted that the RBI is generally uncomfortable with higher promoter ownership in banks and has been asking a few banks' promoters to pare their holdings to 15 per cent.

Without giving timelines, the sources said a valuation exercise will start shortly to determine the valuation for the unlisted entity and then after the deal will be consummated.

The bank will be issuing fresh shares to Fairfax as part of the deal, the sources said. This will be one of the biggest bets for Watsa in the domestic financial sector. Fairfax already has substantial holdings in diversified financial firm IIFL and the Bangalore International Airport.

There are over 20 shareholders who have over 1 per cent stake in the over 90-year-old bank. Its top investors include NRI businessman and Lulu group founder Yusuff Ali MA with 4.985 per cent stake, Federal Bank (4.617 per cent), private equity fund GPE III Mauritius, AIF Capital Development, Agnus Capital, Edelweiss Group etc.
Shahid Kapoor's 'Udta Punjab' was one of the films given A certificate by the board.

Mumbai: About 135 films out of all the Hindi releases in 2015-16 were granted A certificate.

According to the CBFC annual report, in 2012, about 59 Hindi films were cleared with A certificate. The number increased by 44 in 2013-14 while in 2014-15, the number rose to 102 and in 2015-16, it was 135.

About 65 Hindi films were given U certificate, 140 U/A and 135 A certificate for this period, the report added.

The report said a total of 1,021 films were censored by CBFC in 2015-16.

Out of the 259 Tamil films released during the year, 10.24 per cent were adult certified, while the figures for A certified films in Malayalam stood at 7.09 per cent.

Similarly, between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2016 about 67 Bhojpuri films were certified out of which 54 per cent were for adult viewing.

Out of the 180 Marathi films released during 2015-16, 12 were given A certificate while in 2014-15, 127 films were cleared out of which four were given A certificate.

The report said 94 films were denied censor certificate due to vulgarity and objections on script.

In 2015-16, 82 Marathi films were given U certificate, 86 U/A and 12 Adult. For Telugu, films the figures were 78 U, 130 U/A, and 67 A which comes to 17.58 per cent. For Kannada, it was 89 U/A, 88 U, 27 A which is 7.09 per cent. For Malayalam, it was 123 U, 40 U/A and 5 A which is 1.31 per cent.
Mumbai: The international actress is back in Mumbai and has plans of signing two Bollywood films. Priyanka, who had recently wrapped up the second instalment of popular TV series Quantico, is on a two-week vacation and is often spotted with her Bajirao Mastani director Sanjay Leela Bhansali (SLB). It is their frequent meetings that fuelled rumours of them working together on SLBs film based on poet and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi.

In the film SRK was rumoured to play Sahir and Priyanka his ladylove Amrita Pritam.

But, PeeCee has brushed away these rumours saying there is no truth to such reports.

She was reported as saying, "No truth to any such reports. Yes I am meeting Sanjay sir and we always discuss work and he is someone I would work with all my life till the time he wants to work with me. I am his eternal fan. Every time we discuss a film but we have to still figure out which one will it be. I haven't given my commitment to any Bollywood film yet. I am not someone who says no to Sanjay sir."
Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput are one of the most popular celebrity couples in B-Town. (Photo: Viral Bhayani)

Mumbai: Actor Shahid Kapoor, who welcomed daughter Misha with wife Mira Rajput in August this year, shared her first image on social media.

In the picture, the 35-year-old star has given a glimpse of his daughter's feet wearing pink and beige colour woolen socks.

"Mi-shoe," Shahid captioned the image with a heart emoji.

Misha is the first child for Shahid and Mira, who got married on July 7 last year.

On the film front, Shahid is currently shooting for filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati' alongside Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. He will also be seen in 'Rangoon', which has been directed by Vishal Bhardwaj.
Rana Daggubati is the one actor who is happening in Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu cinema. The Baahubali actor was seen in Bangalore Naatkal this year, and might have two more releases in 2017.

Everyone knows that he recently teamed up with a talent management company called KWAN. According to a source, the actor now wants to take it to another level and is taking complete charge of the entire South India region.

Rana has many contacts in Tamil and Telugu industries, and so he is asking his colleagues to join his company. His father owns a studio and other equipment related to filmmaking and now Rana owns a talent management company, with which they are planning more movies in the coming years, says the source.

The first part of their plan is with Naga Chaitanyas film (Telugu) that is slated to start next year. He is already in touch with many other actors and actresses.

Meanwhile, the regular PRs who look after the artistes schedule are a worried lot as Rana is grabbing their chances. Usually, a managers fee is 20 per cent of the actors total remuneration, but if actors join Rana, the managers will lose control, especially on actresses who mostly come from Mumbai.
The year ended with a bang when India threw open the world's biggest solar power plant. The 648-megawatt capacity Kamuthi Solar Power Project in Tamil Nadu is bigger than the Topaz Solar Farm in California which has a capacity of 550-megawatts.

Before we close 2016 and wish each other good luck for the coming year, we should first celebrate the great year that went past. Human beings need closures to move on. While closures can sometimes be tough and unpleasant, for me closures are pleasant. For me 2016 was a good year. Welcome episodes of amnesia ensure that all bad events in the year are wiped out of my consciousness. Being an eternal optimist, I tend to look at the past with a smile of gratitude. I want to do that now, and recall all the good events that I wrote in this column through the year.

The year started off with the news that India reached solar parity in many states, and net metering systems have been set up and running well. We celebrated the emergence of the 'prosumer', where the consumer of electricity is also the producer of electricity. This was followed by the birth of the 3rd age of electric mobility. We recounted the golden words of William McDonough, when he said 'The Stone Age did not end because humans ran out of stones. It ended because it was time for a re-think about how we live'. We are not running out of oil, but we saw the surge of non-polluting electric transportation from Tesla, Mahendra, Ashok Leyland and many others. India's Minister Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy, Piyush Goyal, told a youth conference of the goal of having 100 percent of the vehicles in India powered completely by electricity by the year 2030.

On the back of all the noise of the silent electric cars, an electric helicopter developed by Martine Rothblatt, flew at 400 feet for five minutes at speeds of 80 knots quietly.

Gibraltar made history with the connection of its new wave power project, an array of ocean energy converters. Though small in size, it was the first clean power plant of its kind in the EU, and the first grid-connected, multi-unit wave power plant in Europe to operate under the terms of a commercial power purchase agreement. Following this, the world's first large-scale tidal stream energy farm went live in the north coast of Scotland, with the project aiming to install 269 turbines in hopes of having a capacity of 398 MW, enough to power 175,000 homes.

In the middle of the year, on 30th June, the journal Science reported that the ozone layer has healed! 1985 was the year when the ozone hole was seen as a symbol of the harm that we human beings can cause to the environment. So the news of its healing, came as a big relief. Like the super-efficient ants in an ant colony, for the first time we human beings displayed eusocialty, with Kofi Annan saying "perhaps the single most successful international agreement to date has been the Montreal Protocol".

November 4th was a date that got etched in history, when containing climate change and implementing low-carbon energy became international law, with 98 countries representing 70% of global emissions, ratifying the Paris agreement domestically. General Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary, summed up the event in very poignant terms: "We are the first generation to really feel the effects of climate change-and the last that can prevent its worst consequences. Today shows us what is possible when we join forces for our common future."

The year ended with a bang when India threw open the world's biggest solar power plant. The 648-megawatt capacity Kamuthi Solar Power Project in Tamil Nadu is bigger than the Topaz Solar Farm in California which has a capacity of 550-megawatts. With 2.5 million solar panels, cleaned daily by solar-powered robots, the Kamuthi Solar Power Project was built in 8 months at a cost of $679, and will power 150,000 homes.

Wow! What a year 2016 has been, packed with great events that have changed the course of mankind for ever. Now I am ready to welcome 2017, with all the goodness it has in store for us! Happy New year!
Another year has gone by and yet again millennials are busy setting travel goals for 2017. While some are hoping to go on their first trip without family, there are many who are setting solo travel goals that some that only few of us can imagine in the years to come. Then there are many who are researching and travelling to places with a crashing economy.

An all-girls trip, a solo trip and that plan where school friends plan that inevitable Goa trip that never really is going to happen but are still on the bucket list of every traveller. Mumbai-based video producer and avid traveller Carlton Dsilva is planning a trip with his two other friends to Iceland to shoot a short film and see the Northern Lights in Norway. The Aurora Borealis, commonly called the Northern Lights, have become a popular tourist attraction after photographs of the visual phenomenon went viral this year all over social media. Another Mumbai-based Digital Marketing professional Alifiya Joel, on the other hand is looking to trek through Norway as it has always been her dream trek. The 26-year-old frequent trekker who visited Hong Kong, Himachal and Maldives in 2016 tries to do at least does three trips; not the expensive kind but more of trekking, she tells us. Talking about travel plans for 2017, she says, I havent planned anything yet as it is too early but since there are many long weekends this year, there will be many impromptu trips that will happen for me.

Greece and Turkey due to their crashing economies are also on many travellers lists this year. Both the countries are seeing a drastic decrease in the number of people visiting the country on holiday and so many smart travellers are taking an advantage and stepping out to visit the picturesque countries.

Trying to travel cheap is always a task and getting the cheapest deals is always an icing on the cake for many travellers. 24-year-old Publicist Shweta Ramesh, who recently returned from Thailand said she is really looking forward to go to Vietnam in 2017. Since saving up is always a task, I plan to travel to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in May as the currency exchange rate is higher which makes it really cheap for us Indians to travel there. Shweta highlights that one Indian rupee is 335 Vietnamese Dong which is why many Indians are looking to travel to the Southeast Asian country. The PR professional says she is looking forward to visit Halong Bay for the serenity and the cruise around it has been on her bucket-list for a long time now. A visit to Siem Reap, Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia and Luang Namtha in Laos are places she really hopes to visit on the trips. The ambitious traveller also plans to visit Sri Lanka and Greece, as the latter currently seems to be a boon for budget travellers.

While international trips need to be well planned, local trips are more like weekender trips that are within a few hours of Mumbai. Digital Executive, Purva Sawant, 26, is looking to travel local as she wants to explore places within Maharashtra, mostly the Konkan region and Ajanta Ellora caves and unexplored places like Tadoba, most popular for its tiger reserve. She wants to primarily explore the local food of the place.

While people are travelling to experience new cultures, 23-year-old Shalaka Shinde hailing from Pune is looking to get a kick out of travel and living in an unknown place that is hardly explored. The Delhi-based journalist is heading to Srinagar soon to explore opportunities there.

Millennials are looking to explore a lot more this year. More international than local but the north east Indian states, Bali and Thailand are among other popular destinations that young adults are looking to travel to in 2017.
Karnataka police has also joined the investigation as teams there have been probing similar robberies that took place in Kalburgi and Gulbarga in the recent past. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: Cyberabad police believes the robbers from the Muthoot gold heist may have crossed the border to Nepal. Officials say the gang split up to evade search parties.

The gang have split up and a few might be in Nepal now. They have mostly used trains to evade search parties. But we have alerted concerned agencies, a senior official from Hyderabad police said.

Karnataka police has also joined the investigation as teams there have been probing similar robberies that took place in Kalburgi and Gulbarga in the recent past. Officials say the Muthoot gold heist has striking similarities to a various robbery that took place in Kalburgi last year - where Rs 3 crore in gold was stole. On Wednesday, the five-member gang pulled off the biggest gold heist in Telangana states history by stealing 40 kilos in gold.
New Delhi: A three-and-half-year-old girl was allegedly molested by her private school cab helper in north Delhi's Saray Rohilla, police said on Friday. The accused has been arrested and sent to jail, they said.

The girl, a lower Kindergarten student in a Saray Rohilla school, was ferried in the private cab. The girl's mother, a government hospital nurse, found her to be disturbed on December 23 but thought her to be unwell, police said.

Three days later she took her to a doctor who suspected a sexual assault. The mother then got a case of molestation registered and the accused was arrested the same day, said a senior police officer.
Two passengers who tried to smuggle in gold bars weighing 1.25kg by concealing it in their undergarments along with their aide who came to the airport to receive them were nabbed at the RGI Airport on Friday.

Hyderabad: Two passengers who tried to smuggle in gold bars weighing 1.25kg by concealing it in their undergarments along with their aide who came to the airport to receive them were nabbed at the RGI Airport on Friday. Officials from Customs Air Intelligence and South Zone Task Force in a joint operation nabbed the Hyderabad-based suspects who arrived on an Air India flight from Jeddah.

According to officials, the suspects were identified as Amer, Fahad and Fasiuddin, all aged around 28 and hailing from Rein bazar area in the Old City. Three months back, Fahad and Fasiuddin travelled to Saudi Arabia. At the behest of Amer who was residing in Hyderabad, the duo along with two other unidentified passengers returned to Hyderabad on Air India 966 flight with the smuggled gold bars.Based on credible inputs, the South Zone task force teams along with Customs Air Intelligence teams at the airport, nabbed Fahad and Fasiuddin while they were handing over the smuggled gold bars to Amer in the parking lot.

The trio were arrested and six bars weighing 1.25kgs which they concealed in their undergarments between their thighs were recovered. The trio were detained for further investigation. Officials during inquiry found that the four suspects smuggled gold from Jeddah on the instructions of Amer. Before they were trapped two other suspects handed over gold bars to Amer and dispersed from the airport. The case is under investigation.
In simple terms, his heart had become enlarged and he had difficulty breathing even when he walked for very short distances. (Representational image)

Bengaluru: A forty-year-old male security guard working in an ATM at Axis Bank in the city was given a second chance at life as he underwent a successful heart transplantation surgery at Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research on Saturday.

The patient was diagnosed with severe heart dysfunction and dilated cardiomyopathy. In simple terms, his heart had become enlarged and he had difficulty breathing even when he walked for very short distances. His ejection fraction or pumping capacity was only 20 per cent. He had been in the hospital for a couple of months, but symptoms persisted in spite of medications. Under these circumstances, heart transplantation is usually recommended, said Dr C.N. Manjunath, Director of the institute. He was waitlisted for heart transplantation with the zonal committee for an eligible donor, he added.

Manjunath told Deccan Chronicle, Meanwhile we were informed that a 30-year-old male patient was admitted to Manipal Hospital on Friday after suffering a head injury from a fall from the roof top was declared to be brain dead and his relatives decided to donate his potential organs to an eligible patient. The blood group was a match with the recipient and his heart was found to be normal in the echocardiography test.

With the help of the Old Airport Road Traffic Police, a Green Corridor, which is a signal free pathway, was created and the donors heart was transported from Manipal Hospital to Jayadeva Hospital at 12 am on Saturday morning in just about 11 minutes, he informed.
Hyderabad: The TS Congress on Saturday decided to take up a series of agitation across the state against the ill effects of demonetisation.

Briefing mediapersons after a meeting at Gandhi Bhavan, TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said that on January 2, key leaders will hold meetings at all the district headquarters to explain why note ban was bad. On January 5 and 6, the party will hold demonstrations at all district collectorates seeking justice for the people who are suffering on account of note ban.

A party contingent from the state would reach Delhi on January 11 to participate in a rally to be attended by AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

He said Mr Gandhi may visit Telangana during his all India tour against note ban, probably in the second week of January.

Mr Reddy demanded protection for small and marginal traders from taxes. He demanded a minimum of 200 work days need to be provided to labour in agricultural activities.
Hyderabad: A cystic tumour weighing 11 kilos has been removed from the abdomen of a 30-year-old woman at Gandhi Hospital. The woman had actually mistaken the tumour for a pregnancy and had not carried out any health checks for what was an abnormal growth of her abdomen. The patient, Amena Hoodoo, had migrated from Myanmar over two years ago and was living in the camps at Ballapur.

She had been abandoned by her husband seven months ago and was under the impression the bulge in her abdomen was a pregnancy. But on December 24, she was rushed to hospital after she suffered severe pains in her stomach. Neighbours rushed her to Osmania General hospital where a CT scan and an ultra sonogram were done. The doctors were stunned and referred the case to MNJ Cancer Hospital.

But volunteers who work with the refugees took her to Gandhi Hospital where doctors immediately prepped the patient for surgery. Dr S.V. Masood, deputy superintendent of Gandhi Hospital said:

The biopsy report will be available only by next week. Medical journals have recorded large tumours in the ovaries, uterus and also abdominal region. These tumours grow over a period of two to five years and are usually slow-growing tumours. The patient is stable now.
BENGALURU: In a major overhaul of the police department on New Year's Eve, the State Government has appointed Praveen Sood as the new city police commissioner with the current incumbent, N.S. Megharikh, set to take over as Anti-Corruption Bureau chief, while transferring as many as 47 IPS officers, shifting several key posts in the department.

Praveen Sood, who had earlier served in several key posts such as Mysuru city police commissioner, Bengaluru Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic), ADGP (Computer Wing) and lately as ADGP (Administration), Bengaluru assumes charge on Sunday.

A graduate from IIT Delhi, Sood joined the IPS in 1986 and started his career as Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mysore in 1989. He has won the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2011.

The outgoing city police commissioner, Megharikh, will be taking over as the head of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's brain child - ACB, replacing K.V. Gangandeep, who has been transferred as ADGP - Crimes and Technical Services.

The other senior IPS officers to be transferred include Ashit Mohan Prasad, who was serving as ADGP and Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety.



He has been transferred to the post of Communication, Logistics & Modernisation replacing Rajvir Pratap Sharma, who is now transferred as Managing Director of Karnataka Handicrafts Development Corporation.

The new Commissioner will have a new set of IPS officers across the city division to be headed by newly transferred officers including Kamal Pant (ADGP, Administration), A.S.N. Murthy (Commissioner for Traffic and Road safety).

In addition, Malini Krishnamurthy will be the new Additional Commissioner of Police, West Division replacing K.S.R. Charan Reddy. Hemanth Nimbalkar will be the new Additional Commissioner of Police, East Division, Bengaluru.
Hyderabad: After waiting for 50 days post-demonetisation, the Telangana state government has decided to assess the real impact of the note ban on the state economy.

The state has not felt the impact of the note ban as yet because the revenue realised in November and December were from the earnings of the previous months like September and October.

However, the government could feel the pinch in January as it could not realise estimated tax revenue due to lower sales in November and December.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has asked finance officials to prepare a report on the sector-wise impact of demonetisation. This assessment is expected to help the government in ascertaining budgetary cuts required for the next three months of the current financial year so as to conserve cash.

In the ongoing Assembly session, Mr Rao said, The impact of demonetisation was not felt so far since we could run the show with the revenue earnings from the months prior to demonetisation. But the real impact of demonetisation would be felt in January as the earnings fell in November and December, primarily due to a halt in commercial and realty transactions due to cash crunch.

The state normally earns Rs 8,000 crore every month including the Centres share of taxes and mandatory expenditure on salaries, pensions for staff and loan repayments total Rs 5,500 crore. However, because of demonetisation, the governments earnings could halve in January.

We are fortunate that the revenue collection from real estate and excise sectors has recovered in December after a steep fall. However, the commercial taxes sector, which remains the major contributor for the state's revenue is yet to recover completely, finance minister Etela Rajender said.

The business transactions came down due to cash shortage. But with introduction of cashless transactions, the sector is slowly recovering. We are assessing the loss caused to the commercial tax earnings, he said.

The earning from the stamps and registrations department used to be Rs 15 crore per day, which fell to less than Rs 3 crore after the note ban. It has increased to Rs 11 crore recently.

The government could spend only half of the Rs 1.29 lakh crore Budget (2016-17) so far and wants to speed up expenditure in the next three months.

However, this seems to be a difficult task considering the slow down in economy, unless the Centre comes to its rescue by offering compensation for revenue loss.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing at the launch of a new mobile app 'BHIM' to encourage e-transactions during the ''Digital Mela'' at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: In a bid to further push adoption of e-payments in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched an indigenous digital payments app 'BHIM' that will enable fast and secure cashless transactions using mobile phones.

Named after the architect of the Indian Constitution, Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) is a simplified payment platform designed to make Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and USSD payment modes simpler and usable across feature phones and smart phones.

"The day is not far, when people will conduct their business through this app...It is a simple app and you can download it on your smartphones or feature phones. You don't even require internet connection for this," Modi said in his address at 'DigiDhan Mela' here.

The government had announced scrapping of old Rs 500 and 1,000 notes on November 8. While this led to a cash crunch and serpentine queues at banks and ATMs, the decision also pushed uptake of digital payments in the country.

Developed by National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI), BHIM is supported by host of banks, including State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, Bank of India, Canara Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and Punjab National Bank, among others.

The app, which can be downloaded from Google Playstore, is currently available in Hindi and English, and support for more languages is expected soon.

BHIM is interoperable with other Unified Payment Interface (UPI) applications and bank accounts.

"We all want our country to develop, become economically stronger and a resurgent nation. Through Digital India initiative, the country has take a giant leap towards that direction," IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Users can register their bank account with BHIM, and set a UPI PIN for the account. The mobile number then acts as the user's identifier, enabling transactions like sending or receiving money.

NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said, "It is only a matter of time before the entire country goes digital."

Digital payments company MobiKwik's Founder and CEO Bipin Preet Singh said this will further strengthen digital payment system and add to building of a cashless economy.

"Going forward, we hope that provisions would be made for adding e-wallets on UPI enabling people to pay through bank accounts or e-wallets using the BHIM app," Singh added.

Trupay Co-Founder Rahul Gochhwal said, "UPI is the most advanced payment system in the world. This will develop the overall payments ecosystem in the country."
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday expressed inability in helping a British woman charity worker of Iranian origin who has been sentenced to one year imprisonment by a court in Odisha on charges of causing death of a tribal child due to negligence.

Swaraj had sought a report from Odisha government on the case involving 28-year-old Narges K Ashtari. She said she cannot help the woman due to the court order.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif earlier this week has said that Iran will use all its capacity to secure Ashtari's release.

"I have received the report from Government of Odisha. The trial court has convicted Narges K Ashtari to one year imprisonment and Rs 3,00,000 fine.

"She has filed an appeal before Sessions Court which is pending. The appellate court has released her on bail pending appeal. This is a judicial order and the matter is sub judice.

Therefore, I am unable to help in this case @BorisJohnson @JZarif," Swaraj said in a series of tweets. She also tagged Zarif as well as British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson in her tweets.

Ashtari, who runs an orphanage through her NGO Prishan Foundation in Rayagada district of Odisha, was found guilty by a court in the case relating to causing death to a child due to negligence.

She faced the charges after the disappearance of the child in 2014, who is feared drowned.

An online petition by social activists has recently sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in seeking justice for Ashtari saying she has dedicated her life in serving orphan and abandoned children around the world.

Earlier this week, the Iranian Foreign Minister had said,"The Foreign Ministry considers it its duty to protect Iranian nationals residing abroad, including students, elites and businessmen and will use all its capacity to support them and restore their rights."

He said the Iranian Foreign Ministry and Iran's embassy in New Delhi are following up on her case though diplomatic, consular and legal channels. Born in Isfahan, central Iran, Ashtari's parents moved to the UK when she was four years old.
Kolkata: Putting all speculation of his premature retirement to rest, Eastern Army Commander Lt General Praveen Bakshi, who has been superseded by General Bipin Rawat to become the Army Chief, said on Saturday that he will not resign from his post.

Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi also spoke to Gen Bipin Rawat over phone and congratulated him on assuming charge of the Indian Army.

Lt Gen Bakshi, the senior-most officer in the Army, recently went on leave after he was superseded by his junior Gen Rawat. This sparked strong speculation that Lt Gen might take premature retirement.

Lt Gen Bakshi, however, came to Fort William, headquarters of Eastern Command, on Saturday and addressed a conference of senior officers in the morning. He also held a video conference with the officers who were not present at the meeting.

CPRO Eastern Command Wing Commander S. S. Birdi said in a statement, "Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi on Saturday greeted all ranks of Army's Eastern Command on the eve of the New Year. Speaking to Officers on the occasion, he also put to rest all speculation about his resignation by stating that he would continue to lead Eastern Command with full professional sincerity as hither-to-fore."

In his address, Lt Gen Bakshi said, I convey my best wishes and full support of Eastern Command to Gen Bipin Rawat on having taken over as the Chief of Army Staff.

Lt Gen Bakshi also requested that speculations and trolling in media and social media should stop and everyone should focus on contributing their best to the betterment of the Army and the Nation, Wing Commander Birdi added.

According to sources, the Eastern Army Commander would, however, continue to remain on leave for the next few days.
Suhag said that when he had taken over he had said that the response of Indian army to any action against our interest would be immediate, adequate and intense.

New Delhi: Indian Army is prepared to meet any challenges, Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag who superannuated as Army chief said on Saturday.

He also thanked the government for providing a free hand and implementing OROP.

He said that infiltration attempts had increased during the year and the number of terrorists killed too was nearly double the previous year.

The Indian Army is prepared to meet any challenges, he said, adding that the force had focused on operational preparedness during his tenure.

Suhag said that when he had taken over he had said that the response of Indian army to any action against our interest would be immediate, adequate and intense.

Indian army has done that in the last two-and-half years, he said.
SP has presence in some pockets of Maharashtra and has nine corporators in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). (Photo: PTI)

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party chief Abu Azmi on Saturday pledged support to the Akhilesh Yadav camp after party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav expelled the UP chief minister along with General Secretary Ramgopal Yadav for six years for putting up candidates against the official nominees.

Azmi, who is in Lucknow now, said he will discuss further course of action after meeting Akihlesh and Ramgopal Yadav.

Azmi also claimed that the Maharashtra unit of the party is with Akhilesh.

"As far as we (Maharashtra SP unit) are concerned, we are with Akhilesh Yadavji because he enjoys the support of the entire state (UP) as well as the nation," Azmi said.

Azmi, who represents Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar segment in the state assembly, had expressed concern over the growing political instability in Uttar Pradesh in the wake of the dramatic developments in ruling party.

"This is very unfortunate. Whatever is taking place is not a good sign and will further embolden anti-secular forces in the state. Netaji's (Mulayam) decision will weaken the party," he had said.

"Mulayamji is not very much active on the party front and most of the decisions are taken by other leaders. Akhilesh Yadav is his son. This feud must have been settled within the family. This is very unfortunate that it has come to the fore," he had said.

SP has presence in some pockets of Maharashtra and has nine corporators in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Mulayam Singh Yadav yesterday expelled Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and party general secretary and cousin Ramgopal Yadav for six years for releasing a list of candidates, parallel to the one issued officially by Mulayam and summoning a party meet tomorrow.

The decision has led to unprecedented crisis in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.
Chennai: Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin on Friday demanded an inquiry by a sitting judge of the Madras high court into the treatment provided to former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

He also urged the Central and state governments to come out with details of treatment for Jayalalithaa since people too want the release of the full medical treatment for her.

Recalling his earlier statement that a white paper must be released on Jayalalithaa's treatment, he said several parties insisting that the suspicions and mystery surrounding the treatment should be dispelled.

A petition had been filed in Madras high court over the treatment for Jayalalithaa, he said the Bench comprising Justice Vaidhyanathan and Justice Parthiban had allowed the petition for hearing and Justice Vaidhyanathan had remarked that he himself had doubts in former AIADMK leader's death.

The government had not given any statement after the former Chief Minister was admitted to hospital and even the official declaration of her death was made by the hospital, he said.

Referring to DMK chief M. Karunanidhi's statement to release the photographs of Jayalalithaa during treatment, the ruling party should have explained the situation and that could have avoided the issue moving to the court.

The state government should submit the medical reports, treatment procedure, videos and photographs taken at the hospital to the high court, he said. Since doctors from AIIMS also treated Jayalalithaa, the Centre too had the duty to release the treatment details. An enquiry should be conducted into Jayalalithaa's death and people should be told the truth.

Stalin said the media has a role in brining out the truth and they should put questions about Jayalalithaa's death to Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and other ministers and carry their replies. He requested the media friends who are freely asking questions to the DMK to show the same attitude to the ruling party. Chief Ministers of neighbouring states are regularly meeting the media and such a situation should be created in Tamil Nadu, he added.
V.K. Sasikala, the new general secretary of AIADMK, offers floral tribute to late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa at her memorial on the Marina on Friday. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala on Friday made her first appearance in public, placing the copy of the resolution to appoint her to the top post at former Chief Minister J. Jayalalihtaa's burial place to seek her blessings before taking charge.

Sasikala turned emotional when she placed a wreath on the burial place and strew flowers on it. She was tearful when she placed the resolution copy on the burial place and the mood among the partymen who accompanied her was melancholic. Later, she placed wreaths on MGR samadhi and walked to the Anna square to pay homage to former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai.

On the way to Marina, there was a big crowd along her route from the Kannagi statue, shouting slogans greeting the new leader. She accepted the greetings of partymen with folded hands, but without a smile.

Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Lok Sabha deputy speaker M. Thambidurai, all the MLAs, MPs and general council members attended the first function of their new general secretary.

Sasikala was appointed as the general secretary of the party at the general council meeting in the city on Thursday. She will assume charge of the new post on December 31.
Chennai: Amid chants of 'Chinnamma Vazhagai' by thousands of supporters, Sasikala Natarajan took charge as AIADMK general secretary, the top party post, on Saturday.

"Amma is always in my heart," an emotionally charged Sasikala said after assuming charge, adding she had been with Jayalalithaa for party meetings for over 33 years and that the AIADMK will continue to rule for many years.

The close aide of late Jayalalithaa first garlanded the statue of party founder M G Ramachandran at the AIADMK headquarters here after she arrived in the midst of tight security.

She then proceeded to pay floral tributes to the portrait of Jayalalithaa.

Sasikala formally assumed charge by signing papers after which she proceeded to address the gathering outside.

En route to the party office, she was given a rousing welcome by party leaders, functionaries and cadres who had gathered in large numbers.

Party activists had lined up on both sides of the road from the Poes Garden residence to the party headquarters at Royapettah to welcome her.

Sasikala, clad in a light green saree with a pink border, greeted them with folded hands.

Party flags, banners and festoons sporting bright images of Jayalalithaa and Sasikala were put up on roads, all along from Poes garden to Royapettah. Banners and hoardings hailed Sasikala as Chinnamma everywhere.

AIADMK presidium chairman E Madusudanan, party treasurer and Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, veteran party leader and Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai, received Sasikala and accompanied her to the party office.

Party leaders led her to the office of the general secretary where she held discussions with Panneerselvam, who is also party treasurer, Madusudanan, Thambidurai, and others.

The AIADMK headquarters at Royapettah was spruced up for the occasion. A platform was set up near the MGR statue to facilitate Sasikala to pay tributes to the party founder before taking charge. Ministers, party MPs, MLAs also participated.

On December 29, a meeting of AIADMK's top decision making body, the general council, which was attended by all top leaders including Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, took the decision to appoint her as part general secretary by adopting a resolution unanimously.
New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday wished people for the New Year and asked them to take pledge to make the country clean and pollution free.

Greeting the people on the eve of New Year, the President said "May the New Year bring progress and prosperity to our glorious nation.

"Let us unite to build an India of our dreams and pledge to make our beautiful country clean and pollution free," he said in a message while wishing all the countrymen here and in abroad.
Hyderabad: The Opposition slammed the state government on Friday over the shocking state of affairs in government hospitals, mainly in the Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital and the Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad city. Ruling TRS MLC MS Prabhakar called for stringent action against doctors and other staff at Gandhi who, he said, declared a patient Boda Biku of Karimnagar dead when he was still alive!

The patient, he said, is now recovering in a private hospital. Its really shocking that a person who met with an accident while riding a scooter was declared dead by Gandhi Hospital staff. When his relatives took the body to his native village, he was found alive. He was rushed to a private hospital and he is recovering, he said. Prabhakar urged health minister Laxma Reddy to take action against the errant doctors. The patient is lucky that no post mortem was conducted on the request of his relatives. He would have died that way, he said in the legislative council.

Leader of Opposition, Mohd Ali Shabbir, M Ranga Reddy and P Sudhakar Reddy questioned the government as to what action was taken against the doctors and others responsible for the blinding of eight persons in Sarojini Devi Hospital. Saying that the government was taking all measures to streamline government hospitals, Laxma Reddy said eight patients lost their eyesight in the failed operations on July 7. Since the sight in the other eye is normal, they have not lost sight totally. The cause of infection is due to contaminated ringer lactate solution used during surgery wherein there was a positive culturing of klebsiella bacteria, he explained.

A complaint was filed on August 28 against Yousuf Badar, MD of Haseeb Pharmaceuticals, Nagpur, in the court of VI additional chief metropolitan magistrate, Nampally. To a question by Dr Bhoopathi Reddy, the minister said that 120 out of the 3,554 samples tested were found positive for H1N1 (Influenza A) and eight deaths were reported from January 1 to October 18 this year.
I managed in November with leftover change, but we faced many problems this month.

Hyderabad: Fifty-three days after demonetisation, some people have still not been able to withdraw cash from either their bank account or an ATM.

Mr G. Krishna, a private company employee from Dilsukhnagar, said that he had still not managed to draw money from his bank due to the rush.

I managed in November with leftover change, but we faced many problems this month. Bankers gave priority to government employees in the first week and I was unable to withdraw money. I lined up at ATMs at nights but the machine ran out of cash many times, he said.

He said a friend, who ran a tea-stall at Malakpet, helped him out by giving Rs 2,000 in smaller denominations. I transferred the same amount into his account and I managed with that amount by using card payments to purchase essential commodities. I am still not able to withdraw cash, he said.

Mr G. Ramesh, a trader from Mahbub Mansion market in Malakpet, said he along with 100 other Ayyappa devotees were on a maha padayatra from Secunderabad to Sabari when the demonetisation was announced.

We had Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes with us and faced many problems. At Selam, a few friends and relatives gave us some money. We came back 15 days ago but we have been unable to withdraw money from ATMs, he said.

Mr Shivraj Patil, president of Krishna mandal in Mahbubnagar, said the entire mandal did not have an ATM and most farmers have been unable to withdraw cash from banks located in Gadwal and Maganoor because of the rush and banks running out of money.
Bhubaneswar: A special court here on Saturday rejected the bail plea of Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Pal, arrested for his alleged involvement in Rose Valley Chit Fund scam, and sent him to three-day CBI custody. Pal was produced in the court of Special CJM, CBI, P K Mishra.

Against it plea for a five-day remand of Pal, the court allowed CBI to take him into custody for three days.

The cine star-turned politician was one of the directors of the tainted chit fund group that allegedly duped investors in Odisha, West Bengal and some other states.

Pal is also accused of promoting the company and "misleading" people to deposit money in the firm. He was also charged with giving senior posts to his family members in the company, a senior CBI official said.

In its charge sheet submitted in the court on January 7, CBI had accused the ponzi firm of duping investors of Rs 17,000 crore, of which Rs 450 crore is from Odisha alone. The company was active in Odisha and had 28 branches in the state.

Pal was brought from Kolkata in the morning and taken to the CBI state headquarters. From there, he was sent to the Capital Hospital for medical examination before being produced in the court.

CBI sources said a special investigation team led by DIG N K Singh, CBI Superintendent of Police, Bhubaneswar, Rajeev Ranjan and investigating officer will interrogate Pal.
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday extended help to a woman in getting her daughter who was suffering from 'absence seizures' examined by an AIIMS doctor.

Absence seizures are seizures that generally last just a few seconds, and are characterised by a blank or absent stare.

Swaraj's help to the woman, Monika Mittal Sood, came after she wrote to the Minister on twitter seeking assistance in getting some "critical medicines" for her child from abroad as they are not available in India.

To this, Swaraj said she has spoken to Dr Padma Srivastava at AIIMS and that a wide spectrum of medicines is available to treat her child.

"I have spoken to a reputed physician, Dr Padma Srivastava of AIIMS. There is a wide spectrum of medicines available in India. I can request Dr Padma to examine your child. If a permissible medicine is not available here, we will arrange it from abroad," Swaraj tweeted.

She then asked Sood to send her contact details by direct message so that the arrangements could be made. The Minister, shortly thereafter, tweeted to the woman to "see Dr Padma at the given time".

"AIIMS is our prestigious institution. I am sure your daughter will be well soon," Swaraj said. Happy over Swaraj's help, Sood thanked her.
New Delhi: The generational shift in the Samajwadi Parivar is complete. At least it seemed so after 77-year-old party chief and father Mulayam Singh Yadav was forced to revoke the expulsion of his 43-year-old rebel son and state chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday, less than 24 hours after he had sacked him for anti-party activities.

With almost the entire party, including some of his loyalists, abandoning him in favour of his son and facing an imminent split that could have reduced his clout, Mulayam Singh Yadav was left with no option but to reconcile with his son.

Akhilesh Yadav's victory was complete when the SP chief also revoked the expulsion of party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav whom he had accused of ruining Akhileshs political career and trying to take over SP.

The partys official website even dropped the pictures of Shivpal Yadav, who had replaced Akhilesh as the state unit chief. Akhilesh Yadavs photographs are back to dominate the site.

Swallowing a bitter pill, Shivpal Yadav said, SP will fight the 2017 Assembly elections unitedly to defeat the communal forces.

Emergency meeting called off

As a compromise, Ram Gopal Yadav called off the January 1 emergency meeting he had summoned to challenge the leadership of Mulayam Singh Yadav.

With Akhilesh Yadav back at the helm of affairs, talks of a possible alliance with the Congress and the RLD resurfaced yet again. The SP top brass will meet to bring out a final list of candidates, which is now certain to have Akhilesh Yadav's stamp on it. Both father and son had come out their own lists of candidates.
Baijal said addressing key challenges like women's safety, pollution, traffic congestion and strengthening infrastructure will be his priority areas. (Photo: Twitter)

New Delhi: Former bureaucrat Anil Baijal on Saturday took over as 20th Lt Governor of Delhi and struck a cautious note on where the LG's office will stand in repairing the fractured relationship between the Centre and AAP government which had hit rock bottom under his predecessor.

70-year-old Baijal, who had served in a number of key positions at the Centre including as Union Home Secretary, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Chief Justice of Delhi High Court G Rohini, 10 days after Najeeb Jung's abrupt resignation as the LG.

Baijal said addressing key challenges like women's safety, pollution, traffic congestion and strengthening infrastructure will be his priority areas.

The oath ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Delhi Chief Secretary MM Kutty, leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta among others.

On being asked about tussle between previous LG Jung and the city government on a range of issues including administrative control over the bureaucracy, Baijal said, "This is speculative. I don't know why and how the relationship will improve. We will sit and talk and then you will get to know."

Welcoming Baijal's appointment, Kejriwal said he was hopeful that under the new LG, governance in the national capital will see new momentum overcoming the past hurdles.

"I am very hopeful that in the future, we all - MLAs, Delhi government, people of Delhi - will work with the Lt Governor for overall development of Delhi.

"In the last few months, some works of Delhi government have come to a standstill. I hope that these works will be expedited," Kejriwal said at an event at Delhi Assembly complex.

Baijal said he will put his best efforts in improving law-and-order situation, women's safety, traffic congestion besides strengthening infrastructure and civic amenities in the city.

"Delhi is a megapolis which has several problems like women safety, law and order, huge population, infrastructure, civic agencies and congestion. We all know about these problems. We will work with elected government to solve them," he told reporters.

Baijal also thanked President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him the responsibility.

A 1969-batch IAS officer, Baijal had served as Union Home Secretary under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government besides holding key positions in other ministries.

He was actively associated with the designing and countrywide roll-out of Rs 60,000-crore Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) launched by the Manmohan Singh government.

Baijal had retired from service in 2006 as Urban Development Secretary. He had served as vice chairman of Delhi Development Authority and is known to be well versed with the city administration.

The former bureaucrat was also on the executive council of think-tank Vivekananda International Foundation, several of whose former members have been appointed to senior positions by the Modi government including NSA Doval.

Baijal, known to follow the rule book, will have to take a series of important decisions including on the report of Shunglu committee, set up by Jung to examine over 400 files pertaining to decisions taken by the AAP government in the last two years.

The Shunglu committee has reportedly pointed out "irregularities" in some of the Kejriwal government's decisions.

His immediate task will also include appointing a new chairman of Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) which has been headless since November after the appointment of incumbent Krishna Saini was turned down by Jung.

Jung and the AAP dispensation had clashed over a range of issues including transfer and posting of bureaucrats, setting up of enquiry commissions and among others.

There was a running battle between L-G office and Kejriwal government with the latter constantly challenging the former's supremacy in the city administration.

Jung had won the court battle as the Delhi High Court had stamped the primacy of Lt Governor in the affairs of Government of NCT.

However, AAP government had approached the Supreme Court challenging the high court verdict and during a recent hearing in the case, the apex court had said the elected government should have some powers.
New Delhi: Even as the Congress announced nation-wide agitation against the Centres move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday took a flight to London to celebrate the New Year.

"Will be travelling for next few days. Happy New Year, wishing you and your loved ones success and happiness in this coming year," Gandhi said in a tweet.

Rahul had earlier targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the latter's 50 days deadline for normalcy to return post-demonetisation came to an end on Friday. The Congress leader posed five questions to Modi, including the details of the amount of black money recovered since notes ban and the number of jobs lost due to the dramatic move.

Meanwhile, the Congress has announced a nation-wide movement to expose demonetisation as the biggest scam of independent India. Speaking to reporters, party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that Modi has taken away jobs from labourers and many people have lost their lives in the last 50 days. He said the movement would be launched in three phases.

"The first phase would take place from January 1-10, second phase from January 11-20 and third phase from January 20-30," Surjewala said.
New Delhi: In a bonanza to farmers post demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that government will bear interest for 60 days on crop loans taken by farmers from district cooperative banks and primary societies for sowing operations this Rabi season.

In his national address on the eve of new year, Modi also announced that the 3 crore 'Kisan Credit Cards' would be converted to RuPay Card within three months to help farmers purchase various inputs anywhere. Nabard will be given an additional Rs 20,000 crore to finance district cooperative banks and societies.

"In the last few weeks, an impression was sought to be created that agriculture sector has been destroyed. Farmers themselves have given a fitting reply to those who were doing so. Rabi sowing is up by 6 per cent when compared to last year. Fertiliser offtake is up by 9 per cent during this period," Modi said.

The government has taken care to ensure that farmers do not suffer for want of access of seeds, fertilisers and credits, he added.

"Now, we have taken some more decisions in the interest of farmers. Farmers who had taken loan for the Rabi crop from district cooperative central banks and primary societies will not have to pay interest on such loans for a period of 60 days," the Prime Minister said.

Farmers who have paid interest during the last two months will get this amount back directly in their bank accounts, he said.

Arrangements are being made to provide farmers better access to loans from district cooperative banks and primary societies, Modi said.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday set out a stern warning of tough action against the "dishonest" people even as he announced a slew of sops for senior citizens, farmers, rural housing, women and small entrepreneurs to soften the blow of demonetisation.

He also assuaged the honest people that the government will act as a friend to them so that their difficulties are eased.

Among the sops announced in his address to the nation at the end of 50-day demonetisation period, Modi said senior citizens will get 8 per cent interest on deposits of upto Rs 7.5 lakh for 10 years and deposit of Rs 6000 into accounts of pregnant and lactating women in rural areas to meet medical expenses.

For farmers, he announced that banks will not charge interest for 60 days on loans taken from district cooperative central bank and primary societies for rabi crop.

For construction or expansion of a rural house, 3 per cent interest will be waived on loan of upto Rs 2 lakh.

Announcing two new schemes under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, he said 4 per cent interest subvention on loans upto Rs 9 lakh and 3 per cent on loan upto Rs 12 lakh.

"The law will take its course with full force. The government will help the honest and protect them and see their difficulties are eased. How honest will gain from the government. This government is a friend of good people and wants to build on the good environment for the people to return to goodness," he said.

Acknowledging that "serious offences" have been committed by some bank and government officials taking advantage of situation, he said "they will not be spared".

Modi said all concerned in the banks have been told to focus on reducing inconveniences posed by curbs on cash withdrawals since demonetisation.

He however did not say when the restrictions on withdrawals will be lifted.

He said banks should also use the opportunity to break from break from traditional lending to prioritise their lending to poor and vulnerable sections.

Prime Minister asked political parties to move away from holier-than-thou attitude and come together to take some steps to ensure transparency and free politics of black money and corruption.

"We cannot allow this fight against black money or corruption to slow down," he said.

He said time has come for a serious debate on breaking the endless cycle of elections and cutting down on administrative expenses by holding Parliamentary and Assembly elections simultaneously.

Modi also announced raising credit guarantees for MSMEs and concerting kisan credit card to rupay cards.

"We cannot allow this fight against black money or corruption to slow down," he said.
Navsari: Raking up the issue of conversions, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said such attempts are unlikely to be successful in the country as the missionaries "do not have the strength".

Bhagwat pitched for Hindu unity and asked members of the community to come together irrespective of caste and language.

"...after converting people to Christianity in the US, Europe, they (missionaries) are eyeing Asia. China calls itself secular, but will it allow itself to come under Christianity? No. Will Middle-East countries let it happen? No. They now think India is the place.

"But they should keep it in mind, notwithstanding their strong push over 300 years, only six per cent of Indian population could be converted to Christianity. Because they do not have strength," he said.

The chief made the remarks while delivering valedictory address at Virat Hindu Sammelan, organised by Bharat Sevashram Sangh in Vansda in the district.

Bhagwat sought to buttress his point by saying how two churches, one in the US and another in Birmingham in the UK, were converted into Ganesh temple and offices of Vishwa Hindu Parishad respectively, by a Hindu businessman in America.

"This is the condition (of missionaries) in their own countries and they want to convert us. They cannot do it, they do not have that strength," he added.

Bhagwat asked Hindus to remember "who they are" and that their culture is "superior".

"Hindu community is in trouble. Which country are we living in? Our own country. This is our land, from the Himalayas (in the north) to the sea (in south). This is the land of our ancestors. Bharat Mata is mother of us all.

"We have forgotten ourselves. We are all Hindus. Let our castes, languages we speak, regions we come from, gods we worship be different. Those who are sons of Bharat Mata, are Hindus. Hence, India is called Hindustan," he said.

Terming Hindu religion as one based on truth, Bhagwat said Hindus never tried to convert people pursuing other religions as they believe in co-existence.

He urged people of all religions to "walk together" to make the world a better place and India a world leader.

He reaffirmed the RSS stand that Hindus and non-Hindus living in "integrated India" have common ancestors who share the same DNA.

Bhagwat urged the attendees to reach out to their "brothers", to whom they have not gone for ages, keeping aside differences of caste, religion and language.

"We should go to our brothers whom we have not gone to for ages. We did not go to them and hence these things (spread of other religions) are happening. We should go to them to share their pain, cooperate with them and perform our long-forgotten duty to make them aware of who they are, that we have common ancestors," he added.
Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala on Friday demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his abject failure in resolving the problems of people arising out of demonetisation decision. At a press conference here, Chennithala said Modi had claimed that everything would be resolved within 50 days but nothing happened. The people continue to reel under host of problems. There is shortage of currency notes.

He said after demonetisation decision the RBI had changed its policy at least 60 times coming with new announcements almost on a daily basis. The RBI has absolutely no idea about what is next.

"An able administrator would admit if there are lapses on his part. The administrator in Venezuela did that. But why is the Centre not re-examining the failed policy?" he asked.

Chennithala said not only black money had not been unearthed, people had been pushed to huge inconvenience. The centre's policy is to provide benefits only to the corporates.Rs 15.44 lakh crore currency was withdrawn as part of demonetisation of which Rs 13.24 lakh crore has returned to the banks. In that case where has all the black money in the country gone? The prime minister owes an answer, he said.

The opposition leader said the problems within the Congress would be resolved amicably. He said Oommen Chandy would be tken on board in all decisions concerning the party.
Itanagar / Guwahati: The ruling Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) suspended Chief Minister Pema Khandu and six other MLAs from the party for alleged anti-party activities late on Thursday night, pushing the state towards a fresh political turmoil.

The government, however, said that everything was normal, claiming the support of as many as 49 of the 60 MLAs. The state has been battling political instability, and there have been three CMs in the last one year.

Government spokesperson Bamang Felix claimed that 35 of the 43 PPA MLAs, 12 from the BJP, besides two others had reposed faith in the Khandu government. The party president, however, directed the MLAs not to attend any meeting called by Mr Khandu, and said that minister Takam Pario was likely to be the next CM.

The PPA is an alliance partner of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) government.

Everything is going normally, and the Chief Minister is still enjoying absolute majority from PPA, BJP and independent MLAs, he said. Mr Khandu sacked on Friday three of his cabinet ministers involved in the expulsions.

Having temporarily suspended Mr Khandu, his deputy Chhowna Mein and five other MLAs, the PPA convened a legislature party meeting in Itanagar on Friday and elected minister Takam Pario as its new leader. However, only 11 MLAs turned up for the meeting. Arunachal has been battling political instability since December last year.

Arunachal has witnessed political crisis quite often recently
When Sonia Gandhis political secretary Ahmed Patel rang up other Opposition leaders to invite them for a joint press conference in Delhi last week, it was assumed that he was calling on behalf of the Congress president and that she would be presiding over the meeting. As it turned out, Rahul Gandhi was the partys lead representative at this meeting, which was initiated by the Congress vice-president. Ever since Mr Gandhi started playing a larger role in party affairs, there has been considerable speculation about the choice of his team members, specially his political secretary. At the same time, the party has also been agog about the role of the old guard (as Mrs Gandhis advisers are called) in the new set-up. Mr Patels name invariably crops up in these conversations given the key position he holds in the Congress presidents office and the crucial backroom role he plays in organisational matters. If last Tuesdays meet is any indication, Mr Gandhi has to necessarily turn the senior leaders to bail him out when tackling important issues. Clearly, nobody in his team has the seniority or the gravitas to pick up the phone and talk to Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee or Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad Yadav. Whatever the outcome of the meeting, what has clearly emerged from it is that the party needs leaders like Mr Patel to do its heavy lifting.

When the Narendra Modi government picked Lt. Gen. Bipin Rawat as the next Army Chief by superseding two senior officers, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party urged critics not to politicise the armed forces by questioning the Centres motives. Despite the unofficial explanations put out by the defence ministry about why the government had ignored the legitimate claims of the two senior officers, few were convinced that there was no political motive behind this appointment. Delhis political grapevine is abuzz with speculation that Lt. Gen. Rawat was chosen with an eye on next years Uttarakhand Assembly polls. It is no coincidence that the new Army Chief, the new chief of the Research and Analysis Wing Anil Dhasmana and national security adviser Ajit Doval are all from the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Apparently, the BJP plans to showcase these appointments to play up the divide between the Kumaon and Garhwal regions in the forthcoming elections by running a campaign against Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat for giving greater preference to Kumaon. In doing so, the BJP hopes to make political gains in the Garhwal region which has more Assembly seats, specially since the Congress chief minister has been under attack for meting out step-motherly treatment to this area.

Before Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi launched his Kisan Yatra in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh last September, the party had declared with great fanfare that former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit would be projected as its chief ministerial face in the Hindi heartland state. At the same time, it rejigged its state unit and appointed actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar as the Uttar Pradesh Congress president in a bid to energise its cadres before the elections. But, as it happens, the campaign soon ran out of steam once it became clear that the Congress is making no impact on the ground. Similarly, the initial enthusiasm displayed by Ms Dikshit and Mr Babbar has also waned. Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders complain that it is impossible to meet Ms Dikshit and Mr Babbar as they visit the state only occasionally. Even when they do travel to Uttar Pradesh, it is at best a guest appearance because they disappear after putting in a brief appearance. Mr Babbar, they maintained, never comes to the party office in Lucknow and sets up appointments with party workers at odd hours and at secret venues. He behaves more like an abhineta instead of a neta, grumbled a Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh.

Unlike other political leaders, Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah has his own style of managing party affairs. For instance, every party chief sets up a system to mollify unhappy leaders. This is particularly so in election-bound states as the distribution of tickets invariably leads to dissension in the ranks. The party leadership generally has a backup plan to deal with such contingencies so that the unhappy leaders do not sabotage an election. But an impatient Shah has no time for such niceties. He has made it clear on several occasions that his decisions are final and those who are not in agreement with him are free to leave. Recently, when it was suggested that it may be good idea if Mr Shah were to placate some senior disgruntled leaders in the poll-bound states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, his response was on expected lines, I dont have to worry about such people. All I have to do is to send out a message to the cadres that a particular leader does not enjoy my confidence... his supporters in the party will immediately desert him.
It may be a matter of speculation whether the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh, Indias largest state whose politics can cast a shadow on national affairs, will go into the state Assembly election in February as a single entity or one split between chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and his father, the Samajwadi Partys founder-patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav.

But it is evident that the chief minister has held the upper hand in his power tussle with his father promoted assiduously behind-the-scenes by his fathers younger brother Shivpal and Amar Singh, the ace manipulator recently taken back into the SP.

Truth be told, Mulayam Singh learnt the harsh realities of life when after expelling the CM from the ruling party on Friday, the patriarch was obliged to revoke the expulsion for his son and also his cousin Ram Gopal Yadav, who has shown himself to be a staunch supporter of his CM and nephew.

This followed Saturdays developments. Nearly all SP MLAs demonstrably rallied to support their CM when they visited his home. In contrast, only a handful of the sitting MLAs visited Mulayam Singh. The conspiracy against Akhilesh, which some have hinted at, been defeated by the CMs supporters.

But whether this is only an interlude cannot be foretold. The formal patch-up was effected on Saturday through senior SP leader Azam Khan. It is now for Mulayam Singh to demonstrate that if he wishes to go by the larger sentiment within his own party, a party that he has created and nurtured, he should be guided by his sons political objectives in the distribution of tickets for the Assembly election and leave the naysayers in the cold.

This is needed for stability within the SP and in UP. Should the CM return to power, this understanding is likely to aid the states developmental agenda, if Akhileshs perspectives and some of his striking achievements as CM are an indication. There can be little doubt that the combination of Mulayam and Shivpal appeared to perpetuate the traditional social backwardness which has characterised the SP, in contrast with Akhileshs outlook, which finds broad approval in UP.

In order to provide himself with a political cushion against future machinations, Akhilesh may also find it prudent to strike the iron when it is hot  when his dominance in the ruling party has been demonstrably established  and seek the poll adjustments with other parties at which he has hinted in recent weeks.

For now there is no need for a trial of strength on the Assembly floor as the ruling party remains united, at least formally. Governor Ram Naik has done well to state that so far there is no constitutional crisis in the state. This limits the scope for fishing in troubled waters for those inclined.
The angoothachaap has been taken to a whole new orbit and become part of the countrys technological revolution in its new avatar. Apart from reflecting a leap towards digitalisation it is a push for inclusiveness like the Jan Dhan Yojana and several other schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The number of people who have mobile phones are far more than those who have an education. This is indeed a godsend for rural India where people are more comfortable with giving thumb impressions and have no access to Internet or debit and credit cards.

Since all that is needed is a thumb to operate the newly announced Aadhaar-based mobile payment application (Bhim)  which becomes an identity and a bank and it even enables the person to run a business  concerns have been expressed about the security aspects. This is being worked on. Hopefully in the next two weeks, the government will have the security aspects in place. The fears expressed about the security aspects in this rush to go digital are not irrational as cyber criminals have become very active. An ethical hacking group recently demonstrated how it could hack a bank within three hours, of course, with the permission of the bank. It is hoped that the government will take every precaution as it goes like a juggernaut towards a digital, cashless or rather less cash society. It must be mentioned that the Prime Minister or his team have been really clever as Bhim is something that will be seen as friendly to the backward and the dalit segments of society.
What is the importance of performance when it comes to assessing a leaders popularity? Logic would suggest to us that a leader who is able to bring prosperity to his people would be popular. It would seem to be the single-most important asset in democratic policies. And so parties that are in power when the country or state goes through a period of high economic growth are able to return to power.

That is one reason, according to experts, that many Indian leaders of the last two decades have been able to overturn the factor called anti-incumbency. Such chief ministers as Naveena Patnaik in Odisha, Nitish Kumar in Bihar, Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Madhya Pradesh and Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal come to mind. They have been in charge and in power through a time when their states grew relatively quickly.

This helped them overturn the incumbency burden that was thought to be a powerful political factor and kept returning them to power. The converse of this logic is that leaders, who are unable to deliver performance, particularly on the economy, are punished. Voters expect that their leader bring about some transformation in their lives in terms of increased prosperity.

The problem with this theory is that there is no data that supports it. The Congress was in power for a decade during the period of Indias highest economic growth historically between 2004 and 2014. But it got absolutely clobbered in the elections and sank to its lowest ever Lok Sabha total. One could say that other things affected that election. The two obvious factors being the stigma of corruption over Manmohan Singhs government and the presence of Narendra Modi and his aggressive campaign. So perhaps we can see the 2014 election as an exception or an outlier.

Unfortunately, the data from before that is even sketchier. The second highest period of growth in recent times was achieved under Atal Behari Vajpayee in the five years up to 2004. He was so confident of victory that his campaign was launched on the back of an advertising blitz called India Shining. Of course, Mr Vajpayee also lost, for reasons nobody really understood. The speculation was that the Bharatiya Janata Partys confidence that they had made India prosperous economically was not borne out by reality. And so if he had actually delivered performance then would he have won?

I would say no. The decades before that show us that economic performance is not a necessary condition for electoral victory on the subcontinent. Through the 1950s and 1960s, the Congress delivered shoddy economy performance if one is referring to growth in gross domestic product. The term Hindu rate of growth, meaning about three per cent growth or less annually refers to that period. However, the Congress won great electoral victories in that time.

Very little of what we would call good governance today was either visible or discussed in that time. Are we a totally different people today than we were in the 1960s? I would say no. Nations, particularly those that are as ancient as India, cannot change so dramatically. And so it is very unlikely that it is mostly economic performance above all that we reward in elections. There is no evidence for that.

The reason we are discussing this is how the current crisis of demonetisation will affect the chances of Narendra Modis party in 2017. The BJP has a big election coming up in Uttar Pradesh and also smaller ones in Punjab and Goa and then in Gujarat. The partys opponents are hoping that the indifferent performance of the economy under Mr Modi and the disaster of demonetisation will likely bring defeat down on Mr Modi.

I dont think its so simple. Charisma, credibility and the narrative are still on Mr Modis side. It will require a lot of work for the Opposition to be able to convert the disaffection of some voters into anger.

It must not be expected that the thing will fall into their lap even if the demonetisation effect continues into February. Even if we expect that the economy will be hit and GDP is lowered for a few quarters by the reckless demonetisation, this will itself not be sufficient to dislodge Mr Modis popularity.

Just as Nehru and his daughter Indira held onto their voters in India, and just as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Benazir held onto their voters in Pakistan, despite no real delivery of economic performance, we should expect that Mr Modi will retain his hold. It should not surprise us therefore if the BJP continues its successes in 2017.
Chinas rise is a fact. But what it will seek to do with its changing global position remains a subject of debate. Chinese behavior in recent years offers some clues. Xi Jinpings regime has sought to focus on three basic goals.

First, Xis ascent in 2012 has seen the Communist Party of China narrow factional differences to strengthen the Partys command and control. The preceding decade of massive industrialization was accompanied by a weakening of the Partys hold on power as patronage networks and systemic corruption mushroomed across the political economy. Xis seemingly unchallenged status at the apex is probably more an outcome of elite consensus that short of a drastic political re-centralisation, China was poised for fragmentation and social turmoil. Keeping China united and stable under the Partys leadership has been the raison detre for Mao Zedong and his successors. For Xi, this too takes precedence above everything else.

Second, China has sought to expand its security perimeter. By a combination of controlled coercion and sophisticated naval activity, Beijing has sought to persuade Washington to restrain its military activities around Chinas eastern seaboard. For the most part, this strategy of changing the status quo has not been unprofitable. Many of Chinas neighbors have become increasingly wary of getting caught in a Sino-American crossfire. Philippines, of course, is the most dramatic example of a defection from the Obama pivot, with Rodrigo Duterte proclaiming his countrys non-aligned foreign policy in Beijing two months ago. Third, the Chinese have sought to leverage their financial, manufacturing and trading capacity to engage in what can be described as the second wave of order-building in the global economy since the 1940s. The 2008 crisis showed the limits of Americas ability to govern an open economic order. As the ultimate beneficiary of global interdependence in recent decades, China has assumed the role of supporting the structure that precipitated its own emergence as an economic behemoth.

Its clear that the three goals shaping Chinese action are a mix of the orthodox  regime survival, without which there can be no domestic order and, shaping a favorable regional geopolitics  and complex order-building at global level to preserve the basic conditions for an open global economy.

If Chinas changing statecraft presents mixed signals it is because its leaders are straddling multiple roles and evaluating choices. Geopolitically, the Chinese appear less certain of what they want. The CCP heads simultaneously recognise their own limits to handle Asian, let alone, world politics.

But the power play will also be shaped by what others choose to do. Trumps victory indicates the end of proxy conflicts with a resurgent Russia and the formulation of a recipe for Chinas geopolitical pushback in the Western Pacific without destroying the economics between American and Chinese capital that continues to provide bilateral and systemic benefits to the US.

However, India has struggled to formulate an intelligent strategy to deal with Chinas rise. Hitching a ride with America can only go so far in dealing with China. It does little to advance Indian interests in the immediate neighbourhood and might actually make Delhis position a whole lot worse should Beijing respond to an India-US strategic alliance with an even harder swing towards Pakistan. Strategies to balance Chinese power that are unable to blunt or deflect the counter-balancing repercussions arent worth the paper they are written on.

The year 2017 could witness a new phase of detente and reset among the great powers with transactional diplomacy and pragmatism driving strategic choices in Washington, Moscow and Beijing.

For Delhi, this opens alternative possibilities for exploring a fresh approach towards China, one that is tailored to changing international conditions and exploring the possibility of establishing a new framework: one that leverages Chinas economic strengths and partners the rising power in order-building while stabilising the heightened competition surrounding India China relations.

 The writer is an Adjunct Fellow, Institute of Chinese Studies, Kings India Institute, Kings College London.
The listing indicates that the device will feature a standard 5V/2A charging support. It is also evident that Nokia will not be launching the device as its flagship, considering that most of the Android smartphone makers run on the latest Qualcomm chipset.

Nokia has doing rounds in the rumour mill for quite some time now. Following the leaks and half baked speculations about its D1C and P smartphone, we now have information about a new smartphone dubbed as the Nokia TA-1000.

The smartphone has recently passed Chinas Compulsory certification (3C). Nokia has tied up with HMD Global for making smartphone in coming years. According to online reports, Nokia plans to launch five smartphones in 2017.

The image in the certification document doesnt reveal much about the smartphone. However, the listing indicates that the device will feature a standard 5V/2A charging support. It is also evident that Nokia will not be launching the device as its flagship, considering that most of the Android smartphone makers run on the latest Qualcomm chipset.

If the rumours are to be believed, the smartphone is actually the Nokia E1 that will feature a 5.5-inch HD display and will be powered by a Snapdragon processor paired with 1GB RAM. It will run on Android 7.0 Nougat.

The upcoming five smartphones will come with Nokia branding and will have display sizes ranging from 5.0-inch to 5.7-inch, according to DigiTimes. The report also suggests that all the smartphone will be launched in the second and third quarter of 2017. Nokia is expected to unveil the first smartphone at the Mobile World Congress (MWC).

Nokia D1C is the first device that is speculated to launch in 2017, and has already made appearance on both Antutu and Geekbench. The smartphone is expected to sport a FHD display with 2/3GB RAM and a 13MP rear camera. The Nokia P on the other hand appears to be companys flagship device and will boast 6GB of RAM. It will be powered by a Snapdragon 835 chip and will come equipped with a 23MP rear camera with Carl Zeiss optics.

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Francoise Amiridis, the wife of Greece's Ambassador to Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis, arrives at a police station to be interrogated in connection with her husband's disappearance. (Photo: AP)

Rio De Janeiro: Greece's ambassador to Brazil was murdered in a plot hatched by his Brazilian wife and her police officer lover, who confessed to the crime, officials said Friday.

The envoy, Kyriakos Amiridis, 59, was killed on Monday by the officer, Sergio Gomez Moreira, Rio homicide division chief Evaristo Pontes told a news conference.

Amiridis's charred body was found Thursday in Rio in his burned-out rental car, a day after his wife, Francoise de Souza Oliveira, declared him missing.

Oliveira, 40, and Moreira, 29, both admitted to having an affair, police said.

The pair are in custody, along with Moreira's 24-year-old cousin, Eduardo Tedeschi, who allegedly also took part.

According to the homicide division chief, Oliveira denied participating in the murder itself, but confessed she knew of the crime.

Family vacation

Amiridis, who was named ambassador this year, had been on a family vacation with his wife in the north of Rio de Janeiro since December 21. They had been due to fly back to the capital Brasilia on January 9.

His wife had originally told police that he had left the Rio apartment they were staying in, taken the car and not returned.

But her version had contradictions, and after Amiridis's body was found in the burned-out car under a bridge, police took Oliveira in for more questioning, and also detained Moreira.

Traces of blood were reportedly found on a sofa in the apartment Amiridis and Oliveira had been using, leading investigators to believe he had been killed there, then his body was placed in the rental car and driven to the spot it was found.

Pontes said that Oliveira had offered Tedeschi the equivalent of $25,000 to help with murdering the ambassador.

Moreira said he and Amiridis had had a physical fight, and that he had killed the ambassador with a shot from his own gun.

But neighbors told police they had heard no shot. An autopsy is being carried out on the burned body of the ambassador, with police suspecting he was stabbed.

Young daughter

Amiridis had previously served Greece's consul general in Rio from 2001 to 2004, where he met Oliveira.

The couple have a 10-year-old daughter.

A Greek police team was due to leave on Friday for Brazil to take part in the investigation, while Greece's ambassador in Argentina was headed to Brasilia, Athens said.

Rio de Janeiro, though picturesque, has a reputation as a dangerous place. The 2016 Olympic host city has seen crime rates soar in recent months, fueled by drug gang violence.

Hit hard by Brazil's worst recession in more than a century, Rio de Janeiro state is facing bankruptcy and struggling to deal with the violent crime that has long dogged the area.
Honolulu: Moscow is hoping Donald Trump will reconsider the sanctions the US is levying in response to its finding of election hacking, a wait-and-see strategy bolstered by the American president-elect's own approving words for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin has essentially put relations with the U.S. on hold until Trump replaces President Barack Obama on Jan. 20. Though his foreign minister encouraged him to slap back at Washington for the sanctions imposed by Obama, Putin decided that Russia wouldn't immediately retaliate.

"Great move on delay (by Putin)," Trump wrote Friday on Twitter. "I always knew he was very smart!"

Praise for a longtime adversary at odds with a sitting American president is remarkable for a president-elect and the latest signal that US-Russia relations, among other policies, could be getting a makeover from Trump.

Whether he steers the US toward or away from Russia is shaping up as the first major test of his foreign policy disposition and his willingness to buck fellow Republicans, who for years have argued Obama wasn't being tough enough on Russia.

In response to the election hacking he blames on Russia, Obama ordered sanctions on Russian spy agencies, closed two Russian compounds and expelled 35 diplomats the U.S. said were really spies.

Brushing off Obama, Putin said Russia would plan steps to restore U.S. ties "based on the policies that will be carried out by the administration of President D. Trump." Not only would Russia not kick Americans out, Putin said, he was inviting the kids of all U.S. diplomats to the Kremlin's New Year's and Christmas parties.

"At this point, they're trolling Obama," said Olga Oliker, who directs the Russia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The Obama administration said it had seen Putin's remarks but had nothing more to say.

Russia denies the US intelligence community's assessment that in an attempt to help Trump win the presidency, Moscow orchestrated cyber breaches in which tens of thousands of Democrats' emails were stolen and later made public. Trump, too, has refused to accept that conclusion and insisted the country should just "move on," though he has agreed to meet next week with intelligence leaders to learn more.

Notably, after the US on Thursday issued a report it said exposed Russia's cyber tactics, Putin's aides didn't offer any specific rebuttal. The report included detailed technical information like IP addresses and samples of malware code the U.S. said Russia uses.

One utility company, Burlington Electric Department in Vermont, reported Friday that it had detected the malware on a company laptop that was not connected to its grid systems. Burlington said, "We took immediate action to isolate the laptop and alerted federal officials of this finding."

There's little certainty about how Trump will actually act on Russia as president. Though he's praised Putin as a strong leader and said it would be ideal for the two countries to stop fighting, he also suggested this month the US might mount a new nuclear arms race, triggering fresh anxieties about a return to Cold War-style tensions.

Ambassador Michael McFaul, Obama's former envoy to Russia, said while Trump has defined his top objective as "getting along with the Kremlin," Putin has higher goals, including the lifting of economic sanctions and, ideally, US recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea.

"Obviously, Putin's not responding because he's waiting for Jan. 20," McFaul said in an interview. "He's got these much more important objectives to him than getting into a tit-for-tat response with the outgoing administration."

Trump's warm outreach to Putin, combined with picks for secretary of state and national security adviser who are seen as friendly to Russia, have left hawkish Republicans with a particularly unpleasant choice: look hypocritical for backtracking on their own tough talk, or risk a public rift with their party's new president.

In the House, many Republicans who have long called for tougher sanctions have been silent or vague about Obama's penalties and Trump's positions. But a handful of GOP senators have shown they have no intentions of letting up pressure on the Kremlin.

"We intend to lead the effort in the new Congress to impose stronger sanctions on Russia," Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said in a statement. McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, scheduled a hearing next week on "foreign cyber threats" in an attempt to further spotlight Russia's actions.

Even if Trump opts to pull back Obama's sanctions and overlook hacking allegations, he may find rapprochement with Russia isn't that simple. The past two presidents both tried to reach out to Russia early in their terms but left office with relations in no better shape.

Though Trump has suggested the US and Russia should align strategies in Syria by focusing on their mutual enemy, the Islamic State group, Russia's military campaign has almost exclusively targeted American-backed Syrian rebels, the US has said. Nor is it clear whether Trump and Putin share a common approach to Europe's security issues.

And if Trump follows through on his vow to renegotiate the Iran nuclear deal, he won't find a receptive audience in Moscow. Putin's government brokered the deal with the US, Iran and other world powers and has no intention of slapping sanctions back on Iran.
The ceasefire agreement, if it holds, would mark a potential breakthrough in a conflict that began in 2011 with an uprising against decades of rule by President Bashar Assad's family and has left over 250,000 dead. (Photo: AP)

United Nations: The UN Security Council will vote on Saturday on a resolution that would endorse the ceasefire agreement in Syria brokered by Russia and Turkey, and reiterate support for a roadmap to peace that starts with a transitional government.

The resolution also calls for "rapid, safe and unhindered" access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country. And it looks forward to a meeting in late January between the Syrian government and opposition in Kazakhstan's capital Astana "as an important part of the Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations."

Russia and Turkey are on opposing sides of the Syrian conflict: Moscow along with Iran provides crucial military support to Syrian President Bashar Assad, while Turkey has long served as a rear base and source of supplies for the rebels.

Divisions in the Security Council between Russia and the veto-wielding Western powers, the US, Britain and France who support the moderate opposition and demand that Assad steps down, have blocked action to end the war, now in its sixth year. Russia and Turkey sent the ceasefire agreement and the draft resolution to Security Council members Thursday night.

After closed discussions in the council today morning, Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin circulated a revised draft, urged council members to support it, and called for a vote today.

The Security Council needs to participate "in this important process," Churkin said. The council is scheduled to meet at 11 am (local time). Russia's UN Mission said members would hold closed consultations and then vote.

The ceasefire agreement, if it holds, would mark a potential breakthrough in a conflict that began in 2011 with an uprising against decades of rule by President Bashar Assad's family and has left over 250,000 dead and more than 13.5 million people in need of urgent assistance, and triggered a refugee crisis across Europe.

The draft resolution reiterates "that the only sustainable solution to the current crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process based on the Geneva communique of June 30, 2012," which was endorsed by the Security Council.

The communique, adopted by key nations, calls for the formation of a transitional government with full executive powers "on the basis of mutual consent" and steps leading to elections.

Churkin told reporters "there is no competition" between the talks in Astana and negotiations that the UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, hopes to arrange between the government and opposition in Geneva on February 8.

"As you know Staffan de Mistura had trouble reconvening the talks, so Russia and Turkey obviously decided to give the United Nations a hand in pushing things forward, and this is what we see happening," Churkin told reporters.
Michigan: In a disturbing incident, a man allegedly stabbed his 5-year-old stepdaughter to death and burnt her body using vodka on November 1, because she had asked for food, said the police.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Thomas McClellan, 25, snapped after his stepdaughter, Luna Michelle Younger, refused to leave his room until he gave her food. He allegedly sat on her chest and stabbed her, before wrapping her body in a blanket and setting it on fire using vodka, said police officials.

Officials said that the autopsy report revealed that the girl died of at least five stab wounds before the fire, in a preliminary hearing at the District Court in Mason. McClellan has been charged for murder, first-degree child abuse and first-degree arson and if convicted may spend his life in jail.

The fire department was called in to extinguish the fire, as the flames started to spread.

Fire fighter Corey Drolett said that initially he thought the girl might be hiding from the fire. He also said that he searched the closet and under the bed before finding her body covered in the burning blanket, the report said.

Commanding officer Jeffrey Young said that while he realised that the girl was dead, he ordered another officer to perform CPR lightly. He further added that he wanted show some effort taken by the crew in front of the mother, Victoria McClellan.

Victoria claimed that she had been at work when her daughter was killed and also said that she had argued with McClellan before she left. The report also stated that Victoria had convinced McClellan to surrender to the police force. Notably, he has no criminal history.
The high school student, whose name was withheld because he is a minor, called police to report he had killed his mother at their home. (Photo: Representational Image/AP)

Tokyo: A 16-year-old boy in Japan was arrested Saturday after he confessed to killing his mother by repeatedly striking her head with a hammer and stabbing her several times, police said.

The high school student, whose name was withheld because he is a minor, called police around 1:40 am (1640 GMT Friday) to report he had killed his mother at their home in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture in western Japan, a local police official told AFP.

When investigators arrived, the woman was lying bleeding in the living room, local media said.

She "had suffered wounds to her head and torso and was transported to a hospital in the city. She was pronounced dead at 2:48 am, and police plan to launch a murder investigation," the police official said, without elaborating further. Police originally arrested the boy on charges of attempted murder.

Violent crime is still relatively rare in Japan, but several high-profile cases involving young people have heightened public concern.
Seoul: Large crowds of South Koreans are expected to ring in the new year with demonstrations calling for the ouster of impeached President Park Geun-hye, who's determined to restore her powers through a court trial.

Hundreds of thousands are expected to participate in the evening marches near Seoul's presidential palace and the Constitutional Court. Park's supporters are planning their own rallies in nearby streets.

The court has up to six months to decide whether Park should permanently step down over a corruption scandal or be reinstated.

Protest organizers estimate nearly 9 million people took part in anti-Park rallies nationwide in the previous nine Saturdays. The historically biggest protest movement in the country has pushed lawmakers to vote for Park's impeachment on December 9.
Candle-carrying and banner-waving protestors marched towards key buildings in Seoul including the presidential Blue House and the prime minister's office. (Photo: AP)

Seoul: More than half a million South Koreans marked New Year's Eve with a massive protest Saturday calling for the immediate arrest and ouster of impeached President Park Geun-Hye.

Candle-carrying and banner-waving protestors marched towards key buildings in Seoul including the presidential Blue House and the prime minister's office.

Police figures were unavailable but organisers estimated crowd numbers to be more than 600,000.

"Park Geun-Hye step down. Go to prison now," they chanted.

Parliament voted on December 9 to impeach Park over a corruption scandal in which she allegedly colluded with her friend, Choi Soon-Sil, to wrest donations from large conglomerates to two dubious foundations.

The case is now being considered by the Constitutional Court, which has up to 180 days to rule on the impeachment.

"I came here to help usher in a new year that has no Park Geun-Hye", Kang Jae-Chun, who was at the protest with his two children, told AFP.

Demonstrators also planned to take part in a midnight ceremony in which a large bronze bell in the city centre is rung to herald in the new year.

It was the tenth protest calling for Park's immediate departure from office.

But Park, who has been suspended from her duties since the impeachment vote, has remained defiant, declaring she will wait until the Constitutional Court arrives at a decision.

Earlier on Saturday, former health minister Moon Hyung-Pyo was arrested under a court order in a widening probe to determine whether Park and Choi took bribes from businesses including Samsung.

Moon, who is now head of the National Pension Service (NPS), admitted to pressuring the state-run fund to back a controversial merger of two Samsung units -- Cheil Industries and Samsung C&T -- last year when he served as health minister.

The acquisition was seen as a crucial step to ensure a smooth father-to-son power transfer to Lee Jae-Yong, scion of Samsung's founding family.

Critics said it undervalued Samsung C&T stock but NPS -- the world's third largest public pension fund and a major Samsung shareholder -- backed the deal, allegedly incurring hundreds of millions of dollars in losses for NPS subscribers.

Investigators reportedly plan to question Lee next month to determine whether he told Samsung Electronics executives to funnel millions of dollars into questionable foundations and companies controlled by Choi in return for NPS' backing.

Lee said at a parliamentary hearing this month he was not aware of the money transfers.
Fireworks explode around the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as New Year's celebrations get underway in Sydney. (Photo: AP)

Sydney: Global terror attacks have cast a pall over 2016 but Australia was on Saturday defying the threats and ringing in the New Year with bumper crowds gathering to watch a firework extravaganza on Sydney's glittering harbour.

2016 has seen repeated bloodshed, most recently a deadly truck attack at a Berlin Christmas market, a similar incident on Bastille Day in France that killed 86, and atrocities in Turkey and the Middle East.

Some 1.5 million people are packing Australia's biggest city to watch the midnight fireworks, a larger-than-usual crowd due to the weekend timing and warm weather, as the New South Wales state premier urged "business as usual".

"My encouragement to everyone is to enjoy New Year's Eve in the knowledge that police are doing everything they can to keep us safe," Premier Mike Baird said.

The visual extravaganza will pay tribute to some of the international musical legends who died this year, including David Bowie and Prince, with purple rain pouring off the Sydney Harbour Bridge in an early fireworks display.

Some 2,000 extra officers have been deployed in Sydney after a man was arrested for allegedly making online threats against the celebrations.

There were a number of other reported threats this holiday period, in Asia-Pacific and elsewhere.

In Melbourne, police foiled a "significant" Islamic State-inspired Christmas Day terror plot.

Indonesia said it foiled plans by an IS-linked group for a Christmas-time suicide bombing, and 52 died in the Philippines in bomb attacks blamed on Islamist militants.

Israel on Friday issued a warning of imminent "terrorist attacks" to tourists and western targets in India.

Despite the terror fears, revellers in Hong Kong and Taipei were expected to throng city streets to watch firework performances.

In Japan, shoppers filled markets to buy tuna and crabs seen as expensive items for special feasts for New Year's Day family gatherings.

Truck blockades

Security concerns have hit many New Year events with truck blockades a new tactic to try to prevent vehicles ploughing into crowds, with Sydney using garbage trucks.

The German capital has beefed up security after the December 19 carnage, deploying more police, some armed with machine-guns.

"This year, what's new is that we will place concrete blocks and position heavy armoured vehicles at the entrances" to the zone around Brandenburg Gate, a police spokesman said.

In Paris, there will be a firework display again, after muted 2015 celebrations following the massacre of 130 people.

Nearly 100,000 police, gendarmes and soldiers will be deployed across France against the jihadist threat.

With more than a million people expected to turn out to watch the ball drop in Times Square, New York is deploying 165 "blocker" trucks and some 7,000 police.

Rome has deployed armoured vehicles and greater numbers of security forces around the Coliseum and St Peter's Square, where Pope Francis will celebrate a "Te Deum" hymn of thanksgiving.

Moscow police will deploy more than 5,000 officers backed by thousands more from the new national guard and volunteer militia to maintain order.

Thousands traditionally gather in Red Square, but for the second year in a row, the area will be open solely to 6,000 invitees.

London will have 3,000 officers on patrol with crowds flocking to line the banks of the Thames to watch the fireworks.

Up to two million people are expected to party at Rio's Copacabana beach. But with Brazil mired in its worst recession in a century, the fireworks have been cut to just 12 minutes.

Normally boisterous Bangkok will see in the new year on a more sombre note as the nation grieves for King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in October.

And, at the stroke of midnight, the celebrations will last one second longer a leap second decreed by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service to allow astronomical time to catch up with atomic clocks that have called the hour since 1967.
With a day to go before New Year's Eve final countdown, France's Interior and Defense Ministers reassured tourists in the capital and insisted security forces were in place to protect them. (Photo: AP)

Paris: In Paris, there will be a firework display again, after muted 2015 celebrations following the massacre of 130 people. Nearly 100,000 police, gendarmes and soldiers will be deployed across France against the jihadist threat.

With more than a million people expected to turn out to watch the ball drop in Times Square, New York is deploying 165 "blocker" trucks and some 7,000 police.

Rome has deployed armoured vehicles and greater numbers of security forces around the Coliseum and St Peter's Square, where Pope Francis will celebrate a "Te Deum" hymn of thanksgiving.

Moscow police will deploy more than 5,000 officers backed by thousands more from the new national guard and volunteer militia to maintain order.

Thousands traditionally gather in Red Square, but for the second year in a row, the area will be open solely to 6,000 invitees.

London will have 3,000 officers on patrol with crowds flocking to line the banks of the Thames to watch the fireworks.

Up to two million people are expected to party at Rio's Copacabana beach. But with Brazil mired in its worst recession in a century, the fireworks have been cut to just 12 minutes.

Normally boisterous Bangkok will see in the new year on a more sombre note as the nation grieves for King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in October.

And, at the stroke of midnight, the celebrations will last one second longer, a leap second decreed by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service to allow astronomical time to catch up with atomic clocks that have called the hour since 1967.
The remains of a large stone figure of a lamassu, an Assyrian winged bull deity, are piled near the gates of the ancient palace where they once stood at Nimrud. (Photo: AP)

Nimrud: The chilly December wind whipped rain across the strewn wreckage of a city that, nearly 3,000 years ago, ruled almost the entire Middle East. Rivulets of water ran through the dirt, washing away chunks of ancient stone.

The city of Nimrud in northern Iraq is in pieces, victim of the Islamic State group's fervour to erase history. The remains of Its palaces and temples, once lined in brilliant reliefs of gods and kings, have been blown up. The statues of winged bulls that once guarded the site are hacked to bits. Its towering ziggurat, or step pyramid, has been bulldozed.

The militants' fanaticism devastated one of the Middle East's most important archaeological sites. But more than a month after the militants were driven out, Nimrud is still being ravaged, its treasures disappearing, imperiling any chance of eventually rebuilding it, an Associated Press team found after multiple visits in the past month.

With the government and military still absorbed in fighting the war against the Islamic State group in nearby Mosul, the wreckage of the Assyrian Empire's ancient capital lies unprotected and vulnerable to looters.

"When I heard about Nimrud, my heart wept before my eyes did," said Hiba Hazim Hamad, an archaeology professor in Mosul who often took her students there.

In three of the AP's four visits, its team wandered the ruins alone freely for up to an hour before anyone arrived. No one is assigned to guard the site, much less catalog the fragments.

Toppled stone slabs bearing a relief that the AP saw on one visit were gone when it returned.

Perhaps the only vigilant guardian left is an Iraqi archaeologist, Layla Salih. She has visited multiple times, photographing the wreckage to document it and badgering militias to watch over it. Walking through the ruins on a rainy winter day, she pointed out things that were no longer in place.

Still, Salih finds reasons for optimism.

"The good thing is the rubble is still in situ," she said. "The site is restorable."

To an untrained eye, that's hard to imagine, seeing the destruction caused by the Islamic State group. Salih estimated 60 percent of the site was irrecoverable.

The site's palaces and temples were spread over 360 hectares (900 acres) on a dirt plateau on the edge of the Tigris River valley.

A 140-foot-high ziggurat once arrested the gaze of anyone entering Nimrud. Now there is only lumpy earth. Archaeologists had never had a chance to explore the now-bulldozed structure.

Past it, in the palace of King Ashurnasirpal II, walls are toppled into giant piles of bricks. The palace's courtyard is a field of cratered earth. Pieces of the two monumental winged bulls are piled nearby - their heads missing, likely taken to be sold.

Off to the left are the flattened remains of the temple of Nabu, a god of writing. During a Dec. 14 UNESCO assessment tour, a U.N. demining expert peered at a hole leading to a seemingly intact tomb and warned that it could be rigged to explode.

From 879-709 BC, Nimrud was the capital of the Assyrians, one the ancient world's earliest empires. In modern excavations, the site yielded a wealth of Mesopotamian art. In the tombs of queens were found troves of gold and jewelry. Hundreds of written tablets deepened knowledge about the ancient Mideast.

Touring the site, UNESCO's representative to Iraq, Louise Haxthausen, called the destruction "absolutely devastating."

"The most important thing right now is to ensure some basic protection," she said.

But the government has many priorities. It is still fighting IS in Mosul, and the list of reconstruction needs is long.

Tens of thousands of citizens live in camps. Much of the city of Ramadi is destroyed. More than 70 mass graves have been unearthed in IS territory. Other ancient sites remain under IS control.

None of the various armed groups around Nimrud - whether the military or various militias - has been dedicated to guarding it.

During the UNESCO tour, Salih noticed that some of the ancient bricks from the rubble had been neatly piled up as if to be hauled away - perhaps, she suspects, to repair homes damaged in fighting. Stone tiles at the palace entrance vanished from where she saw them last.

Two locals were arrested with a marble tablet and stone seal from Nimrud, presumably to sell. The men are in custody.

But it's unclear where the artifacts seized from them are.

The police insisted they were at a lab in the northern city of Irbil. The lab said it knew nothing about them. The Antiquities Ministry in Baghdad said they were safe in the Nineveh government offices. An official there said they were with the police awaiting transit to Baghdad.

That circle of confusion makes theft easy.

Salih is seeking international funding to pay someone to guard the site. But she recognizes the job will have to go to one of the militia factions, and she has no illusions they will provide full protection.

She'll have to cajole them into doing as much as they can. "There isn't another choice, as you see," she said.
The Maritime Security Agency had arrested the fishermen and seized five boats, Pakistan said. (Photo: Representational Image)

Karachi: Sixty-six Indian fishermen have been arrested for alleged illegal fishing in Pakistani waters and a court in Karachi remanded them into custody on Saturday.

The Indian fishermen along with five boats were arrested last evening for "illegally" fishing in Pakistan's territorial waters and have been sent to jail by a judicial magistrate.

The Maritime Security Agency had arrested the fishermen and seized five boats yesterday, a spokesman for the agency said.

"The fishermen were arrested after they remained in Pakistani waters in the Arabian Sea despite warnings to move out of our territorial waters," the spokesman said.

The arrests come just five days after the Pakistan government released 220 Indian fishermen and sent them home via Wagah border on December 26 as a goodwill gesture.

On November 20, the Pakistani Maritime Security Agency had arrested 43 Indian fishermen for entering its territorial waters.

Amin Marri, the station house officer of Docks police station, said the fishermen were booked under the Foreigner's Act and the Fisheries Act and had now been sent to jail on court orders after being provided with clothing and food by a welfare organisation.

Pakistan and India frequently arrest fishermen as there is no clear demarcation of the maritime border in the Arabian Sea and these fishermen do not have boats equipped with the technology to know their precise location.
Islamabad: Pakistan would hand over a dossier on alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav and evidence of attempted violation of maritime boundary by an Indian submarine to incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday, his first working day after assuming office.

Pakistan's Permanent UN representative Maleeha Lodhi will officially pass on the dossier to Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York, Dawn reported, citing officials.

"Soon after assuming office incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will get a feel of Pak-India rivalry as Islamabad is set to raise the issue of Indian interference with him," the paper said.

Pakistan claims that Jadhav, an Indian navy officer and an alleged operative of India's intelligence agency RAW, was caught by its security forces earlier this year. His capture was announced in March and was flaunted by military as "proof of Indian interference and state-sponsored terrorism".

The government, which had pledged to expose alleged Indian hand in terrorism in Pakistan, domestically faced a lot of criticism for the delay in presenting to the international community evidence of Jadhavs alleged involvement in subversive activities.

Responding to criticism in the Senate, Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had on December 7 said that "insufficient material" had been delaying the finalisation of the dossier.

"It is not that material has been provided and its lacking in English and we are overcoming it. The (provided) material, in our view, was insufficient," Aziz had told a meeting of the Senate Committee of the Whole House.

"The required additional information" has now been made available and the dossier has been completed, the paper said, citing the officials.

The officials did not share the specifics, but said it would contain proofs that India was allegedly patronising terrorism in Pakistan.

The new UN chief would also be informed about the attempt by an Indian submarine to "intrude into Pakistani waters before it was spotted and forced to abandon the mission", the paper said.

The submarine incident, which happened last month, coincided with the fourth Pak-China joint naval exercise for promoting maritime security and stability in the region and the start of shipping activity under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor from Gwadar.

Lodhi had in October 2015 presented three dossiers to the then secretary general Ban Ki-moon, which were said to be containing proofs of alleged Indian interference in Baluchistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Karachi. But, the move did not get much traction.

When the attention of the officials was invited to the "credibility deficit" that Pakistan internationally faces, they expressed the hope that the UN would look into the fresh evidence that would be placed before it.
Mohammad Ramzan, right, reacts while talking to his young bride Saima in Jampur, Pakistan. (Photo: AP)

Jampur: Mohammad Ramzan can neither hear nor speak, and he has a childlike mind. But he knew his wife, Saima, was too young when she was given to him as a bride.

The 36-year-old Ramzan smiles, eager to please, as he uses his fingers to count out her age when they married. One, two, three . . . until 13, and then he stops and looks at her, points and nods several times.

The girl's father, Wazir Ahmed, says she was 14, not 13, but her age was beside the point. It mattered only that she had reached puberty when he arranged her marriage as an exchange: his daughter for Ramzan's sister, whom he wanted to take as a second wife.

His first wife, Saima's mother, had given him only daughters, and he hoped his second wife would give him a son. But Sabeel wouldn't marry him until her brother had a wife to care for him.

She would be a bride in exchange for a bride.

"We gave a girl in this family for a girl in their family," Ahmed says. "That is our right."

In deeply conservative regions such as this one in the south of Punjab province, the tribal practice of exchanging girls between families is so entrenched, it even has its own name in Urdu: Watta Satta, which means give and take.

A girl may be given away to pay a debt or settle a dispute between feuding families. She might be married to a cousin to keep her dowry in the family or, as in this case, married for the prospect of a male heir.

Many believe that their Islamic religion instructs fathers to marry off their daughters at puberty.

"If it is not done, our society thinks parents have not fulfilled their religious obligation," says Faisal Tangwani, regional coordinator for the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in nearby Multan.

Ahmed sees the hand of God in his daughter's marriage to a disabled man.

It was by God's will that he was chosen, he says. It was her fate.

Ahmed sits inside the mud-walled compound where he lives now with his two wives. Outside, stray dogs roam in packs of three and four. They bite, Ahmed warns.

He says that the fact that Ramzan is nearly three times his daughter's age is irrelevant. But the legal marrying age here is 16, and in a rare move, police did investigate Saima's marriage after they received a complaint, possibly from a relative involved in a dispute with her father.

Ramzan and Ahmed were jailed for a few days, but Saima testified in court that she was 16 and they were released. She says she told the authorities she was 16 to protect her father and husband.

In Saima's world of crushing poverty, where centuries-old tribal traditions mix with religious beliefs, a crippling cycle traps even the perpetrators with a life's burden: a father who longs for a son to help support his family; a wife who must provide that son; a daughter who must become a mother even when she is still a child.

Saima's mother, Janaat, agrees with marrying off her daughters early. She says girls are a headache after they reach puberty. They can't be left at home alone for fear of unwanted sexual activity - or worse, the daughter leaves home with a boy of her choice.

"That would be a shame for us. We would have no honor. No. When they reach puberty quickly, we have to marry them," she says. "Daughters are a burden, but the sons, they are the owners of the house."

She says she accepted her husband's marriage to another woman; after all, it's her fault he only has daughters.

"I feel shame that I don't have a son. I myself allowed my husband to get a second wife," she says.

Her husband's new wife, Sabeel, says she agreed to marry Ahmed because of her brother. She wanted him to have a wife.

"No one had been willing to give their daughters to my brother," she says.

Ramzan is quick to extend his hand to guests who enter through the torn and tattered curtain that hangs over the front door to his compound, tucked away in a narrow alley lined with open sewers.

Ramzan's elderly parents live with him. His father rarely leaves his bed, saying he has trouble walking. His mother begs from morning until night, sometimes knocking on doors, other times parking herself in the middle of a dusty road, her hand outstretched for donations.

Like Ramzan, she can neither hear nor speak. Both her hips and one knee have been broken. She gestures as if breaking a twig to explain her troubled knee.

Ramzan looks at Saima, her hair hidden beneath a sweeping shawl, her large brown eyes downcast.

"I didn't want to marry her so young. I said at the time, 'She is too young,' but everyone said I must," he says through a series of gestures interpreted by those around him. He held his hand up just below his chest, showing how tall she was when they married.

Saima doesn't talk much. Her answers are short, and matter-of-fact.

"His sister and my father fell in love and they exchanged me," Saima says.

"Yes, I am afraid of my father, but it is his decision who I will marry and when."

She picks at the rope bed where she sits with Ramzan. Her husband often reaches to touch the top of her head.

He gestures that he is afraid Saima will leave him one day, and says that God will be unhappy if she does. Saima had gotten pregnant soon after she came to live with Ramzan but lost the child at five months. Ramzan gestures that he wants Saima to take some medicine to help her get pregnant again.

Saima rarely looks in his direction but says she has no quarrel with him, nor does she plan to leave.

Saima says she understands her husband's gestures, but it's hard to know. Most of the translations are done by his 12-year-old niece, Haseena, Sabeel's daughter from the previous marriage.

Haseena was 10 when Saima married her uncle Ramzan and her mother left to live with the new bride's father.

Haseena stayed in the house with her uncle and her elderly grandparents to cook, clean and keep Saima company. She even prepared Saima's wedding dinner.

"When Saima married my uncle, my mother told me to leave school and be with Saima because she will be all alone at home," Haseena says.

Haseena recalls that Saima seemed so young, the family felt sorry for her.

"At her age, she should have been playing."

Back at Saima's old home, her 7-year-old sister, Asma, wanders around, shoeless, her hair matted with dirt and dust. Asma already has been promised to her cousin, who is about 10. They will marry when she reaches puberty.
Israel's Counter- Terrorism Bureau has warned Israelis travelling to India to be on "alert", citing an immediate threat of attack against Western and tourist targets particularly in the south-west of the country.



In a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office, the Counter-Terrorism Bureau singled out Western and tourist hot-spots as being at heightened risk.



"Israeli tourists travelling in India are asked to stay alert and to pay attention to local media reports and security agencies. Furthermore, families with relatives in India" are asked to update them about the travel warning and recommendation, the statement said yesterday.



"We ask to focus on events in the coming days related to the Christian New Year's holiday, placing particular emphasis on beach parties and clubs, where there is larger concentration of tourists," it said.



The south-west part of the country -- which covers popular holiday destinations like Goa, Pune, Mumbai and Cochin -- are particularly at risk, according to the advisory.

The warning is defined a "concrete basic threat," according to Israel's Channel 2 television.



Security sources in Tel Aviv said that the trance parties on new year's eve on the beaches of Goa are very popular among Israeli youngsters and other western tourists. Such gatherings can be easy targets of certain hostile Islamic groups.



Israel has in the past also issued such warning, especially for Goa, but this time security sources feel all such places frequented by large number of western tourists in south and west of India can be a target of terror attack.



The advisory coming out on Friday evening after the start of Jewish Sabbath has been noted by the local media as a bit "unusual" and by some also as sign of a "serious threat".



An Israeli Embassy spokesman in New Delhi confirmed the warning and said, "Israel has issued a travel advisory surrounding New Year's Eve celebrations events in south-west India, with specific regard to beach parties, clubs and highly-populated tourist sites. Israeli tourist are advised to avoid such events and other densely-populated areas."



In addition, it recommended avoiding markets, festivals and crowded shopping areas.



The bureau did not specify what prompted the warning, however, additional security arrangements have been made all around the world for New Year eve in view of the Berlin terror attack on a Christmas market last week that killed 12 people.



India remains a popular tourist destination for Israeli citizens and according to Jewish Post an estimated 20,000 former Israeli soldiers travel to India every year.



Israeli citizens and Jewish sites in India have been attacked in the past, the most infamous incident occurred during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack when members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group targeted the local Chabad House, among other sites, in Mumbai.



In 2012, Tal Yehoshua Koren, the wife of an Israeli Defense Ministry representative, was moderately wounded in an explosion in her car near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi.
Pakistan has sought support of the US on the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with India, as Secretary of State John Kerry called for an amicable settlement of the issue by New Delhi and Islamabad, media reported today.





The development came after Pakistan was irked by the World Bank pause in mediation to resolve differences over construction of two water projects by India.



The Express Tribune reported that Kerry made a phone call to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday night and discussed the row over the IWT implementation and the role of the World Bank (WB), which had brokered the treaty in 1960.



After Kerry's call, US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale also met Dar in Islamabad at the Finance Ministry.



The back-to-back contacts highlight the importance of the water issue, which can potentially endanger regional stability if the situation slips out of control, according to sources at Finance Ministry.



"The US would like to see an amicable solution to this (water) issue," a Finance Ministry statement quoted Kerry as saying.



Kerry told Dar that the WB president had informed him about Pakistan's complaint against India on the IWT.



The water dispute has catapulted the US back into Pakistan's economic picture.



The American civilian and military assistance to Pakistan has drastically come down in recent months and its implications on Pakistan's fiscal situation have started emerging in the shape of a larger-than-anticipated budget deficit.



Independent analysts argue that Washington may not play an effective role in resolving the water dispute, as the Obama administration is preparing to hand over the White House to Donald Trump next month.



"Senator Dar indicated that the US support on the principles and legal position of Pakistan will be greatly appreciated," stated the Finance Ministry.



Early this month, the WB had announced a pause in playing its legally binding role of mediator in the IWT implementation.



In October, Pakistan had approached the WB seeking appointment of the Chairman of Court of Arbitration to resolve a dispute over construction of two mega hydropower projects by India in violation of the IWT.



The Finance Minister told Kerry that the IWT was an international commitment and it was the WB's responsibility to make sure India honoured the treaty and the water rights of hundreds of millions of Pakistani people were protected, said the finance ministry.



Dar added that the Court of Arbitration was the legal requirement, and the World Bank must fulfil the commitment to appointing the Chairman of the Court of Arbitration.



India's repeated threats to run Pakistan dry pose a real threat to Pakistan's food and economic security.



The civil and military leadership has already announced that materialisation of Indias threat would be considered 'open aggression' and a blatant 'act of war'.



Pakistan and China on Thursday decided to make water security a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework aimed at preparing a plan against any adverse impact of any such Indian move on Pakistan's economic security.



Dar informed Kerry that the WB president had been in touch with him during the current month.



Sources, however, said the WB has yet not made a formal commitment that the mediation process would be started immediately.


Lt Gen Bipin Rawat today took over as the 27th chief of the 1.3 million strong Indian Army succeeding Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, who retired after 42 years of service.





Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa also took charge as the 25th Air Force Chief replacing Anup Raha.



Gen Rawat superseded two senior most Lt Generals, Praveen Bakshi and P M Hariz.

Lt Gen Bakshi, who heads the Kolkata-headquartered Eastern Command, announced "full support" to the new chief and told theatre officers through video conferencing he will continue to lead with "full professional sincerity as hither-to-fore".



"I convey my best wishes and full support of Eastern Command to Gen Bipin Rawat on having taken over as the Chief of Army Staff," he said.



Earlier, there was speculation that Lt Gen Bakshi may resign or take premature retirement. He had also met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar recently.



He requested that speculation and trolling in media and social media should stop and everyone should focus on contributing their best to the betterment of the army and the nation.

The Eastern Commander called the new Army chief to congratulate him on taking over the reins of the army.



Speculation is rife that Lt Gen Bakshi may be given the new post of Chief of Defence Staff pertaining which Parrikar will meet Prime Minster Narendra Modi next month.

Sources, however, have indicated that no such development will take place.



Gen Suhag, who superannuated today, said army is prepared to meet any challenge as he thanked the government for "providing a free hand" and implementing the One Rank One Pension scheme.



He said that infiltration bids had increased during the year and the number of terrorists killed was nearly double the previous year.



The General said the army focused on operational preparedness during his tenure.

Suhag said that when he had taken over he had asserted the response of the army to any action against our interest would be immediate, adequate and intense. "Indian Army has done that in the last two-and-a-half years," he said.



Later at noon, he handed over the charge to Rawat, who was commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles in December 1978 from IMA, Dehradun. He was awarded the 'Sword of Honour' at the academy.



Earlier in the day, Gen Suhag and Air Chief Marshal Raha paid tributes at Amar Jawan Jyoti and inspected the guard of honour.



The new IAF chief, Air Marshal Dhanoa, had developed the country's aerial targeting philosophy against potential adversaries and transformed the concept of air operations of the air force into contemporary war fighting practices.



He has mainly flown Kiran and MiG-21 aircraft though he has the experience of flying the entire spectrum of fighter aircraft from Jaguar to state-of-the-art MiG-29 and Su-30 MKI.





The Air Marshal has many feathers in his hat. As the commanding officer of a frontline ground attack fighter squadron, he led the IAF punch during the "Limited War" against Pakistan to drive the enemy out of their "dug in" defences in the icy heights of Kargil region.



During the conflict, under his leadership and supervision, the squadron devised unique and innovative methods of bombing at night at altitudes never before attempted in the history of air warfare, the IAF said.



Prior to the attack, the squadron had been adjudged as the best fighter squadron of western Air Command for its high degree of professionalism and peace-time training. After the conflict, it emerged as the most decorated IAF unit of Kargil War.



He also holds the highest flying instructional category in the IAF and was handpicked to establish the "IAF Training Team" abroad.



Gen Rawat has vast experience in high altitude warfare and counter-insurgency operations.



He commanded an infantry battalion, along the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Sector, a Rashtriya Rifles Sector and an Infantry Division in the Kashmir Valley, a Corps in the Eastern theatre and the Southern Command.



He has tenanted instructional appointments at Indian Military Academy and at Army War College, Mhow.



Gen Rawat has held important staff appointments at Directorate General of Military Operations and Military Secretary's Branch at Army HQ.



He has also been Major General General Staff (MGGS) at HQ Eastern Command.

The General commanded a Multinational Brigade in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC). While serving with the United Nations, he was twice awarded the Force Commander's Commendation.



An alumni of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, he has been awarded various medals of high honour for gallantry and distinguished service in a span of over 38 years in uniform.



He also attended the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, USA.



Academically inclined, Rawat has authored numerous articles on national security and leadership, which have been published in various journals and publications.



He was awarded M.Phil in Defence Studies from Madras University. He has a Diploma in Management and another Diploma in Computer Studies.



Gen Rawat has also completed his research on military media strategic studies and was awarded Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D) from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut in 2011.
Another activity filled year awaits investors in the primary market with issues totalling nearly Rs 6,500 crore approved by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) waiting to hit the markets.





According to report by brokerage firm Edelweiss, Avenue Supermarts (the owners of D Mart retail chain) and Aster Dm Healthcare could be among the biggest issues during the year with both the IPOs cumulatively expected to garner around Rs 3,500 crore.



Some of the other issues which are waiting for the right time to hit the markets include Matrimony.com, VLCC Healthcare, CL Educate, Hinduja Leyland Finance, GVR Infra Projects and KPR Agrochem.



However, there could be a surprise in the offing during the year, with Indias biggest stock exchange by volumes, National Stock Exchange (NSE), likely to hit the markets during the year, with an IPO of around Rs 10,000 crore, which could be among the biggest in the last four years.



NSE has already filed its draft red herring prospectus with Sebi. Its counterpart BSE had DRHP with the market regulator, and is also awaiting nod for an issue of over Rs 1,000 crore. Some of the other big IPOs which are awaiting the regulators nod include Continental Warehousing, Genesis Colors, Security and Intelligence Services, Prataap Snacks, GR Infraprojects and Music Broadcast, according to Edelweiss.



The year 2016 has seen hectic fund-raising activities in the IPO segment despite a relatively lacklustre secondary market. Generally, IPO booms follow a robust equity market. The mode has given an opportunity for the companies to raise funds and provide exit to existing investors.



A total of 26 firms have collected over Rs 26,000 crore through IPOs this year  making it the best one for public offers since 2010. Last year, a total of Rs 13,564 crore were mobilised by 21 issuers. The year has seen ICICI Prudential Lifes blockbuster IPO. The insurance firm raised Rs 6,057 crore through the initial share-sale plan.



A large part of IPOs have been structured to offer exit to existing investors rather than raise fresh funds for the companies, said Munish Aggarwal Director Capital Markets at Equirus Capital, an investment banking firm. The rise in mobilisation from IPOs was further aided by the launch of public issues from big and popular names such as L&T Infotech, RBL Bank and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance.



Attractive pricing for the IPOs, leaving some juice for investors, also contributed to the rise in fund-raising through this route.






Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment B Ramanath Rai on Saturday dared the Central government to stop the Yettinahole drinking water project.





Answering a journalists query, Rai said he was unaware of the remark made by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Anil Madhav Dave at Moodbidri on Friday that the Central government hadnt given permission for felling of trees for the Yettinahole project. But he dared the Centre to stop the project if the Ministry of Environment and Forests hadnt okayed it.



When journalists asked him whether the Union minister had lied about the MoEF permission, Rai evaded a direct answer and merely said, Its common sense that no project can be implemented without approval from the Centre.



Stating that politicians of all parties as well as environmentalists are misleading people on the Yettinahole project, Rai said, No party, which comes to power in the state, can stop the project from seeing the light of day.



Without naming former MLA K Vijay Kumar Shetty who is leading the anti-Yettinahole movement as president of Netravathi Rakshana Samyukta Samiti and who recently criticised Rai, the minister said, I deny whatever allegations he has made against me before the media.



Rai said that he had arranged a meeting of local politicians with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru but the participants gave contradictory statements to the media.



Accusing the BJP of misleading the people on the Yettinahole project to draw political mileage, Rai said, It was on July 13, 2012, when the BJP was in power, that administrative approval was given to the project following submission of revised estimates.



When asked about allegations that some minister received kickbacks to support the project, Rai said, If anybody has committed irregularities, they must be punished.

DH News Service
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took forward his pro-poor political message by harnessing the anti-rich mood that came in the wake of demonetisation to promise a better deal and higher premium for the honest and stern punishment for the dishonest.





Modi, in a veiled attack against the Opposition, appealed to politicians to give up their holier than thou attitude and work towards eradicating corruption from the country, but stopped short of urging political parties to come clean on funding through transparent methods.



Throughout the early part of his 45-minute long address to the nation, which came after 50 days of announcement of demonetisation, the prime minister hailed the patience, discipline and resolve displayed by 125 crore Indians.



In fact, he said if socialist icons like Jayaprakash Narayan, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Ram Manohar Lohia and Kamaraj were alive today, they would have applauded the patience, discipline and resolve of our countrymen.



Election season

Ahead of elections to five states, including Uttar Pradesh, Modi announced a slew of schemes that were aimed at reaching out to the poor, villagers, farmers, lower middle-class, women and senior citizens.



At the same time, he whipped up sentiments to strengthen the movement for honesty by sharing an information to narrate shocking story of tax evaders.



He said, can we digest that only 24 lakh people in the country accept that their annual income is more than Rs 10 lakh.



BJP national president Amit Shah thanked the prime minister for coming up with new schemes which he said would provide relief for all sections of society.



Modi equated the unparalleled resilience shown by the people to fight black money to collective energy and patriotism exhibited by the nation during the fours wars  1962, 1965, 1971 and Kargil.



DH News Service



Corruption, black money and counterfeit currency had crippled common man



125 crore citizens have proved that for them, truth and honesty is important, despite inconveniences



I knew people had to stand in queues to withdraw money, but people dont want to be behind in fight against corruption



Economy had cash circulation disproportionately higher than similar sized economies, which had led to price rise



Balance has to be brought between cash in the system and being cashless



Serious offences by bank and govt officials have come to light; no one will be spared



Only 24 lakh people have declared their income of being over Rs 10 lakh
Justice J S Khehar is set to assume charge as the new Chief Justice of India (CJI) on January 4, after the outgoing head of judiciary Justice T S Thakur demits office.





As the tenure of the incumbent CJI nears an end, it is time to take a look at his achievements, but more so on the challenges ahead for Justice Khehar. Justice Thakurs stint was marked with tussle with the government on the appointment of judges.



When Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi reminded the judiciary of Lakshman Rekha on Law Day function in the presence of Justice Thakur, it was left to Justice Khehar to counter that judiciary has always kept to it by upholding the Constitution. Justice Khehar, it is hoped, would ease the friction with the government.



Even though the government claimed that it cleared maximum appointment of judges in the recent time, the issue would require the attention of Justice Khehar.



Notably, with the retirement of Justice Thakur, the Supreme Court itself would face vacancies for eight judges out of the sanctioned strength of 31. This becomes all the more challenging with the apex court facing pendency of 61,847 cases as on December 1. Not to forget that 24 high courts, on the other hand, are still grappling with lakhs of cases with less number of judges.



In his time, Justice Thakur persisted with his demand to the government to act promptly in filling vacancies in the judiciary. He even broke down during the conference of the chief ministers and chief justices in April, apparently showing helplessness.



After invalidation of the National Judicial Appointment Commission Act, the government, on its part, took steps for the finalisation of a fresh Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) for appointment of judges, even while maintaining that its absence would not come in the way of clearing new names.



But the subject kept on rankling the judiciary, which raised objection on several issues. As the last word on the MoP is yet to come, it would remain a major task for Justice Khehar to prepare the guiding document on the selection of judges. In his short tenure of about eight months, the new CJI would also have to take along all his brother judges in the collegium.
India on Saturday got new chiefs for the army and the air force as Gen Bipin Rawat and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa took charges from their predecessors.





Both of them would remain in office till 2019. While Dhanoa is slated to retire in September, Rawat would continue for another three months.



Contrary to the speculations, the senior-most army officer Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi said he would not resign from the post of the Eastern Army Commander and would extend full support to Rawat, who is one year junior to him.



The Narendra Modi government overlooked the claims of Bakshi and the Southern Army Commander Lt Gen P M Hariz to pick Rawat for the top job.



The only other time this has happened was in 1983, when the senior-most officer Lt Gen S K Sinha was not chosen by the then prime minister Indira Gandhi.



She picked Gen A S Vaidya, who was junior to Sinha by two months. A miffed Sinha later resigned. Bakshi, who met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar a few days ago, said he would not resign.



Addressing his officers on the eve of the new year at Fort William in Kolkata, Bakshi said he would continue to lead the eastern command with full professional sincerity as hither-to-fore. The armoured corps officer is on leave at the moment and addressed the officer through a video link, sources said.



This is the first time in the history of the Indian Army that an officer resumes service after being ignored for the chiefs job. Hariz and Bakshi would now have to salute a junior officer. Lt Gen Bakshi made a request to stop the speculation and the trolling on social media. He telephoned Gen Rawat to congratulate him.

DH News Service
Encouraged by developments in the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Janata Dal (United) expects a grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh polls with the SP as nucleus and the Congress and other anti-BJP parties as partners.





With Akhilesh in command, the SP will certainly move towards a grand alliance of secular parties to win the Assembly polls, a senior leader told DH.



JD(U) leaders revealed that the party was in touch with the Akhilesh camp during the crisis. We offered all support to the chief minister after Mulayam Singh Yadav declared his expulsion, a JD(U) source revealed.



Sources said that the party had even offered Akhilesh its election symbol for the upcoming Assembly elections with all freedom to choose candidates. However, Akhilesh is said to have expressed hope to hold on to the SPs symbolthe bicycle.



JD(U) sources said that talks for a grand alliance will be intensified in the coming days and negotiations will be resumed. JD(U) leaders said that the party will not insist on many seats and help the SP in formalising the alliances in all possible ways.



In UP, the JD(U) is in alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal of Ajit Singh and has already started campaigning for elections. Senior party leader Sharad Yadav and Ajit Singh have addressed several meetings in western Uttar Pradesh where there is a sizeable population of the Jats.



We are trying to revive the social alliance between the Jats and the Muslims, a senior JD(U) leader told DH.


The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will investigate and verify the claims of suspended police officer Mahiboob Mujawar that the two main absconding accused in the Malegaon blast case of 2008, Ramji alias Ramchandra Kalsangra and Sandeep Dange, were killed by the police.





Mujawar had claimed that three senior officials of the Maharashtra Police  two retired DGs and one high-ranking IPS official  tried to suppress information about the killings.



According to Mujawar, Dange and Kalsangra were picked up around the time when Sadhvi was arrested.



On the night of the 26/11 attack, Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officers shot Kalsangra and Dange at Kalchowkie unit and later took their bodies to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. They were shown as victims of 26/11, he had claimed, and added that he would reveal the truth before the court.



The Maharashtra government, too, has promised to look into the matter. We will look into the claims, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said. We will look into the entire episode. We will have to check why no inquiry was conducted if the officer in 2009 had written to the DGP, he added.



The blast on September 29, 2008, at Bhikku Chowk in the Muslim-dominated town of Malegaon in Nashik districton the eve of Navratriclaimed six lives and injured 101 others.

The case was transferred from the Nashik Rural Police to the ATS and subsequently the NIA took over the probe.



The case was investigated by the then special inspector general of police Hemant Karkare, who laid down his life during the 26/11 terror attacks.
More than 12 hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was shown the door by his father and Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad voluntarily played the role of a peacemaker to broker a truce in the warring Yadav clan.





At 8 am on Saturday, he reportedly made a call to Mulayam arguing that the acrimonious developments which took place on Friday evening in Lucknow were neither in the interest of the Yadav family nor the Samajwadi Party. Lalus soft corner for Mulayam and his party is quite understandable as the RJD chiefs youngest daughter Raj Laxmi is married to Mulayams grand nephew Tej Pratap Singh Yadav, a Lok Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh.



Lalu told Mulayam that such bickerings within the faction-ridden Samajwadi Party, ahead of Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, would help the BJP sweep the polls. Mulayam reportedly told Lalu that he was helpless as his son was not prepared to listen to him and had raised a bogey of revolt.
Three musicians were presented with prestigious Mallikarjun Mansur award here on Saturday, at a function to mark the birth anniversary of Mansur.





Hindustani vocalist Pandit Mani Prasad was honoured with the national award, while promising vocalists Rajeshwari Patil of Hubballi and Onkarnath Havaldar of Bengaluru were honoured with the young musician awards.



The national award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, a citation and a memento, while the young musician award carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a citation and a memento each.




Chief Minister Siddaramaiah charged the BJP leaders with not supporting him when he took up the Mahadayi issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.





Siddaramaiah told reporters on Saturday that when an all-party delegation met the prime minister in New Delhi on Friday, he had raised the Mahadayi issue, but BJP leaders Jagadish Shettar and K S Eshwarappa, who were part of the delegation, did not support him.



Siddaramaiah had sought the prime ministers intervention to allow the state to utilise 7.5 tmcft of water from Mahadayi River for the Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project. Both Goa and Maharashtra have raised objections to the project. Modi also did not respond to his request, Siddaramaiah said.



The Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal had suggested that the riparian states resolve the dispute through discussions.




The Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) circular asking banks to complete the accounting process and deposit banned notes in currency chests or at the local RBI offices by Saturday has been criticised by bankers.





The central bank has started functioning like a local cooperative society. On Friday, it instructed all banks to remit all specified bank notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations with it or the attached currency chests, a top bank official of a public sector lender told DH.



Bank branches are keeping huge cash in crores and it is impossible to remit entire cash at one go, the official said.



Purushotham A P, manager of the Chitradurga branch of IDBI bank, was more vocal.

Currency chests have no space to keep cash. They are refusing to accept old notes due to shortage of space. Rural branches will face transportation issues. In semi-urban locations, just one or two chests are functioning and they cant accept cash from all branches. Such branches are instructed to remit money at distant places where more chests are available.



Some banks had instructed their officers to remit cash late on Friday at 10 pm. Bank officials were still in the banks and getting ready for cash remittance. Some managers are taking huge cash in their own vehicles. Who will take care of our security? Purushotham said.



Another bank manager said, The RBI should think of practical difficulties before issuing any circular. At least, senior bank officials should convey problems faced by the bankers while shifting huge money at short notice. Who cares for bankers safety?



Banks have been transferring money to currency chests on a day-to-day basis.

For the past one week, chests are flooded. We have to transfer currency from chests to the RBI. For that we have to get permission from the RBI. We have been regularly moving cash from our branches to the chests. But the currency chests are flooded and the RBI has not given the lifting order, another official said.



The RBI should have given orders in advance to shift currency to the chests. On Friday evening, the RBI instructed to deposit the cash. In a normal course, if it is within city limits, the chests are accessible. In rural and semi-urban areas spread far and wide, for them to come and deposit the money will take time. However, all people are on the job to comply with the guidelines. It is impossible to clear currency in a single day, the official said.






Admitting that people have suffered a great deal due to demonetisation in the past 50 days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a slew of relief for poor, senior citizens and women and promised to bear all interest on loans to farmers for 60 days.





In his New Years Eve address, the prime minister also handed out tax concessions to small traders who have suffered more due to cash crunch induced by the scrapping of 86% of Indias total currency on November 8 last year.



Modi also sent a terse warning to those who had tried to hide their incomes despite the government giving them ample opportunity to declare their assets.The law will take its own course, with its full force, Modi said adding that only 24 lakh people have admitted that they earn more than Rs10 lakh a year.



In announcements that almost sounded like a mini-Budget, he offered interest subsidy on home loans for rural and urban poor. Now, home loans for poor and middle class up to Rs 9 lakh will get a 4% exemption on interest and up to Rs 12 lakh will get 3% exemption in urban areas. Another 3% interest waiver will be offered on loans up to Rs 2 lakh for construction of houses in rural India under Prime Minister Awas Yojana.



For senior citizens, he handed out an assured return on their fixed deposits, irrespective of the banks cutting the deposit rates. We have decided that up to Rs 7.5 lakh in fixed deposits for 10 years will get them an interest of 8%, Modi said in his televised address to the nation, the second in a space of two months.



With an eye on elections in Uttar Pradesh and four other states, he said the government will bear the interest for 60 days on crop loans taken by farmers from district cooperative banks and primary societies for sowing operations this rabi season.



In the same vein, he also announced that three crore Kisan Credit Cards will be converted into RuPay Card within three months to help farmers purchase various inputs anywhere. Nabard will be given an additional Rs 20,000 crore to finance district cooperative banks and societies. This will be over and above Rs 21,000 crore announced earlier.



Women who undergo institutional delivery will get an assistance of Rs 6,000, he said adding that the move will check maternal mortality rate.



Announcing doubling of credit guarantee to Rs two crore to small-scale and medium enterprises, which play a significant role in increasing job opportunities, he asked the banks to be sensitive towards the needs of the poor and the middle class and restore normalcy as soon as possible.



Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the prime ministers announcements will enhance economic activity.



DH News Service


The state government on Saturday paved the way for regularising properties that have been built by violating norms in urban areas of the state.





The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and other urban bodies will issue notifications on Monday asking violators to regularise buildings built before October 19, 2013, by paying a penalty. They will get four months time to submit applications after which no exemption will be given.



The decision to issue the notification was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This was the first meeting chaired by the chief minister after the high court scrapped a batch of petitions questioning the Akrama-Sakrama scheme. According to the BBMP, there are at least 1.54 lakh properties in Bengaluru, which await the Akrama-Sakrama scheme.



Eshwar B Khandre, Minister of State for Municipalities and Local Bodies, told reporters that regularisation of buildings will be done according to norms laid down in the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Rules.



Emphasis was laid on making the process transparent. The applications will be received manually as well as online. This scheme will be applicable to the BBMP, 10 municipal corporations and 60 urban bodies, said Khandre.



Bengaluru Development Minister K J George said residential buildings and commercial buildings with less than 50% and 25% deviation respectively will be regularised.



If the deviation is more than the prescribed limit, then they will be demolished, said George.



A senior bureaucrat in the Urban Development Department said owners will have to produce some document to authenticate that the building was built before October 19, 2013.



In case of unauthorised structures on agriculture (revenue) land, it is usually difficult to identify the day it was built but there will be some document such as water bill, electricity bill or gas connection to show that the building was built before October 19, 2013. We will accept them as a proof, said the officer.



Ambiguity over GPA



There remains an ambiguity over the fate of properties where the owners still possess General Power of Attorney (GPA) although the buildings were constructed many years ago. In most of such cases, the seller of the property either refuses to register the property in the name of the person who holds the GPA or there is some legal hitch preventing the registration.



BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad said neither was there any discussion on this issue nor the Akrama Sakrama rules have any space for it. These structures, if not regularis-ed under the present Akrama Sakrama scheme, face the thr-eat of demolition once the four-month window period is over.




A 35-year-old man was robbed of his mobile phone and Rs 5,000 in cash by three unidentified bike-borne men in Peenya, north Bengaluru, in the early hours of Saturday.





Raju, who works at a travel agency, left his house at 4 am to visit his hometown, Kunigal, for New Years Eve celebrations. As he walked to the bus stop at 1st main, Dasarahalli, three men riding a motorcycle accosted him and threatened him with lethal weapons. They asked him to part with cash and valuables. Raju didnt resist their demand and quietly gave away his phone and cash. The trio then sped off. Raju then went to the Peenya police station and filed a complaint of robbery. Police said they were investigating the matter.

DH News Service
Police charge suspect who fired at police, was shot in exchange

Columbus police identified the gunman wounded by police early Thursday morning as Raymond Richard Hampton, 26, of the University District.
Romania's president Klaus Iohannis on Friday named social-democrat Sorin Grindeanu as the nation's new prime minister, bringing to a close weeks of uncertainty since the Left won a parliamentary vote on 11 December. The centre-right president signed the official decree naming Grindeanu, a 43-year-old former communications minister, as the new premier. Grindeanu now faces a confidence vote in parliament on his programme and cabinet nominees. The nomination sought to put an end to a political crisis sparked when Iohannis rejected a previous candidate who would have been the country's first female and first Muslim prime minister. The president offered no reasons for his rejection of Sevil Shhaideh, initially put forward by the Social Democrats (PSD), but there was speculation that it was due to her Syrian husband's background. Sources close to the president had indicated on Friday that Grindeanu was considered a ''better solution''. He is seen in Romania as a ''disciplined soldier'' within the PSD ranks and said himself in a recent interview that he had joined the party very young as an outlet for his leftist convictions. The PSD had proposed the previously little-known Shhaideh after its thumping poll victory on 11 December when it won 45 per cent of the vote, enough to form a majority coalition with its partners ALDE. Shhaideh, 52, who has only five months ministerial experience, is from Romania's small and long-established Turkish minority, but her Muslim faith is not thought to have been the problem. Instead the focus was likely on her husband, 54, who worked in the Syrian agriculture ministry for 20 years before emigrating to Romania in 2011 and marrying Shhaideh the same year, according to the PSD. Website HotNews cited unnamed sources as saying that the security services had ''strongly cautioned'' against Shhaideh's nomination because of the closeness of her husband and his two brothers to President Bashar al-Assad regime. This might have made giving Shhaideh the necessary security clearances to be the NATO member's prime minister problematic. PSD leader Liviu Dragnea had withdrawn his own bid to become prime minister because of a conviction that bars him from office. On Tuesday after Shhaideh's rejection, Dragnea said the PSD was considering its options including moving to suspend Iohannis or going to the constitutional court. ''In our opinion the president is determined to set off a political crisis,'' Dragnea had warned. ''If our conclusion is that it is in the country's interest to suspend Mr Iohannis, I won't hesitate.'' However, any attempt by the PSD to remove the head of state would have been problematic because Iohannis was entitled to request a second proposal for premier.








Delhi co-op bank stashed 120 cr in 1,161 accounts to skirt note ban: report

Income tax authorities have come across Rs120 crore of demonetised currency deposited in nearly 1,161 suspicious accounts in a Delhi-based cooperative bank, suggesting a racket to convert scrapped bank notes.

The Income Tax department carried out searches at the head office of Delhi-based Jain Cooperative Bank at Delhi's Daryaganj area and all its other branches at Karol Bagh, Shahdara, Gandhi Nagar and Laxmi Nagar over the last five days, reports quoting authorities said.

According to the Income Tax department, the plan was devised by the bank's board which met in the office the bank's chairman in Daryaganj on 12 November, three days after the government announced the demonetisation of the Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes in an effort to curb black money.

Besides chairman Rajesh Kumar Jain, the meeting was attended vice-chairman Pradeep Jain, two independent directors and nine other directors, reports quoting sources said.

It was alleged that in order to circumvent the Rs4,500 individual limit on deposits of old currency in bank accounts, the bank filled deposit forms using identity cards of people and daily quotas for exchange of demonetised cash were decided for everyone - from Rs50,000 for the chairman to Rs4,500 for the peon.

Besides, each person had to arrange fake identity proofs to get the amount of cash they were allowed to exchange.

According to the investigators, no formal records were drawn for this meeting and even the camera installed in the room of the chairman was switched off for that day.

The chairman allegedly directed an officer to manage the exchange of notes as planned and the cashier was asked to hand over new currency to him who in turn gave it to the officials concerned, taxmen said.

Despite the RBI's instructions issued on 15 November to not allow exchange of old notes at cooperative banks, this co-op bank continued this till 23 December and the bank has converted more than Rs3.5 crore, sources said.

Income Tax investigators say that more than 1,200 new accounts opened in the past one month and possibly several other accounts are 'benami' accounts.

Investigators also found that bank management deliberately destroyed CCTV footage to remove any evidence and many members of the staff have been shifted to different branches making it difficult to trace them.
Patanjali the most disruptive brand of 2016, says study

Patanjali Ayurveda, with its generic products has turned out to be the most disruptive force in the fast-moving consumer goods market in India in 2016, challenging established brands with projected sales of $1 billion (Rs68,000 crore) by 2020, says an Assocham-TechSci Research paper.

Patanjali Ayurveda, steered by yoga guru Ramdev, has expanded its product portfolio across a range of personal care and food and beverages products recording annual growth rate of 146 per cent in fiscal 2016, with a turnover of around Rs5,000 crore ($769 million) while established companies, including ITC, Dabur, Hindustan Unilever, Colgate-Palmolive and Procter and Gamble, among others, struggled to get growth rates in double-digits or less.

''Patanjali Ayurveda has turned out to be the most disruptive force in the Indian FMCG market. Initially the company focused only on the development of Ayurvedic medicines but gradually started manufacturing food items and cosmetics''. Its products are available in 15,000 exclusive retail outlets, 3,000 Patanjali chikitsalaya kendras and retail chains such as Big Bazaar, Reliance Fresh etc.

''With around 500 products, many of them in FMCG category, the company has significantly increased its market share. Many of its product launches have impacted share of other FMCG companies in that product category. Some of its flagship brands which have wrested the market share of its competitors include Dant Kranti, Atta noodles and Kesh Kranti'', the paper said.

Patanjali Ayurveda Limited is owned to the extent of 94 per cent by Acharya Bal Krishna, a close disciple of Baba Ramdev.

The remaining share is held by a small group of individuals.

''Like in several other areas the Indian FMCG is also witnessing its disruptive moments. Interestingly the big disruption has come about from unconventional ownership. Yet another interesting aspect is that unlike a few years ago the focus has shifted away from the foreign direct investment in multi brand retail to home grown Ayurveda. This also reflects a kind of latent desire among the Indian consumers to adopt the products which are safe, healthy and free from side-effects'', said Assocham secretary general DS Rawat.

In 2015, the total Indian FMCG market was $43 billion of which 60 per cent is concentrated in urban areas and the rest in the rural areas. As much as 91 per cent of the retail trade in the sector is in the unorganised segment in contrast to the developed countries.

The paper said India is also emerging as a strong regional export hub for the domestic and multinational FMCG players leveraging the countries cost competitiveness.

''With growing disposable incomes, middle and upper middle class consumers in urban areas have shifted their purchasing trends from essential to premium products. The premium brands are manufacturing smaller packs or products and in response the firms have begun enhancing their top end product portfolios. The FMCG sector is also riding on the fast growth in e-commerce helped by the entire digital initiative being rolled out.''
The only person I know who died on twitter was @TayandYou . We miss you Tay, please come back.
There were traffic jams, close shaves and music galore as a wonderful charity event took place in Teach Hudai Beag in Gaoth Dobhair on New Year's Eve.

Three brave women, well respected fiddlers, Brid Harper from Castelfinn and Tara Connaghan from Glenties and her aunt Eileen Hegarty from Ardara all got their heads shaved to raise money for St. Colmcille's Hostel in Letterkenny.

The event was part of the wonderful musical tradition, Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair which is an annual event in Gaoth Dobhair.

The MC for the occasion was well known fiddler and journalist, Martin McGinley. He took to the stage and announced that there was a "dramatic incident," a traffic jam in Gaoth Dobhair, and that a bus outside the well known Bunbeg establishment could not get through.

There was great fun and laughter at the well known Donegal pub where traffic jams seldom take place.

To date, 2,633 has been raised for the hostel in Letterkenny which provides hope and accommodation for those who are in dire need of a helping hand. The final total is not known, as yet.

Eileen Hegarty was the first to have her head shaved followed by Tara and Brid.

Tara said that the three ladies had put their heads together and decided to raise money for the Letterkenny hostel which provides help for so many people.

Following the event, Martin McGinley announced that there would be plenty of hairdryers for sale much to the amusement of those gathered.

Later and on a more emotive note, Mary Maguire told the ladies of her appreciation and outlined the vital work that she and her husband do for those that they provide housing for.

More in the Donegal Democrat on Thursday.
Home Two wheelers Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS Limited Edition Launched In Cambodia; India Launch In The Pipeline? oi-Sukesh

Bajaj Auto discontinued the popular Pulsar 200 NS from the Indian market for no apparent reason. Although the company continued to sell the motorcycle in various global markets.

{photo-feature}
Facebook last week released six videos to educate people about artificial intelligence.

AI will bring major changes to society, and will be the backbone of many of the most innovative apps and services of the future, but it remains mysterious, noted Yann LeCun, Facebooks director of AI research, and Joaquin Candela, the companys director of applied machine learning in an online post.

The videos are simple and short introductions that will help everyone understand how this complex field of computer science works, they said.

The announcement immediately sparked speculation that Facebook would use its AI technology to tackle the fake news items posted on its pages.

However, tackling fake news is more a question of ethics than technology, LeCun told reporters, with questions coming into play about the trade-off between filtering and censorship versus free expression and democracy.

Mysteries of the Mind

Understanding the videos, which LeCun created, does require a certain amount of grounding in science.

Still, they set a baseline  help explain what an AI can do in the near term, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

Watching the videos likely makes the topic less frightening, he told TechNewsWorld.

Facebook is trying to reset the perception of AI, and from that standpoint, theyre dead-on, observed Jim McGregor, a principal analyst at Tirias Research.

This is what the market needs, he told TechNewsWorld, to counter unrealistic Hollywood scenarios and sensationalism in the general press.

Facebooks long-term goal is to understand intelligence and build intelligent machines, according to LeCun and Candela.

Trying to understand intelligence and how to reproduce it in machines will help us not just build intelligent machines, they suggested, but develop keener insight into how the mysterious human mind and brain work.

Corralling Fake News

AI might help clamp down on the proliferation of fake news stories, which circulated in unprecedented numbers during the recent presidential election, and may have influenced voters.

One motive for the creation of fake news stories is money, according to one fake-news writer who told The Washington Post that he believed his made-up stories helped President-Elect Donald Trump win votes.

In separate investigations, both BuzzFeed and The Guardian earlier this year found upwards of 100 pro-Trump sites in Macedonia  many apparently run by teenagers looking to make a quick buck.

Fake news also comes from partisan news sites slanted strongly toward one candidate.

Thirty-eight percent of stories generated by right-wing, pro-Trump sites were false or contained falsehoods blended with facts, according to a study BuzzFeed published this fall.

First Amendment Issues

AI can help filter abusive or fraudulent content, improve security, analyze user interests, perform image recognition and classification, Tirias McGregor pointed out.

There are so many facets that Facebook can benefit from, he said.

However, AI would need to have absolute control over all incoming posts and filters to be effective, suggested Enderle. It really is the only tool that we have that can handle the kind of scale Facebooks needs.

That might raise a storm of protests over the issue of First Amendment rights.

The stakes are extremely high for Facebook, Enderle said, as not addressing the fake news issue in a timely fashion, or addressing it badly, could lead to everything from excessive litigation to company failure.

The question at the heart of the matter, suggested McGregor, is how do you get something right that has not been done before? The answer is, you try and learn from your mistakes.

However, AIs will never be 100 percent perfect, he said, because, just like us, they are always learning.
(Photo courtesy Church of Norway)

One newspaper likened the separation of Church and State taking place at the end of this year in Norway to a divorce but secularists believe that the new dispensation does not go far enough.

International Business Times said Norway is asking for a divorce from its biggest, most important church.

The (Lutheran) Church of Norway and the Norwegian government will formally separate on Jan. 1 after nearly 500 years.

Norway has sought to formalize the separation of Church and State since it was ordered by the country's parliament eight years ago.

Under the new law, Norway's 1,250 priests and bishops will no longer serve as government officials appointed by the monarch, King Harald V.

From New Year's Day the Church of Norway will become an independent business, and it's a big deal in a nation that has been grappling with an influx of Muslims and how to ensure other religions have equal protection.

The Scandinavian nation is preparing for its "'biggest change to the Church since Reformation," The Local Norway reported.

"We are facing the biggest organizational change of the church since the Reformation," Jens-Petter Johnsen, the head of the Church's National Council, said. "The changes will create a clear separation between Church and State."

The law passed parliament nearly a decade ago transformed Norway's Constitution by erasing the phrase, "The Evangelical-Lutheran religion will remain the State's public religion."

Now it reads, "The Church of Norway, an Evangelical-Lutheran Church, will remain Norway's national church and will be supported as such by the State."

For some Norwegians, the separation does not go far enough and they argue the division of Church and State will be unclear.

"We will not be getting a real distinction. Parliament came part of the way this time, but not far enough," said Kristin Mile, the secretary general of the Norwegian Humanist Association (Human-Etisk Forbund - NHA).

Mille and those who support her cite one formulation that allowed the parliament to reach its compromise eight years ago: "Norway's national church."

"As long as the Constitution says that the Church of Norway is Norway's national church, and that it should be supported by the State, we still have a state church," asserted Mile.

The concept of a new "national church" bothers her as it constitutionally connects the Norwegian people to a particular denomination.

"It is in some ways worse than connecting a particular religion to the State," she said.

The new law seems unlikely to have an impact on church attendance in Norway.

The number of church members was previously a key factor in State funding and many churches falsely boosted the size of their congregations, Christian headlines reported. The Church's separation from the State will probably end such practices.

Like many other northern European countries, Norway has an extremely low church attendance rate: only five percent of Norwegians attend church.

The Church of Norway says on its website that around 73 per cent of Norway's population are currently baptized members.

Around 80 percent of Norway identifies as Christian but only a small number regularly attend church services, Premier reports.

The Christian faith came to Norway in the 9th century. It was brought to western Norway by missionaries from the British Isles, and to eastern Norway by missionaries from Germany and Friesland, by way of Denmark.
To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020.
Two people were murdered in a shooting after Meek Mills concert in Connecticut. The incident occurred after the rappers show at the Toyota Oakdale Theater. Two people died and two people were injured. The two people that were injured are expected to survive. The video at the end of this post shows Meek Mill exiting the venue.

December 2016 has been real. The Meek Mill concert shooting is one of many recent tragedies. Atlanta rapper, Yung Mazi was recently shot along with Brooklyn rapper, Troy Ave. Meek Mill was just getting back on his feet after being bullied by Drake earlier this year. The shooting marks yet another obstacle he must overcome.

Shooting At Meek Mill Concert Oakdale Theater CT

Similar to the Yung Mazi and Troy Ave incidents, no one was arrested at the Meek Mill concert but the police are still looking for the shooter.

I hope everyone I know gets home from the @MeekMill show safe  coke (@TheeCocoLewis) December 31, 2016



Twitter users hoped the victims would survive as the news spread on social media.

3 ppl shot at the Meek Mill show in Wallingford CT. Hope everyone I know is good.  Apathy (@ApathyDGZ) December 31, 2016

Something must be done about the violence throughout our nation. Sad stories like this make it difficult to watch the news.

Just heard about the shooting at the Meek Mill concert in CT at the Oakdale Theater. My heart breaks  Praying for the victims  Taryn Poe (@TarynMariaPoe) December 31, 2016
New Year's dips to take place across Island



A previous New Year's Day dip in Peel

New Year's Day dips will take place on a number of the Island's beaches tomorrow.

The Manx tradition sees hundreds run into the sea to welcome in the start of a new year.

Many of the events raise money for charities, while some of those taking part doing so in fancy dress.

Start times vary from 9.15am to Midday depending on the town.

Port Erin - 9.15am & 11.30am

Port St Mary - 10am

Gansey 10.45am

Ramsey - 11am

Douglas - 11.30am

Kirk Michael, Laxey, Castletown, Peel - 12pm
Three locals receive New Year's honours

Three Isle of Man residents will receive awards as part of The Queen's New Year's Honours List.

Olga Gray receives an MBE for her work in the community, which includes raising over 1.5m for Breakthough Breast Cancer Isle of Man.

Mrs Gray has also worked as a volunteer news reader for the Manx Blind Welfare Society for 30 years.

Chairman of the Southern 100 Motorcycle Club Phil Taubman is also made an MBE for his services to motorsport.

He was part of the original organising committee for the races in 1955, and has served as clerk of the course for the Manx Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Bill Dale of the Beach Buddies charity is awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the Manx marine environment, having started cleaning the Island's beaches 10 years ago.
The 50 days since the Prime Ministers 8 November announcement have shown that every attempt is being made to gloss over the fallout of the severe shortage of currencyshrinking economic activity and loss of livelihoodswhile hard-selling the stated objectives of fighting black money, counterfeit currency, terrorism, and the subsequently added push for a cashless society. The Narendra Modi government hopes to gain politically from demonetisation. However, in the process it has not only put the countrys economy at considerable risk but has also undermined the reputation of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

These 50 days have shown that the apex monetary authority can be made to bend backwards to favour the political dispensation of the ruling regime. This is arguably the most malleable the RBI has been to the will of the Ministry of Finance in a long time. Indeed, the choice to cancel legal tender of such a large proportion of currency without proper preparation, and with such secrecy is but a symptom of this changed relationship between the government and the central bank that is being enforced by the Modi government.

Right from the RBI central boards decision to go along with the government and cancel legal tender of high denomination notes to the 60-plus notifications issued since then, the top brass of the apex monetary authority has inspired less confidence with each passing day. The RBI is wholly owned by the government, and is supposed to have a diverse central board (and regional boards) comprising not only economists and bankers, but persons involved in public policy and civil society. The Modi government has allowed positions on the boards to remain vacant. Over the past three years, the boards of the RBI have been shrinking. The central board that recommended cancelling the legal tender status of high denomination notes on 8 November had only four independent members when there should have been 14, and had six executive members when there should have been seven.

The RBIs refusal to disclose the minutes of the central board meeting that recommended cancelling the legal tender of high denomination notes is perplexing. The right to information application for these minutes was turned down. Certainly, there is no need for secrecy now after the unprecedented decision has been taken! The RBI and its governor have done little to address pressing questions that institutions in a democratic country are obliged to answer. Why is the shortage of currency notes more acute in some regions? How is the distribution of new notes being prioritised? Why is the RBI refusing to disclose the reasons for demonetisation?

As things stand at the end of the calendar year, nearly all the old 500 and 1,000 notes have returned to the banking system and less than half of what is required for a functional economy has been issued as new notes in circulation. The printing of new notes has not kept pace with the requirement, which should have been anticipated, given Indias note-printing capacity. The government seems to now even be contemplating printing currency abroad, again something it should have planned much earlier. It could take many more months before a semblance of normalcy is restored as far as availability of cash is concerned.

The consequences of the acute shortage of currency in a cash-based economy such as Indias have meant fewer transactions in general. Economic forecasts by private research agencies point out that the short-term consequences of the shortage of cash are causing a shrinkage of economic activity. If these forecasts are anything to go by, the second half of 201617 will see a sharp reduction in gross domestic product growth as well. News reports suggest that prices in agricultural markets have fallen. The reasons for these fluctuations are not seasonal, but indicative of a shortage of demand. With severely limited cash, firms in the informal sector are finding it hard to continue functioning. Those employed in the sector have also suffered, with many migrants being forced to return to their villages. Government spokespersons are putting up a brave front claiming that higher tax collections are an indication that the situation is not as bad as is being made out. They also claim that lack of widespread unrest is an indication of popular support for demonetisation.

Nevertheless, the government and the RBI owe citizens a much greater degree of transparency and accountability. It is not for no reason that banking unions are unhappy with the RBI, and even former senior employees of the central bank of the rank of deputy governor are saddened by the poor planning and implementation that has adversely impacted the lives and livelihoods of most Indians. The government is purposefully undermining democratic structures and processes in the name of an unexplainable warlike discourse around issues relating to demonetisation. This is perhaps not unexpected from a government that has gone out of its way to change established democratic institutions in ways that suit its narrow political ends.
In the early 1990s, after decades of political discontent, thousands of Kashmiri men travelled across the Line of Control for arms training to seek independence from India. However, soon many became disillusioned and looked at the possibilities of return. In 2010, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir announced a rehabilitation policy for them. However, the ex-militants generally avoid the designated points mainly to evade possible arrest by the Indian security forces and the cumbersome documentation process. This article argues that the criterion for return through these points is flawed, since it has failed to attract ex-militants, and those who returned through other points were not entitled to the benefits of the rehabilitation policy.
Editors note: As the year winds down, the editorial staff of Evolution News looks back on 2016 and recalls the Top 10 stories of the year that was. We wish you a merry and meaningful holiday season and a wonderful and prosperous New Year. If you havent done so already, please take a moment to consider the unique news resource we offer here daily.

Sources of information (and disinformation) on evolution from Darwinist media are beyond plentiful. But theres only one Evolution News, and we need your friendship and support. Thank you for your generosity!

The following was originally published on July 12, 2016:

It was with a familiar longing that I turned the last page of Douglas Axes new book, Undeniable: How Biology Confirms Our Intuition that Life Is Designed, published today. If only evolutionists would quit spinning their theory for a moment, read a serious critic, and answer him. If only! One of the most striking features of the Darwin debate is the signal refusal of Darwins defenders to register scientific critiques and offer a worthy reply.

Having read Undeniable, I think the evolutionary advocate Id most like to hear from is MITs Jeremy England, hailed as the next Charles Darwin. Axe quotes Paul Rosenberg writing in Salon, claiming (with the customary confused deployment of the scare word creationist), that [T]hings could get a whole lot worse for creationists because of Jeremy England, a young MIT professor whos proposed a theory, based on thermodynamics, showing that the emergence of life was not accidental, but necessary.

Necessary means basically a snap. As England himself puts it, You start with a random clump of atoms, and if you shine light at it for long enough, it should not be surprising that you get a plant. Or as Axe summarizes the equation:

light + random atoms + time = living plant

England is in a long tradition of smart people in the sciences who grossly  wildly!  underestimate the challenge of developing life from non-life or complex from simple. For the layman, the temptation is simply to take this expert opinion as granted, without questioning it. That is the easier way, and at least in the medias view, the more praiseworthy, touched by the prestige of elite opinion. After all, who am I, a non-scientist, to doubt a famous expert?

To that question, Dr. Axes book is the answer. Highly rigorous yet passionate, lyrical, forthright, refreshingly brief and accessible, Undeniable is an urgently needed addition to the library of books on intelligent design. It stands out in several ways. It is the book that largely steps back from technical matters, and demonstrates why all the other ID books must be right. While giving both the engineering and biology perspectives, it offers non-engineers and non-biologists the intellectual tools, without mastering technical literature, to have and defend their own well-informed view on the ultimate question of lifes origins.

I dont mean to imply its entirely an easy read, or remotely superficial, so that anyone can flip through and come out prepared in a twinkling to creditably give Jeremy England a piece of your mind. But a focused reading and perhaps rereading should be sufficient.

Axe argues with England, with David Barash, with Richard Dawkins, and, very respectfully, with Thomas Nagel. The book is framed by engagement with Nagel. But Dr. Axe is not arguing for us, on our behalf. He is showing us how to do it.

Axe concludes that Darwinian explanations are not just unlikely, merely implausible, but physically impossible. He explains how he reached this conclusion, on a journey of his own from undergraduate days at UC Berkeley, PhD at Caltech, and on to Cambridge University where he was a postdoctoral student and research scientist, finally expelled for his association with ID. Axe is currently director of Biologic Institute.

Publishing in the Journal of Molecular Biology, he has probed the rarity of functional proteins, testing biologist Michael Dentons earlier assertion that they could well be exceedingly rare. That itself was a vast, vast understatement: I was able to put a number on the actual rarity  a startling number, with only one good protein sequence for every 1074 bad ones.

But you dont have to take Axes word for it, against the admitted majority of his fellow scientists who affirm the Darwinian alternative. He explains how the natural intuition of design is not only innate but intellectually, scientifically valid, confirmed by what Axe calls common science. Its not true that because you dont have a PhD and because your work, in contrast to Axes, isnt featured in Nature or PNAS, you are not a scientist. Practicing science is something we all do, even if we never venture into its rarefied aspects.

The design intuition is suppressed by many of us, unnaturally so, and that is the dirty little secret of evolutionary biology. In a nutshell, evolution can fiddle, but it cannot invent:

If the invention of a working X is a whole project requiring extensive new functional coherence, then the invention of X by accidents of any kind is physically impossible. Why? Because for accidental causes to match insight on this scale would be a fantastically improbable coincidence, and our universe simply cant deliver fantastically improbable coincidences. The fact that much simpler things can be had by accident is completely irrelevant. The only thing we need to know to reject all accounts of X itself being invented by accident is that these stories all attempt to excuse an impossible coincidence.

Invention, whether of an omelet or an orca, requires knowledge. We recognize that folding paper to devise an origami crane required knowhow, but lightly reject the same requirement in a living crane, because of natural selection? Axe advises common scientists such as ourselves to keep your eye on the ball:

We have arrived at what looks to be a decisive argument. In a sentence: Functional coherence makes accidental invention fantastically improbable and therefore physically impossible. Invention cant happen by accident. This is the ball, then. To become distracted by any defense of accidental origins that doesnt answer this argument is to take our eye off the ball.

The enigma of protein evolution alone is enough to serve as evolutions undoing. But the problem, the demand for knowledge and insight as a prerequisite for invention, goes all the way up the ordered hierarchy that comprises every living creature, from spider, to salmon, to orca: Each is strikingly compelling and complete, utterly committed to being what it is.

Hierarchical organization is the key, and Axe illustrates the concept clearly with examples including the photosynthetic system of cyanobacteria and the complete system, the functional hierarchy, of mammalian vision.

This is all beautifully explained  Axe is a beautiful writer  in under three hundred pages that move along briskly and with great brio. My aim, Axe writes, is to liberat[e] readers from their dependence on experts. He has done that, masterfully.

Im on Twitter. Follow me @d_klinghoffer.
In January 2009, Rex Tillerson, the chief executive of Exxon Mobil, gave a speech in Washington that might have seemed impossible even a few years before. He announced that his company supported a carbon tax to help fight climate change.

Carbon taxes are a fee on fuel use, based on how much carbon dioxide that fuel puts into the atmosphere.

As a businessman, it is hard to speak favorably about any new tax, Tillerson told reporters in his speech at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. But, he said, it was a more direct, a more transparent and a more effective approach than an alternative gaining support in Congress known as cap and trade, which would set an upper limit on carbon dioxide emissions and then rely on a permit-trading system to meet the target.

Tillersons speech was years in the making  part of a turnaround after decades of public denial that the planet was warming, even as Exxons own research suggested that it was. It had paid outside organizations to spread doubts about the science. But pressure on the company was building, and newly elected President Barack Obama had pledged to fight climate change, singling out Exxon as an example of corporate greed.

Tillerson  President-elect Donald Trumps nominee to be secretary of state  presided over the companys shift, which appears to have begun with public statements delivered without fanfare by the company in 2006. In 2007, he personally acknowledged that climate change was happening and that human activity was a contributing factor. Now, at the Wilson Center, he was taking it further, saying Exxon was willing to accept action from Congress on the problem.

Was this a sincere change of heart, or merely a cynical shift in corporate messaging? Environmental activists are skeptical.

They deliberately changed their stripes on climate, but it was all PR, said Kert Davies, who has spent years investigating the companys internal documents and practices at Greenpeace and who founded the Climate Investigations Center, an environmental research and advocacy organization.

The history of Exxons shift suggests that however earnest the company might sound in its pronouncements on policy, it has done little or nothing to help put carbon taxes into effect.

Both carbon taxes and cap and trade put a price on carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas that makes a major contribution to climate change. Both can reduce emissions, and policy experts endlessly debate which would be more effective. But in January 2009, one difference was clear: A cap-and-trade plan sponsored in the House by Reps. Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., and Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., was gaining bipartisan support. A more straightforward carbon tax was going nowhere.

Tillerson faces potential confirmation difficulties because of his business activities around the globe and his close dealings with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. But his acceptance of the reality of climate change and his ostensible support for a carbon tax and the Paris climate agreement have weighed in his favor, and stand in contrast with the positions of other Cabinet nominees who share Trumps view that climate change is a hoax.

The process leading up to Exxons new public stance was as deliberate as the turning of a supertanker.

They dont just sort of throw these ideas against the wall and see what sticks, said Bennett Freeman, a consultant and former official at the State Department who took part in meetings with Exxon officials in the years leading up to Tillersons speech.

Activists have compared Exxons tactics of funding climate-change deniers to disinformation campaigns about smoking led by the tobacco industry, which spent billions of dollars in a settlement with state attorneys general and was found guilty in a federal civil fraud and racketeering case.

In a recent interview, Alan T. Jeffers, an Exxon spokesman, denied that the companys shifting statements on climate change were a response to tobaccos liability issues.

It was not a liability-based decision, he said. It was a science-based decision.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, had by then said the science was unequivocal in showing that the Earths temperature was rising and that human activity was almost surely a factor.

As the science firmed up on that, our understanding and the rest of the worlds did, too, Jeffers said. He described the companys change as an evolution, not an abrupt shift.

Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot.

For more than 10 years, the company held a series of retreats with environmental experts such as Freeman and other activists to discuss issues including human rights and climate change, according to the book Private Empire: Exxon Mobil and American Power, by Steve Coll. Those meetings, which began around 2003, were part private retreat, part focus group and part lobbying briefing for leaders in the areas of human rights, environmental activism and more, Coll writes.

By 2006, the year Tillerson became chief executive, attention to climate change was growing. The documentary An Inconvenient Truth, featuring former Vice President Al Gore, came out that year. In the midterm elections, Democrats made significant gains, retaking control of the House of Representatives.

Participants in a conference in late 2006 criticized the companys funding for climate-change deniers, according to Colls account. Ken Cohen, then the companys vice president for public and government affairs, told participants the company was dropping funding for some of the groups as part of a broader review; their fiery approach was becoming, he said, a distraction from the issues. After that meeting, participants received a letter from Exxon saying its position on climate change was misunderstood. The letter did not acknowledge that the company was changing its position, nor that it had done anything wrong in the past.

At a retreat in October 2008, Freeman spoke with executives about human rights and climate change. With the election close at hand, he recommended the company support cap and trade.

In an interview, Freeman said he shared a limousine to La Guardia Airport after the conference with Cohen. He recalled telling Cohen that Tillerson needed to give a major speech in Washington shortly before Obamas inauguration that would lay out a strategy in line with political reality. Cohen, he said, told him that the company would support action, but that it would back a carbon tax, not cap and trade.

Freeman said he pressed the point: You guys dont have the credibility to put forward a carbon tax when thats not on the table. Youre going to have to embrace cap and trade if youre going to be seen as credible. But Cohen, he recalled, told him that cap and trade, by creating marketplaces for fuel producers, utilities and other large businesses for exchanging carbon credits, would create a windfall for emissions traders.

Cohen declined to comment.
Religious habits of old were studies in the unique. The Village at Incarnate Word retirement center has a lobby display case of some of them in miniature - nun dolls in the original (Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word) habits. Makes me wonder how they survived the heat anywhere. In my day, on Mission Sunday, religious orders would make smaller versions for children for a traditional procession. I wonder if any readers have memories of those - with pictures.

 Richard J. Dick McCracken

If you went to the University of the Incarnate Word (formerly Incarnate Word College), worked there or wrote about the school during the past half-century or so, you will recognize the name at the end of this question. The late former dean of alumni relations, previously director of public relations, had the largest flock of any lay person I know of, and this columnist was blessed to be among them. Thanks to McCracken, I learned to like plum pudding, suet and all, and it was he who talked me down the time I got into richly deserved trouble with two orders of nuns on the same Sunday. Most important, he was unfailingly generous with his knowledge of all things Incarnate Word, Broadway, the headwaters of the San Antonio River and everything else he had learned about the citys history during his time here.

He is one of the local-history stalwarts we lost in 2016, along with author John Igo and archivist/historian Marianist Brother Robert D. Wood. As with the questions I answered after Igos death last summer, I was saving this question for just the right time  in this case, the next World Mission Sunday, observed each year on the second-to-last Sunday in October, when churches celebrate their calling to help all the people of the world through mission clinics, hospitals, schools and other projects.

In San Antonio, the Feast of Christ the King  established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI and originally observed on the last Sunday of the month of October  was celebrated for decades with an annual procession from St. Johns Seminary to nearby Mission Concepcion. As many as 10,000 of the faithful from San Antonio and surrounding towns participated at its peak, including students from Catholic schools, the cadet corps of St. Marys University, the Knights of Columbus, the children of St. Peters and St. Johns orphanages, members of religious orders and of mens and womens societies, and others not identified with any society, according to the San Antonio Express, Oct. 28, 1935. Clergy and acolytes bore banners and torches to accompany Archbishop A.J. Drossaerts to the mission church where the Blessed Sacrament was held.

These processions were held through the 1960s, as were observances of other feast days, school or church openings and similar solemn occasions, but news accounts dont note that the schoolchildren were garbed as religious. McCracken, born in 1938 and brought up in New York, would have attended school from the mid-1940s to late 50s. Anyone with memories or pictures of school processions in miniature religious habits during that time in San Antonio or elsewhere may share them with this column for possible future publication.

Survivor's note: Betty Dickinson of Tilden was prompted by a Dec. 11 column about Camp John H. Wise, the World War I observation balloon school in whats now Olmos Basin Park, to share a letter from a young soldier stationed there. Writing to Dickinsons great-uncle and great-aunt, Johnie F. Winters describes his experience of surviving one of the great modern plagues. I have just had the Spanish influenza and believe me, it is something to have, he writes on Oct. 21, 1918, during the height of the pandemic here, when soldiers from installations all over San Antonio were taken to the hospital at Fort Sam Houston to check its spread. I laid in bed four days with an ice bag on my head, but there was a pretty girl that waited on me all day and a man at night.  I never seen as many sick people in my life as there was in the hospital, and it is full yet, but they are not getting sick so fast now. I think nearly all of the boys has done been sick and got well.

While the flu would rage on through the end of the year, taking hundreds of local lives with it, Winters was one of the lucky ones, back on duty, just weeks away from the Nov. 11, 1918, armistice that would end the war. Writing from Camp Wise, the survivor was learning to handle a machine gun  to guard the balloons. They were great big things  about 60 feet around. I was inside of a balloon the other day; sure looked funny.

Winters survived the flu and the waning war and went on to live to age 64 as a rancher in McMullen County.

Blighted by light?: Its a nice time to think about long summer evenings  unless you miss one of the bygone pastimes of that time of year. Reader Jeffrey Berler wrote in response to a Nov. 27 column about South Side drive-in movie theaters, in which outdoor impresario Arthur Landsman was quoted. My late father-in-law, Richard Landsman (known to all as Dickie) took over Statewide Drive-in Theaters upon the death of his father Arthur Landsman, Berler says, noting that the younger Landsman attributed the ultimate cause of the drive-ins demise to the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which led to the standardization of daylight saving time. When clocks sprang forward, it made it impossible to have more than one show a night, as the screen would not be dark enough, says Berler, who manages the South Park Plaza Shopping Center across from the former site of Statewides South Loop 13 drive-in. With the later start times, Families, a large segment of the audience, would be home in bed by the time the first reel was threaded into the projector.

Best wishes to all for brighter days in 2017!

historycolumn@yahoo.com

Twitter: @sahistorycolumn

Facebook: SanAntoniohistorycolumn
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WASHINGTON  Former U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla of San Antonio emerged Friday as a surprise contender to be President-elect Donald Trumps agriculture secretary, making him the fourth Texan to be considered for the job.

Bonilla, a Republican who oversaw congressional spending on farm programs more than a decade ago, came out of a meeting with Trump saying they had discussed the agriculture job and that the meeting went very well.

The consideration of Bonilla, who has worked as a lobbyist since his days in Congress, will likely raise questions about Trumps vow to bring an outsiders perspective to Washington. But Bonilla said he and Trump discussed new ways of doing things in Washington.

I believe hes looking for somebody who is going to bring new ideas to the government, Bonilla said in a phone interview after the meeting.

Asked whether his lobbying practice would be a count against him, Bonilla said, Its up to him (Trump).

Talking to the press pool on Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, Bonilla said, There were general questions about the agency, general discussion about regulations that farmers want fixed.

He specifically mentioned an Environmental Protection Agency water protection rule that is unpopular with farmers.

Bonillas meeting took place immediately after Trump interviewed another Texas contender, former state Agriculture Commissioner and Comptroller Susan Combs.

Combs did not speak to reporters after her meeting. She left the compound briskly with a staffer.

Also seen leaving the compound was current Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, who also has sought the agriculture job.

Miller, however, did not meet with Trump. Instead, he talked to Trump Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and senior adviser Stephen Bannon. He told reporters afterward that it was a very good meeting.

The meetings come two days after Trump met with former Texas A&M president Elsa Murano, whom the Trump team has identified as another candidate for agriculture secretary.

Bonilla, 62, a congressman from San Antonio between 1993 and 2007, has not entered into public Cabinet discussions until now, though Trump has been under pressure to appoint a Hispanic to a top White House post.

He was the first Republican Hispanic elected to Congress from Texas. But Bonilla said it was only speculation that Trump is looking to add a Latino into his Cabinet.

Ive always wanted to be judged on the product, and thats what I hope theyll do, he said.

Bonilla was nominated in 2007 by then President George W. Bush to be the permanent U.S. representative to the Organization of American States, with the rank of ambassador. He requested that his name be withdrawn after two months when the Senate took no action. Instead, he joined The Normandy Group, a Washington lobbying firm.

His surprise meeting with Trump fueled speculation that he could be under consideration as U.S. trade representative or ambassador to Mexico, both potentially key posts as the Trump administration negotiates trade deals with its southern neighbor.

Austin GOP strategist Matt Mackowiak, a former congressional aide, said Bonilla is well regarded on Capitol Hill. Among Hispanic Republicans who could serve in a Trump administration, Mackowiak said, his name would have to be at the top of the list.

Bonilla made clear after his meeting with Trump that the top agriculture job was on the agenda. Its one of three Cabinet jobs that remain open. He said he and Trump bonded over the Texans years as a television news producer for WABC-TV, the flagship station of the ABC network in New York.

Its always good to be able to talk about people we both knew, Bonilla said in an interview.

He said he also emphasized his work in Congress, where he was chairman of the agriculture subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. The panel oversees agriculture, food safety and nutrition programs.
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Sheriff Susan Pamerleau, in a hearing Friday where she was seated a few feet from the man who defeated her re-election bid, persuaded a judge to toss out a temporary restraining order that had frozen her ability to make personnel changes before he takes office Sunday.

State District Judge Gloria Saldana dissolved the court order obtained this week by Sheriff-elect Javier Salazar, ending a post-election dust-up over hiring and firing in which both he and Pamerleau asserted that they were unmotivated by partisan politics.

Salazar, a Democrat, narrowly defeated Pamerleau, a Republican seeking a second term, on Nov. 8. In securing the order from state District Judge John D. Gabriel on Wednesday, Salazar had accused Pamerleau of punishing one of his supporters with a 30-day suspension and making it difficult for him to dismiss two of her deputy chiefs by arbitrarily demoting them to bring them under civil service rules.

With equal parts drama and anticlimax, Saldanas ruling Friday allowed Pamerleaus decisions to take effect about 32 hours before Salazars scheduled swearing-in.

Outside the courtroom, a gratified Pamerleau said she had no intention of making any further personnel moves. She said she had acted lawfully to protect dedicated public servants  who have worked for both Republican and Democrat administrations, not mere friends or political allies.

Salazar had argued that Pamerleaus personnel moves would invite grievances and lawsuits if allowed to stand.

Judge Saldana allowed more than two hours of argument between Salazars attorney, Ruben Alcantara, and Pamerleaus county-paid private lawyer, Wade Shelton, who called Salazars legal moves an ambush that sabotaged an elected official, slanderous, defamatory and deserving of sanctions.

The judge said she agreed that Salazars motion had real problems, was legally flawed and that its claim that Pamerleaus moves were irreparably harmful was built on speculation and not backed by specific evidence. Nor did it establish why Salazar would have legal standing to sue a public official who is granted immunity in Texas for her public actions, Saldana said.

But Saldana also said she saw some merit in Salazars pleading and was concerned that the sheriffs staff decisions could lay the groundwork for costly legal fights that Bexar County taxpayers would have to bear. She said that in the end, she had little judicial alternative but to grants the sheriffs motion.

I was just trying to protect the rank and file of the sheriffs department and the taxpayers, Salazar said after the hearing, surrounded by a team of supporters. This is not about politics. Its not a political post. The sheriff was doing what she thought was right. We respect todays decision.

Judge Gabriels order had barred Pamerleau from making personnel changes without administering the proper procedures and testing. Pamerleau said the personnel decisions were legal, not done in retaliation or for any other overtly political reason, and followed the countys policies and procedures.

She testified that she called to congratulate Salazar on the night of his election, prepared various briefing papers for him to assist in the transition and had not denied him any information he had requested.

bselcraig@express-news.net
WASHINGTON  President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to reset relations with Russia, may have been tossed a lifeline Friday by President Vladimir Putin. The Russian leader, skilled at keeping several steps ahead of his adversaries, announced that he would not retaliate in kind against the Obama administration for imposing new sanctions and expelling Russian diplomats from the United States.

That clears the way for Trump and Putin to declare that they are starting anew  just what both men have publicly called for.

By Friday afternoon, Trump took to Twitter to embrace Putin.

For effect, Trump pinned the post to the top of his Twitter feed, ensuring that it will remain the first message seen on his page. In a rapid demonstration of digital glasnost, within minutes, the Russian embassy in Washington retweeted it.

Putin is going out of his way to not take Obama seriously, said Rolf Mowatt-Larssen, who spent decades in the CIA tracking Russia while Putin was rising in the KGB. Instead, he said, he is making a goodwill gesture, presumably with the hope and expectation that Donald Trump will respond in kind.

The question is whether the mutual admiration pact opens new chapters in a range of areas in which the longtime adversaries are at odds, including Syria, Ukraine, Crimea, the Middle East, the future of NATO and the development of nuclear weapons.

But moving too far, or too fast, in Moscows direction creates enormous risks for Trump. From Capitol Hill to Europe, people are worried that Trump will simply do Putins bidding.

Certainly no one is more suspicious of Putin and his long-range intentions to undermine the West, and U.S. leadership, than the Republican Party establishment. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, one of the few left in the Senate who fought on the front lines of the Cold War, plans to hold the first hearing, on Thursday, on Russias effort to manipulate the election.

And, like the Obama White House, many of those Republicans see Putins gesture  including inviting the children of U.S. diplomats to enjoy the Christmas trees at the Kremlin  as a ploy.

There is little chance the Republican investigations can be derailed. So while Republicans in Congress are probing, Trump plans to be investing in a new relationship.

In recent days, he has told associates he sees little upside to what he considers needless fights with Russia, and he has long said he sees potential in maintaining a working relationship with Putin. Trump has often said there are benefits in cooperating with Russia in fighting the Islamic State in Syria, even though Russia has directed little of its firepower against the terrorist group.

Later Friday, Trump praised Fox News, apparently for its coverage of Russia.

Putin is counting the days until Trump is in the Oval Office. Despite a failing economy, the Russian president has been pursuing for the past four years what most Western analysts see as a plan to reassert Russian power throughout the region. First came the annexation of Crimea and the shadow war in eastern Ukraine. Then came the deployment of nuclear-capable forces to the border of NATO countries, as Moscow, working to fracture the power structures in Germany and France and promote right-wing parties, sent a reinvigorated military force on patrol of the coasts of the Baltics and Western European nations.

Now the question is whether Trump and Putin can work a trade: a relaxation of tensions in return for an easing of the sanctions that have helped cripple the Russian economy since the United States and its allies imposed them.

Trump seemed open to backing away from those sanctions in an interview with The New York Times this year, when he questioned whether anyone, other than the Obama administration, saw much use in them. His nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, has also been critical, not surprising because they have put a huge crimp in Exxon Mobils hopes for oil and gas exploration.

Syria could be the first area of cooperation. For months, Trump has talked about working hand in glove with Moscow against the Islamic State and other jihadi groups. That seemed a fanciful notion while Russia was painting all of the Syrian opposition with the same brush and bombing the moderate Syrian opposition more than the Islamic State. But if a shaky cease-fire agreement announced Thursday holds, it could focus Russian military action for the first time exclusively on the Islamic State and the Islamist group Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as the Nusra Front.

The agreement potentially sets the table for Trump in Syria, said Andrew J. Tabler, an expert on Syria at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Still, Tabler and other Syria specialists said that the opportunity came with important caveats. First, the cease-fire needs to hold so that a more enduring political solution to the Syria crisis can be pursued. That will require restraint on the part of the government of President Bashar Assad, the Syrian opposition, the Iranians and the Russians.

Second, unless a political settlement is achieved that eventually eases Assad out of power, Syria may continue to be a magnet for extremists and insurgency, perpetuating the problem that Putin and Trump say they are trying to solve.

While the Obama administration was not included in the cease-fire discussions, Russias foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, extended a hand to Trump, who has never objected to Moscows growing influence in the Middle East.

I would like to express my hope that after the administration of Donald Trump assumes its duties, it will also join the efforts in order to channel this work into one direction basing on friendly and collective cooperation, Lavrov said during a meeting Thursday with Putin.

A Trump administration could become involved in future diplomatic talks, from which Secretary of State John Kerry was excluded in recent months. It could coordinate with the Russians militarily, something Obamas defense secretary, Ash Carter, has resisted.

Syria is just the beginning. The fragile Baltic members of NATO  Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania  are looking at large military buildups meant to intimidate them. The Ukrainians have seen their lights turn off mysteriously and tracked it to Russian hackers. The British and French report Russian practice bomber runs and submarine missions just off their shores, something they have not seen since Soviet days.

The French and the Germans say they already see signs of hacking and influence operations in their own elections, scheduled for next year. Each has political movements with echoes of the one that brought Trump to power and that could eat away at the European Union and the NATO alliance.

The most difficult problem may be what to do about the oldest form of post-World War II competition: nuclear weapons.

Emerging from his briefings, Trump has expressed surprise in recent weeks about the size of Russias arsenal and its abilities and has largely blamed New START, the arms control treaty that Obama negotiated.

Though modest, the treaty reduced deployed nuclear arsenals to 1,550 weapons on each side, down from tens of thousands at the height of the Cold War. But Trump declared last week that he was perfectly happy to renew the arms race if need be, a declaration that was jarringly out of tune with his calls for a friendlier relationship with Russia.

It is not clear if Trump has been briefed on the nuclear modernization program on which the Obama administration and Congress have spent billions, or seen the Pentagons proposals for the $1 trillion revamp of the delivery systems  submarines, missiles and bombers  to make them stealthier and more survivable. If he signs on, that race could become serious, and seriously expensive.

________

Maggie Haberman contributed reporting from West Palm Beach, Fla.
Farmers and those linked to the countryside have been recognised in this year's New Year Honours List.

A total of 1,197 people are on the list, with almost three quarters of them earning recognition for work in their local community.

These include Scotland's top egg producer, John Campbell, founder and chairman of the Glenrath Farms empire.

Sue-Anne Biggs, the Royal Horticultural Society director general gets a CBE

He has been knighted in the New Year Honours List for his services to farming and charitable service to entrepreneurship.

The Peebles based family business is now the UK's largest egg producer, and has led the industry charge away from battery production and into welfare-friendly free range and barn systems.

Among others include Defra director Sarah Church, she becomes a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).

Sue-Anne Biggs, the Royal Horticultural Society director general gets a CBE for services to the environment and the ornamental horticulture industry. Horticulture was also cited in Dr Heather Barrett-Mold's OBE award, along with efforts in sustainable development and conservation.

Ann Orr becomes a medallist of the British Empire for services to agriculture, industry and the rural community in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

The British Empire Medal was reintroduced in 2012 to recognise achievement or service in the community.

Ronald Philip McIvor, Chairman, Farmhouse Biscuits gets an MBE for services to the Food Industry and the Economic Regeneration of East Lancashire.

National Farmers Union (NFU) member David Cussons is made an MBE for services to agriculture and rural communities in North Yorkshire, particularly through the Ryedale Agricultural Show.

Evelyn Findlater of the Good Food Matters Community Food Learning Centre, in Croydon, gets an MBE for services to young people.
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They might or might not have been from the National Enquirer, but two men flying a drone over the home of Fauquier County resident and Hollywood icon Robert Duvall recently learned a quick lesson in property rights.
UPDATED: As of about 10 p.m. Monday, Dominion Energy had restored power to about 3,000 homes and businesses that lost electricity at about 8 p.m. due to an equipment issue, according to the Do
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Zsa Zsa Gabor was laid to rest at an intimate ceremony on Friday (30.12.16).

Zsa Zsa Gabor

The 'Moulin Rouge' star - who passed away on Sunday (18.12.16) after suffering a heart attack - had her funeral broadcasted live to the world as her close family and friends paid their last respects to the actress.

Gathering at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, the congregation took part in the Catholic service, which was led by a priest.

Gabor's husband Frederick Prinz von Anhalt - who she tied the knot with in 1986 - spoke about how he and his wife first met when he paid $5,000 to take a picture with a celebrity. He recalled how they saw each other for four or so years on and off before they decided to get married and were up the aisle no less than three days later.

The late star's ashes were deposited in a gold box, which was placed next to a beautiful vase of pink roses. A photo of Gabor was also displayed with the words 'Farewell My Love' written on a sign next to it.

It is thought her ashes will be placed at the Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles, which is where her daughter Francesca - who died in January 2015 - and her younger sister Eva Gabor, who passed away in 1995, were laid to rest.

Before her sad death at the age of 99, Gabor was plagued with health problems. A car crash in 2002 left her partially paralysed and confined to a wheelchair whilst in 2005 and again in 2007, she suffered a stroke.

Three years later, Gabor had hip replacement surgery before having her leg amputated the year after she became infected with gangrene, which was thought to have started from a huge blood clot.

Earlier this year, Gabor was rushed to hospital after complaining of breathing difficulties. She was later told by doctors that she had developed a feeding tube-related lung infection.
Russell Tovey is "jealous" of James Corden's fortune.

Russell Tovey

The 35-year-old actor starred opposite the 'Late Late Show' host in 'The History Boys' in 2006 and he's proud his friend is now doing so well, especially with something that seems to be effortless, but jokingly claimed he is "furious" about the 'Into The Woods' star's popularity.

He said: "'Carpool Karaoke' is the most effortlessly brilliant thing ever. And it's so him.

"How wonderful that something that comes so easy to him is his most successful thing. What a gift.

"I'm jealous that he's got so much money now he's s***ting pound coins, but I am incredibly proud of him.

"And he can go and still do a big film! I don't think there's anyone else in the world like that. I'm furious about it!"

Russell is also "obsessed" with another of his former co-stars, Claire Foy, who plays Queen Elizabeth in Netflix miniseries 'The Crown'.

He said: "I've just started watching 'The Crown' and I'm obsessed with Claire Foy.

"I've known her since her first job, which was with me in 'Being Human' - she played my girlfriend in the pilot, which we then remade.

"And we were in 'Little Dorrit' together. My character was obsessively in love with her but she wasn't interested.

"I feel proud to know her because she's so perfect in 'The Crown'."

The British star is just as famous in his own right thanks to his role in ABC drama series 'Quantico', but he admits it has taken time to adjusting to the commitment of the show.

He told heat magazine: "I've never done a show that has so many episodes. With 22 per season, it's like a machine, but at the same time everyone is very passionate about the work.

"At first, the schedule was daunting - long hours every day and I'd have to be topless in every scene, so I had to fit the gym in as well. But then I got into the groove of it and it's great."
Prince Harry and Prince William have ruled out a concert to mark the 20th anniversary of their mother's death.

Prince Harry and Prince William

For Princess Diana's 10th anniversary in 2007, the royals held a fundraising concert at Wembley but 10 years later they are keen for a more low-key remembrance and hope that whatever they decide on will celebrate her charity work.

A source told the Daily Mail: "The princes have made clear that this will not be a 'Royal Family' event. They are very much in charge of everything as her sons and everyone, including their father, agrees that this is as it should be.

"There will be nothing on the scale of the memorial concert they held.

"That was a stepping out moment for them as public figures in their own right. Now they want to help people in what they are doing rather than create demand themselves.

"There is a whole generation now that were very young when she died and may not know about what she managed to achieve in such a short life."

Diana was just 37 when she died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 and Harry, 32, recently admitted he buried his grief for a long time afterwards.

He said: "I never really dealt with what had happened. It was a lot of buried emotion. For a huge part of my life I didn't really want to think about it.

"I now view life very differently from what it used to be. I used to bury my head in the sand, and let everything around you tear you to pieces."

Harry set up the charity Sentebale in memory of his late mother and said: "Now, I can see exactly where I want to take it. The fact that I've managed to keep Sentebale going ... for the last 10/11 years has been fantastic because now everything else I'm involved with makes sense to me and I'm just getting started.

"What started as an idea of me turning round and saying, right, I've got a year off, I want to do something really constructive with my life, want to do something that makes my mother proud.

"Someone said, right, go to Lesotho, it's like where the hell is that? Now I can see exactly where I want to take it. I have huge amounts of passion for the causes and interests and charities I'm involved with."
As one of modern-days most successful television shows, Game of Thrones has garnered an incredible audience around the world full of violence, despair and intriguing characters.

Credit: HBO

The man behind one of those characters - Jorah Mormont - has been speaking to RadioTimes.com about the upcoming two final seasons of the fantasy series, and explained that the final 13 episodes are going to be something special.

Iain Glen said: They are taking the length of time it takes to shoot ten episodes to shoot just seven this year and six next year. There are fifteen more hours left in Thrones as we understand it, but that may change, but thats as far as we know.

I think the scale and size of the set pieces, the world that is being created; its just getting more and more extraordinary and they feel they need that time to shoot seven hours as opposed to ten.

Glen also spoke about how Jorah may not even make it to the shows final season, based on how so many central roles have been swiftly taken out of the series in the past.

He added: I dont know of course if I am going to make the last one. I am sort of doing a head count, but I think its certainly under ten people who were in the original pilot and have been in every season since. I have grown very attached to it. I love the people involved. Dan and David are very benign showrunners and very good people.

This season you feel that the drama is moving towards its end game, more characters are overlapping so we are seeing a lot more of each other, than perhaps in the past. In the same scenes and we are going to the same places.

Showrunner David Benioff concluded: Weve known the end for quite some time and were hurting towards it Daenerys is finally coming back to Westeros; Jon Snow is king of the North and Cersei is sitting on the Iron Throne. And we know the Night King is up there, waiting for all of them. The pieces are on the board now. Some of the pieces have been removed from the board and we are heading toward the end game.

Game of Thrones returns to HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic in the UK in summer, 2017.

by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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With NYE just around the corner, we are high on excitement. And of course, you have to look your best. So when your hectic schedules catch up with your beauty creativity, rendering you clueless about how to look different for your next party, turn to us. Were ready with our favourite party looks that we think you should try out for the last party of the year. Scroll on to check it out.

Let the festive spirit slyther-in: Bring out your festive spirit with your Gryffindor reds and Slytherin greens all the way from Christmas to the New Year. The best thing about this look is that one can never guess if youre trying to be festive, or just geeky. Either way, one thing is for sure; youll bring glam to any party you walk in to.
Betaout, an all-in-one e-commerce and B2C marketing software platform, has identified key trends that will define 2017 for the category. Demise of discounts, demonetisation, consolidation trend, rise of private labels and increase in the use of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots are likely to affect the industry in the coming year.

Companies will go after profitable growth rather than wooing customers with deep discounts (in other words, running on losses). A bigger user base will just be the cue for companies to reduce discounts and focus on profitable growth, according to Betaout.

The cash scarcity in the market will affect cash-on-delivery, ensuring near-complete digitisation of payments for e-commerce companies. Betaout says that the trend of consolidation in the Indian e-commerce sector is here to stay. Mergers and acquisitions will lead the way as investors push for profitability and better unit economics. In addition, home-grown e-commerce players feeling the heat from international players will likely come together to enhance offerings and strengthen their market position.

Indian e-commerce revenue is expected to jump from $26 billion in 2016 to $103 billion in 2020, says a recent study. India may be lower than countries like China and Japan in terms of base, but the Indian annual growth rate is ahead of them at 51 per cent. China's e-retail market is growing at 18 per cent, Japan at 11 per cent and South Korea at 10 per cent.#

Betaout also notes that the e-commerce industry in India is getting increasingly more competitive and therefore there is a need to stand out in the crowd. As the online ecosystem matures, private labels are expected to be the key differentiator, with their scope becoming more broad-based in coming years.

While we are already witnessing a rise in unified commerce, 2017 will see them come together as a single point of strategy and execution. The need will arise from the merging of IT infrastructures, aimed at seamless integration of physical and e-stores, thereby developing a single touch-point for multiple utility, says Betaout

Artificial Intelligence will help companies effectively market their products, leading to intense targeted marketing approaches, according to Betaout. Chatbots, designed to simulate conversation with human users usually over the internet, will gain prominence in 2017 and will assist e-commerce companies in providing seamless customer service from start to the end of the purchasing process. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Transactions in Chinas e-commerce market will double to more than 40 trillion yuan ($5.76 trillion) by 2020 compared to 21.8 trillion yuan in 2015, according to a plan released by the ministry of commerce and other government departments. The expansion of e-commerce market and its integration with other sectors will boost economic growth and development.

Chinas e-commerce market, which is already the worlds largest and fastest-growing, will employ more than 50 million people, as per the 2016-2020 E-commerce Development Plan.

The growth of e-commerce will help drive innovation in several sectors including education, tourism and medical care. It will also become the main force behind the countrys economic transition, the plan mentions.

Transactions in China's e-commerce market will double to more than 40 trillion yuan ($5.76 trillion) by 2020 compared to 21.8 trillion yuan in 2015, according to a plan released by the ministry of commerce and other government departments. The expansion of e-commerce market and its integration with other sectors will boost economic growth and development.#

Chinas online population is growing at 7.8 per cent a year from 2015 and is expected to cross 1 billion mark by 2020. This could take online retail sales to 10 trillion yuan. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  China
HON PRIME MINISTER BAINIMARAMA 2017 NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE





My Fellow Fijians, Bula vinaka and a very Happy New Year to you all.As always, this is a time of celebration as we herald in a new year  2017. Those celebrations are tempered by the fact that many Fijians have once again lost their possessions and crops in the recent tropical depression. But we can all be grateful that we have been spared the tragic loss of life that accompanied Tropical Cyclone Winston back in February.Our thoughts and prayers tonight are especially with the families of the 44 Fijians who were killed by Winston. And we ask God to comfort them and give them strength.New Year is also a time when many of us make resolutions, some of which we keep and others that fall by the wayside. But this year, there is one resolution that as Fijians, we have a solemn duty to uphold. And that is to effectively carry out the task we have been given to lead the world in the fight against climate change. And the threat to our oceans and seas posed by pollution and overfishing.As many of you know, Fiji has been given the honour by the global community to be President of COP-23  the United Nations climate negotiations to reduce carbon emissions and arrest the global warming that is triggering extreme weather events like Winston and causing the seas to rise.As your Prime Minister, I will be guiding the deliberations of almost 200 countries as we gather in Bonn, Germany, in November to continue to seek a more decisive response on the part of the industrial nations. And to set aside funds to enable developing countries such as Fiji to adapt to the changes to their way of life that have been caused through no fault of our own.In the months before that, I will be travelling the world to forge a consensus on the best way forward. And we will be holding a very important Pre-COP high-level gathering here in Fiji in October before the main Bonn conference the following month.Tonight, I want to explain to each and every one of you the importance of this mission and why I will be spending so much of my time this year on COP-23 to make it the success that it must be for the sake of every person on the planet. And to explain why it is also crucial that we make a resounding success of the World Oceans Summit  which Fiji is cohosting with Sweden in New York in June.First of all, I see it as my overriding responsibility as the leader of our nation to secure the future of the Fijian people. To protect our environment, our land and seas, not only for the sake of every Fijian today but for the generations to come.Nothing is more important than this. Because if we cant defend ourselves against extreme weather events and the rising seas; if we cant protect our seas and our marine resources, then all our efforts to develop our nation will be jeopardised.Everything depends on our ability to get the world to sit up and take notice of the unprecedented threat we currently face to our way of life.We must persuade the industrial nations to pursue more radical action to reduce their carbon emissions that are causing global warming. We must get the world to stop degrading our oceans and seas.I want to make one thing perfectly clear. This is not someone elses problem. It is your problem, my problem. Our problem. And we must do everything possible to forge a strong partnership around the world to fix it.Our success matters to every person in the path of the stronger and more frequent cyclones we are experiencing. Every family that has lost the roofs to their homes. Every farmer whose crop is damaged or destroyed by floods or drought. Everyone who goes fishing in our waters.No-one is immune. No-one is exempt. And it is you and your family who I will be fighting for when I crisscross the world in the coming months trying to get my fellow leaders to act. And it is your interests that will be uppermost in my mind when I take the podium in New York in June and Bonn in November to lead the nations of the world in these discussions.At the same time, I will be giving equal weight to our domestic agenda  our ongoing program of service delivery to the Fijian people, and the continuing reforms that have produced the longest- running period of economic growth in Fijian history. With our increased prosperity, we are connecting more Fijians than ever before to basic services such as water and electricity. And while our roads have again taken a battering from the elements, our road building and maintenance program remains a national priority, including the provision of proper street lighting in urban and rural areas.And then there are all the other things that have been the hallmark of this Government  strengthening our education revolution; improving access to medical services and the quality of our hospitals; reforming the civil service to make it more efficient and professionally rewarding for those who serve the public; and continuing to refine and strengthen the investment climate in Fiji, which has never been better and is generating the current prosperity that we are determined to extend to every Fijian.So my New Year message to my Ministers and MPs and the nations civil servants is that we must redouble our efforts in 2017 to serve our own people. While at the same time, doing everything we possibly can to fulfill our duty to the world to make COP-23 and the Oceans Summit an unqualified success.My fellow Fijians, never before in the history of our nation has Fiji been entrusted with such a momentous task. Not only on behalf of ourselves and our Pacific neighbours but on behalf of the citizens of every other low-lying and vulnerable areas of the world.That a nation of less than a million people has been given the job of forging a plan of action for the entire global community of 7.4 billion people is a phenomenal achievement. It recognises the increasing respect that Fiji enjoys  whether it is for our disproportionate contribution to UN Peacekeeping, our capacity-building in our island neighbours, our sporting prowess or the growing collection of Fijian Made quality goods and services that are penetrating markets throughout the world. It recognises our leadership role in the Pacific and on behalf of Small Island Developing States everywhere. It recognises the progress that we have made here in Fiji over the past decade, and especially the creation of our new democracy. And it recognises my Governments concerted effort to make Fijian voices heard more strongly in the great forums of the world. And especially on the issues on which the well-being, even the survival, of our people depends.Because of this, Fiji has never stood taller or more proudly in the community of nations. But I must also tell you that the job we are facing in New York and Bonn is immense. And I will need your prayers and your support to carry out the role that has been entrusted to Fiji.As the year progresses, I intend to keep you fully informed of our progress. But let me give you two simple pieces of information that indicate the scale of the challenge we are facing.At the Paris Conference on Climate Change at the end of 2015, the nations of the world agreed to reduce their carbon emissions to keep the temperature of the earth well below 2 degrees Celsius compared with that of the industrial age. This was hailed as a landmark achievement, an historic event. Yet even if all the commitments made in Paris are fully implemented, we are told that there is a 50 per cent chance of the global temperature being 2.8 degrees warmer than the industrial age. So we have a momentous challenge before us. And Fiji is pressing for a much more ambitious target if we are to have any hope of resolving this crisis  the 1.5 degree cap contained in the Suva Declaration of 2014.Heres another piece of sobering information: We still have a shortfall of as much as 80 per cent in the global financial arrangements that vulnerable countries such as Fiji will need to access to enable us to adapt to climate change. And to build our resilience to cyclones, droughts and rising sea levels. As things stand, the money we need just isnt there. So we are going to make adaptation funding a core priority of our COP Presidency.My fellow Fijians, this is a wonderful opportunity for Fiji. The rest of the world is looking to us for leadership and we intend to provide it. Not only at COP-23 and all the negotiations leading up to it but at the World Oceans Summit in June. And I draw great strength and great pride from the fact that I know the Fijian people share that commitment and will be supporting me all the way.My fellow Fijians, 2017 is a year of immense challenge. But I am confident that the Fijian spirit  the Fijian character  is more than a match for that challenge. And, as a nation, we humbly ask for Gods Blessing as we embark on the great crusade that lies ahead.My wife, Mary, joins me in wishing you every happiness in 2017. And May God Bless our beloved Fiji.Vinaka vakalevu and Good Night.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 30, 2016) - GONZAGA RESOURCES LTD. (TSXV: GN) ("Gonzaga" or the "Company") announces Greg Davis has resigned as President, CEO, and Director of the Company, effective December 30th, 2016. Gonzaga would like to thank Mr. Davis for his services.

In conjunction, the Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeffery R. Wilson as Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company. Mr. Wilson brings over 20 years of experience in the mineral exploration and mining investment industry, and a wealth of contacts throughout the investment community including institutional investors, retail brokers, investment bankers, mining analysts and private investors. During his career, Mr. Wilson has served as a Director and Officer of several mineral resource companies and has been instrumental in numerous equity financings, ranging from IPOs to private placements and syndicated brokered financings.

ON BEHALF OF GONZAGA RESOURCES LTD.

"Adrian Fleming"

Adrian Fleming, Chairman

For further information please contact (236) 521-0944

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Gonzaga within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements with respect to management changes disclosed herein. Gonzaga provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those identified and reported in Gonzaga's public filings under Gonzaga's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Gonzaga has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Gonzaga disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.
Toronto, Ontario and New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - December 30, 2016) - Micromem Technologies Inc. (CSE: MRM) (OTCQX: MMTIF) ("Micromem") ("the Company") announces the issuance of 2,890,000 Options to purchase common shares of the Company (the "Options"), in accordance with the 2007 Micromem Technologies Inc. Stock Option Plan, as amended on one or more occasions. These Options have been issued to Directors, Officers and Employees of the Company at a strike price of $0.34CDN/ $0.25USD.

About Micromem and MASTInc

MASTInc is a wholly owned U.S.-based subsidiary of Micromem Technologies Inc., a publicly traded (OTCQX: MMTIF) (CSE: MRM) company. MASTInc analyzes specific industry sectors to create intelligent game-changing applications that address unmet market needs. By leveraging its expertise and experience with sophisticated magnetic sensor applications, MASTInc successfully powers the development and implementation of innovative solutions for oil & gas, utilities, automotive, healthcare, government, information technology, manufacturing, and other industries. Visit www.micromeminc.com www.mastinc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. In particular, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include: our inability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms; risk that our products and services will not gain widespread market acceptance; continued consumer adoption of digital technology; inability to compete with others who provide comparable products; the failure of our technology; the infringement of our technology with proprietary rights of third parties; inability to respond to consumer and technological demands; inability to replace significant customers; seasonal nature of our business; and other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and are not guarantees of future performance. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "plan," "should," "intend," "may," "will," "would," "potential," and similar expressions may be used to identify forward-looking statements.

The CSE or any other securities regulatory authority has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release that has been prepared by management.

###

Shares issued: 204,498,569SEC File No: 0-26005info@micromeminc.com; Tel. 416-364-2023Subscribe to receive News Releases by Email on our website's home page. www.micromeminc.com
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 12/30/16 -- Tangelo Games Corp. ("Tangelo" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: GEL) announced today that, in light of its ongoing discussions with certain strategic investors regarding a recapitalization of its balance sheet, it is negotiating an extension of its principal repayment obligations to its lender, Third Eye Capital Corporation ("TEC"). TEC has been involved in the Company's discussions with third-party investors and has agreed to support a strategic transaction under appropriate terms.

The Company expects to enter into an amendment with TEC shortly and will update investors with any new developments and details regarding the extension.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward looking statements" which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. When used in this press release, such statements may use such words as "may", "will", expect", "believe", "plan" and other similar terminology. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the negotiation of principal repayment obligations with TEC, future business and operations of the Company, the financial results of the Company and its subsidiaries, negotiations with the Company's lenders and the future prospects of the Company. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. The forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic, market or business conditions and future developments in the sectors of the economy in which the business of Tangelo, Diwip or Akamon operate. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Please see the Company's short form prospectus dated March 27, 2015, the Company's Annual Information Form dated November 11, 2015 and other documents available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com, for a more detailed description of the risk factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward looking statements, whether a result of new information, future results or otherwise, except as required by law.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Contacts:

Spyros P. Karellas, President & CEO

Pinnacle Capital Markets LTD.

Mobile/Office:416-433-5696

www.pinnaclecapitalmarkets.ca

spyros@pinnaclecapitalmarkets.ca

Skype: spyros.karellas




Heading into the end of any year does strange things to you  you somehow start to feel nostalgic about it even if youve had a pretty sucky 12 months. Lets face it, a decade from now, people arent likely to claim 2016 as their favourite year; but with all the political upheaval across the world (Brexit, the US elections, the refugee crisis, the human rights debacle that is Syria, demonetisation here in India), it definitely was an important one.

On this the final day of the mockery that was 2016, lets look back at this year through the prism of pop culture: because while it may seem superficial to reduce significant world issues to a meme, a tweet or a catchphrase, pop culture has never been as important as it is now. Now, when a failed businessman-turned-reality show host-turned US President, is using Twitters 140 characters as his official spokesperson. Ah, pop culture  its the gift that just keeps on giving!

The Highs

JK Rowling: First she gave us a glimpse into Harry and crews future by co-writing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Then she brought Harrys school textbook to life by writing the screenplay to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the first movie in a five-part series. Newt Scamander and his niffler entered our lives in the perfect prequel (an expansion of the Harry Potter universe) as well as a terrific standalone tale. As if opening up the vaults of Pottermore even wider for her frenzied fans, giving us a glimpse of our true Patronus (we got beagle, so were happy), and slaying online trolls with her wit as sharp as the sword of Gryffindor, wasnt enough.

And its not just the fantastical world that Rowling rules: HBO recently picked up rights for BBC Ones series based on her super-interesting and fun Cormoran Strike novels (she wrote them under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith), about the grumpy-yet-kind-war-veteran-turned-PI Cormoran Strike. Cannot wait!

Pop Culture impact: 10/10 (See this reddit about the complete Pottermore Patronus quiz breakdown, and youll know what we mean!).

Star Wars: Now that weve reached a point in history where everyone in the world has been alive for a Star Wars movie release (i.e. the best point in nerd culture), can we just talk about how incredible it is to have the biggest movie franchise become an annual event for the family? Move on Marvel, theres a new kid in town!

With Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which released earlier this month, we now know that for a movie set in the Star Wars universe (a prequel, sequel, a separate anthology altogether..doesnt matter) to work, it doesnt need the iconic opening crawl or even a Jedi!

Pop Culture impact: 9/10 (Its Star Wars. Enough said!).

Hamilton: Growing up, if history were taught to us the way Lin-Manuel Miranda and his band of insanely talented co-stars taught Broadway-goers about one of Americas often-forgotten founding fathers Alexander Hamilton, then wed all be scholars. The premise of Hamilton, Mr. Mirandas genius musical creation, was to combine Americas Revolutionary War-era history with, erm, hip hop. Reviews for the musical were good in late-2015 when it debuted on Broadway, but it was in 2016 that Hamilton became the cultural phenomenon that we now know it as.

The musical has won a staggering 11 Tony Awards, a Grammy, and a Pulitzer. It earned $105.5 million in 2016. Lin-Manuel Miranda was just declared The Associated Press Entertainer of the Year. Gigs in Chicago and San Francisco have been sold out, and with shows slated for the West End in October 2017, the Hamilton juggernaut continues. The Hamilton carpool karaoke was ah-mazing, and during the casts performance at the White House, President Barack Obama said that Hamilton could turn musical haters into die hard fans. On point!

Pop Culture impact: 10/10 (See all of the above. Also, impacted - kids, adults, James Corden and carpool karaoke fans, celebrities, current President, future President, future vice-President, Tony, Grammy, Pulitzer, $$$$$).

Stranger Things: It was an 80s throwback like no other. In mid-2016, Stranger Things came at us in all its retro glory, in the form of a group of pre-teen misfits riding bikes with lamps in the front, a girl with special powers, the most wonderful concoction of supernatural and sci-fi, and Winona Ryder. In a post-Stranger Things world, our expectations of television shows (especially sci-fi) have reached (sometimes) unreasonable heights and in our heads, all adventures (real and fake) are now set to its awesome opening sequence.

Since it released on Netflix, the show has become the kind of cultural phenomenon that wouldve been unthinkable in a world without social media. From dissecting all the pop culture references on the show to creating a Stranger Things Christmas (a mashup of Stranger Things and Peanuts/Charlie Brown), the Stranger Things takeover is complete. Winona Ryders true-to-form comeback and Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award nominations for her, Millie Bobby Brown (who plays the inimitable Eleven) and the show itself, are all just icing on the cake. Its a Stranger Things world in 2016, and were just living in it!

Pop Culture impact: 10/10 (See the inspirations: the Halloween costumes, the ridiculously good and detailed fan art, and the gift ideas for the superfan. Want!).

Feminism: In a year that saw appalling behaviour towards most minorities worldwide, feminism went from being an academic term to something mainstream. Unlike two years ago, being a feminist is now no longer limited to being rich, white, glamorous, fashionable, and female. In 2016, pop culture images associated with feminism went beyond Beyonce silhouetted against the word FEMINIST and young women ditching thongs in favour of more comfortable underwear (or granny panties  its okay, we can say it). This was supposed to be the year of the first female US President shattering the glass ceiling, and while many are ruefully declaring the absence of said female President in office as the bursting of the feminist bubble, 2016 gave us more than enough to keep on carrying on.

Besides Beyonces Lemonade, in 2016, we had our second successive Star Wars movie with a female protagonist (Felicity Jones Jyn Erso in Rogue One). There was Kate Mckinnons overall brilliance on Saturday Night Live and her pitch perfect performance in the highly underrated all-female Ghostbusters. Some of televisions best shows had crazy-good female characters (Eleven on Stranger Things, Dolores on Westworld, Issa in Insecure, Bart Curlish and Farah on Dirk Gentlys Holistic Detective Agency, not to mention Claire Foys portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown and Daenerys Targaryens ongoing kickassery on Game of Thrones). We also had Moana  our first Disney princess without the slightest hint of a love interest (who needs it when you can climb mountains, learn to sail, sing like Alessia Cara, and in the process save the Earth?). Bring it on 2017, the future really is female!

Pop Culture impact: 8/10 (In light of the Trump administrations appalling anti-abortion, anti-women, and anti-minority appointments, growing feminism is exactly what we need).

Netflix: In 2012, E News (of all sites!) wrote this funny, grateful ode to Netflix and how it offers an approximation of the dream life to its viewers. A dream life thats lazy and craves instant gratification. Fast forward four years and past a (regrettably) popular catchphrase (Netflix and chill), were looking at Netflix as an online streaming behemoth unlike any other (Amazon Prime, Hulu and others included).

In 2016, Netflix released original content that included Marvels Daredevil, Marvels Luke Cage, Fuller House, Master of None, Bojack Horseman, Orange Is The New Black, Narcos, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, House of Cards, Stranger Things, and Black Mirror. Netflix is like the ham to your cheese, the cheese to your cracker, the hint of salt to your chocolate milk. Finally, technology that fully understands us!

Pop Culture impact: 9/10 (Apparently, Netflix is more important to viewers than original thought!).

**

The Lows

The US elections: Maybe it was because of Alec Baldwin and Kate Mckinnons portrayals of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Maybe it was the legion of liberal celebrities who endorsed Clinton. Or maybe the fact that Trumps rise in the public eye had come through years of being a reality show host, played a role. Whatever the reason, the US elections dominated popular culture all over the world in 2016. Both candidates contributed to the elections cultural significance with their diametrically opposing views on all matters, and their continuing scandals, thereby becoming memes in their own right.

Pop Culture impact: 10/10 (Yuge impact. It all ended in a rather depressing fashion, but turns out that pop culture had already warned us about the 2016 elections).

R.I.P. Vine: People loved Vine. Back when it released, it was a super viral app. At the time of its demise, it was still listed as essential on the App Store. People thought that it was a good thing lost, gone too early. Many swore that theyd never forgive Jack Dorsey (as if he doesnt have bigger problems!).

Pop Culture impact: 7/10 (See this obituary).

Losing our cultural heroes: Alan Rickman, David Bowie, Gene Wilder, Muhammad Ali, George Michael, Carrie Fisher, Leonard Cohen, Debbie Reynolds, Harper Lee, Bill Cunningham  the list is long and illustrious. According to The Verges Tamara Warren, 2016 was the year the muses died. Each time the Twitter alarm sounded, the floodgates of obituaries, condolences, and personal reflections washed over us in a series of Facebook overshares. Stars are mere mortals, and we lose some every year, but this year, death seemed to strike more often and more suddenly, and it felt more searing. Forgive us while we close our eyes, and weep as we listen to Leonard Cohens rendition of Hallelujah.

Pop Culture impact: Beyond any rating scale.

In-betweens

VR becoming mainstream: 2016 was supposed to be the big year for virtual reality. And well, it kinda sorta was a biggish deal. The Oculus Rift launched in March (but without motion controllers), HTCs Vive came out in April (with motion controllers but was too expensive and clunkily designed). Sonys Playstation VR released in October and faired better than the others. All of them struggled with compatibility issues and lack of Ive-got-to-have-them type of games. It most certainly wasnt the VR year wed envisioned, and ironically, augmented reality reached the masses more prominently (if not more quickly and efficiently). So it goes. Lets hope for a better performance in 2017.

Pop Culture impact: 6/10 (Sales are meh, thats all there is to say about it).

Pokemon Gos moment in the sun. Literally: On 6 July 2016, something changed around the world. The warm, fuzzy feelings of nostalgia within us that were slowly and languorously being stoked by Netflix, suddenly swept us into a storm of Pikachus and Jigglypuffs. In a perfectly-timed throwback, Nintendo had released Pokemon Go  a mobile game that became an overnight sensation. People were stepping out of their homes and walking around (i.e. getting some exercise instead of indulging in the usual Netflix and chill), but they were also getting into driving accidents, walking off cliffs, and passing through live TV broadcasts like no big deal. For a while, it was funny. Then people got really mad that they hadnt invested in Nintendo stocks. For a while, it also looked like Nintendo had cracked the developed worlds obesity problem. Then the allure faded; people were back to being lazy and couching. And now everything is fine with the world again. Also, theres no shame in not getting the fuss about Pokemon Go.

Pop Culture impact: 9/10 (For a while, augmented reality really did capture our collective imaginations).

Superheroes, superheroes, and more superheroes: Captain America and Dr Strange had a good 2016. Batman, Superman, and the baddies from Suicide Squad, not so much. Television got its first black superhero: Marvels Luke Cage. Daredevil continued to kick ass this season, with Elektra as his partner. Deadpool aka Ryan Reynolds had a better year than all of them. He even got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Pop Culture impact: Marvel - 9/10, DC - 4/10

Late Night television: The Americans, British, South Africans  they all contributed to it. Jimmy Fallon, Samantha Bee, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, James Corden, John Oliver, Trevor Noah  they were mostly all entertaining. But, somehow, despite detailed monologues and the audacity (and the willingness) to ruffle Donald Trumps hair, they all got the peoples pulse so thoroughly wrong about the US elections, its kind of shameful.

Pop Culture impact: 8/10 (The impact was felt by the liberals. The conservatives just turned and looked away. Well, at least late night television continues to be scathing!).

2017, what have you in store for us?
2016 was the year of biopics with films like Nitesh Tiwari's Dangal, Ram Madhvani's Neerja, Omung Kumar's Sarbjit and Neeraj Pandey's MS Dhoni: The Untold Story. However, filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, who will commence the shooting of his first biopic on friend Sanjay Dutt in January, is not impressed with the tentative title of the film - Dutt.

Consequently, he has initiated a competition among the members of the cast and crew of his film. DNA reports that the member who comes up with the most appropriate title for the biopic will be awarded an iPhone 7 costing over Rs 92,000. However, much to the dismay of the fans, the competition is only open for the cast and crew of the film.

International Business Times reports that a box has been placed in the office and the members of the cast and crew are asked to put their suggestions for the title inside the box. Everyone from the lead actor Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Dutt in the film, to the lightman is allowed to enter the competition. The box will be opened next month and the best suggestion will emerge as the official title of the biopic.

While Hirani could have taken the easy way out and named the biopic after the person whose life he is documenting, it looks like the ace filmmaker does not want to settle for this trend and come up with an edgier catchier title that suits the whirlwind life that Dutt has been a part of so far.

Hirani has collaborated with Dutt in films like the Munnabhai franchise and PK. Now, he is all set to direct a film based on the life of the controversial actor. The Free Press Journal reports that Dutt will co-produce the films along with Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The film also stars Sonam Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal and Akshaye Khanna.
India will start imposing capital gains tax on investments coming from Singapore from April and fully withdraw exemptions in two years as the two countries agreed to amend a decade-old treaty after New Delhi rolled back similar concessions to Mauritius and Cyprus earlier this year.

With the amendments, announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday, investors based in Singapore will no longer benefit from tax exemptions on capital gains taxes.

Changes to the treaty with the Asian financial centre had been widely expected after India this year similarly re-drafted a 33-year old tax treaty with Mauritius. The tax treaty between India and Singapore had a provision that any changes in the Mauritius treaty would automatically apply to the one with the Asian country.

The move to tighten tax treaties is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anti-corruption drive, which includes tightening loopholes for firms or rich individuals setting up a presence in jurisdictions with tax exemption treaties.

Regulators have long suspected rich Indians were routing cash through these tax jurisdictions, and channeling money back to India in a practice known as "round tripping".

"We are able to give a reasonable burial to this black money route," Jaitley told reporters at a news briefing. Capital gains tax will be imposed on investments from Singapore that are made from April onwards. The tax rate will be half the prevailing Indian rate for the next two years and rates will then be equated by April 2019. Jaitley said.

Singapore has been an increasingly popular source of foreign investment into India.Foreign direct investment flows from Singapore stood at $50.6 billion between April 2000 and Sept 2016, contributing more than 16 percent to total capital inflows during that period, second only to Mauritius.

According to Abhishek Goenka, partner, direct tax, PwC India, the renegotiation of the tax treaty with Singapore marks the culmination of a long process of renegotiation of the three key treaties that India had which provided exemptions from capital gains tax, ie, Mauritius, Cyprus and Singapore. Due to this the final outcome with regards to the Singapore treaty is not a surprise and most investors were expecting that it would mirror the new Mauritius treaty, which is what it is as far as capital gains is concerned.

However, he said the press release lacks clarity on some of the key provisions.

"It remains to be seen whether the existing limitation of benefits clause will continue to apply for the 2 year phase out period, or whether there will be a somewhat diluted requirement. The press release does not have details on whether there is also a reduction in the rate of withholding tax on interest to 7.5% as in the case of Mauritius. This will be a critical aspect before there can be complete parity between the two treaties," Goenka said.

With Reuters
The most shocking aspect of the decision to demonetise the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes by NDA government is the lack of transparency. The government and the RBI, the monetary authority, have not yet revealed the exact reason why the decision was taken or even about the current status of the economy and cash supply. There have even not been regular press releases or statements from the authorities through out the last 51 days.

The countrys central bank remained silent in the initial days of the demonetisation when the citizens had a harrowing time with cash crunch at banks and ATMs coupled with long queues that also led to even a few deaths of senior citizens. The role of the Reserve Bank of India and its new governor Urjit Patel has come for severe criticism.

Shailesh Gandhi, former Information Commissioner with the Central Information Commission (CIC), New Delhi, filed a complaint with the CIC over the RBIs refusal to answer queries under Right to Information Act by a non-disclosure policy put up on its site on November 30. In a conversation with Firspost, Gandhi explains why the RBI is on the course to setting a dangerous precedent by its refusal to answer queries and setting up its list under its non-disclosure policy which goes against the exemptions laid under the RTI Act, passed by the Supreme Court.

Excerpts from the conversation:

Your take on RBI's unwillingness to respond to RTI queries.

This is sheer arrogance on the part of the RBI. Almost everyone in power dislikes transparency for themselves, be it the courts, bureaucrats, the RBI and even the media for that matter. Arrogance weighs with everyone who will say that in theory the RTI is good but when asked to release information, will remark: I am not corrupt. I am honest and clean and why should any ordinary citizen question me. Even the honest dislike the RTI and are happy to tell others to be transparent. It takes time to get used to being questions. It is 11 years since the RTI Act came into force.

What the RBI is doing by refusing to answer queries under RTI is denying citizens their fundamental rights. There are ten exemptions under the RTI. These do not include what the RBI is stating as exemption for itself. The central bank has also not given any reason for its actual rejection to the questions posed to it under the RTI.

Our RTI Act is the best in the world and we now rank at number 4 in terms of provisions of law and at 66 with regard to implementation. The Act is grossly misrepresented. The courts also have not been very enthusiastic about it.

You have filed a case against RBIs refusal with the CIC

Yes, I have filed a complaint with the CIC on 16 December that the RBI is arbitrarily claiming exemption and have spread the net very wide in the garb of following the law and are actually defying the law. I did that because the RBI could set a bad precedent which is dangerous that could lead other public authorities to follow it, which could lead to increase in the load on the CIC. Everyone will compile their own non-disclosure list like the RBI has done and the CIC will not be able to penalise them. I hope the Supreme Court and the CIC takes cognisance of it.

The RBI has in its Disclosure Policy on its site on 30 November said that the list of information which shall not be given is justified by the proclamation that: While compiling the ( nondisclosure) list, it has been the Bank's endeavour to attain the objectives of the RTI Act, without jeopardizing the financial stability and economic interests of the State. Effectively it means that RBI arrogates to itself the right to lay down exemptions to disclosure of information in line with the objectives of the Act. This is the sole prerogative of Parliament which has provided the exemptions to disclosure in Section 8 and 9 of the RTI Act. The RBI's disclosure policy is actually a non-disclosure. They are the masters and the judges themselves.

What are the 10 areas that are exempted under the RTI Act?

1) To give information, disclosures which would affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence; 2) information which has been expressly forbidden to be published by any court of law or tribunal or the disclosure of which may constitute contempt of court; 3) information, the disclosure of which would cause a breach of privilege of Parliament or the State Legislature; 4) information including commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property, the disclosure of which would harm the competitive position of a third party, unless the competent authority is satisfied that larger public interest warrants the disclosure of such information; 5) information available to a person in his fiduciary relationship, unless the competent authority is satisfied that the larger public interest warrants the disclosure of such information; 6) information received in confidence from foreign government; 7) information, the disclosure of which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person or identify the source of information or assistance given in confidence for law enforcement or security purposes; 8) information which would impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders; 9) cabinet papers including records of deliberations of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries and other officers: Provided that the decisions of Council of Ministers, the reasons thereof, and the material on the basis of which the decisions were taken shall be made public after the decision has been taken, and the matter is complete, or over: Provided further that those matters which come under the exemptions specified in this section shall not be disclosed; 10) information which relates to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual unless the Central Public Information Officer or the State Public Information Officer or the appellate authority, as the case may be, is satisfied that the larger public interest justifies the disclosure of such information: Provided that the information, which cannot be denied to the Parliament or a State Legislature shall not be denied to any person.

When Supreme Court orders are not being adhered to by the RBI, can no action be taken on the institution?

When you defy SC orders, the CIC cannot do anything. The commission has the authority and power to say that the list you put up is too wide ranging and cant be accepted. That's all.
By Manoj Kumar

| NEW DELHI

NEW DELHI India will start imposing capital gains tax on investments coming from Singapore from April and fully withdraw exemptions in two years as the two countries agreed to amend a decade-old treaty after New Delhi rolled back similar concessions to Mauritius and Cyprus earlier this year. With the amendments, announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday, investors based in Singapore will no longer benefit from tax exemptions on capital gains taxes. Changes to the treaty with the Asian financial centre had been widely expected after India this year similarly re-drafted a 33-year old tax treaty with Mauritius. The tax treaty between India and Singapore had a provision that any changes in the Mauritius treaty would automatically apply to the one with the Asian country.

The move to tighten tax treaties is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anti-corruption drive, which includes tightening loopholes for firms or rich individuals setting up a presence in jurisdictions with tax exemption treaties. Regulators have long suspected rich Indians were routing cash through these tax jurisdictions, and channeling money back to India in a practice known as "round tripping".

"We are able to give a reasonable burial to this black money route," Jaitley told reporters at a news briefing. Capital gains tax will be imposed on investments from Singapore that are made from April onwards. The tax rate will be half the prevailing Indian rate for the next two years and rates will then be equated by April 2019. Jaitley said.

Singapore has been an increasingly popular source of foreign investment into India.Foreign direct investment flows from Singapore stood at $50.6 billion between April 2000 and Sept 2016, contributing more than 16 percent to total capital inflows during that period, second only to Mauritius. (Reporting by Manoj Kumar; Editing by Rafael Nam)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By J.R. Wu

| TAIPEI

TAIPEI Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen will transit through Houston and San Francisco during a January visit to allies in Latin America, her office said Friday, prompting China to repeat a call for the United States to block any such stopover. Tsai's office declined to comment on whether she would be meeting members of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's team, but the U.S. mission in Taiwan, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), said the visit would be "private and unofficial".Trump angered China when he spoke to Tsai this month in a break with decades of precedent and cast doubt on his incoming administration's commitment to Beijing's "one China" policy.An adviser to Trump's transition team said he thought "further high-level engagement for the foreseeable future is unlikely" when asked if any meetings were planned. The adviser did not want to be identified by name.China is deeply suspicious of Tsai, who it thinks wants to push for the formal independence of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing regards as a renegade province, ineligible for state-to-state relations.China's Foreign Ministry repeated a previous call for the United States not to allow the transit and not send any "wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces".

"We think everyone is very clear on her real intentions," the ministry said, without explaining.The United States, which switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, has acknowledged the Chinese position that there is only "one China" and that Taiwan is part of it.Tsai is transiting through the United States on her way to and from visiting Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador. She will leave Taiwan on Jan. 7 and return on Jan. 15.Tsai will arrive in Houston on Jan. 7 and leave the following day. On her return, she will arrive in San Francisco on Jan. 13, Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang told a regular news briefing.

The AIT said the transit did not contradict the "one China" policy."President Tsai's transit through the United States is based on long-standing U.S. practice and is consistent with the unofficial nature of our relations with Taiwan," Alys Spensley, acting AIT spokeswoman, told Reuters."There is no change to the U.S. 'one China' policy," she added.

Spensley said Tsai's transits would be "private and unofficial". The U.S. State Department said AIT chairman Ambassador James Moriarty would greet Tsai in Houston and San Francisco.China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since 1949, when Mao Zedong's Communist forces won the Chinese civil war and Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists fled to the island.Speaking to members of China's largely ceremonial advisory body to parliament on Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said next year China would make "unremitting efforts" at unification and developing peaceful relations across the Taiwan Strait, state news agency Xinhua said.Taiwan had as many as 30 diplomatic allies in the mid-1990s, but now has formal relations with 21, mostly smaller and poorer nations in Latin America and the Pacific and also including the Vatican. (Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Beijing and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Nick Macfie and James Dalgleish)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
SAN FRANCISCO Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA.O) was sued on Friday by a Model X owner who said his electric SUV suddenly accelerated while being parked, causing it to crash through the garage into owner's living room, injuring the driver and a passenger.The Model X owner, Ji Chang Son, said that one night in September, he slowly pulled into his driveway as his garage door opened when the car suddenly sped forward."The vehicle spontaneously began to accelerate at full power, jerking forward and crashing through the interior wall of the garage, destroying several wooden support beams in the wall and a steel sewer pipe, among other things, and coming to rest in Plaintiffs' living room," the lawsuit said. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in the Central District of California, seeks class action status. It cites seven other complaints registered in a database compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) dealing with sudden acceleration without warning. The lawsuit alleges product liability, negligence and breaches of warranty, and seeks unspecified damages.

Tesla did not immediately return an email seeking comment.NHTSA did not return a phone call seeking verification.

The luxury Model X, launched in late 2015 X, was Tesla's first sport utility vehicle.In its marketing, Tesla claims the Model X is the safest SUV in history.

(Reporting by Alexandria Sage; Editing by Leslie Adler)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Mumbai: In a relief to common man, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday said cash withdrawal limit from ATMs will be increased to Rs 4,500 per day from the current Rs 2,500 from 1 January.

However, there has been no change in the weekly withdrawal limit, which stands at Rs 24,000, including from ATM, for individuals (Rs 50,000 in case of small traders).

"On a review of the position, the daily limit of withdrawal from ATMs has been increased (within the overall weekly limits specified) with effect from 1 January 2017, from the existing Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,500 per day per card," the central bank said in a notification.

Following demonetisation of old Rs 500/1000 notes on 9 November, limits had been imposed on withdrawal of cash from banks as well as ATMs.

The RBI's notification further stated "there is no change in weekly withdrawal limits" and such disbursals "should predominantly be in the denomination of Rs 500".

Earlier in the day, the RBI had permitted White Label ATM Operators (WLAOs) to source cash from retail outlets.

Most of the White Label ATMs are running dry since demonetisation as the operators were facing difficulties in sourcing cash from their sponsor bank(s).

Friday was the last day to deposit the invalid currency notes in banks. However, people still have time to exchange the currency notes at designated RBI counters till March 31 after giving valid reasons for not depositing defunct notes in their accounts by December 30.
Godda (Jharkhand): The death toll climbed to 13 in the coal mine collapse at Lalmatia open cast coal mine of Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL), with the recovery of two more bodies on Saturday.

RR Mishra, officiating CMD of ECL, a Coal India subsidiary told PTI, "We have recovered two more bodies. We are carrying on the rescue operation in a systematic manner so that the situation does not aggravate as the debris is too much and it should not fall."

Danger zones have been declared around the place of incidents to restrict the entry of people there. Moreover, the district commissioner has also stationed police and CISF officials to restrict entry of people in the danger zone, Mishra said. "We have also called experts from outside to help us in the rescue operation. We have fully ensured that the rescue operations are done with proper safety measures. We have also come up with standard operating procedures which would help us in proper operations so that there is no loss to lives."

Heavy machinery was deployed as rescuers, including those from the NDRF, toiled through the day extricating bodies and looking for survivors. Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDIL), the consultancy arm of Coal India Ltd, has deployed magneto meters along with imaging system for locating magnetic and conductive material up to a depth of 80 metres, the statement said.

Mishra said the incident occurred at around 7.30 pm on Thursday, when excavators were working there following which rescue operations was launched immediately. Senior officials of Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS) have arrived at the site and launched an inquiry.

Thirteen excavators and dump trucks which were swamped under the debris have been recovered. The All India Trade Union Congress has condemned Ministry of Power and Coal India for ignoring mine safety norms in open cast mine of ECL in Godda district.

This is the first big open coal mine disaster due to utter negligence of safety norms, it said. The mining was being operated by a contractor to whom Coal India had outsourced mining operations of the area, the union added. AITUC has demanded thorough inquiry and adequate compensation to the families of killed workers and observance of proper safety norms.
It is enough to make one want to scream!

Just five months ago, various sections of the ruling class seemed to be at the end of their tether with regard to Kashmir. Enraged teenagers held large parts of the Valley to ransom for several months. During that time, Indias Parliament humiliated itself by knocking on various leaders doors, only to be rebuffed. The army was called out in Kupwara and right across south Kashmir - although that last resort that was not used even when there was a greater rage on the streets in 2010.

There is every reason to believe that the unrest of 2016 has only subsided; it is not over. Anger still simmers. Indeed, many observers within Kashmir not only predict more unrest in 2017 but that it will surface much earlier in the year than it did in 2016.

And yet, various sections of what pass for political leaders have been playing short-term politics of the sort that prioritises expected advantage to ones party over the national interest or the objective of long-term stable peace.

Even National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah did it in early December. And Mehbooba Muftis government did it in July.

The latest is the controversy over granting domicile certificates to those who are called 'West Pakistan refugees' in the state. These are the about 100,000 descendants of those who, during the murderous mayhem of the 1947 Partition violence, scrambled across the border from Pakistani Punjab into areas around Jammu.

Many of them are of Dalit background and have little political or economic clout. Ergo, they need positive discrimination from the state more than others.

The 'West Pakistan refugees' are distinct from those who fled that horrible year from Mirpur and Muzaffarabad areas on what are now Pakistan-controlled parts of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Large numbers of them and their descendants too live in Jammu - with all the rights of state subjects.

Several states, including Himachal, deny domicile rights to those who are not, or are not descended from, longtime residents. However, the denial of domicile rights  which basically boils down to access to state educational institutions, state government jobs and ownership of freehold property  to those who have been residents of the state for 70 years is clearly unjustified.

There can be no doubt that, owing to the special circumstances of their migration to the state, and the length of these families stay, they deserve the domicile status they were given a few days ago.

However, this is an inappropriate time to grant it. For, that grant has been resisted for decades by Kashmiri Muslims who fear that domicile status could be a first step towards their getting full citizenship of the state. That, they fear, could dilute their own demographic and political domination.

Explosive situation

I have pointed out before that the Kashmiri uprising of 2016 was different to the uprising of 2010 or 2008. One, Pakistan has been in far greater control this year than it was, particularly in 2008. Two, India does not face Pakistan alone on the battlefield that Kashmir has become. It is a Sino-Pak axis now. Three, the challenge may only have begun to emerge. Worse lies ahead than we experienced in 2016.

Of course, the BJP feels pressure to fulfill the poll promise it made to the refugees. Politically, it touches more than the 100,000 persons it directly affects, for the issue strikes a chord among many in the Jammu-Samba-Udhampur-Katra heartland of Hindu identity consciousness. So the BJP would fear an electoral backlash if its promise remains unfulfilled.

And yet, the dangers inherent in implementing this at this point are huge. Intelligence analysts may have advised that the beginning of the peak of an extraordinarily cold winter was the safest time to do it. Energy is low as people across the Valley try and cope with the cold and power outages.

Yet, anger over the issue has gathered steam. Hartals and stone-pelting demonstrations have begun again over the past few days. Independence leaders such as JKLF chief Yasin Malik and Bar Association president Abdul Qayoom have been given a fresh lease of popular support to demonstrate against the domicile status.

Once again, Pulwama has been a hub of unrest. The generally well-informed Ghulam Rasool Pandit had predicted to me that the unrest would revive again in 2017. "Why do you talk about summer?" he asked. "It could begin much sooner." When I asked him about spring, he smiled laconically and asked why I did not consider January. Pandit is well connected on both sides of the conflict. His son, Naseer, became one of the best-known and popular militants of the area after he left the police to take up the gun. Naseer was killed last spring.

At that time, the police and government had made much of having demolished the insurgency with arrests and 'kills' of militants. A couple of months later, they seemed to be at the end of their tether in the face of mass rage.

The move to give West Pakistan Refugees domicile status may be entirely deserved on the face of it, but it stems from a similar sense of misplaced complacency. The nation may have to pay a huge price for such complacency and narrow political calculations.
Growing up in the Nuwakot province of Nepal, in a family of farmers, Nabin Waiba felt different. Waibas closeness to his mother and to female friends at school, his behaviour that didnt conform to gender stereotypes, drew a lot of criticism from others. It also brought Naiba self-doubt and confusion. It was much later, during his college years, that Waiba made a decision: To live the identity that he held in his heart.

Waiba chose to become Anjali Lama.

A Google search for Anjali Lama leads you to this description: Nepals first transgender model.

After years of struggling with the sexual standards imposed by society, Anjali no longer shies away from stating her identity for what it is.

Her face graces the covers of magazines in Nepal; this month, she was chosen as one among five new models who will walk the ramp at the Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2017.

This isnt the first time Anjali auditioned for LFW  a previous attempt in 2016 didnt prove as successful. Anjali told Elle magazine that after she didnt make the cut last time, she worked on her walk, pose and bearing, observing videos of international models for tips.

Clearly, her initiative and drive paid off.

Persistence is something Anjali sets great store in: ask her what her greatest asset as a model is, and she doesnt name her bone structure (which has been called exquisite) or statuesque figure; she says hard work. The ability to work really hard (at what I hope to achieve) is my greatest strength. I am determined, have a never-give-up attitude, and surround myself with people who encourage me to prosper, she told Firstpost in a recent interview.

Of making it to LFW, she said, I am thrilled, this is indeed the highest recognition Ive had in my career till date Lakme Fashion Week is not a cakewalk. This opportunity has come to me after two strong denials. LFW has been working on being more inclusive, season after season, and I am happy that a platform like this exists in India.

The LFW nod is important to Lama for more reasons than one: as her profile in the glamour industry rises, it means greater visibility for the cause she espouses  that of equal rights for the transgender community.

Fame changes perceptions and helps your voice be recognised amid the clutter, said Anjali. I am continuously trying to change the overall self-evaluation criteria of individuals like me in my community I feel education about the third gender should be brought into focus in schools. Other than seeing it on some application forms, we seem to be living in a two-gender world. I believe government(s) should focus more on this front. Apart from this, overall rights of transgenders should be protected to benefit us at large.

Anjali has been vocal about her own journey, in the hope that it will give courage to those who need it. Her transformation alienated her from her family, and society too could be cruel to someone who openly identified as transgender.

I realised early on that males are the favoured gender. Turning from a boy into a girl is blasphemous to some minds. My family, friends and relatives were not all supportive. All of them wanted to ask the same question: why. So I preferred to disconnect myself from them Transgenders are treated fairly unfairly everywhere. Be it accommodation or jobs, nothing comes easy for us, said Anjali, adding that her relationship with her family, and social attitudes, were now on the mend.

Inspiration, when Anjali needs it, comes from her mother. For a professional role model, she looks up to Adriana Lima. In the fashion world  and in India  Anjali says shes found nothing but acceptance. India is (more) developed than where I come from, and people here are, by and large, helpful. This triggered my decision to come to India and explore career opportunities Fashion is a strong subject and it has the possibility to turn around the overall environment and psychology of even the most rigid minds."
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party(SP) leader Amar Singh on Saturday termed the crisis in the party as "unfortunate" and asked party members to support Mulayam Singh Yadav in the family feud which has seen chief minister Akhilesh Yadav being expelled from the party by SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

"I appeal to the party members to stand with Netaji Mulayam Singh. Whatever is happening is very unfortunate," Amar, who had recently made a comeback to the party after a long exile, said.

Hope all party workers will stand in unison with netaji Mulayam Singh Yadav: Amar Singh on SP feud pic.twitter.com/0FgQB0wnfd  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

He was asked about the crisis in the party after supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav expelled his son Akhilesh Yadav and general secretary Ramgopal Yadav for six years after they put up candidates against the official nominees and summoned a party meet on Sunday.

Amar said, "The foundation of this party was laid by Mulayam Singh with much dedication and hard work. I have said this earlier and will say it now, that Mulayam Singh is the chief of SP and the father of Akhilesh Yadav as well," he said.

#WATCH London: Amar Singh extends support to SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav pic.twitter.com/mzjMlGPivi  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Mulayam had said on Saturday that he had taken the action against Akhilesh and Ramgopal to save the party which he had built through hard efforts.

"We have to save the party. The party comes first. That is why we are expelling both Akhilesh and Ramgopal," he had said.

He explained that the decision was taken after Ramgopal, in his capacity as general secretary, called an emergency meeting of the party on 1 January and Akhilesh "supported" it.

Ramgopal called the meeting after a showcause notice was issued to him and Akhilesh by Mulayam for releasing a list of candidates, parallel to the one issued officially by Mulayam.

"How can he (Akhilesh) release the list when the party has declared its candidates? Both Akhilesh and Ramgopal want to finish the party. I will not let it happen. I have built this party through hard work," Mulayam said.
New Delhi: Amid escalating tension between the Aam Aadmi Party government and the Centre, career bureaucrat Anil Baijal

took over as the lieutenant governor of Delhi and struck up a cautious note on his future relationship with the Kejriwal government.

Baijal, however, said that he will work together with the AAP government for the betterment of Delhi. On being asked about his relationship with the AAP government after taking oath, he said, "This is a speculative thing and I don't know how the relationship will improve. We will sit together and talk."

He also thanked President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him the responsibility. "Delhi is a megapolis city which has several problems like women safety, law and order, huge population, infrastructure, civic agencies and congestion. We all know these problems. We will sit together and work to solve them," he told reporters here.

Baijal was administered the oath of office and secrecy of Lieutenant Governor by chief justice of the Delhi high court, G Rohini. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and New Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi attended the oath-taking ceremony.

Baijal, a 1969 batch IAS officer, had served as Union Home Secretary under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government besides holding key positions in other ministries. Baijal had retired from service in 2006 as secretary of the Urban Development Ministry.

He is a former vice-chairman of the Delhi Development Authority. He was actively associated with the designing and roll-out of the Rs 60,000 crore Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) launched by the Manmohan Singh

government.

The former bureaucrat was also on the executive council of the think-tank Vivekananda International Foundation, several of whose former members have been appointed to senior positions by the Modi government including Ajit Doval.
The Reserve Bank on Friday late night increased the withdrawal limit from ATMs to Rs 4,500 per day from the current Rs 2,500 from 1 January. However, there has been no change in the weekly withdrawal limit, which stands at Rs 24,000, including from ATM, for individuals (Rs 50,000 in case of small traders).

"On a review of the position, the daily limit of withdrawal from ATMs has been increased (within the overall weekly limits specified) with effect from January 1, 2017, from the existing Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,500 per day per card," the central bank said in a notification.

Following demonetisation of old Rs 500/1000 notes from 9 November, limits had been imposed on withdrawal of cash from banks as well as ATMs.

The Reserve Bank's notification further stated "there is no change in weekly withdrawal limits" and such disbursals "should predominantly be in the denomination of Rs 500".

Earlier in the day, the RBI had permitted White Label ATM Operators (WLAOs) to source cash from retail outlets.

Most of the White Label ATMs are running dry since demonetisation as the operators were facing difficulties in sourcing cash from their sponsor bank(s).

Friday was the last day to deposit the invalid currency notes in banks. However, people still have time to exchange the currency notes at designated RBI counters till March 31 after giving valid reasons for not depositing defunct notes in their accounts by December 30.

However, it remains to be seen whether the relaxation in cash limits will be of any help to the customers as, according to media reports, banks do not yet have enough cash to supply to the ATMs.

A report in The Indian Express on Friday said only 40 percent of the 2.2 lakh ATMs in the country have cash to serve the public.

The report quotes Ramaswamy Venkatachalam, managing director, India and South Asia, Fidelity Information Services (FIS), as saying that banks are not meeting the full cash requirement to operate ATMs round the clock.

The RBI and the government also seem to be clueless about when the cash situation will return to normalcy, though they insist there is enough notes to dispense.

Even on the 50th day of demonetisation they have not been able to provide the update the details of the new currency issued and also the deposits of old notes received.

The last press release on the cash situation was on 21 December from the RBI. As of 19 December, the banks have issued Rs 5.93 lakh crore to public either over the counter or through ATMs. That is a nearly 40 percent of the cash sucked out of the system on 9 November, when the demonetisation came into effect.

In this backdrop, while the public and the authorities are remain clueless about when the cash situation will improve, the increase in withdrawal limit from ATMs would mean little for the customers.

With PTI
ATMs will dispense a maximum Rs 4,500 per day per account holder beginning 1 January, said a circular from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday. Friday marked the end of the 50-day period Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised he will take to bring back normalcy after the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes on 9 November. Earlier, daily limit was Rs 2,500 per day. An enhanced limit is a relief for citizens and will help to shorten queues further, but only in areas where ATMs are dispensing cash.

The problem is only a third of the total ATMs in the country (around 2 lakh) are dispensing cash and most of them are in urban centres with the periphery areas continuing to run dry, according to reports (read here and here). In other words, the enhanced ATM withdrawal limits would not help the people in non-metros much.

Banks are unable to fill their ATMs on account of an acute cash shortage, especially lower denomination notes that is persisting even after 50 days of demonetisation and the situation is unlikely to get better soon, said a few bankers this writer spoke to.

We are looking at February-March before things become normal, said one of the bankers. This is the reason banks have asked the government to extend the curbs on cash withdrawals beyond 30 December till the time there is adequate quantity of new currency infused in the banking system. Ultimately, it is the banker who has to face the angry customer.

The RBI has retained the weekly cash withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000. But, the problem is that banks are unable to honor even that amount and the customer is forced to often settle for what is available at the moment at the bank counter. Of course, this situation will ease further in the weeks ahead, but much depends on the ability of government mints to churn out sufficient units of new currency. Until 19 December, the RBI has infused Rs 5.92 lakh crore of currencies into the system, which is less than half of what the public has deposited in the form of invalidated notes (Rs 12.44 lakh crore as on 10 December).

On Friday, PM Modi launched a new payment app, BHIM, that allows anyone to transfer money to any bank accounts. The PM stressed on the need to embrace cashless payment modes at the earliest and elaborated on the incentives government planning to encourage individuals and merchants using electronic payment modes. A change into cashless economy is indeed good in an aspiring economy and government initiatives, such as UPI-supported BHIM app, are helpful to facilitate such a migration.

But, Modis immediate challenge remains to 1) normalise the cash situation in the economy; and 2) give a convincing cost-benefit analysis of the demonetisation exercise to 125 crore Indians. Modi has a major task of justifying his act that has pushed the economy into an economic standstill and has caused gross inconvenience to a large number of the population due to the lack of preparedness of the government to implement the currency swap.

When PM address the nation on the New Year Eve, there are questions hell need to answer on how did the note ban help the country to achieve the originally stated goals -- black money, fake currency, corruption and terror funding. Also, most critically, the general public would expect clarity from the PM on when the cash crunch will end. The 50 days the PM sought has, for sure, eased the pain to an extent, but has not ended the cash crunch.

Another question the PM owes answer is clarity on the political funding. Though his government has repeatedly assured that rules will be same for all, there is lack of clarity on political funding since the government also says that provisions of existing laws will continue.

This would means that political parties will enjoy certain immunity from tax scrutiny since cash donations below Rs 20,000 do not require the source to be revealed. Can Modi score a point by stating that the government will work towards the necessary changes in laws to make all political donations through digital mode? If yes, thatll be much bigger catalyst in the process of creating a cashless economy than announcing lucky draws.

For now, when the PM addresses the nation on the eve of new year, the big question common man probably would want to ask the PM is how long the current cash shortage will continue.
New Delhi - Following is the list of sops that Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced during his speech on the eve of the New Year.

1) For the poor: Two new schemes under PM Awaas Yojna. Home loans for poor and middle class people up to Rs 9 lakh will get 4 percent exemption on interest and 3 percent for up to Rs 12 lakh loans.

2) For farmers: Sixty days interest waiver for farm loans taken from from district co-operative banks and co-operative societies.

3) For senior citizens: 8 percent interest up to Rs 7.5 lakh deposit by senior citizens in banks.

4) For small businesses: Credit guarantee for micro small and medium enterprises to be raised to Rs 2 crore from current Rs 1 crore.

5) For women: Pregnant women across India will be given Rs 6,000 in their bank accounts to take care of initial medical needs.

6) For farmers: The government will convert 3 crore Kisan Credit cards to RUpay Credit cards.

7) For small businesses: Banks have been asked to raise cash credit limit for small businesses to 25 percent from 20 percent.
Chennai: Pledging to take Jayalalithaa's legacy forward, AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala asserted that nobody other than party founder MG Ramachandran, Dravidian ideologue CN Annadurai and 'Amma' will be given prominence in the party.

In her first formal address to functionaries after formally taking charge as party chief on Saturday, she said AIADMK will continue to be run in the same way as it was during Jayalalithaa's time, when it was administered with a level of "discipline as seen in the Army".

It will continue to follow in the footsteps of these great leaders who looked beyond caste and religion, she said. Her assertion comes against the backdrop of some murmur of protests against her taking over the post. Heaping encomiums on Jayalalithaa, she said, "Let us follow our Amma's political lessons and her footsteps like Vedas. This movement (AIADMK) which was shaped up by Amma is a people's movement, this is people's government, our journey will be in the path laid by Amma."

She said the "yardstick" followed by Jayalalithaa for elevation of cadres in the party organisation will continue to be the same and "we will not diverge even an iota from it".

Hailing Jayalalithaa for her courage, she said the late leader had stormed the male bastion of politics that has given confidence to women. "Today as a woman, if I have come forward to lead the party, a very important reason for it is the faith that crores of brothers and sisters will support me," she said.

She said, "No one can fill her (Jayalalithaa) vacuum, even in another thousand years. I carry Amma in my soul. We have

assembled here to guard the confidence of Amma that it will be the AIADMK which will rule the state for 100 more years. She was everything for me and for us all."

Thanking party leaders for unanimously naming her as party general secretary, Sasikala said she humbly accepted it out of a sense of duty. For the first time, she publicly spoke on the death of Jayalalithaa amid demands for a probe by the opposition DMK.

Sasikala said she had firmly believed that the former AIADMK chief would recover. "Although Amma's health improved, that facilitated her shift from critical care unit to a private room, she had unfortunately passed away. It was not thought of even in my dream and it was like a thunderbolt falling on one's head (when she died)," Sasikala said, adding her only wish had been Jayalalithaa's well-being.
With more and more fast-paced, mind-boggling developments upturning existing calculations in the aftermath of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadavs expulsion from the Samajwadi Party, its hardly surprising if all the major players in Uttar Pradesh's politics are seen to be burning the midnight oil to redraw their future strategies. Yes, the poll dynamics have changed. So very suddenly.

And contrary to the assessment of their detractors, son Akhilesh and chacha Ram Gopal Yadav, who have called a special session of the partys national delegates on 1 January, appear to be galloping ahead in a win-win situation. They know that, for all practical purposes, as much as two-third of the party is with them. Their strategy is clear: they will first attempt to take over the party exactly like Indira Gandhi had done in the later half of the 1960s.

Remember, Gandhis party was initially known as Congress-R. And R stood for Requisitionists as the iron lady had requisitioned a special session of the Congress to split the party formally. With the passage of time, Congress-R became Congress-I. Now, the same party is now known as Congress.

Should they fail to replicate what Gandhi had done, Akhilesh and Ram Gopal would, in all probability, grab hold of Chandrashekhars Samajwadi Janata Party (SJP). This party with a banyan tree as its election symbol is still alive under Kamal Morarka. Together Ram Gopal and Morarka might move the Election Commission in the next few days to change the party symbol. They would want the banyan tree to be replaced by a motorcycle.

No doubt, they have done their homework well. All their nominees, in this case, would fight the coming elections under the SJP banner.

For the moment, the chief minister has dug his heels in. He has not resigned from the chief ministership. But dont be surprised if he ultimately prefers to put in his papers to be seen as a martyr  and not as somebody who has revolted against his father. He might also recommend dissolution of the state assembly in the hours and days that follow.

Its now time to take a look at what other parties are doing in the dramatically changed scenario: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants Akhilesh to resign from office on "moral grounds" so that a Presidents Rule can be imposed on the state without any fuss. The Congress is playing safe by refusing to let out its well-known eagerness for an alliance with the rebellious faction of the ruling party. And the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is, on its part, busy searching newer tools to attack the prevailing perception that Akhilesh is, in fact, a good boy who had thus far been caged in shackles by votaries of "goonda raj" within the Samajwadi parivar.

Be that as it may, three things are clear now: first, Akhilesh has moved out of his fathers shadow. Fully and finally. Even in his silence, he seems to be calling the shots. More than 75 percemt of party MLAs and MPs are seen to be backing him. For instance, take the case of the partys representatives in the Lok Sabha  four of the five MPs (Dimple Yadav, Dharmendra Yadav, Akshay Yadav and Tej Pratap) are Akhilesh camp-followers. The picture is, more or less, similar in the Rajya Sabha. And, if you can go by reports emanating from the village and panchayat levels across this far-flung state, an overwhelming section of the "Muslim-Yadav votebank" has already begun to drift towards the future star. Like it or not, it's true.

Second, the BJP and the BSP which looked well set to gain hugely from the war within the parivar do not look all that strong any longer. For, Akhilesh in his new avatar might, in fact, prove to be a bigger threat to them compared to Mulayam.

And third, a pre-poll pact between Akhilesh's outfit and Rahul Gandhi's Congress is now a distinct possibility. You may recall that it was essentially Mulayam who didnt want this tie-up to fructify. Left to him, Akhilesh would have clinched the deal months ago. But that was not to be under Mulayams tutelage. You may also recall in this context what Mayawati had been saying all along: "An alliance between the SP and the Congress can take place only if the BJP approves it." Obviously, the BJP doesnt want this alliance to take place.

With adverse reports coming in from almost all the districts, Mulayam who had built this party brick by brick shedding both blood and sweat faces the biggest challenge of his otherwise illustrious political career. Perception-wise, the duo of chacha Shivpal and Amar is seen as the villain of the ongoing Samajwadi saga. Most of the supporters of the ruling party camp, in particular, and common masses, in general, think that its this duo that had poisoned the ears of the family patriarch against Akhilesh. They all want Mulayam to act against the "two villains" decisively. But perhaps, Netajis hands are tied and vision blurred for reasons that only he knows. Time has raced past him in this generational battle for supremacy. It's now too late for things to be rectified.

But where is Amar Singh at this point in time? According to the primetime debate in CNN-News 18 last night, he is away in London waiting to celebrate the New Year Day even as repeated political earthquakes are causing tremors in Lucknow.

Happy New Year by the way!
The Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh received a big jolt on Friday, after party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav expelled his son, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, from the party for six years. Needless to say, the move will positively dampen the party's prospects in the upcoming Assembly election in early 2017.

For the BJP, however, the elections will be not only a question of the party's credibility, but also Prime Minister Narendra Modi's. The party had won 71 seats in Uttar Pradesh at the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The party needs to follow that up with a strong showing in the Assembly polls as well.

There are strong chances that Akhilesh may form an alliance with Congress to pile pressure on the old guard of SP. "Mulayam seems to have decided to cling to the past. Akhilesh will form his own party which will be more popular, like it happened with Indira Gandhi during 1969 and 1978. Akhilesh is very popular, especially among the youth. Even if he doesn't gain from the 2017 Assembly election, it will definitely be beneficial for him in the 2019 general election," said political analyst MD Nalapat.

"There could be a possible alliance between Akhilesh and Rahul Gandhi, and it'll be better for both. BJP's performance in the Assembly polls depends on the success of the demonetisation. So this split won't help the BJP," he added.

A senior Congress leader in the know of developments in the state also said the BJP doesn't stand to gain much from the split. "One thing can be said with certainty: The BJP will not benefit from the split in SP. RSS-BJP loyalists will continue to vote for the party, but the common man, especially the youth, will back Akhilesh," the Congress insider said, tactfully avoiding any possible alliance involving the party.

Factors in favour of Akhilesh Yadav:

His youth connect

Besides Mulayam Singh Yadav, there is no other face in the party as popular as Akhilesh

Akhilesh has been able to portray a different and modern image among a large section of voters

In his old age, Mulayam doesn't have the energy to criss-cross the state and infuse a renewed energy among voters. Akhilesh has it

Shivpal Singh Yadav doesn't have a mass appeal

Akhilesh is the Mulayam Singh's heir, so there are always chances of a truce

What are the possibilities?

A section of youth voters will support Akhilesh over his father  even if it's just 3 to 4 percent of the total youth voters' base.

Political pundits also feel that Muslim voters will vote for whoever is against BJP  whether s/he belongs to SP, BSP or Akhilesh's party, as long as s/he can defeat the BJP candidate. But it is also simultaneously expected that SP leader and the party's Muslim face Azam Khan will back Akhilesh.

Those who have followed Mulayam closely say, "Mulayam Singh is very unpredictable. Last time he had expelled Ramgopal Yadav, but brought him back later. Even this time, after a few days, Netaji may call a truce and bring back Akhilesh into the fold. Nothing is impossible."

However, according to a close associate of the Yadav family, who didn't want to be named, "Netaji is a shrewd politician and there is no other person in politics who can take risks like he can. He will make his son fight his own battle, as he had done himself, and would like his son to have a stronghold by proving his mettle."

"Even if SP fails to win the Assembly election, it won't be a big deal for Netaji. Once Akhilesh  his real political heir  gains a stronghold, SP will make its comeback in the next election," he said.
Politics is a ruthless game of power. The bottom line, so far, in pursuit of power and its associated perks was that no relationships were permanent, there were no permanent friends or enemies. On Friday evening, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, however, drew a new line, something which was so far unimaginable even to the toughest of political players and considerate students of politics  expelling his son, Akhilesh Yadav, chief minister of most populous Indian state, Uttar Pradesh, from the party for six years. And that too only days ahead of the announcement of the poll schedule for the Uttar Pradesh assembly election 2017.

Mulayam shall ever have the distinction of being a father who first promoted his son, made him the youngest chief minister of a state which mattered most to Indian polity, and when his son tried to outgrow his father's shadows to be his own master rather than just being a puppet in the hands of his father and chacha (uncle) Shivpal Yadav, he threw him out of the family holding which is politically known as Samajwadi Party.

It's Mulayam aka Dhartiputra aka Netaji's way of telling his son: You exist because of me, you are nobody without my fatherly protection, support and blessings.

Mulayam has proved that he is no Dhritrasthtra who is blinded by the love for his son. He will go down in history as a father who went out to destroy the present and the future of his son, who for a long time was known to be his only son for he was beholden to the affection and gratitude of his younger brother Shivpal and an outsider friend Amar Singh. Mulayam's cousin Ram Gopall Yadav who sided with the SP chief's son Akhilesh, and tried to be his protector guardian in the Pari-war was declared a demon and thrown out of the family holding as well.

"Rishte me toh hum tumhare baap lagte hain, naam hai Shahanshah (Mulayam)", Akhilesh would have now realised the relevance of this dialogue spoken by Amitabh Bachchan in the Bollywood potboiler, Shahenshah.

As things stand now, Mulayam is left with goons like Mukhtar Ansari, Afzal Ansari and Atiq Ahmed, and power broker Amar Singh. Brother Shivpal Singh Yadav's presence by his side would give the impression of anything that one could perceive but hygienic politics and governance. Mulayam and company have the money and the muscle but no image to portray. He can't win an election only with money and muscle.

Akhilesh has a good image among the public but does not have a support base or muscle power, which has otherwise been associated with the Samajwadi Party. Akhilesh can't win the election only with an image of a young politician trying to stand on his own feet.

As of now "Tipu" Akhilesh is a king without a kingdom, something the Mughal king Humayun once was.

What Happens next

First, since Akhilesh Yadav has been expelled from his party by national president Mulayam Singh Yadav, he is no longer the leader of the Samajwadi legislature party in the UP assembly. He thus loses the right to rule the state. He must resign, else he should convene a one-day special session of the assembly to hold a confidence vote.

Second, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav, as national and state president of the SP hand over a letter to Uttar Pradesh's governor informing him that Akhilesh is no longer with the party and thus be sacked forthwith.

Third, the BJP and BSP move to the governor seeking a vote of no-confidence against Akhilesh government.

Four, either Mulayam Singh Yadav or Shivpal Yadav is "elected" as the leader of the Samajwadi legislature party and stake claim to become the new chief minister of the state.

Five, the governor sends a report to the centre, detailing how there has been a constitutional breakdown in the state and recommends president rule in the state.

Given the way the Supreme Court had responded in the cases involving Arunachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand, neither the governor nor the Narendra Modi government at the centre would like to act in any haste. And like the implosion in the Samajwadi Party in UP, it may play out in all its possible manifestations -- legal, social and political. It may ultimately hold elections under a president rule in the state but not before the Samajawadi Party's hara-kiri act is complete and the constitutionality of confidence vote has gone through a full circle.

How it plays out politically:

First, Ram Gopal Yadav has already declared that his and Akhilesh's expulsion from the party is "unconstitutional". He has convened a national convention of the party on Sunday apparently to elect Akhilesh as the new national president. If that happens UP will see a five-cornered contest.

Second, Ram Gopal Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav approach Election Commission (EC) to claim SP's cycle symbol, or at least freeze cycle symbol and allot new symbols to them as well as to Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Third, Mulayam does another twist and turn, withdraws Akhilesh's expulsion but keep Ram Gopal out. Most Samajwadi Party leaders are pressurising Mulayam for that.

Four, the civil war situation in Yadav parivar intensifies and physical fights between supporters of Akhilesh and Shivpal break out in parts of the state, worsening the situation even further. Akhilesh's supports are already out on the streets against his expulsion. The party's core support base, Yadav, are anyway known for their aggressiveness.

Who benefits:

The pari-war implosion has devastated its core support base: Yadav and Muslim. The Muslims would not like to waste their vote by preferring for SP just because Mulayam or Akhilesh had always been most favourable to them. Muslim vote would gravitate to Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

If Muslims at large shift their preference to Mayawati, the Yadavs, at least a section of it may desert the SP and gravitate to the BJP in the name of Hindutava and to prevent Mayawati from coming to power.

If that happens, the elections in UP could effectively become bi-polar where as of now BJP could claim the advantage, depending on how demonetisation plays on popular minds.
Auto refresh feeds

- Akhilesh is the Mulayam Singh's heir, so there are always chances of a truce

- Mulayam doesn't have the energy to criss-cross the state and infuse a renewed energy among voters.

- Akhilesh has been able to portray a different and modern image among a large section of voters In his old age,

- Besides Mulayam Singh Yadav, there is no other face in the party as popular as Akhilesh

In less than 24 hours after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav were sacked from the Samajwadi Party, their expulsion was revoked and they were taken back into the party.

Ram Gopal cancelled his National executive prog and Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav will sit together to make a list: Shivpal Yadav pic.twitter.com/TZlLHFlnFi

"It is our duty to offer support to Uttar Pradesh at times of crisis," Lalu further said.

"I was already hopeful. The Samajwadi Party will again form a government in Uttar Pradesh. This is good," Lalu Prasad said.

Really happy, I was hopeful; SP will form its govt in UP and if there's an alliance with Congress, then it'll be even better: Lalu Yadav pic.twitter.com/wWU3eNum0e

"The country has seen other governments. But these other governments of BJP, BSP and Congress did no work. But whenever we have formed a government, we have fulfiled all our promises," Shivpal said.

"Netaji revoked the expulsion of Akhilesh and Ram Gopal. We have always fought communal forces and will continue to do so together," he added. "We will form a majority government again."

"BJP has created an atmosphere of fear after demonetisation. They had done the same thing after the Babri Masjid demolition. But they were demolished later on," he said.

"I also had to go through the days of Emergency," said Shivpal, adding that he had worked with some great people in politics.

"The history of SP members is one to be proud of," said Shivpal Yadav.

"Mulayam Singh ji has once again shown mature politics and his promise that he will not let this family or party split ever," Amar Singh said.

"Conspiracy against Samajwadi Party failed," he also said. "My only agenda is unity," he added. "I am not in SP to split the party but to unite it."

"Even I did not like this action. It should have been withdrawn. I am glad Akhilesh's expulsion was revoked," said Azam Khan.

Netaji has built the party; I consider him the 'Baghban' of the party. He is a father as well as the party Chief: Azam Khan, SP on SP feud pic.twitter.com/AcfcAVXdEq

Lucknow: In a tough action, Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav expelled his son and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav as well as general secretary Ramgopal Yadav from the party for six years for "gross indiscipline", a decision that will lead to a political crisis in Uttar Pradesh.

Making the announcement at a press conference on Friday, Mulayam said the new chief minister will be chosen by the Samajwadi Party.

Flanked by brother Shivpal Yadav, who has been at loggerheads with the chief minister, Mulayam said he had taken the action against Akhilesh and Ramgopal to save the party which he had built through hard efforts.

"We have to save the party. The party comes first. That is why we are expelling both Akhilesh and Ramgopal," Mulayam said.

He explained that the decision was taken after Ramgopal, in his capacity as general secretary, called an emergency meeting of the party on 1 January and Akhilesh "supported" it.

Ramgopal called the meeting after a showcause notice was issued to him and Akhilesh by Mulayam for releasing a list of candidates, parallel to the one issued officially by Mulayam. "How can he (Akhilesh) release the list when the party has declared its candidates? Both Akhilesh and Ramgopal want to finish the party. I will not let it happen. I have built this party through hard work," Mulayam said. "I had made Akhilesh the chief minister with much fanfare."

With regard to the emergency meeting called by Ramgopal on Sunday, Mulayam said only the party president has the power to convene such a meeting. "The party cannot run on Ramgopal's whims," Mulayam said.

He said Ramgopal has not only indulged in indiscipline but is causing a big harm to the party. "As of now we have expelled him, but we will take further action against him," he party chief asserted.

Pouring scorn on Ramgopal, Mulayam said he has "ruined" the finishing career of Akhilesh who "does not understand".
RIO DE JANEIRO Brazilian investigators said on Friday that a policeman in Rio de Janeiro confessed to stabbing to death the Greek ambassador at the direction of the diplomat's wife, who was the officer's lover.The wife, the policeman and the officer's cousin - who acted as a lookout and helped transfer the ambassador's body - are all being held in jails as the investigation continues, the investigators told a news conference in Rio.

(Reporting by Paulo Prada and Brad Brooks; Editing by Daniel Flynn)

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By Paulo Prada

| RIO DE JANEIRO

RIO DE JANEIRO A Rio de Janeiro policeman confessed to murdering Greece's ambassador to Brazil in what investigators on Friday called a "cowardly act" carried out at the direction of the diplomat's Brazilian wife with whom the officer was romantically involved.Ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis, 59, was missing since Monday night. Francoise, his Brazilian wife and the mother of their 10-year-old daughter, reported him missing to police on Wednesday.Officer Sergio Moreira, 29, confessed to police on Friday that he killed the ambassador late Monday night in the Rio de Janeiro home the Amiridises owned in Nova Iguacu, a hardscrabble neighbourhood in the city's sprawling, violent northern outskirts. Investigator Evaristo Magalhaes told reporters that Francoise, 40, and Moreira had arranged the murder a few days in advance. Both Amiridis' wife and the officer are in custody. Police have also detained a cousin of the officer, who Magalhaes said acted as a lookout while the crime was committed and helped carry the body from the house with the promise that he would be paid 80,000 reais ($25,000)."This was a tragic, cowardly act, but we worked tirelessly to crack this case as soon as possible," Magalhaes told a news conference. "It was a crime of passion."Brazilian President Michel Temer, in a letter addressed to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, said the ambassador's killing had caused him profound sadness and he extended his condolences to the ambassador's family, friends and the Greek people.

The Greek embassy in Brasilia declined to comment. In Athens, Greek foreign ministry spokesman Stratos Efthymiou said the government also had no comment.Amiridis served as Greece's consul general in Rio from 2001 to 2004. He was Greece's ambassador to Libya from 2012 until he took the top Brazil post at the beginning of 2016. BLOOD ON COUCH

Magalhaes said that blood was found on a couch inside the home and the ambassador was likely stabbed to death as no shots were reported in the area. However, he said it was not yet possible to determine the exact cause of death because the policeman had burned the ambassador's body in an attempt to cover up the crime.A burned corpse was found on Thursday evening inside the car that Amiridis and his wife had rented. It was parked under a highway overpass in the area where the couple had been staying. On Thursday, police confirmed that the ambassador had been missing since Monday night, when he was last seen leaving the Rio home he shared with his wife, which was located near her family's residence in Nova Iguacu. The incident is another blow to Rio's image, just four months after it hosted the Summer Olympics.

Crime in Rio has been rising and the state is deeply indebted, often unable to pay police and other salaries on time, if at all. The neighbourhood where the car was found is dominated by powerful and politically connected armed groups comprised mostly of off-duty or retired police and firefighters who control vast areas. They often extort residents in exchange for keeping drug gangs from taking over the areas.The armed groups have grown for several years and often curry favour with local politicians by promising to deliver votes from entire neighbourhoods as long as authorities allow them to carry out their crimes. (Additional reporting by Brad Brooks in Sao Paulo and George Georgiopoulos in Athens; Editing by Toni Reinhold and Mary Milliken)

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By Aaron Ross

| KINSHASA

KINSHASA Congolese President Joseph Kabila will step down after elections to be held by the end of 2017 under a last-minute deal struck by political parties on Friday, the lead mediator of the talks said.Negotiators spent weeks in tense talks seeking to ensure Democratic Republic of Congos first peaceful transfer of power since independence in 1960. But it remains unclear if elections can be organised by the end of next year, or if leading politicians, including Kabila, will keep to the terms. "The government is asked to take all steps so that the elections are organised by the end of 2017 at the latest," said Marcel Utembi, president of Congo's Catholic Bishops' Conference, which has mediated the talks. Under the deal, which is expected to be formally signed on Saturday, Kabila will be unable to change the constitution to allow him to stay in power for a third term. Kabila's mandate ran out on Dec. 19, but authorities have effectively extended it until 2018 because the government said it could not arrange elections before then.

The parties agreed that Kabila will appoint a prime minister from the country's main opposition bloc to oversee the transition, a major sticking point in the final stages of the talks.Neither Kabila nor the country's leading opposition leader, Etienne Tshisekedi, are expected to sign the deal, raising concerns about whether it will be respected. Spokesmen for the government and Kabila's ruling coalition were not available for immediate comment.

Election experts also question the feasibility of organising presidential, legislative and provincial assembly elections together by the end of 2017."If the accord calls for organising the three elections together, it (shows) a common will to not organise good elections, or at least to not organise them within the planned timeframe," Sylvain Lumu, a lawyer and election expert, told Reuters shortly before Utembi's announcement. Kabila's extension of his rule has sparked bloody confrontations. Security forces killed around 40 people last week protesting over the tenure of a leader who came to power in 2001 following his father Laurent's assassination.

Western and African powers feared the current impasse could lead to a repeat of conflicts seen between 1996 and 2003 in eastern Congo in which millions died, mostly from starvation and disease.A successful deal, however, is seen offering a boost to pro-democracy activists in other African countries and help buck a trend in which presidents have changed constitutions to stand for third terms. (Editing by Edward McAllister and Jason Neely)

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By Aaron Ross

| KINSHASA

KINSHASA Congolese President Joseph Kabila will step down after elections to be held by the end of 2017 under a last-minute deal struck by political parties on Friday, the lead mediator of the talks said.Negotiators have been in tense talks for weeks seeking to ensure Democratic Republic of Congos first peaceful transfer of power since independence in 1960, though it remains unclear if elections can be organised by the end of next year. "The government is asked to take all steps so that the elections are organised by the end of 2017 at the latest," said Marcel Utembi, president of Congo's Catholic Bishops' Conference, which has mediated the talks. Under the deal, which is expected to be formally signed on Saturday, Kabila will be unable to change the constitution to allow him to stay in power for a third term.

Kabila's mandate ran out on Dec. 19, but authorities have effectively extended it until 2018 because the government said it could not arrange elections before then. Under the deal, the parties agreed that Kabila will appoint a prime minister from the country's main opposition bloc to oversee the transition, a major sticking point in the final stages of the talks.Neither Kabila nor his ruling party were available for immediate comment.

Kabila's extension of his rule has sparked bloody confrontations. Security forces killed around 40 people last week protesting over the tenure of a leader who came to power in 2001 following his father Laurent's assassination.Western and African powers feared the current impasse could lead to a repeat of conflicts seen between 1996 and 2003 in eastern Congo in which millions died, mostly from starvation and disease.

A successful deal, however, is seen offering a boost to pro-democracy activists in other African countries and help buck a trend in which presidents have changed constitutions to stand for third terms. (Editing by Edward McAllister and Jason Neely)

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By Frank McGurty

| NEW YORK

NEW YORK New York City is preparing for a veritable sea of humanity to converge on Times Square on Saturday for the annual descent of the New Year's Eve ball, a century-old tradition that will unfold this year under an unprecedented blanket of security.As many as 2 million people, surrounded by a ring of 40-ton sand trucks and some 7,000 police, are expected to gather in the "Crossroads of the World" to watch the glittering sphere complete its midnight drop, marking the beginning of 2017. Even though city and federal officials say they are not aware of any credible threats, the specter of two deadly truck attacks in Europe looms over the Times Square rite of winter, which has attracted merrymakers since the early 20th century.In devising the security plan, New York police officials say they heeded lessons learned from recent holiday attacks in Germany and France, where suspected militants intentionally plowed vehicles into crowds of pedestrians, killing dozens.Despite the heavy police presence, or perhaps because of it, throngs of people, many from overseas, arrived hours early to get a prime view of festivities, which will include live musical performances by Mariah Carey, Thomas Rhett and Gloria Estefan. Although skies were cloudy, temperatures were expected to hold at a comfortable 40F (5C), with no rain in the forecast.At 11:59 p.m. (0459 GMT), the Waterford Crystal ball, five feet in diameter, begins sliding down a pole that sits atop a building at the point where Broadway crosses Seventh Avenue. When it completes its descent at midnight, a giant "2017" sign will illuminate and a shower of fireworks with light up the sky.

Throughout the evening, a protective perimeter of 65 hulking sanitation trucks filled with sand, as well as about 100 other smaller vehicles, will encircle Times Square. Placed in strategic positions, the "blockers" are intended to prevent any repetition of the truck attacks in Berlin and Nice earlier this year, officials said.Authorities used the same strategy at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade after Islamic State militants encouraged followers to target the event, which drew about 3.5 million people to the streets of the largest U.S. city. Blocker trucks have also taken up positions across town near Trump Tower since President-elect Donald Trump was elected in November.

In addition, New York has deployed heavily armed police teams, snipers, bomb-sniffing dogs and helicopters. Coast Guard and police vessels will patrol waterways surrounding Manhattan.U.S. defense and security agencies said they believed the threat of militant attacks inside the United States was low during the New Year's holiday, though the possibility of an attack, no matter how remote, was "undeniable."Likewise, New York Police Commissioner James O'Neill said at a briefing this week that there were "no direct concerns" related to this year's festivities in Times Square.

Even so, he vowed, "we are going to have one of the most policed, best protected events and one of the safest venues in the entire world given all the assets we deploy here."Other big cities around the country, including Chicago and San Francisco, put heavy security in place as well to protect sprawling crowds expected to gather at public fireworks displays and other "first night" events. In Washington, where federal budget cuts have done away with traditional New Year's Eve fireworks on the National Mall, no major events were planned. District of Columbia police declined to comment on any special security plans, saying only that events across the world are monitored for their potential impact on the U.S. capital. (Additional reporting by Hilary Russ and David Ingram in New York; Ian Simpson in Washington; Editing by David Gregorio)

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By Steve Scherer

| ROME

ROME Italy will seek to deport more migrants who have no right to be in the country and will open new detention centres to hold them before their expulsion, according to a written directive and a ministry source.Police chief Franco Gabrielli sent a two-page directive to stations across the country on Friday ordering them to increase efforts to identify and deport migrants a week after Berlin Christmas market attacker Anis Amri was shot dead near Milan.The directive, seen by Reuters, says police should take "extraordinary action" before the "growing migratory pressure in an international context marked by instability and threats" to "control and remove irregular foreigners."Interior Minister Marco Minniti plans to open several new detention centres that hold migrants prior to their expulsion, a ministry source said, in line with repeated requests by European Union partners. The tougher migrant stance, which several Italian papers ran on their front pages on Saturday, is the first major policy change made by Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni's government since it took power in mid-December, and comes on the heels of a record year of boat migrant arrivals.

It also comes less than a month after the Berlin truck attack by Amri that killed 12, including an Italian woman.The Tunisian Amri came to Italy by boat in 2011. Italy later tried without success to deport him back to Tunisia. He was then released from a detention centre and ordered to leave the country in 2015.Gentiloni's predecessor, Matteo Renzi, agreed to set up "hotspots" to identify and fingerprint migrants who arrived on Italian shores, but he refused to build large detention centres to hold migrants who did not qualify refugee status.

Only four pre-deportation detention centres with about 360 beds are now functioning. The Interior Ministry is aiming to open up about 16 more with at least 1,000 more spots, the source said. That would still accommodate only a fraction of migrants without permits of stay estimated to be living in Italy.Of the more than 27,000 expulsion orders handed out in Italy in 2015, fewer than 5,000 were deported, according to Eurostat figures.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has also called for greater efforts to deport those who do not qualify for international protection, but the process is slow and expensive, and it requires bilateral agreements with the countries of origin.Italy currently has bilateral agreements with only a handful of African countries. (Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by Stephen Powell)

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BERLIN Islamist terrorism is the biggest test facing Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday in a New Year's address to the nation, and she vowed to introduce laws that improve security after a deadly attack before Christmas in Berlin.Describing 2016 as a year that gave many the impression that the world had "turned upside down," Merkel urged Germans to forsake populism and said Germany had an interest in taking a leading role in addressing the many challenges facing the European Union."Many attach to 2016 the feeling that the world had turned upside down or that what for long had been held as an achievement is now being questioned. The European Union for example," Merkel said."Or equally parliamentary democracy, which allegedly is not caring for the interests of the citizens but is only serving the interests of a few. What a distortion," she said in a veiled reference to claims by the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) that is stealing votes from her conservatives.Liberals across the Atlantic have hailed Merkel as an anchor of stability and reason in a year that saw the Donald Trump elected as U.S. president, Britain vote to leave the EU and U.S-Russia relations deteriorate to Cold War levels.She compared Brexit to a "deep incision" and said that even though the EU was "slow and arduous", its member states should focus on common interests that transcend national benefits.

"And, yes, Europe should focus on what can really be better than the national state," Merkel said. "But we Germans should never be led to believe that each could have a better future by going it alone."It was her second allusion to the populist AfD, which wants Germany to leave the EU and shut its borders to asylum seekers, more than one million of whom arrived in the country this year and last.

The record number of migrants has hurt Merkel's popularity and fuelled support for the AfD, which says Islam is incompatible with the German constitution. But her conservatives are still expected to win the general election in nine months.Merkel, who is seeking a fourth term, has made security the main election platform for her Christian Democrats (CDU).In her speech, she said the government would introduce measures to improve security after a failed Tunisian asylum seeker drove a truck into a Christmas market in the capital on Dec. 19, killing 12 people in the name of Islamic State.

He was shot dead by Italian police in Milan on Dec. 23 and investigators are trying to determine whether he had accomplices.A YouGov poll conducted after the attack found that 73 percent of Germans were in favour of more resources for the police and 60 percent backed more video surveillance in public spaces. (Reporting by Joseph Nasr, editing by Larry King)

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Editor's note: This article is part of a series of newsroom diaries by various members of the Firstpost team. These diaries will provide you with the journalist's recollections of a particular bit of news coverage in 2016 in which she/he was deeply involved.

In 2001 the world saw the devastating 9/11 attack, with awe and shock. That moment changed everything. We became a more scared group of people. Abandoned bags and clothing choices made us scared. This situation grew worse in 2016, for this year, we got normalised to terror attacks.

It was 2 January and a group of terrorists attacked an airbase in Pathankot, killing 8 people. This set the tone for the rest of the year and it was all downhill from there on.

The year saw some of the most incredulous attacks by Islamic State or IS-inspired terrorists. This included the Brussels airport attack where a coordinated attack by suicide bombers killed 32 people. Then was the Nice attack where a cargo truck was deliberately driven into a group of people on Bastille Day killing 86 and injuring 434. In December, the Syrian conflict had one of the worst repercussion beyond its borders with the assassination of Russia's ambassador to Turkey in Ankara. A 22-year-old Turkish gunman Andrey Karlov shot dead the 62-year-old diplomat in what appeared to be revenge for Russia's part in the violence in Syria.

Russias ambassador to Turkey was assassinated in Ankara at an art exhibit by a lone Turkish gunman shouting God is great! and dont forget Aleppo, dont forget Syria!. The assassination was photographed and it presented one of the most chilling moments in 2016.

The frequency of terror attacks in 2016 was so great that changing the Facebook display pictures became a daily activity for people who sympathised with the victims of these attacks. There were regular fights on social media over the media coverage allotted to a particular attack. The logic was that when a western country was attacked, people noticed, as opposed to when the middle-eastern belt or Asian and African belt was hit. This is probably why 2016 remained etched in people's memories, for the rise in hits on the European civilisation.

United States suffered the worst attack since 9/11

This year, the United States suffered under attacks of gun-violence, fundamentalism and racial tension. The 'Orlando terror attack' where a 29-year-old Islamic State-inspired radical entered a gay nightclub and killed 49 people, was perhaps the biggest attack on the LGBTQ community. A hate-crime like this one spoke volumes about the rise of intolerance in a Trumpian era. The Orlando attack was the second major terror attack on the US soil since 9/11 and this reign of terror was further fuelled when the major movement for equality  Black Lives Matter  turned violent after the death of police officers during the protest rallies in Dallas and Baton Rouge.

Tentions escalate between India and Pakistan

In 2016, there was palpable tension between India and Pakistan and one of the possible reasons was how the year started for the two nations. In January, the Pathankot attack happened and it was the beginning of the signs of mistrust between the two nations. On 8 November, when news about PM Modi's address to the nation came in, we all thought he was going to announce something in relation to taking strong action against Pakistan.

This notion was not unfounded. For 20 minutes between the announcement of address and the actual address, theories about war were floating on the desk. This was because a month ago, on 29 September, a military confrontation between India and Pakistan began. India claimed that it had conducted "surgical strikes" against militant launch pads across the Line of Control in Pakistani-administered Azad Kashmir, and inflicted "significant casualties". This was touted as Modi's surgical strike against Pakistan and was instigated by the 19 September Uri attack where 17 Indian soldiers were killed. The Uri attack was reported as "the deadliest attack on security forces in Kashmir in two decades"

The number of ceasefire violations had increased manifold since then. Out of the total number of 151 ceasefire violations in 2016, 110 of them happened since September.

The palpable tension between the two nations put everyone on edge.

The normalcy of terror attacks hit a raw nerve

There wasn't just one moment or one incident which affected me the most this year. The normalcy of the situation hit a raw note. "What terror attack are we covering today," was a frequently heard adage on the desk. The clinical process on the desk when one of these strikes happened was: prep the live blog, write the death toll copies, write analysis copies, do reaction copy, etc. Everybody got the hang of this process after the first few attacks.

However, the efficiency of the desk meant that too many of these attacks had happened and too many people had lost their lives. 2016 had ushered in a new era of normalcy.
Islamabad: Pakistan would hand over a dossier on alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav and evidence of attempted violation of maritime boundary by an Indian submarine to incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday, his first working day after assuming office.

Pakistan's Permanent UN representative Maleeha Lodhi will officially pass on the dossier to Guterres at UN headquarters in New York, The Dawn reported, citing officials.

"Soon after assuming office, incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will get a feel of Pak-India rivalry as Islamabad is set to raise the issue of Indian interference with him," the paper said.

Pakistan claims that Jadhav, an Indian Navy officer and an alleged operative of India's intelligence agency RAW, was caught by its security forces earlier this year. His capture was announced in March and was flaunted by military as "proof of Indian interference and state-sponsored terrorism".

Islamabad, which had pledged to expose alleged Indian hand in terrorism in Pakistan, faced a lot of criticism domestically for the delay in presenting evidence of Jadhav's involvement in subversive activities to the international community.

Responding to criticism in the Senate, Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had on 7 December said that "insufficient material" had been delaying the finalisation of the dossier. "It is not that material has been provided and it's lacking in English and we are overcoming it. The (provided) material, in our view, was insufficient," Aziz had told a meeting of the Senate Committee of the Whole House.

"The required additional information" has now been made available and the dossier has been completed, the paper said, citing officials. The officials did not share specifics, but said it would contain proof that India was allegedly patronising terrorism in Pakistan.

The new UN chief would also be informed about the attempt by an Indian submarine to "intrude into Pakistani waters before it was spotted and forced to abandon the mission", the paper said.

The submarine incident, which happened last month, coincided with the fourth Pakistan-China joint naval exercise for promoting maritime security and stability in the region and the start of shipping activity under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor from Gwadar.

In October 2015, Lodhi had presented three dossiers to the then secretary general Ban Ki-moon, which were said to contain proof of alleged Indian interference in Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Karachi. But the move did not get much traction.

When the attention of the officials was invited to the "credibility deficit" that Pakistan internationally faces, they expressed the hope that UN would look into fresh evidence that would be placed before it.
By Elida Moreno

| PANAMA CITY

PANAMA CITY Panama does not expect any change in its relations with Taiwan or China, a senior official from the isthmus nation said on Friday, despite increased pressure from Beijing on Taiwan's allies to sever ties.Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen will visit Latin America next month, against a tense backdrop after news of her phone call with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump angered China earlier this month.Panama is one of Taiwan's oldest friends but some diplomats in Beijing have said the Central American country could become the next nation to break ties."Relations with Taiwan are good, in excellent condition as always," Panama's Deputy Foreign Minister Luis Miguel Hincapie said in an interview. "They've been a cooperative partner of Panama for many years, and will continue to be so."

Tsai will not visit Panama on her trip, which will encompass Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala.Hincapie also stressed that the country's relationship with China was "excellent," and did not comment on whether there had been any pressure from China to break with Taiwan."China is an investor in Panama, a user of the canal, a very important user of the canal," the minister said.

Asked about what impact Trump's support for Taiwan could have on Panama, Hincapie said:"We have relations with Taiwan, the United States does not ... so it's an issue for the United States."

Tsai will transit through the United States on the trip, her office said on Friday, prompting China to repeat a call for U.S. authorities to block any such stopover.Since the mid-1990s, almost a third of Taiwan's allies have broken ties. It now has formal relations with just 21, mostly smaller and poorer nations in Latin America and the Pacific. (Additional reporting by J.R. Wu in Taipei; Writing by Christine Murray; Editing by Sandra Maler)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
KIEV Republican U.S. Senator John McCain said on Friday that Russia must be made to pay the price for cyber attacks on the United States and that it was possible to impose many sanctions, including on financial institutions.McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has scheduled a hearing for Thursday on foreign cyber threats."When you attack a country, it's an act of war," McCain said in an interview with the Ukrainian TV channel "1+1" while on a visit to Kiev.

"And so we have to make sure that there is a price to pay, so that we can perhaps persuade the Russians to stop these kind of attacks on our very fundamentals of democracy."

President-elect Donald Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday for refraining from retaliation after the United States expelled 35 Russian diplomats. [nL1N1EP0BR]

(Reporting by Sergei Karazy and Matthias Williams; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

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By John Davison

| BEIRUT

BEIRUT Syrian rebel groups said on Saturday they would consider a ceasefire deal brokered by Russia and Turkey "null and void" if the Damascus government's forces and their allies continued to violate it.Russia, which supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has urged the United Nations to give its blessing to the fragile ceasefire, the third truce this year seeking to end nearly six years of war in Syria.Clashes and air strikes have persisted in some areas since the ceasefire began on Friday, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said on Saturday the truce was still largely holding."Continued violations by the regime and bombardment and attempts to attack areas under the control of the revolutionary factions will make the agreement null and void," a statement signed by a number of rebel groups said.The statement said government forces and their allies including Lebanese Hezbollah had been trying to press advances, particularly in an area northwest of Damascus in the rebel-held Wadi Barada valley.The Observatory, which is based in Britain, said government forces and the rebels had clashed on Saturday in Wadi Barada.

Rebels say the army is seeking to recapture the area, where a major spring provides most of Damascus's water supplies. Several people were killed in violence there on Friday, the Observatory said.Blasts from government shellfire were also heard in the southern provinces of Quneitra and Deraa, the Observatory said.Each side blames the other for continued unrest. Russia's defence ministry said on Friday rebels had violated the truce 12 times in 24 hours.

PEACE TALKS

Russia and Turkey, which backs the armed opposition to Assad, brokered the ceasefire agreement in the hope of preparing the way for peace talks in Kazakhstan in the new year.

In their statement, the rebels said it appeared the government and the opposition had signed two different versions of the ceasefire deal, one of which was missing "a number of key and essential points that are non-negotiable", but did not say what those were.There has been confusion over which groups in the opposition are included in the ceasefire. Islamic State, which has made enemies of all sides in the conflict, is not included. The Syrian army said on Thursday the militant group formerly known as the Nusra Front was not part of the truce. However, several rebel officials said the group, which has been renamed Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, was also included in the ceasefire deal. (Reporting by John Davison; Editing by Gareth Jones)

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Investors in Altria Group (MO 0.16%), Reynolds American (RAI), and other tobacco companies around the world understand the risks inherent in investing in the industry. Cigarettes have been demonstrated to have negative health impacts, and even big tobacco companies like Philip Morris International (PM -1.16%) have started to respond to these potential harms by looking at alternatives to traditional cigarettes that carry reduced risks for consumers.

When you look at the numbers that government agencies, consumer advocates, and other anti-smoking groups provide, it's easier to understand some of the challenges that cigarette makers face in sustaining their businesses. Let's look at four particularly noteworthy statistics.

1. Potential international growth of 45% in two decades

Even advocates who are trying to stamp out smoking admit that they're losing ground on a global scale. There are about 1.1 billion smokers in the world currently, according to the nonprofit group Action on Smoking & Health, and that number is expected to grow to 1.6 billion over the next 20 years.

In part, those numbers reflect the sluggish pace of regulation in areas where smoking is most likely to rise. Only a small fraction of countries have provisions like smoke-free laws, government services to support those seeking to quit smoking, and bans on advertising on tobacco products that are most likely to keep smoking rates down. As a result, those tobacco companies focusing on the international market have plenty of potential for growth.

2. Cigarette smoking kills 480,000 Americans annually

Tobacco use has long been the single largest preventable cause of death in the U.S., according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC estimates that more than 480,000 Americans die each year from smoking, with 41,000 of those deaths coming from the effects of secondhand smoke.

Most people think of lung cancer as the key cause of death related to smoking, but the practice has been linked to a host of other diseases -- including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes -- and other adverse health effects. Government health advocates are convinced that the costs of encouraging smoking cessation are worth the savings those efforts produce.

3. The staggering economic costs of smoking

In addition to the number of deaths, the amount of money and resources that goes toward caring for those with smoking-related illnesses is surprisingly high. The CDC estimates that the direct costs of medical care in the U.S. for adults who need it because of tobacco products add up to almost $170 billion annually. In addition, lost productivity from workers who take time off due to smoking-related ailments brings the total cost above the $300 billion mark.

Smoking is a big enough cause of economic damage that the insurance industry makes smoking one of the key factors in determining premiums for life insurance. Moreover, the difficulty of quitting smoking makes cessation products an extremely lucrative market, adding to potential revenue for businesses related to the practice.

4. Tobacco is still big business, despite downward pressures

Even with falling smoking volume in the U.S., the sheer amount of tobacco in the market is impressive. More than 24 billion cigarettes were produced in the U.S. market in October, the most recent month for which data from the Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau were available. So far in 2016, 233 billion cigarettes have been produced, along with almost 5.4 billion cigars, 100 million pounds of snuff, and roughly 50 million pounds of tobacco for chewing, pipe, or roll-your-own use.

Believe it or not, those figures are actually down considerably from year-ago figures. Cigarette use has dropped by about 10 billion units this year compared to this time last year; although smaller cigars have seen volumes rise, the bigger large-cigar market has seen drops of nearly 10%. That has resulted in sales-volume declines among large producers, but their ability to succeed speaks to the experience they have fighting such trends.

Tobacco companies have managed to overcome statistics like these and still produce growing profits over time. However, given the severity of some of these numbers, it's understandable why even industry stalwarts are looking closely at reduced-risk alternatives in an effort to try to put some of these statistics behind them once and for all.
After rallying to a high of $1,365 an ounce this summer, gold has retraced most of its ascent and now stands just 7% above where it started the year. With it have gone some of the biggest names in the industry, though their stock values stand appreciably higher than where they were a year ago. Barrick Gold has nearly doubled in value, Newmont Mining is up 75% for the year, and streamer Franco Nevada gained nearly 25%:

Running with a winner is often a good strategy, but there are three more gold stocks investors should consider for their portfolios not only because they can be bought cheap, but also for the potential they still hold for outsized returns.

Situated for the coming recovery

Unlike its peers, gold-mining giant Goldcorp (GG) has had a lackluster year at best, sitting just 10% or so above the year's starting point. Yet the miner has several things going for it that differentiate it from the others, such as having most of its top-producing mines in countries that are relatively politically stable.

The company's principal properties include its top-producing Penasquito gold mine in Mexico; its second-most-valuable project, Cerro Negro, in Argentina, as well as the Alumbrera mine; its gold mines at Red Lake, Eleonore, Porcupine, and Musselwhite in Canada; and the Pueblo Viejo mine in the Dominican Republic.

Goldcorp recently resumed normal operations at Penasquito; it anticipates producing between 520,000 and 580,000 ounces of gold this year, or about 19% of total planned production of between 2.8 million and 3.1 million ounces of gold, which it estimates will have all-in sustaining costs (ASIC) of between $850 and $925 per ounce. Having reduced its ASIC from $1,067 in the second quarter to $812 in the third, Goldcorp sits some 36% below its 52-week high; buying in now positions an investor for the rebound expected to come in 2017.

Standing in the stream

A better way than buying a miner like Goldcorp might be to invest in a company that doesn't get its hands at all dirty digging in the rocks. Instead, streamers like Franco Nevada have become popular because they provide little of the risk or cost associated with owning and operating a mine. Rather, they provide up-front financing to the miners in exchange for receiving a percentage of their production as a royalty, or a stream of precious metals at discounted prices. Their low overhead costs ensure healthy profit margins and the ability to weather industry downturns.

Sandstorm Gold (SAND -1.70%) has outperformed the precious metal itself over the past year, with shares rising 35% year to date. Last month it reported third-quarter profits of $7 million, a big U-turn from 2015, when it suffered losses of $5.5 million. In fact, its entire operation was doing better with greater production: lower cash costs, but higher cash margins; and greater operating cash flows, all of which allowed it to pay down its revolving credit facility. That means it has no bank debt and its entire $110 million revolving credit facility is available to make acquisitions.

Taking into account its existing royalties and streams, Sandstorm forecasts attributable gold-equivalent production for 2016 of between 47,000 and 50,000 ounces, hitting 65,000 ounces a year by 2020.

Throwing a curveball

Silver Wheaton (WPM -2.14%), of course, is a streamer like Sandstorm and Franco, but it is the largest in the precious-metals industry, and arguably the best-known, because its business model came to define what streaming is. Although it is known primarily for its silver contracts, Silver Wheaton also has sizable gold production that makes it worth your attention.

As the largest pure precious-metals streamer in the world, Silver Wheaton expects to produce an equivalent of 54 million ounces of silver and 265,000 ounces of gold this year, with gross margins that hit $946 an ounce for gold and more than $15 an ounce for silver during the third quarter. Moreover, for this production, it only has to pay $4.52 per ounce for silver and $403 per ounce for gold.

Those kinds of numbers make Silver Wheaton's future look bright. Yet even though its stock is 45% higher this year, it took a hit in November after reporting third-quarter earnings: The company had record quarterly gold production of more than 109,000 ounces, but changed guidance so that silver production for the year would be less than expected.

What held back the streamer's numbers some was lower production out of Goldcorp's Penasquito mine, but with that now back on track, Silver Wheaton should find itself better positioned even if some of its silver projects lag. And with its dividend for the quarter now increased by 20% to $0.06 per share, investors will be paid a richer reward waiting for the rebound to occur.
After rallying to a high of $1,365 an ounce this summer, gold has retraced most of its ascent and now stands just 7% above where it started the year. With it have gone some of the biggest names in the industry, though their stock values stand appreciably higher than where they were a year ago. Barrick Gold has nearly doubled in value, Newmont Mining is up 75% for the year, and streamer Franco Nevada gained nearly 25%:

ABX data by YCharts.

Running with a winner is often a good strategy, but there are three more gold stocks investors should consider for their portfolios not only because they can be bought cheap, but also for the potential they still hold for outsized returns.

Situated for the coming recovery

Unlike its peers, gold-mining giant Goldcorp (NYSE: GG) has had a lackluster year at best, sitting just 10% or so above the year's starting point. Yet the miner has several things going for it that differentiate it from the others, such as having most of its top-producing mines in countries that are relatively politically stable.

The company's principal properties include its top-producing Penasquito gold mine in Mexico; its second-most-valuable project, Cerro Negro, in Argentina, as well as the Alumbrera mine; its gold mines at Red Lake, Eleonore, Porcupine, and Musselwhite in Canada; and the Pueblo Viejo mine in the Dominican Republic.

Inside the Eureka vein at Goldcorp's Cerro Negro mine in Argentina. Image source: Goldcorp.

Goldcorp recently resumed normal operations at Penasquito; it anticipates producing between 520,000 and 580,000 ounces of gold this year, or about 19% of total planned production of between 2.8 million and 3.1 million ounces of gold, which it estimates will have all-in sustaining costs (ASIC) of between $850 and $925 per ounce. Having reduced its ASIC from $1,067 in the second quarter to $812 in the third, Goldcorp sits some 36% below its 52-week high; buying in now positions an investor for the rebound expected to come in 2017.

Standing in the stream

A better way than buying a miner like Goldcorp might be to invest in a company that doesn't get its hands at all dirty digging in the rocks. Instead, streamers like Franco Nevada have become popular because they provide little of the risk or cost associated with owning and operating a mine. Rather, they provide up-front financing to the miners in exchange for receiving a percentage of their production as a royalty, or a stream of precious metals at discounted prices. Their low overhead costs ensure healthy profit margins and the ability to weather industry downturns.

Sandstorm Gold (NYSEMKT: SAND) has outperformed the precious metal itself over the past year, with shares rising 35% year to date. Last month it reported third-quarter profits of $7 million, a big U-turn from 2015, when it suffered losses of $5.5 million. In fact, its entire operation was doing better with greater production: lower cash costs, but higher cash margins; and greater operating cash flows, all of which allowed it to pay down its revolving credit facility. That means it has no bank debt and its entire $110 million revolving credit facility is available to make acquisitions.

Image source: Getty Images.

Taking into account its existing royalties and streams, Sandstorm forecasts attributable gold-equivalent production for 2016 of between 47,000 and 50,000 ounces, hitting 65,000 ounces a year by 2020.

Throwing a curveball

Silver Wheaton (NYSE: SLW), of course, is a streamer like Sandstorm and Franco, but it is the largest in the precious-metals industry, and arguably the best-known, because its business model came to define what streaming is. Although it is known primarily for its silver contracts, Silver Wheaton also has sizable gold production that makes it worth your attention.

As the largest pure precious-metals streamer in the world, Silver Wheaton expects to produce an equivalent of 54 million ounces of silver and 265,000 ounces of gold this year, with gross margins that hit $946 an ounce for gold and more than $15 an ounce for silver during the third quarter. Moreover, for this production, it only has to pay $4.52 per ounce for silver and $403 per ounce for gold.

Image source: Getty Images.

Those kinds of numbersmake Silver Wheaton's future look bright. Yet even though its stock is 45% higher this year, it took a hit in November after reporting third-quarter earnings: The company had record quarterly gold production of more than 109,000 ounces, but changed guidance so that silver production for the year would be less than expected.

What held back the streamer's numbers some was lower production out of Goldcorp's Penasquito mine, but with that now back on track, Silver Wheaton should find itself better positioned even if some of its silver projects lag. And with its dividend for the quarter now increased by 20% to $0.06 per share, investors will be paid a richer reward waiting for the rebound to occur.

10 stocks we like better than Goldcorp 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.*

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Image source: Getty Images.

In some ways, 2016 was the best of times and the worst of times for M&A in the oil patch. On the downside, the sector saw two notable deals fall apart (Energy Transfer-Williams Companies and Halliburton-Baker Hughes), and it lacked a headline-grabbing megamerger such asRoyal Dutch Shell's 2015 decision to pay $53 billion for BG Group.

However, what 2016 lacked in size, it made up for in volume. According to a report from PwC, this past year was more active than 2015, especially in hot shale plays such as the Permian Basin of Texas and STACK/SCOOP of Oklahoma.

That said, the sector still had its fair share of big deals. Further, two clear trends emerged from the largest transactions. The acquirers either wanted to increase their scale to cut costs or take advantage of the growing natural gas market in the United States. Here, then, is a look back at the five biggest M&A deals of the year.

No. 5: Range Resources' $4.2 billion bet on Gulf Coast gas

According to a report by PLS, producers spent more than $23 billion locking up prime positions in the Permian Basin and another $7 billion on Mid-Continent acreage acquisitions. However, most of those were smaller deals, with the top transaction weighing in at $2.5 billion. Meanwhile, the Ark-La-Tex region near the Gulf Coast quietly tied for the second hottest M&A geography in the country, largely because of Range Resources (NYSE: RRC) acquisition of Memorial Resource Development. Range Resources paid $4.2 billion, which includes the assumption of debt, to gain a leading position in the Lower Cotton Valley region of Northern Louisiana. Not only is the play saturated with natural gas, but it's also near the Gulf Coast, which is expected to see increased demand from new petrochemical and industrial complexes as well as LNG export facilities. In other words, Range Resources made a big bet on higher gas prices along the Gulf Coast.

No. 4: Technip and FMC Technologies combine in a $13 billion deal

Following a series of M&A announcements in the oilfield-services sector since the onset of the oil market downturn, French oil-field service company Technip and U.S. oilfield equipment company FMC Technologies (NYSE: FTI) hooked up in an all-stock deal valuing the combined company at $13 billion. Shareholders of each company will own 50% of the combined entity, to be named TechnipFMC, which implies a roughly $6.5 billion acquisition valuation for each entity. The transaction, which should close early next year, will "combine Technip's innovative systems and solutions, state-of-the-art assets, engineering strengths, and project management capabilities with FMC Technologies' leading technology, manufacturing, and service capabilities." Further, it should save $400 million in annual costs by 2019. Moreover, it will enable the combined company to compete better against larger oil-field service rivals Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI), Halliburton (NYSE: HAL), and Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB), which have all gained strength during the downturn either through M&A activities or cost savings initiatives.

Image source: Getty Images.

No. 3: TransCanada turns on the gas in a $13 billion deal

After a series of setbacks in its attempts to build new oil pipelines, Canadian pipeline giant TransCanada (NYSE: TRP) completed a transformation transaction to acquire U.S. natural gas pipeline company Columbia Pipeline Group for $13 billion, which includes the assumption of debt. The key to that deal was that it increased the combined company's near-term project pipeline to 23 billion Canadian dollars, which supports TransCanada's ability to increase its dividend by 8% to 10% annually through 2020. After completing that deal, TransCanada made a bid to acquire all of the outstanding units that it did not own of affiliated MLP Columbia Pipeline Partners (NYSE: CPPL) in a transaction valued at $915 million. These acquisitions solidified TransCanada's natural gas pipeline growth ambitions, enabling it to diversify away from oil pipelines.

No. 2: Enbridge creates an energy infrastructure behemoth in a $28 billion deal

Not to be outdone, rival Canadian oil pipeline giant Enbridge (NYSE: ENB) announced a transformational gas-focused deal of its own, agreeing to acquire U.S. pipeline company Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) for $28 billion. That transaction will catapult Enbridge past TransCanada and create the largest energy infrastructure company in North America. Further, the deal will bolster Enbridge's near-term capital project backlog to $20 billion, while enhancing its inventory of longer-term investment opportunities to $37 billion. This pipeline supports Enbridge's view that it can increase its dividend by 10% to 12% annually through 2024.

Image source: Getty Images.

No. 1: GE creates an oilfield-service giant

Not long after Baker Hughes' $28 billion deal with Halliburton fell apart over regulatory issues, the company sealed a deal to merge with General Electric's (NYSE: GE) oil and gas operations. Under the terms of the agreement, GE will own 62.5% of the new entity while Baker Hughes investors will own 37.5% of the "new" Baker Hughes and receive $17.50 per share in cash via a special dividend totaling a $7.4 billion. The deal will create the second largest oil-field service company by revenue, leaping past Halliburton to rival Schlumberger. Further, the merger should deliver $1.6 billion of cost synergies by 2020. GE expects the deal to close next year and hasn't hit any of the regulatory hiccups that derailed Halliburton's attempt to acquire Baker Hughes.

Investor takeaway

There were two clear trends among the biggest oil and gas M&A deals this year. First, oilfield-service companies paired up to increase their scale and reduce costs. Second, companies expanded to the south in a bet on the future of natural gas, with Canadian oil pipelines giants gaining a foothold in the U.S. natural gas pipeline market, while Range bet on growing Gulf Coast gas demand. These general M&A trends appear poised to continue in 2017, as an improving oil market should lead to more deals driven by cost reductions and capturing emerging opportunities.

10 stocks we like better than General Electric 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.*

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Matt DiLallo has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Spectra Energy. The Motley Fool owns shares of General Electric and Halliburton. The Motley Fool recommends FMC Technologies. 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.
Donald Trump is at it again. (Or is he?)

Last week, the Tweeter-in-Chief announced on Twitter his intention to "greatly strengthen and expand [America's] nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes." As you might expect, the Interwebs immediately erupted in outrage, with Trump detractors painting the tweet as equivalent to the declaration of a new arms race.

But was it, really?

Did Donald Trump just launch a pre-emptive nuclear tweet? Image source: Getty Images.

Cue outrage

Media outlets, from the usually level-headed The Hillto the liberal-leaning Washington Post to the downright colorful Mother Jones, criticized the president-elect, warning that tweets of this sort "could provoke global crisis" (The Hill) or even "unleash nuclear catastrophe" (the Post).And in the instant case, warned Mother Jones, Trump's nuclear tweet seems to reverse "decades of... policy aimed at stopping the spread of nuclear weapons around the world. For decades," it continued, "the United States has worked with Russia, the other major nuclear power, to reduce both nations' nuclear arsenals. ... Yet with a single tweet, Trump suggested he would move in the opposite direction."

Which sounds bad -- if it were true. Fortunately, it simply is not.

Fiction and facts

Whatever you think about nuclear weapons -- or about the president-elect choosing to communicate defense policy by tweet --critics of Trump's nuclear tweet are getting a couple of basic facts wrong here. First, that President-elect Trump is initiating a nuclear arms race against Russia. He's not.

At worst, Trump is taking the bait offered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who according to the U.S. State Department violated the 1987 U.S.-Russia Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty by resuming tests of nuclear-capable cruise missiles in 2014. Russia has reportedly also begun modernizing its nuclear forces, ordered practice runs at conducting pre-emptive nuclear strikes, and even drawn up plans for a new nuclear "dirty bomb." Responding to such provocations by expanding America's own nuclear forces may not be great policy from a mutually-assured-destruction point of view -- but it's not the same thing as starting an arms race.

Russia seems to have already done that.

And when you get right down to it, even if America were starting an arms race, it wouldn't be Trump's doing -- but President Barack Obama's.

The truth about nukes

While Trump's nuclear tweet appears to have taken some folks off guard, the fact is that the U.S. has been planning a major upgrade and refurbishmentof its nuclear arsenal for quite some time -- since at least the early years of the second Obama administration, in fact. As far back as three years ago, we were writing about a U.S. Air Force effort to begin upgrading the nation's aging fleet of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles -- a contract that Aerojet Rocketdyne (NYSE: AJRD), among others, is counting on to juice its rocket revenues. Rival rocket scientist Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA) is bidding on the same contract, and whether it's Aerojet or Orbital that eventually ends up winning this piece of the nuclear rearmament project, there should be money aplenty to go around.

As details about the Pentagon's plan have emerged, it's become clear that this will be a sizable program, amounting to perhaps $1 trillion in spending over 30 years -- not just to upgrade the Minuteman missiles, but also to buy new B-21 stealth bombers from Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC)and have General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) and Huntington Ingalls (NYSE: HII) design an entirely new class of ballistic missile submarines (to be known as the "Columbia class.")

The sum total of these upgrades will be to "greatly strengthen" America's nuclear arsenal with technological improvements to the missiles and added stealth capability for the delivery systems -- "expanding" our "nuclear capability" considerably.

What it means to investors

Given the media's reaction to Trump's nuclear tweet, you could be forgiven for getting the impression that thisis some harebrained scheme the president-elect has just come up with -- one that will likely be dashed by the outpouring of public disapproval on social media. That couldn't be further from the truth.

This is not a case of Trump going rogueand taking the Pentagon by surprise with some cockamamy idea about starting an arms race. To the contrary, the trillion-dollar project to upgradeAmerica's nuclear arsenal enjoys the full support of the Pentagon brass -- and of the current administration, and of defense contractors like Aerojet, Orbital, Northrop, General Dynamics, and Huntington Ingalls, which all stand to profit from it.

The plan has been set in motion, and however strongly some folks might oppose it, it's not going away.

10 stocks we like better than Aerojet Rocketdyne 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.*

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Tesla Motors Inc was sued on Friday by a Model X owner who said his electric SUV suddenly accelerated while being parked, causing it to crash through the garage into the owner's living room, injuring the driver and a passenger.

The Model X owner, Ji Chang Son, said that one night in September, he slowly pulled into his driveway as his garage door opened when the car suddenly sped forward.

"The vehicle spontaneously began to accelerate at full power, jerking forward and crashing through the interior wall of the garage, destroying several wooden support beams in the wall and a steel sewer pipe, among other things, and coming to rest in Plaintiffs' living room," the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in the Central District of California, seeks class action status. It cites seven other complaints registered in a database compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) dealing with sudden acceleration without warning.

Tesla said in a statement that it had "conducted a thorough investigation" of the claims made by Son.

"The evidence, including data from the car, conclusively shows that the crash was the result of Mr. Son pressing the accelerator pedal all the way to 100 percent," a Tesla spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

Tesla said it has various ways to protect against pedal misapplication, including using its Autopilot sensors to distinguish between erroneous pedal application and normal cases.

The lawsuit alleges product liability, negligence and breaches of warranty, and seeks unspecified damages.

NHTSA did not return a phone call seeking verification of the complaints in its database.

The luxury Model X, launched in late 2015 X, was Tesla's first sport utility vehicle.

In its marketing, Tesla claims the Model X is the safest SUV in history.

(Reporting by Alexandria Sage; Editing by Leslie Adler)
It has been a discouraging week for evangelical Christians and others who are steadfastly devoted to protecting unborn life.

Last Thursday, as I joined with approximately 100,000 others at the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., the ostensibly pro-life Republican leadership of the House of Representatives called off a scheduled vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Act. This legislation, which would prohibit abortions of unborn children past 20 weeks in their gestation in most cases, is a matter of conscience. Scientists believe that unborn children at 20 weeks are sufficiently developed so as to feel pain while abortion terminates their life. Thats why most Americans, both women and menincluding many who support the right to choose an abortion earlier in a pregnancysupport this bill. But in an apparent betrayal of the many pro-life evangelical and Catholic voters who just helped their party to gain control of both chambers of Congress, Republican leaders in the House decided against even offering a vote on the legislation.

Christian engagement in public policy is driven by the fundamental biblical conviction that all human life is made in the image of God and is thus to be cherished. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, legal status, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, disability, or any other qualifier, human life is sacred, and our faith requires us to advocate in particular for those who cannot speak up for themselves. Children still within their mothers wombs certainly meet that definition.

Thats why Christiansincluding the vast majority of Latino evangelicals represented by the tens of thousands of local churches within our nation who form the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conferenceare so adamantly pro-life. In fact, a recent poll finds that Hispanic immigrant evangelicals are among the most pro-life constituency in the nation: fully 73% oppose abortion in all or most cases, compared to 43% of the general population and 65% of our white evangelical brethren.

Latino evangelicals feel betrayed by the House Republicans failure to vote on this basic legislation. Unfortunately, such betrayal seems to be becoming a trend.

Just two weeks ago, after assuring evangelical leaders both privately and publicly for more than a year that they were committed to finally reforming our antiquated immigration laws as we have urged them to do, House Republicans leadership pushed forward a bill to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which since 2012 has allowed certain individuals who were brought into the U.S. as children, not of their own volition, to be granted temporary work authorization and be relieved of the fear of deportation. That administrative policy has meant hope for tens of thousands of ambitious young people within Hispanic evangelical churches. The Houses effort to remove these young peoples work authorization and put them at risk of deportation is an offense to most Latino evangelicals (and to many other evangelical Christians as well).

It also should be deeply troublesome to all who support the pro-life cause, because the vote to end DACAand the failure to advance the commons sense immigration reforms that are popular with most Americans as well as most evangelical Christiansis political suicide, setting up a scenario where it becomes nearly impossible for a pro-life president to be elected in 2016.

Thats because it is nearly impossible for a pro-life Republican presidential candidate to win the Electoral College without improving their standing among Latino voters from the paltry 27% that Governor Romney received in 2012, after vowing to dismantle the DACA program if elected and endorsing an immigration policy of self-deportation. Latinosand particularly Latino evangelicalsare eager to vote for a pro-life, pro-immigrant candidate in 2016, but the GOPs recent actions in the House of Representatives convey to Latino voters that it is uninterested in either label.

Its not too late though. Congressional Republicans should quickly take up both the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Act and a series of immigration bills that would secure our borders, reform our dysfunctional visa system, and establish a process by which immigrants present unlawfully could earn permanent legal status and eventual citizenship if theyre willing to pay a fine, pass a criminal background check, and work over the course of several years for those privileges.

If they fail to do so, Latino evangelicals, for whom the pro-life cause and immigration reform are two key policy concerns, will take note. As was the case in 2012, whena majority supported President Obamas re-election, most will likely vote for Democratic candidates whom they trust will act on at least one of their key priorities.
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The incoming First Lady of Texas, Cecilia Abbott, visited Coutures by Laura on a rainy Friday afternoon for one of the final fittings for the ensembles she was to wear for the Inauguration ceremony and Inaugural Ball. Coming off the coattails of a hard-earned victory in the gubernatorial election in November, one might expect a  rightly  proud woman. The kind of woman whose demeanor implies power and importance.

Yet there is no air of superiority. To her fellow shoppers, she is simply one of the many influential Texan women that frequent the boutique. She speaks kindly with the seamstresses, and often consults with her assistant for advice in a manner that suggests a friend seeking the opinion of another friend. She makes sure to greet everybody with a handshake or a polite nod and smile. And, amid the busyness of a fitting, Mrs. Abbott converses with me as I look on while Laura Gonzalez, my grandmother, makes those final adjustments to ensure that just-right fit.

Her drive to design is much like Cecilias drive to better education within Texas, which has come from her parents, dedicated educators who were the children of immigrants.  Arianna Gomez

The gown. Under the light of the crystal chandelier which hangs in the showroom, it is a deep, rich red, starkly contrasting with the rainy and grey weather outside the window. Like every aspect of the gown, the color was carefully chosen by Ms. Gonzalez and Mrs. Abbott.

(We chose) the color red to represent the Republican party, the first lady-to-be says, turning in the mirror at Ms. Gonzalezs request. They are attempting to decide upon the belt of the dress; there are two styles Ms. Gonzalez has crafted. Ultimately, Mrs. Abbott selects the band adorned with a unique flower, made of the same material as the dress, as she feels it truly ties together the classic yet simple style of the dress.

Indeed, the phrase "classic yet simple" truly sums up the new First Lady of Texas style. I like the style because, to me, it doesnt change with time. I like it simple, she says. Ms. Gonzalez nods in agreement as she alters the gown ever so slightly. Style is not the only thing that the two women see eye to eye on, though  the handful of shared values between them is one of the many reasons why Cecilia Abbott chose Coutures by Laura to create her attire for the big day.

Values of family, education, service, perseverance in the face of adversity, and faith were all cited by Mrs. Abbott as common principles between the two Hispanic women, along with their drive and determination. But it was the bond of their common heritage that influenced the decision of who was to design the attire for Mrs. Abbotts appearances at the Inauguration and Inaugural Ball. And it was this common bond that gave Laura Gonzalez the desire to create the Inauguration attire, and reach out to Cecilia Abbott.

I wanted to make the clothes she would wear on such an important day because I knew her and because shes Hispanic. I knew her already from her previous visits to the boutique  so I wanted to help her be dressed the best way she could be, the way that best complimented her, and the best way I could serve her within my abilities and capacities. I really wanted to be of assistance to the woman that was going to become the first Hispanic First Lady of Texas, she says.

Over the course of the weeks Ms. Gonzalez worked on this dress, I came to realize that it represented what Mrs. Abbott and Ms. Gonzalez stood for, in a way. This dress was created with hard work, with careful stitches, with meticulous attention to detail.

And this drive and determination came, in part, from my grandmothers heritage and past. Ms. Gonzalez has been in the business for over 30 years  Coutures by Laura began as a small boutique in McAllen, Texas. Ms. Gonzalez says she was taught the art of designing, creating and sewing as a very young girl.

"I strongly believe that this passion for sewing, designing and creating is in my genes, Ms. Gonzalez says.

Her drive to design is much like Cecilias drive to better education within Texas, which has come from her parents, dedicated educators who were the children of immigrants.

Hispanic people are hard workers  I saw this in the care and time my grandmother put into the dress and gown. Despite the long hours and considerable effort that went into the gown, not once did Ms. Gonzalez complain, or take off, or wish to be doing something else. She worked hard. She worked quietly, late into the night and early in the morning. She persevered. She did her best  a value instilled in her at a young age, from her own family as she grew up in Mexico.

My Uncle Rafael always said to be the best at what you do. If youre going to be a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper there is. So if I'm going to make dresses, Im going to be the best at making dresses, she says.

And the dress certainly was the best. As Mrs. Abbott stood in the mirror at the final fitting, it was easy to see that it fit just right, moved smoothly, and complimented Cecilia well, but yet never commanded so much attention that the eyes were not focused on the wearer.

The hard work that had gone into the gown was visible. After she had inspected it closely one last time, and guaranteed that it was truly perfect, there it was: that hint of quiet pride that the Hispanic people hold, reflected in Laura Gonzalezs eyes.

It did not linger for long. She was already thinking about what was coming next.
Speaker of the House John Boehner and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Republicans both, yanked a proposed stringent Border Security bill from a scheduled vote before debate. Good, now maybe a sensible immigration effort can come from the House through Virginia Republican Bob Goodlattes Judiciary Committee.

The proposed bill would have built fences, bought millions in cameras, human detection devices and drone equipment all costing a huge amount of money and not securing the border.

Those who think the illegal alien problem flowing across the southern border with Mexico can be solved with fences, electronic gadgets and more Border Patrol are delusional. Why are they delusional?

We need these workers because they want to work and the work needs to be done; anyone who thinks otherwise needs to stand up and deliver real evidence that they are right and American employers are wrong.  Raoul Lowery Contreras

Everyone agrees that the bulk of these people crossing into the U.S. illegally are coming for jobs. Everyone agrees that most if not all of these job-seekers are hired by American employers even though it is illegal for an employer to hire an illegally present person.

Thus, work is the problem to be looked at first, not border crossers, because most would probably not come if not for work.

Question number one: Are these workers needed by the United States for jobs for which there arent enough Americans willing to fill? Question two: Why do American employers hire these workers when employers violate the law when they hire an illegal? Question number three: How many of those illegally present are actually working today?

Any objective study will or does show that there are job categories that simply do not interest many Americans. Social welfare benefits total up for many to more than the jobs involved here pay even if they pay more, substantially more than minimum wage.

Agricultural jobs can pay $100 a day (picking strawberries) yet Americans dont want to crawl around on their hands and knees for 10 or 12 hours a day picking strawberries or asparagus.

Construction jobs in the Great American Desert (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, West Texas and Southern California) are tortuous in the summer months with 100-plus degree working hours day after day.

The University of Arizona studied the construction industry in Arizona  during the height of the housing boom  and reported that illegal workers made up 25 percent of the construction work force and 75 percent were legal American or green card holders. In other words, there simply werent enough legal American workers to fill out the industrys personnel needs. Moreover, the study showed that an average house would have cost $50,000 more if the illegal workers werent on the job because it would have taken 13 weeks longer to build.

Then there is the hospitality industry  tourism, hotels, and seasonal activities like snow in Aspen  that requires full staffing in properties that need half as many people off-season. Tourism in Southern California explodes in the summer requiring full staffing at hotels, restaurants and attractions and less staff in the other months.

Boring, uninteresting jobs like those in construction, agriculture and the hospitality industry appeal to immigrants, legal and illegal, despite low pay or 100-degree days in the sun because whatever they earn is better than they would earn at home. For many, these jobs also provide a ladder upwards in the greatest economy the world has ever experienced.

They are motivated to work for these reasons. American workers reject many of these jobs because they dont need them. Welfare, Medicaid, years of unemployment compensation, specious disability checks, food stamps, free cellular phones and an overall expectation of entitlement kill desire for work when one doesnt need to.

We need these workers because they want to work and the work needs to be done; anyone who thinks otherwise needs to stand up and deliver real evidence that they are right and American employers are wrong.

Workers and jobs are the problem. To solve that problem, the House Republicans need to craft legislation that creates and/or expands work visas/permits for fields that fulfill employer needs. Permits for Science, Technical, Engineering and Math (STEM) jobs need to be increased especially for foreign university graduates so they can stay here instead of going back. For example, Las Vegas (Clark County) needs 2,600 teachers this fall, not in the future. This fall.

The permits can be for one, two, three or five years and they can be for new employees hired through a Department of Labor job bank with applications taken at U.S. consulates in affected countries. Applicants would have to be cleared for criminal records and/or physical or mental problems and willing to reimburse the fees involved for the permits to employers who would front the fees to the U.S. government. The permits would allow for free ingress and egress to the U.S. The permits would be available to those already here and working.

If Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader McCarthy produce this bill and meld it with an effective border security bill, they can hoist a Mission Accomplished banner, and Hispanics can go about the business of helping elect a new president without immigration reform muddying the political waters.
Maria del Pilar Hurtado is not exactly a household name in the United States, but she is in Colombia, where this week she made headlines by being named a spy master.

Charges against her are as Nixonian as they are Obamaesque. Much like our 37th president, shes accused of spying on the political opponents of then-President Alvaro Uribe. If proven, it would be serious indeed  or, as some here would say, no different than what politicians do in our own country when gathering opposition research.

If [Pilar Hurtado] spills the beans and is convincing enough, Uribes legacy and political career may be over. But at this point, nobody knows what shell actually do or say.  Rick Sanchez

And much like our 44th president, she may have schemed to spy on her own people  just as President Obama and members of his administration who are complicit in the NSA spying scandal are suspected of doing to us.

Both of these U.S. presidents probably believed their deeds, albeit questionable, were necessary. And therein lies the rub  so did Pilar Hurtado probably feel that what she did was necessary for reasons of national security.

For Richard Nixon, it was the Vietnam War. For Barack Obama, its the war on terror. And for Pilar Hurtado and Alvaro Uribe, it was las FARC. When Alvaro Uribe took office in 2002, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia controlled more than 100 municipalities. Colombia, plagued with crime and violence, led the world in both killings and kidnappings.

Say what you want about Uribe, and yes there are those who criticize his tactics; but there is no question he made Colombia a more secure country. Implementing a clenched fist policy, Uribe tackled guerrillas and drug traffickers so effectively, he likely will go down as one of Colombia's finest presidents. In short, he took what was almost a failed state and turned into a secure nation with a successful economy.

Ironically enough though, his greatest challenge still lies ahead. It will be to prove his innocence or at the very least his disassociation from Pilar Hurtado, his diminutive head of intelligence. Pilar Hurtado fled Colombia and was granted asylum in neighboring Panama in 2010. However, last year the Panamanian government revoked her asylum. And last Friday, after Interpol put out an international arrest order for her, she turned herself in and is presently in custody in Bogota awaiting her fate.

The scandal tied to Pilar Hurtado involves illegal eavesdropping carried out between 2007 and 2009. Her office is accused of intercepting phone calls and emails of not just narcos, but also of politicians, journalists, human rights officials and possibly even justices of the Supreme Court. Thats the Obamaesque part.

As for the Nixonian part, what did President Uribe know and when did he know it? Uribe, now a senator, is defending himself on Twitter using the handle @AlvaroUribeVel and hes not being shy. He is screaming his innocence with accusations of a political witch hunt against him and even a 15-point plan detailing his version.

But the real question will come down to the testimony of the star witness. Although Pilar Hurtado has never implicated the former president of any wrongdoing, the bet in Bogota is that prosecutors will offer her a deal to do just that. Reports are it may include the chance of home detention, a more comfortable prison, access to work and study, or even a reduced sentence.

If she spills the beans and is convincing enough, Uribes legacy and political career may be over. But at this point, nobody knows what shell actually do or say. In fact, let me make just one more presidential comparison. President Bill Clinton was once said to be on the ropes with his own scandal infamously called Whitewater.

All it would take, the media thought, was the testimony of a woman named Susan McDougal to bring him down. But McDougal refused to answer the grand jurys questions. Instead, she chose to go to jail and stayed there for almost two years.

Will Pilar Hurtado be Uribes McDougal or will she sing like a bird? A nation waits, while a once great presidency hangs in the balance.
It certainly appears that NBC anchorman Brian Williams is spinning a yarn when he claims to have seen a body float by face down in the French Quarter. The story is roundly refuted by almost everyone familiar with the areas geography.

That is not to say there werent dead bodies in and around New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina. While on assignment there, CNN producer Michael Heard and I saw many bodies floating and otherwise, but none anywhere near the French Quarter. We also dont remember talking to any colleagues who reported drowning deaths or bodies floating near the French Quarter.

He utters his tales with an almost hyper exaggerated sense of narcissism that seems to reflect an outward disregard for the plight of Katrinas survivors.  Rick Sanchez

Most New Orleans residents familiar with the geography around the Ritz Hotel where Williams and his staff were staying say that while there was some water in the area it never rose above, at most, two feet.

Then theres retired New Orleans Police Captain Harry Mendozas reaction to Williams comment. Asked to respond by the New Orleans Advocate, Mendoza said he led a team that used front-end loaders to clear Canal Street of palm trees and wires after the storm.

There werent any bodies out there. The only water they had in the Quarter at all was probably at Iberville and Burgundy, a low area around the backside of the hotel, but nothing you couldnt drive through. Nothing anybody would have drowned in, unless you physically tried to drown.

Not only is Williams account of a dead body floating by his hotel being questioned, so too is his seemingly embellished description of everything else that took place around him during those desperate days for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

He utters his tales with an almost hyper exaggerated sense of narcissism that seems to reflect an outward disregard for the plight of Katrinas survivors.

I beat that storm, Williams declared emphatically as if to suggest some type of superhuman talent when what hes actually stating is that he, like the rest of us, was sent there to cover the storm. For the record, nobody beat Katrina!

Also in question now is Williams story about being stricken with dysentery after drinking floodwater. Again, from my own experience spending days and days along with many of my CNN colleagues splashing in chest-deep floodwaters often for hours on end, I dont recall anyone including myself coming down with an actual case of dysentery. However, I do remember thinking at the time that the exaggerated warnings and false reports about it by network brass in New York who had most likely never covered a storm were not only laughable, but also likely to become a self-fulfilling prophecy that some young reporter would cling to.

Enter Brian Williams: I accidentally ingested some of the floodwater. I became very sick with dysentery, he told Tom Brokaw after returning from New Orleans.

Yet when asked about Williams claim, the doctor who oversaw health concerns in that part of New Orleans says there wasnt even a single case of dysentery reported.

Dr. Brobson Lutz is a former city health director who manned the EMS trailer that was set up on Dumaine Street, exactly one block from where Williams was staying. In what is a great piece of news gathering by the New Orleans Advocate, he tells them that hes a fan of Williams, but could not back the claim.

I saw a lot of people with cuts and bruises and such, but I dont recall a single, solitary case of gastroenteritis during Katrina or in the whole month afterward, Lutz said.

Then theres the part of Williams story that is not only wrong, but also possibly offensive. He doesnt only buy into the medias false narrative about mayhem and lawlessness in the days after Hurricane Katrina, he owns it unabashedly.

Dont expect to see a lot of coverage on this part of the Williamss narrative from most members of the media. Theyre not known to criticize that which they too are guilty of, but its still equally inexcusable.

By now, most of the newsgathering that took place post Katrina regarding lawlessness, marauding gangs, killings, rapes and savagery have been debunked and shown for what it really was  not newsgathering, but rather rumor gathering.

The New Orleans Times Picayune, the Washington Post and the New York Times have all since filed stories calling the dehumanizing reports, which seemed intent on labeling the victims of Katrina as beasts, less than accurate. However, its the report by FAIR, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting that most accurately dispels Williams at least mildly ethnocentric exaggerations.

In their report, Demonizing the Victims of Katrina, FAIR concludes that most mainstream media accounts, exaggerated and mischaracterized looting, conflating a legally justifiable search for necessities with wanton violence.

Enter, once again, Brian Williams: I saw fear, I saw death, I saw depravity, I saw firearms being brandished, I saw looting.

And it gets even worse when he adds what is now being lampooned in social media as his me, me, me accounts. We had to have men with guns behind me one night because I was the only source of light downtown, and we were told not to drink our bottled water in front of people because we could get killed for it.

Of course no story would be complete without Williams placing himself right in the middle of the now debunked savagery and lawlessness.

Our hotel was overrun with gangs, I was rescued from the stairwell of a five star hotel, Williams explained.

Putting much of this together, we are left with as yet many unsubstantiated claims of an attack in a five star hotel by gang members where FEMA and even police officers were apparently staying; survivors willing to kill an anchorman for his water bottle, a case of dysentery that leaves health officials scratching their heads and a dead body floating by on a street that hardly flooded.

And then again, there are those self-aggrandizing words sprinkled throughout: I beat the storm and I was the only source of light, language that seems to conflict with both truth and his credibility as a dispassionate conveyer of information.

I, like many viewers both inside and outside the news business, have always found Williams to be likable and generally believable, but there appears to be work left undone before NBC and Brian Williams can put this episode behind them in terms of both explanations and apologies.

Taking himself off the air for two days is simply not enough to answer questions about what else he may have exaggerated or lied about. What we may need are at least two days of explanations. Oh, and at least one more round of apologies, which should begin with an apology to the victims of Katrina.
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In January 2013, when Argentinas Foreign Minister Hector Timmerman announced a deal to form a truth commission with Iran to investigate the 1994 bombing of the Israeli-Argentine Mutual Association (AMIA) center that killed 85 people, it was hard not be suspicious. If the mere fact that by that time, almost 19 years after the countrys worst terrorist act in history, prosecutors still had failed produce a conviction didnt raise eyebrows, then the Argentine governments bizarre plan to form a truth commission with the government charged with financing and supporting the attack (which included the Irans defense minister) seemed deeply troubling.

This case and the governments response to the march on Wednesday have exposed what for almost a decade has been at risk under this government, judicial independence and the rule of law.  Christopher Sabatini

When Argentinas lead prosecutor in the case, Alberto Nisman, announced in January this year that his investigation had implicated President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Foreign Minister Timmerman in the deal to cover up Irans involvement in the plot in exchange for market access for Argentine exports the charges did not seem far fetched. After all, what serious government would establish a truth commission with the participation of the accused?

Sadly, only a few decades ago, Argentina had set the world standard for truth commissions in the trials that prosecuted the military for the human rights abuses committed during its reign from 1976 to 1983 that claimed more than 9,000 lives. The investigation into the juntas grisly tactics and toll inspired the rallying cries worldwide of those who fight against impunity for human rights abuses, the report Nunca Mas (Never Again).

But one day before Nisman, the prosecutor, was supposed to present his charges before Congress, he was found dead in his apartment from a gunshot wound to his head.

If Nismans death was a unexpected political bombshell, the governments response to it was predictable: angry, erratic and paranoid. First, President Fernandez de Kirchner and many of her top officials called it a suicide; then the President and her associates called it a murder and implicated her political enemies including in one moment accusing  of course!  the U.S.; and later pointing the finger at the prosecutors assistant and the former head of the intelligence agency, though with no evidence.

This has been the way the government has responded to all its critics, wrapping itself in victimhood and maligning the motives of anyone who dared question it. Only this time the government was taking on not only a former prosecutor and his allies  along with longstanding critics of the harebrained scheme of involving the Iranians in the first place  but the entire judicial system.

Not unexpectedly, the Argentinean-Iranian commission never produced anything other than criticism from the families of the victims and incredulousness from jurists and human rights activists (It supposedly also provoked a split within Timmermans family.) Two years later the commission has not only failed to produce any convictions, its also failed to produce any new information or insight into the AMIA tragedy.

Admittedly, the investigation Nisman was planning to present the day after his death was weak. The document  which relies on intercepted communications between government officials does not contain actual e-mails or conversations from Timmerman or the President actually proposing or discussing the plan. Rather, the allegations rely on lower level officials indirectly or directly referring to the principals and the plans. And Interpol has stated that Timmerman never requested to have the charges against Iranian officials--which also included the former Iranian cultural attache in Buenos, Mohsen Rabbani, and former Minister of Intelligence Ali Fallahian, lifted  one of the central allegations of the Nisman report.

Nevertheless, despite the weakness of the case, late last week the new prosector, Gerardo Pollicita,decided to go forward with the 289-page criminal complaint, asking a judge to investigate the President. Pollicita also has plans to charge Timmerman and other members of the government. The reaction from the government will likely be the same as always, blame, smear and attack.

In fact, a turning point will come February 18th when Argentinas prosecutors are planning to join a march in opposition to the Fernandez de Kirchner government. Predictably, the government has denounced the participation of justice officials, calling it, in its typically hyperbolic language, a judicial coup. Whatever the facts of the 1994 bombing, the deal with Iran and Nismans death, the most serious victim will be the truth.

After eighteen years, the families of the 85 victims still have no answers, but worse, the case has now become caught up in the usual paranoid antics of the Fernandez de Kirchner government. This case and the governments response to the march on Wednesday have exposed what for almost a decade has been at risk under this government, judicial independence and the rule of law.

Never again? Unfortunately, again has arrived.
As is all too typical of congressional politics these days, House Republicans and Senate Democrats cant come to an agreement over a critical piece of legislation. This time the security of our nations borders and the ability to keep trade flowing is at stake.

House Republicans have used a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security to vent their spleen over the presidents executive order to grant a temporary amnesty to those individuals in the country illegally. Senate Democrats might be in the minority now, but they still have the filibuster at their disposal, and theyre not going along with the Republicans move.

The president may have poisoned the well for future collaboration, but Republicans shouldnt live up to his caricature of them as obstructionists.  Nelson Balido

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the House bill is stuck in his chamber. Without 60 votes, which is the amount required to overcome a filibuster and move a bill to a floor vote, its hard to see how a bill to undo a major presidential policy priority becomes unstuck. So McConnell is forced to punt back to the House.

Meanwhile the president and his aides get to hector congressional Republicans about their responsibility to set aside politics and fund DHS.

The presidents right; Congress should set aside politics. But the president should follow his own advice.

Lets remember, after all, that it was the president who abused his executive power to carry out a sweeping immigration policy change and now it seems that a federal judge seems to agree.

The presidents maneuver has caused more harm than good. It might have mortally wounded any chance to pass into law a comprehensive immigration overhaul during the remainder of his administration. There is such mistrust between the White House and Capitol Hill that bipartisan policy achievements on any subject seems like a long shot, much less on an issue as thorny as immigration.

This is a shame. There is plenty that both parties agree on. Our borders need better security. Our ports need better resources. We need a realistic solution for dealing with the millions in the country in an undocumented status. Our visa policies for both high-skilled and low-skilled workers need to be modernized. Employers need a reliable way to verify the status of new-hires.

Unfortunately the president may have permanently set these very doable goals forever on the back burner.

But the Republicans shouldnt take their ball and go home.

The GOP should continue to legislate. Pass bills and send them to the president. They shouldnt fall prey to their worst instincts to only send veto bait to the president. If the president vetoes good bills, then so be it. Move on and get back to the peoples business. But Republicans should steer clear of inserting poison pills into critical spending bills that, if they dont pass, could harm core government functions like border security. A DHS budget bill and a bill to fund the Small Business Administration arent on the same level of importance.

On a recent trip to the Texas-Mexico border, I got to see up close an exciting new pilot program between local law enforcement and first responders to improve interagency communication that eventually could benefit the Border Patrol using innovative low-cost technologies. When fully online, it will keep our men and women wearing the badge safer and make our borders more secure. On the same trip I had the privilege to visit Border Patrols Del Rio Sector HQ and the new nearly complete Comstock Station located just a stones throw away from Mexico. Patrol areas in these sectors are quite expansive of which mobile technologies can have a significance effect not only ensuring our men in green are safe, but have tools they need to keep our borders in check. There is funding for these areas in the DHS budget proposal to include much-needed vehicles with Mobile Surveillance Capabilities. It would be too bad if exciting projects like that were delayed because of political squabbling.

Republicans should use their new Senate majority to lead responsibly and advance positive reforms on border security, immigration and other issues. The president may have poisoned the well for future collaboration, but Republicans shouldnt live up to his caricature of them as obstructionists.
Every day, somewhere in Miami, I argue for helping my family members who still live on the island. If I can have a credit card, I ask, why cant they? If I can get a job with an American company, why shouldnt they? If I can tweet and browse and buy on the Internet, why shouldnt they?

The answer, most often, given by my more hard-liner friends is some variation of because of Castro. It used to be a conversation killer in South Florida and beyond, whenever a Cuban exile was asked if we should even consider lifting the embargo. Answer: Castros bad. OK, sorry I asked!

Today, theres a new version of the same old song that goes like this:

Question: Dont you think we should be glad that American companies would now be able to do business in Cuba?

Answer: No, Castro will never let it happen, because hell steal the money, outsmart all U.S. corporations and furthermore, he doesnt deserve it. Therefore, this whole business of establishing ties with Cuba to try and end the embargo for the sake of the Cuban people, they argue, is ridiculous and should be repudiated.

It doesnt sound like much has changed right? Actually, no  it has! And heres how: today, for every hard-liner who respectfully makes what some would call a more antiquated, tired and very personal argument about Castro, there is an equal number of people willing to make the argument that its time for a change.

Take my recent conversation with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen recently. She is as much a standard bearer for the Cuban communitys anti Castro activist ideology as there is anywhere in South Florida. Politics aside (she is after all a Reagan-era Republican), she deserves and has earned the right to be taken at her word when she says she truly doesnt think the Cuban people will benefit from increased U.S. commerce on the island nation.

I should also mention here that I personally like the congresswoman and have cultivated a very respectful, cordial if not even amicable reporter/politician relationship with her for more than two decades. Still, as a Cuban exile myself, I cant help but disagree with her. And do so vehemently.

How can this extremely intelligent, caring woman who I believe cares about the welfare of the people who carry her heritage in Cuba be against something from which they will possibly benefit? Is her hatred for Castro that intense? Or has her ideological position become so entrenched that she is incapable of even considering other options?

Then again, to be fair, she and others like her may ask, have I become soft? Have I forgotten what Castro has done to limit free speech and other freedoms on the island? How can I trust him, she might ask?

Right or wrong, my argument is simple. Its not about my faith in Castro. Its about my faith in change, my faith in the resourcefulness of the Cuban people and my faith in what they will be able to do if given even just a sliver of opportunity that American-styled free enterprise can provide in the form of jobs and products.

We came away from our conversation agreeing to disagree, with a complete appreciation for each others opinion and more importantly, not begrudging or accusing one another of not having the Cuban peoples welfare at heart.

This week, the state department announced it would begin loosening the embargo by allowing a mechanism for exports to Cuba, while also allowing Cuban imports into the U.S. It is far from perfect and crammed with limitations. For example, food and agricultural products are exempt, as are alcohol, minerals, chemicals, textiles, machinery, vehicles, arms and ammunition. That means no cigars, no Cuban rum and no old Chevys will be headed our way any time soon.

There are those who will argue that those limitations are proof that Castro is not to be trusted. I say, again, its not about Castro.

Granted, this weeks policy change regarding imports isnt much. But for a people whove survived for decades making satellite dishes out of garbage lids and keeping jalopies running with scrap metal and bobby pins, it may be all they need to jumpstart a love affair with an American-styled system of free enterprise.

There was a time in Miami when debates about the future of Cuba were stifled; today its robust and vibrant. For the sake of the Cuban people, isnt that the way it should be?
Today Puerto Rico kicked off the Site Selectors Guilds 2015 Annual Conference, bringing together the worlds most respected business location experts and economic development professionals. Guild members specialize in advising companies on selecting the best location for their business, considering both qualitative and quantitative advantages that would maximize their performance and goals. The fact that Puerto Rico is hosting the Guilds fourth annual conference is no coincidence  the island is experiencing a period of economic renaissance that is just beginning.

This month, Dow AgroSciences announced the commencement of operations of a new multimillion dollar lab to research corn, soy, and sunflower. And companies like CooperVision and Lilly continue to invest more than $450 million in Puerto Rico.  Antonio Medina

The Garcia Padilla administration has driven the creation of new jobs in the private sector by attracting new capital investment from around the world and providing business incentives to local and foreign-owned businesses of all sizes. Thanks to the administrations business-friendly policies, not only have the islands historically strongest sectors  pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical devices  continued to stabilize and grow, but clusters of new industries such as aerospace are successfully developing, diversifying Puerto Ricos economy. Just last year, Lufthansa Technik broke ground on a new maintenance, repair and overhaul facility on the island, which will have an estimated economic impact of $2.2 billion over a 30-year period and will employ up to 400 highly skilled employees.

This is just one of the several high profile companies in the aviation and aerospace sector that have recognized Puerto Ricos advantages. Industry leaders such as Honeywell Aerospace, Infosys, Lockheed-Martin, ESSIG Research, Florida Turbine, Axon and UTC Aerospace Services are investing in Puerto Rico.

Governor Garcia Padilla embraces the fact that the world is transitioning to a knowledge-based economy. That is why his administration has placed a premium on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The Lufthansa Technik facility is not only promoting the growth of Puerto Ricos aerospace and aviation industry, it is further helping stimulate STEM education with the brand new Aerospace and Aviation Institute of Puerto Rico (AAIPR) that is currently under construction to support the Lufthansa Technik facility and operations.

Puerto Rico presents another tremendous advantage  its people. With 86 percent of our workforce enrolling in post-secondary education, our workforce is made up of highly educated, bilingual and quality conscious professionals who will guarantee Puerto Rico a seat at the global table. We have more than 40 academic institutions that provide graduate and post-graduate education, and an ecosystem that places an emphasis on research and development (R&D). Puerto Ricos education system funds over a quarter of R&D projects on the Island. We have high rankings from the Global Competitiveness Index 2013 report for research and training services (ranked 10) and extent of staff training (ranked 18). In fact, the number of researchers in our labor force in 2009 (the last year data was available) surpassed that of many other Latin American countries, and even China.

Operating in Puerto Rico provides companies exemption on profits from U.S. federal taxes, while at the same time operating under American foreign trade zones and customs systems, and offering the same protections and benefits to businesses in the mainland. Our banking system is backed and regulated by the FDIC and we are protected under the Homeland Security Act. We are subject to the American legal framework, including its intellectual property protections, and more importantly, we are U.S. citizens.

The progress will continue as we advance on our economic development roadmap. This month, Dow AgroSciences announced the commencement of operations of a new multimillion dollar lab to research corn, soy, and sunflower. And companies like CooperVision and Lilly continue to invest more than $450 million in Puerto Rico. Hosting the Site Selectors Guild is a great honor because it gives us the opportunity to engage influential people in the reinvention of Puerto Rico as a global business metropolis. We welcome and invite them to make the smart move in a unique, reliable and vibrant investment destination.
Hooray! Finally! Yipee! Americans win one in America! Viva, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen!

Last week, Judge Hanen ruled in favor of a 26-state coalition asking that President Obamas emperor-like decree of de facto amnesty for about five million illegal aliens be delayed while a final determination is made on its constitutionality. Look for this to end up in the U.S. Supreme Court and for Obamas amnesty to be permanently derailed.

For many, the media-perpetuated myth that the last six years has produced record deportations makes it hard to accept the fact that it is more difficult to be deported from Obamas "transformed America" than it is to win the visa lottery.  D.A. King

Judge Hanen was confirmed by a 97-0 vote of the United States Senate on May 9, 2002.

There is a bright side of this decision for the Obama administration: Hanen has officially expressed clear agreement with the president. Albeit the pre-November 2014 Obama, who made it clear  23 times  that he lacks the authority to discard laws he finds obstructive to his agenda or to write his own from scratch.

My cabinet has been working very hard on trying to get it done, but ultimately  I am president, I am not king, Obama told Univision in October 2010, when asked why he had yet to achieve legalization for millions of victims of borders.

And at a 2011 Univision re-election campaign speech from Obama: I swore an oath to uphold the laws on the books  now, I know some people want me to bypass Congress and change the laws on my own. But that's not how our system works. Thats not how our democracy functions. That's not how our Constitution is written.

Indeed. Jubilant pro-borders Americans  of all descriptions  are now daring to consider the possibility that at least part of the Rule of Law upon which our republic was founded has survived six years of the rule of Obama and the meddling by Valerie Jarrett and Cecilia Munoz, on what was already the most liberal and generous immigration system in the world.

The endless our immigration system is broken cliche is simply a newspeak expression for the resentful anguish that the United States still has borders.

The unsupervised actions of the gang in the White House on immigration have resulted in this dangerous period of constitutional crisis in our existence as a republic. Unless stopped now on his immigration law rewrite, the mind reels at what Obama has planned for his remaining time in office  or what a future president may do with the treacherous precedent Obama is hoping to set.

For many, the media-perpetuated myth that the last six years has produced record deportations makes it hard to accept the fact that it is more difficult to be deported from Obamas "transformed America" than it is to win the visa lottery.

According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in Fiscal Year 2014, 6,466 individuals were removed from the interior who were not convicted criminals, fugitives, or repeat immigration violators. Attentive number-crunchers tell us this represents less than six one-hundreths of one percent (.058 percent) of the estimated 11 million unauthorized aliens in the U.S.

By comparison, .3 percent of the 15 million visa lottery entrants every year "win" the opportunity to apply for U.S. green cards.

From NumbersUSA.com: Interior removals have fallen every year Obama has been in office and DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson has pledged to expand the administration's non-enforcement policies further. As former acting director of ICE John Sandweg told the LA Times, "if you are a run-of-the-mill immigrant here illegally, your odds of getting deported are close to zero."

Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott says already this year, about 20,000 people have crossed the border into his state illegally.

No, expanding DACA and implementing DAPA isnt about discontinuing deportations or securing our borders. The real prize here is the work permit and the genuine Social Security numbers that are involved in deferred action status promised to the irate illegals. This is intended as yet another gift to the group Obama rightly assumes would be the future big-government Democrat voters while he ignores unemployed American workers and our sinking wages.

For common-sense Americans, the majority of whom are pro-enforcement, an inconvenient (rhetorical) question lingers: If Obama had the authority to simply use prosecutorial discretion for five million individuals all along, why didnt he simply order an amnesty for all illegal aliens years ago?

Another rhetorical question: Would Barack Obama, the Democrats and La Raza be as rabidly anti-enforcement on immigration if the hordes of illegals were highly-skilled, English-speaking, potential conservative voters pouring across the border from Manitoba?

Viva, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen!
Rumors of Nevada Governor Brian Sandovals premature exit from politics by not running for the Senate seat held by 74-year-old Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid are being published nationally.

National Senate Republicans are worried that Sandoval may not run thus leaving Harry Reid in a far better situation than if Sandoval runs.

The deposed Senate Majority Leader is giving all the signs of running for reelection despite slow hiring of political reelection help and little indication of raising huge sums of money.

Hispanics arent thrilled by [Harry Reid's] inability or choice of not pushing hard for bills that will help Hispanics on jobs, immigration or education. Then there is Lucy Flores.  Raoul Lowery Contreras

Beating Harry Reid is a top political goal of national Republicans. It should also be that of Hispanics interested in a Senator who would gut the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. These are the words All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States

That Harry Reid former position would keep children born in the U.S. to foreigners from being natural born American citizens. How many children living in the U.S. today would not be citizens if Harry Reid had had his way? Millions, maybe?

His berating the Constitutions 14th Amendment sounds like those who claim Florida Senator Marco Rubio cannot run for President because his immigrant parents werent U.S. citizens when he was born in Miami. Or, how would supporters of Texas Senator Ted Cruz react if the Harry Reid position would keep Cruz from even being a citizen.

Harry Reid says he has changed his mind on the subject but that is only because the Nevada Hispanic population has grown significantly. But when he first went to the Senate, that wasnt the case. Nevada had few Hispanics compared to today. Harry Reids 20-year-long metamorphosis was prompted by Census counts of Nevada Hispanics jumping off the charts; that pushed him out of his deeply anti-Mexican view on natural born citizenship.

He puts on a good show. But his flip-flop on the 14th Amendment indicates he really doesnt care about the Constitution; he cares about votes. The Constitution hasnt changed, Harry has.

When he was in position to pass immigration reform, he fumbled on the goal line and allowed union-sponsored amendments to prevail and those amendments killed immigration reform that President George W. Bush pushed hard.

By allowing poison pill amendments, Machiavellian Reid slyly allowed unions to hijack the immigration bill in order to kill it. Machiavellian means, the political end justify the means.

Reid was also AWOL when five Democrat Senators voted to kill President Obamas idea to legalize those brought illegally into the United States as children. Sixty votes were needed to move the bill and to pass it into law as the House had passed it previously. Five Democrat senators voted against the bill.

Neither Majority Leader Reid, nor the President energetically campaigned to convince those five senators to vote for the bill joining enough Republicans who voted for the bill to pass it on.

Reid didnt care, he preferred the issue and immediately blamed Republicans rather than his five Democrat senators. The same is true for President Obama. He didnt care enough to call the senators to try and charm them into voting for the bill by, say, offering to build new bridges and roads in their states or to have them visit the White House for dinner and cocktails.

President Obama wanted the issue also. He subsequently tried to legalize those kids by Executive Order and then added their parents and millions of others here illegally to his orders.

What is funny about Harry Reids flip-flop on issues affecting his Hispanic constituents is that he has been silent about the legal challenges to President Obamas attempt at immigration reform by Executive Order.

Is it possible that the lifelong legislator understands the Constitutions Article 1, Section 8 that specifically states that Congress shall make a uniform rule of naturalization ...? Those words dont permit the President to legalize and give work permits to five million people.

As for running next year for reelection, his New Years accident at home slowed Reid down in putting together a campaign. More surgery is required.

Is it possible that Reids accident isnt the real reason hes going about a campaign slowly?

Possible answers to that question:

Hispanics arent thrilled by his inability or choice of not pushing hard for bills that will help Hispanics on jobs, immigration or education. Then there is Lucy Flores.

Harry Reid was involved in convincing the rare Hispanic state Legislator Lucy Flores to give up her seat to run for Lt. Governor. That strategy was Harry Reids idea to plant Flores in the Lt. Governors office so Sandoval would be reluctant to run against Reid and win, turning then the governors office to a Democrat. Plan failed, she lost. Reid did little to help her.

If Sandoval runs against Reid, Harry will lose by 20 points or more.

United States Senator Brian Sandoval has a nice ring; or, perhaps, Vice President Brian Sandoval sounds better.
Take that! Last week, a federal judge in Brownsville, Texas fired the latest salvo in the battle over President Obamas executive action on immigration.On Tuesday, Judge Andrew Hanen issued a preliminary injunction against the expanded version of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the new Deferred Action Parental Accountability (DAPA) program. These programs are both on hold, although on Monday the department of justice filed a motion to appeal Hanen's decision.

While Hanens ruling has suspended the rollout of the presidents immigration programs, there should be no doubt about their legal viability.Hanens opinion is more of a political than a judicial document. Its reasoning is flawed, and this decision will ultimately be overturned.

This is cruel political gamesmanship masquerading as a legitimate judicial opinion. Hanens ruling rests on flimsy legal logic, and will not withstand review by a higher court.  Raul Reyes

It was no accident that this case was heard in Hanens court.The 26 Republican Governors who brought this lawsuit wanted the most sympathetic judge they could get, and they found it in Hanen. At a January hearing, he said, Talking to anyone in Brownsville about immigration is like talking to Noah about the flood. In a 2013 case, he opined that the federal government was furthering a criminal conspiracy because it reunited an undocumented child with her mother. Hes also said that Obamas immigration policy endangers America and is an open invitation to the most dangerous criminals in society.

To be clear, Hanen did not find Obamas executive action unconstitutional or illegal. In fact, he did not rule on the merits of the case. Instead he cited a procedural error as a basis for determining that there was a chance the case could succeed. Pending further review, he stopped the programs from going forward.

Hanens rationale for halting the programs is full of holes. He found that the states suffered harm from illegal immigration because of the costs of educating undocumented children. Yet this is irrelevant because the Supreme Court ruled in Plyler v. Doe (1982) that states must educate all children, regardless of immigration status. As other proof of harm suffered by the states, Hanen notes that Texas will have to spend money to issue drivers license to undocumented immigrants. He ignores the data that shows that bringing people out of the shadows produces a net economic benefit to our society; thats why the mayor of Brownsville sided with the Obama administration in this lawsuit.

None of these convoluted arguments matter anyway because the states lack standing to bring their case. Under this well-established doctrine, a party cannot bring suit unless a decision by the court can offer redress, or a way to fix the problem. But the federal court cannot force the Department of Homeland Security to deport more people.The government currently deports about 315,000 people a year. Whether the executive action is upheld or not, that will not change. So because the court cannot fix the states problem (undocumented immigrants, they say), the states lack standing  meaning there is no case here.

Still, in his opinion Hanen makes his political leanings clear. He uses terms like amnesty and invasion, which is highly irregular in a legal opinion. He also makes assertions that are untrue, such as when he agrees with the states that the government has abandoned its duty to enforce the law. Really? That may come as a surprise to the millions of immigrants who have been caught up in the Obama administrations record levels of deportations. The Washington Post ran a whole article dissecting the misleading statements in Hanens opinion, such as his (false) statement that undocumented immigrants lead to more crime.

Sure, Hanen found that the Obama administration may have made a procedural error in not allowing 90 days of public comment before announcing this policy change. For this most trivial of technicalities, Hanen has put the lives of estimated 290,000 Dreamers and 4 million of their parents on hold. Hanen ignores the fact that the Supreme Court has already ruled (in U.S. vs. Arizona, 2012) that the federal government has broad discretion over immigration enforcement. Consider that two similar lawsuits challenging Obamas executive action were both tossed out by federal courts. Or that presidents of both parties have been taking executive action on immigration since at least as far back as Eisenhower. None of this appears to matter to Hanen, who is willing to punish young immigrants and their families for the sake of thwarting President Obama.

Judge Hanens decision has caused needless anxiety, confusion, and fear in the immigrant community. This is cruel political gamesmanship masquerading as a legitimate judicial opinion. Hanens ruling rests on flimsy legal logic, and will not withstand review by a higher court.
In the sleepy town of Manta, along Ecuadors remote Pacific Coast, business is good. For narco-terrorists, that is.

Ironically, just six years ago, it was the U.S.-Ecuador joint hub of counter-narcotic operations, responsible for 60 percent of drug seizures in the Eastern Pacific, worth over $5 billion per year. How times have changed.

Appeasing Ecuadors left-wing populist Rafael Correa, President Barack Obama shuttered the U.S. Forward Operating Location, withdrawing our Air Force and Navy surveillance planes without a fuss. The international left applauded both leaders, as one more bastion of Yankee Imperialism crumbled.

as Obama continues to obsess about closing the detention facilities and freeing so many Al Qaeda and Taliban detainees, just wait, he may have even bigger transformational ideas in mind.  J.D.Gordon

And the crime syndicates have loved every minute of it.

Fast forward to today.

President Obama is bowing down to more leftist caudillos, arch-enemies for over five decades, Fidel and Raul Castro. Shocking the world this past December, Mr. Obama announced his intent to normalize relations with Cuba. Circumventing Congress, a top aide, 30-something Ben Rhodes, led secret negotiations with Cuban diplomats in Canada.

Team Obama plans to open a U.S. Embassy in Havana, further loosen travel restrictions, and widen economic ties.

While a high level State Department delegation visited Havana last month, Congressional Republicans from South Florida, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart and Rep. Carlos Curbelo sponsored a Vigil for Liberty in Miami.

Meanwhile, the State Department is conducting a six-month review into whether Cuba should be removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, a group that includes fellow international pariahs, Iran, Syria and Sudan.

While the Castro brothers know theyve finally beaten the United States, they still arent satisfied. Raul wants the embargo lifted and the Naval Base at Guantanamo returned.

While lifting the embargo requires an act of Congress, Mr. Obama has more flexibility in other areas.

To be clear, Team Obama says it wont return the Naval Base, despite Castro demands.

Yet lets consider their track record on misleading the public. Like breaking the law by transferring five top Taliban leaders from Gitmo without the required 30-day Congressional notification. Like blaming the Benghazi Consulate attack on a video. Like the failure to acknowledge radical Islam as a threat.

Can anyone really believe anything they say?

Since Mr. Obama remains determined to transform America, its conceivable that hell sign on the dotted line, shutter Gitmo and return it to Cuba  even if its during the last days of his residency to escape the likelihood of impeachment which takes months.

The U.S. Naval Base dates back to 1903, established as a coaling station in the days of President Teddy Roosevelt. The $4,085 annual lease can only be broken by mutual consent, signed by heads of state. Fidel Castro has only cashed one rent check decades ago, apparently by mistake.

Regaining the Naval Base has been a priority for Fidel since he overthrew General Fulgencio Batista in 1959. It is 45-square miles, featuring an airfield, deep water port, logistics facilities, hospital, de-salinization plant, wind farm, and small town surrounded by a rocky chain of dry and dusty mountainous terrain.

So if Mr. Obama signs Gitmo away, like abandoning Manta, Ecuador, what would the Cubans do with it?

Considering the regime is a State Sponsor of Terror, the base could conceivably fall into terrorist hands.

What irony.

From the worlds most famous lockdown for Al Qaeda, Taliban and affiliates, to the proverbial inmates running the asylum. Though radical Islamic jihadists wouldnt likely take over, other terror groups certainly could.

Like who?

For decades, Havana has sheltered the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) despite their campaign of bombings, shootings and assassinations throughout Spain for five decades. Theyve also given safe haven to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a Marxist group that has fought a guerilla war against Bogota since the 1960s, reportedly claiming over 220,000 lives. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the FARC nets $500 million a year selling cocaine.

With Gitmos ideal location in the Windward Passage, on Cubas southeastern tip near Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and not far from the Florida Keys either, what better place to run drugs?

And lets not forget Havanas long-standing support to Puerto Rican pro-independence terror networks, the Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALN) and Boricua Popular Army, a.k.a. Los Macheteros Machete-Men. Backed by Cuban intelligence, these terrorists are collectively responsible for bombing 120 targets in the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico, plus shooting a busload of Sailors outside San Juan.

So as Obama continues to obsess about closing the detention facilities and freeing so many Al Qaeda and Taliban detainees, just wait, he may have even bigger transformational ideas in mind. Congress and the American people must hold him accountable  even after his term ends. Manta on the Caribbean is the last thing we need.
Getting booed isnt usually something to be celebrated. This weekend though, the boos heard emanating from the hall at the Conservative Political Action Conference just outside of Washington echoed throughout America in a singularly positive way for one apparent presidential hopeful.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush uttered the words that few in the hall seemingly wanted to hear. And they let him have it.

The simple fact is there is no plan to deport 11 million people, he said. We should give them a path to legal status.

It was a reality check, even if reality was the last thing many in the hall wanted to hear. Bush knew exactly what he wanted to say and more importantly he knew what most in the audience would say back. Yet, courageously, he said it anyway.

Of course he tempered it with ground rules emphasizing that his plan would include making sure that of those 11 million, only those who earn citizenship would have it bestowed upon them. To achieve it, he added, they have to work, not receive government benefits, learn English and contribute to our society. In other words, given that it could cost up to $50 billion to deport 11 million people, why not simply find a way to acculturate them by separating the good from the bad?

Given the practicality of his statement, one would think other potential candidates would have echoed his sentiments. Think again. Those who do agree with Bush are those among us who arent running for office.

Law enforcement officials: Police chiefs and sheriffs across the country, already burdened by the additional responsibility of immigration enforcement, say they need immigrants out of the shadows to help them get accurate, unafraid reports of crime.

Economists: The vast majority of subjective research concludes that immigrants, whether legal or not, provide much more to our economy than they take away.

Political scientists: The interpretations of those who subjectively look at Americas demographics conclude that Hispanics are and will continue to be a powerful voting bloc in the years to come; however, the past three presidential elections have shown that because of the perceived anti-Hispanic rhetoric caused by the tone of the immigration debate, its a voting block that is becoming less and less likely to vote Republican.

Social psychologists: The consensus among those who study the group dynamic of Hispanic communities is that they are extremely traditional, fiscally conservative, family oriented, and predominantly Christian, making them much more likely to relate to most Republican principals.

So sans Bush, where was that recognition among the speakers at CPAC? Where was any conversation at all about the arguments for Comprehensive Immigration Reform beyond the bludgeoning tool of being anti-amnesty?

Jeb Bush was the one lone voice in the wilderness of CPAC and then there were the other potential candidates who either sang from the same songbook or ignored the topic altogether, leaving us to only consider what theyd said before.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz: Unfortunately, Republican leadership is cutting a deal with Harry Reid and the Democrats to give in on executive amnesty, Cruz said, explaining that the reason is because they are not listening to you.

In his customary style, Cruz never misses an opportunity to attack. Translation from above: Like all of you here at CPAC, I hate Obama, I hate Harry Reid and I hate amnesty.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio: You can't even have a conversation about (a pathway to citizenship) until people believe and know, not just believe, but it's proven to them that future illegal immigration will be controlled, Rubio said.

Rubio as is his custom, uses a sort of cowardly circumlocution when asked about a pathway to citizenship. Translation: There is no solution that will pacify the base; therefore, its not worth considering any solution.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker: "No. Again I think long term that's going to be a part of it but I think there are too many people here in Washington who are leapfrogging over everything else and trying to get to that right away. We fundamentally don't have a system . . . to legitimately deal with people who want to come  in fact, I think you would greatly reduce if not outright eliminate the number of people who come in illegally if we had an effective, time-effective particularly, system of dealing with legal immigration."

Walkers answers have been so confusing on the issue of a pathway to citizenship that hes had to go back and clarify them on several occasions. Quoted above is his latest clarification as reported by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Translation: Can I just talk about union busting?

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul: I do not support amnesty.

Paul, much more cautious than his father, appears unwilling to apply his usual libertarian dialectic to the issue of a pathway to citizenship, so he basically is staying away from the subject except for the above pithy entry we found on his website. Translation: Im not a real truth teller like my dad.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie: (Not willing to take a position.)

Whether at CPAC or at recent events, Christie has mostly avoided the controversial topic. Asked twice about immigration, he instead chose to talk about his record on taxes and education. Translation: Ive got enough problems in New Jersey and dont need any more.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: The people who are here would have to go to the back of the line and start over. Its not to be cruel. Its to make that everybody living in our boundaries lives in the light, not the darkness, and doesnt run and hide every time they see a police car. We owe it not just to the people who have waited in line a long time, but also those who do want to live and work here, and create a system that is legal, that makes sense and actually protects our borders but protects the dignity and worth of every person.

Huckabee used to firmly believe and reportedly expressed repeatedly that we should create a pathway to citizenship and that undocumented immigrants do provide us with much more than they take from us, but then switched his views and now sings the same tune as the rest of his colleagues in the anti-amnesty chorus. Translation: What I believe is not what I can say.

So there you have it.

One candidate and one candidate alone is willing to deal with the paradox that now confounds the GOP. Shakespeares Hamlet said it best, and now so does Barbaras little boy Jeb: I must be cruel, only to be kind.
Aside from his recent rapprochement with Cuba, President Obama has shown little to no interest in Latin America. It appears that our region has been delegated to Vice President Joe Biden, who started Monday another visit to Central America.

Bidens trip is reportedly to offer a $1 billion aid package to countries of the Northern TriangleGuatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. But will the aid actually do anything to help the severe situation of those countries?

In the five-year period between 2009 and 2014, the U.S. gave $400 million in aid to Guatemala, including $72 million for human rights and democracy money thats largely untraceable.  Reny Bake and David Landau

Last summer, Americans got a wake-up call when masses of unaccompanied, undocumented children flooded into the U.S. from the Northern Triangle. Immigration from those countriesmost of it illegalhas grown quickly and quietly during the last two decades. At present, more than seven percent of Spanish-speaking immigrants in the U.S. are from the Northern Triangle. Those people, fleeing from poor and violent countries, have entered the U.S. in search of a greater economic future.

And now Joe Biden goes to the Northern Triangle with a time-honored solution: throw money at the problem.

How will this money be spent? Who will manage it? What oversight is in place to ensure the aid actually supports development rather than special interests?

In the five years between 2009 and 2014, the countries of the Northern Triangle received approximately $1.5 billion in aid from the U.S. Nearly half was directed at economic development, and Guatemala got the short end of the stick. With a population greater than the other two Northern Triangle countries combined, it received a paltry one-eighth of the economic development money.

Much of the aid ended up in programs and projects that did little to help the targeted populations. For instance, a 2013 audit of the USAID inspector generals office in Guatemala revealed that water purifiers provided to poor people were useless because the recipients could not afford replacement filters. The same audit showed that USAID had funded scholarships for Guatemalan university students who were double-dipping with other financial aid received from private donors.

Perhaps the worst blunder in this aid package was not inefficiency or ineffectiveness or lack of oversight, but a flaw that ran deeper. A few months ago, members of the Dutch parliament inquired about reports that their governments economic aid, as well as aid from the European Union, was being used to fund terrorist groups. Those reports raised questions about U.S. aid money as well.

In Guatemala, one of the recipients of U.S. aid is a group called CODECA, or committee for the development of campesinos (peasants). Judicial authorities have accused CODECA of being energy thievesof stealing power from hydroelectric companies and selling it for their own benefit. Guatemala is well acquainted with such outlaw groups, which use their powerlike Al Capones enforcersto terrorize people who do not buy from them.

Can we be sure that U.S. aid does fall into the hands of such groups?

In Guatemalas countryside, attacks on private property have become the ruleespecially in areas where former guerrilla fighters hold sway, or where drug trafficking is present. These activities are creating enormous instability throughout the country.

In fact, the policies of the U.S. and other Western countries have been facilitating an enormous problem in the region. Radical or communist insurrections were defeated decades ago. It happens, however, that the defeated guerrilla fighters have been able to claim substantial power for themselves in the new governing structures. Today, it is precisely those radical factions which are being paid by U.S. and Western donorswhether the donors know it or not.

In Guatemala, this situation has developed in an especially clear way. The dramatic increase in migration is directly attributable to a new instabilityto the very situation that Western countries are creating on the ground by their aid policies.

In the five-year period between 2009 and 2014, the U.S. gave $400 million in aid to Guatemala, including $72 million for human rights and democracy money thats largely untraceable. Ironically, during the same period, migration from Guatemala grew substantially, where 9 migrants out of 10 are men of working age who cannot find work in the formal labor force within Guatemala. When more than two-thirds of the labor force are in the informal sector, aid simply misses its mark.

As a result, many have voted with their feet. And left their homes, where no opportunity exists, to come to the U.S. from where they support their families through remittances. By a decisive margin, those dollars sent home from the United States are collectively the biggest asset in the Northern Triangle countries.

Will our aid continue to foster social instability? Or will it instead promote genuine economic competence? Thats the question contained in the huge bags of money which Mr. Biden is carrying to Central America.

Reny Bake is an economic analyst from Guatemala; and graduate of the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies. David Landau, an author and editor living in San Francisco, has worked on Guatemalan issues for 20 years.

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New Mexico voters elected the first Hispanic United States Senator in 1928; his name  Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo, born in Chihuahua, Mexico. California had the honor of electing the first Hispanic Lt. Governor who became the countrys first Hispanic governor in 1875. Romualdo Pacheco also was the first Hispanic congressman and later the first Hispanic United States Ambassador to a foreign country. Both men were Republicans.

Despite formerly Mexican California being a state for 165 years, California has never had a Hispanic U.S. Senator. That may change next year.

Chavez ... has been a pioneering Hispanic officeholder who speaks his mind, votes his conscience and disregards venom-from-hate he has suffered because he is a man of moderation  Raoul Lowery Contreras

Colonel Rocky Chavez (United States Marine Corps, retired after 28 years), graduate of California State University, Chico and the fields and fruit packing plants of California, is running for the United States Senate. If he wins, he will be the first Hispanic to serve California as a senator.

Currently, there are three Hispanic U.S. Senators: Bob Menendez (D) of New Jersey (Currently in legal trouble), Republicans Ted Cruz of Texas, a possible 2016 Presidential candidate, and Floridas Marco Rubio who is also close to announcing a run for President.

Six other Hispanics have served as U.S. Senator; John Sununu of New Hampshire, Ken Salazar of Colorado, Mel Martinez of Florida and Dennis Chavez, Joe Montoya and the aforementioned Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo of New Mexico.

Unfortunately for California, Chavez has to give up his seat in the California State Assembly where he has been a pioneering Hispanic officeholder who speaks his mind, votes his conscience and disregards venom-from-hate he has suffered because he is a man of moderation who is tight with a public buck, supports babies yet to be born and firmly believes in compromise to make progress towards the end zone.

His announcement for the Senate seat being vacated by 25-year-long Senator Barbara Boxer was well received by the states major newspapers except for his hometown paper, San Diegos UT-San Diego. Its editorial page editor, Bill Osborne stabbed Rocky in the back by condemning him for running for the Senate and leaving his 76th Assembly district people in a lurch. As if that is possible.

Carla Marinucci of the San Francisco Chronicle quoted Rocky saying, If things get worse overseas, who would Californians want representing them in the Senate? A lawyer from San Francisco or a Marine colonel who knows how lives can be protected and understands the importance of keeping America and her allies safe and secure?

The Sacramento Bees Chris Cadelgo wrote, his resume and standing as a state legislator make him the most prominent Republican among those weighing bids. Cadelgos reference is to two former GOP State Chairmen, Tom Beccaro (Buckaroo) and Def Sundheim that are contemplating runs.

The Los Angeles Times said Were he to win, Chavez would be California's first Latino in the U.S. Senate Chavez, as a sitting state legislator, has said that he represents the new face of the party and a viable opportunity for the GOP to make its case to voters."

Contrary to his editorial page editor, UT-San Diego columnist Logan Jenkins words were more encouraging than Osbornes morbid Change your mind, Rocky, for your constituents sake. Jenkins said: A rosa  the Great Brown Hope award  to Assemblyman Rocky Chavez of Oceanside, the freshly announced Republican candidate for Barbara Boxers U.S. Senate seat.

Chavez sparkles in comparison to Kamala Harris, who served as District Attorney of San Francisco and is now California Attorney General. Despite being an elected law enforcement official, she rejects Californias death penalty and presumably she also rejects the federal death penalty.

Chavez is a law writer, a legislator; before the State Assembly, Rocky was elected twice to the Oceanside City Council. Senators are legislators. Rocky is uniquely qualified to be a Senator. As a Marine Colonel he worked with multimillion dollar budgets. He personally handled immigration problems of his Marines. He served as Acting Director of the California Department of Veteran Affairs. He even tried to join the Assembly Hispanic Caucus in the spirit of bipartisanship. The all-Democrat Caucus turned Rocky down because he is a Republican.

Rocky is a Republican that independents can vote for; ditto millions of California Hispanics. All Hispanics need to see is how Rocky will be (he already is) ravaged by the lunatic fringes of California politics, left and right.

Jenkins: Chavez, a standout wrestler in his youth, may not punch his way to Boxers seat, but he can be victorious if he softens the California GOPs image among Latinos  A soft-liner on immigration reform, Chavez can send the message that his party (or at least the California wing) respects the hard work and sacrifice of the millions of immigrants working in the country, legally and illegally."

Rocky told me, The next Senator will not be crowned by a party (elite), but voted on by the people of California ... There are reasons we have campaigns."

Rockys announcement was noticed nationally, and quite a few media outlets were impressed by his working his way through college in the fields, serving in the Marines for 28 years and this statement, My son graduated from UC Davis and then he went off to UPenn Medical and hes a doctor. Thats called the American dream.

Or as Rockys fellow Los Angelenos would say, El Sueno Americano.
Florida Governor Rick Scott doesnt like climate change. Neither do I. I also dont like traffic congestion, wars, poverty and racial strife. But I dont deny their existence, or worse, the use of the words. So why is it that according to the Florida Center for Investigative Journalism, Scott is banning scientific language dealing with polar ice melts and sea level changes that are irrefutably taking place?

There is some wiggle room as to cause. Some would argue there exists some legitimate dispute about our role regarding the reason for these changes, but lets be clear: there is no dispute about the fact its occurring.

Climate change, global warming, and rising sea levels are being replaced in Florida with less loaded terms like climate drivers and nuisance flooding. These are not words used by scientists; they are [Governor] Scotts words  Rick Sanchez

So why should the words climate change and global warming be taboo in Florida or anywhere else? Sea level is rising. So much so that Miami Beach officials are now planning to raise the height of one of its main traffic corridors by as much as two feet. Why? Because at high tide, West Avenue and other roads on Miami Beach flood with sea water from Biscayne Bay. Thats not a theory; its a reality, one that South Floridians have seen occurring during our lifetime.

But you know what else is a fact? Its a fact that politicians like Governor Rick Scott tend to not want to bite off the hand that feeds them. Politics in America today is not beholden to scientific research, its beholden to---cha-ching---money.

According to OpenSecrets.org, companies with interests in oil and gas contributed more than $70 million to federal candidates in the 2012 cycle. The top five lobbying clients of 2014 were Koch Industries $13,800,000, Exxon Mobil $12,650,000, Occidental Petroleum $9,198,798, American Petroleum Institute $9,090,000 and Royal Dutch Shell $8,420,000. All are companies for which the reality of global warming has become an irritant to their bottom line.

But ignoring the problem or, worse, ignoring the mere mention of the word, will not make it go awaynot when 95 percent of the scientific community insists that global warming is occurring and could wreak havoc if their warnings go unheeded.

But denying is one thing. Pretending the word doesnt even exist is quite another. Scott is reportedly mandating the very people assigned to protect Floridas environment to ignore words that may be abhorrent to certain donors.

Climate change, global warming, and rising sea levels are being replaced in Florida with less loaded terms like climate drivers and nuisance flooding. These are not words used by scientists; they are Scotts words  designed as a dystopian, reality-denying lexicon forced upon his Department of Environmental Protection.

In February, Scott held a news conference to unveil a proposed $106 million budget to deal with the effects of rising oceans. But as the Miami Herald points out, much of the money was instead diverted toward construction of a $50 million sewer plant. So much for planning for the future.

Rick Scott said, We have spent $350 million to deal with sea-level rise" in the Miami area and "hundreds of millions of dollars to deal with coral reefs." Politifact ranks those statements as mostly false.

Here are the facts of what Florida is facing. Saltwater intrusion would leave parts of the state without drinking water. Estimates of sea levels rising by two feet would leave swaths of Floridas coastline uninhabitable. Billions of dollars in businesses and residences would be lost.

We who live in South Florida know that things are changing. We are already witnessing the results. Now, its up to our leaders, (none more important than our governor), to at the very least acknowledge the existence of the words, which could lead to the end of Florida as we know it.
On Sunday, former Florida governor Jeb Bush was approached by a Dreamer  an immigrant brought to the U.S. as a child, without legal authorization. With cameras running, Bush was asked if he supports President Obamas executive orders on immigration, which defer deportation for Dreamers and others here without documentation. Bush called for permanent fixes on immigration  while likening Obamas unilateral actions to those of a Latin American dictator, untethered from democratic constraints.

For immigrants whove fled true dictatorships, that answer sounds harsh  but Bush was alluding to something that they, more than anyone, have seen the consequences of first hand. Namely, imposing unilateral edicts when the legislative body doesnt go their way has been the default approach of autocratic regimes. And President Obamas unilateral actions of late are precisely the kind that have caused so much damage to public institutions and to the trust people have in their governments across Latin America.

Regardless of where each one of us stands with respect to immigration reform, its clear that taking matters into your own hands isnt the right answer - it leads to unintended outcomes that dont work for anyone.  Daniel Garza

While there were bipartisan efforts in Congress to advance legislation intended to resolve the legal status of millions of immigrants currently living in the shadows, President Obama - after years of inaction  acted politically, choosing to impose his own administrative action against the expressed will of Congress. This was a stunning flip-flop for a president who had said many times that he lacked this authority  until and unless Capitol Hill acted.

The backlash was immediate; 26 states sued President Obama for overstepping his Constitutional authority. As a result, a Federal District Judge issued an order prohibiting the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) from accepting applications for the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program.

While the District Judge ruled that the White House has legal authority to prioritize among deportations when forced to adapt to budget constraints, his disapproval centered on the Presidents actions to deliberately bestow benefits in the form of work permits, going far beyond his executive authority. Now consideration of the case is complicated further by word that the White House has already approved a three-year deportation deferment for about a hundred thousand applications under the new executive orders.

Its popular for political analysts to say Washington is broken, and throw up their hands as if this is just one of those things. But theres a reason Washington isnt working, and there are serious costs that go with it. A unilaterally acting president who continuously disregards Congress hurts our national security and our economy. It hurts hard-working families, and it damages the America we are handing down to our kids. We the people should not accept it. Part of that is recognizing that when the president gives up on trying to work with Congress and instead decides to go it alone it makes it harder for Washington to enact real solutions to serious problems. When Congress refuses to debate and vote on immigration, or an annual budget resolution, there is a cost.

We count on the president to lead. Instead, governing by executive fiat has not only helped polarize the three branches of government, but it has served to complicate the possibility of achieving badly needed relief for millions. Americans and immigrants alike had hoped the president would lead on permanent, bipartisan immigration reform in his first year in office. Instead it seems theyll have to wait until 2017.

While many people like myself are committed to working even harder to achieve legislative reform  whether it comes in the form of a path to citizenship or a worker visa program  the Presidents ill-advised, capricious actions put many like us in the difficult position of having to oppose a measure that would provide temporary deportation relief to a group that desperately needs it. But we do it, because we know that this temporary, partial measure flaunts the will of Congress and is not the right answer  its constitutional soundness is ambiguous at best, flat out unlawful at worst.

Which brings us back to Governor Bushs remarks. When executive actions are clearly in opposition to the law and the intent of Congress, it undermines our system of representative government and infringes on our Constitutional arrangement of checks and balance. According to polls, even a majority of Latinos are concerned that the presidents actions would alter the checks and balances of our country.

Regardless of where each one of us stands with respect to immigration reform, its clear that taking matters into your own hands isnt the right answer  it leads to unintended outcomes that dont work for anyone. Nobody knows that better than members of the Latino community who fled autocratic governments.
Puerto Rico has always been an island paradise, but it is far from an economic one. There have been a few exaggerations in recent headlines, but generally speaking Puerto Ricos economy has been stagnating since the early 2000s. Its current economic dysfunction has a long history, however, and Puerto Rico still has ample opportunity to turn itself around and live up to the potential that we all know it has.

Thats the basic finding of a new report released this week, which discusses not only Puerto Ricos economic history, but also offers a few contemporary findings, as well as advice for the future that legislators, both in Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., should consider.

It should be noted that current crises cant be entirely blamed on todays elected officials. Sure, politicians too often emphasis elections over long-term prosperity, but Puerto Ricos history makes for an impediment that would be difficult for any country to overcome. For example, the Spanish crown wasnt the most interested in ushering Puerto Rico through the first or second industrial revolutions, which left the island with an agrarian focus longer than it should have.

Millions of Americans across the country own some form of investment that will be impacted by the fluctuations of Puerto Ricos bonds. If you own an indexed municipal bond fund, you too have some exposure to Puerto Ricos imminent debt restructure.  Justin Velez-Hagan

Federal legislators and regulators have recognized the number of historical impediments and have frequently acted to help bolster the economy, but more often provided little long-term benefit. The IRS Section 936 law, for example, was created to grow foreign investment, but did little more than create a dependence upon a sector which, in the end, had a diminutive effect on employment growth.

But what most Americans, and national legislators, want to know is Why does any of this matter to me?

Millions of Americans across the country own some form of investment that will be impacted by the fluctuations of Puerto Ricos bonds. If you own an indexed municipal bond fund, you too have some exposure to Puerto Ricos imminent debt restructure.

If the Federal Government decides to change current tax incentives, all taxpayers will be affected. Because Puerto Rico is currently considered a foreign territory (for tax purposes), the foreign tax credit has a great benefit to its economy. But some federal legislators (including the President) arent happy about revenues shifting from the Treasury to foreign government coffers and are proposing alternatives.

Whether Puerto Rico becomes an independent country, or more likely the 51st state, will also mean a shift in federal resources. As a state, Puerto Rico will have to send income taxes to Washington, but because it will be the poorest state, it will also get the benefit of much greater transfer payments, healthcare benefits, and other federal grants. Although some highlight the positive benefits of additional federal resources, others are concerned about an increase in dependency (more than half of Puerto Ricans already rely upon transfer payments as income, for example).

Perhaps the most important reason that legislators, and all Americans, should care about Puerto Rico is that Puerto Ricans are Americans too. Federal legislators have a constitutionally-mandated obligation to provide for the welfare of Americans, regardless of whether they are allowed to vote for them and regardless of where they are located. Some neglect this obligation knowing that Puerto Ricans not only do not have a voting voice in Congress, but also cant vote for the President, and Commander-in-Chief, who sends so many Puerto Ricans to war (a tragedy in and of itself).

Its going to take more than new taxes and massive borrowing to save Puerto Rico. Taxes and other incentives need to ensure that the focus is on development in industries that hire Puerto Ricans, and a lot of them. Too many incentives apply to capital intensive industries that dont, leaving few resources to invest in improving what will really help its citizens.

To ensure that the next generation of visionaries have the tools and ability to contribute to the future economy, Puerto Rico needs to reduce the bureaucratic impediments for entrepreneurs, ensure public assistance programs that dont inadvertently promote a shrinking labor force, and invest in programs that encourage human capital development, such as educational opportunities and sectoral job training. Without these investments in its future, Puerto Rico will continue to be stuck in the same tax-borrow-spend-repeat cycle that its been in for decades.

And lastly, but most importantly for many, the island has to finally make the long-term decision to permanently join the union, or finally sever its ties. Todays arguments tend to revolve around the decision of statehood versus the status quo, and the status quo doesnt have the luster it used to.

Repairing a devastated economy is never easy. However, halving unemployment, reversing the deficit, increasing labor force participation, and cutting poverty and inequality arent lofty, impossible fantasies. Its been done under worse conditions in other parts of the world, even by countries with similar origins. But it takes political unity and a hard-headed dedication to a long-term vision that, if implemented properly, could easily start to bear fruit in the very near future.
From start to finish 2016 was defined by one story  Who Will Be the Next President of the United States? While the search for Number 45 might have dominated most news cycles, it was not the only political story of interest to make headlines. Below is a look at the top 16 numbers that dominated the political news over the last year.

0: Number of times Hillary Clinton visited Wisconsin during the general election. This was a very poor strategy on the part of the Clinton team. In the end, Wisconsin proved to be one of three key blue wall, Rust belt battleground states. Wisconsin, along with Michigan and Pennsylvania, cost the Democratic party the 2016 election.

5: Number of times in American history that the winner of the popular vote has lost the Electoral College. It happened this year when Clinton was awarded 2.8 million votes more than Trump, but lost the Electoral College (304-227). Prior to that it had only happened four times in U.S. history: 1824 (Jackson v. Adams), 1876 (Tilden v. Hayes), 1888 (Cleveland v. Harrison), and 2000 (Gore v. Bush).

8: Number of justices on the Supreme Court since Associate Justice Antonin Scalia passed away earlier this year. President Obama swiftly appointed Merrick Garland to fill the vacant seat, however Republicans resisted taking up his confirmation choosing instead to wait until after the election. This now gives President-elect Trump an opportunity to name Scalias replacement, almost immediately, on taking office. Additionally, considering the ages of the more liberal members of the bench, opens up the prospect for Trump in the coming four-year term to shift the ideological balance on the Supreme Court in a dramatic way.

33: Number of governorships that Republicans control. This is a record and indicative of how dominant the GOP is, not only at the federal level, but across the country as well where they control 4,171 of 7383 state legislative seats. Republicans now control both the state legislature and governorships in 25 of 50 states, while Democrats have just 12.

49: Number of people killed at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando when a gunman opened fire in late June. There were also 53 people who were wounded in the attack, making it the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, and the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil since September 11th, 2001. During the three-hour standoff the gunman pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, sparking tremendous debate about ways to combat terrorism, homegrown terrorism, gun control, mental illness, mental health funding, and open borders.

51.9: Percent of Britons who voted in June to leave the European Union. The inexorable outcome of the Brexit vote which resulted in the resignation of a British Prime Minister, and astounded pundits and prognosticators who, up until the results were announced, were convinced that stay would win the day.

85: Percent chance, according to the New York Times that Clinton would defeat Trump. The Times was not alone in their miscalculation, the Huffington Post gave Clinton a 98 percent chance of winning, Princeton Election Consortiums forecast gave her 99 percent and Nate Silvers FiveThirtyEight website predicted an approximately 71 percent chance of a Clinton win.

88: Number of years since a U.S. president had visited Cuba. President Obamas promise to re-establish ties with the nation culminated in a historic visit this year. One which garnered praise from some quarters and denunciations from others, particularly those of Cuban descent who are opposed to relations with the Castro regime. In late November, several months after his visit, the 90-year old former dictator Fidel Castro passed away.

309: Number of people arrested for protesting against police shootings of black men in late August. The protests erupted in cities across the country in response to the killings, one day apart, of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. Days later, a gunman killed five police officers at a Black Lives Matter rally. Officers were also subject to attack at rallies in Tennessee, Missouri, and Georgia. These incidents renewed the debate across the nation over police-community relations, policing practices, and the Black Lives Matter movement.

1,000: Number of Democratic seats lost during President Obamas eight years in office. Yet Obama himself remains popular with approval ratings similar to those of Clinton and Reagan when they left office. Either way he leaves the Democratic Party weakened at the local, state, and national levels. The strength of their bench matters when it comes to potentially recapturing the White House, Senate or House. Another mark of their bench challenge? Governors make good candidates for the presidency, right now Democrats have only 16, which means Republicans have almost double the amount of talent to draw on.

6,500: Number of Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podestas hacked emails were released by WikiLeaks as of mid-October. The emails revealed some embarrassing information about the party and led to the resignation of its Chairwoman, Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. The CIA and Obama administration claim that Russia, in an attempt to throw the election to Trump, was behind the hacking. As of late December some key Republicans in the Senate have joined Democrats in calling for an investigation and the Obama administration has vowed to retaliate.

16,000: Number of casualties estimated to have died as a result of violent ideological extremism worldwide. This includes approximately 1,800 separate terrorist attacks around the globe including in Nice, Kabul, Pakistan, Brussels and Yemen. Various groups have claimed responsibility for these attacks including Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Qaeda, Boko-Haram, Jamiat-i-Islamiyah, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, Al-Shabaab, and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

33,000: Number of emails Clinton was accused of having destroyed (by Trump and others) after receiving a subpoena. The FBI investigated Clintons use of a private email server during her time as Secretary of State. Director James Comey was critical of Clintons use of the server but during the summer said he would not recommend pursuing criminal charges. Months later and just 12 days before the election, Comey sent a letter to Congress stating they had discovered more emails that were potentially relevant to the investigation. Despite later clearing her once again, after the election many Democrats saw this as critical to her loss.

400,000: Number of casualties in the Syrian War as estimated by the United Nations and Arab League Envoy to Syria. Other estimates range from as low as 312,000 to as high as 470,000  this includes civilians, women, children, rebels, and government forces. As of late December the Syrian government had recaptured all of Aleppo from the rebels, their biggest victory of the almost 6 year civil war. Days later Syria agreed to a cease fire brokered by Russia and Turkey, the first since a cease fire in September which collapsed after a week.

18.1 Million: Number of people who follow @realDonaldTrump on Twitter. As both, a candidate and now president-elect, over the last year, Trump has redefined what it means to go over the head of the press and to reach people directly. After the election he credited Twitter with helping lead him to victory and described it as tremendous, its a modern form of communication. There should be nothing we should be ashamed of.

$6.9 Billion: Estimated total cost of the 2016 election for both Congress and the presidency. This makes it the most expensive race in American history. In the race for the Presidency alone, the election cost approximately $2.651 billion. However money didnt rule the day, Clinton outspent Trump almost two-to-one only to go on to lose the election.
When someone asks me Whats the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? I dont give the typical answer. I don't point to the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro or Austrias lavish Schonbrunn Palace -- though each site has taken my breath away. No. My answer is kindness, especially this new year.

As my family walked down the cathedral steps after Christmas Mass, we greeted the homeless outside begging for money. And by greeted, I mean my brother hugged each one, while one man told me, "Wait here a minute," shuffled through his backpack, and came back with wrapped box of chocolates.

No one has touched it, its brand new, he assured me, as he handed over the gift.

Like Tom Hanks Forrest Gump drawls, "Life is like a box of chocolates." And this box was no different -- except for that it represented all of lifes good chocolates.

Someone I should have given to, gave to me.

Its little moments like these that our national liberal media miss by staying in their bubbles. At a time when our president-elect repeatedly calls the media biased and the liberal media smear conservative news sites as "fake," writers easily lose themselves in an agenda forgetful of the everyday life.

A recent poll revealed that a majority of Americans prefer "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays." But many in the liberal media dont just ignore that, they also take a step farther by mocking and attacking Christians during this special season.

Thats all part of the disaster that was news in 2016. Journalists need to find a positive way to get past that. To learn how to report with no regrets, we must first learn to live with no regrets.

A palliative nurse from Australia recorded her dying patients most common regrets in her book, "The Top Five Regrets of the Dying." She listed their main disappointments as:

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

Be a fearless you, appreciate life, and focus on relationships: Thats how the dying wished to live. The fear of death follows from the fear of life, writer Mark Twain tells us, and, A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.

In order for anyone in the media to write stories that capture people and their lives, we must first come to terms with our own humanity and the humanity of those around us.

Thats an essential lesson for the new year. The media (myself included) should not only report life, but live a life worth reporting. Here are five resolutions, loosely based on the regrets above, for the out-of-touch media to reach Americans again:

1. Go home (and not just for the holidays). Set aside time for family and friends -- people who remind us of who we are and who we want to be.

2. Know your neighbors. Listen to what they care about, and share your thoughts with them.

3. Attend church or another house of worship. Sit in a pew, listen to a sermon, understand Americans who cite a creed above politics and agendas.

4. Absorb beauty. Read a book, visit an art gallery, climb a mountain top.

5. Give to others. Not just money. Send a letter of thanks to a soldier or a note of encouragement to a prisoner.

We must learn about death and what is worth dying for because, in doing so, we learn about life and what makes life worth living.

For me, thats my faith, my family, my friends, my country, and, I might add, kindness wrapped in a box of chocolates.

Its a new year, but its also a new day, a new hour, a new minute. Lets use it to make a new you and me, too.
The Obama administration's decision to allow illegal immigrants from Haiti to stay in the United States following the devastating earthquake in their home country has prompted complaints among some immigration policy critics that the temporary "timeout" will become permanent.

Not all of the critics are opposed to the decision to grant what's called "temporary protected status" to Haitians. Some said the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti is just the kind of crisis that temporary protected status was designed to address.

But immigration watchdog groups are concerned that the 18-month window will be extended, as it often is for immigrants from other countries. Those from Sudan, Somalia, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador all have the TPS designation.

In this case, the administration is allowing any Haitian who was in the United States illegally before the earthquake to continue living and working in the country for another 18 months.

"This is why TPS was created," said Roy Beck, executive director of NumbersUSA. "The problem is we have (had) three straight presidents who made a mockery of TPS. They turned it into PPS -- it's a permanent protected status."

"It's a necessary tool, but as currently structured it functions as a permanent amnesty for anyone 'lucky' enough to come from a country that suffers a natural (or even man-made) disaster," Center for Immigration Studies director Mark Krikorian wrote on his organization's Web site.

Other critics said the administration should not have granted the status in the first place.

"According to past history, they will never be deported," said William Gheen, president of the Americans for Legal Immigration PAC.

He said the administration should have delayed deportations for a month or two while the most intensive recovery efforts are underway, or sent illegal immigrants up for deportation to a part of Haiti not affected by the earthquake.

There are about 30,000 Haitians slated for deportation from the United States. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said between 100,000 and 200,000 Haitians are believed to be in the United States illegally.

Though illegal Haitian immigrants have repeatedly been denied temporary protected status despite a string of natural disasters, persistent poverty and political unrest at home, Napolitano said last week's catastrophic earthquake justifies the designation this time.

"In a way, it's sort of a timeout for Haitians in the United States who can begin to work, can get authorization to work and have some resources then to send back to Haiti themselves -- which is also a form of indirect economic relief," she said, adding that it would give Haiti time to get "back on its feet."

Some lawmakers applauded the decision.

"This is the right thing to do. Haitian immigrants already in the U.S. will not only be able to make money to support themselves, but also to send remittances to their suffering families back in Haiti," Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said in a written statement.

But Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, said Haitian immigrants in the United States should provide a more direct form of relief.

"This sounds to me like open borders advocates exercising the Rahm Emanuel axiom: 'Never let a crisis go to waste.' Illegal immigrants from Haiti have no reason to fear deportation, but if they are deported, Haiti is in great need of relief workers and many of them could be a big help to their fellow Haitians," King said in a written statement.
President Barack Obama and Republican congressional leaders paid lip service to the notion of bipartisanship in their first meeting of the year Tuesday, but neither side appeared to give ground on GOP priorities that have been met with a flurry of veto threats from the White House.

As he opened Tuesday's meeting, Obama urged leaders to stake out areas of compromise on trade, tax reform and cybersecurity, saying he was hopeful that "a spirit of cooperation and putting America first" will prevail. The president was flanked by House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the two Republicans now in charge on Capitol Hill.

Obama's sunny spin on Washington's new power dynamic was at odds with much of what has played out in the week since the new Congress was seated. Republicans have taken aim at core elements of the president's agenda, including legislation on immigration and health care that the White House has vowed to veto.

Boehner appeared to double down on the Republican strategy in Tuesday's meeting. His office said the Ohio Republican made clear that the House would push forward on a bill that would block the president's executive actions on immigration and also urged the president to sign a bill approving construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

The Keystone measure and immigration bill are among the five veto threats the White House has issued in the week since Congress returned to Washington.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest took a sharper tone in discussing Republicans than the president, saying the GOP's approach to the opening days of the new Congress raises questions "about how serious they are about trying to work with the president."

"In the first five days that they've been in session, they've advanced five pieces of legislation all the way to the rules committee that they already know this president strongly opposes," Earnest said.

Despite the areas of disagreement, the White House and Boehner both raised the prospect of working together on trade, overhauling the nation's complex tax code, and cybersecurity.

The president renewed his call for Congress to pass legislation encouraging the private sector to share cyberthreat data with the government and shield companies from lawsuits if they opt to do so.

"I think we agreed that this is an area where we can work hard together, get some legislation done and make sure that we are much more effective in protecting the American people from these kinds of cyberattacks," Obama said.

Boehner's office concurred, saying "Republicans are ready to work with both parties to address this important issue and put some common-sense measures on the president's desk."

Absent from Tuesday's meeting was Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who suffered an injury during a recent workout and has not yet returned to Capitol Hill.

The White House said the president also updated lawmakers on foreign policy issues, including the military campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. Obama has called on Congress to vote on a new authorization for use of military force that would be a guidepost for that effort. Boehner and other Republicans have said they want the White House to write the authorization, then send it to Congress for votes.

The White House said the president was also likely to update lawmakers on foreign policy issues, including the military campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.
In a move that drew an avalanche of reactions  praise from those who want a hard line on immigration, and condemnation from those who want more leniency  the GOP-led House approved legislation Wednesday to overturn President Barack Obama's key immigration policies and expose hundreds of thousands of younger immigrants to expulsion from the U.S.

Both Republicans and Democrats stressed that the funding bill, which would provide $39.7 billion to finance the Homeland Security Department through the rest of the budget year, was sorely needed to pay for counterterrorism, cybersecurity and other priorities at a moment when the Paris terror attacks have underscored dire threats.

One of the most controversial parts of the bill was an amendment that overturns one of President Barack Obama's key immigration policies and exposes hundreds of thousands of younger immigrants to expulsion from the U.S.

The bill passed easily in the chamber, with a 236-191 count.

Democrats accused Republicans of putting Homeland Security funding at risk by attaching veto-bait amendments on immigration, and some Republicans voiced the same concern. But House GOP leaders and most of their rank and file accused Obama in turn of reckless and unconstitutional actions on immigration that had to be answered.

"This executive overreach is an affront to the rule of law and to the Constitution itself," said House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio. "The people made clear that they wanted more accountability from this president, and by our votes here today we will heed their will and we will keep our oath to protect and defend the Constitution."

But Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., who chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said the Republicans were simply pandering to the far right.

"Shame on Republicans for attacking the Latino community," Sanchez said. "Republicans are consciously targeting millions of families who work hard, contribute to our communities and are just trying to give their children a chance at the American dream."

Given the growing importance of Latino voters, Wednesday's immigration votes could end up raising questions in the 2016 presidential election for the eventual GOP nominee. Potential candidates weren't touching the issue Wednesday. Requests for comments from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former GOP nominee Mitt Romney went unanswered. At an event in Manchester, New Hampshire, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky refused to say if he would back his House colleagues' efforts.

One of the immigration amendments, approved 237-190, would undo executive actions that Obama announced in November to provide temporary deportation relief and work permits to some 4 million immigrants in the country illegally, mostly people who have children who are citizens or legal permanent residents. The amendment also would cancel earlier directives to immigration agents aimed at giving them discretion in focusing deportations on criminals.

A second amendment would delete Obama's 2012 policy that's granted work permits and stays of deportation to more than 600,000 immigrants who arrived in the U.S. illegally as children under age 16. That measure passed narrowly, 218-209, as 26 of the more moderate Republicans, some representing large Hispanic populations, joined Democrats in opposition.

The underlying bill passed on a mostly party line vote, with 10 Republicans voting "no" and two Democrats voting "yes."

But even with Republicans in control of the Senate, the bill faces tough sledding there. Republicans are six votes shy of the 60-vote majority needed to advance most legislation, and some GOP senators have argued that the Homeland Security bill shouldn't be the vehicle for a contentious debate on immigration.

Within the House GOP, too, there's frustration from some centrist lawmakers that two weeks into a new session of Congress, with a bigger party majority in the House, the most conservative lawmakers are still calling the shots, successfully pushing leaders for a vote to undo the 2012 policy dealing with younger immigrants known as "Dreamers."

"If we were just specifically dealing with the November overreach of the president, you'd have Democrats who'd be voting with us on that piece of it but we've gone well beyond that," said Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif. "We're passing a bill for political reasons, a bill that has no ability to pass the Senate."

Before leaving town for a two-day retreat in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Republicans also steered the House to approval of legislation to ease the landmark Dodd-Frank law, which aimed to rein in banks and Wall Street. The new legislation would give U.S. banks two extra years to ensure that their holdings of certain complex and risky securities don't put them out of compliance with a new banking rule. The Dodd-Frank changes, approved 271-154, also face an Obama veto threat.

While some Republicans avoided questions about the impact that the House vote on immigration amendments might have on the party's support by Latino voters in the 2016 election, Democrats were eager to weigh in.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois warned Republicans they were igniting "the mobilization of an immigrant community throughout this nation that will be the death knell to the future of your party."

Wednesday's votes were set in motion late last year, after Obama infuriated Republicans by announcing executive moves on immigration not long after the GOP swept the midterm elections. Republicans passed full-year spending bills for most of the government but kept the Homeland Security Department on a short leash in order to revisit the issue when they would be in full control of Congress.

Yet given Obama's veto pen and Senate rules granting significant rights to the minority party, it's not clear that the GOP has much more leverage now than it did before. House and Senate Republican leaders have ruled out a government shutdown or any disruption to Homeland Security funding, so it appears likely that once the House bill is rejected by the Senate or vetoed by the president, the House will have to accept a version with less contentious language on immigration.

Current Homeland Security funding expires at the end of February, so House leaders have given themselves more than a month to find a solution. It's expected to be a topic of debate at the Hershey retreat.

Based on a story by The Associated Press.

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Starting Friday, the Obama administration will significantly loosen restrictions on American trade and investment with Cuba allowing U.S. companies to export mobile phones, televisions and computers while easing travel restrictions opening the communist island to more American travelers.

The new rules will put a large dent in the U.S. embargo against Cuba and will even allow U.S. citizens to start bringing home small amounts of Cuban cigars after more than a half-century ban.

As of Friday, U.S. companies will also be able to export mobile memory devices, recording devices, and software to a country with notoriously poor Internet and telecommunications infrastructure. The goal is to "contribute to the ability of the Cuban people to communicate with people within Cuba, in the United States, and the rest of the world," according to a Treasury Department fact sheet. Internet-based communications will fall under a general license.

Americans permitted to travel to Cuba for family visits, official U.S. government business, journalism, research, education, religious activity and other reasons fall under a U.S. general license and don't need to apply for a separate license. A limit on remittance payments to family members in Cuba will be raised to $8,000 per year, from $2,000 per year. Americans visiting Cuba will be allowed to bring home $100 in alcohol and tobacco products, and $400 in total goods.

Other changes include:

No more limits on how much money Americans spend in Cuba each day or what they spend it on.

Remittances allowed to be sent to Cuban nationals has increased from $500 to $2,000 per quarter

Permissible use of U.S. credit and debit cards.

Travel agents and airlines can fly to Cuba without a special license.

Insurance companies can provide coverage for health, life and travel insurance policies for individuals residing in or visiting Cuba.

Financial institutions may open accounts at Cuban banks to facilitate authorized transactions.

Investments can be made in some small businesses and agricultural operations.

Companies may ship building materials and equipment to private Cuban companies to renovate private buildings.

Certain micro-financing project and entrepreneurial and business training is now authorized.

Thursday's announcement of new Treasury and Commerce Department regulations are the next step in President Barack Obama's ambitious goal of re-establishing diplomatic relations with the government of Cuban President Raul Castro, Fidel's younger brother. They come three days after U.S. officials confirmed the release of 53 political prisoners Cuba had promised to free.

Only Congress can end the five-decade embargo. But the measures give permission for Americans to use credit cards in Cuba and U.S. companies to export telephone, computer and Internet technologies. Investments in some small business are permitted. General tourist travel is still prohibited, but Americans authorized to visit Cuba need no longer apply for special licenses.

Obama vowed to soften the embargo last month and begin restoring diplomatic ties with Havana, saying "these 50 years have shown that isolation has not worked." The deal was the product of 18 months of secret talks that culminated in the exchange of imprisoned spies and release of Alan Gross, a U.S. government contractor who had been imprisoned in Cuba for five years.

The sudden rapprochement between Cold War foes has divided U.S. lawmakers across party lines and interests. Among Republicans and Democrats in Congress, Cuban-Americans such as Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Bob Menendez of New Jersey have been particularly vocal in opposition.

But some pro-business types have welcomed the opportunity to open up a new export market in a country so close to American shores. The head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, for example, said Wednesday it was better for the U.S. to sell computers, smartphones and cars to Cuba than to cede such business to countries like Russia and China. Still, the embargo as a whole appears unlikely to fall anytime soon.

The U.S. and Cuba are scheduled to hold migration talks in Havana next week, the next step in their normalization process. Leading the American delegation is Roberta Jacobson, the top U.S. diplomat for Latin America. Her visit marks the highest-level trip to Cuba by a U.S. official since 1980.

Further down the road, Washington envisions reopening the U.S. Embassy in Havana and carrying out high-level exchanges and visits between the governments. Secretary of State John Kerry could travel to the island later this year.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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The Mexican government on Thursday will start issuing birth certificates to its citizens at consulates in the United States, seeking to make it easier for them to apply for U.S. work permits, driver's licenses and protection from deportation.

Until now, Mexico has required citizens to get birth certificates at government offices in Mexico. Many of those living in the U.S. ask friends and relatives back home to retrieve them, which can delay their applications for immigration or other programs.

Now, even as Republicans in Congress try to quash President Barack Obama's reprieve to millions of immigrants living illegally in the U.S., Mexico is trying to help them apply for programs that would allow them to remain temporarily in the country and continue sending money back to relatives across the border.

"It is a huge help. It helps individuals really begin to formulate their formal identity in this country," said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.

About half of the 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally are from Mexico, and immigration experts estimate that roughly 3 million Mexicans could be eligible to apply for work permits and protection from deportation under the administration's plan.

About two weeks ago, California  which is home to more Mexicans than any other state  began issuing driver's licenses to immigrants in the country illegally.

Starting Thursday, the country's 50 consulates in the United States will be able to access data maintained by regional governments in Mexico and print birth certificates at the consulates, said Arturo Sanchez, consul for press and commercial affairs in Santa Ana, California.

Consulates should be able to issue birth certificates for nearly all birthplaces in Mexico, but some rural villages where documents are not digitally recorded may not be covered, Sanchez said.

Over the past year, the Santa Ana consulate has seen a surge in the demand for documents. Daily appointments have jumped by a third to nearly 400, with many people trying to get birth certificates, Sanchez said.

Mexican immigrants usually seek birth certificates to obtain a passport or consular identification card so they can then apply for a driver's license or immigration relief, he said.

In California, Mexican consular officials have supported the rollout of the new driver's license program, holding information sessions and offering test preparation classes to help immigrants pass the written test required to get a license.

Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, said she believes Mexico is trying to make it easier for its citizens to stay here because of the money they send across the border.

Mexican migrant workers, many who live in the United States, sent home $21.6 billion to their families in 2013, according to the country's central bank.

Vaughan, whose organization advocates for tighter limits on immigration, said the integrity of birth certificates is critical because they are used to issue key identity documents like passports.

"If we can trust the Mexican government to do its due diligence and establish a system with integrity, then this will work and it is up to us to make sure we are communicating with them about what we need to see in terms of integrity," she said. "That is a big if."

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Republican lawmakers determined to counter President Barack Obama on immigration want to advance solutions of their own, starting with a border security bill and perhaps moving on to tackle other aspects of the broken system.

It's a goal House Republicans have tried and failed to achieve for the past two years, even as the Senate passed a comprehensive, bipartisan bill that ultimately died because of inaction in the House.

But as House and Senate Republicans met for a joint retreat in this capital of chocolate and sweets, lawmakers said that with the Senate now under GOP control, they have a new opportunity to take aim at immigration with their own, step-by-step approach. Many viewed the Senate's bill as amnesty because it included a path to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally, and they want to take a much different tack.

"It is happening now because members want it to happen, the American people want it to happen," Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., a conservative on the issue, said Friday as the retreat wrapped up and lawmakers headed out of the homey Hershey Lodge to board buses and vans back to Washington.

"We should do a border bill first, secure our borders," Barletta said. "It's a big job, and it's going to be a tough bill."

More On This... Immigration plan draws cheers, criticism across US

Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, who chairs the House Committee on Homeland Security, outlined proposed border legislation to lawmakers at the retreat, including penalties for select administration officials who fail to comply with border security provisions within the bill.

The discussions came as lawmakers struggled for a path forward on a related issue: How to stop Obama's executive actions on immigration that have offered work permits and protection from deportations to millions.

Republicans oppose Obama's moves as an unconstitutional overreach, and the House offered one response earlier this week. House Republicans attached language to a must-pass, $39.7 billion spending bill for the Department of Homeland Security that would undo Obama's actions, in the process exposing hundreds of thousands of younger immigrants to deportation. Obama has threatened to veto the bill.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., pledged Thursday that the Senate would vote on the House bill, but he was not predicting it would pass.

"We're going to try to pass it. That'll be our first choice," McConnell told reporters. "If we're unable to do that, we'll let you know what comes next."

At a town hall-style meeting in Goffstown, New Hampshire, on Friday, Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., was more blunt when questioned by a reporter: "I don't think it could get 60 votes in the Senate," she said of the House bill.

Although the Senate is now under GOP control, Republicans are still six votes shy of the 60-vote margin needed to advance most legislation, and a number of Senate Republicans have concerns with the House approach. In the wake of the Paris terror attacks, lawmakers don't want Homeland Security legislation jeopardized with veto-bait amendments.

Funding for the Homeland Security Department expires at the end of February, so Republicans have until then to resolve the issue. Republican leaders renewed pledges Thursday not to let funding for the Homeland Security Department expire or risk a government shutdown.

Lawmakers and aides said that whether they're able to move forward on broader immigration legislation  and how  will depend on how the fight over Obama's executive actions is resolved.

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In a move that has angered lawmakers and activists in the United States, the Cuban government has rearrested two political prisoners from the list of 53 whose release had been negotiated by the U.S.



According to independent media sources in Cuba, Ronaldo Reyes Rabanal and Luis Enrique Labrador  along with other activists  were arrested while attending a meeting of the opposition group, Movement for a New Republic. Lazara Maria Borrego Guzman, a member of the Ladies in White opposition movement, was also allegedly arrested during the meeting and Cuban officials allegedly broke her arm.

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-NJ, confirmed to Fox News Latino the re-arrest of the political prisoners.

Menendez, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that Reyes Rabanal was detained for several hours on Thursday and released in the afternoon. The dissident said that Cuban police drove him outside of Havana and left him along the road upon his release.

The New Jersey lawmaker added that Labrador is still in custody.

The U.S.-Cuba deal announced in December has drawn harsh criticism from lawmakers in the U.S. opposed to the cooling in diplomatic relations between the longtime foes.

"The President's flawed and arbitrary list of 53 political prisoners falls far short of a condition that should be non-negotiable: the permanent release of all political prisoners," Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida said in a press release. "When the Castro regime re-arrests political prisoners after the President negotiated their release, it makes a mockery of the entire bad deal."



Along with the arrests of Reyes Rabanal and Labrador, another member on Obamas list was rearrested late last year. Marecelino Abreu Bonora  who was originally released from prison in October, but was included on the list of 53  was rearrested on December 26, beaten by Cuban officials and finally rereleased again on January 7 after being held in a punishment cell for almost two weeks.



Dissidents on the island  including those that were part of the list of 53  have spoken out about the state of fear that they have been living in since their release from prison.



"They can arrest us again whenever they see fit," Jose Lino Ascensio Lopez, a dissident who was part of the 53 dissidents recently released from prison, told Fox News Latino. "We knew that from the moment they let us go."



Last week, the U.S. Foreign Affairs Committee released the names of the political prisoners but did not disclose their whereabouts after their release. The Cuban government said it released the prisoners as part of last month's historic deal between the United States and Cuba.



Most of the released dissidents belong to the Patriotic Union of Cuba, an anti-government group based in far eastern Cuba. The groups spokesman told Fox News Latino that even though the political prisoners were sprung, the move is purely "cosmetic."



While the White House has not released statement about the rearrest on Monday, Obama's U.N. ambassador alluded to the recent release of the 53 dissidents but said more needs to be done.



"Welcome as that step is, and heartening as it is for their families," Samantha Powers said," (it) does not resolve the larger human rights problems on the island."

Includes reporting by Elizabeth Llorente.
Rep. Xavier Becerra has his eyes on the Senate seat that is up for grabs thanks to retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer.

How serious is the California Democrat about running for the seat?

One to 10, 10 being serious, 10, Politico quoted Becerra, who is in his 12th term in the House of Representatives, as saying about launching a campaign.

Im talking to a lot of folks, said Becerra, who is the House Democratic Caucus chairman.

California is a very important state. As goes California, so goes the nation. We need to have strong leadership. Someone who can hit the ground running.

Earlier this month, Boxer, a tenacious liberal whose election to the Senate in 1992 heralded a new era for women at the upper reaches of political power, announced that she will not seek re-election to a new term next year.

Boxer's retirement sets off a free-for-all among a new generation of California Democrats, who have had few offices to aspire to while Boxer and Sen. Dianne Feinstein had a lock on the state's U.S. Senate seats.

California Attorney General Kamala Harris has declared her candidacy for Boxers seat, and quickly got the public support of many Democrats on Capitol Hill. That has angered Latinos, Politico reported, who comprise some 40 percent of Californias population and who say it is about time a Latino was supported for a Senate seat to represent the state.

Other Latinos said to be mulling a run for the seat are former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Rep. Loretta Sanchez, both Democrats.

The era is over in California where major statewide races are decided behind closed doors, said Antonio Gonzalez, a Hispanic political organizer in the state, according to Politico, as is the era where major statewide races have no Latino candidate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, the Democrat whose district in Southern California has one of the highest rates of Latino residents in the country, has been picked to be the House Democrats point person in negotiations over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget bill.

Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee approved the selection of Roybal-Allard, who would be the first Latina to hold the powerful position of ranking member of the House Appropriations subcommittee. The Democratic Leadership and caucus must ratify the decision, according to Politico.

The choice of Roybal-Allard stands to give Latino voters a human face and voice at the bargaining table as never before in Congress, Politico noted. She represents a powerful historic symbol at a time when the same bill is caught in a bitter fight over immigration policy between Republicans and President Barack Obama.

A Homeland Security budget bill is at the center of a bitter fight between Democrats and Republicans over the parts of it that would defund portions of an executive order by President Obama suspending deportation for three years for some 5 million undocumented immigrants, as well as enabling them to obtain work permits and drivers licenses.

House Republicans recently attached language to the must-pass spending bill for the DHS, but the measure faces near-certain death in the Senate  where Democrats have enough support to prevent the measure from coming to a vote  leaving Republicans still searching for a way to stop the president.

Politico quoted Roybal-Allard as saying that a priority of hers, if her selection is ratified, would be the well-being of children whose parents are detained or deported.

Thats a huge part for me because  a large percentage of these children are American citizens who end up in foster care and lose their parents, Roybal-Allard said. And so that is going to definitely be a focus of mine, not just in terms of children but, as much as possible, holding families together.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, another California Democrat, praised Roybal-Allard.

Congress is strongest when it recognizes the full diversity of perspectives, experiences and backgrounds that is America, Pelosi said in a statement. As Congresswoman Roybal-Allard becomes the first Latina ever to serve as a ranking member or chair of an appropriations subcommittee, we are proud that this moment in history belongs to such an experienced and dedicated member of the Democratic Caucus.

Pelosi said Roybal-Allard has been a long-time advocate for immigrants.

As the original author of the DREAM Act, she said, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard has been a consistent champion for restoring compassion and accountability to our broken immigration system and for the security of the American people.

Robyal-Allard, who represents several suburban communities of Los Angeles, was the first Mexican-American woman elected to Congress. She has served in the House since 1993.

Her father is the late Rep. Edward Roybal, who founded the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and received the Medal of Freedom posthumously in November. He served in Congress for about 30 years.

Politico said that in a House Appropriations meeting last June, Roybal-Allard said that something had to be done about the high rate of deportations and its impact on families. She said Congress had to stop stalling and work on a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

These children cannot wait until we get around to doing that, she said. Their families and their lives are being impacted right now. Because their parents are being deported, right now we have approximately 5,000 American children who are currently in the child welfare system because of the deportation of a parent.

The fear of losing a parent to deportation has a number of negative consequences for the mental health of American children including severe anxiety and withdrawal.

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To hear former Texas Republican congressman and longtime conservative rock star, Ron Paul, tell it, Marco Rubio is clueless when it comes to the power of the free market.

Its like talking to a stone wall, said Paul.

Paul is that rare breed of politician who has never been afraid to say exactly what he thinks, and he acknowledges that his shoot-from-the-hip way of addressing issues can get him in trouble, but he has no plans to change his ways.

Laughing as he recalled that day in Miami when he was booed during a Republican debate for uttering the unthinkable, he now says hes more convinced than ever that he was right about lifting the Cuban embargo. In fact, he maintains, that night it wasnt his messaging that was wrong, it was the audience. The auditorium was packed with older and more establishment-type Republicans.

The next day, I met with young people in Miami and guess what? They were with me, Paul bragged. So its a generational thing.

Here are the numbers: 68 percent of Cubans living in Miami favor diplomatic relations with Cuba, according to a recent FIU study. But when they posed the same question to younger respondents, the number shot up to 90 percent.

So where does that leave Miami politicians like Senator Marco Rubio?

According to Paul, Rubio is a bit of a paradox. Marco is sort of a mixed bag, because I dont think of him as old, said Paul. But hes in line with an older generation.

Asked about President Obamas recent overtures with Cuba, Paul snapped, I might even go further faster.

Paul, a committed free market ideologue, objects to being called an isolationist by many of his Republican colleagues. He said they are, in fact, the isolationists who dont really believe in free trade.

These are the people who lecture me and they want to isolate Cuba? Paul mused. You have to have the confidence of the position our founders took  you trade with people and youll be less likely to fight with them.

Paul is aware of Rubios ongoing verbal sparring with his son, Rand. Late Thursday, Rubio slammed Obamas Cuba Policy by calling it the Paul/Obama plan. And earlier in the week, Rubio had said, referring to Rand Paul, that the Kentucky Senator didnt know what he was talking about when it came to Cuba.

As for Ron Paul, he accuses Rubio of not having confidence in the free market principles that America is built on. Rubio has suggested that Castro and the Cuban government will defeat any and all U.S.-backed free market initiatives in Cuba, and that they will end up keeping the money.

Asked if that suggests that Rubio has more confidence in the Castro government than in free enterprise, Paul responded, Thats absolutely right. 

Paul insisted the age of the Castros is both over with and long past due. He said that the younger generation of Cubans both on the island and in South Florida will lead the change. The shift is in our direction, Paul said. A person whose mind is already closed, its difficult.

And as for Marco Rubio and others who insist on keeping the status quo? They dont listen to reason, because it is so emotional and theyre living in the Dark Ages.

Ron Paul didnt stop there, referring to Rubio and others as unnecessarily rigid. If Im talking to a stone wall, I dont spend a lot of time there.
The national JSC Naftogaz Ukrainy has signed with Citi and Deutsche Bank a loan agreement for a euro-denominated credit facility for gas purchase in the equivalent of $500 million secured by the World Bank.

The facility is secured by the World Bank's guarantee, which, in turn, is secured by the sovereign guarantee issued as part of the formation of the energy fund according to resolution No. 876 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated November 30 2016 on the provision of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development with the sovereign guarantee under obligations of NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy, the national gas company's press service reported.

The guarantee is valid for a term of four years, with two years available for gas purchase and two years for repayment. The guarantee of the World Bank and the credit facility are highly cost-effective compared to other loan agreements of Naftogaz. According to the funding conditions under the credit facility, Naftogaz will continue buying gas under existing eligible contracts, switching from pre-payment to post-payment terms.

The payments to suppliers will be secured by letters of credit issued by Citi and Deutsche Bank, which will convert into loans when payments are made. Naftogaz will repay those loans within twelve months upon the receipt. The World Bank guarantees the repayment of the loans to the international commercial banks.

Under this credit facility, Naftogaz will be able to purchase gas from both western and eastern directions. Decisions to do so will depend on the competitiveness of gas supply proposals.

"These funds will enable Naftogaz to ensure a stable gas supply to Ukrainian consumers during this winter," the company's press service quoted Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolev as saying.

In 2015, Naftogaz received a $300 million revolving loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to purchase gas from European suppliers, the company said.
Sen. Bob Menendez, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is calling for a full investigation into the death of Alberto Nisman, the Argentinian special prosecutor assigned to look into the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires.

Menendez is requesting that the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires press the Argentinian government to provide answers regarding the death of the 51-year-old lawyer.

Nisman was found dead late Sunday in his Buenos Aires apartment. He was lying on the bathroom floor next to a .22-caliber handgun and a bullet casing.

While his death was originally ruled a suicide, family and friends of Nisman  as well as President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner - rejected the finding and protesters took to the streets demanding justice for the prosecutor, who had spent 10 years investigating the nation's deadliest terror attack ever.

"President Fernandez de Kirchner's announcement that Mr. Nisman's death was not a suicide raises troubling new questions," Menendez said in a statement. "The increasingly suspicious conditions surrounding Mr. Nismans death, just hours before he was scheduled to testify before the Argentine Congress, demand a thorough and transparent investigation."

Nismans report on the AMIA case, which was released Tuesday night, revealed intercepted conversations between representatives of the Iranian and Argentinian governments that point to a long pattern of secret negotiations between the two nations. The transcripts appear to reveal that Argentina struck a deal to receive oil from Iran and in return would shield the Iranians involved in the bombing from prosecution. Iran would also receive beef and grains from Argentina.

The deal, however, never materialized as Argentina was unable to persuade Interpol to lift its "red notices" for the arrest of five of the Iranians, and the government said trade with Iran had diminished in recent years.

In an interview Friday with Fox News Latino, Menendez said he is pursuing briefings about the Iran-related allegations.

The circumstances around the prosecutor and my longtime concerns about what has happened to the Jewish community in Argentina make me seriously concerned about all of these reports [about Irans role] that are out there, Menendez said.

He added that Irans forays into the Western Hemisphere in order to expand its influence is in itself worrisome.

This is a state sponsor of terrorism in our own hemisphere, Menendez said about Iran.

If the reports are true, it would not only be shocking but seriously disturbing, Menendez said about an Iran-Argentina secret deal. We would need to respond. It would need to be vigorously pursued with the Argentinian government. We would have to look at all of our diplomatic arsenal to think about how to respond to that.

From the beginning, on social media and throughout the world, many questioned whether Nisman killed himself.

No suicide note was found and a test of Nisman's hand showed no gunpowder residue, though investigators said that may have been due to the small caliber of the gun.

Also feeding suspicion was the rapid appearance of national Security Secretary Sergio Berni at the apartment, since he is a government  and not a judicial -- official. He denied allegations that he altered the crime scene.

Then the locksmith who opened the back door to give investigators access to Nisman's apartment said it hadn't been properly locked, raising speculation about whether a killer might have entered or exited the 13-story dwelling.

Four days before Nisman was found dead the prosecutor gave a judge a 289-page report alleging that Fernandez de Kirchner secretly reached a deal to prevent the prosecution of former Iranian officials accused of involvement in the 1994 car bombing of Argentina's largest Jewish center.

"I was shocked to learn about the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Nisman, who worked tirelessly in pursuit of justice for the 85 victims of the devastating 1994 terrorist attack against Argentina's Jewish community," Menendez said in his press release.

"My thoughts are with Argentinas Jewish community as it once again suffers the frustrations of not seeing justice served for the victims of the brutal 1994 attack," he added. "It has been said that Mr. Nisman is now the 86th victim of the AMIA terror attack and we must ensure that all questions surrounding their deaths are answered and that justice prevails."

To be sure, he said to Fox News Latino, Argentina has plenty of red flags already.

You already have a country that defaults on its debt, and has been involved in cover-ups on actions that were taken against the Jewish community. So its a country where we already have concerns.

In recent days, other lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, both of Florida, also have called for a special investigation into Nisman's death.
A federal judge granted a permanent injunction Thursday affirming the ability of young immigrants protected from deportation to obtain an Arizona driver's license.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge David Campbell came exactly one month after the so-called DREAMers began getting driver's licenses in Arizona for the first time.

Arizona was one of the last states where officials refused to issue driver's licenses to young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children but allowed to remain under a 2012 Obama administration program.

Former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican, waged a lengthy legal battle over the program.

Courts ruled against Arizona on several occasions and cleared the way for licenses to be issued starting Dec. 22.

Four days earlier, a preliminary injunction issued by Campbell barred Arizona from enforcing Brewer's license policy.

The president's policy applies to people younger than 30 who came to the U.S. before turning 16, have been in the country for at least five continuous years, are enrolled in or have graduated from a high school or equivalent program, or have served in the military.

In the nation's most visible challenge to Obama's deferred-action program, Brewer issued an executive order in August 2012 directing state agencies to deny driver's licenses and other public benefits to immigrants who get work authorization under the Obama policy.

Her attorneys have argued that the decision grew out of liability concerns and the desire to reduce the risk of the licenses being used to improperly access public benefits.

Young immigrants said the policy made it difficult or impossible for them to get essential things done, such as going to school, work or the store.

Daniel Scarpinato, a spokesman for Gov. Doug Ducey, who took office Jan. 5, said, "We are reviewing the ruling."

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In his first public event since taking steps toward a presidential run, Jeb Bush on Friday called on political leaders to overhaul the country's immigration and education systems, increase job training programs and ease energy regulations to spur economic growth.

"We're in the fifth, almost sixth year of a recovery and 60 percent of Americans believe we're still in a recession," Bush told the annual convention of the National Automobile Dealers Association. "They're not dumb. It's because they are in a recession."

While Bush agreed to appear at the convention long before he began exploring a White House bid, his comments offered the most detailed picture yet of what a presidential campaign might look like. He outlined a wide-ranging policy agenda that he said would boost the country's lagging middle class and restore U.S. standing abroad.

Bush, like several of his potential GOP rivals, is hoping to tap a spirit of economic populism amid an uneven recovery. But his remarks also showed how he is trying to appeal to the GOP base without shifting his positions on issues that remain deeply unpopular with conservative voters.

Winning applause from the overflow crowd, Bush called President Barack Obama's health care law a "monstrosity" and a "job killer." Without naming specific executive actions, he said the next occupant of the White House should "roll back the things where the president has gone beyond his constitutional authority."

On energy, Bush won cheers when he called on government to ease regulations on hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking"  even though "it's not cool on the coasts"  and to open federal lands and waters to energy exploration. Such changes could "reindustrialize" the nation, he said.

On immigration, however, Bush struck a more centrist tone, maintaining his longstanding support for a comprehensive overhaul and calling immigrants "an engine of economic vitality."

The government needs to first secure the border, increase workplace enforcement and stiffen the visa tracking system, he said. It should also give "legalized status" to the millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. illegally, he said, but they should pay fines, learn English and "get in the back of the line" for citizenship so they can be "full partners" in the economy.

Bush cast Obama as a weak leader on foreign policy, one afraid to exercise American power on the world stage. He blamed the president for the rise of the Islamic State group in the Middle East, saying the U.S. should have intervened much earlier.

"Each time he had a chance to engage and protect American interests, he pulled back. And now we've got a huge problem," Bush said.

Citing the presidencies of Lyndon Johnson and his father, George H.W. Bush, among others, Bush called for strong yet conciliatory leadership to break Washington gridlock and foster "a climate of consensus and compromise."

"We're not going to win votes as Republicans unless we can lay out a hopeful, optimistic message," he said. "Hope and a positive agenda wins out over anger and reaction every day of the week."

The former governor has already started laying the groundwork for a potential campaign by hiring staff for his political action committee, reaching out to key GOP leaders in early-voting states and keeping an aggressive fundraising schedule.

On Thursday, Bush met in Utah with Mitt Romney, the GOP's 2012 presidential nominee and another possible candidate in 2016. Bush told the crowd Friday that they "put aside" any awkwardness of their competing bids and discussed policy. He said they would make their decisions independent of each other.

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After a euphoric month that left Americans dreaming of holidays in Havana and Cubans imagining U.S. products at their corner stores, the first real effort at forging a new era was sobering: Much bitter disagreement still stands in the way of normal relations.

Negotiations between seasoned Cuban diplomats and the highest-level U.S. delegation to visit the island in 35 years failed to produce a single significant agreement  beyond the need for more talks. As Roberta Jacobson, America's top diplomat for Latin America, told reporters, "It's very hard to say how exactly this will work."

The two days of discussions were hyped, starting hours after President Barack Obama declared in his State of the Union address that the new engagement effort had "the potential to end a legacy of mistrust in our hemisphere" and provided "new hope for the future in Cuba."

Yet by Friday it appeared negotiators hadn't even advanced Obama's most basic objective: restoring diplomatic ties between the U.S. and President Raul Castro's government, with full-fledged embassies in each other's capitals.

On Thursday, Jacobson called re-establishing diplomatic relations a "relatively straightforward process." A day later, her Cuban counterpart suggested a central U.S. demand of unrestricted travel for U.S. diplomats was already being snarled in one of the most contentious points of the long-fraught U.S.-Cuban relationship  Washington's support for dissidents the Cuban government sees as mercenaries seeking to undermine the communist system.

Josefina Vidal, Cuba's top diplomat for the United States, said in an interview with The Associated Press that U.S. support for dissidents is "action that isn't acceptable for Cuba, and they know it."

Asked whether Cuba would allow U.S. diplomats to go where they want, she said, "for Cuba, this consideration is associated with better behavior."

At its most fundamental level, the U.S.-Cuba divide comes down to separate visions of where closer ties should lead.

Jacobson said the U.S. goal is a Cuba that is "free and democratic." Vidal outlined an entirely different idea  that of two states with deep differences but no economic or diplomatic restrictions, like the relationship the U.S. enjoys with China.

"I don't see why it is that difficult to have relations with Cuba," Vidal said.

This disconnect surfaced several times this week.

At one point, the U.S. and Cuba disagreed on whether human rights even had been discussed. When Cuban officials acknowledged the subject was broached, they stressed their desire to help ameliorate human rights problems in the U.S., from police killings of black men to Guantanamo Bay detentions.

Jacobson on Friday reinforced the U.S. call for greater political freedom in Cuba, something Cuban-American leaders and rights advocates fear has been overshadowed in the push for detente. She met a group of dissidents in the morning and then spoke to influential Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez.

Human rights, Jacobson said, are the "center" of U.S. policy in Cuba. But she didn't say Cuba must improve its human rights record to have a better relationship with the U.S.

Republican leaders in Congress take a different view and hold the power to end America's 54-year economic embargo of Cuba  the communist government's biggest desire.

Asked whether Cuba might at least examine how to expand freedoms to help the Obama administration with Congress, Vidal said, "Absolutely no."

"Change in Cuba isn't negotiable."

Throughout the talks, both sides stressed that the road ahead would be long, the differences on some issues profound.

Cuba last week freed 53 political prisoners whose release the U.S. demanded, but that was hardly mentioned. The Americans spoke of their action last week to ease travel and trade rules with the island with new regulations that both sides seemed to be still trying to make sense of.

Asked about one of the most potentially far-reaching U.S. changes, permission for U.S. telecommunications exports to Cuba, Jacobson wasn't able to predict how American companies or the Cuban government might respond.

Cuba has notoriously poor cellular phone and Internet infrastructure and hasn't said whether it even wants to increase its citizens' access to outside information. But to take advantage of the more lenient telecoms and other U.S. rules, it will need access to U.S. credit  something the government attributes to the embargo.

On other obstacles to warmer relations the two sides only began work this week. Each wants the other to return fugitives accused of grave crimes. There is also the question of the billions of dollars in claims against Cuba's government dating back to Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution.

Another of Cuba's key concerns is getting off a U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, a relic of the government's support for left-wing rebellions in Latin America and elsewhere during the Cold War. American officials are sympathetic to the demand yet are bound by process. The current review of Cuba's status could take several more months.

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The start of talks on repairing 50 years of broken relations appears to have left President Raul Castro's government focused on winning additional concessions without giving in to U.S. demands for greater freedoms, despite the seeming benefits that warmer ties could have for the country's struggling economy.

Following the highest-level open talks in three decades between the two nations, Cuban officials remained firm in rejecting significant reforms pushed by the United States as part of President Barack Obama's surprise move to re-establish ties and rebuild economic relations with the Communist-led country.

"One can't think that in order to improve and normalize relations with the U.S., Cuba has to give up the principles it believes in," Cuba's top diplomat for U.S. affairs, Josefina Vidal, told The Associated Press after the end of the talks. "Changes in Cuba aren't negotiable."

It's not clear if Cuba's tough stance is part of normal negotiation tactics or a hardened position that could prevent the talks from moving forward.

The Obama administration has dedicated significant political capital to rapprochement, but closer ties with the economic giant to the north also could have major importance for Cuba, which saw growth slow sharply in 2014 and is watching with concern as falling oil prices slam Venezuela, which has been a vital source of economic support.

In a wide-ranging interview, Vidal said that before deciding whether to allow greater economic ties with the U.S., Cuba was seeking more answers about Obama's dramatic of loosening the half-century trade embargo.

Measures put into effect this month range from permitting large-scale sales of telecommunications equipment to allowing U.S. banks to open accounts in Cuba, but Vidal said officials on the island want to know if Cuba can buy such gear on credit and whether it is now free to use dollars for transactions around the world, not just those newly permitted with U.S. institutions. Until now, at least, U.S. law and policy has banned most foreign dealings with Cuba.

"I could make an endless list of questions and this is going to require a series of clarifications in order to really know where we are and what possibilities are going to open up," Vidal said.

Obama also launched a review of Cuba's inclusion on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism and Vidal said "it will be difficult to conceive of the reestablishment of relations" while Cuba remains on that list, which imposes financial and other restrictions.

Vidal also said full normalization will be impossible until Congress lifts the many elements of the trade embargo that aren't affected by Obama's executive action  a step seen as unlikely with a Republican-dominated Congress. Among key prohibitions that remain is a ban on routine tourism to Cuba.

Even a relatively simple measure such as granting U.S. diplomats freedom of movement around Cuba, she said, is tied to reduced U.S. support of dissidents, whom Cuba says are breaking the law by acting to undermine the government of behalf of U.S. interests.

"It's associated with a change in behavior in the diplomatic missions as such and of the diplomatic officials, who must conduct themselves as our officials in Washington do, with total respect for the laws of that country," Vidal said.

She also said Cuba has not softened its refusal to turn over U.S. fugitives granted asylum in Cuba. The warming of relations has spawned new demands in the U.S. for the State Department to seek the return of fugitives including Joanne Chesimard, a Black Liberation Army member now known as Assata Shakur, who fled to Cuba after she was convicted in 1977 of killing a New Jersey state trooper.

Vidal said the two nations' extradition treaty "had a very clear clause saying that the agreement didn't apply to people who could be tied to crimes of a political nature."

But the opening already has led to some changes, at least in the short-term: Cuba significantly relaxed its near-total control of public information during the talks in Havana, allowing the live broadcast of news conferences in which foreign reporters questioned Vidal about sensitive topics including human rights. Cuban television even broadcast part of a news conference with Vidal's counterpart, Roberta Jacobson, to foreign reporters, state media and independent Cuban reporters who are considered members of the opposition.

Cubans said they were taken aback by the flow of information but wanted to know much more about what the new relationship with the U.S. means.

"We've seen so much, really so much more than what we're used to, about very sensitive topics in our country," said Diego Ferrer, a 68-year-old retired state worker.

Jesus Rivero, also 68 and retired from government work, sat on a park bench in Old Havana reading a report in the official Communist Party newspaper, Granma, about Jacobson's press conference.

"It's good that Granma reports the press conference in the residence of the head of the Interests Section," Rivero said. "But I think they should explain much more so that the whole population really understands what's going on."

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Sen. Rand Paul prefers exhausting diplomatic efforts in dealing with overseas conflicts, and on Sunday he highlighted the difference between his softer approach to foreign policy and that of two other senators who are likely 2016 presidential candidates -- Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio.

The Kentucky Republican joined fellow first-term senators Cruz of Texas and Rubio of Florida on stage Sunday evening in California for a summit organized by Freedom Partners. That group is the central hub of the powerful network of organizations backed by conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch.

Each likely candidate has broad backing from tea party activists, who helped push them to victory over establishment-minded rivals in their most recent races. But a split is already starting to emerge even before they formally decide if they will run, and Paul seems to be an eager wedge.

"I'm a big fan of trying the diplomatic option as long as we can," Paul said of talks with Iran over its nuclear plan. "I do think diplomacy is better than war."

Lawmakers from both parties are pushing for a new round of sanctions against Iran. The White House and foreign leaders have urged Congress to not do that, for fear it would agitate Iran and prompt them to end negotiations over its nuclear abilities.

Cruz and Rubio were sharply critical of negotiations, backed by President Barack Obama.

"This is the worst negotiation in the history of mankind," Cruz said, predicting an Iranian nuclear strike in "Tel Aviv, New York or Los Angeles."

Added Rubio: "At this pace, in five years, we're going to build the bomb for them."

Paul urged his colleagues to have patience. "Are you ready to send ground troops into Iran?"

Cruz was having none of it. "The problem with Iran is Khomeini and the mullahs are radical Islamic nutcases," he said.

It was as intense a disagreement on Cuba. Obama late last year sent shockwaves across the hemisphere by restoring diplomatic ties with Cuba after more than a half-century of estrangement and embargoes. Politicians from corner of both parties were critical.

Cruz and Rubio, both Cuban-Americans fiercely opposed to the Castro regime's hold on power there, have been outspoken critics of Obama's move, while Paul notes the embargo has not ousted Fidel or Raul Castro.

"I'm kind of surrounded on this one," Paul said, sitting between Cruz to his right and Rubio to his left.

"The Castros are brutal dictators," Cruz said. He also said the potential for U.S. dollars flooding into Cuba would only keep the Castro regime in power longer.

"Maybe. Maybe not," Paul said.

Even on military spending, which is typically sacrosanct among Republicans, Paul needled his colleagues. Paul said national security is the most important spending in the budget, but "I'm not for a blank check."

Rubio said the United States' economic challenges did not stem from defense spending and smaller budgets would only threaten its future economic growth.

"Try economic growth while you're under attack," Rubio said.

The trio of lawmakers is laying the groundwork for presidential bids that are expected to launch in the coming months and will be competing for many of the same donors, including those the Kochs count as allies and who joined the weekend summit in Palm Springs, California.

The Koch network, which includes Americans for Prosperity, Generation Opportunity and the Libre Initiative, is unlikely to formally back one of the presidential hopefuls but its deep pockets can certainly focus the terms of the debate.

Sunday's event was closed to journalists but Freedom Partners broadcast the panel discussion with the three senators online for reporters, an unusual step toward transparency at the historically private gatherings. An earlier session with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, another likely contender, was not available online.

"There are a bunch of Democrats who have taken as their talking point that the Koch brothers are the nexus of all evil in the world," Cruz said, acknowledging the event's organizers.

"I admire Charles and David Koch," Cruz continued. "They are businessmen who have created hundreds of thousands of jobs and they have stood up for free market principles."

The evening session's online broadcast did not include images of the audience so it was impossible to know if either Charles or David Koch were in the audience.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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House Republicans are moving toward a vote authorizing legal action against President Barack Obama over his executive actions on immigration.

House Speaker John Boehner announced the plans in a closed-door meeting with lawmakers Tuesday, according to a person in the room. He told them GOP leaders are finalizing a legal plan with the best chance of blocking Obama's moves lifting the threat of deportation for millions of people here illegally.

Options include joining a lawsuit already filed by states over the issue, or filing a separate lawsuit. The person in the room spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private meeting.

The House already has passed legislation to overturn Obama's immigration actions, but the Senate looks unlikely to agree to the measure, which was added to must-pass legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security beyond February.

It's not clear how that issue will be resolved. "At this point it's up to the Senate to act, and I expect that they will soon," Boehner told reporters Tuesday.

The uncertainty has frustrated conservative Republicans who believe Congress' top priority on immigration should be to hold firm against Obama. They united against a separate border security bill that was scheduled to come to a vote on the House floor Wednesday, and GOP leaders delayed action, citing changes to the House schedule caused by the inclement weather. It's now not clear when that bill will come back up.

House Republicans already have sued to try to undo Obama's health care law.

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The Obama administration has ordered immigration agents to ask immigrants they encounter living in the country illegally whether they might qualify under President Barack Obamas plans to avoid deporting them, according to internal training materials obtained by The Associated Press.

Agents also have been told to review government files to identify any jailed immigrants they might be able to release under the program.

The directives from the Homeland Security Department mark an unusual change for U.S. immigration enforcement, placing the obligation on the government for identifying immigrants who might qualify for lenient treatment. Previously, it was the responsibility of immigrants or their lawyers to assert that they might qualify under rules that could keep them out of jail and inside the United States.

Its akin to the Internal Revenue Service calling taxpayers to recommend they should have used certain exemptions or deductions.

The training materials apply to agents for Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They instruct agents "to immediately begin identifying persons in their custody, as well as newly encountered persons" who may be eligible for protection from deportation.

One training document includes scenarios describing encounters between agents and immigrants with guidance about how agents should proceed, with a checklist of questions to determine whether immigrants might qualify under the presidents plans. ICE officials earlier began releasing immigrants who qualified for leniency from federal immigration jails.

Obama in November announced a program to allow roughly 4 million parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to apply for permission to stay in the country for up to three years and get a work permit. The program mirrors one announced in 2012 that provides protection from deportation for young immigrants brought to the country as children.

A spokesman for Customs and Border Protection, Carlos Diaz, said immigrants caught crossing the border illegally remain a top priority for the agency. The training documents for border agents, he said, "provide clear guidance on immigration enforcement operations so that both time and resources are allocated appropriately."

Crystal Williams, executive director for the American Immigration Lawyers Association in Washington, said the training will help filter people the government said should not be a priority anyway. She said the training marked the first she has heard of officers being directed to screen immigrants for potential leniency before they were arrested.

"Just because its a change doesnt mean its anything particularly radical," Williams said.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez, an Illinois Democrat and vocal supporter of Obamas immigration plans, said having CBP officers screen immigrants out of the deportation line lets the government "move criminals and recent arrivals to the front of the deportation line. The emphasis now is on who should be deported first, not just who can be deported."

A former deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Department, John Malcolm, said the new instructions limit immigration agents.

"Agents are being discouraged away from anything other than a cursory view" of an immigrants status and qualification for leniency, said Malcolm, who works as a senior legal fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank in Washington.

Under Obamas plans, the government is focused on deporting immigrants with serious criminal records or who otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety. For the most part, under the new policy, immigrants whose only offense is being in the country without permission arent supposed to be a priority for immigration officers.

While the administration has estimated that as many as 4 million people will be eligible for protection from deportation, the Congressional Budget Office estimated about 2 million to 2.5 million immigrants are expected to be approved for the program by 2017.

As many as 1.7 million young immigrants were estimated to be eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, but since its 2012 creation only about 610,000 people have successfully signed up.

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Cuban President Raul Castro demanded on Wednesday that the United States return the U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay, lift the half-century trade embargo on Cuba and compensate his country for damages before the two nations re-establish normal relations.

Castro told a summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States that Cuba and the U.S. are working toward full diplomatic relations but "if these problems aren't resolved, this diplomatic rapprochement wouldn't make any sense."

Castro and U.S. President Barack Obama announced on Dec. 17 that they would move toward renewing full diplomatic relations by reopening embassies in each other's countries. The two governments held negotiations in Havana last week to discuss both the reopening of embassies and the broader agenda of re-establishing normal relations.

Obama has loosened the trade embargo with a range of measures designed to increase economic ties with Cuba and increase the number of Cubans who don't depend on the communist state for their livelihoods.

The Obama administration says removing barriers to U.S. travel, remittances and exports to Cuba is a tactical change that supports the United States' unaltered goal of reforming Cuba's single-party political system and centrally planned economy.

Many Cuban exiles and U.S. lawmakers have stressed that the Castro regime owes $6 billion for the assets seized from thousands of U.S. citizens and businesses after the Cuban revolution in 1959, Fox News recently reported. With the United States pressing forward on normalizing relations with the communist country, some say the talks must resolve these claims.

"The administration has not provided details about how it will hold the Castro regime to account for the more than $6 billion in outstanding claims by American citizens and businesses for properties confiscated by the Castros," Sen. Robert Menendez, D-Fla., top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry ahead of historic talks in Havana this month.

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, (R-Fla.) who is chair of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, assailed the Castro regime's Guantanamo demands.

According to the legally binding agreement between the U.S. and Cuba regarding Guantanamo: so long as the United States of America shall not abandon the said naval station of Guantanamo or the two Governments shall not agree to a modification of its present limits, the station shall continue to have the territorial area that it now has,'" the Cuban-American lawmaker said in a statement to the press.



Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is strategically important for U.S. national security...The President must not allow this strategic asset to be extorted from the U.S. by the Castro brothers at any cost."

Ros-Lehtinen said the Castro regime needs to acknowledge the compensation it owes to Cubans and Americans whose properties and assets it confiscated.



Noticeably absent from the regimes demands, not surprisingly, is any offer to compensate the Cubans and Americans who had their land and property seized by the Castro regime, any change in its oppressive nature and abysmal human rights practices, and to halt its support for terrorism.

Cuba has said it welcomes the measures but has no intention of changing its system. Without establishing specific conditions, Castro's government has increasingly linked the negotiations with the U.S. to a set of longstanding demands that include an end to U.S. support for Cuban dissidents and Cuba's removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

On Wednesday, Castro emphasized an even broader list of Cuban demands, saying that while diplomatic ties may be re-established, normal relations with the U.S. depend on a series of concessions that appear highly unlikely in the near future.

"The reestablishment of diplomatic relations is the start of a process of normalizing bilateral relations, but this will not be possible while the blockade still exists, while they don't give back the territory illegally occupied by the Guanatanamo naval base," Castro said.

He demanded that the U.S. end the transmission of anti-Castro radio and television broadcasts and deliver "just compensation to our people for the human and economic damage that they're suffered."

The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Castro's remarks.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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Gov. Brian Sandoval said Wednesday that he doesnt think he legally can override the states challenge to an order that would spare more people from deportation, but he plans to talk with Attorney General Adam Laxalt about it in the next few days.

Sandoval made the comment Wednesday at an unrelated event in Carson City that took place just before a coalition of liberal groups launched a protest at Laxalts Las Vegas office. While Sandoval didnt give prior consent to Nevada joining the suit, which includes 25 other states as plaintiffs, its not uncommon for attorneys general to pursue lawsuits on their own.

Critics said Sandoval should have done more to rein in Laxalt, a fellow Republican whom he endorsed in the past election, especially on such a heated issue.

Hes the governor. He cant act like he has no control over anything, said spokeswoman Laura Martin of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, one of the groups involved in the protest. Stop being aloof and be a governor.

Laxalt announced Monday that Nevada would challenge President Barack Obamas order to shield millions from deportation and allow them to apply for work permits. Obama promoted the move at a Las Vegas high school in November.

The attorney general acknowledged that the immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed but argued that the president was going about it illegally.

The president cannot bypass the peoples elected representatives in Congress just because they do not pass the laws he wants, nor can he simply rewrite current law under the guise of prosecutorial discretion, Laxalt said.

Obama has defended himself by pointing to his Democratic and Republican predecessors and saying presidents exercise prosecutorial discretion all the time.

Laxalts move to join the lawsuit drew sharp criticism from Democrats, including Nevada Sen. Harry Reid.

This is embarrassing, Reid said in a statement. No other state in the country will benefit more from President Obamas executive actions than Nevada. The irresponsible decision to join a lawsuit that will cause family separation is harmful to our communities.

An estimated 7.6 percent of Nevada residents are living in the country illegally  the largest share of any state, according to the Pew Research Center. Politicians are typically sensitive to how their immigration moves will appear to Nevadas sizeable bloc of Hispanic voters, and Sandoval takes a more moderate tone on the matter than some Republican governors.

Gov. Sandoval continues to encourage Congressional leadership and President Obama to work toward passing a bipartisan solution, his spokeswoman, Mari St. Martin, said Monday. He continues to believe that the best course of action is a legislative solution rather than legal action.

While attorneys general at the federal level are typically in lockstep with the presidents who appoint them, the offices are elected separately in Nevada and an attorney general is independent of the governor.

What is more intriguing in this case is that while both men are Republicans and Sandoval supported Laxalts heated race for attorney general, their positions on immigration diverge.

Its politically a more interesting question than legally, said Michael Kagan, an associate professor at Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It shows two different visions in the Republican Party.

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Ukrainian businessman Oleksandr Yaroslavsky's DCH Group will send to the State Property Fund of Ukraine (SPF) its formal appeal about the group's willingness to ytake a lease of the Odesa Port-Side Plant.

"Such legal form as renting the Odesa Port-Side Plant will allow us to thoroughly understand the economic mechanism of activities of the plant and choose the best way to modernize it. At the moment, our specialists are preparing a formal appeal to the State Property Fund where we will state our willingness to take the enterprise on lease," DCH said in a statement on Friday night.

The group has emphasizes that it is still interested in the Odesa Port-Side Plant and its experience of successful development of a similar enterprise  Cherkasy-based PJSC Azot clearly shows that DCH has necessary competence, organizational and resource potential.

On December 30, the public joint-stock company Odesa Port-Side Plant said it decided to suspend its operations. The company said that now the plant's managers are looking for companies interested in leasing the property of the plant for a long period.

Earlier Head of Odesa Port-Side Plant Valeriy Horbatko resigned from the post.

The plant's debt to Naftogaz Ukrainy exceeds UAH 1 billion.

The company produces chemical products and transships ammonia to vessels.
Forgoing a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, the Israeli President, Reuven Rivlin, instead opted to spend part of his U.S. visit in the Bronx, where he talked about Jewish-Latino relations with the New York City boroughs president, Ruben Diaz Jr.

Rivlin, who was in New York for the United Nations Holocaust Memorial Commemorations, met with Diaz at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, where the two talked about Jewish history in the Bronx, the roots of the state of Israel, Israels role in the fight against terrorism and ways to strengthen bonds between the Latino and Jewish communities in the Bronx and across the globe.

"The Latinos in the Bronx are going to become the majority, not as Latinos but as Americans. And we would like that both friends, American and Israeli, be together because we symbolize the way of how to fulfill and act according to the rules of democrats," Rivlin said during the event, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

The meeting between Rivlin and Diaz comes on the heels of Diazs trip to Israel as part of a delegation of Latino business and civic leaders from across the New York tri-state area. While in Israel, Diaz and other Latino leaders met with Israeli political leaders and toured religious, historic and tactical sites across the country, including the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

"The Latino and Jewish communities of this city have demonstrated a deep commitment to one another for decades, and this event will help strengthen and expand on those connections," Diaz said.

Following the discussion, Diaz presented Rivlin with a Bronx quilt and made him an honorary "Bronxite."

During his address earlier in the day at the U.N., Rivlin lashed out at the international body for leveling accusations of genocide and war crimes against Israel while ignoring other atrocities around the globe.

Rivlin added that the "setting of red lines" for U.N. intervention on alleged genocide "requires us to stop diluting and cynically exploiting them in the name of pseudo-objectivity, as is done in the rhetoric of human rights with the use of terms such as 'genocide' for political purposes."

The Israeli president's avoidance of a meeting with Obama comes amid diplomatic tensions between the U.S. leader and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip.

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Could U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio win back the White House for the Republicans?

Some political experts think so, describing the Florida lawmaker as a candidate who has the support of the partys conservative base, but who also has crossover appeal.

Rubio, who is said to be seriously leaning toward running for president in 2016, has earned credibility with both so-called establishment Republicans, and the partys conservative faction, which has wielded considerable influence in recent national and local elections, especially during the all-important primaries.

Marco Rubio is one of the best organized in terms of political campaigns, Alfonso Aguilar, executive director of the American Principles Project's Latino Partnership and the former chief of the U.S. Office of Citizenship under George W. Bush, told Fox News Latino recently.

Hes very conservative, and we need a good candidate who is truly conservative, Aguilar said. He will attract the base, but at the same time he can attract independent voters. He has always had establishment Republican support, and the support of tea party groups.

That kind of appeal among various factions within the GOP, Aguilar said, is particularly important at a time when there is a division in the party.

Thats what also makes him so attractive as a candidate, Aguilar said.

Bolstering Aguilar's argument is an informal straw poll the Republican senator from Florida won that took place at the Koch brothers conference in California this past weekend.

Taylor Budowich, executive director of the Tea Party Express, said that Rubios consideration of running for president is exciting for conservative groups such as his.

[Rubio] has a message that resonates beyond the immediate party base, Budowich said. Thats what we are looking for in candidates  someone who articulates the conservative message in a powerful way, who can bring in new constituencies and put together a campaign that moves the party and moves the country forward.

Some presidential nominees who successfully appealed to people beyond their party's traditional followers have included Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, Budowich noted.

At the end of last week, several media outlets, including Fox News Latino, quoted senior aides for Rubio, 43, as saying that hes preparing to launch a 2016 presidential campaign and has told his team to proceed as if he is running for president, according to ABC News.

Rubio is skipping some Senate votes this week to engage in fundraising in California, Texas and Illinois. Published reports also note that a promotional tour for his new book is taking him through every single one of the early primary states.

The son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio has also made a major financial hire. Anna Rogers, the finance head for Karl Rove's American Crossroads group, will start working for Rubio's Reclaim America PAC and would likely become his campaign's finance chair if the senator were to run.

Some political observers believed that if former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, long seen as a mentor to Rubio, decided to run for president  something that he's indicated he's considering doing  that Rubio would refrain from tossing his hat into the ring out of loyalty, and also because Rubios base in Florida would be splintered between the two candidates.

But the rising GOP star has stated several times that he would make his decision regardless of any other candidate.

"I believe that if I decide to run for president, we have a path to be a very competitive candidate, and ultimately to win," Rubio told a group of 300 supporters on Miami's South Beach.

"I can't guarantee a victory. Certainly these races will be very competitive, and there's factors outside of our control that will determine a lot of it," he said. "But if we made the decision to run for president, I believe that we can put together the organization and raise the money necessary to win."

At the same time, he is trying to keep longtime donors and establishment-minded supporters from shifting loyalties toward Jeb Bush, or the party's 2012 presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, who is also moving toward a third White House bid.

"Jeb Bush is going to be a very credible candidate. I think he's going to raise a lot of money," Rubio has said. "He's got an extraordinary network of donors around the country and I know he'll be a strong candidate if he runs."

Though many political observers, and certainly Rubio observers, are not surprised that he is sounding more bells about running in 2016, some are taken aback by his willingness to do so while Jeb Bush also is leaning toward trying for a third Bush presidency.

Its been long anticipated that Rubio would seriously consider a presidential run, said Democratic pollster Fernand Amandi, managing partner at the Bendixen and Amandi research firm in Miami. However, Im a little surprised that he would risk ruining a relationship with Jeb Bush and set off a civil war within the Republican Party.

Rubio pulled off a stunning victory in 2009, when he challenged former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who at the time was a Republican, for the U.S. Senate seat left open by Mel Martinez.

Rubio, who was initially seen as an underdog, beat Crist and then his Democratic opponent, Kendrick Meek. In 2012, he often was mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate, and reportedly was on GOP nominee Mitt Romney's short list.

Amandi is not convinced about Rubios ability to pull together conservative, establishment GOP or broad Latino support for his candidacy.

I think he could potentially be a strong candidate in the future but not at this time, Amandi said. His brand within the GOP deteriorated considerably, and he is seen with mistrust among Hispanic voters.

Amandi said Rubio had begun to garner the interest of Latinos after he took a leadership role in the bipartisan Senate comprehensive immigration reform bill that passed in 2013.

But after the effort stalled in the House, and Rubio underwent some backlash by conservative groups that objected to the Senate bills provisions allowing some undocumented immigrants to have a path to legal status, the Florida senator virtually dropped the issue he had focused on nearly daily until that point.

He doubled down on the difficult relationship with Latinos, Amandi said.

Aguilar, however, sees it differently.

Rubios seizing of the immigration issue, he said, was courageous.

People said he back-pedaled after that, but he didnt, Aguilar said.

He qualified his position, he just wanted to lead on the issue and get it moving, he said. When the House started moving toward a piecemeal approach to immigration, he said he agreed with that.

Who would be a good running mate for a prospective presidential nominee Marco Rubio?

Aguilar thinks a governor would be ideal, instead of a fellow member of Congress.

He suggested someone like Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who is weighing a presidential run himself. Walker would help Rubio get support in the Midwest, Aguilar said.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry also would bolster a Rubio ticket, Aguilar said, bringing with him the not-so-small benefit of Texas voter support.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators unveiled legislation Thursday that, if approved, would be the beginning of the end of the U.S.-Cuba embargo.

The proposed legislation lifts all travel restrictions to Cuba, striking at a core part of the decades-long ban. The measure, called the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act, would also lift banking restrictions linked to travel to Cuba.

Eight Republicans and Democrats, including Sens. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, and Jeff Flake, an Arizona Republican  both longtime opponents of the embargo  announced their legislation at a noon press conference in Washington D.C.

Flake, who first introduced the measure 15 years ago, seeking a lifting of the restrictions, said: "A lot of Americans will be able to travel freely as a part of this legislation. Some say we ought to get something for this. This [restriction] is a prohibition on Americans, not Cubans. Americans ought to travel where they want to."

Cuban President Raul Castro and U.S. President Barack Obama announced on Dec. 17 that they would move toward renewing full diplomatic relations by reopening embassies in each other's countries. The two governments held negotiations in Havana last week to discuss both the reopening of embassies and the broader agenda of re-establishing normal relations.

Obama has loosened the trade embargo with a range of measures designed to increase economic ties with Cuba and increase the number of Cubans who don't depend on the communist state for their livelihoods.

The Obama administration says removing barriers to U.S. travel, remittances and exports to Cuba is a tactical change that supports the United States' unaltered goal of reforming Cuba's single-party political system and centrally planned economy.

The Senate legislation would end restrictions on all travel from the United States to Cuba, for the first time in nearly six decades allowing any American to visit the island, which is just 90 miles from Florida, or a roughly 30 minute plane trip from Miami.

Next week, a similar bill to end the travel restrictions will be introduced in the House of Representatives, according to Reuters.

Reps. Mark Sanford, a South Carolina Republican, and Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat, are sponsors of the House measure.

Hearings on Cuba are also taking place next week in the House and Senate.

The lifting of travel restrictions, though one part of the embargo, is a pivotal part and would for the first time remove a huge barrier between Americans and people in Cuba.

At the press conference, Flake said he would like to see the embargo completely lifted.

"Why not go for the whole thing? I would favor lifting the embargo myself," he said.

While lifting the embargo, to be sure, has ample bipartisan support, there is also firm opposition to doing so by many Republicans and elected officials with a substantial number of Cuban-American constituents.

Opponents of lifting the embargo say that paving the way for more tourism will only pour more money into the Castro regime, which needs new sources of revenue, especially since its benefactor, Venezuela, is struggling economically.

They say that Cuba has been receiving tourists from plenty of places around the world, including Europe and Canada, but that the regime is so repressive that mere exposure by the Cuban people to outsiders is not enough to generate democratic change there.

"This lopsided acquiescence to the Castro brothers is a huge mistake, said Raul Mas, a Cuban-American political analyst based in Miami. It will only ensure the survival of their regime. Congress should quash it until Raul and Fidel Castro agree to take substantive steps to bring freedom to the Cuban people. The existing framework is a farce."

Cuban-American members of Congress have vehemently opposed normalizing relations with Cuba and easing any part of the embargo.

Bills to lift the embargo are nothing new in Congress," said Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican, in a statement to Fox News Latino. "While some members of the House or Senate may think that American trade with Cuba will bring democracy, the reality is that the rest of the world has travelled and traded with Cuba with no democratic result."

"Instead of giving the regime a veritable goodie bag of concessions, Congress should remain focused on pressuring the Castro regime and standing with the Cuban people and pro-democracy leaders.

The sponsors of the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act said they are aware that their measure would not generate automatic democratic reform in Cuba.

"I'm not suggesting we're going to see Cuba change overnight," said Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat. "We're going to see an acceleration of debate."

Outside the political arena, many business groups, including agricultural employers, want the embargo to end  theyre eager to export to Cuba.

Many Americans also want to travel to the long-forbidden island, a favorite vacation place before the Communist revolution. Many Americans have gone there illegally, through third countries.

On a more ideological level, many supporters say that the more Cuban people are exposed to tourists, they more they may feel emboldened to push for democratic change.

Sen. John Boozman, an Arizona Republican and a sponsor of the measure, said: "The way you change societies is through personal relationships."

Ric Herrero, a Cuban-American who heads #CubaNow, a nongovernmental organization pushing for closer ties to the island, agreed.

Americans are the best ambassadors of our values and lifting all barriers to the flow of contacts between the U.S. and the Cuban people is in the best interests of both nations," Herrero said to Fox News Latino. There is no better way to help shape the future of Cuba than to play an active and constructive role in its present.

This story contains material from The Associated Press.

Chad Pergram, Fox News senior producer, contributed to this story.
The new White House budget will include $1 billion in aid for Central America, three times the amount that the region typically receives from the United States.

A fact sheet from the office of Vice President Joe Biden portrays the aid as a way to address, in great part, the push-pull factors that fueled a surge in unaccompanied minors from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador showing up on the U.S. border last summer.

The fact sheet said: The Presidents request aligns the resources necessary to help the leaders of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras implement systemic reforms that address the lack of economic opportunity, the absence of strong institutions, and the extreme levels of violence that have held the region back at a time of prosperity for the rest of the Western Hemisphere.

The White House says $400 million will go to promote trade, economic integration and energy.

Another $300 million is for police reform, defense cooperation and organized crime reduction.

Obama also wants $250 million to help countries strengthen their courts and government institutions.

While the United States is investing significant resources, the success of this effort will depend far more on the readiness of Central American governments to continue to demonstrate political will and undertake substantial political and economic commitments to bring about positive change in the region, the statement said.

We are encouraged that the Central American governments  and the Northern Triangle countries in particular  have taken concrete actions to further this objective, it said. They havecommitted to promoting government accountability and reform and strengthening border management that will also focus on migration.

Details of what President Barack Obama will ask for in his budget began to trickle out ahead of the budget's formal release Monday. The Interior Department announced Obama would seek $1 billion for Native American schools. At the Pentagon, Obama's increases would help pay for next-generation F-35 fighter jets, for ships and submarines and for long-range Air Force tankers.

On the domestic side, Obama has proposed two free years of community college and new or expanded tax credits for child care and spouses who both work.

In his meeting with House Democrats, Obama also insisted that Republicans must not be allowed to use a funding bill for the Homeland Security Department to try to quash his executive actions on immigration. The White House has called that approach a "dangerous view" that would risk national security.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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U.S. Senator Marco Rubio is asking Secretary of State John Kerry to call for an independent, internationally assisted investigation into the suspicious death of an Argentinian prosecutor assigned to look into the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, the nation's deadliest terror attack ever.

The Florida senator said Alberto Nismans unfinished work could have implications on U.S. national security and it is imperative that the U.S. make sure his death is adequately investigated. Nisman was probing whether Argentina struck a deal to receive cheap oil from Iran and in return would shield the Iranians involved in the bombing from prosecution. Iran would also receive beef and grains from Argentina.

The suspicious death of Alberto Nisman, Argentinas Special Prosecutor investigating the 1994 terrorist attack against the Argentine Jewish Mutual Aid Society (AMIA) in Buenos Aires, deserves greater attention by this Administration, Rubio wrote in the letter to Kerry. I am increasingly concerned about the ability of the Government of Argentina to conduct a fair and impartial investigation into his death, or its capacity to ensure the independence of a prosecutor that would continue Mr. Nismans decade-long work. I thus urge the Administration to support the establishment of an independent, internationally assisted investigation into Mr. Nismans suspicious death.

Rubio said it was imperative that the U.S. understand the questionable relationship between Iran and Argentina.

As you intensify discussions with the Iranian regime, including with some officials whose names have surfaced in Mr. Nismans work, it is more important than ever for the American public and lawmakers to clearly understand the nature of Irans activities in our own hemisphere, now as well as in the past, he said.

Last week, Sen. Bob Menendez, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also called for a full investigation into Nismans death.

Menendez requested that the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires press the Argentinian government to provide answers regarding his death.

Nisman was found dead on Jan. 18 in his Buenos Aires apartment. He was lying on the bathroom floor next to a .22-caliber handgun and a bullet casing.

While his death was originally ruled a suicide, family and friends of Nisman  as well as President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner  rejected the finding, while protesters took to the streets demanding justice for the prosecutor.

"President Fernandez de Kirchner's announcement that Mr. Nisman's death was not a suicide raises troubling new questions," Menendez said in a statement last week. "The increasingly suspicious conditions surrounding Mr. Nismans death, just hours before he was scheduled to testify before the Argentine Congress, demand a thorough and transparent investigation."

In an interview last week with Fox News Latino, Menendez said he is pursuing briefings about the Iran-related allegations.

The circumstances around the prosecutor and my longtime concerns about what has happened to the Jewish community in Argentina make me seriously concerned about all of these reports [about Irans role] that are out there, Menendez said.

He added that Irans forays into the Western Hemisphere in order to expand its influence is in itself worrisome.

This is a state sponsor of terrorism in our own hemisphere, Menendez said about Iran.

Nismans report on the AMIA case, which was released after his death, revealed intercepted conversations between representatives of the Iranian and Argentinian governments that point to a long pattern of secret negotiations between the two nations.

From the beginning, on social media and throughout the world, many questioned whether Nisman killed himself.

No suicide note was found and a test of Nisman's hand showed no gunpowder residue, though investigators said that may have been due to the small caliber of the gun.

Also feeding suspicion was the rapid appearance of national Security Secretary Sergio Berni at the apartment, since he is a government  and not a judicial  official. He denied allegations that he altered the crime scene.

Then the locksmith who opened the back door to give investigators access to Nisman's apartment said it hadn't been properly locked, raising speculation about whether a killer might have entered or exited the 13-story dwelling.

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Senate Democrats threatened Thursday to block action on legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unless Republicans jettison House-passed provisions that reverse President Barack Obama's key immigration policies.

Without action by Congress by Feb. 27, the department will lose a portion of its funding for counterterrorism and other activities, an event lawmakers in both parties say they want to avoid.

Republicans have vowed since last fall they would use the funding measure to reverse Obama's recent shifts in immigration policies, and the House-passed bill is due on the Senate floor in the next few days.

But Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said Democrats are not willing to go along, and blasted Republicans in unusually strong terms.

"They seem to dislike the idea of supporting homeland security. They dislike Dreamers more than they dislike ISIS," he said.

The term "Dreamers" applies to young immigrants brought into the country illegally with their parents. ISIS refers to the Islamic State militants who have taken over portions of Iraq and Syria.

Schumer said the Democratic rank and file is united behind a strategy of preventing action on the House-passed measure until Republicans drop the immigration provisions.

The House-passed bill provides $39.7 billion to finance the DHS through the rest of the budget year for counterterrorism, cybersecurity and other priorities at a time when attacks in Paris and elsewhere are fresh in the public's mind. Unaffected by the measure is additional money the agency receives from fees.

As passed in the House, the legislation would also reverse Obama's decision last fall to provide temporary deportation relief and work permits to an estimated 4 million immigrants in the country illegally, mostly people who have children who are citizens or legal permanent residents.

The bill also would eliminate a 2012 directive that has granted work permits and stays of deportation to more than 600,000 immigrants who arrived illegally in the U.S. under the age of 16.

Obama has threatened to veto the House-passed bill.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the measure would increase the federal deficit by $7.5 billion over a decade.

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While his father has grabbed headlines in recent days as he prepares for a possible 2016 presidential run, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush lent national star power to a school choice rally, championing school vouchers and charter schools in flawless English and Spanish.

The son of presidential hopeful Jeb Bush, George P. Bush is a former public school teacher in Miami and served on the board of one of Texas' largest charter school operators. His office oversees Texas' Permanent School Fund, which helps pay classroom costs and which recently surpassed a Harvard University fund as the nation's largest educational endowment.

Many at the rally wore "National School Choice Week" scarfs, and Friday's was one of many similar gatherings being held throughout the country. One of the organizers of Texas' event was the Libre Initiative, a national group funded by the conservative mega-donor Koch Brothers to woo Hispanics to conservative causes.

Bush promised to use his "voice and the platform of the Permanent School Fund to encourage more education reform" statewide, adding that "school choice must be a part of that conversation."

"The majority of our students are trapped in schools that are underperforming," said Bush, who switched gracefully between English and Spanish. "Some schools don't work and refuse to change, and that's why we need school choice."

New Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick likens school choice to the civil rights movement and says low-income parents should be able to remove their children from struggling public schools and get state money so they can afford private alternatives.

Last legislative session, lawmakers dramatically overhauled public education, including approving a major expansion of charter schools. About 200,000 students attend 600-plus charter schools statewide, though supporters say more than 100,000 others are on waitlists.

Meanwhile, much-ballyhooed voucher proposals died when lawmakers passed a bipartisan resolution to keep public funding in public schools. Democrats often partner with rural Republicans who fear hurting their district's traditional schools.

A key Patrick ally, state Sen. Donna Campbell, attended Friday's rally and said the traditional public school system is "a tragedy created by government."

Teachers unions and civil organizations counter that fixing struggling public schools shouldn't involve siphoning funding away for private alternatives. Jimmie Chadwell, superintendent of Eagle Mountain-Saginaw school district, north of Fort Worth, said that while private schools often can select who they educate, public schools take all comers  even kids from the most problematic of backgrounds.

"Most conversation about our public schools tends to be negative," Chadwell said in a phone interview. "Not because it's based upon facts but because it's about extremes."

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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Thousands of immigrants seeking legalization through the U.S. court system have had their hearings canceled and are being told by the government that it may be 2019 or later before their futures are resolved.

Some immigration lawyers fear the delay will leave their clients at risk of deportation as evidence becomes dated, witnesses disappear, sponsoring relatives die and dependent children become adults.

The increase in cancellations began late last summer after the Justice Department prioritized the tens of thousands of Central American migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, most of them mothers with children and accompanied minors.

Immigration lawyers in cities that absorbed a large share of those cases, including New York, San Antonio, Los Angeles and Denver, say they've had hearings canceled with little notice and received no new court dates. Work permits, green cards, asylum claims, and family reunifications hang in the balance.

Denver immigration lawyer David Simmons said he's never seen such a standstill in nearly 30 years of practice. "There is no maneuverability," he said. "It's as if we have no court at all."

One of Simmons' clients, Maximiano Vazquez-Guevarra, 34, recently won his appeal to become a legal permanent resident. But his case still needs to go in front of an immigration judge one last time, and it has been pulled from the docket.

Vazquez, who is from the Mexican state of Guanajuato, entered the U.S. illegally in 1998. He has been fighting deportation since 2011, when he came to authorities' attention after his second driving under the influence charge. He lives in suburban Denver with his American wife, Ashley Bowen, and their 6-year-old daughter, and they are expecting their second child in August.

Meanwhile Vazquez's brother in Mexico is dying of kidney failure, and Vazquez can't leave the country. "It's sad," Vazquez said in a telephone interview. "I feel bad not seeing him, to say one last goodbye."

Before July, only immigrants in detention were considered a priority for the courts. Under the new policies, unaccompanied minors and families facing deportation also have priority status, regardless of whether they're in detention.

The Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Justice Department body that oversees the nation's immigration courts, could not say precisely how many hearings had been canceled. But it said more than 415,000 immigrants who are not in detention have cases pending.

Hearings are being rescheduled for Nov. 29, 2019, as a way to keep cases on the docket, said Lauren Alder Reid, legislative and public affairs counsel for EOIR. Most, however, are likely to receive other dates  either earlier or later, as docket times become available, she said.

Simmons said thousands of non-priority cases in Denver alone have had hearings canceled.

When the surge hit last summer, immigration courts there were already short two judges because of retirements. Two of the three remaining Denver immigration judges are hearing, via videoconference, cases of families detained in a new detention center in South Texas. The third Denver judge is hearing cases involving unaccompanied minors who've been placed with relatives.

David Martin, a law professor at the University of Virginia who worked for two Democratic presidents, criticized Congress and the Obama administration for not funding more immigration judges.

"You fund more investigators, more detention space, more border patrol, almost all of these are going to produce some kind of immigration court case," he said. "You are putting a lot more people into the system. It's just going to be a big bottleneck unless you increase the size of that pipeline."

San Antonio's immigration courts, which like Denver's are handling a large number of unaccompanied children and detained families, also have seen the cancellations of all non-detainee hearings, which are not considered priority.

Lance Curtright, a San Antonio lawyer, said hearings have been postponed for hundreds of cases his firm is handling. Longtime green card holders facing deportation over minor crimes or procedural issues are going to suffer needlessly, along with their families, he said.

"This is their home, and they don't know if they are going to be forcibly removed from it," he said. "And they are not going to get any resolution on that until 2019."

Limbo does not jeopardize all immigrants facing deportation as many are still able to work under existing permits until their cases can be heard. The delays might even provide some immigrants with weaker petitions more time to build a stronger case.

"Moving the docket back four years to some people will be devastating," said Anthony Drago, an immigration lawyer in Boston. "To other people it's, wow, four years in the United States."

Asylum seekers, who often have had to leave behind families in countries ravaged by war and violence, are among the hardest hit, said Bryan Johnson-Xenitelis, an immigration lawyer in New York. His firm has had eight case hearing cancellations so far, including that of a severely disabled young man from Ukraine with an asylum petition. Another dozen asylum claims at his firm have not been scheduled.

Many fear that cases like these will linger indefinitely at the bottom of the pile if there's another wave of Central American migrants.

"Starting May or June, there is likely going to be another surge of unaccompanied kids or families," said Manoj Govindaiah, a lawyer for the San Antonio-based Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services. "Presumably this issue is going to continue."

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President Barack Obama's choice to be U.S. ambassador to Mexico has withdrawn from consideration.

The White House says Maria Echaveste cites a prolonged confirmation process as well as her family's best interests.

A native of Texas who grew up in California, Echaveste would have been the first American woman to be ambassador to Mexico.

Obama nominated Echaveste, a corporate lawyer, last September.

A graduate of Stanford University and Berkeley Law School, Echaveste was deputy chief of staff and a presidential assistant during the Clinton administration. When Hillary Rodham Clinton was secretary of state, she appointed Echaveste a special representative to Bolivia.

Echaveste is a partner in the consulting firm Nueva Vista Group in San Francisco.

Her withdrawal was first reported by Politico.

She embodies diversity of influence, knowledge and I think thats very special, David Ayon, an expert with the Wilson Center and former coworker and friend told Fox News Latino back in September.

I think it is a great advantage that she's a Mexican American, and she's going to be the right ambassador, just right for the times that were living, he said.

A White House official during the Clinton administration, where she served as Deputy Chief of Staff from 1998 to 2001, Echaveste compensated her lack of diplomatic experience with her great influence in Washington, where she is well known as an authority on immigration and public policy issues.

Maria Echaveste is among the best and brightest that our community has to offer. Her roots are in Texas and California, two states who understand well the importance of the U.S. Mexico relationship. Shell be an excellent ambassador, said Texas Congressman Pete Gallego when she was nominated.

Mexico is the U.S. second largest export market, and its third largest trading partner and energy supplier. According to figures by the State Department, the U.S. buys over 75 percent of Mexicos exports  in 2013 bilateral trade in goods and services was over $500 billion, having grown in each of the last three years.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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The Democratic Party is facing mounting pressure from Latino activists and political insiders to back a Hispanic candidate for the first vacant U.S. senate seat in California in nearly 25 years.

If they don't, experts say, they risk alienating Latino voters nationwide.

Latino activists in the Golden State have grown concerned because they feel that Washington, D.C., Democratic leaders have appeared to anoint California Attorney General Kamala Harris to succeed retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer in 2016, and as a result Harris' candidacy has gotten early support and momentum.

Some insiders are concerned that Democrats may miss out on an important opportunity. More than one out of four U.S. Hispanics live in California, and they make up nearly 40 percent of the states population  nevertheless there has never been a Latino U.S. Senator from the state.

Its a transcendent moment where Latinos are going to have to say we are clearly a plurality of the population and it is our time to govern the state. There is going to be a gut check with every Latino state official, they are all going to have to take a look around the room and ask if they are ready to step up.  Mike Madrid, Republican strategist and expert on Latino voting trends

Its a far different California than it was in 1992, when Democrats Dianne Feinstein and Boxer became the states first two female U.S. Senators. Their election wins that year served as a catalyst for what would become known as The Year of the Woman  never before had four women been elected to the U.S. Senate in a single election year.

More than two decades later, Boxer, 74, announced her retirement and there is discussion about whether it is the responsibility of Democratic leaders in California to ensure that 2016 sees a similar surge in Latino elected officials at the highest reaches of the federal government.

"If at least one of these two senate seats in California does not have a Latino sitting in it by the end of November 2018, itll be a shame, said Roger Salazar, a political consultant who has worked for Democratic campaigns in California for years.

There are three Latinos in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida)  none of whom are of Mexican descent, the largest Hispanic population in the country. All three are Cuban-American.

Mike Madrid, a Republican strategist who has worked in California politics and is an expert on Latino voting trends, believes the 2016 Senate race will shed light on a frankly dangerous problem, in which a state in which Latinos are the largest ethnic group is being run largely by non-Latinos.

Of the states 10 statewide elected offices, only one is held by a Hispanic  Secretary of State Alex Padilla.

You have a young, poor Latino population being ruled, governed and represented by an older, whiter, wealthier class, Madrid explained. Something is wrong with our representative government, where those that represent us increasingly do not look like us. That is not a good recipe for a healthy society.

He blames the predicament on two things: poverty and the San Francisco political machine.

Madrid points out that eight of the 10 current statewide elected officeholders come from northern California, and seven from the Bay Area, which is home to a voter base that is much wealthier, whiter, and more likely to cast a ballot.

The reality, Madrid said, is candidates from places like Los Angeles County, home to the largest Hispanic population in the state, stand a slim chance of winning statewide elections because of low voter turnout in the southern part of the state.

That may be directly tied to poverty, Madrid said. There are now 8.9 million people in poverty in California, a majority of whom are Latino. In fact, if Californias poor people were their own state, it would be the eighth largest state in the country.

There is a direct correlation between the explosion of poverty among Latinos, L.A. County and statewide, and the decline in voter participation and civic engagement, Madrid said. The population base is in Los Angeles, in Southern California, and that voice is increasingly poorer, Latino and is getting shut out.

He believes it's important for a Latino to represent the community, explaining, "You cant talk about income in-equality, or the middle class, without talking about the success and failures of Latinos in California."

No anointment here, Harris camp says

The Harris campaign says any notion that she has been anointed by the Democratic party is untrue. She just happens to be the only candidate who has officially declared that shes running.

I would say she has never taken a race for granted, and takes nothing for granted, and she intends to campaign and earn every single vote, said Brian Brokaw, a spokesman for the her campaign.

Professor Louis Desipio, a professor of Chicano/Latino Studies at the University of California, Irvine, points out that Harris has to be considered a serious contender since she has won two statewide elections, in 2010 and 2014.

Its a calendar equation, Desipio said. I dont think six months from now there will be any sense of an anointment. Its too early to tell.

Those close to Harris, the first female and African-American Attorney General in Californias history, also balk at the notion that a non-Latino cannot represent the Latino community or fight effectively for issues they care about.

Look at the track record, said Brokaw. A candidate, in our view, should be judged on that.

In a bulletin laying out Harris record, the campaign listed eight examples as to how she has been a strong, consistent supporter of Californias Latino and immigrant communities.

Among the points it makes are that Harris has provided pro-bono lawyers for unaccompanied migrant minors, has defended President Obamas executive action on immigration and has been asked to be a messenger for the policy by the White House, while also working to pass the Homeowner Bill of Rights that provides protection against discriminatory practices from mortgage lenders and banks.

Latino leaders need gut check

As Harris campaign builds momentum, Latinos have stepped up their effort to find a candidate in the community as formidable.

Currently, the favorites to throw their hat into the ring are former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Rep. Xavier Becerra and Rep. Loretta Sanchez.

People close to Villaraigosa say he is seriously considering running, but isnt looking at this race through a Latino/non-Latino lens. One source told Fox News Latino, Thats not the prism hes looking at this through The only opportunity that would be lost is if the issues from California arent addressed by the next senator.

Rep. Becerra is expected to make a decision in the next few weeks, while Rep. Sanchez said she intends to mull it over for several months before announcing her decision.

In the meantime, Arturo Vargas, president of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, or NALEO, said the Democrats needs to make sure they are fully supportive of Latino candidates in California in order to send a message to Latino supporters around the country.

"I think it would be very dangerous for the Democratic Party to ignore the role of Latinos in California as part of its base, and if the Democratic Party does not invest in Latino candidates, they should not assume it would always be a blue state, Vargas said.

Madrid agreed that the stakes this time around are larger than just one Senate seat.

Its a transcendent moment where Latinos are going to have to say we are clearly a plurality of the population and it is our time to govern the state, he said. There is going to be a gut check with every Latino state official, they are all going to have to take a look around the room and ask if they are ready to step up.
The Pilot travel agency has been selected as an official tour operator of the Eurovision 2017 song contest, the National Television Company of Ukraine - the organizer and broadcaster of the song contest in Kyiv has reported.

Pilot has won the tender, which was held by the National Television Company of Ukraine in November.

The official tour operator of Eurovision 2017 should have an online service that allows foreign visitors to quickly and easily reserve hotel rooms for the time of the song contest in Kyiv. When choosing a travel partner, the Eurovision 2017 took into account the requirements and standards of the European Broadcasting Union.

"The online service of the tour operator of Eurovision should be as convenient as possible for ordering and paying for hotel rooms. Also, the tour operator should offer hotel rooms in various price categories. The online booking system, which was provided by the Pilot company, as well as the qualifications of their employees has convinced us that it is a decent travel partner for the international song contest," Executive Producer of Eurovision 2017 Oleksandr Harebin said.

Pilot will provide these services to official delegations, media, representatives of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), sponsors and partners of the show, as well as fans of Eurovision, which will arrive in May 2017 in the capital of Ukraine.
House freshman Carlos Curbelo of Florida is taking another step toward making comprehensive immigration reform one of his pet issues.

The Cuban-American lawmaker, who in January began his new stint as a congressman, has launched a political action committee, or PAC, named What A Country!

Curbelos PAC aims to raise funds for Republican candidates who support a comprehensive approach to immigration, including bolstering border security and providing a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants who met certain criteria, according to published reports.

"What a Country! recognizes that the United States is the land of opportunity, Curbelo is quoted as telling the Miami Herald, where anyone who comes here and works hard and plays by the rules can get ahead."

"It will support candidates who understand the importance of overhauling our nation's immigration laws to secure our borders," he said, "promote legal immigration and reward those who contribute to our economy."

Curbelo is very publicly embracing a middle road approach to immigration  one that equally stresses enforcement and giving some forms of relief to undocumented immigrants  at the time when his party is tilting toward a hard line on the issue.

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican who has been pushing in the House for comprehensive immigration reform, said in a statement to Fox News Latino: "I commend Congressman Curbelo for creating this PAC to help elect and maintain Republicans who share our values of hard work, opportunity, and the rule of law."

It was only a few weeks ago that Curbelo made headlines when he bucked his party's efforts to block President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration, and appeared on TV news shows to stress the need to give undocumented immigrants a way to legalize their status. Then, Curbelo, who made immigration reform a cornerstone of his campaign, highlighted the issue again when he delivered the Spanish-language GOP response to Obama's State of the Union address.

The English-language GOP response made no mention of immigration, many noted.

On Tuesday, the Senate is scheduled to take up the Homeland Security spending bill that may also seek to undo Obamas executive action, which suspends deportation for three years for millions of undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as minors or who are the parents of U.S. citizens or legal immigrants.

Many Republicans, who now have a majority in both chambers of Congress, have vehemently criticized Obamas executive action, calling it unconstitutional and an end-run around Congress. Many also say that any break for undocumented immigrants amounts to rewarding law-breakers.

Obama has blamed congressional inaction on immigration reform for his decision to implement some policies unilaterally.

Earlier this year, the House passed a GOP-led Homeland Security funding bill pass that called for ending a 2012 Obama directive that suspended deportation for two years to undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States before the age of 16, and who met other criteria.

But in a widely noticed move, Curbelo was in a minority of Republicans who did not vote for the bill, citing objections to the immigration aspects.

He later told reporters that his vote reflected the wishes of his constituents  many of whom are immigrants or have immigrant relatives  on immigration.

Josh Schwerin, the national press secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, balked at Curbelo's effort and questioned the sincerity of his claims about being moderate on immigration.

When Carlos Curbelo cast his vote for [Rep.] John Boehner for [House] Speaker he gave up any pretense of actually trying to get comprehensive immigration reform passed through Congress," Schwerin said in an e-mail to Fox News Latino. "Curbelo supports this Republican leadership that has not only blocked comprehensive reform, but made deporting DREAMers a top priority."

Senate Democrats have vowed to block any effort to undo Obama's order to protect millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation.

For his part, Curbelo senses a desire on the part of some in his party to find a compromise on the thorny issue of what to do with the nations 11 million undocumented immigrants.

"I can assure you that there is a silent majority of House Republicans that believe that it is critical to overhaul our country's immigration law from A to Z," Curbelo told NBC News. "This is part of the effort to support them and to continue building momentum for this necessary reform."

If the bill dies in the Senate, the House will take up the measure again and discuss how to handle the divisive immigration amendments. Leaving them in means risking a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security by the end of this month.

Obama has threatened to veto any measure that undoes his executive action.
In an often pointed exchange on Tuesday with Obama administration officials, Cuban-American senators challenged the new policy, unveiled in December by the president, that calls for normalizing relations between Cuba and the United States.

Testifying at the first Senate hearing chaired by Sen. Marco Rubio, a likely presidential candidate, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson said that the United States won't curtail its support for democracy and human rights activists in Cuba as part of any agreement to restore embassies between the two countries.

Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey complained that the U.S. won no concessions from President Raul Castro's government and demanded that Cuba extradite a woman convicted of killing a policeman from his state.

Rubio, a Florida Republican, asked Jacobson and State Department human rights chief Tom Malinowski if they would be willing to sacrifice human rights in an embassy agreement. He read from an interview that Josefina Vidal, Cuba's top negotiator, gave The Associated Press after two days of historic talks in Havana last month in which she tied the establishment of embassies to reduced U.S. support for Cuban dissidents.

"We would not curtail the activities we're doing now," Jacobson answered. When Rubio pressed her for a firm commitment, she said she couldn't imagine a U.S. embassy operating in Havana under such conditions and suggested that Vidal's comments may have been more posturing than an actual negotiating position.

Jacobson's trip to Havana last month made her the highest-level U.S. official to visit Cuban capital in more than three decades. The talks encompassed the details of reconstituting embassies in each other's capitals, managing migration flows and the much larger process of normalizing ties between governments with unresolved issues ranging from fugitives to financial claims.

Jacobson said she raised several barriers to the re-establishment of diplomatic relations during her Havana discussions, including U.S. resistance to any restrictions on American diplomats, shipments to the U.S. Interests Section and Cuban access to that building.

Concrete progress was limited in the first round of talks, which focused largely on setting an agenda. Jacobson said in prepared testimony Tuesday that the two sides intend to talk again in February. Those talks are likely to be in Washington.

This Administration is under no illusions about the continued barriers to internationally recognized freedoms that remain for the Cuban people, nor are we under illusions about the nature of the Cuban government, Jacobson said in her prepared comments. When we sat down with our counterparts in Havana, we were clear that our governments have both shared interests and sharp differences.

I raised with the Cuban government our concerns about its harassment, use of violence, and arbitrary detention of Cuban citizens peacefully expressing their views.

Among senators, positions on Obama's sudden rapprochement with Cuba crisscrossed party affiliation and political interest. Countering Rubio among Republicans was Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, who wants to end all U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba. Rand Paul of Kentucky, another GOP senator who supports the thaw, didn't show up for the hearing.

Obama and Castro vowed to improve ties after announcing in December a spy swap and the release of Alan Gross, a U.S. aid contractor who had been held in Cuba for five years. In the weeks that followed, Obama's administration relaxed several restrictions on Cuba under the American economic embargo and Castro's government released 53 political prisoners.

However, the Cuban government also tallied 140 new, short-term detentions since December, the State Department's Malinowski said.

"The nature of the Cuban regime has not changed," Malinowski told the senators. Still, he said he was "absolutely confident" that Cuban people fighting for change would prevail.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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U.S. sanctions against Venezuelans linked to corruption and human rights violations are being broadened to include a greater number of people: individuals who are, or have been, government officials and are believed to have taken part in human rights abuses.

The sanctions include restricting visas for travel to the United States, according to a statement by the State Department released on Monday.

Ignoring repeated calls for change by governments, respected leaders, and groups of experts, the Venezuelan government has continued to demonstrate a lack of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, said spokeswoman Jen Psaki, attempting to stifle dissent by prosecuting political activists and cracking down on peaceful protests, which were triggered by deteriorating security, economic, social, and political conditions.

The restrictions will be extended to immediate relatives of those officials, as well.

We will not publicly identify these individuals because of U.S. visa confidentiality laws, but we are sending a clear message that human rights abusers, those who profit from public corruption, and their families are not welcome in the United States, the statement said. We emphasize the action we are announcing today is specific to individuals and not directed at the Venezuelan nation or its people."

Violent street protests erupted last year and lasted for several weeks, ending in the deaths of dozens of anti-government activists and the jailing of many others.

Opposition groups said that the administration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was behind many of the violent attacks on the protesters.

Many members of Congress called on the administration to sanction Venezuela by imposing economic sanctions that include a ban on travel to the U.S. by Venezuelan officials complicit in human rights abuses, and freezing their assets.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a sponsor of legislation calling for sanctions against Venezuela, said that sanctions would carry an important message to Venezuelan officials in response to reports of arrests, torture and even killing of unarmed demonstrators. He passed a bill proposing sanctions against Venezuela with New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez and Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, both Democrats.

The Miami Herald reported that Maduro said in a speech to Venezuelas Supreme Court: The policy of the U.S. empire toward Venezuela is chaotic and being held hostage by an irresponsible imperial faction.

They are taking the United States down a dead-end street when it comes to its relationship with Venezuela and Latin America.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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To hear congressional Republicans tell it, Democrats are so eager to grant work permits to immigrants in the U.S. illegally that they'd risk funding for the Homeland Security Department to do it. Democrats counter that it's Republicans who are jeopardizing the Homeland Security budget in their zeal to deport immigrants brought here illegally as children.

Those two opposing sides are in a high-stakes drama underway on Capitol Hill as lawmakers wrangle over a $39.7 billion House-passed bill that funds the department for the remainder of the budget year while overturning President Barack Obama's executive actions limiting deportations for millions here illegally and giving them the ability to work.

With the president scheduled to meet with a group of young immigrants who entered the country illegally at the Oval Office on Wednesday, the back-and-forth with Republicans over immigration comes at a time of global threats and terrorist slayings of prisoners. One way or another, most involved agree, Congress will find a way to approve funding for the Homeland Security Department, even if lawmakers have to pass a short-term extension ahead of the Feb. 27 deadline before coming up with a final deal.

But how and when lawmakers will get there is less clear as both parties jockey for advantage in a new era of divided government, with Republicans in full control of Congress for the first time in eight years and Obama ready and willing to wield his veto pen.

"It's so hard to divine how this will all come out," said Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz.

It was a comment echoed Tuesday by lawmakers at both ends of the Capitol as Senate Democrats united against a procedural vote that would have opened debate on a House-passed bill. A total of 51 Republicans voted to advance the bill  short of the 60 needed  while all 44 Democrats, two independents and two Republicans were opposed.

Republicans indicated there would be more votes on the measure in the days to come, and Democrats promised the result would not change unless Republicans removed the language on immigration. In the end, Democrats predicted, Republicans would do just that.

"The Republicans should stop the posturing for the right wing of their party and stand down and do what's right," said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. "They'll wind up passing a clean bill, so why stop  why do we wait?"

Some Republicans acknowledged privately, and a few publicly, that outcome was likely. "Ultimately there may be a clean bill," said Rep. John Carter, R-Texas.

But before that could be entertained, House conservatives said they had to be convinced that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and his Senate Republicans had exhausted every tactic against what they described as an unconstitutional overreach by Obama. Complicating matters for GOP leaders, not every Republican agreed that it was absolutely essential to keep the Homeland Security Department funded.

"It's obviously not the end of the world" for the agency to lose funding, GOP Rep. Matt Salmon of Arizona said Tuesday, because most department personnel would be deemed essential and keep working.

House Republicans were casting about for another solution, such as splitting up the funding bill, Salmon said. He said a lawsuit over Obama's immigration actions, as House Speaker John Boehner has said is possible, wouldn't satisfy conservatives.

In the Senate, Republicans including moderate Susan Collins of Maine were also looking for a way out. Collins said she was working with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and others on alternate legislation to fund the Homeland Security Department and roll back the new administration policies limiting deportations, but keeping in place protections for immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

"I think it's a good solution and a way to resolve an impasse that has the potential to cause some real harm," Collins said in an interview.

But with Democratic leaders pledging to oppose any Homeland Security spending bill with immigration language attached, it was not clear whether Collins' proposal would shift the debate. That was especially true with Democrats seeing their stance as good politics in a presidential election cycle in which Latino voters are likely to play an important role.

Obama invited to the White House a group of younger immigrants who would be subject to eventual deportation under the House-passed bill. During the Oval Office meeting Wednesday with the "Dreamers," Obama was expected to defend his policies and criticize the GOP.

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Senate Republicans put Democrats on record for a second time Wednesday against legislation combining Homeland Security funding with rollbacks of President Barack Obama's immigration policies. But there was little evidence Congress was any closer to a solution to fund the department past Feb. 27 as that deadline approaches.

The vote in the Senate was 53 to 47, similar to Tuesday's vote on a similar procedural measure, and well short of the 60 votes that would be needed to open debate on a House-passed Homeland Security measure. The bill would pay for the Homeland department through Sept. 30, the end of the current budget year, and undo Obama's executive actions limiting deportations for millions of people who are in the United States illegally.

Another procedural vote was expected Thursday, with another after that, perhaps more.

"Is that the definition of insanity, voting on the same bill over and over again?" Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., quipped to reporters ahead of Wednesday's vote.

Democrats said that no matter how many times Republicans held the vote, the outcome would be the same unless the contested language on immigration were removed.

"This is pretty simple. At a time when the world is united in trying to send a strong signal about confronting ISIS and defeating ISIS, I think putting veto bait in the funding for homeland security is a very bad idea," said Sen. Claire McCaskill, R-Mo.

But if the point was to prove to House conservatives that their legislation would not fly in the Senate, where the Democratic minority holds more sway, the goal had not yet been met.

"That was our best offer, and that's what we expect," said Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz.

From the White House, Obama countered the GOP by hosting an Oval Office meeting with a half-dozen young immigrants protected by his policies. The GOP legislation would subject Obama's visitors to eventual deportation.

After the meeting, Obama accused Republicans of ignoring the "human consequences" of their legislation, repeated his threat to veto the bill if it reached his desk and said he was confident a veto would be sustained. As for GOP efforts to link homeland security money to reversing his immigration action, Obama said "there is no logic to that position."

"Why would you cut off your nose to spite your face by defunding the very operations that are involved in making sure we have strong border security?" he said.

Indeed most agreed that Congress would find a way to approve the funding, even if it meant passing a short-term extension ahead of the Feb. 27 deadline before coming up with a final deal.

How and when lawmakers would get there was less clear in a new era of divided government, with Republicans in full control of Congress for the first time in eight years and Obama ready and willing to wield his veto pen.

House Republicans were casting about for another solution, such as splitting up the funding bill, Salmon said. He said a lawsuit over Obama's immigration actions, as Boehner has said is possible, would not satisfy conservatives.

In the Senate, Republicans including moderate Susan Collins of Maine were looking for a way out.

Collins said she was working with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and others on alternate legislation to fund the department and roll back the new administration policies limiting deportations, but keeping in place protections for immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

"I think it's a good solution and a way to resolve an impasse that has the potential to cause some real harm," Collins said in an interview.

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Ted Cruz inhaled.

The Texas Republican has become the latest presidential contender to confess to having smoked marijuana at least once in his life.

Cruzs campaign told the Daily Mail that the senator smoked when he was a teenager.

"Teenagers are often known for their lack of judgment, and Sen. Cruz was no exception," a Cruz spokesman told the Mail. "When he was a teenager, he foolishly experimented with marijuana. It was a mistake, and he's never tried it since."

Other presidential hopefuls have admitted to having tried, or regularly smoked, pot at some point.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a Republican, told The Boston Globe: I drank alcohol, and I smoked marijuana when I was at Andover. It was pretty common.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, also a Republican, has said that he has not smoked pot. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, of the GOP, said he's never smoked.

On the Democratic side, current front-runner former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a Democrat, has said she has never smoked pot.

Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, and Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, have neither confirmed or denied ever having smoked marijuana.

Lets just say I wasnt a choir boy when I was in college and that I can recognize that kids make mistakes, and I can say that I made mistakes when I was a kid, Paul said, according to The Hill.

Rubio has said its a no-win situation to answer the question.

If I tell you that I havent, you wont believe me. And if I tell you that I did, then kids will look up to me and say, Well, I can smoke marijuana because look how he made it. He did alright so I guess I can do it too, Rubio said, according to The Hill. And the bottom line is that it is a substance that alters your mind. Now when I was 17 and 18 and 16, I made dumb decisions as is. I didnt need the help of marijuana or alcohol to further that.

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Two Latino men have sued the city of Chicago and the police department, alleging that discrimination led to their arrest last year after they canvassed a white neighborhood to remind people about the March 31st deadline to sign up for Obamacare and to gather signatures for a petition for a progressive tax.

Kevin Tapia and Felipe Hernandez say that city police unjustly arrested them and detained them for three hours on charges of soliciting unlawful business, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The city dropped the charges against them two months later, but the young men say the record of their arrest very likely will haunt them when they try to further their education, and obtain employment, among other things.

They automatically convicted us on the spot, said Hernandez, according to the newspaper.

The Sun-Times said that the men said they showed police identification, and explained what they were doing, but were treated in a hostile manner anyway.

I was shocked to be arrested, said Tapia to the Sun-Times. Especially for engaging in a lawful activityThis arrest was simply unfair, unjust and simply outrageous.

A spokesman for the Chicago Police Department said it is its policy not to profile.

This matter stemmed from a 911 call made by a city resident, and there is no basis to suggest that this is indicative of anything other than that, said spokesman Marty Maloney, according to the Sun-Times.

The newspaper cited police as saying that the neighborhood where Tapia and Hernandez were going door-to-door had been the target of scams in the weeks before they approached residents with the tax petition and reminders about the Obamacare enrollment deadline.

The police also maintained to the newspaper that the men were unable to furnish adequate identification from Grassroots Collaborative, the organization for which they were going door-to-door.

The men and the organization disputed that.

It is the right and duty of citizens to talk to their neighbors about the issues they feel strongly about, said Amisha Patel, the executive director of Grassroots Collaborative, in the Sun-Times article.

Patel said that the police treatment of Tapia and Hernandez sent a chilling message to minorities.

Are they in danger of getting arrested for door-knocking and talking to their neighbors about the things that they care about? Patel asked. We all deserve to live in a city where we can talk to anybody in any neighborhood, especially if they are young men of color who are working to make their communities better.

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The Obama administration's lead negotiator with Cuba is vowing to maintain U.S. support for democracy and human-rights activists there as she pushes to restore embassies between the countries after a half-century interruption.

An Associated Press-GfK poll finds broad support in the United States for warmer ties with Cuba. Forty-five percent of those surveyed backed the re-establishment of full diplomatic relations between the Cold War foes, with only 15 percent opposing. Sixty percent backed the end of the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba, with 35 percent supporting its continuation.

Roberta Jacobson, the assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, is set to testify before the before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. On Tuesday she told a Senate panel that she planned more talks with her Cuban counterparts later this month. The administration had hoped to reach an agreement on new embassies by April's Summit of the Americas in Panama, though that looks unlikely.

Jacobson's trip to Havana last month made her the highest-level U.S. official to visit Cuba's capital in more than three decades. The talks encompassed the details of reconstituting embassies in each other's capitals, managing migration flows and the much larger process of normalizing ties between governments with unresolved issues such as fugitives and financial claims.

She said she raised several remaining barriers to full diplomatic relations during her Havana discussions, including U.S. resistance to any restrictions on American diplomats, shipments to the U.S. Interests Section and Cuban access to that building.

Concrete progress was limited, however. This month's talks are likely to be in Washington.

Seizing on comments made by Josefina Vidal, Cuba's top negotiator, after last month's talks, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., asked Jacobson for a commitment that the U.S. would continue backing activists after any agreement. In an interview with The Associated Press, Vidal had tied the establishment of embassies to reduced U.S. support for dissidents.

"We would not curtail the activities we're doing now," Jacobson answered.

In Congress, positions on Obama's sudden rapprochement with Cuba crisscross party affiliation and political interest.

Countering Rubio among Republicans was Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, who wants to end all U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, another Republican who supports the thaw, didn't show up for the hearing.

Among Democrats, California Sen. Barbara Boxer defended the Obama administration after Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey complained that the U.S. won no concessions from President Raul Castro's government and demanded that Cuba extradite a woman convicted of killing a policeman from his state. Both Rubio and Menendez are Cuban-Americans.

The AP-GfK poll found self-identified Democrats overwhelmingly in favor of restoring embassies and eliminating the U.S. embargo, which Obama has eased but only Congress can revoke.

Among Republicans, the blocs are closer. Thirty-four percent want diplomatic relations, with 30 percent opposed. Forty-nine percent want the embargo lifted, with 50 percent believing it should stay.

The AP-GfK Poll of 1,045 adults was conducted online Jan. 29-Feb. 2, using a sample drawn from GfK's probability-based KnowledgePanel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

Respondents were first selected randomly using phone or mail survey methods, and later interviewed online. People selected for KnowledgePanel who didn't otherwise have access to the Internet were provided access at no cost.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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Nearly three months after allegations of conflicts of interest first were leveled at his administration, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced Tuesday a package of measures designed to fight rampant corruption in the country.

The Mexican president vowed more transparency, appointing Virgilio Andrade Martinez, the new secretary of public administration, to investigate the acquisition of luxury houses by himself, his wife Angelica Rivera and finance secretary Luis Videgaray.

The appointment of Andrade Martinez raised eyebrows among political observers in Mexico. A former representative of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) at the organization that runs Mexicos elections (IFE), Andrade Martinez is seen as a compromised investigator because of his close ties to the administration.

"Corruption is of a structural nature in Mexico, yet this is a man with no expertise in the matter. He doesnt know anything about anti-corruption policies," Irma Sandoval, a Mexican academic and professor who focuses on democracy and corruption matters, told Fox News Latino.

In November, Enrique Pena Nieto caught unwanted media attention for the 2010 acquisition of a $7 million house in Mexico City. A journalists investigation revealed the house had been bought by the presidents wife with loans from a subsidiary of Grupo Higa, a firm which had won billions of dollars in contracts in the State of Mexico when Enrique Pena Nieto was its governor.

Grupo Higa was also part of the Chinese-led consortium which had been awarded the construction of a $3.75 billion high-speed rail linking Mexico City and Queretaro. A few days before the allegations over the house, the contract was abruptly canceled by the government over "legitimacy and transparency" concerns.

A month later, on Dec. 11, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Pena Nietos finance ministry, Luis Videgaray, was also a client of Juan Armando Hinojosa, the head of Grupo Higa.

Videgaray bought a house in October 2012, a few months before Enrique Pena Nieto took office, with the help of a low-interest Grupo Higa loan.

The allegations of conflicts of interest have put pressure on an administration already under fire for its handling of the 43 teaching college students who disappeared in the southwestern state of Guerrero on September 26.

After months of protests and an investigation that has led to the arrest of more than 70 police officers, gang members and the mayor of the town of Iguala, Guerrero, and his wife, the students were finally declared dead with "legal certainty" late last month.

But parents and protesters, who never endorsed the official version of events, have opposed the decision and have taken the matter to the Committee on Enforced Disappearances of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

"The president doesnt award contracts, decide on purchases or public works, neither does he sit in any procurement committee," said Pena Nieto on Tuesday from the presidential residence of Los Pinos. "But despite these clarifications, I am aware that the allegations made have created the appearance of something wrong, something that in reality never happened."

The president then listed eight new measures including the creation of an ethics committee and the strengthening of already existing procedures. For many, a cosmetic approach to a deeply rooted problem.

"These arent strong, technical measures," Sandoval said. "These are merely thoughts, ideas, on how to fight the perception of corruption in the country, not corruption itself."
A week after Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt broke rank with GOP Gov. Brian Sandoval in joining an immigration lawsuit aimed at the federal government, more of the state's top Republicans are turning away from the governor.

State Treasurer Dan Schwartz and Controller Ron Knecht released a three-page document Wednesday outlining an alternative spending plan after calling Sandoval's proposed $7.3 billion budget an overreach that unduly increases taxes and focuses too much on education.

Although there's nothing in Nevada law giving the treasurer the ability to create a budget, Schwartz said he and Knecht were approached to create an alternative by a group of Assembly and Senate Republicans upset with the governor's proposed $1.1 billion in tax increases and extensions.

Schwartz said he felt it was appropriate because he's the state's top fiscal officer.

"We're the two elected officials who have some financial responsibility in the state," he said. "There was a belief or feeling that we were in the best position to do that."

Former Treasurer Kate Marshall said she wasn't aware of any previous alternative budgets being proposed outside of the governor's office and the office historically has been mostly neutral in tax policy.

"I think you undermine what the treasurer does when you begin to participate in a kind of partisan role in respect to the numbers," she said.

The alternative $6.8 billion budget proposal calls for tax increases on airline passengers and gambling, and would cut $20 million from various state agencies.

Schwartz said he and Knecht will meet Monday with a group of Republican lawmakers, including a member of Assembly leadership, to discuss putting the budget proposal into bill drafts.

Schwartz criticized Sandoval's budget proposal, calling the governor's plan to increase funding to programs like autism therapy and anti-bullying measures wasteful.

"What education needs is teachers, not social workers," he said.

Calls to the governor's office Wednesday were not immediately returned.

Sandoval proposed an ambitious $7.3 billion two-year budget that would inject millions of dollars into K-12 education, including programs for English Language Learners, children in poverty, gifted students and children with disabilities.

The popular Republican governor proposed a number of tax increases to pay for the expanded funding, including restructuring the business license fee to bring in $437 million over two years.

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U.S. senators, who are on a visit to Ukraine, on Saturday morning departed for Mariupol, Donetsk region, ex-president of Georgia, former head of Odesa Regional State Administration Mikheil Saakashvili has said.

"Together with leaders of the New Forces Movement we have started the last day of the year with a breakfast with a delegation of senators, friends of Ukraine, and the United States ambassador. [...] After the breakfast, they flew to Mariupol to the presentation of the U.S. defensive system, the acquisition of which I together with others lobbied last year in Congress," Saakashvili wrote on his Facebook page.

He also said that he had introduced to his American friends the new generation of Ukrainian politicians, including former head of the Odesa customs Yulia Marushevska.

As reported, Poroshenko met with the Senate delegation led by Senator John McCain (the Republican Party) on Friday. The delegation also included Senators Lindsey Graham (the Republican Party) and Amy Klobuchar (the Democratic Party). Poroshenko invited senators to visit Donbas.
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The trailblazing Pope Francis is set to make history, again.

On Sept. 24, the pontiff is scheduled to address a joint meeting of Congress, becoming the first one to do so.

House Speaker John Boehner made the announcement at a news conference, then issued a statement expressing gratitude that the pope had accepted his invitation to appear before a joint meeting of the House and Senate.

The pope is scheduled to make his first papal visit to the United States this fall, with other stops in New York and Philadelphia.

Earlier this year, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, who is Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and is organizing Pope Francis trip to the United States, said that the Catholic leader was planning to address Congress and to visit the White House during a trip to the countrys capital in the fall.

Auza told the Catholic News Agency (CNA) that the pope is expected to arrive in Washington on Sept. 22 as part of a three-city U.S. tour that includes New York and Philadelphia. Auza said Francis will visit the White House and celebrate Mass at Washingtons Basilica on the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

And we might say really the highlight of the Washington visit might be his speech to the joint-meeting of Congress, to the Senate and the House of Representatives, he told CNA.

Last March, Boehner (R-Ohio) invited the pope to address Congress.

Pope Francis has inspired millions of Americans with his pastoral manner and servant leadership, challenging all people to lead lives of mercy, forgiveness, solidarity, and humble service, Boehner said in a statement at the time. His tireless call for the protection of the most vulnerable among us  the ailing, the disadvantaged, the unemployed, the impoverished, the unborn  has awakened hearts on every continent.

In addition to his planned visit to the United States, Francis said that he hopes to visit Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay this year, as well as the Central African Republic and Uganda.

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi praised the news that the pontiff would be addressing Congress.

We are honored and overjoyed that Pope Francis, the first pontiff born in the Americas, has accepted our invitation to address a Joint Meeting of Congress during his upcoming visit to the United States," Pelosi, of California, said in a statement.

We are eager to welcome His Holiness to the U.S. Capitol and we look forward to hearing his call to live our values, to protect the poor and the needy, and to promote peace.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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In Republican presidential prospect Jeb Bush's first major economic speech, the former Florida governor said the U.S. economy should be growing at 4 percent annually  and called making it easier for skilled immigrants to enter the country a key to getting there.

In a speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Bush offered an economic vision with few specifics, saying he favored promoting two-parent families and closing the income gap by overhauling the nation's school systems to give parents more choice.

We can grow by 4 percent through all sorts of policies, but immigration has to be a part of it.  Jeb Bush

But he also called for "dramatically expanding" the number of immigrants allowed to enter the country to work in high-need jobs, while calling the prospect of overhauling the country's immigration system "a huge opportunity ... not a problem."

"While the political fights go on, we're missing this opportunity. I view fixing a broken system as a huge opportunity to get to that four percent growth," Bush told about 600 Detroit-area business leaders. "We can grow by 4 percent through all sorts of policies, but immigration has to be a part of it."

Economists expect the U.S. economy to expand 3 percent this year, above the 2.2 percent annual average during the recovery from the Great Recession.

Bush, who has spent the past several weeks aggressively raising money in private ahead of a likely run for president, has long supported a comprehensive overhaul of the nation's immigration system. In a speech last month to auto dealers in San Francisco, he called immigrants "an engine of economic vitality."

The nation's surging Hispanic population shifted sharply away from the Republican Party in the last presidential election after the party's 2012 nominee, Mitt Romney, alienated many Hispanic voters by offering "self-deportation" as a solution to the nation's immigration problem. GOP operatives insist that the party's tone on immigration must change if it hopes to reclaim the White House in 2016.

Bush's comments Wednesday addressed the desire of some industries, especially technology, to allow more immigrants with specific skills to come to the United States legally. They did not refer directly to the roughly 11 million people living in the U.S. illegally, the source of most of the political tension over immigration.

Bush has previously said he supports allowing people in the country illegally to stay, but only after taking a series of steps, such as paying unpaid taxes. The position puts him at odds with some of the Republican Party's most passionate voters, a group likely to hold great sway in the primaries, who aggressively opposes any pathway to legal status  something they call "amnesty."

Bush's position on immigration is not unique, however, as Republican White House prospects such as Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker have also previously supported a similar position.

Like many other Republicans, Bush cites border security as a crucial component of any immigration overhaul and told the auto dealers the U.S. should "politely ask" those who came to the country legally but have since overstayed their visa to leave.

But Bush also supported the immigration overhaul that passed the Senate last year before failing to advance through the House. He said Wednesday that shifting the debate "to an economic issue from a political issue will be helpful."

Of skilled guest workers, investors and inventors seeking to immigrate legally to the U.S., he said, "All these people should be welcomed in our country, and the unwritten contract ought to be: Embrace our values and you can pursue your dreams."

At the same time, Bush argued, such an expansion would require leaders to show greater acceptance of the racial and ethnic diversity such a change would bring to the country.

"You come, you work hard, you embrace these values, and you're as American as anyone who came on the Mayflower," he said.

The line prompted one of the few moments of applause during Bush's 45 minute appearance, which included his speech and moderated questions from the audience.

"He knocked it out of the park," said Ronna Romney, former sister-in-law to the 2012 GOP nominee and a Republican National Committeewoman from Michigan. "I thought he did really well during the Q and A."

The speech marked the beginning of a more public chapter to Bush's consideration of the 2016 race, though he took no questions from the media covering the event and was headed to a private fundraiser Wednesday evening.

Aides said Wednesday Bush he will make his first trip to Iowa as a presidential prospect next month, taking part in an agricultural policy forum hosted by Republican Gov. Terry Branstad and agribusiness leader Bruce Rastetter.

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A congressional stalemate over funding for the Homeland Security Department deepened Thursday as Senate Democrats blocked action on the bill for a third straight day to protest Republican language on immigration.

"This is like Groundhog Day," Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, complained on the Senate floor after the measure failed to advance. The vote was 52 to 47, eight short of the 60 needed to move ahead. Two procedural votes earlier in the week yielded similar outcomes.

Homeland Security funding will lapse Feb. 27 without action.

The legislation, passed last month by the House, funds the agency through the remainder of the budget year while reversing President Barack Obama's administrative policies protecting millions of immigrants living in this country illegally from deportation.

Senate Democrats say they won't agree to the bill unless all the immigration language is removed. Republicans say such a bill won't pass the House.

Republican leaders in both chambers insist they will not allow the Homeland Security agency to go without funding at a time of global terror threats. But if they have a solution, they haven't said what it is. The likeliest scenario may be a short-term funding extension.

"There is a bipartisan desire to fund the Department of Homeland Security, and I'm sure we'll resolve this sometime in the next few weeks," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

"God bless him and good luck," House Speaker John Boehner said later of McConnell. "What else can you say?"

The logjam offered a vivid illustration of the limits on Republicans' power even now that they control both chambers of Congress for the first time in eight years. Senate rules give minority Democrats significant rights and Obama's veto pen gives him the ultimate leverage.

But having spent years passing bills only to see them bottled up in a Senate controlled by Democrats, House Republicans weren't ready to concede that the dynamic hasn't much changed.

"Right now the ball's in the Senate's court," said Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., summing up for many House Republicans. "If the Senate can't pass anything, how is that the House's problem?"

No one seemed to know how it would all end.

"You're asking me to speculate and predict an outcome, which at this point I'm not able to do," said Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D. "What I can tell you is we can't finish a bill if they won't let us get started on it."

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He's dashing. He thinks fast on his feet. He's a member of a political dynasty. And he can charm in flawless English and Spanish.

George P. Bush, at 38, has the rather obscure-sounding title of Texas land commissioner. But the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and nephew and grandson of U.S. presidents, is anything but obscure on the national stage.

After barely 30 days in office, he's already headlined high-profile rallies on broad issues such as abortion and school choice.

Bush, whose state office administers Texas' vast public lands and mineral rights, insists he's not yet eyeing any moves up Texas' political ladder. But the newest Bush in politics has wasted no time becoming a leading voice for top conservative causes and seizing the spotlight in a state already full of powerful Republicans.

"He's a rising star in our state and nationally," said Matt Mackowiak, a Republican strategist based in Austin. "He's going to be in very high demand this year. They're going to have to get good at saying no."

His grandfather and an uncle are former presidents.

In the past, the land commissioner's post has led to loftier political heights in Texas. David Dewhurst served in it before his 12 years as lieutenant governor, which ended last month. Bush's more immediate goal might be to buoy his father, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, if he seeks the White House in 2016.

The son could help the father build a political beachhead in Texas, where Jeb Bush's brother and George P. Bush's uncle, George W. Bush, served as governor from 1995 until becoming president in 2000. It's also a state where Jeb Bush may have to battle two Texans with probable presidential designs: former Gov. Rick Perry and tea party-backed Sen. Ted Cruz. Another likely GOP candidate, Sen. Rand Paul, represents Kentucky but grew up in Texas.

George P. Bush has "always been viewed as inevitable for a national position, and I think he's acted deliberately and very astutely in everything he's done," said Daniel Garza, executive director of the Libre Initiative, which has collected millions of dollars from the billionaire industrialist Koch brothers and seeks to promote conservative values to Hispanics nationwide. He's been Bush's friend for 15 years.

Bush would not comment about his future ambitions, but said no one should be surprised by the early public events he's chosen.

"These conservative ideals  being pro-life and promoting school choice  are a matter of principle for me," Bush said in a statement emailed by spokesman J.R. Hernandez. "And just as I did during my campaign, I will continue to advocate on behalf of these deeply held values."

Still, he's been a part of national Republican campaigns since before he hit puberty. At age 12, Bush opened the party's 1988 convention by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. That was where grandfather George H.W. Bush accepted the party's presidential nomination. He addressed subsequent GOP conventions in 1992, 2000 and 2004.

In addition to campaigning around the country, Bush went to Mexico in 2004 to promote his uncle's presidential re-election among expatriate Americans. Indeed, wooing Hispanic voters is where Bush could pack the biggest political punch: His mother, Columba, was born in Mexico, and he speaks fluent Spanish.

Hispanics make up about 35 percent of residents in Texas, where a Democrat has not won statewide office since 1994. Bush carried virtually every demographic against only token opposition in the land commissioner's race. New Gov. Greg Abbott captured only about a third of the Hispanic vote in his otherwise overwhelming November victory, according to exit polling conducted by The Associated Press.

George W. Bush remains the top Republican vote-getter among Hispanic Texans. His re-election campaign for governor in 1998 got as much as 49 percent of the bloc's vote, according to some exit polling.

"I think it goes beyond the fact that he looks like us," Garza said of George P. Bush. "Very much like George W. Bush, he is very comfortable in a Latino environment."

Bush mixed English and Spanish when addressing hundreds of students and activists Friday on the steps of the Texas Capitol. He urged state lawmakers to approve voucher programs that would allow parents to remove their children from public school and get taxpayer funding for private and religious alternatives.

Bush's office oversees the state's Permanent School Fund, which gets proceeds from leasing mineral rights for oil and natural gas exploration. The fund helps purchase classroom materials and indirectly covers some other costs for public school districts.

But his first public appearance as land commissioner the previous weekend came at an anti-abortion rally where 1,500 people thronged the same Capitol grounds. Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life, which organized the event, said Bush's team approached his group "and asked if there was some way he could help."

"I have to confess, the name is very interesting to people," Pojman said. "I think it was evident from the crowd that they well appreciated his pedigree."

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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Sen. Ted Cruzs office took exception to an Op-Ed in The New York Times about Cuban-Americans that depicted the ethnic group, and Cruz specifically, as white privileged people who have little in common with other Latinos.

The Op-Ed, written by Ann Louise Bardach, author of books about Cuba, was titled Why Are Cubans So Special? and said: For almost a half century, Cubans have been the most privileged immigrants in the United States  The repeal of this Cold War relic of immigration policy is long overdue.

Your decision to allow an Op-Ed writer to openly mock a persons ethnicity  as Ann Louise Bardach did when she wrote that Senator Ted Cruz has been called as Hispanic as Tom Cruise  is saddening.  Amanda Carpenter, Sen. Ted Cruz communications director

The author referred to a U.S. policy known as wet-foot-dry-foot, where if a Cuban national trying to enter the United States manages to step on American soil, he or she generally gets to stay here.

Bardach argues in her op-ed that Republicans have backed the policy because the majority of Cuban-Americans here are Republican. Toward the end of the op-ed, Bardach depicts Senators Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, and Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, as white, middle-class and therefore not relatable to the millions of Latinos who have indigenous backgrounds and are less well off.

Bardach also mocked Cruzs reported inability to speak Spanish.

Cruzs communications director, Amanda Carpenter, responded in a letter to the editor in The Times: Your decision to allow an Op-Ed writer to openly mock a persons ethnicity  as Ann Louise Bardach did when she wrote that Senator Ted Cruz has been called as Hispanic as Tom Cruise  is saddening.

She was using the comment to bludgeon Mr. Cruzs principled policy positions regarding United States-Cuba relations, Carpenter said, suggesting that, if he disagrees with her, Mr. Cruz is not truly Cuban  despite his fathers having been imprisoned and tortured in Cuba, and coming to America penniless.

It concluded: An Op-Ed writer is not the arbiter of a persons race or ethnicity, and it is unfortunate that The New York Times would allow someone a platform to pretend so.

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Potential presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz blasted the Obama administration for failing to give arms to fighters in separate overseas conflicts.

The Texas Republican told ABCs This Week on Sunday that Ukrainians need weapons to defeat Russian-backed rebels and Kurdish fighters. He also said he isnt ruling out sending American ground troops to fight Islamic State militants.

If need be, we should go that step. But it should be driven by the mission, Cruz said, adding that, We have a treaty obligation to stand with them.

He said Iraqi Kurds have a good fighting force but need to receive arms more effectively from the United States, rather than through the central government in Baghdad.

Cruz, who was attending an international security conference in Munich, wants to use Kurdish fighters  known as the peshmerga  as the ground forces in combination with U.S.-led air strikes. He says those fighters are effective and ready.

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He said the Obama-Clinton-Kerry foreign policy of dropping a bomb here and there to fight Islamic extremists are seemingly for photo-op purposes.

The path were on doesnt make any sense, Cruz said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Nelson Diaz, a lawyer and a former judge, wants to become Philadelphias first Latino mayor.

To do that, hell have to win the Democratic primary this May against a field with a number of politicians better known than he is. (The general election in November is something of an afterthought, given that about four-fifths of Philly voters are registered Democrats.)

To do so, Diaz will be bucking the citys stark demographics.

People have always underestimated me, Diaz told Fox News Latino.

The former judge is not new to being first.

Raised in Harlem, he came to Philadelphia in the early 1970s and became the first Puerto Rican to receive a law degree from Temple University. He also filed a suit that first won Latinos the right to receive Spanish-language ballots at Pennsylvania polling places.

Later, he was the first Latino elected to the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia, a position he stayed in for 12 years.

He was appointed general counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by President Clinton.

Now he wants to be mayor, and hes running against Lynne Abraham, the citys district attorney from 1991 to 2010; state Senator Anthony Williams, the stronger of two African-American candidates hoping to get the bulk of the support from the citys largest ethnic group; and James Kenney, who last week resigned as at-large city councilmember representing the entire city, a position he held since 1991.

Not that Diaz minds being the underdog.

I never cared what people think of me in the first place. All I care about is what I can do in the community, Diaz said in an interview conducted at the offices of his law firm, Dilworth Paxson.

The firm, as it happens, was founded by Richardson Dilworth, a well-regarded reformist Philadelphia mayor in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Diaz believes that economic development and school reform are the issues that will allow him to stand out from the other candidates.

He wants to grow the small business corridors in many of the citys neighborhoods. Hes quick to point out he led the Spanish Merchants Association.

But his advocacy and outspoken style have alienated as many as theyve won over.

Everyone knows he will call a spade a spade, says Bernard Anderson, professor emeritus at the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School of business, and a longtime collaborator of Diazs on economic development issues.

Anderson recalls the time when Diaz took one of the citys largest banks to task at a public meeting for not making capital available to Latino business owners.

But Diaz also has shown the ability to forge consensus.

Former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros, told FNL, We had a host of pending matters that restricted us, paralyzed us. Nelson took it upon himself to create a compromise over a span of years, and we were able to settle legal issues.

Cisneros added, He made decisions that changed policy.

Under Diazs watch, 22 discriminatory housing lawsuits secured more than $6 billion in damages. Diaz also helped created HUD partnerships with private developers.

I dont do this to say, Look what I did. I do it to say, Look what I protected, Diaz about his public service.

But in order to win, Diaz needs be seen as more than just a Latino advocate, as his campaign manager, Ian Rivera, believes others see him. He needs to build a wider coalition.

The citys population is 42 percent black, 37 percent white, 13 percent Hispanic of any race and about 6.5 percent Asian-American, according to 2013 Census Bureau estimates.

Anderson figures that Diaz will need at least 30 percent of the vote to win the Democratic primary. (The current mayor, Michael Nutter, won the primary in 2007 with only 37 percent of the vote.)

For that reason alone, Diaz needs to appeal to white and African-American progressive voters.

Diaz believes school reform as the key to victory.

After decades of neglect and tightened budgets, the citys public schools are in a state of meltdown. Recently, the district had to close 24 schools due to a $1 billion statewide budget cut.

Other mayoral candidates  such as State Senator Anthony Williams, who is African-American  favor making accommodations for charter schools, a system that some critics claim has siphoned funds away from public education.

The schools are so bad. I think I have an obligation to come out and do it, Diaz said. I think I can get it fixed. I think I can win.

But he knows he has a large hill to climb.

People never thought Id be a lawyer, judge or even graduate [from] high school let alone college, Diaz told FNL. I have always been under estimated.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says he's focused on a possible 2016 presidential run, and that his family, including his wife, Columba, is totally supportive of it.

In a conference call Monday with supporters, Bush, a Republican, said he planned to release on Tuesday thousands of e-mail and the first chapter of an e-book he thinks will highlight his compassionate leadership style and deep conservative credentials.

Bush stressed the importance of a better GOP relationship with Latinos, and called on his allies to reach out to this electorate and other groups critical to the GOP's 2016 prospects.

"Because our message was maybe too harsh or our harsher voices are the ones that seem to have dominated, we've lost a little ground," he said. "But the fact that I'm bilingual, bicultural can't hurt."

Bush's wife Columba is from Mexico. He is fluent in Spanish, and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas in Latin American studies.

The Republican said the Monday morning conference call that he would release the materials on a new website. While many news outlets previously obtained the emails from Bush's time in office, the former two-term governor suggested his interaction with constituents and staff would help shape his message in a prospective presidential campaign.

"One of things that came out of this was a sense there is a story to be told here," Bush said, describing "a style of leadership that tried to help people" and an ideological consistency "where I think we stayed true to conservative perspective."

The Associated Press was provided dial-in details and listened to the call that was intended for former staff and high-level supporters from his previous campaigns.

Bush has yet to announce his political intentions, but he has been among the most aggressive GOP presidential prospects in recent weeks. He continues to court top political donors across the country, while reviving and expanding a political machine that was largely dormant in the eight years since he left the Florida governor's mansion.

He recently launched the "Right to Rise" political action committee to serve as a vehicle for a potential campaign.

"My personal belief is that Republicans can win if we're more hopeful and aspirational, which is why we've used the terminology 'Right to Rise,'" Bush said on the call. "We lost the sense that it's possible that the future can be brighter for people."

The son and brother of former presidents cited the support from his family as he eyes the 2016 campaign.

"Thanks to the support that I have from my beloved wife and family, my life is totally focused on this," he said.

The 20-minute call touched on a range of political strategy and policy.

The discussion seemed aimed at delivering two messages to the network of staff now working at high levels around the country: To advise them of the website and e-book as a way of helping build a database of followers, and to allow Bush to outline the early blueprint for his campaign priorities.

Bush, who unveiled in Detroit last week themes of what would be an economic platform, hinted at what would be his diplomatic and national security priorities, which he plans to outline in a speech in Chicago next week.

He said his top spending priority would be to "protect our shores," and would promote U.S. power as "a force of good not bad." He made no reference to Iraq, where his brother, former President George W. Bush, was criticized for waging an unpopular war.

But he argued the U.S. economic strength was also tied to its strength around the world.

"I think the political argument is that we have to lead, that it's in our interest to lead, that if we focus on growing the economy where incomes begin to rise and we re-engage with the world, that there's going to be better prospects for Americans," Bush said. "And so you have to make it about the broad number of people that feel fatigued about our presence in the world."

Bush said he would call for an increase in defense funding "and defend vigorously the counterintelligence efforts that have protected the homeland."

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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Spending for the Department of Homeland Security hangs in the balance as Congress fights over immigration matters in the agency's annual funding bill. Without action by Feb. 27, the department's budget will shut off.

To hear Democrats and many Republicans tell it, the result would be unacceptable risks to U.S. security at a time of grave threats worldwide. In reality, though, most people will see little change if the department's money flow is halted, and some of the warnings of doom are as exaggerated as they are striking.

"There are ghoulish, grim predators out there who would love to kill us or do us harm," said Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee. "We should not be dillydallying and playing parliamentary ping pong with national security."

In the view of some House conservatives, though, shutting off the agency's $40 billion budget for a time "is obviously not the end of the world," as Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., put it, because many agency employees would stay at work through a shutdown.

Who's right, and what would the impact be if Congress were to let money for the department lapse?

Salmon and a few other conservatives are the only ones saying it publicly so far, but the reality is that a department shutdown would have a very limited impact on national security.

That's because most department employees fall into exempted categories of workers who stay on the job in a shutdown because they perform work considered necessary to protect human life and property. Even in a shutdown, most workers across agencies, including the Secret Service, Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Customs and Border Protection, would continue to report to work.

Airport security checkpoints would remain staffed, the Secret Service would continue to protect the president and other dignitaries, the Coast Guard would stay on patrol, and immigration agents would still be on the job.

Indeed, of the agency's approximately 230,000 employees, some 200,000 of them would keep working even if Congress fails to fund their agency. It's a reality that was on display during the 16-day government-wide shutdown in the fall of 2013, when national parks and monuments closed but essential government functions kept running, albeit sometimes on reduced staff.

So what of the sometimes overheated rhetoric, often from Democrats?

"If this goes to shutdown," Mikulski said, "this could close down ports up and down the East Coast, because if you don't have a Coast Guard, you don't have the ports. You don't have the ports, you don't have an economy."

But if the department loses its money, the Coast Guard will stay in operation and so will the ports.

There would be one big change, though. Most workers would not get paid until the shutdown ends, a circumstance guaranteed to put pressure on members of Congress hearing from constituents angry about going without their paychecks.

Making employees come to work without pay is "a real challenge" for them, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."

Workers at agencies funded by fees, instead of by congressional appropriations, would continue their functions while still drawing a paycheck.

It so happens that applies to the very employees charged with putting in place the immigration programs at the heart of the political dispute.

Fees pay the salaries of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services workers who would process applications from immigrants eligible to work lawfully in the country under President Barack Obama's immigration policies. Even though Republicans are so determined to shut down Obama's program that some are willing to risk Homeland Security money to do it, it would stay up and running with little impact in the event of a shutdown.

So who would stop working in a shutdown? Mostly administrative staff, including support workers at headquarters and personnel who do training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, employees involved in research and development, and those responsible for operating and maintaining the E-Verify system that allows businesses to check the immigration status of new hires.

In addition, all personnel involved in administering grants would be furloughed, including Federal Emergency Management Agency workers who make grants to state and local governments, fire departments, and others to help them prepare for or respond to various threats and emergencies. That has led to pleas to Congress from the mayors, among others, to keep Homeland Security Department funding going.

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If the roughly four to five million immigrants who could benefit from President Barack Obamas executive order were to be deported, it would come with a price tag of about $25 billion.

That was the estimate by Politico, which said it came up with the figure based on a variety of sources.

The presidents order suspends deportation for three years for undocumented immigrants brought as minors, as well as for those who have children who were born in the United States or are legal permanent residents.

House Republicans attached a rider to a Homeland Security spending bill, which passed, that calls for blocking Obamas executive order. But a similar measure has failed in the Senate, where Democrats have blocked debate on it.

Politico estimated that it costs roughly $7,200 to deport someone. The Department of Homeland Security told Politico that it costs closer to $8,661.

Deportations have skyrocketed under Obama, reaching a record  more than 2 million since he became president.

The president, however, has accused Congress of not budgeting enough funds to properly enforce immigration laws, Politico noted.

A report from the Department of Justices Office of Legal Counsel said that Obamas executive action is designed to respond to the practical reality that the number of aliens who are removable under the [Immigration and Naturalization Act] vastly exceeds the resources Congress has made available to DHS for processing and carrying out removals.

The resource constraints are striking, it said, according to Politico. DHS has informed us that there are approximately 11.3 million undocumented aliens in the country but that Congress has appropriated sufficient resourcesto remove fewer than 400,000 aliens each year.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration, in order to bolster support for its executive action as it faces threats of being hampered by GOP efforts in Congress, has been touting the economic benefits of the deportation reprieve and the work permits those who are eligible for it can obtain.

The White House states that the President's Council of Economic Advisers projects that the executive action would grow the U.S. economy by $90 billion to $210 billion over the next ten years.

A White House fact sheet on the executive order says: The presidents actions will grow the economy by increasing the productivity of all American workers As the economy grows so do tax revenues, requiring the government to borrow less to finance government operations.

Proponents of strict immigration enforcement, however, counter that allowing millions of undocumented immigrants to work would hurt American workers as well as hurt the economy because those who qualify for the executive action relief would also be entitled to receive many government benefits.

Also, a Texas-led lawsuit joined by about two dozen other states challenges the executive order, saying its an unconstitutional overreach by Obama and that it will end up putting a financial burden on local governments.

One of the arguments in the lawsuit, which a judge is expected to rule on soon, maintains that in providing breaks to undocumented immigrants, the Obama administration encourages more illegal immigration, forcing states such as Texas to increase spending on police and services for them.

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3:35pm, Dec 31, Southwest Chinas Yunnan

Students from Yunnan Minzu University in Kunming city of Southwest Chinas Yunnan puts on their ethnic costumes while attending a hiking event to mark the new year and also 20th anniversary of People's Daily Online, Saturday. They will finish a five-kilometer tour through the city of Kunming.

On the last day of 2016 and first day of 2017, group hiking events are being carried out in more than 40 cities around China, in celebration of the start of 2017 and in honor of the 20th anniversary of the People's Daily Onine (People.cn). About 100,000 people have signed up for the events. Read more about the event

People.cn was officially established on Jan. 1, 1997.

Aimed at promoting the "Healthy China 2030" blueprint, as well as the State Council's plan to develop China's fitness industry, the events will support a favorable environment for national fitness and encourage people to do more sports.

2:00pm, Dec 31Ningxia of Northwest China

About 1,000 people from Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, took part in a hiking event to mark the New Year and in honor of the 20th anniversary of People's Daily Online at 8am on Saturday, Dec. 31. The photograph shows a participant signing her name on a billboard.

11:35am, Dec 31Hainan of South China

About 9,000 residents in south China's island province of Hainan took part in a hiking event to mark the New Year and in honor of the 20th anniversary of People's Daily Online at 8am on Saturday, Dec. 31.

On the last day of 2016 and first day of 2017, group hiking events will be simultaneously carried out in more than 40 cities around China, in celebration of the start of 2017 and in honor of the 20th anniversary of the People's Daily Onine (People.cn). About 100,000 people have signed up for the events. More about the event

Participants are wearing T-shirts with company logo.

10:05am, Dec 31, Guangxi of South China

Participants in Luchuan, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Saturday.

Participants in Southwest China's Guizhou province.

9:00am, Dec 31

On the last day of 2016 and first day of 2017, group hiking events will be simultaneously carried out in more than 40 cities around China, in celebration of the start of 2017 and in honor of the 20th anniversary of the People's Daily Onine (People.cn). About 100,000 people have signed up for the events. More about the event

People.cn was officially established on Jan. 1, 1997.

Aimed at promoting the "Healthy China 2030" blueprint, as well as the State Council's plan to develop China's fitness industry, the events will support a favorable environment for national fitness and encourage people to do more sports.
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio grew up, politically, in the same power circles in Miami. The two men share many of the same Republican donors and friends who helped them ascend South Floridas bare-knuckles political world.

But now, with the ever-growing possibility of a showdown between Bush and Rubio for the GOPs 2016 presidential nomination, the political powerbrokers and donors who count both candidates as friends may soon have to pick a side.

At the moment, Bush appears to have a slight edge.

George LeMieux, a Fort Lauderdale attorney who served as interim U.S. senator between August 2009 and December 2010 after Mel Martinez resigned, told Fox News Latino that he is actively involved in organizing fundraising events for Bushs exploratory political action committee, Right to Rise.

Gov. Bush is asking all his friends and supporters, including myself, to support his efforts, LeMieux said. I am working on a number of events for him throughout Florida. Everyone I know is getting on board.

He also said that Rubio has not informed him or other top Republican donors in the state that is planning a presidential campaign.

The money Sen. Rubio is raising right now is for his senate run, as far as I know, LeMieux said.

Nelson Diaz, chairman of the Miami-Dade Republican Party, echoed LeMieux. Until Marco comes out and says he is running for president, people are assuming he is running for re-election, Diaz said. Although I know some folks who will support both of them and some folks who really hope Marco runs for president.

The senator is certainly making the type of moves that normally precede a presidential run. Anna Rogers, the former finance director for Karl Roves American Crossroads PAC, has taken on a similar position with Rubios PAC, Reclaim America. According to press reports, Rubio has instructed his top aides to prepare for a presidential campaign.

After entertaining 300 supporters and donors at a summit about his political future, Rubio skipped out on his Senate duties in order to raise money in California, Texas and Chicago and squeezing in book tour stops in early primary states such as Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida and Nevada.

In December, Rubio said that whether or not Bush entered the presidential fray would not influence his decision.

It is not unusual in presidential campaigns for people who have worked together in the past to end up running at the same time," Rubio told NPR. "If I join the field, if Gov. Bush joins the field and others join the field, you could have as many as eight to 10 very credible candidates running. And there's nothing personal. I wouldn't be running because I'm against anybody else in the field. I would be running because I believe I have something unique to contribute at this time."

Meanwhile Charlie Spies, the Republican election law lawyer who ran the 2012 PAC that spent $156 million on Mitt Romney's presidential run, has signed on to team Bush. Spies registered both Bushs leadership PAC and his Right to Rise PAC.

Coincidentally or not, Bush had a secret powwow with Romney in Utah just days before the former Massachusetts governor announced he would not make a third bid for the White House.

In addition to LeMieux and other established Republican players in Florida, like former state GOP party chairman Al Cardenas and real estate developer Armando Codina, Bush also enjoys the backing of young, rising stars in the campaign fundraising circuit.

Luis Andres Gazitua, a Miami lawyer who is close friends with Bushs sons George P. and Jeb Jr., is part of a group organizing a Coral Gables fundraising party in March for a Texas super PAC founded by the two siblings.

Miami is a small town, Gazitua said. There are significant long-term personal and familial relationships between these potential candidates and donors. Therefore, an opposing candidate cant expect a donor not to support a long-term friend."

Others, like Diaz, who is a close friend of Rubio, would prefer to remain neutral. Quite honestly I feel comfortable with either guy being our nominee, he said. It puts Florida and Miami in a real unique position.
Immigrants who were brought to this country illegally as children can avoid deportation and get a work permit, but they still hit a wall if they try to apply for a Nevada teaching license.

A bill reviewed Monday in the Assembly education committee could change that, creating more opportunities for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DREAMers.

"These are individuals that were basically raised and educated through our public education system and have paid for their college, and they're not able to fulfill that dream of becoming a teacher," said Assemblywoman Olivia Diaz, a Las Vegas Democrat who is also a teacher.

Existing law allows the state superintendent to give a teaching license to someone who is not a citizen or legal permanent resident but has a work permit, but only if there's a teacher shortage for a subject the person can teach. Otherwise, applicants must be a citizen or legal resident.

AB27, which was requested by the Nevada Department of Education, could allow DACA recipients to get a teaching license if a district has a teacher shortage of any kind. The license would have some restrictions, according to state Superintendent Dale Erquiaga: It couldn't be transferred to another county, and districts would have to inform the state if they fired a teacher who had a license under the bill's provisions.

The measure could help DACA recipients in southern Nevada clear a hurdle. The Clark County School District has about 600 openings for teachers, and it wants to hire 2,600 teachers by next school year to ease overcrowding.

The situation has become so dire that Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky donned a Superman-style cape last month and rode a zip line through downtown Las Vegas in a publicity stunt aimed at recruiting teachers.

Washoe County School District officials said they are currently short 99 teachers and would also benefit from the bill.

Most school and business organizations who testified Monday said they were in favor of the bill, citing the shortage. The lone dissenter was John Wagner of the Independent American Party, who wanted to know whether people covered by executive immigration orders would qualify.

"Would that be someone who was, say, blanketed in by President Obama's amnesty thing? I would not be in favor of that," he said.

The committee's legal counsel said they would look into the matter.

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National Guard troops sent to the Texas-Mexico border last summer are now in line to stay indefinitely and not come home in March as originally planned, Republican Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Wednesday.

The shift comes only four weeks after Rick Perry, who ordered 1,000 armed guard troops to the Rio Grande Valley in one of his last major acts as Texas governor, was replaced by a successor who has promised an even tougher line on border security.

Gov. Greg Abbott did not attend the announcement and no plans have been formalized. But an extended guard deployment is the latest signal that Texas' new conservative leadership is planning record state spending on border security, even while acknowledging that illegal crossings have slowed dramatically.

Patrick, who also took office in January, would not say how many guard troops would remain. He said maintaining the mission through May would cost an extra $12 million, and that he expects Abbott to call for emergency spending to keep the guard on the border through August.

"We cannot pull back now," Patrick said. "Under no circumstance should we have a complete pullout of the National Guard next month."

The guard had been gradually pulling back ahead of the March deadline and scaled down to 200 troops on the border last month.

Perry had ordered the deployment during what President Barack Obama called a "humanitarian crisis" of tens and thousands of unaccompanied children coming into the U.S. from Central America. Perry said the extra muscle was necessary to combat criminals who were exploiting Border Patrol agents being overwhelmed and distracted by the surge of children.

Patrick said that new intelligence indicates that drug cartels have been "ramping up" in anticipation of the guard leaving. He also made a point, however, to say he disagreed with the decision made by his predecessor in November to wind down the mission.

Democrats and immigrant groups panned the new course of action as hostile to Hispanics.

It also comes after state budget analysts noted in a report last month that "the state has neither established a legal definition of border security nor clearly defined a border region for purposes of border security funding." The report urged lawmakers to require better tracking of border funding.

"There are no outcome measures. No performance measures," Democratic state Sen. Jose Rodriguez said, adding that "the border is not a war zone."

Illegal crossings along the Rio Grande have slowed dramatically since an overwhelming surge of immigrants had state and federal agents scrambling to secure the border last summer.

Patrick's budget in the Texas Senate calls for spending $815 million on border security  which he says is more than the last seven years combined.

The Texas Military Department estimates that a guard force "of 400-500 best saves resources," according to a memo from Patrick's office.

During the summer, the U.S. Border Patrol sent agents from other stations to South Texas to help deal with the influx of Central American immigrants. Most of those agents have since returned to their original stations as the number of illegal crossings fell.

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The ACLU filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking information about allegations of abuse involving migrant children who were placed under the care of immigration authorities while a wave of unaccompanied minors fled to the U.S. last summer.

ACLU chapters in Arizona and Southern California filed the suit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, claiming the government has stonewalled requests made under the Freedom of Information Act for records pertaining to the children. The law firm Cooley LLP also joined the suit.

The ACLU and other advocacy groups filed a lawsuit in October against DHS seeking information on the department's policies and procedures at an isolated detention center for immigrant families with children in New Mexico.

Both suits stemmed from the unprecedented surge in immigrant children and young families this summer.

Tens of thousands of migrants crossed into the U.S. illegally, most through Texas, overwhelming Border Patrol agents who were not positioned to process so many people. Many migrant children who had crossed without a parent were sent to a warehouse in Nogales, Arizona, while they were processed. Some families were eventually sent to the new center in Artesia, New Mexico.

Most of the migrants were from Central American countries and said they were fleeing extreme violence and poverty.

The ACLU in June filed a complaint alleging that more than 100 children had been abused and mistreated while in Border Patrol custody. The organization says the children were kept in harsh temperatures and severe overcrowding, and that they were denied adequate hygiene supplies, bedding, food, water and medical care.

The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to a request for comment.

After the lawsuit was filed in October over the New Mexico detention center, the department said it did not comment on pending litigation but added that it has historically released "significant amounts of information regarding our family residential centers."

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Chilean President Michelle Bachelet is coming under fire with complaints her family got privileged access to a bank loan for a land deal.

Chile's Que Pasa magazine reported that a company half-owned by Bachelet's daughter-in-law, Natalia Compagnon, received a $10 million loan from Banco de Chile during the 2013 presidential campaign.

The Caval company had faced delays in getting a loan from other banks. But Banco de Chile agreed after Bachelet's son and his wife met with its vice president, Andronico Luksic, one of Chile's richest men.

The money went to buy land for about $10 million, and months later it's being sold for about $15 million.

Bachelet's government confirmed the details of the loan this week, saying it was legal, and the president's son, Santiago Davalos, released a declaration of financial interests on Wednesday. But opposition congressman Nicolas Monckeberg said it wasn't enough, and called for Davalos to resign as head of a charitable foundation.

The controversy could hurt Bachelet's image since she campaigned to fight against inequalities.

"The way in which her daughter-in-law's company got the credit is all about unequal access. So what Bachelet says is opposite to what her family does," said Patricio Navia, a Chilean political scientist at New York University.

Corruption levels in Chile are among the lowest in South America, according to Transparency International. But trust in politicians has been eroded by a money laundering probe of a company, Penta Group, accused of illegally financing a right-wing party.

"If you think about this particular case, it's only $10 million. There are suspicions that the president's family had access to privileged information and they made a couple of million dollars. So compared to other countries, this is peanuts," Navia said. "But in a country where corruption is not widespread, these types of scandals really have an effect."

Bachelet, who is on vacation, has yet to comment. But some members of her center-left administration have acknowledged that her family got privileged access, while insisting the loan was legitimate.

"There's no doubt that not everyone has access to the president or vice president of the bank," acting Finance Minister Alejandro Micco told local radio ADN.

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The American Civil Liberties Union sued the Border Patrol's parent agency Tuesday for records on its activities away from the nation's border with Mexico.

The federal lawsuit seeks records on the agency's so-called "roving patrols" in the San Diego and El Centro sectors in Southern California. The plaintiffs say agents work a considerable distance from the border with Mexico and have reportedly stopped farm workers and residents for questioning in Fallbrook, about 70 miles north of Mexico, and Laguna Beach, nearly 90 miles north.

The complaint is the latest to question the Border Patrol's activities away from the border, whether at highway checkpoints or on roving patrols.

According to the ACLU, federal law allows the Border Patrol to make warrantless stops and seizures within a "reasonable distance" of the border. Regulations have defined that distance as 100 miles from land and sea borders, which encompasses about two-thirds of the nation's population and nine of the country's 10 largest cities.

The lawsuit names the Department of Homeland Security and its Customs and Border Protection unit, which includes the Border Patrol. It said the agencies haven't produced records requested under the Freedom of Information Act in July, including and internal guidance on roving patrols and stops made since 2011.

CBP had no immediate comment.

The plaintiffs are the ACLU Foundation of San Diego and Imperial Counties and the University of California, Irvine School of Law's Immigrant Rights Clinic.

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House and Senate Republicans are having their first big family feud since taking control of Congress, as they hit a rock-hard budget impasse that threatens to trigger a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

After a solid 16 months without a government shutdown of any kind, Congress is careening toward an end-of-the-month funding deadline for DHS without a new budget.

The House already passed a bill that includes provisions overturning President Obama's controversial immigration executive actions. But despite repeated attempts last week, the Senate was unable to pass that bill -- as Democrats blocked it, over and over again. Democrats want the immigration provisions stripped.

Yet House Republican leaders are refusing to take another crack at the bill. A senior House GOP leadership aide told Fox News there is no backup plan -- they are insisting the House-passed bill is the only proposal.

This is a dare not only to Democrats but to their Senate Republican colleagues, who are equally adamant that the House should make the next move.

"I can tell you I think it's clearly stuck in the Senate," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters after a closed-door lunch of Senate Republicans. "And the next step is obviously up to the House."

For his part, House Speaker John Boehner on Wednesday said the House has done its job and it's time for the Senate to act. He put the onus on Democrats, saying they need to "get off their ass."

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid's office shot back, with a spokesman saying: "We know Speaker Boehner is frustrated but cursing is not going to resolve the squabbling among Republicans that led to this impasse."

The flare-up Wednesday underscored the worsening stalemate on Capitol Hill with funding for the Homeland Security Department set to expire Feb. 27. Republicans aren't sure what comes next and one senior source told Fox News, "There is no plan, which is scary."

For now, Senate Republican leaders don't know how to get the bill through their chamber, insisting that the Democratic filibuster has pushed them into a corner. And they're nudging their House counterparts to move.

Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, said the House would "like to leave the hot potato with us," but the Senate tried its best and the math doesn't work out.

Democrats say they can't accept the bill unless the contentious language on immigration is removed.

If the impasse holds, one alternative may be a short-term extension of current funding levels, something Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson is urging Congress to avoid because it would prevent the agency from going forward with a host of planned initiatives, from improvements at the Secret Service to new security technology on the U.S.-Mexico border.

"I'm urging every member of Congress that I can meet, Democrat and Republican, to figure out a way to break this impasse so I can get a fully funded bill by Feb. 27," Johnson told reporters Tuesday on the way out of a meeting with senators. He said 30,000 personnel -- or 80 percent of the DHS workforce -- would have to be furloughed if the budget lapses entirely.

The fight over immigration and the Homeland Security spending bill is the first major test for Republicans since taking full control of Congress in January for the first time in eight years. Democrats are already gleefully declaring that the GOP is failing the test, but with Republicans six votes shy of the 60 needed to advance most legislation in the Senate, they say there's little they can do if Democrats won't budge.

"The Democrats are filibustering it. I don't know how we get blamed for that this time," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. "Everybody knows it takes 60 votes to do anything."

Fox News' Chad Pergram and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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A day after the news that another American, a 26-year-old humanitarian worker, had died in the custody of Islamic State fighters, President Barack Obama sent Congress legislation to authorize military force against the ruthless group.

Of immediate concern was a legislative struggle  the search for a compromise that could satisfy Democrats who oppose the use of American ground forces in the fight against IS, and Republicans who favor at least leaving the possibility open.

Sen. Bob Menendez, the ranking leader on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said to reporters on Tuesday in describing the White House's opaque formulation of force against IS that it remained subject to modification.

"That's where the rub will be" as the White House tries to win approval for the legislation, he said.

Obama asked lawmakers to "show the world we are united in our resolve" to defeat militants who have overrun parts of the Middle East and threaten attacks on the United States.

He also proposed no geographic limitations where U.S. forces could pursue the militants. The authorization covers the Islamic State and "associated persons or forces," defined as those fighting on behalf of or alongside IS "or any closely-related successor entity in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners."

On Tuesday, Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Republican, had said that any use of force should not be subject to geographic limitations.

What the president needs to come up with is a strategy, militarily, to defeat them, Mr. Rubio said on Fox News The Kelly File. Which I think involves, for example, an anti-ISIL ground force made up of Arab armies, combined with U.S. Special Forces, particularly for tactical support, an increase in the airstrikes. But we need to authorize the use of force. But more importantly, we need to authorize the use of force sufficient to defeat them, to destroy them.

If you put a geographic limit on the authorization of the use of force, youve basically told ISIL where they can go to hide, Rubio said. If you say, for example, you can only hit them in Iraq and Syria, they have every incentive now to move their operations and their training facilities to some other place thats not included within it.

We need to understand  whats the goal here? The goal here is to defeat ISIL. If your goal is to defeat them, your goal is to defeat them no matter how long it takes, or how many places you have to go after them.

In urging Congress to back military force, the president ruled out "enduring offensive combat operations," a deliberately ambiguous phrase designed to satisfy lawmakers with widely different views on any role for U.S. ground troops.

Majority Republicans in Congress responded warily to the request.

Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, expressed doubt it would "give our military commanders the flexibility and authorities they need to succeed and protect our people." He said changes were likely before the measure comes to a vote, although an initial House committee hearing was set for Thursday.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., like Boehner, said the proposal would receive serious consideration.

There was no timetable for Congress to act on the president's request, which triggers the first war powers vote in Congress since President George W. Bush sought and won an authorization in 2002 before the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

In a letter to lawmakers that accompanied the three-page draft legislation, Obama said the Islamic State "poses a threat to the people and stability of Iraq, Syria and the broader Middle East and to U.S. national security."

While asking Congress to bar long-term, large scale ground combat operations like those in Afghanistan and Iraq, Obama said he wants the flexibility for ground combat operations "in other more limited circumstances." Those include rescue missions, intelligence collection and the use of special operations forces in possible military action against IS leaders.

The issue of ground forces is likely to prove difficult in the administration's attempt to win passage of legislation.

While some Republicans favor their use, many Democrats oppose it, mindful of the long and deadly war in Iraq.

The House Democratic leader, Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, issued a statement that refrained from endorsing Obama's proposal. It said Congress should act judiciously and promptly to pass legislation "narrowly tailored" to the fight against IS. She has said previously she opposes deploying U.S. "boots on the ground."

Obama arranged to speak publicly about the request later Wednesday.

In his letter, he referred to four American hostages who have died in Islamic State custody  at least three of them beheaded. He said the group, if left unchecked, "will pose a threat beyond the Middle East, including to the United States homeland."

Among the four hostages was Kayla Mueller, a 26-year-old humanitarian worker whose death under unknown circumstances was confirmed Tuesday. In addition, the group has urged sympathizers to attacks Western targets.

Obama proposed a three-year time limit on the authorization for the use of force, a schedule that would leave the legislation in force through the first year of his successor's term in office.

He also proposed no geographic limitations where U.S. forces could pursue the militants. The authorization covers the Islamic State and "associated persons or forces," defined as those fighting on behalf of or alongside IS "or any closely-related successor entity in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners."

Obama's resolution would repeal a 2002 authorization for force in Iraq but maintain a 2001 authorization against al-Qaida in Afghanistan. He said in his letter to lawmakers his goal is to refine and ultimately repeal that measure as well.

The silence on the 2001 authorization drew criticism from some Democrats. "It makes little sense to place reasonable boundaries on the executive's war powers against ISIL while leaving them unchecked elsewhere," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., in a statement, using an acronym for the terrorist group.

At the White House, press secretary Josh Earnest said the ground troop limitation would allow special operations missions, such as potential raids targeting Islamic State leaders and the failed attempt last summer to rescue Mueller and other hostages held by the group.

"It's impossible to envision every scenario where ground combat troops might be necessary," Earnest said in the White House's first interview laying out its case for the resolution.

"The president believes this sort of strikes the right balance of enforcing what he has indicated is our policy, while preserving the ability to make some adjustments as necessary," Earnest told The Associated Press.

In the past, Obama has said the congressional authorizations that President George W. Bush used to justify military action after the Sept. 11 attacks are sufficient for him to deploy more than 2,700 U.S. troops to train and assist Iraqi security forces and conduct airstrikes against targets in Iraq and Syria.

Obama cast the vote as an important message to America's allies and enemies. "I can think of no better way for the Congress to join me in supporting our nation's security than by enacting this legislation, which would show the world we are united in our resolve to counter the threat" from IS, he wrote to lawmakers.

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The White House is scrambling to get into high gear for what it expects will be an onslaught of applications from undocumented immigrants seeking relief from deportation, part of the executive order President Barack Obama announced late last year.

Expecting millions of people who meet the criteria to apply, the Obama administration has added 1,000 workers to help process the paperwork, as well as 1,000 private contractors, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The administration also signed a nearly $8 million lease for 246,000 square feet on 12 floors in an office complex in the Washington, D.C., area. New employees salaries and benefits are expected to cost some $40 million annually.

"It's going to be a monumental effort," Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice  an immigration advocacy group  told the Times. "It's arguably the biggest [immigration] program they've ever had to implement, and with a population that has done everything possible to avoid contact with authorities."

Its a monumental task, the Times noted, calling the immigration executive action one of the most ambitious and controversial programs of his presidency. And one that the administration wants desperately not to bungle, as it did with the rollout of the Affordable Care Act.

The agency that will process the bulk of applications, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, already handles more than 6 million applications annually from people seeking a variety of benefits. The agency is essentially funded through user fees, which will be quite hefty for the programs that are part of the executive order.

Undocumented immigrants who seek suspension of deportation based on being the parent of a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident will need to pay a fee of $465, for instance.

One thing is for certain  unlike what happened with Obamacare enrollment, there will be no embarrassing failures tied to trying to apply via a glitch-filled website. USCIS conducts most of its business the old-fashioned way  in person or through snail mail.

Immigrants applying for an extension of deportation relief under an earlier 2012 Obama initiative  for those brought to the United States illegally as minors  may begin doing so on Feb. 18.

Others covered under new categories as part of the 2014 executive order can start in late spring.

The work will be challenging, those familiar with the process say, because government workers will have to determine eligibility for people who usually have few, or false, documents.

"USCIS is on pace to have several hundred employees on board and trained by mid-May, which will ensure every case processed by USCIS receives a thorough, case-by-case review," the Times quoted agency spokesman Chris Bentley as saying.

Bentley conceded that workers could be pulled from other assignments if the workload is heavier than expected.

"They are going to be under pressure," a former Homeland Security official who asked for anonymity told the newspaper. "The community is going to want to see the effects of this. But if they get a million applications in the first three months, they are not going to have the staff to adjudicate this."

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Rep. Ruben Gallego, an Arizona Democrat who is co-sponsor of a Homeland Security bill that explicitly omits amendments on immigration, on Thursday described his measure as one that centers on keeping families together.

The Democratic party is keeping families together, and win or lose politically, we know were doing the right thing, Gallego told Fox News Latino.

Gallego joined as co-sponsor of what Democrats called a clean DHS funding bill, which was introduced this week by Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard of California and Nita Lowey of New York.

Gallego and Robyal-Allard say that their measure, which House Republicans blocked a vote on, is free of the GOP anti-immigrant poison pills.

Meanwhile, Republicans say Senate Democrats are being petty by blocking a debate on a GOP-led DHS funding bill that passed in the House.

On Thursday, Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republicans, said Democrats were being reckless and irresponsible.

Conservative Republicans are in a pitched battle with the Obama administration, and many Democrats, over amendments included in a Homeland Security spending bill that the House recently passed. Those amendments defund executive orders that the president established last year that would suspend deportation for potentially 5 million undocumented immigrants.

The executive orders expand the number of people who qualify for a 2012 initiative for relief from deportation by removing certain restrictions, such as age limits, and other things. President Barack Obama also extended deportation relief  for three years  to undocumented immigrants who have children who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

Republicans accuse Obama of overreach in his unilateral move to suspend deportations, and have threatened to sue him for actions that they say are unconstitutional.

The House DHS bill failed to gain traction in the Senate, however, after Democrats blocked a vote that would have paved the way for a debate on the measure and then a vote on it.

Each party is accusing the other of playing politics and putting the nations security at risk by holding up funding of DHS. A spending bill must pass by Feb. 27 to keep the agency fully functional.

There are 17 days left until DHS runs out of funds putting our national security at risk, Gallego said. This is no time to play with our countrys safety, the American people elected us to work on their behalf and the safety of our country should not be a partisan or political issue.

Gallego said that if Republicans object to Obamas executive actions, there are ways to address them outside of the DHS spending bill.

If they believe its unconstitutional, you let it work its way through the Supreme Court, he said, or pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill to give legal status instead to a lot of these families that have temporary status now.

Gallego said Republicans cannot "hold Democrats hostage and separate families," in reference to families that have been separated through deportations.

On Thursday, Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Bill Flores, both Texas Republicans, blamed Democrats for playing political games and using DHS as a pawn, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Cruz rejected suggestions by some Republicans that the Senate change rules so that Democrats could not continue to block measures such as the DHS one from moving forward.

The answer is not to change Senate rules, Cruz said at a press conference held by House and Senate conservatives. The answer is for Senate Democrat not to be obstructionists.

We are in a time of growing threats at home and abroad, Cruz said. And for Senate Democrats in a partisan vote to filibuster funding for the Department of Homeland Security is both reckless and irresponsible.

Flores said that Senate Democrats should do your job. Uphold the oath that you took to defend the Constitution.

Gallego said that Republicans have only themselves to blame for the DHS funding logjam.

"At the end of the day, it's the GOP process that corrupted the bill to begin with," he said, "then they found themselves in a situation where they're looking at us to get them out of the problem that they caused."
Kathie Alvarez was on a trip to Washington D.C. in the 1980s with the seventh-grade class she taught when a passing comment about a job opening in the Senate Document Room changed her life.

Alvarez, a Louisiana native, landed the job, getting promotions that in 2009 led to one that would help her make history  she became the Senates first female legislative clerk, responsible for calling the roll during votes and quorum calls.

Now, after 30 years of being a fixture in the Senate, Alvarez is retiring, according to Roll Call.

Senators praised her in speeches on the chambers floor on Thursday. Women in the chamber were wearing various forms of animal print, a nod to a favorite clothing feature of Alvarez.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, noted that Alvarez had become a bit of a celebrity.

Every C-SPAN aficionado knows her voice, McConnell said. All she has to say is Mr. Alexander, Ms. Ayotte and its instantly recognizable.

McConnell said Alvarezs job could be intense.

Kathie has maintained a laser-like focus for three decades, McConnell said. Thats good news for the Senate because we rely on her, and the American people rely on her, to ensure that every bill, every amendment and every message from the House is processed perfectly. That is a lot of pressure.

He added: So we cant blame Kathie for wanting to retire.

Roll Call quoted Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid as saying of Alvarez: We have had a great relationship. I know nothing about her politics. I just know something about her personality, which is warm. She has a great sense of humor, and I am going to miss her a great deal.

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Marco Rubio was discussing the middle class, student loans, the increasingly elusive American Dream, the growing Latino share of the electorate in many parts of the country.

His audience listened, taking notes.

This was Rubio in his lesser known role  that of professor.

Twice a week, the 43-year-old Republican teaches political science at Florida International University. The classes, Politico notes, double as a focus group for the campaign themes and rhetorical flourishes he might use in a 2016 White House campaign.

FIU provides Rubio a kind of safe space for ruminating about what a candidate needed to do in the past to win an election, compared to what he or she would have to do today.

He can, in essence, think aloud while those listening and looking to him as an icon press for more detail, or sometimes even challenge his premise.

In one class, for instance, Rubio spoke about how a candidates persona can go a long way in winning over voters, even unlikely ones.

The personality of the candidates themselves is so important, Rubio said to the class, according to the Washington Post, which observed one. Its an unquantifiable quality that people look at you and say, Im voting for so-and-so because there is something about him that I like.

The Post said a student then raised her hand, and asked: Do we spend too much time looking at a politicians character rather than the actual issues?

Rubio responded: I dont know if it should be that way or not. But it is.

Rubio is, essentially, a lecturer. He does not stick to a syllabus. Someone else grades assignments and exams.

He said he feels very much at home with FIU students, whom he has taught since 2008, when he left the Florida legislature. He told both Politico and the Washington Post that he empathizes with the students, most of whom are Latino and African-American from low-income or lower-middle-class families.

I really like teaching these kids because they come from where I came from, he told the Post.

Dario Moreno, who is Rubios friend and co-teacher, said the university gives the senator who is always in the limelight a stress-free zone for discussing politics.

This is one of the few moments in the week when Marco can sit down and think through the issues, Moreno said to Politico. Its safer for him to do it here than in Washington or in a room full of journalists. But I always remind him that hes always on the record.

Rubio tries not to make his talks personal. He often describes political types without mentioning names, though it wouldnt be too hard to figure out who is in his mind, according to reports.

Hell discuss Bill Clintons strengths as well as those of Ronald Reagan.

And he acknowledges the GOPs challenge in overcoming its image as anti-minority.

Despite your message, you cant get through [to minority voters] because theyre convinced you hate them, he said in a recent lecture, according to Politico. Thats going to be a problem, too.

His students seem pretty sure that their professor has designs on running for president.

At the same time, they speak admiringly about his apparent determination to keep things academic.

At first thought, I expected it to be biased  that it would be more of a campaign, the Post quoted student Nicole Betancourt, 21, as saying. If anything, he teaches us like hes an actual professor.

And Politico found the same sentiment in student Ed Cabrera, 22.

Marco knows a lot. You dont get the sense that hes a Republican or Democrat. And you dont get the sense that hes a senator, said Cabrera, an independent who favors Democrats over Republicans, but told Politico he would vote for Rubio. I never got the sense he was trying to push us to one side or another. He was unbiased.

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A month into their newfound control of both chambers of Congress, it wasn't supposed to be like this for Republicans. Instead of advancing a conservative agenda and showing voters they can govern, they are confronting the very real possibility of a shutdown of the Homeland Security Department later this month.

That's because they can't overcome Senate Democrats' stalling tactics in a dispute over immigration.

"I suppose elections have consequences except in the United States Senate," complained GOP Rep. Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina, summing up the frustration for many House Republicans. "Tell me how it would be different if Harry Reid were still running the place," he added, naming the Senate Democratic leader who was booted into the minority in November's midterm elections.

Although their party is now setting the floor schedule and calling hearings, Republicans are finding to their chagrin that important things haven't changed from when they were in the Senate minority.

Republicans are six votes short of the 60 needed to advance most legislation, and Senate rules grant numerous rights to the minority party. That means if Democrats remain united, they have the ability to block GOP bills just as they did while in the majority.

Democrats have been united against House-passed legislation funding the Homeland Security Department through September, the end of the budget year, while also rolling back President Barack Obama's executive policies on immigration.

As a result Congress appears to be at a stalemate on the issue, leaving Republicans with only a few options: pass a short-term extension of current funding levels, fold and strip the immigration language opposed by Democrats from the bill, or let the Homeland Security Department run out of money when current funding expires Feb. 27.

They're all bad options from the GOP perspective. A short-term extension just pushes the problem to a later date. Removing the immigration language would amount to a bitter admission of defeat after Republicans have spent months accusing Obama of an unconstitutional power grab for limiting deportations for millions in the U.S. illegally. That's left Republicans staring down the third possibility: a shutdown of the Homeland Security Department.

It's something most say they want to avoid, but on Thursday House Speaker John Boehner refused to rule the possibility out, insisting instead that Senate Democrats should get the blame if it happens.

"If funding for Homeland Security lapses, Washington Democrats are gonna bear the responsibility," the Ohio Republican said. "Senate Democrats should stop blocking debate on the House-passed bill."

Some House conservatives go farther, arguing that a shutdown would hardly be calamitous because the large majority of department personnel would be deemed essential and report to work, though most would not get paid until after the shutdown ends.

"Look at the last shutdown  85 to 90 percent of the personnel from DHS all came to work and they all got paid" eventually, said Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz. "As much as both sides don't want that to happen it is always a possibility."

Another lesson from the last shutdown, which happened in the fall of 2013 in a failed attempt to unwind Obama's health care law: Republicans get blamed. Even while insisting Senate Democrats are the ones courting a shutdown, many Republicans acknowledge they may have a hard time selling that idea to the public given that they control both chambers of Congress.

The predicament is so frustrating to House Republicans that some conservatives have begun advocating changing Senate rules to limit the use of the filibuster, an idea several Senate Republicans have already dismissed. For many, the fear is that their deadlock over the Homeland Security bill is merely a taste of things to come for the next two years.

Although Republicans were successful in clearing a bill authorizing the Keystone XL oil pipeline, setting up an Obama veto, many say that was a relatively easy lift that could stand as the exception rather than the rule in the months of divided government to come.

"Now we have the Senate and so our constituents think 'now you can stop Obama'. Well we don't have 60," said Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla. "Honestly it's going to continue to frustrate not only our side but the people who elected us that nothing is going to change until we get a new president."

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An Arizona sheriff known for clashing with the federal government and cracking down on illegal immigration will face a civil contempt-of-court hearing because his office repeatedly violated orders issued in a racial-profiling case, a U.S. judge said Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Murray Snow ruled in 2013 that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office had systematically singled out Latinos in regular traffic and special immigration patrols.

The judge scheduled an evidentiary hearing for April 21-24 on allegations Arpaio and his top aides acted in contempt during the case. If Arpaio is found in contempt, he could face daily fines.

Tom Liddy, an attorney representing Arpaio, said Friday that his team was prepared for the hearing.

"We look forward to the opportunity to appear before the court and provide the information the judge deserves that shows Sheriff Arpaio and all his employees are fully engaged to comply with all the court's orders," Liddy said.

Snow said attorneys for people who claim they were illegally pulled over provided sufficient evidence that the agency violated court orders. The office conducted immigration enforcement activities in defiance of an injunction and botched an effort to collect videos of traffic stops, according to the judge.

The court granted a preliminary injunction in December 2011 that prohibited the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office from detaining anyone solely on suspicion of being in the country illegally. According to court documents, Arpaio and chief deputies failed to inform rank-and-file officers of the injunction. As a result, officers were violating the order for 18 months.

Nearly a year after Snow made his 2013 ruling, the case heated up again when IDs and items belonging to others and bags of evidence were found at the home of then-Deputy Ramon Charley Armendariz, who was suspected of shaking down people who were in the country illegally. Videos of his traffic stops were discovered after his arrest. Armendariz killed himself in May 2014.

The videos prompted a call for Arpaio's office to work with a court-appointed monitor on a confidential plan to collect past video recordings from MCSO officers. But the Sheriff's Office and its legal team went ahead with their own plan without discussing it with the monitor, Snow wrote.

The judge also said Arpaio and the other defendants failed to meet requests from the plaintiffs for documents and copies of audio and video records from past traffic stops.

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Millions of immigrants benefiting from President Barack Obama's executive actions could get a windfall from the IRS, a reversal of fortune after years of paying taxes to help fund government programs they were banned from receiving.

Armed with new Social Security numbers, many of these immigrants who were living in the U.S. illegally will now be able to claim up to four years' worth of tax credits designed to benefit the working poor. For big families, that's a maximum of nearly $24,000, as long as they can document their earnings during those years.

Some Republicans are labeling the payments "amnesty bonuses," one more reason they oppose Obama's program shielding millions of immigrants from deportation.

"I represent hard working, law-biding Texans," said Rep. Sam Johnson, a senior Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee. "I think these amnesty rewards, and that's what they are, need to be stopped."

Advocates argue that many of these immigrants pay taxes, so they should be able to claim the same tax credits as anybody else. Over the past decade, immigrants in the U.S. illegally have paid an estimated $100 billion in Social Security payroll taxes, even though few will ever be able to collect benefits, said Stephen Goss, Social Security's chief actuary.

Obama has issued executive orders shielding about 4 million immigrants from deportation. Some were brought to the U.S. as children; others are parents of children who are either U.S. citizens or legal residents.

Republicans in Congress oppose Obama's actions and are trying to use a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security to overturn them. Democrats are resisting, resulting in a stalemate that is threatening to shut down the department.

Funding for the department, which oversees immigration enforcement, runs out Feb. 27.

The dispute over tax credits illustrates the complicated relationship that many immigrants have with the U.S. tax system. Social Security estimates that immigrants living in the country illegally work at about the same rate as the rest of the population, even though federal law bars them from employment.

In general, they are less likely to pay federal taxes. Those who do have been boosting Social Security's finances for years.

There are an estimated 11 million to 12 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally. At least half are paying income and payroll taxes, even though few have valid Social Security numbers, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

By law, you must have a Social Security number to work in the U.S. But millions of people work without them.

Some work in the underground economy and do not report their income to the government. For those who work and pay taxes, the IRS provides them with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Since 1996, the IRS has issued 21 million of these numbers. About one-quarter of them are still in use, the agency says.

The IRS accepts these tax returns without reporting the taxpayers to immigration authorities, IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said. That encourages the workers to pay taxes.

"We don't enforce the Social Security laws, we don't enforce the immigration laws," Koskinen said of his agency. "In fact, the reason illegal immigrants file taxes with us is they know we aren't sharing that data with anybody. We treat it as taxpayer-protected information."

Even if these immigrants pay taxes, they are ineligible for most federal programs. They cannot legally get food stamps, unemployment benefits, Pell grants or federal student loans. They cannot get Medicaid, except for emergency medical services, and are ineligible for subsidies under Obama's health law.

They can claim some federal tax breaks, if they file tax returns.

But until now, they were not eligible for Social Security, Medicare or the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), one of the government's largest anti-poverty programs.

Obama's executive actions will offer Social Security numbers to these immigrants, something that eventually could make them eligible for Social Security and Medicare. For Social Security, you generally have to work and pay payroll taxes for 10 years before you qualify for retirement benefits.

More immediately, they can take advantage of the EITC. Last year, the credit provided low-income workers with about $70 billion.

This credit is popular among conservatives because it rewards work  the more you work, the bigger your credit, as long as your income does not exceed certain limits. It is popular among liberals because it provides cash payments to low-wage workers, even if they do not make enough money to pay federal income tax.

It is, however, a complicated program to administer that generates a significant amount of improper payments, according to the IRS's own estimates.

Once the immigrants in Obama's program get Social Security numbers, they can file tax returns claiming the EITC, as long as they meet the income requirements and can document their earnings.

There's more.

They also can file amended tax returns for up to three years after they were due, which means these immigrants can claim tax credits going back as far as 2011. (Tax returns for 2011 were due in April 2012).

The maximum credit for families with three or more children is about $6,000, so some families could get as much as $24,000 in credits.

Koskinen said these tax returns would be processed just like any other.

"You have to do the same thing any taxpayer would do, which is you're going to file a return, say this is what I earned, these are my expenses, deductions, whatever it might be," Koskinen said. "You have to have the supporting documentation."

Some in Congress are outraged.

"The administration may have blown open the doors for fraud with amnesty bonuses of more than $24,000 to those who receive deferred action," said Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb. "This program severely undermines the White House's lip-service to enforcing the law and would increase the burden on law-abiding taxpayers."

Advocates for immigrants say that if these workers are paying taxes, they should get the same benefits as other taxpayers.

"Let's not forget that these workers receive the lowest wages for what they contribute to their communities and local economies," said Ellen Sittenfeld Battistelli, policy analyst at the National Immigration Law Center. "What do we as a nation gain by further impoverishing them?"

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Jeb Bush was preparing to release the emails he sent and received as Florida governor when he was excoriated by a letter-writer to The Miami Herald.

The headline: "Don't trust Jeb Bush with the power of the presidency."

The subject of many of the emails was Terri Schiavo. The letter-writer was her husband, Michael.

Bush's effort to stop Michael Schiavo from removing his brain-damaged wife's feeding tube was a defining moment of Bush's time in office.

Bush, a devout Catholic, sided with Terri Schiavo's parents in the end-of-life dispute and reached for unprecedented authority to intervene. Michael Schiavo said his wife did not want to be kept alive artificially.

As Bush moves toward a run for president in 2016, Michael Schiavo has re-emerged, promising to campaign against Bush and remind voters about the ex-governor's role in the matter.

"I will be very active," Schiavo, a registered Republican, told The Associated Press in an interview. He said he plans to back Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, should she run.

To Schiavo, Bush "owes the public, along with myself, a huge apology."

Asked last week about the case, Bush told the Tampa Bay Times: "It's appropriate for people to err on the side of life. I'm completely comfortable with it."

Bush's recently released emails are part of his attempt to define himself on his terms. Many of the emails deal with the Schiavo case.

"Please know that I respect the opinions of those who disagree with the actions I have taken," Bush wrote a constituent in 2005. "This is a heart-wrenching case, and I have not taken any action without thought, reflection and an appreciation for other points of view."

Friends and advisers to Bush say his actions were driven largely by his faith, and they believe his effort to keep Schiavo alive  despite wide public disapproval  illustrates principled leadership. That could help in early presidential voting states such as Iowa and South Carolina, where social conservatives hold significant sway in the nominating process.

"Jeb felt strongly from a personal standpoint that she should be given a chance," said Al Cardenas, former chairman of the American Conservative Union.

Terri Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, asked Bush for help. They disputed the diagnosis that she was in a "chronic vegetative state" and said that their daughter, as a Catholic, would not want to be taken off life support.

"For Mr. Bush, it was clearly about doing the right thing," said David Gibbs, the Schindlers' lead lawyer. "He knew the easiest thing would be for him to avoid the issue and just be the governor. But he felt in principle that one disabled woman was worth his time and attention. He showed genuine compassion."

Bush first intervened in 2003 as the Schindlers' legal appeals were coming to an end. A judge's ruling that Michael Schiavo, Terri's legal guardian, could remove her feeding tube had withstood five years of court challenges. But the governor took the unusual step of writing the judge and asking him to assign a different guardian.

"I normally would not address a letter to the judge in a pending legal proceeding," Bush wrote. "However, my office has received over 27,000 emails reflecting understandable concern for the well-being of Terri Schiavo."

His request was rejected.

On Oct. 21, 2003, six days after the feeding tube was removed, the GOP-controlled Legislature passed a one-page bill granting the governor the power to order the tube reinserted. Bush signed it into law, and a police-escorted ambulance moved her from a hospice to a hospital, where the tube was put back in.

"I honestly believe we did the right thing," Bush wrote a constituent who supported the move.

Others weren't so sure, including some of the Republicans who shepherded the measure through the Legislature. "I keep thinking, 'What if Terri Schiavo really didn't want this at all?'" the late Jim King, then Florida's state Senate president, said at the time.

Nearly a year later, the Florida Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional. Bush appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, was rejected and asked Congress to intervene. Lawmakers, including then-Sen. Clinton, voted to give Terri Schiavo's parents legal standing to appeal anew in the federal courts, which then rejected their case.

In a last-ditch effort, Bush tried to have the state Department of Children and Families take custody of Terri Schiavo, based on allegations that she had been abused by her husband and caregivers. The move was rebuffed by the presiding judge.

On March 31, 2005, Terri Schiavo died.

Even after that, Bush raised questions about Michael Schiavo's involvement in his wife's initial collapse and asked that a state prosecutor reopen the case, Michael Schiavo said in his letter to the newspaper.

The prosecutor concluded there was no evidence of wrongdoing.

"Jeb Bush had no right to do what he did, and voters should consider what someone who used the power of government to hurt so many would do with the power of the presidency," Schiavo wrote.

In a statement upon Terri Schiavo's death, Bush said he joined those in Florida and around the world who were "deeply grieved by the way Terri died."

"I remain convinced, however, that Terri's death is a window through which we can see the many issues left unresolved in our families and in our society. For that, we can be thankful for all that the life of Terri Schiavo has taught us."

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President Barack Obama's chief of staff is pressuring the Republican-run Congress to extend funding for the Homeland Security Department after Feb. 27  when its budget will shut off.

Denis McDonough tells CBS' "Face the Nation" that Congress would keep getting paid, but vital employees at the border and airports  among other places  would have to work without pay while the funding dispute lingers.

Most department employees fall into exempted categories of workers who stay on the job in a shutdown because they perform work considered necessary to protect human life and property.

About 200,000 of the agency's approximately 230,000 employees would keep working even if Congress fails to fund their agency.

The agency's budget is caught up in a Capitol Hill fight over the president's immigration actions.

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House Speaker John Boehner is raising the possibility that the Department of Homeland Security may shut down at month's end because of a budget impasse, and he's blaming Senate Democrats if that happens.

Democrats responded by saying responsibility would fall on the Ohio Republican and the country would suffer from the needless closing of a vital part of government.

The department is caught up in a fight over President Barack Obama's immigration actions, with Feb. 27 as the date when the $40 billion budget would shut off.

A House-passed bill would cover the department through Sept. 30, the end of the current budget year, and overturn Obama's move to limit deportations for millions of immigrants who are in the United States illegally.

But in the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has declared a stalemate and urged the House to make the next move. Senate Democrats, while in the minority, have been able to block action on the bill in protest of the Republican language on immigration.

Asked what if the department funding were to run out, Boehner said, "Well, then, Senate Democrats should be to blame. Very simply."

He then told "Fox News Sunday," when asked if he were prepared to let that happen, "Certainly. The House has acted. We've done our job."

Democrats pounced.

In linking immigration and the budget, Boehner "knew exactly what he was doing," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

If Boehner persists, Schumer said, "he will be responsible for shutting down a large part of the government, the American people will perceive it that way, and his party and the country will suffer for it."

Drew Hammill, spokesman for House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California, said there are enough votes in the House now to pass legislation without the immigration provisions "if only Speaker Boehner will get out of the way."

Earlier Sunday, Obama's chief of staff, Denis McDonough, tried to pressure the Republican-run Congress to act. During an appearance on CBS' "Face the Nation," he noted that Congress would keep getting paid, but vital employees at the border and airports  among other places  would have to work without pay while the funding dispute lingered.

Most department employees fall into exempted categories of workers who stay on the job in a shutdown because they perform work considered necessary to protect human life and property.

About 200,000 of the agency's approximately 230,000 employees would keep working even if Congress fails to fund their agency.

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Just months after a midterm election that saw Republicans win big on Capitol Hill, fundraising season has kicked into high gear in the Washington, D.C.

Every week, the districts nightlife is peppered with closed-door, off-the-record events aimed at raising money for candidates running for office in next years election cycle. While private fundraising events are hardly new to Washington culture, one group wielding influence as never before are the Beltways Latino elites.

Oscar Ramirez is a principal at Podesta Group, a Washington lobbying firm, and one of the Democratic Partys top Latino donors. During last years midterm election cycle, Ramirez donated over $83,000 to political campaigns.

The overwhelming majority of my political contributions are to Hispanic candidates and electeds, Ramirez said. Unfortunately, for many of the people I support, their biggest challenge is often that they lack access to the financial resources they need to win their campaigns. I donate because I am in a position to make a difference.

Although Latinos are becoming a strong political force in Washington, they are finding a tough time getting financial backing. Latinos make up 16 percent of the U.S. population, they own only 2.2 percent of the nations wealth. That wealth gap between Hispanics and whites was only exacerbated by the 2008 recession, which saw Hispanic households lose a larger share of their net worth than any other racial group, according to a 2011 report by Pew Research.

This makes political fundraising in the Hispanic community challenging.

One group looking to help fill the void for Latino political donations is the Washington, D.C.-based Latino Victory Fund. The group, which was founded by Eva Longoria and San Antonio entrepreneur Henry Munoz, will roll out a three-pronged approach this year to target what they see as the potential Latino donor segments: high net worth individuals, middle-level donors  which the group hopes will number 100,000  and grassroots donors who can give in small amounts.

Latinos as a group are fairly new to electoral participation, says Cristobal Alex, president of the Latino Victory Project. Many Latinos have never been asked to give. Were the group thats going to make that initial ask.

A Latina who is often asked to give is Cristina Antelo.

Like Ramirez, Antelo is a principal at Podesta Group and was a major political donor during last years midterm elections. Antelo says that for candidates to be taken seriously by their party, they have to raise money. According to Antelo, this is especially true for Latinos.

"Giving to Latino candidates keeps them relevant, says Antelo. This helps ensure diverse voices remain at the table and part of the decision making."

Of course, while political contributions are essential to any serious candidates prospects of winning political office, money only goes so far.

"First and most importantly, our community needs to vote," says Dean Aguillen, principal at Ogilvy Government Relations and who, like Ramirez, donated over $83,000 during last years midterm election cycle.

He said Latinos could change the landscape of American politics but must do more than merely speak their mind.

Latinos must also flex their muscle monetarily, he said. Latinos that can contribute to political causes should contribute."
Nevada Republicans heralded Nov. 4 as the start of a brave new world, with the party taking control of the Assembly, Senate and every constitutional office for the first time in state history.

Yet popular Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, who swept in to office with 71 percent of the vote, faces anger from other elected constitutional officers and several conservative Assembly members upset with his $7.3 billion, two-year budget that includes $1.1 billion in new and extended taxes.

Strained relationships between the Silver State's six constitutional elected officers aren't unusual, and friction can come from partisan disagreements or personal conflicts, according to former state officials, historians and state Treasurer Dan Schwartz.

"I am not here to diss the governor, but I think the governor has divorced himself from the other constitutional officers," Schwartz said. "He has divorced himself from the Republican Party."

Indeed, Schwartz and a small host of other elected Republicans say they have a mandate from voters who in November rejected a business margins tax and a proposal to remove the cap on mining taxes. A number of Assembly Republicans, including Michelle Fiore, Victoria Seaman, Shelly Shelton and Victoria Dooling, have said they would automatically vote down the governor's current budget.

And recall PACs formed against more moderate Assembly Republicans like Speaker John Hambrick and Chris Edwards aim to pressure legislators into taking an anti-tax stance or face a possible recall.

While the recalls are considered longshots and would be historical firsts, recall organizer and Citizen Outreach head Chuck Muth said they're designed to target potential swing voters.

The constitution requires a two-thirds majority to pass a tax increase, which means the governor needs cooperation from Democrats and a sizeable number of Republicans.

"Gov. Sandoval is the reason these committees are coming up, because he hid it from voters," Muth said.

Sandoval isn't by any means a political pariah -- Democrats and moderate Republicans alike celebrated his proposals for increasing spending on K-12 education and expanding programs for English Language Learners, children in poverty, gifted students and children with disabilities.

In a statement, governor's office spokeswoman Mari St. Martin said the governor will work with any reasonable idea because "the status quo is no longer an option."

Republican senators Michael Roberson and Ben Kieckhefer defended the governor when they attacked Schwartz's alternative budget proposal during a heated Senate Finance Committee hearing Thursday. Roberson scolded the treasurer for releasing the three-page plan, calling it a purely political tactic.

"This is highly disrespectful of Gov. Sandoval, without whom you would surely not be elected," he said to Schwartz.

State Controller Ron Knecht, who worked with Schwartz on his alternative budget proposal, said that their disagreements with the governor were more philosophical than partisan in nature, and that their positions better represented the views of Republicans.

"I absolutely guarantee you the Republican base is overwhelmingly opposed to spending and tax increases," Knecht said.

Former state Treasurer Kate Marshall said she thought offices like the controller and treasurer ought to be neutral, but understood that personal ambition can also play a role in how individuals see their offices.

"It is not within his purview," Marshall said about Schwartz's alternative budget. "But it is true you will find constitutional officers trying to expand their roles."

A similar issue emerged when newly elected Republican Attorney General Adam Laxalt signed on to a federal lawsuit targeting President Barack Obama's executive order blocking the deportation of some immigrants. Laxalt hadn't consulted with governor, who favored federal immigration legislation over a lawsuit.

Although Sandoval eventually met with Laxalt and cleared the air, the very public dispute brought a clear message that his office was independent from the governor's. Laxalt said he looked forward to working with the governor's office and didn't think similar conflicts would happen in the future.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas history professor Michael Green said it isn't unusual for Nevada constitutional officers to clash. He referenced a number of hostile relationships through the state's history, including one between former Gov. Grant Sawyer and Adam Laxalt's grandfather and then-Lt. Gov. Paul Laxalt.

"I think there is always some sort of political conflict, but it doesn't bubble to the surface all the time," he said.

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Yearender: Nepal--China ties elevated to new heights through cooperation in multiple areas in 2016

(Xinhua) 13:08, December 31, 2016

KATHMANDU, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Nepal and China began a new era in 2016 as the two countries witnessed major developments in their bilateral relationship, diplomats said here recently.

As many as ten landmark agreements spanning transit, trade, commerce, energy, cross--border connectivity and cooperation on physical infrastructure developments were signed between the two governments in 2016, elevating the age-old bilateral ties to a new level, the diplomats said.

The visit of Nepalese Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli to Beijing in March this year was highly successful as the two sides concluded the Transit Transport Agreement that gave the landlocked Himalayan nation access to the sea from China.

These agreements came on the heels of a trade embargo on Nepal imposed by India that brought Nepal's trade and transit to a near-standstill until earlier this year, just six months after the promulgation of the much-awaited new constitution in September 2015.

"These milestone bilateral accords need to be implemented sincerely by the current Dahal-led government and future governments for the good of the country's long-term interests," Tanka Karki, a Nepalese Former Ambassador to China, told Xinhua.

On a pessimistic note, Karki expressed fear that these Nepal--China agreements may gather dust due to "unwarranted external pressure," especially from their southern neighbor India.

Another significant development during Oli's visit to China was that the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative introduced by the Chinese leadership.

"Regarding Nepal-China bilateral cooperation, both sides agreed to synergize each other's development planning, formulate appropriate bilateral cooperation programs and to carry out major projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative," part of a joint communique issued during the former prime minister's visit to China stated.

"Both sides agreed to strengthen connectivity, further step up the land and air links and improve the land transport infrastructure," the communique stated.

Nepal initially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China in December 2014 though it has yet to finalize cooperation projects to be developed under the initiative, recent local media reports said.

Another major development regarding Nepal--China relations in 2016 was holding the ground--breaking ceremony of the Pokhara Regional International Airport in April, which will be constructed with Chinese assistance in the Kaski District, some 200 kilometers from the Nepalese Capital Kathmandu.

In June, Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission, Sun Jianguo, met then Defense Minister, Bhim Rawal, and Chief of the Army Staff, Rajendra Chhetri, to pledge further defense cooperation between the two countries.

Another major development of this year was China and Nepal being connected by an optical fiber network for the first time through the Keyrong--Rasuwgadhi border point in June, which ended Nepal's sole dependence on India for connecting the Himalayan country with global telecom services.

In the month of October, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral exchange of information on the areas of consumer right protection, when the Chinese State Administration for Industry and Commerce, Zhang Mao, visited Nepal. This move was aimed at helping to create a competitive market environment and more particularly, accentuate trade relations between the two neighborly countries.

Even during the change of guard in Nepal in August, the two countries continued high-level political engagements and frequent exchanges of visits at different levels.

The Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led administration reaffirmed the country's one China policy and said it gives high priority to its relations with China. Meanwhile, the government pursued a policy of striking a balance between the two immediate neighbors, China and India.

The Nepalese premier sent Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara as a special envoy to China, where separate meetings were held with Chinese Premier Li Keqiangand Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and he pledged to continue a friendly and cooperative policy toward China.

The meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinpingand Nepalese Prime Minister Dahal on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Goa, India was another important occasion for both the leaders to exchange their ideas on enhancing friendship. On the occasion, Chinese President Xi said that his country is ready to align development strategies with Nepal and hopes to build a community of shared destiny between both countries.

Dahal, meanwhile, said the Nepal-China friendship is time-honored and unbreakable, as it is established on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and features mutual respect and trust.

Dahal conveyed Nepal's willingness to participate in connectivity construction within the frameworks of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

Furthermore, from China, a senior Chinese official visited Nepal at the end of December this year with the visit further helping the promotion of bilateral relations as well as the party-to-party relationship between the political parties of Nepal and the Communist Party of China.

As the year of 2016 is coming to an end, Nepalese Diplomats expressed high hopes that the upcoming year will be crucial for both countries to explore new areas of cooperation on hydropower, connectivity and trade.
An Argentinian government official is urging U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to make the alleged involvement of Iranians in the deadly 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center part of the nuclear talks with Iran, according to published reports.

Foreign Minister Hector Timerman sent a letter to Kerry describing the request to include the accusation of Iranian involvement as one that his government has made before, according to various publications, including Reuters, Clarin, a major Argentinian daily, and the Buenos Aires Herald.

The attack on the AMIA Jewish community center on July 18, 1994 killed 85 people.

In a statement issued as a response, the U.S. Department of State said it "would not be appropriate" to raise the issue in the context of nuclear talks.

"We have continued to offer our assistance in the investigation of the AMIA case and the tragic death of [prosecutor] Nisman. However, the nuclear talks with Iran are only focused on addressing the concerns of the international community on the Iranian nuclear program and it would not be appropriate to raise this issue in the nuclear talks," reads the statement posted on Clarin's website.

At a press conference to announce the letter addressed to Kerry as well as to Israeli officials, Timerman added that his nation is "greatly concerned" other countries are playing out conflicts on its soil.

He said Argentina had welcomed people from around the world who flee persecution, and that it did not want to see foreign conflicts unfold in his nation, according to the Buenos Aires Herald.

In my meetings with the leaders of these (religious) communities, I always reiterated them the firm position of my government to prevent that historical clashes that take place in their country of origin be settled in Argentina, Timerman said. The Argentinian people do not have to tolerate, much less to suffer, that our country becomes a theater of political operations, intelligence, or worse, a theater of events and more severe actions, conflicts that are completely unrelated to our history, our idiosyncrasy and our way of life.

Timerman conceded that Argentina itself has failed to "detain, judge or condemn the perpetrators of the AMIA bombing, the Herald reported. The foreign minister also said that the Argentinian Supreme Court had not made progress in the investigation into the attack against the embassy of Israel in Buenos Aires City that took place in 1992.

The bombing has been the focus of a political scandal in Argentina that included Timerman as well as President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

In recent days, the Argentine prosecutor who took over the investigation of the 1994 bombing following the death of prosecutor Alberto Nisman has taken the next step in bringing formal charges against Fernandez de Kirschner for allegedly trying to cover up Iran's role in the attack.

Prosecutor Gerardo Pollicita's decision to go forward with the case is significant because it sets the stage for a close examination of the investigation that prosecutor Nisman was building before he was found dead Jan. 18.

Nisman had accused Fernandez de Kirchner, Timerman and others in her administration of brokering the cover-up in exchange for favorable deals on oil and other goods from Iran.

Fernandez has strongly denied the accusations, and Iran has repeatedly denied involvement in the bombing, which killed 85 people.

Psaki, the U.S. State Department spokeswoman, said: "The special prosecutor's death must not stop the pursuit of those responsible for this brutal terrorist attack. We have contributed information where we can, in the past, and that will continue."

Pollicita will present his finding to Judge Daniel Rafecas, the federal magistrate assigned to the case who will ultimately decide whether to dismiss it or indict the president and others named in the report.

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The Roman Catholic bishop of Tucson, Arizona, Gerald Kicanas, warned lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to change their tone when discussing immigration or risk losing the support of millions of Catholic faithful.

I must say up front that the U.S. bishops continue to be concerned with the tone on Capitol Hill toward immigrants, Kicanas said.

The bishop was in Washington last week to testify on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) before the House Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Enforcement.

We do not agree with terms that characterize immigrants as less than human, since no person is illegal in the eyes of God, he added. Such harsh rhetoric has been encouraged by talk radio and cable TV, for sure, but also has been used by public officials, including members of Congress.

Kicanas was there specifically to speak about three enforcement-only immigration bills currently in the House, including bills that would repeal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which gives temporary deportation relief to undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children, and the Secure and Fortify Enforcement (SAFE) Act, which would criminalize transporting undocumented persons to hospitals, soup kitchens or churches.

As a nation, do we want to go down this road again?, Kicanas asked, according Vatican Radio. "Do we want to criminalize millions of persons who have built equities in this country, jail them, and separate them from their families? Instead of fixing a broken system, would we want to jail nuns and other good Samaritans who are simply aiding their fellow human beings, consistent with their faith?

Instead of enforcement, Kicanas said, the USCCB favors comprehensive immigration reform.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops supported the Presidents executive action on immigration because it would help as many as 4 million persons and keep an untold number of families together, he told lawmakers.

"We believe that the best way to secure our borders and to ensure that our immigration laws are just and humane is to enact comprehensive immigration reform legislation that prioritizes family unity while targeting limited resources on those who endanger our society and are a threat to public safety," he added.

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And they just keep on coming.

A few days ago, late-night show host Conan O'Brien was in Cuba to tape an episode of his show, taking advantage of the United States' new diplomatic relations with the island nation.

Around the same time, Sens. Mark Warner of Virginia, Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota made their first trip to Cuba over the weekend in support of a bill Klobuchar is sponsoring to lift the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba.

Now, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is there, leading a delegation of Democrats from her chamber that her office said was aimed at improving U.S. relations with the Communist country.

Pelosi, D-Calif., and eight other Democrats were planning to meet with Cuban government, local and church officials, and with American officials representing U.S. interests on the island.

The visit comes two months after President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced steps toward normalizing relations between the two countries, which have been estranged for half a century.

"This delegation will work to advance the U.S.-Cuba relationship and build on the work done by many in the Congress over the years, especially with respect to agriculture and trade," Pelosi said in a written statement.

Democrats traveling with Pelosi included Reps. Eliot Engel of New York, top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Collin Peterson of Minnesota, lead Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee; and Nydia Velazquez of New York, senior Democrat on the House Small Business Committee.

Earlier this month, U.S. officials had said the Cuban government had postponed all congressional visits until April. But Cuban officials said only some had been delayed because of a large number of requests.

The U.S. has partially lifted the 54-year-old economic embargo on Cuba, easing restrictions on U.S. telecommunications exports and on American credit and debit card transactions on the island. Only Congress can fully lift the embargo, a move supported by Obama but opposed by congressional Republican leaders.

A new round of negotiations to restore full diplomatic ties with Cuba will take place next week in Washington.

Meanwhile, O'Brien spent his Presidents' Day weekend in Cuba, taping segments for an episode of his TBS talk show to air next month.

TBS promises the trip will give O'Briens viewers a rare glimpse into the daily life of a country not often seen by American viewers.

O'Brien is the first late-night host to tape there since the U.S. embargo went into effect in 1962.

This story is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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A federal judge in South Texas has temporarily blocked President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration, giving a coalition of 26 states time to pursue a lawsuit that aims to permanently stop the orders.

U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen's decision late Monday puts on hold Obama's orders that could spare from deportation as many as five million people who are in the U.S. illegally.

Hanen wrote in a memorandum accompanying his order that the lawsuit should go forward and that without a preliminary injunction the states would "suffer irreparable harm in this case."

"The genie would be impossible to put back into the bottle," he wrote, adding that he agreed that legalizing the presence of millions of people is a "virtually irreversible" action.

In a statement early Tuesday, the White House defended the executive orders issued in November as within the president's legal authority, saying the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress have said federal officials can establish priorities in enforcing immigration laws.

"The district court's decision wrongly prevents these lawful, commonsense policies from taking effect and the Department of Justice has indicated that it will appeal that decision," the statement said. An appeal would be heard by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

The first of Obama's orders  to expand a program that protects young immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the U.S. illegally as children  was set to start taking effect Wednesday. The other major part of Obama's order, which extends deportation protections to parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have been in the country for some years, was not expected to begin until May 19.

Joaquin Guerra, political director of Texas Organizing Project, called the ruling a "temporary setback."

"We will continue getting immigrants ready to apply for administrative relief," he said in a statement. The nonprofit says it promotes social and economic equality for low to moderate income Texans.

The coalition of states, led by Texas and made up of mostly conservative states in the South and Midwest, argues that Obama has violated the "Take Care Clause" of the U.S. Constitution, which they say limits the scope of presidential power, and that his executive actions would be difficult to undo once immigrants started to apply for deferred action. They also say Obama's order would force increased investment in law enforcement, health care and education.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the decision a "victory for the rule of law in America" in a statement late Monday. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who led the state into the lawsuit when he was the state's attorney general, said Hanen's decision "rightly stops the President's overreach in its tracks."

Hanen, who's been on the federal court since 2002 after being nominated by President George W. Bush, regularly handles border cases but wasn't known for being outspoken on immigration until a 2013 case. In that case, Hanen suggested that Homeland Security should be arresting parents living in the U.S. illegally who induce their children to cross the border.

Congressional Republicans have vowed to block Obama's actions by cutting off Homeland Security Department spending for the program. Earlier this year, the Republican-controlled House passed a $39.7 billion spending bill to fund the department through the end of the budget year, but attached language to undo Obama's executive actions. The fate of that House-passed bill is unclear as Republicans in the Senate do not have the 60-vote majority needed to advance most legislation.

Among those supporting Obama's executive order is a group of 12 mostly liberal states, including Washington and California, as well as the District of Columbia. They filed a motion with Hanen in support of Obama, arguing the directives will substantially benefit states and will further the public interest.

A group of law enforcement officials, including the Major Cities Chiefs Association and more than 20 police chiefs and sheriffs from across the country, also filed a motion in support, arguing the executive action will improve public safety by encouraging cooperation between police and individuals with concerns about their immigration status.

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Just hours after a federal judge in South Texas temporarily blocked President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration, groups on opposing sides of the debate about what to do about undocumented immigrants reacted, with immigrant advocates decrying the decision, and others expressing feelings of vindication.

President Obamas executive overreach on immigration poses a clear and present danger to our Constitution, said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. By acting unilaterally to rewrite our nations immigration laws, President Obama has disregarded the will of the American people and violated the Constitution. We cannot allow one man to nullify the law of the land with either a stroke of his pen or a phone call.

U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen's temporary block on the implementation of Obamas executive order gives a coalition of 26 states, led by Texas, time to pursue a lawsuit that aims to permanently stop the presidents unilateral action on immigration. The plaintiffs argued that Obama had overstepped his bounds by suspending deportation for an estimated 5 million, and that states would bear the brunt of the executive action.

Obamas executive action could spare from deportation as many as five million people who are in the U.S. illegally. By extension, it allows those receiving the three-year reprieve to obtain work permits, a Social Security number, some government benefits and, in many states, drivers licenses.

Groups and community leaders who had pushed for undocumented immigrants to get relief from deportation amid a stalled effort in Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform vowed to fight the injunction and urged the millions living in the shadows to come out and move forward with plans to apply for the deportation deferral.

Despite yesterdays decision, the National Council of La Raza is confident that this ruling will not stand and encourages all eligible candidatesto continue preparing to submit their applications, NCLR president Janet Murguia said in a statement.

Murguia called the effort to reverse Obamas executive action an attack on American families.

They are attacks on U.S. citizen spouses and children who are seeing their families torn apart because some of our lawmakers refuse to do what is necessary to fix our immigration system, she said.

The Department of Justice has indicated that it will appeal Hanen's decision.

In Congress, the presidents executive action is the focus of a bitter fight over the Homeland Security funding bill, which includes GOP-led amendments to block the immigration orders by defunding them.

The House passed the bill, but it has stalled in the Senate, where Democrats have blocked debate on the measure, thus keeping it from going to a vote. If Congress fails to pass a Homeland Security spending bill by Feb. 27, many of the agencys employees will not get a paycheck while the standoff lasts.

Goodlatte and other Republicans say that following Hanens decision, the Democrats should drop their fight over the DHS spending bills inclusion of the immigration amendments and allow a vote on the measure.

Democratic lawmakers, however, said theyre not backing down.

There is no good legal case to be made by the Presidents opponents and legislation the hardliners are putting forward in Washington is going nowhere, said Rep. Luis Gutierrez, an Illinois Democrat who is among the leading advocates in Congress of more lenient immigration policies. Politically and practically the idea of deporting or driving out 11 million people and their families is absurd.

But a group of Republicans have not gotten the message that mass deportation and criminalization do not work and that getting people into the system and on-the-books is a more sensible approach. And to attach this to shutting down the Border Patrol, TSA, and Homeland Security when the threats are so real around the world is going to backfire big-time on Republican hardliners.

The two programs that were the focus of the states lawsuit are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA).

DACA broadens the eligibility for a 2012 initiative by the Obama administration that suspended deportation for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as minors and meet a strict set of criteria. DAPA extends relief of deportation to immigrants who have children who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

Supporters of DACA and DAPA announced plans for 75 rallies and other events around the country in the next two weeks to show opposition to Hanens ruling.

President Obama abdicated his responsibility to uphold the United States Constitution when he attempted to circumvent the laws passed by Congress via executive fiat, and Judge Hanens decision rightly stops the presidents overreach in its tracks," said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in a statement. "We live in a nation governed by a system of checks and balances, and the presidents attempt to by-pass the will of the American people was successfully checked today. The district courts ruling is very clear  it prevents the president from implementing the policies in any and all aspects.
Possible presidential candidate Jeb Bush on Wednesday called President Barack Obamas restoration of diplomatic ties with Cuba a mistake that disproportionately benefits the Communist nation.

Speaking to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the former Florida governor said that the deal  which took shape, in secret, over almost two years  between the U.S. and Cuba that resulted in the release of jailed U.S. aid contractor Alan Gross amounted to bad negotiation.

"The notion that somehow you're going to have freedom just kind of outbreak in Cuba, I think is false," said Bush, who is Republican. "I think it was the wrong thing to do. Had they waited...they would have seen economic strains that would have probably brought Cuba to the table."

Bush said his views about America's place in the world will often be compared with those of his father and brother, but insisted, "I am my own man."

Bush said he's "lucky" to have family members who have "shaped America's foreign policy from the Oval Office," according to excerpts released ahead of the speech.

"I recognize that as a result, my views will often be held up in comparison to theirs'  sometimes in contrast to theirs'," Bush said.

"But I am my own man  and my views are shaped by my own thinking and own experiences," he said. "Each president learns from those who came before  their principles, their adjustments."

Sen. Marco Rubio, also a Republican from Florida, is said to be considering a presidential run in 2016 as well.

Rubio has made many overseas trips, and without referring to anyone by name, earlier this year said that as a U.S. senator he has more knowledge about foreign policy than a governor would possess.

Be that as it may, the bets among many Florida Republican lawmakers seem to be on Bush, according to The Hill, which surveyed the state's 17-member GOP delegation.

Many are pledging their support for Bush if he chooses to run for president, The Hill said.

They include Rubio's South Florida congressional colleagues and fellow Cuban-Americans, Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart, the Hill said.

Jeb Bush is courting Republican lawmakers from Florida and securing their endorsements for his likely bid for the White House.

Im with him, Im all in with him, Diaz-Balart told The Hill. I dont think theres anybody more prepared to be president than Jeb Bush.

Bush aides on Wednesday released what they called a preliminary group of experts who would provide him advice.

They included familiar names, such as James Baker III and George Shultz, both secretaries of State under President Ronald Reagan; former Homeland Security secretaries Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff, and former Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, all three of whom served under George W. Bush.

Otto Reich, the former U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, and Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a fellow Floridian and former congressman, will be advising Bush on foreign policy, according to the Washington Post.

The list also included some lesser-known names, such as Meghan O'Sullivan, a former national security adviser to George W. Bush, who now teaches at Harvard and is seen as key to Jeb Bush's idea of lessening U.S. dependence on Middle East energy.

Besides opposing Obamas approach to Cuba, Bush had harsh words for other aspects of the presidents foreign policy, depicting it as "inconsistent and indecisive. He said the Obama administration has led the U.S. to lose "the trust and the confidence of our friends."

"The great irony of the Obama presidency is this: Someone who came to office promising greater engagement with the world has left America less influential in the world," Bush said.

While Bush has not yet formally declared his candidacy, he is all but certain to run for president in 2016 and has already faced questions about how he would distinguish himself from his family, particularly his older brother, former President George W. Bush.

The older Bush brother finished his second term in 2009 amid an unpopular war in Iraq, an economy in freefall and with a majority of Americans disapproving of his job performance.

Among donors, Jeb Bush has noted a strong family and religious bond with his older brother, but has also said they are not clones and have differences common among siblings.

Some foreign policy experts say Bush must go further. Peter D. Feaver, a former national security adviser to George W. Bush, said that includes taking a stance on whether George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq in 2003 was appropriate.

Jeb Bush did not answer that question directly when asked about it last week after an event in Florida for his mother's literacy charity.

"The answer he gave last week, about not litigating the past, that's not a satisfying answer," Feaver said. "He has to come up with a better answer than that."

But Feaver said Bush, should he win election, would inherit an international landscape far different from the one his brother left behind. Instead of the lurking threat of al-Qaida, Jeb Bush would take on a map dotted with violent and unstable spots that include Syria, Iraq and Ukraine.

It's something Jeb Bush appears ready to address, according to the excerpts of his speech.

"The United States has an undiminished ability to shape events and build alliances of free people," he plans to say. "We can project power and enforce peaceful stability in far-off areas of the globe."

Bush aides also confirmed late Tuesday that former Minnesota congressman Vin Weber, a senior policy aide to 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, was advising Bush.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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The Obama administration put its new deportation-relief program on hold Tuesday on the eve of its launch, complying reluctantly with a federal judge's order that roiled immigrant communities nationwide and seemed to harden an already-tense stalemate on Capitol Hill.

President Barack Obama promised an appeal and predicted he'd prevail. But for tens of thousands of immigrants in line to begin applying Wednesday for work permits and deportation stays under his directives, their plans were canceled, at least temporarily.

Talking to reporters in the Oval Office, Obama said he disagreed with the ruling by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen of Texas that the administration had exceeded its authority. But he said that, for now, he must abide by it.

"We're not going to disregard this federal court ruling," Obama said, but he added that administration officials would continue to prepare to roll out the program. "I think the law is on our side and history is on our side," he said.

On Capitol Hill, the Homeland Security Department stood 10 days away from losing funding, but Hanen's ruling made a compromise on that dispute look more distant than ever. Republicans are blocking funding for the agency unless Democrats agree to cancel Obama's immigration orders, and they seized on the ruling as validation for their position.

"Congress must reassert its waning power. We must re-establish the constitutional principle that the people's representatives control the purse," said Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, a leading immigration hardliner.

Yet Senate Democrats, who have been blocking a House-passed bill that would fund the department but also undo Obama's actions, said the ruling from Hanen did nothing to budge them.

"Democrats remain united in our belief that funding for the Department of Homeland Security should not be used as a ransom by Republicans, period," said Chuck Schumer of New York.

The agency's $40 billion budget runs out Feb. 27, and with Congress now on recess lawmakers will have only a few days to reach an agreement once they return to Washington next week. One possibility is a short-term extension of current funding levels, but House Speaker John Boehner said over the weekend that the House had done its job and he would "certainly" let a shutdown occur if the Senate didn't act.

If the political impasse seemed severe, so were the implications for millions of immigrants in the country illegally who have cheered Obama's executive directives in the face of congressional inaction.

"We feel powerless but not defeated, sure that it will all work out," 46-year-old Claudia Ramon, a native of Colombia, said at a rally in Houston, one of dozens nationwide where immigrants and their advocates vowed to continue with preparations under Obama's programs.

Obama's directives would make more than 4 million immigrants in the United States illegally eligible for three-year deportation stays and work permits. Mostly those are people who have been in the country for more than five years and have children who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Applications for the first phase were to begin Wednesday, when as many as 300,000 immigrants brought illegally to the country as children could begin applying for an expansion of Obama's 2012 program aimed at the younger immigrants known as Dreamers.

Yet there was also palpable anxiety, with their apparent White House gains under attack on Capitol Hill and in the courts. Advocates pledged to redouble their efforts to sign up as many people as possible.

"It's extremely important for the community to understand from a legal perspective it is on solid legal footing and actually the larger numbers of people who come forward to apply, the more likely we can protect the expansion," said Marielena Hincapie, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center.

Hanen's ruling late Monday night, in a case brought by 26 states led by Texas, said that Obama and his Homeland Security Department lacked the authority to take the actions they did.

"No statute gives the DHS the discretion it is trying to exercise here," wrote Hanen, and he issued a stay blocking the actions from taking effect. His order was not a big surprise from a Republican-appointed judge who has showed a hard line on border issues.

The Obama administration could seek a stay of his order in addition to appealing to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. Attorney General Eric Holder said Tuesday that the Justice Department was deciding its next move.

He said, "I've always expected that this is a matter that will ultimately be decided by a higher court  if not the Supreme Court then a federal court of appeals."

The drama played out with the 2016 presidential contest getting underway and candidates of both parties eager to win over Latino voters. One potential Republican candidate, Jeb Bush, weighed in with a post to his Facebook page declaring that Obama had overstepped his authority and "hurt the effort toward a commonsense immigration solution."

"Now, more than ever, we need President Obama to work with Congress to secure the border and fix our broken immigration system," Bush wrote.

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Hes considered a long shot.

But that doesnt stop someone with the name of Rocky.

Rocky Chavez, a Republican state assemblyman in California, has his sights on the U.S. Senate seat that is opening up because of retiring Barbara Boxer, a Democrat.

This week, Chavez, who is 63, launched an exploratory committee focused on a possible run next year for the Senate seat.

He is the first Republican to take an official step toward a potential run for the seat, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Our nation suffers from a lack of clear leadership when it comes to issues of national security and looking out for California families who have seen stagnant wage growth for almost two decades, Chavez said, according to the Times.

Yes, he is a Republican in a state that leans Democratic, and the GOP has not seen one of its own win a statewide office in almost a decade.

But Chavez, 63, is no stranger to beating odds.

As he likes to highlight, he grew up picking grapes in the fields, served in the U.S. Marine Corps. and made it to the halls of political power in the state legislature.

He is the father of three and grandfather of five. One of his children attends an Ivy League medical school.

My story is like that of so many other California families, having worked in the grape fields with my uncle and cousins as a child to seeing one of my own children attend an Ivy League medical school,  Chavez said, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

Thats the American Dream, and its what every parent hopes to see for their own children. But if we dont take steps to protect our nation and help create more opportunities for our children, we risk losing that Dream.

A year is a long time in politics, but at the moment, the frontrunner is state Attorney General Kamala Harris, who has gotten the blessing of several Democratic heavyweights in Washington D.C.

Such Democrats as former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Rep. Xavier Becerra and Rep. Loretta Sanchez also are considered possible candidates for the Senate seat.

Im bipartisan, pragmatic and I have a record of reaching across the aisle here in Sacramento  I plan on taking that to D.C. Chavez told the Union Tribune.

His key issues are education and veterans issues.

Despite the long shot, some political observers think that Chavez could attract Latino voters, a growing electorate in the Golden State. Chavez said hell be doing outreach in the community, saying that Democrats have not paid enough substantive attention to Latinos, particularly where education is concerned.

And there may, indeed, be an opening among Latino voters for supporting someone like Chavez.

Latino activists in California expressed frustration over what they feel is the Democratic partys anointing of Harris to succeed Boxer in 2016, giving the attorney generals candidacy momentum and national attention.

Some insiders are concerned that Democrats may miss out on an important opportunity. More than one out of four U.S. Hispanics live in California, and they make up nearly 40 percent of the states population  nevertheless there has never been a Latino U.S. Senator from the state.

Mike Madrid, a Republican strategist who has worked in California politics and is an expert on Latino voting trends, believes the 2016 Senate race will shed light on a frankly dangerous problem, in which a state in which Latinos are the largest ethnic group is being run largely by non-Latinos.

Of the states 10 statewide elected offices, only one is held by a Hispanic  Secretary of State Alex Padilla.

You have a young, poor Latino population being ruled, governed and represented by an older, whiter, wealthier class, Madrid explained to Fox News Latino earlier this year. Something is wrong with our representative government, where those that represent us increasingly do not look like us. That is not a good recipe for a healthy society.

But it may be a recipe for Latinos in California to consider going from blue to red, at least in the Senate race.

"I think it would be very dangerous for the Democratic Party to ignore the role of Latinos in California as part of its base, said Arturo Vargas, president of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, or NALEO, to Fox News Latino, and if the Democratic Party does not invest in Latino candidates, they should not assume it would always be a blue state.

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Across the country, tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children had marked on their calendar the date Feb. 18  the day that the Obama administration had set for when it would begin accepting applications for an expanded deportation deferral that President Barack Obama announced in December as part of an executive order on immigration.

The deportation protection would last three years, and along with it for those who qualified, would also come eligibility to work here legally, to get a Social Security number, to get a driver's license and even to obtain some government assistance.

Nancy Perez, a 38-year-old who was brought from Mexico to the United States illegally when she was 13 and who qualifies for the expansion, told Fox News Latino last week that she was anticipating a better life.

Ive lived here 25 years, most of my life, Perez said. I love my native country, but this is the country where I really grew up, where I went to school, where my children were born.

Ive lived here 25 years, most of my life. I love my native country, but this is the country where I really grew up, where I went to school, where my children were born.  Nancy Perez

But just hours before the day that would have marked a first step out of the shadows for her and others eligible for the program, a federal district judge in South Texas temporarily blocked President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration.

On Tuesday, immigration advocacy groups and community leaders, who had been scrambling to encourage immigrants to apply and help them complete their paperwork, expressed hope that the Fifth Court of Appeals would reverse the ruling. They also urged immigrants not to abandon plans to apply.

"It's extremely important for the community to understand from a legal perspective, it is on solid legal footing and actually the larger number of people who come forward to apply, the more likely we can protect the expansion," said Marielena Hincapie, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center.

The immigrants struggled to balance optimism against disappointment.

"We feel powerless but not defeated, sure that it will all work out," 46-year-old Claudia Ramon, a native of Colombia, said at a rally in Houston, one of dozens of demonstrations nationwide at which immigrants and advocates vowed to continue with preparations under Obama's proposed programs.

In contrast, proponents of strict immigration enforcement are lauding the judge's injunction.

Roy Beck of NumbersUSA said in a statement: Struggling American families can find hope in the judge's ruling which at least temporarily halts the issuance of work permits in March that would have begun allowing millions of illegal foreign workers to compete directly with American workers for new job openings."

In 2012 Obama announced an initiative to defer deportations for undocumented immigrants who had been brought here as children, were under 31 years old, enrolled in school or had a high school diploma.

Perez missed the cut by four years.

Obamas December executive order could benefit up to 5 million people. That includes some 300,000 who came as minors and did not qualify before, but do now that the maximum age limit was lifted, as well as millions of other undocumented immigrants who have children who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

The latter group were to begin applying for deportation relief in late Spring.

Perez, who lives in Arizona, would qualify under both categories since she came to the U.S. before the age of 16, has never been in trouble with the law, and is the mother of U.S.-born children.

She gathered all her documents, went over every part of her application with the help of Living United For Change in Arizona, or LUCHA, and got together her $465 fee.

You feel relief knowing you can get DACA, Perez said before the judge's injunction, using the acronym for the 2012 initiative, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

She felt that "to finally be able to have permission to work, and to get a drivers license  I can start my life.

In New Jersey, Giancarlo Tello knows first-hand what that feels like.

A 25-year-old political science student at Rutgers who was brought here from Peru when he was 6, Tello qualified for DACA in 2012. That enabled him to get a Social Security number, a drivers license and to qualify for a two-year, $22,000 scholarship.

Tello  who like so many Americans grew up reciting the Pledge of Alliance every day in school and trading Pokemon cards with friends  hid his undocumented status from his peers for a long time.

When classmates got old enough to get drivers licenses and cars, they questioned why he hadnt.

He made excuses, said he couldnt afford a car, so why bother.

Unable to drive, Tello would stay on campus from the time his father dropped him off at the crack of dawn, on his way to work, until about 11 p.m. every day.

DACA helped me have a normal life, Tello, who is active in efforts to improve opportunities for young undocumented immigrants in New Jersey, told FNL. I had to stay on campus all day, even though I had one or two classes, because I had no way to get back home, he said.

Education is also part of the plan for Perez, who had to drop out of school as a teen to help her mother financially, and then became a mother herself.

She has been taking classes to earn credits and has only one exam left to take before she can receive her GED.

I always wanted to finish high school, she said.

Eventually, she said, she would like to have legal permanent residence here and then become a U.S. citizen.

But you have to start somewhere, Perez said.

Another longtime immigrant in the U.S., Sabine Durden, 57, welcomed the judge's ruling putting a halt to Obama's immigration plans.

Durden came here from Germany more than two decades ago legally as the wife of an American citizen. For many years, the Moreno Valley, California, resident questioned the U.S. government's policies on immigration, but after her 30-year-old son was struck and killed by a driver who was in the country illegally and who had a prior criminal record, she became an activist.

"It didn't have to happen," she told the Associated Press.

While she voted for Obama, Durden said she was disappointed by his recent programs on immigration.

"I am happy that finally somebody put a foot down and said we can't just do whatever we want, not even the president," she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hes the second Clinton in six years to apologize to Mexico for its drug-trafficking problems.

Last week, former President Bill Clinton said in a speech at a summit in Mexico that the United States was in great part to blame for that countrys drug violence.

I wish you had no narco-trafficking, but its not really your fault, Clinton said at the Laureate Summit on Youth and Productivity. Basically, we did too good of a job of taking the transportation out of the air and water, and so we ran it over land.

I apologize for that, Clinton said, according to published reports.

A crackdown by the United States on drug trafficking from South and Central America focused intensely on the Caribbean Sea, pushing the smuggling to the Mexican border and its environs, according to the Huffington Post.

The U.S. focus on smuggling via air and water  and on weakening Colombian drug cartels  was underway during the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, and continued under Clinton. As the Colombian cartels weakened, the Mexican ones  which had been smaller players in the trafficking world  grew more powerful.

In 2009, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also apologized to Mexico, saying the United States "insatiable" demand for drugs and its role as a source of weapons smuggled into Mexico both had fueled the rising violence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Daniel Robelo, research director at the anti-drug war advocacy group Drug Policy Alliance, said Bill Clintons expression of regret would have been more helpful while he was in the White House.

"Of course, one wishes he and his counterparts would have done the right thing when they wielded the power to do so," Robelo said, according to the Huffington Post. "But its better to apologize than pretend he did nothing wrong at all. Yet we need much more than apologies  especially from those who currently hold office, or who might in the near future."

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RMB becomes more frequently used in Latin America

(Xinhua) 13:08, December 31, 2016

BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A tango show in Argentina, a caipirinha in Brazil, a delicious ceviche in Peru, or a weekend beach break in Mexico. All these pleasures may soon be paid for with a wad of crisp 100 renminbi (RMB) bills.

This is a consequence of the growing presence of the Chinese currency in Latin America thanks to the region's deepening financial cooperation with China and the internationalization of the RMB.

On Oct. 1, the RMB was added to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s Special Drawing Rights basket, a supplement to a shortfall of preferred foreign exchange reserve assets, namely gold and the U.S. dollar.

This has brought the Chinese currency to a new level of international fame, and it is now not unusual to see shopkeepers in Buenos Aires' antiques markets accept RMB from Chinese tourists.

The 100-RMB notes are already frequently used in commercial exchanges in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Suriname, countries with which China has currency exchange agreements.

The growing cooperation also allows China's UnionPay bank cards to be used in 12 Latin American countries, including Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Peru.

Beyond having the UnionPay logo added to signs that traditionally welcomed only Visa, MasterCard and American Express, the Chinese rival is also seeking to launch UnionPay cards in local markets.

Speaking to Xinhua, Argentinean international relations expert Jorge Castro said the IMF's decision is positively impacting Argentina.

For Castro, who leads the Institute for Strategic Planning, "the use of the RMB as a global currency will accelerate the promotion of Argentinean agricultural exports. Furthermore, the currency will play a larger role in Chinese financing in Argentina."

Juan Pablo Scasserra, director of foreign trade for HSBC Argentina, said earlier this year that "operating in RMB allows Argentinean exporters and importers to negotiate better conditions with their Chinese counterparts, among other benefits."

"Argentina and China have reached a new political level in their relationship, which makes them strategic and integral partners," Gustavo Girado, director of Asia &Argentina consultancy, told Xinhua, adding that the RMB joining the IMF's elite currency club can bring about more opportunities for both countries.

According to Inter-American Development Bank Vice President Alexandre Meira da Rosa, the bank also sees the internationalization of the RMB in Latin America as a positive step, which can make trade easier and open up alternative lines of financing.
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Sitting with other top Texas officials like Gov. Greg Abbott and state Attorney General Ken Paxton, Sen. Ted Cruz celebrated an early court victory against President Barack Obama's executive actions on immigration.

The president's plan include a deportation-relief program that Cruz characterized as "illegal."

At a press conference Wednesday held in the state capitol building in Austin, Cruz said that by ordering the printing of ID cards for people in the country illegally who would qualify for deportation deferral, "In effect what the Obama administration was doing was counterfeiting immigration documents."

Abbott predicted that Texas and 25 other states would keep prevailing against Obama's executive actions. He then shifted to defending his decision this week to indefinitely extend the Texas National Guard mission that began last summer.

About 200 guard members had been scheduled to leave the Rio Grande Valley next month, but Abbott now says an unspecified number will remain until Texas hires and trains hundreds of new state troopers to replace the guard.

He would not put a timeframe on how soon that could happen, but Texas Department of Public Safety leaders have said that getting started would take a year. Unlike state troopers or Border Patrol agents, guard members do not have arrest authority and are limited to being lookouts.

"It is our goal to ensure that only those who are authorized to cross the border, are the ones who are crossing the border," Abbott said.

A federal judge in Brownsville late Monday temporarily blocked Obama's plan to shield more than 4 million immigrants living in the country illegally from deportation. One program to help immigrants brought to the country as children was scheduled to kick in Wednesday.

Obama said this week that the law and history are on his side, and that he was confident the orders were within his authority. The Obama administration could seek a stay of the judge's order in addition to appealing to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

Last summer, then-Gov. Rick Perry deployed 1,000 guard troops to the Rio Grande Valley as Border Patrol agents were overwhelmed with the arrival of tens of thousands of unaccompanied children from Central America pouring across the border. Those numbers have since declined sharply, but Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said that the implementation of Obama's actions would set off "a new wave of thousands coming here hoping to achieve amnesty."

Immigrants and Democrats disappointed with the court decision accused Abbott and Republican leaders of being hostile toward Hispanics.

"Law enforcement likes to know who is here," Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez said. "And if people are hiding in the shadows, it's hard to distinguish between those who are harmful and those who are not."

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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The Obama administration plans to ask a federal judge in Texas on Monday to stay his order blocking an immigration executive action from taking effect, the Los Angeles Times is reporting.

Judge Andrew S. Hanen earlier this week issued an injunction preventing the implementation of President Barack Obamas measure, which includes lifting deportation for three years for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States before the age of 16, as well as for those who have children who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

Hanen blocked the order as part of a lawsuit that Texas filed and that now includes 25 other states.

The plaintiffs say the president overstepped his authority, and that giving possibly up to 5 million undocumented immigrants a chance to legally work and live in the United States, even if for a few years, would put undue burden on states.

Hanen largely agreed, saying that the Obama administration intends to enact a program whereby it not only ignores the dictates of Congress but actively acts to thwart them.

Many legal experts expect Hansen to deny the administrations request. The next step, then, for the Department of Justice, which is acting on behalf of the administration in the case, is to file an appeal with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

It could also end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.

What Hanen actually did was pave the way for hearings on the constitutional issues at play in Obamas executive action.

Hanens ruling came about 24 hours before the administration was to begin accepting applications for an expanded version of a 2012 initiative that allowed undocumented immigrants who were brought as minors to have their deportation deferred, and by extension, obtain work permits and drivers licenses. They could also qualify for many government benefits.

Opponents of the presidents order said it amounted to an end-run around Congress, and would send the message around the world that U.S. immigration laws could be broken with little ramification.

Obama said that after Hanens ruling the White House would not keep moving forward with preparation for the millions of applications expected for the deportation deferral programs.

We are doing the preparatory work because this is a big piece of business, Obama told reporters this week.  We want to make sure as soon as these legal issues get resolved, which I anticipate they will in our favor, that we are ready to go.

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Gov. Jerry Brown blocked parole for a former leader of the notorious Mexican Mafia prison gang who has turned on his former comrades and now aids law enforcement.

Brown announced Friday that he was blocking the release of 52-year-old Rene "Boxer" Enriquez.

In a statement, Brown said Enriquez has taken positive steps, but they were "outweighed by negative factors that demonstrate he remains unsuitable for parole."

Citing a decades-long career of violent crime by Enriquez, the governor said "the evidence shows that he currently poses and unreasonable danger to society."

The governor also said because he has been targeted by criminals, parole would pose "a serious security risk to him, his family, his parole agents, and the community."

Enriquez has been in prison since 1993 serving a sentence of 20 years-to life in prison for two murders, multiple assaults and conspiracy to traffic in controlled substances.

He drew attention last month when elite Los Angeles Police Department officers cleared a downtown Los Angeles building so Enriquez could speak to a gathering of police chiefs and business leaders about the growth and operations of a prison gang that has evolved into a transnational criminal enterprise.

The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office opposed his parole request, although he had letters of support from the FBI; several deputy district attorneys; a deputy state attorney general; three assistant U.S. Attorneys; and several officers from local forces and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the transcript.

He published a tell-all book, "The Black Hand," using a nickname for the gang also known by its Spanish language initial, La Eme.

His brazenness was demonstrated in 1991, when he and another man assaulted Mexican Mafia leader Salvador "Mon" Buenrostro at a lawyers' interview room in the Los Angeles County Jail. They stabbed him 26 times but Buenrostro survived.

Enriquez testified that he was dragged into a gang at the age of 12 or 13, when members of a Los Angeles street gang beat him behind a gas station as an initiation. He went to juvenile hall after he and two other partygoers raped an intoxicated woman. He joined the Mexican Mafia during his first stint in prison.

That made him "one of the top apex predators" in a violent universe, Enriquez said at his parole hearing in September. He said he eventually rose to become "part of the orchestrating leadership structure" that organized drug trafficking and directed murders and other street crimes from behind prison walls.

Once he began cooperating with authorities in 2005, the government went to extraordinary lengths to protect him, at one point booking him into custody under a false name for possession of a swordfish without a license, which Enriquez said was a bogus or "ghost" charge to protect him.

He testified that he was being paid a stipend of $200 a week for work that includes giving lectures to California law enforcement officials and teaching an online course on major prison gangs.

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If former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants to be California's next U.S. senator, he's going to have to beat the jinx.

LA's City Hall has proved to be a political graveyard for a string of its former mayors, whose appeal at home didn't extend widely enough when they set their sights on statewide office.

Former Mayor Tom Bradley broke racial barriers and shaped the city's modern skyline during two decades in office, from 1973 to 1993, but he failed twice to become governor. His predecessor, Sam Yorty, served a dozen years but bombed in races for governor and president. Businessman Richard J. Riordan, who held the post from 1993 to 2001, lost a bid for governor in 2002.

Bradley and Riordan got close. But "in general, in American history, mayors have not done terrifically well in moving up," said Raphael Sonenshein, who heads the Pat Brown Institute of Public Affairs at California State University, Los Angeles.

The scorecard for recent Los Angeles mayors is similar to the record in New York City. Rudy Giuliani briefly ran for U.S. Senate in 2000 and for president in 2008. Edward I. Koch was turned back by Mario Cuomo in a run for New York governor in 1982. John V. Lindsay, a Republican, switched parties in 1971 and sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972, but dropped out after a few primaries. He tanked in a U.S. Senate bid in 1980.

Fairly or not, big city mayors become adhesive for all manner of urban gripes and ills, whether its potholes that didn't get filled, garbage that didn't get picked up or police officers who shot the wrong way. They get their hands messy with municipal labor contracts, broken water mains and local taxes, issues that don't concern members of Congress.

"Governing a city is unlike any other position in the American political system and it doesn't always translate well" into a campaign for higher office, Sonenshein added. "In Congress, you don't have to get people angry."

Villaraigosa, a 62-year-old Democrat who has said he is considering entering the 2016 race, already has seen some of his past surface. The only Democrat in the contest so far, state Attorney General Kamala Harris, has rolled out hard-to-miss endorsements from Los Angeles municipal unions, a reminder of labor trouble in Villaraigosa's later years at City Hall, when a budget crisis came with the recession.

With his election in 2005, Villaraigosa was celebrated as a pioneering Hispanic, the first Latino mayor in Los Angeles since 1872. His time in office earned him praise for bulking up the police department and pushing for new rail lines in a city choked by cars, as well as a citywide move away from polluting, coal-fired power.

When he left in 2013 he was criticized for starting far more than he finished and avoiding the unglamorous work of fixing cracked sidewalks and paving streets. An affair with a newscaster led to his divorce.

There are other hurdles for Villaraigosa. While San Francisco is known for cultivating a Democratic farm team  Harris, a former San Francisco district attorney, is an example  Los Angeles' lack of civic unity makes it a less promising springboard for ambitious politicians. Voter turnout has dwindled in recent elections.

"There's not that much of a sense of urban patriotism" in Los Angeles, Claremont McKenna College political scientist Jack Pitney said.

Pitney added that Los Angeles mayors are more limited in power compared to counterparts in many other big cities, so while they tend to get blamed when things go awry they don't always have the muscle to push through change.

There are assets that could help Villaraigosa break the losing trend.

He's a former state Assembly speaker and his years in Sacramento gave him political allies and contacts around the state. He's also had national exposure, including serving as chairman of the Democratic National Convention in 2012. If he runs, he could become California's first Hispanic senator  a Field Poll released this week showed he's a favorite among Latinos, who now make up about 20 percent of the statewide vote.

The state's political demographics have become more diverse since Bradley's days. Meanwhile, LA has cultivated a cutting-edge image and seen its downtown reborn.

"In this new world we are in, I don't know if being mayor costs you in the same way," Sonenshein said. For Villaraigosa, it's "probably more a plus than minus."

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Sen. Marco Rubio reached again for what increasingly is emerging as his key selling point for a potential 2016 presidential run  his foreign policy bona fides.

In an interview with Politico, the Florida Republican, who has dropped more than a few hints that he may vie for the title President Rubio, stressed that senators have the kind of exposure to foreign policy issues that could come in handy in the White House.

He was quoted in Politico as saying that senators address foreign policy on a regular basis, which is more than can be said of, say, governors (read: Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Scott Walker, governors who also are weighing a presidential run).

Then came what appeared to be a dig at fellow Floridian and Republican Jeb Bush, who at one time was viewed as a type of mentor to Rubio, but could end up being his arch rival in pursuit of being the GOP nominee in 2016.

Theres not a lot of foreign policy in the governors office, Rubio said when asked to characterize Bushs handling of foreign policy. He certainly is someone who is capable of learning about it, and I know he has a natural interest and curiosity about these issues. And hes someone who is well-read and well-traveled.

Rubio, who sits on the Foreign Relations Committee, described himself as someone who has been ahead of the curve on warning about international crises and the need to respond to them while theres still time to affect them.

The senator told the publication that time proved him right about his call early on for the United States to arm moderate Syrian rebels, and for the U.S. to take an aggressive approach to radicalism in Libya, and Russias incursions into the Ukraine.

Aspiring presidential candidates recognize the need to demonstrate their ability to think globally.

Christie has traveled overseas a fair amount, most recently to England.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, another 2016 prospect, has been traveling overseas, most recently to England on a four-day trade mission. His other trade missions as governor have been to China and Japan.

Governors running for president need to show they have developed some foreign policy expertise since their jobs keep them at home most of the time, said Larry Sabato, the director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, to CBS News. 'Voters know governors understand domestic issues, but half a president's job is coping with the complexities of global crises.

Candidates can't be caught flat-footed on the trail and in debates when international topics are raised, Sabato said. Getting briefed by experts is one thing, seeing leaders abroad is quite another  and then the candidates can sprinkle their comments with first-hand experiences.

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Several Republican governors are urging GOP congressional leaders to stand firm next week in opposing legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security if it doesn't also overturn President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration.

Governors in both parties meeting in Washington this weekend warned of economic and security concerns should Congress fail to resolve its latest budget standoff. The agency's $40 billion budget runs out Feb. 27, giving federal lawmakers only a few days to reach an agreement once they return from recess next week.

Homeland Security funding "is very important to not only our nation, but to our individual states because of our military installations  especially at a time that there are so many threats around the world with ISIS and other terrorist groups," said Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, a Republican. "We hope that Congress will be able to find a resolution to get DHS funding passed, but we also know there are concerns and questions about immigration and the president's powers."

While some call for compromise, a handful of high-profile Republicans charged that stopping what they see as Obama's unconstitutional power grab may be as important as resolving the funding dispute. The Obama administration last week put on hold plans to shield more than 4 million immigrants living in the country illegally from deportation after a federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked the effort the day the program was scheduled to begin. Twenty-six states, led by Texas, filed suit in December arguing that the president does not have the authority to allow the groups of immigrants to legally stay and work in the United States. The White House is appealing the ruling.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who is weighing a GOP presidential bid, said the court ruling "vindicates the efforts of the Congress to use the power of the purse to prevent the administration from doing what the constitution does not permit them to do."

Pence said he's "strongly urging" the Senate to support a House-passed bill that funds the Department of Homeland Security but also undoes Obama's immigration actions.

Another Republican White House prospect, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, suggested that while compromise might be possible, Republicans "need to be aggressive in pushing back on" the president's immigration plans.

"I think there's a tremendous opportunity, particularly in light of the win that we had in court the other day, to make a further stand here about the president's actions being an overstep on immigration," he said, noting that Wisconsin is among the 26 states involve in the lawsuit. He said he hoped Congress would come up with a solution that "funds Homeland Security, but acknowledges the overstep of this president."

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, another Republican, said Republicans in Congress "have to get their leverage where they can."

But like others, he was frustrated with congressional inaction on immigration despite repeated pleas from state leaders and business and immigrant groups to address the issue. "The solution is Congress: Get off your fanny and get something done," Herbert said.

The stakes are high for millions of immigrants in the country illegally and the political fortunes of both parties heading into a presidential election.

"We're talking about people's pay checks. We're talking about people's lives," Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat who also serves as chairman of the National Governors Association, said of a budget impasse. "It is going to affect our states, and it's going to affect every state in the country."

Congress has little time to resolve the dispute before the Homeland Security budget runs out Friday.

A department shutdown would have a limited impact on national security. Most workers across agencies, including the Secret Service, Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection, fall into exempted categories of workers who perform work considered necessary to protect human life and property and would stay on the job in a shutdown.

Most workers would not get paid until the shutdown ends, however. And all personnel involved in administering grants would be furloughed, including Federal Emergency Management Agency workers who make grants to state and local governments, fire departments and others to help them prepare for or respond to various threats and emergencies.

According to a FEMA spokesman, during a lapse in funding, grants for major disasters and emergencies would be processed only if the requests were determined to be necessary for the protection of life and property. FEMA could also acknowledge  but not process  requests from governors for presidential declarations of emergency that are not deemed necessary.

The spokesman said that disaster recovery support for those affected by previous disasters would also be significantly impacted, with recovery payments for presidential disaster declarations suspended because FEMA staff that process payments would be furloughed.

One possibility is a short-term extension of current funding levels, but House Speaker John Boehner said last weekend that the House had done its job and he would "certainly" let a shutdown occur if the Senate didn't act. Democrats have resisted any Homeland Security funding bill linked to the immigration order.

Like other Democrats, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell said the Republican-led Congress should simply fund the Department of Homeland Security without playing politics with immigration.

"It's just like one more reflection of the dysfunction and the fact that the Republicans came down here and said that they were going to govern differently," Markell said. "And you're back to where it was."

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, who leads the Republican Governors Association, likened Obama's executive order to "throwing a hand grenade" into efforts to adopt meaningful immigration reform.

"I think there's a chance in this country to come to a real workable solution. I think there's enough people understanding that, 'OK, we're not going to deport 12 million people,'" Haslam said. "But citizens of all types understand there's a way to do government the right way."

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Congress returns Monday after a weeks break with five days to avoid shutting down the Homeland Security Department  with no solution in sight.

Secretary Jeh Johnson took aim at the Republican-run Congress on Sunday, saying he hopes someone will exercise some leadership for the good of public safety.

He also warned that a possible shutdown threatens the Obama administrations efforts to counter the extremist appeal of the Islamic State group within the U.S.

In a round of appearances on network news programs, Johnson said that it Congress fails to agree on a new budget for his department by Friday, the lawmakers inaction would lead to staff furloughs that could hamstring U.S. response to terrorist threats.

He said up to 30,000 DHS workers would have to be furloughed, including up to 80 percent of Federal Emergency Management Agency workers that are contending with two months of devastating snowfall and cold from New England to the Mountain States.

"It's absurd that we're even having this conversation about Congress' inability to fund Homeland Security in these challenging times," he said.

The Congressional impasse is over President Barack Obamas immigration plan, and Friday is when funding for the $40 million budget ends.

"The House has acted to fund the Homeland Security Department," Kevin Smith, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, said in an email on Sunday. "Now it's time for Senate Democrats to stop blocking legislation that would do the same."

A House-passed bill would cover the department through Sept. 30 and overturn President Barack Obama's executive action to limit deportations for millions of immigrants in the United States illegally. But Senate Democrats are preventing a vote on a similar, Senate measure.

The issue was further clouded last week when a federal district court judge in Texas temporarily blocked the administration's plans to protect immigrant parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents from deportation. The decision came as part of a lawsuit filed by 26 states claiming Obama had overstepping his authority in taking the executive action. Johnson said the administration will appeal the ruling.

"We should have debate about immigration reform but you should not tie that to funding of the department," Johnson said.

Two prominent Republican senators agreed. South Carolina's Lindsey Graham and Arizona's John McCain said on Sunday they would oppose such a linkage. Graham said he was "willing and ready to pass a DHS funding bill and let this play out in court."

Indeed, of Homeland Security's approximately 230,000 employees, some 200,000 of them would keep working even if Congress fails to fund their agency. They would receive no pay, however, until Congress authorizes funding. It's a reality that was on display during the 16-day governmentwide shutdown in the fall of 2013, when national parks and monuments closed but essential government functions kept running, albeit sometimes on reduced staff.

Johnson linked the purported Mall of America warning from the Africa-based al-Shabaab terror group and other recent terror alerts to what he described as a "new phase" of challenges by extremist groups abroad that have used alarming Internet videos and social media to gain adherents in the U.S. and potentially prod some to action.

"This new phase is more complex, less centralized, more diffuse," Johnson said, adding: "It encourages independent actors who strike with very little notice."

Johnson said the U.S. and foreign allies have made progress in tracking thousands of Americans and Europeans who have streamed abroad to join IS and other militant fighters inside Syria. But he said Western countries still need to build better systems to track individuals under suspicion of backing IS and other groups.

Johnson touted the Obama administration's two-pronged approach of striking at IS with military force while partnering with Islamic communities to counter violent extremism inside the U.S. And he defended Obama against conservative critics who say the administration shies away from bluntly taking on Islamic extremism.

"True Islamic faith has nothing to do with what ISIL represents," Johnson said. He added that "to say that ISIL is any part of Muslim theology is to play on their battlefield."

Some Republican critics countered that the Obama administration errs in not playing up Islamic extremism.

In a knock at Obama's recent controversial remarks about abuses during the Crusades, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who is considering entering the growing field of Republican presidential rivals, said Sunday that "the American people are frustrated with a president who lectures us on the Crusades but isn't willing to call Islamic extremism by name."

Pence spoke on "Fox News Sunday;" Graham was on ABC's "This Week"; McCain spoke on CBS' "Face the Nation" and Johnson appeared on CNN's "State of the Union," ABC's "This Week," NBC's "Meet the Press," ''Fox News Sunday" and CBS' "Face the Nation."

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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Several Republican governors are urging GOP congressional leaders to stand firm next week in opposing legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security if it doesn't also overturn President Obama's executive action on immigration.

Governors in both parties meeting in Washington this weekend warned of economic and security concerns should Congress fail to resolve its latest budget standoff. The agency's $40 billion budget runs out Feb. 27, giving federal lawmakers only a few days to reach an agreement once they return from recess next week.

Homeland Security funding "is very important to not only our nation, but to our individual states because of our military installations -- especially at a time that there are so many threats around the world with ISIS and other terrorist groups," said Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, a Republican. "We hope that Congress will be able to find a resolution to get DHS funding passed, but we also know there are concerns and questions about immigration and the president's powers."

While some call for compromise, a handful of high-profile Republicans charged that stopping what they see as Obama's unconstitutional power grab may be as important as resolving the funding dispute. The Obama administration last week put on hold plans to shield more than 4 million immigrants living in the country illegally from deportation after a federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked the effort the day the program was scheduled to begin. Twenty-six states, led by Texas, filed suit in December arguing that the president does not have the authority to allow the groups of immigrants to legally stay and work in the United States. The White House is appealing the ruling.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who is weighing a GOP presidential bid, said the court ruling "vindicates the efforts of the Congress to use the power of the purse to prevent the administration from doing what the constitution does not permit them to do."

Pence said he's "strongly urging" the Senate to support a House-passed bill that funds the Department of Homeland Security but also undoes Obama's immigration actions.

Another Republican White House prospect, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, suggested that while compromise might be possible, Republicans "need to be aggressive in pushing back on" the president's immigration plans.

"I think there's a tremendous opportunity, particularly in light of the win that we had in court the other day, to make a further stand here about the president's actions being an overstep on immigration," he said, noting that Wisconsin is among the 26 states involve in the lawsuit. He said he hoped Congress would come up with a solution that "funds Homeland Security, but acknowledges the overstep of this president."

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, another Republican, said Republicans in Congress "have to get their leverage where they can."

But like others, he was frustrated with congressional inaction on immigration despite repeated pleas from state leaders and business and immigrant groups to address the issue. "The solution is Congress: Get off your fanny and get something done," Herbert said.

The stakes are high for millions of immigrants in the country illegally and the political fortunes of both parties heading into a presidential election.

"We're talking about people's pay checks. We're talking about people's lives," Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat who also serves as chairman of the National Governors Association, said of a budget impasse. "It is going to affect our states, and it's going to affect every state in the country."

Congress has little time to resolve the dispute before the Homeland Security budget runs out Friday.

A department shutdown would have a limited impact on national security. Most workers across agencies, including the Secret Service, Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection, fall into exempted categories of workers who perform work considered necessary to protect human life and property and would stay on the job in a shutdown.

Most workers would not get paid until the shutdown ends, however. And all personnel involved in administering grants would be furloughed, including Federal Emergency Management Agency workers who make grants to state and local governments, fire departments and others to help them prepare for or respond to various threats and emergencies.

According to a FEMA spokesman, during a lapse in funding, grants for major disasters and emergencies would be processed only if the requests were determined to be necessary for the protection of life and property. FEMA could also acknowledge -- but not process -- requests from governors for presidential declarations of emergency that are not deemed necessary.

The spokesman said that disaster recovery support for those affected by previous disasters would also be significantly impacted, with recovery payments for presidential disaster declarations suspended because FEMA staff that process payments would be furloughed.

One possibility is a short-term extension of current funding levels, but House Speaker John Boehner said last weekend that the House had done its job and he would "certainly" let a shutdown occur if the Senate didn't act. Democrats have resisted any Homeland Security funding bill linked to the immigration order.

Like other Democrats, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell said the Republican-led Congress should simply fund the Department of Homeland Security without playing politics with immigration.

"It's just like one more reflection of the dysfunction and the fact that the Republicans came down here and said that they were going to govern differently," Markell said. "And you're back to where it was."

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, who leads the Republican Governors Association, likened Obama's executive order to "throwing a hand grenade" into efforts to adopt meaningful immigration reform.

"I think there's a chance in this country to come to a real workable solution. I think there's enough people understanding that, `OK, we're not going to deport 12 million people,"' Haslam said. "But citizens of all types understand there's a way to do government the right way."
The headlines around the world, which focused on her plight for a few days last year, have moved on to other topics.

But Tania Bruguera, a 46-year-old performance artist and the first person to publicly test the tolerance level of the Cuban government following the announcement last December that Cuba and the United States were restoring diplomatic relations  remains detained on the island, accused by its regime of inciting public disorder.

Bruguera, a Cuban national whose work is known internationally, is in Havana, on conditional release from jail, while authorities determine what steps they will take against her.

She is confined to the city, where she is staying in her mothers apartment, and trying unsuccessfully to find a lawyer willing to take on the regime.

All the lawyers here, in one way or another, work for the state and are accountable to the state, Bruguera said in a telephone interview with Fox News Latino. My case would inevitably become a debate about the political system here, the freedom, or the lack of freedom, to express yourself. What lawyer wants to do that in Cuba? It puts them in peril of losing their job, or worse.

Bruguera says she was heartened when President Barack Obama and President Raul Castro announced a new era in the relations between the long-time enemy nations.

I got caught up in the news, the possibilities it suggested about a new openness here, so I thought it would be a good idea to bring to the ground level, the level of the Cuban people, what seemed to be beginning to happen at the government level between Cuba and the United States, Bruguera said.

She thought shed help that happen by inviting all Cubans, of all ideologies, to participate in a sort of performance art.

She placed an open call to Cubans  from dissidents to Communist loyalists and everyone in between  to talk about their hope and vision for the country, which would have amounted to a sea-change from the fear of expression that had paralyzed citizens for so long.

Bruguera, who has lived outside of Cuba for long portions of her life  usually wherever her artistic projects have taken her  says she discussed with authorities her plans to have an open mike in Havana and was told not to deal with dissidents.

I wasnt doing anything covert, this was not intended by me to be subversive, she said. It was completely above-board and hopeful. I saw it as a positive thing. It wasnt meant to be a protest against the government, that is why I made sure also to include people who support the Communist system and the government here.

The event, planned for the iconic Revolutionary Square in Havana, wasn't allowed to take place, and Bruguera was arrested.

She has been released then detained several times since  some of those arrests coincided with times that she planned to speak to reporters about her experience.

If the government was really turning a corner, really going into a new era, they would have welcomed this event that I was planning as something that would have been in their favor, Bruguera said. It would have showed the world that they were tolerating an event that originated from the people, that was spontaneous, that they were not controlling or staging.

She is now free with restrictions, as she puts it.

Bruguera must restrict her movements to Havana, and she is under surveillance, which covers telephone conversations, she said. She is being kept in Havana for at least 60 days while authorities decide how they will proceed with the charges against her.

Earlier this month, 14 prominent international artists, including Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor and the English painter Howard Hodgkin, published an open letter in the Guardian newspaper condemning Brugueras detention on the island and criminal charges.

Bruguera said that as an artist, she availed herself of some types of freedom that her compatriots do not have, such as the freedom to leave the island for her work, and the freedom to live in other countries for stretches and return to Cuba.

But this time, she knows, she hit a nerve.

Once they feel theyre being backed into a corner politically, and that the political system is being challenged somehow, even if its not, they draw the line and crack down, Bruguera said.

But she has not grown scared.

I can be stubborn, she said. What I did was innocent, even celebratory. The government is too afraid of letting people express themselves. I thought, 'Lets learn to listen to one anothers different views and learn to tolerate them and live with one another and with one anothers different beliefs.'

Her mission now has turned into one of fighting for freedom of speech to highlight how despite the veneer of a new openness in Cuba that some thought would come with the thawing of enmity with the United States, the regime remains oppressive.

This wasnt what I planned, to be fighting the government and highlighting the lack of freedom, Bruguera said. Its what the regime made my mission. They made it about this when they reacted to something peaceful and positive with a heavy hand, an overreaction.

Cuban authorities have suggested to Bruguera that they could drop the case if she leaves Cuba and doesn't return.

Bruguera says she refuses to agree to that.

This is my country, I am Cuban, she said. Im not going to be forced to give up my Cuban citizenship and to go away in silence as the price for being set free.
Berta Soler, one of Cuba's best-known dissidents as head of the Ladies in White, said Sunday she'll submit her leadership of the divided opposition group to a vote by members living inside the country.

Soler's announcement came after members of the Ladies in White living outside Cuba called on her to resign after a video emerged showing members booing and repudiating another dissident in December in the group's Havana headquarters.

The group's estimated 270 members living in Cuba will vote on her leadership on March 16, she said. "The Ladies active in Cuba are going to be the ones who decide if I will remain at the head of the movement."

She spoke before about 50 of the women, all dressed in white, who were holding their traditional Sunday march outside the St. Rita Catholic Church in Havana.

The women and about 30 activists changed the habitual route of their march. An Associated Press reporter saw them take a tunnel on a Havana avenue but didn't see them emerge from it.

Soler and other members of the group did not answer telephone calls seeking clarification of what had happened or if members had been detained.

Cuba's government has at various times temporarily detained members of the group and sent government supporters to shout slogans at their rallies.

A group of women formed the opposition organization more than a decade ago to press for the release of imprisoned family members.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 31

Trend:

Members of the Platform for Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan have addressed the peoples of the two countries on the occasion of the New Year.

The outgoing year 2016 was remarkable for Armenians and Azerbaijanis for the creation of the Platform for Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan by the citizens of our countries. For the first time during the whole period of confrontation, the civil society activists of Armenia and Azerbaijan have put forward an initiative to achieve the peace between our countries and to find a lasting solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through dialogue in the spirit of mutual consent and understanding, said the Platforms New Year address.



This initiative has enjoyed a broad public support from many political and public figures as evidenced by the positive feedback received by the members of the Platform. We firmly believe that the goals proclaimed by us will help broaden the cooperation with the members of the public in the two countries, with our initiative being supported by all the judicious citizens who stand for peace and happy future of their peoples.



We have no doubt that the principled and consistent cooperation of the all the peace-loving sides, which have united around the Platform for Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, will help to rid our peoples of the hatred and enmity against each other, bring a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the long-awaited and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.



However, unfortunately, the meaningless war is still knocking at the doors of our peoples, claiming the lives of young people, as it happened during yet another clash on the border on December 29, 2016. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of those killed in Azerbaijan and Armenia, added the Platform.



The future of our peoples lies entirely on our shoulders. The citizens of our countries expect to move forward, they want to go the path of development and progress. We are all responsible for the bright and peaceful future of our generations, said the Platform for Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Let us stop wasting our power on hostility, accusations, grievance and quarrel, added the Platform.

The appeal was signed by:

From the Armenian side  Vahe Avetyan, human rights activist, writer; Vahan Martirosyan, leader of the public association National Liberation Movement of Armenia, Susan Jaghinyan, journalist, deputy chairman of the public association Meridian; Vahagn Karapetyan, member of the Writers Union of Armenia; Anahit Sinanyan, civic activist; Armen Karapetyan, civic activist.

From the Azerbaijani side  Rovshan Rzayev, member of the Management Board of the Azerbaijani Community of Nagorno-Karabakh; Kamil Salimov, professor of the Baku State University; Shalala Hasanova, journalist, chairman of the public association Support for the Development of Public Relations; Novella Jafarova, chairman of the public association Society for Protection of the Rights of Azerbaijani Women named after Dilara Aliyeva; Pervane Mammadova, civic activist; Rasim Agayev, member of the Union of Journalists of Azerbaijan.
The third time was not the charm.

So for the fourth time, Senate Republicans are planning Monday to force a vote on a Homeland Security bill that the Democrats do not want because it includes amendments that seek to undo President Obamas executive order giving millions of undocumented immigrants a three-year reprieve from deportation.

Time is growing critical. Funding for the Homeland Security Department runs out Friday, Feb. 27.

The window for a thaw in the stalemate is narrowing just as a video purported to be by Somalia's al-Qaida-linked rebel group al-Shabab urged Muslims over the weekend to attack shopping malls in the U.S., Canada, Britain and other Western countries.

U.S. authorities said there was "no credible" evidence suggesting a U.S. mall attack was in the works.

The masked narrator concluded by calling on Muslims to attack shopping malls, specifically naming the Mall of America in the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington, as well as the West Edmonton Mall in Canada and the Westfield mall in Stratford, England.

Meanwhile, Obama is going to step up pressure on the Senate to pass a so-called clean DHS spending bill.

On Monday, Obama was to speak to the nation's governors, who are gathered at the White House for a meeting with the president and other officials.

The president is telling the governors that if the DHS employees in their states don't get paid, they won't be able to spend money to help sustain local economies.

On Wednesday, Obama is scheduled to be in Miami an immigration-related event that is expected to press Republicans to drop the fight in the spending bill over the executive order, according to Politico.

Politico quoted an unidentified Senate GOP insider as saying that such action by the president would be akin to adding a can of gasoline on the fire.

The last three times the GOP has attempted to bring the House-passed DHS spending bill up for debate and a vote, the Democrats have blocked it.

Some Republicans worry about the repercussions on DHS, which would see a partial shut-down if a new spending bill fails to pass by Friday.

A federal judge's ruling last week that put Obama's immigration program on hold increased calls from a few Republican senators to pass a "clean" Homeland Security bill without the contested language on immigration.

"I hope my House colleagues will understand that our best bet is to challenge this in court, that if we don't fund the Department of Homeland Security, we'll get blamed as a party," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Sunday on ABC's "This Week."

But House Republicans said they had no plans to revisit the issue after passing a $39.7 billion bill last month that funds the department through Sept. 30, the end of the current budget year, while also undoing Obama's actions on immigration.

"The House has acted to fund the Homeland Security Department," said Kevin Smith, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner. "Now it's time for Senate Democrats to stop blocking legislation that would do the same."

A short-term extension of current funding levels remained possible, but lawmakers had only a few days to come up with even that partial solution before the agency's funding expires Friday at midnight.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson scheduled a news conference Monday afternoon to repeat his warnings about the harmful impacts of shutting down his agency, which would result in some 30,000 administrative and other workers getting furloughed. Some 200,000 others would fall into essential categories and stay on the job, though mostly without drawing a paycheck until the situation is resolved.

Johnson said the furloughs could harm the U.S. response to terrorist threats and warnings. Some 80 percent of Federal Emergency Management Agency workers would be furloughed even as that agency contends with two months of devastating snowfall and cold from New England to the Mountain States.

"If we are going to shut down, we are greatly compromised," Johnson said during a weekend briefing at the National Governors Association, an annual gathering attended by dozens of the nation's governors.

But some Republicans have argued that because the large majority of agency staff would keep working, albeit without getting paid, the harmful impacts of a shutdown were being exaggerated.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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The U.S. government asked a federal judge Monday to lift his temporary hold on President Barack Obama's action to shield millions of immigrants in the country illegally from deportation.

The Justice Department's motion for a stay was filed with the court of U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Brownsville, Texas.

The federal government on Monday also filed a three-page notice with Hanen, telling him it is appealing his decision to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court in New Orleans.

Last week, Hanen issued a preliminary injunction sought by 26 states suing to halt the executive action by Obama, who wants to spare from deportation as many as 5 million people who are in the U.S. illegally. The states, led by Texas, have argued the action is unconstitutional and would force states to invest more in law enforcement, health care and education.

If Hanen puts his ruling on hold during the appeal to the 5th Circuit, then Obama's immigration action would be allowed to go forward while the lawsuit proceeds through the courts.

Obama announced the executive action in November, saying lack of action by Congress forced him to make sweeping changes to immigration rules on his own. Republicans, who say Obama has overstepped his authority, are blocking funding for the Department of Homeland Security unless Democrats agree to cancel Obama's order.

Justice Department attorneys said a stay of Hanen's ruling is necessary "to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is able to most effectively protect national security, public safety, and the integrity of the border." The 20-page motion argued that keeping the temporary hold "would also harm the interests of the public and of third parties who will be deprived of significant law enforcement and humanitarian benefits of prompt implementation" of the president's immigration action.

Government lawyers also contended Hanen lacked the authority to issue the injunction, the national effect of which is "vastly" excessive.

The injunction issued by Hanen should only focus on Texas "so that we can move forward with these executive actions in other states," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Monday.

It is not unheard of for judges to delay rulings they have issued. Last year, a federal judge ruled Texas' same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional but put that on hold to allow the state to appeal. But legal experts say it's unlikely Hanen will put his ruling on hold, because his ruling said states would "suffer irreparable harm in this case" if Obama's actions on immigration were to proceed while the lawsuit is argued.

"Based on (Hanen's) language, it stands to reason that if you stay this order then those harms would start to accrue and that's the whole point of him enjoining the order in the first place," said Pratheepan Gulasekaram, a constitutional and immigration law professor at Santa Clara University School of Law in California.

The first of Obama's orders  to expand a program that protects young immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the U.S. illegally as children  had been set to take effect Feb. 18. The other major part, extending deportation protections to parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have been in the country for some years, was not expected to begin until May 19.

The government said if Hanen doesn't act by the end of business Wednesday, they may ask the 5th Circuit for a stay. But Lourdes Martinez, an attorney with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center in San Francisco, said the 5th Circuit is known to be fairly conservative, and is likely to deny the request. Ultimately, it could end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The stay request is separate from the Justice Department's appeal to the 5th Circuit; documents detailing the government's arguments have not yet been filed. That appeal would likely take anywhere from four to nine months to be ruled upon, Gulasekaram said.

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In the West Wing of the White House, Leah Katz-Hernandez communicates with the first couple in a way that few others, even the presidents most trusted advisers, ever do.

Katz-Hernandez, who is deaf, is the new receptionist of the United States, or what those in Washington like to abbreviate as ROTUS (a play on POTUS  president of the United States). She grew bicoastal, raised by a Jewish mother and a Mexican-American father in Connecticut, frequently visiting her fathers family in California.

After working in the Chicago headquarters of Obamas re-election campaign, she moved to Washington, D.C., and was hired as an assistant in the first ladys office.

It was my first week on the job, Katz-Hernandez, 27, told Fox News Latino. I was having lunch at my desk when a staffer from the West Wing came by and said, I want to introduce you to the First Lady. The next thing I know the First Lady is standing in front of me. She said, Hi, my name is and then she finger-spelled her name. It was really a wonderful moment. I knew Id arrived in a great place and felt really motivated to work hard for her.

In her new job as ROTUS, Katz-Hernandez gets to welcome all of the presidents guests to the West Wing. I make sure that everyone is happy, and everyone feels welcome and has a nice experience when they come into the West Wing lobby, Hernandez said through a sign-language translator. I also manage the Roosevelt Room and Ward Room, as well  you know, managing the relationship with the Kennedy Center with regards to the presidents box.

At the White House, Katz-Hernandez has access to an interpreter to help her do her job.

The White House is really a model for accessibility for people with disabilities  and especially for deaf people, she said. I believe my story sends a good message about the abilities of people who are deaf and Latino to be successful anywhere."

Her first two weeks as ROTUS were a whirlwind. Already Ive had so many opportunities to meet people in the West Wing lobby, Katz-Hernandez said. It is inspiring to see the mix of ordinary Americans and powerful people coming in to see the president.

During my first week when 'Humans of New York' photographer Brandon Stanton  who started a fund to try to raise money for Motts Hall Bridges Academy in Brooklyn came in with Vidal [Chastanet] and his principal, [Nadia] Lopez, I saw American people doing good work and making an impact. Just days later, I saw Chancellor Merkel of Germany come in for the bilateral meetings. Seeing the president with Chancellor Merkel  the two of them together  was really humbling. I felt honored to be there in the West Wing when world leaders meet.

Katz-Hernandez puts her father at the top of the list of people who inspire her.

My father was born in California, in the Los Angeles area. He grew up on horse ranches. He worked hard, put himself through college, and earned his PhD. Hes always taught me its very important to give back to your community, she said.

After studying government at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., Katz-Hernandezs passion for public service led her to join Obamas 2012 re-election campaign. It was at campaign headquarters in Chicago that she first met her future boss.

The room was chock-full of staff, she recalled. The president walked in, and, as he walked by me, I thanked him. He signed, Thank you back.

Asked if she has been able to teach Obama any other signs working while closely in the West Wing, Katz-Hernandez laughed.

No, I havent really had a chance to sign with him yet  but then again Ive only been on the job for two weeks.

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President Obama is coming out swinging this week in defense of his executive immigration order, the focus of a bitter stalemate in the Senate over a Homeland Security spending bill.

His immigration order, which includes giving up to 5 million undocumented immigrants a three-year reprieve from deportation  as well as work permits and federal benefits  is under fire from the courts as well. A federal district judge in Texas last week issued an injunction against the order about a day before the administration was to begin accepting applications for one program included in it.

In an op-ed in The Hill that appeared Tuesday, Obama said he would not let the challenges to the order go without a fight. The Department of Justice asked Texas Judge Andrew S. Hanen to stay his order blocking the executive order. It plans to defend the order in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Obama reiterated his contention that he issued the executive order after Congress failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Republicans have objected to the executive order, saying it was unconstitutional and an end-run around Congress to give a pass to millions of people who have broken immigration laws.

Make no mistake, I disagree with this judges ruling, Obama wrote. Just yesterday, the Department of Justice asked the court for an emergency stay of this misguided decision, and it has already filed a notice of appeal. My administration will fight this ruling with every tool at our disposal, and I have full confidence that these actions will ultimately be upheld.

Obamas executive order includes lifting deportation for three years for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States before the age of 16, as well as for those who have children who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

Hanen blocked the order as part of a lawsuit that Texas filed and that now includes 25 other states.

The plaintiffs say the president overstepped his authority, and that giving possibly up to 5 million undocumented immigrants a chance to legally work and live in the United States, even if for a few years, would put undue burden on states.

Hanen largely agreed, saying that the Obama administrations proposal not only ignores the dictates of Congress but actively acts to thwart them.

Earlier this year, the House passed a GOP-led Homeland Security spending bill that includes provisions that seek to block the presidents order. But the effort has stalled in the Senate, where Democrats have blocked a vote that would allow debate on the House bill.

That has held up approving the Homeland Security spending bill, which can lead to a partial shutdown of the agency by this weekend. Late Monday, after Democrats blocked debate on the bill a fourth time, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced he would split language overturning Obama's contested immigration measures from the department's funding.

Obamas op-ed took aim at the squabble in Senate.

Weve even heard irresponsible threats to shut down the Department of Homeland Security, the very agency tasked with securing our borders and keeping Americans safe in a time of new threats, for no reason other than partisan disagreement over my actions, he wrote.

He said it was time to put politics aside.

While I will fight any attempt to turn back the progress weve made or break up families across our country, I welcome the opportunity to work with anyone who wants to build on the improvements weve put in place, he said, and fix our broken immigration system once and for all.

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Divided Republicans are searching for a way out of an impasse over immigration that is threatening to shut down the Homeland Security Department within days.

With the agency's budget set to expire Friday at midnight without action by Congress, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Monday he would split language overturning President Barack Obama's contested immigration measures from the department's funding bill.

The move seemed aimed at pressuring Senate Democrats who have opposed the legislation because the immigration language is included. It also would allow Republicans who oppose Obama's executive actions on immigration to register their opposition with a stand-alone vote. But Senate Democrats were quick to point out it left unanswered the question of how to fund the Homeland Security Department.

It was not clear whether the gambit by McConnell would succeed ahead of Friday's midnight deadline to fund the department or see it shut down. It was far from certain whether it would win any Democratic support, and House conservatives remain firmly opposed to any funding bill for the Homeland Security Department that does not also overturn Obama's executive actions on immigration.

But with Senate Democrats united against a House-passed bill that funds the agency while blocking the president on immigration, McConnell said it was time for another approach.

"It's another way to get the Senate unstuck from a Democrat filibuster and move the debate forward," McConnell said on the Senate floor after a vote to advance the House-passed bill failed 47-46, short of the 60 votes needed. Three previous attempts earlier in the month had yielded similar results.

"This is our colleagues' chance to do exactly what they led their constituents to believe they'd do: defend the rule of law, without more excuses," McConnell said in a jab at the handful of Senate Democrats who have voiced opposition to Obama's executive actions offering work permits and deportation deferrals for millions in the country illegally.

A spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, welcomed McConnell's move, though without predicting its chances of success in the House.

"This vote will highlight the irresponsible hypocrisy of any Senate Democrat who claims to oppose President Obama's executive overreach on immigration, but refuses to vote to stop it," said Boehner spokesman Michael Steel.

McConnell left unclear whether a vote overturning Obama's immigration moves would be followed by a stand-alone vote to fund the Homeland Security Department  an omission not lost on Senate Democrats.

"This proposal doesn't bring us any closer to actually funding DHS, and Republicans still have no real plan to achieve that goal," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "It's a disgrace that ISIS and al-Shabab are fully funded, but thanks to Republican game-playing, the Department of Homeland Security might not be." ISIS in one acronym for the Islamic State militant group that has taken over much of Iraq and Syria. Over the weekend, a video purported to be released by Somalia's al-Qaida-linked rebel group al-Shabab urged Muslims to attack shopping malls in Western countries.

McConnell's move came after Obama warned the nation's governors that states would feel the economic pain of a Homeland Security shutdown, with tens of thousands of workers in line to be furloughed if the agency shuts down at midnight Friday, and many more forced to work without pay.

"It will have a direct impact on your economy, and it will have a direct impact on America's national security," Obama told governors as they visited the White House as part of their annual conference.

Within hours of Republicans securing the Senate majority last November, McConnell vowed there would be no government shutdowns, but the immigration fight threatened to shut down the Homeland Security Department and undermine GOP promises that they would show the nation they could govern.

McConnell's move seemed aimed at dividing Senate Democrats who have been united against the $39.7 billion House-passed legislation that funds the Homeland Security Department through the Sept. 30 end of the budget year, while also rolling back Obama's executive actions granting work permits to millions of immigrants in this country illegally.

Aides said McConnell's bill would target only the executive actions Obama announced in November, not an earlier directive from 2012 that provided protections to hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought illegally to the country as youths.

That could make it more difficult for the handful of moderate Democrats who opposed Obama's executive actions when he announced them in November to vote against the legislation.

The move came as growing numbers of Senate Republicans called for Congress to jettison the immigration fight and pass a "clean" Homeland Security spending bill without immigration language. In wake of a federal court's ruling last week stating that Obama had exceeded his authority and putting his immigration policies on hold, several Senate Republicans said the courts were the best place to fight that battle.

"Leave it to the courts. I think we have an excellent case before the Supreme Court," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Monday night.

The Obama administration on Monday asked U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Brownsville, Texas, to put his ruling on hold and filed a notice of appeal of his ruling to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

House conservatives, by contrast, said the court developments only strengthened their resolve to use the Homeland Security budget to fight Obama on immigration.

"A federal judge has confirmed that what we've done is the right thing," conservative Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio said Monday. "I hope that the U.S. Senate can see the light and do the right thing."

A short-term extension of current funding levels remained possible, but lawmakers have only a few days to come up with even that partial solution before the agency's funding expires.

A Homeland Security shutdown would result in some 30,000 administrative and other workers getting furloughed. Some 200,000 others would fall into essential categories and stay on the job at agencies like the Border Patrol, Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration, though mostly without drawing a paycheck until the situation is resolved.
Back in New Hampshire for the first time since the midterm elections, it didn't take long for Sen. Marco Rubio to get a question about immigration.

Speaking to a group of people in a wooden barn in the southern part of the state, the Florida Republican  still debating whether to run for president or seek re-election to the Senate in 2016  was asked about his past support for immigration legislation that includes a path to citizenship for the millions of immigrants living in the country illegally. Rubio's aides said the crowd was "more than 100."

"When I first heard you, I liked you a lot  and then you lost me," a questioner asked Rubio, to some applause from the crowd. "But I'm back, here to give you another chance. My question for you is, 'Can you commit if elected president to send home every single person that's violated our country's laws and is here illegally?'"

In reply, Rubio didn't hesitate.

"I don't think anyone can commit that to you," Rubio said. "You have 12 million human beings in America, most of whom we don't even know who they are and some of them whom our country's not going to tolerate rounding up and sending back. That's not a realistic proposal."

The direct question at such a small event is typical of New Hampshire, home of the nation's first presidential primary. Many voters relish their chance to interact with potential candidates for president, and the question is one that Rubio is likely to face often as he considers getting into the 2016 race.

Rubio was one of eight senators to sponsor the comprehensive immigration reform legislation that passed the Senate in 2013, but that was later blocked in the House by lawmakers aligned with the tea party.

Not everyone in the crowd appeared to like Rubio's answer, including the man who asked the question. While he declined to answer questions afterward, several others at the town hall said they appreciated Rubio's directness and his ability to explain his position.

Rubio told the town hall he supports securing the border, improving the system for tracking people who overstay work visas, implementing a verification system for employers and reforming the country's legal immigration system.

"There's not one solution that fits all," said Steve Negron, of Nashua. "You can't have this broad brush and get rid of those people that are truly trying to do the right thing."

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The Obama administration has set Wednesday as the date by when it wants a federal judge to reverse his own injunction blocking the implementation of an executive order on immigration.

But an attorney for Texas, which filed the lawsuit against the executive order, is urging U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen not to act hastily on the administrations request for an emergency stay, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Texas assistant attorney general Angela Colmenero filed a letter with the court saying that Texas and the other 25 states that joined the lawsuit should have at minimum one week to formulate challenges to the administrations request.

The states are asserting that by unilaterally suspending deportation for three years for an estimated 5 million undocumented immigrants  a move that also qualifies them for work permits and federal benefits  the president is violating the Constitution and putting an undue burden on states.

What we had here is a situation where the president has violated the rule of law and really contradicted the Constitution by actually making up the law and imposing his own standards on the immigration system, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a CBS interview on Sunday.

Obamas executive order called for providing deportation deferral for three years for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States before the age of 16, as well as for those who have children who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

Leaving the injunction in place would work immense harm to the public interest by undermining  efforts to encourage illegal aliens with significant ties to the community and no serious criminal record, the administrations motion said, to come out of the shadows and to request the ability to work legally.

The administration also is challenging the judges decision in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The plaintiffs in the case say the president overstepped his authority. Hanen largely agreed, saying that the Obama administration cannot enact a program whereby it not only ignores the dictates of Congress but actively acts to thwart them.

The administration's request to Hanen stated that deportations fall within the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security, and that it is not a state matter. If states are given a say in deportations, it argued, they would be able to challenge countless individual decisions to grant immigration relief or status, the Times reported.

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In the wake of the shooting by police earlier this month of an unarmed Hispanic man in the small southeastern Washington state town, a number of Latino residents from Pasco addressed city council arguing that forcing council candidates to run citywide in the general election dilutes the Hispanic vote.

The town, which is currently 56 percent Hispanic and thirty-one percent of the voting-age population is Latino, in considering options that would give two of the five districts a Hispanic majority, but district boundaries currently are based on voting precinct boundaries established by the local county and each district must not deviate by more than 10 percent from other districts.

The proposed maps are not in favor of the Hispanic voter and "dont even come close to what were trying to do and what is trying to be done across the state, to protect rights and civil voter rights," David Cortinas, the publisher of Pasco's Spanish-language weekly newspaper La Voz, said during the meeting.

Eileen Crawford, a former Pasco councilwoman, told the Tr-City Herald that any efforts to have two Hispanic districts are erased when the vote goes to the full city.

Currently in Pasco, if three candidates run for a seat a primary election within the district will decide the top two and then those two will move on to the general election, but this time the voting is open to all residents of the city. Along with the five districts, the city also has two council members who are elected at large.

Pasco redraws its council boundaries every two years because of the citys growth to the west.

Crawford said that its time to take the brave step forward in letting district candidates run in their district only.

The fervor of the citys Latino population comes as hundreds of protestors took to the towns streets last week to express their anger at the shooting of Antonio- Zambrano-Montes, who was killed by Pasco police after throwing rocks at officers.

Some observers say that the protests and rallies being held in the wake of his death are a sign of long-held feelings of neglect and disenfranchisement in the Latino community in Pasco  and in other parts of Washington state.

"This is one of the issues in Washington," Peter Bloch Garcia, the executive director of the Latino Community Fund of Washington, told Fox News Latino. "They're not proportionately represented on any level of government in Washington state."

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While Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel may be a household name throughout the United States thanks to his time in Congress and as the former Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama, his challenger for the post is a virtual unknown outside the Second City.

Even so, with nearly all the votes counted, Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, managed to get 34 percent of the Democratic primary vote, only 11 points behind Emanuel. Three other candidates divided the rest.

Over the past 30 years, Garcia has become an integral part of Chicago  and Illinois  politics, holding alderman and commissioner posts as well as becoming the first Mexican-American elected to the state senate, where he served two terms.

"Nobody thought we'd be here tonight," Garcia said Tuesday night after forcing a run-off election with Emanuel. "They wrote us off, they said we didn't have a chance. They said we didn't have any money, while they spent millions attacking us. Well, we're still standing. We're still running. And we're gonna win."

The 58-year old Garcia moved with his parents when he was 10 to United States from Los Pinos in Mexico, a town of about 200 people in the state of Durango. The youngest of four children, he moved to Chicagos blue-collar, Latino neighborhood of Pilsen in 1964 after his father  who had picked fruit in Texas and California  gained legal residency and landed a job at a cold-storage facility.

Living in Pilsen was "the most powerful civics lesson one could get," Garcia said.

He had to sidestep gangs, racism and discrimination during his time in the neighborhood before his family moved to the Little Village neighborhood in 1969. When they moved, the family found themselves the only Latinos on the block, but just ten years later the area was 74 percent Hispanic.

While Garcia credits Latinos with saving Little Village, at first there was a good deal of racial tension between the newcomers and old residents.

"We got called spic, wetback, taco bender," he told the Chicago Reader. "That was the funniest one to me. I guess it had to do with the hard shells they sell for tacos. But 'taco bender'? Do you think people sit around and bend it and shape it and package it?"

After graduating from Saint Rita High School while working the night shift at Brach's candy factory, Garcia enrolled at the University of Illinois's Chicago campus and began his career in political activism. While there, he helped bring about the creation of a Latin American Cultural Center at the school and began to visit shops to talk with workers about conditions and to urge them to unionize.

After college, Garcia became heavily involved in city politics, managing the campaign of his close friend, Rudy Lozano, when he ran for alderman in 1983 against the 22nd ward's longtime incumbent, Frank Stemberk. Lozano lost by only 37 votes; a few months later, he shot and killed in his home at the age of 31 by a teenage gang member.

The new mayor of Chicago  and its first African-American one  Harold Washington took notice of Garcia and appointed him deputy commissioner of the water department.

In 1986, Garcia was elected to the Chicago City Council as alderman himself, where he continued to work with Washington. In 1992, he continued his political rise by becoming the first-ever Mexican-American elected to the Illinois senate, where he served two terms.

After he left the senate, he founded Enlace Chicago, a nonprofit community development organization in Little Village, where he remained until 2009. The organization made headlines in 2001 when it led a nearly three-week hunger strike by parents who were trying to get city school officials to fulfill a long-delayed promise to build a high school in Little Village.

In 2010, Garcia was elected Cook County Commissioner.

"He's an odd bird in the sense that he's got two traits you rarely find in politicians these days, which are honesty and humility," said Maurice Sone, an attorney who runs a community group in Little Village, told the Chicago Tribune. "Don't let his soft demeanor surprise you.... He's not confrontational. He just has a different way."

The mayoral campaign has been a grind, but Garcia, despite being dubbed "an accidental candidate by the Chicago Tribune because progressive liberals in the city only took up his cause after two other candidates dropped out of the mayoral race, is hopeful of his chances going up against the well-known incumbent.

"We were up against huge amounts of money and people with power who lined up to protect the status quo," Garcia said. "Voters rejected that. They want a deeper debate, and we intend on giving them that. We're very enthused that the voice of ordinary Chicagoans is being heard and that, as we move forward, it bodes well for Chicago's democracy."

With nearly all the votes counted on Tuesday, Emanuel had 45 percent, Garcia 34 percent, and the three other candidates divided the rest.

During the campaign, Garcia played on discontentment in Chicago's neighborhoods, where frustrations linger over Emanuel's push to close dozens of schools. They also criticized Emanuel's roughly $16 million fundraising effort  more than four times that of his challengers combined  and his focus on improvements to the city's downtown business district.

"We're looking forward to round two and a good set of debates, hopefully," Garcia said. "We'll have a chance to drill down deeper into the issues, and of course, we're going to talk about the future of the city and how we can include all of the neighborhoods and the people of Chicago in the process of redirecting the direction of the city."

As he has done throughout his political career, Garcia is hoping that his appeal with Chicago's working class and minority voters will sway the polls in his favor come April's run-off election.

"Working class folk who stepped up in this campaign feel that Chicago needs to be responsive to the neighborhoods and toward ordinary people and we delivered. It may be the retooling of a Democratic coalition, maybe with a small 'd.'" he said.

While the city's minority populations have grown and changed, Garcia's approach harkened comparisons to his mentor's campaigns. Three decades ago, Washington relied on coalescing black and Latino support to win the mayor's seat. The difference now is that voters, particularly younger ones, are more willing to cross racial boundaries to support a candidate.

"There is a much more diverse multicultural youth base ... this is what their life experience is," said Sylvia Puente, executive director of the Latino Policy Forum. "They resonate with the candidate."

Emanuel's support is strongest in the city's downtown and on its North Side, home to some of Chicago's more affluent neighborhoods. Garcia did well on the West Side, particularly in heavily Hispanic areas.

The mayor lost support in the city's largely African-American wards on the South Side compared to his first election in 2011. He headed there first thing Wednesday morning, shaking hands with commuters at a train station before addressing voters at a senior center.

Emanuel said the spring runoff will be about which candidate has the "plans and the perseverance" to make progress in the city.

"It's no longer a multiple choice," he said. "It's a clear choice between two different visions of the future and how to get there. One way is about the old politics of deferral. And one is about confronting our challenges head-on by being clear about what they are, being honest and forthright about the choices we have to make."

Garcia has drawn on his contacts with community organizers and on support from the Chicago Teachers Unions, whose leader, Karen Lewis, considered a mayoral bid before being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Garcia also had the backing of national progressive groups such as MoveOn.org and Democracy for America, a political action committee started by former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.

Puente said Garcia's grassroots connections were effective from the beginning, gathering roughly 60,000 signatures in a matter of days to help him get on the ballot.

Political consultant Delmarie Cobb, who opposed Emanuel's re-election, said Garcia will now get national attention from media and outside groups which will help counteract Emanuel's millions of fundraising dollars.

"The mayor is weakened, and it's anybody's ball game," Cobb said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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The jubilation that greeted the announcement of U.S.-Cuban detente two months ago has faded to resignation for many Cubans who are realizing they're at the start of a long process unlikely to ease their daily struggles anytime soon.

Dreams of U.S. products flooding Havana stores and easy visits to family members in Florida have dissipated, in part because of a coordinated campaign by Cuban state media and officials to lower expectations and remind people that the main planks of the half-century-old U.S. trade embargo remain in place.

As Cuban officials head to Washington for a second round of talks on restoring diplomatic relations Friday, many working-class islanders say they no longer expect immediate changes in their lives regardless of what emerges from the negotiations.

"The great expectations that surged with the news that first day have been lowered a lot and now the man in the street barely talks about it anymore," said Magali Delgado, a retired worker in the Ministry of Foreign Commerce who subsists on a pension of $11 a month. "People are so desperate ... they wanted immediate, concrete results."

It's a stark contrast to the giddy moments on Dec. 17 when Cubans cheered in the streets after Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced that they were exchanging imprisoned spies, moving to reopen embassies in Havana and Washington, and seeking to normalize their countries' long-dysfunctional relationship.

"Expectations went far beyond what was in the announcements," said Joaquin Borges, a sociologist and widely read cultural critic. "Some people misunderstood things, particularly on the street, as if everything was going to be solved and the shortages that Cuba has had because of the embargo and the economic crisis were going to be resolved from one day to another."

Gustavo Machin, Cuba's deputy head of U.S. relations, said the communist government felt it needed to make clear to its people and the rest of the world that an opening with the U.S. did not mean things would change overnight.

"I think that not just Cubans but Americans and the whole world needed to be made clear about the reality of what was being announced and unfortunately the expectations had to be lowered," Machin said.

But pessimism is far from universal.

Obama's easing of restrictions on U.S. travel to Cuba and the quadrupling of limits on remittances are expected to have a dramatic short-term impact on the privileged class of Cubans with links to the global economy. There are also thousands of motivated, highly educated young people who hope to seize on the opening with the U.S. as a chance to move up into greater prosperity.

"I'm an optimist. I have a vision of a better future," Jose Torres, a nurse, said as he stood on a street corner checking text messages on his smartphone. "Better Internet, better in the sense of travel to other countries, exporting Cuban goods, importing U.S. goods ... having access to Facebook and Google."

The dour mood is strongest among Cubans who lack ties to the tourist-fueled economy, family members abroad to send them money or a sense that they can transition into one of the economic sectors boosted by tighter ties with the United States. Virtually all the proposed new economic links between the countries involve Cuba's private sector, which has grown to as much as 40 percent of total employment, according to a 2013 Brookings Institute study.

"There's a new generation that's mastered the Internet, that's mastered computing, that, yes, has possibilities," bicycle-taxi driver Alberto Rodriguez said as he cleaned dirt from his cab's gears and chain on a street in Old Havana. "I'm older and I don't have what it takes to compete in this market."

Alexis Ramos, a janitor in a medical clinic, said grimly, "I expect the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer."

A senior State Department official, who insisted on anonymity, said Wednesday that U.S. officials would be delighted to reopen their Havana embassy before April's Summit of the Americas in Panama, which both Obama and Castro are expected to attend.

But the countries still appear far apart on some central issues, particularly Cuba's presence on a U.S. list of state sponsors of international terrorism. While Obama has all but said Cuba will be removed from the list, the State Department official said Washington sees the process as separate from the diplomatic talks with Cuba and any holdup linked to the terror list is "a delay of their own making."

Officials in Havana disagree.

Machin, Cuba's deputy head of U.S. relations, said that while removal from the list isn't a formal condition for the re-establishment of relations, significant progress will be impossible without progress on the issue.

"How can we explain to the Cuban people, to the U.S., to Latin America, to the whole world, that Cuba and the U.S. are re-establishing diplomatic relations and Cuba is still on the list?"

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 31

Trend:

Members of the Platform for Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan have addressed the peoples of the two countries on the occasion of the New Year.

The outgoing year 2016 was remarkable for Armenians and Azerbaijanis for the creation of the Platform for Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan by the citizens of our countries. For the first time during the whole period of confrontation, the civil society activists of Armenia and Azerbaijan have put forward an initiative to achieve the peace between our countries and to find a lasting solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through dialogue in the spirit of mutual consent and understanding, said the Platforms New Year address.

This initiative has enjoyed a broad public support from many political and public figures as evidenced by the positive feedback received by the members of the Platform. We firmly believe that the goals proclaimed by us will help broaden the cooperation with the members of the public in the two countries, with our initiative being supported by all the judicious citizens who stand for peace and happy future of their peoples.

We have no doubt that the principled and consistent cooperation of the all the peace-loving sides, which have united around the Platform for Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, will help to rid our peoples of the hatred and enmity against each other, bring a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the long-awaited and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

However, unfortunately, the meaningless war is still knocking at the doors of our peoples, claiming the lives of young people, as it happened during yet another clash on the border on December 29, 2016. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of those killed in Azerbaijan and Armenia, added the Platform.

The future of our peoples lies entirely on our shoulders. The citizens of our countries expect to move forward, they want to go the path of development and progress. We are all responsible for the bright and peaceful future of our generations, said the Platform for Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Let us stop wasting our power on hostility, accusations, grievance and quarrel, added the Platform.

The appeal was signed by:

From the Armenian side  Vahe Avetyan, human rights activist, writer; Vahan Martirosyan, leader of the public association National Liberation Movement of Armenia, Susan Jaghinyan, journalist, deputy chairman of the public association Meridian; Vahagn Karapetyan, member of the Writers Union of Armenia; Anahit Sinanyan, civic activist; Armen Karapetyan, civic activist.

From the Azerbaijani side  Rovshan Rzayev, member of the Management Board of the Azerbaijani Community of Nagorno-Karabakh; Kamil Salimov, professor of the Baku State University; Shalala Hasanova, journalist, chairman of the public association Support for the Development of Public Relations; Novella Jafarova, chairman of the public association Society for Protection of the Rights of Azerbaijani Women named after Dilara Aliyeva; Pervane Mammadova, civic activist; Rasim Agayev, member of the Union of Journalists of Azerbaijan.
For all the talk of Republican House Speaker John Boehner being trapped by the quarrel over funding the Homeland Security Department, he holds a potential escape key, if he's willing to use it: cooperative Democrats.

Aides say he doesn't like it, but Boehner sometimes relies on Democrats to help pass measures that many  and sometimes most  Republicans oppose. They include the January 2013 resolution to the "fiscal cliff" showdown, which 151 House Republicans opposed. The Democrats' 172 "yes" votes saved the measure, averting tax increases on most U.S. workers.

And last year the House raised the federal debt ceiling with 193 Democratic votes and only 28 Republican votes.

House Democrats also supplied crucial votes for big budget deals in 2011 and 2014, when 66 and 67 Republicans voted nay. And they provided most of the votes to send federal aid to Superstorm Sandy victims and to renew the Violence Against Women Act.

The bipartisan strategy carries political risks. A House speaker who defies his party's wishes too often can lose his post.

GOP Rep. Matt Salmon of Arizona said Wednesday that Boehner would be "on very thin ice" if he tries to use mainly Democratic votes to pass a Homeland Security funding measure that doesn't restrict President Barack Obama's control of immigration policies.

Boehner, a popular politician with a knack for navigating the House's serpentine currents, has survived such threats before. His track record doesn't guarantee a happy end to the Homeland Security debate. But it suggests his options aren't as limited or dire as some people suggest.

The House voted last month to end Homeland Security funding on Saturday unless Obama reverses his order to protect millions of immigrants from possible deportation. After Democratic filibusters blocked the bill in the Senate, the chamber's Republican leaders agreed this week to offer a "clean" funding measure, with no immigration strings attached.

If it advances, Boehner will face unsavory choices. They include defunding the Homeland Security Department in an era of terrorist threats, or passing a "clean" funding bill with lots of Democratic votes and GOP defections.

Some Republicans prefer the second option. House Democrats "will give Boehner some votes," predicted Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who spent eight years in the House. "It gives his 30 or 40 die-hard guys a place to go."

Graham was alluding to a hard core of ideological conservatives who defy House leaders on many topics. Their numbers range from about 25 to 80, depending on the issue, lawmakers say.

House conservatives sometimes denounce GOP leaders for cutting deals with Democrats. But even their friends say it's partly political theater.

They talk of an unofficial "hope yes, vote no caucus," which secretly counts on Democrats to pass important measures, such as debt limit hikes. Die-hard conservatives say they can't publicly support such bills without inviting primary election challenges from the right.

Republicans hold 245 House seats, to the Democrats' 188. Two seats are vacant.

Boehner can lose up to 28 Republicans and still pass a bill with no Democratic help. But defections often run much higher on contentious issues, and many Republicans have vowed to do whatever it takes to undo Obama's deportation orders.

Thirty House conservatives sent a letter to Boehner and other Republican leaders this week urging them to "stand firm against these unlawful executive actions" by Obama.

House Democrats are lying low, happy to watch Republicans struggle. They've not publicly promised to help Boehner pass a funding bill, but there's little doubt they would if Obama approves the final measure.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said Wednesday he has spoken with House Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer, and "they're just waiting to see what's going to happen."

For now, House Republicans don't want to talk about relying on Democrats to resolve the impasse.

"I certainly wouldn't like that to happen," said Rep. Bill Flores of Texas. "We are the majority, we have the responsibility to govern."

Democrats might embrace Republican goals, Flores said, "but they should not be the people that get us over the threshold."

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Siding with a Texas official who opposed the Obama administrations request that a court block on its immigration executive order be lifted, a federal judge declined to issue a decision on the White House motion on Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, sitting in Brownsville, Texas, rejected the White House request that he lift his own injunction on presidents order by Feb. 25, and is giving a coalition of 26 states that sued to stop the order until next week to respond to the administrations emergency motion.

Texas Assistant Attorney General Angela Colmenero had filed a letter with the court saying that Texas, and the other 25 states that joined the lawsuit, should have at minimum one week to formulate a challenge to the administrations request.

The states are asserting that by unilaterally suspending deportation for three years for an estimated 5 million undocumented immigrants  a move that also qualifies them for work permits and federal benefits  the president is violating the constitution and putting an undue burden on states.

Hanen issued a preliminary injunction on Feb. 16 that halted Obama's order, which could spare from as many as 5 million people who are in the U.S. illegally from deportation. Texas leads the 26-state coalition that sought the injunction, arguing that Obama's executive action was unconstitutional and places an undue burden on local governments.

The U.S. government wants Hanen to stay his injunction while it appeals to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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For conservatives aspiring to higher office, it is the annual command performance.

GOP presidential hopefuls at this years Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), essentially the gathering for those on the far right of the Republican party, will be delivering speeches that will be dissected among the crowd there for indications about how committed they are to conservative principles.

And as there is every year, there will a CPAC straw poll of potential GOP presidential nominees at the end of the gathering this week.

Sen. Marco Rubio, once a Tea Party favorite, came in at a dismal seventh in last years CPAC straw poll, not too surprising given his risky move to play a central role in the 2013 bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill.

Rubio virtually become the face of the bipartisan effort, giving TV interviews and sending out daily press releases touting the bill, which included the very unpopular  among conservatives  provision that provided a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants.

Now, with the next presidential election about 18 months away, The Hill notes, Rubio, who has been reclaiming his conservative bona fides by persistently assailing President Barack Obama for being soft on foreign policy, will get his big shot at full redemption in the eyes of conservatives when he delivers his speech at CPAC on Friday morning.

With foreign policy his pet issue these days, Rubio is expected to call for a tougher U.S. response to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, and to condemn Obamas restoration of diplomatic ties with Cuba, whose president, Raul Castro, has made no promise to allow democratic reforms.

A hawkish approach to foreign policy, particularly where strongmen are concerned, would contrast him with Sen. Rand Paul, the Kentucky Republican who won last years straw poll.

Paul often has championed a restrained U.S. response to overseas crises, earning the reputation of being an isolationist. That may come across as detrimental now, when Americans have seen video after video of ISISs beheading and burned-alive victims, and attacks by lone terrorists elsewhere.

Paul has tried to downplay his past non-interventionist comments.

Ive said all along that Im not for no interventions, Paul said in an interview in 2014 with the conservative online publication the Federalist. Im not for saying, We never intervene.

Roll Call noted that in 2011, however, Paul pushed for a more restrained foreign policy is the true conservative foreign policy, in 2014 said the No. 1 threat to our national security is our debt.

Conservatives, who wield enormous influence in GOP presidential primaries, invariably will be comparing Rubio to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Both men have indicated that they are weighing a 2016 run for the White House. Bush is scheduled to speak at CPAC on Friday afternoon.

Roll Call predicts that the crowd could respond more positively to Rubio than Bush, whose views on immigration and education are more moderate than that of the partys conservative base.

The stakes, indeed, are high for Bush, given that, as Politico notes, CPAC also represents a major test for those in the GOPs establishment wing. Its Jeb Bushs first real engagement with the grassroots.

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who came in a distant second in last years CPAC straw poll, is scheduled to speak Thursday afternoon.

Political observers expect Cruz to do well with an audience with which he feels at home.

Politico said: This should be his crowd, and hes more talented than probably anyone else in the 2016 field at feeding red meat to the base.

If he cannot win over the CPAC audience, and significantly expand his vote share in the straw poll, it will signal that activists really love him but dont yet see him as presidential.

Other speakers include Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

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On April 20, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will be the first U.S. governor to travel to Cuba since President Barack Obama announced a restoration of diplomatic relations with the island.

The trip was announced Thursday in a joint statement released by Cuomo and Cuban Interests Section Jose Ramon Cabanas.

The trip, dubbed a trade mission, aims to give New York an edge in business opportunities that would arise from the easing of restrictions. New York business leaders will be accompanying the governor to Cuba.

I am pleased to announce that New York will be the first in the nation to conduct an official state trade mission to Cuba since President Obamas announcement, Cuomo said in the joint statement, which is posted on New York States website. This mission will be a tremendous stepping stone for our States relationship with Cuba, and will help open the door to a new market for New York businesses.

As the first state to launch a trade mission to Cuba in this new era, New York will continue to stand at the forefront of opportunity.

Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced on Dec. 17 that they would move toward renewing full diplomatic relations by reopening embassies in each other's countries.

The two governments held negotiations in Havana earlier this year to discuss both the reopening of embassies and the broader agenda of re-establishing normal relations. On Friday, Cuban and U.S. government officials are scheduled to continue talks in Washington D.C.

The move has been criticized by some who say it will empower a repressive regime.

This is a windfall for the Castro regime that will be used to fund its repression against Cubans, as well as its activities against U.S. national interests in Latin America and beyond, Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio told the Wall Street Journal recently.

Obama has loosened the trade embargo with a range of measures designed to increase economic ties with Cuba and increase the number of Cubans who don't depend on the communist state for their livelihoods.

The Obama administration says removing barriers to U.S. travel, remittances and exports to Cuba is a tactical change that supports the United States' unaltered goal of reforming Cuba's single-party political system and centrally planned economy.

Cabanas, the chief of the Cuban Interests Section, said that Cubans on the island have always admired New York.

It is only right that New Yorks Governor will lead the first official state delegation to Cuba since President Obamas December 17th announcement, Cabanas said. As the gateway to America, New York State has always been a great symbol to the Cuban people.

It has welcomed Cubans over the years as they came to visit and live in the United States, including the great Jose Marti. We are greatly excited that Governor Cuomo has agreed to be the first Governor to lead an official state trade mission to our beautiful island.

This year, several U.S. political leaders have traveled to Cuba, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who led a delegation of Democrats from her chamber that her office said was aimed at improving U.S. relations with the Communist country.

Sens. Mark Warner of Virginia, Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota also made their first trip to Cuba in support of a bill Klobuchar is sponsoring to lift the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba.

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President Barack Obama urged former Florida governor and presumed 2016 presidential candidate Jeb Bush to intercede with fellow-Republicans to move forward with immigration reform.

In a town hall meeting held at Florida International University Wednesday hosted by the Telemundo and MSNBC television networks, Obama said that he did not consider himself defeated on the matter of immigration reform and will continue to fight "aggressively" GOP stonewalling on the issue.

The president said that while he appreciates Bushs "concern" about immigration, he urged him to talk with Boehner and other Republican lawmakers about approving a law that alleviates the immigration situation of millions of undocumented foreigners living in this country.

"I would suggest he talk to the Speaker of the House and the members of his party," Obama said.

When asked what advice he would give to his successor in the White House, Obama recommended that potential candidates think about immigration in the long run.

"Over the long term, this is going to get solved because at some point there's going to be a President Rodriguez, or there's going to be a President Chen," Obama said to applause from the audience.

"The country is a nation of immigrants, and ultimately it will reflect who we are and its politics are going to reflect who we are."

Members of the immigrant community took advantage of the town hall meeting, held in English, to express to Obama their concern about immigration reform and the future of his executive action measures, which have been put on hold by the decision of Texas Judge Andrew Hanen.

The president reiterated his opinion that both the law and history are on his side when it comes to the unilateral measures he took to grant deportation relief to millions of undocumented immigrants already in the country, and he invited Republican lawmakers to approve immigration reform while the legal battle is still being resolved.

The broadening of deportation protection was scheduled to begin on Feb. 18.

A 26-state coalition led by Texas is suing Obama, alleging he overstepped his legal authority with the executive action, and Judge Hanen ruled in favor of a motion put forth by the states requesting an injunction against starting the process.

"This is just one federal judge," Obama said of Hanen. "We have appealed [his decision] very aggressively. We're going to be as aggressive as we can."

Obama said he expected to win when a U.S. circuit court hears his appeal, but added that his administration will "take it up from there" if the appeal failsthe next step would be the U.S. Supreme Court.

Dismissing those hoping for a presidential about-face, Obama insisted he was "absolutely committed" to the new policy, which he described as focusing deportation efforts on felons.

"People should be gathering up their papers, make sure you can show you are a long-standing resident of the United States," Obama said at the town hall meeting. He said that immigrants should make sure that by the time the legal fight is sorted out, "you are ready to go."

As Obama spoke in Miami, another immigration drama was playing out in the U.S. Congress, where Republicans have sought to use a Department of Homeland Security funding bill to repeal Obama's directives.

But with a partial agency shutdown looming at the end of the week, the Senate is now looking to vote separately on funding and the presidents immigration measures.

Obama said he would veto a stand-alone bill to repeal his actions that is being contemplated in the Senate.

The immigration dispute has taken on political overtones as focus shifts to the campaign for Obama's successor, raising questions about whether Republicans can appeal to the fast-growing number of Hispanic voters.

Obama said the first question for all 2016 presidential candidates should be whether they really intend to deport 11 million people living here illegally. If not, he said, voters should demand to know their alternative plan.

Obama says instead of holding national security funding hostage, lawmakers should fund the agency and then pass a comprehensive immigration fix.

The Associated Press and EFE contributed to this report.

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In a gathering of conservatives in Washington D.C., former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush took issue with President Barack Obama's executive order that suspends deportation for three years for up to 5 million undocumented immigrants.

At the same time Bush, who is considering running for president in 2016, said at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) that it was unrealistic to expect the country's estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants to be deported. He expressed support for offering them an opportunity to legalize their status.

A great country needs to enforce the borders, Bush said in a question-and-answer session with Fox News host Sean Hannity.

But he added: There is no plan to deport 11 million people," according to published reports.

So the United States needs a plan for dealing with this large population, Bush said, such as giving those who meet certain criteria a path to legalization. He said that to earn this path, immigrants might be required to learn English, and not have a criminal record, among other things.

Bush noted that he was firmly opposed to Obama's executive order on immigration, and that if he were president, he would repeal it. He objected, however, to letting the controversial order become the pivotal factor leading to the defeat of a spending plan for Department of Homeland Security.

The simple fact is, the president has gone way beyond his powers to do this, and Congress has every right to reinstate their responsibility, Bush said.

"Look, I'm not an expert on the ways of Washington," the son of one president and brother of another said. "It makes no sense to me that we're not funding the control of our border, which is the whole argument. I'm missing something."

With directives issued in 2012 and earlier this year, Obama largely eliminated the threat of deportation for more than 4 million immigrants who entered the country illegally, including some brought to the U.S. as youngsters.

Conservatives in Congress initially linked those orders with funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

But its current budget was set to run out late Friday night, and Congressional Republicans were trying to approve a short-term spending bill that would avert a partial agency shutdown hours before it was to begin.

The interim plan, which was defeated in the House early Friday evening,called for leaving in place the orders that Republicans have vowed to overturn.

Bush said he considered Obama's orders extraordinary and illegal. He predicted they would be struck down if Congress fails to act first.

A federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked the administration from carrying out Obama's 2014 policy. The White House has appealed that ruling, and Obama has said he would take the case to the Supreme Court if necessary.

"The simple fact is the president has gone way beyond his constitutional powers to do this. Congress has every right to reinstate their responsibility," Bush said.

Bush also used his turn to try to win over conservative activists who are queasy about his record on immigration and education policies.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Immigration attorneys say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun issuing bonds for Central American immigrant families who were detained in Karnes County, Texas.

The move comes after U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg last week issued a preliminary injunction against ICEs policy of detaining mothers and children seeking asylum in the U.S. The American Civil Liberties Union, which filed the lawsuit, claimed the detentions were part of a strategy to deter other asylum-seekers from coming to the U.S.

ICE said its still reviewing the ruling, the San Antonio Express-News reported, but immigration attorneys told the newspaper they believe ICE has already changed its policies. Lawyers showing up to immigration Judge Glenn McPhauls court on Thursday learned that ICE had given their clients bonds between $4,000 and $7,500. That's the amount of money the migrants are required to put up in order to be released.

San Antonio immigration attorney Eric Barnal said three of his clients received bonds. His clients are all mothers from Central America who had been in detention since January.

ICE began holding women and children in a Karnes County detention center in summer 2014, when thousands of women and children from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras illegally crossed the Texas border. Federal officials have been expanding detention facilities in South Texas. ICE is doubling the capacity of the 500-plus bed Karnes County facility and is building a 2,400-bed family detention center in Dilley.

Still, the bonds are too high for most Karnes County detainees to pay, said Jonathan Ryan, executive director of the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services.

"I dont think going to have real practical or pragmatic effect or benefit to the women or to us practitioners who are trying to defend them and liberate them, because the bonds they are setting are still prohibitively high," Ryan said.

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Hours from a partial agency shutdown, Congress is moving to approve a short-term funding bill for the Homeland Security Department that leaves intact Obama administration immigration policies Republicans vowed to repeal.

Some House Republicans insisted the tactic would allow them to continue their fight against President Barack Obama's executive directives granting work permits and deportation stays to millions of immigrants in the country illegally. Others predicted that in the end, they would have to bend and pass a full-year spending bill without provisions undoing Obama's immigration policies. That's the approach demanded by Democrats, and already agreed to by Senate Republicans.

It's the best solution that we have available to us right now.  Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark.

For now, the three-week stopgap measure would allow lawmakers to keep the Homeland Security Department running at a time of heightened threats worldwide  even if it does little more than postpone the fight for another day.

"It's the best solution that we have available to us right now," said Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark. "Nobody wants to shut down the Department of Homeland Security."

The bill would extend current funding levels for the department for three weeks, until March 19. Without action, DHS would begin to shut down at midnight Friday, furloughing 30,000 workers. Another 200,000 would be deemed essential and continue to report to work, albeit without pay.

In a complicated series of events expected Friday, the House planned to vote on the three-week plan and send it to the Senate. The House also planned to seek Senate negotiation on a separate bill passed earlier by the House that funds the Homeland Security Department through Sept. 30, the end of the budget year, while also rolling back Obama's immigration directives.

The Senate planned to hold a separate series of votes that would ultimately produce a "clean" bill to fund DHS through the end of the year without immigration provisions. Then, once the House had acted on the three-week measure, the short-term bill was expected to pass the Senate and gain Obama's signature.

Adding an element of drama, House Democrats announced plans to oppose the three-week stopgap measure, forcing Speaker John Boehner to pass it with exclusively Republican votes. Republicans predicted that the bill would pass, but it faced opposition from the right and the left.

Some of the most conservative Republicans said they couldn't support the legislation because it would allow Obama's immigration policies to continue. The argument advanced by leadership-aligned lawmakers that a federal judge has already put those policies on hold was unpersuasive to this group.

"I am not going to vote under any circumstances to fund illegal conduct," said Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala. "It does not make any difference whether the funding is for three weeks, three months or a full fiscal year. If it's illegal, it's illegal."

Some of the more establishment-minded lawmakers, by contrast, said the House should not be wasting its time with a stopgap bill but should accept the inevitable and vote to fund the department through the rest of the year with no strings attached. Since Senate Democrats have refused to agree to a spending bill rolling back Obama's immigration policies, and Obama has threatened to veto any such legislation, these lawmakers argued the House would have to retreat in the end anyway.

"The only question is when  tomorrow or in three weeks," said Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa. "Some folks just have a harder time facing political reality than others."

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, who has been on Capitol Hill every day lobbying lawmakers to fund his department, sent a plea to congressional leaders Thursday asking them to pass a full-year bill, not a stop-gap measure. "A short-term continuing resolution exacerbates the uncertainty for my workforce and puts us back in the same position, on the brink of a shutdown just days from now," Johnson wrote.

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Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Mexicans who were expelled from the country by immigration officials in Southern California will be allowed to return for a chance to make their case to stay in the United States, the American Civil Liberties Union said Thursday.

A settlement approved by a federal judge in Los Angeles applies to Mexicans in Southern California who waived rights to a hearing when they were expelled  a procedure known as voluntary return.

ACLU affiliates in Los Angeles and San Diego sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's secretary and other immigration officials in 2013, saying authorities used deceptive tactics. A settlement was reached in August, but the order by U.S. District Judge John Kronstadt defines who is eligible to make their case to immigration judges under the class-action lawsuit.

The agreement applies to Mexicans who left voluntarily from June 2009 to August 2014 and have reasonable claims to remain in the country. They had to have been processed by officials in the Border Patrol's San Diego sector or by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Los Angeles or San Diego field offices.

The Border Patrol long offered voluntary returns to nearly all people it arrested. But in recent years, the agency has embraced procedures that carry stiffer administrative and criminal penalties, including formal deportation orders and criminal prosecution.

Some Mexicans were not fully warned of the consequences of voluntary returns, which included a 10-year ban on applying to re-enter the country for one person who married a U.S. citizen and had a U.S. citizen child, said Gabriela Rivera, an attorney for the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties. In some cases, people were given forms with a box already checked that they agreed to leave the country voluntarily, she said.

The August settlement requires the government to provide detailed information about the consequences of a voluntary return, establishes a hotline for questions, gives people an opportunity to contact an attorney or someone else they choose, and prohibits authorities from pressuring anyone to accept the offer, Rivera said.

Initially, only the nine plaintiffs were given a chance to return to the country. Rivera said they are living with their families in the U.S. while awaiting hearings before immigration judges.

The Department of Homeland Security's press office did not immediately respond to a phone or email message left after business hours. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Michael Friel had no immediate comment.

Advocates plan to promote news of the settlement extensively in Southern California and Mexico. Only the ACLU and organizations it approves will be allowed to submit applications to the federal government, Rivera said.

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In his speeches and appearances, Jeb Bush readily points to his conservative credentials  tax cuts and smaller government as Florida's governor  yet convincing the activists at the Conservative Political Action Conference that he's one of them might be a tougher sell.

A sign of what Bush faces at CPAC: His speech Friday in Washington follows those by conservative heroes Sen. Marco Rubio, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Sen. Rand Paul and former Sen. Rick Santorum. Tea party activist William Temple is urging people to walk out when Bush takes the podium.

"We're tired of CPAC inviting non-conservatives to come to speak," Temple told the Associated Press.

And then there is the challenge laid down for the party faithful by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

Speaking at CPAC on Thursday, Cruz told an enthusiastic audience that Republicans must not let themselves be tricked into picking a moderate presidential nominee in 2016, instead demanding that hopefuls have a demonstrated commitment to conservatism.

Although he didn't mention Bush by name, he may as well have.

Cruz, himself a likely presidential candidate, warned activists gathered at the CPAC in Oxon Hill, Maryland, near Washington, D.C., that voters who pick the GOP nominee are likely to hear a similar pitch: "You betcha. Who-diddley. I'm as conservative as all get out."

But, without naming names, Cruz suggested that many of those likely candidates lacked the records to back it up.

Cruz offered his record of standing in opposition to President Barack Obama's efforts on health care, immigration and foreign policy  as well as his own party's leadership in the Senate at times.

"If a candidate tells you that they oppose Obamacare  fantastic! When have you stood up and fought against it?" he asked of his potential rivals, many of them who are slated to address the audience on Friday.

"Actions speak far, far louder than words. We need to look to people who walk the walk," he added.

Speaking in Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday at a meeting of the anti-tax group Club for Growth, Bush gave what could be a warm-up to his CPAC appearance. He recounted eight years of pushing tax cuts, job growth and smaller government as governor.

"I ran as a conservative," Bush assured more than 200 people at the group's winter meeting in Palm Beach. "I said what I was going to do, and I had a chance to do it. And, trust me, I did."

Bush maintained that his accomplishments in Florida could be duplicated on the national stage.

"If you apply conservative principles and you stick with it, and you have the leadership skills to bring people toward the cause, you can move the needle on these things," he said. "I reject the notion that we can't solve problems, that the gridlock is too enormous to forge consensus. It requires some creativity to get to a win for everybody.

To his would-be rivals for the GOP nomination, Bush suggested that their talk of pursuing conservative goals is cheap.

"It's easy to talk about it," he said. "I hope you believe that you want someone who has the proven leadership skills to make it happen."

Bush is well-prepared for criticism that he's not conservative enough for CPAC activists. Speaking to the Club for Growth, he ticked through eight consecutive years of tax cuts, totaling $19 billion, a state workforce cut by 13,000 and 1.3 million more jobs in 2007 when he left office than when he entered in 1999. He also signed Florida's "stand your ground" gun law and tried to prevent a brain-damaged woman, Terri Schiavo, from having her feeding tube removed.

Today's criticism of Bush centers almost entirely on his support for Common Core and an immigration policy that would create a path to citizenship for people living in the country illegally. He is also hurt by lingering resentment over the rise in government spending during the administration of his brother, President George W. Bush.

Just 4 in 10 self-identified conservatives and tea party supporters rated Bush favorably in an Associated Press-GfK poll conducted earlier this month.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 1

Trend:

Azerbaijan marks new 2017 on January 1.

New Year is a holiday uniting many peoples of different faiths and races. The custom of celebrating the New Year already existed in Mesopotamia in the third millennium BC.

At present, New Year is celebrated in different countries in accordance with the calendar and traditions adopted in this country.

As many countries, Azerbaijan widely celebrates one of the favorite holidays of multi-billion population of the world according to the Gregorian calendar - on January 1.

Christmas tree, feast and numerous gifts cannot leave children or adults indifferent. On the eve of New Year, Baku turns into a fabulous city with many lights.

The Cabinet of Ministers has declared January 1-4 inclusive as days off in 2017.
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The Venezuelan opposition is increasingly under siege. Since Feb. 12, four of its leaders have been pointed out by the government of President Nicolas Maduro as part of a conspiracy in an attempted coup.

One of them, Antonio Ledezma, the mayor of Caracas, was arrested last week when dozens of members of the Bolivarian Intelligence Service, armed with long guns, broke into his office and took him away without showing a warrant for his arrest, as stated by his lawyers.

Mr. Ledezma was one of the signers of the National Agreement for the Transition, an open letter published in a newspaper that, according to Maduro, was the signal that was to mark the beginning of a U.S.-backed coup against his government.

The document was also promoted by Leopoldo Lopez, an opposition leader who has been in prison since February 2014 under charges of promoting street violence, and former lawmaker Maria Corina Machado, who was ousted from her Congressional post after delivering a speech at the Organization of American States denouncing political repression in Venezuela.

Diosdado Cabello, president of the National Assembly and one of the main leaders of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), also linked Julio Borgesa legislator and the national coordinator of Venezuela's leading opposition party, Justice Firstto the supposed plot to bring down the Government.

This week PSUV lawmakers asked the attorney generals office to open an investigation against Borges.

This sort of clampdown isnt new. Twenty percent of opposition lawmakers are under judicial investigation and, as stated by the Venezuelan Association of Mayors, 33 out of 77 opposition mayors elected in December 2013 are currently subject to judicial processes.

But the crackdown on dissenters goes well beyond the main opposition leaders. This week, a Bolivarian National Police officer was charged with intentional homicide in the death of a 14-year-old boy, Kluiverth Roa, who was shot with rubber bullets during a protest in the western city of San Cristobal.

In the first 53 days of this year, 151 people have been arrested for taking part in demonstrations against the government, according to the local nongovernment organization, Foro Penal Venezolano.

We are witnessing the collapse of the regime, Machado told Fox News Latino. The regime has chosen to move forward in an attempt to silence all dissenters: union leaders, students, journalists and politicians. They know that 80 percent of Venezuelans are asking for a profound change and that we have understood that the change won't be possible as long as Maduro and his regime hold onto power.

Machado added, Due to the pressure of the citizens, they have decided to go more radical.

She pointed to the National Agreement for the Transition as the main trigger of the crackdown.

The regime has realised that we have  a vision for the country, a political, economic and social program to solve our problems while taking special care of our most vulnerable citizens, she said.

Carmen Beatriz Fernandez, the managing director of the consulting group DataStrategia and the author of books about electoral politics, believes that the parliamentary elections to be held at the end of the year are part of the reason for the repression.

The government doesn't want people to get to the polls, Fernandez told FNL. They want to step up the pressure because they are terrified to get a pitiful result. Latest polls show a gap of 35 points in favor of the opposition.

She went on to say, What we will probably see next is a move to take Ledezma, Borges and Machado out of the electoral battlefield. They want to pick up their adversaries.

Historian Margarita Lopez Maya agreed that administration is trying to weaken the opposition.

"The arrest of Ledezma was a very showy scene, Lopez Maya told FNL. It was meant to encourage not only fear but, above all, despair among opposition supporters.

She noted that since Maduro came to power, he consistently attempted to stigmatize and criminalize the opposition.

According to the narrative of Chavismo, all opposition forces are willing to engage in a military coup, and any dissent is treated as an effort to destabilize the regime, she told FNL. The government controls all the public sector media and most of the private ones. If they repeat 100 times a day these attacks on the opposition, they might get a result.

The Democratic Unity Platform (MUD), a coalition of 27 opposition parties, began trying to mobilize Venezuelans to protest the arrest of Ledezma, but they also set a date for internal elections to select candidates to the National Assembly.

"The government wants to rid itself of the commitment to elections by outlawing the opposition," said Jesus Torrealba, MUDs executive secretary. "If the cost of doing politics is persecution and death, the only thing left is violence. But it is not our path."

The former congresswoman, Maria Corina Machado agreed, saying, In Venezuela, those who support military coups are the ones that hold the power nowadays. We will firmly stand by our commitment to democracy. We will keep fighting.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Vice President Joe Biden abruptly canceled a planned trip to Uruguay on Friday, citing a bad cold that he's been fighting for days. Yet he planned to move ahead with a later visit to Guatemala, keeping the vice president out of the country during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial speech to Congress.

Biden had been scheduled to lead the U.S. delegation to incoming President Tabare Vazquez's inauguration on Sunday in the capital of Montevideo. Instead, he'll travel directly to Guatemala on Monday for the second and final leg of his trip.

The White House said the U.S. would still send a delegation to Vazquez's inauguration, but that no replacement for Biden had yet been announced.

Biden's trip to Latin America has attracted attention for the fact that it coincides with Netanyahu's visit to Washington, where the Israeli leader plans to protest President Barack Obama's nuclear negotiations with Iran during an address a joint session of Congress.

Israel and Congressional Republicans engineered that speech without consulting Obama, a move the White House called a breach of diplomatic protocol. The Obama administration is refusing to meet with him and many Democrats are boycotting the speech.

Traditionally, in his role as president of the Senate, the vice president attends joint sessions of Congress and sits just behind the speaker, easily visible to those watching on television. After Netanyahu's speech was scheduled Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry both announced plans to travel overseas that appeared arranged to make them unavailable to attend.

Netanyahu's speech will take place on Tuesday, while Biden is in Guatemala. During that stop, Biden planned to meet with the leaders of the three Central American countries from which a flood of migrant children showed up on the U.S. border last summer. In his budget proposal to Congress this year, President Barack Obama has proposed $1 billion in aid for Central America, or roughly three times what the U.S. typically contributes to the region.

During speeches in New Hampshire on Wednesday, Biden was struggling with a rough cough and apologized to his audience for being under the weather. His office canceled his appearance Thursday at an education summit in Washington and said he was fighting a bad cold.

The canceled trip to Uruguay would have meant likely run-ins with a number of prominent Latin American leaders also attending the inauguration  including Cuban President Raul Castro, whose government is engaged in diplomatic talks with the U.S. over normalizing relations between the longtime foes. Also planning to attend the inauguration is Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, who recently accused Biden of plotting a coup to overthrow him.

The U.S. dismissed that claim as "ludicrous."

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The House rejected a short-term spending bill for the Homeland Security Department on Friday, the last day for funding to avoid a partial shutdown.

The surprise 224-203 defeat of the legislation was a major embarrassment for House GOP leaders. Next steps were not immediately clear.

Some conservatives opposed the bill because it left out provisions to block executive actions President Barack Obama took on immigration, which Republicans have vowed to overturn.

House leaders tried to win lawmakers over arguing a three-week extension bought them more time to fight Obama while his immigration directives are on old in court.

But conservatives abandoned the bill in droves and Democrats refused to make up the difference, pressing for a full-year funding bill instead.

An earlier vote in the House on Friday clearing the way for final passage of the bill was approved 240-183.

But in the hours after, the outcome began to look uncertain as Republican leaders sent the House into recess as they sought the difficult task of rounding up the votes they needed to pass the bill.

Democrats announced their opposition to the three-week measure, forcing House Speaker John Boehner to rely solely on GOP votes.

And conservative lawmakers who have thwarted Boehner's plans on a variety of issues were balking because the legislation doesn't undo President Barack Obama's executive actions granting work permits to millions of immigrants in the United States illegally.

"I am not going to vote under any circumstances to fund illegal conduct," said Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala. "It does not make any difference whether the funding is for three weeks, three months or a full fiscal year. If it's illegal, it's illegal."

GOP leaders urgently pleaded for the measure before the vote on Friday.

Without action, DHS was scheduled to start shutting down at midnight Friday, furloughing 30,000 workers. Another 200,000 would be deemed essential and continue to report to work, albeit without pay.

"The House must pass this bill in short order to keep the lights on at the Department of Homeland Security in the near term," said Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Ky. "Hopefully, this will buy us this additional time that we clearly need."

As debate proceeded in the House, the Senate voted 68-31 to approve a full-year bill free of contentious immigration provisions.

The defeated bill called for extending current DHS funding levels for the department until March 19.

Shortly before the House vote defeating the bill, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said: "Its another instance where the Senate Republicans and Democrats have come together  whether it was the Violence Against Women Act; whether it was Homeland Security; whether it was legislation that related to payroll taxes a couple of years ago; comprehensive immigration reform  [and] House Republicans have just painted themselves into a corner."

"And even the Senate Republicans are asking them to send this and pass this bill. I thank the Senate Republicans and Democrats for their leadership in passing this important legislation, and wish that the Republicans in the House would learn from that.

Leadership-aligned lawmakers sought to win over conservatives arguing that a federal judge has already put Obama's policies on hold. That argument was unpersuasive to some.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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The United States and Cuba claimed progress Friday toward ending a half-century diplomatic freeze, suggesting they could clear some of the biggest obstacles to their new relationship within weeks.

After Friday's talks in Washington, the second round of U.S.-Cuban discussions in the last month, diplomats of both countries spoke positively about fulfilling the promise made by Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro in December to restore embassies in each other's capitals.

The U.S. even held out hope of clinching a deal in time for April's summit of North and South American leaders, which Obama and Castro are expected to attend, however unlikely that appeared.

"We made meaningful progress," Roberta Jacobson, the State Department's senior envoy to Latin America, told reporters, calling the negotiations "open, honest and sometimes challenging, but always respectful."

Her Cuban counterpart, Josefina Vidal, indicated she received assurances that the U.S. would move on two of the biggest hurdles remaining: Cuba's inclusion on the U.S. state sponsor of terrorism blacklist and its inability to conduct normal banking operations in the United States. She expressed confidence of progress on both priorities "within the following weeks."

Cuba's 33-year status on the terrorism list appeared the biggest hurdle, with Vidal saying the issue needed to be resolved if the Cold War foes were to improve ties. Washington is reviewing the designation, which stems from Havana's support decades ago for the Basque separatist group ETA and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia, Latin America's oldest and strongest rebel group.

The U.S. has yet to make a decision, but all signs point toward Cuba being taken off the list. American officials say they should make their recommendation ahead of the six-month schedule set out by Obama in December. And the administration has supported Cuba's hosting of peace efforts between the FARC and Colombia's government.

At a news conference earlier Friday with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Secretary of State John Kerry emphasized his government's position that the discussions on re-establishing embassies were technical and distinct from the U.S. legal examination of Cuba's record on terrorism.

"That's one set of fairly normal negotiations with respect to movement of diplomats, access, travel, different things," Kerry told reporters. "The state sponsorship of terrorism designation is a separate process. It is not a negotiation. It is an evaluation that is made under a very strict set of requirements, congressionally mandated, and that has to be pursued separately."

Cuba cannot get off the list immediately. If the State Department recommends removal and Obama sends such a decision to Congress, the communist country would only come off after a 45-day waiting period. That makes it practically impossible for the embassies to be reconstituted in Havana and Washington in time for the Summit of the Americas in Panama, if Cuba sticks to its position.

The likelihood of prolonged talks on normalizing ties has dampened somewhat the excitement generated when Obama and Castro announced they were exchanging imprisoned spies and would chart a new course for U.S.-Cuban relations.

Although the U.S. has eased some trade and travel restrictions, the economic embargo on Cuba remains in force. Cuba still hasn't said whether it will meet America's full demands for unfettered diplomatic access on the island. And the same democracy and human rights concerns that have long hampered the relationship remain.

Both sides are speaking of the embassies as a first step toward bridging the historic divide between countries separated by only 90 miles.

But other efforts are afoot to improve cooperation. Jacobson and Vidal spoke of U.S.-Cuban meetings in the coming weeks on human trafficking, marine conservation, migration, civil aviation, Internet connectivity and the always testy topic of human rights.

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Democrats are losing some skirmishes over the Department of Homeland Security, but many feel they are winning a political war that will haunt Republicans in 2016 and beyond.

Democrats lacked the votes Friday to force Republicans to fund the department for a year with no strings. Still, even some Republicans say party leaders are on a perilous path with a very public ideological struggle only highlighting the GOP's inability to pass contested legislation and possibly worsening its weak relationship with Hispanic voters.

Worst of all, numerous lawmakers said, Republican leaders have offered no plausible scenario for a successful ending, so they simply are delaying an almost certain and embarrassing defeat.

Conservatives defend their doggedness. They say they courageously are keeping promises to oppose President Barack Obama's liberalization of deportation policies, which they consider unconstitutional. Several said their constituents support their stand, while others said the issue transcends politics.

As a deadline fast approached Friday night, the House agreed to extend the department's funding for a week. But some in both parties said the Republicans were losing political ground.

"It's bad policy and bad politics," said Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who once oversaw his party's House campaigns. The short-term fix, he said, "doesn't help the country, and it just shows that they're incapable of governing" despite holding House and Senate majorities.

As for an important voting group in presidential elections, Van Hollen said: "Any effort to earn the support of Hispanic voters has been torpedoed by these antics."

Some Republicans are nearly as pessimistic.

"Bad tactics yield bad outcomes," GOP Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania told reporters. Republican leaders, he said, have engaged "in tactical malpractice, and at some point we're going to vote on the negotiated Homeland Security appropriations bill," a bipartisan plan that most Republicans oppose but cannot kill.

Weeks ago, Republicans embarked on a strategy that targeted Obama's executive order protecting millions of immigrants from deportation. They voted to cut off the department's money flow after Feb. 27 unless the order was rescinded.

But they never figured how to overcome Democratic delaying tactics in the Senate that, as many predicted, blocked the GOP plan. Stymied, Senate Republican leaders agreed to fund the department for the rest of the budget year, through September, and to deal separately with immigration.

House Republicans rejected that approach. Shortly before Friday's midnight deadline, the House extended funding for a week without resolving the larger dispute.

"We all know how this is going to turn out," said an exasperated Republican, Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho. "Politically, it's devastating."

Democrats turned up the heat, saying short-term extensions will damage morale at the agency.

"It's a staggering failure of leadership that will prolong this manufactured crisis of theirs and endanger the security of the American people," said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

But Republican Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona said he and his fellow conservatives are taking a principled stand against Obama's "unconstitutional" action. The president, he said, has forced lawmakers to choose between "potential short-term national security threats and almost inevitable long-term damage to the constitutional foundation of the nation."

He and his allies will "do the right thing, even if it doesn't make us look good," Franks said.

Lawmakers from strongly Republican districts tend to closely track the fiercely conservative voters who can dominate GOP primary elections. Rep. Kenny Marchant of Texas said he tried to persuade some of his Dallas-area constituents that a federal judge's order to freeze Obama's move lessened the urgency to use Homeland Security funding as political leverage.

"But they don't have the confidence back home that some of us do" about the likely longevity of the judge's order, Marchant said.

He said his supporters see reversing Obama's order as more important than preventing a partial and temporary funding lapse at Homeland Security. He noted that most agency employees are considered "essential" and would stay on the job.

After Obama won 71 percent of the Hispanic vote in 2012, a Republican National Committee-commissioned report said the party must embrace "comprehensive immigration reform" to win future elections, including the 2016 presidential contest.

Democrats say Republicans are heading in the wrong direction.

Pelosi hinted at possible Democratic campaign themes next year when she said of the funding fight: "This crisis exists only because Republicans prioritize anti-immigrant extremism over the safety of the American people."

Republican Rep. Peter King of New York said his party's wounds are self-inflicted.

"Politically it's going to kill us," he said of conservatives' demands to link Homeland Security funding with Obama's immigration policy. "Morally, you're equating an immigration order with the lives of American citizens."

"I've had it with this self-righteous delusional wing of the party that leads us over the cliff," King said.

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One leftist leader replaced another in Uruguay on Sunday, a change seemingly marked more by style than differences in policy as the elegant Tabare Vazquez took over from the famously casual Jose Mujica, who formally left office in rubber-soled brown shoes.

Vazquez, a 75-year-old oncologist who was president from 2005 to 2010, has said he will allow the government to proceed with one of Mujica's most controversial initiatives, the world's first state-run marijuana marketplace, though he said he will change it if it has negative results.

The new president urged Uruguayans to work together to improve public education, health and housing, and he decried the violence haunting the world beyond.

"Seldom in history has humanity been so shaken, so beaten, so overwhelmed as in these times. Violence, fear, terror, intolerance stalk different regions of our planet," he said in his inaugural address.

Vazquez shook up Uruguayan politics when he became president the first time, peacefully ending 170 years of two-party dominance. But he governed as a relatively cautious moderate and left office with approval ratings of about 70 percent.

Mujica, a 79-year-old flower grower and former guerrilla, held onto that popularity, leaving office with a growing economy, rising salaries and historically low unemployment.

Both represent the Broad Front coalition of parties that range from center-left Christian Democrats to Communists.

Informal to the end, the folksy Mujica wore casual brown shoes with his black suit and, as always, shunned a tie, as he slipped the presidential sash over the shoulder of a tie-wearing Vazquez.

Vazquez has said he will allow the marijuana initiative to go forward. The state has not yet chosen the companies that will cultivate the drug, which is to be sold in pharmacies. But Vazquez said he will closely watch the plan and modify it if things go wrong.

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Sen. Marco Rubio called his inclusion on a list of U.S. politicians banned by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro a badge of honor, while Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen says she was proud to be banned.

The Florida Senator, who has been very critical of Maduros policies and called the country a human rights catastrophe on Friday, told Fox News on Saturday that he loves the people of the South American country and wants them to be free from Maduros reign.

I want it to have human rights and to be banned by a dictator like Nicolas Maduro is, to me, a badge of honor, Rubio said.

Maduro announced Saturday that a selected list of U.S. officials were barred from the country including Rubio, Ros-Lehtinen along with former President George W. Bush, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart and Sen. Bob Menendez.

In response, Ros-Lehtinen tweeted that she was proud to be banned from Venezuela and that she would continue to fight for human rights in the Latin American country.

"I'm in good company: banned from entering #Venezuela by autocrat #Maduro w @SenatorMenendez @marcorubio @MarioDB + George W #Bush #SOSVzla," she continued.

Diaz-Balart tweeted: I've always wanted to travel to a corrupt country that is not a free democracy. And now Castro's lap dog won't let me! #quepena #maduro

And Mendendez tweeted: I will continue to speak out against #humanrights abuses in #Venezuela, even if I am banned from travelling there. #SanctionedByMaduro

In addition to the bands, Maduro said Venezuela would be shrinking the size of the U.S. Embassy staff, limiting the activities of U.S. diplomats and requiring American visitors to obtain a tourist visa.

Maduro, speaking before a crowd that rallied to protest imperialism, said that gringo meddling had forced him to adopt the series of restrictive measures, which include requiring U.S. diplomats to seek approval from the Foreign Ministry for meetings they conduct here.

Maduro said he was imposing the new tourist visa requirement for national security reasons, saying that in recent days authorities had detained several U.S. citizens who he alleged were involved in espionage, including an American pilot.

The president and other officials gave no specific information on any Americans in custody, and the U.S. Embassy did not respond to a request for comment. Earlier in the day, Venezuela released four missionaries from North Dakota who had been detained several days ago for unknown reasons. They were banned from coming back for two years.

Relations between the two countries have been rapidly deteriorating as Maduro blames U.S. plotting for the host of economic and social woes plaguing the socialist-governed country. He recently accused the U.S. of working with local opposition groups to stage a coup that involved bombing the presidential palace. Washington called the accusation ludicrous.

The two countries have not exchanged ambassadors since 2010, but have continued to exchange diplomatic staff. On Saturday, Maduro said the U.S. has far more officials in Venezuela than his government has in the U.S.

Maduro addressed Obama directly, saying the U.S. president has "arrogantly" refused to engage in conciliatory talks.

"I'm very sorry, Mr. President, that you have gone down this dead end," he during a speech that all Venezuelan television and radio stations were required to carry.

Venezuela will charge Americans the same tourist visa fees that the U.S. charges Venezuelans and it will require payment in dollars, which are increasingly scarce in Venezuela.

The U.S. State Department said it had not received any communications from Venezuela and couldn't comment yet on the new restrictions, which come after the U.S. recently imposed a travel ban on a list of top Venezuelan officials accused of human rights violations.

In a statement, it also again rejected Maduro's claims that the U.S. is plotting against Venezuela.

"We are aware of reports that President Maduro repeated a number of inflammatory statements about the United States during a televised political rally today. The continued allegations that the United States is involved in efforts to destabilize the Venezuelan government are baseless and false," said the statement, which was emailed by an official who was not authorized to be quoted by name.

Americans have been staying away from Venezuela as crime has soared, exchange rates have become difficult to navigate and Maduro has stepped up attacks on the U.S. government. Just 36,000 U.S. citizens visited in the first nine months of 2014, about half the number that visited two years earlier, according to Venezuela Tourism Ministry data. Overall, some 950,000 foreigners visited Venezuela last year.

The move could have a bigger impact on business travelers than holiday-goers. As one of the world's largest oil producers, Venezuela remains an important destination for executives, and the new restrictions could affect U.S. companies investing here.

Maduro also announced that he was cancelling a trip to Uruguay, where he had been expected to celebrate the inauguration of a fellow leftist politician as president. He cited the "political situation" in Venezuela.

Earlier in the day, Venezuelans took to the streets of Caracas in dueling demonstrations, with one group calling attention to a crackdown on government opponents and another showing support for the embattled socialist administration.

Government supporters marched to the presidential palace to express their rejection of imperialism and commemorate the 26th anniversary of a convulsion of violence in Caracas widely seen by government backers as evidence of the brutality of pre-socialist administrations.

Opposition activists, meanwhile, gathered to denounce the arrest of Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma earlier this month and the death on Tuesday of a teenager who was shot during an anti-government protest.

In San Cristobal, where the 14-year-old was fatally shot during an anti-government protest, thousands of people massed in the streets of the Andean town known for sparking the country's protest movements.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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With a partial shutdown of the Homeland Security Department possible at week's end, Speaker John Boehner says the House wants to enter talks with the Senate on a final bill funding the agency. Senate Democrats are not interested in joining those talks.

The Senate is holding a vote Monday on whether to proceed on the question of talks between the two chambers.

Congress late Friday cleared a one-week extension for the department after 52 House conservatives defied their leadership and helped scuttle legislation that would have given the agency a three-week reprieve.

House Republican leaders on Sunday demanded that Democrats begin negotiations on funding for the Homeland Security Department and President Barack Obama's unilateral actions on immigration. But even some Republicans said the party should simply surrender and give the agency money without conditions.

Republicans and Democrats have not found common ground.

"We want to get a conference with the Senate. Now, they've made clear that they don't want to go to conference. But they're going to have a vote. If they vote, in fact, not to get a conference, this bill may be coming back to the House," Boehner said Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Friday's humiliating defeat produced a backlash in the House, with some Republicans criticizing their conservative colleagues and others arguing it was time to fully fund the agency for the year and move on.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., a former chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, said Boehner needs to find a way to get a bill to the House floor without the divisive immigration provisions.

"There's no doubt it will pass.... We cannot allow this small group to block it," King said. He added that once it comes to a vote, "then we really, as Republicans, have to stand behind the speaker and make it clear we're not going to allow this faction to be dominating and to be impeding what we're trying to do."

A day earlier, Rep. Devin Nunes, the California Republican who heads the House Intelligence Committee, also criticized conservatives for their stance on funding the agency.

Conservatives angered by a three-week extension with no rollback of Obama's directives last November to spare millions of immigrants from deportation combined with Democrats insisting on full-year funding to sink the legislation.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., agreed to a one-week extension and told her Democratic rank-and-file in a letter to back the seven-day patch because "your vote will assure that we will vote for full funding next week."

Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., the No. 3 House Republican, said Sunday there was no such deal.

But privately, a senior Democratic congressional aide said Boehner spoke to Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and committed to bringing up a bill without conditions. The person spoke anonymously to relate a private conversation.

Boehner on Sunday acknowledged that Friday "wasn't all that fun," and acknowledged that " lot of members have a lot of different ideas about what we should and shouldn't be doing."

A spokesman for Reid said Sunday there will be no negotiations with the House over Homeland Security funding and immigration. Senate Democrats are expected to block any plans for formal talks in Monday night's vote.

"Sen. Reid has been clear for days on the fact that there will be no conference," said Adam Jentleson, Reid's spokesman. He said House Republicans want a conference so they can load up a funding bill that would pass with "poison pill riders."

A so-called clean bill, in this instance, is one that focuses solely on the funding and does not include the immigration provisions.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said she doesn't envision Senate Democrats budging.

Scalise was on "Fox News Sunday," King spoke on ABC's "This Week" and Feinstein made her comments on CNN's "State of the Union."

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Gov. Scott Walker once envisioned a world where the 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally could embark on a path to citizenship.

But now the Wisconsin Republican calls that position "amnesty" and says his view has changed.

"I don't believe in amnesty," Walker told "Fox News Sunday." ''My view has changed. I'm flat out saying it. Candidates can say that."

Walker, who emerged this past week in the top tier of potential candidates for the Republican presidential nomination for 2016, says the U.S. needs to secure the border and ultimately put in place "a legal immigration system that works."

That means, in part, putting the onus on employers and getting them the tools to do that, like E-Verify, an existing federal program that allows businesses to check the immigration status of new hires, Walker said.

Walker told the Wausau, Wisconsin, Daily Herald newspaper in 2013 that "it makes sense" when he was asked whether he could see a world where "those people" could get citizenship, with the right penalties, waiting periods and requirements in place.

At the time, he supported a bipartisan approach to overhauling immigration, with people waiting to get citizenship having priority and others having a legal pathway to live here legally.

Walker also said Sunday that President Barack Obama or "anybody else who is willing to put their name on the ballot certainly has to have the love for country to do that."

Walker drew criticism last month after former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani questioned Obama's patriotism during a speech at a Walker fundraiser. When asked about the former mayor's comments, Walker sidestepped the question by saying he hadn't asked Obama about his love of country.

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Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said Sunday the prosecutor who had accused her of a criminal cover-up had also praised her, characterizing the late Alberto Nisman's actions as contradictory in a sharply worded speech that included a rebuke of Israel over the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center.

Fernandez said documents had been found in Nisman's safe, one written in December and the other in January. She said in both he spoke favorably of the president's speeches to the United Nations aimed at getting justice for the attack on the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association, which killed 85 people.

She said that was contradictory to his allegations that she and other top officials in her administration had orchestrated a cover-up with Iran to shield officials allegedly responsible in a grain-for-oil deal. Fernandez has rejected the allegations and Iran has long denied involvement in the bombing.

"Which Nisman do I go with?" she said. "With the one who accused us of a cover-up or the one who addressed me, acknowledging all we had done" to bring justice?

Nisman was found dead Jan. 18, the day before he was to detail his allegations against Fernandez to Congress. Authorities are investigating whether Nisman committed suicide or was killed.

The case has rocked Argentina, creating a scandal that Fernandez's administration has struggled to confront. The president, constitutionally barred from running in October elections, got a boost last week when a federal judge threw out the case that Nisman had been building, saying it wasn't solid enough to open an investigation.

Fernandez, known for fiery, populist rhetoric, made the comments about the documents at the end of her nearly four-hour speech. When opposition legislators held signs saying "Open the Archives!" on the community center bombing, she launched into a vigorous defense of all she had to bring justice in the case.

The bombing had become a "chessboard of national and international politics," she said.

In particular, she took aim at Israel, saying the country had shown tremendous interest in getting justice for the community center bombing but not in the 1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, which killed 29.

Nobody has been convicted in either attack.

"Why does the state of Israel demand (justice) for AMIA," she said, referring to the Spanish acronym of the community center, "and not for the blowing up of their own embassy?"

It wasn't clear what, if anything, Fernandez was implying. The president often makes vague accusations that other nations are meddling in Argentina's affairs.

In January 2014, Itzhak Aviran, the former Israeli ambassador to Argentina, reportedly told a Jewish news agency that "most of the guilty (for the Jewish community center attack) are in the other world, and we did that." The comments were immediately denied by the Israeli government. At the time, Nisman, who for 10 years headed up the investigation into the bombing, said he would summons Aviran.

On Sunday, Fernandez said she would formally request that Israel send Aviran to Argentina to testify so "Argentines can at least know the perpetrators" of the community center attack.

A message sent to the Israeli embassy's press office late Sunday seeking comment was not immediately answered.

In the documents, Fernandez said Nisman asked that she demand that the U.N. Security Council order the extradition of the Iranians allegedly responsible. She said the U.N. wouldn't likely agree, especially when the United States was negotiating with Iran about the future of its nuclear program.

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Tehran, Iran, December 31

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Irans Saberin Special Forces thwart around 20 suicide bombings each year, Morteza Mirian, a senior commander at the General Staff of Armed Forces, told IRIB TV channel December 30.

Iran has been facing a growing trend of terrorist ventures into its territory in some eastern and western border areas especially since the formation of the Islamic State (aka IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) across the border. However, police forces have acted successfully in tackling the terrorists and keeping the country secure.
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Former president and revolutionary leader Fidel Castro met with five Cuban convicted spies who were the focus of a years-long political battle with the United States.

The members of the so-called Cuban Five met with Castro for more than five hours on Saturday, according to a letter by the former leader posted on the official daily Granma on Monday.

The Five Anti-terrorist Heroes, who never did any harm to the United States, tried to prevent terrorist acts against our people, organized by US intelligence agencies that world opinion well recognizes, Castro wrote in the letter. None of these Five Heroes performed their tasks in search of applause or honor. They received their honorable title because they never sought it.

He continued: I was happy for hours yesterday. I heard wonderful stories of heroism by the group lead by Gerardo (Hernandez) and seconded by all, including the painter and poet, whom I met while he was creating one of his works at the aerodrome in Santiago de Cuba.

The letter is accompanied by photos of the meeting.

The five spies  Hernandez, Rene Gonzalez, Fernando Gonzalez, Ramon Labanino and Antonio Guerrero  were part of the Wasp Network and were sent by Castro to act as spies in South Florida.

They were arrested by the FBI in September 1998 and convicted in 2001 in Miami on charges including conspiracy and failure to register as foreign agents.

Hernandez, Labanino and Guerrero were returned to Cuba on Dec. 17 under a prisoner exchange, while the two Gonzalezs, who are not related, were already free after completing their U.S. prison sentences.

Cuba released USAID contractor Alan Gross on the same day in exchange for the agents.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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A Cook County commissioner is giving Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel a run for his money  and his political office  as he closes in on the incumbent in a recent poll of likely voters.

Jesus Chuy Garcia and Emanuel, who is seeking his second term as mayor, are in a dead heat in an Ogden and Fry poll conducted for the Illinois Observer.

The men are facing off against each other in a runoff campaign for the Democratic nomination. The runoff election is scheduled for April 7.

Theyre likely dead even, pollster Tom Swiss was quoted as saying in the Chicago Sun Times. Emanuel had just under 43 percent support and Garcia almost 39 percent, considered practically even with the plus-minus 3.2 percent margin of error.

The poll firm noted that Latinos tend to be under-represented in polls.

About 18.6 percent of those polled said they were undecided.

We continue to believe that as the city learns more about Jesus Chuy Garcias agenda for change, his support will continue to grow, said campaign manager Andrew Sharp in a statement quoted by the Chicago Sun Times. We have seen a lot of polls over the last few months, and we saw the results of the election last Tuesday. One fact remains constant  a majority of Chicagoans do not want four more years under Mayor Emanuel.

Emanuels campaign manager, Steve Mayberry, dismissed the results of the latest poll, saying that Emanuel had a proven track record of achievements.

Chicago voters face a clear choice between Rahm, who has a clear record and plan to create good jobs," he said to the Sun Times, "and Chuy Garcia, who has failed to get much of anything done in nearly 20 years on the big issues facing the city, but who is all of a sudden making pie-in-the-sky promises and writing checks Chicago cant cash.

The latest poll shows a drop for Emanuel and a gain for Garcia from a Chicago Tribune poll conducted last month, before the mayoral primary, that showed nearly half of the citys voters leaning toward Emanuel and only 20 percent favoring Garcia.

Latinos have proven underrepresented in pre-election polls, although that hasn't always dramatically changed results in elections. But it could bode well for Garcia  the Tribune poll found that 48 percent of Hispanics favored him compared to only 18 percent of whites and 13 percent of blacks.

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Spain said Monday that it has asked the United States to use its talks on taking Cuba off the blacklist of nations sponsoring terrorism to help obtain the extradition of two members of the armed Basque group ETA from the communist country.

Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo said the government has been in talks with the U.S. in the hopes of getting Cuba to extradite Jose Angel Urtiaga and Jose Ignacio Etxarte to Spain.

They have been wanted since 2010 in a probe into alleged links between Venezuela, ETA and the Colombian rebel group, FARC.

Cuba's 33-year status on the terrorism list stems from its support decades ago for ETA and the FARC.

The list is a major hurdle in U.S.-Cuban negotiations to end a half-century diplomatic freeze.

Margallo said the extraditions have since been made more difficult by former Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who last week called on the U.S. to take Cuba off the list immediately and without conditions.

Rodriguez Zapatero's comments in Havana after meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro during a private visit greatly angered the conservative Madrid government.

Margallo said Rodriguez Zapatero had not informed the government of the meeting with Castro and should have contacted the ministry before making such statements.

Urtiaga and Etxarte are believed to have been in Cuba since the mid-1980s. Spain's National Court said the two sought permission from ETA to carry out grenade- and mortar-launching tests in Venezuela in cooperation with the FARC.

ETA killed some 830 people in a four-decade-long campaign for a Basque homeland. It declared a permanent cease-fire in 2011 but has yet to disband.

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Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush distanced himself from his family on Monday as he courted senior citizens in Nevada, the first stop in a national tour aimed at key states on the presidential primary calendar.

Taking questions in an early voting state for the first time this year, the leading Republican White House prospect declared that each of his family members is different and challenged a questioner who suggested otherwise. Bush is the son and brother of former presidents who were unpopular when they left office.

"Do you have brothers and sisters?" Bush asked his questioner at a gathering of roughly 300 senior citizens at a Las Vegas retirement community. "Are you exactly the same?"

The crowd applauded the answer.

Bush has not shied away from tough questions about his policies or family name as he ramps up for a formal 2016 presidential bid.

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The appearance comes days after he defended controversial policies on immigration and education at a conference of conservative activists in Washington. It marked a new phase in Bush's early campaign strategy, which has been focused almost exclusively on raising money behind closed doors in the two months since he declared serious interest in a presidential bid.

Monday's appearance was his first in an early voting state since the January announcement. He's scheduled to appear in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina in the coming weeks. Along with Nevada, the states represent the first four on the presidential primary calendar.

Asked about immigration, Bush reiterated his support for a pathway to legal status for immigrants in the country illegally, so long as they pay fines, learn English and have jobs. The policy would allow such immigrants to "come out of the shadows," said Bush, a fluent Spanish speaker whose wife is a native Mexican.

Bush was scheduled to be in Las Vegas through Tuesday afternoon.

His team acknowledged he had other private meetings while in Las Vegas  including some focused on raising money  but declined to provide further details.

The city is home to several prominent Republican donors, including Las Vegas Sands Corp. CEO Sheldon Adelson, who was in Washington on Monday to attend a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Bush said he monitored Netanyahu's speech, which Bush described as "classy."

Before Bush arrived, area resident Gene Fasciana, 77, a Republican, suggested that Bush needed to distance himself from his older brother, former President George W. Bush.

"Any one of the candidates would be fine with me," Fasciana said. "I just want to go with someone who can win."

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After a weeks-long political struggle, legislation to fund the Homeland Security Department is headed back to the House without restrictions conservatives demanded on President Barack Obama's immigration policies. Even so, it stands a good chance of passage.

Speaker John Boehner and other House GOP leaders declined Monday night to say what their next move would be in a controversy that has exposed deep divisions inside the party's ranks. But even Republican officials conceded the leadership was running out of options apart from a capitulation to Obama and the Democrats.

House Democrats were eager for a vote on the measure.

"The world is far too dangerous for House Republicans to show so little regard for the security of American families. Republicans should join with Democrats to keep the American people safe, protect our homeland, and bring a clean, long-term DHS funding bill to a vote immediately," said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

She issued her statement after Senate Democrats had blocked a Republican move to convene formal negotiations between the two houses. Because the GOP holds a majority in both, the result would inevitably have been a bill that included funds for the agency as well as steps to roll back presidential directives that have shielded millions of immigrants from deportation.

Democrats said they wouldn't permit that to happen  and ignored Republican complaints that they were ignoring 200 years of congressional tradition by refusing to permit formal negotiations.

The vote in the Senate was 47-43, 13 less than the 60 votes needed to overcome Democratic opposition to formal talks.

The day's events sent the bill back to the House, where the rules generally permit any lawmaker of either party to demand a yes-or-no vote on it.

It was unclear when that might happen. But with the agency headed for a partial shutdown at midnight Friday, time was growing short.

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, said he would try to amend House rules to block Democrats from using a parliamentary maneuver that could allow the bill to come to the House floor without action by Boehner or House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Ironically, a federal court ruling has temporarily blocked the administration from implementing the new immigration rules. The administration has appealed the decision and the ultimate result of the legal challenge is unknown.

Passage of the stand-alone spending bill would seal the failure of a Republican strategy designed to make Homeland Security funding contingent on concessions from Obama. The department which has major anti-terrorism duties, is also responsible for border control.

Whatever the final result of the struggle, controversy over the legislation has produced partisan gridlock in the first several weeks of the new Congress, though Republicans gained control of the Senate last fall and won more seats in the House than at any time in 70 years.

Even so, Democratic unity blocked passage in the Senate of House-passed legislation with the immigration provisions. By late last week, a split in House GOP ranks brought the department to the brink of a partial shutdown. That was averted when Congress approved a one-week funding bill that Obama signed into law only moments before a midnight Friday deadline.

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Sen. Robert Menendez is not joining fellow Democrats who are boycotting the speech Tuesday morning by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the U.S. Congress.

Not only does the New Jersey senator plan to be there, but  in a very high-profile show of support for Netanyahu and his controversial appearance  Menendez plans to be part of a bipartisan group of lawmakers who will escort the prime minister into the Congressional chambers.

In contrast, Rep. Luis Gutierrez, an Illinois Democrat, says he strongly supports Israel, but will most definitely not be at the speech, which he called a political stunt in an op-ed that appeared in the Huffington Post.

Like many of the nearly 50 Democrats in the Senate and the House who are skipping Netanyahus speech  which arose from an invitation by House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio  Gutierrez expressed opposition to what he terms the political agenda swirling around the prime ministers visit, and underlying defiance of President Barack Obama.

The Obama administration is concerned that Netanyahus speech will complicate negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, a foreign policy initiative that Israel opposes vehemently. Republicans, Gutierrez suggests, want to shame Obama, and give a boost to Netanyahu as he faces re-election.

So why jeopardize (U.S.-Israel relations)  by accepting an invitation by one political party in the U.S. as it attempts to paint the other party as weak on Israel? Gutierrez asked.Why help them as they paint our duly elected President and Commander in Chief  duly elected twice  as weakly American, pro-Muslim or anti-Israel?

Menendez, who is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has defended the speech and his support for it.

"I may agree with some Democrats that the political timing of Prime Minister Netanyahu's invitation to speak to Congress tomorrow may have been unfortunate, Menendez said in a speech Monday to the pro-Israeli American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and that we must work fervently to keep the U.S.-Israel relationship a strong bipartisan endeavor, but I take issue with those who say the prime minister's visit to the United States is destructive to U.S.-Israel relations.

He continued, "The U.S.-Israel relationship and security of the Israeli people is much more important than any one person or any speech to Congress."

Republican senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida hailed Netanyahu having the opportunity to speak.

If a candidate tells you they will stand up for Israel  fantastic, Cruz said. When have you stood up and fought [for] it? If a candidate tells you they oppose a nuclear Iran  fantastic. When have you stood up and fought against it?

Last week, at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Rubio said: Around the world, because of the Obama-Clinton foreign policy, our allies no longer trust us and our enemies no longer fear us. The Obama administration treats the ayatollah of Iran with more respect than the prime minister of Israel.

Rubio, who also sits on the Foreign Relations Committee, characterized the administrations approach to Iran and its nuclear threat as the Obamacare of the second term.

Then he tweeted: We shouldnt be treating the Ayatollah of Iran with more respect than @IsraeliPM. #StandWithIsrael and Today I asked my colleagues to #standwithIsrael and not boycott speech by @IsraeliPM @netanyahu.

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Venezuela has given the U.S. two weeks to slash its diplomatic mission here to less than than 20 percent of its current size as tensions between the two nations rise.

Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez made the announcement Monday after a rare meeting with the top American diplomat in Caracas. She said the U.S. mission must be cut to 17 diplomats to strike a balance with the 17 Venezuelan diplomats that serve in the U.S. It is up to the U.S. to decide which of an estimated 100 diplomats stationed here it wishes to send home.

Over the weekend, President Nicolas Maduro said his socialist government had detained several Americans spies, and would be taking a series of retaliatory measures, including imposing a visa requirement for American tourists, banning the entry of conservative Republicans like former Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. Marco Rubio, and imposing rules to curtail the movement of the U.S. diplomats he accuses of plotting with the opposition to oust him.

State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf, who spoke before the meeting in Caracas ended, said the U.S. was "clearly concerned" about Venezuela's new policies toward diplomats and tourists.

"There has been a lot of anti-American rhetoric coming out of the Venezuelan government, with a lot of baseless allegations," she said.

Harf declined to say how many diplomats work in the U.S. Embassy, an imposing compound that sits above Caracas in a secluded, tree-lined neighborhood.

The U.S. has not exchanged ambassadors with the South American country since 2010. Lee McClenny represents the mission as charge d'affaires. Reflecting the distant state of relations between the two nations, McClenny's name was twice misspelled as "Clenny" in government statements before Monday's meeting, which Rodriguez described as cordial.

Maduro regularly rails against the U.S. for meddling in his country's affairs. He accuses the U.S. of staging an "endless coup" which he blames for Venezuela's chronic shortages and worsening economy. He has taken to leading weekly chants of "Gringo, go home," and last month accused the U.S. of plotting with opposition leaders to bomb the presidential palace.

The U.S. did endorse a brief coup led by opposition leaders that toppled Maduro's mentor, the late President Hugo Chavez, for two days in 2002.

Michael Shifter, president of Inter-American Dialogue, said he doesn't expect the U.S. to respond with a dramatic change in its own policies toward Venezuela.

"It's clear Maduro is flailing about, not knowing what to do, so he's falling back on the tried and true by blaming the U.S.," said Shifter, adding that the government has so far failed to present convincing evidence of U.S. involvement in destabilizing acts. "The problem is it's no longer credible."

The new restrictions underscore Venezuela's role as the most stridently anti-American country in the hemisphere. Cuba, Venezuela's closest ally, is in talks with the U.S. to expand staffing in the two countries' diplomatic missions and let diplomats travel outside their respective capitals without having to ask permission.

Maduro is expected to see U.S. President Barack Obama in five weeks at the Summit of the Americas in Panama. As recently as January, he was photographed grinning and shaking the hand of Vice President Joe Biden, a photo opportunity that now seems unthinkable.

Meanwhile, four North Dakota missionaries detained and then deported from Venezuela last week were recovering on the nearby island of Aruba. Their pastor Bruce Dick said they were expected home Tuesday.

It's unclear whether the missionaries were the Americans Maduro was referring to when he said the government had arrested U.S. citizens engaged in espionage.

Speaking on Monday, Dick called their multiday ordeal "a bit of a shock."

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House Speaker John Boehner's job is safe despite passing yet another big bill that most of his Republican colleagues oppose, as he did Tuesday to avert defunding the Department of Homeland Security.

But Boehner and his leadership team appear destined to confront fratricidal fights for months to come. The friction exposes deep GOP ideological differences as the 2016 presidential campaign gets under way.

For all the Washington chatter of a possible Republican coup against Boehner  the perpetually tanned, cigarette-smoking deal-maker from Ohio  few lawmakers gave it credence Tuesday.

"It would take Democrat cooperation to do that, which is never going to happen," said Rep. Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina, a frequent critic of Republican leaders. The mere subject, he said, "is irrelevant."

GOP Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona said he, too, opposed the bill advanced by his party's leaders, "but I'm not mad at them."

Boehner's allies say rebellious conservatives realize he protects them from trouble by letting them cast politically safe votes while he taps Democrats to avert public-relations disasters. Past episodes avoided a government default on debts and the halting of a massive "Fiscal Cliff" tax increase. On Tuesday, Boehner's concession prevented shuttering the Homeland Security agency.

"John Boehner, honestly, in a number of cases saved the Republican conference from itself," said GOP Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma.

Cole said he doesn't think relying heavily on Democratic votes is a "new normal." But he conceded the Republican-led Congress faces even tougher choices ahead, including another debt limit showdown this year, in which scores of conservatives are unlikely to help.

Most House Republicans refused to fund Homeland Security this year unless President Barack Obama's executive actions liberalizing deportation policies were overturned. The Senate blocked the plan.

Stymied, Boehner agreed Tuesday to advance a Homeland Security funding bill with no immigration strings attached.

All 182 Democrats in the chamber voted for it, along with 75 Republicans. But 167 Republicans voted against it, a striking rebuke to a leadership-backed bill.

Heightening the party's intramural angst were new political ads by the American Action Network, run by Boehner's allies. They began running Tuesday in the districts of about 50 House Republicans who defied him on Homeland Security last week.

The $400,000 campaign includes phone calls, a few TV ads, and ads on popular conservative talk radio shows. They urged constituents to call their representatives, not vote them out of office.

Several targeted Republicans shrugged off the impact.

"We're all big boys and girls, and we know that's what you get into in this business," Mulvaney told reporters. Still, he said, it "makes you scratch your head" to attend a meeting on Republican unity and "get a text from your office" saying a group tied to the speaker "is running ads against you in the district."

Rep. Tim Huelskamp of Kansas, one of Boehner's harshest GOP critics, said he thinks it is "unprecedented for a speaker of the House to so lose control of his chamber that he's attacking the base of the party." He predicted the ads would backfire, telling his staff, "Make sure our website's up and running to get campaign contributions, because I think that's what's going to be happening."

Huelskamp said a fierce struggle between establishment Republicans and "grassroots conservatives" is brewing. "The war is on," he said.

But many other House conservatives seemed ready to move on, saying Boehner is safe as speaker. "I've not seen anyone come forward and say he wants the job," said Rep. Joe Barton of Texas.

Rep. John Fleming of Louisiana said, "There are no plans, no discussions about removing the speaker."

Tuesday's vote didn't rule out future efforts to defund government agencies if Obama won't yield to Republicans' wishes on issues, including deportation. Some Republicans said they "took the wrong hostage" in targeting Homeland Security, a popular agency when terrorist threats abound.

"If we had been serious about this fight," said GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, it would "have focused on the EPA or the IRS or the Department of Labor. Now those are departments which a majority would be prepared to allow funding to temporarily expire in order to use as leverage to stop the president's illegal and unconstitutional amnesty."

Tuesday's vote was perhaps the final coffin nail in the "Hastert Rule," promulgated by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert. He said a speaker should not allow votes on major bills opposed by most of his caucus.

More than two-thirds of House Republicans voted against the DHS bill Boehner offered Tuesday.

Cole, often tasked to explain congressional realities, said in an interview: "The Hastert rule's a rule until it's not."

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A coalition of states suing to stop President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration asked a federal judge Tuesday not to lift a temporary hold on the directives.

The 26-state coalition, led by Texas, said in a 22-page court filing to U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Brownsville, Texas, that "there is no emergency need to institute this sweeping new program."

"It is not in the public interest to allow (the U.S. government) to effect a breathtaking expansion of executive power, all before the courts have had a full opportunity to consider its legality," the states said in their motion.

Hanen issued a preliminary injunction on Feb. 16 that halted Obama's action, which could spare from deportation as many as 5 million people who are in the U.S. illegally. The states sought the injunction, arguing that Obama's executive action was unconstitutional.

The U.S. government on Feb. 23 asked Hanen to lift his injunction while it appeals his ruling to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

Justice Department attorneys have said a stay of Hanen's ruling is needed "to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is able to most effectively protect national security, public safety, and the integrity of the border."

The states argued the preliminary injunction does not impair Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson's "ability to marshal his assets or deploy the resources of" his agency.

The states also said lifting the stay would irreversibly harm them as they would spend millions of dollars in government benefits for individuals that they would not recover if they win their lawsuit.

The first of Obama's orders  to expand a program that protects young immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the U.S. illegally as children  had been set to take effect Feb. 18. The other major part, extending deportation protections to parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have been in the country for some years, was not expected to begin until May 19.

Obama announced the executive action in November, saying a lack of action by Congress forced him to make sweeping changes to immigration rules on his own.

There was no deadline for a decision by Hanen.

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A bill that House Republicans are certain would send a clear message to Central Americans not to send their children to the United States illegally passed a committee on Wednesday.

The Judiciary Committee voted 17-13 to send the bill to the full House for a vote, according to USA Today.

The measure calls for speeding the deportation of unaccompanied children from Central America.

Last year, tens of thousands of children from Central America arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border, most through Texas, without a parent.

Other bills being considered by the committee include a measure that would make it harder for refugees to seek asylum in the USA and one giving states and local governments more power to enforce federal immigration laws.

Republicans describe the bills as part of the piecemeal approach to overhauling U.S. immigration policies, which the party long has favored over a single, comprehensive reform measure.

"There are many issues plaguing our nation's immigration system but the biggest problem is that our immigration laws are not enforced," USA Today quoted House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., as saying. "While presidents of both parties have not fully enforced our immigration laws, President Obama has unilaterally gutted the interior enforcement of our laws."

As for children, U.S. laws prevent the quick deportation of those from Central America, as well as other places that are not next to the United States.

They often go through a long court battle while pursuing asylum, and remain in the United States while it is pending, USA Today points out.

The Protection of Children Act by Rep. John Carter, R-Texas calls for the fast return of such children and would deny them the right to have attorneys subsidized by taxpayers to represent them in their asylum case.

People who advocate for more lenient immigration policies say the measure to make the process for staying here stricter for children is inhumane.

"These proposals are completely inconsistent with the American ideal of protecting the persecuted," USA Today quoted Eleanor Acer, director of refugee protection at the non-partisan Human Rights First, as saying. Such hard-line bills regarding children, she said, "would eviscerate the United States' legacy as a global leader in protecting refugees."

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Tehran, Iran, December 31

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Iran has finally appointed its new ambassador to Syria, after a long time the country went with no envoy in the strategic, war-hit neighboring country.

Foreign Ministrys choice Javad Turkabadi has been approved by President Hassan Rouhani, Mehr news agency reported December 31.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had been under attack from the Parliament why he recalled his former envoy from Syria a while ago and why he delayed introducing a replacement.

Seven Iranian lawmakers on December 11 moved to question Zarif over what they called his relaxing policies on Syria over the past few months, focusing on why Zarif recalled Ambassador Mohammad Reza Rauf Sheybani from Syria.

In a written warning a week earlier, 10 MPs had criticized Zarif for him taking so long to name a fill-in for Sheybani, whose legal term in Syria had ended a while back.

Iran is the staunch supporter of the legal government in Syria, now headed by President Bashar Assad.

Tehran has condemned any terrorist move to change the future of Syria, in devastating conflict since 2011, instead calling for free, democratic elections where real Syrian individuals decide their fate.

Turkabadi served Iran as ambassador to Sudan from 2010 to 2014. He has also served as ambassador to Bahrain and Nigeria.
President Barack Obama has signed a law funding the Homeland Security Department through the end of the budget year.

The president signed the bill Wednesday afternoon in the Oval Office with a small group of photographers present. The White House wouldn't permit reporters to attend.

The House voted 257-167 Tuesday to approve the bill after a messy fight in Congress. Republicans wanted to use the legislation to repeal Obama's executive actions on immigration. Congress extended funding for one week just ahead of last Friday's deadline, then Republicans relented Tuesday and approved full-year funding without the immigration conditions.

Obama has said Congress took far too long to approve the funding. Without action, funding would have expired at midnight Friday, furloughing some workers while requiring others to work without receiving their paychecks.

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Sen. Bob Menendez says he will stand in the way of his own measure on Irans nuclear program if it is fast-tracked for a vote.

Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wants lawmakers to see what, if anything, develops in talks between Iran and the United States by the end of March before there is a move toward a vote in Congress, The Hill reported.

The United States has been in talks with Iran with the objective of scaling back that nations nuclear program.

Menendez, along with several other co-sponsors of the bill, objects to a plan by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring it up for a vote next week.

Menendezs bill calls for a congressional review of whatever agreement Iran and the United States work out, and for sanctions against Iran to remain in place for 60 days after the deal.

The Democrat has vowed to block voting on the measure in the Foreign Relations Committee until after the talks. So McConnell, a Republican, is calling for a vote in the Senate that would bypass the committee.

Of his decision to speed up the vote, McConnell told reporters: "We think the timing is important.We think it will help prevent the administration from entering into a bad deal. But if they do, then it will provide an opportunity for Congress to weigh in ... which has almost always been the case on these kinds of agreements."

But Menendez argued that with the deadline for talks to conclude approaching so soon, there's no sense in rushing and jeopardizing the delicate efforts to negotiate.

We are disappointed that you have proceeded outside of regular order, which suggests that the goal of this maneuver is to score partisan political points, rather than pursue a substantive strategy to counter Irans nuclear ambitions, several Democrats wrote in a letter led by Menendez, and first quoted in Politico.

We will only vote for this bill after it has gone through the regular mark-up process in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and after the March 24 deadline for the political framework agreement.

Other sponsors of the Iran bill, titled the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015, include Republicans Sen. Bob Corker, of Tennessee, and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

Angus King, a Maine Independent who also was a sponsor of the bill, said that the bipartisan support for the Iran bill has collapsed, in great part over the bickering between Democrats and Republicans over House Speaker John Boehners invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress, which he did on Tuesday.

Many Democrats boycotted the speech, saying that it was inappropriate to invite a head of state to criticize U.S. foreign policy, in this case concerning Iran.

"I think the bill  barring what happened yesterday  was headed for a veto-proof majority," said King to The Hill. "I think yesterday derailed that to some extent.

"This is just too important for politics. This is one of the most important decision this country will be making in years," King said.

The Hill said that a spokeswoman for McConnell said of when the vote might happen: "We will have more scheduling announcements soon."

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The United States on Tuesday pushed back against Venezuela's demand for a dramatic cut in the American diplomatic mission in Caracas.

During a rare meeting Monday with the top American diplomat in Caracas, Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez gave the U.S. two weeks to come up with a plan to slash the size of its embassy from around 100 diplomats to 17.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had said over the weekend that he would seek parity between the number of U.S. diplomats in his country and Venezuelans in the United States. "They have 100 functionaries here. We have 17 there," told what was billed as "The Great Anti-Imperialist March."

On Tuesday, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the U.S. had noted in the meeting that Venezuela was wrong about the number of diplomats it has working in the U.S.

"The numbers the Venezuelan government has offered regarding the size of its mission in the United States dramatically understates the number of Venezuelan diplomats," she said.

In addition to its embassy in Washington, Venezuela has eight consulates in the U.S. A roster of Venezuelan functionaries on the State Department website lists 43 staffers: 19 diplomats in Washington and 24 in the other offices around the country.

Harf said no American diplomats had been ordered to leave Venezuela. The U.S. was only ordered to submit a plan within 15 days on how it would reduce staffing at the embassy in Caracas and would respond "after due consideration of their request," she said.

In the evening, the U.S. Embassy issued an advisory calling attention to the recent detention of several U.S. citizens in Venezuela, and warning that if arrested, Americans might be refused the right to speak with consular representatives. Venezuela detained four missionaries last week for reasons that remain unclear. They returned home to North Dakota Tuesday.

The U.S. and this socialist-governed South American country have not exchanged ambassadors since 2010. Maduro regularly rails against the U.S., accusing it of meddling in his country's affairs, and he has taken to leading weekly chants of "Gringo, go home!" He said the most recent crackdown on opponents was a response to the "continual coup" the U.S. has been supporting against his government, a charge that the U.S. calls a red herring to distract from domestic problems.

On Tuesday night, Maduro announced that the group of South American nations known as UNASUR will send a delegation to the county on Friday for the purpose of promoting peace and dialogue.

On Tuesday morning, Venezuela published regulations removing the U.S. from a list of countries whose citizens can travel here without obtaining a visa. It's unclear how Americans will apply for their newly required tourist visas, which are expected to cost about $200.

The same official notice also formally banned entry by a list of conservative U.S. politicians, including former President George W. Bush, former Vice President Dick Cheney and Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

While few tourists choose Venezuela as their vacation spot, the visa restriction is likely to have wide-ranging implications, said Dan Hellinger, professor of International Relations at Webster University,

"It could notably decrease movement back and forth," he said. "That's going to be a hassle for the oil companies and related firms, exporters, and academics like me."

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Half a century has passed since U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson asked a joint session of Congress to respond to the brutal beatings of protesters in Selma, Alabama, by passing a federal Voting Rights Act that would "open the city of hope to all people of all races."

While this week's commemorations of the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" may invoke memories of historic events in which the "real hero," as Johnson said, was "the American Negro," little is said about Johnson's call in that speech to include Mexican-Americans in the struggle for equality.

"It was a defining moment for Johnson and Mexican-Americans," Julie Leininger Pycior, a Manhattan College history professor, said. "And yet it is a moment that is almost totally forgotten."

Nationally televised images of protesters violently beaten, whipped and tear-gassed  even trampled by horses  at the hands of police during a march from Selma to the state capitol, Montgomery, triggered mass outrage and more demonstrations around the country. The incident, which became known as "Bloody Sunday," galvanized U.S. leaders and ultimately yielded passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

During his address to Congress following those broadcasts, Johnson spoke passionately about poverty and equal rights, a sensitivity influenced, he said, by discrimination against Mexican-Americans that he witnessed as a young teacher at a segregated school in Cotulla, Texas, in the 1920s.

William Bonilla, 84, a retired lawyer in Corpus Christi, Texas, was president of the League of United Latin American Citizens in 1965, then the nation's largest Latino civil rights organization. Johnson had told him privately about his Cotulla experience, Bonilla said, and hearing the president share it in a national address was an emotional moment for many Mexican-Americans.

"I could tell he never forgot those students. He was sincere," Bonilla said.

According to transcripts of the Johnson presidential recordings at the University of Virginia's Miller Center, Johnson told Martin Luther King Jr. of his desire for "equality for all" well before the first Selma march, which took place March 7, 1965.

On Jan. 15, 1965  King's 36th birthday  Johnson returned King's phone call and told him a voting rights bill would be better if "we just extend it (to everyone), whether it's a Negro, whether it's a Mexican or who it is."

"Yeah," King said.

Johnson went on to say that such legislation could be the "greatest achievement of his administration," to which King replied, "That's right. That's right."

While campaigning along the U.S.-Mexico border for a U.S. Senate seat in 1948 and again in 1954, Johnson took note of the effects that poverty and discrimination had on Mexican-Americans. One of his first acts in office was to arrange burial at Arlington National Cemetery for Army Pvt. Felix Longoria, who was killed during World War II and buried in the Philippines.

Longoria's remains were returned to the U.S. a few years later, and a Texas funeral director told Longoria's widow that he could not provide chapel services for her husband, because "the whites wouldn't like it." Johnson intervened, and Longoria was buried at Arlington in 1949.

Johnson "came to understand racism and poverty through the Mexican-American experience," Brian Behnken, an Iowa State University history professor and author of a book about the civil rights struggle in Texas, said. However, Behnken added, Johnson also tread lightly on the issue so as not to incite segregationists.

That changed once Johnson became president.

Congress passed the Voting Rights Act in August 1965, and Johnson signed it into law on Aug. 6.

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In a time when Latinas make an average of 52 cents for every dollar white men make, U.S. Treasurer Rosa Gumataotao Rios signature has been printed on $700 billion in banknotes. Thats roughly half of all banknotes currently in circulation.

"In the last five years alone, we've produced about 32 billion banknotes, 46 billion coins, 31 million collectors pieces, and over 200 million ounces of bullion," Treasurer Rios tells Fox News Latino. "And by the way, you can call me Rosie."

Rosies world is money.

From her corner office on the ground floor of the Treasury building in downtown Washington, D.C., only a narrow paved footpath separates her from the front door of the White House.

Rios is the 43rd treasurer of the U.S., overseeing almost 4,000 employees and a staggering portfolio of duties that include printing our money, redesigning our money, advising Treasury Secretary Jack Lew on a range of issues including community development, anti-counterfeiting, and advancing the careers of women in what is often regarded as one of Americas staunchest boys clubs  the world of high finance. And a steep climb it was.

Born in San Jose, California, the sixth of nine children to an immigrant single mother from Guadalajara, Mexico, Rios grew up financially challenged and worked hard from a very young age.

All nine of us pitched in, she recalls of working in the plum fields just outside of town. I was very, very young. I remember we would get up so early in the morning that it was always dark  But for us kids it was more fun than work. Our version of a snowball fight was throwing plums at each other.

Her first official job came years later when she was a freshman in high school, at the Alameda County Public Library headquarters in Hayward, California.

As far as Im concerned, I won the lottery. I had access to every book I ever wanted  And I read voraciously. There is no doubt in my mind that that job is what got me into Harvard, she says.

Once on the east coast, for the first time ever and alone, Rios devoted some time to sharing her Mexican-American culture. She joined the Ballet Folklorico de Aztlan at Harvard and later some time later helped launch a school event called Cultural Rhythms  still alive and kicking 30 years on.

It was my way of hearkening back to my roots, she recalls. At the time there were very few Mexicans at Harvard.

This fall semester, her eldest of two children will follow in his mothers footsteps as a second-generation legacy at Harvard.

This is what I tell my son: Dont conform to Harvard. Let Harvard conform to you.

After working in the private sector for a couple of decades, Rios became the 43th U.S. Treasurer in August of 2009, at the height of the Great Recession.

With my background in economic development, real estate, and investment management, I knew that our restructuring could translate into jobs, housing, and access to capital, she notes.

In the first five years, she says, her plan has saved taxpayers over a billion dollars and improved efficiency by reducing the shifts at the Mint from three to two at most plants, and limiting discretionary spending.

All her hard work has a simple yet irreplaceable reward when her mom is visiting D.C. all the way from California. As a true Latina, food and cooking is at the center of her life  and her mom is by far her favorite cook.

On the chilly afternoon she chatted with Fox News Latino, Rios had her visiting for a few days and was looking forward to the piping hot handmade tortillas waiting for her at home.

For us, anywhere weve been, the kitchen is a sanctuary, she says. Cooking with my mom is always a group effort. She is the conductor, so to speak, and the rest of us are the symphony... Through the process of helping her, all of the smells and familiar conversations come back like time has never passed.

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A two-term Republican assemblyman who has sought to broaden the appeal of the party with Hispanics launched an uphill campaign Thursday to become the next U.S. senator from California, a state that hasn't elected a GOP senator since the 1980s.

Assemblyman Rocky Chavez, a retired Marine Corps colonel from San Diego County, became the first established Republican to enter the 2016 contest to replace outgoing Sen. Barbara Boxer, a Democrat.

Chavez is not well-known statewide, but his candidacy nonetheless changes the dynamics of a contest that has so far attracted only a single, major candidate  state Attorney General Kamala Harris, a Democrat.

Asked whether he could win in a state where Democrats hold every statewide office and a 2.7 million edge in voter registration, Chavez said, "I know I can."

He said his nearly three decades in the military uniquely qualifies him to serve in Washington at a time when national security and overseas conflicts are dominant issues.

"We are at a critical time," Chavez said. "It's important that we have leaders who understand foreign affairs."

Chavez's election to the Legislature in 2012 was seen as a success story for the Republican Party, which is often faulted for being too slow to adapt in a diversifying state. A Hispanic and grandfather, Chavez has been calling for immigration reform and has said the national health care overhaul should not be repealed by Congress.

"You now have somebody running on the Republican side who is a proven vote-getter, who has held office," noted Bill Whalen, a research fellow at the conservative Hoover Institution at Stanford University. "You also have somebody with a Hispanic surname, and someone from Southern California."

Harris has roots in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Two former state Republican Party chairmen, Tom Del Beccaro and Duf Sundheim, are also considering entering the race.

GOP leaders concede that a Republican has only a scant chance of winning the Senate contest. It's been a generation since a Republican carried California in a presidential election: George H.W. Bush, in 1988.

"I feel very sad that we're in this position right now," Harmeet Dhillon, vice chair of the California Republican Party, told reporters last week in Sacramento.

State and national Republicans have made efforts to broaden the party's reach with minorities, a vulnerability emphasized after President Barack Obama ran up large margins with black, Hispanic and Asian voters in his 2012 re-election.

Chavez has spoken frequently about the need to retool the party's message and make it more about family, education and safe communities while including fewer harsh words about people who entered the U.S. illegally.

Chavez spent 28 years in the military, later founding a charter high school for business and technology, where he served as director. He was a member of the Oceanside City Council before being appointed in 2009 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as undersecretary for the state Department of Veterans Affairs. He later served as acting secretary.

In the Legislature, Chavez has denounced the soaring cost of higher education and talked of the need to make health care affordable and available for all residents. He also focused on veterans issues.

He described himself as a fighter, willing to take on long odds. Part of that job will be charming members of his own party because Chavez's moderate politics could chaff conservatives in the GOP's right wing, particularly on immigration.

"He has no chance of winning," said Steve Frank, a longtime conservative activist and blogger from Southern California, who described Chavez as "Democrat-light."

"He's going to be the 2016 version of Neel Kashkari," Frank said, referring to the party's failed 2014 candidate for governor.

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Republicans are signaling that questions about Hillary Rodham Clinton's use of a private email account while she was secretary of state will follow her into her widely anticipated presidential campaign.

As the presidential nominating season begins, Clinton's use of a personal email account for State Department business has stoked questions about transparency that threaten to cloud her early steps as the Democratic Party's overwhelming favorite White House prospect.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., warned of national security considerations, telling reporters Wednesday that even government emails are vulnerable and presidential campaigns are typically targeted by hackers.

"You shouldn't put anything in an email that you don't think is going to be read by a foreign intelligence agency. Especially if you're the president of the United States, or a candidate for it," he said.

The email dispute may also fall into a "what goes around, comes around" category of presidential politics.

In 2012, Democrats spent several weeks blasting Republican Mitt Romney's refusal to release his personal tax records, accusing him of trying to obscure details of his investments and vast wealth. "What is Mitt Romney hiding?" was a frequent refrain from the Obama campaign.

This time, Clinton is the one accused of a lack of transparency.

"The American people deserve all of the facts," House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Wednesday. He was responding to an Associated Press report that the computer server that sent and received the secretary of state's emails  on a private account used for official business  was registered to Clinton's New York home.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, intends to investigate whether Clinton, by using a personal email account, may have violated federal requirements that written communications of officials are preserved.

The committee will join with a special committee investigating the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya. The Benghazi committee first discovered Clinton's use of a private email address and issued subpoenas Wednesday for Clinton's emails when she was secretary of state.

Late Wednesday, Clinton tweeted: "I want the public to see my email. I asked State to release them. They said they will review them for release as soon as possible."

In response, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the department will review for release the emails Clinton provided.

"We will undertake this review as quickly as possible; given the sheer volume of the document set, this review will take some time to complete," Harf said.

The fresh inquiries create a distraction as she prepares to embark on a second presidential campaign amid a thin bench of potential Democratic challengers.

The questions follow recent reports about the Clinton family foundation's raising of money from foreign governments, while she was the country's top diplomat, to benefit the nonprofit's philanthropic mission.

Democrats say the latest probes are throwbacks to the 1990s when they say Republicans overplayed their hands pursuing President Bill Clinton.

"This is part of what will be the onslaught of attacks that are just getting starting," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. "It will be attack, attack, attack."

The Clinton family is no stranger to controversy.

Bill Clinton's personal and business dealings created a constant swirl of investigations, leading to his 1998 impeachment for perjury and obstruction of justice.

Hillary Clinton, as the first lady, was pressed by Republicans in the Whitewater probe of the couple's real estate investments.

Clinton's team this week said she acted no differently from her predecessors at the State Department who also used private email addresses. She used a BlackBerry before leading the department and continued to use it after she took the job.

The former secretary of state's team turned over 55,000 pages of emails from her time at the State Department but had discretion over what was included.

If she emailed someone among the 100 State Department officials with whom she frequently corresponded, they said, it would have been on State Department servers, and Clinton's office replicated that to ensure it was included in the records.

"I think this is mostly right-wing noise," Howard Dean, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said by email.

Republicans in the possible 2016 mix have kept relatively quiet on Clinton's latest challenge to avoid bringing up transparency issues of their own.

Email communication from Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, for example, has been the subject of criminal investigations.

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Sen. Ted Cruz's book, "A Time for Truth: Reigniting the Miracle of America," is coming out this summer.

HarperCollins Publishers told The Associated Press on Thursday that it has set a June 30 release date for the book, for which Cruz reached a reported seven-figure deal last year. Cruz, a first-term Texas Republican considering a presidential run in 2016, said in a recent telephone interview that in a time of "extraordinary challenges" he wants to tell his story and share his message of free markets and constitutional liberties.

"Men and women are frustrated with career politicians in both parties who are not listening to them," Cruz told the AP, adding that the themes of a possible White House candidacy are "certainly reflected in this book."

Cruz, a favorite among tea party activists who has battled with Democrats and members of his own party, also said he wants to counter the "caricatures" of the right as "stupid," ''evil" or "crazy."

"The image created in the mainstream media does not comply with the facts," he said.

Cruz joins a bipartisan field of possible candidates with books out in the past couple of years, from Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton to Republicans Scott Walker and Rand Paul. He said that "A Time for Truth" will include vignettes about Anwar Sadat, Elie Wiesel and others who "had the courage" to speak out even at risk to themselves, a theme he acknowledged can be found in a famous work by a future president, then-Sen. John F. Kennedy's "Profiles In Courage."

The vignettes draw upon "an aspect of what Kennedy did" in his book, Cruz said of "Profiles in Courage," a tribute to U.S. senators who took stands unpopular within their own party.

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Mexican agricultural officials spent several days last week meeting with a group of their countrymen living in California over a matter that had nothing to do with the typical reasons immigrants turn to their former homelands authorities  to reclaim or protect land back in Mexico.

Under a program that began last year, Mexico is trying to help its citizens who live in the United States resolve issues relating to farm parcels of communal land known as "ejidos," that people could lose if they do not pay dues, appear to neglect the land, or if relatives who remain in Mexico and owned the property die, leaving the land at risk of being possessed by others, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The ejidos system is an old one, started after the Mexican Revolution.

The system entailed granting peasants communal rights to farm parcels. It was part of a larger agrarian reform, the Times said.

But the rules for retaining those rights are strict, and more people have been at risk of being stripped of their ownership privileges as immigration, particularly without proper documents, from Mexico to the United States has grown since the ejidos system was put into place.

Mexican officials who have been assisting immigrants living in the United States say many do not know what their rights to land back in their homeland are, particularly when that parcel was in the name of a deceased relative, the Times said.

Catalina Rodriguez, who helps resolve disputes and ambiguity involving ejidos, has helped many Mexicans in California sort out their cases.

That has sometimes entailed research into who has ownership rights to a parcel, and other times the help is in the form of putting together the paperwork to document ownership and ensuring that the right people inherit the rights to the ejido.

Mexico also has arranged for officials there to represent immigrants in cases where the land ownership is in question, Rodriguez told the Times.

She said she is struck by how important it is to Mexicans in the United States to own land in their native homeland.

"It's their patrimony," she said.

It certainly was extremely important to Maria Gonzales, who left Mexico 25 years ago. Her parents stayed home, on their four-acre farm.

Although she had built a life here, she envisaged someday going back to Mexico and to the farm. But her parents died, and Gonzales learned that someone else had taken possession of the farm, the Times said.

Gonzales, whom the Times described as undocumented, could not return to Mexico to investigate the matter because she would risk not being able to return to Los Angeles.

Her husband, Ezequiel Becerril, said to the Times: "They're taking advantage because we can't be there.

But she found hope when she went to see one of the Mexican governments agricultural officials who was visiting California last week. The official found that the farm was, indeed, still under her deceased mothers name.

"Legally, it's your mother's," the official said, according to the Times.

She got a copy of the deed from the official, which could pave the way to getting local authorities in her former hometown of Jalisco to evict the person who is there now from the farm.

"Amazing," said an emotional Gonzales, the Times reported. "Amazing."

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The Justice Department is getting ready to file corruption charges against Sen. Robert Menendez later this month, CNN first reported Friday.

The charges stem from allegations that he did political favors for a Florida doctor, Dr. Salomon Melgen, an ophthalmologist who was a friend and campaign supporter. Questions about Menendez's ties to Melgen have dogged the senator for more than two years.

Attorney General Eric Holder declined to answer questions after an appearance with President Barack Obama at a black college in South Carolina.

"I can't comment on that," he said, according to the AP.

The charges maintain that the New Jersey Democrat pushed Melgens business interests while chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The senator and the doctor both have previously denied any wrongdoing.

On Friday, the senators Communications Director Tricia Enright released a statement that read in part:

"The Senator has counted Dr. Melgen as one of his closest personal friends for decades. The two have spent holidays together and have gone to each other's family funerals and weddings and have exchanged personal gifts. As has been reported, the start of this investigation is suspect. We know many false allegations have been made about this matter, allegations that were ultimately publicly discredited. We also know that the official investigation of this matter is ongoing, and therefore cannot address allegations being made anonymously."

Published reports describe Melgen and his family as generous contributors to Menendez and committees he has been involved with.

CNN, quoting unnamed sources, said that federal prosecutors are under pressure to act soon because some allegations, which date back roughly two years, are subjected to a statute of limitations.

Menendez has called the allegations a smear campaign.

Some of the actions that investigators were looking at are plane trips that the senator took in 2010 as Melgens guest. The senator paid Melgen $58,000 for the plane trips three years later, after they had become public. He said his office had not reported the trips because of an oversight.

Menendez also allegedly helped defend Melgen against accusations by Medicare officials that he overbilled the program. Published reports say that the doctor was among the top recipients of Medicare reimbursements while he was also a major Democratic donor.

The Department of Justice is also investigating whether Sen. Menendez engaged in any wrongdoing when his office attempted to assist two fugitive bankers from Ecuador who were seeking to avoid extradition and remain living in the United States.

The bankers, brothers William and Roberto Isaias, now live in Florida and were sentenced in absentia on charges that they embezzled millions from their bank.

Investigators are looking into whether Menendez personally reached out to a high-ranking immigration official in 2012 pressing for the Isaias brothers to be allowed to reside permanently in the United States and not be sent back to Ecuador.

Menendez, 61, is up for reelection in 2018. He currently holds a position on the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee.

The AP contributed to this report.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the Syrian settlement and IsraeliPalestinian conflict resolution over the phone on Saturday, the Kremlin's press service said, Sputnik reported.

The press service added that the Putin and Netanyahu discussed the relevant issues of bilateral cooperation.

"The phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was held on the initiative of the Israeli side. [The sides] continued to discuss the situation in the Middle East region, including the Syrian crisis and IsraeliPalestinian settlement," the Kremlin press service said in a statement.

The sides also congratulated each other on the occasion of the upcoming New Year, according to the press service.
Salomon Melgen was generous with his money, and expected to be rewarded for it.

He was not happy, then, when President Barack Obama gave him scant attention at a 2010 fundraiser the Florida ophthalmologist co-hosted to benefit the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Melgen, 59, had forked over some $30,000 to the DSCC, after all, to be able to don the title of co-host.

An unidentified source was quoted in Politico as saying: [Melgen] had mentioned to me once that he had given all this money to go to an Obama fundraiser, and Obama didnt even give him the time of day. He went up to talk to him, and he felt very slighted by the president. He was pretty angry.

Melgen, a Dominican native who settled in the United States in 1980, flew influential lawmakers on his private plane, including then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who reimbursed the doctor.

Melgen also developed a connection with U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, who was chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and a past DSCC head. Melgen and his family have donated about $1 million to Menendez campaigns and committees on which he served.

On Friday, several published reports said that the Department of Justice is preparing corruption charges against Menendez linked to political favors he allegedly did for Melgen in return for gifts and donations.

Menendez and Melgen both have denied any wrongdoing.

As Menendezs office has been stressing, the two mens bond was more than just one based on politics and campaigns. They also became close friends.

"The Senator has counted Dr. Melgen as one of his closest personal friends for decades, said Tricia Enright, the senators communication director, in a statement Friday. The two have spent holidays together and have gone to each other's family funerals and weddings and have exchanged personal gifts.

Melgen has made many trips to the senators home in New Jersey, and Menendez has vacationed with Melgen and his wife at their mansion in the Dominican Republic, according to media reports.

A Washington Post story noted why the friendship between Melgen and Menendez is important in legal terms, and may explain why the senators office makes a point of emphasizing it.

That donor was unusual; he was a businessman but also a close and longtime friend of the senators, the Post said. Prosecuting an official for helping a person they could prove was a genuine personal friend has traditionally been considered an uphill battle.

The doctor is proud of his associations, Politico noted in a 2013 story. Like many people who hobnob with movers and shakers, he has a gallery of photos of himself and the rich and famous  Bill Clinton, and Obama, to name a few. He drops names. He reportedly loved talking about how rapper Pitbull traveled on his private plane to go to a DNCC super PAC fundraiser.

Melgen, who is chauffeured around South Florida in a customized Audi A8, became prominent in his own right, gaining recognition as a top ophthalmologist. He has been on the lecture circuit, operated on former Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles in the late 1990s, and has served on state panels on medical issues.

Questions about the senators possibly inappropriate actions involving the doctor arose after the disclosure that Menendez had flown on Melgens private plane three times, but did not report those trips. He later reimbursed the doctor for the trips, saying the failure to report the trips had been an oversight.

Also catching investigators eyes was Menendezs reported advocacy for Melgen when he was accused of overbilling Medicare. Melgen was one of the top recipients of Medicare reimbursements at a time when he was contributing heavily to Democrats. He received $21 million in Medicare reimbursements in 2012 alone, according to The New York Times.

Investigators said that, for example, Melgen would get a vial of the medication, which would provide up to four times the amount that a patient requires. But Melgen, the investigators charged, used one vial to treat three or four patients, but then billed as if he had purchased a new vial each time.

Melgen then would be reimbursed $6,000 to $8,000 for a vial that cost him $2,000, The New York Times said. Investigators said that in in 2007 and 2008, for instance, he overbilled by $9 million, which he then paid back. The Times said that federal authorities were alerted to the overbilling after a Medicare contractor noticed that Melgen was billing for Lucentis at a significantly higher rate than his peers.

And then there was Melgens concerns about the impact of a plan by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency to donate port screening equipment to the Dominican Republic. Melgen had a company that stood to do X-rays of cargo passing through Dominican ports, and he apparently though that his business interests would be compromised by U.S. Customs and Border Protection equipment donations.

In a Senate subcommittee hearing in 2012, Menendez mentioned a company, which he did not name, that had a contract with the Dominican government to X-ray cargo at ports, but that the countrys authorities dont want to live by, according to CNN.

Melgens attorneys have repeatedly said there was no wrongdoing.

In January 2013, FBI agents swarmed Melgens Florida medical office and hauled off more than 30 boxes of evidence. FBI agents returned in October of that year, carrying boxes of documents out of the office.

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Amid a federal investigation, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez insists he has always been honest in his more than 20 years in Congress and says he is "not going anywhere" even as a person familiar with the matter says he's expected to face criminal charges soon.

The New Jersey Democrat has been dogged by questions about his relationship with a Florida doctor and political donor, whose office was raided by authorities two years ago. Now charges are expected to be filed against Menendez in the coming weeks, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation is pending.

Attorney General Eric Holder declined to say whether he has authorized criminal charges against the senator.

At a news conference Friday in his home state, Menendez spoke in English and Spanish, chopping his hand down for emphasis.

"Let me be very clear, I have always conducted myself appropriately and in accordance with the law," he said. "Every action that I and my office have taken for the last 23 years that I have been privileged to be in the United States Congress has been based on pursuing the best policies for the people of New Jersey and this entire country."

He said he couldn't take questions "because there is an ongoing inquiry."

Menendez, who served for more than a decade in the House of Representatives before joining the Senate in 2006, is the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He has been critical of negotiations between President Barack Obama's administration and Iran on its nuclear program and outspoken in opposition to normalizing relations with Cuba.

Iranian media gave extensive coverage to story. "Financial Corruption of Anti-Iran Senator" was the headline from the official IRNA news agency. The semi-official ISNA news agency described Menendez as "one of the most prominent American senators opposed to nuclear talks with Iran."

Scrutiny of his ties to Dr. Salomon Melgen, an ophthalmologist, has focused on trips Menendez took to the Dominican Republic aboard Melgen's private plane. He has acknowledged taking several actions that could have appeared to benefit Melgen, including contacting a Medicare agency to urge changes to a payment policy that had cost Melgen millions of dollars.

Menendez said he has been friends with Melgen for two decades.

"We celebrated holidays together," he said. "We have been there for family weddings and sad times like funerals and have given each other birthday, holiday and wedding presents just as friends do."

The senator's failure to reimburse Melgen for flights between the Dominican Republic and south Florida and New Jersey on the eye doctor's luxury jet was the first serious signal of his legal troubles in early 2013. Menendez and Melgen had flown at least twice in 2010, but the trips went without reimbursement for more than two years.

After news reports in early 2013 raised concerns about lack of payment for the flights, watchdogs complained to the Senate Ethics Committee, which agreed to review the cases. Menendez agreed to reimburse Melgen $58,500.

Menendez's office later disclosed a third flight, from Florida to New Jersey in 2011, saying he had repaid Melgen $11,250 for it.

Last year, the senator disclosed his campaign accounts had paid a law firm $250,000 for legal costs related to Department of Justice and Senate Ethics Committee investigations of his ties to the Floridian.

The flights were just one vestige of the close relations between Menendez and Melgen, a multimillionaire who lavished campaign donations on his friend and allied causes.

The two men often appeared together at Democratic Party and Latino political functions from Washington to Miami. Melgen has contributed nearly $200,000 to Democratic Party candidates since 1998, including $14,200 to Menendez. And in 2012, during Menendez's re-election campaign, Melgen gave $700,000 to a super political action committee that spent more than $580,000 to help Menendez.

Melgen earned renewed scrutiny when government data last year showed he had gotten more money in Medicare reimbursements in 2012 than any other doctor in the country.

A glimpse into the investigation emerged last week, when it was revealed that a federal appeals court had ordered a hearing to determine whether two of Menendez' aides should be compelled to testify before a grand jury about the senator's efforts on behalf of Melgen.

The New Jersey Law Journal reported that the appeals court identified two issues: a billing dispute Melgen had with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and a deal he had to sell port screening equipment to the Dominican Republic government.

The aides have declined to testify about some actions they took, citing a constitutional provision saying a lawmaker can't be questioned about legislative acts anywhere except in Congress.

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Prosecutors are asking a judge to charge the owners of a prominent Chilean financial company with bribery, tax evasion and illegally financing the campaign of right-wing politicians.

Attorney General Sabas Chahuan is seeking formal charges against Carlos Delano and Carlos Lavin, who own the Penta Group, which controls BanMedica, one of Chile's largest private health groups. He has also sought charges against former tax agency officers during three days of hearings that ended Friday.

"We not only want to catch the crooks, but also those who're serving a legion of crooks," Chahuan said at Friday's hearing, which was covered live on local TV.

Prosecutors are asking for Delano and Lavin to be placed in pre-trial detention while they conduct a more detailed investigation. A judge is expected to rule on whether to accept the charges Saturday.

"Penta represents a culture of evasion," said prosecutor Carlos Gajardo. "The Penta Group has become a machine to defraud tax authorities."

Delano and Lavin financed the 2013 electoral campaigns for candidates of the right-wing Democratic Union and National Renovation parties who were seeking seats in Congress. Members of both parties supported Gen. Augusto Pinochet's 1973-90 dictatorship and until recently several Pinochet-era officials served as lawmakers and mayors.

Delano and Lavin deny any wrongdoing.

"For being a professional fraudster I think I've been a very notable businessman, all modesty aside," Lavin said after one of the hearings. "So hearing these types of things is really unpleasant, out of place. They're presenting us like a mafia, as if we were Al Capone or something."

Chile's corruption is among the lowest in South America, the watchdog group Transparency International says. But trust in politicians has been eroded by the Penta case as well as a recent separate bank loan scandal involving President Michelle Bachelet's son. Bachelet's approval rating has plunged to its lowest level since she took office last year.

A prosecutor is investigating whether Bachelet's son, Sebastian Davalos, and his wife, Natalia Compagnon, got privileged access to a $10 million loan to buy land they later sold for about $15 million. The loan was granted after the couple met with a Banco de Chile vice president, Andronico Luksic, one of Chile's richest men. It was approved a day after Bachelet was elected president in December 2013.

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The rift over immigration in the emerging Republican presidential field opened up publicly Saturday, as several potential candidates called for enforcement of existing laws while former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham said those living in the U.S. illegally should have a path to legal status.

The policy difference played out at a forum focused on agricultural policy, and will likely remain a key point of debate as the race for the 2016 Republican nomination unfolds. Immigrants are an important part of the workforce in agriculture and food processing in the early caucus state and around the country.

Bush, Graham and seven other presidential prospects, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, were asked about their views on immigration and other topics by the host of the daylong public forum, Bruce Rastetter, an agribusiness magnate and GOP donor.

"Immigrants that are here need to have a path to legalized status," Bush said. "No one I know has a plan to round up illegal immigrants and send them back."

Graham, who helped craft bipartisan immigration legislation that passed the Senate in 2013 but died in the House, said he favored letting some of the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally stay, if they met certain conditions, like learning English and paying taxes.

"We need a rational solution to the 11 million, because no Democrat is going to give us everything we want without getting something," the South Carolina Republican said. "But they'll agree with me that crooks are not welcome to stay."

Christie spoke of broadening the guest worker program as one "piece of an overall approach," but he offered no specifics.

Huckabee recommended only allowing in immigrants who say they love America, and barring those seeking government dependence. "I think we meet them at the door and say it may not be a good fit."

Even if immigrants in the U.S. illegally pay taxes, they are ineligible for most federal programs. They cannot legally get food stamps, unemployment benefits, Pell grants or federal student loans. They cannot get Medicaid, except for emergency medical services, and are ineligible for subsidies under President Barack Obama's health law.

Bush called for restrictions on family immigration to make room for a larger workforce based on legal immigrant labor, which is key to his goal of achieving 4 percent economic growth.

Bush and Graham's positions are politically risky in Iowa, where conservatives are disproportionately opposed to a path for legal status for those living here illegally.

"I'm sure there's some support for it, but Iowa Republican caucus-goers don't feel that way," said Chuck Laudner, a former Iowa Republican Party executive director.

An Associated Press-GfK poll conducted in December showed only 37 percent of Republicans in favor of allowing immigrants who are already in the country illegally to become citizens, a step further than Bush's proposed "permanent legal status."

Although Bush received no applause from the audience for his remarks, that may not matter, said Republican fundraiser and Bush supporter Doug Gross.

"He doesn't need a lot of the folks who are going to make that a defining issue," Gross said.

Saturday's discussion also touched on energy, trade and food policy, with many of the candidates grabbing the opportunity to tout any agricultural or Iowa connection they could.

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A federal judge's ruling last month blocking President Barack Obama's immigration executive action lays bare a pervasive practice in federal district courts: venue shopping.

It is a game of odds in which lawyers pick a court to file their case where a judge or case law is likely to be more favorable. Law experts say venue shopping is commonplace in politically-sensitive cases as a way to advance a case toward the ultimate goal of a hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Everybody does this to the extent they can," said Stephen Yale-Loehr, an immigration professor at Cornell Law School in Ithaca, New York.

When lawyers for Texas filed suit in Brownsville to block the president's executive action on immigration, they knew they had a 50 percent chance the case would be given to U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, an appointee of George W. Bush who had previously spoken scathingly of Obama's immigration policies.

Hanen, who was assigned the case through an automated system, is one of only two judges in that division of the Southern District of Texas, so he hears half of all civil cases. The other is U.S. District Judge Hilda Tagle, an appointee of Democratic President Bill Clinton. Not all district courts have just two judges.

"They knew they would strike gold if they got in front of Judge Hanen," said Kica Matos, spokeswoman for Fair Immigration Reform Movement, a national advocacy organization for immigrants. "This is a judge who has gone out of his way to express his anti-immigrant sentiments."

On Feb. 16, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and 25 other states opposed to Obama's action got exactly what they wanted. Hanen issued a preliminary injunction halting the orders, which would have spared as many as 5 million people who are in the U.S. illegally from deportation.

Venue selection has long been used by the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in cases seeking wide-ranging reforms, said Georgene Vairo, a professor of law at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. More recently the tactic has been adopted by conservative groups, she said.

It was probably a factor in the mammoth job discrimination suit filed against Wal-Mart by 1.5 million women claiming unfair pay and promotion practices, Vairo said. That case was pursued in the California courts, where it would be heard by the liberal-leaning 9th Circuit on appeal. The 9th Circuit ruled in favor of the women, though the Supreme Court in 2011 did not.

"We are not supposed to talk about judges being political," Vairo said. "But in a close case it's likely to make a difference, so they head count, they look at the decisions, they think about all these things before they decide where to file."

Ahmed Taha, a professor of law at Pepperdine University in California, said he has documented venue shopping.

In a 2010 paper, Taha said he found that when the portion of judges appointed by Republican presidents increases by 25 percent in courts, prisoners' rights filings and job discrimination suits drop by about 11 percent, and product-related injury cases by 23 percent, on average. This shows that lawyers in these cases feel their chances are worse with courts leaning conservative, he said.

When filing a case, lawyers must show that a venue is "proper," or that the case has some relationship to where it has been filed. President Obama's wide-ranging actions on immigration meant that any suit attempting to block them could be filed wherever immigrants who stood to benefit lived. Almost any court in Texas would have sufficed.

Abbott, who was Texas attorney general before being elected governor in November, led the lawsuit. His spokeswoman Amelia Chasse said in a statement that the suit was "appropriately filed" in Brownsville, calling the city the "epicenter" of the recent immigration crises.

The Justice Department is appealing Hanen's decision to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court in New Orleans. The 5th Circuit also is considered conservative-leaning, and it hears all Texas appeals. There are currently 15 judges and 8 senior judges in the 5th circuit, and a panel of three will be selected through an automated system to hear the case .

It is impossible to predict the outcome of the appeal just based on the general leaning of the court, said Yale-Loehr, the immigration law professor.

"It really depends on which particular judges in the 5th circuit would get, for example, the stay request," Yale-Loehr said.

Lance Wells, an immigration and criminal attorney in Phoenix, Arizona, said he doesn't view venue shopping as manipulating the system or that the lawyers for Texas did anything wrong in filing in Brownsville.

"I don't like the outcome from my personal perspective," he said. "But I think it was a smart move."

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They have faced each other across the Senate aisle  as well as the political spectrum  for years without ever agreeing on much.

But now Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who reportedly is going to have corruption charges filed against him by the Department of Justice, finds that, while most of his fellow-Democrats are staying mum on the topic, Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) is one of his most vocal defenders.

The reason for that is one of the rare instances in which the two senators of Cuban-American descent have seen eye-to-eye on: The wisdom of pursuing a treaty with Iran over its nuclear program, as the Obama administration is doing.

According to The Hill, Cruz spoke at a tent outside the Iowa Ag Summit in Des Moines on Sunday, and without being prompted to comment about Menendez, said, "The timing seems awfully coincidental that in the week when Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to Washington, spoke in Congress about the enormous threat of President Obama's misguided deal with Iran that is opening the door to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons and in the very week, when Bob Menendez showed incredible courage to speak out and call out President Obama for the damage that his policy was doing to our national securitythat coincidence is troubling."

In fact, it isn't just Cruz who is linking the Menendez investigation with the president's foreign policy.

Other prominent Republicans, such as another presumed presidential contender for 2016, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have voiced their concern about possible retribution.

"[The administration] leaked the fact that he may be charged, is gonna be charged," Graham told Bloomberg News. "He's been a champion on the Iranian nuclear issue. It just doesn't smell right."

And publications like the Drudge Report and the Weekly Standard gave secondary headlines or subheads suggesting a connection to their reports about the Menendez investigation.

The Justice Department has declined to comment officially on its plans concerning Menendez, but sources have confirmed to the Associated Press, CNN and other news outlets that charges are expected to be filed against the senator in the coming weeks.

It has been reported that Attorney General Eric Holder authorized proceeding with criminal charges against the Senator, but Holder refused to comment to reporters on Friday.

For year, Menendez has been dogged by questions about his relationship with a Florida doctor and political donor, Salomon Melgen, an ophthalmologist, and questions about trips Menendez took to the Dominican Republic aboard Melgen's private plane. The senator has acknowledged taking several actions that could have appeared to benefit Melgen, including contacting a Medicare agency to urge changes to a payment policy that had cost Melgen millions of dollars.

Menendez has consistently defended his actions.

"Let me be very clear, I have always conducted myself appropriately and in accordance with the law," he said on Friday. "Every action that I and my office have taken for the last 23 years that I have been privileged to be in the United States Congress has been based on pursuing the best policies for the people of New Jersey and this entire country."

For Cruz, at least, the investigation is clearly political.

"It raises a suggestion to other Democrats, Cruz said on Sunday, that if you dare part from the Obama White House that criminal prosecutions will be used potentially as a political weapon against you."

Menendez, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is a vociferous advocate of stronger sanctions against Iran, and he has expressed grave doubts about U.S. efforts to negotiate a treaty over Tehran's nuclear program, positions that have put him at odds with the president.

He added, "This investigation has been going on for over a year and yet the very week they announce a pending indictment comes within hours after Sen. Menendez showing courage to speak out against President Obama's dangerous foreign policy."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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President Barack Obama will hold off on announcing the location for his future presidential library until after Chicago's runoff election for mayor, two people familiar with the decision said, in a bid to avoid politicizing his legacy project.

Last year the Barack Obama Foundation, which is screening proposals for the library, said the president and first lady Michelle Obama would announce the winner by the end of March. But with the Chicago race still up in the air, the announcement is no longer expected until after the April 7 runoff, said the individuals, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the library.

The foundation declined to comment, other than to say there were no updates on timing for the decision.

But the individuals with knowledge of the delay said that Obama and his foundation wanted to avoid injecting the library decision into the political fray  or to be seen as giving Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel an unfair advantage.

Emanuel, who served as Obama's chief of staff during the president's first term, failed to win a majority of the vote in last month's election, forcing a runoff next month with Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, the second-highest vote-getter. Emanuel has remained close to Obama since leaving the White House, and the president campaigned for him and cut radio ads backing Emanuel before last month's vote.

The Obama library has emerged as an issue in the mayoral campaign in recent weeks. Both candidates are competing fiercely for black voters, who polls show strongly support bringing Obama's library to his hometown of Chicago.

Emanuel has advocated aggressively on behalf of Chicago, where two universities are competing to host the project. After Obama's foundation divulged concerns that the University of Chicago couldn't assure access to the park land where it wants to build, Emanuel orchestrated a plan to have the Chicago Parks District board transfer 20 acres to the city for the library's use.

His challenger, Garcia, initially opposed diverting park property for the library, prompting Emanuel's campaign to accuse Garcia of jeopardizing Chicago's bid for the library and the jobs and dollars that would come with it. Garcia later softened his position and said he would do anything in his power to bring the project to Chicago.

The University of Chicago has long been seen as the front-runner, and the foundation signaled its interest in the school's South Side proposal last month by commissioning a poll of area residents. The University of Illinois at Chicago, a public school, is also competing, along with New York's Columbia University and the University of Hawaii in Honolulu.

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The U.S. has issued new sanctions against seven Venezuelan officials and has accused the South American country of violating basic human rights.

President Barack Obama issued a new executive order on Monday declaring the situation in Venezuela an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy.

The executive action also orders the immediate suspension of travel visas and freezes the U.S. assets of seven Venezuelan military and police officials. The White House says the penalties are not aimed at the Venezuelan people or economy.

The individuals all come from the top echelon of the state security apparatus that was responsible for cracking down on anti-government protests that rocked Venezuela last year and for pursuing charges against leading opponents.

The action follows Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's banning several U.S. politicians at the end of February and, last week, slashing the number of people at the U.S. diplomatic mission in Venezuela to less than 20 percent.

The U.S. responded by criticizing Maduro for his anti-American rhetoric.

The U.S. Congress passed legislation late last year authorizing sanctions that would freeze the assets and ban visas for anyone accused of carrying out acts of violence or violating the human rights of those opposing Venezuela's government. The White House says the sanctions announced Monday mark Obama's implementation of that bill.

We are deeply concerned by the Venezuelan governments efforts to escalate intimidation of its political opponents, the White House said in a statement. Venezuelas problems cannot be solved by criminalizing dissent.

Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a vocal critic of Maduro and one of the U.S. politicians recently banned by his administration, reacted to the executive action, tweeting Monday: It took 2 long but at last @WhiteHouse @USTreasury #OFAC @StateDept final sanctioned 7 #Maduro cronies 4 #humanrights abuses #SOSVenezuela.

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, who has also been banned from Venezuela, tweeted: "Glad to see @WhiteHouse finally keeping their word on VZ sanctions. Human and civil rights MUST be upheld against #Maduro regime #sosvzla."

The seven sanctioned officials are:

Antonio Jose Benavides Torres, commander in Venezuela's Bolivarian National Armed Forces and former operations director for the Bolivarian National Guard.

Gustavo Enrique Gonzalez Lopez, director general of Venezuela's Bolivarian National Intelligence Service. The U.S. says he is responsible for or complicit in acts of violence and other human rights abuses against anti-government protestors. He was also associated with the surveillance of Venezuelan opposition leaders.

Justo Jose Noguera Pietri, president of the Venezuelan Corporation of Guayana a state-owned entity, and former GNB general commander.

Katherine Nayarith Haringhton Padron: national level prosecutor who has charged several opposition members with conspiracy related to alleged assassination and coup attempts using what the U.S. says is "implausible  and in some cases fabricated  information."

Manuel Eduardo Perez Urdaneta, director of Venezuela's Bolivarian National Police. The U.S. says the police force has engaged in "significant acts of violence or conduct that constitutes a serious abuse or violation of human rights."

Manuel Gregorio Bernal Martinez, chief of the 31st Armored Brigade for Caracas of Venezuela's Bolivarian Army and the former director general of national intelligence services. He was intelligence chief on Feb. 12, 2014, when officials fired their weapons on protestors killing two individuals near the Attorney General's Office.

 Miguel Alcides Vivas Landino, inspector general of Venezuela's Bolivarian National Armed Forces.

Includes reporting by the Associated Press.

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Sen. Lindsey Graham isn't shy about engaging with Republican primary voters on his support for a path to legal status for people in the country illegally, despite the ire that position draws from many conservatives key to a presidential nomination.

While visiting the early voting state of New Hampshire on Monday, the South Carolina senator said Republicans need to work with Democrats to craft a plan that secures the border and creates a path to legal status for the 11 million people who are living in the U.S. illegally. He says asking those people to leave on their own is not realistic.

"I've got one goal: Fix this permanently," Graham told a voter who asked for his stance on the issue.

"Our beloved Ronald Reagan gave 3 million people amnesty and they did not secure the border, they did not increase legal immigration or change how you control who gets a job," he said. "If you don't do those three things, you will have wave after wave after wave, but if you do these things right that will be the end of illegal immigration."

Graham's 10-minute answer came after he delivered remarks to a business-oriented audience on the threat of the Islamic State and the need for overhauling entitlements.

Immigration has become a sticky subject for Senate Republicans who backed an overhaul bill and is likely to become a divisive issue in the Republican presidential primary. In Iowa this weekend, both Graham and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said people already here should have a path toward legal status. Both are weighing a presidential bid.

The senator said he does not fear the repercussions of sharing his immigration views in a Republican primary.

"All I can say is that we need to fix immigration  it's a national security issue, it's a cultural issue and it's an economic issue," he told reporters. "I am not going to give an inch on the idea."

Graham said Republicans won't get enough support to secure the border and overhaul the legal immigration system if they don't also consider creating legal status for the people who are already here illegally, he said. Calling Hispanics "the most patriotic people I've ever met," Graham said self-deportation is not a realistic or fair option.

He outlined a fictional scenario of a young Hispanic-American man who joins the U.S. military and returns from duty to learn his grandmother is being asked to leave the country.

"He's probably going to have a hard time listening to my economic plan for revitalizing America if he believes I'm the guy that wants his grandmother to walk back to Mexico," Graham said.

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Since announcing that he would explore making a run for the Republican presidential nomination, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has been walking a tightrope.

He has been sticking to long-held centrist positions on issues such as immigration while at the same time trying to make those stances seem more appealing to the party's conservative base.

Bush's balancing act was on display on Sunday in Iowa, where the former governor made a number of appearances, when a woman at a private event asked him in Spanish, "Will it be your priority to end DACA and DAPA?" referring to two actions by President Obama  the first taken in 2012, the second announced in November and recently put on hold by a federal judge in Texas  granting deferral protection to immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children, a group often referred to as "Dreamers."

After clearing up that DACA was the act that pertained to the Dreamers, Bush answered in Spanish, "We have to give them priority to become citizens  but through a law, not by decree, which is what a Latin American dictator would do."

"I wrote a book," Bush added. "My position on this is completely public."

And while the exchange with the woman was polite, when questioned about it later by reporters Bush was at times testy, advising one to reread "Immigration Wars" because he had "misread that part."

During the weekend there would be more such encounters with ordinary people about education and other issues for Bush, who has been doing more courting of high-dollar donors in private rooms and luxury resorts, and delivering weighty speeches in hotel ballrooms and city clubs.

In Iowa, he found himself at a Pizza Ranch.

Looking a bit disheveled, with his open-collared shirt coming untucked, Bush took questions for more than 30 minutes at a location of the Iowa-based pizza chain that's as much a part of politics in the state as the caucuses themselves.

"Are you with me?" Bush said to one visitor, throwing his arm over the man's shoulder. Standing side by side and grinning, Bush said, "Ten years from now, I know at least two guys who are going to be 10 years older."

Bush appears certain to get into the 2016 race with an early and dominating lead in fundraising. He's hired some of the best talent in the GOP and earned generally solid reviews at the early "cattle calls" where White House prospects gather en masse to address party loyalists.

But he acknowledged this past weekend that winning over his party will depend just as much on his success at working the room and posing for pictures. Viewed by many as the ultimate establishment Republican, thanks to his family ties, he set out to introduce himself to voters, one at a time, in the "retail" politics that defines the campaign for president in Iowa and the other early voting states.

"A lot of people know me as George's boy or Barbara's boy or W.'s brother," Bush said, referring to family members who have already lived at the White House. "But I've been on my own journey as well, and a lot of people don't know that."

Other likely candidates have for months headlined county party dinners or fundraisers for local politicians, but this was Bush's first trip to Iowa since campaigning in 2000 for his brother. He'll return after some retail politicking in New Hampshire next weekend and South Carolina later this month.

At a fundraiser Friday night near Des Moines for U.S. Rep. David Young, Bush got some encouragement from Mary Ellen Miller, who lives in northern Iowa. "I applaud you for your support of Common Core," she said, imploring him to "keep on that topic."

Bush replied without calling the education standards developed in the states by name. Common Core has become a rallying cry for some conservatives against what they see as government overreach.

"I'm not going to back down on that," he told Miller, while offering an olive branch to any skeptical conservatives who might have been listening to their conversations. "What I can tell you is the federal government shouldn't be involved in this," he added.

Bush aides believe such question-and-answer settings will showcase his personality  they call it a blend of the "guy next door" and a deep-thinking policy geek  better than formal campaign appearances. In the series of speeches Bush gave on the economy, foreign policy and his fiscal record in Florida in February, aides groaned quietly that he often rushed through the text, impatiently running over natural breaks for applause.

Some of that was on his display this weekend at the agricultural policy forum hosted by Bruce Rastetter, an Iowa agribusiness magnate and GOP donor. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker drew more applause that Bush, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie earned more laughs.

But the crowd of roughly a thousand responded with silence when Bush, leaning forward in his chair, answered a question about immigration by saying those living in the U.S. illegally "need to have a path to legalized status."

"I don't know him very well, but immigration might be an issue I have a problem with," said Gene Brodrecht, a Republican from eastern Iowa, at Saturday's forum.

To sell his message that higher education standards in individual states and a robust legal immigrant workforce are key to the nation's economic health, veteran Iowa strategist Doug Gross said Bush "has to say it over and over."

"I think he'd be making a mistake to kowtow," said Gross, a Bush supporter. "He needs to be who he is."

And there's no better place to do that than in one-on-one conversation.

"He's very down to earth," said Darcy Shaw, a Republican from central Iowa who met Bush at Friday's fundraiser. "He seems to be the personality he displays."

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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13:51 (GMT+4) A pair of bomb blasts targeting a market in central Baghdad Saturday killed at least 28 people and wounded at least 54, according to police and medical officials, AP reported.

The attacks took place early Saturday morning in al-Sinak, a busy market selling car accessories, food and clothes as well as agricultural seeds and machinery.

Details were sketchy in the immediate aftermath. Police at first said a pair of back-to-back roadside bombs exploded. Later a police official said first a roadside bomb exploded, then a suicide bomber detonated his device amid the crowd that had gathered. Finally police concluded that the carnage was the work of a pair of suicide bombers

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts, but the Islamic State group has launched near-daily attacks in the capital in recent months.

11:02 (GMT+4)The Iraqi capital of Baghdad was rocked by two explosions on Saturday. At least 18 people were killed, 43 injured, Sputnik reported.

According to the Kurdistan24 broadcaster, both explosions occurred in the shopping area of the central Sanak district. The second bomb went off when people started gathering to rescue the wounded in the first explosion.

It remains unknown whether it was a suicide bomber attack or result of the remotely detonated explosive.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

On December 3, a car bomb killed six and wounded a dozen also in the central neighborhood of the capital.
The news of possible corruption charges brought against New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez for, among other things, his affiliation with Dominican ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen made a big splash in the U.S. It led the news in virtually all major news outlets.

But in the Dominican Republic, where Dr. Melgen has deep roots, it barely made a bleep.

Listin Diario, the top newspaper in the country, made do with a wire story on Friday and basically nothing else.

Diario Libre and Hoy, the other two major outlets, published a brief story on the scandal that focused mostly on the U.S. Senator.

Some say that its because Melgen, the scion of a prominent Dominican political family, is untouchable on the island and the newspapers are afraid to report on him. Others, however, say the lack of coverage is because Dominicans care little about the case.

Jorge Pineda, Editor in Chief at English-language news website Dominican Today, told Fox News Latino that the Menendez-Melgen affair is not quite common knowledge in the D.R. Just the political and social elite would know who Melgen is and his connections at the highest levels of power.

He said in the D.R. Melgens name is immediately associated with that of the Castillos, a prominent family of lawyers whose 82-year-old patriarch pulls all kinds of strings in the presidential palace.

Melgen is the nephew of Marino Vinicio Vincho Castillo, a powerful member of the ruling Dominican elite who has worked closely with presidents from Rafael Trujillo in the 50s, to Joaquin Balaguer in the 70s and Leonel Fernandez in the new millennium.

Two of Vinchos sons - Melgens first cousins - hold high posts in the Danilo Medinas government: Pelegrin Castillo is Minister of Energy and Vinicio Castillo is an outspoken member of Congress and heads the Ethics Commission.

As for Melgen, Pineda described him as a ricachon, (wealthy man). He shows off his fortune ruthlessly, he said, mentioning a source who has seen first-hand some wild parties at the physicians vacation home.

Scrutiny of Menendezs ties to Melgen, who moved to Florida permanently in 1979, has focused on trips the senator took to the Dominican Republic aboard the doctors private plane. He has acknowledged taking several actions that could have appeared to benefit Melgen, including contacting a Medicare agency to urge changes to a payment policy that had cost Melgen millions of dollars.

Menendez said he has been friends with Melgen for two decades.

"We celebrated holidays together," he said. "We have been there for family weddings and sad times like funerals and have given each other birthday, holiday and wedding presents just as friends do."

The senator's failure to reimburse Melgen for flights between the Dominican Republic and South Florida and New Jersey on the eye doctor's luxury jet has come under scrutiny.

Menendez and Melgen had flown at least twice in 2010, but the trips went without reimbursement for more than two years.

After news reports in early 2013 raised concerns about lack of payment for the flights, watchdogs complained to the Senate Ethics Committee, which agreed to review the cases. Menendez agreed to reimburse Melgen $58,500.

Menendez's office later disclosed a third flight, from Florida to New Jersey in 2011, saying he had repaid Melgen $11,250 for it.

Last year, the senator disclosed his campaign accounts had paid a law firm $250,000 for legal costs related to Department of Justice and Senate Ethics Committee investigations of his ties to the Floridian.

The flights were just one vestige of the close relations between Menendez and Melgen, a multimillionaire who lavished campaign donations on his friend and allied causes.

The two men often appeared together at Democratic Party and Latino political functions from Washington to Miami. Melgen has contributed nearly $200,000 to Democratic Party candidates since 1998, including $14,200 to Menendez. And in 2012, during Menendez's re-election campaign, Melgen gave $700,000 to a super political action committee that spent more than $580,000 to help Menendez.

Melgen earned renewed scrutiny when government data last year showed he had gotten more money in Medicare reimbursements in 2012 than any other doctor in the country.

A glimpse into the investigation emerged last week, when it was revealed that a federal appeals court had ordered a hearing to determine whether two of Menendez' aides should be compelled to testify before a grand jury about the senator's efforts on behalf of Melgen.

The New Jersey Law Journal reported that the appeals court identified two issues: a billing dispute Melgen had with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and a deal he had to sell port screening equipment to the Dominican Republic government.

The aides have declined to testify about some actions they took, citing a constitutional provision saying a lawmaker can't be questioned about legislative acts anywhere except in Congress.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Sen. Robert Menendez, the target of a federal probe into whether he used his influence to benefit a campaign donor and friend, said the Justice Department should be investigated for allowing leaks to the media regarding a possible criminal indictment in the next few weeks.

All I can say is: leaks are in violation of the law, the New Jersey Democrat told Politico on Tuesday. And I hope there is an investigation as to however, whomever is conducting such leaks.

Menendez is possibly facing corruption charges for his ties to Dominican ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen, with scrutiny focused on the senators trips to the Caribbean island aboard the doctors private plane.

The senator has acknowledged several actions that could appear to have benefited Melgen, including contacting a Medicare agency to urge changes to a payment policy that had cost the doctor millions of dollars. But is fighting the corruption accusations, insisting he is honest.

Let me be very clear, I have always conducted myself appropriately and in accordance with the law," he said last week. "Every action that I and my office have taken for the last 23 years that I have been privileged to be in the United States Congress has been based on pursuing the best policies for the people of New Jersey and this entire country.

Menendez has refused to say if he would step down as ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee if the indictment is handed down.

Your question is based on supposition, Menendez told Politico when asked if he would remain as ranking member after hes officially charged. And I am not going to engage in supposition.

He said that, in the meantime, it will be business as usual, which on Tuesday included questioning witnesses at a committee hearing on Russia and Ukraine. He added that he would continue to be outspoken about his opinion of the U.S. government.

I am going to be supportive when they do something positive, and when I dont agree, I am going to be a critic, Menendez said.

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Diminished local cooperation is putting federal immigration officers in dangerous situations as they track down foreign-born criminals, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say.

They say that more of their officers are out on the streets, eating up resources, because cities and states have passed legislation that limits many of the detention requests issued by immigration authorities.

For years, ICE issued the detainers to local and state law enforcement agencies, asking them to hold immigrants for up to 48 hours after they were scheduled for release from jail. Most detainees were then either taken into federal custody to face an immigration judge or be deported.

But more than 300 counties and cities, plus California, Connecticut, Illinois, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia, have chosen to release immigrants, claiming too many people who have committed low-level offenses or no crime at all were being deported and unnecessarily separated from their families. Courts have said that honoring detainers without probable cause could result in a civil rights offense.

ICE insists that its priorities have changed and it is only focused on foreign-born criminals who are a threat to society. It deported nearly 316,000 people in fiscal year 2014.

In the first eight months of 2014, immigration officers filed roughly 105,000 requests for local enforcement agencies to hold immigrants but local agencies declined 8,800 of the requests, according to data provided by immigration authorities.

Officers now face more danger because they can't just pick up foreign-born criminals in a safe environment like Rikers Island, said Christopher Shanahan, field office director for Enforcement and Removal Operations in New York.

"We are in a situation in which we have to provide more men, more workers, more manpower in the streets, where it is more dangerous to take custody of somebody," said Shanahan. "On the street, when you go into a house, a place of employment, when you are arresting somebody, you don't know if they have weapons, you don't know the surroundings."

Last week, an Associated Press reporter and photographer accompanied officers as they conducted a series of early-morning arrests in the Bronx and Manhattan, part of a nationally-coordinated operation that netted 2,059 people.

A half-dozen ICE officers met at 5:30 a.m. in the parking lot of a Bronx coffee shop, put on black bulletproof vests and reviewed the three people they would try to arrest that morning. After driving quickly to each location in unmarked cars with sirens blaring, they made two arrests: a Mexican man and a Dominican man accused of illegally re-entering into the country, which is considered a high priority for ICE.

The Mexican man had been arrested 10 times by local police for driving without a license and then deported. The man, who was not identified per the Department of Homeland Security's privacy policy, re-entered the U.S. illegally and then was accused of menacing a neighbor with a machete. ICE said it had issued a detainer for the man that was not honored by the city.

Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the legislation that limited cooperation with ICE in November. The new law bars cooperation with detainers unless there's a federal warrant and the person is on the terrorist watch list or committed a serious crime in the past five years.

From October 2013 through September 2014, the New York City Police Department received 2,635 immigration detainers. Of those, it held 196 individuals. The city says no ICE detainers have been honored this year.

New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who proposed the limitations, said ICE officials for years "cast a dragnet at Rikers Island" that resulted in unnecessary deportations.

"In addition to being unfair, ICE's policies were an offense to the rule of law and yet another symptom of our broken immigration system," Mark-Viverito said in a statement.

In California, only immigrants illegally in the United States who have been convicted of a serious offense are eligible for the 48-hour hold.

David Marin, deputy field office director for Enforcement and Removal Operations in Los Angeles, said that of the seven counties that form the Los Angeles area of operation only two honor detainers that meet those standards.

More than one-fourth of the people arrested by ICE in the Los Angeles area last week had recently been released onto the street by local authorities despite ICE detainer requests. Fifty-nine of the 218 individuals detained by ICE during the enforcement action had been the subject of immigration detainers, said ICE spokesperson Virginia Kice.

The issue is not black-and-white, says Muzaffar Chishti, New York director of the Migration Policy Institute.

"My feeling is that, at some level, both (sides) are right", said Chishti. "This is a classic case of where you stand on issues depends on where you sit. The concerns and the priorities of the city and police are very different from the concerns and priorities of the federal government."

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A longtime state representative in New Mexico is refusing to apologize for his comments about rape that he says have been taken out of context as part of a 'political stunt' by Republican opponents.

During a House Judiciary Committee hearing last week, Rep. Ken Martinez, a Democrat who is the speaker of the House, said rape is defined in many ways and some of it is just drunken college sex." The comment was made last Wednesday during a hearing over a bill about parental rights and children who are conceived during a rape.

Republican Rep. Kelly Fajardo fired off a press release blasting Martinez's comment on Monday.

"It is simply inexcusable that Rep. Kenny Martinez dismissed a serious crime as nothing more than night of 'drunken college sex,' Fajardo said. "His comments are belittling to anyone who has ever been a victim and survivor of sexual abuse, and I hope that he will apologize.

Martinez told KRQE his comments were taken out of context, and what he was trying to say was that drunk college students who force themselves on others is a form of rape.

"To create a political stunt on something this important," Martinez said, refusing to apologize. "I really think they owe an apology to every victim of rape in the state of Mexico."

Martinez also said opponents are leaving out the part of the statement in which he said "without the ability to consent," this is not audible on the video recording of the committee hearing, according to Santa Fe New Mexican. The rape comment can be heard and seen on video here. There does not appear to have been any immediate noticeable reaction in the room after his comment.

The state bill that was up for discussion passed 11-0 and allows mothers to file a motion in court up to six years after pregnancy that would keep the biological father out of the child's life, according to KRQE.

"It's a good bill," Martinez said.

Meanwhile, leaders of local sexual assault victims' aid groups are speaking out in defense of Martinez, a nine-term lawmaker, who they describe as a longtime supporter of their cause.

There are a lot of different kinds of rape, said Sheila Lewis, director of Santa Fe Safe, told the Aluquerque Journal. What the representative was speaking about was one of the most serious kinds of rape  when young women are intoxicated and do not give consent.

Still, that's not good enough for Rep. Fajardo.

I dont know if it was taken out of context, Fajardo told KRQE, but it deserves an apology.
A mayoral candidate in Spain has given new meaning to the term "political transparency."

Yolanda Couceiro Morin appears nude in a campaign poster, a move she has said is an attempt to raise awareness about corruption in politics in Spain, according to the daily publication, 20 Minutos.

Morin, who is running in Portugalete, a town in the Basque region of the country, is with the conservative Party for Freedom  Clean Hands.

But inquiring minds aren't able to see all of Morin, thanks to strategically placed banners that say Politicians have left us stark naked.

Morin believes the campaign will be eye-catching, according to 20 Minutos, which added that the uninhibited candidate also hopes to get voters thinking about the problems of their neighbors.

The current mayor of Portugalete is Mikel Torres of the Socialist Party of the Basque Country.

Morin is quoted in 20 Minutos as saying she aims to position ourselves at the center of attention in the town to be a real alternative to the parties of the [political elite].

Party for Freedom  Clean Hands has proved in the past that it does not shy away from controversy or provocation. It has filed lawsuits against the countrys mightiest figures, such as Princess Cristina, King Felipes sister, whom the party accused of committing fraud.

In 2006, the Catalonian lawyer-turned-centrist-politician, Albert Rivera, chose to announce that he was forming a new political party called Cuidadanos (Citizens), by posing for a poster in his birthday suit.

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Sen. Marco Rubio and top Obama administration officials locked horns on Wednesday in a Senate hearing on the presidents proposal for new war powers to fight against Islamic State militants.

Rubio tied the request to President Barack Obamas approach to dealing with Iran, and questioned administration officials about to what extent negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program were coloring U.S. policy in Iraq and Syria.

Democrats worry about a full-scale U.S. ground war in the Mideast, while Republicans do not want Obamas hands tied in terms of military action, and have reservations about restrictions  such as a ban on enduring use of U.S. ground troops  in the war powers proposal.

At the same time, Republicans, and some Democrats, are insisting on the ability of Congress to have a say in the final nuclear deal with Iran.

The war powers legislation, debated in a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, will set up the first war vote in Congress in 13 years.

"I believe that much of our strategy with regards to ISIS is being driven by a desire not to upset Iran so they don't walk away from the negotiating table on the deal that you are working on," Rubio, a Florida Republican, said during the hearing by the Committee, of which he is a member. "Tell me why I am wrong."

In what published reports described as a tense back-and-forth, Secretary of State John Kerry responded: "The facts completely contradict that."

"They want us to destroy ISIS, Kerry said, referring to Iran. They want to destroy ISIS. ISIS is a threat to them. It is a threat to the region. I think you are misreading it if you think there is not a mutual interest."

"I think this has been a misread by a lot of people on the Hill, to be honest with you, Kerry said.

There is no grand bargain being discussed here in the context of this negotiation. This is about nuclear-weapon potential. That's it. It is really almost insulting that the presumption up here is that we are going to negotiate something that allows them to get a nuclear weapon."

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter also shot back at Rubio when he brought up Iran and its influence in the presidents policies in Iraq and Syria.

Sen. Robert Menendez, who is from New Jersey and the committees ranking Democrat, joined others in his party who are concerned about a drawn out U.S. ground combat role.

What I think Democrats are not willing to do is give this or any other president an open-ended authorization or a blank check, Menendez said at the hearing. Clearly, theres a need to define exactly what would be allowed.

Meanwhile, Rubio has defended his position in a letter that 47 Republicans in the Senate sent to the Iranian government warning that unless Congress approved it, any nuclear deal they cut with Obama could expire the minute he leaves office.

Critics have said the letter undermines the authority of U.S. officials in the nuclear talks with Iran. Rubio said he would sign the letter all over again and does not regret taking part in it.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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The sanctions imposed by the United States on several high-ranking members of the Venezuelan government this week appear to underscore the delicate dance that Washington is playing with the oil-rich nation.

The U.S. has tried to exert its political muscle in Venezuela after a bloody crackdown last year by the countrys military and police on anti-government protesters, with the Obama administration this week slapping sanctions on high-ranking political and military figures in the South American nation  but it has stopped short of trying to further weaken Venezuelas already frail economy.

Obama on Monday issued an executive order freezing the assets in the U.S. and denying visas to seven Venezuelan officials. The officials - including the former head of the country's intelligence service and the leader of Venezuela's Bolivarian National Police - are deemed responsible for cracking down on anti-government protesters in clashes between the two sides that left more than 40 people dead and led to the jailing of a number of prominent opposition political figures.

The executive order is an expansion of the Venezuelan Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 that was passed by Congress and signed into law in last December. The act, among other things, declared the situation in Venezuela a national emergency  a move that some observers see as doing more harm than good in regards to relations between Caracas and Washington.

Using that kind of language just throws more gasoline on the fire, Cynthia Arnson, director of the Latin American program at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington D.C. told Fox News Latino.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called the move the "greatest act of aggression" by the U.S. against his country in history.

"President Barack Obama, in representation of the imperialist elite of the United States, has decided to personally take on the task of overthrowing my government and intervening in Venezuela in order to control it," Maduro said, according to the Miami Herald

Some observers question if the move was a savvy bit of diplomatic maneuvering by the Obama administration or a futile effort aimed at an aggressive nation  particularly since the sanctions will not affect one very important aspect of U.S.-Venezuelan relations: the oil trade.

"It's like a very bad marriage and the couple can't get a divorce," Sonia Schott, the former Washington D.C. correspondent for Venezuelan news network Globovision told FNL of the sanctions.. "They're both trying to break their dependence on each other but it's not going to happen anytime soon."

And while the U.S. trumpeted the sanctions to prove they could use their power and influence to squeeze the Venezuelan government, they were careful to stress that only a few individuals in the South American country would be impacted by the sanctions.

"In terms of the impact that it may have on certain  on the energy sector or the oil industry, there's no direct effect from these sanctions," a senior administration official said. "That means that their assets are frozen, and U.S. persons are prohibited from dealing with them. There's no additional impacts or no additional sanctions on any industry, individual or entity that's not specifically named in the executive order."

Despite exports being down about 15 percent from 2014, Venezuela is still the fourth largest crude oil exporter to the United States and the U.S. is the country's largest importer of products produced in Venezuela as well as the largest exporter of goods to the country.

Although Venezuela sits atop the world's largest reserves, production has steadily declined in recent years. Global prices for crude have also dropped as hydraulic fracturing technology boosts supplies in the U.S. at a time that Europe's economic woes and weaker growth in China limit global demand.

To meet its obligations, the government is quietly scaling back the subsidies, investments and aid programs that were the cornerstone of Chavez's plan to curb the influence of the U.S. "empire" in Latin America and that total an estimated $100 billion since 1999.

The sanctions, Schott added, deepen the divide between the two countries just as tensions between the U.S. and Cuba  a traditional foe of Washington and ally of Caracas  begin to loosen. While Raul Castro's government described the sanctions as "arbitrary and aggressive," it appears there is little more the communist island will  or can  do in regards to the situation.

Cuba, a major benefactor of heavily subsidized Venezuela oil, has to be careful where it stands now that the Castro and Obama announced last December that the two countries would be working to restore diplomatic relations. Despite being a contentious point, some observers say that Venezuela is taking place as the U.S.'s political and ideological foil in Latin America now that Cuba has lost some of its fervor and moved toward normalizing relations with Washington.

"Venezuela is replacing Cuba as the U.S.'s opponent in the hemisphere," Schott said. "They're the ones portraying the U.S. as the bad guys now."
Immigrant students living in Missouri who entered the U.S. illegally as children would be denied access to the state's A+ Scholarship under two bills that advanced Wednesday in the House and Senate.

Republicans said preventing the immigrants from claiming the benefit is necessary to protect resources for U.S. citizens, but Democrats have argued they are discriminatory.

At issue are students who qualify for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, created by President Barack Obama in 2012 to stop the deportation of immigrants who were brought to the country illegally by their parents. Missouri had about 6,000 to 7,000 K-12 such students in 2012, according to the Pew Research Center.

The Missouri bills would stop a Department of Higher Education rule set to take effect March 30 clarifying that those immigrant students can receive the A+ Scholarship, which is available to students who graduate from a Missouri high school with at least a 2.5 grade-point average, good attendance and satisfy various other requirements.

But money for the A+ program already is strained, and could pay for all but one credit of students' tuition in the current spring semester, Higher Education Department spokeswoman Liz Coleman said.

More On This... Minority lawmakers say that new guidelines restricting racial profiling dont go far enough

House bill sponsor Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick said granting the scholarship to immigrant students will "reduce benefits paid to Missouri citizens." The bill, approved 111-41 and now heading to the Senate, would prevent any state financial aid from going to those students and would require colleges and universities charge them the international rate of tuition.

"If they're allowed to receive these scholarships, it will be at the expense of Missouri citizens," the Shell Knob Republican said.

The House on Tuesday passed a budget proposal for next fiscal year that both allows the state to spend an additional $2 million on the A+ Scholarship and bans state money for aid for certain immigrants without legal status.

The Senate bill, which won initial approval by a voice vote Wednesday, is less sweeping and only adds the requirement that students who receive the A+ Scholarship be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. That measure needs a second Senate vote before it can move to the House.

Democrats said both bills hurt students who want an education and are here without legal permission through no fault of their own.

"We are enacting discrimination," Democratic Rep. Genise Montecillo of St. Louis said.

Montecillo also criticized a provision of the House bill that would expand the A+ Scholarship to students who study theology and divinity, which she said violates the constitution by promoting religion.

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Florida's Republican senator Marco Rubio seems more likely than ever to announce his presidential run now that his close friend Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera begins talks about replacing him, according to Politico.

I know Carlos is seriously considering a Senate run. He is keeping all his options open, state Sen. Anitere Flores, a Miami Republican, told the political-insider publication.

Lopez-Cantera and Rubio are close friends and the report that the Lt. Governor has begun serious talks about running for Rubio's senate seat is a good indicator he's likely to launch a presidential run as early as April.

Rubio has said he would not try to run for president and his Senate seat at the same time in 2016. Though, as the Palm Beach Post points out, it is possible that if Rubio's presidential run ends early he could switch to running for Senate because the deadline for Florida's Senate candidates to qualify for the 2016 ballot is May 6, 2016.

"I know I need to make a decision in good time if I want to be able to mount a credible campaign for president," Rubio has said.

Lopez-Cantera, 41, is the first Hispanic to hold the position of lieutenant governor in the history of the Sunshine State and he has not publicly commented on whether he will run for Rubio's seat.

Lopez-Cantera, who like Rubio is of Cuban descent, was appointed by Republican Governor Rick Scott in 2014 and campaigned alongside him. Before then, Lopez-Cantera served as a state representative from 2004 to 2012, serving as Majority Leader during his final two years and he served as the Miami-Dade property appraiser.

His viability will depend on the support of his ticket mate Governor Scott, Fernand Amandi, the managing partner of Bendixen & Amandi International, a Miami-based political firm, told Fox News Latino. With his support, you would have to put him at the top of list of contenders for the senate seat. Hes the Governor of the state, has access to the states donor network, and is independently wealthy. His support will instantly transform him to a credible candidate.

Lopez-Cantera is not well known, however, outside of Miami-Dade, and while on the surface his Hispanic roots may seem like a voter advantage, Amandi, says its not so much anymore.

It may have been more of an advantage to lock down the Hispanic vote in the 1980s because it was almost monolithically Cuban and Republican. But as the vote has involved it has become increasingly less Cuban and less republican, Amandi said emphasizing tat the number of Puerto Rican voters will likely outnumber all Hispanic voter groups in 2016.

Other names mentioned as potential GOP Senate candidates include Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater of North Palm Beach and ex-House speaker Wil Weatherford.

Florida is the nation's biggest swing state, however, and Democrats will be eyeing for Rubio's senate seat as well, including former Governor Charlie Crist, who is said to be considering a run. Crist blew a 35 point lead in 2010  when he ran as a Republican in the Senate primary against none other than Rubio, who came from behind and won the race.

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Lawmakers sent a letter on Wednesday to the Justice Department saying new guidelines restricting federal law enforcement agencies from racial profiling don't go far enough.

U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, a Democrat who chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, sent the concerns to Attorney General Eric Holder.

She was joined by leaders of the congressional black, Hispanic and progressive caucuses. The letter urges the Justice Department to remove remaining loopholes.

The new policy expands on guidelines established in 2003 under the Bush administration that banned routine racial profiling but allowed broad exceptions for national security and didn't account for other characteristics.

Along with religion and national origin, the new rules ban profiling on the basis of gender, gender identity and sexual orientation.

But they include exceptions, among them exempting Homeland Security agents responsible for screening at airports and at the nation's borders

"The current exemptions in the profiling guidance effectively authorize discrimination in the name of national security, domestic surveillance and border security," the letter states.

It continues, "These exceptions are troubling because border and screening activities are precisely the areas where profiling has been the most pervasive."

The letter, also signed by Reps. G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina, Linda Sanchez of California, Keith Ellison of Minnesota and Raul Grijalva of Arizona, also takes issue with the FBI's domestic mapping and surveillance programs, which they called discriminatory.

"It's clear that there is religious profiling going on whereby certain people are stopped just because they are Sikh or just because they are Muslim," Chu told The Associated Press in an interview.

The letter urges Holder to require local and state law enforcement agencies receiving federal assistance to adhere to the profiling guidelines.

Chu said the caucuses wanted to emphasize concerns before Holder left office later this year. Chu also sent a letter in December on behalf of the Asian Pacific caucus to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, urging that guideline gaps be closed.

Alejandro Mayorkas, deputy secretary of DHS, earlier wrote in response to the December letter that the department has asked the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to review activities not directly covered by the new guidance.

"We will enhance our policies where appropriate," he said.

Mayorkas wrote that a listed characteristic may be expressly relevant to the administration or enforcement of a statute or regulation.

For example, he said sometimes U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers must ask about a person's religion because it is relevant to the type of visa the person is using and their reason for entering the country.

In that circumstance, inquiring about religion "as required by law ... is clearly appropriate and unrelated to profiling," Mayorkas said.

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The Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the two massive blasts, which hit the Iraqi capital on Saturday, Sputnik reported.

Baghdad was rocked by two explosions on Saturday morning. At least 28 people were killed, about 54 injured, local media reported, citing the police and medical services.

Both blasts occurred in the shopping area of the central Sanak district. The second bomb went off when people started gathering to rescue the wounded in the first explosion.

One of the explosions was performed by a suicide bomber, while the second blast was caused by the put explosives, a representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs told the media.
The U.S. government on Thursday asked an appeals court to lift a temporary hold on President Barack Obama's executive action to shield millions of immigrants from deportation, arguing it can't wait for the judge who blocked the action to make a ruling on a similar request.

Justice Department attorneys filed an emergency motion with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to lift a preliminary injunction issued last month by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Brownsville, Texas.

The injunction had been issued on the request of a coalition of 26 states that filed a lawsuit to overturn Obama's immigration plan. The states, led by Texas, argue that Obama's action was unconstitutional and would force them to invest more in law enforcement, health care and education.

The injunction was intended to stall Obama's actions  which would spare from deportation as many as 5 million people who are in the U.S. illegally  while the lawsuit progresses through the courts. Many Republicans in Congress and states led by Republicans oppose the action, saying Obama overstepped his authority as president. Obama said he had to act because Congress has failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

The Justice Department had asked Hanen to lift the injunction while the case was appealed to the 5th Circuit. But Hanen put that request on hold pending a hearing on March 19 to review allegations the government misled him about the implementation of part of the immigration plan.

In their 21-page motion, Justice Department attorneys called the injunction "unprecedented and wrong" and argued lifting it was crucial as the order "irreparably interferes with (the Homeland Security Department's) ability to protect the Homeland and secure our borders."

Justice Department attorneys said that if the injunction is not lifted, it should at least apply either only to Texas or to the 26 states that sued.

"President Obama's unconstitutional use of executive power to accomplish what he couldn't do in Congress sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the fabric of our Republic ... The state of Texas and a bipartisan coalition of 25 other states will continue to oppose the President's unilateral and lawless actions," Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement responding to the Justice Department's emergency motion.

Legal experts say the 5th Circuit is known to be fairly conservative, and is likely to deny the Justice Department's request. Ultimately, it could end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

At next week's hearing, Hanen was set to have Justice Department attorneys explain why the federal government granted three-year deportation reprieves as well as work permits to 100,000 individuals before Hanen's Feb. 16 injunction. Attorneys had previously said federal officials wouldn't accept such requests until Feb. 18.

The Justice Department has said the reprieves and work permits were granted under the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, which was not halted by Hanen's injunction. DACA protects young immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

In a separate court document filed with Hanen's court on Thursday, the Justice Department said the acknowledgement that some individuals were granted reprieves under 2012 DACA guidelines does "not bear on the resolution" of the pending request before the judge to lift the injunction.

Hanen's injunction put on the hold an expansion of DACA as well as a program that would extend deportation protections to parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have been in the country for some years.

The other states seeking to block Obama's orders are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

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A former Attorney General with a history in espionage, public security and unsuccessful prosecutions during Mexicos drug war is raising eyebrows and infuriating some in the opposition and civil society: Is this how President Enrique Pena Nieto is planning to regain public confidence?

Eduardo Medina Mora, who was the Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. until his confirmation this week, is now one of the 11 Supreme Court justices thanks to the support from the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the opposition National Action Party (PAN), to which Medina has long been connected to, having served as a secretary in two PAN administrations.

Medina Mora, 57, leaves the Washington embassy for a 15-year appointment at the Supreme Court, which political and legal analysts say is becoming increasingly politicized. It is being filled with yes men, they argue.

Its a political agreement, a Mexican lawyer with experience in the Supreme Court told Fox News Latino, asking to remain anonymous due to litigation the person is currently involved in. The PRI and the PAN came to an agreement and picked a candidate that is convenient for them, the lawyer said.

The appointment caused controversy from the start.

A petition on Change.org, the American-based petition website, gathered more than 57,000 signatures against Medina Mora, with proponents arguing that he mishandled important cases during his time as Attorney General (2006-2009) under President Felipe Calderon. The cases included imprisoning three indigenous women selling ice cream for allegedly kidnapping six federal agents and the arrests of 32 mayors and public officials in Michoacan state on the eve of the 2009 election for alleged organized crime ties  only to have them all released soon after. (The judge in the case, known as the Michoacanazo, was subsequently removed from the bench.)

Medina Mora was also intelligence director in the years leading up to the crackdown on drug cartels and organized crime launched by Calderon in December 2006  a struggle that has cost more than 100,000 lives and left more than 25,000 missing.

A columnist for Reforma newspaper, Jesus Silva-Herzog Marquez, compared Medina Moras appointment  given his track record during the drug war  to proposing Donald Rumsfeld for the United States Supreme Court.

The new PRI, with its allies in the PAN and (the Green Party,) are taking us back to the times when court justices were named strictly for political reasons, wrote another Reforma columnist, Sergio Sarmiento.

Medina Mora has pledged political independence, and in a letter responding to critics he said his past performance has to be put in the context of specific circumstances.

Trying to attribute me part or all of the decomposition that you are referring to is biased, speculative and unscrupulous, Medina Mora wrote.

What occurred in those years revealed a series of structural and institutional weaknesses that required profound rethinking  I had the opportunity to contribute ideas, initiatives and actions to that process and not against it.

The response left some columnists cold. Carlos Puig of the Milenio newspaper said the appointment of Median continued the practice in Mexico of political connections trumping track records, along with no one taking responsibilities for the calamities occurring in the country. He titled one column on the new justice, Medina Mora and the art of failing upward.

Mexican senators select federal justices from a slate of candidates sent for review by the president. But according to the lawyer who spoke with Fox News Latino, Medina Moras name was sent to the Senate with two weak and unknown candidates. The ambassador was certain to beat out in a vote for the single spot on the court, the lawyer said.

One of those candidates, Horacio Hernandez, warned in an interview with the newspaper El Universal that the high court is becoming a club de cuates, or a boys club.

Once again, the (judicial branch) is becoming a refuge for politicians in the presidents mode, which wastes away the figure and prestige of the institution, Hernandez said.

The appointment comes as President Pena Nieto says that he is committed to rebuild the public trust after being battered by conflict of interest and corruption allegations involving shady home purchases from firms that benefited greatly with government contracts.

It also arrives at a time when the countrys political class is being discredited and democracy is questioned. A December poll published in Reforma showed only 33 percent of the population expressing confidence in the federal government  13 points lower than a similar poll in April 2013. Confidence in the court fell from 42 percent to 31 percent, according to the same survey.

The distrust in the political class comes as opposition parties, left and right, are seen supporting Pena Nietos pro-reform agenda, but staying mostly silent in regard to his administrations alleged conflict of interest scandals.

If they are acknowledging a crisis of confidence, their actions dont show us that, said Bernardo Barrando, an academic, commentator and former electoral commissioner.

Medina Mora has taken a position that pays 4.2 million pesos salary ($268,000), which is higher than the presidents and of his counterparts in the U.S. Supreme Court.

With more Supreme Court seats opening later this year, our unnamed source said the same pattern of naming court candidates will probably continue.

In November of this year, two nominations are going to go the court and its going to be very easy: one for the PRI and one for the PAN.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro wants his entire country to turn against the United States, and so he has organized national expressions of opposition to his sworn enemy.

Maduros administration earlier this week instructed academic institutions to take part in an anti-imperialism day Thursday and Friday. The action is specifically directed against the United States and the sanctions the Obama administration imposed upon Venezuela recently, calling it a threat to U.S. national security.

In his statement calling for action, Maduro requested academic institutions to put a huge Venezuelan flag at their entrance and ordered the Ministry of Education to gather signatures from students, teachers, administrators, laborers and cooks from every educational entity asking that [the United States] cease its aggression and declare each school a peace zone, according to Infobae, an Argentina-based news site,

The letter says that Venezuela is undergoing a state of emergency that requires a swift and clear response from all citizens.

It urged schools to state: We are not a threat, we are hope. We want to live and grow up in peace.

The Ministry of Education said: We are united for the security of Venezuela.

The anti-U.S. appeal follows the Venezuelan Congress' passage of legislation, at Maduro's request, to grant him expanded presidential powers for six months.

Maduro, who requested the powers after the U.S. sanctions announcement, would be allowed to enact laws without consulting the National Assembly.

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Scott Walker's rivals see him as an up-and-comer in the Republican race for president, so they are focusing on the Wisconsin governor's changing positions on a number of issues.

The still-unofficial campaigns of several Republicans have assembled internal memos, research papers and detailed spreadsheets that highlight and track Walker's shifts on positions from immigration to ethanol to abortion.

They say Walker has a broad pattern of flip-flopping that will be his greatest vulnerability.

The rush of what's known in the campaign trade as "opposition research" comes as Walker is in midst of a swing through two early voting states. He travels next week to South Carolina after spending this weekend in New Hampshire.

Steve Duprey, a Republican national committeeman from New Hampshire who is not aligned with any candidate, said Walker is relatively unknown among voters in his state  meaning the governor is subject to definition by his opponents.

"You have to be an authentic candidate," Duprey said. "If people think you're flipping left and right, that sticks with you."

Walker has earned strong reviews for his early performances in Iowa and at several forums attended by other expected Republican presidential candidates.

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who ran for president in 2012, said Friday that Walker and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush are the leading candidates for the Republican nomination.

"Scott is from a Midwestern state, but he has a national profile and a national fundraising capability," Pawlenty said. "The non-Jeb money is increasingly flowing to him, and he's used to communicating red messages in blue places."

In the past week, aides working for other Republicans expected to run in 2016 have circulated materials that highlight Walker's change in position on immigration, ethanol mandates, Common Core education standards, abortion and right-to-work legislation.

One campaign has a spreadsheet that outlines when Walker changed a position in comparison to 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney. The analysis found that Walker's shifts on more than a dozen issues came an average of 15 months before the Iowa caucuses  almost a year later than did Romney's.

"Voters still don't know the real Scott Walker," said veteran Republican operative John Feehery, who is not aligned with any of the potential candidates. "And if he thinks he can get them to like him merely by saying things that they want to hear, he is going to run into the same problem that plagued Mitt Romney: authenticity."

AshLee Strong, spokeswoman for Walker's campaign-in-waiting, said each issue needs to be examined in detail to better understand his positions.

"Gov. Walker has a proven record of championing big, bold reforms in Wisconsin to limit the government and empower people," Strong said. "It's lazy and inaccurate to simply lump all issues into one narrative instead of actually examining the facts."

Walker has acknowledged changing his some positions, most notably on immigration. As early as 2002, he publicly supported creating a pathway to citizenship for immigrants living in the country illegally. In an interview with Fox News this month, Walker said he no longer supports what he termed "amnesty."

He defended his shift in view, saying he had done so after talking to governors of border states and voters nationwide. "My view has changed. I'm flat out saying it," he said. "Candidates can say that. Sometimes they don't."

In the heat of his re-election campaign last year, Walker softened his position on abortion, saying in a television ad that the decision on whether to have an abortion is between "a woman and her doctor."

This month, after drawing criticism from conservatives, Walker said he would sign a bill banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

As a candidate for governor in 2006, Walker was critical of the requirement that gasoline contain a certain amount of corn-based ethanol. "Mandates hurt Wisconsin's working families," he said at the time. "And whether they are from Washington or Madison, we as fiscal conservatives should oppose them."

Speaking at an agriculture summit in Iowa last week, Walker said the fuel standard that requires the use of ethanol is "something he's willing to move forward on."

Walker's first budget as governor supported the Common Core academic standards in 2011, but he called for their repeal last summer. During his recent re-election campaign and in the months that followed, Walker said an effort to pass right-to-work legislation in Wisconsin would be a distraction and he urged lawmakers not to address it.

Last week, after the Wisconsin Legislature did so, he signed the bill into law.

A former Republican National Committee chairman, Michael Steele, said he has heard from other Republicans about Walker's shifts on policy positions. Steele said it is a matter that will play in the presidential primaries.

"If you've taken positions and done things, you've got to stay true to that. You cannot reframe it for a presidential race," Steele said. "Everyone's trying to find a way to carve these men and women up before they even get out of the gate."

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Cuba and the United States will hold a surprise third round of talks about restoring full diplomatic relations and still hope to open embassies in Washington and Havana before a key regional summit in April, the U.S. State Department announced Friday.

The State Department said Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta S. Jacobson would fly to Havana Sunday for meetings with Josefina Vidal, Cuba's top diplomat for U.S. affairs.

In contrast with the first two rounds of diplomatic talks, which were announced well in advance and each lasted a single day, the third round that begins Monday has no set ending point and Jacobson could be in Havana through the middle of the week, the State Department said.

The U.S. has said it hopes that full embassies can be opened before April's summit of the Organization of American States in Panama, which presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro both are expected to attend.

A senior State Department official told reporters "that's what we're going to keep working on but we'll see whether we can get to that."

The official also said that "there won't be any announcements coming out of the results of this trip."

Obstacles to a deal are Cuba's inability to do normal banking in the United States and its continued inclusion on the U.S. government's list of state sponsors of terror. The White House has ordered a review of that designation.

The United States wants increase staff levels at its diplomatic mission in Havana and have travel restrictions on U.S. diplomats lifted by the Cuban government. The State Department official said both issues would be discussed during next week's talks.

The official said the US/Cuba talks were making steady advances.

"There's been more groundwork laid, more progress made," the official said.

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Soldiers rolled out shoulder-fired missiles, fighter planes and armored trucks Saturday for the first of 10 days of military exercises that the president of socialist-governed Venezuela says are needed to protect against a looming threat from the U.S.

As nearly 100,000 members of the armed forces began conducting exercises across the country, Venezuela's government got support from South American nations, which criticized the U.S. for the way it imposed sanctions on Venezuelan leaders.

Washington imposed the sanctions earlier this week on several Venezuelan officials accused of human rights violations and declared the country a threat to U.S. national security, a formality that generally precedes declarations of sanctions. President Nicolas Maduro said he would take steps to protect Venezuela from a hostile U.S. government.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez inaugurated the exercises at Fort Tiuna in Caracas, the largest military installation in Venezuela. He said U.S. sanctions constitute "an imminent danger for us" and the armed forces must ready themselves to ensure the country's independence.

In a nationally broadcast talk Saturday night, Maduro praised the skills shown by the armed forces on the first day of the exercises, saying that "we have a military that is the best guarantee of peace."

If ever, he added, "the insolent boot of imperialism dared touch the sacred land of Venezuela, that day if we had to fight for the dignity of our country, we would do it for peace and for the sovereignty and the integrity" of the country.

The U.S. has denied Maduro's claim that it is seeking to undermine his government and urged him to focus on Venezuela's domestic problems.

Venezuelan sailors performed drills in the Caribbean while soldiers defended the oil-producing country's biggest refinery from a simulated attack. Thousands of civilians wearing the red shirts of the socialist revolution started by the late President Hugo Chavez 15 years ago paraded in a complementary exercise.

Also on Saturday, the 12-nation South American bloc UNASUR rejected the U.S.'s classification of Venezuela as a threat. Representatives met privately in Ecuador to review the situation in Venezuela and the recent U.S. crackdown.

Regional leaders from Cuba, Bolivia and Ecuador had already criticized Washington's actions this week, which even some members of Venezuelan opposition groups have said were inappropriate.

Last week, UNASUR sent a delegation of foreign ministers to Caracas to assess the situation in Venezuela, which has wide political divisions amid severe economic problems. The main outcome of the visit was a promise to help the country alleviate food shortages.

Opposition leaders in Venezuela expressed doubt about the utility of the UNASUR meeting and called the military exercises an embossment, saying they underlined the increasing crackdown on dissent in a country where several political leaders have been jailed.

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Unlimited political cash would give rank-and-file conservative activists greater sway in picking their representatives, including the president, White House hopeful Ted Cruz told New Hampshire voters on Sunday.

Cruz, a first-term senator who represents Texas, said deep-pocketed donors should have the same rights to write giant campaign checks as voters have to put signs in their front yards. Both, Cruz said, are an example of political speech, and he added that "money absolutely can be speech."

"I believe everyone here has a right to speak out on politics as effectively as possible," Cruz said told a voter who asked him about the role of the super-rich in politics.

Cruz, making his first trip to New Hampshire this year, was using a two-day visit to this early voting state to lay the groundwork for an expected presidential campaign. Three of the seven questions he took during a town hall-style meeting were statements encouraging him to run for president.

Cruz steadfastly insisted he was not yet a presidential candidate and said he was merely considering it. "I am looking at it very seriously," he said a day after making a campaign-style trip to South Carolina, another early nominating state.

After the session, one activist gave Cruz a blank check and told him to write it for whatever amount he needed.

Cruz, mindful that accepting the check would trigger his official entrance to the Republican primary, declined but told an aide to follow up with the man after a campaign is official.

"Stay tuned," he said.

But Cruz also told voters his daughter, Caroline, had given him permission to join the presidential race in the hopes that the family puppy would get to play on the White House lawn instead of near their Houston high-rise condo.

"If you win, that means Snowflake will finally get a backyard to pee in," Cruz said his daughter told him.

Cruz, a tea-party favorite, is expecting to formally join a crowded field of presidential hopefuls in the coming weeks. In the meantime, he has been courting party activists and donors to help him counter deep-pocketed rivals such as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Asked about the outsized role of money in politics, Cruz said he understands voters' frustration but that cannot trump the constitutional rights to free speech.

"Right now, the system is crazy," Cruz said of the campaign finance rules.

In the Senate, Cruz has proposed lifting all campaign contribution limits in exchange for immediate disclosure.

"The answer is not to muzzle citizens. It is to empower citizens," Cruz said.

Yet Cruz acknowledged that heavy spending had been a headache during his 2012 campaign for Senate. "In the Senate race, I had $35 million in nasty attack ads against me," Cruz said. "And you know what? It was their Constitutional right to do so."

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An abortion-related provision in a Senate bill to crack down on sex trafficking has wrought partisan bickering between the chambers Republican majority and its Democratic minority.

But it isn't the only divisive portion of the bill. Another amendment linked to the anti-sex trafficking bill is also creating friction between the parties.

An amendment by Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican, revisits a long-talked-about, controversial proposal to end so-called "birthright citizenship" for children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants.

Vitters measure seeks to change the law that gives citizenship to anyone born in the country. His amendment would allow citizenship to someone who has an undocumented parent only if the other parent is a U.S. citizen, a legal permanent resident or is an actively-serving member of the armed services.

Vitter argues that automatic citizenship encourages immigrants to come illegally just to have a U.S.-born child, according to The Hill.

"This is a very real, in fact, exploding phenomenon. There is a whole industry, an underworld, that is selling so-called birth tourism," he said. "This acts as a magnet, a potent, powerful magnet, growing in power by the year to lure more and more folks to come across the border, in specific cases to have their babies here."

Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat and ranking member on the Constitution Judiciary Subcommittee, accused Republicans of complicating the vote on the human trafficking measure by piling on matters that had no place in the bill.

Human trafficking in a global scourge and we should be working on a bipartisan basis  and on a bicameral basis  to stop it, Durbin said. This is an opportunity to pass a bipartisan human trafficking bill, not a grab bag for every notion or idea that any Senator has on any subject.

Let me begin with the obvious for my colleagues in the Senate: birth right citizenship is a Constitutional right, Durbin said this week on the Senate floor. Congress can't amend the Constitution with a statuteThe citizenship clause of the 14th amendment states, and I quote, all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.

So this amendment being offered by Senator Vitter is a provocative, unnecessary, and basically feckless effort to stall an important bill that should be passed on a bipartisan basis.

Earlier this year, Rep. Steve King, a Republican from Iowa, introduced a bill in the House seeking to end birthright citizenship.

King argued the 14th Amendment has been abused to allow undocumented immigrants to stay in the country.

"When they started granting automatic citizenship on all babies born in the United States they missed the clause in the 14th Amendment that says, 'And subject to the jurisdiction thereof,'" King said in January, according to The Hill. "So once the practice began, it grew out of proportion and today between 340,000 and 750,000 babies are born in America each year that get automatic citizenship even though both parents are illegal. That has got to stop."

The anti-human trafficking measure pending in the Senate would crack down on an underworld of drugs and human sex trafficking that lawmakers liken to modern-day slavery. Fines paid by those convicted of the crimes would go into a fund to help victims.

But the principal provisions of the bill have been far overshadowed by the dispute over a requirement that said none of the money in the victims' fund could be used to pay for abortions except in cases of rape, incest or if the life of the woman were in jeopardy. Similar restrictions on the use of federal funds have been in place for nearly three decades.

Democrats said they would block the bill's passage and called on Republicans to take out the provision relating to abortion. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell offered to allow a yes-or-no vote to do so, but Democrats rejected the offer, knowing they likely lack the strength to prevail.

The legislation was made public in January and cleared the Judiciary Committee in February.

Even so, Democrats say they failed to notice the presence of the abortion-related provision until earlier in the week.

Lawmakers in both parties generally rely on aides to read the fine print of legislation and let them know its contents. In addition to their own aides, senators have the benefit of committee staff.

A Democratic spokeswoman for the Judiciary Committee said earlier in the week that none of the panel's aides was aware that the legislation contained the abortion-related provision.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Texas Sen. Ted Cruz courted potential voters in New Hampshire by sharing with them his trademark dour view of government.

"To value liberty and freedom above all else  live free or die," he said, channeling New Hampshire's state motto. "That sums up what it means to be an American."

The Senator has yet to announce his candidacy but is already challenging potential presidential candidates to walk the walk and talk tough headed into the race for 2016.

In an interview with Fox News Latino, Cruz pledged that his tell-it-like-it-is style wont stop should he make it to the White House, saying, "You can count on me for two things: No. 1, I will tell you the truth. And No. 2, I will do what I said I would do."

Cruz added that the candidate Washington pundits say is the most electable often loses. People are tired of "politicians blowing smoke and not leveling with them," he said.

Cruz exemplified his unapologetic straight talk with Ethanol producers at the Agriculture Summit in Iowa earlier this month, where he defended his unpopular position of repealing the Ethanol mandate. Washington shouldnt be picking winners and losers, he said.

He admitted that he wasnt sure if he would get booed or if the Iowa farmers who had gathered to hear him speak last Saturday would throw rotten tomatoes at him. Cruz said instead he received roaring applause from the crowd.

The previous day, on Sunday, Cruz spoke to a riled up crowd of voters in support of streamlining the legal immigration process, claiming that "No one is a stronger advocate for legal immigration than I am."

He suggested that Democrats are more interested in gaining "partisan advantage" than in solving the problem of illegal immigration.

Cruz is promising to abolish the Internal Revenue Service and the Education Department. He likens federal regulators locusts that deserve to be killed.

He spoke highly of potential presidential front-runners former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, praising their service to their states.

But the senator said that to win in 2016, Republicans need to stay far away from the mushy middle, adding that career politicians have pushed people away from the GOP. "Part of reason people are independents is they're fed up with career politicians, he said.



When asked if he thinks that both Walker and Bush might be more prone to cut deals than stand on principle, Cruz answered that primary voters will need to ask each candidate that question.

For now, as Cruz appears to be moving toward making official his White House ambition, he is working to introduce himself to voters as someone who understands their frustrations. "If you see a candidate who Washington embraces, run and hide," Cruz told activists at a Grafton County GOP fundraiser.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The list of Republicans who support same-sex marriage, in a case set for arguments April 28 at the Supreme Court, is longer than it was two years ago, but it still remains conspicuously short of sitting members of Congress and governors.

Republican Reps. Carlos Curbelo and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida are two of the seven sitting members of Congress to sign an amicus brief to the high court in early March, joining President Barack Obama and more than 211 Democrats and independents on calling the Supreme Court to extend same-sex marriage nationwide.

The Supreme Court is considering state marriage bans from Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.

The only GOP governor to sign the brief was Charlie Baker of Massachusetts.

Baker put his support in personal terms. "My view on this is pretty simple. I have a brother who's gay. He lives in Massachusetts. He's married," Baker said when the Republicans' brief was filed in early March. "There simply wasn't a moral justification" for denying same-sex couples the right to marry, Baker said.

Ros-Lehtinen, whose daughter came out as a transgendered man, has long been a LGBT rights activist. In 2011, the congresswoman became the first Republican to co-sponsor the attempt to repeal DOMA.

Curbelo spoke out about his support for same-sex marriage throughout his campaign, including during a debate in Key West.

I support the freedom to marry and have done so even in a Republican primary where some were in disagreement with me, he said back in September, as quoted by the Miami Herald. On this issue: Live and let live.

Other Republican Senators who signed the brief are Susan Collins of Maine and Mark Kirk of Illinois. The House members are also Reps. Bob Dold of Illinois, Chris Gibson of New York, and Richard Hanna of New York.

Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, who announced his support for same-sex marriage in 2013 after Portman's son told him he is gay, is not among the signers.

Meanwhile, Justice Sonia Sotomayor says the Supreme Court has too many law professors, too many Ivy Leaguers, too many East Coasters and a lack of diverse life experience.

"It's a real problem," Sotomayor said last week at North Carolina's Davidson College.

The outcome of cases might be no different if experiences on the court were more varied, yet diversity is very important, Sotomayor said during a 45-minute question-and-answer session marked by her signature stroll through the audience and picture-taking with the questioners.

"The breadth of experience ensures that in every single case, people are going to ignore an approach, an argument, a point of view simply because they don't understand it. It ensures that every argument is aired," Sotomayor said. Sotomayor is one of three women on the current court, as well as the first Latina justice.

The justices have sparse experience in civil rights, state law and smaller legal practices, Sotomayor said.

"My colleagues think it doesn't make a difference, but I think the absence of life experience generally on the court is a bad thing," she said. Also on her list: the lack of anything other than Catholics and Jews.

Sotomayor said that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is her only colleague with civil rights experience, while Anthony Kennedy is the only member of the court who was in a small, varied legal practice before becoming a judge. Sotomayor is the only justice with a state law background.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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The UN Security Council on Saturday unanimously adopted a draft resolution submitted by Russia and Turkey on a comprehensive resolution of the Syrian crisis, including the ceasefire regime and political talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups in Astana, Kazakhstan in January 2017, Sputnik reported.

On Friday, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said Moscow hopes the UN Security Council will take up a vote and unanimously adopt a draft resolution on Syria, which is based on talks and documents issued in Astana, Kazakhstan on Thursday.

The draft resolution has been unanimously adopted as resolution 2336, current SC President Spanish Envoy Roman Oyarzun Marchesi said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that the Syrian government and armed opposition groups had reached an agreement on a nationwide ceasefire in Syria and on readiness to start peace talks.

Putin called on the Syrian government, armed opposition and all countries with influence on the situation in the Arab republic to support the reached agreements and to take part in the anticipated talks in Astana.

A nationwide ceasefire between the Syrian government and opposition factions came into force at midnight on Friday. Russia and Turkey serve as guarantors of the ceasefire deal, which paves the way for negotiations between the warring parties.
U.S. and Cuban diplomats talked behind closed doors Monday in a third and possibly last round of negotiations aimed at restoring full diplomatic relations by April 10.

The U.S. has said it hopes that full embassies can be opened before April's summit of the Organization of American States in Panama, which presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro both are expected to attend.

"They're down to sort of nuts and bolts," said John Caulfield, who was U.S. Interests Section chief from 2011 until last summer. He said other topics likely included housing for diplomats and U.S. shipments to the new embassy.

A small team of negotiators led by Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta S. Jacobson met with Josefina Vidal, Cuba's top diplomat for U.S. affairs, in open-ended talks announced less than 48 hours before Jacobson flew to Havana on Sunday.

The U.S. and Cuba held their first round of talks in Havana in January, a little more than a month after presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced that they would reopen embassies in each other's countries and try to move toward a broader normalization. The second round was held in Washington last month.

While the first rounds each lasted a day and saw negotiators routinely issuing updates on progress, this week's is being held without a finishing date or any scheduled statements to the press.

The State Department said Friday that topics being discussed in Havana would include lifting caps on Cuban and U.S. diplomatic staff and limits on their movements outside Havana and Washington.

Obstacles to a deal are Cuba's inability to do normal banking in the United States and its continued inclusion on the U.S. government's list of state sponsors of terror. The White House has ordered a review of that designation.

Mark Erwin, a former U.S. ambassador to Mauritius who met with Jacobson and Vidal earlier this month, said "both sides felt strongly that [a deal] would happen before April 10, prior to the April 10 meeting in Panama Citys."

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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An Iowa pastor and father of four facing deportation for a 17-year-old conviction has been relocated to a Louisiana detention center, where officials say a flight returning deportees to Honduras is scheduled Tuesday.

Forty-one-year-old Max Villatoro informed his wife Monday that he will likely be onboard. Villatoro was among 2,059 people arrested during a nationwide operation targeting convicted criminals living in the country illegally. A 1998 drunken driving conviction classified him as an enforcement priority.

Lawyers say federal immigration authorities denied Villatoro's stay of removal request, reinforcing his imminent removal. An official with the LaSalle Detention Facility in Jena, Louisiana, confirmed Tuesday's flight.

Meanwhile, Villatoro's wife and his friends and supporters have made one last effort to keep the family together, posting YouTube videos asking President Barack Obama to block the deportation.

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In Senate hearings on Tuesday on U.S. sanctions against Venezuela, Sen. Marco Rubio said the Obama administrations actions should go further by targeting the assets of a broader number of Venezuelan officials who have engaged in corruption and human rights abuses.

Rubio, a Florida Republican who chairs the Senate Foreign Relation Committees Western Hemisphere subcommittee, said U.S. sanctions need to "deny corrupt officials the opportunity to buy homes and make vacations in the United States with the money they have stolen from the people of Venezuela, according to the Sun Sentinel.

Rubio said unscrupulous current and former Venezuela government officials use such South Florida cities as Weston and Doral as their playgrounds.

The senator also took exception at President Barack Obamas decision to restore diplomatic relations  a move that includes easing travel and trade restrictions -- with Cuba, a benefactor of Venezuela.

"The Cubans are actively assisting the Venezuelan government in repressing the Cuban people," he said. While we are sanctioning Venezuelan officials, we are lifting sanctions on Cubans who are making this [repression] possible."

Sen. Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat who is the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that the U.S. sanctions are targeted against corrupt or abusive Venezuelan officials, and are not sanctions against the people of Venezuela.

In my view, we could have gone further, but this is an important first step, Menendez said.

That said, Mr. Chairman, I look forward to hearing the Administrations strategy for addressing the political, diplomatic, and security challenges that Venezuela presents, Menendez said at the hearing. At the end of the day, its important for us all to recognize that the solution to this crisis must come at the ballot box.

And I hope we have a chance to discuss the Administrations diplomatic strategy for ensuring that the elections Venezuela is scheduled to hold later this year will take place under free, fair and transparent conditions.

Earlier this month, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro railed against the sanctions in a speech that all Venezuelan radio and television stations were required to carry.

The embattled president denounces the Yankee empire almost nightly on national television, but after the U.S. sanctions were announced, Maduro took an unusually furious tone, saying they were further proof that the U.S. is determined to topple his administration and seize control of Venezuela.

"President Barack Obama, in the name of the U.S. imperialist elite, has decided to personally take on the task of defeating my government, intervening in Venezuela, and controlling it from the U.S.," he said. "Obama today took the most aggressive, unjust and poisonous step that the U.S. has ever taken against Venezuela."

Meanwhile, a letter said to have been written by former Cuban leader Fidel Castro appeared in official state media outlets in Cuba that was addressed to Maduro and expressed support for what the revolutionary leader depicted as his resistance to U.S. imperialism.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has stated in a very precise manner that it has always been disposed to talk with the United States, in a peaceful and civilized fashion, the letter to Maduro said, but will never tolerate threats or impositions on the part of this country.

Whatever U.S. imperialism may do, it will never be able to count on them to do what they did for so many years. Today Venezuela can count on the best equipped soldiers and officers in Latin America, it continued. When you met with officers recently, it was evident that they were ready to give their last drop of blood for the homeland.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has no regrets, at least where the letter to Iran is concerned.

The Texas Republican said Tuesday that he would again sign the letter that 47 of the Senates 54 Republicans sent to the Iranian government warning that unless Congress approved it, any nuclear deal they cut with President Barack Obama could expire the minute he leaves office.

Democrats have criticized the letter as a dangerous attempt to undermine the United States credibility. in the talks with Iran seeking restrictions in that nations nuclear program.

The U.S. and five other nations are working to craft an agreement that would restrict Iran's nuclear program in an attempt to prevent them from developing nuclear weapons. Tehran insists its nuclear work is peaceful.

Republicans worry that the Middle Eastern country and longtime U.S. antagonist is not negotiating in good faith. A deal is likely to be unenforceable, they claim, allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons.

Cruz, who is a vocal supporter of Israel, said in an interview with MSNBC that the letter was important because a deal with Iran over its nuclear program cannot be made without the scrutiny and ultimate blessing of Congress.

He said a misguided deal with Iran could be "profoundly dangerous both to the security of our friend and ally Israel [and] also to American national security."

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, recently said he too would sign the letter again.

"I would send another one tomorrow," Rubio told NBC News. "I think the risk of a nuclear Iran is so great that we need to do everything possible to keep us from finding us in a situation where we are going to have a nuclear Iran."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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The accidental candidate for Chicago mayor is known mostly by his nickname, Chuy.

It is fitting that Chuy (birth name: Jesus) Garcia has discarded a formal way of referring to himself.

Garcia, a native of a tiny Mexican village with a population of 200, was one of four children whose mother raised them alone for a long time while their father picked vegetables in the United States. Today, Garcia and his wife live in a modest home in a low-income Chicago neighborhood strewn beer bottles and never-ending police sirens.

That is quite a contrast from his opponent in the race, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, whose father was a pediatrician, attended private schools and who moved in the highest circles of the Beltway as President Barack Obamas chief of staff.

Now, as Garcia, 58, gives Emanuel, 55, a formidable challenge in the incumbents quest to be re-elected, he is holding up his working class roots as a trump card, and pushing forth the race as David vs. Goliath. It has struck enough of a chord among the citys voters to make Emanuel fight for a second term.

During the primary election in February, Garcia garnered 34 percent of the vote, coming in second behind Emanuel, who got 45  much less than the 50 percent he needed to avoid a runoff. Three other challengers got the rest of the votes. The runoff election is scheduled for April 7.

He got under 50 percent, even though he had $14 million going into the election, Garcia said in a recent interview with Fox News Latino. In spite of all his money, theres a great disconnect with his administration.

Garcia has raised slightly more than $2 million.

The reason for the gap between Emanuel and many of Chicagos voters , Garcia said, is due largely to what he and other Emanuel critics say is the mayors disproportionate attention to the citys elite, and actions deemed inconsiderate to the poor and minorities.

Hes only worked for the elite in Chicago, Garcia said. Poorer communities are underserved, they need community development.

It's a note that Garcia has hit repeatedly during the campaign. On Monday, in the first head-to-head televised debate before the runoff, Garcia questioned Emanuel's performance in regard to the city's financial problems and violence.

Garcia said Emanuel hasn't done enough to address crime. While crime overall has dropped, there was spike in homicides during part of Emanuel's first term. Garcia accused Emanuel of focusing on the downtown, benefiting companies and campaign donors.

"There isn't any gravy to be given out when I'm elected mayor," Garcia said. "I'm going to be collaborative and engaging."

The tone was snappy throughout the debate, with the former White House chief of staff trying to highlight what Emanuel says is Garcia's lack of experience, especially in managing the finances of the nation's third most populous city.

"The difference between being a legislator, and I was one, in that period of time, you pass a bill. When you're mayor you have to pay the bills," said Emanuel, a former Congressman.

Fox News Latino's efforts to get a comment from the Emanuel campaign were unsuccessful.

Emanuel got a solid 55 percent of the vote when he first ran for mayor in 2011. But he made several highly controversial moves, including closing nearly 50 schools, standing firm despite a strike by public school teachers, and tightening Chicagos belt with a strict budget.

At the same time, Emanuel has showed support for business development in Chicago. And that has earned him the backing of real estate and business leaders.

While some supporters have cast Emanuels actions as courageous, a kind of tough love the city needed to recover from weak academic standards and financial problems, others, particularly minorities, have seen it as heavy-handed and brash, and not improving their lives.

So Garcia has been winning the endorsement of key minority groups and labor unions, among others, who see him as reflecting Everyman.

We will find a way to bring investment to the most disinvested areas! he said at a recent campaign stop before an African-American crowd, according to the Wall Street Journal. This will be an administration that looks like Chicago!

The crowd went wild, responding: Chuy! Chuy! Chuy!

Supporters scoff at Emanuels glossy resume in Washington D.C., where he also worked for the Clinton administration.

He has more experience in local government than Rahm Emanuel did when he came back from Washington, D.C., said Michael Anderson about Garcia at a campaign event, according to the Journal. He came up on the rough side of the mountain and he understands.

Garcia said that he never envisioned himself running for mayor of the Windy City.

I remained active in politics, in community life, in public policy circles, in philanthropy, he said to Fox News Latino.

But working toward being Mayor Garcia?

I didnt see this, he said. It seemed something like that was beyond me.

Indeed, he had planned to support teachers union president Karen Lewis, who was going to run against Emanuel, but withdrew after she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Lewis strongly urged Garcia to run, something that caught him by surprise and which he initially resisted, then agreed to after getting the blessing of his wife, Evelyn.

Garcia has been cultivating support in the citys diverse communities, although he expects the biggest single group of voters casting ballots for him to be Latinos.

Because of the historical nature of the race, its my strongest base of support, Garcia said of Latinos, whove never seen one of their own as mayor of the city.

I got 26 percent of the African American vote, 40 percent of the white vote, thats the coalition that came together to force Mr. Emanuel into a runoff, Garcia said.

Just about a week ago, a poll showed Garcia and Emanuel in a dead heat.

During the weekend, however, other polls showed Emanuel as much as 10 points ahead of Garcia.

Garcia dismissed the latest polls, saying some voter surveys before the February primary failed to show him having the kind of strong support that he eventually got on election night.

I expect my numbers to improve, and I think I can improve my numbers with white voters by the runoff, he said, noting that Now its just two candidates.

Garcia has been criticized in the media for not having details about how he would fix some of the problems he has cited in the city under Emanuel.

He has said he has plans for programs, and that he will unveil them in more details soon.

He said he wont promise to reopen the schools that Emanuel closed, adding Chicago is in dire financial straits right now. But he said the violence  which has remained high in Chicago even as it tapered off in other big cities in the country  would be a priority, and community development programs, as well.

Garcia credits his late mother, who only got as far as the third grade in Mexico, with inspiring him to forge ahead with his dream and serve his community.

She was always very involved in the community, said Garcia, who came to the United States when he was 9 years old. She was engaged in community life and wanted to make a difference.

He believes the Chicago election will hold a lesson for the country. Chicagos Latinos, like those in many parts of the country, often have a low turnout.

Chicago is important, he said. Its the heartland, what happens in Chicago will have an important bearing on how the Latino vote is seen nationally, and in next years presidential election. Its a bell weather of whats happening with the Latino vote as it grows across the country.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A third round of negotiations over the restoration of full diplomatic relations ended after a day of talks, Cuban and U.S. officials said Tuesday. Hours later, Cuban President Raul Castro delivered a toughly worded attack on the United States for levying a new round of sanctions on his country's closest ally, Venezuela.

Neither Cuba nor the U.S. provided details on whether progress was made toward a deal on reopening embassies in Washington and Havana.

The two countries have been trying to strike an agreement on embassies before presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro attend the Summit of the Americas in Panama on April 10-11.

Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Relations said the talks took place "in a professional atmosphere" and "the two delegations agreed to maintain communication in the future as part of this process." Jeff Rathke, a U.S. State Department spokesman, said that "the discussion was positive and constructive and was held in an atmosphere of mutual respect."

But Castro later delivered a searing defense of Venezuela at an emergency meeting of leftist Latin American governments called in response to U.S. sanctions levied on seven Venezuelan officials last week. In announcing the move, the U.S. declared Venezuela a threat to U.S. national security.

Washington has asserted that the Venezuelan sanctions wouldn't affect its negotiations with Cuba, but Castro made clear in Caracas that he sees the two issues as linked.

He described Obama's declaration of detente with Cuba as a recognition that a U.S. policy of hostility to Latin American socialism had failed.

"Nonetheless, the spokesmen of his government have made clear that the objective remains, only the methods have changed," Castro said. "The U.S. must understand once and for all that it's impossible to seduce Cuba or intimidate Venezuela."

Neither Cuba nor the U.S. said Tuesday whether they had resolved any of the obstacles to reopening embassies, which include Cuba's continuing presence on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism and Cuba's objections to U.S. diplomatic contact with dissidents on the island.

The secretive atmosphere was a striking contrast to previous discussions about U.S.-Cuban detente. After two earlier meetings, U.S. and Cuban diplomats engaged in wide-ranging exchanges with reporters from both nations that were broadcast on Cuban state television.

Cuban state media dedicated virtually no coverage to Monday's talks, focusing instead on statements of support for Venezuela.

Despite the heated rhetoric, Julia Sweig, an expert on U.S. relations with Cuba and Venezuela, said early Tuesday there was no sign the increasingly strained U.S. relationship with Venezuela was affecting the warming of relations with Cuba.

"What's so interesting is that it doesn't seem to derailing the bilateral process, which is exactly as it should be," said Sweig, a senior research fellow at LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Austin.

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Another Senate session, another impasse.

On Tuesday, Democrats prevented legislation designed to help victims of sex trafficking from moving forward because of an amendment regarding abortion that few lawmakers had noticed when the bill was introduced.

The outcome left the fate of the legislation, which was co-sponsored by Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), uncertain and the president's attorney general nominee, Loretta Lynch, caught in the crossfire. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has put off Lynch's confirmation vote until the trafficking bill is resolved, provoking howls from Democrats, civil rights leaders and women's groups over what has become a months-long delay to confirm the nation's first black female attorney general.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said he was "inclined not to" vote in favor of Lynch's nomination for attorney general, though he said he had not made a decision. Rubio, a possible presidential candidate, said he was extremely concerned about Lynch's answers on President Barack Obama's executive actions on immigration.

"To have the next attorney general of the United States argue with a straight face that that is legal and constitutional, I think is in the minds of many people and increasingly mine, a disqualifier," Rubio said in an interview with the Associated Press.

Senators of both parties loudly lamented their impasse on the trafficking bill, yet blamed each other in a spectacle of fruitless bickering notable even for Congress.

"Democrats filibustering help for terrified children and abused women would represent a new low," McConnell, R-Ky., said on the Senate floor.

"Republicans have chosen to manufacture a political fight that has nothing to do with human trafficking," Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., retorted a short while later.

The vote was 55-43 on a procedural motion to move forward on the bill, short of the 60 needed. McConnell said he would bring the bill up again as Republicans try to pressure Democrats to back down and join them. "We're going to stay on this bill," he said.

The bill would create a fund to help victims, and includes measures to make it easier for law enforcement to go after people involved in sex trafficking. It enjoyed wide bipartisan support until early last week, when Democrats began to raise objections over a provision in the bill blocking money in the victims' fund from paying for abortions in most cases.

Even though similar prohibitions have been included in annual spending bills for decades, Democrats claim the language in the trafficking bill goes further. Republicans noted that the provision had been in the bill for weeks as it passed the Judiciary Committee unanimously and picked up Democratic co-sponsors, but Democrats claimed they never noticed it until just before a floor vote was scheduled.

Democrats are calling on Republicans to remove the offending language, which Republicans say they won't do. Republicans say Democrats could lift their objections, allow votes on the bill, and offer an amendment to excise the abortion language. Democrats have turned that offer down because they would lose the amendment vote.

A second amendment linked to the anti-sex trafficking bill is also creating friction between the parties. The other one revisits a long-talked-about, controversial proposal to end so-called "birthright citizenship" for children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants.

The measure seeks to change the law that gives citizenship to anyone born in the country. The amendment would allow citizenship to someone who has an undocumented parent only if the other parent is a U.S. citizen, a legal permanent resident or is an actively-serving member of the armed services.

Next steps are uncertain though lawmakers on both sides said they want to find a way out. Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said talks were happening to try to find a compromise, and she noted that the House version of the bill didn't include the abortion provision.

Still, with the Senate set to turn next week to voting on a budget, and a two-week congressional recess scheduled after that, Lynch's confirmation vote may have to wait until April.

"There may be solutions to trafficking, we are certainly open to exploring them without doing damage to the principles we laid out," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "But those are no reason to hold up Loretta Lynch."

Schumer and other Democrats raised concerns Tuesday that the long delay since she was nominated last fall may be putting Lynch's nomination in jeopardy. Previously uncommitted Republicans appear to be breaking against her, with Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., announcing his opposition Tuesday.

Rubio was part of the eight-member bipartisan Senate group that crafted comprehensive immigration legislation that contained a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants. He later distanced himself from the measure.

Several other Republicans remain uncommitted and Lynch commands solid backing from four Republicans, which would be just enough to confirm her with the bare minimum of support.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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The recent announcement that the United States and Cuba plan to restore full diplomatic relations April 10th is setting up a battle between President Barack Obama and Congress over whom  if anyone  will be the communist islands first ambassador in over 50 years.

The ambassador issue has been one of most divisive topics inside the Washington Beltway since Obama announced last December that the U.S. and Cuba were working on restoring relations  with the president pushing ahead with plans as anti-Castro lawmakers in Congress threaten to block the appointment of any ambassador to Havana. The question that remains to be answered is: When the U.S. and Cuba officially restore diplomatic ties next month, will the newly reopened embassy have an ambassador in the office?

The answer: Yes, no and sort of.

While lawmakers opposed to loosening Washington's strict stance toward the communist island, such as New Jersey's Sen. Robert Menendez and Florida's Sen. Marco Rubio, are likely to put a halt to any quick approval of an ambassador in Havana, the embassy will still have a chief of the mission  just as the current U.S. Interests Section in the country does. Except now this post will come with all the weight and power that an ambassador does, minus the title.

"The chief of mission will have expanded powers and be able to have better access to members of the Cuban government more than they were in the past," Geoff Thale, the program director of the Washington Office on Latin America, told Fox News Latino.

The current chief of the U.S. Interest Section in Havana, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, is expected to keep his post at least until the end of the Obama administration. But whoever is nominated to be ambassador to Cuba will face a tough uphill battle in a Republican-controlled Congress already smarting from Obama overstepping them on issues such as immigration and nuclear diplomacy.

As soon as Obama announced that the U.S. and Cuba would normalize relations, Rubio said he would block a proposed American ambassador in Havana. In January, Menendez added that while Congress can do little to prevent the Obama administration from shifting the existing interests section in Cuba into an embassy, what Congress can do is refuse to confirm an ambassador.

"All these things the president is doing unilaterally," Susan K. Purcell, the director of the Center for Hemispheric Policy at the University of Miami, told Fox News Latino. "It's understandable that Congress feels slighted and ignored."

Purcell added: "There are significant numbers of senators who are not so sure that we should be pursuing the normalization of diplomatic relations with Cuba at all."

Congressional concerns aside, however, the Obama administration and the Castro government appear to be going full steam ahead in restoring diplomatic relations and a major part of that is revamping their embassies in the respective countries.

A six-story, concrete and glass structure just off Havana's famed Malecon esplanade, the U.S. Interest Section was the former U.S. embassy and has been minimally staffed since the U.S. embargo soured relations between the countries in 1961.

With the restoration of ties, both sides are hopeful of lifting caps on Cuban and U.S. diplomatic staff and limits on their movements outside Havana and Washington  two talking points currently being discussed. Currently, Cuban consular staff cannot leave the Washington Beltway without State Department permission and U.S. consular staff cannot leave Havana without permission from Cuban officials.

The normalization of relations would also allow the U.S. to renovate the aging building and have U.S. security posted around the building, replacing Cuban police. And in maybe the most symbolic move, the U.S. government would want to put up a new sign on the building  directly across from Havana's Jose Marti Anti-Imperialist Plaza.

One area where the U.S. would like to bump up its presence in the country is in expanding its regional security office on the island.

For decades, Cuban authorities have worked hand-in-hand with their U.S. counterparts to alert them to everything from fast boats carrying drugs to the remote islands between the two countries to tanker ships covertly trafficking cocaine to Europe. But the U.S. would like to make it easier for American officials to work with Cuban authorities to track down criminals fleeing to Cuba to escape charges such as Medicaid fraud and kidnapping.

"Right now it's a very complicated process that requires approval from high-up, you can't just schedule a meeting for next Tuesday," Thale said. "The new changes could ease the diplomatic paperwork."

The U.S. and Cuba held their first round of talks in Havana in January and the second round was held in Washington last month. While the first rounds each lasted a day and saw negotiators routinely issuing updates on progress, this week's is being held without a finishing date or any scheduled statements to the press.
In the oft-told tale of Jeb and Columba Bushs early courtship days, there has tended to be a glaring omission  Columbas late father, Jose Maria Garnica Rodriguez.

When any mention of Garnica Rodriguez has come up, it more often than not has been in vague or disapproving terms.

The father, the story goes, abandoned the family, leaving when Columba was a teenager and virtually falling off the face of the earth.

But in interviews with Politico in Mexico, Garnica Rodriguezs relatives said that it was Columba who essentially cut off communication with her father after she began her life with Jeb Bush in earnest.

He never abandoned her. She was the one who left with Jeb, Politico quoted Garnica Rodriguezs second wife, Antonia Morales Mendez, as saying. Once she left with this guy, she had no relationship at all with her father.

She speculated that fame and money might have made Columba Bush less inclined to maintain ties to her father.

Jeb Bush met Columba when he was just 17 and an exchange student in Mexico; she was 16 and her parents were already divorced.

The former governor speaks glowingly of their first encounter, saying he fell in love instantly despite their differences.

He came from a political family that attended Ivy League schools. Her fathers world was quite different  he grew up in a rural Mexican village, working as a waiter and, later, fruit picker in the United States, where he was undocumented for a while.

Columba Bushs uncle, Antonio Garnica Rodriguez, cast his brother as the victim, the abandoned one, in the soured relationship between the daughter and father. He told Politico his brother agonized over his daughter and her husbands refusal to let him see his grandchildren.

He knew them only out of magazines, newspapers and TV, Morales Mendez, the second wife, said through tears. He died really wanting to meet his grandchildren.

However, Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell told Politico that much of the story the relatives have offered is either inaccurate or incomplete. Its not surprising Mrs. Bush wouldnt want to maintain a relationship with the man who abandoned her mother and family, she said.

In past interviews, Columba has told reporters that her childhood was sad.

Politico cites a biography about Columba Bush in which her father reportedly described her as a bad daughter who forgot her modest Mexican roots. The book mentioned that Garnica Rodriguez also did not have many kind things to say about Columba Bushs mother, a seamstress at the time.

For whatever reason, she speaks ill, she has bad feelings, Mendez said, according to Politico.

Probably, Columba had that opinion about her father because her mother told her these things. Columbas mother was three years older than Jose Maria. She was extremely jealous of him. If he would sit next to a girl on the bus, she would make him miserable for that.

Politico noted that after Columba and Jeb Bush met, Columba went to California, where she stayed with her father for less than a year. Politico also noted that Jeb Bushs 2013 book, titled Immigration Wars, mentioned that she lived for a while in California, but omits that she stayed with her father.

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Joaquin Castro has been a member of Congress for just a little more than two years, but the Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill had made clear that it holds the former Texas state legislator in high regard, and has just tapped him for another prestigious post.

On Thursday, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, announced that Castro has been named a chief deputy whip of the partys leadership in the House.

Politico noted that this is quite a feat for a relative newcomer in Congress.

In this position, Castro will have a major say in positions the leadership will take on various matters.

As a young, up and coming House Democrat and a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Castro will help ensure all parts of our Caucus are represented at the table and that their voices are heard, said Hoyer in a statement announcing Castros promotion.

He is an outstanding addition to our team, and I look forward to working with him to keep Democrats united throughout the 114th Congress as we promote our agenda of job creation and a stronger middle class.

Shortly after he was sworn in as a congressman in 2013, Castro was selected co-president of the House freshman Democrats. In 2012, when Castro was running for Congress, Texas political consultant Bill Miller told reporters: Hes already out of the crowd. He could go far and he could go fast.

Castro, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed gratitude over his promotion.

The inclusion of young, fresh voices on the Whip team helps ensure the Democratic Caucus reflects, and pursues policies of importance to, the next generation of Americans, said Castro in a statement.

Im grateful that Whip Hoyer has named me a Chief Deputy Whip, and Im eager to work with him and the rest of the team to help our Caucus remain unified in its efforts to grow the economy, strengthen the middle class, and ensure our young people receive quality, affordable education.

Castro served five terms as state representative in Texas. His district in Texas covers a large part of San Antonio and Bexar County.

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Russian diplomats who were declared persona non grata on Thursday will leave the United States for Russia on January 1, the press office of the Russian Embassy in Washington, DC said, Sputnik reported.

On Thursday, US outgoing President Barack Obama announced the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats, the closing of two Russian diplomatic compounds in Maryland and New York and new sanctions against six Russian individuals and five entities over Moscow's alleged interference in the November US presidential election.

"They will leave on a specially designated charter flight within 72 hours [since receiving the notice]," the press office stated on Friday.

The press office explained that the order includes diplomats from the Russian missions in Washington, DC and San Francisco.

Russian officials have repeatedly denied the US allegations of election interference, characterizing them as absurd and laughable nonsense. Moreover, they have said such allegations are intended to deflect US public attention from revelations of corruption and other pressing domestic concerns.

Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia "will not expel anyone" in response to US sanctions and will determine further steps in restoring ties with the United States depending on the policy of President-elect Donald Trump.
Justice Department attorneys are preparing to answer questions about claims that they misled a judge about when part of President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration was implemented.

A Thursday hearing is set in federal court in Brownsville, Texas, related to a lawsuit filed by 26 states against Obama's plan, which could spare from deportation as many as 5 million people in the U.S. illegally.

The immigration action was put on hold last month by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, a move the U.S. government is appealing.

At issue Thursday is a claim by the states that the U.S. government told Hanen before his injunction that the immigration action hadn't been implemented.

The Justice Department says 100,000 individuals were granted reprieves before the injunction under guidelines from a separate program.

The immigrants in question were renewing their deportation deferral under a 2012 initiative by President Barack Obama known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Obamas executive action, which Obama announced late last year, also extended the deportation deferral and work permits for those who were pursuing DACA renewals from two to three years.

Obama administration officials say that they processed the DACA renewals sooner than applications for new forms of relief offered under the executive action in order to stagger deadlines and better manage the increased workload,.

The disclosure came through a Justice Department advisory document, which the agency filed with the Texas court, that conceded possible confusion about when [U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services] had begun providing three-year terms of deferred action to individuals already eligible for deferred action under 2012.

U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, a Texas Republican, said that the 100,000 work permits amounted to a sneaky move by the administration to go around Congress and the courts.

[Obama's] hasty actions show that he not only disregards the legislative process but he has no respect for our judicial system either, he said in a statement.

The president knew that his use of executive fiat to grant blanket amnesty was illegal so it does not surprise me that he fast-tracked his lawless plan in an attempt to get ahead of a judicial ruling that was inevitable.

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People in Venezuela are running out of toilet paper, sugar, medicine and cash  unless, of course, youre the son of Venezuelas president, Nicolas Maduro.

A YouTube video showing Nicolas Ernesto Maduro Guerra, named after his father, being showered in American cash during the wedding of an elite business owner has outraged a nation that seemingly doesnt have dollar bills to spare.

The video, published by VVperiodistas, was allegedly taken on March 14th at the wedding of Jose Zalt, a Syrian-Venezuelan businessman at the luxurious Gran Melia Hotel in Caracas. The Zalt family owns the Wintex clothing brand. The wedding reportedly took place after a state military parade meant to show off the countrys prowess and defy the United States. The U.S. declared Venezuela a threat to its national security just a few days before.

While throwing money over the bride and groom is customary in some Arab weddings, the video, which has been viewed more than 800,000 times as of Thursday evening, is drawing the ire of many on social media maddened by what they perceive as the hypocrisy of Maduros socialist regime. President Maduros regime continues to maintain its stern criticism of capitalism  blaming U.S. imperialism for the countrys current worsening economic crisis.

Since posting the video, the group VV periodistas, reportedly a group of journalists that stands against Maduros regime and censorship practices, received a message from YouTube to take down the video due to a privacy complaint.

Maduro Guerra is not just the son of a former bus driver turned authoritarian ruler  he also holds three public offices. Maduro has appointed his son to chief of the Special Inspectors Body of the Presidency, the head of the National Film School of Venezuela, as well as a position as a legislator in the National Assembly as a member of the countrys socialist party.

The U.S. and Venezuela have been at odds over the South American nation's jailing of opposition leaders, using violence to quell protests and Maduro's claim that the U.S. is attempting to destabilize his regime.

The tensions have culminated in recent weeks in a back-and-forth of bluster, punitive sanctions and orders to reduce diplomatic staff.

On March 17, Maduro published an open letter on The New York Times saying that Venezuelan live in a region of peace, free of weapons of mass destruction ... Immigrants from around the world, live among us, whose diversity is respected."

After accusing President Barack Obama of taking a "unilateral and aggressive measure" by imposing sanctions on people in Maduro's administration believed to have taken part in human-rights abuses, the Venezuelan president demands that "the U.S. government immediately cease hostile actions against Venezuelan people and democracy" and "retract its libelous and defamatory statements and actions against the honorable Venezuelan officials who have just obeyed our laws and our constitution."

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If the United States and Venezuela want to resolve their current diplomatic squabble, Ecuador has said it is ready and willing to step in and mediate talks between the two nations.

Speaking to Venezuelan media conglomerate Telesur, Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said both the U.S. and Venezuela have shown "interest" in resolving the conflict and that his country could act as an intermediary to "reduce tensions" between the countries.

"Despite public differences, I think both countries are interested in dialogue. Maybe they need a little support, the help of brotherly countries; and if we can do that, we're delighted," Patino said.

The option for outside mediation was first proposed earlier this month by Venezuela, with the South American nation saying it would also want foreign ministers that form part of the Bolivarian Alliance for the People of Our America (ALBA) to participate in the mediating commission.

ALBA, founded in 2004 under the leadership of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, is made up mostly of left-leaning Latin American and Caribbean governments and is meant to act as a foil to the Washington D.C.-based Organization of American States (OAS), which Venezuela and other ALBA members see as being controlled by the U.S.

Given the demand for ALBA nations to participate in the talks and statements made by Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, the U.S. may be wary of stepping into a discussion with Venezuela right now.

Last Saturday, Correa described U.S. President Barack Obama's executive order to sanction a number of Venezuelan officials as "embarrassing." Correa is popular is his country for his government's generous social spending but is widely criticized for intolerance of dissent.

"How can the United States possibly claim that Venezuela is a threat to their national security?" Correa said during his weekly address last weekend. "It's the same story as always  what the United States is trying to do is destabilize the progressive governments in the region."

Obama earlier this month issued an executive order freezing the assets in the U.S. and denying visas to seven Venezuelan officials and freezing their assets in the U.S. The officials  including the former head of the country's intelligence service and the leader of Venezuela's Bolivarian National Police  are deemed responsible for cracking down on anti-government protesters in clashes between the two sides that left more than 40 people dead and led to the jailing of a number of prominent opposition political figures.

The executive order is an expansion of the Venezuelan Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 that was passed by Congress and signed into law in last December. The act, among other things, declared the situation in Venezuela a national emergency  a move that some observers see as doing more harm than good in regards to relations between Caracas and Washington.

Maduro called the move the "greatest act of aggression" by the U.S. against his country in history.

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My Texas friends say if you dont have a Dairy Queen in your town then its not a town, Raul Alvillar, who last year became the first Latino to work as national political director for the Democratic National Committee, told Fox News Latino. In the town he grew up in Tome, New Mexico, just south of Albuquerque, We didnt have a Dairy Queen, but we did have a church and a post office.

Alvillars job, plain and simple, is to win elections. From his tiny corner office at the DNC headquarters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., he oversees a staggering national operation in all 50 states.



Despite the magnitude of his role, Alvillars past and values are rooted in small-town Americana.

I grew up bailing hay and driving John Deere tractors on a farm. The experience really framed who I am  the small-town values, but progressive values, too  making sure you take care of the land and making sure you give back to your community.



Alvillar, 37, got his start in politics as a volunteer with the Democratic Party of New Mexico where he put together the organizations first e-newsletter.



This essentially entailed cutting-and-pasting articles and sending it out to our readership on the email list, he recalls. That was the technology we dealt with back in 1999.



After that, Alvillar held a series of jobs on Democratic campaigns and for the partys elected officials, including as a scheduler for then-Congressman Tom Udall and as a regional field director in 2003 for then-Senator John Kerrys presidential campaign.

When Kerry lost, Alvillar became the deputy national political director for his PAC.



I had 25 states where I would travel with the Senator all around the country  Iowa being one of them, Alvillar recalls. Ive been to Iowa a lot.



When Kerry decided not to make another run for president in 2007, Alvillars telephone rang and his professional trajectory changed forever.



I got a call from the Obama campaign, he told FNL. They said, We know everything about you. What do you want to know about us?



In March 2007, Alvillar moved to Chicago and became the campaigns western regional political director.

After Obama beat Mitt Romney, Alvillar moved to Washington, D.C., where he was appointed senior advisor to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Shaun Donovan.

Alvillar, who happens to be gay, also served as interim-LGBT community liaison for three months.



Growing up LGBT in a small town, you didnt talk about it, Alvillar said. Especially as a Hispanic male, theres this expectation that you will have a wife and three kids and a minivan  Thats just how I grew up. Not knowing any other folks who were gay, you kind of feel like its not a normal thing.



I didnt come out until I was in college, and even then I only came out to my sister, he admitted. I didnt come out to my mother until I went back to New Mexico for my 10-year high school class reunion. I told her, Theres something I have to tell you because I dont want you to feel I havent been honest. She was immediately concerned and then I told her, Im gay. She was like, Oh, okay, and was totally relieved. She thought I was going to tell her I was sick.



Alvillar has noticed through his extensive travels that even in rural areas attitudes toward homosexuality are shifting away from yesteryears prejudice and toward inclusion.



I think people in Smalltown, USA, he said, recognize that there are people who are their brothers and sisters and cousins  people who are important to them, who they embrace, who are everyday people  who happen to be LGBT.

He added, Does that mean that the fight is over? No. Have we accomplished everything we need to for full inclusion in this country? No, theres still a lot that we need to do. But the country is a better place.

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An Iowa pastor whose detention by immigration officials sparked rallies in support of him and calls and letters of protest to federal authorities was deported to his native Honduras Friday.

Earlier this month, Mennonite pastor Max Villatoro found himself ensnared in a sweep by federal agents to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants who had convictions. Villatoro, 41, had convictions that dated back 20 years for driving under the influence and record tampering, a charge that stemmed from fraudulently obtaining a Social Security number in order to get a drivers license.

His supporters, who included members of Congress, argued that Villatoro had become an asset to his community, staying out of trouble since the two convictions and raising four U.S.-born children who are now 7, 10, 12 and 15.

Villatoros attorney, David Leopold, said his clients deportation contradicted the supposed new priorities among immigration agents that call for focusing on arresting and deporting those who pose the greatest danger to public safety and national security.

These convictions were in the late 1990s, Leopold said to Fox News Latino. This is a good man, the worst thing you could say about him is he had a DUI in his life.

On a Facebook page for human rights activists, Leopold wrote: [Immigration officials] just sent me the following email: Good afternoon. This is to confirm that's your client Mr. Villatoro was removed to Honduras today. He has landed. Thank you.

And so it ends, wrote Leopold. Pastor Max Villatoro, dedicated husband, father of four U.S. citizen children, religious Mennonite leader has been kicked out of the country he's lived in for more than 2 decades. President Obama promised he'd focus on the removal of felons, not families; gang members not moms.

Villatoros wife, Gloria, was quoted as saying in Iowa City Press-Citizen that she learned her husband had been deported through a call from Leopold. She said she was devastated and said the U.S. government was destroying families like mine.

The newspaper quoted another attorney for Villatoro as saying that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services granted Villatoro a work permit about a decade ago that remained valid until his arrest.

Last November, President Barack Obama said that immigration officials would focus on tracking down and removing undocumented immigrants who posed a public danger, and he called on Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would provide a path to legal status for those without papers who met a strict set of criteria.

Many immigrant advocates had grown frustrated with Obama, who promised to reform the immigration system in his first term, but instead presided over a record number of deportations.

Regarding Villatoro, immigration officials released a statement quoted in published reports that said they are "focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes the removal of convicted criminals and public safety threats. The agency exercises prosecutor discretion, on a case-by-case basis, as necessary to focus resources on these priorities."
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A federal judge who has blocked President Barack Obama's immigration executive action suggested on Thursday that he could order sanctions against the Justice Department if he rules it misled him about when exactly the administration began implementing one of the measures.

During a sometimes testy court hearing, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen went back and forth with the Justice Department over whether it had misled him into believing that a key part of Obama's program would not be implemented before he made a ruling on a request for a preliminary injunction. In fact, federal officials had given more than 108,000 people three-year reprieves from deportation before that date and granted them work permits under a program that protects young immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

Obama's executive actions would spare from deportation as many as 5 million people who are in the U.S. illegally. Many Republicans oppose the actions, saying only Congress has the right to take such sweeping action. Twenty-six states led by Texas joined together to challenge them as unconstitutional. Hanen on Feb. 16 sided with the states, issuing a preliminary injunction blocking Obama's actions.

Hanen chided Justice Department attorney Kathleen Hartnett on Thursday for telling him at a January hearing before the injunction was issued that nothing would be happening with regard to one key part of Obama's actions, an expansion of the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, until Feb. 18.

"Like an idiot I believed that," Hanen said.

A flustered Hartnett repeatedly apologized to Hanen for any confusion related to how the reprieves and work permits were granted.

"We strive to be as candid as possible. It truly became clear to us there was confusion on this point," she said.

Hartnett continued to insist that the 108,081 reprieves had been granted under 2012 guidelines, which were not stopped by the injunction, and that government attorneys hadn't properly explained this because they had been focused on other parts of the proposed action.

But Hanen pointed out that the 2012 guidelines only granted two-year reprieves and that three-year reprieves are being proposed under the program now on hold.

"Can I trust what the president says? That's a yes or no question," Hanen asked.

"Yes, your honor," Hartnett replied.

The states asked that Hanen consider issuing sanctions because Justice Department attorneys had made "representations (that) proved not to be true or at a minimum less than forthcoming," said Angela Colmenero, a lawyer with the Texas Attorney General's Office, the lead attorney for the states.

Colmenero said the three-year reprieves that were granted might have caused the states economic harm as the states may have already issued various benefits, including driver's licenses, to immigrants who received a reprieve.

"There is absolutely no basis for sanctions here," Hartnett said. "The government is absolutely trying to do the right thing."

Hanen said he would issue a ruling "promptly" on what action, if any, he will take against the Justice Department.

The federal government has asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to lift Hanen's injunction while the case is appealed.

The other states seeking to block Obama's orders are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

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Note to students who get a paper back with red marks all over it: Dont despair, even a U.S. senator  who also is a college professor, no less  cant avoid it.

Sen. Marco Rubios Op-Ed for Politico got decorated, so to speak, by a red pen belonging to a fellow lawmaker and apparent purist when it comes to grammar.

The lawmaker-editor is U.S. Rep. Mark Takano, who took Rubios op-ed  which is critical of President Barack Obamas move to regulate the Internet  and marked up the offensive parts.

The California Democrat, who is a former high school teacher, scolded Rubio, a Florida Republican, for verbosity (950 words is too long for an Op-Ed, try to say it in 600-700 words), using web and Internet interchangeably (web and Internet are different things) and using cliches and mixed metaphors.

Then came the coup de grace, a grade of F.

"I only break out the red pen on special occasions, Takano said on his Facebook page. So when I saw Marco Rubios recent Op-Ed on Net Neutrality, you know I couldn't resist. It is intentionally misleading, poorly researched, and littered with errors.

"Marco, please don't draft essays on your return flight from Iowa. See me in my office and I'll walk you through Net Neutrality."

Takano has corrected fellow Republican lawmakers before. In 2013, he marked up (in red, of course) a letter that Republicans sent to House Speaker John Boehner about the Senates comprehensive immigration reform bill. Some observations included: Exaggeration  avoid hyperbole, and redundant, paired adjectives.

Takano gave the lawmakers an F and wrote: See me after votes.

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They signed up to fight for their country, and the state of Texas promised to pay for their education.

For decades, veterans went to public universities and colleges under the Hazlewood Exemption, which kicks in after federal benefits under the G.I. Bill are exhausted. But the price tag has increased sevenfold since 2009, when legislators in Texas  which has the country's second-highest veteran population, 1.7 million  allowed the benefit to be passed on to veterans' children under a legacy provision.

"Everybody's heart was in the right place when we added all the other beneficiaries," said Republican Sen. Kel Seliger, chair of the Senate's higher education committee. But, he added, "it just got too high of a price tag."

Now, amid rising legacy costs and concern that a federal lawsuit over residency could push the benefit's annual figure to $2 billion, policymakers must carefully balance state politics and fiscal conservativism with commitments made to veterans during World War II.

Of the 10 states with the most veterans, only Illinois and Texas waive all tuition and fees for veterans who meet program requirements, according to a Texas Legislative Budget Board report. And Texas is the only state of the 10 to offer full tuition and fee waivers to children, the report said, a decision made in 2009 in tandem with expanding the benefit to include spouses of veterans who were injured, missing or killed in action.

About 39,000 Texas residents used the benefit last fiscal year, at a cost of $169 million, according to the Texas Legislative Budget Board. That's 576 percent more than before the legacy expansion, when only about 10,000 used the exemption at a cost of nearly $25 million.

Most of the cost of the program falls to the higher education institutions, other than $11.4 million from a new state fund that dispersed Hazlewood reimbursement money this fiscal year.

About $1 million of that went to Texas State University, which educated more Hazlewood recipients than any other state public university last fiscal year. Located in San Marcos near three military bases that comprise Joint Base San Antonio, the university prides itself on being veteran-friendly.

Marcy Garcia, 58, discovered she was eligible for her husband's benefit in 2012, two years after she enrolled in classes at Texas State University. It freed her "from worrying about where my tuition was going to come from," and allowed her to focus on education, said Garcia, whose husband is a disabled Vietnam veteran. She expects to graduate in May.

Rufus Coburn, executive director of the Texas Veterans Commission, said participation is relatively low in part because federal benefits must be maxed out first. But many fear that a successful challenge to the program's "fixed-point residency clause" may cause costs to spiral. The clause requires that beneficiaries be legal Texas residents when they enlist.

A military veteran from Georgia who was living in Houston challenged that requirement in a 2014 lawsuit. A federal judge ruled the requirement unconstitutional in January and the student was entitled to the benefit. Texas has appealed the ruling, which some worry may prompt other veterans to relocate to Texas to take advantage of a free education.

Coburn says that concern is premature. "I don't think the sky is falling," he said. "States aren't going to recommend that their veterans go somewhere else."

Juan Ramirez said most veterans he knows want to relocate near family and aren't benefit-shopping.

After being discharged from the U.S. Air Force, the 30-year-old Ramirez moved to San Antonio to reunite with relatives. He is using his Hazlewood benefit to study criminal justice and expects to earn an associate's degree this summer.

"The State of Texas is very generous, and it's a godsend, really," he said.

The Hazlewood fund had a balance of $260 million at the end of August, according to the Legislative Budget Board, which recommended dispersing $23.5 million in the 2016-2017 biennium.

Gov. Greg Abbott last month proposed allocating $532 million for Hazlewood benefits in his state budget, but that allotment has so far remained in the background during budget discussions.

A half-dozen bills in the Texas Legislature propose amending the statute, particularly to remove the residency clause. Several would require beneficiaries to be Texas residents for eight years before registering for school.

Republican Rep. Rick Miller, a 30-year Navy veteran, recently told the House Appropriations Committee that lawmakers needed to "deal with this ever-increasing financial cost to the state and the institutions."

He said House members were evaluating how to do that and still "honor our commitment to our Texas veterans."

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Openly hinting at the possibility of seeking the White House seems to be over for Sen. Ted Cruz.

The Texas Republican, who has teased voters for months, is set to announce his plans to run for President on Monday, according to The Houston Chronicle, becoming the first high-profile Republican to formally enter the 2016 presidential contest.

A strategist for the first-term Republican senator confirmed Cruz's decision to The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity so as not to preclude the formal announcement.

The son of an American mother and Cuban-born Father, Cruz would be the first nations first Hispanic president.

While Cruz is the first Republican to declare his candidacy, he is sure to be followed by several big names in the GOP, including fellow Hispanic Senate colleague Marco Rubio, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.

Cruz, 44, has considerable appeal among the Republican Party's base of conservative voters.

Following his election to the Senate in 2012, the former Texas solicitor general quickly established himself as an uncompromising conservative willing to take on Democrats and Republicans alike. Criticized by members of his own party at times, he won praise from tea party activists for leading the GOP's push to shut down the federal government during an unsuccessful bid to block funding for President Barack Obama's health care law.

One of the nation's top college debaters while a student at Princeton University, Cruz continues to be a leading voice for the law's repeal. He also promises to abolish the Internal Revenue Service, scrap the Education Department and curtail federal regulators, likening them to locusts.

Cruz has left little doubt about his 2016 intentions in recent weeks. He made his first trip to New Hampshire earlier this month to help lay the groundwork for a presidential campaign, having already begun to ramp up outreach to party activists and donors.

While in New Hampshire, Cruz told voters his daughter, Caroline, had given him permission to join the presidential race in the hopes that the family puppy would get to play on the White House lawn instead of near their Houston high-rise condo.

"If you win, that means Snowflake will finally get a backyard to pee in," Cruz said his daughter told him.

Cruz is set to release a book this summer that he said would reflect themes of his White House campaign.

In a recent Associated Press interview, he said he wants to counter the "caricatures" of the right as "stupid," ''evil" or "crazy."

"The image created in the mainstream media does not comply with the facts," he said.

While born in Canada, two lawyers who represented presidents from both parties at the Supreme Court recently wrote in the Harvard Law Review that Cruz meets the constitutional standard to run.

Cruz would retain his Senate seat through early 2019 if he fails to win the presidency.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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Sen. Robert Menendez could face criminal charges within days, the Wall Street Journal is reporting.

The veteran New Jersey lawmaker, who is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is said to have been under investigation by the FBI for more than two years.

The agency has been looking at whether Menendez accepted gifts improperly from a friend and one of his biggest campaign donors, Salomon Melgen, a Florida doctor who has himself faced charges years ago for over-billing Medicare.

Menendez has denied that he did anything wrong, and has said that Melgen is a close friend.

The Journal reports that Washington-based federal prosecutors specializing in public corruption cases are set to file charges against Menendez in New Jersey.

The Journal added that both a lawyer and spokeswoman for the senator declined to comment.

Melgen, a Dominican native who settled in the United States in 1980, flew many influential lawmakers on his private plane, including then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who reimbursed the doctor.

Melgen and his family have donated about $1 million to Menendez campaigns and committees on which he served.

Questions about the senators possibly inappropriate actions involving the doctor arose after the disclosure that Menendez had flown on Melgens private plane three times, but did not report those trips. He later reimbursed the doctor for the trips, saying the failure to report the trips had been an oversight.

Also catching investigators eyes was Menendezs reported advocacy for Melgen when he was accused of over-billing Medicare. Melgen was one of the top recipients of Medicare reimbursements at a time when he was contributing heavily to Democrats. He received $21 million in Medicare reimbursements in 2012 alone, according to The New York Times.

Investigators said that, for example, Melgen would get a vial of the medication, which would provide up to four times the amount that a patient requires. But Melgen, the investigators charged, used one vial to treat three or four patients, but then billed as if he had purchased a new vial each time.

Melgen then would be reimbursed $6,000 to $8,000 for a vial that cost him $2,000, The New York Times said. Investigators said that in in 2007 and 2008, for instance, he overbilled by $9 million, which he then paid back.

The New York Times reports that the lead prosecutor going after Menendez is one of the most experienced and respected inside the Justice Department. The newspaper says that Peter M. Koski has successfully prosecuted several high-profile public corruption cases.

Some observers believe that the Obama administration is allowing the pursuit of Menendez to go forward because of the senators outspokenness against several of the presidents foreign policy moves.

Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican who on Monday announced his presidential candidacy, has said the Justice Department investigation and likely charges against Menendez are clearly political.

"It raises a suggestion to other Democrats, Cruz said recently, that if you dare part from the Obama White House that criminal prosecutions will be used potentially as a political weapon against you."

Menendez has been a vociferous advocate of stronger sanctions against Iran, and he has expressed grave doubts about U.S. efforts to negotiate a treaty over Tehran's nuclear program, positions that have put him at odds with the president. In a very public defiance of the White House, Menendez also escorted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Congress before a controversial speech on Capitol Hill that the Obama administration denounced.

Cruz said: "This investigation has been going on for over a year and yet the very week they announce a pending indictment comes within hours after Sen. Menendez showing courage to speak out against President Obama's dangerous foreign policy."

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Four people were killed in a small plane crash in the Hood Canal area of northwest Washington state, AP reported.

The Washington State Department of Transportation says searchers found the single-engine Cessna and four bodies in a heavily wooded ravine in Jefferson County Friday morning. Crews used radar data and the plane's emergency locator transmitter to find the wreckage. Authorities say there were no survivors.

The aircraft left Boeing Field in Seattle for Port Angeles just after 6 p.m. Thursday and lost contact with air traffic control about 45 minutes later near the DaBob Bay area.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were to arrive on scene Saturday to examine the aircraft. The names of those killed were not immediately released, pending positive identification and notification of families.
Sen. Ted Cruz showed he was a candidate in a hurry early Monday morning, announcing his presidential candidacy on Twitter just after midnight, several hours before the official launch at the college founded by the late Rev. Jerry Falwell Monday morning.

The Texas Republican's choice of Liberty University for Monday's speech indicates he plans an aggressive courtship of cultural conservatives and young voters.

Cruz became the first high-profile Republican to officially enter the 2016 contest even though, like others, he has been campaigning in all but name for many months. Ahead of his speech, Cruz turned to social media and tweeted: "I'm running for president and I hope to earn your support!"

In a flashy video that accompanied it, Cruz offered a preview of his nascent campaign's message.

"I believe in America and her people, and I believe we can stand up and restore our promise," Cruz said in the web video as images of farm fields, city skylines and American landmarks and symbols played in the background. "It's going to take a new generation of courageous conservatives to help make America great again, and I'm ready to stand with you to lead the fight."

Cruz's decision to launch at Liberty University, a familiar stop for presidential hopefuls that calls itself the world's largest Christian college, is meant as a marker against potential rivals who are counting on Christian conservatives to fuel their ambitions.

Cruz is not expected to be the sole contender for long. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and two Senate colleagues, Kentucky's Rand Paul and Florida's Marco Rubio, are eyeing campaign announcements soon.

For his start, Cruz was bypassing Texas, which he represents in the Senate, as well as early nominating states such as New Hampshire, where Mitt Romney kicked off his own campaign for the GOP nomination in 2012, and Iowa.

By getting in early  and at Liberty  Cruz, 44, was hoping to claim ownership of the influential and incredibly vocal corner of the Republican Party for whom cultural issues are supreme. It was a move aimed at crowding out figures such as former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist pastor, and former Sen. Rick Santorum, who has made his Catholic faith a cornerstone of his political identity. It also had a potential impact on Cruz's contemporaries, including 43-year-old Rubio and 47-year-old Walker.

Cruz's father, a pastor, is also expected to help the first-term senator make inroads with these voters.

Cruz is already a familiar figure on the circuit for presidential hopefuls, having made repeated visits to the early voting states, the big conservative activist conferences and more. This month, for example, he met party activists in New Hampshire, which hosts the leadoff primary. But, like other presidential prospects, he's been coy about what he's doing. That coyness ended Monday when he jumped in.

By announcing what has long been obvious, Cruz triggers a host of accounting and reporting requirements about money he is raising and how he is spending it. To this point, he had operated his political organization through a non-presidential committee that worked under different rules. By officially joining the race, he now operates under a more stringent set of rules, including being able to accept fewer dollars from each supporter.

Following his election to the Senate in 2012, the former Texas solicitor general quickly established himself as an uncompromising conservative willing to take on Democrats and Republicans alike. Criticized by members of his own party at times, he won praise from tea party activists for leading the GOP's push to shut down the federal government during an unsuccessful bid to block money for President Barack Obama's health care law.

The son of an American mother and Cuban-born father, Cruz is positioning himself to become potentially the nation's first Hispanic president. While he was born in Canada, two lawyers who represented presidents from both parties at the Supreme Court recently wrote in the Harvard Law Review that they think Cruz meets the constitutional standard to run.

Should he fail to win the nomination or the presidency, Cruz would retain his Senate seat through 2019. He also could choose to run for re-election in 2018, having broadened his national network of allies and donors during this presidential campaign.

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As Jeb Bush prepares for a possible presidential campaign, the former Florida governor is looking to deal with what could be his biggest obstacle  fellow Floridian and fellow Republican Marco Rubio.

Rubio, a senator and one-time mentee of Bush, has made it clear that he is weighing a run for the White House, and has said that a possible Bush presidential campaign will not deter him.

The Bush camp is also worried about Floridas changing demographics, which long favored Republicans in national elections. President Barack Obama won Florida in the last two presidential elections.

Without Florida, he knows it would be hard to make the numbers work, the New York Times quoted former Florida Gov. Bob Martinez as saying about Bush.

Bush, who has not made a formal announcement about running for president, and his campaign team have been aggressively reaching out to people active in elections, lawmakers and donors, trying to woo them with promised meetings with him, and work on his campaign if he runs.

Those who know Bush say that hes meticulous about cultivating relationships, and that he has worked hard at it from early years as governor.

Jeb has taken the trouble to nurture these relationships, said John McKager Stipanovich, a Republican lobbyist in Tallahassee, according to the Times. They dont even need to reach out in Florida. They never let go.

The Times reports that below the radar, Bushs supporters are trying to pressure Rubio into not running for president. One such supporter, David Johnson, who is interim executive director of the Florida GOP, sent a message to Rubio through a Times interview.

I hope that is not going to happen, Johnson said of Rubio also running for president if Bush decides to do so. Its going to cause a lot of problems in the state of Florida.

Rubio should just stay in the Senate, Johnson added, depicting the Cuban-American lawmaker as a young man that has a lot of potential.

Besides Rubio, Bush also must contend with a changing population that has views more aligned with Democrats than with even a moderate Republican. That change is rooted in a growing Puerto Rican community in Central Florida, as well as younger Cuban-Americans who often dont share their parents or grandparents more conservative views.

Rubios team, meanwhile, is in full-steam-ahead mode.

Rubio has said in interviews that senators make better presidents than governors because they must deal with broader issues.

While Rubio backers concede that many of the states movers and shakers lean toward Bush, they say Rubio  who has the kind of tough-on-foreign-policy approach that many conservatives like  has the ability to win support and money between now and the Florida presidential primary next March.

Bush backers are not so sure about Rubios ability to turn around the Bush battleship.

The political leadership of Florida is going to be with Jeb Bush, said State Senator Jack Latvala to the Times.

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He may be poised to become the first Latino president in the United States, but Latinos have mixed reactions to Sen. Ted Cruzs announcement Monday that he is running.

Latino groups such as the Dream Action Coalition, which favors more lenient immigration policies, balked at the Texas Republicans announcement, and lamented that his vociferous opposition to, say, giving undocumented immigrants a path to legal status made it impossible to cheer a fellow Latinos candidacy for the Oval Office.

In his most recent fight against breaks for undocumented immigrants, Cruz has been a leading opponent of President Barack Obamas executive action suspending deportation for three years for those here illegally who meet certain criteria.

"The only policy of Ted Cruz that Latinos hear is that he wants to do away with DACA for the dreamers, block (the associated) DAPA (program) for our parents and obstruct immigrant reform for years longer," said the co-directors of the coalition, Cesar Vargas and Erika Andiola, in an interview with Efe.

One part of the executive order renews the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)  which targeted undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as minors  and expands the deportation relief period from two to three years.

Another major part of the order extends the three-year deportation relief to undocumented parents of people who were born  or have legal permanent residence  in the United States. That program is known as the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA).

Cruz, like many Republicans, says he is against giving undocumented immigrants a break because that is tantamount to rewarding law-breakers. Cruz also says that Obamas executive order is unconstitutional and an end-run around Congress.

"Although Ted Cruz has a Latino name and immigration in his past, there the similarities between the Latino community and him end," said Vargas and Andiola to Efe.

Ted Cruz's campaign released a Spanish-language video to announce his campaign. The video's narrator focuses on Cruz's faith in the American Dream, but unlike the English-language version, makes no mention of his opposition to Obama's healthcare plan or comprehensive immigration reform.

On the Internet, some Latino conservatives posted comments of support for Cruz. Indeed, some Latino Tea Party groups have sprouted in the U.S.

Quique Carbonero, founder of RallyForce.org, a conservative group, says he supports Cruz for president because he is not afraid of challenging establishment lawmakers, whether they are on the left or the right of the political spectrum.

Carbonero, who is from Texas and of Cuban descent, added that Cruz is honest, he does what he says hes going to do. He is courageous, he is not afraid to buck his own party for his beliefs  Hes walked in the shoes of a foreigner. He understands the predicament of Latinos and other foreigners wanting to become part of this country  legally.

Cruzs Canadian roots, Carbonero said, gives him an added perspective.

He can help unite the continent. The fact that he is of Latin descent, but born in Canada, should help him identify with the issues on the entire continent.

CASA in Action, however, views Cruz as out of touch with constituents.

CASA in Action, an organization that pushes for liberal immigration policies, said that even people in Virginia, where Cruz made his announcement, are mainly in favor of a comprehensive reform of immigration that would include a path to legal status for some undocumented immigrants.

"If they don't turn their policies around, Virginia Republicans are facing political oblivion. Accepting anti-Latino and anti-immigrant candidates like Ted Cruz is not a recipe for survival," said Lindolfo Carballo, the Virginia director for CASA in Action, to Efe.

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As Florida governor, Jeb Bush used another, previously unreported email address, records show  the newest wrinkle in an evolving debate over public officials' use of private email accounts.

When Bush released thousands of emails from his tenure as Florida's governor as part of his preparations to run for president next year, he did so from the email account he shared openly, jeb@jeb.org.

Those emails also include references to another email address, jeb@gencom.net. Bush said through a spokeswoman that he was unaware of the account, although records showed that people wrote to him there more than 400 times between 1999 and 2004.

The same records show no replies from Bush coming from that address. Instead, when Bush responded, he did so from his more well-known email address. Writers sometimes also reached the governor at jeb@jebbush.org or jeb@myflorida.com.

Bush's spokeswoman, Kristy Campbell, said Bush had no knowledge of the other email account. "He doesn't know what that email address is," she told The Associated Press Tuesday.

There's no indication this other account was used in any improper or secretive way.

But its existence  and the mystery around it  show the potential complications when public officials, like Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton, use private email accounts to conduct public business. Republican Bush and Democrat Clinton are two likely contenders in the 2016 race for the White House.

Both have fielded questions in recent weeks over their email use, particularly Clinton, who has faced scrutiny for conducting State Department business from her private account. An AP review of Bush's emails spotlighted cases in which top donors sought to sway the governor on political appointments during his two terms in office.

The gencom address traces to ElectroNet Broadband Communications of Tallahassee, Florida's capital. The company did not immediately respond to a phone message Tuesday from the AP with questions about the Bush email address.

The majority of emails sent to Bush at that address came in 1999, and a slow trickle followed in ensuing years. Just one came in 2004, from a South Florida businessman who wrote to Bush at both addresses about a university board meeting. Several writers used both email addresses when contacting Bush.

Others reached Bush simply through the gencom account  writing to him on a range of issues from judicial appointments to the federal raid that captured the Cuban child Elian Gonzalez to state labor and literacy issues.

Though Bush said he knew nothing of that address, the emails clearly reached him: Bush often wrote back from his other account. In 1999, a writer corresponded with Bush about appointments to Brevard Community College. The email chain includes a reply, "Please respond to jeb@jeb.org."

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President Obamas trip next week to Capitol Hill to discuss ObamaCare is only the latest -- and most visible -- sign that Democrats are ready to fight Republicans plans to change the presidents signature health-care law as well as Medicaid and Medicare.

Obama will visit Wednesday with House and Senate Democrats, the day after the 115th Congress convenes and Republicans, who have the majority in both chambers, are expected to start repealing and replacing ObamaCare.

Step one is the ObamaCare replacement legislation at the start of the year, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said a few weeks ago, as members closed out their 2016 session.

Bring it on, incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in response.

Fellow Democrats have given essentially every indication that they also intend to fight GOP efforts to change government-subsidized health care programs and to rally support among Americans for their efforts.

Earlier this week, House Democrats participated in a conference call that included discussions on protecting ObamaCare and entitlement programs targeted by Republicans, a congressional source told FoxNews.com.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California, last week told fellow Democrats that they stand ready to fight vigorously for America's hard-working families against such efforts, including those by incoming Republican President Donald Trump, who has called ObamaCare a disaster and vowed, if elected, to repeal the 2010 law.

Pelosi also urged them to hold events to warn voters in their district about the GOP plans, including what she says is House Speaker Paul Ryans design to privatize Medicare, federally subsidized health insurance for seniors and the disabled.

Pelosi, Schumer and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Independent, have also called for a national Day of Action on January 15, five days before Trumps inauguration to highlight GOP efforts to cut or significantly change vital and necessary health programs.

As proof that Trump is determined to repeal and replace at least major parts of ObamaCare, the government-mandate insurance that has become increasingly expensive for Americans, they point out that the president-elect has nominated Georgia GOP Rep. Tom Price to run the Department of Health and Human Services. Price is a major critic of ObamaCare.

Ryan, R-Wis., has laid out a plan to make changes to ObamaCare, Medicare and Medicaid, in an attempt to create a single health-care plan and to give Americans what he calls better access to quality, affordable health care.

"ObamaCare is making things worse by the day. It drives up premiums and deductible costs for individuals, families and businesses, Ryan says in his Better Way plan. ObamaCare must be fully repealed so we can start over and take a new approach.

Still, congressional Republican leaders have made clear in recent weeks that a full ObamaCare replacement plan could take two to four years, with no viable alternative in place and the likelihood of leaving roughly 22 million Americans without insurance before the 2018 midterm elections.
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Venezuelan president launches aggressive anti-U.S. campaign

Dozens of plazas in Caracas and elsewhere in the country have been turned into Chavista bases aimed at gathering 10 million signatures before the Summit of the Americas that will take place on April 10-11 in Panama City. Photos by Franz von Bergen.
An Islamic court in Somalia on Thursday cut off a hand and foot from each of four men convicted of stealing phones and guns, drawing hundreds of onlookers as the weeping men were punished at a military camp.

The Shariah court that carried out the sentences is run by the powerful insurgent group al-Shabab, which is trying to topple Somalia's U.N.-backed government and install a strict form of Islam.

"The men were bleeding and crying when the man cut their hands and feet off with a long knife," said one witness, Liban Ali. Journalists were not allowed to cover the sentencing. The four were convicted earlier this week in the capital, Mogadishu.

The U.S. considers al-Shabab a terrorist group with links to al-Qaida, which al-Shabab denies. The group, which controls much of Somalia, is joined by hundreds of foreign fighters.

Somalis traditionally observe Sufi Islam, a relatively moderate form of worship. But in recent years, insurgents have begun to follow austere Wahabi Islam  rooted in Saudi Arabia and practiced by Osama bin Laden and the Taliban.

Somalia has not had an effective government since 1991 when the overthrow of a dictatorship plunged the country into chaos. A surge in violence in recent weeks, which diplomats said is a major push by the insurgents to force the government out of its Mogadishu strongholds, has killed about 225 people.

Last week, the national security minister and Mogadishu's police chief were among those killed.

The country's lawlessness has spread security fears round the region and raised concerns that al-Qaida is trying to gain a foothold in the Horn of Africa.

Somali lawmakers pleaded this weekend for immediate international military intervention from countries including Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti to help quash the insurgency. But there was no indication reinforcements would be forthcoming.

Some 159,000 people have fled their homes since May 7, according to the U.N. refugee agency. The United Nations says an estimated 3.2 million Somalis  almost half the country's population  need food and other humanitarian aid.

Two years ago, Ethiopia deployed troops to support Somalia's fragile, Western-backed government, but they were widely unpopular and finally withdrawn in January.
Santa Claus' Facebook account has been reinstated after the social media company suspended his access and demanded proof of identity on Christmas Day.

Claus, a North Pole city councilman, said he was never given a reason why his page was blocked. He said he thought Facebook didn't believe his name was Santa Claus or that he lived in North Pole.

A Facebook spokeswoman apologized in an email Tuesday for suspending Claus' account and said it was done by mistake.

"The account was removed in error and restored as soon as we were able to investigate," the company said in a statement. "Our team processes millions of reports each week, and we sometimes get things wrong."

To get his account reinstated, Claus said he sent multiple documents proving his identity, including copies of his Alaska driver's license and letter of appointment to the North Pole City Council. Claud said he is the only Santa Claus on Facebook who resides in the city and legally goes by the name.

"I just can't believe somebody, particularly on Christmas, would take me to task," he said.

Claus, who goes on his Facebook page regularly, said he uses the social media platform to share "nice quotes" and interact with people. His page has more than 300,000 "likes."
The suspect in the murder of a Pennsylvania state trooper was killed Saturday morning in a confrontation with police who had tracked him down to an unoccupied mobile home, authorities said.

Trooper Landon Weaver, 23, was killed responding to a domestic complaint Friday evening in a rural area in Huntingdon County, in central Pennsylvania. An overnight manhunt for the suspect ended not far away Saturday morning when police cornered 32-year-old Jason Robison in the mobile home, authorities said.

Cpl. Adam Reed, a state police spokesman, told the Associated Press that Robison refused orders to surrender and threatened officers on the scene, leading police to shoot him. His death was confirmed at about 10:30 a.m.

Weaver was shot while responding to a report of a protection-from-abuse violation at a home in Juniata Township that reportedly belonged to Robisons mother.

Weaver enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in December 2015 and was assigned to the Patrol Unit in Troop G in Huntingdon. He's the 97th member of the Pennsylvania State Police to be killed in the line of duty.

Gov. Tom Wolf in a statement said Weaver will be remembered for "his bravery, his sacrifice, and his willingness to serve."

DRAMATIC RISE IN POLICE OFFICERS GUNNED DOWN IN LINE OF DUTY IN 2016

In the weeks before the shooting, Robison posted anti-police comments on his Facebook page, the Centre Daily Times reported.

The only good cop is a dead cop, he reportedly wrote in a Dec. 17 post that was deleted around 1 a.m. local time Saturday. The post included images of a police cruiser that had been involved in an accident and an injured officer, the newspaper added.

Robison was known to authorities, as he had been arrested around a dozen times with charges ranging from simple assault to arson, court documents revealed.

The remote area around where the shooting occurred has been closed off while police officers on foot, in cars and in a helicopter search for the trooper's killer.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Pennsylvania state trooper has been fatally shot.

Huntingdon County District Attorney David Smith's office says it happened Friday night near Hesston, a small community in the central part of the state.

The remote area around where the shooting occurred has been closed off while police officers on foot, in cars and in a helicopter search for the trooper's killer.
Brazilian investigators announced that a Rio de Janeiro police officer had confessed to the stabbing death of the Greek Ambassador to Brazil, after he was reported missing this week, On Friday, Sputnik reported.

The officer committed the killing at the behest of the Ambassadors wife.

Investigators said at a news conference in Rio that the officer, and a cousin acting as a lookout during the stabbing, helped to transport Kyriakos Amiridis body. Both are in jail, along with the Ambassadors wife, as an investigation moves forward.

The 59-year-old ambassador was last seen alive on Monday, and went missing a few days after traveling from Rio to Brasilia, to celebrate the new year.
Police say two are dead and two injured after a shooting outside a Connecticut theater late Friday night following a concert.

A Wallingford police spokeswoman tells the Record Journal that officers responded to reports of shots fired outside the Oakdale Theatre after rapper Meek Mill performed. Officers found two dead and say the other two with non-life-threatening injuries were taken to hospitals.

Police haven't released the names and ages of the four victims.

The spokeswoman says no one is in custody. Authorities didn't immediately release information on suspects or vehicles.

Lt. Cheryl Bradley says the show had just ended and the Oakdale was closing when the shooting occurred. Authorities haven't linked violence to the performance or the rapper.

Mill, whose real name is Robert Williams, was recently under house arrest after violating probation for the fourth time in eight years.
The disappointing search for a small plane that disappeared over Lake Erie near Cleveland's shores carrying six people has turned into a recovery effort.

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for the plane that vanished shortly after takeoff Thursday night from the city's lakeshore airport. The Coast Guard said Friday it would step aside to allow Cleveland to begin recovery efforts.

Coast Guard official Michael Mullen offered his condolences to the family and friends of those who lost loved ones.

John T. Fleming, chief executive of a Columbus-based beverage distribution company, was piloting the plane. His wife, their two teenage sons, and two neighbors were aboard.

City officials and the Coast Guard have scheduled a press conference later Saturday morning to discuss the recovery efforts.
A Mexican man accused of raping a 13-year-old girl on a Greyhound bus that traveled through Kansas had been deported 10 times and voluntarily removed from the U.S. another nine times since 2003, records obtained by The Associated Press show.

Three U.S. Republican senators  including Kansas' Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts  demanded this month that the Department of Homeland Security provide immigration records for 38-year-old Tomas Martinez-Maldonado, who is charged with a felony in the alleged Sept. 27 attack aboard a bus in Geary County. He is being held in the Geary County jail in Junction City, which is about 120 miles west of Kansas City.

U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, from Iowa and chairman of the judiciary committee, co-signed a Dec. 9 letter with Moran and Roberts to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, calling it "an extremely disturbing case" and questioning how Martinez-Maldonado was able to re-enter and remain in the country.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it has placed a detainer  a request to turn Martinez-Maldonado over to ICE custody before he is released  with Geary County. ICE declined to discuss his specific case beyond its October statement regarding the 10 deportations.

Court filings show Martinez-Maldonado has two misdemeanor convictions for entering without legal permission in cases prosecuted in 2013 and 2015 in U.S. District Court of Arizona, where he was sentenced to serve 60 days and 165 days respectively.

A status hearing in the rape case is scheduled for Jan. 10. Defense attorney Lisa Hamer declined to comment on the charge, but said, "criminal law and immigration definitely intersect and nowadays it should be the responsibility of every criminal defense attorney to know the possible ramifications in the immigration courts."

Nationwide, 52 percent of all federal prosecutions in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 were for entry or re-entry without legal permission and similar immigration violations, according to Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University.

It's not unusual to see immigrants with multiple entries without legal permission, said David Trevino, a Topeka immigration attorney who has provided legal advice to Martinez-Maldonado's family. Most of Martinez-Maldonado's family lives in Mexico, but he also has family in the United States, and the family is "devastated," Trevino said.

"(President-elect Donald Trump) can build a wall 100 feet high and 50 feet deep, but it is not going to keep family members separated. So if someone is deported and they have family members here ... they will find a way back  whether it is through the air, under a wall, through the coast of the United States," Trevino said.

He declined to comment on Martinez-Maldonado's criminal history and pending charge.

Records obtained by AP show Martinez-Maldonado had eight voluntary removals before his first deportation in 2010, which was followed by another voluntary removal that same year. He was deported five more times between 2011 and 2013.

In 2013, Martinez-Maldonado was charged with entering without legal permission, a misdemeanor, and subsequently deported in early 2014 after serving his sentence. He was deported again a few months later, as well as twice in 2015  including the last one in October 2015 after he had served his second sentence, the records show.

ICE said in an emailed statement that when it encounters a person who's been deported multiple times or has a significant criminal history and was removed, it routinely presents those cases to the U.S. attorney's office for possible criminal charges.

Cosme Lopez, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Arizona, declined comment on why prosecutors twice dismissed felony re-entry after deportation charges against Martinez-Maldonado in 2013 and 2015 in exchange for guilty pleas on misdemeanor entry charges.

Arizona ranks third in the nation  behind only the Southern District of Texas and the Western District of Texas  for the number of immigration prosecutions among the nation's 94 federal judicial districts for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse records show.

Moran told the AP in an email that the immigration system is "broken."

"There must be serious legislative efforts to address U.S. immigration policy, and we must have the ability to identify, prosecute and deport illegal aliens who display violent tendencies before they have an opportunity to perpetrate these crimes in the United States," he said.
Dallas police were looking Saturday for a man they say killed his ex-girlfriend and then dumped her body under a bridge.

Fox 4 Dallas reports that Marisol Espinosa, a hairstylist and mother of three, disappeared a year ago. Her body was found in southeast Dallas in March.

Her former boyfriend Faustino Valdez, 35, is now wanted for her murder.

Police obtained a warrant for Valdezs arrest on Thursday, a year to the day the 34-year-old Espinosa disappeared, the station reported.

Espinosas family suspects Valdez may have fled to Mexico. His family says he disappeared Jan. 4.

Police said Valdez was the last person to see Espinosa.

He told Fox 4 on New Years Day -- three days after the disappearance  that he didnt know what happened to her.

The day of the interview her abandoned SUV was found by a cousin, with her purse inside.

She left the house fine, Valdez told the station. She got ready like she always does. She took a shower, got ready, put her clothes on and put her makeup on. She kissed me goodbye and told me she was leaving.

Valdez also told the station that a lot of things were going through his mind. I just dont know what to think right now, he said.

Valdez told cops Espinosa left for work. Friends said she never showed up there.

In March, two people searching a wooded area for stray dogs found her partially clothed body.

Espinosa and Valdez had two children together during an off-and-on relationship that last six years, the Dallas Morning News reported. Espinosa was also the mother of a third child. Her mother was given custody of the kids.

After a fire damaged her house, she started living with Valdez again. Her family believes Valdez started the fire, the paper reported.

Espinosa moved in with Valdez with her children, her mother and her uncle.
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Pennsylvania State Police continue their search for the suspect in the fatal shooting of a state trooper.

The officer, Landon Weaver, was shot Friday night while responding to a report of a protection-from-abuse violation at a home in central Pennsylvania. A remote Huntingdon County area has been closed off in the search.

Gov. Tom Wolf says in a statement Saturday that he is confident the suspect will be captured and "brought to justice."

Weaver enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in December 2015 and was assigned to the Patrol Unit in Troop G in Huntingdon. He's the 97th member of the Pennsylvania State Police to be killed in the line of duty.

The governor said he will be remembered for his bravery and willingness to serve.
A Somali official says three Syrian hostages held by Somali pirates have been released after more than two years in captivity.

Mohamed Aden Ticey, an administrator based in Adado town in central Somalia, said Saturday no ransom was paid for their release.

The three were the last to be freed of the 21 surviving crew of the ship MV Orna, owned by a company in the UAE. One crew member was shot dead by the pirates in August to protest a delay in ransom payments. The ship was hijacked 400 nautical miles northeast of the Seychelles in December 2010 and freed on Oct. 22, 2012.

Hijackings by Somali pirates have significantly decreased in the last couple of years, because many ships now carry armed guards and there is an international naval armada that carries out onshore raids.
South Korean border guards arrested an American man who they believe was attempting to swim across a river into rival North Korea, a South Korean defense official said Wednesday.

The man was apprehended Tuesday night while lying on a bank of the Han River, which is in a restricted military area near the border, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to office policy. The man was in his late 20s or early 30s, Yonhap news agency said, and had told investigators that he tried to go to North Korea to meet leader Kim Jong Un.

Americans are occasionally arrested after entering North Korea illegally from China but a U.S. citizen trying to get in from South Korea is unusual.

In the 1960s, several U.S. soldiers walked into the North while on a patrol near the mine-strewn Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ. Those army deserters later appeared in North Korean propaganda films and taught English.

In 1996, American Evan C. Hunziker entered the North by swimming across the Yalu River that marks the Chinese border. Hunziker, who apparently made the swim on a drunken dare, was accused of spying and detained for three months.

Hunziker, 26 at the time, was eventually freed after negotiations involving a special U.S. envoy. The North Koreans wanted to slap Hunziker with a $100,000 criminal fine but eventually agreed on a $5,000 payment to settle a bill for a hotel where he was detained. He killed himself about one month after his release.

About 27,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea to avoid poverty and political suppression since the end of the Korean War, but some South Koreans also have attempted defect to the impoverished, authoritarian neighbor to the north. Such cases are rare.

Last year, South Korean soldiers shot and killed a man with a South Korean passport who officials said ignored warnings while swimming across the Imjin River toward North Korea.

Some recent U.S. detainees include missionaries aiming to spread the gospel in North Korea or draw attention to the country's alleged human rights abuses. On Christmas Day in 2009, Korean-American missionary Robert Park defiantly walked into the North from China calling for dismantling of the North's prison camps. Park, who was deported from the country in February 2010, has said he was tortured by interrogators.

North Korea is currently holding three Americans and the country's Supreme Court on Sunday sentenced one of them, Matthew Miller, to six years of hard labor for illegally entering the country to commit espionage. North Korea says Miller tore up his tourist visa upon arrival at Pyongyang's airport in April.

The Korean Peninsula remains in a technical state of war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea to deter potential aggression from North Korea.
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The head of Taiwan's Nationalists reaffirmed the party's support for eventual unification with the mainland when he met Monday with Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of continuing rapprochement between the former bitter enemies.

Nationalist Party Chairman Eric Chu, a likely presidential candidate next year, also affirmed Taiwan's desire to join the proposed Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank during the meeting in Beijing. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and doesn't want the island to join using a name that might imply it is an independent country.

Chu's comments during his meeting with Xi were carried live on Hong Kong-based broadcaster Phoenix Television.

The Nationalists were driven to Taiwan by Mao Zedong's Communists during the Chinese civil war in 1949, leading to decades of hostility between the sides. Chu, who took over as party leader in January, is the third Nationalist chairman to visit the mainland and the first since 2009.

Relations between the communist-ruled mainland and the self-governing democratic island of Taiwan began to warm in the 1990s, partly out of their common opposition to Taiwan's formal independence from China, a position advocated by the island's Democratic Progressive Party.

Despite increasingly close economic ties, the prospect of political unification has grown increasingly unpopular on Taiwan, especially with younger voters. Opposition to the Nationalists' pro-China policies was seen as a driver behind heavy local electoral defeats for the party last year that led to Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou resigning as party chairman.
Panama has closed its border to Cuban immigrants trying to make their way north to the United States and once again is flying Cubans who already made it to the country to the Mexico-U.S. border.

President Juan Carlos Varela said Monday he had agreed with his Mexican counterpart to fly 3,800 Cubans already stranded for weeks while trying to get to the U.S.

Varela says it was a difficult decision, but necessary because Nicaragua closed its border to Cubans last year and impeded their journey north. Cubans are admitted to the United States. if they get to the border. They have been arriving in greater numbers because they fear warming relations between the two countries end the exceptional policy.

Varela says the flights could last two or three weeks.

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Police in Brazil believe that Greece's ambassador to the country was killed by his wife's lover under her orders in a house in the Rio area and have detained three suspects, authorities said Friday.

Kyriakos Amiridis, 59, was last seen Monday night, the police said in a statement. A burned body the police believe is the diplomat's was found inside his torched car in Rio.

Francoise, his Brazilian wife and the mother of their 10-year-old daughter, reported him missing Wednesday, Reuters reported.

On Friday, police investigator Evaristo Pontes Magalhaes said that 29-year-old police officer Sergio Gomes Moreira Filho had confessed to killing Amiridis, alleging self-defense.

Globo TV reported that investigators said they believed Francoise and Moreira had arranged the murder in advance.

Francoise has denied any role in the alleged plot. According to Magalhaes, Francoise said she couldn't stop Filho from killing her husband and insisted she was not at home at the time of the crime.

A police investigator said in a press conference late Friday that the "evidence clearly puts the ambassador's wife as a co-author of the crime."

"All our evidence suggests that her motivation was to use the financial resources left by the ambassador so she could enjoy life with Sergio," the police officer, Magalhaes said.

Both Amiridis' wife and the officer were in custody, but it was not clear if they had retained lawyers, Reuters reported.

Rio de Janeiro police investigator Giniton Lages told The Associated Press that blood spots believed to be those of the ambassador were found on a sofa inside the home of the wife.

Another investigator said the ambassador and his wife fought three days before Christmas.

According to the Greek Embassy website in Brazil, Amiridis started his career as diplomat in 1985 in Athens and became Greece's top diplomat in Brazil in 2016.

He earlier was Greece's ambassador to Libya and worked as consul in Rio from 2001 and 2004.

Brazilian news website G1 reported that Amiridis' wife has an apartment in Nova Iguacu.

The Greek foreign ministry said the embassy in Brasilia was informed Wednesday by people close to the ambassador that they had been unable to communicate with him since Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
UN Security Council will hold a meeting behind closed doors on Saturday and vote on the draft resolution proposed by Russia in support of ceasefire in Syria, the Russian Permanent Mission to UN said, TASS reported.

"Tomorrow at 11am, closed consultations will be held, followed by voting on Syria," the mission said.

The draft resolution was distributed by the Russian delegation on Thursday evening and officially presented at the UN SC meeting on Friday. The document envisages support for a ceasefire agreement in Syria reached with mediation of Russia and Turkey and stresses "the importance of their full and immediate implementation." The draft resolution also mentions the upcoming talks in Astana between the Syrian government and opposition.

After the meeting behind closed doors on Friday, Russian Ambassador to UN Vitaly Churkin told reporters that the discussion was useful and constructive, and that UN SC members "proposed several recommendations on improving the text of the draft." He noted that the Russian delegation is ready to take into account these proposals and will submit the document for voting.
Egypt's Forensics Authority says it has released the remains of ten crew members of the fallen EgyptAir Paris flight to their families, seven months after the plane plummeted into the Mediterranean Sea on its way to Cairo in May, killing all 66 passengers on board.

Authority spokesman Hisham Abdel Hamid told the Associated Press Saturday that the rest of the remains will be released by the end of next week, a delay the French authorities have repeatedly protested.

Egypt's Prosecution had announced earlier this month that it would release the remains in coordination with foreign embassies, after investigations revealed traces of explosives. Flight 804 was carrying 30 Egyptian and 15 French passengers, as well as others from Iraq, the U.K., Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Chad, Portugal, Belgium, Algeria and Canada.
A total of 23 Daesh terrorists, including planners for the group, were neutralized in the Syria's north during the ongoing Turkish-led Operation Euphrates Shield, according to the Turkish military, Anadolu reported.

The Turkish Armed Forces said on Saturday that Turkish jets destroyed 12 Daesh targets in al-Bab, Kabr al-Mukri, Bzagah, Tadif and abu-Jabbar along with 12 Daesh terrorists.

Other 11 terrorists were neutralized in ground clashes, the military said.

The operation focused on capturing al-Bab district of Syria, with intensified land and air attack, the statement said.

The statement added that on Saturday, a total of 172 Daesh positions had been targeted and besieged.

Again on Saturday, Turkish soldiers found the bodies of four Daesh terrorists while 4 hand-held radios, 3 Kalashnikovs (AK-47), a bixie machine gun, an RPG-7 and an armed vehicle were captured.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorist in question was either killed or captured.

Since the launch of Operation Euphrates Shield, around 1,300 Daesh and 306 PKK/PYD terrorists have been neutralized.

Turkish explosive ordnance disposal teams have neutralized 2,556 handmade explosives and 42 mines in areas cleared of Daesh since the beginning of Operation Euphrates Shield.
Silver Cos. plans to add to the growing number of apartment complexes near Fall Hill Avenue in Fredericksburg.

The developer, which has offices in Fredericksburg and Boca Raton, Fla., expects to begin construction next summer on its yet-unnamed Silver Collection project in Celebrate Virginia South across from the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center.

The complex will have six, 4-story, multi-family apartment buildings with a total of 577 units. Theyre expected to be ready to rent by 2019.

According to the developer, the project will feature a number of amenities like Silver Cos. Silver Collection at Cosners Corner in Spotsylvania County and the Silver Collection at Celebrate under construction in Celebrate Virginia North in Stafford County. Those include clubhouses, pools, workout rooms and a dog park.

But the apartments in Celebrate Virginia South will be the first locally to also feature an age-restricted section called Silver Collection Sterling Edition. About 200 of the units will be for those ages 55 and older.

I think thats a trend for retirees, said CEO Larry Silver. A lot that we have seen want more cash in the bank and they want luxury living. We will offer 1-, 3- and 5-year leases so they will be more comfortable about what their leases will be. Its a protection against unknown rent increases.

Those not living in the age-restricted section of the complex will lease year-to-year.

Silver Cos. has acquired, developed, owned and sold multi-family properties throughout the United States for decades. Silver said that his company decided to sell them to concentrate on Silver Collection projects in areas with high incomes. It has completed two others besides the one in Spotsylvania. Both of those are in North Charlotte, N.C.

He said that the Silver Collection reflects a trend among young professionals who want amenities, are willing to move to advance in their careers, and dont see home ownership as the investment it once was.

They saw their parents lose lots of equity in the recession of 2008, Silver said.

Silver Cos. owns the 24-acre site in Celebrate Virginia South where the apartments will be built, and does not need to have the land rezoned. It can build the apartments by right, but city staff has to approve the plans. A public comment period on the project was held, but no comments were made, said Marne Sherman, the citys development administrator in the Community Planning and Building Department.

We did not receive any public comments on the application, she said. Staffs comments on the application will be formally issued by next week. At that point, the applicant must address the comments before the plans can be approved.

The project would be the second upscale apartment complex in Celebrate Virginia South. The other, Seasons at Celebrate, does not include an age-restricted section.

City Council has approved a number of apartment and townhouse projects recently. The most recent was the developer of The Hampton at Nobles rezoning request so it can build the second phase of the project behind Huber Motor Cars Mercedes and Volvo dealerships on Fall Hill Avenue.

The Hamptons at Noble, which is under construction, will be a 128-unit apartment complex. The Hamptons at Coleman will include 78 townhouses and five apartment buildings with a total of 120 units, plus a car dealership next to the Volvo dealership.

Norfolk-based S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. plans to use a Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) for the proposed 120 multi-family unit portion of The Hamptons at Coleman. This program uses tax credits to incentivize the development of housing that those making 60 percent of the areas median income can afford. In the city of Fredericksburg, that is $49,454.

City Council twice delayed voting on the rezoning needed for The Hamptons at Coleman, and was still split at its meeting on Dec. 22. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Matt Kelly, Brad Ellis and Chuck Frye Jr. voted for the ordinance after lengthy debate on renting versus home ownership. Billy Withers, Kerry Devine and Tim Duffy voted against it.

Kelly and Ellis both cited the decline in interest in home ownership and the trend for millennials to seek affordable rent so they can spend their salaries on other things.

They dont want to be tied down. They want to be in a community where theres a lot to do and in a location with a lot of conveniences, Ellis said.

Kelly also said that people who work in the city should be able to live in the city, and pointed out that seniors are looking to downsize and sell their homes.

Withers said in an interview on Tuesday that one of the reasons he voted against The Hamptons at Coleman was that he knew that the Silver project would bring even more apartments to the city. He said that the ratio of rentals to owner-occupied houses already is much higher in the city than in the surrounding counties, which means that there is less tax revenue for schools and the police and fire departments.

I just want us to have our fair proportion, he said, so we can take care of all our residents.
FREDERICKSBURG

Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 2208 Lafayette Blvd., will hold a New Years Eve Gospel Sing from 7 p.m. to midnight sponsored by the Salvation Army. Justified, Old Time Way Bluegrass Gospel, Born Again Country and The Hendersons will perform. 540/898-2180, 540/582-2309.

St. Georges Episcopal Church, 905 Princess Anne St., will hold a Organ Concert at 7:30 p.m. and a Jazz Ensemble Concert at 9 p.m. tonight to benefit outreach ministries in PortauPrince, Haiti. Artists include Trystan Bennett, Achim Loch and John Vreeland and the St. George Jazz Ensemble. Free; donations accepted. 540/373-4133; concerts@stgeorgesepiscopal.net.

Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 309 Wolfe St., will hold a Watch Night tonight at 9:30 p.m. delivered by The Rev. Dr. Aaron Dobynes. Sunday School will begin Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and at 11 a.m. The Rev. Carl Butler will preach the New Years Day service. 540/371-2878.

Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Augustine Ave. On New Years Day there will be one worship service with Holy Communion at 10 a.m. 540/373-5087.

Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, 308 Hanover St., will offer two courses starting Jan. 4 for Grief Education and Jan. 11 for Divorce Recovery. For more information and childcare, call 540/373-9021, ext. 105; fumcva.org/grow/adult.

Peace United Methodist Church, 801 Maple Grove Drive, is changing its food pantry days. The food pantry will only be in operation the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 9:3011 a.m. 540/786-8585.

Trinity Bible Church, 6331 Campus Drive, will hold a midweek Bible study beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m. on the Book of Revelation. The church will also continue to host Sunday evening AWANA ministry from 57 p.m. Email admin@tbc.me.

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY

Piney Branch Baptist Church, 10727 Piney Branch Road. Watch Night Service tonight and Sunday Morning Service will include Holy Communion at 10 p.m. There will be no 11:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service on Jan. 1. 540/786-7045.

Sylvannah Baptist Church, 8400 Courthouse Road, will hold Watch Night Service tonight at 11 p.m. Sunday Morning Worship will be held at 11 a.m; there will be no Sunday School. 540/582-5826.

Branch Fork Baptist Church, 6930 Stubbs Bridge Road, will hold service at 10 a.m. instead of 11 a.m. Sunday. 540/854-7354.

Craigs Baptist Church, 14123 W. Catharpin Road. The AWANA program will be held every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The next eight-week Centershot archery program for ages 6 to adult will begin Feb. 2. Register early. 540/854-5284; churchbaptistchurch.org.

New Destiny Baptist Church, 11903 Bowman Drive, will host Word on Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. weekly. newdestinyva.org.

STAFFORD COUNTY

Stafford Community Baptist Church, 153 Garrisonville Road (at the Red Roof Inn), will observe its annual New Years Eve Service tonight. Pastor and speaker Andrew L. Hogan Jr. will begin at 7:30 p.m. 540/659-8109.

Mount Olive Baptist Church, 395 Mount Olive Road, invites the community to attend its New Years Eve Potluck Watch Night Service at 9 p.m. tonight; also join the church Sunday at 10:45 a.m. for the debut sermon of PastorElect Dr. Eric S. Shaw. 540/752-4296; or mobcstafford.com.

Miracle Faith Ministries Church, 14 Miracle Valley Lane, will hold a New Years Eve celebration tonight starting at 9 p.m. Casual dress. On Sunday at 11:30 a.m., the congregation will hold a New Years Day worship service. miraclefaithmin.com, 540/361-7777.

Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church, 135 Chapel Green Road, will have its regular morning worship on New Years Day at 11 a.m. with Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. There will also be communion. 540/373-4303.

CAROLINE COUNTY

St. John Baptist Church, 17080 S. River Road, Woodford. No Watch Night will begin tonight with New Years Day worship at 10 a.m. 804/448-3866.

Third Mount Zion Baptist Church, 9132 Fredericksburg Turnpike, Woodford, will host a Gospel Concert on New Years Eve at 10 p.m. featuring Roy and Revelation from Hopkins, S.C. The Choirs from the church will also be singing. This concert is free of charge. The morning worship service will be at 10 a.m. Sunday. 804/632-6039.

KING GEORGE COUNTY

St. Stephens Baptist Church, 9142 Comorn Road, will host a New Years Day joint service with Pastor Harry Wallace and the Peoples Union church family Sunday starting at 10 a.m., with Pastor Wallace bringing forth a word from on high. 540/775-2688.

WESTMORELAND COUNTY

New Life Ministries, 2800 McKinney Blvd., Colonial Beach. Dave Ramseys Financial Peace University will be offered Monday nights starting Jan. 9. This eight-week course teaches debt-reduction strategies and principles for financial well-being. http://fpu.com/1030144; 804/224-1769.

CULPEPER COUNTY

Little Fork Episcopal Church, 16461 Oak Shade Road, Rixeyville. A closing Christmas ceremony and lessons will take place Sunday at 10 a.m. 540/937-4306.

Beulah Baptist Church, 9297 Eggbornsville Road, Rixeyville, will celebrate New Years Eve Watch Night Service tonight at 10. Bring in the New Year with prayer, praise and a powerful word from Dr. Kenneth Pitts. Breakfast will be served. On Sunday at 10 a.m., Morning Worship Service will start followed by Holy Communion and music and youth minister Zach Farrow delivering the message. 540/937-5563; bbc9297@gmail.com.

St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 115 N. East St., (Parking: 120 N. Commerce St.), offers three Holy Communion Services every week: Sunday at 8 a.m. or 10:30 a.m., child care from 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesday Centering Prayer at 11 a.m. and Healing and Holy Communion at noon. 540/825-8786, ststephensculpeper.net, FB: St-Stephens-Episcopal-Church-Culpeper-VA.
For the last year, Travis and Nikki Dye have changed up to two dozen diapers a day, listened to countless coos and cries, wails and gurgles, and prepared who knows how many bottles for three hungry mouths.

Clearly, life with triplets is nothing like they expected.

Its 10 times easier, the dad said.

One hundred times better, the mom added.

Thats not to say that things havent been a little stressfuleven chaoticat times around their Spotsylvania County home. But ever since Maggie, Hank and Sawyer were delivered two months early, on Dec. 31, 2015, the Dyes have been counting their blessings in multiples.

The Dyes were featured in The Free LanceStar before the triplets were born and shortly after the family started to settle into its new routine.

The smallest of the lot, Hank, weighed under 3 pounds at birth, and hes practically caught up with his brother and his sister, who quickly jumped off the charts in terms of height, her mother said. Maybe shell be our tall girl.

All three are in the 17- to 18-pound range these days.

Theyre all crawling and pulling themselves up, reaching for things they shouldnt get into and wondering why gates have to block their access to the kitchen.

Babies born prematurely are often behind in their development because they didnt get to spend the proper time in the womb. That doesnt seem to be the case with these three.

Our pediatrician said theyre making their milestones like normal 1-year-olds, the mom said.

Theyre happy and have been amazingly healthy, their parents said. Little Hank had some problems with acid reflux at birth, and one time at home, he had breathing spasms that scared his parents so badly, they called 911. The spasms stopped quickly, and he was fine.

He also needed therapy, in the form of leg massages, when the others started sitting up, and he couldnt. After a week, he was sitting pretty.

Otherwise, no one has had any lingering problems from their early births. Nikki Dye would like to think mothers milk has something to do with that. Shes continued to pump her milk, three times a day, for a year.

I think theyve been healthier, and it saved a lot of money, she said.

Finances definitely have been a concern for the family. Travis Dye had been working at the North Anna Power Station but was laid off, making his wifes salary the only income. She teaches English to speakers of other languages at Battlefield Middle School.

Since July, hes been an at-home dad.

Everybody keeps saying your dad and your granddad couldnt have ever done it, but you do what you have to do, said the father, 29.

Mom, 27, would prefer to be at home, and dad said hed rather be the one working, but each says theyll make the best of things until roles can reverse. Both are grateful for family members who have pitched in to help with everything from diapers and triple outfits to babysitting in the middle of the week.

Tammy Petrie, Travis Dyes aunt, visits with her nephew and the babies at least one day a week.

I love them, she said. I want to spend as much time with them as I can.

Shes on the floor with them as they crawl and sidle up to the others. Maggie, especially, likes to get right next to Sawyer and pat him on the back.

Travis Dyes mother, Monica Perrin, lives in Lake Anna with her husband, Trey, and the babies visit them at least once a week. Likewise, Travis Dyes father, Danny Dye, and his wife, Patty, come by with the same frequency.

He usually has some excuse like, I found these diapers by the side of the road,  Travis Dye said about his father, but I think he just wants to see the babies.

Another aunt, Patti Mohs, comes over Wednesday night after work. She never had children and has really taken to the babies, Nikki Dye said. She stays the night so the young parents can get a good nights sleep. She also brings presents, snacks and clothes almost every visit.

Weve been very lucky with the way things have worked, the father said.

These children have never wanted for anything, the mother added.

Her parents, Anita and Rod Crase, live in Tennessee, and the triplets already took a road trip to see them.

We dont let them keep us home, Travis Dye said.

But the couple has started ordering their groceries and picking them up at the store. Its not because the babies get antsy during the trip; its because too many people approach them and ask any question that pops into their heads. Inquiries include:

Are they triplets?

Are they identical?

Are they natural?

Did you have to take fertility drugs?

I guess you wont be having anymore babies, will you?

The Dyes understand that people mean no harm by the questions, but the lack of boundaries shown by strangers does start to feel a little insensitive, the mother said. Its as if the babies are part of a freak show, the dad added.

In the first story about them, the couple didnt hesitate to describe their situation. They werent even trying to get pregnant when they ended up with triplets.

If they had needed fertility drugs, the way so many couples do, they probably would have endured miscarriages and other unpleasant ordeals. Nikki Dye cant help but wonder why strangers would want to remind people of these struggles while passing them in a grocery aisle.

But other than sometimes feeling like theyre parents to little circus people, the Dyes said they couldnt be happier with the last year.

Weve really been blessed, she said.
After a jury on Friday convicted Michael Andrew Maldini on all three sex charges he faced, prosecutors asked them to exact the harshest possible punishmentlife in prison.

Separate him from society, said Tara Mooney, one of three prosecutors, in an emotional sentencing argument following Maldins conviction on rape, attempted sodomy and aggravated sexual battery charges. That is what he deserves.

Fellow prosecutor George Elsasser also said Maldini needed to be put away for good.

If he isnt a future threat, who is? he asked.

While the jury didnt recommend a life sentence for the 37-year-old, the combined 75-year prison term the seven men and five women settled on, along with a $100,000 fine, satisfied the victim, her family and prosecutors.

I think its a good outcome, the victims mother said outside the courtroom afterward.

Jury foreman, Craig Patton, said in an email that initially they were split.

He said he was one of the jurors who believed Maldini was guilty when they started deliberating.

I felt that I knew in my heart that this man had systematically lied throughout the trial, and I for one simply did not believe anything he said, he wrote in the email.

Learning of other victims reinforced their decision, he said.

When we heard about the other victims, he wrote, we felt like heroes who had finally stopped a bad man who had somehow eluded justice all these years.

Maldinis official sentencing is set for March 14, but the conviction can be appealed.

The case

This was a classic he said, she said case, one lacking physical evidence.

While there was agreement on some aspects of what happened on Feb. 7 and in the ensuing months, the two sides versions couldnt have been more different.

The assault happened on a Sunday afternoon during weekend reservist drills in Quantico, after the woman and Maldini took a fellow Marine to Stafford Hospital.

Maldini, the woman testified, asked her if she wanted to go to his nearby townhouse to see his puppy, which he did not actually have.

Once at his home, she said Maldini gave the woman, then 19, beer and shots of flavored vodka. She said she didnt want the alcohol, but felt like she was being ordered to drink by a superior officer.

She said they eventually settled on a basement couch and watched Minions, her favorite movie.

I just thought we were hanging, watching a movie, she said.

But, she continued, he eventually touched her on the lower back. Startled, she said she got off the couch and asked what he was doing.

She said he told her to relax and then started trying to take off her Marine-issued pants and lift her button-down camouflage shirt over her head, pinning her arms behind her back. The woman said the next thing she could recall was being on the bed with Maldini continuing to pull off her pants. Prosecutors said earlier in the trial that Maldini pushed her back into a bedroom and forced himself on her sexually.

The woman said she tried to fight him off, during which she scratched him on the neck. But Maldini, a black belt military martial arts trainer, was too strong. Other Marines testified to seeing the scratches on Maldinis neck later that day.

In his testimony, a calm and stoic Maldini said the woman willingly went to his house and drank the vodka. He described how they watched a movie. Then they turned on a pornographic movie, he said, after she saw a signed photo of an adult film star on his wall and expressed interest. Then, he said, the two performed sexual acts on each other and had sex twice.

He testified that she also wanted to perform a sex act on him as he drove them back to their Washington, D.C., headquarters later that day. He said he refused that advance because he believed hed already made a big mistake by violating the Marine rule of fraternization.

Months after the encounter, Maldini told police and Marine investigators that the woman made unwanted sexual advances toward him by touching his crotch while he was driving. He did not tell the investigators that the two had sex at his home.

He testified that he didnt want that information known because it would violate Marine rules and ruin his career.

Maldini said he grew fearful of the womans intentions after she made several calls and sent a text to him on July 18. Later that night, the former police officer called a Stafford Sheriffs deputy for advice about the situation, saying she had touched his crotch and that he was concerned about her harassing him. The calls and text were part of a sting technique used by detectives to see if Maldini would make incriminating statements.

Maldini transferred from the Marine reserve unit the following day.

Contrast in lives

Just like their versions of what happened on Feb. 7 and the ensuing months, the young woman and Maldini are completely different people, according to testimony.

The young woman in the case decided she wanted to be a Marine while a junior in high school, and she signed up at the age of 17 to become a reservist.

She dreamed of making a career of it, and appears to be on track as she is now a full-time active Marine.

Described as confident and vivacious, family, friends and fellow Marines said she changed drastically after the February encounter with Maldini.

She was depressed, anxious and suicidal. Friends and family knew something was wrong but most didnt know about the sexual assault because she told only a few people, and her initial complaint with the Marines was restricted. She eventually filed a full complaint, which was then transferred from the Marines to the Stafford Sheriffs Office.

Unlike the victim, Maldini has a tainted background, one that was difficult to track because of the positions of trust and respect he held as a police officer and high-ranking Marine.

In 2007, he was convicted of three counts of misdemeanor assault and battery, which were lowered from sexual battery charges, for inappropriately touching two female officers while on duty as an officer with the Arlington Police Department. He received a suspended sentence and was allowed to resign from the department.

Both of those women testified during the sentencing phase.

They angrily and tearfully described the shock of being assaulted by a fellow officer, while he was on duty and in uniform. One of the women was with him on a possible robbery call when he tried to kiss her and touched her breast area.

It also came out during the trial that Maldini was reprimanded while in Iraq for having sex with a fellow female Marine, and his superiors believed he lied to them about that.

Even with those black marks, Maldini maintained his position as a Marine reservist and climbed the ranks to gunnery sergeant, the position he held when he sexually assaulted the lance corporal in February.

Last victim

The victim wrote a letter she read in court to Maldini during the sentencing phase.

Mr. Maldini, why me? she said, looking at the defendant and adding that he took away her ability to feel safe in my own skin.

I wasnt your first. I wasnt your second. I wasnt your third, she continued. But I will be your last.
When Esperanza-Parker, better known as Espi, arrived at the Stafford County Animal Shelter, the frightened Chihuahua was significantly underweightweighing only one poundand could barely stand or eat on her own.

But, today, Espi is thriving. Not only can she walk and eatshe has been adopted.

The starving Chihuahua was found in a box at a playground in Aquia Harbor earlier this month and brought to the shelter. After sharing the dogs story on Facebook, the shelter found a foster family for Espi. The family fell in love with Espi and ultimately decided to adopt her.

Espis story had a domino effect. Denise Spicer, manager of the Stafford Animal shelter, said the dogs story inspired the community to provide temporary and permanent homes for shelter animals over the holidays.

Espi got everyone in the Christmas spirit, Spicer said.

That momentum was just what the shelter needed to kick off their Home for the Holidays program. Spicer said the community support ended up exceeding their expectations. The shelter was able to find a temporary holiday home for every adoptable dog. In some cases those became permanent homes for the pets.

We have never cleared the dog kennel like that before, Spicer said. It was the perfect day. Everyone was so excited to help out.

It all began on Dec. 15 when Dr. Amanda Hurley of White Oak Animal Hospital and her husband, Dave, visited the shelter to provide all the animals with rabies vaccinations. Once the animals were vaccinated, the shelter was able to begin their holiday promotional push to find families for the pets.

Megan Hubbard, owner of Sunflower Studios Photography, took pictures of the animals to assist with the shelters social media efforts. The pictures are crucial to generating interest among the public.

Stafford, you have truly gone above and beyond to show your holiday spirit, the shelter said in a Facebook post. The gift you are giving each one of these amazing pups will be returned to you tenfold in love.

After the dogs were adopted, the shelter amplified their efforts to find homes for the cats. On Dec. 22, they went from having 18 cats at the beginning of the day to only six at closing.

Soon afterwards, nearly two dozen shelters contacted them for help. Halifax County sent them eight dogs, of which only three are left as of Dec. 30. Stafford also received three dogs from Westmoreland County and will be getting 17 from a North Carolina shelter in January.

Spicer said collaboration among shelters is the key to reaching their shared goal of saving animals.

Every shelter works hard and we all have to work together to move the animals, she said. We are all in it for the same thing and that is to save the animals and find them the best home.

Spicer said a break from the shelter is good for the animals, especially for those who have been in the shelter since early fall. Moreover, one of the benefits of their foster program is that the families often fall in love with the pets and end up adopting them.

We have had a couple adoptions from the Home for the Holidays program, Spicer said. One is a 15-year-old cat named Fred Astaire.

As the holiday season winds down, some of the pets provided holiday shelter via a foster home will be back at the shelter again and waiting for a forever home. Spicer said they are working fervently to get these animals adopted.

They have taken a bad situation and made it great, said Supervisor Gary Snellings.

Cpt. Michael Null, Staffords chief animal control officer, said the shelter is an open-admission facility to Stafford residents, which means it provides a temporary home for all companion animals surrendered by residents until they can find the pet a loving home. This includes stray animals and pets that are injured, unwanted, or no longer able to be cared for by their owners.

We would much rather accept these animals than have them abandoned and forsaken somewhere, Null said. By accepting all the animals that our citizens bring in, we can get overwhelmed at times and have to reach out to other agencies, social media and fosters.

Although the shelters ultimate goal is to find a family for every animal, it is not a no-kill facility. The shelter does have to euthanize animals at the request of their owners or for space, public safety and health concerns. In 2016, the shelter euthanized 183 dogs and 254 cats.

The County is gearing up for construction of a new, larger facility in 2017, which may decrease the number of euthanizations for space, and accommodate more animals.

Programs like Home for the Holidays demonstrate the shelters commitment to saving animals. Stafford Supervisor Wendy Maurer said the compassion shown at the shelter deserves recognition.

In a normal shelter, I imagine dogs such as Espi would have been euthanized, Maurer said. Our staff reaches out on Facebook to raise money for vet bills and then finds foster homes for these animals where they are nursed back to health.

Animal control officers respond to a variety of humane complaints involving companion animals and livestock, Null said. However, animal care in the community has improved over the last couple decades.

For example, Null said it was once common to see dogs tethered outside all day. Today, animals are increasingly kept inside in cleaner, warmer conditions. Some owners determine they do not have adequate space or living conditions for their pet, and choose to turn it over to the shelter.

We are very fortunate to be in an area where the public and private shelters help each other out in times of need and our communities are willing to help, which was proven with the Home for the Holidays event, Null said.
FROM STAFF REPORTS

Death and destruction, crimes against humanity and a beloved police canine dominate our readers picks for the top 10 local news stories of 2016.

POLICE DOG SURVIVES SHOOTING

A member of the Spotsylvania County Sheriffs Office staff become a local celebrity in October when he was wounded in the line of duty. Dux, a 2-year-old German shepherd from Hungary, was left with a gaping hole in his side, bullet fragments in his neck and a bullet lodged 2 centimeters from his spine after he was shot while chasing a suspect on Oct. 2.

He underwent surgery and recuperated at the home of his handler, Deputy K. Kelley, for almost two months.

During his recovery, Dux was on a drug cocktail that Kelley said took the edge offhelping him to stay calm so his body could heal. At one point, his wounds became infected.

Walks were limited to five minutes, a big lifestyle change for a dog who likes to swim and chase sticks on his days off. In fact, the normally 75-pound Dux put on about 5 pounds because somebodys been feeding him a little too many treats, Kelley said.

The man accused of shooting Dux, Joseph E. Conway, 34, of King George County, faces two counts of attempted capital murder, possession of a firearm by a felon and assault on a law-enforcement officer. He is accused of firing shots at two deputies and fighting with one of them.

ROUTE 3 ASSAULT SHOCKS

A brutal roadside rape in southern Stafford County early Oct. 31 shocked and terrified many in the region. A young woman was driving east on Kings Highway (State Route 3) about 3 a.m. when her vehicle was struck by a dark-colored SUV. The woman reported that she hadnt noticed the vehicle before the collision. As the result of the impact, she ended up on the shoulder of the road near Sherwood Forest Farm Road. She said she was then forced out of her car and dragged to a nearby ditch, where police said she was sexually assaulted for about two hours.

A suspect was arrested three days later in North Carolina. Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian, 26, faces charges of abduction with the intent to defile, aggravated sexual battery, rape and two counts of sodomy.

STAFFORD MAN KILLS FAMILY

Lance Buckley called 911 at 8:41 a.m. on Nov. 17 to report three murders and a suicide at a home on Wilderness Court in Stafford County. When deputies arrived, they found Buckley, 35, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and the bodies of his wife, Amy, 30, and their daughters Claire, 5, and Abigail, 18 months. They also had been shot.

Lance Buckley was in the news in 2015, when he went missing for three days in May. After he was found unharmed at a campground near Harpers Ferry, W.Va., Amy, wrote a heartfelt message calling him her companion forever, best friend, and the man I love.

FAREWELL, JOSH HARDY

Josh Hardy was a warrior, waging his first battle against cancer after doctors found a tumor on his kidney when he was 9 months old. He beat it and the cancer came back twice more. Three times in seven years, he was declared cancer-free. But the treatments took their toll on the Fredericksburg boys body. By 2013, Josh had developed a disorder caused by the aggressive chemo drugs and he needed a bone marrow transplant. He got one, then developed a deadly adenovirus and doctors said his only hope was an experimental drug that hadnt been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Chimerix Inc., the company that made the drug, said it couldnt make an exception for Josh. Doctors told his mother she would never win a fight against a pharmaceutical company and that her time would be better spent at her sons side. The family took to social media, and thousands supported their efforts by calling for action from the companyas well as telephoning company headquarters. As a result of the #SaveJosh campaign, Chimerix reversed its decision and enrolled Josh and 19 other patients in a pilot study in March 2014. His condition began to improve immediately.

Joshs strength and stamina returned and for a while he was able to stay at home and spend time with his parents and his three brothers. But breathing became a struggle. He couldnt produce enough oxygen. He and his mother headed to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, again, at the end of January 2016, and Josh spent most of this year in a hospital room.

By late September, 10-year-old Joshs condition had worsened. His brothers joined him in his hospital room for a final family movie night to see the Ninja Turtle movies. The next day, Sept. 22, Josh died, surrounded by his family. A month later, hundreds of people gathered at the Fredericksburg Expo Center to celebrate Joshs life with an event he would have loved: a superhero party.

POLICE SHOOT suspects IN SELF-DEFENSE; OFFICER SHOT

Police-involved shootings and the killing of police officers in the line of duty dominated national headlines in 2016, but the Fredericksburg area had its own incidents.

On March 22, Travis J. Blair, 33, was fatally wounded by a Fredericksburg police officer after he tried to take the officers gun at least three times. Blair, described by police as a heroin addict wanted on a felony warrant, was on Braehead Drive after being pulled over while driving on Lafayette Boulevard. A special prosecutor concluded that the officers use of deadly force was an act of self-defense that was justifiable under state law.

On June 9, a Stafford County deputy was shot four times while responding to a call. Brandon Boyle is recovering from his injuries and met Donald Trump when the president-elect met with Stafford law enforcement officials before a campaign event in Fredericksburg. Joshua Anthony Sumter, 18, faces attempted capital murder and other charges.

On Aug. 1, Stafford County deputies shot and killed Kenneth Bonanno, 67, after responding to a crash on Cool Spring Road. Deputies said Bonanno raised a revolver and fired a shot in their direction. Stafford Commonwealths Attorney Eric Olsen later concluded the deputies had acted in self-defense, calling the killing tragic. Bonnanos siblings have said they have serious doubts about the report.

PLANE CRASH KILLS 6

A 1969 Beech twin-engine, fixed-wing airplane attempted to land at Shannon Airport on Aug. 12, but the pilot pulled back up near the end of the runway. As it ascended, the airplane drifted to the right of the runways center line and began a gradual, climbing left turn about 50 feet above ground, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The plane appeared to level off, but then started to descend before pitching up abruptly and rolling to the left as it crashed into trees. The plane caught fire, and all six people inside were killed. William C. Hamerstadt, 64, of Carmel, Ind., was piloting the plane. The passengers were Robert D. Ross, 73, of Louisville, Ky., who owned the plane; Maren Timmermann, 15, of Berlin, Germany; Lisa K. Borinstein, 52, of Shelbyville, Ind., and her children: Luke J. Borinstein, 19, and Emma R. Borinstein, 15. Timmermann was an exchange student living with Borinstein family. They were on their way to Quantico Marine Corps Base to see Lisa Borinsteins son graduate from Officer Candidates School.

SNOW BLANKETS REGION

A January winter storm dumped between 14 and 19 inches of snow on the Fredericksburg area, according to the National Weather Service. Some places got even more. The Glendie community in southern Stafford County got two feet and some areas in Culpeper County got 30 inches, according to the weather service.

The storm, which packed high winds in addition to the snow, shut down the Fredericksburg region and much of the state Jan. 2224. State officials attributed 11 deaths to it.

It kept Virginia Department of Transportation crews and contractors as well as Virginia State Police troopers busy. Troopers responded to more than 1,800 crashes and 3,100 disabled vehicles. Some 9,500 VDOT crews worked around the clock during the storm trying to keep nearly 57,000 miles of road clear in blizzard-like conditions.

BRIEL GUILTY OF MURDER

A 32-year-old former University of Mary Washington student who claimed an insanity defense in the April 2015 slaying of one of his female housemates was sentenced July 12 to life in prison plus 11 years.

You are an intelligent young man, but you committed a senseless act of violence ... that ended an exceptional womans life, Fredericksburg Circuit Judge Gordon F. Willis told Steven Vander Briel before handing down the same sentence the jury had recommended for the killing of Grace Mann.

Manns mother testified during the sentencing hearing.

It has been a horrific 15 months. Much of our life is done, its destroyed, said Melissa Mann, the victims mother. Words cant describe how much we miss Grace.

According to Briels attorneys, the New Jersey native, who had re-enrolled at the university that semester, killed Mann in a fight that stemmed from a schizophrenia-induced delusional world.

Briel filed notice in September that he plans to appeal the conviction.

ROBBER KILLS CLERK

Saleh Abukhait called his oldest son about 1 a.m. Dec. 3, during his overnight shift at the Sunoco gas station on U.S. 1 in Spotsylvania County near the Interstate 95 interchange at Massaponax. It would be one of the final acts of his life.

About 1:30 a.m., a man walked into the store and had several minutes of apparently pleasant conversation with Abukhait before picking up a piece of wood hed brought into the store and attacking the clerk. Surveillance camera footage showed the man taking money from the cash register before leaving Abukhait bleeding on the floor behind the counter.

Another customer discovered the crime scene a short time later and called 911. Deputies found Abukhaits body behind the counter.

A Crime Solvers tip led police to David Junior Washington, 50, of no fixed address. He is charged with first-degree murder, robbery and grand larceny.

Abukhait, 54, came to America in 1999 after 16 years with the Jordanian armed forces, his sons said. He was a captain. He visited America with the Royal Guard, which helps protect the kings family, and liked the United States. He moved to New York with aspirations of a better future for his children, who later moved to the U.S.

new raceway roars to life

Dominion Raceway held its first public event, a NASCAR All-American Whelen Series race, on April 16. The new racetrack in Thornburg in Spotsylvania County had been opposed by nearby residents who feared noise would disrupt their enjoyment of their property.

The raceways first event was interrupted by a power outage that forced organizers to shorten the race. But since then, the track has held numerous races, concerts, movie nights and other community events. The Sheriffs Office has fielded a few noise complaints. Neighbors fear the noise from drag racing, which is expected to start this spring, might be much louder.

tornado devastates essex

A monstrous EF3 tornado that tore through the Tappahannock area on Feb. 24. Ripping through Essex County, the twister packed winds of up to 140 mph, damaged dozens of homes and injured nearly 25 people.

It cut a path 28 miles long, from Virginias Middle Peninsula through the Northern Neck. The 145-year-old St. Johns Baptist Church was among the buildings destroyed. Hundreds of volunteers poured into Essex to help clear debris, deliver emergency supplies and offer aid to victims.
Chinese astronauts Fei Junlong (L) and Nie Haisheng wave before boarding the Shenzhou VI spacecraft at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on October 12, 2005 in Jiuquan of Gansu Province, northwest China (Photo : Getty Images/China Photos)

China aims to conquer space with its planned space mission to the far side of the Moon and to explore Mars afterwards. This courageous feat is a testament of the Red Dragon's pursuit of their dream.



In a white paper titled "China's Space Activities in 2016," which is available on Xinhua, the superpower indicated its plan to accelerate the development of its space industry. One of the prominent missions that China has expressed is their aim to be the first country to land a probe on the far side of the Moon by 2018.



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Such goal of China when fully actualized will surely be carved in humanity's history. Although the country had already successfully landed a rover on the surface of the moon, it would still like to pursue further its dreams. China wants to be the first country to explore the hidden secrets and mysteries of the dark side of the moon by exploring the vast cosmos, developing the space industry and building itself into "a space power," which is a dream it pursues "unremittingly."



China has long fixed its interest to explore all of the lunar surface. It can be remembered that back in 2013 China's space agency was able to land its Chang'e-3 lander, marking the first soft-land on the lunar surface in more than 40 years. That is why it is not unusual anymore for a powerful country like China to want to explore the dark side of the moon.



Moreover, it is not just the moon that China has gazed its interest. It has also been disclosed through its white paper that China will also be launching a space mission towards Mars come 2020.



Apart from becoming a momentous event for China, the Mars space mission aims to conduct research into major scientific questions, including the origin and evolution of the Solar System, according to Science Alert. Interestingly, China also expressed their interest to search for extra-terrestrial life as part of the space mission agenda as highlighted by the same site.



Watch here below as China launches longest manned space mission:






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Microsoft Surface Phone (Photo : Twitter / Evleaks)

Microsoft Surface Phone 2017 release may come really soon as the tech giant reportedly stopped selling Lumia smartphones in the US and in several other regions.



People looking for Windows-based Lumia handsets may not be able to find one in the US as Microsoft no longer offers the line, according to MS Power User. Other smartphones running on Windows operating system are Acer M330 and HP Elite X3, which are lower end in comparison with Lumia.



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Lumia handsets are also no longer available in Ireland, France, and UK. Buyers are reportedly advised that the devices are now out of stock.



It was rumored that Microsoft has shut down the production of Lumia line due to poor sales. However, the company is not bowing down from the smartphone market as it will reportedly come back with a more powerful Microsoft Surface Phone pegged for release in 2017.



According to Windows Central, one of the major features of the upcoming smartphone is Continuum that allows Windows devices to adapt automatically on changes and situation. For smartphones, it can be transformed into a miniature CPU by simply attaching a monitor, keyboard, and a mouse either via wire or Bluetooth, according to. Moreover, it supports x68 applications, which means it can run desktop apps.



Under the hood, Microsoft Surface Phone 2017 will be powered by Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon 835 processor and 6GB RAM that will boost its performance. The smartphone will also pack Quick charging 4.0 functionality that will make charging of the device faster. Although Microsoft acquired Nokia, the company will reportedly leave out some of the famous Nokia Lumia features making it a fresh start for the company.



The other model on the other hand, is likely to have 4GB RAM, and also to be powered by Snapdragon 835 processor. The surface phone runs the 64-bit Windows 10 Mobile variant.



Microsoft Surface Phone 2017 official release date and features are still unconfirmed but it is suspected that the device will be introduced early next year.


The agreement comes about two months after Project Roomkey, which provided motel rooms for the homeless, ended.
Pete Sekermestrovich has sold Town & Country Realty, a Corvallis-based business that just celebrated its 65th anniversary, to two of his brokers, Catherine Fisher and Lisa Marie Warren.

Financial details of the sale, which was finalized on Friday, were not disclosed.

Sekermestrovich, who is retiring, started at Town & Country in 1992 and became managing principal broker and owner of the business in 1999. He said he succeeded because of hard work and the help of family, friends, colleagues and clients.

This bottom line is, its all about relationships and appreciation, he added.

Working with every imaginable personality type and with people from all over the world has been incredibly interesting and rewarding, Sekermestrovich said.

A retirement celebration for Sekermestrovich and his wife Linda is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the Town & Country office at 455 N.W Tyler Ave. (The business also has an office in Albany at 321 First Ave. E. Suite 3-C.)

Fisher and Warren have a combined 25 years of experience as brokers, and said that they consider themselves caretakers of the Town & Country brand.

Town & Country Realty, for us, its a legacy. Its part of the community. Its not just a real estate company. Its part of what makes Corvallis Corvallis, Fisher said.

Its the oldest and most successful independent brokerage in the mid-Willamette Valley, she added.

And brokers there have helped multiple generations of families buy homes.

Fisher and Warren also said that the business, which has about 15 workers and 36 full-time real estate brokers, is known for top-notch service and integrity. And Fisher credited Sekermestrovich for that reputation.

Hes very well known for saying, We do what is right, not whatever it takes, she said.

When Sekermestrovich decided to retire, he presented the option to buy the business to Fisher and Warren. It was really important to Pete that the next stewards of Town & Country came organically from within the company, Warren said.

Fisher and Warren have been with Town & Country for five years and created the ISC Group at the business  the initials stand for integrity, service and community.

They said they intend to keep a focus on supporting the community, like the Sekermestrovichs did.

All of the brokers are passionate about different charities and they give back to the community. The level of professionalism and commitment transcends real estate, Warren said.

This marks the fifth change in ownership for Town & Country Realty.

The Corvallis Multiple Exchange was started in the home of the business first owner, Fred Hoyer, who led Town & Country from 1951 to 1958.

Jim McEldowney was in charge from 1958 to 1982 and built Town & Countrys headquarters on Tyler Avenue. He also stressed the importance of integrity and professionalism.

Tom and Linda Ahlers led the company from 1982 to 1999 and helped the company grow more sophisticated in marketing efforts, and they emphasized a tradition of advocating and investing in the community.
Actors Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder and writer/producer Julie Plec attend the 'The Vampire Diaries' panel during Comic-Con International 2016 at San Diego Convention Center on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo : Getty Images/ Matt Winkelmeyer)

Fans have been excited to know more about "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 spoilers before it returns in 2017. Unfortunately, Tyler Lockwood (Michael Trevino) will not be the last one to meet demise as hinted by the show's executive producer Julie Plec.



When asked if Lockwood will be the last character to meet death, "The Vampire Diaries" boss replied with "nope," adding the words "terrible" and "painful." With this warning, fans could expect that another major death may take place in the new episode of "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8.



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"Stefan's never been good with temptation while in ripper mode," Plec told TVLine. "We know from past experience that Stefan has a threshold, and it'll be Damon's job to monitor his brother and make sure he stays on the good side of that threshold. If he crosses it, there's a risk of losing him forever."



According to the "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 episode 8 synopsis obtained by TV Guide, tefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) and Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) will continue to be Cade's (Wole Parks) followers. They will continue to serve Cade by finding their next victim, including a young doctor named Tara (Alexandra Chando).



Moreover, in "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 episode 8 returns, Sybil (Nathalie Kelley) will utilize a group of high school students to get Caroline (Candice King) find a historical artifact that can be used against her. The new episode will pick up where Season 7 left when Stefan made an agreement with Cade to have his humanity turned off. Stefan made the move to shorten his service to Cade for only year rather than an eternity.



"The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 episode 8 titled "We Have History Together" will air on Jan. 13, 2017. It is directed by Somerhalder and written by Matthew D'Ambrosio.



Episode 9 titled "The Simple Intimacy of the Near Touch," is scheduled on Jan. 20, 2017. Watch Season 8 episode 8 promo trailer here:






For the development of animals, nothing  with the exception of DNA  may be more important than oxygen in the atmosphere.

Oxygen enables the chemical reactions that animals use to get energy from stored carbohydrates  from food. So it may be no coincidence that animals appeared and evolved during the Cambrian explosion, which coincided with a spike in atmospheric oxygen roughly 500 million years ago.

It was during the Cambrian explosion that most of the current animal designs appeared.

In green plants, photosynthesis separates carbon dioxide into molecular oxygen (which is released to the atmosphere), and carbon (which is stored in carbohydrates).

But photosynthesis had already been around for at least 2.5 billion years. So what accounted for the sudden spike in oxygen during the Cambrian?

A study now online in the February issue of Earth and Planetary Science Letters links the rise in oxygen to a rapid increase in the burial of sediment containing large amounts of carbon-rich organic matter. The key, says study co-author Shanan Peters, a professor of geoscience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is to recognize that sediment storage blocks the oxidation of carbon.

Without burial, this oxidation reaction causes dead plant material on Earths surface to burn. That causes the carbon it contains, which originated in the atmosphere, to bond with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. And for oxygen to build up in our atmosphere, plant organic matter must be protected from oxidation.

And thats exactly what happens when organic matter  the raw material of coal, oil and natural gas  is buried through geologic processes.

To make this case, Peters and his postdoctoral fellow Jon Husson mined a unique data set called Macrostrat, an accumulation of geologic information on North America whose construction Peters has masterminded for 10 years.

The parallel graphs of oxygen in the atmosphere and sediment burial, based on the formation of sedimentary rock, indicate a relationship between oxygen and sediment. Both graphs show a smaller peak at 2.3 billion years ago and a larger one about 500 million years ago.

Its a correlation, but our argument is that there are mechanistic connections between geology and the history of atmospheric oxygen, Husson says. When you store sediment, it contains organic matter that was formed by photosynthesis, which converted carbon dioxide into biomass and released oxygen into the atmosphere. Burial removes the carbon from Earths surface, preventing it from bonding molecular oxygen pulled from the atmosphere.

Some of the surges in sediment burial that Husson and Peters identified coincided with the formation of vast fields of fossil fuel that are still mined today, including the oil-rich Permian Basin in Texas and the Pennsylvania coal fields of Appalachia.

Burying the sediments that became fossil fuels was the key to advanced animal life on Earth, Peters says, noting that multicellular life is largely a creation of the Cambrian.

Today, burning billions of tons of stored carbon in fossil fuels is removing large amounts of oxygen from the atmosphere, reversing the pattern that drove the rise in oxygen. And so the oxygen level in the atmosphere falls as the concentration of carbon dioxide rises.

The data about North America in Macrostrat reflects the work of thousands of geoscientists over more than a century. The current study only concerns North America, since comprehensive databases concerning the other 80 percent of Earths continental surface do not yet exist.

The ultimate geological cause for the accelerated sediment storage that promoted the two surges in oxygen remains murky. There are many ideas to explain the different phases of oxygen concentration, Husson concedes. We suspect that deep-rooted changes in the movement of tectonic plates or conduction of heat or circulation in the mantle may be in play, but we dont have an explanation at this point.

Holding a chunk of trilobite-studded Ordovician shale that formed approximately 450 million years ago, Peters asks, Why is there oxygen in the atmosphere? The high school explanation is photosynthesis. But weve known for a long time, going all the way back to Wisconsin geologist (and University of Wisconsin president) Thomas Chrowder Chamberlin, that building up oxygen requires the formation of rocks like this black shale, which can be rich enough in carbon to actually burn. The organic carbon in this shale was fixed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis, and its burial and preservation in this rock liberated molecular oxygen.

Whats new in the current study, Husson says, is the ability to document this relationship in a broad database that covers 20 percent of Earths land surface.

Continual burial of carbon is needed to keep the atmosphere pumped up with oxygen. Many pathways on Earths surface, Husson notes, like oxidation of iron  rust  consume free oxygen. The secret to having oxygen in the atmosphere is to remove a tiny portion of the present biomass and sequester it in sedimentary deposits. Thats what happened when fossil fuels were deposited.

Reference:

Jon M. Husson, Shanan E. Peters. Atmospheric oxygenation driven by unsteady growth of the continental sedimentary reservoir. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2017; 460: 68 DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2016.12.012

Note: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by University of Wisconsin-Madison.
AAPL seen to soar with all-glass iPhone 8 2017 release (Photo : Martin Hajek)

iPhone 8 release may come soon and latest leak revealed that the smartphone will pack a massive screen of 5.8 inches for the phablet.



According to DigiTimes, Apple will be supersize in 2017. "Apple will launch 4.7-, 5.5- and 5.8-inch new iPhone models in second-half 2017, with TFT-LCD panels to be used in the former two models and AMOLED for the 5.8-inch one...Global shipments of the AMOLED iPhone in 2017 are estimated at 60-70 million units," the report added citing an unnamed source.



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The huge screens will be supplied by Samsung, which is Apple's exclusive manufacturer of OLED panels. The South Korean company will supply 20 million panels a month to Apple in order to meet the demand.



Latest rumors pertaining to iPhone 8 release date, specs, and features surfaced online claiming that Apple will launch a new mid-range smartphone under the iPhone 8 brand.



Known Apple tipster Macotakara cited sources from the Taiwanese supply chain claiming that Apple will unveil a 5-inch iPhone with similar specifications with iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus. The "s" models usually have minor updates based on Apple's tick-tock cycle. Thus, the 5-inch iPhone 8 may have almost similar specs with the current iPhone 7, 7 Plus.



The supposed 5-inch iteration is also rumored to feature a dual-lens camera array with iSight modules arranged vertically rather than the horizontal configuration introduced with iPhone 6s Plus. Meanwhile, according to well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the top-tier model will feature exotic technology like a flexible OLED screen measuring 5.1 or 5.2 inches, invisible Touch ID home button, wireless charging and a "glass sandwich" enclosure.



iPhone 8 marks the 10th anniversary of the smartphone. It is a perfect time to change and revolutionizing the line is the right time. Rumors claimed that iPhone 8 release date will be in March following the release of the first iPhone. However, this should be taken lightly as Apple has released no official statement yet.


Google Play India Announces Carrier Billing Support for Airtel, Vodafone Users News oi -Samden Sherpa In addition to Idea, Airtel and Vodafone users can see the direct carrier billing option.

Earlier in October, Google had announced at its Google Play Time event, that in addition to Idea users, Airtel and Vodafone users would be getting carrier billing support soon.

As per the latest report, Google India has finally introduced Google Play carrier billing for Vodafone and Airtel postpaid users who use Android smartphones.

Motorola Moto X (2017) Leaked Image Renders Reveal a Moto Z-Like Design

Following the announcement, in addition to Idea, Airtel and Vodafone users can see the direct carrier billing option. This will be helpful in cases where users want to purchase apps, books, movies, and other digital content on the Play Store.

Additionally, with this, users can now easily buy apps from Google Play using their carrier bills. How will it work? Take for instance, when users buy an app, they will be able to see the charge on their carrier account after 15 minutes.

Apple to Start Manufacturing iPhones in India from April 2017: Report

As of now, the Google support page for payments does not reflect Vodafone and Airtel as supported carriers but Idea is on the list. Well, this feature is live for select users at the moment. On the other hand, it will be rolled out in phases to all compatible users. Basically, only postpaid users are seeing this feature, and there is no information on when prepaid users will start receiving it.

For direct carrier billing to work smoothly, users need to check with their carrier to make sure they haven't exceeded their monthly spending limit. Also, users need to ensure that their service plans allow premium content purchases.

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Samsung Focus App Combines Mails, Contacts and Calendar to Boost Productivity News oi -Rohit Samsung Focus mobile app aims to boost up smartphone productivity by combining mail, contacts, calendar and memos in one single app

Just when I was looking for a new mail app, I came across Samsung Focus, the newly developed app by Korean tech giant that aims to simplify work and boost up productivity.

Samsung Focus mobile app takes ideas from BlackBerry Hub and combines four important elements- contacts, mails, calendars and memos into a single app. The app is available to download for Samsung devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or above.

SEE ALSO: Transitions That Happened in Smartphone Arena This Year

Samsung Focus works as a unified productivity application that enables Exchange ActiveSync ("EAS"), IMAP and POP3 users to manage email, calendar, task, memo, and contacts under one roof. You can get things done faster as the app saves you from shifting back and forth from your mails, calendar entries, memos, and contacts.

Samsung Focus will appeal users who use their smartphones for work. The app's features include:

1) Support for Exchange servers as well as IMAP and POP3. So you can basically configure all email services on this app

2) Direct push synchronization with Exchange ActiveSync

3) Ability to add events or tasks from emails

4) Unified search support (Email, Event, Memo, Task, Contact)

5) A fully functional contact application

6) Calendar support

7) Add/Delete/Edit Memos

8) Option to set Priority senders

I was skeptic about privacy and security, but while installing the app, I found that Samsung's Google Play page reading that Samsung Focus does not operate any cloud servers. It connects only to the actual mail servers. It stores your account's data on the device, and Samsung Electronics never accesses any user data.

I have personally installed the app as Samsung's inbuilt e-mail client (on Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge) was giving me a hard time in getting work done on time, it's that sluggish. The user interface seems quite clean and prompt.

I will be using the app as my one-stop mail, contacts and calendar app for work, so stay tuned for updates on Samsung Focus's functionality and efficiency as a smartphone productivity app.

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Motorola Moto X (2017) Leaked Image Renders Reveal a Moto Z-Like Design News oi -Prajith The Moto X lineup may be revived after all.

Not until recently, Lenovo-owned Motorola was believed to have killed the Moto X series of smartphones for the Moto Z lineup. But, earlier this month, live images of Moto X (2017) appeared online giving us a ray of hope that the Moto X lineup will be revived after all. And now, live images and video renders of the phone surfaced online revealing the design aspects, thanks to joint efforts of @OnLeaks and Android Authority.

Before the launch of Moto Z series of smartphones, Moto X phones used to be the flagship devices of the company. However, now that Moto Z phones have occupied that position, Moto X phones should sit right below the Moto Z lineup in the companys portfolio.

Also Read: Transitions That Happened in Smartphone Arena This Year

As you can see from the image, the handset looks like a melange of Moto Z and Moto M as far as design is concerned. The smartphone has a huge camera bump at the back (just like the Moto Z smartphones), a fingerprint sensor on the front, and 3.5mm jack along wth Micro-USB port at the bottom.

Apparently, the smartphone will have a 5.2-inch display with its dimensions measuring 150 x 73.8 x 8.4mm. There are no solid details available on the internals as yet.

As far as the launch date is concerned, its highly unlikely that it will be launched at the CES next month. Chances are it may be showcased at MWC in 2017.

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Overall, Double XL is a well-made film that might be liked by gentry in all shapes, sizes, and age too. By the way, do not miss the interval!!
Please find attached the press release on the agreement we reached this afternoon for the acquisition of United Bulgarian Bank and Interlease.

However, we are very aware that people are counting down the final hours of the year or perhaps still enjoying the festive break.

For that reason, we have scheduled a conference call for analysts on Monday, 2 January at 10.30 a.m. CET with Johan Thijs, KBC Group CEO and Luc Popelier, KBC Group CFO.

Dial in numbers:

GB: +44 (0) 1452 555 566

BE: +32 (0) 8170 0061

US: +1 6315 107 498

CZ: +420 (0) 228 880 460

Access code: 45233348

The presentation forming the basis of the analyst call will be available from www.kbc.com on Monday, 2 January 2017 at 8 a.m.

We'd like to wish everyone an enjoyable festive weekend and a fantastic 2017.

May it be a year filled with success, memorable experiences, excellent health, lots of friendship and love, courage, patience, energy, enthusiasm and ... dreams that come true!



KBC Group - Investor Relations Office - contact: investor.relations@kbc.com
For Scott Birney, becoming a firefighter is a job you dream about when youre a kid.

Birneys dream came true when he and six other recruits graduated from Danvilles firefighter academy and became city firefighters during a ceremony Friday afternoon.

It feels fantastic, Birney, 26, said as he and his fellow recruits waited outside the Danville City Council chambers before the graduation ceremony.

Friends and relatives of graduates  along with city officials including those from the Danville Fire Department  packed the council chambers to watch the seven recruits receive their badges.

Battalion Chief of Training Barry Neal said being a firefighter is one of the strongest brotherhoods and bonds that can be found in a career.

This is not a job, Neal told recruits during the ceremony. This is a career and a blessing.

The seven new firefighters included Birney, William Stephens, Cody Phelps, Lawrence Woodson III, Ryan Lankford, Chance Bartee and Adam Brown.

The recruits went through three months of training that started Oct.1, Battalion Chief Chris Key said just before the ceremony. They were trained in CPR, vehicle operations, firefighting, survival, hazardous materials operations, vehicle extrication, physical fitness and city familiarization.

Some of the recruits will begin their first shifts this weekend, while others will start at the first of next week.

They have been put through a tremendous amount of training, Neal said. They are tough guys. Were looking forward to having them.

Guest speaker Dan Jones, retired fire chief of the Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Fire Department, told recruits their learning will never stop because the scope of our mission constantly changes.

The recruits have cut roofs, climbed ladders, studied fire behavior and water flow, and performed other tasks, Jones pointed out.

Guess what  youre just getting started, Jones said of the paths ahead of them.

You will be expected to take risks to save lives, but never foolishly risk your life when a life cannot be saved, Jones said. The lives you save will mostly be those you dont even know, he added.

You will be looked up to by little kids and admired by the neighborhood, he said. That will come with great responsibility because a firefighters job is around the clock, Jones said.

Once people know youre a firefighter, youll be a firefighter all the time, Jones said.

People will look to firefighters for hope and you will see them at their most vulnerable, he said. Those situations may make up a routine day for you, but not for them, Jones reminded them.

The Danville Fire Department has 114 firefighters, 21 dispatchers and 10 administrative staff.

Danville Fire Department Chief David Eagle, speaking of the department, told graduates, Were more than just a team. We like to think of each other as an extended family.

Eagle said he had high expectations and the recruits have exceeded them. However, he said he expects that level of commitment to continue.

This is a journey  that never reaches its destination, he said.

The graduates loved ones pinned their badges to their shirts and the new firefighters presented Neal with a gift  a shadow box.

For Birney, a Williamsburg native, Danvilles department was a good fit.

Its a wonderful department with great, motivated people who care about doing their jobs, Birney said.

His first day as a firefighter will be Sunday.

Well hit the ground running, he said.
Mark 48 being loaded onto a U.S. Navy submarine. (Photo : US Navy)

The U.S. Navy is ramping-up production of the newest version of its huge Mark 48 (Mk-48) heavyweight submarine torpedo, only one of which can sink any Chinese submarine or surface warship.



The problem facing the navy is it has only 1,046 of these torpedoes, mostly the original Mk-48 or derivatives of this model. Defense contractor Lockheed Martin, which builds the Mk-48, is scheduled to deliver 250 new torpedoes in 2017.



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All these brand new Mk-48s will be the latest version called the Mk-48 Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS).



CBASS is optimized for both deep and littoral waters and has advanced counter-countermeasure capabilities. The version is more resistant to Chinese or Russian countermeasures.



The original Mk-48 is 5.8 meters long and packs a 290 kg high explosive warhead. This torpedo, which arms all U.S. Navy submarines, is a huge, wire-guided torpedo weighing 1,600 kilograms.



It has the unique ability to circle around and again attack a surface warship it failed to hit on its first try.



The torpedo is nicknamed "the keel buster" because its warhead is designed to explode beneath the keel of an enemy ship, breaking the ship's back and sinking it more quickly.



The Mk-48 arms U.S. Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines and Seawolf-, Los Angeles-, and Virginia-class attack submarines. It's also used by Canadian, Australian and Dutch submarines. It will soon arm submarines of the Republic of China Navy.



The decision to sell the Mk-48 to Taiwan follows a U.S. Navy decision to re-start production of the Mk-48.



The Mk-48 was originally fielded in the early 1970s. Its lethality stems from its PBXN-103 high explosive warhead that can be delivered to surface targets 32,000 meters away, and to enemy submarines at a depth of 760 meters.



It has both active and passive guidance systems that can lock onto targets 3,700 meters distant.



The Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan said it will receive the improved Advanced Capability (ADCAP) variant of the Mk-48. ADCAP is designed to sink deep-diving nuclear-powered submarines and high-performance surface ships.



These powerful torpedoes should be enough to give China serious thoughts about launching a naval invasion of Taiwan across the 180 kilometer-wide Taiwan Strait separating it from Taiwan.


China's quantum satellite. (Photo : CNSA)

China plans to make major discoveries and breakthroughs in frontier areas of space science, said a recently released government white paper.



The white paper revealed China will implement a series of new space science satellite programs over the next five years.



The paper titled "China's Space Activities in 2016" also detailed China's key achievements over the past five years and its plans for the next five years.



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Chinese scientists will seek evidence proving the existence of dark matter. They intend to use dark matter particle exploration satellites to detect high-energy electrons and high-energy gamma rays in the Universe.



China also plans to launch a hard X-ray modulation telescope to study the matter dynamics and high-energy radiation processes in the strong gravitational field of compact celestial bodies and black holes.



Chinese scientists will also study large-scale structure and interaction models of solar wind and the magnetosphere, and the response to magnetospheric substorm change process.



Chinese scientists will use the Shijian-10 recoverable satellite; Chang'e lunar probes; Shenzhou spacecraft; the Tiangong-2 space laboratory and Tianzhou-1 cargo spacecraft to implement scientific experiments and research in biology, life sciences, medicine and materials in space.



China will also carry out quantum experiments in space, said the white paper.



China will conduct basic research into sun-earth space environment; space climate and solar activity and its impact on space climate. It will also implement space-related interdisciplinary research.



The white paper said China will perform experiments on new space technologies to provide solid technological support for its space industry.



The 11,000-word white paper noted China's achievements in space over the past five years. These achievements include the successful debut of the heavy-lift rocket Long March 5; a new coastal launch site; a dark matter-hunting satellite and a quantum science satellite.



China is now preparing for Moon and Mars missions. It's once again aiming for the Moon, with planned lunar missions in 2017 and 2018.


Samsung pins hopes on the Samsung Galaxy S8 for redemption following the unfortunate run of the Galaxy Note 7. (Photo : Getty Images for Samsung/Sarah Kerver)

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 release is reportedly not happening, according to a report.



NSEA Voice claimed that Samsung will need to rebrand its Galaxy Note line in order to sell smartphones again. The exploding battery controversy of the Galaxy Note 7 this year has resulted to a dent in profits as well as negative image on the line.



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Due to the immediate discontinuation of Galaxy Note 7, there are rumors flying that Samsung will no longer release a new Note phone in 2017. Rumors claimed that Samsung does not want to damage its image further by releasing a successor of Note 7.



Moreover, Samsung is anticipating low sales of Note 8 if Samsung released one. There is a need for Samsung to reshuffle its products and the Note brand to remove the negative image affecting all Samsung devices.



Rumors further claimed that a new line will be created in order to fill in the void of Galaxy Note devices. Recent reports stated Samsung will release two variants of Galaxy S8 next year, including a "Plus" size. A device coined as Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus surfaced online, which is unlikely since the company may have trouble with the branding with Apple's iPhone 7 Plus.



However, alleged photo of the device was spotted in China hinting that the device will come with S-Pen stylus. Considering that the Galaxy S8 Plus is rumored to have a 6-inch display, a stylus might indeed come in handy, and the accessory might make the phone more appealing to former Galaxy Note handset owners, according to BGR.



Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy S8 release is slated in February 2017 near Mobile World Congress. Nothing is official until the South Korea-based tech company makes a formal announcement.


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.
For many people, the recession of 2007-2008 is still fresh on their minds. Going through another downturn, and so soon, would be dreadful. However, terrible policies and unnecessary political confrontations between nations could plunge the world into another recession.

And it's not like we're not feeling the effects of a slow global economic growth, already. Several countries have seen their projections contract.

Related: SMBs Confident in Global Economy Despite Upfront Concerns

However, some business sectors have shown tough resilience in the face of unpredictable economic outcomes. Here is a look at some of those industries and the lessons they can offer on flexibility, and why venturing into one of these particular categories could keep you safe from a serious downturn during a future economic shakedown.

1. Trucking

The growth of the trucking industry is strong -- especially in America. Trucking is responsible for 70 percent of the U.S. freight sector. A primary way to ascertain the strength of any industry is the number of jobs it's created. Truck Driving Jobs currently lists more than half-a-million jobs available.

And that figure doesn't even take into account the other, indirect jobs this industry creates, such as the mechanics servicing the trucks and employees of the companies selling the trucks and their parts.

2. Virtual learning

When the economy slows, people strive to improve their skills, to find better job opportunities. This is where virtual learning comes in. This industry provides the education needed by people seeking to advance their careers in a tough and competitive business world. It just doesn't have the brick walls.

A 2015 growth forecast projected that the elearning industry will exceed $107 billion.

3. Ride-hailing services

Uber operates in more than 500 cities around the globe. In a 2015 Business Insider report, Uber was described as the world's biggest employer, offering 50,000 driving jobs per month. The rise of Uber in the ride-hailing industry has seen several competitors build up around this over-$40 billion dollar industry.

What makes the ride-hailing service particularly attractive is its receptiveness to the technology ecosystem. The most advanced tech companies in the world today have made important contributions to this industry. Even a hard-hitting economic recession is unlikely to its solidity.

4. Online marketplace for homes

From real estate to hospitality -- think Zillow and Airbnb -- online marketplaces are increasing their staff strength to accommodate exploding growth. Airbnb was famously born out of two founders' difficulty in paying their rent. It has since grown into a multi-billion dollar business relied on by families that want to put empty guestrooms or whole homes to use.

Related: Diversity Defines Our Global Economy. Do You Speak the Language?

This sector sees increasing growth. An example is an online marketplace dedicated to manufactured homes, where home sellers do not need to worry about a location before commencing construction.

5. Contract blogging

Blogging is a business that offers several income opportunities. More businesses are moving to include content marketing in their growth strategy or plan to increase content-marketing budgets. Being a blogger means you may well see several businesses competing for your work.

6. Ecommerce

As buyers cut down the number of times they visit brick and mortar stores, in favor of discounted online shopping, ecommerce businesses will see their growth increase. The rise of ecommerce has seen several big-name stores close their outlets.

This development means more ecommerce stores will open in more countries around the world, especially in developing countries where demand is still high.

7. Online sports betting

One of the largest sports-betting platforms, Bet365, boasts of having more than 10 million players. Data from Statista shows that the online sports-betting industry may well top $53 billion dollars by 2018.

8. Online marketplace for professionals

As the gig economy shifts online, and more people get connected to businesses via the internet, online marketplaces for professionals will see increased growth.

We can thank LinkedIn for the rise of this business model. What supports the growth of this business model is that job-seekers and employers alike embrace it. For example, The Sawaya Law Firm, based in Colorado, encourages its attorneys and lawyers to use professional marketplaces to connect with more people.

Related: 3 Proven Ways to Grow Your Business Without a Lot of Money

The unpredictability of our economy will see more customers embrace the notion of lower-cost but still experienced online professionals. And these professionals will be less vulnerable to the economy, come what may.

Related:

8 Businesses Defying the Downturn of the Global Economy

Soulja Boy Is the OG Growth Hacker

4 Keys to Boosting Your Growth Rate in 2017



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Haiti - Social : Missions of Venezuela to Haiti in 2017





In 2017, the Bolivarian Government will internationalize its urban recovery programs for the benefit of other countries in the region such as Haiti and Cuba.



Manuel Quevedo, the Venezuelan Minister of Housing, stressed that the "Mision Vivienda" as well as the "Gran Mision Barrio Nuevo" and "Barrio Tricolor" are social strategies recognized internationally, he has therefore proposed to export this model to contribute to the generation of foreign currencies.



Quevedo said "2017 will be the year of the offensive. We need to internationalize the achievements of the Revolution and it is one of the strategic lines of President Nicolas Maduro to internationalize these missions, which are positive examples of the Bolivarian revolution for the world."



Moreover he said that in the next few days Nicolas Maduro will approve the annual plan for Habitat and Housing for the year 2017, to advance the construction of more housing across Venezuela.



He recalled that the executive has already started the process in 2016, following the activation of the international corridor to support Haiti and Cuba with supplies for housing construction, delivered to families affected by Hurricane Matthew. https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-19226-icihaiti-venezuela-towards-the-construction-and-rehabilitation-of-housing.html



The Minister considered that "it is the responsibility of States to provide housing policies for the interest and social well-being of their people, providing access and financing facilities."



SL/ HaitiLibre


























Haiti - FLASH : Unlimited strike in 19 hospitals, MSF is overwhelmed





The new strike began at the Hospital of the State University of Haiti (HUEH) on 5 December and extended to the country's 19 public hospitals on 12 December 2016 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19531-haiti-health-new-strike-in-public-hospitals.html has reached an ultimate stage. In agreement with the 19 public hospitals, an unlimited strike was launched which touched the most disadvantaged stata of the population.



At the beginning of December, Daphne Benoit Delsoin, the Minister of Health had announced to the ex-strikers the impossibility for its Ministry to respect the commitments made during the last strikes that lasted nearly 6 months and made several victims, faults of having finding the financial resources in the Public Treasury...



Strikers who no longer accept false promises demand respect for the commitments made by the Ministry under the August agreement https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18474-haiti-health-strike-ends-for-medical-residents.html



In hospitals or clinics where they are absent, few medical staff are present, but most services are dysfunctional and some are closed. Sick people without financial resources to seek treatment in a private hospital, are left to their fate, some between life and death...



The consequences of this strike cause a significant displacement of the patients in particular to the emergencies of the Center of the organization of Medecin sans Frontiere (MSF). The Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Center for Traumatology and Emergency Surgery (MSF), located in Tabarre, informs the population that it is overwhelmed by the influx of patients coming to it in recent days. Since mid-December, 121 hospital beds have been continuously filled. Because of the strike in progress, our center is unable to refer less severe cases to decongest its services, explains the medical direction.



Despite its four operating theaters and operation 24/24, the center can not admit all patients with an emergency. It should be remembered that the Center of Tabarre supports the victims of road accidents, the wounded by bullets and weapons, victims of domestic accidents and those requiring emergency surgery. Since the capacity of the center is limited, the medical team is obliged to sort patients in order to manage the most severely affected.



Since December, the center receives an average of 50 new patients per day. More than 90% of these cases are victims of trauma. At the same time, the hospital receives in ambulatory, for bandages, and consultations, about 150 patients daily.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18474-haiti-health-strike-ends-for-medical-residents.html



SL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2016/12/30

Hotly anticipated but much delayed, SBS's "Saimdang: Light's Diary" will finally begin its 30 episode run on January 26, 2017. The drama will replace "The Legend of the Blue Sea" on the coveted Wednesday-Thursday time slot, nixing any chances of an extension.

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Expectations have been running high since "Saimdang: Light's Diary" was first announced in early 2015, as the comeback drama for actress, Lee Young-ae. Lee Young-ae hasn't appeared in a drama since she first rose to prominence in 2003 as the lead of the internationally beloved drama, "Dae Jang Geum". In "Saimdang: Light's Diary", Lee Young-ae takes on a double role as the present-day art historian who uncovers the secret history of Joseon-era poet and artist, Saimdang, and as Saimdang herself. Song Seung-heon co-stars as the Joseon-era man who falls for her.

It's been a long wait for fans, as "Saimdang: Light's Diary" was originally slated to air in October 2016, as a simulcast with China and South Korea. Problems with scheduling and the fallout of soured diplomatic relations between South Korea and China were likely to blame for the delay. I'm excited to see Lee Young-ae back on the small screen again, so here's hoping the producers put the extra time to good use.

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Only of Noonas Over Forks
Gardai at the scene of the crash in north Cork in which a man in his 70s was killed

Gardai are investigating whether a fatal two-vehicle motorway collision was caused when another vehicle did a U-turn at a toll plaza and drove the wrong way along the southbound carriageway.

An elderly motorist was killed and a young man was seriously injured in the collision in north Cork, which happened shortly after 11am yesterday.

The tragedy brings the number of people killed on Irish roads this year to 187.

That represents a 15.5pc increase on the numbers who died in 2015.

Total collision numbers were also up this year, by almost 14pc.

Oncoming

Yesterday's crash happened a short distance from junction 16 of the M8 between the north Cork villages of Rathcormac and Watergrasshill.

A garda source said they are investigating whether the collision was caused by a vehicle that approached the Watergrasshill toll plaza on the southbound carriageway.

It then appeared to do a U-turn and drove the wrong way against oncoming traffic.

The collision involved two vehicles, a Mitsubishi Pajero and a van.

The driver of the Mitsubishi, Tom Joe O'Riordan (84), from Castlelyons, Co Cork, suffered critical injuries and died at the scene before he could be transferred to Cork University Hospital. He is understood to have been a farmer.

The van driver, a man aged in his 20s, suffered multiple injuries.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance and remains in a serious but stable condition.

If it is confirmed that a vehicle was driving in the wrong direction on a carriageway, it will be the second time such an incident has been responsible for a fatality on the M8 in north Cork in recent years.

A vehicle being driven the wrong way down the north-bound carriageway outside Fermoy resulted in the death of a young man three years ago.
A father who lost his son to cancer has said that "frightening" parents into raising hundreds of thousands of euro to travel to the US for potentially life-saving treatments as "absolutely sickening".

John Foley has issued a plea to the public to help raise money for cancer research instead.

John and his wife Margaret, from Co Meath, watched as their "beautiful and happy" son Conor battled a rare childhood cancer, neuroblastoma, three times before he died last year at the age of 17.

"We went to the ends of the world in every country for a cure or a special tablet for Conor but there was nothing, and believe me there is still nothing 16 months on," said John.

"There has been no official trial to prove conclusively that any drug prevents relapse for neuroblastoma, so the idea of people scaremongering and frightening vulnerable parents of these kids to have to raise 300,000 to 500,000 for treatment in the US is absolutely sickening.

"Money should be going to research so we can find a cure and save our kids.

"Crumlin Hospital in Dublin is a centre of excellence and has worldwide consultants."

John said he understands that parents would do "absolutely anything" to help save their child.

"We need to raise the hundreds of thousands of euro into research for neuroblastoma rather than clinical trials," he said.

Margaret said no family should be told "there's no more that we can do for your child, but if you raise 300,000 you could try and save your child in the US".

Conor was four when he was first diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma.

"It's such an indescribable shock as a parent to be told that your child has cancer. Our life as a family was turned upside down," said Margaret.

Conor's family did everything they could to help him.

He underwent intensive treatment that included six months of chemotherapy, a marrow transplant and 25 radiotherapy sessions followed by another six months of intense treatment within two years.
The Court for Urgent Matters accepted an appeal against the verdict to void the Egypt-Saudi island deal

A Cairo Court for Urgent Matters accepted on Thursday a challenge against the Administrative Court verdict issued in June that asserted Egyptian sovereignty over the two Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir.

According to Thursday's rulling, the Administrative Court's verdict will be suspended.

Ashraf Farahat is one of the lawyers who challenged the June ruling that nullified the maritime deal between Egypt and Saudi Arabia over the two islands, claiming that the agreement is one of the country's sovereignty matters, which falls outside the Administrative Court's jurisdiction.

The government agreed in April to place both islands under Saudi Arabian sovereignty, arguing that they had always belonged to the oil-rich Arab country and Egypt was merely administering them on behalf of the Saudis since the 1950s.

A number of lawyers, including prominent rights lawyer Khaled Ali, had filed a lawsuit with Egypt's Administrative Court at the State Council arguing that Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and parliamentary speaker Ali Abdel-Al had wrongfully waivered Egyptian sovereignty over the two islands.

Egypt's State Lawsuits Authority  the body that represents the government in legal cases  also appealed the Administrative Court verdict before the Supreme Constitutional Court, which is yet to issue a ruling.

Article 190 from Egypt's current constitution stipulates that the state council is exclusively competent to adjudicate in administrative disputes, disciplinary cases and appeals, and disputes pertaining to its decisions. The administrative court is part of Egypt's state council. In late August, the High Administrative Court accepted a recusal request of the panel reviewing a government appeal presented by lawyers opposed to the deal. Ali, who filed the recusal request, cited alleged interference of the executive authority with the judiciary.

On Thursday afternoon, lawyer Khaled Ali and his team announced that they would challenge the urgent matters court ruling on Saturday, stating that it was not from its jurisdiction to have a word in cases related to the administrative court and state council.

"We will take all the legal procedures to cancel the urgent matters court's ruling which violated article 190 from the constitution," Ali wrote on his official Facebook page.

The maritime border demarcation agreement, signed during Saudi King Salman's historic visit to Egypt in April, is yet to be presented to parliament.

In a long interview with state-owned newspapers in late August, President El-Sisi talked about the controversy over the agreement, saying that he was dealing with the issue "with complete respect for the state's institutions and the independence of its judiciary and its verdicts."

El-Sisi stressed that parliament will have a chance to look into the agreement.

The decision to transfer the two strategic islands at the southern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba to Saudi Arabia sparked widespread public outcry in the country, with many public figures arguing the islands were rightfully Egyptian territory.

Dozens of people were arrested and put on trial for protesting the deal, but many of them have been already released after paying hefty fines.

*This story has been corrected after initially referring to the challenge filed by lawyers as a governmental appeal

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Egypt's foreign affairs spokesman said there has been a surge in cooperation between Egypt and Russia

Egypt and Russia have managed to overcome the negative consequences of the crash of a Russian plane over Sinai in October 2015, Egypts foreign affairs ministry spokesman told state news agency MENA.

Spokesman Ahmed Abu-Zeid, in statements published on Saturday, added that the Russian plane crash overshadowed the relationship of the two countries, yet both sides firmly cooperated in identifying the causes of the catastrophe and in overcoming this tragedy.

A Russian passenger jet crashed in Sinai in late October 2015, killing all 224 people on board, most of whom were holidaymakers.

Russia halted flights to Egypt since the incident.

The Islamic State militant group claimed it downed the plane with an improvised bomb.

There is a surge in cooperation between the two countries, which is apparent in regular communications on all levels, Abu-Zeid stated.

The spokesman also added that Cairo and Moscow are in constant communication to find a solution for the Syrian crisis as well as efforts to combat terrorism.

The spokesman also revealed that both countries ministers of foreign affairs and defence are expected to meet in early 2017.

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Al-Ayyat has seen a number of deadly railway accidents, including in 2002 when at least 380 people were killed

At least two people died early on Saturday when a train crashed with a microbus attempting to cross the railway in Gizas Al-Ayyat, Ahram Arabic website reported.

Sources in Al-Ayyat told Ahram Arabic the crossing operator was asleep during the accident and escaped once the incident took place.

It is still unclear if there are any injured people from the accident.

Egypt's railway system is operated manually, with employees responsible for managing the opening of the crossings by communicating with the drivers -- a practice that is considered unsafe and unreliable.

In January 2016, seven people were killed in a similar incident when a train coming from Upper Egypt ran over a car that was crossing the railway in Giza's Al-Ayyat during foggy weather.

Al-Ayyat witnessed two train crashes in 2009 that killed at least 50 people.

On 20 February 2002, a train caught fire in Al-Ayyat, killing at least 380 people, the worst railway disaster in Egypt's history.

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The urgent matters appeal court ruled today in favour of the government, ordering a stop to the execution of a June administrative Court ruling which concluded the two islands are Egyptian

Cairo appeals court for urgent matters upheld on Saturday a September ruling by a lower urgent matters court to stop the execution of a June administrative court ruling which stipulated that two Red Sea islands belonged to Egypt.

In June, an Egyptian administrative court ruled that an 8 April Egyptian-Saudi border re-demarcation agreement that placed the two Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir in Saudi waters is void, adding that they should remain under Egyptian sovereignty.

Egypt's State Lawsuits Authority  the body representing the government in legal cases  later filed and won a lawsuit in front of a court for urgent matters to stop the administrative courts verdict.

However, a number of lawyers appealed the court for urgent matters' decision and lost the appeal on Saturday.

The June verdict is being challenged before an administrative court, the High Administrative Court as well as Supreme Constitutional Court -- the country's highest court -- as the government, represented by the State Lawsuits Authority, appealed the court ruling.

Egypt's High Administrative Court has set 16 January to rule on the governments appeal against a the June administrative court ruling that nullified the agreement over the two Red Sea islands.

Early in November, an administrative court rejected the government's appeal to suspend the execution of the June ruling and accepted the defence's request to compel the state to execute the June verdict.

On Thursday, the cabinet approved the re-demarcation deal and sent it to the parliament for voting.

The decision to transfer the two strategic islands at the southern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba to Saudi Arabia sparked widespread public outcry in the country.

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On Thursday, Egypts cabinet referred the Egyptian-Saudi Red Sea border demarcation agreement to parliament for voting

A number of Egyptian rights lawyers filed on Saturday a lawsuit at the administrative court against the cabinets recent decision to refer the Egyptian-Saudi re-demarcation deal, which is currently being contested in court, to parliament for voting.

The lawsuit named the president, the prime minister, the parliaments speaker, and the ministers of foreign affairs, interior and defence as defendands , lawyer Khaled Ali, one of the plaintiffs, stated on his official Facebook account.

On Thursday, Egypts cabinet referred the Egyptian-Saudi Red Sea border re-demarcation agreement to parliament after approving the 8 April deal.

The cabinet asserted in its statement that its approval of the deal and its referral to parliament is constitutional.

However, Khaled Ali told Ahram Online that the cabinets decision is neither legal nor constitutional.

"[The cabinets decision] is creating conflict between the judicial and legislative authorities," Ali stated.

In June, an Egyptian administrative court ruled that an 8 April border re-demarcation agreement that placed the two Egyptian Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir in Saudi waters is void, adding that they should remain under Egyptian sovereignty.

However, Egypt's State Lawsuits Authority  the body representing the government in legal cases  later filed and won a lawsuit in front of a court for urgent matters to stop the administrative courts verdict.

Egypt's High Administrative Court has set 16 January to rule on the governments appeal against the earlier court ruling that nullified the agreement over two Red Sea islands.

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Bhopal: A labourer tried to commit suicide at Narsinghgarh town in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday evening, a day after his 17-year-old daughter killed herself over harassment by three local residents.

Ganpat Mewade (40) was rushed to a hospital in Rajgarh district, from where he was referred to Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal. Sources said his condition is still critical. Mewades wife Savitri Bai said the sorrow of losing his daughter, who hanged herself at their residence on Wednesday, drove him to consume poison.

We lodged a case of abetment of suicide against the three suspects under Section 306 of the IPC just a few hours before Mewade attempted suicide on Thursday. All the three have been arrested and sent to jail, Narsinghgarh police station in-charge JL Sundre told Hindustan Times on Friday.

The suspects were identified as Ravi Gupta, Kanha and Pammi. Of these, Kanha had been arrested by Rajgarh police on a previous occasion for outraging the modesty of both the girl and her mother. He had recently come out on bail.

Despite Savitris claim, police are also investigating if Mewade had attempted suicide because of an altercation between the couple over their daughters death.
Drawing parallels between the 9/11 terror strike in the US and the Centres November 8 recall of two banknotes, Congress leader Mohan Prakash on Friday said Indians will face adverse consequences of demonetisation for a long time like Americans did after the attack on World Trade Center.

The 9/11 was carried out by a terror group in the US in 2001, while 8/11 (demonetisation) was carried out by Indias elected leader Narenda Modi. Both the happenings will have adverse consequences for the people in the respective countries for a long time, said Prakash, who is AICC in-charge of Congress Madhya Pradesh unit.

He said demonetisation has dented the image of the state of economy and the Reserve Bank of India besides triggering cash crisis. It has badly hit lives of people belonging to middle class and daily wage earning class, said the Congress national general secretary.

The central government has come under opposition attack for its move to recall old 500 and 1,000 banknotes but it has repeatedly defended itself, saying the decision was necessary to stamp out unaccounted money and counterfeit currency.

The Congress leader said his party would hold nationwide demonstrations on January 6, which will be followed by thaali bajao (pounding of plates) demonstration by youth and women Congress activists all across the country on January 8.

Maintaining that demonetisation lacks a clear direction, he said the policy began with attack on black money, terror and Naxalism, then turned into 50:50 black money deposits initiative before changing into a call for cashless economy.

No law in the country can force anyone to go for cashless mode and stop people from withdrawing their money from banks, he said.

Besides, Prakash claimed that Modis repeated thrust for making India a cashless economy was the result of pressure by US agencies to ensure that credit and debit cards of American companies become a necessity of every person in India.

Taking a dig at BJPs parental outfit the RSS, Prakash asked will the enforcement directorate question the man who bought Modis monogrammed suit for 4 crore in February 2015. Does RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has the courage to tell the country that gupt-daan (secret donation) given to the Sangh is black or white money.

He didnt spare Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, saying new currency failed to reach Chhattisgarh capital Raipur in November, but it reached Madhya Pradeshs Shahdol, where Lok Sabha by-poll held, in no time.

Rahul Gandhi has more evidence against Modi

Prakash asked Modi come clear on charges of monetary benefits he received from corporate houses when he was the Gujarat chief minister.

Earlier this month, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi alleged that Modi got monetary benefits from some corporate houses.

Prakash said, Let him (Modi) first come clear on thisour leader Rahul Gandhi has more evidence against Modi.
As part of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhans Narmada Seva Yatra, seminars and deliberations on the river and its ecology were held in Jabalpur district.

The deliberations underlined the damage to ecology caused by felling of trees in jungles along the river.

The deliberations were held at Seonitola, Nanhakheda, Lamheti Padao villages during the Namami Devi Narmade Seva Yatra, a release said.

Quoting the speakers who took part in the deliberations, the release said, There is a deep rooted relation between the Narmada and forest. Water oozing from the bamboo trees of Maikal Mountain incarnates as Narmada. Rain water accumulated in the trees of Narmada River banks makes Narmada perennial. In this respect, Narmada and the forest have deep rooted connection between them.

The speakers said, We have to understand that if there is Narmada there is life and forest. Jungles are being continuously felled. Population is increasing rapidly and Narmada water is being increasingly utilised. Therefore, the water flow of Narmada, which gives us life, food grains, wealth, light and life and happiness, is decreasing. In order to protect life, we will have to maintain grandeur of the Narmada.

The speakers said women could play an important role to inspire and apprise members of their families towards the need of trees, maintaining proper sanitation, to quit open defecation. Women were the best teachers to educate their families about moral teachings, the speakers said.

Swami Akhileshwaranand Giri addressed the Jan-Sanvad at Nanhakheda village. Health camps were also organised there. Plantation was undertaken and 200 sadhus sang kirtans. Upyatras were also taken out from the villages of Ghat Pipariya, Eintakheda, Mukunwara, Tigan and Paraswada which joined the main yatra at Seonitola village.
The students, who were allegedly sent to jail for staging a protest against poor road conditions in Shivpuri district, are planning to write to the national commission for protection of child rights (NCPCR), national human rights commission (NHRC) and union minister of women and child development, Maneka Gandhi, seeking justice.

On Wednesday, about 40 students  comprising 25 schoolchildren and law students  were allegedly heckled by the district administration for raising slogans, demanding proper roads and a playground in Shivpuri during a government function. They were allegedly detained in police custody for a few hours.

What happened was really unfortunate and we are going to write to officials of NCPCR, NHRC and Maneka Gandhi to inform them about the incident and urge them to take action against district collector, OP Shrivastava and chairman of Madhya Pradesh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MPCPCR), Raghavendra Sharma. Our demands were not illegal as we just sought proper roads in the town apart from a playground for the children, said one of the detained persons and a law student, Abhay Jain, while speaking to HT.

Neither the district collector nor the chairman of MPCPCR has spoken to us after the incident, he added.

Collector denies allegations

District collector Shrivastava, however, denied the allegations.

The allegations that they were sent to jail are totally baseless. They were detained because they were raising slogans in a government function which could have disturbed the law and order situation. They were kept in the police lines ground near the jail but not inside the cell. Also, I met them yesterday (Thursday) in the evening at my office in presence of the mediapersons as before that I was busy in the government programme, said Shrivastava.

Speaking to HT on the issue, chairman of MPCPCR, Raghavendra Sharma also denied the allegations and said that he had spoken to the law students over phone.

In my knowledge they were not booked under any section of IPC and were detained to avoid any disturbance in the programme. I am spoke to them over phone and told them that I am ready to support them if their demands are legitimate and for the benefit of the city, said Sharma.
Economists and experts across Madhya Pradesh have predicted a long-term advantage of demonetisation, with a rider that India has to wait at least till March 2017 to see the end to the liquidity crunch.

Dewas industry association president Ashok Khandelia said, The demand slowdown will continue until the liquidity crunch gets over, and it will take at least a quarter for demand to pick up.

Elaborating on the subject, RG Dwivedi, regional director of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, The consumption has come to a standstill, impacting the supply-demand chain hugely. It has had a negative impact on the economy as of now. Cash-driven industries will have more pain. Non-performing factors in MSME will increase while small industries will suffer. But if we delve deeper, we should understand that in the past 50 days, the banking and commerce sector has become more organised. This will deliver positive effects in the long run.

Agriculture amounts to nearly 40% of the GDP in Madhya Pradesh. If agriculture suffers, there are industries and services to rescue the economy but demonetisation has broken sectors of industry and agriculture badly, said Jagdeep Singh, a professor of Economics in MP.

Construction industry is badly hit

There has been a fall of 20-25% in consumer goods sector. The labour sector in MP has registered a fall of up to 40%. There is absolutely no work in sectors like the real estate. The construction industry is badly hit. There is no money in the market for even paying transportation costs, said CP Sharma, MP chairman of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

Many units have stopped working night shifts and a number of contract labourers have lost their jobs, Association of Industry (MP) president OP Dhoot told HT.

In Pithampur, the industry is facing difficulty in making payments through bank accounts. Our contractor opened bank accounts of workers and transferred money to their accounts but they have been unable to withdraw the money as the accounts are yet to be activated. Local bank officials have said that new accounts are getting processed at the headquarters. The delay is causing workers unrest, industrialist Yogesh Shah said.

The textile sector has been one of the worst hit. In many textile segments, especially in the powerloom sector and retail business, entrepreneurs prefer to purchase yarn and other inputs with cash and also sell fabric and finished textiles goods without proper documents.

Impact more severe on sectors heavily dependent on freight movement

The impact has been more severe on sectors heavily dependent on freight movement such as soybean processing industry. Small industries in iron and steel sector and garments sector have also been affected.

Suggesting an immediate solution, Dwivedi said, With an immediate effect, the government and the banking sector should slash home loan rates up to 7% and give rebate on principal and interest repayment. This will encourage people to invest and banks will receive more money, which will help stabilise the economy up to a large extent. Also, hard hit industries such as real estate will revive.

CP Sharma suggested that streamlining the 2 lakh-plus ATMs across the country, more than half of which are inactive now, would sustain purchasing power.

Congress workers stage protest against what they said was continued cash crunch even after 50 days, in Indore on Friday. (Arun Mondhe/HT photo)
Anil Baijal, who took oath as Delhis new lieutenant governor on Saturday, said he will work together with the AAP government for the betterment of Delhi but doesnt know how to improve the embittered relationship between the state government and the L-G office.

Baijals predecessor Jung had several run-ins with the Delhi government with chief minister Arvind Kejriwal accusing the L-G of trying to run the citys administration by proxy. Baijal will have to navigate complicated jurisdictional issues that arise out of Delhis unique position as a union territory acting as the national capital

This is a speculative question and I will not oblige you. I dont know why and how the relationship will improve and whether it will improve or not. We will sit together and talk and you will get to know, he told reporters, replying to queries on how does he aim to better ther relations between the Raj Niwas and the Secretariat.

Baijal thanked the President and the Prime Minister for the opportunity.

Delhi is now a huge megapolis and has many problems- law and order, security, women safety, infrastructure, civic amenities, congestion and pollution. We all know what the problem is and we will work for the solution, he said.

On the issue of full statehood to Delhi, he said the matter is pending with the Supreme Court.

A 1969 batch India Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Union Territories cadre, Baijal was removed as Union home secretary when the UPA government assumed power in May, 2004.

After retirement, Baijal was member of the executive council of Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF), which had current National Security Advisor Ajit Doval as its founder director.

He was appointed as home secretary in February, 2004 by the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee government but after surprise victory of the UPA in May, 2004 general election, Baijal was transferred as civil aviation secretary on July 1 the same year.

He superannuated in 2006 as the secretary in the urban development ministry. Interestingly, Delhis current chief secretary MM Kutty was one of the joint secretaries in the urban development ministry then. Kutty joined the urban development ministry in June, 2006 and Baijal retired as secretary, urban development in October.

After retirement, Baijal served on the boards of many corporate entities.
Air quality in Delhi was very poor on Saturday and pollution remained in the very severe category in one area.

Weather department officials predict foul air on New Years day.

According to monitoring agency SAFAR, the Air Quality Index was 341, at very poor levels. Dhirpur station recorded a maximum of 500 AQI, which falls in the severe category.

SAFAR has advised people in Delhi to avoid outdoor physical activity. People with heart or lung diseases, senior citizens, and children should remain indoors and keep activity levels low when air quality turns severe, it said.

It also recorded Saturdays average levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 (24-hour rolling) at 197 and 304 micrograms per cubic metre respectively. PM2.5 and PM10 are ultra-fine particles that are the dominant air pollutants in Delhi. The acceptable levels of PM 2.5 and PM10 are 60 and 100 microgram per cubic metre, respectively.

Forecasts say PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels will reach 337 and 211 microgram per cubic metre on New Years day, Sunday.

A marginal increase in the level of PM 2.5 has been predicted from 164 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m3) on December 30 to 192g/m3 on January 1. Thereafter, a significant drop to 159g/m3 on January 2 is expected, a SAFAR report said earlier.

Read: Let us breathe: Six kids move green court against Delhis air pollution

Despite high pollution levels, Delhi is yet to put in place a comprehensive response mechanism. The graded response system, proposed by the CPCB, is yet to be notified or enforced.

The proposed plan suggested that when the air quality is at the severe level for 48 hours, the entry of trucks, barring those carrying essential commodities, be stopped from entering Delhi and the odd-even road rationing scheme kick in. The proposal says there should be a ban on waste burning, brink kilns operating in and around the city should be shut and parking rates hiked by at least four times.

The maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded at 20.3 and 8.2 degree Celsius respectively, both a notch above normal, on Saturday.

In the morning, dense fog shrouded the city bringing down visibility levels which affected train operations. As many as 69 north-bound trains were running late while 16 were rescheduled, a railways spokesperson said.

Visibility was recorded at 200 metres at 5.30am, which subsequently improved to 400 metres by 8.30am, a weather official said.

On Sunday, the weatherman has predicted a clear sky. Moderate to dense fog is expected with isolated, very dense fog in the morning. The maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 20 and 08 degree Celsius respectively, a MeT official said.

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Residents of South Delhi are peeved at the repeated delays in decongesting the Savitri junction.

Its been five months since the Public Works Department (PWD) had prepared the proposal to turn the single carriageway Savitri flyover into dual carriageway. However, the project is still on paper as the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC) is yet to give its approval.

Details of the status were revealed in a meeting held by PWD minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday which was attended by PWD officials, GK MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj and Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) of Greater Kailash-II, CR Park and representatives of Citizens Alliance  a group of RWAs from across the city.

With an aim to reduce congestion on two major points in the region, the flyovers near Savitri and Nehru Place were constructed in 2001. However, within years of their construction, the existing single carriageway flyover at Savitri failed to cope up with the pressure of the ever-increasing traffic volume on this stretch. This forced the government to explore possibility of converting it into a dual carriageway flyover.

While an upcoming metro station, GK Enclave, has been welcomed by residents, they are equally worried that it would only increase the number of vehicles in the area leading to more congestion. Making Savitri flyover double-lane was passed by the PWD in August, we will be holding meetings with the UTTIPEC urging them to expedite the process, said Jain.

To serve the residential colonies like Greater Kailash-2, GK Enclave-2, Masjid Moth, CR Park and Alaknanda, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has planned only one entry or exit point at the corner of Savitri Cinema for the metro station. But residents are not happy with the decision.

A study by RITES had revealed that more than 20,000 people in the morning peak hours will be using the station. Now, assuming an average of two persons per vehicle, this translates to 1,200 vehicles per hour that will stop and start somewhere around the Savitri crossing during peak hours. It is going to make our lives worse, said Neena Gangahar, a member of Citizenss Alliance.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi disappointed thousands waiting for their near free drink at a New Delhi pub whenever he would utter mitron during his speech on New Years eve.

Pub chain Social on Saturday had offered beer at Rs 31 - an over 200% discount - every time Modi says mitron, a commonly used phrase in his speeches addressing the fellow countrymen as friends.

However, Modi disappointed his audience awaiting celebrations and said mitra instead, only twice. But the Prime Minister made them all listen attentively to his 45-minute pre-recorded speech from the beginning to end.

He is clever, must be knowing that people out there are making fun on some of the phrase like bhaiyo aur behno and mitron, so he had them omitted, said Karan, a techie sipping his drink and praising Modi no matter what.

Diksha Sukhija, a manager at a Social, said the offer of discount on drinks was not trolling but their own special way of celebrating demonetisation.

We have had such an event before when on the day demonetisation we had five shots for Rs 500 and 10 shots for Rs 1,000, in old currency till midnight. That was bought out!

Meanwhile, the crowd, with beer mugs or cocktails in hand had varied opinions.

I think what he is doing is great. Country needs someone strong. At least, he is making a point and it requires guts. The nation would do better only once everyone pays tax, said Gautam, a banker who preferred Social at Hauz Khas to ring in the New Year.

Another not so much a fan of Modi said she was rather disappointed because she wanted to hear the Prime Minister say something about demonetisation which he didnt.

He didnt even utter demonetisation once, not to say he skipped mitron as well, said Pragati.

Another disappointed person said he expected more and the speech was not as marketed. For us, it was not grand enough to grand. We needed to hear more substantial, Jai, who works with a think tank, said.

Bad or good of Modi speech but Social did well.

Over 600 tickets for the New Year bash had been sold out at Hauz Khas alone, said Sukhija.
The Madhya Pradesh higher education department has linked e-attendance with disbursement of salaries of principals, teachers and employees of government colleges in the state to stem rampant absenteeism among faculty and staff in the institutes, officials said on Friday.

We have installed biometric machines at all government colleges in Indore division and no one will now escape by making excuses that their college did not have biometric machines so they could not mark their attendance, said RS Verma, additional director of the higher education department in Indore division.

During a recent video conference with additional directors of the department and university registrars, state principal secretary (higher education) Ashish Upadhayaya said that e-attendance has been made mandatory to all teaching and non-teaching staff of government colleges.

Employees who did not mark their attendance on biometric machines will not be able to draw their salary, Upadhayaya told the officials.

They will be marked absent on the days when their attendance was not registered through biometrics machines, he said.

Although the principal secretary has given the order verbally, it will be implemented across the state, said Verma.

E-machines have been installed at all government colleges across the state to monitor attendance of employees.

In Indore division, there are 55 government colleges with more than 2,000 permanent employees and faculty.

Earlier, when the principal secretary was informed that at times e-machines do not function due to low internet speed, he said excuses will not be tolerated.

The new attendance system will be implemented across 463 government colleges in the state, said MB Ojha, commission higher education department.

The reason behind the move is to provide a faster, easier and more accurate way of recording attendance of teaching and non-teaching staff in higher education institutes, he said.

New system will help get exact data about availability of faculty in colleges

Besides, the new system will help get exact data about the availability of faculty in different colleges and also to record the faculty - student ratio as we want to improve results in future.

Explaining how the system works, Verma said that the principal of every college in the state will be responsible to ensure all faculty members mark their attendance through e-attendance.

If the principal fails to execute his or her responsibility, the department will deduct his or her salary and subsequently, he or she can deduct the salary of the teaching and non-staff of the college for failing to mark e-attendance, he said.

On whether orders will apply to guest faculty in colleges, he said, No guest faculty will come under the order as they are paid for every lecture they deliver. For each lecture they get Rs 275, so there is no issue of attendance.

New system will cause problems

A number of faculty members said they were not in favour of e-attendance. The new system will cause problems as working of education institutions is different from government departments, some of them said.

Working at a college is not a 9 to 5 job. Some days we have to work overtime, keeping the students future in mind, a faculty member at the Government Arts and Commerce College who did not want to be named, said.

The biometrics system can be implemented for non-teaching staff whose work is mainly associated with office job, he said.

Other faculty members, however, supported the governments move, saying that it will help streamline the college functioning.

Stats

No of Colleges in Indore division: 55

No of Colleges with biometrics machines: 55

No of permanent faculties: More than 2000

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Sony may not have released any details of its untitled animated Spider-Man movie, but a casting call for the project has sparked rumours that it could be a black character.

Codenamed Cabin Fever, it is rumored to follow the adventures of two unlikely friends, Terrence and Pete, reported Ace Showbiz.

A male aged 13 - 15, Terrence is a young African-American/Puerto Rican teen from Brooklyn; he is new to this suburban school and now feeling out of place, overwhelmed, pressured with new responsibilities, and dealing with puberty; while trying to fit in he must do his best to stay out of trouble; along the way in developing his identity hes losing old friends but now making a new one, Pete.

Meanwhile, Pete is a young, slightly geeky, Asian-American teen; hes smart, sweet, and encouraging; although very unlike any of the friends Terrence had in his old Brooklyn neighbourhood, Pete proves to be a good fit for Terrence making good decisions.
The ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh averted a looming split, with the old guard revoking on Saturday the expulsion of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and party general secretary Ramgopal Yadav.

The reconciliation in party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadavs feuding family was as swift as Fridays shock exile of his chief minister-son, which pushed the government into uncertainty.

A groundswell of support for Akhilesh and aggressive mediation were said to have forced the elders to relent.

Read | Yadav family feud: What next for Akhilesh, Samajwadi Party and UP

The day began with a meeting of legislators that Akhilesh had called in his 5 Kalidas Marg home. Nearly 230 MLAs and members of the legislative council (MLCs) came, and thousands of their supporters waited outside.

Minutes into the meeting, the exiled son turned emotional. He reportedly broke down and told the legislators: We will win the elections. I will gift him (Mulayam) the victory.

In the meantime, the partys Muslim poster-boy, Azam Khan, met Mulayam at his 5 Vikramaditya Marg address and pressed for a patch-up. Then he left for Akhileshs home with a message.

The 43-year-old chief minister reportedly became emotional again, when he was told that his father had said he would have never made him the chief minister had he been against him.

Mulayam too had called two meetings  of the party parliamentary board and another for legislators and candidates that he and brother Shivpal Yadav had announced. Mulayam did not turn up for both, asking Shivpal, the partys state unit chief, to chair them.

Not more than 100 candidates of the 395 declared by Mulayam and Shivpal attended the meeting.

Read | Samajwadi Party rank and file backs Akhilesh in turf war with Shivpal

By then, mediator Khan met Mulayam at his home again, prompting the patriarch to summon sibling Shivpal. Akhilesh too arrived, post-noon. He touched his fathers feet and Netaji, as Mulayam is called by his supporters, hugged him.

Word went out soon after that the expulsion has been cancelled and the party will remain united to stop communal forces from winning next years state elections.

Netaji has built the party. He is a father as well as the party chief  What problem can a father have with his son? parliamentary affairs minister Khan said.

Besides Khan, RJD president Lalu Prasad, whose youngest daughter is engaged to Mulayams grandnephew, played peacemaker.

He urged Mulayam over the phone around 8am to keep the party intact to fight communal forces, a reference to the BJP.

At 1.50pm, Shivpal tweeted: Expulsion of CM Akhilesh Yadav and national general secretary Ramgopal Yadav revoked ... We are united and will defeat communal forces.

For the first time in months, Akhilesh supporters cheered a Shivpal tweet.

The chief minister could be appointed national president or made national convener of the party at its special party convention on the New Years Day. General secretary Ramgopal, who is Mulayams cousin and an ardent Akhilesh backer, called the convention during Fridays churning in the party.

Though Sundays meeting may look redundant now because of family reunion, sources said several niggling issues remained such as Akhileshs objection to outsiders meddling in family affairs and criminal and tainted names on the list of candidates drawn up by his father and uncle.

Read | Prospects SP-Cong alliance increase after Akhilesh Yadav gets majority support

Shivpal said a new list of candidates would be discussed and released later.

Akhilesh was engaged in an intense power struggle with his familys elders, especially uncle Shivpal, who enjoys the backing of brother Mulayam.

The feud reached its flashpoint when Mulayam listed 325 party candidates for the 403-member assembly and ruled out projecting Akhilesh for the chief ministers post. Akhilesh came up with his own list of 235 candidates.

Read | Split in Samajwadi Party will benefit BJP in UP elections, says Lalu
With the Samajwadi Partys power play tilting in favour of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, is it the end of the road for Amar Singh?

Representing the old guard led by Mulayams brother Shivpal, Singh was seen as being opposed to the policies that Akhilesh wanted to promote.

With Akhilesh now likely to enjoy a predominant say in the formulation of campaign strategies and ticket distribution for the upcoming state polls, what is the political space left for Singh?

While Singh has taken a conciliatory approach towards Akhilesh, it is unlikely that he will have a major say in party affairs in coming months.

Read | Samajwadi Party rank and file backs Akhilesh in turf war with Shivpal

Responding to the latest development, Singh said: Mulayam Singhji has done the right thing. He has given a message that he will not let either the SP or his family break. The conspiracy of the people who wanted the party and the family to break has failed, he said.

Akhilesh has openly indicated that his relations with Singh  whom he has described as uncle were not cordial. Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit this month, Akhilesh said that if he had been the state party president, he would have recommended Singhs sacking to Mulayam.

Singh had been in political isolation for the past six years. After SP expelled him in 2010, he set up the Lok Jan Morcha and fought the 2012 assembly elections in UP, but the party lost from all the seats. He briefly joined Ajit Singhs RLD, eventually warming his way back into the SP after Mulayam nominated him to the Rajya Sabha last May.

Also read | Mulayams Amar Prem: Why SP chief cant do without his friend
Outgoing Army chief General Dalbir Singh on Saturday said he had promised more than adequate, immediate and intense response to any action, and the Indian Army had delivered on it during the two and a half years he was at the helm.

He said that the Indian Army was fully prepared and well trained to undertake any challenge, be it external or internal.

As many as 141 terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir this year alone, General Dalbir Singh said.

General Singh, who retired on Saturday, inspected a Guard of Honour on the lawns of the South Block in the morning, before handing over charge to his successor General Bipin Rawat.

Read: Gen Bakshi dismisses resignation speculation, extends support to new army chief

Addressing the media, the outgoing General thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for giving the Army a free hand in conducting operations and also thanked the citizens for respecting the Army that boosted their morale.

General Singh saluted the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation, the soldiers who serve in challenging areas like Siachen, icy mountains, scorching deserts and dense forests and those fighting insurgency and terrorism in the northeast and Jammu and Kashmir.

I express my sincere gratitude to the honourable Prime Minister and the government for their full support and for giving free hand in conducting operations; for giving impetus to modernisation and for granting One Rank One Pension to the ex-servicemen, General Singh said.

I also thank the citizens of this country for supporting and respecting the soldiers which has enhanced the morale of the Indian Army immensely, he said.

As you are aware, I have never given any TV interview because I strongly believe that actions must speak louder than words. The day I took over as Chief of the Army Staff I had said that our response to any action will be more than adequate, immediate and intense, he said.

General Singh, when he took over as the Army chief on August 1, 2014, had said Indias response to any aggression from Pakistan will be more than adequate.

The Indian Army has delivered that in the last two and a half years. The Indian Army is the finest and the strongest Army in the world. Our leaders are most competent and unit leaders lead from the front and soldiers are bravest. I want to assure the nation that Indian Army is fully prepared, well trained to undertake any challenges, be it external or internal, he said.

Read: Rawat, Dhanoa take charge as new army, air force chiefs

General Singh said the focus of the Army was on operational preparedness and training during his headship.

Asked about the attacks like that in Uri, in which 19 soldiers were killed, and Nagrota, in which seven soldiers were killed, the outgoing Army chief said the attacks and infiltration have increased, but the Army has also killed double the number of terrorists compared with last year.

We have displayed the power of firmness, resolve, ability and will power... as far as casualties are concerned, the infiltration attempts have increased. If we leave the casualties caused in those two incidents (Nagrota and Uri), the casualties are not so high, General Singh said.

In 2012, we killed 67 terrorists, in 2013 we killed 65 terrorists... this year, only in Jammu and Kashmir, we have killed 141 terrorists. There are more incidents of infiltration, but we have killed more terrorists, almost double the number, he added.
The 104 supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi were arrested in July 2013 and originally sentenced in 2014 but were granted a retrial

Cairo Criminal Court sentenced on Saturday 77 supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi to 10 years in prison and 27 others to seven years in their retrial over charges of murder and rioting.

The defendants were originally sentenced in May 2014 but they appealed the court decision and the Court of Cassation ordered a retrial.

The 104 were arrested in July 2013 following a protest in Cairo's Al-Zaher district, after the ouster of Morsi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood, following mass protests.

They were charged with attempted murder, inciting murder, threatening violence, and sabotaging private and public property.

The protests led to the killing of Ahmed Salah El-Bassiouny, for which the defendants were accused of murder.

The Muslim Brotherhood was designated as a terrorist organisation by Egypt's government in late 2013.

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Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was scheduled to chair a meeting of Samajwadi Party MLAs at his official residence on Saturday, a day after he was expelled from the party by his father Mulayam Singh Yadav following months of a political family feud.

Akhilesh has been locked in a dispute with Mulayam  the Samajwadi Party chief -- and his uncle Shivpal Yadav, a senior party member, ahead of key Uttar Pradesh elections. The UP CM, 43, has been trying to shake off the influence of his father and uncle, finding support instead in his trusted adviser and other uncle Ram Gopal Yadav.

Live updates on Akhilesh, Mulayams meeting

The move to expel Akhilesh has triggered a wave of support for the chief minister with television images showing scores of people standing outside his residence with posters and shouting slogans against Shivpal.

Political observers have predicted Akhilesh may split from his fathers party to form his own camp.

Mulayam, too, has called the SPs parliamentary board meeting on Saturday.

Some SP leaders have blamed outsider Amar Singh for the crisis in the party and UPs ruling family. Reacting to Fridays developments in the party, Singh told ANI: Whatever people are doing against him (Mulayam), its all unconstitutional and wrong.

Read: Akhilesh types a mystery: Who is this typewriter?

I extend my complete support to Netaji. Disrespecting him is like breaking the discipline in the party, Singh added.

The family conflict came to a head on Friday when 77-year-old Mulayam announced he was expelling his son and Ram Gopal for weakening the party he founded in 1992.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has also been removed from the party for six years, Mulayam told reporters in the state capital Lucknow.

We want to save the party. My intention is not to punish anyone but a lot of effort... went into the making of this party and we must save it, he said with his brother Shivpal beside him.

Mulayam accused Ram Gopal, his cousin, of ruining Akhileshs career.

Read: Winter is coming: How Akhilesh lost Yadav familys game of thrones

Uttar Pradesh, a critical political player, sends the biggest single bloc of lawmakers to the 545-seat Parliament in New Delhi. Wrestler-turned-politician Mulayam served three terms as the states chief minister.

In 2012, Akhilesh became the youngest ever chief minister thanks to his soaring popularity with younger voters, who elected him on promises of more jobs and a greater share in Indias economic growth.

Family relations have soured in the run up to the state elections, which are likely in February, with rival members vying for greater control of the party, resulting in several tit-for-tat sackings by Akhilesh and Shivpal of each others supporters since August.

Mulayam has sided with his brother Shivpal, often humiliating and snubbing his own son in public.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis address to the nation evoked a mixed reaction from its political class on Saturday, with BJP members complimenting their leader and critics accusing him of diverting the publics attention from the issue of demonetisation by offering poll sops.

In what seemed like a budget speech, Modi tried to touch upon every section of the society crucial to him and his party ahead of the assembly elections in five states. The Prime Minister, however, gave the middle class a miss despite expectations that he would extend some sort of relief to taxpayers.

The BJP said they were satisfied with Modis speech. The Prime Minister has once again made it clear that the NDA govt is dedicated to the welfare of the weaker sections of society, home minister Rajnath Singh tweeted immediately after the address.

The decisions are pro-people and pro-development. PM is taking India forward with his vision & leadership, he added.

Read: Full transcript of PM Narendra Modis New Years eve speech

However, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee dubbed Modis address as the end of demonetisation and start of deModitisation.

One of the biggest critics of the governments note ban decision, Banerjee accused the PM of deviating from the actual agenda of black money and taking over the finance ministers role to make a pre-budget speech. Where are the figures of #DeMonetisation? How much of black money has been recovered? What did the nation gain after 50 days of excruciating pain? she asked, adding that empty vessels make the most noise.

The Congress also expressed disappointment over the speech. Mr PM, the people wanted to know how many lakhs of crores of black money you wiped out in the last 50 days. Why didnt you speak about it? a message from the partys official Twitter handle read.

Randeep Surjewala, chief spokesperson of the Congress, said Modis speech left many questions unanswered. His decision paralysed the economy; country cant run this way We once again urge the PM to withdraw the restrictions imposed on withdrawals, he added.

Read: Focus on poor, small businesses: 5 highlights from PM Modis New Years eve speech

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal dubbed Modis speech as boring. The entire country was disappointed after listening to Modis boring speech. They were expecting him to specify when the restriction on withdrawing money will be lifted, he said.

However, BJP secretary Sidharth Nath Singh defended Modi by saying that the objective of the speech was never to disclose black money figures. The PM wanted to thank 125 crore Indians, he added.

Party chief Amit Shah also voiced his enthusiasm on Twitter, noting how Modis announcements would go a long way in providing housing to the poor, neo-middle class & middle class.
The BJP came to power in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday without having to win an election as chief minister Pema Khandu switched loyalties twice in three months to give the saffron party its second government in the Northeast, after Assam.

The countrys easternmost state plunged into a political crisis two days ago when the 37-year-old Khandu and six legislators were suspended by the ruling Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA), a regional outfit that he had joined from the Congress in September.

Read | Arunachal Pradesh: CM Pema Khandu, deputy CM, 5 others suspended by their party

The chief minister refused to resign and, after a day of fast-moving events, broke ranks with the PPA to shift to the BJP with 33 loyal legislators.

The BJP has all along supported Khandu after the PPA temporarily suspended him, his deputy Chowna Mein, and five MLAs for alleged anti-party activities. The BJP, which had 12 MLAs in the 60-member assembly, was a coalition partner of the PPA that had 43 legislators till Saturdays desertion.

The PPA had sought to replace Khandu with his public health and engineering minister Takam Pario, the hill states richest lawmaker.

But the chief minister staved off the threat, and helped the BJP get its 10th full-fledged state government in the country.

The coming year will be a blessing for Arunachal Pradesh. It will be a new year, new party and together with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we will develop the state, Khandu told reporters in Itanagar.

Khandu was with the Congress when he formed the government in July.

Prior to his elevation, political uncertainty dominated the state after senior minister Kalikho Pul broke away from the Congress government of Nabam Tuki with 24 MLAs to form a PPA government in February.

Puls government was removed after a Supreme Court verdict reinstated Tuki. But with most Congress MLAs backing Khandu, Tuki had to make way in July. A dejected Pul committed suicide in Itanagar in August. A month later, Khandu deserted the Congress with 42 MLAs to join the PPA.

The chief minister blamed the PPA leadership for suspending him and his friends. But said the move was a blessing in disguise as they were already planning to join BJP.

Khandu will continue to be the chief minister. We were in touch with the party high command in New Delhi and they gave the green light to welcome him and other PPA legislators into our party, BJP state unit chief Tapir Gao said.

Khandu enjoys the support of 47 lawmakers  33 legislators who switched over from the PPA, plus 12 BJP and two Independent members. The number is good enough for him to sail through during a floor test in the assembly to prove his strength.

There is no word, however, on whether PPA will continue to remain an alliance partner of the BJP government or be part of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), a regional anti-Congress group.

We have 10 legislators at present. They and the party office-bearers will meet and decide on whether we will continue to be part of the state government or remain in NEDA, PPA president Kahfa Bengia said.

The strategically located state, close to China, will vote for a new assembly in 2019. Until then, it has already recorded five governments under three chief ministers.

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Setting the stage for a show of strength, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, who was expelled from the Samajwadi Party by his father and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, held a meeting on Saturday at his residence, where a majority of the 229 party MLAs were present.

Though the exact number of those present at the meeting was not immediately clear, insiders maintained that a majority of the 229 SP MLAs were present. Some SP MLCs and senior party functionaries loyal to Akhilesh also attended the meeting.

Akhilesh is expected to meet his supporters and party workers later in the day to prove his strength.

Live updates on Yadav family feud a day after Akhileshs expulsion

he chief ministers 5-Kalidas Marg residence appeared to be the hub of high drama with youth supporters of Akhilesh assembling in large numbers to vent their fury over his expulsion and that of his uncle Ramgopal Yadav.

Political activities hotted up right from the morning with a series of meetings planned during the day, when Mulayam will meet party candidates announced by him and state SP chief Shivpal Yadav, the warring uncle of Akhilesh.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh termed the crisis in the party as unfortunate and asked party members to support Mulayam in the family feud.

Read: Yadav family feud: What next for Akhilesh, Samajwadi Party and UP

I appeal to the party members to stand with Netaji (Mulayam). Whatever is happening is very unfortunate, Amar, who had recently made a comeback to the party after a long exile, said.

Mulayam had on Friday expelled his son Akhilesh and Ramgopal from SP for six years after they put up candidates against the official nominees and summoned a party meet, pushing the ruling party to the precipice of a split just ahead of the UP Assembly elections likely to be announced any day now.

Mulayam had said he took the action against Akhilesh and Ramgopal to save the party which he had built through hard efforts.

We have to save the party. The party comes first. That is why we are expelling both Akhilesh and Ramgopal, he said.

He explained that the decision was taken after Ramgopal, in his capacity as general secretary, called an emergency meeting of the party on January 1 and Akhilesh supported it.
Lieutenant General Praveen Bakshi on Saturday extended his best wishes and full support to new army chief General Bipin Rawat, ending speculation that he may resign rather than serve under a junior officer.

Rawat took over as army chief from General Dalbir Singh on Saturday.

Bakshi, who is heading the Kolkata-based Eastern Command, told officers that he would continue to serve with full professional sincerity.

I convey my best wishes and full support of Eastern Command to Gen Bipin Rawat on having taken over as the Chief of Army Staff, Bakshi said in Kolkata.

An Eastern Command spokesperson said Bakshi has requested that speculation and trolling in media and social media must end and everyone should focus on contributing their best to the betterment of the army and the nation.

This comes a day after HT carried an exclusive interview with General Rawat in which the new army chief said he expected support and cooperation from the two generals superseded by the government to elevate him to the top position.

In promoting Rawat, the claims of Lieutenant Generals Praveen Bakshi and PM Hariz were ignored.

They have been cooperating all along and I think they have been most supportive thus far and I expect the same in future, Rawat said in his first interview after being named as Dalbir Singhs successor.

Bakshi and Hariz were commissioned in December 1977 and June 1978, while Rawat joined the army in December 1978. Had the government gone by seniority, Bakshi would have been the next chief. But Rawats experience in Kashmir and the Northeast tipped the scales in his favour.

Both generals Bakshi and Hariz have been good friends and I have lot of respect for them. But since the government has taken a decision, it is with humility I accept this responsibility and I will do my best, Rawat had said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday two new housing schemes benefiting the economically backward sections as well as financial aid for pregnant women.

In a televised address, he added that law will deal with the dishonest, congratulating people for backing the governments demonetisation exercise.

Wishing the nation a happy new year, Modi assured that his governments efforts in 2017 would be to bring the banking system to normal at the earliest.

On November 8, PM Modi took the nation by surprise, recalling Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bills --- a move that met with resistance from the Opposition.

The shock announcement 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. The Reserve Bank of India changed rules frequently, inviting criticism.

Modi, in his address, reiterated that people have supported the government in its purification campaign.

Follow the live updates here:

* PM Modi sends his New Year greetings to the nation.

* Modi says demonetisation is a purification campaign.

* After Diwali, people of the country made sacrifices to defeat the vices (of corruption and black money), says Modi.

* We dont want to lag behind in the war against black money, corruption, Modi says.

* People of the country have proved that goodness prevails, the PM says.

* People of India have proved that honesty and truth matter a lot to them, Modi says.

* People have suffered (because of demonetisation) for the foundation of a bright future, the PM says.

* Modi says he got tens of thousands of letters on demonetisation --- many highlighting the hardships post note ban.

* Our effort in the new year will be to ensure normality in the banking system at the earliest, the PM says.

* Modi bats for pro-active endeavours in rural areas to provide relief to villagers, farmers.

* What Indians have done, for that there is no example in the world, Modi says.

* You will be shocked to know that only 24 lakh people in the country admit that they earn more than Rs 10 lakh annually, Modi says.

* But the question now is: what happens to the dishonest? Modi says, adding that law will take its own course.

* This government is a friend of the honest and in favour of putting the dishonest in the path of truth, Modi says.

* The PM says government officials should help the honest and crack down on the dishonest, Modi says.

* Modi says the banking sector worked hard in the period after note ban.

* However, people who have indulged in fraudulent practices, including government officials, will not be spared, says Modi.

* Banks should focus on serving the poor, lower middle-class, says Modi.

* The more you empower the oppressed and the weaker sections, the stronger will be the nation, says the PM.

* Modi announces two housing schemes for the economically weaker sections, says Modi.

* In 2017, people of middle and lower middle-classes will get discount of 4% for a home loan of up to Rs 9 lakh, and of 3% for a loan of up to Rs 12 lakh.

2017      9         4     12         3   : PM  PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 31, 2016

* This year, 6% more rabi crops have been sown, 9% more fertilisers has been consumed.

          6    : PM @narendramodi  PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 31, 2016

* In the next three months, 3 crore Kisan cards will be converted into RuPay cards, says PM Modi.

* Credit guarantee for small businesses is being raised to Rs 2 crore from Rs 1 crore, says Modi.

* Loans of farmers, who had borrowed money from district cooperative central banks and primary societies for sowing kharif and rabi crops, will be guaranteed by the government and will be credited to their accounts

                    : PM @narendramodi (1/2)  PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 31, 2016

   60             : PM @narendramodi (2/2)  PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 31, 2016

* Pregnant women will get financial assistance of Rs 6,000 in over 650 districts, says Modi. The money will be credited into their accounts.

* Banks have been asked to raise cash credit limit to small business to 25% from 20%.

*

7.5       10      8   interest rate   : PM @narendramodi  PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 31, 2016

* PM Modi appeals to all political parties to shed Holier than thou attitude and unite in the fight against corruption.

* In his push for a less-cash economy, Modi asks the youth, businessmen and farmers to use the BHIM app for transactions.

* Patience, discipline, resolve displayed by 125 crore Indians will play a critical role in shaping future of the nation for years to come, says PM Modi.

* Modi says as we welcome a new year, lets come together to build a bright future of the country.

* Soon after the PMs announcement, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah tweets:

That's the Budget 2017-18 done & dusted.  Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) December 31, 2016

* Opposition parties do not appear satisfied with the PMs announcements.

* Congresss RS Surjewala says no deadline, only headline has become the PMs character, ANI reports.

* Disappointed with the PMs speech, he says, adding that many questions were left unanswered.

* West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says Modis address to the nation became a budget address.

* However, Union home minister Rajnath Singh says the PM has once again made it clear that the NDA govt is dedicated to the welfare of poor and weaker sections of the society.

PMs announcement to launch 2 new housing schemes on lower interest rates will help in realizing the dream of Housing for all by 2022  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 31, 2016

The decision to give relief to farmers on interest payments and conversion of 3 crore Kissan Credit Cards into Rupay Cards will be v.helpful  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 31, 2016

The decisions announced today are pro-people and pro-development. PM Shri @narendramodi is taking India forward with his vision & leadership  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 31, 2016

Oppositions wish list

Ahead of Modis address, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi made public his demands, asking Modi to lift restrictions on cash withdrawals.

The RBI on Friday raised the daily ATM cash withdrawal limit from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,500 a day for an individual from January 1. However, there has been no change in the weekly withdrawal limit, which stands at Rs 24,000, including from ATM, for individuals (and Rs 50,000 in case of small traders).

Read: From January 1, you can withdraw Rs 4,500 a day from ATMs: RBI

Gandhi also asked the PM to deposit Rs 25,000 in the account of one woman each in families below the poverty line. He batted for abolishing charges on digital transactions and called for Income and Sales taxes rebate of 50% to small-scale shopkeepers and businesses.

For its part, the CPI urged Modi to sanction ex-gratia relief to the families of those who had collapsed and died while waiting in queues before the banks and ATMs in different parts of the country after demonetisation. The Opposition alleges more than 100 people died in the wake of Modis shock announcement in November.

Read: Rahul, Chidambaram target Modi over cash withdrawal limit after 50-day deadline

Political tug-of-war

An aggressive Opposition stalled proceedings in the recently concluded winter session over the governments decision. Union ministers held several press briefings to counter the criticism.

And in the new year, the political tussle over demonetisation is set to enter a new phase. The BJP has planned a long series of rallies and campaign programmes to tell people the benefits of a cashless economy.

The Opposition, eyeing a united bloc and a possible alliance against the BJP, may hold joint rallies across states.

While many Opposition parties have been critical of the note ban, they have so far restricted themselves to individual protest programmes.

But after the meeting and press conference of eight parties in New Delhi recently, plans are afoot to hold four major rallies in as many corners of the country.

(With agency inputs)
Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modis address to the nation, BJP on Saturday said the welfare measures announced by him were his way of thanking people for their unwavering support to demonetisation and will help the poor and boost economy.

The Prime Minister has congratulated people on having ensured that the worlds largest drive against corruption and black money is a huge success. A series of welfare measures for women, senior citizens, farmers and middle classes are his way of thanking the people for their unstinted support, BJP spokesperson GVL Narsimha Rao said.

The slew of measures announced by Modi, he said, will also accelerate growth by encouraging the micro, small and medium enterprises and by increasing outlays for micro enterprises under the Mudra scheme, besides raising interest subsidy for farmers to realise greater agricultural growth.

A day after the expiry of 50-day period since announcing demonetisation, Modi had announced new housing schemes targeting the poor and lower middle class, besides unveiling a number of sops for farmers, pregnant women, senior citizens and small industries.

Read | Modi speech: Housing for poor, Rs 6000 for pregnant women, sops for small businesses
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday termed Prime Minister Narendra Modis address as disappointing, while also accusing him of cheating people.

Kejriwal claimed that not a single penny of black money was recovered and there was no reduction in corruption due to demonetisation. He also hit out at the prime minister for not offering any relief to the people suffering due to demonetisation.

In a series of tweets, Kejriwal said, 

Modi ji sounds so hollow now. People have stopped believing anything that he says. He has become a subject of ridicule internationally  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 31, 2016

                        ,      Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 31, 2016

Modiji working 4 BJP mukt bharat, not Cong mukt bharat.            20         Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 31, 2016

Prime Ministers boring speech was heard patiently by the people in the hope that he will announce when can they withdraw their own money without restriction. In the end, they were disappointed.

Senior AAP leader Ashutosh also accused the prime minister of trying to bribe the people hit by the currency ban by offering them sops and termed his address as an election speech.

Modis speech was not about demonetisation, but about election. He tried to bribe the people of India who are angry with him by giving them sops, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a slew of schemes on Saturday evening to herald a prosperous 2017 for the urban and rural poor, farmers, small businessmen, senior citizens and pregnant women.

Modi started on a sombre note. For the first 23 minutes, he mainly thanked his countrymen for braving the cash crunch, iterated why demonetisation was a necessary weapon in his fight against black money and corruption and warned of more action against the dishonest.

The law will take its course with full force. The government will help the honest, protect them, and see that their difficulties are eased, he said.

Read: Full transcript of PM Narendra Modis New Years eve speech

In his address made to the nation on the very day the demonetisation exercise ended, the Prime Minister did not say much about curbs on withdrawals. He only said everyone in the government has been told that banking operations must return to normal as soon as possible.

Then he switched to announcement mode, rattling out enough measures to make his speech sound like a mini-budget.

The first in his list for 2017 were two housing schemes under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY). For the urban poor, home loans up to Rs 9 lakh will get 4% interest exemption, and loans up to Rs 12 lakh will get 3%. In villages, home loans up to Rs 2 lakh will get 3% interest exemption. This would apply not only to loans for building new houses but also those taken for renovating or expanding an existing one.

In all, Modi said 33% more homes will be built in rural areas under the PMAY.

There was more for the rural poor, who got the lions share of the announcements. The govt will pay interest for 60 days on loans taken by farmers for Rabi farming from district cooperative banks and societies. It will give the National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (Nabard) Rs 20,000 crore, which the bank will use for giving loans to cooperatives at low interest rates. Some 30 million kisan credit cards will be converted to RuPay cards, so their holders can make non-cash transactions at a large number of places.

Read: Focus on poor, small businesses: 5 highlights from PM Modis New Years eve speech

There was also a fair bit for small businessmen, generally referred to as MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises). In a scheme under which the government guarantees loans raised by them, the limit has been doubled to Rs 2 crore. This will also cover loans from NBFCs. Banks have been told to raise the cash credit limit to small businesses from 20% to 25%.

Banks, the Prime Minister noted, tend to decrease interest payable on deposits when they are flush with funds  as they are now. The government will not allow them to pay senior citizens anything less than 8% on deposits up to Rs 7.5 lakh made for 10 years.

To reduce deaths during child birth, the government will deposit Rs 6,000 into the accounts of pregnant women. It can be used for registration and vaccination, among other things.

Modi also packed a punch for his political rivals. The time has come for all political parties and leaders to respect the feelings of honest citizens and understand their anger. I urge them to move away from their holier-than-thou approach, and take actual steps towards reforming the system and getting rid of black money and corruption, he said.

Read: BJP compliments, rivals criticise PM Modis New Years eve address
Pakistan has sought support of the US on the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with India, as secretary of state John Kerry called for an amicable settlement of the issue by New Delhi and Islamabad, media reported on Saturday.

The development came after Pakistan was irked by the World Bank pause in mediation to resolve differences over construction of two water projects by India.

The Express Tribune reported that Kerry made a phone call to finance minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday night and discussed the row over the IWT implementation and the role of the World Bank, which had brokered the treaty in 1960.

After Kerrys call, US ambassador to Pakistan, David Hale also met Dar in Islamabad at the finance ministry.

The back-to-back meetings highlight the importance of the water issue, which can potentially endanger regional stability if the situation slips out of control, according to sources at the finance ministry.

The US would like to see an amicable solution to this (water) issue, a finance ministry statement quoted Kerry as saying.

Kerry told Dar that the World Bank president had informed him about Pakistans complaint against India on the IWT.

The water dispute has catapulted the US back into Pakistans economic picture.

The American civilian and military assistance to Pakistan has drastically come down in recent months and its implications on Pakistans fiscal situation have started emerging in the shape of a larger-than-anticipated budget deficit.

Independent analysts argue that Washington may not play an effective role in resolving the water dispute, as the Obama administration is preparing to hand over the White House to Donald Trump next month.

Senator Dar indicated that the US support on the principles and legal position of Pakistan will be greatly appreciated, the finance ministry said.

Early this month, the WB had announced a pause in playing its legally binding role of mediator in the IWT implementation.

In October, Pakistan had approached the WB seeking appointment of the chairman of court of arbitration to resolve a dispute over construction of two mega hydropower projects by India in violation of the IWT.

The finance minister told Kerry that the IWT was an international commitment and it was the WBs responsibility to make sure India honoured the treaty and the water rights of hundreds of millions of Pakistani people were protected, said the finance ministry.
According to security sources, the explosion was due to a remotely detonated bomb

A police officer and an army soldier were killed and another soldier injured in a roadside bomb in North Sinai's Al Arish on Saturday, state news agency MENA reported.

Security sources told the agency that the victims' armoured vehicle exploded due to a remotely detonated bomb as it passed by Al-Arish international road during a security operation.

The Egyptian army and police have been battling an entrenched Islamist insurgency for several years in North Sinai, mostly concentrated in the cities of Sheikh Zuwaid, Rafah and El-Arish.

The Armed Forces launched a major military operation this year named "Martyrs retribution" to combat militants in North Sinai.

In mid-October, Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi extended a state of emergency, which was originally declared in certain areas of the restive province in August 2013 and consecutively renewed ever since, for three months starting 31 October in designated areas of the North Sinai governorate.

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Overwhelming support among Samajwadi Party workers and legislators for Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and a backlash against the president of the partys state unit, Shivpal Yadav, has driven home the point about who is the winner in the popularity stakes in the party.

Except for a few old guards, most MLAs have openly backed the 43-year-old Akhilesh by attending his meeting in the state capital on Saturday before SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav revoked his sons expulsion in less than 24 hours.

Most MLAs from Bundelkhand, Kanpur, Kannauj, Auraiya, Mainpuri, Farrukhabad, Kanpur Dehat and Unnao attended the CMs meeting.

Read: Akhilesh, Ram Gopal taken back into Samajwadi Party a day after Mulayam expelled them

In Etawah, the three party MLAs, including Shivpal Yadav, did not attend Akhileshs meeting, sources said.

In Bareilly and Badaun, six of eight sitting MLAs sided with Akhilesh

Sitting minister Vijay Bahadur Pal said the CM was immensely popular among the youth and has a proven track record. Both Netaji and Akhileshji have worked to carry the socialist ideology far and under CM, the state has progressed. I will contest in the name of Akhilesh, he said.

In Agra, SP workers came out on the streets in support of Akhilesh on Saturday morning.

Kuchh ghalat logon ke karan ye sab ho raha hai (some wrong people are creating problems for the party). There is a communication gap due to which some decisions have gone against the party, SP spokesman CP Rai told HT.

A member of the national executive of the Samajwadi Mahila Sabha, Monica Naaz Khan resigned from her post and tore posters of Shivpal Yadav.

A conspiracy is being hatched against the CM who is a leader with a clean image. We will not tolerate any action against him. Akhilesh is the only leader who can steer the party to victory in assembly election, said Khan.

Following Akhileshs expulsion on Friday, party workers of the Bareilly unit had started sending in their resignations. Akhilesh Yadav took UP on the path of development. People only know him because of the work he did for the people. One cannot abandon such a leader, said Zafar Beg, head of SPs Bareilly (city) unit.

Across Bareilly, Jalabad, Shahjahanpur, Akhileshs supporters burned effigies of Shivpal and blocked the state highway to register their protest.

On social media too, netizens backed the chief minister and trolled Shivpal for his alleged role in Akhileshs expulsion.

Akhilesh Bhaiyya aap akele nahin, hum sab aapke saath hain (Akhilesh you are not alone, we all are with you), said a Facebook post which remained the most popular message on the platforms page titled Akhilesh Yadav fan club.

The post got over 4,000 likes and more than 3,500 comments.

A twitter handle, #Iamwithakhilesh, also remained popular and was joined by many supporters.
The AIADMK got a new leader on Saturday as Sasikala Natarajan took over as acting general secretary of the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, officially stepping into the shoes of Jayalalithaa who died on December 5.

The 60-year-old Sasikala has been the closest aide of the late AIADMK chief and six-time CM since the 1980s. She has been taking care of party affairs, though she never held any formal position in the AIADMK.

#WATCH: Sasikala Natarajan breaks down while talking about #Jayalalithaa after taking charge as AIADMK General Secretary. pic.twitter.com/DhtSfVWKE4  ANI (@ANI_news) December 31, 2016

For Amma the party was her life, and for me Amma was my life, Sasikala said in her first public speech after taking charge.

She is made acting general secretary because the party has retired the general secretarys post, which Jayalalithaa held till she died after a cardiac arrest.

I used to constantly think about her. Akka (elder sister) are you going to kottai (secretariat)? Akka have you eaten? For the rest of my life I will live for my party and the people. Ammas dream will continue for Tamil Nadu, she said and broke down.

The legions of supporters of Jayalalithaa, a popular cine star in her youth, endearingly called her Amma, or mother. There were mixed opinion within the party about Sasikalas elevation after Ammas death.

The party cadre showed little enthusiasm when Sasikala was formally appointed the party chief at Thursdays general meeting.

But Saturday was different. People cheered and slogans of Puratchi Thalaivi Chinamma (revolutionary leader younger mother), the moniker given to Sasikala rang out.

Chinamma will lead us on the path that Amma showed us, a party worker said. She will safeguard her legacy, she added.

Sasikala will hold the position until formal party elections, which sources said will be held in the first week of January.

Party rules say candidates for the top post must be an AIADMK member for at least five years.

Sasikala, who was expelled from the party by Jayalalithaa in 2011, formally rejoined in 2012. The party presidium is expected to amend the bylaws prior to the elections.

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Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders and workers in Mainpuri  the bastion of state party president Shivpal Yadav  expressed their anger against the 61-year-old leader by burning his effigies and blamed him for the ongoing family feud.

Anger against Shivpal was also witnessed in almost all the districts of Kanpur and Bundelkhand region, where young SP leaders resigned from the party following which their supporters blocked highways.

In Etawah, the native place of the Yadavs, party workers blocked the highway at two places. As tension mounted, Etawah police beefed up security around the newly-constructed palatial house of the partys state president.

Similarly, the workers supporting the CM blocked roads at six places in Auraiya and Dibiyapur. SP supporters also burnt the effigy of party leaders and blocked the national highway near Barra in Kanpur.

Read | Samajwadi Party rank and file backs Akhilesh in turf war with Shivpal

Ironically, Mainpuri, Etawah and Auraiya were cultivated by Shivpal, giving maximum jobs to yadav youths in the cooperative banks. Shivpal is the chairman of UP cooperative bank and is said to have employed nearly 2 lakh youths.

Bunty Sengar, former national secretary SP Chatra Sabha, who resigned with 16 other office-bearers of different youth wings, blamed Shivpal and Amar Singh for the family feud. We are with the CM. He has done so much for the state and has taken the party to new heights. We cant think of anyone else as the CM, he said.

Read | Akhilesh, Ram Gopal taken back into Samajwadi Party a day after Mulayam expelled them

While senior party workers and leaders in the city expressed their solidarity with Mulayam Singh Yadav, young MLAs and leaders supported Akhilesh as they felt they would have a better political future with him at the helm.

Meanwhile, Shahar Qazi Maulana Alam Raz Noori said the political situation in the state was in a bad shape. Muslim supporters of the party are confused. They are unable to decide whom to support, he said.

However, president of the All India Muslim Ghosi Association Hazi, Mohammad Wasik, described the ongoing bickering in SP as a drama played to cover the governments failure in rendering any relief to Muslims.
Advocating unity within the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, RJD chief Lalu Prasad warned on Saturday that any split in that party will help the rival Bhartiya Janata Party in the 2017 UP assembly elections.

Aapsi phoot se BJP ko labh hoga. Abhi ekta banaye rakhna jaroori hain. (Split within SP will benefit BJP, unity is must), Lalu told reporters in Patna.

Spoke to Netaji & urged him to stay united to fight & root out communal forces.It's time to protect our rich pluralistic & secular heritage  Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) December 31, 2016

Phoned Netaji at 8AM as I was worried. Urged him to call Akhilesh & not to loose almost certain win & avoid - ppl and sycophants  Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) December 31, 2016

Asked @yadavakhilesh to go & see Netaji and sort out the matters patiently. Others shd nt take benefits out of any miscommunications & gaps  Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) December 31, 2016

According to RJD leaders close to Lalu, he has been trying to reconcile the father-son duo after SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav expelled his son and UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav from the party on Friday.

The RJD chief, who is a relative of Mulayam Singh, apparently advised the family to patch up their differences late Friday night.

Lalu Prasad has spoken twice with Mulayam Singh and his son Akhilesh for a reconciliation, the RJD leader said.
Ten people were killed and 10 others injured in an explosion inside a manufacturing unit for fire crackers at Porlukatta on the outskirts of Nellore town in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, police said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident took place due to the negligence of one of the workers who might have thrown a half-burnt cigarette at the crackers dump., district superintendent of police Vishal Gunni said.

SPS Nellore district collector Revu Mutyala Raju and SP Gunni rushed to the spot to over the rescue operation.

Deputy chief minister (Home) N China Rajappa spoke to the district SP over phone and directed him to ensure better medical care to the injured.

He directed the SP to conduct an inquiry into the incident and submit a report immediately.

The deputy CM also asked the district administration to crackdown on illegal cracker manufacturing units, if any.

Meanwhile, sources said the toll might go up as many suffered serious burns in the incident.
Questioning the restrictions imposed on cash withdrawal, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Saturday the government cannot simply snatch away economic rights of the people.

Modi Babu, public are not beggars. Why are there still restrictions on cash withdrawal?, Banerjee asked in a statement.

50 days are now over. How can you take away the rights of citizens to withdraw their own hard-earned money ? A government just cannot snatch away peoples economic rights, she said.

The Reserve Bank of India said last night that cash withdrawal limit from ATMs would be increased to Rs 4,500 per day from the current Rs 2,500 from January 1.

There has been no change in the weekly withdrawal limit, which stands at Rs 24,000, including from ATM, for individuals and Rs 50,000 for small traders.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was unceremoniously expelled from the Samajwadi party by party chief Mulayam Singh on Friday, widening the family split that has threatened to divide SP vertically ahead of 2017 Assembly elections.

The family feud reached a crescendo on Friday when 77-year-old Mulayam announced he was expelling his son Akhilesh and Ram Gopal for weakening the party he founded in 1992.

Read | Winter is coming: How Akhilesh lost Yadav familys game of thrones

The move came a day after the UP CM came up with his own list of 235 candidates for next years state polls. His action was viewed as defiance to his father and his uncle Shivpal, who had released the partys official list -- which ignored leaders close to Akhilesh -- earlier this week .

Akhilesh -- who became the youngest chief minister in 2012 thanks to his popularity with young voters -- has been locked in a bitter dispute with his uncle Shivpal Yadav who is backed by the party patriarch. The 43-year-old CM is instead supported by his trusted adviser and other uncle Ram Gopal Yadav.

Family relations have soured since August, with several tit-for-tat sackings of rivals by Akhilesh and Shivpal as both camps vie for greater control of the party ahead of elections.

Read | Akhilesh supporter attempts suicide, alert sounded in UP after protests

As talks of the Centre bringing UP under Presidents Rule are doing the rounds and chances of a reconciliation unlikely, here are the possible scenarios:

If Akhilesh resigns as CM

Governor RK Naik invites parties to stake claim and show signatures of support to prove majority. Presently, sources have said Akhilesh has 175 loyal legislators by his side but needs the support of 27 more to stay afloat.

However, the governor can also accept the chief ministers resignation, recommend Presidents Rule and the state will head to early polls.

If Akhilesh doesnt quit

Mulayam picks a new legislature party leader, asks the governor to administer oath of office. If Mulayams candidate has support, he/she is made the chief minister.

Or the party patriarch seeks Presidents Rule.

If the assembly is dissolved

Akhilesh recommends dissolution of assembly and he can continue as the caretaker chief minister. This is subject to the governors approval.

Read | UP CM Akhilesh expelled: With his final play, Mulayam Singh squanders his legacy

SPs future

Ramgopal and Akhilesh may elect a new party chief, claiming they are the real Samajwadi Party. The Election Commission may or may not recognise the claim.

(With agency inputs)
Controversial TV evangelist Dr Zakir Naiks empire consists of at least 37 properties, mostly in Maharashtra towns, National Investigation Agency (NIA) sources told HT.

Of these, 25 are flats in Mumbai alone. Conservative estimates put market value of these properties and other assets of IRF and Naik around Rs 100 crore, said an NIA official who wished to remain anonymous.

The agency also recovered Naiks propaganda material contained in 14,000 tapes which amounts to around 5,000 terabytes (TB) of data.

A team of NIA officials headed by agencys chief Sharad Kumar travelled to Mumbai on Thursday and held discussions with the Mumbai police officials on recoveries made.

The agency gathered details of these properties during its scrutiny of records of Naik and his outfit, the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), which has been banned for five years following a government notification declaring it to be an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Naik and IRF also have properties in Pune and Solapur. Naiks spokesperson was not immediately for comments.

After a ban on the foundation, the NIA registered a case against Naik and the IRF on charges of inciting Muslim youth to indulge in violence and promoting enmity between groups on the basis of religion and race. The agency also charged Naik with indulging in activities that are prejudicial to national integration.

The agency then conducted searches at around two dozen properties of Naik, his relatives and the IRF with help from Mumbai police.

Around three dozen bank accounts of the IRF and its trustees including Naik have been identified and banks were asked to freeze them as well, said the official.

The government has constituted a tribunal to reconsider the ban imposed on the IRF.

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Lokayukta Police has converted Rs 1.61 crores, seized in now banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes in the last 10 years, into fixed deposits as per court a Madhya Pradesh high court order.

We have deposited Rs 1,61,56,000 cash seized during raids at various premises of government officials and deposited it as fixed deposits at a nationalised bank, deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Lokayukta Indore, BS Patihar told PTI.

The amount was seized in connection with 30 cases of alleged corruption in the last one decade.

He said as per rules, the money seized in raids is deposited in the government treasury and then court while deciding the matter takes a call to whom the cash should be handed over.

As per the court order, the sum was withdrawn from the government treasury in the last 10 days and has been now parked as fix deposits with a bank, the senior official said.

The Indore bench of MP high court while hearing a case of alleged corruption against a former government employee on December 19, had directed the Lokayukta to deposit the seized cash as fixed deposits in a nationalised bank ahead of December 30, the last date of depositing old notes post demonetisation.
Now that Audyogik Kendra Vikas Nigam (AKVN) has carved out plots and has put them up for booking, the smart industrial park at Pithampur may now see light of the day in January 2017.

Ninety-five plots have been carved out on 1,600 hectacre land that was acquired from National Auto Testing Track (NATRIP) in Pithampur industrial area for a smart industrial park.

The minimum size of each plot is one hectare and maximum plot size is up to 6.75 hectares. The cost of these plots may vary from Rs 2.5 crore to Rs 16 crore.

AKVN Indores managing director Kumar Purushottam said the plots are up for booking. Interested businesses can make booking online. He said, Since it is a smart industrial park, which will also contain residences, shopping malls, hospital, schools and other facilities, we do not want polluting or chemical industries at this site.

He said, We are targeting to rope in automobile, pharmaceutical and other industries to come up here.

The smart industrial park will have industries spread on 630 hectares, commercial zone on 52 hectares, residential area on 56 hectares, 146 hectare has been reserved for parks and green zone, 269 hectare is reserved for other amenities such as parking, cargo and 14 hectares for schools, hospital, police and fire stations.

The smart industrial park project got attention of investors during recent global investors summit held here in October this year.
The founder of Egypts biggest largest parliamentary party says that he will challenge a recent internal vote to eliminate the party's board of trustees

Egyptian billionaire businessman Naguib Sawiris announced on Saturday that he would launch a legal challenge against a decision by the general assembly of the Free Egyptians Party, which he co-founded in 2011, to change its bylaws.

On Friday, the liberal-oriented party decided at its annual general assembly - in the absence of Sawiris - to eliminate the partys board of trustees, among other changes to the party's bylaws.

Naguib Sawiris is one of the most prominent members of the board of trustees.

The general assemblys meeting to amend the bylaws violates Article 59 of the bylaws themselves, which stipulate the board of trustees must approve any bylaw amendments, the board of trustees said in its statement issued on Saturday afternoon.

Describing it as a coup, the board of trustees added that it will pursue its legal rights via the party's internal mechanisms and also via the Egyptian legal system.

Now we are going to court, Sawiris announced on his official Twitter account on Saturday.

According to local news reports, 620 party members voted in favour of amending the bylaws during the general assembly while only 25 voted against.

The board of trustees declares its full rejection of the illegal coup by those who claim to be working for the interest of the country, without realising that Egypts main project at this stage is to fully complete the democratic transition, read the board of trustees statement.

The Free Egyptians Party is the largest political party in the 596-member House of Representatives, with a total of 65 seats.

It is currently headed by Essam Khalil, who was elected as the party leader last year.

Sawiris publicly expressed his rejection of the assembly's decisions in a series of tweets on Saturday.

Everybody knows that I withdrew quietly for the lack of satisfaction in general [with the party] and so I am amazed. Why fabricate a battle in the party at this particular time and for what reason? Sawiris wrote on Twitter, in Arabic.

Shehab Wagih, the official spokesperson of the party, could not be reached for comment.

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Jim Delligatti is dead, Jesse Knutson said looking up from his newspaper.

Knutson, a 38-year-old American professor of Sanskrit, recognised Delligati for what he was: a fast food icon who invented Americas most popular and least glamorous meal, the Big Mac. But to Sourav, Delligatti meant little. Sourav, 47, is a researcher in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Knutson and he had been Facebook friends for a while and the two have a few things in common, including the burger. So when they finally met at the Indian Coffee House in Allahabad, where Knutson had gone on work, they did so over, well, burgers..

Sourav had just ordered the Coffee House Mutton Burger. In these parts, we called this the Hamburger believing it had ham, he said when Knutson repeated his announcement, complete with an its-the- end-of-an-era look. He (Delligatti) may have made them (Big Mac). But I did not eat them. The Big Mac at McDonalds in India is the Chicken Maharaja Mac. Its a bit of a con, said Sourav.

In 1967, Jim Delligatti, who ran one of the most successful McDonald franchises in the US, offered the company a recipe it didnt refuse. A businessman from the upcoming coal-and-steel hub of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, he figured a coal miners body had to be built first in order to build the town. Workers needed bigger burgers. So he put two of everything in a single sesame bun  two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions  and called it the Big Mac.

The Big Mac creator Jim Delligatti (R). He put two of everything in a single sesame bun -- two all-beef patties, sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions -- and called it the Big Mac which became the signature burger of McDonalds. (AP)

It never came to India as McDonalds was obviously targeting a mass market, and beef is banned in most states of the country.

In India, burgers have their own history. The burger story of India, which predates the entry of McDonalds (1996) and other international chains, is actually not just about what is found between two pieces of bread. It is also about how big cities and the Tier 2 towns, especially those with a pronounced colonial past, aspired to a Western culture, accessed through America, and adopted it as a lifestyle. Burgers, and fast food as a whole, became an important part of this new culture. They made room for it. Heck, they re-ordered their spaces for this.

Sourav, for instance, remembers having his first hot dog at Cosy Nook, a pavement kiosk in Allahabad run by a retired colonel with a handlebar moustache. When his father, a travelling salesman, took him out for a burger to the coffee house, the meeting place of the middle class in a post-colonial society, the gentleman wore a scarf. But the Cosy Nook, a throwback to the quaint old-world Anglo-Indian culture of the city, quietly shut shop, even as a standalone, fast-food restaurant, Hot Stuff, arrived there with the American-style burger in the late 80s.

Ironically enough, in America where it is wildly popular, the burger is not fancy. It has no aspirational connotations. The American concept of the burger  a big meat patty in a bun  is rooted in an old history of hunger, says Knutson. Were all descendants of immigrants who came to America in search of wheat and meat.

Aspiration to lifestyle

By the 40s, the burger had entered but not yet taken the capital  Delhi. Akash Kalra, the third generation of the iconic family-owned United Coffee House (UCH) restaurant in Connaught Place (CP) talks of how his grandfather sensed the shift in action from Chandni Chowk to CP in the 40s. In the Chowk, the Kalras owned a restaurant, Esplanade, that catered mainly to Chowk traders and the American GIs lodged in barracks outside the Red Fort. The food that was served pleased both. There was an Indian lunch in the afternoon and live music and British club food in the evening : devilled eggs, sandwiches, hot dogs. And burgers.

In the late 40s, a diverse clientele  the barrister taking a break from sessions, a Maharaja in Delhi out for shopping with his wife , the well-travelled businessman looking to sit around in a shop in late afternoon for tea and a cutlet  began flocking CP. We moved to CP in 1947 with a new restaurant and brought in our Esplanade menu and started UCH as a savoury shop. We moved the burger to the heart of the city, says Kalra.

Read: Hit then, hit now, Delhis famous pre-Independence eateries

Everymans food

A decade later in the same neighbourhood, DePauls in Janpath, put the chicken and the veg burgers on the plate. They had to be eaten while standing on the street. DePauls is equally famous for its cold coffee but they didnt give the burger short shrift. The bread and patty are fried; its chicken burger is juicy and is flavoured with Indian masalas; its vegetarian patty is aloo tikki. Both may cause heartburn but the brave put it inside themselves  summer and winter.

The DePauls' veg and chicken burgers in New Delhi. Its loyal customers love the fried burgers (Saumya Khandelwal/HT )

Narendra Jain, a school teacher from Mumbai who was in Delhi to meet his daughter, turned out to be quite a DePauls fanatic: It is good that some burger places dont just have an animal-only approachbut we will go home and have a proper dinner. This is snack. His wife nods in perfect understanding. Most Indians have a high tolerance for fast food but most of them will not dignify the burger with the status of a meal.

Two people did. In the 70s, Lalit and Deepak Nirula, who belonged to a family of doctors-who-had-turned-hoteliers, inserted the family story into the burger saga by introducing the burger in their Hotshoppe, Snackbar and their chain of family restaurants  Nirulas. The Nirulas burger launched a thousand grills. As Lalit Nirula puts it: The thumb rule of every business story is that if it doesnt work you are an idiot. If its a success, you are a genius.

In obvious imitation of Nirulas Hotshoppe, Hot Stuff came up in a typical Tier 2 city such as Allahabad. Scoop opened in Kolkata. Through the 80s and the 90s, the burger was a fast food success story that opened up the Indian palate to a different treatment of meat. For the first time, I tasted a restaurant burger, mutton patty as grilled meat, bread that was not shallow fried but oven toasted, hash-brown potatoes as sides and mustard squeezed out of a plastic bottleand a patty with a choice of with or without cheese, says Sourav of the Hot Stuff burger.

(L-R) Lalit and Deepak Nirula, former owners of Nirula's, made burgers a reason to visit Indias capital. McDonalds came to India because they were assured of a market. We were selling 4,000 burgers a day, says Lalit. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT)

A real burger is a tenderloin burger. You should be able to taste the meat. What people do wrong is to pile in too much of celery and onion, says Shangri-La's executive chef Neeraj Tyagi. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT)

A customer, had, in fact, once complained about her burger, recounts Lalit Nirula, that it was not the real thing. She had come expecting fried meat and fried bread. Fried burger certainly has a different mouth-feel to it. Even Indian managers of well-known American restaurant franchises such as Johnny Rockets have grown up on this fried Indian burger. I had burgers made in refined oil and aloo patty from cycle carts, vans, and at the school canteen, says Ashok Kumar, manager, Johnny Rockets, CP.

The new burger

The rise of chicken as the top meat and beef as top vice is a later development in Indias burger story. Even at standalone restaurants  or posh hotels  its, at best, buff not beef. Nowadays Indians seem to like neutral meat. There is also the red meat scare. Bombay had beef burgers till the 90s. Youd get it at Cafe Sundance, says journalist Antoine Lewis who is a fine cook himself. The cafe closed in early 2000, for reasons other than the sidelining of beef. You get good beef burgers in Bangalore and it has a stronger burger culture than Mumbai. In Mumbai, Id rather eat a burger at a standalone restaurant than at a burger chain.

Bangalore and Delhi have a growing population of young call-centre professionals who work late nights or return home to stay up late. This has led to a completely new lifestyle and a new way of eating. What turpentine is to cleaning an oil-painting brush, burgers now are to late-night cravings  indispensable.

In the night market, very few were doing authentic or gourmet burgers, say Tania and Sahib, a couple who run Bun Intended, a burger home-delivery and takeaway in Delhi. The buns come stamped and there is a choice of duck, pork, tenderloin and tuna as stuffing if you are a non-vegetarian and tofu, mushroom and aubergine combinations if you are a vegetarian. One burger really makes a meal. In some ways, thats the old Nirulas model  dont make the customer buy two.

We put a lot of thought in our burgers composition, says Tania but she gets upset if customers keep wanting the Indian taste. We do duck, pork, tuna, tenderloin, tofuBut I still get calls from people asking if I could do aloo tikki.

Jesse Knutson is an American professor who teaches Sanskrit in Hawaii. Married to an Indian academic, he is a burger lover with serious burger cred - having eaten one every week all through his 38 years. (Paramita Ghosh / HT)

Tandoori burger anyone?

Avik Chanda, a marketing professional in Kolkata, sees all this talk about Indianisation of originally foreign food item as an unkind cut cut: If the English can count Chicken Tikka and Balti as part of their national cuisine, whats wrong with a Tandoori Burger?

Everything apparently. To begin with, we dont know how to leave the meat alone. What defines a burger is that it has to be about the meat. In India, the concept of burger is doing things to the patty  marinating it, spicing it up, adding herbs to it, says Knutson, who has serious burger-cred having eaten one every week all through his 38 years, and being the grandson of a meat salesman to boot. There is intervention in the concept at every level.

The American-style burger, says food historian Sohail Hashmi, never actually entered the Indian market. Instead, we made up our own inimitable burger tradition. Our adoption of Americana in parts was very much of a piece with our attitude towards it  a constant swinging between love and hate. Americana accessed through dissent  protest music, faded jeans, hippy movement in the 60s  and then the drift towards the US in the late 80s with the Grammy Awards et al, says Hashmi.Somewhere along the way we got to know its burgers. But weve all grown up eating spices fried in oil.Can they suddenly be thrown away?

So where does all this leave the Indian burger? Well, sometimes fried. And sometimes not. But enough said. I know what Im ordering tonight.

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Admissions to seats reserved for children from economically and socially weaker sections might be delayed once again next year. The reason: the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)s proposal to start the admission process from January 2017 is yet to receive states approval.

Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009, students belonging to families earning less than Rs1 lakh annually and from socially disadvantaged groups can avail of free primary education and the tuition fee is reimbursed to schools.

The BMC, which conducts centralised online admissions for the reserved seats, wanted an early start, as the admission process for academic year 2016-17 dragged on for nearly 10 months owing to frequent delays and court cases. Students were unable to attend school till August-September.

But the proposal is still awaiting the state school education departments approval. We were keen to start the admission process from November this year, but we were unable to do so without governments approval, said a senior officer of the BMCs education department.

The civic body wants the admission process to be completed before schools close for the summer break, which is between April and June. This will help in preventing delays, said officials. What happens every year is that we start the form filling process in March or April. If school offices are closed, we will be unable to continue the process, said the official.

Organisations working for such students said the admissions are being conducted in a sloppy and haphazard manner.

They said pupils are losing out on days and months of education because of the BMCs delay. Last year, seven students remained out of school till December because the BMC hadnt completed its third admission round, said Sudhir Paranjape, Anudanit Shiksha Bachao Samiti, an NGO.

Read: Schools will be punished for denying admissions to poor students

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THE RETURN OF CASH

Remember the good old days, when the biggest note in your wallet was a Rs 1,000 and you could just hop into the nearest ATM on a whim? Of course you do; it was less than two months ago.

Lets be honest  we dont really know whether this is some masterstroke or just a shot in the dark. We dont know if generations to come will look back and marvel at November 8 as the point at which India was transformed forever.

But we know a couple of things: we know its tiring to see your government just make things up as it goes along. How much you can withdraw, how you can withdraw it, what you could do with the old notes and what you couldnt.

We know you dont plan a new years eve bash with that little forethought. You figure out how much food youre going to need and you make sure the big muscly guy doesnt corner it all. You dont suddenly go around telling guests they can only get one shot glass of water an hour.

You dont ask your friends to line up for a quarter of a sandwich, and then tell them therell be no seconds till well, youre entirely sure about when (but hey, vote for me in Jan!).

You dont do that. Because jokes aside, some people have hospital bills to pay and school fees, weddings to plan, or funerals. And some are just tired of worrying about how to pay for the autorickshaw to work.

The cash should have been flowing by now. Life should have been back to normal. Or what passes for normal in Mumbai. They said so themselves. Now, we want to see cash make a comeback. (No offense, e-wallet guys, but we want the power to choose).

A NEW AND IMPROVED BMC

It seems clear now that there are either going to be tie-ups of the most unusual kind, or none at all, in the municipal elections scheduled for January. This could mean more choices for the voter, if the Cong, NCP, BJP and Shiv Sena all contest independently of each other. In an environment of anger against corruption and attempts at crackdowns, it could also be hoped that turnout will be better. Mumbai typically treats elections like theyre someone elses do. You take the chance to skip town, enjoy a long weekend, return when all the hubbub has died down  and then wonder why nothings working and no one takes your complaints seriously. Well, theres a first time for everything and heres hoping this is the first time Mumbai trends for a great (or better?) voter turnout, a fresh start, the glimmers of accountability on both sides, and finally guardians of the city who will give a damn.

A 24x7 CITY, A REAL NIGHTLIFE FOR MUMBAI

Mumbais tag of the city that never sleeps has never been questioned. And it is that rare Indian city where you can be out at odd hours, find public transport at 4 am, and where someone or the other is going to work or returning home no matter what the time of day or night.

But party animals from the early 2000s will tell you about a time from before the 1.30 am deadline, when you could dance the night away and call it a day as dawn broke, if you chose.

Over the past few years, proposals in favour of 24x7 nightlife have come from unlikely quarters: the youth wing of the Shiv Sena, whose notorious crackdown on pubs is the Ghost of Mumbai Past.

Ahead of the municipal election, talk of a 24x7 city and dedicated nightlife zones is back. To counter the Shiv Senas promises, the BJP is floating the idea of dedicated night markets.

There truly are cities around the world that dont sleep. New Yorks Meat Packing District comes alive at night. Las Vegas is glitzier in the dark. Add London, Barcelona, Istanbul, Berlin. Mumbais the only Indian city likely to get there. But itll need to be more than campaign rhetoric.

POLITICS BACK ON CAMPUS, IN A GOOD WAY

More than 20 years after they were banned, student elections are set to return to Maharashtra. The elections were scrapped in the early 1990s following periodic outbreaks of violence, sometimes going as far as kidnap. Now, the elections to student unions are set to return, amid strict norms and codes of conduct. While the last thing we need is more unruly youngsters on the streets, heres hoping that 2016 will be the year kids get into politics, in a good way. Start caring, start voting, become part of the solution instead of standing on the sidelines assuming they know better but never rolling up their sleeves and getting to work.

AC COMFORT ON LOCAL TRAINS

Your city will finally get an AC train this year, although its still unclear what line the rake will run on. The first train of this kind has been built at a cost of Rs 54 crore, but from the time it arrived at the Kurla carshed in April, theres been a fair bit of confusion about what to do with it.

Since its taller than the average local train, there are concerns that it might get stuck beneath the old, low-lying bridges on the Central line. So it is now being proposed to run it on the Western line. There were technical glitches plaguing the train as well, including a failure in regulation of internal temperature and issues in procuring an inductor.

All in all, its been a long wait, but all will be forgiven when we finally step on that train and feel the gust of cool, dry air in hot, humid Mumbai. Happy commuting to you!

MONORAIL, TAKE TWO

Every government that comes to power in Mumbai talks about a shiny, hyper-connected city. The Mumbai Monorail, the first of its kind in India, was supposed to be a symbol of that very future. Instead, two years after its launch, the Chembur-Wadala link remains little more than a multi-crore joyride for local kids.

Having claimed it would ferry 1.5 lakh commuters a day, it manages to serve about 15,000 only, and is estimated to be losing a few lakh rupees daily. The MMRDA hopes all that will change with the second phase, from Wadala to Jacob Circle, which will be thrown open this year. On paper, at least, the route sounds useful.

If by the middle of next year, were jostling for space inside those sci-fi, neon-coloured capsules, it will buck the global trend of failed monorails. Otherwise, its a few thousand crores more of taxpayer money down the drain. Nothing were not used to.

FREE WI-FI IN A LOT MORE PUBLIC SPACES

Through 2016, we kept hearing the terms smart city and digital India. If chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is to be believed, we will see efforts made to achieve both, as early as mid-2017.

In July, Mumbai Central became the first railway station in India to get free wi-fi. It was followed by 14 other stations across the Western, Central and Harbour lines. The promise, though, is of as many as 1,200 free wi-fi hotspots all over the city by May.

Sounds win-win, doesnt it? What could possibly be wrong with free high-speed internet?

Even if we can take measures against misuse (think Patna station, and the alleged porn downloads), public wi-fi around the world is seen with suspicion because of higher security risks. The current railway station internet speeds start out at 10mbps, but drop after the first half hour. Once more people start logging on, it might drop further.

That said, if all goes as per the governments futuristic plan, the wi-fi will also give you access to real-time data on public transport, including available parking slots and tracking of BEST buses like you track your Uber rides.

A SMARTCARD FOR TRANSPORT THAT LETS YOU HOP ON TO BUSES, TRAINS

Soon, weve been reporting. Eventually, the authorities have been promising. But 2017 is the year we may be able to say Finally. After all, its not rocket science. Mumbai has waited too long for an integrated ticketing system, a single smartcard for public transport much like Londons Oyster, Dubais Nol and Tokyos Suica. It beats having to queue at the station, fish for change in the bus and buy separate tickets for the BEST, WR, CR, Metro and monorail. In November, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis promised a single-ticketing system within six months, under the Unified Mumbai Metropolitan Transport Authority. Dare we hope that Mumbai will finally become a smart city in at least one way?

A MUSEUM DEDICATED TO INDIAN CINEMA

Its a project 100 years in the making, and 2017 looks set to be the year it all comes together. Progress on the National Museum on Indian Cinema, Indias first effort to tell the history of its movies, was reviewed by the I&B ministry this year and is scheduled to open in 2017. When that happens, visitors will be in for a treat. At the Films Division premises on Peddar Road will be five levels of displays showcasing Indian cinema from its earliest days to today. Expect artefacts, rare recordings, sections devoted to regional films, the filmmaking process, documentary films and the social impact of the movies, in addition to two auditoriums. More than a century after the first Indian film, India will finally have a Dress Circle view of how it all unfolded.

A NEW GENERATION OF STAR KIDS

Its been nine years since the last big batch made their debuts (Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor, in 2007). This year is set to see another bunch enter tinseltown. Ahan Shetty, son of Suniel Shetty, will make his debut in a Sajid Nadiadwala production slated to go on the floors in 2017 and be released in 2018. And Aadar Jain, grandson of the late Raj Kapoor, will be seen in a Yashraj Films production, to be directed by Habib Faisal. Other star kids rumoured to be making their debut in the coming months include Jhanvi Kapoor (daughter of Sridevi and filmmaker Boney Kapoor) in a Karan Johar-backed project, Ishaan Khattar (Rajesh Khattar and Neelima Azims son and Shahid Kapoors brother) in a Johar-helmed project, and Sara Ali Khan (daughter of Saif and Amrita Singh), though there is no confirmation about the project she will debut in. Well, good luck to them all.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi won an absolute majority in the 2014 election, the big question was how would he use this extraordinary political capital.

Would he invest it in pushing the Hindutva cause? Would it be for major liberal economic reforms? Would it be for war, or peace, with Pakistan?

On November 8, Modi decided to invest it in one of the most audacious experiments in political economy India has ever witnessed. With demonetisation, every citizen was affected; all economic sectors adversely hit; life was thrown out of gear.

Read | Reality check: 50 days on, demonetisation still a mixed bag across India

Fifty days later, three things are clear. One, Modi remains enormously popular. He was able to construct a narrative of the working poor versus the corrupt rich, and how this move would end the power of the latter. It is because of the faith that large sections of people have in his integrity and intentions that the government was able to pull off such a scheme - with obvious execution flaws - without mass unrest, major riots or large scale violence. It is difficult to imagine other democratic leaders being able to engineer such a coercive economic measure with such little resistance.

Two, the political space has opened up. The BJPs traditional base of traders and entrepreneurs are hard-hit and angry; but the party sees the possibility of winning over the poor and changing its support base. The Congress and the rest of the opposition believe that this may be their opening to win back the middle class as well as portray Modi as anti poor, since they have been hit. Regional, gender, caste, and class base of all parties is in flux.

Read | PM Modi rings in new year with mini-budget of sops, focuses on poor

And three, the opposition has found a voice -- even if a fragmented one. Rahul Gandhi was more focused in his attacks. Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal are working hard to capture the anti-Modi political space. But with Nitish Kumars vocal support and Navin Patnaiks more muted reaction opposition unity remains distant.

Modis economics has disrupted Indian politics, which may remain so for years to come.

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Even as 2016 witnessed decrease in overall crime rate as compared to 2015, more cases of murders, accidents, vehicle thefts and burglaries were reported in the city in 2016.

A total of 27 murders were reported till December 28 as compared to 20 such cases in 2015. These incidents include some broad daylight murders, including that of an 18-year-old boy who was stabbed to death by nine people in Sector 25 in August.

Police said most of these cases occurred in colonies. As many as 140 houses were burgled in the city in 2016 as compared to 102 incidents reported last year.

Police failed to curb the spurt in the number of motor vehicle thefts. A total of 614 vehicles were stolen as compared to 601 vehicle thefts last year. Police officials said thieves strike mostly at night and target cars without anti-theft devices or sensors.

Of the stolen vehicles, more than 50% were stolen between 11pm and 5pm. The second most preferred time was between 5pm and 8pm.

Snatchers continued to have a fearless run in the city in 2016 also. Despite claims of increase in patrolling, the police failed to control snatching incidents.

As many as 159 incidents of snatching were reported in Chandigarh, similar to the 2015 figure. Even some top UT police officials had expressed helplessness in controlling incidents of snatching in the city.

As many as 22 cases under the Arms Act were reported in 2016 as compared to 11 cases last year.

DIP IN RIOTING, DACOITY CASES

Cases of robberies came down to 52 in 2016 from 75 cases in 2015. Only four cases of dacoities were reported in 2016 as compared to eight cases in 2015. There were 53 cases of rioting in 2016 as compared to 41 incidents in 2015.

Though the statistics available with the department show little decline in the crime against women, police have failed to ensure their safety even in public transport system.

While 67 rape cases were reported till December 28, a total of 78 rape cases were registered in the city in 2015. The shocking incident of a 21-year-old girl being gangraped by two persons near Industrial Area shamed the city on December 13.

As compared to 102 cases of molestation and obscene acts registered in 2015, as many as 84 cases were registered in 2016. As many as 114 women suffered cruelty at the hands of their husbands and relatives in 2016 as compared to 126 such incidents in 2015.

A total of 102 women were kidnapped in 2016, while 165 cases of kidnapping of women were registered in 2015.

There was also a decline in cheating cases with only 188 such cases having been reported in the city police stations as compared to 336 cases in 2015.

Against 230 kidnapping cases registered in 2016, only 181 cases came to the fore in 2016. As many as 808 cases under the Excise Act were registered in Chandigarh as compared to 1,097 cases reported last year.

A major decline was witnessed in gambling incidents as only 187 such cases were registered in 2016 as compared to 454 cases in 2015.

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With the upcoming polls the election commission has ordered the drug- police departments to crackdown on habit forming drugs which can be used to lure the voters. Drugs worth Rs 8 lakh have been seized by the departments in 30 joint raids in just a fortnight in the district.

The surprise inspections are being carried out by drug inspectors accompanied by police officials at the chemist shops. Also show -cause notices have been issued to all those shops from where the drugs were seized. As per details gathered from the sources, a total of 5,114 tablets and capsules containing Tramadol and around 500 tablets of Alprazolam have been taken into the custody by the department.

On daily basis, around three inspections are being conducted in the city and rural areas separately. The crime investigation agency (CIA) and local health officials are helping the department by giving tip-offs to teams about the suspected medical shops which are selling such drugs.

Drugs were seized from Vinay Medical Complex at Focal Point, Jagdambay Medical Store at Ghas Mandi (Basti Sheikh), Family Chemists at old Phagwara road, Sharma Medical Hall at the Bidhipur railway crossing, Jalandhar Medicine Hall at Model House, Walia Medical Hall at Basti Sheikh and Chawla Medicine Centre at Adampur .

Before the instructions by the election commission to the department on December 15, the drug department had also conducted a raid at RP Medicare and recovered 984 tablets and 350 capsules.

In a recent meeting held at district administrative complex on Thursday, deputy commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav had reviewed the report and asked the police-drug officials to intensify the inspections. A senior official told HT, This time the election commission has become more stringent in this regard and it wanted to break the supply of drugs during the elections as the drugs have become a serious issue.

Zonal licencing authority (drug) Karun Sachdev told that the inspection reports are being sent to higher officials in the evening. W e have clear instructions regarding the types of drugs, said Sachdev. He said, The shop owners (chemists) have failed to produce any document or bill regarding the drugs that were seized and notices have been issued to them. They have been given a time of 21 days to reply and action will be taken accordingly, said Sachdev.

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Another year has gone past the tricity. 2016 had its fair share of ups and downs. However, there were many positive moments that helped us realise that things are not bad as they sometimes seem to be. HT revisits some stories where ordinary people in the tricity went beyond the call of duty to do the right thing. Others worked tirelessly and selflessly for the common good. Instances to cherish and spread around, these are stories of hope that inspire admiration and can-do-spirit. The positive lessons from these, will hopefully, guide us through 2017.

IN DEATH, HE CONQUERED RELIGION

A Muslim family from SAS Nagar donated organs of their deceased relative, a labourer, after being convinced by his Sikh landlord. The organ donation gave a new lease of life to four people, including two Hindus.

RAIN NO PAIN FOR THE BAREFOOTED COP

On August 13, UT traffic head constable Harkewal Singh performed his duty barefooted in pouring rain. Singh was on duty at the busy Sectors 18-19-20-21 crossing when the skies opened up and his shoes got sodden. The cop removed his shoes and continued to direct the traffic for an hour. A downpour is no reason for me to stop regulating traffic, he told a reporter.

ITS NEVER-SAY-DIE FOR LANGAR BABA

Jagdish Lal Ahuja has helped many poor families survive the difficulties of illness. (Ravi Kumar/HT Photo)

Jagdish Lal Ahuja, popularly known as Baba, who has been organising a langar outside gate number 2 of the PGIMER for 15 years, announced in January that he was discontinuing the tradition due to ailing health. Later, the philanthropist announced that he would carry on with the langar till his last breath.I have decided that my langar will not end, ever, he declared. Thats the spirit!

MOMMY COURAGE NAB TWO THIEVES

On a sultry day in June, Seema, of Sector 41, saw two miscreants making away with her sons cycle. I raised an alarm, passersby rallied around and helped me catch one of the thieves with the cycle. The other got away. I thought that if I didnt nab him, he would continue to commit such thefts. I took out my two-wheeler and chased him down. The UT administration awarded her.

DISABILITY NO CHALLENGE TO EMPLOYMENT

As many as 188 people of 416 physically challenged people (45%) were placed at a job fair organised at the Mansa Devi temple complex in April. Eighteen companies, including the likes of Vishal Mega Mart, Tech Mahindra, JW Marriott, the Taj Hotel, The Lalit, Eureka Forbes and Cafe Cofee Day participated.

TEMPLE WHERE EDUCATION MELTS DIFFERENCES

Students and (green shirt) advocate Umesh Narang at Shri Radha Madhav Mandir in Sector-4, Panchkula. (Sant Arora/HT Photo)

Sakina, 17, has been a daily visitor at the Shri Radha Madhav Mandir in Sector-4, Panchkula, to learn the basics of computers for a month. Radha, 14, who studies in Class 7, and works as maid joins her. Every day, a Class of 32 -- 18 girls and 14 boys -- assembles to learn the basics of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, for free, from high court advocate Umesh Narang (45). The school that started in November 2015 with one computer and nine students now has 11 computers with six coming from donations. Kudos to such devotion.

WHEN PAWAN BANSAL TURNED TO TEACHING

Class-11 students of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 19-C, Chandigarh, were in for a surprise when former Union minister Pawan Bansal delivered a lecture to them. This was part of initiative by the UT education department to invite retired professionals, once a week, to teach government school students, on a voluntary basis.
Infighting among the top leadership of banned Khalistani terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) has intensified.

The Pakistan-backed outfit is now reportedly on the verge of a split.

BKI terrorist Jagtar Singh Tara, 42, who recently confessed to his role in former Punjab chief minister Beant Singhs assassination on August 31, 1995, has issued a three-page handwritten letter through his lawyer, Jaswinder Singh.

The letter, written in Gurmukhi, states that he was arrested at the behest of Wadhawa Singh, the present chief of the Babbar Khalsa now based in Pakistan.

Tara states that Wadhawa Singh was aware of his presence in Thailand, and hence, only he could have got him arrested.

In January 2015, Tara was arrested in Pattaya by the Thai police after almost a decade he fled from Chandigarhs Burail Model Jail along with three prisoners by digging a tunnel.

Sources reveal that the letter states that Wadhawa Singhs son, Jitender Bir Singh, alias Kaka, was in touch with Tara when the latter was in Thailand. Tara also alleges that Wadhawa Singh and his family are living a life of luxury, while the foot soldiers of BKI are getting killed.

Germany-based BKI leaders, especially Hardevinder Singh, are of the opinion that this letter has been issued at the behest of Wadhawa Singhs relative Resham Singh.

Hardevinder Singh has also said that Wadhawa Singh would shortly be issuing a statement denying the allegations made by Tara in his letter.
It was 7 pm on Thursday when Baleshwar Mahato decided to take a break from work, minutes before the open-cast coal mine at Paharia Bhodaye here in Jharkhands Godda district caved in, killing 14 people and trapping more than 60 workers.

I was changing clothes when I heard people screaming. I rushed out but everything was enveloped in darkness as power went off. The debris on which we were working suddenly vanished and vehicles operating on it too were missing, the shocked dumper operator recounted.

But the 55-year-old regrets escaping death. For, he lost his son Kuleshwar (20), also a dumper operator, in the mishap. Kuleshwar continued to work and was trapped in the overburden as it collapsed.

On Saturday afternoon, rescuers retrieved Kuleshwars body, leaving Mahato shocked and in inconsolable grief.

I never thought God would be so cruel to me. He should have taken me but took my son away, he said, adding that no compensation could reduce his pain.

Relatives of those trapped and fellow workers and even those from Lohandiha village, where Mahato stayed with his son, shared his grief.

However, they were not happy with the slow pace of rescue work48 hours after the incident. Families of trapped workers feared that the mining companies may not recover the bodies in order to deny them compensation.

Demanding the presence of officials of Eastern Coalfields (ECL) and Mahalaxmi Engineering Company, which had been contracted to operate the mines, the irate crowd gheraoed and assaulted Pramod Kumar, manager of the ECL mines.

They showed no value for miners lives, and now they dont even want to meet us. We will not allow the officials to leave the site. Live with us and die with us, said an angry Navnit Singh, leading the gherao. His brother is trapped in the debris.

Kumar, who was held hostage for about four hours, said he did not know why senior officials did not come. They directed me to come. So I came here today.

CISF and district police officials intervened and managed to rescue him and take him to safety.

No official was available for comments and there was no official record of how many workers were trapped in the debris.
The new year might bring some sad news for Sherlock fans: creator of the show Martin Gatiss has said that future seasons of the hit show are in doubt owing to the difficulty of scheduling the actors time.

The growing Hollywood success of Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman could mean that the show might end with season four, the co-creator of the show said.

We would love to do more, but we are not lying, we absolutely dont know, Gatiss said, adding that its up to all kinds of factors, scheduling. Willingness to do it is all all here, but we are just not sure.

Cumberbatch played the hero in Marvels Doctor Strange earlier this year, and the character is slated to appear in at least two more films in the Marvel superhero series - Thor: Ragnorak and Avengers: Infinity War. Freeman has also become a global star since being cast in the first series in 2010, having played Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit films.

Gatiss and co-creator Steven Moffat also have other commitments, including their work on Doctor Who, of which Moffat is the current showrunner.

Speaking at the screening, Cumberbatch suggested Sherlock would go through more of an emotional evolution than in previous series, becoming less of a d**k in the process.

The show first aired in 2010. The show will be back on the Indian small screen with season four next year. It will air from January 7, 2017 on AXN.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
A number of house committees will discuss the border re-demarcation deal that renders Tiran and Sanafir Saudi, after cabinet approved the agreement and referred it to parliament

A number of Egypt MPs revealed on Saturday that at least four parliamentary committees will be tasked with discussing a controversial Egyptian-Saudi Red Sea border re-demarcation deal and preparing a report on the matter.

On 8 April, during a visit by King Salman Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia to Cairo, the governments of Egypt and Saudi Arabia signed a re-demarcation border deal which placed the two Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir in Saudi territorial waters.

Egyptian government officials have since argued that the islands were never Egyptian but merely placed under the countrys sovereignty temporarily, and have produced documents that support their case.

The deal was challenged in court by opponents, including well-known lawyers Khaled Ali and Malek Adly, who produced documents countering the government's, and an administrative court nullified the deal in June.

The government appealed the verdict, and a final judgement is expected from a higher administrative court on 16 January.

Despite this, the cabinet on Thursday approved the deal and said it would be referred to parliament for discussion and ratification.

The deal was referred to parliament on Saturday.

Mostafa Bakri, an independent MP and journalist, told reporters on Saturday that he expects the deal will be discussed by the Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee, the National Security and Defence Committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Arab Affairs Committee.

"As far as I know, speaker [Ali] Abdel-Aal has also decided that a number of high-profile international law experts such as former minister Moufid Shehab, be invited to give their say on the deal," said Bakri.

He also indicated that Abdel-Aal might form a fact-finding committee to investigate the different aspects of the deal.

"I also expect that MPs will be officially informed of the cabinet's decision [to approve the deal] when parliament holds a plenary session on Monday," said Bakri.

"The Egyptian-Saudi border demarcation deal should take a long time in terms of discussion in parliament," he said. "MPs should carefully review all kinds of documents before they give a final vote on whether the two Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir are Saudi," he added.

Bakri told reporters that he believes the islands are indeed Saudi territory. "I have all kinds of documents which support my opinion that the two islands are Saudi, but I am ready to listen to all those who have rival documents and facts which might conclude that the two islands are Egyptian and should remain in Egyptian hands."

Bakri also argued that parliament's discussion of the Egyptian-Saudi deal is in line with the constitution.

"Article 151 is clear in that it allows the president of the republic to represent the country in matters of foreign relations, sign agreements, and finally ratify them only after they are approved by parliament," he said.

Mohamed Abu Hamed, an independent MP, also told reporters that officials from the foreign ministry, the armed forces, and the general intelligence apparatus will be invited to give their say on the Egyptian-Saudi agreement.

Abu Hamed said he had just finished reading a number of international documents which all agree that the two Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir should be affiliated with Saudi Arabia."

"But this does not mean that this will be my final decision, and we  MPs  hope that all those who hold internationally recognised documents which might say the two islands are Egyptian come and present their documents to parliament," said Hamed.

Bahaaeddin Abu Shoqa, the head of parliament's Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee, also told reporters Saturday that "the cabinet's decision to refer the Egyptian-Saudi Red Sea demarcation deal to parliament goes in line with the constitution."

"The deal goes in line with Article 151 of the constitution, and our role as a committee is to make sure that this deal does not negatively affect Egypt's sovereignty in any way or lead Egypt to cede part of its territory," said Abu Shoqa.

The second paragraph of Article 151 states that reconciliation, alliance and sovereignty agreements should be put to a public referendum, and in all circumstances agreements which violate the constitution or lead the country to cede part of its territory must be ruled out.

Other MPs such as Margaret Azer told reporters that "the Egyptian-Saudi border demarcation deal should have been referred to parliament a long time ago."

"It is wrong that the government took too much time to decide that this deal be referred to parliament, thus opening the door for lawyers to take it to courts and make the issue more complicated," said Azer.

The leftist 25-30 parliamentary bloc, however, denounced the cabinet's decision to refer the deal with Saudi Arabia to parliament.

"We strongly denounce and reject the cabinet's decision upon the grounds that the deal was signed a long time ago, not to mention that the courts have not yet issued a final verdict on it," said a bloc statement.

The cabinet should wait until a final verdict on the Egyptian-Saudi deal is issued by the Supreme Administrative Court, the bloc argued.

"It goes with both logic and the constitution that the government should refrain from referring international agreements to parliament as long as they are being deliberated by the judiciary," read the statement.

"A final verdict from the High Administrative Court should take us to the next step  that it is referred to parliament for discussion and voting," said the statement.

"if a majority of two-thirds of MPs vote in favour of ceding the islands of Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi Arabia, the next step should be putting the deal to a public referendum in line with Article 151 of the constitution," argued the leftist MPs.

The blocs statement also posited that the Saudis should provide all the documents needed to conclude that the two Red Sea islands are theirs.

"We are surprised that the Egyptian government is the one which is doing its best to prove that the two Red Sea islands are Saudis and we believe that this position will put it in confrontation with the Egyptian people," the statement said.

Samir Ghattas, another leftist MP, also issued a statement on Saturday, insisting that the cabinet's decision to refer the Egyptian-Saud border deal to parliament contravenes the constitution.

Ghattas implored the pro-government majority "Support Egypt" parliamentary bloc not to approve the Egyptian-Saudi border demarcation deal.

"Egypt's parliaments have a glorious history of rejecting shameful agreements such as the extension of Great Britain's Suez Canal Company's concession in 1910 and the Anglo-Egyptian treaty of 1936 in 1951," said Ghattas, arguing that "these two parliaments stood against ceding any part of Egypt's land or sovereignty and the current parliament should do the same."

Mohamed El-Sewedy, head of the"Support Egypt" bloc, told reporters that the Egyptian-Saudi deal will be reviewed by both the bloc's experts and parliament's committees.

"The parliament is constitutionally authorised to discuss the different aspects of this deal, take its time and then put it to a final vote," said El-Sewedy, adding that "the documents are what will decide whether the two islands are Saudi."

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Celebrated as a bad ass defence minister when he was appointed to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus cabinet more than a year ago, Indian-origin Harjit Sajjan has ended 2016 with decidedly mixed reviews of his performance.

The Ottawa Citizen, the Canadian capitals major English daily dubbed him the Worst Minister in its annual scorecard after a yearend review of the Trudeau government.

It also called Sajjan the Minister of Delays, pointing to a series of required upgrades of the Canadian armed forces that havent taken place, including replacing combat aircraft and strengthening the navy. A defence review ordered by Sajjan was to be released in December but has been delayed to 2017.

But while the punditry may have soured somewhat on 46-year-old Sajjan, the public certainly hasnt.

A recent poll by Abacus Data found that of the 14 ministers tested, Sajjan got the highest ratings, with more than 50% of respondents stating he had done a good or acceptable job.

Read | Indian-origin ex-soldier Sajjan is Canadas new defence minister

In its critique, the Ottawa Citizen stated: He emerged on the scene as Justin Trudeaus Bad Ass wing man, with accolades and expectations he would be good news for the Canadian military. But a little more than a year after being named National Defence Minister, the shine is off Harjit Sajjan.

Theres plenty of concern over Sajjans tenure so far.

An expected Canadian mission to Africa, including Mali, hasnt been announced yet, and despite the situation in Aleppo, the Canadian military has played no role in trying to resolve the crisis in Syria.

In a conference call earlier this month, Sajjan told reporters: Our focus has always been in Iraq and that is our focus now. Right now we have no plans to be militarily involved in Syria.

Read | I have more Sikhs in cabinet than Modi: Canada PM Justin Trudeau

A former MP has also called on Canadas Conflict of Interest Commissioner to investigate Sajjans refusal to call an inquiry into the handling of suspected Taliban prisoners during the Afghan war, according to CBC, the national broadcaster.

Sajjan, a decorated lieutenant colonel of the Canadian armed forces, was elected as an MP from Vancouver South in 2015. He is a combat veteran who served in Bosnia-Herzegovina and was deployed to Kandahar in Afghanistan three times.

He received several military honours, including the Meritorious Service Medal in 2013 for reducing the Talibans influence in Kandahar.

Sajjan, who was born in India and moved to Canada with his family when he was five, also served as a police officer with Vancouver Police Department for 11 years. His last assignment there was as a detective with the Gang Crime Unit specialising in organised crime.

Read | Indian-origin ministers play key roles in Canada government

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China Central Television (CCTV), Beijings largest TV network, said it would launch a new global media platform on New Years Day to help re-brand China overseas.

The new multilingual operation will have six TV channels and a new media agency, the network said on its website on Friday night. Its CCTV News channel will be rebranded the China Global Television Network.

China has launched a number of soft power initiatives to expand its influence abroad, including other English-language media outlets.

President Xi Jinping, in a congratulatory letter, urged the new network to tell China stories well, spread Chinas voice well, let the world know a three-dimensional, colorful China, and showcase Chinas role as a builder of world peace.

As part of the move, CCTV has rebranded its international networks and digital presence under the name China Global Television Network to consolidate its worldwide reach.

CCTV also unveiled several new mobile apps under the CGTN brand, and visitors to CCTVs non-Chinese language websites were directed to a new http://www.cgtn.com site.

The broadcaster said it made the move to integrate resources and to adapt to the trend of media convergence, with foreign language channels, video content and digital media falling under the new group.

The government has long grumbled about the Western news medias hold on international discourse and has spent vast sums in recent years to enhance its own influence and shape global opinion, with CCTV as one of its spearheads.

The broadcaster has channels in English, Arabic, French, Spanish and Russian and production centers in Washington and Nairobi.

Chen Lidong, a CCTV official, said the rebranding would not affect domestic operations.

But the international-facing makeover will be extensive. CCTVs international newscasts will now carry CGTN logos, while CGTN unveiled two new smartphone apps: one that contains mostly news articles and one for live broadcasts.

CCTVs social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Tumblr  all aimed at international audiences, because the platforms are all blocked inside China  were rebranded as CGTN overnight.

In the past year, Xi has tightened the ruling Communist Partys control over state media outlets while re-articulating their core mission to serve as the governments mouthpiece.

Xi memorably sat in the evening news anchors chair during a high-profile tour of CCTVs Beijing headquarters in February, when he urged journalists to ramp up coverage of positive news and pledge complete loyalty to the party.

CCTV and the Xinhua news agency have expanded aggressively in recent years with dual missions of becoming globally credible media heavyweights while sustaining their roles as vital propaganda organs of the Communist Party. China announced a plan in 2009 to spend 45 billion yuan ($6.5 billion) to help spread its message abroad.

Their swift inroads have at times prompted alarm. Australian MPs complained in September after the Communist Partys propaganda chief flew to Sydney to witness deals signed between Chinese and Australian media that would see major Australian newspapers carry content produced by Beijing.
China will ban all domestic ivory trade and processing by the end of 2017, state media reported Friday, in a move hailed by activists as a game changer for African elephants.

African ivory is highly sought after in China where it is seen as a status symbol and prices for a kilo can reach as much as $1,100.

China will gradually stop the processing and sales of ivories for commercial purposes by the end of 2017, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing a government statement.

The announcement follows Beijings move in March to widen a ban on imports of all ivory and ivory products acquired before 1975 after pressure to restrict a trade that sees thousands of elephants slaughtered every year.

Xinhua said the complete ban would affect 34 processing enterprises and 143 designated trading venues, with dozens to be closed by the end of March 2017.

This is great news that will shut down the worlds largest market for elephant ivory, Aili Kang, executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Society in Asia, said in a statement.

I am very proud of my country for showing this leadership that will help ensure that elephants have a fighting chance to beat extinction. This is a game changer for Africas elephants.

Conservationists estimate that more than 20,000 elephants were killed for their ivory last year, with similar tolls in previous years. The WWF campaign group says 415,000 of the animals remain.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which took effect in 1975, banned the ivory trade in 1989.

Like other countries, China permits the resale of ivory bought before the 1989 ban -- and also has a stockpile purchased with CITES approval in 2008, which it releases for sale with certification.

WWF also praised Chinas move to a complete ban but called on the Chinese territory of Hong Kong to bring forward a plan to end its ivory trade by 2021.

With Chinas market closed, Hong Kong can become a preferred market for traffickers to launder illegal ivory under cover of the legal ivory trade, said Cheryl Lo, senior wildlife crime officer at WWF.
Syrian rebel groups said on Saturday they would consider a ceasefire deal brokered by Russia and Turkey null and void if the Damascus governments forces and their allies continued to violate it.

Russia, which supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has urged the United Nations to give its blessing to the fragile ceasefire, the third truce this year seeking to end nearly six years of war in Syria.

Clashes and air strikes have persisted in some areas since the ceasefire began on Friday, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said on Saturday the truce was still largely holding.

Continued violations by the regime and bombardment and attempts to attack areas under the control of the revolutionary factions will make the agreement null and void, a statement signed by a number of rebel groups said.

It said government forces and their allies had been trying to press advances, particularly in an area northwest of Damascus.

Russia and Turkey, which backs the armed opposition to Assad, brokered the ceasefire agreement in the hope of preparing the way for peace talks in Kazakhstan in the new year.

In their statement, the rebels said it appeared the government and the opposition had signed two different versions of the ceasefire deal, one of which was missing a number of key and essential points that are non-negotiable, but did not say what those were.

There has been confusion over which groups in the opposition are included in the ceasefire. Islamic State, which has made enemies of all sides in the conflict, is not included.

The Syrian army said on Thursday the militant group formerly known as the Nusra Front was not part of the truce. However, several rebel officials said the group, which has been renamed Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, was also included in the ceasefire deal.
Police in Brazil believe that Greeces ambassador to the country was killed by his wifes lover under her orders in a house in the Rio area and have detained three suspects, authorities said Friday.

Ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis went missing on Monday in Nova Iguacu, a city just north of Rio de Janeiro, where the ambassador had been vacationing. The couple lived most of the time in the capital of Brasilia.

On Friday, police investigator Evaristo Pontes Magalhaes said that 29-year-old police officer Sergio Gomes Moreira Filho had confessed to killing Amiridis, alleging self-defence.

He said the policeman was having an affair with the ambassadors 40-year-old wife, Francoise.

Filhos cousin, Eduardo de Melo, acknowledged taking part in the killing as a lookout, Magalhaes said. The cousin accused Francoise of offering him the equivalent of $25,000 to participate.

A judge ordered the detention of Francoise, her lover and his cousin, and the three were in custody.

Francoise has denied any role in the alleged plot. According to Magalhaes, Francoise said she couldnt stop Filho from killing her husband and insisted she was not at home at the time of the crime.

But the police investigator said in a press conference late Friday that the evidence clearly puts the ambassadors wife as a co-author of the crime.

He said she started plotting with her lover to kill the ambassador after the couple had a serious fight three days before Christmas.

All our evidence suggests that her motivation was to use the financial resources left by the ambassador so she could enjoy life with Sergio, the police officer, Magalhaes said.

The first signs the ambassador had been murdered emerged late Thursday, when police found blood spots believed to be his on a sofa inside the house the couple kept in Nova Iguacu, where the wifes family lives.

Filho told police that he strangled the ambassador during a fight, but the blood evidence found on the scene makes his claim unlikely, Magalhaes said. Neighbors said they did not hear any shots, leading police to believe the policeman stabbed Amiridis.

The investigation showed that Amiridis body was removed from the house in a carpet at the same time that Francoise arrived with their 10 year-old daughter, who did not see the body of her dead father, Magalhaes said.

Police believe a body found in a burned-out car that Amiridis had rented on Dec. 21 belongs to the ambassador, but forensics experts are still working to confirm that it is him.

Brazils government has offered its condolences to Greece over his death.

The Greek Embassy website in Brazil says Amiridis started his career as diplomat in 1985 in Athens and became Greeces top diplomat in Brazil in 2016.

He earlier was Greeces ambassador to Libya and worked as consul in Rio from 2001-2004.
The Pentagon said Friday it believes that Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is indeed alive, despite repeated efforts by the US-led coalition to take out the jihadist group leader.

Baghdadi has kept a low profile, despite having declared himself the leader of a renewed Muslim caliphate, but last month released a defiant audio message urging his supporters to defend the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

It is not clear if he is in the besieged city, where he declared his caliphate in 2014 after the IS group seized territory covering much of eastern Syria and northern Iraq.

We do think Baghdadi is alive and is still leading ISIL and we are obviously doing everything we can to track his movements, Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told CNN.

If we get the opportunity, we certainly would take advantage of any opportunity to deliver him the justice he deserves, he said.

Were doing everything we can. This is something were spending a lot of time on.

In mid-December, the United States more than doubled the bounty on the shadowy IS leaders head to $25 million.

The group has only released one video of Baghdadi, showing a man with a black and grey beard wearing a black robe and matching turban, dating back to 2014.

Cook suggested that Baghdadi is isolated because coalition raids have killed many IS leaders.

Hes having a hard time finding advisers and confidants to speak with because a lot of them are no longer with us, the spokesman said.

According to an official Iraqi government document, Baghdadi was born in Samarra in 1971. He apparently joined the insurgency that erupted after the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq and spent time in an American military prison.
Islamist terrorism is the biggest test facing Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday in a New Years address to the nation, and vowed to introduce laws that improve security after a deadly attack before Christmas in Berlin.

Merkel, seeking a fourth term as chancellor in 2017, described 2016 as a year that gave many the impression the world had turned upside down. She urged Germans to shun populism and said Germany should take a leading role in addressing the many challenges facing the European Union.

Many attach to 2016 the feeling that the world had turned upside down or that what for long had been held as an achievement is now being questioned. The European Union for example, Merkel said.

Or equally parliamentary democracy, which allegedly is not caring for the interests of the citizens but is only serving the interests of a few. What a distortion, she said in a veiled reference to claims by the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) that is stealing votes from her conservatives.

Ahead of the 2017 election, polls put her conservative bloc well ahead of rivals but a fractured electoral landscape risks complicating the coalition arithmetic.

Election year 2017: For Merkel, nothing is certain any more, ran a headline in Saturdays edition of mass-selling daily Bild.

The paper wrote that for an increasing number of voters the chancellor, 62, no longer appeared unassailable.

Read | Rise of the right in 2016: Europes political landscape has changed

Anchor of stability

Liberals across the Atlantic have hailed Merkel as an anchor of stability and reason in a year that saw Donald Trump elected as US president, Britain vote to leave the EU and US-Russia relations deteriorate to Cold War levels.

In her address, Merkel compared Brexit to a deep incision and said even though the EU was slow and arduous, its member states should focus on common interests that transcend national benefits.

And, yes, Europe should focus on what can really be better than the national state, Merkel said. But we Germans should never be led to believe that each could have a better future by going it alone.

She was alluding again to the populist AfD, which wants Germany to leave the EU and shut its borders to asylum seekers, more than one million of whom arrived in the country this year and last.

The record number of migrants has hurt Merkels popularity and fuelled support for the AfD, which says Islam is incompatible with the German Constitution. But her conservatives are still expected to win the general election in nine months.

Merkel has made security the main election platform for her Christian Democrats (CDU).

In her speech, she said the government would introduce measures to improve security after a failed Tunisian asylum seeker drove a truck into a Christmas market in the capital on December 19, killing 12 people in the name of Islamic State.

He was shot dead by Italian police in Milan on December 23 and investigators are trying to determine whether he had accomplices.

Read | Germany hunts possible accomplices of Berlin truck attack suspect
Maybe, facing the combined power of Disney and Christmas, orchestra conductor Giacomo Loprieno should have just let it go.

At the end of a musical adaptation of the childrens movie Frozen, Loprieno stood up after the last notes had died away, with an urge to convey to his young audience an unpalatable truth.

Santa Claus doesnt exist, he said.

Stunned parents who had taken their kids to the event in Rome on Thursday took to social media to express their fury, the press reported on Saturday.

What happened that evening was outrageous... I hope this gentleman will lose his job, and I am angry at myself for having applauded him, Oberto Bevilacqua posted on the Facebook page of the organisers, Dimensione Eventi Torino.

Loprieno has since been replaced by another conductor... whose Facebook page shows him cosily alongside Santa.
A 16-year-old boy in Japan was arrested on Saturday after he confessed to killing his mother by repeatedly striking her head with a hammer and stabbing her several times, police said.

The high school student, whose name was withheld because he is a minor, called police around 1:40 am (1640 GMT Friday) to report he had killed his mother at their home in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture in western Japan, a local police official told AFP.

When investigators arrived, the woman was lying bleeding in the living room, local media said.

She had suffered wounds to her head and torso and was transported to a hospital in the city. She was pronounced dead at 2:48 am, and police plan to launch a murder investigation, the police official said, without elaborating further.

Police originally arrested the boy on charges of attempted murder.

Violent crime is still relatively rare in Japan, but several high-profile cases involving young people have heightened public concern.
Pakistan has prepared a new dossier on alleged Indian interference in its internal affairs that will be presented to incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, according to a media report on Saturday.

The dossier includes information on former Indian Navy personnel Kulbhushan Jadhav, whom Pakistan has accused of being an operative of RAW, and evidence of an attempt by an Indian submarine to violate Pakistans maritime boundary, the Dawn newspaper quoted its sources as saying.

The document will be handed over by Pakistans permanent representative to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi, on January 2 to Guterres on his first working day at the UN headquarters in New York.

Lodhi had presented three dossiers to then UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon in October 2015 that reportedly contained proof of Indian interference in Balochistan, the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and Karachi. But the move did not get much traction, the report said.

The Pakistani military announced Jadhavs capture in March and claimed he was an intelligence operative trying to foment unrest in Balochistan and Karachi. The military also claimed his capture was proof of Indian interference and state-sponsored terrorism but is yet to furnish any evidence linking Jadhav to terrorist incidents.

India has rejected these charges and said Jadhav was not an operative of the Research and Analysis Wing. Pakistan has also turned down Indias repeated demands for consular access to Jadhav.

The Pakistan government said earlier this year that it would expose Indias alleged role in terrorism but it domestically faced a lot of criticism for the delay in presenting to the international community evidence of Jadhavs involvement in subversive activities, the Dawn reported.

Responding to the criticism in the Senate or upper house of Parliament, foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz said on December 7 that there was insufficient material on Jadhav and this had delayed the finalisation of a dossier.

It is not that material has been provided and its lacking in English and we are overcoming it. The (provided) material, in our view, was insufficient, Aziz told a meeting of the Senate Committee of the Whole House.

Unnamed officials were quoted by daily as saying on Friday that the required additional information had been made available and the dossier was completed. The officials did not share specifics but said the dossier would contain proofs that India was patronising terrorism in Pakistan.

The submarine incident, which occurred in November, coincided with the fourth Pakistan-China naval exercise and the start of shipping under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor from Gwadar port. The Pakistan Navy had claimed at the time that the Indian Navy had deceitfully deployed its submarines against Pakistan with ulterior motives.
The Egyptian army has completed the renovation of a church in central Cairo that was the scene of a bomb attack that killed 27 people earlier in December, a military spokesman announced on Saturday.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ordered that St. Peter and St. Pauls Church be renovated after the attack on 11 December, which was claimed by a local ISIS affiliate, before Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas on 7 January.

"The Armed Forces Engineering Authority was able to restore the churchs destroyed areas while preserving the church's architectural heritage in 15 days to be ready to receive Christians for Christmas," read a military statement.

Twenty-four people were killed and 49 injured after a suicide bomber detonated their explosives inside the church on 11 December, one of the deadliest militant attacks on Egyptian Christians in recent years.

Three more people died of their injuries in the weeks following the attack.

The explosion caused severe damage to several parts of the church, which is attached to the Coptic Orthodox cathedral complex in central Cairo.

President El-Sisi named 22-year-old Mahmoud Shafiq Mohamed Mostafa as the suicide bomber.

Four other people suspected of involvement have been arrested, including one woman.

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Boko Harams leader urges his fighters to kill, slaughter and abduct ... and detonate bombs everywhere, in a new video that denies Nigerian government claims that his Islamic extremist group has been crushed.

President Muhammadu Buhari declared last week that soldiers had driven Boko Haram from its last forest enclave in the northeast, boasting the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide.

In a video posted on YouTube, Abubakar Shekau announces: I am here, well and alive and that the battle is just beginning.

Nigerias military has claimed to have killed Shekau at least three times and earlier this year declared he had been fatally wounded. This week, the army said it seized Shekaus Quran in the Sambisa Forest assault  wanting to indicate he was on the run.

Each time such claims are made, the Boko Haram leader reappears in a video to mock them.

In the latest, posted on YouTube on Dec. 29, he reiterates that our mission is to establish an Islamic caliphate in Nigeria  whose 180 million people are divided almost equally between mainly Muslims in the north and a predominantly Christian south.

Kill all the infidels and detonate bombs everywhere, Shekau says in the video. Yes! I want you to kill, slaughter and abduct.

He makes no mention of some 200 schoolgirls kidnapped from a school in Chibok town who were believed to be held in the Sambisa Forest.

Nigeria is unlikely to see an end soon to the deadly suicide bombings, village attacks and assaults on remote military outposts in northeastern Nigeria. The Islamic State group, to which one faction of Boko Haram belongs, announced an attack on an army barracks killed and wounded many soldiers on Dec. 22  the same day the army said it seized the forest hideout.

Already, there are reports that the insurgents have been regrouping south of their northeastern stronghold.

The seven-year-old Islamic uprising has killed more than 20,000 people, spread across Nigerias borders, driven 2.6 million from their homes and created a humanitarian disaster with some 5 million people facing starvation.
Donald Trump sent New Years greetings to his many enemies in a backhanded tweet Saturday in which he gloated over his political conquests.

The US president-elect wrote:

Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2016

The message on Twitter, Trumps preferred mode of communication, caps a year in which he overcame long odds to vanquish 16 other Republicans vying to become the partys White House nominee.

He then upended Democrat Hillary Clinton in Novembers general election -- her formidable political machine and bigger campaign coffers notwithstanding -- in a shock election upset.

Trump takes the oath of office on January 20, when he will become the 45th US president.
Twin blasts ripped through a busy market area in central Baghdad Saturday, police said, shattering a relative lull in attacks in the capital and marring preparations for New Year celebrations.

Two suicide bombers attacked the Al-Sinek area, killing at least 28 people and wounding 53, a police colonel said. An officer in the interior ministry and a hospital official confirmed the toll.

The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement posted by its Aamaq news agency, confirming that the blasts came from a pair of suicide bombers. (AP input)

Many of the victims were people from the spare parts shops in the area, they were gathered near a cart selling breakfast when the explosions went off, said Ibrahim Mohammed Ali, who owns a nearby shop.

Torn clothes and mangled iron were strewn across the ground in pools of blood at the site of the wreckage near Rasheed street, one of the main thoroughfares in Baghdad, an AFP photographer said.

Twin terrorist attacks were carried out by suicide bombers in Al-Sinek neighbourhood, an official from Baghdad operations command told AFP.

The area is packed with shops, workshops and wholesale markets and usually teeming with delivery trucks and labourers unloading vans or wheeling carts around.

The attack was claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group via its propaganda agency Amaq, which reported the martyrdom operation in Al-Sinek neighbourhood.

Baghdad has been on high alert since the start on October 17 of an offensive, Iraqs largest military operation in years, to retake the northern jihadist stronghold of Mosul.

IS has tried to hit back with major diversionary attacks across the country but has had little success in Baghdad. Saturdays twin bombings were the deadliest in the capital since the start of the Mosul offensive.

Mosul slog

Huge crowds were expected to gather on Saturday evening in Baghdads streets to celebrate the New Year for only the second time since the lifting in 2015 of a years-old curfew.

Last year revellers turned out for celebrations that lasted most of the night despite an already tense security backdrop.

A year on, the IS jihadist group appears to be on its last legs and is defending its last bastions in Iraq but the going has been tough for the tens of thousands of Iraqi forces on the ground.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had vowed earlier in 2016 that his forces would rid the country of IS by the end of the year but the Mosul operation has been slower moving that expected.

This week he told a televised news conference that Iraqi forces would now require at least another three months.

The jihadists are vastly outnumbered in Mosul but they have had more than two years to build up their defences in the city where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a caliphate in June 2014.

The Pentagon said Friday Baghdadi and was still alive and leading the organisation and stressed that the coalition was actively hunting down the Iraqi-born jihadist supremo.

Were doing everything we can. This is something were spending a lot of time on, spokesman Peter Cook told CNN.

Air support by the US-led coalition has been hampered by the continued presence of hundreds of thousands of civilians inside Mosul.

Elite Iraqi forces have battled their way into the city mostly from the eastern side, going house-to-house in densely-populated areas but they barely control half of the citys eastern sector more than 10 weeks into the offensive.

One of the top Iraqi commanders in the Mosul area announced on Thursday that the offensive to reconquer the eastern bank of the Tigris in Mosul had entered a new phase.
The UN Security Council will vote on Saturday on a resolution that would endorse the ceasefire agreement in Syria brokered by Russia and Turkey, and reiterate support for a roadmap to peace that starts with a transitional government.

The resolution also calls for rapid, safe and unhindered access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country. And it looks forward to a meeting in late January between the Syrian government and opposition in Kazakhstans capital Astana as an important part of the Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations.

Russia and Turkey are on opposing sides of the Syrian conflict: Moscow along with Iran provides crucial military support to Syrian President Bashar Assad, while Turkey has long served as a rear base and source of supplies for the rebels.

Divisions in the Security Council between Russia and the veto-wielding Western powers  the US, Britain and France who support the moderate opposition and demand that Assad steps down  have blocked action to end the war, now in its sixth year.

Russia and Turkey sent the ceasefire agreement and the draft resolution to Security Council members Thursday night. After closed discussions in the council Friday morning, Russias UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin circulated a revised draft, urged council members to support it, and called for a vote on Saturday.

The Security Council needs to participate in this important process, Churkin said.

The council is scheduled to meet at 11am (EST). Russias UN Mission said members would hold closed consultations and then vote.

The ceasefire agreement, if it holds, would mark a potential breakthrough in a conflict that began in 2011 with an uprising against decades of rule by President Bashar Assads family and has left over 250,000 dead and more than 13.5 million people in need of urgent assistance, and triggered a refugee crisis across Europe.

The draft resolution reiterates that the only sustainable solution to the current crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process based on the Geneva communique of June 30, 2012, which was endorsed by the Security Council.

The communique, adopted by key nations, calls for the formation of a transitional government with full executive powers on the basis of mutual consent and steps leading to elections.

Churkin told reporters there is no competition between the talks in Astana and negotiations that the UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, hopes to arrange between the government and opposition in Geneva on February 8.

Russia ambassador Vitaly Churkin vetoes a draft resolution that demands an immediate end to air strikes and military flights over Syria's Aleppo city, at the UN Headquarters in New York. (Reuters File Photo)

As you know Staffan de Mistura had trouble reconvening the talks, so Russia and Turkey obviously decided to give the United Nations a hand in pushing things forward, and this is what we see happening, Churkin told reporters.

He said de Mistura has been in contact with the Russian government and indicated his eagerness to help organize the Astana meetings. ... So we expect the United Nations to be fully involved in the preparations of the meetings.

Churkin said Russias understanding is that seven major rebel groups have joined in the ceasefire, representing 60,000 fighters, and they control a large chunk of the territory of Syria.

As with previous failed ceasefire attempts, the current agreement excludes both the al Qaeda-affiliated Fatah al-Sham Front, which fights alongside other rebel factions, and the Islamic State group.

If the Astana meetings are successful, Churkin said, they could move on to Geneva as far as I am concerned, so we dont see any competition there or overlapping of the two processes.

Churkin said Russia and Turkey have made clear they want other countries to participate in the Astana meetings.

He said Iran will definitely participate actively in preparing the Astana meeting and in Russias view Egypt can also join the preparatory process right now.

Churkin said there are other very important players who are welcome including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar  and we do expect the Trump administration after it comes into the White House on January 20 will be an important participant.

Dozens of Syrians take part in a small gathering calling for the fall of the regime on December 30, 2016, in the northwestern city of Idlib. (AFP Photo)

The United States was left out of the ceasefire agreement, reflecting the deterioration of relations between Moscow and the Obama administration after the failure of US-Russian diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting in Aleppo and elsewhere in Syria.
The US has slapped sanctions on seven Pakistani entities linked to the countrys missile programme for acting contrary to American national security, reflecting a downturn in ties between the two countries.

The entities include Islamabad-based National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM), which administers several defence development programmes, and three of its subsidiaries, Air Weapons Complex (AWC), Maritime Technology Complex (MTC) and New Auto Engineering (NAE).

An official notification issued by the US department of commerce said there was reasonable cause to believe, based on specific and articulable facts, that these entities have been involved in actions contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States.

There was no official word from Pakistan on the development. It has in the past denied wrongdoing when similar sanctions were imposed by the US on its nuclear and defence programmes.

The Pakistani organisations were added to the US Entity List, identifies entities and individuals reasonably believed to be involved, or to pose a significant risk of being or becoming involved, in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the US.

The sanctioned entities also are subject to the Export Administration Regulations, which impose additional license requirements on, and limits the availability, of most license exceptions for exports.

Besides NESCOM, the other sanctioned entities are Air Weapons Complex (AWC) at Wah Cantonment, Maritime Technology Complex (MTC) of Karachi, New Auto Engineering (NAE) of Rawalpindi, Ahad International of Lahore, Engineering Solutions Pvt Ltd of Islamabad and Universal Tooling Services with offices in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Taxila.

Read | UK nuclear report nails Pakistans lies, Chinas complicity

The notification, which was dated December 15, did not give specifics about the activities of the Pakistani entities that had resulted in the sanctions.

Project Alpha  a group of experts at the Centre for Science and Security Studies at Kings College, London, that tracks Pakistans nuclear and defence programmes  said the scrutiny of Islamabads activities was prompted by its report in November that focussed on Pakistans continued use of front companies and other deceptive methods to obtain dual-use goods.

It said the report had identified most of the entities that were added to the US list on the 15th December as well as up to a dozen more front companies procuring illicit goods on behalf of Pakistan, including front companies thought to act on behalf of the newly designated entities.

The timing of the move is noteworthy. With little over a month to go until the inauguration of President Trump, it is possible that the Obama administration acted to list these entities foreseeing a window in which the move would not necessarily hamper US diplomatic ties with Pakistan, Project Alpha said on its website.

While there are signs that Pakistan is discontent with the US action, the Pakistani government will wish to start fresh with the Trump administration regardless, it added.

Read | Pakistan will acquire advanced tech to counter Indian missile test: Sartaj Aziz

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Turkey detained a staff journalist for The Wall Street Journal for almost three days without access to a lawyer, the newspaper reported on Saturday, adding to growing concerns over press freedom in the country.

Dion Nissenbaum was taken into custody on Tuesday by police at his Istanbul home, for allegedly violating a ban on publishing images from an Islamic State group (IS) video, the newspaper said on its website.

Although the paper provided no further details, Islamic State jihadists last week shared a video purportedly showing two Turkish soldiers captured in Syria being burned alive.

Ankara said earlier this week there was no confirmation of the IS claims.

The 49-year-old American correspondent was held for two-and-a-half days without access to lawyers or contact with his family, the WSJ said, adding for most of the period, it couldnt determine his location.

His detention comes a day after one of Turkeys best-known investigative journalists, Ahmet Sik, was charged with making terror propaganda on behalf of those alleged to be behind the failed coup in July and Kurdish rebels.

According to the P24 Platform for Independent Journalism, 118 journalists have been arrested during the state of emergency imposed after the attempted putsch against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Istanbul police authorities had no immediate reaction to the WSJ report.

However, Ankara insists it does not jail journalists because of their job.

The WSJs editor-in-chief Gerard Baker said although the paper was relieved that Dion was released unharmed after nearly three days, we remain outraged at his peremptory detention, without any contact with his family, legal counsel or colleagues.

The paper claimed plainclothes officers detaining the journalist told him he would be deported, comments heard by another WSJ member of staff who had been on the phone with Nissenbaum at the time. This threat was later dropped, Nissenbaum said.

Nissenbaum said he was physically comfortable and treated well during his time in a detention centre outside Istanbul.

He was released on Friday and has now left Turkey for the United States accompanied by his family, the WSJ added.

He thanked well-wishers on Twitter, describing his detention as a very trying ordeal.
Civil War Trust President Jim Lighthizer, On the Rescue of a Storied Gettysburg landmark.

Beside a busy highway on the outskirts of Gettysburg, Pa., stands a small stone house, known for where General Robert E. Lee directed his troops during the Battle of Gettysburg. Long obscured by commercial development, Lees headquarters during the historic battle has finally been restored to the condition of that period. Over the past two years, Civil War Trust President Jim Lighthizer oversaw a $6 million-plus campaign to restore the house and surrounding topography. That involved the removal of 10 buildingsincluding a motel, pool, brew pub, and souvenir shopsthat had sprung up on the simple homestead where the widow Mary Thompson lived peacefully before the Army of Northern Virginias arrival in the summer of 1863.

What was the site like on July 1, 1863?

It was a house, a barn, and a couple of other buildings on the outskirts of town and owned by Thaddeus Stephens, an abolitionist and congressman who rented it out to a widow. It also

happened to be sitting on a ridge which gave a lovely panoramic view both east toward what would be the battle on the 2nd and 3rd of July as well as to the west where the battle had been.

Why is the site worth saving?

There was tremendous back and forth fighting. It was ferocious fighting on that land before the Army of Northern Virginia was successful in pushing the Yankees off it. Thats what it looks like when Robert E. Lee rides up, sees it, and realizes its an ideal place for a headquarters because you had to see things to understand what was going on. The decision to remain in and around that building over the next three days were truly monumental in that they determined the outcome of the battle, and in an indirect sense ultimately the outcome of the war. Its a big deal. It has been said that before we got there it was one of the most important unprotected buildings in America. Think about the 153 years that it was a battlefield, people actually came and visited, and tens of millions of people drove, walked, rode by that site and had no idea it was actually Lees headquarters.

Why did it take so long to get recognized?

It was covered up, hidden in plain sight. Its a miracle they didnt tear the house down. The site became a commercial attraction, but then it got covered up by a motel that was ever expanding and a restaurant and brew pub. Of course it was Robert E. Lees Headquarters Motel, but most people dont think: Well, is that the building?

What was the biggest challenge?

Two things were really unusual about this: One, it was complicated commercially in that it had a liquor license and a franchise with a national hotelier, and that stuff is not stuff were necessarily used to doing. Were used to buying raw land or land with a house on it, not ongoing businesses. The second thing, the seller required that there be confidentiality for an extended period of time. We had 14 months to go from zero, no dollars, to $6 million, including half a million dollars for restoration. We couldnt tell the world about it for about half that time.

The raising of the money was the hardest part. The second was getting the permits. The third was the restoration. We not only had to destroy the modern buildings, some of which were loaded with asbestos, but we had to restore the topography. Were lucky to have historic maps of the battlefield because its so famous. They were doing topo maps up until a half hour after the last cannon rolled out. Were going to be planting an apple orchard in back of the place because we know one was there. We know the kind of fencing that was up. We know exactly how the building looked, what kind of plant material was around the place, we even brought in a doghouse like the one that was there.

How will the site be used in the future?

Were playing that by ear. Ultimately we will gift it to the Park Service. The key thing is when you come up to learn and study the battle, youre looking exactly at how the topography was and exactly what the house looked like. Its a simple house inside. Its simply not necessary to go into the house if youre studying the battlefield. You see Lees headquarters juxtaposed against the landscape. Youre seeing what Lee saw. The grounds look the same as they did then. If Robert E. Lee rode up on Traveller today, he would know where he was.
IN HUCK FINNS AMERICA: Mark Twain and the Era That Shaped His Masterpiece (Simon & Schuster), Butler University professor Andrew Levy examines Americas cultural landscape in the mid-1880s, when the book was published, and takes a close look at Twain and the factors that influenced his writing (minstrelsy and fatherhood, to name two). Levy comes to some surprising conclusions about the American classicnamely, that more than 100 years of conventional wisdom about how Huckleberry Finn addresses issues of race and childhood may be wrong.

Twain worked on Huckleberry Finn, of and on, for more than a decade. Why did it take him so long to pull it together?

In part, that was his way of writing hed say his tank was empty, and hed have to wait until it filled again. In part, he had mixed feelings about Huck Finnhe once told a friend he thought he should throw it in the fire. And, in part, Huck Finn required a certain kind of inspiration. And that inspiration came and went.

You write that Huck Finn is not a light-hearted book for boys, and that many critics have missed Twains real message.

The serious debate about Huck Finn, since the end of World War II, has been concerning its message on race. When we talk about Huck Finn as a childrens book, on the other hand, we treat it like a lark, a celebration of innocent childhood. But if you go back to the 1880s, you see almost the opposite. People focused on what Twain was saying about children and to them. Virtually no one talked about its message on race, and those few who did saw it as humorous. African-American newspapersand there were a lot of themseemed to ignore it entirely, as did most Southern newspapers.

There was fevered talk about the need to reform bad boys in the 1880s. How did the issue of child-raising influence Twain?

Twain took the stereotypes of bad boys of his time and scattered them into Huckand Tom Sawyer, too. Huck was the truant, the tobacco addict, the thief; Tom was the middle-class boy whose brain was addled by reading too many cheap novels (the Victorian equivalent of video games). But Twain undercut the stereotypes, tooHuck is nonviolent, the victim of abuse from adults. It was as if Twain was saying that the adult instinct to reform children was part of the problem, and not a small part.

How much does Hucks thinly veiled contempt for parents, teachers and society reflect Twains own need to tweak Victorian attitudes?

A lot. But sometimes Huck was a mouthpiece, too, for what Twain imagined children thought. And sometimes Huck was the butt of the joke, and Jim, the slave escaping throughout the book, is the refection of Twains own attitudes.

Why did Twain write about children for two decades?

Twain wrote all his great books about childrenHuck, Tom Sawyer, Prince and the Pauper and otherswhen he and his wife, Olivia, were raising their own three daughters. Its not the only reason he focused on children, but like most parents he was deeply absorbed in the lives of his children. Unlike most parents, he was also a great writer with an extraordinary memory and ear for language.

You assert that Twain incorporated some of his daughters traits in Huck and Tom Sawyer. Can you give an example or two?

He kept records of how his daughters spoke and thought, and much of that flows into Huck Finn. He loved their unconventional spelling and grammar, and we see this respect for nonstandard English in Hucks voice. He liked the unconventional ways they prayed, and that shows up all over Huck, too.

You also stress that minstrelsy white actors speaking their mind through a kind of veil, with mixed messagesis the key to understanding Huckleberry Finn.

There are complete scenes in Huck Finn that are homages to the minstrel shows of Twains youth and were designed for stage performance. Anyone familiar with the theater of the time would recognize a lot of other components, toofrom parts of Jims character to the structure of the book itself. But theres something in the sensibility of the book about how many white Americans use identification with black culture and political aspiration as a means of self-expression. Tom uses Jim as a plaything for the last third of the book, creating a pantomime of freeing him, even though Jim is actually free the whole time, and Tom knows it. Huck is more complicatedhed like to break the cycle, but is fairly locked into it.

So you think people have misinterpreted the light and serious parts of the book?

Yes. We read the parts of the book that contain 19th-century comedy about race without the cultural or political context needed to understand the jokes or barbs they contain. And we struggle, too, with the idea that the book was written by someone deeply frustrated with how American children are raised.

But these mistakes are flip sides of the same coin: Both make it seem like we are moving forward when we are not. It is in the burlesque that much of Twains moral satire lies: that race is a put-on, that patterns of incarceration, economic inequality and culture theft are constructed, and even treated like a joke. Inversely, as long as we think the book is about a time when childhood is innocent, we obscure the fact that the issues Huck faces are remarkably familiar, persistent parts of the patterns that define how we think about childrearing and education.

Twains subtle satire has been lost on many interpreters, academics and civil rights activists. Is that a bad thing?

I think so. Its a great book. A lot of very smart, caring teachers have done great things with it. And a lot of independent readers have loved it, with no agenda or, intuitively, the right agenda. Twain saved letters from kids who loved it, who felt it spoke to them in a special way.

That said, once it became an official American artifact, it actually became a less valuable book. For a long time, people taught Huck Finn as Huck frees Jim, as if Hucks vow to free Jim makes a difference. But it doesnt. And mistaking a book about how symbolic acts of empathy dont make a better democracy for its opposite is a huge mistake, especially when youre dealing with a book that has been taught by the tens of millions, and named by politician after politician as an important influence.

On children, it seems ironic that a book that celebrates truancy, and endorses the idea that children can educate themselves, should become a mandatory text in American classrooms. It suggests a real ambivalence about how we raise our children, one we might explore more closely.

You mention Twains guilt. Did he feel guilty about not challenging racism and slavery more directly?

Twains word, not minehe blamed himself for everything. He called himself a fraud, an ass, a buffoon, a coward. He held back a lot of his writings to be released after his death. Its a brilliant marketing technique that has allowed him to hit number 1 on the bestseller list 100 years after his death, but also the clearest possible signal that a huge gap sometimes existed between what he was willing to tell an audience and what he really thought. But he was honest about it. And there were many times where he did act and speak with political courageand interestingly, we dont seem to remember those times that well. He was the leading anti-imperialist in the country in the 1900sTeddy Roosevelt once threatenedjoking, one hopesto skin him alive.

Many people at the time called the book trashy and immoral. You say it wasnt trashy enough.

It wasnt trashy enough to sell a lot of copies. It sold well. But, for instance, Pecks Bad Boy, published only a short time before, sold many more. A couple of reviewers even claimed that Twain had given the book too much morality, and too much plot, to really attract young readers.

Twain himself was complicated and a bit messy, wasnt he?

He was a man of amazing creativity, energy, vision, heart. And amazing anger, hypocrisy and self-doubt. But, again, Im not saying anything about him that he didnt say himself. I think we tend to smooth him out a bit.

Huck Finn, you write, is not about progress but about history coming round. That was the racial situation in the 1880s, wasnt it, with the failure of Reconstruction?

Yes. He begins writing Huck Finn at a point where Reconstruction promised the possibility of major steps forward for racial and economic justice. But he completes it as Jim Crow segregation shifts into place. And he introduces it to American audiences, literally, as rumors circulate of the possible reintroduction of slavery after the 1884 election. And this backsliding is represented in the book, especially in its closing chapters. Its hard to tell whether Twain is in control of the message, whether he was absorbing the spirit of the times or lamenting it. Probably both.

Is this idea of unchanging attitudes and stereotypesabout race and children, social illusionswhat you mean by saying that Huckleberry Finn is the book about American forgetfulness?

Yes. The book is about how we produce repetition and call it progress. Everything comes around, and no one learns anything. Characters almost seem to unlearn things. I been there beforethats the books last line. And no one ends a book with a line like that without sending a message.

The Huck Finnlike character is ingrained in our culture. Is the heroine of The Hunger Games Huck Finn reconceived?

Maybe not explicitly, but yes: Shes half-orphaned, like Huck, comfortable in nature, shrewd but scared, a reluctant but formidable agent of change. In fact, Huck Finns shadow is all over the current vogue in young adult fiction and film and television. The authentic young persons voice, the mix of adult wisdom and youthful inexperience, the boredom and restlessness, the absent parents, the war with adult institutions, the awkward torques between tragedy and comedy. Not just Hunger Games, not just Harry Potter: Everything from Home Alone and Diary of a Wimpy Kid to half the shows on Nickelodeon. Huck is the template.

Originally published in the April 2015 issue of American History. To subscribe, click here.
Russia on Friday submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council supporting the ceasefire it helped broker in Syria as well as planned peace talks in Kazakhstan.

Moscow drew up the text endorsing the plan it spearheaded with the help of Turkey and Iran for a nationwide ceasefire, which went into effect at midnight and appeared to be mainly holding despite reports of sporadic clashes near Damascus.

The deal calls for subsequent negotiations in late January in the Kazakh capital Astana, Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters.

The council held closed-door consultations on the text Friday morning.

Some countries have made recommendations that can be "easily absorbed" into the draft resolution, he added, saying that the peace plan "is not just a Russia-Turkey effort."

"We hope that tomorrow morning, we can go for a vote and adopt it unanimously," Churkin said.

The ceasefire deal calls for negotiations over a political solution to end the conflict that has killed more than 310,000 people since 2011 and forced millions to flee.

The ceasefire -- which involves 13 groups representing 60,000 fighters who control "large chunks" of Syria -- appeared to be "holding adequately," the Russian envoy said.

The deal excludes jihadist groups including the Islamic State and Fateh al-Sham Front, an Al-Qaeda affiliate previously known as Al-Nusra Front.

Russia's plan, which pointedly excludes the United States, does not overlap with an initiative for negotiations in February mediated by UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura, Churkin said.

Nevertheless, Moscow expects the UN will be "fully involved" in preparing for the Astana talks, he added.

"We hope others will join in, like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar," Churkin said.

One Western diplomat said it would take time to examine Moscow's draft resolution.

"It needs to be studied seriously," the diplomat said.

There were still "a lot of unanswered questions," said another Western diplomat, adding that Russia might be hard-pressed to muster the nine votes needed for its resolution to pass.

The draft resolution, a copy of which was seen by AFP, "endorses the documents mediated and issued by Russia and Turkey on December 29."

It "stresses the importance of their full and immediate implementation and calls upon all parties to be guided by the aforementioned documents and provide support to their implementation."

The text does not mention the planned UN-led talks in Geneva in February.

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A shooting outside of Meek Mills show in Connecticut Friday night has left two dead and two injured, according to a report from ABC News. Wallingford police say the concert was winding down when shots were fired outside of the Oakdale theater.



Two males were sent to the Hartford Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. However, the police have yet to release any details on the deceased victims. Wallingford Police Lt. Cheryl Bradley expressed to reporters that the reasons for the shooting are unknown, as is whether or not the victims knew one another.



Police have not explicitly tied the shooting to the Meek Mill event. They are currently looking into possible leads, suspect vehicles, descriptions. As of this morning, no one is in custody.



UPDATE: Meek Mill has responded to the shooting report, calling it a lie.

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It looked ominous for the oil industry at the start of 2016.

Prices kept sliding, falling to $26 a barrel, the lowest level since 2003. It was an eye-covering moment for the industry, but it wouldn't last.

The Texas oil industry will exit 2016 with prices that have roughly doubled from their February low and brighter prospects for 2017. Workers, too, have some reason for optimism: Job postings in the oil and gas industry were increasing in the second half of the year, according to the job search site Indeed.com.

After soaring for several years and touching off a historic drilling boom across Texas, oil prices peaked in June 2014 at $107 per barrel. The price fell after that, and the oil bust picked up momentum in 2015 as companies went into survival mode. The industry cut billions in spending and laid off tens of thousands of employees.

In the Eagle Ford Shale, the 400-mile oil field that makes a lopsided smile across South Texas, oil production dipped from 1.7 million barrels daily in March 2015 to 978,000 in December. The Eagle Ford started 2016 with 71 working drilling rigs, fell to a low of 29 in May, and ended the year with 46, according to the oil field services company Baker Hughes.

But drillers in South Texas spent much of 2016 on the sidelines while the drama played out in another part of the state - the Permian Basin in West Texas - and in Vienna, where the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries holds its meetings. As prices headed toward $50 a barrel, companies focused on the productive Permian, where they could extract oil at a profit at that price. The immense oil field in West Texas and eastern New Mexico is now pumping around 2 million barrels daily.

The Permian now accounts for 264 rigs, which equates to more than 50 percent of all the nation's operating oil rigs. The next most active area is the Eagle Ford Shale, according to Baker Hughes.

An OPEC deal in November to trim oil production sent prices higher, boosting drillers in both South and West Texas. The deal would remove about 1.2 million barrels per day from the world market by January - the rough equivalent of taking the entire Eagle Ford off-line, or half of the Permian Basin.

Much has been made about the showdown between OPEC, the world's traditional swing producer, and the upstart U.S. shale producers, who added 5 million daily barrels to world production in a handful of years.

Both OPEC and U.S. producers have suffered during the bust in oil prices, which started in late 2014. Oil's ride down started in earnest around Thanksgiving 2014 when OPEC met and declined to cut production. Instead, member countries pumped more and started to compete with each other for market share.

Since then, Saudi Arabia has been spending down its financial reserves. Venezuela has been on the verge of economic collapse, with food shortages and electricity blackouts. North Dakota lawmakers sliced 10 percent from their budget. Alaska's governor cut in half the annual oil dividend that goes to residents. In Texas, oil and gas companies slashed more than 100,000 jobs.

But Houston energy investment bank Tudor, Pickering Holt & Co. expects to see rising oil prices in 2017. It forecast a price of about $55 per barrel in the first quarter of the year, rising to around $75 by year-end.

Simon Flowers, chief analyst at consulting firm Wood Mackenzie, said the OPEC deal was a strong signal to the market, but his firm is less bullish. It forecasts a price of $55 to $60 per barrel in 2017.

But those prices, Flowers added, "depend on OPEC being very careful to meet the terms of the agreement."

Oil settled in New York at 53.72 a barrel, down 5 cents for the day but ending the year up 45 percent.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas' latest Beige Book, an economic outlook report, said oil and gas activity is expected to gradually pick up and that there's a sense that 2017 would be better than 2016.

The Texas Workforce Commission reported Dec. 16 that the state added jobs for the second consecutive month in its mining and logging sector, which includes oil field workers.

The sector gained 3,200 workers in November after adding 500 in October.

Thomas Tunstall, an economic development research director at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said that if oil can reach $55 and stay in that range for more than a month, "The Eagle Ford, Permian, all of them will start ratcheting up."

Tunstall still expects flat to slow growth in the oil fields in 2017. While producers are eager to return rigs to the fields, the risk is that adding too much to the oil supply could depress prices again.

But over the long term, he said, the picture looks good for the U.S. energy industry.

"We're really in a position to change our oil outlook," he said.
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It was a tumultuous autumn for Jim Carr.

Canada's pipeline point man was a key player in decisions by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government to approve a major liquefied natural gas project in September and a pair of crude-oil proposals from Kinder Morgan and Enbridge in November, preceded by a string of regulatory and environmental concessions to quell opposition.

That cleared the deck for Carr, Canada's minister of natural resources. Now preparing for President-elect Donald Trump's administration with Rick Perry as his U.S. counterpart, Carr, 65, is shifting his attention in 2017 to two fresh endeavors: overhauling the country's National Energy Board and pushing for new transmission lines, potentially funded by both government and pension funds.

Pipeline approvals

Energy projects have been a major focus since Trudeau took power in 2015, as he seeks to stoke economic growth while satisfying pledges made to environmentalists and indigenous communities.

In November, Carr and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna approved Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline along with Enbridge's Line 3, while rejecting Enbridge's Northern Gateway pro-posal.

The only other major pipeline in front of Canadian regulators is TransCanada Corp.'s Energy East, which is in its early stages of review.

Conservative lawmakers, who governed from 2006 to 2015, criticized Carr for approving Trans Mountain, with its potential legal barriers, and not Northern Gateway. Nonetheless, Carr said he felt a sense of accomplishment for how government handled the issue.

"I'm proud of being able to approve major projects while respecting our climate change goals, and while meaningfully accommodating indigenous peoples," Carr said. "We knew ultimately the decision we took had to be in the national interest, and our explanation for why had to be persuasive."

Keystone XL

The presidential election has buoyed hopes for another major TransCanada proposal, the Keystone XL pipeline to the U.S. that the Obama administration rejected in 2015. Canadian approvals remain in place for the project, and Carr says it's up to the company and U.S. government to decide whether to proceed.

Trump has appointed oilmen to key posts, including Rex Tillerson, the Exxon Mobil Corp. chief executive due to become secretary of state, and Perry, the former Texas governor chosen to head the U.S. Energy Department.

Carr demurred when asked about them.

Kinder controversy

The government's Trans Mountain decision was its most controversial - and will be the foremost test of Trudeau's new approach to energy development. In the days that followed, Carr apologized after suggesting "defense forces" could be used if anti-pipeline protests turned violent.

Kinder Morgan's pipeline could still be blocked. The company has to meet conditions attached to its approval, and a court ruling ultimately sank Northern Gateway.

New challenges have already been filed against Trans Mountain and some indigenous communities continue to oppose it.
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Houston's bicentennial is now less than 20 years away; time to start thinking about what we want for our city.

Business leaders should especially contemplate the future. After all, Houston was founded by two New York real estate developers, and business has always done more to effect change here than City Hall. Great businesspeople take civic pride seriously, knowing that the city's success or failure will reflect on their personal and corporate legacies.

I recently pondered Houston's future while visiting Allen's Landing, Houston's first wharf, named after the brothers John and Augustus Allen. They paid $9,428 in August 1836 for the 6,642 acres that would become downtown Houston.

Thanks to philanthropists, the city is creating parks along Buffalo Bayou, and Allen's Landing is one of the best. But walk a few yards in any direction on Commerce or Main, and it's apparent there is much more work to do if we truly want a great city.

That gap between how we live and what we dream is why Lawrence Payne - author, radio host, activist and conscience of Houston - is asking every Houstonian two simple but challenging questions.

"What is your No. 1 goal for Houston for 2036, for the city at-large and for your community? That's the easy question," he said. "The second part of it is, how would you be acting and behaving today if you really wanted to see that happen?"

Nineteen years may seem a long time, but ask anyone who builds skyscrapers, deep-water drilling rigs or ship channels, and they'll tell you that great projects require years of careful planning and deliberate action.

Gov. James Hogg knew this in 1900 when he called on Texans to start preparing for the 1936 Centennial. Since Houston shares its birth year with Texas' independence from Mexico, there is double the work to be done here.

Houston's business leaders, though, have always led the way. Within a year of the Allen brothers arriving, there were 1,500 people and 100 houses in Houston. In 1840, businessmen founded the first Houston Chamber of Commerce.

Local businessmen funded the Ship Channel Co. in 1869 and built railroads to Dallas and San Antonio to make Houston the center of trade. William Marshall Rice, a Massachusetts businessman who made his fortune from Texas land, cotton and railroads, left the bulk of his estate to create Rice University in 1912.

Recognizing the need for charity health care, George Hermann donated land in 1893 for what would become Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. He later donated the land for Hermann Park.

In the 1960s, when other cities used firehoses and police dogs to attack civil rights protesters, business leaders like Bob Dundas, vice president of Foley's department store, and John T. Jones, publisher of the Houston Chronicle and president of Houston Endowment, worked behind the scenes to quietly desegregate the city's businesses after the first protests.

The list of Houston businesspeople donating their time and money to make the city better could go on for pages. And as 2036 approaches, today's businesspeople should add their names to the list.

Raising money for celebrations on Discovery Green, or re-creating the Main Street Festival and the Ship Channel Water Carnival that highlighted the 1936 celebrations, will be easy. What Payne and I want to know is, who wants to deal with the hard stuff? Like decreasing poverty and boosting unity, which will take a generation to tackle.

Scott McClelland, president of H-E-B in Houston, is one leader who has already made the list by working to improve public education, in particular, early childhood education.

Rich Kinder, founder of pipeline company Kinder Morgan, has a foundation that has helped finance Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School, the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts as well as Emancipation Park.

If education is the answer, then more work is needed to improve Houston schools, which will create a stronger workforce and make Houston businesses more profitable.

The Greater Houston Partnership and Mayor Sylvester Turner need help with the Hire Houston Youth program, which employs high school kids after school and in the summer months, when gangs are trying to recruit them and they are most likely to get into trouble. Showing teens what's possible for them is the first step to changing their trajectory.

Payne suggests that corporations give employees one hour a week to tutor at a local school. The most needy are all within a 10-minute drive of downtown.

"The business community is the driver in this city, unlike other urban cities," Payne said. "Public education is going to be the Achilles' heel that will either make us a great city or a Third World city."

I'm old enough to remember the national year-round celebrations of the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, and the hullabaloo around the Texas Sesquicentennial in 1986. Anniversaries are rallying points for patriotism, pride and community improvement.

When you think about it, 2036 is not that far away. And there's no better time to begin building the city of our dreams than now.
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Mexico is bracing for a series of protests as the opposition threatens a "peaceful revolution" after the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto announced plans to raise gasoline prices by the most in two decades.

Gasoline will soar up to 20 percent in January as the nation moves away from subsidies that have burnt a hole in public coffers, the Finance Ministry led by Jose Antonio Meade announced this week.

The price slam, or "gasolinazo" in Spanish, is going to hit hard, with Mexicans tying with South Africans for spending more of their annual income on fuel than residents of 59 other countries tracked by Bloomberg.

The hike may also taint Pena Nieto's flagship energy reform passed in 2013, emboldening opposition leaders such as Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to strike out against the overhaul that opened the industry to foreign investment for the first time in almost eight decades.

"This is very grave, because it will give a bad name to the energy reform, even though it isn't the fault of the reform," said Alejandro Schtulmann, president of political risk advisory firm Empra. "Lopez Obrador could empower his rhetoric by saying he'll make changes to the energy reform."

Pena Nieto had said the overhaul would help lower energy prices by increasing competition. Now, the hashtag #ReformaEnergetica has become a trending topic on twitter, with many people saying they would hoard fuel.

Illegal gasoline sales have cropped up in 10 states amid the scarcity, Reforma newspaper reports. Protests are scheduled for Sunday in Mexico City and Guadalajara and have already taken place in Tamaulipas state.

Jesus Zambrano, a lawmaker with the Democratic Revolution Party, called for a "peaceful revolution," including boycotts at gas stations. Even Concamin, a leading industrial trade group, raised concern about cost pressures.

Pena Nieto already suffers from the lowest popularity of any Mexican president in two decades amid rising violence and corruption scandals. That's hurt his Institutional Revolutionary Party's chances in the 2018 presidential race as well as this year's gubernatorial elections.

"The president hoped that the reforms would be his legacy," Carlos Loret de Mola, a leading Televisa newscaster, wrote on his Twitter account. "With the gasolinazo, he has buried" the reforms.
The shale boom has produced Texas oil deals so large, they stack up among the biggest in the world this year.

Texas land buys account for about one-fifth of the total spent globally on oil and gas acreage this year, according to the research firm IHS Markit. The state hasn't represented such a large portion for 20 years, at least.

"Texas and the Permian Basin have proven to be a prime location," said Chris Sheehan, IHS' director of transaction research. "But the shale revolution has really unlocked additional resources."

The driving force this year, Sheehan said, was economics. After oil prices fell to a 13-year low in February, U.S. drilling ground to a halt. Then, as prices slowly recovered, companies sent rigs to oil fields with the lowest costs and highest returns, particularly the Permian. The stacked layers of oil and gas in the basin allowed companies to drill more efficiently and, at the same time, recover more oil.

Companies wanted into the field. But, since the Permian is an old basin, most of its land was already leased. To get in, they had to buy in.

The Permian boasted eight deals this year over $1 billion, by far the busiest region in the U.S., according to IHS. And the most expensive deals there focused on the Permian's western lobe, the Delaware Basin.

In September, Houston's EOG Resources announced it was buying the privately owned Yates Petroleum Corp., out of New Mexico, for $2.5 billion in stock and cash. Yates holds almost 200,000 acres in the Delaware.

In October, Dallas-based RSP Permian agreed to buy Silver Hill Energy Partners, also headquartered in Dallas, and its 41,000 Delaware acres for $2.5 billion, or as much as $47,000 per un-developed acre - far above the average, according to some analysts.

And earlier this month, Midland-based Diamondback Energy announced it would pick up Brigham Resources and its 76,000 acres of Delaware land for $2.4 billion in cash and stock.

"As they say in this industry, you go where the barrels are," Sheehan said.

The Delaware holds a 4,000-foot-thick strata of oil and gas. In the past, companies didn't really know how to access all of it, RSP Permian chief executive Steven Gray told the Chronicle last month. But recent technological advances have unlocked previously inaccessible oil.

"Operators out there are drilling better wells now," Gray said. "The better the wells, the more valuable the leases become."

The two largest U.S. land deals occurred outside Texas. In September, Fort Worth-based Range Resources announced it was buying Houston's Memorial Resource Development, which was heavily into Louisiana gas, for at least $4.2 billion. Then Rice Energy, based in Pennsylvania, agreed to buy Colorado's Vantage Energy, which focused on Appalachian gas, for $2.8 billion.

Range, Rice, EOG and Diamondback declined to comment, or did not respond to requests.

Global deals rebounded some from a weak 2015, with five U.S. deals representing half of the top 10 worldwide, according to IHS. But they were dwarfed by two giant Russian transactions.

In October, state-owned Rosneft bought a controlling stake in its state-owned cousin Bashneft for $6.6 billion. And in December, the global commodity company Glencore, headquartered in Switzerland, joined with the Qatar Investment Authority to buy almost 20 percent of Rosneft for $23.5 billion.
In 1984, Neta Rhyne moved to Toyahvale, sight unseen. Rhyne's husband, Darrel, had just taken a job as superintendent at Balmorhea State Park.

Rhyne, who grew up in Houston, arrived at the park's employee residence in the middle of the night, without high expectations. The prior chief had painted a grim picture. A desert full of rattlesnakes. A house full of centipedes.

But the next morning, she peeked out the window, saw the rugged West Texas mountains and thought: "Wow. This is home. I'm not leaving."

Rhyne fell in love with the park, too. She swam in its famous spring-fed pool every day. Her son rode his bike through the campground, making new friends with each spin. Life was peaceful.

After several years, Darrel took a superintendent job at Hueco Tanks State Park outside El Paso. The family didn't go with him. They bought land just outside the park and stayed in Toyahvale. Darrel came home on the weekends.

In 1992, Rhyne scheduled a visit with the doctor. She had a cough, and it just wouldn't go away. She drove to a clinic in Alpine, 60 miles south. They X-rayed her chest; she could tell what they saw was not good. A biopsy found a tumor in Rhyne's lungs.

Chemotherapy and radiation started almost immediately, in Midland, 140 miles northeast of her. They rented a place in the city. Treatments lasted eight hours a day, five days a week. During the sessions, the Balmorhea desert became even more important to her. The weekdays were brutal. But on Fridays, the doctors let her go home, to Toyahvale. It was the one place she felt peace.

Nearly 25 years later, having beaten cancer, Rhyne has taken on new roles: environmental activist and a leader in the effort to stop Houston's Apache Corp. from developing oil and gas fields near Balmorhea State Park and her home. In September, Apache announced that it had discovered 15 billion barrels of oil and gas in the area and planned to drill as many as 3,000 wells in southern Reeves County over the next two decades.

Park lovers, environmentalists and residents like Rhyne have raised concerns about the effects of well drilling and hydraulic fracturing on their desert. They worry drilling will pollute their underground springs and natural gas flaring, among other things, their air.

Rhyne, who, with her husband, run scuba diving and swim shops across the street from Balmorhea State Park, has opened her property to one of three West Texas camps for activists from around the country looking to protest oil and gas development.

Many Texans find the cause hypocritical and unrealistic, even absurd. Apache, which has a strong environmental record in the industry, can do the work and protect the land, many say.

But, for Rhyne, Apache is invading her home.

"I have no words for how it makes me feel," she told me last week. "I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and it's going to be just a nightmare."
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Walk into the Houston research center of Flotek Industries and you enter a faux orange grove with artificial citrus trees, the sounds of chirping birds and murals that make the orchard seem endless - a particularly unusual introduction to an oil field services provider.

The chief executive, John Chisholm, wants potential customers to know they're dealing with a different type of energy company, one that's developing more earth-friendly citrus-based injection chemicals to help free oil and gas from shale rocks. Flotek's website even lets visitors download free music for meditation, adding to the firm's Zen fracking vibe.

"We're a believer if you keep stress out of your life," Chisholm said, "the universe will guide you where you need to get."

Chisholm's faith in the universe, however, has been tested lately as his company fights to prove its legitimacy. Flotek is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and under attack by short-sellers. Its technology has been doubted, and its marketing claims questioned. Its stock has fallen 30 percent in less than a month.

But Chisholm says all this will pass. Flotek weathered the oil bust better than most energy companies, and its main product, derived from oranges, is helping to extract more oil from hydraulically fractured wells, the company says.

More Information Flotek Industries: Founded: 1985 Headquarters: Houston Chairman, president and CEO: John Chisholm Employees: 540 Revenue (2015): $334 million Annual net loss (2015): $13.5 million See More Collapse

"The driver is still performance," he said. "That it's environmentally sustainable is just another benefit."

Stepping out

Flotek was founded more than 30 years ago as a more traditional oil field services company providing drilling, equipment, and chemicals to oil and gas production companies. In recent years, the company has made injection chemicals its primary business, focusing on its citrus-based hydraulic fracturing fluids developed in early part of the last decade.

The company is now pushing its brand name aggressively after changing its business model. Flotek previously sold chemicals and other products to large services companies like Houston-based Halliburton, which would rebrand them and mark up the prices. Now, Flotek sells directly to oil and gas producers, which cuts out the middleman, allowing Flotek to lower prices for customers while keeping more of the profits for itself.

As Flotek reached beyond its usual customer base, the company stepped up its marketing - which helped it get in trouble. The first sign was an analyst report that noted Flotek's sales presentations overstated production gains related to its chemicals.

That apparently drew the attention of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which is investigating potential false advertising. Flotek previously admitted to a single "unintentional data and processing error" related to its production claims.

In December, Flotek also became the target of a New York hedge fund, FourWorld Capital Management, which is "shorting," or betting against, Flotek and its stock. Short-sellers borrow shares, sell them and seek to buy the shares later at lower prices to return them to the lenders, pocketing the difference.

FourWorld, founded less than two years ago by John Addis, a former Merrill Lynch executive, released a 132-report to rebut a Flotek-commissioned study that found that the Houston company's injection chemicals were highly effective in most oil wells. Addis contends the report used poor data and wrongly credited Flotek chemicals for output gains in Colorado wells that would have produced more oil regardless of whether drillers used Flotek chemicals.

The increased production was the result of geology and drilling quality, not chemicals, Addis said. Flotek, he argued, is all style and image, with little substance to its claims.

"We put our money where our mouth is. We stand by our short," Addis said. "The company is a highly skilled marketing organization."

Flotek strongly disagrees, responding that the oil sector too often only focuses on the geology and mechanics of drilling. Injection chemicals are just as important in the success of oil wells, said a Flotek vice president, Trudy Boudreaux.

Chisholm said he stands by the study that found Flotek's products made substantial improvements to oil recovery in most wells in Colorado and West Texas' Permian Basin. Flotek also has supporters among investors.

Matthew Marietta, an analyst at investment group Stephens, is one of them. He conducted his own research into data from wells using Flotek products and found they can improve a well's oil production by an average of at least 20 percent. Flotek also has shaken up the industry by going straight to the producers and making their pricing more transparent, Marietta added.

"This is a nontraditional model," said Marietta, whose firm, through a subsidiary, increased its stock holdings in Flotek. "I think the company will emerge from this period of transition and scrutiny more strongly."

Acts as a solvent

The main ingredient of Flotek's patented "Complex nano-Fluid" technology comes from citrus oil derived from oranges. The extract, called d-limonene, acts as a solvent, which is added to fracking fluids with other surfactants that help separate oil from water so crude can flow more freely through the well. The idea came from using d-limonene to clean oil stains from garage floors.

Flotek is emphasizing its chemical technology and scaling back its oil field rental tools and other services. Flotek three years ago bought Florida Chemical Co. so it wouldn't have to keep buying the citrus oil. As a result, Flotek also sells citrus additives for cleaning agents, soaps, sodas and even alcoholic beverages like Grand Marnier. The business segment now makes up about a quarter of Flotek's revenues.

As with many energy companies, Flotek lost money in the bust. Flotek reported a $2.8 million loss in the third quarter, compared with a $2 million gain in the same time in 2015. For 2016 - through nine months - Flotek lost $35.2 million versus a $12.1 million loss during the same period in 2015.

Chisholm said he sees the beginning of a slow rebound as drilling activity resumes. Flotek's citrus-based chemicals cost more than traditional formulations, he said, and it's admittedly hard to sell more expensive products during times of cost-cutting. But, he predicted, growth is on the way.

"And it all starts with an orange grove," he said.
Houston's liabilities outweigh its assets by $95 million, according to a 2016 annual audit released Friday, the first time the city has shown a year-end deficit.

Mayor Sylvester Turner and City Controller Chris Brown attributed the deficit to the continued growth of Houston's pension obligations and called on the 2017 Texas Legislature to pass the city's proposed pension reform plan as soon as possible.
Syrian rebel groups said on Saturday they would consider a ceasefire deal "null and void" if government forces and their allies continued to violate it.

Clashes and air strikes have continued in some areas since the ceasefire began on Friday.

"Continued violations by the regime and bombardment and attempts to attack areas under the control of the revolutionary factions will make the agreement null and void," a statement signed by a number of rebel groups said.

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Seth Yonadav swaggered along a dirt path in rural Uganda, pointing toward the new synagogue where young men wearing yarmulkes lingered.

Up on a hill the synagogue stood like a crown jewel, surrounded by schools and a guest house, all owned and operated by a small community of Jewish believers in this remote hamlet founded by a single convert a century ago.

The Stern Synagogue, built largely with money donated by Americans, is a source of pride for hundreds of Ugandan Jews known locally as the Abayudaya, who have tenaciously maintained their belief despite the prejudice they have suffered over the years in this Christian-dominated country.

The community continues to pursue formal recognition from Israel, which would give it a further sense of inclusion. The Jewish Agency, a nonprofit that works closely with the Israeli government to serve Jewish communities worldwide, has recognized the Abayudaya since 2009, spokesman Avi Mayer said.

"People come here for conversion, many of them," said Yonadav, a 40-year-old teacher who serves as cantor at the synagogue. "I know 50 people right now who are ready to convert."

Yonadav recalled the day in 2013 when, crowded inside the old synagogue, the Abayudaya started to dream of a new sanctuary, complete with a Jewish ritual bath known as mikvah.

The group's leader, Gershom Sizomu, a U.S.-trained rabbi who in February won a seat in Uganda's parliament, started fundraising among friends abroad. The new synagogue is named for Sue and Ralph Stern, a Jewish couple in California who gave a sizeable chunk of the $300,000 spent on its construction, Sizomu said.

Sizomu, who believes he is the first Jew to win a parliamentary seat in Uganda, said he saw his victory as a sign that the Abayudaya are finally being accepted by an often-distrustful tribal community. In the 1970s, Ugandan dictator Idi Amin outlawed the group, which saw its numbers dwindle to a few hundred. In the 1980s, there were violent attempts to strip the Abayudaya of the land on which the new synagogue stands.

Today the community of about 2,000 enjoys a more positive reputation. It runs a health center, two schools, a bakery project for women, a co-operative saving society and a guest house, as well as a tree-planting program.

With his electoral victory, Sizomu said, "the Abayudaya felt very accepted. This was a sign that they are accepted by our Christian and Muslim neighbors."

The Abayudaya community was founded by a Ugandan military officer, Semei Kakungulu, a convert from Christianity in the early 20th century who had many followers. When he died in 1928, he left a large piece of his land to be used by the Abayudaya in perpetuity. Sizomu, as the current spiritual leader, has legal control over the group's assets.

Many of the Abayudaya, including Sizomu and Yonadav, were born into families practicing Judaism and consider it their duty to raise their children within the Jewish tradition.

Unlike fundamentalist Christian groups that seek out converts across Uganda, the Abayudaya practice Conservative Judaism with no proselytizing. Converts have to go through a rigorous process, and so far this year none has joined.

Jacob Mulabi, 18, a yarmulke-wearing student who defied his Christian family to convert, said he would have been out of school and hopeless if he had not decided "to be like the Jewish people nearby, my best friends." His bar mitzvah was in 2014, and he is a scholarship student at an Abayudaya school where Hebrew is taught. The burglar bars on the windows are wrought to resemble the Star of David.

One recent morning, teacher Judith Horowitz of Philadelphia was among a dozen people who gathered inside the main sanctuary for prayers. Later, as the Abayudaya took off their prayer shawls and walked out, Horowitz said it was "the most amazing experience praying with Jews that I've ever had in my lifetime."

Horowitz, a Reform Jew, said she had read about the Abayudaya just as she and a friend from Boston were planning a safari to Uganda. "I had to be here. I had to come."

The sight of the new synagogue, she said, left her "amazed, thrilled" and "very happy to see that these people felt this faith in Judaism in the same way that I do."

In March, the Jewish Agency said the Abayudaya were a "recognized" Jewish community in a letter to the leader of Israel's Conservative movement.

But Israel's Interior Ministry, which oversees immigration policy and has the authority to formally recognize Jewish communities, has made no determination of the Abayudaya's religious status because it has never been asked. It described the matter as "complex."

Although any Jew is eligible for citizenship under Israeli immigration law, Sizomu said emigration is not in their plans.

"It is some kind of assurance," the rabbi said, talking about recognition by the Jewish Agency. "Assurance that we are now part of the bigger Jewish world, and that is a privilege. Anywhere where there are Jews, I am welcome."
On a summer morning many years ago, I loaded up my red Toyota, headed westward out of Dallas and, late in the afternoon, pulled into Taos, N.M.

After strolling around the plaza once frequented by Carson, Lawrence, Cather, O'Keeffe and Jung, I drove on to Fort Burgwin, 10 miles southeast of town in the heart of Carson National Forest. The U.S. Army constructed the timbered fort in 1852 to protect Taos Valley settlers from Utes and Jicarilla Apaches and then abandoned it in 1860. Southern Methodist University acquired the reconstructed stockade more than a century later and in the early years offered a writer's retreat and an archaeology field school during the summer. Fort Burgwin now serves as the SMU-in-Taos campus.

I remember the cool mountain air when I stepped out of the car that evening. I remember the quiet. (Most of my dozen or so writing-retreat colleagues had yet to arrive.) I remember shaking hands for the first time with Marshall Terry, a novelist, short-story writer and SMU English professor who would help me determine, I hoped, whether a working-class Texas boy - from Waco, no less - really had it in him to be a writer.

The man who would come to be a friend for many years died at his home near the SMU campus on Christmas Eve, after coping for the past several years with Parkinson's disease. Marsh was 85.

A professor and administrator at SMU for more than 60 years - an association that earned him the nickname "Mr. SMU" - he leaves behind not only his loving wife Toni and their extended family, but also countless people like me who are drawn to the writing life and yearn for somebody who will help us plumb the mysteries that seem so enticing - and so distant. Marsh was that man. In his calm, caring, drolly humorous way, he demystified the process. He showed us that writing was less a gift bestowed on the fortunate few and more the end result of hard work, discipline and the pleasure of shaping something that had not existed before.

Although the two sophomoric short stories I "shaped" at Fort Burgwin were instantly forgettable, our lives that long-ago summer settled into a routine I've never forgotten. We began each day with a bounteous Mexican breakfast prepared by a Taos woman who was a legend among Fort Burgwin alumni. We wrote all morning, wherever we could find a salubrious place. For me, it was an old hardbacked chair and a board across two sawhorses in a pine forest within sight and sound of a swiftly running stream. Pre-computer, I wrote in longhand on yellow legal pads and quickly realized that the magnificent setting did not necessarily make the process any easier.

I didn't know at the time whether Marsh had experienced the angst of an aspiring writer while growing up in Cincinnati, although he told our mutual friend Bob Compton, for many years the book critic of the Dallas Morning News, that his mother was a "closet poet" and that he knew from an early age he wanted to write history or fiction. His father was "supportive but realistic," Marsh said. When a high school teacher told the elder Terry that "Marshall is very bright," his dad, who called him Beau, told the teacher: "No, Beau really ain't too bright, but he's a plugger." Compton recalled earlier this week how Marsh exploded in laughter telling that story.

He also told Bob that he was indebted to a teacher at Kenyon College in Ohio, where he spent his sophomore year. "He was a poet," Marsh recalled, "and one day he called me to his rooms, very politely, and offered me a glass of sherry. He said, 'I wanted to tell you that your poems are the worst undergraduate poetry that I've ever read. Why don't you try prose?' "

Marsh took his advice. An English major at SMU in the early 1950s, he was a teaching fellow at age 22, worked a couple of years for a Dallas ad agency and then came back to SMU in 1957 as director of public relations and instructor in English. He published his first novel, "Old Liberty," in 1961. Set on a college campus not unlike Kenyon, it offered "a galvanic picture of contemporary life in America in which hallowed themes are handled with a fresh, wild vigor." I'm not quite sure what that means, but that's how the New York Times reviewer described "Old Liberty." Marsh himself would never have been that pretentious.

'Fresh, wild vigor'

A short, stocky man who wore horn-rimmed glasses and a perpetually bemused look on his face, with a sonorous voice that betrayed his Midwestern roots, he put people at ease, even when he was offering stern guidance to would-be writers. He belied the writer stereotype. When I thought of writers back then, I thought of tortured souls whose anguish fueled their literary output. Fitzgerald and his drinking. Hemingway and his depression. Mailer and his brawling. Plath and her demons. And yet here was Marsh, a devoted husband and University Park family man who seemed perfectly well-adjusted and still was able to write compelling novels - "with fresh, wild vigor."

C.W. Smith, also a novelist and SMU English professor, said this about his old friend: "The odd thing to me was that he always seemed a low-key, easy-going fellow, not the sort who'd push himself up front, but, nonetheless, always wound up there."

He founded SMU's creative writing program and its annual literary festival, which attracted the likes of E.L. Doctorow, Saul Bellow, Raymond Carver and Eudora Welty. He founded the Fort Burgwin program, directed the SMU-in-Oxford program and also served as president of the Texas Institute of Letters.

Low-key but compelling

At Fort Burgwin we gathered after lunch every day, and Marsh led us in discussions about point of view, first-person or third or some other story-telling device. However low-key, he had to be compelling, since he was competing with the nap-inducing effects of another meal by the legendary Taos cook.

After our midday gathering, it often rained for a half-hour or so, which also called for a nap. When the sun returned, maybe we'd hike into the mountains or organize a scrub game of softball with bats we had fashioned out of old cedar fence posts. In the evening we read our work to each other, endured the critiques of our peers and then drove into town for beer, dancing and live music at Old Martinez Hall, wild and crazy Dennis Hopper's hangout a few years earlier, or at the Sagebrush Inn, where the peerless Bill and Bonnie Hearne warbled nightly. Marsh and Toni usually stayed back at the fort, maybe because their two daughters were still young, maybe because Marsh was either plowing through our literary efforts or working on his own.

He would publish six novels in all, numerous short stories and two books about SMU, including "Loving U: The Story of a Love Affair (And Some Lover's Quarrels) With a University" (2011). Several of his novels are still available on Amazon.

One of Hemingway's classic short stories, one we likely read at Fort Burgwin, is called "The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber." The title is ironic, since the main character's happiness lasts only a few seconds. As teacher, writer, husband, father and friend, Marshall Terry's unironic life was long and happy. And greatly to be admired.
A Conroe man could face life in prison after he was convicted Thursday on a slew of federal drug charges, the DEA said in a release last week.

Oscar Benitez, 44, had been the target of a federal drug investigation since early 2011, when DEA agents in Philadelphia seized 4 kilograms of cocaine out of a vehicle from the Houston area.

Feds found out the car had recently been sold by Arcola-based Bensol Auto Sales, a business Benitez owned.

READ MORE: Chipotle executive back on job after cocaine possession charge

That was when Houston agents realized one of their confidential informants had already been interacting with Benitez, who boasted that he moved 25 to 100 kilograms of the drug at a time.

Then in summer 2011, North Carolina Highway Patrol pulled over a pickup truck hauling 81 kilograms of cocaine.

The driver, Reuben Orozco-Garcia made a $9,000 deposit into a Bensol Auto Sales bank account the day of the bust - and prosecutors say Benitez was using that account to launder drug money. The Conroe man supplied Bensol vehicles to his drug supplier to transport drugs across the country, the jury heard during trial.

READ MORE: Attorney: Cocaine out of character for Marlins' Fernandez

In fall 2013, someone working for Benitez' Mexican drug supplier dropped 20 kilograms of cocaine at the car dealer's Conroe ranch.

Benitez was charged with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute and conspiracy to launder money - and the jury found him guilty on all counts. A judge set his sentencing for February.

The Harris County man is facing 10 years to life in prison plus a $10 million fine.

He's been allowed to remain on bond pending sentencing.
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Saying it is smarter to go after drug dealers than users, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said he sees Texas moving toward acceptance of marijuana.

Acevedo, who recently took office, predicted that in the next few years, Texas will see a "rigorous review" of the medical benefits of marijuana.

He shared his perspectives Friday on radio station 90.1 KPFT's Cultural Baggage program, which is hosted by Dean Becker.

"I think you'll have a really spirited but well-informed discussion, and at some point I could really foresee, in the future, marijuana and some other oils being legalized for medicinal purposes; it will probably be the first step in Texas," Acevedo said during the program, which was pre-recorded in Houston.

He said it was important to focus on the "big wigs" and those harming communities.

"For those that are involved in the violence of the drug trade, that's who I want to focus on," he said. "I want to focus on the people that are the big movers and shakers that are poisoning young people."

The chief also said he would like to implement a program he used in Austin, where he served as police chief before coming to Houston. It focused on giving low-level, street-corner drug dealers a second chance.

Under that program, dealers were investigated, then rounded up and confronted with ironclad criminal cases as well as members of the clergy, counselors and their own families.

The dealers were then given an offer: The charges would be conditionally set aside if they would enter a program, turn their lives around, and obey the law.

If they did not, the charges would be reinstated.

The chief said he was waiting for incoming Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, who campaigned on promises to redirect tax dollars to the prosecution of violent criminals, not misdemeanor marijuana cases.

Becker, a former military policeman, said after the interview that it seemed clear to him that the chief knows the drug war is not succeeding.

"He is ready for change," Becker said. "He knows it has been a failure."

Acevedo also told Becker that as a vice president of the Major Cities Police Chiefs Association, he recently spoke at the White House about sentencing reform for non-violent offenders.

Acevedo said the message he delivered was clear: "We absolutely believe in (reform), that we want to push for it, but not just at the federal level, but at the state level as well."

The show will be shared via the Pacifica Network with dozens of other radio stations in the United States and Canada over the next week, Becker said.
AUSTIN  Melissa Ferrell re-read the report, trying to control her anger.

Her son Sam had Down syndrome. He did not always speak in complete sentences. He could not hold a pencil. He had trouble going to the bathroom.

And yet the Austin Independent School District was claiming that he did not qualify for special education services.

"Specialized instruction is not needed," the evaluation report said.

Children with Down syndrome used to automatically qualify for special ed, Ferrell says she was told. But that had changed.

"It was horrible to be in the position of saying, 'No, my child is actually not that smart,'" Ferrell recalled recently. "I thought I'd be fighting to make sure that his special education program would have some inclusion in the regular classroom in addition to the services. I never thought I'd have to convince them that he really needed help."

Ferrell's story illuminates a jarring reality: In Texas today, even children with severe disabilities, including deafness and blindness, can't always get special education services.

Most of the discussion surrounding the Texas Education Agency's special education enrollment benchmark has centered on the denial of services to thousands of kids with more common disabilities, such as dyslexia, ADHD and speech impairments. But statistics show that some children with rarer conditions also have been turned away.

The special ed rate has dropped 18.4 percent for Texas kids with traumatic brain injuries, 15.3 percent for hearing impairments and 8.3 percent for visual disabilities. Nationwide, the rates for those categories have slightly decreased, but not by nearly as much as in Texas.

The category of intellectual disability, which includes Down syndrome, has increased slightly in Texas, but advocates said that is because of changes in how schools have classified different disabilities. Texas still provides services to a lower percentage of those students than the national average.

For Sam, an unreservedly friendly boy who spends much of his time playing with a world of animal toys, the denial of special education services was harmful, according to his mother.

The school had claimed that Sam did not need special ed services because he could read on grade level.

Such decisions have become common in Texas, according to dozens of educators, even though federal law has made clear that kids do not need to be failing to get special ed.

Ferrell eventually hired a lawyer and convinced Austin ISD to provide robust services, records show, but it took a year.

During that kindergarten year, Sam had frequent outbursts and bathroom accidents, according to his mother. The year negated the progress he had made in preschool, she said.

In some ways, he is still trying to catch up, four years later, she said.

Austin ISD, which has reduced its special ed rate from 12.5 percent to 10 percent, declined to comment.

Texas offers limited access to special ed services Thanks to an arbitrary target imposed more than a decade ago, Texas now gives special education services to a lower percentage of students than any other state. Hover over the charts below to see who has been affected the most. Note: The increase in autism identification is less than the nationwide increase, which has been nearly 200 percent)

Victoria Seargent used to complain about special education in California. She is a deaf businesswoman, so she knows the value of quality services, and she knew that her 8-year-old son, Evan, who has binaural moderate-to-severe hearing loss, was not getting enough.

Then, last year, the Seargents moved to Fort Bend.

"I took the support we received (in California) for granted," Seargent wrote in an email, pointing to a 24-page individual education plan from Los Angeles outlining supports such as a device to amplify the voices of teachers, speech therapy and detailed goals. "Here in Texas, we have some of the top ranked school districts in the nation, but they have failed my son miserably."

Three months after getting to Fort Bend, records show, the school removed Evan from special ed.

"Evan is performing comparably to his peers," a June 2016 evaluation said.

Fort Bend ISD eventually put Evan in the Section 504 program, which allowed him to use an assistive listening system in class. But nobody at school ensured it was being used, according to his mother.

Evan's grades dropped drastically, Seargent said. Today, he is barely passing.

"My son is already telling me he doesn't want to go to college," Seargent said through a translator. "He is not participating in class and there's no one making sure it's not because he is overwhelmed with trying to keep up."

In a statement, Fort Bend ISD, which serves 6.9 percent of students in special ed, urged the TEA to end the target and said it was working to improve its special ed processes.

Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle

Sophia Salehi walked down the school hallway slowly, aware of the adults watching her.

It was an important walk, although the tiny, hyper 9-year-old did not really know it. The adults were Houston ISD officials, and they were conducting a test as part of an evaluation to see if she was eligible for special education.

They had given her instructions: walk to the end of the hall, turn left and then knock on the third door on the left.

As Sophia approached the place where she was to turn, she paused. Then she turned right.

She failed.

That was not much of a surprise, though.

Sophia is legally blind. She was born extremely prematurely at just 9 ounces and cannot read anything more than three inches away from her face. She has spent virtually her entire life in hospitals and private schools.

What was more stunning was what happened next. The officials consulted and came to a determination: Not eligible.

Sophia was deemed not to need special ed because she was smart and could pull written materials close to her face to read.

Later, emails indicate, HISD suggested to Sophia's mother that she didn't get special ed because she was attending a private school.

Federal law requires public schools to serve disabled children in private schools in their area, but it rarely happens in Texas.

Only 0.2 percent of Texas special ed students are in private school, per federal data. The national average is 1.1 percent.

In Sophia's case, one reason she was in private school was that the public school had failed her. When she was 3, HISD had said she did not qualify for preschool special ed services. The district offered to put her in special ed without any services, but her parents chose to leave.

Private school was not perfect. Sophia struggled and often hurt herself by running into things. But nobody told her parents she could get special ed.

Only earlier this year, after a Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired test showed the severity of Sophia's ailments, did the parents learn they could again request special ed from HISD.

They called the district, which led to the evaluation, the walking test and, recently, the denial.

Now, Sophia's parents are fighting the denial, with the state school's help.

It is unclear if they will win the services they need.
A Harris County judge has ruled that a death row inmate deserves a new trial because of false testimony by a Houston Police Department ballistics expert during a trial in 1993.

The Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest court in Texas, will ultimately decide whether 46-year-old Arthur Brown will get a new trial in the shooting deaths of four people during a drug deal in 1992, Brown's lawyer said Friday.

Attorney Paul Mansur said state District Judge Mark Kent Ellis ruled earlier this month that ballistics examiner Charles Anderson testified falsely in 1993 about whether bullets found at a grisly murder scene matched two pistols connected to Brown.

"(Prosecutors) presented this false testimony as part of its attempt to tie these guns to Mr. Brown and his co-defendants," Mansur wrote in court filings. He said police recovered two handguns in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where Brown had dealings, then connected the guns to him through friends and family. HPD firearms experts then connected the guns to the killings.

Brown was convicted of being part of a cocaine ring smuggling drugs to Alabama when six people were shot execution-style in a massive drug deal in southwest Houston in 1992. Two of the people survived to testify against him and two other men, all of whom were convicted.

A decision by a felony judge to grant a retrial in a death penalty case is rare in Harris County. The decision was quietly handed down on Dec. 19 after the issue was aired during a hearing in Ellis' court in October. The ruling, a public document, has yet to be posted to the district clerk's website where court records are typically found.

Mansur confirmed the judge's decision and referred questions about the case to public filings.

According to court records, HPD firearms analyst Anderson testified unequivocally that two bullets from the crime scene came from a .357 revolver and four bullets came from a .38 revolver. Both guns were recovered during investigations of Alabama drug dealers known to associate with Brown.

Under a recent Texas law designed to let defendants take advantage of recent developments in science, Brown was entitled to a re-test, setting up a battle of experts that played out in front of Ellis. One of the firearms experts for the defense testified the four bullets previously linked to the .38 caliber pistol were conclusively not from that specific gun. Another said the evidence was inconclusive  that it could not be determined either way.

"In sum, there is no evidence that supports Anderson's opinion that the Charter Arms .38 Special fired [the four bullets]," Mansur wrote in court filings.

Both of those experts also said they could not determine if the other two bullets came from the .357 Magnum.

"Anderson's identification of the Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum is plainly wrong and false," Mansur wrote.

In their responses, Harris County prosecutors said Anderson's findings in 1993 were verified by a second HPD firearms examiner who agreed with his conclusions.

Assistant District Attorney Joshua Reiss said Anderson's trial testimony was correct, truthful, and reflected what he actually observed during his ballistics examination. Raymond Klien, another examiner, confirmed the accuracy of Anderson's findings.

"The record considered by the (judge) during the...hearing is inconclusive, muddy, disputed and ambiguous and does not support a finding that Anderson's testimony was 'false,' " Reiss said in court filings.

He noted that "false testimony" is different from perjury, which triggers different standards.

Experts found the judge's ruling perplexing because disagreements among experts are common but seldom lead to retrials.

"This happens all the time," said Geoffrey Corn, a professor at the South Texas College of Law Houston. He said experts often disagree about whether a particular bullet can be traced to a specific gun. "It doesn't mean they're lying, it just means they reached a different expert opinion."

Reiss, the prosecutor, also argued that the issue was not significant because the jury was able to consider a plethora of evidence that emerged during Brown's trial more than 20 years ago.

In 1992, Brown and two other men were working together to move cocaine from Houston to Alabama. The smugglers decided to cut out the middlemen and were all later convicted of fatally shooting four people, including a pregnant woman, and wounding two others on June 20, 1992.

Brown, with Marion Dudley and Tony Dunson, arranged to buy 3 kilograms of cocaine from Rachel Tovar and her estranged husband, Jose Tovar, according to court records.

When the three went to Tovar's home in the 4600 block of Brownstone for the deal, they tied up the couple and four other people - friends and neighbors who were in the house coincidentally. All six were shot in the head. Four people were killed: Tovar's husband; 19-year-old Jessica Quinones, who was seven months pregnant; Audrey Brown, 21; and 17-year-old Frank Farias. Rachel Tovar survived along with family friend Nicholas Cortez; they told police there were two shooters.

Cortez identified Dudley as the man who shot him and Jose Tovar with a .357-caliber Magnum handgun, according to court records. He was sentenced to death and has been executed. Dunson was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Prosecutors said Brown used the .38-caliber revolver to shoot Farias, Audrey Brown, who was no relation to Arthur Brown, and Quinones.

After a three-month trial in 1993, Brown was sentenced to death. Afterward, his trial lawyer said the most damning piece of evidence was Brown's sister admitting he told her he had shot six people.

The sister also told police she was missing a pistol, which was the same brand as the .38 caliber revolver prosecutors said Brown used. Brown's sister did not know the serial number of her lost gun, so it could not be established if that gun, a snub-nosed revolver made by Charter Arms and later found next to a homicide victim in Alabama, was originally hers. Prosecutors said it was likely.

In the most recent appeal, prosecutors argue that jurors were able to consider that confession, that he told his sister he had to go away and was tired of the killings.

The original jury also listened to testimony that he hurriedly fled Houston in the immediate aftermath and gave his sisters $1,000 to drive his van across state lines in the middle of the night carrying narcotics.

Prosecutors also noted that he was identified as being at the home where the capital murders were committed while holding a gun, that an eyewitness identified him as the man who cut up bedsheets to bind the victims, and that hours after the shooting one of his sisters saw him in a room where stacks of money were being counted.

Defense pleadings poke holes in all of those assertions, most notably claiming Brown's sister was interrogated for 10 hours and intimidated by police into giving false answers. Brown's defense attorneys also say there is evidence the eyewitness testimony was coerced.
In February, Houston lawyer John Mastriani went to see an ophthalmologist after noticing a problem with his vision. The physician told Mastriani he'd suffered a detached retina and needed surgery as soon as possible.

Dr. Keith Bourgeois could do the operation, he said, but a company representative from Mastriani's new Aetna insurance plan initially said the doctor wasn't covered, even though his name was listed as in-network. Then, hours later, a different rep said he was.

The next morning, as Bourgeois prepared for surgery, he heard again from Aetna: Now they were saying he, in fact, wasn't covered. By then it was too late; Bourgeois needed to operate right away to save Mastriani's vision.

Within a few weeks, the bill came: Mastriani owed more than $5,000.

"This is how bad it is," Bourgeois said. "It's become so complicated, the insurance companies don't even know their own coverage. That happens to us about once a week."

It's not just happening at his office. According to a recent report by the Texas Medical Association, which represents physicians, more and more patients are getting slapped with surprise medical bills each year in Texas and across the country. The group blames ever-growing deductibles and the rapid narrowing of insurance networks - the practice of covering only select doctors at certain hospitals - for the surge in billing surprises.

Worse in emergency rooms

In a recent survey of Texas physicians, 61 percent said they had found their name listed as in-network on insurance plans that no longer covered them; 56 percent said they found instances where they were not listed in a plan but should have been, according to the report.

"So even when patients do their due diligence, there's still a chance that I'm not in that network anymore," said Bourgeois, a Texas Medical Association board member.

The problem is especially pronounced at emergency rooms, according to research published last month in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study found that, nationally, one out of every five patients who went to a hospital covered by their plan received at least one bill from a doctor who wasn't covered. On average, those patients had to shell out an extra $900; some paid thousands more.

There are no federal protections against such practices, the researchers wrote, and state regulators don't do enough. The national study singled out McAllen, the Texas border town, as the worst in the country.

There, an astonishing 9 out of 10 emergency room visits resulted in surprise medical bills for patients who thought they were covered.

People assume that if a hospital is covered by their plan, the same will be true of any doctors they see there. But take Humana Health Plan of Texas for example: In about half of the Texas hospitals covered by the plan, the insurer has no contracts with emergency department physicians, the medical association report found. At those emergency facilities, Humana card holders are guaranteed to pay extra.

Market failures

Jamie Dudensing, CEO of the Texas Association of Health Plans, acknowledged that surprise billing - known in the industry as "balance billing" - is a growing problem. But she said Mastriani's case is an outlier: The vast majority of surprise bills are the result of emergency room visits and are not the fault of insurance companies, but rather a market failure that must be addressed by lawmakers.

In short, Dudensing said, there's no incentive for physicians to negotiate to ensure they're covered by the same plans that cover emergency rooms where they practice. In Texas, providers actually are paid more if they're out of network, she said.

"I truly believe this is not helping anyone for us to go around blaming each other," she said. "I believe that most doctors are working very hard and doing the right thing and want to be in-network. Instead of going around blaming people, I'd rather have protections to ensure those outlying situations don't happen to a consumer."

'Amazing, incredible nightmare'

Texas lawmakers have attempted to address the issue in recent years, drawing muted praise from consumer advocates who say much more is needed. Texas is the only state to actively collect data on surprise medical bills, and since 2009, patients in some instances have been allowed to petition the Texas Department of Insurance for help fighting unexpected medical bills. Through the first 10 months of this year, the agency has helped 1,363 patients, nearly 500 more than were helped two years ago, according to an agency spokesman.

The Texas Medical Association is calling on lawmakers in 2017 to increase state oversight and make it even easier for patients to seek mediation after a surprise bill. Dudensing, the Texas insurance industry representative, said she supports giving consumers more protections in addition to other reforms to ensure emergency rooms and physicians are covered by the same plans.

It will have been too late for Mastriani. Ten months later, he's still fighting Aetna to pay up.

It helps that he's a consumer protection lawyer. A few weeks ago, he sent the company a letter giving it 60 days to pay his bill before he sues under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

An Aetna spokeswoman said the company is reviewing Mastriani's appeal and couldn't comment further on the matter.

"As a lawyer, I see stuff like this all the time," Mastriani said. "This is the amazing, incredible nightmare."
A code associated with the Russian hacking operation dubbed Grizzly Steppe by President Barack Obama's administration has been detected within the system of a Vermont utility, according to U.S. officials.

While the Russians did not actively use the code to disrupt operations of the utility, according to officials who asked for anonymity, the penetration of the nation's electrical grid is significant because it represents a potentially serious vulnerability.
Two elite Iraqi units linked up in Mosul on Saturday and will form a joint front to advance westward against the Islamic State (IS) militants, officers said.

The Rapid Response Division reached the northern edge of Al-Intisar neighbourhood, while the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) advanced to the southern side of the adjoining Al-Quds area.

The two neighbourhoods are located on the eastern side of Mosul, where security forces have retaken multiple areas from IS, but the city's west is still completely in Islamist militant hands.

"God willing, Al-Intisar neighbourhood is completely liberated," Brigadier General Mahdi Abbas Abdullah, the commander of the Rapid Response Division's 2nd Brigade, told AFP.

"We will become one front" and will advance "towards the river," he said, referring to the Tigris, which divides Mosul in two.

Lieutenant Colonel Athir al-Basri of Rapid Response also confirmed its forces and those from CTS had reached the same main street that divides Al-Intisar and Al-Quds.

Iraqi forces launched the massive operation to retake Mosul on October 17, eventually pushing into the city from the east.

On Wednesday, Iraqi forces announced the "second phase" of the battle for the eastern side of the city, marking the start of a new round of intensive fighting after progress had previously slowed to a crawl.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had pledged Mosul would be retaken by year's end.

Earlier in the week, Abadi said the country would need three months to eliminate IS -- still an ambitious timeline given that it would mean retaking Mosul, clearing the Islamist militants out of western territory they hold, and eliminating sleeper cells in government-controlled areas.

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MOSUL, Iraq - The 19-year-old resident of Mosul pulled up his shirt and showed a festering wound on his back. It came, he said, from Iraqi troops who detained him for three days and beat him, trying to get him to confess to belong to the Islamic State group.

His story and similar stories by others only deepen worries among many of Mosul's mainly Sunni residents over what happens when the extremist group is defeated and Baghdad's Shiite-led government resumes control.

Mosul's Sunnis long complained that the Shiite-dominated security forces treated them with suspicion and targeted them in indiscriminate crackdowns. They say the government intentionally neglects them, focusing on Shiite areas, leaving Iraq's second largest city economically stagnant.

Mohammed Ayad said he was detained by troops this month when he sneaked from his neighborhood, which is under ISIS control, across the Tigris River into a district recaptured by the military.

"They arrested me while sleeping at friend's house," he said. "They suspected me when I showed them my ID that says I live on the other side," Ayad said.

His interrogators beat him, asking him repeatedly when he joined ISIS. After they released him, he went to a camp of displaced people south of Mosul.

Several other Mosul residents at the camp said Federal Police, a Shiite-dominated force, barred them from returning to their homes in recaptured areas. A group of Sunnis who fled the recently freed town of Tal Abta, west of Mosul, said they too were barred from returning.

There have been no reports of major or systematic abuse of Mosul residents by the security forces, but there is a recognition that Baghdad needs to reach out to Sunnis.

"I really cannot blame them for being apprehensive about the return of government rule," said a top military commander in Mosul.

"It is their right to feel that way. Before Daesh, there was too much corruption, and the security forces did nothing to help people," he said, using an Arabic acronym for ISIS.

Shiite Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has been sending reconciliatory messages to Iraq's minority Sunnis, speaking of a country reunited by the fight against ISIS. "Societal reconciliation is the appropriate answer to Daesh," he said recently.

The military in Mosul has reached out to residents with goodwill gestures, including distributing food and water and treating wounded residents in field hospitals.

But there also is mutual suspicion and apprehension. Faced with consistent ISIS bombing and shootings in recaptured areas, the military fears sympathizers and sleeper cells among the population.

"All a Daesh member has to do is take off his clothes and shave his beard and he becomes a regular citizen" the military commander in Mosul said. "That's why we cannot drop our guard."
WASHINGTON  Former Texas U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla of San Antonio emerged Friday as a surprise contender to be President-elect Donald Trump's Agriculture Secretary, making him the fourth Texan to be considered for the job.

Bonilla, a Republican who oversaw congressional spending on farm programs more than a decade ago, emerged from a meeting with Trump saying they had discussed the agriculture job and that the meeting "went very well."

Bonilla, who has worked as a lobbyist since his days in Congress, will likely raise questions about Trump's vow to bring an outsider's perspective to Washington. But Bonilla said he and Trump discussed new ways of doing things in Washington.

"I believe he's looking for somebody who is going to bring new ideas to the government," Bonilla said in a phone interview after the meeting. Asked whether his lobbying practice would be a count against him, Bonilla said, "It's up to him (Trump)."

Talking to the press pool on Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, Bonilla said, "There were general questions about the agency, general discussion about regulations that farmers want fixed."

He specifically mentioned an Environmental Protection Agency water protection rule that is unpopular with farmers.

Bonilla's meeting took place immediately after Trump interviewed another Texas contender, former state agriculture commissioner and comptroller Susan Combs. Combs did not speak to reporters after her meeting. She left the compound briskly with a staffer.

Also seen leaving the compound was current Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, who also has sought the agriculture job. Miller, however, did not meet with Trump. Instead, he talked to Trump chief of staff Reince Priebus and senior advisor Stephen Bannon. He told reporters afterwards that it was a "very good" meeting.

The meetings come two days after Trump met with former Texas A&M president Elsa Murano, who the Trump team has identified as a candidate for Agriculture Secretary.

Bonilla, 62, a congressman from San Antonio between 1993 and 2007, has not entered into public cabinet discussions until now, though Trump has been under pressure to include a Hispanic to a top White House post.

He was the first Hispanic Republican elected to Congress from Texas. But Bonilla said it was only "speculation" that Trump is looking to add a Latino into his cabinet. "I've always wanted to be judged on the product, and that's what I hope they'll do," he said.

Bonilla was nominated in 2007 by then President George W. Bush to be the permanent U.S. representative to the Organization of American States, with the rank of ambassador. He requested his name be withdrawn after two months when the Senate took no action. Instead, he joined The Normandy Group, a Washington lobbying firm.

His surprise meeting with Trump Friday fueled speculation that he could be under consideration as U.S. trade representative or ambassador to Mexico, both potentially key posts as the Trump administration negotiates trade deals with its southern neighbor.

Austin GOP strategist Matt Mackowiak, a former congressional aide, said Bonilla is well regarded on Capitol Hill. Among Hispanics Republicans who could serve in a Trump administration, Mackowiak said, "his name would have to be at the top of the list."

Bonilla made clear after his meeting with Trump that the top agriculture job was on the agenda. It remains one of three cabinet jobs that remain open. He said he and Trump bonded over the Texan's years as a television news producer for WABC-TV, the flagship station of the ABC network in New York. "It's always good to be able to talk about people we both knew," Bonilla said in an interview.

He said he also emphasized his work in Congress, where he chaired the agriculture subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. The panel oversees agriculture, food safety and nutrition programs.
"Secure the border."

We've all heard that political slogan, over and over again. It became one of the most repeated phrases in our most recent statewide elections, not to mention the presidential election, popping up in stump speeches and campaign commercials for politicians promising to crack down on illegal immigration across the Texas-Mexico border.

This month, our state lawmakers will head to Austin for the next session of the Texas Legislature. As always, they must strike a balance between what they believe the state government needs and what it can afford. One of the line items bound to generate arguments among our legislators is the Department of Public of Safety's request for another dramatic hike in its budget for border security.

The DPS, which already runs the nation's biggest state-funded border security program, wants to boost the budget for those efforts by nearly $300 million over the course of two years. Among other things, the additional funds would: hire 250 more state troopers ($97 million); install 5,000 more cameras along the Rio Grande ($28 million); replace 1,240 high-mileage vehicles ($66 million); buy two replacement helicopters and four replacement airplanes ($39 million); and upgrade cybersecurity and counterterrorism efforts ($11 million).

This shopping list would add about $292 million dollars to the DPS base budget request of roughly $750 million. If you've lost count of all those taxpayer dollars, that would boost the cost of this state-sponsored militarization of our border to more than $1 billion. That's about what Texas now spends on all of its psychiatric hospitals.

That $1 billion would send more law enforcement resources to a part of the state where even some local authorities complain it's becoming a waste of money, where drivers say they've seen DPS cars parked a mile apart on highways, where a small-town newspaper editor says he's seen troopers sitting in their cars just a block away from each other. Seldom do you hear people in any community say they really don't need any more cops on their streets, but that's exactly what we're hearing from South Texans witnessing the overkill deployment of DPS troopers on the border.

Oh, and by the way, those troopers don't have the authority to enforce federal immigration laws.

At the same time, deploying all those troopers down by the Rio Grande is diverting resources from other parts of the state. The head of the DPS admitted during a legislative hearing last summer that other areas of Texas are inadequately protected because so much manpower has been directed toward the border.

None of those politicians who promised to "secure the border" has ever defined what that means or what level of illegal immigration would be acceptable. (Let's face it, some people manage to slip across the borders of North Korea, proving you can't completely eliminate illegal border crossings.) There's no quantifiable goal for this effort, no finish line for this border security drive. So the DPS will keep asking for more money and sending more resources to the border as long as state lawmakers keep signing the checks.

When our legislators convene later this month, they'll once again have to come to a consensus about what really matters in our state, whether to spend more or less on hard-working students, crowded highways, a broken CPS system and a host of other budget priorities. They need to take a hard look at this whopping budget hike requested by the DPS and finally admit they're already spending plenty of our tax dollars saturating the Rio Grande Valley with state troopers.

"Secure the border" was an effective political slogan, but until funds are spent on a measurable, attainable goal, each dollar for border security will be little more than a taxpayer-funded campaign ad.
If James Comey, the FBI director, hadn't tipped the scales in the campaign's final days with that grotesquely misleading letter, right now an incoming Clinton administration would be celebrating some very good news. Because health reform, President Barack Obama's signature achievement, is stabilizing after a bumpy year.

This means that the huge gains achieved so far - tens of millions of newly insured Americans and dramatic reductions in the number of people skipping treatment or facing financial hardship because of cost - look as if they're here to stay.

Or they would be here to stay if the man who squeaked into power thanks to Comey and Vladimir Putin wasn't determined to betray his supporters, and snatch away the health care they need.

To appreciate the good news about Obamacare, you need to understand where the earlier bad news came from. Premiums on the exchanges, the insurance marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act, did indeed rise sharply this year, because insurers were losing money. But this wasn't because of a surge in overall medical costs, which have risen much more slowly since the act was passed than they did before. It reflected, instead, the mix of people signing up - fewer healthy, low-cost people than expected, more people with chronic health issues.

The question was whether this was a one-time adjustment or the start of a "death spiral," in which higher premiums would drive healthy Americans out of the market, further worsening the mix, leading to even higher premiums, and so on.

And the answer is that it looks like a one-shot affair. Despite higher premiums, enrollments in the exchanges are running ahead of their levels a year ago; no death spiral here. Meanwhile, analysts are reporting substantial financial improvement for insurers: The premium hikes are doing the job, ending their losses.

In other words, Obamacare hit a bump in the road, but appears to be back on track.

But will it be killed anyway?

In a way, Democrats should hope that Republicans follow through on their promises to repeal health reform. After all, they don't have a replacement, and never will. They've spent seven years promising something very different from yet better than Obamacare, but keep failing to deliver, because they can't; the logic of broad coverage, especially for those with pre-existing conditions, requires either an Obamacare-like system or single-payer, which Republicans like even less. That won't change.

As a result, repeal would have devastating effects, with people who voted Trump among the biggest losers. Independent estimates suggest that Republican plans would cause 30 million Americans to lose coverage, with about half the losers coming from the Trump-supporting white working class. At least some of those Trump supporters would probably conclude that they were the victims of a political scam - which they were.

Republican congressional leaders like Paul Ryan nonetheless seem eager to push ahead with repeal. In fact, they seem to be in a great rush, probably because they're afraid that if they don't unravel health reform in the very first weeks of the Trump era, rank-and-file members of Congress will start hearing from constituents who really, really don't want to lose their insurance.

Why do the Republicans hate health reform? Some of the answer is that Obamacare was paid for in part with taxes on the wealthy, who will reap a huge windfall if it's repealed, even as many middle-income families face tax hikes.

More broadly, Obamacare must die precisely because it's working, showing that government action really can improve people's lives - a truth they don't want anyone to know.

How will Republicans try to contain the political fallout if they go ahead with repeal, and tens of millions lose access to health care? No doubt they'll try to distract the public - and the all-too-compliant news media - with shiny objects of various kinds.

But surely a central aspect of their damage control will be an attempt to push a false narrative about Obamacare's past. Health reform, they'll claim, was always a failure, and it was already collapsing on the eve of the GOP takeover. When the number of uninsured Americans skyrockets on their watch, they'll claim that it's not their fault - like everything, it's the fault of liberal elites.

So let's refute that narrative in advance. Obamacare has, in fact, been a big success - imperfect, yes, but it has greatly improved (and saved) many lives. And all indications are that this success is sustainable, that the teething problems of health reform weren't fatal and were well on their way to being solved at the end of 2016.

If, as seems all too likely, a health care debacle is imminent, blame must be placed where it belongs: on Donald Trump and the people who put him over the top.

Krugman is a New York Times columnist.
President-elect Donald Trump has promised to "make America great again," in part by pursuing policies to boost both our manufacturing and energy sectors. Fortunately, both of these industries are already on the mend.

It's true that current manufacturing employment in the U.S. - at 12.3 million - remains below its pre-recession level. What's more, since 1980 manufacturing has dropped from 20 percent of total employment to around 9 percent today. But the news isn't all grim. The number of open manufacturing jobs is at a 15-year high, industrial output is up 20 percent since 2010, and manufacturing's share of gross domestic product (GDP) is only slightly below pre-recession levels.

Several factors help explain this rebound. Labor costs have been rising rapidly in Mexico, China and other export-oriented economies, thereby making U.S. products more competitive. American companies have also recorded stronger productivity gains than their competitors abroad.

But the most important contributor to America's industrial renaissance has been cheap and abundant energy, thanks to the "fracking boom" that started nearly a decade ago and has boosted domestic oil and natural gas output by more than 70 percent. Consequently, the average cost to manufacture goods in the United States is only marginally higher than in China and 10 percent lower than in most European economies.

The revival of our automobile industry is perhaps the most visible beneficiary of cheap diesel and gasoline prices. 2014 and 2015 saw record light vehicle sales, and 2016 will be only slightly lower. Detroit alone has added 90,000 manufacturing jobs since 2009, more than a 30 percent gain.

Energy-intensive manufacturing industries have also benefited from cheap shale gas that is used both for power generation and as a feedstock. For example, a recent study by the London School of Economics found that overall manufacturing costs for chemicals and primary metals in the U.S. have dropped dramatically thanks to cheap energy inputs, giving both of these industries a significant cost advantage over their international competitors. They further concluded that average manufacturing exports have expanded by roughly 10 percent due to the shale gas boom.

Cheap oil and gas is attracting both domestic and foreign investment into the refining and petrochemical industries, as evidenced by more than $30 billion of new and ongoing projects along the Houston Ship Channel. At the same time, increased use of clean natural gas for power generation is largely responsible for lowering greenhouse gas emissions to the lowest level in 20 years.

The fracking boom has also helped revive many areas of the Rust Belt that had been losing jobs for decades. Pittsburgh is now the administrative and logistical center for the Marcellus and Utica shale plays that now produce more natural gas than the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford in Texas. Steel mills in West Virginia and Ohio have come back to life manufacturing drill pipe and other fracking hardware.

But despite these success stories, America's overall factory capacity utilization rate is only 75 percent, suggesting there's room for more workers if demand increases.

For the past eight years, we've had an administration focused on redistribution rather than growth. The best way to assure that America's manufacturing and energy rebound continues will be for President-elect Trump to pursue pro-growth policies that will induce new investment and boost aggregate demand. This also means recognizing that increasing exports of manufactured goods and energy commodities is a critical component of a pro-growth agenda.

Weinstein is associate director of the Maguire Energy Institute and an adjunct professor of business economics in the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University.
A Cabool woman faces a DWI charge after she was moderately injured Friday afternoon in a crash south of her hometown, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.

Tpr. Stacy Crewse said a southbound 1994 Ford Explorer driven by Starr A. Nelson, 33, ran off the right side of Highway 181 about four miles south of Cabool and struck a tree.

Nelson, who not wearing a seat belt, was taken by ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital. The vehicle was totaled. Nelson also faces charges of careless and imprudent driving and wearing no seat belt.

Assisting at the scene was Cpl. Curtis Haden.
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A little ice couldn't stop rescue workers in Michigan from saving a dog stuck in a frozen lake on Wednesday.

The job had its risks, but White Lake Fire Authority Chief Gregory Holman said it was worth it.

When looking at an ice rescue situation involving animals  if its a deer, were probably not going to endanger our staff and put them on the ice, Holman told WZZM News. For a family pet like a dog well do our best to rescue them.

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Firefighters used a safety rope to rescue the dog, who fell inside Lake Michigan about 90 metres from the shore, according to a Facebook post by the fire authority.

The exhausted and drenched dog was carried to shore and then treated at an animal control centre.

All ended well  the dog is now back with its family.

Watch the video above to see how it all happened.

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A pilot who allegedly passed out drunk in a plane cockpit at the Calgary airport faces two criminal charges.

The male pilot for Sunwing Airlines was found "severely impaired by alcohol" early Saturday morning, Calgary police said in a press release.

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The plane's crew noticed that he was acting oddly before he lost consciousness. Police allege the co-pilot found the captain passed out in the cockpit.

"They found him slumped over in the seat. He was the captain," Sgt. Paul Stacey told a news conference.

At the time of the incident, 99 passengers and five other flight crew were already on board.

The 737 800 Series aircraft was scheduled to fly to Regina and Winnipeg, with a final destination of Cancun, Mexico.

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"We are very appreciative of our crews diligence in handling this very unfortunate matter in accordance with procedures," Sunwing said in a statement. The flight was en route to Cancun with a new captain after a "minimal delay," added the company.

"We are very apologetic for any upset that this has caused and would like to assure our customers that safety remains our utmost priority."

"It had all the potential for a disaster."  Sgt. Paul Stacey

Miroslav Gronych, 37, of Slovakia has been charged with one count of having control of a plane while impaired, and one count of having control of a plane with a blood alcohol level above .08.

Stacey said police allege the suspect had three times the legal amount of alcohol in his system.

"It had all the potential for a disaster but I'll tell you this much  the likelihood of a pilot on a major airline like this actually being able to take off when they're impaired like that is pretty slim, because there's a lot of checks and balances. There's the other flight crew and there's gate crew and they're all about safety," Stacey said.

Transport Canada investigating

Transport Canada spokesman Dan Dugas said in an email that it is a criminal offence in Canada for a flight crew to work within eight hours of consuming alcohol or while under the influence.

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Dugas said Transport Canada is reviewing the pilot's records and Sunwing Airlines' procedures and protocols.

"As more information becomes available, the department will not hesitate to take enforcement action, including issuing fines and revoking licenses if appropriate. The airline is responsible for taking any disciplinary action against the pilots," the email said.

With files from The Canadian Press

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2016 been a funny old year, hasn't it? From Brexit to Trump, and a fair few celebrity deaths in between, we've seen our political and cultural landscape rapidly change around us, provoking feelings of uncertainty and fear.

When the Equal Marriage Act was passed in 2013, allowing marriages between same-sex couples to be considered equal to "straight" marriage, we finally felt that our Parliament had acknowledged that LGBT rights should be enshrined within British Law, placing our community on an equal footing with all members of our society.

Of course, simply creating laws does not change the attitudes of people on the streets. Following the divisive Brexit campaigns and the vote to Leave, we saw an 147% increase in LGBT hate crime, as well as an increase racist attacks too. After America voted in Donald Trump after a particularly aggressive and divisive campaign which targeted many minority groups (the disabled, Latin people, black people, women, gay people, immigrants, humans without 'Trump' as a surname) the US also saw an increase in hate crime, including homophobic attacks as well as attacks on ethnic minority groups.

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2016 also saw the horrors of the Orlando Nightclub Massacre, an attack by an Islamic State inspired terrorist who specifically targeted the LGBT community. This attack and other hate crimes serve to remind us that whilst laws may have been passed to protect us, in reality our rights and personal safety as a minority community are in a constant state of flux. As 2017 will bring the full effects of a Trump Presidency and Brexit, as well as the possibly of a Far-Right Presidency in France, I worry that feelings of fear and division could lead to further attacks on the LGBT community rights as well as other minority groups.

History had taught us that it's minority groups that are often made scapegoats and targeted at times of political and economic uncertainty. This means that as the year progresses we must continue to call out crimes and injustices against all minority groups, standing united alongside our friends and allies in defending equal rights for all.

For me, I feel particularly strongly that we allow our straight friends and allies to stand with us. No one is too "privileged" to stand up for another person's rights; in my mind a friend is a friend and I'm thankful and honoured for their love and support (even more so when it's in the form of posing for calendars).

It also goes without saying that it is incredibly important to engage with the political system too, whether that's voting in local elections and by-elections in 2017, attending peaceful protests such as Pride marches and signing petitions, we must use the platforms our political system has to ensure that minority voices are heard and represented.

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We don't yet know what further political and cultural changes are to come in 2017, though it's a personal resolution of mine to become more involved in politics away from social media and the internet and to take actions in a way which has a positive effect on LGBT rights and rights for all minority groups.
I know the shock of Brexit and the U.S presidential election debacle (Brexit was a bigger shock to me than the latter) left many of us thinking; WHY?! But nonetheless I still think, overall, 2016 was a pretty good year both for me as an individual, and globally we made some great gains, let's not just write-off this entire year.

Personally, I grew in my knowledge of the world, gained a different perspective on different issues and embarked on a new role at work that was both challenging, exciting, and gave me a wealth of experience in Project Management and Communications that I would not have gained anywhere else.

More importantly, on the 27th October 2016 the UN adopted a resolution to outlaw nuclear weapons. To me this is one of the most monumental resolutions of our day. The negotiations for this will begin in 2017; this means the path is set for change.

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The millennium saw countries like Norway, Mexico and Austria all call for a ban on nuclear weapons which no doubt paved the way for this year's monumental resolution.

I know you are probably thinking that the election of many right-wing leaders in the world, least of all the U.S., may set the tide in the opposite direction. But I'm encouraged that the new U.S. President, seems flexible (for lack of a better word) when it comes to shifting positions. If there is anyone who has the ability to change opinions on serious policy positions it's the current administration and that makes me hopeful (and it should do to you too!).

Achieving a ban on nuclear weapon is not as hard as it sounds, as I've outlaid before; making nuclear weapons illegal would be the best start to this. This would make it illegal for any country to attain nuclear weapons by the buying, selling or transfer of them, with economic sanctions (or a harshening of sanctions) if a country goes against this.

This would freeze the number of countries gaining nuclear weapons, even if temporarily.

Next, countries with substantial nuclear weapons arsenals like the UK would need to take the lead. Regaining leadership in this area would mean the UK starting to be more vocal in condemning the testing and developing of nuclear weapons and putting forward plans for each country to dismantle their arsenals. This destruction of nuclear weapons' stockpiles would create an industry in itself and increase the number of jobs.

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In a year of turmoil, renaissance man Chancellor Bennett has been the perfect remedy.

If any part of Kylie Jenner's Kardashian Kurse that 2016 would be full of "realizing stuff" was true, it is the realisation that music has been a remedy to an otherwise terrible year. This was a year where Beyonce slayed, Kano gave us a seminal ode to East London, Frank Ocean released a stunning sophomore album, and Skepta won Grime's first Mercury Prize. We had Stones and Bowie albums, spectacular work from Kaytranada and Blood Orange. Craig David came back. The 1975 released music that wasn't terrible. While 2016 has been unanimously voted as a write-off, the volume of great music output has been astounding. However, sitting above everybody else is one man: Chance The Rapper.

Since announcing himself with his 2012 mixtape "10 Day", the 'new-school' Chicago rapper's stock has been steadily growing. However, it is in the last twelve months that Chancelor Bennett has gone from NOISEY-approved internet rapper to having the music industry in the palm of his hand. If Chance's mentor, Kanye West, had hinted at Bennett's influence on his creative process in the build-up to February's "The Life Of Pablo", the 'gospelness' on songs like "Waves" confirmed it. It was the opening track, "Ultralight Beam", however, which stood out. Having idolised fellow Chicagoan West since his youth, the unadulterated joy at finally sharing a track with him burst through, and the fact that critics cited Bennett's inclusion as the highlight of an album that didn't even belong to him gave a taste of his dominance in 2016.

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Perhaps Bennett had been taking lessons from Kylie, the same song referencing the Grammy's rules that only for-sale music be eligible. Three months later, "Coloring Book" was released for free, the Grammys changed their rules, and seven nominations for Bennett swiftly followed.

This characteristically democratic release set Bennett apart from others such as Beyonce, whose "Lemonade" was a Tidal exclusive and is still non-streamable on iTunes, and subsequently changed the music industry forever.

The mixtape itself dazzled, debuting at number eight on the Billboard 200. The gospel teased in T.L.O.P coursed through "Coloring Book", Bennett's irrepressibly joyful vocals meandering through various choirs, organs and trumpets. Rather than shying away from features as Frank Ocean elected to with "Blonde", Bennett's production saw excellent guest vocals from the likes of Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne and West himself scattered tastefully throughout the mixtape. It was for all occasions; "Summer Friends" a soundtrack to dozy July evenings, "Angels" and "All Night" ready-made club bangers. Its amalgamation of genre allowed it to be a mainstream monster and a critic's darling, something which artists such as Bon Iver and Solange Knowles comparatively struggled with. This was also a work of unashamed faith, religion giving the wild eyed "Acid Rapper" a tangible sense of lyrical maturity, with fuzzily pleasant lines like "I speak of promised lands, soil as soft as momma's hands...endless fields of daffodils and chamomile" reminiscent of some 21st century 'Paradise Lost.'

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This maturity transcended the music. In a year where the conversation about mental health is finally being had on a large scale, Bennett's support for Kanye West showed an acute sensitivity, contrasting Drake's disappointing dig at Kid Cudi's similar sufferance. With police brutality at the forefront of debate, Bennett met with Barack Obama to discuss the 'My Brother's Keeper Challenge' and help achieve racial justice for America's young. More locally, he lent his support to the Chicago Library's YOUmedia centre, a safe space for kids to hone their creativity. He campaigned against the city's gun-crime epidemic. On the eve of the Presidential Election, he led thousands of voters to the polls for early voting, made even more poignant by former Chicago golden-boy West's pro-Trump stance. Clearly, Bennett's claim that "I got my city doing front flips!" rings true, in a musical, social and political sense.
2016 was a monumental year. It gave us some unforgettable memories: the Queen turned 90; Pope Francis met with the Eastern Orthodox Church leader for the first time after 1,000 years, the Coalition forces recaptured some of the territories occupied by ISIS, NASA placed a spacecraft into Jupiter's orbit, 300 African communities pledged to end FGM, Pokemon Go excitement swept the nation, Leonardo DiCaprio finally won an Oscar, underdogs Leicester City won the Premier League title, London elected its first Muslim mayor and Team GB provided stunning performance in Olympic Games and Paralympics.

But it was a year defined by political turmoil, challenging the status quo and near-global discord. It was also a year when bigotry and prejudice won over economic policies and diplomacy; exaggerated fear of immigration threw away the biblical concept of 'welcoming strangers', the establishment was defeated by outsiders with no solid policies. Most shocking of all was the brutal murder of Jo Cox MP - a wonderful humanitarian who had championed the cause of the vulnerable and disenfranchised.

In 2016, the terrorist attacks also continued to cause bloodshed and chaos around the globe. Precious lives were snatched away from us in Batley, Istanbul, Brussels, Nice, Orlando, Quetta and many countries around the world.

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The year 2016 challenged the values that underpin our society: freedom, tolerance, and respect for fundamental rights. The economic insecurity, striking inequalities and the open expression of hatred towards ethnic minorities in various political campaigns reinforced deep divisions in society and gave rise to isolation and extremism.

The outlook for the new year is shrouded with political and economic uncertainty. The potential implications of British government triggering Article 50 to start the Brexit negotiations, Donald Trump taking the Presidential office, Obama expelling Russian diplomats, Putin flexing nuclear muscles and the UN passing a resolution to end Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories are yet to be unfolded. However, what is clear is that those who hated 2016, are likely to loathe 2017.

The fact is that the "political revolutions" of 2016 have changed the world that we now live in. The populist voices are causing huge shift in the political landscape of the UK, Europe and the US. Nigel Farage has already set the tone for 2017. At a celebratory party, he gave a speech saying "For those that are here that aren't particularly happy with what's happened in 2016, I've got some really bad news for you - it's going to get a bloody sight worse next year."

2016 will also be remembered as a year of intolerance. The anti-immigrant, anti-ethnic and anti-Muslim rhetoric and politics of hatred and division used during the EU referendum and US Presidential election have given legitimacy and a new-found voice to racist and bigoted narratives across the world. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's religious Thought for the Day slot, Princes Charles warned against the rise of many populist groups across the world that are increasingly aggressive to those who adhere to a minority faith or are fleeing persecution. "All of this has deeply disturbing echoes of the dark days of the 1930s".

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The refugee crisis increased tensions between communities. But the refugee crisis or the terrorist threat can't be solved by scapegoating Muslims or building walls. Terrorism is a global phenomenon, resulting in a gigantic bill for all governments and it is constantly evolving. The world must analyse what allows violent extremism to flourish. It's not enough to deal with the symptoms but we need to look at the root causes. Muslims have suffered more as a result of growing terrorism than any other group. One third of the victims in Nice were Muslims. One of our priorities in 2017 must be to tackle radicalisation by the far right extremist ideology. In a multi-belief pluralistic Britain, people should not be allowed to get away with anti-ethnic, anti-Muslim and anti-semitic rhetoric or attacks.

As Muslims living in the West demand equality and respect, the Muslim World must also offer the same to faith minorities living in those countries. The Marrakesh Declaration of 2016 provides an exemplary foundation for peaceful co-existence between diverse communities. I hope that the principles of the declaration are soon implemented by Muslims.

The Muslim World also needs to wake up in 2017 and robustly tackle its challenges. The Muslim World is mired in a state of perpetual conflict. The Syrian war, the Saudi-Yemen conflict, the genocide of Rohigya Muslims, the recent scrimmages in Kashmir, the ongoing conflict in Palestine, the instability in Iraq and Afghanistan, injustices in many Muslim states have all stagnated Muslim states. The ummah, the worldwide community of Muslims, also has a collective responsibility to suppress the ongoing brutality of ISIS, Boko Haram and their affiliates. The Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies offers a glimpse of hope. The Forum has emerged as one of the leading global Muslim responses to end the rise of extremism in the Muslim world.
Unfortunately, this breakdown involves more than broken and embarrassing legislation. Infrastructure and basic governmental services are suffering in puzzling ways as well. For example, both Pat McCrory and the unlawfullly-gerrymandered legislature have collectively refused to terminate a baffling fifty-year toll contract with a European company for toll lanes on I-77 despite much voter uproar (although termination did receive a hearing in the State House of Representatives only to die a mysterious death in the Senate). Under the terms of that baffling contract, the State is handing over to the European company for fifty years a number of HOV lanes that the state has already built and paid for. The European company is building--with financial assistance from North Carolina and a federally-backed loan--additional lanes that can only bear non-truck traffic. The European company will then be able to charge variable so-called "market-rate" tolls on "its" lanes for fifty years. Those varying tolls will somehow be determined based on current traffic. Drivers thus won't know from time to time just how much those tolls will be. Additionally, North Carolina has guaranteed minimum sums to the European company and has further agreed not to build competing lanes for the fifty-year period. Voters could and did fire un-gerrymandered McCrory in part because of this but many legislators were in safely-gerrymandered seats. North Carolina's government is obviously broken.

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Now for the good news. Because North Carolina has suffered so much bad publicity under Pat McCrory and the unlawfully-gerrymandered legislature, I want to give a shout out to North Carolina's Constitution. North Carolina's Constitution offers wise counsel in addition to various protections and safeguards to eliminate the mischief created by the Republican legislature. Article I, Section 35 of the North Carolina State Constitution in particular provides: "A frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty." As a part of the body of the Constitution itself, this language instructs and empowers us to protect "the blessings of liberty" by reaffirming the fundamental principles underlying our State Constitution. Because we have such a strong Constitution, I reject claims that North Carolina is no longer a democracy. The government is broken but our basic laws are not.

Here are textual highlights of some of these fundamental Constitutional principles, guarantees, and rights: Article I, Section 2 provides that all political power comes from "the people." An illegally-gerrymandered legislature on its face runs afoul of this rule and courts should not be bashful in providing appropriate remedies. Article I, Section 6 provides that "The legislative, executive, and supreme judicial powers of the State government shall be forever separate and distinct from each other." To the extent the legislature attempts to usurp such distinct executive power in any legislation, the courts should provide a remedy. By definition, such remedial power lies within the separate judicial power affirmed in Section 6. Article I, Section 18 provides in part that "all courts shall be open" and "right and justice shall be administered without favor, denial, or delay." Governor Cooper, legislators shut out by the majority or by others in their own majority party, and affected voters are all thus expressly entitled to meaningful judicial access. Article I, Section 19 provides in part that "No person shall be denied equal protection of the laws." There is no express exclusion of minority-party legislators here. Minority-party legislators should have equal rights to read, review, and debate bills rather than face bills dumped on the legislative floor to be passed in a day. In fact, shouldn't there be heightened equal-protection scrutiny here since the majority wields more power? The literal text and ancient history underlying Article II Section 22 of the State Constitution are consistent with such protections. That Section provides: "All bills and resolutions of a legislative nature shall be read three times in each house before they become laws, and shall be signed by the presiding officers of both houses." On its face, the phrase "three readings" is hard to reconcile with the practice of dumping legislation on the floor without sufficient time for reading, investigation, or debate by those who are seeing the legislation for the first time on the day of passage. History agrees with text. As John V. Orth notes in his book on the Constitution, this requirement of three readings "comes from English parliamentary procedure, anciently designed to prevent spur-of-the-moment legislation." ("Revenue bills have even further restrictions as I'll note below. I'll propose below that we correct our current Section 22 practices to conform with plain text and ancient purpose.) Finally, none of these principles works without the further principle that governors, legislators, officers of the court, and all others should speak the truth. Thus, Article I, Section 14 of the State Constitution affirms "freedom of speech and of the press" while wisely noting that "every person shall be held responsible for their abuse." Consistent with this, Rule 8.4 of the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct provides that it is "professional misconduct" for a lawyer to "engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation." The comments to Rule 8.4 go even further: "Lawyers holding public office assume legal responsibilities going beyond those of other citizens." North Carolina has high standards indeed.

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How do we enforce these high standards? As for rushed and poorly-thought-out legislation, perhaps we can begin a cure by changing the way we now read Article II, Section 22. Despite the plain meaning of "reading" and the ancient purpose noted above of preventing hasty legislation, "readings" under Section 22 are now treated as mere formal requirements generally satisfied by simply reading out bill numbers or titles. This devolution has allowed the "passage" in a day of HB2 as well as the hasty "passage" of other controversial legislation. Shouldn't we demand instead that "reading" reflect the common sense notion that all legislators and the public actually have a reasonable period to read, comprehend, and reasonably analyze a bill before it becomes law? Again, Article I, Section 19 would support such a reading. It provides in part that "No person shall be denied equal protection of the laws." There is no express exclusion of minority-party legislators here. Again, shouldn't minority-party legislators have equal rights to read, review, and debate bills rather than face bills dumped on the legislative floor to be passed in a day? Again, shouldn't there be heightened scrutiny here since the majority wields more power? And don't the people of the State have the right to have all legislators fully participate? As noted above, Article I, Section 2 provides that all political power comes from "the people." Preventing full participation by representatives of any of the people on its face runs afoul of this rule and courts should not be bashful in providing appropriate remedies. Had all Republican and Democratic legislators had equal time to read HB2 and thus see that it stripped racial minorities and women of their right to sue for employment discrimination, minority and female legislators who hastily thought they favored the bill might well have voted differently regardless of party affiliation. Why shouldn't HB2, Senate Bill 4, and House Bill 17 all fail under this better reading of Section 22 which is supported by both Article I, Section 19 and Article I, Section 2? (In asking these questions, I'm aware that Article II, Section 23 governing "revenue bills" has such additional requirements as requiring readings on three different days. Some might argue that leaving the three-different-day requirement out of Section 22 means that extensive and complex bills can be dumped on the floor and passed in a day so long as the bills are not "revenue bills." I don't find this a good argument. The drafters of Section 22 no doubt wisely recognized that not all non-revenue bills require detailed debate and consideration. For example, a non-revenue bill correcting a misspelling of "the" as "hte" doesn't need three days to accomplish its reasoned goal. I imagine the drafters were depending upon the good faith of legislators operating under Section 22 to allocate time fairly and appropriately.)

As for truth telling, voters' remedies at the ballot box are of course limited as long as we have our current unlawful gerrymandering. However, remedial elections are coming soon and voters should be vocal that they will hold legislators accountable for their words as well as deeds. Additionally, lawyer legislators and executive branch members must comply with Rule 8.4 and the heightened obligations of lawyers noted by the comments to the rules. No gerrymandering prohibits calling out such lawyers and demanding that they do better. For example, Republican legislators claim they had no year-end plans to pack the North Carolina Supreme Court while Gov. Pat McCrory claims legislators did have such plans. If Pat McCrory is telling the truth about plans to pack the Supreme Court, how can any lawyer legislators' deception about a matter as grave as packing the Supreme Court not violate Rule 8.4 and the noted comments to the Rule? Lawyers after all are officers of the court. Let's not forget that the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House are both lawyers bound by Rule 8.4 and its comment that "Lawyers holding public office assume legal responsibilities going beyond those of other citizens."
President Obama's declaration of sanctions against Russia for election hacking has come at an unusually convenient time in the news cycle. To use Obama's most favored word over the past eight years, it's the perfect distraction from the massive criticism he's received over the last five days for his UN vote against Israel.

The timing is not just convenient, however. It's pure theater, designed specifically for the cable news pundits and the public at large to latch onto, in order to forget an abysmal record of weakness and inaction against adversaries.

What was headline news on the morning of Dec. 29, such as the Wall Street Journal's "US Escalates Tensions with Israel," has now been dutifully relegated to the back burner. For five days since the UN's 14-0 vote against Israel, news outlets have been filled with commentary, speculation and direct criticism of Obama about the escalation of a rift between the US and its closest Mid-East ally. But with the announcement of Russian sanctions, descriptions of Obama as petulant, petty, and vindictive have now been replaced--he hopes--with words like punitive and strong-willed.

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Cue the yawns.

Announcing sanctions against Russia many months after the fact (Obama claimed he was notified in early summer), is like punishing your teenager in December for a speeding ticket he got in July. Administration officials admit that they've been discussing options and vacillating for months, as Obama is known to do whenever strong action needs to be taken. The New York Times reports that an Obama aid complained about hacking to the Russians way back in April, so we've known about it at least since then, if not much earlier.

So why now, with less than three weeks to go in office, when Congressional representatives, including most Republicans, have already made it clear they would call for a public investigation next year, despite Trump's reluctance?

Because Obama, at the relatively young age of 55, is most interested in what comes after his presidency. He can't afford to go out in a blaze of criticism that he betrayed a long-time friend, when he can much more easily depart on a wave of supposed strength by punishing an enemy. There are no down sides in this play, and it benefits Obama in both direct and indirect ways:

The sanctions, which will in any case prove unsustainable in the long run, clearly place a few immediate obstacles in Trump's path. Since Trump has made his opposition to them clear, they create the uncomfortable situation of forcing him to actively lift them, putting him at odds right at the start of his term with a riled-up public and Congress. Of course, Trump will overcome it, in order to get back on track for his own reset with Russia, but the fact that Obama can stick his foot out while Trump enters the White House is no doubt bringing a smile to Obama's face. The sanctions give cover to weakened Democrats in Congress who lost not only the Presidency and both houses, but have come out of this election looking out of touch and ineffectual. Jumping on the sanctions bandwagon, however wobbly its wheels, saves them some face and adds a line to their resume for their re-election campaigns. Obama is playing a long game. Unlike 43 presidents before him, he's already broken with precedent by announcing that he's not going off into gentlemanly silence like Bush before him. Not only is he staying in Washington, at least until his youngest goes to college, but he's made it clear that he wants to actively reinvent the Democrat party. And to do that, he's got to start with restoring the two things that the party is most seen lacking--forcefulness against foreign adversaries and the credibility of their convictions. The timing was perfect for a distraction, and it didn't exactly fall into his lap. For at least as long as Obama knew about the Russian hacking, and holding back on when and how he would respond, he was working on the UN resolution. He knew he was going to abstain and he knew full well the anger and turmoil that it would create. Therefore, the timing of two events would marry perfectly--first the anger at the UN vote, then the feint to Russia and the hoped-for benefits it would reap.
I support a fifteen dollar minimum wage; universal health care; making college affordable for all who want to go and restructuring current student debt; some of the issues which Bernie Sanders campaigned on. Never-the-less I didn't support him. My choice wasn't based on not liking those ideas rather on the fact there was another candidate whose experience and record showed she would be more able to effectively move those ideas and others she campaigned on forward through the Congress.

As a staunch life-long Democrat it has become increasingly annoying to hear Sanders make demands for a major voice in the Party of which he is not a member. He wasn't a Democrat when the party allowed him to run in its primary and my understanding is he isn't one now and doesn't intend to become one.

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No rational Democrat should question the need for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to be restructured and upgraded. It must change if we are to reclaim the Party's mantle as the 'Party of the People'. But the Democratic Party has a legacy and history with support from people who have proudly been part of it for years and they must not be ignored. It should not be a Party which can be usurped by Independents or others with no long term allegiance to it and still aren't willing to join it.

So to me who Bernie Sanders supports for DNC Chair is totally irrelevant. He ran in our primary and lost by nearly four million votes. The candidate who did win the nomination of the Party, though not winning the Presidency, ended up winning the popular vote by three million. So yes we want Sanders' supporters to be part of our Party, and clearly many already are. Many who are rational yet didn't support the Party's candidate now realize how mistaken they were as we see what a Trump Presidency will bring.

But the reality is Senator Sanders and some of his supporters continue to refuse to join the Party. There is no commitment that will change even if the candidate he supports for Chair wins. What commitment is there he and his supporters won't continue to attack the Party or support someone who does?

Pandering to Senator Sanders as Senator Schumer (D-NY) is apparently doing makes little sense. In the long run it will have little bearing on the future success of the Party. The only thing which can guarantee success and future strength are the principles the Party stands for.

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The Democratic Party Platform was the most progressive ever written by any Party. It is important to elect as Chair someone who strongly supports it but also understands it will be viewed differently in each of the fifty states. The DNC needs to focus on building a strong State Democratic Party in every state. This is the only way to build majorities in Congress; win back governorships and state legislatures; and control redistricting after the 2020 census.

The next Chair of the Party must be someone able to speak to everyone as he/she will often be the face of the Party across the nation. Five have currently put themselves forward for consideration. We need to disregard who supports them and look at them as individuals. Announced candidates are; Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley, South Carolina Chair Jaime Harrison, Idaho Democratic Party Executive Director Sally Boynton Brown and Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN).



Each has a record of accomplishment and much to recommend them. It is important to recognize the Chair will not only be charged with building the Party but viewed as a spokesperson for the loyal opposition to Donald Trump's presidency. Trump and the people who helped elect him will continue to play dirty politics. They will try to savage the choice the Party makes from day one which means it's crucial to find the person who can survive those attacks and go on to lead us forward.

The person who stands out from the five is Thomas Perez. He has a stellar progressive record and has had success in every position he has held. He has worked in local, state and the federal government and has experience in both the legislative and executive branches. He was an activist Secretary of Labor fighting for working men and women. He has a record of fighting for civil rights at the Justice Department and knows what it means to run for local office becoming the first Hispanic elected to the Montgomery, MD council.

Thomas Perez has the ability to unite the Party and help craft and deliver the message which will bring new voters to the Party without alienating the base who have stood by the Party for years. That is the kind of Chair we need.

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On any given day upwards of 50,000 young people are living apart from their families in detention centers, youth prisons, and other facilities as a direct result of our nation's broken juvenile justice system. Another 5,500 youth are held in adult jails and prisons. The financial cost, passed on to taxpayers, of caging thousands of children -- more than any other country in the world -- far exceeds the cost of providing therapeutic alternatives and educational opportunities. The tragic untold cost, however, is the emotional and physical toll on our youth, families, and communities.



Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth, especially LGBTQ youth of color, make up a disproportionate percentage of those incarcerated. In fact, according to a new report by the Movement Advancement Project, LGBTQ youth comprise 20 percent of all incarcerated youth and 40 percent of incarcerated girls. Of all the LGBTQ youth who are incarcerated, 85 percent are youth of color. These youth who already face increased risk of discrimination, often experience a confluence of factors -- from family rejection to biased teachers and law enforcement to complicated and outdated laws around drug use and sex work -- that funnel them out of schools and into the prison system. This is often referred to as the school-to-prison pipeline.



Kortnee Armanii Davinie of Florida came dangerously close to becoming another statistic. As a young black transgender woman she was bullied in school and treated differently by her school administration. She began to skip class to avoid the stress and was soon caught up in a world of drugs and engaging in sex work in order to survive. "Then it hit me," she told us, "that I have a life, and I have so much more potential to do a lot of things that people said I never could, so I beat the school-to-prison pipeline stereotypes. I'm currently a college student making big changes in myself and my community."



Sadly, for every Kortnee there are many more youth who end up in and out of the system, finding it difficult to ever get back on their feet. One young person, Christian Haro Cotero, who is featured in last month's San Francisco Magazine, is spending upwards of 9-years in jail after being tried as an adult for committing a non-fatal crime at the age of 14. Cotero suffered many years of abuse at home and in the streets, none of which was taken into consideration during this sentencing in Santa Clara County, where the notorious judge on the case has a reputation for trying children as adults. Between 2010 and 2014 Santa Clara County filed 35 percent more youth as adults Los Angeles, the largest county in the nation.



Youth who enter the juvenile justice system are more likely to return later in life. In a study of youth in Pittsburgh, about half of youth involved before turning 18 had a subsequent conviction before the age of 25, but after 25, the rates of reoffending dramatically dropped. In a survey by Black and Pink of more than 1,100 currently incarcerated LGBTQ adults, the majority (58 percent) had been arrested before age 18.



Name a statistic -- suicide rates, abuse, school suspension, bullying, and so on -- and chances are LGBTQ youth and youth of color are at increased risk due to the perfect storm of prejudice, systemically flawed policies in schools, and the criminal justice system.



The web of discriminatory laws, biased individuals, and our corporate, profit-driven prison system make addressing these concerns and helping our youth a monumental task, but in order for us to create a healthier and more sustainable society it is one that must be prioritized. Our youth deserve to be in schools not prisons. They deserve to be supported and nurtured in ways that we know will help them grow up to be compassionate adults who contribute and give back to society in meaningful ways.



There are concrete steps we can take right now to support our youth. First, schools need to eliminate so-called "zero tolerance policies" that push students out of school and onto the streets making theme more likely to get caught up in the system. Second, states need to close youth prisons and redirect resources to community-based alternatives to incarceration and youth-serving programs in the community. Third, teachers, police, and anyone who comes in contact with youth should be required to undergo regular training to understand the unique challenges LGBTQ youth and youth of color face. Finally, children should not be tried as adults -- study after study has shown that prosecuting youth in adult court increases the likelihood that youth will reoffend and does not make our communities safer.



Equality Federation and Youth First! are committed to growing our partnership and coalition to advocate alongside youth to end youth incarceration, but we can't do it without your support. It is up to all of us to speak out at school board meetings, contact our lawmakers, and listen to our youth. We can all do something. Even if all you're able to offer is a hug and a heart-to-heart conversation with a young person at risk -- you'll be making a difference.
Saudi Arabia carried out 153 executions in 2016, according to an AFP tally based on official announcements, slightly down from the year before.

The ultra-conservative kingdom is one of the world's most leading executioners and has a strict Islamic legal code under which murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape and apostasy are all punishable by death.

Rights group Amnesty International said Saudi Arabia carried out at least 158 death sentences in 2015, coming third after Iran and Pakistan.

Amnesty's figures do not include secretive China.

Murder and drug trafficking cases account for the majority of Saudi executions, although 47 people were put to death for "terrorism" offences on a single day in January.

They included prominent Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, whose execution prompted Iranian protesters to torch Saudi diplomatic missions, leading Riyadh to sever relations.

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Market research firms are reporting strong holiday-season sales for 2016, numbers not seen since the mid-2000s, as lower gas and food prices, a rising stock market and higher wages propelled shoppers into stores and onto retail websites. And while consumerism typically has a negative effect on the world's forests - everything, it seems, comes from the rainforest - it isn't necessarily true this year, or at least there is reason to be optimistic.

Earlier this month, Ecosystem Marketplace scouted the holiday shopping landscape for its eco-friendliness discovering some promising gift ideas - Gucci's retro handbag is made with deforestation-free leather - and finding supply change disclosure and transparency efforts from CDP, Canopy and Forest Trends' Supply Change project make it markedly easier to determine a product's environmental impact, though it's still difficult.

Mark Trexler, the longtime expert on environmental policy who now runs the Climatographers, wrote this year that the private sector is massive and diverse and sees the climate problem in different ways. However, investors and the business community as a whole are increasingly becoming more involved in climate action that involves sustainable supply chains and forests, a global movement that began in earnest in 2014 with the New York Declaration on Forests.

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Supply Change, tracking corporate commitments through publicly disclosed data on the "Big Four" forest-risk commodities: palm oil, cattle, soy and wood, identified a rise in corporate commitments to end deforestation this year. The report, Tracking Corporate Commitments to Deforestation-free Supply Chains, 2016, tracked pledges up from 307 commitments and 243 commitments in March of 2015 to 579 pledges and 366 companies.

And since nations signed the Paris Climate Agreement on Earth Day 2016, 41 corporates joined the Science Based Targets initiative setting rigorous climate targets that align with the Paris Agreement. In total, over 150 businesses have joined.

Many companies are turning to certification programs at least to get started as 77% of commitments tracked by Supply Change rely in some way on third-party commodity certifications such as the Forest Stewardship Council or the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil. The Forest Trust, however, is one organization interested in helping companies turn their commitments into action in ways that don't involve certification programs.

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"Supply chains are vast, complicated intricate things with a lot of moving parts and players," said Kevin Rabinovitch, the Global Director of Sustainability for candy and food giant Mars. "They are more like webs than chains."

Only half of the companies that pledged to source certified soy have yet to integrate it into their supply chains, although 74% of the companies that committed to sustainable palm oil have done so, according to a CDP report released in March.

NGOs such as Climate Focus say companies need more help, and during the November climate talks, the Global Canopy Programme and Stockholm Environment Institute launched a platform called Trase, (Transparency for Sustainable Economies), which makes it possible to track soybeans from specific municipalities in Brazil, through traders, to end countries.

"A major blocker toward the zero deforestation economy is supply chain complexity and supply chain opacity," Niki Mardas, the Executive Director of Global Canopy Programme, said. "There's an urgent need for a breakthrough in transparency and to move toward a more radical transparency."

Such supply chain transparency will not only benefit businesses but also the watchdogs tracking companies' progress on commitments they have set. During the climate talks, Climate Focus released a progress report on the NYDF, which focused on the second of its 10 goals: "Support and help meet the private-sector goal of eliminating deforestation from the production of agricultural commodities." The assessment couldn't produce results on parts of the goal because there is currently no available data to determine whether corporate commitments to reduce deforestation are translating into real reductions.

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2016's Commitment Conundrums

Companies continued to establish targets this year and last to improve sourcing of commodities driving deforestation, many of them setting their target date at 2020, the same year other companies who started working toward that goal much earlier. The corporate newcomers are aiming to achieve in a shortened timeline what the early movers are taking a decade to do.

"This raises a lot of questions," says Supply Change Senior Associate Ben McCarthy. "Are they biting off more than they can chew? Are they cutting corners to meet their goals? Or does the second-mover advantage mean they'll actually pull it off?"

In September, Ecosystem Marketplace explored the action required for companies to achieve their targets.

Disclosure is another issue. There is a high-progress/low disclosure paradox found in the company profiles Supply Change tracks. Of the commitments that have progress information publicly available, the average achievement rate is 74%. However, only 35% of the commitments are disclosing progress information.

Do companies only disclose progress when it is good news? How can companies be held accountable for these commitments? And, since the progress information is almost always self-reported, can the numbers be trusted?

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We can expect to see these questions often throughout the coming year.

Regional Progress on Deforestation

Brazil's Soy Moratorium has been a successful tool in lowering deforestation attributed to soy in the Amazon, and in May, industry associations administering the moratorium decided to renew it.

"The soy industry in Brazil is now leading the world in terms of private-sector leadership," said Holly Gibbs, the University of Wisconsin-Madison professor who has extensively researched the moratorium. "They're sending a strong signal to the palm sector, to the cattle sector, and to other places in the world - like Argentina's Gran Chaco region, where soy expansion continues to lead the conversion of forests to farms."

Also in Brazil, municipalities launched efforts to lower their high rates of deforestation, and in February, Ecosystem Marketplace explored the birth of the country's first "Green Municipality," sprawling Paragominas in the state of Para. The efforts could pay off as consumer giants such as Unilever and Marks & Spencer have made announcements to source raw materials from environmentally conscious regions.

Paragominas' efforts have yielded mixed results and significant insights into what it takes to slow deforestation in the Amazon.

Meanwhile, Kenyan dairy farmers are leveraging trees to boost their milk yields through an agroforestry project. They're receiving funds from food companies Danone and Mars, both of which are interested in using sustainable agriculture to build sustainable supply chains.

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Food and Forests

Sustainable agriculture is critical to solving the climate challenge as food production is a major driver of global warming, contributing about a quarter of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, and stands to be among the sectors most affected by climate disruptions.

Speaking of food, America's love affair with the avocado came to a head in 2016 as revelations revealed farmers are chopping forests in central Mexico in order to grow more of the famously healthy commodity. Ecosystem Marketplace explored the problem in detail in August as well as solutions, which aren't coming in a neat tidy box.

It can be a vicious cycle as regions clear forests to grow more food but deforestation disrupts ecosystem services and often undermines food security as well as energy and water. In September, the Global Canopy Programme published a policy brief suggesting policymakers of the Amazon follow the integrated approaches of the water-energy-food nexus so as to promote policies that preserve forests and the service they provide.

Marrakesh Musings

The international climate talks in Marrakesh, Morocco helped close out the year with the private sector expected to play an important role in the talks. Last year's Paris Climate Agreement enshrined forests as a key climate mitigation tool, and cleansing the "Big Four" from corporate supply chains is integral to saving forests.

The talks were somewhat overshadowed by the surprising results of the United States presidential election on November 8. Donald Trump was elected president raising questions as to the US' role in future international climate negotiations and action at home.

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"We cannot pretend that last night's election outcome was anything less than deeply disturbing to those of us who care about climate stability and the role of the United States in the world," said Nathaniel Keohane, Vice President for Global Climate at the Environmental Defense Fund. "Mr. Trump should listen to the large majority of Americans who support climate action, and to the overwhelming majority of climate scientists who warn that the time for action is now."

Regional governments, businesses and investors pledged almost immediately after the election that they would carry on efforts to decarbonize and align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Indeed, 365 US businesses and investors reaffirmed their support for the Paris Climate Agreement via a letter addressed to US President Barack Obama, President-Elect Donald Trump, Congress and other global leaders and calling on them to continue their support for the Paris Agreement and for low-carbon development.

"It is not going to be governments alone, or even principally, that solve the climate challenge," said US Secretary of State John Kerry during a speech in Marrakesh. "The private sector is the most important player."

Talking nearly one week after the election of Trump, pension fund managers like Pete Grannis of New York state and Gerald Cartigny of Dutch fund manager MN said they have no plans to re-load their portfolios with high-carbon fossil fuels - because the numbers don't make sense.

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Perils and Possibilities of Supply Chain Change

The supply change space experienced a wide range of ups and downs in 2016. It closed out the year with two reports, one CDP published and the other from the Global Canopy Programme (GCP).

CDP's report, written at the behest of 365 institutional investors, revealed that disruptions in supplies of forest risk commodities could cost USD 906 billion per year.

GCP's report delivered pressing news as well. Of the entities listed on its Forest 500, which names and shames the 500 entities that can end deforestation, 57% either have no policies to end deforestation in place or none GCP deems credible.

While both reports were on the doom and gloom side, it's possible that greater awareness among companies on the benefits of sustainable sourcing, coupled with investor interest in sustainability, could propel them to act.
Silhouette of mother and daughter watching fireworks

Dear 2017,

I don't know what to think of you. 20 days after you start, a brand new President will take office. The world is going to change--it already has, really, and I'll have to wade through confusing waters ahead.

Our President-elect seems focused on putting America first, which is fine, however this new way of thinking comes at a time when all I want to do is travel the world. Our planet fascinates me--more specifically, its people.

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I'm a 23-year-old in the middle of all this.

My Dad tells me I'll be 30 before I know it, but all I can keep focusing on is you, 2017. Will you be as great as 2016 was for me? Will I finally break through and become financially independent? Will I go to Ireland and South America and maybe even Hawaii like I plan to do?

Will I have a falling out with some more of my friends? Will I make new ones? Will I learn anything profoundly new about myself? Will I fall in love?

The promise of a new year.

I can't head into you scared like this. I guess all I can do is try not to compare you to this year. This wonderful year that will forever be known as 2016, the year I got to road trip across the United States.

If we keep living our lives like a giant scorecard, checking off what we did and didn't do in a certain period of time, then we lose all the meaning that comes with it.

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So what do I do with you?

I guess I'll have blind hope. Not just in my new President-elect, but in the people around me that forgive me, love me, and want to spend their time with me.

2017 is a year. It's a measure of time. When someone spends time with you what they've really done is cut out a piece of their life to be with you and only you for a moment.

It's kind of the ultimate sacrifice. And like 2016, 2017 will be a year of spending time with friends and strangers.

Despite what's happening around me, I'll still look outward and put my faith in those around me.

It's easy to get hurt once or twice in your life by those close to you and then get cynical about things. I won't let that happen.

2016 was kind of like the first Rocky movie for me. I realized that I can stand up to life and forge my own path and do something spectacular. But 2017 is when I plan to get the knockout. Do you hear that? I'm coming for you.

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I could be scared about turning one year older, or my new President, or falling short of my goals, but I won't.

I punched back in 2016, and to my surprise my opponent returned with a few bruises because of it.

So, 2017, here's what I have to say to you.

You're going to bring me a lot of grief. There's going to be stress, I'm going to feel lost, and I'm going to think back to the year before you.

I may run into hard times with friends and family. I may treat people harshly, or overreact to things. I will have regrets. I will wonder what the silver lining is.

I'll turn 24, and while I don't expect to have some eureka moment on March 30, I expect the days and months after will slowly change my perspective.

After all, I'm only talking about numbers here--manmade measurements of time to be more exact. If I think of it that way then 2017 doesn't really exist at all.

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My story will simply continue forward into the blank pages of the universe.

I never had much use for man-made limitations anyway. Lately I've wanted to defy expectations and rules, and I guess I'll just continue doing that when the new year comes.

There is no you, 2017, just a continuation of my story. Nothing will change when I wake up on January 1st, but by the time I go to bed on December 31st of next year, I bet that'll be a different story.

Dear 2017, I'm coming for you. I'll bury the memories in 2016, and look towards the future with a heartful of hope. That's all I can do. That's all any of us can do.
Read on to see my personal picks for my favorite cinematic experiences for the calendar year that's now closing. There were some very strong offerings this year, and there are plenty of flicks that just missed the cut, but here's what I ended up putting in my top ten:

10 - Weiner

This fascinating documentary uses the fall-rise-fall arc of disgraced former congressman Anthony Weiner to make some very pointed observations about our media culture and its intermingling of our politics. Given Weiner's tangential role in the closing days of this past election, with his sex scandal arguably becoming one more of the asterisks next to Donald Trump's election, this film has taken on an entirely different context in the closing months of the year than it did at the start. All of that makes it even more required viewing for students of both politics and media.

9 - Star Trek Beyond

"Better to die saving lives than to live with taking them."

So says Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) during the climax of Star Trek Beyond in a piece of dialogue that perfectly makes the case for the storied franchise's continued relevance during its fiftieth anniversary year. The best Trek feature entry in twenty years, not only does Beyond take a lighter (but no less dramatic) approach than its immediate predecessor, it also encapsulates the spirit of exploration, tenacity, and teamwork that have been so essential to its success for so long, and which matter now more than they ever have before.

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8 - Hunt For the Wilderpeople

This charming yarn directed by Taika Waititi and set in his native New Zealand stars Sam Neill as a recent widower forced by circumstance into a wilderness trek with the foster child he didn't want (Julian Dennison). The winning performances and chemistry of both leads are bolstered by the wonderfully off-kilter Kiwi sensibility and a throwback tone that calls to mind adolescent adventure yarns of the '80s like Stand By Me and The Goonies. Despite being the highest grossing New Zealand film ever made, this one kind of sailed under the radar during its stateside run, which I hope will be corrected in the months and years ahead.

7 - La La Land

Director Damien Chazelle's tribute to Hollywood's classic musicals took two viewings to grow on me. I though it was enjoyable enough the first time I saw it, but it was after the second watch that the central conceit of pursuing your dreams despite overwhelming odds (in this case via two artists trying to make their way in the titular town) really took root inside of me. The many musical numbers are staged well (especially the show-starter set atop a Los Angeles highway overpass), but what really keeps you engaged is the winning chemistry between co-leads Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.

6 - The Nice Guys

And hey, speaking of Ryan Gosling's chemistry with co-stars, this action-comedy written and directed by Shane Black boasts as one of its biggest selling points the terrific bickering and bantering between Gosling and Russell Crowe. Just like with Black's 2005 Robert Downey starrer Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, The Nice Guys went mostly ignored by audiences during its theatrical release last May. Truly, I have no idea why. Regardless, as with Wilderpeople, I'm hoping that this '70s-set detective caper will find a receptive audience now that it's on home vid.

5 - Captain America: Civil War

Here's a movie that most certainly didn't get ignored by audiences this year. But while 2016 produced a bumper crop of superhero pics, some were very solid, some very much weren't, and some were in the middle. And sitting comfortably above the rest was this latest summer opus from Marvel Studios, which pits not only competing factions of costume-clad characters against each other, but also competing political ideologies as well. Civil War works as an action picture, it works as a political tract, and it works as the result of the meticulous long game Marvel has been playing since 2008 in building its shared universe.

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4 - Hell or High Water

Chris Pine makes his second entry onto this year's list thanks to this masterful modern western. A terrific heist picture co-starring Ben Foster and Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water manages to be both intensely gripping and surprisingly poignant. As directed by David Mackenzie and written by Sicario's Taylor Sheridan, the movie is not only ceaselessly watchable thanks to its supremely talented cast, it keeps you engaged with the action while also making some pointed comments in the margins about our country's current economic woes.

3 - Manchester by the Sea

Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan's slow-burn portrait of loss and grieving isn't an easy watch, but it's nonetheless an immensely emotional experience that's helped along by Casey Affleck's leading turn at its center anchoring the whole thing. Manchester doesn't swing for the fences or try to go big, but instead it succeeds by zeroing in on how the loss of loved ones can have very different reactions from those who are experiencing it, and the difficulties they face in overcoming them.

2 - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

It's strange/sad how the closing moments for this one have taken on an entirely new resonance than they had just two weeks ago due to unfortunate real world events. I didn't expect to place this latest Star Wars entry, its first "spin-off" in forty years, this high on my list, but there's no denying how effective it ended up being for me. Depicting the events leading up the iconic opening scene in the original 1977 Star Wars, Rogue One manages to take a story that we know going in wasn't important enough to ever bother depicting before -- that of the Rebel spies stealing the Empire's plans for the Death Star -- and makes it feel like the most consequential skirmish in the entire franchise.

1 - Arrival

Director Denis Villeneuve's Sicario made my list last year, and he lands at the very top this year thanks to this fascinating, introspective sci-fi parable. The best way to watch Arrival is completely cold, with no knowledge of what it's about, so I'll let you discover it on your own if you haven't seen it, but it's all held together by a rock solid performance from Amy Adams, playing a linguist presented with an otherworldly challenge. I didn't expect to be as affected by the film as I was by the time it ended, feeling almost drained emotionally, but my first thought when the credits came up was that I wanted to sit back down and watch it again.

******

And that's it for 2016!

For more movie talk, catch the latest episode of the MovieFilm Podcast at this link or via the embed below:
Kansas men's basketball wins exhibition game against Pittsburg State

The Jayhawks may not have started this exhibition game well Thursday, but they were able to recover and come away with a win.
The UN Security Council on Saturday unanimously approved a resolution supporting a Russian-Turkish peace initiative for Syria, including an ongoing ceasefire and talks next month in Kazakhstan.

The resolution aims to pave the way for talks in the Kazakhstan capital of Astana under the aegis of key Syria government backers Russia and Iran, and of rebel supporter Turkey.

The text of the measure "welcomes and supports the efforts by Russia and Turkey to end violence in Syria and jumpstart a political process."

The ceasefire, which remained largely intact Saturday in its second day, was brokered by Russia and Turkey, which have been working increasingly closely on Syria.

The truce excludes Islamist militant groups the Islamic State (IS) militants and former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front.

Turkey and Russia say the Astana talks will supplement, not replace, UN-backed peace efforts, including talks set for February in Geneva.

Washington has been conspicuously absent from the new process but has called the truce "positive."

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitor of the war, said Saturday that most of Syria remained calm, despite limited clashes.

The government in Damascus called the ceasefire a "real opportunity" to find a political solution to a war that has claimed more than 310,000 lives.

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Monyahan, on the right, stands with longtime friend Cody Wemette, on the left.

Community Welcomes Back Local Infantryman For The Holidays



Friends and family welcomed him back with a homecoming at the American Legion. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Friends and family welcomed Jon Monyahan home for the holidays after a year stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington.

The American Legion Post 125 hosted a homecoming for local Jon Monyahan on Tuesday, Dec. 20 marking his first visit home since joining the Army.

"This is my first time back since heading out last year," Monyahan said. "Its nice to come home and see the people that have been in my life forever. Its good to see familiar faces."

Monyahan was met with a buffet and even a DJ at his celebration where he spent time catching up with longtime friends, family and legion members.

Monyahan graduated from Fort Benning Infantry School in Sand Hill Georgia and has been stationed in Washington as Infantry.

He said Army life has been an enriching experience.

"A year in I love it," he said. "It keeps me in shape, and I love the people I work with. It is a great group of guys."

He added that visiting home reminds him of one of the reasons he joined the Army: to protect those close to him.

Monyahan said he plans to continue to visit with friends and family before returning to Washington at the end of the year.
Mayor Linda Tyer issued a statement Friday afternoon about the law.

Pittsfield Working Group To Review Recreational Pot Law In January

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The mayor says she plans to bring together a working group to perform a comprehensive review of the state's recreational marijuana law in the coming weeks.

Mayor Linda Tyer says the purpose of the group, which includes representatives from law enforcement, health, and economic development, will come together in January to begin finding a balance between protecting public health while respecting the voter's will.

Massachusetts voters passed a ballot question to legalize recreational use of marijuana in November, following similar adoption in three other states.

"The purpose for convening city officials in January is this: to undertake a review of the new law with the lens of respecting the will of the voters while, at the same time, protecting public health and safety," Tyer wrote in a statement issued Friday.

"For example, does the new state law allow the city to create zoning ordinances that will permit us to locally regulate the recreational marijuana industry? What are the current public health regulations that we need to be mindful of when the state begins implementing this new law? How does the new law impact our law enforcement community? Do we want to allow for or limit retail sales and cultivation of marijuana? These are just some of my unanswered questions."

The law is far from being set in stone. Leadership in the state Legislature has already talked about altering the law and earlier this week, with just a half-dozen lawmakers in an informal session, delayed the next phase of implementation by six months. The earliest a recreational shop can open now would be in July of 2018.

Cities and towns are already keeping an eye on what it can do with the new law. The Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association issued guidance earlier this year which says cities and towns have put local laws in place "that impose 'reasonable safeguards' on time, place, and manner of operation of a [marijuana establishment] as long as the requires are not 'unreasonably impracticable." Town also have the ability to add up to 2 percent tax on the products.

But, cities and towns cannot outright ban either cultivation or recreational without going to the ballot. A vote would also be needed to restrict the number of operations to less than 20 percent of the number of alcohol retail licenses a municipality issues or limit to fewer establishments as medical marijuana.

The MMLA continues to say that cities and towns have the ability to restrict manufacturing and cultivation if it is a nuisance, establish "reasonable" restrictions on signs, and establish fines for violations of the bylaws.

Pittsfield has already adopted zoning regulations for medical marijuana facilities - regulations which include limiting the number of establishments to three, outlawing them from being within 1,000 feet of a school or park, and ensuring that cultivation is properly secured. Medical marijuana operations need a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

On Dec. 8, Permitting Coordinator Nate Joyner told the ZBA that he expects the city's ordinance to look a lot like the medical marijuana bylaw. But, the state's legislation could be different as time goes on and the Legislature gets back in session. He said his department plans to draft an ordinance and make adjustments as needed.

"We are anticipating putting for a draft in the next couple months," Joyner said at the time. "Most likely we'll stick to similar parameters for medical marijuana."

Tyer told the Berkshire Eagle on Wednesday that she sees an economic opportunity in cultivation operations and hoped the study group would make recommendations on zoning and licensing to guide the future business sector.

On Friday Tyer released a statement saying her intention is not to have the study group look at ways to use city-owned land for cultivation.

"It not my intention to use this study group to create a plan for how city-owned land can be used for the cultivation of marijuana. This is a multifaceted issue that will require many more conversations among the appropriate stakeholders. I hope this clarification provides a better understanding as to the citys position regarding recreational marijuana and the work ahead," Tyer said.

Any marijuana operation in the city is still a long way away. The state needs to form a Cannabis Control Commission and craft further regulations around the licensing of establishments.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin spoke on the phone Saturday with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the conflict in Syria and "continued security cooperation", his office said.

The talks came as the 15-member UN Security Council unanimously voted to back a Russian-Turkish peace plan for a ceasefire in Syria and the launch of new peace talks for the war-wracked country.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening... spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin," the premier's office said in a statement.

"The two leaders discussed developments in the region, with emphasis on Syria and continued security coordination in this sphere, which has already proven itself in preventing misunderstandings," it added.

During a visit to Moscow in April, Netanyahu discussed with Putin military cooperation between the two countries aimed at preventing confrontations between their warplanes in Syrian airspace.

In June, Netanyahu visited Moscow again and talks with Putin centred on "the implementation of these arrangements," the premier's office said at the time.

Russia is a key ally of the Syrian government and has been fighting to bolster the Damascus regime since last year.

Along with Turkey, which backs the armed opposition, they brokered a ceasefire across Syria that entered its second day Saturday and held despite sporadic clashes in parts of the country.

Moscow and Ankara also say the truce aims to pave the way for peace negotiations later next month in Kazakhstan, also organised by Syria regime ally Iran.

Turkey and Russia have said the talks in the Kazakh capital Astana aim to supplement UN-backed peace efforts, not replace them.

Israel is opposed to the Syrian government and has sought to limit its involvement in the conflict.

But Israel has carried out sporadic sorties against the militant Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah, which is fighting alongside the Syrian regime.

Israel fought a devastating war with the Iran-backed Hezbollah in 2006.

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Opposition parties reached agreement Saturday with the government on a deal to end a political crisis over DR Congo President Joseph Kabila's fate that has caused months of deadly unrest, a church mediator and officials said.

The talks were launched by the Roman Catholic church to ward off violence as Kabila's second and final mandate ended on December 20 with no sign of him stepping down and no election in sight.

"We have reached agreement on all points," said Marcel Utembi, who chairs the Episcopal Conference (CENCO) overseeing the talks.

"There will be a plenary session at 8:00pm (1900 GMT) to formally adopt it and a solemn signing ceremony at 8:30pm."

Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba confirmed a deal had been reached, saying: "Everything is settled."

However a spokesman for Kabila's longtime rival, Etienne Tshisekedi, said negotiators would submit the deal to the 84-year-old opposition leader for approval before returning to sign the accord.

"We want to be absolutely sure" (of Tshisekedi's response), said his advisor Valentin Mubake.

A working document for the deal previously seen by AFP proposed a "political transition" with fresh presidential elections to be held at the end of 2017. A prime minister would come from opposition ranks.

That document also guaranteed Kabila would not seek a third mandate.

In return, the opposition would accept that Kabila remain in office until he hands over to an elected successor.

The opposition had previously demanded his immediate departure from public life.

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Collection Protection reflection

Washington, DC - Before we start making New Years resolutions for 2017, lets assess last years pledges. In announcing Operation Collection Protection, a coordinated federal-state-local initiative to take on illegal debt collection practices, we made two promises: 1) to continue our commitment in the courtroom, if necessary; and 2) to foster close working relationships with law enforcement partners across the country. Heres what we have to report.

On the law enforcement front, for 2015-16, the FTC took 20 significant actions against unlawful debt collection outfits, many of which involved tangled webs of corporate affiliates. Add the actions brought by Operation Collection Protections 70 law enforcement and regulatory partners, and the total comes to 165.

But wont bad apples just set up shop under different names? No, because 44 of them were added to the Dishonor Roll  the FTCs Banned Debt Collectors List. To date, a total of 139 individuals and companies have been banned from the debt collection industry. By banned, we mean shuttered, finished, kaput. For how long? Forever. And these arent just pinky promises. The orders putting those bans in place are enforceable in court.

Speaking of court, judges granted FTC Motions for Summary Judgment in three noteworthy cases in 2016:

Commercial Recovery Systems. The FTC alleged that the defendants falsely claimed they would sue debtors, garnish their wages, levy their bank accounts, or seize their property unless the debts were paid, in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. A federal judge in Texas entered summary judgment against CRS and corporate officer Timothy Ford. Co-defendant David Devany settled with the FTC.

The Primary Group. According to the complaint, the defendants barraged consumers with illegal texts, email, and phone calls, falsely threatening them with arrest or lawsuits if they didnt pay up. A federal judge in Georgia granted the FTCs summary judgment motion against the corporation and CFO Gail Daniels, imposing a $980,000 judgment.

Federal Check Processing. The FTC charged Mark Briandi, William Moses, and 13 related corporations with violating the FTC Act and the FDCPA by pretending to be affiliated with the government, falsely accusing consumers of committing check fraud, and threatening to have them arrested or sued. A federal court in Buffalo ruled in the FTCs favor and ordered the defendants to pay almost $11 million.

Where will you now find Ms. Daniels, Messrs. Ford, Devany, Briandi, and Moses, and their companies? On the FTCs Banned Debt Collectors List.

The three summary judgment orders offer an important insight into the FTCs approach. If we can reach a settlement that appropriately addresses the allegations in the complaint and puts protections in place for the future, great. But if defendants want their day in court, well meet em there.

State law enforcers have been busy, too. The victories they won on behalf of consumers are too numerous to list, so here are just a few examples. In Massachusetts, the Attorney General got a settlement requiring Family Dermatology of Pennsylvania to write off $1 million in supposed debts and to repay Massachusetts consumers who paid money they didnt owe. The Ohio AG sued Rotech Holdings over illegal collection practices. In addition to paying $34,900, the company will have to bid buh-bye to collecting debts in the Buckeye State. And National Credit Adjusters will be adjusting its practices, thanks to a lawsuit by the New York Department of Financial Services. The company, which had collected on illegal payday loans, must refund nearly $725,000 to 3,000 New Yorkers, discharge $2.26 million in debts, and pay the State $200,000.
Myanmar's Independence Day

Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "On behalf of President Barack Obama and the American people, I send warmest wishes to the people of Myanmar on the occasion of your independence day on January 4.

"The past year has been a historic one for Myanmar, as your first civilian-led, democratically-elected government in over half a century took office. The warm and close relationship between the United States and your country was symbolized by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyis successful visit to Washington and President Obamas subsequent lifting of economic sanctions on your country. Shortly afterwards, the inaugural meeting in Naypyitaw of our new U.S.-Myanmar Partnership shows how far our relations have come in the last few years.

"The United States is committed to Myanmars success, and will continue to work closely with your government and all stakeholders as you pursue peace and national reconciliation, economic prosperity and social welfare, and respect for human rights.

"We wish all of Myanmars people safety, peace, and prosperity in the coming year."
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Robin Williams was one of the most beloved actors of his time, but even that wasn't enough to get him a role in Harry Potter.

The 'only British' rule was so important for the film franchise that Williams was told he couldn't be cast as Hagrid, casting director Janet Hirshenson told the Huffington Post.

"Robin [Williams] had called because he really wanted to be in the movie, but it was a British-only edict, and once he said 'no' to Robin, he wasn't going to say 'yes' to anybody else, that's for sure," she said. "It couldn't be."

Hirchenson also revealed that Robbie Coltrane was JK Rowling's first choice to play the role of Hagrid.

Williams himself said hat he lobbied for a part in the movie in a 2001 interview.

"There were a couple of parts I would have wanted to play, but there was a ban on American actors," he told the New York Post.

He didn't rule out a role in one of the sequels, though: "Maybe one day. Say if [Harry] goes to Yale and becomes president."

Williams attended the premiere of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone when it debuted in New York.

The actor died aged 63 in August 2014, a few years after the final film in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, opened in cinemas.
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China has announced a ban on ivory in what is being hailed as a game changer for Africas endangered elephant.

Beijing says ivory trading and processing, other than the auctions of legitimately sourced antiques, will be outlawed by the end of March 2017.

Conservationists say the move against the Chinese market, which is estimated to buy 70 per cent of the worlds ivory, also puts pressure on neighbouring Hong Kong and Britain to remove loopholes.

Kenyan rangers stand guard around the controlled burning of illegal ivory during the worlds biggest ivory bonfire Getty (Getty)

This is great news that will shut down the worlds largest market for elephant ivory, said Wildlife Conservation Society Asia director Aili King.

This is a game-changer for Africas elephants. We call on all other countries with legal domestic ivory markets to follow Chinas lead and close their markets as well.

WWF-China chief executive Lo Sze Ping added: Closing the worlds largest legal ivory market will deter people in China and beyond from buying ivory, and make it harder for ivory traffickers to sell their illegal stocks.

Chinas State Council said African ivory, a status symbol priced at around $1,100 (891) per kilo, will be phased out from 31 March.

To better protect elephants and better tackle the illegal trade  China will gradually stop the processing and sale of ivory for commercial purposes, it said in a statement.

The state-owned Xinhua news agency says the ban will affect 34 processing enterprises and 143 designated trading venues.

The move follows a promise by Beijing to widen the ban of imports brought in before 1975, but the exemption on antique auctions, which will be allowed to continue under strict supervision, leaves a potentially gaping loophole.

In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Show all 15 1 /15 In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Reuters In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Traditional Maasai tribesmen pose for a photograph near elephant tusks, part of an estimated 105 tonnes of confiscated ivory to be set ablaze, stacked onto a pyre at Nairobi National Park near Nairobi, Kenya, April 28, 2016. Reuters In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history A Kenya Wildlife Services ranger guards the burning of an estimated 105 tonnes of Elephant tusks confiscated ivory from smugglers and poachers at the Nairobi National Park near Nairobi, Kenya, April 30, 2016. Reuters In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Reuters In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Reuters In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Reuters In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Reuters In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Reuters In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Reuters In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Reuters In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Reuters In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Reuters In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Reuters In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Reuters In pictures: Kenya stages largest ivory burn in history Reuters

Between 800 and 900 cases of ivory smuggling are uncovered in mainland China each year, according to customs figures, and more than half of the legitimate ivory business is linked to illegal trade.

Over the past decade, an estimated 100,000 elephants were lost to poaching, and Africas elephant population has dropped by an estimated 111,000 down to 415,000.

A campaign to actually legalise international ivory trade, believing that such a move could actually help save Africas elephant, was voted away earlier this year.

WWF-UK wildlife charity acting chief executive Glyn Davies, who says an elephant is poached every 15 minutes, told The Times: China has shown good leadership and we are now looking to other markets to close legal trade and implement stricter enforcement measures.

The last Conservative Party manifesto promised to outlaw all ivory trading, but Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsoms recent ban allowed for sales of pre-1947 antiques.

Charlie Mayhew, chief executive of African wildlife charity Tusk, which has Prince William as patron, said: It emphasises the need for the UK to move swiftly and follow suit.

The Duke of Cambridge has accused world governments of generally giving out mixed messages on the subject and called for a total ivory ban in Britain.

A sceptical Professor Stuart Bearhop, of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at University of Exeter, told The Independent: "I think this [the China proposal] will make a difference and it is hugely encouraging for elephant populations and conservation in general. The increase in elephant poaching has almost certainly been driven by increasing affluence in China and other parts of Southeast Asia.

"I think ivory will never become worthless, there will doubtless still be a large black market for it within China. For example, while some east African countries have been very vocal about clamping down on poaching, the illegal trade flourishes in other countries in Southeast Asia where ivory is banned.

"The likelihood is that demand for ivory will go down and this should reduce the extent of elephant poaching. But these are slow reproducing and long-lived animals, and so it will be a number of years before we see any signs of recovery."
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Brunching out...

At the Botanist, brunch is serious. And whats even more serious, is their bottomless brunch. With a two hour time slot, you can try as many of their mimosas and bloody marys as you can manage while still being able to walk out. But the point is not to get legless  although some diners may disagree  but to enjoy indulgent drinks accompanied by gorgeous food.

The Broadgate venue sits in the middle of a purpose-built circular food court attached to Liverpool Street station. The brunch menu runs on Saturdays and inside, live slowed-down melodies are played on an electric guitar for a relaxed environment.

Groups are popular, especially those celebrating birthdays. The interior is dark, alluding more to a sophisticated American diner, with racing green studded leather chairs, dark wooden hexagonal table and low lighting. Or on sunnier days, there are tables outside, but are a little less alluring.

Avocado and chilli on toast with smoked bacon makes for a hearty meal

The brunch menu is 20 for two course, another fiver for three and an 15 extra for the bottomless brunch. Something that is obviously not essential, but worth it if you want two or more drinks.

Starters include eggs benedict, royal and Florentine  which comes as a perfect starter size, just one muffin  and a crab and jalapeno hollandaise version, along with food of the moment, avocado with chilli and smoked bacon on toast. But pushing the bar out, are dishes not normally associated with brunch; pheasant and ham hock terrine and crab rillettes.

Food and drink news Show all 35 1 /35 Food and drink news Food and drink news Healthy living makes us more inclined to binge, research suggests Gluten-free breads, dairy-free milks and other plant-based products have been some of the most favoured foods in British supermarkets this year. However, while were busy filling our shopping trolleys with gluten-free goodness, were also jamming it with junk food and alcohol, new research suggests Getty/iStock Food and drink news Growing list of Vegan celebs Making the switch to veganism is a major lifestyle choice, one that many claim can improve energy levels, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and clear up any skin issues. Beyonce, Natalie Portman and Jessica Chastain are among the growing list of Hollywood stars who have eschewed animal products from their diets in recent years. Theres also been an increasing number of professional athletes who have gone vegan, such as boxing champions Mike Tyson and David Haye, thus debunking the myth that following a plant-based diet will leave you feeling weak and malnourished. AFP/Getty/NARAS/iHeartMedia Food and drink news McDonald's has announced the launch of a new vegan burger on its menu in Germany This will mark the first time the German franchise of the fast food chain has offered a vegan burger to its customers. The Big Vegan TS burger consists of a patty made from soy and wheat. It is served in a classic sesame seed bun, and contains salad, tomato, pickles and red onion. McDonald's Germany Food and drink news Drinking too many protein shakes could lead to an increased risk of obesity and a reduced lifespan, a new study has claimed Researchers from the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre carried out an investigation to determine the impact excessive consumption of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) has on the body. BCAA supplements are often consumed in the form of powder, which is then added to water to make a shake. Published in journal Nature Metabolism, the study found that while BCAAs help to build muscle, they can also negatively impact an individual's temperament, cause weight gain and lead to a shortened lifespan Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Britain consumes more chocolate than any other country Most people love chocolate but it turns out no one does more than the Brits  with the average Brit found to have consumed 8.4 kg of chocolate in 2017, according to new data. Chocolate consumption around the world is on the rise, according to Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD), which found that in the past year alone, Easter chocolate production has risen by 23 per cent Food and drink news 'Easter eggs should be banned for children under four' Dr Becky Spelman, chief psychologist at Harley Streets Private Therapy Clinic, is calling for Easter eggs to be banned for consumption for children under the age of four, claiming that giving them the opportunity to binge on chocolate so young will give them an unhealthy relationship with food later on. "This is a nightmare situation for parents of this generation as they have no idea how to teach their children to delay their response to cravings, she said, explaining that too many young kids binge on these chocolates because their parents dont know how to stop them. "Once a child starts overeating behaviour at a young age its very hard to turn things around for them in terms of food and their eating habits moving forward, leading to obesity from at very young age," she added PA Food and drink news Pineapple overtakes avocado as the UK's fastest-selling fruit According to Tesco, pineapple has overtaken avocado as the UKs fastest-selling fruit, with sales increasing by 15 per cent in 2017. In comparison, avocado sales rose by just under 10 per cent last year. The popular supermarket says the surge in popularity comes as shoppers buying the versatile fruit are beginning to use it as a main ingredient in everything from curries and barbecues, to juices and cocktails Getty Food and drink news Marks & Spencers launches stoneless avocados Rather than the result of genetic modification, the avocados are formed by an unpollinated avocado blossom. The fruit develops without a seed which in turns stops the growth, creating a small, seedless fruit. Whats more, the skin is actually edible, unlike a regular avocado. The flesh is much like that of a normal avocado - smooth and creamy, pale in colour and rich in flavour M&S Food and drink news Office teabags contain 17 times more germs than a toilet seat, reveals study The average bacterial reading of an office teabag was 3,785, in comparison to only 220 for a toilet seat. Other pieces of kitchen equipment also stacked up highly in their findings, with the bacterial readings averaging at 2,483 on kettle handles, 1,746 on the rim of a used mug and 1,592 on a fridge door handle Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news New study shows drinking more coffee leads to a longer life There is good news and a final hope for coffee addicts and lovers. You will now be able to drink coffee for longer as new study shows its can lead to a prolonged life. Scientists showed that those who drank between two and four cups of coffee a day had 18% lower risk of death compared to non-coffee drinkers. PA Food and drink news Coke Zero is replaced with Coke Zero Sugar Coca-Cola is pulling the plug on its Coke Zero. The much loved drink will be replaced with a new improved taste. The move, backed with a 10 million campaign, is said to come from Coca-Cola supporting people to reduce their sugar intake. Coca-Cola want people make this move while not sacrificing sugary taste of Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola Food and drink news Starbucks introduce new avocado spread The avocado craze has grown from hipster brunch restaurants to Starbucks. Starbucks have introduced their new avocado spread earlier this year and it has the internet in debate. Some argue that it not a spread but guacamole while others question if there is any avocado in there at all. When buying the new spread you can also buy an optional toasted bagel. It is a must try for all avocado connoisseurs. Starbucks Food and drink news New Mars chocolate bar The iconic British chocolate bar is about to get its partner in crime. The new bar, named Goodness Knows, will replace the gooey caramel goodness of the mars bar with oats. It is said to be more like a Florentine biscuit with a thin dark chocolate bottom. While being moderately healthy Mars says that is has good intentions. One pack has 154 calories and will sell for about 90p. Mars Food and drink news Wine prices could increase because of Brexit Wine lovers across the UK might soon have to shell out close to a quarter more for their favourite tipple after Brexit, as a weaker pound and sluggish economy takes its toll, a new study shows Rex Food and drink news Chocolate may be good for the heart A new study, published in the British Medical Journal: Heart, found that moderate chocolate intake can be positively associated with lessening the risk of the heart arrhythmia condition Atrial Fibrillation Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Brits throw away 1.4 million bananas each year British families are throwing away 1.4 million bananas that are perfectly good to eat every day at cost of 80m a year, new figures have shown PA/Armin Weigel Food and drink news Rosemary sales spike over exam time There has been a surge a surge in sales of the herb rosemary after a recent study found it helps improve memory. According to high street health food chain Holland & Barrett, sales of the herb have increased by 187 per cent compared to the same time last year Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Gluten-free diets 'not recommended' for people without coeliac disease Avoiding wheat, barley and rye in the belief that a gluten-free diet brings health benefits may do more harm than good, according to a team of US nutrition and medicine experts Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Starbucks launches two new coffee-based drinks Starbucks is launching two new coffee-based drinks in the UK, as it strives to tap into consumers growing appetite for healthy beverages. The Cold Brew Vanilla sweet cream and the Cappuccino Freddo, will both be available in stores throughout the UK from the start of May Twitter/@SbuxCountyHall Food and drink news Cadburys Dairy Milk Tiffin is making a permanent comeback after 80 years The Cadbury Dairy Milk Tiffin, first produced in 1937, is making a permanent comeback to the UK. The raisin and biscuit-filled chocolate bar is being launched after a successful trial last summer saw 3 million chocolate treats  at the cost of 1.49 for each 95g bar- purchased by nostalgic customers Cadburys Food and drink news Pizza restaurant makes worlds cheesiest 'Scottie's Pizza Parlor' in Portland Oregon has created the worlds cheesiest pizza using a total of 101 different cheese varieties. Facebook/Scottie's Pizza Parlor Food and drink news A pizza joint in Portland Oregon has created the worlds cheesiest pizza using a total of 101 different cheese varieties. Why not eating before a workout could be better for your health A study published in the American Journal of Physiology by researchers at the University of Bath found you might be likely to burn more fat if you have not eaten first Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news New York restaurant named best in the world A New York restaurant where an average meal for two will cost $700 has been named the best in the world. Eleven Madison Park won the accolade for the first time after debuting on the list at number 50 in 2010. The restaurant was praised for a fun sense of fine-dining, blurring the line between the kitchen and the dining room Getty Images Food and drink news Why you crave bad food when youre tired Researchers at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University in Chicago recently presented their results of a study looking into the effects of sleep deprivation upon high-calorific food consumption. Researchers found that those who were sleep-deprived had specifically enhanced brain activity to the food smells compared to when they had a good nights sleep Shutterstock Food and drink news Drinking wine engages more of your brain than solving maths problems Drinking wine is the ideal workout for your brain, engaging more parts of our grey matter than any other human behaviour, according to a leading neuroscientist. Dr Gordon Shepherd, from the Yale School of Medicine, said sniffing and analysing a wine before drinking it requires exquisite control of one of the biggest muscles in the body Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news British dessert eating surges after people ditch healthy eating in February : In heartening news for anyone feeling guilty about quitting their New Year diet, it seems lots of us have given in to our sweet tooths once again. New data from nationwide food-delivery service Deliveroo reveals there was a surge in Brits ordering desserts in February compared to the first month of 2017 Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news US congress debates definition of milk alternatives A new bill has been created that seeks to ban dairy alternatives from using the term milk. Titled the DAIRY PRIDE Act, the name is a tenuous acronym for defending against imitations and replacements of yogurt, milk, and cheese to promote regular intake of dairy every day. It argues that the dairy industry is struggling as a result of all the dairy-free alternatives on the market and the public are being duped too Getty Images Food and drink news Cadburys launches two new chocolate bars UK confectionary giant Cadbury has launched two new chocolate bars, hoping to lure those with a sweet tooth and perhaps help combat some of the challenges it faces from rising commodity prices and a post-Brexit slump in the value of the pound.The companys new products will be peanut butter and mint flavoured. They will be available in most major super markets as 120g bars, priced at 1.49, according to the company Cadburys Food and drink news You can now get a job as a professional chocolate eater The company responsible for some of your favourite chocolate brands  think Cadbury, Milks, Prince and Oreo  have officially announced an opening to join their team as a professional chocolate taster. The successful candidate will help them to test, perfect and launch new products all over the world. Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news MSG additive used in Chinese food is actually good for you, scientist claims For years, weve been told MSG (the sodium salt of glutamic acid) - often associated with cheap Chinese takeaways - is awful for our health and to be avoided at all costs. But one scientist argues it should be used as a supersalt and encourages adding it to food. Getty Images/iStockphoto Food and drink news Lettuce prices are rising Not only are lettuces becoming an increasingly rare commodity in supermarkets, but prices for the leafy vegetables seem to be rising too. According to the weekly report from the Governments Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, a pair of Little Gem lettuces had an average market price of 0.86 in the week that ended on Friday, up from an average of 0.56 in the previous week  thats an almost 54 per cent increase. Getty Images Food and drink news Do-It-Yourself restaurant To encourage more people to cook and eat together, IKEA has launched The Dining Club in Shoreditch  a fully immersive Do-It-Yourself restaurant . Members of the public can book to host a brunch, lunch or dinner party for up to 20 friends and family. Supported by their very own sous chef and maitre de, the host and their guests will orchestrate an intimate dining experience where cooking together is celebrated and eating together is inspirational Mikael Buck / IKEA Food and drink news Ping Pong menu with a twist Gatwick Airport has teamed up with London dim sum restaurant Ping Pong to create a limited edition menu with a distinctly British twist; including a Full English Bao and Beef Wellington Puff, to celebrate the launch of the airports new route to Hong Kong Food and drink news Zizzi unveil the Maamgharita Unique pizza art has been created by Zizzi in celebration of the Queens 90th birthday. The pizza features the queen in an iconic pose illustrated with fresh and tasty Italian ingredients on a backdrop of the Union Jack Food and drink news Blue potatoes make a comeback Blue potatoes, once a staple part of British potato crops, are back on the menu thanks to a Cambridge scientist turned-organic farmer and Farmdrop, an online marketplace that lets people buy direct from local farms. Cambridge PhD graduate-turned farmer, Adrian Izzard has used traditional growing techniques at Wild Country Organics to produce the colourful spuds, packed with healthy cell-protecting anthocyanin, which had previously disappeared from UK plates when post-war farmers were pushed towards higher-yielding varieties

Youre encouraged to choose your first and main course to begin with, and leave pudding for later  in the hope that youll want something sweet to finish you up. The mains rather meat-focused with only one vegetarian option  risotto. But its a good one: chunky barley risotto rice, with beautifully baked and crispy kale with paprika  a much better way to eat it. And a mixture of woodland mushrooms with generous amounts of shaved parmesan.

The bravete steak is wonderfully pink and served traditional in strips. Other dishes include a burger, fishcakes made from crab  a popular ingredient on the menu  and pork belly.

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Desserts are sweet and cover the main areas  cheesecake, treacle tart, sticky toffee pudding and of course chocolate  served with a honeycomb slice and chocolate sorbet.

Great for groups, its a gorgeous environment  made better with live background music, an usual addition that sets itself apart.

The Botanist, Broadgate Circle, London EC2M 2QS; 020 3058 9888; broadgatecircle@thebotanistlondon.com

Brunching in...

Vietnamese breakfast omelette baguette

After returning from a trip to Saigon, I couldnt get enough of the Vietnamese breakfast staple known as banh mi. Sold on every street corner with the vendors special chilli sauce, this sandwich comes wrapped up and served with slices of cooked pork and pate, or with an omelette. A deliciously fresh and tangy breakfast in a warm baguette  Im hooked. You can also use eight individual sub rolls instead of the baguettes if you prefer.

Serves 8

3 carrots, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks

5 teaspoons cider vinegar

5 tablespoons caster (superfine) sugar, plus 1/2 teaspoon for the eggs

2 birds eye chillies, sliced finely (optional)

3 tablespoons soy sauce (optional)

8 individual-sized or 2 large French baguettes

8 eggs

6 spring onions (scallions), finely sliced

salt and freshly ground black pepper

oil for frying

2 handfuls of bean sprouts (ensure they are labelled as safe to eat raw and buy them as fresh as possible)

100 g (31/2 oz) sugar snap peas, thinly sliced

small bunch of coriander (cilantro)

Pickle the carrots by adding them to a bowl along with the cider vinegar and 5 tablespoons of sugar. Stir and leave to rest for 15 minutes, then drain and set aside.

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To make an optional spicy dressing for the filling, add the chillies and soy sauce to a bowl, and press down on the chillies with the back of a spoon to release their flavour. Set aside.

If you are using large baguettes, divide each one into 4 to make 8 pieces of baguette. Use your fingers to remove the bread from the middle of the baguettes; this allows you to get more of the filling inside and gives the sandwich a good crunch  a popular texture in Vietnamese cooking. Use the bread youve removed to make breadcrumbs for another recipe or go and feed some ducks.

Beat the eggs in a bowl and then stir in the spring onions, and the half teaspoon of sugar, and season. Heat a little oil in a frying pan and pour in a quarter of the egg mixture, rolling it around the pan so that it covers the bottom. Fry for 23 minutes until it is golden brown on the bottom and then flip it over and cook for further 2 minutes until golden on that side too. Slide the omelette out on to a plate or a sheet of greaseproof paper. Repeat this with the rest of the mixture to make 4 omelettes in total. Slice all the omelettes into strips.

To assemble the sandwiches, butter all the baguettes and then layer inside each baguette base some omelette, pickled carrot, bean sprouts and sugar snap peas. Sprinkle some coriander on top and spoon over some soy and chilli sauce, if using. Put the tops back on each base to close the sandwiches and serve.

Breakfast Morning, Noon and Night by Fern Green. Published by Hardie Grant (18.99)
Gunmen shot dead a Bangladeshi ruling party lawmaker on Saturday, police said, more than a year after he was arrested for allegedly shooting and seriously injuring a nine-year-old boy.

Up to three attackers were involved in the killing of 48-year-old Manjurul Islam Liton in his village home in his constituency in the northern district of Gaibandha, deputy police chief Robiul Islam told AFP.

"They fired at him three times, but two bullets hit him near his chest. He died after being taken to a hospital in the (northern city of) Rangpur," Islam said.

The assailants escaped and police have no clue about the motive, he added.

Liton, a member of the ruling Awami League party, was arrested in October 2015 on suspicion of firing shots that seriously injured a boy.

The boy was reportedly out walking with his uncle when the MP drove past and called the man over.

Liton apparently became angry when the uncle did not respond, and pulled out his gun and fired it, missing the man and hitting the child.

Police are still investigating the incident, which sparked protests in Gaibandha and in the capital Dhaka.

The latest shooting capped a deadly year for the Muslim majority country after suspected Islamist extremists carried out a series of killings of foreigners, religious minorities, bloggers and rights activists.

The Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), a banned extremist outfit, was blamed for most of the attacks including the July 1 massacre at a Dhaka restaurant in which 22 people, mostly foreigners, were killed.

In May this year the same group was blamed for the murder of a Hindu trader just a few kilometres (miles) from the town where Liton was shot dead.

The so-called Islamic State (IS) militant group has claimed responsibility for most of the killings, but Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's secular government blames local militant groups like JMB for the carnage.

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The UK's Investigatory Powers Act is now in effect, placing Britain under some of the widest-ranging spying powers ever seen.

The law  passed last month but going into effect on 30 December  is intended as an update to Britain's often unwieldy surveillance legislation. But it also includes a large set of new powers  including the ability to collect the browsing records of everyone in the country and have them read by authorities as diverse as the Food Standards Agency and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Most of the central parts of the act are now in force. That includes new powers to gather and retain data on citizens, and new ways to force technology companies and others to hand over the data that they have about people to intelligence agencies.

Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty

Many of the most invasive powers in the bill haven't yet gone into force. That includes, for instance, the collection of those Internet Connection Records, which has been postponed until the government and internet companies have worked out how they can collect such information safely.

The government has argued that the powers introduced in the bill are necessary to allow intelligence agencies and police to stop modern crime and prosecute the people involved in it.

But Bella Sankey, Amnestys policy director, said that it was a "sad day" when the bill passed into law last month.

The Home Secretary is right that the Government has a duty to protect us, but these measures wont do the job," she said then. "Instead they open every detail of every citizens online life up to state eyes, drowning the authorities in data and putting innocent peoples personal information at massive risk.

"This new law is world-leading  but only as a beacon for despots everywhere. The campaign for a surveillance law fit for the digital age continues, and must now move to the courts."

The law has been opposed by tens of thousands of people in a public petition. But much of that opposition only started after the bill was quietly passed into law by MPs, meaning that it was unlikely to have any effect.

But some of the central powers of the law were criticised by European courts earlier this month. As such, the law is set to face a range of legal challenges and could be changed in the coming months and years.
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The rise of populism in Europe is a far greater threat to the continents stability than Britains decision to leave the EU, the global chairman of KPMG, one of the worlds top four biggest accounting firms, has warned.

A majority of European business chiefs believe the Brexit vote could damage their business, with some reviewing their plans to invest in the UK, according to recent surveys.

However, John Veihmeyer, said Brexit is not the biggest threat facing the EU or the global economy next year.

In an interview with Business Insider, he said: The elections [in Europe] and the decisions [that are going to be made in 2017], like what will happen in France, could be very impactful for the rest of Europe  especially if we begin to see a trend or more similar activity in the Netherlands and other countries.

It could threaten the [European] union. It would mean a disruptive period for years especially since there will be a focus more on Brexit.

I wouldn't underestimate the concern I have for the health of the global economy and how this can become the biggest impediment of growth. The world is facing a lot of major uncertainties.

The anti-establishment tide that voted to sweep the UK out of the EU and Trump into the White House is rising steadily across the continent and Mr Veihmeyer is not the only to express his concern.

Brexit Concerns Show all 26 1 /26 Brexit Concerns Brexit Concerns Brexit will put British patients at 'back of the queue' for new drugs Brexit will put British patients at the back of the queue for vital new drugs, the Government has been warned  forcing them to wait up to two years longer A medicines regulator has raised the alarm over a likely decision to pull out of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as the EU itself. ealth Secretary Jeremy Hunt dropped the bombshell , when he said he expected the UK would quit the EMA  because it is subject to rulings by the European Court of Justice. Getty Images Brexit Concerns London to lose status as 'gateway to Europe' for banks One of Germanys top banking regulators has warned that London could lose its status as gateway to Europe for the banking sector after Britain quits the European trading bloc. Andreas Dombret, who is an executive board member for the BundesbankGermanys central banktold a private meeting of German businesses and banks earlier this week in Frankfurt that even if banking rules were equivalent between the UK and the rest of the EU, that was still miles away from [Britain having] access to the single market, the BBC reports. Jason Hawkes Brexit Concerns Exodus The number of financial sector professionals in Britain and continental Europe looking for jobs in Ireland rocketed in the months after the UK voted to leave the European Union Shutterstock Brexit Concerns Brexit is making FTSE 100 executives richer Pay packages of many FTSE 100 chief executive officers are partly tied to how well share prices are doing rather than the CEOs performance -- and some stocks are soaring. ritish equities got a boost since the June vote because the likes of Rio Tinto, Smiths Group and WPP generate most sales abroad and earn a fortune when they convert these revenues back into the weakened pound. Sterlings fall also made UK stocks more affordable for overseas investors. Rex Brexit Concerns Theresa May: UK to leave single market Theresa May has said the UK "cannot possibly" remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean "not leaving the EU at all". Getty Brexit Concerns Lead campaigner Gina Miller and her team outside the High Court Getty Brexit Concerns Raymond McCord holds up his newly issued Irish passport alongside his British passport outside the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns SDLP leader Colum Eastwood leaving the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns Migrants with luggage walk past a graffiti on a wall as they leave the 'Jungle' migrant camp, as part of a major three-day operation planned to clear the camp in Calais Getty Brexit Concerns Migrants leave messages on their tents in the Jungle migrant camp Getty Brexit Concerns The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra) which distributes approximately 700 meals daily in the northern Paris camp states that it is noticing a spike in new migrant arrivals this week, potentially linked the the Calais 'jungle' camp closure - with around 1000 meals distributed today EPA Brexit Concerns Migrant workers pick apples at Stocks Farm in Suckley, Britain Reuters Brexit Concerns Many farmers across the country are voicing concerns that Brexit could be a dangerous step into the unknown for the farming industry Getty Brexit Concerns Bank of England governor Mark Carney who said the long-term outlook for the UK economy is positive, but growth was slowing in the wake of the Brexit vote PA Brexit Concerns The Dow Jones industrial average closed down over 600 points on the news with markets around the globe pluninging Getty Brexit Concerns Immigration officers deal with each member of the public seeking entry into the United Kingdom but on average, 10 a day are refused entry at this London airport and between 2008 and 2009, 33,100 people were detained at the airport for mainly passport irregularities Getty Brexit Concerns A number of global investment giants have threatened to move their European operations out of London if Brexit proves to have a negative impact on their businesses Getty Brexit Concerns Following the possibility of a Brexit the UK would be released from its renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive and from EU state aid restrictions, potentially giving the government more freedom both in the design and phasing out of renewable energy support regimes Getty Brexit Concerns A woman looking at a chart showing the drop in the pound (Sterling) against the US Dollar in London after Britain voted to leave the EU Getty Brexit Concerns Young protesters outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, to protest against the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU following the referendum Getty Brexit Concerns Applications from Northern Ireland citizens for Irish Passports has soared to a record high after the UK Voted in favour of Leaving the EU Getty Brexit Concerns NFU Vice President Minette Batters with Secretary of State, Andrea Leadsome at the National Farmers Union (NFU) took machinery, produce, farmers and staff to Westminster to encourage Members of Parliament to back British farming, post Brexit Getty Brexit Concerns The latest reports released by the UK Cabinet Office warn that expats would lose a range of specific rights to live, to work and to access pensions, healthcare and public services. The same reports added that UK citizens abroad would not be able to assume that these rights will be guaranteed in the future Getty Brexit Concerns A British resident living in Spain asks questions during an informative Brexit talk by the "Brexpats in Spain" group, about Spanish legal issues to become Spanish citizens, at the town hall in Benalmadena, Spain Reuters Brexit Concerns The collapse of Great Britain appears to have been greatly exaggerated given the late summer crowds visiting city museums, hotels, and other important tourist attractions Getty Brexit Concerns The U.K. should maintain European Union regulations covering everything from working hours to chemicals until after the government sets out its plans for Brexit, said British manufacturers anxious to avoid a policy vacuum and safeguard access to their biggest export market Getty

A string of high-stakes elections in France, Germany and the Netherlands  along with possibly Italy  could bring even greater uncertainty to the bloc in the year to come.

Earlier this month, David Cameron warned the euro could be plunged back into crisis and added the election of Frances far-right leader Marine Le Pen would be a big body blow for Europe.

French former Socialist prime minister and presidential hopeful , Manuel Valls, previously said Europe could die in the face of attacks from the populists. Meanwhile, Wolfgang Schauble, Germans finance minister, has warned of the scourge of demagogic populism.
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As 2016 draws to a close, it signifies the final year in office for President Barack Obama.

Pete Souza, the White Houses chief photographer, has closely followed Mr Obama and his familys every movement for the past eight years. Each year, he compiles a selection of the estimated 1000 photos he takes every day which make the 'year in review' cut.

Editing for this project is both subjective and personal, he wrote on Medium. Yes, there are some historic moments included but mostly I was looking for behind-the-scenes moments that give people a more personal look at the President and First Lady. And Ive included a few that I thought were just cool photos.

2016 in pictures from the White House Show all 26 1 /26 2016 in pictures from the White House 2016 in pictures from the White House Feb. 18, 2016: 'President Obama watches the First Lady dance with 106-year-old Virginia McLaurin in the Blue Room of the White House prior to a reception celebrating African American History Month.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House Feb. 16, 2016: 'President Obama reacts as his putt falls just short during an impromptu hole of golf with staffers Joe Paulsen, left, and Marvin Nicholson after the U.S.-ASEAN Summit at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, California' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House March 10, 2016: 'What an honor to watch these girls grow up. Malia, foreground, and Sasha were both invited guests for the State Dinner in honor of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada and Mrs. Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau. Following the actual sit-down dinner in the East Room, they made their way down the Great Hall to the State Dining Room for the musical entertainment.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House March 23, 2016: 'Two renowned tango dancersMora Godoy and Jose Lugonewere the featured entertainers at a state dinner hosted by President Mauricio Macri and Juliana Awada of Argentina in Buenos Aires. The dancers then summoned the President and First Lady to join them for a dance.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House April 14, 2016: 'The President is always asking staff to bring their babies and young kids by for a visit. Here, during a break between meetings one afternoon, the President crawled around in the Oval Office with Communications Director Jen Psakis daughter Vivi.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House April 22, 2016: 'Originally it was unclear whether I would be permitted to photograph the President meeting Prince George. But the night before, our advance team called and said they had gotten word from Kensington Palace that they would allow me access to make candid photographs during their visit. Afterwards, this photograph garnered the most attention but at the time all I could think was how the table at right was hindering my ability to be at the optimum angle for this moment.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House March 16, 2016: 'It just happened spontaneously one afternoon as the President began dancing in the Outer Oval with Personal Aide Ferial Govashiri. As I recall, he was helping her practice for her upcoming wedding.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House June 4, 2016: 'The Vice President chases children and members of the press with a super soaker during the 2016 Biden Beach Boardwalk Bash held at the Naval Observatory Residence in Washington, D.C.' Official White House Photo by David Lienemann 2016 in pictures from the White House June 21, 2016: 'For eight years, President Obama has visited wounded warriors on a regular basis at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Here he participates in an agility drill (top) and box jump with Navy Lt. Cmdr. John Jae Terry.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House June 22, 2016: 'The great thing about children is you just dont know what they will do in the presence of the President. So when David Axelrod stopped by the Oval Office with one of his sons family, Axes granddaughter, Maelin, crawled onto the Vice Presidents seat while the President continued his conversation with the adults. Then at one point, Maelin glanced over just as the President was looking back at her.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House July 9, 2016: 'German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacts when she thought they were somehow going to squeeze the entire press corps into a small hallway in Warsaw, Poland, to do a group photo with all of the European leaders. Instead, they were just being lined up in the order that they were supposed to walk into the room where the press was already prepositioned.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House July 25, 2016: 'Armanil Chisholm, 3, reacts as the President greets him in the Cross Hall of the White House. Armanil was with his grandmother, Tameca Brown, after the President had taken a group photo with wounded warriors and their families.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House Aug. 4, 2016: 'With some staff watching in the background, President Obama blows out candles after the Vice President surprised him with some birthday cupcakes.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House Aug. 5, 2016: 'When Stevie Wonder stopped by for a visit, the President described many of the items in the Oval Office including the bust of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House Aug. 24, 2016: 'President Obama watches a virtual reality film captured during his trip to Yosemite National Park earlier this summer as Personal Aide Ferial Govashiri continues working at her computer.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House Sept. 5, 2016: 'President Obama talks with President Vladimir Putin of Russia following their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House Sept. 7, 2016: 'The President sips from a coconut during his visit in Luang Prabang, Laos. This was just after it was chopped open, splattering pieces of coconut on his shirt.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House Sept. 12, 2016: 'After a meeting with actor and human rights activist George Clooney, the President invited him and three of his colleagues to shoot hoops on the White House basketball court. This photo garnered a lot of attention when it was hung on the walls of the West Wing.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House Sept. 12, 2016: 'The First Lady goes shopping at a CVS Pharmacy in preparation for life after the White House during a segment taping for the Ellen DeGeneres Show in Burbank, Calif.' Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson 2016 in pictures from the White House Sept. 24, 2016: 'The First Lady hugs former President George W. Bush as she and President Obama take the stage during the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.' Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy 2016 in pictures from the White House Oct. 31, 2016: 'The President was about to welcome local children for Halloween trick-or-treating when he ran into Superman Walker Earnest, son of Press Secretary Josh Earnest, in the Ground Floor Corridor of the White House. Flex those muscles, he said to Walker.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House Nov. 8, 2016: 'The President had just walked in from the dining room and sitting on the floor in the Oval Office was Evelyn Evie Cushman, daughter of Chase Cushman, Director of Scheduling and Advance. He immediately dropped down to his hands and knees and began tossing a ball back and forth with her.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House Nov. 9, 2016: 'It was the morning after the election and the President wanted to speak to Press Secretary Josh Earnest about how to characterize his thoughts to the press. When he heard Josh was meeting with his team, the President sent word to bring the team with him, thinking it was just a few others. But it turned out that Josh had the entire communications, speechwriting and research team in his office and they all filtered in to the Oval, some for the first time.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House Oct. 3, 2016: 'The White House was hosting South by South Lawn, an event based on the infamous South by Southwest event in Austin, Texas. Just before lunch that day, the President was checking out the setup from a window in the Oval Office before the gates were opened. Hey Pete, he said to me, lets go take a picture with the LEGO men. And so we did.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House Oct. 14, 2016: 'There was almost no light remaining at the end of the day when the President and First Lady walked out to the South Lawn for a Fourth Quarter toast to White House staff.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 2016 in pictures from the White House Dec. 27, 2016: 'President Obama and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan toss flowers at the wishing well after laying a wreath at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor.' Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

I hope you enjoy this final Year in Photographs of the Obama administration. Its been the honour of a lifetime to be a witness to history these past eight years.

The collection, which were either taken by Mr Souza or a member of his White House photography team, ranges from historical moments such as Mr Obamas address to his staff the morning after Donald Trumps victory in November and his visit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Pearl Harbour.

Others show a more personal side of the outgoing president, including candid moments with his wife Michelle, daughters Malia and Sasha as well as him interacting with children and dancing.

Similarly to when the Obamas sent out their final family Christmas card, the photos have only fuelled a further outpouring of grief from the outgoing presidents supporters who do not want to see him exit the White House in January.
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British New Year's Eve partygoers have been urged to avoid cheap alcohol containing potential deadly ingredients found in antifreeze.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales, has issued the warning after tests on one seized stash of counterfeit vodka found dangerous quantities of cleaning products and paint solvent.

Drinking the alcohol could cause vomiting, permanent blindness and liver problems.

Thousands of counterfeit alcohol bottles, including wine and beer, have already been seized in the lead up to the biggest night out of the year, the LGA said.

The LGA is urging consumers to look out for warning signs that your New Year bottle might be a counterfeit.

These include unfamiliar brand names, crooked labels, spelling mistakes and low prices that are too good to be true.

Simon Blackburn, chairman of the LGA's safer and stronger communities board, said: "New Year's Eve is the biggest drinking night of the year but people need to avoid suspiciously cheap, fake alcohol at all costs because it could seriously harm your health, and even kill you.

"Counterfeit alcohol also harms legitimate traders and threatens livelihoods, with the black market trade helping to fund organised criminal gangs. Council trading standards teams have been cracking down on businesses selling fake alcohol and rogue sellers should think twice about stocking these dangerous drinks as we will always seek to prosecute irresponsible traders."

The 10 countries that drink the most alcohol Show all 10 1 /10 The 10 countries that drink the most alcohol The 10 countries that drink the most alcohol 10. Poland Results from an OECD report The 10 countries that drink the most alcohol 9. Germany The 10 countries that drink the most alcohol 8. Luxembourg Rex Features The 10 countries that drink the most alcohol 7. France The 10 countries that drink the most alcohol 6. Hungary Rex Features The 10 countries that drink the most alcohol 5. Russia AFP/Getty Images The 10 countries that drink the most alcohol 4. Czech Republic The 10 countries that drink the most alcohol 3. Estonia Rex Features The 10 countries that drink the most alcohol 2. Austria Getty Images The 10 countries that drink the most alcohol 1. Lithuania AFP/Getty Images

In Cheshire, a man was found with 26 litres of fake vodka unfit for human consumption, as well as 108 bottles of illicit wine.

Meanwhile, trading standards seized 800 bottles of suspected fake vodka in Crewe, and bottles of fake Glens Vodka were seized from an off-licence in Burton, Staffordshire.

Separately, in Lincolnshire, officers also seized an incredible 3,570 litres of mostly counterfeit beers, wines and spirits from 20 premises as part of a joint operation with police, HM Revenue and Customs and the council.

Anyone who thinks they have consumed fake alcohol should seek medical advice.

Additional reporting by PA
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The number of private renters being made homeless is at a near-record high and has more than trebled under the Conservative government, an analysis of new official statistics by The Independent has found.

Thousands of renters each month are being deemed officially homeless by local councils after being evicted by private landlords and struggling to pay rents that have risen across the country by more 20 per cent since 2010.

The figures show a huge rise in people becoming homeless at the end of assured short hold tenancies (ASTs)  the most common agreement used by private landlords  since 2010.

In the year to September 2016, 18,820 private renting households were made homeless, compared with just 5,580 in the year to September 2010.

Critics accused Government ministers of sitting on their hands while renters face increasingly stark consequences if they fail to keep up with soaring rents.

The analysis reveals soaring levels of homelessness since the Conservatives took office are explained almost entirely by the unaffordability and instability of the private rental market forcing renters to register as homeless.

Of the thousands more households that became homeless between the summer of 2010 and the summer of 2016, a staggering 96 per cent are accounted for by private renters losing their homes. The total number of homeless households has increased by a quarter in the last six years.

Labour said the statistics should shame us allbut the Government most of all.

John Healey MP, the Shadow Housing Secretary, said: It should shame us all that in a country as decent and well off as ours the number of people finding themselves homeless is rising rapidly.

This growing homelessness should shame the Government most of all. The spiralling rise in street homelessness results directly from decisions made by Ministers since 2010 on housing, and on funding for charities and councils.

In particular government Ministers have sat on their hands while the number of private renters living in insecure and unaffordable housing has ballooned."

End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Show all 14 1 /14 End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Manchester End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Manchester End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Edinburgh Jon Savage End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Edinburgh Colin Hattersley Photography End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Edinburgh Colin Hattersley Photography End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Edinburgh Colin Hattersley Photography End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Edinburgh Colin Hattersley Photography End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Edinburgh Colin Hattersley Photography End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Eden Project, Cornwall End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Eden Project, Cornwall End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Sheffield James Rothwell End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Norwich End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Cardiff End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out 2016 Cardiff

Private renters at the end of their tenancies now make up one in three of all homeless households - up from just one in seven in 2010, meaning the proportion has more than doubled in just six years.

Tenants being evicted by a private landlord at the end of a tenancy is now the most common cause of homelessness.

In London the problem is even more severe. The number of private renters becoming homeless in the capital has increased more than eight times over since 2010  from 950 to 7,940. A huge 40% of homeless people in London are private renters who lost their home  up from just 11 per cent in 2010.

John Healey, the Shadow Housing Secretary, said the latest figures were a result of government policies (Getty)

The figures were released following a period in which rents have risen by over 20 per cent. The average rent in England and Wales is now 830 according to the LSL Buy-to-Let Index - an increase of 21 per cent on the average of 684 for the same point in 2010. In London, rents have risen from 969 to 1295  a 34 per cent rise.

Dan Wilson Craw, a spokesman for campaign group Generation Rent, said policy changes were needed to tackle the problem: The ability of landlords to take back their property without giving a reason is the underlying cause of the rise in homelessness, and sets up a precarious existence for the growing numbers of families renting privately.

Private renting needs urgent reform if it is to serve the needs of its long-term population. The government could create stability, and prevent homelessness, by forcing landlords who evict a blameless tenant to foot the bill of finding a new home. That would deter opportunistic evictions, while giving unlucky tenants a basic safety net.

The figures were revealed as The Independent campaigns with the charity Centrepoint to raise funds for the first nationwide Young and Homeless Helpline, which will be able to offer assistance to the thousands of 16 to 25-year-olds who face homelessness in the UK every year.

Balbir Chatrik, Centrepoints director of policy and engagement, said: We face a housing crisis of epic proportions where ordinary families are losing their homes but cannot find an affordable place to rent. In 2010, one in seven private renters lost their tenancy compared to one in three in 2016.

"With a dire shortage of affordable homes being built, rents continuing to rise, and restrictions to housing benefit, 2017 is likely to see yet more people facing the misery of homelessness.

 Jeremy Corbyn attends homeless appeal event

Centrepoints own research has suggested that as local authorities struggle with austerity cuts, up to one in three young people seeking help with homelessness are currently being turned away unaided by English local councils.

Without proper central government funding, Ms Chatrik warned, it would be hard for measures in the Homelessness Reduction Bill currently going through Parliament to work effectively.

Ms Chatrik said: Centrepoint welcomes the Homelessness Reduction Bill, in particular the new duties for local authorities to assess, prevent and relieve homelessness. But without additional funding, cash-strapped councils will be able to do very little to prevent more people facing homelessness.

The number of households becoming homeless at the end of private tenancies more than halved in the decade between 2000 and 2010, having peaked in 2001, but since 2010 has continued to rise significantly.

Housing charity Shelter said the trend reflected a failure to build enough affordable homes.

Roger Harding, the charitys Director of Communications, Policy and Campaigns, said: "The governments recent ban on letting fees will provide some welcome respite for renters. However, people will continue to struggle unless we commit to tackling the long term cause of this problem by building more affordable homes that people on ordinary wages can actually afford to buy or rent long term."

The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Show all 20 1 /20 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Digital Economy Bill  Give every household the legal right to fast broadband  but if they live in some remote areas, theyll have to pay part of the cost themselves  Phone and broadband companies to be forced to release details of customer complaints and average broadband speeds  New powers to allow public bodies like councils and government department to share swathes of data  including unpaid bills Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Transport Bill  New laws to govern the development of driverless cars, drones and space planes which the Government hopes will encourage investment in the new technologies to take place in the UK  Making it legal for customers to buy insurance for driverless vehicles Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 4/5 This content is subject to copyright. The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Planning Bill  Giving legal powers to villages and towns to set their own priorities for new housing. They wont be able to turn down new homes, but they will have a say in where they can be built  Create a new National Infrastructure Commission to push through big projects such as nuclear power stations and new rail and road links  cutting the amount of time it takes to develop them Controversy Rating: 3/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Jobs Bill  Give powers to local authorities to reduce the level of business rates they charge. City Mayors would also be able to increase rates in some areas to pay for specific infrastructure projects to that would boost local growth Controversy Rating: 2/5 Change Britain Rating: 2/5 This content is subject to copyright. The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Markets Bill  Making it easier for consumers to switch electricity and gas suppliers  Cutting down the time it takes for the Competition and Markets Authority to launch investigations into uncompetitive practices Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Bus Services Bill  Give local authorities and mayors powers to set standards for local buses  including frequency of services and fairs  Force all bus companies to provide real time information on services to app developers so everyone across the country will have the same ability as Londoners to know when the next bus is coming on their smart phone Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5 2007 Getty Images The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 NHS Overseas Charging Bill  Increasing the number of services for which the NHS charges foreign patients  Reduces the number of people from the European Economic Area who are eligible for free services Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 1/5 2016 Getty Images The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Pensions Bill  Capping early exit fees on company pension schemes  Create a new pensions guidance body to help consumers know their pension rights  and make best use of previous Government reforms allowing pensioners the right to take the money they have saved in a lump sum on retirement to invest how they like Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Children and Social Work Bill  New obligation on councils to be a corporate parent to children in care and look after them even after they have grown up  Giving all children leaving care a personal advisor to help them find jobs, secure a home and deal with any problems  Create a new regulator for social work along the lines of Ofsted to drive up standards in the profession Controversy Rating: 2/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Education Bill  Force failing local authorities to convert all the schools in their area to academies  Reform school funding to address long standing disparities across the country that has disadvantaged schools in some rural areas Controversy Rating: 3/5 Change Britain Rating: 2/5 2015 Getty Images The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Higher Education Bill  Making it simpler and easier for companies and other providers to set up new universities around the country. Ministers want to encourage institutions like Harvard and companies like Google to consider setting up campuses in the UK  Allowing universities who have been rated "excellent" for teaching to charge more than those who are not  Law to force universities to publish information about their application processes broken down by ethnicity, gender and socio economic background Controversy Rating: 2/5 Change Britain Rating: 4/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Prisons and Courts Bill  New law to create reform prisons giving governors powers to set their own regimes and budgets  Obligation to publish re-offending rates by prison Controversy Rating: 2/5 Change Britain Rating: 4/5 2016 Getty Images The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 National Citizen Service Bill  New law to force schools to promote NCS to all 16 year olds and putting the scheme for the first time on a statutory footing Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Lifetime Savings Bill  Putting into law a Government plans to give people on working tax credits who save 50 a month a Government "bonus" of 50 up to a maximum of 300 a year Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 2/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Soft Drinks Industry Levy Bill  Introduce a sugar tax on soft drinks to fund school sports Controversy Rating: 3/5 Change Britain Rating: 5/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Bill of Rights  A new bill of rights to replace the Human Rights Act that will be based on the European Convention of Human Rights but will also take account of English common law Controversy Rating: 5/5 Change Britain Rating: 4/5 This content is subject to copyright. The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Counter-Extremism Bill  New civil powers to allow authorities to ban so-called "extremist preachers"  New powers to intervene in Madrassas and other unregulated environments where children are present  New undisclosed powers to come out of Louise Caseys review of Muslim integration Controversy Rating: 5/5 Change Britain Rating: 4/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Criminal Finances Bill  Make it an offence for companies not to stop their staff facilitating tax evasion  New undisclosed powers for courts to recover criminal assets Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 1/5 2016 Getty Images The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Cultural Property Bill (Armed Forces)  Making it illegal for UK troops to damage cultural property in conflicts at home or abroad Controversy Rating: 1/5 Change Britain Rating: 1/5 The governments legislative programme for 2016-17 Wales Bill  Bill to put plans for further Welsh devolution on a statutory footing  following the new powers recently given to the Scottish Parliament Controversy Rating: 2/5 Change Britain Rating: 3/5

The Government said it was acting to tackle homelessness across the board, including by investing in new affordable rented homes. Ministers have previously rejected calls from charities and Labour to introduce a cap on private rents and extend the default tenancy from one year to three years.

A DCLG spokesman said: This Government is committed to supporting the most vulnerable in our society and ensuring our country works for everyone.

Thats why were investing over 550 million to tackle and reduce homelessness, on top of supporting Bob Blackmans Homelessness Reduction Bill to prevent more people from becoming homeless in the first place.

Were also investing 9.4 billion in affordable housing over the course of this Parliament including affordable rented housing.
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Alex Salmond has called on the Government to correct the errors in its foreign policy and abandon military obsession in his message for 2017.

In a new year message, the former SNP leader said Theresa Mays administration should adopt an "ethical and effective" approach in coming months instead of arms sales and "knee-jerk militarism".

"The new year is not one of celebration for many people in countries like Syria and Yemen where the horrors of 2016 will continue into 2017," he said.

"For the UK Government, the new year should be one of recognising and correcting the errors in their foreign policy approach, and one where they adopt a more ethical and effective approach that abandons military obsession and instead puts humanitarian and political efforts at its core.

"After all, we know that the Foreign Secretary actually personally believes that our allies are engaged in proxy wars."

He added: "You cannot arm regimes with stained military tactics with one hand and then raise the other to proclaim the need to uphold human rights. The lessons are clear for all in the last year, from the lessons of Libya to Yemen and Syria.

"The SNP have consistently called for a wider strategy rather than knee-jerk militarism and we will continue to hold the Tory government to account on these crucial issues."

Ms Mays administration has previously rejected calls by two parliamentary committees for it to stop the sale of British bombs to Saudi Arabias armed forces in Yemen.

Saudi forces have been widely accused of committing war crimes during the campaign in the country, where reports on the ground suggest they have blown up international hospitals, funerals, schools, and weddings.

But despite the reported incidents and the worsening humanitarian situation in the country since the bombardment began, the UK has signed off 3.3 billion in arms sales to the country since the start of the offensive.

Speaking in the Commons in December Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, confirmed that British-made cluster bombs  last delivered in 1989 and outlawed in 2010  have been used by the Saudi forces in the current conflict in Yemen. Due to their extraordinary risk to civilians, cluster bombs, which release small bomblets over a wider area, were banned in an international treaty signed by Britain.

Why Yemen's future threatens to destroy its past Show all 4 1 /4 Why Yemen's future threatens to destroy its past Why Yemen's future threatens to destroy its past Hugh McLeod Why Yemen's future threatens to destroy its past Hugh McLeod Why Yemen's future threatens to destroy its past Hugh McLeod Why Yemen's future threatens to destroy its past Hugh McLeod

Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister, said she was determined that Scotlands vote to remain in the EU will be respected in her own message for 2017. The SNP leader added that a second vote on Scottish independence remains highly likely.

The First Minister said: "We are working to safeguard the opportunities that so many people in Scotland now take for granted.

"We are determined that Scotland's vote to remain in the European Union will be respected - and that people in Scotland retain as many of the benefits of EU membership as possible, including the freedom to work, travel and study in other member states.

"New year is inevitably a time when we look to the future. I'm determined to ensure that we give our children and young people - Scotland's future - the support and care they need to live happy, healthy, fulfilling lives.

"I'm confident that in 2017, we will make further progress towards that goal. That's something which is well worth looking forward to.

"So, wherever you are - whether you're here in Scotland or further afield; whether you're at work, spending time on your own or with your friends or family - I hope you have a wonderful Hogmanay and a great new year. I wish all of you all the best for 2017."
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Nigel Farage backer Arron Banks is reportedly in talks with Warner Bros over a film about the former Ukip leaders Brexit campaign.

The American film studios, responsible for the Harry Potter franchise, The Hangover trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy to name a few, is apparently mulling over the movie idea.

According to the Daily Telegraph, producers are hoping to meet Mr Farage and Mr Banks when they visit the United States for Donald Trumps inauguration.

Arron Banks did not actually keep a diary but gave journalist Isabel Oakeshott access to email correspondence and text messages Getty (Getty)

The film would surround Mr Bankss book, titled The Bad Boys of Brexit, which documents the highs and lows of the Leave camps efforts.

Andy Wigmore, Mr Bankss spokesman, said that while the producers have done a bit of research  effectively that book is like a screenplay so half the work has been done for them.

It is not like it is something we would personally benefit from, added Mr Wigmore, who says any profits would go to charity.

THAT photo, showing Arron Banks (second from left) and Andy Wigmore (second from right) outside Donald Trump's gold-plated front door Twitter/Leave.EU (Twitter/Leave.EU)

The Bad Boys of Brexit  the film. It is a comedy.

The 18.99 diary, which Daily Mail editor-at-large Isabel Oakeshott helped write, follows primarily Mr Banks, Andy Wigmore and American polster Gerry Gunsters role in Leave.EU.

The trio worked closely with Mr Farage on persuading him to take part in the Battle of the Thames when pro-Leave and pro-Remain flotillas linked up parallel.

It has apparently been an unexpected hit in the bookshops.

 Nigel Farage responds to Brendan Cox criticism after Berlin attack

The book, which was based partly on the email and text message correspondence with politicians, lobby journalists, the BBC, Victoria Beckham and Nasa, is not actually written from a diary, because Mr Banks did not keep one.

It includes a description of the s***-storm after Wiggy posted a Remembrance Sunday-themed tweet suggesting that voting for Brexit would honour Britains war dead.

Mr Farage will reportedly fly to the US ahead of the inauguration on the invitation of Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant who introduced him to Mr Trump.

Nigel Farage joins 'Fishing for Leave' flotilla campaigning for Brexit Show all 10 1 /10 Nigel Farage joins 'Fishing for Leave' flotilla campaigning for Brexit Nigel Farage joins 'Fishing for Leave' flotilla campaigning for Brexit A Fishing for Leave pro-Brexit "flotilla" makes its way along the River Thames in London PA Nigel Farage joins 'Fishing for Leave' flotilla campaigning for Brexit Boats from the 'Fishing for Leave' campaign group join a flotilla along the Thames River Getty Images Nigel Farage joins 'Fishing for Leave' flotilla campaigning for Brexit Supporters of the EU Remain camp attach banners to Tower Bridge as they await a flotilla of fishing boats campaiging for Brexit to pass under the bridge AFP/Getty Images Nigel Farage joins 'Fishing for Leave' flotilla campaigning for Brexit A Fishing for Leave pro-Brexit "flotilla" alongside HMS Belfast (left) as it makes its way along the River Thames PA Nigel Farage joins 'Fishing for Leave' flotilla campaigning for Brexit Bob Geldof (centre) on board a boat taking part in a pro-EU counter demonstration PA Nigel Farage joins 'Fishing for Leave' flotilla campaigning for Brexit A flotilla of fishing vessels campaigning to leave the European Union REUTERS Nigel Farage joins 'Fishing for Leave' flotilla campaigning for Brexit A boat from the 'Fishing for Leave' campaign group and smaller boats from the 'In' campaign join a flotilla along the Thames River Getty Images Nigel Farage joins 'Fishing for Leave' flotilla campaigning for Brexit A fishing boat campaiging for Brexit passes by the Tower of London AFP/Getty Images Nigel Farage joins 'Fishing for Leave' flotilla campaigning for Brexit A boat decked out in flags and banners from the 'Fishing for Leave' campaign group Getty Images Nigel Farage joins 'Fishing for Leave' flotilla campaigning for Brexit Fishing boats campaiging for Brexit pass under Tower Bridge AFP/Getty Images

Mr Wigmore, as reported by The Telegraph, also claims 200,000 in media licencing fees has been made from his infamous photo of the President-elect and Mr Farage in Trump Tower.

It follows reports that Conservative ministers are banned from talking to Mr Farage and the right-wing politicians plea for people to ignore the Archbishop of Canterburys Christmas message.

Mr Banks earlier this year said Mr Trump will consult Mr Farage before Theresa May on UK policy proposals.

The Independent has contacted Warner Bros and Mr Wigmore for comment.
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The most senior civil servant at the Department for International Development has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours list.

Sir Mark Lowcocks knighthood sparked criticism from Conservative MP after previous criticism of the way DfID had spent aid.

Chancellor Philip Hammond was previously forced to announce a review of the departments aid spending after the Public Accounts Committee found millions had been allocated to construct an unusable airport on the remote South Atlanic island of St Helena.

A report by the Public Accounts Committee said of the 285m facility: It is staggering that the department did not foresee and address the impact of difficult wind conditions on landing commercial aircraft safely.

Ministers are responsible for the spending decisions of their departments, while Sir Mark is a civil servant, in charge of day-to-day operations and implementation.

The career civil servant, who started working at the department in 1985, has however been blamed for some controversial allocations of Britain's 12bn foreign aid budget.

Conservative MP Philip Davies told the Daily Mail newspaper that the mandarin certainly hasnt been knighted for services to the UK taxpayer. The MP accused the civil servant of squandering aid money.

Other public servants to have received honours in the honours list include Sarah Pearson, head of customer services at the personal tax division of HM Revenue & Customs; Oliver Morley, the chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency; and David Behan, who has served as the chief executive of the Care Quality Commission since 2012.

The Daily Telegraph newspaper report that civil servants at Theresa Mays former department the Home Office have been given more gongs than at any other institution in Whitehall.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The Government however defended the list: Honours are rewards for hard work and contributions to civic society, a government source said. All nominations for honours are assessed by one of the nine independent honours committees.
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The coming year could bring even bigger political upheaval than 2016, Ukips leader has predicted.

Paul Nuttall said ordinary people had kicked back against the liberal establishment this year.

He called for the Government to implement a Brexit where no fee was paid to the EU, where border controls were introduced, and where legislation was made at Westminster.

Recommended Paul Nuttall denies issuing fake CV saying he had a PhD in history

In his New Year message, Mr Nuttall said: Its been a year when the ordinary people, the little people, have kicked back against the liberal Establishment thats ruled over their lives for so many years.

Working class communities in this country went out in their droves and voted for Brexit. The Rust Belt in the United States voted en masse for Donald Trump.

If you think 2016 has been a year of upheaval, 2017 could be even bigger.

The leader, who replaced Diane James and Nigel Farage after an internal contest urged the Government to use the momentous referendum result to boost prosperity in Britain.

That is a Brexit whereby we control our own borders, its a Brexit whereby we make the legislation at Westminster, its a Brexit whereby we dont pay a membership fee into the European Union, he said.

Nigel Farage's most controversial moments Show all 12 1 /12 Nigel Farage's most controversial moments Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he unveiled that 'breaking point' poster during the referendum Mr Farage was accused of deploying Nazi-style propaganda when he unveiled a poster showing Syrian refugees travelling to Europe under the next Breaking point. Users on social media were quick to compare the advert to a Nazi propaganda film with similar visuals and featuring Jewish refugees. The poster was particularly controversial because it was unveiled the morning of the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox Rex Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said hed be concerned if his neighbours were Romanian In May 2014 Mr Farage was accused of a racial slur against Romanians after he suggested he would be concerned living next to a house of them. I was asked if a group of Romanian men moved in next to you, would you be concerned? And if you lived in London, I think you would be, he told LBC radio during an interview. Asked whether he would also object to living next to German children, he said: You know the difference Bongarts/Getty Images Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said the EU campaign was won 'without a bullet being fired' Nigel Farage has said the next Prime Minister has to be a Leave supporter AFP/Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he resigned as Ukip leader and came back days later After failing to win the seat of South Thanet at the general election, Nigel Farage stepped down as Ukip leader  as he had promised to do during the campaign. Days later on 11 May he un-resigned and said he would stay after being convinced by supporters within the party. Well see how long his resignation lasts this time AP/Matt Dunham Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he blamed immigrants for making him late Mr Farage turned up late to a 25-a-head meet the leader style event in Port Talbot, Wales in December 2014. Asked why he was late, he blamed immigrants. It took me six hours and 15 minutes to get here - it should have taken three-and-a-half to four, he said. That has nothing to do with professionalism, what it does have to do with is a country in which the population is going through the roof chiefly because of open-door immigration and the fact that the M4 is not as navigable as it used to be Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he wanted to ban immigrants with HIV from Britain Mr Farage has used his platform as Ukip leader call for people with HIV to be banned from coming to Britain. Asked in an interview with Newsweek Europe in October 2014 who he thought should be allowed to come to the UK, he said: People who do not have HIV, to be frank. Thats a good start. And people with a skill. He also repeated similar comments in the 2015 general election leadership debates Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he defended the use of a racial slur against Chinese people Defending one of Ukips candidates, who used the word ch**ky to describe a Chinese person, Mr Farage said: If you and your mates were going out for a Chinese, what do you say you're going for?" When he was told by the presented that he honestly would not use the slur, Mr Farage replied: A lot would Lintao Zhang/Getty Images Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said parts of Britain were like a foreign land The Ukip leader used his 2014 conference speech to declare parts of Britain as being like a foreign land. He told his audience in Torquay that parts of the country were unrecognisable because of the number of foreigners there. Mr Farage has also previously said he felt uncomfortable when people spoke other language on a train Screengrab Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said the British army should be deployed to France At the height of trouble at Britains Calais border Mr Farage proposed a novel solution. The Ukip leader called for the British army to be sent to France to put down a migrant rebellion. In all civil emergencies like this we have an army, we have a bit of a Territorial Army as well and we have a very, very overburdened police force and border agency, he said. If in a crisis to make sure weve actually got the manpower to check lorries coming in, to stop people illegally coming to Britain, if in those circumstances we can use the army or other forces then why not AFP/Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said breastfeeding women should sit in the corner Mr Farage sparked protests from mothers after he told women to sit on the corner if they wanted to breastfeed their children. I think that given that some people feel very embarrassed by it, it isnt too difficult to breastfeed a baby in a way that's not openly ostentatious, Mr Farage said. He added: "Or perhaps sit in the corner, or whatever it might be AFP/Getty Images Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said the gender pay gap exists because women are worth less At a Q&A on the European Union in January 2014 Mr Farage said there was no discrimination against women causing the gender pay gap. Instead, he said, women were paid less because they were simply worth far less than many of their male counterparts. A woman who has a client base, has a child and takes two or three years off - she is worth far less to her employer when she comes back than when she went away because that client base won't be stuck as rigidly to her portfolio, he said Getty Nigel Farage's most controversial moments When he said he actually couldnt guarantee 350m to the NHS after Brexit During the EU referendum campaign the Leave side pledged to spend 350 million a week on the National Health Service  claiming that this is what the UK sends to Brussels. Nigel Farage didnt speak out against this figure and also pledged to spend EU cash on the health service and other public services himself. Then the day of the election result he suddenly changed his tone, saying he couldnt guarantee the cash for the NHS and that to pledge to do so was a mistake Getty

Mr Farage remain Ukips group leader in the European Parliament.

Mr Nuttalls party faces an investigation by the Electoral Commission after allegations by European Parliament authorities that it misspent taxpayer cash The party says it is the subject of a witch-hunt and denies any wrongdoing.
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Police in Brazil believe Greece's ambassador to the country was killed by his wife's lover under her orders in a house in the Rio area and have detained three suspects, authorities said on Friday.

Ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis went missing on Monday in Nova Iguacu, a city just north of Rio de Janeiro, where the ambassador had been vacationing. The couple lived most of the time in the capital of Brasilia.

On Friday, police investigator Evaristo Pontes Magalhaes said that 29-year-old police officer Sergio Gomes Moreira Filho had confessed to killing Mr Amiridis, alleging self-defence.

He said the policeman was having an affair with the ambassador's 40-year-old wife, Francoise.

Greek ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis had been missing since Monday night (AP)

Filho's cousin, Eduardo de Melo, acknowledged taking part in the killing as a lookout, Mr Magalhaes said. The cousin accused Francoise of offering him the equivalent of $25,000 (20,000) to participate.

A judge ordered the detention of Francoise, her lover and his cousin, and the three were in custody.

Francoise has denied any role in the alleged plot. According to Mr Magalhaes, Francoise said she couldn't stop Filho from killing her husband and insisted she was not at home at the time of the crime.

But the police investigator said in a press conference late Friday that the "evidence clearly puts the ambassador's wife as a co-author of the crime."

He said she started plotting with her lover to kill the ambassador after the couple had a serious fight three days before Christmas.

A burned corpse was found inside a car parked under a motorway overpass (Reuters)

"All our evidence suggests that her motivation was to use the financial resources left by the ambassador so she could enjoy life with Sergio," the police officer, Mr Magalhaes said.

The first signs the ambassador had been murdered emerged late Thursday, when police found blood spots believed to be his on a sofa inside the house the couple kept in Nova Iguacu, where the wife's family lives.

Filho told police that he strangled the ambassador during a fight, but the blood evidence found on the scene makes his claim unlikely, Mr Magalhaes said. Neighbours said they did not hear any shots, leading police to believe the policeman stabbed Amiridis.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The investigation showed that Amiridis' body was removed from the house in a carpet at the same time that Francoise arrived with their 10 year-old daughter, who did not see the body of her dead father, Magalhaes said.

Police believe a body found in a burned-out car that Mr Amiridis had rented on 21 December belongs to the ambassador, but forensics experts are still working to confirm that it is him.

Brazil's government has offered its condolences to Greece over his death.

The Greek Embassy website in Brazil says Mr Amiridis started his career as diplomat in 1985 in Athens and became Greece's top diplomat in Brazil in 2016.

He earlier was Greece's ambassador to Libya and worked as consul in Rio from 2001-2004.

Associated Press
The list includes an Arabic translation of a famous economics tome, the hidden story of a love affair by two cultural icons, and an analysis of relapses in the Arab Spring

As the year comes to a close, Ahram Online takes a look back at the ten best books of all genres published in 2016.

In no particular order, Ahram Onlines ten best books are:

1. Al-Thakafa Ka Siyasa (Culture as Politics: The Intellectuals and Their Social Responsibility in the Time of the Monsters) by Yassin Al-Haj Saleh, Arab Institute for Research and Publishing: Beirut

In this very timely book, renowned Syrian thinker and political writer Yassin Al-Haj Saleh tackles the role of intellectuals in the time of tyranny and struggle for power.

Saleh, who has not stopped writing since the Syrian revolution broke out in March 2011, sees culture as a form of political power and of public work that has its own character and dignity.

He argues that it is the duty of intellectuals to intervene in politics at all times, but especially in bloody times like ours, and speak clearly about prison, torture, discrimination, killing, racism, and bigotry. Saleh says in his book that what is worse than an intellectual becoming a practical politician, is when the intellectual claims that his field of work is art -- or thought -- and that he will not contaminate himself with politics and its affairs, refraining from engaging with politics and the problems of the real world. In our current state, this strategy justifies the status quo and nothing but the status quo.

2. Raa Al-Mal Fil Qarn El-Ishrin (Capital in the Twenty-First Century) by Thomas Piketty, trans. Wael Gamal and Salma Hussein, Dar AlTanweer: Cairo

This year the famous and much-debated work on the global economy was finally published in Arabic by two Egyptian journalists. The publication of the French academics work caused quite a stir in the Cairo books world, and Piketty himself came to Egypt to speak about the work and to mark its publication in Arabic.

3. Mapping My Return, by Salman Abu Sitta, AUC Press: Cairo

In his memoir, Palestinian researcher Salman Abu Sitta draws on oral histories and personal recollections of the vanished world of his family and home from the late nineteenth century to the eve of the British withdrawal from Palestine and subsequent war.

Alongside accounts of an idyllic childhood spent on his familys farm estate, Abu Sitta gives a personal and very human face to the dramatic events of Palestine in the 1930s and 1940s, conveying the acute sense of foreboding felt by Palestinians as Zionist ambitions and militarisation expanded under the mandate.

4. Shubra: A Small Alexandria in Cairo, Mohamed Afifi, Egyptian Book Organization: Cairo

Afifi, a professor of contemporary history at Cairo University, draws a picture of Shubra, the Cairene neighbourhood where he grew up which was once a cosmopolitan haven for foreigners in Egypt and an example of tolerance in Egypt during the first half of the 20th century.

5. Rasael Ounsi Al-Hajj Li Ghada El-Samman (Ounsi Al-Hajjs Letters to Ghada El-Samman), Dar Al-Talia: Beirut

Published posthumously by Lebanon's most famous female writer, Ghada El-Samman, the book reveals her formerly unknown love affair that the great poet Ounsi Al-Hajj (1937  2014) in 1963 while they both were entering the Lebanese and Arab literary scene.

The book came as a shock to many people, not just because it raises the question of whether it is ethical to publish letters without the writers consent, but also because it reveals a love affair involving Al-Hajj, a star of cultural journalism in Lebanon, never mentioned in his work, nor in interviews. The book has sparked an ongoing controversy since its publication in December and reveals a new side of this renowned and eloquent poet.

6. Intikasat Al-Intifada Al-Arabiya (Morbid Symptoms: Relapse in the Arab Uprising), by Gilbert Achcar, Dar Al-Saqi: Beirut

Described by the Le Monde as one of best analysts of the contemporary Arab world," London-based academic Gilbert Achcar continues his updated analysis of the Arab Spring, exploring why the uprisings relapsed and dissecting the powers of the old regimes and of the religious reactive forces, all in a historical context that provides deep insights.

7. Toubaa Fi Beirut (Printed in Beirut), by Jabbour Douaihy, Dar AlSaqi: Beirut

The award-winning Lebanese novelist's new book takes place in Beirut, where its protagonist, Farid, who is in his 30s, is struggling to publish his own book when a publisher offers him a job as a copyeditor. Through the symbolism of Farid's character Douaihy weaves a story of a great collapse of the Lebanese realities, socially, economically and first and foremost, culturally.

8. The Political Economy of the New Egyptian Republic, by Nicholas S. Hopkins, Cairo Papers Vol. 33, No. 4, AUC Press: Cairo

A collection of studies looking at social and political changes following Egypt's 2011 revolution. In 2013, a conference held under the auspices of the Cairo Papers in Social Science examined this issue from the points of view of anthropologists, historians, political scientists, psychologists, and urban planners.

The papers collected in this book reveal the strategies that various actors employed in this situation.

Contributors include Ellis Goldberg, David Sims, Yasmine Ahmed, Deena Abdelmonem, Dina Makram-Ebeid, Clement Henry, Sandrine Gamblin, Hans Christian Korsholm Nielsen, and Zeinab Abul-Magd.

9. Scanning the Pharaohs: CT Imaging of the New Kingdom Royal Mummies, by Zahi Hawass and Sahar Saleem, AUC Press: Cairo

This book analyses the results of the groundbreaking imaging technology being used to examine the royal mummies of the New Kingdom.

The royal mummies in the Cairo Museum are an important source of information about the lives of the ancient Egyptians. The remains can inform us about their age at death and medical conditions from which they suffered, as well as the mummification process and objects placed within the wrappings. Using the latest technology, including Multi-Detector Computed Tomography and DNA analysis, co-authors Zahi Hawass and Sahar Saleem present the results of the examination of royal mummies of the eighteenth to twentieth dynasties.

10. Power of the Text: The Discourse of Al-Azhar and the Crisis of Ruling, by Basma Abdel-Aziz, Sesafa: Cairo

The book focuses on the discourse of Al-Azhar under the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood. The author looks at both statements made by Al-Azhar officials at the time of Mohamed Morsis presidency in 2013, and the subsequent deadly dispersal of the Rabaa protest camp.

It also uncovers how the discourse of Al-Azhar has concurred with that of the military and how the latter used the religious institution to empower its own discourse, and to encourage people to accept, even to support, the return of the military to power. It also reveals how Al-Azhar has employed the Quran to serve the military.

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The governor of Vermont has called on federal officials to investigate the discovery of malware associated with Russian hackers on a laptop owned by an electricity company.

The Burlington Electric Department said US utilities were alerted by the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday of a malware code used in Grizzly Steppe, the name federal agents have applied to a Russian campaign linked to recent hacks.

On Friday night, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin called on federal officials to conduct a full and complete investigation of this incident and undertake remedies to ensure that this never happens again.

Vermonters and all Americans should be both alarmed and outraged that one of the worlds leading thugs, Vladimir Putin, has been attempting to hack our electric grid, which we rely upon to support our quality-of-life, economy, health, and safety, Mr Shumlin said in a statement.

This episode should highlight the urgent need for our federal government to vigorously pursue and put an end to this sort of Russian meddling.

The governor of Vermont has called on the Department of Homeland Security to investigate (AP)

While reports of the discovery of the apparent sparked immediate headlines, some commentators suggested caution.

Burlington Electric said the laptop was not connected to its grid systems and that it took immediate action to isolate the laptop and alerted federal officials.

 Former ambassador to Russia: Putin wanted 'revenge' against Clinton

Yet the Washington Post said while the Russians did not actively use the code to disrupt operations, US officials said the discovery underscored the vulnerabilities of the nations electrical grid. It claimed it also raised fears in the US government that Russian government hackers were actively trying to penetrate the grid to carry out potential attacks.

It said officials in government and the utility industry regularly monitored the grid because it is highly computerised. Any disruptions can have severe implications for medical and emergency services.

The news comes at a time of no little hysteria within the US media about the alleged threat and sophistication of Russian hacking amid reports that a hacking operation dubbed the Grizzly Steppe sought to interfere in the US presidential election. The US intelligence community reportedly believes it did so to benefit Donald Trump - a claim that both Russia and the President-elect have rejected.

This week, President Barack Obama ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats from the US as punishment for the alleged cyber-meddling. He also ordered the closure of two compounds, one in New York state and the second in Maryland, that the envoys used as rural retreats.

Mr Putin declined to reciprocate, something that Mr Trump said was a great move.

The Associated Press said Vermont senator Patrick Leahy was briefed on the attempts to penetrate the electric grid by the Vermont State Police on Friday evening.

This is beyond hackers having electronic joy rides - this is now about trying to access utilities to potentially manipulate the grid and shut it down in the middle of winter, Mr Leahy said in a statement. That is a direct threat to Vermont and we do not take it lightly.

Burlington Electric, which says it is at the forefront of the green energy revolution, is one of the states two largest electric utilities. The other, Colchester-based Green Mountain Power, said its systems were secure.

Our teams have done a complete systems check and found no security concerns, it said.
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A man from Michigan stabbed his 5-year-old stepdaughter to death and set her body on fire, after he "snapped when she asked for food, a court has been told.

Thomas McClellan, 25, said he had knocked Luna Michelle Younger to the ground, sat on her and stabbed her in the chest during the incident in November when the child would not leave his room, Detective Chuck Buckland of the Ingham County Sheriffs Office testified this week.

Mr Buckland told the court in Ingham County, Michigan, that Mr McClellan then wrapped the girls body in blankets, doused with alcohol an then set it on fire.

Thomas McClellan has been charged with murder and child abuse (YouTube)

The Lansing State Journal said Mr McClellan has been charged with murder, first-degree child abuse and first-degree arson. He faces up to life in prison if convicted of the crime. It is not clear if he has formally entered a plea.

Firefighter Corey Drolett said that when he entered the apartment, he did not initially see Luna under the blankets.

He said that when he found the body, he knew the victim had expired.

Although he was sure she was already dead, Mr Drolett passed her body through the window and instructed another firefighter to very lightly perform CPR.

Based on the situation [I] felt that would show [the mother] that we were attempting some effort, he said during testimony, the newspaper reported.

Judge Thomas Boyd ruled that there was sufficient evidence to hold Mr McClellan for trial on all three charges. A hearing in Ingham County Circuit Court will be set at a later date, the newspaper said.
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Police in Missouri have said the body of a man found hanging from a tree appears to be that of a white, homeless person who took his own life, following reports on social media of a possible lynching.

Maria Chappelle-Nadal, a Democrat who serves in the Missouri State Senate, was among those who posted images and reports on Twitter saying that a man was lynched overnight in North County.

The Belleville News-Democrat newsaper said that police went to the scene in St Louis and began an investigation.

Police subsequently said the body was that of a 53 year-old man, and they believed that he was homeless.

Police said they would release the mans name once they notified his next of kin.

The St Louis County Police Departments Bureau of Crimes Against Persons said it was also investigating the incident.
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China Central Television (CCTV), the countrys largest and most important TV network, said it will launch a new global platform on New Year's Day to help rebrand China overseas.

The state broadcaster published a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping, urging the newly launched China Global Television Network to tell China's story well, spread China's voice well, let the world know a three-dimensional, colourful China, and showcase China's role as a builder of world peace.

The government has long complained about the Western news medias hold on international discourse and in recent years has spent vast sums to enhance its own influence and shape global opinion, with CCTV as one of its spearheads.

 China wants to rate its citizens

The broadcaster has channels in English, Arabic, French, Spanish and Russian and production centres in Washington and Nairobi.

The new multilingual media cluster will have six TV channels, a video newsletter agency and a new media agency.

China has been extending its global influence with soft power tactics, such as launching new English language media and auditioning international public relations firms to tailor its branding strategy.

In the past year, Mr Xi has tightened the ruling Communist Party's control over state media outlets, while rearticulating their core mission to serve as the governments mouthpiece.

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

CCTV and the official Xinhua News Agency have expanded aggressively in recent years, with dual missions to become globally credible media heavyweights while sustaining their roles as vital propaganda organs of the Communist Party.

China announced a plan in 2009 to spend 45 billion yuan (5.2bn) to help spread its message abroad.

In the years since, CCTV and Xinhua have leased a giant display in New York's Times Square that has, among other things, broadcast videos arguing China's position on the South China Sea territorial dispute.

They have also deployed vast numbers of journalists to produce extensive daily reports from around the world, including from countries in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa, where Western media presences are shrinking amid vanishing budgets.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Two Indonesian budget airline bosses have quit after video emerged of a pilot allegedly showing up to fly a plane while drunk.

Footage showed captain Tekad Purna, a pilot for Citilink, appearing to stagger through a metal detector at a security checkpoint at Surabaya airport in Indonesia.

The pilot repeatedly drops his belongings onto the floor, prompting security guards to pick them up.

He is believed to have made it onto the plane, which had 154 passengers, before passengers became suspicious when they allegedly heard slurred words and unclear announcements from the cockpit.

Some left the plane and asked for a replacement of the pilot, who they believed to be either drunk or under the influence of drugs.

Citilink assigned a new pilot to fly the Airbus A320 about an hour behind schedule.

One passenger posted a video of the announcement online.

Mr Purna has not responded to the allegations.

Citilink President Director Albert Burhan announced that he and the airlines production director would resign over the controversy.

The pilot had committed serious violation of standard operation procedure that endangered passengers, Mr Burhan said.

We apologise for the discomfort. I have to be responsible for that and therefore I and my production director resign.

Citilink, a subsidiary of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, previously dismissed reports the 32-year-old pilot was drunk, saying initial tests of drug and alcohol were negative.

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

On Friday, the airline announced it had sacked Tekad.

He is said to have undergone medical tests at a clinic in Surabaya, East Java, as well as a second test in Jakarta, The Jakarta Post reports.

The results of the medical checkups will be released next week.

In December last year, three crew members, a pilot and two flight attendants, were arrested for allegedly consuming crystal methamphetamine, known locally as shabu-shabu, at a hotel.
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Indias banking system remains in chaos as huge queues form at banks and cash machines run out of money during panic over radical reforms.

It came after the country's government withdrew 86 per cent of Indias bank notes from circulation in a purification ritual designed to clamp down on tax evasion and corruption. All 500 rupee and 1,000 rupee notes have been withdrawn.

The deadline for cashing in the old currency notes passed on Friday but thousands of people have flocked to banks in a desperate attempt to get hold of the new currency.

Indias central bank has not completed the task of printing new notes, resulting in a currency shortage that has led to huge queues at banks as people attempt to access their money.

Experts say only about 40 per cent of the country's ATMs have so far been reset to fit the changed size of the new notes.

The country's economy runs almost entirely on cash, with 90 per cent of all transactions involving hard money. Most people have cash savings that are undeclared and therefore beyond the reach of tax authorities. The governments demonetisation policy is designed to put a stop to this.

In an attempt to stop money running out, the Indian government introduced a cap on the amount of money people could withdraw from ATMs. This was only expected to last until 30 December but the Reserve Bank of India has now announced the limits will be extended, although the daily limit will be raised.

Indian elections - victory for Narendra Modi Show all 12 1 /12 Indian elections - victory for Narendra Modi Indian elections - victory for Narendra Modi Indian elections 2014 Supporters of Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi Reuters Indian elections - victory for Narendra Modi Indian elections 2014 Indian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters wait for the arrival of Narendra Modi Getty Images Indian elections - victory for Narendra Modi Indian elections 2014 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters write congratulatory messages for their leader Narendra Modi AP Indian elections - victory for Narendra Modi Indian elections 2014 Indias new Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre), with his supporters yesterday at the BJPs Gujarat headquarters in Gandhinagar, is the first Indian leader to have been born after independence in 1947 EPA Indian elections - victory for Narendra Modi Indian elections 2014 BJP supporters look on near a Rangoli decoration showing a portrait of Narendra Modi Getty Images Indian elections - victory for Narendra Modi Indian elections 2014 The Indian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lotus party symbol is pictured outside the BJP headquarters in New Delhi Getty Images Indian elections - victory for Narendra Modi Indian elections 2014 Supporters of the India's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrate after learning of the poll results outside the party headquarters in New Delhi Reuters Indian elections - victory for Narendra Modi Indian elections 2014 Bharatiya Janata Party supporters enjoy a celebratory dance show after learning of initial polling results at the BJPs headquarters in New Delhi yesterday Reuters Indian elections - victory for Narendra Modi Indian elections 2014 An Indian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter hold an cutout of Narinder Modi with the lotus party symbol outside the BJP headquarters in New Delhi Getty Images Indian elections - victory for Narendra Modi Indian elections 2014 BJP leader Narendra Modi gestures while speaking to supporters after his landslide victory in the elections Getty Images Indian elections - victory for Narendra Modi Indian elections 2014 Bharatiya Janata Party supporters wave flags during a public rally by BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi after his victory Getty Images Indian elections - victory for Narendra Modi Indian elections 2014 An illumination in the shape of a lotus, party symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party, is formed by the River Ganges AP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended his decision to withdraw most of the nation's currency. In a televised address on New Years Eve, he called the changes a historic purification ritual.

"This will play an important role in changing the direction of the nation in times to come," he said.

Mr Modi said the government is working to restore normal order as quickly as possible, but gave no deadline for this. He thanked the Indian public for bearing with the inconveniences with extreme patience".

The Indian parliament is preparing to make it a criminal offence to hold the old bank notes from April 2017 onwards.

Government ministers say the currency change has brought money into Indias banking system and helped reduce tax avoidance, but criticise say it has failed to achieve its goal and,has slowed economic growth.

Additional reporting by agencies
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A man in Kazakhstan has been sentenced to three years in prison for insulting Vladimir Putin, reports suggest.

Sanat Dosov, a businessman and activist, was found guilty of breaching a Kazahk law that bans the incitement of national hatred and will now have to serve his sentence in a penal colony.

Dosov is alleged to have posted negative comments about Mr Putin on social media, including one in which he shared an image showing the face of the Russian president alongside those of former communist leaders Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin. He also called Mr Putin a fascist and terrorist and said he was ruining Russia.

Recommended Vladimir Putin says he will not expel US diplomats from Russia

Under Kazakh law, it is illegal to incite social, national, generic, racial, class, or religious hatred or insult the national honour and dignity of religious feelings of citizens. The law  Article 174  has been criticised for being dangerously vague and in recent months has been used by state officials to imprison critics.

Dosov reportedly pleaded guilty to the crime and sought leniency from judges owing to the fact he has six children, four of whom are still young, according to Nur.kz.

The 46-year-old is unusual because he was charged under the law with insulting the leader of a country that is not his own. Kazakshtan and Russia have been separate countries since 1991 but remain close allies.

It comes as the editor of a leading news website in Kazakstan announced he was fleeing the country because he fears he will be prosecuted.

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Writing on his Facebook page, Bekzhan Idrisov, editor of Radiotochka, said: I have left Kazakhstan. Forever is my hope I want to explain this to my colleagues at Radiotochka.kz. I know that I have disappeared suddenly and at the most inopportune moment. But you know there is no convenient time for such things.

Either I end up in jail next to Gabdullin or I give evidence against him.

The websites publisher, Bigeldy Gabdullin, was arrested by authorities in November on suspicion of fraud.

Human rights groups have regularly criticised Kazakhstan for repression and torture. Freedom of expression is limited in the country and charities including Amnesty International have accused state agencies of frequently using torture.
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Security measures for New Years Eve celebrations have been tightened across European capitals as security agencies and police try to prevent a repeat of the terrorist attack on a Berlin market earlier this month.

Cities are deploying thousands of armed police and erecting concrete bollards in an attempt to prevent terrorists using a lorry to attack crowds.

Earlier this month, Isis-inspired terrorist Anis Amri, a Tunisian national, killed 12 people and injured almost 50 after driving a truck into a crowded market in the German capital.

In July, a similar style of attack saw 86 people killed when Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, also a Tunisian citizen, ploughed a lorry into crowds in the southern French city of Nice.

The attacks led police in London to adjust their security preparations for New Years Eve, officers said. 3,000 Met Police officers will be on duty across central London, with uniformed police being assisted by plain-clothes officers.

Detective Superintendent Phil Langworthy, Met Police spokesperson for New Years Eve, said: Officers have been planning for several months for New Years Eve, and that plan remains under constant review. This is not as a result of any specific intelligence.

Clearly we have been looking at what has happened around the world in terms of Berlin, Nice, etcetera, and have adjusted our plans and continue to adjust our plans.

"We police around 3,500 large events every year including New Year's Eve and we meticulously plan those events - we have meticulously planned New Year's Eve - and we look at our tactics and we look around the world and adjust our tactics if need be.

Other European cities have also stepped up their security plans. In Berlin, 1,700 extra police officers will be deployed and armoured cars and concrete blocks used in crowded areas to prevent another lorry attack. In an unusual step for German police, some officers will also be armed with submachine guns.

Paris, meanwhile, has cancelled its traditional firework display as a precaution for the second year in a row but over 10,000 police officers and soldiers will be deployed. Terrorist attacks in November 2015 at a number of popular venues in the French capital killed 130 people.

Three men were arrested near the French city of Toulouse on Wednesday on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack on New Years Eve.

Belgian officials said security in Brussels will also be significantly enhanced this year following suicide bomb attacks in March 2015 that killed 32 and injured more than 300.

Similar measures are being put in place in the US. In New York, 65 sanitation trucks weighing 20 tons and filled with an extra 15 tons of sand will be placed around Times Square to prevent access to cars and lorries. 100 lighter blocker trucks will also be used, and 7,000 police will be on duty.

New York police chief Carlos Gomez said: Due to the terrorist attacks in Nice, France, and in Berlin, weve enhanced our security measures.
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A new law forcing French companies to give their workers the right to ignore their emails and smartphone outside the work hours will take effect starting from Sunday.

Hidden hours of work outside Frances well-known 35-hour week has led the countrys labour ministry to want to preserve the sanctity of their private life in law.

Recommended One third of people check their work emails over Christmas

The right to disconnect, one of the first of its kind in the world, will oblige companies of more than 50 people to negotiate a set of measures with their staff about when they have to work outside of contracted work hours.

If a deal cannot be reached, the companies must draw up a charter of good conduct, setting out the hours, during the evening or weekends, when employees are not supposed to send or answer emails.

The overuse of smartphone has been blamed for the scale of burn out and sleeplessness among employees, with many uncertain about when they are legally allowed to switch off.

The new law has been welcomed by Frances powerful trade unions, who have argued that the overuse of smartphones results in many people working more than the 35-hour weekly limit.

Xavier Zunigo, a French workplace expert, said: Theres a real expectation that companies will seize on the right to disconnect as a protective measure,

At the same time, workers dont want to lose the autonomy and flexibility that digital devices give them, added Zunigo, who is an academic and director of research group Aristat.

The measure was introduced by Myriam El Khomri, the labour minister, who commissioned a report submitted in September 2015 which warned about the health impact of info-obesity which afflicts many workplaces.

In the UK hardly any law prevent workers from a digital burn out, according to Matt Gingell, an employment law partner at Gannons solicitors.

Under the Working Time Regulations, British workers must not work more than 48 hours each week, averaged over 17 weeks.

Workers can opt out provided that they provide a minimum of 7 days notice. There are also some general exceptions to the 48-hour week including for those workers whose working time is not measured and are in control of their work.

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

Some 36 per cent of British workers will continue to check their work emails over the Christmas break, according to research by Lee Hecht Harrison Penna.

The study of 2,000 full-time workers in the UK also showed that those aged between 18 and 34 will be the worst offenders with almost half admitting to check in online during the holiday season.

Additional reporting by AFP
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A man repeatedly shouting bomb! at Berlins New Years Eve celebrations has been arrested amid high security in the German capital.

Police said the incident was not funny coming just weeks after an Isis supporter killed 12 people at a Christmas market, and following warnings over possible terror plots across Europe.

A spokesperson for Berlin Police said the man was inside the Festmeile, where thousands were gathering to see in 2017 as part of annual celebrations, when he started shouting bomb, bomb, bomb.

The answer: Arrested and charged. Now hes celebrating #Welcome 2017 with us, a tweet said, using the hashtag #notfunny.

 Angela Merkel reacts to shooting of Berlin market attack suspect

A two-kilometre stretch of road from the Brandenburg Gate was shut off for the celebrations, housing an estimated one million people in one of Europes largest street parties.

Free events include live bands, DJs and a fireworks display at midnight, with parties continuing into the early hours of the morning.

There was speculation the popular event could be cancelled following the attack on a Christmas market by the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on 19 December.

A Tunisian Isis supporter killed 12 people by ploughing a hijacked lorry into crowds, before being shot dead days later after fleeing to Italy.

Concrete barriers have been installed in Berlin, London and other cities to stop a repeat of the method also used in the Nice attack, while thousands of armed police have been deployed.

New Years Eve has been met with some trepidation in Germany, a year after mass sex attacks in a public square in Cologne.

In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 Show all 16 1 /16 In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House on December 31, 2016 Getty Images In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 The SkyTower firework display during New Year's Eve celebrations on January 1, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. Getty Images In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 People release white balloons, carrying their wishes, to celebrate the New Year at Prince Park Tower in Tokyo On January 1, 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 People attend the count down event to celebrate the arrival 2017 new year during New Year's Eve celebration at Beijing Olympic Park in China, 31 December 2016. EPA In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 New Year Eve's fireworks illuminate the Marina Bay in Singapore, 1 January 2017. EPA In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 South Koreans strike a bell during New Year celebrations in South Korea, 1 January 2017. EPA In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 Fireworks explode over Victoria harbour during New Year celebrations in Hong Kong on January 1, 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 Fireworks explode over Moscow's Kremlin complex during New Year celebrations in Moscow on January 1, 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 Fireworks explode above the pyramids during New Year's day celebrations on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, January 1, 2017. Reuters In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 Fireworks explode over the Al-Nusoor Square during the New Year celebrations in Baghdad, Iraq January 1, 2017. Reuters In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 Fireworks are seen above Pyongyang, North Korea, for New Year on January 1, 2017. Reuters In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 Fireworks explode at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and surrounding skyscrapers to mark New Year in Dubai AP In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 Fireworks explode behind the Brandenburg Gate at midnight on January 1, 2017 in Berlin, Germany Getty Images In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 Revellers watch a fireworks show over the Arc de Triomphe monument, from the Champs-Elysees avenue as part of the New Year celebrations on January 1 , 2017 in Paris. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 Fireworks light up the London skyline and Big Ben just after midnight on January 1, 2017 Getty Images In pictures: World celebrates New Year's Eve 2016 Fireworks light up the sky during the Hogmanay New Year celebrations in Edinburgh. PA

Right-wing groups seized on the assaults after police identified some arrested suspects as migrants from the Middle East and Africa, fuelling tensions over the refugee crisis.

Berlin Police reported at least one case of sexual harassment on New Years Eve, saying a man was arrested on the Festmeile, meanwhile police in Cologne said they had done our utmost to ensure peoples safety.

Angela Merkel came under additional pressure over her decision to open Germanys border to refugees after asylum seekers carried out two terror attacks  a suicide bombing and an axe attack on a train  in July.

Anis Amri, the Tunisian man responsible for the Berlin attack, had been denied asylum and was known to security services but could not be deported because his home country said it had no proof of his nationality.

In her New Year message, Ms Merkel said it was particularly bitter and sickening for Germany to be attacked by people claiming to seek safety in the country.

As we go about our lives and our work, we are saying to the terrorists: You are hate-filled murderers, but you do not determine how we live and want to live. We are free, considerate and open, the Chancellor added.


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Pope Francis has excoriated the world for idolising youth but having no interest in young people.

The young have no place in society, he said, and are gradually being pushed to the edges of public life. That is leading them to move around for jobs or be forced to beg for them, and even that isnt keeping them safe, he said.

The Pope made the remarks after spending the last hours of 2016 exchanging greetings with the faithful in a cold St Peters Square.

Pope Francis visits the traditional Crib in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican on December 31, 2016 (ALESSANDRO BIANCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

After the traditional evening prayers inside the basilica, he made his way through the crowd towards a life-size Nativity scene.

In those crowds he shook hands, kissed children on the cheek and took small gifts.

Recommended Pope Francis plea for peace in Christmas message

During the evening prayers, the Pope called on Catholics to help young people find purpose in the world, noting the paradox of "a culture that idolises youth" and yet has made no place for the young.

"We have condemned our young people to have no place in society, because we have slowly pushed them to the margins of public life, forcing them to migrate or to beg for jobs that no longer exist or fail to promise them a future," he added.

More than responsibility, the Pope said the world owed young people "a debt" because they have been deprived of "dignified and genuine work" that would allow them to take part in society, instead condemning them "to knock on doors that for the most part remain closed."

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

Youth joblessness in Italy stands at more than 36 per cent and tops 18 per cent among the 28 European Union states.

In Africa, the continent with the world's youngest population, youth unemployment probably increased in 2016, and was near 30 per cent in North Africa, according to the International Labour Organisation.

Poverty and lack of opportunity in Africa is driving migration, particularly to Europe. Almost 5,000 men, women and children died attempting to reach Europe by boat from North Africa in 2016.

Additional reporting by agencies
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An orchestral director has been sacked after he told an audience filled with children that Santa Claus does not exist.

Giacomo Loprieno lashed out at the young audience for failing to applaud a performance of Frozen at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome on Thursday, the ANSA news agency reported.

The theatre has replaced Mr Loprieno with another conductor, Marco Dallara.

It underlined underlined the severity of the offence with a Facebook post showing the new orchestral director alongside Father Christmas.

 How Christmas is celebrated around the world

Another picture showed Santa Claus in the audience before the show began.

Families paid between 30 and 48 euros for tickets to "Disney in concert: Frozen", which lasted around two hours.

On social media, the sacking has been both applauded for protecting children's fantasies, and derided for punishing someone telling the truth.

Christmas celebrations around the world Show all 30 1 /30 Christmas celebrations around the world Christmas celebrations around the world Virginia, USA A man dressed as Santa Claus water skis alongside reindeer on the Potomac River in Alexandra, Virginia. Christmas celebrations around the world Berlin, Germany A volunteer dressed in a Father Christmas (Santa Claus) outfit distributes gifts to children of asylum-seekers, as they arrive at the Schoenefeld train station near Berlin on December 24, 2015, before being dispatched to various refugee centres in or near the German capital. Christmas celebrations around the world Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Leandro Wendell dos Santos, 14, wearing a Santa Claus costume, plays with kids as he walks along the alley of the Mare slums complex to distribute presents to children in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Leandro is part of a volunteer group of residents of Mare slums complex that distributes donated toys to children of the community. Christmas celebrations around the world Heilongjiang province, China Winter swimmers (L) look on as a man (R) wearing a Santa Claus hat and beard jumps into a pool carved into thick ice covering the Songhua River, to celebrate the upcoming Christmas, in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China, Christmas celebrations around the world Tokyo, Japan In Japan Christmas is not a national holiday, however it has developed into a celebration of western culture with KFC being the most popular place to eat on December 25th. KFC's around Japan regularly see street-long lines and advanced bookings Christmas celebrations around the world Manila, Philippines Filipinos crowd a store that is popular in selling hams as they do last-minute shopping on Christmas eve in Manila, Philippines. The predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines boasts of having the longest Christmas celebration that starts every last quarter of the year. Christmas celebrations around the world Budapest, Hungary A man buys Christmas sweets at a supermarket on the outskirts of Budapest, Hungary. Hungarians could outspend last year's record on seasonal treats and Christmas fondants, giving some premium brands a hard time to keep up with strong demand. Christmas celebrations around the world Bethlehem, West Bank Nigerian pilgrims gather at the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank. Every year thousands of Christian pilgrims travel to the church that marks the site of the cave in which Jesus is said to have been born. Christmas celebrations around the world Bogota, Colombia Christmas lights adorn the Usaquen park in Bogota, Colombia. The blow to Colombiais holiday tradition is poignant given that El Nino is thought to be a reference to the baby Jesus, a name given to the climatic phenomenon long ago by South Americans who noted that it seemed to arrive around Christmas time. Christmas celebrations around the world Cairns, Australia Bon Bon, a 12-month-old koala, celebrating with Christmas decorations at the Rainforestation Nature Park in Cairns, Australia, Christmas celebrations around the world Ayutthaya, Thailand A young Thai student wearing a Santa hat poses for a photograph during a Christmas event at a school in the world heritage city of Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, Thailand, 24 December 2015. The annual event is one of many held to celebrate the Christmas season in predominantly Buddhist Thailand. Christmas celebrations around the world Colombo, Sri Lanka Sri Lankan pedestrians walk past a decorated Christmas tree in Colombo. The leader of Sri Lanka's Catholics urged priests on not to put up Christmas trees in their churches over the festive period, saying they had no religious significance. Sri Lanka is a mainly Buddhist country but around 1.2 million of its overall population of 21 million people are Catholics. Christmas celebrations around the world Seoul, South Korea Models wearing Santa Claus costumes wait to attend a special event to promote business in coincide with Christmas at Shinsegae department store in Seoul, South Korea. A lot of South Korean companies take advantage of the Christmas season to promote their business amid weak sales and economic slowdown. Christmas celebrations around the world Ayutthaya, Thailand A young Thai student wearing a Santa hat poses for a photograph during a Christmas event at a school in the world heritage city of Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, Thailand, 24 December 2015. The annual event is one of many held to celebrate the Christmas season in predominantly Buddhist Thailand. Christmas celebrations around the world Oaxaca, Mexico Carved radishes are displayed during the celebration of the "Night of the Radishes" at the Ocototlan de Morelos community in Oaxaca State, Mexico. The Night of the Radishes is an annual carving event two days before christmas that has its origins in the colonial period when radishes were introduced by the Spanish. Farmers began carving radishes into figures as a way to attract customers attention during the Christmas market. Christmas celebrations around the world Seoul, South Korea A man dressed as Santa Claus walks on zebra crossing during a Christmas charity event in central Seoul, South Korea Christmas celebrations around the world Istanbul, Turkey A Greek school's principal, Yani Demircioglu, surrounded by Greek Orthodox children, plays an accordion during a Christmas celebration at the main shopping and pedestrian street of Istiklal in central Istanbul Reuters Christmas celebrations around the world Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia A boy meets Father Christmas at a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur Christmas celebrations around the world Manila, Philippines A fire-breather performs during a street show on Christmas Eve in Baclaran, City of Paranaque Christmas celebrations around the world Saltillo, Mexico Volunteers take part in a traditional Mexican Christmas celebration known as Posada Mexicana at a migrant shelter in Saltillo, Mexico. Posada Mexicana commemorates the journey of the Holy Family from Galilee to Bethlehem Christmas celebrations around the world Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Italian artist Gaspare di Caro, right, lights up Christ the Redeemer in Rio Reuters Christmas celebrations around the world Allahabad, India A view of All Saints Cathedral, decorated ahead of Christmas celebrations, in Allahabad Christmas celebrations around the world Guatemala City, Guatemala Firefighter Hector Chacon, centre, dressed as Father Christmas, delivers gifts to impoverished children after descending from a 150-metre bridge, behind Christmas celebrations around the world Karachi, Pakistan A Father Christmas is painted onto a wall in a Christian neighbourhood in Karachi Christmas celebrations around the world Valletta, Malta 3D projections designed by students of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology are projected onto the facade of the Presidential Palace Christmas celebrations around the world Moscow, Russia A snowman and Christmas tree erected in Red Square EPA Christmas celebrations around the world Taipei, Taiwan People crowd around for a view of a 3D Christmas tree erected in a shopping park EPA Christmas celebrations around the world Tokyo, Japan Cleaners dressed in a Father Christmas and a reindeer costume clean the windows of a shopping mall EPA Christmas celebrations around the world Shanghai, China A woman prays at the Shanghai International Chapel during a Christmas Eve Mass Reuters Christmas celebrations around the world A Bangladeshi man dressed as Father Christmas entertains children during an event to mark Christmas Day in Dhaka

Excited children and their parents were able to track Santa's journey around the world in real time using a number of dedicated apps and websites.

The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) updated their site with the latest news on where Father Christmas made his stops.

Norad said it began tracking Santa in 1955 when a child called the Commands headquarters in Colorado asking to speak to Santa Claus.
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Vladimir Putin has admitted that 2016 was a difficult year but said he hopes that he and Russia can be more successful in 2017.

In a speech shown across the country, he said that the challenges faced by normal Russians had united us.

"The main thing is: we believe in ourselves, in our abilities, in our country, the Russian President said. "We are working, working successfully and are accomplishing a lot.

Recommended US and Russia relations fall to their worst since the Cold War

He called Russia a huge, unique and beautiful country, and hoped that those things would allow 2017 to bring peace and prosperity to our great motherland Russia.

Throughout 2016, Russia emerged as one of the most important countries in world affairs. That came as a result of an expanded presence supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and ensuing tensions and collaboration with Turkey, as well as the continuing conflict in Ukraine.

Its government was also accused of interfering in the US election in support of Donald Trump, causing the US to expel 35 of its diplomats in punishment for alleged cyber attacks as relations plummeted.

Russias ambassador to Turkey was shot dead shortly before Christmas, and days later a Russian military plane crashed into the Black Sea and killed everyone on board.

Vladimir Putin and the people Show all 11 1 /11 Vladimir Putin and the people Vladimir Putin and the people 561608.bin Vladimir Putin and the people 561611.bin GETTY IMAGES Vladimir Putin and the people 561614.bin EPA Vladimir Putin and the people 561615.bin REUTERS Vladimir Putin and the people 561617.bin AP Vladimir Putin and the people 561618.bin GETTY IMAGES Vladimir Putin and the people 561620.bin PA Vladimir Putin and the people 561621.bin AP Vladimir Putin and the people 561622.bin GETTY IMAGES Vladimir Putin and the people 561624.bin GETTY IMAGES Vladimir Putin and the people 561625.bin EPA

But Mr Putin said that there might be some seasonal magic coming in 2017, able to dispel the problems.

"Each of us may become something of a magician on the night of the New Year," he said in a short televised address broadcast in the closing minutes of 2016 in each of Russia's 11 time zones.

"To do this we simply need to treat our parents with love and gratitude, take care of our children and families, respect our colleagues at work, nurture our friendships, defend truth and justice, be merciful and help those who are in need of support. This is the whole secret."

New Years Eve, rather than Christmas, is when Russians traditionally give gifts. The countrys big cities are also lit up with special decorations and lights, and the Moscow subway runs a special holiday train that includes lights and artificial greenery.

One rider, Alexander Pisaryev, echoed Mr Putins sentiments. "I wish for the next year to better than this," he said.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called investigations into his alleged wrongdoing baseless.

The country's Attorney General, Avihai Mandelblit, is set to launch a criminal investigation in the first week of January.

It follows a nine-month police investigation into Mr Netanyahu which local media have claimed is related to claims of bribery and fraud.

Neither Attorney General Avihai Mandelblit or the police have confirmed what their investigations are related to.

Channel 2 television has alleged Mr Netanyahu is suspected of receiving significant gifts from a local and a foreign businessman, although it provided few details.

Police have reportedly asked the prime minister's office to schedule a suitable date for questioning.

But Mr Netanyahu said the probe would not uncover any evidence of wrongdoing.

All these scandals have turned out to be baseless and so will the allegations being published in the media now, he said in a statement.

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

But Mr Mandelblit has reportdely authorised police to question Netanyahu under caution in relation to two matters and that a date for the interrogation would be set in the coming days.

The Justice Ministry said an announcement would be made in due course.
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Isis chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdidi is alive despite numerous attempts on his life, the Pentagon has confirmed.

Rumours swirled earlier this month that the terror group's leader had been killed after activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is based in London, reported that senior Isis figures had gathered for an emergency meeting in Iraq.

At the time it was speculated that he might have been killed, although this was never officially confirmed.

 ISIL recording suggests leader al-Baghdadi is not dead

But Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told CNN that US security agencies "do think Baghdadi is alive and is still leading" the Islamist group.

"We are obviously doing everything we can to track his movements," he said. "If we get the opportunity, we certainly would take advantage of any opportunity to deliver him the justice he deserves," he said.

"We're doing everything we can. This is something we're spending a lot of time on."

In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Show all 11 1 /11 In pictures: Isis' weapons factories In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A mortar round fin manufactured by Isis in Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis rocket components discovered in Gogjali, Mosul, Iraq in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis mortars discovered near Karamlais, Iraq, in November 2016 CAR In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis rocket launch frame in Qaraqosh, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A memo from Isis' COSQC on quality control at a manufacturing facility in Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Electrically-operated initiators manufactured by Isis in forces Gogjali, Mosul, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Isis mortar tubes at a manufacturing facility in Karamlais, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis mortar production facility discovered in Gogjali, Mosul, in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories An Isis weapons manufacturing facilities near Mosul in November 2016 Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories Stocks of French-manufactured Sorbitol, Latvian potassium nitrate and Lebanese sugar at an Isis weapons factory in Iraq Conflict Armament Research In pictures: Isis' weapons factories A destroyed Isis weapons facility in Qaraqosh, Iraq, November 2016 Conflict Armament Research

Earlier this month the US doubled the bounty on Baghdadi's head to $25 million (20 million).

The self-declared leader has been careful to reveal little about himself or his whereabouts. The only known video footage of him was taken in 2014, when he gave a sermon in Mosul.

In November he released a defiant audio message, calling on his followers to defend the Iraqi capital.

It is not clear if he is living in the besieged city, where he declared his caliphate in 2014.
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Syrian rebels groups have said they will consider a ceasefire deal "null and void" if government forces and their allies continue to violate it.

Clashes and air strikes continued in some areas since the nationwide ceasefire, brokered by Russia and Turkey began on Friday.

"Continued violations by the regime and bombardment and attempts to attack areas under the control of the revolutionary factions will made the agreement null and void," a statement signed by a number of rebel groups said.

The rebels also said it appeared the government and the opposition had signed two different versions of the deal, one of which was missing "a number of key and essential points that are non-negotiable", but did not say what those were.

 Vladimir Putin announces ceasefire agreement in Syria

If it holds, the truce between the Syrian government and the country's mainstream rebel forces will be followed by peace talks in Kazakhstan next month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday as he announced the agreement.

He described it, however, as "quite fragile" and requiring "special attention and patience".

Recommended Syria ceasefire in doubt amid fresh clashes

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported clashes early on Friday between troops and rebels in the central province of Hama and near the capital, Damascus.

It said later in the day a man was killed by sniper fire in the eastern suburbs of Damascus, becoming the first fatality since the truce went into effect. The group also reported an aerial attack on the rebel-held Barada Valley near Damascus.

The Syrian army denied reports it was bombarding the Barada Valley region saying opposition claims aim to show that the army is not abiding by the truce.

Several past attempts at halting the fighting have failed. As with previous agreements, the current ceasefire excludes both Isis and Jabhat al-Nusra (recently rebranded to Jabhat Fateh al-Sham in an effort to distance the group from al-Qaida).

Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Show all 12 1 /12 Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man crosses a street in Aleppo, December 12, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A vendor sits inside an antique shop in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, December 12, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A view shows part of Aleppo's historic citadel, overlooking Aleppo city, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A view shows part of Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Visitors walk inside Aleppo's Umayyad mosque, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk inside the Khan al-Shounah market, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man walks past shops in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk along an alley in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Visitors tour Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A general view shows the Old City of Aleppo as seen from Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk near Aleppo's Bab al-Faraj Clock Tower, Syria October 6, 2010 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man stands inside Aleppo's historic citadel, overlooking Aleppo city, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters

The UN Security Council will vote on Saturday on a resolution to endorse the ceasefire agreement and reiterate support for a roadmap to peace, starting with a transitional government.

The resolution also calls for "rapid, safe and unhindered" access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the war torn country.

Divisions in the Security Council between Russia and the veto-wielding Western powers  the US, Britain and France, who support the moderate opposition and demand Syrian President Bashar al-Assad steps down  have blocked action to end the war, now in its sixth year.

If it holds, the ceasefire agreement will mark a potential breaking in the conflict, which began in 2011 with an uprising against the Assad family's four-decade rule.

It has left over 300,000 people dead and triggered a refugee crisis across Europe.

Additional reporting by agencies
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The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and jump-start peace negotiations.

The resolution approved on Saturday afternoon also calls for the "rapid, safe and unhindered" delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Syria. It also anticipates a meeting of the Syrian government and opposition representative in Kazakhstan's capital Astana in late January.

The final text dropped an endorsement of the Syria ceasefire agreement reached on Thursday, as Western members of the council sought changes to the circulated draft resolution to clarify the UN's role and the meaning of the agreement brokered by Moscow and Ankara.

Meanwhile on the ground in Syria, rebels warned that ceasefire violations by pro-government forces threatened to undermine a two-day-old agreement intended to pave the way for talks between the government and the opposition in the new year.

 Vladimir Putin says Syrian ceasefire agreement has been reached with Turkey

Air strikes pounded opposition-held villages and towns in the strategically-important Barada Valley outside Damascus, activists said, prompting rebels to threaten to withdraw their compliance with a nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey last week.

Rebels also accused the government of signing a different version of the agreement to the one they signed in the Turkish capital of Ankara, further complicating the latest diplomatic efforts to bring an end to six years of war.

Nearly 50,000 people died in the conflict in 2016, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which maintains networks of contacts on all sides of the war. More than 13,000 of them were civilians, according to the Observatory. Various estimates have put the war's overall toll at around 400,000 dead.

If the truce holds, the government and the opposition will be expected to meet for talks for the first time in nearly a year in the Kazakh capital of Astana in the second half of January. Those talks will be mediated by Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

Syrian foreign minister Walid Moallem and Major General Ali Mamlouk, head of the National Security Bureau, were in Tehran Saturday to discuss developments with their Iranian counterparts, according to Iranian state media. They met with foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

The Kremlin meanwhile said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani confirmed their commitment to negotiations in Astana, in a phone conversation between the two leaders.

Iran and Russia have provided crucial military and diplomatic support to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad throughout the conflict, while Turkey has served as a rear base and source of supplies for the opposition.

The resolution also calls for "rapid, safe and unhindered" access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country.

The developments follow months of talks between Ankara and Moscow that culminated in a ceasefire agreement that went into effect on Friday at midnight.

But in a statement issued by a coalition of 11 rebel factions, including the powerful Jaysh al-Islam group operating in the Damascus countryside, rebels said they could not abide by the ceasefire if the government continued its assault on Barada Valley.

Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Show all 12 1 /12 Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man crosses a street in Aleppo, December 12, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A vendor sits inside an antique shop in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, December 12, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A view shows part of Aleppo's historic citadel, overlooking Aleppo city, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A view shows part of Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Visitors walk inside Aleppo's Umayyad mosque, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk inside the Khan al-Shounah market, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man walks past shops in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk along an alley in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Visitors tour Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A general view shows the Old City of Aleppo as seen from Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk near Aleppo's Bab al-Faraj Clock Tower, Syria October 6, 2010 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man stands inside Aleppo's historic citadel, overlooking Aleppo city, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters

The statement also complained that the government's version of the agreement signed in Ankara last week had deleted "a number of essential and non-negotiable points".

It said the opposition had agreed to a ceasefire encompassing the whole of Syria, without any exceptions to region or faction.

Recommended Syria ceasefire in doubt amid fresh clashes

The Barada Valley Media Centre said Lebanese Hezbollah militants were firing on villages and towns in the water-rich region as Russian and government aircraft carried out raids for the 10th consecutive day on Saturday. The Lebanese militant group is a key ally to Mr Assad's forces.

The Barada Valley is the primary source of water for the capital and its surrounding region.

The government assault has coincided with a severe water shortage in Damascus since December 22.

Images from the valley's Media Centre indicate its Ain al-Fijeh spring and water processing facility have been destroyed in air strikes. The government says rebels spoiled the water source with diesel fuel, forcing it to cut supplies to the capital.

The Observatory reported at least two civilians and five militants have been killed in battles over opposition-held Eastern Ghouta and Barada Valley regions around Damascus, since the truce came into effect.

The Syrian military denied attacking the valley, saying it respected the Russian and Turkish brokered truce.

Meanwhile, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency reported the death of an Isis commander in a Turkish air strike near the north Syrian town of al-Bab on Friday. The truce does not cover operations against Isis or Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, the group formally known as Jabhat al-Nusra that claimed it split from Isis earlier this year.

Anadolu identified the commander as Abu Ansari. The report could not be independently verified.

Associated Press
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A pair of bomb blasts targeting a market in central Baghdad killed at least 28 people and wounded more than 50, according to police and medical officials.

The early-morning bombs exploded beside car parts shops in al-Sinak, a busy market also selling food, clothes, seeds and other machinery.

Police gave mixed reports from the scene, saying initially it was a pair of back-to-back roadside bombs, but Associated Press news agency claimed officers concluded it was the work of two suicide bombers.

Isis claimed the attack as a "martyrdom operation" via its propaganda news agency Amaq.

The twin bombings follow an attack in July that killed 250 people in the Iraqi capital Reuters (Reuters)

Twin terrorist attacks were carried out by suicide bombers in Al-Sinek neighbourhood, said an official from the Baghdad operations command.

Civilians were left picking through debris as medics carried offcasualties after what is the deadliest Baghdad attack since the Isis killing of at least 40 people at a Shia festival in October.

Recommended Reinforced Iraqi troops to launch fresh bid to take Mosul from Isis

Thousands were expected to hit the streets for New Year's Eve celebrations for only a second time since a decade-long curfew was lifted in 2015.

An Agence France-Presse photographer at the scene says torn clothes and mangled iron were strewn across the ground in pools of blood at the site of the weckage near the busy Rasheed street thoroughfare.

Many of the victims were people from the spare parts shops in the area, they were gathered near a cart selling breakfast when the explosions went off," said nearby shop owner Ibrahim Mohammed Ali, speaking to AFP.

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. 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The militant extremist group Isis claimed responsibility for a bombing that killed 250 people in Baghdad in July, in the worst single terror attack to hit the Iraqi capital since the 2003 war.

Isis has lost huge parcels of territory this year in the north and west and is fighting off a coalition offensive in its last major stronghold in Mosul.

Troops say they are currently launching a three-pronged assault on eastern Mosul, which included US warplanes destroying the last remaining bridge over the Tigris river.

Associated Press/ Reuters
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The Japanese Prime Minster, Shinzo Abe, is set to visit Pearl Harbour just after the 75th anniversary of the surprise attack that brought the US into the Second World War. Abe is only the second Japanese premier to visit Pearl Harbour, and will be the first to visit the USS Arizona Memorial.

But while everyone is familiar with the most obvious consequence of the Pearl Harbour attack, the assault kicked off a number of events in the US itself that still resonate today  none more so than the policy of internment, which involved the incarceration of 120,000 Japanese-Americans.

As soon as the US declared war on Japan (and thereafter Germany and Italy), citizens of Axis nations living in America became enemy aliens. Germans, Austrians, Italians and Japanese were all subject to harassment and abuse  not all that unlike the sort of hatred many Americans have encountered since the election of Donald Trump.

Recommended Legacy of Pearl Harbour lingers as US and Japan mark 75th anniversary

This recent abuse has in many ways been encouraged by the campaign. President-elect Donald Trump and his supporters have been vocal in their support for policies such as building a wall along the US-Mexico border, their feelings towards minorities, and the idea of creating a Muslim registry. The message both then and now is clear  those who look or sound different to mainstream America are easy targets for hate.

Since Trump won the election, some of these ideas have been discussed more than others. But in November 2016, a prominent Trump supporter, former Navy Seal Carl Higbie, said on Fox News that he believed the mass internment of people of Japanese ancestry was a valid precedent for a registry of immigrants from Muslim countries.

The Japanese-American community  and scholars of Japanese-American internment  have been quick to point out that trying to claim internment as precedent for registering Muslims is bad legal history. More than that, it represents a fundamental misinterpretation of history that puts everyones constitutional rights at risk.

Taking names

The idea that a government can or should register members of a group believed to be a threat to national security is hardly new. During times of war, its often expected that enemy aliens will be monitored by the authorities, made subject to curfews and other restrictions, and in some cases interned.

During the Second World War, for example, German, Austrian, and Italian citizens who lived in the US went before tribunals that would decide whether or not they constituted a threat to national security  those judged to be dangerous were interned. In the case of those of Japanese ancestry, however, they were rounded up en masse as a racial group  and a significant proportion of those interned were children. To highlight the similarities between then and now, a film has been produced in which contemporary Muslim children read letters written by Japanese American children who were interned. Even after 75 years, their hopes and fears are depressingly familiar.

More recently, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the US implemented a highly controversial immigration programme called the National Security Entry-Exit System (NSEER), which targeted men travelling to the US from predominantly Muslim countries. A huge number of people were targeted because of their background or religion, rather than specific ties to criminal or terrorist activity. While the policy was not considered unconstitutional, it was still highly controversial and in 2011 it was discontinued  its impact and usefulness are still hotly debated today.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige, left, presents Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a pineapple-shaped ukulele at a dinner held in Abe's honour in Honolulu, Hawaii (AP)

Calls for a Muslim registry, then, are simply the latest manifestation of a mindset that has guided policy for decades and longer. When asked whether there were differences between Muslims being forced to register in the US and how Jews were forcibly identified in the 1930s, Trump responded: You tell me.

Essentially, this would both revive and extend of the NSEER approach, which after all was legally found to be constitutional. But that doesnt explain why Trump supporters are so eager to cite Japanese American internment as a constitutionally and morally valid precedent. This is a particularly disturbing misrepresentation of both history and legal thinking: the 1944 Supreme Court case on which Higbie and his supporters rest their defence of internment, Korematsu vs US, is a reminder of how dangerous these policies can be.

The judgement remains on the statute books, but when it was reassessed by the Supreme Court in 1984, the judge ruled that: "As historical precedent it stands as a constant caution that in times of war or declared military necessity our institutions must be vigilant in protecting constitutional guarantees. It stands as a caution that in times of distress the shield of military necessity and national security must not be used to protect governmental actions from close scrutiny and accountability. It stands as a caution that in times of international hostility and antagonisms our institutions, legislative, executive and judicial, must be prepared to exercise their authority to protect all citizens from the petty fears and prejudices that are so easily aroused."

So, really, Korematsu proves precisely why a Muslim registry is a flawed premise, and demonstrates how carefully history should be read if we want to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

Rachel Pistol is an associate research fellow at the University of Exeter. This article was originally published on The Conversation (theconversation.com)
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Tens of thousands of airline passengers are starting the New Year a long way from where they hoped to be due to heavy fog in south-east England, which led to dozens of flight cancellations.

Heathrow, London City and Gatwick were the worst-affected airports.

British Airways cancelled more than 60 flights to and from the three airports, including services to and from Rome, Munich and Istanbul.

A statement on the airlines website said: For safety reasons air traffic control has to allow greater space between landing aircraft in fog or during periods of low visibility, and this will mean a reduced number of aircraft being allowed to land each hour.

We are sorry for the difficulties caused by the poor weather and will do all we can to minimise the effect it has on our operations.

The airline told passengers: We are working to minimise the disruption to our customers where possible. We understand that many of our customers are travelling specifically for the New Year and are sorry for the inconvenience caused.

Many flights operated late, with delays of five hours or more on flights to Heathrow from Melbourne, Islamabad and Dubai, and from Malaga and Paris to Southampton.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA

People whose flights are cancelled go to the back of the queue for seats on subsequent services which are operating. No cash compensation is payable, because the cause is beyond the control of the airlines.

In addition to passengers whose flights were cancelled, many travellers missed connections at Heathrow  the UKs leading hub airport. Michael Ashcroft from Liverpool was on a heavily delayed BA flight from Manchester on Friday which arrived five minutes after his connecting service on Virgin Atlantic to Johannesburg departed.

The airlines are blaming each other and saying theyre not responsible for sorting out another flight, he told The Independent.

Sonja, a passenger from Sweden, said she had missed her transatlantic connection by a matter of minutes after her inbound flight from Stockholm touched down three hours late: I spent seven hours waiting in line yesterday, and finally got a seat on the 11.15 flight this morning.

At London City airport, all but 10 of the 34 scheduled departures were cancelled, with Alitalia, Swiss and CityJet grounding services. Several arriving flights were diverted to Stansted and Southend.
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To interview a jihadi is one thing, to live among jihadis quite another. To share their prison cells and their jail trucks on the way to a dictatorships trials is both a journalists dream and a journalists nightmare. Which makes Mohamed Fahmy a unique figure: in a prison bus, he hears his fellow inmates rejoicing at the beheading of a captured journalist in Syria. They wont let us out, a voice shouts at Fahmy in Egypts ghastly Tora prison complex. We havent seen the sun for weeks. And he hears the rhythmic voices of prisoners reciting the Koran.

Fahmy, who is an Egyptian with Canadian citizenship, is the Al Jazeera English TV reporter who spent almost two years in his native countrys ferocious prison system, as a guest of President al-Sisi, locked up with two colleagues for being a pro-Muslim Brotherhood terrorist, fabricating news and endangering the security of the state.

The charges were lies and the trials that followed were a mockery of justice. And when Fahmy was eventually released to travel to Canada, he took with him an extraordinary account of life among those dedicated to the Wests destruction.

I should say at once that Fahmy is an old friend of mine, and his story is not as straightforward as it may seem. He and his wife-to-be first welcomed al-Sisis military coup, which overthrew the elected Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood president Mohamed Morsi, and Fahmy uses the word terrorist quite often  rather too much in my opinion  and when I last spoke to him this week, he was back in Cairo, preparing for a New Year holiday in the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Egyptian journalist says trial of Morsi, Al Jazeera journalists a 'sham'

But in the fastness of Canada, he has written The Marriott Cell: An Epic Journey from Cairos Scorpion Prison to Freedom  a frightening account of his years of imprisonment, which should be a footnote in future history books on the jihadi struggle in the Middle East. (Why it has not been picked up in Britain or the US is a mystery.)

For Fahmy found himself both appalled by the self-righteousness of his fellow prisoners, but trusted and admired by them, because he too had fallen foul of the same cruel dictatorship. You can understand how this affects him. The Koranic recitations echo through Tora Prisons verminous Scorpion section, and as Fahmy mumbles half-remembered verses, my rational, Western educated mind rises up in protest  it is, after all, a group of incarcerated Islamists with whom I pray. I feel self-conscious. Silly almost... But a few of the prayers I learned as a young boy return and wash over me, drawing me along in their tide.

On arrival in his cell, an army of mosquitos descending upon him, Fahmy discovers that he is imprisoned with men whom he was interviewing only a few months earlier as members of the Morsi government: Essam al-Haddad, Morsis executive aid who had met President Obama; Khaled al-Qazza, Morsis foreign affairs adviser.

Recommended The tragedies of Syria signal the end of the Arab revolutions

But there are others. I am Sheikh Murgan Salem al-Gohary, a voice calls to Fahmy down the corridor. I am a Salafist jihadist who fought alongside brother Sheikh Osama [sic] bin Laden against the Soviet and the American devils in Afghanistan, I have been married three times and I have many children. I dont allow any of them to visit me to avoid humiliating them... This is all a play, a political performance by these pigs... Stick to the Koran.

Murgan was a member of Islamic Jihad in Palestine with strong ties to the Taliban, twice sentenced to death by ex-President Hosni Mubarak. On an Egyptian television talk show, he had called for the destruction of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx  a true follower of the Buddha-smashing Taliban and the antiquity-exploding Isis. Fahmy notes that Murgan is known as an angry and murderous radical. Fahmy is appalled. What a nut! Now I am living with him and he is giving me advice, too.

Much to Fahmys distress, a number of other prisoners shout their support, praising Al Jazeera which had, at the time  to Fahmys horror, because his own reports were subtitled and used without his knowledge on the same channel  been carrying pro-Brotherhood material on its live Egypt network broadcasting out of Cairo. You journalists have been sent here to see the truth, a man shouted. There is a reason why God led you here! And then Fahmy discovers that some of his fellow Islamist prisoners had been filming for the Al Jazeera live channel. No wonder he was in his cell.

 25 dead during mass at Egypt's main Coptic Christian Cathedral

The Scorpion unit of the prison is a concrete tomb. When Fahmy is taken for further interrogation, he finds himself in a police truck amid the Cairo traffic, and his companions whoop with delight when the drivers radio tells of three policemen killed at a checkpoint. And they begin to sing: Brandishing our guns along with our explosive belts... we will cut off the head of the snake.

Fahmys neighbour, to whom he is handcuffed, is puzzled. Brother, why arent you singing? Fahmy manages to reply calmly: I make jihad with my pen. The man, Ammar  a boxer and bomb-maker, he admits  has just returned from Syria to make jihad in Egypt against al-Sisi and his illegitimate regime.

Fahmy meets Mohamed al-Zawahiri, brother of Ayman, the man appointed al-Qaedas leader after the assassination of bin Laden. We are not bloodthirsty merciless killers, he assures Fahmy. We merely defend ourselves... demand our rights of establishing a governance based on Islamic sharia. When Fahmy asks whether his connections in Sinai, where Islamists have been attacking police and troops along the Egyptian-Gaza border, might have led to his imprisonment, a man beside al-Zawahiri shouts: What Sinai! Those are legitimate resistance fighters. Whose side are you on?

Whose side, indeed? In August 2014, Isis released a video of the beheading of American journalist James Foley. In another prison truck, the radio news is greeted with a cheer from Fahmys fellow prisoners. Isis promises to kill another reporter, Steven Sotloff, if the US continued to bomb their positions in Iraq. Fahmy was a friend of Sotloff. He must be a spy, the prisoner handcuffed to Fahmy spits out. Why would an American put himself in such danger otherwise?

Fahmy knows why: risking ones life to get the story, to show the suffering, to try to make a difference, to stop the madness. He listens, aghast, as another man says that hes just one American. What about the thousands of innocent Iraqis killed by the US?

Then it is Sotloffs turn. Fahmy sees the next video. Steven, head and beard shaved, wears an orange jumpsuit... His small glasses, the round curves of his warm face, and the kind smile... are nowhere to be seen... He has the fortitude to hold himself upright.... I pray that his mind and heart were calm... Fahmy is enraged that this hideous man who killed Steven and I are being labelled with the same name: terrorist.

Egyptian government offers concessions as street protests continue Show all 4 1 /4 Egyptian government offers concessions as street protests continue Egyptian government offers concessions as street protests continue 550261.bin GETTY Egyptian government offers concessions as street protests continue 550350.bin SIPA PRESS/REX Egyptian government offers concessions as street protests continue 550348.bin EPA Egyptian government offers concessions as street protests continue 550349.bin REUTERS

But as Fahmys freedom draws near, he can barely contain his emotion at the thought of leaving his fellow prisoners  even though he will soon fly to Canada, marry his young Egyptian fiancee, take up a journalism professorship and then return as a correspondent to the Middle East. He shakes hands with a man under sentence of death. For the past six months, these men, some of them jihadists who call death and destruction down on the world for an inhumane ideology, have generously shared their food and meagre possessions.

Fahmy remains convinced that the torture and prison regimes of the Middle East are universities for future jihadis. He also fears for the future of his own profession. He quotes Adel Iskandar, a Canadian professor of Egyptian origin, on Al Jazeeras coverage of Egypt during the military coup. Al Jazeera picked a side in the conflict and ran with it, he told Fahmy, and when the station was unable to deliver coverage from the ground, they relied on footage and reports produced by Islamist opposition groups and armed militia factions. This technique became their modus operandi in Syria where the stakes and the costs are extremely high  particularly to journalists.

Now what, I wonder, does that remind us of?
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It began so nobly eight years ago, with exhortations to rid the world of nuclear weapons, and idealistic musings about turning Arabs and Americans into brothers, all capped by an absurdly premature Nobel peace prize. The Obama foreign policy era, however, is ending very differently: in a fit of two-fingered pique at the United Nations against Israel and its prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The loser, though, wont be Israel or Netanyahu; if anything, itll be the UN.

The pique, of course, wont make a scrap of difference. The only criticism a rational individual might make of Obamas decision to allow the now notorious Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement expansion to pass is, What took you so long? Israeli settlement expansion has for decades been a thorn in the side of US presidents trying to broker Middle East peace. The otherwise unanimous passage of the resolution only proves how the rest of the world overwhelmingly feels that way as well.

But then again, even harder for a rational individual to fathom is Congresss unquestioning lockstep support for Israel  support that Netanyahu has brazenly exploited in his years of feuding with Obama. Brave indeed is the Representative or Senator who dares criticise the Jewish state.

In any case, Donald Trump is riding to the rescue. Having nominated the most pro-settlement US ambassador to Israel in generations, the next president looks set to pursue policies that will delight Netanyahu and the far-right factions on whom he relies to stay in power. Come 20 January, Obamas gesture will be forgotten. Not so, however, the role of the UN in the affair  at least on Capitol Hill.

 John Kerry lays into Netanyahu for Israeli settlement-building

Washingtons relationship with the world body 220 miles to its north has often been strained. All too often, the United Nations comes across here as a gang of third world countries getting one back on the biggest kid on the block. The UN was clearing house for opposition to the younger Bushs invasion of Iraq. Washington has used its power to force out secretaries generals it did not like, and on occasion refused to pay its dues (some 22 per cent of the total UN budget).

But of late the going has been smoother. Obama has probably been the most multilaterally minded American president of modern times, and the least inclined to throw his countrys weight around. Three weeks hence, however, things will be very different.

A populist, unabashedly America First administration is about to take office, unlike anything the country has seen before. It will be led by a president whose approach to diplomacy will be transactional, and who has an abiding dislike of freeloading international bodies living off on the American shilling.

Judging by Trumps rhetoric on the campaign trail, Nato  that ungrateful group of allies protected by US military might but who were unwilling to pay a fair share for that protection  had seemed first in line for the treatment. After the Israel vote, that dubious distinction may have passed to the softer target on the banks of the East River.

For the Washington establishment, Nato remains an article of faith. Not so the UN. Washington is but one of five veto-wielding permanent members on the Security Council. Lopsided votes against US policies on Israel and Cuba have been a constant source of embarrassment. And then theres the paranoid far-right fringe, haunted by visions of black UN helicopters swooping down to take away Americas sovereignty. One may presume it mostly voted for Trump.

The Israel vote has got the old juices running. Cut back Americas contributions, say some on Capitol Hill. No, suspend them entirely say others. Why not pull out entirely, even argue a few. After all, the UN needs America much more than America needs it. And the UN never does anything anyway.

Which is, of course, nonsense. Yes, the UN can give a very decent impersonation of bureaucratic ossification, and the incidents of sexual abuse perpetrated against civilians by certain of its peacekeepers are shocking and indefensible. But these peacekeepers, whatever their inadequacies, are carrying out missions that otherwise might have fallen to the US. And to blame the UN for failing to resolve the great crises of the day is absurd.

 Gaza marks 10 years of Israeli blockade

The UN is only as effective as its members  in practice the big five powers with the right of veto on the Security Council  allow it to be. If the US and Russia, for instance, cannot agree on a peace plan for Syria, war will continue, stymieing the humanitarian efforts of the UN in the process. Into this dysfunctional club now barges Donald Trump, full of talk about pulling the US out of the UN climate deal and the UN-monitored Iran nuclear deal.

As for America not needing the UN, that too is nonsense. Just like his predecessors, Trump will find the world body, for all its deficiencies, a precious forum for negotiation and a vital source of legitimacy (as, for example, for the US-led coalition that drove Iraq from Kuwait in 1991). Dealing with it wont be easy; indeed it will often be maddeningly frustrating. But it will be worth it.

And who knows? Things might just work out. Trumps choice of ambassador is no fire-breathing, tear-down-the-building radical. Nikki Haley, the outgoing governor of South Carolina, may be a diplomatic novice, but shes young, a highly talented politician and a relative moderate by the standards of the Trump team. And by odd coincidence, for the first time since 1953 a new US President and UN Secretary-General will be taking office at the same time.

Antonio Guterres, an admired former prime minister of Portugal and the longest-ever serving UN High Commissioner for Refugees, has the makings of a highly effective leader of the UN. Re-establishing the credibility of the organisation in Washington will demand every ounce of his skill. Even then the UNs performance  as always  will depend not on him, but on the willingness of its most important members to make the world body work.

But if he can, even Americas most ardent UN-haters may be ready to forgive and forget that Israel vote.
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Yesterday I opened my inbox to be greeted by a Government press release and two emails about the line-up for the 2017 New Year Honours list. Indifferent, but wanting to stay on top of the news, I opened them. My interest was only piqued when I saw that the Government was proudly announcing this years list as the most diverse yet. In the almost 100-year history of the Order of the British Empire there has never been a greater number of individuals from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background, it trumpeted.

It then went on to list the highest honours, some of them granted to black people I knew personally through my work in the health sector and my involvement in campaigning for race equality in the NHS.

Among the colleagues listed, I saw that Elizabeth Anionwu, emeritus professor of nursing at West London University, received a damehood and, having just published a review of her memoir, I felt a rush of pleasure. I was also proud to see Cecilia Anim, President of the Royal College of Nursing, had received a CBE.

I rushed to Twitter to congratulate them publicly; they are very popular people and well liked members of the health profession who have who have dedicated themselves to decades of public service. I was genuinely pleased for them, and knew that these awards would be seen as additional recognition for their achievements in an often hostile working environment.

But then, a sense of my own hypocrisy started to creep in as I struggled to reconcile my praise with my strong views that no black person should ever accept an honour from the British government because of the ways it supports the legacies of colonialism. Surely I should be admonishing my colleagues, not congratulating them?

The effects of post-colonialism play out in the everyday lives of black and ethnic minority people living in the UK. I have lived it myself, working in the NHS. There is a wealth of evidence proving that BAME staff in the NHS are disproportionately bullied and harassed, and have less access to promotion and training, despite an astonishing track record of supporting the NHS since its inception  so much so that Simons Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, launched the Workforce Race Equality Standard to help turned things around.

This colonial legacy is evident in the way Government operates, with Theresa May forcefully and patronisingly telling black MP David Lammy that there is never any race discrimination when senior appointments are made to public boards.

Lammy had followed the plight of Athea Efunshile, the pre-approved black woman denied a place on the board of Channel 4 board while four, also pre-approved, white male colleagues were appointed, resulting in an all-white board. He said: The Prime Ministers Government published a Green Paper on corporate governance emphasising the importance of gender and race diversity and I congratulate her for that. But why, then, has her Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport blocked the appointment of a black woman to the Channel 4 board? Does she think there isnt a woman or a black person in the country worthy of being on the board of Channel 4?

I was open-mouthed when May responded: All I would do is say this to him  that in looking at public appointments, a very careful process is undertaken, to ensure that people who are appointed have the skillset and the requirements needed to play the role that is being required. I will look into the issues that he has raised, but I have to say to him that this always is a question of the right person for the job and issues around the sort of questions that he has raised dont come into it, its about who is right for the job

MPs raised their voices in protest and I quickly jumped onto Twitter to voice my main concern: how could the PM be sure that no issues of discrimination were at play? She had not yet even looked into the individual case  as she stated in her response  let alone the bigger picture. Using a post-colonial prerogative, she decided to try to silence the Lammy, willing him to accept her preposterous response.

Like me, Lammy was born in London, the child of Guyanese parents, a naturally well-resourced country still struggling to find its feet 50 years after claiming its independence from the UK. The legacy of the colonial era means Guyana looks set to struggle to have the infrastructure and prosperity it deserves.

Fortunately, the days of listening to colonial leaders without challenge are over; Lammy and others are continuing to press for an appropriate answer to his question. No one knows whether race discrimination was at play, but it was astonishing that May pronounced that it definably was not a factor.

As the former Home Secretary, May knows about race inequality and injustice. She even referenced it in her statement outside 10 Downing Street on becoming Prime Minister: If youre black, youre treated more harshly by the criminal justice system than if youre white.

But, if race discrimination was at play in the appointment to Channel 4 board, then that would be a very serious thing to admit  particularly if the Government itself were involved. Her response is about self-preservation; she can admit to race inequality and discrimination as something out there that others are involved in  but not her Government.

At some point soon, I will again be in the company of our now-honoured black and ethnic minority NHS colleagues, individuals who were already highly admired and will continue to be admired by myself and all who know them. But as a race equality campaigner, I believe that  until we at the very least have a prime minister and a government that can honestly and openly debate race equality issues  future black nominees should turn down honours.
Homeowners are still paying off their old mortgages at a faster rate than new ones are being issued, new figures from the Central Bank show.

Households across the country have repaid almost 1.2bn more of their home loans than was issued in new mortgages during the year.

Mortgages, which make up 83pc of on-balance sheet household loans, declined by 150m in November while non-housing loans dipped by 12m in the second-last month of the year.

Consumer credit rose 4.1pc in November as Irish customers withdrew 1bn more than they lodged.

In November, point-of-sale transactions climbed to 2.9bn, 500m more than the same time last year. Retail sales accounted for more than half of the inflated spend.

Irish households continued to be net funders in the Irish banking system for the 17th consecutive month.

"Banks held 6.8bn more household deposits than loans at end-November. By contrast, in early 2009 household loans exceeded deposits by 53.5bn," the regulator said in a note.

The news comes as the Irish mortgage market reported growth in the three-month period to November.

The latest figures show a 30pc surge in the number of people approved for a mortgage during the quarter with further growth expected in 2017.

Speaking earlier in the month, Goodbody housing analyst Dermot O'Leary was optimistic about the forthcoming year.

"The latest mortgage approval trends bode well for mortgage activity in Ireland in 2017. We are forecasting growth of 19pc in mortgage drawdowns in 2017.

"Recent approval trends suggest that this forecast might prove to be conservative," he said.

During the period, around 3,400 people were granted approval to take out a mortgage - with just under half first-time buyers.

The spike in mortgage approvals follows the announcement of a first-time-buyers scheme by housing minister Simon Coveney.

Mr Coveney announced a tax rebate scheme that would see market entrants receive an income tax rebate of up to 20,000 when they are buying their first home.

Recent research from Origin Capital shows that 46pc of industry professionals fear the scheme will inflate house prices across the country even further.

Last month, the Central Bank moved to relax the macro-prudential rules surrounding first-time buyers.

In the new year buyers will need to raise a deposit of just 10pc of the value of the house.

The change deviates from existing rules which put the ceiling at 90pc for loans up to 220,000 - but at 80pc for any house value above that amount.

The State's financial regulator did not make any changes to the 3.5 times loan-to-income ratio.

The changes were announced by Central Bank governor Philip Lane who said the changes were made to ensure banks "lend sensibly" and to make sure excess credit does not build up in country's banking system.

Mr Lane faced tough questioning from the Oireachtas finance committee after it was revealed 100 people had lost their homes as a result of being denied a tracker mortgage.

The Central Bank was accused of being bullied by the country's lenders who wrongly-denied 15,000 customers good-value trackers.

Mr Lane denied his institution was being bullied saying there was no basis to say he was afraid of the banks.
Health insurance costs are set to keep rising next year, consumers have been warned.

It comes after a succession of increases in 2016. These hikes mean some families will be hit with price rises of up to 500.

Some 400,000 people are due to renew their cover in January.

Providers continue to be hit by Government charges for members using public hospitals, also by rising claims costs, and by a rise in the State levy imposed on all policies.

Pricing on some health plans is now being adjusted on a monthly basis.

Dermot Goode, of TotalHealthCover.ie, said families were likely to find that it was more expensive to renew on the same plan. He also warned that the cost of cover would keep going up in 2017.

In a development that is making it increasingly difficult for consumers to seek out good value, some health insurance plans are now having their prices adjusted on a monthly basis, Mr Goode said.

"Insurers are reviewing the pricing of plans on a monthly basis and if their claims experience on any one plan is higher than expected, they will adjust that plan immediately.

"Consumers need to watch the 'moving goalposts' to always track the best deal," he said.

He warned that recent research conducted by the Central Bank found that more than eight out of 10 consumers renewed on the same policy, with the same provider, every year.

With prices being increased so frequently, this meant these people were almost certainly paying too much for their cover.

Mr Goode said the cost of private medical insurance would keep going up in 2017.

"We can expect more increases, possibly starting in April, when the levy on all health insurance policies goes up by 10pc," he said.

This would see insurers passing on the costs to consumers.

The levy is imposed on health insurers to ensure that no one pays more than anyone else for the same level of cover, irrespective of their age and health status.

The money goes into a pot and is then distributed to insurers with older and sicker policyholders, to ensure premiums are the same for everyone with the same type of cover.

From next April, the levy on most adult policies will be 444, a rise of 41 since last year, after a determination made by the Health Insurance Authority.

Pressure on pricing is also coming from the fees imposed on insurers by public hospitals.

Mr Goode said this was driving up premiums for individuals and families by between 150 and 250 a year.

In 2014 legislation was introduced allowing public hospitals to charge patients with private health cover.

Those with health insurance who consent to be treated as a private patient when admitted to a public hospital can be charged between 813 and 1,000 a night. The fees are imposed whether these people get private treatment or not.

Even if you end up on a trolley your insurer can be charged.

Mr Goode advised consumers to review their cover before signing up for a new year-long contract.

VHI will be offering a 50pc discount on 14 of its plans for all children under 18 from December 31, while Laya has announced a free cover offer for child dependants on the popular Essential Connect Family scheme effective from January 1, 2017.
SFA Director Patricia Callan, with chairwoman Sue ONeill (right), who has called for UK-style marginal tax regime

Ireland's small companies will create an extra 20,000 jobs in the coming year, despite risks associated with Britain's exit from the EU, the Small Firms Association (SFA) has said.

In its end-of-year statement SFA chairwoman Sue O'Neill urged the Government to lead its 2017 agenda with changes to the country's tax code.

"In order for this job creation to be realised, however, concrete steps are needed from Government. Competitiveness is all the more critical in light of Brexit and tax competitiveness should be the top priority in the coming year.

"By creating a real pro-business tax system and making sure that work always pays, employees, small businesses and society as a whole will be better off," she said.

The Association called on the Government to fully equalise the earned income tax credit for the self-employed with the PAYE tax credit.

The SFA also asked for a similar marginal tax regime as is used in the UK. In Ireland the marginal rate of tax takes effect at 34,000 while in the UK the top marginal rate of tax applies to those earning in excess of 150,000.

Ms O'Neill said the association members see the expected 3.7pc growth in the country's economy as a big opportunity for their businesses. Over 60pc of its 8,500 member companies plan to add to their current headcount next year.

"It has been a rollercoaster year for small businesses. It began with optimism about the broadening and deepening recovery, but issues such as Brexit and emerging wage demands have shaken business confidence.

"As the year draws to a close, only half of small businesses feel that the business environment is improving," she said.

In November the SFA said the Government wasn't doing enough to combat the risks of Brexit facing Irish businesses. Prior to stepping down then-chairman AJ Noonan said there "serious threats abound for small firms".
EastEnders viewers have thanked the show for drawing attention to "important" men's mental health issues in an episode which saw one young character almost kill himself.

In Friday night's episode, Lee Carter, played by Danny-Boy Hatchard, contemplated jumping from a high building after weeks of struggling with bullying and money troubles sent him into a downward spiral of depression.

People watching the popular BBC soap took to social media to praise the storyline, with one user posting on Twitter: "Lee's storyline, and where he is right now, is so very important. This happens in real life, and isn't something to laugh at."

Another wrote: "What a job EastEnders are doing on this depression storyline. Still a huge stigma around mental illness in men and we must talk about that."

In response to a number who said Carter should "man up", another viewer tweeted: "The whole 'man up' phrase in regards to Lee Carter in EastEnders is precisely why EastEnders are doing this storyline."

Hatchard, who will be leaving the soap, described such attitudes as "dangerous" after reading the way viewers wrote about his character on social media.

He told the Press Association: "I've been seeing a lot on social media, people saying Lee is miserable, Lee needs to man up, sad things such as Lee needs to do the unthinkable, and it's raising a lot of debate with people who have suffered or know people who have suffered.

"I sat there and read messages and it's a real shame, these people who have those thoughts towards Lee as a worthless human being. I worry that if he was a real person, people like this would dangerously make him feel a lot worse, so I feel like EastEnders should be tackling it in a way where we educate these people who are not as aware as they could possibly be and that can only ever have a positive effect."

He said he was "honoured" to be a part of the storyline and added: "I think that kind of drive to abolish that stigma and to encourage people who are suffering to talk and to know that it is okay, the way that they are feeling. It's a responsibility I'm happy to take."

The BBC One soap's writers and Hatchard, 25, worked closely with the Samaritans on the storyline.

Samaritans media adviser Lorna Fraser added her praise to the soap for highlighting the issue of mental health and educating the wider public.

She said: "Soaps can do such an amazing job in helping educate the wider public around the issue of mental health problems and how things can escalate. Through the character of Lee in his story, what is shown is all of these pressures mount up and it's the cumulative effect of these things that really start to get him down.

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"And what has exacerbated that part for Lee, which is a common issue particularly for men, is keeping it to himself, wearing that mask, keeping it a secret, pretending everything is going okay and adding to all of this pressure then is him having to bear all of that by himself."
The 1916 Centenary celebrations helped heal community divisions and strengthened Irish people's national identity, Arts and Culture Minister Heather Humphreys has said.

In a special message of thanks, formally ending the 12 months of commemorative events, Ms Humphreys said she was "truly overwhelmed" by the way people in every corner of the country engaged with the year's special events.

The commemorative year draws to a close tonight with a special programme on RTE television.

Ms Humphreys said that the 2016 events had also brought the role of women in the historic events, which had too long been neglected, to the centre of things.

The commemorations included exhibitions and special historical talks, including the 'Mna 1916' exhibition, which went on tour around the country.

Ms Humphreys said people from across the political spectrum, and from all over the country, had helped make the Ireland 2016 Centenary a year for everyone.

"In 2016 everyone experienced the immense power of cultural creativity to tell our very different stories, to heal divisions, to bring communities together, and to strengthen our identity," Ms Humphreys said.

"We were also reminded of the power of community this year. I was truly overwhelmed by the way people the length and breadth of this country embraced the programme. The true significance of the Centenary Programme is that the people of Ireland took it on and created it for themselves and the legacy of what has been achieved this year will be felt for generations to come," Ms Humphreys, who comes from a Protestant background and represents a Border constituency, said.

Ms Humphreys paid tribute to people working for the State, in various Government departments, the Office of Public Works, An Garda Siochana, the Defence Forces and emergency services.

She said these people helped deliver a very impressive list of public events.

More than one million people came on to the streets of Dublin for the Easter Rising commemorations.

This huge turnout continued during the course of the year where huge crowds both at home and abroad attended a total of 3,500 events.

The year saw 60 State events and there was a capital programme for eight major restoration development projects.

The 1916 Centenary was also commemorated in schools, cultural organisations, community groups and by individuals.

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Each of the country's 31 local authorities drew up their own "county commemorative plans".

The Defence Forces delivered a copy of the 1916 Proclamation and the Irish national flag to every primary school in the country.

Within the first six months of the year alone, a record number of one million people visited the 'Proclaiming a Republic' exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland in Collins Barracks, in Dublin.

Historical photographs and other material was made available online by the National Museum, Military Archives and Digital Repository Ireland.

The celebrations also included a touring showcase of Irish artists in the US, Britain, Canada and Australia.

Ireland's embassies also organised commemorative events in many different countries.
Further tests are being carried out to determine whether the virus found in Ireland is the same highly pathogenic strain that is currently present in Great Britain and mainland Europe (Stock picture)

A strain of bird flu has been found in Ireland. Tests on a wild duck from Co Wexford confirmed the presence of avian influenza subtype H5N8, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed.

The bird, a widgeon, was found alive but unable to fly on December 28, in Wexford town.

No infection of a human has ever been recorded by H5N8, however it presents a serious concern for farmers.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre said it can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds.

The department said the detection was not unexpected, as there had been infections of a "highly pathogenic" variant detected in Great Britain in the last two weeks.

Last week, Agriculture Minister Michael Creed introduced regulations under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 requiring the compulsory housing of poultry as a result of the increased threat.

Further tests are being carried out to determine whether the virus found in Ireland is the same highly pathogenic strain that is currently present in Great Britain and mainland Europe.

The results of the tests will not be available until the middle of next week.

"The department reiterates that strict bio-security measures are necessary to prevent the introduction of avian influenza into poultry and captive bird flocks," a department spokesman said.

"Flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Veterinary Office."

Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory, digestive and/or nervous system of several species of domestic poultry, as well as pet birds and wild birds.

There are many strains of the viruses and these can be classified into two categories according to the severity of disease they produce in poultry.

These include low pathogenic, which typically causes little or no clinical signs in birds, and highly pathogenic, which can cause severe clinical signs and often high mortality rates in birds.

All avian influenza viruses can be transmitted among birds through direct contact with body fluids from infected birds such as droppings or through contaminated feed, water, equipment, and human clothing. It cannot spread through the air.

If you have been vaccinated for human flu, it won't prevent you from getting bird flu.

However, there is no evidence that avian influenza can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of properly cooked food such as poultry meat and eggs.

Members of the public have been asked to report incidents of multiple wild birds found dead in the same location at the same time to the DAFM Avian Influenza helpline on 0761064403 or to a local Regional Veterinary Office.

The signs that farmers and members of the public should look out for in birds include lethargy, loss of appetite and excessive thirst, swollen head, blue discolouration of combs, wattles, neck and throat. It can also cause respiratory distress such as gaping beak, coughing, sneezing, gurgling, rattling, diarrhoea, reduced/no eggs laid.
Then Tory MP Jonathan Aitken was also a guest at the dinner Picture: Conor McCabe

A top Irish diplomat warned the Department of Foreign Affairs he felt like he was "on the menu" when he had dinner with senior Tories who opposed the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

Counsellor at the Irish Embassy in London, Richard Ryan, wrote to his Department of Foreign Affairs bosses on July 30, 1986, to brief them in a top-secret memo about a dinner he had with senior Conservatives at Pratt's Club in London to discuss Northern Ireland.

These included Ian Gow MP, a close ally of prime minister Margaret Thatcher, who was later assassinated by the IRA in 1990. He had resigned from government over the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

Also present was Jonathan Aitken MP, who was at the time viewed as a potential future leader of the party. He was born in Dublin.

Mr Aitken was jailed in 1999 after admitting perjury during a libel action against a UK TV station and newspaper.

The briefing note was released as part of the 1986 State archive.

"Gow hosted a dinner for me at Pratt's Club, where there is only one dining table around which present members sit at dinner," Mr Ryan wrote.

"It became quickly clear that I was pretty well included on the menu. One's only ally was the port decanter, which one pushed around at them as fast as possible, all the quicker to wear them down."
Emergency services workers at the scene of the crash near Watergrasshill, Co Cork. Photo: Michael Mac Sweeney

Gardai are investigating a fatal two-vehicle collision on the M8 Dublin-Cork motorway when a vehicle did a U-turn at a toll plaza and drove the wrong way along the southbound carriageway.

An 84-year-old motorist, named locally as Tom-Joe O'Riordan, was killed and another man was seriously injured in the collision which happened a short distance from Junction 16 of the M8 between the villages of Rathcormac and Watergrasshill.

Shortly after 11am, it is believed the deceased drove towards the Watergrasshill toll plaza on the southbound carriageway, performed a U-turn and then drove in the direction of oncoming traffic.

Mr O'Riordan a farmer from Castlelyons, Co Cork, died at the scene and was transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH).

The van driver, a man in his 20s, remained in a serious but stable condition in CUH last night.

It is the second time such an incident has been responsible for a fatality on the M8 in Cork in recent years.

An SUV being driven the wrong way down the northern carriageway of the M8 outside Fermoy resulted in the death of a young man three years ago.

Gardai are examing CCTV footage from the toll plaza as part of their investigation.

Meanwhile, in Cavan, an 80-year-old woman died following a single-vehicle accident near Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan.

The accident occurred when the car she was driving struck a ditch. Gardai were alerted to the scene at 10:45am yesterday. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The tragedies bring to 187 the number of people to have died on Irish roads in 2016. That represents a 15.5pc increase on the numbers who died in 2015.

Meanwhile, a 17-year-old male was left seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash near Glanmire, Co Cork, yesterday.

The teenager, who was the sole occupant of the car, was injured when the car struck a wall. Garda forensic collision investigators attended the scene. The road was closed and local diversions put in place.
Out-of-hours GP cover services also confirmed record patient demand over Christmas  with a wait in some cases of more than two hours just for nurse call-backs (Stock photo)

Health campaigners have warned Irish emergency departments face "unprecedented pressure" over the coming six weeks as they battle to adhere to the Government's strict overcrowding protocols.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) confirmed that a total of 368 patients were on emergency department and ward trolleys nationwide yesterday.

However, the numbers on trolleys in emergency departments were already almost 18pc above the Health Service Executive maximum target of 236 for any single 24-hour period.

Both the INMO and opposition health officials issued the warning with the peak winter hospitals admissions period over the first two weeks of January still to come.

Out-of-hours GP cover services also confirmed record patient demand over Christmas - with a wait in some cases of more than two hours just for nurse call-backs.

The 368 figure did not include full trolley totals from six Irish hospitals which were unable to supply full data.

The INMO 'trolley watch' figures showed the greatest number of patients on trolleys were in the Midlands Regional Hospital/Portlaoise (35), South Tipperary General Hospital (35), Midlands Regional Hospital/Tullamore (30), Letterkenny General Hospital (23), Portiuncula Hospital (20), Mercy University Hospital (18) and St Vincent's University Hospital (17).

All other major Dublin hospitals showed figures below those levels, with Beaumont, the Mater and Naas General each showing 15 patients on trolleys in emergency departments.

Some hospitals showed a remarkable success in slashing the number of patients on emergency department trolleys, with Cork University Hospital (CUH), one of Ireland's busiest acute hospitals, showing just 11 patients on trolleys.

Health Minister Simon Harris has insisted the special 40m winter initiative is working and easing pressure on Irish emergency departments.

He said it had slashed delayed hospital discharges by almost 50pc over the past two years - and provided 55 additional acute care beds.

It had also funded an extra 950 home care packages. The scheme also involved the provision of 58 transitional care beds.

However, Fianna Fail health spokesman Billy Kelleher warned that the funding was "a drop in the ocean" compared to what was required.
Pictured right is comedian Al Porter switching on the cutting-edge 3D projections to launch Luminosity last night Photo: Arthur Carron

Luminosity is lighting up the front of the Custom House over the New Year celebrations with a kaleidoscopic 3D light show that warps the historic building's facade.

It is followed the sky dance with contemporary dancers performing in front of the building at 5pm and 7pm today.

Pictured right is comedian Al Porter switching on the cutting-edge 3D projections to launch Luminosity last night, while, above, Camille Fagan (5) from Stepaside, Dublin, enjoys the light show.

Popular-held opinion: New Year's Eve is the most over-hyped night of the year.

Reasons cited include: dismal fireworks, freezing temperatures, forced joviality, everything is overpriced, everywhere is overcrowded, and there's pressure to kiss someone at midnight.

On top of that you don't know the words to 'Auld Lang Syne', it takes an hour to get a taxi home, and you wake up the following day having broken three of your New Year's resolutions to find there's no Solpadeine in the house, and all the mince pies are gone.

Expand Close Camille Fagan (5) from Stepaside, Dublin, at the switching on of the Luminosity lights at the Custom House yesterday. Photo: Leon Farrell / Facebook

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Whatsapp Camille Fagan (5) from Stepaside, Dublin, at the switching on of the Luminosity lights at the Custom House yesterday. Photo: Leon Farrell

Ok, so there are some pitfalls, but New Year Eve's doesn't have to be downer.

We may not be on a par with Hogmanay but we are getting there - and the Scots have been celebrating that since the 8th century so it's going to take a little time to catch up. In the past five years, NYE has increased dramatically with light processions, concerts, ceilis and all sorts of good old-fashioned hooleys taking place around the country.

Despite that, there are those who insist NYE is a let down - so here are some pointers to help you avoid the New Year's Eve hate-a-thon.

1. Quit complaining. Going around telling people that New Year's Eve is always rubbish doesn't make December 31 look bad, but it makes you look like a walking misery. Form follows thought and if you spend the weeks/hours/minutes beforehand whinging about how awful a night it is going to be - it will be just that.

2. Drink Champagne. Lots of it, preferably through a straw.

3. Proximity is key. Nothing kills a night like waiting for hours to hitch a cab home.

4. Go out somewhere close to where you intend sleeping. Or better yet, stay in and then you only have to catch a flight of stairs.

5. Stay off social media. Nothing is going to increase your Fear Of Missing Out than seeing the amazing things other people are doing.

6. Dress up. I like to take all the sequinned jumpers, dresses and skirts I have accumulated over the Christmas holidays and wear them all at once to look like a human mirror ball.

7. Dress warm. Chances are there will be a fireworks display and it will go on for longer than anyone wants it to.

8. Accept the fact you will spend more money than you want to. It's unavoidable.

9. Stick to small groups. No more than three people - you can merge with a larger group later in the evening, but keep numbers small. Organising nights out with sprawling groups of friends/ relatives is like trying to wrangle cats and best avoided.

10. Don't go out with a crier - we all know someone like this. Four sherries and they're weeping on your shoulder. You don't need that sort of drama.

11. Plan something to do the next day. Don't wallow in New Year's Day depression - get up and out Asap.

12. Get on board. Once you have decided what you are doing - commit. Don't chop and change your plans.

13. Don't be afraid to opt out early. Remember, you don't have to stay out till midnight. If you would rather be at home watching Jools Holland's 'Hootenanny' and eating a wheel of brie, then sneak away and have a ball.
Gardai in Donegal are investigating after a man was allegedly attacked with a sword at a house party over the Christmas period.

It is believed the man, aged in his early 20s, received head, face and back injuries in the incident which took place on December 27 in the outskirts of Buncrana.

The picture of the mans injuries shows the entire left side of his head sliced open.

He was rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

Gardai are liaising with the victim as part of their investigation but would not confirm if a weapon was used in the attack.

According to the Derry Journal, reports circulating locally suggest that a sword was used.

No arrests have yet been made.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda Station on 074-9320540.
Eoghan McDermott at the launch of RTE2's Generation What at The ODEON on Harcourt Street

RTE 2fm presenter Eoghan McDermott says he had to have a brain scan after he was attacked on a night out in Dublin.

The DJ took to social media to explain what happened, claiming he was sucker punched from behind and knocked unconscious.

McDermott had been in Clondalkin on St Stephens night with friends and was trying to get a taxi home.

Following the attack, he went to Tallaght Hospital where he had to have a CT brain scan and was diagnosed with a bad concussion.

My face is a little swollen. My tooth went through my lip and out the other side, which is no fun, he said.

I was walking by myself to get a taxi home and was on the phone. Someone or someones came up behind me and sucker punched the back of my head. I fell down, hit my head off concrete and was knocked unconscious.

I went to Tallaght Hospital, was looked after and sent home.

When I got home, I got a lot sicker. [I had] nausea, I couldn't see properly, I was vomiting loads and had crazy headaches.

Speaking in a video on his Facebook page, the former Voice of Ireland host said he will be going to gardai about the attack in the coming days.

It could have been the whole lot worse but thats the point, somebody could smack their head off concrete and have a brain haemorrhage or crazy complications that could really cause them problems, so I dont know if these guys were just idiots and it was a bit of bravado, or they were sinister people who do this kind of thing regularly.

That kind of behaviour is not on."

The Dublin broadcaster thanked his friends and family for their support, but also referenced people who said he deserved it.

"To the people on Facebook who said 'You had s**t hair on the Voice of Ireland so you deserve it', I've since got a haircut so I hope that's that.

"To the people who said 'I don't like you on the radio so you deserve it', noted - I'll listen to some Terry Wogan and Gay Byrne archives and take notes.

"Let's all try to be a little more humane and decent to each other in 2017, that would be a good place to start, he added.
A trade union leader has warned of the 'danger' of further occupations of Nama properties, saying more incidents in Dublin could divide those behind the Apollo House incident.

Brendan Ogle spoke out after a group called 'Premier Love Project' entered a property in Finglas, Dublin, for three hours before leaving peacefully after gardai arrived.

The incident was not associated with the 'Home Sweet Home' group currently occupying Apollo House.

The apartment complex was built on the site of the former 'Premier Dairies' site on Mount Prospect Hill in Finglas.

The complex has been vacant for some time and an agreement has been reached between Nama and Dublin City Council. Work will begin shortly, with the apartments being offered as social housing.

The union boss said while the Apollo House project could help to end homelessness, he stressed that "one lightning rod can be enough".

"Apollo House is that, as far as I am concerned. Anything else is laced with danger and division, in my view," he said.

However, he later said his comments were aimed at highlighting the fact the Finglas incident wasn't related to the Home Sweet Home project at Apollo House. "It's not for me to tell anyone what to do. We are not in the finger-wagging business."

He praised those involved in Apollo House for highlighting the homelessness scandal.

Figures released by the Department of Housing yesterday show there were 1,205 families living in emergency accommodation nationally in November - an increase of 27 compared to the previous month. Tommy Gavin of the Irish Housing Network said the increase was a "tragic reality".
Police says they are investigating a number of recent sudden deaths of young people in Belfast which may be linked to drugs.

District Commander Belfast City, Chief Superintendent Chris Noble said, While most post-mortem examinations have been carried out, we are waiting for the results of toxicology tests to determine the cause of each tragic death.

However in some instances, possible links to drug or substance abuse are strong lines of enquiry.

Our advice is very simple: Do not take illegal drugs; do not take prescription medication that has not been prescribed for you and do not mix either with alcohol.

The consequences of ignoring this advice can be life-threatening.

We do not want officers calling with families of loved ones to deliver the heart-breaking news that someone is seriously ill, or has died as a result of drug or substance abuse.

Drugs bring misery to individuals, families and communities. There is no such a thing as recreational drugs. All drugs that are not taken as prescribed by your own doctor can be lethal. The consumption and mixing of illegal drugs can be a lottery of death as it is often unclear what the substance is, its strength or the harm it can do to your body.

Anyone who is suspected of involvement in the supply of drugs can expect to be arrested by police and presented before the courts.

Police will continue to disrupt and arrest drug dealers involved in the sale and supply of drugs, bring individuals before the courts and work with communities and partner agencies to reduce the threat of harmful and illegal activity.

We are asking everyone for their support and co-operation in tackling this problem through the criminal justice system.

If you are concerned about your own or someone elses drug use, there are a number of services that can help you including your GP. For a list of services operating in your local area visit www.drugsandalcoholni.info

Do not be tempted to take drugs or other substances. If you see or know of anyone who is dealing drugs in your local area, contact your local police on 101 or call 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 and pass on any details that you may have.
The Floating Voter podcast looks back on the political year that defined GUBU, with guest, Minister Paschal Donohoe, doling out some Christmas Politician Awards along the way.

Click here subscribe to the Floating Voter on iTunes.

The days of GUBU, Charlie Haughey and co were halcyon compared to what happened in 2016. From the birth of new politics, the re-bert of Bertie Ahern, to water charges down the drain and car insurance and rent sky rocketing. The Celtic Tiger was replaced by leprechaun economics; 1916 was commemorated but not celebrated; and while Joan Burton fell out of a boat, Enda Kenny was still leading the country.

Joining Kevin Doyle, Philip Ryan and Niall O'Connor to look back on the year in politics was Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe where they discussed the mistakes of the general election campaign, the uncertainty over Brexit, the consequences of the Trump agenda, the Fine Gael leadership race, and predictions for 2017.

Plus in the first Floating Voter Christmas Awards, who got the vote for the Bob Cratchit Hardest Working Politician award as well the Political Grinch of the Year?

Each week on the Floating Voter, INM's political team discuss the main issues affecting Irish politics bursting the bubble around Leinster House.

New episodes on Independent.ie every Thursday.
Cabin crew with Monsignor James Horan at Knock Airport for the first commercial Aer Lingus flights, which took off on a pilgrimage to Rome Photo: Martin Nolan

Knock Airport defied government scepticism 30 years ago to become a resounding success.

Despite government documents dismissing the airport as being sited "on a foggy, boggy hillside", the facility established itself as a successful commercial entity.

Monsignor James Horan had fearlessly defied government scepticism over the airport - and insisted it was a priceless economic asset for the region.

When three Aer Lingus charter flights headed for Rome in 1985, his prayers - as well as those of thousands of supporters - were answered.

The always colourful and controversial Monsignor Horan died not long after the airport's official opening.

As a gesture, his name was later incorporated in the title of the venture.

Over the years, it has also been known as Knock International, Connaught Regional, Ireland West and Knock Ireland West.

Traffic has increased almost every year, with the ten millionth passenger touching down there earlier this year.

Almost inevitably, one of the busiest airlines at Knock is Ryanair.

It operates services from the Mayo base to a host of destinations in Europe.

During its relatively short history, the airport has prompted musician Christy Moore to pen the tribute ballad 'Knock Song', and also inspired the musical 'On a Wing and a Prayer', about the life and times of Monsignor Horan.

Ryanair, today recognisable as one of the most high-profile names on the international aviation scene, flew in rather less exalted airspace 30 years ago, newly-released official papers suggest.

The Ryanair story began in 1984, initially operating a service from Waterford to Gatwick in London, its name due to the close connection with Irish businessman Tony Ryan.

Two years later a second route, connecting Dublin with London's Luton airport, was opened and Ireland's era of low-cost, 'no frills' flying was effectively speeding off the tarmac.

Ryanair's aim was to mount a challenge to the then higher-priced duopoly domination of flights between London and Britain by Aer Lingus and British Airways.

It was far from easy at the start, though, for the infant airline. While Ireland was cool on the venture, the UK authorities supported it.

In 1986, Communications Minister Jim Mitchell gave the go-ahead for 28 Ryanair flights between Dublin and Luton.

But he held back on approving five other routes.

The minister signalled the need for caution against the dangers of over-hasty expansion in the wake of the collapse of a number of airlines.
New laws are to be introduced in 2017 tackling so-called revenge porn and other types of online harassment.

The move comes after a Law Reform Commission report last September recommended a number of new harassment offences to keep pace with advances in technology, closing off gaps in legislation.

It proposed jail terms of up to seven years for people guilty of publishing revenge porn online, engaging in serious online harassment, and cyber stalking.

The Irish Independent has learned that Tanaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald received Cabinet approval just before Christmas to implement a number of the proposals.

A new Non-Fatal Offences (Amendment) Bill planned by Ms Fitzgerald will include an extended offence of harassment, a specific offence of stalking, and a new offence of non-consensual distribution of intimate images with intent to cause harm or distress, generally referred to as revenge pornography or victim shaming.

It will also extend the offence of sending threatening or indecent messages to all online communications.

Ms Fitzgerald said she realised there was a need to act swiftly to the recommendations of the commission given advances in online communication and the proliferation of different messaging services and websites.

The speed and scale of modern online communication can magnify the damage done by harmful communications, she said.

Phenomena such as so-called revenge pornography and the publication of voyeuristic material can do serious and lasting harm at the touch of button, and it is important that we act now to ensure our laws can deal effectively with these challenges.

The work of the Law Reform Commission has been very useful and Government will now legislate to strike the correct balance between the right to freedom of expression and the right to privacy.

Intentional victim shaming has tended to occur following the break-up of a relationship, and is an offence in the England, Wales and the US, but is not specifically classified as a crime in Ireland.

Under the Law Reform Commission proposals, revenge porn, harassment and cyber stalking laws would carry an unlimited fine and/or a jail term of up to seven years in cases tried on indictment in the Circuit Court.

Less serious forms of those offences, tried in the District Court, would carry a maximum fine of 5,000 and/or up to 12 months in prison.

However, it recommended that the prosecutions of minors should only be a last resort.

It is unclear yet how rigidly Ms Fitzgerald will stick to the sentencing guidelines recommended by the commission.

The Tanaiste is said to be keen to ensure that sanctions introduced are proportionate, given the likelihood offenders could be children or young adults.

It is expected that perpetrators of serious harm would be subject to criminal prosecution, with less serious issues being dealt with via education programmes and civil remedies.

It is also unclear if other recommendations regarding the regulation of social media will make it into the bill as these are likely to require further consideration.

The commission recommended the appointment of an official with the authority to take web and social media sites to court if they fail to take down harmful material.
An increase of 15pc in road fatalities in 2016 saw 187 people killed on Irish roads.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) published their provisional annual statistics yesterday which showed there were 35 pedestrians, 21 motorcyclists and 10 pedal cyclists killed this year.

There were 82 drivers and 37 passengers killed which is an increase of 15pc in driver deaths and 37pc more passenger deaths compared with 2015.

Dublin and Cork both had 21 road deaths which is an increase from 16 and 15 respectively compared with last year.

There were no road deaths in Waterford in 2015 but this year saw the toll rise to nine fatalities.

Carlow was the only country not to suffer any road fatalities.

July 2016 was the most dangerous month for road users this year with 21 fatalities recorded, but May and October were also particularly dangerous with 20 deaths recorded in each month.

Transport Minister Shane Ross said: "I am very saddened by such a huge loss of life on our roads in 2016.

"I am also acutely aware that these are more than just numbers.

"They represent someone's son, daughter, brother, sister, father or mother.

"If anything is to come from such a tragic loss of life it is that it should serve as a reminder to us all that the road is a shared space."
Michael Lorigan of Kilmurry McMahon, works out in the gym at Kilrush. Photo: John Kelly

A man who suffered a serious brain injury in a road accident four years ago has said he "had to forget about the usual way of life" and learn how to adapt to everything around him.

Michael Lorigan (27), who lives in Co Clare, suffered multiple injuries in a single vehicle accident. He has a brain injury which has left him with sight loss in one eye and reduced vision in the other. "Even after I had come around after the accident I was still in a state of shock," he said.

Before the accident Mr Lorigan remembers "the good times when work was plentiful" and he was able to enjoy his early 20s.

Mr Lorigan travelled the road where he crashed two or three times a day before the accident occurred when he was 23 years old.

He was the driver, but has "little or no recollection of the crash" or of the following three-and-a-half months in hospital.

His first point of contact was Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABI), which helps people live an independent life. However, Mr Lorigan has said he is "absolutely determined to get on with life and make it as good as possible".

With the help of the National Council for the Blind Ireland, who he said "have been brilliant in their services", he has been able to bring that life back bit by bit.

He said he had recently got a new laptop where he had been able to learn good skills to help him with day-to-day life.

Since the accident Mr Lorigan has been keen to educate people on road safety with the help of Headway Ireland and ABI. Visiting schools he tells his story and shows pictures of his dismantled car.

He said the reactions from the teenagers were "of pure shock".

Statistics for men ages 16-24 leads him to say they "are particularly in need of education".
Two men (33) were arrested after gardai seized 210,000 worth of cannabis at their home in Dundalk.

Gardai from the Dundalk Detective Unit obtained a warrant to search a premises on Castle Road, Dundalk after noticing two men acting suspiciously.

During the course of the search of the premises and outbuildings gardai discovered a sophisticated cannabis cultivation "grow house" with approximately 200 plants in various stages of growth with an approximate street value of 160,000.

They also discovered cannabis herb with an approximate street value of 50,000.

Two males, both 33, were arrested and are currently being detained at Dundalk Garda station under the provisions of section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 as amended.
Issues over the longest court martial in Irish history surfaced in detailed exchanges between the United Nations and the government three years after the trial completion.

Official documents freshly released under the 30-years rule revealed fears about the reaction of the public if the case against an Irish soldier accused of killing three colleagues on peace keeping duties in Lebanon collapsed on a technicality.

The Army proceedings ended in 1983 with the jailing for life of Belfast-born Private Michael McAleavey after he was declared guilty of killing the trio.

McAleavey, then aged 21, initially claimed the three men he shot, fellow Privates Thomas Murphy and Peter Burke, and Corporal Gregory Morrow had actually been killed by Lebanese gunmen.

He subsequently admitted he had been responsible for their deaths.

He also told the court martial that he had "snapped" while on UN Lebanon duty, claiming a combination of dehydration and heat exhaustion had been responsible for his condition.

The court martial went ahead a year after the killings at the Irish military base on the Curragh, Co Kildare.

Following his jailing, after proceedings that went on for nearly three months, the convicted serviceman was transferred from custody at a number of jails in the Republic to Northern Ireland.

He was released from an Antrim prison on a life licence after serving a total of 27 years.

Released documents suggested there was a degree of uncertainty about how to prosecute the Belfast man and whether the trial should be a court martial or a Special Criminal Court prosecution.
Mourners carry the coffin at the funeral Anthony Cronin at the Church of The Sacred Heart, Donnybrook. Inset: Anthony Cronin Photo: Tony Gavin

Mourners at the funeral of writer and poet Anthony Cronin were told that he was 'unique and loveable' to the moment he died.

Mr Cronin's wife Anne Haverty told the packed congregation at his funeral mass in the Church of The Sacred Heart in Donnybrook, Dublin of his final moments.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Colm Toibin speaks with President Michael D Higgins at the funeral of Anthony Cronin at the Church of The Sacred Heart, Donnybrook. Photo: Tony Gavin Anne Haverty is consoled by mourners at the funeral of her husband Anthony Cronin at the Church of The Sacred Heart, Donnybrook. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook

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Whatsapp Colm Toibin speaks with President Michael D Higgins at the funeral of Anthony Cronin at the Church of The Sacred Heart, Donnybrook. Photo: Tony Gavin

The manner of his death was so beautiful and to his last moments he was so entirely that unique and loveable and loving self that I can only hope to be able always to know the hope and even joy of that night she added

Anne Haverty and Tony's daughter Sarah Cronin Roche were chief mourners at the funeral which was attended by the President, Michael D. Higgins and a large cross-section of writers, artists and cultural figures.

Expand Close Dermot Bolger and Colm Toibin at the funeral of Anthony Cronin at the Church of The Sacred Heart, Donnybrook. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook

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Whatsapp Dermot Bolger and Colm Toibin at the funeral of Anthony Cronin at the Church of The Sacred Heart, Donnybrook. Photo: Tony Gavin

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Originally from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, his body was carried from the church in a wicker coffin by friends, including the writer Colm Toibin, to the strains of The Croppy Boy, played by Donal Lunny and Graham Henderson.

The funeral mass was celebrated by Msgr. Tom Stack with Fr. Michael Troy of Terenure College, while the remains were received by Msgr. Lorcan OBrien, administrator of Donnybrook parish.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Jane Gogan and her husband Eamon Dunphy at the funeral of Anthony Cronin at the Church of The Sacred Heart, Donnybrook. Photo: Tony Gavin Painter James Hanley talks to former U2 manager Paul McGuinness at the funeral of Anthony Cronin at the Church of The Sacred Heart, Donnybrook. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook

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Whatsapp Jane Gogan and her husband Eamon Dunphy at the funeral of Anthony Cronin at the Church of The Sacred Heart, Donnybrook. Photo: Tony Gavin

Lessons were read by Sarah Cronin Roche and Geraldine Haverty, while Dermot Bolger, Eamon Dunphy, Mary Fitzgerald, Michael Kane and Ben Maguire read the Prayers of the Faithful.

Mr Dunphy spoke of Tony Cronins enduring love of horse racing, jockey, trainers, bookies and all those who make the races happen.

Expand Close Martin Mansergh at the funeral of Anthony Cronin at the Church of The Sacred Heart, Donnybrook. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook

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Whatsapp Martin Mansergh at the funeral of Anthony Cronin at the Church of The Sacred Heart, Donnybrook. Photo: Tony Gavin

Friends carried the symbols of his life, a book of his poetry, the Irish Independent newspaper and his trademark flat cap to the alter at the start of the ceremony.
Maria Aioanei was just beginning to feel at home in west Dublin when she received an eviction notice from the firm that owned her rented accommodation.

Ms Aioanei, originally from Romania, had lived in the house in Cruise Park in Tyrrelstown for three years when she was served a termination notice from a company named the European Property Fund (EPF).

The homes were built by the Twinlite construction company before they were sold in 2008 to EPF, which in turn leased them to tenants.

EPF gave intention to sell as the reason for seeking possession of the house Ms Aioanei was renting, along with a number of other properties in the same development.

"We didn't know where we were going to go tomorrow," Ms Aioanei told the Irish Independent.

But Ms Aioanei (38) soon realised that she was not the only one who would have been forced out of her home.

"We were around 40 families, in total," she said.

"I know some of my neighbours moved out (when they got the notice), because they were scared.

"Their homes were rented out again, and those rents were increased."

Ms Aioanei had been living in the house with her husband, sister and her sister's young child when the notice was served.

She also said that her sister and nephew have since moved out of the house, as they grew increasingly worried about what might happen.

But Ms Aioanei decided that she would fight to remain in the house.

The Residential Tenancies Board later ruled the notice was invalid, as it did not state that the receiver intended to conclude a contract to sell the property within three months of termination.

"I've lived in this country for 14 years, and was used to moving from place to place.

"But I was quite settled here (in Tyrrelstown)," said Ms Aioanei.

"It's my home. I'm settled here.

"We are a community. We help each other. In the 14 years I've lived here, I have loved it."

While Ms Aioanei and her husband are relieved to have secured their home, they are still concerned about the rising price of their rent.

"At the moment the rent is 1,400.

"But the landlord is talking about raising it in February, to 1,600," she said.

"Only my husband is working, and 60pc of his wages go on the rent.

"What we are hoping is the Government will come up with something for affordable mortgages and affordable rents."
Ryanair is seeing out the year with a New Year's Eve Countdown Sale on 365 routes - one for every day in 2017.

The flash sale, which runs for 24 hours until midnight on Saturday, December 31st, is live now on its website, ryanair.com.

Sale fares start from 14.99 each-way on 365 European routes.

"These New Year's Eve specials are for travel in January, February and March, but must be booked by midnight tonight," said Ryanair's Robin Kiely.

To get a full view of the sale fares, customers can also use the 'Fare Finder' feature on Ryanair.com, entering a fare of less than 20 in the search field.

January has yet to begin, but Ireland's travel sales are well underway - with Aer Lingus offering 50pc off summer seats, and WOW air selling flights from Cork and Dublin to Reykjavik from 59.99 each-way.

Read our pick of the best holiday deals here.

Read more:
Mariah Carey performs during New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square on December 31, 2016 in New York. Getty Images

Chirlane McCray, her husband New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and his wife Yoo Soon-taek pose on stage during New Year's Celebrations in Times Square /AFP/Getty Images

Walking On Cars play at a Concert at St Stephen's Green South as part of the NYE Festival Celebrations. l. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

Bressie lead singer with The Blizzards play at a Concert at St Stephen's Green South as part of the NYE Festival Celebrations. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

A women watches Walking On Cars, in the rain at a Concert at St Stephen's Green South as part of the NYE Festival Celebrations. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

Fidget Feet perform over the River Liffey at the Customs House Dublin effortlessly blending stunning mid-air work with contemporary dance. Photo:Photocall Ireland.

A women watches Walking On Cars, at a Concert at St Stephen's Green South as part of the NYE Festival Celebrations. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

Rebecca Cunningham celebrates the New Year at midnight at a Concert at St Stephen's Green South as part of the NYE Festival Celebrations. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

The world welcomed 2017 with colourful fireworks and thousands taking to the streets in cities across the globe.

Tonga and Samoa in the Polynesian Triangle were among the first places in the world to see in 2017, with their fireworks going off at approximately 10am GMT today.

New Zealand was next to say 'hello' to 2017, followed by parts of Russia and much of Australia.

Here's how the world celebrated:

Expand Close Rebecca Cunningham celebrates the New Year at midnight at a Concert at St Stephen's Green South as part of the NYE Festival Celebrations. . Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Rebecca Cunningham celebrates the New Year at midnight at a Concert at St Stephen's Green South as part of the NYE Festival Celebrations. . Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

Dublin

In Dublin celebrations kicked off with the annual Sky Dance at The Custom House. The aerial dancers teamed up with the Luminosity light display creating an unbelievable colour display.

Tonga and Samoa in the Polynesian Triangle were among the first places in the world to see in 2017, with their fireworks going off at approximately 10am GMT today. New Zealand was next to say 'hello' to 2017, followed by parts of Russia and much of Australia.

Closer to midnight Walking on Cars, The Blizzards and Little Hours all played the "Countdown Concert" at St Stephen's Green.

New York

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Mariah Carey performs during New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square on December 31, 2016 in New York. Getty Images Dancers abseil up the columns during the Sky dance event at The Custom House, Dublin Photo: Tony Gavin 31/12/2016 / Facebook

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Whatsapp Mariah Carey performs during New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square on December 31, 2016 in New York. Getty Images

In Time Square around a million people packed the landmark for the annual balldrop.

Outgoing United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon will launch the ball with a press of a button.

The event also saw a botched live performance by Mariah Carey when the popstar reacted poorly to technical difficulties.

Australia

Expand Close Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge in Australia Picture: AFP/Getty / Facebook

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Whatsapp Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge in Australia Picture: AFP/Getty

The Sydney Harbour had a firework display that paid tribute to Prince, David Bowie and Gene Wilder.

For Prince there was purple lighting up the Harbour Bridge and explosions of gold and purple fireworks across the harbour.

Artist David Bowie was honoured with moon, star and planet Saturn fireworks that organisers said were in honour of Bowie's song Space Oddity.

Tributes were also paid to Gene Wilder which delighted the audience with a colourful Willy Wonka display during the show.

Security

Countries around the world have also increased their security for the events.

Outgoing United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon will launch the ball with a press of a button.

Security has gradually been tightened for the event over the last two decades, but the recent deadly terror attacks in Germany and France brought about another crackdown for this year.

Dozens of 20-ton refuse lorries weighted with an extra 15 tons of sand will block the streets leading to the celebration zone, with about 7,000 police officers on patrol.

Security forces have been deployed in Cologne following a wave of sex attacks last year. 1,800 police will monitor the streets, compared to just 140 in 2015.

In Austria, police are handing out 6,000 free pocket alarms to help stop assaults.

Fireworks are returning to Paris after muted celebrations last year, following the Paris terror attacks in November.

In London, a total of 3,000 officers will be on patrol on the streets.

If you have any photos of your own, tweet them at #IndoSubmit or send them to contact@independent.ie.
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John Downing Opinion New British prime minister Rishi Sunaks succession proves an important milestone in British political inclusivity

There is an old saying in British politics that goes: The right looks for converts while the left seeks out traitors. It comes to mind when one reflects upon the election of Rishi Sunak as the UKs first non-white prime minister in a party traditionally seen as most opposed to mass immigration and the dilution of national identity via multiculturalism.
This year, the doyens of fashion at 'Vogue' magazine recommend that our New Year's Eve party attire should reflect the 1980s. The multibillion-dollar fashion industry calendar was carved out long before the sad passing of George Michael. Alas, it will be with enormous enthusiasm and much sadness that I and many of his fans will wrap themselves in the warm comfort of his voice one more time this New Year's Eve.

Also on trend this season for New Year's Eve apparently are sequins, metallic materials and vibrant reds. Presumably that's just for female fashionistas, but who knows.

So basically, your mission tonight is to emulate a life-sized metallic Christmas bauble complete with dangly earrings and matching shoes for the last festive night on the tiles.

Unless you are past the 'going out on New Year's' phase of your life of course. In which case, all the guidelines still apply but you should transpose them to a pair of pyjamas and prepare to watch Jools Holland's 'Hootenanny' on the box while eating as much as possible before the dreaded detox commences.

Variations on the theme of New Year's Eve clothing have been limited. The rules have not changed much over the years. It is essentially sparkly, effervescent, optimistic, uncompromising and uncomfortable. You can get away with the most unforgivable ensembles because - it's for one night only, right?

But what about what people are wearing every other day of the year?

My one simple wish for 2017 is that there be some return to the rule book when it comes to work clothing please, as I now live in a state of constant confusion.

Relatively recently, the rules of work wear changed entirely. A suit is now only compulsory in the most conservative work environments. However, in less-conservative work landscapes it is still important to remember that there should be standards.

If you are of an age where you acquire your news on a tablet or an iPhone, then you may not even remember a time when work clothes for office workers meant suits for both males and females. To complete the ensemble, a shirt was a must. We all knew where we stood in life.

Builders wore T-shirts and jeans, waitresses wore white shirts and black skirts, farmers wore check shirts, doctors wore coats, nurses wore uniforms, priests had vestments, nuns wore habits, and the only people who wore glitter to work were pole dancers and ladies of the night.

I am not suggesting that we revert to those old-fashioned stereotypes, but now it is a veritable free-for-all of fashion faux pas and "anything goes" attire. For those of us curmudgeons who crave order in their lives, it is a challenge.

With more and more companies embracing casual clothing, T-shirts and jeans are now an acceptable part of office culture. Beyond the aesthetic consequences of some of the horror shows I have witnessed recently, there are potential issues around a company's productivity and conversely how we as workers are differentiating between our 'work self' and our 'home self'.

Digitally, we're always plugged into work, so having boundaries has become more necessary than ever before. As casual attire and cloud computing collide, we find ourselves in work-mode 24-7. Either that or we are constantly in play mode and are finding it a struggle to be productive.

As a commuter, I spend the early part of my day poring over the outfit choices of fellow passengers as I try to figure out who is doing what once they make it to the big city. Some days I can hardly tell whether I am sharing a carriage with investment bankers or backing dancers from Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' video.

I could just about get my head around the bizarre necessity to dress in your Saturday clothes on a Friday so that everyone can "dress down''. But please, where will it all stop?

How far down the dress-up ladder are we willing to go? Thank God we do not live in a hot climate - I dread to think where all of this might end. Bikinis and Speedos in the boardroom?

Perplexed at the accelerating downward trajectory of work apparel, I had hoped that some sort of universal sensibility would prevail and a line would be drawn at the words 'track suit'.

Alas there is no line that some will not cross. No common emotional response that screams "no" before leaving the house.

Recently, I was seated across from a business executive in 'lounge wear' and runners. As I struggled to pay attention to what she was saying, I managed to prevent my inner self from screaming loudly: "We are in a meeting and you are in a track suit!" When the meeting concluded, to my horror I noticed others complimenting the offender and a tiny piece of me died.

It's not just me. There are studies that suggest this development, no matter how hip or harmless it might seem, is not good for any of us.

It is scientifically proven that dressing casually could cause an employee to feel less focused. Dr Karen Pine, professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, says: "When we put on an item of clothing it is common for the wearer to adopt the characteristics associated with the garment. Clothing has a symbolic meaning for us."

Clearly, more and more workers are determined to make the weekend an everyday occurrence.

Now I know what you are thinking. Live and let live, and generally I concur. But those of us who get paid to worry for a living are required to observe developments happening around us. I tell you this is not a good one. My probability calculator suggests no good will come of this.

If we do not start paying attention by applying some acceptable standards for working attire, before we know it, our political leaders will be hanging around Dail Eireann in T-shirts with no ties, ripped jeans and very bad hair.

Oh wait! That's already happened - too late, we are doomed.

But for tonight, it is still party time.

So, this New Year's Eve we might channel the 1980s, if not for 'Vogue' then in remembrance of George Michael. There are plenty of choices. A black, sleek Armani suit, some tight-fitting jeans and a leather jacket, or maybe even give those neon socks and matching wrist bands another outing if you still have some.

But probably the best way to remember George Michael is to listen to some of his music, be happy and choose life.

Happy New Year.
As many as 90,000 Irish loans are now owned by foreign investment funds that are increasingly pursuing borrowers in the courts (Stock picture)

As far back as 2011, the Central Bank asked the Government to consider allowing it to regulate so-called vulture funds.

This was amid fears that unregulated foreign hedge and private equity funds buying mortgage books and other loans from Irish banks, including loans to small and medium businesses, would treat borrowers unfairly.

The plea to allow the Central Bank to regulate vulture funds fell on deaf ears.

This could now come back to haunt the Government.

The Apollo House seizure over Christmas showed that there is an anger out there over the housing crisis that current policies being pursued by Housing Minister Simon Coveney are not addressing urgently enough.

The willingness of foreign private equity, particularly US private equity, to invest in Ireland and acquire much of its distressed assets - almost exclusively on a tax-neutral basis - is often cited as one of the key factors in Ireland's recovery from the financial crisis.

There is no doubt that vulture funds have helped stabilise the financial position of the banks and helped Nama generate returns for the Exchequer.

But is there sufficient protection for borrowers?

As many as 90,000 Irish loans are now owned by foreign investment funds that are increasingly pursuing borrowers in the courts.

Government finally moved last year to regulate credit services firms administering loans on behalf of unregulated funds, subjecting credit services firms to the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears Personal Insolvency. Other legal debt resolution mechanisms also remain fully in place.

But ramped-up enforcement, resulting in the widespread loss of homes and businesses, will fan the flames of political unrest at a time when the Government has failed to control both the perception and the reality of the housing crisis.

2017 has potential - let's make the very best of it

It is a year that will be long remembered. For many, that will be for all the wrong reasons, especially on the world stage. But not everyone feels the same. Millions did, after all, vote for Brexit in the UK and for Donald Trump in the US and sneeringly damning their choices does little to resolve the issues facing the international community in the coming year.

If Mr Trump lives up to the very worst that the most hysterical commentators expect, then we have reason to be worried. Likewise, if the triggering of Brexit in March sends the Irish economy into freefall, then 2017 could very well reward the pessimists in great style.

But we are in danger of talking ourselves into a crisis and writing a doomsday prescription that turns into a self-fulfilling prophesy.

Perhaps we are entering a new social and political epoch. Maybe in a generation's time, history students will circle 2016 as one date they must remember.

On the other hand, we might be all over-reacting. Perhaps 2017 will be a positive experience for Ireland and the world at large. That is certainly our fervent wish for the country and our readers.

A happy new year to each and every one of you.
Start the New Year in swinging style at the Sunday evening jazz session in Byrne's of Hill Street, which is fast becoming a mecca for jazz lovers throughout the north east.

Walk into the bar and you could be mistaken for thinking you were in a Manhattan bar, courtesy of the music and vibe. On the first Sunday of every month from 6pm, you'll find a cohort of jazz musicians working hard to produce one of the best examples of what live music can be. And word is now spreading about one of the best kept musical secrets in the northeast.

Dundalk drummer and leader James Mackin is the lynchpin of the sessions. 'From my own point of view, having studied music in New York, it's the capital of the world for jazz. The level that players there presume you have, never mind expect, it really pushes you to work on the instrument.

After moving back to Ireland, Mackin completed an MA in jazz performance and is now working on a PhD in music, while teaching jazz at Dublin's high-profile BIMM music college.

'I've been lucky enough to be in the mix with such fine musicians but bringing this type of music back to Dundalk has always been in the back of my mind,' says Mackin. 'The last generation talk of going to see so many jazz, dance and show bands. I wanted a balance of the musicians saying what they want and also giving the audience what they want to hear. I think we've hit that balance. Byrne's allowed the gig to develop and don't charge in, which is a credit to them. Any successful residency takes time.'

Mackin has enlisted top-rank musicians who have played with almost every major Irish artist going. 'Already on the Byrne's gig we've had the likes of Richie Buckley, Ciaran Wilde, Mike Nielsen and Linley Hamilton to name a few. There's been many more and it will grow in 2017. The house band has David Leady, who only a few weeks ago lead his choir at the Royal Albert Hall. Ken Murphy is on double bass; he's toured with The Commitments and many others. Of course, the star of our show is Mr Brendan Crean. I won't disclose his age but he puts the rest of us to shame in his vocal ability and old-school style. I better be wearing a slick suit for the Christmas show or he'll have words with me.'

Other venues have now followed Byrne's musical lead, with a number of jazz spots springing up around the town. 'The jazz gigs have really got people interested. There are jazz residencies running in a few venues around Louth now because of it. It's funny, I keep getting from people that they feel they don't like jazz but when they come to one gig, then they are at the next one. 'It's music that needs to be heard and seen live. Its whole basis is on live performance and improvisation in the moment, so the audience in my opinion dictate how the lads and I will play. I don't do set lists or prepare directly for what I will play other than hours of daily practise; what comes at each gig is completely unique, that's the beauty of it. With the likes of JJ Smyth's closing in Dublin [the traditional home of jazz in the capital city was recently sold, and the venue's future is uncertain], I really believe Dundalk could be a new hub for jazz.'
Michelle Crosby, Selina Komer, Mollie O'Rourke and Isabelle Mackin-Gray at the trade fair in St. Vincent's Secondary School

Lauren Quinn, Leah Martin, Emma Gartlan and Lucy Reidy at the trade fair in St. Vincent's Secondary School

Jessica Doherty, Bronagh Cassidy, Nicole Duffy, Caitlin Boylan and Anita Martin Alonso at the trade fair in St. Vincent's Secondary School

Ellen Quigley and Sophie Rooney at the trade fair in St. Vincent's Secondary School

Carly Scott, Abi Woods and Leigh Farrell at the trade fair in St. Vincent's Secondary School

Amy Conroy, Sarah Quinn, Erin Kearney and Rebecca Neary at the trade fair in St. Vincent's Secondary School

The Christmas Spirit was alive and well in St. Vincent's last week when Transition Year students hosted their annual trade fair.

Featuring almost twenty mini-companies the young entrepreneurs developed a wide range of products including home baking, candy floss, mobile phone charger protectors, mobile phone cases, waffles, bracelets as well as a Selfie Mirror and games stand.

Zula designed their own range of jumpers and t-shirts which were professionally manufactured.

Innovative group 'Reach for the Jars' designed jars with candles inside while Crazy Cakes produced various flavours of cupcakes with Christmas themed decorations.

The popular while 'Grow n Glow' were selling St Vincent's home grown rocket, mustard and Nasturtium seeds.

An ingenious business idea came from the group behind 'Dress Express' who designed their own website and are offering people the opportunity to sell their preloved TY ball and Debs dresses.

People can upload the details of any dresses they wish to sell as well as would like to buy at bronaghcassidy2013.wixsite.com.

As always there was a wide range of baked goodies available at the CoCo Cafe and tired shoppers could relax with a much-needed coffee or indeed a seasonal hot chocolate.

There was a wide range of visitors to the event, including staff and pupils, and a number of the local primary schools also visited the fair and undoubtedly enjoyed the wide range of treats on offer.
Marcella O'Conluain (second left), Principal of St. Joseph's National School, Dundalk with Gearoid O'Conluain, along with Neasa and Mike Lyons at the retirement function for Marcella held in The Ballymascanlon House Hotel

Just before Christmas I headed for the Ballymascanlon Hotel where a special party was taking place for Marcella O'Conluain from Blackrock who was retiring from the teaching profession after 36 years, as a teacher and as a principal in St. Josephs National School in Muirhevnamor.

She was accompanied by her husband Gearoid, son Diarmuid, daughter Neasa and husband Mike and they also received a message of congratulations from her son Ciaran and wife Orla from the Empire State Building!

I wasn't too long in the door when I met up with Roz Morris who is a friend, neighbour and the lady who will be taking over Marcella's position in the coming weeks. She said Marcella's are big boots to fill and she is really looking forward to the challenge and wanted to wish her every happiness in her retirement.

Next I caught up with Paul Molloy from Haggardstown and Paul Markey from Inniskeen who told me they were sad to see her go, but were going to give her a real send off to remember.

This sentiment was mimicked by Vincey McKevitt and Andre O'Connor who assured me they were going to make sure she had a really great night.

After this I caught up with Paddy Stanley from Holy Family and Benny McArdle from Willow Grove who said that she is an inspired head of the school and they hoped she had a great time now that she has retired.

Also in their company were Anthony Keenan from Dromiskin and Stephen Toner from Riverside Drive who were enjoying the company of Alan O'Connor from Belfry Drive who told me that Marcella is an inspirational woman, extremely genuine and loved by all her staff so she definitely will be a great loss.

Heading for another table I then got talking to Roisin McEntegart from Crossmaglen, Kathryn Thomas from Jonesboro, Geraldine McCabe from South Armagh who told me that Marcella was an integral part of the success of the school and they're really sorry to see her go.

After this I headed over for a chat with my old friend Annmarie O'Murchu from Bay Estate who told me that Marcella will be missed incredibly and she really is a lovely woman. Annmarie was enjoying the company of Jane Cunningham from Ballinahattna and Clare White from Jenkinstown who were up for making it a real night to remember.

Not too long later I met up with Sr. Joan who was representing the Board of Management who said they had had a number of tributes for Marcella and she thoroughly deserved every single one and she would be sadly missed from the school.

Next I headed over for a word with Avril Keenan from Dromiskin sitting with Janice Faherty from Newtownhamilton who told me they were delighted to have worked with Marcella and found her a real inspiration.

Also at the same table I met up with Judith O'Donoghue from Earlsfort, Emma Nelson from Dublin Road, Sheila Murphy from Kilkerley, Aine Kennedy from Carrick Road and Avril Callan from Knockbridge who told me Marcella will be greatly missed and they going to make sure she had a fantastic night with them.

Not too long later I then met up with Susan Perkins from Willow Grove, Sara Nixon from Bishops Court, Shane McEntee from Blackrock and the recently married Elizabeth Flanagan from Blackrock who had left husband Raymond at home babysitting Martin, Pauric and Oisin.

Finally, before I left them to enjoy their meal I caught up with Niamh Curtis from Blackrock, Gheni McLaughlin from Knockbridge, Karol Caulfield from Knockbridge, Caroline Manning from Ravensdale and Orla Duffy from Manydown Close who all wanted to wish Marcella a very happy retirement and were definitely going to make the best of the night.
One man that had an extremely surprised look on his face when I caught up with him in the Windsor was Noel Carpenter from Pearse Park. He thought he was just coming out for a meal with the family, but they had thrown a surprise 70th birthday party for him and all his family relations and friends were there to make sure he had a fantastic night.

Noel was there with his wife Bernadette, son Noel, daughters Emma Neary from Dromiskin and Emma Carpenter from Parnell Park, Noel's wife Fiona, Emma's husband James and grandkids Eoin, Ruairi, Liam, Grace and James and Noel had returned from Germany specially to be there for his dad's surprise party.

I headed for a table where I got a word with Tom Cluskey from Lower Point Road who was with Donna and Darragh Murphy from Corcreaghy who wanted to wish Noel a very happy 70th.

They were in the company of Gerry and May Cluskey who were having a laugh with Emma and James Neary who told me it was well worth it for the look on Noel's face when he walked in and found everyone there.

Beside them was Noel's wife Bernadette who was having a laugh with neighbours Geraldine and Michael Murphy from Pearse Park who were having a lovely night and were delighted to be there for Noel.

After this I caught up with Jim, Olivia and Shane Carroll from Forkhill who wanted to wish brother-in-law all the best on his big night.

They were up for making the best of the 70th celebrations with Mary and Gerry Cluskey from Lower Point Road who told me their kids Thomas, Gerard, Tracy and Donna were all there to help make sure Noel's big bash was a huge success.

Also in their company were Grace O'Neill from Forkhill and Loretto Rocks who wanted to wish Noel a very happy birthday and hoped he had a lovely night.

After this I got talking to Sarah-Jane and Gary Ferris from Mullabawn who wanted to wish uncle Noel all the best on his big night.

I then headed for the in-laws table where I met up with Eamonn and Rachel Carroll from Bay Estate, Tom and Geraldine Carroll from Ard Easmuinn who were up for a major party and were also with Irene McElarney from Priorland Road who also wanted to wish her son Gerard McElarney a very happy birthday over in Canada too!

Just in the door was niece Lorraine Quigley from Bay Estate who wanted to wish all the best to her uncle o his big day.

Not too far away I then caught up with Darren and Breda Crawley from Garrybawn who were with Peter and Noeleen Crawley from Willow Grove who told me the celebrations were only just getting going.

Finally, before I departed I got a work with Kevin and Tracey Brady who were just after arriving in and were in form to make sure that they and Noel and an epic night.
The Dundalk based members of the cardiac first responders group are appealing for support from the public to continue their vital work.

First responders are a voluntary organisation, of highly trained individuals, who give their time, free of charge, at the front line of our medical emergency services.

They are mainly utilised by the HSE to provide cardiac support services to suspected heart attack victims, stabilising the patient until the HSE arrive on scene.

Over the years, they have saved countless lives, without receiving any funding from the state or the HSE.

A spokesman for the cardiac first responders group explained the need for ongoing support.

'All of our costs are met through public donations, and that is where we need help.'

On Thursday January 5th, a number of Dundalk DJ's, in association with the Spirit Store, are holding a Christmas 'Hangover 80's' disco night, to help raise funds for this very worthy cause.

It is certain to be a great night of nostalgic revelry set to a great backdrop of some of the best known and loved hits from the 1980s.

Admission is only five euro, with all proceeds going to the cardiac first responders group.

There will also be donation buckets on the premises on the night, as well as a raffle for many great prizes that will be up for grabs.
Store Managers Sean,Melissa and Ruth, join Harry Traynor to wish him well on his departure from Marshes after 11 years as Centre Manager

Marshes Shopping Centre manager Harry Traynor will leave his post this week after over a decade at the helm.

Harry, who was part of the original team that opened Marshes in 2005 confirmed he is to leave at the end of December to take up a new retail position in the UK. Harry has welcomed over 40 million shoppers to the area, managed the arrival of leading brands to the centre, and led a team of dedicated staff at Marshes. His influence has extended beyond the scheme with a senior role in both the local Chamber and as Director with Dundalk BIDS Ltd.

Commenting on his departure Harry said; 'Marshes is a very important place, and whilst I am moving on to new ventures and challenges in the UK, this was a very difficult decision to make. To me Marshes is special for many reasons - not least the staff and our wonderful customers, most of whom have been coming to shop with us for many years and I have got to know on a first name basis.

The staff and retailers are so passionate about Marshes, many have been here from we first opened. The shopping centre is a key pillar within the local community, as well as being loved by shoppers from further afield, North and South.
Trade was brisk across Dundalk as the town avoided the Brexit backlash in the run to Christmas, the Argus has learned.

Shops across the town reported a booming December, with business leaders saying that the Christmas season was equally as busy as last year.

Harry Traynor, who departs his role as manager of the Marshes Shopping Centre at the end of this week after eleven and a half years at the helm, said: 'We have had exceptionally busy month. I haven't seen any difference than I did this time last year.'

Speaking on Michael Reade's show on LMFM, Harry added: 'There is a feel good factor at the moment, and everyone has been making the best of it.'

He praised the 'Shop Local' scheme, which took in over a half million euro for the local economy.

'The chamber of commerce have to be commended for driving this forward. It puts confidence back into the town, for the town's businesses.'

'They have taken a step forward with this, which was much needed, and it has worked exceptionally well. I am delighted to see the support local people have given the town.'

He said the feared 'Brexit effect' did not impact greatly as there was 'not the flood of cars going north that we saw in previous years.'

Paddy Malone, PRO of the Dundalk chamber agreed, saying: 'Our members have been saying its been a good Christmas just like last year. We are not losing trade to the north, and we are trying to get that message through to people, we have been dealing with this problem since 1979 on how to deal with currency fluctuations, and we will do so again.'

He said that one electrical retailer reported that in September he was not able to compete with prices in the north, but he can now over the last few weeks, which is very good news for the town.'
A 28-year-old man has appeared in court charged with assaulting his ex girlfriend at an address in Dundalk was earlier this month refused bail at the district court.

Glen Reenan, 7 Gort Nua, Castlebellingham, was before the district court on December 14 and charged with assault causing harm to a woman at a house in Dundalk on December 4.

Gardai objected to bail being granted to Reenan and said the charge related to a 'serious assault' on a woman. Investigators have pictures of the alleged injuries and claimed that there are concerns that Reenan, if he got bail, would contact the victim.

The court was told that when Gardai went to Reenan's home, they were unable to contact him and when he spoke to officers, it is alleged he said he was on Xanax on the night of the alleged assault.

Solicitor Frank McDonnell said Reenan was willing to sign on at Drogheda Garda station every day and would observe a curfew. In addition, Reenan had 'expressed concerns for his own safety' and 'had been in fear of assaults and threats to his own life' as a result of the alleged assault.

Reenan told the court he would abide by all conditions and would stay out of Dundalk if that was required. He said he is drug and alcohol free and added he would undertake not to contact the alleged victim in any way, including on social media.

Reenan said he had received threats on social media arising from the alleged assault.

Judge Brennan refused bail and adjourned the case to Cloverhill District Court.
A cleaner at the Riva Restaurant in Earl Street stole 1800 from a locked safe while she was working, the district court has heard.

Jana Gaziova, (33), 13 Williamsons Place, Dundalk, admitted theft from the restaurant on May 25 last year.

Judge Brennan heard how Gardai went to Riva at around 5pm after being called by the then-owner, Tim Murphy who said a part-time cleaner had stolen 1860 from the safe. Gardai watched the incident unfold on CCTV and spoke to Gaziova a short time later.

She handed over 1450 of the cash in 50 notes. She has no previous convictions and had been working for two hours a day as a cleaner at Riva for three months at the time of the offence.

Gardai said they believed the theft 'required some planning' as Gaziova had 'used her position as a cleaner to get the safe keys, open the safe and return the keys.

Barrister Irene Sands said there was 'not a huge amount of planning involved' as the keys 'were left out and it was opportunistic'.

Gaziova asked her daughter to ring Dundalk Garda station and made full admissions in an interview with detectives. Ms Sands said her client, who is Slovakian, has been in Ireland for ten years and 'was struggling financially'.

The barrister added the majority of the money was returned' but 'there seems to be shortfall' as 'some of it may have fallen out of her pocket'.

The case was adjourned to April 12 for a probation report to be prepared. Judge Brennan said he would 'deal with it leniently' if the report was positive and the compensation paid.
The death took place on Christmas Day of well known local publican Betty Traynor (nee Fitzpatrick), who passed away peacefully at her home in Newry after an illness.

Betty was best known as the landlady The Phoenix Bar in Park Street, and she took a real pride in welcoming customers to her pub and decorating it for various seasonal events including St Valentine's Day, St Patrick's Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas, as well as major sporting occasions, both local and international.

She had previously ran The Phoenix in Newry and The Windmill Bar in Seatown Place. She was delighted when her pub featured in a film 'Nameless' in which she also got a role, three years ago.

Betty is survived by her husband Stephen, son Daniel, brothers Dominic, Austin, Benny and Danny and extended family and friends.

Her remains will leave her home today (Wednesday) at 10am arriving at the Cathedral of St. Patrick and St. Colman, Newry for 10.30am Requiem Mass. Interment immediately afterwards in St. Mary's Cemetery, Newry.
A driver who Gardai said 'made no effort' to slow down at a checkpoint was later arrested for drink driving.

Shane McCreesh, (20), Corliss Road, Crossmaglen, was prosecuted for drink and dangerous driving arising out of the incident which started at the Long Walk on July 25.

Judge Brennan heard how, around 3am, McCreesh approached a Garda checkpoint in a VW Passat, but made no effort to slow down and 'drove directly at a Garda who had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck'.

McCreesh continued at speed to Church Street and Gardai followed him, where they got 'a good look at the driver'. The defendant continued towards Dowdallhill and crashed into a tree at Loiwer Faughart.

The vehicle was badly damaged, Gardai said, but by the time they caught up with the Passat, there was no-one in it. McCreesh ran off towards Faughart shrine where Gardai found him and arrested him on suspicion of drink driving.

A breath sample showed he was over the limit.

Solicitor Ciaran Hughes said his client, who works in Scotland, had been out for a night and, needing to get back home to get to Britain the following day, and unable to get a taxi, he 'panicked and made a rash decision' to take the car.

Mr Hughes said the decision to drive was 'wrong and foolish' and was 'completely contrary to his upbringing and way of life'. McCreesh was in court with his mother and was 'deeply ashamed' of what he did.

A number of references were handed into court including from a priest and a secondary school which showed, Mr Hughes said, that the general consensus is that his client 'comes from a decent family who are local businesspeople'.

In addition, the court case had 'weighed heavily' on McCreesh as, Mr Hughes said, 'his mental health had deteriorated since this moment of madness, a terrible mistake'.

The defendant has no previous convictions and has 'learned a very harsh lesson'.

Judge Brenann imposed a 300 fine and banned McCreesh from driving for two years.
A 20-year-old who was found to have a knife in a car he was driving and who said he had it for a picnic he went on last December had the charge against him dismissed at the district court.

Erdogan Yildrim, (30), 89 Castle Ross, Dundalk had denied, at an earlier sitting of the court, a charge possession of an offensive weapon at the car park of Tesco at Stapleton Place on December 27 last year.

Gardai said they were interested in the car and Yildrim came over to it. A short time later they found a knife in the driver's door pocket.

The defendant told them he had it because he had been on a picnic the week before with his family. Inspector Martin Beggy pointed out to Judge Flann Brennan that the detection was made two days after Christmas, at 4.20 in the afternoon.

Inspector Beggy said: ' He claimed he had been for a picnic during Christmas week, which would be very unusual'.

Solicitor Peter Lavery said his client 'accepts the facts as outlined' and while Yildrim had the implement, it was a small kitchen knife and he had it 'for a good, lawful purpose'.

Yildrim said he parked the car on December 27 and there were a number of people around it when he returned. He said it was being searched and confirmed the knife was found.

But he added: 'We had a picnic. It doesn't matter what month or day, we go on picnics and the knife was there for that.

The defendant's father gave evidence to the court and told the judge that the ' whole family goes on picnics and we put everything into the car'. He said sometimes they would have a barbeque.

Mr Yildrim said he left the knife in the car and added that he 'sometimes goes fishing as well'. He said: 'It's not a good kitchen knife, it is broken'.

Mr Lavery said: ' This was totally out of character for him and it was his father's car. He had a good reason for lawfully having the knife'.

But Judge Brennan convicted Yildrim, and was told he has one prior conviction.

The case had been adjourned for a probation report, which, Mr Lavery said, was 'positive'. He said his client is a hard-working young man who is unlikely to come to Garda attention again.

Judge Brennan found the facts proven and dismissed the charge under the Probation Act and ordered the destruction of the knife.
A North Louth man has been found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of adapting a trailer and two gas cylinders to make a bomb in his shed.

Philip McKevitt (62) of Aghaboys, Mountpleasant, had denied the possession of explosive substances at Aghaboys, Mountpleasant on May 22, 2010.

In November, another man pleaded guilty to the same offence and Conan Murphy (29), from Ravensdale was jailed by the three-judge, non-jury court for six years.

During McKevitt's trial, the court heard that a surveillance operation was put in place outside the man's house in Aghaboys in May, 2010.

On May 20 he was seen with Murphy in the yard and that later that day a garda heard an angle-grinder being used in the shed.

Two days later, at 7pm, Gardai entered the shed and saw McKevitt coming from the direction of a trailer.

Inside the trailer were two adapted gas cylinders. Both had been deliberately altered, with sections cut from the top of both, and were strapped to a wooden frame in the trailer.

In the boot of a car beside the shed there were fifty-two 500g bags of Shamrock-brand glucose.

Also seized was a roll of wire, 377 metres long and recently spray-painted green.

The court heard that in a fully-formed IED (improvised explosive device) this would have been the command wire, normally used for detonating the device from a distance.

Dr Clara Boland, a forensic scientist, told the court that a match for McKevitt's DNA had been found on the handle of one of the gas cylinders.

During Garda interviews McKevitt said he did not know the trailer and gas cylinders were in his shed and that he had never seen them before.

Presiding judge Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said it was 'inconceivable' that he never noticed the trailer. McKevitt was remanded on continuing bail until January 23 when he will be sentenced.
The Wonders of the Sea by Ella Taylor

Two Dundalk students have seen their artistic endeavours included in the prestigious Texaco Children's Art Calendar 2017.

Seven year old Deaghlan McGovern from St. Malachy's Boys National School had the honour of being chosen to illustrate the cover of the calendar.

One of thirteen chosen to illustrate the publication, Deaghlan's piece, entitled 'Parrot in the Trees', will be seen in thousands of homes throughout Ireland in 2017.

Winning third prize in Category E of the 2016 competition, it was one of a number said by a competition adjudicator to perfectly reflect the incredible talent and imagination of children and the essential role played by schools who encourage and inspire their students through art education.

With a wide range of entries from across Louth, Dundalk also saw a second student, Ella Taylor (6) from Scoil Mhuire na nGael, having her work chosen to feature in the calendar.

Her work, entitled 'The Wonders of the Sea' was chosen to feature as the illustration for the month of July.

It's been a whirlwind year for the young students, as their works have featured in exhibitions held in Belfast, Drogheda and Dublin.

Calendars are currently available through a select number of Texaco service stations and Texaco authorised distributors countrywide.
Killian Ivory with members of Voices of Bray Community Choir performing David Bowies Space Oddity

Members of Voices of Bray Community Choir in festive spirit

The Voices of Bray Community Choir returned to St Fergal's Church on December 4 last to perform their second Christmas concert.

A packed audience of over 650 enjoyed an uplifting programme which included many Christmas favourites old and new.

The 130-voice choir also performed some highlights from their recent summer programmes.

The evening also included tributes to David Bowie ('Space Oddity') and Leonard Cohen ('Hallelujah').

The concert was staged for the benefit of Wicklow Homeless Five Loaves, a charity which has been doing fantastic work for many years now on behalf of the homeless in the Bray area.

Thanks to the huge audience turnout for the concert, 4,000 was raised for the charity.

The choir also made a donation to St Fergal's parish which has hosted the choir's Christmas concert for the past two years.

The choir now turns its attention to 2017 which is shaping up to be its busiest year yet, with summer concerts in the Mermaid Theatre in June and a trip to the North Wales Choral Festival in November.
The OPW is working on new designs for a Coast Guard station in Greystones.

The designs are being drawn up in cooperation with the Coast Guard and the Department of Transport. This emerged last week at a meeting at Leinster House to discuss plans for the new station.

It was announced in October that existing plans would not go ahead as the cost was too high.

The Irish Coast Guard said that they are committed to the existing site a new station at Greystones Harbour.

Minister Simon Harris held the meeting, with the OPW, Department of Transport and the Irish Coastguard.

Harris called the meeting to discuss plans for the new Greystones Coast Guard Station.

'I have been working on this issue with the people of Greystones for a long time and I am eager to see it move beyond talking now,' saidMinister Harris afterwards. 'I called a meeting with the OPW, the Irish Coast Guard and the Department of Transport to get a full update and I was very pleased with the progress.

'The OPW are currently redesigning the station in cooperation with the Coast Guard and the Department.

'All sides confirmed that they remain fully committed to getting the Coast Guard Station built as a priority. I was very pleased to receive confirmation that all sides expect to have the station at an advanced stage in 2017.'

He said that the Greystones Coast Guard provide an invaluable service in the community but they are working in a completely inappropriate building.

'This dedicated team need to be given facilities suitable for their difficult jobs,' he said.
The intention is to sell Ardmore studios as a going concern, according to Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O'Connor.

This was said in a meeting with a deputation from Wicklow last week on the future of the studios.

The minister said that any final decision would be taken in consultation with her department and the department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs which has policy responsibility for the development of the film industry.

A delegation representing Wicklow County Council and the Wicklow TDs met with Minister Mitchell O'Connor, officials from the department and representatives of Enterprise Ireland to discuss concerns about the sale of the studios.

It was announced in October that the studios would go on the market. The Board of Directors said at the time that the Herbert Road facility would be sold as a going concern.

Enterprise Ireland owns 32 per cent of the studios. In a prospectus which has been seen by Deputy Pat Casey, a page is devoted to the residential potential of the Ardmore site.

Questions had been raised by the elected members and by the Oireachtas members for Wicklow, arising out of concerns surrounding the sale as a going concern and that the site was described in part of the prospectus as 'prime residential land in South Dublin'.

Following discussions with the Minister and her officials, it was confirmed that the lands are zoned for film use. The members of Bray Municipal District and in fact all of the members of Wicklow County Council are fully supportive of this zoning remaining in place. However the members would like to see a 'belt and braces' approach taken and sought assurances from the Minister that the studios will indeed be sold as a going concern to an established player in the audiovisual sector.

Bryan Doyle, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, welcomed the Minister's recognition of the importance of Ardmore Studios to County Wicklow and indeed to the mid-east region and her acknowledgement that the development of the film industry is a key pillar of the Action Plan for Jobs for the region.

'Tourism and film are among our strongest industries in County Wicklow and Ardmore is an important player in that regard,' said Mr Doyle.

The members outlined the strategic importance of the film industry to Wicklow. Ardmore which was established in 1958 is an important part of the 'brand'.

Development of the audio visual industry is one of the six objectives listed in the County Wicklow Economic Think Tank Action Plan, and these commitments to the industry are underscored in the Local Economic and Community Plan. One of the early actions by Wicklow County Council on foot of the Wicklow Economic Think Tank Action Plan, and in recognition of the significance of the industry and the need for studio space, was to introduce zero development contributions for film infrastructure.

As the Minister acknowledged, development of the audio visual industry is one of the primary objectives set out in the Action Plan for Jobs; Wicklow is the lead authority in this action area. The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Wicklow, together with the 4 other LEOs in the South East has initiated the South Eastern Creative Corridor project aimed at creating a vibrant, viable and growing AV cluster in the region.

The Minister was briefed on why Wicklow is a 'film friendly county'. She was told about the Wicklow Film Commission, which was established in 1992 to provide assistance to filmmakers filming in the county; that Wicklow has an excellent mix of versatile locations - urban, rural, mountain and seascapes - all within minutes of the studios in the county; and that it is home to a large number of industry professionals, all highly trained and experienced crew who have made Wicklow their home.

The importance of skills development in the industry and the links with colleges such as IADT and BIFE were also highlighted.

The Minister and officials explained that confidentiality is normal in relation to the sale of private shareholdings. They said that this is to allow the best possible deal to emerge. She welcomed the firm commitment by the council in relation to the continuation of zoning of the site for film production.
Bray Adult Learning Centre recently presented certificates to students who completed the QQI courses at the centre.

Minister Simon Harris attended the event.

Tutors and students joined together to celebrate all the hard work undertaken during the last year. Minister Harris congratulated the students on their achievements and told them that it took guts to go back to education as an adult.

Jim Ruttle, Chairperson of KWETB told the students they should be proud of their decision to return to education as adults and thanked them for choosing to study with KWETB.

Tanya Byrne and Robert Slater told the audience of their own decisions to return to education having left school early and they both outlined how much their skills and confidence have grown over the last few years.

The students were joined in their celebrations by their tutors and family and friends who support and encourage them as they progress on their learning journey.

Bray Adult Learning Centre provides a first step back into education for adult learners who wish to return to education and improve their basic skills.

The Centre offers a wide range of part-time courses and QQI modules at Levels 1-4. This year students received certificates to in a range of subjects including reading, writing, communications, internet skills, maths, English for speakers of other languages, word processing, and desktop publishing.

Over 300 students completed part-time courses at the centre in the last year. Many of these programmes were aimed at people developing the skills and confidence needed for the changing economy and society. Courses at the Adult Learning Centre are a good start for anyone who is thinking about returning to education or upskilling for the job market.
A Bray man who stumbled out in front of traffic gave gardai a name he does not normally go by.

Curtis Devlin (22), 28 Hazelwood, Bray, appeared in Bray District Court on Thursday, December 15.

He was charged with being drunk in public and refusing to give his name and address to gardai, at Station Road in Bray on May 21, 2016.

Solicitor Brendan Maloney said that the public order matter was admitted, however, he said that Devlin is entitled to use the name 'Curtis Murray'. Mr Maloney said that was the name on the defendant's birth certificate.

The court heard that Devlin was stopped on Station Road around midnight after stumbling out in front of oncoming traffic.

He gave his name as Curtis Murray, then later told gardai his name was Devlin.

'He accepts entirely that he was drunk,' said Mr Maloney.

Devlin gave his name under oath to the court as 'Curtis Murray Devlin'. He said that he rarely uses the name Murray and went by Devlin from around the age of 16.

Judge Grainne O'Neill said that using the other name was misleading in her view, if he goes by Devlin.

'Even when being sworn in, he said Murray Devlin. He made a consistent effort to mislead on the night, and again today,' said Judge O'Neill.

She handed down a fine of 400 for the false name, and 200 for being drunk in public.
'It was the best Christmas Day I ever had,' according to Declan McLoughlin, who hosted Christmas lunch for up to 90 people on behalf of Wicklow Homeless Five Loaves, at Bochelli's restaurant in Greystones.

Declan, his wife Nuala and their children Shayna, Jason and Aaron, were joined by Katie Taylor and her mother Brigid, who helped serve the dinners on the day.

Declan said that Bocelli's has supported WH Five Loaves in the past with coffee mornings and other fundraisers, and they have been building up a relationship with the organisation over the past year.

'I feel very proud to be able to do it,' he said.

The guests enjoyed a traditional Christmas dinner, live music and dancing, and lots of fun.

Local cab companies provided transport, as did many private volunteers who offered lifts to people coming from all over north Wicklow and south Dublin.

The restaurant was totally packed and the atmosphere was amazing.

'The warmth and companionship in Bochellis on Christmas Day is proof that the world can be a better place, so thank you to Declan and everyone from the bottom of our hearts for making the day so special,' said a spokesperson for Five Loaves.

Declan said that suppliers donated much of what was needed free of charge. Local people dropped in things like scarves, gloves and other essential items. One chemist donated 100 small packs containing items such as toiletries and hand warmers.

'The response was amazing,' said Declan.

Greystones Cancer Support loaned their burco boiler to Bochellis, and the Holy Rosary church gave a loan of their teapots.
A Shankill man 'stole from sick and dying children', according to Judge Grainne O'Neill at Bray District court.

Kevin Kelly (20), 84 Rathsallagh Park, Shankill, appeared in court on Thursday, December 15.

Kelly took a collection box for Temple Street from Tesco in Greystones on July 22, 2016 and left the store.

Garda Sinead O'Keeffe approached Kelly outside and he tried to run away.

He was arrested. He admitted taking the box and handed over the money, 43.50.

Solicitor Andrew Vallely said that Kelly apologised to the court and that he did what he did to buy food.

He asked for a probation report and said that his client has addiction issues.

'Is he aware that he stole from sick and dying children?' said Judge O'Neill. 'It's not for the court to babysit Mr Kelly.'

She adjourned the matter to January 12 for the preparation of a community service report. Judge O'Neill said that 100 hours of community service would be considered, in lieu of a 12-month prison sentence.
Phil Coulter's son Daragh, and Daragh's fiancee Sophia Hannon, are home to celebrate with their families, after the groom-to-be pulled off a romantic proposal in New Zealand.

Sophia is from Ardmore Park and Daragh from Killarney Road and they are both in Bray for Christmas, some months after getting engaged.

After 22 years of living down the road from each other, Sophia and Daragh finally spoke for the first time in the Martello.

Daragh was a ship's officer at the time and was shipping out to Singapore the next day for four months.

Daragh finally returned to Ireland and they met again. He asked Sophia out on their first date in August 2012 and they have been together ever since.

They moved to New Zealand in July 2015 and are really enjoying the Kiwi lifestyle.

They moved so that Daragh could get work on boats without having to be away from Sophia for months at a time.

He is a now a captain of a ferry in Auckland Harbour and is able to come home every evening.

After working extremely hard over several months, Daragh decided that they really needed a trip away together to relax and recoup last August, the perfect excuse for them to have another epic snowboarding trip.

They arrived in Wanaka (south island of New Zealand) and had decided to go for a hike as it is surrounded by stunning mountains and incredible views.

To Sophia's surprise, it was not a hike they were doing but a scenic helicopter flight to the top of the mountain peaks in Wanaka.

The helicopter landed on top of one of the peaks and they were allowed to get out and take in all the picturesque scenery.

Sophia barely noticed how nervous and awkward Daragh was being and then she finally asked 'are you OK?'

To her astonishment, he was down on one knee asking if she would become his wife.

Wedding plans are under way and they hope to return to Ireland in the near future to get married surrounded by their family and friends.

Both families couldn't have been happier for the pair. Everyone has been looking forward to their visit home so they could all toast to the happily engaged couple.
There were angels and kings, shepherds and sheep, donkeys and innkeepers, and even pirates and mermaids on stage at Kiskeam Community Centre when children from Scoil Mhuire staged their Christmas concert.

Fantastic singing, dancing, and acting were the order of the day as the children delighted parents, siblings, relatives and friends with no less than three plays.

Junior and Senior Infants were first up with The Noisy Nativity, followed by 2nd and 3rd Classes who delighted with The Donkey Seller.

A swashbuckling tale unfolded when the children from 5th and 6th Classes showcased Pirates and Mermaids, complete with fabulous costumes, great make up, and seven mermaids sporting glamorous pink wigs. The pirates in their turn impressed with great tricorn hats, and colourful outfits complete with swords and cutlasses.

The concert, which was held on two consecutive nights, was a major fundraiser for the school. "The proceeds will be put to very good use and will benefit all the children," Scoil Mhuire Principal Agnes Cronin told The Corkman.

"We really appreciate all the hard work undertaken by our pupils and we want to thank everybody who helped stage the concert, and all who supported it" she added.
Work is due to commence in early 2017 on the erection of six additional units at the Charleville Sheltered Housing Services retirement village, in association with Cork County Council and the Department of the Environment, at Love Lane, Charleville.

The community service is provided by a limited company without share capital, providing people with a range of good quality housing accommodation, who require supported housing services. The main aim of the service is to enhance the quality of life and health of residents in an atmosphere of freedom and independence, and promoting equality of opportunity and individual choice in a caring environment.

Such services enable people to retain their independence while availing of varied levels of staff support, thus preventing premature entry to long-stay care. It is need directed and available to any age or income category.

Legal licence agreements are adaptable to income levels. These are contracts of care outlining the obligations of the company providing the services and likewise the licensee's obligations.

Charleville Sheltered Housing Services has a service contract with the HSE and is affiliated to the Irish Council of Social Housing. It is statutorily audited with yearly accounts submitted to the Revenue Department by the company accountant/auditor following the annual general meeting.

Each housing unit consists of living room, fitted kitchenette and a bedroom en-suite. Residents retain their individual benefits by way of pension, ESB, telephone, television and fuel allowances. Maintenance charge is always within the weekly pension rate, subject to minimal increases following the annual and audit reports.

A four-course mid-day lunch is provided in a central dining room daily and while residents are encouraged to attend the central unit for health and social gain lunch may be delivered to their houses if necessary to do so.

The staff rota provides general, personal and nursing care daily from 9am to 9pm and all staff have Garda clearance and adequate training to meet residents' needs. A nurse-in-charge attends to all medical needs and night support is available at an additional cost for residents who may require it.

A telephone /bleeper system operates to on-call staff from 9pm.

Residents are encouraged to participate in parish events, holidays and social life, and families are welcome to visit at any time.

There is also a group house which consists of individual en-suite accommodation for three persons and enables residents to continue living independently when management of their housing unit becomes too difficult. It also provides full board, seven days a week, with enhanced care support. However, this is charged at a higher weekly rate as laundry, fuel, ESB, TV and phone are all included in this facility.

When the occasion arises transfer to a nursing home may become necessary and this is facilitated in association with the resident, GP, family and statutory services.

The retirement village is a wonderful amenity to have in Charleville and great credit is due to the group of volunteers who manage and run the complex to look after the elderly who use the facility in a safe and secure environment. Anybody who may require the services provided should contact 063-89507 or 063-89593 or 087-2737029.
With 2017 fast approaching perhaps it's time to put a new year resolution to productive use in support of the Cullen and District Special Needs Association Weigh In.

Once again, the progressive group seek volunteers across the Duhallow region and beyond for its 2017 programme, which gets underway on Monday night, January 9 in Cullen Community Centre commencing at 8pm.

Secretary Moira O'Keeffe said the Weigh In is one of the biggest and longest running fundraisers, since it began over 30 years ago to help support the centres caring for those with special needs - but it's also a great social evening for ten weeks.

"We believe that all people and those with special needs have the right to live independently if possible and thus we strive to help to provide expert services to enhance their quality of life in providing residential care, education programmes, and services covering their social aspects of life," said Moira.

"A very popular addition to last year's weigh in was a shave off, either moustache or beard, and hopefully it will be incorporated again this year", she said.

The Cullen association are delighted that fundraising events continue to flourish, and are happy to report a very successful harvest, threshing and vintage afternoon in addition to generous donations.

"Our annual harvest afternoon, featuring old time Threshing and Vintage display, and many sideshows is going strong and is now a major event in Cullen. A first last summer was the inclusion of the Munster Round of the National Donkey Derby, which was full of thrills and excitement - and a tractor building exhibition by the Broomhill Vintage Club was also a huge attraction", she said.

"All our special friends enjoyed our 36th Annual Christmas Mass, and Party that entertained upwards of 70 special guests and their families. They assembled for Mass celebrated by Canon John Fitzgerald, PP whilst Andrew Lynch was a wonderful D.J. and each guest received a Christmas gift".

On the final night to the 2016 hosting, donations were made to representatives of the various centres, where Cullen friends are educated namely St Joseph's Foundation, Charleville; COPE- Cork, Mallow and Kanturk; Kerry Parents and Friends - Rathmore and Monastery, Killarney.

"They outlined how the funds are allocated and how important these types of fundraising events are to the centres caring for those with Special Needs, in these difficult and challenging times. Tributes were made to the generosity of the Association and their many supporters who back the various fundraising projects", said Moira.

"They would not be in a position to deliver the range and quality of services without the goodwill and support of local communities.

"Voluntary fundraising is hugely important to enable these centres achieve high standards and maintain services for those with special needs, who are the most vulnerable in our society", she said

The 2017 Weigh In commences on Monday January 9 at 8pm and concludes on Monday, March 13 at Cullen Community Centre. Again on hand for 2017 is Dr. Pat Casey, overseeing the Weigh In whilst participants and a friend are invited to Jive Classes with Aisling and Leanne, beginning on Monday, January 16 at 8pm.
Given the economic turn-about it soon became apparent that many tenants in Cork and locally in Donoughmore were continuing to have many difficulties in paying their rent, which resulted in landlords resorting to civil bill decrees and writs.

In Cork alone these summonses increased from 1030 in 1880 to 2723 in 1881. As a result, conflict and confrontation developed and when a bailiff, James Regan, travelled to Goulane in May to serve writs on some of the tenants of the local landlord he got more than he bargained for.

As he approached the door of the first tenant, Cornelius Callaghan, he found the door of the residence closed. When some water was thrown at him from inside the house, he 'was satisfied that he was not to meet with an amicable or peaceful reception'. He ran from the scene followed by Callaghan and his son Michael, who it was alleged threw stones at him.

Not to be undone by the menfolk, Mary O'Callaghan, wife of Cornelius, and her daughter-in-law, Eileen Callaghan, were later alleged to have stripped the bailiff of his clothes and in doing so tore all the writs.

Needless to say, the unfortunate man made a quick exit albeit in his natural state.

In his evidence to the Ahadallane Petty Sessions presided by magistrates Capt Stokes and Kilcullen based JP Charles Lynch, James Regan collaborated the evidence presented. He further stated that he had been cut severely on the head from stones and that six women were pursuing him with their shoes and stockings off. Nothing worse than a woman's fury the bailiff said, stating that the women beat him continuously. Scrambling his way over ditches he hid under a furze bush when fortunately for him the landlord came to his rescue.

He was taken to the landlord's house, a doctor examined him and he was kept there for three days being confined to bed.

The whole episode had caused a considerable amount of excitement in the area and at the subsequent court sitting in Ahadallane the authorities felt it necessary to draft in thirty policemen from Ballincollig, the command centre for the region.

The Cork Examiner described the scene; 'the result was that a crowd of some three thousand people assembled in the vincity of the courthouse, while bands from Mourneabbey and Donoughmore bearing banners and green sashes played national airs'.

The arrival of the bailiff, James Regan, was the signal of an outburst of extraordinary indignation, with the result that the police had to use their strongest efforts to prevent Regan being molested. The decision of the magistrate to refer the case to the Cork Assizes enraged the crowd 'from the fields and ditches people swarmed on to the road, shouting, hooting and behaving in a decidedly menacing manner'. The police, however, managed to gain control despite being bombarded with stones.

With tension high in the parish, evictions contributed further to the instability. In June a landlord, Mrs Longfield, was determined to use her rights to evict a Mrs Callaghan and she accompanied the sheriff and a small body of police to the farm concerned. Most of the land was under grass and the house was described 'as one of the airiest for a human being.' Its interior did not have a stick of furniture save a rickety old chair. The walls were unplastered and the space which once served as windows were now open holes through which the four winds of heaven had full liberty to come and go.

Finding the door closed the sheriff called it to be open and with no response he had no difficulty in entering, as the door and frame came away landing in the middle of the floor. Possession was taken but the landlord then decided to leave the unfortunate woman as caretaker at a penny a week. The stock on the farm consisting of twelve sheep and six asses were formally handed over to the landlord.

The party then proceeded to the farm of Edmund Coleman in Ballycunningham who held 60 acres of ground from Mr Creagh. This holding was in the charge of a caretaker named Michael Buckley, who had previously farmed the ground. Earlier in that year the landlord brought a number of ejectment processes against the tenantry (mentioned at the local Land League meeting of April 17). All the tenants eventually paid their rents except Coleman.

Mr Creagh maintained that he (Coleman) had neither the energy nor capital to work the farm and he had suggested to him that he should sell his interest in the farm to another tenant or dispose of it. Coleman however was determined to keep a firm grip on the holding.

In adhering to the law, the procedure of evicting the caretaker was put into operation. The previous evening, fifty men of the Dragoon Guards and fifty policemen were drafted in from Cork, Midleton, Cloyne and other stations. Four mounted men acted as special bodyguards for the sheriff. With a crowd of two hundred people assembled being actuated by feelings of curiosity, there were no obvious signs of resistance or protest and for some unknown reason no opposition from the local Land League.

The imposing array of military and police began the eviction process by surrounding the farm dwelling. The caretaker said he was willing to leave the holding if he could be reinstated as caretaker to Mr. Creagh. This was agreed whereby the bailiffs proceeded to take all the household goods and about a dozen cattle with some pigs, and following this possession the confiscated goods were then handed over to the landlord.

Others were not so lucky as across the parish, cabins and cottages were tumbled.

A description by an eleven year old of an eviction scene in Co Kerry graphically illustrates an event reminiscent of events happening all over the country such as in Donoughmore: 'the sheriff arrived first and handed us a paper, off to one side, rifles drawn, stood the constabulary. The wreckers were near the front . . . when they got the order . . . they were on the roof in seconds, scrambling up there like monkeys, ripping away the thatch and hacking loose the crossbeam connecting the stone ends. In no time at all they'd sent the beam crashing into the living area and that ended it. The cottage had been tumbled; we could do nothing to stop it'.

'Ancient Sweet Donoughmore: Life in an Irish Rural Parish to 1900' is available locally and in neighbouring parish's, in Philip's Bookshop Mallow, McCarthy's Newsagents, Macroom; Liam Ruiseal and Waterstones in Cork; Hodges Figgis Dublin and O'Mahony's Bookshop, Limerick. Its 460 pages are generously illustrated with photos, maps, charts and data.
Well done to Fr Michael Murtagh and the team behind the Lannleire Review which celebrates 10 years this year.

I got my copy of the Christmas special down in Darby's garage on the Dundalk Road and it's a great read.

Not only is the content good, but the front cover is a gem too.

It's an image drawn by Anthony Corrigan (www.drawnbydesign.ie) and this guy is a class act. I have no doubt his rates are competitive.

There's a great piece by Sr Bernadette Smyth on her memories of the patrun in Dromin.

She said back in the 30s in Dunleer there were very few cars although Mr Walsh from the local garage had one as did Mrs Bell from Tullydonnell, who taught in Drumcar school.

There were always stalls there, selling medals and rosaries and, inspired, Bernadette would play shop back on the Doctor's Lane and Colette or Vin King or Garoid or Nuala Russell were the customers.

Local student Aisling Molloy from Grangebellew also gets a great mention.

She is training in St Pat's, Drumcondra and travelled to Kampala in Uganda for three weeks to teach earlier this year.

She thanked everybody for their support and says it was an experience of a lifetime.
Louth County Council moved onto a stretch of the Newtownstalaban woodland on the Termonfeckin road last week to remove dangerous trees.

The area involved is in their ownership and is part of the route for the proposed Northern Cross Route.

Cllr Oliver Tully confirmed that the works were taking place after concerns were expressed by local residents.

The woodland is protected in the local development plan and the only trees that can be cut down have to be deemed dangerous or decayed.

'This was not the protected area and the council had this arranged and were just waiting for the contractor. Some of the trees had to be removed for safety reasons', he added.

Meanwhile, Cllr Frank Godfrey also visited the site last week and inspected a number of trees in the privately owned stretch and has expressed grave concerns about them.

'They are marked to be felled because they are dangerous and action needs to be taken on them', he warned. 'Nobody wants to see them falling on the Termonfeckin road as has happened in the past.'
Proposals to develop flood prevention measures for areas of Co Louth at risk from sea or iver flooding are still a long way off, members of Louth County Council heard during a presentation on the Neagh Bann and Eastern CFRAM Draft Flood Management Study.

Mr Aidan Harney of the OPW said that CFRAM was the largest study of its kind ever done and included a large amount of work collecting data and building hydrologic models.

They were reaching the final stage of the first phase of the process and Co Louth was covered by two plans - the Neagh Bann area included Carlingford and Greenore, Dundalk and Blackrock South, Annagassan, Ardee and Termonfeckin. Drogheda and Baltray were covered in the Boyne catchment area.

In order to prepare for a one in a hundred year event which need hard defences which are robust and can stand a really big flow.

Once the plans have been finalised they will become national policy and 430million has been allocated for the plans.

He warned that it would take time before they reach the construction stage, as it had taken five years to get to the current stage.

'There is still a long way to go before we get to construction,' he said, as there was another phase to complete before construction begins. He warned that stage would take months rather than days or weeks and that a cost benefit analysis would be applied nationally.

Cllr Mark Dearey wanted to know if there was any provision in the plans for raising sea levels as opposed to flooding from rivers. He was concerned that higher sea levels in future would overtake what's proposed.

Mr Harney told Cllrs Dearey and Corrigan that it was unlikely that Brexit would have any major impact on the proposed solutions.
A proposal to build a purpose built school complex for St Mary's, Drumcar and St Ita's schhol on lands in Drogheda have been given a boost after the Minister for Education met with local campaigner Sabrina Kierans.

Sabrina's son, Hayden (10), is the face of the campaign and it was his appeal to meet the minister that sparked the discussion between his mother and Richard Bruton last week.

Saying it's still a long fight, Sabrina has expressed her satisfaction with initial agreements that will see the pressure group become part of the site selection process, the school will be put under the rapid build programme and the date will be brought forward.

Now Ministers Finian McGrath and Simon Harris will be getting a letter from Hayden, asking for follow up meetings.

Hayden has Down Syndrome and suffers from uncontrollable epilepsy and attends the school in Drumcar.

But it has now become not fit for purpose and it's hoped the new building will cater for a wide area, including Meath and North Dublin.

Meanwhile, The Augustinian church has set up an area were you can sign Hayden's Petition for the new school in Drogheda.

'It is a start, but we have a lot more ministers to meet and the campaign continues,' a determined Sabrina told the Drogheda Independent this week.

GARDAI are investigating a suspected arson attack on the medical centre in Ballgrove on St Stephen's Day.

The fire service were called to the scene just after 7.30pm on Monday night.

It appears that a window was smashed and petrol poured into a room. It was then set alight.

Initial estimates are that up to 70,000 worth of damage has been done and a section of the building has suffered substantial damage.

Gardai sealed off the building in advance of a technical examination on Tuesday morning, which was carried out before 10am.

Gardai mounted door to door enquiries and have begun the task of tracking down CCTV footage of the incident.

Gardai are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious.
Drogheda & North East Branch of Samaritans answered a total of 29,155 calls for help last year, an increase of more than 3,000 for the previous 12 months.

The call details were released in the charity's 2015-2016 Impact Report covering Samaritans' work in Ireland, which was launched on December 14 in Dublin.

Samaritans volunteers across Ireland answered a total of 639,652 calls, according to the report.

Most of these calls were received out-of-hours when other support was not available. More than one in three calls to Samaritans' national helpline (116 123) were received between 6pm and 12am, and 63 per cent of all calls to the service were made between 6pm and 6am.

Demand for Samaritans' service has increased dramatically since the organisation launched a new free to call number in 2014. Volunteers have increased the number of listening hours they provide by 38 per cent since then.

The results from the 2015-2016 Impact Report show that it was the busiest year in the local branch's 20-year history. For the previous 12 months a total of 26,194 calls were made to the branch which serves counties Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan.

Speaking about the figures, Marie McCormack, Director of Drogheda & North East branch of Samaritans, said: 'We know that people don't just struggle to cope between the hours of 9 to 5.

'The statistics released in our Impact Report 2015-2016 show many calls come through to the service throughout the evening and early morning hours, a time that can be lonely and isolating for those experiencing feelings of distress.

'Samaritans are the only organisation whose volunteers are available round the clock, providing a beacon of light to those struggling during the loneliest hours.'

The issues which people contact Samaritans about have remained consistent over the last number of years. These include family and relationship problems, financial worries, depression and mental health problems, loneliness, and stress and anxiety.

Ms McCormack said: 'People who are struggling often feel isolated and alone. They may want to talk about their suicidal feelings but don't know where to turn, or fear that they may be judged.

'Over 450 people in Ireland take their lives each year. Many of those people may feel like they don't have anywhere to seek support.

'Our volunteers work hard to provide a space for people in crisis when there may be nowhere else to turn.'

Samaritans volunteers will be available around the clock for anyone who feels they need to talk, in confidence, about whatever is getting to them - over Christmas, New Year's Day and every other day of the year.

Ms McCormack added: 'Christmas and New Year can be especially hard for many people and we know that loneliness and isolation are both factors in this.

'If you're finding the festive season difficult, we're here to listen and you can always talk to us about what's on your mind.'

Samaritans can be contacted on Freecall 116 123, by texting 087-2609090 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org
Any changes to tenant's income should be declared to the local authority, but many are only found during rent reviews, the December meeting of Louth County Council heard.

Councillor Tomas Sharkey raised the issue of reviews with officals, asking if extra resources were needed to complete them.

He added 'we seem to be dealing with an overhang from the previous review,' saying that it seemed people rents were 'going up and down' and it was leaving them very uncertain.

'Do we need to be taking nationally about creating a bit more certainty around rents? There is a lot of angst and hassle over this for people'.'

Director of Housing, Joe McGuinness said that differential rates are based on tenants income. He added that there was an onus on tenants to inform the local authority about any change of circumstances. He said it was 'quite shocking' that in some cases income changes are only then discovered during a rent review.

'It does confirm the need for us to do rent reviews every year,' said Mr McGuinness.

The council heard there were a number of factors which are taken into consideration during rent reviews, and that it was accepted that some people may be operating on 'zero hours' contracts so they may have variable income from month to month.

But CEO Joan Martin added 'the number of people with huge amounts of undeclared income is emerging. Obviously there are a lot more people in employment, which is welcome, but people have a responsibility to tell us of changes.'
In a letter recently sent to East Meath residents by the Julianstown & District Community Association, Minister Simon Coveney has set out the exact legal position both his Department, and the Council, have in relation to sites in bad condition.

"Nobody denies that The Old Mill site is an eyesore, but whilst the owners are actively and positively engaging with the council, it would be detrimental to any future plans for the site to enforce the Derelict Sites Act." Fine Gael Councillor Sharon Tolan said.

'Following a robust public meeting at the Glenside, the community group wrote to the Minister asking him to intervene. Council officials and local Councillors have tirelessly tried to explain the reason for this building not being entered onto the Derelict Sites List.

"I will continue to work to attract investors, and indeed continue to put pressure on the owners to keep the site as tidy as possible, but I firmly am of the opinion that entering this fabulously located site onto the Derelict Sites List would be detrimental to attracting investors, and ultimately be the nail in the coffin for any future developments. The last things we should be doing is making sites like these, with its beautiful Nanny riverside location, less attractive for investors" Cllr Tolan continued.

"The Minister has been clear in his response, and indeed has repeated what I and others have been saying for some time now, that having a building entered onto the Derelict Sites list is no guarantee of any progress. With the likes of Facebook and Avoca now investing in the county, our Economic Development Team have been doing a fantastic job at attracting new businesses. I would ask that locals be patient for a little longer."
Failte Ireland's first phase of its orientation signage for Ireland's Ancient East is continuing with a number of key visitor orientation signs now installed in County Louth.

These signs are part of a multi signage programme envisaged for Ireland's Ancient East with similar branded orientation signage expected to be in place at 80 key sites throughout the region by the end of this year.

The new signs, designed to encourage visitors to stay longer and explore the wider region, have been strategically sited at: Drogheda Museum, Millmount; Dundalk Tourist Office; Carlingford Tourist Office; Mellifont Abbey; and Monasterboice Round Tower and High Cross.

Failte Ireland's Head of Ireland's Ancient East, Jenny De Saulles emphasised: 'For too long, most overseas tourists have seen the south east, midlands and north east as a region to travel to for a day or simply just to travel through.' 'Ireland's Ancient East seeks to change all that by creating enough 'stickiness' and points of curiosity that visitors will slow down, explore the region and stay overnight. These signs are geared to encourage that behaviour. Strategically located at popular stopping points, they inform visitors of all the other interesting things to see and do within an hour's drive in every direction outwards.'

Shaped as a large spiral wheel, each sign highlights a range of sites within up to 60 minutes' drive away from the sign location to encourage visitors to extend their stay.'
In line with the Irish Red Cross strategy 'The Way to 2018', A Healthy Steps lifestyle programme was developed to help local Irish Red Cross Branches engage with their communities and in turn will enable healthy living in local communities across Ireland.

Late last summer, a pilot programme began in Drogheda, which saw eight walks taking place, starting at the Red Cross base each week.

The programme aims to address the stronger prevalence of obesity, mental health issues and social exclusion and each walking group consists of members of local communities supported by Irish Red Cross Volunteers and partners.

It was free to members of the public and now they are looking for walk leaders to volunteer for the next 12 week programme starting in February.

To promote the servic, the Drogheda group has organised Irish Red Cross minibuses to transport people from Drogheda to RTE's Operation Transformation walk in Carlingford on Sat 7th January 2017. Cost to attend will be 10 with all proceeds being put back into local community of Drogheda to support vulnerable people and tackle social isolation. Places will be limited and to book a place contact communitysupport.dublinne@irishredcross.com or phone 087 3693163.

Thomas McElearney (77) completed all 8 walks as part of pilot programme and took on role as walk leader for the final walk, setting a fast pace and encouraging others in the group.

Thomas was joined by his wife Mary for the walk series after spotting a story in the paper on it.

Tom stated he looked forward every week to the walk, it gave him an opportunity to interact with people he never would have met. Along with encouraging him to get fitter, for him the walks were also about getting out of the house and chatting.

People can get in touch with the local Red Cross about the next walk series.

Meanwhile, the local Order of Malta branch have been busy over the festive period, assisting at a number of events and even delivering the odd Christmas Hamper.
Enniscorthy's new garda superintendent has said he hopes Gorey Garda Station will soon begin taking in probationary gardai, and he also plans to divide his time between the stations in Enniscorthy and Gorey as he gets to know the district.

Superintendent John Gordon, who replaced Supt Liam White before Christmas, said he had a good start to his new posting. The Skerries native comes to the Enniscorthy Garda District from Coolock in Dublin.

'Everyone has been very welcoming,' he said. 'It seems to be a very good working environment, and there are positive relationships with the community. It has all been positive.'

As for his plans for the new year, he said he will be actively looking for additional members for the local force.

'I hope Gorey will be taking in probationary gardai in the near future,' he said. 'We have had a number of probationary gardai in Enniscorthy recently, and Gorey is now listed to take probationers in the coming months. He added that the drugs task force is set to be relaunched in the coming months.

The Enniscorthy and Gorey districts merged in 2013, and Gorey lost its superintendent and became a sub-station of Enniscorthy. The most senior garda based in Gorey is at Inspector level.

Supt Gordon said he expects he will work out of Gorey a couple of times a week. 'It's a huge area,' he said. 'It would be a good way to get to know the people and the area.'
One of Skerries' favourite and most heart-warming charities, Standbyme Community which has opened up a new social life to people living along and older residents of the town, has held another successful pre-Christmas knees-up at Brasco's Restaurant down on Skerries Harbour.

Known as 'The Goldies' this group of fun-loving senior citizens have been enjoying the best that Skerries can offer in terms of food, fun and even a little frolics for some time now, thanks to the charity founded by the bundle of energy and good will that is Anne Watson.

Anne thanked the Goldies host for the event, Brasco's, calling the restaurant a 'warm, welcoming and a lovely place to have a bit to eat out surrounded by a stunning view of the harbour and Skerries bay with a top class chef and staff'.

The group is the brainchild of Anne Watson whose motto in life is to 'keep going'. The local woman has been spreading joy among those living alone in Skerries since the charity's foundation at events like these. Explaining the aim of the charity when she started it back in 2014, Anne told the Fingal Independent: 'Our main aim is to give back to the community and create a very needed bit of fun for various social groups in the Skerries area. As we all know things are not easy for everyone and life kicks hard at our heels so Standbyme plans to raise the community spirit and support each other on walking the line of life together. We all know there is nothing like a bit of company to shatter the blues of loneliness.'

Never is that message more important than at Christmas and the group did its part to make sure nobody was lonely this Christmas. Standbyme Community is a non-profit group and all donations will fund events for the Skerries community. If would like to help, contact Anne at standbymecommunity@gmail.com
A lucky Fingal shopper quite literally raced against the clock to grab as much goodies as possible in Lidl after winning the Christmas trolley dash.

Fiona Macken from Swords managed to grab 338 worth of groceries at her local Lidl supermarket.

The festive season was in full swing this weekend as every Lidl store right across the country offered one raffle winner the chance to dash around the store Supermarket Sweep style.

The lucky contestant dashed around their local Lidl for 2 minutes, grabbing as many Christmas goodies as possible and Fiona Macken, who was the winner in the Swords store, managed to grab herself 338 worth of Christmas shopping for free.

Tickets were on sale in stores at the checkouts of all stores for only 1. 100% of proceeds from the sale of Trolley Dash tickets went to Barretstown, Lidl's charity partner and contributed to 63,842 raised in County Dublin alone.

The Trolley Dash, which raised 262,199 in total in Ireland, raised much needed funds for Barretstown just before the new year.

Speaking about the Trolley Dash CSR initiative, Sinead Flynn, Lidl CSR team said: "Funds raised from this year's Trolley Dash are the result of combined efforts from both Lidl Ireland staff and our customers. In just three weeks, 262,199 was raised, completely exceeding our expectations.

'We'd like to thank everybody that got involved and purchased a Trolley Dash ticket for such a worthy cause.'

Speaking about the Trolley Dash competition, Dee Ahearn, CEO of Barretstown, said: 'For the past two years, the Lidl Christmas Trolley Dash initiative has contributed to the 4.8 million needed to run Barretstown annually.

'This money goes towards all the services needed to run camps for terminally ill children and their families; everything from the meals provided, to maintenance of the accommodation and buying equipment for outdoor activities.

'Hospitals treat the illness and Barretstown treat the child and fortunately we can continue to do this through the support of Lidl CSR initiatives and generous Lidl customers.'
Excitement reached fever pitch at Rush National school just before the Christmas break as the man of the moment, Santa Claus paid a special visit to the school.

He brought his Christmas Train with him for the boys and girls to have a go around the yard on. Some very lucky students got to ride on it from the harbour all the way up to the school.

Santa visited each class and had a chat with the children and looks at their work or listens to them sing him a song,

Each student received a pencil with a rubber topper and a candy cane for being so good, just a small token from Santa and the parents association for being extra good coming up to Christmas.

As he visited the children in their various classrooms, he was very pleased to tell them that they were all very much on the good list, and could be expecting a super Christmas morning.

The children had such an amazing day and contributed greatly to the Christmas Spirit in the school in the run up to the big day.
A Skerries councillor has called for the preparation of a 'Greenway' from Skerries to Ardgillan Demesne.

Cllr Tom O'Leary (FG) called on the council to 'review the R127 route Skerries to Ardgillan Castle and prepare a plan for a Greenway incorporating a user-friendly safe route for cyclists, pedestrians, joggers and present the plan to this committee in Q1/Q2 2017(taking into account proposed road changes in this area)'.

In response, the council reported: 'As the Councillors are aware, the provision of a greenway linking Balbriggan with Skerries is included as an objective within the Cycle Network Plan recently prepared by the National Transport Authority.

'The feasibility of the proposed routing and the assignment of a priority designation to this route has not yet been carried out. 'This work is not at present on the Capital Works Programme.

'Its suitability for inclusion on this programme will be assessed prior to the completion of the next programme on 2017.'

Cllr O'Leary cited the example of a Greenway developed in Westport in County Mayo. He said that project had cost about 6 million but had 'paid for itself in year one or two'.

He said the new route had attracted 60,000 visitors and provided a huge boon to tourism in the area.

He said a similar project between Skerries and Ardgillan would boost tourism at both locations.
A Swords councillor has complained about regular incidents of illegal parking on a footpath right outside the local Garda station.

Cllr Joe Newman (NP) raised the issue at the most recent meeting of the Swords/Balbriggan Area Committee where he called on the council to 'arrange for the placement of bollard-type posts on the footpath at the side of the Swords Garda Station on the Malahide Road across from the pizza shop, the parking of cars on this footpath is creating a hazard especially for the visually impaired and the disabled'.

However, the council was not convinced that bollards were the answer to the problem. In a written report, the local authority stated: 'The installation of bollards on the footpath on the Malahide Road, Swords, at the side of the Garda Station has been examined and due to the location of existing utility services in this footpath, it is not feasible for bollards to be installed.

'It is an offence under the Roads Act to park a vehicle on a public footpath and contact will be made with the local Garda Station for assistance with the keeping of the footpath clear of parked vehicles.'

Cllr Newman said the problem was brought to his notice by a local man whose daughter was visually impaired and had difficulty negotiating the footpath after coming off the bus in the evening.

He said that people were parking on the footpath 'continually', particularly in the evening and at night.

The Swords councillor said he did not necessarily accept that bollards could not be placed close to utilities and said he had seen other areas where this was the case. Cllr Newman added: 'The other annoying part about it, is that it's right beside the Garda station and nothing is being done about it.' Cllr Newman had widespread support for his motion from his fellow councillors in Swords.

Senior Executive Officer in the council's operations department, Shay Barker told councillors that an engineer had visited the site

and believed installing bollards was not possible. He acknowledged the problem Cllr Newman was trying to address but said bollards may not be the answer. He said the council would write to the local Garda station advising them of the situation and the concerns of the local councillors and ask them to enforce the parking laws in the area. Mr Barker said engineers would revisit the site to see if there were any physical measures that could be taken to discourage parking.
The long awaited replacement of the dome on Balbriggan lightouse is taking 'longer than expected', the council admitted but tenders for the project will be invited in a matter of weeks, the local authority has said.

Cllr Grainne Maguire (NP) raised the issue at a meeting of the Balbriggan/Swords Area Committee where she asked for update on 'completion of the dome on Balbriggan lighthouse and also to report on future plans for the bath house which is a state of disrepair and which urgently needs to be addressed'.

The council laid out the current position on the dome in detail, saying: 'Due to the complexity of this project it has taken longer than expected to bring it to a delivery stage. Extensive consultation with the conservation and architectural departments of the council was required to achieve a comprehensive design solution that was in fitting with the environment.

'Consultation input was also collected from other statutory bodies such as Irish Lights, the OPW and the NPWS. Specialist design consultants were engaged in relation to the material selection, historic dome shape, structural elements and specific elemental design such as windows and glazing details Detail of the design and materials were finalised recently in consultation with a specialist firm of conservation architects and our consultant engineers have been briefed.'

The council report on the issue added: 'Drawings are drafted and the bill of quantities is almost complete and once this is signed off tenders can be invited. Once tenders are invited there begins a period of approx. 8 weeks before appointment of a contractor. Once commenced the build should take between 10 and 17 weeks.'

The news was less positive on the bath house with the council saying: 'In relation to the Bath-House it currently is not on the Architects work programme. No source of funding has been identified nor has any long-term use been determined.'

Cllr Maguire warned that if something was not done about the bath house soon, there would be no bath house to save.

'There is very little of the building left,' she told council officials.

Cllr Tony Murphy (IA) welcomed news of some progress on the dome but agreed with Cllr Maguire on the urgency of tackling the bath house which he said was 'deteriorating rapidly'.
A drug addict who passed a small package containing the drug Diazepam to a another man who was in custody in a court house has been given 'one more chance' to engage with the Probation Services as he failed to turn up for appointments.

Ciaran Casey (33) was ordered to attend with the service in order to see if he is suitable for 240 hours community service work in lieu of two months in prison for the offence.

However, Swords District Court was told he failed to turn up for any appointments as he has been in a residential treatment centre for the past seven weeks and will continue there for several more weeks.

Casey was sitting in the rear of the courtroom in September 2015 at Swords District Court when he was caught by Garda David Smith passing a 'small plastic package' to a prisoner, who was appearing before the court.

Garda Smith said the package contained 17 tablets including ten Diazepam tablets.

Gda Smith agreed with Casey's defence barrister Patrick Jackson that the defendant was 'clearly using drugs heavily at the time.'

He agreed with Mr Jackson that since the offence, Casey's appearance has changed significantly since that date to being more healthy looking.

Casey, of Moateview Court, Priorswood in Coolock pleaded guilty to being in unlawful possession of Diazepam at Swords District Court on September 15 last year.

Gda Smith agreed with Mr Jackson that it was a situation of 'one drug addict passing drugs to another drug addict.'

Casey, who has 107 previous convictions, including nine previous convictions for being in possession of drugs has been attending Narcotics Anonymous and a treatment centre for the past few months. 'He is an addict and has one son,' said Mr Jackson.

Judge John Lindsay said he will give Casey 'one more chance' to attend appointments. 'It is in your interest to get a good report. This report is a disaster and you need to turn up to the appointments,' warned Judge Lindsay and adjourned the case until March.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Darragh Butler, makes a special presentation on behalf of Fingal County Council to Noel McAllister, Chairman of Fingal Old IRA Commemorative Society, to mark their contribution to the Easter 1916 Centenary celebrations

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Darragh Butler, has made a special presentation to the Fingal Old IRA Commemorative Society to mark their contribution to the centenary celebrations of the Easter 1916 Rising.

Members of the Society, along with representatives of the Bremore Castle Local Training Initiative, attended the presentation which took place in the Council Chamber at County Hall in Swords.

'During 2016, the Fingal Old IRA Commemorative Society has been a leading light in Fingal's commemorations, participating in a large number of events, the highlight of which was their participation in ceremonies on Easter Sunday as well as their work in raising the profile of the Fingal Battalion, its leader Thomas Ashe and the Battle of Ashbourne,' said the Mayor.

The Mayor also paid tribute to the staff and trainees from the Bremore Castle Local Training Initiative in Balbriggan for the significant part they played in restoring the existing monument at Rath Cross in Ashbourne and completing the long outstanding works, on the sculptures and detailed stone engraving.

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid said: 'They really helped us to tell the story of Fingal and Thomas Ashe in particular. It was a story that many were not fully aware of but there is certainly much more awareness now both within the county and beyond and we look forward to working with them as we celebrate the centenary of other events which occurred between 1917 and 1922.'

Accepting the Award on behalf of the Society, its chairman, Noel McAllister, thanked the Mayor, his predecessor, Cllr David O'Connor, and Fingal County Council for their support.
People hunting badgers and foxes in County Wexford are dumping dog that are no use to them any longer.

Jean Checkley, the rescue coordinator with Tommalosset-based South East Animal Rescue, said the latest to be dumped was a beagle cross that appeared to have been used as a breeding bitch until it had outlived its usefulness.

'The lady who found it said it had been dumped from a Jeep-like vehicle while it was moving. She didn't get the number plate because it was covered in mud,' said Jean.

She said the dog was the third to be dumped on the stretch between Kilrush and Ferns in as many weeks following reports of men hunting in fields neighbouring the road. The others were a lurcher type and a beagle cross, possible a pup belonging to the dog dumped from the Jeep. 'The dog had been heavily bred and we thought it was in pup, but in fact it has an enlarged spleen,' said Jean, appealing to people to contact any animal rescue centre in the county rather than dumping animals at the roadsides.

'I think that getting rid of dogs like this is disgusting,' she said, adding that she didn't know who was involved.

South East Animal Rescue can be contacted on 089 4065669.
Members of the Croghan Cluster at Raheenleagh Wind Farm to officially open the Raheenleagh Wind Farm amenity walks

Three new walking trails have opened at Raheenleagh, Croghan. The site now includes marked trails and two viewing points. It's hoped that the new trails will become part of a wider network of walking trails in the North Wexford and South Wicklow areas.

The signage for the new trails at Raheenleagh Wind Farm was unveiled by members of the steering committee last week. Measuring a total of 15km, the trails are gentle walks that take no more than an hour and a quarter to complete, making them suitable for family groups.

The recent completion of the Raheenleagh Wind Farm, a joint-venture between Coillte and ESB, has reinstated the Raheenleagh Open Forest Policy, enabling walkers, hikers and family ramblers to enjoy the new forest trails.

The development is a partnership between Raheenleagh Wind Farm and members of the Croghan Cluster, who were keen to develop the site as an amenity for the local and wider region.

The Croghan Cluster includes Raheenleagh Power Ltd (Coillte and ESB), Kilanerin-Ballyfad Community Development Association, Co. Wexford Walking Trails Group, Woodenbridge Ballycoog Walking Group, Wicklow Uplands Council, the Co. Wicklow Rural Recreation Officer, Co. Wicklow Partnership and input from local walkers.

'These new and improved walking trails at Raheenleagh are a fantastic amenity for the entire local community as well as for visitors from outside the area who want to enjoy the social and health benefits of getting outdoors,' said Nicola Wall, community engagement manager with Raheenleagh Wind Farm.

Visitors can enjoy three walks, including: Croghan trail (blue trail) passing close to three wind turbines as it makes its way up to a viewing point that includes views of the old goldmining area by Ballinagore Bridge.

Forde's Farmhouse trail (green trail) is named after the Forde family, the owners of most of the land on Raheenleagh up until the early 1940s.

Bann River trail (red trail) separates from the Forde Farmhouse trail just after it passes over the source of the Bann river, which is a key tributary of the Slaney that provides a lot of the drinking water for North Wexford.

Funding for the infrastructure was provided by Raheenleagh Power Ltd.

'The Croghan Cluster are to be congratulated for their terrific work on this project, which included constructing new trails, installing way mark posts, entrance gates and fencing. Co. Wicklow Partnership are also to be commended for providing their guidance and assistance through the development of this recreation project,' said Nicola.

Each year Raheenleagh Wind Farm will supply up to 25,000 homes with clean renewable energy. The facility has a dedicated wind farm manager who will look after its operation during the 25-year life span of the farm.
Eight years on from the great economic crash, Kerry is, in many ways, still struggling but this year there were some positive signs.

A full recovery is probably still some way off but there are definitely indications that, after years of stagnation, things are finally moving in the right direction.

Arguably the most significant development came back in October with the publication of the previous month's live register figures.

In September the number of people signing on in Kerry fell below 10,000 for the first time since the economic collapse and the start of the recession in September 2008.

It was the first time since September 2008 - the month Brian Cowen's Fianna Fail Government acknowledged that Ireland was in a recession - that the number of people on the Live Register in Kerry was below 10,000.

While the number of Kerry people signing on remains high - the figure is still over 4,000 higher than at the height of the boom - the fact it had dropped below the 10,000 milestone was highly significant and very encouraging.

From September 2008 through to April 2009 around 1,000 people a month joined dole queues in Kerry.

The county's unemployment crisis reached its peak in January 2012 when the number of people on Kerry's Live Register reached a massive 17,258.

By contrast in September 2005 - when the boom was at its height - there were 5,499 people signing on in Kerry.

The number of people signing on has increased since September - reaching 10,172 in November - but this is most likely a result of annual trends - which typically see Kerry's live Register grow each month from September through February before falling back again during the tourist season.

It must be acknowledged that not all of those coming off the register have found work and a sizeable portion of the reduction could be linked to emigration or schemes like JobBridge whose participants receive benefits but are not included in the live register.

There are also signs of an improvement on the high street with many shops reporting a small but noticeable increase in sales and profits compared with last year.

The results of this can be seen in the number of new business opening around the county and a drop in the number of vacant retail units county wide.

Indeed a Kerryman survey in July showed that there were just 98 vacant units in Tralee. While that may sound high it is a major improvement on 2011 when there were 143 vacant shops in the county capital.

One positive that could be taken from the survey was that the number of vacant units in the town had remained largely static over the previous year suggesting many more business are surviving as the beginnings of a recovery take hold.

Tralee can expect a further boost when the IDA's new advance manufacturing facility at Kerry Technology Park is completed next year.

The 5 million turnkey facility is due to be completed by March. It is hard to predict how long it will take to find a tenant but, given the huge spend on the premises, the IDA will be under pressure to fill it as soon as possible. If and when it is filled, it will mean a major jobs boost for the town and county.

One area where there remains a major difficulty is the issue of housing.

Though Kerry isn't as badly affected as Dublin or Cork the impact of the national housing crisis has been felt in the Kingdom.

Across the county - and particularly in Tralee and Killarney - there is a massive shortage of rental properties leading to huge problems for both growing families and young professionals.

Meanwhile - on the housing retail market - property prices in Killarney and Kenmare are spiralling upwards and are now among the fastest rising in the entire country.

While the average cost of a home in Kerry rose by 6.9 per cent last year - according to the Daft website - house prices in Killarney soared by 25.4 per cent. The massive increase in the V93 Eircode Routing area - which covers the Killarney and Kenmare region - was the fifth highest outside Dublin.
Hearts are melting fast among one Kerry family and their wide circle of friends as they host a remarkable Belarusian girl with the very apt name of Angelina.

The little angel - who was abandoned to an orphanage in Vesnova, Belarus at a young age - is transforming Christmas immeasurably for the better for the Sugrue family of Tralee.

Angelina Harokhava (10) is a 'legacy' victim of the Chernobyl disaster. Though born some twenty years after the catastrophe, she emerged into the world with serious difficulties - likely as a result of the fallout of the disaster on her parents.

But she's at least in the care of Adi Roche's Chernobyl Children's International charity, living in an orphanage they support and monitor in Vesnova.

And it was with 38 other orphans under the auspices of the charity that Angelina arrived into the bosom of the Sugrue clan - parents Ian and Susan, daughters Ciara and Roisin and grandfather George and his wife Mary - a couple who have played an incredible role within the charity since its outset.

Just days after arriving to Ireland Angelina was already showing a remarkable transformation.

"She's just wonderful and our hearts are melting," Susan Sugrue said on Friday. "Roisin and Ciara are fantastic with her and she really clicked with Roisin from the minute we got into the car after the pandemonium of the airport.

"It's amazing, that within days she's now able to brush her teeth which she was unable to do on her arrival and she's also managing to do a bit of colouring with some colouring pens, another thing she was unable to do a few days ago."

Her communication skills are similarly coming on. "She understands English to an incredible degree and can let us know now when she wants a drink or to go for a sleep and so on," Susan explained.

"She's always smiling and having great fun with the girls, even attempting to pronounce Roisin's name."

Far from struggling with the disruption to the family home at everyone's favourite time of the year, Ciara (12) and Roisin (9) are thrilled to host this special friend in the New Year.

They even brought Angelina to their school, Caherleaheen NS, on Thursday where all the pupils were blown away by her winning charm.

"It's an emotional rollercoaster and even though we know we will be heartbroken saying goodbye to her on January 3, this is all about helping her to progress her skills so that she might live more independently, outside an institutional setting," Susan added.

The couple's inspiration was George and Mary's relationship with another little Belarussian angel some years ago.

"If it wasn't for everything George and Mary did for little Margarita she would still be in an institution today. Instead she is now attending university which is just amazing."

The family are also making history within the charity as the second and third generation to continue the fantastic work.
Banna was the big one, but far from the only location in North and West Kerry to host vibrant commemorations during the 1916 Centenary. In a county in which the first casualties of the Rising occurred - at Ballykissane - and in which so many of the Republican fighters were born, 2016 was certainly never going to pass by quietly.

From Ballyferriter and Kinard back west through Banna and on to Ballybunion and Ballylongford, the region hosted what was probably the greatest concentration of significant commemorations of any part of Ireland.

Relatives of the great patriots were to the very fore throughout the region's celebrations - not least on the day of President Higgins' magnificent oration in Banna. It was there, at the famous Casement monument, that the last surviving member of the original 1966 committee, Sean Seosamh O Conchubhair welcomed relatives.

All were delighted to have Casement's great-grand-niece Lesley McNaughton and Robert Monteith's great-grand-niece Carmel Smyth in attendance at the Banna ceremonies on the day.

A direct descendant of Monteith, his grandson, Charles Cushing meanwhile also visited the wooded lands of Glenageenty in Ballymacelligott where his grandfather hid out on the flight from the Banna rout. Mr Cushing took part in that ceremony alongside then Mayor of Kerry Pat McCarthy and many more.

Relatives of the deceased were at the very centre of things on Saturday, April 30, when two significant events were held - in the birthplace of Tomas Aghas in Kinard and in the birthplace of Michael The O'Rahilly in Ballylongford.

In Kinard the honours fell to Aghas's niece Eileen Ashe as she unveiled a fitting plaque on the wall of the old family home surrounded by a massive crowd among whose number were many relatives of the leader of the Ashbourne campaign. Following the commemoration at the homestead up to 80 of the group made the climb up the hill of Carraig an Mhionnain, a favourite haunt of the patriot's where he retired to play the bagpipes without fear of disturbing the neighbours.

North in Ballylongford and a similarly poignant ceremony was underway in the village of Michael 'The' O'Rahilly's birth - one of the leaders of the movement who was cut down by the machine gunfire in Moore Street.

There, great, great grandniece Aobh Magan and great, great grandson Richard O'Rahilly unveiled a stunning new bust of the man in the grounds of the parish church before a massive crowd, again comprised of many relatives.

It was an event attended by a full colour party drawn from the 12th Infantry Battalion of the Irish Army with added poignancy courtesy of the lament played by a military piper.

In Ballybunion on April 2 the star of The Wire Dominic West proclaimed the Republic in a deeply moving commemoration of the three North Kerry volunteers who died on Moore Street/Moore Lane in 1916: 'The' O'Rahilly, Michael Mulvihill of Ardoughter and Ballybunion's very own Patrick Shortis. It was an emotional ceremony that moved many gathered to tears.

As did the commemoration in Ballyduff where locals, relatives and visitors honoured Michael Mulvihill in a huge outpouring of local pride.
The fundraising race night to help defray the cost of Dingle's New Year fireworks display, which was to have been held in Danno's bar this week has been rescheduled to January. Dingle Business Chamber will announce the date in the near future.

The New Year's Eve fireworks at the pier will explode into life at 10pm after which there'll be time for a quck drink before the Dingle Fife and Drum Band march from O'Flaherty's bar to the Small Bridge for the New Year countdown.

Meanwhile, a fun event will kick off the New Year as Dingle Bay Rovers continue to raise funds for their new pitch at Gallarus. As well as a duck race the club have organised a number of activities to test people's footballing skills. The activities start at 2pm at the Small Bridge with the duck race starting at 3pm.

Singers are invited to gather for an evening of song and music in Bric's pub, Riasc, on Monday, January 2 at 9pm. The organisers would like to invite singers of any nationality and songs in any language. For further information contact Maire at 087 6895693.

Ta fiorchoain failte roimh gach einne chuig Tigh Paidi Ui She, Deardaoin, Nollaig, 29u ag a 8.30 mar a ndeanfar ceiliuradh ar fhoirne rathula C.L.G. na Gaeltachta na mblianta 1970, 1976 agus 1991.

The opening of a new in-patient unit at Kerry University Hospital next summer will be the culmination of five years fund raising by the West Kerry Branch of the Kerry Hospice Foundation.

The total raised by the local branch in West Kerry was 53,566, of which some 38,000 was donated by the Ashe Family, Minard, from their Hannah & Harry fundraiser. The most recent fund raising event was the Christmas Carol Service in St. James's which raised 671. The proceeds of that evening will be shared with Children's Aid in Yemen (the Church of Ireland chosen charity).

"The hospice is deeply appreciative of the generosity of all our supporters," said Ursula O'Connell of the Kerry Hospice West Kerry Branch. Ursula was presented with a sunflower hero award earlier this year for her tireless work for Kerry Hospice.

Weather conditions on Christmas Day and concern for the safety of the participants dictated the location of the annual Christmas Day swim, which took place in Dun Sion this year rather than the traditional location of Bin Ban.

However, neither waves nor the threat of rain proved a deterrent to the swimmers and over 100 people braved the midwinter water.

"The weather was magnificent, considering what it could have been," said Nuala "With the sun out and so many smiles who minds a bit of rain" she added.

Nuala's sister Mary Ferriter and her family provided mulled wine and hot chocolate to warm the emerging swimmers.

Approximately 200 was raised from the swim and this will be donated to a local charity.
Members of the Defence Forces raising the Irish Flag, at the special 2016 commemoration at the Cable Station Valentia Island. The ceremony marked the role brothers Tim and Eugene Ring and their cousin Rosalie Rice played in spreading news of the Rising to the US.

On June 4 a large crowd gathered on a sundrenched Saturday afternoon for the official unveiling of a monument dedicated to the Royal Munster Fusiliers in Ballymullen - and members of other regiments who died in WWI.

The occasion was the first of its kind in Tralee; an event most likely not been seen since the Armistice Day commemorations in the first year or so after the war.

Fr Sean Hanafin and Reverend Phillis Jones performed an ecumenical ceremony and a full colour party from the defence forces led a contingent of the Royal Munster Fusiliers Association from Ballymullen Barracks to the monument.

The 226 names were read aloud in a special roll call. Cllr Sam Locke - who made it his personal ambition to see the monument erected - was joined by members of Kerry County Council, including Mayor of Kerry at the time, Cllr Pat McCarthy, who said "These people, unfortunately, were not acknowledged until this year. Those that returned didn't feel welcome."

Liam Nolan, Chairman of the Royal Munster Fusiliers Association, said.

"History is never simple and there are complications on all sides. These people went out to fight and thought they were doing the right thing. Some were Irish volunteers who thought they were gaining Home Rule when they returned."

Finally, Cllr Locke added, "Each to their own. People can voice their opinions and say what they wish about it. But that wasn't going to deter me from this project. I respect people's views but the majority in my case will always rule. When I had the support of the majority of people in this town. I was going ahead with this."

2016 will forever be associated with Kerry's extraordinary effort to commemorate the men and women of 1916.

In towns and villages across the county, committees were formed with the purpose of honouring those from the parish who took part in, or were ready to take part had the Rising spread outside Dublin.

What is remarkable about the 1916 commemorations is that they galvanised the hearts and minds of people who sought to revive family and community participation in the Rising, and to connect communities with the seismic events of one-hundred years ago.

Regardless of one's own personal viewpoint on the political intrigues of 1916, historians will reflect favourably on 2016 as it created a swell of public interest among those who may otherwise have only had a passing interest in the history of their locality.

The 2016 commemorations did much to strengthen this and if people are furnished today with facts about history they never knew existed, then history can be said to have done its job.

But while the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising produced no shortage of people willing to come forward and tell stories about combatants in the fight for Irish freedom, a story less told is that of the hundreds of Kerry men fighting on the Continent and Middle East during the same period.

This project is still in its early stages and while a faint light has managed to reveal more about these men, signs of a shift in attitudes towards WWI are gradually taking shape.

Given that Kerry soldiers in the Great War will always form part of what's known as the counter narrative to Irish nationalism; there's now acknowledgment that the best hope of resurrecting the forgotten stories of these men lies with the families and relatives of today.

Staunchly republican and nationalist families have shelved stories of family involvement in WWI for decades and yet some of the same families - unlike the politically compromised generations of the past - are today unearthing the forgotten lives lost to WWI.

Family is key to remembering Kerry's WWI soldiers as such a pathway is more likely to produce information that is both personal and removed from the kind of prejudicial, political atmosphere that made their stories silent in the first place.

In short, it's time Kerry's WWI soldiers were researched and remembered free of retrospective political judgement.
Gardai in Kerry have been paid over three quarters of a million Euro in over time this year.

New figures released by the Gardai show that from January 1 this year to the end of October Gardai in the Kerry Division were paid a combined total of 757,980 in overtime payments.

The Garda Freedom of Information office said unique nature of the Gardai's job often leads to a need for overtime by many members of the force.

"The nature of garda work and the requirements that the Garda authorities respond, in some cases at short notice, to immediate policing demands means that there is a necessity to incur overtime expenses to ensure effective policing."

"Accordingly, there will always be a need for a certain level of overtime to allow An Garda Siochana flexibility when responding to circumstances that require additional resources for specific operations."

There are currently 154 children in the care of the state's Child and Family Agency Tusla in Kerry.

The figure was revealed by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone following a Dail question from Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty.

According to the figures 146 Kerry children were in care in 2014 and 145 in 2015.

The latest figures from Tusla indicate that, at the end of September 2016, there were 6,329 children in care across the state.

Of these, over 93 per cent were in foster care, either with relatives or a general foster placement while five per cent were in a general residential placement.
One of the most dramatic Christmas Eve homecomings ever witnessed in Kerry prompted a flood of joyful tears as a Kerry man was reunited with his family at the end of a gruelling 200-mile run from Dublin, in which he raised thousands of euros for both vital cancer and cystic fibrosis charities.

Michael McEnery left from outside Croke Park on the morning of December 22 on his 321km journey home for Christmas, making stops in Roscrea and Newcastle West along the way; all while battling some of the most adverse weather conditions imaginable along the way.

Speaking to family, friends and supporters after crossing the finishing line, an exhausted Michael insisted that he would turn right around and head straight back to Dublin if he thought it would help find a cure for diseases which he calls a "scourge" on our society.
A total of four angling development projects in Kerry have been awarded combined funding of almost 60,000 by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) as part of its Capital Works Fund.

The fund bids to improve access to angling around the country, and only Cavan and Cork will receive more funding than Kerry in 2017.

More than half of Kerry's funding, 40,000, has been approved for works at the River Feale in Listowel, where Kerry County Council will improve access for fishing through construction of raised walkways, platforms, wheelchair ramps, and pathways. It was the highest amount issued for any of the 50 projects chosen nationwide.

Anthony McAuliffe of the North Kerry Anglers Association has welcomed the IFI's announcement.

"Our club obviously welcomes any funding for the North Kerry area and the county," he said.

"I hope that the work, when it's done, will attract more people to angling, as well as enhancing the angling experience in Kerry for those already involved."

Elsewhere in the county, almost 11,000 was granted for clearance of site at Tralee's River Lee to allow angling and light along two sections of the river.

Funding has also been allocated for two smaller projects in Kerry. The IFI has pledged just under 5,000 to repair an access road to Cloonaughlin Lake in Waterville, while Kilocrim Finuge fishing club will receive 2,500 to improve access to the River Feale in Scartleigh.

All works must be completed by the end of November 2017.
A west Limerick man has pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing over 400 rounds of ammunition.

John Costello (59) of Glenashrone, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick, pleaded guilty on Thursday to the possession of 450 rounds of .38 special calibre ammunition and 329 rounds of 9mm calibre ammunition at Main Street, Abbeyfeale on February 21 last.

He also pleaded guilty to the possession of three rounds of 9mm calibre ammunition at his home address on February 22nd.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge William Hamill, remanded Costello in custody until January 24, when his case will before the Special Criminal Court again for sentencing.
In a move with potentially enormous implications for Kerry, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed has announced a 10.2 million increase in funding for the long awaited Macroom bypass.

Minister Creed has approved an allocation to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) of 14 million to advance the project in 2017. This is an increase of over 10 million on the funding package set aside for the road project in 2016.

This funding follows on from confirmation that Cork County Council has recently advertised for tenders for advance works relating to N22 Macroom bypass scheme.

Tenders have been issued for contracts to carry out site investigation works, geophysical surveying relating to archaeology and advance civil works including site clearance and fencing.

Further tender documents will also issue shortly for archaeology contracts and these contracts are due to commence from January 2017."

Making the announcement, Minister Creed said the funding proved the project - which will dramatically improve access into Kerry and should provide a huge boost to tourism and the wider economy - is a priority for the Government.

"This increased spend is a clear signal of intent from the Government that this project is a clear priority," said the Minister.

"There is now clear momentum behind this project ahead of the Government's Capital Investment review when it is expected that extra resources will be provided for priority projects that are at an advanced stage," he said.
Wisdom is something which is supposed to develop in us, year on year, as we spin out towards the inevitable.

Grasping the finite light of the moment. Appreciating our temporality. Shedding the impulsiveness of youth. These are all things that are supposed to happen as we grow older.

2016 has been a year in which I have gained wisdom, albeit through bloody emotional brutality.

Some years the path of life runs smooth. Other years you feel like Leonardo di Caprio's character in The Revenant, hunted, mauled, emotionally scarred, fighting for your life.

There is an expectation on columnists to spew forth every detail of their life, but don't worry, I ain't going there, but needless to say I have had a rotten 2016 and I hope yours was a hell of a lot better. As I reach for a positive, (being a positive person by nature), at least the year was consistent, beginning disastrously and ending disastrously, (upcoming trip to Edinburgh for New Year's excepting). But, rather than let myself be defined by an event, or a series of unfortunate events, I will forge forward, stubbornly, idiotically, maybe, but yes forward I will go. Wide eyed and wildly hoping for the best because in this earth, in this galaxy and in this universe governed by absolutely incredible and powerful forces, who am I to think I can control anything other than my bank balance, which is also out of control.

As I was driving past a local funeral home the other day I saw a delivery of coffins being unloaded from the back of a truck. It put things in perspective in a head which was groaning under the weight and stress of must-get Christmas stuff, parental duties, planning for relatives arriving and other dross. I have learned a few valuable insights into myself in 2016, one of which being that I have been trundling through life thoughtlessly for many years. On the upside that leaves major room for improvement! I've also learned that I need to stop myself obsessing with social media, with its cyberbole soundbites. No Twitter, this is not the best Elvis cover version I've ever heard.

I've learned that I've been relying far too much on dopamine hits from Facebook likes and comments when in reality I haven't been picking up the phone enough to chat with friends and family.

I've learned that work, as important as it is, is a means to an end, which is the two healthy, beautiful children I am lucky enough to spend my time with.

I've also learned the importance of not rushing, something The Significant Other and I struggle with, turning into running powder kegs around the house in the mornings, bumping into each other on our incendiary paths to the front door to get to our respective cars and to drive to work. Rushing leads to mistakes like forgetting to properly dress your children, and to losing one's mind looking for car keys which are hanging on the back of the door just where you put them moments beforehand.

Basically, I've learned that we're all stressed and we all don't know what's around the corner so let's be silly, mad, kind, caring, and let's smile more at one another.

Happy 2017!
As we move into the New Year, many people are making resolutions to improve their lives. One of the most common promises is to pay more attention to personal fitness, by starting a new exercise regime.

And "Fitbit" type wrist-devices that monitor the amount of activity carried out have become increasingly popular. These make it easy to set goals for yourself, and they even pat you on the back (or to be more accurate, they buzz you on the wrist) for reaching your daily target.

In the animal world, activity monitors are also the latest trend. The same type of technology has been transposed from the wrist to the neck, and it's now possible to buy collars for dogs and cats that track various aspects of their daily habits. The devices are water resistant, they have long lasting, rechargeable batteries, and they sync automatically with your smartphone using wifi or Bluetooth technology.

Just like the human versions of these products, these devices are used for more than just the obvious record-keeping of distance covered. There are six main aspects to their use.

First, and most obviously, they monitor physical activity, providing data which allows you to know precisely how much exercise is being carried out. The activity can be broken down into separate types, such as walking, running, playing and sleeping.

Second, some of the devices measure a range of physiological parameters, including heart rate and body temperature. These can be useful for monitoring specific issues in pets, including epilepsy, pregnancy (predicting the timing of whelping), pain control after operations or in pets with arthritis, skin disease (measuring how often a pet itches themselves) and others.

Third, you can set activity goals, modifying your daily routine so that you reach your goals. When used in this way, the devices can actually change your behaviour (and your pet's), improving your daily routines, fitness and health.

Fourth, the devices have added extras that tie in with smart phones, such as automatic notifications which can provide you with reminders for aspects of life such as medication, fluid intake, meal times and more.

Fifth, some of the devices use GPS enabled location tracking, making it easier to measure distances, but also providing a constant record of the precise location of a pet. In a world where people worry about losing pets (or having them stolen), this can be very useful.

Finally, if you know other people with similar devices for their pets, you can compete with one another to see who's best at sticking to activity goals. This competitive aspect can work well to motivate people to change their daily habits.

There has been a rapid proliferation of these types of products: five years ago there were none, and there are now over half a dozen available. It can be difficult to choose which is best for your pet: it depends on your precise needs. If you're considering getting one, it's worth taking time to read online reviews of the various features of each product.

Fitbark, Pitpat, Petpace, and KippyVita are some of the current brands, and there isn't yet a clear market leader: each has strengths and weaknesses. There's also a location tracker for cats, called Pawtrack, which allows you to see the precise location of your pet at any time of day. As technology advances, these products are getting smaller and more efficient: perhaps one day they'll be reduced to the size of an implantable microchip. The various versions are available at different prices, from 50 to over 100, with extra monthly costs for subscriptions or SIM cards, depending on the product.

I've found it interesting to hear people's opinions of pet activity monitors: it seems to me that if you are a gadget kind of person, you'll love them. If, on the other hand, you are an animal lover without a penchant for computers, phones or the like, then there may be simpler ways of improving the activity levels of yourself and your pet. I have two simple suggestions.

First, take up Canicross. This sport involves running with your dog along forest trails and through fields. You need to buy a special harness for your dog, as well as a long bungee-type leash that attaches to your waist (visit www.tails-and-trails.org to buy these online). Once you have done some simple training with your dog, the two of you can run together, just about anywhere you want. You don't need to compete, but once you get good at running together, the competitions add interest to your new hobby. Canicross doesn't suit every dog and owner, but if you want to find a way to get the two of you fit together, it's hard to beat.

My second suggestion is to buy a good "chucker and ball": this allows you to easily throw a ball repeatedly for your pet, allowing them to get at least double the exercise compared to the usual leisurely walk beside you. My favourite brand is called "Chuckit", with brightly coloured balls (making them hard to lose in undergrowth) that make a quiet whistling sound as they are thrown (making them easier for dogs to chase).

The New Year is a great time to start new habits: perhaps 2017 will be the year that you - and your dog - finally reach optimal fitness together.
Ageing fishing platforms in Rosslare Harbour are to get a modest revamp after the village's lagoon development was awarded a grant of almost 5,000.

The project is one of 50 angling development projects across the country which will receive support from Inland Fisheries Ireland to the value of 500,000 in total as part of its Capital Works Fund.

The Community Development Group's application 'Rosslare Harbour Lagoon Development' will receive funding of 4,698 which will improve ageing fishing platforms at Rosslare Harbour for use by local anglers and to allow for boat hire by angling tourists.

Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: 'The Capital Works Fund has been overwhelmed by strong project applications and following a considered review process, we are delighted to announce the 50 projects which have secured support which includes this project in Wexford.

'The demand for improvements in angling access and development is evident. Rural communities across Ireland are engaged with angling and recognise the value of the fisheries resource.'
Wexford has the fifth highest Traveller population in Ireland.

Senior executive officer with Wexford County Council Liz Hore said that the annual count for Travellers in the county was carried out on November 25.

She said there are 602 Traveller families with accommodation in the county and 102 families without accommodation.

There are currently 207 families with accommodation in the Enniscorthy area while a further 30 families in that area are without accommodation. In New Ross there are 211 families with accommodation and 25 families without it.

In Wexford there are 105 families with accommodation while there are 15 families without accommodation. In Gorey there are 79 families with accommodation and 32 families without accommodation.

She said that this information will form part of the review of the Traveller Accommodation Programme which is scheduled to go for consultation in December to the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (LTACC).

Ms Hore said that the four year Traveller accommodation programme 2014-2018 had set down a target of providing accommodation for 128 families. She said that in 2014 a total of 26 houses were offered but only half were accepted. In 2015 a total of 24 houses were offered of which 12 were accepted.

In 2016 17 houses were offered and 14 were accepted.

In addition a fire audit had been carried out on Traveller specific accommodation during the year and funding for Traveller Participation Strategy had been secured.

Ms Hore said there are now 91 families requiring Traveller accommodation in the county.

Cllr Deirdre Wadding who is a member of the LTACC said the council also needed to look at culturally appropriate housing for Travellers as well.
Wexford County Council will make a submission to the national garda district review board for a superintendent for the Gorey district in the New Year based on the district's rapidly increasing population and crime profile.

Deputy Michael D'Arcy Jnr called for the policing authority's review of Garda districts to take into consideration the clear need for a superintendent to be returned to the Gorey district. 'A number of years ago the Gorey Garda district was subsumed into the Enniscorthy garda district. The Wexford and New Ross garda districts remained intact,' Deputy D'Arcy said.

He said the Government has agreed to a review of the districts by the end of January.

Calling on all committee members to unanimously support his request for a superintendent to be reinstated to the Gorey district, Deputy D'Arcy said he has the full backing of the five Wexford TDs.

'Preliminary Census figures show that the national population has increased by 2.7 per cent over the past five years and the population of County Wexford has increased by 2.9 per cent. There has been a 7.3 per cent increase in the population of the Gorey area, which constitutes 52 per cent of the county's population growth. The Gorey area is growing rapidly and with the sewerage and water available it is only going to grow faster over the coming years.'

He said the population base of coastal North Wexford doubles over the summer months, adding 'we now have the fifth largest town in the county in Courtown which has a population of 5,500 people, not far behind New Ross. There are serious problems in the area and guards are under more policing pressure than in other areas. I don't believe the county can work properly without the allocation of resources and a new superintendent also.'

Deputy D'Arcy said an inspector is needed for the Gorey area, but was told by Chief Superintendent John Roche that an inspector has been appointed to the Gorey district, adding that there are two more inspectors based in Enniscorthy, while the New Ross and Wexford districts have one inspector each. 'It was a terrible mistake what was done and this is an opportunity to correct that mistake,' Deputy D'Arcy said.

Cllr Pip Breen seconded the motion, saying the North Wexford area is 'by far' the most challenging area in the county to police. 'A lot of people are coming in from different areas,' Cllr Breen added.

Cllr Joe Sullivan welcomed the news that Gorey Garda Station is being used as a training station for new recruits.

Supt Roche said the review will be carried out by the Garda inspectorate. 'They will take into account the rural development. They will also take into account the ongoing work of the Garda Commissioner to implement the regional model which is based on centralisation.'

Cllr Davy Hynes criticised the centralisation model, saying the system has been implemented in various areas in Irish bodies with little positive effect. 'It's certainly better to keep things local.'

Deputy D'Arcy asked for the submission to be made on the basis of significant population growth rates in the North Wexford area.

CEO Tom Enright said the motion will be heard at next month's meeting of Wexford County Council.
There were only 10 IDA site visits to County Wexford over the past two years compared to 446 in County Dublin during the same period, figures which Deputy James Browne says proves there is absolute vacuum in investment in our region.

'There has been a complete vacuum of investment in South-East over the past 5 years, and this pattern is continuing under the new Minister for Jobs Mary Mitchell O'Connor.

The Government is seemingly pre-occupied on attracting investment to Dublin and the surrounding commuter counties, while allowing the regions to lag behind,' said Deputy Browne.

He said counties like Wexford have been all but ignored by the IDA.

'There have only been 10 site visits to Co. Wexford over the past 2 years. This is having an impact on job creation as potential investors are not being attracted into Wexford. It's no surprise that the unemployment rate in the South-East 10.4%, significantly higher than the 7.7% for the rest of the country.

'Furthermore the South-East region accounted for just 13% of employment gains over the last twelve months.'

deputy Browne said that not only is economic investment well below what's needed, but essential services like broadband remain unreliable in many areas, particularly outside of large urban areas. 'Wexford has the ninth highest population in the entire country yet we are not receiving our fair share of IDA investment.

The Government needs to direct the IDA to do more to attract inward investment for Wexford.

'The economic difficulty we are experiencing in the South East also highlights the need for additional educational facilities in the region. We need to ensure the necessary infrastructure is developed.'
Mick Wallace had mortgage arrears of over 235,000 on three properties which are in negative equity, including two houses in County Wexford, when he was declared bankrupt last week.

The Independent TD also has a debt of 290,016 to his ex-wife Mary Murphy, according to a statement of financial affairs submitted to the High Court.

The three detached houses with a combined value of 1.1 million include Mr. Wallace's family home in Clontarf which is worth 800,000 with a mortgage of 908.177 and arrears of 77,041; a three-bed buy to let property at Bargy, Danescastle, County Wexford which has a value of 175,000, a mortgage of 262,556 and arrears of 50,580, and another three-bed detached, buy to let property at Youngstown, County Wexford with a value of 140,000, a mortgage of 191,732 and arrears of 107,950.

All three properties are secured against mortgages from AIB and also secured against loans from ACC.

According to a report in the Irish Independent newspaper which published details of his statement of affairs, the TD owns 'immovable property' of 1.11 million.

He owns a 2004 BMW car with mileage of 434,000 km on the clock which is valued at 3,000. He had 250 in cash and 5,300 in the bank as well as a pension value of of 214,986 with New Beginning Financial Services and a Dail pension , the value of which is unascertained, according to the court document.

His average after-tax income was listed as 4,000 a month, of which about 1,000 was accounted for by reasonable living expenses and 2,000 by mortgage payments.

Mr. Wallace's unsecured creditors include a debt of 51,329 with AIB Ballsbridge, Dublin and a debt of 290,016 to his former wife Mary Murphy.

He was decared a bankrupt on the application of a subsidiary of the US vulture fund Cerberus arising out of a debt of 2 milliion.

The subsidiary, Promontoria (Aran) Limited took over the loans from Ulster Bank. The loans were to Mr. Wallace's company and personally guaranteed by him. The TD has total debts of over 30 million.

The bankrupty file revealed that Mr. Weallace owed Cerberus 2 million, AIB 9.2 million and ACC 19.1 million.

The file also contained a letter written to him by insolvency practitioner James Green of McCambridge Duffy in early December advising him that he had no option but to proceed to bankruptcy.

Mr. Green offered the advice after ACC refused to support Mr. Wallace's efforts to come up with a personal insolvency arrangement.

Mr. Wallace was adjudicated bankrupt after Cerberus, via its subsidiary Promontoria (Aran) Ltd petitioned the High Court last month.

Two years ago, the fund purchased loans that his construction firm M&J Wallace had with Ulster Bank. Mr. Wallace had personally guaranteed the loans in March 2009.

The file showed a court order was issued to the Dublin City Sheriff's Office last August, authorising it to recover assets to satisfy the judgment.

However, the office said there were 'no saleable assets' at Mr. Wallace's home in Fairview, Dublin.

The TD's assets will now be managed by Official Assignee Christopher Lehane who heads up the Insolvency Service's bankruptcy division and he can sell off property to realise cash for creditors.
Discount cards for use across the Hook Peninsula and New Ross district will be available to collect in newsagents across the district where the New Ross Standard is for sale.

The 7,500 cards will be in use from the beginning of January and businesses are being canvassed to sign up for the initiative. The cards will be distributed by the following methods: free with every copy of the New Ross Standard sold and by courier drop targeting the different ethnic groups who have settled in the area and at Fellowship of the Ring of Hook information stands which will be located at the major retail units in January.

Pat Kent of the Fellowship of the Ring of Hook marketing company said: 'There will be a full weeks promotion on South East Radio the first week of January 2017. The Fellowship of the Ring of Hook marketing company have developed free bank cards which can be used at venues throughout the Hook Peninsula.'

The bank card was launched at a business expo organised by Bank of Ireland at Good Counsel College in New Ross, in November. The savings card will provide exclusive offers to customers.

Mr Kent said: 'By providing offers it permits the public to have an immediate external view of what the business is offering and therefore is more likely to enable them to engage. To participate in this stage, we are offering a sign-up fee of 150 for the period January to March 2017. This offering would normally be on the market for a cost point of 320 for businesses to be part of the Exclusive Card with access to 5,000 potential customers as the cards will be distributed free of charge within the local area and the businesses then offer deals via the Fellowship of The Ring of Hook website. An extended Business Branding offer is available for businesses for 500 with sponsored branding on the back of the first 5,000 cards for the three months. Space is limited to the first six sign ups.'
Heritage works at an important medieval church and fort in Ballymote are expected to get underway in 2017.

A community group originally started to remove overgrown vegetation in 2015 but had to stop as they didn't have authorisation from the Council, nor was the required archaeological consent in place.

Cllr Dara Mulvey raised the issue at this month's County Council meeting.

He was informed that the Sligo Heritage officer Siobhan Ryan had not reverted to the community group owing to other work commitments this year.

However it's now planned that she will liaise with the local community group next year to manage the site and explore the potential for a heritage project.

Emlaghfad Church is a medieval parish church founded by St. Colmcille in the 6th century and was adopted as a Church of Ireland Parish Church in the mid-18th century.

In the 1830's, it was abandoned in favour of a new Church of Ireland parish church for Emlaghfad, at Ballymote.

The Church is set within a possible ecclesiastical enclosure, later a star-shaped bastioned military fort (1550-1650) and finally an enclosing graveyard as we see today. It is a complex heritage site, with a rich history.

Today, Emlaghfad Church is a roofless ruin, with a square three storey tower at its west end. The earliest headstone in the surrounding graveyard dates from 1709 and is located within the church.

Located on a flat summit, and within walking distance of Ballymote (via a green road) , it commands superb views of the surrounding countryside.

It's described by the Council as an important archaeological site owned by Sligo County Council.

Cllr Mulvey welcomed the plans: "Hopefully the community group can liaise with the Heritage Officer next year."
Efforts are underway to provide a safe crossing point for students at the Ursuline College.

Sligo County Council's Road Design Section are currently liaising with representatives of the Convent regarding the installation of a crossing point close to the school entrance.

It's anticipated that the design will be finalised in the coming weeks.

It's in response to a motion by Mayor of Sligo Municipal District Cllr Marie Casserly calling for a safe crossing from the school to where cars are parked.
An Bord Pleanala will decide in March whether a timber dwelling can remain on a site in Mullaghmore for which planning permission was first grant in 1975.

Sligo County Council has refused permission for retention of the timber house and for permission to extend it at Kilkilloge.

The council say the house would be incongruous with existing residential development at this location, would be seriously injurious to the visual amenities of the immediate area, would set an undesirable precedent for further such development there and accordingly would be contrary to proper planning and sustainable development.

Permission for retention of the dwelling was lodged with the council last August and permission refusing it was made at the end of September. The application is in the name of Columbo Eastwood of James Street in Cookstown, County Tyrone.

An objection to the retention application was also made by a neighbour.

In 1975 planning permission was granted for a scheme of houses which contained Mr Eastwood's site. Many of the sites were developed over the years but a number weren't. Mr Eastwood developed the site to subfloor level and added a chimney stack to accommodate a timber framed dwelling but it was not completed and the stack was removed though the concrete slab remained in place. Water and sewer connections were also made.

In 2011 Mr Eastwood got planning for a different house on the site but he did not pursue this and permission expired. In late 2014 he acquired a timber dwelling which was erected on top of the concrete slab. Two planning applications to retain this dwelling were refused by the County Council in March and June 2015.

According to Mr Eastwood's planning consultants, he acknowledged the "incongruous nature of that structure due to its scale, character and external finishes and that the decisions of the planning authority in each case was correct.

"However, following a comprehensive review, it was considered that the concerns raised by the planning authority could be allayed by the introduction of new extensions to the structure with the entire building finished in a painted render and a tiled roof."

"The completed development will significantly differ from the timber structure which occupies the site at present and it is respectfully considered that it will integrate with the established residential development within the house scheme of which it forms a part," said Jim Harley of Harley Planning Consultants in a submission to An Bord Pleanala.
Two Ballymote based animal welfare organisations received an early Christmas present last week as they learned they received funding from the Department of Agriculture.

Eagles Flying/Irish Raptor Research Centre, Portinch, Ballymote received 10,000 and Kath's Kitty Corner, Oldrock, Ballymote was given 3,500.

Eagles Flying is a sanctuary for birds of prey and owls, and has become home to nearly 80 species of animals in recent years.

The sanctuary has one of the top Tripadvisor ratings in the region as a tourist attraction.

The payments will be made with immediate effect.

Making the announcement at the Irish Blue Cross Clinic in Inchicore, Minister Simon Coveney said: "Animal welfare organisations make a tremendous contribution to the welfare of animals, in particular, by educating the public on best practice, by making effective interventions where appropriate and providing facilities for at-risk animals. The increase in workload for animal welfare bodies due to new animal welfare legislation, including the new dog microchipping legislation, and the continuing albeit decreasing reporting of incidences of animal neglect to the Department's animal welfare helpline clearly demonstrates a need to assist animal welfare organisations in their important work.

"I am pleased therefore to be in a position to increase funding to animal welfare organisations for the fifth consecutive year." Deputy Tony McLoughlin said: "I am sure this funding will be put to very good use by these wonderful animal welfare organisations and I am glad to see that they are being supported financially in their efforts by Government." Local Fine Gael councillor Dara Mulvey also welcomed the news of funding. Eagles Flying can be contacted on 0719189310 or via email on eagles.flying@hotmail.com.

Kath's Kitty Corner is a sanctuary for cats based in Ballymote, run by Kathleen Irwin.

If you find a cat in need of assistance, the sanctuary can be contacted on kittycornerfundraising@gmail.com.

Animal welfare lines are open throughout Christmas on 01-607 2379.
Councillor Sean MacManus says the Government must bring Broadband to rural Sligo quickly to help rural businesses here. Pic: Donal Hackett

The pace of Government movement in relation to the delivery of Broadband is "extremely slow".

That's according to County Councillor Sean MacManus who was commenting after a presentation on the National Broadband Plan by Sligo County Council's Broadband Officer Nigel Carter.

"The lack of Broadband is a significant impediment to the development of the West of Ireland, rural areas in particular," said Cllr MacManus.

"Going back to 2010 and 2011 we've been told that Broadband was going to be delivered. 47% of houses in the county are going to need this Government intervention to get Broadband," he said.

Cllr MacManus said he knew of a B&B owner near Lough Arrow who was in "serious trouble without broadband."

"He's in a loss situation. There are thousands of business people like him," he added.

Under the National Broadband 5 Year Plan the Government has shortlisted tenderers to three and negotiations are ongoing with them for the work of rolling out broadband to rural areas.

The tender process is expected to be over by June 2017. "I think that we need to be saying to the Government that this needs to be moving rapidly to assist Sligo," said Cllr MacManus.

Cllr Sinead Maguire disagreed with his comments on the Government: "I think compared to our European neighbours we've spent a lot of money on it."

Cllr Maguire said the upload speeds were "key" to helping businesses succeed, "not the download speeds." Under the plan, the Government is aiming to guarantee upload speeds of 6Mbps and a minimum of 30Mbps download speed.

Nigel Carter said he would expect the actual speeds to be higher in reality most likely provided by fibre optic.

"That's very good news and I welcome that. The only way forward is to have fibre optic," replied Cllr Maguire.
An unannounced HIQA inspection of a County Sligo residential centre for those with an intellectual disability last August found residents, for the most part, led passive lives with minimal interaction with the local community and surrounding areas.

The inspection was the fourth at the HSE Glenbow centre at Cloonamahon the previous one being in March when inspectors found there had been poor progress by the provider in implementing its own action plan to improve the quality of the service for residents.

Following this March inspection HIQA took the unusual action of issuing a formal warning letter. Since then three meetings were held with senior management of the HSE to discuss the need for effective change at the centre.

The unannounced inspection took place on August 2nd and 3rd and in its report HIQA says that although the provider had taken some action since recent inspections, inspectors found this had not impacted positively on the quality of life for residents.

Overall, the inspectors found the centre had failed to ensure that the service provided was appropriate to residents' needs, consistent and effectively monitored.

Inspectors found that:

 Residents, for the most part, led passive lives with minimal interaction with their local community and surrounding areas.

 Residents spent the majority of their time at the centre, leaving the centre on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

 Residents did not exercise choice and control regarding their daily routine.

 The quality and safety of care provided to residents was dependent on the competence of individual staff members.

 Staff engaged with residents in a caring manner, however improvements were required to ensure that practices promoted the privacy and dignity of residents.

 Staff interactions with residents, were in the main, task orientated and based around direct care.

 The environment failed to meet the needs of residents.

Residents who chose to engage with inspectors, expressed satisfaction with the service they received. Inspectors identified major non-compliance in 10 of the 14 outcomes inspected.

The inspectors found that residents' choice of when to go to bed was also limited.

Inspectors observed one resident in bed in a communal area, surrounded by a screen during the day.

Inspectors found that this also compromised the dignity of the resident. Inspectors observed residents in their beds in the late evening.

There was no assessment completed stating that it was a need for residents to go to bed early. Furthermore, due to the location of residents' living rooms, residents did not have free access to their bedrooms. Inspectors observed that residents' privacy and dignity continued to be compromised.

Furthermore, inspectors found that residents were not supported to maintain control over their personal finances.

On the date of the August inspection there were 42 residents at the centre. Inspectors found that there was a 13 day spell in which one resident hadn't left the centre, six of these days were spent in the day room.

Overall, inspectors found: Resources remained allocated to the centre based on funding and historical patterns as opposed to the needs of the residents; Inspectors observed that residents' day was determined by a standard routine as opposed to individual need; Inspectors observed staff to supervise residents for large parts of the day with limited interaction as opposed to actively support residents to engage in activities in line with their interests and capabilities.

The HSE, in a statement said: "The report also acknowledged that the provider had taken some action since recent inspections".

It went on to point out that in relation to leadership, governance and management, "a series of changes have been made and the governance and management has been strengthened."

Chief Officer for Health Services in the region John Hayes said: "I am working closely with management and staff at the centre to ensure that all of the concerns identified by HIQA and the HSE's own Quality Improvement Team are being addressed."
It wasn't unusual nowadays for Gardai to be recorded by people on their mobile phone while carrying out their duties, a Garda told Sligo District Court last Thursday.

Garda Derek Healy was giving evidence during the case of a man charged with public order offences and who began to record the Garda on his mobile phone during an incident at Abbey Street on December 12th 2015 at 1.30am.

"I told him to keep recording. It's not unusual to be recorded nowadays," said Garda Healy referring to the defendant, New York native Stephen Brown (36) of Joachim's Terrace, Sligo and now said to be living in Donegal. Brown, showed a clip taken on his phone on the night to the court on his laptop.

Garda Healy told the court that he and Garda Conor Doherty were dealing with an intoxicated man obstructing traffic when he became aware of shouting coming from another man across the street.

Witness approached this man and asked him what he was shouting about. He was also asked for his name but he replied "f***k-off pig". He said this a second time on being asked for his address and accused the Gardai of assaulting an old man. Brown was intoxicated and was arrested. He resisted arrest and Garda Doherty had to come to witness's assistance.

Brown was arrested at 1.30am and was subsequently released at 2.45am.

In reply to Mr Mark Mullaney, solicitor (defending), witness agreed that he and Garda Doherty had some difficulty arresting the other man and that he had to be physically removed off the road. Witness was unable to say what the defendant had shouted at him initially.

Garda Healy agreed that it was not an offence to record Gardai on a phone. A clip taken on the defendant's mobile phone was shown tot he court but Inspector Donal Sweeney said the recording stopped after the Garda approached the defendant.

After viewing the short clip on the defendant's laptop, Judge Kevin Kilrane said it didn't appear to be an awful lot and that there seemed to be just general noise.

Brown, in evidence, said he did not say anything to the Gardai when they were arresting the other man. He was handcuffed and put in the patrol car beside this other man.

"I asked what I was arrested for for and I was told to shut up," said Brown. He had drank about five pints that night. At the station he had questioned his arrest.

In reply to Inspector Donal Sweeney, the defendant said he had never been in trouble before and did not have any previous convictions.

After further probing by the Inspector the defendant admitted that he had received an on the spot fine for an offence in April 2012 for which the defendant said was for drinking in a pub on Holy Thursday.

Brown also admitted that there was another public order incident in Donegal town in June 2007 when there was scuffle between two men. Brown said this had been a family matter and the Gardai drove them home. There was also another public order matter pending.

Asked why he was recording the Gardai that night, the defendant stated: " I was walking home when I saw an arrest taking place and it looked to me perhaps a bit rough with the m and the man who was singing Raglan Road and I was just concerned," he said.

Judge Kilrane said he found the defendant untruthful in his evidence and it was only when he was "cornered" did he admit to his previous matters.

Brown was fined 300 for engaging in insulting, threatening or abusive behaviour. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.
Two men from Wesport have been sent forward for trial on charges of assault causing harm to another man at a house in Rathbraughan Park on August 9th last.

Danny Ring of 13 Cloonamonad Close, The Quay, Westport and Stephen Ruane of 19 Cloonamonad Close are charged with assault causing harm to Oran Brennan.

Bail was refused in Ring's case while there was no application for bail on behalf of Ruane.

Judge Kevin Kilrane sent the men forward for trial on the application of State Solicitor Mr Hugh Sheridan to the next sittings of the Circuit Court in Sligo beginning on March 28th next.
Buckshot Amber all hail from Bray and County Wicklow, except for Killiney man Martin.

It was Dan who got inspired to start the band, around 18 months ago - at a Foo Fighters gig, no less.

The five piece consists of Kevin Quinn on vocals, Niall O'Leary on lead guitar, Dan Phelan on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Martin Killeen on drums, and Ambrose 'Bambi' Bourke on bass.

'At the start of the summer myself, Kev and Niall were thinking we wanted to get something going,' said Dan. 'I had just gone to a Foo Fighters gig a few days before that. They did this big speech at the end of it. They were explaining how they started and said "look, if we can pass something on, even to one person in the crowd - just go home, make a band and get cracking on it".'

Say no more, thought Dan. 'I messaged Niall straight away and said we have to meet up with Kev and get him to try playing bass.'

They met in Kevin's Fairfield Park home in Greystones and had a long night of playing music.

Kevin was singing, and that role, rather than bass, went to him.

Ambrose got a message when he was on holiday in France. 'I said ok, I'll jam with you when I get back.'

Two weeks later Martin came down, he didn't even learn the song but just hopped on the drum kit, played the whole song through, and it worked.

Last month, Buckshot Amber launched their debut album 'When I Get Home' at The Academy in Dublin.

Niall and drummer Martin had been doing music together for years, others in the band knew each other for eight or nine years.

'Even when we knew each other in primary school we knew we wanted to start a band some day,' said Dan.

They spend a lot of time together, and have an understanding of how important it is to get along well together.

They are generally happy and in good form, but if one of them is in a bad mood, the others generally know how to deal with it. Whether to let it out, or back off and give each other space.

'We all avoid conflict at all times and always sort out a situation,' said Kevin. 'We lasted a month in one house all day, every day so after that it's all good. You don't know someone until you live with them and everyone was sound.'

This month spent in close quarter was during the recording of their album at Lough Dan. A friend moved out of her house and let the band take it over for a month, to record in the picturesque setting just outside Roundwood.

They worked night and day, recording and producing their own material.

They agreed that as well as saving money, self-producing gave them the creative freedom to achieve the finished sound they were looking for.

'When we did the EP last year we had three days to do it. It was a bit stressful. With a month to work it was a bit less frantic.'

'We're mainly a live band,' said Bambi. 'If you want to enjoy our band, you've got to see us live. I never really thought we'd get that sound in the album. Because we did it ourselves we got the album we really wanted.'

In 18 months, they've done an album, an EP, and umpteen gigs. It's been a lot of work, and a lot of writing. Their first summer, most of the members were off college and had the time to get together and compose.

'When Niall and Dan came down to where I live in Greystones the first day, Niall had two instrumental songs written in 10 minutes,' said Kevin.

There has been a flow to their collaborations ever since. They describe those magic moments, when a song emerges from a lengthy jam, someone having started the riff at the core of the piece.

'It's a really weird almost telepathic thing. Everyone knows what's going to happen next without saying anything.'

Usually an understanding like this comes about when musicians work together for decades.

'It's just a chemistry between most of us,' said Niall. 'If you took one person away it wouldn't be the same, it wouldn't work at all.'

There's a lot of togetherness about the album, which isn't just influenced by one person.

They can't quite place their work in terms of genre. It's rock, punk, and other styles, informed by the different tastes of everyone in the band. They've toyed with a few creative descriptors - 'dynamic rock', 'classical punk', but have yet to reach a conclusion on that matter.

'The album flows together well even though the songs are different styles,' said Martin.

'If you narrow it down it's just rock music,' said Kevin. 'But realistically it's everything - it's rock with a little bit of Martin!'
Over the last days, weeks and for some it has been months-most of us have been shopping for gifts. Some of us were super extravagant. Some were more low key. Some were super thoughtful. Some of us were last minute. Some were well-prepared.

But...I want to know what you got for yourself this Christmas? What did you get and in hindsight-what would be the best gift you could have given to yourself to prepare you for a happier, healthier and more enjoyable 2017? A fancy watch...nice clothes...designer glasses...a single malt whiskey...a pair of Louboutins...a holiday...a suit...or perhaps more self-kindness and compassion or simply committing to make time to do what you really love?

Meditation is the best gift I have ever given to myself. I gave myself the gift of meditation 8 years ago and it was and remains the best gift I have ever given to myself. Some of you may be drawn to meditate and some not. The benefits are powerful... and best experienced as words do not really do justice to the amazing feelings meditation brings. The first fruit of meditation is awareness and with even a little practice, you will feel more relaxed, energized and focused so you can enjoy and get more out of life on a daily basis. It is a gift that keeps on giving.

Another great gift you could give to yourself is self-kindness-to speak to yourself and treat yourself with the love and kindness you would a good friend. I often ask people: if you spoke to your friends the way you speak to yourself would you have any friends? Something to reflect on... What if you could be kinder to yourself..what if you could be more consistently on your own team. Science and the amazing Maureen Gaffney tells us that if we feed our mind 5 positives for every one negative, we will flourish.

If the ration is 3:1 we will maintain our status quo...average performance...and if less than 3 to one we enter in a downward mental and emotional spiral from which it can be difficult to escape. And yet if we can achieve 5 to one-we are preparing to thrive.

What is the ratio of negatives to positives in your inner self-talk ? For most Irish adults we would probably be lucky if it the ratio was one-to-one. What we think and what we do determines how we feel. The emotions we feel over time generate chemicals in our body. If we are constantly self critical or thinking negatively, this will impact how we feel over time and how we feel over time determines our physiology.

So back to what gift did you get for yourself ? It's not too late. You can choose to be kinder to yourself. You can be more patient or compassionate. You can improve that self-talk ratio. You can be emotionally generous with yourself. There are so so many things you can do. If you choose to be one percent kinder to yourself every day-by the end of the year you will be 3800 percent kinder to yourself. Whatever area of your life you want to develop, the same statistic applies.

So if you did not get yourself what you feel you really want now-take some 'me' time and reflect...and start your year by giving yourself what you really really want .. what will help you have a great year ahead so you can thrive.

Ultimately in life, others value us according to how we value ourselves. Value yourself and give yourself a gift that will transform your experience of every day life for good.

Calodagh McCumiskey teaches Meditation and Yoga. She offers wellbeing at work programmes for businesses as well as weekly meditation classes in Wexford and Waterford. To learn more, call 0871 335230, email calodagh@spiritualearth.ie or visit www.spiritualearth.ie
The Wicklow Cage Bird Society held their 43rd annual show on in St Patrick's GAA Hall, Dunbur Road, near the start of December.

The committee and members would like to take this opportunity to thank all the exhibitors and sponsors, also local shops and business that gave spot prizes for the raffle and any one who helped out in any way.The day proved yet another great success.

Members of the Wicklow Caged Bird Society would also like to thank St Patrick's GAA for the use of their hall for the weekend of the 43rd show.
Patients at St Colman's Hospital, Rathdrum have an array of new reading material to enjoy following a recent presentation.

A large volume of books from the old Arklow Library on St Mary's Road were presented to hospital representatives last week.

Cathaoirleach of Arklow Municipal District Cllr Pat Kennedy and Director of Services for Community, Cultural & Social Development Michael Nicholson were delighted to make the presentation to Deirdre Phelan and Ciara Healy.

'I was delighted to have secured a large volume of books from Wicklow County Council for the library in St. Colmans Hospital. The books are large-print which will be easier for the patients to read and they cover a wide range of subjects and genres. They will make a great addition to the current library,' said Cllr Kennedy.

He paid tribute to all the staff at St Colman's for the work they do.

'I want to take this opportunity to thank the management and staff of St. Colman's for all the hard work and dedication they give to all of the patients throughout the year. The work they put in is evident every time I am in St. Colman's. It was great to meet some of the patients yesterday and may I take this opportunity to wish them all a peaceful New Year.'
Sixteen County Wicklow business owners graduated from an intensive training programme recently at a ceremony held at the Glenview Hotel.

The Local Enterprise Office Wicklow (LEO Wicklow) organises the 'Management Development Programme (MDP)' each year, which gives experienced business owners the chance to rethink their business strategies, examine their pricing and profitability and discover how to grow their businesses.

The programme, which is led by trainer and facilitator Blaise Brosnan, is accredited at level seven on the national framework of qualifications by IT Carlow.

Presenting the certificates to the graduates were Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Bryan Doyle, the Head of Lifelong Learning at IT Carlow, Denis O'Brien, and the Head of Enterprise at LEO Wicklow, Sheelagh Daly.

Mr Doyle paid tribute to Blaise Brosnan and the team at LEO Wicklow for continuing to provide such a high level business skills training programme, which is having huge impact on the turnover, profitability and job creation in the SMEs that take part.

Participants on the programme echoed these sentiments and expressed their gratitude to all involved, and described their regular meetings since the course concluded as a huge support to them and their businesses.

Participants of the current MDP Programme, which will conclude in March, were also present at the ceremony.

This is the 21st year that LEO Wicklow has provided the MDP to local business owners and over 400 businesses have taken part over the years. The programme is open to small, local businesses (less than ten employees), that are established (approximately more than two years in business) and wish to grow/consolidate. Anyone interested in expressing an interest in taking part in the MDP commencing in September 2017, should email enterprise@leo.wicklowcoco.ie.

For information on other training courses and seminars to be offered by LEO Wicklow in 2017 visit www.localenterprise.ie/wicklow.
Wicklow's Senior citizens proved they know exactly how to party as they enjoyed a proper knees-up at the Assembly Hall in Wicklow town during the Sunday before Christmas.

The Christmas party is organised each year by Wicklow gardai and this year's event turned out to be one of the best attended yet.

All the guests were wined and dined and a team of volunteers had also decorated the room in a very festive fashion.

The day included a lovely dinner as well as plenty of music and dancing.

Organisers said the attendees set an example to all on how to enjoy themselves, with lots of laughs, chatting and good cheer.

Members of Wicklow Senior Citizens also attended the annual Christmas party organised by gardai in Blackrock and Dundrum which was held in the Talbot Hotel in Stillorgan. Refreshments, prizes, a chat and dance were on offer and great craic was had by all. The Garda Band was also in attendance.
2016 proved yet another challenging year for Wicklow RNLI, with their fist call-out in February also involving Arklow RNLI.

Both volunteer crews received an early morning call on February 23 to assist a fishing vessel with seven on board. The 20m boat had run aground on the Wolf Rock near Brittas Bay.

Arriving on scene, the lifeboat crews observed that no one was in immediate danger. No leaks or damage were found during an inspection of the hull.

Towlines were quickly established between the casualty vessel using Wicklow RNLI's inshore lifeboat. The fishing vessel was re-floated by the two all-weather lifeboats from Arklow and Wicklow and the vessel was towed clear of the rock.

While joint operations between Wicklow and Arklow RNLI are rare enough, the two volunteer crews worked perfectly in tandem together.

'It doesn't happen often that we work alongside one another but we are all under the same banner and receive the same training so we work very well together,' said Wicklow RNLI Press Officer, Tommy Dover.

In June, coxswain Nicky Keogh was praised for his boat handling skills in difficult conditions after lifeboat volunteer Ciaran Doyle was transferred into a French yacht to assist the lone sailor, with the coastguard helicopter flying overhead. He was on passage from France to Norway when the twin rudder suffered damage and he was unable to steer the vessel.

That just happened to be the second call-out received by Wicklow RNLI that same weekend. On the Saturday RNLI Helm Vinnie Mulvihill was busy preparing the inshore lifeboat for exercise when he heard a person on the East pier shouting that someone was in the water.

Quick thinking Vinnie left the boat and entered the water to assist the women after she slipped and fell in while going ashore from a moored boat.

Vinnie brought the women alongside a nearby boat and with the help of the occupants; she was taken out of the water.

The woman was brought to the lifeboat station and assessed by first aider Carol Flahive. No further medical assistance was required thanks to Vinnie's quick reactions.

Another life-saving incident occurred in September when an injured and disorientated man was plucked from the water along the South Quay.

A man tending to his boat in Wicklow Harbour at around 6.45 a.m. noticed a person in distress in the water at Wicklow Harbour.

The RNLI were alerted to the situation and the inshore lifeboat crew arrived shortly later. Crew volunteer Ian Thompson dived into the water to rescue the man, who was bleeding heavily and had a number of facial injuries.

The Gardai assisted in lifting the injured person out of the water and transferring him to a waiting ambulance. The casualty was in a state of shock and the onset of hypothermia was setting in. It is though he would not have survived much longer if it wasn't for the intervention of Wicklow RNLI.

Press Officer, Tommy Dover, has passed on his best wishes to Arklow RNLI, who celebrated their 190th anniversary this year, making them the oldest lifeboat station in the country.

Wicklow RNLI will also be introducing some new faces in 2017.

'It has been a very busy year and all the volunteer crew deserve to be commended. They all come from the local community and carry out Trojan work throughout the year. We have taken on board some new crew members who will be hopefully starting out with us next year. We would also like to thank the local community and surrounding areas for all the support they have given us down through the years. It really is appreciated,' said Tommy.
Arklow Municipal District councillors and Wicklow County Council officials meet with Stephen Smith of Gaines for a tour of the premises

Expansion plans at Gaines pet food factory in Arklow were outlined to local councillors who received a tour of the plant recently.

Members of Arklow Municipal District (AMD) met with engineering manager Stephen Smith at the South Quay premises.

Councillors Fitzgerald, Kennedy, Bourke and McDonald were joined by Bryan Doyle CE of Wicklow County Council, district administrator Linda McDonald, district engineer Jack Kelly and executive engineer Rob Mulhall.

Mr Smith gave a history of the firm - explaining how it had started manufacturing in 1995 with 10 employees.

Now it has 155 employees and a turnover of 16m exporting pet foods to countries across the globe.

The company was bought by Rondo Food GMBH in 2011 and now, following the purchase of the old Arklow Pottery site this year, it has plans to expand further. Mr Smith stressed the company's commitment to Arklow and its support of local contractors and businesses.

Commenting on the visit, Mr Doyle, said: 'The Gaines Europe Limited success story is a clear indicator that Wicklow is open for business. There are opportunities in the county for business to thrive. The County Council Economic Unit is available to advise and assist local firms/business people who may be considering expanding or indeed setting up in the county.'

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Pat Fitzgerald, said: 'I very much welcome the expansion plans for Gaines Europe, the visit to the factory gave us a great insight to the operations of the company. I wish the company the very best into the future and I hope that we will hear further announcements from other companies on expanding or relocating over the next year.'

Cllr Pat Kennedy, Cathaoirleach, Arklow Municipal District, said Gaines was a great success story and an important part of business life and employment in the town.
Deputy Pat Casey says the closure of Laragh post office in January will be 'another hard blow' for rural Wicklow.

A recent Grant Thornton report predicted that unless fundamental reforms are introduced between 450 and 500 branches will cease to exist by next year.

There has been a post office in the Laragh/Glendalough area for over 100 years, with the service initially taking place in the Glendalough Hotel during the days of the Royal post office.

Deputy Casey says the impending closure of the post office at the end of January will prove a devastating loss.

'The residents of Laragh, Glendalough and Trooperstown will now have to travel at least ten kilometres to either Roundwood or Rathdrum to avail of postal services. When you consider that Laragh is adjacent to one of Ireland's top tourist attractions the lack of imagination in generating additional services for the post office is breathtaking.

'A lot of people, particularly more elderly citizens, are very reliant on the post office for their transactions. Post offices should not just be judged purely on commercial terms, the social impact on the local community has to be taken into consideration as well. There seems to be no value placed on the social aspect at all.

'For some people the only day they really get out of the house is when they walk to the post office to get their pension.'

Senior officials from An Post are willing to meet Deputy Casey in early January to discuss Laragh Post Office but the Fianna Fail TD isn't hopeful of a resolution which will see the post office remain open.

'The recent news that two thirds of the 1,131 post offices are 'economically unviable' is very bleak. The post offices have been given no support to offer new services or re-invent themselves in the face of changing times.

'It has long been known that the services offered by the post offices need to be broader and take into consideration the changing needs of the people who use the post office, however the Government have done nothing to help preserve and support the rural post office,' said Deputy Casey.
Shelton Abbey prisoners make up a large portion of the 177 prisoners within the Irish Prison Service who have been granted temporary release over the Christmas period.

The Irish Prison Service confirmed that the varying periods fo release have been granted uner the Criminal Justice Act 1960.

This figure represents approximately four per cent of the overall prisoner population.

The corresponding numbers released for Christmas in 2013, 2014 and 2015 were 249, 242 and 203 respectively.

'Many of the prisoners being released are nearing the end of their sentences and the overriding concern when considering the applications is the safety of the public. In addition to compassionate and humane considerations, other criteria taken into account include the nature and gravity of the offence, length of sentence served to date, prior record on temporary release, behaviour while in custody and previous criminal history,' said a spokesperson at the Department of Justice.

The periods of release vary from a few hours, in some cases accompanied by another responsible person, up to seven nights.

'All releases are subject to stringent conditions and any offender who breaks these conditions may be arrested and returned immediately to prison by the Gardai,' the spokesperson added.
Local Shopper Ann Smith scooped the top prize of 1000 worth of vouchers to spend in local Wicklow town shops in this year's 'Shop Local' initiative organised by the retail committee of The Wicklow Town Chamber of Commerce.

To say thank you to local shoppers and encourage people to shop in Wicklow Town over the Christmas period, the Reward Card Scheme was in place all over the town.

For every 20 spend in any local shop, coffee shop, restaurant, hairdresser, barbers or beauty salon participants received a loyalty stamp. Once 10 stamps (value 200) were collected, cards were entered into a draw to win top prize of 1000 in gift vouchers from local businesses. All participating businesses donated vouchers up to the value of 50 and there was over 3000 worth of local shop vouchers to be won. Thousands of completed cards were received and the draw took place in Phil Healy's on Thursday.

Ann was delighted with her prize. 'I was so surprised to win, I never win anything. I always try to shop locally where I can. This year I had treated myself to some new blinds for Christmas at Wicklow Curtain and Blind Centre so I am even more delighted now I chose to buy them locally,' she said.

Top prizes were 1000, 500 and two by 250 worth of vouchers. In total there were 15 prizes as well as a bonus prize of a year's free parking in the town, thanks to the Wicklow Municipal District.

The winner of the free parking was Peg McMullen, who was particularly thrilled to win, as she is hopping around on crutches with a broken leg.

'This win will make it easier for me to get around. I love shopping in Wicklow Town and winning the free parking is even more of an incentive to shop there.'

Winner of a smaller prize, Ailish Whelan, said: 'I'm delighted to win. I never win anything. I'll be doing the lotto this week now.'

The campaign is now in its second year and has proved another great success, stated Pascal Burke, President of The Wicklow Town Chamber of Commerce.
Eight animal welfare groups across the county are to share the 153,000 in funding.

Funding to the tune of 153,000 has been granted to eight animal welfare organisations throughout Wicklow.

The funding is to be made available with immediate effect to ASH Animal Rescue; Aughrim Cat Rescue; Greystones Kitty Hostel; The Irish Horse Protection League in Blessington; The Irish Horse Welfare Trust based in Arklow; the Traveller Animal Welfare in Rathdrum; The Kildare & West Wicklow SPCA and the Wicklow SPCA.

Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture, Andrew Doyle, acknowledged the great work of these welfare organisations and wanted to express his gratitude to their staff and volunteers.

'The workload for many of these organisations has increased over recent years on account of the greater enforcement of animal welfare legislation brought about in the main by the enactment of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, together with greater enforcement of equine identification and new dog microchipping legislation.'

Minister Doyle stressed the importance of adults being responsible when considering gifting animals as pets at this time of year.

'Getting a pet is a big responsibility, requiring extensive commitment and considerable financial burden,' said Minister Doyle. 'It is often left up to charities like the ones that received funding today to pick up the pieces once these pets are abandoned. I urge people getting pets to think about the commitment involved.'

He added that the Department would continue to work closely with animal welfare groups.

Minister Doyle reminded the public of the dedicated email address and helpline in operation in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for members of the public to report incidents of animal neglect and cruelty over the festive season.
Members of Kilmacanogue and Roundwood CFRs unveiling a public defibrilator at Djouce Golf Club during the year.

There is no doubt that 2016 has been a highly successful year for Community First Responder groups across the county.

During the past 12 months, the 21 groups covering small communities, rural areas and towns across the county attended over 600 callouts acting as agents for the National Ambulance Service.

The service, which is overseen by the HSE paid tribute to the work of these many volunteers who make such a difference in their communities.

'The National Ambulance Service wishes to acknowledge the invaluable assistance that the Community First Responder (CFR) Groups across the county provide to patients in a medical emergency,' a HSE spokesperson said.

'Over the past year, the volunteers have attended over 600 callouts in their community acting as agents for the National Ambulance Service. They attend cardiac emergency situations where patients can be suffering from cardiac arrest, choking, stroke and chest pain incidents.'

When an emergency call is received, the Community First Responders are contacted by the National Ambulance Service as part of an agreed linked protocol for the First Responders Schemes. Training is provided by the Wicklow County CFR groups as part of the National Ambulance Service 'Basic Life Support' training programme.

First Responder groups are made up of members of the public, who volunteer to assist their local community by attending medical emergency calls.

They offer assistance within agreed radius of where they live or work and providing basic emergency care whilst an emergency response resource is on route to the patient. The group is set in accordance with the First Responders Scheme managed locally by Scheme Coordinator and then linked to the National Ambulance Service (NAS).

In Arklow, the local first responder group recently celebrated its sixth year in operation. During the past year the group has fundraised and secured sponorship to install three new PADs (portable access defibrillators) at FunPalace, Careplus Pharmacy on Ferrybank and 7eleven on Abbey Street.

Chairperson John Summers said that the volunteers were very happy to have the new PADs available in Arklow and reflected on a successful year, where the group linked in with many other community organisations.

'We have been out and about teaching family and friends cpr courses and giving demonstrations to lots of our community groups including Arklow Cancer Support Group, Arklow Asthma Society, Arklow Community Women Circle, Arklow Country Womens Association, Infant and Toddler group in Arus Lorcain to name a few. We have also visited Glenart College to teach Teachers and Students life saving skills including adult, child and infant CPR, Stroke recognition and chocking. We have also given a demo to over 100 students in Gaelcholaiste Na Mara,' he said.

The Arklow CFR also participated in a car crash demonstration during the Maritime Festival and run the successful CPR to R&R propmotion which taught CPR skills to 246 people over two weekends.

Individuals, groups or communities interested in joining or establishing a CFR Group and who wished to be linked to the National Ambulance Service should contact NAS at cfr@hse.ie
Times cartoonist Peter Brookes has been given an honour

Renowned cartoonist Peter Brookes has said he is grateful to be living in a country that "criticises and satirises" its own politicians.

Describing the long-standing tradition of satirical newspaper cartoons as a particularly "British sort of humour", he said that world affairs over the last two years have provided him with the most material in his 25-year career so far.

His comments came as he was awarded a CBE for his achievements.

The 73-year-old told Press Association: "More than anything I am grateful to be living in a country that recognises cartoonists that criticise and satirise its politicians, compared to countries that imprison theirs - and worse."

After a quarter of a century providing daily pieces for The Times, he said: "These days it's the people who seem to be ruling the roost, which can be a good thing and a bad thing.

"This summer was unbelievable, there wasn't a day when there wasn't an amazing, huge political event, following the referendum. We will all remember it.

"Every day you come up with something, but some days are better than others and sometimes it's really a case of banging your head against the drawing board.

"But there isn't a day that I don't look forward to doing it."

But Brookes, from Liverpool, revealed that his job is not just about making people with a dark sense of humour laugh.

He described one of the most memorable pieces of his career as the cartoon he drew following the photo of Syrian toddler Alan Kurdi, whose body was washed up in Turkey after his family attempted to flee their home last year.

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"I drew the picture and added an EU-life ring being thrown at him," said Brookes.

"There were no words or captions, it was a symbol of the inactivity of the EU over immigration.

"It would have been very difficult to draw the thousands of immigrants at the time, so this was my way of encapsulating it.

"Not all cartoons are meant to rasie a laugh."

Looking forward to the new year following his Christmas break, Brookes added that he was keen to get stuck into the continuing Brexit issue.

"I'm looking forward to getting to grips with Theresa May and the whole Brexit thing," he said.

"That should keep me in work for a while."
This is the one thing you're doing that could be ruining your relationship.

On the way home from work you have every intention of greeting your partner with a friendly "Hi, how are you? How was your day?" and listening attentively while he or she tells you all about it.

But the minute you open the door and drop your keys on the counter, you find yourself knee-deep in an argument about how he or she bought the wrong type of pepper.

Don't worry: It's perfectly normal to get into arguments like these with your significant other every once in a while, John Gottman, a psychologist at the University of Washington and founder of the Gottman Institute, told Business Insider.

It's what happens next that you need to watch out for, he says.

When you express your frustration over the pepper mix-up, do you listen while he explains that perhaps you didn't ever tell him what type of pepper you wanted? Do you think this over, and, when you realise that maybe he's right, do you apologise? Or do you adopt an attitude and think to yourself, "What kind of an idiot doesn't know that bell peppers are for stir-fry and habaneros are for salsa?"

If you find yourself in the second situation, you're likely displaying contempt for your partner, and it could be putting your relationship in jeopardy.

Contempt, a virulent mix of anger and disgust, is far more toxic than simple frustration or negativity. It involves seeing your partner as beneath you, rather than as an equal.

Gottman and University of California at Berkeley psychologist Robert Levenson found this single behaviour is so powerful that they can use it  along with the negative behaviours of criticism, defensiveness, and stonewalling  to predict divorce with 93% accuracy.

"Contempt," says Gottman, "is the kiss of death."

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The striking 93% figure comes from a 14-year study of 79 couples living across the US Midwest (21 of whom divorced during the study period) published in 2002. Since then, decades of research into marriage and divorce have lent further support to the idea linking divorce with specific negative behaviours.

One recent study of 373 newlywed couples, for example, found that couples who yelled at each other, showed contempt for each other, or simply began to disengage from conflict within the first year of marriage were more likely to divorce, even as far as 16 years down the road.

Why are couples who exhibit this one behaviour more likely to split up?

It comes down to a superiority complex.

Feeling smarter than, better than, or more sensitive than your significant other means you're not only less likely see his or her opinions as valid, but, more importantly, you're far less willing to try to put yourself in his or her shoes to try to see a situation from his or her perspective.

Picture a resonance chamber, suggests Gottman, with each person in the relationship a source of his or her own musical (or emotional) vibrations. If each partner is closed off to the other person's vibes (or emotions) and more interested in unleashing their own feelings of disgust and superiority, these negative vibrations will resound against one another, escalating a bad situation "until something breaks," Gottman says.

If you've noticed yourself or your partner exhibiting this type of behaviour, don't despair  it doesn't mean your relationship is doomed.

Being aware that you're doing something that could negatively affect your partner is the first step to actively combating it. If you can figure out how to avoid the behaviour or replace it with a more positive one, you'll likely greatly improve the relationship  and increase your chances of staying together for longer.
Iraqi people gather at the site of bomb attack in Baghdad (AP/Karim Kadim)

At least 28 people were killed and 54 others injured when two bombs exploded in central Baghdad, Iraqi officials have said.

The attacks happened early on Saturday morning in al-Sinak, a busy market selling car accessories, food and clothes as well as agricultural seeds and machinery.

Details were sketchy in the immediate aftermath.

Police initially said a pair of back-to-back roadside bombs exploded. But a police official later said that first a roadside bomb exploded and then a suicide bomber detonated his device amid the crowd that had gathered.

Finally police concluded that the carnage was the work of a pair of suicide bombers.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts, but the Islamic State group has launched near-daily attacks in the capital in recent months.

AP

Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the blasts in a statement posted by its Aamaq news agency, confirming that the attacks were made by a pair of suicide bombers.
Debbie Reynolds' dying wish was to be with her daughter, Carrie Fisher, her son, Todd Fisher, said, in a "beautiful, magical" reunion that has left the family "broken-hearted".

The Hollywood stars will have a joint funeral and be buried together after dying within a day of each other over the Christmas period.

Singin' In The Rain star Reynolds, 84, died from a suspected stroke on Wednesday, just a day after the death of her 60-year-old daughter.

Fisher, who shot to fame as Princess Leia in Star Wars, died in hospital after suffering a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles on December 23.

Mr Fisher insisted his mother did not "die of a broken heart" following Carrie's death, revealing that her last words were about her late daughter as he announced her death.

In an interview with ABC News' 20/20 programme, Mr Fisher said: "From the family's perspective, this is Debbie's destiny. She didn't want to leave Carrie and did not want to her to be alone.

"She didn't die of a broken heart. She just left to be with Carrie."

Describing Reynolds' final moments, Mr Fisher said his mother had spoken about her love for her daughter and expressed disappointment at not seeing her return from London.

"She then said she really wanted to be with Carrie," he added.

"In those precise words, and within 15 minutes from that conversation she faded out and within 30 minutes, she technically was gone.

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"We're broken-hearted, those of us that are left behind. We also are happy that they're together. It's horrible, it's beautiful, it's magical they are together, it's beyond words, it's beyond understanding."

Mr Fisher also revealed that his mother's favourite role was her Oscar-nominated performance as Molly Brown in the 1964 musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

Fisher's body was released to her family on Friday, the Los Angeles coroner's office said.

Brian Elias, chief of operations at the coroner's office, said an "examination" of her body had been completed.

Mr Fisher said he was pleased his sister's body had been released to the family, adding: "My mother and my sister are together right now."

The pair will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, the burial site for a number of celebrities including Bette Davis, Stan Laurel and Liberace.

A date for the funeral has not been set but it will be a private ceremony, while a public memorial is also being considered, Mr Fisher said.

A documentary about Reynolds and Fisher's relationship, called Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher And Debbie Reynolds, will be shown on HBO in the US on January 7.
European capitals and cities increased security last night ahead of New Year celebrations, erecting concrete barriers in city centres and boosting police numbers after the terrorism attack in Berlin that killed 12 people.

In what is set to be Germany's biggest post-war security operation, large numbers of police will be carrying machine guns and concrete bollards will be put in place at Brandenburg Gate, where the main festivities are taking place.

The tough measures had been agreed upon following the Christmas market attack last week, according to a Berlin Police spokesman.

Entrances that have to be kept free for emergency vehicles, and will therefore not have bollards, will instead be protected by heavy armoured vehicles, he added.

The additional security measures are being put in place in the aftermath of the Isil attack on December 19, when Tunisian Anis Amri hijacked a lorry and drove it into a crowd of people at a Christmas market.

The 24-year-old escaped across the border and was shot four days later in Milan.

In Madrid, private lorries weighing 3.5 tonnes and above have been banned from entering the city on January 3 to 5 during a festival in a "preventative measure".

Elsewhere, in Germany's fourth biggest city, Cologne, security is also being heightened following a string of sexual assaults that are alleged to have taken place at the 2015 New Year festivities close to the city's cathedral. Around 1,500 police are set to patrol the city centre at tonight's event to prevent repeat attacks, according to a report. Last year, hundreds of women reported being sexually assaulted by gangs of men described as being of Arab or North African origin.

In Paris, where Isil gunmen killed 130 people last November, authorities prepared for a high-security weekend, of which the main attraction will be the fireworks at the Champs Elysees where 600,000 people are expected. Searches and crowd filtering will be carried out by private security agents. Heavily-armed soldiers will patrol tourism sites such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre museum.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
A fragile ceasefire in Syria hung in the balance yesterday after fresh clashes between government forces and rebel fighters near the capital.

The truce, brokered by Russia and Turkey, was largely holding elsewhere in the country but by late yesterday morning fighting had erupted in Wadi Barada, north-west Damascus. It was not immediately clear which side first violated the deal.

The Wadi Barada valley is a rebel-held pocket that the Syrian army and its allies have been trying to recapture in an offensive that started last week. The regime had been bombing the area heavily until the truce came into force yesterday morning. A few hours of calm followed the midnight deadline but by lunchtime the violence began again.

It was difficult to confirm the reports as the internet connection and phone lines in Wadi Barada were down. But one nearby resident said he could see four helicopters circling and heard heavy artillery fire. The clashes were the most serious of several isolated incidents of violence around the country.

More than a dozen regime air strikes were also reported in the western city of Hama and the northern opposition-held city Idlib.

Calm prevailed in most other areas included in the deal, however, and neither side appeared ready to give up on it.

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called the ceasefire a "major achievement" in a tweet yesterday. "Let's build on it by tackling the roots of extremist terror," he said.

Opposition leaders expressed a cautious optimism that the truce - the third serious attempt at a nationwide ceasefire this year - would hold.

"We are more hopeful this time because Turkey is negotiating with Russia and not the United States, which was never able to achieve much," said a Free Syrian Army officer who did not wish to give his name as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

"But we cannot be surprised if this one fails too, as many have before."

Russia and Turkey reached a detente earlier this year and have since managed to agree a truce in Aleppo as well as peace talks aimed at ending the seemingly intractable conflict.

In a sign of growing co-operation between the opposing powers, Ankara and Moscow carried out their first joint raids against Isil, in the town of al-Bab near the Turkish border on Thursday.

Ankara launched an incursion into Syria more than four months ago to drive Isil away from its frontier.

The jihadists are not included in the ceasefire.

The latest truce is the first reached without the involvement of the United Nations or US, reflecting the deterioration of ties between Moscow and Washington after the failure of previous diplomatic efforts on Syria.

While relations between Moscow and Washington appeared to worsen, Syria President Bashar al-Assad expressed hope that US president-elect Donald Trump would be less hostile to his chief ally Moscow than his predecessor.

In an interview published yesterday, the Syrian president said that he believed the best chance for long-term peace in Syria was the mending of US-Russia ties. "We can say part of the optimism could be related to better relations between the United States and Russia," Mr Assad said.

"Good relations between these two superpowers will benefit almost the entire world, including small states like Syria. In this regard, we can say that a solution for Syria is possible."

Delegates from Mr Assad's government are expected to meet sometime in the new year with members of the opposition in the Kazakhstan capital Astana, where they will discuss a potential political settlement.

Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, said the talks would be brokered by Ankara and Moscow but the US would only be invited to join after January 20, when Mr Trump takes office.

The talks are the best hope of bringing to an end the nearly six-year-long war, which has cost the lives of nearly 500,000 people, displaced more than 11 million, and sparked the biggest migration crisis since World War II.

Millions of residents of Damascus and its suburbs have been without running water for a week following an attack on the Wadi Barada springs. Rebels in the area said air strikes had damaged a water pumping station, while the government accused rebels of polluting the springs with petrol.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
A year ago, Mr Trump and his family appeared on Fox News to welcome in 2016 YouTube

Its the time of year for looking forward. Its when people look for the good in the world, and in one another, and try and let bygones be bygones.

At least, that is how it works for most people.

Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2016

On New Years Eve, President-elect Donald Trump once again underscored how untypical he is, with a Twitter message that left many people scratching their heads.

Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just dont know what to do, he wrote. Love!

Mr Trumps message comes as he finds himself at the centre of fresh controversy over his relationship with Russia, and its leader Vladimir Putin.

Last week, Barack Obama ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats from the US in retaliation for Moscows alleged cyber-meddling in the presidential election.

It was widely expected that Mr Putin would reciprocate in kind, but he chose not to. Mr Trump used Twitter to praise Mr Putins tactics, saying it was a great move.

On Friday, Mr Putin congratulated Mr Trump, rather than Mr Obama, in his annual New Years greetings statement to foreign heads of state and government.

Mr Putin said he hoped that after Trump is sworn in, the two countries, acting in a constructive and pragmatic manner, will be able to take real steps to restore the mechanisms of bilateral cooperation.

He also expressed seasonal greetings to Mr Obama, his family and the American people in a separate statement earlier on Friday.

A year ago, Mr Trump, who was merely one of many Republican candidates seeking the partys nomination, appeared on Fox News with his family, to welcome in the new year.
John T Fleming and his family - all missing since the small plane in which they were travelling disappeared from radar

The chief executive of a drinks distribution company was piloting a plane carrying his wife, two sons and two other people when it quickly lost altitude after take-off in Ohio and vanished from radar, according to his family.

The parents of Superior Beverage Company executive John T Fleming confirmed he was piloting the plane from Cleveland's lakeshore airport to Columbus when it disappeared late on Thursday about two miles over Lake Erie.

Mr Fleming's father said the other five people on the plane were the executive's wife, two teenage sons, a neighbour and the neighbour's daughter. John W Fleming described his son as "an experienced pilot".

Crews combing Lake Erie for the plane remain hopeful that the occupants could be found alive, and were in search-and-rescue mode, not recovery mode, as they scoured waters about 50ft deep, said Captain Michael Mullen, the chief of response for the Ninth Coast Guard District.

Tracking service FlightAware logged only three location pings for the plane after take-off from Burke Lakefront Airport, and the last one indicated rapid altitude loss. Authorities have said there were no distress signals from the pilot.

The aircraft took off westward from Burke, then turned north across the lake, according to the tracking service flightradar24.com. The departure procedure at Burke could take an aircraft north over the lake before turning south towards a destination, Mr Mullen said.

Still no sign of family from Columbus whose plane went down near Burke last night. Coast Guard will search until 7:30 tonight @wkyc pic.twitter.com/iOOzZYbqCT  Andrew Horansky (@WKYCAndrewH) December 30, 2016

Pilot on missing plane is CEO of Superior Beverage Group in Columbus https://t.co/an35dDGiXV pic.twitter.com/jJmq6mmrst  WLOX (@WLOX) December 30, 2016

The plane, which had made the roughly half-hour trip from Columbus earlier in the day, is registered to a limited liability company under the same Columbus address as Superior Beverage.

Authorities have detected "faint hints" but no strong pulse from an emergency locating transmitter, a beacon that could help find the plane, Mr Mullen said. Searchers have found no sign of debris.

"We're very hopeful. We will be very hopeful up until the point that we have to turn the search off and we switch over to assisting with recovery," Mr Mullen said at a news conference.

But when asked about the possibility of the two-engine jet landing safely on Lake Erie, he said: "Aircraft are not designed to float, especially in 12ft seas."

The search overnight was made difficult by snow squalls, high seas and darkness, Mr Mullen said. Weather prevented smaller Coast Guard boats in the Cleveland area from launching. A US Coast Guard helicopter and a Royal Canadian Air Force plane were used along with a Coast Guard ship from Detroit.

It would have been the pilot's responsibility to determine whether it was safe to fly, Mr Mullen said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the Cessna Citation 525 plane left Burke at 10.50pm local time, and the Coast Guard said it was notified about the missing plane by air traffic control at Burke about 30 minutes later. Investigators from the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are heading to Cleveland.

The aircraft was headed to Ohio State University Airport north west of central Columbus.
'That Mr Obama is looking to foreign policy to establish a legacy reflects, in part, the fact that since his re-election in 2012, he has achieved relatively little high profile domestic policy success' Photo: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Secretary of State John Kerry outlined on Wednesday the Obama administration's detailed vision for the future of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. He declared that the two-state solution is in serious jeopardy almost a quarter of a century after the Oslo Process began, yet forcefully argued that it offers the only path to peace.

The potentially landmark speech comes as the relationship between the Obama and Netanyahu administrations is - not for the first time - under great stress, especially following Washington's decision to abstain last Friday from a UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Mr Kerry defended that decision, asserting that the Obama team has done more for Israel than any other administration, yet acted as it did last week to try to preserve the viability of the two-state solution.

The roadmap of principles outlined by Mr Kerry - already condemned by president-elect Donald Trump - comes less than a month before he leaves office. However, he hopes to put a marker in the ground that helps shape the debate, internationally, about the peace process, and consolidates the Obama administration's foreign policy legacy.

Like Mr Obama, previous presidents have often seen foreign policy as a fundamental part of the legacy they wish to build.

For instance, after the trauma of the 2001 terrorist attacks, George W Bush sought to spread his democracy and freedom agenda across the Middle East, which included the toppling of Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime.

Bill Clinton was the last president to devote significant time to securing a comprehensive peace deal between the Israelis and Palestinians. He came relatively close to securing a breakthrough in 2000 at Camp David, but compromise ultimately proved elusive.

That Mr Obama is looking to foreign policy to establish a legacy reflects, in part, the fact that since his re-election in 2012, he has achieved relatively little high profile domestic policy success.

Many post-war era re-elected presidents, like Mr Obama, have found it hard to acquire momentum behind a significant new domestic agenda.

In part, this is because the party of re-elected presidents, as with the Democrats now, often holds a weaker position in Congress in second terms.

Thus, Dwight D Eisenhower in 1956, Richard Nixon in 1972 and Bill Clinton in 1996 were all re-elected alongside Congresses where both the House of Representatives and Senate were controlled by their partisan opponents.

This dynamic means domestic policy initiative in Washington - if it exists at all - can edge back to Congress.

This overall political context means Mr Obama has placed ever-increasing emphasis on foreign policy (which Congress has less latitude over), as Tuesday's Arab-Israeli speech by Mr Kerry exemplified. This international orientation has been especially marked as the US economic recovery has built up steam.

Laying down the potential foundations for a future Israel-Palestinian peace deal is only one key area in which Mr Obama is looking to define his legacy. Also in the Middle East, amongst his key - albeit intensely controversial - foreign policy accomplishments has also been the final, historic nuclear deal with Iran. The agreement between Tehran and the so-called P5+1 (US, China, Russia, United Kingdom, France plus Germany) was a major victory for Mr Kerry and Mr Obama, albeit one that the incoming Trump administration may now seek to unwind in 2017.

The landmark deal has long-term potential not just to help forge a lasting rapprochement with Iran. For it also holds possibility, ultimately, to help transform the wider geopolitics of the Middle East, and help consolidate Mr Obama's broader desire to enhance global nuclear security. In this policy area, as well as pushing inter-state nuclear diplomacy with countries like Iran and also Russia too, Mr Obama has created the Nuclear Security Summit process to counter nuclear terrorism which he has described as the "most immediate and extreme threat to global security".

Turning to the Americas, the Obama team has sought to reset relations with Cuba. In December 2014, the two countries announced they would restore diplomatic relations, and Mr Obama became the first US president to visit the country in almost 90 years in March.

Perhaps Mr Obama's biggest regret on the foreign front will be that his plans for the pivot of US policy toward the Asia-Pacific were not advanced further, especially through the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement between the US and 11 countries in the Americas and Asia-Pacific (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam) that collectively account for about 40pc of global gross domestic product.

With this agreement, Mr Obama had wanted to 'lock-in' his re-orientation of US international policy towards the region and other markets in the Americas, allowing the country to help write what US officials have called "the rules of the road" for the 21st century world economy.

Yet, with Mr Trump's election, the deal now looks dead in the water.

Most likely, the initiative is now over and into the vacuum that has emerged might well be Chinese-led trade deals such as the proposed Free Trade Area of Asia Pacific, plus the planned Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Taken overall, Mr Obama's legacy will rest heavily on foreign affairs. He scored important successes with Iran and Cuba, but this is tempered by failure to advance the Asia-Pacific pivot more fully.

Andrew Hammond is an Associate at LSE IDEAS (the Centre for International Affairs, Diplomacy and Strategy) at the London School of Economics.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, centre, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow Photo: Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Donald Trump last night praised Vladimir Putin as "very smart" for not engaging in a tit-for-tat row with the US over the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats accused of espionage.

In a piece of high diplomatic theatre, the Russian president defied expectations of a Cold War-style mutual expulsion and instead met the Obama administration's sanctions with a show of magnanimity.

Expand Close US president-elect Donald Trump Photo: AP Photo/Evan Vucci / Facebook

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Chiding the outgoing president for a "provocation" designed to undermine US-Russian relations, Mr Putin chose instead to look forward to the administration of Mr Trump, who has promised a re-set with Moscow.

"We will not create problems for American diplomats. We will not expel anyone," he said.

"Furthermore, I invite all children of US diplomats accredited in Russia to the Christmas and New Year tree in the Kremlin."

The Russian leader added: "Further steps towards the restoration of Russian-American relations will be built on the basis of the policy which the administration of President D Trump will carry out."

Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2016

Mr Trump responded in a message on Twitter, saying: "Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!"

In his annual list of Christmas greetings to world leaders, Mr Putin also pointedly declined to even mention Mr Obama, but in his message to Theresa May, said he hoped for a "positive development of bilateral relations" with Britain.

Downing Street did not issue a formal response last night, but a government source indicated that the UK would continue to take a "constructive yet firm" approach to relations with Russia over Ukraine and Syria.

The US has ordered the closure of two Russian weekend retreats in Maryland and New York, giving the 35 diplomats until tomorrow to leave the country.

Expand Close President Barack Obama Photo: AP Photo/Marco Garcia / Facebook

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The Kremlin was last night reportedly preparing to send a plane for them.

Dmitri Trenin, head of the Carnegie Moscow Centre, said that Mr Putin's response was an investment in relations with Mr Trump's incoming administration.

Mr Putin's diplomatic coup de theatre came a day after he announced a Russian and Turkish-brokered peace plan for Syria that effectively sidelined the US as a player in the conflict.

In a sign of the deepening alliance between Ankara and Moscow, Russian and Turkish jets carried out joint air strikes. The fragile nationwide ceasefire between President Bashar al-Assad's government and rebel forces appeared to be holding yesterday.

Mr Obama decided to expel the 35 Russian diplomats and close down the two diplomatic compounds in New York and Maryland in retaliation for Moscow's alleged interference in the US presidential elections.

He said the diplomats were actually spies and the two compounds had been used for intelligence gathering.

At the same time, he ordered sanctions against Russia's GRU and FSB intelligence agencies, and six named Russian individuals.

They included Lt Gen Korobov, head of the GRU, and three of his deputies.

The other two were Alexei Belan and Yevgeny Bogachev, two Russians wanted by the FBI for cyber-crimes for years.

Three computer companies alleged to have provided "material support" to the GRU were also sanctioned.

Maria Zakharova, a Russian foreign ministry spokesman, said a total of 96 people would be leaving the US.

The Russian embassy in London called it "Cold War deja vu", and said the US "wanted to destroy" ties with Moscow. It tweeted a picture of a duck and the word "lame".

Mr Obama said the 35 expelled diplomats were "intelligence operatives".

He linked the sanctions to harassment of US diplomats in Moscow, which Washington described as unprecedented.

In Moscow, officials launched bitter attacks on Mr Obama.

Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian prime minister, wrote on Twitter that the administration was "ending its term in anti-Russian agony".

Ms Zakharova called Mr Obama's administration "an embittered group of foreign policy failures" and promised "counter-measures".

Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, had earlier yesterday publicly advised Mr Putin to expel 35 US diplomats and close down two US diplomatic compounds, in a tit-for-tat response.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Irish American businessman Brian P Burns, right, with Donald Trump and his wife Melania

Donald Trump will name Brian P Burns as the 32nd US ambassador to Ireland.

Mr Burns (80), who traces his roots to Co Kerry, has been tipped for the role, according to the presidential campaign correspondent for 'The New York Times'.

A businessman, US attorney and philanthropist from Massachusetts, he is known as a close personal friend of Mr Trump.

Mr Burns is also an art collector, whose personal collection has been shown at Dublin's Hugh Lane Gallery.

The Harvard graduate had been first mooted as a contender by the New York publication earlier this month. But on social media yesterday reporter Maggie Haberman said she had raised the issue with the controversial president-elect.

"In my minor ambassador obsession, Trump tells me he intends to make Brian Burns, son of Joe Kennedy adviser, the ambassador to Ireland," she said.

Mr Burns was understood to have been actively seeking the role and was a vocal supporter of the divisive candidate during his campaign against Hillary Clinton. He is the chairman of BF Enterprises, a real estate holding and development company.

In 1963, he became the youngest director of the American Irish Foundation, which was established that year by then US president John F Kennedy and Eamon de Valera.

He is the chief benefactor of the Irish Famine memorial in Massachusetts.

According to Irish American news website Irish Central, the Burns family and the Trumps have been close for some time.

Before the Republican primary in Florida, Mr Burns, speaking from Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, said he was going to be successful.

Michael George, a Wall Street businessman and native of Belfast, was also considered to be a contender for the Irish ambassadorial post.

If given the nod, Mr Burns would replace outgoing US President Barrack Obama's current ambassador here, Kevin O'Malley. Mr O'Malley has been ambassador to Ireland since October 2014, when he replaced Dan Rooney.

Mr Trump's inauguration as 45th US president will take place on January 20.
Large crowds of South Koreans gathered on New Year's Eve for another rally demanding the ousting of impeached President Park Geun-hye, who is determined to restore her powers through a court trial.

Carrying signs and candles and blowing horns, they packed the street in front of an old palace gate in the capital, Seoul, which has been the centre of massive but peaceful demonstrators in recent weeks. Protesters later marched near the city's presidential palace and the Constitutional Court.

Ms Park's supporters rallied in nearby streets, surrounded by thick lines of police.

The court has up to six months to decide whether Ms Park should permanently step down over a corruption scandal or be reinstated. The judges said on Friday that she cannot be forced to give evidence in the impeachment trial as it enters its argument phase next week.

Protest organisers estimate that nearly nine million people took part in anti-Park rallies nationwide on the previous nine Saturdays. The historically biggest protest movement in the country pushed politicians to vote for Ms Park's impeachment on December 9.

State prosecutors have accused Ms Park of colluding with longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil to extort money and favours from the country's largest companies and allowing her to manipulate her administration. Ms Park has apologised for putting faith in her jailed friend, but has denied any legal wrongdoing.

"Choi Soon-sil has shown us that our democracy was shattered," said Lee Hae-jin, who protested for the 10th consecutive Saturday in Seoul, carrying a large South Korean flag and wearing black traditional hanbok and a black dance mask which he said was a commentary on the state of the country's democracy.

"I hope in 2017 we will see our democracy repaired," he added.

State prosecutors have now handed over the investigation to a special prosecution team, which has been focusing on proving allegations of bribery between Ms Park and the Samsung Group. The technology giant is suspected of sponsoring Choi in exchange for government favours.

On Saturday, investigators questioned Moon Hyung-pyo, the country's arrested former health minister, over allegations that he forced the National Pension Service to support a merger between two Samsung affiliates last year.

The deal shaved the fund's stake in one of the companies by an estimated hundreds of millions of dollars in value, but allowed Samsung scion Lee Jae-yong to promote a father-to-son succession of leadership and increase corporate wealth at the group.

Investigators also detained a literature professor from Ewha Womans University as they look into suspicions that the prestigious Seoul school manipulated its admission process to accept Choi's daughter, Yoora Chung, and afterwards provided her academic favors.

The professor, Ryu Cheol-gyun, is a famous novelist who in 1997 wrote a story critics saw as glorifying Ms Park's father, murdered military dictator Park Chung-hee, whose legacy as a successful economic strategist was marred by violent records of civilian oppression.

Investigators are also looking into allegations that Ms Park's administration blacklisted thousands of artists for their political beliefs.

AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin, centre, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, left, and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow Photo: Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

The United Nations Security Council on Saturday adopted a resolution endorsing a ceasefire in the Syrian civil war brokered by Russia and Turkey.

Russia and Turkey announced the ceasefire this week, the third truce this year seeking to end the nearly six years of war in Syria.

The resolution also welcomes plans for talks to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan between the Syrian government and the opposition, ahead of the resumption of U.N.-brokered talks in Geneva in February.

In remarks after the vote, several delegates on the Security Council welcomed the ceasefire but said the agreement contained gray areas and that its implementation was fragile.

Expand Close Rebel fighters walk near damaged buildings in al-Rai town, northern Aleppo countryside, Syria December 30, 2016. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi / Facebook

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Whatsapp Rebel fighters walk near damaged buildings in al-Rai town, northern Aleppo countryside, Syria December 30, 2016. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
Besieged opposition pockets around the Syrian capital of Damascus have seen no reprieve in fighting despite a nationwide ceasefire agreement which went into effect more than 36 hours ago, activists said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said on Saturday that at least two civilians and five militants have been killed in battles over the opposition-held Eastern Ghouta and Barada Valley regions.

The Barada Valley Media Centre said Russian and Syrian government aircraft are striking villages in the water-rich region for the 10th consecutive day.

The raids have coincided with a severe water shortage in Damascus since December 22. The valley is the region's primary source of water.

On Friday, the Syrian military denied attacking the valley, saying it would not violate the truce brokered by Russia and Turkey.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is due to vote on a resolution endorsing the ceasefire in Syria and reinforcing support for a road map to peace, starting with a transitional government.

The Russian-sponsored draft resolution calls for "rapid, safe and unhindered" access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country.

It also looks forward to a meeting in late January between the Syrian government and opposition in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, "as an important part of the Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations".

Russia and Turkey, which brokered the ceasefire, are on opposing sides of the Syrian conflict.

Moscow along with Iran, provides crucial military support to Syrian President Bashar Assad, while Turkey has long served as a rear base and source of supplies for the rebels.

Divisions in the Security Council between Russia and the veto-wielding Western powers - the US, Britain and France who support the moderate opposition and demand that Assad steps down - have blocked action to end the war, now in its sixth year.

Russia and Turkey sent the ceasefire agreement and the draft resolution to Security Council members on Thursday night.

After closed discussions in the council on Friday morning, Russia's UN ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, circulated a revised draft, urged council members to support it and called for a vote on Saturday, saying t he council needed to participate "in this important process".

The council is due to meet at 11am New York time (4pm GMT) on Saturday.

The ceasefire deal, if it holds, would mark a potential breakthrough in a conflict which began in 2011 with an uprising against decades of rule by Assad's family and has left more than 250,000 dead, more than 13.5 million in need of urgent assistance, and has triggered a refugee crisis across Europe.

The draft resolution reiterates "that the only sustainable solution to the current crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process based on the Geneva communique of June 30 2012", which has been endorsed by the council.

The communique, adopted by key nations, calls for the formation of a transitional government with full executive powers "on the basis of mutual consent" and steps leading to elections.

Mr Churkin told reporters "there is no competition" between the talks in Astana and negotiations that UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura hopes to arrange between the government and opposition in Geneva on February 8.

"As you know, Staffan de Mistura had trouble reconvening the talks, so Russia and Turkey obviously decided to give the United Nations a hand in pushing things forward and this is what we see happening," Mr Churkin said.

He said Mr de Mistura had been in contact with the Russian government and "indicated his eagerness to help organise the Astana meetings, "so we expect the United Nations to be fully involved in the preparations of the meetings".

Mr Churkin said Russia's understanding was that seven major rebel groups had joined the ceasefire, representing 60,000 fighters, "and they control a large chunk of the territory of Syria".

As with previous failed ceasefire attempts, the current agreement excludes both the al Qaida-affiliated Fatah al-Sham Front, which fights alongside other rebel factions, and the Islamic State group.

If the Astana meetings are successful, Mr Churkin said, "they could move on to Geneva as far as I am concerned, so we don't see any competition there or overlapping of the two processes".

He said Russia and Turkey had made clear they wanted other countries to participate in the Astana meetings.

He said Iran would definitely participate "actively" in preparing the meetings and in Russia's view Egypt could join the preparatory process now.

Mr Churkin said there were other very important players who were welcome, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar and "we do expect the Trump administration after it comes into the White House on January 20 will be an important participant".

The United States was left out of the ceasefire agreement, reflecting the deterioration of relations between Moscow and the Obama administration after the failure of US-Russian diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting in Aleppo and elsewhere in Syria.

AP
CONCORD- As Cabarrus County Schools continued to grow in 2016, adjustments had to be made to accommodate its over 30,000 students. The school system created new school boundaries, approved a new School Choice plan, continued to finalize plans to build a new high school and created a year-round school.

Below are just some of the top stories from Cabarrus County Schools this year.

CCS approves new School Choice Plan

CONCORD- After hours of discussion, after dozens of emails from concerned parents and teachers, after meetings full of intense debate, the Cabarrus County Board of Education finally approved a School Choice Plan to expand its magnet offerings in July 2016.

The plan implements a three-year plan that will add STEM, IB and immersion programs to various elementary and middle schools across the district as well as create magnet pipelines from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Phase one will go into effect for the 2017-18 school year.

On the primary school level, Irvin Elementary will have an IB program along with Spanish immersion, and Winecoff Elementary will offer Spanish immersion.

C.C. Griffin and Northwest Cabarrus middle schools will become neighborhood STEM schools, phasing in sixth grade in 2017 and becoming whole school by 2019. J.N. Fries becomes a STEM magnet with a neighborhood zone, phasing in beginning with sixth grade.

The IB program now at J.N. Fries will move to Concord Middle School, and Winkler Middle School will also add an IB magnet; both programs will operate as whole-school initiatives.

Northwest Cabarrus High School will start a freshman STEM academy.

In fall of 2018, Wolf Meadow and Weddington Hills elementary schools will each open a Spanish immersion program. Royal Oaks Elementary will add a Fine Arts Magnet, Winecoff Elementary will become a STEM magnet and Harrisburg Elementary will add Mandarin immersion.

In either 2019 or 2020, the new high school on Weddington Road will open with an IB academy.

New boundaries for J.N. Fries approved

CONCORD- After the systems school choice plan was approved, staff got to work discussing a new attendance zone and boundaries for J.N. Fries Magnet Middle School. The plan adds about 400 students to the school by giving it an attendance boundary beginning the 2017-18 school year.

The new boundary begins at the intersection of Old Charlotte Road and Warren C. Coleman Boulevard. It will follow the east side of Old Charlotte Road to the intersection of Roberta Road. The boundary will continue following the east side of Robert Road to Coddle Creek. It will follow Coddle Creek to NC Highway 49.

The boundary will follow the west side of NC Highway 49 to Warren C. Coleman Boulevard and then follow the south side of Warren C. Coleman to its origination point with Old Charlotte Road.

Cabarrus Tech opens

CONCORD- The school system opened its second early college in August. Cabarrus Tech officially opened on the campus of Rowan-Cabarrus Community Colleges Business & Technology Center.

The school is a STEM Early College with a focus on engineering and computer science. Students course work and activities revolve around these themes.

While at Cabarrus Tech, students have the ability to earn the Associate in Science, the Associate in Arts or the Applied Associate in Science degree. Students can pursue their interest in Computer Integration Technology, Construction Management Technology and Electric Engineering Technology.

Wolf Meadow begins year-round calendar

CONCORD- After working for two years to get it approved, Wolf Meadow Elementary School began its year-round schedule in July 2016. The school had about 600 students that headed back into the classroom while other students were still on summer break.

Adam Auerbach, who was principal at Wolf Meadow at the time, said his hopes were that the calendar would improve student performance and combat summer learning loss.

The school also held its first intercession camps in 2016. Topics included cooking, karate, science and a variety of others. The camps were free for students.

New W.R. Odell Elementary School opens

CONCORD- In August of 2016, the new W.R. Odell Elementary School for students in grades third-fifth opened on Odell School Road. The former W.R. Odell Elementary on Moss Farm Street also became W.R. Odell Primary for students in kindergarten-second grade.

The decision to split W.R. Odell and create two schools was made to address growth and overcrowding at Odell and Cox Mill Elementary School.

The new school is located where the original W.R. Odell Elementary School once stood and it was built to be energy efficient.

Each of the three hallways has clerestory windows that bring light into classrooms and every classroom has solar tubes. The solar tubes are cylinder and used to bring natural light into buildings to replace electric lights. Other lights in the classrooms are LED and automatically dim if there is enough light coming through the solar tubes.

The new school also incorporated some design elements from the original W.R. Odell, which was built in the 1920s.

Principal of the Year replaces Principal of the Year

CONCORD- In September 2016, Cabarrus County Schools Principal of the Year resigned after being named principal of Concord High School in February 2016.

Mike Jolley resigned from the position as principal at Concord for unknown reasons. He had also served as principal at Northwest Cabarrus High School.

After Jolleys resignation, Adam Auerbach was selected to leave his position as principal of Wolf Meadow Elementary School and take over at Concord. His first day at Concord was September 12.

Auerbach is a former Cabarrus County Schools Principal of the Year and was named the 2015 NC Southwest Regional Principal of the Year.

Auerbachs appointment to Concord was a surprise to him and the Wolf Meadow community, where he had been the principal since 2011.

CCS wins second i3 grant; could mean $3 million for magnet programs

CONCORD- Cabarrus County Schools won its second i3 grant from the U.S. Department of Education in 2016, which could land the school system with $3 million to expand magnet programs.

The Investing in Innovation (i3) competition will award more than $103 million to launch and expand evidence-based practices that support educators and transform students academic experiences. Fifteen applications were selected from 385 districts.

This means that CCS wil receive nearly $3 million for the development of EMPOWER: Expanding Magnet Program Options, Widening Educational Reach, which promotes diversity and will serve an estinated 10,008 students- 32 percent of the district.
KANNAPOLIS- This year, the Kannapolis Police Department completed a move into its new home and worked to keep drugs out of the city. Here are some of the top stories from the department in 2016.

Kannapolis police complete move to new department

KANNAPOLIS- Kannapolis Police Chief Woody Chavis lowered the American flag outside of the citys old police department for the last time in March 2016. He said goodbye to that department, which was located in an old funeral home building on South Main Street, and his department officially finished moving into its new headquarters on Laureate Way.

The police department operated out of rental properties since 1983 and moved to the old Whitleys Funeral Home location in 1989.

The new department, in the same building as Kannapolis City Hall, has more than 10,000 square feet of space and sits on 6.6 acres that were donated to the City of Kannapolis by David H. Murdock. The building is three stories and about 40 percent of it houses the Kannapolis Police Department.

Kannapolis Police charge coworker with murder

KANNAPOLIS- David Myron Dover of China Grove was arrested and charged with the murder of Arthur Lee Buddy Davis in May.

Officers were called to a residence at 2000 Chris Ann Lane on Tuesday, May 10 regarding a death investigation. Upon arrival they found Davis, 79, deceased.

A release from the police department said Dover and Davis knew each other well and were co-workers at a local car dealership.

Dover was charged with first degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon.

Operation Clean Sweep

KANNAPOLIS- In April of 2016, law enforcement officials arrested 23 suspected drug dealers as a result of an extensive undercover operation.

The Kannapolis Police Department conducted the operation in an effort to address the sudden increase in opiate-related overdose cases and other drug complaints received from the citizens of Kannapolis. The operation was conducted by the Kannapolis Police Departments vice/narcotics unit.
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
In a year where cities were getting bombed and global warming was killing the planet, one good thing happened - many animals were rescued and given a new life by goodhearted humans. From a puppy who was thrown in hot tar to a parrot whose beak was broken, every living being on this list was shown some TLC by good Samaritans, which then healed their wounds quickly.

Here are 18 such examples that restored our faith in humanity, assuring us that not all humans are hooligans!

1. This dog completely transformed from an untouchable to an adorable pet

Image Credit: boredpanda

2. This man stayed back in war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned cats

Image Credit: boredpanda



3. A sick tiger cub was rescued from a circus. With great love and care, he recovered swiftly

Image Credit: boredpanda

4. This injured tortoise received the world's first 3D printed shell

Image Credit: boredpanda



5. This South Korean woman rescued 200 dogs who were being sold to a restaurant. She now looks after them herself.

Image Credit: boredpanda

6. This guy adopted a one-eyed-dog as a pet as he has vision in only one eye

Image Credit: boredpanda

7. An imam lets stray cats enter the mosque and make it home

Image Credit: boredpanda

8. A bird built a nest on a police car, and the cops then attached an umbrella for its safety

Image Credit: boredpanda

9. There's a man who gives old shelter dogs free haircuts

Image Credit: boredpanda

10. This cop saved a sloth who was terrified of crossing roads

Image Credit: boredpanda

11. This man was beaten up for saving 1000 dogs from getting killed at the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in China

Image Credit: boredpanda

12. A puppy in India was covered in hot tar. Animal Care Unlimited rescued it and scrubbed it for 3 hours to remove the sticky tar

Image Credit: boredpanda

13. A US soldier brought back a kitten from Afghanistan to the USA and she paid $2000 in shipping

Image Credit: boredpanda



14. A kangaroo hugs her rescuers everyday to show them how grateful she feels

Image Credit: boredpanda



15. A man took his cancer diagnosed dog on an epic final trip

Image Credit: boredpanda

16. This guy rescued a baby moose and watched it grow. They are inseparable friends now.

Image Credit: boredpanda

17. Some teens broke a Toucan parrot's beak. It then received a 3D printed beak

Image Credit: boredpanda

18. A Romanian soldier performed CPR on a dog to save its life

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Scientific and crime mysteries can take years to be solved. The year 2016 did not see the end to mysteries that occurred within it or even prior. From the largest die-off event of the Saiga antelopes species to the whereabouts of MH370, the year did not see solutions. Take a look at the mysteries.

1. 120,000 antelopes dying in just a few days?

Image Credit: SERGEI KHOMENKO/FAO

In May, there was a massive die-off of the critically endangered saiga antelope throughout central Kazakhstan. The UN reported that more than 120,000 antelopes died from mid-May through the end of the month. Scientists blame two pathogens, one known as Pasteurella and the other as Clostridia that contributed to the rapid and widespread die-off. However, there is no specific solution to the mystery.

2. The missing MH370 flight

Image Credit: dailyexpress

Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 which lost contact with air traffic controllers and went off the radar in March 2014 still has no sign of closure. An entire plane with 239 people aboard disappearing into thin air is one of the biggest mysteries of the decade. The search is still on and there is no sight of the crash site yet.

3. The curious case of the creepy clowns

Image Credit: usatoday

At least two people filed police reports after spotting a clown lurking around Clifton Park, a suburban town outside Albany in USA. A woman who only identified herself as Alyssa told the local TV station she saw a creepy clown outside the laundry room of her apartment complex. The police, however, didnt find any such clowns in the town. Were they for real or were they a figment of Alyssas imagination?

4. These patterns in remote Kazakhstan

Image Credit: NASA

Dmitriy Dey spotted weird patterns throughout remote parts of Kazakhstan which resembled giant swastikas on Google Earth. There are nearly 300 of these strange formations and scientists still dont know where they are from.

5. The ships filled with corpses being sent to Japan

Image Credit: mashable

Mysterious wrecked ships carrying decomposing bodies were found off Japans northwestern coast. More than 30 boats were found in 2015. There were around 65 boats the year before and 80 in 2013. Many suspect that it is the doing of North Korea, as the ship had a scrap of cloth resembling a torn bit of the North Korean flag! However, this is still not confirmed.

6. The prospect of life on Saturn

Its not confirmed, but it was speculated that Enceladus, the icy geyser moon of Saturn, might be a place for life. The planet which is composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium, with only some traces of water ice in its lower cloud deck will keep scientists busy, giving them a hint of life.

7. The mysterious piece of space junk

Some scientists caught sight of a mysterious piece of space debris which burned up in the Earth's atmosphere above the Indian Ocean in November 2016. It was named WT1190F and NASA tried to investigate the facts behind it. However, nearly two months later, they still arent sure what the object actually is. It is speculated its the second stage of a rocket. Nothing concrete has been concluded after the research.
We all know that surgical strikes carried out by Indian Army to avenge Uri attack the impending night of September 28-29 will continue to haunt Pakistan for years to come. But do you know that Pakistan is venting out its frustration on poor Indian fisherman it arrested from Arabian sea.

One of the fisherman recently released from a Pakistan jail claimed that the inmates were beaten up on several occasions after Indian Army conducted surgical strikes on PoK.

After the surgical strikes by India across LoC we were forced to work in two shifts which was against the rules and beaten up for not performing duties to the satisfaction of jail authorities, Ramchandra Tandel, a native of Navsari, who arrived at coastal town of Veraval after being released from Pakistani jail on December 25, told PTI on Friday.

After surgical strikes, Pakistan had also banned screening of Indian films and the fisherman also missed watching movies. In the initial period of our custody, all of us were allowed to watch Indian movies. However, it was suddenly stopped and only Pakistani movies were screened, said Tandel, who was arrested from Okha port about 12 months ago on charges of entering Pakistani territorial waters.

We even requested Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to direct jail authorities to start screening of Indian movies, he said.

Gujarat Fisherman Association (GFA) has also condemned Pakistan authorities for mishandling the arrested fisherman as the condition of one fisherman, Bhagwan Solanki suffered a paralytic stroke in jail.

AFP

His (Solankis) health is in very bad condition as he suffered a severe paralytic stroke in jail. How can a healthy person suffer attack in jail? It raises questions on negligence of Pakistani authorities in providing medical treatment to the jailed fisherman, Indian Express quoted Velji Masani senior vice-president of GFA .

The jail officials even did not inform the family members about the stroke suffered by Solanki, said Masani. He observed that had Pakistani authorities sent him (Solanki) to Gujarat soon after suffering attack on humanitarian ground, this situation would not have arised.

The 110 fishermen released on December 25 by Pakistan, arrived in Veraval about 300 kms from Vadodara today. Pakistan has decided to release 439 Indian fishermen in two batches as a goodwill gesture to strengthen ties amid cross border tension. A batch of 220 fishermen was released on December 25 with another batch of 219 to be released on January 5, 2017.
If the sudden announcement on demonetisation on November 8 had caught most of us off guard, PM Narendra Modis decision to address to the nation once more on New Years Eve is likely to leave people gasping for breath. Just before you start dancing to your favourite numbers, PM will come to the TV screens at your homes, clubs and bars.

AFP

More than the impending celebrations, now people are mulling what could PM Modi come up with, when he begins his speech with any of his three famous starters- "Mitron", "Bhaiyon or Behno" or "Mere Pyare Deshwasiyon".

The government has already increased the ATM withdrawal limit from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4000. However, there are still several things that people expect from him this evening. Here some possible announcements he may make:

PTI

1. Sops for cashless transactions

Since the goal-posts regarding the demonetisaton has been shifted vigorously by government and RBI, and a drive which started as a crusade against black money soon garbed itself into the campaign for cashless economy, PM Modi might announce more rewards on cashless transactions.

AFP

Through Digi Dhan Melas and contests, the Modi government is already promoting and pushing people to adopt digital means of financial transactions. The Prime Minister may announce yet another set of tax sops.

2. Further crackdown on black money hidden as Benami Property

PM Modi might announce heavy crackdown on Benami property as second front of the battle against black money. Modi has been talking it for quite a while now and in his recent Mann Ki Baat, the radio address he does, he said that the law against Benami Property would soon become operational.

Indian Express

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 gathering dust. 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 had said.

3. He may explain gains from demonetisation

In order to contain the growing voice of opposition and his critics over the flawed implementation of demonetisation, PM Modi might come up with an explanation before the nation that how success the demonetisation has been for India and what benefits, Indian economy is going to get in years to come. If PM Modi is able to comprehensively sum up what the entire demonetisation drive has achieved, he may reduce the anguish of people for sure.

AFP

According to sources, all ministers have been apparently asked to visit at least 10 places and hold rallies and mass contact events. Sixty-page documents have been distributed to all ministers by the Finance Ministry, describing each aspect of demonetisation point by point.

4. He may wish Happy New Year by giving relief in tax

Post demonetisation, a rumour has been doing rounds that from the next financial year, the government might give some relief to people in taxes. Tax slabs may get decreased with income up to Rs 4 lakh per annum might go without being taxed. Finance minister, Arun Jaitely has been asked about this and till now, he hasnt denied the rumours.

PTI

Oh yes, even as all of us wait with baited breath on the next announcement from the Prime Minister, he may have a good laugh by simply wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

With PM Modi it doesnt pay to speculate, for he has a tendency of pulling a rabbit out of hat! Lets just hope that whatever he announces or says brings in acche din for India in the years to come.
Detectives from the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs and the Hyderabad Task Force police arrested four gold smugglers at RGI Airport on Friday and seized 1.2 kg of the yellow metal from their possession.

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At the passenger screening area, customs' sleuths intercepted two passengers who arrived from Jeddah in Air India's flight (AI 966) on Friday morning. The passengers had concealed broken pieces of gold biscuits in a custom-made secret pocket in their underwear, said a customs official.

The metal detectors beeped when the two passengers passed by and the sleuths pulled them aside for frisking. While they were questioning the two offenders to find out if they had any associates, Task Force sleuths, waiting outside the international arrival hall, nabbed two more passengers who managed to hoodwink their customs counterparts.

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The other two passengers have also been handed over to the customs sleuths and from the four offenders, 1.2 kilo gold was seized.

The officials said that all the four passengers were from Old City and the smugglers had handed them over the gold at Jeddah international airport before they boarded the flight on Thursday night.

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Task Force police said that details of the gold smuggling gang would be revealed to media on Saturday. The offenders were being grilled by the detectives to extract additional information about city-based gold smuggling gangs.
Foreseeing a traffic nightmare during the three days of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), starting January 7, which will see a host of top politicians in the city, the state government has decided to ferry them from the airport to the venue in helicopters.

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Even on Friday, Bengaluru got a taste of what would be in store. President Pranab Mukherjee was in town briefly for an event in Shankarapuram. Later, the chief minister went to see off the President to the HAL airport and then headed to Kempegowda International Airport to leave for Delhi to meet the Prime Minister. As a result, the traffic on these roads came to a standstill.

Picking up the VVIPs in choppers during the three-day event would prevent such traffic disasters. Moreover, to ensure that the intra-city movements of these dignitaries dont affect the traffic in Central Business District, the state government has advised all guests to book hotels in the eastern and western parts of Bengaluru, steering clear of city centre.

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RV Deshpande, minister for large and medium industries, and infrastructure development, promised that PBD would cause only minimum inconvenience. All VVIPs, including the President and the Prime Minister will be flown to the venue from HAL airport through choppers. Other dignitaries too, depending on the protocol, will be flown in choppers to the venue.

Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre, the venue, has two helipads. We have built two more to accommodate the air traffic. There will not be any major convoy passing through busy streets of Bengaluru, he told Mirror.

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While agreeing that the VVIP movement during the three days might cause some inconvenience to the general public, Deshpande said the event would serve the city well by bringing in investments.

Cautious of general traffic in the CBD area, the state government has advised the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to advise its guests to book star hotels in East and West Bengaluru.

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As MEA is coordinating with the overseas guests, we have given them our list of star hotels and their tariff along Ballari Road and Tumakuru Road, and have urged them to advise dignitaries to book hotels along the same stretch. Delegates attending PBD need not come into the city.

They could check into the hotels on the way and reach the venue by travelling along the Outer Ring Road. To make things easier, the BDA has completed the Jalahalli flyover in record time. We are thankful to them, said Deshpande.

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For those interested in visiting the city, its historical attractions, corporate houses, industries, the tourism department has organised sightseeing and industry visits, and delegates can avail the facility.

These guided tours not only reduce time taken to travel around the city, but also minimise traffic disturbances. This is the fourth mega event of international standard which is being held in the city after our government took over and all the departments are cooperating in preparing the city to host such a big event, said the minister.
India's first transgender college principal, Manabi Bandopadhyay, has submitted her resignation after about one-and-a-half years in office, expressing frustration at "non-cooperation" of a section of teachers and students of her institution.

BCCL

Nadia District Magistrate Sumit Gupta said he had received her letter of resignation from the post of Principal of Krishnagar Women's College in the district on December 27 and forwarded it to the state Higher Education department on Wednesday.

Also Read: They Would Be More Comfortable Seeing Me With A Begging Bowl, Alleges India's First Transgender College Principal

Manabi alleged that she started facing non-cooperation from a section of teachers soon after she took over as the principal of the well-known women's college on June 9, 2015.

BCCL

On the other hand, the teachers also levelled the same allegation against the principal, resulting in a standoff. A four-member team, led by Joint Director of Public Instruction (DPI) RP Bhattacharjee, visited the college recently on a fact-finding mission and talked to the principal and teachers.

Also Read: #BreakingBarriers Manabi Bandhopadhyay Set To Be World's First Transgender Principal

Manabi said, "All of my colleagues went against me. Some of the students went against me. I tried to bring back discipline and an atmosphere of education in the college. Most probably, that is why they went against me. I always got co-operation from the local administration, but never got it from my colleagues and students."

BCCL

She went on to say that she had been under tremendous mental pressure and could not take it anymore, forcing her to resign.

"I feel tired due to the agitation and gherao by the students and teachers. I faced a lot of legal notices from their end. I had come to this college with new hopes and dreams but I was defeated...," she said.

BCCL

Manabi (51), whose earlier name was Somnath, underwent a series of operations in 2003-2004 and became a woman. In 1995, she published the country's first transgender magazine, 'Ob-Manab' (sub-human).
The accused Shihshad, a native of Ponnyampalam, have been slapped with murder charges.
The Indian security agencies are suspecting that the Islamic State's (IS) members returning to India may stage 'lone wolf'attacks in different cities.

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According to reports, intelligence agencies estimate that number of Indians battling it out as foreign fighters in IS territory is between 40 and 50.

"As the IS territory shrinks due to pressure from the coalition forces, there is a possibility that these Indian youth may be forced to head back home. Given that these cadres are battletrained, highly-radicalised and willing to go to any lengths to realise the IS goal of a 'borderless Caliphate', they will pose a direct terror threat," said an intelligence officer.

Also Read: India Has Put 68 ISIS Supporters In Jail This Year, Minister Informs Parliament

The agencies fear that the "disengaged" foreign fighters hailing from India may, upon returning home, plan "lone wolf" attacks here and also radicalise other Indian youth using pro-IS propaganda.

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This, they feel, is far more serious than the current trend of online radicalisation by Syria and Afghanistan-based IS recruiters and handlers, as a direct, personal indoctrination would have far more impact and outreach.

Also Read: Thane Youth Who Joined ISIS And Vowed 'Jihad Against Infidel India' Killed In Syria

IS propaganda gives its followers two options to wage jihad and realise its ultimate aim of creating a global Caliphate. They can either travel to Iraq, Syria or areas under IS hold in Afghanistan, or indulge in lone-wolf attacks anywhere in the world.

"With the IS territory in Iraq and Syria now shrinking, there is an apprehension that its foreign fighters may head back to their respective countries. They are seen as a potential threat by all these countries, which include India," an intelligence officer pointed out.

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Lieutenant General Sean MacFarland, the outgoing commander of the US-led coalition fighting IS, had in August this year told a Pentagon press briefing that the number of IS fighters had fallen as a result of international military efforts against the group, also known as "Daesh".

Also Read: Two Youths From Maharashtra Have Joined ISIS After Leaving Home On Pretext Of Working In Middle East

"We estimate that over the past 11 months we've killed about 25,000 enemy fighters. When you add that to the 20,000 estimated killed prior to our arrival, that's 45,000 enemy taken off the battlefield," MacFarland was quoted as saying.
The US has now proposed joint development and production of futuristic military helicopters as well as infantry combat vehicles in the first such big-ticket programmes under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) with India.

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Top government sources said the two projects would be discussed threadbare in the ensuing DTTI meeting (probably February) after the Donald Trump administration takes over in the US on January 20. India has already shown interest in the US offer for participation in its "future vertical-lift (FVL) aircraft" programme, which includes development of five different helicopters or "capability sets" over the next 15 years at a cost of around $8 billion, said the sources.

1. This New Years, Think Twice Before Using The Breathalyser Test, As It Can Carry Dangerous Diseases

Its New Years Eve and returning from a party you might run into cops stationed at crossroads across the city. With police strictly enforcing the new prohibition policy, you might have to take a breath test to check for liquor consumption.

BCCL/representational image

The only hitch: you might have to blow into the same mouthpiece used by the person before you. Doctors term this dangerous as bacteria or virus can easily be transmitted from one person to other. It can also result in transmission of infectious diseases like HIV.

2. Mumbai Sees Its First 'Open' Transgender Marriage In A Temple

For years, she has fought for the rights of the LGBT community. Now she's asserted her own. On Wednesday, Madhuri Sarode, a transgender, married Jay Kumar Sharma, who she has been dating for two years, at a temple in Mumbai.

Facebook/Aher Abheena

The two met on Facebook and there was an instant connect, but it would be another two years before Madhuri finally popped the question. The two decided that they would get married according to Hindu customs and found no reason to hide their relationship from the world.



3. 'Sex Wellness' Online Boomed By 100%, But Investors Are Too Ashamed To Raise Funding

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Typing out Thatspersonal.com on your computer screen while at work will most probably lead you to a page that reads 'Access denied'. An online marketplace for adult pleasure and sexual wellness products is not considered healthy viewing, even for purely work reasons  a reflection of what some of these startups experience when they knock on investors' doors: no love at all. Experts believe that a notion of cultural taboo along with legal concerns come in the way of adult products portals such as Thatspersonal.com, ImBesharam and ItsPleazure from raising funds from institutional investors, despite dynamics such as 100 per cent year-on-year growth and operating margins of over 30 per cent.

4. After Drone Deliveries, Amazon Is Planning A Flying Warehouse

Twitter

Forget drone deliveries, American e-commerce giant Amazon announced that they fly a warehouse at an altitude of around 45,000 feet that would act as a launchpad for drones, with an aim to deliver consignments in a jiffy, media reports said today. It is after winning a patent for flying the warehouse in the US, that Amazon announced plans for an "airborne fulfillment center" (AFC) such as an airship.

5. New York Creates Wall Of 40 Ton Garbage Trucks To Defend Times Square NY Celebrations!

65 20-ton garbage trucks, loaded with extra 15 tons of sand, will be a wall around the New York's iconic New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, officials said Thursday. This move is meant to stop deadly truck-driving attacks into crowds like those in Germany and France

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This is just one of the contingency plans, along with 100 patrol cars, at intersections surrounding Times Square, and 7,000 officers, specially armed counterterrorism units and bomb-sniffing dogs. "We live in a changing world now," New York Police Department Commissioner James O'Neil said. "It can't just be, 'What happens in New York, what happens in the United States?' It has to be more, 'What happens worldwide?'"
In a bid to play victim at United Nations, Pakistan on Friday sent a dossier on alleged Indias subversive activities on its land to its envoy to UN. Pakistans foreign office has taken over ten months to prepare this dossier in which it reportedly talks about the alleged Indian spy- Kulbushan Yadav who was arrested on March 3, 2016.

AFP

"Dossier has been dispatched to country's envoy to United Nations who will hand it over to new Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, until he takes over the office in January," a higher official of Pakistan's Foreign Office was quoted by India Today.

Though there has been no official announcement from Pakistans foreign office, according to the reports in local media, the much awaited dossier contains "video evidence" of an Indian submarine which was intercepted by Pakistan Navy on November 18 which was allegedly spying on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) along with alleged spy Yadavs confession.

AFP

According to the claims made by Pakistan security agencies, they have gathered undeniable proofs that Yadav was an on duty of Indian naval officer working for Indian agency RAW. He was arrested from Balochistan, earlier on March 3, 2016. Dossier also contains proofs of India's involvement in subversive activities inside Pakistan, said official source.

"The dossier has been sent to the Pakistani mission headed by its permanent representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi in New York," an official from Pakistan's Foreign office told India Today adding that Pakistan, after handing over the dossier, will urge the UN to take notice of Indian interference and sponsoring of terrorism in its territory.
For 13 years, British citizen Anna Ruston was raped every night. Abducted at the age of 15 by an Asian taxi driver, she has revealed her horrifying journey in tell-all book 'Secret Slave' - one that would lead her to attempt suicide with her own scarf.

Ruston claims that her captor branded her his 'white s***', and prostituted her out to other men.

"I can still see that bedroom, the corner where I would rock in pain. Although after a while I stopped feeling pain, I think my body shut down." she told The Daily Mirror. She lived 13 years a slave, being forced to relieve herself in a toilet in her home's corner.

She met the man she would know only as 'Malik' at a taxi stand in 1987

He invited her home, to "meet his parents". Instead, she was violently raped. With her own fractured family history, she was not reported missing. Malik would only pause the violence when she was pregnant.

"When you feel a baby move in your stomach you feel you have someone with you, you are not alone."

lolistock

Every single time, her children were taken away from her, sold to other couples. It was political correctness that prevented others from trying to help her. Her captor ensured it.

"Malik dressed me in his culture's clothes, dyed my hair black, made me wear a scarf and keep my head down.

She was beaten for an attempt to flee, but flee she did, when Malik's family said they were going to take her to Pakistan: "I knew that I wasn't going to go to a wedding and I knew that they would probably stone me to death or sell me."

She is still too scared to report her captor to the police.

Escape

She eventually decided to escape after being told the family were taking her to Pakistan, where she feared she would be 'stoned to death' or sold. A trained nurse visiting the household saw that she weighed 40 kilos. Ruston slipped her a piece of paper begging for help when the family was busy with Eid.

The health visitor handed one back to her promising to wait outside. When she got the cue, her phone ringing thrice, she ran.
What do you do when things from science fiction become more real by the second?

Singapore's latest move to record iris scans of people to help identify them as citizens and permanent residents has been introduced as an additional 'security' feature. It will be rolled out on 1 January, 2017.

Danny Santos II

Additionally, Singapores Ministry of Home Affairs believes the initiative will improve the "effectiveness and efficiency" of various operations handled by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), reports ibtimes.com.

galaxys8info.com

This move is also the latest update in Singapore's National Registration Act (NRA) from 1965. Desmond Lee, the senior minister of state for home affairs explains this will help fix the problem of poor quality fingerprints that complicate security checks. "The use of iris scan technology can help reduce such problems by providing an additional avenue for persons to verify their identity," Lee explains.

"The collection and verification of iris images are similar to taking a photograph. It is convenient, contactless and non-intrusive and can be completed in seconds," nextshark.com quotes Lee as saying.
Sixty five 20-ton garbage trucks, loaded with extra 15 tons of sand, will be a wall around the New York's iconic New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, officials said Thursday.

This move is meant to stop deadly truck-driving attacks into crowds like those in Germany and France

baltimoredave flickr

Also read: Nice Attack Rerun In Berlin As 'Asylum Seeker' Rams Truck Into Christmas Market. 12 Killed, Dozens Injured

This is just one of the contingency plans, along with 100 patrol cars, at intersections surrounding Times Square, and 7,000 officers, specially armed counterterrorism units and bomb-sniffing dogs.

"We live in a changing world now," New York Police Department Commissioner James O'Neil said.

"It can't just be, 'What happens in New York, what happens in the United States?' It has to be more, 'What happens worldwide?'"

A Tunisian man who plowed a truck into a Christmas market in Berlin this month killed 12 people and injured 56 others. His attack followed a more deadly assault in Nice, France, in July that left 86 people dead when a man drove a 20-ton refrigerated truck into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day.

New York police studied those events in planning their Times Square security.

reuters

Over 1 million people are expected to attend the annual ball drop countdown in Manhattan, and officials said they didn't know of any terror threats. Times Square revelers, who are prohibited from carrying umbrellas and large bags, will be screened at two points: once when they approach the Crossroads of the World and again when they enter one of the 65 pens that hold thousands of people each.
Syria, Russia and American Desperation By Margaret Kimberley December 30, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - It is no coincidence that anti-Russian propaganda is being ramped up at the same moment the Syrian government is poised to retake its country from terrorists. Barack Obama and the rest of the war party are left to sputter nonsensical statements because their grand plan to realize the neocon Project for a New American Century is in very big trouble. The American corporate media ignored the suffering of Syrians in the city of Aleppo until their captivity was broken by the Syrian Arab army. Ever since 2012, ISIS and other terrorist groups sponsored by the United States, NATO, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have held thousands of people hostage there. Turks picked the region apart, raiding Syrian factories and transporting them piece by piece back to their country. Playing on emotions

Now that the Syrians are retaking the city with the help of their Russian and Hezbollah allies, there is a steady stream of news about Aleppo. All of it is meant to pull at the heartstrings of uninformed people as the human rights industrial complex reliably goes about its dirty work. Human Rights Watch and other groups who work to promote United States foreign policy speak endlessly about war crimes. They didnt say much when Americas allies were terrorizing Syrians; but now they suddenly point fingers, and always at the people who run afoul of regime-change plans. The five-year-long effort to destroy the Syrian state has produced many victims in that country, and it always threatened to spark a larger international conflict. The assassination of the Russian ambassador to Turkey could be such a moment. The gunmans last words and obviously his actions were a call to jihad. Even 100 years later, the 1914 assassination in Sarajevo is not far from memory. The key player

But the United States is the principal actor in this drama. None of the other nations involved in this crime would have acted absent American direction. All the casualties, the sieges, the hunger and the frantic search for refuge can be placed at Americas feet. So too the death of the Russian ambassador. This international tangle is covered with American fingerprints. The Syrian government is determined to take back its country and the Americans and their allies are equally determined to thwart it. The recent successes of the Syrian army explain part of the desperation coming from Obama, the Democratic Party and corporate media. Blaming Russia kills several birds with one stone. It continues the propaganda war against a country that will not knuckle under and accept American hegemony. The hyper-Russophobia was also an attempt to make the unpalatable and incompetent Hillary Clinton more appealing. And its continuation is being used by Democrats and Republicans to stop the incoming president from having any chance to improve relations with that country or curtail the regime change doctrine. The war party never sleeps. Barack Obamas last press conference was replete with lies and insults aimed at Russia and Vladimir Putin. He should have been embarrassed to say that Russia was smaller, weaker and doesnt produce anything that anybody wants to buy except oil and gas and arms. He completed his bizarre rant by saying that Putin was the former head of the KGB. He was no such thing, and of course Obama knows that. It isnt clear if he expected anyone to believe him, or if facing his failure carried him away to heights of rhetorical foolishness. Hollow legacy

Obama thought that Hillary Clinton would win and complete his regime change plans. Not only did she lose and deprive him of his third term, but the hollowness of his legacy is clear. Obviously hope and change was a marketing tagline meant to hide his commitment to the worldwide neoliberal project. Donald Trump will be president of the United States in just four weeks. That is a short period of time in which to pull off a soft coup. He will be inaugurated, but team Obama want to make sure he cannot upend the status quo they work so hard to uphold. While the Democratic Party rank-and-file are anxious about racism, immigration, Islamophobia, judicial appointees and voter suppression, their leaders only care about maintaining imperialism. Obama and the rest of the Democratic Party are unworthy of the loyalty they engender. On January 20, thousands of people will head to Washington to protest Trump. Meanwhile, the Democrats will be making last-ditch efforts to help jihadists destroy Syria. Protest the Dems

Some of the protesters ought to target their ire at Obama and the Democrats, and not just because of their electoral failure. They ought to pledge an end to support for warmongering Democrats altogether. If it is true that Trump is a fascist, he wont be the first one in the White House. His predecessor fits that description just as well. But events may have spun out of his control. The fate of Syria may not be in American hands any longer. And that is why the desperation is so evident. Margaret Kimberleys column appears weekly in BlackAgendaReport.com. Contact her at Margaret.Kimberley@BlackAgendaReport.com. Vanessa Beeley and Andrew Ashdow ASP report East Aleppo with Tom Duggan and Sinan Saeed The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy.
Israel First or America First By Patrick Buchanan December 30, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - Donald Trump has a new best friend. "President-elect Trump, thank you for your warm friendship and your clear-cut support of Israel," gushed Bibi Netanyahu, after he berated John Kerry in a fashion that would once have resulted in a rupture of diplomatic relations. Netanyahu accused Kerry of "colluding" in and "orchestrating" an anti-Israel, stab-in-the-back resolution in the Security Council, then lying about it. He offered to provide evidence of Kerrys complicity and mendacity to President Trump. Bibi then called in the U.S. ambassador and read him the riot act for 40 minutes. Israels ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer charged that not only did the U.S. not "stand up to and oppose the gang-up" at the U.N., "the United States was actually behind that gang-up." When Ben Rhodes of the National Security Council called the charges false, Dermer dismissed President Obamas man as a "master of fiction." Query: Why is Dermer not on a plane back to Tel Aviv? Some of us can recall how Eisenhower ordered David Ben-Gurion to get his army out of Sinai in 1957, or face sanctions. Ben-Gurion did as told. Had he and his ambassador castigated Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, as the Israelis dissed John Kerry, Ike would have called the U.S. ambassador home. Indeed, Ikes threat of sanctions against Prime Minister Anthony Edens government, which had also invaded Egypt, brought Eden down. But then Dwight Eisenhower was not Barack Obama, and the America of 1956 was a more self-respecting nation. Still, this week of rancorous exchanges between two nations that endlessly express their love for each other certainly clears the air. While Kerry has been denounced for abstaining on the U.N. resolution calling Israeli settlements on the West Bank and in East Jerusalem illegal and an impediment to peace, this has been U.S. policy for years. And Kerrys warning in his Wednesday speech that at the end of this road of continuous settlement-building lies an Israel that is either a non-Jewish or a non-democratic state is scarcely anti-Semitic. Prime Minister Ehud Barak, the most decorated soldier in Israels history, has warned his countrymen, "As long as in this territory west of the Jordan River there is only one political entity called Israel, it is going to be either non-Jewish, or non-Democratic." "If the bloc of millions of Palestinians cannot vote" added Barak, "this will be an apartheid state." Of John Kerrys speech, Barak said, "Powerful, lucid  World & majority in Israel think the same." Defense Secretary-designate Gen. James Mattis warned in 2013 that Israeli settlements were leading to an "apartheid" state. After Joe Biden visited Israel in 2010, to learn that Netanyahu just approved 1,600 new units in East Jerusalem, Gen. David Petraeus warned: "Arab anger on the Palestine question limits the strength and depth of U.S. partnership with governments and people in the region." Yet facts and reality, however unpleasant, cannot be denied. The two-state solution is almost surely dead. Netanyahu is not going to remove scores of thousands of Jewish settlers from Judea and Samaria to cede the land to a Palestinian state. After all, Bibi opposed Ariel Sharons removal of 8,000 Jewish settlers from Gaza. How will all this impact the new Trump administration? Having tweeted, "Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching," and having named a militant Zionist as his ambassador, Trump is certain to tilt U.S. policy heavily toward Israel. Politically, this will bring rewards in the U.S. Jewish community. The Republican Party will become the "pro-Israel" party, while the Democrats can be portrayed as divided and conflicted, with a left wing that is pro-Palestine and sympathetic to sanctions on Israel. And the problem for Trump in a full embrace of Bibi? Britain and France, which voted for the resolution where the U.S. abstained, are going to go their separate way on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, as is the world. Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf Arabs will be pressured by their peoples and by the militant states of the region like Iran, to distance themselves from the Americans or face internal troubles. And once U.S. pressure ends and settlement building in the West Bank proceeds, Netanyahu, his hawkish Cabinet, the Israeli lobby, the neocons and the congressional Republicans will start beating the drums for Trump to terminate what he himself has called that "horrible Iran deal." Calls are already coming for the cancellation of the sale of 80 Boeing jets to Iran. Yet, any U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal, or reimposition of sanctions on Iran, will further split us off from our European allies. Not only did Britain and France vote for the Security Council resolution, both are party, as is Germany, to the Iran deal. Having America publicly reassert herself as Israels best friend, with "no daylight" between us, could have us ending up as Israels only friend  and Israel as our only friend in the Middle East. Bibis Israel First policy must one day collide with America First. Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of the new book "The Greatest Comeback: How Richard Nixon Rose From Defeat to Create the New Majority." To find out more about Patrick Buchanan and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators website at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2016 CREATORS.COM The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy.
Master Judoka Putin "The Gracious" Outclasses "Lame Duck" Obama By Moon Of Alabama December 30, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Moon Of Alabama " - The typical pettiness and vengefulness of the Obama administration was at full display with yesterday's expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats and the closing of two Russian estates in New York and Maryland. Obama also sanctioned the Russian external intelligence service FSB and the military intelligence service GRU as well as some of its leaders for doing their job. The move was ostensibly over alleged but completely unproven Russian "hacking" to influence the U.S. election. But the real reason is likely Obama's loss of face after being left out of the successful negotiations of a new ceasefire in Syria. True to form the Russian government responded with high-class trolling and generosity. The first move came through the Russian Embassy in the United Kingdom. It tweeted about the current status of the Obama administration: The tweet gained so far more then 17,000 retweets and 19,000+ likes - certainly a "best of the year" candidate. In response leaks and speculations appeared in the U.S. aligned media about the bad, bad Russian responses to Obama's moves. CNN claimed that Russia would close the American school in Moscow: The nonprofit day school, which enrolls international students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, will be closed along with the U.S. Embassy vacation dacha in Serebryany Bor on the outskirts of Moscow, according to a CNN report. Then BBC and others said that Russia would expel 35 U.S. diplomats and spies. But showing real greatness is not about hitting back in kind. The Russian President Putin (again) outclassed Obama with this response: Putin decides not to expel US diplomats from Russia MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a decision not to expel any US diplomats from Russia in retaliation for Washingtons latest sanctions against Moscow. Putin also said that Russia would not prevent the families and children (of diplomats) from using the customary rest and leisure facilities and sites during the New Year holidays. "Moreover, I am inviting all children of US diplomats accredited in Russia to the New Year and Christmas parties in the Kremlin," Putin said. The Russian compounds in Maryland and New York Obama closed are used for vacations of Russian kids in the U.S. Putin's counter is using his opponent's moment of inertia to bring him to fall. A classic judoka move by a high master of the art. "We reserve the right to take retaliatory measures but we will not stoop to the level of the so-called kitchen diplomacy, so we will take further steps to restore Russia-US relations taking into account the Trump administrations policy," Putin said. Ouch. The "lame duck" tweet must have already hit Obama, but this is so far out that Obama has no chance to ever catch up. The foreign policy of two Obama administrations has been a terrible mess. Think about his big initiatives and the results at the end of his rule: "Reset" with Russia: FAILED

Negotiations with Iran: Somewhat succeeded but not institutionalized and in high danger of being reversed

"Pivot" to Asia: FAILED

TTP and TTIP trade pacts: FAILED:

New Middle-East peace initiative: FAILED

Regime change in Ukraine: Somewhat succeeded by ended in a huge fascist mess

Regime change in Libya: Somewhat succeeded by ended in a huge terrorist haven mess

Regime change in Syria: FAILED About the only thing Obama achieved in foreign policy was to keep the European poodles in line. An easy task due to the lack of good European politicians. He had no chance though against the great and gracious opponent Putin can be.

Putin's high class move today set the tombstone over a presidency history will judge far worse than its contemporary media echos reflect. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy.
What Is The Obama Regime Up To? By Paul Craig Roberts December 30, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - Obama has announced new sanctions on Russia based on unsubstantiated charges by the CIA that the Russian government influenced the outcome of the US presidential election with malicious cyber-enabled activities. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a report related to the declaration of 35 Russian officials persona non grata for malicious cyber activity and harassment. The report is a description of tools and infrastructure used by Russian intelligence services to compromise and exploit networks and infrastructure associated with the recent U.S. election, as well as a range of U.S. government, political and private sector entities. The report does not provide any evidence that the tools and infrastructure were used to influence the outcome of the US presidential election. The report is simply a description of what is said to be Russian capabilities. Moreover, the report begins with this disclaimer : DISCLAIMER: This report is provided as is for informational purposes only. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not provide any warranties of any kind regarding any information contained within. In other words, the report not only provides no evidence of the use of the Russian tools and infrastructure in order to influence the US presidential election, the report will not even warrant the correctness of its description of Russian capabilities. Thus the DHS report makes it completely clear that the Obama regime has no evidential basis for its allegations on the basis of which it has imposed more sanctions on Russia. What is going on here? First there is the question of the legality of the sanctions even if there were evidence. I am not certain, but I think that sanctions require the action of a body, such as the UN Security Council, and cannot legally be imposed unilaterally by one country. Additionally, it is unclear why Obama is calling the expulsion of Russian diplomats sanctions. No other country has to do likewise. During the Cold War when diplomats were expelled for spying, it was not called sanctions. Sanctions imply more than unilateral or bilateral expulsions of diplomats. Second, it is clear that Obama, the CIA, and the New York Times are fully aware that the allegation is false. It is also clear that if the CIA actually believes the allegation, the intelligence agency is totally incompetent and cannot be believed on any subject. Third, President Trump can rescind the sanctions in 21 days, a third reason that the sanctions are ridiculous. So why are President Obama, the CIA, and the New York Times making charges that they know are false and for which they have not produced a shred of evidence? http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/29/opinion/president-obama-punishes-russia-at-last.html?_r=1 One obvious answer is that the neoconized Obama regime is desperate to ruin US-Russian relations past the point that Trump can repair them. As the New York Times puts it, Mr. Obamas actions clearly create a problem for Mr. Trump. The question the New York Times says, is whether Trump stands with his democratic allies on Capitol Hill or his authoritarian friend in the Kremlin. Can Trumps foreign policy be controlled by false allegations? According to the New York Times, Trump has relented and agreed to being briefed by the CIA about the Russian hacking now that Republicans such as Paul Ryan, John McCain, and Lindsey Graham have lined up with Obama and the CIA in accepting charges for which no evidence has been presented. However, a briefing without evidence would seem simply to further discredit the CIA in Trumps eyes. As I have emphasized in my columns, facts no longer have a role in the United States and its empire. Allegations alone suffice, whether in court cases, interrogation centers, foreign and domestic policies, or classrooms. The US even bases its military invasions on false allegationsweapons of mass destruction. Indeed, the entirely of US foreign policy since the Clinton regime has been based on nothing but false allegations. The Russian government should have learned by now, but perhaps Moscow still thinks that facts matter in Washingtons decisions. Possibly we should consider that more is going on than meets the eye. Perhaps the propaganda about the Russian cyber threat to democracy is being used to prepare American and/or European populations for an incident. The CIA has morphed into a deep state that uses disinformation and propaganda to align decisions of Congress, the executive branch, and foreign governments with secret behind-the-scenes agendas. Many books, such as Stephen Kinzers The Brothers and Douglas Valentines CIA As Organized Crime have described some of these secret agendas. In order to deter Trump from restoring normal relations with Russia, an incident would have to be severe and irreversible. Rather than accept defeat for their agenda of US world hegemony, the neoconservatives are prepared to take high risks. The willingness to take risks is demonstrated by the public effort of the CIA Director to discredit the president-elect. As expected, Putins response to the latest provocation is low key as the sanctions appear to be meaningless on the surface. However, in the event that something dangerous is below the surface, the Russian government might want to consider putting its military forces on alert. Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and associate editor of the Wall Street Journal. He was columnist for Business Week, Scripps Howard News Service, and Creators Syndicate. He has had many university appointments. His internet columns have attracted a worldwide following. Roberts' latest books are The Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism and Economic Dissolution of the West , How America Was Lost , and The Neoconservative Threat to World Order . The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy.
Fake News, Mass Hysteria and Induced Insanity By Charles Hugh Smith The "fake news" is that we've never been healthier, healthcare costs are under control and our economy has fully "recovered." December 30, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " OTM " - We've heard a lot about "fake news" from those whose master narratives are threatened by alternative sources and analyses. We've heard less about the master narratives being threatened: the fomenting of mass hysteria, which turns the populace into an easily manipulated and managed herd, and induced insanity, a longer-term marketing-based narrative that causes the populace to ignore the self-destructive consequences of accepting the fad/ ideology/ mindset being pushed as "good" and "normal." In terms of "fake news," it's hard to beat the mainstream media and its handlers' attempts to whip up mass hysteria via unsubstantiated claims that Russian hackers working for Putin deprived Hillary of the presidency. The campaign to spark mass hysteria was launched with great precision, unleashing the overwhelming forces of endless repetition (the marketer's favorite tool) and appeals to national security authorities: The C.I.A., F.B.I, and all the other security agencies purportedly concur that Russia "hacked" (whatever that means) the U.S. election. The intent of the campaign was painfully obvious: by wheeling out the big guns of authority without any actual evidence, the campaign's designers hoped the public would automatically assume the bizarre, outlandish claim must be "true," even though no evidence was submitted to substantiate this fact-free claim, and respond as planned, i.e. willingly join a mass hysteria herd in favor of discrediting the U.S. election results. Did the "hackers" change the election results issued by voting machines? Did they "hack" the election totals? Wouldn't there be tell-tale forensic evidence of such tampering? How else could "hackers" change the election other than by changing votes and vote totals? Or was the media campaign to generate mass hysteria based on nothing but purposefully vague and unsubstantiated claims of Russia-inspired "fake news" that undermined the election by questioning the mainstream media's biased coverage of the presidential campaign? "Fake news" is of course the staple of marketing products that end up killing the unwary consumers who buy the hype. The classic example is the cigarette/ tobacco industry, which ran adverts for decades proclaiming absurdities such as the health benefits of smoking (other than dying a horrible, needless death), the "fact" that doctors preferred one brand of cigarette over the other brands, and so on. The industry famously went to truly monumental lengths to hide the facts about the destructive consequences of smoking from the public, and aggressively attacked any evidence that smoking was remarkably unhealthy as "unscientific," i.e. beating back the truth with The Big Lie. That a form of consumption that killed the consumers was unquestionably accepted not just as "normal" but as cool/hip for decades illustrates the staying power of induced insanity . Mass hysteria eventually wears off, as it overloads the emotional circuitry of the target audience; humans soon become desensitized to the triggers used to generate mass hysteria, and it takes heavier and heavier doses of propaganda to maintain the feverishly herd-inducing hysteria. Eventually, the populace habituates to the stimulus and becomes exhausted by the hysteria. Induced Insanity, on the other hand, is not an emotional state--it is a state of mind and a state of perception that filters and interprets inputs to produce the desired output -- an acceptance of insanity as "normal" and "good." For example, eating mountains of food that "tastes good" is positive and normal. Never mind that we're eating/consuming ourselves to death: Or that our medical costs are so out of control that they're bankrupting households, enterprises and eventually,the entire economy: Or that much of the money is spent on shuffling paperwork/ claims and counter-claims, complying with thousands of pages of regulations and dealing with the systemic fraud our system invites and rewards: Induced insanity doesn't just describe our acceptance of ill health and a doomed healthcare system; it also describes our blind acceptance of an economy that's throttling small business: The "fake news" is that we've never been healthier, healthcare costs are under control and our economy has fully "recovered." These sustained "fake news" campaigns are intended not to induce hysteria, but an enduring acceptance of what is visibly destructive and insane. Food for thought as we enter 2017. Always start every inquiry with a simple question: cui bono--to whose benefit? Check out both of my new books, Inequality and the Collapse of Privilege ($3.95 Kindle, $8.95 print) and Why Our Status Quo Failed and Is Beyond Reform ($3.95 Kindle, $8.95 print). For more, please visit the OTM essentials website . Oftwominds.com #7 in CNBC's top alternative financial sites The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy.
U.S. Is Selling Weapons That Kill A Child Every 10 Minutes

By Medea Benjamin

December 30, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - While the world has been transfixed on the epic tragedy in Syria, another tragedy  a hidden one  has been consuming the children of Yemen.

Battered by the twin evils of war and hunger, every 10 minutes a child in Yemen dies from malnutrition, diarrhea, or respiratory-tract infections, UNICEF reports. And without immediate medical attention, over 400,000 kids suffering from severe acute malnutrition could die, too.

Why are so many of Yemens children going hungry and dying?

Since 2014, Yemen has been wracked by a civil war  a war thats been exacerbated by intervention from Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally. Since 2015, the Saudis have been pounding this nation, the poorest in the Middle East, with cluster bombs and explosives.

And the U.S. has been helping, selling the Saudis advanced weapons and providing intelligence and logistical support.

This nearly two-year-old bombing campaign has killed thousands of innocent Yemenis and sparked a severe humanitarian crisis. A desert country, Yemen imports 90 percent of its food. But thanks to a Saudi naval blockade and the bombing of the countrys main port, imports have dried up.

Subsequent shortages have led food prices to soar. Meanwhile, the war has left millions of people unemployed and displaced. Unable to buy the high-priced food, theyre forced to depend on humanitarian aid for their survival.

UN and private relief organizations have been mobilizing to respond to the crisis, but a staggering 18.8 million people  out of a population of 25 million  need assistance. The situation is only getting worse as the war drags on and the winter cold sets in.

At the same time, the UN Refugee Agency has received less than half the funds it needs.

The nations health system is also on the verge of collapse. Less than a third of the countrys population has access to medical care, and only half of its health facilities are functional. Diseases such as cholera and measles are spreading, taking a heavy toll on children.

The only way to end the humanitarian crisis is to end the conflict. That means pushing harder for a political solution and calling for an immediate ceasefire. Until that happens, the United States should stop its military support for the Saudi regime.

Despite the repressive nature of the Saudi regime, for decades U.S. administrations have supported the Saudi government both diplomatically and militarily. Under Obama alone, weapons sales to the Saudis reached a whopping $115 billion.

Concerned over the high rate of civilian casualties, on December 12 the White House took the rare step of stopping the sale of 16,000 guided munition kits. This is a great step forward, but it represents only a small fraction of total U.S. weapons sales to the Saudi regime.

In fact, at the same time the White House announced it was blocking this $350 million deal, the State Department announced plans to sell 48 Chinook cargo helicopters and other equipment worth 10 times as much.

Moreover, the coming Trump administration might well restore all sales. Thats why its important for Congress, which has the authority to block weapons sales but seldom actually does, to step forward and take a stand.
US Isolation By Noam Chomsky



December 30, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " ZNet " - On 23 December 2016, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2334 unanimously, US abstaining. The Resolution reaffirmed that the policy and practices of Israel in establishing settlements in the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 have no legal validity and constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East [and] Calls once more upon Israel, as the occupying Power, to abide scrupulously by the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention, to rescind its previous measures and to desist from taking any action which would result in changing the legal status and geographical nature and materially affecting the demographic composition of the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, and, in particular, not to transfer parts of its own civilian population into the occupied Arab territories.



Reaffirmed. A matter of some import.



It is important to recognize that 2334 is nothing new. The quote above is from UNSC Resolution 446, 12 March 1979, reiterated in essence in Resolution 2334. Resolution 446 passed 12-0 with the US abstaining, joined by the UK and Norway. The primary differences today are that the US is now alone against the whole world, and that it is a different world. Israels violations of Security Council orders, and of international law, are by now far more extreme than in 1979 and are arousing far greater condemnation in much of the world. The contents of Resolution 446-2334 are therefore taken more seriously. Hence the intense reaction to 2334, both coverage and commentary; and in Israel and the US, considerable hysteria. These are all striking indications of the increasing isolation of the US on the world stage. Under Obama, that is. Under Trump US isolation will likely increase further, and indeed already has, even before he takes office.



Trumps most significant step in advancing US isolation was on November 8, when he won two victories. The lesser victory was in the US, where he won the electoral vote. The greater victory was in Marrakech, Morocco, where some 200 nations were meeting to try to put some real content into the December 2015 Paris agreements on climate change, which were left as promises rather than the intended treaty because the Republican Congress would not accept binding commitments.



As the electoral votes came in on November 8, the Marrakech conference shifted from its substantive program to the question whether there could even be any meaningful action to deal with the severe threat of environmental catastrophe now that the most powerful country in world history is calling quits. That was, surely, Trumps greatest victory on November 8, one of truly momentous import. It also established US isolation on the most severe problem humans have ever faced in their short history on earth. The world rested its hopes for leadership in China, now that the Leader of the Free World has declared that it will not only withdraw from the effort but, with Trumps election, will move forcefully to accelerate the race to disaster.



An amazing spectacle, which passed with virtually no comment.



The fact that the US is now alone in rejecting the international consensus reaffirmed in UNSC 2334, having lost even Theresa Mays Britain, is another sign of increasing US isolation.



Just why Obama chose abstention rather than veto is an open question: we do not have direct evidence. But there are some plausible guesses. There had been some ripples of surprise (and ridicule) after Obamas February 2011 veto of a UNSC Resolution calling for implementation of official US policy, and he may have felt that it would be too much to repeat it if he is to salvage anything of his tattered legacy among sectors of the population that have some concern for international law and human rights. It is also worth remembering that among liberal Democrats, if not Congress, and particularly among the young, opinion about Israel-Palestine has been moving towards criticism of Israeli policies in recent years, so much so that the core of support for Israeli policies in the US has shifted to the far right, including the evangelical base of the Republican Party. Perhaps these were factors.



The 2016 abstention aroused furor in Israel and in the US Congress as well, both Republicans and leading Democrats, including proposals to defund the UN in retaliation for the worlds crime. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu denounced Obama for his underhanded, anti-Israel actions. His office accused Obama of colluding behind the scenes with this gang-up by the UNSC, producing particles of evidence that hardly rise to the level of sick humor. A senior Israeli official added that the abstention revealed the true face of the Obama administration, adding that now we can understand what we have been dealing with for the past eight years.



Reality is rather different. Obama has in fact broken all records in support for Israel, both diplomatic and financial. The reality is described accurately by Middle East specialist of the Financial Times David Gardner: Mr Obamas personal dealings with Mr Netanyahu may often have been poisonous, but he has been the most pro-Israel of presidents: the most prodigal with military aid and reliable in wielding the US veto at the Security Council The election of Donald Trump has so far brought little more than turbo-frothed tweets to bear on this and other geopolitical knots. But the auguries are ominous. An irredentist government in Israel tilted towards the ultra-right is now joined by a national populist administration in Washington fire-breathing Islamophobia.



In an interesting and revealing comment, Netanyahu denounced the gang-up of the world as proof of old-world bias against Israel, a phrase reminiscent of Donald Rumsfelds Old Europe-New Europe distinction in 2003.



It will be recalled that the states of Old Europe were the bad guys, the major states of Europe, which dared to respect the opinions of the overwhelming majority of their populations and thus refused to join the US in the crime of the century, the invasion of Iraq. The states of New Europe were the good guys, which overruled an even larger majority and obeyed the master. The most honorable of the good guys was Spains Jose Maria Aznar, who rejected virtually unanimous opposition to the war in Spain and was rewarded by being invited to join Bush and Blair in announcing the invasion.



This quite illuminating display of utter contempt for democracy, along with others at the same time, passed virtually unnoticed, understandably. The task at the time was to praise Washington for its passionate dedication to democracy, as illustrated by democracy promotion in Iraq, which suddenly became the party line after the single question (will Saddam give up his WMD?) was answered the wrong way.



Netanyahu is adopting much the same stance. The old world that is biased against Israel is the entire UN Security Council; more specifically, anyone in the world who has some lingering commitment to international law and human rights. Luckily for the Israeli far right, that excludes the US Congress and  very outspokenly  the President-elect and his associates.



The Israeli government is of course cognizant of these developments. It is therefore seeking to shift its base of support to authoritarian states such as Singapore, China and Modis right-wing Hindu nationalist India, now becoming a very natural ally with its drift towards ultranationalism, reactionary internal policies, and hatred of Islam. The reasons for Israels looking in this direction for support are outlined by Mark Heller, principal research associate at Tel Avivs Institution for National Security Studies. Over the long term, he explains, there are problems for Israel in its relations with western Europe and with the U.S., while in contrast, the important Asian countries dont seem to indicate much interest about how Israel gets along with the Palestinians, Arabs, or anyone else. In short, China, India, Singapore and other favored allies are less influenced by the kinds of liberal and humane concerns that pose increasing threats to Israel.



The tendencies developing in world order merit some attention. As noted, the US is becoming even more isolated than it has been in recent years, when US-run polls  unreported in the US but surely known in Washington  revealed that world opinion regarded the US as by far the leading threat to world peace, no one else even close. Under Obama, the US is now alone in abstention on the illegal Israel settlements, against a unanimous UNSC. With Trump and his bipartisan congressional supporters, the US will be even more isolated in the world in support of Israeli crimes. Since November 8, the US is isolated on the much more crucial matter of global warming. If Trump makes good on his promise to exit from the Iran deal, it is likely that the other participants will persist, leaving the US still more isolated from Europe. The US is also much more isolated from its Latin American backyard than in the past, and will be even more isolated if Trump backs off from Obamas halting steps to normalize relations with Cuba, undertaken to ward off the likelihood that the US would be pretty much excluded from hemispheric organizations because of its continuing assault on Cuba, in international isolation.



Much the same is happening in Asia, as even close US allies (apart from Japan), even the UK, flock to the China-based Asian Infrastructure Development Bank and the China-based Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, in this case including Japan. The China-based Shanghai Cooperation Organization incorporates the Central Asian states, Siberia with its rich resources, India, Pakistan, and soon probably Iran and perhaps Turkey. The SCO has rejected the US request for observer status and demanded that the US remove all military bases from the region.



Immediately after the Trump election, we witnessed the interesting spectacle of German chancellor Angela Merkel taking the lead in lecturing Washington on liberal values and human rights. Meanwhile, since November 8, the world looks to China for leadership in saving the world from environmental catastrophe, while the US, in splendid isolation once again, devotes itself to undermining these efforts.



US isolation is not complete, of course. As was made very clear in the reaction to Trumps electoral victory, the US has the enthusiastic support of the xenophobic ultra-right in Europe, including its neo-fascist elements. And the return of the ultra-right in parts of Latin America offers the US opportunities for alliances there as well. And of course the US retains its close alliance with Gulf dictatorships and with Israel, which is also separating itself from more liberal and democratic sectors in Europe and linking with authoritarian regimes that are not concerned with Israels violations of international law and harsh attacks on elementary human rights.



The developing picture suggests the emergence of a New World Order, one that is rather different from the usual portrayals within the doctrinal system. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy.
The Nigerian Army on Friday night in Abuja hosted President Muhammadu Buhari to Guards Brigade Regimental Dinner and presented to him the captured Boko Haram flag.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the flag was handed over to the President by the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. -Gen. Lucky Irabor.

NAN recalls that men of the Operation Lafiya Dole operating in the North East had successfully captured the Camp Zero, the strongest enclave of Boko Haram terrorists sect, in the Sambisa Forest.



Irabor, had disclosed that about 1,240 suspected Boko Haram terrorists were arrested during a mop-up operation by troops inside the Sambisa forest.

While receiving the flag, President Buhari challenged the army forces on the need to continue to ensure the survival of Nigeria as a geo-political entity despite what he described as political madness being exhibited in some parts of the country.

According to him, it is duty bound for the army to ensure the sustenance of peaceful co-existence among the over 250 ethnic groups across the country.

We will do our best to build the national institutions in the country.

All these political madness in the North East, the Niger Delta or in the East should not be allowed to cause division or any form of tension in the country.

There are 250 ethnic groups, so keeping Nigeria one is a task that must be done, even for your personal reason you must make sure this country remains united and stronger, he said.

President Buhari, who narrated his early military life in Abeokuta and subsequent redeployment to Zaire (now Congo), said he was almost killed while on duty even before enjoying his first salary as an officer.

The president, therefore, stated that he was conversant with the problems of the military having spent over 25 years in the military.

He recalled how his refusal to adhere to an advice from the IMF, World Bank to devalue the naira and increase prices of fuel and flour, as a military Head of State, led to his removal.

He said: I refused and gave my reasons and the next thing I knew I was removed and detained for three and half years.

As a civilian president I will do my best and Im telling you all these because you are part of the leadership of this great country and God willing we will remain great.

In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai urged the officers and men of the Guards Brigade to always maintain the courage and discipline they were known for in 2017 and beyond.

He assured that the military would continue their onslaught in the North East, and would not rest in mopping up of the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents.

Buratai reassured that the Nigerian Army would remain apolitical in carrying out its duties to the nation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the regimental dinner night, which was organized to mark the end of drilling year of the Presidential Brigade of Guards, afforded the officers of the brigade to socialize with their commanders.

The highlight of the occasion was the inauguration of the PMB Gymnasium at the Scorpion Mess in W.U. Bassey Cantonment by the President.

The event also witnessed the presentation of Souvenirs, Scorpion Magazine and Compendium of Guards Brigade as well as the conducts of the band by the President.

The Commander, Brigade of Guards, Brig.-Gen. Musa Yusuf, delivered the vote of thanks at the occasion which was attended by notable personalities including the representative of Senate President, Sen. Leader, Ali Ndume and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammed Bello.

Others are the National Security Adviser, Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris, Presidential aides among others.
Christopher Osakue, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, attached to the Edo State Command has reportedly shot himself dead with his service pistol in Benin City.

According to reports, the Police boss committed suicide by shooting himself in the head in his residence located on Upper Sokponba on Wednesday.

The late Osakue who reportedly didnt leave any suicide note behind was said to have stylishly sent a woman and a little boy believed to be living with him on an errand before killing himself.

The deceased policeman who was recently posted from Ondo State was in charge of training and development at the state command. He had earlier suffered a partial stroke a few years back and was gradually recovering from it before the incident occurred.

According to a source who spoke with our correspondent, A neighbour said she heard a gunshot inside the ACPs residence about 5pm that fateful Wednesday.

She added that after the sound of the gun, a frightening silence engulfed the entire building.

Security operatives from the Ugbekun police division were said to have later stormed his residence.

It was further learnt that the late Osakue had played host to some youths in his area last Christmas.

Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Edo, Haliru Gwandu, described the senior police officers death as a case of suicide.

Gwandu also explained that the pistol which he allegedly used to commit the act was signed for at the Ondo State Police command before he was posted to Edo.
There are some indications President Muhammadu Buhari may have finally removed Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, from office.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in a letter sent to Magu on Friday, directed him to hand over to the Director of Operations in the Commission.

According to a report by The Guardian, Magu was said to have been redeployed back to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to pave way for a new appointee into the seat of the anti-graft agency.

The situation, reports say, was made to look like a routine exercise where some senior Police Officers would redeployed back to the Force and serve in the same capacity they left or an improved one.

Recall that, Magus nomination was rejected by the Senate following allegation of corruption leveled against him by the Department of State Security Service (DSS).
Police in Brazil believe that Greeces ambassador to the country was killed by his wifes lover under her orders in a house in the Rio area and have detained three suspects, authorities said Friday.

Ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis went missing on Monday in Nova Iguacu, a city just north of Rio de Janeiro, where the ambassador had been vacationing. The couple lived most of the time in the capital of Brasilia.

On Friday, police investigator Evaristo Pontes Magalhaes said that 29-year-old police officer Sergio Gomes Moreira Filho had confessed to killing Amiridis, alleging self-defense.

He said the policeman was having an affair with the ambassadors 40-year-old wife, Francoise.

Filhos cousin, Eduardo de Melo, acknowledged taking part in the killing as a lookout, Magalhaes said. The cousin accused Francoise of offering him the equivalent of $25,000 to participate.

A judge ordered the detention of Francoise, her lover and his cousin, and the three were in custody.

Francoise has denied any role in the alleged plot. According to Magalhaes, Francoise said she couldnt stop Filho from killing her husband and insisted she was not at home at the time of the crime.

But the police investigator said in a press conference late Friday that the evidence clearly puts the ambassadors wife as a co-author of the crime.

Source: Punch
The Nigerian Navy in support of Operation Delta Safe has carried out raids on some illegal refinery sites in continuation of the clampdown on crude oil thieves in the maritime areas.

The patrol team deployed by NNS PATHFINDER in Rivers State on December 28 discovered and destroyed 2 barges at Taraba Jetty axis.

One of the barges was loaded with estimated 70,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO while the second barge had a mixture of AGO and water.

In a related development, the patrol team of FOB ESCRAVOS carried out a raid on a newly erected illegal refining site at Asafama village near Jones Creek in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The naval operatives who acted on intelligence report took the criminals by surprise and destroyed the site including a large storage pit which has unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO. One person was arrested in connection with the site as other suspects fled the scene.
Nigerian newspaper headlines December 31, 2016.

Punch

US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for not quickly hitting back at Washington for the punitive measures imposed over alleged interference in the November election.

Thisday

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) friday expressed concerrn about the silence of President Muhammadu Buhari on the persistent killing of Christians in Southern part of Kaduna State, describing it as perceived official endorsement of the dastardly act by the President.

Guardian

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday again met behind closed doors in the Presidential Villa with the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

Vanguard

President Muhammadu Buhari last night charged the Nigerian Army to ensure that the country remained one and strong indivisible entity despite threats of secession in some quarters.

Premium Times

Contrary to reports, Ibrahim Magu, has not been relieved of his appointment as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the presidency has said.

The Nation

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday recalled reasons for his removal as military Head of State in 1985.

The Sun

A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, yesterday ordered the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fimihan Adeoye, to arrest the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, a first class monarch in the state.

Leadership

Over 30 communities in Plateau south senatorial zone have agreed to end years of hostilities, which have culminated in the death of hundreds of people in the area.
President Muhammadu Buhari has restated his resolve not to devalue the naira or increase the price of fuel.

He made this known in Abuja on Friday night, during the 2016 regimental dinner organized by the presidential brigade of guards.

Buhari also suggested that his refusal to devalue the naira and increase fuel price during his time as Military Head of State in 1984-1985, led to his overthrow.

I have resisted the devaluation of the naira, increase of the petroleum products, among others, he told the soldiers and officers.

When I was military head of state, I rejected similar advice by the IMF and World Bank to devalue the naira.

I refused and gave my reasons and the next thing I knew I was removed and detained for three and half years.

As a civilian president, I will do my best and Im telling you all these because you are part of the leadership of this great country and God willing we will remain great.

When Buhari assumed office in May 2015, the exchange rate was N197/$1. It currently stands at over N300 to $1 officially and N495/$1 in the black market.

Source: Dailypost
PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARIS NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS, JANUARY 1, 2017

My dear Compatriots,

I am happy to welcome you to the beginning of a New Year in our beloved country Nigeria.

I felicitate with you today at a time when our nation is witnessing a new and impressive turnaround in our security and socio-economic situation.

I know you will join me to, once again, congratulate the heroic and gallant efforts of our military and other security agencies on their remarkable successes to rid the nation of terrorism.

Following the successful capture of Sambisa Forest, spearheaded by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, we have entered a new phase in our battle against our common enemy, Boko Haram.

When we see our beloved 21 Chibok girls reuniting with their families and community for Christmas, it gives us the hope that those who are still in captivity will one day return to the loving arms of family, friends and well-wishers.

Following the successful capture of Sambisa Forest, spearheaded by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, we have entered a new phase in our battle against our common enemy, Boko Haram

I urge all Nigerians to be on the alert and watch out for strange figures settling in their communities, and report to the nearest security agencies, as our armed forces intensify the pursuit of fleeing terrorists from the captured Sambisa Forest.

Misguided elements who decided to take up arms against constituted authorities must be brought to face the full weight of the law.

The support of all Nigerians to security agencies to enable them successfully execute their mandate is crucial in our bid to effectively secure our country.

Seeing the joyful return of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Damasak town in Borno State, following the reopening of Maiduguri/Gubio/Damasak road in Northern Borno on December 25, 2016, reassured us that the voluntary return of IDPs in other parts of the country is imminent.

The Federal Government will spare no effort in seeing to the resettlement and rehabilitation of the unfortunate victims of terrorism and insurgency. I urge state governments, privileged Nigerians, donor agencies and countries to redouble their contributions towards this goal.

Government is aware of some mistakes and wrongdoings in handling the affairs of IDPs. We are taking measures to correct those mistakes and punish the culprits.

In this New Year, I want to reassure all Nigerians that our defence and security forces are more than ever before ready to perform their constitutional role of protecting lives and property in the country; and we will surely overcome all other forms of security challenges.

The lingering security issues in several states will be frontally addressed. These ugly crises cannot be allowed to fester as they strain the unifying bonds of brotherhood and neighbourliness. Some sections of the press and some politicians should avoid provocative and inflammatory statements, while the government is painstakingly trying to find solutions to our challenges.

I want to remind you on the first day of this New Year of an African proverb that says it is easy to break a broomstick but not a bunch. Nigeria is a bunch and is more than equal to troublemakers.

I have interacted with a broad spectrum of Nigerians, the old and the young, and they have told me unequivocally that they believe in the unity and stability of Nigeria.

The year 2017 provides an opportunity for us to build on those aspects of our national life that unite us. We are courageous, hardworking, hospitable, steadfast and resilient people, even in the face of difficulties.

These are the attributes that define us and have for years confounded the pessimists who do not believe in our continued existence as a united and indivisible nation. We are a remarkable nation that has succeeded in harnessing our multiple diversities for national development. We must continue to support and tolerate one another and live together as one.

We will continue to pursue peace initiatives in the Niger Delta as I again, call on our brothers in that region who have taken to violent disruptions of economic infrastructure to come to the negotiating table.

As for our brothers and sisters of the Shia Community, we urge them, too, to embrace peace. They must accept the laws of the country they live in. They cannot be islands by themselves. At the same time, the law enforcement agencies must treat them humanely and according to the rule of law.

On our part, in the past 20 months since our inauguration on May 29, 2015, we have focused our energies to turn around the economy, create jobs, fight corruption, and transform agriculture to replace oil and gas as a major revenue earner for the nation. I am encouraged that we are getting things right.

The agricultural revolution has begun. Farmers in different parts of the country are experiencing bumper harvests; states are getting into strategic partnership towards attaining self-sufficiency in rice, and the era of over-dependence on oil for foreign exchange revenues is gradually waning. I am optimistic that the CHANGE we all yearned for in voting this administration to power in 2015 will manifest more and be sustained in different sectors, particularly agriculture, in 2017.

As you may be aware, our economic recovery and growth plan in 2017 is anchored on optimising the use of local content and empowering local businesses.

In pursuit of this administrations philosophy, we will continue to appeal that we buy Made In Nigeria goods. Like I said during the 2017 Budget presentation to the National Assembly, farmers, small and medium-sized manufacturers, agro-allied businesses, dressmakers, entertainers and technology start-ups, will remain the true drivers of our economic future. They are the engine of our economic recovery and their needs underpin our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

On job creation, this administration will sustain existing programmes aimed at lifting a vast number of our youth out of poverty, while at the same time creating the opportunities for people to fend for themselves.

Our determination to wrestle corruption to the ground remains unshaken. This fight, which will be guided by respect for the rule of law and due process, will not spare anybody or organ of government. It is a collective undertaking and resolve that must be seen to its logical conclusion in spite of certain distractions. The fate of our country lies partly in the success of this campaign. It will be unthinkable on my part to allow the boat of this crucial campaign promise capsize mid-stream.

I thank you for the public support for our administrations efforts to transform Nigeria. I assure you again that the current pains are temporary and will ease when the economic seeds in gestation begin to bloom to fruition. I urge you to continue to support this administration in its effort to transform Nigeria for the good of all.

I wish you a Happy New Year, 2017.

MUHAMMADU BUHARI

President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole have arrested a top commander of the dreaded sect, Boko Haram after he was discovered hiding in the apartment of the Caretaker Chairman of Mafa Local Government Area of Borno state, Alhaji Shettima Lawan Maina at 1000 housing estate along Maiduguri- Damaturu- Kano road.

According to eyewitnesses in the estate, both the Chairman and the terrorist were whisked away as operatives of the Nigerian Army stormed the residence following an intelligent tip-off.

The incident according to sources living at the same estate with the Chairman did not come to them as a surprise following the capture of Sambisa Forest, a stronghold of insurgents by troops that led to so many of the terrorists escaped to various places for safety.

Mafa Local Government is east and about 40 kilometres drive from Maiduguri the state capital which had witnessed series of deadly attacks by insurgents, before it was liberated by the military early last year.

A resident and neighbour of the LG boss said, the military and some security operatives stormed the house after getting an intelligence report that the top Boko Haram commander had sneaked into the house for safety.

Already the source said, both the top Boko Haram Commander and the Chairman have been detained in a military facility to enable thorough investigation as to how a wanted terrorist will sneak into the house of the Chairman, knowing fully well, that politicians of such caliber do not usually allow access to their house of abode.

When contacted for confirmation, the Police Public Relations Officer, Victor Isukus phone lines were not reachable, but a top security officer who is not authorized to talk to the press confirmed the incident, stating that The arrest and capture of the Caretaker Chairman and the wanted Boko Haram commander took place on Friday night following a tip off.
He may be the owner of Abujas most luxurious building and a friend to several Nigerian government officials, past and present, but the noose is tightening on Aliyu Abubakar in Nigeria and in Europe.

About a week after Nigerias anti-graft agency, EFCC, filed money laundering charges against him for his role in the Malabu $1.1 billion scandal, evidence has emerged that Italian authorities also want him for international corruption for his role in the matter.

Prosecutors in Milan, Italy, have therefore written to Nigerias Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, seeking the presence of Mr. Abubakar in criminal proceedings relating to the Malabu scandal.

The Italian request contained in a letter of notification to Mr. Malami are also connected to the recent nine-count charge filed by the EFCC against Mr. Abubakar, and eight others for their roles in the scandal.

Apart from Mr. Abubakar, others being prosecuted by the EFCC include a former Attorney General, Mohammed Adoke; former petroleum minister, Dan Etete; Malabu oil and Gas; and five other shady companies controlled by Mr. Abubakar.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how Mr. Adoke and former finance minister, Yerima Ngama, approved the transfer of about $1.1 billion from Nigerian governments account in London into Malabu accounts controlled by Mr. Etete.It was to Malabu oil and gas, a company whose roots is marred in corruption, that the Nigerian government in 1998 controversially allocated OPL 245, considered Africas richest oil block.

The money was paid by oil giants, Shell and ENI, into a federal government account, for OPL 245, estimated to contain 9 billion barrels of crude.

Only $801 million of the money could be transferred to Mr. Etete due to legal issues raised by Emeka Obi, a businessman who is also being charged by the Italians, in a British court.

After the transfer to Mr. Etete, over half of the money was paid to the accounts of the five shady companies controlled by Mr. Abubakar.



Mr. Abubakar is believed to have acted as a front for several politically exposed persons who benefitted from the funds including Mr. Adoke and Roberto Casula, who was then the head of Enis business operations in sub-Saharan Africa.Investigations by authorities in Nigeria, UK, and Italy have found Mr. Abubakar  described by anti-corruption officials as Mr. Corruption for his involvement in various questionable high profile deals  and others culpable in the scandal.

Mr. Casula received $50 million cash in his Abuja home, Italian investigators found, while PREMIUM TIMES reported how another former Attorney General, Bayo Ojo, received $10 million.

The letter seeking Mr. Abubakars presence in Italy, as well as another letter, containing the charge against him, were jointly written by prosecutors in Italys Directorate of Criminal Justice, the office of International Judicial Cooperation and the Italian ministry of foreign affairs.

The purpose of the letters is to inform the accused, owner of the luxurious building beside Transcorp hotel, Abuja, and the Nigerian government of the allegations against the controversial businessman.

In the Notice of Proceedings, the Italians stated that Aliyu Abubakar. No. 32 Gana Street, Maitama Abuja (Nigeria) is hereby notified that criminal proceedings are pending against him at this Public Prosecutors Office for the following offence: International corruption with the aggravating circumstance of transnationality. Re. OPL 245.According to the letters, dated October 14 and 15, Mr. Abubakar is expected to avail himself in Italy for trial.

Aliyu Abubakar is hereby requested to declare its domicile in Italy or to choose a domicile in Italy in order to be able to receive the notifications regarding the proceedings.

The letter of notification was signed by an Italian director of foreign affairs, Stefano Opillo, while the notice of criminal proceedings against Mr. Abubakar was contained in a letter signed by Milans public prosecutors, Fabio de Pasquale and Sergio Spadaro.

Nigeria is, however, expected to ensure Mr. Abubakars availability to the Italians even it means extraditing him should he decline to make himself available voluntarily.Mr. Abubakar could not be reached on Friday. Also, the spokesperson to Attorney General Malami, Salihu Isah, did not return calls or reply text messages sent to him on whether Nigeria would honour the Italians request.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Nigeria and Italy recently signed a mutual legal assistant treaty that guarantees such cooperation.

Source: PremiumTimes
RFD-TV Interview: Grain and Livestock Markets Blue Line Futures - Thu Nov 3, 6:38PM CDT What's on the radar for grain and livestock markets to round out the week?

Cotton Bounce Continued through Thursday Barchart - Thu Nov 3, 4:48PM CDT Front month cotton futures ended with another triple digit bounce on the day. December closed at the allotted 4c limit, while the other nearbys were 138 to 353 point gains. Census data reported 703,536... CTZ22 : 83.18 (+0.22%) CTH23 : 81.52 (-0.79%) CTK23 : 81.51 (-0.60%)

Red Thursday for Wheat Market Barchart - Thu Nov 3, 4:48PM CDT The nearby wheat market ended with mixed but mostly lower. SRW prices gave back 3 to 5 1/2 cents on the day. December stayed at a net 11 1/4 cent gain wk/wk so far. KC wheat held firmer with December up... ZWZ22 : 846-0 (+0.65%) ZWH23 : 865-0 (+0.61%) ZWPAES.CM : 7.7263 (-0.65%) KEZ22 : 949-4 (+0.88%) KEPAWS.CM : 8.9929 (+0.14%) MWZ22 : 950-2 (+0.77%)

Hog Market Fades on Thursday Barchart - Thu Nov 3, 4:48PM CDT Lean hog futures held onto minimal gains in the December contract on Thursday, while the other nearby contracts dropped by 2 to 20 cents. The USDA National Average Base Hog Price was $3.36 weaker in the... HEZ22 : 83.375s (+0.09%) HEJ23 : 92.550s (-0.11%) KMZ22 : 94.000s (+0.16%)

Weak Thursday for Cattle Market Barchart - Thu Nov 3, 4:48PM CDT Front month fat cattle futures ended the session mixed with a 55 cent gain in Dec and a 5 cent gain in the August 23 contract. The other nearby futures fell by 2 to 20 cents on a mixed / mostly weaker... LEZ22 : 151.950s (+0.36%) LEG23 : 154.875s (-0.02%) LEJ23 : 158.300s (-0.13%) GFX22 : 178.000s (-0.52%) GFF23 : 179.425s (-0.32%)

Corn Faded on Thursday Barchart - Thu Nov 3, 4:48PM CDT Thursday action in the corn market left futures 2 3/4 to 8 1/4 cents lower. For December contracts that was the lowest close since 10/19. IHS Markit expects the national U.S. corn yield at 172.9 bpa,... ZCZ22 : 682-4 (+0.48%) ZCPAUS.CM : 6.7556 (-1.15%) ZCH23 : 687-6 (+0.44%) ZCK23 : 687-6 (+0.44%)
E arrivata lufficialita, dopo una giornata di voci rincorrenti: per il triennio 2018-2021 sara lemittente Sky a godere dei diritti televisivi per trasmettere, in esclusiva assoluta, le partite non solo delle prossime edizioni dellEuropa League ma anche quelle della massima competizione continentale, la Champions. Un pacchetto da favola per il quale la tv satellitare di Rupert Murdoch avrebbe messo sul piatto unofferta giudicata piu congrua di quella presentata dalla concorrente Mediaset. A dare lannuncio dellaffare concluso e stata la stessa Sky che, in un comunicato, ha spiegato che il nuovo format sviluppato dalla UEFA ci consentira di portare ai nostri abbonati un prodotto rivoluzionario per il calcio europeo in Italia. Per la prima volta la UEFA Champions League e la UEFA Europa League saranno insieme in unesclusiva offerta integrata, che permettera agli appassionati di seguire fino a 7 squadre italiane, mai cosi tante prima dora, impegnate nelle sfide con i migliori club europei.

Sky: Rafforzata leadership

Anche il livello tecnico dellofferta sara altissimo ed e ancora lemittente a rivelare i dettagli: Continueremo a fare innovazione, trasmettendo le partite piu importanti anche in 4K HDR. Questofferta senza precedenti rafforza la posizione di Sky come leader della programmazione sportiva in Italia ed e anche un altro passo importante di sostegno al calcio italiano. Insomma, per i prossimi tre anni, sara unegemonia totale quella della satellitare sul calcio europeo, avendo mantenuto il pacchetto Europa League (gia sua esclusiva) e affiancandola a quello ancor piu appetibile della Champions League ad appannaggio Mediaset dal 2015 al 2018.

Sfida Serie A

Ora la sfida fra i due colossi delle trasmissioni sportive si spostera sui diritti televisivi della prossima Serie A, per la quale si e ancora in attesa di un nuovo bando che, come annunciato dal commissario della Lega, Carlo Tavecchio, avra le stesse caratteristiche del precedente, andato pero a vuoto: solo una delle offerte presentate per i cinque pacchetti, infatti, superava la soglia minima richiesta dalla base dasta. Niente di fatto, quindi, anche in virtu della stessa Mediaset che, in sostanza, ha disertato il bando (giudicato inaccettabile) non presentando alcuna offerta. La battaglia, anche in questo caso, sara sulle esclusive: del resto, dopo essersi vista scivolare via una componente importante come la Champions, sulla Serie A Mediaset dara sicuramente battaglia.
He calls out Tehran, saying that they have not become moderate nor rational with the advent of the JCPOA Nuclear Deal. Instead, they have become more entitled and emboldened to pursue anti-American and anti-Semitism. Further, Iran never signed the JCPOA nuclear deal, and Iranian leaders violated the deal three times in the past year.

In Resolution 2231, the UN Security Council made it clear that it calls upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology. According to Tasnim News Agency, as recently as December 28 the Iranian Air Defense held an operational test of Sayyad-3 missiles paired with Talash homegrown missile system, in southern parts of the country.

Additionally, Iran has increased strategic and tactical cooperation with Russia to undermine US interests, strengthening the Russia-China-Iran axis.

More shockingly, Iran continues to rank at the top of the list for executions per capita. Iran has now become the worlds leading executioner of juveniles.

When it comes to breaking international laws, in 2016 Iran reached new levels. The billions of dollars it received as part of the Nuclear Deal didnt encourage Tehran to become a rational and moderate state. Iran instead it used the money to pursue the ideals of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Now listed as the top state sponsor of terrorism, Iran is accused of providing a range of support, including financial, training, and equipment, to groups around the world.

The first violation of the JCPOA nuclear deal was reported in July 2016, by Germanys domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The agency stated that the Iranian government was pursuing a clandestine path to obtain illicit nuclear technology and equipment from German companies, at what is, even by international standards, a quantitatively high level.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized Iran, but no action was taken.

Although Iran should request permission from a UN Security Council panel for purchases of nuclear direct-use goods, according to the nuclear deal, they did not. A report by the Institute for Science and International Security drew attention to Irans violation as well. The Institute for Science and International Security has learned that Irans Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) recently made an attempt to purchase tons of controlled carbon fiber from a country. This attempt occurred after Implementation Day of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The attempt to acquire carbon fiber was denied by the supplier and its government. Nonetheless, the AEOI had enough carbon fiber to replace existing advanced centrifuge rotors and had no need for additional quantities over the next several years, let alone for tons of carbon fiber. This attempt thus raises concerns over whether Iran intends to abide by its JCPOA commitments. In particular, Iran may seek to stockpile the carbon fiber so as to be able to build advanced centrifuge rotors far beyond its current needs under the JCPOA, providing an advantage that would allow it to quickly build an advanced centrifuge enrichment plant if it chose to leave or disregard the JCPOA during the next few years. The carbon fiber procurement attempt is also another example of efforts by the P5+1 to keep secret problematic Iranian actions.

In February 2016 as Iran exceeded its threshold for heavy water, used to produce nuclear weapons. In November 2016, according to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran once again violated the deal by holding more heavy water than permitted.

Iran was faced no consequences for either violation.

In 2016, Iran significantly ratcheted up its production of ballistic missiles, it test-fired at least eight ballistic missiles, each capable of carrying multiple nuclear heads. This is a blatant violation of the nuclear deal, as well as United Nations resolutions 1929 and 2231. The JCPOA states that Iran mustnt undertake any ballistic missile activity until the date eight years after the JCPOA Adoption Day or until the date on which the IAEA submits a report confirming the Broader Conclusion, whichever is earlier.

The UN Security Council resolution (Paragraph 3 of Annex B of resolution 2231 of 2015) is clear. The resolution calls upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.

Another UN Security Council resolution, 1929, also states, Iran shall not undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using ballistic missile technology, and that States shall take all necessary measures to prevent the transfer of technology or technical assistance to Iran related to such activities.

It is accurate to argue that the Obama Administrations appeasement policies towards Iran, gave Tehran tremendous financial relief. Meanwhile, Irans Supreme leader Khamenei instigated more anti-American sentiments and continued lashing out at the Great Satan. Iran publicly harassed the US Navy, detained US sailors, and imprisoned several American citizens. Khamenei has also threatened Israel repeatedly and made remarks about wiping Israel from the face of earth in less than 8 minutes. In December 2016, Khamenei stated that Israel would not exist in 25 years. He even published a book laying out a plan on how to destroy Israel.

As Tehran became more heavily armed, it increased its interventions in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and intensified its assistance to its Shiite proxies and Bashar al Assad, bolstering the Shia axis. Iran also increased strategic and tactical cooperation with Russia to undermine US interests, strengthening the Russia-China-Iran axis.

Finally, when it comes to human rights, Iran set some of the worst records since this regimes establishment in 1979. Human Rights Watch say that in 2016 Iran escalated the mass executions of minorities, as well as the imprisonment of human rights and political activists. Iran ranks top in the world for executions per capita, and according to Amnesty International, Iran is the worlds leading executioner of juveniles.

There is correlation between Iran gaining more money and breaching international laws. The appeasements of this past year, and the violation gone unpunished allows Iran to continue committing human rights violations, spreading its revolutionary values of anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism, destabilizing the region, intensifying regional conflicts and humanitarian tragedies, and pursing its regional ambitions.
The arguments over illegal state-aid and the 13bn in back taxes which the EUs Margrethe Vestager ruled that phone giant Apple owes this State will, thankfully, start to grind through European courts.

The drawn-out legal appeals process will provide some sort of relief from the public relations flack put up by the principal players which included a lot of the faux outrage over the Brussels ruling from the Government and Apple.

Much heat was generated last summer but, despite the size of the tax demand, markets were nonplussed. Shares in Apple  a behemoth valued at 593bn and which holds a remarkable cash hoard of over 200bn  have risen since Ms Vestagers August decision.

Investors view a tax bill of 13bn as so much chump change for the worlds most valuable corporation, and the phone giants shares ended the year 10% higher.

There was also no market evidence that rock-bottom costs of borrowing for the Government here flickered at all, despite it committing to appealing a ruling that would have given it 13bn, an enormous windfall that would lop a significant chunk from the countrys debt pile.

For any state, never mind one that has so recently emerged from near bankruptcy, to turn down a sizeable bounty suggests that big issues are playing out behind the scenes.

As the Irish Examiner reported before the ruling, in April, there were signals that the Government had accepted it had lost Ms Vestagers state aid investigation, but had anticipated a decision involving a much smaller fine, maybe one amounting to as little as 150m.

The Government nonetheless decided at this early stage to appeal any adverse ruling that implied the State had cut some sort of sweetheart deal with a multinational. Later, ministers and officials explained their decision to appeal the decision with comments about sovereignty and defending the States tax regime from Brussels bureaucrats.

Ireland and its tax dealings with US multinationals has not been alone in facing scrutiny from Ms Vestagers probe. But the 13bn clawback from Apple ensured the unflattering international spotlight on Irelands tax dealings would not fade away, as had happened with other high-profile adverse EU rulings. Apple is box office after all.

Almost all the candidates in the race for the White House had slammed Ireland over so-called tax inversion deals. And its easy to forget that it wasnt Brussels but Washington lawmakers who first drew up the allegations that Ireland had cut a too sweet deal with the most valuable company in the world.

A Senate sub-committee committee, in May 2013, claimed US taxpayers were losing billions of dollars in global revenues generated by Apple. The same hearing heard that Apple had paid next to nothing in tax on the global billions passing through two or three firms incorporated in Ireland.

The Senate committees investigation caught the Government on the hop. It was also to provide a handy roadmap for a newly installed Commission in Brussels to pursue its own investigations into tax arrangements of multinationals in Europe.

In the mix, too, are the renewed plans by commissioner tax czar Pierre Moscovici to revive the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base proposal, which even if adopted in a scaled-back version would call time on Irelands tax lure that includes the 12.5% rate and knowledge box incentives.

Yet the Government has effectively a two-way bet in its appeal against the Commissions encroachment: Launch the appeal and be seen to fight for a continuing flow of projects into Ireland at a time when the election of Donald Trump promises tougher times ahead for US investments in Europe; or after long years legal wrangling if it were to lose the appeal and collect a substantial windfall. But there is another tax issue involving Apple that TDs should probably pay more attention to.

In July this year, the CSO, through no fault of its own, had to revise Irish GDP growth figures for 2015 and following common Eurostat rules came up with the infamous 26.3% annual growth surge.

No normal advanced economy records enormous growth numbers. The revision led to the partly amusing, partly offensive jibe by Nobel economics laureate Paul Krugman of leprechaun economics. The Irish Examiner subsequently reported that Apple was the main driver behind the extraordinary revision, as it re-arranged its international tax affairs by transferring huge amounts of its intellectual property here.

Recently, the Irish Examiner reported Apple had communicated with the CSO last summer, reminding the Government agency of its confidentiality rules. Apples exercise was an accounting procedure but, presumably, involved contract manufacturing in China being counted as if it were done on Irish soil.

It will be revealing to see what happens to GDP figures here as Apple ramps up production of new phones in the future.

Apples accounting had another huge effect in widening the countrys tax base. Ask many senior economists and they will tell you that Apple was also the leading multinational that helped lead to the Government last year collecting 2.3bn more than anticipated in corporate tax revenues. But no Government minister or official will admit as much.

Next week, the Finance Department will release the 2016 tax returns which will show again that corporate tax revenues are taking in a huge haul. Its time the secrecy surrounding this other Apple tax issue was lifted.
The Defence Forces has the longest unbroken record of overseas service of any country in the world since first deploying a UN mission in 1958. In 2016, more than 1,400 Defence Forces personnel served in overseas peace support and security operations in 15 countries.

The largest Defence Forces deployments are to South Lebanon where 380 personnel create a safe and secure environment; and to the Golan Heights where 140 personnel are deployed as a disengagement observer force.

The Defence Forces also carried out 220 aid to the civil power operations in support of An Garda Siochana involving bomb disposal, prisoner escorts, explosive escorts, and major cash escorts.

More than 3,000 Defence Forces personnel were deployed throughout a severe weather storm during December 2015 and January 2016 to assist with flood relief. In addition, more than military 500 vehicles and 10 helicopters were provided to support these operations.

Apart from well-publicised operations in the Mediterranean, which this year saved 7,029 migrants, the Naval Service completed over 1,200 boardings and made three detentions for alleged infringements of fishing regulations.

The Naval Service Dive Team was deployed 10 times in 2016 including for seven separate search and recovery operations following requests from the Coast Guard and gardai.

Meanwhile, the Air Corps conducted more than 300 maritime surveillance patrol flights and undertook 400 emergency aeromedical missions supporting the HSE in providing a medical service for seriously ill patients in rural communities.

As part of the 1916 centenary commemorations, 10,000 Defence Forces personnel visited nearly 3,200 schools and presented the National Flag and a copy of the Proclamation.

The centenary Easter Sunday parade at the GPO included more than 2,800 members of the Defence Forces and a display of military vehicles and aircraft watched by more than 750,000 people lining the streets if Dublin.

The Defence Forces also raised the National Flag on OConnell St every day during the year.
Secret files, just released under the 30-year rule, show that defence and health chiefs in Dublin were told in 1986 to update contingency plans previously drawn up in 1974 and 1975 - among the bloodiest years of the Troubles.

The revamped preparations would take into account the then new hospital at Letterkenny in County Donegal being used for casualties and expanded Irish Army bases to house the initial reception of refugees.

The updated contingency plan was ordered against a background of growing fears of a loyalist backlash to the 1985 accord signed between Mr Fitzgerald and Margaret Thatcher descending into a full-blown emergency.

The Irish governments Inter-departmental Committee on Wartime Emergency Preparations, which first met in October 1986, had raised the planning assumptions in relation to Northern Ireland.

In a secret letter to the Department of Health in December, the Taoiseachs office sought confirmation that plans previously drawn up by your department to cater for such an eventuality have been kept in place and updated to take account of developments such as the opening of the major new hospital in Letterkenny. The contingency referred to medical and hospital treatment of casualties.

In a similar missive to the Department of Defence, the Taoiseachs office said the likelihood of such an exodus across the border as far as it can be foreseen was not particularly strong at the time.

But it added: However, in view of the unpredictable nature of the situation and outlook in Northern Ireland, it is considered advisable to seek confirmation that the plans previously drawn up in your department have been kept in place and updated to take into account of any subsequent developments.

These included for example some premises being no longer available or an expansion in accommodation in army premises that could be utilised for the initial reception of refugees: it is clearly necessary that plans for this contingency should be up to date.
In late 1986, a US charter airline, Blue Army/Skystar International, sought permission to fly from Knock Airport direct to the US without a stopover at Shannon in summer 1987.

The companys plan was to transport 5,000 pilgrims to two sites on mainland Europe before visiting Knock as the last leg of the route before the return journey back to the US.

While not specified in legislation, all flights between Ireland and the US stopped in Shannon under a bilateral air service agreement that had existed over the previous 40 years.

Knock Airport  the brainchild of local cleric, Monsignor James Horan  opened in October 1985 with 9.8m funding from the government, to mixed reaction given its controversial location in the middle of an elevated bog in an isolated part of the west of Ireland.

The Minister for Communications, Jim Mitchell, said any departure from the requirement of the Shannon stopover would represent a significant change in policy. He claimed such a change would call into question the Governments commitment to the maintenance of Shannon as the sole transatlantic gateway.

It would give the US a reason to seek a relaxation of overall policy on the Shannon stop, he warned. Mr Mitchell said such a decision would also undermine the large-scale investment which Aer Rianta had made on facilities at Shannon.

A concession to [Knock] would be seen as a lessening of the states commitment to the mid-west/Shannon region, and would undoubtedly lead to an uproar in the Shannon area since the change would be perceived as a potential threat to jobs in the entire mid-west region, he predicted.

The Minister said it would probably also lead to pressure from Dublin and Cork to also run direct flights to the US.

Mr Mitchell advised the Cabinet that the proposal by Blue Army/Skystar International was not of sufficient importance to justify a change in policy on the status of Shannon with the downside risks involved.

In the early 1990s, the agreement was altered to allow flights from the US operate to Dublin via Shannon.

The Shannon stopover only formally ended with the introduction of the open skies aviation agreement between the EU and the US which came into effect in March 2008.
During a security summit in London in 1986, the British wanted to know about possible infiltration of police communications.

Britains then-secretary of state Tom King said the sophistication of the IRA was impressive and asked Irelands justice minister Michael Noonan about Garda precautions.

Mr Noonan said the force was switching to a new nationwide radio network for rural divisions and a contract for something similar was in the pipeline for the Dublin Metropolitan Area.

However, an Irish official intervened to say: We could not commit ourselves at this stage to saying that, in the context of Garda/RUC communications, the new equipment would be secure and this was something that needed to be examined.

Notes of the top-level meeting, just released into the National Archives, said: As regards telephone communications, it was accepted that at present, these were not secure from IRA penetration.

During the same summit, Mr King said arms finds by gardai in Sligo and Roscommon cheered up the RUC. It would be of enormous assistance, he said, if gardai could locate the IRA mortar factory used to make bombs to target RUC stations.

The archives also show the IRA had planned to exploit Margaret Thatchers privatisation policy to fund its activities. Paramilitary-linked racketeers seeking public contracts employed benefit fraudsters to reduce wages and maximise their chances of winning tenders awarded to the cheapest bidder.
China will hold its first military drill in Nepal next year, as a joint act in order to frighten India, China's defence ministry said.

Addressing a monthly news conference, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said "that China and Nepal's militaries had in recent years had many forms of exchanges.

China and Nepal had been in "initial communication" about joint army exercises, and details would be announced in due tome, Yang said without giving details.

This would be the first joint military exercises between the two countries."

China is wanting to get hold on the Nepal in order to get hold of the country Nepal , and since so long India and China had been trying improve their relations but there is still some dispute and cold war.

Also Read:

China reacts to Indias Agni-V test launch

6.3 magnitude Earthquake shakes Japan
The ex-Fine Gael leader issued the demand as he claimed a post-Brexit soft Irish border may only be possible if Northern Irish police are allowed to cross into the Republic to conduct activities.

Speaking on RTE Radio, Mr Bruton said the reality is Britain must choose between a hard Brexit or no Brexit at all.

He said prime minister Theresa May should ignore the outcome of the vote and seek to remain in the EU.

He also downplayed the possibility of a deal being reached to allow a soft border between the Republic and Northern Ireland .

In recent months, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and other officials have said a similar arrangement which allows Sweden and Norway to operate relaxed EU border controls with each other could be reached in Ireland.

However, asked about the issue, Mr Bruton said the move has hidden problems, including the reality of Northern Irish police operating on the Republics side of the border.

People are talking about Norway and Sweden, but that arrangement involves Norwegian police crossing into Sweden and Swedish police crossing into Norway.

Whether that would work on a land border in Ireland against the background of history, even though very practical, is an open question.

The potential move  first suggested by the late prime minister Margaret Thatcher as part of her hot pursuit plans in the 1980s  will prove controversial for border communities.
Larry McCarthy, aged 37, with addresses at Old Cork Rd and Cornmarket Villas, both in Limerick, yesterday sought bail on compassionate grounds to attend his grandmothers funeral in Limerick. The State objected.

Mr McCarthy is charged with threatening to kill Noel Moore at Windsor House, Donoughmore, Limerick on July 28, 2015. He is also charged with threatening to damage Mr Moores house. The Special Criminal Court previously fixed a trial date of June 19 next year.
In one of a flurry of high-level intergovernmental meetings in 1986, then-British cabinet secretary Robert Armstrong  Britains top-ranking official  told Irish counterparts that Mr Robinson was saying things about independence.

We may be tending to treat this as unthinkable and to say they cant really want it, but the issue may become more real, he warned.

Mr Armstrong was head of the British civil service and chief adviser to prime minister Margaret Thatcher and the Tory cabinet.

Notes from the meeting at Whitehall, marked secret, were sent back from London to then-taoiseach Garret FitzGerald in Dublin.

Mr Armstrong told officials that unionists who feared the agreement was a precursor to a British withdrawal would prefer an independent Northern Ireland rather than a united Ireland.

He said: However, they do not appear to have thought out the full consequences of this course  and enthusiasm for it is far less than widespread.

He said a lot of unionist thinking particularly on the part of (Ian) Paisley was based on the premise that at some time the British would pull the rug out and that then Northern Ireland would have to go it alone.

Paisley wanted to be in a position to blame the British if this happened  and also to be at the top of the heap, he said, according to Irish official notes of the meeting, released under the 30-year rule.
Mr Harris gave a commitment at the start of December to undertake a site visit once he had received a report from the HSE on the state of the hospitals gynaecological services, where almost 4,200 women are awaiting outpatient appointments; approximately 800 have waited more than 18 months.

A spokesperson for Cork University Hospital, under whose governance CUMH falls, said its report was submitted to the Department of Health on December 8.

Mr Harris requested the report after the Irish Examiner revealed that almost the entire consultant cohort at CUMH  including 15 consultant obstetrician/gynaecologists and four neonatologists  wrote to their chief executive, Tony McNamara, warning they would no longer take responsibility for women whose health deteriorated due to excessive waits for treatment.

The consultants have repeatedly advised hospital management of the need to invest in the service.

Asked if Mr Harris had selected a date for his visit, a department spokesperson said: The minister hopes to visit CUMH early in the New Year, but given Dail business and the existing diary commitments, we dont as yet have a date.

Mr Harris said he intends to visit CUMH to hear directly from the clinicians who were concerned for the safety of women attending their gynaecological services.

Consultants have repeatedly outlined measures they feel are necessary to tackle the astronomical waiting lists. These include opening a second theatre for gynaecology surgery at CUMH, which has not been used for gynaecological surgical lists since the hospital opened almost a decade ago.

The theatre in use is restricted to three or four days a week and consultants want five-day access. Consultants are also looking for four additional consultant gynaecologist posts; a gynaecology day unit, in the offing since 2013; and a gynaecology one-stop-shop which would allow minor surgical outpatient procedures.

The plans for the latter were costed in a submission made to the South Southwest Hospital (SSW) group 18 months ago.

None of these issues has been addressed despite consultants repeatedly highlighting the risk to womens health and the ongoing diminished quality of life as a result of being unable to access timely diagnosis and treatment for a range of gynaecological conditions, including cancer.

Consultants have been told a locum post has been approved for CUMH for a six-month period.

Some consultant obstetrician/gynaecologists met recently with Gerry ODwyer, chief executive of SSW, to discuss their difficulties. It is understood the group is now very keen to speak with Mr Harris.

When the Irish Examiner asked Mr ODwyer if any progress had been made on meeting the consultants demands, he said: We are in discussions with two hospitals at the moment (CUMH and South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital) and with the consultants, and I am not prepared to say anything more as the discussions are sensitive.

In the meantime, the Irish Examiner has seen a number of letters written by and on behalf of women affected by delays in accessing the gynaecological services, reprinted below. Two are written by TDs on behalf of constituents and are anonymised. The third is an open letter from a patient to Mr McNamara, the CUMH chief.
Silence (15A) opens in 1640, with two Jesuit priests, Fr Sebastiao (Andrew Garfield) and Fr Francisco (Adam Driver), dispatched to Japan to ascertain the whereabouts of Christian missionary Fr Ferreira (Liam Neeson). Their mission, however, isnt simply one of discovery: in a period of brutal Christian persecution in Japan, Fr Ferreira is accused of becoming an apostate and denying the one true religion. Adapted from Shusaku Endos novel by Martin Scorsese and Jay Cocks, with Scorsese directing, Silence is both a gripping tale and a complex, involving meditation on faith.

Hunted by the authorities, with a bounty on their heads, Fr Sebastiao and Fr Francisco are the only Catholic priests in Buddhist Japan, their God-inspired vocation bolstered by the fervour with which their message is received by the Japanese who practise their Christian rites in secret.

Scorsese doesnt spare us the sordid details: the film opens with a vividly depicted scene of torture, one of many scattered throughout the story as the faithful are tested to their limits, their prayers and agonies unanswered by Gods apparent silence. Vividly rendered by cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, the film is beautifully constructed, the squalid mise-en-scene often shrouded in mist and fog as the principals grasp after truth and meaning, with Andrew Garfield first among equals in an Oscar-worthy performance. A companion piece of sorts to Scorseses The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), and similar in theme and tone to The Mission (1986) and Black Robe (1991), Silence is a superbly nuanced and bracingly realistic exploration of belief and faith.

Adapted by Patrick Ness from his bestselling YA novel, A Monster Calls (12A) centres on 12-year-old Conor (Lewis MacDougall), a young man struggling to cope with his mothers (Felicity Jones) terminal illness and the bullies who torment him at school.

As if all that wasnt bad enough, Conors life is turned upside-down one night when he is visited by a Monster (voiced by Liam Neeson), who erupts from the yew tree in the graveyard beside Conors home with the demand that Conor do the one thing he is incapable of doing: tell himself the truth.

What follows is an absorbing tale of grief, rage, guilt and fear, as Conor faces the kind of horror no child should ever have to countenance. JA Bayona directs with a real flair for the visual imagery that underpins the story: Conor is a promising artist with a vibrant imagination, and the offbeat fairytale stories told by the Monster are rendered in fabulous hand-drawn animation.

Its an emotionally complex tale too, with little by way of simplistic solutions to Conors tragic circumstance on offer: Conor finds himself battling with his estranged father (Toby Kebbell) and failing to bond with his strict grandmother (Sigourney Weaver), all the while experiencing the terror of losing his dying mother. Lewis MacDougall puts in a terrifically intense performance for such a tender talent, and receives strong support from a hauntingly vulnerable Felicity Jones and the stiffly unbending Weaver.

Dark and weighty in tone and theme, A Monster Calls is a tour-de-force exploration of death and grief that will deeply touch any audience.

Why Him? (15) stars Bryan Cranston as Ned Fleming, a doting father who is horrified to discover that his beloved daughter Stephanie (Zoey Deutch) is dating the most inappropriate man any right-thinking father could imagine: Laird Mayhew (James Franco), a foul-mouthed Silicon Valley mogul covered in tattoos who has no filter and no appreciation of the social niceties.

Invited to California for the Christmas holidays, Ned resolves to put an end to the romance  but he has reckoned without Lairds sleazy charm. Written by Jonah Hill, Ian Helfer and John Hamburg, with Hamburg directing, Why Him? is an offbeat comedy of manners that has a quaintly old-fashioned feel  indeed, Cranstons amiable portrayal of fatherly frustration may put older viewers in mind of Spencer Tracy.

The subtext here, of course, is that the older generation doesnt understand the generation coming through (Neds business is in paper printing, app inventor Laird lives in a digital world), and the early sections find Cranston, Franco and Deutch developing a real chemistry from their apparently irreconcilable dilemma (Megan Mullally, playing Neds wife Barb, has terrific fun with a succession of throwaway one-liners).

Much of the casts good work is undone, however, by a script that appears all too happy to lean on a Meet the Fockers-style personality clash, and the story quickly runs out to steam, its gentle humour replaced with a succession of gross-out gags and a lazy satire on Californian hipster excess that is the comic equivalent of shooting fish in a barrel.
City breaks offer all of the ingredients needed for a memorable New Years celebration.

From the buzz of a city centre, to the smell of just-exploded fireworks, there is something viscerally exciting about spending the end of one year and the start of another in the urban playground of a city.

With that in mind, we have come up with nine amazing European cities to visit this New Year, all of which boast direct flights from Cork.

Weve found the best parties and located the ideal spots to stay all thats needed is to book your ticket. So, get planning for next year now.

Amsterdam

Achingly cool, Amsterdam is the best place in Europe to let down your shackles and party like its well 2017.

Amsterdam is the best place in Europe to let down your shackles

Accommodation in this city is not cheap and, while a wealth of Airbnb options may seem the most budget- friendly, there is a new wave of modern budget hotels popping up around the city.

Our favourite is CitizenM; a futuristic hotel boasting extremely large beds, soundproofed rooms, and an interior that looks like an IKEA catalogue on steroids.

It has a canteen-style restaurant for quick re-fuelling between New Years parties, of which there are serious amounts citywide.

Do not miss:

Osterdok, the citys official celebration, where superstar DJs prevail as fireworks shoot across the sky. Celebrations start at 9.30pm at the edge of the Scheepvaartmuseum. Be sure to pack a jumper, as Amsterdam nights are extremely cold this time of year.

www.citizenm.com

Cardiff

The undeniable party city of Wales, Cardiff has long hosted elaborate New Years celebrations that attract crowds from far and wide.

We suggest starting in the afternoon with a visit to the New Theatre, where none other than David Hasslehoff is starring in pantomime.

Follow on to the Chapter Arts Centre, which is hosting a David Bowie New Years, replete with Bowie-inspired cocktails and fancy dress.

Stay at The Big Sleep, which may sound suspect, but is in fact an old British Gas building, which converted offices into hotel rooms. It is decorated in Scandi-chic, has few bells and whistles, but is a stones throw from the main shopping thoroughfare and, crucially for New Years, operates a 24-hour bar.

www.thebigsleephotel.com

Edinburgh

Ah, Hogmanay. There is nothing that rivals the world-famous festival that rocks Edinburgh through to New Year.

From a candle-lit concert of classical music in the hallowed surrounds of St Giles Cathedral to a rip-roaring belter of a concert, headlined by Paulo Nutini, to a ceilidh in the Old Town, this is New Years on a citywide level.

Edinburgh has Hogmanay

Theyve even taken kids into account, with a Sprogmanay festival for nippers.

Book into Stay Central, a brilliantly imaginative budget hotel located just off the Royal Mile. Bedrooms are urban in the extreme (exposed walls and metal and rough wood) complemented by the necessary iPhone docks and flat screen televisions of todays traveller.

They even gift each check in with a bottle of wine, which is a lovely touch.

www.staycentral.co.uk

Geneva

Pack your snow gear, darling, youre skiing into the New Year. The beauty of Geneva airport is that it is less than an hour away from some of the best ski resorts in Europe. Head towards Chamonix, which is an hours drive from Geneva airport and an ideal spot for a weekend getaway.

Check into Vallorcine Mont Blanc Residence & Spa; super fancy apartments with daily room service, an on-site spa with hammam and its very own ice rink. We recommend booking a table at Le Privilege to see how the other half lives for a night, before dancing the night away at Clubhouse.

The crowd here are fancy, so be sure to pack your (ski- appropriate) gladrags.

www.chamonix-vacances.com

Liverpool

These days, Liverpool is one of northern Englands biggest party cities, making it an ideal destination for your end of year celebrations.

If we were going, we would book a ticket to District House, an uber-fancy bar/cocktail/club/restaurant that seems as though it would house many a reality television star.

The night at District House includes dinner, dancing to samba, lots of cocktails and a DJ set by the Son of 8 and Drew Moreland, who we are assured are two of the citys hottest tickets.

We would stay at Novotel, which, as well as having a city-centre location and a pool, has an extremely decent room rate.

www.novotel.com

London

There are so many things going on in London on New Years Eve, it can be quite the daunting task trying to figure out what to do.

First things first; if you want to watch the fireworks near the display, you will have to get a ticket and you will have to pay. To get a ticket, log onto www.london.gov.uk and sign up.

If money is no object, splash out on a ticket to the New Year Gala at The Ritz this year.

Their world-famous restaurant The Palm Court will transform into a beacon of revelry, departing from its usual incarnation, to stage a glamorous 1920s-themed black-tie event.

Delight in a delectable four-course dinner created by executive chef, John Williams, MBE, and toast the New Year with a glass of Dom Perignon Champagne.

With entertainment from vintage swing bands, bagpipes, and a 14-piece military marching band, tickets cost a mere 795 per person, and 300 per child.

www.theritzlondon.com

Malaga

New Years Eve is a big deal all over Spain, and Malaga is no exception.

Traditionally, locals eat a family meal together before taking to the streets for a night of dancing and music.

Malagas main square will come alive with an orchestra and the city hall distributes 2,000 bags of grapes, which revellers eat for luck in the New Year.

We recommend eating some amazing tapas in Gorki or Bodega Bar El Pimpi, before working your way down to the public celebrations.

Stay in Alcazaba Premium Hostel, a high-end budget hostel with accommodation ranging from dorms to doubles, all with private bathrooms and some with their own balcony.

It has a fantastic roof-top terrace with view across the city, and a delicious restaurant on site.

alcazabapremiumhostel.com

Munich

Get ready party people. Munich has its own name for New Years Eve, so seriously do they take it. On Silvesterabend, the whole city goes into full-on celebration mode. Restaurants offer lavish five- and six-course menus and bars and clubs host huge elaborate parties. Marienplatz is the citys central square and is the perfect place to head to on the night, because it is right in the middle of the major bar and restaurant district.

Munich: On Silvesterabend, the whole city goes into full-on celebration mode

The city will throw an elaborate firework display, but the real fun will be found in the wee hours in the citys many nightclubs where parties will go on until the early morning.

There is lots of choice when it comes to accommodation in Munich, but Motel One  a hugely popular chain in Germany  offers six different hotels across the city, all for 69 per night. The rooms are no frills and dont include breakfast, but there is no denying its good value.

Paris

If you are lucky enough to be in Paris on the cusp of the New Year, then you better make the most of it. The city of light offers something for everyone, whether it is a shared glass of vintage champagne overlooking the Seine or a massive rave in a disused warehouse.

Paris

Somewhere in between, the city offers a huge amount of New Years tourist packages; from a dinner and music at the famous Le Mere Catherine Montmartre, that promises to keep you singing until dawn, to a ticket to the world-renowned Moulin Rouge, this is a night to taste all that Paris has to offer.

To sleep, jadore Hotel Le Relais Montmartre, whose rooms are pretty and clean and frou frou and morning coffee can be taken in the courtyard during the warmer months.

The hotel is like an old pension and is located just a few minutes from the Sacre-Coeur, but feels almost village-ish in atmosphere.
Dateline Dateline Irrawaddy: Aung San Suu Kyi Did Her Best to Address Allegations on the International Stage

DateLine Irrawady

Kyaw Zwa Moe: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy! Since this is the last week of 2016, Irrawaddy news crew members will summarize and discuss political, economic, social, ethnic, and other key issues from this year. Ko Kyaw Kha, Ko Moe Myint, and Ma Zue Zue will join me for the conversation. Im Irrawaddy English editor Kyaw Zwa Moe.

For our country, 2016 has been a significant year, because the elected government of the National League for Democracy [NLD] was able to take power peacefully. But at the same time, many challenges are facing the NLD government. One of the key challenges is national reconciliation, and how the army and civilian government are still building up a relationship. Continued clashes and escalating tensions between ethnic armed groups and the army are also a stiff challenge to the NLD government. So well discuss to what extent the NLD government will be able to overcome them. And, many things also took place regarding the countrys peace process. Ko Kyaw Kha, what is your summary of the entire peace process?

Kyaw Kha: In the pre-election period, the NLD described ethnic issues and peace as top priority in its election manifesto. And they have firmly focused on those issues after coming to power in March. Then they worked towards the 21st Century Panglong Conference. They formed a preparation committee for the conference, as well as the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC), chaired by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, to continue the peace process. I found that the new government worked consistently and seriously. What was significant about the 21st Century Panglong Conference was that when U Thein Seins government held the Union Peace Conference in January, ethnic armed groups that had not yet signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement [NCA] did not attend. And they also didnt join discussions about the framework for political dialogue, saying that they didnt have a say in the decision-making process. But then, NCA non-signatories joined the peace conference initiated by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and they could discuss the framework for political dialogue, too. There are increased opportunities compared to the past, and their discussions have become more lively and positive.

But speaking of negative developments, the Northern Alliance troops consisting of the KIA [Kachin Independence Army], TNLA [Taang National Liberation Army], MNDAA [Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army [MNDAA], and AA [Arakan Army] launched joint offensives on Nov. 20 in northern Shan State. This led to increased fierce clashes with the army, and has made it quite difficult for them to meet [for peace talks]. So, the peace process is [also] showing negative signs at present.

KZM: We have witnessed social and public security problems like rising commodity prices and an increase in crimes this year. Ma Zue Zue, how badly have those urban problems or criminal activities become? And what issues need to be addressed as a priority?

Zue Zue: Yes, crimes have increased significantly this year. The crime that caused public outcry and outrage was child rape cases. There were over 1,000 child rape cases from 2014 to 2016, mainly in Irrawaddy, Rangoon, Mandalay, Magwe and Sagaing divisions. Police records reveal that child rape cases increased in 2015 and 2016. There were over 500 rape cases this year, and only about 200 of them have been settled so far, and in those cases, sex offenders were given jail sentences ranging from one year to a maximum 20 years. Only a few were given 20-year jail sentences, with most of them being handed only a few years in prison.

KZM: What reasons are people suggesting [for the increase in crime]?

ZZ: Police pointed out that the increase in rape cases was related to the increased abuse of drugs and easy access to porn videos [on the internet]. But women rights activists have said that it was related to behavioral changes in people, that they have become more aggressive. And it was found that in most of the cases, the victim belongs to a family of low social status. Such families are more vulnerable, as the two parents leave their child to neighbors when they go to work.

KZM: Another pressing issue is conflict in Arakan State. The Foreign Affairs Ministry of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as well as the army have to handle this carefully. Ko Moe Myint, what is your review of the events from this year, and what are the latest developments?

Moe Myint: The investigation commission led by Vice-President U Myint Swe is investigating the case. And they have implied recently that the attacks [against border police] were intentional, that the militants launched attacks only after they underwent adequate training provided by international terrorist organizations. And it was different from the inter-communal conflicts that happened in 2012. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi did her best to address allegations on the international stage. For example, she did things like appointing Kofi Annan [to head the Arakan State Advisory Commission], which gave [Burma] ground [to counter allegations] in the international arena. And it is really a good move that [Daw Aung San Suu Kyi] met Asean foreign ministers a week or two ago. It is fair to say that the meeting was quite productive.

KZM: Isnt it fair to say she had to do so because she as well as her cabinet and information ministry failed to handle the problem in a timely manner? The international community and UN agencies have even called the issue a genocide. Is the government weak in its response?

MM: It is true that they have been weak. They did constantly release information about the incident since it first broke out. But then, they didnt manage to reject allegations with strong evidence. For example, in the cases of [houses being set on] fire, many houses were reduced to ashes, but then the government only spoke of the issue after allegations [of human rights abuse] broke. They should have reported on rape cases and so on before international organizations made allegations public.

KZM: Ko Kyaw Kha, lets go back to the topic of peace. 2016 is ending and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has talked about resuming the 21st Century Panglong Conference in 2017 and holding talks with stakeholders that she thinks should participate in the peace process. So how will the peace process turn out since clashes have never actually ended?

KK: [The second round of] the Panglong Conference will be held in February 2017. But it seems that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will continue with the conference with NCA signatories even if non-signatories do not participate. Tensions remain between two sides because of continuous clashes. Dialogue between the two sides is still uncertain. So it is unlikely that NCA non-signatories will join the second round of the conference. It is still difficult for them. But if both the army and ethnic armed groups were to make concessions, stop clashes, and started face-to-face dialogue, then the situation would change. But if they dont, it will remain difficult to achieve peace.

KZM: We have seen increased reports of crimes like child rape and daytime robberies. What are concerned agencies and persons doing to handle child rape? What are the Parliament and judicial officials doing?

ZZ: Female lawmakers have asked in Parliament if the government could impose harsh penalties on offenders. And Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement U Win Myat Aye replied that the 1993 Child Law did not carry penalties for molesting minors, but it was being amended to be a child rights law and carry a jail term of a minimum of 10 years to a maximum of 20 for child molesters. Apart from the government enacting such a law, lawyers, judges, and police engaged in the judicial system should have a thorough knowledge of the law and apply it to the letter when administering justice. Finally, the government needs to widely educate the public about how they can participate in fighting against child rape.

KZM: Thanks for your contributions. Reviewing the politics of our country, our country now has a democratic government. But there are many problems ahead. The government is short on time [to focus on other issues] as it has been kept busy trying to solve problems dating back to 1962, when the military regime took power in Burma. My view is that the civil-military relationship is critically important because the Constitution has granted the army rights such as 25 percent of seats in the Parliament, and it continues to have a grip on three key ministries as well as other constitutional rights. If we assess Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, because she is the key player, it seems that she is focusing her efforts on national reconciliation as her top priorityto reconcile with the army leadership. She has come under severe criticism for this. Ethnic groups criticize her for not standing by them. And the international community criticizes her because she has kept silent about human rights issues, despite the fact that she is a Nobel laureate. So it is a tough situation for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to navigate.

There will be similar challenges for the government in 2017. It has been nine months since the government took power in April. By now we have seen the performance of ministerswhich ones are productive and which are not. As the leader of our country, it is time for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to make an appraisal of the capacity of her cabinet members, especially since there have been criticisms from some lawmakers and commentators in this regard, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi ought to think about how to effectively run her government for the next four years.

Thank you for your contributions. And Happy New Year!
Everyone was curious about Carrie Fisher death cause. The "Star Wars" actress passed away on December 27, 2016 and has left a legacy in the field of mental health. The actress was known for being an inspiration for those who are struggling with mental illness and addiction.

"We have been given a challenging illness, and there is no other option than to meet those challenges. Think of it as an opportunity to be heroic - not "I survived living in Mosul during an attack" heroic, but an emotional survival. An opportunity to be a good example to others who might share our disorder," Fisher wrote to a person with bipolar disorder.

As per Business Insider, mental illness is common. Professor Bethany Teachman explained that at least 25% to 50% of the population will have an encounter with mental illness at some point in their lives. Hence, the famous issue of the Carrie Fisher death cause. She continues to say that when people acknowledge the struggles and deem it normal, treatment is then easier to get.

Teachman says that people with social anxiety disorder usually wait for a long time, ranging from 15-25 years before seeking treatment. As mental issues are considered a stigma and a serious problem, sufferers choose to hide it and keep on struggling for years.

Irish Times also reports that a survey of 1,366 attendees was performed in First Fortnight last year in January and found that 49 percent of the people did not want to anyone to know about their condition. They expressed that they delay treatment for the fear of having other people find out about their mental health problem.

With regards to the Carrie Fisher death cause, Teachman encourages people to speak about their mental health problems and challenges as it helps other sufferers to know that the problems are common and is not meant to be hidden.
Tesla Inc. faces a decisive year in 2017 when the company has to pull it off or risk being left behind and lose its dominant position.

Tesla Motors' History

According to Wired, Tesla Inc. made it as one of the world's best-known, biggest companies in its 13 years of its existence. While flirting with illegality to keep up its frenetic pace and dodging bankruptcy, the company built a zealous fan base, charged electric cars with sex appeal, set records for quality and performance and even started selling cars that drive themselves.

As successful as Tesla's story is, this is just the beginning. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has great visions for the future and long promised to change the world. He offers an affordable electric car for the masses that also happens to drive itself.

While keeping shareholders happy, Tesla is ready to transform from a niche player into the company that is making a palpable, positive impact on the planet and on people's lives. And the year 2017 will be a decisive one when the company has to prove its maturity and maintain its dominant position in the market or risk being left as just one more daring automotive startup that just couldn't hang up with the pace of competition.

Because behind those headline goals are the challenges in turning vaporware into a physical product at scale, that stage at which so many companies fail. And Tesla has to make that transformation while fighting off increasing competition from mainstream and newer automakers, continuing to improve its autonomous technology, and avoiding negative press.

Gigafactory

According to IEEE Spectrum, finally, Tesla's lithium-ion batteries will start coming off the line in 2017.The Gigafactory promises to quickly push lithium batteries to an unprecedented scale. This might prove that clean energy could be powerful and shift the trajectories for both the energy-storage and the automotive industries.

While energy storage vendors slashed prices and scaled up battery production, several competing car makers doubled down on electric-vehicle development. The energy market research firm Navigant Research reports that Tesla's push is a leading factor behind a 60 percent increase in EV battery sales.

Without producing a single EV battery, the Gigafactory was able to have such a significant influence on the EV battery market. And within the next several months, this is a situation that's about to change. The Gigafactory will soon begin rolling off the assembly lines the first battery packs produced entirely in-house.

According to reports, by midyear, the plant will need to produce 75 Li-ion cells per second for the Model 3 electric car for the masses. The Gigafactory will also need to ramp up production of Powerpacks and Powerwalls, the company's energy storage systems for utility, commercial and homes use.

In order to continue meeting orders, sometime next year Tesla's battery plant must reach its 35-GWh annual capacity. The year 2017 is definitely the year when the Gigafactory must become an efficient mass producer rather than just a clean energy icon.

Leading Self-Driving Niche

More than just electric cars, Musk's ambitions include plans to make every Tesla vehicle able of driving itself everywhere, in all conditions. Musk has promised that by the end of 2017 he will send a self-driving car from Los Angeles to New York. What Musk has in mind is full door-to-door travel in full autonomy, including the autonomous car dropping the passengers in Times Square, then parking itself.

Tesla needs to continue to be seen as a market leader in the field of autonomous cars because the market is going to become very large in the future. This means seeking good publicity as well as avoiding bad publicity.

To date, Tesla has been using car owners as testers with releasing "beta" versions of its technology. The company has a great tolerance for risk taking, so the consumers are the ones who need to be cautious instead.
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Some people are worrying about immigrants stealing their jobs, but apparently, they are not the biggest threat out there. A recent report from The White House shows that the increase of artificial intelligence does not bode well for the workforce.

As technology continues to develop, the number of tasks that can be done by an artificial intelligence rises. This means that some manual labors can now be done by a machine or a robot. Silicon Valley already has a robot pizzeria, where artificial intelligence make pizzas for consumers.

A White House report titled "Artificial Intelligence, Automation, and the Economy" appears to confirm people's fears that artificial intelligence will slowly replace the workforce. This could mean a lot of things for the economy, but above all, this could herald an era where humans have to fight for jobs.

Daily Mail reported that artificial intelligence is expected to result in improved productivity, leading to a wage increase and work hour reduction. However, people who are less education will not be able to compete with artificial intelligence, so they are the ones who are expected to be hit the most. Jobs & Hire previously reported that implementing automation or replacing workers with robots will not affect low-level IT workers.

An estimate from Forrester suggests that 6% of the workforce will be artificial intelligence within five years. However, an Oxford University study shows that as much as 47% of jobs can be replaced by artificial intelligence. That translates to millions of workers who might find themselves jobless because of robots.

Entities working on artificial intelligence are trying to sell the idea that humans and robots working side by side would be highly beneficial to workers as they can get higher wages while working fewer hours. However, the collateral damage will be the less-skilled and less-educated.
Having an understanding of the different business cultures, be it in depth or only a rough knowledge, can make or break a business deal and a job interview. Compiled below is a list of information taken from articles and from psychologist Geert Hofstede's research that can be your guide to work cultures.

France. Based on Geert Hofstedes cultural findings, the French are self-motivated which means that they will think of themselves and their family first before others. They also take pride in what they do and expect respect for it, as well as are opinionated and unique individuals.

Work and personal life are separate aspects for them, according to Business Culture. Even religion cannot be showed publicly for security reasons.

The French also dislike uncertainty; they are not prone to making high risk decisions and want all the necessary information before going into the negotiation room. They have highly structured organizations and many rules that should be followed.

Furthermore, the French have a great deal of respect for the boss and will follow orders. If they are averse to it, however, Hofstede found that they may do and say things behind their superiors back.

Germany. Germans live to work instead of work to live. Like the French, they take pride in what they do, have a great sense of duty and responsibility, and importance is placed on good performance.

Germans enjoy open communication in the workplace, valuing honest and open exchanges that can lead to growth and improvement. They are also a very systematic and organized people; they rigidly follow rules, prepare everything before proceeding on a project, and dislike abrupt changes or interruptions to plans.

In addition, leadership, according to Hofstede, is based on who is best suited and qualified for the position and control is disliked. Work and personal life are also seen as two divided aspects and thus business transactions should always be formally done.

Japan. Unlike the previous two countries, the Japanese are not the kind to express brutally honest opinions but will prioritize harmony in the workplace. They will also always consider the collective consensus, approval, and opinion in order to avoid making embarrassing and shameful mistakes.

According to Just Landed, they work long hours, are driven to excellence and are very competitive, always thriving in work place competitions. They also follow hierarchical structures, wrote Hofstede, refraining from acting on projects unless it has been approved at each subsequent level of the management.

Furthermore, they also avoid the unknown and would much rather be prepared for any likely event. As such they form contingency plans and conduct feasibility studies so as to minimize risk.

South Korea. South Koreans work to live and not live to work unlike the Germans. According to Hofstede, time is money and they enjoy security in life, thus they work hard to be able to provide for their loved ones.

It is not just their own families that they watch out for. They also take care of their colleagues and subordinates, treating them as extended family members.

For instance, it is common in South Korea for superiors to invite subordinates to share drinks and meals together so that they can bond and get to know each other more. Subordinates cannot decline as it is seen to be ungracious and they generally respect and obey their superiors.

They also follow rules and are not very open towards unorthodox behavior. Neither do they prioritize quarterly earnings or goals but look towards the future and to meeting the needs of the next generation.

To find out more about other countries business cultures, visit Geert Hofstedes website.
If you are dreaming of a career in the U.S. government, the start of 2017 would be a good year to sniff around for a government position. The coming of a new administration could mean that turnovers will climb as government workers think about leaving.

It appears that many government agencies will be in need of new employees when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump assumes his post. Government employees are usually expected to remain in place despite a change in administration, but it appears that Americans have no qualms about resigning if they do not agree with the incoming administration, The Atlantic reported, citing a study.

The number of people who will leave during the first year of a new administration depends on the political preference of the government workers. It seems to make sense because not everyone can work under people whose views they do not agree with and some people do not want to compromise their ideals just to earn money.

The pending exodus as Trump takes the U.S. government's helm could serve as opportunities for those who are looking for a job in the government. Unfortunately, potential applicants need to have ample experience and education because the study found that rank-and-file members are not as significantly affected with a change in administration compared with those who are holding management positons.

Employee data taken from the Office of Personnel Management show that people in the Senior Executive Service are usually the ones who are quick to head to the door upon the installment of a new administration. It seems that rank-and-file government employee departure is not an issue every time America elects a new president.

For those who currently have a job but are planning to shift to a government career, Jobs & Hire had a report about how to gracefully exit a current job.
One set of patent-infringement lawsuits addressing electronic cigarette technology is heading to mediation, according to legal filings Thursday.

Fontem Ventures BV and Fontem Holdings BV, owned by Imperial Brands Plc of England, is suing NuMark LLC, a subsidiary of Altria Group Inc. of Richmond. NuMark has filed a counter suit.

Fontem and NuMark have chosen Lex Brainerd of San Francisco as the mediator.

Fontem has filed at least three similar lawsuits against R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co., which makes top-selling e-cig Vuse.

In a separate filing Thursday, Reynolds Vapor Co. and the Fontem companies have asked to have until Jan. 12 to agree on a mediator.

Other leading U.S. e-cig companies sued by Fontem include: ITG Brands LLC, which makes blu eCigs; NJoy Inc., Ballantyne Brands LLC of Charlotte, maker of the Mistic brand; and Vapor Corp.

A federal judge in the Central Circuit of California agreed Aug. 8 to R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co.s request to transfer the lawsuits to the Middle District of North Carolina so that the cases can be heard closer to the defendants. The transfer was completed Oct. 26.

Reynolds Vapor manufactures Vuse, which owns a 37.3 percent market share, at its Tobaccoville plant.

The Fontem companies are suing for what they call unlawful use of seven patented technologies. They focus their claims on patents for rechargeable e-cigs, cartridge refill packs, batteries and disposable e-cigs. Fontem said it obtained patents on its technology in February 2013.

Reynolds claims it has developed internal e-cig technology.

Fontem accuses Reynolds of patent infringement in its Vuse solo rechargeable digital vapor cigarettes and its Connect power units.

For example, Fontem repeats the legal accusation it made against Lorillard Inc. that Reynolds Vapor is in infringement with its cartridge technology, in particular when it says it does not allow another e-cig product to be used with Vuse products.

Fontem is suing for an undisclosed amount of damages because of irreparable harm done to the companies, including lost market share and lost profits on infringing sales.

Altogether, the Fontem companies have been a party in 89 complaints just in the Central Circuit court, including 15 that are open. The filings began March 5, 2014, with undisclosed settlements reached in some lawsuits.
In the last article, I wrote about a season of celebration for Christians and Jews. I briefly commented on the history of the Jewish Festival of Lights, which is an eight-day celebration. After Judas Maccabeus defeated the Seleucid Empire in 165 BC, the Jews were free to worship in their temple. At this time, the Festival of Lights was declared a permanent celebration. It honors the miracle of the one-day supply of oil that lasted eight days in the Second Temple. For readers unfamiliar with the Jewish celebration, I would like to give a brief introduction to Ha-nukkah/Chanukah. Each evening includes the kindling of the light, recitations of blessings, prayers, and a meal. From the words of one of the blessings, it is clear that it is a celebration of thanksgiving and prayer, Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion. Looking at a Menorah, one can understand the symbolic importance of internal and external illumination. The Menorah holds the candles to be lit before sunset.

The outreaching branches of the Menorah project human wisdom and the center branch represents the Divine Light. The concepts of holiness and enlightenment can be seen and heard in each aspect of the nightly ritual. The inner light becomes the source of illumination for the world. The rituals and their symbolic meanings give insight into the Jewish way of life and worship. I ended the last article with shalom, which is a familiar greeting. When using it, a person is signaling a feeling of wholeness, well-being, peace, and harmony. If we could take on and share the mantle of shaloms truth, we would be more accepting and kind.

The New Year

Q: Do you plan to make New Years resolutions?

Answer: Of course! Whether or not they will be kept is another question. I am afraid that too often we make New Years resolutions that are unreasonable. This year, resolve to do something different. Just say, I will do the best I can to be a loving human being; I will be kind and helpful to those in need, and I will do no harm. Then make an effort everyday with the hope that the space you occupy will become more peaceful.

Thinking about New Years resolutions, I am reminded of a few lines from Louisa Fletchers poem, The Land of Beginning Again.

I wish that there were some wonderful place

In the Land of Beginning Again.

Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches

And all of our poor selfish grief

Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door

and never put on again.

Her thoughts could be the message for the New Year. A chance to begin again! And that is what Christianity teaches. A chance to begin again! The place of beginning again is at the foot of Jesus cross. Christianity affirms that Jesus died in order that Christians might be forgiven of their shortcomings and failures and be reconnected with the Father. A place of beginning again!

As we begin a new year, I want to draw attention to some encouraging thoughts. First, Queen Elizabeth in her Christmas address said the big problems of the world should be addressed, but she quoted Saint Teresa who said, Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. Next, Pope Francis said, May we dedicate ourselves prayerfully and actively to banishing violence from our hearts, words and deeds, and to becoming nonviolent people and to building nonviolent communities that care for our common home. Nothing is impossible if we turn to God in prayer. Everyone can be an artisan of peace.

Last, a good friend, Fr. John Dear, included the following two quotes in his Christmas message: The life of Jesus is a record of pure, radical nonviolence, like Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. and Over a hundred years ago, Gandhi realized that nonviolence lay at the heart of Hinduism. He learned that nonviolence was central to Islam. His Jewish friends taught him that shalom/nonviolence was key to Judaism, Buddhism. And he began reading the Sermon on the Mount every day and found there what he considered the best blueprint of nonviolence ever written. (written by Fr. Dear (www.paceebene.org)

For 2017, I pray that those of every faith will become a family working together to end violence and injustice.
Gov.-elect Roy Cooper  as pledged  filed a lawsuit Friday to prevent controversial changes to state and county elections boards from taking effect Sunday.

Judge Donald Stephens of Wake Superior Court, granted a stay Friday afternoon after a one-hour hearing, essentially putting the new law on hold.

The lawsuit will be heard Thursday, either by Stephens or potentially a three-member panel of the N.C. Supreme Court selected by Chief Justice Mark Martin, a registered Republican.

Cooper issued a statement Dec. 16 saying that if I believe that laws passed by the legislature hurt working families and are unconstitutional, they will see me in court, and they dont have a very good track record there.

Cooper, a Democrat, plans to take his oath of office at 12:01 a.m. Sunday  the earliest state law allows him to do so.

Those changes are unconstitutional because they violate the separation of powers provisions enshrined in the North Carolina Constitution by shifting control over that agency away from the governor to the General Assembly, Cooper said.

Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, in one of his last official acts before leaving office at midnight tonight, signed Senate Bill 4 on Dec. 16, moments after it cleared the Republican-controlled General Assembly.

The law has been touted by Republican legislative leaders, such as Senate leader and co-defendant Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, as creating a bipartisan solution to how the state oversees elections.

There would be four Democrats and four Republicans on the state board and two Democrats and two Republicans on the county boards. The law puts Republicans in control of the boards chair during even years, which are usually election years.

Currently, the party of the governor holds a 3-2 majority on the state board and a 2-1 majority on county boards.

The law also combines the State Board of Elections with the campaign finance, lobbying and ethics commissions into one state agency, and returns the N.C. Supreme Court to partisan races.

However, two subtle elements of SB4 would give Republican legislators temporary control of the elections process for the first six months of the new board.

The first would have dissolved the state elections board as it now exists as of Sunday. That meant the eight members of the ethics commission  all appointed by the legislature  would have represented the entire new combined board through June 30. Cooper would not have been allowed to change members for any reason until July 1.

On Friday, McCrory appointed John Branch III, a former general counsel for the state Republican Party, as chairman of the ethics commission.

The second is that those ethics commission members  with little or no elections experience  would be responsible for developing key elements of the special 2017 redistricting legislative election, such as the early voting process. The primaries are expected to take place in late August or early September.

SB4 requires that six state election board members, representing a supermajority, approve any ruling. Any deadlock could be appealed to a Wake Superior judge.

Coopers lawsuit spoke of the potential for the combined board to be consistently deadlocked and unable to act ... and will not be able to execute the election laws.

For example, in the event of a deadlock, the law would default early voting to the minimum number of hours allowed by state law  a single site open during weekday business hours and the Saturday before an election.

A tie on a partisan vote would accomplish what many Republicans want: making it harder for North Carolinians to vote, Cooper said in a statement.

It will result in elections with longer lines, reduced early voting, fewer voting places, little enforcement of campaign finance laws, indecision by officials and mass confusion, he said.

This complex new law passed in just two days by the Republican legislature is unconstitutional and anything but bipartisan, said Cooper, who was the N.C. attorney general before his election as governor.

According to the lawsuit, members of the new state board who will serve until the eve of the next election will all have been appointed by defendants. Because the governor did not appoint these members, Gov. Cooper will have no power to remove any of them, even for cause.

Accordingly, much of the constitutional harm to Gov.-elect Cooper and the office of the Governor will occur on Jan. 1 if (the law) is allowed to go into effect, the lawsuit says.

On July 1, the legislature would gain the authority to appoint half of the members of the state and county elections boards. In the case of the state board, the governor and legislative leaders would be required to each select two Democrats and two Republicans from a list of three nominees from each party.

Coopers lawsuit cited as evidence for his complaint McCrorys successful lawsuit against the General Assembly in its attempt to establish three new commissions, including one to regulate coal ash issues, that gave appointee authority to the legislature.

Reaction

McCrory declined to concede defeat in the contentious governors race for nearly a month, raising accusations  along with Republican legislators and state party leaders  of voter fraud that were determined to be largely unfounded by the state and several county elections boards.

State Rep. David Lewis, R-Harnett, said during the special fourth session that the justification for SB4 and House Bill 17 comes from the General Assembly looking to reassert its constitutional authority in areas that may have been previously delegated to the executive branch.

Lewis said on Dec. 16 before SB4 became law that he was proud of the expanded elections boards because, he said, it brings bipartisanship to the boards.

There is no hidden dagger in this, Lewis said. If the question is important enough for these quasi-judicial boards to act, there should be bipartisan support for the action.

Berger said Friday in a statement that the contentious governors race, won by Cooper by 10,277 votes, served as motivation for the steps taken in SB4.

Given the recent weeks-long uncertainty surrounding his own election, the governor-elect should understand better than anyone why North Carolinians deserve a system they can trust will settle election outcomes fairly and without the taint of partisanship, Berger said.

Roy Coopers effort to stop the creation of a bipartisan board with an equal number of Democrats and Republicans to enforce elections and ethics laws may serve his desire to preserve his own political power, but it does not serve the best interests of our state, Berger said

Mitch Kokai, a policy analyst with the John Locke Foundation, a conservative-leaning research group, said that no one should be surprised by the governor-elects lawsuit since he promised he would see legislative leaders in court following the passage of SB4 and HB17.

What will be very interesting to see is just how much the courts are willing to step into a separation-of-powers fight between the other two branches of government, Kokai said.

A reading of the clear language of the N.C. Constitution shows that the General Assembly was intended to be the most powerful branch of state government. If the courts recognize this fact, Cooper will have a hard time winning his fights with legislative leaders, Kokai said.

On the other hand, he said, if judges decide to legislate from the bench, Cooper could gain some of the partisan advantages that previous legislatures have been willing to cede to the executive branch.
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A headline that would become famous appeared in the New York Daily News in October 1975 after then-President Gerald Ford denied federal assistance to spare the city from bankruptcy. It read: Ford to City: Drop Dead.

President Obama has told Israel much the same. By instructing his U.N. ambassador not to veto a resolution condemning Israel for building so-called settlements on disputed land, the president has aided and comforted that nations enemies. The U.S. abstention will inevitably invite stepped-up attacks against Israelis, as well as calls for more boycotts by the European Union, whose ugly anti-Semitic past and present is well documented.

In the Middle East, symbols can be more important than substance, and this symbolic act will send a strong message to Israels enemies.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the resolution a shameful ambush and distorted, noting, It states that the Jewish quarter and Western Wall (in Jerusalem) are occupied, which is absurd. Netanyahu, who has had a tense relationship with President Obama, suggested he expects better relations between the U.S. and Israel after Donald Trump becomes president.

Netanyahu likes to cite history to show how the Jews were in the land long before Arab peoples showed up and started rewriting the past to the point that it belongs in the fiction section of bookstores.

What makes anyone think that what Israel does, or does not do, has any effect on the behavior and declared religious mandate of those dedicated to eliminating the country and killing and/or expelling every Jew from it? Did unilaterally relinquishing Gaza bring Israel closer to peace? It did not. Instead, it invited Hamas to use the region as a launching pad for terrorist attacks. It is the same with agreements between Palestinian and Israeli leaders. Israel released terrorist prisoners and got more terror. Israel gave up land and got more terror. Only the deliberately blind and deaf who refuse to believe the stated and repeated goals of Palestinian leadership and much of the Arab world (and Iran) to eliminate Israel still think that the key to peace and stability lies solely with that country.

Only the self-deluded think the establishment of a separate Palestinian state will result in peace. Such a state would most certainly be used as a base for a modern final solution against Israel.

What kind of state would the Palestinians establish? Their leaders have already said it would be one without Jews. Netanyahu noted that in any other scenario this would be seen as ethnic cleansing, but because much of the world hates Jews and is embarrassed by Israel and its prosperity, it applies a different standard to the Palestinians.

The late Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin once told me that while Israel needs friends, it could never fully trust any nation for its security. The Obama administrations refusal to veto the U.N. resolution is more proof he was right.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) says he will ask Congress to stop sending money to the U.N. until the resolution is repealed. His proposal is gaining support among some pro-Israel Democrats. Netanyahu has announced the termination of programs and aid to nations that voted in favor of the resolution and recalled some of his countrys ambassadors from those states.

At a time when Jews the world over are celebrating Hanukkah and the miracle of lights, Barack Obama has attempted to turn out the light on the Jewish state. Israel will survive, because it has survived worse than a U.N. resolution, but the action will only encourage her enemies, which include every nation that voted for this resolution and engaged in boycotts of Israeli products and businesses.

The prophet Isaiah wrote: Speak tenderly to Jerusalem (Isaiah 40:2). The Psalmist said: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). In his final insult to Israel, President Obama has spoken harshly and ensured there will be more war, not peace. The Nobel committee should demand he return his prematurely awarded Peace Prize.
WASHINGTON  Spare us the kissy-face.

It was June 2001 and I was covering President George W. Bushs trip to Slovenia, where he had just met Vladimir Putin for the first time. I and others were struck by Bushs praise for the Russian leader as trustworthy. Said Bush: I was able to get a sense of his soul.

But back in Washington, my editor had no interest in such talk. He rewrote my lede with other news  a tidbit about missile defense  and he moved the kissy-face stuff about Putins soul down to Paragraph 18.

In retrospect, that moment in Slovenia defined the Russia relationship for years to come. Putin had seduced Bush, who only slowly came to understand he had misjudged this adversarys soul. Putin opposed Bush in Iraq and was unhelpful with Iran. He shut down independent television, sent business leaders who criticized him into exile and prison, ousted democratic parties from government, canceled the election of governors and invaded Georgia.

The kissy-face happened all over again when President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tried to reset relations. Russia responded by working against the United States in Syria, sheltering Edward Snowden, invading and occupying parts of Ukraine, and hacking and meddling in the U.S. election to defeat Clinton.

Now its Donald Trumps turn for kissy-face, and the president-elect is practically groping the Russian dictator. After Putin gloated Friday that Democrats need to learn to lose with dignity, Trump tweeted Putin a sloppy kiss: So true! he said of Putins comments.

Trump also celebrated a letter he received from Putin calling for more collaboration between the two countries. His thoughts are so correct, Trump said.

Trumps blush-inducing embrace of the strongman has included repeated praise of Putins leadership, deflected questions about Putins political killings and disparagement of U.S. intelligence for accusing Russia of election meddling.

In three weeks, Trump will assume the presidency, and well learn what his embrace of Putin really means. Perhaps Trump is just a dupe and hell realize over time that Putin is no friend. The alternative, supported by Trumps choice of Putin-friendly advisers Michael T. Flynn and Rex Tillerson, is that Trump really is pro-Putin and will grant the Russian dictator more latitude internationally and will emulate his autocratic tendencies at home.

The former would require us to endure some policy failures as Putin proved himself again to be an adversary. The latter would test the limits of our democratic institutions.

In either case, it would be useful for Americans to have at least a cursory sense of the man our new president proposes to embrace. Heres a quick glimpse into Putins soul to get us started:

Opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was killed outside the Kremlin as he walked home one night last year. Putins regime blames Chechens, but Nemtsovs is one of a dozen high-profile murders of opponents widely thought to have been sanctioned by Putins government.

Another Putin opponent, Alexander Litvinenko, was killed in London by polonium poisoning in 2006. The British government said Putin probably approved the hit. That same year, opposition journalist Anna Politkovskaya was shot and killed outside her apartment.

Among the many business leaders imprisoned or ousted under Putin are Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who was head of the oil giant Yukos, and associate Platon Lebedev. The Russian human rights group Memorial says there are 102 people held in Russian prisons for their political or religious beliefs.

The Kremlin has provided funding and training for far-right nationalist parties in Europe, and it used its state media and an army of hackers and social-media trolls to spread disinformation in the United States, in continental Europe and in Britain before the Brexit vote. The goals: to weaken European unity and the NATO alliance and to keep Europe dependent on Russian energy.

Russia also used disinformation to destabilize the Ukrainian government as Russia annexed Crimea. In Syria, where Russia propped up the Assad regime with indiscriminate bombing in Aleppo and elsewhere, Britain, France and the United States have blamed Putins government for the mass slaughter of civilians.

An Amnesty International summary of Putins rule leaves no doubt about his totalitarian state: Journalist Killed  Human Rights Lawyer Killed  Gay Rights Protesters Attacked  Repressive Laws Enacted  Fines for Promoting Homosexuality Imposed  President Putin Signs Law to Re-criminalize Defamation  USAID Expelled  Federal Treason and Espionage Act goes into effect  Moscow Authorities Detain Protesters and Opposition Party Members.

This, Mr. President-elect, is the man you are embracing. Please spare us the kissy-face.
The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is conducting an investigation of a reported Nov. 2 shooting in Summerville that has left one person injured, according to local authorities. Read moreOne injured in Summerville shooting
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TeleSur |  

Though the motion is largely symbolical, Israels heavy retaliation has further isolated the apartheid state while increasing support for Palestine.

Israels tantrum against the United Nations Security Council resolution condemning its illegal settlements in Palestinian land has entrenched its extremist nature, and has actually deepened the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against it, experts say.

Calling its decision to pull its funding from U.N. institutions, as well as recalling over 10 ambassadors from their posts, hysterical, political analyst Noam Chomsky said the move reflects an increasingly extremist right taking over that nation.

The hysterical reaction in Israel and in Congress (bipartisan) reflects their sharp shift to the right in the years since, and the whole incident illustrates quite interesting shifts in (the) world order, Chomsky told AlterNet.

After the U.N. passed the historic motion last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by refusing to meet with the foreign ministers of the 12 nations that voted for the resolution. He also recalled ambassadors from the other nations back to Israel and ordered his ministers not to travel to the 14 countries that approved the motion.

Those actions, however, will likely only further isolate the apartheid state, according to Omar Barghouti, one of the BDS movements founders, who spoke with AlterNet.

This unanimous resolutionhas dealt Israels colonial designs a serious blow that will inadvertently, yet significantly(isolate) Israel academically, culturally, economically and otherwise, he said.

Israels delusional hubris and surreal threats to punish the U.N. and the world indicate above everything else how deeply alarmed it is at fast becoming an international pariah, as apartheid South Africa once was.

The resolution, which passed 14-0, with only the United States abstaining, is largely symbolic and has therefore been criticized by many as being a toothless move, too little and too late.

Nevertheless, Israels heavy-handed but short-sighted retaliation suggests the motion may help further delegitimize the countrys apartheid state, and could provide material support for Palestines complaint to the international criminal court about the settlements.

Indeed, according to Richard Falk, professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University and former U.N. Special Rapporteur on Palestinian human rights from 2008-2014, the decision has psychological and potentially political consequences that could help the world rally behind Palestine.

The motion is indicative of the encouraging reality that the world is not ready to forget the Palestinians, he told AlterNet.

That Israel faces a renewed experience of diplomatic isolation, and that the growing international solidarity movement, including the BDS campaign, will be strengthened and encouraged.

The U.N. Security Council has not adopted a critical stance on Israels settlement building since 1979 when, again, the United States under the Jimmy Carter administration withheld its veto power, over the issue of powder keg in the seizure of Palestinian land.

The main difference is that then, two countries joined the U.S. in abstaining, Chomsky told AlterNet of the differences between the two motions. Now the U.S. stands against the world. And under Trump, in even more splendid isolation, on much more crucial matters as well.

Via TeleSur

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Euronews: Palestinian president hails historic UN condemnation of Israel
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By Christopher R. Hill | (Project Syndicate) |  

DENVER  The end of the fighting in Aleppo will not end the Syrian war, despite the countrywide ceasefire that has just been agreed. Nor will it ease the suffering of the citys population, much of which has been displaced. What the Aleppo siege will do is clinch Syrias place in history as, to borrow former US Secretary of State Warren Christophers phrase, another problem from hell. And, like other hellish recent regional conflicts, such as those in Bosnia (to which Christopher was referring) and Rwanda, future historians will emphasize a crucial feature of the Syria conflict: the spectacular diplomatic failures that enabled it to escalate.

Good diplomacy begins with a keen analysis of interests, both of the country in question and of relevant external powers. It demands a careful assessment of how the pursuit of those interests will affect the regional and international order. And it seeks ways to strengthen the capacity of regional or world powers to help solve problems.

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Throughout this process, universally shared and consistently reinforced values  both critical in getting disparate actors to work together to resolve problems and challenges  must provide a moral compass and common ground for action. The key is to ensure that values do not become weapons, deployed by one actor against another in a way that exacerbates tensions and undermines solutions.

Consider the 1990s Bosnian War  the result of unfinished business from the breakup of the Austrian and Ottoman empires and the creation of nation-states earlier in the twentieth century. The conflict erupted in the immediate aftermath of the Cold War, at a moment when one set of international organizing principles had collapsed and a new set had not yet been created. Partly as a result of this, the conflict was characterized by large-scale civilian carnage and human-rights violations.

But, as a test for the new world order, the Bosnian War ended up catalyzing change in the international communitys institutional structure (including the establishment of war crimes tribunals). Could the nascent post-Cold War system handle the inchoate problems of the former Soviet Union? Could NATO take on new roles and missions? Could the West work with the new Russian Federation? Could the transatlantic relationship weather the storm?

The answer to all of these questions turned out to be yes. As a result, though the region continues to be beset by serious problems, the gates of hell have remained closed  as they have in Rwanda. And yet, just 20 years later, it seems that the worlds collective memory of how to cooperate has failed.

To be sure, there was never a clear path to peace in Syria. President Bashar al-Assad, whose forces now control all of Aleppo for the first time since 2012, is a brutal dictator who has waged war on his own people, including civilians, and has even used chemical weapons. The temptation to seek regime change  a goal embraced by the United States and some European countries  was understandable.

Yet, in a display of spectacularly incompetent diplomacy, the US set about pursuing that goal without any serious effort to marshal international support, or even to take stock of other opinions or interests. And make no mistake: there are a lot of (often conflicting) opinions and interests. After all, Syria is strategically perched on the Mediterranean; shares borders with Israel, Jordan, Turkey, and Iraq; and, like Iraq, has its own restive Kurdish minority. It is not the kind of country to which international and regional powers would be indifferent.

In fact, when Western powers called for regime change, other actors  including Iran, Russia, and Shia interests in neighboring Lebanon  objected. Nonetheless, the US soldiered on with its own poorly formulated agenda, supplying weapons to virtually unknown combatants on the ground before properly vetting them. That gave the Assad regimes allies all the justification they needed to supply weapons of their own.

Some argue that, if the US had just provided more weapons sooner, Assad would not have had time to galvanize support and hold onto power. But that neglects the strategic importance of Syria to so many external powers, as well as the fragmentation and unpredictability of the US-based combatants.

Americas real mistake was failing to engage with all sides, including Assad and the Sunni opposition, which it deemed sectarian. (During the Bosnian War, by contrast, the US talked to rump Yugoslavias ruler, Slobodan Milosevic.) With that narrow-minded approach  reflected in the lack of any articulated vision for a post-war Syria  the US effectively handed the diplomatic reins over to Russia.

Now, the US is essentially playing the role of agitator, offering little more than displays of moral outrage and stale references to a stillborn Geneva process. Reacting to the carnage in Aleppo, Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the United Nations, was reduced to demanding of Assads Russian ally, Are you truly incapable of shame? Meanwhile, the conflict rages on, with severe spillover effects on US allies like the European Union.

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As for Russia, it, too, is pursuing a version of diplomacy that utterly lacks inclusiveness. It is working with Turkey (a NATO member that seems increasingly lost at sea) to bring the Syrian opposition and representatives of the Assad government together in Kazakhstan for a new series of peace talks, facilitated by the ceasefire, of which Russia and Turkey are guarantors. Iran will be there. But where are the Sunni Arab states? More important, where is the US?

It is often observed that, every four years, the US does without a foreign policy. This time, it seems to have gotten an early start.

Christopher R. Hill, former US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia, was US Ambassador to Iraq, South Korea, Macedonia, and Poland, a US special envoy for Kosovo, a negotiator of the Dayton Peace Accords, and the chief US negotiator with North Korea from 2005-2009. He is currently Dean of the Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver, and the author of Outpost.

Licensed from Project Syndicate



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Euronews from last Monday: With Aleppo battle won, Syria and Russia look to next stage'
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By Josh Hoxie | (Otherwords.org) |  

With Washington looking hopeless, its up to local communities to close the gap between the richest and the rest.

In a lot of ways, 2016 was a big year for reducing inequality.

Five states raised their minimum wage through citizen-led ballot initiatives. A job-killing free trade agreement, the TPP, was blocked as a result of massive public demonstrations against it.

More recently, the city of Portland, Oregon passed the first ever municipal-level check on runaway CEO compensation, a tangible step several other cities and states will likely follow.

These were just a few of the many victories that those who care about reducing the gap between the richest and the rest of us can claim this year. They also point the way forward for how we might continue this pivotal work in the age of Trump.

Outgoing president Barack Obama once called the need to address rising income inequality the defining challenge of our time. History books will surely credit his administration for helping to lift the nation out of the worst recession in recent history (one driven largely by reckless Wall Street bankers), but much work remains.

A recent study, The Fading American Dream, shows that social mobility has been declining for decades. Kids born in 1940 had a 92 percent chance of earning more money than their parents. The odds for kids born 40 years later dropped down to 50-50  a figure that continues to drop precipitously for millennials and children born today.

While things are better now than they were in 2008, economic conditions are still trying for working class families. The federal minimum wage remains stagnant at $7.25 an hour, and just $2.13 an hour for tipped workers. Thats less than the basic cost of living in every major city in the country.

While unemployment has gone down, work force participation has too. Student debt continues to rise, each year a new record.

Meanwhile, wealth continues to concentrate into fewer and fewer hands. Massive loopholes in the tax code for millionaires and billionaires are creating a system the New York Times called a private tax system for the wealthy. CEO pay has continued to rise into the stratosphere at the nations biggest banks and corporations.

Unfortunately, Donald Trump has made plenty clear that he isnt serious about reversing these trends.

If Trump moves forward with the policies he described during his campaign, his administration will further slash taxes on the wealthy, remove the Wall Street regulations designed to prevent another financial crash, and do nothing for workers wages.

If his rhetoric wasnt enough to convince the public he wasnt serious about addressing inequality, his cabinet should. A collection of billionaires, Goldman Sachs bankers, and adherents to the utterly debunked trickle-down economics theory will now be in charge of our biggest economic decisions.

So if we cant expect the Trump administration to work to stem rising inequality, how will we move forward?

The victories of 2016, which involved organizing at the state and local levels to lift up workers and expand opportunities for all, show the type of innovative campaigns well need. There are no illusions that change will come from Washington  the new team in town has made clear theyre not interested.

Thats no reason to sit back and wait for another election. Progress can come from working within our own communities to push forward smart ideas that dont need a sign-off from Congress or Trump.

That work should start now. It remains, after all, the defining challenge of our time.

Josh Hoxie directs the Project on Taxation and Opportunity at the Institute for Policy Studies. Distributed by OtherWords.org.

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Related video added by Juan Cole:

Aljazeera English: Large US protests call for $15 minimum wage
[JURIST] The Chinese government on Friday announced [press release] that it will prosecute Ma Jian, a former vice minister of Chinas Ministry of State Security, after he was accused of bribery and abusing his powers. Jian was put under investigation in 2015 following the conviction [BBC report] of Zhou Yongkang, the former head of Chinas domestic security services, for bribery, abuse of power, and leaking state secrets. The investigation concluded that Jian used his powers to benefit the business interests of family members and to interfere in law enforcement. Jian was expelled from the Chinese Communist Party as a result of the charges.

Jians arrest is the latest in a broad anti-corruption campaign being led by President Xi Jinping and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Following Jinpings promise to root out corruption among high-level officials, numerous officials, such as Yongkang and Ling Jihua, a senior aide to former President Hu Jinato, have received [Reuters report] life sentences for their corruption charges. Thus far, Yongkang was the most senior official to be convicted of corruption charges in the history of Chinas Communist regime. Chinas Communist party exerts a strong influence over its courts systems, making it likely [NYT report] that Jian and all other officials that may face prosecution in the future will be convicted. Earlier this month, the Chinese government also arrested [JURIST report] Iat Hong and Chin Hung of Macau, and Bo Zheng of China on cybersecurity allegations. In October 2015, Chinese authorities arrested [JURIST report] individual hackers that allegedly misappropriated commercial secrets from US firms with the intention to sell proprietary information to state-owned entires within the the Peoples Republic of China.
Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker [official website] signed Senate Bill No. 2524 (SB 2524) [materials] on Friday, which will delay part of a voter-approved marijuana legalization initiative [text] by six months. Massachusetts citizens voted 53.7% to approve the possession, use, distribution, and cultivation of marijuana, with the condition that it would be regulated similar to alcohol. The licensing of cannabis shops was set to begin on January 1, 2018, but SB 2524 moves that date to July 1, 2018. The legislature says the delay is necessary to conduct further surveys regarding patterns of use, incidents of impaired driving and hospitalization, and the economic impact of marijuana legalization. Although the bill delays the retail, pot shop aspect of the initiative, other provisions including cultivation, possession and use, became legal [MassLive report] on December 15.

In addition to Massachusetts, California and Nevada also voted [JURIST report] in November to legalize marijuana. In April Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed a bill [JURIST report] legalizing medical marijuana. In February the Utah Senate voted to advance a bill [JURIST report] that would legalize the use of medical marijuana in various forms such as vapor or edible form. Last November New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed two bills [JURIST report] in order to expedite the distribution of medical marijuana to citizens with critical health conditions. Earlier that month New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed [JURIST report] a bill into law that would allow for the administering of edible medical marijuana to sick and disabled children on school grounds without triggering the arrests of parents or educators.
KEARNEY  A Lincoln teen is accused of biting two Buffalo County jailers and kicking a third jailer as they tried to return him to his cell.

Matthew States Jr., 18, is charged in Buffalo County Court with three counts of felony second-degree assault by a confined person in the Feb. 26 incident.

Court records outline the case against States:

On Feb. 26, jail staff members were trying to return an uncooperative States to his cell from the common area of a cellblock when he tried to remove the handcuff belt around his waist. Jail Sgt. Juli Byrne tried to keep the belt in place, and States resisted verbally and physically.

Officers placed States in his cell where they ordered him to his knees so they could remove the safety shackles on his ankles. States struggled, and officers tried to keep him from kicking and biting them.

During the struggle, States kicked Corrections Officer Brad Williams as Williams tried to control States legs. Williams suffered cuts to his hand. Officer Dustin Westerbeck tried to secure States upper body and shoulders as States tried to bite him. Westerbeck suffered an injury to his hand from States bite.

As Byrne tried to keep Westerbeck from being bitten, States bit Byrnes left hand near her pinky finger.

Officers eventually gained control of States and placed him in his cell. He was later transported to the state Diagnostic and Evaluation Center in Lincoln. Nebraska law says if county jails have a problem inmate who has special needs or needs maximum security, the state will house the inmate for a fee.

States is being held in Lincoln on 10 percent of a $50,000 bond on the assault charges. He is also wanted on several unrelated Buffalo County charges, which also have additional bonds.

States is scheduled to appear in Buffalo County Court later this month.

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I did a weekend of 72 hours in which I only got four hours of sleep. I would also secretly hope to get in a car accident and maybe break a leg so that I would be force to take off from work  just so I could get some rest. Thank God, I never got in an accident, but I have had colleagues fall asleep at the wheel.

 Dr. Betsy Greenleaf on proposed work hour changes, written in public testimony

Next year, you may notice that your young doctor looks even more sleep-deprived than usual. The council that oversees American medical residencies has recently proposed allowing first-year residents to work 28 hours in a row, instead of the current limit of 16.

Under the proposed changes, residents would also no longer be guaranteed eight hours off between scheduled shifts; they would be able to work more than six-night shifts in a row; and they would not be required to report to the council if they choose to work more than 28 hours.

Why should you care, if youre not a doctor in training? I see many reasons for both doctors and patients to be wary of this plan. Studies have shown that long work hours lead to more serious medication and diagnostic errors. Residents are also more likely to suffer from needle-stick injuries and to crash their cars when working longer shifts.

Sleep deprivation also increases suicide attempts threefold, even for those without a diagnosable mental health disorder. This is more relevant than ever, as our schools, training programs, and hospitals are beginning to grapple with the epidemic of suicide in medicine.

Dr. Clarisse Glen, a sleep specialist at Cambridge Health Alliance, described to me how her own safety and well-being were affected by her long hours in training. I fainted twice my first month of fellowship during a procedure, she said, and I got stuck with a needle from an HIV-positive and hepatitis-C-positive patient. I dont know if I can necessarily attribute it to sleep deprivation, but I was sleeping three to four hours.

Sleep-deprived residents are more likely to make errors, she said, whether its a misdiagnosis, misreading an EKG or an X-ray. Other team members may well catch these errors, but do you really want your doctor to be making them regularly because of lack of sleep?

In spite of this compelling safety data, the current work hour restrictions, which were adopted in 2011, have not been entirely successful. The restrictions introduced new patient safety issues by increasing the number of patient handoffs between shifts, and decreased face time with patients, contributing to high rates of demoralization among residents.

But I would argue that these issues stem not from the work hour restrictions themselves but from a lack of political will to address their downstream consequences.

As shifts became shorter, admissions to teaching hospitals continued to increase. We are also spending more time than ever on paperwork  thanks to the shift from paper charts to electronic medical records  and less time with patients.

For many residents, 16-hour days mean more work with less time to do it. When residents violate their work hours to complete necessary tasks, their programs risk losing their accreditation. As a result, many residents regularly lie about how many hours they are actually working.

Assessing the safety of longer shifts has also been complicated by a study that showed that outcomes were not worse when surgical interns were allowed to work 28 hours in a row. However, this study, funded by the council that decides on the work-hour limits, did not look at errors. Advocates for shorter hours have argued that it was designed in such a way as to virtually guarantee that no significant difference would be found.

The real issue here is that the American system for training doctors is broken. What we really need is for Congress to fund additional residency slots, and for hospitals to pay for more staff to unburden residents of clerical duties.

And we need some in-depth soul searching amongst medical educators about why a resident can work 100 hours a week and still be poorly trained.

But since medical trainees are exempt from labor protections, it is far easier to ask residents to work dangerous 28-hour shifts than to thoughtfully address these issues.

This is all the more disheartening with the wave of sympathetic and brave stories from students and residents about the challenges that medicine is currently facing, and the failure of training programs to respond.

The questions we should be asking are these: How do we teach residents to be excellent physicians without systematically endangering patients? How do we make sure that the time residents spend in the hospital is high yield to those they are caring for? How do we foster the joy, curiosity, and compassion that will sustain trainees throughout their careers?

But those questions are being sidelined by a debate that should have been settled a decade ago.

Elisabeth Poorman is an internal medicine physician. She can be reached on Twitter @DrPoorman.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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I remember that morning in January 2016 very well. I opened up my Twitter feed to find many people linking to an article that made me stop dead in my tracks. The New York Post was reporting that Dr. David Newman had been accused of sexually assaulting a patient in his emergency department. He was accused of giving the patient a dose of propofol and then sexually assaulting her.

My initial reaction was denial and anger. It wasnt denial and anger that this happened but that it ever took place and that the media was reporting it before charges were filed. I will admit my initial reaction was, This must have been a psychiatric patient off their medications. How can they publish this and drag his name through the mud before charges are filed! There was no possible way this could be true. As an emergency physician, I imagined a scenario where a patient would falsely accuse me of something so terrible, and it shook me to my core.

For those outside of emergency medicine, David Newman was a rock star in our field. It seemed like every month he was speaking at a conference, talking on CME podcasts, or writing thoughtful articles in the lay press to help patients understand the medical system and calling for public health reforms. He hosted a free podcast that changed my practice in several ways and helped to create a website that I use on a frequent basis to teach my learners the value of many interventions.

David Newman preached a message that we needed to rebuild the trust of patients by having frank discussions with patients of the risk and benefit of all treatments. He railed against a system of overtesting and overdiagnosis that is plaguing our monstrous health system and driving a wedge in between doctos and patients. Ill never forget when, as a third-year resident, I sent him an email about a recent patient who was caught in a loop of massive overtesting and he penned a thoughtful response within 12 hours. He was exactly the kind of physician I wanted to be. He was an advocate for our patients and a constant skeptic and truth seeker with the bravery to speak up about what is wrong in our health care system.

I hoped that these allegations were untrue and baseless. There were inconsistencies in the initial reporting. Maybe that was an indication that these heinous allegations werent true. For me, the nail in the coffin came about a week later when he turned himself into the police. During his walk into the police station, his stone-faced expression said it all. In my mind, the only way he could have redeemed himself was to get in front of any media outlet that would listen and unequivocally deny these allegations.

When that didnt happen, I lost hope. The fear that these allegations were true came recently (almost a year later) when he plead guilty to the assault and groping three other patients. The women he harmed are certainly the most harmed victims, but patients, and emergency medicine as a whole have been betrayed as well. We lost one of our thought leaders and a role model for many young physicians, myself included. I especially feel for my colleagues who worked beside him and were directly mentored by him. My cynicism grew a little deeper due to this incident, and it has me wondering who in my professional circle will be next to betray the trust of their patients.

Im left struggling with decisions about where to go from here. While most of what he has published online has been taken down, I certainly remember everything he taught me from afar. Can I teach these learning points to my learners without giving a disclaimer of where they came from? Can we separate the actions of the man from the valuable learning he imparted on us?

For me, I will continue to light my corner every day to rebuild that trust and make sure patients know that the emergency department is a safe place for them. I will find a way of putting the ideals that he preached and make them a reality, even if they ring hollow for me. Our patients deserve an advocate to step up and fill David Newmans place and we can all fill that role in our everyday practice.

Steve Carroll is an emergency physician and runs the EM Basic podcast.

Image credit: am New York
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Dear patient,

I may never get to meet you, which is a real shame. I think I would have enjoyed getting to know you and working together with you to overcome whatever particular medical issue with which you had come to meet me. We might have learned about each other. We might have learned about our community. We might even have made some kind of change together.

I myself am a patient, like you. I suffer from depression, worsened by lifestyle, like so many ailments we treat. I have seen a counselor; I have seen a specialist. I take medication. But it isnt getting better, and I start to fear that it isnt just the depression, but medicine itself that has brought me to such a dark and inescapable place.

Ive worked long hours in training. Ive been the brunt of archaic Socratic teaching styles that bring more humiliation than knowledge. Ive recovered quietly in a stairwell after a patient has died, cleaned my face in the bathroom, and continued rounds. Ive seen a patient suffering from addiction chastised in the next room. My spirit is weakened, patient, and Im afraid I wont be able to build it back up.

Dear patient, Medicine is not well. I am not the only one. Roughly one third of young physicians like myself are depressed, with uncertain futures, wondering if we will ever get to meet you.

The profession gives me little encouragement. The ACGME, the body guiding residency programs in the United States has recently declared that interns like myself are simply too thin-skinned, that we ought to withstand not 16, but 24 or even 30-hour shifts, previously reserved for senior residents and outlawed in other professions given the studied limitations of human neurobiology. To the ACGME, an inability to withstand a 24-hour shift can mean only one thing: You simply dont have what it takes. You are weak. You should not be a doctor.

Complicating matters, if individual residents try to speak out publicly against the new ACGME requirements the ACGME could visit our programs without warning and issue petty violations that would mar the programs for our next application cycle. Our voices are actively being suppressed.

What to make of this, patient? What to make of a profession that prides itself on service, healing,and wellness, but promotes excessive work hours, abusive training practices, and a survival mentality? How am I to ask of patients what we ourselves could not possibly practice: a balanced life.

Dear patient, I am tired. And I am so sorry. I have such guilt in my heart when I think of leaving you and leaving medicine when we havent even met. But I do not want to meet you like this. With such sadness, fatigue, bitterness, despondency. The truth is I wanted to meet you so badly, I studied countless hours, I cried countless nights, I lost relationships, I missed family gatherings, holidays, weddings; I lost my sense of self, all because I wanted to meet you and help you. But here we are. Lost.

If I find my way out I hope to meet you and stay in medicine. I know we can work to build something better. For all of us.

Until then,

Your future doctor

The author is an anonymous medical resident.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Its hard to believe, but the final trading day of 2016 is upon us. 2016 has been chock-full of twists and turns, with a finale that even the best fiction writers could have never imagined.

Brexit and Trump

Two major events occurred this year that took market analysts by surprise. On June 23, of this year, citizens of the United Kingdom headed to the polling booths to vote on a referendum as to whether or not Britain would leave the European Union. Just prior to last months presidential election, the vast majority of analysts and pollsters overwhelmingly predicted that Hillary Clinton would become the 45th president of the United States. A victory by Donald Trump was considered to be an extremely improbable outcome.

In both instances, the pollsters and market analysts got it wrong. Not only did the referendum pass, but also Donald Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States. Even more astonishing was the prediction that an upset in either case would lead to a sharp selloff in global equities with safe haven assets moving sharply higher.

Sometimes Truth is Stranger than Fiction

In both instances the immediate knee-jerk reaction was exactly as predicted by market technicians. However, almost no one predicted that those trends would only last days, in the case of the Brexit referendum vote, or hours, in the case of the presidential election. Within three days of the Brexit vote, and within eight hours of the presidential election, global equities rallied and safe haven assets move sharply lower.

Gold Forecast 2017

We have entered a period in time when traditional fundamentals may not explain or predict future outcomes with any degree of reliability. The only thing for certain in 2017 is that nothing is for certain. With that in mind, todays video report will be our 2017 forecast for gold. It is available for viewing, simply use the link a the bottom of this report. Hopefully it will be more on the mark than recent predictions.

Most importantly, I want to wish everyone a joyful and blessed New Year, in which you experience health, happiness and of course, good trading,

Gary Wagner

Thegoldforecast.com
LAGOS, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Nigeria's Lagos state has sold 47 billion naira ($154.50 million) of bonds maturing in 2023 to help finance its efforts to improve basic infrastructure in the country's commercial hub, its governor said on Saturday.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said in an emailed statement that the debt issue, with a 16.5 percent coupon, was the first tranche of a 500 billion naira debt issuance programme approved by the state's parliament in September. The state had offered 60 billion naira of the bonds.

Ambode said "despite the continued challenges in the economy and difficult market conditions ...the state sold some 80 percent of the bonds it offered at a 57 basis points spread to the sovereign."

"Lagos state government remains committed to improving the physical and social infrastructure base of the state ...," he said.

Lagos state in April agreed to pay off holders of an outstanding 167.5 billion naira bond before maturity to cut its interest payments after a plunge in oil prices slashed government revenues in the OPEC member nation.

The state is home to the commercial hub of Africa's most populous nation, a sprawling city of more than 21 million people which badly needs infrastructure upgrades.

Lagos is the first state to issue a bond since the country slipped into recession in the second quarter of 2016. It is also rare among Nigeria's 36 states in generating around 70 percent of its revenue internally from taxes.

Most of the country's other states rely heavily on their share of federal oil revenues.

($1 = 304.2000 naira)

(Reporting by Oludare Mayowa; Editing by Adrian Croft)
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Crackdown on illegal fishing boats to get easier



By Nam Hyun-woo



The governments of Korea and China agreed to enhance a crackdown on illegal Chinese fishing boats, allowing the Korean authorities to punish boats equipped with defenses against inspections, immediately.



Also, they agreed on allowing fewer fishing vessels to operate in each other's exclusive economic zones next year. Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Friday it came to an agreement including details on such measures with its Chinese counterpart during their annual negotiations over next year's fishing rules, held in Beijing.



According to the ministry, the agreement bears significance because it allows Korea's Coast Guard to strengthen its patrols. So far, relevant regulations do not allow the Coast Guard to crack down on boats equipped with objects hampering officers to board and inspect. With the agreement, having such objects onboard will result in immediate punishment.



In the deal, the Chinese authority also agreed to deploy its patrol boats in the waters near the western part of the Northern Limit Line and resume cross-boarding of officers and joint patrol in the waters the two countries jointly manage.



Cross-boarding was suggested by Korea in order to show Chinese authorities the seriousness of illegal fishing in the West Sea. However, it was halted after a Chinese fishing vessel in October sank a Coast Guard speed boat off Incheon by ramming it.



The sinking led to a diplomatic dispute between the two countries and China requested a halt.



Since 2001, Korea and China have held an annual meeting to discuss fishing in the West Sea. However, this year's meeting was faced with difficulties because of the sinking, which the Coast Guard countered with use of firearms, and the two countries "managed to" agree on terms just two days before the end of 2016, according to the ministry.



In setting the number of boats allowed and the volume of fishing in the two countries' exclusive economic zones in the West Sea, the two countries agreed on allowing each other 1,540 boats and 57,750 tons of fishing next year, down 60 boats and 2,250 tons from that of this year. Among them, the number of trawlers decreased, which the ministry believes is the most problematic, by 29.



This is the first time the volume and the number of boats have declined since 2013.



Also, the ministry said it decreased the number of Chinese trawlers allowed in protective waters off Jeju Island from 62 to 50.



"The agreement was meaningful because we have urged the Chinese government to take responsible measures against illegal fishing and reduce the volume of Chinese boats fishing in restricted waters," said an official at the ministry.




By Jhoo Dong-chan



New Year's Day is just around the corner while the nation is going through a political crisis following the Choi Soon-sil gate. Despite the absence of political and administrative leadership at the moment, there are several things to be changed next year.







Retirement age and minimum wage



The newly set retirement age of 60 will be implemented to all workplaces starting Jan. 1.



Government and public agencies as well as workplaces having more than 300 employees has implemented such retirement age so far, but the extension is now expected to be applied in all workplaces across the country.



In April 2013, the National Assembly passed a revised bill guaranteeing the right to retire at the age of 60 despite strong opposition from the business circles. Lawmakers agreed that enterprises and public institutes with more than 300 employees would be influenced by the new revision from January 2016, while the rest will be applied from January 2017.



Along with the extension of retirement age, the minimum wage is also expected to be raised by 7.3 percent to 6,470 won ($5.38) from Jan. 1.



The government has decided to increase next year's hourly minimum wage by 440 won, or 7.3 percent, from this year's 6,030 won.



The wage hike means a daily salary of 51,760 won for people who work eight hours a day, a monthly salary of 1.35 million won for those who work 40 hours per week, or 209 hours per month. The Ministry of Employment and Labor said the pay raise would affect 3.36 million workers in Korea.



Despite the hike, the decision reportedly neither labor nor management.



The labor circles, which has demanded the hourly minimum wage to be raised into 10,000 won for two years in a row, expressed their disappointment, claiming the government has ignored the desperation of workers by not allowing a double-digit increase.



The Korea Employers Federation, which represents employers, also insisted the hike would add to the woes of smaller firms and self-employed business owners already grappling with difficulties, saying the raise will mean that workplaces with fewer than 30 employees have to spend an additional 2.5 trillion won every year.







Income tax hike



The government has decided to create a new top-tier rate for income taxes. Those earning more than 500 million won per year will be subject to a 40-percent income tax rate.



It marks the first time in 16 years for South Korea's income tax rate to reach 40 percent. The highest rate bracket, which hovered around 70 percent in the 1970s, continued to decline over the past decades to reach 36 percent in 2002 and then went up to 38 percent in 2012, which currently applies to those earning more than 150 million won per year.



The finance ministry estimates around 46,000 people will be affected by the change, and the hike is expected to enable the government to collect around 600 billion won more annually.







Birth and childcare leave



Those workers who apply for birth or miscarriage leave are allowed to receive 1.5 million next year, a 150,000 won increase from the previous grant.



Applicant workers are required to submit their applications one month after their leave starts or 12 months within their returns.



In a bid to encourage married workers give births, the government will expand their subsidies to small and medium-size enterprise for child-care leave. It has subsidized 200,000 won so far, but will increase the grant in 300,000 per each worker who leave for the care.







Resident registration number



Starting May 30, Korean nationals are allowed to change their Resident Registration Number (RRN) if satisfying certain requirements.



Those Korean citizens who are considered to be threaten their life, property and rights through Personal information leakage are allowed to change their RNN. Except applicant's date of birth and sex, the last six-digit numbers in RNN will be allowed to be changed.







Eco-friendly vehicle



The government will encourage old diesel-powered vehicle drivers to change their cars next year.



Those drivers who have owned a diesel car for more than 10 years since 2006 are eligible to be exempted 70 percent of consumption tax if they buy a new car within two months after scraping their old ones, next year.



In a bid to introduce more eco-friendly cars in the streets here, the government will continue exempting maximum 4 million won for those who buy and register a new electric, plug-in, or hybrid vehicles until December 2019.




Commercial vehicle drivers at the "H:EAR-O" conference at the Rolling Hills Hotel in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor



By Jhoo Dong-chan

Hyundai Motor held a conference, titled "H:EAR-O," for commercial vehicle drivers at the Rolling Hills Hotel in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Friday.

The conference was held to improve the company's communication with the drivers.

Hyundai Motor said in a press release that H:EAR-O was Hyundai Motor's first communication program exclusively for commercial vehicle drivers.

It is a part of the nation's largest carmaker's efforts to listen to commercial vehicle drivers and tailor appropriate solutions.

H:EAR-O's H stands for Hyundai Motor while EAR means the carmaker's vow to hear them. The O stands for customers.

During the two-day event, Hyundai Motor invited 30 commercial vehicle drivers and their spouses to take part in various programs, including a field trip to Hyundai Motor's Namyang R&D Center, a conference about commercial vehicles, a special lecture on family health, Hyundai Motor commercial vehicle experiences, and dinner.

Hyundai Motor also held a question and answer session for drivers to express their needs and talk about their experiences.

At Hyundai Motor's Namyang R&D Center, participants saw the automaker's latest technologies in commercial vehicles, including the Automatic Emergency Brake System (AEBS). They also toured the showroom for Hyundai Motor's diesel engine lineup and watched a road simulator.

"Their opinions though the H:EAR-O event will be our valuable assets in Hyundai Motor's future operation," said a Hyundai Motor official.

"Hyundai Motor will hold ongoing events every year to satisfy various customer needs."
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 Nam Hyun-woo





Han Jun-seong Lee Seong-gweon

A number of surprise promotions were made in domestic financial firms' year-end reshuffle, showing the government's meritocracy push is starting to blend into their personnel management.

On Dec. 28, KEB Hana Bank named Han Jun-seong as vice president to lead its Future Financial Group. Han garnered keen attention among industry insiders because he has no educational credentials higher than high school -- a rare case given most of his peers have MBA degrees or graduate school diplomas or are at least university graduates.

Since joining the bank in 1987, Han has spent most of his career at the bank's tech- or future-oriented departments, nurturing his expertise in the field.

Also with the announcement, the 50-year-old became one of Korea's youngest bank executives. Along with Han, two other new vice presidents  Chang Kyung-hoon, head of the newly established retail business group, and Chung Jeong-hee, head of the corporate business group  are also in their 50s, showing that age, educational background and salary steps are having less influence in promotions.

A day before KEB Hana's announcement, NongHyup (NH) Financial Group also made a surprise promotion. It named Lee Seong-gweon, head of NH Bank's fund management department, as the new CEO of NongHyup Futures. In its announcement, the group described Lee's leap as "extraordinary" because it had been only promoting vice presidents to CEOs before.

"Lee is a specialist in fund management having accumulated field experience," the group said. "Given the rising financial uncertainties and the characteristic of futures, the group believes it would be best to appoint an expert in the field as CEO."

On the same day, KB Financial Group announced that it named Kim Hae-kyung as CEO of KB Credit Information. The 55-year-old is the first female to head a KB group affiliate. She has been serving as head officer of a number of KB Kookmin Bank's regional offices and Seoul branches and the group said it highly appraised her leadership focusing on mid- and long-term planning.

"KB has a corporate culture of prioritizing performance over other factors including gender," a KB Financial Group official said.

Though financial firms made several surprise promotions for those whose showed strong performances, most of them opted to make a "stable" reshuffle in a broader view before scheduled changes in their CEO or chairman positions.

Shinhan Bank and Shinhan Financial Group will face a huge leadership change in March when group Chairman Han Dong-woo and bank President Cho Yong-byoung will see their terms expire.

Amid the scheduled changes, Shinhan opted to maintain 15 out of 27 executives who were subjected to this year's reshuffle. Rumors allege that Shinhan will conduct a large-scale reshuffle after March.

NongHyup Financial Group, whose Chairman Kim Yong-hwan's term will end in April, also had NongHyup Bank CEO Lee Kyung-seob remain in office in order to seek stability.

KB Kookmin, whose CEO Yoon Jong-kyoo's term ends in November next year, also promoted or rehired 12 out of 13 executives whose terms end soon.
The undated reproduction shows a religious book which was found in library of the abbey in Altomuenster, southern Germany. The impending dissolution of a 15th-century monastery in Bavaria is pitting scholars against Catholic church officials. The library in Altomuenster Abbey, accessible only to the monastery's nuns for more than five centuries, contains precious illuminated manuscripts and other treasures. Scholars worry the "holy grail" for Bridgettine Order research could be damaged, broken up or sold off before it can be catalogued and studied.



/ AP-Yonhap
"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"







Jyn (Felicity Jones) is part of the Rebel Alliance who tries to combat the Empire, an evil superpower. Jyn and her friends set off on a plan to steal the Empire's ultimate weapon in order to destroy it. Directed by Gareth Edwards.

"Master"







Mr. Jin (Lee Byung-hun) is a notorious swindler who has committed large-scale fraud. In order to catch him, detective Kim Jae-myeong (Gang Dong-won) threatens Jin's henchman, Park Jang-gun (Kim Woo-bin). Directed by Cho Ui-seok.

"Sing"







Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) holds a singing competition in order to revive his old music theater. All kinds of animals from all over the country come to participate in the competition. Directed by Garth Jennings.

"Pandora"







A strong earthquake hits South Korea, followed by a nuclear power plant explosion. Jae-hyeok (Kim Nam-gil) and his fellow workers at the power plant desperately try to prevent a radiation leak. Directed by Park Jung-woo.

"La La Land"







Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) is a jazz pianist, and Mia (Emma Stone) is an aspiring actress, both of whom are living in Los Angeles. They fall in love, and inspire each other to achieve their dreams. Directed by Damien Chazelle.
This April 7, 2011 file photo shows Carrie Fisher at the 2011 NewNowNext Awards in Los Angeles. Fisher, who played Princess Leia in 'Star Wars,' has died at age 60, her daughter's publicist says. / AP - Yonhap



By Lee Jin-a

Many Star Wars fans are in deep mourning after learning that their Princess Leia, Carrie Fisher, 60, died Tuesday.

The actress had a massive heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles on Dec. 23, according to reports.

Fisher, who debuted in 1975 in the film "Shampoo," played Princess Leia in the sci-fi blockbuster series "Star Wars" at the age of 20. Leia was the most loved character in her acting career.

But Fisher was so much more than an onscreen princess.

She was an outspoken feminist who fought sexism and ageism.

Throughout her career, Fisher never hid her struggles with mental illness and drug use, admitting that she had abused cocaine during the filming of "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980).

"Fisher easily could have fit a really predictable mold  a pretty girl who played a princess in a movie once," said Sady Doyle, author of "Trainwreck: The Women We Love to Hate, Mock and Fear," in an interview with NBC News. "But she always insisted on being more than that. She just never let anyone make her smaller or less complex than she was; she owned herself, and that's one of the most important and difficult feminist projects there is."





From left, Star Wars actors Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher and Peter Mayhew take a break from filming a television special in Los Angeles, October 5, 1978. / AP - Yonhap



The veteran actress also publicly criticized the Hollywood system that often requires actresses to wear sexy costumes.

Talking about Princess Leia's bikini outfit in "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)," Fisher advised her co-star Daisy Ridley of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)" not to follow her example.

She said: "Don't be a slave like I was ... You keep fighting against that slave outfit."

Fisher also denounced the producers who demanded she look young and beautiful.

"I'm in a business where the only thing that matters is weight and appearance," she told The Hollywood Reporter in 2015. "That is so messed up. They might as well say 'get younger,' because that's how easy it is."

Fisher was one of the first actresses who taught girls in the 1970s that it is OK to be strong and independent. With the role of Princess Leia, she broke the rule that princesses should be passive and subordinate to men, waiting for rescue from a powerful male hero.

"Carrie was one of a kind ... brilliant, original. Funny and emotionally fearless," Harrison Ford, the co-star of "Star Wars," said. "She lived her life bravely  We will all miss her."


By Kang Hyun-kyung

Self-made businessman Joung Jin-gu, 64, once had a thriving business that produced garments and daily household products for the U.S. market. During its peak days in the 1980s and 90s, his company Samjoung International had over 3,000 employees in overseas factories in 33 countries across Asia and Latin America, and posted an annual sales income of $50 million. Some of his innovative products, such as hangers and foldable laundry baskets, were a hit in the U.S. market, helping him become a corporate leader of a small but strong company.

In 2002, his life took an unusual turn, from owner and founder of the profitable business into an unstoppable inventor who has invested all his fortune to develop a nasal product for asthma patients.

His sickness was a turning point. In 1999, he was hospitalized for shortness of breath during a business trip to Guatemala where he operated a textile manufacturing factory. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in the local hospital there, which later turned out to be a medical error. He returned to Korea for treatment. After a thorough medical checkup at ASAN Medical Center in southern Seoul, he was diagnosed with asthma and acute respiratory disease which were so severe that he was unable to walk 100 meters without panting and wheezing.

Joung realized at that time that breathing freely is a blessing. As he recovered from the acute respiratory disease, he shifted his focus to developing devices to help asthma patients like him.

He has since invested his entire wealth accumulated over the decades for a small device  an N95 nose filter designed to filter toxic particles and viruses that can cause pneumonia to help patients of respiratory diseases breathe in fresh air.

In the face of financial pressures caused by massive early investments, he sold his luxury apartment in southern Seoul and his land in Boeun County, North Chungcheong Province, to finance the project.

His years of investment in the unprofitable business put himself at odds with some of his adult children. While his daughter and son-in-law showed their unwavering support, his two sons voiced concern about their father who they thought "wasted" all his wealth without preparing for his life after retirement. But their worries didn't stop Joung from exploring the innovative nose filter project which he considers a life mission to fulfill.





Businessman-turned-inventor Joung Jin-gu, left, and his doctor Nam Soon-yuhl at Asan Medical Center in Seoul last Monday / Korea Times file



His years of endeavor bore fruit. In 2007, he released the award-winning nose filter NOSK and the breakthrough product made him an internationally recognized inventor.

The nose filter was chosen as one of the most innovative products in the world's three largest trade fairs for inventors  the Innovation and New Product Exposition (INPEX) in Pittsburg, the international trade fair for "Ideas- Inventions- New Products" (iENA) in Nuremberg and the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva. At INPEX 2007, it won Best Invention of the Far East, a gold medal in the environmental field and a bronze medal in the health and fitness field.

Joung's nose filter also won the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards' New Excellent Product (NEP) certification, a label awarded to inventors.

Following its recognitions at home and abroad, he has received calls from many multinational companies and local pharmaceutical firms to forge business partnerships to co-produce the device for sale.

However, Joung rejected their requests. "I feel that NOSK still is not perfect and it needs to be upgraded further," he said. "I want a perfect device that can impress my consumers and my investment will be continued."

Once the nose filter is perfected and becomes a market success, he said he'd like to create an incubator for inventors who have new ideas but no money to monetize their ideas.

Joung said he owes his doctor Nam Soon-yuhl for the successful release of the nose filter. He said Nam, a professor and chairman of the department of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery and laryngology of ASAN Medical Center, has offered his unconditional support for the past decade.

"Dr. Nam's advice was critical to move my project forward when I was stuck in the middle of trial and error," he said.





Since inventor Joung Jin-gu released the nose filter NOSK in 2007, the award-winning product has been upgraded. The device was chosen as one of the most innovative products in the world's three largest trade fair for inventions and new products. From right shows the developments of the nose filter from the earliest to the latest version. / Korea Times file



After starting work on the development of the nose filter in November 2002, Joung said he wasted four years without progress. He had changed molds over 30 times to make the filter comfortable. Some of them were unbearable and some made those who tried the device feel sore.

After realizing his limited knowledge of the nose was the source of his repeated failures, he went to Dr. Nam to ask if he could lend his nasal expertise, a request the doctor accepted after a while.

Nam gave his patient one-on-one lectures on the human nose with feedback on Joung's product. The doctor told him there should not be a one-size-fits-all type of nose filter because human noses are different from person to person. But their naval cavities are similar, so he advised Joung to develop a nose filter that can fit the naval cavity. His advice helped Joung solve the Gordian knot that vexed him for four years. The release of NOSK followed a year after he received the professional advice from the doctor.

Nam's talent donation has since continued.

In 2009, the doctor gave a presentation about the nose filter on behalf of Joung to experts from the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards to help his friend earn NEC certification. Before this, Joung unsuccessfully applied for the certification twice. Joung, an elementary school graduate and an engineer by training, was unable to answer professional questions from the experts. Thanks to Nam, Joung passed the test and won the certification for his product.

Nam calls Joung "Korea's Don Quixote" for his "innocent investment." According to him, he initially thought his patient was annoying and he was skeptical about the nose filter project because he thought the chances for its development was bleak.

"I thought my patient kept investing money in an unfeasible project. I knew his blind investment came at the expense of his family members' living standards and his ties with his sons," Nam said. "But he never gave that up which won me over."

Nam said Joung is a man of curiosity who always thinks about how to fix small inconveniences in people's lives and tries to develop his innovative ideas into products.

"He was born like that, but for some reason he happened to be a businessman seeking profits," Nam said. "As his business had gone well and he made a fortune, he seems to have followed his inner voice and invested his wealth to fix inconveniences."

Invention is in his genes, the doctor said of his friend.
By Lee Sung-hun





Lee Sung-hun

On average, an adult catches a cold two to three times a year, and in fact it is the most common cause for an outpatient visit to a hospital here in Korea.

Despite the high number of clinic visits, there are no specific cures for the cold, which is fortunate as it is an illness that can often go away naturally without medical intervention. Hence the common saying goes, "You can get rid of a cold in seven days if you take a prescription, and in a week if you don't."

A cold is the general name given to a number of viral infections in the upper respiratory tract.

There are more than 200 viruses that are associated with the common cold, each with a variety of symptoms. As there are also different strains of each virus, it is nearly impossible to manufacture vaccines against every single one.

Therefore, the treatment for a cold usually focuses on alleviating symptoms.

Oriental medicine regards the cold as an illness that occurs when our body's physiological functions and adaptability become diminished due to a variety of changes in the external environment such as wind, temperature and humidity.

External environmental factors that can bring about a cold such as the wind ("poong") and cold weather ("han") can become pathogenic qis that invade a weakened body.

For treating a cold that starts with a fever and chills along with muscular pains all over the body, Oriental medicine calls for sudorific treatments.

Herbal medication is administered to induce perspiration which helps discharge the invading pathogens from the infected body.

Scallion roots are known to have diaphoretic effects and could be consumed as a tea at the early onset of a cold. Cinnamon can also be used at the early stage of a cold as it has body-warming characteristics that promote qi-circulation, and it is especially effective when the patient has a cold sweat.

As a home remedy against colds, many Koreans often attempt to induce sweating by lying under a thick layer of blankets, or even visiting a sauna.

However, burying oneself under blankets can increase body temperature without inducing enough perspiration, which can be problematic. Also, over-sweating can end up damaging the healthy qi in the patient's body rather than healing it.

Therefore, caution is required with such home remedies.

Unless properly treated at the early stages of a cold, or for a patient whose body lacks the healthy qi to properly defend itself due to old age or generally weak stamina, external pathogens that caused the cold can further entrench themselves and become chronic.

In such cases, Oriental treatment aims to support the body's healthy qi so it can fight off the cold.

Ssanghwatang, commonly available as an over-the-counter medicine for treating the common cold, is such a medication.

Although most readers may drink it as just another cold medicine, ssanghwatang is a traditional medication that has been used to help patients of serious illnesses to recover their strength.

In some cases, patients get rid of all other symptoms except for constant coughing.

For such patients, drinking tea brewed with balloon flower roots can be effective. Balloon flower roots, a common ingredient in bibimbap recipes, are known to promote bronchial secretion, and thus are highly effective in getting rid of phlegm and calming the cough.

While there is no single cure for the common cold, Oriental medicine can provide tailored treatment options to fight off colds. If symptoms persist, you are recommended to visit your local Oriental clinic for professional medical advice.



The writer practices Oriental medicine at the UN Oriental Medical Clinic in Hannam-dong, Seoul.
By Han Eun-kyung



Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse. However, as this inability is often not absolute, the term "subfertility" is also used.



According to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA), approximately 13.5 percent, or one out of seven married couples, are experiencing primary or secondary infertility in Korea.



As of 2014, 209,000 people were diagnosed as infertile.



Assisted reproductive technology (ART) can contribute to solving the infertility issue for individuals and families.



The government has a program for expanding financial support for infertile couples using the technology.



The program showed the success rate of fertility was 33.2 percent for in-vitro fertilization, and 13.7 percent for intrauterine insemination (IUI) as of 2013.



However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ART has caused health challenges such as multiple delivery, preterm delivery, and low birth-weight delivery.



KIHASA reported that the top reason for patients to quit the ART was pain and stress during the treatment.



Considering the high spending, the government should review whether the program leads to best results.



There might be a way to satisfy the unmet needs.



In Korea, 71.6 percent of the infertile couples receive Korean Medicine-based treatments. This demand has led local government-level support programs including financial assistance for infertile couples using Korean medicine.



According to the Association of Korean Medicine, the success rate of fertility using the traditional treatment is 24.1 percent.



The goal of Korean Medicine is to boost the general health condition to normalize ovarian, uterine and semen function.



Traditional Korean Medicine treatments can be used alone, or before/after the ART treatments to increase the chance of fertility.



Patients say traditional Korean Medicine treatments, which consists of acupuncture and oral herb medication, make them less stressful.



For the "unexplained infertility" which counts for almost one third of all infertility cases, this is particularly worth being noticed.



From a financial aspect, Korean Medicine treatments can alleviate the financial burden on households.



In terms of government support, couples should be able to have an opportunity to take different types of treatments if they are willing to.



Again, this calls for a national level of quality assessment for government's pregnancy support program to help infertile couples more effectively, including assessing the effectiveness and safety of Korean Medical treatment.



Experts insist that it might be necessary for government to run a pilot program on Korean medine-oriented support for infertility couples.



Yet the government has not had any national level plans of such support, which has already been implemented for almost a decade in more than 13 municipalities nationwide.



A timely, joint effort of public health experts and Korean Medicine practitioners is also needed for a feasible national support program to be implemented in Korea where the total birth rate (the number of children per woman) remains at 1.24, which is one of the lowest in the world.



Han Eun-kyung works at Chae Young Clinic in Gyeonggi Province.




A weeping woman shows a picture of her late son at a press conference in front of the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan, Seoul, Aug. 6. She and other bereaved families called on the ministry to help restore the honor of soldiers who died from hazing while serving their mandatory military service. / Yonhap



Activists urge military to uphold human rights



By Park Ji-won, Chung Hyun-chae, Nam Hyun-woo



Koreans are outraged over the death of an Army private first class, surnamed Yoon, who suffered brutal abuse and violence at the hands of his superiors.



Yoon, who belonged to the Army's 28th Division, was brutally beaten by five senior soldiers, then put on an IV drip to recover  only to be beaten again and endure more torture before his death in April.



Ranking military officials and politicians have vowed to uphold soldiers' rights and prevent future tragedies by establishing a human rights council within the armed forces.



For some men who have already completed their mandatory military service, however, Yoon's story came as no surprise. They have experienced, witnessed, or at least heard of similar cases.



An office worker in Seoul, surnamed Lee, 32, finished his military service in 2007. His superiors subjected him to abuse too, he recalls.



"I still don't understand why I was beaten," he said.



Lee, then a private, was responsible for managing an ammunition depot. He worked with a sergeant, who was younger than him and constantly picked fights to remind Lee of his inferior rank.



"I'm younger than you," the sergeant repeatedly pointed out to Lee. "Is that a problem for you?"



The sergeant often kicked Lee in the stomach and punched him in the neck when

they were alone in the depot.



"I never said anything about his age, but he picked fights with me and repeatedly attacked me," Lee said.



Lee required medical treatment for his injuries, but the sergeant bullied him into remaining silent about how he got his bruises and why he was bleeding. The assaults continued until the sergeant was discharged.



"If I ever met him again, I would definitely have him killed," Lee said.





A soldier holds a rifle while attending a special lecture on human rights at an Army camp in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, Aug. 8. All soldiers are required to attend such lectures amid mounting criticism over hazing in the barracks following the death of an army private first class, surnamed Yoon, who suffered from brutal abuse from his colleagues. / Yonhap



"I still suffer trauma, but there is no one I can complain to about this and get redress," he added. "The government should also come up with measures to help victims like me."



Kim, 28, who was discharged from the Army two years ago, said he had witnessed hazing.



"Many say there is no violence in the military anymore, but I don't believe that," Kim said.



"Some people are slow to understand or do something. And one of my colleagues was like that. Superiors always used foul language when talking to him, and often they even cursed his parents and attacked him."



The victim was bullied for absurd reasons, Kim recalls.



"Verbal abuse and assaults happened because the victim did not follow stupid customs, which obviously had nothing to do with improving combat readiness," he said.



For example, Kim said his colleague was forced to lick shoe polish because his boots were not shiny enough. Another colleague reported the violence to a ranking officer, and the victim was transferred to another barracks. The attackers were sent to the guardhouse.



"It was a rare case, given that other units' officers tend to cover things up to evade close investigation, because officers don't want a mess," he said. "I heard from one of my friends that his colleague committed suicide because of hazing, but the death was recorded as an accident."



Kim declined to elaborate.



An office worker, surnamed Gil, 28, said one of his colleagues served time in the guardhouse for beating an underling.



"While on night duty, he ordered a private first class not to move off a small tile on the floor.



A single move outside of the tile's borders would be followed by assaults," Gil recalled.



Noh, 24, a college senior who completed his service last year, witnessed sexual violence. The victim was a private first class and the perpetrator was a corporal.



"The private first class reported the corporal's deed to the authorities, and the offender was given a military prison term and transferred to a different unit," he said.



These stories are a source of anxiety for young men who still face conscription, and for their parents.



College student Oh, 21, finished his four weeks of basic military training on Aug. 1. Now he works at a food company as part of an alternative civilian service program.



Though he braved the training without any problem, his parents were not as brave.



"Even though the training lasted only a month, I couldn't help worrying about my son," said his mother, surnamed Yoo. "Who knows if something bad will happen within that short time?



"In the photo my son sent, some of his colleagues had tattoos on their arms. After I saw that, I started to worry. What if they bully my son?" she said.



"Other parents [whose sons don't qualify for alternative programs] must have bigger worries, but I also worry about my son's safety."



According to data from the Ministry of National Defense, between 2003 and last year, 874 servicemen died either as a result of suicide or accidents. An average of 80 men died every year.



Human rights activists have long urged the government to take action on violence and bullying in the military. But the response remains tepid, consisting only of vague orders.



In 2012, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) suggested guidelines to safeguard servicemen's human rights. Those were the strongest measures the agency believed it was capable of taking, but apparently they were insufficient.



The NHRC's role is limited  it can only make suggestions, not binding regulations. However, critics say the watchdog should have been more active in carrying out its duties  at the very least, it could have disclosed problems to the public.



It was the Center for Military Human Rights that revealed the details of Yoon's case

to the media.



"We have repeatedly urged the military to open itself to the public, allowing civilian human rights experts to visit the barracks and meet with soldiers," said Lim Tae-hoon, a representative of the center. "However, the military kept saying no to civilian experts  that it would handle intra-military matters by itself."
A woman pushes a stroller away from a cafe after being asked to leave. More restaurants and cafes are refusing patrons with children for etiquette and safety reasons. / Korea Times file



Restaurants' ban on children stirs pro-and-con debate



By Baek Byung-yeul, Kwon Ji-youn

A local court recently ruled that two restaurants should pay 10 million won and 47 million won to two children, respectively, who were scalded while dining. One child ran into a restaurant employee carrying hot water and another was burned by charcoal fire.

Once the verdict was announced, some restaurant owners started to refuse customers with children as they didn't want to be held responsible for any accidents their child could cause. This issue has emerged as a hotbed for online debate ever since.

Korea isn't the first to join the movement. In two U.S. states, Texas and Pennsylvania, restaurants have banned kids, while cafes in Berlin have created child-free zones for their patrons. Some have even barred strollers, which are considered safety hazards in densely populated areas such as malls or restaurants.

Even some airlines are following suit. Malaysia Air banned children under two from flying first class, while AsiaAir created a "quiet zone" for fliers above the age of 12.

Restaurant owners blame children for reckless behaviors in a potentially dangerous environment involving fire and other cooking equipment, as well as disturbing other patrons' dining experience.

The question is this: Do parents have the right to bring their children to cafes and restaurants, where they are at risk of getting burned, where they may be bothersome to fellow patrons? Or do restaurants have the right to refuse patrons with children for safety and etiquette reasons?

Many parents with children protested, saying that this is a violation of equal rights.

Choi Jung-soon, who raised two children, aged six and eight, said this is a clear example of an equal rights violation.

"My kids have the right to enter any cafe or restaurant," the 33-year-old Seoulite said.





A sign posted on the door of a restaurant located in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, bars children who are elementary-school age or younger.

/ Korea Times



"People who say parents bringing their toddlers to restaurants do not discipline children inside and let their kids run loose, but this is completely wrong.

"I definitely do try to pay attention to my kids, making sure they don't go on a rampage inside a restaurant, but they should understand that kids aren't able to completely control themselves," she said.

Heo Eun-mi, a 32-year-old mom, hadn't heard about the movement to ban kids until recently.

"When I heard that a group of restaurants were banning kids, I thought to myself, no way,' because my kid loves to eat out" she said. "Before such a policy takes effect across the city, restaurants should designate child-friendly zones, where families with children can dine free from the glares of childless patrons and the narrow confines of a restaurant."

She stressed that this should be the first step restaurant owners take before implementing a no kids' policy.

"Then, at least they've made an effort to satisfy all customers. We're customers, too," she said. "If that still didn't work, then sure, ban kids. Also, where else will kids learn proper restaurant etiquette?"

She emphasized that with a little caution, restaurant owners and parents will definitely be able to find a way to coexist.

"I think the responsibility falls with both parties. Parents should be a little more attentive, and restaurant employees should be a little more careful," she said. "That's as simple as it gets."

Another mother, with a seven-year-old daughter, said she had to order take-out at a coffee shop because her daughter wasn't allowed in, but she didn't mind.

"When I saw the news, the first thought that came to my mind was, aren't the parents responsible for the safety of their children?'" she said on condition of anonymity. "How are restaurant owners supposed to control children while working?"

Jeong Soon-ok, a college student, does admit that her experience at a restaurant in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul, wasn't all that enjoyable because of a child who walked from table to table stealing peoples' salt and pepper shakers.

"At first it was cute, but when the meals were served, we needed the salt shaker. So we took it from him and he just fell on his bottom and started screaming," she said. "The mother then came and started telling us off for forcibly taking the child's toy' away. I didn't know what to say in response."

Jeong recalled another incident in where a child slipped while running in a dining room.

"I remember the mother started yelling at the employees for wiping the floor down with a wet mop," she said. "I thought to myself, should they have used a dry mop?'"

Ryu Seung-min, who runs a Korean-style barbeque restaurant in Seoul, agrees with ban, adding that "parents sometimes just cannot control their children."

"I don't implement that kind of policy in my restaurant as my customers are mostly office workers, but I definitely agree with the food establishments that do ban kids," said the restaurant owner.

"I think parents who bring their children to restaurants and don't pay attention to them seem to not understand how dangerous this place actually is. They should know that we are dealing with hot food that could burn someone if dropped.

"In addition, parents who don't even try to control their careless kids are unaware they are disturbing those around them. They may have gotten used to their loud kids but this doesn't apply to the customers around them," he said.

Ryu also pointed out the necessity of campaigns urging parents to better observe public etiquette while in restaurants.

"I guess we need to find common ground between owners and parents. I think educating parents the virtue of paying more attention to their kids while dining is a good, first step," he said.

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRC) states that it is illegal for a business to ban children from entering restaurants, adding that it is against the rights of equality.

However, this presents a catch-22. If restaurants ban children, then these establishments are breaking the existing laws. But if a restaurant has put forth clear grounds as to why it restricts access to kids, then there is no way to impose sanctions on the offending restaurant.

To illustrate this point, NHRC dismissed a case in 2010 filed by an anonymous informant that a restaurant implements a "no kids" policy in their judgment that the restaurant had clear reason to do so.

"As long as we, restaurant owners, are responsible for any accidents involving children, it is crystal-clear that more and more restaurants and cafes will adopt the no kids' policy," Ryu added.


By Park Ji-won and Chung Hyun-chae



Housekeeper Lee Won-hee, 57, reminisced that when she was in her 20s she spent little money on her dates.



"During my time, teahouses, movie theaters and parks were pretty much the only places we could go for dates," she said. "Needing a lot of money for dating wasn't as much of an issue back then as it is now.



"It was natural among young people to have no money, hang out at a park with a lunch box, and eventually get married down the road. Women had fewer roles in society a few decades ago. In my time, a woman's duty was doing house chores and rearing the children, while a man's obligation is earning money and providing food and housing. Life was a lot more simple back then."



It was OK for young couples to spend time without much money a few decades ago. These days, people in their 20s and 30s in Korea feel this is some kind of myth. But why is this so hard to believe? Today's generation think they need a certain amount of money or a decent job to even go on a date.



Of course, money is necessary for survival. But why is today's youth so obsessed about having money just to go on a simple date?



Some people say today's young people are the generation with three no's _ no dating, no marriage and no job.



This is a sad portrayal of Korea today where many believe that love, let alone going on a date, is not possible without money.



Some statistics supports the three no's phenomenon.



According to a Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA) report released on July 27, people in romantic relationships have distinct features _ they are aged 25-29, they have graduated from college, and they earn 25 million to 35 million won a year.



The institute surveyed about 1,500 single men and women aged 18-49, last November and December



The results show that people are considered to be in a relationship when society believes they are "stable" _ having a good job with money _ and their parents are proudly willing to introduce their son or daughter to others.



About 45.5 percent of men and 43.1 percent of women in their 20s, and 38.7 percent of men and 38 percent of women in their 30s and who are dating, feel their partner is marriage material.



The problem is that their income is likely to be the most important factor in even accepting a first date. As long as they earn money, they are more likely to be in a relationship.



About 43.2 percent of men and 52.8 percent of women whose annual salary ranges from 25 million won to 35 million had romantic relationships. But only 27.3 percent of men and 28.1 percent of women who earn less than 15 million won per year had a past relationship.



Nearly 70 percent of single men who have a regular income said they wanted a girlfriend.



Meanwhile, about half of the men without an income said they are unwilling to have a romantic relationship.



A male college student surnamed Kim, 24, intentionally had not had a girlfriend during the past year.



"I promised myself to improve and not date until I get a job even if I like someone," Kim said.



"At some point, I would regret investing in a girl who I don't truly love. Now I feel that loving someone is some sort of investment or the accumulation of mileage points in a supermarket so that it could be exchanged as cash at a future date," Kim explained.



He added that he felt sad that he thought it was necessary to avoid dating until earning money.



This way of thinking is not so different for women.



A college student surnamed Gu, 24, who lived in Seoul while at school, failed to get into one of the nation's big conglomerates last year.



Depressed, she decided to return to her hometown, Busan, to concentrate fully on her studies in the hope of landing a job. To do this, she disconnected with all her friends in Seoul.



She also broke up with her boyfriend.



"I have little time to enjoy dating before getting a career," Gu said.



For her, love is not as important as starting a career and earning money.



Other women agree with Gu.



"When I wanted to be alone with my boyfriend, I had to pay to find a private place," said Park Ji-min, 25, a job seeker.



"Because I was on a tight budget and was unemployed, I often became nervous whenever I had to spend money.



"Soon I became exhausted as I always worried about money and calculated the exact amount I spent rather than feeling happy when I saw my boyfriend.



"Because lack of money was stressing me out on each date, I finally told him I wanted to break up."



Experts point out that worrying about not having enough money and choosing to be single is probably contributing to the nation's falling birthrate.



"Given that romantic relationships depend on one's income and position today, it is crucial to create an environment where young people can eventually land a career and plan for the future," said KIHASA researcher Cho Sung-ho.



"Adopting this attitude of getting a job first will also contribute to increasing the birthrate, which is one of the world's lowest."


By Park Si-soo



People who joined the 10th mass rally against the President in central Seoul on the last day of 2016 had a common wish: more transparency in politics and society.

"The (Park Geun-hye) scandal reflects a lack of transparency in our political system and ineptitude of social forces that are supposed to keep the establishment in check," said Park Hyung-tae, 75, who joined the rally with his wife and two adult sons. "What I expect next year is more transparency in politics and a restored checks-and-balances system."

Kim Yoo-jin, 29, voiced a similar opinion.

"I turn 30 next year and my last year of my 20s has even totally ruined by the scandal. I don't want to see this happen again in my 30s," she said. "Our society and politics need to be more transparent. But this is not something that can be done only by the efforts of some. It needs the concerted efforts of all people and, though belatedly, we need to think about how to make this real."

An estimated 900,000 people joined the 10th rally, reaching the "10 million people" mark in the accumulated number of participants in the 10 weekend mass rallies against the President. More than 9 million people have joined nationwide anti-president rallies since the first flare-up of the protests on Oct. 29, according to a spokesman for the rally organizers.

The 10th rally, which started at 6 p.m., continued into the New Year past midnight.

A public action group calling for the president to step down hosted its tenth protest at Gwanghwamun Plaza beginning at 7 p.m., which included performances. The protesters marched toward the presidential office, the Constitutional Court and the prime minister's residence after which they headed toward the Bosingak Pavilion for the New Year bell-ringing ceremony.

Meanwhile, people loyal to impeached President Park Geun-hye staged a rally in front of the Daehanmun Gate of Deoksu Palace from 2 p.m., calling on the Constitutional Court to make a ruling in favor of the President.









Bell-ringing ceremony to celebrate New Year



The annual bell-ringing ceremony was held at the Bosingak Bell pavilion in downtown Seoul at midnight to ring in the New Year.

Seoul City has picked eleven citizens to toll the bell at midnight, including Kil Won-ok, an 89-year-old victim of Japan's wartime sexual slavery. Others selected include female archer Chang Hye-jin, who won two gold medals at the Rio Olympics, and Jeon Myeong-seon, a representative for the families of the victims of the 2014 Sewol ferry sinking.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon took part in the event.

When the clock strikes midnight, the bell was rung 33 times. The practice dates back to the Joseon Dynasty, during which authorities would ring the bell 33 times every morning to signal the start of the day's work activities.

The city has extended the operations of the subway and bus systems by two hours to allow more spectators to attend the ceremony.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, whose term ends this month, said Friday that South Korea must seek political integration amid the discord over the influence-peddling scandal.

The remark, quoted as saying by Rep. Chung Jin-suk of the ruling Saenuri Party, came after the two met in New York. Chung said Ban pointed out that South Korea needs to find political integration, and seek economic and social compromises.

"The country is facing a crisis. In such a crisis, vulnerable groups, such as the youth, women and the elderly, face the biggest challenges," the former South Korean foreign minister told Chung.












The Dong Ward municipality in South Korea's largest port city of Busan on Friday handed over a confiscated statue symbolizing the victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery to a civic group, paving the way for it to be installed in front of the ward's Japanese Consulate.



Two days before the handover, the civic group attempted to install the statute on the sidewalk in front of the back door of the consulate but was stopped due to opposition from ward officials and police.



Members of the group seek to install the 1-ton statue, similar to another set up in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, as part of their protest against a Seoul-Tokyo deal made in December last year. Under the landmark deal, Tokyo apologized for its colonial-era atrocities and agreed to provide 1 billion yen (US$9.61 million) to a foundation aimed at supporting the victims, euphemistically called comfort women.



Citing that the statue's installation obstructed a road, the ward office prevented the group from erecting it and seized it.



Following the seizure, the ward office was swamped with calls and messages critical of the office which shutdown its website as sentiment against the move ran high. The office then apparently agreed to return the figure to the group as it has no legal grounds for the seizure.



Later in the day, the ward office and the group will hold talks to agree on the location of for the statue, mediated by the Busan city assembly. The civic group earlier planned to hold a ceremony at 9:00 p.m. Saturday in front of the consulate to unveil the statue.



South Korean victims, liberal civic groups and opposition parties have accused the South Korean government of striking the December 2015 deal hastily without obtaining Japan's acknowledgment of legal responsibility. They also said the agreement was reached without prior consultation with the victims. (Yonhap)






By Park Si-soo



This year started with many people laughing at the hilarious name "Byeong-Sin," which means "idiot."

It was made from combining "Byeong" (which means south, third or red) from the Oriental map of heavenly energy and "Sin" (monkey) from the Chinese Zodiac. The two words were put together for the first time in 60 years and the hilarious sound was considered among optimists as a sign that this year would be filled with events making people laugh and smile.

But has Murphy's Law disrupted the once-in-60-years magic?

In reality, bad news has outstripped good news this year. Inter-Korean relations have gone from bad to worse following North Korea's fourth nuclear test in January. And the political conflict between rival parties reached the point of explosion in February as the ruling Saenuri Party tried to railroad a controversial anti-terrorism bill.

The so-called "toxic humidifier disinfectant" scandal rocked the nation in May and other tragic incidents in the same month highlighted the widening gap between the haves and have-nots, the deep-seated discrimination against women and the dried-up sense of sympathy in the face of fierce competition.

A powerful 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southeastern city of Gyeongju in September, the most powerful seismic activity in the nation's modern history.

The march of bad news culminated with a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil. The ongoing investigation has uncovered a complicated chain of corruption, through which a small group of Park's aides wielded unauthorized influence on state affairs and allegedly embezzled taxpayers' money in recent years.

People were so upset about the scandal that millions joined nationwide anti-president rallies in a self-motivated grassroots movement that pushed lawmakers to vote for the President's impeachment.

While some issues have been settled one way or another, there are many left unaddressed. How will they unfold? Will we see any kind of momentum that will turn the depressed situation around next year? And how, and when?

As British poet Samuel Butler put it, the only certainty is that nothing is certain. But here is one thing that is certain: the year of the "idiot" is coming to a close.
By Chung Hyun-chae



The Constitutional Court is speeding up proceedings toward a ruling on the impeachment motion for President Park Geun-hye by wrapping up three rounds of preparatory hearings, Friday.



It will hold the first and second official hearings on the case on Jan. 3 and Jan. 5, respectively, an unusually fast schedule for a constitutional  or even civil or criminal  case.



Political analysts interpret the timetable as reflecting the court's intention to make a swift ruling to minimize disorder in state affairs.



"We will review the case thoroughly according to transparent legal processes which people can accept, to make a fair and prompt decision," Constitutional Court President Park Han-chul said in his New Year speech.



According to legal sources, the court is likely to hold one or two hearings every week.

In 2004, the Constitutional Court held seven hearings on the nation's first presidential impeachment of former President Roh Moo-hyun, from March 30 to April 30.



The hearings may be broadcast live based on high public interest in the influence-peddling scandal involving President Park and her confidant Choi Soon-sil, just as the previous impeachment hearings for former President Roh were.



Some expect the court may be able to make its final ruling as early as January if hearings go as planned.



The three preparatory hearings  on Dec. 22, 27 and 30  were also part of efforts to expedite the deliberation process.



In Friday's hearing, the court rejected the Assembly representatives' earlier request for the President to appear as a witness. To their request, Park's defense attorneys had said the President has no legal obligation to be present in court.



The court also decided to add more witnesses, previously deciding on three including Choi and two former presidential aides  An Chong-bum and Jeong Ho-seong. The witnesses will be called in for the second hearings on Jan. 5.




National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun, center, holds hands with the floor leaders of the four major parties before their meeting at Chung's office, Friday. From left are Joo Seung-yong from the second-largest opposition People's Party, Woo Sang-ho from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), Chung, Chung Woo-taik from the ruling Saenuri Party and Joo Ho-young from the New Conservative Party for Reform. / Yonhap



By Yi Whan-woo

The floor leaders of the four major parties agreed, Friday, to accelerate talks on forming a National Assembly committee tasked with Constitutional revision.

"The parties will make preparations accordingly for the committee to run quickly, possibly next month," Rep. Kim Seong-dong of the ruling Saenuri Party said during a briefing following the floor leaders' meeting presided by National Assembly Speaker Rep. Chung Sye-kyun.

The four were Chung Woo-taik of the Saenuri Party, Woo Sang-ho of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), Joo Seung-yong of the second-largest opposition People's Party and Joo Ho-young of the tentatively-named New Conservative Party for Reform (NCPR).

The agreement came amid growing criticism that the current single, five-year presidency has served its purpose after nearly 30 years and that amending the Constitution concerning the presidency is necessary.

Such calls for amendment especially grew in the wake of a corruption scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye, who lost control over state affairs as her predecessors did in the final year of their tenure. Park also suggested revamping the Constitution although her offer was believed to be politically motivated to cover up the scandal.

Many potential candidates for the 2017 presidential election support the idea of the Constitutional revision. Depending on their political interests, however, they have collided over when the change should be made and also over whether to shorten the presidential term.

Although he had initially supported the Constitution revamping, Moon Jae-in the leading presidential hopeful from the main opposition Democratic Party (DPK), raised objection against it, Thursday.

His move came amid speculation that other possible contenders who are interested in the constitutional amendment may use it as a link to align with one another against Moon.

"Even a single, five-year term will be too short to clean up the political mess and carry out the reform," Moon said after a ceremony to mark the fifth anniversary of the death of Kim Geun-tae, a late democracy fighter. Other opposition heavyweights, such as Sohn Hak-kyu and South Chungcheong Province Governor Ahn Hee-jung were there, too.

"Raising issues on the Constitutional revision and shortening the presidential term is against the people's will at this moment," Moon said.

Sohn disagreed by saying "Any objection against the Constitutional revision is seen as advocating the imperial presidency."

However, the four floor leaders agreed to actively run a consultative body involving the government and the rival parties to stabilize state affairs.

They said the parties will hold an extraordinary parliamentary session from Jan. 9 to 20 to discuss bills on public welfare and the economy.

The meeting took place after a total of 29 lawmakers aligned against President Park Geun-hye, broke from the Saenuri Party and created a new party, NCPR, Tuesday.
By Rachel Lee



Some gifts and cards foreign envoys in Seoul had given to President Park Geun-hye were found in the house of her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil, according to the independent counsel team, Friday.



The discovered gifts  supposed to be kept inside Cheong Wa Dae  show how special the relationship between the two was, the team said.



They discovered the items during a recent search of Choi's home and offices. They did not elaborate on the kinds of gifts or who sent them to the impeached President.



"We will look into how the gifts were kept in Choi's home, not at Cheong Wa Dae," an investigator said on condition of anonymity. "As it is not normal to keep presents at a friend's home, this case indicates how unusual the Park-Choi relationship was."



It could also be an act of diplomatic impudence if it is true that Park has kept gifts from ambassadors at Choi's home.



Foreign diplomats in Seoul were cautious about commenting on the news, but showed embarrassment.



"I hope the gift I gave to the President was not among those found at Choi's home," an ambassador said.



Some envoys made it clear that there was nothing "wrong" with the President giving gifts to her close friends or acquaintances.



"It is only common courtesy and diplomatic procedure to exchange gifts with each other so the problem is not about President Park's gifts being at Choi's house. It depends on the actual value of the gift and the purpose of it," a diplomat in Seoul told The Korea Times on condition of anonymity, Thursday.



Another envoy shared the same view  the price of the presents and the occasion on which the gifts were given matter.



"Every country has its own rules to accept gifts to a certain value. So at the end of the day, money matters. If the presents were pricier than the limit, it tells there is definitely something wrong," he added.



Some ambassadors declined to comment on the issue, giving reasons that what they gave to the President was no more than greeting cards sent out for occasions including the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays.



"Contents of greeting cards and messages are often made public even by the sender," a top envoy said.



Some refused to comment since they were not sure their gift for the President was one of those found at Choi's place.



Choi, who has been in custody since October, is accused of abusing her close ties with the President by interfering in security and economic policies  from speechwriting to nominating officials  despite holding no official position or security clearance.



At the National Assembly special committee's questioning, Monday, Choi denied allegations, including links to other key suspects in the corruption scandal  Kim Ki-choon, Woo Byung-woo and An Chong-bum  who are suspected of being involved in Choi's meddling in state affairs to make illicit gains.



Regarding a tablet PC that contained evidence of the allegations, Choi said she first learned about the device in 2012, and does not know how to use such a computer. The President is also suspected of conspiring with Choi, which led to massive candlelight demonstrations nationwide that played a large role in prompting the National Assembly to impeach the President on Dec. 9.




By Choi Ha-young





In Myung-jin, interim leader of Saenuri Party

The interim leader of the ruling Saenuri Party urged loyalists of President Park Geun-hye to leave the party, Friday, saying reforming the party will be impossible as long as they stay.

"Some figures from the Park loyalist faction should be held responsible for making this party what it is today. They ruined the ruling party and disappointed the people," In Myung-jin said in his first press conference since taking office as the Saenuri Party interim leader, Thursday.

In, a former liberal activist, did not specify the names, but sources said he apparently targeted Reps. Lee Jung-hyun, Suh Chung-won and Choi Kyung-hwan  leading members of the loyalist faction.

In did not go so far as to ask President Park to leave the party, but indicated that the party should boot her as well.

"The interim leadership will discuss reform measures to restore the people's trust if they all leave. If they resist, there will be no reform," In said.

He asked the Park loyalists to decide by Jan. 6.

The loyalist faction strongly protested, saying In's "unrealistic" demand will drag the party into deeper chaos.

In said there are three groups that should be expelled  those who took ranking positions in the Park administration, those who are responsible for the party's defeat in the general elections in April, and those who raise groundless allegations.

Conflict between In and the Park loyalists is expected to escalate. The pro-Park faction has held the ruling party's leadership posts despite the huge scandal surrounding the impeached President.

One day before the press conference, Rep. Suh, an eight-term lawmaker, told journalists, "I will step back from the frontlines to fight in the war as a commoner," implying he will not leave the party.

Rep. Choi also said on the same day he would also not retire. "I will stay in my local constituency except when there is an official schedule in the National Assembly," he said on social media.

After the scandal involving the President came to light, the party's approval rating fell to a historic low, 15.8 percent, Thursday. At the massive candlelit rallies, protesters have demanded the party dissolve.

Further, the anti-Park faction quit the party, Tuesday, shrinking the ruling party's seats to 99. Now the Saenuri Party has less support than the new party, called the New Conservative Party for Reform, standing at 17.4 percent.

Some Park loyalists have fueled public anger for their blindly favorable remarks on the scandal-ridden President. Rep. Lee Jung-hyun was mocked for saying "I will put my hands into a pot of boiling water if the impeachment motion against Park is passed."

Rep. Yi Wan-young downplayed the public anger by saying "Every other administration had a corruption scandal," during a National Assembly hearing into the Choi Soon-sil scandal.

To overcome the crisis, In suggested two ways of taking responsibility. "The first is moral responsibility," he said. "Severely apologize in front of citizens by clearly stating what your faults are. Don't make a vague answer, for example, step back from the frontline. The second is political responsibility, which means leaving the party."

As an outside adviser, In pressed the pro-Park politicians to make their own decision "honorably," calling for the party to bring radical reforms.

"Lack of independent judgment has spoiled the party. They blindly followed faction heads without thinking," In said. "They look like college kids asking their mom which course to take."

By joining the conservative party, In was expelled from the civic organization he established, the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice. The Saenuri Party's traditional supporters have criticized his civic activism experience.
A new South Korean victim of Japan's wartime sexual enslavement has registered with the government, increasing the total known victims to 239 and the current number of survivors to 40, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said on Friday.

"The elderly woman has recently applied for registration after she got to know about the government support program," a ministry official said. The ministry declined to disclose her identity following the wishes of those caring for her.

The ministry has provided her with 43 million won ($35,900) in special aid and will give her about 1.3 million won in a monthly subsidy starting January.

Historians estimate that up to 200,000 women, mostly from Korea, were forced to work in front-line brothels for Japanese troops during World War II. The victims are euphemistically called "comfort women."

According to the ministry, 40 South Korean victims are currently still alive, including two living overseas. (Yonhap)
An image of a lit candle is made up of 5,000 photos taken of candlelit protests since October. Millions of people took to the streets against the influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her confidant Choi Soon-sil. Through the peaceful rallies, the people showed their strong will to protect an important value of society  democracy.

/ Korea Times photo by Kim Ju-sung



By Kim Bo-eun

The year 2016 will go down in history as the year of the "candlelight revolution" that ignited a drive to unseat President Park Geun-hye and make Korea a more democratic nation.

Despite the people's disappointment with the scandalous Park administration, hopes abound for the New Year.

"The people, who united for better politics and the nation, will serve as an antidote to corruption and a catalyst to change the society," said Shin Gwang-yeong, a sociology professor at Chung-Ang University.

The professor said people will continue to have a bigger say in politics and state affairs through diverse avenues in 2017, including exercising their voting rights in the year of the presidential election.

"The people will evaluate politicians with higher standards than before, and therefore expectations for 2017 are more hopeful," Shin said.

Citizens, who have poured out onto the streets at Gwanghwamun Square every Saturday since October to demand President Park step down, hope their next leader will be different.

"I wish the next President will be less authoritarian, and truly serve the people," said Bae Se-ho, 23, a university student.

The people have already put an end to the Park administration although the impeached President awaits a final call from the Constitutional Court.

They were angry as Park misused the power given by the people at the cost of such social values as democracy, fairness and law and order.

With an early presidential election expected next year, the people have strong hopes for a better president.

"Park was a leader who was intolerant of those who voiced opposition against her or criticized her," said Chung Won-sil, a 55-year-old educator. "We need a more open-minded, democratic and rational president."

Yang Mi-jeong, a 30-year-old resident in Seoul, said, "I hope the next president will be someone who can stick to the basics. I don't want to hear dazzling yet hollow pledges seeking to win votes. I want someone who endeavors to have the law kept and protect the rights of the people."

Of course, there are also many people critical of the candlelit rallies. They say the silent majority of 49 million citizens didn't participate in the protests or that the rallies are nothing more than typical herd behavior often witnessed in Korea.

Still, many say the rallies should not be underestimated.

"The embarrassing scandal disgraced the nation, but at the same time, I think, the candlelit rallies helped recover the nation's image," said Professor Shin.

"The people-led protests, a new phenomenon which spurred politicians, the government and the prosecution, will remain a very important point in politics."

What started as a crowd of 200,000 on Oct. 29 grew to 1 million on Nov. 12, 1.9 million nationwide on Nov. 26 and a record 2.32 million after the President's third national address on the scandal, in which she said she would leave her resignation up to the National Assembly.

Despite such a huge crowd gathering in central Seoul, the rallies have been peaceful. Their collective voice forced politicians to move, inducing the passage of a motion to impeach the President on Dec. 9.

The scale and duration of the protests have been unprecedented in Korea's modern history, far surpassing those of pro-democracy movements in the 1980s  as many as a total 10 million are expected to have taken part in 10 consecutive rallies by Dec. 31.

Oh Hyun-chul, a social studies education professor at Chonbuk National University, said, "The nature of the rallies held here  which are not led by political parties, labor unions, religious groups or interest groups but held voluntarily by the people, for such an extended period of time  is definitely notable."
A South Korean diplomat accused of sexually harassing two teenage girls in Chile returned home Tuesday to face investigation by the foreign ministry, a diplomatic source said.

The embassy official in charge of cultural affairs was accused of making improper physical contact with a 14-year-old Chilean girl in September while teaching Korean.

A Chilean broadcaster also aired on Sunday (local time) the scene of his sexual abuse of another female teen captured by a hidden camera early this month, sparking public fury in the Latin American country.

"The diplomat is known to have returned home early in the morning in accordance with our summons," the source said on condition of anonymity.

The foreign ministry plans to conduct an investigation immediately. The ministry earlier said that it will deal with the case with "no tolerance" with plans to push for a disciplinary measure and criminal charges.












South Korea denounced Tuesday the assassination of Russia's ambassador to Turkey, vowing to join international cooperation to fight violence against diplomats.

"Our government strongly condemns the shooting attack on the Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov, which took place Monday in Ankara," foreign ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck said in a press briefing.

"(Seoul) vehemently denounces any kinds of violent acts inflicted on foreign emissaries that cannot be justified under any circumstances," Cho said, adding the government will cooperate closely with the international community to prevent a repeat of such tragic incident.

The foreign ministry extends its "deep condolences and consolation" to the ambassador's family and the Russian people, the spokesman also said.

The ambassador was assassinated at an art exhibit in the Turkish capital by a Turkish gunman, who was reported to be a 22-year-old off-duty police officer.

Turkey and Russia both denounced the act as a provocative terrorist attack. (Yonhap)
Experts on North Korea-related issues participate in a forum hosted by North Korea Intellectuals Solidarity, a defector-led civic group, at the Korea Press Center in downtown Seoul, Nov. 15. / Yonhap



By Yi Whan-woo



With the number of North Korean defectors surpassing 30,000, South Korea is stepping up efforts to better integrate them into the society.

The Ministry of Unification, which deals with inter-Korean affairs, has been pushing to introduce measures aimed at helping defectors break social barriers that prevent them from mingling with South Koreans.

It said the possible measures could be expanding job and education opportunities, bolstering community activities and starting a public awareness campaign on television with support from the central and local governments and well as from the private sector.

The move comes amid a steady increase in the number of defectors and growing calls to take measures accordingly.

The cumulative number of defectors exceeded 10,000 in February and 20,000 in November 2010. It hit 29,830 in September before marking 30,005, according to data released by the unification ministry on Nov. 13.

Women accounted for 71 percent of the defectors and this is expected to rise to 80 percent by the end of this year, the data indicate.

By age, people in their 20s and 30s at the time of defection accounted for 58 percent of the total.

The government mainly focused on offering financial assistance. For instance, defectors receive 7 million won ($5,900) as a "settlement fund" and an apartment is offered for low-income households, after a 12-week orientation at Hanawon, a government-run settlement center.

"The new goal will be to reduce prejudice and stereotypes toward the defectors while helping them become self-reliant and independent in their living," a unification ministry official said.





Passersby take a look at photos showing Pyongyang's dire human rights record during an exhibition run by North Korean defectors in Europe at Trocadero Square in Paris, Nov. 16. / Yonhap

Analysts said the government's new approach to defector-related policies was "on the right track." They pointed out that the government has been encouraging more North Koreans to come to the South recently.

The experts also noted that more North Koreans from various social backgrounds have been fleeing amid leader Kim Jong-un's reign of terror. Among them are several high-profile people, such as senior diplomats and intelligence officials who were in charge of monitoring citizens on behalf of the tyrannical regime.

"The more defectors come to the South, the higher possibility for the people here to encounter them," said Paik Hak-soon, a senior researcher at the Sejong Institute. "In that sense, it will be important to form a favorable environment for the defectors to get along with the South Koreans."

A defector said the government's efforts to better embrace defectors would "open doors for North Koreans to enter and live here without discrimination and prejudice."

"I'd say it is a gesture to greet people in the North at any time," said Choi Dong-uck, a North Korean restaurant owner who also leads a defectors' social club in Seoul.

Park Sang-hak, who leads an anti-Pyongyang campaign group in Seoul, speculated that Seoul's steps, and its encouragement of more people to escape, could ultimately contribute to the North Koreans' well-being.

According to Park, North Koreans relied on family members who escaped to South Korea to learn about the outside world.

"There will be a higher chance for the reclusive state to collapse and let the North Koreans become free if more people defect to the South," he said.

Some defectors said they are stepping up their own efforts to make their voices heard concerning the government's policies, including foreign affairs and issues related to North Korean human rights.

On Nov. 15, the North Korea Intellectuals Solidarity, a civic group founded by defector-turned-scholar Kim Heung-kwang, held a forum to discuss how South Korea should cope with a Donald Trump presidency and its North Korea-related policies.

On Nov. 16, a group of North Korean defectors in Europe exhibited photos showing Pyongyang's dire human rights record. The display was at Trocadero Square in Paris.

The defectors said they appreciated the government's establishment of a research center on North Korean human rights on Sept. 28.

"The center will help the South Koreans get a better understanding of Pyongyang, and consequently, the defectors," a defector said.

The center, under the wing of the unification ministry, focuses on the repressive state's human rights conditions based on defectors' testimonies. It also oversees and supports projects against Pyongyang's state-perpetrated crimes against humanity.

The research center gathers data for an archive set up under the Ministry of Justice.

The data will be used to study the state's human rights conditions based on North Korean defectors' testimonies.

The justice ministry may use the data to refer the North Korean leader and his aides to the International Criminal Court or file an independent suit against them if the two Koreas are united, according to government sources.
Germany's new Ambassador to Korea Stephan Auer attends the Car Free Day in Seoul on Sept. 25.

/ Courtesy of Delegation of the European Union to Korea



By Rachel Lee

Korea has been a major partner for Germany in many aspects, but there is still potential to intensify the already strong relations especially in the cultural field, says Germany's new Ambassador to Korea Stephan Auer.

"There is too narrow a picture of Germany in Seoul and vice versa," the ambassador told The Korea Times. "We have a lot more to offer than just beers and cars. And I am aiming to broaden the area of cultural exchanges so that Koreans better understand about our country's music and art and much more."

Auer, who officially took office last month, chose the position because he was impressed by Seoul's growing, dynamic economy and consolidated democracy as well as believing the two countries shared interests and values in international cooperation.

Such "firm, intense" relations had been evidenced by seven meetings between the two nations' foreign ministers in the past two years, the ambassador said.

"I visited Korea before on a business trip, and I was always impressed by the friendliness of Korean people," Auer said. "This time as the German ambassador, I have also received a very warm reception."

Through his previous posts  including director at the European External Action Service and head of the European Coordination Group's Federal Foreign Office  the diplomat has dealt much with Asia, which he believes is increasingly important to Berlin politically, economically and culturally.

"I have realized that Korea has contributed so much to international affairs and facing and solving challenges," he said. "It has good personalities at international institutions as well, like Ban Ki-moon, and it is surely one of the biggest advocates of free trade."

To widen awareness of Germany, the ambassador plans to use special occasions and anniversaries to promote cultural aspects, such as at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's Reformation next year.

This has already begun with the installation of Berlin's signature symbolic sculpture  "Buddy Bear"  outside Seoul Square on Nov. 21.

The life-size sculpture, which has become a symbol of Berlin since 2001, has been exhibited around the world representing peace and co-existence. Since it moved its office to Seoul Square two years ago, the German Embassy has made efforts to create a Buddy Bear for Seoul, and artist Jang Yun-hee was the winner of the embassy's design competition.

"We were initially planning to have the Buddy Bear installed on Nov. 9, a day that marks the breakdown of the Berlin Wall, so the installation symbolized that we wish our Korean friends to have the same historic opportunity to overcome the division and freedom and peace as we have," Auer said.





German Ambassador to Korea Stephan Auer, far right, poses with artist Jang Yun-hee, second from

right, the winner of the design competition organized by the embassy, at a ceremony to celebrate the

installation of "Buddy Bear" sculpture outside Seoul Square, Nov. 21.

/ Courtesy of the German Embassy



Germany was divided after World War II, but managed to reunify in 1990. Korea, which has yet to overcome over seven decades of separation, would like to follow the German example.

"We also had difficult history moments that destroyed many parts of the Europe, which gave special reasonability towards its neighboring countries," Auer said.

As part of efforts to promote its culture, the envoy believes tourism has the potential to grow.

"Germany is a safe, stable destination for tourists, with many attractions and beautiful landscapes to enjoy," he said.

Language is also a key area on which the envoy plans to focus during his term, the ambassador said.

"More Koreans now flock to language institutes to take courses outside of school because they want additional qualifications, but also because they want to work in the context of German-Korea relations," he said.

In June, the German Embassy awarded 72 Koreans with a language certificate, the German-language DSD diploma, which is considered proof of knowledge of the language necessary for students to be accepted at a preparatory college.

Since 2008, eight high schools in Korea have run the DSD with support from the Central Agency for German Schools Abroad (ZfA). This year, 119 students sat the exam. The ZfA supports more than 1,200 schools worldwide and about 1,100 schools in the respective educational systems in which the language certificate can be acquired.

According to the German Embassy, 25,061 Koreans are studying the language, and the number has increased steadily since 2010.

Officially starting in 1883 with a mutual contract on friendship, trade and shipment, Korean and German relations have developed and deepened. Unification has been a subject of extensive discussion between the two countries.

In 2011, the two established a high-level unification advisory committee. Since then, the two sides have worked closely to discuss matters related to unification through an annual meeting with the government, universities and think tanks.

In 2014, President Park Geun-hye had a summit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss bilateral cooperation for unifying the two Koreas.

The two leaders first met in 2000, when Park visited Germany as deputy leader of the main opposition Grand National Party, now the governing Saenuri Party.
North Korea is believed to have secured a technology to miniaturize nuclear warheads and load them onto its Scud and Nodong ballistic missiles, a report issued by a Seoul government think tank said Sunday.



The Institute for National Security Strategy under the National Intelligence Service said in its 2016 annual report that North Korea is expected to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland by 2020 at the latest after drastically increasing the number of its nuclear warheads.



"The seriousness of the North Korean nuclear program lies in the rapid growth in the number of warheads, as well as its miniaturization and diversification. The North is estimated to have succeeded in developing nuclear warheads on par with boosted fission weapons through its fourth and fifth nuclear tests," the report said.



Notably, the blast in its fifth nuclear test on Sept. 9 this year was measured at 10 to 20 kilotons, compared with 7.9 kilotons in its third test and 6 kilotons in its fourth test, the report showed, citing some progress in the explosive power.



The institute went on to say that the North is believed to have secured a basic technology to have its ballistic missiles re-enter Earth's atmosphere, despite a low success rate.



"Of the North's eight Musudan missile tests this year, all, excluding the sixth, ended in failure. In the sixth test, a Musudan missile went up over 1,000 kilometers before re-entering Earth's atmosphere and flying an additional 400 km," it noted.



Regarding the North's submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) technology, the institute said: "It will take several years for SLBMs to be deployed, but the deployment is now a matter of time, not a matter of technology. Considering the capabilities of North Korean submarines, U.S. military bases not only in South Korea but in Japan will be under threat." (Yonhap)




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.




#Yoon Suk-yeol Yoon pays 5th visit to mourning altar for Itaewon crush victims President Yoon Suk-yeol paid his fifth visit to a mourning altar for victims of the Halloween crowd crush on Friday in what has become a daily routine for the president. Yoon ar...
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)




By Yi Whan-woo



The government is likely to miss the Dec. 31 deadline for the establishment of a foundation aimed at addressing human rights in North Korea, according to sources Tuesday.



The Ministry of Unification planned to set up the foundation if its 12 board members were selected by the rival political parties by the end of the year. Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo, the ruling Sanuri Party and second-largest opposition People's Party picked two, five and one candidates as board members, respectively, in line with the North Korean Human Rights Act that took effect on Sept. 4.



The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), however, is delaying its decision to draft a list of its four candidates, sources said. They also said it remains uncertain when the DPK will make its decision.



Some sources speculate that that the DPK's move is seen as a protest against the method of choosing the board's two top-ranking officials _ the chief director and secretary general.



If confirmed, the 12 board members will vote for the chief director with a simple majority. The chief director then will have the right to tap the secretary general unilaterally.



The DPK has argued that it should be permitted to select either the chief director or secretary general.



It has claimed that chances are good that the two posts will be filled by pro-government figures because seven of the 12 board members were picked by Hong and the ruling party.



"Minister Hong sought to meet DPK lawmakers last and ask for their support in launching the foundation but failed," a ministry official said on condition of anonymity. "Even if the DPK picks its share of candidates, there are several steps that are required before running the foundation. It's not likely it be will be set up by the end of the year."



The official also said the government has been reluctant to accept the DPK's demands because of any possible confusion in operating the board.



The 12 board members will begin their work if National Assembly Speaker Rep. Chung Sye-kyun and the government endorse them unanimously.



It will be South Korea's first state-run foundation handling North Korean human rights, and will focus on studying Pyongyang's dire record and developing related policies.




Lee Seung-hoon skates in the men's 5,000-meter speed skating race during the national team trial for the 2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games at the Taeneung International Skating Rink in Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap



By Baek Byung-yeul

South Korea finalized its speed skating squad for the Sapporo Asian Winter Games after Lee Seung-hoon and Kim Bo-reum topped the national team trials, Thursday.

On the last day of the trials at the Taeneung International Skating Rink in Seoul, Lee won the men's 10,000-meter race in a record 13 minutes, 59.19 seconds, edging out Lee Jin-young on 14:16.71. With the victory, Lee, who won the men's 5,000-meter race on Tuesday, became the overall winner with 157.427 points.

Kim also was the overall winner after taking the 3,000-meter race on Tuesday, the 1,500-meter on Wednesday and the 5,000-meter on Thursday.

Lee, 28, the Vancouver 10,000-meter champion, will compete in four events -- the 5,000-meter, the 10,000-meter, the mass start and team pursuit. He said he aims to win four gold medals.

"It is not going to be easy for me to win the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter because the Japanese athletes have shown significant improvement, but I will try to win four events as best I can," he said, Thursday. Lee is also a triple-crowned winner at the 2011 Asian Winter Games in the 5,000-meter, 10,000-meter and mass start.

Kim, a short-track skater turned speed skater, said she also wanted to have a good result in Japan. "I aim to win three gold medals in the 3,000-meter, 5,000-meter and mass start events in the Sapporo Asian Winter Games," she said. "As my ultimate goal is to win a medal in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, I will try my best to achieve my goal."

At the end of the trials, South Korea finalized its roster of 10 men and 10 women skaters for the Sapporo games from Feb. 19 to 26.

For the women's 500 and 1,000-meter races, Lee Sang-hwa, two-time Olympic champion in the 500-meter event, Kim Min-seon, Paek Seung-hi and Kim Hyun-young have been selected. Kim Bo-reum, Park Do-yeong, Park Ji-woo, Noh Sun-young and Jang Su-ji will race in the women's 1,500 and 3,000-meter races while Kim Bo-reum also will race in the 5,000-meter event.

For the men, Mo Tae-bum, a gold medalist in the 500 meters at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, Kim Jin-soo, Jang Won-hoon and Cha Min-kyu will compete in the 500-meter race.

For the 1,500 and 5,000-meter races, Lee Seung-hoon, Kim Min-seok, Joo Hyung-joon, Kim Jin-soo and Kim Cheol-min will take part, while Lee also will race in the 10,000-meter event.

For the men's mass start, Lee Seung-hoon, Kim Min-seok and one undecided skater, who will be recommended by the Korea Skating Union (KSU), will compete. The KSU will also choose one skater for the women's mass start besides Kim Bo-reum and Park Do-yeong.
North Korea's Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missiles / Yonhap



Activist says nuclear spies' are on the loose in Japan



Rights campaigner says scientists for Pyongyang's atomic weapon programme are openly being trained at a university in Japan



By Julian Ryall By Julian Ryall

A Japanese human rights activist has launched a campaign to stop classes on nuclear physics, advanced chemistry, robotics and electronics being taught at a North Korean-sponsored university in Tokyo, claiming the institution violates UN sanctions and benefits Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programmes.

Ken Kato, director of a group called Human Rights in Asia and a member of the International Coalition to Stop Crimes Against Humanity in North Korea, has submitted a petition to the UN panel that monitors sanctions imposed on North Korea in the aftermath of its nuclear tests and missile launches.

In his petition, Kato called on the panel to "conduct a thorough investigation into violations of United Nations sanctions by the Korea University". He said the college in Kodaira, western Tokyo, requires students to be members of the Korean Youth League in Japan, which promises to "raise youths to become true Kim Il-sung-Kim Jong-il followers".

The university, along with some kindergartens, junior and senior high schools, are operated by Chongryun, an organisation that represents Korean residents of Japan who still swear allegiance to North Korea and who are said to number tens of thousands.

The president of the university is a member of the North Korean Supreme People's Embassy who is subject to a travel ban imposed by the Japanese government, meaning he cannot re-enter Japan if he visits North Korea.

The university's course include nuclear physics, electrical engineering, electronic machinery, control engineering and advanced chemistry.

"It is very clear that these subjects fall under specialised teaching and training, which have been prohibited by paragraph 17 of [UN] resolution 2270 and paragraph 10 of resolution 2321, especially advanced electrical engineering', that has been specified in resolution 2321," Kato wrote in his UN petition.

The first resolution forbids "specialised teaching and training which could contribute to [North Korea's] proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities or the development of nuclear weapons delivery systems includes, but is not limited to, advanced materials science, advanced chemical engineering, advanced mechanical engineering, advanced electrical engineering and advanced industrial engineering".

The second section forbids "teaching or training in advanced physics, advanced computer simulation and related computer sciences, geospatial navigation, nuclear engineering, aerospace engineering, aeronautical engineering and related disciplines" for North Koreans.

Kato also accuses the college of being "a centre for North Korea's espionage activities in Japan," claiming professor Choe Hung-gi made "a great contribution to the North Korean munitions industry by creating a numerical control lathe in 1982".

Similarly, Dr Hwang Chol-hong, a former vice dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, is now chairman of the Korean Association of Science and Technology, which the Japan National Police Agency has identified as being involved in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Lee Song-gi graduated from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Tohoku University's Graduate School of Engineering and is now a research associate at Korea University.

In 2011, he received a grant from the Kim Many Yu Science Foundation  which is linked to the North Korean government  for research into "handling of heavy payloads by an industrial partner robot".

"We have to stop this sort of nuclear and industrial espionage in Japan as quickly as possible," Kato said. "Nuclear weapons are in the hands of the world's most unpredictable dictator, who could use them on a whim."

"And this is not just a threat to north-east Asia.

North Korea has shared its nuclear technology with Iran and could provide it to terrorist groups anywhere in the world. It is ridiculous that we have nuclear and industrial spies on the loose in Japan." Kato is calling on the UN panel to enforce the ban on research by professors with links to North Korea as well as the education of the government's future scientists.

The South China Morning Post contacted Korea University for comments from Professor Choe and Professor Lee. In their written reply, the two professors said "it is unworthy of making any comment" and that they have "nothing to do with such activities".

Separately, North Korea's foreign ministry has accused the South of stepping up efforts to encourage North Koreans living overseas, especially diplomats, to defect.

Ministry official Ju Wang Hwan said North Korean diplomats around the world have received emails with attachments containing articles that look like they are from the North's state media, but which have been changed to influence readers.

In a statement released by North Korea's state news agency, the foreign ministry accused the South's agents of calling and following its diplomats to try to encourage them to defect.

North Korea has been hit by several high-profile cases of its citizens defecting to South Korea this year.
What happened on the night of 15 July 2016 in Turkey was an attempted coup by a small faction within the Turkish Armed Forces to overthrow the democratically-elected government and disrupt the constitutional order in Turkey. This attempt had nothing to do with the vast majority of the Turkish Armed Forces. The coup plotters were defeated by the bravery of the Turkish people, who in their thousands took to the streets to defend Turkish democracy. I am pleased to note that law and order in Turkey has been quickly restored and the culprits are being brought before the Turkish courts to face justice.

The coup plotters are known to be the followers of Fethullah Gulen, who has been leading a secret organization known as the Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organization or the "FETO". Under the leadership of Fethullah Gulen, this terrorist group has established a parallel state structure within the Turkish state apparatus, mainly in the armed forces and the police. Its associated institutions and commercial entities abroad are providing the FETO with financial resources.

In all their treachery, the plotters bombed symbols of the Turkish state and democracy, including the Office of the President and the Turkish Grand National Assembly with F-16s. Out of desperation and driven by frustration, these traitors have turned their tanks, aircraft, helicopters and machine guns against their own people which they were supposed to protect. Unfortunately, 208 citizens and security personnel have lost their lives.

From the very beginning, the chain of command and vast majority of the Turkish Armed Forces rejected the coup attempt. They stood by the people, the elected President, the Government, the Constitution and democratic institutions.

All four political parties represented in the Turkish Grand National Assembly stood firmly in solidarity by the constitutional order. They adopted a Joint Declaration in defense of democracy during the extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly on 16 July 2016.

Currently the judicial process is underway to bring the plotters before justice. Necessary measures are now being taken against all those involved in the coup attempt. This process will be conducted in full respect with fundamental rights and freedoms and the rule of law, as prescribed by Turkish law.

In context of the ongoing measures for public order and security in the aftermath of this bloody coup attempt, a nation-wide State of Emergency has been declared on 21 July 2016 for three months in accordance with the Constitution. This measure had to be taken for the efficient protection of the constitutional order as well as fundamental rights and freedoms.

I am pleased to note that the Republic of Korea, Turkey's friend and blood brother, has promptly lent its support to us in our difficult times. The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement, condemning the coup attempt and expressing its support and solidarity for the restoration of the democratic and constitutional order in my country.

Turkey, a founding member of the UN and the Council of Europe, member of NATO, OSCE, OECD and G20, an accession candidate of the European Union and a close partner of Korea within the newly formed MIKTA group, will always remain a trusted and leading actor of the international community and will continue to promote peace, stability and democratic values around the globe.

Arslan Hakan Okcal

Ambassador of Turkey to Korea




By Yee Rem Kim

I would like to share my thoughts on the urgency for South Koreans to look beyond their domestic problems and what they are missing out on regionally and globally.

Demonstrators have filled Gwanghwamun Square for weeks. A victorious atmosphere surrounded Koreans as they celebrated the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. They patiently await the final ruling of the Constitutional Court in the next 180 days. Meanwhile, an unstable leadership with unpopular Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn as the acting president, is plunging South Korea into political limbo.

The recent history of Ukraine moves me to warn South Korea amid domestic turmoil to be wary of what is going on outside.

Japan postponed the trilateral summit between the leaders of Japan, China, and South Korea, scheduled for this month, bent on leaving South Korea out of the talks regarding not only bilateral but also regional matters, especially when the one-year anniversary of the Comfort Women Agreement is approaching and further negotiations are necessary for the implementation of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).

South Korea is losing opportunities to have a say in crucial regional issues due to its current power vacuum. It is falling behind other countries by leaving the first six months of its 2017 summit calendar blank at such a critical juncture, with the impending Trump administration and shifting security and foreign relations in the region. Current interim government in Seoul presents a stark contrast against the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which has been busy congratulating Donald Trump the president-elect and making friendly moves to the Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

A much-anticipated visit by Putin to Japan took place on Dec. 15 and the following day. It has amassed great attention globally and the big question has been whether Japan and Russia, still at war without a peace treaty at the end of World War II, will be able to put history behind them and envision a brighter future together. Two leaders, however, diverge on their goals for the upcoming summit. Putin emphasized the shared economic progress while Abe wished to complete the legacy of his grandfather by pushing forward the issue of territorial dispute over the Kurils (known as Northern Territories in Japan) with Russia.

Although his prospects of settling the territorial dispute with Putin are criticized as "pure fantasy," Abe ceaselessly tries to establish Japan as a powerful regional and a global player hedged between the U.S. and Russia. Such vigorous pursuit of the Kuril Islands must put South Korea on its guard, especially since the signing of GSOMIA in the absence of a legitimate government in Seoul. South Korea must be firm with Japan on issues such as the Dokdo dispute.

As political limbo continues, South Koreans must be vigilant of what is happening around them. Amid political disorder, the Ukrainian crisis shows that it is imperative for the interim government to maintain its voice in foreign affairs. It is too early to celebrate as South Korea still has to transform itself into a stronger democracy and a stronger nation.

The writer, originally from Ukraine, is an international studies major at Yonsei University in Seoul. Write to yeeremkiev@yahoo.com.
By Maija Rhee Devine





What were the young women's occupations before becoming comfort women? Who recruited them? Did the recruiters pay and to whom? Were the women sexually violated during transportation? What types of abuses did the women receive? After the war, did they get married? 125 questions, including these, were asked to 192 former Korean comfort women, and their answers were tabulated and published in "The Survey of Korean Comfort Women Used by Japanese Soldiers" by the Center for War and Women's Rights in Seoul in 2002.

Critics question the credibility of this and other surveys conducted by nationalistic Korean organizations. However, the survey contains answers that do not seem self-serving. Nor do the women's responses appear manipulated to demonize the Japanese military. Instead, the answers seem to demonstrate the women's credibility and debunk the claims of the women's numerous and ardent skeptics.

What were their occupations during their pre-comfort-women period? Nearly 80 percent of the women listed themselves as doing household work at home or were maids, agricultural workers, factory employees, students or otherwise engaged in areas outside the sex trade. Some scholars have suggested a great majority of the former comfort women were already prostitutes, who followed the Japanese military camps as contractual sex workers. However, only 4.7 listed "restaurant or wine housework" and the remaining 15 percent fell into the "unknown" category. Since "wine house" work sometimes included providing sex for hire, one might assume these women, along with all of those whose answers were unavailable, were sex workers. However, the combined 20% hardly comprises the "majority" critics claim as the number for those who had already been in the trade.

With whom did the women live before becoming comfort women? Nearly 70 percent responded they lived with immediate family, presumably under watchful eyes of their parents (61 percent of the 70 percent lived with both parents), who most likely enforced the Confucian ethic  maintaining vigilance over their female offspring's virginity until marriage. Even if one assumes the 25 percent who lived apart from their families and the 5.7 percent unknowns were all prostitutes, the combined total of 30.7 percent does not constitute a "majority."

Did they receive payment at the time of their being led/lured/forced away? Over 60 percent answered "No," (with a remaining one-third's answers unknown). However, nearly 6 percent said "Yes" and of these, 2.6 percent of the total reported their parents received the payment. Two percent said they themselves did, and 0.5 percent reported their husbands got it. These answers expose their own parents, husbands, and employers as the agents of "selling" them. Some critics have long held the opinion that comfort women's own family members or the women themselves accepted payment from recruiters, and they are right. But the number of those who "sold" their family members or fellow countrymen, 6 percent, seem a small fraction.












By Park Yoon-bae





People once again are asking a tricky question: Why have almost all South Korean presidents been involved in an influence-peddling and graft scandal while in office or after retirement?

This question has continued to haunt the country. Now the public wonders how many more presidents will follow in the footsteps of their disgraced predecessors.

The latest scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye and her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil has derailed the country's efforts to root out corruption and create a clean, transparent and fair society.

It is all the more surprising that the scandal erupted despite her pledges to realize clean politics. Park once said she had no reason to accept bribes or exercise influence for personal gain because she has no spouse or children.

She also declared a war on corruption after the ferry Sewol sank in April 2014, killing 304 people, mostly high school students on a field trip to Jeju Island. She vowed to eliminate the "accumulated evil" of Korea, believing that the root cause of the shipwreck was corrupt ties between the ship operator, safety regulators and bureaucrats.

Park also stressed the importance of the anti-graft law, better known as the Kim Young-ran Act, which took effect in September. She said that Korea can accelerate its economic growth if it builds a clean and transparent society.

No doubt she only paid lip service. To be more correct, she lied to the nation and betrayed the people by herself being deeply implicated in the scandal. Much to the dismay of the public, she has become Korea's first sitting president to be named a criminal suspect and accomplice of Choi, who was indicted for allegedly meddling in state affairs and extorting funds from major conglomerates.

Park is now hiding behind one of her presidential privileges  immunity from prosecution, except in the case of insurrection or treason. She is only engrossed in defending herself in the face of an independent counsel's probe and a trial at the Constitutional Court following her parliamentary impeachment.

She even claims that she committed no serious crimes, dismissing all the allegations about her five constitutional violations and eight legal offenses. This shows she is just trying to shirk responsibility for her alleged wrongdoings.

Judging from what she has done so far to deal with the scandal, Park apparently lacks moral and political integrity that is required for the chief executive.

The Park and Choi scandal is a classic example of corrupt political leadership that collects funds from conglomerates in return for business favors. It represents a culmination of abuse of power and corruption. Furthermore, it has led to the destruction of hard-earned democracy.

Pundits, scholars and politicians put the blame on the "imperial" presidency under which a president wields unbridled power like an emperor.

Therefore, it is important to establish a governance structure to ensure a president does not exercise power beyond the constitutional limits. One solution is to revise the Constitution to prevent the concentration of absolute power in the hands of a president.

But a constitutional change may not be a cure-all for the problem because lawmakers of rival parties want to amend the basic charter to maximize their partisan interests rather than checking the administration to better serve the people and the country.

Given a tight political timetable for the next presidential election after the impeachment trial of Park, there is a high possibility that a constitutional amendment will be delayed until after a new government is installed.

Against this backdrop, it is necessary to let the democratic system of checks and balances work better to prevent abuse of power.

I believe that if such a system had been firmly put in place, President Park could have avoided the scandal and her impeachment. But regrettably, she has done the opposite, bringing disgrace to herself and political turmoil to the nation.

Apparently she must have thought that checks and balances stand in the way of exercising her executive power. That's why she had refused to recognize the National Assembly as a partner institution, whose support is indispensible for carrying out state affairs.

Checks and balances are based on the separation of the three branches of government  the executive, the legislative and the judicial. These three should check each other's power and maintain balance between them to make sure that power is not abused while each plays its own function independently and harmoniously.

What's most important is to push for political reform and drastic social transformation to eliminate the embedded causes of corruption and power abuse.

Achieving this reform and structural change is easier said than done. But the nation can never move forward to usher in genuine democracy without such an effort.

Now I want to see the people burn the candles of hope, instead of anger, frustration and protest.
By Yoon Ja-young



Hundreds of handicrafts, archives and photos that belonged to Albert Taylor, a correspondent for the Associated Press (AP) who reported to the world the realities of life in Korea under Japanese occupation, have returned to Seoul.



According to the Seoul Museum of History, Jennifer L. Taylor, a granddaughter of the journalist, donated a total of 451 items belonging to her grandparents. They are of significant importance as they provide a glimpse of life in Seoul while it was under Japanese colonial rule.



Born in the United States in 1875, he came to Korea with his father who was engaged in gold mine development. In 1919, he reported on Koreans' March 1 Independence Movement to the world after finding a document of the Declaration of Independence at Severance Hospital where his son, Bruce, was born. Korea independence movement leaders were there preparing for the massive movement.



He also reported on the massacre of Koreans at Jeam-ri in Hwaseong.



The Taylor family lived at a house they named Dilkusha, which was at that time the biggest brick house in the country. They lived there from 1923 until 1942 when they were expelled by Japanese. Taylor was even jailed for six months by the Japanese for resisting expulsion. He passed away in the United States in 1948, but is now buried at the cemetery for foreign missionaries in Seoul.



The historic Dilkusha, which still stands near Sajik Tunnel's western entrance in Jongno-gu, is undergoing restoration to be opened to the public in 2019, commemorating the Taylor family's dedication to the country's struggle for independence.



Jennifer L. Taylor has already donated 57 items during a visit to Seoul.



Among the donations this time is a photo album that depicts a 1930s-era gold rush in Korea. Albert Taylor took photos of a gold mine in Gangwon Province while his wife made drawings of people's daily life there.



A draft for "Chain of Amber," a book by Mary Taylor depicting life in Seoul, as well as her amber necklace were also donated to the museum. In the book, Mary Taylor wrote in detail on people's lives, folk rituals and traveling to Geumgang Mountain. She also left portraits of Koreans who helped with the family's housework.



"The items donated by the Taylor family are closely related with major incidents of Korean history," an official at the museum said. "It will also help with restoration of Dilkusha."




Defector rapper Kang Chun-hyok rehearses ahead of his showcase for the single "For the Freedom" at a basement bar in Hongdae, Seoul, last week. / Korea Times photo by Kim Ji-soo



Rapper Kang wants S.Koreans to know N.Korea's reality



By Kim Ji-soo



Rapper Kang Chun-hyok's showcase was not held in the trendy Cheongdam-dong area in southern Seoul. Two years after he became known to the public as the defector rapper, Kang performed his first single "For the Freedom" at a quaint bar on the outskirts of Hongdae, AMS.

Several hours before the performance, Kang, 30, was preparing with fellow rappers in the basement venue.

Kang's first taste of fame came when he appeared on season three of the cable TV survival hip-hop show, "Show Me the Money," in 2014. He made it through the first round; but pulled out of the program because he got too nervous in the second round. He did have plans to release a song then, but then became wrapped up in art exhibitions for the next two years.

When he is not rapping, he is an artist holding exhibitions, but also doing menial work to make ends meet. Kang has joined the myriad of single South Korean young people living alone.He lives in Sinwol-dong, eastern Seoul. After arriving in the South, he went through turbulent teenage years.But he made it to and graduated from the prestigious Hongik University in Seoul as a painting major. Kang identifies himself as an artist rapper, rather than either one alone, and in that order too.

Practicing ahead of his showcase, held with the support of the civic group the Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights, Kang was at intervals casual and engaging with friends.

Asked to evaluate his rap performance, he said "I am still an amateur." Did he learn from anyone? Kang looked a little sideways and said "It's a little funny to ask a rapper who he learned from. Rappers learn and train by themselves; they don't learn."

However, he likes and listens to other rappers such as Nas, J-Cole and Eminem. Among Korean rappers, he named YDG (Yang Dong-keun) who was a judge on the survival hip-hop show.

"This is a tragedy, it shouldn't be happening no more," begins the song for "For the Freedom." The single is largely about his life; his crossing of the Tumen River at age 12 in 1998; and living undercover in China and then in Southeast Asian countries. He arrived in South Korea with his family in 2001.

"There, Ri Sol-ju is the nation's mother, but she is not my oemeonni (mother). My mother, she got tuberculosis from Aoji Mine. With money collected from mines, you make nukes," he sings in the music video for "For the Freedom." It is the same line he spoke during the 2014 audition show, but Kang's voice and rap flow is much more solid this time.





Two emcees announce the beginning of Kang Chun-hyok's showcase last Friday in Seoul. The Citizens'

Alliance for North Korean Human Rights supported Kang's single and showcase.

/ Courtesy of Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights



Kang then raps about how his eyes almost popped out when he first arrived in China and how he clung to his last bit of integrity and guts to survive amid the hunger and living like a deaf person, and a target of extortion.

He has another music video, "The Untold Stories," on YouTube; a song with lyrics he had meant to perform at the 2014 show and also a promotional one for Reserve Guards. In that video, his paintings of the North Korean situation are harsher than the lyrics. Asked why he toned them down, he replied: "If I were to sing directly about what I experienced in the North, I could go too far."

In testimony he gave at an international conference  the 4th International Conference on North Korean Human Rights and Refugees held in Prague, the Czech Republic in March 2003  he gave a stark but placid account:

"I took it for granted when my friends couldn't come to school because they were too feeble from starving so much. When I was in my third year, a fellow student, Oh Eun Kyung became sick after eating a bowl of wild apricots. For hours she twisted and turned out of agony until she died untreated, medical help being out of reach for her. The only outlet allowed for us was to sob together in silence...

"I cannot even count the number of people who died in our village in 1996 and 1997. Every morning I would wake up to the sight of dead bodies being carried away next door or in the neighboring village, and people began to escape to China."

Now, older and more integrated into South Korean society, he draws and raps to tell his story and the tale of fellow North Koreans. He wants to make an appeal for the hunger and the human rights in North Korea.

"For North Koreans, there is still a threat to life, human trafficking for the North Koreans that flee,"Kang said.

"They say that 30,000 North Korean defectors have settled in the South, but people (still) do not know much about us," he said.

At the showcase, he performed with fellow rapper 3mm. Other bands also performed that night to raise funds to help better the human rights of North Koreans.

Kang's songs have been released more online, rather than in physical form.

His goal with this song? "Just that I want people, the young people in the South, to know North Korea correctly, to shed the biased view, and to create a common bond," he said. "We fled a society but we are one people, and we should prepare for a unified country; and for that goal, young people should know and share a common bond," Kang said.

He said he was not looking to sign up with a talent agency; he wants to be independent.

"I would be the type that would fail utterly in a company for example, I want to work alone, don't want to be tied to something."
Roger Shepherd, right, a New Zealander who has hiked the entire South Korean portion of the Baekdu-daegan mountain range, holds a certificate of appointment with Oxfam Korea CEO Chi Kyung-young after being appointed as promotional ambassador for Oxfam Trailwalker Korea in Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Oxfam Korea



By Yi Whan-woo

Roger Shepherd, the first foreigner to walk the entire South Korean section of the Baekdu-daegan mountain range, has been appointed as promotional ambassador for Oxfam International's latest fundraising event in Korea.

The Seoul office of Oxfam International, a London-based non-profit organization fighting poverty, said Wednesday that Shepherd, a former police officer, will promote Oxfam Trailwalker Korea to international mountaineers.

Oxfam Trailwalker Korea is a sporting event in which participants will compete to complete a 100-kilometer trail around Mount Jiri and Gurye County in South Jeolla Province. The event will begin on May 20.

Each participant will be grouped into a team of four. They will be required to walk the trail within 38 hours. The funds raised will be donated to international relief efforts.

"Mr. Shepherd was glad to serve as Oxfam Trailwalker Korea's promotional ambassador," Oxfam Korea said in a press release.

"He views the event, in which the participants will face challenges of their leadership and their mental toughness, is in line with Oxfam International's challenge to alleviate poverty. He especially hopes Koreans as well as foreigners will be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mount Jiri and the Gurye area."

Shepherd, who has climbed countless mountains in South Korea, is also the first foreigner to visit many of North Korea's remotest mountains since the 1950-53 Korean War.

In November, he participated in Oxfam Trailwallker Hong Kong, the first fundraising event of its kind by Oxfam International.

Oxfam Korea said it will encourage international diplomats in Korea including ambassadors as well as other expats to join Oxfam Trailwalker Korea.

Oxfam International operates in more than 90 countries, implementing long-term programs to end poverty and offer related support.

The NGO has raised funds through Oxfam Trailwalker in 11 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France, India and Japan.
Hellen Choo, founder and CEO of Art and Design International, poses at the company's office in Mapo-gu, western Seoul, Wednesday. /Korea Times photo by Park Jae-hyuk



By Park Jae-hyuk

The men's grooming products market in Korea, which has rapidly grown in recent years, is expected to total 1 trillion won ($825 million) this year, as Korean men  including those in their 40s and 50s  have recently begun to pay more attention to their appearances.

Yet, few options have been available in the domestic market for Korean men, most of who tend to have thick and coarse hair, unlike Caucasian men's thin and pliant hair.

So, CEO Hellen Choo of Art and Design International launched men's lifestyle brand Swagger dedicated to Asian men in 2011.

The brand seeks to expand its presence next year through well-known drugstore chain Watsons, in the newly emerging markets of China and Southeast Asia.

"At first, our company had only helped design products of other cosmetics makers," the designer-turned-entrepreneur said in an interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday.

"It was not a very lucrative business, so we decided to produce our own in-house brand, after a couple of years in cosmetics manufacturing."

Choo said few men's grooming products, except several skincare brands, were available in the domestic market when she started the business.

"After surveying male consumers at that time, we found they are spending more hours on hairstyling than facial makeup," she said.

To meet such demand, her company first introduced several types of pomades and waxes, which were selected as some of the best new products by the Small and Medium Business Administration.

The CEO said she tried hard to understand what men exactly want, asking for advice from her husband, brother, father, company employees and online consumers.

"Women, however, also have the advantage in making men's grooming products which are more attractive to women," she said. "Our company produces men's cosmetics with the scents that are most preferred by women."

Most men's hairstyling products in Korea still smell fruity, just like women's beauty products. Choo's company surveyed 500 20-something Korean women on their scent preferences and created scented hair products accordingly.

The products quickly attracted consumer attention, and are now sold at about 8,000 outlets nationwide, including Olive Young, 7-Eleven, LOHBS, Shinsegae Department Stores and Shilla Duty Free.

However, Choo is not satisfied with her present position and is setting her eyes on bigger markets.

"The men's grooming industry is still at an early stage, so it will grow much bigger in the future," she said. "I hope Swagger will be one of the industry's leading brands, which can appeal to more consumers worldwide."
By Lee Min-hyung



The nation's antitrust watchdog has fined Qualcomm a record 1.03 trillion won ($853 million) for abusing its monopolistic power to sign unfair licensing contracts with smartphone makers here.



The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said Wednesday that the U.S.-based chipmaker forced local smartphone manufacturers  Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Pantech  to agree to unjust licensing terms and conditions.



The fine is the largest ever levied by the FTC, which can impose penalties of up to 3 percent of a company's sales, depending on the seriousness of the issue.



To calculate the fine, the regulator conducted an investigation into the chipmaker's business operations here over the past seven years.



"Qualcomm had 38 trillion won in sales here from December 2009, and so we decided to impose a 2.7 percent fine on this," said FTC Secretary-General Shin Young-seon. "We viewed Qualcomm's abuse of power as a serious breach of the law."



The regulator pointed out that Qualcomm demanded handset manufacturers grant the chipmaker royalties-free licenses when using their patents.



In response, Qualcomm said it could not accept the decision and would file a lawsuit over the amount of the fine and the method used to calculate it.



"Qualcomm's repeated requests during the FTC's investigation for basic due process rights such as access to the case file and the right to cross examine witnesses were denied," Don Rosenberg, executive vice president and general counsel at Qualcomm, said in a statement.



"These rights and others are supposed to be guaranteed to U.S. companies under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, yet the FTC declined to implement these fundamental procedural safeguards," he added.



According to the FTC, Qualcomm has to pay the fine within 60 days of the watchdog's issuance of a written order.



The regulator said it would take 20 to 30 days to issue the order.



The FTC also made it clear that the decision has nothing to do with protectionist moves against U.S. firms.



"Some may raise concerns that we are executing the law to protect local firms, but this is not the case," said Shin. "Handset companies here and abroad have been affected by Qualcomm's anti-competitive practices."



Affected firms  also including Apple and Huawei  told the FTC that Qualcomm's business model hampered fair competition, according to the regulator.



This is not the first time Qualcomm has faced fines from regulators in its global market. In February last year, the firm settled with Chinese antitrust regulators by paying a $975 million fine for breaching the country's anti-monopoly law.




Don Rosenberg, executive vice president and general counsel of Qualcomm, left, shakes hands with a government official, at the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) headquarters at the Sejong Government Complex, south of Seoul, July 20. The antitrust watchdog fined Qualcomm a record 1.03 trillion ($852 million), Wednesday, for abusing its dominant position here. / Yonhap



By Lee Min-hyung

With the nation's antitrust watchdog imposing a record fine on Qualcomm, trade friction is likely to ensue between Korea and the United States in the wake of complaints by the U.S.-based chipmaker, sources said Thursday.

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) announced Wednesday it would fine the firm 1.03 trillion won ($852 million) for its years-long unfair licensing contracts with local handset manufacturers.

Qualcomm disputed the ruling, saying it would take the case to court. In a statement issued Wednesday, the firm said the FTC decision was a breach of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA).

Industry insiders said the case would escalate further and chances are the U.S. government may take retaliatory measures.

"Qualcomm filed a lawsuit against the FTC in 2009 when the Korean regulator imposed a 270 billion won fine on the firm for abusing its dominant position here, but the case has yet to be settled in court," a mobile industry source said. "Qualcomm is defending itself, citing the trade agreement between the two countries. But due to the tougher penalty, the potentially ensuing lawsuit is likely to turn into a power game between Korea and the U.S."

The FTC dispelled concerns over possible trade friction with the upcoming Donald Trump administration, saying the antitrust regulation is a global norm that almost all countries follow. This is why it is inappropriate to say this latest regulation may cause trade friction with the U.S. government, according to the Korean regulator.

"The FTC has guaranteed Qualcomm's rights in our bid to remain fair in our final decision," the watchdog said. "If the company disagrees with the latest decision, it can take legal steps."

Another source from the electronics industry said: "A possible lawsuit is expected to take three to four years to conclude at the earliest."

"At the moment, local smartphone makers  including Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics  are relying heavily on Qualcomm's application processors," he said. "Expectations are that Qualcomm will face pressure not just in Korea but in other overseas markets to lower the royalties it demands, due to the FTC decision."

The FTC said Qualcomm had abused its monopolistic position when signing contracts with smartphone makers here. It ordered the company to revise its unfair licensing terms and conditions.

In reaction to the decision, Qualcomm issued the following statement: "We are pleased that our appeal will go to the Seoul High Court." The company also called the amount of the fine "insupportable and unreasonable" related to the size of the Korean market.
U.K. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, a controversial supporter of Brexit, was spotted fleeing the scene after failing to name Park Geun-hye, the politically embroiled South Korean President. / Screen captured from YouTube



By Lee Han-soo



U.K. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, a controversial supporter of Brexit, was spotted fleeing the scene after failing to name Park Geun-hye, the politically embroiled South Korean President.

The question was asked during a live interview by Dermot Murnaghan, a reporter for Britain's Sky News.

Instead of answering, Johnson avoided the question, removed the headset he had been wearing and was seen leaving the scene.

"We are not getting into a pub quiz about leaders around the world," Johnson said before exiting. "I have a terrible feeling if I keep answering you, you will keep coming back with more."

Murnaghan has long questioned British politicians about heads of foreign nations.

In September, he asked Emily Thornberry, the foreign secretary for the Labor Party, the name of the French foreign minister -- Jean-Marc Ayrault.

She failed to answer the question and suggested she was being treated unfairly by the news network, saying that Johnson had never been asked such questions.

However, when Johnson was asked the same question he correctly named the French foreign minister.
Al Arabiya said that Egypt, dealing with an excessive number of stray dogs, is looking to export them to Korea.

/ Korea Times file



By Ko Dong-hwan

Korea has agreed to help Egypt solve the Middle Eastern country's problem of stray dogs, Al Arabiya news outlet reports.

Al Arabiya said on Dec. 10 that Egypt was looking into sending live dogs to Korea.

Egyptian executioners' have been shooting the dogs on sight.

But online reports about the culling have brought strong criticism.

Photos showed public workers shooting stray dogs in Alexandria.

The alleged dog trade was greeted with surprise in Korea.

The Korean Embassy in Egypt and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency are investigating where the report originated.

"There is a possibility that a private entrepreneur in Korea contacted the Egyptian government or a businessman in Egypt," an embassy official said.

He said confirming the veracity of the report was most urgent.

Koreans have traditionally eaten dogs, a custom often criticized as barbaric.

Korean residents in Egypt doubted whether the report was true, and if it was even possible to trade live stray dogs.

"Not only would exporting live dogs be problematic, but processing them in Korea  slaughtering and storing  would also open up problems," a Korean trade company official in Egypt told Hankook Ilbo.

Al Arabiya also said the General Organization for Veterinary Services at the Ministry of Agriculture in Egypt had agreed to send 10,000 live donkeys to China  which needed the skins rather than the meat  after requests from many Chinese companies.

The trade was reportedly respective of an Islamic ruling in Egypt's al-Azhar.
The United States imposed sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies and nine other entities and individuals on Thursday in retaliation for cyberattacks accused of interfering with the U.S. presidential election.



The U.S. also declared 35 Russian intelligence operatives "persona non grata," ordering them to leave within 72 hours, and shut down two Russian compounds in Maryland and New York that were used by Russian personnel for intelligence-related purposes.



"Today, I have ordered a number of actions in response to the Russian government's aggressive harassment of U.S. officials and cyber operations aimed at the U.S. election," President Barack Obama said in a statement.



"These actions follow repeated private and public warnings that we have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behavior," he said.



Obama said the U.S. determined in October that Russia took actions intended to interfere with the U.S. election process, adding that such data theft and disclosure activities "could only have been directed by the highest levels of the Russian government."



"Moreover, our diplomats have experienced an unacceptable level of harassment in Moscow by Russian security services and police over the last year. Such activities have consequences. Today, I have ordered a number of actions in response," he said.



Among those sanctioned are two intelligence agencies, known as the GRU and the FSB. The GRU or Main Intelligence Agency is a Russian military intelligence agency and the FSB or the Federal Security Service is considered a successor to the Soviet-era KGB.



Other blacklisted entities and individuals include four GRU officers; three companies that provided material support to the GRU's cyber operations; two Russian individuals accused of using cyber-enabled means to cause misappropriation of funds and personal identifying information.



"These actions are not the sum total of our response to Russia's aggressive activities. We will continue to take a variety of actions at a time and place of our choosing, some of which will not be publicized," Obama said.



"In addition to holding Russia accountable for what it has done, the United States and friends and allies around the world must work together to oppose Russia's efforts to undermine established international norms of behavior, and interfere with democratic governance," he said. (Yonhap)




"Goblin" continues to give its avid viewers squeal-worthy episodes especially with episode 7.

Missed the episode shown on Christmas Eve? Don't fret as Kpop Starz prepared some spoilers and recap for you. Check it below.

HIGHLIGHTS

1. The Goblin watches "Train to Busan"

This scene was one of the funniest part as Gong Yoo watches himself portray another role while being the goblin. This part was also noted by All Kpop.

The scene started when the goblin, grim reaper, and Duk Hwa surprised Eun Tak with an ice cream cake as a good luck gift for her college entrance exams. As part of her wishes, Eun Tak requested to have a movie date with the goblin and the goblin granted this wish.

At the cinema, the goblin made a disclaimer that he doesn't want Eun Tak going like a scared cat when watching the movie. Eun Tak just shrugged him off by saying that she's not scared anymore because she's been living 19 years of her life in a big horror movie. While watching the movie, the goblin ended up being the scared cat.

2. Here Comes the Love Triangle

In previous episodes, the goblin was haunted by a premonition showing Eun Tak having a brunch with an anonymous man in Quebec. This caused him sadness but he learned to shrug the idea off his mind. However, it seemed that the day has come for him to finally meet that suspected anonymous man.

On episode 7, the goblin went to surprise Eun Tak after she had her exams. However, he witnessed Eun Tak bumping on a very handsome and young sunbae. The goblin became very jealous at the sight causing the sudden downpour in the area.

3. The Business Card Date

On episode 6, the grim reaper was heavily bothered by the idea of not having a business card to show Sunny when he had a double date together with Duk Hwa who apparently has a business card. On episode 7, the grim reaper learned that the goblin also has a business card which made him panicked even further.

Because of this, he kept on avoiding Sunny's calls. But, he was struck by his conscience on keeping Sunny waiting so he asked for Eun Tak's help and Sunny told him to meet her at Dal.komm cafe.

During their date, the grim reaper revealed that he is sorry that he doesn't have a business card. This caused Sunny to laugh and the grim reaper asked for her business card in return. Sunny just proudly said that she doesn't need one as her pretty face is her business card. After their weird business card conversation, they engaged in an exchange of cheesy lines which will definitely make you squeal. Even Dramabeans agreed on this.

"Goblin" continues to unfold in the coming days as Eun Tak finally can get a grip of the sword stuck in the goblin's chest. Catch it every Fridays and Saturdays on tvN.
Bishop Simeon Okah, an end-time oracle of the Most High God and principal patriarch of the Flock of Christ Mission, Enerhen-Effurun, Delta State, whispered dead, but alive and kicking, after he misguidedly slipped into a six-foot gutter, near a swimming pool, at a Lagos hotel, during a Ministers Conference, in November, has described President Muhammadu Buhari, as the most unfavourable Nigerian President to the people of Niger Delta region.

Speaking in an interview with Saturday Vanguard, last week, at the flourishing sanctuary of God, where he is the presiding Bishop, the Vice President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (South-South) and in style television preacher, still convalescing from the horrifying accident, said it was ridiculous to hear that Buhari was preparing to take another shot at the presidency in 2019, urging him to abandon the ambition because he was too old and had nothing to offer the country.



You are one of the anti-corruption apostles on the altar today. Are you satisfied with President Muhammadu Buharis corruption battle and the modus operandi so far? Saturday Vanguard asked the no-nonsense clergyman, known for his anti-corruption messages since the seventies.

He said: I will say that as far as I am concerned, President Muhammadu Buharis battle against corruption is not straightforward. I also feel too that he is not qualified to be there for some of us who know the details about his operation when he was Head of State, particularly when he was in-charge of the Ministry of Petroleum. We knew that most of the things went to the north than here in the south, which owns the oil. So, what qualifies him to say he wants to fight corruption?

Then I will say that things are being made a little bit more public now, you know that Jesus Christ was telling us that sometimes we are impatient, that there is nothing that is secret, every secret will someday be announced on top of the roof. The so-called chairman of EFCC, in the recent weeks, had allegations of corruption against him. So, how is the man who is fighting corruption allegedly corrupt himself? So everything about this government fighting corruption to me is full of deception.

Does he, frankly speaking, have issue(s) with the style of the EFCC in fighting corruption? He sermonized:

If we are going to fight corruption, it should be somebody who would not bring politics into it because it has eaten so deep in this country, almost every system of government in this country is corrupt, the public sector is corrupt, even the church, I will not remove the church, and some church leaders are terribly corrupt. So anybody who wants to fight corruption in this country must have clean hands, a clear conscience and be sincere to handle it.

And I believe that within three to five years, corruption can be reduced. I say so because I know that anywhere there are human beings, there is always a little level of corruption, even in the western countries, he added.

Asked if he was not being hasty on his position on EFCC chairman, as the president had ordered a probe, Bishop Okah responded: I feel that at my age and level in ministry work I have also my information and I should be able to have some sense of judgment.

I remember you were one man of God that declared it open before Buhari won the 2015 Presidential election that he was too old to be president, but today he is the President. Do you have any cause now to change that opinion?

I am happy that you remembered. The man is an old man, old man is old, I am quite younger than he is. I am 64 years old, do you know that without the younger ones around me, there are some things about this generation that I cannot on my own understand because their way of thinking is very different from my way of thinking, not to talk of a man like Buhari?.

The clergy man fired on: First, he (Buhari) is too old, secondly, he is not educated enough. It pains my heart that just because former President Goodluck Jonathan is from South-South, there was a general hatred against him by the north and maybe the west. We, who travel, they were telling us that we were blessed to have a man who has PhD as a president, what does Buhari have apart from him being a general?

Contrary to your opinion, your colleague in the ministry, Rev Ejike Mbaka, practically sees Buhari as a liberator of Nigerians, do you share his opinion? The reporter asked, thinking that he had boxed him to a corner, but Bishop Okah retorted: Well, facts speak for themselves. What has he liberated, is it the economy, what? So when you say he is a liberator, what has he liberated?

Rather, he has worsened the state of everything in this country; he took over government when naira was between 170 and 190 to a dollar but today how much is it? When he was campaigning, he said he would make one naira to one dollar, but what is the position today, the man has destroyed almost everything he met, everything Jonathan labored for. Everything is nose-diving in the country.

Look at the stock exchange. He inherited a stock exchange of over N13 trillion. Today, it is about N8 to N9 trillion. What happened to N4 trillion? It is peoples money, so to me, this government, particularly, in my own sense of judgment, there are too many lies and lies go with depression and depression goes with oppression.

Vanguard

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The Lagos State Government is to begin the installation of 16,000 meters to regulate water supply in the state in February, 2017.

The Managing Director of the Lagos Water Corporation, LWC, Mr. Muminu Badmus who disclosed this on Friday at a news conference in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria said the installation would begin in February next year and would last for three months.

Badmus listed the pilot areas where the metering system would take off to include Surulere, Yaba, Ebute Meta, Itire, Iwaya, Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki Phase One.

He said the 16,000 meters would be installed in the first instance to put to rest the controversy over the volume of water supplied to each household and also curb wastage.



X-raying the activities of the year, Badmus lamented that power from the national grid has been a major hindrance to water production and distribution in the State.

Equally, the absence of gas has made the Independence Power Plant (IPP) not to function effectively as projected. It is on record that Nigeria is losing 3,132 megawatts in a day; this is due to gas constraint, pipeline vandalization, inadequate infrastructure to transport the gas to power plants.

The present administration has taken a proactive step in addressing this challenge with the procurement of diesel-powered generators to power our waterworks; this has made water supply to be stabled in Lagos Metropolis.

We all know that water is the most essential element of life on earth, and our existence depends on safe and potable water, that conforms to World Health Organisation standard. That is why, Lagos Water Corporation is highly committed to its assigned responsibility of providing safe drinking water in sufficient and regular quantity, maintaining good quality services, meeting customers expectations and promoting community health, he said.

Badmus explained that Lagos, as the commercial and economic hub of Nigeria with the current population of over 20 million, was projected to reach 29 million by year 2020, noting that this had put pressure on the existing LWC facilities and for the corporation to keep pace with this exponential growth of population in the State, and provide regular and sufficient water, the Corporation had designed a Lagos Water Supply Master Plan (2010  2020), which served as a frame work for pragmatic approach to solve the problem of water shortage that might arise from population explosion.

The LWC boss said that in spite of these daunting challenges, the corporation had executed a great number of projects that had positively impacted on the people of Lagos State.

The State Government is expanding the water facilities to meet the water demand of 540 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) and this gave birth to the commissioning of Otta-Ikosi Regional Waterworks of 4 MGD in Epe Division, in May this year, with 80.32Km pipe network/reticulation which is currently serving eleven communities between Agbowa and Itokin.

These include Ado, Agbowa, Ago  Hausa, Ago  Owu, Ajebon Orugbo, Iganke, Ikosi, Odo Ayandelu and Otta Ikosi. In the same month, the State commissioned Mosan-Okunola Mini Waterworks of 2MGD with 5.0Km pipe network/reticulation in Mosan Okunola LCDA. This is currently serving Abesan Estate, Baruwa, and adjoining communities.

In the same vein, the State Executive Council recently gave an approval to commence the development of Odomola Water Scheme II of a 100MGD Water plant and the reticulation of the primary, secondary, and tertiary distribution within the Odomola service areas such as, Lekki Phase 1, Dolphin, Victoria Island  Saka Tinubu, Victoria Island Annex, IkoyiAlexander Road, Ikoyi  Club Road, Badore, Epe 1 and Epe 11. This Project will be executed on Public Private Partnership basis, he stated.

He restated governments commitment to the provision of safe and potable water to Lagosians as evident in 2017 budget as more funds had been earmarked for execution and to facilitate all the projects in the water sector to improve access to potable water in the State.

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Dec. 30, 2016 (EIRNS)In an editorial Dec. 30, Chinas Communist Partys newspaper, Peoples Daily, published a bold proposal to the incoming Trump Administration that China could both invest heavily in, and help build with new technologies, the new economic infrastructure Donald Trump has called for.

Headlined "Fixing America will require Trump to be bold, and work with China," the editorial cleverly uses the example of the extraordinary "worlds highest bridges" China has built with revolutionary bridge-building technology. It reads as follows.

"In U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps book, Great Again, he said, You go to countries like China ... and you look at their train systems and their public transport. Its so much better. Were like a third-world country. Despite his tough talk, Trump admires China for its GDP growth and for its infrastructure investment and engineering. He sees that, while America is aging and falling behind in certain areas, China is growing and moving forward. The U.S. can learn from China on infrastructure building, and benefit from its successes.

"China is leading the world in infrastructure investment and engineering. Chinas Beipan River bridge, which connects Guizhou and Yunnan provinces, is a 4,400-feet-long cable-stayed suspension bridge that hangs 1,854 feet in the sky. That is equivalent to 200 stories, roughly the height of four Trump Towers stacked.

"Another example is Guizhous high-speed railway bridge connecting Shanghai and Kunming. This amazing achievement caught the attention of some foreign scholars. Duke University Professor Ralph Litzinger (@BeijingNomad) said, Serious infrastructure investment in China makes the [U.S.] look like a backward country. Kingston University Professor Steve Keen (@ProfSteveKeen) called it an example of Chinas impressive engineering, and said Trump could learn a lot from [China] about infrastructure planning.

"America may be the contemporary example on building a great country, but China is the contemporary example on rebuilding a great country. The two massive bridges in Guizhou are a tiny example of Chinas strength in infrastructure investment and engineering. No other country in the world has lifted more than double the size of Americas entire population out of poverty in such a short period of time. Since then, China has opened the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and is building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. These are massive cooperation projects, and the hallmark of modern-day China. Meanwhile, America cannot even realize high-speed rail after years and years of planning. Rather than bash China, perhaps America should learn from and work with China.

"Trump wants to spend $1 trillion on infrastructure upgrades in America to rebuild the nation and put people back to work. The problem is how to pay for it, and how to do it. China knows how to fund and carry out serious infrastructure building, and deep-pocketed Chinese investors want to invest billions more in America. One way for Trump to realize his plan would be to use Chinese funds and technology. This would help return some of Americas investment in China back to America for the benefit of America, and strengthen the bilateral relationship.

"Trumps plan to rebuild America is bold, but it remains to be seen if he will be bold enough to do what is best for America."
PRESS RELEASE

Putin Disdains to Respond to Obama Provocation

Dec. 30, 2016 (EIRNS)Russia is looking forward to a new administration in the United States, and wishes a Happy New Year to all Americans, even to President Obama and his family, whether the latter wants them or not, Russian President Vladimir Putin responded on Friday afternoon (Moscow time). He had duly considered proposals submitted by his Foreign Ministry for retaliatory diplomatic expulsions and closures in response to Barack Obamas order to expel 35 Russian diplomats, and other wild measures, taken on the pretext of alleged Russian hacking of the U.S. elections.

No expulsions, no retaliation. Putins message was simple, and statesman-like: Obama will be gone soon, and Russia and the United States can then go about rebuilding proper relations.

His statement follows in full:
Growth and vitality: For seven years, that has been the central story for the U.S. auto industry.

That storys coming to an end  the growth part, anyway.

Final numbers are due Jan. 3, but 2016 figures for unit sales of light motor vehicles are expected to come in right around last years total of 17.43 million  maybe a bit lower, maybe a bit higher, but not much either way.

For 2017 and the next few years, analysts say, growth is likely to hover around zero.

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Were plateauing, maybe even peaking, said Tim Fleming, an analyst at Kelley Blue Book.

Its a high plateau, though: Auto sales are stronger than at any time in U.S. history.

Prices are also at their peak. At $34,077 on average, theyre at an all-time high, according to market researcher Edmunds.

Thats up 2.7% from last year, and 12.6% since 2011. The main driver: the rise of more expensive crossovers and SUVs and consumers increasing distaste for traditional four-door passenger cars.

That trend is several years long, but the rate is increasing every year.

The number of people buying pickups, SUVs and vans in 2016 is unprecedented, said Jeremy Acevedo, an analyst at Edmunds.

Low gas prices, rising incomes and consumer confidence, cheap credit and dealer incentives are also to thank for the industrys seven-year sales expansion.

But incentives are heading to less-generous territory, analysts said.

Auto companies push cash-back offers, sweet lease rates, zero down, and other incentives when inventories build up and they need to move vehicles off dealer lots. This year marked a record high for dealer incentives, according to Kelley Blue Book: an average of $3,741 per vehicle, compared with $3,087 last year.

Now, however, automakers have begun reducing production of slower-selling vehicles, in some cases temporarily shutting down factories, which usually translates into less desperation from the car companies and fewer incentives for customers.

The prospect of fewer incentives going forward is a real sign that things are slowing down in new vehicle sales, Fleming said.

There are other shifts happening as well. Bond rating firm Fitch said pent-up consumer demand for new cars reaching back to the Great Recession has been satisfied.

And the rising popularity of leases is also cutting into new vehicle sales.

Leases reached 30% of vehicles sold this year, a high figure that is not sustainable, Fleming said. High lease rates mean more vehicles being dumped onto the used-car market when the lease runs out, which amounts to less revenue for the car companies that sell them. (The risk: not enough vehicles to meet customer demand.)

Beyond softening consumer demand, the auto industry faces other challenges and uncertainties entering 2017.

Vague and conflicting signals from the incoming Trump administration have yet to resolve themselves.

The auto industry will be lobbying for relaxed fuel-economy standards, which could be good for automakers, at least in the short term, if less good for the reduction in greenhouse gases. Car makers say current fuel-economy laws require them to try to sell cars that consumers dont want to buy, leading to lower profits and higher-than-desired spending on research and development. Their critics contend that the standards are necessary to keep the air clean and the planet cooler than it would be otherwise.

Sure to draw scrutiny from Republicans: the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles. Republicans generally oppose such government subsidies. Donald Trumps view on fuel standards is unknown. He did recently appoint Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk to his new team of technology advisors. so Musk  whose new-energy product portfolio includes electric cars, solar panels, and storage batteries  will have the Presidents ear. Or sit close to it, anyway.

Trade policy is the wild card. Trump turned crowds wild with his promise to rip up the disastrous North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA.

To automakers and their suppliers in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. have developed tight trade networks that take advantage of the 22-year-old agreement. Knifing those networks would be highly disruptive to the auto industry and the economy, analysts say.

But theyre hoping Trumps campaign language was hype. Although some tweaks in the trade deal ,may be needed I cant imagine anybody would tear up NAFTA, said Ron Harbour, an auto manufacturing expert at consulting firm Oliver Wyman.

Longer term, things are more dicey for automakers. According to a report from Paul Traub, senior business economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, auto sales in the U.S. may have hit an absolute peak.

Traub said the length of new vehicle ownership is trending higher. People increasingly are working from home. Millennials, on the whole, are less enthusiastic than their parents about owning a car.

And, of course, driverless cars and trucks are coming, and nobody really knows much yet about what that will mean for the 120-year-old industry.

russ.mitchell@latimes.com

Twitter: @russ1mitchell

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Life has been busy for the stars of Sherlock since the series premiered in 2010, with Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss applying new London style and contemporary quirks to Arthur Conan Doyles famous consulting detective. Its fourth season  there have been breaks  begins Sunday on PBS Masterpiece: Mystery!

Martin Freeman, the series Dr. John Watson, has gone from a guy you might have seen on the British version of The Office or in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy to playing Bilbo Baggins in three Hobbit movies and the hapless Lester Nygaard in the first season of FXs Fargo, and hosting Saturday Night Live.

Benedict Cumberbatch, its Sherlock (also in the Hobbit movies, as the voice of Smaug) has, among other things, played Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness, the title role in Doctor Strange, codebreaker Alan Turing in The Imitation Game and Richard III in BBCs The Hollow Crown Shakespeare cycle; sung Comfortably Numb with Pink Floyds David Gilmour at the Royal Albert Hall; and has become something of an international, official hot guy.

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Conan Doyle wrote 60 Holmes stories, but the world has deemed that insufficient, and many other hands have filled out the tale. Holmes is a useful mix of specific qualities and scant details  an attitude, occupation and method as much as a full-fleshed, full-fledged character, and so familiar that even some characters not called Sherlock Holmes, like Hugh Lauries Dr. House on House, are recognizably him. The Doctor, on Doctor Who, which Moffat currently oversees and for which Gatiss has written, has much in common with him  essentially solitary but in need of a companion, something less than polite, sexy without being sexual.

Sherlock selects plot elements and incidental details from the original stories and mixes and mashes them together, adding new ingredients to taste, as when a chef plays modern variations on traditional cuisine without letting whats new obscure whats old. The Six Thatchers, the first episode of the new season, is partly based on Conan Doyles The Adventure of the Six Napoleons, with busts of Britains Iron Lady replacing those of Frances Little Corporal. There are references to the original storys missing black pearl of the Borgias, but it is only one of many threads and complications to follow and trip over.

Directed by Rachel Talalay (Tank Girl) and written by Gatiss  who also plays Mycroft Holmes  the new episode belatedly picks up on the heels of last Januarys The Abominable Bride, a Victorian-era dream interlude that in turn picked up on the heels of the third season finale, His Last Vow, which premiered two years earlier. To further confound time, Bride takes place in the last minutes of Vow, as Sherlock, flying off into exile, is recalled to England when the face of the supposedly late Professor Moriarty appears on television screens all over England over the title Did you miss me?

Sherlocks aborted exile followed his killing of a blackmailing newspaper publisher  Im not a hero, he announced, then Im a high-functioning sociopath  and it gives away nothing to say that this problem is quickly dispensed with in Sundays episode in order for our heroes to get on with new business, solving a string of cases in montage, while waiting for Moriarty to strike. (Im the target, says Sherlock. Targets wait.)

John, meanwhile, who last season wed Mary (Amanda Abbington)  a retired super-agent with a terrifying skill set, but also a lovely person  is being worn down by new fatherhood.

Beck and call of a screaming, demanding baby, Detective Inspector Lestrade (Rupert Graves), here called Greg, remarks to him. Must feel very different. (You two having a little joke? asks Sherlock, overhearing. This is a joke, is it? Is it about me?)

There is more of a bromance  if an inarticulate, kind of embarrassed one  between the partners than in other versions. Sherlock calls Watson John, and Watson calls Holmes Sherlock, and that Sherlock might be harboring the semblance of a caring person somewhere in the cold, cool chambers of his mind is something Moffat and Gatiss like to play with, for character and comedy. They enjoy making him squirm  enlisting him last season as Johns best man, for instance, and as a godfather in this one  often with affecting, not quite sentimental results. Their plots can feel complicated and clever to a fault, but they are reliably good with quips and characters.

The advance word from Team Sherlock has been that things will get dark this year, which suggests that they have either forgotten their earlier dark seasons or that we are in for even darker darkness. There is plenty of it in The Six Thatchers, to be sure, but theres also a bloodhound, and babysitting: You see, but you do not observe, says the minder to his charge. You fail to connect actions to their consequences. Now for the last time, if you want to keep the rattle, do not throw the rattle.

Sherlock on Masterpiece

Where: KOCE

When: 9 p.m. Sunday

Rating: TV-14 (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 14)

robert.lloyd@latimes.com

Follow Robert Lloyd on Twitter @LATimesTVLloyd

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Five teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of assaulting and robbing Chinatown residents during a crime spree that lasted from mid-November until just before Christmas.

Eight victims, including elderly Chinese immigrants who speak little English, have come forward, authorities said. Police believe there may be more victims.

In one of the robberies, the suspects threatened the victim with a gun, said Capt. Marc Reina of the Los Angeles Police Departments Central Division. In another, they brandished a sharp object.

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They punched and kicked the victims and threw them to the ground, taking cellphones, purses and jewelry, Reina said.

A team of detectives was assigned to the case. On Dec. 23, plainclothes officers spotted the suspects in a car, which drove off instead of stopping. The officers pursued the car, which turned out to be stolen, from Chinatown across the 5 Freeway to South Avenue 22 and North Broadway.

The suspects  four females and one male  were arrested, police said. They are from East Los Angeles and came to Chinatown looking for victims, according to police.

One juvenile male has been charged with multiple counts of robbery. Reina said he expects charges to be brought against the other three juveniles and one 18-year-old woman.

Were working hard to keep the area safe for everyone, and no one should be subjected to such a violent crime, Reina said.

There have been no similar robberies since the arrests, he added.

Some Chinatown residents do not contact police when they are victims of a crime, because they fear not being able to communicate, said George Yu, executive director of the Chinatown Business Improvement District.

In fact, Yu said, officers at Central Station are accustomed to Chinese-speaking callers and will transfer them to someone who can help.

Yu said he spoke to an elderly woman who was robbed of her iPhone 7, cash and cosmetics by the suspects on Dec. 22. News of the crime had spread through Chinatowns grandma network, but Yu and a colleague spoke to the woman at length before she agreed to call police.

Its not OK to hit anybody, especially elderly females, Yu said. I cant remember the last time we had a string of robberies like this in Chinatown.

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Tony Gao emerges from a gun store in the City of Industry with something he could have never gotten in his native China: a handgun license.

He passed the firearm safety test on his third try  he says the stores Chinese translation of the test is a little off  but still, hes a little nervous.

Are you sure police wont try to get me? Gao, 58, asks.

Private gun ownership is generally banned in China. So when Chinese immigrants arrive in the U.S., many are curious about owning firearms.

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In Los Angeles, Chinese immigrants frequent Gun Effects, a firearms store housed in a City of Industry strip mall that includes a boba tea spot, a massage parlor and a dinosaur-themed Taiwanese restaurant.

On a recent weekday, a line formed at a bilingual English and Chinese sign-in sheet as Tom Petty crooned over the store speakers. A few customers puzzled over a Chinese translation of the handgun test beneath an empty wall where the store once displayed assault weapons  all of which were snapped up before Californias tough new gun control measures take effect Jan. 1. The legislation was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in July in the wake of simmering outrage over mass shootings in San Bernardino and Orlando, Fla.

Across the state, sales have surged for semiautomatic rifles with bullet buttons, devices that allow for quick switching of ammunition cartridges and are banned under new law. Overall firearms sales increased by 40% over last year, according to the state Department of Justice.

In November, voters also approved Proposition 63, which outlaws the possession of magazines with more than 10 rounds, expands background checks for those buying bullets and makes it a crime to fail to report a lost or stolen gun.

At Gun Effects, Chinese buyers have shown up in droves to buy the stores stock of soon-to-be restricted firearms.

Kai Kang, 48, of Irvine, lined up to purchase a scope for one of his guns. He remembers being curious about owning a gun when he came to America about a decade ago. In China he was in the military, but he never thought about owning a gun for his personal use.

Once he had his green card, he decided to try it out. Gun collecting eventually became a hobby. He goes to shooting ranges with his friends and keeps guns in his house for protection.

I have short guns, long guns, handguns, AR-15s, rifles. I bought one, then I just kept buying more, Kang said.

Gun Effects popularity with Chinese customers could have something to do with its Chinese ownership and bilingual services. The stores owner, Dennis Lin, was born in Guangdong, China, to a dim sum chef and his wife. He came to the U.S. when he was 3 years old.

Lin, 29, grew up playing with airsoft guns and started a business selling gun accessories online after graduating from college. When the business grew, he opened a store.

Business was slow at first. He placed online advertisements, but they failed to increase demand. Still, about a year ago, Chinese customers began to show up in large numbers.

I dont even know how this happened, really, Lin said. In the past, most of our business has been with non-Chinese customers.

Now about 40 percent of customers are Chinese, Lin said. He hired two Chinese-speaking employees and ramped up his study of Mandarin. He also travels to China several times a year to learn more about Chinese culture, which he never had much connection to as a kid.

In China, hes careful never to say that he sells guns for a living.

They do get nervous, Lin said. Its like a taboo.

Chinese customers often have questions about legality and safety, said Queenie Yang, one of the stores Chinese-speaking employees. And many of them need time to get comfortable with even holding a gun.

One Chinese customer new to the country started shaking when he held a gun for the first time, Lin said. When he handed the gun back to Lin, it was soaked with sweat.

I just tell them dont be scared. Its legal here, Lin said.

Gao said that in China he never thought of owning a gun, and he admitted to being a little afraid of them. But he lives in America now, and hes mostly retired and a little bored. His friends go to shooting ranges to pass the time and he decided to join them.

Im just doing this for fun. I dont think everyone should have a gun, Gao said.

Gaos stance mirrors national trends. Asian Americans have the lowest rates of gun ownership among all demographic groups, according to exit polls conducted during the 2008 presidential election. And a 2016 survey of Asian American registered voters by APIAVote found that 77 percent wanted stricter gun control laws. Even Gao said he wouldnt support legalizing private gun ownership in China.

Jason He, another Chinese customer, agreed. He thinks it would be unwise for China to legalize private gun ownership, and expressed support for Californias new assault weapon restrictions.

Still, when his name was called from the wait list, he peppered one of the gun stores Chinese-speaking employees with questions about weights, how to practice, and what kind of gun his wife should buy. Hes looking for a handgun and a long gun for his house, nothing too fancy or expensive.

Policy and politics aside, He said he has always wanted a gun.

In China, He said, you only see guns on TV.

frank.shyong@latimes.com

Twitter: @frankshyong

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When Meach Sovannara boarded a flight to Cambodia in 2015, his wife and three daughters knew there was a chance he might never return to their modest Long Beach home.

Jamie Meach was no stranger to her husbands battles with the Cambodian government. It was Sovannaras activism, after all, that forced the family to seek asylum in the United States more than a decade earlier. He had returned to Cambodia since then, but protests that followed a controversial national election had endangered Sovannaras safety once more.

A dual citizen of the U.S. and Cambodia, Sovannara was charged with attempting to incite an insurrection in 2014 after delivering a speech at a protest in Phonm Penh, the countrys capital.

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Sovannara returned to the U.S. after being released on bond, but with a court hearing looming, he had a choice to make: Live safely in exile in Long Beach, or risk imprisonment to continue the fight against a government that has been widely criticized for human rights violations.

Despite the risks, Jamie Meach and her husband knew he had to return home.

In July 2015, Sovannara and 10 others were convicted of various crimes connected to the protests after what human rights activists have called a show trial. Sovannaras attorneys were not allowed to enter closing arguments, and justices deliberated for 15 minutes before returning with a conviction, according to Amnesty International. Although no evidence was presented at trial, Sovannara was sentenced to 20 years in Prey Sar prison, a hellish, overcrowded complex where family and friends fear he could be killed at any moment.

An appeal of Sovannaras conviction was denied earlier this year. But friends and activists hope a federal lawsuit brought against the Cambodian government in Los Angeles and diplomatic pressures exerted in Washington will help secure his release.

But as those wheels turn slowly, Sovannaras stand has left his family trapped in an international nightmare, one that has roiled Long Beachs sprawling Cambodian refugee community and agitated lawmakers tasked with managing diplomatic relations between Washington and Phnom Penh.

As they hold out hope, some say Sovannara made peace with the potential consequences of his decision long before returning to his native land.

Meach Sovannara already knows his fate, said Bo K.S. Uce, a family friend and activist.

Huddled close with her daughters, Jamie Meach said she doesnt regret her husbands gamble.

The fight against Hun Sen, the former Khmer Rouge commander who has served as Cambodias prime minister for nearly 30 years and is considered a dictator by human rights advocates, was more important than their familys needs.

Weve seen, both of us  Hun Sens violations of human rights, his oppressions of democracy, and everything like that, she said through an interpreter. So I had to, for my own self, I had to sacrifice in order for my husband to help liberate Cambodia.

When the couple first met in 1994, they were schoolteachers in Cambodias Bonteay Meanchey Province, well off the radar of a national government that has routinely met dissent with brutal reprisals. They married five years later, Jamie Meach said. But as their bond grew, so did Sovannaras desire to help expose government abuses, past and present.

Sovannara had worked as a journalist before he became a teacher, and he returned to the field as a reporter and host with Radio Free Asia shortly after the couple wed, Jamie Meach said. For the next several years, Sovannara would publish stories that were highly critical of the government, taking specific aim at misuse of funds and allegations of election rigging by the Cambodian Peoples Party, the political powerhouse that has controlled Cambodia for decades, Jamie Meach said.

Sometime in 2003, Sovannara became embroiled in an argument with Sar Kheng, a former Khmer Rouge commander and congressman who is now the Cambodian minister of the interior, and Jamie Meach immediately grew concerned. Reporters who criticize the government often face arrest, or worse.

In Sovannaras case, it was the latter. The death threats began within days, Jamie Meach said. After men on motorcycles came to their home and tried to break in, the coupledecided to flee to Long Beach.

We had to come as tourists first, then apply for asylum, she said. Otherwise they would have killed us.

The family arrived in Long Beach in 2003, and they were granted asylum in 2004, Jamie Meach said.

For the next nine years, Sovannara largely remained in Long Beach, working with Jamie Meach to publish a Khmer-language newspaper. He would occasionally travel back to Cambodia to visit his mother, never explaining how he was able to remain safe, she said.

Nine years would pass before Sovannara could openly return to his native land. With the Cambodian government under increasing international pressure to hold fair elections, Sovannara became the media director for the insurgent Cambodia National Rescue Party in 2013 and began making trips to Phnom Penh.

After closer-than-expected parliamentary elections  which many Cambodians believed had been stolen by Hun Sen a popular uprising was met with brutal police crackdowns.

The 2013 election was a wake-up call for the authorities who thought they had everything under control, said Sophal Ear, a professor at Occidental College and expert on Cambodian politics.

Anti-government protests lasted for months in Phnom Penhs Freedom Park, and violent clashes with national police led to the parks closure. Sovannara participated in a July 2014 rally calling for the park to be reopened. During that speech, he criticized Hun Sens administration for ceding land to Vietnam in a border dispute, Jamie Meach said.

Those remarks kick started the dubious criminal proceedings that led to Sovannaras imprisonment. Now, with almost no way to communicate with him, Sovannaras family waits in Long Beach, fearful that Prey Sar prison may become his tomb.

Experts on Cambodian politics describe the facility as an overcrowded, brutal lockup that is a haven for disease. Sovannara could be killed in a staged fight, poisoned at mealtime or beaten by guards at the governments behest, his family and activists contend.

In September, Sovannara, who has been in poor health due to a severe head injury suffered in a 2015 car accident, experienced a medical emergency and had to be rushed to a Phnom Penh hospital.

The news set off a series of panicked phone calls back in Long Beach. Prisoners taken to that hospital rarely leave alive, said Morton Sklar, an attorney with Human Rights Watch who is representing the Sovannara family. Sklar believes the transfer was an intimidation tactic, noting that Sovannara was hospitalized just days after a federal judge in Los Angeles refused to toss the familys federal lawsuit against the Cambodian government.

Asked how Sovannaras speech could result in such a stiff prison sentence, government spokesman Phay Siphan simply said, It is illegal to protest, when contacted by The Times. He referred all further questions to the Justice Ministry. Siphan did not respond to a list of questions e-mailed from The Times.

Whether the transfer was meant to scare his loved ones, Sovanarras medical situation is dire, Jamie Meach said. Based on what little information she can gather from relatives living in Cambodia, she said her husband is suffering from chronic migraines, high blood pressure, jaundice and diarrhea inside Prey Sar. An appeal for his release based on his medical condition was rejected in October, she said.

Sovannaras relatives and activists believe a combination of diplomatic and legal pressures could lead to his release, and Sklar said the federal lawsuit against the Cambodian government  specifically Sens oldest son, Hun Manet  might prove key.

While foreign governments are normally immune to legal action in U.S. courts, Sklar believes Sovannaras case represents an exemption under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, passed in the wake of the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and aimed at helping victims of state terrorist acts abroad recoup financial damages. In the current suit, Sklar has argued that Sovannaras unlawful imprisonment by the Cambodian government has caused harm to his wife and children, who are U.S. citizens.

Still, Sklar acknowledges that it may take a perfect storm of pressures from the lawsuit and American lawmakers to set Sovannara free. Other experts warn there is little anyone in Washington can do about his imprisonment.

Many U.S. lawmakers are fiercely opposed to Hun Sens authoritarian rule, said Joshua Kurlantzick, a senior fellow with the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations. But with Cambodia now relying more heavily on China for aid, the U.S. is limited in the kind of financial leverage it can exert, he said.

State Department officials might also be reluctant to intervene because Sovannara is a dual citizen, said Ear, the Occidental College professor.

The U.S., I feel, sees such individuals as having mixed loyalties or having signed up for this by way of involvement in Cambodian politics, he said.

A State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the official wasnt authorized to discuss Sovanarras case, told The Times that consular officers from the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh have had regular visits with Sovannara. Their last known contact with him was on Oct. 21, according to the official, who said embassy officials regularly raise his and similar cases in our high-level engagement with senior officials from the Government of Cambodia.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visited Cambodia earlier this year and raised concerns about human rights abuses during a trip that otherwise focused on economic ties between the U.S. and Cambodia, according to media reports. A spokesman for the State Department would not say whether Kerry discussed Sovanarras case with Hun Sen.

U.S. Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), who sits on the House Foreign Affairs committee, has also criticized the Cambodian government for its treatment of Sovannara and warned that the unfair imprisonment of a U.S. citizen could negatively impact diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Weve gone through this trying to get people out of Vietnam in the same way, and I think we need to push our embassy to do as much as possible, he said. This is all about the future relationship between Cambodia and the U.S..

Lowenthal has asked the State Department to monitor the status of Sovannaras appeal. He has also repeatedly pushed to make free and fair elections a condition of any financial aid offered to Phnom Penh by lawmakers.

If Sovannaras case has caused irritation in Washington, it has infuriated Long Beachs large Cambodian refugee community. Hundreds of Cambodia Town residents attended a rally at an area church this summer, with many calling for Sovannaras release as pictures of him in an orange prison jumpsuit dotted the room. When Hun Manet visited Long Beach on a diplomatic mission earlier this year, his trip was marred by a violent clash connected to Sovannaras case.

Hun Manet, a high-ranking commander in the Cambodian military, came to the U.S. in an attempt to mend fences with large Cambodian communities in Long Beach and Lowell, Mass. His trip was met with large-scale protests in both cities, and a private investigator who attempted to serve him with the lawsuit brought by Sovannaras family said he was attacked by the generals guards on April 9. Several local activists claim the assailant or assailants were members of Hun Manets private guard.

Long Beach police are investigating the attack, but would not comment on a possible suspect. Multiple calls to the Cambodian Consulate in Long Beach were not returned.

A federal judge in Los Angeles allowed the suit to continue, and the Cambodian government has served notice that it will not defend the case, according to Sklar. A default judgment against Hun Manet is likely, Sklar said.

The same judge also issued an order allowing Sklar to submit written questions to Hun Manet about myriad human rights abuses committed under his fathers regime. Hun Manet answered those, according to Sklar, though the documents are not yet public.

Hun Manet and the government of Cambodia are going to be in the position of being forced to disclose a lot of information that will be greatly embarrassing to them, said Sklar, who hopes the threat of that discovery could help leverage Sovannaras release.

In Long Beach, activists like Uce remain hopeful, but they are also realistic about the odds Sovannara faces. But Uce believes Hun Sen has made one critical mistake: The longer he holds Sovannara prisoner, the more powerful his story becomes.

Everybody loves life, Uce said. But sometimes the sacrifice has meaning.

Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Tracy Wilkinson contributed to this report from Washington D.C.

james.queally@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California.

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On a warm December day in Silver Lake, a nanny gently pushed a sleepy-looking toddler on a swing at a city playground. Nearby, children shouted out as they bounded into an oversized sandbox.

Playgrounds are vital in Los Angeles, a city where many families live without backyards or balconies. There are more than 380 city playgrounds from Pacoima to San Pedro.

Now, the citys extensive collection of swing sets, monkey bars and slides is at the center of a debate over a City Hall proposal to bar adults unaccompanied by children from entering playgrounds in parks.

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Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch OFarrells proposal  aimed at protecting children but criticized as a case of government going too far  would essentially ban lone adults from hanging out in spaces meant for kids.

The law would ensure that the citys playgrounds are a safe haven for kids, according to OFarrells motion. The proposal follows other laws targeting city parks, including bans on e-cigarettes and camping.

But not everyone is rallying behind the Hollywood councilmans plan, with some accusing OFarrell of stigmatizing single people or labeling them as pedophiles.

Inflaming the situation, others have misinterpreted the law as banning adults in parks. Nanny state gone wild: Los Angeles attempts to ban single adults from parks, a national libertarian group tweeted this week.

Its not necessary. We look out for one another.  Elena Marin, nanny

Reached Wednesday, an exasperated-sounding OFarrell spokesman defended the proposed ordinance, which limits access to a playground in a city park to children and their accompanying parents and/or guardians.

The motion would bolster an existing and similar state law, spokesman Tony Arranaga said. Adults without children could continue to use all the areas of the parks, he added, except the playgrounds, which are clearly marked by boundaries such as a gate, sand or other barriers.

The council member wants to make sure people can enjoy parks, but wants to make sure families are protected, Arranaga said.

New York, Santa Monica and Miami Beach have similar laws. And an existing state law prohibits loitering in areas where children congregate.

At the playground in Silver Lake with other nannies, Elena Marin looked skeptical when asked what she thought about the OFarrell proposal. Its not necessary, Marin said, cradling a 1-year-old in her lap. We look out for one another.

Marin cited one instance in which a man took photos of children in the playground, prompting the nannies to complain to park staff. The only other issues that come up, Marin said, are when exercisers work out on the childrens playground equipment or homeless people sit on benches in the area.

Arranaga said OFarrell proposed the law after locals complained about drug dealing at Selma Park playground in Hollywood.

It makes total sense. Why would you want to go into these areas if you dont have a kid?  Fran Reichenbach, Beachwood Canyon resident

That playground is cordoned off by a gate but surrounded by several homeless encampments. More encampments line the street outside the park.

Sitting in a chair outside Selma Park, Chris Ackerly, who is homeless, said meth and marijuana can be purchased in the area. Violence is also common in this neighborhood, he said.

But he and others dont venture into the childrens area out of respect for the kids, Ackerly said.

He questioned the intent of OFarrells law. Its about pushing the homeless away, Ackerly predicted.

Arranaga denied that the law is intended to target the homeless.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Recreation and Parks said the department supports OFarrells proposal, which she called a common practice in other cities.

Beachwood Canyon resident Fran Reichenbach said the addition of childrens playgrounds has helped beautify parks in her neighborhood.

She absolutely supports OFarrells proposal because playgrounds are for children, she said.

It makes total sense, Reichenbach said. Why would you want to go into these areas if you dont have a kid?

Its about pushing the homeless away.  Chris Ackerly, homeless

Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuers office declined to comment on OFarrells proposal. The Los Angeles Police Department is the primary agency tasked with enforcing the state loitering law, a Feuer spokesman said.

Enforcement of OFarrells proposal could be an issue, based on New York Citys implementation of the law.

A backlash ensued in that city in 2010 after several men were ticketed by police after playing chess on stone chess tables in the playground.

At Selma Park, the gated playground area includes three concrete chess tables. The Silver Lake playground is a few feet away from a water fountain and public bathrooms, and benches line the area on several sides.

OFarrell sent out a letter Thursday after criticism this week on social media, noting that all playgrounds would be clearly marked with signs indicating the limited access.

He also said there will be several city hearings for public comment before a City Council vote. The topic is generating robust conversation, OFarrell wrote.

But the vast majority of comments left on the politicians Facebook page expressed dismay at the proposal.

How about better policing and better parenting without extra layers of unenforceable laws? wrote one user. What a waste of government employees time and budget spent writing, debating and voting on this.

dakota.smith@latimes.com

@dakotacdsmith

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A man who was punched in the head by a Bay Area Rapid Transit officer he had spit on will not face a second trial after jurors deadlocked on a number of charges against, but acquitted him on others.

Prosecutors decided Friday that they would not retry Michael Smith, 22, for battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and simple battery, according to San Francisco District Attorney spokesman Alex Bastian.

The charges stemmed from a July 29 confrontation between Smith, his girlfriend and officers at the citys Embarcadero station. During Smiths trial earlier this month, jurors acquitted him on three counts of misdemeanor battery on a police officer but deadlocked on four other misdemeanor charges.

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A week after the trial, Smiths public defender, Jeff Adachi, released several videos that captured the confrontation and called on prosecutors to drop the matter, saying his client did nothing wrong.

The videos showed BART officers as they surrounded Smith and his girlfriend, Andrea Appleton, and ordered them to the ground at gunpoint. They also showed a cuffed and restrained Smith lifting his head up and spitting in an officers face, and the officer responding by punching Smith in the head.

After the altercation, the pair were taken to a substation, where Smith was booked on suspicion of assaulting and resisting police. Appleton was released.

On Friday, Adachi released a statement that said: Michael and Andrea are relieved their nightmare is over. Michael was falsely accused of a crime, he said. While their lives will never be the same, the specter of a criminal case is no longer looming against Michael.

BART police officers had focused on Smith and his girlfriend because of a call from another train rider who claimed that Smith and another African American had tried to rob him and that Smith was probably armed.

BART police and prosecutors have said the officers response was justified by the report of an armed robber and Smiths lack of cooperation.

Prosecutors said the videos were edited and that a judge had excluded them from evidence during the trial.

In excluding the evidence, the judge cited editorial choices that were made, such as altering the audio levels and omitting segments where the defendant is alleged to have bit, kicked, and spit on BART police officers, according to a release from the district attorneys office.

Smiths girlfriend was never charged with a crime, and BART officials said the officers involved in the arrests are back on duty.

 Police released the 911 call that led to the July 29 arrest of Michael Smith at the Embarcadero BART station in downtown San Francisco.

ben.poston@latimes.com

Follow @bposton on Twitter.
In the late 1930s, when few doors were open to the son of a poor Chinese immigrant, Tyrus Wong landed a job at Walt Disneys studio as a lowly in-betweener, whose artwork filled the gaps between the animators key drawings. But he arrived at an opportune moment.

Disneys animators were struggling to bring Bambi to the screen. The wide-eyed fawn and his feathered and furry friends were literally lost in the forest, overwhelmed by leaves, twigs, branches and other realistic touches in the ornately drawn backgrounds.

Too much detail, Wong thought when he saw the sketches.

On his own time, he made a series of tiny drawings and watercolors and showed them to his superiors. Dreamy and impressionistic, like a Chinese landscape, Wongs approach was to create the atmosphere, the feeling of the forest. It turned out to be just what Bambi needed.

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Wong, who brought a poetic quality to Bambi that has helped it endure as a classic of animation, died of natural causes early Friday morning in his Sunland home, said his daughter Kim Wong. He was 106.

I cant emphasize how significant a figure he is for L.A. and for the industry, said filmmaker Pamela Tom, whose documentary about Wong premiered last year. There will never be another Tyrus Wong.

Called the films most significant stylist by animation historian John Canemaker, Wong influenced later generations of animators, including Andreas Deja, the Disney artist behind Lilo of Lilo and Stitch and Jafar in Aladdin.

I was 12 or 13 when I saw Bambi. It changed me, Deja told The Times in 2015. There was something about the way the forest was depicted that had a layer of magic to it.

Tyrus Wong really made that film look the way it did.

Wong worked at Disney only a few years, his employment cut short by a strike in 1941. But he quickly was picked up by Warner Bros., where for more than 25 years he drew storyboards and set designs for such movies as Rebel Without a Cause and The Wild Bunch.

A trained painter, Wong also gained recognition in international art circles.

In 1934, the Art Institute of Chicago held an exhibition of prints from artists around the globe, including a landscape piece Wong had done using the dry-point printmaking technique. Featured in the same exhibit was an etching by Pablo Picasso titled Two Nudes and a lithograph by Diego Rivera.

Around that same time, Wong partnered with other artists in Los Angeles  including Japanese American Benji Okubo  to set up local exhibitions, which offered rare moments of visibility for the citys Asian artists.

When he retired from Warner Bros. in 1968, he continued to paint, turning some of his work into top-selling Christmas cards for Hallmark. He also channeled his artistry into kitemaking and in his 10th decade was still flying his creations  swallows, snow cranes, a 100-foot-long centipede  at Santa Monica State Beach.

In the award-winning documentary Tyrus, Wong opened up about racism within the industry, something Tom said the artist didnt like to dwell on. The discrimination sometimes came in the form of coldness from other artists, but other times it was more direct. On his first day at a now-defunct studio, the art director referred to Wong using an offensive racial slur.

For Tom, a fifth-generation Chinese American who worked at Disney in the 90s, Wong became a hero. She discovered him almost two decades ago while watching Bambi with her young daughter. At the end of the movie, there was a special feature on a man shed never heard of before.

I thought, Wait a minute, what? A Chinese artist working in Hollywood in the 30s, and at Disney of all things? she said, adding that she almost immediately tracked him down and invited him to lunch at her familys restaurant.

By the end of the meal, she said she knew she needed to make a film about him. After some convincing  it wasnt just about him, she reminded him, but about the history, the art and the Chinese American community  he agreed. The process took more than a decade.

During Wongs starving artist years, Tom said, he scraped together money in a variety of ways: picking asparagus, working as a janitor, designing greeting cards.

His reputation for creating Christmas cards spread, reportedly even catching the attention of Joan Crawford, who contacted him about making one.

She wanted me to design an original Christmas card for her, but she didnt want to pay the $15! Fifteen dollars! he told The Times in a 2004 interview.

Wong was born in Guangdong province in southern China on Oct. 25, 1910. Pigs and chickens lived under the family roof, which leaked, and food was suspended from a hook in the ceiling so that the rats wouldnt eat it, Wong recounted in On Gold Mountain, a memoir by Lisa See.

At age 9 he said goodbye to his mother and sister and sailed to America with his father, Look Get Wong. On Dec. 30, 1920, they landed at Angel Island.

His father was free to head to the mainland because he had immigrated earlier and had his papers. Tyrus, however, was confined to the immigration station. As he tried to control his nerves, he recalled chewing on a piece of gum hed gotten from a guard until it had no taste, before turning it into a toy. It was just like jail, he later said of the lonely month he spent there.

Immigration officials quizzed him about his family and home back in China to ascertain if he really was Look Get Wongs son. On Jan. 31, 1921, they issued his identification papers and he was reunited with his father. He never saw his mother and sister again.

He went to Sacramento, where his father tried to scrape by working for a cobbler. But the elder Wong knew nothing about repairing shoes, so when a better opportunity arose in Los Angeles, he moved there, leaving Tyrus behind until he got settled.

He wound up sending for his son sooner than he had planned. With his father gone, Tyrus started skipping school. Notified of the boys delinquency after a month of absences, the senior Wong had him put on a train to L.A..

When I got off the train, Wong told See, my father hit me for doing so badly.

He placed a high value on education, but he was, Wong later said, a very, very good father. He recited classical Chinese poetry to his son and taught him to paint, draw and write calligraphy. Unable to afford proper paper and ink, Tyrus practiced on newsprint with a brush dipped in water.

They lived in Chinatown but he attended school in Pasadena, where he painted posters for school events. His junior high principal was impressed by his artistic ability and helped him obtain a scholarship for one term at Otis Art Institute (now Otis College of Art and Design). Wong later received a full scholarship.

At Otis he studied the giants of Western art, such as Daumier. He spent much of his spare time looking at Japanese and Chinese brush painting, particularly Song dynasty landscapes that conveyed mountains, mist and trees with minimal strokes.

I learned that nature is always greater than man, he said in Sees book. It is the balance and harmony between man and nature that is important.

After graduating from Otis in 1935, he joined the Depression-era Federal Arts Project, creating paintings for public libraries and government buildings.

In 1938 he was hired at Disney but didnt think he would last long. Being an in-betweener required little creativity and a lot of eye-straining tedium.

Then he heard about Bambi, based on the book by Felix Salten.

I said, Gee, this is all outdoor scenery [and] Im a landscape painter. This will be great, he recalled in a video for the Disney Family Museum, which showcased his work in a 2013 exhibit.

When Bambi art director Tom Codrick saw Wongs sketches, Wong recalled later, He said, Maybe we put you in the wrong department. The rest of the team agreed, including Walt Disney.

I like that indefinite effect in the background  its effective. I like it better than a bunch of junk behind them, Disney said in Thomas and Johnstons book, Walt Disneys Bambi: The Story and the Film. Disney later said that of all the animated films he produced, Bambi was his favorite.

He set the color schemes along with the appearance of the forest in painting after painting, hundreds of them, depicting Bambis world in an unforgettable way, Johnston and Thomas wrote. Here at last was the beauty of Saltens writing, created not in script or with character development, but in paintings that captured the poetic feeling that had eluded us for so long.

In Wongs last decades he was known for the magnificent kites he made at home in Sunland and flew on the beach to the delight of passers-by.

You get a certain satisfaction in making them, and you get a certain satisfaction flying them, Wong said in a 1995 interview with The Times. Some are attention-getters, but thats not what Im after. I used to go fishing a lot, and I love fishing. This is just like fishing, except in fishing you look down. Kite flying, you look up.

Times staff writers Frank Shyong, Marisa Gerber and Harriet Ryan contributed to this report.

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Scores of mostly young people followed the digital-age equivalent of treasure maps to faceless warehouses and old storefronts in downtown Los Angeles, a hotbed of the citys underground music scene.

Entree to the makeshift nightclubs that take shape in the buildings required message exchanges or security codes, parceled out through websites and Facebook pages.

Typically, the locations were not revealed to the ticket buyers until shortly before the doors opened.

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The hosts of the events collected cover charges of up to $20, sold alcohol at premium prices and kept the music going well into the early morning hours.

And little or none of that was legal  or safe for the revelers who crowded into spaces that sometimes lacked sprinklers, well-lighted exits and other safety features found at legitimate performance halls.

The business of these illicit concerts and music parties has thrived for years in L.A. and elsewhere, despite operating in violation of fire and building ordinances.

The events generated little scrutiny from public officials until earlier this month, when the deadliest fire in modern California history cast a tragic spotlight on the dangers. Flames swept through the Ghost Ship, an illegally converted warehouse in Oakland where a concert was underway. Thirty-six people died.

Los Angeles record of cracking down on such concerts has been sporadic and infrequent at best, according to city data and interviews.

The underground clubs present shows within blocks of L.A. Fire Department stations, but the agency has cited fewer than 10 of them in the last three years, spokesman Peter Sanders said.

The city Building and Safety Department said its inspectors do not take the initiative to look for violations in areas known for the music pop-ups, such as downtowns industrial and fashion districts.

Rather, the department waits for someone to file a complaint about a specific address, said spokesman David Lara.

A Times analysis of three years of department records found fewer than 25 cases  an average of about eight annually  in which the agency investigated a building owner because of complaints of concerts or music parties.

Los Angeles has not seen a catastrophe on the scale of the Ghost Ship. But experts said the city is at risk given the size of its music scene and the large number of warehouses and other properties whose owners are willing to host concerts.

Weve just been lucky, said Jean M. Daly, a former prosecutor for the L.A. County and San Francisco district attorney offices who specialized in fire-related cases. Were ripe for that situation.

Robert L. Rowe, a former fire marshal for the city of Downey, said warehouses in particular are not designed for large assemblies of music fans. For starters, he said, they generally have too few exits to evacuate people in a fire.

Thats a disaster waiting to happen, Rowe said.

On a recent weekend, reporters for The Times attended five underground performances downtown. All were held in buildings that had no permits to operate as a music venue, according to city records and interviews.

During one weekend, The Times went to five underground parties in downtown Los Angeles in buildings where large dance parties are not allowed.

The reporters had little trouble finding websites and Facebook posts that advertised the so-called do it yourself events, but they could not pierce the wall of secrecy around all of them.

Promoters of some performances did not respond to the reporters requests for tickets  or codes used to get them  and so the addresses of those venues could not be obtained.

One Friday night concert was staged in a warehouse and manufacturing building on Ceres Avenue downtown. The location was disclosed to attendees who received a code from the promoter. Admission was $20 and a bouncer checked IDs at the door.

By 1 a.m., about 200 people had filed into a high-ceilinged room to hear D.J. Prins Thomas. The space was bathed in a pink haze generated by a smoke machine and laser display. There were no sprinklers.

A 20-something couple, Ellyn Maranda and Delwin Soren, who were new to L.A. from Texas, said friends led them to the event. They said they preferred underground clubs because the music was better and more varied.

I feel safe, said Maranda. I worry that people will think all warehouses are smokestacks. A lot of warehouses and creative spaces are run really well.

Soren said a crackdown on the scene could backfire.

If its pushed more underground, its only going to make it more dangerous, he said.

On the same night, a performance took place in a warehouse on East 7th Place. Attendees had to RSVP through a website. The fast-paced techno music played in a second-floor room, up a dim stairwell and down a long corridor.

At the entry, a woman with an iPad checked everyones name against a list. A wooden table piled with bottles of liquor served as the cash-only bar.

Sprinklers hung from the ceiling, but there were limited exits and the room was dense with cigarette smoke. Smoldering cigarette butts were tossed on the floor.

Less than two miles away, an underground benefit concert for victims of the Ghost Ship fire drew dozens of people to an aging fashion-industry storefront on South Los Angeles Street.

The entrance was off a back alley, where donations of $10 were collected. Inside, attendees sat on the floor before the stage, a silver disco ball overhead, and listened meditatively to a set by Elaine Carey and Mitchell Brown. Goth electronic music followed.

There were no signs of sprinklers, fire extinguishers or a second exit. Attempts to interview a man listed in public records as an owner of the building were unsuccessful.

A firm named Restless Nites promoted the benefit. A principal in the firm, Eli Glad, said it takes extremely seriously the safety issues spotlighted by the Ghost Ship catastrophe. On the other hand, he said, the underground circuit is not going to go away.

Parties have been happening forever, whether theyre in legal spaces or not.

The next night brought another round of events, including a second one at the 7th Place warehouse, a recurring party called Joy Tactics. DJs pumped out techno and deep house music, and mixed drinks sold for $8.

In the audience of 60 were two organizers of the event  Martin Santiago and Ryan Sandoval. Its cool because its very small venues, so most of the time youre close to the speakers and you see the artists playing right in front of you, said Sandoval, 24.

Santiago, 23, said they focus on safety when selecting a location for the parties. We definitely vet the venue, he said, describing the warehouse as a solid place for people to come and congregate.

One of the performers who died at the Ghost Ship, Chelsea Faith Dolan, who made music under the name Cherushii, headlined an earlier Joy Tactics event, Sandoval said. On a table at the 7th Place party sat a donation jar for her and the others who died in Oakland.

The owners or managers of the buildings visited by The Times variously declined to comment, could not be reached for an interview, or said they were unaware of any illegal use of their property.

The manager of the Ceres Avenue building, Gary Herman Sr., said he and the owners did not know their tenant had held concerts there. He said the tenant would be evicted if it happened again.

He does not have occupancy for that use, Herman said. And besides that, its illegal.

The tenant did not respond to interview requests.

Lara, the Building and Safety Department spokesman, said warehouse and storefront owners could apply for a permit to host concerts, but would not receive one without first upgrading their properties to meet the safety standards imposed on traditional music venues.

That could mean installing sprinklers, adding exits and providing disabled access, among other improvements, which likely would render the undertaking prohibitively expensive.

Music promoters say money is also a reason that many underground acts do not perform at established concert houses. They usually do not have a large enough following of paying fans to land a booking at a profit-driven club.

We deal with extremely unknown artists, said Britt Brown, who, along with his ex-wife, runs the L.A.-based 100% Silk, a record label for three of the acts that performed at the Ghost Ship the night of the fire. Nobodys making any money off this.

Last November, Brown said, 100% Silk hosted a music event at a warehouse and commercial building on McGarry Street in downtown L.A. It featured one of the Ghost Ship performers, Golden Donna.

The structure has no permit for concert gatherings, according to the Building and Safety Department.

Peter Schwartz, an attorney for the owners, said his clients had no idea music performances were occurring in the building, which is divided into numerous units.

Were concerned that its happening, Schwartz said. The landlord doesnt approve of it. He said the owners were taking steps to ensure concerts would not be held there again.

Brown downplayed 100% Silks role in the McGarry and Ghost Ship events.

We connect artists to people we may know who have access to a space, he said. Were connecting people via email or posting a flier on a Facebook.  Our involvement is like hosting the flier.

Brown said he did not know the McGarry building had no permit for music performances. Its a big, concrete building, he said. I think its safe.

Times staff writer Ruben Vives and Times researcher Scott Wilson contributed to this report.

paul.pringle@latimes.com | @pringlelatimes

ron.lin@latimes.com | @ronlin

nina.agrawal@latimes.com | @AgrawalNina

makeda.easter@latimes.com | @makedaeaster

MORE ON THE GHOST SHIP FIRE

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The Ghost Ship fire was a matter of benign neglect. Its not the only one

Amid Ghost Ships enchanting disorder lurked danger and the seeds of disaster
California Coastal Commission member Wendy Mitchell, who supported the controversial ouster of the agencys executive director earlier this year, resigned Friday.

Mitchell, a Los Angeles-based government affairs consultant and former legislative aide, submitted a resignation letter to Gov. Jerry Brown, stating that she would step down immediately after six years on the commission.

Like you, I believe that sometimes the job of leadership is not to tell the people what they want to hear but in doing what needs to be done, the letter said.

Mitchell was appointed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at the end of his term. She has close ties to Susan McCabe, an influential lobbyist who represents many clients with business before the commission. McCabe has known Mitchell for years and recommended her for the vacancy.

Commissioners are the decision-makers for the powerful land use agency, which oversees development, environmental protection and the use of marine resources along 1,100 miles of California coastline.

Mitchell was one of seven commissioners who voted in February to fire Executive Director Charles Lester, a 24-year veteran of the agency and widely supported by the public, state legislators, commission staff and former commission members. He replaced the late Peter Douglas and served as director for five years.

Mitchell and other panel members accused him of unspecified management issues, leadership problems and a lack of attentiveness to their needs, such as not returning phone calls. They declined to comment in detail because personnel matters are confidential.

Environmentalists, Lester and other supporters of the agency said his termination represented part of a shift by the commission in recent years to be more accommodating to coastal developers and exert tighter control over day-to-day activities of the staff. They also criticized commissioners for a lack of transparency.

Mitchell is the first of many commissioners who will be replaced in the coming year, said Jennifer Savage, the policy manager for the Surfrider Foundation. Its a great opportunity for the appointing authorities to show their commitment to the Coastal Act by the people they choose.

Among those leaving the commission so far are Chairman Steve Kinsey of Marin County and Martha McClure of Del Norte County.

Mitchell could not be reached for comment Friday.

In her letter to Brown, she wrote, Im proud to have served with my fellow commissioners who made tough decisions and did so with the best of intentions, even when it cost them personally and politically, because they believed what they were doing was best for the California Coast.

Mitchell recounted for Brown her past work in public service for Assemblywoman Dede Alpert and state Sen. Denise Moreno Ducheny, a longtime critic of the Coastal Commission. She also has served as chairwoman of the Los Angeles South Valley Area Planning Commission.

Her work involves Planned Parenthood Advocacy Los Angeles, the California League of Conservation Voters, the Los Angeles Business Council and Pacoima Beautiful.

During my work on the commission, Mitchell wrote, I was impressed with the outpouring of public support for the commissions work by those who participated in the process; its very clear to me that Californians love their coastline and want to maintain its pristine beauty while ensuring access for all Californians.
A former Social Security Administration employee pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court Thursday to stealing $5,700 in money orders that the public was trying to repay the agency.

Josue Edgardo Castro admitted to stealing money orders 21 times, beginning in September 2015.

Castro, who worked for Social Security from 2009 until resigning in May 2016 because of the investigation, was tasked with accepting money from beneficiaries whod been overpaid by the agency. He would then smuggle the money orders out of the office and deposit them into his personal checking account, according to his plea agreement.

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Castro also admitted to waiving the outstanding balances of some beneficiaries at least nine times so he could hide that they had tried to repay the agency. His waivers cost Social Security more than $9,000, prosecutors said.

He was caught after one of the beneficiaries complained that her repayment was not reflected in her Social Security account records, the U.S. attorneys office said.

The agency looked into it, saw discrepancies and referred the matter to the Office of Inspector General.

Castro admitted to the thefts when confronted, and he resigned. He pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of theft of public property.

Castro is set to be sentenced April 3. He has agreed to forfeit the money he stole and to repay the money he cost the agency in his efforts to hide his crimes.

There is nothing more important to federal employment than public trust. When that trust is violated, it impacts the entire federal workforce and those they serve, said Robb Stickley, the special agent in charge of Social Securitys San Francisco Field Division, which is responsible for Southern California.

U.S. Atty. Laura Duffy called crimes committed by federal employees some of the most egregious violations of the public trust.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Davis writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Zsa Zsa Gabor was remembered Friday during a funeral Mass for being the epitome of Hollywood glamour, an elegant and attention-seeking actress who paved the way for future generations of celebrities.

About 100 mourners gathered at the picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills to pay respects to Gabor, who died Dec. 18 from a heart attack at age 99.

Elaborate floral arrangements flanked the altar, in which a portrait Gabor painted of one of her horses and a photo of the Hungarian American actress were displayed, emblazoned with the words, Farewell My Love.

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Gabors husband, Frederic von Anhalt, gave a 40-minute eulogy that focused on Gabors thirst for the limelight.

I want to remember the way she walked the red carpet, Von Anhalt said. She loved it so much. Her life was only red carpet, nothing else. He said Gabor would often duck out of events after walking the red carpet because that was the only element in which she was interested.

He also recounted his wifes 1989 arrest and conviction after slapping a Beverly Hills police officer, saying Gabor turned the incident into a publicity device and a template for future generations of troubled starlets.

He said his wifes name will live on forever, in part thanks to her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

She will never be forgotten because she has her Hollywood star, Von Anhalt said. It will always be Zsa Zsa Gabor. It will never end.

Von Anhalt pulled a magazine from a Louis Vuitton dog bag and spoke about the first cover story featuring them as a couple, and also displayed what he said was her favorite pink pillow from Munich.

At the end of the eulogy, he placed a gold box containing Gabors ashes into the bag to take them to a private ceremony at the nearby Westwood Village Park Memorial Cemetery. It is the final resting place of many stars, including Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, Roy Orbison and Gabors sister, Eva. Von Anhalt said after the service that Gabor wont be interred there, but rather with her father in Budapest, Hungary.

He interrupted the closing procession and singing of May Choirs of Angels to draw mourners attention to a painting of Gabors horse.

A priest contrasted Gabors public persona with her private life. She epitomized and personified Hollywood glamour, Father Edward Benioff said. She could write. She could act. She had many, many talents.

He said Gabor, who was known for conspicuously flaunting her wealth, also quietly gave to numerous charities, including those supporting the homeless and animals. What a lot of people dont about is Zsa Zsa had a very sensitive side, a very compassionate side, Benioff said.

Long before reality television minted stars for their behavior, Gabor was famous for being famous, despite appearing in several movies, including Moulin Rouge and Orson Welles Touch of Evil.

In the 1940s, Gabor began her ascent from beauty queen to millionaires wife to minor television personality to minor film actress to major public character. Decked out in diamonds and lavish clothes, she joked often about the droll burdens of wealth and her ability to attract men.

She and her family, including sisters Eva and Magda, immigrated to America around World War II and she married Conrad Hilton in 1942. They had one child together, Francesca, who died last year.

Gabor married nine times, although one shipboard ceremony was had questionable legality and was quickly annulled. In 1986 she married Von Anhalt, who along with a team of nurses cared for her in their Bel Air home in recent years.

Von Anhalt continued to throw her lavish birthday celebrations even after she could no longer attend, and reported her maladies to the media.

He urged mourners to remember Gabor for her glamorous days.

Keep her in your heart, the way she was, Von Anhalt said. The way she was in Hollywood.

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Throughout his campaign for president, Donald Trump painted a gloomy picture of the American economy, scoffing at employment data that he said masked the truth.

Our jobs are being stolen like candy from a baby, the Republican said at an election-day rally in Michigan, lamenting how he saw global competitors like China outmaneuvering the U.S. economically. They take our money. They take our jobs. They build their plants. They build their factories. We end up with unemployment and drugs.

But his stunning election win seemed to change his  and to some extent the publics  outlook. The media-conscious president-elect has quickly adopted a role as the greatest cheerleader for an economy that was already on the rebound.

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The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index for December surged nearly four points, Trump crowed in a tweet this week, noting in all caps that it reached a 15-year high. He added, with characteristic immodesty: Thanks Donald!

Donning the mantle of economic optimist is a time-honored tradition for presidents, who are seen as perhaps the most singularly influential person over the economy. Trumps outlook, however, is notable for the reversal from the campaign and for his promotion of the unproven assertion that he himself is having a positive influence on the economy, even before he takes office.

Its clear that theres been a bounce in sentiment since the election, said Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moodys Analytics. Now, is that because he won the election or just because people are happy the elections over? Thats impossible to know.

The statistics Trump touts fit well into his view of a world divided into whos up and whos down, winners and losers. In place of the daily trickle of state and national political polls that dominated his campaign remarks, he has turned to the Consumer Confidence Index as well as the daily stock market closings for what he sees as his successes.

Like he did with polls, Trump has cherry-picked economic data. The Consumer Confidence Index did not suddenly rise after Trumps election; it has, like other indicators, trended upward since bottoming out shortly after the 2008 economic collapse. Its first major spike came shortly after the inauguration of President Obama, and saw a similar uptick after his reelection in 2012.

Additionally, it is a volatile index, subject to negative pressure from political circumstance as well  most notably a 2011 battle over raising the nations debt limit that pushed the country to the brink of a historic default.

And another key part of his economic message, the touting of new jobs as if he were singularly responsible for their creation, ignores that they usually resulted instead from efforts already underway. On Wednesday, he trumpeted news that telecom company Sprint and technology start-up OneWeb would hire a total of 8,000 workers in the U.S.  calling it very good news for the economy.

But OneWeb, which is building a network of satellites to deliver high-speed Internet access, said nine days earlier that it expected to create nearly 3,000 jobs in the U.S. over the next four years after securing $1.2 billion in funding, mostly from Japans SoftBank Group Corp. And the head of SoftBank, which owns Sprint, had said on Dec. 6 that the company had agreed to invest $50 billion in the U.S. and create 50,000 jobs here.

Earlier, Trump assumed credit for Carrier Corp.s decision to keep a portion of its workforce in the state in return for state economic incentives and an agreement to hold off on potential new import tariffs on its goods. The chief executive of Carriers parent company, United Technologies, said conversations with Trump had helped spur the deal.

At an event in Iowa this month during his a thank-you tour, Trump touted the Carrier deal and said hes been calling chief executives of other companies who have planned to outsource jobs.

Weve had great success. Youll be seeing a lot more success, he told the crowd.

But by tying himself so closely to any economic good news, Trump risks bearing the blame for any downturn.

Frank Luntz, a Republican pollster who has conducted numerous surveys and focus groups since the election, said he has been struck by the changing attitude of Trump voters toward the economy.

If you were a Trump voter, you really felt America was going to hell, and you were very skeptical that anything could be done to stop it, he said. Youre still skeptical now. But you believe that things have begun to turn around. Its like the rainbow after the storm. Everythings still wet. But you know that something betters coming.

That puts pressure on Trump ultimately to deliver tangible results, Luntz added, but he says his supporters likely will give him time.

I dont want to give the impression that they think happy days are here again. Because they dont, he said. But they think now that someone is listening.

Trumps boosterism is a marked contrast with Obamas more theoretical and analytical approach, said Matt McDonald, a partner at Hamilton Place Strategies and a Republican strategist.

The working-class voters who rallied behind him, this is what they want to see, he said. They want to see someone fighting not for a good policy environment where business can create jobs; they wanted someone fighting for their job at their factory more concretely.

Trumps cheerleading may be prompting some consternation in the White House, where officials have long worked to claim credit themselves for a slow and steady recovery since the Great Recession, which bottomed out early during Obamas tenure.

Rather than a 140-character tweet, the president delivered his assessment in a letter to Congress delivering the nearly 600-page annual report of his Council of Economic Advisers.

Our economic progress over the past eight years has been nothing short of remarkable, Obama wrote.

The report touted a turnaround from monthly job losses of 800,000 to what the administration regularly notes is a record streak of job creation, with 15.5 million jobs added since 2009.

Its all too easy to, in retrospect, see that as something inevitable and natural that just happened, but it was anything but, Jason Furman, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, told reporters this month.

Furman also suggested that consumer confidence was a lagging indicator.

People are essentially voting when they go into a store or when they decide whether to buy a house, and theyre voting yes and voting their confidence in the economy, he said.

Some of Obamas efforts to tout economic successes backfired. In June 2010, Vice President Joe Biden heralded the start of Recovery Summer as infrastructure projects authorized by the 2009 stimulus were set to accelerate. The moniker was ridiculed by Republicans as the unemployment rate still hovered around 9.5%.

One of the biggest communications challenges of the entire Obama administration was balancing the glimmers of good news with the hard economic reality the American people have felt, said Bill Burton, a former Obama White House spokesman.

Trump is all but certain to encounter a similar challenge, he warned.

Trumps electoral strength came from voters who supported President Obama but believed that Trump was better equipped than Hillary Clinton to better their economic fortunes. If he loses credibility on that front because he only tweets about small victories and doesnt achieve real economic gains, he is going to have a hard time putting together the same coalition of voters in 2020, Burton said.

Zandi said that frustration from Obamas team would be justified.

When economists look back at this period 20, 30, 40 years from now, theyre going to get a lot of credit for it, because data doesnt lie, he said. But 20, 30, 40 years from now is a long time.

Times staff writer Jim Puzzanghera contributed to this report.

michael.memoli@latimes.com

For more White House coverage, follow @mikememoli on Twitter.

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Welcome to the final weekend of the year, in fact the last day of 2016  a year that for many, could not end soon enough. It has been, however, a pretty great year if youre prone to stress eating. Weve seen some terrific new restaurants and some remarkable cuisine  on restaurant tables and in home kitchens, as well as the 100-plus restaurants on Jonathan Golds annual list.

For his last review of the year, our restaurant critic went to the San Gabriel Valley, not unfamiliar territory, where he found some very enjoyable Sichuan dishes. Not a bad way to gear up for next months Chinese New Year celebration. As for tonights New Years Eve party, we have a story about sparkling wines  also not unfamiliar territory  in the form of a kind of suggestion list from area wine experts. And in more news, we have stories about a new restaurant in Koreatown and a new part of the city to head to for craft beer. Happy new year indeed.

 Amy Scattergood

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More fun with Sichuan food

This week, Jonathan heads to Alhambra to review the Legendary Restaurant, a newish Sichuan place that excels in what he calls mannerist cooking. So: slices of pork belly hanging on what looks like a towel rack made for the Borrowers, and rice cakes served skewered onto the antlers of a small bronze deer. And chiles  so many chiles.

For dessert, consider the fried rice cakes with black sugar, served dramatically on the antlers of a bronze deer. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times )

New Years Eve bubbly

Tonight marks the end of 2016, which for many of us means not a few bottles of sparkling wine of one kind or another. To help us out some, wine writer Patrick Comiskey polled four local sommeliers to find out what kind of bottles theyd suggest. So if you havent stocked up yet, you have a few more hours to pick up some bottles of Champagne, Prosecco, sparkling Chenin Blanc, sparkling rose, etc.

The best Champagne and sparkling wines for New Years Eve recommended by L.A. sommeliers. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times )

Another reason to head to KTown

If you spend much time in L.A.s Koreatown neighborhood, youve likely been to the barbecue specialist Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong. The folks behind that and Quarters, another popular KTown restaurant, have recently opened Terra Cotta, which is neither a pottery store nor a barbecue joint. Deputy Food editor Jenn Harris considers whats on the menu: spatchcock chicken, crudo  and a cocktail based on the Netflix series Stranger Things.

Your beer crawl extends to Hawthorne

Beer writer John Verive checks out Los Angeles Ale Works, a brewery and tasting room opening in January that will be the first in the city of Hawthorne, and assuredly not the last. This means that local beer geeks have a place to stop between the area around Los Angeles International Airport and Torrance  both great places to drink craft beer  like hophead versions of John Cheevers Neddy Merrill. (Probably way more fun with beer in L.A. than gin in Westchester County.)

Love robots as much as you love our resident restaurant critic? Of course you do. Now you can have both, thanks to Goldbot.

Jonathan Golds 101 Best Restaurants, the authoritative annual guide to local dining, is online for subscribers and now features his 2016 Best Restaurants. If you didnt get a copy of the booklet, you can order one online here.

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Municipal water agencies deny that the sole purpose of tiered pricing  in which users pay more per gallon as they use more gallons  is to encourage conservation, but such rate structures just happen to provide fair and sensible incentives for Californians to use their most precious public resource wisely and with respect for its scarcity. Thats especially important during a time of drought. Tiered pricing is an imperfect but useful tool that attempts to reconcile the states irreconcilable philosophies about what water is, who owns it, and how much it ought to cost.

But tiered pricing may run counter to another California phenomenon: the tax revolt. San Juan Capistrano water ratepayers won a lawsuit challenging their citys tiered pricing structure after a court ruled that it violated Proposition 218, a 1996 tax-limiting ballot measure that has been interpreted to bar government from charging more for a service than the cost of delivering it. The ruling was upheld on appeal in 2015 and the city opted to pay refunds to its guzzlers rather than take the case to the state Supreme Court. Tiered pricing nevertheless has remained the norm around the state because most agencies say they can do a much better job than San Juan Capistrano did of justifying their rates.

Now homeowners in the San Mateo County city of Hillsborough have sued over not just their tiered rates but any fines imposed for alleged waste. Hillsborough buys its water from San Francisco at a set per-unit rate, so the plaintiffs  as reported in the San Francisco Chronicle  argue that they should likewise pay no more than a single rate per gallon, no matter how many gallons they use. And they argue that the penalties for overuse are actually excessive fees for service, and are therefore improper taxes under Proposition 218.

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The lawsuit is in its early stages and may well be resolved before it has a chance to make its way through the court system, letting municipal water managers breathe a sigh of relief and press on with their tiered pricing on the argument that those systems adequately reflect the real cost of delivering water.

In a way, though, that would be a shame. California needs some resolution from the Supreme Court on the question of whether a pricing structure that discourages excessive household and landscape water use really does amount to an improper tax under Proposition 218.

The ballot measure applies to government services, like trash collection and police protection. Water delivery is certainly a service. But the water itself is a tangible good and as such its at least a little like other goods whose prices are set by the market.

Consider petroleum, for example. It is a natural resource like water, yet Californians lack the constitutional rights in it that they have in the states water, and as a purely private commodity it is not subject to Proposition 218. When fuel supplies shrink, prices rise accordingly  for the first gallon as well as the last. Government doesnt mandate lower prices for the first few gallons, nor does it require premiums as the tank fills, in order to provide buyers an incentive to conserve. If there is a shortage, the rich can drive more and the poor, perhaps, not at all.

Free market advocates argue that such a system could work for water. After all, privatization of the water supply would erase the Proposition 218 problem.

But we cant leave municipal water ratepayers solely to the market as we do with drivers and gasoline. Water is less like petroleum, which is valuable but optional, than it is like air  indispensable for human life, health and safety.

Without some measure of thoughtful regulation  and tiered pricing is the best method that comes to mind  some less-affluent Californians would be forced to do without water while owners of big lawns in Hillsborough, San Juan Capistrano and anywhere else in the state would have no incentive to avoid exhausting the supply.

The irony inherent in the Proposition 218 challenge to tiered rates is that it would make government, which is uniquely charged under the state constitution with managing water as a scarce resource, also uniquely unable to give users incentives to conserve. At some point, something  whether it is Proposition 218, the constitutions protection of water as a public resource, or the water supply itself  has got to give.

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Editorial boards by nature focus on wishes  what we wish would be done, what we wish had been done differently and, as often as not, what we wish hadnt been done at all. Here, at the dawn of what is shaping up to be a challenging new year  to say the least  its clear that the wishes The Times Editorial Board set out a year ago for 2016 were mostly an exercise in futility.

Among the dashed hopes we articulated last January: comprehensive immigration reform; a congressionally approved authorization for use of military force against Islamic State to allow for a stronger, more concerted effort to drive the terror group out of Iraq and Syria; a more elevated political discourse during the presidential election; and an end to the scapegoating of Muslims for the terror acts of extremists.

Some things we hoped for did come to pass. Los Angeles voters approved a $1.2-billion bond measure to provide housing for the chronically homeless, part of a belated movement by city and county officials to take meaningful steps to address the crisis. And Californians continue (mostly) to take water conservation seriously, so there was that small silver lining.

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[Were] at the dawn of what is shaping up to be a challenging new year  to say the least.

With that behind us, here is our annual wish list for 2017, beginning with our heartfelt hope that President-elect Donald J. Trump surprises the world and behaves not only presidentially, but in the best interests of the nation. Remember: These are wishes, not predictions.

In no particular order, we fervently wish for:

 An end to the war in Syria and to the suffering of millions of displaced Syrians, and the collapse of the brutal Islamic State army with as little further bloodshed as possible.

 Recognition by Trump that real presidents dont tweet diatribes that are hastily conceived, reckless, petty or misspelled.

 A continuation of our ample December rains into January, February and March (but without flash floods and landslides).

 The selection of Los Angeles for the 2024 summer Olympic games by the International Olympic Committee  along with credible guarantees that taxpayers wont have to pay for any shortfalls.

 Involvement by more people  especially women and minorities  in politics, at the local, state and federal level.

 A ninth justice for the short-handed U.S. Supreme Court  who should be competent, well-qualified and respected and who should be approved by the Senate without the partisan polarization that denied a seat to President Obamas deserving nominee, Merrick Garland.

 An end to deadly attacks on police officers, and police shootings of unarmed suspects.

 A decision by all 100 U.S. senators to put country before party and to subject Trumps Cabinet nominees to searching scrutiny. Loyalty to the president isnt a sufficient qualification to run a government department; he or she also must be prepared to enforce laws enacted by Congress.

 Continued leadership by California in the fight against global warming, especially as climate-change skeptics take key roles in the Trump administration.

 A constitutional amendment to abolish the anachronistic electoral college and provide for the election of the president by a national popular vote.

 A narrowing of the social and political divisions exposed and exacerbated in the 2016 presidential campaign, and a national discourse in which facts become less malleable things.

 A firm stand by California against efforts by the Trump administration to waste taxpayer resources by deporting millions of immigrants living in the country without authorization  including young people brought to this country as children through no choice of their own and others who have not committed crimes.

 A push to reform the money bail system so that people accused of crimes are jailed or released based on the risks they pose rather than their ability to pay.

 A national movement to follow Californias lead and ban single-use plastic bags  the plastic bag industrys biggest fear.

 A renewed dedication by colleges and universities to the principle of open debate, even though some speech makes some students uncomfortable. Harassment and intimidation shouldnt be tolerated, but students are not entitled to a safe space to protect them from ideas and discussion.

 A retooling of Los Angeles Countys civil service system so that it no longer returns lying sheriffs deputies and probation officers to duty.

 A continued commitment to the spirit of criminal justice reform that has prevailed in California over the last three years.

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Can Congress stop harassing Planned Parenthood? That would be my wish for the new year. Unfortunately, the harassment may increase in a Trump administration. But it doesnt have to. It is within President-elect Donald Trumps power to put a stop to it.

Past congressional attempts to defund Planned Parenthood have failed because President Obama has vetoed them. This is all part of a congressional effort to punish the healthcare provider for also providing legal abortions. Of course, no federal funds that Planned Parenthood receives go to abortion, anyway. By law, no federal money can be spent on abortion. (Which is unfair  but thats another story.)

What Congress would essentially be doing by defunding Planned Parenthood is depriving millions of Americans  many lower-income  of health services (that have nothing to do with abortion.) Across the country, Planned Parenthood health centers provide a vast array of medical services to women as well as men cancer screenings, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, family planning and contraception.

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Overall, Planned Parenthood health centers serve 2.5-million patients each year. Many of these clients are low income and on Medicaid. Planned Parenthood is a certified Medicaid provider. In the state of California, alone, Planned Parenthood gets nearly 1.5-million patient visits each year. In terms of funding, that amounted to $260 million of federal reimbursements this past year in California.

Currently, Planned Parenthood clinics have the resources to see patients and provide services quickly. Getting an appointment at other private clinics that are Medicaid providers in underserved areas can take weeks.

The positions of Vice President-elect Mike Pence (the governor of Indiana) and U.S. Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), the nominee for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, are well-known. They are both against abortion rights and have both voted to defund Planned Parenthood.

Less clear is how President-elect Trump will view efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. I would urge him to make a distinction between Planned Parenthood, the abortion provider, and Planned Parenthood, the health services provider. Planned Parenthood has been nothing less than a lifeline and safety net for people seeking crucial, noncontroversial healthcare across the country. The government should not that take that care away from millions of people. If Trump cares as deeply as he says he does about working-class Americans, then he should not take away one vital source of their healthcare.

carla.hall@latimes.com

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To the editor: Childrens safety in public parks is not a trivial issue, yet Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch OFarrells proposal to prevent creepy activity by prohibiting adults unaccompanied by children from entering playgrounds is over the top. Imagine a park sign reading, No dogs or adults unaccompanied by a child allowed. (L.A.'s proposed ban on single adults near playgrounds is fear-based policy making at its worst, editorial, Dec. 27)

Frightening or obnoxious behavior is a public park is a serious situation and requires serious, realistic attention, perhaps starting with improved police attention and especially attentive parents. Parks are there for everyone, and they are often used by workers who need some quiet time outside the office or by delivery truck drivers on a lunch break.

People ought to be able to enjoy the park because it is there.

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Harvey Barkan, Studio City

..

To the editor: The proposed playground ban of adults without children is wrong, as your editorial points out without real emphasis of the main point: It is a breach of freedom.

Homeless people (as they are called) are allowed to intrude on public property where some of them commit all sorts of wrongdoing and crimes including unsanitary activities, but a park visitor just hanging around might get cited?

I hike in Griffith Park. Sometimes, if I am near a playground, I take a break and watch the children play. So do other grownups. I am a retired lawyer with two grown daughters. If and when I am cited, the next step will be court.

Michael H. Miller, Los Angeles

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To the editor: It would seem that Justin Raimondo suffers from the polar affliction TAS, or Trump Apology Syndrome. (Do you suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome?, Dec. 27)

The many cases I have seen over the last six months seem to be primarily delusional in nature, characterized by a complete and utter inability to recognize statements made by President-elect Donald Trump for what they are. Many of those who voted for Trump did so based upon his ability to say what he means, except now it seems no one wants to admit the he means what he says.

The primary and secondary stages of TAS, while not generally dangerous, can be extremely annoying. Later stages, however, are thought to be fatal to the general health and well-being of the country and its political system.

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When coming in contact with anyone who is in the throes of TAS, it is best not to excite them too much; under no circumstances should you cite facts or statistics, and please do not quote Trump in the presence of the patient.

Thomas Sexton, Huntington Beach

..

To the editor: This is how it begins, with an article ridiculing legitimate criticism by calling critics of Trump deranged.

It is not deranged for people who know about nuclear policy to express concern when a future president tweets casually about nuclear weapons. It is not deranged for people who know history to point out that private security, once known as praetorian guards, became the enforcers for the Caesars who destroyed the Roman Republic.

Most disturbing is calling Rep Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), the highly respected ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, TDS-riddled because he believes the evidence on Russian hacking presented by our intelligence agencies. While he is in a position to know about the intelligence, he is also limited in his ability to communicate about it because he cannot reveal everything he knows.

Raimondos piece seems intended to quash discussion, as is typical of authoritarian rulers and their followers.

Catherine Burke, San Gabriel

..

To the editor: Arguing that those Americans who vociferously oppose Trumps misogyny, racism, xenophobia and mocking of the disabled are deranged is nothing compared to those truly deranged individuals who, for almost 25 years, have perpetrated a relentless and crazed vilification of Hillary Clinton.

Sounds to me like Raimondo is attempting to normalize Trump.

Donald Bentley, La Puente

..

To the editor: When I read the headline for the op-ed article by Raimondo, I was hoping to find an understanding of Trump tweets like this one: The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes.

Instead, I found that I am to understand that it is not Trump but the rest of the world that is deranged, including, presumably, U.S. presidents from Ronald Reagan on who have worked to reduce the numbers of nuclear warheads.

Paul Somerville, La Canada Flintridge

..

To the editor: Raimondos mocking characterization of the real concerns his so-called TDS sufferers have is best summed up by a quote from our even-tempered, mature, tolerant and always eloquent president-elect: Sad!

Ona Russell, Solana Beach

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Good morning. Im Paul Thornton, The Times letters editor, and it is Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016. No doubt some dismayed readers have been waiting for this day since, oh, early November. With that in mind, lets take a look back at the final week in Opinion for 2016.

If you think murderous civil wars, rising global xenophobia and a conspicuously high number of deaths among beloved artists and entertainers are all good things, then you surely delight in the prospect of the good times continuing to roll in 2017.

But for those of us unnerved by the election of an unprepared authoritarian as president, the refugee crisis in the Mideast and Europe and democracies becoming a little less democratic throughout the world, theres no comfort knowing that the clock striking midnight on Sunday will do nothing to arrest the momentum of our annus horribilis. Writing on The Times op-ed page, Opinion contributor Ann Friedman talks some sense into the optimists holding out for a better 2017:

The things that made the year so difficult  war, economic inequality, broken democracies, entrenched racism and sexism  are not going away. Important artists and cultural figures are going to die in 2017. Openly racist politicians with autocratic tendencies will be elected in 2017. Economies will collapse in 2017. Unarmed black people will be killed by police in 2017. Civilians will die in senseless wars in 2017, and many others will become refugees. This is only cause for despair if were willing to sit idly by. Most of us have the ability to work against the forces that made this year so terrible (with the exception of human mortality, of course). We can support electoral reform efforts and opposition candidates. We can turn up in the streets to demand that our leaders protect Medicare and respect civil rights and hold police accountable. We can support organizations working to counteract the negative effects of civil wars and forced migration. Action will require a shift in perspective. As consumers of news and social media, its easy to feel we are passively watching an endless number of heart-rending and blood-boiling stories unfold. The worst year ever frame encourages the view that we are powerless to change the headlines we read. But if we can start thinking of ourselves as agents rather than mere observers  as people who have an important role to play in changing the circumstances that currently bring us despair  the parade of negative news becomes a call to action. These compounding events are, in fact, a to-do list for the coming months. The past is never dead, as the oft-misquoted William Faulkner line goes. It isnt even past. This is acutely true in the waning days of 2016. While it might be an exhausting truth to recall on New Years Eve, when wed rather sip bubbly wine and toast to a fresh start, next year wont be an improvement simply because its a new calendar year. If we want 2017 to be better, we have to work to make it so.  Click here to read more.

She didnt think shed live to see 2017. Melinda Welsh put up her holiday decorations last year for what she thought was the final time, having recently been diagnosed with a form of cancer that likely was to be fatal within a year. But cutting-edge immunotherapy has given her time she thought shed never have: When my husband and I celebrate New Years Day 2017, I know there will be a depth of joy present no matter what happened before or happens after. Well recognize the experience for what it is  a gift of bonus time, an argument for being happy now. L.A. Times

Californias a great place to spend 2017. Starting Jan. 1, our state will raise the minimum wage, establish equal pay for equal work, keep a more watchful eye on Uber and Lyft drivers, make it easier for sexual assault victims to report crimes, enforce stricter gun control and enact a host of other laws that will make California more Eden-like for liberals. Does it sound like I have a crush? I think I have a crush, writes Kara Brown. Jezebel

Pantsuit Nation squandered a golden opportunity. The 4-million member secret Facebook group for eager Hillary Clinton supporters could be a powerful force for opposing Donald Trump. But with the group founders announcement that she would compile some of the stories shared among group members into a snuggle-in-bed-able book, Pantsuit Nation has shown it never was a true movement but an online kaffeeklatsch, writes Karin Klein. L.A. Times

Ivanka Trump wont save us. Shes everything her president-elect father is not: smooth, articulate, composed and respectful of women and scientists who say Earth is warming at an alarming rate. Dont be fooled, writes James Kirchick: This is a trap. Ivanka is nothing more than pretty window dressing to the explicitly authoritarian, racially divisive, conflict-of-interest-laden presidential campaign (soon-to-be administration) of her father. L.A. Times

L.A.s proposed ban on solo adults in park playgrounds is over the top. Councilman Mitch OFarrell wants to cut down on creepy activity around children at L.A. parks, but the way he proposes to do it  by prohibiting adults unaccompanied by kids from entering playgrounds  is all wrong, writes The Times editorial board: Why should the city assume that every adult without a child is a pedophile? That makes a childless adult a criminal just for being in a particular public space. L.A. Times

Reach me: paul.thornton@latimes.com
Gov. Jerry Brown had to pick an attorney general faster than he expected

(Susan Walsh / Associated Press)

The phone call that Gov. Jerry Brown made on Wednesday night was unusual. A governor who marches to his own methodical timetable for decisions was having his hand forced by the politics of Capitol Hill, and the job of California attorney general hung in the balance.

In the end, Brown got the man he wanted: Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles). But it was Becerras effort to make a big career move that complicated things.

In interviews with advisers to the governor and those close to Becerra, a portrait emerged of two veteran politicians who have mutual admiration but dont really know each other very well. In fact, the 12-term congressman plans to spend part of this weekend meeting with Brown in Sacramento.

It was Becerras angling for an unexpectedly open high-profile post leading Democrats on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee that sparked the circumspect governor into action.

Nancy McFadden, the governors top staffer, decided she did not want to be attorney general. (Robert Durell / For The Times)

In Sacramento, those close to the governor said that the list of potential replacements for Kamala Harris was short, much shorter than the ones circulated by political watchers. Advisers confirmed that either First Lady Anne Gust Brown or the governors top aide, Nancy McFadden, could have had the job if they had wanted it.

Neither did, perhaps knowing the importance being placed on picking someone who would be willing to run for a full term in the job in 2018 (though Becerra declined to talk about future plans when asked on Thursday).

Becerra, on the other hand, intrigued the governor. Not only did he have the right credentials -- a former deputy attorney general, former state legislator, veteran member of Congress -- but advisers said the governor also valued diversity. And the chance to select the states first Latino attorney general was important.

While few jobs are as important to Brown, himself a former attorney general, the leading contender never came in for an in-person interview. Becerra, who grew up in Sacramento, had been in town just before election day to stump for the reelection of Rep. Ami Bera (D-Elk Grove). He met with McFadden on that visit, but not the governor.

And so the two men, who had no deep personal relationship, made the big decision long distance.

When they talked, McFadden said in an interview, the man matched the resume.

Becerra had been looking for somewhere to land. Out of places to move in House leadership and nearing the limit on how much longer he could lead the House Democratic Caucus, the vocal advocate for Hillary Clinton had spent the last year campaigning for her across the country with hopes it might lead to a new position.

Clintons loss Nov. 8 put an end to that speculation, and for a while Becerras next move didnt seem clear.

Surprise news Tuesday afternoon that the ranking Democrat on Ways and Means, Rep. Sandy Levin (D-Mich.) would not seek the position again led Beccera to quickly announce his plans to seek the position and lobby colleagues to back him. Levin quickly endorsed Becerra over Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Richie Neal, who had sought the job before.

Word of Becerras effort quickly reached the state Capitol and the governors inner circle sprang into action. Perhaps fewer than a half dozen people knew of Browns decision until news began to spread early Thursday morning.

Becerra called the offer sudden and said with Congress in session he hadnt even had a chance to talk with Brown about the job in person.

It went very quickly when it started to move, he said. I was as stunned as you probably were and others were.
Malicious software tied to Russian intelligence agencies has been found on a computer of a small electric utility in northern Vermont, raising concerns of Russian attempts to interfere with critical infrastructure as well as the 2016 presidential race.

The laptop computer was not connected to the electric system, and the malware did not disrupt electric grid operations or compromise customer data, according to the Burlington Electric Department and a U.S. law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity.

The disclosure comes amid rising tensions with Russia over U.S. charges that Russias two largest intelligence agencies, known as the GRU and the FSB, conducted an aggressive campaign of cyberattacks that U.S. officials code-named Grizzly Steppe.

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On Thursday, President Obama ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats from Washington and San Francisco, closed two Russian luxury compounds in Maryland and New York, and imposed sanctions on the GRU and the FSB.

Burlington Electric, a municipally owned utility that serves about 20,000 customers, said late Friday that it found the malware after the Department of Homeland Security issued an alert as part of the Obama administrations actions.

The DHS alert detailed technical aspects of the Grizzly Steppe attacks, which it said were aimed at the U.S. election, as well as a range of U.S. government, political, and private sector entities.

Federal authorities shared the malware code with executives from 16 major sectors of the U.S. economy, including the financial, utility and transportation industries, officials said.

Mike Kanarick, a Burlington Electric spokesman, said the utility scanned all the computers in its system for the malware signature.

We detected the malware in a single Burlington Electric Department laptop not connected to our organizations grid systems, Kanarick said in a statement. We took immediate action to isolate the laptop and alerted federal officials of this finding. Our team is working with federal officials to trace this malware and prevent any other attempts to infiltrate utility systems.

It wasnt clear whether the small utility was specifically targeted or why, or when the laptop was compromised. Authorities believe the hackers may be seeking to identify and penetrate vulnerabilities in the U.S. electric grid, perhaps by using small rural utilities.

Vermonts elected officials reacted with alarm to the cyberattack.

Gov. Peter Shumlin, a Democrat, urged federal authorities to launch an aggressive investigation. He also rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Vermonters and all Americans should be both alarmed and outraged that one of the worlds leading thugs, Vladimir Putin, has been attempting to hack our electric grid, which we rely upon to support our quality of life, economy, health and safety, Shumlin said in a statement.

Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) said Vermont State Police briefed him Friday evening on the attempts to penetrate the electric grid.

This is beyond hackers having electronic joy rides  this is now about trying to access utilities to potentially manipulate the grid and shut it down in the middle of winter, Leahy said in a statement. That is a direct threat to Vermont and we do not take it lightly.

President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to improve relations with Russia, on Friday applauded Putins decision not to directly retaliate against new U.S. sanctions by expelling American diplomats.

I always knew he was very smart! Trump tweeted.

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del.wilber@latimes.com

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President-elect Donald Trump will take office with a chance to fill more than 100 seats on the federal courts, thanks mostly to an extraordinary two-year slowdown in judicial confirmations engineered by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

Since Republicans took control of the Senate at the beginning of the 114th Congress last year, senators have voted to confirm only 22 of President Obamas judicial nominees. Thats the lowest total since 1951-52, in the final years of Harry Trumans presidency.

By contrast, when Democrats controlled the Senate in the last two years of George W. Bushs presidency, 68 of his judicial nominees were confirmed.

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More than twice as many vacancies, 107, exist on federal benches than when Bush left office.

In total, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts counts 890 slots for full-time federal judges. Federal district courts have 84 vacancies, and the regional circuit courts of appeal have another 14. The specialized appeals courts for international trade and federal claims have eight vacant seats. The 107th vacancy is the best-known: the Supreme Court seat of the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

The vacancies reflect a long-term goal of McConnell and other leading Republicans to tilt the court system toward conservatives.

There was an almost total breakdown of confirmations once the Republicans took control of the Senate, said Russell Wheeler of the Brookings Institution, who closely tracks federal judges.

Once Trump takes office, the GOP has perhaps its best chance yet to reach its goal.

Wheeler said Democratic appointees now account for 51% of the judges on the district and appellate courts, reflecting the selections of Obama and President Clinton. But, he said, Trump could tilt the majority back to Republicans within four years aided by both retirements and the unusual number of vacancies.

Senate Republicans defend the high number of vacancies by pointing to the total appointments made during Obamas presidency. Over his eight years, Obama appointed 329 judges to the federal courts, slightly more than the 326 appointments made by President George W. Bush.

For the 4th time, the Electoral College picks the loser of the popular vote. 

Neither did as well as the two-term presidents who preceded them. President Reagan appointed 384 judges in total, while Clinton named 379. Reagans picks included three new Supreme Court justices, including Scalia; Clinton, Bush and Obama each made two appointments to the Supreme Court.

Beginning with the Reagan era in the 1980s, liberal activists focused on the courts and urged the Senate to block judicial nominees who were seen as too conservative. They succeeded in defeating Judge Robert Bork for the Supreme Court in 1987, a year after blocking a federal judgeship for Jeff Sessions of Alabama. Sessions later was elected to the Senate, and now is set to become the U.S. attorney general under Trump.

President George H.W. Bushs second Supreme Court nominee, Clarence Thomas, survived a fierce battle to win confirmation on a 52-48 vote in 1991, while several of George W. Bushs lower courts nominees were filibustered for a time by Senate Democrats. They included Judge William Pryor, an Alabama protege of Sessions who is now a leading candidate for the vacant Supreme Court seat.

For their part, conservative activists have attacked nominees of Clinton and Obama as too liberal, but Republicans have mostly avoided pitched battles. Rather, they have used low-key tactics of delay and refusals to allow floor votes, even when Democrats held the majority in the Senate. Because it takes 60 votes in the 100-member Senate to cut off debate and hold a final vote, the minority party could block the presidents nominees, even if they had majority support.

In frustration, Senate Democrats in 2013 used their majority to change the rules and abolish the filibuster option for lower-court judges. This cleared the way for dozens of Obamas stalled nominees to be confirmed, including three new judges for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

But that gambit came with a price. When McConnell and the Republicans took control in 2015, they said they saw no need to move forward with judicial nominees, since Obama was then well ahead of the pace set under President Bush.

And when Trump sends up his nominees for the vacant lower-court positions, the minority Democrats will not be able to block a vote on their confirmation.

david.savage@latimes.com

On Twitter: DavidGSavage

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Sutter Brown, the charismatic corgi who seemed to soften the rough edges of Gov. Jerry Brown and in the process became a social media sensation as Californias first dog, died Friday after an illness that sparked a bipartisan outpouring of support.

The 13-year-old dog, the older of two canines belonging to the governor and First Lady Anne Gust Brown, had emergency surgery in October to remove some cancerous masses. News of the dogs prognosis traveled quickly through political circles, but his condition improved and he returned home.

Sutter was last seen in public on election day, accompanying the governor to vote at his Sacramento polling place.

In recent days, Sutters health took a turn for the worse, the governors office said. Sutter died with the governor and his wife at his side, and was buried Friday afternoon at his familys Colusa County ranch, according to a statement from the governors deputy press secretary, Deborah Hoffman.

Its a sad day for all who loved Sutter, Hoffman said.

Sutter Brown, the governors beloved Corgi, in the state Capitols main hallway in 2011. (Don Kelsen/Los Angeles Times) (Test)

The pets of politicians often hold a unique place in public life, and perhaps no California governor has more steadily relied on a four-legged family member for companionship and political peacemaking than Brown did with Sutter.

It took a dog to humanize the Capitol, said Jennifer Fearing, a lobbyist for animal rights issues who became one of Sutters unofficial caretakers in Sacramento.

Kathleen Brown, the governors sister and former state treasurer, was Sutters original owner but didnt think her move in 2010 to Chicago would be a good fit for the dog. She left Sutter with her brother just after the 2010 gubernatorial election.

The following February, the Browns officially announced that Sutter was joining the first family. By then, Sutter had already become Browns secret weapon during the tumultuous first months of the new administration.

He warms up the Republicans, Gust Brown told reporters in February 2011.

Gov. Jerry Brown, right, shows off Sutter during a 2012 meeting with Assembly Speaker John Perez (D-Los Angeles), left, and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento). (Rich Predroncelli/Associated Press) (Test)

Sutter, named in honor of the Swiss pioneer John Sutter who played an instrumental role in the Gold Rush era, was not the governors first dog. Dharma, a black Labrador belonging to Brown, died in 2010. At first, the famously finicky politician called the little dog half a rat.

But the dog quickly became a fixture in the lives of Californias most famous power couple. From hiking and running in off hours, to accompanying Brown to the Sacramento County elections office in 2012 to submit voter signatures for the tax increase measure Proposition 30.

Sightings were constantly documented by Sacramento visitors on Facebook and Twitter, with photos often snapped when aides to Brown had been dispatched to walk Sutter around the Capitol as needed.

A dog is an invitation to engage, Fearing said. They are social capital.

Realizing the power of the pets persona, Sutter quickly earned his own Twitter account that for years was filled with a feed of cute photos and quips. The dog now has more than 11,000 followers.

In 2014, Sutter became the star of Browns annual State of the State address, as the governor handed out playing cards with the canines likeness on one side and a chart showing the state budgets boom and bust cycles on the other. They also came with clever quips attributed to Sutter.

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This one says, Bark if you dont like deficits, Brown said to laughter and applause from Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

The Browns added a second corgi to the brood in 2015: Colusa, named in honor of the couples ranch. Both dogs have frequently traveled with the couple to the remote north state destination, where Brown is now building a small home.

But the older Sutter still commanded most of the public attention. After news of the dogs illness became public, Gust Brown tweeted a photo of the governor comforting Sutter at an animal hospital in Sacramento, his fresh stitches visible in the photo.

In Fridays statement, Hoffman noted that Sutters sister  will assume his duties as First Dog.

Fearing, who took Sutter on a 2,500-mile road trip in support of the Proposition 30 tax increase four years ago, said he was always welcomed into communities regardless of his owners political agenda.

If we were all like Sutter, she said, I think politics could be a lot better place.

john.myers@latimes.com

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From the archives: Californias first dog takes Sacramento by storm

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Science never ceases to surprise us. In a year jampacked with discoveries, some of the biggest revelations of 2016 seemed to come from out of the blue.

Just a few weeks in, the astronomer responsible for demoting Pluto to a dwarf planet said there is a ninth planet in the solar system after all  an object about 10 times as massive as Earth that takes up to 20,000 years to orbit the sun.

Soon after, cosmologists announced that their decades-long search for gravity waves had finally paid off, allowing them to confirm a 100-year-old prediction made by none other than Albert Einstein.

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Zika morphed from an obscure virus to an international scourge, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency and sparking a torrent of research on medicines and vaccines that are now in clinical trials.

So perhaps its a bit reckless to make predictions about where science will take us in 2017. Still, we cant help feeling excited about some of the stories we expect in the new year. You can preview them here, then follow them with us at latimes.com/science.

How science will fare under the Trump administration

Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Hershey, Pa. Researchers are urging the president-elect to rely on science as he makes decisions about the countrys future. (Evan Vucci / AP )

Donald Trump wont be sworn in for a few more weeks, but associates of the incoming president have been making moves that have some scientists on edge.

Trumps pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma Atty. Gen. Scott Pruitt, claims that scientists arent sure that global warming is real or that human activities have played a role. In truth, there is an overwhelming consensus among scientists that climate change is occurring, and  that the greenhouse gases emitted by human activities are the primary driver. In addition, managers at the Department of Energy have been asked to identify employees who conducted climate change research, a request likened to a witch hunt.

Plenty of people also are on edge over reports that Trump is considering Silicon Valley investor Jim ONeill to run the Food and Drug Administration. Speaking at a biotechnology conference in 2014, ONeill argued that drug companies should not have to prove that their products are effective in order to win FDA approval  only that they are safe. While such a move would make more medicines available to patients, they wouldnt know  at least at first  whether those medicines actually work.

Thousands of scientists have signed an open letter to Trump (and the incoming Congress) urging the federal government to rely on science as a key input for crafting public policy. If budget cuts or industry influence prevent scientists from doing their work, children will be more vulnerable to lead poisoning, more people will be exposed to unsafe drugs and medical devices, and we will be less prepared to limit the impacts of increasing extreme weather and rising seas.

 Karen Kaplan

The great American eclipse

On Aug. 21, a total eclipse of the sun will be visible from the continental United States for the first time in 38 years, and for sky watchers and scientists alike, its going to be a VERY. BIG. DEAL.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the Earth and the sun so that it appears to completely block the shining disk of our life-giving star. The phenomenon itself is not especially rare  it happens about once every 18 months  but total eclipses are visible only from small swaths of the planet at a time. Because most of the Earth is covered in ocean, hard-core eclipse chasers often find themselves heading to remote islands to catch a glimpse of the celestial event.

But not this year. The 2017 eclipses narrow path of totality cuts across the United States, beginning in Salem, Ore., and ending in Charleston, S.C., making it just a one- or two-day drive for hundreds of millions of Americans. Because of this accessibility, it promises to be the most-viewed and photographed eclipse of all time.

For scientists, the eclipse offers an opportunity to study the suns atmosphere, which usually is blocked by the bright light coming from the sun itself. NASA already is gearing up to observe the eclipse with at least half a dozen instruments  high-altitude weather balloons included.

 Deborah Netburn

Finale of Cassini mission to Saturn

The coming year will close out the final dramatic chapter for NASAs Cassini spacecraft, which has twirled around Saturn and its panoply of moons since 2004.

Among its many accomplishments, Cassini has caught icy moon Enceladus squirting geysers of water ice and vapor, and found evidence of an ocean beneath its frozen surface. It has picked out hydrocarbon lakes and canyons carved by methane on Saturns largest moon, Titan. It also has picked up hints of moonlets being born and ripped apart in the planets chaotic F ring.

In late November, the spacecraft began its ring-grazing orbits, allowing it to check out the hexagon-shaped jet stream that rings the planets north pole. These 20 orbits will allow it to zip past some of Saturns icy rings, sampling gas and dust particles. Then, in April, it will begin the grand finale orbits  22 loops that will send the spacecraft through the gap between the rings and the planets spherical body.

The ring-grazing and grand finale orbits will shed unprecedented information on the composition and mass of the rings and, ultimately, their evolution.

But Cassinis fuel supplies are dwindling, and scientists want to make sure it does not crash into and contaminate a potentially habitable world like Enceladus (or even Titan). So in September, the spacecraft will dive into Saturn, where it will send back data until it succumbs to the gas giants unforgiving upper atmosphere.

Its kind of a nice picture, Cassini project scientist Linda Spilker told The Times earlier. After studying the gas giant for 13 years, she explained, heres a chance for Cassinis molecules to become a part of Saturn.

 Amina Khan

Juno dives deeper into Jupiter mission

Cassini no longer is the only spacecraft circling a gas giant. July Fourth saw the arrival of NASAs Juno satellite at Jupiter  a mission designed to probe basic questions about our largest planet and the secrets it may hold about the early solar system.

Among the mysteries Juno may help solve: what powers Jupiters powerful (and damaging) magnetic field; what the planets core is made of; and how much water lies hidden beneath its thick atmosphere.

Ultimately, because of Jupiters damaging radiation environment, Juno also will be forced to plummet into the planets atmosphere, as Cassini will for Saturn. Scientists do not want to risk the spacecraft falling into Europa, an enormous icy moon that also may hide a potentially habitable ocean. This, however, wont be on the table until 2018.

Juno started out in long 53-day orbits, which gives the spacecraft a close look at the planet roughly every 7.5 weeks; once its human handlers safely settle the spacecraft into much shorter 14-day orbits next year, expect a relative firehouse of scientific findings to start pouring in.

 Amina Khan

Who will get credit for inventing key gene-editing technology?

Its the hottest tool in biology, and two research teams are locked in a fierce battle over who made the essential discovery  and thus may lay claim to key patent rights.

The tool in question is the gene-editing system known as CRISPR-Cas9. Its made from a small piece of RNA that targets a specific genetic sequence and a protein that breaks the sequence in a precise spot so that a new piece of code can be spliced in. Though it sounds complicated, it has greatly simplified the process of editing the DNA of living organisms. Scientists hope it will help them fix mutations that contribute to diseases such as cancer and Alzheimers, among many others.

The inventors of CRISPR-Cas9 are considered likely candidates for a Nobel Prize, and their universities could reap billions of dollars in licensing fees. But who are the rightful inventors? UC Berkeley claims they are its own Jennifer Doudna and collaborator Emmanuelle Charpentier of the Max Planck Institute in Germany, who made the system work in test tubes in 2012. The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard claims its Feng Zhang, a bioengineer at MIT who used it in human and mouse cells a few months later in 2013. Both sides have filed patents for the technology.

The acrimonious legal dispute reached an important milestone in December with a hearing in front of a three-judge panel for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It was the only chance for the two sides to make their case in person. A ruling is expected in 2017.

 Karen Kaplan

TESS begins hunt for nearby planets

TESS, NASAs Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, is set to launch in December 2017 and will search the sky for exoplanets  particularly those that could be in their home stars habitable zone.

In many ways the successor to NASAs planet-hunting Kepler space telescope, TESS also will use the transit method to pick out planets by the light they block as they pass in front of their stars. But unlike Kepler, which stared at a tiny patch of the heavens, TESS will be scanning 400 times as much sky as its predecessor.

The new spacecrafts targets also will be somewhat different from the original Kepler missions: Whereas Kepler peered deep into that single spot, finding planets near and far, TESS will search for nearby planets around relatively brighter stars  making them easier for follow-up study with other telescopes.

That kind of follow-up could allow astronomers to characterize the planets mass using ground-based telescopes, and thus determine their density and find out whether they have a rocky surface, like Earth. It also could allow future telescopes (such as the James Webb Space Telescope, set for launch in 2018) to study the planets atmosphere.

 Amina Khan

Cool research in space

Some pretty cool research is on tap for 2017.

As early as April, NASA will dispatch the Cold Atom Laboratory to the International Space Station. Once its operational, the lab will become one of the coldest places in the entire universe, with gases chilled to a mere billionth of a degree above absolute zero.

Thats the kind of temperature it takes to practically freeze elements like rubidium and potassium, giving scientists a better shot at studying how their atoms behave at a quantum level. The microgravity environment of the space station also will help because it will give scientists more time to observe these atoms in an exotic state of matter called a Bose-Einstein condensate.

The ultimate goal is to test the laws of quantum mechanics and gain insight into this mysterious branch of physics. The Cold Atom Lab was developed at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Canada Flintridge.

 Karen Kaplan

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A warehouse next to Burbank Water and Power on Olive Avenue was buzzing with dozens of people Thursday morning as volunteers with the Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn. meticulously decorated their float and assembled its remaining parts.

Volunteers from Burbank, surrounding cities and even the East Coast were all working on some part of the float, which is titled Home Tweet Home. Whether it was a bird fountain, panels for a bird house or a giant measuring tape, everyone was helping put crushed split peas, black rice or sunflower petals on anything that needed to be covered with plant materials.

Though the dedicated volunteers with the Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn. work on their floats all year long, the last week before the Rose Parade  dubbed by many as deco week  is arguably the most stressful time of year for volunteers.

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Audrey Prest, chair of the decorations committee, had just arrived back at the warehouse after getting an additional 75 pounds of yellow split peas needed for the float after learning that they needed more.

However, that wasnt the biggest worry she and other volunteers had during the last five days.

An email blast from Steve Edward, the associations vice president, was sent at 1:23 a.m. on Christmas Day in search of a source of kumquats after a vendor informed the association that it had run out of the small citrus fruits a few days before deco week, Prest said.

I think I ordered them in October, and he had my phone number, she said, adding that the vendor could have told her earlier.

Linda Cozakos, co-chair of the decorations committee, suggested that Edward send an email to everyone on the associations mailing list and hope for the best.

Now, were in kumquat heaven, Cozakos said.

The Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn. received generous donations of kumquats to decorate their float, after their vendor told them they had run out of the small citrus fruits. (Raul Roa / Burbank Leader)

Weve had people come as far as Fresno telling us that we can come and pick the kumquats off their trees, Prest said. Weve even had people from Ventura telling us that we can come get them.

With their kumquat crisis averted, Prest and Cozakos were able to go back and help the rest of the volunteers with the decorations.

Prest said that they are about 50% of the way through the decoration phase and that she and the estimated 300 volunteers helping this week will get the job done before parade time.

One of the volunteers, Santa Clarita resident Nancy Beg, was busy covering the giant measuring tape hanging off the front of the float with yellow sunflower petals.

Beg, whose family was from Burbank, said that she decided to volunteer this year because she wanted to keep a promise she made to herself after her brother passed away on Christmas Eve.

I promised myself that I would say yes to everything, she said.

Also volunteering was a trio of Maryland sisters who were covering the bird fountain with seeds. Their parents used to frequently volunteer with the Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn.

Lauren Latimer, 22, the oldest of the bunch, said that she started volunteering when she was in middle school and needed volunteer hours. Since then, she became hooked on helping Burbank with its float and tries to make it out to Southern California to help whenever she can.

I love seeing it go down the street on New Years Day, she said. I know all the little details that I had my eye on or hands on.

--

Anthony Clark Carpio, anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio
Changes at Hollywood Burbank Airport

A lot has happened, and many things are in the works, at Hollywood Burbank Airport.

Since 1978, the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority has been trying to replace the 14-gate terminal, which was originally built in 1930. After years of litigation, pushback from residents and persistence, 2016 saw a shift for airport officials.

In the Nov. 8 election, Burbank residents approved Measure B, allowing the airport authority to construct a 355,000-square-foot, 14-gate terminal on a plot of land at the airfield known as the B-6 parcel in the northeast quadrant of the airfield. Once the construction on the new facility is completed, the other terminal will be demolished.

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On election night, 29,587 voters, or 69.7% of those who voted, supported Measure B and gave the airport authority the green light to move forward with its terminal project.

Burbanks airport saw a few more changes during the year, such as getting a new name. In 2003, the airport authority legally changed and marketed the facility as Bob Hope Airport as a tribute to iconic comedian Bob Hope.

Officials were looking to attract more travelers east of the Colorado Rockies and decided that a new name was needed.

Working with South Pasadena branding firm Anyone Collective, the airport authority selected Hollywood Burbank Airport as the new brand name. However, the airport will legally remain Bob Hope Airport.

Along with a new moniker, Anyone Collective helped create a new logo for the airport, which is a two-toned chevron with an image of an airplane in the middle.

With or without the new name and logo, the airport has already seen a bump in passengers this year.

The airfield had a rough start at the beginning of 2016, but the number of passengers grew each month from May through October compared to last year. Also, the tallies were higher, in most cases, than airport officials had projected.

Walmart opens at the Empire Center

The Walmart Supercenter in the Burbank Empire Center finally opened its doors to the public after being delayed for several years due to pushback from some residents and litigation.

The 143,000-square-foot remodeled retail facility, which used to be a Great Indoors store, employs about 400 people, many of whom are Burbank residents or live in the surrounding area.

The Burbank Walmart was one of the first stores in Southern California to introduce large black overhead signs with a picture and description of each store section. It also was the first to set up its produce and bakery sections to mimic the feel of a farmers market.

Walmart shoppers rush into the new superstore on N. Victory Place in Burbank for the locations grand opening on Wednesday, June 22, 2016. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

The store was set to open in 2013, but a lawsuit between three residents and the city made the retail chain pump its brakes. The residents claimed that construction on the store should not start until street improvements are made to address the additional traffic.

After a few years in court, the 2nd District Court of Appeal sided with Walmart, saying that the city should not have stopped the retailer from getting its building permits. However, the city did need to address the traffic in that area, according to the ruling.

In April, the City Council approved a supplemental environmental impact report that stated that traffic improvements did not need to be made currently.

Low police morale impacting department

Current and former officers with the Burbank Police Department expressed low morale and dissatisfaction within the organization, according to police union survey administered earlier this year.

Approximately 75% of the officers who answered the survey felt morale was low, and one officer wrote that working at the department is depressing. About 60% surveyed indicated they wouldnt recommend working for the organization to their relatives or friends.

Officials with the Burbank Police Officers Assn. said the survey was meant as a way to identify problems within the department and work with leadership to fix and improve conditions.

A Burbank police officer walks by the shirt of a victim at a shooting scene on Naomi Street and Thornton Avenue, near Robert E. Lundigan Park, in Burbank on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Survey respondents offered several suggestions for changes that could be made, including the hiring of more officers, increasing special assignments and work on improving overall leadership.

They also suggested the department should end its use of predictive-policing technology, which utilizes crime reports to predict potential problems areas. Officers are then required to spend 15 minutes in each of three identified areas.

Critics said the system would sometimes come up with obvious areas to patrol, such as the Empire Center, where shoplifting is known to occur, and even the police station, where people come to report crimes.

The department suspended its use of the technology in October after receiving pushback from officers.

Bicycles banned on Mariposa Street Bridge

After several months of arguing and pleading their case with the Burbank City Council, equestrians persuaded members to ban bicycles from the Mariposa Street Bridge, which connects Burbank to Griffith Park.

Many horse-owning residents in Burbank and elsewhere complained that bicyclists were making the bridge unsafe and that bikes easily startle horses, possibly leading to injuries for the rider.

In December 2015, council members approved an ordinance that allowed bicyclists to walk or carry their bikes across the bridge but barred them from riding across it. However, many equestrians did not like the compromise and asked the City Council to outright ban bikes from the 140-foot-long bridge.

In February, the City Council approved the bicycle ban on the bridge, which rubbed one Burbank resident the wrong way.

Doug Weiskopf claimed that the ban was unenforceable and decided to test the citys new ordinance throughout the summer .

During an afternoon in May, Weiskopf attempted to get a citation or be arrested by Burbank Police. He even called the police on himself, but all he received was a warning.

Police department establishes new unit

In response to growing community concerns over a rise in gang activity, the Burbank Police Department established a new hybrid gang-enforcement unit in June.

Made up of four officers who are overseen by two patrol sergeants, the unit is tasked with contacting gang members and gathering intelligence while also handling regular service calls. The department had been without gang officers for the last two years because of staffing shortages.

During that two-year period, a single detective from the agencys vice/narcotics unit handled gang-related crimes.

The lack of gang officers drew criticism from residents as the city experienced an increased number of violent, gang-related crimes this year including several shootings and stabbings.

Eighty-nine gang-related crimes were reported by police last year, and almost half of them involved graffiti.

Juniors refuse to take state exam

Nearly 300 juniors refused to take the states standardized exam in April after Burbank High student Sam Gorman initiated a school-wide opt-out movement, alerting them how to get out of the test with a parents signature.

Gorman stood against taking an exam based on big data and redundant standards instead of the acquisition of long-lasting knowledge, he said.

In all, about 350 Burbank High juniors out of about 640 took the test.

Burbank Unified Supt. Matt Hill said he heard from both students and parents about juniors desires to take and prepare for other exams, such as the SAT, ACT and AP tests, to determine if they are ready for college.

Id encourage the state to continue to look into the value of administering the test to our juniors, Hill said.

Investigation leads to change

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights closed its investigation into Burbank Unified several months after a Burbank parent alleged discrimination against her son based on his disability.

Kelly Duenckel filed a complaint after her son, Robert, who has learning disabilities, was told he would not participate in a popular cow-eye dissection lab, which he ultimately did after Duenckel pressed school officials to include her son and fellow special-education students in the lab.

The complaint alleged that special-education students were denied an opportunity to participate in science labs that were provided to general-education students.

The investigators found that general-education students completed 45 science labs compared to the 26 labs that special-education students completed during the 2015-16 school year.

Investigators closed the case after learning Burbank school officials took immediate steps to resolve the allegations.

As part of the changes, Burbank special-education students at all three middle schools have access to the same curriculum, labs, equipment and trained teachers as general-education students.

Burbank parents influence National PTA convention

When the National PTA passed four resolutions in July during a convention in Orlando, Fla., two of the four had been introduced by Burbank parents or students and already adopted by the California PTA.

The first one, called Homework: Quality over Quantity, pushes for more meaningful homework instead of a lot of it. It was drafted initially by John Burroughs High School parents Suzanne Weerts and Tina McDermott, who surveyed fellow parents and found that homework caused stress and tension in many homes.

The second resolution passed at the National PTA convention was Recognition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Individuals as a Protected Class.

PTA members, including Steve Frintner and Barbara Miller, along with students, helped draft the resolution after former John Burroughs High student Brian Kaplun advocated for sexual-health-education curriculum acknowledging lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and those who are exploring their sexual identity.

Equine herpesvirus appears

A section of the Los Angeles Equestrian Center had to be put under quarantine by the California Department of Food and Agriculture last month after several horses at the facility tested positive for equine herpesvirus, which resulted in one horse being euthanized because of the disease.

The disease appeared at the equestrian center after eight horses returned from a horse show in Las Vegas on Oct. 27 through 29.

One of the horses, a 5-year-old saddlebred, showed signs of severe neurological symptoms and had to be put to sleep for humane reasons.

Another horse, a 10-year-old saddlebred, showed moderate signs of neurological symptoms and was put into quarantine, where it eventually recovered.

The Department of Food and Agriculture becomes involved if the disease is found to be equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, a rare neurological form of the illness. Equine herpesvirus typically causes a respiratory infection for horses.

As it stands, there were a total of 228 horses under quarantine and 15 cases of equine herpesvirus  eight of which were the rare neurological form and seven that were not.

Officials with the state agency had to extend the quarantine at the equestrian center after they discovered that a horse owner took their horse back to their house while the facility was still under quarantine.

To make matters worse for the equestrian center, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses canceled the annual Equestfest horse show at the facility because of the outbreak.

Burbank on Parade expands event

Burbank on Parade turned into an all-day affair to mark the 35th year of the annual celebration.

In addition to the marching bands and dance groups that grace the parade each year, the April 23 event expanded to include a run/walk, a bicycle ride and a post-parade festival. While past parades included post-event activities, organizers said this years festivities were a way to put the attractions surrounding the parade into the limelight and garner more participation.

An estimated 10,000 people attended this years parade.

Burbank on Parade originally had its start in 1945 as a celebration for the end of World War II and went on for 12 years. It was revived in 1981 by a group of Burbank residents who wanted to a hold a spring festival celebrating life in the city.
In Newport Beach, 2016 was the year of development  and the fights against it.

The most hotly contested proposals  the Banning Ranch residential and commercial project in West Newport and the Museum House condominium tower in Newport Center  became centerpieces of public discourse.

And there were other matters of much note, including the November election, the unofficial dog beach and Balboa Islands 100th anniversary.

Here are some of Newport Beachs top stories of 2016, in chronological order:

Dog beach gets politicians attention

A sand bar at the mouth of the Santa Ana River got a lot of attention in the past year.

The city conducted an online survey early this year on whether Newport Beach residents wanted city officials to enforce Orange County leash laws on a stretch of county-controlled sand between Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. Many dog owners let their pets run off leash to play and swim there.

A majority of respondents asked the city to leave the area alone, and Newports parks commission in March rejected a proposal for the city to enter an agreement with the county that would allow Newport Beach police to enforce leash and dog-waste laws there. The panel then suggested making the area an official dog beach.

In April, the Orange County Board of Supervisors began making the area an official off-leash parcel.

In May, however, the effort to make it an official dog beach was halted indefinitely over concerns that unleashed dogs could harm at-risk bird species.

Police Department gets new chief

Jon Lewis, a 25-year veteran of the Newport Beach police force, took the reins of the department in March after being sworn in as the citys 10th police chief.

City Manager Dave Kiff chose Lewis, a former deputy chief, to take over for retired Chief Jay Johnson.

Lewis began working part time at the Newport Beach Police Department in 1991 while attending Cal State Long Beach, where he earned a bachelors degree in criminal justice. Lewis also holds a masters degree in criminal justice from Chapman University in Orange.

In 1996, Lewis joined the Newport department full time as an officer and steadily rose through the ranks. He was promoted to deputy chief in 2014.

8-year-old boy killed by trash truck

In May, an 8-year-old Newport Beach boy was killed by a trash truck while riding his bike home. Brock McCann was a third-grader at Newport Heights Elementary School and was known by nicknames including Broccoli and Brocky boy.

As tiny as he was, he could fill this whole house with his belly laugh, said his mother, Bernadette.

In June, the City Council began looking at ways to improve bicyclist and pedestrian safety around Newport Heights Elementary, Ensign Intermediate School and Newport Harbor High School.

Mariners Mile targeted for revitalization

In May, the City Council approved a contract with Santa Ana-based PlaceWorks, a community planning consulting firm, to study land use along Mariners Mile, a mile-and-a-half stretch of West Coast Highway between Newport Boulevard and Dover Drive.

The problem with Mariners Mile right now is theres a complete lack of certainty about whats going on there, Councilman Tony Petros said.

In July, the city hosted a brainstorming session about the plan. Some suggested building pedestrian bridges across West Coast Highway and a boardwalk along the harbors edge.

Woman attacked by shark off CdM

A Corona woman was attacked by a shark in May while swimming off Corona del Mar State Beach.

One expert said the type of shark that bit her could have been an adult great white. Beaches were temporarily closed after the incident.

In late July, Newport Beach became the first Orange County city to have a shark page on its website. The page is dedicated to logging sightings of sharks and other marine animals. It also has information about how to be safe in the water.

Balboa Island celebrates 100 years

Balboa Island celebrated its 100th anniversary with a party in June.

The once uninhabited muddy sandbar in Newport Harbor was incorporated into the city in 1916.

The island has roots to 1906, when developer William Collins dredged a channel, then piled the dredged sand and silt on a mud flat until an island was formed.

Theres something about it that when you go over the bridge, youre here, youre satisfied, said island resident Romona Merle.

Statue of late lifeguard unveiled

In July, exactly two years after Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson died while trying to rescue a distressed swimmer, thousands packed McFadden Square to see the unveiling of his memorial statue. The work is made of marine-grade stainless steel.

Our family believes we will see Ben again someday. But until then, having this statue that we can all visit and remember him by lifts our spirits and means the world to us, said Carlsons sister Stephanie Janz.

Banning Ranch saga continues with denial and lawsuit

The debate over building homes and commercial areas on Banning Ranch took center stage in September, when the California Coastal Commission denied the project after about nine hours of discussion. One commissioner cited a lack of cohesion between the developer and commission staff.

This is a project we have to get right, Commissioner Mary Shallenberger said. We cant get just good enough on this one.

The developer, Newport Banning Ranch LLC, sued in November to challenge the denial and seek damages of at least $490 million.

It had wanted to build 895 homes, a 75-room hotel, a 20-bed hostel and 45,100 square feet of retail space on 62 of Banning Ranchs 401 acres.

Balboa Theater could see new life

The City Council voted in October to sell the Balboa Theater to Costa Mesa-based developer Lab Holding LLC.

Shaheen Sadeghis company said it could spend an estimated $2 million to restore the Balboa Peninsula venue to its original architecture, which could reflect 1920s wrought-iron style. It likely would not show films but could have a cafe and live music.

While many of these buildings are simple representations of our culture ... they really do have tremendous opportunity, Sadeghi said. The history and the story behind these buildings has a lot of value.

Changing of the guard on City Council

In November, voters elected Harbor Commissioner Brad Avery, retired educator Jeff Herdman and Finance Committee member Will ONeill to the City Council.

The trio entered as council members Ed Selich, Keith Curry and Tony Petros left. Curry and Selich were termed out; Petros decided not to run for reelection.

Voters also approved Measure MM, also known as the Taxpayer Protection Act. It requires at least five votes on the seven-member council to place a council-sponsored general or special tax proposal on the ballot.

In December, after Avery, Herdman and ONeill were sworn in, Kevin Muldoon was selected as the new mayor, with Marshall Duffy Duffield as mayor pro tem.

Muldoon called the citys unfunded pension liability  which he estimated at more than $300 million  its most pressing issue.

Battle over Museum House takes twists and turns

December 2016 may forever be known for a series of events surrounding Museum House, a 25-story, 100-unit condominium tower proposed for Newport Center.

The saga began in late November, when the City Council gave its first of two approvals for the project, planned for 850 San Clemente Drive. The tower is slated to replace the Orange County Museum of Art, which wants to move to Costa Mesa.

Soon after the councils approval, local activist group Line in the Sand vowed to collect thousands of petition signatures in an effort to bring the project to a public vote.

On Dec. 1, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit, Citizens Against High Rise Urban Towers, alleged that the council didnt have adequate confirmation from the Federal Aviation Administration that the tower and aircraft using a nearby police helipad would not pose a threat to each other. City officials dismissed the claim.

Museum House opponents and its developer, Related California, exchanged a series of allegations of misrepresentations and ethics violations.

On Dec. 9, the Irvine Co. sued Related California, alleging that its hired hands challenging Line in the Sands referendum campaign were, in effect, trespassing on Irvine Co. properties because they hadnt registered to be there and were creating a hostile environment for shoppers.

On Dec. 20, an executive with Related California alleged that Line in the Sands petition didnt comply with state elections code, partially because its font was too small to read.

The activist group said it had to print the pages in small type because of the more than 1,000 pages of documents required to be attached.

On Dec. 21, Line in the Sand turned in 13,730 signatures to the city clerks office. The signatures are now in the hands of the county registrar of voters office, which will verify them. If roughly 5,800 are verified, the matter will return to the council, which could put Museum House up for a citywide vote in a special election or at the next general election in 2018. The council also could rescind its approval of the project.

Staff writer Hannah Fry contributed to this report.

bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradleyZint
Guess the asking price for a multi-story beachfront house with six bedrooms in the Irvine Cove area of Laguna Beach.

$10 million? $20 million? $40 million?

Wrong, wrong and wrong.

The house, at 2431 Riviera Drive, is listed at $51 million, according to HOM Sothebys International Realtys website. HOM Sothebys International Realty, which has the listing, is Southern Californias coastal and desert representative of Sothebys International Realty brokerage firm.

The 10,000-square-foot house on nearly half an acre includes nine bathrooms, guest quarters, a library, a home theater, a wine cellar and a pool. The home, built in 1996, descends to a secluded beach.

While some may gasp at the $51-million price tag, such a figure is not unheard of in Laguna Beach.

Rob Giem, who is the listing agent, said he sold a house in February for $45 million, down from an asking price of more than $51 million.

The $45-million sale price was a record for Laguna, Steven Thomas  a real estate broker and founder of Reports on Housing, a company that tracks demand for Orange County houses  wrote in an email. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom house on Marine Drive sits on 2.28 acres that overlook the ocean, said Thomas, who gathers data from the Multiple Listing Service.

Giem declined to say how long the house on Riviera Drive has been on the market.

The $51-million asking price is pushing the upper stratosphere, Thomas said.

The lot sits on the beach in an exclusive community, he added. It looks like a hotel.

These types of prices are more common in Los Angeles, though Orange County is seeing a rebound in the housing market, Thomas said.

For example, 3,221 homes sold for $1.25 million or more this year in the county compared with 2,963 in 2015, Thomas said, citing MLS statistics.

The average sale price for Laguna houses in 2016 was $2.45 million, he said.

bryce.alderton@latimes.com

Twitter: @AldertonBryce
Allison Mann hopes to build bridges, not barriers.

With Mann, a mother of three, as a co-vice president of Victoria Elementary Schools PTA, Latina moms say they feel more welcome to join the parent-teacher group.

I wished my mom did the PTA, so I wanted to ... do it for my kid, said Victoria parent Karla Padilla. But nobody really ever approached me.

But one day Mann asked her to attend a meeting, Padilla remembers.

Its hard for people in general to show up somewhere new and you have to figure out Where do I go? Who do I ask? What do I do? Mann said.

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Editors note: This is an installment of Unsung Heroes, a new annual feature that highlights otherwise overlooked members of the community.

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About 40% of the families at the Westside Costa Mesa school did not learn English as their first language, Victoria Principal Aaron Peralta said in February.

With such a language barrier between groups of families, Victoria parent Mary Rodriguez said she knew of hardly any Latino parents who went to PTA-related functions.

But Rodriguez, Padilla and other parents attended last weeks meeting of the Parent 2 Parent Network that Mann and another Victoria mom, Patti Uchityl, recently started at the school.

When you walk into the school, there is a language barrier, but what we want to do with the network is bring everyone together, Mann said. They can come to the group every Friday morning and just meet other parents or ask questions so no one feels alone.

The group has had three meetings so far, exchanging parental advice and discussing school topics such as ways to slow the traffic near the crosswalk on Victoria Street.

Mann, a PTA member for four years, also has taken on other projects at the school, such as starting a crowdfunding campaign on Gofundme.com that had raised $2,185 as of Friday so first-grade teacher Cheryl Naff can replace tattered books in her class with new ones. The page is still accepting donations in an attempt to reach a $2,500 goal.

Manns next project is to help create a Maker Space Lab on campus where students can have equipment such as a 3-D printer, a green screen and a coding area.

I like to help and I love this school, Mann said. But there are so many other people out there who do more than I do.

alexandra.chan@latimes.com

Twitter: @AlexandraChan10
The California Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday in San Francisco on a preservation groups lawsuit challenging the Newport Beach City Councils approval of a proposed development at Banning Ranch.

The Banning Ranch Conservancy, which seeks to preserve the sprawling coastal property in West Newport as open space, alleges the city violated its own general plan when, in 2012, the council approved a large residential and commercial development for the area.

The group contends the general plan prioritizes open space in West Newport and that city officials failed to work with the California Coastal Commission to prioritize sensitive habitat areas. The conservancy also alleges the projects environmental impact report was inadequate.

At the time, developer Newport Banning Ranch LLC sought to build 1,375 homes, a 75-room hotel and a commercial area on about 95 acres of the 401-acre property, which has been an active oilfield since the 1940s.

Newport Banning Ranchs plans were downgraded by September this year, when it looked to build 895 homes as well as the 75-room hotel, a 20-bed hostel and 45,100 square feet of retail space on 62 acres.

The Coastal Commission rejected that plan, and in November the developer sued in Orange County Superior Court, challenging the denial and requesting damages of at least $490 million.

The Banning Ranch Conservancy lawsuit was filed in Superior Court soon after the councils decision in 2012.

The following year, a county judge ruled in the conservancys favor. City officials challenged that ruling, which sent the matter to state appeals court.

In May 2015, an appellate judge ruled in favor of the city and the developer.

The conservancy then appealed to the state Supreme Court, which agreed to review the case.

Banning Ranch Conservancy Executive Director Steve Ray said his group was always prepared for the lawsuit to reach the states highest court.

That was truly the only place where we could hope to win, Ray said. We built our case upon arguments that will resonate in the Supreme Court.

He said the conservancys ultimate plan is to acquire the property  whose market value is a matter of dispute  and manage it for public use.

Newport Beach City Attorney Aaron Harp contended that the city did an exhaustive environmental analysis of the property and that the court should defer to the city to interpret its own general plan.

A spokesman for Newport Banning Ranch LLC declined to comment.

The sides will receive 30 minutes each on Wednesday to speak to the courts seven justices.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. It will be broadcast live on the courts website, courts.ca.gov/supremecourt.htm.

bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradleyZint
Twenty-two downtown Huntington Beach businesses are hosting a monthlong scavenger hunt that will yield more than $2,400 in prizes.

The free activity will take players over several blocks to learn answers to a variety of clues, according to a news release.

Game forms are available at any of the 22 businesses, at the pier visitor kiosk and on Facebook. Completed entries must be submitted to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory by 4 p.m. Jan. 31. The grand prize winner will be announced that day.

The scavenger hunt is a perfect January activity for locals and neighboring visitors, Steve Daniel, president of the Huntington Beach Downtown Business Improvement District and owner of Rocky Mountain, said in a statement.

For more information and a list of participating businesses, visit HBdowntown.com or its Facebook page.

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Sidecar Doughnuts team to open ice cream shop

The owners of Sidecar Doughnuts in Costa Mesa are opening an ice cream store in Newport Beach in spring or summer.

Sumter and Chi-Lin Pendergrast are calling the shop French Pharmacy Ice Cream, which will feature the small-batch, hand-made concept.

The two have been hosting tasting events throughout the year.

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Public House coming to Costa Mesa

Irvine-based Evans Brewing Co. is opening a second Public House restaurant and bar in downtown Costa Mesa, according to a news release.

It will be located at 110 Broadway, near The Triangle, and will feature a craft beer lounge and cigar lounge. The other location is in Fullerton.

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Pacific City announces additional tenants

The Pacific City development in Huntington Beach is drawing new tenants.

Frosted Cupcakery opened in the fall at Lot 579. Beau Soleil Kitchen, a French bistro that has another location in Newport Beach called Cafe Beau Soleil, is opening in Lot 579 this summer.

Also coming in 2017 is American Dream, a burger and beer joint; Mahogany Smoked Meats; and il Barone Sicilian Street Food, which serves pizza and pasta.

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Local Round Table Pizzas close

Round Table Pizzas at six locations in Orange County, including Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, have closed.

The Orange County Register reported that the franchisee ran into financial troubles, and the company is hoping to reopen the locations.

The closed restaurants are all owned by the same franchisee and were closed as a result of financial issues solely related to this franchisee, Ted Storey, senior vice president of business development for Round Table, said in statement, according to the Register.

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Newport landscape firm completes Philippines project

Lifescapes International, a Newport Beach-based landscape architectural firm, recently completed the landscape design of Robinsons Galleria, a shopping destination in the Philippines, according to a news release.

The design includes a bubble wall with LED lighting and a 25-foot flower guitar.

Retail owners continue to seek new ways to deliver immersive experiences that attract repeat visitors, Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs, president of Lifescapes International, said in a news release. Our strategy was to deliver an environment that visitors can get lost in and enjoy with friends and family time and time again.

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Costa Mesa companys development tied up in legal woes

A 750-home development in Whittier by Brookfield Residential, which has a corporate office in Costa Mesa, is caught up in an ongoing court battle.

According to the Whittier Daily News, the project at the former site of the Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility, off Whittier Boulevard, has been challenged by the Whittier Conservancy.

The group is appealing a judges upholding of the environmental impact report on the project, which also includes more than 150,000 square feet of commercial space.

Brookfield acquired the youth prison in 2011 for $42 million. It closed in 2004 after being open for 113 years.
New 2017 school calendar disappoints

After Glendale Unified school officials hosted several public meetings and created a committee to gather input from parents, teachers and students about when the 2017-18 academic year should begin, school officials in November approved a calendar with an Aug. 16 start date.

Glendale Unified administrators hosted the community meetings after parent Sarah Rush spoke out against the Aug. 10 start date during the 2015-16 school year, which she believed prematurely ended summer vacation.

She wasnt alone. An online petition she created went on to collect more than 2,000 signatures in support of a later start date for the 2016-17 school year, which was scheduled for an even earlier time  Aug. 8.

Join the conversation on Facebook >>

That start date, however, and the remaining academic calendar had already been negotiated and agreed upon with the Glendale Teachers Union, so school board members told parents they would wait to create a new calendar for the 2017-18 school year after gathering parent input, instead of opening up teacher negotiations.

On Nov. 15, the Glendale school board voted 3-2 to adopt the calendar with an Aug. 16 start date for next year despite concerns raised by several parents, including Rush, that the date was still too early. Armina Gharpetian, board president, and member Greg Krikorian voted to oppose the calendar in favor of a start date later in August.

I just wonder sometimes, is staff really listening? Krikorian said during the meeting when the calendar was approved. I will be voting, no. It goes against everything we talked about.

Verdugo Hills Golf Course to close

The Verdugo Hills Golf Course will close Saturday, Dec. 31 amid concerns from residents about its future.

While some residents want to preserve the land as open space, Snowball West Investments, LP, the propertys owner, submitted plans to Los Angeles city officials to develop a gated residential community on the site.

The plans propose building between 221 and 229 two-story, single-family homes on 28 acres of the 58-acre site.

City officials plan to release findings from an environmental impact report on those plans in early 2017.

An unwelcome Hindenburg sign

Hindenburg Park, the west end of Crescenta Valley Park has been part of La Crescenta since the 1930s and, although today it honors the German-American community, it was once used as a site for Nazi rallies.

That led to controversy as soon as a large wooden sign was erected displaying German World War I Gen. Paul Von Hindenburgs name as a way to greet visitors to a section of the park. Although considered a hero in the country, Hindenburg appointed Adolf Hitler as Germanys chancellor in 1933.

In February, Los Angeles County put up a sign for Hindenburg Park, which has been at the west end of Crescenta Valley Park since it was purchased by the county in 1958. The sign was paid for the Tri-Centennial Foundation, a German heritage organization. (Roger Wilson / Staff Photographer)

The Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department immediately received complaints from residents who found the sign offensive.

After public hearings, petitions and deliberation, the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations voted to remove the sign and soon replaced it with another that would instead honor the German-American ties to the area without a mention of Hindenburg.

Voters reject repeal of city tax

A large majority of Glendale voters decided against the repeal of the citys utility users tax over concerns that disposing of the revenue would threaten key public services.

Measure N would have eliminated an existing 7% tax on electricity, water and gas bills that brings in $17.5-million annually into the citys General Fund. The measure went before voters on June 7, and 27,513 residents, nearly 72%, rejected it, according to the L.A. County Registrar.

Supporters of Measure N said the drop in revenue for the city, about 9.5% of the General Fund, would be easy to address because of the number of city officials who make more than $100,000 a year, salaries the measures supporters claimed are excessive.

However, city officials argued the passing of Measure N would mean the reduction of public safety services, such as fire, police and medical, as well as library service and infrastructure maintenance.

Glendale Unified adopts district-based voting

This past May, Glendale school officials voted to adopt a map representing five voting districts: A, B, C, D and E.

Glendale residents vote at Fire Station No. 21 in Glendale on Tuesday, June 7, 2016. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

Glendale Unified abandoned the former at-large system in which board members were elected no matter where they lived in the city. The move came on the heels of a similar switch made by Glendale Community College, whose five new districts are identified as 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Glendale school officials made the change as part of a lawsuit settlement, after the district was sued for allegedly violating the California Voting Rights Act. The college made the change in 2015 under the threat of litigation. This spring will mark the first time voters will elect college and school officials based on the new districts.

Sagebrush hearings draw GUSD warnings

Hundreds of residents attended two heated public hearings  one in September and the other in November  regarding the possible transfer of a portion of La Canada Flintridge known as Sagebrush from the Glendale Unified School District to La Canada Unified.

In early 2017, the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization, which oversaw the hearings, will vote on whether the transfer can take place.

The loss of the few hundred students who reside in the Sagebrush area would, for Glendale Unified, equate to a $2.7-million reduction in enrollment funds annually, the district said.

Glendale school officials warned the financial hit could result in 10 teacher layoffs and the potential closure of a school. However, those warnings came even as Glendale Unified avoided any layoffs during several years of consecutive budget cuts and after school officials assured residents in 2014 they would not close a school upon losing the Sagebrush territory.

Spanish textbook stirs concerns among parents

In June, the Glendale Unified School Board adopted a new Spanish language textbook series named "Que chevere! despite concerns from some teachers who said the book was not in line with academic standards.

Following the boards adoption, some parents took a closer look at the books content and raised allegations that the book reinforced negative stereotypes about Hispanic cultures and women.

Some parents took issue with a line about Mexican cuisine that read: Excuse me waiter, theres a fly in my soup. Well, in some Mexican dishes, it might be part of the recipe!

The line aimed to connect a current trend in Mexican cuisine with the pre-Hispanic custom of eating insects as a protein source, according to EMC Publishing, which ultimately changed the line to read: In some Mexican dishes, insects might be part of the recipe.

Despite the change, the school board voted in September to rescind the adoption. Staff also proposed a new system for inviting parents to review textbooks before they go to the board for consideration.

State ordered to pay Glendale more than $40M

The California Department of Finance was ordered to pay Glendale more than $40 million, which it owes as part of loans tied to the citys now defunct Redevelopment Agency.

The result stems from a dispute over loans Glendale made to the agency during the past 40 years to aid in revitalization projects. The state government dismantled the redevelopment program in 2011 and attempted to repay loans received through various redistribution methods until eventually alleging Glendale was disqualified from recouping the money, despite the citys cooperation.

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne Chang shot down the state finance departments claim that Glendale lacked documentation of compliance and that the state could retroactively reject old loans.

The record shows that [the department of finance] has had multiple opportunities to review the Oversight Boards approval of the loan agreements and that [the finance department] has already reviewed the loan agreement and determined that they are enforceable obligations, Chang wrote in her February ruling.

The Alex Theatre reverses its deficit

The Alex Theatre celebrated its 90th anniversary this year and the milestone was made all the more sweeter after it reported a $148,000 gain in its first fiscal-year quarter.

Around the same time last year and in 2014, the Alex Theatre was facing a six-figure deficit. This year, it was able to post a gross amount of $430,000 before paying into other expenses, according to a city staff report.

Elissa Glickman, chief executive of Glendale Arts, the nonprofit that oversees the Alex Theatre, attributed the net gain to strong fundraising and bucking the trend of a normally slow summer for productions.

A $5.2-million renovation of the venue completed in 2014 also helped, Glickman added, because it can now bring in larger productions that can generate more revenue.

Donors also contributed more than $65,000.

Glendale Unified hires new superintendent

New Glendale Unified Superintendent Winfred Roberson Jr. and his wife Yvette are all smiles during the GUSD school board meeting Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Roberson was hired to fill the vacancy left by Dick Sheehan, who was hired as superintendent of Covina-Valley Unified in May. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

For eight months, Glendale Unified operated under three different interim superintendents until this past February. Thats when the school board ended a national search for a permanent hire and voted to bring on Winfred Roberson Jr. to oversee the districts 30 schools.

Robersons unanimous appointment also made history. He is the first black superintendent to lead Glendale Unified since its inception in 1913.

His four-year contract began April 1 and lasts through March 31, 2020.
Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen on Saturday said China is becoming a growing threat to the self-ruled island and predicted a volatile but pivotal 2017.

The Beijing leadership has, step by step, backed onto an old track to polarize, pressure and even threaten and intimidate Taiwan, Tsai said. We hope that this is not Beijings adoption of a policy and want to remind it that such moves have hurt Taiwanese peoples feelings and affected stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Tsais comments, at a year-end news conference, came after China sent its first aircraft carrier and five other warships through waters near Taiwan this week. The island has also suffered the loss of diplomatic alliances in Africa to China this year and, since April, a more than 30% drop in tourism from the Chinese mainland.

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China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since the Chinese civil war in the 1940s and opposes any moves in Taiwan or abroad to legitimize its self-rule.

Tsai has irritated China since taking office May 20 by rejecting Beijings conditions for talks that the Communist Party leadership hopes could someday lead to unification of the two sides.

Tsai opposes these conditions because they would unite the sides under China. Most Taiwanese prefer self-rule, according to government surveys of public opinion.

Tsai also irked China this month by making a 10-minute phone call to President-elect Donald Trump.

The United States has been an informal ally of and arms seller to Taiwan. But until that day, no American president or president-elect is believed to have spoken directly with a Taiwanese leader since the U.S. recognized the mainland government and cut ties with Taiwan in 1979.

Tsai said Saturday that Taiwan would not meet Beijing with resistance but rather maintain our status of peace and stability.

On Saturday, she travels to four Central American countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. China has asked the U.S. to bar Tsai from transiting through U.S. cities on her way to the region and back.

The loss of Gambia and Sao Tome and Principe as allies has raised concern in Taiwan that China might use development aid as an inducement to other countries to switch sides.

Taiwan will push for closer ties with India and other countries in Southeast Asia that recognize China over Taiwan, Tsai said Saturday.

In 2017, our society is going to face some turbulence and face some uncertainties, she warned. Its going to test our whole national security team, as well as the whole governments ability to handle change.

But, she added, We need to face this matter calmly. If China and Taiwan share a rational approach, she said, some problems could be worked out.

It is not impossible that there is room for creativity.

Jennings is a special correspondent.

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The surge of people from Africa, Asia and the Caribbean who have been trekking in ever-greater numbers across the Americas in hopes of reaching the United States presents the new U.S. administration with a conundrum.

As a more diverse group of immigrants from around the globe seeks to enter the U.S. through the Southwest border, deciding whom to let in  and whom to send back  is getting increasingly complicated.

Many of these new migrants are fleeing faraway conflicts and violent political turmoil; they may have taken arduous journeys and spent their life savings to come to America. But figuring out who is truly fleeing repression and who is actually coming here for economic reasons  as many are  is vexingly difficult, given the increasing numbers and the limited resources available to adjudicate their claims.

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Letting in too many people, by lowering the bar for political asylum, will only encourage more people seeking economic opportunity to try to enter the U.S., some immigration experts worry. They note that the U.S. already lets in a million immigrants a year legally and  despite the plight of many who have made treacherous journeys to get here  cant afford to admit everyone.

But the sheer numbers of new migrants and the lack of resources to process their claims has made it hard for true victims of persecution to prove their case  and many, immigrant advocates say, are sent back home to uncertain fates without getting a fair hearing.

Until the last several years, the overwhelming majority of those crossing the Southwest border without visas were Mexicans in search of jobs.

Todays unauthorized arrivals are more varied, both in terms of where they are coming from and the reasons that propelled them to embark on their journeys. They include hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the violence and dire poverty of Central America, as well as smaller but rapidly growing numbers from Haiti, India, Ghana and beyond.

Most of them arrive without identification or travel documents, and U.S. security officials worry that global terror networks could use the illicit flows as cover to smuggle operatives into the U.S.  as Islamic State has done in Europe.

But deploying ever-larger border walls, of the kind that President-elect Donald Trump has pledged, will do little to resolve the problem  most of these long-distance migrants surrender voluntarily to U.S. border officers, and claim protections guaranteed under U.S. and international law.

Donald Trump speaks to supporters at a rally in Fountain Hills, Ariz., in March 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

About 7,300 people from outside Latin America were apprehended while trying to slip across the southern border in the 11 months ending in August, while an additional 48,000 showed up at official ports of entry without the necessary paperwork and were deemed inadmissible.

The dynamic at the Southwest border has changed. And barricades, many immigration experts have begun to argue, are an investment in the last war.

The challenge at the border is very different, said Cecilia Munoz, a senior advisor to President Obama and head of the White Houses Domestic Policy Council. I dont think there is anybody in [the Department of Homeland Security] who really believes we can enforce our way out of this problem.

The government has over the past several decades invested heavily in stemming the flow of undocumented migrants from Mexico, deploying new technology and increasing the size of the Border Patrol from about 10,000 agents in 2004 to 21,000 today. This has greatly increased the risks and cost of the trip.

The Pew Research Center now estimates that more Mexicans are returning to Mexico than are migrating to the U.S.  a product in part of economic growth south of the border, as well as reduced opportunities in the U.S. since the recession eight years ago.

Careful vetting of those international migrants who request asylum is one important step, officials say. Authorities last year detained 100 people at the U.S.-Mexico border whom they believed might have ties to terrorism suspects in other nations, according to figures released by the office of U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine).

These smuggling routes are a potential vulnerability to our homeland, retired Marine Gen. John F. Kelly, former head of the U.S. Southern Command and Trumps choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security, said in congressional testimony last year. Terrorist organizations could seek to leverage those same smuggling routes to move operatives with intent to cause grave harm to our citizens, or even bring weapons of mass destruction into the United States.

But many immigration experts are skeptical that spending more money on fortifying the border will do much to stanch the flow.

When you have mixed flows, in many ways you have a more complicated enforcement challenge, said Doris Meissner, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute in Washington who served as immigration commissioner in the Clinton administration. You need to decide as a country to whom you are going to provide protection to stay in the United States, and then separate those people from those who are economic migrants and need to be returned.

Such decisions arent handled by border agents, she noted. They are handled by asylum officers and immigration judges, parts of the immigration system that have not benefited from the kinds of budget increases awarded to border enforcement.

The result is an enormous backlog. The number of cases awaiting resolution in federal immigration courts has tripled in the last decade, reaching an all-time high of 526,175 at the end of November, according to figures collected by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. Cases had been pending an average of 678 days.

The diverse backgrounds of those seeking to enter the U.S. has added to delays. Immigration attorneys say there are not enough translators at border crossings and in detention centers who are proficient in Hindi, Bengali and the many other languages spoken by the new arrivals.

Migrants wait in line in Tijuana to enter the United States. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times )

Lawyers and activists also complain that immigration judges lack detailed knowledge about the political and social climate in countries such as Bangladesh and India, and may be too quick to send them home. Though both countries are nominally peaceful democracies, political feuds and ethnic and religious discrimination are widely cited as factors motivating some citizens to flee.

Migrants chances of being granted protection are significantly higher if they have legal representation. But the government does not pay for this, and many struggle to find a lawyer they can afford or who will take their cases pro bono  especially if they are in custody.

The bigger the backlog in immigration court, the harder it is to find room for new arrivals in the detention system. That has meant releasing migrants with a notice to appear in court at a future date, a practice that critics argue only increases the incentive for others to attempt the trip.

You have to stop rewarding people for coming here illegally, said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which favors restrictive immigration policies. You are just going to get more and more of them.

He said the Obama administration has often set the bar too low for determining who is has a credible fear of persecution and is thus eligible for asylum consideration.

The fact is that the reason somebody is traveling thousands of miles from sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia to the United States is because they have a relative here who has a dishwashing job for them and a couch for them to sleep on, he said. If they were actually fleeing for their lives, or fleeing imprisonment, they would have applied for asylum in the first safe country they got to, and every single one of those people has passed through multiple countries where they were not being persecuted.

Other experts, however, worry that lives could be endangered if asylum officers dont cast a wide net.

The consequences of denying asylum to people who need it are so dire, we should take every effort to not deny asylum to someone who needs it, said Stephen Legomsky, who served as chief council for Homeland Securitys immigration services agency from 2011 to 2013.

The consequences of denying asylum to people who need it are so dire, we should take every effort to not deny asylum to someone who needs it.  Stephen Legomsky, former chief council for the immigration services agency

He believes one of the best long-term strategies is to help address the conditions that are driving people to flee their homelands.

The Obama administration has increased the amount of aid the U.S. provides to Central American countries, from which large numbers claim asylum out of fear of gang violence. U.S. officials are also working with the government of Costa Rica so that those Central Americans petitioning for asylum in the U.S. can have their cases considered there, rather than embark on the dangerous trek north.

That kind of regional collaboration is critical, humanitarian officials say.

We are seeing now a situation in the world where there are more forcibly displaced people than at any time ever, said Chris Boian, a spokesman for the United Nations refugee agency. Solutions are needed that find the right balance between security imperatives and humanitarian imperatives.

Just how hard it is to strike a balance was underscored by a recent surge in the number of unauthorized Haitian arrivals that overwhelmed authorities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Most of these migrants spent years in Brazil, where they went in search of employment after an earthquake devastated their Caribbean nation in 2010. But Brazil is now in the midst of its worst recession in decades, leaving many Haitians out of work and looking to the north for help.

Migrants wait to see if they will be allowed to meet with U.S. officials at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, across from Tijuana. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times )

Until recently, most of those who made it to the U.S. border were admitted at least temporarily on humanitarian grounds. U.S. authorities believed it was too dangerous to send them home.

When officials realized that thousands more Haitians were headed their way, the administration decided in September to start detaining and removing them from the U.S.  either back to Haiti, or if they preferred, to Brazil.

That is easier said than done. Identities must be verified and travel documents obtained. The Haitian government also limits how many people it receives each day. Some other countries refuse to collaborate with U.S. deportation proceedings altogether, effectively blocking their nationals return.

Less than two weeks after the new policy for Haitian migrants was announced, Hurricane Matthew wreaked havoc on the island and deportation flights were temporarily suspended. Detention facilities quickly filled up, and Haitians were again released on humanitarian parole.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has signed contracts with additional detention facilities to handle the surge of migrants arriving from countries other than Mexico, Philip T. Miller, a senior ICE official, said during a call with reporters Friday.

He said detention is mandatory for most recent arrivals to the U.S. It is our responsibility to ensure we have sufficient beds.

The lack of consistency in U.S. immigration policy poses a challenge to those trying to help these new migrants, many of whom exhausted what resources they had trying to reach the U.S.

When ICE notifies the Catholic Charities Dioceses of San Diego about a Haitian woman and child who are about to be released on humanitarian grounds, there is federal funding available to find them a place to stay or pay for a plane ticket to where they might have friends or family, said Robert Moser, the groups executive director. The same is not true if the people released are from Nigeria.

Both have the same needs. Both are coming for the same reasons, but the place of your birth determines what you are eligible for, Moser said.

In the absence of more generous government policies, he said, aid groups hope that local communities will step in to provide for those in need.

People are going to come no matter what  because their choices are a lot worse if they stay, Moser said. If people with good hearts act in a good way, they can be an alternative to hateful rhetoric.

alexandra.zavis@latimes.com

brian.bennett@latimes.com

Zavis reported from Los Angeles and Bennett from Washington. Times staff writers Kate Linthicum in Mexico City and Shashank Bengali in Mumbai, India, contributed to this report.
The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Saturday supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and jump-start peace negotiations, as a fragile country-wide cease-fire wavered.

The resolution also calls for the rapid, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Syria. And it anticipates a meeting of Syrian government and opposition representatives in Kazakhstans capital, Astana, in late January.

The resolutions final text dropped an endorsement of the Syria cease-fire agreement reached Thursday, simply taking note of it but welcoming and supporting Russian-Turkish efforts to end the violence. Western members of the council sought the last-minute changes to clarify the U.N.s role and the meaning of the agreement brokered by Moscow and Ankara.

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U.S. deputy ambassador Michele Sison said the Obama administration strongly supports a cease-fire and unfettered humanitarian access, but she expressed regret that additional documentation to the agreement brokered by Russia and Turkey with details about its implementation has not yet been made public.

In Syria, meanwhile, rebels warned that cease-fire violations by pro-government forces threatened to undermine the two-day-old agreement intended to pave the way for talks between the government and the opposition in the new year.

Airstrikes pounded opposition-held villages and towns in the strategically important Barada Valley outside Damascus, activists said, prompting rebels to threaten to withdraw their compliance with the nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey last week.

The airstrikes let up in the late evening. But rebels staged retaliatory attacks against government-held areas in other parts of the country, according to the media arm of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is fighting alongside the government in Syria.

Hezbollah military media reported a barrage of rebel rocket fire on the twin Shiite villages of Foua and Kfraya in northern Syria, which have remained loyal to the government in the otherwise rebel-dominated Idlib province.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group also reported the attacks. It added that pro-government forces had advanced against rebels in the eastern Ghouta region outside Damascus, in violation of the cease-fire.

Rebels also accused the government of signing a different version of the agreement to the one they signed in the Turkish capital of Ankara, further complicating the latest diplomatic efforts to bring an end the war.

Nearly 50,000 people died in the conflict in 2016, according to the Observatory, which maintains networks of contacts on all sides of the war. Various estimates have put the wars overall toll at around 400,000 dead.

If the truce holds, the government and the opposition will be expected to meet for talks for the first time in nearly a year in Astana in the second half of January. Those talks will be mediated by Russia, Turkey and Iran, though Russias U.N. ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, has said other key players, including the United States, are welcome to participate.

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UPDATES:

2:10 p.m.: This article was updated with details of the vote and fighting in Syria.

This article was originally published at 10:40 a.m.
The Bible, its pages browned and frayed at their edges, seemed liable to crumble at the slightest touch.

One page had the faded traces of a drawing of the Virgin Mary, its spaces filled in with golden particles tinged green by oxidization, set opposite neat lines of Aramaic script. Elegant drawings of religious iconography adorned the margins, adding to the artifacts elegance.

There was just one problem.

Its a fake, said Yarub Abdullah, director of the National Museum in Damascus, closing the Bible suddenly with a nonchalant flip of his hand. He looked with distaste at his fingers, smudged by the pages he had just handled.

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Just smell the page; they got that color by dunking it in chocolate, something like that.

The almost six-year crisis in Syria, which has killed hundreds of thousands and made the countrys name a byword for suffering, has not spared its archaeological riches.

The elegant stone arches of Aleppos market places, where merchants plied their wares for more than half a millennium, are singed black with the fire of ordnance from engagements past. Krak de Chevaliers, a Crusader castle in Homs province, bears the scars of the modern weaponry its 13th century walls were never designed to withstand.

And then there is Palmyra: Its towering monuments, which awed explorers into naming the city Venice of the Sands, were vandalized by Islamic State militants, even as its sites were looted, their contents sold to purveyors in black markets all over the world. Other ancient sites around the country have fared little better; unauthorized excavations, conducted by people with little regard for the niceties of archaeological exploration, have sprouted across Syria. Anything they scoop up is spirited away to Lebanon, Jordan or Turkey.

But that appetite for Syrias artifacts has also created an opening for counterfeits.

In the last year, weve caught thousands of pieces. We noticed that the percentage of fakes has risen up from 30 to 40% to over 70%, said Maamoun Abdulkarim, Syrias director-general of antiquities and museums.

Bibles, coins, statues  the buyer wants a certain model of artifact. The seller doesnt have it, so you have workshops that produce fakes.

On his laptop, Abdulkarim played a video depicting an open-air workshop, which he said was in the town of Khan Al-Subul in the rebel-held province of Idlib. Men, their hands covered in white dust, sit cross-legged on the ground, carving delicate patterns on pieces of stone.

Off to the side, one worker washes down a column head with a wet sponge. The rivulets of liquid work their way down the stones surface, leaving a dark sediment that would give it the appearance of age, according to Abdulkarim.

Almost every week were catching things like these. The police now get annoyed at the word counterfeit: Theyre proud they managed to catch archaeological items, then theyre told its not genuine, he said turning to a stone statue of an eagle sternly keeping watch in front of his office door.

It too was a fake, but, he explained with a tired smile, when they brought it to me, I liked it and I kept it here.

Part of the problem, explained Abdulkarim, was the perception that whatever was coming out of Syria was real as the breakdown in government control has led to a tremendous increase in looting.

When Islamic State took over large swaths of territory in the summer of 2014, it institutionalized the practice, according to Amr Azm, a former Syrian antiquities official who was in charge of the science and conservation labs in the country.

They started issuing licenses, collecting taxes on excavation, Azm said in a phone interview Monday.

Then they really got involved in selling it, so you see them bring in contractors.

But many of those areas didnt hold the high-value artifacts prized by collectors, fueling a rise in an industry of counterfeit antiquities.

And not all fakes were as obvious as Abdulkarims new office ornament, cautioned Azm.

Some are made from pieces of damaged mosaics, reassembled into designs that mimic more valuable pieces. There are some very good fakers, especially in mosaics. These workshops are mostly in the area around Idlib, some in Damascus. Theyre so good they use ancient stones and reset them to get a higher value, he said.

Unless they make a stylistic error or a technical error, you wont tell its a fake. If you look at the stone, test the residue, it will all be ancient.

Some dealers will even bury the counterfeit artifact  another trick to fool potential buyers into thinking the item is authentic. They then either sell the rights to the site so buyers can send someone to dig it out, or have them pay a premium three times the artifacts value for delivery across the border or beyond.

Another trick: including forged papers with an item to make it seem like it was smuggled from another country. To avoid scrutiny until a suitably discreet buyer is found, some counterfeited artifacts are taken to free ports, where they can be stored tax free for years before being put to market. Last week, Swiss authorities in Geneva impounded artifacts taken from Syria in 2009, according to Agence France-Presse.

In the long run, the rise in fakes could discourage looting and counterfeiting in Syria, said Azm.

One of the ways to break the grip of a looting cycle is to flood the market with fakes, so that confidence in the material coming out of Syria crashes.

Its a positive spin on a situation that Abdullah, the director of Damascus museum, is unlikely to share.

His assistant brought out a white box and lifted out a bubble-wrapped object, placing it on a brass tray etched with intricate patterns. As she removed the wrapping with a touch of theater, Abdullahs office filled with a musty smell. Inside was a book with a cover of buffalo hair from which emerged a spooky-looking cherubs face made out of bronze.

Look at this, the pages are made from cement bags, treated with glue and some perfume. People get tricked by this stuff, he said.

Were really getting fed up. There are so many fakes to examine, it keeps us from finishing our real work on preservation of the real items.

Abdullah stole another look at his fingers, and was annoyed to see them once more smudged with residue from the counterfeit book.

Take it away, take it away, he said to his assistant standing nearby.

He grabbed a tissue, doused it with rubbing alcohol and started furiously rubbing at his fingers.

Bulos is a special correspondent.

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There are many ways to get clean water from nature. One of the most popular techniques is by digging underground but recently, people of Pena Blanca invented another technique: making water out of thin air.

How is this possible? These people simply use nets. Yes, you heard it right, large nets, and they call it fog catchers.

The nets are strung up in areas with thick fog and high winds. The fog is pushed into the nets where it condenses and trickles down. The condensed fog is collected bellow.

This means to say that the fog catchers are huge nets made of a polypropylene mesh that captures the droplets and these are hung between two poles. These droplets would then flow into storage tanks placed underneath the nets, as per Mail Online.

The said technique has originated in Chile in the 1950s and is said to be a cheap, effective, and clean way to get water. It is also a good alternative to desalination.

One-hundred and forty square meters of these nets can harvest 840 liters of water per day, which is shared among 85 landowners of Pena Blanca, reported CNN. The media outlet further quoted community leader Daniel Rojas saying, "Water shortage is a worldwide problem and we are not oblivious to it. It rains less and less, there is a lack of vegetation, fewer crops and people are affected in every sense. But here we have a natural resource that wasn't being exploited."

Furthermore, it helps that a thick coastal fog called Camanchaca rolls the arid coastal region of Pena Blanca in most days. Chamanchaca is usually liked by the locals as it means more water will be produced by the nets and there will be more water supplied to their town. Rainfall is scarce in the region of Pena Blanca, in Santiago, Chile; hence, water is also scarce.
Majority of President Donald Trumps cabinet members allegedly doubt or reject established climate science. As a result, the priorities of Trumps transition team include rolling back eight years of the previous administration climate regulations and restrictions on coal, oil and, gas development.

The Trump administrations energy plan includes gas and coal development and unrestrained oil usage and production. This is a very stark contrast to former President Barack Obama administrations climate agenda where renewable energy is being developed.

As such, here are the four developments in energy policy to keep an eye on in 2017, as reported by Climate Central.

The Fall of the Coal Leasing Moratorium

In order for energy to dig for oil, they need to lease those minerals, obtain permit and set up the operations after an environmental review is conducted and all the regulations are met. Trumps plan, however, is to make the process easier for energy companies to extract fossil fuels from public lands.

The fall of the Coal Leasing Moratorium which Obama had placed in early 2016 might also be the start of Trumps energy plan into the path of reigniting the declining coal industry. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and others are supporting this plan.

Repealing the Clean Power Plan

The Clean Power Plan would limit carbon emissions power plants uses coals. This plan aims to reduce U.S greenhouse gas emissions. Trumps plan is to pull U.S out of the Paris Pact has installed Myron Ebell as leader of the U.S environmental Protection Agency for the transition team.

Trumps Plans for Renewables

Trump has said little about how his administration might change how the government would work on wind and solar development but Interior Secretary Nominee has said that wind and solar energy as well as fossil fuels shall be developed.

I dont think we can necessarily draw the conclusion that Trump himself is opposed to offshore wind, Center for Carbon-Free Power Integration director Jeremy Firestone said, as per Sun Times. The Aberdeen Bay Wind project in Scotland that he opposed is to be only 3 km (1.8 miles) from shore and thus not replicated in the U.S.

How States Respond

States will likely follow the path to renewable energy. States are making progress separately when it comes to the fight against climate change. 29 states, which are led by New York and California, have their own renewables and gas emission standards. Some states like California have approved measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
HMD Global, the new home of Nokia handsets, announced last week that Nokia will return in 2017 with two new android phones. The Finnish company will house the new Nokia flagship that is expected to battle face to face with Samsung and Apples respective flagship phones.

There is a rumored Nokia D1C that is said to be released next year. This phone is rumored to be one of the two android phones that will be released.

As of now, however, there is a Nokia phone that just received the 3C certificate. The phone is listed as TA-1000. Could this be the phone that will come with the long-rumored Nokia D1C?

The listed Nokia TA-1000 might come with standard 5V/2A charging support. It is also rumored that the device will come with an entry-level Snapdragon chipset, a 5.5-inch display, 1GB of RAM and Android 7.0 Nougat, as per GSM Arena.

But as further noted, the standard 5V/2A charging support is not really that fast when you compare it to other companys flagship standard, so it is unlikely that we are looking at the next Nokia flagship here. It is rumored that this will be Nokia E1. This is rumored to be the next budget phone of Nokia.

Meanwhile, the 3C Certificate, or CCC (also called China CCC Certification) is a mandatory product certification system with the aim protecting consumers security through the supervision of products concerning health, hygiene, security, environment and anti-fraud.

Only after complete certification can products be imported into China and sold in the Chinese market. If a product is included in the designated certification catalogue, it must obtain a CCC certificate to be imported and sold in China, as per China Certification.

The products included in the list of those requiring a CCC mark include electrical appliances, wire and cable, switches, household appliances, audio and video equipment, telecommunications terminals, motor vehicles and automotive parts, as well as medical and security equipment.

This only means that this Nokia TA-1000 will be coming to Chinese markets. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!
We, therefore, consider it appropriate to issue the following requirements to be followed in all cases of arrest or detention till leg...
Colombia has a moment of important political decisions nowadays. The Colombian Congress passed a law granting amnesty to FARC rebels, this milestone took place this wednesday. This is part of the country's peace deal and it has been hailed by the government as historic.

President Juan Manuel Santos said on Twitter that he thanks the Congress which approved the amnesty law. This is seen by the Colombian President as the first step to reach peace.

This is a great moment in the political life of Colombia because the measure grants special legal treatment, amnesty and pardon to members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). This movement has been accused of crimes and we have to add that not all the people agree with this amnesty law.

Anyway, the House of Representatives approved it 121-0,then, the Senate passed the bill 69-0. This amnesty bill is part of the November 24 pact whose purpose is end five decades of conflict in Colombia.

Alvaro Uribe opposed fiercely to the agreement with the FARC

Former president Alvaro Uribe opposed fiercely to the peace deal with FARC, he saw this as unfair. The negotiations with the FARC took almost 4 years to end more than half a century of armed conflict in Colombia, a war that has caused a lot of pain and suffering.

The former president and his allies believe that the deal gives impunity to the rebels. The members of FARC are guilty of war crimes and abuses against people, but they will get seats in Congress instead of going to prison.

At first, voters rejected the earlier deal by a narrow margin, but later the Colombian Government and FARC renegotiated it. Both decided to have it ratified in Congress instead of risking in a second referendum. The conflict has killed more than 260,000 people and left 45,000 missing.
Lehigh University has found another way to attract high-performing students from low- to moderate-income families.

The school's partnership with the American Talent Initiative will allow the Bethlehem university and 29 other public and private colleges across the nation to partner with one another and learn ways to attract students with this type of demographic.

"We thought this program was a wonderful opportunity to attract students who are historically underrepresented in institutions like ours," said Bruce Bunnick, interim vice provost of admissions and financial aid at Lehigh. "It will be a data-sharing and idea-sharing partnership with these organizations."

Bunnick said Lehigh was approached about the partnership in September, and is still in its planning phases. The 30 university presidents and representatives will meet in February in New York City to further discuss their participation and share ideas.

The American Talent Initiative is consistent with Lehigh's goals of further diversifying its campus and becoming reflective of the nation's demographic, Bunnick said.

Sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the initiative compares itself to the G. I. Bill and other measures aimed at opening up access to higher education.

Although the program now has 30 participants, initiative organizers have a vigorous goal of attracting, enrolling and graduating 50,000 high-achieving and lower-income students by 2025.

Bunnick said Lehigh already tries to attract such demographics with its partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country.

For example, through Lehigh's partnership with Philadelphia Futures, its counselors market Lehigh as a viable higher educational option for lower-income students.

"It gets us in front of men and women who really could come to Lehigh," Bunnick said.

The university's commitment to meeting 100 percent of student need as well as loan forgiveness and reduction programs will hopefully make Lehigh affordable for those students, Bunnick said.

Bunnick said minority rates have doubled in the past five years at Lehigh. In 2014, minorities made up 22.6 percent of its undergraduate student population. Officials would like to see that number keep increasing, and they say the American Talent Initiative is one way to do that.

"We're excited about extending our reach," he said. "We're very eager looking forward, and partnering with these organizations is one way we can increase our reach."

A full list of partner colleges and universities in the program can be found on their website.

Ashleigh Albert is a freelance writer. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
An alleged gunman wanted in the fatal shooting of a Pennsylvania State Police trooper is dead, authorities announced.

Jason Robison (Photo courtesy Pa. State Police)

Jason Robison, 32, of Hesston, Pa., was shot and killed after making threats to police who located him Saturday morning at an unoccupied mobile home, the Associated Press reported.

Robison is suspected in the killing of 23-year-old Trooper Landon Weaver in Juniata Township in central Pennsylvania on Friday night.

Weaver, who joined the state police last December and graduated from the academy in June, was responding to a report of a protection-from-abuse violation at Robison's mother's house when he was shot about 6:30 p.m. Friday, according to reports.

Pennsylvania State Police announced on Twitter late Saturday morning that Robison was dead.

State police said they had Robison in their sights shortly after 9:30 a.m., which prompted a massive response that included State Police Commissioner Tyree Blocker, according to pennlive.com.

State police Cpl. Adam Reed confirmed that Robison was killed by police during an encounter at a mobile home. The site was not far from the home in Huntingdon County where Weaver was shot, the AP reported.

Reed said Robison refused orders and threatened officers on the scene, leading police to shoot him. His death was confirmed about 10:30 a.m.

The search for Robison was focused on an area around the mobile home and nearby Raystown Lake.

He had been arrested more than a dozen times on charges that included making threats, assault, theft and driving on a revoked license, the AP reported. Robison last appeared in court on Dec. 16, when he was released on theft and driving charges after posting $10,000 bail.

Reed said the trooper's survivors include his wife. They married in June.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
UPDATE: Manhunt over as suspect is shot dead

A Pennsylvania State Police trooper was shot and killed Friday night and the gunman remains at large.

It happened in a remote area of Juniata Township in Huntingdon County in central Pennsylvania.

Landon Weaver enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in December 2015. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)

The trooper, Landon Weaver, was shot while responding to a report of a protection-from-abuse violation at a home in Juniata Township.

A manhunt was on for the suspect, identified by state police as Jason Robison, 32, of Hesston, Pa.

Homicide charges already have been filed and an arrest warrant signed for Robison, who was the subject of a massive search overnight, according to pennlive.com. State police said Robison is considered armed and dangerous.

The shooting occurred about 6:30 p.m. Friday at the home of Robison's mother, Sherry, as Weaver was investigating a reported violation of a protection-from-abuse order against Robison, pennlive.com reported.

Weaver enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in December 2015 and was assigned to the Patrol Unit in Troop G in Huntingdon, the Associated Press reported. He's the 97th member of the Pennsylvania State Police to be killed in the line of duty.

He graduated from the state police academy in June and was assigned to Troop G, Hollidaysburg, near his home in East Freedom, Pa., according to pennlive.com.

He was a graduate of Central High School in Martinsburg, Blair County, and was a dean's list student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in criminal justice, the news website reported.

He married his high school sweetheart, Macy Gottshall, in June.

HUNTINGDON COUNTY: PSP is currently searching for Jason Robison, 32, in relation to the shooting of a Trooper. https://t.co/ZsYVo2H6TV pic.twitter.com/wwUiSrtBzM  PA State Police (@PAStatePolice) December 31, 2016

Gov. Tom Wolf issued a statement Saturday saying he's confident the gunman will be captured and "brought to justice."

"On behalf of all Pennsylvanians, Frances and I extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Trooper Weaver and all members of the State Police across Pennsylvania in this moment of tragedy," Wolf said. "Landon will always be remembered for his bravery, his sacrifice, and his willingness to serve.

"The state police are our best and bravest Pennsylvanians, who risk their lives to keep all of our families safe," Wolf said. "I just spoke with Commissioner Tyree Blocker and have full confidence that the person who committed this senseless act of violence will be captured and brought to justice. As the search continues, all of our law enforcement officers involved are in the thoughts of all Pennsylvanians."

Joseph R. Kovel, president of the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, said members' support and condolences go to the Weaver family.

"Trooper Weaver is a brave hero who will forever be remembered for his ultimate sacrifice," Kovel said in a statement. "We grieve the senseless loss of his life and pray for the safety of our brothers and sisters who continue to protect the commonwealth."

Find more coverage of the trooper's fatal shooting on pennlive.com.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
TROPHIES

Kudos to emergency responders in Coconino County, Arizona, for the rescue of a Palmer Township family who became stranded as they were trying to find a route to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon last week. Karen and Eric Klein and their 10-year-old son Isaac set out from Las Vegas using GPS and Google Maps, only to find the state road to the North Rim had been been closed for the winter by the Nation Park Service. They tried an alternate route but their vehicle became stuck in a muddy ditch. Karen Klein, a professor at Northampton Community College, set off on foot to try to flag down a motorist and ended up walking for 26 miles in deepening snow. Eric and Isaac Klein were rescued after Eric hiked to higher ground and was able to make a phone call for help. Rescuers used helicopters and snowmobiles to track down Karen Klein in a cabin where she had taken refuge, exhausted and suffering from frostbite. Jim Driscoll, chief deputy for Coconino County, said the situation "could have gone very bad very, very easily," with a winter storm rolling in.

Easton Councilman David O'Connell wants the city to focus on a form of blight that has mushroomed with the advent of satellite television -- hundreds of unused dishes that adorn rooftops, porches and exterior walls. Many of the receivers are left behind when renters move from one place to another. There is no code requirement that abandoned dishes be removed. This week council approved O'Connell's resolution requiring the dishes be taken down 30 days after they're disconnected. "I think it will be hard to enforce but I can certainly get behind it," he said.



Employees from several companies volunteered to help Meals On Wheels of Northampton County brighten the holidays for senior citizens and people with disabilities. "Elves" from Air Products pitched in to help deliver presents and hot meals to Meals On Wheels clients. They also gift-wrapped pet toys and treats as part of the organization's Ani-Meals program, which provides food and supplies to the pets of homebound persons. Provident Bank collected pet food, toys and other supplies at its branches in the Lehigh Valley to support the Ani-Meals program.



The town of Phillipsburg will be using a symbol of the area's industrial history to mark the arrival of the new year. The annual town celebration, which runs from 11 p.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday, will be punctuated by the dropping of a steam whistle from the Phillipsburg Fire Department's hook-and-ladder truck, letting out a blast as it begins to descend. The whistle may sound familiar to many -- it was used to signal shift changes at the former Ingersoll-Rand Co., for many years the town's largest employer. Mayor Stephen Ellis said the town looked at several possibilities for an icon to drop at the countdown. "This New Year's signifies that the whistle will blow again in the form of the renaissance of our beloved Phillipsburg, NJ," he said in a text. The celebration will be held on a grassy area and sidewalk at Union Square in front of Jimmy's Hot Dogs and Free Bridge Wine & Spirits.



TURKEYS



Police in Lower Saucon Township are looking for the person who abandoned a gray-and-white pit bull outside the former Glow Gentleman's Club on Route 378. The dog was found at about 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, tied to a railing by pink leash, with no water or food. A foster home was found for the dog within two days. Police ask anyone with information about the dog to call them at 610-317-6110.
The maternity unit in Portlaoise hospital could be moved to Tullamore, as suggested by Dr Susan O'Reilly, CEO of the Dublin Midland Hospital Group, it was revealed this month.

Searches continued for Portarlington man Tony Egan, missing since September 19, helped by Laois Civil Defence, drones, K-9 dogs and the wider community, to no avail.

A brand new school was announced for St Francis special needs pupils in Portlaoise, by Minister Charlie Flanagan.

The building on the Timahoe Rd was no longer fit for the needs of the pupils and staff. They can look forward to a new building on the site of the former St Pauls NS, he said.

Parents feared the wait.

We have grave reservations on the timescale. It may be 2021, thats a lot of winters, said Michael Gorman of St Francis new building sub committee.

St Fintans NS in Mountrath was targeted by thieves for the third time in five weeks, with the total cost of the damage exceeding 10,000.

Its very distressing and frustrating, said Ms Reddy.

October 16 was the 40th anniversary of an IRA bomb in Garryhinch, which killed Garda Michael Clerkin, and injured four other gardai, including retired garda sergeant, Jim Cannon.

He called on the authorities to award a Garda bravery medal to Clerkin's family and the survivors, who live on with injuries and nightmares.

Come the 50th there wont be many of us around, he said.

Chief Supt John Scanlon later confirmed that the medal will be considered.

The sod was turned by Minister Flanagan and Minister Coveney on a new council estate in Portlaoise.

Conniberry Way, Old Knockmay Road, will have 30 three bed houses and three maisonettes, to be ready by spring 2018.

Long held hopes for an inland port at Togher in Portlaoise, hit the rocks when a 109-acre residential farm at its centre went up on sale for 2.2m.

There was a warm social media reaction to the news that an Eddie Rockets will open in January at Laois Shopping Centre.

Staff at Ballyfin Demense were shocked and overjoyed after the plush Laois hotel was chosen as the Best Hotel in the World, in the prestigious Conde Nast Readers Choice awards.

Laois doctors warned of the impact of a county without a hospital.

The plan is to downgrade Portlaoise from a 3 to a 2. They would close the Intensive Care Unit, the Paediatric unit, the coronary care, and replace the A&E unit with a local injury unit and a medical assessment unit, said Dr Sean Fleming, cardiologist.
Funeral arrangements have been announced for Declan Foy, Derrinavoggy, Arigna, Co Roscommon who passed away suddenly on Christmas Eve while on holiday in Thailand.

The 30-year-old father of two was a native of Arigna. He had attended Drumshanbo Vocational School and was a well known and much loved part of the local community.

Described a gentle giant who "would do anything for others", Declan's death has caused widespread shock and sadness.

He is survived by his parents Breege and Kevin, his brother Adrian, sister Siobhan, daughters Jessica and Aine and their mother Kelly as well as a wide circle of uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives, friends and neighbours.

Declan is reposing at Shivnans Funeral Home, Ballyfarnon tomorrow, Sunday, January 1 from 3pm until 6.15pm. This will be followed by his Removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Arigna, arriving 7pm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 2 at 12pm with interment afterwards in adjoining cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust c/o Siobhan Foy.
Over the next few days, we will be publishing our twelve most read posts of 2016. Many thanks to the 533,000 people who have visited the site over the past tumultuous 12 months.

In 3rd place is a piece from Ciaran McGonagle criticising one of Donald Trumps potential choices for US Secretary of State. Unfortunately, the guy who did get it, Exxon Mobiis Rex Tillerson, is arguably even worse.

News that John Bolton is being considered for the role of Secretary of State in President-elect Trumps administration should give liberals, multi-lateralists, indeed anyone who values human rights and the rule of law, much cause for much concern.

As you may recall, John Bolton served as both Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security and, temporarily, as Permanent Representative to the United Nations under the Bush administration. His brief tenure at the United Nations was cut short as the 2006 Democratic mid-term sweep removed any realistic prospect that Boltons nomination would be confirmed.

With Republican majorities now in place for at least the next 2 years, it seems unlikely that Trumps will encounter similar problems with his own appointments.

Bolton, as the United States chief diplomat, would represent a particular threat to the global order. Phlegmatic and staunchly nationalistic, Bolton led the United States opposition to the International Criminal Court, describing it as a threat to American security interests, removing the US as signatory before negotiating bilaterally with nations to exempt US nationals from prosecution for war crimes. Unashamedly unilateralist, as Permanent Secretary to the UN he even claimed that there was no such thing as the United Nations, with the international community ostensibly being led by the United States and, even then, only in furtherance of its own narrow self-interest.

Boltons appointment would mark a return to Bush-era foreign policy, reviving debates over everything from Guantanamo to water-boarding to US leadership within the United Nations itself. Trump, while taking a decidedly isolationist stance on the campaign trail, has spoken positively of water-boarding (and worse) and the extra-judicial killing of, not only suspected terrorists, but of their families as well. A return to Bush-era phraseology of enhanced interrogation and enemy combatants is already creeping into Trumps limited lexicon, with promises of enhanced vetting of migrants, particularly those of the Islamic faith.

From the UKs perspective, a scaled-up, retooled and, perhaps, rebranded War on Terror would represent a significant foreign policy recalibration which the Government would need to adapt to. Trump is on record as claiming he would be comfortable working in concert with Putin to support Assad in Syria, a regime which has brutalized combatants and civilians and that has, in recent times, used chemical and biological weapons to subdue civil unrest. Would Theresa Mays government align itself with a Trump-Putin axis in the middle-east?

The UKs record of complicity in extra-judicial rendition of terrorist suspects en route to Guantanamo is well documented. Would this government cooperate with Trump in engaging in extra-judicial killings, rendition and torture, whether upon or directed from UK territory? Would UK assets be used? Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, in discussing the use of UK-manufactured weapons by Saudi Arabia during bombing raids in Yemen, has betrayed complete indifference as to the implication of UK arm sales into conflicts where fundamental abuses of human rights and breaches of international norms are committed on an almost daily basis.

Even if the UK government doesnt succeed in its long standing policy objective of repealing the Human Rights Act, the Prime Ministers recent denunciation of liberalism demonstrates a clear direction of travel.

In little over 6 months, it is conceivable that the permanent members of the UN Security council could be represented by Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinpeng, Marie Le Pen and Theresa May. Should this frightening prospect come to fruition, I have little faith that the current UK government could act as any kind of a bulwark against the most troubling excesses of what may one day come to be known as a modern-day Axis of Evil.
How many times this year have you heard people say Ive never known a year as awful as 2016. I have some sympathy with what they are saying. I dont think Ive ever known a year when so many friends have lost loved ones  parents and children. Its not just my age. Some of those friends have been much younger.

For me, it seems that so many of the key influences on me as I was growing up have gone. I felt the sudden loss of Victoria Wood particularly strongly. I was one of the few never to have had a crush on George Michael but I loved his music and Princess Leia was a great female role model in an otherwise male dominated genre brought to life so well by Carrie Fisher.

In the party, we have lost wonderful liberals like Eric Avebury, David Rendel, Ed Townsend and Brian Niblett and we will miss their service and contributions.

I cant write off 2016 totally, though. It has been a stinker, but on a personal level, it will forever be the year my husband got through heart surgery. It contained the scariest moments of my life, with the worst being that awful late night phone call from the Intensive Care charge nurse telling me that they were taking him back into theatre. However much that feeling of petrified helplessness will stay with me, its well and truly trumped by the relief I felt just 14 hours later watching him sitting up in bed in ICU scoffing a tub of ice cream. For me, a glance into a room as he works on his music fills me with joy. He brought me a cup of tea the other morning for the first time in three months and I couldnt stop smiling for hours.

The Liberal Democrats have had some fantastic times, too. Here are a selection.

Sarah Olney wins Richmond Park

This has to be the mother of them all. Against all the odds, we showed we were back by defeating Zac Goldsmith and replaced a pro Brexit anti Heathrow expansion MP with an anti Brexit anti Heathrow expansion MP. It was wonderful watching everyones body language at the count as we waited for the result to come in. Initially our people werent very optimistic but things definitely changed.

Look at this and smile:

I will stand up for the open, tolerant, united Britain that we believe in. pic.twitter.com/c51dqx1UDN  Sarah Olney (@sarahjolney1) December 2, 2016

Alex Cole-Hamilton and Willie Rennie take seats off the SNP

If you had told me at the beginning of the year that we would still have five MSPs and would actually win constituency seats from the MSP, Id have thought you were being way too over-optimistic. The truth is we risked losing everything except our seat on the North East list. I never thought it would be quite that bad, but we were definitely up against it.

For the first time since 2003, though, we ran a confident campaign that we could be very proud of and it paid off. Alex Cole-Hamilton pulled off an audacious win in Edinburgh Western. I was part of that campaign so I know how much work went into doing that. It was very satisfying as Id spent a decade trying to get this tireless campaigner for childrens rights into Holyrood. In 2007, he was top of the Mid Scotland and Fife list and his election seemed assured  until we won Dunfermline by 500 votes meaning that we wouldnt get a list seat. In 2011, he lost out narrowly on the Lothian list. That was when he made that iconic tweet:

If my defeat tonight is part payment so that no child will spend another night in a detention centre then I accept it, with all my heart.  Alex Cole-Hamilton (@Alex4Central) May 6, 2011

There was no way any of us wanted him to miss out again. The way he got back out there and campaigned with vigour after the loss of the Westminster seat in 2015 was an example to us all. Ill never forget the feeling at the count as we started to dare to believe that hed done it. Then Kevin Lang gathered us in a huddle and told us that we had probably won narrowly and we had to scrutinise the next stage very carefully. When Alex showed up at the count, everyone wanted a selfie with him. It was an amazing atmosphere.

Willie Rennies win in North East Fife was a great result for him, too. Nobody really expected him to pull that one off.

His vibrant, upbeat and energetic national campaign won plaudits all over the place. Here he is seemingly re-enacting that scene from Lady and the Tramp with a therapet.

However it was his encounter with a couple of amorous pigs that provided one of the most iconic moments of the entire election. The internet loved it and the party embraced it with humour. At the manifesto launch the next week (which featured Willie at a soft play being interviewed on a slide and sliding down a volcano), we handed out Percy Pigs to the journalists.

We learned this week that 2016 is no respecter of celebrity, human or porcine, though. Kama and Sutra, the pigs in question, are no more. Willies Twitter response was priceless.

I want to make it clear that this is not a warning to my opponents. Farewell Karma and Sutra. https://t.co/d5PooOxluj  Willie Rennie (@willie_rennie) December 28, 2016

Had we not won the constituency seats, the SNP would have an overall majority. Thats something to savour.

Chris Wiggin shaves his head at the Glee Club

One of the most emotional and inspiring moments of this year came at the Lib Dem conference Glee Club. The papers just report the rude songs but there is a real sense of family and community there that they dont see. When Chris Wiggin shaved his head to raise funds for Macmillan who had supported his lovely mum Susan during her final illness, we were all there to support him. I hope that he and Nigel Ashton felt that love and support of their Lib Dem family yesterday as they marked the first anniversary of Susans passing.

All those local by-election gains

Late Thursday evenings became a pleasure once more as the Lib Dem local by-election gains ramped up. We gained from Labour, from the Tories, in areas that voted Remain and Leave.

Its all beautifully summed up by Brian Milnes and John Berkeley Grout in their excellent graphic:

The joy of reading Lynne Featherstones Equal Ever After

Lynne Featherstone is responsible for the book I most enjoyed reading this year. Her account of how she ensured same sex marriage was going to get on the statute book is brilliantly written. There were bits where I had to do a double take as I couldnt quite believe shed said THAT in print. Its as honest and refreshing and funny and poignant as you would expect from Lynne and if you havent already read it, order your copy here. Its guaranteed to make even the most grumpy Lib Dem smile.

Kirsty Williams More Nurses Bill became law

The election results in Wales were undeservedly awful for the Welsh Liberal Democrats. The Welsh Lib Dems had been such a force for good in the Assembly. The party had been responsible for the only two private members bills to be passed in the Welsh Assembly. In 2013, Peter Black ensured mobile home owners had more protections in law. In February, Kirstys More Nurses Bill cleared its final parliamentary hurdle.

When I saw her at Welsh Conference, she explained her motivation for introducing the bill:

Kirsty explained how a visit to an admissions ward with a family member allowed her to see at first hand the stress that the nurses were under. There simply wasnt enough of them and Kirsty spoke to one nurse who had been there long beyond the end of her 12.5 hour shift. As she pointed out, if a nurse made a mistake through exhaustion, it would be they, not the manager who had made them work for so long, who would be held accountable.

The diversity debate at Conference

The landmark decision to introduce a huge raft of measures to ensure diversity in our MPs was particularly close to my heart. I felt the responsibility quite heavily as I was proposing the motion. Heres my speech:

At the time, I said:

The most controversial hour and a half of the Conference. Who would have thought that the Lib Dems would back all-women shortlists (in fairly modest terms) on the same day that Jeremy Clarkson basically came out as a federalist? Can today get any stranger? I was pretty nervous about speaking. Butterflies were in my stomach doing tug of war with each other on a trampoline from Saturday evening. However, once I got up there, I quite enjoyed it, although watching it back was excruciating because I cringed at every fluffed line or stumble. There was also an underlying sadness because I knew I was proposing something I passionately believed in but with which a fair few very dear people to me equally passionately disagreed. There were fantastic speeches on both sides. Several young women from Liberal Youth spoke wearing I am not a token woman t-shirts. I always knew Alex White in particular would get up on the rostrum, without notes, and make a compelling speech. She and other young women talked about the casual sexism and unwanted attention that they had experienced within the party. Every female member of Liberal Youth, they said, had had endured that, they said. That has to be tackled and I certainly intend to talk to them and find a way of dealing with it. I have to be honest, I was not especially confident that our view would prevail. Certainly, our collective experience in the bars on Friday night was that this would be a tough sell. Tim Farron and his team knew this. He could have bailed. Instead, he talked about it at every fringe and his Q and A and put a card in for the debate. In a debate on gender quotas for party committees in 2014, Tim had given a very flat kind of speech, Todays was an absolute barnstormer. He said he needed to lead a diverse team of MPs. In the end the motion was passed by some margin without much in the way of hostility and rancour. I have every admiration and respect for all the Liberal Youth women. There is not much between me and them in terms of analysis of the problem. We just have different solutions.

Remembering these happy moments gives us strength for the tough road ahead. What are your Lib Dem highlights of 2016?

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
A LIMERICK city taxi driver has successfully appealed the decision of Chief Superintendent David Sheahan to revoke his PSV licence.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is currently the subject of a criminal investigation arising from an incident which is alleged to have happened at the beginning of September.

During an appeal which was heard in November, Chief Supt Sheahan said he met the man on two separate occasions after he became aware of the allegations against him.

He said given the nature of the allegations he decided to revoked the mans licence with immediate effect.

He described to decision to revoke the licence as a balancing exercise between the mans human rights and his duty to ensure public safety.

In my view a breach of trust and responsibility occurred, he said telling Sgt Donal Cronin that he is no longer satisfied the man is a fit a proper person to hold a PSV licence he said adding it was only the third time he had revoked a PSV licence during his time as head of the Limerick garda division.

Judge Marian OLeary was told the criminal investigation is ongoing and that a file is likely to be sent to the office of the DPP early in the new year.

Last week, Inspector Padraig Byrnes said the results of forensic tests were awaited and that directions were not available from the DPP

The taxi drivers solicitor submitted his client, who is married with a number of young children, is entitled to earn a living and that the revocation of his licence wwould affect his ability to sustain his current lifestyle and care for his family.

He has a constitutional right to earn a livelihood, he said

He said his client, who works as a part-time taxi driver, denies the allegations made against him and will fight to clear his good name if he is prosecuted.

Granting the appeal, Judge OLeary commented the presumption of innocence applies in relation to the criminal matter.

The judge also noted there is no legal mechanism to review the decision of Chief Supt Sheahan (to revoke the licence) until next October.
THE sound of the bells at St Marys Cathedral will fill the air as Limerick welcomes 2017 in style.

For more than 100 years, people have gathered outside the Protestant cathedral to celebrate the start of a new year in the city  and that tradition shows no sign of abating, according to Kieron Brislane, one of the bellringers.

People are asked to gather around the cathedral to hear the spectacular sounds from around 11.15pm.

And as the clocks strike into 2017, the heaviest bell will ring 12 times, with the bells then ringing for around 15 to 20 minutes thereafter.

St Marys Pipe Band will also be on hand to provide a rousing version of the traditional New Years song Auld Lang Syne.

A number of other events will take place around the city, as Limerick bids 2016 farewell.

Teds nightclub will return to its glory days with a VIP night at OConnell Street.

Well-known folk group Hermitage Green will play Dolans Pub, while the same venue will also play host to the OMalleys annual New Years Eve party.

A Winters Tale style New Years Eve Ball will take place to mark the dying embers of the year at the Radisson Blu Hotel, in aid of the Redemptorists Food Appeal.

Meanwhile, the Savoy Hotel will play host to a fundraising ball in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation.

Vintners Assocation representative Cllr Jerry ODea is expecting a busy New Years Eve.

A big night is expected. Certainly around the city and suburbs, there has been a large influx of people home for the holidays. People are enjoying themselves, he said.
A FULLY-functioning pistol was found concealed in the attic of a house on the southside of the city two years after the occupant was asked to hide it, a court has heard.

Keith Crawford, aged 42, of Clarina Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston has pleaded guilty to possession of the firearm which was seized by gardai more than three years ago.

During a sentencing hearing last week, Detective Garda Peter Colleran said the Walther pistol was located under some plywood in the attic when the defendants home was searched on November 24, 2013.

He said the German-made firearm was wrapped in a black plastic bag which had been placed in an empty cereal box.

When questioned, the defendant, he said, told gardai he had hidden the weapon around two years earlier after two young men called to home and made veiled threats against him.

Detective Garda Colleran said gardai believe the youths were sent by another individual to whom a relative of the defendant owed money.

Pat Whyms BL, said his client  a father of four  is a largely law abiding individual who works as a cleaner and porter at University Hospital Limerick.

He never handled the weapon and that what happened in 2011 came as a bolt from the blue.

It was accepted by John OSullivan BL, prosecuting that Mr Crawford did not intend using the weapon and that his cooperation and admissions were helpful.

Judge Tom ODonnell adjourned the matter to April 4, next when he will impose sentence.
Dec 30, 2016, 10 AM

A pair of Sitting Helvetia stamps from the Herbert Brach collection of the 1854-62 imperforate issue is shown here. David Feldman offered Brachs extensive collection in Geneva in late fall, selling it for $49,250.

David Feldmans sale week in late fall in Geneva, Switzerland, included an extremely rare multiple of a block of eight of a 1951 Egyptian issue for the wedding of King Farouk and Queen Narriman. This imperf corner-margin block of eight sold for about $2

An 1851 stampless cover sent to Helsinki, Finland, from New Archangel, in the Russian province of Alaska, brought $22,800 at David Feldmans sale.

Russian ship mail in David Feldmans fall auction in Geneva included an 1869 folded letter from the Russian post office in Alexandria to post office at Port Said, Egypt, franked with pairs of 1868 stamps of the Russian Offices in the Turkish Empire. It so

A collection of letter cards issued by Tonga in 1911, including this die proof, brought $1,400 at the fall auction by David Feldman in Geneva.

An unissued pair of stamps from the Soviet Union, marking the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Poltava, sold for $20,400 during David Feldmans late fall auction week in Geneva. It may be the unique multiple among 40 known examples.

By Matthew Healey, New York Correspondent

The highlights of David Feldmans Autumn Auction Week of sales from Nov. 28 to Dec. 3 in Geneva were the Mauritius Post Office printing plate and a half-dozen related items, previously reported in Linns issue of Dec. 26, 2016.

Plenty of other rare and interesting items were offered throughout the rest of the week. Among the worldwide highlights were a number of proof sheetlets and imperforate blocks of Egyptian issues.

One of the most visually striking was an imperf corner-margin block of eight of the 10-millieme issue for the May 6, 1951, royal wedding of King Farouk and Queen Narriman (a variety of Scott 291).

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Estimated at 3,000, the extremely rare multiple sold for 17,000, or about $21,300, including the 20 percent buyers premium added by Feldman to all lots.

Farouk had divorced his first wife, Queen Farida, after she bore three daughters but no sons, and sought a new wife in an effort to perpetuate his dynasty with a male heir. Narriman, a commoner, was 18 at the time. Despite the prompt birth of their son, Farouk was deposed in a coup in 1952 and went into exile. Narriman returned to Egypt without him, and they divorced in 1954. He died in exile in Rome in 1965; she remarried twice and died in 2005.

A section of the Feldman auction devoted to Russian ship mail included an 1869 folded letter from the Russian post office in Alexandria to the one at Port Said, Egypt, franked with pairs of 1868 1-kopeck and 5k stamps of the Russian Offices in the Turkish Empire (Scott 8 and 10) and crisply canceled with both offices postmarks.

The two Russian post offices in Egypt operated from 1867 to 1875. The cover, which was sent the year the Suez Canal opened, sold for about $18,800.

An 1851 stampless cover was sent to Helsinki by a Finnish naturalist working in the Russian province of Alaska. The letter was posted at New Archangel, which was later renamed Sitka, and traveled to Finland, then also part of Russia, via St. Petersburg.

Alaska was sold to the United States in 1867, and letters dating before that time are exceedingly rare, according to Feldman. This one sold for $22,800.

Among stamps offered was an unissued pair from the Soviet Union, honoring the 250th anniversary of the 1709 Battle of Poltava.

The battle, in which the Russian forces of Czar Peter the Great routed the Swedish army under Charles XII, supported by Ukrainian forces, is considered a historic turning point for both sides: for Russia, a positive one, but marking the beginning of the end of Swedens time as a major European power.

Realizing that the stamp issue would be politically delicate given his planned visit to Sweden in August 1959 (canceled in late July), Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev had the stamps withdrawn. Only about 40 examples are thought to survive, and the never-hinged pair in the Feldman sale, which might be a unique multiple, went for $20,400.

An extensive, specialized exhibit-collection of Switzerlands 1854-62 imperforate Sitting Helvetia issue, assembled by Herbert Brach and forming the basis for his book published in 2000, contained an in-depth study of the paper types, shades and varieties of silk threads embedded in the stamp paper for security reasons, as well as postal history of the issue.

The collection was accompanied by more than 100 certificates for the more noteworthy items. It sold for $49,250.

Another specialized collection in the sale explored the letter cards issued by the Pacific island of Tonga in 1911.

Letter cards, which were sealed by wetting the gummed edges and then opened by tearing them off, were considered superior to postcards because they offered more space to write, while still being more convenient than conventional letters. They had one major drawback: In a humid, tropical climate, the gum would stick prematurely, rendering the cards useless.

The collection included a variety of interesting examples of the cards use as well as a handsome die proof of the 1-penny indicium showing a full-face portrait of Tongas king, George II, under the country name Toga, which was the favored spelling at the time. The group sold for $1,400.
What are paquebot covers and how can they be collected?: Stamp Collecting Basics

Dec 31, 2016, 9 AM

This letter card was mailed aboard a steamship of the Canadian Pacific line in 1936. Why is it franked with a Great Britain stamp?

This paquebot letter carried on the Lady Hawkins, a ship of Canadian registry, in 1936 is franked with a Bahamas stamp and received a postmark in Trinidad. How can we explain this?

This attractive 1898 paquebot letter was carried on board a ship of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Co., and franked with a British stamp with two Gibraltar postmarks. (Thanks to Morris Taber for this image.)

By Janet Klug

Have you ever acquired a cover that has a handstamp of PAQUEBOT? Do you know what it means?

The word in French translates literally to ship, but the letter card shown in the first illustration has a good handstamped postmark that not only cancels the 1-penny British stamp, but also describes in four words what paquebot means in the context of mail: PAQUEBOT/POSTED/AT SEA.

To the left of the paquebot cancel is the red and white logo of the huge Canadian cargo and passenger shipping company known in that era as Canadian Pacific Steamships Ocean Services Ltd., usually called simply Canadian Pacific. The postmark date is July 16, 1936.

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Putting those pieces together, you can deduce that the letter card was mailed on board a Canadian Pacific steamship, to be sent to an address in Omaha, Neb., but why was the affixed stamp from Great Britain?

Within the letter, the writer indicates she was leaving Canada on the RMS Empress of Britain. A little searching on the Internet reveals that RMS stands for Royal Mail Ship. The Empress of Britain was one of 11 new steamships that Canadian Pacific purchased to replace vessels it had lost in World War I, and the ship provided trans-Atlantic passenger service between Canada and Europe, spring to autumn, from 1931-39.

So the question remains: If the writer and her letter card departed from Canada, why was the affixed stamp British?

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) created procedures for a variety of international postal regulations. Accordingly, mail posted aboard a ship in international waters was entitled to be franked with stamps of, and in accordance with the postal rates of, the country of the ships registry.

The RMS prefix gives the impression of a British ship, and in fact, the RMS Empress of Britain was registered in London, so passengers on the ship would use British stamps when depositing mail aboard the vessel.

The second illustration shows a piece of mail that looks to be a little more complex, with a Bahamas stamp; a PAQUEBOT TRINIDAD handstamp; a postmark of July 17, 1936, from Port of Spain in Trinidad; and a circular handstamp from the pursers office of C.N.S. Lady Hawkins.

The C.N.S. stands for Canadian National Steamships, and the ship was registered in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Why would a Bahamas stamp with a Paquebot Trinidad handstamp and Trinidad postmark be on a cover mailed from a ship registered in Canada?

The answer gets a little complicated, as it depends on where the ship was at the time of mailing. If the ship is in international waters, then the stamps should be those of the country from which the vessel is registered.

However, if the ship is in territorial waters (the part of the sea within a stated distance of the shore of a state), the UPU rules change, as follows: Items posted on board ship during the stay at the two terminal points of the voyage or at any intermediate port of call must be prepaid by means of postage stamps and according to the tariff of the country in whose waters the ship is lying.

So, with that rule in mind, the Bahamas stamp on this cover would have been affixed while the Lady Hawkins was in Bahamian territorial waters, and thereafter the cover was postmarked at docking in Port of Spain in Trinidad.

A much earlier (1898) paquebot cover, shown here courtesy of Morris Taber, appears in the final illustration. It has two postmarks: the Great Britain 2d Victoria Jubilee stamp is covered with a squared circle Gibraltar postmark, and to its left is another Gibraltar postmark with the date JAN 98. In the upper-left corner of the cover is the flag logo of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, a prominent British shipping line. So there you have a letter bearing a British stamp that was postmarked from a British Overseas Territory, traveling on a British steamship to England.

Collecting paquebot covers is enthralling, along with being quite complicated at times. Fortunately, there are excellent reference books available: Paquebot Cancellations of the World by Roger Hosking, third edition, 2000; and an earlier book, Paquebot and Ship Letter Cancellations of the World, 1894-1951 by M.A. Studd, 1953. A History of the Ship Letters of the British Isles: An Encyclopaedia of Maritime Postal History by Alan W. Robertson is something of a rarity, but was reprinted by James Bendon in 1993.

If you have trouble finding these works, join the American Philatelic Society and you can borrow copies by mail from the American Philatelic Research Library. For information, click here.
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While the U.S. presidential election dominated headlines in 2016 and showed a divided America, Laredoans were split on a handful of hotly contested local issues, including proposed charter amendments and a huge tax deal. The following is a breakdown of some of Laredos biggest stories of 2016:

Propositions

Moving Laredo Forward collected 7,818 verified signatures this spring to get five propositions on the ballot after they were voted down by the Charter Review Committee. One of the proposed City of Laredo charter amendments would have created a combination at-large system in City Council, with four council members representing their districts and four representing the whole city.

The proposition, however, was voted down by 55 percent of voters. Proposition 2, which gives the mayor the right to initiate motions at City Council meetings, was approved by 51 percent of voters. Propositions allowing the mayor to add items to the City Council agenda and consult with the city manager on proposed agenda items for City Council meetings were passed as well.

Proposition 5 was voted down. This would have increased the number of votes needed to override a mayors veto from five to six.

Campus ministry

A long awaited project at TAMIU never came to fruition. Diocese of Laredo Bishop James A. Tamayo halted the construction of the Catholic Student Center, a project that the Brothers of St. John and a host of Laredo citizens and community leaders had been trying to get off the ground for years.

The project was set to be built on private land adjacent to Texas A&M International University. A groundbreaking ceremony had been held for the center, but before construction could begin, Tamayo stopped the project. It is unclear why he put an end to it but Tamayo said a 2009 agreement to allow for the center's formation was null and void because he was "under duress" when he signed it. He had signed the agreement with the Brothers of St. John.

Bus crash

A charter bus carrying 51 passengers crashed in May, resulting in nine deaths. The bus was headed to the Kickapoo Lucky Casino Hotel in Eagle Pass. A 1999 Vanh OGA Charter bus was traveling northbound on U.S. 83 when the driver lost control and rolled over on its left side off the roadway.

Seven people died at the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the case. It said it would take 12 to 14 months to finish its investigation.

Plastic Bag Ban

In August, the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio ruled that Laredos plastic bag ban is illegal. The opinion said the citys ordinance does exactly what Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act intends to prevent  regulate the sale or use of plastic bags for solid waste management purposes.

The city says it adopted the plastic bag ban to combat an extensive problem with single-use checkout bags. These bags were infiltrating the citys sewer system and drains, causing the city to incur substantial costs, the city said. The City of Laredo has since filed a petition with the Supreme Court requesting a review of the Fourth Court of Appeals ruling.

Death sentence

Demond Blunton was sentenced to death May 5 after he was found guilty of killing his ex-girlfriends two children, Jaydin Thompson, 6, and Devian, 1, in a local hotel room in June 2012. Devian was Bluntsons biological son.

His death sentence was the first in Webb County in about 25 years. The jury trial began on April 18 in the 49th District Court lasting 17 days and costing the city about $578,000.

Bluntsons case has been on appeal with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest court of criminal jurisdiction in the state, since May. A person who receives the death penalty does not have a choice as to whether his or her case is appealed.

Downtown Outlet Mall

In May, city officials gathered to sign a steel beam as construction of The Outlet Shoppes of Laredo got underway. It is anticipated to open in the spring.

About $200 million has been invested in the 358,000-square-foot-project, which is expected to boost Laredos economy, revive downtown and spur tourism between the U.S. and Mexico. The outlet will create more than 1,200 jobs and 1,500 seasonal jobs for the community and generate more than $134 million in annual sales.

Double homicides

The Laredo Police Department reported two double homicides this year when the bodies of young couples were discovered abandoned outdoors.

On June 26, a passer-by discovered the bodies of George O. Rodriguez, 20, and Alondra Gutierrez, 19, naked with their heads covered in plastic in an empty lot in the Lakeside Subdivision near Iguazu Falls Creek and Lake Victoria Road. No arrests have yet been made relation to the deaths of Rodriguez and Gutierrez.

On Oct. 31, Andrew Michael Moreno, 18, and Alexus Nicole Zepeda, 17, were discovered dead in a grassy area by Estrella Drive and Arco Iris Road in and east Laredo neighborhood.

Edwin Cortez-Mercado was arrested and charged with two counts of murder after implicating himself in Moreno and Zepedas deaths, police said. The case remains under investigation.

College leadership

The two public colleges in Laredo received new leadership this year.

In August, Laredo Community College welcomed its new president Ricardo Solis after Juan Maldonado announced his retirement. Solis previously served as dean of academic professional and technical education at Gateway Community College in Arizona.

In October, TAMIU Provost Pablo Arenaz was named the sole finalist for the Texas A&M International University president position. The position became available after Ray Keck was appointed interim president at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Before joining TAMIU in 2008, Arenaz served as vice provost for graduate studies and dean of the graduate school at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Marquez trial

On June 23, Jose Noe Marquez, pleaded guilty to fatally striking Karina Villarreal, 32, and Adriana Gonzalez Rodriguez, 29, and seriously injuring Monica Pastrana, 34, with his pickup truck on Aug. 29, 2015 as the three were jogging on Jacaman Road.

Authorities said a toxicology report showed that Marquez, 23, of Mission, Texas, has marijuana and Xanax in his system at the time of the crash.

Marquez was sentenced to 20 years in prison on two counts of intoxication manslaughter and 10 years for intoxication assault. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning Marquez will serve 20 years in prison.

Coves at Winfield

Laredo City Council voted 4-3 in June to not enter a tax deal with Killam Development for the Coves of Winfield, a subdivision that would have had 1,500 homes, 500 apartment units and 1 million square feet of retail space.

The tax deal involved the city creating a tax increment reinvestment zone, or TIRZ. It would have been a public-private partnership that would set aside some of the citys future tax revenue dollars for years to help fund the subdivisions infrastructure and development needs. Negotiations between City Council and Killam had been ongoing for years.
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With one day left in 2016, the Laredo Police Department is set to record 13 homicides this year, a small increase from 11 in 2015.

This years youngest victim was Alexus Nicole Zepeda, 17. She was a victim in one of two double homicides. The homicides stunned the city when two young couples bodies were discovered abandoned in a vacant lot in the Lakeside Subdivision and a grassy area in an east Laredo neighborhood.

Antonio Gonzalez, 53, was the eldest and the citys first reported homicide. He was shot and killed during a home invasion.

The two young men arrested in connection to his death, Alexis Guzman, 18, and Rogelio Pena III, 19, were later linked to a joint investigation initiated in late 2015 by the Laredo Police Department narcotics division targeting young adult offenders smuggling narcotics and immigrants along the Rio Grande.

The years last homicide was a fatal shooting caused by the Laredo Police Department after a man allegedly stabbed an officer.

Nine people died by shootings this year. Other causes of death included strangulation, physical force and the use of a blunt force object.

January

Antonio Gonzalez was shot and killed during a home invasion Jan. 9.

At about 11:13 p.m., police said they received a 911 call from a home in the 3500 block of South Texas reporting shots fired.

Gonzalez was found dead at the scene. LPD said preliminary reports indicated two men, possibly more, forced their way inside the home and shot Gonzalez.

An investigation into the shooting yielded the arrests of Alexis Guzman and Rogelio Pena III. Both were indicted on charges of murder and burglary of a habitation.

February

On Feb. 4, in central Laredo, a man was accused of killing his father after he grabbed him by the neck and hit him several times during an altercation, police said.

Roel Herrejon, 24, was charged with murder in the death of his father Ramiro Herrejon, 51.

At 10:37 a.m., paramedics were called to the 600 block of Garza Street where a heart attack was reported.

First responders said they found Ramiro Herrejon unresponsive in a bedroom. He had bruises to his chest and blood on the back of his head. Herrejon was transported to Laredo Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Based on the statements provided by witnesses and (the) suspect  Herrejon informed detectives that he wrapped his arms around the victims neck and struck (him) several times with his hands and feet, LPD said.

Drug deal shooting

Februarys second homicide, an alleged drug deal gone wrong, resulted in the indictment of six men on murder charges.

The men allegedly conceived a scheme to use fake flash money, newspaper cut into dollar bill shapes, during a drug deal that resulted in the death of a 22-year-old man, according to witness testimony.

On Feb. 22, Julio Cesar Martinez-Garza was allegedly negotiating a drug deal moments before he and two others were ambushed as they sat in a minivan, according to court documents.

Martinez-Garza, 22, the front passenger in the van, was shot multiple times in the back, police said.

Records identified the driver of the van as Alfredo Garza, 27, and Jorge Antonio Aguilera, 20, as the rear passenger. Police said Aguilera was shot in the leg. Garza was unharmed.

As they attempted to flee, they were chased, blocked and shot at by occupants of (some) vehicles, according to the complaint.

An investigation into the shooting led to the indictments of Victor Daniel Castillo, Alberto Dominguez, Luis Angel Garcia, Erik Ibarra, Jesus Ruben Rodriguez and Jose Alfredo Villegas. Each was indicted on one count of murder, one count of engaging in organized criminal activity and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

On Dec. 12, Villegas pleaded guilty to engaging in organized criminal activity before 111th District Court. As part of a plea agreement, the state will be moving to dismiss a murder charge and two counts of aggravated assault against Villegas.

March

On March 25, a man with a history of prior convictions and over 20 arrests fatally stabbed Cesar Moises Salazar, police said. At about 2 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of Napoleon Street and South Louisiana Avenue. Reports state that a man, Salazar, 20, was in the street, screaming that he had been stabbed.

Salazar may have tried walking to a house seeking help but collapsed and died. He had multiple stab wounds to his chest and abdomen.

Witnesses claimed there had been an altercation between Salazar and a man identified as Tommy Luna. Police said Luna, 29, claimed self-defense, saying Salazar had assaulted him with a chair.

LPD said it recovered a knife at Luna's house. He admitted he pulled out a knife and that he stabbed (Salazar), said Investigator Joe E. Baeza, LPD spokesman.

Luna was indicted on a murder charge.

April

The citys fifth homicide remains under investigation, police said.

On April 20, Janette Escamilla Jaramillo was found dead at Seven Flags Park. Police said Jaramillo had a bruised neck, indicating that she may have been strangled.

Surveillance video taken from a business in the 4500 block of San Bernardo Avenue at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday shows Jaramillo, 33, who had just left work at about midnight, walking with an unidentified suspect.

The suspect (was) described as tall, with a short, cropped hair cut, police said. The suspect was seen walking with Jaramillo southbound on San Bernardo while wearing a trash bag, probably due to the rain that fell that evening, police said.

The case remains under investigation as LPD awaits the results of DNA evidence from a forensic lab.

June

June marked Laredos first double homicide of the year. On June 26, George O. Rodriguez, 20, and Alondra Gutierrez, 19, were discovered dead in an empty lot in the Lakeside Subdivision.

Their bodies were discovered naked with their heads covered in plastic by a passer-by near Iguazu Falls Creek and Lake Victoria Road, police said.

Francisco Villarreal Jr. and Ernesto Rodriguez Jr., wanted for questioning by LPD in connection to the homicides, were detained by Mexican authorities in October after a shootout with police, media outlets reported.

LPD is currently working with the Mexican government to facilitate the return of Villarreal and Rodriguez to the U.S.

Laredo police were initially searching for Villarreal in connection with the shooting of Esteban Yruegas, 22, on June 13 in the 3600 block of Galveston Street.

A visit by Villarreal and Rodriguez to Yruegas home resulted in Yruegas suffering a non-life threatening gunshot wound. Police later issued warrants for the arrest of Villarreal and Rodriguez on the charge of aggravated assault with a firearm.

After the shooting, Rodriguez and Arroyo went missing, prompting their families to file missing person reports with LPD.

July

LPD later identified Yruegas and Pedro Vasquez, 29, as suspected shooters in the death of Cesar Javier Sarmiento, 44, who was killed July 26.

Police said Yruegas and Vasquez gunned down Sarmiento, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his head, chest and abdomen area. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Vasquez is the owner of a mobile home in the 3600 block of Galveston, where the shooting occurred.

Authorities said there is no connection between Sarmientos death and the Lakeside homicide other than Yruegas first being a victim June 13 and then becoming a wanted a person for Sarmiento's homicide.

Yruegas and Vasquez are wanted by police in connection to the death of Sarimento.

August

On Aug. 22, Leopoldo Galot Gutierrez, 29, was fatally shot during an argument in the 2800 block of Rosario, police said.

The homicide was allegedly a crime of passion. Officers said they encountered a frantic female and Gutierrez, who was bleeding profusely, upon arrival at the residence on Rosario.

Police said Lorenzo Sanchez, 39, is suspected of shooting Gutierrez in the chest and forehead during an argument. Sanchez, a Mexican national from Nuevo Laredo, was identified as the ex-common-law husband of the woman. He remains at large.

October

Jorge Alberto Bustos died Oct. 25 after being assaulted with a wooden object in the downtown area, police said.

A woman alleged Mario Martinez, 20, had assaulted her boyfriend, Bustos, with a wooden object, possibly a fence board.

Bustos was airlifted to a San Antonio hospital due to internal bleeding, according to LPD reports. Authorities said he died of complications of head trauma.

Martinez is wanted by police in connection to the death of Bustos.

Halloween homicides

On Oct. 31, Andrew Michael Moreno, 18, and Alexus Nicole Zepeda, 17, a recently engaged couple, were discovered dead in a grassy area by Estrella Drive and Arco Iris Road in an east Laredo neighborhood.

Surveillance footage lead to the arrest of Edwin Cortez-Mercado, who was charged with two counts of murder. Noticeable traces of blood could be seen inside an Expedition at Cortezs residence, police said.

Detectives do not yet know where the couple was killed. Police are also looking into the possibility of other people being involved in the homicides.

Cortez implicated himself into the homicide of (Zepeda and Moreno), Baeza said.

The case remains under investigation.

December

On Dec. 11, Laredo police fatally shot Jose Angel Vallarta after he allegedly stabbed an officer.

The shooting happened in the 2700 block of Norton Street after officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in an apartment. A person had called 911 at about 11:40 a.m., saying an individual - armed with a knife - was threatening to harm himself in an apartment on Norton.

When officers encountered the man in or near the apartment, he refused to comply with officers' commands to drop the knife, LPD said.

They opened fire when he allegedly stabbed an officer in his arm. The injured officer was taken in stable condition to Laredo Medical Center, where he was later released.
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Columnists Press Releases
Trumps Praise for Putins Moral High Ground Exposed Obamas Vindictiveness

In response to Obamas new sanctions on Russia, illegal by any standard, Trump praised how Putin handled his action, tweeting (g)reat move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart.



A follow-up related tweet said Russians are playing #CNN and @NBCNews for such foolsthey dont have a clue! @FoxNews totally gets it.

Senior Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway called Obamas new sanctions a political response at the behest of Team Hillary, aiming to box inTrump because he favors improved relations with Russia, getting along with Putin, both leaders cooperating in combating terrorism - anathema to neocon infested Washington.



Obamas 11th hour action in the waning days of his deplorable presidency was based on fabricated claims of Russian US election hacking.



It was a thinly veiled political stunt, reflecting sour grapes for Trumps electoral triumph, wanting him delegitimized, along with an attempt to prevent normalization of Russia/US relations after his tenure ends - favoring continued confrontation instead.



Accusations of Russian US election hacking are groundless. No evidence exists proving it. Long after Americas intelligence community claimed it, Congress has yet to be briefed.



In mid-December, Senate Homeland Security Committee chairman Ron Johnson (R. WI) said (i)t is disappointing that the CIA would provide information on this issue to the Washington Post and NBC but will not provide information to elected members of Congress.



Media scoundrels regurgitate what theyre told without due diligence checking. Congressional members, especially Republicans, might openly question administration claims without credible truth supporting them. None exists.



The whole sordid business was made up for reasons cited above, Obama perhaps taking a final shot at Russia before leaving office - at Trump as well by trying to delegitimize his election triumph.



So far everything tried to prevent him from becoming Americas 45th president failed. Its unknown how hell govern after taking office.



Will he be a mensch like Putin or a menace like Obama? Humanity holds its breath to find out.

By Stephen Lendman

http://sjlendman.blogspot.com

His new book as editor and contributor is titled Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.

http://www.claritypress.com/Lendman.html

He lives in Chicago and can be reached in Chicago at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.



Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to The Global Research News Hour on RepublicBroadcasting.org Monday through Friday at 10AM US Central time for cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on world and national topics. All programs are archived for easy listening.

 2016 Copyright Stephen Lendman - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




MIDDLEBOROUGH Authorities say the driver of a car involved in an October crash that took the lives of five people was drunk and high when her car crashed head-on into another in the northbound lanes of I-495.

In a Friday press release, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said investigators indicated 31-year-old Valantein Burson's blood alcohol level of .16 or twice the state legal limit, and she had marijuana in her system when she drove her car onto I-495 October 24.

State Police reconstructionists determined that Burson was alone in the vehicle when she stopped in the northbound lane, made a three-point turn and began to drive the wrong way

By the time her Infinity sedan met up with a Mercury Sable carrying four college students, she was traveling at 90 mph with her headlights off. When the two cars crashed together the Mercury burst into flames, killing all four occupants. Burson died upon impact.

Cruz's announcement culminated the months-long investigation into the crash.

Detectives had determined Burson had been at a party in New Bedford that night, where she drank alcohol and smoked marijuana. She left the party alone destined for her Fall River apartment to meet someone.

Just before the crash, witnesses told police they saw her car make a three-point turn and take off headed south in the northbound lane.

Besides Burson, 20-year-old Kraig Diggs of Osterville, Jordan Galvin-Jutras, 19, of Hyannis, 19-year-old Jordan Fisher of Harwich and 18-year-old Cory Licata were all killed in the crash.
NEW BEDFORD

 A 21-year-old New Bedford man, who was shot Tuesday night, has died of his wounds, the Bristol County District Attorney's Office announced.

The Standard-Times reported that Justin Ortiz was found shot in the hallway of a Tallman Street apartment building Tuesday night just after 11:30 p.m. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital in what police called "extremely critical condition."

He died of his wounds at about 4 p.m. Friday afternoon, a spokesman for DA Thomas Quinn said. His death marks the third homicide in New Bedford for 2016.

New Bedford police and Massachusetts State Police detectives attached to the DA's office are investigating the homicide.


police lights.jpg

(FILE PHOTO)

SPRINGFIELD  One person has been extricated from an afternoon crash on Boston Road, city fire officials said Saturday.

Emergency crews responded to reports of a crash involving a Nissan Altima near 145 Boston Rd. just before 1 p.m., said Dennis Leger, aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant.

First responders extricated one female from the passenger side of the car. The driver had exited the vehicle on their own, according to Leger.

It is unclear how the reported crash occurred or whether the passenger or driver sustained any injuries.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Meek Mill.jpg

Rapper Meek Mill, whose real name is Robert Williams, is shown in this Facebook photo with his girlfriend entertainer Nicky Minaj

(Facebook)

WALLINGFORD, Connecticut Two people were killed, two others wounded when shooting broke out at the Oakdale Theater Friday night just as rap artist Meek Mill walked off the stage at the end of his concert, the New York Daily News reported.

Mill, whose real name is Robert Williams, had just completed his concert at about 11:15 p.m. and patrons apparently were starting to leave when shots rang out near the entrance to the theater, Wallingford police said.

Two people were killed at the scene and two people were wounded. One of the injured was taken to Yale/New Haven Hospital, the other to Hartford Hospital. Both of the wounded are expected to survive, Wallingford Police Lt. Cheryl Bradley told a press conference.

Mill/Williams was backstage by the time the shooting started and was not injured.

Wallingford police called in all available officers from surrounding towns to help control the scene, and to search for a suspect or suspects. It is unclear how many people police are searching for.

The gunfire in among a packed crowd of people moving toward exits created panic. The newspaper described a cellphone video shot near the entrance to the theater. People were heard screaming, while security guards attempted to get patrons to take cover from the gunfire.
EASTON  Two people have been killed and two people severely injured in a car crash in Easton, according to The Boston Globe.

At approximately 6 p.m. on Friday, Easton authorities and State Police responded to Depot Street, where a head-on collision between two vehicles had occurred, said State Police Sgt. Tom Ryan.

While Ryan said an investigation into the crash is currently being carried out, no further information about the incident has been released at this time.

This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
Missing-man-dennis.jpg

Dennis police are asking for the public's help in locating Mitchell Smith, who has been missing since Dec. 28.

(Dennis Police Department photo)

DENNIS  Authorities in Dennis are asking for the public's help in locating a man who has been missing since Wednesday.

Police say that 30-year-old Mitchell Smith hasn't been seen since he failed to return to his home in West Dennis on Dec. 28.

Smith is described as standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing approximately 187 pounds, and having brown hair and blue eyes.

Police say that Smith was last seen leaving his house on foot, and was not driving a motor vehicle.

Anyone who believes they may have information about Smith's whereabouts has been asked to contact the Dennis Police Department at (508) 394-1315.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec 30, 2016) - Constellation Software Inc. ("Constellation") (CSU.TO)announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Hikari Tsushin, Inc. for the incorporation, management and operation of a joint venture company. The joint venture company, to be named Constellation Software Japan, will seek to invest in, acquire and manage vertical market software companies with a primary place of business in Japan.

About Constellation

Constellation Software Inc. (CSU.TO) is an international provider of market leading software and services to a select number of industries, both in the public and private sectors. Constellation's mission is to acquire, manage and build market-leading software businesses that develop specialized, mission-critical software solutions to address the specific needs of particular industries.
ATHENS/SOFIA (Reuters) - National Bank of Greece (NBGr.AT) agreed to sell a 99.1 percent stake in its Bulgarian unit United Bulgarian Bank (UBB) and its fully-owned leasing subsidiary Interlease EAD to Belgian bank KBC Group (KBC.BR), National Bank said on Friday.

National Bank will receive 610 million euros (521 million pounds), it said, while UBB plans to make a 50 million euro dividend distribution to the Greek lender ahead of the transaction and after approval by its annual general assembly.

The sale of UBB is part of National Bank's restructuring plan agreed with the European authorities to boost its capital.

"The transaction further strengthens NBGs position in terms of capital and liquidity, allowing for the redeployment of resources to support the Greek economic recovery," National Bank Chief Executive Officer Leonidas Fragkiadakis said in a statement. NBG has had a presence in Bulgaria for 15 years.

UBB is Bulgaria's fourth-largest bank in terms of assets. Interlease is the third-largest leasing firm in the country, KBC Group said in a statement.

KBC said it will use internal sources and available funds to pay the price in cash. The deal is subject to approval by the relevant authorities and is expected to be concluded in the second quarter of 2017 at the latest.

KBC has been active in Bulgaria through its CIBANK unit. The combination of UBB and CIBANK will result in the creation of the third-largest banking group in Bulgaria in terms of assets, with a market share of approximately 11 percent, it said.

($1 = 0.9495 euros)

(Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou in Athens, additional reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova in Sofia; editing by Susan Thomas)
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by Chuck Martin , Staff Writer, December 30, 2016

Once a consumer starts researching products on their smartphone, the actual purchase of a product is pretty close behind.

In the U.S., the final purchase is most likely to occur in a physical store, which is not the case in some other countries.

While different countries have varying degrees of penetration, the smartphone is considered the most important device for retail research by almost a third (30%) of all retail shoppers, according to a new report.

The Global Mobile Path to Purchase study was conducted by xAD and Millward Brown and examined shopping behaviors in five countries (U.S., U.K., Germany, China and Japan).

The importance of the smartphone as a research tool for retail purchase varies by country, with the device taking on more importance than desktops in China. Heres the breakdown of where mobile is the most important device for shopping:

50% -- China

44% -- Japan

32% -- United Kingdom

31% -- United States

29% -- Germany

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There are a wide range of items that people are shopping for on phones. Consumers in Japan and China use phones for grocery shopping way ahead of other countries. In China, 88% of consumers use phones for grocery shopping, and 63% of consumers in Japan.

By contrast, just over half (57%) of U.S. consumers use their phones for grocery shopping, with clothing and apparel talking the top spot. Heres what consumers in the U.S. use their phones for when shopping:

58% -- Clothing and apparel

57% -- Grocery

41% -- Electronics

39% -- Home goods and improvement

37% -- Beauty and wellness

31% -- Games and entertainment

23% -- Sports and leisure

While more consumers in Japan make purchases on their phones, U.S. shoppers head to the store for that final purchase. For example, 67% of consumers in the U.S. make a trip to the store to complement their mobile research compared to fewer than half (45%) in Japan.

The real key in all of this is that once consumers start researching on their phones they are in the market to make a purchase relatively soon. Mobile research is the beginning of the intent to purchase cycle.

Chinese and U.S. consumers are the quickest to convert, while Japanese consumers tend to take a bit more time. When shoppers start their mobile researching, heres the breakdown of how many make a purchase within the day or sooner:

86% -- China

78% -- United States

78% -- United Kingdom

73% -- Germany

49% -- Japan

After they begin their mobile research, more than half (54%) of U.S. consumers end up making the purchase in a physical store. In China and the U.K., more consumers make their final purchase via mobile rather than in person or via desktop.

This may be a factor in the adoption of mobile payments, at least in stores.

In the U.S., in-store mobile payments account for only 2% of all retail transactions, according to new research form GfK. In China, it accounts for 24% of transactions.

Shoppers in the U.S. may pass on mobile payments and prefer to make most of their purchases in a physical store, but that does not leave mobile out of the process.

Smartphones are used all the way to the final purchase, for comparing products and checking prices of competitors. The consumer may end up buying at the store, but they likely used their smartphone to determine the product, the store and the timing of the buy.

This column was previously published in MobileShopTalk on October 26, 2016.
by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, December 30, 2016

Theres gold in them thar trolls!

Conservative gay provocateur and self-described dangerous faggot Milo Yiannopoulos, who got his start as technology editor for Breitbart News, has signed a book deal with Simon & Schuster worth $250,000.

Yiannopoulos will pen a book titled Dangerous, about the rise of online populism and its role in Donald Trumps upset victory in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Breitbarts former CEO, Steve Bannon, served as campaign director for Trump and will now assume a role as strategy chief at the White House. For his part, Yiannopoulos won fame (or notoriety) with his baiting of liberals, typically by violating the tenets of what he and other conservatives describe as stifling political correctness around social issues, such as race and gender.

Yiannopoulos Dangerous Faggot tour became a de facto pro-Trump traveling circus, as Yiannopoulos himself acknowledged, frequently referring to the candidate as Daddy. Along the way, he helped craft a message, targeted to younger voters, that attempted to bridge Trumps positions and their own.

For example, he highlighted the threat posed by Islamist terrorism to LGBT individuals in the wake of the Orlando nightclub shooting.

Still, Yiannopoulos remains anathema to large sectors of the left-leaning media establishment, due to his many controversial statements (e.g., referring to feminism as a cancer) and his trolling of African-American actress Leslie Jones on Twitter, which got him kicked off the social network earlier this year.

Reactions to the book deal were swift and predictably displeased. For example, Los Angeles Times book editor Carolyn Kellog tweeted: If you approved a $250K book deal for the troll promoting racist, sexist views so extreme he got thrown off this platform  we need to talk. The Chicago Review of Books has vowed to boycott Simon & Schuster books in its reviews next year.

Yiannopoulos evinced little concern, noting in a Facebook post that each previous attempt to silence him has only raised his profile: Im more powerful, more influential, and more fabulous than ever before and this book is the moment Milo goes mainstream.

For the time being, Simon & Schuster is standing by the deal, signed by the publishers conservative Threshold imprint.
With a huge trading year in the books last Friday, its no surprise that many top executives took advantage of the best December since 2010 and sold stock. This past week we noticed many trades on the top technology companies, and given the solid advances in the stocks this year, it was no surprise. In addition, with first quarter-earnings in about two weeks, most insider windows for transactions will be closing soon.

We cover insider selling each week at 24/7 Wall St., and we like to remind readers that just because an individual or 10% institutional owner sells stock, that is no cause for immediate alarm. Many top executives, and even directors, are compensated with stock and often sell just to diversify portfolios or purchase other assets.

ALSO READ: Americas Most and Least Successful Companies in 2016

Here are companies that reported notable insider selling last week.

Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) had the president of the company selling shares this past week. Brin Sergey parted with a total of 33,332 shares of the stock at a reported price of $802.38. The total for the sale came in at a stunning $26,751,574. The traded closed on Friday at $792.45, so the timing looks solid. The 52-week trading range for the search giant is $672.66 to $839. The Wall Street consensus price target is $967.

Facebook Inc. (FB) had another tech industry giant selling stock recently, The Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg sold a total of 109,000 shares at $117.65 apiece. The total proceeds from her trade was set at $12,824,074. The stock was trading at $115.o5 on Friday's close. The 52-week range for the social media conglomerate is $89.37 to $133.50, and the consensus price target is $155.56.

Square Inc. (SQ) had the president, CEO, chairman and co-founder, Jack Dorsey, selling shares this past week. He surrendered a total of 381,500 shares at a share price of $14.09. The total for the sale was posted at $5,375,764. The company develops and provides payment processing, point-of-sale, financial and marketing services worldwide. Its stock ended last week $13.63. The 52-week trading range is $8.06 to $15.91. The consensus price target is $14.14.

Story continues

NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA) has been red-hot and a director at the chip company yielded some shares. Tench Coxe sold a block of 50,000 shares at a price of $116.70. The total for the sale was posted at $5,834,930. The stock was the number one performer in the S&P 500 this past year, with a 52-week trading range of a stunning $24.75 to $119.73. The consensus price target is $92.65, but shares closed way above that last Friday at $106.74.

Ciena Corp. (CIEN) is another tech company that saw insider selling last week. The president and CEO of the optical giant, Gary Smith, sold a reported 114,318 shares at $24.67 per share. The total for the trade was set at a solid $2,820,225. Shares closed last Friday at $24.41, in a 52-week range of $15.62 to $25.19. The consensus price target is $28.36.

These companies also reported insider selling last week: Autodesk Inc. (ADSK), BB&T Corp. (BBT), Famous Dave's of America Inc. (DAVE), Stifel Financial Corp. (SF) and Stryker Corp. (SYK).

ALSO READ: The Worst CEOs of 2016

Given the big runs in these stocks this year, none of this selling is a surprise. And as noted, with windows for trading closing fast, many are getting transactions in before the deadlines.

Related Articles
by Barbara Lippert , Featured Columnist, December 31, 2016

Sadly, 2016 has ended with a tsunami of unexpected celebrity deaths, each shocking and hard to process in its own way.

And yet, the sobering acceptance of mortality brings new meaning to the old chestnut attributed to Ben Franklin: Nothing can be said to be certain except for death and taxes.

But Im beginning to think that the coming weirdness of 2017 might outwit even Prescient Ben.

Certainly, with the inauguration of President Trump in three short weeks, the tax part of Franklins axiom starts sounding a bit iffy. (See William Goldman on Hollywood Nobody knows anything.)

What we do know is that Trump is the first Presidential candidate in decades not to have released his own tax returns.

But along the way, some insider (and perhaps it was the incredibly PR-savvy President-elect himself?) did leak (via hand delivery in an envelope from Trump Tower!) one page from his 1995 federal returns to the New York Times.

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It showed that, overall, he declared a $916 million loss, a tax deduction so ginormous that it could have allowed the Donald to legally avoid paying any future federal taxes for the next 18 years.

Thus, he could use his own maddening reality as the basis of a compelling campaign promise: that as a super successful guy himself, he had been in the position to  and was even obliged to  take advantage of every ridiculous loophole; therefore, as President, hed know exactly how to shut down all this perverse tax avoidance by rich people.

Along the way, Trump also announced that he wanted to simplify the tax codes and put H&R Block right out of business.

So kudos to H&R Block for being the first out of the gate, establishing its tax prep bona fides and even a little swagger with a major TV campaign that broke last week.

Would that these spots were good. The campaign comes from a great agency  Fallon  which makes the whole creative exercise even more of a head-scratcher.

After all, no expense was spared in the celebrity-endorsement department: the spots feature Jon Hamm, who brilliantly played the main character, Don Draper, on the monster TV hit, Mad Men.

Hamms career has taken a bit of a dive since. Along the way, hes done a few ad things, including supplying the annoyingly stentorian voiceover on Mercedes commercials. (It almost comes from another time, when voiceovers came from very authoritative men and there were dreamy-looking male creative directors with stiff white collars and Brylcreemed hair who  oh, sorry, I nodded off into a Mad Men reverie, I guess.)

And thats the thing. Even though as Draper, Hamms character was an uber-flawed antihero whose callousness and self-destructiveness were not attractive, he looked great in a suit.

And even though the show ended its run (literally on a high) in 2015, Jon Hamm and his hugely ambivalent DD persona is still worshipped by ad people.

When Hamm appeared at the Cannes Festival years back, he was mobbed by real-life successful ad execs acting like moon-y teenagers.

So he does seem an odd choice here, other than that ad people love to hang with Don Draper on the set. And I guess the tone is supposed to be breakthrough clever/quirky: suggesting everything from the pop culture-invading character Mayhem for All-State Insurance to the way the movie The Big Short broke down boring, complex banking rules into entertaining metaphors.

A teaser opens on an office that bears a striking resemblance to Drapers mid-century agency (nice production work there) and starts with a decent joke: a guy filling up a coffee cup that says Im an accountant, not a magician. He wanders around as things blow up around him. Its a weird special effect that is slightly more fireworks than bomb but still seems utterly tone-deaf for our terrorist-riddled times.

Then the spot cuts to a modern kitchen and modern people also experiencing these blow-ups all around them.

Out of nowhere, we see Hamm, weirdly static and upright, standing his ground like a major domo. The old way of doing taxes isnt good enough, he says. So were about to blow it up.

So many ad people talk about blowing up business as usual that its just another inside-the-industry cliche by now.

And then, even Hamm seems embarrassed to have to say this (ham-handed?) wrong-headed tag line with a straight face: Dont just get your taxes done. Get your taxes won.

Who could blame him? What does winning your taxes mean, anyway?

The tone of the second spot is mad as well, but this time in a more manic way. Were dropped outside a (movie?) set, with Jon Hamm in a tiny (Thom Browne?) suit with bowtie, (why?). Hes standing over a row of donuts at craft services, talking to the server about her tax options. Its not only weird, its really condescending for a rich actor to lecture the craft services person in this way.

He uses all the different variations of donuts to tell her that one of them gets her the most money back. Its the one with sprinkles, which he then scarfs down and gets entirely too excited over.

The only comprehensible line comes from the poor lady in the apron, Amy, who says, Youve touched all these

Too bad she doesnt work up enough outrage. He just ruined all of her inventory but gets to go back to his high-paying performance without a concern in the world, except to throw her the Get your taxes won line as he runs.

So lets see: these spots dont offer any specifics that might help people do their taxes. But they do talk about blowing things up, beating the system, and stiffing the little guy.

Was the team even conscious of the Trumpian subtext?

Well, nobody knows anything.

But I do want to wish all my Mad Blog peeps a wonderful, happy New Year!
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Examining Screening Pattern

141,326 women for breast cancer screening

324,548 women for cervical cancer screening

Findings

Older women

Women with advanced stage kidney disease that required dialysis

Women with higher burden of co-morbidities associated with CKD

Women belonging to the lower income group

61% among women without CKD,

54% for those with CKD stage 3,

37% for CKD stages 4 and 5,

26% for women with kidney failure who were on dialysis

Breast and Cervical Cancer Statistics

Around 246, 660 new cases of invasive breast cancer

Around 61,000 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer

Around 40,450 women are expected to die due to breast cancer

About 12,990 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed.

About 4,120 women will die from cervical cancer.

Conclusion

AboutIn women, breast cancer is the most common consequence of CKD followed by cancers of the lung and urinary tract.. Dialysis increases the risk of cervical, kidney, bladder, stomach, thyroid and lung cancers.The research team led by Germaine Wong, PhD, (The University of Sydney, in Australia), Jade Hayward, and Danielle Nash, PhD (Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, ICES Western facility, in Ontario, Canada) examined the patterns of breast and cervical cancer screening in women with CKD, based on the stage and age of the kidney disease and assessed the predictors of screening.In the retrospective study, researchers gathered data from 2002 to 2013 from the Ontario, Canada administrative healthcare databases.The study included:Screening rates for breast and cervical cancer were low amongThe two-year cumulative incidences of breast cancer screening wereSimilar patterns were observed for the three-year cumulative incidences of cervical cancer screening.In the United States, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects women after skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer estimates for 2016 areIn India, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research, there will be around 1.5 lakh new cases of breast cancer in 2016. Cervical cancer is once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. According to the American Cancer Society, the estimates for cervical cancer in the United States for 2016 areMost cases of cervical cancer occur in women younger than 50 years. It rarely develops in women younger than 20 years. About 20% of cervical cancers are found in women older than 65 years.Increased used of Pap test has reduced the incidence of cervical cancer by 50% in the last 40 years. Pap test can detect early cancerous changes in the cervix and identify the disease when it is most curable.The research team concluded that the main cause of lower screening rates among older women with advanced chronic kidney disease on dialysis may be because they may be lacking in capacity to deal with the complexity of dialysis management. This may have prompted them to potentially"Given that cancer screening has the potential to improve cancer outcomes, targeted strategies to inform shared decision making in screening is critical." said Dr. WongIn an accompanying editorial, Deidra Crews, MD, ScM and Waseem Khaliq, MBBS, MPH, (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) noted that "enhanced coordination of care between nephrologists, general practitioners and women's health care providers may serve to promote cancer screening among women with CKD. Ultimately, however, nephrologists may forge long-term trusting relationships with kidney patients that will afford them the greatest opportunity to engage in shared-decision making together and select the cancer screening plan that is most appropriate for the patient's individual health status and personal priorities."The findings appear in the(CJASN).Source: Medindia
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In the study, 30 plastic surgeons and plastic surgery nurses reviewed preoperative and postoperative photos of 30 women who had undergone breast augmentation with round or anatomically shaped implants - 15 patients in each group. The two groups were otherwise similar: all procedures were done using silicone implants, placed under the muscle (subpectoral), with an average implant size of about 300 cc.For each set of photos, the surgeons and nurses judged whether the procedure was done using round or shaped implants. The goal was to determine if the aesthetic results of round versus shaped implants could be differentiated from each other.For all observations, there was about a 50-50 chance that the surgeons and nurses could correctly identify the type of implant used. There was a lack of agreement not only between different raters, but also for individual raters comparing the same images several weeks later.Plastic surgeons performed slightly better than nurses in identifying the type of implant - possibly because they could deduce which type would likely be recommended, based on the "before" photos.But the new study shows that even plastic surgeons and plastic surgery nurses cannot tell the difference between the final outcomes of breast augmentation with round versus shaped implants, in a group of patients with otherwise similar characteristics. The results add to a previous study that showed similar outcomes with the two implant types used for breast reconstruction.The inability to tell the difference between implant types for breast augmentation questions the preference for shaped implants - especially since they cost more and carry a risk of complications related to implant rotation, compared to round implants. "The systematic use of anatomically shaped implants is not justified," Dr. Rubi comments. "Natural results are achieved with both types of implants."Source: Eurekalert
We, the millennial tribe of today, are social animals who thrive on the thrill of fitting nightlife in our weekly calendar and feed on the zest, excitement and fervour that comes with meeting friends at a bar, strangers on the dance floor and smiling faces across the room. While the drinks keep flowing, and chatter fills the air, the imperative thing that instantly happens is selfies! How do you justify a crazy night out without sharing your cool pictures on Instagram , Facebook and Snapchat? We caught hold of Rishabh in Mumbai, and Ajay in Delhi, and asked them to explore the nightlife in both the cities, and capture all the madness in their selfies. The results were simply a visual treat.

Rishabh at Global Fusion

Ajay having a good time @ Nehru Place

The main problem arises when you are partying at a place where the lighting is low and the front camera cannot capture a shot, even when you turn on the flash. However these pictures came out pretty neat courtesy the new Oppo F1s whose 16MP camera which makes it easy for you to click selfies even in dim light.

Rishabh at BSE

Ajay enjoying @ CP

It comes embedded with a unique image sensor and Beautify 4.0, as the name suggests, ensures that the facial features come out well defined and clear

Rishabh at Leopold Cafe

It even reduces the appearance of any visible marks and blemishes, evening out the skin tone.

Rishabh at Asilo

The selfie panorama ensures that the whole gang fits in. The more the merrier! But here Ajay is enjoying the selfie camera alone, in all its glory.

Ajay having a good time @ Nehru Place

Ajay outside Epicuria

Rishabh loved the selfie camera and had a great time touring Mumbai with his Oppo F1s. The fact that it is light weight is a major plus point, and it fits easily in the palm, so you dont have to fiddle with it and get annoyed.

Rishabh at Social Khar

Rishabh at Pali village cafe

Ajay was all praises for the front camera as well. He was party hopping all night and his selfies turned out clear and well lit even in dim lit places. Brownie points for this alone.

Ajay @ Social, Nehru Place

Ajay @ Social Nehru Place

The phone has pre-installed filter plug ins which give you the creative freedom to take pictures, and guess what, you can even watermark your selfies .

Rishabh at Tasting

Ajay @ Social Nehru Place

If your phone camera cannot validate your selfies then your entire night is discounted right away. So, the next time you are out celebrating the weekend, your birthday or your life, you know you can have all the fun while the Oppos F1s will take care of capturing well-lit and amazing pictures.

Explore more stories on #SelfieExpert
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Crestwood Equity Partners LP develops, acquires, owns, controls, and operates assets and operations in the energy midstream sector in the United States. It operates through three segments: Gathering and Processing North; Gathering and Processing South; and Storage and Logistics. The Gathering and Processing North segment offers natural gas, crude oil, and produced water gathering, compression, treating, processing, and disposal services to producers in the Williston Basin and Powder River Basin. This segment owns and operates natural gas facilities with approximately 0.4 Bcf/d of gathering capacity and 0.5 Bcf/d of processing capacity; crude oil facilities with approximately 150,000 Bbls/d of gathering capacity and 266,000 Bbls of storage capacity; and produced water facilities with approximately 130,000 Bbls/d of gathering and disposal capacity. The Gathering and Processing South segment provides natural gas gathering, compression, treating, and processing; and produced water gathering and disposal services to producers in the Marcellus, Barnett, and Delaware basins. This segment owns and operates natural gas facilities with 2.5 Bcf/d of gathering capacity and 0.7 Bcf/d of processing capacity; and produced water facilities with approximately 75,000 Bbls/d of gathering and disposal capacity. The Storage and Logistics segment offers natural gas liquids, crude oil, and natural gas storage, terminal, marketing, and transportation, including rail, truck and pipeline services to producers, refiners, marketers, utilities, and other customers. Crestwood Equity GP LLC serves as the general partner of Crestwood Equity Partners LP. The company was formerly known as Inergy L.P. and changed its name to Crestwood Equity Partners LP in October 2013. Crestwood Equity Partners LP was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
S&P 500 3,719.89 DOW 32,001.25 QQQ 260.49 Harnessing Neuroplasticity Allows You to Actually Change the Way You Think. Here's How. How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) eBay or Etsy: Which Is The Better Buy? Paypal Shows Promise With Strong Buy Rating How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) Energy Transfer Raises Guidance, But Stock Lower On Revenue Miss New Revenue Strategy, Strong Earnings, Apple Remains a Buy How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) Papa Johns Falls Flat On Earnings, Shares Set To Rise Bank of England makes biggest interest rate hike in 30 years

S&P 500 3,719.89 DOW 32,001.25 QQQ 260.49 Harnessing Neuroplasticity Allows You to Actually Change the Way You Think. Here's How. How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) eBay or Etsy: Which Is The Better Buy? Paypal Shows Promise With Strong Buy Rating How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) Energy Transfer Raises Guidance, But Stock Lower On Revenue Miss New Revenue Strategy, Strong Earnings, Apple Remains a Buy How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) Papa Johns Falls Flat On Earnings, Shares Set To Rise Bank of England makes biggest interest rate hike in 30 years

S&P 500 3,719.89 DOW 32,001.25 QQQ 260.49 Harnessing Neuroplasticity Allows You to Actually Change the Way You Think. Here's How. How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) eBay or Etsy: Which Is The Better Buy? Paypal Shows Promise With Strong Buy Rating How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) Energy Transfer Raises Guidance, But Stock Lower On Revenue Miss New Revenue Strategy, Strong Earnings, Apple Remains a Buy How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) Papa Johns Falls Flat On Earnings, Shares Set To Rise Bank of England makes biggest interest rate hike in 30 years
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...
It has been a good year to be a left-handed reliever on the free-agent market  even if your name isnt Aroldis Chapman and you dont work routinely in the triple digits with your fastball. Brett Cecil and the Cardinals kicked things off with a four-year, $30.5MM pact that even includes no-trade protection. Power southpaw Mike Dunn scored three years and $19MM from the Rockies. And even true LOOGY Marc Rzepczynski scored $11MM over two seasons in his contract with the Mariners.

Those big deals suggest that there was plenty of competition in the market, which perhaps bodes well for the best remaining southpaw arms. Two, in particular stand out: Boone Logan, who played most recently with the Rockies, and Jerry Blevins, formerly of the Mets. You could throw Travis Wood into this mix, too, but he may have a somewhat different (if perhaps overlapping) market, since hes capable of working as a starter. J.P. Howell has also been a quality reliever in recent years, but the soft-tossing southpaw declined last year in run prevention, velocity, and swinging-strike rate, so well leave him out of the mix for this particular look at the relief market.

Focusing on Logan and Blevins, a variety of organizations could still be willing to cough up significant guarantees. In the A.L. East, the Orioles are deeper in the right-handed department (other than closer Zach Britton); the Yankees top southpaw after Chapman, Tommy Layne, isnt exactly a late-inning monster; the Blue Jays are thin with Cecil departing (they project to feature Aaron Loup); and even the Red Sox could conceivably enter the picture (though they may feel set with Robbie Ross and Fernando Abad). The West, too, has conceivable suitors: the Astros entered the winter looking for a southpaw to pair with Tony Sipp, the Angels top southpaw is the solid but somewhat unexciting Jose Alvarez, and the As have made surprising pen investments in the past and would carry Daniel Coulombe as their LOOGY if Sean Doolittle is utilized as a closer (or is traded).

Over in the National League, the N.L. East-rival Nationals and Mets could both stand to add late-inning lefties, and the Marlins could as well. Miami has already spent heavily on its pen, and seemingly feels its complete, but doesnt have a high-end lefty after losing Dunn. And the Cubs could stand to buttress their mix after adding swingman Brian Duensing on a modest contract  assuming, at least, that Mike Montgomery isnt bumped from the rotation by some trade.

Apart from the fairly robust remaining need, theres every reason to believe that both Logan (32) and Blevins (33) have set themselves up for nice contracts. Indeed, they turned in rather similar, rather productive seasons in 2016. Logan finally converted his steadily excellent swinging-strike rate into results, as he posted a 3.69 ERA (while spending half his time at Coors Field) on the back of 11.1 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 along with a 49.5% groundball rate. And Blevins allowed just 2.79 earned per nine. He also posted 11.1 K/9 while allowing 3.2 free passes per nine innings and generating grounders on 45.8% of the balls put in play against him.

Logan worked with an average 93.0 mph fastball but utilized his slider on over half of his deliveries to the plate. That mix enabled him post a personal-best 16.4% swinging-strike rate, which tied him with Andrew Miller for the third-highest mark among southpaws who threw at least thirty innings (trailing only Chapman and Britton).

Though hes less of a power pitcher, and doesnt get quite as many swings and misses, Blevins actually squeezed out a few more strikeouts than did Logan in their most recent seasons. Blevins continued to rely heavily on a cut fastball, his usage of which jumped when he went to the Mets in 2015, and that may have helped him limit the damage when pitching without the platoon advantage.

Indeed, Blevins holds the advantage over Logan when facing right-handed hitters. Though his strikeout, walk, and home run numbers werent nearly as good as when he did have the platoon advantage, Blevins limited righties to a .172/.266/.345 batting line last year. And he has generally been at least serviceable against them over his career. Logan, on the other hand, shows much more pronounced splits. Opposing righties have posted a big .288/.376/.478 slash against him in 847 total opportunities across his 11 MLB campaigns.

Looking at the bigger picture, neither pitcher really stands out. Logan missed some time in 2014 after undergoing surgery for bone chips following the 2013 season, but has generally been reasonably healthy. And Blevins did miss much of 2015 after consecutive forearm fractures, though both were freak instances. Each pitcher has had up years and down years, but their overall arcs arent altogether dissimilar. Over their careers, some metrics prefer one to the other (Blevinss 3.58 FIP tops Logans 4.03 mark; Logans 3.78 xFIP is better than Blevinss 3.92 rate).

So, it seems like a close call. If you were looking to add a useful southpaw arm to your bullpen, which of these two free agents would you prefer?
YPSILANTI, MI - For the 11th year, Mittenfest is bringing together Michigan musicians who volunteer their time and talents to raise money for 826michigan.

Brandan Pierce works with 826michigan, a nonprofit that offers free afterschool tutoring and writing workshops for students in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Detroit, and he loves to see so many people volunteer for a good cause.

"We work a lot with creative writing and that form of art, and there's this whole other form of art, and we get to raise awareness of both at the same time," said Pierce. "It's great to see local musicians who are excited and willing to donate their talents."

Mittenfest XI began on Thursday, Dec. 29, and continues through Saturday, Dec. 31, with live music by Michigan musicians. The festival is being held downstairs at Bona Sera Restaurant, 200 West Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti. Music starts each night at 8 p.m., and tickets are $10 a person at the door. Attendees must be 21 or older.

Annie Palmer, a co-organizer of Mittenfest, said the festival features more bands that are new to the event than in previous years.

"This year there are only three or four repeats, and I think that's a step in a different direction," Palmer said.

Linda Jordan, a co-organizer of the event, called the festival a homecoming of sorts for Michigan bands.

"It's a great way to see people that you haven't seen in a long time, and the community aspect of it, for me, is very nice," Jordan said.

Click here for a band schedule and more information on Mittenfest.
A chance visit to Detroit during the year of its bankruptcy is what led to one of Midtown's latest apartment projects to reach the market.

The Finn Apartments, located at 678 Selden, is now leasing. The property pulls the district's housing boom to the east - adding 30 units to a fully renovated building that once had been empty for years.

Brandon Duckett was at a wedding with his wife, Danielle, when the pair learned the owner of The Finn was looking for a buyer. In 2013, there wasn't much competition for damaged and empty buildings outside of Midtown's core.

A few years later, that building is the latest to open in Detroit's busiest housing market, where prices are climbing as availability dwindles - and where developers are starting new, large-scale projects.

The Finn recently started leasing, offering eight one-bedroom apartments and 22 studios, at a price of $950 to $1,150 per month. Those are typical prices in Midtown, where the occupancy rate for rentals is close to 100 percent even as developers have more than 3,000 new housing units in the pipeline.

New tenants are expected to start moving into The Finn by early January, said a representative of Center City Properties, which is doing the leasing.

That represents a years-long vision for Duckett, who was running an accounting firm in New York when he started The Finn, his first project in Detroit. His investment company bought the building, built in the 1920s, for $200,000 in December 2013, according to city records.

The Finn apartments are less than 1 mile from the new Little Caesars Arena.

The condition of the building was "fair," according to the city at the time. No fire damage was a plus, but some of metal had been stripped and it wasn't livable.

"It had been vacant for seven years," Duckett said. "It needed some real TLC."

But it also was structurally sound, something that made the building worth the effort - even after it extended a year past original estimates.

The first phases of the work includes new windows, new plumbing, new electrical service and new heating and cooling systems, all of which enhanced the "bones" of the building.

Then Duckett turned to the 30 units themselves to make them appealing to renters. Flooring, new kitchens and new bath fixtures freshen all of the interiors. Granite countertops are among the products that bring a staple of the contemporary market into the pre-Depression -era building. Units also have video intercoms.

Duckett offered a tour of the building weeks before it was completed, as workers converged on projects and supplies - from appliances to closet doors - were still in packaging.

Online listings show little of that stage of the process to bring the apartments to market.

But Duckett looks back on the work, describing when his pride peaked during the remaking of this property in Michigan's largest city.

"It was probably when it was 100 percent gutted," he said, "and we got to see the raw bones of the building."

Duckett's initial investment grew to about $3.7 million. The financing includes a $1.5 million construction loan and a $1 million Historic Tax Credit bridge loan, both from Capital Impact Partners. The Michigan Economic Development Council awarded it up to $670,210 in a performance-based grant.

Duckett said he's pleased to be a part of Detroit's revitalization, and he looks forward to more changes near The Finn. He also will consider more development himself, now that he's brought The Finn to market.

"What propels real estate to me is when a block comes back ... and you see the resurgence," he said, noting its effect on people. The construction in under-used areas "is not just revitalization, but making more of a community."
BLENDON TOWNSHIIP, MI -- A Hudsonville man is in stable condition after he was struck by a pickup with a plow -- all as he tried to help his dog which had been struck by a different vehicle,

Matthew Dykstra, 33, had moderate injuries from the 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30 crash on Bauer Road near 72nd Avenue.

Ottawa County sheriff's deputies said Dykstra was in the middle of Bauer Road near the center line, attending to his dog, when a 2004 Ford pickup with an attached plow approached him.

Deputies said the truck driver, 53-year-old Douglas Cox of Hudsonville, told police he did not see Dykstra in time to avoid hitting him. He said he tried to avoid the pedestrian, but ended up striking him with the plow.

Police said Dykstra was wearing dark clothing at the time.

Dykstra was taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth hospital with what police described as moderate injuries.

Deputies did not say what happened to the dog.
IMG_3034.JPG

Jordan Areaux took this photo with her boyfriend Masyn Lehl for a card announcing the Plainwell couple is expecting a baby this summer.

(Courtesy | Jordan Areaux)

PLAINWELL, MI -- Jordan Areaux had a plan about how she was going to deliver the news that her first child was on the way.

She and boyfriend Masyn Lehl had a photo taken of them posing against a backdrop of snow capped pines at a Christmas tree farm holding a sign with the chalk-written message: "Dear Santa July 2017."

Before they could share their creative birth announcement with family on Christmas Day, the image was spread around their Allegan County community like hot gossip.

Areaux learned the photo was being shared after a close confidant received a text of it with the question "congrats?". She says it was more awkward for Lehl when a friend showed him the picture, with the admonishment: "You didn't tell me you were going to be a dad."

He responded the couple was waiting to tell friends until after they made the announcement to their families.

It didn't take Areaux long to figure out the source of the leak was the photo center at the Meijer store in Plainwell.

The Midwest retailer isn't commenting on the specifics of what happened, but Areaux says two women she knows from high school were involved with using their phones to copy the photo she brought in to make prints of, and distributing the image by text.

"I think the girls were trying to start drama and be mean," said Areaux, 23.

MLive was unable to reach the women for comment for this story.

The two workers no longer work for Meijer, the retailer confirmed this week. In a statement released to the media, Meijer says it immediately investigated after Areaux alerted management to the issue.

"All photo department team members are required to adhere to a strict confidentiality policy and when this came to our attention we took it very seriously," read part of Meijer's statement.

Areaux isn't sorry the incident cost the employees their jobs.

She says she was told by the store director that the retailer requires employees to sign paperwork acknowledging Meijer's rules prohibiting employees from taking or sharing customers' photos.

The only exception to the privacy rule is if photos violate the law such as child porngraphy. In those situations, the management steps in and turns the images over to law enforcement to investigate.

Still, Areaux is critical of Meijer's handling of her complaint. She contends the retailer kept her mostly in the dark about the investigation.

It took a week and several calls after she made her initial complaint to hear back from the store director. She says he indicated the employees had been fired, but she heard through the grapevine they had actually quit.

"I wanted Meijer to take this a little more seriously so it doesn't happen again," Areaux said.

That is why she says she filed a complaint this week with the Allegan County Sheriff's Office. A deputy who took the report told her he couldn't immediately say whether the employees actually broke a law.

It will be up to the Allegan County Prosecutor's office to determine whether to press charges after the investigation is completed, Allegan Undersheriff Michael Larsen told MLive and The Grand Rapids Press.

Whether Areaux takes further action will depend on the outcome of the police investigation, she said.

Consumers' legal rights to privacy are clearly enforced in health care and education thanks to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPPA and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA. But their rights in the retail sector are more murky.

Shoppers can expect privacy when it comes to stores' restrooms and changing rooms, but other things can vary by retailer, said Nelson Miller, associate dean of the Grand Rapids campus of Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.

Despite that lack of legal clarity, Meijer's actions in Areaux's situation indicate the retail chain assumes its customers should have an expectation of privacy when it comes to printing their photos.

"I'm pretty sure they are ensuring some privacy because they don't expect employees to do this and apparently the discharge of the employees makes this clear," Miller said.

In cases where employees intentionally violate the law, employers like Meijer are less likely to be liable for civil damages unless there is evidence they knew about the illegal behavior and failed to stop or fix it.

Areaux says she hasn't contacted an attorney about her invasion of privacy. But Meijer has lost her as a customer -- for now.

She has yet to receive a formal apology over the incident, or even reimbursement for the photo order.

After growing up shopping at the Michigan-based retailer, Areaux said it felt little strange buying her groceries this week at competitor Walmart. But walking into her hometown Meijer would have been even more uncomfortable.

"It's probably going to be a while before I go back there," Areaux said.
capitol.JPG

A lot happened in Michigan politics this year.

(Emily Lawler | MLive.com)

LANSING, MI -- The Legislature is out of town and a new batch of House members come in in January, but 2016 was a year chock-full of political stories.

Lawmakers passed a budget, along with long-discussed legislation like Detroit Public Schools changes and an energy overhaul. Pushed into next year were discussions on auto no-fault changes and "transformational" tax capture projects.

Here's a roundup of what flew and what flopped during lame duck.

We've tried hard to bring you stories about all of it with our year-round capitol coverage. Did you pay attention to the details? Put your knowledge and recollections to the test with this insanely hard capitol quiz, trick questions and technicalities included. Good luck!

0-3 points - Political Pollyanna. Get reading! You may have missed some of our coverage this year, but you can always read it again here.

3-5 points - Capitol Intern. You're doing great! Keep up the good work, keep reading, and keep learning. We have full confidence you'll be an expert by 2017.

6-8 points - Future Candidate. You're really getting the hang of this. Keep up the good work and we're sure we'll see you on the ballot in a few years.

8-10 points - Political Mastermind. Thanks for reading this year, and we can't wait to see what you're planning for next year. Remember to give all your scoops to MLive.

(Psst -- want to dip into the archived knowledge? Last year's insanely hard quiz is here.)
you are here:
business PM Modi announces sops for housing sector, rural India, MSMEs Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced new schemes for the rural and urban housing, farmers, senior citizens and women in a televised address that had raised expectations about sops for the poor and middle class for enduring the ademonetisationa pain.
business PM's schemes may give a boost to housing sector: HDFC CEO In an interview with Shereen Bhan, Keki Mistry, CEO, HDFC, talked about his key takeaways from PM Modi's much-awaited New Year's Eve address to the nation.
December 31, 2016

A Happy New Year To All Moonkind

To all commentators here a big THANKS for giving me so much!

My wish: May the next year be more peaceful than this one.

A Happy New Year to all moonkind!





Posted by b on December 31, 2016 at 16:41 UTC | Permalink

Comments

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Community gathers on square for prayer

When a crisis arises, citizens in Burke County often choose to unite. Thats exactly what happened in July after a series of officer-involved shootings caused controversy throughout the nation.

Under the organization of Jaime Torres Ministries, citizens and law enforcement members came together on the Historic Burke County Courthouse lawn for a rally intended to promote peace and prayer. Throughout the day, the public was invited to come and pray, read aloud from the Bible or sing a song.

It served as a time for citizens and police officers to fellowship with each other and also to pray, asking God for unity among the nation, an understanding of other cultures and wisdom for community leaders. Both Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant and Morganton Department of Public Safety Police Chief Ronnie Rector attended the event and expressed their thanks for the gesture of goodwill.

The event also featured a candlelight vigil to remember victims of shootings around the country. In the end, citizens were able to show respect and gratitude for law enforcement and police officers were able to embrace their community and show support for its members.

Mother of wreck victim, first responder have chance encounter

Many emergency workers are owed a debt of gratitude that never can be repaid, but a Dillard, Georgia , woman found herself on a mission to find and thank the Burke County EMS worker who saved her sons life. A chance encounter a Chick-fil-A in Morganton gave Karla Sidey the opportunity to do just that.

In 2015, Sideys son, Nathan Sidey, was traveling home to Georgia from college on Interstate 40 when he collided with a tractor-trailer , leaving left him with shattered bones in his face and his orbital floor destroyed. He was taken to a hospital in Charlotte that same day. When the EMS arrived, the only thing Nathan remembered were the words of Lt. John Hood II with Burke EMS.

In June, Karla was driving through Morganton with her daughter to visit a friend when they decided to stop at Chick-fil-A for lunch. Coincidentally, a fundraiser for Burke County Sheriffs Office Deputy Daniel Cobb was being held at the restaurant that day, meaning many law enforcement and emergency workers also were there having lunch. Sure enough, Hood was there and Karla was able to meet him and thank him for helping her son.

Hood and the Sidey family since have connected on social media. Nathan was able to write a letter to Hood expressing his gratitude. He now is back to having 20/20 vision and has three plates in his face, with one replacing his orbital floor, the letter said. The letter was more than anything Hood could have asked for, he said. Hood plans to keep in touch with Nathan to see how he progresses in the future.

Hundreds attend first Burke Pride

More than 400 people attended the first Burke Pride event in Downtown Morganton in September. The event was held to raise awareness about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The event included live music, a kids corner, food and fellowship, but it did not go without protesters. A handful of people showed up to protest on the sidewalks of the Old Burke County Courthouse where the event took place. Some protesters held signs and yelled to the event goers and others stood peacefully handing out bottles of water.

LGBT Burke President Seth Loven wanted the community to know that the LGBT community existed in Burke and that they are like anyone else.

LGBT Burke plans to organize another Burke Pride event next year as well.

Firefighters share rewards, hardships of battling fires

Hundreds of firefighters from all over the country made their way to Morganton to help extinguish the South Mountains wildfire.

To many of the firefighters , their job is more than dealing with flames, it's about helping communities in times of need. When on the job , sometimes for a month at a time , they miss special events with families, but they were thankful for the support of the community during the wildfire.

The reward is that we are helping this community and helping the North Carolina folks and the forest service and the communities right here of Enola and Morganton, said Aaron Kincaid, operations section chief with The Florida Forest Service. That is our job to try and make their lives better.

The BRIDGE Program, a joint effort between the Department of Corrections and the North Carolina Forest Service where inmates ages 19 to 32 are taught how to handle wild land fire, were also present during the wildfire giving their services to help extinguish flames.

The community embraced the firefighters while they were battling the wildfire by donating food, water and a variety of items they would need as they walked the front lines. Many restaurants offered discounts and area residents picked up the tab for purchases firefighters made during their stay in the county.

John Kern, incident commander from the Florida Forest Service, said in a previous News Herald article that he has seen a great outpouring of community support, including donations of snacks, gloves, socks, bandannas and other items.

Hes worked fires from the coast of Oregon to the central states, the southeast and Florida.

 And Ive never seen more community support, more donations on any fires than Ive seen here," Kern said. "Its overwhelming. Just a neat thing to see. It really does help out peoples morale to know that theyre being appreciated.

He said people working on the fires have been in restaurants, gas stations and stores and have had people walking up to thank them for what theyre doing. Not to mention all of the people in the community dropping off supplies, he said.

 Its a nice thing to see to know that youre appreciated for your efforts, Kern said.

'Super centenarian' dies at age 111

Burke County's oldest resident and "super centenarian," Ruby Clodfelter, died on Nov. 19.

Born in McDowell County, July 26, 1905, she was the daughter of the late Robert Lee Daves and Lucy Roena Landis Daves. She participated in the New England Centenarian Study of Boston Medical Center and graduated to their Supercentenarian Study when she reached 110 years old. Clodfelter loved NASCAR and was Tony Stewart's oldest fan.

A resident of Grace Ridge Retirement Community , Clodfelter celebrated her 111th birthday with friends and family on July 26.

The birthday was supposed to be a surprise, but Clodfelter found out about it a couple days beforehand. S he wore a lavender pants suit that she sewed herself to the party and was greeted by many friends and family members when she entered the room.

Her nephew, Don McCall, read aloud some facts that he researched including that this was the second year she has been on the super centenarians list . S he was 16th out of the 37 that were on the list in the United States and she was listed as the oldest person in North Carolina as of her birthday.

A chorus of Happy Birthday was sung to celebrate her reaching the milestone and a long line of people was made to give Clodfelter hugs and warm wishes.

A service of remembrance was held for Clodfelter on Nov. 25 at Grace Ridge. She was laid to rest Nov. 26, at Shady Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery in Winston-Salem, where she was a longtime member.
Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes []
New members inducted into Institute of ...
Yosemite, CA  A trek to Half Dome on a closed trail led to a helicopter rescue at Yosemite National Park on Wednesday.

Park officials report a man and a woman in their mid-30s headed out around 8 a.m. up the Mist Trail towards Vernal Falls. Although signs were posted, they went into an area that had been closed due to snow and ice creating hazardous conditions. The female hiker stopped at the sub-dome summit, according to Park spokesperson Jamie Richards but the male continued up to Half Dome getting to the cables. Richards continues, He started to slide and got himself into a situation where he could not self-rescue from and the park service received a 9-1-1 call at 3 p.m.

A helicopter was called in from the Fresno CHP and provided air support. The fallen climber was found around 4:30 p.m. and two search and rescuer crew members were flown into the area around 5 p.m. They were able to reach the climber who was not hurt. The rescuers led the two hikers to safety arriving at the bottom of the Mist Trail around 10 p.m.

The two hikers could face fines for disobeying posted closed trail signs. However, Richard states, This is a situation that the National Park Service law enforcement is investigating. It is an active investigationAfter it is concluded, decisions may be made but at this time we have no intentions to go there. She adds the hikers had no snow or ice gear with them.
Tuolumne County voters View Photos

Sacramento, CA  State figures show that three out of four registered California voters cast a ballot in the November election, the highest participation rate since the 2008 presidential election.

With the final election numbers certified in all counties, the secretary of states office is reporting that 75.3 percent of the Californias 19.4 million registered voters cast ballots. Democrat Hillary Clinton won 62 percent of the state vote for president.

The Mother Lode bucked that trend as 56% of voter cast ballots for Trump and 35% for Clinton in Tuolumne County. Calaveras Countys numbers were 57% for Trump and 33% for Clinton.
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Weather experts say Central Florida is "abnormally dry" and Florida officials want New Year's Eve partiers to be careful with fireworks Saturday night.

Central Florida considered "abnormally dry"

State forestry officials ask people to be careful with fireworks, campfires

Some rainfall in the forecast for Sunday

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam said dryness can provide good fuel for brush fires, easily ignited with fireworks or campfires.

Nataly Picard and her family spent almost $400 on fireworks to ring in the new year Friday.

We have a large fire pit, so we set off a lot of bonfires out there. Were going to set off some fireworks, said Picard who lives in Crescent City, north of Pierson.

Firefighters fear fireworks, like a bottle rocket, could fall on dry brush, sparking an out-of-control fire.

According to the Dept. of Agriculture, more 3,000 wildfires have burned more than 72,000 acres across Florida since January 1, 2015.

Firefighters and Putnam dont want careless use of fireworks to spark the first brush fire of 2017.

We usually put the big ones out, like in a row," Picard said. "And then we all have a lighter and we run up and light them and run away and they all shoot up in the air."

The good news is warmer temperatures and some rainfall is forecasted for Sunday, reducing the fire risk.

In a release Thursday, Putnam asked Floridians planning to use fireworks to follow the following safety tips:

Follow all county or city fireworks laws;

Light fireworks on a cleared area free of any vegetation or debris;

Remove any debris from roofs or decks where fireworks could land;

Always have a water source available in case of a fire;

Aim fireworks away from people, homes and wooded areas;

Do not allow young children to light or handle fireworks;

Never use homemade fireworks;

Discard used fireworks in a bucket of water;

Store unused fireworks and lighters out of the reach of children;

Clean up all debris from fireworks; and

Report any fires immediately to 911.
Law enforcement agencies across Central Florida are stepping up patrols on New Year's Eve to keep everyone safe.

Law enforcement wants to crack down on drunk drivers

DUI checkpoints will also be set up

RELATED: Central Florida New Year's Eve events



They are increasing security and cracking down on drunk drivers and other illegal activities.

In Orange County, deputies are teaming up with 14 other agencies to increase patrols.



The county-wide enforcement started at 9 p.m. Friday.

The Orlando Police Department will have officers on foot, bicycles, horses and in patrol cars.

Throughout Central Florida, officers will be looking for traffic violations and setting up several DUI checkpoints.

In Volusia County, Sheriff-elect Mike Chitwood said in previous years illegal activities increase on New Years Eve.

He hopes the high visibility of officers and deputies patrolling the streets will reduce that.

One of our biggest pet peeves has been that people think it is their constitutional right to go fire off a firearm inside the city limits or drive down the street and fire a weapon off. It's not and youre going to get arrested and that is what we are out there targeting, said Mike Chitwood, Volusia County Sheriff Elect.

Chitwood also recommends that people should take an Uber or taxi instead of driving.

If you see anything suspicious on New Years Eve, agencies suggest to call 911.
Ron Chapple/Getty Images

A woman living in San Franciscos Bayview neighborhood was shot in the face early Friday as she answered her door, police said.

A male who appeared to be between 15 and 18 years old knocked on the door of the victims home near the intersection of Northridge and Harbor roads about 12:50 a.m., officials said.
Schenectady

Paul Milton, chief executive of Ellis Medicine, says the city and neighboring communities have benefited from medical services that would not have been possible a decade ago, when three of the facilities he oversees were independent and struggling to stay afloat.

Had Ellis, St. Clare's and Bellevue Woman's hospitals not consolidated under a legislative mandate driven by a state panel known as the Berger Commission, Milton said there would not have been funds for Ellis Medicine's $20 million Clifton Park medical campus, $70 million emergency department, or the $19.4 million Center for Surgical & Interventional Medicine, still in progress.

"The Berger Commission was really a gift to this community," Milton said.

At the time it was happening, however, many disagreed. Some still do.

In fact, it's tough to measure the effects of the Berger Commission  so called after its chairman, Stephen Berger, but more formally the New York State Commission on Healthcare Facilities for the 21st Century. To know whether it was successful, you'd need something akin to the angel Clarence in "It's a Wonderful Life"  some mystical way to see if continuing turbulence in the health care industry would have been worse without it.

The hospital closures and mergers it mandated were aimed at reducing the cost of medical care by eliminating waste in the form of excess hospital beds and duplicated services. But they were not implemented in a vacuum. Market forces, including the continuing rise in prescription drug and other medical costs, the Affordable Care Act's impact on insurance coverage and further government reforms that require radical changes in the way doctors and hospitals provide care and get paid, have also changed the health care landscape.

"It's not as if Berger happened 10 years ago and that was it," said Dr. John Rugge, a Glens Falls primary care doctor who sits on the state's Public Health and Health Planning Council. "It was the beginning of the process, or the middle of it."

More Information State support of hospitals continues Leaders of the Berger Commission estimated in 2006 that implementing the panel's recommendations for facility closings and mergers would save the state $800 million, less than 2 percent of what was then a $45 billion Medicaid budget. There's no way to verify those savings, as Medicaid spending continued to rise to about $63 billion in the last fiscal year for various reasons, including medical cost hikes and growth in the number of New Yorkers covered by the government insurance program over the decade, from about 4.7 million in 2006 to about 6.1 million in 2016. The state spent $805 million to implement the Berger Commission recommendations across New York, including $83 million to hospitals in Schenectady County. According to the state Health Department, that spending helped create efficiencies in the state's health care system. "(T)he Berger Commission's objective to better align the state's health care system with the needs of the community did lead to the improved delivery of health care at lower costs," the state Health Department said in a statement. The state has continued to provide funds to assist hospitals in transitioning to emerging payment schemes that require them to reduce hospital stays. The shift requires health systems to keep people healthier by managing chronic conditions among those most at risk of landing in the hospital. Under the current system, keeping patients out of their own facilities would make hospitals go broke. New York in March awarded $1.2 billion to hospitals for capital projects related to this transition in care. The money dovetails with a $7 billion program for non-capital hospital investments, funded through a federal waiver. More than two dozen hospitals statewide continue to struggle, nonetheless. New York provides those considered essential in their communities with funding assistance. For the fiscal year ended March 31, the total was $333 million. - Claire Hughes See More Collapse

As that process has advanced and hospitals face a new emphasis on community well-being and payments aimed at rewarding value rather than volume, the state has continued to invest billions to support the institutions in the transition.

Yet industry observers say the commission's tough-to-swallow prescriptions, including nine hospital closures and 48 other reconfigurations statewide, were the right remedy at the time for what the advisory panel termed "a system in crisis." Berger jump-started a consolidation trend that may have happened anyway, but in a less coordinated, messier and perhaps harmful way, as hospitals essential to their communities went under. It foresaw the departure from hospital-centered medicine and recommended steps forward.

"The commission started stuff happening," said Stephen Berger, an investment banker whose previous public sector experience includes helping steer New York City out of bankruptcy.

The commission was a nonpartisan panel created by Gov. George Pataki and the state Legislature to review New York's hospitals and nursing homes. In late 2006, it concluded that excess capacity was fueling overblown costs. When hospitals have beds to fill, unnecessary admissions go up. And hospitals in direct competition with one another spend vast sums to duplicate services and equipment, like pricey MRI machines or cardiac catheterization labs that are available across town. Six advisory committees examined the medical landscape in their areas. In the Capital Region, Schenectady became ground zero for the commission's recommendations.

Without some intervention, the committee said, further competition among three anemic hospitals in the county would erode care and require an infusion of cash, likely from the state. Over the period 1999-2003, Ellis, St. Clare's and Bellevue had operating losses ranging from 2.6 percent to 8.4 percent of revenues.

Today, there seems to be some logic in the setup of entities that operate under the umbrella of Ellis Medicine. Ellis Hospital, on Nott Street, has the emergency room and advanced inpatient care. The site of the former St. Clare's Hospital is now the McClellan Street Health Center, an outpatient campus, and the renamed Bellevue Woman's Center remains a destination for services like maternity, ob/gyn and breast care.

In fact, St. Peter's Health Partners several years later followed a similar model for its voluntary merger of facilities in three Capital Region counties and its recent reconfiguration of hospitals in Troy.

James K. Reed, St. Peter's CEO and a member of the Berger Commission's Capital Region advisory committee, said both St. Peter's officials and the Berger Commission were responding to changes in the industry, including less need for acute care beds and a higher demand for outpatient procedures.

"Those forces would have been in play with or without Berger," Reed said. "Having Berger there, though, was a graphic example that we were interpreting the forces correctly."

Not everyone interpreted the environment the way health care experts did. The transition in Schenectady was rocky. There were cries of despair and finger-pointing, public protests and petition-signing.

County residents, emotional over the potential closure of familiar institutions where they'd had their babies and saw grandparents through their last days, were pitted against each other in campaigns to keep one or another institution open. A cascade of financial woes facing St. Clare's prompted its earlier-than-expected closure and thrust rapid transformation on Ellis. The state ended up chipping in more than $50 million to fund St. Clare's employee pensions and cover other debt, part of a total $83 million provided to the Schenectady County hospitals to help with the transition.

But even early on, there were signs that the "forced marriage" of hospitals was the right thing to do, said Milton, who became Ellis Medicine's chief operating officer in 2008, as hospital operating licenses were being transferred from St. Clare's and Bellevue to Ellis. By reducing duplication, particularly in administrative costs, the three hospitals saw a $16 million swing in the right direction in a two-year period  from a combined operating loss of about $8 million in 2006 to an operating surplus of the same amount after coming together in 2008.

That income swing could not be sustained in the face of other factors, notably rising medical costs and tightening payments from government insurers. The Schenectady health system has since maintained operating surpluses ranging from 0.3 percent to just over 2 percent of revenues. Yet Milton said a single health care organization in Schenectady County is better positioned to withstand the next wave of belt-tightening reforms than three entities would be.

"We have a consolidated and unified medical community," Milton said.

Still, some Schenectady County residents see that unity as a net loss, nearly a decade later. They miss the 166-bed St. Clare's, a Catholic hospital that Connie Ciervo said had a cozier, more caring feel than Ellis, which has 368 beds.

Eight years ago, Ciervo worked to keep St. Clare's open as head of the 200-member Schenectady County Citizens for Hospital Choice. She was dissatisfied with the care her parents received at Ellis Hospital, as each battled cancer, not long after the hospitals merged.

"When your family member was at St. Clare's, you could leave the hospital, knowing they would get good care," Ciervo said. "At Ellis, it's the opposite."

Stephen Berger and David Sandman, who was the commission's executive director, recalled similar sentiments throughout the state as the Berger recommendations were implemented.

"Everyone was for it, except if it was their district or their hospital," Sandman said.

In addition to emotional attachments to a local hospital, smaller communities especially were loathe to shutter a major employer, Berger said.

But the bigger-picture problem, Berger said, is that hospitals  the costliest of medical facilities to run  no longer need to be at the center of health care. Americans, however, have been conditioned since World War II to see them that way.

Though hospital closings were the focus of public response to the Berger report, the commission's sweeping policy recommendations also included a comprehensive review of medical payments, a push to insure more New Yorkers and development of "hybrid" facilities between hospitals and primary care centers. Today, payments are being addressed in state reforms that seek to base fees on quality rather than number of procedures, millions more New Yorkers have insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act, and Capital Region residents are accustomed to "new" venues for medical treatment, including urgent care centers and medical campuses like Ellis' Clifton Park facility, with everything but an emergency room. "Somehow we had the right crystal ball," Sandman said.

The consolidation and affiliation of hospitals that the Berger Commission accelerated has also continued. In the Capital Region, that's been most visible with the merger of St. Peter's Health Partners and in partnerships formed to address the aim of improving "population health" by reducing chronic disease in communities. Albany Medical Center has affiliated with Saratoga and Columbia Memorial hospitals with that purpose.

But a lack of competition brings its own problems, as highlighted in a report released last month by the New York State Health Foundation, where Sandman is now chief executive. The report showed that hospital prices were tied not to quality but to market power.

Of equal concern to Sandman is the fact that more than two dozen hospitals statewide are at the brink of failure and dependent on state assistance to the tune of $333 million in the fiscal year that ended March 31, according to the state Health Department. Among them are a number downstate, including several in Brooklyn, as well as those in remote locations, like Moses-Ludington Hospital in Ticonderoga.

The need to prop up failing institutions was one of problems that prompted creation of the Berger Commission in the first place.

"We've gone back to keeping some of these hospitals alive," he said.

Milton suggested there might be need for a "Berger 2," though no one interviewed for this article thought it would happen, given the political challenges of authorizing such a panel and garnering public support.

Even without it, more hospital consolidations may be necessary for health systems like Ellis to thrive, as payments from Medicare and Medicaid continue to shrink, with rewards for keeping patients well, Milton said. The Schenectady-based health system's next partner may not be a Capital Region organization, Milton said. Ellis will look to find health systems that have developed methods for surviving in this decade's brave new health care world.

"Geography is an important component," he said, "but not the only component."

chughes@timesunion.com  518-454-5417  @hughesclaire
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The first shots were fired just before 9 p.m. A protest against deadly shootings by police was winding down in Dallas, with demonstrators making their way back to their cars, when officers heard the initial burst of gunfire. By the time it was over, five police officers had been killed, several others were injured and a lone gunman was dead after a standoff with officers.

The Dallas ambush was the deadliest day for law enforcement since Sept. 11, 2001. That bloodshed, coupled with another attack days later in Baton Rouge, helped fuel an increase this year in the number of police officers slain in the line of duty, a tally pushed upward by a surge in ambush attacks and other shootings.

Gunfire was the common factor in nearly half of all police deaths in 2016. So far this year, 64 police officers have been killed in shootings, up from 41 at the same point last year, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, a nonprofit group that monitors line-of-duty deaths.

Nearly 1 in 3 officers fatally shot was killed in what the group called ambush attacks, including the high-profile assaults in Dallas and Baton Rouge that left eight officers dead and shook law enforcement nationwide.

The surge in officers killed by gunfire this year is the largest on record, up 56 percent over last year, the memorial fund's data shows. That highlights a stark fact that has come into shape in recent years: Guns are increasingly the cause of line-of-duty deaths, according to an analysis of the memorial fund's data. Nearly half of all officers slain in the line of duty were killed with guns, the highest percentage of deaths in more than two decades.

Baltimore County Police Chief James W. Johnson told us last year that the risk to officers is magnified by "the amount of guns that are out on our streets today, possessed by those who unlawfully are carrying them."

Similarly, Craig W. Floyd, president and chief executive of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, pointed to the "deadly mix" of mentally ill people accessing firearms as one factor in the uptick in gun deaths. He also said there were dangers posed by anti-government extremists looking for a uniformed symbol of the government, as well as people with extensive criminal records who may view police as the enemy.

"They in many cases have called 911 and waited for the police to arrive," Floyd said, pointing to the case of Sonny Kim, a Cincinnati officer killed last year exchanging gunfire with a suspect who police said had summoned officers.

Before this year, more officers were killed by traffic accidents than gunfire in 15 of the past 20 years, according to the memorial fund. Traffic-related deaths, which include collisions and officers struck while on the side of the road, had ticked up and peaked in 2007. They have since declined and, this year, accounted for fewer than 4 in 10 officer deaths.

Ambush killings dominated the headlines after a burst of violence in July. Officers fatally shot two men -- Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minn. -- on consecutive days in July. Video footage recorded during and after both encounters quickly emerged and set off demonstrations across the country, the latest protests prompted by the deaths of black men during encounters with police officers.

Police have shot and killed nearly 1,000 people this year, according to a Washington Post database tracking such deaths, and a handful of cases have prompted intense demonstrations. In most fatal shootings, officers say they were confronted by people with guns, and in about half of the cases, these people fired at the officers.

Demonstrations began in a number of cities after Sterling and Castile were killed. The Dallas protest was calm and peaceful before an eruption of violence aimed at law enforcement. The gunman told police he was not involved with the protests and acted alone before authorities killed him using a bomb-delivered robot. Ten days after, a gunman spent his 29th birthday fatally shooting three Baton Rouge officers before a SWAT team member took him down from more than 100 yards away.

All told, with days remaining in 2016, the number of officers killed in ambush attacks this year is more than double the average from the previous decade.

These numbers include San Antonio Detective Benjamin Marconi, who was fatally shot in November while sitting in his squad car writing a traffic ticket outside police headquarters. Weeks earlier, police in Iowa arrested a man and charged him with the ambush killings of two police officers in the Des Moines area; Justin Martin, a rookie officer, and Anthony Beminio, a Des Moines sergeant, were sitting in their patrol cars when they were killed.

The increase in ambush deaths does not include those who survived such attacks, such as Jesse Hartnett, a Philadelphia officer driving through a quiet intersection in early January when a gunman fired 13 shots into his car. The attacker told detectives that he had pledged loyalty to the Islamic State militant group.

In the two years since a police officer fatally shot a black 18-year-old in Ferguson, Mo., protests against police shootings have swept the country. Officers have said they feel besieged and demonized.

"What we need to be doing is working to improve relationships between communities and the police officers who protect them," James O. Pasco Jr., executive director of the Fraternal Order of Police, said in an interview last month. "Police officers are out there each and every day doing their jobs anonymously and often heroically."

Officers unsettled by the protests say they have kept their guns on them at times they wouldn't have a few years ago. After the ambush in Dallas, officers at a memorial service attended by President Obama said they monitored potential escape routes in case of attacks. Some officers, union officials and politicians have blamed the deaths of officers on what they describe as anti-police rhetoric from protesters, though leading activists involved in demonstrations have repeatedly decried violence against officers.

FBI Director James Comey, in an October speech to police chiefs, said officers are facing "a uniquely difficult time in American law enforcement." Still, it is statistically safer to be a police officer today than during the 1970s, when twice as many police officers were fatally shot each year and twice as many officers were killed annually.

"When you're shot today, emergency medical professionals are much better at saving your life," said Craig Floyd of the memorial fund. "We have better lifesaving equipment in the field and certainly in the hospitals where officers are taken when they're shot or struck by a car, or any other injuries they might suffer."

Floyd also pointed to several other factors, including having SWAT teams respond to the most dangerous situations and having more officers wearing body armor and bulletproof vests.

Officers can wind up facing unpredictable situations, responding to routine calls that may wind up dangerous. After ambushes, the largest number of officers fatally shot were responding to calls about domesticdisturbances (14 officers) and those responding to reports of suspicious people or vehicles (13 officers).
A Conroe man is facing charges for allegedly stabbing his estranged wife in the back more than a year ago.

A Montgomery County grand jury indicted Cristobal Cuellar, 28, Tuesday on two felony counts for the October 2015 incident. Cuellar, who has had an open warrant for the assault charge since the incident, was just arrested last month.

Cuellar showed up to a home on North Emerson Circle to visit his daughter and separated wife on Oct. 8, 2015, court records show. The young girl, the wife and Cuellar stepped out back for a moment, but the young girl came back in the house screaming that Cuellar was attacking her mother.

A man with whom the wife was living told the girl to call 911 and went outside to help the woman. He went outside and claims he saw Cuellar stabbing the woman in the back with a knife as he was on top of her.

The man said he approached Cuellar and began to take him off of her. Cuellar allegedly attacked the man with the knife and bit him on the cheek before fleeing the location, court records show.

As Cuellar arrived at his own home in the 8500 block of Crockett Martin Drive that night, he told his father and nephew he had "knifed" the woman, according to court records.

Cuellar has been in the Montgomery County Jail without bond since his Nov. 9 arrest. He is facing one first-degree felony aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury family enhanced charge, which carries a possible life prison sentence, if convicted. He's also facing one second-degree felony count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

He is expected in Judge Phil Grant's 9th state District Court Jan. 19 for a status conference.

Montgomery County grand jury indictments for Dec. 27:

Emily Vanness, possession of marijuana and manufacture or possession with intent to deliver controlled substance

Cory Doucen, possession of controlled substance

Rosalba Gonzalez, theft

Lasheda Reed, theft

Cody Baker-Wagner, possession of controlled substance

Israel Cuevas-Carrillo, unlawful possession of firearm by felon

Casey Roberson, burglary of habitation

Joshua Rankin, possession of controlled substance

Derrick Adams, tampering with physical evidence

Danielle Latchie, aggravated assault with deadly weapon

Marcus Alvarez, unlawful possession of firearm by felon

Carlos Moreno, fraudulent possession of identifying items

Felipe Hernandez, DWI  with a child

Arthur Thomas, possession with intent to deliver/manufacture controlled substance

Brittany Mason, possession of controlled substance

Leslie Wilson, evading arrest detention with vehicle

Nathan Berry, burglary of habitation
Residents and officials in Huron County spent most of 2016 debating wind development.

Proposed wind parks by DTE Energy and NextEra Energy Resources divided the Huron County Board of Commissioners, the Huron County Planning Commission, and some township boards at various times throughout the year.

Dozens of residents spoke passionately both for and against wind development at numerous wind-related public hearings and during public comment at local and county meetings.

Here is a summary of each project:

DTEs Filion Wind Park

DTE first approached county officials about a new wind park for Lincoln, Sigel, Dwight and Bloomfield townships in late February.

Acres in the overlay per township include 16,900 in Lincoln, 4,100 in Sigel, 2,000 in Dwight and 2,500 in Bloomfield.

The utility has easement contracts for wind development with about 200 landowners in the overlay and is talking with other landowners and developers about additional land.

About 50 residents wanted to be able to opt out of the overlay district this spring, some of them being landowners already under easement with DTE.

An independent legal opinion labeled such a concept as spot zoning.

Spot zoning can occur when officials zone a small area or parcel for uses contrary to surrounding areas, and the practice in generally frowned upon.

The planners received this information and voted on the overlay district in July, recommending that the board approve it 7-2.

When the county board gathered to vote on approval of the district in August, they were greeted with the news that the Lincoln Township board had taken steps to take back its zoning.

The board sent the issue back to the planners with the information about Lincoln Townships desire to self-zone.

The planning commission again recommended that the board approve the overlay district.

The county board voted 4-3 in October to approve the district.

Petitions circulated in county-zoned townships to protest that decision, and it will go to referendum May 2.

There will also be a referendum then challenging Lincoln Townships decision to self-zone.

Huron Wind LLC

The NextEra project was officially proposed in late summer.

NextEras Huron Wind LLC project consists of 65 turbines, 45 of which would be located in Sherman Township. The remainder of the turbines would be located in Sigel and Sand Beach townships, and Delaware Township, Sanilac County.

That is, if things go NextEras way in various referendums that could take place this spring.

There will be a May 2 referendum in self-zoned Sand Beach Township protesting changes to sound restrictions in its wind ordinance.

NextEra officials have said these changes would prohibit wind development in the township.

Sherman Township recently started the process of becoming self-zoned. This could also be challenged in a spring referendum if sufficient signatures are gathered.

Meanwhile, the Huron County Board of Commissioners approved the wind overlay district for Sherman and Sigel Townships this month.

That decision could be challenged in a referendum in county-zoned townships as well.

The Moratorium

The board ended the year by imposing a yearlong moratorium on wind development. The moratorium will not apply to the NextEra or DTE projects.

The turbines proposed by NextEra and DTE would be the first to be constructed under the county wind ordinance restrictions made in 2015.
Beirut

The U.N. Security Council unanimously endorsed a resolution Saturday encouraging a new cease-fire in the war in Syria, adding international support for an agreement brokered by Russia and Turkey that has been in force for two days.

The resolution called for "rapid, safe and unhindered" access for the delivery of humanitarian aid, but stopped short of officially endorsing the truce. Language referring to an endorsement was removed from the text before the final vote because Western powers wanted to clarify the role of the United Nations in the agreement.

The cease-fire was announced by Russia on Thursday and is supposed to stop the fighting between forces loyal to President Bashar Assad of Syria and the rebels seeking his ouster. The truce was arranged in preparation for peace talks next month in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

The U.N. has also announced plans for peace talks in Geneva in February.

While the rebels and the Syrian government, which is backed by Russia, have accused the other of violating the cease-fire and clashes and airstrikes have continued in some areas, the overall level of violence across Syria has declined, providing some hope that the truce will hold.

Many analysts, however, say the agreement has failed to address issues that have hampered previous peace talks, most important the future role of Assad. The opposition, a loose coalition of rebel groups, says Assad's departure is the key to ending the war.

Under the new cease-fire agreement, Russia is supposed to guarantee compliance by the Syrian government, while Turkey does the same for the opposition.
Last week in Mexico, a girl named Rubi Ibarra celebrated her 15th birthday with thousands of guests her dad accidentally invited to the quinceanera through YouTube.

The invite went viral. Rubis XV trended like a burlap centerpiece on Pinterest. Celebrities said theyd show up at Rubis social debut while others spoofed it. An airline offered a 30-percent discount for anyone flying into San Luis Potosi, which is right in the center of Mexico, for the Dec. 26 celebration. And the jokes about how Crescensio Ibarras invitation listed the bands set to play and the horse race  with a 10,000 peso jackpot!  lit up social media.

If youre familiar with Mexican culture and quinceanera etiquette, you know that while engraved invitations are the norm for this milestone family celebration, this kind of open invitation is not unusual. An open Youre all invited! from the host is a sincere call for the pleasure of your company  and the company of anyone else you might want to bring.

Its not party crashing; friends of friends are expected to introduce themselves to the hosts, to remember to bring their party personality and, of course, to bring the debutante a nice gift. That is, after all, how your circle of friends and nodding acquaintances grows.

If youre familiar with YouTube  and Rubis dad clearly wasnt  you know that everyone with internet access will be able to see what you post, even if what you post is an invitation intended only for the people who live in the rural community where you live.

And, if youre familiar with the way things were in 2016, you know those of us who considered ourselves to be edgy and cool loved to make fun of those of us considered to be less, well, sophisticated. Less with it.

Thats why Rubis dads YouTube video went viral. A rural Mexican guy wearing a cowboy hat inviting everyone to his daughters party? And hes even listing the local bands hes hired along with the horse race to make the invitation more enticing? LOL. ROTFL. SMH. Insert the winking emoji with a pitchfork here.

But the Ibarra family was gracious. We didnt mean to invite everyone, Rubis parents explained to the world through an interview on Univision, but everyone who wants to come is welcome. They put up big tents and lots of tables. Thousands showed up, including the media  who sent pictures of Rubi to the rest of us who werent at the party.

And despite looking overwhelmed by the way things unfolded, Rubi looked like a storybook princess in her bright dress and tiara.

Thats how quinceaneras have always looked, even before the internet.

In what seems like an instant, the internet and social media brought the world together in a way that so many of us never saw coming.

Siri and Alexa can help us find driving directions to a tiny community in another country in a heartbeat but, if were not careful, technology also gives anonymous access to those who dont have our best interest at heart, in increasingly complicated ways that most of us will never really understand.

Its also introduced a social anonymity through which people forget civility and snipe, jab, bully and mock those around them, just because they can.

Lets hope 2017 is a different time, when we remember that even uncomfortable, out-of-control Oops!-moments can be overcome with patience, civility and the grace to always remember to do what is right.

mariaanglin@yahoo.com
When will Texas become a blue state?

This is a question that as a demographer I am often asked.

It is commonly thought that it is just a matter of time until the states political hue will turn.

It is expected that the youthful Latino population will grow rapidly in the coming years, while the aging white population will eventually start to decline.

After all, didnt this occur in California? In 1992, California became a blue state and has become more so since then, with Hillary Clinton garnering nearly 62 percent of the states presidential election popular vote in November.

A comparison of white voting-age citizens (WVACs, persons 18 and older who are U.S. citizens) in California and Texas allows us to assess the task at hand for Democrats in Texas. Note that voting-age citizens may not be eligible to actually vote because they may not be registered to do so or they may have committed a crime that bars them from voting.

Whites accounted for approximately 60 percent of the total population of voting-age citizens (TVACs) in California and Texas in 2000.

The similarities end there, as California has sustained some of the greatest declines in its white population in the country, while that of Texas continues to be fairly vibrant.

The white voting-age citizen population in California declined by about 120,000 (a 1 percent decline) between 2000 and 2015, while that in Texas grew by approximately one million (a rise of 12 percent), the largest growth in the nation. This demographic dynamic suggests that Democrats still have a way to go in their quest for Texas to turn blue.

The share of whites among the total population of voting-age citizens is now 48 percent in California and 53 percent in Texas.

Demographic indicators signal that the white vote will continue to erode much faster in California than in Texas in the future.

White women in California have an average of 1.5 births over their childbearing years (15-44) in 2015 compared with their counterparts in Texas having 1.8. The relative presence of white children in California continues to wane much more rapidly with white children in California declining by 26 percent between 2000 and 2015 compared to a smaller drop of 7 percent in Texas.

How do those numbers jibe with Texas Latinas? Their average number of births was 2.3 in 2015, down from 2.9 in 2001.

Over the last 15 years large numbers of whites have left California, while many from throughout the country have moved to Texas. In California, in each of the 15 years between 2001 and 2015 more white voting-age citizens moved out of California to other U.S. states in the respective previous year than moved to the Golden State. Over this time, California sustained a net loss of close to 745,000 white voting-age citizens, the greatest net loss except for New York. In contrast, Texas attracted more of these individuals from other states than it lost to them in 12 of the 15 years, representing a net gain of approximately 418,000 white voting-age citizens, with only Florida and Arizona posting greater net gains from migration.

Due, in part, to its aging population and net out-migration, there are more deaths than births among whites in California, but not in Texas. A recent study that I conducted with my colleague, Kenneth M. Johnson at the University of New Hampshire, shows that California is a state where white deaths firmly outnumber white births, what demographers refer to as natural decline. California experienced natural decrease among whites in 13 of 14 years between 2001 and 2014. In 2014, there were 144,318 white births in California alongside 157,486 white deaths, translating to a natural decline of 13,168. In contrast, Texas whites have always had more births than deaths, what is referred to as natural increase. In 2014, there were 140,992 white births and 120,192 white deaths in Texas, netting a natural increase of 20,800. Only Utah, which has a youthful white population and high levels of fertility, had a higher level of natural increase (24,198) than Texas.

For Texas Latinos in 2015, there were 189,462 births and 37,795 deaths, resulting in a natural increase of 151,667.

These demographic trends suggest that the likelihood Texas will turn blue in the very near future  through demographics alone  is relatively low. The stability of white growth will delay the electoral impact.

The road toward a Democratic tilt in Texas is even rougher considering the political barriers that Republicans have erected to minimize the political power of Latinos and African Americans. These include direct measures to limit the political representation of these groups, such as voter ID laws (though the courts have made some concessions here) and the disingenuous drawing of redistricting maps (a lawsuit is still in the court system). Indirect means to diminish the political clout of Latinos and African Americans include the slashing of public education funding in public schools that are majority non-white and mass incarceration, which has taken away the vote of many persons of color.

There are also challenges within the Latino population that contribute to delaying the time when Texas will turn blue. In particular, even though preliminary data suggest increases in the Latino voter turnout in the last presidential election, Latinos commonly register and turn out to vote at lower levels than whites and African Americans. The Latino vote is also far from homogeneous with considerable portions of Latino voters supporting Republicans including Donald Trump in the last presidential election.

The Democratic Party has major challenges in turning Texas into a blue state. The Democratic establishment has relied primarily on demographic change with the hope that one day there will be enough Latino and African American voters to outnumber white voters. Population projections indicate that in the very near future Latinos will outnumber whites in Texas. However, couched in those raw numbers are the challenges related to a large portion of Latinos not being able to vote because they are too young, they are not U.S. citizens, they are not registered to vote or they have a criminal record that does not allow them to vote. Despite projected declining numbers in the future, the Texas white population continues to be formidable, especially when a much smaller segment has barriers blocking its vote.

The Democratic establishment needs to increase its commitment and resources to and engagement of Latinos in Texas, beyond the reliance on demography to turn Texas blue. Without greater investment, the answer to that oft-asked question  When will Texas become blue? becomes further in the distant future.
Re: A retro Christmas, Your Turn, Dec. 22:

I feel the suggestions in the letter by Rep. Lyle Larson, relative to making the family gathering at Christmas a more personal time of engaging fellowship and reflection, merit publication annually in the Express-News (not unlike the classic 1887 affirming response by the New York Sun to young Virginias query about the existence of Santa Claus). This will be the second Christmas since my husbands death. Three adult children, their spouses, eight grandchildren, two grandchildren-in-law and I will feel his absence greatly but rejoice in myriad sweet memories of Bobby Dad.

He was the spiritual head of our family and joyfully created a campsite, complete with a room-sized treehouse and zip line on our wooded property, the scene of myriad family/friend gatherings for 20-plus years. As a family, we used to read the Biblical Christmas scripture, as was Bobby Dads tradition. Our new tradition, however, will be a basket with festive ribbon into which we will all deposit our electronics the duration of our celebration and remembering, whether around the Christmas tree, dinner table or the campsite. Thank you, Rep. Larson!

Kay McKay Myers

Legislative bullying

Who are these guys? First, we have our lieutenant governor going after children who are struggling with their gender identity, and now we have all sorts of committees deciding that poor women are not worthy of the medical care they need from Planned Parenthood. Supposedly, there is no war on women, but this sure smells a lot like it, including on the other vulnerable ones: our children. Stop the bullying.

Judith Howse

Bellyaching

To all those writers of letters to the editor bellyaching about how bad a President Trump will be: To quote President Obama in 2008, The election is over.

Al Koppen, Fair Oaks Ranch

Lowering discourse

President Obama, in a recent press conference, labeled the Electoral College a vestige, a carryover from history, as if it no longer benefits the country. One can assume he bases his opinion on his partys recent shellacking and loss of the presidency. Using his logic, or lack thereof, one could just as easily argue we no longer benefit from the separation of powers, or any of the amendments! Such offhand and poorly thought out comments from the president do not serve to elevate useful discourse, but then such things from the outgoing president have become quite common.

David Saenz
Jerri-Lynn here: This wide-ranging discussion on The Real News Networks The Real Baltimore program addresses the dire state of policing in the city of Baltimore on the cusp of the Trump administration. Can the status quo deteriorate further? Well only have to wait and see.

I retained the original headline for this post, but concede its a bit misleading, since the discussion is more backward than forward looking. Many of the problems currently seen in the Baltimore Police Department have developed over a long period of time often while Democrats have been in charge either of city or state government or in the case of the scathing report by the Department of Justice (DoJ) discussed extensively below and issued in April 2016, of the executive branch of the federal judgement. For interested readers, I include a link to that DoJ report here.

TAYA GRAHAM: Good afternoon. My name is Taya Graham, and welcome to The Real Baltimore.

The repercussions of the election of Donald Trump are being felt across the country. From the US response to the threat of global warming, to ensuring employees receive a living wage, his Cabinet appointments and barrage of tweets have staked out extreme positions on a myriad of issues. But how will some of these policies be felt in Baltimore? More specifically, how will the Trump Administration handle the citys ongoing problem of unconstitutional police practices, which were outlined in a scathing Justice Department report released earlier this year?

The questions have huge implications because efforts to reform the Baltimore Police Department locally have been met with obstacles and roadblocks, and with Trumps pick of ultra-conservative Senator Jeff Sessions, many fear that the entrenched problems with policing will continue. That includes the roughly 1,000 people killed by police this year alone, and the countrys record-setting prison population of roughly 2 million. And since President-elect Trump has promised law and order, there are concerns his appointees will do little to curb the ongoing violation of peoples rights by policing in Baltimore and beyond.

To help me sort out what might happen, and what can be done, Im joined by four guests from The Real News who know quite a bit about the subject matter of police reform and federal interventions.

Paul Jay is a senior editor of The Real News Network. Eddie Conway is an executive producer and host of Rattling the Bars. Eze Jackson is a producer and host of The Whole Bushel. And Stephen Janis is a senior investigative reporter with our Baltimore bureau.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

EZE JACKSON: Thank you.

TAYA GRAHAM: Now, Paul, Id like to direct the first question to you. President-elect Donald Trump has essentially embraced stop-and-frisk, which is an unconstitutional practice, and Senator Jeff Sessions has said hes going to be a law-and-order Attorney General. Do you think this change will embolden police to continue their unconstitutional practices?

PAUL JAY: I think, first of all, lets ask the question, why did the DOJ do such a scathing report, as you mentioned in your opening, about the Baltimore police force? Now, this is the same Department of Justice that pursues the war on drugs. This is the same Department of Justice thats involved in mass incarceration. So, why is one of the principal institutions under the Obama Administration, thats very involved in mass incarceration and such, why are they interested in a scathing report on the Baltimore Police Department?

Because, I think, when you get these two different sections of politics in Washington  one which wants to call themselves liberals and the other one wants to call themselves conservatives  but the liberals dont want things to go too far. They dont want to see a repeat of the uprisings that took place in 1968. They dont want to see more Freddie Grey-type Baltimore uprisings, or Ferguson. So they want to mitigate when police departments go too far, they want to rein back the worst of the abuse. They dont want to deal with the day-to-day violation of peoples constitutional rights, because even though they say in their report, It happens every day, but you look at the recommendations, theyre not going to do anything about it. But they dont want to go so far that people get so enraged that it becomes uncontrollable for them. Thats the liberal response.

The conservative response  and Trump is taking that to the extreme with people like Sessions  is, No, we dont have to do anything to mitigate. We need to come back even harder. So at the Republican Convention, they get Sheriff David Clarke from Milwaukee County and hes essentially calling the leaders of Black Lives Matter

TAYA GRAHAM: Terrorists.

PAUL JAY: terrorists, and tries to link them to police shootings. They want to tell the police department, No, all this stuff of holding you guys back? No, we want you being the hammer, because we dont want rebellion, and the way we deal with rebellion is you crush it.

So, I doubt were not going to see DOJ reports like this at least for the next four years  and its better to have had that DOJ report than not, because even though the recommendations are weak, its good that the criticism got out in the open. And the criticism was very it surprised me it was so clear on this, that police violate constitutional rights and they break the law in the way they police in Baltimore. Well, were not going to see that again. Were going to see more of that kind of violation of rights.

TAYA GRAHAM: I see

EDDIE CONWAY: (indistinct)

TAYA GRAHAM: Oh, please, go ahead.

EDDIE CONWAY: I was just going to add, I think that the other part of this is that the federal government serves as a pressure release valve also to pacify the communities. I think they have had these kind of Consent Decrees throughout history and all over the country, and its been small gains in communities, but basically the community has been pacified, has been rocked back to sleep to allow business as usual. Because theres only so much you can do when youre trying to police the population thats unemployed, thats marginalized, thats oppressed. Theres only so much you can do to keep the law enforcement in check, because they have a big job that they have to do  and they can only do it by using really serious, strong measures against the population.

Well, what the DOC lets the population think that, well, okay, if theyre out of hand, somethings going to be done about it, and nothing really ever is done about it in my opinion.

STEPHEN JANIS: I was going to say, speaking of Pauls point and your point, I thought it was very interesting, as someone whos covered Baltimore for years and covered policing, is that that report was unbelievably scathing, but at the same time, not a single person was fired, not a single person walked out of the police headquarters, as we said before, with their belongings in a box. There was no political reaction whatsoever. Remember, we asked the mayor, Whos responsible? And the mayor said, The system.

So, you know, I think it is a situation where, you know what Paul says is kind of correct  its sort of a pacification, its sort of a way of saying, Look, we looked at this, but when you look for real change, you havent seen much. And you dont see resources being allocated for the police department to put into education or anything really specifically being addressed until, of course, we see the Consent Decree, but it is sort of seen to be papered at this point.

TAYA GRAHAM: So does that mean were better off without a Consent Decree, because it seems like its giving people false hope. And Senator Jeff Sessions said in 2008 that he thought Consent Decrees were undemocratic.

PAUL JAY: Well, let me just throw something in fast for people that arent following the Baltimore story. Explain what the Consent Decree is. Im interviewing you for a second here. Because some people may not know. Yeah.

TAYA GRAHAM: Okay. Well, right now, Catherine Pugh has nine of the 21 points

PAUL JAY: The new Mayor of Baltimore.

TAYA GRAHAM: Our new mayor has 9 out of 21 points laid down, and what a Consent Decree does its put in front of a federal judge and it is the specificity of the recommendations in the Department of Justice report  and essentially the city is going to be held to account. Theres going to be an independent monitor to make sure that the Baltimore City Police Department complies with those points, specifically. And thats what a Consent Decree is.

STEPHEN JANIS: Of course, we dont know whats in this Consent Decree at this point, because we asked the mayor, weve asked over and over again, and that would be the question, but we do know that the Justice Department analyzed, and it was interesting, past Consent Decrees and saw very few substitute changes. And one thing that was central was, of the 25 Consent Decrees, cost to the community, $600 million over a period of time to implement them, which of course we know Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has asked for $30 million to implement this Consent Decree. We also asked our current Mayor Catherine Pugh if she was going to ask for money to pay for it and she said she didnt give us really specific, but you can see one thing is true is these Consent Decrees are very costly.

TAYA GRAHAM: Well, I think its also been said that these Consent Decrees arent very effective, as well. I mean, I think the Washington Post did a survey of Consent Decrees and the results were mixed, at best.

EDDIE CONWAY: Do you know, and towards Stephens point, its more money for training, its more money for instructors, theres more money to spruce up the paperwork for the law enforcement agents, and so they get a bigger part of the budget. And the people that are actually impacted, their lives dont change. I mean, the thing on 95, say, for instance, that for the state police stopping travelers coming up and down 95. So, I mean, you know, the solution was, well, keep a record of who you stop. You know? And that doesnt change anything. People are still being stopped and put on the side of the highways. So all these decrees are paperwork. Im not saying we dont need em, but unless theres some enforcement behind them

EZE JACKSON: I mean, its another pacifier, I think. I think its important to have something that we can hold the police accountable to, that we, as the people, can always go back and check and if we do, make sure that theyre holding their end of the bargain. But its just another pacifier to a system that I think needs to be changed. The whole thing needs to be just restructured  and thats not going to happen. The Consent Decree, I think in a way, its good. Like I say, its a checkpoint, but I dont see it really making any effective change until, like you say, get rid of the whole crew thats in there now, fire everybody, and start over. I think thats the only logical way to really see some real change, because you got an officer thats been on the force 15, 20 years, doing the same thing, a Consent Decree is not going to stop him from continuing to do what hes been doing his whole career.

TAYA GRAHAM: Thats a good point.

PAUL JAY: I thought the police union made a good point about something. You know, when Freddie Grey was killed, and then the police union immediately jumped to defend the officers involved, without even knowing what the evidence was, at first Id reacted against the unions role. But I came to know better what their point was  at least some of them  which was that its the command, its the people running the police department that are giving orders, telling police to do unconstitutional to violate peoples constitutional rights, to break federal law.

And I thought thats why I say theres kind of two parts to this DOJ report on Baltimore. The critique is actually very good. I was surprised it was as good as it was. I was expecting just more talk about training. They really went after stuff in the description of the problem.

One of the stories they tell near the end of the report, a woman officer is ordered to go clear a corner, be part of several officers to clear a corner  and that is a euphemism for, You go pick people up and you arrest them for nothing and you bring them back to the station. Its not about telling people to move on. Its about arresting people without probable cause.

And she refuses to do it, according to this in the DOJ report. Well, shes punished for that. She loses overtime  and this is all documented in the DOJ report. And she goes and complains to the supervisor of the guy who docked her, wouldnt give her the overtime, and he says, Well, its actually quoted in there, it says, Well, you deserved it, cause you didnt make your stats this month. Well, we know that that means: You didnt arrest enough people. No one cares for what. I mean, thats part of the problem with Baltimore. Its not about are you lowering crime in some way, its just are you arresting enough people?

So, the reports description of the problem, we keep using the word scathing when we talk about it, because it was. It was really good.

But what it didnt say, that its clearly implied  it doesnt come out and say  if youre violating peoples constitutional rights, you, the police, if youre breaking federal law, that means youre committing crimes. It means you, the Baltimore police, are criminals.

Theres nothing in that report that then says, Arrest these people. Its not just about training and more data collection. Arrest these people. If theyre violating law, you know, charge them with forcible confinement, which Mosby originally charged these Freddie Grey cops and then drops.

But the fact that it took place was a good thing. I mean, yes, its to pacify. Still, it was a good thing to get it documented just how bad things are. But the recommendations are just the same old, same old.

EDDIE CONWAY: But then what? Okay, so you document it. People look at it, they read it. They say, Oh, this is really bad. And its business as usual and nothing changes. Im not sure, how does that help people in the communities thats being constantly having their rights violated?

PAUL JAY: Only if people get organized.

EDDIE CONWAY: Right.

PAUL JAY: The solutions are not going to come from the elites. Theres no question about that. And the fundamental problem is the reason theres a police culture like that is because people that own stuff want to hold onto it. And people make money out of chronic poverty. And so, the solutions are not going to come from the DOJ or the solutions arent going to come from any of these things. But I think its actually good for the peoples movement, you could say, to be able to say, Look, even the DOJ says you guys are criminals. And now were going to demand accountability. Then you get into another conversation about how people get organized. Im in no way suggesting because they describe the problem well, its the solution. In fact, I agree with you, because when you go to what their recommendations are  more training, more data collection  like, they could have at least said, because it comes right out of their own description of the problem, they couldve at least said, Commanders who give people orders to break the law, those commanders should be arrested. That wouldve been nice. But they dont say that.

TAYA GRAHAM: I understand that you want command-level officers to be held accountable for the instructions they give to patrol officers. The question is: what should this Consent Decree actually look like?

EZE JACKSON: I think it should look like some kind of an attempt to bring police and community relationships together in a way that it should represent the people, you know, and what they want. Right now, like Paul was just talking about the culture, and police officers being told to arrest people who arent committing crime is not helping to lower the murder rate or car-jackings or break-ins, anything  its not helping because people, and specifically in a city like Baltimore, people dont want to cooperate with the police. They dont want to help, because, I help you with this case now, and then next week youll lock me up for standing out in front of a corner store. Youre not my friend. Youre not here to protect me.

So I think it needs to represent this strong desire from the people, and right now were getting a lot of political games being played with it. You know, Well, we cant ask for this, and we cant put this in there, we cant do that. Everybody people in power are going out of their way to protect the police, when in all actuality its the community that needs protection, you know, not just from the criminals in their area, but also from the police.

TAYA GRAHAM: Right.

STEPHEN JANIS: I think there should be a continuum of the transparency, and I know transparency is sort of a feeble word, but the continuum of revelations. Because I was thinking yesterday, we were reviewing statements of probable cause left over from the zero tolerance era, where they were arresting people for literally nothing, you know, like, drinking a beer

TAYA GRAHAM: Or expectorating on the ground

STEPHEN JANIS: or just expectorating, and they were continually writing up these statements of probable cause. They were completely illegal. You could just read them and you could see they were illegal and they were cutting and pasting and misspelling. Lets say the Department of Justice continues to audit the statement of probable causes of police officers and they continue to be published in some way, or some way continue to and quarterly report. I think that would be really, really powerful, because thats kind of what they did. Because what they did is they revealed, as the story that Paul recounted is extremely powerful, because it shows a mechanism. And if they could continue to do that and have some sort of mechanism where the community they are truly accountable to the community, not to the politicians that Paul mentions who really drive all this, which is what  in Baltimore, right? The homicide rate is in numbers that are politically quite important, so they take these policies and they order the commanders to do what you were talking about.

So I think if they could have a mechanism for transparency to continue to reveal these kind of stories, I think youd see some change.

EZE JACKSON: I agree with Stephen, because right now, the way its set up, theres nothing if you get arrested, theres nothing in place that stops a police officer from writing a report however he wants to write it. Theres nothing  you could sit in your cell and look at your papers, and go, Wow, this is all wrong, and theres nobody there to fact-check it, or to help. You know what I mean? To make sure that people arent unjustly being arrested and having charges put on them, which happens a lot in this city.

You know, you cant solve a case, you arrest somebody. You thrown that charge on them. Whos going to stop them?

TAYA GRAHAM: Right.

EDDIE CONWAY: You know, one other thing is I agree that the transparency needs to be continued and its good that those crimes have been documented. But there needs to be a penalty phase in this thing. Somebody needs to be held accountable when they violate those things, including peoples constitutional rights. Its got to be in there. If thats not in there, its just smoke and mirrors.

EZE JACKSON: Now, you think about it, any other company, any other organization, any other group, to have these kind of findings in this DOJ report come up, everybodys gone. Everybodys fired. Its not even a question.

TAYA GRAHAM: Absolutely.

EZE JACKSON: Everybody is let go. The Police Department is the only department that gets these special privileges and its kind of like right in front of our face just blatant disregard for the people and the community.

TAYA GRAHAM: Thats such a good point.

PAUL JAY: I think a couple of things  the Consent Decree shouldve called for community control of the police. I dont have allusions that the DOJ would do that, but if youre asking what would be effective  and real community control of the police as weve been saying on The Real News, means the power to hire and fire the police chief, the power to actually hire and fire individual policemen, the power to recommend criminal charges to the Attorney General, States Attorney  has to have real power. And how you create that is a matter of discussion and debate  is it elected, how does the community want to exercise that control? Its really the community needs to be asked and worked out.

But to play on Eddies point, to be effective, theyre committing crimes, they should be charged, and we know the existing political structure, the city council, the mayor, and from within the police department, theyre not going to go there. So there needs to be a civilian body that can, at the very least, hire and fire, and recommend criminal charges.

And the second thing I think the Consent Decree should have, going back to this woman cop that gets disciplined, is some kind of whistleblower the cops you know, there are some cops that dont want to do this stuff. And theyre afraid of repercussions, anywhere from a dead bird on their car to somebody not showing up as backup in a dangerous situation. Somebody blows the whistle, the community needs to embrace that person and defend them, and there should be something in that Consent Decree that protects them and allows them to come forward.

TAYA GRAHAM: Now, Ive heard people say, I dont care if my civil rights are violated, I dont care if your civil rights are violated, as long as my community doesnt have crime in it, as long as my family isnt a victim of crime or violence. Do you think there is any situation where unconstitutional policing is considered justified?

STEPHEN JANIS: Well, you reveal the complexity of this problem because many of the people you talk to in the community as a reporter are more concerned about crime in their neighborhoods, or more concerned about people breaking into their cars or stealing from them, and that fear fuels a lot of the problems that you talk about. Because we do put policing in a special, I guess, social place because of it, because so much of the rhetoric around it is defined by fear. And thus, fear becomes sort of a currency for policing. And I do think Baltimore, when they elected Martin OMalley in 1999 on the basis of doing zero tolerance  as Paul said, it has to be a certain level of political consciousness to be able to overcome that, to be able to change that discussion and say, Well, were not going to solve it by being more fearsome or more vengeful than the crime itself thats occurring. But I think its a really good point that has to be considered, because many people will allow police to go to extreme lengths just to feel like theyre suddenly safe.

EDDIE CONWAY: Yeah, but you know what? Thats rhetoric more so than

STEPHEN JANIS: Right.

EDDIE CONWAY: into the reality, because as soon as the police violate their civil rights, throw them down on the ground, or accost their son or daughter, that whole attitude changes. Easy to say when youre talking about, We dont care what you do to people, but when it starts impacting you its, like, Wait a minute. Yall cant do that to Johnny.

STEPHEN JANIS: Well, thats the converse of your whole thing. Its true. And thats why Baltimore has been stuck in this situation because people dont understand until it affects them, how the implications of allowing an institution as powerful as a police department to operate with impunity. That is what happens. But thats why fear is such a great way to motivate  thats what Martin OMalley used was fear, right? Im going to reduce the homicide rate. But all he was doing was playing on peoples fears, and then suddenly 100,000 people were arrested. So youre absolutely right.

PAUL JAY: People are suffering twice  one, people are suffering from unemployment, low wages, the poverty, and then people living in these areas are the ones that suffer the consequences of traumatized kids that grow up to commit violent crimes, people that have, because they have no jobs, get involved in the only thing there is, which is the drug business, which is inherently violent, and then So you suffer twice. You live in these deprived conditions, and then because of the crime it comes and gets you. So its a problem because you have a right, one, to say, I dont want these economic social conditions anymore, but, two, I have a right to have some safety. I should be able to walk to the corner store and not get mugged. But I dont want policing thats abusive, thats racist, and treats us like animals.

So, there is a legitimate short-term demand of people that you need some policing. You cant have mayhem outside your door. But that policing cant be bloody abusive, and you damned well better deal with the conditions that are creating this crime in the first place, which is the poverty and the low wages.

TAYA GRAHAM: Well, I think you get to the crux of the matter there which is that there are issues and social ills like poverty and homelessness and drug addiction and lead poisoning and mental health issues, and a lot of times police officers are the front line. Do you think theres any way that there can be effective policing when we have such intractable problems in Baltimore City?

EZE JACKSON: I think and I was talking to some friends about this over the weekend, a friend was describing the situation to me where a police officer was clearly stressed out from something previous that had happened. I think one of the effective ways  and we dont hear this talked about a lot  is I dont think theres enough therapy and work being done with our police officers and their mental health. To have to work in some of these conditions, we forget that they are also people. And so, without that proper therapy, without the proper time off  you know what I mean?  to spend with your family and come back and regroup, you are violating peoples rights automatically. Why? Because youre working under a system thats going to protect you to do so.

So you might not, in your heart, want to beat this kid up on the street in front of everybody, but because of everything else youve been under, everything else youve dealt with that week, you end up lashing out and doing it, because youre a human being. I remember calling a police officer to my house to fill out a report about a car accident, and in the discussion, you know, he was not being very helpful, and when I expressed frustration about him not being helpful, he reached for his gun. But on that day, in West Baltimore, there had already been several shootings. You know what I mean? It was a crazy day in West Baltimore. The weather had just broke, and I said to him, I said, You know, I can see that youre dealing with a lot. Im just going to call another officer. And he calmed down and, two weeks later, came and apologized to me. But it was at that moment that I realized these are also people that are working under really, really crazy

TAYA GRAHAM: Really stressful conditions.

EZE JACKSON: situations and I think we can have effective policing  I think thats one of the ways that that can help, if we really put a focus on what is the mental health of these police officers? Are you really just sending anybody, and paying them $30,000 a year to patrol a neighborhood, and not making sure that theyre properly equipped to do so? And thats whats happening.

EDDIE CONWAY: Do you know, I want to chime in on that, though, because what we have, internationally, when theres a war somewhere, soldiers go in-country. Theyre only allowed to stay so long

TAYA GRAHAM: Thats right.

EDDIE CONWAY: in a combat zone, a combat area.

TAYA GRAHAM: They have a limited tour.

EDDIE CONWAY: Because in anything over a year or two years, its detrimental  and even if youre the nicest person in the world, under that stress of constant combat, you change. Out of fear, your partner being lost, you being lost, and so on. That same situation applies to police in some communities, and the way those communities are policed is in a combat manner. And it creates that same stress  and so no amount of healthcare or mental illness training or therapy or anything else. No, theres got to be shorter spans of that interaction, and theres got to be more rotation and replacement, and its a lot of other things. But you cant leave a soldier in combat for two years and dont expect him to go off at some point.

TAYA GRAHAM: Thats a really good point.

PAUL JAY: I think weve got to change the mission of the police force. We live in a class society. Nobody wants to say it, but in all these elections, theres a middle class, but theres never  other than Bernie Sanders, who talked about a billionaire class  nobody ever talks about elites. The mission of this police force is to defend private property. Its really serious obvious, I should say, and the more private property youve got, the more you get defended. The mission of the Baltimore police force is contain crime, thats the consequence of poverty, in poor neighborhoods. Dont let it spill out into the Roland Parks and the

TAYA GRAHAM: Well, wait, Paul. Ive got to challenge you on this, because youre saying its about class, but Vanita Gupta of the Department of Justice, she said it was about race. As a matter of fact, one of the first things she said was that the unconstitutional practices are unconstitutional because its based on race. Thats what its about: race. People are arresting black people unjustly in Baltimore.

PAUL JAY: Yeah, but you cant youre starting a whole nother show here. Racism is one of the ideologies that defends private property and capitalism.

TAYA GRAHAM: Okay.

PAUL JAY: You have to dehumanize people you exploit, and the more you want to exploit them, the more you dehumanize them.

TAYA GRAHAM: But there are poor there are poor white people in Hampton, poor white people in Remington, and they are not being arrested in the same way.

PAUL JAY: But Ill take you I can take you to cities where theres almost no people of color. I can take you to Toronto where Im from, and the areas of poor white are getting  not as abusive as Baltimore  but far more abused poor whites than rich whites, theres no comparison.

Of course, racism is pervasive here. You cant theres no disconnect between class and race. The racism is how the wealthy whites, and in a way even wealthy blacks, and there are some, and theres certainly a whole black political class

TAYA GRAHAM: Very true.

PAUL JAY: you know, who look at poor people in general and, even more, poor people of color, as subhuman. So its okay to pay them $7.25 an hour. You know, its okay that the mayhem that goes on in poor neighborhoods  and one shouldnt exaggerate that too much, because most people living in poorer neighborhoods go to work every morning, and theyre the ones suffering the consequences of this.

But what Im saying is, by changing the mission of the police force, you have to say that the police officers are there to make neighborhoods livable, and to prevent this sort of the consequences of these bad social conditions, unlivable social conditions. They have to be dealt with in some way that people can live their life. And then you also have to deal with the unlivable social conditions. It comes down to who has political power. It comes down to who controls city government, and will come down to who controls Annapolis. Real police reform will come because you start changing whos got power, how wealth is distributed  and its not going to happen all in one go. But if people dont get organized to deal with power at the level of the city, the level of the state, and in some way federally, too, but the city is the one that has the most power over the policing.

If you dont take control of the city government, then we can keep talking about Consent Decrees  in real life youll have a nice classroom, and theyre going to teach all about racial sensitivity, understanding racism, and theyll learn all the verbiage, except when they get out in the car, theyre going to do the same stuff they always do. Because the mission hasnt changed: contain the crime in poor neighborhoods. And if you have a city government and a state that says, Were not going to tell cops to do anything about the war on drugs anymore  in fact, quite the contrary. Were going to start pushing for legalization, and take that off the table, the war on drugs. I mean, that would be the fastest way to alleviate this.

You cant do that unless you have control of government. And people have understandably given up and are cynical about the possibility of having government actually play that role  and its partly because the Democratic Party is in control here, and its easier to fight to the Republicans in some way  but because its a black city council, and its Democrat, its not a straightforward confrontation.

But there needs to be a takeover of popular peoples forces in this town, and then you start telling the police what to do, and then you start doing what Eze says: Fire the bloody people who dont want to go along with the change of culture. But youve got to deal with the political side of this.

TAYA GRAHAM: Thank you. And I want to say thank you so much for being part of this discussion here today, and I want to thank you for joining me at The Real Baltimore.
Tankerstown National School near Bansha has marked its 150th anniversary with the launch of a school history.

It was a momentous occasion when the book was launched in the school before Christmas and it was great to see so many past pupils going back decades mingling with present day pupils.

One of those past pupils officially launched the book, octogenarian Fr. Michael ODwyer of Tankerstown. Fr. O Dwyer gave a charming account of his time in school in with many entertaining anecdotes of his time there.

According to principal Noirin Ni Mhaoldhomhnaigh, the idea for the book came from her predecessor Liam Bergin who had mooted the idea for some time.

In my native Boherlahan, the recording of the stories of those around us in the not too distant past is documented in the form of an historical journal each year and the recording of this social history is something I personally place huge value on. I can think of no greater legacy of our sesquicentennial than to leave this testament after us, said Ms. Ni Mhaoldhomhnaigh.

Fr. Michael O'Dwyer, who launched the book; principal Noirin Ni Mhaoldhomhnaigh; editor Shirley Fahey; and Board of Management chairperson Mary Noonan at the book launch.

Mr Bergin had already a number of interesting articles ready for inclusion which he had been compiling. It was important also to include the past pupils and history of Ardane N.S. which amalgamated with Tankerstown N.S. in the Seventies.

The principal added - "In this publication, we are reminded of poor facilities and more simple often harsher times, changes and developments, various escapades and friendships formed that endure over decades. The book comprises of memories and anecdotes of life, work and activities at the school and locally, games and sporting achievements, religious celebrations and parental and community involvement. This book serves as an overview of life in a South Tipperary community".

And she continued - "For the book itself, it was imperative to find an editor who could create for us of a publication befitting to the school. That person was past pupil and current parent in the school, Ms. Shirley Fahey. The request was to collate book content but with vigour and gusto, Shirley set out her vision in design form also after enlisting the assistance of another parent Ms. Claire Fahey. Claires expertise is considerable and the professional finish she put on the book is a credit to her. Between the two, the content, layout and design is a testament to the long hours and hard work both have put in to this book".

Fr O'Dwyer, who launched the book, was the youngest of four brothers. He began school in 1940, the only boy to begin that year. In 1949, he began secondary school in Tipperary CBS and in 1954 he entered the Pallotines in Thurles, attending classes at St. Patricks Seminary. Ordained to the priesthood in 1961, he began missionary assignment in the USA, in a church in Abilene and spent most of his priestly life with a few years in Nevada and in Detroit Michigan. In 2007, he returned to Ireland intending to take a sabbatical, finding himself in St. Annes, Shankhill some ten years later and enjoying every day of it.

Tankerstown pupils at the book launch.

He claims to look forward to retirement in the not too distant future but something about this quick witted, lively, engaging man suggests that may not be for another while!

With other speeches from the principal Ms. Noirin Ni Mhaoldhomhnaigh, BoM Chairperson Mrs. Mary Noonan, Editor Ms. Shirley Fahey and a biography of Fr. O Dwyer by past principal Mr. Liam Bergin, formal proceedings were drawn to a close by Tankerstown National School Choir who were a spectacle of colour in all their festive finery. The school community were delighted to be joined by Mattie McGrath TD, Cllr. Andy Moloney and Cllr. Michael Fitzgerald.

Afterwards, all retired to an adjoining room to enjoy mulled wine, tea/coffee and a whole host of delicious treats supplied by the school and parents of the school. According to Ms. Ni Mhaoldhomhnaigh, The parents who gave so willingly of their time to make this event happen in so many different ways may never get individual public mention but they are so crucial to everything that happens in our school. We, as a staff, try hard to nurture our partnership with home through the year and it is so wonderful to turn around and see these people quietly supporting the school every way they can. As for the wonderful pupils and the fantastic past pupils who returned to sing with us- you are the perfect people to carry the baton on to our future generations. 

The book is retailing at 20 and is available for purchase in Kathleen OConnells Shop in Bansha while the limited stock lasts.
Rogue construction workers conned a 75 year-old Clonmel widower of 10,000 and caused significant damage to the roof of his house earlier this year, Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court was told.

Judge Tom Teehan described the crime as "particularly mean spirited" as he sentenced one of the three men involved to 12 months imprisonment, the last four months of which he suspended.

The sentence was imposed on Romanian national Vasile Morosanu, aged 38, of no fixed abode, who pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the home of the elderly man at Summerhill Drive, Clonmel between April 12 and 15.

Morosanu, who only arrived in Ireland earlier this year, has already served the eight months sentence as he was in custody since being charged with the offence in April.

The day before Morosanu was sentenced, Denis Harrington of 99 Ballyspillane, Killarney, Co. Kerry pleaded guilty to dishonestly by deception inducing the elderly man to give him 10,000 with the intention of making gain for himself or another.

His case was adjourned to Clonmel Circuit Court session on February 14 for sentencing.

The second Romanian man involved in the crime, Kalin Dan, has left this jurisdiction.

At Morosanu's sentencing hearing, Clonmel Gda. Sgt. Kieran O'Regan gave evidence that flyers were handed out to homes in the Clonmel area advertising carpentry, general repairs and building work on houses. There was a contact telephone number with the name David, who the gardai now know to be Denis Harrington.

The elderly resident phoned the number and made arrangements with Harrington for the attic of his home to be converted into an extra room for 14,000. Vasile Morosanu and Kalin Dan commenced work on his home and the resident paid over 10,000 cash to Harrington.

The home owner became suspicious of the work they were doing and believed they damaged his roof and that he was conned out of his money. He contacted the gardaiand Detectives Dan Quinlan and John O'Gorman visited him and from their observations they were satisfied considerable damage had been caused to the roof structure.

Gardai carried out surveillance on the Romanians working on the attic conversion. Kalin Dan received a call to his mobile from Harrington requesting to speak to the house owner. The elderly man spoke to Harrington on the phone and put him on loud speaker. Harrington requested him to pay over a further 1000 for the purchase of floor materials.

The resident told him he wasn't handing over any more money until the job was complete. Harrington said he wouldn't be able to go to the house as he was in Killarney. Harrington requested to speak to Dan and the phone was handed back to him. The Romanian workers then left the address in haste. The gardai feared they wouldn't return to the address so they stopped their white Ford van on Tivoli Road, arrested them and brought them to Clonmel Garda Station. During interview, Morosanu admitted the offence and was charged and appeared before Clonmel District Court on April 16. Sgt. Regan added that Morosanu was in custody for the past eight months. He had one previous conviction in Romania for robbery in 2002 for which he received a three years prison sentence.

The court heard that a survey of the damage to the roof was carried out by engineer Michael Reilly and he found that the removal of vital supports from the roof left it in danger of imminent collapse if there were high winds. He concluded 6000 worth of remedial works needed to be carried out to make the roof safe.

Sgt. O'Regan said the victim took out a 5000 credit union loan to help pay for the roof conversion and he was still paying 30 a week back on that debt.

The court heard that money had been seized from Denis Harrington and Sgt. O'Regan confirmed that arrangements were being made to release 3,500 to the victim in this case.

In a Victim Impact Statement read to the court, the home owner said he was now reluctant to open his door to callers and was nervous of dealing with strangers since this incident. This prevented people from visiting and made his life more lonely. He was at an economic loss of 10,000 along with temporary repair costs of 400 to the roof. He said he couldn't afford to be at the loss of this money as he lived on his pension.

"I had saved this money for a long time for a rainy day and I have received no compensation to date," he said.

Defence barrister Nikki O'Sullivan said her client wished to express his remorse to the victim. He didn't intend to cause him any harm but accepted he was totally reckless and hadn't any qualifications to do this work.

She submitted that her client co-operated with the gardai when arrested and made admissions and pleaded guilty at an early stage. He was working in this industry for two weeks and was fairly surprised such damage was caused. He was acting on instructions from Kalin Dan, who translated for him. At no stage did he speak to the victim or look for money from him and he didn't receive any pay for the work he did on his house. "As far as he was concerned, he was working appropriately," she said.

Ms Sullivan outlined that Morosanu lived and work in Spain for 12 years and never came to the Spanish police's attention. He came to Ireland early this year via the UK. He was an only child and was responsible for supporting his widowed mother in Romania.

She added that her client hoped to return to Spain as soon as possible and hoped to use the 300 seized from him to make this journey.

As he sentenced Moro-sanu, Judge Tom Teehan said the Victim Impact Report in this case made for very sad reading and he had enormous sympathy for the victim.

"By living alone, he is prone, like so many people, to loneliness and the affect this incident has had on him is that he is less likely now to open his door and is more shut off from the world than before this happened. That is probably even more significant for him than the serious financial loss he suffered.

"This was a particularly mean spirited crime but I do accept Morosanu played a very insignificant role in it compared to the other two men who were involved and I regard his involvement as being at the lowest end of the scale.

After suspending the last four months of the sentence, which meant Morosanu would be released from prison a few days after the court hearing, the Judge expressed the hope the prison authorities would co-operate in arranging Morosanu's immediate return to Spain. He pointed out that he would take a very different view of the other two men involved in this enterprise.

He suspended the balance of the sentence for one year on condition Morosanu keep the peace and be of good behaviour during that time.
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(Natural News) Our world is so twisted today that fake news is deliberately written by the Washington Post and New York Times to sound like its real, but real news is so bizarre that it seems fabricated at first glance. Such is the case with Californias new law  SB 1322  that officially legalizes child prostitution beginning January 1. SB 1322 decriminalizes prostitution charges for minors, explains a press release from California lawmakers (link below).

SB 1322, entitled SB-1322 Commercial sex acts: minors, spells it out in plain language: (click here to read the text of the law yourself)

Existing law makes it a crime to solicit or engage in any act of prostitution. Existing law makes it a crime to loiter in any public place with the intent to commit prostitution.

This bill would make the above provisions inapplicable to a child under 18 years of age who is alleged to have engaged in conduct that would, if committed by an adult, violate the above provisions.

SB 1322 was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on September 26, 2016. Instead of being treated as criminals, youths to get supervision and counseling services, explains a government press release.

The law does not legalize adults soliciting sex with children, of course. Instead, it decriminalizes children and teens who engage in prostitution themselves. The idea, according to California lawmakers, is that such children should receive counseling instead of criminal charges.

Notably, there is no age limit on how young a legalized prostitute can now be, meaning that even children as young as 12 years old can legally sell their bodies for sex under California law. Or even nine year olds!

Gov. Brown, by the way, is the same politician who also signed SB 277, the vaccine mandate law that causes young African-American boys to be neurologically damaged and made autistic. That link has already been publicly admitted by a top CDC scientist.

Prostitution is still a crime if youre 18 or older, but its legal if youre 17 or younger huh?

Now, thanks to Gov. Brown, 17-year-old boys and girls in California have legal immunity to engage in open prostitution. But when they turn 18, suddenly theyre criminals.

Meanwhile, prostitution clients are considered rapists or sex offenders if they engage in sex acts with children under the age of 18. So now, according to Californias totally insane Governor and legislature, 17-year-old prostitutes can openly stand on street corners and sell their bodies with complete legal immunity all in the name of compassion from a safe space California culture that has gone so far off the deep end, the rest of the country desperately hopes #CalExit will succeed.

Governor Jerry Brown even brags about legalizing child prostitution, saying it will stop the exploiters and help the exploited. No one outside the fairy tale land of Collapsifornia understands how that logic works. If prostitution is legalized for children, how does that stop the exploiters who would then rush to recruit under-age children to serve as sex workers with the benefit of legal immunity?

If California really wants to stop the exploiters, why doesnt the state just legalize all consenting acts between adults and stop criminalizing adult prostitution altogether? To maintain the criminality of sex acts between adults while legalizing sex acts sold by minors seems so completely insane that it could only come from a place like Collapsifornia  a delusional bubble of artificial reality run by Big Brother meddlers and an endless parade of do-gooder nanny state libtardocrats who still havent learned a single thing about why good intentions alone are never enough.

Pimps rejoice as Californias lunatic liberal lawmakers open the floodgates to exploiting young teens for the sex trade

The unintended but predictable consequence of how the real villains  pimps and other traffickers in human misery  will respond to this new law isnt difficult to foresee, writes the Washington Examiner. But legalizing child prostitution will only incentivize the increased exploitation of underage girls. Immunity from arrest means law enforcement cant interfere with minors engaging in prostitution  which translates into bigger and better cash flow for the pimps. Simply put, more time on the street and less time in jail means more money for pimps, and more victims for them to exploit.

The Examiner adds:

As Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley, a national leader on human trafficking issues, told the media, It just opens up the door for traffickers to use these kids to commit crimes and exploit them even worse. Another prosecutor insightfully observed that if traffickers wrote legislation to protect themselves, it would read like SB 1322.

In other words, California legislators, via a Democrat supermajority, just passed exactly the type of law that child sex traffickers would have written themselves if they ran the legislature. Come to think of it, maybe they do!

Thank goodness California also passed SB 277, the vaccine mandate law, because otherwise all those child prostitutes might spread the flu to their paying sex partners. Yep, thats Californias health code for you: Vaccinate all the children before you send them onto the street corners as legalized prostitutes.

Glad to know California has its priorities straight.
Saturday, December 31, 2016 by: Robert Jonathan Tags: fusion , nuclear plants , nuclear power This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author

(Natural News) Scientists in South Korea have reportedly made a breakthrough toward harnessing an unlimited source of safe and clean energy via nuclear fusion.

The Korean Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) reactor apparently set a worlds record recently by holding superheated plasma in a steady state for 70 seconds.

If implemented into widespread use, the nuclear fusion process  which is an alternative to nuclear fission and the radioactive waste that accompanies it  could revolutionize the energy delivery system by among other things also presumably eliminating reliance on fossil fuels and all the geopolitical, economic, environmental, and social ramifications that go with it.

Deploying the nuclear fusion technology in residential and commercial settings wont happen tomorrow or the next day but it is no longer in the realm of science fiction because research such as KSTAR proves that the burning of star-like fuel can be achieved and contained using current technology, the Daily Mail claimed.

The KSTAR facility is located about 100 miles south of Seoul, and the reactor is capable of generating temperatures of up 300 million degrees Celsius (approximately 540 million degrees Fahrenheit) for plasma blobs.

Plasma blobs are held together by magnetic fields, according to Interesting Engineering, thereby creating helium atoms. The energy thus released is theoretically capable of generating unlimited power.

Containing this ultra-hot type of matter is key to unlocking nuclear fusion, so its a big step forward in our attempts to make this clean, safe, and virtually limitless source of energy something we can rely on, Science Alert explained, adding that this mode of operation could conceivably generate nuclear waste-free power for a millennium using just seawater, as long as the appropriate safety and sustainability controls are in place. Moreover, there is apparently far less risk of a plant meltdown using nuclear fusion technology.

To put it simply, nuclear fusion is the process that makes the sun shine, with the nuclei of small atoms, such as hydrogen, squeezed together and heated to an extreme degree such that they fuse to form larger nuclei and release a burst of energyConventional nuclear power plants depend on materials such as uranium or plutonium to create the fission to generate energy, but the radioactivity of the resulting fragments are considered a crucial drawback. In a nuclear fusion reaction, however, problems about waste disposal are greatly minimized, The Korea Times explained.

As Natural News has chronicled previously, traditional nuke plants here and abroad have introduced hazardous waste into the environment, so any discussion of nuclear power, conventional or otherwise, is bound to become immediately controversial.

Nuclear waste disposal is a hot-button issue, as it were, and has long been at the heart of opposition to nuclear power by environmental groups, suggesting that fusion process, if it fully proves out, might be a solution acceptable to all constituencies.

Parenthetically, Australia is reportedly considering building a gigantic nuclear waste storage facility in the sparsely populated southern part of the country. Some people believe that gathering nuclear waste together in one site makes it easier to secure, control and keep track of, minimizing the possibilities of widespread radiation exposure across multiple cities, and reducing the chances of these dangerous materials getting into the wrong hands and used in a dirty bomb. Others feel that the health concerns of radiation exposure are simply not worth it.

In a statement about what appears to be a new nuclear fusion benchmark, South Koreas National Fusion Research Institute lauded the KSTAR reactor record as being in the forefront in steady-state plasma operation technology in a superconducting device. This is a huge step forward for realization of the fusion reactor.

Sources:

DailyMail.co.uk

InterestingEngineering.com

ScienceAlert.com

World-Nuclear-News.org

M.KoreaTimes.co.kr

NaturalNews.com
Dungeness crab fishers from the Bay Area all the way to Canada are on strike  and those who aren't yet will join them Friday night  after wholesale buyers sought to lower the purchase price.

For some, the strike started Wednesday after buyers offered to pay $2.75 a pound for the tasty crustacean. Crabbers whose seasons had already opened had negotiated a price of $3 per pound.

The strike does not affect commercial crabbers south of Sonoma County's Bodega Bay, where customers have been snapping up the holiday dinner table staple since November.

But prices were not set in all fisheries because the West Coast commercial dungeness crab season opened in phases this year due to elevated domoic acid levels.

"Crab and champagne is the cat's meow," said Gary Westendorf, excited to ring in the new year with fresh dungeness crab.

But families who stop by Pillar Point Harbor wont be so lucky. The Half Moon Bay Seafood Marketing Association has voted to stand in solidarity with the crab fishing strike along the North Coast

Peninsula fishermen tied up their boats on Friday to show support for their colleagues.

"I will stand with the other fisherman," said Tony Urie.

Urie sold his catch of the day for $3 a pound. But until all California crabbers are able to earn the same amount, he and other fishermen in Half Moon Bay and now even San Francisco plan to strike.

"Its not right," said fisherman Barry Diy. "$2.75 just isnt right.

Many say $2.75 is not enough to cover the cost and risk associated with crab fishing.

On Friday, Half Moon Bay restaurant owners stocked up on as much crab as they could, ahead of the strike's start at 12 a.m. Saturday.

"Without the crab season, there is no one out here," said Albert Dunne, who owns Half Moon Bay's popular Princeton Seafood Company.

Dunne said he views the supply of dungeness crabs as essential to his and other nearby restaurants' success.

"We gotta have it," he stressed. "It helps the restaurants. ... It's what brings people into the harbor."

Lorne Edwards, president of the Bodega Bay Fisherman's Marketing Association, said he expects the strike to continue at least through New Year's Day. There is no timeline yet for when it may end.
An Alaskan Malamute puppy is back in safe hands after being stolen from a San Jose home last week, the Mercury News first reported and police confirmed.

The dognapping occurred on Dec. 23 when the pup's owner arranged a meeting to sell the dog at his home, according to police. Two men arrived at the residence to finalize the deal, but they promptly beat the owner with a blunt object and subdued the man with a stun gun. Aside from heisting the young pooch, the thieves made off with cash and other property.

Responding San Jose Police Department officers Rafael Varela and Frank Montoya along with officer Alan Yee joined forces to hunt down the suspects, according to police.

"The whole team was involved," Yee told the Mercury News. "We worked all weekend on this. We go to a lot of robberies, but this was special. For anyone who loves animals, this is another life. We wanted to get her back by Christmas.

San Jose Police Department

That they did. After gathering leads, the law enforcement officials identified 19-year-old Raymond Gonzalez as a potential suspect. Yee continued to work on the case into the Christmas holiday when he discovered a man that resembled Gonzalez standing next to a car.

Yee's intuition was right. The officer arrested Gonzalez and, low and behold, the pup was hanging out in the front seat of the robber's car.

The wolf-looking pup was back in the arms of her owner by the end of the festive day.

"It was like our own little Christmas story," Yee told the Mercury News. "Well remember this. Having all that work pay off and result in an arrest was a great Christmas present for the team as well as the victim."

The second suspect, who was later identified as 26-year-old Andrew Kavanagh, was arrested Monday, according to police.

The dog's owner suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries during the attack, police said.
The suspect in the fatal shooting of a first-year Pennsylvania trooper was shot and killed after making threats to police who located him Saturday morning, authorities said.

Trooper Landon Weaver, 23, was killed responding to a domestic complaint Friday evening in a rural area in Huntingdon County, in central Pennsylvania. An overnight manhunt for the suspect ended Saturday morning when police found 32-year-old Jason Robison at an unoccupied mobile home in the area, authorities said.

Cpl. Adam Reed, a state police spokesman, said Robison refused orders and threatened officers on the scene, leading police to shoot him. His death was confirmed at about 10:30 a.m.

Weaver was responding to a reported violation of a protection-from-abuse order when he was shot. Details of that complaint were not immediately available, and Reed did not immediately know who owned the home where Weaver was killed.

For nearly 18 hours after the shooting at 6:30 p.m., a manhunt for the suspect, identified as Jason Robison, 32, involved law enforcement across Huntingdon County.

Eventually, shortly before 11 a.m. Saturday, state police tweeted that Robison "was deceased." Later, officials said in a statement that Weaver was found a short distance from the location of the initial shooting.

"Troopers encountered Weaver at an unoccupied mobile home not far from his residence," the statement said. "Robison refused commands to surrender, made threats to harm additional law enforcement personnel, and was shot and killed in the ensuing confrontation."

Robison, who has been arrested numerous times since 2005, was freed on bail earlier this month for charges apparently involving a stolen vehicle in October, according to court records.

Robison is deceased; more information to follow. https://t.co/vAxJUyJvdP  PA State Police (@PAStatePolice) December 31, 2016

Weaver, originally from East Freedom in Blair County, was assigned to the Huntingdon barracks, and enlisted in the state police in December 2015 after graduating from the police academy in June.

Pennsylvania State Police

Further details were not immediately known about the initial shooting, and Huntingdon County District Attorney David Smith called the investigation "very fluid."

The area is remote and heavily wooded. Police used helicopters to assist in the search for Robison. People who live in the area were kept away from their homes, and roads were closed during the manhunt.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf released a statement late Friday.

On behalf of all Pennsylvanians, Frances and I extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Trooper Weaver and all members of the State Police across Pennsylvania in this moment of tragedy. Landon will always be remembered for his bravery, his sacrifice, and his willingness to serve."

Robison was released Dec. 6 from Huntingdon County jail on $10,000 bail for charges that included receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and driving without a license, according to online court records.

Another active court case for Robison involved simple assault and harassment charges from an April 4, 2016, incident, the records show.

At least eight other closed cases involving Robison appear in Huntingdon County court dockets, dating back to 2005.

Weaver was the 97th member of the Pennsylvania State Police to be killed in the line of duty.
Thousands of open-heart surgery patients may be at risk for a dangerous infection linked to a medical device used at hospitals across the country, including many in the Chicago area.

Letters are being sent to patients warning them of the infection risk tied to a device that is commonly used during surgery. Experts found the device may have been contaminated and could transmit bacteria.

The device is a heater-cooler unit. Surgeons depend on it to keep patients stable during open-heart surgery. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning that the FDA-approved device, which has been used in surgeries since 2012, may have been contaminated when manufactured.

These invasive infections can be life-threatening, said Dr. Suzanne Schwartz with the Food and Drug Administration.

Researchers say the chances are very low, but the infection could result in severe injury or even death.

Sixty percent of heart bypass procedures performed in the US used the devices in question.

No infections linked to the heater-cooler unit have been reported in Illinois, but experts caution the infection is slow-growing and hard to diagnose.

It can take several months to several years for an NTM infection to develop in a patient and for symptoms to appear, Schwartz said.

A number of hospitals in Illinois have been alerting patients to the infection risk.

AMITA Health has notified patients who have undergone open-heart surgery about a potential infection risk related to a device used during heart surgery to heat and cool the blood. Notification letters were sent to 1000 patients because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration are investigating reports that during certain open-heart surgeries using the Sorin Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler Unit Device has been linked to a rare infection," a letter from Amita Health reads. "The CDC estimates the risk of getting the slow-growing infection is less than 1 percent. AMITA Health has not identified any cases in which the infection has occurred, but out of an abundance of caution has stopped using the Sorin device and it has been replaced."

The company said it has established a hotline at (847) 252-5360 for patients and families with questions about the issue. It also has sent notification letters to primary-care physicians, cardiologists and surgeons "so they can monitor patients for any symptoms of the infection."

A letter from the University of Chicago warned 1,800 patients about the device it says was used worldwide.

Immediately after the CDC alert, we notified about 1,800 of our patients who had open-heart surgeries involving this device, and we set up a system to evaluate any patient who was worried or had any symptoms of concern. No 3T-related infections have been identified in our patients, the hospital said in a statement. UChicago Medicine proactively transitioned to an alternative system that heats and cools blood during open-heart surgeries approximately in August (two months prior to the CDC alert) when further published research suggested a continued link to M. chimaera infection and the 3T device. In addition, UChicago Medicine uses state-of-the-art laminar flow ventilation in operating rooms, which dramatically reduces the risk of infection even further.

Advocate Health Care also said it was notifying patients about the issue.

"Given our unwavering commitment to safety, we proactively notified impacted patients and established a dedicated call line staffed by clinicians to answer all questions," the healthcare company said in a statement. "Most importantly, we havent identified any patients who have experienced an infection related to the device, which is used at hundreds of hospitals nationwide. In alignment with the CDC, we continue to follow our comprehensive quality control program to ensure the continued safety of our patients."

Some symptoms of the infection include night sweats, muscle aches, weight loss and fatigue. Anyone who has had open heart surgery in recent years and experiences such symptoms is being told to contact their doctor.
A brutal crime spree that began in Chicago and ended outside of Milwaukee has police on alert and asking for the publics help.

Surveillance video captured two suspects robbing the Swan Pharmacy at 9130 W. North Avenue in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin on Wednesday morning. Police say the suspects entered the pharmacy, displayed a handgun, demanded and obtained an unknown quantity of narcotic medication.

Video shows the suspects holding people at gunpoint and pushing some of the employees to the ground.

The aggressive, violent nature that they handled the employees is very concerning to us and we want them to be identified and we want to make sure that they're apprehended and off the streets, said Lt. Brian Zalewski of the Wauwatosa Police Department.

According to police, the suspects fled the immediate area in a black Lexus SUV with Illinois license plates. Investigators said the car had been stolen hours earlier in an armed carjacking in Chicago near the 1600 block of West 66th Street.

After the pharmacy robbery, police found the vehicle abandoned in the 2600 block of N. 91st Street in Wauwatosa.

That is something that we're seeing and is a fairly common trend in order to not have their own vehicle identified, Zalewski said. It's a way for them to abandon the vehicle after they commit a crime and not have to worry about it being associated with them in any way, shape or form.

Police said the suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.

Suspect #1 is described as a male/black, 20-25 years old, thin build, wearing a maroon varsity style jacket, black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and gray gloves. Police said the suspect displayed a black semi-automatic handgun.

Suspect #2 is described as male/black, 20-25 years old, thin build, wearing a gray/black jacket with a multi-colored scarf.

Citizens with information are urged to contact the Wauwatosa Police Department at 414-471-8430 or anonymously contact Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers at 414-771-TOSA (8672), or Text-a-Tip to crimes using keyword tosa. You may be eligible for a cash reward.
A lawsuit brought against the Salvation Army claims the nonprofit was negligent when a person allegedly sexually assaulted two minors last year at the Kroc Center in the West Pullman neighborhood.

The three-count suit, filed using an alias on Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges the girls were sexually assaulted on or about July 2, 2015 in a swimming pool area by another visitor, according to court documents. The suit was brought by the father of two girls identified as Jane and Jill Doe

The Kroc Center, 1230 W. 119th St., is the largest community center in Illinois, according to its website. The center offers education, art and fitness programs.

A spokesperson for the Salvation Army, which runs the Kroc Center, was not immediately available for comment Thursday night.

Chicago Police had no record of a sexual assault report being filed for the alleged date at the address, News Affairs Officer Michelle Tannehill said.

According to the suit, the Salvation Army was negligent when it allowed the assault to take place on the property and willful and wonton when staff ignored the sexual assault and the center held itself out as providing a safe environment for children.

The suit seeks unspecified damages for emotional distress, as well as past and future healthcare expenses related to the assault.
A Vermont utility discovered malware tied to Russian hackers in its system, it confirmed in a statement Friday night following a report by the Washington Post.

Sources told the newspaper they believed the hackers had gained access to the United States' electrical grid via an unnamed utility in Vermont. Burlington Electric later issued a statement confirming the malware was discovered on one of its computers, but noting that the device was not connected to the grid.

"Last night, U.S. utilities were alerted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of a malware code used in Grizzly Steppe, the name DHS has applied to a Russian campaign linked to recent hacks," the utility said in a statement. "We acted quickly to scan all computers in our system for the malware signature. We detected the malware in a single Burlington Electric Department laptop not connected to our organizations grid systems. We took immediate action to isolate the laptop and alerted federal officials of this finding."

Burlington Electric says it is working with federal authorities to investigate how its system was penetrated and prevent future infiltration attempts. Gov. Peter Shumlin said in a release that his office has been working with other state officials and the federal government.

"Vermonters and all Americans should be both alarmed and outraged that one of the world's leading thugs, Vladimir Putin, has been attempting to hack our electric grid, which we rely upon to support our quality-of-life, economy, health, and safety," Gov. Shumlin said. "This episode should highlight the urgent need for our federal government to vigorously pursue and put an end to this sort of Russian meddling. I call upon the federal government to conduct a full and complete investigation of this incident and undertake remedies to ensure that this never happens again."

The code was not actively used to disrupt the utility's operations, officials told the Washington Post. Those sources note that the hackers' intentions are unclear, adding that it could have been a test to see if a portion of the grid could be penetrated.

U.S. security officials believe Russia hacked the U.S. to influence the presidential election. The Obama administration has imposed sanctions against Russia, a move condemned by President-elect Donald Trump, but praised by several prominent Republicans.

Vermont U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy says the discovery of the malware code is the latest example that state-sponsored Russian hacking is a serious threat.

Leahy, a Democrat, says he and his staff were briefed by Vermont State Police on Friday night. He says the incident goes "beyond hackers having electronic joy rides" and that trying to potentially manipulate the electric grid and shut it down is a direct threat to Vermont.
Police say two are dead and two injured after a shooting outside the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford late Friday night following a Meek Mill concert.

In a statement, police said they responded to a report of gun shots fired with one subject struck in the leg around 11:12 p.m. Officers on the scene determined there were four who suffered gunshot wounds, two fatally, in the parking lot outside the venue toward the end of the rappers performance.

Wallingford police said it appears some kind of fight led to the shooting.

Family members identified one of the men killed as 31-year-old Travis Ward of New Haven. They said the loss is devastating.

My cousin isnt into the streets at all. Hes not a street kid. First of all, hes not a kid, hes a man, you understand? And, he was coming out with his family, to celebrate his birthday, said Stacey Ward, Travis Wards cousin.

They say the concert was an early birthday celebration for Ward, who would have turned 32 next Tuesday. Family members of the New Haven man say his older brother, a cousin, and two of his cousin's friends joined him last night. One of those friends, Ward's family says, was also killed in the attack.

Family members say they dont believe Ward was the intended target.

Police identified the second victim killed as Jaquan Graves, 20, of New Haven.

The two surviving victims were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries and have not been identified. Police do not believe those two victims were directly involved in the incident.

The Connecticut State Police Major Crime Division was called in to assist at the scene, and the police have been interviewing witnesses at the scene. It is unclear at this time if there is a suspect.

There was a hit-and-run in the parking lot at the time of the incident, and police are looking into whether that is connected.

"Were looking into that evading vehicle. We have good information on that. Were not sure if that was a suspect or somebody who for whatever reason just didnt want to stop, said Wallingford Police Lt. Cheryl Bradley.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wallingford Police at 203-294-2800.

Bookmark this page and stay with NBC Connecticut for the latest details we get them throughout the morning.
New Haven police have arrested a man accused in at least seven burglaries at downtown businesses since Christmas.

Police said Officer Garry Monk was working an assignment on Orange and Center Streets when he heard a cracking sound coming from around the corner. When he went to check it out, he found a man swinging a metal rod at the glass door of Ninth Square Market at 72 Orange Street.

Monk called for backup and took the man, identified as Erik Alan Silberberg, 43, of New Haven, into custody.

According to police, Silberberg confessed to at least seven commercial burglaries since Christmas, including a series of smash-and-grab crimes downtown Thursday into Friday.

Silberberg also reportedly confessed to burglaries at Jo Bella Salon on Temple Street, Foot Locker on Chapel Street, and an apartment building on Court Street in November.

Silberberg faces multiple burglary-related charges for these crimes.

Commercial burglaries have been an ongoing issue in the area and police officials praised Monk for his reaction.

Capturing this man was our top priority, said New Haven Police Detective Sgt. Derek Gartner in a release. We are grateful Officer Monk was at the right place at the right time. He did his job and New Haven is a safer place for it.
The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Saturday supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and jump-start peace negotiations, as a fragile country-wide cease-fire wavered.

The resolution also calls for the "rapid, safe and unhindered" delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Syria. And it anticipates a meeting of the Syrian government and opposition representative in Kazakhstan's capital Astana in late January.

The resolution's final text dropped an endorsement of the Syria cease-fire agreement reached Thursday, simply taking note of it but welcoming and supporting Russian-Turkish efforts to end the violence. Western members of the council sought the last-minute changes to the draft resolution to clarify the U.N.'s role and the meaning of the agreement brokered by Moscow and Ankara.

U.S. deputy ambassador Michele Sison said the Obama administration strongly supports a cease-fire and "unfettered humanitarian access," but she expressed regret that additional documentation to the agreement brokered by Russia and Turkey with details about its implementation have not yet been made public.

Meanwhile on the ground in Syria, rebels warned on Saturday that cease-fire violations by pro-government forces threatened to undermine the two-day-old agreement intended to pave the way for talks between the government and the opposition in the new year.

Airstrikes pounded opposition-held villages and towns in the strategically-important Barada Valley outside Damascus, activists said, prompting rebels to threaten to withdraw their compliance with a nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey last week.

The airstrikes let up in the late evening, but rebels nevertheless staged retaliatory attacks against government-held areas in other parts of the country, according to the media arm of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is fighting alongside the government in Syria.

Hezbollah military media reported a barrage of rebel rocket fire on the twin Shiite villages of Foua and Kfraya in northern Syria which have remained loyal to the government in the otherwise rebel-dominated Idlib province. The government's side has rallied thousands of Shiite militia fighters from across the Middle East on the grounds of defending the sect in Syria.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group also reported the attacks. It added that pro-government forces had advanced against rebels in the eastern Ghouta region outside Damascus, in a clear violation of the cease-fire.

Rebels also accused the government of signing a different version of the agreement to the one they signed in the Turkish capital of Ankara, further complicating the latest diplomatic efforts to bring an end to six years of war.

Nearly 50,000 people died in the conflict in 2016, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which maintains networks of contacts on all sides of the war. More than 13,000 of them were civilians, according to the Observatory. Various estimates have put the war's overall toll at around 400,000 dead.

If the truce holds, the government and the opposition will be expected to meet for talks for the first time in nearly a year in the Kazakh capital of Astana in the second half of January. Those talks will be mediated by Russia, Turkey and Iran, though Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin has said other key players including the United States are welcome to participate.

Churkin said after Saturday's vote that the Astana talks will be the first face-to-face negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition and he expressed hope that 2017 will see a political settlement of the conflict that has claimed over 250,000 lives.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem and Major General Ali Mamlouk, head of the National Security Bureau, were in Tehran Saturday to discuss developments with their Iranian counterparts, according to Iranian state media. They met with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

The Kremlin meanwhile said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani confirmed their commitment to negotiations in Astana, in a phone conversation between the two leaders.

Iran and Russia have provided crucial military and diplomatic support to Syrian President Bashar Assad throughout the conflict, while Turkey has served as a rear base and source of supplies for the opposition.

The developments follow months of talks between Ankara and Moscow that culminated in a cease-fire agreement that went into effect Friday at midnight.

But in a statement issued by a coalition of 11 rebel factions, including the powerful Army of Islam group operating in the Damascus countryside, rebels said they could not abide by the cease-fire if the government continued its assault on Barada Valley.

The statement also complained that the government's version of the agreement signed in Ankara last week had deleted "a number of essential and non-negotiable points."

It said the opposition had agreed to a cease-fire encompassing the whole of Syria, without any exceptions to region or faction.

The Barada Valley Media Center said Lebanese Hezbollah militants were firing on villages and towns in the water-rich region as Russian and government aircraft carried out raids for the 10th consecutive day Saturday. The Lebanese militant group is a key ally to President Assad's forces.

The Barada Valley is the primary source of water for the capital and its surrounding region. The government assault has coincided with a severe water shortage in Damascus since Dec. 22. Images from the valley's Media Center indicate its Ain al-Fijeh spring and water processing facility have been destroyed in airstrikes. The government says rebels spoiled the water source with diesel fuel, forcing it to cut supplies to the capital.

The Observatory reported at least two civilians and five militants have been killed in battles over opposition-held Eastern Ghouta and Barada Valley regions around Damascus, since the truce came into effect Thursday at midnight.

The Syrian military on Friday denied attacking the valley, saying it respected the Russian and Turkish brokered truce.

Meanwhile, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency reported the death of an Islamic State commander in a Turkish airstrike near the north Syrian town of al-Bab on Friday. The truce does not cover operations against the Islamic State group or al-Qaida's Syria affiliate, the Fatah al-Sham front.

Anadolu identified the commander as Abu Ansari. The report could not be independently verified.
The Dallas Cowboys apologized Friday for a backlog in filling online orders of jerseys and other merchandise that left some customers without Christmas gifts.

"This has been the biggest and busiest year in team history," said Cowboys spokesman Joe Trahan. "Hundreds of additional workers were hired."

He acknowledged some customers did not receive their orders from the Cowboys Pro Shop in time for Christmas and said the team expected the backlog to be fixed by next week.

The Cowboys said any customers who have experienced problems can email the team at cservice@dallascowboys.net.

Melanie Devine, of Euless, for one, said she ordered a Jason Witten jersey in early December for her 90-year-old mother in El Paso.

"She'll watch him every single time they're on TV," Devine said.

So for Christmas, she decided to buy her mom a Witten jersey online.

"There was nothing that said it was back-ordered, so I was real excited," she said. "I told the whole family, 'I got the jersey, everything is good.'"

But the $100 jersey never arrived by the time she had to leave to visit her mother, she said.

"I was calling their customer service number 10 times, 15 times at least," Devine said.

Nobody answered and repeated messages went unreturned, she said.

Devine did manage to find another Witten jersey at a store at the last minute, so all was not lost.

"Best Christmas present ever," she said.

When she returned from the holidays, the package from the Cowboys had arrived.

Now, she wants to return it, but still can't get hold of anyone to get return instructions, she said.

"Never reached a real person, ever," she said.

And she's hardly alone.

"This isn't right. It doesn't reflect well on the Cowboys," she said.

Even with the delay, Devine said she remains a fan.

"They're not America's team. They're my team," she bragged.
Immunotherapy may be changing the landscape of cancer-fighting drugs.

Rebecca Hill said an immunotherapy trial saved her life as she stood at death's door.

Two years ago, doctors told Hill theyd done all they could do and that hospice was her next step.

"We had already called out pastor. The church was praying for me. I was there. It was over. It was time for me to get planted," said Hill.

However, in early 2015, Hill was introduced to Dr. Katherine Wang, a medical oncologist at Texas Oncology-Presbyterian Cancer Center Dallas who enrolled Rebecca in a clinical trial involving a study drug called Nivolumab.

Nivolumab medicine works with the immune system to interfere with the growth and spread of cancer cells.

About 10 months later, Hill was in remission -- an extremely rare result for patients with advanced, stage IV lung cancer.

Hill is one of thousands of Texans who are participating in cancer research in large and small communities across the state.

"Sometimes I think a clinical trial is the only way you can provide the best, cutting-edge therapy for the patients that have advanced stage cancer," said Hill.

Wang and Texas Oncologys community-based approach helped Rebecca get access to an immunotherapy drug trial without having to disrupt her life by relocating to a distant hospital, according to a spokesperson for Texas Oncology.

"A clinical trial would be the only way to access new therapy that otherwise we can't get for those patients," said Wang.

Instead of killing cancer cells, immunotherapy can boost a patient's immune system to recognize and destroy the cancer cells more effectively, according to Wang.

Since Hill's trial, the Federal Drug Administration has approved Nivolumab for advanced stage lung and other cancers.
It's that time of year again. Flu cases are on the rise in North Texas, health officials say.

A report out Friday from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows the number of cases grew by more than 18 percent in the week before Christmas.

The trend is proving true at The Medical Center of Plano, where doctors say they've seen a 420-percent increase in cases in December compared to November. Most cases, they say, have been since Christmas Day.

Dr. Russell McDonald, with Plano Pediatrics, says usually holiday breaks are when flu cases tend to level off because kids aren't at school sharing germs.

But instead, they say cases are surging.

"If anything, to me, that's the worrisome thing. If flu is surging now and school starts next week, Tuesday, I think the middle, end of January we could be seeing a lot of flu," Russell said.

Despite the increase, it isn't being considered an outbreak. As of Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Texas has minimal levels of influenza-like illness activity.

Doctors and the state say they're also seeing more cases of RSV, a respiratory virus considered even more contagious than the flu.



Doctors aren't required by law to report RSV cases to DSHS so it's unknown how many cases have been diagnosed, and how much they may have increased.
An inmate being held at the Dallas County Jail was hospitalized Thursday after suffering an injury during a fight.

The inmate was transported to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas in an unknown condition. It is not known if the other inmate was injured or when the injured inmate will be returned to jail.

Officials with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department said they will not reveal the names of the inmates involved.

The sheriff's department is investigating the incident.
Federal officials are shutting down a Russian-owned compound on Maryland's Eastern Shore amid sweeping U.S. sanctions in response to election-related hacking.

President Barack Obama gave Russia until Friday at noon to leave the 45-acre property, which the Soviet government bought in 1972.

One of two Russian compounds that the U.S. plans to close is located in Centreville, Maryland, a State Department official confirmed to News4 Thursday afternoon. The other is in Glen Cove, New York.

Video shot from Chopper4 Thursday afternoon and again Friday morning shows a flurry of activity and multiple unmarked cars on the perimeter of the sprawling waterfront property in Centreville.

On Thursday, officials appeared to set up an antenna, plus lights at each entrance. A man in what looked to be a law enforcement boat appeared to watch the property by water.

White House officials said the facility is recreational but also used for intelligence activities.

Intelligence officials told NBC News the property was used for work to monitor the National Security Agency (NSA) headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland, and another NSA building on Kent Island.

The second compound U.S. officials ordered Russia to vacate is in Long Island, New York.

Obama said Thursday that his administration is kicking out of the country 35 Russian diplomats working as intelligence operatives.

"All Americans should be alarmed by Russia's actions," he said in a statement. He added: "Such activities have consequences."

These 35 people work in the Russian Embassy in D.C. and the Russian Consulate in San Francisco, the State Department said. They are being declared "persona non grata" and will be given 72 hours to leave the country.

Trump released this statement Thursday evening: "It's time for our country to move on to bigger and better things. Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and its great people, I will meet with leaders on the intelligence community next week in order to be updated on the facts of this situation."

Russian officials have denied the Obama administration's accusation that the Russian government -- including President Vladimir Putin himself -- worked to influence the U.S. presidential election.

U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia's goal was to help Donald Trump win -- an assessment Trump has dismissed as ridiculous.

The president-elect was asked on Wednesday about possible sanctions against Russia.

"I think we ought to get on with our lives," he said.

Stay with News4 and NBCWashington.com for more details on this developing story.
A heartbreaking loss for a Brazilian family visiting San Jose suddenly has become a tale of tearful celebration.

Two days after Victor Camara and his family lost $6,000 and other valuables to car burglars within hours of beginning their first-ever visit to the U.S., a stranger generously offered the family $10,000.

The donor, who wished to remain anonymous, saw the family's heartbreaking story on NBC Bay Area Wednesday night and was eager to help.

"Id like to offer you $10,000," the donor told Camara during a phone call Thursday.

"This is something great to hear," Camara replied, his voice cracking as his family cried tears of joy and hugged. "Im really thankful. Im grateful for you, OK?"

"Its my pleasure, Victor," the donor said.

A heartbreaking loss for a Brazilian family visiting San Jose suddenly has become a tale of tearful celebration.

"In the world, there are more good persons than bad persons," Camara said, beaming.

The Camara family was overwhelmed with gratitude. Its been an emotional couple of days for Camara, who had saved for years to take his family on a trip to America.

On Tuesday night, surveillance cameras from a nearby gas station captured two people busting the window of Camara's rental car that he had parked outside Applebee's in San Jose just after leaving the airport on his way to his aunt's house.

What started as a family's unfortunate loss on their first night in the U.S. has now become a reminder of the good in the world.

"Take a message from this good news," Camara said. "Dont lose faith in humanity."

In another bit of good news, Camara said he and his fiancee got their stolen passports back after a homeless man in Oakland found them lying on the street and returned them Wednesday.
A 34-year-old Riverside man was arrested Friday in connection with a pair of robberies and attempted sexual assaults of women whose cars he allegedly rammed intentionally along Interstate 215 to get them to pull over.

Joseph Pete Macias was arrested around 2 a.m. in the 4400 block of Winslow Court, according to Riverside police, who said a tip from the public led them to the suspect. The vehicle allegedly used in the attacks, which occurred Dec. 23 and Thursday, was also located at the home, police said.

Police said the assailant targeted the first victim around 1:16 a.m. Dec. 23 after she stopped at a gas station on University Avenue, just off Interstate 215. The woman first became aware of trouble as she left the station, telling police that a dark green compact SUV tailed her out of the location and onto southbound Interstate 215.

When she exited at Central Avenue a few miles away, the stalker "intentionally struck the back of her vehicle," prompting the woman to pull to the side of the road, near Sycamore Canyon Boulevard, police said. The suspect then got out of his vehicle with a knife, robbed the woman and tried to sexually assult her.

The victim, who was not injured, was able to get away from him and call 911. She watched him flee onto the freeway, going southbound, in his vehicle.

Police said the assailant struck again shortly after 4 a.m. Thursday. The victim in that case told police she was driving north on the 215 Freeway between University Avenue and Blaine Street when the suspect intentionally struck her vehicle, police said.

The woman pulled over near the Blaine Street exit, and the suspect again attacked her while armed with a knife, trying to sexually assault her and robbing her.

Riverside police said they believe there may be additional victims, and they asked anyone with information to contact Detective Karla Beler at 951-353-7125.
Four Russian Consulate employees in San Francisco  including a chef accused of being a spy  are among the 35 Russian diplomats ordered to leave the United States within 72 hours by President Barack Obama, the Russian Consul General to San Francisco announced Friday.

Sergey Petrov didn't want to divulge too many details about the ouster at an impromptu news conference at the consulate on Green Street in Pacific Heights. But he did let reporters in on a "small secret" about one of the the employees told to go back home to the "motherland."

"One of the employees who will be leaving is the chef, who was characterized by the outgoing U.S. Administration as an intelligence operative, Petrov said. He added somberly: On New Years Eve, Dec. 31, we will have to cook ourselves  We will not be able to treat our guests to authentic Russian food, his hors d'oeuvres. Moments later, the Russian Consulate posted a photo of their New Year's spread for the party, which included deviled eggs and perogies. [[408833045, C]]

Petrov would not name the chef, nor would the State Department. NBC News said the names of the diplomats are not being released, because they don't want Russia to do the same for American operatives. In their Facebook post, the Consul General called Obama's accusations against their staff "bizarre and ridiculous."

The meeting was a stark contrast to how reporters were greeted by the consulate on Thursday, the day U.S.-Russian foreign relations suffered a major blow after Obama issued sweeping sanctions against Russia in response to election hacking. During that interaction, a voice boomed from an intercom: "Leave this territory." No one would come out to speak to reporters flanking the sidewalk, hoping to learn more about this surprising and mysterious announcement from the White House. Petrov's PR shift was in line with the overall Russian strategy following Obama's serious tone.

The official Twitter feed for Russia on Friday tweeted out New Year's greetings to Obama, President-elect Donald Trump and the American people, inviting "all children of the U.S. diplomats accredited in Russia to the New Year and Christmas children's show at the Kremlin!"

A total of eleven people are leaving the Russian Consulate in San Francisco "within hours," which includes the four employees and their families, including three children, Petrov said.

"The three kids will not see Santa, or gifts under the Firtree (in Russia it happens on the New Year eve)," the Consul General said on its Facebook page. "They only have one day to finalize their financial affairs, terminate their apartment leases, pack their belongings, as well as to prepare for the long trip, first to Los Angeles by car and then by plane to Moscow  no tickets left for shorter and more comfortable itineraries."[[408880845, C]]

"It's just not human," Petrov told reporters, adding he was hopeful the Trump administration would be able to retore relations between the two countries.

The consulate said the chef hailed from the historic city of Yaroslavl, and that his "mastery was enjoyed by hundreds of our guests at the consulate for three years." The chef will be leaving with his wife and two-year-old son.

Petrov acknowledged the loss of consul officers would prevent the consulate from being as efficient as they want to be. But he said the doors would remain open for "business as usual" for both American and Russian citizens.

A limited number of people will not allow all the consular services to all the citizens in the manner we want to do it  but we will do our best to serve all the Russian people living here as well as Americans applying for Russian visas, Petrov said.

An estimated 100,000 Russians live on the West Coast, Petrov said.

Petrov also made a plea to reporters to respect the privacy of the employees being expelled. Many of them dont even speak English, many speak limited English, he said, explaining that it was one of the reasons for not responding to the media outside the consulate Thursday.

The surprise news conference was perhaps unprecedented, and even Petrov admitted that the consulate usually doesn't comment on things like sanctions. "Today we decided to make an exception as we're trying to change many things in our relations with the U.S," he said. "It's my president who inspired me to do that."

"Is this the first time the media has been inside the consulate?" one of the reporters asked Petrov.

"Maybe it's your first time here; we invite the media to all our events." Petrov replied, smiling. He then made a general invitation to the media to attend the consulate's New Year's Eve party.

"As we are nearing the New Years, I would invite you to have a glass of champagne," he told reporters. "How about that?"
An infant died in her bassinet of dehydration and starvation three or four days after her parents died, also at home, from suspected drug overdoses, authorities said.

Jason Chambers, 27, Chelsea Cardaro, 19, and 5-month-old Summer Chambers were found dead Thursday in Kernville, about 60 miles east of Pittsburgh.

Cambria County coroner Jeffrey Lees said that the parents had been dead for about a week when the discovery was made.

The infant died three or four days after them, he said.

Jason Chambers was found on the first floor, and Cardaro in a second-floor bathroom, authorities said. The infant died in her bassinet in a second-floor bedroom, they said.

Toxicology tests are pending for the adults but officials said heroin overdoses are suspected and there was evidence of drugs at the scene.

Just two days before Christmas, District Attorney Kelly Callihan said that she believed that the man and woman died within minutes of each other.

"We think that because, if not, one or the other would have called for help," she said.

The family was last seen on Dec. 11. Neighbors believed they had taken a planned trip to New York, where they had lived until recently.

"It's an unfortunate incident where they both possibly overdosed at the same time - and being from out of town, not having anybody in town - it was too long for anybody to notice that they were missing," said Johnstown police Capt. Chad Miller.

Miller said emergency responders had been called to the home in November to treat the man after an overdose.

Child welfare workers later went to the home and met with the mother and father, with the baby present, she said.

"They checked out the house, and it was appropriate to a child living there. There was plenty of food and the child seemed well taken care of," she said.
A hero stepped in to pull a driver to safety as a train barreled toward a car on the tracks in Orlando. Cameras captured the dangerously close encounter between the car and a Sunrail train.

Jean Marseille, 73, might not be here, had it not been for the quick actions of 30-year-old Nelson Perez. Thursday night, a friend says Marseille was driving home when he missed his turn and ended up on the railroad tracks.

When he tried to turn around his car got stuck. Perez, who works at an auto shop next to the tracks, knew the man was in danger. "He was lost. I could see it in his face. He didn't know what was going on with the car where he was at. It was dark," said Perez.

Just a few blocks away, Perez could see the headlight of a Sunrail train headed right for them. "The train was coming but he thought it was a car."

Perez convinced Marseille to save himself and get out of the car moments before the train came by and slammed in to it.

Had that not happened witness Alfredo Hernandez says Marseille would have been killed. "He's a hero. He took him out of there in the nick of time," said Hernandez.

In his native creole the 73-year-old originally from Haiti said this about his rescue. "Oui, Merci mon Dieu."

"Yes, thank God." So too, does the man who saved him. "Yes, luckily thanks to God nothing happened and I was there for him," said Perez.
Miami-Dade Police and Florida Department of Law Enforcement are investigating a deadly police-involved shooting in Perrine Friday.

The shooting happened just after 6:30 p.m. on West Indigo Street and 101st Avenue.

In a statement early Saturday, Miami-Dade police Detective Robin Pinkard said two white officers saw a car driving erratically Friday evening in the West Perrine neighborhood.

Pinkard said a black male passenger fled when the officers stopped the car.

Police said the driver of the car pulled out a gun and that's when the officer shot the driver. The male driver died at the scene. Police did not release the driver's identity.

The passenger remains on the run. Relatives identified the driver as 21-year-old Jamal Rollins and they said he didn't own a gun.

Both police officers involved have nine years of experience. Both officers will be placed on administrative paid leave as officials investigate the shooting.

Check back for updates on this developing story.
A woman appeared in bond court Friday after she was arrested for running a prostitution ring. She was released from jail after posting $89,000 bond.

Miami-Dade Police say what looked like a typical beauty supply store was anything but. Detectives say an allege prostitution operation was being carried out inside for two and a half years. The woman in charge, identified as 48-year-old Margarita Chiriboga.

People who work at the busy shopping center off Southwest 8th Street and 122nd Avenue knew something questionable was going on at Suite 116.

Police were led to the beauty supply store after someone called in an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.

Pages of court documents claim Chiriboga solicited employees and customers online. She allegedly hired women through "El Clarin" which is an online Spanish magazine.

Detectives say men would come in for a $120 massage and then negotiate sexual services for a tip. The police report says at least three detectives went undercover in January and June to catch Chiriboga and other women in the act.

It all adds up to eight charges for Chiriboga and an $89,000 bond.

She posted bail and was out of jail Friday. The court says she posted her 89-thousand dollars bond without using illegal money.

Police argue she made more than $300,000 through prostitution over the course of two and a half years. At least two other women who allegedly worked here were also arrested.

Detectives did recover receipts from paying clients that included their contact information. It's unclear whether police will pursue those leads.
A police officer leaped into a moving car on the Long Island Expressway to save a toddler inside a dangerously slow moving vehicle when the driver would not respond to the police, authorities say.

Suffolk County police officer Joe Goss first spotted the woman driving at about 20 mph with a toddler in the backseat on the eastbound L.I.E. in Manorville, and when she wouldn't stop, he acted quickly.

"I roll down my window, and the motorist rolled down her window as well," Goss said Friday. "I told her to pull over, and with the window down she told me, 'I can't.'"

Goss said he suspected right away she was high on drugs. Then he saw the 22-month toddler in the back of the car.

"When I saw the baby, I gasped and literally started doing [what he learned] to maneuver in highway patrol to slow traffic down to make it safer," he said, noting the road conditions were "extremely dark."

The driver, identifed by police as 37-year-old Maria Lagatta of Manorville, slowed down to about 5 mph, and Goss sped past her and parked on the shoulder. He then jumped into her car and through the passenger-side window.

"I didn't Superman into the car or anything like that," he said wryly. "I'm pretty tall so I was able to lean up. All I had to do was move one of my feet up, like a pool shot move. I was able to lean in, and so once I got my hand on it, her hand was on the shifter as well, so we just forced it right into park."

No one was hurt in the maneuver. Goss also said a good Samaritan driving nearby put their hazard lights on and was able to slow down traffic so that Lagatta's vehicle wouldn't get hit while he went to stop her. Goss called that driver "the unsung hero of this."

"All your training says, don't go into a moving car, and I didn't like the idea of it, but when the window of opportunity was there, and her speed is so slow, I jumped at it," said Goss, a 10-year veteran who's been with highway patrol for two years. "I'm fortunate it worked out the way it did."

Lagatta was arrested on charges of driving while ability impaired by drugs, aggravated DWI with a child passenger 15 years or younger and endangering the welfare of a child. She was expected to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip later Friday.

It wasn't immediately clear if she had an attorney who could comment on the charges.

Child Protective Services was notified, and police released her 22-month-old daughter to a relative.
Police responding to a domestic violence incident in New Jersey shot a suspect when he fired his gun at them, officials said.

Officers went to the apartment on Martin Street in Paterson, and a man inside shot at them but missed, according to city councilman Luis Velez.

The officer fired back and hit the suspect in the leg and shoulder, Velez said. The suspect was transported to the hospital with non-serious injuries.
President-elect Donald Trump is praising Russian President Vladimir Putin for holding off on retaliation for new sanctions imposed by the Obama administration for its alleged interference in the U.S. election.

Trump on Twitter praises Putin's "Great move on delay."

Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2016

He adds, "I always knew he was very smart!"

Putin on Friday condemned a new round of U.S. sanctions against Russia. But he said Moscow would not retaliate by expelling American diplomats.

Trump has been slow to criticize Putin and has questioned U.S. intelligence linking Russia to campaign hacks.

Trump is planning to meet next week with U.S. intelligence officials, but he says it's time for the country to move on.
An AMBER ALERT was canceled Saturday after police say an abducted baby girl was found safe in Reading, Pennsylvania while the suspect in her mother's death was in custody.

Ariella Downs, an 8-month-old girl, was abducted from a home on 331 Canterbury Court in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania around 12 p.m. Saturday, State Police said.

After issuing an Amber Alert, State Police later posted the alert had been canceled after Downs was found safe in Reading City with the man accused of taking her.

Police also said the suspect in the abduction, Antonio Velazquez-Rupert, 36, was taken into custody. Velazquez-Rupert was also involved in the death of the girl's mother, according to investigators.
Authorities are searching for a naked man who chased after two teenage girls as they walked along a southern New Jersey roadway.

Evesham Township police say the girls noticed the man wasn't wearing a shirt when he initially drove by them around 1 p.m. Friday. He then returned there a few minutes later and was completely naked when he suddenly bolted from the Jeep and ran toward the girls, ages 14 and 15.

The girls then ran to the older teen's house and told her father what had happened. They say the man didn't say anything to them during the incident and did not touch them.

Authorities soon responded to the home but the man had driven away by the time they arrived.

Authorities are searching for a naked man who chased after two teenage girls as they walked along a southern New Jersey roadway.

Evesham Township police say the girls noticed the man wasn't wearing a shirt when he initially drove by them around 1 p.m. Friday. He then returned there a few minutes later and was completely naked when he suddenly bolted from the Jeep and ran toward the girls, ages 14 and 15.

The girls then ran to the older teen's house and told her father what had happened. They say the man didn't say anything to them during the incident and did not touch them.

Authorities soon responded to the home but the man had driven away by the time they arrived.
A new year means tons of New Year's resolutions with many vowing to hit the gym after January 1st.

But one local chain, popular with women, won't be open for the New Year's rush.

Lithe Method Studios, with locations in Old City and Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia and on the Main Line, has shuttered its doors suddenly.

The reason: the company is in a legal battle with a New York-based landlord over a Manhattan expansion.

The legal fight has been going on for some time and, as a result, the gym's assets have been frozen.

The gym has become very popular among area residents with workouts that combine cheerleading moves with cardio and dance. Hundreds of women crowded the studios weekly, said Lauren Boggi, the gym's founder.

Boggi tells NBC10 she hopes to reopen sometime in the new year, possibly under a different name.
Moscow is hoping Donald Trump will reconsider the sanctions the U.S. is levying in response to its finding of election hacking, a wait-and-see strategy bolstered by the American president-elect's own approving words for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin has essentially put relations with the U.S. on hold until Trump replaces President Barack Obama on Jan. 20. Though his foreign minister encouraged him to slap back at Washington for the sanctions imposed by Obama, Putin decided that Russia wouldn't immediately retaliate.

"Great move on delay (by V. Putin)," Trump wrote Friday on Twitter. "I always knew he was very smart!"

Praise for a longtime adversary at odds with a sitting American president is remarkable for a president-elect  and the latest signal that U.S.-Russia relations, among other policies, could be getting a makeover from Trump.

Whether he steers the U.S. toward or away from Russia is shaping up as the first major test of his foreign policy disposition and his willingness to buck fellow Republicans, who for years have argued Obama wasn't being tough enough on Russia.

In response to the election hacking he blames on Russia, Obama ordered sanctions on Russian spy agencies, closed two Russian compounds and expelled 35 diplomats the U.S. said were really spies. Brushing off Obama, Putin said Russia would plan steps to restore U.S. ties "based on the policies that will be carried out by the administration of President D. Trump." Not only would Russia not kick Americans out, Putin said, he was inviting the kids of all U.S. diplomats to the Kremlin's New Year's and Christmas parties.

"At this point, they're trolling Obama," said Olga Oliker, who directs the Russia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The Obama administration said it had seen Putin's remarks but had nothing more to say.

Russia denies the U.S. intelligence community's assessment that in an attempt to help Trump win the presidency, Moscow orchestrated cyber breaches in which tens of thousands of Democrats' emails were stolen and later made public. Trump, too, has refused to accept that conclusion and insisted the country should just "move on," though he has agreed to meet next week with intelligence leaders to learn more.

Notably, after the U.S. on Thursday issued a report it said exposed Russia's cyber tactics, Putin's aides didn't offer any specific rebuttal. The report included detailed technical information like IP addresses and samples of malware code the U.S. said Russia uses.

One utility company, Burlington Electric Department in Vermont, reported Friday that it had detected the malware on a company laptop that was not connected to its grid systems. Burlington said, "We took immediate action to isolate the laptop and alerted federal officials of this finding."

There's little certainty about how Trump will actually act on Russia as president. Though he's praised Putin as a strong leader and said it would be ideal for the two countries to stop fighting, he also suggested this month the U.S. might mount a new nuclear arms race, triggering fresh anxieties about a return to Cold War-style tensions.

Ambassador Michael McFaul, Obama's former envoy to Russia, said while Trump has defined his top objective as "getting along with the Kremlin," Putin has higher goals, including the lifting of economic sanctions and, ideally, U.S. recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea.

"Obviously, Putin's not responding because he's waiting for Jan. 20," McFaul said in an interview. "He's got these much more important objectives to him than getting into a tit-for-tat response with the outgoing administration."

Trump's warm outreach to Putin, combined with picks for secretary of state and national security adviser who are seen as friendly to Russia, have left hawkish Republicans with a particularly unpleasant choice: look hypocritical for backtracking on their own tough talk, or risk a public rift with their party's new president.

In the House, many Republicans who have long called for tougher sanctions have been silent or vague about Obama's penalties and Trump's positions. But a handful of GOP senators have shown they have no intentions of letting up pressure on the Kremlin.

"We intend to lead the effort in the new Congress to impose stronger sanctions on Russia," Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said in a statement. McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, scheduled a hearing next week on "foreign cyber threats" in an attempt to further spotlight Russia's actions.

Even if Trump opts to pull back Obama's sanctions and overlook hacking allegations, he may find rapprochement with Russia isn't that simple. The past two presidents both tried to reach out to Russia early in their terms but left office with relations in no better shape.

Though Trump has suggested the U.S. and Russia should align strategies in Syria by focusing on their mutual enemy, the Islamic State group, Russia's military campaign has almost exclusively targeted American-backed Syrian rebels, the U.S. has said. Nor is it clear whether Trump and Putin share a common approach to Europe's security issues.

And if Trump follows through on his vow to renegotiate the Iran nuclear deal, he won't find a receptive audience in Moscow. Putin's government brokered the deal with the U.S., Iran and other world powers and has no intention of slapping sanctions back on Iran.
The owner of an El Cajon tax service company pleaded guilty Friday to charges associated with the preparation of false tax returns, the Department of Justice announced.

Marla Cunningham, 50, owner of Cunninghams Tax Service, faces a maximum statutory sentence of nine years in prison after she pleaded guilty to three counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return.

Court documents show that Cunningham admitted to preparing false individual income tax returns for clients from 2008 to 2010.

Fabricated tax returns prepared by Cunningham included false charitable deductions, unreimbursed employee expenses, education credits, medical and dental expenses and business expenses. The amount of total loss caused, an amount Cunningham agreed to in court, is estimated at $1.2 million.

Her sentencing is scheduled for March 10, 2017.
A cease-fire brokered by Russia and Turkey went into effect in war-ravaged Syria at midnight Thursday, a potential breakthrough in the six years of fighting that have left more than a quarter-million people dead and triggered a refugee crisis across Europe.

If it holds, the truce between the Syrian government and the country's mainstream rebel forces will be followed by peace talks next month in Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in announcing the agreement. He described it, however, as "quite fragile" and requiring "special attention and patience."

The first half-hour of the cease-fire was one of "comprehensive calm," said Rami Abdurrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. He said that before the truce came into force, the government was bombing several areas, including the province of Aleppo and suburbs of the capital, Damascus.

The truce had the backing of both Russia, Syria's chief battlefield ally, and Turkey, which has been supporting the rebels. Russia said the deal was signed by seven of Syria's major rebel factions, though none of them immediately confirmed it, and one of them denied signing.

Several previous cease-fires in the Syrian civil war all collapsed, some of them in a matter of days. And this latest agreement, like previous ones, does not include extremist factions such as the Islamic State group and al-Qaida's branch in Syria.

Still, the deal raised hopes for a political settlement to the ruinous war, in part because the landscape has significantly shifted recently.

For one thing, the tide has turned in Syrian President Bashar Assad's favor militarily over the past year, with the government retaking the city of Aleppo from the rebels just days ago. Also, Turkey, which is fighting Kurdish and Islamic militants at home, appears more willing to strike a bargain with Russia if it means protecting its borders.

"This is a different political scene, and one would expect some outcomes to emerge," said Hilal Khashan, political science professor at the American University of Beirut. He cautioned, however, against expecting immediate results from the first round of talks.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem welcomed the cease-fire agreement said there is a "real chance" for a political settlement.

In comments made to Syrian TV, he said the Syrian government will attend the peace talks "with an open mind," but he suggested it would not be willing to compromise on Assad's fate. Assad's remaining in power has been a major sticking point in the crisis.

"Everything is negotiable except national sovereignty and the people's right to choose its leadership," al-Moallem said.

Putin said the cease-fire will be guaranteed by both Moscow and Turkey. Turkey has been allowing opposition forces to use its long border with Syria to cross back and forth. The agreement was also praised by Iran, another of Assad's strongest backers.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the truce will include 62,000 opposition fighters across Syria and that the Russian military has established a hotline with its Turkish counterpart to monitor compliance. Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, said President-elect Donald Trump's administration will be welcome to join the peace process once he takes office.

Putin said he ordered the Russian military to scale back its presence in Syria, where it has provided crucial support to Assad's forces. Putin didn't say how many troops and weapons will be withdrawn. He said Russia will continue "fighting international terrorism in Syria" and supporting Assad's military.

The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, welcomed the cease-fire announcement, saying he hopes the agreement will save civilian lives, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and pave the way for productive peace talks.

Earlier Thursday, Turkey called on Hezbollah to withdraw its fighters from Syria. The Iranian-backed extremist group has sent thousands of fighters to support Assad and has been playing an instrumental role in the civil war since 2013.

Foreign fighters from around the world have joined both sides of the Syrian conflict, which has displaced half the country's population and produced more than 4 million refugees. Many of those refugees have been streaming into Europe, fueling anti-immigration sentiment and terrorist fears that are reshaping the continent's political landscape.

Syria's military noted that the cease-fire comes after the "successes achieved by the armed forces," an apparent reference to the fierce fighting in Aleppo.

Osama Abo Zayd, a spokesman for mainstream Syrian opposition groups, told reporters in the Turkish capital of Ankara that 13 armed opposition factions have signed the agreement.

He said the peace talks will be based on the Geneva 2012 declaration that calls for a governing body with full executive powers to run Syria during a transition period. "This means that there will be no presence for Assad in the future," he said.

However, Khashan, the political analyst, said Assad's exit is "out of the question." ''Neither the Russians nor the Iranians would allow it to happen," he said.

Saeed Sadek, a professor of political sociology at Cairo's Future University, said Assad has no power to accept or reject any deals.

"He is now under the control of Moscow, Tehran and Ankara. All these countries will decide his future," he said.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan will attend President Trump's inauguration, the governor's office confirmed late Friday.

"Governor Hogan has been invited to the Inauguration, and he he and the First Lady look forward to attending," the governor's office said in a statement.

Hogan, Maryland's second Republican governor in almost 50 years, did not support Trump in the election. In fact, he said publicly that he had written in his father's name when he cast his ballot for president.

However, after Trump won, Hogan congratulated him, then suggested that Trump might help bring jobs to Maryland -- including, possibly, the FBI headquarters.

"As Governor Hogan has repeatedly said following the election, he is committed to working with the incoming Trump administration just as he has successfully worked with the Obama administration to promote what is in Maryland's best interest," the statement read.
Debbie Reynolds' son said Friday his mother and sister, actress Carrie Fisher, will have a joint funeral and will be buried together.

Todd Fisher said the actresses will be interred at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, the final resting place of numerous celebrities, including Lucille Ball, Dick Van Patten, Liberace, Florence Henderson, David Carradine and Bette Davis.

The son said no date for the funeral has been set, but it will be private. A public memorial is being contemplated, but no plans have been finalized.

Earlier Friday, the Los Angeles coroner's office released Carrie Fisher's body to her family. Chief of Operations Brian Elias says an examination of Fisher was done, but he stopped short of calling it an autopsy and would not provide any details on what tests were done.

[NATL]Debbie Reynolds: Her Life in Photos

Elias said there was no timetable for when an official determination on what killed Fisher would be made.

Todd Fisher said the family wasn't clear on what coroner's officials had done during the examination, but was glad his sister's body had been released to Forest Lawn. "My mother and my sister are together right now," he said.

Carrie Fisher, 60, an actress and writer who starred as Princess Leia in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, died Tuesday after suffering a medical emergency Dec. 23 aboard a flight from London. Reynolds, 84, an Oscar-nominated actress who shot to fame after starring in "Singin' in the Rain" at age 19, passed away Wednesday after being briefly hospitalized.

"She said, 'I want to be with Carrie,'" Todd Fisher told The Associated Press. "And then she was gone."

In an ABC News interview that was to air Friday, Todd Fisher said that his mother joined his sister in death because Reynolds "didn't want to leave Carrie and did not want her to be alone."

"She didn't die of a broken heart," Fisher said in the "20/20" interview. "She just left to be with Carrie."

Reynolds wasn't inconsolable over her daughter's death, he said, and instead simply expressed love for her.

[NATLu002du002dDO NOT USE] In Memoriam: Influential People We've Lost This Year
Gov. Charlie Baker is planning on attending the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.

The Massachusetts Republican famously refused to support Trump during the campaign  even refused to vote for him after raising concerns about Trump's temperament.

But Baker said Friday that if you're the governor of Massachusetts and get invited to a presidential inauguration, you should go. Baker said he would go no matter who won out of respect for the office of the presidency.

A Baker aide said he accepted the invitation of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies to attend the swearing-in ceremonies, Jan. 20 in Washington.

Baker said he also hopes to chat with colleagues who work in state government from across the country as well as some of the new members of Congress.
Police in New Hampshire have captured a man accused of firing a gun at responding officers in Franklin overnight Wednesday, then fleeing and barricading himself in a residence in Manchester on Saturday.

Franklin police said officers first responded to a report of a disturbance and a man with a gun on Prospect Street in Franklin around 2:30 a.m., when Ryan Brouillard, 34, fired a shot.

No one was shot or injured in the incident.

The neighborhood was under lock down for sometime while police searched for Brouillard, but he was able to escape.

On Saturday, police said Brouillard, was taken into custody after a tense stand-off at a Manchester Street residence in Concord, New Hampshire, at about 4:30 a.m.

Authorities said Brouillard had initially barricaded himself inside the residence but then surrendered peacefully a short time later.

Brouillard is being held at the Merrimack County Jail. He has been charged with 2 counts of criminal threatening, reckless conduct, possession of a firearm, resisting arrest, parole violation, and habitual offender. Brouillard is scheduled to be arraigned on January 3, 2017, at Franklin, Circuit Court.
The son of a former vice presidential candidate has received a pardon for a drug conviction in Vermont.

John Zaccaro, Jr. is the son of Geraldine Ferraro, the Democrat who unsuccessfully ran for vice president under Walter Mondale in 1984.

Zaccaro was convicted in 1988 of selling a quarter of a gram of cocaine to an undercover officer when he was a student at Vermont's Middlebury College.

Zaccaro served three months under house arrest, NBC News reported at the time of Ferraro's death.

Gov. Peter Shumlin, D-Vermont, announced Saturday he has pardoned Zaccaro and nine other people.

This pardon is separate from another round of convictions Shumlin has promised to vacate.

Those affect people convicted of possessing small amounts of marijuana before Vermont law changed to make that a civil, not criminal, offense.

Geraldine Ferraro died in 2011.

According to a biography published online when he announced his candidacy for mayor of Saltaire, New York, Zaccaro is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey. He is a principal of a third-generation privately-held real estate investment and management firm.

The biography also says Zaccaro resides in New York City with his wife and three children.
If only he could have had another gun to defend himself.Columnist killed after gun he was showing teen goes offA conservative newspaper columnist known for his support of guns rights died after the pistol he was showing a teenager suddenly fired.Michael D. Harmon, who wrote weekly for the Portland Press Herald, died at 71 Wednesday after what his wife called an accidental tragedy.Police told the Press Herald that a 16-year-old and his father were visiting Harmon at his home in Sanford when he was showing the boy a handgun and it went off.The newspaper said that he was an editor and columnist known as a steadfast defender of gun rights during his 41 years at the Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram.He continued to write his column after retiring in 2011, and his LinkedIn page says that he has worked as a speaker.It was not immediately clear where Harmon was shot, and police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.An autopsy has been scheduled to determine his exact cause of death.Harmon's last column, published Thursday, criticized the Obama administration for not vetoing a UN resolution on Israeli settlements.
Former Willink pupil rewarded for heroics in Rio

BURGHFIELD'S Olympic diver Chris Mears and his dive partner Jack Laugher have been rewarded for their heroics in Rio baby being recognised in the 2017 New Year Honours List.

The two men made history by becoming the first British divers to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport.

Mears, a former Willink School pupil, came back to Burghfield after his success at the 2016 games where he signed autographs and posed for pictures (above).

For more see next week's Newbury Weekly News.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Giving an opportunity to achieve closure on the much debated retrospective tax, firms including Vodafone and Cairn Energy gets one more month to settle tax disputes as the government has extended till January 31 as its one-time tax dispute resolution scheme.

The Direct Tax Dispute Resolution Scheme, announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the budget for 2016-17, seeks not just to settle disputes in retrospective taxes, but end nearly 2.6 lakh pending tax cases where Rs 5.16 lakh crore are locked in.

On May 26, the government had notified the scheme saying it would open on June 1 and close on December 31. The scheme provides for waiving interest and penalties if the principal amount involved in retrospective tax cases is paid.

For disputes other than the retrospective tax cases, taxpayers, whose appeal is pending as on February 29, 2016, before the CIT (Appeals), can settle cases by paying the disputed tax and interest up to the date of assessment.

For a disputed tax amount of up to Rs 10 lakh, the penalty will be forgone. In cases where the disputed tax amount is above Rs 10 lakh, a penalty of 25 per cent will be levied. For penalty appeals, the scheme allows the assessee to pay 25 per cent of the penalty.

Through the scheme, the government hopes to settle major retrospective tax cases facing Vodafone Group and Cairn Energy of UK. It also expects a third of the other tax disputes to be settled.

Meanwhile, the notification comes against the backdrop of tepid response from companies to the scheme. So far, none of the companies facing the retrospective tax cases have come forward.

NEW DELHI: Giving an opportunity to achieve closure on the much debated retrospective tax, firms including Vodafone and Cairn Energy gets one more month to settle tax disputes as the government has extended till January 31 as its one-time tax dispute resolution scheme. The Direct Tax Dispute Resolution Scheme, announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the budget for 2016-17, seeks not just to settle disputes in retrospective taxes, but end nearly 2.6 lakh pending tax cases where Rs 5.16 lakh crore are locked in. On May 26, the government had notified the scheme saying it would open on June 1 and close on December 31. The scheme provides for waiving interest and penalties if the principal amount involved in retrospective tax cases is paid. For disputes other than the retrospective tax cases, taxpayers, whose appeal is pending as on February 29, 2016, before the CIT (Appeals), can settle cases by paying the disputed tax and interest up to the date of assessment. For a disputed tax amount of up to Rs 10 lakh, the penalty will be forgone. In cases where the disputed tax amount is above Rs 10 lakh, a penalty of 25 per cent will be levied. For penalty appeals, the scheme allows the assessee to pay 25 per cent of the penalty. Through the scheme, the government hopes to settle major retrospective tax cases facing Vodafone Group and Cairn Energy of UK. It also expects a third of the other tax disputes to be settled. Meanwhile, the notification comes against the backdrop of tepid response from companies to the scheme. So far, none of the companies facing the retrospective tax cases have come forward.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India and Singapore on Friday signed a pact for amendment of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), in a bid to curb illegal hoarding of money. With the amendment, investments in India routed through Singapore will be liable for capital gains tax.

According to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, this amendment has been done to prevent round-tripping of funds, misused for tax evasion. Earlier this year, India signed similar agreements with Mauritius and Cyprus. Beginning from April 2017, capital gains tax will be imposed at 50 percent (liabilities will be shared half and half between the countries), grandfathering for a period of two years. The tax will be imposed completely from April 2019.

Singapore and Mauritius are among the top countries for foreign direct investments (FDI) in India. The two countries reportedly have accounted for $17 billion of the total FDI (of $29.4 billion) between April and December 2015-16.

Addressing the media, Jaitley said: In May, we had amended the DTAA with Mauritius following a similar move in September with Cyprus. With these three, we have successfully stopped round tripping through this route.

Prior to this amendment, investors enjoyed tax exemption on capital gains, as there was no capital gains tax. India signed a DTAA with Singapore in 1994. the

According to an amendment in 2005, any capital gains arising from sale of property or shares were taxable only in the country of residence of the investor. This meant that Singapore-based investors in India, enjoyed exemptions from capital gains tax. This amendment had been made to encourage Singapore-based investors to invest in India. Jaitley termed the latest move as a reasonable burial to black money.

The Indian Government has also reached an agreement with Switzerland where the latter will share complete information on investments from Indians in Switzerland from 2019, he added.

Experts say this was a good move. Anyone could route his illegal money to a foreign country and invest the same in India again through P-notes. There was no way to find out who was investing... The DTAA amendment basically increases transparency, effectively stops round-tripping of funds and the government will get to know information about the investors, pointed out Nagaraj BG, Financial Planner, ICICI Securities.

NEW DELHI: India and Singapore on Friday signed a pact for amendment of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), in a bid to curb illegal hoarding of money. With the amendment, investments in India routed through Singapore will be liable for capital gains tax. According to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, this amendment has been done to prevent round-tripping of funds, misused for tax evasion. Earlier this year, India signed similar agreements with Mauritius and Cyprus. Beginning from April 2017, capital gains tax will be imposed at 50 percent (liabilities will be shared half and half between the countries), grandfathering for a period of two years. The tax will be imposed completely from April 2019. Singapore and Mauritius are among the top countries for foreign direct investments (FDI) in India. The two countries reportedly have accounted for $17 billion of the total FDI (of $29.4 billion) between April and December 2015-16. Addressing the media, Jaitley said: In May, we had amended the DTAA with Mauritius following a similar move in September with Cyprus. With these three, we have successfully stopped round tripping through this route. Prior to this amendment, investors enjoyed tax exemption on capital gains, as there was no capital gains tax. India signed a DTAA with Singapore in 1994. the According to an amendment in 2005, any capital gains arising from sale of property or shares were taxable only in the country of residence of the investor. This meant that Singapore-based investors in India, enjoyed exemptions from capital gains tax. This amendment had been made to encourage Singapore-based investors to invest in India. Jaitley termed the latest move as a reasonable burial to black money. The Indian Government has also reached an agreement with Switzerland where the latter will share complete information on investments from Indians in Switzerland from 2019, he added. Experts say this was a good move. Anyone could route his illegal money to a foreign country and invest the same in India again through P-notes. There was no way to find out who was investing... The DTAA amendment basically increases transparency, effectively stops round-tripping of funds and the government will get to know information about the investors, pointed out Nagaraj BG, Financial Planner, ICICI Securities.
By PTI

ALIGARH: Students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on Saturday squatted on the tracks of the Railway station here protesting the "failure" of the Delhi Police to trace missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed, who has been missing for 76 days.



A number of AMU students later courted arrest when police used mild force to foil their attempt to block the movement of trains, and vehicles on main roads.



District Magistrate Rajmani Yadav said the exact number of those detained was being ascertained.



AMU Students' Union has already demanded a CBI inquiry into Ahmed's mysterious disappearance. The students' union President Faizul Hasan has accused the Modi government of protecting Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) leaders in this connection.



The union in a memorandum sent to President Pranab Mukherjee alleged that instead of trying to trace Ahmed, police were harassing his family and shielding criminals.



Ahmed, an MSc Biotechnology student, went missing on October 15 after a scuffle allegedly with ABVP affiliated students at his hostel on the JNU campus.

ALIGARH: Students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on Saturday squatted on the tracks of the Railway station here protesting the "failure" of the Delhi Police to trace missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed, who has been missing for 76 days. A number of AMU students later courted arrest when police used mild force to foil their attempt to block the movement of trains, and vehicles on main roads. District Magistrate Rajmani Yadav said the exact number of those detained was being ascertained. AMU Students' Union has already demanded a CBI inquiry into Ahmed's mysterious disappearance. The students' union President Faizul Hasan has accused the Modi government of protecting Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) leaders in this connection. The union in a memorandum sent to President Pranab Mukherjee alleged that instead of trying to trace Ahmed, police were harassing his family and shielding criminals. Ahmed, an MSc Biotechnology student, went missing on October 15 after a scuffle allegedly with ABVP affiliated students at his hostel on the JNU campus.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Law enforcements pursuit of the dacoits who looted 46kg of gold ornaments from the Muthoot Finance Ltd in Beeramguda has been gathering steam. Christening the investigation, Operation Muthoot, the newly formed tactical wing of Cyberabad police comprising 30 armed policemen in plain clothes have intensified the search and nab the robbers.

The Gulbarga police of Karnataka and Mumbai police have joined the search for the miscreants. A senior police officer associated with the investigation team told Express that the offenders were professionals and repeat offenders. Even though they had indulged in similar offences earlier at various places, no cases have been registered against them and no record was available with the police.

Police suspect that miscreants who reached Gulbarga with stolen booty have divided themselves into two groups and dispersed in an attempt to make it difficult for the investigators. However, police have obtained intelligence reports that a gang comprising of three members might have gone to Mumbai travelling by train from Wadi railway station of Gulbarga.

The investigation in to the robbery case is being done by the tactical wings. The special teams are on the right track and we have intensified the probe to identify them and to nab them, a high ranking police official said. The special teams have also verified the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) where 15,000 Police Stations throughout the country stored data of criminals to learn about the offenders responsible for the Muthoot robbery. However, they havent been able to identify the miscreants.

Following the lack of concrete information about miscreants, police suspect that the accused change their modus operandi regularly and conduct reconnaissance of the prospective scene and mange to escape, leaving no clue behind.

HYDERABAD: Law enforcements pursuit of the dacoits who looted 46kg of gold ornaments from the Muthoot Finance Ltd in Beeramguda has been gathering steam. Christening the investigation, Operation Muthoot, the newly formed tactical wing of Cyberabad police comprising 30 armed policemen in plain clothes have intensified the search and nab the robbers. The Gulbarga police of Karnataka and Mumbai police have joined the search for the miscreants. A senior police officer associated with the investigation team told Express that the offenders were professionals and repeat offenders. Even though they had indulged in similar offences earlier at various places, no cases have been registered against them and no record was available with the police. Police suspect that miscreants who reached Gulbarga with stolen booty have divided themselves into two groups and dispersed in an attempt to make it difficult for the investigators. However, police have obtained intelligence reports that a gang comprising of three members might have gone to Mumbai travelling by train from Wadi railway station of Gulbarga. The investigation in to the robbery case is being done by the tactical wings. The special teams are on the right track and we have intensified the probe to identify them and to nab them, a high ranking police official said. The special teams have also verified the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) where 15,000 Police Stations throughout the country stored data of criminals to learn about the offenders responsible for the Muthoot robbery. However, they havent been able to identify the miscreants. Following the lack of concrete information about miscreants, police suspect that the accused change their modus operandi regularly and conduct reconnaissance of the prospective scene and mange to escape, leaving no clue behind.
L Lohit Kishore By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Grass, pills, powders and vials; these colloquialisms may be heard more frequently as we approach the New Year. The drug trade is on a high keeping the police on their toes.

Molly, Blots, Charlie and meow-meow are the street names of some of the drugs, rather easily available in the city.

Lysergic Acid Diathylamide (LSD) is a fast moving drug. It has a long lasting effect of upto 8 hours depending on the concentration, filled with visual hallucinations. This drug is relatively easy to procure and store as it comes in a small square shaped paper with no smell and it leaves no residue.

A similar effect is produced by another drug called Ecstasy that comes in the form of pills. This drugs effects may not last as long as LSD but the energising affect it produces combined with the distortions in time makes it a hallucinogenic.

The cost of these drugs is set according to the regularity of rave parties. Drugs which are absorbed by sniffing or snorting into the nose like Cocaine and Mephedrone have a euphoric effect and kick in immediately unlike LSD and Ecstasy.

What makes these powders so addictive is that the body quickly develops a tolerance to the drugs asking for more in spite of the damage occurring to the nasal cavity. The cost of LSD is not more than Rs 2,000 but the price of Cocaine can be as high as Rs 8000 per gram. Mephedrone costs Rs 1,500 and Ecstasy pills cost Rs 2,500 each.

Procuring these drugs has become easier after youngsters entered the peddling scene. Graduate students, drop outs, software employees who can find a good investment and the right dealer from Goa or Bangalore are effortlessly pushing drugs. Places like Attapur, Mahendra Hills and Gachibowli have become rendezvous points for such deals.

Dealers use phones and Whatsapp for striking deals. Once the drugs are bought, youngsters go to rave parties on the city outskirts. Special teams are formed to identify and bust such parties, said a Police officer from the Telangana Police Commissionerate.

Drug dealers in new avatar

The need to look for a guy in a hoodie and to talk a deal is not the trend anymore. The new age drug dealers build demand for themselves by personally delivering the stuff at a convenient rendezvous point and finishing the deal in seconds. Using the right terms like 1 G for one gram and J for joints can get you past most dealers. With a secured network and thorough verifications one can become a part of the online drug market that delivers drugs discreetly.

HYDERABAD: Grass, pills, powders and vials; these colloquialisms may be heard more frequently as we approach the New Year. The drug trade is on a high keeping the police on their toes. Molly, Blots, Charlie and meow-meow are the street names of some of the drugs, rather easily available in the city. Lysergic Acid Diathylamide (LSD) is a fast moving drug. It has a long lasting effect of upto 8 hours depending on the concentration, filled with visual hallucinations. This drug is relatively easy to procure and store as it comes in a small square shaped paper with no smell and it leaves no residue. A similar effect is produced by another drug called Ecstasy that comes in the form of pills. This drugs effects may not last as long as LSD but the energising affect it produces combined with the distortions in time makes it a hallucinogenic. The cost of these drugs is set according to the regularity of rave parties. Drugs which are absorbed by sniffing or snorting into the nose like Cocaine and Mephedrone have a euphoric effect and kick in immediately unlike LSD and Ecstasy. What makes these powders so addictive is that the body quickly develops a tolerance to the drugs asking for more in spite of the damage occurring to the nasal cavity. The cost of LSD is not more than Rs 2,000 but the price of Cocaine can be as high as Rs 8000 per gram. Mephedrone costs Rs 1,500 and Ecstasy pills cost Rs 2,500 each. Procuring these drugs has become easier after youngsters entered the peddling scene. Graduate students, drop outs, software employees who can find a good investment and the right dealer from Goa or Bangalore are effortlessly pushing drugs. Places like Attapur, Mahendra Hills and Gachibowli have become rendezvous points for such deals. Dealers use phones and Whatsapp for striking deals. Once the drugs are bought, youngsters go to rave parties on the city outskirts. Special teams are formed to identify and bust such parties, said a Police officer from the Telangana Police Commissionerate. Drug dealers in new avatar The need to look for a guy in a hoodie and to talk a deal is not the trend anymore. The new age drug dealers build demand for themselves by personally delivering the stuff at a convenient rendezvous point and finishing the deal in seconds. Using the right terms like 1 G for one gram and J for joints can get you past most dealers. With a secured network and thorough verifications one can become a part of the online drug market that delivers drugs discreetly.
Rajitha S By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: What is it that brings southern Telangana region and South Korea closer? Apparently, the possible link is considered to date back to as many as 2,000 years! In search of the same, a nine-member team of archaeologists - scholars, curators, and professors from South Korea were in the region for the last two days, studying Indian petroglyphs (paintings depicted on rocks through pecking) and ancient rock art. And they believe, the art work seen on the megalithic rocks excavated from Mahabubnagar is way similar to that found in South Korea.

The team from the South East Asian country visited Mudumal in Mahbubnagar, Telangana, Mallaypalli near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh and Kupgal and Hire Benakal near Bel lary i n Karnataka. However, Lee Hoen Jai, curator of Gyonggi Provincial Museum, in Gyonggi Do, South Korea who was in the city on a historical trip wasnt a happy man.

They have destroyed all these beautiful megalithic stone structures with rock art that is distinct to structures that date back to BC 725. There are a number of geometric symbols that depict stories of life after death, that the people of those times believed in, he said expressing sadness. Prof KP Rao, department of History, University of Hyderabad (UoH) who accompanied the team on the trip, added, There are lots of similarities in the kind of art that is seen here on the megalithic rocks in South India and South Korea. There are similarities in the way rice is cultivated in both the places, and also Dravidian and Korean languages.

These archaeologists are here to do a comparative study of art material here and other parts of South Asia, with a special focus on South Korea. Now a curator, Lee completed his PhD from UoH in 2007. I have studied these sites then and now. The sight makes me sad and sick, he added, referring to the stone henge structures found in Mudumal in Mahbubnagar, the only one that exists in whole of South Asia.

The other is in England. It dates back to the 18th century and now it is destroyed though it is something that needs to be protected, added Lee, who was the only one who could communicate in English from the group. Pointing to his collection of photographs from Mallayipalli, a small town seven kilometres from Chandragiri near Tirupati, Lee explained the intricacies of rock art on the dolmen that date back to 7th century BC.

There are 1,182 human figures on the underside of the dolmen of 420 mts. They speak largely about death and it is clear that they believed in life after death. The paintings talk about people leaving the earth, their burial and their comeback, Lee said. These paintings show that they also bury a dagger along with the body. This has also been found in some of the megalithic sites in South Korea. The group found these aspects relevant, interesting and also important, Prof Rao said.

HYDERABAD: What is it that brings southern Telangana region and South Korea closer? Apparently, the possible link is considered to date back to as many as 2,000 years! In search of the same, a nine-member team of archaeologists - scholars, curators, and professors from South Korea were in the region for the last two days, studying Indian petroglyphs (paintings depicted on rocks through pecking) and ancient rock art. And they believe, the art work seen on the megalithic rocks excavated from Mahabubnagar is way similar to that found in South Korea. The team from the South East Asian country visited Mudumal in Mahbubnagar, Telangana, Mallaypalli near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh and Kupgal and Hire Benakal near Bel lary i n Karnataka. However, Lee Hoen Jai, curator of Gyonggi Provincial Museum, in Gyonggi Do, South Korea who was in the city on a historical trip wasnt a happy man. They have destroyed all these beautiful megalithic stone structures with rock art that is distinct to structures that date back to BC 725. There are a number of geometric symbols that depict stories of life after death, that the people of those times believed in, he said expressing sadness. Prof KP Rao, department of History, University of Hyderabad (UoH) who accompanied the team on the trip, added, There are lots of similarities in the kind of art that is seen here on the megalithic rocks in South India and South Korea. There are similarities in the way rice is cultivated in both the places, and also Dravidian and Korean languages. These archaeologists are here to do a comparative study of art material here and other parts of South Asia, with a special focus on South Korea. Now a curator, Lee completed his PhD from UoH in 2007. I have studied these sites then and now. The sight makes me sad and sick, he added, referring to the stone henge structures found in Mudumal in Mahbubnagar, the only one that exists in whole of South Asia. The other is in England. It dates back to the 18th century and now it is destroyed though it is something that needs to be protected, added Lee, who was the only one who could communicate in English from the group. Pointing to his collection of photographs from Mallayipalli, a small town seven kilometres from Chandragiri near Tirupati, Lee explained the intricacies of rock art on the dolmen that date back to 7th century BC. There are 1,182 human figures on the underside of the dolmen of 420 mts. They speak largely about death and it is clear that they believed in life after death. The paintings talk about people leaving the earth, their burial and their comeback, Lee said. These paintings show that they also bury a dagger along with the body. This has also been found in some of the megalithic sites in South Korea. The group found these aspects relevant, interesting and also important, Prof Rao said.
Bibek Debroy By

For the Prime Minister, reforms are about changing the template of government and governance. Hence, an institutional change is being attempted, picking up strands pending for years. Demonetisation is part of that jigsaw.

Institution means some kind of established practice. Those who are from within the system rarely change institutions. If not captive to vested interests, they are certainly captive to some variety of the Stockholm syndrome. Narendra Modi has often been demonised (the word has a phonetic resemblance to demonetised) and vilified, even before he became PM.

At least in part, thats because he is an outsider, and perceived to be one by people who inhabit the so-called Lutyens Zone. He isnt from the PLU (people like us) set. It is always difficult to understand an outsider and anticipate what an outsider is likely to do. An outsider doesnt believe in shibboleths. To use the cliched expression, he/she doesnt think out of the box. He/she doesnt believe in boxes.



I will use the economic domain to make my case. First, in December 2014, we had recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission, seeking an unprecedented increase to 42 per cent (from base of 32 per cent) in State share, as untied funds, from divisible pool of taxes. Given the 7th Pay Commission, other expenditure commitments and deficit reduction compulsions, it would have been tempting to stagger this, first increase to 37 per cent, 42 per cent later.

Or even postpone implementation of the Finance Commission recommendations. Neither was done. Second, Planning Commission was replaced by Niti Aayog.

I will not get into the mandate of either. When was Niti Aayogs formation announced? PM announced it on August 15, 2014, in his Independence Day speech. When was Niti Aayog actually constituted? January 1, 2015. A lot of work had already gone into revamping the Planning Commission, documented in Arun Mairas book (An Upstart in Government). If all that work had been done, but not implemented, why did it take five months, from August 1, 2014 to January 1, 2015? Because there were further consultations on the shape of Niti Aayog, including on the name, through my.gov.in. Also, think of something I will not spell out. How many Members did Planning Commission originally have? How many did it have when it was wound up in 2014?

How was their composition determined? How many does Niti have? Working around entitlements was part of the reason for the five-month delay.

Third, overall, beyond the 42 per cent share, States used to get additional money as Central Sector and Centrally sponsored schemes. Adding these, the aggregate is 62-63 per cent. There were a plethora of these and in the new post-14th Finance Commission scenario, Niti Aayog could have determined their nature and template. Instead, three sub-Groups of Chief Ministers were set up to decide what they should be. Fourth, not only has the Plan versus non-Plan distinction gone, the Railway Budget, as we have known it, has also been scrapped. As a specific proposal, the idea of abolishing the Railway Budget had been pending since at least 2001.

Fifth, in 1984, there was a LK Jha Committee to recommend a change in the financial year. I will not get into the merits/demerits. In 1993, the then Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission wrote to the then Finance Minister, wanting to know when the recommendations would be implemented. Dr Manmohan Singh wrote back saying the country was in the midst of introducing reforms and it wasnt the right time. Thats been resurrected.

DeMo Team

People who helped PM Narendra Modi pull off his biggest reform measure

Technically, a committee, chaired by Shankar Acharya, has been set up to examine the proposed change. But, in the interim, the Union Budget has been brought forward to 1st February. Sixth, in 1998, a government-appointed committee identified 1,700 old statutes for repeal.

Barring around 200 repealed in 2000/2001, nothing happened to the rest. In 2014, we had a Ramanujam Committee, set up by the PMO. To cut a long story short, through four Acts in 2014 and 2015, around 1,200 old statutes have been repealed. Sure, repealing is the easier part of reforming statutes and rationalisation/harmonisation of remaining ones needs to follow.

But a beginning has been made. Seventh, tribunals and autonomous institutions are being reviewed. Eighth, there is no satisfactory bankruptcy legislation for unincorporated enterprise, assets/liabilities for the enterprise equated with that of the entrepreneur.

The 2016 Bankruptcy Code addresses this, but the issue has been pending since 1998. I can keep adding to the list, but my purpose is not to list out everything the new government has done since May 2014. I think each of these examples illustrates a simple point. It is not business as usual and incremental. An institutional change is being attempted, picking up strands pending for years.

Demonetisation is part of that jigsaw. It is singularly inappropriate to understand it only in terms of what happened on November 8, 2016. On narrow economic grounds, shorn of other measures, most economists will describe it as not worth the effort, as indeed several of them have. Consider a base figure of `16 lakh crores of high denomination notes in the system on November 8, perhaps `15.5 lakh crores of that in the hands of the public proper. Lets assume by the end of December 2016, `14 lakh crores of that come into the banking system; 90 per cent of black has been legitimised. For the sake of a measly 10 per cent, what was the point of putting everyone through the inconvenience? As someone said, this was a mammoth tragedy.

Why just economists? Most social scientists and commentators have also condemned it. Thats understandable. PLUs and insiders are risk-averse. Why take a risk and rock the boat? The gains, including electoral ones, are uncertain. I think commentators havent appreciated the examples I gave and the contemplated institutional change. Reforms arent about tinkering with Chapter V-B of the Industrial Disputes Act and GST, as most people have interpreted reforms. For the PM, reforms are about changing the template of government and governance.

In the November 8 instance, I think people have appreciated this big picture better than commentators. Thats the reason, regardless of which survey, majority have supported the move, notwithstanding the inconvenience.

Let me give you a quote from the finance ministrys press release on November 8. In the last two years, the Government has taken a number of steps to curb the menace of black money in the economy including setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT); enacting a law regarding undisclosed foreign income and assets; amending the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and Mauritius and India and Cyprus; reaching an understanding with Switzerland for getting information on Bank accounts held by Indians with HSBC; encouraging the use of non-cash and digital payments; amending the Benami Transactions Act; and implementing the Income Declaration Scheme 2016.

This, and other straws in the wind, imply the following. (a) There are other measures to prevent creation of new black income. (b) Non-cash forms of existing black wealth are being targeted. (c) Just because black has been brought into the banking system, it hasnt been legitimised. Thats subject to further scrutiny, taxes, penalties. (d) Those straws in the wind suggest more action on gold (not jewellery), real estate and capital markets and even on political funding and electoral reform.



Here is a Sir Humphrey Appleby quote. Controversial only means this will lose you votes. Courageous means this will lose you the election! Those captive to the Stockholm syndrome avoid either type of decision. An outsider challenges popular wisdom.

The author is a member of the Niti Aayog

For the Prime Minister, reforms are about changing the template of government and governance. Hence, an institutional change is being attempted, picking up strands pending for years. Demonetisation is part of that jigsaw. Institution means some kind of established practice. Those who are from within the system rarely change institutions. If not captive to vested interests, they are certainly captive to some variety of the Stockholm syndrome. Narendra Modi has often been demonised (the word has a phonetic resemblance to demonetised) and vilified, even before he became PM. At least in part, thats because he is an outsider, and perceived to be one by people who inhabit the so-called Lutyens Zone. He isnt from the PLU (people like us) set. It is always difficult to understand an outsider and anticipate what an outsider is likely to do. An outsider doesnt believe in shibboleths. To use the cliched expression, he/she doesnt think out of the box. He/she doesnt believe in boxes. I will use the economic domain to make my case. First, in December 2014, we had recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission, seeking an unprecedented increase to 42 per cent (from base of 32 per cent) in State share, as untied funds, from divisible pool of taxes. Given the 7th Pay Commission, other expenditure commitments and deficit reduction compulsions, it would have been tempting to stagger this, first increase to 37 per cent, 42 per cent later. Or even postpone implementation of the Finance Commission recommendations. Neither was done. Second, Planning Commission was replaced by Niti Aayog. I will not get into the mandate of either. When was Niti Aayogs formation announced? PM announced it on August 15, 2014, in his Independence Day speech. When was Niti Aayog actually constituted? January 1, 2015. A lot of work had already gone into revamping the Planning Commission, documented in Arun Mairas book (An Upstart in Government). If all that work had been done, but not implemented, why did it take five months, from August 1, 2014 to January 1, 2015? Because there were further consultations on the shape of Niti Aayog, including on the name, through my.gov.in. Also, think of something I will not spell out. How many Members did Planning Commission originally have? How many did it have when it was wound up in 2014? How was their composition determined? How many does Niti have? Working around entitlements was part of the reason for the five-month delay. Third, overall, beyond the 42 per cent share, States used to get additional money as Central Sector and Centrally sponsored schemes. Adding these, the aggregate is 62-63 per cent. There were a plethora of these and in the new post-14th Finance Commission scenario, Niti Aayog could have determined their nature and template. Instead, three sub-Groups of Chief Ministers were set up to decide what they should be. Fourth, not only has the Plan versus non-Plan distinction gone, the Railway Budget, as we have known it, has also been scrapped. As a specific proposal, the idea of abolishing the Railway Budget had been pending since at least 2001. Fifth, in 1984, there was a LK Jha Committee to recommend a change in the financial year. I will not get into the merits/demerits. In 1993, the then Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission wrote to the then Finance Minister, wanting to know when the recommendations would be implemented. Dr Manmohan Singh wrote back saying the country was in the midst of introducing reforms and it wasnt the right time. Thats been resurrected. DeMo Team People who helped PM Narendra Modi pull off his biggest reform measure Technically, a committee, chaired by Shankar Acharya, has been set up to examine the proposed change. But, in the interim, the Union Budget has been brought forward to 1st February. Sixth, in 1998, a government-appointed committee identified 1,700 old statutes for repeal. Barring around 200 repealed in 2000/2001, nothing happened to the rest. In 2014, we had a Ramanujam Committee, set up by the PMO. To cut a long story short, through four Acts in 2014 and 2015, around 1,200 old statutes have been repealed. Sure, repealing is the easier part of reforming statutes and rationalisation/harmonisation of remaining ones needs to follow. But a beginning has been made. Seventh, tribunals and autonomous institutions are being reviewed. Eighth, there is no satisfactory bankruptcy legislation for unincorporated enterprise, assets/liabilities for the enterprise equated with that of the entrepreneur. The 2016 Bankruptcy Code addresses this, but the issue has been pending since 1998. I can keep adding to the list, but my purpose is not to list out everything the new government has done since May 2014. I think each of these examples illustrates a simple point. It is not business as usual and incremental. An institutional change is being attempted, picking up strands pending for years. Demonetisation is part of that jigsaw. It is singularly inappropriate to understand it only in terms of what happened on November 8, 2016. On narrow economic grounds, shorn of other measures, most economists will describe it as not worth the effort, as indeed several of them have. Consider a base figure of `16 lakh crores of high denomination notes in the system on November 8, perhaps `15.5 lakh crores of that in the hands of the public proper. Lets assume by the end of December 2016, `14 lakh crores of that come into the banking system; 90 per cent of black has been legitimised. For the sake of a measly 10 per cent, what was the point of putting everyone through the inconvenience? As someone said, this was a mammoth tragedy. Why just economists? Most social scientists and commentators have also condemned it. Thats understandable. PLUs and insiders are risk-averse. Why take a risk and rock the boat? The gains, including electoral ones, are uncertain. I think commentators havent appreciated the examples I gave and the contemplated institutional change. Reforms arent about tinkering with Chapter V-B of the Industrial Disputes Act and GST, as most people have interpreted reforms. For the PM, reforms are about changing the template of government and governance. In the November 8 instance, I think people have appreciated this big picture better than commentators. Thats the reason, regardless of which survey, majority have supported the move, notwithstanding the inconvenience. Let me give you a quote from the finance ministrys press release on November 8. In the last two years, the Government has taken a number of steps to curb the menace of black money in the economy including setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT); enacting a law regarding undisclosed foreign income and assets; amending the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and Mauritius and India and Cyprus; reaching an understanding with Switzerland for getting information on Bank accounts held by Indians with HSBC; encouraging the use of non-cash and digital payments; amending the Benami Transactions Act; and implementing the Income Declaration Scheme 2016. This, and other straws in the wind, imply the following. (a) There are other measures to prevent creation of new black income. (b) Non-cash forms of existing black wealth are being targeted. (c) Just because black has been brought into the banking system, it hasnt been legitimised. Thats subject to further scrutiny, taxes, penalties. (d) Those straws in the wind suggest more action on gold (not jewellery), real estate and capital markets and even on political funding and electoral reform. Here is a Sir Humphrey Appleby quote. Controversial only means this will lose you votes. Courageous means this will lose you the election! Those captive to the Stockholm syndrome avoid either type of decision. An outsider challenges popular wisdom. The author is a member of the Niti Aayog
The New Indian Express By

Automobile

Jeep-ers Creepers

There is some good news for the adrenaline junkies. The launch of a compact crossover SUV from the Fiat Chrysler factory, the Jeep Compass, is something that true car lovers can get excited about. While the exterior might remind you of a Grand Cherokee, the ride is sleeker and more chromatic. The Indian edition will have three variantsSport, Longitude, and Limited. Roughly marked in the `20-25 lakh category, it is an affordable offering from the American auto giant. So, now you know what to buy if you are planning that road trip next year.

Art

Ninth Time Lucky

The India Art Fair is a happy gathering of Indias arty-farty public. This is where the wine-guzzling glitterati rubs shoulders with the jhola chaap art school types. The ninth edition will be the first one after the MCH Group (Basel) bought a stake in the venture. MCH also organises Baselworld and Design Miami, and we are sure that with its global expertise and experience, MCH will be able to give India Art Fair a more global hue. The line-up this year includes a Speakers Forum that brings together artists, curators, patrons and professionals in the field of visual arts to explore themes on cultural integration through arts in South Asia. There is also a dedicated film programme, which will explore the intersection between filmmaking and visual arts in India from time immemorial to the present. Dont sit this one out.

Travel

Off the Beaten Track

Get out of the known arena, travel to places you havent heard of. Try the Altai Kazakh Eagle Hunters Festival in Mongolia. Hunt eagles with the local Mongolian tribes and ride the wild horses. Basically, get the feel of Genghis Khans world. Give Thailand a miss and head to Azores in Portugal. It is definitely worth a visit. Want to mix thrill and natural beauty? Heli-safari along Kimberley coast in Western Australia is where you should be headed next. The Everest base camp is now passetry out the base camp in Greenland, which is a semi-permanent collection of canvas cabins on the shores of an inlet, off Sermilik Fjord. Get down and dirty, feel the rustic adventure in this coming year.

Food

The Colour Purple

After trends like artisan chocolates and glocal sourcing took the world by storm, everyone seems to have embraced the natural, imperfect-looking, free-ranging food lately.

According to nutrition experts, purple food will raid our kitchen the coming year. Corn, cauliflower, asparagus, sweet potatoes everything will turn purple.

According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveya program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United Statespeople who eat purple and blue foods have a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome, which is a precursor for Type 2 Diabetes.

Plus, they have smaller waist circumferences. Not only are the purple foods high in anti-oxidants, they are also known to have healthy fats, which is good for the heart. More purple food on the plate also means reduced risk of high blood pressure and low cholesterol. 2017 might be the year when it is proved that purple food is not just another health fad, people are falling for.

Timepiece

Out of the Closet

The world woke up to Skeleton watches in 2016, and looks like 2017 will belong to these tell-all watches. The watch brands are not only fine-tuning their movements to make them look impressive but also experimenting with metals that are easy to work with. The timepieces also have minimum usage of metal and are constantly getting rid of bridges and parts that can obstruct the view. Take for example, the Cartier Skeleton watch. It brought contrast into the picture by meticulously arranging the skeleton movement in a circle. The pieces were then sandwiched between sapphire crystals, tightly inside a case, creating a floating-effect. Apart from Cartier, brands like Roger Dubuis, Hublot and Audemars Piguet have also taken the trend to a whole new level. Looks like the skeleton is not only out of the closet but making its presence felt too.

Style

Fashion Forward

It seems like light years ago when fashion meant putting yourself in a tight spot, literally. Corsets, ankle-breaking heels, and Juicy Couture flightwear, thank heavens, are now greeted by derision. Fashion in 2017 will be all about being yourself. The trend will tilt towards shorter heels, athleisure (albeit a little fitted) and edgier biker jackets. Martial style is going to be big the coming year (read cool military jackets with lots of brooches and buttons, and khaki). Unrestrained, somewhat over-the-top fashion, will be back with a vengeance. So, stock your wardrobe with glitter lurex, electro furs, velvets and embellished sneakers. In terms of prints, we are betting big on stripes; tartan checks (Emma Watson has sported it on several occasions), and florals. No you don't need to hustle your way into the barbed ramp shows to spot the trend. Thank us later.

Gadget

It is All in the Touch

The kind of hysteria that an Apple iPhone launch garners is unmatchable. But the American company has been getting a lot of flak for its recent launches. None of those have been a breakthrough of any sort. In fact, the latest television commercial for MotoG cleverly takes a dig at the interactive phone. Apple CEO Tim Cook and his team seem to have pulled up their socks, and will try to break the image in 2017. If tech grapevine is to be believed, iPhone 8marking the 10th anniversaryis anything but a shadow of its past models. What is making the iPhone enthusiasts flip is its curved screen without the bezel. Working on an OLED technique, the screen will be made of plastic and not glass (rumoured to be provided by Samsung). It means richer colours, better resolution and lower power consumption. If the new model gets rid of the battery problems, iPhone 8 can be truly be breathtaking, if not a breakthrough.

Automobile Jeep-ers Creepers There is some good news for the adrenaline junkies. The launch of a compact crossover SUV from the Fiat Chrysler factory, the Jeep Compass, is something that true car lovers can get excited about. While the exterior might remind you of a Grand Cherokee, the ride is sleeker and more chromatic. The Indian edition will have three variantsSport, Longitude, and Limited. Roughly marked in the `20-25 lakh category, it is an affordable offering from the American auto giant. So, now you know what to buy if you are planning that road trip next year. Art Ninth Time Lucky The India Art Fair is a happy gathering of Indias arty-farty public. This is where the wine-guzzling glitterati rubs shoulders with the jhola chaap art school types. The ninth edition will be the first one after the MCH Group (Basel) bought a stake in the venture. MCH also organises Baselworld and Design Miami, and we are sure that with its global expertise and experience, MCH will be able to give India Art Fair a more global hue. The line-up this year includes a Speakers Forum that brings together artists, curators, patrons and professionals in the field of visual arts to explore themes on cultural integration through arts in South Asia. There is also a dedicated film programme, which will explore the intersection between filmmaking and visual arts in India from time immemorial to the present. Dont sit this one out. Travel Off the Beaten Track Get out of the known arena, travel to places you havent heard of. Try the Altai Kazakh Eagle Hunters Festival in Mongolia. Hunt eagles with the local Mongolian tribes and ride the wild horses. Basically, get the feel of Genghis Khans world. Give Thailand a miss and head to Azores in Portugal. It is definitely worth a visit. Want to mix thrill and natural beauty? Heli-safari along Kimberley coast in Western Australia is where you should be headed next. The Everest base camp is now passetry out the base camp in Greenland, which is a semi-permanent collection of canvas cabins on the shores of an inlet, off Sermilik Fjord. Get down and dirty, feel the rustic adventure in this coming year. Food The Colour Purple After trends like artisan chocolates and glocal sourcing took the world by storm, everyone seems to have embraced the natural, imperfect-looking, free-ranging food lately. According to nutrition experts, purple food will raid our kitchen the coming year. Corn, cauliflower, asparagus, sweet potatoes everything will turn purple. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveya program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United Statespeople who eat purple and blue foods have a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome, which is a precursor for Type 2 Diabetes. Plus, they have smaller waist circumferences. Not only are the purple foods high in anti-oxidants, they are also known to have healthy fats, which is good for the heart. More purple food on the plate also means reduced risk of high blood pressure and low cholesterol. 2017 might be the year when it is proved that purple food is not just another health fad, people are falling for. Timepiece Out of the Closet The world woke up to Skeleton watches in 2016, and looks like 2017 will belong to these tell-all watches. The watch brands are not only fine-tuning their movements to make them look impressive but also experimenting with metals that are easy to work with. The timepieces also have minimum usage of metal and are constantly getting rid of bridges and parts that can obstruct the view. Take for example, the Cartier Skeleton watch. It brought contrast into the picture by meticulously arranging the skeleton movement in a circle. The pieces were then sandwiched between sapphire crystals, tightly inside a case, creating a floating-effect. Apart from Cartier, brands like Roger Dubuis, Hublot and Audemars Piguet have also taken the trend to a whole new level. Looks like the skeleton is not only out of the closet but making its presence felt too. Style Fashion Forward It seems like light years ago when fashion meant putting yourself in a tight spot, literally. Corsets, ankle-breaking heels, and Juicy Couture flightwear, thank heavens, are now greeted by derision. Fashion in 2017 will be all about being yourself. The trend will tilt towards shorter heels, athleisure (albeit a little fitted) and edgier biker jackets. Martial style is going to be big the coming year (read cool military jackets with lots of brooches and buttons, and khaki). Unrestrained, somewhat over-the-top fashion, will be back with a vengeance. So, stock your wardrobe with glitter lurex, electro furs, velvets and embellished sneakers. In terms of prints, we are betting big on stripes; tartan checks (Emma Watson has sported it on several occasions), and florals. No you don't need to hustle your way into the barbed ramp shows to spot the trend. Thank us later. Gadget It is All in the Touch The kind of hysteria that an Apple iPhone launch garners is unmatchable. But the American company has been getting a lot of flak for its recent launches. None of those have been a breakthrough of any sort. In fact, the latest television commercial for MotoG cleverly takes a dig at the interactive phone. Apple CEO Tim Cook and his team seem to have pulled up their socks, and will try to break the image in 2017. If tech grapevine is to be believed, iPhone 8marking the 10th anniversaryis anything but a shadow of its past models. What is making the iPhone enthusiasts flip is its curved screen without the bezel. Working on an OLED technique, the screen will be made of plastic and not glass (rumoured to be provided by Samsung). It means richer colours, better resolution and lower power consumption. If the new model gets rid of the battery problems, iPhone 8 can be truly be breathtaking, if not a breakthrough.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: Politically-unstable Arunachal Pradesh is headed towards another court battle following Chief Minister Pema Khandus suspension by his Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA).

Khandus camp claimed that there was no threat to his government as he still enjoys the support of 49 of the 60 MLAs  35 from his Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA), 12 from the BJP and two Independents.

The PPA has 43 MLAs of which seven, including Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, were suspended on Thursday night for alleged anti-party activities. The Congress has three MLAs. Theres no threat to the Khandu government. He has the support of 49 MLAs, government spokesman B Felix told Express.

The BJP, whom the Congress had accused of engineering dissidence within the party and dislodging the Nabam Tuki government in January, also claimed that Khandu enjoyed the support of most PPA MLAs.

The BJP stands behind Pema as he is the NEDA (North East Democratic Alliance) chief minister. This is an internal matter of PPA and we dont want to meddle in it. However, if it is a question of NEDA leadership, BJP will stand behind Pema, BJPs Arunachal unit president Tapir Gao told Express. At this juncture, he (Pema) has got the requisite number, he claimed.

NEDA is a conglomerate of non-Congress political parties of Northeast where BJP is a major player. The party is a constituent of Arunachals two-party ruling coalition where PPA calls the shots. Wary that PPA leadership might move court challenging the Constitutional validity of a suspended legislators continuance as chief minister, Khandus camp is planning to examine the legality of the suspension order, which was issued by PPA president Kahfa Bengia.

Were looking into the legal aspect. Well legally scrutinise the locus standi of the suspension order, a source close to Khandu said. The PPA leaders were busy attending a series of meetings on Friday and as such, their next move was in the realms of speculations. They had more or less decided on making Takam Tagar (Pario), the States richest MLA, as the next chief minister.

Earlier in the day, Pario claimed he had the support of most party MLAs. Yes, its true only my name is doing the rounds for PPA Legislature Party leader. Ive the support of all PPA MLAs and party leadership, he claimed.

PPA chairman Kamen Ringu said the action against the seven MLAs was taken as they kept neglecting the party.

They never came to party office or discussed issues with PPA leadership. That caused full resentment in party ranks and files. He did whatever he liked and wanted. He has not convened a single meeting of NEDA. He has totally failed to coordinate in the interests of PPA. He destroyed our camp and allowed other parties to grow, the PPA chairman alleged. He said the PPA had got reports from BJP circles that he is on the verge of merging PPA with BJP.

GUWAHATI: Politically-unstable Arunachal Pradesh is headed towards another court battle following Chief Minister Pema Khandus suspension by his Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA). Khandus camp claimed that there was no threat to his government as he still enjoys the support of 49 of the 60 MLAs  35 from his Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA), 12 from the BJP and two Independents. The PPA has 43 MLAs of which seven, including Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, were suspended on Thursday night for alleged anti-party activities. The Congress has three MLAs. Theres no threat to the Khandu government. He has the support of 49 MLAs, government spokesman B Felix told Express. The BJP, whom the Congress had accused of engineering dissidence within the party and dislodging the Nabam Tuki government in January, also claimed that Khandu enjoyed the support of most PPA MLAs. The BJP stands behind Pema as he is the NEDA (North East Democratic Alliance) chief minister. This is an internal matter of PPA and we dont want to meddle in it. However, if it is a question of NEDA leadership, BJP will stand behind Pema, BJPs Arunachal unit president Tapir Gao told Express. At this juncture, he (Pema) has got the requisite number, he claimed. NEDA is a conglomerate of non-Congress political parties of Northeast where BJP is a major player. The party is a constituent of Arunachals two-party ruling coalition where PPA calls the shots. Wary that PPA leadership might move court challenging the Constitutional validity of a suspended legislators continuance as chief minister, Khandus camp is planning to examine the legality of the suspension order, which was issued by PPA president Kahfa Bengia. Were looking into the legal aspect. Well legally scrutinise the locus standi of the suspension order, a source close to Khandu said. The PPA leaders were busy attending a series of meetings on Friday and as such, their next move was in the realms of speculations. They had more or less decided on making Takam Tagar (Pario), the States richest MLA, as the next chief minister. Earlier in the day, Pario claimed he had the support of most party MLAs. Yes, its true only my name is doing the rounds for PPA Legislature Party leader. Ive the support of all PPA MLAs and party leadership, he claimed. PPA chairman Kamen Ringu said the action against the seven MLAs was taken as they kept neglecting the party. They never came to party office or discussed issues with PPA leadership. That caused full resentment in party ranks and files. He did whatever he liked and wanted. He has not convened a single meeting of NEDA. He has totally failed to coordinate in the interests of PPA. He destroyed our camp and allowed other parties to grow, the PPA chairman alleged. He said the PPA had got reports from BJP circles that he is on the verge of merging PPA with BJP.
By PTI

LUCKNOW: Setting the stage for a show of strength, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who was expelled from Samajwadi Party by his father and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, today held a meeting at his residence where a majority of the 229 party MLAs were present.



Though the exact number of those present at the meeting was not immediately known, insiders maintained that a majority of the 229 SP MLAs were present. Besides, some SP MLCs and senior party functionaries loyal to Akhilesh attended the meeting.

Neta humaare Mulayam Singh Yadav ji hain aur CM pasand Akhilesh ji hain: Ateeq Ahmed,SP pic.twitter.com/kgslKqNJDF  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

Akhilesh is expected to meet his supporters and party workers later in the day to prove his strength.



The chief minister's 5-Kalidas Marg residence appeared to be the hub of high drama with youth supporters of Akhilesh assembling in large numbers to vent their fury over his expulsion and that of his uncle Ramgopal Yadav.

Also Read: Netaji holds son Akhilesh, cousin Ram Gopal liable for family feud



Political activities hotted up right from the morning with a series of meetings planned during the day, when Mulayam will meet party candidates announced by him and state SP chief Shivpal Yadav, the warring uncle of Akhilesh.



Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh today termed the crisis in the party as "unfortunate" and asked party members to support Mulayam in the family feud.

Also Read: People have already expelled Akhilesh, claims BJP; Congress expresses concern



"I appeal to the party members to stand with Netaji (Mulayam). Whatever is happening is very unfortunate," Amar, who had recently made a comeback to the party after a long exile, said.



Mulayam had yesterday expelled his son Akhilesh and Ramgopal from SP for six years after they put up candidates against the official nominees and summoned a party meet tomorrow, pushing the ruling party to the precipice of a split just ahead of the UP Assembly elections likely to be announced any day now.



Mulayam had said he took the action against Akhilesh and Ramgopal to save the party which he had built through hard efforts.

Also Read: Mulayam expels Akhilesh, Ram Gopal for 6 years from party



"We have to save the party. The party comes first. That is why we are expelling both Akhilesh and Ramgopal," he said.



He explained that the decision was taken after Ramgopal, in his capacity as general secretary, called an emergency meeting of the party on January 1 and Akhilesh "supported" it.

LUCKNOW: Setting the stage for a show of strength, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who was expelled from Samajwadi Party by his father and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, today held a meeting at his residence where a majority of the 229 party MLAs were present. Though the exact number of those present at the meeting was not immediately known, insiders maintained that a majority of the 229 SP MLAs were present. Besides, some SP MLCs and senior party functionaries loyal to Akhilesh attended the meeting. Neta humaare Mulayam Singh Yadav ji hain aur CM pasand Akhilesh ji hain: Ateeq Ahmed,SP pic.twitter.com/kgslKqNJDF  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016 Akhilesh is expected to meet his supporters and party workers later in the day to prove his strength. The chief minister's 5-Kalidas Marg residence appeared to be the hub of high drama with youth supporters of Akhilesh assembling in large numbers to vent their fury over his expulsion and that of his uncle Ramgopal Yadav. Also Read: Netaji holds son Akhilesh, cousin Ram Gopal liable for family feud Political activities hotted up right from the morning with a series of meetings planned during the day, when Mulayam will meet party candidates announced by him and state SP chief Shivpal Yadav, the warring uncle of Akhilesh. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh today termed the crisis in the party as "unfortunate" and asked party members to support Mulayam in the family feud. Also Read: People have already expelled Akhilesh, claims BJP; Congress expresses concern "I appeal to the party members to stand with Netaji (Mulayam). Whatever is happening is very unfortunate," Amar, who had recently made a comeback to the party after a long exile, said. Mulayam had yesterday expelled his son Akhilesh and Ramgopal from SP for six years after they put up candidates against the official nominees and summoned a party meet tomorrow, pushing the ruling party to the precipice of a split just ahead of the UP Assembly elections likely to be announced any day now. Mulayam had said he took the action against Akhilesh and Ramgopal to save the party which he had built through hard efforts. Also Read: Mulayam expels Akhilesh, Ram Gopal for 6 years from party "We have to save the party. The party comes first. That is why we are expelling both Akhilesh and Ramgopal," he said. He explained that the decision was taken after Ramgopal, in his capacity as general secretary, called an emergency meeting of the party on January 1 and Akhilesh "supported" it.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: Outgoing Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh on Saturday assured the nation that the Indian Army is fully prepared and well trained to tackle any external or internal challenges.

I want to reassure the nation that the Indian Army is fully prepared and well trained to tackle any challenges be it external or internal, said General Singh after paying homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti here on his last day in office.

General Singh said that the Indian Army has delivered adequate, immediate and an intense response in the last two and a half years of his tenure, which was promised by him while taking over as army chief.

The day I took over as army chief, I had said that our response to any action will be more than adequate, immediate, intense. I strongly believe that actions must speak louder than words, he said.

Saluting the martyrs for their supreme sacrifices in upholding honour of the nation, he expressed his gratitude to the Centre for their support and granting of One Rank One Pension.

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha also paid homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti on his last day in office.

General Singh will be succeeded by General Bipin Rawat while Air Chief Marshal Raha will be succeeded by Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa.

NEW DELHI: Outgoing Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh on Saturday assured the nation that the Indian Army is fully prepared and well trained to tackle any external or internal challenges. I want to reassure the nation that the Indian Army is fully prepared and well trained to tackle any challenges be it external or internal, said General Singh after paying homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti here on his last day in office. General Singh said that the Indian Army has delivered adequate, immediate and an intense response in the last two and a half years of his tenure, which was promised by him while taking over as army chief. The day I took over as army chief, I had said that our response to any action will be more than adequate, immediate, intense. I strongly believe that actions must speak louder than words, he said. Saluting the martyrs for their supreme sacrifices in upholding honour of the nation, he expressed his gratitude to the Centre for their support and granting of One Rank One Pension. Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha also paid homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti on his last day in office. General Singh will be succeeded by General Bipin Rawat while Air Chief Marshal Raha will be succeeded by Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: As speculated, 33 of the 43 Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) MLAs, including suspended Chief Minister Pema Khandu, defected to BJP on Saturday, which effectively made it a saffron party government.

This is the second BJP government in Northeast after the one in Assam. The development came two days after Khandu and six PPA MLAs were suspended by party leadership for alleged anti-party activities, followed by the suspension of 12 more party MLAs on Saturday morning.

The defection of the 33 PPA MLAs took BJPs tally to 45 in a House of 60. Two Independent MLAs are also extending their support to Khandu and BJP. PPA is now left with just 10 MLAs while the Congress, which ruled Arunachal for most part, has three MLAs.

We had submitted a list of the names of 33 MLAs, including that of mine, to the Speaker for merger with BJP and the Speaker accepted it, Khandu told the media in Itanagar.

Thus, it becomes a full-fledged BJP government. We all will work for stability and development of the State, he asserted.

Asked about the reason of their en bloc defection, Khandu said, We were ill-treated. As such, we had no option but to join BJP.

The PPA has not yet spelt out its next move but it might move Governor (acting) V Shanmuganathan seeking his intervention. There is also a possibility that the party will challenge the merger and suspended Khandus continuance as chief minister in court.

Well do what we should. Right now, we will not say anything. We will see. We gave them enough warnings and also suspended a few of them but they kept violating party diktats, PPA chairman Kamen Ringu told Express. On Friday, he had accused Khandu and the other suspended MLAs of working against the interests of PPA.

The BJP said Khandu would continue as the CM. It will be a strong BJP government now, the partys Arunachal unit president Tapir Gao said.

Much before its Assam feat in May this year, the BJP had set its sights on the politically-fragile Arunachal. The party has been upfront, albeit behind the curtain, in the political unrest of the State in the past two years. During the power struggle between former CMs Nabam Tuki and the late Kalikho Pul, the Congress had accused the BJP of toppling the Tuki government by engineering dissidence within the grand old party.

In a State that has a history of political upheavals, speculations were rife the PPA MLAs defection to the BJP was only a matter of time. So, the development has not come as a surprise to many. For years now, horse-trading wrangling for power and political instability has been part of real politic in Arunachal.

From the times of the States longest-serving Chief Minister Gegong Apang, to the late Jarbom Gamlin and to Pema Khandu, most CMs had to battle with contenders. Leaving aside Apang who had served for nearly 23 years  18 of them on the trot  there has been, on an average, a change of the CM every two years.

A Union territory till February 20, 1987 but its legislature coming into existence in 1975 with Prem Khandu Thungan assuming the charge of the first CM, Arunachal so far has seen 11 CMs and two President's rule with the last being imposed from January 27 to February 19, 2016.

GUWAHATI: As speculated, 33 of the 43 Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) MLAs, including suspended Chief Minister Pema Khandu, defected to BJP on Saturday, which effectively made it a saffron party government. This is the second BJP government in Northeast after the one in Assam. The development came two days after Khandu and six PPA MLAs were suspended by party leadership for alleged anti-party activities, followed by the suspension of 12 more party MLAs on Saturday morning. The defection of the 33 PPA MLAs took BJPs tally to 45 in a House of 60. Two Independent MLAs are also extending their support to Khandu and BJP. PPA is now left with just 10 MLAs while the Congress, which ruled Arunachal for most part, has three MLAs. We had submitted a list of the names of 33 MLAs, including that of mine, to the Speaker for merger with BJP and the Speaker accepted it, Khandu told the media in Itanagar. Thus, it becomes a full-fledged BJP government. We all will work for stability and development of the State, he asserted. Asked about the reason of their en bloc defection, Khandu said, We were ill-treated. As such, we had no option but to join BJP. The PPA has not yet spelt out its next move but it might move Governor (acting) V Shanmuganathan seeking his intervention. There is also a possibility that the party will challenge the merger and suspended Khandus continuance as chief minister in court. Well do what we should. Right now, we will not say anything. We will see. We gave them enough warnings and also suspended a few of them but they kept violating party diktats, PPA chairman Kamen Ringu told Express. On Friday, he had accused Khandu and the other suspended MLAs of working against the interests of PPA. The BJP said Khandu would continue as the CM. It will be a strong BJP government now, the partys Arunachal unit president Tapir Gao said. Much before its Assam feat in May this year, the BJP had set its sights on the politically-fragile Arunachal. The party has been upfront, albeit behind the curtain, in the political unrest of the State in the past two years. During the power struggle between former CMs Nabam Tuki and the late Kalikho Pul, the Congress had accused the BJP of toppling the Tuki government by engineering dissidence within the grand old party. In a State that has a history of political upheavals, speculations were rife the PPA MLAs defection to the BJP was only a matter of time. So, the development has not come as a surprise to many. For years now, horse-trading wrangling for power and political instability has been part of real politic in Arunachal. From the times of the States longest-serving Chief Minister Gegong Apang, to the late Jarbom Gamlin and to Pema Khandu, most CMs had to battle with contenders. Leaving aside Apang who had served for nearly 23 years  18 of them on the trot  there has been, on an average, a change of the CM every two years. A Union territory till February 20, 1987 but its legislature coming into existence in 1975 with Prem Khandu Thungan assuming the charge of the first CM, Arunachal so far has seen 11 CMs and two President's rule with the last being imposed from January 27 to February 19, 2016.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Following surgical strike on black money, PM Narendra Modi wooed middle class and farmers with multiple initiatives. While Modis new year address brought smile to the faces of common people with scores of pro-poor and pro-farmer schemes, it came with warning for those indulging in corrupt activities.

In his eagerly awaited address to the nation, the PM also talked about digital and cashless economyand announced many initiatives to promote this to eradicate black money and corruption. The PM also urged the banks to protect the honest people and to help them in day to day life.

Announcing relief under PM housing scheme, Modi said, So many years after independence, lakhs of poor don't have their homes. As black money grew, homes became out of reach of the poor and the middle class. In 2017, villagers who want to build their homes or expand them will get loans. For loans up to 2 lakh - 3% interest relief; 9 lakh - 4% interest relief; 12 lakh - 3% interest relief will be given.

Modi also informed about the fact that only a few are paying taxes to the government. There are just 24 lakh people in country who admit their income is more than 10 lakh. Every city you see, has people with large bungalows and cars. Don't you think the fight against black money and corruption deserves more power, he asked

Warning those indulging in corrupt activities, the PM said, law will do its job, punish the guilty. But for the government what is a priority is how the honest are secured and how honesty is more widely established. This government is a friend of the honest and hopes to bring the dishonest back on the right track.

Modi also hit on red tapism as he said, You often have poor experiences with red tapism, and bureaucracy. Whether it is Central government or state government, all are responsible for the welfare of the ordinary people and seclusion of the dishonest.

Mentioning some instances of corruption among bank officials, the PM said, Yes, some serious crimes have been revealed and the people responsible wont be spared Keeping in mind the independence of banks, I want to appeal to them to focus on the middle class and the underprivileged..

Announcing relief for farmers, Modi said, Government will take care of interest for 60 days for farmers who had taken loans from district coop, central bank. Rs 20,000 crore in NABARD fund to give loans to farmers. In 3 months, 3 crore Kisan Credit Cards will be transformed to RuPay credit cards. Farmers had to go to banks to withdraw money. With this they will be able to sell and buy at any place.

Similarly, the PM also announced some relief for small and medium industries. He said that for small entrepreneurs, credit guarantee raised from 1 crore to 2 crore and loans by non-banking financial companies will also be covered in this.

In a bid to promote digital transactions, Modi said, For entrepreneurs dealing in such transaction, tax will be calculated at 6 per cent, not 8.

The PM also announced a national scheme for pregnant women, saying,  Pregnant women will get Rs 6,000 for their delivery, vaccination, for nutritious meals. This will help reduce the reduce deaths of mothers during childbirth.

Modi also brought smile on the faces of senior citizens as he said that they will be assured 8 per cent interest on their deposits up to Rs. 7.5 lakh.

Modi also talked about role of black money in political funding saying, When corruption and black money is brought up, political funding becomes a large part of it. Time has come for all political leaders to understand the people.

He further talked about electoral reform and said, the time has come when politicians shun holier than thou mentality and work towards reforming the political system. Even the President has spoken on this.

Modi also invoked Mahatma Gandhi as he said, In 1917, under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership, the first Satyagraha was launched in Champaran. A hundred years later, we see Indians still have the same strength. Mahatma Gandhi is not anymore but people have shown that his spirit lives on.

NEW DELHI: Following surgical strike on black money, PM Narendra Modi wooed middle class and farmers with multiple initiatives. While Modis new year address brought smile to the faces of common people with scores of pro-poor and pro-farmer schemes, it came with warning for those indulging in corrupt activities. In his eagerly awaited address to the nation, the PM also talked about digital and cashless economyand announced many initiatives to promote this to eradicate black money and corruption. The PM also urged the banks to protect the honest people and to help them in day to day life. Announcing relief under PM housing scheme, Modi said, So many years after independence, lakhs of poor don't have their homes. As black money grew, homes became out of reach of the poor and the middle class. In 2017, villagers who want to build their homes or expand them will get loans. For loans up to 2 lakh - 3% interest relief; 9 lakh - 4% interest relief; 12 lakh - 3% interest relief will be given. Modi also informed about the fact that only a few are paying taxes to the government. There are just 24 lakh people in country who admit their income is more than 10 lakh. Every city you see, has people with large bungalows and cars. Don't you think the fight against black money and corruption deserves more power, he asked Warning those indulging in corrupt activities, the PM said, law will do its job, punish the guilty. But for the government what is a priority is how the honest are secured and how honesty is more widely established. This government is a friend of the honest and hopes to bring the dishonest back on the right track. Modi also hit on red tapism as he said, You often have poor experiences with red tapism, and bureaucracy. Whether it is Central government or state government, all are responsible for the welfare of the ordinary people and seclusion of the dishonest. Mentioning some instances of corruption among bank officials, the PM said, Yes, some serious crimes have been revealed and the people responsible wont be spared Keeping in mind the independence of banks, I want to appeal to them to focus on the middle class and the underprivileged.. Announcing relief for farmers, Modi said, Government will take care of interest for 60 days for farmers who had taken loans from district coop, central bank. Rs 20,000 crore in NABARD fund to give loans to farmers. In 3 months, 3 crore Kisan Credit Cards will be transformed to RuPay credit cards. Farmers had to go to banks to withdraw money. With this they will be able to sell and buy at any place. Similarly, the PM also announced some relief for small and medium industries. He said that for small entrepreneurs, credit guarantee raised from 1 crore to 2 crore and loans by non-banking financial companies will also be covered in this. In a bid to promote digital transactions, Modi said, For entrepreneurs dealing in such transaction, tax will be calculated at 6 per cent, not 8. The PM also announced a national scheme for pregnant women, saying,  Pregnant women will get Rs 6,000 for their delivery, vaccination, for nutritious meals. This will help reduce the reduce deaths of mothers during childbirth. Modi also brought smile on the faces of senior citizens as he said that they will be assured 8 per cent interest on their deposits up to Rs. 7.5 lakh. Modi also talked about role of black money in political funding saying, When corruption and black money is brought up, political funding becomes a large part of it. Time has come for all political leaders to understand the people. He further talked about electoral reform and said, the time has come when politicians shun holier than thou mentality and work towards reforming the political system. Even the President has spoken on this. Modi also invoked Mahatma Gandhi as he said, In 1917, under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership, the first Satyagraha was launched in Champaran. A hundred years later, we see Indians still have the same strength. Mahatma Gandhi is not anymore but people have shown that his spirit lives on.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: /MUMBAI: The Congress party on Friday expressed concern over the growing political instability in Uttar Pradesh in the wake of dramatic developments in the Samajwadi Party and claimed the BJP is dreaming of assuming power in the state through the backdoor by fishing in troubled waters.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said the people of Uttar Pradesh have already expelled Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav should now answer why he betrayed the State by imposing his son after the 2012 polls.

Congress doesnt delve into internal divisions in another party, but we are deeply concerned about growing political instability in UP, said the partys chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

More alarming are reports that BJP is dreaming of assuming power through the back door by fishing in troubled waters, he claimed. The Congress government was similarly brought down in Arunachal by engineering defections.

Akhilesh Yadav has let down the people of Uttar Pradesh with the all-round failure of his government. He has not fulfilled any promise. People are feeling betrayed. Now Mulayam has expelled him from the party. People have already expelled him due to his governance failures, said BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma.

People had voted for the SP in 2012 as they were angry with the Mayawati government over poor law and order and development but SP has also let them down, he said, blaming Yadav for deteriorating law and order.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra unit of SP expressed complete support to Akhilesh.

Akhileshji has successfully demonstrated how development work can be carried out in a State. Not only the Maharashtra unit of the party, but the whole nation is with him, State unit president of SP Abu Azmi told Express.

We shall discuss future course of action with Ram Gopalji and act accordingly, he added.

NEW DELHI: /MUMBAI: The Congress party on Friday expressed concern over the growing political instability in Uttar Pradesh in the wake of dramatic developments in the Samajwadi Party and claimed the BJP is dreaming of assuming power in the state through the backdoor by fishing in troubled waters. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said the people of Uttar Pradesh have already expelled Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav should now answer why he betrayed the State by imposing his son after the 2012 polls. Congress doesnt delve into internal divisions in another party, but we are deeply concerned about growing political instability in UP, said the partys chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. More alarming are reports that BJP is dreaming of assuming power through the back door by fishing in troubled waters, he claimed. The Congress government was similarly brought down in Arunachal by engineering defections. Akhilesh Yadav has let down the people of Uttar Pradesh with the all-round failure of his government. He has not fulfilled any promise. People are feeling betrayed. Now Mulayam has expelled him from the party. People have already expelled him due to his governance failures, said BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma. People had voted for the SP in 2012 as they were angry with the Mayawati government over poor law and order and development but SP has also let them down, he said, blaming Yadav for deteriorating law and order. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra unit of SP expressed complete support to Akhilesh. Akhileshji has successfully demonstrated how development work can be carried out in a State. Not only the Maharashtra unit of the party, but the whole nation is with him, State unit president of SP Abu Azmi told Express. We shall discuss future course of action with Ram Gopalji and act accordingly, he added.
Anand ST Das By

Express News Service

PATNA: Ten miners were killed and a nearly 20 persons feared trapped when a massive mound of earth came crashing down on them at Lalmatia open cast coal mine of Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) on Thursday night, the worst such disaster in over a decade.

The bodies of ten miners were recovered on Friday from under the debris at a coal mine that collapsed in Jharkhands Godda district. Rescue operations continue to save nearly 20 others believed to be trapped.

A vehicle

When workers and machinery were engaged in mining operations some 200 feet beneath the ground at the Pahadia Bhodaye site in Rajmahal Opencast Project of ECL, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, a large heap of top ground caved in and blocked the entry point of the colliery, said officials.

The incident took place at about 8 p.m. on Thursday. Although the cause of the mishap is yet to be confirmed, the Ministry of Coal described the mishap as unprecedented and said it prima facie appeared to have resulted from a failure of the bench edge along the hidden fault line/slip.

Four of the dead workers were from Bihar, three from Jharkhand and one each from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das announced exgratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the victims while ECL announced an exgratia of Rs 5 lakh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal expressed grief over the deaths.

Rescue work is being carried out by NDRF personnel. We will take steps to ensure no recurrence of such mishaps, said Jharkhand chief secretary Rajvala Verma after visiting the mishap site on Friday. While the Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS) has been asked to probe the causes of the mishap, local people and Opposition political parties accused ECL and the executing agency, Mahalaxmi Company, of compromising safety standards to save costs.

ECL said the mishap took place as the workers were forced to continue mining operation even after their team leader had warned about the likelihood of collapse due to continued extraction of coal at the 12-year-old colliery.

PATNA: Ten miners were killed and a nearly 20 persons feared trapped when a massive mound of earth came crashing down on them at Lalmatia open cast coal mine of Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) on Thursday night, the worst such disaster in over a decade. The bodies of ten miners were recovered on Friday from under the debris at a coal mine that collapsed in Jharkhands Godda district. Rescue operations continue to save nearly 20 others believed to be trapped. A vehicleWhen workers and machinery were engaged in mining operations some 200 feet beneath the ground at the Pahadia Bhodaye site in Rajmahal Opencast Project of ECL, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, a large heap of top ground caved in and blocked the entry point of the colliery, said officials. The incident took place at about 8 p.m. on Thursday. Although the cause of the mishap is yet to be confirmed, the Ministry of Coal described the mishap as unprecedented and said it prima facie appeared to have resulted from a failure of the bench edge along the hidden fault line/slip. Four of the dead workers were from Bihar, three from Jharkhand and one each from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das announced exgratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the victims while ECL announced an exgratia of Rs 5 lakh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal expressed grief over the deaths. Rescue work is being carried out by NDRF personnel. We will take steps to ensure no recurrence of such mishaps, said Jharkhand chief secretary Rajvala Verma after visiting the mishap site on Friday. While the Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS) has been asked to probe the causes of the mishap, local people and Opposition political parties accused ECL and the executing agency, Mahalaxmi Company, of compromising safety standards to save costs. ECL said the mishap took place as the workers were forced to continue mining operation even after their team leader had warned about the likelihood of collapse due to continued extraction of coal at the 12-year-old colliery.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: After the second half of 2016 in Kashmir was consumed by unrest over killing of militant commander Burhan Wani, there are apprehensions that normalcy may not return and trouble will continue in Valley in view of recent controversies of issuance of identity certificates by PDP-BJP coalition government in State to West Pakistan Refugees (WPRs) and Supreme Court Verdict on implementation of SARFAESI Act in the State.

Tension will continue in 2017 as well. There are no reasons for tension to ease or come down because there has been no response from the central government or State government to what happened during over five months of unrest in the Valley, political analyst Prof Noor Mohammad Baba told Express.

Kashmir witnessed unrest after the killing of Burhan in an encounter with security forces in South Kashmir on July 8. For consecutive 51 days after Burhans killing, government enforced curfew in Valley to maintain law and order and foil anti-India protests. Besides, the Valley remained shut for over four months due to strike called by the separatists.

At least 94 people were killed, more than 13000 injured and over 8000 arrested in the Valley during over five months of the unrest. Of the 13000 injured, 8000 were hit by pellets and 1100 sustained pellet injuries in eyes. Many including a 13-year-old girl Insha Mushtaq of south Kashmirs Shopian district have been completely blinded.

Observing that situation wont be normal in 2017 in view of tension over issuance of domicile certificates to WPRs, who are living in J&K after partition, and Apex court verdict on SARFEASI Act, Baba said, There is no reason for the situation to ease out. It will continue for some time. However, it will not be repeat of what we saw from July to November. The situation will not be normal and protests in some form will continue.

He said people are not pacified. They have been humiliated. The non-seriousness on part of government only adds to their alienation. It also reinforces their mindset that they dont belong to mainstream India.

The separatist leaders, who are spearheading the agitation after Burhans killings, may continue the two-day shutdown in a week for some more time, he said.

Kashmir Chambers of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) chief Mushtaq Wani said nothing can be said how the things will go in 2017.

He said there is tension in the Valley over issuance of identity certificates to WPRs and Supreme court verdict on implementation of SARFAESI Act in J&K, which allows non state subjects to purchase mortgaged property from banks.

Both are very serious and complex issues and can be a cause for outbreak of another unrest in Valley, Wani said adding the State government should have a rethink on its policies in both the cases.

Civil society member and businessman Shakeel Qalandar said both the issues are very sensitive and critical issues.

If issuance of domicile certificates to WPRs is not stopped and review petition not filed by J&K government in Supreme Court to challenge the verdict on SARFAESI Act within a month, these issues are going to snowball into a bigger unrest than 2016. The government will be wholly and solely responsible for the ramifications, he said.

The State government has started issuing identity certificates to WPRs from August this year after clearance from central government. It has evoked strong resentment from separatists and opposition parties and Kashmir-based legislators.

Qalandar said about 100 people were killed, thousands injured and thousands blinded and maimed in security forces action during the over five month long unrest in the Valley.

The demand by people to probe the killings and punish the security men, who used excessive force, have not yielded any result as the government is unmoved, he said.

According to Qalandar, anger is brewing. In fact, the anger has turned into hatred against the State as well as central government. It needs to be noted.

Earlier, it used to be alienation and anger. Now it is hatred because of human rights violations, he said.

SRINAGAR: After the second half of 2016 in Kashmir was consumed by unrest over killing of militant commander Burhan Wani, there are apprehensions that normalcy may not return and trouble will continue in Valley in view of recent controversies of issuance of identity certificates by PDP-BJP coalition government in State to West Pakistan Refugees (WPRs) and Supreme Court Verdict on implementation of SARFAESI Act in the State. Tension will continue in 2017 as well. There are no reasons for tension to ease or come down because there has been no response from the central government or State government to what happened during over five months of unrest in the Valley, political analyst Prof Noor Mohammad Baba told Express. Kashmir witnessed unrest after the killing of Burhan in an encounter with security forces in South Kashmir on July 8. For consecutive 51 days after Burhans killing, government enforced curfew in Valley to maintain law and order and foil anti-India protests. Besides, the Valley remained shut for over four months due to strike called by the separatists. At least 94 people were killed, more than 13000 injured and over 8000 arrested in the Valley during over five months of the unrest. Of the 13000 injured, 8000 were hit by pellets and 1100 sustained pellet injuries in eyes. Many including a 13-year-old girl Insha Mushtaq of south Kashmirs Shopian district have been completely blinded. Observing that situation wont be normal in 2017 in view of tension over issuance of domicile certificates to WPRs, who are living in J&K after partition, and Apex court verdict on SARFEASI Act, Baba said, There is no reason for the situation to ease out. It will continue for some time. However, it will not be repeat of what we saw from July to November. The situation will not be normal and protests in some form will continue. He said people are not pacified. They have been humiliated. The non-seriousness on part of government only adds to their alienation. It also reinforces their mindset that they dont belong to mainstream India. The separatist leaders, who are spearheading the agitation after Burhans killings, may continue the two-day shutdown in a week for some more time, he said. Kashmir Chambers of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) chief Mushtaq Wani said nothing can be said how the things will go in 2017. He said there is tension in the Valley over issuance of identity certificates to WPRs and Supreme court verdict on implementation of SARFAESI Act in J&K, which allows non state subjects to purchase mortgaged property from banks. Both are very serious and complex issues and can be a cause for outbreak of another unrest in Valley, Wani said adding the State government should have a rethink on its policies in both the cases. Civil society member and businessman Shakeel Qalandar said both the issues are very sensitive and critical issues. If issuance of domicile certificates to WPRs is not stopped and review petition not filed by J&K government in Supreme Court to challenge the verdict on SARFAESI Act within a month, these issues are going to snowball into a bigger unrest than 2016. The government will be wholly and solely responsible for the ramifications, he said. The State government has started issuing identity certificates to WPRs from August this year after clearance from central government. It has evoked strong resentment from separatists and opposition parties and Kashmir-based legislators. Qalandar said about 100 people were killed, thousands injured and thousands blinded and maimed in security forces action during the over five month long unrest in the Valley. The demand by people to probe the killings and punish the security men, who used excessive force, have not yielded any result as the government is unmoved, he said. According to Qalandar, anger is brewing. In fact, the anger has turned into hatred against the State as well as central government. It needs to be noted. Earlier, it used to be alienation and anger. Now it is hatred because of human rights violations, he said.
Rakesh K Singh By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Controversial Salafist preacher Zakir Naik has shifted his radicalisation activities to Nepal following the ban on his outfits in India under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Naiks Pakistan connection also emerged during the probe by intelligence agencies.

Naiks cadres recently visited Kathmandu, Krishnanagar and Siraha and Birganj districts in the Terai region. They organised Street Daawah for recruitment and distributed misinterpreted Islamic literature. Street Daawah derives its origin from a similar movement in Australia a few years ago, in which its cadres joined the Islamic State. Recruits are randomly selected during Street Daawah, their phone numbers, residential and e-mail addresses are collected and they are radicalised through concocted Islamic literature and brainwashing.

Zakir Naik

Naik has also funded Nepal-based outfits Al Bayyan Islamic Centre in Birganj and Islamic Peace Research Foundation in the Terai belt. These are affiliated to International Islamic Centre, Sargodha, Pakistan. All these campaigns are being run on social networking platforms and are spearheaded by Farhat Hashmis Islamic International Centre. Hashmi also runs Al-Huda International in Canada, which converts Christians to Islam.

Naik helped Hashmi develop content for Al-Huda when it was being established in 1994. Hashmi is now paying back Naik.

Following the tightening of the noose around him by agencies here, Naik was under pressure to keep his network of radicalised cadres intact. Six senior cadres visited Nepal and used SIM cards issued by Indian telecom companies, a senior intelligence official said.

The Toronto-based outfit is likely to paint action against Naik as a human rights violation issue, intelligence sources said.

The action by the NIA against Zakir Naik is a step towards containment of his jihadi activities in India and a severe jolt to the regional network of radicalisation being run by him, counter-terrorism expert Rituraj Mate said.

The government has banned a number of outfits related to Naik, including Islamic Research Foundation and IRF Educational Trust. The NIA has booked him and his organisations under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

NEW DELHI: Controversial Salafist preacher Zakir Naik has shifted his radicalisation activities to Nepal following the ban on his outfits in India under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Naiks Pakistan connection also emerged during the probe by intelligence agencies. Naiks cadres recently visited Kathmandu, Krishnanagar and Siraha and Birganj districts in the Terai region. They organised Street Daawah for recruitment and distributed misinterpreted Islamic literature. Street Daawah derives its origin from a similar movement in Australia a few years ago, in which its cadres joined the Islamic State. Recruits are randomly selected during Street Daawah, their phone numbers, residential and e-mail addresses are collected and they are radicalised through concocted Islamic literature and brainwashing. Zakir NaikNaik has also funded Nepal-based outfits Al Bayyan Islamic Centre in Birganj and Islamic Peace Research Foundation in the Terai belt. These are affiliated to International Islamic Centre, Sargodha, Pakistan. All these campaigns are being run on social networking platforms and are spearheaded by Farhat Hashmis Islamic International Centre. Hashmi also runs Al-Huda International in Canada, which converts Christians to Islam. Naik helped Hashmi develop content for Al-Huda when it was being established in 1994. Hashmi is now paying back Naik. Following the tightening of the noose around him by agencies here, Naik was under pressure to keep his network of radicalised cadres intact. Six senior cadres visited Nepal and used SIM cards issued by Indian telecom companies, a senior intelligence official said. The Toronto-based outfit is likely to paint action against Naik as a human rights violation issue, intelligence sources said. The action by the NIA against Zakir Naik is a step towards containment of his jihadi activities in India and a severe jolt to the regional network of radicalisation being run by him, counter-terrorism expert Rituraj Mate said. The government has banned a number of outfits related to Naik, including Islamic Research Foundation and IRF Educational Trust. The NIA has booked him and his organisations under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
G S Vasu By

"Jiska danda bada hai, wahi bada bhai hai (whoever has the longer stick is our big brother)."



This refrain among Muslims, suggesting that they would go with the party that is most likely to keep the BJP away, is an indicator of the unclear, messy political situation in Uttar Pradesh, which was further muddled by the developments late Friday resulting in the expulsion of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav from the Samajwadi Party. If the end of 2016 witnessed an unprecedented economic move in the form of demonetisation, the beginning of 2017 is set to keep the nation engrossed with electoral politics as Uttar Pradesh, Indias most populous state, goes to the polls in February along with four other states.

Going by the inputs I gathered from various sources, including election watchers currently engaged in a survey in UP, this was the scenario until Thursday.

It appeared as though a threeway battle lay ahead between a Samajwadi Party that is battling anti-incumbency and internal troubles, a resurgent Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and a BJP which is suffering from loss of some of the momentum that it had gained in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

The BJPs support is down from the over 40 per cent vote it secured in 2014. A significant section of Dalits (read Jatavs) and Yadavs who voted for it in 2014 are back with their traditional base, the BSP and SP respectively.

Despite being in power for five years, the SP is not out of the reckoning. Regardless of the taint of rowdyism sticking to the party, Akhilesh Yadav has acquired the image of a chief minister who is focused on development.

The BSP has not only recovered the Jatav vote that it lost in 2014 but also enjoys the support of other Dalit communities. The consolidation of this vote in favour of Mayawati is almost complete.

The BJPs core vote among the upper castesBrahmins, Thakurs, etc.remains intact. However, what it appears to have lost, apart from a section of the Yadav and Jatav voters, is the Most Backward Classes (MBCs), many of whom plumped for Narendra Modi in 2014.

Which way this floating vote of MBCs and the consolidated vote of Muslims will move could well determine the outcome of the UP elections. If a majority of the Muslims were still in favour of the SP a few months ago, it has to be seen if Mayawati can tilt the balance to forge a Dalit- Muslim vote by projecting herself as the one capable of halting the BJP in its tracks. The unending Pari-war in the SP and the fact that Mayawati has offered tickets to more than 100 Muslims might have an impact.

* * *

By Friday night, however, an altogether new equation has emerged in UP. Following his expulsion, it is now more than certain that Akhilesh will float his own party, resulting in two factions of the SP fighting the polls although it is still not clear who will be able to lay claim to the partys poll symbol, which still matters in Indian elections. It is also more than likely that Akhilesh may now stitch up an alliance with the Congress and parties like the JD(U) and Ajit Singhs RLD that have a small footprint. There, however, seems to be no doubt that a majority of the SP supporters are with the younger leader. In fact, if Akhilesh loses this election eventually, he would surely regret the climbdown after having declared himself the new Sultan of the Samajwadi Party in the first bout of the Pari-war that we saw a few months ago. Woh tho rejected maal hai, is how SP supporters are reacting to his uncle, Shivpal Yadav, who is being backed by Mulayam Singh. Akhilesh emerged out of the shadows of Netaji long ago and has clearly acquired an image of his own, quite distinct from what his party is known for.



Two possibilities are thrown up by the political quake in the SP. If Muslims fear that the SP is out of the equation following the split, they could veer towards the BSP, but that could still see their vote getting divided between the SP and the BSP, giving that much advantage to the BJP. Akhilesh, who will seek to start on a clean slate, ridding himself of those who represent the goon culture, will surely try to whip up the emotional element of a chief minister devoted to development having been wronged by his own men. Assuming that it does carry with the voters, he could still be weighed down by rival SP candidates taking away a few thousand votes in each constituency. If he fails to forge an alliance with smaller parties, it could lead to multiple contestants in the poll fray, which again could work to the advantage of the BJP.



The one party for which UP is more than crucial is the BJP, coinciding as the election does with the half-way tenure of the Modi government. After the BJPs eminent defeat in Bihar, another term for the SP or a revival of the BSP will have more than a minimal impact on national politics.

A top ranking BJP leader told me over a month ago that the party would secure a two-thirds majority in UP if rival parties do not come together as they did in Bihar, but a couple of senior journalists reckoned a few days ago that the saffron party is not even in the race. Both views, to me, appeared like misplaced optimism or pessimism, depending on which side you are on.



The fact remains that the prime minister still enjoys a fairly high rating among the people, though a good number of them are now more vocal than before in saying that they are yet to see the promised Achche Din.

How Narendra Modi reverses the de-mon effectin his New Years Eve address to the nation or in his much-anticipated public meeting on January 2and what kind of sops the government is likely to come up with in the Union Budget and who will benefit the most from the SP family saga could well determine the outcome. Much before the Election Commission announces the poll schedule in the first week of January, it is possible that the state could go under Presidents Rule. And that could add yet another dimension as well.

G S Vasu

Editor, The New Indian Express

Email: vasu@newindianexpress.com

"Jiska danda bada hai, wahi bada bhai hai (whoever has the longer stick is our big brother)." This refrain among Muslims, suggesting that they would go with the party that is most likely to keep the BJP away, is an indicator of the unclear, messy political situation in Uttar Pradesh, which was further muddled by the developments late Friday resulting in the expulsion of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav from the Samajwadi Party. If the end of 2016 witnessed an unprecedented economic move in the form of demonetisation, the beginning of 2017 is set to keep the nation engrossed with electoral politics as Uttar Pradesh, Indias most populous state, goes to the polls in February along with four other states. Going by the inputs I gathered from various sources, including election watchers currently engaged in a survey in UP, this was the scenario until Thursday. It appeared as though a threeway battle lay ahead between a Samajwadi Party that is battling anti-incumbency and internal troubles, a resurgent Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and a BJP which is suffering from loss of some of the momentum that it had gained in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The BJPs support is down from the over 40 per cent vote it secured in 2014. A significant section of Dalits (read Jatavs) and Yadavs who voted for it in 2014 are back with their traditional base, the BSP and SP respectively. Despite being in power for five years, the SP is not out of the reckoning. Regardless of the taint of rowdyism sticking to the party, Akhilesh Yadav has acquired the image of a chief minister who is focused on development. The BSP has not only recovered the Jatav vote that it lost in 2014 but also enjoys the support of other Dalit communities. The consolidation of this vote in favour of Mayawati is almost complete. The BJPs core vote among the upper castesBrahmins, Thakurs, etc.remains intact. However, what it appears to have lost, apart from a section of the Yadav and Jatav voters, is the Most Backward Classes (MBCs), many of whom plumped for Narendra Modi in 2014. Which way this floating vote of MBCs and the consolidated vote of Muslims will move could well determine the outcome of the UP elections. If a majority of the Muslims were still in favour of the SP a few months ago, it has to be seen if Mayawati can tilt the balance to forge a Dalit- Muslim vote by projecting herself as the one capable of halting the BJP in its tracks. The unending Pari-war in the SP and the fact that Mayawati has offered tickets to more than 100 Muslims might have an impact. * * * By Friday night, however, an altogether new equation has emerged in UP. Following his expulsion, it is now more than certain that Akhilesh will float his own party, resulting in two factions of the SP fighting the polls although it is still not clear who will be able to lay claim to the partys poll symbol, which still matters in Indian elections. It is also more than likely that Akhilesh may now stitch up an alliance with the Congress and parties like the JD(U) and Ajit Singhs RLD that have a small footprint. There, however, seems to be no doubt that a majority of the SP supporters are with the younger leader. In fact, if Akhilesh loses this election eventually, he would surely regret the climbdown after having declared himself the new Sultan of the Samajwadi Party in the first bout of the Pari-war that we saw a few months ago. Woh tho rejected maal hai, is how SP supporters are reacting to his uncle, Shivpal Yadav, who is being backed by Mulayam Singh. Akhilesh emerged out of the shadows of Netaji long ago and has clearly acquired an image of his own, quite distinct from what his party is known for. Two possibilities are thrown up by the political quake in the SP. If Muslims fear that the SP is out of the equation following the split, they could veer towards the BSP, but that could still see their vote getting divided between the SP and the BSP, giving that much advantage to the BJP. Akhilesh, who will seek to start on a clean slate, ridding himself of those who represent the goon culture, will surely try to whip up the emotional element of a chief minister devoted to development having been wronged by his own men. Assuming that it does carry with the voters, he could still be weighed down by rival SP candidates taking away a few thousand votes in each constituency. If he fails to forge an alliance with smaller parties, it could lead to multiple contestants in the poll fray, which again could work to the advantage of the BJP. The one party for which UP is more than crucial is the BJP, coinciding as the election does with the half-way tenure of the Modi government. After the BJPs eminent defeat in Bihar, another term for the SP or a revival of the BSP will have more than a minimal impact on national politics. A top ranking BJP leader told me over a month ago that the party would secure a two-thirds majority in UP if rival parties do not come together as they did in Bihar, but a couple of senior journalists reckoned a few days ago that the saffron party is not even in the race. Both views, to me, appeared like misplaced optimism or pessimism, depending on which side you are on. The fact remains that the prime minister still enjoys a fairly high rating among the people, though a good number of them are now more vocal than before in saying that they are yet to see the promised Achche Din. How Narendra Modi reverses the de-mon effectin his New Years Eve address to the nation or in his much-anticipated public meeting on January 2and what kind of sops the government is likely to come up with in the Union Budget and who will benefit the most from the SP family saga could well determine the outcome. Much before the Election Commission announces the poll schedule in the first week of January, it is possible that the state could go under Presidents Rule. And that could add yet another dimension as well. G S Vasu Editor, The New Indian Express Email: vasu@newindianexpress.com
Prabhu Chawla By

2016 has ended with a bang. 2017 promises to be thunderous. Vows of 2015 were mostly forgotten in the Wows of 2016. Pledges by politicians are will-o-the-wisps that vanish once the curtains come down on the elections. Similarly, New Year resolutions are just calendar fodder. Ladies and gentlemen, its business as usual. Once the warm and fuzzy glow of self-deception dissipates in the hard metal light of the new dawn, its back to old diehard habitsdeceit, conspiracies, abuse, backstabbing, chest-thumping, double-dealing, sycophancy and blackmail, which are the favorite weapons of public figures to settle private scores. There may be a few exceptions, which only prove the rule.

As we enter 2017 today, the power class of political players, corporate caliphs, glamorous glitterati and media mavens must promise to be good in 2017. However, telecom operators will make billions through wish you a Happy New Year SMSes sent from over 400 million mobile phones.

E-gateways will mint money in dollars as social media apps choke on gazillion posts. But what the heck, its New Year folks, the time of good cheer and illusions. Hypocrisy is hip when you ring out the old. Heres a menu of New Year commitments for Indias sinfully supreme establishment.

Crime Cannot Pay: India is the only country where criminals dominate the list of lawmakers. As per conservative estimates, over 30 per cent of MPs and around 40 per cent of all MLAs are either facing criminal charges or have been chargesheeted. Any political party cares to promise that no lawbreaker will become a lawmaker?



Make Digital Destiny: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a blistering battle against black money. Politics is the mother lode of black money since political donations escape all scrutiny. No party has so far refused to accept cash. The PM and his mantris are on an overdrive to persuade Indians to go cashless or create a less-cash economy. But charity must begin at home. Why cant the ruling party order its office-bearers from top to bottom to accept donations only digitally? Let all candidates take a pledge to exclusively use digital platforms to settle election accounts.

Let them all resolve to post a list of their donors along with addresses on their website, accompanied by the audited accounts. If farmers and small traders are being advised to refrain from making cash payments, it shouldnt be a problem for political powerhouses to use their expensive mobile phones to solicit donations. Let their slogan be: Donate Digitally for Digitically Clean Politics. BJP President Amit Shah took the outlier decision of directing saffron legislators to submit details of all their bank transactions from November 8 onwards. Hopefully, he will make his findings public and put his opponents on the defensive.

Make the Publicly Important Politically Impotent: Political maharajas and power hungry panjandrums bask in their VIP status. Normally, a person is accorded such a status so that they can perform their official duties undisturbed or ensure security in the face of terror threats. Going by the number of its VIPs, India seems to be the most unsafe country for its elected leaders who are unable to do public service unless they are given preferential treatment. Swaggering VIPs, surrounded by gun-toting cops are seen all over the place from airports to shopping malls seeking special attention. Even their wives and kids enjoy armed protection.

Both the Centre and states have lists, which define the protocol status of many leeches of public money. But why does no pan-Indian VIP list exist? Some concerned citizens have compiled a catalogue of 5,79,092 Indians who flaunt their VIP status all over the country. These include MLAs, MPs and civil servants and corporate leaders. On the contrary, rich nations are judicious about conferring security. Great Britain has only 84 VIPs. France has 109, Japan 125, Germany 142, USA 252, Russia 312 and China 435. Let Modi apply the principle of Maximum Governance, Minimum VIPs and reduce fat cats to ordinary sevaks. Despite court orders, many VIPs still drive around in supercars with red beacons flashing and the sirens of pilot vehicles blaring. Show them the red light.

No Via Media Any More: The best New Year resolution for the media is to give up fear of everyone and favour none. Never before has the press been painted in such vile colours. Social media maniacs are flinging phrases like presstitutes and paid media at media owners and journalists. Media has become its own Pavlovs dog. It jumps when shown a favour and falls flat on its face while trying to bend. Its a spinal problem. Instead of seeking answers to their questions, now journalists are competing with each other to lug around answers to questions, which were never asked. Let the media get back to asking questions and making everyone, including themselves, accountable for words and deeds, good and bad. Fear None. Favour None.



No More Back to Business: Corporates are financial fungus normally found growing on the right side of the establishment. They can change colours faster than chameleons in drag. In the past few years, Indian corporates have been using every possible coin in their alligator skin wallets to influence decision-making and public opinion. Their pay packets are as large as their egos. But the capital of consumers and shareholders are rapidly growing smaller. Indian promoters are richer than the companies they floated and they pay very little tax.

A New Year Suggestion: Let corporates brace up to minimise their lust for pelf and power, and ensure the equitable distribution of growth. Just 1 per cent of Indians cannot be allowed to own over 60 per cent of the countrys wealth forever. If they dont change, the public will take over their assets sooner than later. Modi has sworn to tax the markets but he needs the guts to reign in in-house corporate-friendly ministers.



Finally, in 2017, Indians should talk to each other rather than confront each other. We shouldnt forget that India and its institutions are mightier than any individual. Lets resolve to make the resolution. Happy New Year!

Prabhu Chawla

prabhuchawla@ newindianexpress.com

Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla

2016 has ended with a bang. 2017 promises to be thunderous. Vows of 2015 were mostly forgotten in the Wows of 2016. Pledges by politicians are will-o-the-wisps that vanish once the curtains come down on the elections. Similarly, New Year resolutions are just calendar fodder. Ladies and gentlemen, its business as usual. Once the warm and fuzzy glow of self-deception dissipates in the hard metal light of the new dawn, its back to old diehard habitsdeceit, conspiracies, abuse, backstabbing, chest-thumping, double-dealing, sycophancy and blackmail, which are the favorite weapons of public figures to settle private scores. There may be a few exceptions, which only prove the rule. As we enter 2017 today, the power class of political players, corporate caliphs, glamorous glitterati and media mavens must promise to be good in 2017. However, telecom operators will make billions through wish you a Happy New Year SMSes sent from over 400 million mobile phones. E-gateways will mint money in dollars as social media apps choke on gazillion posts. But what the heck, its New Year folks, the time of good cheer and illusions. Hypocrisy is hip when you ring out the old. Heres a menu of New Year commitments for Indias sinfully supreme establishment. Crime Cannot Pay: India is the only country where criminals dominate the list of lawmakers. As per conservative estimates, over 30 per cent of MPs and around 40 per cent of all MLAs are either facing criminal charges or have been chargesheeted. Any political party cares to promise that no lawbreaker will become a lawmaker? Make Digital Destiny: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a blistering battle against black money. Politics is the mother lode of black money since political donations escape all scrutiny. No party has so far refused to accept cash. The PM and his mantris are on an overdrive to persuade Indians to go cashless or create a less-cash economy. But charity must begin at home. Why cant the ruling party order its office-bearers from top to bottom to accept donations only digitally? Let all candidates take a pledge to exclusively use digital platforms to settle election accounts. Let them all resolve to post a list of their donors along with addresses on their website, accompanied by the audited accounts. If farmers and small traders are being advised to refrain from making cash payments, it shouldnt be a problem for political powerhouses to use their expensive mobile phones to solicit donations. Let their slogan be: Donate Digitally for Digitically Clean Politics. BJP President Amit Shah took the outlier decision of directing saffron legislators to submit details of all their bank transactions from November 8 onwards. Hopefully, he will make his findings public and put his opponents on the defensive. Make the Publicly Important Politically Impotent: Political maharajas and power hungry panjandrums bask in their VIP status. Normally, a person is accorded such a status so that they can perform their official duties undisturbed or ensure security in the face of terror threats. Going by the number of its VIPs, India seems to be the most unsafe country for its elected leaders who are unable to do public service unless they are given preferential treatment. Swaggering VIPs, surrounded by gun-toting cops are seen all over the place from airports to shopping malls seeking special attention. Even their wives and kids enjoy armed protection. Both the Centre and states have lists, which define the protocol status of many leeches of public money. But why does no pan-Indian VIP list exist? Some concerned citizens have compiled a catalogue of 5,79,092 Indians who flaunt their VIP status all over the country. These include MLAs, MPs and civil servants and corporate leaders. On the contrary, rich nations are judicious about conferring security. Great Britain has only 84 VIPs. France has 109, Japan 125, Germany 142, USA 252, Russia 312 and China 435. Let Modi apply the principle of Maximum Governance, Minimum VIPs and reduce fat cats to ordinary sevaks. Despite court orders, many VIPs still drive around in supercars with red beacons flashing and the sirens of pilot vehicles blaring. Show them the red light. No Via Media Any More: The best New Year resolution for the media is to give up fear of everyone and favour none. Never before has the press been painted in such vile colours. Social media maniacs are flinging phrases like presstitutes and paid media at media owners and journalists. Media has become its own Pavlovs dog. It jumps when shown a favour and falls flat on its face while trying to bend. Its a spinal problem. Instead of seeking answers to their questions, now journalists are competing with each other to lug around answers to questions, which were never asked. Let the media get back to asking questions and making everyone, including themselves, accountable for words and deeds, good and bad. Fear None. Favour None. No More Back to Business: Corporates are financial fungus normally found growing on the right side of the establishment. They can change colours faster than chameleons in drag. In the past few years, Indian corporates have been using every possible coin in their alligator skin wallets to influence decision-making and public opinion. Their pay packets are as large as their egos. But the capital of consumers and shareholders are rapidly growing smaller. Indian promoters are richer than the companies they floated and they pay very little tax. A New Year Suggestion: Let corporates brace up to minimise their lust for pelf and power, and ensure the equitable distribution of growth. Just 1 per cent of Indians cannot be allowed to own over 60 per cent of the countrys wealth forever. If they dont change, the public will take over their assets sooner than later. Modi has sworn to tax the markets but he needs the guts to reign in in-house corporate-friendly ministers. Finally, in 2017, Indians should talk to each other rather than confront each other. We shouldnt forget that India and its institutions are mightier than any individual. Lets resolve to make the resolution. Happy New Year! Prabhu Chawla prabhuchawla@ newindianexpress.com Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla
1. What would you most like to happen in 2017?

2. What would you like to see go away in 2017?

3. Who would you like to see run for mayor of Buffalo in next years election?

4. Should the new $50 million Amtrak station be at Central Terminal or Canal Side?

Carl Paladino is a billionaire who lives in the area and was the co-chair of Donald Trump's presidential campaign in New York was one of those who was sent this short questionnaire. Here are his answers:





1. Obama catches mad cow disease after being caught having relations with a Herford. 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 Jihady cell mate mistook her for being a nice person and decapitated her.





2. Michelle Obama. Id 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.





3. Someone with a brain, a set of balls and a lack of fear who has enough money so as not to owe anyone anything once elected and who believes in a market economy.





4. We need a $50 million dollar train station as much as we need parasitic people like Lou Ciminelli, 80% of the school board and the dizziness of socialistic progressive politicians who never signed the front of a paycheck. At best 400 people a day take a train. They are not complaining about exchange or Depew. We are already the laughingstock of America for having the dumbest elected leaders ever. Why add to it.





When these answers were published, the backlash was immediate and widespread. Two of the other respondents to the questions mentioned Mr. Paladino in their answers. One wanted him to run for Mayor and the other listed him as what he'd most like to see go away.





His response was very Trump-like. You can read it in its entirety here , but I do want to share a couple of excerpts:





"This is in response to my comments published in Artvoice:





Artvoice is a free publication issued weekly in the Buffalo, NY area. In a year-end wrap-up issue they posed some questions to a number of prominent local residents. Here are those questions.He also issued a 748 word statement about his survey responses that you can read here . Again, here are excerpts."I received Jamie Moses emailed survey at an emotional moment after I had just listened to Obama's statement that he regretted the slaughter in Aleppo that, in fact, resulted from his failed and cowardly foreign policy."" I wanted to say something as sarcastic and hurtful as possible about the people who are totally responsible for the hurt and suffering of so many others. I was wired up, primed to be human and I made a mistake. I could not have made a worse choice in the words I used to express my feelings.I wanted to say something as sarcastic and hurtful as possible about the people who are totally responsible for the hurt and suffering of so many others. I was wired up, primed to be human and I made a mistake. I could not have made a worse choice in the words I used to express my feelings.""I filled out the survey to send to a couple friends and forwarded it to them not realizing that I didn't hit forward I hit reply. All men make mistakes."* * *He is right. All men make mistakes. But his was not in hitting the reply button. It was in thinking those were appropriate words to write in any electronic format, even if intended only for a few friends.He describes them as deprecating humor. That's nearly as stupid as it was to hit the reply button. What he wrote was hateful invective, ad not intended to be humorous or funny in any way.We live in a day and age when nothing one puts in an email can be considered completely secure. Before you write something in an email, you should consider how anyone other than the intended recipient might view what you write. That may well happen.His own comments about how those were the worst possible choice of words prove that he understands this on at least some level in his twisted reality.He is now finished in politics. While he is refusing to resign from his post on the school board in Buffalo, he will be booted out in the very near future.Personally I think he's a scumbag. But that's just my personal opinion.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: Indicating an unholy nexus between the Union government and once-blacklisted UK-based private currency note printing company De La Rue, veteran Congress leader and former chief minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy released documents proving company's association with Make in India project.



''De La Rue is a company blacklisted by the Union government during 1997-1999 period. The company had no operations in the country during 2013 to 2015. It resumed operation in India in April 2016 and found a place among the companies shortlisted to carry out the printing of plastic currency notes. Company's share value also rose to 33 per cent this year, Oommen Chandi pointed out.



Jagdambika Pal headed Committee on Public Undertakings, in its report submitted 2013, had pointed out the lapses in printing currency notes by a foreign company. The committee had also recommended that currency printing andcoin making should not be entrusted with foreign companies. The then Union government had accepted the recommendation'', he said.

It was the same company which was the platinum sponsor of summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British prime minister Teresa May, held in New Delhi from November 7 and 9, former Kerala CM said.

De La Rue is reportedly printing currency notes for Pakistan and China. The Union government has now entrusted the company with the printing of currency of Rs 10 denominations worth 100 crore.

KOCHI: Indicating an unholy nexus between the Union government and once-blacklisted UK-based private currency note printing company De La Rue, veteran Congress leader and former chief minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy released documents proving company's association with Make in India project. ''De La Rue is a company blacklisted by the Union government during 1997-1999 period. The company had no operations in the country during 2013 to 2015. It resumed operation in India in April 2016 and found a place among the companies shortlisted to carry out the printing of plastic currency notes. Company's share value also rose to 33 per cent this year, Oommen Chandi pointed out. Jagdambika Pal headed Committee on Public Undertakings, in its report submitted 2013, had pointed out the lapses in printing currency notes by a foreign company. The committee had also recommended that currency printing andcoin making should not be entrusted with foreign companies. The then Union government had accepted the recommendation'', he said. It was the same company which was the platinum sponsor of summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British prime minister Teresa May, held in New Delhi from November 7 and 9, former Kerala CM said. De La Rue is reportedly printing currency notes for Pakistan and China. The Union government has now entrusted the company with the printing of currency of Rs 10 denominations worth 100 crore.
By Express News Service

MALAPPURAM: In a case of alleged medical negligence, a Dalit woman gave birth to a baby in the bathroom at the Manjeri Medical College Hospital on Saturday.

According to sources, the woman was hospitalised for delivery on Friday. It was alleged that the victim, who was on labour pain, was asked to go to the toilet by the hospital authorities.

Sources said that she was asked to pee before going into the labour despite she complained of severe pain. The relatives of the victim filed a complaint with the police, alleging the hospital authorities of medical negligence.

However, the hospital authorities denied allegations of negligence saying the woman never informed them that she was in pain. Health minister K K Shylaja ordered a probe and sought urgent report from the district medical officer on the matter.

MALAPPURAM: In a case of alleged medical negligence, a Dalit woman gave birth to a baby in the bathroom at the Manjeri Medical College Hospital on Saturday. According to sources, the woman was hospitalised for delivery on Friday. It was alleged that the victim, who was on labour pain, was asked to go to the toilet by the hospital authorities. Sources said that she was asked to pee before going into the labour despite she complained of severe pain. The relatives of the victim filed a complaint with the police, alleging the hospital authorities of medical negligence. However, the hospital authorities denied allegations of negligence saying the woman never informed them that she was in pain. Health minister K K Shylaja ordered a probe and sought urgent report from the district medical officer on the matter.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: Three children who underwent surgery for congenital heart disease at a city hospital are set to return to their country, cherishing the love and care they received in Kerala.

Health Minister K K Shailaja accorded a warm sent off to the children and their mothers at a function held here on Saturday.

It is estimated that one in 100 children are born with congenital heart defect. Treatment of heart diseases in children requires special equipment and should be performed by experts. It is a relatively new specialty in the country.

Initially, Chigosiye Samuel (seven months) Bradley Morris (two years) and Peevi Christin (eight years) were treated by Dr Sia Wata Camanor, a paediatrician at the John F Kennedy Hospital at the Liberian capital of Monrovia.

The children were referred to Lisie Hospital by Endale, a doctor from the West African country who is known to Dr Edwin Francis of Lisie Hospital. The Indian High Commission in Liberia took the initiative to mobilise fund to meet their travel expense.

The Ebola outbreak more than a year ago drastically curtailed medical services in the country, and children with heart diseases are currently dependent on other countries, said Lisie Hospital director Fr Mathew Vaikathuparampil.

As a gesture of goodwill, Moolan Foundation and Rotary Club of Cochin Global joined hands with Lisie Hospital to have the surgery performed free of cost.Shailaja, who was the chief guest at the function, said the government had formulated a comprehensive plan to upgrade the States healthcare sector.

The governments plan is to augment primary health centres and introduce advanced facilities at taluk and district hospitals. We welcome private institutions willing to take part in this endeavour, she said.The surgery was performed by a team comprising Dr Edwin Francis, Dr Thomas Mathew, Dr Subramanian C, Dr Annu Jose and others.

KOCHI: Three children who underwent surgery for congenital heart disease at a city hospital are set to return to their country, cherishing the love and care they received in Kerala. Health Minister K K Shailaja accorded a warm sent off to the children and their mothers at a function held here on Saturday. It is estimated that one in 100 children are born with congenital heart defect. Treatment of heart diseases in children requires special equipment and should be performed by experts. It is a relatively new specialty in the country. Initially, Chigosiye Samuel (seven months) Bradley Morris (two years) and Peevi Christin (eight years) were treated by Dr Sia Wata Camanor, a paediatrician at the John F Kennedy Hospital at the Liberian capital of Monrovia. The children were referred to Lisie Hospital by Endale, a doctor from the West African country who is known to Dr Edwin Francis of Lisie Hospital. The Indian High Commission in Liberia took the initiative to mobilise fund to meet their travel expense. The Ebola outbreak more than a year ago drastically curtailed medical services in the country, and children with heart diseases are currently dependent on other countries, said Lisie Hospital director Fr Mathew Vaikathuparampil. As a gesture of goodwill, Moolan Foundation and Rotary Club of Cochin Global joined hands with Lisie Hospital to have the surgery performed free of cost.Shailaja, who was the chief guest at the function, said the government had formulated a comprehensive plan to upgrade the States healthcare sector. The governments plan is to augment primary health centres and introduce advanced facilities at taluk and district hospitals. We welcome private institutions willing to take part in this endeavour, she said.The surgery was performed by a team comprising Dr Edwin Francis, Dr Thomas Mathew, Dr Subramanian C, Dr Annu Jose and others.
Munsif Vengattil By

Express News Service

KOZHIKODE: Unbelievable, but every bit true. It is the gripping tale of a US-born Malayali, who gave up a promising IT career in America, to start life anew as an organic farmer in Wayanad. Roy Jacob has made the seemingly impossible, possible, through sheer dint of hard work and can-do attitude. Though my parents were from Kerala, I grew up in the United States. I was so disconnected from nature that I hated rain! I had been working as an IT consultant in Houston, Texas for nearly five years.

Then came the realisation that I was paying taxes for a system that I did not believe in, Roy says, adding, Later when the US troops intervened in Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003) I realised I couldnt take it any longer. And he quit. Just like that. I decided there must be a better way of living, a way of life not based on competition, violence and endless growth, but rather based on cooperation, justice, harmony with nature, etc.

After a long struggle, I quit my job, sold my belongings, and left America in search of a better way of living and being, both externally and internally, he said, looking back on his life-changing decision.

He came down to Wayanad in 2003 and bought a patch of land at Tirunelly. It was a different life. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, enjoying the tranquil surroundings. Living among the tribals, I started to pick up the ropes of organic farming.

It was good that I started on a small scale since I knew next to nothing about farming at the time. The villagers would come over and show me how to do various things on my land and to live in a way that was closely connected to the local ecosystem, he recalls.

But it was getting used to the new surroundings and a life far removed from the one he had experienced as a US citizen that turned out to be the real challenge for Roy.

Getting used to leeches, snakes, life without electricity or running water, and a new language - it all took time, he says. For the next few years he went to work with Kanavu, an alternative school--exclusively meant for educating tribal children -- in Wayanad set up by pioneering educationist K J Baby. Later, Roy moved on to a 20 cent plot of paddy land near Kanavu, where he built a bamboo hut.

In 2012, Roy bought a three-acre plot at This silery, near Mananthavady.

The idea was to move to a bigger place with some more friends to explore the nature, and bring about a sustainable community instead of one-man moving everything, Roy said.

The idea was to move to a bigger place with some more friends to explore more, and bring about a sustainable community instead of one man moving everything, Roy said.

He then planted different varieties of crops on this piece of land and tried different methods on each, drawing from some of the ideas of Fukuoka as well as experimenting on his own. This was also when Roy started nurturing a fruit forest. Of late, he has started building a mud house.

Now, Roy is much more than a farmer. He has become an active proponent of gift culture and alternative living. He has been facilitating youth jams, and also doing workshops in gender and active listening across the country.

For Roy, the transition from the techie life in Texas to organic farming in Wayanad has taught him important lessons on nature, life and happiness. Roys philosophy is quite simple, yet profound.

The city life had its temptations. But when I became close to nature, I started doing something creative on the land. If you want to live the creative life that you aspire for, I would say you need to create spaces that are in tune with that, he said.

KOZHIKODE: Unbelievable, but every bit true. It is the gripping tale of a US-born Malayali, who gave up a promising IT career in America, to start life anew as an organic farmer in Wayanad. Roy Jacob has made the seemingly impossible, possible, through sheer dint of hard work and can-do attitude. Though my parents were from Kerala, I grew up in the United States. I was so disconnected from nature that I hated rain! I had been working as an IT consultant in Houston, Texas for nearly five years. Then came the realisation that I was paying taxes for a system that I did not believe in, Roy says, adding, Later when the US troops intervened in Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003) I realised I couldnt take it any longer. And he quit. Just like that. I decided there must be a better way of living, a way of life not based on competition, violence and endless growth, but rather based on cooperation, justice, harmony with nature, etc. After a long struggle, I quit my job, sold my belongings, and left America in search of a better way of living and being, both externally and internally, he said, looking back on his life-changing decision. He came down to Wayanad in 2003 and bought a patch of land at Tirunelly. It was a different life. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, enjoying the tranquil surroundings. Living among the tribals, I started to pick up the ropes of organic farming. It was good that I started on a small scale since I knew next to nothing about farming at the time. The villagers would come over and show me how to do various things on my land and to live in a way that was closely connected to the local ecosystem, he recalls. But it was getting used to the new surroundings and a life far removed from the one he had experienced as a US citizen that turned out to be the real challenge for Roy. Getting used to leeches, snakes, life without electricity or running water, and a new language - it all took time, he says. For the next few years he went to work with Kanavu, an alternative school--exclusively meant for educating tribal children -- in Wayanad set up by pioneering educationist K J Baby. Later, Roy moved on to a 20 cent plot of paddy land near Kanavu, where he built a bamboo hut. In 2012, Roy bought a three-acre plot at This silery, near Mananthavady. The idea was to move to a bigger place with some more friends to explore the nature, and bring about a sustainable community instead of one-man moving everything, Roy said. The idea was to move to a bigger place with some more friends to explore more, and bring about a sustainable community instead of one man moving everything, Roy said. He then planted different varieties of crops on this piece of land and tried different methods on each, drawing from some of the ideas of Fukuoka as well as experimenting on his own. This was also when Roy started nurturing a fruit forest. Of late, he has started building a mud house. Now, Roy is much more than a farmer. He has become an active proponent of gift culture and alternative living. He has been facilitating youth jams, and also doing workshops in gender and active listening across the country. For Roy, the transition from the techie life in Texas to organic farming in Wayanad has taught him important lessons on nature, life and happiness. Roys philosophy is quite simple, yet profound. The city life had its temptations. But when I became close to nature, I started doing something creative on the land. If you want to live the creative life that you aspire for, I would say you need to create spaces that are in tune with that, he said.
By Express News Service

MALKANGIRI: Maoists assaulted a samiti member of Kudmulgumma and left him inside a forest on Thursday night. The incident followed the killing of Nanda Golari in Sanyasiguda village in the wee hours of the same day.

A group of 20 armed ultras thronged Nakamamudi village and forcibly took away the samiti member, Madhav Sisa from his house to a nearby forest. They assaulted him severely and left Sisa in the forest in a critical condition. Some villagers rescued the samiti member and admitted him to the District Headquarters Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment now. His condition is stated to be critical.

In the last two days, Maoists had killed two persons of the area suspecting that both were backing the police in their operations against the ultras in Malkangiri district.

A group of 50 armed-ultras stormed into the village in the wee hours on December 27 and targeted a camp at Kudumuluguma where residents from a nearby area who had fled due to Maoist menace were rehabilitated. They abducted two men after threatening them and accusing them of helping the police. While the body of Rabi Pujari was found with his throat slit on the outskirts of the village on Tuesday, Nanda was kept hostage by the ultras. On the wee hours of Thursday, Maoists took Nanda to his village Sanyasiguda in Chitrakonda block and disappeared into the forest after killing him.

MALKANGIRI: Maoists assaulted a samiti member of Kudmulgumma and left him inside a forest on Thursday night. The incident followed the killing of Nanda Golari in Sanyasiguda village in the wee hours of the same day. A group of 20 armed ultras thronged Nakamamudi village and forcibly took away the samiti member, Madhav Sisa from his house to a nearby forest. They assaulted him severely and left Sisa in the forest in a critical condition. Some villagers rescued the samiti member and admitted him to the District Headquarters Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment now. His condition is stated to be critical. In the last two days, Maoists had killed two persons of the area suspecting that both were backing the police in their operations against the ultras in Malkangiri district. A group of 50 armed-ultras stormed into the village in the wee hours on December 27 and targeted a camp at Kudumuluguma where residents from a nearby area who had fled due to Maoist menace were rehabilitated. They abducted two men after threatening them and accusing them of helping the police. While the body of Rabi Pujari was found with his throat slit on the outskirts of the village on Tuesday, Nanda was kept hostage by the ultras. On the wee hours of Thursday, Maoists took Nanda to his village Sanyasiguda in Chitrakonda block and disappeared into the forest after killing him.
Siba Mohanty By

Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: It was yet another year of trials and tribulation for the Naveen Patnaik Government. For a State that has just managed to gain upper hand against the Left Wing Extremism, Odisha witnessed the usual highs and lows in equal measures when it came to dealing with law and order, security issues and terrorism. There was bloodshed, allegations of strong-arm tactics and atrocities besides the success against those trying to break law with impunity.

The men in khaki were ubiquitous and made the headlines every time, sometimes for the right reasons. And then some for absolutely wrong ones leaving the Naveen Patnaik Government red in the face.

In July, Special Operation Group, the counter-extremist outfit of Odisha Police, went after Maoists in Kandhamal district.

The ambush went horribly wrong and the security forces ended up with blood in their hands after five tribals were killed in the operation.

What followed was a massive political build-up in the region with the Opposition training its gun at the Naveen Government. Political leaders made a beeline for Kandhamal to sympathise with the victims while fact-finding teams queued up.

Several theories to explain the incident were floated but after the State Police ran out of ideas, the Government ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the firing and appointed senior IPS officer Mahendra Pratap as the head of the probe. The report is yet to be out.

Earlier in January, the State Police made a huge faux pas when five Iranian tourists, who were visiting the State, were dubbed as terrorists by the police bigwigs when they left a hotel in the State capital in a hurry. A massive search was launched by the Special Task Force (STF) which tracked them near Visakhapatnam with help from Andhra Pradesh Police to unravel the truth. The spate of events prompted the Home Ministry to censure the State Government for its inept handling of the case.

The State also received flak when two Union Ministers - Santosh Gangwar and Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti - came under attack near Sambalpur in June while proceeding to attend a party meet. A probe by RDC was ordered but nothing has come out of it yet.

The State Government suffered a huge loss of face when its police force went out of their way to provide protection to Naveen. The cops forced women and girls to take out their dupattas and scarves at public meeting attended by the Chief Minister. And it did not happen once, it occurred at least thrice. Even though the CM himself expressed regret and ordered an inquiry, the police just would not stop.

In another instance, the cops went after farmers who were trying to congregate in Bhubaneswar demanding their rights. They were denied entry into the City and bundled into police vehicles on the pretext that the farmer leaders were a threat to law and order. At Satyabadi, agitating farmers were baton-charged while having lunch on the National Highway.

With the brickbats came bouquets too. In January, the Special Tactical Unit, an outfit of the SOG trained in tackling urban terrorism and hostage situation, successfully busted the hideout of five SIMI activists in Rourkela. It was a midnight operation planned and executed with clinical precision, something rare in the State Police history. Pin-pointed intelligence, surveillance and a great execution saw the five terror suspects drawn out of their shelter in a mohalla of Steel City.

Months later, the SIMI activists, lodged at Bhopal Jail, tried to flee and died in police encounter with Madhya Pradesh Police.

The Economic Offences Wing had major success in the year when it apprehended Pravas Rout of Oscar International for duping hundreds of investors. Along with Rout, six others were held in what was stated to be a `60 crore fraud. The scam brought to fore allegations against BJD as Ollywood actors like Anubhav Mohanty and Sidhanta Mohapatra, also ruling party MPs, had acted in films produced by Oscars movie production arm.

An Assistant Director (Medical) with Directorate of Factories and Boilers Motilal Gouda grabbed headlines for allegedly bringing out fake notifications to appoint clinics for medical check-up of employees of industries. The EOW arrested him from Andhra Pradesh but not before Goudas proximity with BJD leaders like Arun Sahu, Pranab Balabantray, Anubhav Patnaik and Byomkesh Ray made headlines.

In October last, a massive ambush at Chitrakonda led to killing of 18 Maoists. Billed as the biggest encounter of recent times, Odisha Police played the perfect foil for the Greyhounds of AP Police which carried out the operation.

BHUBANESWAR: It was yet another year of trials and tribulation for the Naveen Patnaik Government. For a State that has just managed to gain upper hand against the Left Wing Extremism, Odisha witnessed the usual highs and lows in equal measures when it came to dealing with law and order, security issues and terrorism. There was bloodshed, allegations of strong-arm tactics and atrocities besides the success against those trying to break law with impunity. The men in khaki were ubiquitous and made the headlines every time, sometimes for the right reasons. And then some for absolutely wrong ones leaving the Naveen Patnaik Government red in the face. In July, Special Operation Group, the counter-extremist outfit of Odisha Police, went after Maoists in Kandhamal district. The ambush went horribly wrong and the security forces ended up with blood in their hands after five tribals were killed in the operation. What followed was a massive political build-up in the region with the Opposition training its gun at the Naveen Government. Political leaders made a beeline for Kandhamal to sympathise with the victims while fact-finding teams queued up. Several theories to explain the incident were floated but after the State Police ran out of ideas, the Government ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the firing and appointed senior IPS officer Mahendra Pratap as the head of the probe. The report is yet to be out. Earlier in January, the State Police made a huge faux pas when five Iranian tourists, who were visiting the State, were dubbed as terrorists by the police bigwigs when they left a hotel in the State capital in a hurry. A massive search was launched by the Special Task Force (STF) which tracked them near Visakhapatnam with help from Andhra Pradesh Police to unravel the truth. The spate of events prompted the Home Ministry to censure the State Government for its inept handling of the case. The State also received flak when two Union Ministers - Santosh Gangwar and Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti - came under attack near Sambalpur in June while proceeding to attend a party meet. A probe by RDC was ordered but nothing has come out of it yet. The State Government suffered a huge loss of face when its police force went out of their way to provide protection to Naveen. The cops forced women and girls to take out their dupattas and scarves at public meeting attended by the Chief Minister. And it did not happen once, it occurred at least thrice. Even though the CM himself expressed regret and ordered an inquiry, the police just would not stop. In another instance, the cops went after farmers who were trying to congregate in Bhubaneswar demanding their rights. They were denied entry into the City and bundled into police vehicles on the pretext that the farmer leaders were a threat to law and order. At Satyabadi, agitating farmers were baton-charged while having lunch on the National Highway. With the brickbats came bouquets too. In January, the Special Tactical Unit, an outfit of the SOG trained in tackling urban terrorism and hostage situation, successfully busted the hideout of five SIMI activists in Rourkela. It was a midnight operation planned and executed with clinical precision, something rare in the State Police history. Pin-pointed intelligence, surveillance and a great execution saw the five terror suspects drawn out of their shelter in a mohalla of Steel City. Months later, the SIMI activists, lodged at Bhopal Jail, tried to flee and died in police encounter with Madhya Pradesh Police. The Economic Offences Wing had major success in the year when it apprehended Pravas Rout of Oscar International for duping hundreds of investors. Along with Rout, six others were held in what was stated to be a `60 crore fraud. The scam brought to fore allegations against BJD as Ollywood actors like Anubhav Mohanty and Sidhanta Mohapatra, also ruling party MPs, had acted in films produced by Oscars movie production arm. An Assistant Director (Medical) with Directorate of Factories and Boilers Motilal Gouda grabbed headlines for allegedly bringing out fake notifications to appoint clinics for medical check-up of employees of industries. The EOW arrested him from Andhra Pradesh but not before Goudas proximity with BJD leaders like Arun Sahu, Pranab Balabantray, Anubhav Patnaik and Byomkesh Ray made headlines. In October last, a massive ambush at Chitrakonda led to killing of 18 Maoists. Billed as the biggest encounter of recent times, Odisha Police played the perfect foil for the Greyhounds of AP Police which carried out the operation.
B Anbuselvan By

Express News Service

TIRUVANNAMALAI: Tension gripped Mekkalur near Keezhpennathur in Tiruvannamalai district after some miscreants dumped a hearse into a well in a Dalit settlement on Friday. The incident sparked an impromptu protest, with the Dalit residents alleging caste Hindu hand behind the incident.

According sources, the Dalit residents staged a protest spanning eight hours, demanding action against the miscreants for contaminating their drinking water source. The incident came to light around 7.30 am, when a Dalit woman from Mekkalur went draw water from the well. She immediately alerted the locals after finding garlands and flowers floating in the well.

The locals gathered around the well and found a damaged hearse, with the bamboo sticks and garlands. As the news spread, around 9.30 am, about 400 villagers staged a road blockade on Keekkalur road junction, connecting Avalurpet and Keezhpennathur, demanding arrest of the caste Hindus responsible for this.

According to sources, a funeral procession of a deceased 75-year-old caste Hindu woman, Chinnammal, was taken out on Thursday evening. The body was later buried at a burial ground near the Dalit settlement. The villagers suspected that after the last rites, a few miscreants dumped the hearse into the well, which was one of the drinking water sources of the settlement.

We use the water from well for drinking and cooking. This is not the first time that caste Hindus contaminated the well. Had we thrown Paadai of our colony into a well in the caste Hindu area, they would have created a ruckus, said a college student.

As several caste clashes were reported from the village in the past few years, the officials deployed a large number of police personnel to prevent the issue from snowballing. Tiruvannamalai Revenue Divisional Officer Parameswari, Tiruvannamalai Town Assistant Superintendent of Police Ravali Priya and Panchayat union officials pacified the villagers after a six-hour-long peace talk at a government school. Around 5.30 pm, the Dalits dispersed.

RDO Parameswari told Express that five mini tanks would be installed in the Dalit colony for supplying drinking water. The contaminated well water will be not used for drinking anymore, she said, adding that as far as the villagers demand for an additional borewell was concerned, the Block Development Officer would look into it.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Ravali Priya said an FIR was registered under section 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 277 (fouling water of public spring or reservoir) of the IPC. A probe was on.

Govindasami, inspector, said relationship between the caste Hindus and Dalits was strained.

TIRUVANNAMALAI: Tension gripped Mekkalur near Keezhpennathur in Tiruvannamalai district after some miscreants dumped a hearse into a well in a Dalit settlement on Friday. The incident sparked an impromptu protest, with the Dalit residents alleging caste Hindu hand behind the incident. According sources, the Dalit residents staged a protest spanning eight hours, demanding action against the miscreants for contaminating their drinking water source. The incident came to light around 7.30 am, when a Dalit woman from Mekkalur went draw water from the well. She immediately alerted the locals after finding garlands and flowers floating in the well. The locals gathered around the well and found a damaged hearse, with the bamboo sticks and garlands. As the news spread, around 9.30 am, about 400 villagers staged a road blockade on Keekkalur road junction, connecting Avalurpet and Keezhpennathur, demanding arrest of the caste Hindus responsible for this. According to sources, a funeral procession of a deceased 75-year-old caste Hindu woman, Chinnammal, was taken out on Thursday evening. The body was later buried at a burial ground near the Dalit settlement. The villagers suspected that after the last rites, a few miscreants dumped the hearse into the well, which was one of the drinking water sources of the settlement. We use the water from well for drinking and cooking. This is not the first time that caste Hindus contaminated the well. Had we thrown Paadai of our colony into a well in the caste Hindu area, they would have created a ruckus, said a college student. As several caste clashes were reported from the village in the past few years, the officials deployed a large number of police personnel to prevent the issue from snowballing. Tiruvannamalai Revenue Divisional Officer Parameswari, Tiruvannamalai Town Assistant Superintendent of Police Ravali Priya and Panchayat union officials pacified the villagers after a six-hour-long peace talk at a government school. Around 5.30 pm, the Dalits dispersed. RDO Parameswari told Express that five mini tanks would be installed in the Dalit colony for supplying drinking water. The contaminated well water will be not used for drinking anymore, she said, adding that as far as the villagers demand for an additional borewell was concerned, the Block Development Officer would look into it. Assistant Superintendent of Police Ravali Priya said an FIR was registered under section 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 277 (fouling water of public spring or reservoir) of the IPC. A probe was on. Govindasami, inspector, said relationship between the caste Hindus and Dalits was strained.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Vivek Pappisetti, son of former Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao, was interrogated by the income-tax officials on Friday.

Vivek was summoned a week ago by the department after it conducted raids at his, as well as his fathers, premises on December 21.

Vivek, who looked calm, alighted from his car and entered the Directorate-General, Income Tax (Investigation) building around 3.45pm.

Dressed in a white shirt and carrying a black bag, Vivek evaded queries from waiting media personnel as he entered the office. Income tax sources alleged that earlier he had been evading the department summons after his house in Tiruvanmiyur was raided.

Initially, he evaded the summons on Friday and sought a day or two as his wife was pregnant. He was prompt in messaging the department. But since Monday, he had been evasive. This resulted in the department planning to initiate action against him. To a query whether he will be arrested, the sources said they did not have powers to arrest him.

Vivek is being interrogated for his alleged links with sand mining baron Shekar Reddy, who is currently in judicial custody.

CHENNAI: Vivek Pappisetti, son of former Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao, was interrogated by the income-tax officials on Friday. Vivek was summoned a week ago by the department after it conducted raids at his, as well as his fathers, premises on December 21. Vivek, who looked calm, alighted from his car and entered the Directorate-General, Income Tax (Investigation) building around 3.45pm. Dressed in a white shirt and carrying a black bag, Vivek evaded queries from waiting media personnel as he entered the office. Income tax sources alleged that earlier he had been evading the department summons after his house in Tiruvanmiyur was raided. Initially, he evaded the summons on Friday and sought a day or two as his wife was pregnant. He was prompt in messaging the department. But since Monday, he had been evasive. This resulted in the department planning to initiate action against him. To a query whether he will be arrested, the sources said they did not have powers to arrest him. Vivek is being interrogated for his alleged links with sand mining baron Shekar Reddy, who is currently in judicial custody.
By Associated Press

CLEVELAND: The chief executive of a beverage distribution company was piloting a plane carrying his wife, two sons and two other people when it quickly lost altitude after takeoff from Cleveland's lakeshore airport and vanished from radar, according to his family and a flight-tracking service Friday.

The parents of Superior Beverage Company executive John T. Fleming confirmed he was piloting the Columbus-bound plane when it disappeared late Thursday about 2 miles over Lake Erie.

Fleming's father said the other five people on the plane were Fleming's wife, two teenage sons, a neighbour and the neighbour's daughter. John W. Fleming also described his son as "an experienced pilot."

Crews combing Lake Erie for the plane on Friday remained hopeful that the occupants could be found alive, and were in search-and-rescue mode, not recovery mode, as they plied waters about 50 feet deep, said Capt. Michael Mullen, the chief of response for the Ninth Coast Guard District.

Tracking service FlightAware logged only three location pings for the plane after takeoff from Burke Lakefront Airport, and the last one indicated rapid altitude loss. Authorities have said there were no distress signals from the pilot.

The aircraft took off westward from Burke, then turned north across the lake, according to the tracking service flightradar24.com. The departure procedure at Burke could take an aircraft north over the lake before turning south toward a destination, Mullen said.

The plane, which had made the roughly half-hour trip from Columbus earlier in the day, is registered to a limited liability company under the same Columbus address as Superior Beverage. Messages seeking comment were left Friday for a Superior Beverage representative.

Authorities have detected "faint hints" but no strong pulse from an emergency locating transmitter, a beacon that could help find the plane, Mullen said. Searchers have found no sign of debris.

"We're very hopeful. We will be very hopeful up until the point that we have to turn the search off and we switch over to assisting with recovery," Mullen said at news conference Friday.

But when asked about the possibility of the two-engine jet landing safely on Lake Erie, Mullen said, "Aircraft are not designed to float, especially in 12-foot seas."

The search overnight was made difficult by snow squalls, high seas and darkness, Mullen said. Weather prevented smaller Coast Guard boats in the Cleveland area from launching. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and a Royal Canadian Air Force plane were used along with a Coast Guard ship from Detroit began the search overnight that has continued in the daylight hours Friday.

It would have been the pilot's responsibility to determine whether it was safe to fly, Mullen said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the Cessna Citation 525 plane left Burke at 10:50 p.m., and the Coast Guard said it was notified about the missing plane by air traffic control at Burke about 30 minutes later. Investigators from the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board were expected to arrive in Cleveland on Friday.

The aircraft was headed to Ohio State University Airport north-west of downtown Columbus.

CLEVELAND: The chief executive of a beverage distribution company was piloting a plane carrying his wife, two sons and two other people when it quickly lost altitude after takeoff from Cleveland's lakeshore airport and vanished from radar, according to his family and a flight-tracking service Friday. The parents of Superior Beverage Company executive John T. Fleming confirmed he was piloting the Columbus-bound plane when it disappeared late Thursday about 2 miles over Lake Erie. Fleming's father said the other five people on the plane were Fleming's wife, two teenage sons, a neighbour and the neighbour's daughter. John W. Fleming also described his son as "an experienced pilot." Crews combing Lake Erie for the plane on Friday remained hopeful that the occupants could be found alive, and were in search-and-rescue mode, not recovery mode, as they plied waters about 50 feet deep, said Capt. Michael Mullen, the chief of response for the Ninth Coast Guard District. Tracking service FlightAware logged only three location pings for the plane after takeoff from Burke Lakefront Airport, and the last one indicated rapid altitude loss. Authorities have said there were no distress signals from the pilot. The aircraft took off westward from Burke, then turned north across the lake, according to the tracking service flightradar24.com. The departure procedure at Burke could take an aircraft north over the lake before turning south toward a destination, Mullen said. The plane, which had made the roughly half-hour trip from Columbus earlier in the day, is registered to a limited liability company under the same Columbus address as Superior Beverage. Messages seeking comment were left Friday for a Superior Beverage representative. Authorities have detected "faint hints" but no strong pulse from an emergency locating transmitter, a beacon that could help find the plane, Mullen said. Searchers have found no sign of debris. "We're very hopeful. We will be very hopeful up until the point that we have to turn the search off and we switch over to assisting with recovery," Mullen said at news conference Friday. But when asked about the possibility of the two-engine jet landing safely on Lake Erie, Mullen said, "Aircraft are not designed to float, especially in 12-foot seas." The search overnight was made difficult by snow squalls, high seas and darkness, Mullen said. Weather prevented smaller Coast Guard boats in the Cleveland area from launching. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and a Royal Canadian Air Force plane were used along with a Coast Guard ship from Detroit began the search overnight that has continued in the daylight hours Friday. It would have been the pilot's responsibility to determine whether it was safe to fly, Mullen said. The Federal Aviation Administration said the Cessna Citation 525 plane left Burke at 10:50 p.m., and the Coast Guard said it was notified about the missing plane by air traffic control at Burke about 30 minutes later. Investigators from the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board were expected to arrive in Cleveland on Friday. The aircraft was headed to Ohio State University Airport north-west of downtown Columbus.
By AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO: Greece's ambassador to Brazil was murdered in a plot hatched by his Brazilian wife and her police officer lover, who confessed to the crime, officials said Friday.

The envoy, Kyriakos Amiridis, 59, was killed on Monday by the officer, Sergio Gomez Moreira, Rio homicide division chief Evaristo Pontes told a news conference.

Amiridis's charred body was found Thursday in Rio in his burned-out rental car, a day after his wife, Francoise de Souza Oliveira, declared him missing.

Oliveira, 40, and Moreira, 29, both admitted to having an affair, police said.

The pair are in custody, along with Moreira's 24-year-old cousin, Eduardo Tedeschi, who allegedly also took part.

According to the homicide division chief, Oliveira denied participating in the murder itself, but confessed she knew of the crime.

- Family vacation -

Amiridis, who was named ambassador this year, had been on a family vacation with his wife in the north of Rio de Janeiro since December 21. They had been due to fly back to the capital Brasilia on January 9.

His wife had originally told police that he had left the Rio apartment they were staying in, taken the car and not returned.

But her version had contradictions, and after Amiridis's body was found in the burned-out car under a bridge, police took Oliveira in for more questioning, and also detained Moreira.

Traces of blood were reportedly found on a sofa in the apartment Amiridis and Oliveira had been using, leading investigators to believe he had been killed there, then his body was placed in the rental car and driven to the spot it was found.

Pontes said that Oliveira had offered Tedeschi the equivalent of $25,000 to help with murdering the ambassador.

Moreira acknowledged that he and Amiridis had had a physical fight, and that he had strangled the ambassador in self-defense.

- Young daughter -

Amiridis had previously served Greece's consul general in Rio from 2001 to 2004, where he met Oliveira.

The couple have a 10-year-old daughter.

A Greek police team was headed for Brazil to take part in the investigation, while Greece's ambassador in Argentina was traveling to Brasilia, Athens said.

In a letter to the Greek government, Brazilian President Michel Temer sent his condolences and conveyed his government's commitment to conducting a "rigorous" investigation.

"The Brazilian people do not accept this type of behavior and we apologize to the entire Greek population," said the director of Rio's homicide division, Rivaldo Barbosa.

He called the murder "isolated" and a "crime of passion" that he said has nothing to do with Rio's elevated levels of violence.

Rio de Janeiro, though picturesque, has a reputation as a dangerous place. The 2016 Olympic host city has seen crime rates soar in recent months, fueled by drug gang violence.

Hit hard by Brazil's worst recession in more than a century, Rio de Janeiro state is facing bankruptcy and struggling to deal with the violent crime that has long dogged the area.

RIO DE JANEIRO: Greece's ambassador to Brazil was murdered in a plot hatched by his Brazilian wife and her police officer lover, who confessed to the crime, officials said Friday. The envoy, Kyriakos Amiridis, 59, was killed on Monday by the officer, Sergio Gomez Moreira, Rio homicide division chief Evaristo Pontes told a news conference. Amiridis's charred body was found Thursday in Rio in his burned-out rental car, a day after his wife, Francoise de Souza Oliveira, declared him missing. Oliveira, 40, and Moreira, 29, both admitted to having an affair, police said. The pair are in custody, along with Moreira's 24-year-old cousin, Eduardo Tedeschi, who allegedly also took part. According to the homicide division chief, Oliveira denied participating in the murder itself, but confessed she knew of the crime. - Family vacation - Amiridis, who was named ambassador this year, had been on a family vacation with his wife in the north of Rio de Janeiro since December 21. They had been due to fly back to the capital Brasilia on January 9. His wife had originally told police that he had left the Rio apartment they were staying in, taken the car and not returned. But her version had contradictions, and after Amiridis's body was found in the burned-out car under a bridge, police took Oliveira in for more questioning, and also detained Moreira. Traces of blood were reportedly found on a sofa in the apartment Amiridis and Oliveira had been using, leading investigators to believe he had been killed there, then his body was placed in the rental car and driven to the spot it was found. Pontes said that Oliveira had offered Tedeschi the equivalent of $25,000 to help with murdering the ambassador. Moreira acknowledged that he and Amiridis had had a physical fight, and that he had strangled the ambassador in self-defense. - Young daughter - Amiridis had previously served Greece's consul general in Rio from 2001 to 2004, where he met Oliveira. The couple have a 10-year-old daughter. A Greek police team was headed for Brazil to take part in the investigation, while Greece's ambassador in Argentina was traveling to Brasilia, Athens said. In a letter to the Greek government, Brazilian President Michel Temer sent his condolences and conveyed his government's commitment to conducting a "rigorous" investigation. "The Brazilian people do not accept this type of behavior and we apologize to the entire Greek population," said the director of Rio's homicide division, Rivaldo Barbosa. He called the murder "isolated" and a "crime of passion" that he said has nothing to do with Rio's elevated levels of violence. Rio de Janeiro, though picturesque, has a reputation as a dangerous place. The 2016 Olympic host city has seen crime rates soar in recent months, fueled by drug gang violence. Hit hard by Brazil's worst recession in more than a century, Rio de Janeiro state is facing bankruptcy and struggling to deal with the violent crime that has long dogged the area.
LINCOLN (AP)  A fast-growing weed that can devastate corn and soybean yields has been found in Nebraska and more than two dozen other agriculture-heavy states.

Palmer amaranth, long the scourge of cotton-growing states in the South, has been making its way north as seeds hitch rides on harvesting equipment or mingle with cotton seed hulls used for livestock feed.

Some experts also think the seed may have inadvertently been included in a wildflower mix planted in some Iowa and Minnesota conservation land.

The new infestations of Palmer amaranth have been reported in Minnesota and Iowa, and it has been documented in 28 states. An Iowa State professor reported earlier this month that the plant has been confirmed in 49 Iowa counties.

Chemical weapons in the war against the weed have begun to fail as it quickly develops resistance. Many farmers have returned to more expensive means of control: hand weeding.

In the last 10 or so years, weve seen an expansion into Nebraska. Its pretty much everywhere from east to west south of the interstate ..., said Stevan Knezevic, a professor of agronomy and horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Its extremely invasive. Its getting worse. Its not going to get better.

The weed is similar to a couple plants already found in Nebraska  pigweed and waterhemp  but Palmer amaranth can cause much bigger problems. In good conditions, the weed can grow 2 to 3 inches per day and reach heights over 6 feet.

Purdue Universitys Extension experts estimate that a heavy Palmer amaranth infestation can cut corn yields by as much as 91 percent and soybeans as much as 70 percent.

I call Palmer amaranth a pigweed on steroids, said Randy Pryor, a UNL extension educator based in Saline County, Nebraska.

The weeds potential to develop resistance to most common herbicides and the fact that many farmers have switched to no-till techniques helps Palmer amaranth spread. Tilling, which turns the soil over and breaks it up, helps control weeds, but it is less common because farmers are trying to conserve moisture and prevent erosion.

Weve created an opportunity for plants, if they develop a resistance to those herbicides, to spread, said Brent Meyer, weed control superintendent in Nebraskas Lancaster County. Our change in farming practices has led to the expansion of Palmer amaranth and scouring rush because of the way weve changed farming. Theyve just taken advantage of an opportunity that was created for them.

Experts are urging farmers to prevent Palmer amaranth from becoming established on their land, including cutting it out by hand, if necessary.

Palmer amaranth will be easier to control now in the region than it will be 10 to 15 years from now, so farmers should take action.

Iowa State University professor of agronomy Robert Hartzler said landowners have a grace period now where the weed will be easier to manage than it will be in the future.
Express News Service

COLOMBO: Secretaries to the Ministries of Fisheries of Sri Lanka and India met in New Delhi on Saturday to discuss the fishing issue bedeviling relations between the two countries.

On January 2, the Agriculture cum Fisheries Minister of India, Radha Mohan Singh, and the Fisheries Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Amaraweera, will meet in Colombo to carry forward the decisions taken at the Secretary-level talks.

Officials described the New Delhi talks as the first meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fisheries (JWGF) which was set up when the Foreign Ministers of the two countries met in New Delhi in October.

The JWGF consists only of civil and military officials of Sri Lanka and India. It does not have representatives of the Tamil Nadu government or the fishermen of the two countries.

Among the main issues to be discussed in these two meetings are: measures to prevent Indian fishermen from crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) to poach in Sri Lankan waters; the release of fishermen and boats detained in Sri Lanka; and the joint preservation and development of resources in the sea between the two countries.

Sri Lankan Minister Amaraweera has said that the island nation loses LKR 9 billion a year due to poaching by Tamil Nadu fishermen, and to prevent this, his government plans to slap a heavy fine on poachers. He had said that he would slap a fine of LKR 150 million or INR 7 crore per vessel.

In a recent press conference earlier this week, Amaraweera justified the non-release of detained Indian boats saying that the policy of impounding of boats and not releasing them has reduced poaching.

The Secretary to the Sri Lankan Fisheries Ministry, W.M.M.R.Adikari, told Express that the draft law to regulate fishing does not mention the quantum of punishment to be meted out to poachers but the fine will be heavy enough to be a deterrent.

During the October meeting between the Foreign Ministers, India, for the first, agreed to consider joint Indo-Sri Lankan naval patrolling of the IMBL. The reconstituted JWGF has representatives of the navies and coast guards of the two countries.

This means that India is ready to prevent encroachment of Sri Lankan waters by force if necessary  something it has been reluctant to do fearing a political backlash in Tamil Nadu where all political parties blindly support the fishermens traditional right to fish in Palk Strait and Palk Bay or at least around Kachchativu island, half way down to Sri Lanka.

As on date there are 111 Tamil Nadu boats and 51 fishermen in custody in Sri Lankas Northern Province. The figures will be slightly higher if detentions in other parts of Sri Lanka are included.

COLOMBO: Secretaries to the Ministries of Fisheries of Sri Lanka and India met in New Delhi on Saturday to discuss the fishing issue bedeviling relations between the two countries. On January 2, the Agriculture cum Fisheries Minister of India, Radha Mohan Singh, and the Fisheries Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Amaraweera, will meet in Colombo to carry forward the decisions taken at the Secretary-level talks. Officials described the New Delhi talks as the first meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fisheries (JWGF) which was set up when the Foreign Ministers of the two countries met in New Delhi in October. The JWGF consists only of civil and military officials of Sri Lanka and India. It does not have representatives of the Tamil Nadu government or the fishermen of the two countries. Among the main issues to be discussed in these two meetings are: measures to prevent Indian fishermen from crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) to poach in Sri Lankan waters; the release of fishermen and boats detained in Sri Lanka; and the joint preservation and development of resources in the sea between the two countries. Sri Lankan Minister Amaraweera has said that the island nation loses LKR 9 billion a year due to poaching by Tamil Nadu fishermen, and to prevent this, his government plans to slap a heavy fine on poachers. He had said that he would slap a fine of LKR 150 million or INR 7 crore per vessel. In a recent press conference earlier this week, Amaraweera justified the non-release of detained Indian boats saying that the policy of impounding of boats and not releasing them has reduced poaching. The Secretary to the Sri Lankan Fisheries Ministry, W.M.M.R.Adikari, told Express that the draft law to regulate fishing does not mention the quantum of punishment to be meted out to poachers but the fine will be heavy enough to be a deterrent. During the October meeting between the Foreign Ministers, India, for the first, agreed to consider joint Indo-Sri Lankan naval patrolling of the IMBL. The reconstituted JWGF has representatives of the navies and coast guards of the two countries. This means that India is ready to prevent encroachment of Sri Lankan waters by force if necessary  something it has been reluctant to do fearing a political backlash in Tamil Nadu where all political parties blindly support the fishermens traditional right to fish in Palk Strait and Palk Bay or at least around Kachchativu island, half way down to Sri Lanka. As on date there are 111 Tamil Nadu boats and 51 fishermen in custody in Sri Lankas Northern Province. The figures will be slightly higher if detentions in other parts of Sri Lanka are included.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has sought support of the US on the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with India, as Secretary of State John Kerry called for an amicable settlement of the issue by New Delhi and Islamabad, media reported today.

The development came after Pakistan was irked by the World Bank pause in mediation to resolve differences over construction of two water projects by India.

The Express Tribune reported that Kerry made a phone call to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday night and discussed the row over the IWT implementation and the role of the World Bank (WB), which had brokered the treaty in 1960.

After Kerry's call, US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale also met Dar in Islamabad at the Finance Ministry.

The back-to-back contacts highlight the importance of the water issue, which can potentially endanger regional stability if the situation slips out of control, according to sources at Finance Ministry.

"The US would like to see an amicable solution to this (water) issue," a Finance Ministry statement quoted Kerry as saying.

Kerry told Dar that the WB president had informed him about Pakistan's complaint against India on the IWT.

The water dispute has catapulted the US back into Pakistan's economic picture.

The American civilian and military assistance to Pakistan has drastically come down in recent months and its implications on Pakistan's fiscal situation have started emerging in the shape of a larger-than-anticipated budget deficit.

Independent analysts argue that Washington may not play an effective role in resolving the water dispute, as the Obama administration is preparing to hand over the White House to Donald Trump next month.

"Senator Dar indicated that the US support on the principles and legal position of Pakistan will be greatly appreciated," stated the Finance Ministry.

Early this month, the WB had announced a pause in playing its legally binding role of mediator in the IWT implementation.

In October, Pakistan had approached the WB seeking appointment of the Chairman of Court of Arbitration to resolve a dispute over construction of two mega hydropower projects by India in violation of the IWT.

The Finance Minister told Kerry that the IWT was an international commitment and it was the WB's responsibility to make sure India honoured the treaty and the water rights of hundreds of millions of Pakistani people were protected, said the finance ministry.



Dar added that the Court of Arbitration was the legal requirement, and the World Bank must fulfil the commitment to appointing the Chairman of the Court of Arbitration.



India's repeated threats to run Pakistan dry pose a real threat to Pakistan's food and economic security.



The civil and military leadership has already announced that materialisation of Indias threat would be considered 'open aggression' and a blatant 'act of war'.



Pakistan and China on Thursday decided to make water security a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework aimed at preparing a plan against any adverse impact of any such Indian move on Pakistan's economic security.



Dar informed Kerry that the WB president had been in touch with him during the current month.



Sources, however, said the WB has yet not made a formal commitment that the mediation process would be started immediately.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has sought support of the US on the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with India, as Secretary of State John Kerry called for an amicable settlement of the issue by New Delhi and Islamabad, media reported today. The development came after Pakistan was irked by the World Bank pause in mediation to resolve differences over construction of two water projects by India. The Express Tribune reported that Kerry made a phone call to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday night and discussed the row over the IWT implementation and the role of the World Bank (WB), which had brokered the treaty in 1960. After Kerry's call, US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale also met Dar in Islamabad at the Finance Ministry. The back-to-back contacts highlight the importance of the water issue, which can potentially endanger regional stability if the situation slips out of control, according to sources at Finance Ministry. "The US would like to see an amicable solution to this (water) issue," a Finance Ministry statement quoted Kerry as saying. Kerry told Dar that the WB president had informed him about Pakistan's complaint against India on the IWT. The water dispute has catapulted the US back into Pakistan's economic picture. The American civilian and military assistance to Pakistan has drastically come down in recent months and its implications on Pakistan's fiscal situation have started emerging in the shape of a larger-than-anticipated budget deficit. Independent analysts argue that Washington may not play an effective role in resolving the water dispute, as the Obama administration is preparing to hand over the White House to Donald Trump next month. "Senator Dar indicated that the US support on the principles and legal position of Pakistan will be greatly appreciated," stated the Finance Ministry. Early this month, the WB had announced a pause in playing its legally binding role of mediator in the IWT implementation. In October, Pakistan had approached the WB seeking appointment of the Chairman of Court of Arbitration to resolve a dispute over construction of two mega hydropower projects by India in violation of the IWT. The Finance Minister told Kerry that the IWT was an international commitment and it was the WB's responsibility to make sure India honoured the treaty and the water rights of hundreds of millions of Pakistani people were protected, said the finance ministry. Dar added that the Court of Arbitration was the legal requirement, and the World Bank must fulfil the commitment to appointing the Chairman of the Court of Arbitration. India's repeated threats to run Pakistan dry pose a real threat to Pakistan's food and economic security. The civil and military leadership has already announced that materialisation of Indias threat would be considered 'open aggression' and a blatant 'act of war'. Pakistan and China on Thursday decided to make water security a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework aimed at preparing a plan against any adverse impact of any such Indian move on Pakistan's economic security. Dar informed Kerry that the WB president had been in touch with him during the current month. Sources, however, said the WB has yet not made a formal commitment that the mediation process would be started immediately.
By AFP

LEBANON: Russia is pushing for a UN Security Council vote on Saturday to support the ceasefire it helped broker in Syria, where the truce remained largely intact on its second day despite sporadic clashes.

Moscow says it wants the United Nations to be involved in peace talks between Damascus and rebels in Kazakhstan in January, although the UN is negotiating its own separate peace efforts.

Rebel supporter Turkey and key regime ally Russia, which brokered the truce, say the talks in the Kazakh capital Astana aim to supplement UN-backed peace efforts, rather than replace them.

They want to involve regional players like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan.

Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin voiced hope that the council would vote on Saturday on the draft resolution -- which also endorses the planned talks in Kazakhstan -- "and adopt it unanimously".

Diplomats however, said they did not see how a quick UN weekend vote could occur as the resolution needed to be "seriously studied" and hinted Russia might be hard-pressed to muster the nine votes needed for it to pass.

Washington is conspicuously absent from the new process, but Moscow has said it hoped to bring US President-elect Donald Trump's administration on board once he takes office in January.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitor of the war, said that most of the country remained calm on Saturday.

But limited clashes continued in some areas including Wadi Barada near Damascus and the southern city of Daraa where one opposition fighter was killed.

Rebels in Wadi Barada have cut water supplies to the capital leaving four million people without water.

Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said that five rebel fighters were killed on Friday in the opposition bastion of Eastern Ghouta near Damascus and in Wadi Barada where helicopters carried out raids on rebel positions.

A civilian was also killed by regime sniper fire in Eastern Ghouta while another died in shelling in Wadi Barada, he said.

The forces in Wadi Barada include former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front, previously known as Al-Nusra Front, which Syria's government says is excluded from the ceasefire.

The Observatory also reported at least 16 government air strikes across several areas in Hama province in central Syria, with no casualties.

- Tired of war -

In rebel-held Idlib province, however, it was quiet and residents expressed hope for respite from the bloody conflict.

"I support the ceasefire, and I support its continuation," said 31-year-old Ahmed Astify. "Everyone, whether (they are) rebels or regular people, is tired," he added.

Mohammed, 28, said: "We hope that this will lead to the end of the war."

Syria's government and its ally Iran both welcomed the ceasefire deal.

Damascus called it a "real opportunity" to find a political solution to the war, which has killed more than 310,000 people since it began in March 2011 with protests against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Despite being left out of the process, Washington described the truce as "positive".

Analysts were cautious but said the involvement of Russia, Iran and Turkey could be important.

Sam Heller, fellow at The Century Foundation, said there was "real interest and urgency" from Moscow and Ankara, but expressed doubts about whether Tehran and Damascus were on board.

"All indications are that Iran and the regime want to continue towards a military conclusion," he said.

He said renewed fighting in Wadi Barada or Eastern Ghouta could pose major threats to the truce.

- Talks in Astana -

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he would now reduce Moscow's military contingent in Syria, which has been fighting to bolster the government since last year.

But he added Russia would continue to fight "terrorism" and maintain its support for the government.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said Ankara would continue the operation it began in August targeting the Islamic State group and Kurdish fighters.

Despite backing opposite sides in the conflict, Turkey and Russia have worked increasingly closely on Syria, brokering a deal this month to allow the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians and rebel fighters from Aleppo.

Their ceasefire deal calls for negotiations over a political solution to end the conflict that has killed more than 310,000 people and forced millions to flee.

UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura has said he hoped the agreement would "pave the way for productive talks", but also reiterated he wants negotiations mediated by his office to continue next year.

The council held closed-door consultations on the text early Friday and Russia later amended the draft at the request of several member states.

The latest draft of the resolution, a copy of which was seen by AFP, includes a reference to the talks being led by de Mistura.

LEBANON: Russia is pushing for a UN Security Council vote on Saturday to support the ceasefire it helped broker in Syria, where the truce remained largely intact on its second day despite sporadic clashes. Moscow says it wants the United Nations to be involved in peace talks between Damascus and rebels in Kazakhstan in January, although the UN is negotiating its own separate peace efforts. Rebel supporter Turkey and key regime ally Russia, which brokered the truce, say the talks in the Kazakh capital Astana aim to supplement UN-backed peace efforts, rather than replace them. They want to involve regional players like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan. Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin voiced hope that the council would vote on Saturday on the draft resolution -- which also endorses the planned talks in Kazakhstan -- "and adopt it unanimously". Diplomats however, said they did not see how a quick UN weekend vote could occur as the resolution needed to be "seriously studied" and hinted Russia might be hard-pressed to muster the nine votes needed for it to pass. Washington is conspicuously absent from the new process, but Moscow has said it hoped to bring US President-elect Donald Trump's administration on board once he takes office in January. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitor of the war, said that most of the country remained calm on Saturday. But limited clashes continued in some areas including Wadi Barada near Damascus and the southern city of Daraa where one opposition fighter was killed. Rebels in Wadi Barada have cut water supplies to the capital leaving four million people without water. Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said that five rebel fighters were killed on Friday in the opposition bastion of Eastern Ghouta near Damascus and in Wadi Barada where helicopters carried out raids on rebel positions. A civilian was also killed by regime sniper fire in Eastern Ghouta while another died in shelling in Wadi Barada, he said. The forces in Wadi Barada include former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front, previously known as Al-Nusra Front, which Syria's government says is excluded from the ceasefire. The Observatory also reported at least 16 government air strikes across several areas in Hama province in central Syria, with no casualties. - Tired of war - In rebel-held Idlib province, however, it was quiet and residents expressed hope for respite from the bloody conflict. "I support the ceasefire, and I support its continuation," said 31-year-old Ahmed Astify. "Everyone, whether (they are) rebels or regular people, is tired," he added. Mohammed, 28, said: "We hope that this will lead to the end of the war." Syria's government and its ally Iran both welcomed the ceasefire deal. Damascus called it a "real opportunity" to find a political solution to the war, which has killed more than 310,000 people since it began in March 2011 with protests against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Despite being left out of the process, Washington described the truce as "positive". Analysts were cautious but said the involvement of Russia, Iran and Turkey could be important. Sam Heller, fellow at The Century Foundation, said there was "real interest and urgency" from Moscow and Ankara, but expressed doubts about whether Tehran and Damascus were on board. "All indications are that Iran and the regime want to continue towards a military conclusion," he said. He said renewed fighting in Wadi Barada or Eastern Ghouta could pose major threats to the truce. - Talks in Astana - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he would now reduce Moscow's military contingent in Syria, which has been fighting to bolster the government since last year. But he added Russia would continue to fight "terrorism" and maintain its support for the government. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said Ankara would continue the operation it began in August targeting the Islamic State group and Kurdish fighters. Despite backing opposite sides in the conflict, Turkey and Russia have worked increasingly closely on Syria, brokering a deal this month to allow the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians and rebel fighters from Aleppo. Their ceasefire deal calls for negotiations over a political solution to end the conflict that has killed more than 310,000 people and forced millions to flee. UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura has said he hoped the agreement would "pave the way for productive talks", but also reiterated he wants negotiations mediated by his office to continue next year. The council held closed-door consultations on the text early Friday and Russia later amended the draft at the request of several member states. The latest draft of the resolution, a copy of which was seen by AFP, includes a reference to the talks being led by de Mistura.
By Associated Press

BEIRUT: The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Saturday supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and jump-start peace negotiations, as a fragile country-wide cease-fire wavered.

The resolution also calls for the "rapid, safe and unhindered" delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Syria. And it anticipates a meeting of the Syrian government and opposition representative in Kazakhstan's capital Astana in late January.

The resolution's final text dropped an endorsement of the Syria cease-fire agreement reached Thursday, simply taking note of it but welcoming and supporting Russian-Turkish efforts to end the violence. Western members of the council sought the last-minute changes to the draft resolution to clarify the U.N.'s role and the meaning of the agreement brokered by Moscow and Ankara.

U.S. deputy ambassador Michele Sison said the Obama administration strongly supports a cease-fire and "unfettered humanitarian access," but she expressed regret that additional documentation to the agreement brokered by Russia and Turkey with details about its implementation have not yet been made public.

Meanwhile on the ground in Syria, rebels warned on Saturday that cease-fire violations by pro-government forces threatened to undermine the two-day-old agreement intended to pave the way for talks between the government and the opposition in the new year.

Airstrikes pounded opposition-held villages and towns in the strategically-important Barada Valley outside Damascus, activists said, prompting rebels to threaten to withdraw their compliance with a nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey last week.

Rebels also accused the government of signing a different version of the agreement to the one they signed in the Turkish capital of Ankara, further complicating the latest diplomatic efforts to bring an end to six years of war.

Nearly 50,000 people died in the conflict in 2016, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which maintains networks of contacts on all sides of the war. More than 13,000 of them were civilians, according to the Observatory. Various estimates have put the war's overall toll at around 400,000 dead.

If the truce holds, the government and the opposition will be expected to meet for talks for the first time in nearly a year in the Kazakh capital of Astana in the second half of January. Those talks will be mediated by Russia, Turkey and Iran, though Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin has said other key players including the United States are welcome to participate.

Churkin said after Saturday's vote that the Astana talks will be the first face-to-face negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition and he expressed hope that 2017 will see a political settlement of the conflict that has claimed over 250,000 lives.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem and Major General Ali Mamlouk, head of the National Security Bureau, were in Tehran Saturday to discuss developments with their Iranian counterparts, according to Iranian state media. They met with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

The Kremlin meanwhile said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani confirmed their commitment to negotiations in Astana, in a phone conversation between the two leaders.

Iran and Russia have provided crucial military and diplomatic support to Syrian President Bashar Assad throughout the conflict, while Turkey has served as a rear base and source of supplies for the opposition.

The developments follow months of talks between Ankara and Moscow that culminated in a cease-fire agreement that went into effect Friday at midnight.

But in a statement issued by a coalition of 11 rebel factions, including the powerful Army of Islam group operating in the Damascus countryside, rebels said they could not abide by the cease-fire if the government continued its assault on Barada Valley.

The statement also complained that the government's version of the agreement signed in Ankara last week had deleted "a number of essential and non-negotiable points."

It said the opposition had agreed to a cease-fire encompassing the whole of Syria, without any exceptions to region or faction.

The Barada Valley Media Center said Lebanese Hezbollah militants were firing on villages and towns in the water-rich region as Russian and government aircraft carried out raids for the 10th consecutive day Saturday. The Lebanese militant group is a key ally to President Assad's forces.

The Barada Valley is the primary source of water for the capital and its surrounding region. The government assault has coincided with a severe water shortage in Damascus since Dec. 22. Images from the valley's Media Center indicate its Ain al-Fijeh spring and water processing facility have been destroyed in airstrikes. The government says rebels spoiled the water source with diesel fuel, forcing it to cut supplies to the capital.

The Observatory reported at least two civilians and five militants have been killed in battles over opposition-held Eastern Ghouta and Barada Valley regions around Damascus, since the truce came into effect Thursday at midnight.

The Syrian military on Friday denied attacking the valley, saying it respected the Russian and Turkish brokered truce.

Meanwhile, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency reported the death of an Islamic State commander in a Turkish airstrike near the north Syrian town of al-Bab on Friday. The truce does not cover operations against the Islamic State group or al-Qaida's Syria affiliate, the Fatah al-Sham front.

Anadolu identified the commander as Abu Ansari. The report could not be independently verified.

BEIRUT: The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Saturday supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and jump-start peace negotiations, as a fragile country-wide cease-fire wavered. The resolution also calls for the "rapid, safe and unhindered" delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Syria. And it anticipates a meeting of the Syrian government and opposition representative in Kazakhstan's capital Astana in late January. The resolution's final text dropped an endorsement of the Syria cease-fire agreement reached Thursday, simply taking note of it but welcoming and supporting Russian-Turkish efforts to end the violence. Western members of the council sought the last-minute changes to the draft resolution to clarify the U.N.'s role and the meaning of the agreement brokered by Moscow and Ankara. U.S. deputy ambassador Michele Sison said the Obama administration strongly supports a cease-fire and "unfettered humanitarian access," but she expressed regret that additional documentation to the agreement brokered by Russia and Turkey with details about its implementation have not yet been made public. Meanwhile on the ground in Syria, rebels warned on Saturday that cease-fire violations by pro-government forces threatened to undermine the two-day-old agreement intended to pave the way for talks between the government and the opposition in the new year. Airstrikes pounded opposition-held villages and towns in the strategically-important Barada Valley outside Damascus, activists said, prompting rebels to threaten to withdraw their compliance with a nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey last week. Rebels also accused the government of signing a different version of the agreement to the one they signed in the Turkish capital of Ankara, further complicating the latest diplomatic efforts to bring an end to six years of war. Nearly 50,000 people died in the conflict in 2016, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which maintains networks of contacts on all sides of the war. More than 13,000 of them were civilians, according to the Observatory. Various estimates have put the war's overall toll at around 400,000 dead. If the truce holds, the government and the opposition will be expected to meet for talks for the first time in nearly a year in the Kazakh capital of Astana in the second half of January. Those talks will be mediated by Russia, Turkey and Iran, though Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin has said other key players including the United States are welcome to participate. Churkin said after Saturday's vote that the Astana talks will be the first face-to-face negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition and he expressed hope that 2017 will see a political settlement of the conflict that has claimed over 250,000 lives. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem and Major General Ali Mamlouk, head of the National Security Bureau, were in Tehran Saturday to discuss developments with their Iranian counterparts, according to Iranian state media. They met with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. The Kremlin meanwhile said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani confirmed their commitment to negotiations in Astana, in a phone conversation between the two leaders. Iran and Russia have provided crucial military and diplomatic support to Syrian President Bashar Assad throughout the conflict, while Turkey has served as a rear base and source of supplies for the opposition. The developments follow months of talks between Ankara and Moscow that culminated in a cease-fire agreement that went into effect Friday at midnight. But in a statement issued by a coalition of 11 rebel factions, including the powerful Army of Islam group operating in the Damascus countryside, rebels said they could not abide by the cease-fire if the government continued its assault on Barada Valley. The statement also complained that the government's version of the agreement signed in Ankara last week had deleted "a number of essential and non-negotiable points." It said the opposition had agreed to a cease-fire encompassing the whole of Syria, without any exceptions to region or faction. The Barada Valley Media Center said Lebanese Hezbollah militants were firing on villages and towns in the water-rich region as Russian and government aircraft carried out raids for the 10th consecutive day Saturday. The Lebanese militant group is a key ally to President Assad's forces. The Barada Valley is the primary source of water for the capital and its surrounding region. The government assault has coincided with a severe water shortage in Damascus since Dec. 22. Images from the valley's Media Center indicate its Ain al-Fijeh spring and water processing facility have been destroyed in airstrikes. The government says rebels spoiled the water source with diesel fuel, forcing it to cut supplies to the capital. The Observatory reported at least two civilians and five militants have been killed in battles over opposition-held Eastern Ghouta and Barada Valley regions around Damascus, since the truce came into effect Thursday at midnight. The Syrian military on Friday denied attacking the valley, saying it respected the Russian and Turkish brokered truce. Meanwhile, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency reported the death of an Islamic State commander in a Turkish airstrike near the north Syrian town of al-Bab on Friday. The truce does not cover operations against the Islamic State group or al-Qaida's Syria affiliate, the Fatah al-Sham front. Anadolu identified the commander as Abu Ansari. The report could not be independently verified.
By Associated Press

SAO PAULO: A website for the Brazilian president has been hacked, plastered with messages calling for the death penalty for legislators in a country where many are frustrated with public corruption.

The G1 news portal says the site, www.micheltemer.com.br, is maintained by President Michel Temer's party. It usually carries news about the president but is not an official government site.

A banner in English at the top of the site Saturday read, "Exploited by Anarchy Ghost." Below a picture of a grimacing Temer, the hackers wrote in Portuguese that they wanted "the death penalty for whoever is in Congress."

Watchdog groups estimate 60 percent of lawmakers in Brazil's Congress are under investigation, and every week seems to bring a new arrest in an investigation into kickbacks at the state-run oil company Petrobras.

SAO PAULO: A website for the Brazilian president has been hacked, plastered with messages calling for the death penalty for legislators in a country where many are frustrated with public corruption. The G1 news portal says the site, www.micheltemer.com.br, is maintained by President Michel Temer's party. It usually carries news about the president but is not an official government site. A banner in English at the top of the site Saturday read, "Exploited by Anarchy Ghost." Below a picture of a grimacing Temer, the hackers wrote in Portuguese that they wanted "the death penalty for whoever is in Congress." Watchdog groups estimate 60 percent of lawmakers in Brazil's Congress are under investigation, and every week seems to bring a new arrest in an investigation into kickbacks at the state-run oil company Petrobras.
Two long-time death penalty supporters showed up at a hearing Friday morning to support a newly proposed execution protocol, developed by the Department of Correctional Services.

Nineteen people, most of whom identified themselves as anti-death penalty, showed up to point out its flaws and potentially unconstitutional content and law violations.

I ask ... that this protocol be dumped. And start over, said Lincoln attorney Alan Peterson. And dont try to hide this horrible procedure from the public. And from me. And from the people remaining on death row.

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, former state medical director Gregg Wright and Nebraska Pharmacist Association Director Joni Cover objected to the many ways the protocol errs by shrouding the process in mystery.

I see difficulties (with the protocol) of a constitutional proportion, so the governor will be out of office before anybody would be executed in this state, Chambers said.

But Bob Evnen, co-founder of Nebraskans For the Death Penalty, said the protocol was sound and should be adopted.

There is much hue and cry from death penalty opponents about the transparency of the protocol, Evnen said. But there are good policy reasons for protecting the identity of the execution team appointed by the Corrections Department, he said.

Your proposed regulations properly implement that protection, as they should. As they must by law, he told the hearing officer, Corrections attorney Mark Boyer.

Death penalty supporter Pierce County Sheriff Rick Eberhardt said the protocol should be a workable process. He requested the state model its process after other states who successfully use the death penalty, and carry out the sentences as quickly and humanely as possible.

The public hearing was necessary to comply with the states administrative procedures act. Each person was allowed five minutes to testify.

Concerned citizen Eleanor Rogan of Omaha said that when the state compromises its principles for the sake of expediency, messy, corrupt government can creep in.

Unknown drugs, unknown dosages and unknown providers are a recipe for medical disaster, she said.

It was clear the protocol was politically motivated, Chambers said. It is not scholarly, and not based on medical or professional consultation or assistance.

It is what I would describe as a slap-dash, loosey-goosey affair, he said.

About 494,000 Nebraskans voted to do away with the Legislatures 2015 repeal of the death penalty, compared to nearly 321,000 who voted to retain the law that would replace the death penalty with life in prison.

Chambers said the vote didnt surprise him.

When the people are allowed to vote, its not always based on intelligence, knowledge, information, but usually emotion, he said.

ACLU of Nebraska attorney Spike Eickholt called the protocol a step backward for the Corrections Department, which seemed to be progressing after scandals and problems over the past several years.

Even people who support the death penalty dont agree with hiding the process and the means and the death penalty itself from the public, he said.

A number of people pointed out how the protocol conflicts with state law.

Attorney Shawn Renner, representing Media of Nebraska, said authority claimed by the department to keep confidential the name of any person or company supplying the lethal injection drugs is directly contrary to the Nebraska public records law.

Its illegal and it will not be enforced by courts, he said.

Peterson said that to adopt a protocol that allows a director, who is an administrative officer in the executive branch, to decide which records are public and which are an exception is amazing.

Theres no authority for that. None, he said.

Any changes have to be legislative changes. You cant just write an administrative reg like this and expect it not to be challenged.

Peterson appeared incredulous the state would try to shroud the procurement of the drugs so that people as shady as Chris Harris of Harris Pharma, the last potential source that took tens of thousands of dollars from the state for drugs that couldnt be supplied, could be hidden from everybody except the director.

Come on. This state is better than that, he said.

Former medical director Wright objected to the section of the protocol that would allow the director to designate a health professional qualified to determine whether an inmate is dead once the drugs are injected.

I can say pretty clearly there is no health professional who, by their license, is qualified to determine death in this setting, he said.

It would be unethical for a physician to do so, he said.

Julie Smith, the Corrections attorney who wrote the protocol, has said she had no written documents, correspondence or records to show if or who she consulted with, including pharmacists and medical personnel.

The watchfulness of the state requires the state to keep some records, Wright said.

At one point a woman, Courtney Lawton, came to the microphone and led a prayer for the intercession of St. Maximillian Kolbe, the patron saint of prisoners, who was executed at Auschwitz by lethal injection with carbolic acid.

Corrections Director Scott Frakes has said he would keep an open mind about any comments or testimony received by the department on the proposed protocol.

The hearing, scheduled to go about five hours, went only two.

Dawn-Renee Smith, the departments communications director, said the testimony will be transcribed, compiled with the written testimony submitted and reviewed. A summary will be included in the final draft of the protocol.

The protocol will be submitted to the Attorney Generals office for review and to Gov. Pete Ricketts for approval prior to filing the rule with Secretary of State John Gale.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High 74F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Windy with periods of thunderstorms after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds SSE at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Higher wind gusts possible.
Today

HomeStore, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 701 E. Dodge St., Fremont. The HomeStore sells donated items at discounted prices. Proceeds support the mission of Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Noon Years Eve celebration, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Keene Memorial Library, Fremont. The event will kick off with an all-ages childrens story time. There will be festive music, cookie decorating, refreshments, games and crafts while waiting for the countdown to noon. There also will be cider and a chance to play with bubble machines made by Get Your Tech On for Tweens. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jess Hill, library assistant III, at 402-727-2694 or jessica.hill@fremontne.gov.

Storytime, 11-11:30 a.m., Keene Memorial Library auditorium, Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous womens heart to heart group, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Eagles Club open, noon to 12:30 a.m., 649 N. Main St., Fremont. A beef brisket dinner will be served from 5:30-8 p.m. The cost is $10. Chicken nugget and french fry baskets will be $5. A New Years Eve celebration will take place from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on the main floor. Down Memory Lane with Al Knoell will perform. Party favors will be provided and drink specials will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous open meeting, 7:30 p.m., United Faith Church, 218 W. Gardiner St., Valley.

Narcotics Anonymous Lie Is Dead Group, 8 p.m., Care Corps, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont.

New Years Eve party for ages 10-18, 8 p.m. to 12:15 a.m., Fremont Eagles Club Ballroom, 649 N. Main St. Curtis Morris will serve as the DJ/karaoke entertainer. Admission for children or grandchildren of Eagle members will be $3. All other youth will be charged $5. Once inside the ballroom, youth will not be permitted to leave without a parent or grandparent picking them up. Party favors will be included in admission price. Pop will be sold for $1 (free refills with fountain pop). Hot dogs and other snacks will be available for purchase.

REBMAHC, 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Fremont City Auditorium. The event will be headlined by regional band, Fishheads. Finger foods from several local eateries will be available. Door prizes will be given periodically. There will be a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. Ticket prices are $35 for a single ticket and $50 per couple. Tickets may be purchased online at www.fremontne.org, from a Chamber Diplomat or by calling the Chamber at 402-721-2641.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10:30 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Sunday

Alcoholics Anonymous Happy Sober Sunday Group, 9 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

1st Day Hike, 9 a.m., Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area. Hikers should meet at the Group Lodge. The hike is approximately two miles. Pets are welcome on a leash (6 foot maximum leash length). There is no cost to participate. Hot chocolate will be served after the hike. A valid 2017 Nebraska Park Permit is required.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous Seekers of Serenity Group, 10:30 a.m., Care Corps, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont.

Eagles Club open, noon to 6 p.m., 649 N. Main St., Fremont. From noon to 3 p.m., Tom and Jerrys Mountain Oysters baskets will be served for $7 and chicken wing baskets will be $6. Everyone is welcome.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous Point of Freedom Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Education Building, west of the church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont. Enter through the rear door.

Alcoholics Anonymous Sunday speaker, 7:30 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Monday

TOPS Club (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), 9 a.m., First United Methodist Church, 850 N. Broad St., Fremont. Weigh-ins begin at 8 a.m. Visitors (preteens, teens and adults  male and female) are welcome. The first meeting is free. For more information, call Janet Bloemker at 402-721-8952.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

FREEmont Community Skate, 12:15-1:30 p.m. (pre K-4th grade and family skate) and 1:45-3 p.m. (5th grade and up), Sidner Ice Arena, Fremont. Youth 7 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. All youth and residents of Fremont will be provided free ice time as well as skate rental during all FREEmont Community Skates.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Fremont Night MOPS group, 6:30-8 p.m., Fremont Alliance Church, 1615 N. Lincoln Ave. For more information, contact Fremont Alliance Church at 402-721-5180 or Cindy Slykhuis at 402-708-1561.

Narcotics Anonymous basic text study, 6:30 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Education Building, west of the church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont. Enter through the rear door.

American Legion Post 20, 7 p.m., Eagles Club, 649 N. Main St., Fremont.

American Chronic Pain Association Support Group, 7 p.m., Health Park Plaza Conference Room 1, Fremont.

Celebrate Recovery, 7-9 p.m., Sanctuary Church, 1640 W. Military Ave., Fremont. Childcare is available.

Celebrate Recovery, 7 p.m., Fremont Church of the Nazarene, 960 Johnson Road.

Alcoholics Anonymous 12x12 meeting, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.
Molecules with the potential to deliver healing power to stressed cells - such as those involved in heart attacks - have been created by University of Oregon researchers.

The research - done at a cellular level in the lab and far from medical reality - involves the design of organic molecules that break down to release hydrogen sulfide when triggered by specific conditions such as increased oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress damages cells and is tied especially to heart disease and cancer, as well as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Separate portions of the research were detailed in proof-of-concept papers in the Journal of the American Chemical Society in June and in November in Angewandte Chemie, an international journal.

"We have discovered that small organic molecules can be engineered to release a molecule called carbonyl sulfide, which is the most prevalent sulfur-containing molecule in the atmosphere, but more importantly converts rapidly to hydrogen sulfide under biological conditions," said Michael Pluth, a professor of chemistry and co-author on both papers. "We developed and demonstrated a new mechanism to release small molecules that provide therapeutic hydrogen sulfide."

Hydrogen sulfide, a colorless gas, has long been known for its dangerous toxicity -- and its telltale smell of rotten eggs -- in the environment, but it also is produced in mammals, including humans, with important roles in molecular signaling and cardiac health.

Initially, Pluth's doctoral student Andrea Steiger, lead author of the ACS paper, used benzyl thiocarbamates to design responsive organic molecules that release carbonyl sulfide. For the second paper, postdoctoral researcher Yu Zhao, also in Pluth's lab, adapted the molecule so it remains nontoxic and stable until cellular conditions trigger it to release the carbonyl sulfide, which is converted to hydrogen sulfide by carbonic anhydrase enzymes in the body.

Finding a way to generate restorative hydrogen sulfide in the body has been a goal of many research labs around the world in the last two decades. Researchers in Pluth's lab in 2013 developed a probe that detects the gas in biological samples, providing a framework to test potential donor molecules, either synthetically produced or isolated from natural products.

"To do that we need to develop new chemistry," Pluth said. "We are synthetic chemists. We make molecules with the goal of developing new research tools or therapeutic tools. As for treating a disease, we aren't there yet, but these cell-based studies suggest that those types of protective effects might be possible."

During a heart attack or loss of blood flow, for example, increased levels of reactive oxygen species like hydrogen peroxide emerge, Pluth said. The recently developed donor molecules are programmed to react to the overexpression of reactive oxygen species. Current hydrogen sulfide donors are generally slow-release molecules that donate hydrogen sulfide passively.

Taken together, the two studies show that it's possible to build molecular scaffolds to release carbonyl sulfide and then hydrogen sulfide by creating a trigger in the molecule to start the delivery process, Zhao said. "With this, you might be able to pick molecular events that are associated with conditions in which hydrogen sulfide might be beneficial, and then develop donor molecules able to deliver hydrogen sulfide under those conditions," he said.

"The novelty for us was being able to use carbonyl sulfide as a source of hydrogen sulfide donation," Steiger said of the findings of the project she led. "This was a first. It opened up a whole new class of donor molecules."

One of the goals of developing these small hydrogen sulfide-releasing molecules is the potential for long-term applications in therapeutics, Pluth said. "Having researchers nearby who are focused on translating basic science discoveries into market applications would facilitate further expansion of this work," he said.

Advancing such basic research is the goal of the UO's Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. The $1 billion initiative to fast-track scientific discoveries into innovations that improve quality of life for people in Oregon, the nation and the world began with the announcement in October of a $500 million gift from the Knights.
You've likely heard about being in the right place at the wrong time, but what about having the right genes in the wrong environment? In other words, could a genetic mutation (or allele) that puts populations at risk for illnesses in one environmental setting manifest itself in positive ways in a different setting?

That's the question behind a recent paper published in The FASEB Journal by several researchers including lead author Ben Trumble, an assistant professor at Arizona State University's School of Human Evolution and Social Change and ASU's Center for Evolution and Medicine.

These researchers examined how the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene might function differently in an infectious environment than in the urban industrialized settings where ApoE has mostly been examined. All ApoE proteins help mediate cholesterol metabolism, and assist in the crucial activity of transporting fatty acids to the brain. But in industrialized societies, ApoE4 variant carriers also face up to a four-fold higher risk for Alzheimer's disease and other age-related cognitive declines, as well as a higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

The goal of this study, Trumble explains, was to reexamine the potentially detrimental effects of the globally-present ApoE4 allele in environmental conditions more typical of those experienced throughout our species' existence -- in this case, a community of Amazonian forager-horticulturalists called the Tsimane.

"For 99% of human evolution, we lived as hunter gatherers in small bands and the last 5,000-10,000 years -- with plant and animal domestication and sedentary urban industrial life -- is completely novel," Trumble says. "I can drive to a fast-food restaurant to 'hunt and gather' 20,000 calories in a few minutes or go to the hospital if I'm sick, but this was not the case throughout most of human evolution."

Due to the tropical environment and a lack of sanitation, running water, or electricity, remote populations like the Tsimane face high exposure to parasites and pathogens, which cause their own damage to cognitive abilities when untreated.

Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today

As a result, one might expect Tsimane ApoE4 carriers who also have a high parasite burden to experience faster and more severe mental decline in the presence of both these genetic and environmental risk factors.

But when the Tsimane Health and Life History Project tested these individuals using a seven-part cognitive assessment and a medical exam, they discovered the exact opposite.

In fact, Tsimane who both carried ApoE4 and had a high parasitic burden displayed steadier or even improved cognitive function in the assessment versus non-carriers with a similar level of parasitic exposure. The researchers controlled for other potential confounders like age and schooling, but the effect still remained strong. This indicated that the allele potentially played a role in maintaining cognitive function even when exposed to environmental-based health threats.

For Tsimane ApoE4 carriers without high parasite burdens, the rates of cognitive decline were more similar to those seen in industrialized societies, where ApoE4 reduces cognitive performance.

"It seems that some of the very genetic mutations that help us succeed in more hazardous time periods and environments may actually become mismatched in our relatively safe and sterile post-industrial lifestyles," Trumble explains.

Still, the ApoE4 variant appears to be much more than an evolutionary leftover gone bad, he adds. For example, several studies have shown potential benefits of ApoE4 in early childhood development, and ApoE4 has also been shown to eliminate some infections like giardia and hepatitis.

"Alleles with harmful effects may remain in a population if such harm occurs late in life, and more so if those same alleles have other positive effects," adds co-author Michael Gurven, professor of anthropology at University of California, Santa Barbara. "Exploring the effects of genes associated with chronic disease, such as ApoE4, in a broader range of environments under more infectious conditions is likely to provide much-needed insight into why such 'bad genes' persist."
A treatment billed as a potential breakthrough in the fight against disease, including cancer, could back-fire and make the disease fitter and more damaging, new research has found.

Ground-breaking research has found that introducing 'friendlier' less-potent strains into a population of disease-causing microbes can lead to increased disease severity.

The surprise findings by a team of scientists at the University of Exeter has led to calls for urgent research into the implications of using 'fire to fight fire' to combat disease. The research shows that far from being a 'silver bullet' to weaken disease, the practice of introducing pacifist microbes into a host could make the aggressive pathogen stronger, which could hamper disease management.

Until now, introducing friendlier cousins, which do not cause severe disease, into a population of pathogens has been shown to reduce disease severity and damage to the infected host. It has been suggested that this approach could be an effective way of treating cancer, and research so far has proved effective and promising. For example, scientists have already produced encouraging results in the fight against Clostridium difficile infections that are so common in our hospitals.

But the University of Exeter scientists tested this strategy using a plant pathogen, and found the therapy could go dramatically wrong, with devastating consequences for the host plant.

A team lead by Professors Ivana Gudelj, a mathematical biologist and Nick Talbot, a plant disease specialist, investigated the devastating rice blast disease. They introduced a mixed population of the fungus that causes this disease into rice, where the mixture included an aggressive strain and a pacifist mutant. They expected that the overall disease severity would decrease because of the presence of the pacifist strain. However, they found the opposite. The rice plants succumbed to much more severe disease.

The Exeter University research, published in eLife, shows that the therapy can in some circumstances have the opposite effect, and that the way the pathogen will behave can be unpredictable, leading to more severe disease. The research highlights the need for these new strategies to be carefully tested before they are used therapeutically.

The scientists used cooperation theory and mathematical modelling to identify the reason for their surprising result. They found that in some circumstances pacifists "helped" aggressive microbes to be more efficient in utilising resources obtained from the host.

Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today

Professor Ivana Gudelj, who led the research, said: "Our study shows that a promising disease management strategy may not always be effective and indeed may have damaging unforeseen consequences. Importantly, our work also provides a foundation for the analysis of when, and why, this can happen. We find that the mechanisms driving our unexpected findings when treating rice blast infection are pertinent for many diseases involving bacterial and fungal pathogens"

Developing new ways of treating infectious disease has become more pressing with the development of resistance to antibiotics.

One strategy being explored to treat infections that resist current drugs involves neutralising the disease-causing agent. This strategy involves extracting the agent from the patient so that scientists can remove components of the microbe's DNA in order to neutralise the disease.

This new harmless agent is then grown in the lab and re-introduced to the disease site with the expectation that it will out-compete its more harmful cousin by stealing resources the disease needs to proliferate. Such research has proved effective in several lab tests.

The University of Exeter scientists tested this method in rice blast infections, but found more severe disease symptoms.

Professor Nick Talbot, Professor of Molecular Genetics and expert in plant diseases, said: "The strategy of introducing less aggressive microbes to fight more aggressive ones may prove effective to control some crop disease, but our study shows that they are not a silver bullet and caution needs to be exercised. We need to understand how microbes interact with each other in natural settings, before we can try to alter their ability to cause disease in this way. Our study also shows why mathematicians and biologists need to work together more often, because we would not have understood this phenomenon at all without the mathematical analysis carried out."

Richard Lindsay, a PhD student who worked on the research team, added: "Our findings are of central importance in understanding how microbial infections evolve, but also have wider significance for the treatment of cancer and the therapeutic control of disease in humans, animals and plants."

Source: University of Exeter
If you're a woman who's pregnant or planning a baby this season, make a New Year's resolution to be as healthy as you can, says the March of Dimes Foundation. The first step is to start taking a daily multivitamin containing the B vitamin folic acid, even if you're not trying to get pregnant.

"Your health before and during pregnancy has a direct impact on your baby," says Dr. Siobhan Dolan, a medical advisor to the March of Dimes and co-author of the non-profit's book Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby: The Ultimate Pregnancy Guide. "The good news is that there are many things you can do as a mom-to-be that can protect your own health and help you have a healthy baby."

Dr. Dolan says it's also a good idea to eat foods that contain folate, the natural form of folic acid, including lentils, green leafy vegetables, black beans, and orange juice. In addition, some foods are fortified with folic acid, including enriched grain products such as bread, cereal, and pasta; and corn masa products such as tortilla chips and tacos.

Besides taking a daily multivitamin containing folic acid to prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine, women can take other steps to avoid infections that can hurt them and their babies during pregnancy. Foodborne illnesses, viruses, and parasites can cause birth defects and lifelong disabilities, such as hearing loss or learning problems. Other resolutions from the March of Dimes for moms-to-be:

Be up-to-date with your vaccinations (shots). Talk to your healthcare provider about vaccinations you should receive before or during pregnancy, including your flu shot and Tdap booster.

Don't eat raw or undercooked meat, raw or runny eggs, unpasteurized (raw) juice or dairy products, raw sprouts -- or products made with them.

Handle foods safely. Be sure to wash all knives, utensils, cutting boards, and dishes used to prepare raw meat, fish or poultry before they come into contact with other foods.

Maintain good hygiene. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before preparing or eating foods; after being around or touching pets and other animals; and after changing diapers or wiping runny noses.

Do not put a young child's food, utensils, drinking cups, or pacifiers in your mouth.

Protect yourself from animals and insects known to carry diseases such as Zika virus, including mosquitos. This includes avoiding travel to areas where the virus is circulating. Find out more at ZAPzika.org.

Stay away from wild or pet rodents, live poultry, lizards and turtles during pregnancy.

Let someone else clean the cat litter boxes!

Birth defects affect 1 in every 33 babies born in the United States each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January is Birth Defects Prevention Month, and the week of January 8 through 14 is set aside for Folic Acid Awareness Week. Join the conversation and learn more on Twitter at hashtag #prevent2protect.

"The coming year will be full of surprises. So whether you're pregnant or just want to have children in the future, resolve to help give them a healthy start in life," says Dr. Dolan.
News Delhi: Besides a string of sops, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his New Years eve address also set out a stern warning of tough action against the "dishonest" people who tried to exploit the demonetisation drive.



He also assuaged the honest people that the government will act as a friend to them so that their difficulties are eased.



"The law will take its course with full force. The government will help the honest and protect them and see their difficulties are eased. How honest will gain from the government. This government is a friend of good people and wants to build on the good environment for the people to return to goodness," he said.



Acknowledging that "serious offences" have been committed by some bank and government officials taking advantage of

situation, he said "they will not be spared".
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of 'marketing' Chinese companies in India in the name of Paytm and sought a probe into the allegations.



"I am sorry, I have full respect for a country but in the name of Paytm, the Prime Minister has brought in a few Chinese companies and is marketing them in India," she told the media in Kolkata.



"Why are these companies sponsored by our PM? What is the hidden agenda? We want to know publicly. I am not levelling allegations. I am only stating facts which are reported. Public money is not secure. It is not foolproof. I say Alibaba and four, not thieves," she said in a veiled reference to Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group.



The Trinamool Congress supremo sought a probe as to why the Centre is promoting a company that has been blacklisted by the US Trade Representative.



"It is a very serious allegation. Country is not secure. To promote a few companies PM had to become feriwala (salesman) of Paytm. What is the hidden agenda? If somebody has done something wrong, the RBI and SEBI has protected them," she added.




The trailer of Jackie Chan's Kung Fu Yoga is finally out and our Indian tribe joins Chan's nonsensical fun ride.



Thee film is an action packed comedy, where there will be a lot of muscle show apart from rib-tickling moments. Disha Patani will be seen as a princess and Sonu Sood will essay the role of the villain. From driving through high cliffs, to fight in snow, Kung Fu Yoga is going to be a typical Jackie Chan film full of expressions and comedy. The film also stars Amyra Dastur.



The trailer is in Chinese with English subtitles and we can't wait for the global trailer to hit the screen. Till then, this one is best for the glimpse.
New Delhi: Assailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, the Congress on Saturday said the "disastrous" currency ban decision will lead to a drop in every economic indicator.



Claiming that nothing has changed even after the end of the self imposed 50 day deadline by Modi, Congress leader and MP Rajeev Gowda said the November 8 decision to spike Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes has "decimated" the institution of Reserve Bank of India (RBI).



"Fifty days after Modi made disaster of demonetisation, nothing is changing for better. In times of recession, the government pumps in money to revive the economy, but Modi did exactly the opposite and unleashed a disaster on the otherwise growing economy," said Gowda.



"Because of this disaster, 2017 is going to see a drop in every economic indicator that matters to India.No new jobs will be created, sectors like agriculture, construction, real estate, all of which are huge employers, are going to see a downturn.



"Rather than creating jobs, Modi has destroyed jobs," he said.



Pointing to the regular change and reversal of rules concerning demonetisation, Godwa said: "We have seen a mockery of governance in every sense".



"We have seen the institution of RBI being decimated in terms of its autonomy, respectability, authority and its role in monetary policy and cash management.



"People have died in queues and otherwise and the Prime Minister and his cabinet has been callous in not even acknowledging the tragedy of monumental failure in implementing the idea that was not appropriate for India," added Gowda.



The party on the occasion unveiled a book providing a "detailed analysis of everything that has gone wrong in implementing demonetisation".



"This book will expose the fraud that has been done in the name of demonetisation," said Congress leader Randeep Surjewala.
Kolkata: Demanding that the prime minister should apologise and resign taking responsibility for his "failure" on demonetisation, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday dared the Centre to arrest all the TMC MPs, charging the Modi government of pursuing "vendetta politics".



"Prime Minister Narendra Modi should immediately step down taking responsibility for his failure to give relief to the people even after 50 days of demonetisation," she told a press conference at the state secretariat.



Furious over the arrest of her party MP Tapas Pal for his alleged involvement in the Rose Valley chit fund scam, the Trinamool Congress supremo said, "He (Modi) can arrest all of our MPs, I do not care. This is nothing but vendetta politics.



We will continue with our protest (against demonetisation).



"I came to know that they (CBI) have arrested one of our MPs. It is only because of our protest against 'notebandi' that this is happening. This is nothing but vendetta politics."



Claiming that she has "all the information" about the Centre's next step, Banerjee said, "I already have the list of my party leaders who will be summoned next (by the CBI)."



Asked if TMC leader in Lok Sabha Sudip Bandopadhyay, who too was summoned by the central agency in the same case, would appear before the CBI, Banerjee said, "He will definitely go.



He will be proud to go. He has not done anything wrong.



"The SEBI and RBI did not perform their duties by not acting against the chit fund companies. These companies are not under the jurisdiction of our state. They (SEBI and RBI) have given them protection."



The TMC supremo wondered how could a person, well established in public life as an actor or a sportsperson, be arrested for accepting the hospitality of a company.



"How did these chit fund companies get the permission for uplinking (TV) channels. Sportspersons and actors are brand ambassadors of many companies. I do not intend to show disrespect to anyone, but Amitabh Bachchan too is the brand ambassador of Gujarat and Shah Rukh Khan is the brand ambassador of Bengal," she said.



Banerjee referred to Sahara group, which too is under the lens, and wondered if the central agencies were "sleeping" at that point of time.



Continuing her tirade against Modi, the chief minister said either someone else in the BJP should take over as the prime minister or a "national government" (comprising all the parties) should govern the country till the next general election.



"The country has never witnessed such a situation even during the British rule or Emergency," she added.
Karachi: Sixty-six Indian fishermen have been arrested for alleged illegal fishing in Pakistani waters and a court here remanded them into custody on Saturday.



The Indian fishermen along with five boats were arrested on Friday evening for "illegally" fishing in Pakistan's territorial waters and have been sent to jail by a judicial magistrate.



The Maritime Security Agency had arrested the fishermen and seized five boats yesterday, a spokesman for the agency said.



"The fishermen were arrested after they remained in Pakistani waters in the Arabian Sea despite warnings to move out of our territorial waters," the spokesman said.



The arrests come just five days after the Pakistan government released 220 Indian fishermen and sent them home via Wagah border on December 26 as a goodwill gesture.



On November 20, the Pakistani Maritime Security Agency had arrested 43 Indian fishermen for entering its territorial waters.



Amin Marri, the station house officer of Docks police station, said the fishermen were booked under the Foreigner's Act and the Fisheries Act and had now been sent to jail on court orders after being provided with clothing and food by a welfare organisation.



Pakistan and India frequently arrest fishermen as there is no clear demarcation of the maritime border in the Arabian Sea and these fishermen do not have boats equipped with the technology to know their precise location.
Honolulu: Moscow is hoping Donald Trump will reconsider the sanctions the US is levying in response to its finding of election hacking, a wait-and-see strategy bolstered by the American president-elect's own approving words for Russian President Vladimir Putin.



Putin has essentially put relations with the U.S. on hold until Trump replaces President Barack Obama on January 20. Though his foreign minister encouraged him to slap back at Washington for the sanctions imposed by Obama, Putin decided that Russia wouldn't immediately retaliate.



"Great move on delay (by V. Putin)," Trump wrote Friday on Twitter. "I always knew he was very smart!"



Praise for a longtime adversary at odds with a sitting American president is remarkable for a president-elect  and the latest signal that U.S.-Russia relations, among other policies, could be getting a makeover from Trump.



Whether he steers the US toward or away from Russia is shaping up as the first major test of his foreign policy disposition and his willingness to buck fellow Republicans, who for years have argued Obama wasn't being tough enough on Russia.



In response to the election hacking he blames on Russia, Obama ordered sanctions on Russian spy agencies, closed two Russian compounds and expelled 35 diplomats the U.S. said were really spies. Brushing off Obama, Putin said Russia would plan steps to restore US ties "based on the policies that will be carried out by the administration of President Donald Trump." Not only would Russia not kick Americans out, Putin said, he was inviting the kids of all US diplomats to the Kremlin's New Year's and Christmas parties.



"At this point, they're trolling Obama," said Olga Oliker, who directs the Russia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.



The Obama administration said it had seen Putin's remarks but had nothing more to say.



Russia denies the US intelligence community's assessment that in an attempt to help Trump win the presidency, Moscow orchestrated cyber breaches in which tens of thousands of Democrats' emails were stolen and later made public. Trump, too, has refused to accept that conclusion and insisted the country should just "move on," though he has agreed to meet next week with intelligence leaders to learn more.



Notably, after the US on Thursday issued a report it said exposed Russia's cyber tactics, Putin's aides didn't offer any specific rebuttal. The report included detailed technical information like IP addresses and samples of malware code the US said Russia uses.



One utility company, Burlington Electric Department in Vermont, reported Friday that it had detected the malware on a company laptop that was not connected to its grid systems. Burlington said, "We took immediate action to isolate the laptop and alerted federal officials of this finding."



There's little certainty about how Trump will actually act on Russia as president. Though he's praised Putin as a strong leader and said it would be ideal for the two countries to stop fighting, he also suggested this month the US might mount a new nuclear arms race, triggering fresh anxieties about a return to Cold War-style tensions.



Ambassador Michael McFaul, Obama's former envoy to Russia, said while Trump has defined his top objective as "getting along with the Kremlin," Putin has higher goals, including the lifting of economic sanctions and, ideally, US recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea.



"Obviously, Putin's not responding because he's waiting for January 20," McFaul said in an interview. "He's got these much more important objectives to him than getting into a tit-for-tat response with the outgoing administration."



Trump's warm outreach to Putin, combined with picks for secretary of state and national security adviser who are seen as friendly to Russia, have left hawkish Republicans with a particularly unpleasant choice: look hypocritical for backtracking on their own tough talk, or risk a public rift with their party's new president.



In the House, many Republicans who have long called for tougher sanctions have been silent or vague about Obama's penalties and Trump's positions. But a handful of GOP senators have shown they have no intentions of letting up pressure on the Kremlin.



"We intend to lead the effort in the new Congress to impose stronger sanctions on Russia," Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said in a statement. McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, scheduled a hearing next week on "foreign cyber threats" in an attempt to further spotlight Russia's actions.



Even if Trump opts to pull back Obama's sanctions and overlook hacking allegations, he may find rapprochement with Russia isn't that simple. The past two presidents both tried to reach out to Russia early in their terms but left office with relations in no better shape.



Though Trump has suggested the US and Russia should align strategies in Syria by focusing on their mutual enemy, the Islamic State group, Russia's military campaign has almost exclusively targeted American-backed Syrian rebels, the US has said. Nor is it clear whether Trump and Putin share a common approach to Europe's security issues.



And if Trump follows through on his vow to renegotiate the Iran nuclear deal, he won't find a receptive audience in Moscow. Putin's government brokered the deal with the US, Iran and other world powers and has no intention of slapping sanctions back on Iran.
Idlib, Syria: Russia was hoping for a swift UN Security Council vote to bolster its fragile Syria ceasefire Saturday, though diplomats expressed doubt the resolution would pass so quickly or be unanimous.



Moscow says it wants the UN involved in the peace talks between Damascus and rebels it has scheduled to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan in January, although the UN is negotiating its own separate peace efforts slated for February.



The ceasefire, which came into effect Thursday midnight, was holding across most of Syria, though clashes near Damascus underlined the fragility of the deal brokered by rebel supporter Turkey and key regime ally Russia.



Ankara and Moscow say the Astana talks are meant to supplement UN-backed peace efforts, rather than replace them, and want to involve regional players like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan.



Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin voiced hope that the council could vote Saturday "and adopt it unanimously".



Diplomats however, said they did not see how a quick UN weekend vote could occur as the resolution needed to be "seriously studied" and hinted Russia might be hard-pressed to muster the nine votes needed for it to pass.



Washington is conspicuously absent from the new process, but Moscow has said it hoped to bring US President-elect Donald Trump's administration on board once he takes office in January.



On the first day of the ceasefire Friday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported sporadic violence in the Wadi Barada area, where rebels have cut water supplies to Damascus leaving four million people without water.



Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said helicopters carried out raids on rebel positions but it was unclear which side had started the clashes.



The forces there include former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front, previously known as Al-Nusra Front, which Syria's government says is excluded from the ceasefire.



Opposition figures however say the truce applies to all rebel-held territory, even where Fateh al-Sham is present.



The clashes in Wadi Barada were the most serious of several isolated incidents of violence since the truce began.



The Observatory also reported at least 16 government air strikes across several areas in Hama province in central Syria, with no casualties, but said a person was killed by regime sniper fire in the rebel bastion of Eastern Ghouta near Damascus.



- Tired of war -

In rebel-held Idlib province, however, it was quiet and residents expressed hope for respite from the bloody conflict.



"I support the ceasefire... and I support its continuation," said 31-year-old Ahmed Astify. "Everyone, whether (they are) rebels or regular people, is tired," he added.



Mohammed, 28, said: "We hope that this will lead to the end of the war."



Syria's government and its ally Iran both welcomed the ceasefire deal.



Damascus called it a "real opportunity" to find a political solution to the war, which has killed more than 310,000 people since it began in March 2011 with protests against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.



Despite being left out of the process, Washington described the truce as "positive".



Analysts were cautious but said the involvement of Russia, Iran and Turkey could be important.



Sam Heller, fellow at The Century Foundation, said there was "real interest and urgency" from Moscow and Ankara, but expressed doubts about whether Tehran and Damascus were on board.



"All indications are that Iran and the regime want to continue towards a military conclusion," he said.



He said renewed fighting in Wadi Barada or Eastern Ghouta could pose major threats to the truce.



- Talks in Astana -

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he would now reduce Moscow's military contingent in Syria, which has been fighting to bolster the government since last year.



But he added Russia would continue to fight "terrorism" and maintain its support for the government.



Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said Ankara would continue the operation it began in August targeting the Islamic State group and Kurdish fighters.



Moscow says seven key rebel groups have signed up to the deal, including the powerful Ahrar al-Sham.



Despite backing opposite sides in the conflict, Turkey and Russia have worked increasingly closely on Syria, brokering a deal this month to allow the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians and rebel fighters from Aleppo.



Their ceasefire deal calls for negotiations over a political solution to end the conflict that has killed more than 310,000 people and forced millions to flee.



UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura has said he hoped the agreement would "pave the way for productive talks", but also reiterated he wants negotiations mediated by his office to continue next year.



The council held closed-door consultations on the text early Friday and Russia later amended the draft at the request of several member states.



The latest draft of the resolution, a copy of which was seen by AFP, includes a reference to the talks being led by de Mistura.
In India, the year 1984 will always be remembered as annus horribilis. It was the year Indira Gandhi was assassinated, the subsequent anti-Sikh riots and finally the Bhopal gas tragedy. It's the year we in India would quickly want to forget and hope there will never be a repeat of. In the global context, if there were such a year, an annus horribilis, 2016 has to be it. It was the year in which the world as we know it, unravelled. And not just because the world's most celebrated democracy elected a divisive, racist, misogynist man to the most powerful office in the world. 2016 not just saw the rise of the new hyper-patriot or super-nationalist, it also decimated some of the most cherished and well-established post-war ideals and institutions.



Let's start with Syria. The genocide in Aleppo will go down as one of the worst war crimes and crimes against humanity in the 21st century. The blood of more than half a million Syrians in this nearly six-year-long war is on the collective hands of Barack Obama, David Cameron and Francois Hollande. Failure to act in Syria exposed what was already a hollow institution called the UN Security Council. Vladimir Putin and Russia were able to single-handedly stall any meaningful action against a monster like Bashar Al Assad. The UN Security Council is dead. Long live the Council.



The other two defining events of 2016 were Brexit on this side of the Atlantic and the election of Donald Trump on the other. It was not just a latent whitelash coming out of the closet, but also a resentment towards free-trade and globalisation as was established by leading western powers over the course of six decades, post the Second World War. It was the revenge of the 'forgotten people'. In 2017, Donald Trump and Teresa May will find it tough to ignore this core constituency, the thorns that adorn the crown they wear.



2017 will be defined by two fundamental global relationships. The way America conducts business with its two biggest adversaries, China and Russia. With Russia, a lot has been said about the so-called bromance between Trump and Putin. The appointment of Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State is the clearest sign yet that Trump wants to extend an olive branch to Moscow. Ultimately though Americas ties with Russia will be defined by a narrower self-interest than has been seen since the end of the Cold War.



In contrast, ties with Beijing are all set for a more tumultuous phase. The appointment of Peter Navarro as the head of Trumps trade council is just the tip of the iceberg. We are not just going to see a phase of intense trade wars between Beijing and Washington but it also has the potential of spilling over into the political and military spheres. Expect a likely flashpoint either in the South or East China Seas.



Closer home, India will find it harder to navigate the choppy diplomatic waters around the Indian Ocean as Russia, China and Pakistan come closer. India will need unqualified help and support from the new Trump administration. A lot will depend on how quickly Mr. Modi is able to build connections with Trumps people. The Indo-US relationship is fundamentally strong and will continue to be so in the foreseeable future.



In 2017, Europe will see the fall of another great power to this rising tide of hyper-nationalism. Barring a miracle, France will fall to Marine Le Pen and her ultra-nationalist French National Front. Things look far more certain in neighbouring Germany where Chancellor Angela Merkel is the candidate to beat in the general elections in autumn. If Merkel were to lose it would be the last of the liberal leaders in the first decade and a half of the new century to bite the dust. In Latin America too, which represents the last remaining citadel of left-liberalism, theres been a reversal of the Pink Tide which brought in populist left-leaning governments in Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Venezuela at the start of the century.



As we close out 2016, a symbolic farewell to one of the icons of liberalism, Barack Obama. There is unlikely to be another one like him. For the millennials he represented hope and change and gave a reason why it is worth fighting for the values and ideas espoused by liberalism. Obama will be missed.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe is doubling down on his support of the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline with hints that a number of major economic development projects  one of them gigantic  may choose to build in Virginia because of the prospect of a new supply of low-cost natural gas that the 600-mile pipeline would deliver from West Virginia.
The News & Advances annual Person of the Year actually is a trio.

Ed Barksdale Sr., Walter Fore Jr. and M.W. Thornhill Jr. all died in 2016, moving Lynchburg closer to the end of an era. What they had in common, besides their ethnicity, was a determination to break down the racial barriers that once defined their city.

The American civil rights movement of the 1960s and 70s most often is remembered for dramatic events such as the I Have a Dream speech and the March on Selma. Or else it is seen in terms of landmark legislation such as the Voting Rights Act, or the changes brought about by the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Brown v. Board of Education.

All true enough. Yet this seismic shift in American attitudes played itself out not just on the national stage but in a host of local dramas starring individuals like Barksdale, Fore and Thornhill.

Todays young people know about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., of course. If nothing else, he left them a school holiday as part of his legacy. Yet so many other civil rights pioneers, most of them unknown beyond their own communities, largely have been forgotten even there  along with the enormity of what they accomplished.

It took centuries for racial attitudes to become solidified in the U.S., prejudice binding the wall of separation like mortar. But it only required 60 years to bring most of that wall down.

M.W. Thornhill Jr. liked to tell the story of a phone call he received from California not long after becoming Lynchburgs first black mayor in 1990.

Are you M.W. Thornhill, the caller asked, excitedly, the mayor of Lynchburg, Virginia?

Yes, I am.

And youre black?

Yes.

Thanks! the man replied. Now I can collect my money on that bet.

Not that Lynchburg was Mississippi  the citys ruling white elite met the inevitable arrival of integration more with stubbornness than violence. Eventually, their initial resistance gave way to foot-dragging, such as a proposal to integrate the citys schools one grade per year.

But Thornhill, Barksdale and Fore  and others such as Junius Haskins, Garnell Stamps, Carl Hutcherson Sr., Carl Hutcherson Jr., the Rev. Haywood Robinson, the Rev. Virgil Wood and Charles Mangum  rejected any such procrastination. Although their approaches to the problem may have varied, they kept a shared goal in mind.

Of the group mentioned above, only Carl Hutcherson Jr. remains in Lynchburg. Virgil Wood now lives in Texas. The rest have died.

Thornhill, the longtime owner of the Community Funeral Home on Fifth Street, took a direct line of attack. He marched. He led sit-ins. He worked tirelessly to elect like-minded leaders on both the local and state levels. Under his guidance, Lynchburgs mostly black Ward II became such a solidly Democratic bastion that Chuck Robb gave it some of the credit for lifting him into the governorship in 1981.

Barksdale was a man with one foot in both the white and black worlds, a living bridge. He belonged to the largely white St. Pauls Episcopal Church, yet also was the long-time president of the black-oriented Revelers Club. He involved himself with the Hunton YMCA during segregation, the Lynchburg YMCA thereafter. He and his wife Georgia founded an interracial neighborhood school.

Fore also crossed racial lines, but in a different way. A career employee of Griffin Pipe, he devoted his adult life to strengthening organized labor in Virginia.

Its no accident that most of the highly visible figures in the civil rights movement were self-employed  ministers, undertakers and others whose livelihoods focused primarily on the black community. Thus, they were insulated from the pink slips often handed to other crusaders by white employers.

One of those was M.W. Thornhill, Jr., known to almost everyone by his childhood nickname of Teedy.

Teedy  understood the power of the vote, said Ann van de Graaf, a Lynchburg artist and civil rights activist. He organized the Voters League that educated African-Americans in voting as a bloc for legislators that would fairly represent their needs. He was a man who stood tall: handsome, immaculately dressed, didnt drink alcohol or smoke and attended church regularly.

Named to a biracial committee initiated by City Manager Robert Morrison in 1962, Thornhill soon tired of polite conversations over a conference table. In his letter of resignation to Morrison, he said: If we continue at the slow pace we are now going, we who are now living will never enjoy complete freedom.

Thornhill was arrested a number of times for civil disobedience, once being dragged out of the Lynchburg Circuit courtroom for refusing to move after a judge ordered the seating area cleared.

The police were never too rough with me, Thornhill once said. Just one time, they tore my good coat.

Ed Barksdale spent 40 years working for the U.S. Postal Service, much of that in Washington, D.C. On weekends and holidays, he drove back home with his car trunk full of library books for Ed. Jr and Lynda Woodruff, his children, because Lynchburg then had no public library for blacks.

Lynda eventually became one of the first two black students to enroll at previously all-white E.C. Glass High School. She now is a retired college professor in private practice as a physical therapist in Atlanta. Ed Jr. graduated from Yale and Harvard Medical School and is a pediatric surgeon at University Hospital in Cleveland.

Martin Luther King Jr. came to our house and our city on behalf of my parents, so my sister could go to the segregated public high school, Ed Jr. said in an interview with MD magazine. In their minds, this was not only to serve our family but also to serve the needs of a greater community.

Ed Barksdale Sr. served two terms on Lynchburg City Council from 1997 to 2004, carving out a niche as a consensus builder.

Unlike Thornhill and Barksdale, Walter Fore never was elected to public office in Lynchburg. Nevertheless, his work on labor issues and on behalf of youth brought him into close contact with local and statewide office-holders from both parties, most of whom came to view him with respect and affection.

A rugged Marine who was active in veterans groups, Walter Fore had to fight to gain respect from fellow workers when he first started at Glamorgan (now Griffin) Pipe in 1964. Before long, however, his gift for recognizing key issues and his knack for communicating with management won them over, and he became the plants foremost negotiating voice.

Although the civil rights movement lost some steam after the successes of the 1970s and 80s, Walter Fore never considered the battle won. From his home on Harrison Street, he watched what was happening in Lynchburgs inner city and agonized over the path taken by many of its young people.

Its turned into two societies in the inner city, he once said, the people struggling to make it and those who have given up.

Fore always was a voice for those struggling, whatever their ethnicity. He lamented the loss of blue collar jobs in Central Virginia and became a major figure in the citys Dialogue on Race and Racism.

I called him my sage, my mentor, said Lynchburg Mayor Joan Foster, who worked with Fore on several projects.

Those who weighed in with sympathy when Fore died in September included U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, along with longtime Republican state legislator Preston Bryant.

Im not sure that I see a new generation of the Walter Fores of the world emerging in Lynchburg, Bryant said. If there is a legacy that Walter leaves, I hope its one of inspiring other young leaders to be as civically engaged as he was.

The same could be said of M.W. Thornhill Jr. and Ed Barksdale. Collectively, they left behind a very different world than the one they entered. And thanks to them, the young leaders who may yet emerge have been given a head start.
Shortly before announcing a suspect had been arrested and charged with murder in connection to a fatal fire last month in Gladys, Major L.T. Guthrie, of the Campbell County Sheriffs Office, acknowledged the devastated family seeking answers.

Since Dec. 18, their lives have changed dramatically, and they have been, I cant even express how they have handled this situation, Guthrie said. If I had been put through the same thing they have, I dont know if  we could have been as patient and as understanding.

Guthrie held a news conference Saturday in the Campbell County Sheriffs Office to provide some closure to a family who lost three generations of its members in the blaze.

First responders were called to Marysville Road in the early morning hours of Dec. 18 for a structure fire at a mobile home.

When the fire was extinguished, the bodies of three victims were found inside: Melynda Ann Callaham, 48; her daughter, Francheska Danielle Lane, 28; and Lanes daughter, Kadriana Lane, 7.

Martelle Dashay Wooding, 31, of Altavista, was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of second-degree murder in connection to the deaths of Callaham and Francheska Lane, Guthrie said. Wooding is being held in Campbell County Adult Detention Center without bond.

According to Guthrie, the Callaham-Lane family and Wooding lived at the residence for approximately two years. Wooding last stayed at the mobile home Dec. 15. He moved out because of a strained relationship with Francheska Lane, Guthrie said.

Id say there is a history of domestic violence involved with him with Francheska Lane, he said in response to a question.

Guthrie said the investigation into the deaths has been a priority of the Campbell County Sheriffs Office and the Campbell County Fire Marshall.

Multiple agencies assisted in the investigation, he said, including the Lynchburg Police Department, Virginia State Police and the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

According to online court records, Wooding pleaded guilty in August 2009 to five counts of distribution of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute and one count of possession of a firearm with cocaine.

Hes certainly no stranger to us, Guthrie said to a question.

When asked why Wooding only is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, Guthrie said after consultation with the commonwealths attorneys office, Wooding initially is being charged with two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Callaham and Francheska Lane, but other charges could be brought forward at a later date.

Moving forward, I anticipate there will be additional charges, Guthrie said.

After the press conference, Guthrie said the sheriffs office is still waiting to hear back from the medical examiners office about a cause of death for the three victims.

For family members, the announcement of an arrest has provided some closure.

William Lane is the nephew of Callaham and the cousin of Francheska and Kadriana Lane. He recalled Kadriana being a sweet and energetic child.

She brightened everybodys day when she came in the room, he said.

Francheska was always laughing and smiling; Melynda was positive and uplifting, William Lane said.

That description was echoed by Callahams sister, Stephanie Stone. Callaham was a people person who knew every customer by name at her job at the Community Mini Mart in Gladys.

She loved her children and her grandchildren, Stone said.

The pain isnt going to go away; its going to take time, but Gods on our side. I trust and believe in him, she said.

Stone declined to comment as to whether she expected Wooding to be connected to the fire. She said she prays for Woodings family.

Its just another family devastated, she said.

According to William Lane and Stone, funeral arrangements have not yet been arranged for Callaham and Francheska and Kadriana Lane.

Francheska Lane was employed at the IHOP on Fort Avenue. The morning prior to her death, William Lane visited the restaurant for breakfast.

He didnt know his cousin was working that day, but when he was about to leave, Francheska came from the back of the restaurant and gave him a hug.

I told her Id see her later, so I guess that was the Lords way of me saying my last goodbye to her.
On Tuesday, December 27, 2016, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away doing what he loves- driving his truck. Henry Carroll Rush, 72, was born on February 10, 1944, to the late Henry Harrison Rush and Jeanette Floyd Rush, of Brookneal. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joyce Gann Rush; his daughters and their husbands, Anne and Greg Williams, Mary and Steve Bailey, and Alice and Ed Watson; his 5 grandchildren (who called him Paca), Elizabeth "Libbie" Doss and her husband, Cord, Nikki and Aaron Bailey, Edison and Jacob Watson and his fianc, Morgan Alvis; and his great-grandson, Laettner Rush Doss, all residents of Rustburg. Carroll was a devout Christian who spent every Sunday in the church pew. He put family first but you could become his family upon meeting him. He retired from Babcock & Wilcox and was self-employed. The family wishes to thank the first responders and the care they showed. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, January 1, 2017, at Rustburg United Methodist Church, 664 Village Hwy, Rustburg. A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 2, 2017, at 11 a.m at Rustburg UMC. A private family burial service will be held later in the afternoon. Memorial contributions can be made to Rustburg UMC, P.O. Box 336, Rustburg. Henderson Funeral Home, (434) 376-2239, is assisting the family.
When the chips are down, I have Israels back.

Barack Obama, at an AIPAC conference, March 4, 2012

The audience  overwhelmingly Jewish, passionately pro-Israel and supremely gullible  applauded wildly. Four years later  his last election behind him, with a month to go in office and with no need to fool Jew or gentile again  Barack Obama took the measure of Israels back and slid a knife into it.

People dont quite understand the damage done to Israel by the U.S. abstention that permitted passage of a Security Council resolution condemning Israel over settlements. The administration pretends this is nothing but a restatement of long-standing U.S. opposition to settlements.

Nonsense. For the last 35 years, every administration, including a re-election-seeking Obama himself in 2011, has protected Israel with the U.S. veto because such a Security Council resolution gives immense legal ammunition to every boycotter, anti-Semite and zealous European prosecutor to penalize and punish Israelis.

An ordinary Israeli who lives or works in the Old City of Jerusalem becomes an international pariah, a potential outlaw. To say nothing of the soldiers of Israels citizen army. Every pilot and every officer and every soldier, said a confidant of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, we are waiting for him at The Hague. I.e., the International Criminal Court.

Moreover, the resolution undermines the very foundation of a half-century of American Middle East policy. What becomes of land for peace if the territories Israel was to have traded for peace are, in advance, declared to be Palestinian land to which Israel has no claim?

The peace parameters enunciated so ostentatiously by Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday are nearly identical to the Clinton parameters that Yasser Arafat was offered and rejected in 2000 and that Abbas was offered by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in 2008. Abbas, too, walked away.

Kerry mentioned none of this because it undermines his blame-Israel narrative. Yet Palestinian rejectionism works. The Security Council just declared the territories legally Palestinian  without the Palestinians having to concede anything, let alone peace.

The administration claims a kind of passive innocence on the text of the resolution, as if it had come upon it at the last moment. We are to believe that the ostensible sponsors  New Zealand, Senegal, Malaysia and a Venezuela that cannot provide its own people with toilet paper, let alone food  had for months been sweating the details of Jewish housing in East Jerusalem.

Nothing new here, protests deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes: When we see the facts on the ground, again deep into the West Bank, beyond the separation barrier, we feel compelled to speak up against those actions.

This is a deception. Everyone knows that remote outposts are not the issue. Under any peace, they will be swept away. Even the right-wing Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who lives in one of these West Bank Settlements, has stated publicly that I even agree to vacate my settlement if there really will be a two-state solution. Wheres the obstacle to peace?

A second category of settlement is the close-in blocs that border 1967 Israel. Here, too, we know in advance how these will be disposed of: Theyll become Israeli territory and, in exchange, Israel will swap over some of its land to a Palestinian state. Wheres the obstacle to peace here?

Its the third category of settlement that is the most contentious and that Security Council resolution 2334 explicitly condemns: East Jerusalem. This is not just scandalous; its absurd. America acquiesces to a declaration that, as a matter of international law, the Jewish state has no claim on the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, indeed the entire Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem. They belong to Palestine.

The Temple Mount is the most sacred site in all of Judaism. That it should be declared foreign to the Jewish people is as if the Security Council declared Mecca and Medina to be territory to which Islam has no claim. Such is the Orwellian universe Israel inhabits.

At the very least, Obama should have insisted that any reference to East Jerusalem be dropped from the resolution or face a U.S. veto. Why did he not? Its incomprehensible  except as a parting shot of personal revenge on Benjamin Netanyahu. Or perhaps as a revelation of a deep-seated antipathy to Israel that simply awaited a safe political interval for public expression.

Another legacy moment for Barack Obama. And his most shameful.

Krauthammer is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The Washington Post. Email him at letters@charleskrauthammer.com.
FOREST ORDEAL

Reliving the trauma she endured, hours later to police, the teen said at one stage during the gang-rape she begged the men to stop and let her go but they cursed her and slapped her across the face. The teen said at this stage, she thought she was going to die and in her mind, began making peace with the Almighty, not even bothering to pray to be released.

According to a police report, at about 5.15 am, the girl was liming with two male friends in the porch of her Valencia home.

Hours earlier, the girls family had a lime at the house with the two young men being the only guests who remained after the get together ended. Without warning, two men - one with a bandana (large handkerchief) covering his face and the other with a hat pulled over his face - emerged from the pre-dawn darkness, entered the porch and began beating the young men.

As her friends cowered in fear on the floor, the girl was grabbed by the two intruders who took her into the bushes at the back of the house which led to the forest.

After walking for over two miles, the trio were met by another man who was holding a gun.

They then continued the trek in pouring rain until they reached the banks of a river. There the men took turns raping the teen.

In the meantime, the girls relatives contacted the Valencia police and officers responded immediately, alerting their counterparts from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit as well as soldiers from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force.

Officers from the Eastern Division Task Force and the Air Support Unit also got involved in a massive search of the forest for the abducted teen. Officers later came across a farmer who told them he had earlier heard a scream and directed the officers to the direction of the sound.

Officers involved in the search included ASP Robain, Acting ASP Rishi Singh, Inspector Ken Lutchman, PC Khan, PC Hernandez and others. After the gang-rape, the three men marched the naked girl out of the forest and toward a Nissan B11 car parked off the main road known as the Valencia Stretch. Seeing that she was about to be forced into the vehicle, the girl started to struggle with the men and managed to escape, running back into the bushes where she hid. The men did not bother pursuing her and instead got into the car and sped off.

At 6.30 am, the girl was found by police officers cowering and weeping on the forest floor. She was given a sheet to cover herself and taken immediately to the district health centre for treatment.

There she was reunited with weeping relatives. Police officers said the teen was thankful to have survived the harrowing ordeal in the forest. Even as she was being treated, police were busy setting up roadblocks as they continued the search for the three rapists.

Up to press time, no arrest had been made.

Police sources said they believe the men may be hiding in the forest and as such, teams of officers were in the bushes searching for them. Sources further said that trained counsellors from the TT Police Services Victims of Crime Support Unit will visit the teen at her home, to provide counselling.
Thank you Denise Richards for your Dec. 24 letter and thank you to the Nebraska Community United in your continuing efforts to fight for those opposed to the Lincoln Premium Poultry facilities in our community. You have given us an update and hope.

Please continue to be our voice.

Our mayor, Scott Getzschman, has told us this chicken processing company will enhance our quality of life. The city council is in agreement.

Is he referring to the large increase in population facing an inadequate housing market? Possibly he refers to our overcrowded schools? Could it be the depletion of our precious water resources? Is he referring to the steady stream of livestock trucks pounding our streets and highways? How about minimum wage employment resulting in struggling families, an added drain on our community resources.

Again, thank you Denise Richards and Nebraska Communities United for your update and giving us hope.

Please continue to be our voice.

Dorothy McCoy

Fremont
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(Newser)  After Vladimir Putin said he wouldn't deport US diplomats after the latest round of US sanctions against Russia, Donald Trump once again praised the Russian president, Mediaite reports. Putin said he would delay any sanctions until after Trump takes office, and the US president-elect tweeted in response, "Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!"

The declaration got quite a bit of attention, with Mashable referring to it as "Our absurd political reality summed up in one tweet" and the Guardian noting that the tweet puts Trump at odds even with his own party. Vanity Fair says Twitter had a "meltdown" in reaction, with users wondering if it amounted to "sedition" and "treason." Trump followed that tweet up with another reading, "Russians are playing @CNN and @NBCNews for such fools - funny to watch, they don't have a clue! @FoxNews totally gets it!" (Read more Donald Trump stories.)
(Newser)  No, Russian hackers have not infiltrated the US electric grid. Reports were out Friday that malware was found on a laptop at Burlington Electric, a Vermont utility company, but some of them went so far as to say the hackers infiltrated the entire grid, leading the state's democratic governor to declare, "Vermonters and all Americans should be both alarmed and outraged that one of the world's leading thugs, Vladimir Putin, has been attempting to hack our electric grid, which we rely upon to support our quality-of-life, economy, health, and safety." But the Washington Post has since updated its story to clarify: "An earlier version of this story incorrectly said that Russian hackers had penetrated the US electric grid. Authorities say there is no indication of that so far. The computer at Burlington Electric that was hacked was not attached to the grid."

The malware was found after federal authorities released code associated with the "Grizzly Steppe" Russian hacking group to allow utilities to see whether they had been hacked, the Burlington Free Press reports. Burlington Electric says it alerted federal authorities as soon as the code was detected the laptop. It's not clear whether the hackers had any intention beyond testing their capabilities, but authorities say they are taking the cyberattack seriously. Though the code was not used to disrupt operations, experts tell the Post that it highlights vulnerabilities in the nation's electrical grid. But, as The Intercept points out, "There is zero evidence that Russian hackers were even responsible for the implanting of this malware on this single laptop. The fact that malware is 'Russian-made' does not mean that only Russians can use it; indeed, like a lot of malware, it can be purchased." (Read more Russian hackers stories.)
(Newser)  Carrie Fisher was honored New Orleans style Friday as thousands of people joined a parade in honor of the late star and her most famous role. The "Interergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus" Mardi Gras crew organized the parade through the city, which featured many marchers dressed as Princess Leia and other Star Wars characters, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. It was led by a tap-dancing group of marchers in Princess Leia costumes who called themselves the "Leijorettes." They were followed by a brass band that played the Star Wars theme. Fisher died Tuesday at age 60.

Marchers and spectatorsincluding those dressed in Star Wars costumesacknowledged that there was a lot more to Fisher than the Princess Leia role. "Probably my first introduction to her was Star Wars, but she as a person was really important," marcher Jacquleyn Ryan told the AP. "Her activism, her mental health awareness, her activism for women, her unapologetic attitude about youth and beauty in Hollywood really spoke to me," she said. A joint funeral for Fisher and mother Debbie Reynolds, who died the day after her, has been announced. (Read more Carrie Fisher stories.)
(Newser)  A year even more disastrous for elephants than it was for celebrities is ending with some great news for the species. China, by far the world's biggest market for ivory, announced Friday that it is phasing out the ivory trade and will have a complete ban in place by the end of 2017, the BBC reports. Conservation groups including the World Wildlife Federation praised the move as a historic step towards protecting elephants, which poachers have been slaughtering in huge numbers to supply the Chinese market. A 18-country "Great Elephant Census" released this year found that a third of Africa's elephants were wiped out between 2007 and 2014, with the population continuing to drop 8% a year.

Around 70% of poached ivory is believed to end up in China. "Ivory traffickers have just lost one of their biggest markets," said Aili Kang of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Elly Pepper of the Natural Resources Defense Council described the move as "critical to saving the species." Beijing says commercial processing and sale of ivory will be halted by March 31 and trading will be phased out entirely over the following months. The New York Times reports that negotiations between China and the US may have speeded up the introduction of the ban. After Xi Jinping visited Washington in 2015, the White House released a statement saying both nations had agreed to " take significant and timely steps to halt the domestic commercial trade of ivory." (Poaching has caused more elephants to be born tuskless.)
(Newser)  North Carolina's governor-elect, Roy Cooper, will hold onto the traditional powers of the officeat least for a weekafter a judge Friday temporarily blocked a new law from taking effect, the News and Observer reports. In what the AP calls a "legislative power play," the Republican-controlled general assembly passed a series of laws during a special session to limit the power of the incoming Democratic governor. The law in question, which Cooper filed a lawsuit over Friday, concerns the state's elections boards. Traditionally, the governor's party gets three out of five seats on the state elections board and two out of three seats on county elections boards, WRAL reports. The new law splits an eight-member state election board evenly among both parties while giving Republicans control of county boards during even-numbered years (major election years) and Democrats control in odd years.

The new law was set to take effect Sunday, but judge Donald Stephens delayed it by at least a week until after another hearing. He says the delay is justified because of the law's potential impact on fair elections. Cooper argues the new law is unconstitutional because it gives too much power to one branch of government. A lawyer for Republican leaders in the state's general assembly admits the law would give the general assembly greater control over North Carolina elections. Cooper isn't the only one suing over the new laws. On Thursday, the state's board of education sued over one that would transfer its power to a new Republican state superintendent. Cooper's attorney says more legal challenges could come next week. (Read more North Carolina stories.)
(Newser)  The Wall Street Journal says one of its reporters was detained in Turkey for nearly three days before authorities allowed him to exit the country. Editor Gerard Baker says in a statement Saturday that national security reporter Dion Nissenbaum was prohibited from calling his family, editors, or a lawyer while in custody. A spokesperson says the paper believes Nissenbaum's detention was a related to Turkey's ban on reporting Islamic State terror group videos. He wouldn't comment further. The AP reports a top Turkish official warned journalists earlier this week not to share a video that allegedly shows two Turkish soldiers being burned alive. Nissenbaum tells the Journal he was treated well in a detention facility. (Read more Turkey stories.)
(Newser)  The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and jump-start peace negotiations, the AP reports. The resolution approved Saturday afternoon also calls for the "rapid, safe, and unhindered" delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Syria. And it anticipates a meeting of the Syrian government and opposition representative in Kazakhstan's capital Astana in late January. The resolution's final text dropped an endorsement of the Syria cease-fire agreement reached Thursday, as Western members of the council sought changes to the circulated draft resolution to clarify the UN's role and the meaning of the agreement brokered by Moscow and Ankara.

Meanwhile on the ground in Syria, rebels warned on Saturday that cease-fire violations by pro-government forces threatened to undermine a two-day-old agreement intended to pave the way for talks between the government and the opposition in the new year. Airstrikes pounded opposition-held villages and towns in the strategically-important Barada Valley outside Damascus, activists said, prompting rebels to threaten to withdraw their compliance with a nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey last week. If the truce holds, the government and the opposition will be expected to meet for talks for the first time in nearly a year in the Kazakh capital of Astana in the second half of January. Those talks will be mediated by Russia, Turkey, and Iran. (Read more Syria stories.)
(Newser)  A prospective homebuyer was surely shocked Thursday to discover a garage belonging to one Detroit home was more like an Egyptian tomb. The Detroit Free Press reports the man was inspecting the garage of a home he was considering buying when he found a body in the backseat of a 25-year-old Plymouth Acclaim. Police say the bodywearing, pants, shirt, and sweatshirtwas "badly decomposed" and "mummified." The condition of the body had gotten to the point where the skin looked like "tanned leather," according to the Guardian. A spokesperson for the medical examiner's office tells the Detroit News the body appears to have been sitting in the car for "years," the Detroit News reports.

Police say the body had been there "for quite some time." The home was being rented by a family who say their landlord told them not to use the garage, so they never went in there. A police spokesperson says they were told "basically dont go in the garage, dont put anything in the garage. Police plan to investigate once they know the cause of death. But at this point they can't even tell the gender of the body. With the body too decomposed for a typical autopsy, an anthropologist will examine it next week. (Read more mummification stories.)
(Newser)  In what may be the best French innovation since kissing and/or toast, the country has given its workers the right not to check work emails while at home. The Independent reports the new "right to disconnect" law takes effect Sunday for companies with more than 50 employees. The law requires those companies to clearly define the hours when employees aren't required to check or reply to work emails, according to the BBC. Supporters of the law say employees feel obligated to deal with work emails after hours but aren't being paid for that overtime. France's labor ministry says it wants to stop citizens from working these "hidden hours."

Prior to the new law, many French workers weren't sure when they were legally allowed to ignore work emails. The resulting obligation to constantly deal with work emails could lead to increased stress, problems sleeping, relationship troubles, and more. What we find is that people who feel they have to respond to emails on their off hours become emotionally exhausted, partially because they cant detach from work, the New York Daily News quotes a professor involved with a US study that found checking work emails at home kept people from recharging at the end of the day. The right to disconnect law was the only new labor law passed in France this last May that didn't lead to strikes and protests. (Read more France stories.)
New Delhi:

French auto major Renault plans to export its hatchback Kwid to South Africa, Bhutan and Bangladesh from India in 2017 as it prepares to take the popular hatchback to international markets.

The company, which launched the car in India with 98 per cent localisation in 2015, has already started exporting the hatchback to Sri Lanka, Nepal and Mauritius.

"We started exports of Kwid with Sri Lanka, followed by Nepal and now we are going to Bhutan and Bangladesh," Renault India Operations Country CEO and Managing Director Sumit Sawhney told PTI.

Shipments to Bhutan would begin during the second half of next year while exports to Bangladesh would also begin towards the middle of next year, he added.

"We are also working on South Africa currently and shipments are expected to be sent in the first quarter of next year," Sawhney said.

Terming the Kwid as one of the biggest 'Make in India' success story, Sawhney said that the model will be going to a host of markets outside India.

Launched in September last year, Kwid has been a success for Renault in India. Initially, the car was available with an 800 cc engine at a price tag of Rs 2.64-3.73 lakh. Recently a 1,000 cc engine variant and one with automated manual transmission (AMT) have also been introduced.

The company has so far retailed over 1.10 lakh units of the model in India since its launch last year.

When asked if there would be sourcing of parts from India to the company's Brazil plant where manufacturing of the small car is expected to begin next year, Sawhney said: "When we say 98 per cent localisation, we got many suppliers in India so the markets especially, Mauritius and South Africa, the car is going to be built in India and exported.

"But when the car is going to be manufactured in Brazil, we will see that wherever Indian suppliers are competitive, opportunities will come to those suppliers."

To celebrate the first anniversary of Kwid, Renault embarked on a drive with the Kwid from India to France. The car passed through 13 countries covering 18,996 kms before reaching Paris.

The French company has invested heavily towards getting the basics right and creating a strong foundation for Renault in India.

The Franco-Japanese auto alliance of Renault-Nissan has a manufacturing plant in Chennai with an annual capacity of 4.8 lakh units.

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New Delhi:

As conflicts at Indias biggest conglomerate continues, Tata Groups interim chairman Ratan Tata said on Friday there has been a well-orchestrated move to destroy his reputations through unproven allegations. Without naming anyone, he said the ethics and values of the group have been challenged by people who are known not to practice what they often preach.

Tata, 78, who came back from retirement to take over Tata Sons after his successor Cyrus P Mistry was unceremoniously ousted on October 24, asked employees to put the events behind and re-dedicate themselves to re-establishing the Tata Groups leadership.

The past three months have been turbulent and wasteful. There has been a willful, well-orchestrated endeavour to destroy the personal reputations of individuals and the reputation of the Tata Group, through unsubstantiated allegations, he wrote to the Tata employees. In a new year message to employees, he said there has been an overwhelming groundswell of support from employees.

The ethics and values of the group and its leadership, which have been built over the last one and half centuries, have been challenged by people who are known not to practice what they often preach, he said. A public battle for control of the salt-to-software group is being played with Tata and Mistry trading accusations over missteps.

As we approach the new year, we must all resolve to put these events of the past few months behind us and re-dedicate ourselves to re-establish the Tata Groups leadership in the many areas in which we operate, as also demonstrating to the world around us that we indeed have protected the vision and values of our founding fathers, he wrote.

Tata Group, he said, has not just been a business conglomerate but an institution built on sustaining livelihood in the communities it serves through the creation of wealth and its re-distribution to the nations people through social awareness and philanthropy.

As we enter our 150th year, we need to reaffirm our resolve to continue to build and progress the Tata Group to be a national institution of which we can all be proud, he said.I am confident that with your support and dedication we can look forward to a better tomorrow.
New Delhi:

Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, who was missing from the silver screen this year, is planning to have a grand 2017.

The diva is having high hopes from the New Year and is planning something really big for the year.

No, she isn't throwing any grand party on the New Year's occasion. Instead, Kangana is planning to get hitched in 2017.

The actress revealed her big plans for New Year during a recent interview on a chat show, "I will get married."

Though, the 'Queen' actress was probed about the man of her life, she chose to brush away the question.

Well, Kangana's statement did raise a lot of eyebrows given that her personal life went through a turmoil this year. All thanks to her legal tussle with Hrithik Roshan.

Besides, her words even raised speculations of her dating any mystery man.

On the work front, 2017 is goign to be an eventful year for Kangana as the the actress will be having two releases in the year.

Her first movie is going to be Vishal Bhardwaj's directorial 'Rangoon' also starring Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. The movie will hit the screens in February 2017.

Kangana will also be seen in Hansal Mehta's 'Simran', in which she will be seen playing the role of a US nurse. 'Simran' is scheduled to release on September 15.





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New Delhi:

Former vice chief of army staff Lt Gen Bipin Rawat on Saturday took charge as the next Army Chief. Rawat has replaced General Dalbir Singh.

Lt Gen Rawat, an infantry soldier, superseded senior most army commander Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, who headed the Eastern Command and was next in line to be the army chief, besides Southern Command Chief P M Hariz.

He has handled various operational responsibilities in many areas, including along the LoC with Pakistan, the LAC with China and in the North-East.

He is known for his balanced approach towards soldiering, compassion, and connect with civil society.

His experience as GOC-in-C Southern Army Command in Mechanised Warfare has been focused towards the western borders, in coordination with the other two services, sources said.

ALSO READ | Surgical strike, Pathankot, Uri mark tenure of General Dalbir Singh Suhag

Supersesion in the army is not new though there has not been any such instances in the recent past. In 1983, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had appointed Lt Gen AS Vaidya as army chief superseding Lt Gen S K Sinha, who resigned in protest.

Earlier in 1972, the Gandhi government side-stepped the very popular Lt General P S Bhagat, one of the handful of Indian Victoria Cross awardees from World War II, who was in line to succeed General (later Field Marshal) Sam Manekshaw. This was done by giving his junior, General G G Bewoor a years extension, during which time Bhagat retired. Bewoor, thus, succeeded Manekshaw.

ALSO READ | Army killed 67 terrorists in 2012, 65 in 2013 and 141 alone in Kashmir in 2016, says Dalbir Singh Suhag

About Bipin Rawat

Bipin Rawat has held important command and staff appointments. He was commissioned into 5th battalion of the 11 Gorkha Rifles.

He commanded 5/11 GR, commanded an Infantry division in J&K, commanded 4 Corps at Tezpur in Eastern Command and was the Army Commander of the Southern Command (Pune) before taking over as Vice Chief in army headquarters

Interestingly, Lt Gen Bipin Rawat's father Lt Gen Laxman Rawat also retired as the vice chief of Indian Army. Lt Gen Rawat was 'Sword of Honour' in Indian Military Academy as he topped the IC list of December, 1978 at the academy.

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New Delhi:

Calling it a true tribute to dalit icon Bhim Rao Ambedkar, BJP president Amit Shah said the indigenous digital payments app BHIM, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, will empower farmers, small businessmen and the poor.

He said the app will provide financial strength to the people and it is a gift to the country in 2017, as they can now make payments even without the internet.

This app will empower the small businessmen, farmers, the poor and tribals. This is a gift to the country for the coming year of 2017. This is a true tribute to Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar who dedicated his life for the uplift of the dalits and the downtrodden.

Through this technology, payments can be made without internet, he said in a statement.

The name of the appBHIM (Bharat Interface for Money)

is in recognition of the contributions of Ambedkar for the uplift of poor and marginalised sections of society.

He said now the small businessmen and traders will also be able to take loans by showing their phone-based transactions to the banks.

He said the BJP-led government at the Centre is committed to take the country on the honest way with the help of cashless economy.

People are with the Prime Minister in this effort, he added.

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A senior Afghan official has rejected a preliminary peace plan backed by the Taliban insurgents that could lead to a final reconciliation deal possibly ending nearly four decades of war in Afghanistan.

After years of consultations with the two sides and civic leaders, Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, a nongovernmental organization focused on conflict resolution, sketched out 17 points toward peace between Kabul and the Taliban. Tens of thousands of Afghan civilians, soldiers, and militants have been killed in clashes between the two sides during the past 14 years.

Akram Khpalwak, a political adviser to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, says they were not consulted on the final draft that could serve as the first roadmap for peace among the warring Afghan sides.

Pugwash did not send this [draft] to us, and we were we not consulted. We believe that, instead of promoting dialogue among Afghans, some nongovernment organizations have their own goals, Khpalwak told Radio Mashaal. Afghanistan is a country of jirgas (tribal councils), and we are in favor of a dialogue among Afghans. Instead of outsiders drafting proposals for us or others trying to reach their own goals by making proposals for us, we can better solve our issues among ourselves.

The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, changes in the Afghan Constitution, delisting Taliban leaders from sanctions lists, releasing each others prisoners, preventing foreign militants from establishing safe havens in Afghanistan, and a final departure date for international forces within three years of the deals conclusion. It also envisions allowing the Taliban forces to keep the areas they control until they can be integrated into Afghan forces.

The plan envisions a general election within a year of the deal and calls on the United Nations or the Organization of Islamic States to serve as the guarantors of the eventual peace deal. The agreement calls for welcoming international aid and investments, eventual disarmament, demobilization, reintegration of combatants, and a complete ban on the production and trafficking of illegal drugs. The plan emphasizes Afghanistans Islamic character and calls for all Afghan laws to be compatible with Islamic Sharia law.

An official in the Talibans contact office in the Qatari capital, Doha, praised the plan. Requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to publicly speak on the issue, the official acknowledged they were consulted on the plan. He said that although the framework does not reflect their official position, it could provide a good basis for talks.

It is worth noting that many key provisions of the plan such as delisting Taliban leaders from UN sanctions lists, releasing insurgent prisoners, the departure of international troops, and changes to the Afghan Constitution have been longstanding preconditions of the Talibans for joining talks with the Afghan government.

Kabul, on the other hand, had insisted on the insurgents giving up fighting and accepting the Afghan supreme law as preconditions for talks with the insurgents.

Khpalwak, however, says the Taliban first need to free themselves from Pakistani influence. Successive administrations in Kabul have accused Islamabad of supporting the Taliban in an effort to influence Afghan politics and hinder the current Western-backed government.

Even those fighting the government know they are being sacrificed for foreign interests in a war that damages the Afghan people, he said. The Taliban need to show an Afghan and Islamic resolve. They should join direct talks with us and present their demands directly. We will welcome such a step.

Kabul has been trying to engage the Taliban in talks since 2008. Following the establishment of the Talibans political office in Qatar in 2013, however, the two sides have engaged in direct talks only once in July 2015. The talks were derailed after the insurgents accepted that their founding leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, had died in 2013.

Since the departure of most NATO troops by the end of 2014, the Taliban dramatically expanded their insurgency. The insurgents now control large swathes of rural provinces and have even threatened several provincial capitals across Afghanistan.

One of the worlds foremost peacebuilding organizations, Pugwash was founded in 1957 in Canada. It won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995 for its nuclear disarmament efforts.

as/fg
New Delhi:

Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag, who is retiring on Saturday, addressed the media on his last day. General Bipin Rawat will take over the charge of Army chief.

Here is what all he said:

#In 2012, we had killed 67 terrorists, 65 in 2013 & killed 141 terrorists alone in J&K this year



#I strongly believe that actions must speak louder than words



#Indian Army is fully prepared and well trained to tackle any challenges be it external or internal

#Indian army delivered that in the last 2 and a half years

#The day I took over I had said that our response to any action will be more than adequate, immediate, intense

#I also thank the Govt for granting One Rank One Pension to the armed forces

#Express my gratitude to PM and Govt for their full support and giving free hand in conduct of operations

#I salute our martyrs who made supreme sacrifices in upholding honour of the nation

ALSO READ | Surgical strike, Pathankot, Uri mark tenure of General Dalbir Singh Suhag

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Srinagar:

A policeman was killed in firing on Saturday by militants on a naka party in Handwara area of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.



The militants, who were travelling in a load carrier, opened fire on police personnel at a barricade at Chogul in Handwara on Saturday evening, a police official said.



Constable Abdul Karim was injured in the firing, he said, adding he succumbed at a hospital.The militants managed to escape in the load carrier, the official added.





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New Delhi:

As the nation watched Prime Minister's New Year Eve address with bated breath, Opposition parties took no time in slamming his speech with Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala terming the demonetisation exercise as 'Modi's curse'.

Slamming the PM for his "disappointing" address, Congress wondered why he did not mention how many " lakhs of crores " of black money the government managed to wipe out through demonetisation in the last 50 days.

On the other hand, the Modi Cabinet and BJP leaders hailed his decision to provide relief to farmers, small traders, economically backward sections and senior citizens.

Here is a look at who said what on PM Modi's speech:

Congress leader Ahmed Patel: PM's address was very disappointing. Our 5 demands have not been met, neither there was any roadmap on when will cash crunch ease.

BJP president Amit Shah: I congratulate PM for taking steps for the betterment of the poor.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley : Prime Minister's announcements will enhance economic activities. The government is committed to cleanse political funding.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad : PM's address was like budget speech that lacked the information on how much black money has been accounted after the demonetisation .

Union minister Venkaiah Naidu : Great decision. All sections of society have been provided certain relief from poor to middle class, farmers etc. The PM has today lived upto the expectations that he is 'messiah' of the poor. He has taken care of all vulnerable sectors.

Congress leader RS Surjewala : I am disappointed with PM's speech. Many questions were left unanswered. His decision has paralysed nation's economy.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury : It seems like no work is left for the finance minister as PM has presented the budget speech already.

West Bengal CM Mamamta Banerjee : The PM just took over the post of finance minister and made pre -budget speech.

NCP leader Nawab Malik : PM's televised address was like a budget speech

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New Delhi:

After the sudden expulsion of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav from Samajwadi Party, Mulayam Singh Yadav is expected to hold a meeting of all MLAs on Saturday.

Earlier on Friday, Akhilesh Yadav had cancelled press conference scheduled for 9pm and had instead announced that he will meet his Cabinet at 9am on Saturday.

Attendance at this meeting is likely to decide Akhilesh Yadav's future as the state's chief minister as well as in the political arena in most crucial state.

He had also scheduled a meeting with party workers and his loyalists at 12 noon.

SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav expelled his son and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and general secretary Ramgopal Yadav for six years after they put up candidates against the official nominees and summoned a party meet on Sunday.

The action, dubbed by a defiant Ramgopal, Mulayam's cousin, as "unconstitutional", as the party plunged into an unprecedented crisis raising questions over the fate of the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

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New Delhi:

Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag is retiring on Saturday. In his place, General Bipin Rawat will take over the charge of Army chief.

At an official program at lawn in South block, General Dalbir Singh Suhag will hand over the charge to General Bipin Rawat.

Here is the account of major events that took place in his regime:

# Surgical strikes in PoK

Nearly ten days after Uri terror attack, Indian Army executed surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes caused heavy casualties on terrorists. The response, first of its kind across the Pakistani border during peace time, was based on specific intelligence.

# Gurdaspur attack

Three gunmen dressed in Army uniforms started firing on a bus and then attacked a police station in Gurdaspur district on July 27, 2015. Total of 7 people lost their lives and 15 other were left injured in the attack. The Ministry of Home Affairs claimed that the attacks were carried out by Pakistan based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

# Pathankot attack

The heavily armed group of terrorists attacked Pathankot Air Force Station on January 2, 2016. Total of 6 security personnel were killed in the attack and 20 others left injured. After the attack, the national capital Delhi was put on high alert.

# Pampore attack

Militants ambushed Central Reserve Police Force convoy in Pampore town of Jammu and Kashmir on June 25, 2016. The attack was carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba. It calimed 8 lives and 22 were injured in the attack.

# Uri attack

The militants attacked an Indian Army brigade headquarters in Uri near Line of Control. The attack carried out on September 18, 2016. The attack is considered to be deadliest attack on security forces deployed in Kashmir in two decades. It claimed the lives of 19 soldiers and around 30 were injured.

# Baramulla attack

The terrorists attacked a camp of the Indian Army's 46 Rashtriya Rifles in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on October 3, 2016. It claimed the lives of 1 soldier. The suspected perpetrator is Jaish-e-Mohammad.

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Vijayawada:

Two persons were killed and 11 others were injured in an explosion inside a crackers manufacturing unit at Porlukatta on the outskirts of Nellore town in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, said police.

The cause of the explosion is not yet known, District Superintendent of Police Vishal Gunni said.

SPS Nellore district Collector Revu Mutyala Raju and SP Gunni rushed to the spot to over the rescue operation.

Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China Rajappa spoke to the district SP over phone and directed him to ensure better medicare to the injured.

He directed the SP to conduct an inquiry into the incident and submit a report immediately.

The Deputy CM also asked the district administration to crackdown on illegal cracker manufacturing units, if any.

Meanwhile, sources said the toll might go up as many suffered serious burns in the incident.

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New Delhi:

The year 2016 saw some of the key political and defence appointments.

While the government announced new chiefs for top security agencies like the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) in December, it found itself in the eye of the storm after naming the new army chief abandoning the traditional criterion of seniority.

The Opposition accused the Modi government of indulging in gradual politicisation of the Indian Army.

Here is a look at the key appointments in 2016.

Defence chiefs

The centre on December 17 appointed vice chief of army staff Lt Gen Bipin Rawat as the new army chief, while vice chief of air staff Air Marshal BS Dhanoa was named the new chief of the Indian Air Force.

Rawat's selection as the next army chief, superseding two senior officers, triggered a political controversy. After former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi overlooked General SK Sinha to make General AS Vaidya the army chief in 1983, this is the second time in 33 years when the government hasn't followed the tradition of choosing the senior-most general for the top post.

An infantry soldier, Rawat superseded senior most army commander Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, who headed the Eastern Command and was next in line to be the army chief, besides Southern Command chief PM Hariz.

R&AW and IB chiefs

Given the security situation in India after recent attacks by suspected Pakistani terrorists on army installations in Jammu and Kashmir and the subsequent retaliatory strike across the LoC, the position of director intelligence bureau (DIB) and secretary R&AW assume that much more importance.

Keeping that in mind, the Centre announced new chiefs for security and intelligence agencies- the R&AW and the IB on December 17.

Anil Dhasmana, a 1981-batch IPS officer of MP Cadre was named the new R&AW chief while Rajiv Jain, a 1980-batch IPS officer of Jharkhand cadre was given charge to head the Intelligence Bureau.

The high-level appointments are crucial considering the urgent need for high-grade intelligence.

Anil Dhasmana succeeded Rajinder Khanna who completes his tenure this year end. Dhasmana has been with RAW for the last 23 years during which he has served on important desks including Pakistan.

Rajiv Jain, who is at present serving as the Special Director in the IB, will take over on January 1 after the incumbent Dineshwar Sharma completes his two-year tenure on December 31.

A recipient of President's Police Medal, the 1980-batch officer has served in various departments of the IB including the sensitive Kashmir desk. He was adviser to the previous NDA government's interlocutor on Kashmir KC Pant when talks were held with separatist leaders like Shabbir Shah.

Sonowal becomes Assam chief minister

After 15 years of Congress rule, Assam got its first BJP government headed by Sarbananda Sonowal. The BJP coalition won a comfortable 86 seats in the 126-member assembly. The BJP had alliances with smaller parties and ethnic groups like the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), the Bodo People's Front (BPF) and the Rabhas and the Tiwa community, which also paved the way for its stronghold in the state.

Four state governors

Former Union minister Najma Heptullah was appointed governor of Manipur in August as President Pranab Mukherjee announced new gubernatorial appointments for three States and a Union Territory.

Former Rajya Sabha MP VP Singh Badnore was appointed Punjab governor while Banwarilal Purohit, a three-time former member of Lok Sabha from Nagpur was named the governor of Assam. Delhi-based BJP leader and former MLA Prof. Jagdish Mukhi was made Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

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New Delhi:

The year 2016 has seen many big announcements from the PM Modis government. The most prominent announcement came in the form of demonetisation. Apart from demonetisation, many other schemes were also announced.

Here are the complete account of major announcements in the year 2016:

# Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched two schemes to encourage digital transactions -- 'Lucky Grahak Yojana' and 'Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana'.

# Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana: The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) notified along with other provisions of Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Act, 2016 came into effect from 17 December 2016. It will remain open until March 31, 2017.

# Demonetisation: Prime Minister announced on November 8 that Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes will cease to be legal tender.

# Urja Ganga project: Prime Minister launched "Urja Ganga", an ambitious gas pipeline project which will bring piped cooking fuel to residents of this ancient temple town of Varanasi besides catering to millions of consumers in neighbouring states of UP.

# SAUNI Yojana Gujarat: During a gathering in Rajkot on 20th August the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, announced that 10 dams of the Saurashtra region will be filled with water from Narmada under the SAUNI Yojana. This is a special yojana that will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India.

# Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 is the bankruptcy law of India which seeks to consolidate the existing framework by creating a single law for insolvency and bankruptcy. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2015 was introduced in Lok Sabha in December 2015. It was passed by Lok Sabha on 5 May 2016.

# Sagar Mala project: Sagar Mala project is a strategic and customer-oriented initiative of the Government of India to modernize India's Ports so that port-led development can be augmented and coastlines can be developed to contribute in India's growth. It looks towards "transforming the existing Ports into modern world class Ports and integrate the development of the Ports, the Industrial clusters and hinterland and efficient evacuation systems through road, rail, inland and coastal waterways resulting in Ports becoming the drivers of economic activity in coastal areas.

# e-NAM Platform: PM Modi launched e-NAM  the e-trading platform for National Agriculture Market on April 14, 2016. 21 mandis from 8 States had join e-NAM

# Gatiman express launch: The train was launched on 5 April 2016 and completed its maiden journey within 100 minutes.

# Stand Up India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi have launched the Stand Up India scheme on April 5, at Sector 62, Noida. The scheme aims at promoting entrepreneurship amongst scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and women.

# Prime Minister's Crop Insurance Scheme: Prime Minister's Crop Insurance Scheme was launched by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on 18 February 2016. It envisages a uniform premium of only 2 per cent to be paid by farmers for Kharif crops, and 1.5 per cent for Rabi crops.

# Startup India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Startup India campaign on January 16, 2016. The campaign is aimed at providing assistance to start-up companies in India. He announced list of incentives to be given for start-ups.

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New Delhi:

Pacific Ocean nation New Zealand was the first country to ring in New Year 2017 on Saturday at 4:30PM (IST).A



Countryas capital Auckland became the first city in the world to burst into celebrations to welcome the New Year.A



Fireworks erupted from the 328m (1,080ft) tall Sky Tower in the city centre.



Polynesia and Pacific islands including Samoa, Tonga and Kiribati entered 2017 at 3:30 PM.

Australia: Sydney welcomes New Year 2017 with spectacular fireworks pic.twitter.com/L2nPtM862R a ANI (@ANI_news) December 31, 2016









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Jerusalam:

Israel has issued a warning for its citizens travelling to India ahead of the new year celebrations citing a concrete basic threat and advised to avoid parties and gatherings particularly in south-west part of the country.

We are warning Israeli tourists in India of the possibility of imminent terrorist attacks against western targets and tourists, particularly in the south-west of that country, Israels Counter-Terrorism Bureau said yesterday in a statement, released by the Prime Ministers office.

We ask to focus on events in the coming days related to the Christian New Years holiday, placing particular emphasis on beach parties and clubs, where there is larger concentration of tourists, it said.

Israeli tourists travelling in India have been asked to stay alert and to pay attention to local media reports and security agencies. Furthermore, families with relatives in India are asked to update them about the travel warning and recommendation, the warning said.

Security sources here said that the parties on new years eve on the beaches of Goa are popular among Israeli youngsters and other western tourists. Such gatherings can be easy targets of certain hostile Islamic groups.

Israel has in the past issued such warnings too, especially for Goa, but this time the sources feel that all such places frequented by large number of western tourists in southern and western parts of India can be the target of a terror attack.

The south-west part of the countrywhich covers popular holiday destinations like Goa, Pune, Mumbai and Cochinare particularly at risk, the warning said.

An Israeli Embassy spokesman in New Delhi confirmed the warning and said, Israel has issued a travel advisory surrounding New Years Eve celebrations events in south-west India, with specific regard to beach parties, clubs and highly-populated tourist sites. Israeli tourist are advised to avoid such events and other densely-populated areas.

In addition, it recommended avoiding markets, festivals and crowded shopping areas.

Notably, the travel warning was published on Friday, after the start of the Jewish Sabbath, when government offices close for business.

The bureau did not specify what prompted the warning, however, additional security arrangements have been made all around the world for New Year eve in view of the Berlin terror attack on a Christmas market last week that killed 12 people.

India remains a popular tourist destination for Israeli citizens and according to Jewish Post an estimated 20,000 former Israeli soldiers travel to India every year.

Israeli citizens and Jewish sites in India have been attacked in the past, the most infamous incident occurred during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack when members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group targeted the local Chabad House, among other sites, in Mumbai.

In 2012, Tal Yehoshua Koren, the wife of an Israeli Defense Ministry representative, was moderately wounded in an explosion in her car near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi.

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This past year in Central Asia proved every bit as interesting as it was predicted to be.

The economic downturn took various tolls across the five countries; one of the region's longtime leaders died; the echoes of war in neighboring Afghanistan were increasingly heard on the Central Asian side of the border; and detentions and arrests on charges connected to terrorism increased in Central Asia.

It was also a year when most of the region's governments intensified crackdowns on political opponents, rights activists, and independent journalists, while presidents honed their cults of leadership and personality.

It would be difficult to categorize them as "winners" and "losers." More accurately, there are those that "survived" and those that are barely holding on as the year comes to a close.

The latter category comprises Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, both of which might seem to be heading toward "failing state" status.

Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan fell deeply into economic crisis in 2016. Natural gas is really the country's only source of revenue, and world prices for gas are half what they were less than three years ago. Turkmenistan lost Russia as a customer at the very start of 2016 and discovered that the contracts it signed with its two remaining gas customers -- Iran and China -- bring in little revenue. Iran pays in the form of goods and services for the first $3 billion of the gas it imports. The problem is that Iran will import somewhere between 8 and 9 billion cubic meters (bcm) of Turkmen gas this year, which is less than $3 billion.

That didn't stop Turkmenistan from demanding at the end of 2016 that Iran pay a roughly $2 billion gas debt that Tehran denies it owes.

China loaned Turkmenistan money to develop the giant Galkynysh gas field and to build the pipelines to carry Turkmen gas to China. Turkmenistan will (possibly) export 40 bcm to China this year. It has never been clear what China pays for gas, but it almost certainly is less than $200 per 1,000 cubic meters, and an unknown percentage of Turkmen gas goes toward paying off the multibillion-dollar debt Turkmenistan owes China.

It was clear massive layoffs in the oil-and-gas sector were taking place during 2016. Unofficial estimates claim more than 50 percent of the eligible workforce is now unemployed. Reports of wage arrears are now common and the government is said to be garnishing paychecks of those who are still employed to help pay for prestige projects that really do nothing for the population. There are shortages of basic goods -- flour, sugar, and cooking oil among them -- and photographs show long lines of people waiting outside stores to buy their rations of these basic goods.

And there are security problems along Turkmenistan's 744-kilometer frontier with Afghanistan, which the Turkmen government denies but which the Afghan media and the government confirm. Russia was so concerned, it sent Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to Turkmenistan in June, the first visit by a Russian defense minister to Turkmenistan since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Turkmen government doesn't acknowledge any of these problems. According to President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov and his government, Turkmenistan is still in a "Golden Age."

Turkmenistan's official policy of neutrality, the policy used to isolate the country from the rest of the world, seems to prevent the Turkmen government from requesting outside financial help. The government has built an image of being all-powerful and told the public that outside help would never be needed.

How could the Turkmen government explain to the country's people that foreign loans were now needed to keep the country afloat when the Turkmen government hasn't admitted to its people that there is any economic problem?

There's also the possibility that if Ashgabat did seek foreign loans it might not find many interested lenders. Turkmenistan has not been a player in the international community for a quarter of a century. Who would help?

Tajikistan

Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon showed in 2016 that he was not much different from his Turkmen counterparts, past or present. In December 2015, Tajikistan's parliament passed a law giving Rahmon the title "Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation." In May, voters approved amendments to the constitution that removed a term limit for Rahmon, who has already been elected president four times in votes that no Western observer missions endorsed.

Tajik authorities cracked down hard on all perceived political opponents during 2016. The country's largest opposition party, the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, went from being a parliamentary party at the start of 2015 -- as it had had been for 15 years -- to dissolution as a party, then an outright ban, then its listing as an extremist group. Trials of the party's leaders started in early 2016, and eventually they were all convicted and imprisoned. Lawyers who tried to defend them were themselves charged with crimes and imprisoned.

Campaigns against independent media outlets in Tajikistan intensified. Many journalists fled the country, at least two independent newspaper closed, and many fear it is only a matter of time before all independent media outlets are shut down.

Tajikistan's economic situation has never been good. It has been a donor-dependent nation since its birth. But much like Turkmenistan, state money is spent on bizarre projects, such as what was -- briefly -- the world's tallest flagpole. Rahmon has more recently approved a project to build a large city in a sparsely populated area of northern Tajikistan. (It is sparsely populated because there is no water there, but that has not stopped government plans for the new city.)

Tajikistan's banking system was in crisis in 2016. By year's end, after failing to attract international financial assistance, the government had to come up with some $250 million to bail out the country's second-largest lender, Tojiksodirotbank. Depositors at the bank had been experiencing difficulties all year trying to make withdrawals.

Tajikistan is the most remittance-dependent country in the world. But most of that money was sent back from Russia and, owing to Russia's economic problems, remittances are less than half of what they were in 2013.

Meanwhile, members of Rahmon's family continued taking up places in the government. Rahmon's daughter Ozoda was reportedly made chief of the presidential staff in January, but in May she was elected to a recently vacated seat in the Senate. Presidential son Rustam Emomali was still head of the anticorruption agency in 2016, but an amendment to the constitution in May lowered the age of eligibility to become president from 35 to 30. (Emomali turned 29 on December 19.) The next presidential election is scheduled for 2020.

Tajikistan probably won't fail because the government has powerful friends. Russia has a military base in Tajikistan, and China has a border with Tajikistan and fears the spread of extremism from Afghanistan through Tajikistan and into western China, where a significant proportion of the population is Muslim.

Uzbekistan

The biggest news of the year from Central Asia came with the death of Uzbek President Islam Karimov, announced on September 2. (Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev is now the last of the region's Soviet-era leaders still in power.)

Karimov's death raised many possibilities for Uzbekistan's future. He was succeeded by his prime minister, Shavkat Mirziyaev, who was quickly, and arguably unconstitutionally, named interim president before being elected to the post by popular vote on December 4.

Mirziyaev's regional foreign policy aims at mending fences damaged by Karimov during his 25 years as president. Uzbekistan's Central Asian neighbors are clearly pleased with the changes so far, and Uzbekistan stands to benefit from closer regional relations as well.

The timing is good because, despite what Uzbek officials say, the country's economy needs help. It is difficult to obtain reliable economic figures from Uzbekistan, but information from inside the country indicates salaries are not being paid on time. There are shortages of cash, shortages of gasoline, and disruptions of gas and electricity supplies.

Mirziyaev has made many promises -- currency convertibility among them. On the black market, the national currency, the som, trades at twice the official rate to the U.S. dollar. Mirziyaev has said Uzbekistan is looking for foreign investors, but so far no one except Russia has shown much interest.

Mirziyaev was Karimov's prime minister for 13 years. While there are hopes for progress, social and political reforms do not seem to be on the new administration's to-do list.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan was a survivor, though during the first half of 2016 there were moments when the situation looked shaky. Kazakhstan's economy is dependent on oil exports, and in August 2015, as the price of oil on world markets was plummeting, the government allowed the national currency -- the tenge -- to float. The tenge's value fell from about 180 to $1 to 360 to $1 by mid-January 2016.

Mortgage holders who had taken out loans based on U.S. dollar rates were among the first to feel the bite. Small protests started in January, but the Kazakh government diverted attention that same month by announcing snap parliamentary elections.

The reason given for early elections was the need to have new deputies with fresh ideas to confront the economic crisis. In the end, the parliament that was elected comprised the same three political parties with each in control of almost the same number of seats. According to RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, known locally as Azattyq, 43 percent of deputies from the previous parliament kept their seats.

The distraction of the March elections didn't last long. By April, the issue of land reforms was causing new social discontent, especially as rumors spread that farmland available for lease would be snatched up by the Chinese. The rumors were mostly unfounded, but with buying power decreasing for most people in Kazakhstan, there were legitimate questions about who had sufficient funds to lease or buy Kazakhstan's land.

Protests broke out at the end of April, with many other complaints added to the concerns about land reforms. Despite efforts by authorities to prevent any further exhibitions of public discontent, even larger protests were held across the country on May 21.

Questions were raised about Kazakhstan's future stability. A bizarre outbreak of violence in the western city of Aqtobe in early June seemed to confirm such concerns, as a group of young men robbed a gun shop, then launched an amateurish attack on a military post. Most of the attackers were killed. Kazakh authorities called it a terrorist attack and said the men had links to Islamic extremism, although there is scant public evidence to support this.

But by year's end, the situation had stabilized. The tenge was holding steady at somewhere between 330 and 340 to the U.S. dollar. Some oil workers were finally being laid off, something the government had been careful to try to avoid, but the restart of the long-delayed Kashagan oil and gas field in Kazakhstan's sector of the Caspian Sea toward the end of 2016 brought the promise of new jobs and badly needed revenue for state coffers.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan was a survivor, too. At the best of times, the country has financial difficulties. But Kyrgyzstan is a net oil and gas consumer, so the fall in world prices for those commodities was a benefit. There were problems with foreign investors in Kyrgyzstan's mining industry, mainly gold mining, but that has been true for more than two decades now.

Kyrgyzstan joined the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in August 2015. Trade among the members -- Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia -- has fallen consistently, but EEU membership did help Kyrgyzstan's migrant laborers working in Russia. Kyrgyzstan's remittance dependence is one of the highest in the world, but while Central Asian states Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (also with large numbers of migrant laborers working in Russia) registered sharp declines in remittances in 2016, remittances to Kyrgyzstan actually increased.

But President Almazbek Atambaev might have given himself and his former (technically) political party, the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan, a self-inflicted wound. Atambaev backed holding a referendum on amendments to the constitution in December, although the constitution, written in 2010 after the ouster of former Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev, specified no changes should be made until 2020.

The referendum proved a contentious issue. It was rushed through parliament for approval. The people had little opportunity to debate the amendments and, as RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, known locally as Azattyk, showed through its reporting, few people knew much about the changes they were being asked to approve as they went to polling stations.

Plans for the referendum split the former political allies that took power after Bakiev was chased from office in 2010. Eventually, it caused the collapse of the ruling coalition in parliament.

The referendum passed in a vote in December, but less than half of eligible voters cast ballots. With a presidential election scheduled for late 2017, it seems almost inevitable that the issue of the early referendum will come up again soon.

Central Asia made it through 2016, but the potential for trouble is still there.

Kazakhstan has some breathing room, but the other four face serious challenges in 2017. And next year might not be any better.

With contributions from RFE/RL's Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Turkmen, and Uzbek services. The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL.
Islamabad:

Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain conferred on Saturday country's highest civilian honour 'Nishan-i-Imtiaz' on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat and army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa in recognition of their services.

The generals were awarded at a ceremony held at the Awan-e-Sadr (President House).

According to a statement by the President House, the President conferred Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on General Hayat and General Bajwa "in recognition of their services."

Last month, President Hussain appointed Bajwa as Chief of Army Staff and Hayat as the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee on the recommendation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence) is one of the state organised civil decorations of Pakistan. It is the highest honour given to any civilian in Pakistan based on their achievements towards world recognition for Pakistan or an outstanding service for the country. The award can also be given to military personnel.

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MASON CITY -- A For Seniors Only program will be held at 10 a.m, Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the Lime Creek Nature Center.

Robert Vavra, Mississippi riverboat captain and owner-operator of The Maiden Voyage, a working river boat on the Upper Mississippi River, will be guest speaker.

Working for a number of years after high school in commercial fishing, clamming and trapping, Vavra realized a young man should not hitch his wagon to a dying industry. His presentation, "The Day of the Hunter Gatherer," is a hands-on, interactive experience that will explore the history of hunting, trapping, fishing and clamming on the Mississippi River.

The Lime Creek Nature Center has received funding from Humanities Iowa to host this presentation. A cultural resource for Iowans since 1971, Humanities Iowa offers many cultural and historical programs and grants to Iowas communities.

The program will be followed by a catered lunch and social time. Cost is $5 for nature center members and $7 for nonmembers; or free for those who prefer not to eat. Call 423-5309 by Jan. 9 to register.
BETHEL  A massive bird with black, beady eyes, a long beak, and thick feathers may not seem like the typical inspiration for an artist, but Edgar Allan Poes iconic raven acts as the creative muse for Jo-Ann Cordes.

My current art is inspired by the mythical raven. In the amazing world of birds, ravens hold a special place of recognition, said Cordes, of Bethel. I believe that many of us are attracted to birds because they seem somewhat magical. Birds view the earth from a perspective that most of us never get a chance to see.

Ravens, Cordes first solo art show, is on display at the Bethel Public Library in the Maria Parloa Community Room. The exhibit runs through Jan. 31. An artist reception is set for Jan.14, from 2 to 4 p.m. Comprising 14 pieces, the paintings are multilayered, employing mixed media, including acrylic, watercolor, ink, color pencil, paper, oil pastel, and pen.

I try not to use too many colors in my palette and to keep the raven as the focus. My goal is not to render a precise, anatomical version of a bird, but instead to catch the spirit of the raven. I would like viewers to connect to the character or perhaps the essence of a bird, said Cordes who relies on photographs and Petersons Field Guide to Birds to practice the individual characteristics of ravens. I work mostly on canvas and artist board. Before beginning a painting, I do several sketches. Several years ago, an artist gave me good advice: keep a sketch pad with you and draw something every day.

Susan Anderson, library assistant for programs and public relations at Bethel Public Library, was impressed with Jo-Anns striking artistry: It has an eye-catching quality. One raven piece is large scale, very bold and beautiful. I knew it would show well in our community room because its very imposing, said Anderson. Bethel truly has a treasure trove of artists. I do appreciate the talent so much. The artists bring in their friends and family and people from all over, in particular Bethelites, to come and view the artwork.

Accompanying Cordes paintings is her biography and a list of books on ravens. Jo-Ann shares the inspiration for what she did  the story behind it. Its an extra treat for the viewer, Anderson said.

Since her childhood, Cordes has been intrigued by ravens and crows, with Poes well-known poem, The Raven, making a lasting impression.

Poe was such an intense and almost obsessive writer. The haunting image of the raven that Poe created stayed with me. While in college, I came across Carlos Castanedas The Teachings of Don Juan. As a master storyteller, Castaneda studied shamanism and wrote about a raven as a messenger and a connection to another world, she said. Stories of ravens are woven into the fabric of time through folklore, mythology, literature, poetry, and are now the subject of cutting-edge scientific research. Ravens are regarded as the most intelligent bird. They mate for life, are mischievous, demonstrate empathy, and are currently being studied for their apparent cognitive skills.

As a language teacher at Wilton High School for 24 years and now retired, Cordes holds masters degrees in bilingual instruction and curriculum design. She honed her skills at Silvermine Art School, the Wooster School and through photography classes from Harold Feinstein in New York. While working for Pan American World Airlines, Cordes traveled extensively and visited many of the great art museums in the United States and Europe. Her work has been exhibited in juried shows at the Mark Twain Library and the Rowayton Arts Center. In 1984, she won first place in Pan Americans International Photography Contest depicting the accelerated transition of night to day in world travel.

Cordes always looks for ways to refine her skills, continue challenging herself, and tackling other subjects. Im interested in focusing on animals on the endangered list.

I love creating art. Its always been an essential part of my life and continues to be integral to how I relate to the world around me. Ive doodled and sketched most of my life as a way to deal with the stresses of life that most of us experience. Doodling is a kind of aimless drawing that allows your inner thoughts to express themselves, she said. We live in a world in which there is too much strife. I believe that if humans can observe the natural world of animals  whether its the family dog, a beloved cat, or the bird pecking at our window, well find a way to see the connection that exists with all living beings. Art can be a way to make that connection.

For information on Jo-Ann Cordes, visit her website at joanncordes.com .
From reopening a road to finishing sidewalk projects, local leaders have some very specific goals this year. Others are hoping that 2017 will bring better communication and greater trust between sometimes-warring political factions.

We asked a variety of local officials and community leaders to weigh in with their New Years resolutions for their communities. Heres what they said.

Monsignor Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church, Newown:

Mine is to encourage people to trust a lot more in each other. We are entering a transition period in our country over the next several months with the election of a new president, and there is a lot of concern out there about our future. My other resolution would be to encourage people to support each others healing to bring us back together as a community. We have a continuing need for healing in this community.

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton:

Put the phone down and enjoy the sunsets.

P.J. Prunty, executive director of City Center Danbury:

This year is more personal for me, being the new father of a three-week-old son. My perspective on the world has changed for the better. My new years resolution is to spend lots more family time with my wife and my son, watching him grow up. My new years resolution is to be there for those important events in his life with my wife.

New Milford Mayor David Gronbach:

My hope for a Town resolution in the New Year is to recognize that what we have here in New Milford should not be taken for granted. From our unique and charming downtown, to the retail and commercial offerings of Route 7; from our cultural institutions and events; to our natural resources in lakes, rivers, open spaces and farms. My hope in 2017 is to acknowledge our issues, enhance our many positives, and encourage the people working on both categories to help New Milford continue to be a success.

Bridgewater First Selectman Curtis Read:

In my role as First Selectman of Bridgewater my resolution is: to not worry about national, state or local politics, but rather stay focused on completing several planned improvement projects. Also, I will constantly encourage all our citizens to work together in a spirit of mutual respect and fiscal responsibility to consider and find solutions for some looming problems with local education, potential development and senior services. In general, I will try to keep Bridgewater moving forward on many fronts while respecting our rural character and agricultural heritage.

Sherman First Selectman Clay Cope:

My goals for 2017 are to continue improving Shermans infrastructure, encourage more volunteerism on the towns boards and commissions, and above all: to keep taxes low, allowing families and senior citizens alike to stay in the town we call home.

Roxbury First Selectman Barbara Henry:

For 2017 my personal resolutions are to make sure we continue our outreach to those struggling in our community so they know we are here to support them; try not to multi-task so much and be present with people; take more down-time with my family and friends; continue to show gratitude for the people who make up Roxbury, as well as our employees, because they are the best! Stay happy and eat dessert first!

My goals include working with the Board of Selectman and Conservation Commission to see that a solar array is installed on the closed landfill at the transfer station and any other solar panels we can put on municipal buildings; build on ways to communicate with our residents by adding Instagram to the venues used presently, i.e., - Facebook, Twitter, blast emails and phone calls. The challenge remains in making sure our older population is in the loop because many do not use social media or email. Complete the Hurlburt Park kitchen and bathroom project as well as Minor Bridge Road rehabilitation. We need to stay engaged with the AgStem project and work with our legislators on this and any unfunded mandates that come down the pike that will affect our community.

Kent First Selectman Bruce Adams:

My resolution is to reopen Carter Road, sooner rather than later.

New Fairfield First Selectman Susan Chapman:

My goals for New Fairfield are getting our sidewalk project and Candlewood Corners going in the spring. I am still following the DEEP regulations to stop walk-ins at Squantz Pond. I also am going to work with the Superintendent to get a committee together for renovating the auditorium at the high school.

Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker:

1.) Complete Bethel's new police station project and ensure our officers have a state-of-the-science facility that meets their needs well into the future.

2). Launch a new online "eGovernment" system to streamline the land use, health and building permit process. I hope to have that up and running by summer, 2017.

3). Follow through with completion of the Plumtrees Road bridge reconstruction project; ensure the new intersection is fully completed by the start of the fall 2017 school season.

Brookfield First Selectman Steve Dunn:

Our wish is that all residents have a healthy, prosperous and happy new year and that all overhead wires are underground by Christmas.
MASON CITY -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will release trout in Blue Pit at 11 a.m. Jan. 14. This is an area that would not support them during warmer months.

The popular program is supported by collection of the trout fee. Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10.

Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but they must limit their catch to one daily limit. The child can purchase a trout fee which will allow them to catch their own limit.

Check the DNR Trout Fishing website at www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Trout-Fishing for possible stocking changes.
President-elect Donald Trump on Friday expressed his appreciation to Vladimir Putin after the Russian president said he would not expel American diplomats in response to new U.S. sanctions over hacking as a gesture to the incoming administration.

"Great move on delay (by V. Putin)," Trump tweeted Friday afternoon. "I always knew he was very smart!"

The tweet is Trump's latest nod to Putin, whom he has praised as a strong leader - inspiring considerable backlash from U.S. politicians from both parties who call the Russian president an authoritarian leader who poses a danger to U.S. interests.

President Barack Obama's administration on Thursday announced it will expel 35 Russian "intelligence operatives" and shutter facilities in Maryland and New York believed to be used for the Kremlin's intelligence-gathering purposes, as a way to punish Moscow. U.S. intelligence agencies have alleged that Russian state-backed hackers leaked information about then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to sway the election in Trump's favor. Russia denies the charge.

Putin's decision not to reciprocate is a sharp departure from the tit-for-tat policies Moscow pursued against the United States in response to Ukraine-related sanctions in 2014.

Putin announced Friday that he "won't create problems for American diplomats" in retaliation while he waits for the new administration to take office, adding that he would "plan further steps for restoring the Russian-American relationship based in the policies enacted by the administration of President Donald Trump."

In the meantime, he extended an invitation to the children of American diplomats in Russia to a holiday party in the Kremlin.
Ordinance calls for penalty for holding old notes after March 31

Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Fri, 30 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 30 (IANS) The ordinance on old notes, that was approved by President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday, calls for a penalty of Rs 10,000 or five times the amount of the demonetised notes held, whichever is higher, after March 31.

"To prevent any continued parallel transactions with the specified bank notes by unscrupulous elements, after this period (March 31), holding, transferring and receiving them will attract a fine of Rs 10,000 or five times the amount of the face value of the old notes involved in the contravention, whichever is higher," the Finance Ministry said in a statement here on Friday.

The ordinance was approved by the Union Cabinet on December 28.

"The President of India has approved the promulgation of the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Ordinance, 2016 today i.e. on December, 30," the statement added.

The provision of depositing old high denomination currency with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) would continue till March 31.

The person seeking to deposit old notes with the RBI after December 30 will have to give an explanation as to why he or she could not deposit them earlier.

The details of the declaration and statements that are required to be submitted along with the old notes at the time of deposit in RBI offices will be separately announced. Any false declaration will invite a fine of Rs 50,000 or five times the amount of the face value of the old notes, whichever is higher, the statement noted.

Indian citizens who were outside India from November 9 to December 30 can deposit old notes at specified RBI offices till March 31, it said.

"For those citizens of India who are not resident in India, this facility would be available till June 30, in order to allow them adequate time to plan a visit as per their convenience.

"The facility would be subject to the regulations of Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations, 2015," the statement said.

As per these regulations bringing back such currency into the country is restricted to Rs 25,000 per person. Separate FEMA provisions are applicable to persons in Nepal and Bhutan which would continue to apply.

At the time of return to India, the number and denominations of the old notes will need to be declared to the customs authorities at the airports and other entry points. Necessary form for such declaration will be given out by the Central Bureau of Excise and Customs.

"After the period of exchange is over, the liabilities of the Reserve Bank and the guarantee of the central government towards the old notes will stand extinguished," the statement said.

The ordinance is a follow-up to the decision to cancel the legal tender after demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8.

--IANS

mm/vd
28 killed in twin suicide bombings in Baghdad

Iraq,Defence/Security,Terrorism, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Baghdad, Dec 31 (IANS) At least 28 persons were killed and 53 injured in twin suicide bomb attacks in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Saturday, a source said.

A suspect blew up his explosive vest at the crowded car spare parts market in Sinak area and another suicide bomber detonated himself near a post office in the same area, the Interior Ministry source told Xinhua news agency.

Earlier in the day, the source said the attacks were carried out by roadside bombs and put the toll at 19 dead and 45 injured.

The Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Terrorist acts, violence and armed conflicts killed 2,885 Iraqis and wounded 1,380 others in November across Iraq, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said.

The attacks came as the Iraqi security forces backed by an anti-IS international coalition are carrying out a major offensive to drive out the IS from its last major stronghold in and around Mosul.

Many blame the current chronic instability, cycle of violence and the emergence of extremist groups such as the IS on the US, which invaded and occupied Iraq in March 2003.

--IANS

py/bg
Moldova honours mothers with more than 11 children

Moldova, Republic Of,Human Interest/Society, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Chisinau, Dec 31 (IANS) Moldovan President Igor Dodon has conferred state honours to four mothers with more than 11 children each, media report said.

Two women each with eleven children were awarded the Order of the Republic, while the other two with 12 and 13 children respectively, received the Order of Honour, the presidential press service announced.

The landlocked country of Moldova in Eastern Europe, bordered by Romania on one side and Ukraine on the three other, suffers from "a very serious demographic problem".

The awards were conferred as a sign of high appreciation to these women for consolidating the family institution and contributions towards creating socially responsible family, Xinhua news reported on Saturday.

Dodon said that it was high time to encourage through special mentions and financial support the families with many children in the country where in many villages no child was born in a year.

The President also said he would initiate legislative amendments to ensure support for the families with many children.

--IANS

in/
UN Security Council adopts resolution supporting Syria ceasefire, peace talks

United States,Defence/Security,Diplomacy, Sun, 01 Jan 2017 IANS

United Nations, Jan 1 (IANS) The UN Security Council on Saturday unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the Syria ceasefire arrangement brokered by Russia and Turkey as well as a new peace talks plan among Syrian conflict parties.

The nationwide ceasefire in Syria, agreed upon by the Syrian government and major opposition groups, came into force at midnight local time Thursday, as the latest attempt to end nearly six years of civil war, Xinhua news agency reported.

It aims to pave the way for new peace talks between the parties set to be held in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan next month.

The 15-nation council "welcomes and supports the efforts by Russia and Turkey to end violence in Syria and jump-start a political process" and looks forward to the Astana meeting, which it called "an important step" ahead of the resumption of negotiations under UN auspices in Geneva.

According to local monitor group, the nationwide ceasefire is holding in most areas in Syria despite sporadic breaches near Damascus and in the countryside of the northern city of Aleppo.

The chronic conflicts in Syria have killed more than 300,000 people and displaced nearly 11 million others.

--IANS

lok/
MASON CITY  James R. Heiny, 88, of Mason City, IA, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, at The Bridges in Ankeny, IA.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Georgia Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. Judy Eilders officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Association.

Per his request, his body will be cremated. There will be no visitation. Inurnment will take place at a later date.

Jim supported many organizations. Memorials may be directed to the donors choice. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements: Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, IA 50401, 641-423-0924, www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.
Centauri Dreams has a review of the EMDrive by Marc Millis, former head of NASAs Breakthrough Propulsion Physics project and founding architect of the Tau Zero Foundation and other experts. They have spent the last two months reviewing the relevant papers.

Millis enlisted the help of scientists with expertise in experimental issues, all of whom also contributed to BPP, and all of whom remain active in experimental work. The revisions and insertions of George Hathaway (Hathaway Consulting), Martin Tajmar (Dresden University), Eric Davis (EarthTech) and Jordan Maclay (Quantum Fields, LLC) have been discussed through frequent email exchanges as the final text began to emerge.

A peer-reviewed article about experimental tests of an EmDrive was just published in the AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power by Harold (Sonny) White and colleagues: White, H., March, P., Lawrence, J., Vera, J., Sylvester, A., Brady, D., & Bailey, P. (2016), Measurement of Impulsive Thrust from a Closed Radio-Frequency Cavity in Vacuum, Journal of Propulsion and Power, (print version pending, online version here.

That new article, plus related peer-reviewed articles, were reviewed by colleagues in the Tau Zero network, including two who operate similar low-thrust propulsion tests stands. From our reviews and discussions, they have reached the following professional opinions  summarized in the list below and then detailed in the body of this article. They regret that they can only offer opinions instead of definitive conclusions. That ambiguity is a significant part of this story that also merits discussion.

The overview material are shown here but the original overview and the details are at the Centauri Dreams article.

This article will also reproduce the details looking at Space drive theories.

Overview Technical

(1) The experimental methods and resulting data indicate a possible new force-producing effect, but not yet satisfying the threshold of extraordinary evidence for extraordinary claims  especially since this is a measurement of small effects.

(2) The propulsion physics explanations offered, which already assume that the measured force is real, are not sound.

(3) Experiments have been conducted on other anomalous forces, whose fidelity and implications merit comparable scrutiny, specifically Jim Woodwards Mach Effect Thruster.

Implications

(1) If either the EmDrive or Mach Effect Thrusters are indeed genuine, then new physics is being discovered  the ramifications of which cannot be assessed until after those effects are sufficiently modeled. Even if it turns out that the effects are of minor utility, having new experimental approaches to explore unfinished physics would be valuable.

(2) Even if genuine, it is premature to assess the potential utility of these devices. Existing data only addresses some of the characteristics necessary to compare with other technologies. At this point, it is best to withhold judgment, either pro or con.

Pitfalls to Avoid

(1) The earlier repeated tactic, to attempt fast and cheap experimental tests, has turned out to be neither fast nor cheap. Its been at least 14 years since the EmDrive first emerged (2002) and despite numerous tests, we still lack a definitive conclusion.

(2) In much the same way that thermal and chamber effects are obscuring the force measurements, our ability to reach accurate conclusions is impeded by our natural human behavior of jumping to conclusions, confirmation biases, sensationalism, and pedantic reflexes. This is part of the reality that also needs understanding so that we can separate those influences from the underlying physics.

Recommendations

(1) Continue scrutinizing the existing experimental investigations on both the EmDrive and Mach Effect Thrusters.

(2) To break the cycle of endlessly not doing the right things to get a definitive answer, begin a more in-depth experimental program using qualified and impartial labs, plus qualified and impartial analysts. The Tau Zero Foundation stands ready to make arrangements with suitable labs and analysts to produce reliable findings, pro or con.

(3) If it turns out that the effects are genuine, then continue with separate (a) engineering and (b) physics research, where the engineers focus on creating viable devices and the physicists focus on deciphering nature. In both cases:

Characterize the parameters that affect the effects.

Deduce mathematical models.

Apply those models to (a) assess scalability to practical levels, and (b) understand the new phenomena and its relation to other fundamental physics.

On all of the above, conduct and publish the research with a focus on the reliability of the findings rather than on their implications.

EmDrive and Other Space Drive Theories

First, I cannot stress enough that there is no new EmDrive effect yet about which to theorize. The physical evidence on the EmDrive is neither defensible nor does it include enough operating parameters to characterize a new effect. The data is not even reliable enough to deduce the force-per-power relationship, let alone any other important correlations. What about the effects of changing the dimensions or geometry, changing the materials, or changing the microwave frequencies or modulation? And then there is the unanswered question, what are the propulsion forces pushing on?

Assuming for the moment that the EmDrive is a new force-producing effect, we know at least two things (1) it is not a photon rocket, because the claimed forces are 360 times greater than the photon rocket effect, and (2) a force, without an equal and opposite force, goes beyond Newtons laws. Note that I did not evoke the more familiar violating conservation of momentum point. That is because these experiments are still trying to figure out if there is a force. We wont get to conservation of momentum until after those forces are applied to accelerate an object. If that happens, then we must ask what reaction mass is being accelerated in the opposite direction. If the effects are indeed genuine, then new physics is being discovered or old physics is being applied in a new, unfamiliar context.

For those claiming to have a theory to predict a new propulsion effect, it is necessary that those theories make testable numeric predictions. The predictions in Juans 2013 paper did not match its results. The analytical discussions in Whites 2016 experimental paper do not make theoretical predictions. The same is true with his 2015 theoretical paper: White (2015), A discussion on characteristics of the quantum vacuum, Physics Essays, vol. 28, no. 4, 496-502.

Short of having a self-consistent theory, any speculations should at least accurately echo the physics they cite. The explanations in the Whites 2016 experimental paper, Whites 2015 theory paper, and even Whites 2013 report on the self-named White-Juday Warp Field Interferometer (White (2013), Warp Field Mechanics 101, Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, vol. 66, pp. 242-247), did not pass this threshold. Ill leave to other authors to elaborate on the 2015 and 2016 papers, while a review of the 2013 warp drive claims is available here. It is Lee & Cleaver (2014), The Inability of the White-Juday Warp Field Interferometer to Spectrally Resolve Spacetime Distortions, [physics.gen-ph].

In contrast, it is also important to avoid pedantic reflexes  summarily dismissing anything that does not fit what we already know, or assuming all of our existing theories are completely correct. For example, the observations that lead to the Dark Matter and Dark Energy hypotheses do not match existing theories, but that evidence has been reliably documented. Using that data, many different theories are being hypothesized and tested. The distinction here is that both the proponents and challengers make sure they are accurately representing what is, and is not yet, known.

If a propulsion physics breakthrough is to be found, it will likely be discovered by examining relevant open questions in physics. A relevant theoretical question to non-rocket propulsion concepts (including the EmDrive) is ensuring conservation of momentum. One way to approach this is to look for phenomena is space that might serve as a reaction mass in lieu of propellant, perhaps like the quantum vacuum. Another approach is to dig deeper into the nature of inertial frames. Inertial frames are the reference frames upon which the laws of motion and the conservation laws are defined, yet it is still unknown what causes inertial frames to exist or if they have any deeper properties that might prove useful.

Woodward Tests and Theory

In addition to the overtly touted EmDrive, there are about two-dozen other space drive concepts of varying degree of substance. One of them started out as a theoretical investigation into the physics of inertial frames which then advanced to make testable numeric predictions. Specifically Im referring to what is now called the Mach Effect Thruster concept of James F. Woodward, which dates back at least to this article:

Woodward, James F. (1990), A new experimental approach to Machs principle and relativistic gravitation, Foundations of Physics Letters, vol. 3, no. 5, pp. 497-506.

A more in-depth and recent publication on these concepts is available as:

Woodward, James F. (2013) Making Starships and Stargates: The Science of Interstellar Transport and Absurdly Benign Wormholes. Springer Praxis Books.

Experiments have been modestly underway for years, including three recent independent replication attempts by George Hathaway in Toronto Canada, Martin Tajmar in Dresden Germany, and Nembo Buldrini in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. Those two first labs are also testing the EmDrive, but no journal publications of those results are out yet. A workshop was held to review these findings in September 20-23, 2016, in Estes Park, Colorado. I understand from an email conversation with Jim Woodward that these reports and workshop proceedings are now undergoing peer review for likely publication early in 2017.

The main point here, by citing just this one other example, is that there are other approaches beyond the highly publicized EmDrive claims. It would be a disservice to our readers to let a media fixation with one theme blind us to alternatives.

Implications

If either the EmDrive or Mach Effect Thruster is indeed genuine, then new physics is being discovered or old physics is being applied in a new, unfamiliar context. Either would be profound. Today it is premature to assert than any of these effects are genuine, or conversely, to flatly rule out that such propulsion ambitions are impossible.
Here is the 712 page breakdown of NASA $18 billion 2017 budget which provides only a few million for Advanced concepts and innovation projects and has not budgeted a launch of an EMDrive to Space Station.

$2.7 billion to operate and manage facilities on the ground.

$1.78 billion on Earth science

$1.45 billion on Planetary Science

Of course there is a lot more waste and inefficiency in the $4 trillion federal annual budgets.

Although NASA conducts a much more visible space program, DODs space program is larger. There is no easy way to track national security space funding since space is not a specific item in DODs budget. A portion of these activities are classified (black) programs for which budgetary information is not available on an unclassified basis. The rest of the funding is for unclassified (white) programs, but is spread throughout the DOD budget in research and development, operations and management, and procurement accounts for the three services and defense-wide activities. The majority of funding is in the Air Force accounts, but is difficult to identify except for major programs. According to the fiscal year (FY) 2011 edition of the annual Aeronautics and Space Report of the President (the most recent available), DODs FY2011 space budget was $27.3 billion, which is thought to represent all spending (classified and unclassified) for national security space activities

DODs unclassified space systems include the following programs, some of which are operational and others still in development or earlier phases:

Communications Satellites: Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS), Wide-Band Global Satcom (WGS), Milstar, Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), and Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF).

Navigation Satellites: Global Positioning System (GPS)

Early Warning: Defense Support Program (DSP), Space Based Infrared Satellite System-High (SBIRS-High), Third Generation Infrared Surveillance (3GIRS)

Weather: Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), Defense Weather Satellite System (replacing the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System, NPOESS, which was a joint program with NOAA and NASA)

Ballistic Missile Defense-related: Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS, formerly SBIRS-Low)

Launch Vehicles: Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles (Atlas V and Delta IV), Pegasus, Taurus, Minotaur (all of these also are used by the civil space sector)

In 2015, $500 million went to training Syrian rebels. The government had vetted, trained and equipped only 145 fighters, including just 95 who had returned to Syria to fight. That worked out to cost of roughly $2 million per trainee.

The Pentagon could easily save $125 billion per year based on a Pentagon funded fiscal analysis. The Pentagon has buried an internal study that exposed $125 billion in administrative waste in its business operations amid fears Congress would use the findings as an excuse to slash the defense budget, according to interviews and confidential memos obtained by The Washington Post.

Pentagon leaders had requested the study to help make their enormous back-office bureaucracy more efficient and reinvest any savings in combat power. But after the project documented far more wasteful spending than expected, senior defense officials moved swiftly to kill it by discrediting and suppressing the results.

The 77 page report issued in January 2015, identified a clear path for the Defense Department to save $125 billion over five years. The plan would not have required layoffs of civil servants or reductions in military personnel.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Nigerians to keep faith with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, saying thoug...





The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Nigerians to keep faith with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, saying though 2016 was understandably tough, 2017 would usher in an era of fruitful democratic dividends.Wishing Nigerians a happy and prosperous new year, the party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi also thanked Nigerians for their support and commitment to the APC-led Government in 2016.We understand that the past year has been a difficult one for Nigerians as Government laid the necessary foundation for setting our country on the path of sustainable growth.We are confident however that many of Governments effort will begin to yield positive dividends this year as our country climbs out of the current economic recession, the party stated.APC said it would continue to stand with Nigerians, expressing confidence in the ability and commitment of President Buhari to provide the necessary leadership to set our economy and our country on the path of recovery and self-reliance.According to the party, with the effective defeat of Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast, we have achieved one of the major promises the Party made to Nigerians even as the Government continues to work on improving the safety of lives of Nigerians across the country. It also appealed to Nigerians to be more patient and continue to support the APC-Government as we bring our country on the path of peace, progress and stability.
Bishop Simeon Okah, the principal patriarch of the Flock of Christ Mission, Enerhen-Effurun, Delta State, has stated that President Muhamm...

Bishop Simeon Okah, the principal patriarch of the Flock of Christ Mission, Enerhen-Effurun, Delta State, has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari isn't fit to contest for the presidency a second time.In an interview with Vanguard, the Vice President, VP, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, South-South region, said Buhari has nothing else to offer Nigeria.The man is an old man, old man is old, I am quite younger than he is. I am 64 years old, do you know that without the younger ones around me, there are some things about this generation that I cannot on my own understand because their way of thinking is very different from my way of thinking, not to talk of a man like Buhari?First, Buhari is too old, secondly, he is not educated enough. It pains my heart that just because former President Goodluck Jonathan is from South-South, there was a general hatred against him by the north and maybe the west.We, who travel, they were telling us that we were blessed to have a man who has PhD as a president, what does Buhari have apart from him being a general?When he was campaigning, he said he would make one naira to one dollar, but what is the position today, the man has destroyed almost everything he met, everything Jonathan laboured for. Everything is nose-diving in the country.Look at the stock exchange. He inherited a stock exchange of over N13 trillion. Today, it is about N8 to N9 trillion. What happened to N4 trillion?It is peoples money, so to me, this government, particularly, in my own sense of judgment, there are too many lies and lies go with depression and depression goes with oppression.People who are supposed to invest are asking questions, where are the blueprints for his economic programme.? Almost two years are gone, nothing. This is the very first time in our history that it took a president, who won an election over six months to appoint ministers.And the people he appointed are the same corrupt people, who had to cross-carpet from PDP to APC; we thought he was going to bring angels from the moon the way he initially spoke about people that would make his cabinet, but finally, they were the same people that we knew in this country.
The Presidency on Saturday said the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has yet to submit the report of the investi...

The Presidency on Saturday said the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has yet to submit the report of the investigation he carried out on government officials to President Muhammadu Buhari.Buhari had recently directed Malami to probe the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu; and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, over allegations of corrupt practices.The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, told our correspondent that the AGF has yet to submit his report.Adesina said the report that Buhari had removed Magu as the acting EFCC boss based on the probe was therefore not true.He asked Nigerians to discard the report, saying decision would only be taken on the matter after Buhari might have received the report.The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also denied the report on his Twitter handle where he wrote, We are reading reports that the acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu has been sacked. No report has been made available to the Presidency by the Attorney-General of the Federation over the matter. The report of his sack is therefore speculative and preemptive.
Mikel Obi's move from Chelsea to Marseille is being held up over the Nigeria captain's wage demands, French publication L'Equipe has claimed.Mikel has not played a single minute under Antonio Conte this season and his contract at Chelsea expires in the summer.The Super Eagles star has been linked with several clubs, but Marseille seem the most interested.However, LEquipe reported on Saturday that the French club are threatening to pull out of a possible deal following the outrageous demands from Mikel's camp.Although Chelsea would be willing to let Mikel leave on a free, the cost of the deal is putting Marseille off.Marseille Director of Sport, former Spain keeper Andoni Zubizarreta, has held several meetings with Chelsea and with Mikels representatives, but no real progress has been made.L'Equipe claim that Mikel is being very greedy in his wage demands, and there are also several intermediaries all trying to get a cut of the transfer for themselves, according to Sport Witness.Marseille are said to be ready to walk away from signing Mikel rather than submit to his demands and then have to get involved in a mess of agents.
The National leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday expressed sadness over the manner the federal and state ...

The National leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday expressed sadness over the manner the federal and state governments are handling the killings in Southern Kaduna.CAN described President Muhammadu Buharis silence over the ongoing killings as sad and unacceptable.Addressing newsmen in Abuja on the continued killings, CANs National General Secretary, Rev. Musa Asake, said although the church in Nigeria has since 2009 been subjected to systemic genocide and persecution through the instrumentality of Islamic fundamentalists, Boko Haram, leading to the killing of thousands of Christians and destruction of hundreds of churches and over 50,000 houses, the current unprecedented onslaught against Christians in Southern Kaduna by Islamic fundamentalists disguising as Fulani herdsmen under the watch of Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and President Muhammadu Buhari has reached an alarming stage.The continuous killings, Asake said, have shown that the governor of Kaduna State lacks the will power to arrest the situation and bring it under effective control.We know that Southern Kaduna has been under 24-hour curfew daily as directed by the governor, yet the enemies of the people are still prowling, going from house to house killing defenceless people without government protection.CAN, he said, has declared January 8, 2017 as national day of mourning by Christians, including those in the Diaspora, adding that all Christians are to dress in mourning attire of black clothes or dresses in all church services.His words: I have been directed by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle, to bring to your attention the ongoing ethnic/religious cleansing of Nigerian Christians in general and those of Southern Kaduna in particular in the last few weeks.While we commend President Muhammadu Buhari for waging war against Boko Haram fundamentalists since his assumption of office, his silence over the ongoing genocide in the last few weeks speaks volume of the perceived official endorsement of the dastardly and ungodly acts.The recent defence of the Presidents silence that the President has received briefing from the governor of Kaduna State over the matter is unacceptable, because the Presidency knows that the people of the affected area had already protested against the governors unacceptable biased handling of the continuous killings.Common sense tells anyone that at that instance, the President has to more directly wade in because lives are involved.The security operatives in the area appear to be turning blind eyes to the killings.They only rush to trouble spots after the perpetrators of the evils had performed their enterprise of killings and destruction of houses and farmlands.CAN has previously drawn attention to the imbalance in the appointments made in our security institutions, hence we re-emphasise that leadership/management of security institutions both at the national and state levels be reviewed to ensure a balance of Muslim and Christian representation.Such balance will build trust and confidence among all citizens of Nigeria in the security empowered to protect our nation.We implore the state and federal governments to increase their efforts in putting an end to these killings and as well ensure that those behind the killings are brought to book under the laws of our land and those affected are compensated.In view of the present predicament, the President of CAN has directed that Sunday January 8, 2017 should be declared national day of mourning by Christians, including those in Diaspora.We are to pray fervently for our Southern Kaduna brothers and sisters who are victims of these wanton killings and also for the peace of our dear country Nigeria.Therefore, all Christians are to dress in mourning attire of black clothes or dresses in all our church services on January 8, 2017.We are to pray that God who delivered the Jews from Haman should deliver Christians from Hamans in Nigeria.Not only that, all celebrations/merriments associated with the New Year are to be done low key in solidarity with our brethren in Southern Kaduna who had lost their lives and who have been denied the privilege of celebrating the Yuletide.An injustice to one is an injustice to all.Each State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria should also address the press on the 1st or 8th of January, reading out the contents of this release.May God deliver our land from the forces of darkness on the rampage in Jesus name.All Christians in Nigeria and on the global scene should speak against this ethnic/religious cleansing to wake up the Nigerian security agencies from their deliberate slumber to carry out their responsibilities.
OSAGE  Selma Clarice Klemesrud, 97, of Osage, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, at Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Osage with the Rev. Alan Schulz officiating.

Burial will be in the Rock Creek Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Osage.

Arrangements by Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is not keen on retaliating against the United States after Washington expelled 35 Russian diplomats ove...

Russian President Vladimir Putin is not keen on retaliating against the United States after Washington expelled 35 Russian diplomats over the hacking scandal.He declared yesterday that Moscow would not stoop to the level of irresponsible diplomacy, and would work to restore ties with America under President-elect Donald Trump.Putin said he wouldnt create problems for American diplomats 24 hours after Obama announced the expulsion of the Russian diplomats from the United States and ordered the closure of Russian-owned facilities on Marylands Eastern Shore and on Long Island in New York.The Russian foreign ministry had formally asked him to expel 35 US diplomats in retaliation.Russia denied involvement in hacking, calling US sanctions ungrounded.Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev accused the outgoing administration of President Barack Obama of ending in anti-Russian death throes.Under the US action taken on Thursday: Thirty-five diplomats from Russias Washington embassy and its consulate in San Francisco were declared persona non grata and given 72 hours to leave the US with their families.Two properties said to have been used by Russian intelligence services in New York and Maryland will be closed.Sanctions were announced against nine entities and individuals, including two Russian intelligence agencies, the GRU and the FSB.Obama, who will be replaced by Donald Trump on January 20, had vowed action against Russia amid US accusations that it directed cyber-attacks on the Democratic Party and Hillary Clintons campaign.Emails stolen from her campaign manager and from the servers of the Democratic National Committee  some containing embarrassing information for Democrats  were released during the election campaign.President-elect Trump has dismissed the hacking claims as ridiculous and said Americans should get on with our lives when asked previously about the possibility of sanctions.Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev had,before Putins reaction yesterday,said RIP to the outgoing US administration of Barack Obama on Twitter, after the White House decided to expel 35 Russian diplomats.It is regrettable that the Obama administration, which started out by restoring our ties, is ending its term in an anti-Russia agony. RIP, Medvedev said.The vice speaker of Russias lower house of parliament, Irina Yarovaya, also said yesterday that the US sanctions against Russia were Obamas revenge on voters who elected Trump.Americans showed in the recent presidential election that they have discarded such aggressive and Russophobic policies, Yarovaya said in comments carried by state news agency TASS.Trump, who has previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and vowed to seek better relations with the country, could theoretically reverse Obamas executive actions when he enters office on January 20.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denounced Obamas actions as groundless and illegal from the point of view of international law, according to comments carried by TASS.Peskov said that Russia was ready to conduct a response to cause significant discomfort to the US, TASS reported.Amidst the faceoff, the Russian embassy to the UK yesterday tweeted a visual gag calling the Obama presidency a lame duck.
CAMDEN -- Eight days into the new year, a 13-year-old took a volley of gunfire to the back and became Camden City's first homicide victim of 2016. Three hundred and fifty seven days later, 44 others would fall victim to violence in this city of about 77,000.

The final tally for 2016 surpassed that of 2015, 2014 and 2013 -- the year the Camden County Police Department (CCPD) was launched.

"We know that there is an imperative to continue to get illegal guns off our streets and focus on decreasing homicides," Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli said Friday.

Almost half of 2016's murders occurred during a two-month period from late March to the end of May "when our staffing was lagging because of a delay in the state Civil Service Office," Cappelli said.

In all, 19 people were killed in Camden in the time span county officials cited as being particularly bloody.

Darnell Hardwick, president-elect of Camden County's NAACP chapter, said he's "deeply disturbed" by the climbing homicide rate, namely because of the financial resources already allocated to address the issue and claims of low morale from former officers he's spoken with.

"Go drive down the street of Broadway," he said of one of the main routes into downtown Camden. "There's still a drug trade. You see prostitutes looking for drugs ... Boots on the ground is going to help the overall (crime) rate but if someone wants to kill someone, they are gonna do it."

When Camden witnessed 49 people violently killed in 2011, Thomson -- then chief of the since-disbanded city police forced -- said Camden was in a "public safety crisis."

"This year, are we in a public safety crisis now?" Hardwick wondered.

While homicides increased, the number of other violent crimes actually decreased, city officials said. There were about 4,200 violent crime victims in 2016 -- down from 5,263 in 2013, Cappelli said.

Cappelli attributed the decrease to police expansion of its student reading program, gang intervention via Project Guardian, innovating training and deescalation techniques alongside plenty of other community engagement efforts.

"This is only a small fraction of the work our agency has done over the year in the community, but it shows their support for the city and their obligation to its residents," Cappelli said.

The department's staffing is no longer the pressing issue it has been for years, as the CCPD has closed the gap between the roughly 400 officers it wants and ranks that were often far below that figure. Moreover, Cappelli said recent outside investment in Camden can only help to decrease poverty and crime as police there continue to engage with locals.

"By a survey of city students, we know kids feel safer walking to and from school than they have in decades through Camden and that is a direct tribute to our officers," he said.

A number of higher profile Camden City homicides that also attracted media attention this year eventually resulted in arrests and charges lodged against the alleged trigger men and women.

The family of Nate Plummer, the 7th grader shot to death in early January, saw 17-year-old Casche Alford charged as adult in connection with the teen's death.

John Valerio and Aleshia Hill, who were engaged to be married at the time of their deaths, were fatally shot in April. Their alleged killer, 37-year-old Camden man Gary Johnson, was arrested in August.

Despite an alleged attempt to flee justice, 8-year-old Gabrielle Hill-Carter's alleged killer Tyhan D. Brown was caught in Tennessee and extradited back to New Jersey.

"Camden has some unique struggles that other cities don't have," Camden County Prosecutor's Office (CCPO) Capt. William Townsend said, noting things like witness intimidation and reluctance to come forward are some of investigators "biggest struggles."

CCPO officials said that up until December -- when five people were gunned down in Camden -- their solve rate in the city stood at 66 percent. The recent spate of late-year shootings pushed that percentage down to 58 percent.

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEWARK -- A Florida man was identified as the victim of an early-morning fatal shooting in Newark on Friday.

The victim was identified as Anthony Polite, 28, of Sunrise, Florida, Thomas Fennelly, chief assistant Essex County Prosecutor, said Saturday.

Fennelly said the investigation is continuing and no arrests have been made.

Authorities provided little details about the shooting but said that it occurred on South 11th Street.

Following a fatal shooting on Monday, this shooting marks the city's 95th homicide in 2016, according to an NJ Advance Media count.

The shooting also comes on the heels of an announcement by city officials that the overall crime rate from 2015 to 2016 dropped 13 percent - the largest reduction in crime for the city in five decades.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
WEEHAWKEN -- A four-car accident in the Lincoln Tunnel is tying up traffic for motorists headed to New Jersey on Saturday morning, authorities said.

The crash occurred at 11:20 a.m. in the north tunnel, said Joseph Pentangelo, spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department.

He said no injuries were reported but there are delays in the westbound lanes, snarling traffic in the area.

The accident was cleared less than a half-hour later and the north tube was reopened at 11:45 a.m., he said.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
BAYONNE -- Nine months after the city's wind turbine underwent complicated repairs due to a broken bearing, the cost of those repairs is still being negotiated, an official said.

Bayonne Municipal Utilities Authority Executive Director Tim Boyle said on Friday that the MUA and its water contractor are still negotiating the cost with turbine manufacturer Leitner-Poma.

The MUA -- which will be dissolved as an autonomous agency and become a division within the city Department of Public Works on Jan. 1 -- originally estimated the total cost at $298,000.

But Boyle has noted that Leitner-Poma encountered difficulties during repairs on the 260-foot turbine at Oak and Fifth streets that later drove that estimate "skyward," which in turn has prolonged negotiations.

"There's been some movement toward resolving it," Boyle told The Jersey Journal this week, adding that the MUA's dissolution is not expected to impact cost negotiations.

The MUA official has previously stressed that the bearing that broke was supposed to last 20 years but only lasted three.

The saga of Bayonne's turbine troubles began in June 2015 when the turbine stopped spinning due to a broken bearing that was part of the machine's generator.

After several delays, the turbine was repaired in March this year but broke down again in early August due to what Boyle later described as an unrelated cause: a "speed encoder" problem with a rotor brake part.

The turbine was fixed a second time in early September, by which point its intermittent dormancy had cost the city roughly $225,000 in lost energy savings.

Meanwhile, Boyle has said that the cost of the rotor brake repair was covered by a maintenance contract between the MUA's water contractor (a joint venture between SUEZ and investment firm KKR) and the turbine manufacturer.

Asked who pays for the maintenance contract and how much, Boyle said that money comes out of the city's 40-year deal with its water contractor, which annually requires the contractor to pay $500,000 for maintenance costs and $2.5 million for capital improvements.

He directed further inquiries about the cost of the maintenance contract to SUEZ, which couldn't provide that information this week.

As for the bigger turbine repair dating back to March, Boyle has said the cost of that repair will likewise be paid for through the maintenance fund provided by the city's water deal.

If the cost exceeds the money in the maintenance fund, money would then be taken out of the capital improvement fund, he said, adding that the MUA is trying to avoid that scenario.

Asked when negotiations over the March repairs are expected to be settled, the MUA official was cautious.

"I expect it to be early in the new year," Boyle said.

Jonathan Lin may be reached at jlin@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @jlin_jj. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
The case of an alleged Jersey City gang member thrown back in jail over Facebook posts is shining a spotlight on the increasing use of social media as tools in the criminal justice system.

Laquan Clark, 31, was arrested last night after he posted videos on his Facebook page of two police interrogations related to previous charges he faces. The posts, now deleted, elicited comments that included veiled and not-so veiled threats against the people recorded speaking to the police.

Prosecutors and police are calling the posts a 21st Century method of witness tampering, even citing Clark "liking certain posts" in his newest criminal complaint. Clark's lawyer, Jacob V. Hudnut, is accusing police of overreacting in this case, saying his client has been arrested for "inappropriate Facebook use." He called the charges "troubling."

"The prosecutor's office is not the Facebook police," Hudnut said.

Jersey City Public Safety Director James Shea said Clark's case represents a significant change for cases of this nature. Police have seen criminal suspects post what cops believe to be threatening messages on Facebook before, he said, but this is the first time video of evidence has turned up on a defendant's social media account.

"It's very striking to see somebody's interview with detectives and prosecutors," he told The Jersey Journal. "It does take it to kind of a new level."

Shea said the police force has various officers who review social-media accounts "frequently" in the course of their investigations.

"If you're not looking at social media these days, you're behind the curve," he said.

A screenshot from the comments section of a now-deleted Facebook post attributed to Laquan Clark. The posters are reacting to a video posted to Clark's page of a video of police officers questioning one of Clark's co-defendants.

Authorities have not announced whether any of the commenters on Clark's Facebook page -- at least one of them posted an image of a gun next to an image of a rat -- have been arrested. Hudnut said he finds that odd.

"A lot of the comments were (from) other people and I don't see them charged," he said.

It's not clear how Clark obtained the videos. A video he posted Tuesday showed a portable drive that he says contained the files of "everybody that's telling." That post was viewed at least 2,500 times before it was deleted.

Shea stressed that police are required to hand over evidence to defendants and their attorneys so they can mount a defense. Hudnut echoed Shea's comments, saying "court rules require" evidence sharing.

"When a person is accused of a crime and they go before a judge and they have to make a decision of whether to have a trial or accept a plea bargain, under the rules of the state of New Jersey they can't move forward until they've seen every piece of discovery that the prosecutor's office has against them," he said.

Shea credited Suarez's office with its speedy reaction to Clark's Facebook posts, which appeared on Tuesday and were deleted by Wednesday night. In a statement last night, Suarez praised the Jersey City police's major case and street crimes units for the investigation, as well as the prosecutor's gang task force.

Suarez declined to comment for this article.

Kevin Callahan, a retired Hudson County Superior Court judge who now teaches criminal justice at Saint Peter's University, told The Jersey Journal he did not encounter many cases revolving around social media accounts during his 30 years on the bench.

Callahan said he cautions his students about the permanence of posts on Facebook, Twitter and similar sites.

"When you put something out on social media, that's for everyone to see, including the police," he said.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
RuizMartinez.jpg

Wilmer G. Ruiz-Martinez, 33, of West New York, appears in court in Jersey City today, Dec. 30, 2016, on charges he assaulted a man on Christmas Day who died two days later.

JERSEY CITY -- Hudson County homicide detectives are investigating the death of a man who authorities say was dragged down the interior staircase of a West New York building on Christmas Day.

Leny Antonio Lainez-Hernandez died Tuesday, two days after the incident, officials said. The criminal complaint did not say what precipitated the incident and did not state his age or where he lived.

Wilmer G. Ruiz-Martinez, 33, of the 5500 block of Bergenline Avenue in West New York, has been charged with the aggravated assault. His bail was set at $100,000 cash only by Hudson County Superior Court Judge Patrick Arre.

The criminal complaint says Ruiz-Martinez told police he grabbed and pulled the victim down the stairwell in the building located on the 5700 block of Hudson Avenue.

Prosecutors also say they have video footage showing Ruiz-Martinez "physically grabbing and pulling the victim down the interior stairway of the building, resulting in significant bodily injury," the complaint says.

Ruiz-Martinez made his first court appearance on the aggravated assault charge this afternoon in Central Judicial Processing court in Jersey City via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny.
BAYONNE -- A new nonprofit based in Bayonne is looking to expand police mentorship opportunities for at-risk youth across the state.

Bayonne police Lt. Juan Carlos Betancourth, president and founder of the Guardian Foundation, said the organization will facilitate the process of pairing up officers with children.

"Guys and girls in law enforcement in general have a desire to help out and do something for the community. This is just a vehicle for them to do it," Betancourth said.

The foundation president said the nonprofit will work similarly to an existing mentorship program in Bayonne run by the city Police Department and another nonprofit called the Bayonne Youth Center.

Betancourth, who spearheaded that program as well, said he created the Guardian Foundation this past summer to expand mentorship opportunities to other communities.

As with the existing program in Bayonne, the nonprofit finds children interested in a mentorship through word of mouth and by reaching out to religious groups, youth centers and school counselors. Officers are found through police departments and other law enforcement agencies.

The foundation then matches each child to an officer based on common interests and maintains oversight over that relationship. Parents, officers and the children are required to file reports about mentorship outings on a regular basis.

Betancourth said he is in talks with several law enforcement agencies to encourage officers to take on mentees through the foundation as part of their community policing initiatives.

He said ideally agencies would be able to provide up to four hours of comp time per month to any officers who have to meet with mentees outside of work due to scheduling conflicts. Any time spent with mentees beyond that would be on a volunteer basis.

In an effort parallel to its mentorship program, the Guardian Foundation also raises money from businesses and community groups to purchase ballistic helmets and hard body armor for local police departments, including the Bayonne Police Department.

For more information about the foundation, visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/guardianfc or website at www.guardianfc.org.

Jonathan Lin may be reached at jlin@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @jlin_jj. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
TRENTON - Outspoken marijuana activist "NJ Weedman," is turning to the public for help in replacing his beloved "weedmobile," - a van that he claims was destroyed by police after a raid this spring.

NJ Weedman's weedmobile, (Photo | Edward Forchion)

On Thursday, Ed "NJ Weedman" Forchion, posted a link on social media to a website raising money to buy a replacement for the Ford E-150, a van adorned with art and cartoon images of marijuana and Forchion.

Forchion, who owns an East State Street restaurant and "weed temple," that's simply referred to as "Weedman's Joint," says he owned the van for years until a police raid on his establishment in April.

The raid was a result of a two-month investigation after officers received complaints that people were selling marijuana at the establishment. Police arrested Forchion and confiscated several of his, including the van.

Forchion claims police later destroyed the vehicle. Police were not immediately available to comment on the claim Friday.

"Can you imagine the police destroying your vehicle because they don't like the images displayed on it? That's what happened to NJWeedman's and we like to ask you to support the re-creation of this iconic symbol of freedom," a statement on the fundraising site read.

For Forchion, the van is more than an image - it has sentimental value. He discussed his history with the vehicle shortly after it was confiscated in April, saying that he had once driven across the country in the "weedmobile."

"Forchion used the van as an advertisement for his restaurant and 'cannabis temple' and as a protest against New Jersey marijuana laws that he calls 'hypocritical'," another statement on the site said.

The target goal for the fundraising campaign is $7,500. As of Friday afternoon, supporters had donated $145.

Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman.
North Iowa headlines in 2016 were dominated by Prestage Farms, the company that proposed building a pork processing plant in Mason City.

After much debate and public opposition, the City Council voted 3-3 on May 3 on accepting a development agreement with the North Carolina-based company, which meant the measure was defeated.

Prestage agreement fails final Mason City Council vote, 3-3 MASON CITY  In a stunning turn of events, the City Council early Wednesday rejected Prestag

Prestage then received approval from Wright County officials in August to build the plant near Eagle Grove.

When the plan was first announced in March, Prestage promised about 2,000 jobs in Mason City.

The proposal set off a debate on jobs, wages, demographics, education, environmental issues, economic development and transparency.

Here are the other top North Iowa news stories in 2016:

Mason City Councilman Alex Kuhn dies June 15

Kuhn remembered as a caring servant and leader at Mason City service MASON CITY  State Sen. Amanda Ragan of Mason City was one of many who eulogized Alex Kuhn T

Kuhn, 34, who was considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, committed suicide.

He was the father of two young sons and employed by Henkel Construction.

Former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin spoke at Kuhn's funeral, which was attended by hundreds of people.

Superintendent Anita Micich's contract ends early

In May the Mason City School Board announced it had reached a settlement with Superintendent Anita Micich to end her contract a year before it was set to expire.

Emails between school board members obtained by the Globe Gazette through an open records request revealed concerns about the way Micich handled a proposal for a potential exchange program for Chinese students.

The emails also revealed diminishing trust the board members had in Micich.

Plans for downtown Marriott hotel fall through

Plans for a Marriott hotel that was a key component in a Mason City downtown development project fell through.

Developer Philip Chodur of San Diego failed to meet his final deadline of Nov. 30 to start construction on the hotel because he was unable to come up with financing.

The hotel was a crucial part to receiving $10 million in state funding for a $36.2 downtown redevelopment project, which also includes a multi-use building, parking ramp, music pavilion and ice arena/multipurpose center.

City officials are now looking at other options so plans for the development project can continue.

Three homicides in six weeks shock Mason City

An uptick in violent crime over a six-week span, including three homicides in November and December, shocked Mason City.

Mason City's quiet crime year ends with homicides, shootings MASON CITY | What had been a quiet year for major crime in Mason City came to a violent end 

Two people also survived separate shootings in October.

Suspects have been arrested in all the cases, except for an incident in which a Mason City woman was shot in the arm inside a residence.

Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley said all the cases are unrelated.

Wetterling case solved

The abduction and murder of Jacob Wettterling, son of a former Mason City resident, was solved and the perpetrator was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Jacob, who was 11 years old when he was abducted and killed in 1989, was the son of Jerry and Patty Wetterling of St. Joseph, Minnesota.

Jerry is a 1967 graduate of Mason City High School. His parents, Erwin "Erv" and Lillian Wetterling, were longtime Mason City residents until their deaths in 1997 and 2008.

Danny Heinrich was arrested on child pornography charges last year. As part of a plea bargain, he publicly confessed to Jacob's murder this September after leading authorities to where he buried the boy.

Southbridge Mall sold

Southbridge Mall in Mason City was sold for $1.5 million to a New York-based company specializing in mall development.

Mason City's Southbridge Mall sells for $1.5 million MASON CITY  Southbridge Mall has been sold to a New York-based company specializing in mall

Kohan Retail Investment Group of Great Neck, New York, bought the mall in September.

The mall went into foreclosure in May 2012 and was placed into receivership with the Chicago office of Jones Lang LaSalle.

In December 2012, CIII Corp. bought the mall at a sheriffs sale for $8.8 million and retained Jones Lang LaSalle to manage it.

September rains flood parts of North Iowa

North Iowans endured another flood in 2016 GREENE | Eight years after the flood of 2008, North Iowans had to deal with high water, dama

Seven to 11 inches of rain fell across parts of Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Butler and Bremer counties between Sept. 21 and Sept. 22.

An estimated 60 percent of the town of Greene in Butler County was affected by the flooding. In Charles City 100 to 150 homes were impacted.

In Mason City more than 20 residents at Autumn Park Apartments had to be evacuated.
FREEHOLD -- Two men have been charged with the shooting death of a Red Bank man outside an Eatontown apartment complex last year, authorities said Friday.

Rasheem Palmer

Frederick Reed, 20 of New Castle, Del., and Perry Veney, 30 of Long Branch, were both charged with murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose after investigators linked them to the July 10, 2015, killing of Rasheem Palmer, 37, said Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.

On reports of shots fired early that morning, Eatontown police were called to the entrance of the Country Club apartments at 12:13 a.m. It was there that they found Palmer lying on Country Club Road near Tilton Avenue, authorities said at the time. Palmer was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he died at 2:27 a.m.

Besides his two offenses, Veney was also charged with certain persons not to have a weapon, Gramiccioni said.

He would not say what precipitated the shooting.

Reed was arrested Wednesday in Delaware and is being held in a lock-up in that state while he awaits extradition to New Jersey, the prosecutor said. His bail will be $1.1 million cash when he is sent to Monmouth County, Gramiccioni said.

Veney surrendered to police on Friday and is being held in the Monmouth County jail in Freehold in lieu of $1.2 million bail, he said.

Veney was the victim of a 2014 shooting in Red Bank while he was sitting in a car parked on Willow Street. A recently paroled convict was charged in that shooting.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
State Police Lt. Bill Fearon died Thursday. (State Police)

NORTH ARLINGTON -- Hundreds of mourners gathered Saturday morning for the funeral of New Jersey State Police Lt. Bill Fearon, who died Thursday from a malignant brain tumor attributed to his service during the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attacks.

The service for Fearon, a 22-year veteran of the State Police, was held at 10:30 a.m. at Queen of Peace Church in North Arlington.

Fearon had been diagnosed in 2015 with the tumor, which has been linked to his response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

"Bill Fearon was a phenomenal human being and a true inspiration to all who had the pleasure of knowing him," Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said in a statement.

Gov. Chris Christie ordered all state buildings to fly flags at half staff on Saturday in honor of Fearon.

Fuentes said Fearon's service will always be remembered, as will his family.

"We are devastated and heartbroken by his passing, but he can rest assured that we will continue to embrace his family as they will always remain a part of our State Police family," Fuentes said.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.
BERKELEY TOWNSHIP -- A man who allegedly posed as a pizza delivery person was arrested after he and an alleged accomplice tried to break into a Berkeley Township home, authorities said Saturday.

Kulian. (Courtesy Berkeley Police)

The two men - one of whom is at large - are also suspects in a robbery and an attempted break-in at homes in the same neighborhood within the past few months, Berkeley police Chief Karin DiMichele said in a press release on the department's Facebook page.

DiMichele said that at around 10:30 p.m. Friday, a Courtlandt Drive resident called police to report a man was at the door claiming to be a pizza delivery person when the owner had not ordered pizza.

Police responding to the call found the suspects' car and after being stopped, one of the suspects, identified as Andy Kuilan, 26, of Philadelphia, got out and ran off, the chief said.

Police, using dogs from the Ocean County Sheriff's Office, searched the area but couldn't find Kuilan, she said.

In the car, authorities found a loaded 9mm handgun a small amount of drugs, ski masks, props and other items used to impersonate a delivery person, she said.

The other suspect, Jose Cruz, 21, also of Philadelphia, was arrested, she said.

DiMichele said the car used by the men was the same one used in an Oct. 31 attempted break-in at a township home through a rear sunroom. She noted the suspects did not get in at the time.

She said the car is also suspected as being used in a Nov. 29 robbery in town. In that case, two elderly residents were bound and robbed of their valuables at gunpoint by men posing as package delivery people, she said.

Both incidents occurred in the Silver Ridge retirement community, prompting authorities to increase police patrols in the area, DiMichele said.

She said investigators are still trying to determine whether these incidents were connected to another robbery, on Tortola Street, on Dec. 14.

Cruz was charged with two counts each of conspiracy to commit burglary, possession of narcotics and possession of a firearm, police said.

He was being held in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Kuilan, who has not yet been arrested, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, two counts of weapons possession, hindering his own apprehension and eluding, police said.

A warrant has been issued for his arrest, and DiMichele said that anyone who encounters him should use extreme caution because he is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about Kuilan's whereabouts is asked to call the local police department or the Berkeley Township Police Department's tip line at 732-341-1132, ext. 611.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
It's no surprise President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have fallen out publicly over a United Nations resolution critical of Israel. The only surprise is it has taken so long.

They loathe each other, from all reports. But the divide remains personal, something between two strongly opinionated men, not necessarily between their nations.

Their differences go back almost to their first days in office in 2009, when a newly elected Obama, as his opening foreign policy gambit, traveled to Cairo to signal to the Arab world that it could look for more even-handed treatment from Washington.

The message was meant for more than merely the Arab world. It was a signal that Washington's regime-change days were done, that the Obama administration meant to be more consultative, less confrontational, on all fronts.

It shook Netanyahu noticeably. No relationship on Earth is more vital to Israel's well-being than the one with Washington. Israel lives in a lousy neighborhood; the Holy Land is as unholy a place as any acreage on the globe. Any suggestion of a lessening of U.S. global involvement that could mean a cooling of U.S. support is seen as a mortal menace by Israel.

It didn't help that Obama bypassed Israel on that first trip. In the years since, their relationship has been all downhill, culminating with Obama's seminal nuclear deal with Iran, Israel's most feared foe.

Netanyahu went so far as to solicit an invitation to come before Congress to attack Obama's Iran initiative -- to play a leading role, in short, in the most partisan sort of Republican politics. The GOP's invitation was as treacherous a piece of partisan politics as Washington has seen in anyone's memory -- inviting the head of a foreign government to attack an American president before his own national legislature.

Obama has endured more than a few slights during his presidency. But the Netanyahu slap in the face before Congress was different, not something Obama was likely to overlook. His payback was, in part, the abstention on the U.N. vote on Dec. 23.

Netanyahu must have known the risk involved. But, like Donald Trump, Bibi has a big ego. It's made him one of the least popular leaders on the world stage, as an episode at a 2011 meeting in Europe illustrates.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Obama were talking near an open microphone in 2011, when Sarkozy said of Netanyahu, "I cannot bear him. He's a liar." To which Obama replied, "You're fed up with him, but I have to deal with him even more often than you."

It's a familiar sentiment in Western Europe. The democracies there, which should be sympathetic to Israel if only to help redress historical wrongs, has not been so in recent years, largely because of Jewish settlements they blame on Netanyahu.

Secretary of State John Kerry's address last week was the best summary of the Israeli-Palestinian impasse in recent years. He was right to criticize Netanyahu's surrender to Israel's increasingly right-wing power structure and to cite the settlements as an obstacle to peace.

He was remiss in not laying more blame on Palestinian and Arab refusal to recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state. That's a total deal-breaker, an insurmountable obstacle to any hope of a two-state solution. And Netanyahu was right to point that out in criticizing Kerry and Obama.

But Netanyahu was equally remiss in failing to credit Obama for the $38 billion military and security package over the next decade the president approved this year. Or the money OK'd to fund Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile defense system. No mention of either, though Israel is by far the biggest foreign beneficiary of U.S. taxpayer largesse.

The word "ingrate" comes to mind.

The current dust-up will pass quickly, as soon as President-elect Donald Trump assumes office. Unlike Obama, he sees Bibi as a buddy. But a larger issue looms: whether Israel, if it continues to swallow up the West Bank, can continue as both Jewish and Democratic.

The population numbers are daunting. Israel's population currently includes 1.7 million Arabs who, when combined with the roughly 2.8 million West Bank Arabs -- and their faster birthrate -- could eventually equal or surpass the 6 million-plus Jewish population and confront Israelis with a dire choice:

Be a Jewish state or one that's democratic. Long-term, to be both looks undoable.

More John Farmer columns



John Farmer may be reached at jfarmer@starledger.com. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
freeholders.JPG

Salem County freeholders, seen here at their year-end close-out meeting Friday in Salem, voted to cut their salaries by 20 percent. The action came as the result of a non-binding referendum approved by voters in November calling for the action. (Bill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com)

SALEM -- Salem County freeholders have bowed to the will of the people and voted to cut their own salaries by 20 percent.

Action came at the county's annual close-out meeting late Friday afternoon as one of the last pieces of business in what has been a tumultuous year for this freeholder board.

The salary cut is the result of a non-binding referendum that was approved by a three to one margin by voters in November.

"I decided to vote like I did because of the sheer numbers in respect to the election (referendum margin of approval) ... To see that ... that spoke volumes to me," said Freeholder Director Dale Cross.

The salary cut takes effect immediately, according to resolution unanimously approved by the board.

Freeholders in Salem County were paid $25,410 for what is considered a part-time job. The freeholder director received an additional $1,000. The board members receive no benefits.

Under the new guidelines, the freeholders will make $20,328, and the director will make $21,128, just $800 more than others -- also a 20 percent cut.

Along with the pay cut, county voters in November approved a binding referendum, also by a three to one margin, to cut the number of members on the board from seven to five. That action is considered to be a first in New Jersey.

According to state statute, all five seats on the new board will be up for grabs in the November 2017. The winners will be seated on the Monday after the election.

The two questions aimed at the freeholders got on the ballot thanks to a grassroots petition drive organized after the county considered outsourcing county jobs -- including the 911 call center and jail nurses -- to close its 2016 budget deficit.

Those actions were later abandoned after a public outcry mostly by first responders and their supporters.

Freeholder salaries in Salem County are higher than those received by counterparts in many other New Jersey counties with much larger populations. Salem County officials have argued that they have a heavy workload and have no paid aides to help them as do freeholders in some other counties in the state.

With just under 65,000 residents, Salem County is the least populated of all of New Jersey's 21 counties.

The salary cut almost got derailed at the last minute Friday.

Republican Freeholder Ben Laury asked that the reduction in pay be delayed until the new freeholder board is seated in November.

Laury's call was supported by Republican Freeholder Melissa DeCastro and Democrat Lee Ware. Republicans Cross, Bob Vanderslice and Doug Painter voted against stalling. The tie vote killed the request for the delay.

All six board members then voted to approve the original pay reduction resolution.

Laury said he took his action because when he was elected he felt that was a "contract" that should have been honored.

"When we ran we had expectations of a term, a three-year term that got shortened. We ran under the expectations of a certain salary and we felt that was a contract and that should have stayed and it did not."

After his action failed, Laury said it was only right to "now go with the will of the majority" and approve the cut.

The salary resolution read in part " ... on the advice of legal counsel the board appreciates that it is under no binding legal obligation to implement salary reduction ... nevertheless the board accepts that the votes represent an expressed desire of the voters to decrease freeholder salaries as part of a general reduction of county government."

The Salem County freeholder board has faced many challenges in 2016.

A Democrat candidate's court challenge brought the nullification of the election of DeCastro early in the year when ballots which had been set aside by elections officials were allowed to be counted resulting in a tie. In June that was overturned when, under court order, another single ballot was allowed to be counted and DeCastro won by one vote.

For months the board struggled to balance its 2016 budget. After the idea of privatization was abandoned, the board voted to raise more taxes and drained more from its surplus. Headed into 2017, the county is facing a $4.2 million deficit.

Also, the former freeholder director, Republican Julie Acton, who had just won re-election in November, quit in early December. This left the board with just six members.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
PLAINFIELD -- The Union County Prosecutor's Office is attempting to identify the individual in this video as a person of interest in connection with the Dec. 29 fatal shooting of Shamar Coleman in Plainfield.

The prosecutor's office says to take note in the footage of the individual's distinctive clothing. Anyone who may have seen this person in the area around the time of the shooting or who has information about his identity or whereabouts is being asked to contact the prosecutor's office.

Coleman, 32, was the owner of the Seafood Rama restaurant on the 1000 block of East Second Street, where he was killed Thursday night. He was gunned down around 5:45 p.m., acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park said Friday. He was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene, Park said.

A family member at the scene, who declined to give her name, said Coleman opened Seafood Rama over the summer. Another woman, whom she identified as the victim's mother, wept and wailed while others attempted to comfort her.

This incident is now under joint investigation by the Union County Homicide Task Force, Plainfield Police Division, Union County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit, and Union County Police Department Ballistics Unit. Anyone with information about this matter is being urged to contact Homicide Task Force Sgt. Jose Vendas at 908-358-3048 or Detective Richard Acosta at 908-347-0404.

The killing marked Plainfield's 12th homicide this year.

Another man was killed in a shooting Monday just a few blocks away. Manuel Berrios, 18, died Tuesday morning in a hospital where he was taken after being shot around 9:40 p.m. Monday on the 600 block of East Third Street, the Union County Prosecutor's Office said in statement.

The Union County Crime Stoppers also are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case; tips can be given anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477), via text message by texting "UCTIP" plus a message to 274637 (CRIMES), or online at www.uctip.org.

Jessica Remo may be reached at jremo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessicaRemoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Aroldis Chapman

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman. (Kathy Willens | AP)

Long-term contracts for relievers? Typically not the Yankees' style.

Expensive long-term contract for relievers? Typically not any team's style.

Still, the Yankees rolled the dice on Aroldis Chapman, figuring he was the safest bet to take over the closer role for them -- even if it meant handing him a five-year deal worth a record-setting $86 million.

The risk wasn't lost on Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who was asked about it by Joel Sherman on MLB Network's "High Heat" recently.

Sherman asked Cashman about the concerns going into the deal knowing the left-handed Chapman's calling card -- his 100-plus-mph fastball -- could slow at any point.

Here's what Cashman said:

"Well, it's definitely something you always have to worry about in free agency. The cost of doing business in the market place gets set by the number of team interested. So we definitely -- by the Marlins' efforts in trying to secure Aroldis and allegedly trying to sign (closer Kenley) Jansen, we don't know what the market was going to bear for those kinds of players. But no question about it, history is not kind to those types of deals on the back end and we certainly hope that Aroldis Chapman, who's been a freak of nature in terms of his abilities so far, can also be a freak of nature in terms of his durability."

When Cashman calls Chapman a "freak of nature," he's talking about how the Cuban defector has twice hit 105.8 mph, the fastest ever on the gun. His fastball also average 101.08 mph last season, the highest of his career at age 28.

Still, history shows that every player's skills decline as they get older. It only makes sense that Chapman's fastball will slow. The Yankees are hoping that it doesn't in at least three seasons, when Chapman can exercise his opt-out clause.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.
As we get ready to plunge into 2017, its time to look at some major events of the previous 12 months. What an amazing year it was as the unpredictable became reality.

In fact, the top story of 2015 in Mason City, as judged by our news staff, continues to make headlines.

Its the River City Renaissance  or lack of it, depending on your view. When JC Penney vacated its space in Southbridge Mall, plans were announced for a $36 million project that would dramatically renovate Mason Citys downtown. At the heart of the plan are an ice arena/multipurpose center in the JC Penney space and a hotel just west of City Hall.

The plan suffered a major setback when hotel developer Philip Chodur couldnt get financing. Yet the city is trying to go ahead with the arena as it looks for another hotel developer. The latest development is a petition from city residents calling for a referendum on the arena project. What once looked like a significant boost to downtown now is anything but sure.

Another sure bet appeared to be the location of Prestage Foods hog-processing plant in Mason City, bringing hundreds of jobs and promised growth through the plant as well as related businesses. But while state and local leaders trumpeted its importance, North Iowans and others concerned with the environment and other aspects spoke loudly and vehemently in opposition. The City Council, in an anguished 3-3 vote, said no thanks to Prestage. The company then picked up its plans and moved them to Wright County, which moved quickly to limit the momentum of any protest movement there.

Speaking of unpredictable, few could have predicted Donald Trump winning the White House and carrying Republicans into office up and down the ballot, where Democrat winners were far and few between. No one, that is, except the thousands of people who turned out to see him, including at a capcity appearance in Clear Lake. Now, there is no predicting what will happen in Washington as the president-elect takes over.

Whether any of the above are good or bad depends on your point of view. But theres no doubting many good things happened in North Iowa in 2016.

McKesson opened its Clear Lake pharmaceutical warehouse and distribution center in May, putting 120 people to work with plans to hire an additional 200 or more.

Hampton Inn & Suites opened in Mason City, as did several restaurants and coffee shops, with plans announced for more. And shoppers loved the opening of retailer TJ Maxx and other smaller shops all around North Iowa, where community leaders looked for new, innovative ways to lure new residents and visitors.

Downtown Mason City continued to grow with the addition of the Fat Hill Brewing, and Southbridge Mall got a new owner.

Schools continued to do great work and produce great students, despite the lack of appropriate funding from the state.

We continue to feel secure knowing cutting-edge medical treatment and highly skilled emergency personnel are on duty around the clock throughout North Iowa.

And, as always, no matter their views on politics or other divisive issues, when it comes to taking care of each other, North Iowans are the best. They prove it time and again. For example, any time you need a lift, just look at the photo of young Joseph Donachricha of Mason City with his idol Luke Bryan  a meeting that took root because a couple of people cared so much. Thats the kind of place North Iowa is and we hope will always will be. No turning the page of a calendar should ever change that.

Yet, the turning of that page is at hand, and it is time for us to raise our glasses and join in a toast to 2016, if you like, and to 2017 and all that awaits.

May you have a safe, healthy, happy and prosperous new year!
Today

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Areas of patchy fog. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.

Tonight

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Areas of patchy fog. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

Areas of patchy fog early. Mostly cloudy skies. High 82F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.
NEW YORK, Dec. 30, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (New Oriental or the Company) (NYSE:EDU) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, District of New Jersey, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired New Oriental American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) between September 27, 2016 and December 1, 2016, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover compensable damages caused by defendants violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.



If you are a shareholder who purchased New Oriental ADRs during the Class Period, you have until February 13, 2017 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll free, ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased.

[Click here to join this class action]

New Oriental is a Cayman Islands corporation headquartered in Beijing, Peoples Republic of China (PRC). New Oriental provides private educational services under the New Oriental brand in the PRC.

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) New Oriental engaged in college application fraud; and (2) as a result, defendants' statements about New Oriental's business, operations and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.

On December 2, 2016, Reuters published a report detailing allegations of academic fraud at the company. Specifically, Reuters reported that eight former and current New Oriental employees informed Reuters that New Oriental engaged in college application fraud, including writing application essays and teacher recommendations, and falsifying high school transcripts.

On that same day, Reuters reported that the American International Recruitment Council, which certifies agencies that recruit foreign students on behalf of U.S. colleges, will investigate the company in response to the Reuters report.

On this news, shares of the Company fell $6.99 per share or over 14% from its previous closing price to close at $42.00 per share on December 2, 2016, damaging investors.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Florida, and Los Angeles, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com
CHICAGO, Dec. 31, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Susan E. Brackett, DDS, MS, FACP, has been installed as the 2016-2017 President of the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP). Dr. Brackett was sworn in during the 46th Annual Session of the ACP, which drew more than 1,000 attendees to San Diego on Oct. 5-8.



Dr. Brackett has been a dedicated leader to the ACP throughout her career. For six years, she led the ACP Public Relations (PR) and Communication Division on the ACP Board of Directors. She has championed National Prosthodontics Awareness Week and the ACP Spokespersons Network, now 75 prosthodontists strong. Her leadership has resulted in annual scholarships for new practitioners and educators to develop proactive PR skills as prosthodontists.



Moreover, Dr. Brackett has led a task force for the ACP to review its strategic plan to align with the mission of the College and member needs assessment to make recommendations for 2016-2018 strategic directions for the ACP.



Dr. Brackett has served as ACP Secretary, Vice President, and President-Elect, before ascending to ACP President for a one-year term. Dr. Brackett returns to the ACP Education Foundation (ACPEF) Board of Directors, of which she served for nearly 10 years. During her tenure, Dr. Brackett won the highest honor as the 2013 ACPEF Founder's Society Award for her role as a prosthodontist and a philanthropist. Dr. Brackett's dedication to patients, peers, and the public is steadfast.



Dr. Brackett has consistently shown her expertise and dedication to the prosthodontic specialty treating patients in her private practice in Oklahoma City as well as publishing essential literature. She is a co-author of an award-winning textbook, Fundaments of Tooth Preparation, as well as the Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics, third edition.



Dr. Brackett and her patients have been featured in ACP's cosmetic dentistry video, a health segment minute about digital dentistry, and b-roll footage that Fox 45 Baltimore, First Coast Living, NBC5 Chicago, and CNN Accent Health have aired during news segments and in physician offices respectively.



Prosthodontists are specialized dentists with advanced training in oral health issues, who are committed to improving patient outcomes. From implants, crowns, veneers, and tooth whitening, to full-mouth reconstruction, prosthodontists specialize in digital dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and sleep apnea solutions.

The ACP is the only prosthodontic specialty organization whose membership is based solely on education credentials. ACP members must be in or have completed an ADA-accredited advanced education program in prosthodontics.



####



About the ACP

The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) is the official sponsoring organization for the specialty of prosthodontics, which is one of only nine recognized specialties of the American Dental Association. Founded in 1970, ACP is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing patient care, advancing the art and science of prosthodontics, promoting the specialty of prosthodontics to the public and other dentists and healthcare professionals, ensuring the quality of prosthodontic education, and providing professional services to its membership. For more consumer information visit GoToAPro.org, professionals can visit Prosthodontics.org.

Photos accompanying this release are available at:

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=42031

CONTACT:Carolyn Barth 312-573-8791 media@prosthodontics.org
CHICAGO  A federal appeals court has upheld the racketeering, conspiracy, murder and attempted murder convictions for street gang kingpin Juan "Tito" Briseno.

A U.S. District Court jury found Briseno, 25, of Hammond, guilty last year of participating in the shooting deaths of five men: Luis Ortiz, Miguel A. Colon, Michael Sessum, Miguel Mejias and Latroy Howard between 2007 and 2010.

Briseno faced the death penalty because the government alleged the homicides were part of the gang's racketeering activity, which included selling marijuana and cocaine.

But the jury recommended after a three-week trial that Briseno be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of release. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Philip P. Simon sentenced Briseno to life.

Briseno appealed his conviction on grounds that inappropriate arguments by an assistant U.S. attorney and the judge's inappropriate instructions to the jury denied him a fair trial.

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled Briseno received a fair trial.

Briseno was one of 24 members of the Imperial Gangsters, who primarily operated out of East Chicago and were instructed to shoot gang rivals on sight during a campaign of intimidation. Twenty-two gang members entered guilty pleas. Another, Richard Reyes, was found guilty at trial.
HAMMOND  A Gary man with a previous felony conviction for crack cocaine distribution was arrested Thursday on gun and drug charges, U.S. District court records show.

Deangelo D. Jones, 33, of Gary, is accused of crack cocaine possession with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm, records show.

A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District court states the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested Jones on Thursday while executing a search warrant of a residence in the 1000 block of Burr Street in Gary.

Upon walking out of the main floor bedroom, Jones allegedly told law enforcement anything found in the home belonged to him, according to court records.

A search of a bedroom resulted in the recovery of three pistols and one revolver, a plastic bag filled with about 24 grams of suspected crack cocaine, a digital scale, a box of plastic sandwich bags, and about $4,000 cash.
LAKE STATION  Police are investigating after a man wearing a fur coat robbed a general store at gunpoint Friday.

Police in Lake Station were dispatched about 4:50 p.m. to the Lucky 77 store, 333 Central Ave., for reports of an armed robbery, according to Lake Station police.

The suspect was described as white and wearing a multi-shaded brown fur coat, blue jeans and a blue bandana over his face, police said.

After robbing the store, the suspect possibly fled westbound on foot, according to police.

Anyone with information about this incident or the suspect's identity is asked to contact Det. Sgt. Glenn Gulley or Capt. Brian Williams of the Lake Station Police Department at (219) 962-1186 or by email at ggulley@lakestation-in.gov or bwilliams@lakestation-in.gov.
HAMMOND  An alleged Latin King gang member jailed and awaiting sentencing for his involvement in a 2015 shooting has been accused of tipping off fellow incarcerated gang members about government cooperators, according to a sentencing memorandum filed Friday by the U.S. attorneys office.

George C. Gutierrez, 21, of Hammond, was indicted in May for allegedly shooting at rival gang members Aug. 21, 2015, court records show.

In July, he pleaded guilty to one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence as a conspiracy with the Latin Kings to participate in racketeering activity and distribute cocaine and marijuana, court records show.

The U.S. attorneys office, in its sentencing memo Friday, noted it recommended a 10-year sentence for Gutierrez, which is at the low end of federal guidelines. That was agreed upon earlier this year as part of his plea deal.

While the government will ask that the court honor the plea agreement at sentencing, it feels obliged to inform the court of two facts not included in the pre-sentence report, the memo states.

When Gutierrez turned himself in, he allegedly smuggled a cellphone and a lighter into the jail, the memo states, and since pleading guilty, Gutierrez has passed off information to other incarcerated Latin King defendants about who is cooperating with the government, according to court records.

This could result in physical harm to cooperating defendants who are incarcerated, and the government, once again, takes this behavior very seriously, the memo states.

In Gutierrezs Oct. 24 sentencing memo, he said he should receive no more than the 10-year minimum statutory sentence, noting the August shooting was an effort to join the Latin Kings and that he has no desire to ever join in the future.

Gutierrez in his plea deal also agreed to pay restitution to a person wounded in a shooting Aug. 21, 2015, in the 6600 block of Arizona Avenue in Hammond, according to a plea agreement.
GRIFFITH  The family of late Councilwoman Patricia Schaadt received the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash award on her behalf during Thursday's Town Council meeting. Schaadt died Monday night.

She was chosen for the honorary award  one of the top awards given by the state  by Gov. Mike Pence.

Due to Pence's schedule as outgoing governor and vice president-elect, state Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, delivered the award posthumously to Schaadt's family after a moment of silence in her honor.

He said the award is named for the Algonquian American Indian tribe of the state.

The term "sagamore" refers to a wise person whom the chief would turn to for advice.

The award is reserved for "people who are considered to be a great value to their community," Slager said in expressing his amazement over Schaadt's long resume of public service.

"Clearly she was an active member of the community."

Before Slager made the presentation, the plaque was read aloud by former Griffith Clerk-treasurer George Jerome, who nominated Schaadt for the award.

"I just want to say that my mother loved this town and all the people," Schaadt's daughter, Patricia Dempsey, told the audience.

"We offer sincere condolences," said Council President Rick Ryfa, R-3rd. "She was an integral part of our town and our council."

Councilman Jim Marker, R-1st,said Schaadt would fight for the Park Board and senior center in a heartbeat.

Police Chief Greg Mance said Schaadt was a very special person "who I grew very fond of in my four years as police chief."

Other family members in attendance were granddaughter Alesha Dempsey and her fiancee Zachary McClanahan, daughter Shana Matz, son-in-law Matthew Matz and great-grandson Nicholas William Matz.

In this final meeting of the year, the council also made customary fund transfers between various categories to close out the books for 2016.
INDIANAPOLIS  One of the Indiana legislators proposing to prohibit state judges from using foreign laws says it stems from concerns that Islamic religious law could be citied in civil cases.

A bill filed by Republican Sen. Travis Holdman of Markle for the Legislature's 2017 session would block judges from using foreign law to impose a restriction that would violate a person's constitutional rights.

Holdman told The Indianapolis Star that constituents have told him they're worried about Sharia law being used as a legal standard in court. Another Republican senator as filed a similar bill. Such measures filed the past two years have failed to win legislative approval.

Indiana University law professor David Orentlicher says the bill addresses a problem that doesn't exist. Nine other states have such laws.

___

Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com
The famous Times Square ball dropped at midnight to say hello to the new year, as revelers packed the Crossroads of the World to enjoy the countdown to 2017.

The crowd, which began filing in at around 5 a.m. Saturday, included visitors from the Czech Republic, Thailand, Austria, Canada, as well as closer locales like Texas, California, and Ohio.

"I just think it's a really cool way to celebrate, and the more bad things that happen, the more you want to make good out of the good things," said one woman in Times Square. "And this is just a fun way to celebrate with millions of others people."

Law enforcement started placing people behind barricade pens around 8:30 a.m., and the pens filled up to nearly 50th Street. The city expected to have 2 million people to ring in 2017 on the streets in the area.

"Coming to New York is one thing, but coming to New York for New Year's is something iconic, it's completely different," said one person in Times Square. "Me and my cousin, we just graduated nursing school. So let's celebrate."

Folks who were in Times Square early were treated to a ball drop test to make sure there were no glitches with the 32,000 LED lights and 2,700 Waterford crystals.

Police closed off trash receptacles to prevent explosives from being placed inside.

The security was described as unprecedented, with 7,000 police officers, including counterterrorism teams and bomb-sniffing dogs.

For the first time ever in Times Square, 65 sanitation trucks filled with sand were used to prevent a potential truck attack like the ones in Europe, most recently in Berlin, where terrorists killed and injured dozens of people.

Officials said there were not any specific or credible threats to Times Square, but they did not take any chances.

The city police department also enforced strict rules: no alcohol, no umbrellas, backpacks, or large bags.
The Judy Clark I knew had two distinct sides. She was capable of warmth and joy. But her smile could vanish in a moment, replaced by an accusing finger. How many people did you kill in Vietnam? was her sudden jab across a Park Slope kitchen table at a friend roiled by nightmares after his return from the war. Stunned, he shook his head.

Judy, it was a war, he said.

Yes, and you were the invading army, she insisted. How many did you kill?

The bright, laughing woman was someone you wanted to like. The rigid radical made it tough. Then the Brinks robbery occurred, and there was no point in trying anymore.

In the years after she disappeared behind prison gates, occasional word came from friends who visited her that Clark was different than she was during her days of rage. I had my doubts: could anyone so stubborn and unrepentant really change? Eventually I drove up to Bedford Hills to see for myself.

On my first trip, in 2006, Clark strode into the sunny visitors room wearing a wide grin, one quickly returned by the dour-looking guard overseeing the area and by inmates seated at nearby tables. Her dark hair had gone mostly gray, but otherwise she looked much the way I remembered her: she is small with brown eyes, an olive complexion, a tiny pock mark on her forehead left over from childhood chicken pox. She had been in prison for 25 years. Her voice still carried the accent of her Brooklyn youth. It was softer now, though, without the righteousness that I remembered from even the simplest exchanges.

I returned several more times over the years, sitting at the same table near a playroom where inmates spent time with their children. On a recent visit in June, Clark arrived with a black Labrador on a leash trotting beside her. The Lab was the eighth dog Clark trained under a program in which the pups stay with inmates for about a year before becoming service dogs, mostly for disabled war veterans and for law-enforcement agencies. The dog this former terrorist trained would soon be sniffing out bombs like those her old Weathermen pals once planted. As we spoke, a pair of young girls came over to look at the dog. Clark had him raise his paw in greeting. The girls tittered. Their mothers joined them. I told them to introduce themselves to you, one inmate said. Clark leaned close and grasped each girl by a shoulder. Your mothers talk about you all the time, she said. They talk about how much they love you and have such great stories. The girls smiled. Most of the women at Bedford Hills are parents. Clark knows a lot about the heartache of leaving a child behind. Her daughter, Harriet, was 11 months old at the time of her arrest.

On the day of the Brinks heist, Clark told me, she was hesitant on several counts, starting with her baby at home. A gay, single woman, Clark had decided that she wanted to have a child, and a fellow militant served as surrogate father. When Harriet was born in November 1980, Clark was deliriously happy. It was, she said, an utterly personal experience, a break from the lock-step demands of her dogmabound sect. The commune welcomed children, as long as they were brought up in proper collective fashion. But the doting motherhood Clark displayed was considered a bourgeois indulgence.
Lawyers for Bill Cosby asked a Pennsylvania judge on Friday to change the location or jury pool for his coming criminal trial on sexual assault charges, arguing that intense publicity surrounding the case has tainted any prospective jury in the county where the trial is scheduled to start in June.

In a 12-page motion filed with Judge Steven T. ONeill of the Court of Common Pleas in Montgomery County, the lawyers said that media coverage of the charges against Mr. Cosby had prejudiced his right to a fair trial  especially in the county, where prosecutors say he assaulted Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee, in 2004.

Prejudicial publicity in the suburban Philadelphia county has been especially damaging because its district attorney, Kevin R. Steele, who leads the case against Mr. Cosby, ran advertisements in 2015 accusing his political rival for the office, Bruce L. Castor, of failing to prosecute Mr. Cosby, the motion said.

Prospective jurors in Montgomery County have been uniquely subjected to extensive, sustained, and pervasive negative coverage of the case against Mr. Cosby because of Kevin Steeles use of Mr. Cosby as a political pawn in his campaign for election as district attorney, the motion said.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug to treat patients with spinal muscular atrophy, a savage disease that, in its most severe form, kills infants before they turn 2.

This is a miracle  seriously, Dr. Mary K. Schroth, a lung specialist in Madison, Wis., who treats children who have the disease, said of the approval, which was made last week. This is a life-changing event, and this will change the course of this disease. Dr. Schroth has previously worked as a paid consultant to Biogen, which is selling the drug.

The drug, called Spinraza, will not come cheap  and, by some estimates, will be among the most expensive drugs in the world.

Biogen, which is licensing Spinraza from Ionis Pharmaceuticals, said this week that one dose will have a list price of $125,000. That means the drug will cost $625,000 to $750,000 to cover the five or six doses needed in the first year, and about $375,000 annually after that, to cover the necessary three doses a year. Patients will presumably take Spinraza for the rest of their lives.
When Carrie Fisher was cast as Princess Leia in the 1977 film Star Wars, she was a 19-year-old with no idea that her character would come to mean so much for so many. Youre not just an actor in this movie, Ms. Fisher said, youre a diplomat to a country you didnt know existed.

Leia proved especially meaningful to female fans, who found their own new hope in Ms. Fishers portrayal of the lone woman at the center of the action. Few movies showcased heroines who showed more guts and ingenuity than many of the men around her. Girls got a new uniform, too  instead of putting on a tiara and waving a wand, this princess wrapped her hair into a couple of practical buns and held a blaster in her hand.

Over the past 40 years, generations of female Star Wars fans have made the character their own, using her image and example as a tool in their own lives.

In commemoration of Ms. Fishers life, we asked readers to share what she and Leia have meant to them, and the lessons from the character that they will carry on. Here are their edited responses.
Cyril D. Tyson, who led antipoverty programs from inside and outside government in New York City and Newark in the 1960s in a tense racial atmosphere punctuated by violence, died on Thursday at his home in North Salem, N.Y. He was 89.

His wife of 64 years, Sunchita, said he died after several strokes.

Athlete, educator, civil rights activist, public servant, dad, his son Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist, a television host and the director of the Hayden Planetarium in Manhattan, said on Twitter.

Cyril Tyson was a former college track star who had worked on the staffs of the New York City Commission on Intergroup Relations and its successor, the Commission on Human Rights, when, in 1963, he joined Harlem Youth Opportunities Unlimited, a new, government-financed antipoverty organization that became widely known as Haryou.

He played a major role in designing the groups programs, which were aimed at improving the areas public schools and its residents job skills and opportunities. It included after-school remedial study centers and on-the-job training projects.
When the Chinese billionaire Ng Lap Seng was arrested in New York on bribery charges in 2015, a judge allowed him to await trial not in a jail cell but in a spacious apartment in Midtown Manhattan, with GPS monitoring and 24-hour armed security guards  all at Mr. Ngs expense.

The case, in which prosecutors strongly opposed bail, is one of several in New York that have spurred debate over whether rich defendants are treated differently if they are able to persuade a judge that they will use their resources to ensure their appearance at future court hearings. In June, for example, another New York judge rejected such a request from a Turkish gold trader, saying the proposal helped to foster inequity and unequal treatment in favor of a very small cohort of extremely wealthy defendants.

In Mr. Ngs case, a judge granted him a $50 million bond, secured by $20 million in cash and the apartment, at 240 East 47th Street. In recent months, Mr. Ngs lawyers have continued to test the system, arguing that their 68-year-old client, who has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial in May, should be allowed to go outside one day a week with his security guards, as they put it, to walk in a park, to dine at a restaurant, to shop, to visit a museum, city landmarks, library or bookstores, or simply to be outside of his apartment.

Prosecutors opposed the request. The office of Preet Bharara, the United States attorney in Manhattan, argued in court filings that Mr. Ng had immense wealth, access to private planes, multiple passports and no connection to the United States. Prosecutors called Mr. Ng an extreme risk of fleeing, and suggested that Mr. Ng, were he allowed more freedom, might slip away from his handlers and dash into a car or disappear into a crowd.
UPPER BROOKVILLE, N.Y.  Seven miles from here, an old-world mansion known as the Killenworth estate became, briefly, a center of international intrigue on Thursday as reporters began descending on the property, long a weekend retreat for Russian diplomats. President Obama had just announced that he would be closing a Russian compound in New York that had been used for intelligence gathering  and several administration officials pointed to Killenworth, which is in Glen Cove, as the target in New York.

But by late Friday morning, it had become clear that the Obama administration had set its retaliatory sights not on Killenworth but on property here in Upper Brookville, home of the less conspicuous of the mansions that the Russian government is known to own on Long Islands exclusive North Shore.

The confusion over which Long Island estate was to be closed had its roots in internal White House meetings in recent days in which senior officials erroneously referred to the targeted retreat as the Glen Cove location.

Early Friday morning, the White House officials continued to insist that the mansion in Glen Cove was the one being closed. They eventually acknowledged their mistake after the mayor of Upper Brookville said it was the estate in his village that was in fact being emptied.
It was bad. But to avoid the poles of despair and denial, it would help to have a frame of mind, a perspective with which to consider the year gone by. And with it, a sober but bracing way to meet the headwinds and miseries that await in 2017. It could be this: a recognition of the power of unity, of drawing close, and of speaking out. Of the strength that solidarity wielded in 2016, over and over.

The most powerless of economic players, low-wage workers, kept pressing for a $15 minimum wage. Rallies across the country in November invigorated the cause, which is succeeding against long odds. More than two dozen states and localities have raised minimum wages as the movement has gone mainstream.

The most frequent targets of the dehumanizing rhetoric of the Trump campaign  immigrants and refugees  found welcome in many communities. Families opened their homes to displaced Syrians. Churches gave sanctuary to unauthorized immigrants. Governors and mayors, teachers and lawyers, faith leaders and congregations vowed to resist any efforts to demonize the foreign-born.

There and elsewhere was evidence that the center could hold, and reason and compassion prevail.

National protests shone a harsh light on police killings of black civilians. Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama inspired millions, their achievements and grace rebuking the sour misogyny of the Trump campaign. American Indians in North Dakota braved rubber bullets and water cannons to protect their drinking water from an oil pipeline. Nations of the world  all threatened by a warming planet  ratified the Paris climate agreement. The global health community found ways to subdue the Zika virus and create an effective Ebola vaccine. The death penalty in the United States kept sliding into historys dustbin. Some states, reflecting strong public support, began tilting the gun debate in the direction of sanity.

The forces of disunity are strong, but our job is to make the country less divided than Donald Trumps splintering campaign has left it. A Roman Catholic priest, James Martin, in a powerful essay after the election, counseled combatants to give one another the benefit of the doubt  while remaining ready to defend those likely to suffer in the coming administration: the homeless, the unemployed, the underemployed, the disabled, the sick.
There is a legend about the comedian W. C. Fields as he lay dying in his hospital bed, surrounded by family. It was winter in New York City, and from outside came the sound of a newsboy shouting, Wuxtry! Wuxtry! Stock market prices fall! Stirred out of his stupor, Fields signaled those assembled to his bedside and whispered, Poor little urchins out there  undernourished, no doubt improperly clad  somethings got to be done about them, somethings got to be done. He dozed off, but seconds later, opened his eyes again. On second thought, he said, Screw em.

You are probably not a misanthrope like W. C. Fields. But as we look out at 2017, from the radioactive rage of national politics to a constant stream of tragic world events, our problems seem large and intractable. Its easy to reach the Fields conclusion.

To throw up our hands in the face of tragedy is a normal cognitive phenomenon that social psychologists call psychic numbing. Paul Slovic of the University of Oregon shows in his research that when events are large and remote, we become insensitive to them. For example, there was concern, but hardly an outpouring of support, for Syrian refugees after half a million people had died in the civil war.

Adam Smith wryly observed the principle of psychic numbing 250 years ago in his classic book Theory of Moral Sentiments. He asked readers to imagine how a man of humanity in Europe would react to news of a dreadful earthquake in China, killing millions. He may regret the calamity in theory, but so long as he never sees the victims, he will snore with the most profound security over the ruin of a hundred millions of his brethren.
In 2013, the Boy Scouts of America ended its ban on openly gay youths participating in its activities.

Two years later, the organization ended its ban on openly gay adult leaders.

Now, after an 8-year-old in Secaucus, N.J., was kicked out of his Cub Scout pack about a month after joining, scouting leaders are confronted with the decision to extend the welcome to transgender boys.

It made me mad, the boy, Joe Maldonado, told The Record, a North Jersey newspaper. I had a sad face, but I wasnt crying. Im way more angry than sad. My identity is a boy. If I was them, I would let every person in the world go in. Its right to do.

Last year, when he began second grade, Joe came out as a boy, according to The Record. His mother, Kristie Maldonado, allowed him to cut his hair short.
PRAGUE  For a brief moment, it seemed that the powerful advisers head might roll at the Castle. After he lost his long legal battle over a hefty state fine, the Czech president warned him to pay up or lose his post.

Then a guardian angel materialized from Moscow.

Lukoil, the largest private Russian oil company in an industry dependent on Kremlin approval, stepped in to pay the nearly $1.4 million fine owed to a Czech court.

The aide, Martin Nejedly, stayed on as economic adviser to the Czech president, Milos Zeman, and vice chairman of his party. Perhaps more important, he retained his office right next to the presidents in the Castle, the official palace that looms over the capital, Prague.

But the payment last spring raised questions about Russian influence-buying in the Castle, where Mr. Zeman has staked out a position as one of the Kremlins most ardent sympathizers among European leaders.
Its time to say goodbye to 2016. Somehow, we made it through a divisive election season and an agonizing number of celebrity deaths (not to mention catastrophes around the world). The general sentiment seems to be: Good riddance to this year. Here is how television networks are ringing in the new year  a better one, lets hope.

Whats on TV

NEW YEARS EVE LIVE WITH ANDERSON COOPER AND KATHY GRIFFIN 8 p.m. on CNN. This annual giggle fest, more than four hours of Ms. Griffin cracking jokes while Mr. Cooper struggles to contain his laughter, returns for another reliably cheerful evening. Earlier, at 7, CNN presents its take on the year with All the Best, All the Worst 2016.

A TOAST TO 2016! 8 p.m. on NBC. This New Years Eve broadcast begins with an hourlong look at memorable events from the past year. Then, at 10, Late Night With Seth Meyers celebrates with guests including Jennifer Lawrence, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Leslie Jones. The musical guest is Kelly Clarkson. But thats just the beginning of the nights music: At 11:30, NBCs New Years Eve With Carson Daly, in Times Square, features performances by Alicia Keys, Pentatonix and Blake Shelton.

COUNTDOWN TO 2017 8 p.m. on Fox News. Two of this channels news anchors, Jesse Watters and Lisa Kennedy Montgomery, kick off the New Years broadcast, which continues with All-American New Year at 11, hosted by Eric Bolling and Kimberly Guilfoyle, of The Five, in Times Square. Among the musical performers are Gavin DeGraw and Rachel Platten.
Martha Jane Dickey and Albert James Matson were married Dec. 28 in St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Edina, Minn. The Rev. Thomas R. Cook, an Episcopal priest and the rector of the church, performed the ceremony.

The bride, 68, who is known as Jane, is taking her husbands name. She recently retired as a municipal bond lawyer with the Rose Law Firm in Little Rock, Ark., where she was a senior partner. She graduated from the University of Arkansas and received a law degree from the University of Oklahoma.

She is a daughter of the late Martha Jane Dickey and the late Milton G. Dickey, who lived in Mer Rouge, La.

The groom, 82, who goes by Jim, retired as the president of the food products group of Pet Inc., now part of General Mills, in St. Louis. He graduated from Iowa State.
High Pressure, Low Morale

Around 6:30 each morning, Sgt. Michael J. LoPuzzo walks through the tall wooden doors of the 40th Precinct station house. The cases that land on his metal desk  dead bodies with no known cause, strip club brawls, shooting victims hobbling into the hospital themselves  bring resistance at every turn, reminding him of an earlier era in the citys crime-fighting campaign.

I havent got one single phone call thats putting me in the right direction here, said Sergeant LoPuzzo, the head of the precincts detective squad, one day this summer as he worked on an answer to an email inquiry from a murder victims aunt about why the killer had not been caught. And people just dont understand that.

Often it is detectives who most feel the effects of people turning on the police. Witnesses shout them away from their doors just so neighbors know they refuse to talk. Of the 184 people who were shot and wounded in the Bronx through early September, more than a third  66 victims  refused to cooperate. Over the same period in the 40th Precinct, squad detectives closed three of 17 nonfatal shootings, and 72 of 343 robbery cases.

Part of the resistance stems from heavy-handed preventive policing tactics, like stop-and-frisk, that were a hallmark of the take-back-the-streets style under former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and his police commissioner, Raymond W. Kelly. Near the height of the stop-and-frisk strategy, in 2012, the 40th Precinct had the third-most stops in the city, the second-most stops in which officers used force and the most frisks. Of 18,276 stops that year, 15,521 were of people who had done nothing criminal.

The precinct was also one of the high-crime areas that the department flooded with its newest officers. At roll calls, they were pressured to generate numbers: write tickets and make arrests. They had no choice but to give a summons to a young man playing in a park after dark, even if the officers had done the same growing up in the same neighborhood.

I need to bring something in today to justify my existence, Officer Argenis Rosado, who joined the precinct in 2010, said in an interview at the station house. So now youre in a small area, and day after day youre hammering the same community. Of course that communitys eventually going to turn on you.

The pressure warped the way officers and residents saw each other. Rookies had to ignore why someone might be drinking outside or sitting on a stoop.
Shelving along one aisle holds basic yarns. The higher-end options  linen, silk, llama, alpaca  hang in a narrow section along the back wall. The remaining stock consists of supplies for all varieties of hobbyist: technicolored perler beads and pipe cleaners for children, a spectrum of food dyes and chocolate molds for bakers and confectioners.

In the back room, where Ms. Cook-Lopez used to do her schoolwork as a girl, she now runs knitting and crocheting classes. The sessions are often one-on-one ($25 per two-hour beginner session, supplies included). And for those who already know the basics, she hosts free gatherings there.

Before it was a crafters haven, Cooks was an electronics repair shop. Ms. Cook-Lopezs father and grandfather ran Cook & Son Television Service, where customers would notice her grandmother, Virginia, working with yarn. When she saw that customers had taken an interest in her knitting, she started selling yarn in one corner of the store. Cable knit eventually overtook television cables, and the store became Cooks Crafts.

Ms. Cook-Lopez took over as manager when her grandmother died six years ago. Her father remains the owner.
After working 14-hour shifts six days a week as the executive chef and owner of Fine Indian Dining, a hospitality group that operates six Indian restaurants in Manhattan, including the recently opened Sahib in Curry Hill (around Lexington Avenue and 28th Street), Hemant Mathur tries to take Sundays off, but it rarely works. I inevitably end up working at least half the day, he said. Mr. Mathur, 49, does manage to spend time with his wife, Surbhi Sahni, 41, a pastry chef who also runs Bittersweet NYC, and their daughter, Soumyaa, 13. They live in Jackson Heights, Queens, where Mr. Mathur has lived since he immigrated from India nearly two decades ago.

MASALA MORNING I get up at 8. Surbhi and Soumyaa are already awake, and Surbhi has made us a pot of masala chai, the traditional Indian tea, and we make it by boiling together fresh grated ginger, tea leaves and water. At the end, we add in milk. Having a big mug gets me going.
It was hard to greet the announcement last week of a new cease-fire in Syria without wariness. In six years of fighting, more than 400,000 people have been killed and entire cities devastated. This is a conflict that wouldnt have happened, or lasted so long, save for the cynical brutality of President Bashar al-Assad and his chief allies, Russia and Iran.

The cease-fire took effect on Friday, and while violations have been reported, the world has to hope this one will outlast two previous cease-fires in 2016 and prove to be a turning point. One would think Mr. Assad would wonder what he could gain by fighting on. He evicted rebel groups from Aleppo last month and has strengthened his position. The countries guaranteeing the truce  Russia, Iran and Turkey  also wield considerable might on the battlefield.

For two years, while bolstering Mr. Assads brutal regime, President Vladimir Putin of Russia dabbled with the United States in efforts to arrange the earlier cease-fires and negotiate an end to the civil war. Now, during a fraught transition of power in Washington, Mr. Putin has effectively marginalized the United States and maneuvered into position as the dominant international player in Syria.
CHICAGO  At a holiday crafts fair, a cute woman with a half-shaved head and a septum piercing pushed a tin toward me. Smell this  it smells awesome, she said, smiling. People brushed past me; the sun lit the womans head like a halo.

I reached for the tin, which had an image of a mustache on it. Our fingers touched, and I noticed a tattoo of the female symbol on her wrist.

If your boyfriend has any facial hair, she said, thisll make his face less scratchy for you!

The tin held $14 beard pomade. I blinked, startled; I dont have a boyfriend. If she casually assumed I was straight, that means she probably isnt queer. But  how?

I backed away from her table. I was surrounded by strangers; Id lost my way. I used to have a talent, but now its gone, vanished, like a beautiful dream I cant remember.
Think about the people in your life who are 65 or older. Some of them are experiencing the usual mental difficulties of old age, like forgetfulness or a dwindling attention span. Yet others somehow manage to remain mentally sharp. My father-in-law, a retired doctor, is 83 and he still edits books and runs several medical websites.

Why do some older people remain mentally nimble while others decline? Superagers (a term coined by the neurologist Marsel Mesulam) are those whose memory and attention isnt merely above average for their age, but is actually on par with healthy, active 25-year-olds. My colleagues and I at Massachusetts General Hospital recently studied superagers to understand what made them tick.

Our lab used functional magnetic resonance imaging to scan and compare the brains of 17 superagers with those of other people of similar age. We succeeded in identifying a set of brain regions that distinguished the two groups. These regions were thinner for regular agers, a result of age-related atrophy, but in superagers they were indistinguishable from those of young adults, seemingly untouched by the ravages of time.

What are these crucial brain regions? If you asked most scientists to guess, they might nominate regions that are thought of as cognitive or dedicated to thinking, such as the lateral prefrontal cortex. However, thats not what we found. Nearly all the action was in emotional regions, such as the midcingulate cortex and the anterior insula.
JERUSALEM  We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect. Thus President-elect Donald J. Trump tweeted just before Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict last week. He added: They used to have a great friend in the U.S., but 

Mr. Trump was presuming to side with Israel in its regional fight, but  as Mr. Kerry implied, particularly when he spoke elegiacally of Shimon Peres, one cannot be a friend to Israel without actually being a friend to some Israelis over others, one conception of Israel, the region, and Jews, for that matter, over another. These are also Jewish culture wars  centered on Israel, but played out vicariously among American Jews  and Mr. Trump has stepped, or stumbled, into the thick of them. Nor do they affect Jews alone, given Americas web of relations in the region. One hopes and trusts that senior appointees to his foreign policy team will take notice.

Their job became more difficult last month when Mr. Trumps transition team named David M. Friedman, his bankruptcy lawyer, as the next United States ambassador to Israel, soon after announcing an intention to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem. Mr. Friedman, a major fund-raiser for the Beit El settlement built on the hills around the West Bank city of Ramallah, would doubtless feel at home in Jerusalem, where I live for half the year. The mental atmosphere of Greater Israel is nested here and in its encircling settlements.

By contrast, he would barely know what to make of Tel Aviv, where the embassy is now. That city is the heart of what could be called Global Israel, a Hebrew hub in a cosmopolitan system.
Other than some exceptions here and there, John Ore has not had an alcoholic drink during the month of January in 10 years. This is part of an annual seltzer-soaked exercise in temperance that he calls Drynuary.

Mr. Ore, 46, is a longtime subscriber to the idea that a January without booze can lead to better sleep, better dreams and a weight loss of roughly 10 pounds. But on a recent evening in December, he could be found sitting under a ceiling of red and gold Christmas ornaments at the Brass Monkey, a bar in the meatpacking district, drinking a pint of Lagunitas. After all, it wasnt Drynuary just yet.

Over a couple of pints of beer  and, later, a seltzer-based drink  Mr. Ore was preparing to hit the reset button after a grueling holiday season filled with gluttony and family-related stress. Maybe you know the feeling. For those who are thinking of taking the month off from drinking, he has some pointers.
Its high season in most tropical destinations, but a few deals can be found, especially at all-inclusive resorts.

Club Med is offering 50 percent off at its resorts worldwide. Most require a three-night minimum stay and must be booked before Jan. 10 for travel through June 24. Rates start at $119 a person a day. The resort chain is also offering up to $300 a person credit for airfare to its resorts in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Ixtapa and Cancun in Mexico, also subject to a three-night minimum stay.

In the Bahamas, Melia Nassau Beach All-Inclusive is offering rooms up to 20 percent off, complimentary airport transfers and a $400 resort credit to travelers who book at the website and register for the companys loyalty program. Before the discount, rooms start at $167 at the beachfront resort, and the offer runs through March 31.

Holland America Line cruises is offering a View & Verandah deal through the end of February in which travelers will get a stateroom upgrade and onboard spending credit up to $500 per stateroom. Rates start at $699 for a seven-day Caribbean cruise that includes a $100 per cabin credit; available March 30, 2017, to April 28, 2018.
Republican leadership officials in the House acknowledge the possibility of cascading effects if the cost-sharing payments, which have totaled an estimated $13 billion, are suddenly stopped. Insurers that receive the subsidies in exchange for paying out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and co-pays for eligible consumers could race to drop coverage since they would be losing money. Over all, the loss of the subsidies could destabilize the entire program and cause a lack of confidence that leads other insurers to seek a quick exit as well.

Anticipating that the Trump administration might not be inclined to mount a vigorous fight against the House Republicans given the president-elects dim view of the health care law, a team of lawyers this month sought to intervene in the case on behalf of two participants in the health care program. In their request, the lawyers predicted that a deal between House Republicans and the new administration to dismiss or settle the case will produce devastating consequences for the individuals who receive these reductions, as well as for the nations health insurance and health care systems generally.

No matter what happens, House Republicans say, they want to prevail on two overarching concepts: the congressional power of the purse, and the right of Congress to sue the executive branch if it violates the Constitution regarding that spending power.

House Republicans contend that Congress never appropriated the money for the subsidies, as required by the Constitution. In the suit, which was initially championed by John A. Boehner, the House speaker at the time, and later in House committee reports, Republicans asserted that the administration, desperate for the funding, had required the Treasury Department to provide it despite widespread internal skepticism that the spending was proper. The White House said that the spending was a permanent part of the law passed in 2010, and that no annual appropriation was required  even though the administration initially sought one.

Just as important to House Republicans, Judge Collyer found that Congress had the standing to sue the White House on this issue  a ruling that many legal experts said was flawed  and they want that precedent to be set to restore congressional leverage over the executive branch.

But on spending power and standing, the Trump administration may come under pressure from advocates of presidential authority to fight the House no matter their shared views on health care, since those precedents could have broad repercussions.

It is a complicated set of dynamics illustrating how a quick legal victory for the House in the Trump era might come with costs that Republicans never anticipated when they took on the Obama White House.
But they represent a determination by the 44th president to squeeze in every last Obama-era achievement before Mr. Trump  who has vowed to dismantle those achievements  takes over. That has cheered some of Mr. Obamas liberal allies, who wish he could do even more.

The Republicans are freaking out because all of a sudden Obama is doing a lot of governing, said Matt Bennett, the senior vice president for public affairs at the Third Way, a liberal think tank. They dont like it. I get that. But hes in his right to do it, and he should do it. Is he trying to box Trump in? You bet  and he should.

Mr. Obamas actions have not gone unnoticed by Mr. Trump and the people working frantically to assemble the new administration. A day after Mr. Obama allowed passage of a United Nations Security Council resolution criticizing Israeli settlements, Mr. Trump angrily wrote on Twitter that the move would make it much harder to negotiate peace. Mr. Trump added, optimistically: Too bad, but we will get it done anyway!

Two days later, in a sign of his growing frustration with Mr. Obama, Mr. Trump posted again on Twitter, saying he was doing his best to disregard the many inflammatory President O statements and roadblocks.

He continued, Thought it was going to be a smooth transition  NOT!

That Twitter message apparently prompted a phone call from Mr. Obama the next day, when the president and president-elect tried to re-emphasize their cooperation. Mr. Obamas spokesman issued a statement calling the discussion positive, saying both men had pledged to work together to effectuate a smooth transition of power on January 20th.

That evening, from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Mr. Trump insisted that the transition was going very, very smoothly and said his talk with Mr. Obama had been a very, very nice conversation.

Our staffs have been getting along very well, and Im getting along very well with him other than a couple of statements that I responded to, Mr. Trump said.
Americans woke up on the last day of 2016 to a message from President-elect Donald J. Trump wishing them a happy new year.

But the holiday missive, posted on Mr. Trumps official Twitter account around 8 a.m., came with a pointed jab.

Happy New Year to all, Mr. Trump wrote, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just dont know what to do. Love! (Some social media users homed in on Mr. Trumps use of the word enemies, rather than opponents or another word for those who oppose him.)

Even a holiday known for its good cheer, it seems, could not dull Mr. Trumps penchant for doling out taunts and insults via Twitter.
NAIROBI, Kenya  In the past 10 years, tens of thousands of elephants have been slaughtered across Africa to feed Chinas insatiable appetite for ivory. Entire herds from Gabon to Tanzania have disappeared. Even baby elephants have been killed for their tiny stubs of ivory. Scientists have said that the very survival of the species is in Chinas hands.

On Friday, after years of denying that China was part of the problem, the Chinese government made a stunning announcement: It would shut down the countrys ivory market, the worlds largest.

Will this save the elephants? This is what experts on the plight of elephants say:

 It all depends on the price. If China simply shuts down its legal ivory trade but does little to combat the much bigger illegal trade, then the price of ivory (now about $500 a pound) will stay high, giving poachers an incentive to keep killing.

 Making all ivory illegal in China could actually push the price up, like illegal drugs.

 Neighboring markets will be crucial. If Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines and others do not take similar steps, then many Chinese will simply buy their ivory from other places, which will keep demand high.
TOKYO  William Zeller, a petty officer second class in the United States Navy, was one of hundreds of sailors who rushed to provide assistance to Japan after a giant earthquake and tsunami set off a triple meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in 2011. Not long after returning home, he began to feel sick.

Today, he has nerve damage and abnormal bone growths, and blames exposure to radiation during the humanitarian operation conducted by crew members of the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan. Neither his doctors nor the United States government has endorsed his claim or those of about 400 other sailors who attribute ailments including leukemia and thyroid disease to Fukushima and are suing Tokyo Electric, the operator of the plant.

But one prominent figure is supporting the American sailors: Junichiro Koizumi, the former prime minister of Japan.

Mr. Koizumi, 74, visited a group of the sailors, including Petty Officer Zeller, in San Diego in May, breaking down in tears at a news conference. Over the past several months, he has barnstormed Japan to raise money to help defray some of their medical costs.
BEIJING  President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan sharply criticized Chinas leaders on Saturday, saying they had resorted to military and economic threats in order to intimidate the island.

Step by step, Beijing is going back to the old path of dividing, coercing and even threatening and intimidating Taiwan, she told journalists in Taipei, the capital, at a year-end news conference.

Tensions between Taiwan and China, which have been rivals since the Communist Revolution of 1949, intensified in December after Ms. Tsai spoke on the phone with the American president-elect, Donald J. Trump, breaking a longstanding diplomatic practice.

In recent weeks, China has stepped up military activities near Taiwan, sending its sole aircraft carrier through the waters near the island and dispatching military planes in the region. On Monday, Beijing announced that Sao Tome and Principe, an island nation off the west coast of Africa that was one of Taiwans fewer than two dozen remaining diplomatic allies, had switched its allegiance to the mainland, provoking an outcry in Taiwan.
A first wave of looting began in 2012, Mr. Ali said, and looting has accelerated since 2014 with the arrival of the Islamic State. While jihadists were more motivated to destroy the artifacts, they had also allowed looters to operate in exchange for money. Mr. Ali said he kept an ever changing tally of museums bombed, objects carted off, safes stolen.

The exhibition in Paris, which is drawing large crowds, coincides with History Begins in Mesopotamia, a show at the Louvres regional museum in Lens. Both exhibitions highlight the French governments active concern about cultural damage in Syria, which was briefly controlled by France in the first half of the 20th century.

Mr. Hollande has taken a strong interest, condemning the deliberate destruction of patrimony by all sides as war crimes. This past month, France offered $30 million toward a proposed $100 million fund to protect sites as fighting abates, provide emergency storage for artifacts and eventually rehabilitate monuments.

At the Eternal Sites opening at the Grand Palais, Mr. Hollande stressed that France was taking in more Syrian refugees; trying to protect monuments of great historical and cultural importance did not mean ignoring the suffering of the population.

Should we be concerned about the patrimony? he asked. What is more important, saving lives or saving stones? In reality, these two are inseparable.
MOSCOW  The blacklist includes two people suspected of cybercrimes, and four others who are military intelligence officers. All are the kinds of figures one might expect to be on a list of people targeted by the Obama administration in retaliation for Russias malfeasance, including efforts to influence the 2016 election.

Then there is the one who calls herself mishacker, a globe-trotter with a rebellious online persona who is perhaps the most intriguing of the newly revealed Russian spies.

On what appears to be her personal website, called Hello, stranger, that person, Alisa Shevchenko, introduces herself and expounds on some of her digital accomplishments, including setting up a work space for hackers in Moscow.

My name is Alisa, the site reads. I am a human being. Part misfit, part mishacker. A businesswoman in the past as well as in a possible future. Currently I am mostly working on vulnerabilities and exploits, while striving to minimize entropy in the process.
MOSCOW  The diatribe against the Obama administration on prime-time television by a Russian Foreign Ministry official was hardly unusual in the long history of rocky relations between the United States and Russia.

The administration demonstrated the belief that the strongest has the right to create evil, Maria Zakharova, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said on the Christmas Day broadcast.

From Washingtons perspective, it is the Kremlin that generally personifies evil, a point President Obama made on Thursday in punishing Russia for cyberattacks by directing new sanctions against Moscow and expelling 35 Russian diplomats. The United States and friends and allies around the world must work together to oppose Russias efforts to undermine established international norms of behavior, Mr. Obama said in a statement.

The two statements appeared to be business as usual  each side representing enemy No. 1 for the other. By Friday that mood had been abruptly cast aside, however. President Vladimir V. Putin announced that Russia would do nothing in response to the new American measures, awaiting the next administration, prompting President-elect Donald J. Trump to call him very smart in a Twitter post.
BAGHDAD  Two bombings claimed by the Islamic State killed at least 25 people in central Baghdad on Saturday as fighting intensified in the northern city of Mosul, where government forces are trying to rout the jihadists from that city, their last major stronghold in the country.

The blasts, including one suicide attack, tore through a busy market in the Sinak neighborhood, the police said. A pro-Islamic State news agency said the assailants had targeted Shiite Muslims, whom they regard as apostates.

The Islamic State has continued to launch attacks in Baghdad, the heavily fortified capital, even after losing most of the northern and western territory it seized in 2014.

The recapture of Mosul would probably spell the end for the Islamic States self-declared caliphate, but the militants would still be capable of fighting a guerrilla-style insurgency in Iraq and plotting or inspiring attacks on the West.
BEIRUT, Lebanon  The United Nations Security Council on Saturday unanimously endorsed a resolution encouraging a new cease-fire in the war in Syria, adding international support for an agreement brokered by Russia and Turkey that has been in force for two days.

The resolution called for rapid, safe and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian aid, but stopped short of officially endorsing the truce. Language referring to an endorsement was removed from the text before the final vote because Western powers wanted to clarify the role of the United Nations in the agreement.

The cease-fire was announced by Russia on Thursday and is supposed to stop the fighting between forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad of Syria and the rebels seeking his ouster. The truce was arranged in preparation for peace talks next month in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

The United Nations has also announced plans for peace talks in Geneva in February.

While the rebels and the Syrian government, which is backed by Russia, have accused the other of violating the cease-fire and clashes and airstrikes have continued in some areas, the overall level of violence across Syria has declined, providing some hope that the truce will hold.
BUENA PARK  Nearly 8 hours after they became stranded 125 feet up, 21 people on the disabled Sky Cabin at Knotts Berry Farm were lowered one by one to safety Friday night by firefighters.

At 7:25 p.m., the first passenger harnessed to a Orange County Fire Authority firefighter made it to the base of the ride that became stuck around 2 p.m.

There were 20 passengers and one operator aboard the slow-moving Sky Cabin. The riders, both children and adults, were harnessed to firefighters and hugging them tightly as they were lowered one by one. One girl who appeared to be about 10 years old could be seen smiling as she descended, her turquoise Converse sneakers dangling high above the crowd of onlookers.

As of 9:54 p.m., all of them had been brought back to the ground, Knotts Berry Farm said in a tweet.

OCFA firefighters were called to the park around 5 p.m. after attempts by Knotts workers to get the ride moving again. The ride ascends to more than 180 feet, according to Knotts, and OCFA officials said the ride was stopped 125 feet up.

After the Knotts Berry Farm maintenance team made several attempts to bring the attraction down, we contacted the Orange County Fire Authority, according to a Knotts statement. As always, the safety of our guests and employees is our number one priority.

Knotts officials didnt immediately return phone calls to explain why they waited nearly three hours to notify OCFA.

The ride carries passengers upward in a rotating room that provides panoramic views of Orange County.

OCFA Capt. Larry Kurtz said no one on board was injured.

Were visiting from Oregon, rider Gabe Javage told KNBC-TV via cellphone. Theres nine in our group. My son and his cousin are down below. They elected not to go on the ride. Good choice for them, huh?

All three of Eddie Kims daughters were stuck on the ride while he waited below for them to be rescued.

He told KTTV-TV that all three were fine, but my little girl, 8-year-old girl, she came down, and shes crying.

There was no word on what caused the ride breakdown. Knotts said the Sky Cabin would be closed until an investigation into the cause was complete and that each of Knotts rides is inspected, check-listed and properly maintained daily.

Sky Cabin was closed in May 2010 and was idle for 18 months before reopening after a remodel.

On June 22, 2008, the ride got stuck as it began to ascend. Within an hour, firefighters used an aerial ladder to escort 23 guests and a ride operator safely to the ground.

In the weeks that followed, the ride continued to get stuck in safety tests. Technicians eventually found a problem with an electrical relay that was causing the ride to lose power as it climbed the tower.

Originally opened in 1976, the oversized mechanical doughnut ascends about 300 feet into the air and spins slowly.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7865 or afausto@scng.com
SACRAMENTO  Sutter Brown, a Pembroke Welsh corgi christened Californias first dog by his owner Gov. Jerry Brown, died Friday following a brief illness. He was 13.

The dogs health had deteriorated rapidly in recent days and the decision was made to say goodbye, the governors press office said in a statement.

He passed away peacefully with the governor and first lady Anne Gust Brown at his side, and was laid to rest at the family ranch in Colusa County, where he loved to roam, sniff and play, the statement said.

Sutter was a fixture at the Capitol and on the campaign trail where he softened the image of the cantankerous governor and helped cut the tension between Democrats and Republicans in the midst of contentious negotiations.

Legislators, lobbyists and aides from both parties sought selfies with the short, pudgy, brown and white fluffy dog. Sutter obliged, starring in countless photos with his mouth open and ears perked.

A Twitter account in his name racked up nearly 10,000 followers. Tweets show Sutter and younger sister Colusa, a corgi mix, lounging around the governors office or promoting his owners top priorities.

Sutter was rushed to an animal hospital Oct. 7 and underwent emergency surgery, said Evan Westrup, a spokesman for Brown. Veterinarians discovered several masses suspected to be cancer in his intestines, lymph nodes and liver, but they were unable to remove them all.

Sutter, who shares the name of the 19th-century pioneer who established Sacramentos earliest settlement, was the pet of Browns sister, Kathleen Brown, until she moved out of state following Jerry Browns election as governor in 2010.

The governor and his wife adopted Sutter and were often seen walking him from home to the Capitol in the morning.

Anne Gust Brown, who is her husbands chief adviser, joked in a rare public address in 2013 that Sutter is better known than she is.

Its hard in my household to get any attention between my husband and the dog, Brown said to laughter at the luncheon.

Sutters sister, Colusa Lucy Brown, will assume his duties as first dog.

The press office said goodbye in a tweet:

No colleague brought us more joy  & distraction  than you, @SutterBrown. Well miss you buddy. #GoodBoy
In 2016, half a dozen Orange County-based companies were bought by foreign companies.

The latest was Ingram Micro. In early December, the $6 billion deal for Irvine-based logistics firm, sold to China-based Tianjin Tianhai Investment Company Ltd., closed. The merger was first announced in February.

Ingram Micro will operate as a subsidiary of Tianjin Tianhai under HNA Group, its largest stockholder.

Ingram Micro was the sixth largest publicly traded company in Orange County last year, employing nearly 1,000 local employees in its workforce of some 22,000 people, according to the Orange County Business Journal.

Ingram Micro will keep its Irvine headquarters and its executive management team will remain intact. Alain Monie, CEO of Ingram Micro, will stay with the company.

The sale of Ingram Micro isnt the only big acquisition of an Orange County company by foreign groups. Here are just a few others:

Vizio

In July Irvine-based Vizio agreed to be bought by Chinese video streaming company LeEco for $2 billion.

The company makes budget-priced television and sound-bar sales.

Vizios hardware and software business will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary. Its data business, Inscape, will operate as a privately owned company.

Vizio, founded in 2002, will keep its management team in Irvine. Its distribution agreements also will remain in place.

William Wang, the founder, chairman and CEO of Vizio, will become the chairman and CEO of Inscape.

LeEco has been growing its presence in the U.S. In April, the group established its North American headquarters in San Jose. The facility can hold 800 employees and will be home to LeFuture AI Institute, the companys autonomous driving research center.

Sequent Medical

Aliso Viejo-based Sequent Medical Inc. has been acquired by Terumo Corp. for $280 million, the companies announced in June.

Terumo makes medical devices such as syringes, blood bags and IV solutions.

The sale comes with an additional $100 million for Sequent if development or commercial milestones are achieved.

Sequent makes minimally invasive brain aneurysm treatment implant called Web. Sequent, which was founded in 2007, has roughly 80 employees, has not filed any layoff notices with the state.

Sequent was formed by Bob Rosenbluth and Brian Cox, biotech entrepreneurs who also founded the neurovascular device maker MicroVention, now based in Tustin.

In 2006, the Terumo also acquired MicroVention for an undisclosed sum. MicroVention, which also makes products for the treatment of aneurysms, is planning to shift its headquarters to a new campus in Aliso Viejo next year.

Broadcom

Irvine-based Broadcom was sold to chipmaker Avago Technologies for $37 billion.

Broadcom announced in May that it would downsize its new headquarters, cut jobs and divest two units after its sale was finalized. Less than three weeks after its sale to Avago was finalized, Broadcom announced the layoff of nearly 700 employees in Irvine. The chipmaker listed for sale two buildings at its five-building campus under construction near the Great Park.

The company also announced plans to sell 32 of its 72 acres and 450,000 square feet of future building rights.

Kurion

Irvine-based Kurion Inc., known for helping stabilize the contaminated Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan after a 2011 tsunami, was sold for $350 million to Veolia, a Paris-based nuclear cleanup specialist. The deal closed in April.

Kurion was founded in 2008 by John Raymont. The company offers nuclear waste cleanup and treats low-level radioactive waste. It has operations in the U.S., the U.K. and Japan.

Kurions success in Japan helped build the companys profile. The firms technologies have since been used to clean up nuclear waste at the Hanford Site in Washington state and the Sellafield facility in the U.K.

At the time of the merger the company had 200 employees.

Multi-Fineline Electonix

Multi-Fineline Electronix, an Irvine-based maker of circuit boards, was acquired by Chinese manufacturer Suzhou Dongshan Precision Manufacturing Co for $610 million. The deal was finalized in July.

M-Flex stockholders received $23.95 per share in cash as M-Flex became a wholly owned subsidiary.

M-Flex was founded in Anaheim in 1984. By 2010, Fortune magazine ranked it 35th among 100 of the nations fastest growing companies. The company had reported an 88 percent growth over a three year span.

Apple was M-Flexs biggest client, making up 75 percent of its sales in 2013; 74 percent of its sales in 2012; and 44 percent of its sales in 2011, according to the companys annual report.

Contact the writer: hmadans@ocregister.com or Twitter: @HannahMadans
3 snitch scandal investigations threaten change for sheriff, D.A.

A year ago, the countys justice system looked to be emerging from the jailhouse informant scandal. Today, its melting down. What happened?

BY TONY SAAVEDRA AND ANDRE MOUCHARD / STAFF WRITERS

Ten months ago, at a community forum in Santa Ana, Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens told the crowd that her deputies did not cultivate a secret network of jailhouse informants to illegally gather confessions from accused criminals.

District Attorney Tony Rackauckas sat nearby, nodding in agreement. He too denied wrongdoing in his department, later saying allegations that prosecutors routinely misused informants and withheld evidence from defense attorneys were nothing but the wild imaginings of a public defender and the inaccurate reporting of a media that didnt understand the facts.

Youve heard the conspiracy theories  Hutchens said, referring to allegations about a network of jailhouse informants and a computer database known as TREDS, that would show how deputies track informants in county jails.

None of it is true.

Actually, thats still being sorted out. And because of that, as 2016 comes to a close, Orange Countys justice system is in crisis.

At least three investigations  by the Orange County Grand Jury, the California attorney general and, as of this month, the U.S. Department of Justice  are actively looking at the scope and depth of missteps by local prosecutors and Sheriffs Dept. jailers.

Documents suggest investigators almost certainly have moved beyond the question of if a network of informants was run in O.C. jails and, instead, are looking at how long such a network operated, and to what degree its been used  and might still be used  to win convictions.

Many of the laws and strategies under scrutiny are complex, but some of the most basic questions are straightforward:

Are county prosecutors and jailers working within constitutional rules to put away criminals?

Or, as a growing number of critics have suggested, is there a win-at-all-costs culture among those who hold the keys to justice in Orange County?

The world is watching. Stories about the countys snitch scandal have popped up in everything from legal journals to the New York Times. And experts who spent careers as prosecutors  such as former California Attorney General John Van de Kamp and former federal prosecutor Richard Drooyan  are on record questioning methods embraced in Orange County.

Hutchens and Rackauckas declined to speak for this story. But what investigators learn about their departments in coming months could determine if both elected officials will get to maintain independent control of their jobs, or if theyll soon work under the oversight of federal minders.

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Public reprimands

Even in February, as Hutchens and Rackauckas spoke at the forum, evidence was public that showed prosecutors had used at least one informant improperly. That was done in an effort to ensure that admitted mass murderer Scott Dekraai  the killer of eight people at a Seal Beach hair salon in 2011  would get the death penalty.

In fact, the forum was held nearly a year after an Orange County Superior Court judge ruled that local prosecutors and jailers should no longer be part of the Dekraai case, saying they could not be trusted to give Dekraai a fair hearing. Still, Hutchens and Rackauckas insisted  and continue to insist  the Dekraai debacle was a one-off, a misguided but honest effort to ensure that justice was served, not part of a broader problem.

But over the rest of this year evidence emerged, and judicial rulings were issued, that showed the informant question wasnt limited to Dekraai.

In late 2014, a judge had ruled that some of the TRED records that the sheriffs department refused to talk about should be turned over to defense lawyers. Today, most of the TRED records remain under seal, but separate sheriffs logs, some of which became public in court filings recorded early this month, unveiled intricate details of deputies long-running work with jailhouse informants.

The logs, written in the deputies own words, showed that for many years local jailers cultivated key informants, rewarded them when they provided information and, in a few instances, let drug deals proceed to a point that would allow informants to maintain their roles as trusted inmates within the jails.

The logs described informants giving deputies information that helped them run a safer jail  a routine and legal use of informants.

But the logs also showed that deputies created situations in which informants would gather information from other inmates about alleged crimes, a potentially illegal use of informants. The logs also showed that deputies destroyed records in ways that didnt follow any specific protocol, another potentially illegal practice if done to cover up crimes by jailers or prosecutors.

The logs described how deputies created at least one snitch tank, where a cluster of cells were wired and informants were placed near targeted inmates in order to get them to speak about their alleged crimes.

And while favored informants received special treatment, fast food and sometimes money for telling what they heard, the logs described how some grew cocky and demanding. At least one was caught drunk on a homemade jail moonshine, called pruno.

(File photo, Orange County Register/SCNG) Sandra Hutchens

And there may be more logs. At least some entries indicate that while the jailers felt they should stop keeping the records once the court became aware of the practice, in 2013, they would continue keeping their records in another venue, away from prying eyes.

The judge in the Dekraai case, Thomas Goethals, ordered all informant documents be turned over, but for three years the sheriffs department hasnt complied, saying this year that some records cant be found because they dont exist.

This month, Goethals frustration became public. He threatened Hutchens with a contempt citation and rebuked her from the bench:

She has claimed at some points that (the logs) were just a private diary, that no one else in the department knew anything about; so she couldnt be blamed for not turning it over. At other times, she has claimed that this is a critically important official document without which the jail couldnt run efficiently or safely.

I dont know what her current position is. But the inconsistency of her claims certainly jumps out at this court.

But Hutchens wasnt the only local leader criticized so publicly.

While the deputies logs showed an intricate relationship between jailers and informants, a 3-0 ruling by the Fourth District Court of Appeal, released in November, upheld the decision to toss county prosecutors off of the Dekraai case and offered a legal-ese spanking of Rackauckas and Hutchens and their departments.

For example, the justices wrote that the decision to use a snitch against Dekraai wasnt a rarity, as claimed by Hutchens and Rackauckas. Instead, the justices wrote, it was part of a well-established program. And they added that the point of the countys snitch program was to gain convictions: There is no legitimate reason for the (Sheriffs Dept.) to create and maintain such a sophisticated, synchronized and well-documented (informant) program other than to obtain statements that will benefit prosecutions.

The justices also agreed with broader allegations that Orange County prosecutors routinely withhold evidence from defense lawyers, writing that past substantial discovery failures are evidence that (the O.C. District Attorneys office) cannot be relied upon to comply with its discovery obligations in this case moving forward.

And, critically, the appellate justices flatly disagreed with contentions by Rackauckas and Hutchens that any missteps in their departments are inconsequential.

The magnitude of the systemic problems cannot be overlooked.

A few weeks later, in mid-December, the Fourth District issued a ruling on an follow-up appeal, from Rackauckas, who had asked that some of the harsh language in the ruling be stricken from the court record. The language, the court ruled, would stand, but they would add lines to indicate that Orange County prosecutor didnt agree with them.

Open invitation

Still, a basic question remains: Are O.C. courts fair?

The answer could come soon.

The D.A. responds Tony Rackauckas wrote an op-ed piece responding to the investigation.

This month, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into the DAs office and the sheriffs department. Its believed to be one of the first times federal officials have looked at prosecutors and sheriff officials in the same jurisdiction at the same time.

The federal investigation is also something both Rackauckas and Hutchens have said they welcome.

(File photo, Orange County Register/SCNG) Tony Rackauckas

After a report was issued early this year that described the District Attorneys office as a ship without a rudder, suffering from a failure of leadership, a frustrated Rackauckas said this: We know there is no evidence whatsoever of any of this sensational wrongdoing thats been alleged. If a federal investigation will put this to rest  then lets get it done.

But that was in January, before sheriff logs showing the depth of the informant program became public, and before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal found extensive misconduct among prosecutors and jailers.

So far, the prospect of a federal investigation has been applauded by legal experts not connected to the county.

Many point out that fairness in Orange County courts isnt a trivial issue, or something that only defense lawyers might use as a dodge to get an otherwise guilty defendant out of court. Instead, they say, confidence in the court system is critical to American judicial ideals.

Do you want to put the wrong guy in jail?

Do you want to put the wrong guy in jail? asked John Van de Kamp, former California Attorney General.

The notion, of course, is to take the bad people off the street for the necessary time. In the meantime, you have to have a system that does not produce wrongful convictions or violate the constitution.

Clearly, there has been a hide-the-ball situation, Van de Kamp added. And games are still being played.

Following the rules also is important when it comes to keeping guilty people in jail.

At least a half-dozen cases in Orange County have unraveled over the past two years because judges found wrongdoing by prosecutors or jailers or both. Last month, Bryant Islas, who received a six-year plea deal in November 2015 for attempted murder because of informant problems, was paroled from prison. Before the deal, Islas faced a life sentence.

Now that the Justice Department is in Orange County, what happens next?

People whove worked on federal investigations say Justice Department lawyers will gather documents, conduct interviews and possibly take depositions from locals connected to county cases. This will help them get a picture of whats happening.

They could find that the system is working as it should. Or they could find that constitutional rights are being violated.

If they find that rights are being violated, they could meet with county prosecutors and jailers to get them to agree to stick to practices that dont violate federal law, using a contract called a consent decree. If county officials resist, the Justice Department can take the District Attorney and the Sheriffs Department to court, forcing the reforms.

Its even possible that federal officials, for a time, will be tasked with overseeing local prosecutors as part of a plan to manage changes.

Another part of the investigation could involve looking at past cases and what, if anything, they say about the current culture among prosecutors and jailers.

(Associated Press) Scott Sanders

The assistant public defender who has brought informant problems to light, Scott Sanders, has said that he has evidence of some 30 cases, prosecuted over several decades, in which there was improper use of informants or failure to disclose evidence.

One of the cases involves Thomas Thompson, who was executed in 1998 for the 1981 murder of 20-year-old Ginger Fleischli.

Thompson was convicted based on the testimony of two informants who said he confessed to committing the murder on his own. But county prosecutors also convicted a second man for killing Fleischli, based on different versions of the death.

The same prosecutor handled both cases.

The fact that the DAs office, then led by Cecil Hicks, used different informants in preliminary hearings and trial to say different things about the same crime showed that informants were being assessed not for the truthfulness of their claims about the statements they received, but about whether they could help secure the sought-after win, according to a legal brief filed by Sanders years later.

Sanders says culture among local prosecutors hasnt changed.

Over the course of decades, not a single prosecutor nor police officer was willing to speak up and reveal that evidence was being systematically withheld from the accused, Sanders said. And its not as if the silence is stopping or the truth is suddenly flowing.

(File photo, The Orange County Register/SCNG) Scott Dekraai

Even as federal investigators bear down on Orange County, the Dekraai case could resume soon. Californias incoming Attorney General, Xavier Becerra, has until Tuesday to appeal the district attorneys removal to the state Supreme Court or accept the states role as lead prosecutor in the penalty phase for Dekraai.

Relatives of Dekraais victims hope Becerra moves quickly. They say their lives have been in limbo for five years now, at least partly because of missteps by county prosecutors.

In mid-December, some spoke publicly about the case, saying they think the quickest way to peace is by sparing Dekraais life.

We have no choice but to collectively agree we do not want the death penalty pursued, said Paul Wilson, whose wife, Christy, was killed.

We are exhausted from this continuous pain, and this has got to be over with. Life will never be the same for us.

But we should have the chance to move on.

Contact the writer: tsaavedra@scng.com
Storms moving across Southern California are likely to kick off 2017, with sporadic showers soaking the region into next weekend.

Though forecasts in the fall predicted a dry, warm winter because of La Nina conditions, a series of storms are poised to steadily douse the region in rain  at least into the start of the year.

New Years Day, however, should bring mostly sunny skies. A slight chance of showers is expected tonight.

It looks like its going to clear out for New Years Day with temperatures below average, said National Weather Service meteorologist Derek Schroeter.

Fresh snow packed the San Bernardino Mountains on Saturday, and up to a foot of powder is forecast to hit Snow Valley Mountain Resort in Running Springs. The recent storm brought the resort more than 2 feet of snow.

Riverside is expecting a high of 59 degrees and a low of 47 degrees today, with nearby San Bernardino a few degrees cooler.

Coastal cities including Long Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach and south Orange County can expect highs around 60 degrees today with temperatures holding steady through Wednesday.

Lows in some parts of Orange County are expected to reach the high 40s. Evening temperatures in inland Orange County are expected to be slightly higher than in other parts of the region.

More storms are forecast for Northern California at the beginning of the week, and another storm could make its way to Southern California by Wednesday, forecasters said. Another splash of rain could be on the horizon for next weekend.

Next weekend theres a chance of storms moving back into the Southland, Schroeter said.

Its an active start to 2017 for Southern California as a whole.

Also in the forecast for New Years Day:

Pasadena will be chilly, with a low of 44 degrees and a high of 58 degrees  and mostly sunny.

Los Angeles International Airport also is expected to hit a high of 58 degrees with mostly sunny skies, and nighttime temperatures at 51 degrees.

Big Bear should see clear skies with a high of 37 degrees today and a slight chance of wind and snow showers tonight.

Monday morning, those taking part in the Rose Parade in Pasadena  and those lining the sidewalks to watch it  face a slight chance of showers, but then sunny skies are forecast, with a high of 56 degrees.

Contact the writer: lawilliams@scng.com
FAIRFIELD  Drunken driving charges against a Northern California man have been dropped after he only tested positive for driving on caffeine.

KNTV reports 36-year-old Joseph Schwab was pulled over in Fairfield 16 months ago after an Alcohol Beverage Control agent witnessed him weaving in and out of traffic.

Authorities say his pupils were dilated and he seemed amped up. Inside Schwabs car, the agent found a number of workout supplements including powders, but all of them were legal, the station reported.

A blood test showed that only caffeine was in his system.

The Solano County District Attorneys Office has charged him with reckless driving.

Schwabs attorney Stacy Barrett says her client is relieved the drunken driving charge is being dismissed for lack of evidence.
SANTA ANA  Two people suffered minor injuries in a Friday garage fire at an apartment complex here, authorities said.

Firefighters responded around 2:10 p.m. to the Beechwood Apartments in Santa Ana for a blaze in a first-floor garage, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz said.

The fire spread through a wall, causing smoke to reach an apartment above the garage. A car in the garage was destroyed

A 30-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman in the apartment were taken by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment of minor smoke inhalation, Kurtz said.

The fires cause was under investigation.

The apartment complex was evacuated as a precaution. Twenty-seven OCFA and Orange firefighters responded.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@scng.com Twitter: @thechalkoutline
IRWINDALE  Christian Guntert was lying on his back, gluing seeds to the bottom of a giant faux pizza for a Rose Parade float when a teenager made a casual comment about his wife.

When the 58-year-old Guntert told the girl that he and his longtime girlfriend actually werent married, she screamed: Youre not married?!

The shocked question reverberated in the 80,000-square-foot California warehouse last December, where teams of volunteers were building a dozen floats for the annual, nationally televised parade in Pasadena.

Soon, volunteers had surrounded Guntert and his girlfriend of 17 years, 56-year-old Susan Brown, offering their various skills to make a wedding happen right then and there on the float. One said he was an ordained minister and could perform the ceremony, another offered to sing during the wedding, and a photographer said she could snap photos.

Susan kind of looked at herself and at me, we were all dirty and covered in glue and flower parts, Guntert said. Susan said, You know, Id really like to have a pretty dress.

So the couple decided to postpone the wedding for a year. Now Brown has a pretty dress, they have a perfectly good float, and the same team of volunteers will help make the ceremony happen on Saturday, two days before the 128th annual parade.

The couple will say I do on top of a float to be ridden by the parades queen and her court. The float will be festooned with thousands of flowers beneath a giant gold crown, which will serve as a makeshift altar for the ceremony.

The unique setting is appropriate for Guntert and Brown, who have spent the past decade volunteering to decorate Rose Parade floats  an endeavor that has them working 12-hour days between Christmas and New Years on what would be vacation time from their jobs as government workers in San Bernardino County.

Over the years, the couple has formed what they call their float family, people theyve grown close to but only see once a year for the annual decorating. The entire group will be at the ceremony, along with family members and other friends.

The wedding will come 17 years after the couple first struck up a conversation online, when internet dating was in its infancy. Though neither was looking for romance, their conversations grew into a friendship and not long after, love.

Guntert was living in Northern California at the time, and Brown and her then 6-year-old daughter were a six-hour drive south in Victorville, about 70 miles northeast of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert.

After a three-year long-distance relationship, Guntert relocated to Victorville. The pair talked about marriage over the years but Guntert never quite got around to getting down on one knee and proposing  one of Browns few requirements.

It took their Rose Parade float family and their near-impromptu wedding last year to spur Guntert into action. On Valentines Day morning this year, he brought a cup of coffee and a ring to Brown and formally proposed marriage.

He put a ring on it, Brown said. It made me cry.

Though the wedding setting on the queens float carries a great deal of meaning for the couple, Guntert said the location doesnt make too much difference.

Ive been waiting for this a lot of years and I couldnt be happier, he said, his arm around his soon-to-be bride. So long as shes next to me, nothing else matters.
LAS VEGAS  It wasnt the prettiest fight and it was far from popular with the crowd Friday at T-Mobile Center.

Eighth-ranked welterweight Neil Magny was taken down often by No. 6 Johny Hendricks but was more active from his back, picking up a unanimous-decision victory in the final fight of the UFC 207 prelims.

All three judges scored it 29-28 for Magny, a decision that was heavily booed by the pro-Hendricks crowd.

Hendricks, the former 170-pound champion who missed weight Thursday by 2.5 pounds, struggled to get inside Magnys 11-inch reach advantage and did little with his takedowns.

At the end of the first and third rounds, Magny (19-6) was able to wrap his long legs around Hendricks in a triangle choke. Both times, with Hendricks head trapped, Magny unleashed several elbows to his head  which likely secured each round in his favor.

Magny has won 11 of his past 13 fights in the UFC. Hendricks (17-6), who after his continued weight struggles said that was his last fight at welterweight, has lost five of his past seven.

CARLOS JUNIOR GETS DECISION

Brazilian middleweight Antonio Carlos Junior got into a grappling contest with Italys Marvin Vettori and won a unanimous decision. A sluggish opening round featured three eye pokes, two by Carlos Junior (8-2, 1 NC), before Vettori (11-3) stormed back in the second half the second round with effective ground and pound. Carlos Junior displayed better grappling and Octagon control in the third to earn the 29-28 decision on all three judges cards.

ONE PUNCH FOR GARCIA

Welterweight Alex Garcia timed a Mike Pyle right leg kick perfectly and knocked Pyle out cold with a crushing right to the jaw at 3:34 of the first round. The punch lifted Pyle (27-13-1) off his feet and the 41-year-old veteran appeared out before his head bounced off the canvas. Garcia (14-3) didnt even bother to follow up and simply walked away in victory.

PRICE GETS TAPOUT IN DEBUT

Welterweight Niko Price made his UFC debut an impressive one when he forced Brandon Thatch to tap out because of an arm-triangle choke at 4:30 of the first round. Price (9-0), who went for a similar submission earlier in the round, fought off a kimura attempt before getting into side control and sinking in the choke. Thatch (11-5) has now lost four in a row, all by submission.

KNEE LEADS TO NO CONTEST

The opening fight of the night started with controversy after it was declared a no contest because of an accidental knee. Referee Dan Miragliotta halted the welterweight bout at 3:33 of the first round after it appeared Charles Oliveira (15-3-1, 2 NC) was down when Tim Means (26-7-1, 1 NC) kneed him in the head. Oliveira was woozy and had to be carted from the Octagon. Marc Ratner the UFCs Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, said after the fight the knee was down so it was indeed an illegal strike. If the knee had been ruled intentional, which it appeared to be, Means would have been disqualified.

Contact the writer: bmartin@scng.com
Governor Andrew Cuomo has granted conditional pardons to over 100 New Yorkers who were convicted of non-violent crimes as minors, a move he promised to make back in December 2015. New York and North Carolina are the only two states in the country in which 16 and 17-year-olds are prosecuted as adults, despite Cuomo's support of the "Raise the Age" initiative that would raise the age of criminal majority to 18that initiative was held up by Republicans in Albany, and the pardons, granted on Friday, are the first round of executive action to sidestep those legislators.

The 101 conditional pardons were issued to individuals convicted of a misdemeanor or non-violent felony at age 16 or 17 who have lived crime free for 10 years or more; they are all New York residents, pay taxes, and are "a productive member of his or her community, meaning that the individual is working, looking for work, in school or legitimately unable to work," per the pardon's conditions. Last year, New Yorkers who fit that description were invited to apply for pardons through the NY State government's website, and were summarily vetteda press release from the governor's office adds that Cuomo's office has also been reaching out to residents that might fit the bill to invite them to apply for the pardon. Cuomo's office has estimated that as many as 10,000 New Yorkers would qualify for official pardons under the outlined conditions.

The pardons will allow formerly incarcerated minors to have access to housing, education, employment, and other opportunities hampered by a criminal conviction. "These New Yorkers have spent at least a decade proving their rehabilitation, but have been unable to fully reenter society due to the stigma of conviction and the barriers that come with it," Cuomo said in a statement. "New York is a state of opportunity and today, we are granting these individuals and others a second chance to live up to their full potential, provide for their families and give back to their communities. With these actions, we have taken one more step toward a more just, more fair and more compassionate New York for all."

Cuomo also issued five pardons, five sentence commutations and commuted two individual sentences, including that of Judith Clark, who drove a getaway car for a botched 1981 Rockland County Brinks robbery that left two police officers and an armored-car guard dead.
Being accepted to participate in the Rose Parade is an arduous task, but Jeanne Candelario of Hemet got in with just a phone call.

Candelario and her family, who operate So Cal Mini Horse Sanctuary, came to the rescue of another miniature horse group when its animals became too ill to participate in the annual New Years parade.

Six of their horses will march Monday in Pasadena under the banner of Seven Oaks Farm Miniature Therapy Horses.

The Hamilton, Ohio-based group was accepted to participate in the parade, but as founder and president Lisa Moad was driving her horses across the country, they became ill and had to return home.

When Moad flew back to California and explained her dilemma, she was given 24 hours to find replacements.

Members of the parades equine committee gave her names of horse owners and she found Candelario, who was having dinner in Temecula when she received a call at 8 p.m. Dec. 23 asking if she had six parade-ready mini-horses.

I said, We do, she said she responded excitedly.

The Candelarios horses even look similar to Moads, and the rose-strewn costumes will transfer easily.

Everything seemed to fall into place, said Moad, who wasnt going to settle for just any replacements.

This is who I am and this is on the world stage, she said. If I couldnt find horses equally trained as mine, it was a no-go.

The women called it serendipitous that they found each other, as the parades theme is Echoes of Success, which celebrates selfless contributions of others.

Its two teams coming together, Candelario said. Its our minis marching, but they did everything to make it come together.

Jeanne and Carlos Candelario and the oldest of their three sons, Fabian, 17, will participate in the parade along with members of the Seven Oaks team.

The So Cal minis marched in the recent Temecula and Canyon Lake holiday parades but have not done anything to the scale of the 5-mile Rose Parade route, where they will be No. 59 out of 94 entries.

To get ready, the horses have been practicing all week.

The Candelarios use part of their sprawling ranch in northwest Hemet for So Cal Mini Horse Sanctuary, which Jeanne said is the largest mini-horse rescue in the country.

Miniature horses are a specific breed and are not the same as ponies, which are larger. Mini-horses stand about 3 feet tall and weigh 200 to 250 pounds on average. They cannot be ridden, but can pull carriages.

So Cal Mini Horse Sanctuary houses 70 miniature horses and adopted out 50 this year. All were rescued from slaughterhouses, auctions or poor conditions, Candelario said.

We love these little guys, she said. No one was rescuing these minis. This exists because there is too much breeding, too much neglect.

She called the rescue, which the family operates with minimal donations, a labor of love.

Im so proud of these guys for what theyve been through and where theyre going, Candelario said.

Seven Oaks Farm Miniature Therapy Horses applied for entry into the parade about a year ago and was accepted in August. After filling out applications and other forms and designing costumes, 30 people came to California to march or assist in the event, mostly at their own expense.

We were all excited and ready to go, Moad said Thursday. Its been a very long process.

The organization operates a number of therapy programs using the mini-horses and also participates in community events in the Cincinnati area. Moad turned the trip into an outreach, making stops at childrens centers and military facilities along the route.

At some point, the horses contracted strangles, a contagious upper respiratory tract infection. So Moad drove the horses home  where she said they are recuperating  and returned to California.

The illness is not related to an outbreak of the equine herpes virus in Los Angeles County that forced the Tournament of Roses to cancel its annual horse show, EquestFest.

Both women hope to let people know about their programs through the parade, which is watched by millions around the world.

Mainly its to increase awareness of what a therapy horse is all about, Moad said. The goal and the theme of this years parade fit in so well.

Both also said donations and volunteers can help them expand their programs.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9086 or cshultz@scng.com
When Bharti and Bhavin Patels daughter was 4, they wanted to find an activity that would connect the child to their Indian heritage.

Although neither was a dancer, they enrolled their child in a Bollywood dance class.

Jaanu Patel, now 16, remembers crying through the entire first class. But she came back the next week and over the years it has become a passion.

The grace Patel gained from the years of training in the elaborate dancing that fuses classical Indian movement with hip-hop, jazz and other styles came in handy as the Huntington Beach High junior took the stage in Long Beach last month in the Miss California Teen USA 2017 competition.

Modeling a swimsuit and evening gown and answering on-stage questions, Patel walked off with the crown in her first state competition.

Despite her dancing background, I had never been on stage in front of all those people, Patel said of the setting at the Long Beach Terrace Theater.

Patel will compete in the summer in the Miss Teen USA competition at a date and location to be determined.
SEOUL, South Korea  For years, local officials in South Korea, which has one of the worlds lowest birthrates, have tried ever more inventive plans to encourage women to have babies.

They have offered generous maternity-leave policies, cash allowances and even boxes of beef and baby clothes to families with newborns.

Then the national government tried its hand.

On Thursday, it rolled out an online birth map that used shades of pink to rank towns and cities by the number of women of childbearing age. But the reaction was so overwhelmingly negative, especially among women, that the website was shut down within hours of its introduction.

They counted fertile women like they counted the number of livestock, an angry blogger wrote in an online commentary with the headline Are Women Livestock? Did they think that men would flock to a town with more childbearing-age women?

A low birthrate is one of South Koreas most urgent socio-economic challenges. Amid rising costs of living and education, women are increasingly moving into the job market, but they often find it all but impossible to keep their careers and raise a child.

Many women still feel pressure to quit their jobs once they become pregnant. For many women working in the private sector, especially those employed at smaller businesses, an extended parental leave with the option of returning to work, although a legal right, remains a dream. Even if they return to work, finding affordable day care centers can be difficult, although the government is racing to add more of them.

At home, looking after a child is still largely considered a womans job even when she works outside the home. So with such pressures at work and at home, many women choose to remain single or marry late and have only one child, or none.

South Koreas fertility rate, once as high as six babies per woman in 1960, plunged to around 1.2 per woman in recent years, well below the replacement level of 2.1 children, a rate that allows a society to maintain its population without migration.

Some local doomsayers predict that South Korea will become extinct in several centuries if it maintains its current birthrate.

The Ministry of the Interiors birth map derived from efforts to reverse the downward trend.

The map showed regions with a higher number of women of childbearing age colored in dark pink. The color lightened for regions with a smaller number of such women. The map also ranked the regions by birthrate, and provided information on benefits local governments offered to families with babies.

According to the map, Haenam, a county in the southwest of South Korea, ranked No. 1 with 2.46 babies per woman. Jongro, a ward in central Seoul, ranked at the bottom with a rate of 0.81.

When the birth map was introduced, the ministry said it was intended to promote competition among towns to produce more babies. The idea didnt click with many.

Its truly deplorable because the map shows that the government considers women as nothing but baby-producing machines, Han Chang-min, a spokesman for the opposition Justice Party, said Friday. It shows the government sees birthrates just as a womans problem.

Many said the map only proved the governments failure to understand what caused the low birthrate.

One Twitter user, who believed that the map reflected misogyny in a government in which most of the top posts are filled by men, went so far as to create a mock rival map that ranked towns by the number of men with sexual dysfunction.

The governments website remained offline Friday, showing a notice that it was under repair to reflect corrections.
The cheer team from Omaha South High School performed Dec. 27 at the Holiday Bowl Qualcomm Stadium, in San Diego.

Under the direction of Ellen Augustine and Kim Talamantes, the team rehearsed with national choreographers. In their free time, they took in the sights of San Diego.

This is an amazing opportunity for our hard working young ladies. We only have one returner on our squad so this shows how completely dedicated these young ladies are to being the best that they can be. These young ladies to not have the means to pay for this trip themselves and are depending on help from the public. This trip means so much to the cheerleaders in so many ways, Augustine said in a press release.

Other local school news includes (click on the photo above to scroll through more Chalkboard photos):

Dance off: Sixty Nathan Hale Magnet Middle School students who participated in the Arts in Motions dancing classrooms performed for parents, staff and students this month. For 12 weeks, the young dancers learned the merengue, foxtrot, rumba, tango and swing as well as several line dances.

JROTC bowl: JROTC cadets at OPS Burke, South and Central High Schools have made it past Level I in the national online Academic and Leadership Bowl and will now advance to Level II, which is scheduled for Feb. 1-15. The top 24 teams nationally will advance to the Level III competition on June 23-27 in Washington, D.C. Teams are made up of four cadets representing the freshman, sophomore and junior class. The competition is hosted by the College Options Foundation, which is dedicated to enriching the academic development of high school students and assisting them in their preparation for higher education.

Winter scene: Jesse Galvan  owner of Fade Kings Barber Shop and a local artist  volunteered his time to teach parents at Gomez Heritage Elementary how to create a winter scene this month. Galvin grew up in South Omaha, attended Marrs Magnet Middle School and graduated from South High.

Immigration lessons: Third-grade students in the Papillion-La Vista Community Schools have spent the last several weeks learning about late 19th and early 20th century immigration. At Portal Elementary School, students concluded the lesson by creating an immigrant wax museum, transforming themselves into immigrants from the 1800s. The students prepared their journey stories and dressed up to represent their characters. Museum guests gave students money  mostly quarters  to hear their stories, with the proceeds from the activity donated to support the upkeep of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. At Walnut Creek and Trumble Park Elementary Schools, third-graders arrived at school as if they were arriving to America for the first time and learned what Ellis Island was like. Students rotated through several stations  information, medical, interview, passport check and baggage  while trying to avoid being deported.

Humane Society donation: Sixth-graders at Hickory Hill Elementary School delivered a donation of more than 700 items, as well as more than $100 in cash, to the Nebraska Humane Society. The annual drive benefits the Nebraska Humane Society, which is the animal control agency for Sarpy County municipalities, helping homeless animals at the societys shelter in Omaha.

Holiday family: La Vista Middle School students collected gifts for an adopted family, one of dozens adopted by classes and clubs and schools across the Papillion-La Vista Community Schools this holiday season. At the high school level alone, 34 families were adopted by staff and students.

Diaper drive: The Roncalli Catholic High School Future Educators of America club held a diaper drive to benefit the Lydia House this month. Members of the freshman class collected 275 diapers; the sophomore class collected 2,079 diapers; the juniors 2,018; and the seniors 764 diapers. For their efforts, the sophomores earned a cozy day in January.
Standing in the rain in front of grocery store windows filled with fruit, vegetables and "store closing" signs, Council Member Margaret Chin led a small rally on Thursday to save a NoLita supermarket slated to close at the end of the year.

"We must send a message in this city that the people who helped build up this neighborhood need their supermarket, not any more fancy, upscale stores," Chin said to a dozen or so supporters gathered in the rain to demand landlord Abington Properties re-open negotiations with its tenant, Met Food. "The pattern of greed that chooses upscale stores over a low-cost supermarket, that chooses profits over people, must end today."

The storefront at 251 Mulberry Street has been home to the 4,000 square-foot Met Food for 25 years, but the store's seven-year, $90,000 a month lease expires at the end of the 2016. Owner Paul Fernandez, 58, who independently owns and operates the store under the Met Food brand, said negotiations with Abington went back and forth for much of the past year. Leasing banners were placed on the property in October. But Fernandez said that it only became clear he would have to shutter his store a few weeks ago. Last weekend, he put up signs announcing the store would closing on December 31.



"Divisions considered": Leasing signs above the store (Josh Keefe / Gothamist)

"They wanted a more, from what I understand, 'high-end' store here," Fernandez, who did not attend the rally, explained by phone. "My primary goal was to provide a service to the community and maintain a conventional supermarket in this very gentrified neighborhood... I could have gone upscale and become an extension of Whole Foods, but I wanted to simply cater to the community."

Fernandez employs 30 workers at Met Food. He said he will seek to find new jobs for most of them, including some at Ideal Marketplace in Chelsea, another grocery store he owns. He said his industry contacts will help him place other workers.

"Mostly everybody will be assisted in finding employment," Fernandez said.

A spokesperson from Abington Properties declined to comment on the lease or the negotiations, explaining that the individual who could discuss the property was unavailable until next week.

No new tenant has been announced, and Chin warned that Abington would leave the property empty until the company can secure a tenant who can afford higher rents.

"They should be penalized for doing that," Chin said. "We're losing supermarkets all across the city... we cannot afford to lose any more of our supermarkets."



One of the window signs at Met Food on Mulberry Street in NoLita. (Josh Keefe/Gothamist)

In May, the Associated Supermarket on West 14th Street closed after the store's landlord tripled its rent. At the end of 2012, the Lower East Side Pathmark permanently closed. A luxury tower is now being built on the site.

In the decade between 2005 and 2015, the city lost 8 percent of its family-owned stores of less than 7,000 square feet, according to a recent report from the New York Times.

As usual, rising property values seem to be the culprit. The assessed value of the combined property at 249-255 Mulberry Street has increased from under $3 million a decade ago to more than $11 million this year, according to PropertyShark.com.

Attendees at the rally bemoaned the lack of affordable grocery options in the neighborhood. Whole Foods and Morton Williams are the nearest groceries, and those are too expensive for some local residents.

"I would have to travel a half a mile either to northeast or northwest in order to get an affordable half gallon of milk," said Georgette Fleischer, an adjunct professor at Barnard College and Columbia University who has shopped at the Met Food for more than 20 years. "All the Korean markets that used to supply immediate needs like that have completely gone out of business... that's not conducive to people who really live here and cook here."

A short review of food prices at both Met Food and the LES Whole Foods found that while many products were cheaper at Met Food, some were cheaper intervention by the city. Because the level of rent they are asking for is not possible."
Nebraskas Health and Human Services System is a mammoth state agency serving a broad range of Nebraskans, including the states most vulnerable.

HHS designed its AccessNebraska call center to streamline the process of seeking help from one or more of six HHS divisions. The aim: help people more easily navigate the HHS bureaucracy.

For years, the call center often proved more a problem than a help, with poor organization and training causing long waits. In 2014, AccessNebraska was blamed for Nebraska ranking last among 50 states in how fast the state processed food stamp applications. It nearly cost the state $17 million in fines.

As recently as 2014, callers waited an average of about a half-hour before theyd speak to someone who might direct them to help. And processing public benefit applications took about 40 days.

But subpar service is no longer AccessNebraskas story. The quarter-million Nebraskans a year calling to ask about food stamps, health insurance for the poor or children or state-subsidized child care now spend about five minutes or less on hold today. And applications for public benefits are processed in about eight days.

This level of improvement resulted from years of aggressive and appropriate legislative oversight and fresh, needed approaches to customer service, information technology and training by Gov. Pete Ricketts, HHS CEO Courtney Phillips and her HHS team. The agency opened local offices in more populated areas, along with call centers, which sped response times.

Omaha State Sen. Sara Howard is spot-on when she says that looking at AccessNebraska as a business has really changed the entire function of the system for the better.

The Legislature recently folded up its special committee monitoring the HHS call center, citing AccessNebraskas remarkable improvement. Such a turnaround shows that government agencies, with prodding, can serve people better.

Moving forward, HHS should maintain its commitment to improved customer service. Taxpayers deserve nothing less than the same quality of service that a businesss valued customers receive.
Levies must come down

I looked at our 2016 tax statement recently. Not surprising was the increase in our property valuation, considering the upward trend in home-sale prices. Not so funny is to recall how long it took for valuations to be set lower under our previous assessor as our nation languished during the recession.

A closer look at the statement reveals that, as the valuation increase is applied across most of Douglas County, there is a major revenue windfall for most of the taxing entities listed on the notice. Elected officials should take action to lower their respective levies, since that could result in moderating the impact of valuation increases on homeowners.

Recent election results suggest that folks would prefer fiscal responsibility to progressive spending plans, so my wish for the new year is to see that happen.

Scott Yahnke, Omaha

Remember, we are the United States

It was refreshing to read the Dec. 28 Public Pulse letter by William Earlywine (We must wish Trump well).

Ive grown so tired of hearing so many people continue to bash the opposing party and spend their time continuing to try to undermine everything the other guy tries to do. Both parties are guilty of this.

How did we arrive at this incredible split on issues, and when did it become more important to get our way than for our country to prosper?

Perry Poyner, Omaha

Trump comes in muddied by scandal

During the Obama administration, there were no personal scandals involving the president.

President-elect Donald Trump, not yet sworn into office, is involved in at least two that were reported in the news: fraud accusations by former students against Trump University, which he settled out of court, and alleged misuse of funds from the Donald J. Trump Foundation to pay his own legal fees.

In the latest news, Trump is dissolving the foundation, he says, to avoid a possible conflict of interest.

Trumps alleged use of foundation funds is being examined by the New York state attorneys office and by federal authorities.

This should be a great concern for us all. It feels like the fox is loose in the hen house.

Karen Carpenter, Papillion

Electoral College stole his vote

Im 69 years old. I first voted in 2000. I felt I had to have a say in our government.

Sixteen years later, I realize my vote means nothing. Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by 2.8 million votes. So I guess 2.8 million Americans should have stayed home and not wasted their time. So why even vote?

Even if you voted for Donald Trump, you should be embarrassed by our voting system.

How foolish are we?

Roger Carstens Sr., Plattsmouth, Neb.

Seniors have expenses, too

My wife and I recently received our Social Security statements. It showed that, after the increase in Medicare payments, our net increase to spend would be zero.

In other words, for the fourth time in eight years, we received no actual increase in money to spend.

Seniors have to spend money on food, utilities, transportation (including insurance and maintenance, as well as fuel), housing (including property taxes) and medical costs (which include insurance).

These things have gone up in the real world. It would nice if the CPI index used would reflect the things seniors must spend money upon.

Joseph R. Dixon, Omaha

Omaha needs to innovate

Governments cant run exactly like a business because of all of the red tape, but they should borrow successful concepts from the business world where they can. Thats why I like Heath Mellos ideas about innovation.

When a business doesnt adapt to the current climate, it starts to lose out on opportunity. All of us should be paying attention to Omahas standing on innovation so our city doesnt lose out on opportunity, either.

We dont want to lose another corporate headquarters or watch more of our kids leave for Chicago, Denver or Kansas City.

Le Ann Provost, Omaha

A day that still lives in infamy

It must be the hardest job in the world for the people who are working to identify the remains of our men killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor. It must be hard for them to remain detached and view it as just another job to be done.

I watched the movie Tora Tora Tora, and even though it was just a movie, I was caught up in the enormity of it and for myself a little angry as Japanese bombs hit our battleships and killed our men.

When the Japanese admiral said, I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve, it happened in truth.

The dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were acts of neither revenge nor retaliation, but necessity. That action saved the lives of many Americans.

Joseph L. Narducci, Omaha
AIADMK gets its new lady in green as Sasikala takes charge

Chennai

oi-Anusha

Chennai, Dec 31: Clad in a green saree, Sasikala Natarajan pulled a Jayalalithaa on the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam cadre as she took over the leadership of the party as its general secretary. While keeping mum on it all the while, Sasikala Natarajan accepted the party's resolution to appoint her as the general secretary without any qualms.

Heavy police deployment was seen outside the AIADMK's headquarters as hundreds of party cadres gathered in Chennai. Sasikala arrived at the party office and paid tributes to late J Jayalalithaa before garlanding the statue of party founder M G Ramachandran. Incidentally, MGR was the man behind Sasikala and Jayalalithaa's proximity.

Party cadre shouted slogans in support of 'Chinnamma' even as posters featuring Sasikala's pictures alongside Jayalalithaa's adorned the lanes leading to the party office. Behind the desk that once was Jayalalithaa's, Sasikala assumed office as AIADMK's new general secretary.

The party chose Sasikala hoping that dissent within the party will be quelled but murmurs of displeasure still ring in from the grass-roots level workers. The party for now has chosen its new chief. Sasikala Natarajan has emerged out of the shadows to become the new 'Amma'.

OneIndia News
Did ATS kill 2008 Malegaon blast accused?

India

oi-Vicky

Mumbai, Dec 31: Were the two accused in the Malegaon 2008 blasts case killed in custody by the Maharashtra ATS and their bodies disposed off as victims of the Mumbai 26/11 attack? This was a revelation that was made before the court which in turn directed the National Investigation Agency which is probing the case.

[Also Read: More twists expected in Malegaon blasts case]

The allegation is that the two accused, Ramchandra Kalsangra and Sandeep Dange, were killed by the ATS in custody. It is also alleged that their bodies were disposed off as victims of the Mumbai 26/11 attacks.

The matter was first brought to light by Mahiboob Mujawar, an assistant police inspector, who was suspended. He said that he was witness to the killing of the two accused. In an affidavit filed before the Solapur court, he said that he had also witnessed the bodies of the two accused persons being disposed off.

Killed by the ATS?

Mujawar states that on the night of the 26/11 attack, ATS officers shot Kaksanra and Dange at the Kalchowkie unit. Their bodies were later taken to the CST station and shown as victims of the attack. The murders were approved by a senior IPS officer, he also said.

He adds that he was unsure of the motive. "If a probe is ordered then the motive will be made known," he said. These allegations were brought to the notice of the NIA court by another accused, Lt. Colonel S Purohit. The court sought to know what steps were taken in the event of these claims.

The special public prosecutor said that they would go into the matter and find out the truth.

Kalsangra and Dange have been missing since the Malegaon blasts. The National Investigation Agency records show that they are wanted accused. There is also a bounty on their head. Around three years ago, the Intelligence Bureau had said that the duo may have fled to Nepal.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, December 31, 2016, 11:15 [IST]
In the expulsion of Akhilesh, one sees the rise of Mulayam's second family

India

oi-Vicky

Lucknow, Dec 31: In the expulsion of Akhilesh Yadav, one can see the rising ambition of Mulayam Singh Yadav's second family. Mulayam's second wife, Sadhna Gupta, never interfered in political affairs. However, with her daughter-in-law, Aparna Yadav, getting ambitious, she took a keen interest in politics.

[Also Read: UP: Alert sounded after SP feud turns ugly]

Sadhna, in fact, made her first public appearance at a political function in which Aparna, the candidate from Lucknow Cantonment, was present. Political observers say that both Akhilesh and Sadhna never shared a good rapport, but in public they were cordial.

When Mulayam announced the expulsion of Akhilesh on Friday he said he was doing so in the interest of the party. However, sources say that there has been a lot of interference from the second family as well.

Mulayam just did not wanted his son to be known as the best Chief Minister, but he wanted him to tow the line of the party as well.

There has been trouble brewing within the family since long and the spat became more open from October onwards. While the rise of the second family is one of the few reasons for the spat, one cannot also discount the interference by Shivpal Yadav, the brother of Mulayam.

The next few days will be interesting. Will Mulayam strike peace with his son or will we get to see the rise of the second family with Shivpal becoming all powerful? After all Mulayam said, "Akhilesh fights with me a lot."

Whether he apologises or not, we will have to wait and see.

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Story first published: Saturday, December 31, 2016, 6:44 [IST]
SP Split: Why Azam Khan matters to Mulayam and Akhilesh

India

oi-Anusha

By Anusha Ravi

Lucknow, Dec 31: At a time when the Samajwadi Party is split into two camps, all eyes will be on Azam Khan, the man who holds the key to Muslim votes as well as candidates in a state that has been marred by communal tensions. For the party that is threatened by anti-incumbency due to communal incidents during its tenure, Khan's support means a share in the 20 per cent Muslim votes.

[Also Read: Will the expulsion of Akhilesh Yadav hurt the Samajwadi Party]

The senior Uttar Pradesh minister and SP leader has called for a meeting of the party's Muslim leaders at 3 pm on Saturday and a call on which camp they will support is likely to be taken. While Azam Khan has said that Akhilesh's expulsion will add a dark chapter to the party's history, he stands by Mulayam Singh Yadav for the present.

While more than 190 MLAs and MLCs gathered at Akhilesh's residence to meet with him, Azam Khan headed to the party office to meet patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. Mincing no words to express his displeasure over Amar Singh's role in the recent developments he asked, "Who is responsible for this gloomy state of affairs? A single person's conspiracy and nefarious intention have put the state up for auction."

It is to be seen if Azam Khan's dislike for Amar Singh will influence his loyalty to Mulayam Singh Yadav or his game plan to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party out of the race will lead him to support Akhilesh Yadav in what could turn out as an alliance with the Congress party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal.

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Story first published: Saturday, December 31, 2016, 12:49 [IST]
Swaraj helps woman in getting child examined by AIIMS doctor

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Dec 30: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday extended help to a woman in getting her daughter, suffering from 'absence seizures', examined by an AIIMS doctor.

Swaraj's help to the woman, Monika Mittal Sood, came after she wrote to the Minister on twitter seeking assistance in getting some "critical medicines" for her child from abroad as they are not available in India. To this Swaraj said she has spoken to Dr Padma Srivastava at AIIMs and that a wide spectrum of medicines are available to treat her child.

"I have spoken to a reputed physician Dr Padma Srivastava of AIIMS. There is a wide spectrum of medicines available in India. I can request Dr Padma to examine your child. If a permissible medicine is not available here, we will arrange it from abroad," Swaraj tweeted. She then asked Sood to send her contact details by direct message so that the arrangements could be made.

The Minister, shortly thereafter, tweeted to the woman to "see Dr Padma at the given time". "AIIMS is our prestigious institution. I am sure your daughter will be well soon," Swaraj said.

Happy over Swaraj's help, Sood thanked her. Earlier Sood had tweeted, "@SushmaSwaraj Mam not able to get a critical medicine in India (zarontin) for my daughter to cure her absence seizures.

Can you pls help!" Absence seizures are seizures that generally last just a few seconds, and are characterised by a blank or absent stare.

PTI
The Israel warning of New Year terror attacks in India is real

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Dec 31: How serious is the travel warning that Israel has issued to its citizens in India? Israel's anti-terrorism directorate today said: 'We are warning Israeli tourists in India of the possibility of imminent terrorist attacks against western targets and tourists, particularly in the southwest of that country.'

[Also Read: Israel: PM Netanyahu denies 'baseless' reports of new scandal]

'A particular emphasis should be put on events in the coming days in connection with beach and club parties celebrating the New Year where a concentration of tourists will be high,' the warning said.

The alert in fact is similar to the one issued by the Indian Intelligence Bureau officials. The IB had said that foreign tourists could be targets during the New Year celebrations.

The alert issued is based on the intercepts picked up and also the interrogation conducted on several IS inspired operatives who had suggested they were planning on targeting foreign tourists.

The IB says that states such as Goa are high on the radar of terror groups. The Israel alert adds that tourist spots such as the Taj Mahal and Red Fort in Delhi are also on the radar of terrorists.

Alerts have also been issued in states such as Kerala which is a very popular tourist destination. While interrogation operatives inspired by the IS, the National Investigation Agency had learnt that they were particularly trying to target foreign tourists.

Musa, an IS operative from Kolkata, had said that he had two targets on his radar. He said that a plan had been hatched to target the Mother House in Kolkata and the Dal Lake in Srinagar.

Revealing the conversation he had with his Bangladeshi handler, Musa said that the idea was to target the Russians, Americans and the British at these places.

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Story first published: Saturday, December 31, 2016, 9:11 [IST]
Man rapes 8-year-old to use her blood for removing obstacles to his marriage

Why West Bengal needs to be careful: 10,000 JMB operatives are with IS

India

oi-Vicky

The recent interrogation of Musa, an Islamic State-inspired operative from Kolkata reveals that at least 10,000 members of the dreaded Bangladesh outfit, Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen had joined the terror organisation. This is a worrying sign for India, since the JMB has a large number of its operatives in West Bengal.

Amid the allegations of appeasement against the West Bengal government, Indian security agencies say that if this problem is not nipped in the bud, it could spin out of control.

The blast at Burdhwan was a classic example of how members of the JMB had a field day in West Bengal preparing bomb until an accidental blast exposed the entire module.

10,000 JMB members have joined the IS

Musa is heard telling his handler Shafi Armar that at least 10,000 operatives of the JMB, Bangladesh have joined the Islamic State. He further tells Armar that with such a large number of members, it is time to shun the lone-wolf strategy and instead plan a huge coordinated attack.

He then goes on to appraise Armar about the Kashmir battle. He says that he had visited the Dal Lake in Srinagar and has an attacked planned out. He adds that there are several fighters in Kashmir, but their ideologies are impure. He says that the real fighter is the one who supports and imposes the Shariat.

He goes on to say that the RSS, VHP and the BJP leaders must be targetted.

"A large majority of the Indian population is close to them and hence carrying out attacks on the leaders makes sense," he emphasises.

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Story first published: Saturday, December 31, 2016, 12:02 [IST]
Will Akhilesh dissolve the UP assembly? Here are his options

India

oi-Vicky

Lucknow, Dec 31: Will Akhilesh Yadav dissolve the Uttar Pradesh assembly on Saturday? There is a crucial meeting at 9am on Saturday in which Akhilesh, who was expelled by his father Mulayam from Samajwadi Party (SP) for six years, will meet with his MLAs.

[Also Read: The Yadav Pari'war': A timeline]

Sources say that he is likely to meet Governor Ram Naik after that meeting and recommend dissolution of the UP assembly.

This would be a counter-measure against Mulayam meeting with the Governor with a list of MLAs declaring Shivpal Yadav as the leader of the legislature party. The governor had on Friday said that there is no Constitutional crisis. "It is an intra-party problem and I am waiting and watching."

The Governor will adopt a wait and watch policy and would act only once either Akhilesh or Mulayam approaches him. Meanwhile, all eyes would be on the meetings called by the father and son. Both would be meeting with MLAs who back them following which a decision would be taken.

Several MLAs are hoping that father and son would sort out their differences amicably. They need to stay united for the sake of the party say the MLAs who are camping in Lucknow.

Options before Akhilesh:

While the first option would be to recommend dissolution of the assembly, the other would be to stay defiant and go ahead with his list of candidates. He could ask the candidates to contest from the seat allotted to them.

Akhilesh would, however, think several times before he goes ahead with the decision of fighting it alone. He is aware of his father's might and clout. Those close to him say that he is basking in the glory of being that young and charismatic leader that the party has a dearth of.

Akhilesh is also keen on entering into a pact with the Congress. Congress leader Rashid Alvi hinted at being on the side of Akhilesh. One must also not forget that Akhilesh has been speaking positively about Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.

While Mulayam has been dead against an alliance with the Congress, political observers say that Akhilesh may gain electorally with this tie up.

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Story first published: Saturday, December 31, 2016, 8:10 [IST]
Will the expulsion of Akhilesh Yadav hurt the Samajwadi Party

India

oi-Anusha

By Anusha Ravi

Lucknow, Dec 31: The expulsion of Akhilesh Yadav from the Samajwadi Party came as a rude shock to most of the cadre. With political unity under question, the grand old party of Uttar Pradesh is staring at a major split.

[Also Read: Akhilesh Yadav expelled from SP: Top developments]

Members of the SP probably stand to lose the most with expulsion of Akhilesh and Ram Gopal Yadav, the SP's parliamentary leader, from the party. With polls coming close, party members are caught between the party face and the party patriarch.

Ram Gopal Yadav, who is firmly in the Akhilesh camp, could appeal to the Election Commission as well as courts to seize the 'cycle', the party's electoral symbol. If that comes to pass, the SP may be unable to use the 'cycle' as a symbol in the upcoming polls.

This may be a real possibility since Akhilesh has rubbished the idea of floating a new party, a second option to be considered by his camp is to use the symbol of a defunct party to give uniformity to all his candidates.

If reconciliation is impossible, all candidates from Akhilesh Yadav's camp may have to contest independently. If desired numbers do not come Akhilesh's way, he is likely to join the Congress and the Rashtriya Lok Dal to form a new front for the polls.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, December 31, 2016, 11:39 [IST]
Plane that threatened to crash into Walmart in US lands safely

Plane makes emergency landing at Prague airport over bomb threat

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Prague, Dec 31: A plane flying from Spain to Warsaw made an emergency landing over a bomb threat at the old Prague-Ruzyne airport in Prague on Friday, Czech Television (CT) reported.

A pilot reported that a man threatening with a bomb was on board the aircraft, which arose during the pilot's communication with air controllers during the flight, Xinhua news agency reported.

It was a Boeing 737 flying from the Canary Islands to Warsaw, with about 160 people on board, the report said. They were all evacuated. Czech Interior Minister Milan Chovanec arrived at the airport after the bomb threat.

Chovanec said the man, a Pole, threatened with a detonating system and has been detained by police. But he did not specify whether the detained man really had the bomb. The plane would stay in Prague until Saturday morning for a thorough safety check.

Authorities have asked for a full alert, assistance of a bomb disposal unit and an anti-terrorism team, the Interior Minister said.

He said the emergency landing at the old Ruzyne airport had not affected the air traffic at the new part of the airport used for routine flights.

IANS


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Mediaite 07 Oct 2022

Trump shared the article on Friday on his Truth Social platform with the caption, Great job BretYou were right. Many rigged..
Vermont is a state in the northeast New England region of the United States. Vermont is bordered by the states of Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, and New York to the west, and the Canadian province of Quebec to the north. Admitted to the union in 1791 as the 14th state, it is the only state in New England not bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. According to the 2020 U.S. census, the state has a population of 643,503, ranking it the second least-populated in the U.S. after Wyoming. It is also the nation's sixth-smallest state in area. The state's capital Montpelier is the least-populous state capital in the U.S., while its most-populous city, Burlington, is the least-populous to be a state's largest.
From Smirking Chimp

One of the most alarming developments in U.S. foreign policy in 2016 was the ratcheting up of the new iteration of the Cold War. Looking back at U.S. foreign policy in this last year of Barack Obama's presidential tenure, other weighty developments include the ongoing proxy war in Syria, the U.S.-supported Saudi-led bombing in Yemen, U.S. use of drones and manned bombers in Libya, U.S. bombing in Iraq and Afghanistan, unprecedented U.S. military aid to Israel, U.S. special operations in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Yemen, U.S. saber-rattling against China in the South China Sea, and steps toward normalization of relations with Cuba.

The intensification of Cold War dynamics became particularly apparent in March, when the U.S. government announced it would significantly increase the number of troops stationed in Eastern Europe, a direct provocation of Russia. Reuters called the expanded positioning of NATO troops and military equipment in that region the "biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War."

"With the U.S. openly talking [of] a war with Russia, the continued deployments seem far from a purely defensive measure," Jason Ditz wrote in Antiwar.com.

In spite of overwhelming American support for a "no first use" nuclear policy, President Barack Obama refused to promise the United States would not again be the first nation to deploy nuclear weapons. Gen. James Cartwright, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and leader of the U.S. Strategic Command, warned in an August New York Times column that "using nuclear weapons first against Russia and China would endanger our and our allies' very survival by encouraging full-scale retaliation."

In October, the United States and other major nuclear powers voted against a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a treaty that would outlaw nuclear weapons.

The CIA report of Russian involvement in email hacking during the U.S. presidential election has fanned the flames of anti-Russia sentiment in the United States. But, as Ivan Krastev wrote in the New York Times, private citizens, not just governments, hack email accounts. "The Cold War narrative ignores this new reality because it tends to see any subversive activity as the work of states," according to Krastev.

Meanwhile, Obama has continued to prosecute his drone wars in seven countries. After three years of resisting transparency on numbers of civilian casualties in his targeted killing program, the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) finally released figures far lower than those documented by the leading NGOs such as the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

And three and half years after Obama promised to make the rules for the U.S. targeted killing program more transparent, he finally released the Presidential Policy Guidance, although much of it is redacted, or blacked out. The release was judicially compelled in response to a Freedom of Information Act request by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

U.S. military operations abroad were the primary motivation for "homegrown terrorism," according to a secret FBI study.

Here is a rundown of U.S. foreign policy in 2016:

Syria

The tragic war in Syria continues unabated, with the Syrian government fighting ISIS (also known as Daesh) and defending itself against rebel forces. Although Assad has been responsible for large numbers of civilian casualties, New York University and Princeton Professor Emeritus Stephen Cohen told Democracy Now! that the "fog of war" makes it difficult to sort out whether the liberation of Aleppo is "a good thing" or whether Russia and Syria are committing war crimes, which is "a bad thing." Cohen added, "the charge that Russia deliberately targets civilian facilities and centers is, of course, a part of the growing anti-Russian line that's captured our politics and has led to this scandal in Washington."

Paul Pillar wrote on Consortium News that "brutality and infliction of wholesale suffering on civilians have not been limited to any one side," as there are multiple parties fighting in Aleppo. Pillar noted "the war against Assad is all about regime change."

Regime change in Syria has been U.S. policy, and to that end, the U.S. military has armed and assisted the "Free Syrian Army" and other rebels to destabilize the Bashar al-Assad regime. The US-supported armed opposition joined with the al-Nusra Front, an Al Qaeda affiliate, and its jihadist allies to destroy the ceasefire in August, Gareth Porter wrote for FAIR. Forcible regime change violates the United Nations Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

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From Consortium News

Amid more promises of real evidence to come, the Obama administration released a report that again failed to demonstrate that there is any proof behind U.S. allegations that Russia both hacked into Democratic emails and distributed them via WikiLeaks to the American people.

The New York Times, which has been busy flogging the latest reasons to hate Russia and its President Vladimir Putin, asserted, "The F.B.I. and Department of Homeland Security released a report on Thursday detailing the ways that Russia acted to influence the American election through cyber-espionage."

But the actual report fell far short of "detailing" much at all about how the disclosures of the Democratic National Committee's manipulation of the primaries to hobble Sen. Bernie Sanders and the contents of Hillary Clinton's Wall Street speeches ended up at WikiLeaks and ultimately became available to American voters.

Most of the 13-page FBI/DHS report was devoted to suggestions on how Internet users can protect their emails from malware, but there was little new that proved that the Russians were the source of the Democratic emails given to WikiLeaks.

The tip-off to how little proof was being offered came in the report's statement that "The U.S. government assesses that information was leaked to the press and publicly disclosed." When you read a phrase like "the U.S. government assesses," it really means the U.S. government is guessing -- and the report notably uses a passive tense that doesn't even assert that the Russians did the leaking.

A well-placed intelligence source told me that there's little doubt that elements of Russian intelligence penetrated the emails of the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, but the Russians were far from alone. Indeed, placing various forms of malware on computers is a common practice, as average folks who periodically take their laptops to an I.T. professional can attest. There's always some kind of "spyware" or other malicious code to be discovered.

The source said the more debatable issue is whether Russian intelligence then turned over the emails to WikiLeaks, especially given that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and an associate, former British Ambassador Craig Murray, have stated that the material did not come from the Russian government. Murray has suggested that there were two separate sources, the DNC material coming from a disgruntled Democrat and the Podesta emails coming from possibly a U.S. intelligence source, since the Podesta Group represents Saudi Arabia and other foreign governments.

Future "Details"

So, The New York Times misled its readers by claiming that the FBI/DHS report released Thursday was "detailing" how the Russians carried out the operation, and a separate Times article essentially acknowledged that the details were still to come.

"A more detailed report on the intelligence, ordered by President Obama, will be published in the next three weeks, though much of the detail -- especially evidence collected from 'implants' in Russian computer systems, tapped conversations and spies -- is expected to remain classified."

In other words, the FBI/DHS report really didn't have much in the way of details and the "more detailed report" -- due out before President Obama leaves office on Jan. 20 -- will still be hiding "much of the detail" to justify Obama's retaliation against Russia including new sanctions and expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats or intelligence officers from the United States.

But the Times article does inadvertently make the interesting admission that the U.S. government has penetrated Russian computers, much as the U.S. government accuses Russia of doing to U.S. computers.

But the data purloined by these U.S. "implants" and other clandestinely obtained evidence -- assuming there really is any -- won't be something that the American people will get to see.

The shell game will continue up to the start of the Trump administration with the apparent goal to hem in President Trump from trying to reach out to Russia to avert a costly and dangerous New Cold War.

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If you look at all of the countries in which Russia has an influence you will notice that each nation has been compromised in a very similar fashion...from within to the top.



In Ukraine, it was Yanukovich, who governed Ukraine according to Putin's agenda. And presently in most European democracies you'll find many Ministers who look favorably at Putin and do his bidding in the halls of their country's Parliaments.



And now there is a lobbyist in the White House shilling for the State of Russia and his manners are the same as Putin.





Here's my prediction:

1. By the end of the first year the GOP will ask Trump to resign. He refuses.

2. By the end of the second year, Trump will resign.

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India is alarmed at Russia, China, Pakistan talks on restoring peace in the war-torn Afghanistan.

The Times of India said as Russia, China and Pakistan work towards building a new axis in Afghanistan to accommodate Taliban as a tool against the Islamic Sate terror group, it could have unforeseen consequences for the Russia-India relationship.

The paper pointed out that India is holding on to the "red lines" for integration of Taliban into the Afghan government but that seems to be getting diluted by the new axis, which is less Afghan-led and more Pak-led, putting Pakistan once again in the driver's seat on Afghanistan's future.

Iran, which has been doing its own outreach to Taliban, is equally apprehensive of the fallout of IS cadres relocating to Afghanistan as they get driven out of Syria and Iraq, the Times of India said adding: "This is essentially a return to the good-Taliban, bad-Taliban argument, as everybody wants to do a peace settlement in Afghanistan."

Russia, China and Pakistan issued a joint statement after the third round of trilateral consultations on regional issues between officials from Russia, China and Pakistan held in Moscow on Tuesday. "(The three countries) expressed particular concern about the rising activity in the country of extremist groups, including the Afghan branch of IS," Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters after the meeting.

The three countries reiterated their support for reconciliation process in Afghanistan. "The participants agreed to continue their efforts towards further facilitating the Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan according to the known principles of reintegration of the armed opposition into peaceful life," the joint statement said.

"The Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China as the UN Security Council permanent members confirmed their flexible approach to delisting Afghan individuals from the UN sanctions lists as their contribution to the efforts aimed at launching peaceful dialogue between Kabul and the Taliban," the statement further noted.

The position on delisting looked to be a snub for Kabul that had last month asked the United Nations to add Taliban's new leader, Maulvi Haibatullah, to its sanctions list.

Representatives from the three countries also agreed to invite the Afghan government to such talks in the future, the Russian foreign ministry said.

The United States, which still has nearly 10,000 troops in Afghanistan more than 15 years after the Taliban were toppled by US-backed Afghan forces, was not invited to the Moscow talks.

The gathering is likely to deepen worries in Washington that it is being sidelined in negotiations over Afghanistan's future, Reuters said adding: Officials in Kabul and Washington have said that Russia is deepening its ties with Taliban militants fighting the government, though Moscow has denied providing aid to the insurgents.

Afghanistan has been angered by efforts by the three countries to work towards some sort of accommodation with the Taliban, the Hindustan Times reported Thursday.

Afghanistan was especially angered as it was excluded from the third round of consultations between Russia, China and Pakistan, and reports the troika would be expanded to include Iran.

The Afghanistan government said on Thursday that the Afghan people alone can decide on removing Taliban leaders from UN sanctions lists, rejecting a call by China, Russia and Pakistan to delist some militants to foster a peace dialogue.

Following a meeting in Moscow on Tuesday, the three countries called for "flexible approaches" on sanctioned persons to promote a "dialogue between Kabul and the Taliban".

"The delisting of Taliban leaders is the right of only the Afghan people. The Afghan people can and will decide on this when we have security," Afghan interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told Hindustan Times.

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Helena Regional Airport Authority will offer the current restaurant tenant only a short-term lease instead of a renewal as it begins planning for the future.

Angela Blixt, owner of Captain Jacks Restaurant in the airport terminal, will be offered a six-month lease, the airport authority board agreed, with monthly options afterward.

The airport authority also decided to provide her with a 60-day notice of its intent not to renew the lease to comply with the agreements provisions.

The six months and monthly renewals is seen as giving the airport authority time to consider future restaurant and snack bar services.

A committee of airport authority members is slated to report back to the board in February or March with its recommendations.

The current lease called for $609 per month rent plus 10 percent if the restaurants annual gross revenue exceeds $400,000.

Blixt did not attend the airport authority meeting but said later in a telephone interview that she anticipated changes as her 10-year lease was coming due for a renewal. The contract, she explained, called for two-year renewals after the initial 10 years.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. until the last afternoon flight and closes about 3:30 p.m. she said. The snack bar, which she also operates inside the secured passenger waiting area, opens at 4:30 a.m.

People arriving for the morning flights are able to get through security quickly, so they dont plan to be there early enough to eat breakfast, Blixt said.

The airport used to have a flight about every hour, she said of air traffic when she first purchased the business.

But now, the number of flights has dwindled and from after the last morning flight has departed until early afternoon there is no one at the airport, she said.

On Friday, there were three morning flights that began departure at 5:35 a.m. with the last one leaving at 7:06 a.m.

The airports schedule showed a Delta Air Lines flight arriving from Salt Lake City at about 1 p.m. with its return scheduled to leave at about 1:20 p.m.

An Alaska Airlines Seattle flight was due to arrive about 2:50 p.m. and depart at 3:25 p.m. A Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City was scheduled to arrive at 5:30 p.m. and depart 25 minutes later.

Three other flights were to arrive into the evening with the final one shortly after 10 p.m.

She didnt blame the airport authority for the decrease in the number of flights and said the airlines make those decisions.

Even still, she described the restaurant operation as a struggle and explained, Its pretty hard to be open if nobodys there.

We dont have the traffic. We dont have people dropping people off very often.

Keeping the business open for those who came for coffee in the morning proved unprofitable, Blixt said and noted that staffing had gone from the roughly 40 people she initially employed to about nine.

A consultant she hired three or four years ago recommended she close the restaurant, she said.

Revenue from the restaurants catering business and the early-morning snack bar help support the restaurant, Blix said.

The restaurant is listed for sale with Jeff Swingley at Windermere Real Estate in Helena.

Blixt, however, said shes not optimistic it will sell. She doesnt see the restaurant as ever being self-supporting and added, Its never going to.

She isnt interested in bidding to keep the business should the airport authority seek bids through a request for proposals to address what it wants to see in food, service and hours.

To be told that her lease wont be renewed but a short-term option offered instead, she said, Its not disappointing to me at all. Its like a relief.

The airport authority noted its uncertainty whether Blixt would agree to the six-month lease, and Jeff Wadekamper, the airports director, said vending machines could be used temporarily while planning for the long term.

Airport officials will begin planning in 2017 for an expansion of secured passenger areas in the terminal with construction in 2018 to provide more room, add a third enclosed walkway that links the terminal building with commercial aircraft and to create snack bar seating and a location that isnt crowded by the passenger security lanes. An area for gift sales is also envisioned with the expansion.

No changes are currently seen for the restaurant thats located in the portion of the airport where access is not controlled by security service.

The need for larger passenger-waiting areas is being driven by both the number of people departing from Helena Regional Airport -- a record number could be set this year and exceed the 102,358 in 2011 -- and the move by airlines away from 50-seat aircraft to 76-seat and larger aircraft.

Passenger numbers neared the record mark in 2015 with 101,146 people departing from the airport, Wadekamper said.

Unlike last year at this time when Alaska Airlines provided a second daily flight to accommodate holiday travelers, that flight isnt being offered, Wadekamper said, adding he was told by the airline that it wasnt able to provide the service.
Playing Monopoly with the World

By David Glenn Cox



Sorry

(Image by Banksy) Details DMCA



Everything is a lie, every scrap of information we are fed is untrue. The Spanish didn't blow up the battleship Maine, the North Vietnamese didn't attack us in the Gulf of Tonkin. Lee Harvey Oswald didn't kill President Kennedy and Osama bin Laden didn't take down the World Trade Center. The Russians didn't hack the DNC, and it wasn't the FBI's eleventh hour E-mail revelations, which cost Hillary Clinton the election.

The person most responsible for costing Hillary Clinton the election was"Hillary Clinton. Just for fun, close your eyes and name three things, Hillary Clinton's platform promised. Need more time? We'll wait, (Jeopardy theme) For decades, Hillary Clinton has been the Republican's favorite punching bag. But during those decades, millions of good paying jobs have left our shores, Hillary laughed when asked about NAFTA. Do you think the unemployed auto workers, turned Dollar Store employees, were laughing too?

Mrs. Clinton and her husband raked in millions from Wall Street. She refused to release the transcripts of her speeches. Do you suppose the tens of millions who lost homes, jobs and families in the crash of 2008, were okay with that? Remember those" "Basement dwellers?" Well, guess who helped to put them in the basement?

In foreign policy, Hillary's actions in Libya were horrendous, (not Benghazi) but taking credit for the murder of Moamar Quadaffi. Sorry, but normal people aren't gleeful over murder. It wasn't the lies about her which sank her campaign, it was the truth about her. She promised nothing and after rigging the primaries, demanded our votes. She's the Democrat, so come on all you super-predators, basement dwellers and deplorables, vote for me! I'm the Democrat, you know" the party of you little people.

More than a week before the election, Hillary rolls out a transition team. A transition team is for candidates who've won elections. I'll wager, she'd already packed her furniture and called the moving company. But, but, but" it was voter suppression! It was the Russians, it was fake media! You know who suppressed the vote? Hillary Clinton suppressed the vote. She was a lousy candidate, she gave wooden speeches, as inspiring as burial insurance. With her used car smile, she's Richard Nixon in drag.

Ah, but let's talk about fake news. When she rented one of the last operating steel mills in the Northeast Ohio, locked the doors filling the galleries with DNC loyalists and held a fake rally, was she concerned about fake news then? When she claimed, she was under sniper fire, was she worried about fake news? When under public pressure, she sacked Debbie Wasserman Shultz, only to give her a less public position. Was she worried about fake news or even public perception? "Just throw them a bunch of bananas and they'll vote for me."

Enough about Hillary. You know, the CIA when they're not too busy destabilizing governments and killing people, publish a dandy little page, I call, The Things You Never Hear Government Admit. But these people are basically just bureaucrats, murderous Fascist bureaucrats, but still, just bureaucrats. They call it the CIA World Fact book. Try this tidbit:

In the US, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, businesses face higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets.

Long-term problems for the US include stagnation of wages for lower-income families, inadequate investment in deteriorating infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, energy shortages, and sizable current account and budget deficits.

See now? I bet you thought YOU were in charge. I bet you thought the government was in charge! You've been watching too much fake news!

President Barack OBAMA signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus to be used over 10 years - two-thirds on additional spending and one-third on tax cuts - to create jobs and to help the economy recover. In 2010 and 2011, the federal budget deficit reached nearly 9% of GDP. In 2012, the Federal Government reduced the growth of spending and the deficit shrank to 7.6% of GDP. US revenues from taxes and other sources are lower, as a percentage of GDP, than those of most other countries.

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Merry Christmas to all who celebrate Nativity on January 6 & 7!

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The main stream propaganda media has been on an anti-Putin, anti-Russian propaganda binge for years, and the Guardian is one of the leaders of the pack.

One has to wonder if it has anything to do with the Guardian's shady dealings with George Soros' secretive Open Society Foundation. Soros makes a fortune from U.S. sponsored regime changes and financial disasters. A regime change in Russia could make him Billions of dollars.

For years the Guardian was a captain of journalism in a sea of corporate monopoly media. No longer and many of its renowned journalists have abandoned ship or been thrown overboard. Their alleged crimes were mutiny against the establishment?

The first storm at the Guardian came when award winning editor in chief Janine Gibson was forced to walk the plank (May 2015 ). Gibson was widely expected to become the Guardian's Senior Editor. Instead Gibson was deep sixed after she navigated the Guardian through the treacherous course of revealing the Edward Snowden leaks.

The Guardian was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for the Snowden story, but the U.S. and British spy agencies were not amused. They had been caught red-handed hacking everybody's computers, spying on US citizens and even listening in on the private phone conversations of heads of state (here). The polish on their crimes was lying to Congress.

The U.S. spy agencies uses the information it gets from spying to interfere with the politics and elections of foreign governments, allies as well as foes. The storm at the Guardian over the Snowden leak resulted in the editors of the Guardian destroying their own computers, while notorious British GCHQ spies stood by and watched (here).

The many fans of the Guardian had been popping Champaign corks and feeling secure that the Guardian was watching over the establishment and reporting abuses of power, fraud, corruption and wrongdoing. Readers trusted the Guardian for its honest reporting for years.

Unbeknownst to most readers, the Guarding was in deep financial trouble. The Scott Trust that owns the Guardian needed a white-knight. It has been hemorrhaging money for years (here) and there were rumors that the Guardian might have to shut down its presses (here).

A white knight did not come forward, but a vulture capitalist did: George Soros and his Open Society Foundation. The financial arrangements and quid pro quo are unknown, since both the Scott Trust and Open Society are secretive.

Coincidentally or not, at the same time the Guardian launched its anti-Putin crusade, the Guardian joined in a new partnership, called the New East Network, with murky NGO's, shady Eastern blogs, unknown sources and an outfit called Eurasianet (here).

The managing editor of Eurasianet is Justin Burke. At the time that the Guardian made the announcement of its new partnership, Justin Burke was and still is the chief editor. A link to Eurasianet had Burke's email address listed at Soros' Open Society Foundation (June 2014).

The Guardian and Soros-connected New East Network run anti-Putin and anti-Russia propaganda daily. There is no shortage of pro-Ukraine propaganda either. That propaganda spills over onto the Guardian website. This is a sinister conflict of interest for the Guardian. It should make a full disclosure of the financial arrangements between itself and Soros.

George Soros has made his fortune on currency speculation, regime change, coups and vulture capitalism. His current venture of destruction is Ukraine. Soros financed NGO's that fueled the US led coup against the elected government of Ukraine and installed a cabal of fascists. Soros is a major backer of anti-Putin NGO's in Russia. Soros constantly lobbies the US and the EU to bail out Ukraine with Billions of dollars, of which he would be a big beneficiary. Soros lobbies the US and the EU to destabilize Russia, which again would benefit him in Billions of dollars (here).

Soros has a sordid history. One of his most infamous coups was to break the Bank of England in 2002. The Telegraph called Soros "the man who broke the Bank of England; the arch villain of Black Wednesday" (here). Soros responded that if he did not do it somebody else would. His only morality is derived from the market.

The latest brouhaha out of the Guardian is a ridiculous allegation, based on flimsy-to-no evidence, that Putin fixed the 2016 US election. The main stream media, including the Guardian, has brainwashed the impressionable public that there is some kind of scheme between Putin and Trump. It is made up guilt, by made up association: "Trump bad---Putin bad"---and vice versa. It is a cynical ploy.

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From Mondoweiss



Obama Versus Netanyahu

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Yesterday was one of the most dispiriting days in the history of U.S. foreign policy. In a long valedictory speech, secretary of state John Kerry told Americans what was preventing peace in the Middle East: unending Jewish settlements in the fragment of historic Palestine that Palestinians accepted as theirs. The speech was more blunt than any earlier pronouncement from this administration about the end of the dream of a Palestinian state; afterward people praised Kerry's passion and personal engagement, and a leading editor said he should receive the Nobel Prize.

The speech was tragic for a simple reason. Everything Kerry said was known to him and President Obama eight years ago. The speech repeated warnings that President George H.W. Bush and his secretary of state made to the Israelis 25 years ago, when the illegal Jewish settlement project was a mere stripling of 25. And though the UN Security Council resolution of last week condemning settlements is a victory for Palestinians, and may well precipitate a crisis inside Israeli politics, it is not as if Obama succeeded in his eight-year quest to make a Palestinian state. No, he and Kerry failed.

That is the great political puzzle that these last-minute gyrations compel us to try and understand. Obama has finally done what he wanted to do and taken on Benjamin Netanyahu and exposed his extremism. Why did he wait so long? The answer is simple: the Israel lobby was against any real action. Jewish Americans of my generation and older opposed any pressure on Israel. So there was no pressure (till now, and Trump).

Here is a fact that proves my point: John Kerry's closing act as secretary of state is a 72-minute speech devoted to a problem that was removed from the Democratic Party platform just five months before. Remember -- Clintonites insisted that the words settlements and occupation appear nowhere in the party platform.

As Elise Labott said last night on CNN, Obama did not push the settlements/Palestinian state issue before the election out of deference to Hillary Clinton. Labott was saying, without saying it, that Clinton was so dependent on the Jewish establishment and large Jewish donors, that she could not "undermine [the] party's fundraising capabilities" (as the National Journal says) by saying a word against Israel. Today on NPR Daoud Kuttab said very much the same thing: that presidents take these actions in their last months when they are freed of "domestic, political, lobbying" pressures. This is a central truth of our politics that ought to be explored. But NPR promptly brought on Aaron David Miller to refute it; Miller said it was a "myth" that lobbying affects US policy.

Just as an NPR host two days ago allowed the Anti-Defamation League to label Keith Ellison's statement about the Israel lobby a "bigoted" claim of a "Jewish conspiracy." Just as Chris Hayes said last night on MSNBC that paleo-conservatives' claims of the existence of a Zionist lobby smack of anti-Semitism. I suppose it is anti-semitic for me to point out that the executive vice president at Hayes's company, Comcast, is a Jewish-American who has shown ardent support for Israel, raising money for Israel's soldiers right along MSNBC favorite Ed Rendell. Or that an executive vice president at Time Warner, which owns the other liberal cable network, is a Jewish-American who wrote speeches for Benjamin Netanyahu.

This is not a conspiracy; it is a belief system about the need for a Jewish state that runs deep in a very empowered American community and is only now being interrogated as an affront to liberalism. Walt and Mearsheimer tried to talk about it 10 years ago, and they were smeared. PS. And don't blame the Christian right; they don't tell Democrats what to say about abortion or gay rights or women's rights. As Wikileaks showed us, Clinton spent months cultivating Netanyahu and hedging the Iran deal. Obama could not throw Netanyahu under the bus.

I know that we should also be thankful to Kerry and Obama for this moment.



Hanan Ashrawi

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We are having the most open discussion about the settlements and the occupation and Israeli extremism that we have ever had in this country. The great Hanan Ashrawi was on CNN this morning explaining that Palestinians have a right to resist military occupation. Noura Erakat was on MSNBC twice yesterday unapologetically using the word "apartheid" to describe Israel's regime in the West Bank and East Jerusalem (10 years after Jimmy Carter used the word and was politically destroyed with the complicity of the Democratic establishment). Kerry himself used the word Nakba yesterday, it appears the first time a State Department official has done so, and that breaks a seal. Today the New York Times's Peter Baker quotes Ali Abunimah. Another breakthrough. Jeremy Ben-Ami says that 90 percent of Americans don't know the facts Kerry was telling them. Now they're learning. Chris Hayes is leading the way here by all-but-stating the two state solution is dead.

By their actions, Obama/Kerry have also exposed the haywire extremism of Netanyahu and the Israeli political leadership. Netanyahu is out of control, talking about his hidden proof that the Americans initiated the UN resolution, and it's a "declaration of war." He is only alienating world opinion more with everything he says. Last night the open battle between the two administrations was the top story on the networks. It is sure to change Israeli politics.

But again: Obama could have done this eight years ago, taken on Netanyahu, and he didn't. He could have precipitated this crisis, and he didn't. He made gestures toward doing so, but he was promptly branded anti-Israel, and Jeffrey Goldberg did nothing to stop that lie; and Obama's backup J Street, which had said it was going to drive a wedge on the issue of settlements inside the Jewish community, folded its hand and said, Let's just talk about borders.

That they are driving that wedge now is the achievement of Donald Trump: he finally gave the left-liberals political capital, by smashing the Clinton elites and dividing the Israel lobby with his extremism.

Now the liberals and the left are in the same camp. In one segment, Chris Hayes has Noura Erakat talking about apartheid and liberal California Rep. Brad Sherman saying that the Palestinian right of return means that Palestinians want to expel all Jews from the Middle East. These views are irreconcilable. Sherman is expressing bigotry. The Democratic Party will support justice in the Middle East only if it takes on the forces of intolerance in its own ranks. That means the Israel lobby. You can't defeat an enemy if you can't name it.

H/t Scott Roth, Yakov Hirsch, Donald Johnson, Adam Horowitz.
Urinary Tract Stenting Market Analysis By Region 2023

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Urine is normally carried from the kidneys to the bladder through long, narrow, muscular tubes called ureters. The passage of urine may become difficult if the ureter becomes obstructed due to conditions such as tumors, infections, kidney stone, etc. For such conditions, the physicians place an artificial tube, known as ureteral stent, intended to restore the flow of the bladder. Aging is the most common factor that leads to several types of urology diseases. The global aging population is a direct indication of the possible rise in the patients suffering with urological diseases. With the increasing conditions that obstruct the flow of urine, the use of urological stents have become the most fundamental and valuable technique in the urological practice.A ureteral stent is specially designed a soft tube 10-12 inches in length that is placed in the ureter for draining urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder. These stents are coiled at both the end to stay in place in the urinary system and therefore also known as JJ stent, pig-tail stent of double J stent. Normally a person can have ureteral stents for not more than 3 to 6 months. If left for longer duration, there is a possibility of stone formation which makes removal of stents difficult. If a patient is required to have stent for a longer duration, he must be admitted in the hospital for stent change. This is a serious limitation for the usage ureteral stent. Several companies operating in the market are trying to overcome the issue of biofilm formation and mineralogical encrustation. Furthermore, there are ongoing research activities in the global urinary tract stenting market to modify the design, discovering novel stent coating and the basic composition materials of the stent. Usage of metal stents in urology is being recommended by some physicians which have not yet become a widespread practice. Some of the advancements required for the industry include anti-body coated stents, nanotube coating, radioactive stents, and absorbable magnesium metal stent. The successful trials of the technologies have a potential to drastically change the existing market dynamics in the global urinary stenting market.Download Exclusive Global Strategic Business Report:The global market for urinary tract stenting can be segmented on the basis of application of urology stents into kidney stones treatment. The major segments in which urological stents are used include procedures such as lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, ureteroenoscopy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Based on the procedures of removing the obstruction in the ureter, the market can be segmented into ureteral stenting, prostate stenting and urethral stenting.Based on the geography, the global urinary tract stenting market is segmented into four major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. More than 2 million people in the U.S. are annually diagnosed for the presence of kidney stone. The number of people suffering from similar diseases is even higher in the Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. The rising number of kidney stone patients in the world is expected to increase the number of treatment procedures at a faster rate than before eventually increasing the demand for the urinary tract stents. As the economic conditions in the emerging nations such as China, India, and Brazil are expected to improve in the near future, most of the market growth will be fuelled by demand from these countries.Some of the key companies operating in the global urinary tract stenting market include Boston Scientific Corporation, C. R. Bard, Inc., Cook Medical, Inc., and Medline Industries, Inc., Pnn Medical A/S, and Allium Medical Solutions Ltd.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Browse Full Research Report on Urinary Tract Stenting Market:About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Browse market research blog:
Global Analysis for ECG Monitoring Systems Market Trends & Forecast 2016

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Transparency Market Research has released a new research report in the domain of the global healthcare and medical devices industry, titled ECG Monitoring Systems Market - Global Industry Analysis By Type, Size, Share And Forecast 2011 - 2016. The reports critical analysis is intended to address the users need to discover the trends affecting the development of the global ECG markets dynamics in order to formulate a successful market strategy.According to the report, the global ECG monitoring systems market is currently growing at a CAGR of 7.6% between the period 2011 and 2016. Taking into account the markets 2010 worth, it should reach US$822.1 million in 2016.Request a PDF Brochure with Report Analysis:We can expect to see a growth in the overall shipment of ECG monitoring systems to 374.8 thousand units in 2016, from its 2011 figure of 262.1 thousand units, said a TMR analyst, This is a potential CAGR of 7.4% from 2011 to 2016. He also said that of the various types of ECG monitoring systems used, rest ECG monitoring systems dominated the market in 2011 in terms of revenue. Stress ECG monitoring systems, on the other hand, had the highest selling price.The report says that the growing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases around the world is the biggest driving factor of the global ECG monitoring systems market. It emphasizes the fact that cardiovascular diseases are the largest cause of deaths globally.In 2008, nearly 17.3 million people died from cardiovascular diseases, a whopping 32.8% of all deaths that year. Of the 17.3 million, 6.2 million died from stroke and 7.3 million died due to coronary heart disease. The report also cites a projected increment of deaths due to cardiovascular disease to 20.5 million in 2020.This statistical rise of life-threatening issues due to cardiovascular diseases has prompted an increase in the market for ECG monitoring systems. The report says that people all over the world are becoming increasingly health-conscious, which, when combined with an increasing per capita income, results in a larger number of people being willing and able to buy ECG monitoring systems for their physical health.The U.S. is the leading country in the global ECG monitoring systems market with a market revenue of US$167.8 million recorded in 2011. Within the U.S., the report says that the total number of Holter monitor tests conducted will grow at a CAGR of 8.9% in the forecast period. Event monitor tests in the country are also expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% in the same period. The total shipments in the global ECG monitoring systems market for the U.S. alone are predicted to increase to 94.6 thousand units in 2016. Other countries included in the report include Germany, where the market for ECG monitoring systems recorded revenue of US$54.9 million in 2011.Browse Full Research Report on ECG Monitoring Systems Market:About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Browse market research blog:
Floyd Skloot by Beverly Hallberg.jpg

The Portland writer Floyd Skloot explores the geometry of relationships in his latest book, "The Phantom of Thomas Hardy."

(Beverly Hallberg)

By Dan Hortsch

Now you see it, now you don't.

That is one theme in Floyd Skloot's new "fictional memoir" - his description - just as it has been a theme in Skloot's own life for nearly 30 years as the result of a virus that wracked his brain and has left its mark to this day.

What is real in this work and what is not is Skloot's secret, but it is safe to say that references to Skloot's personal life are true, while his lead character - also named Floyd - describes experiences more fictional than not.

Either way, the Portland writer's latest work, "The Phantom of Thomas Hardy" (University of Wisconsin Press, 184 pages, $24.95), is an exploration of his half-century-long relationship with the British poet and novelist. He details that connection as Floyd and his wife, Beverly, visit Hardy's home ground and the settings for his novels: "The Mayor of Casterbridge," "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," "Jude the Obscure" and 11 others.

The topic will appeal to devotees of Hardy. However, the literary and geographical route taken also informs more casual Hardy readers and anyone else interested in learning some basics about the Victorian writer, who died in 1928.

While seeking to divine more about Hardy and his loves and life, Skloot also relates the depth of the love that he and Beverly share, as well as the life-altering connection with a college professor and mentor who led Skloot to an immersion in Hardy's works.

Characters in this story trade thoughts about the geometry of relationships in Hardy's complicated, but also well-hidden life. At the same time, the tale itself is about the geometry of relationships in Skloot's life, the experiences of Floyd Skloot the author mingling with the experiences of Floyd the protagonist in this novel-as-memoir. Or is it the other way around?

Skloot, a poet, essayist, memoirist and fiction writer who has won numerous honors -- including three Pushcart Prizes and two Oregon Book Awards -- relates a story of the sort-of fictional Floyd and Beverly as they tour Dorset in search of Hardy and his surroundings, both personal and natural. The story quickly takes them and us on a curious trip as Floyd thinks he hears someone speak to him as they stand outside a building in the town of Dorchester that Hardy used as the home of his fictional lead character in "The Mayor of Casterbridge."

"Something I missed," are the words spoken, and Thomas Hardy, unseen but felt, is the speaker. Or so Floyd thinks. While pondering that odd moment, he feels a touch on the shoulder. Hardy? But where is this phantom Hardy?

As Floyd and Beverly continue their trip, Floyd does see Hardy - at his desk, writing. And what is that he is writing?

As the plot develops, we come to learn more, and Floyd and Beverly's thoughtful investigations come to bear fruit, although in ways not to be revealed here. In the process, we tag-alongs on the journey come away with a mini-seminar on Hardy, his life, his loves, his place in Dorset.

For their part, Floyd and Beverly return home, where Floyd realizes that he has a story to tell about his and Beverly's lives, and about a phantom.

***

Floyd Skloot

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31

Where: Barnes & Noble, Vancouver Plaza, 7700 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver

Admission: Free

Note: Skloot is scheduled to read from his 2015 book of poetry, "Approaching Winter: Poems."
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A University of Oregon professor was investigated for wearing blackface to a Halloween party. But some of her colleagues are questioning the investigation's findings.

Ofer Raban

Last week, the University of Oregon released and officially adopted a legal report regarding a law professor who donned a Halloween costume representing an African-American doctor. University leaders suspended the professor and commissioned the report from a Portland law firm, which worked under the "direction and guidance" of university lawyers.

The report recognized that the professor, who has a history of advocacy for minority rights, donned the costume at a party at her home in order to honor an African-American author and call attention to the scarcity of African-Americans in medical schools. The report also noted that she was genuinely shocked and surprised at the negative reactions to her costume, and promptly apologized.

But the report concluded that the costume constituted racial discrimination and harassment in violation of university rules. It goes on to claim that the professor's expression is not shielded by university rules protecting free speech and academic freedom, nor by the Constitution's freedom of speech.

This is a deeply flawed report, and the university has made a legal and moral mistake in adopting it.

Most astonishingly, the report fails to address the issue that makes this case so legally fraught: namely, that the costume was worn to advocate for racial equality. While the report concedes that important fact, its legal analysis fails to take it into account. For all we know, the analysis would have been the same if the professor had donned the costume at a Ku Klux Klan rally. Moreover, the report not only concludes that a costume intended to advocate for racial equality constitutes racial discrimination, but also makes no attempt to justify this counterintuitive conclusion. Whatever one thinks of that question, the failure to address it is preposterous.

As for the freedom of speech, the report recognizes that the professor's expression regarded a matter of "public concern," which the First Amendment guards with particular rigor. But it then concludes that the university's interest in preventing disruption to its educational operations outweighs the professor's rights of free speech and academic freedom.

In another bizarre omission, the report fails to mention or analyze the Oregon Constitution's free speech provision, which Oregon courts ordinarily address even before the First Amendment since it provides greater free speech protections.

Why were university administrators so keen to adopt this flawed report? Perhaps because the administration itself was responsible for much of the resulting educational disruption, including student outrage, damage to the law school's reputation and a toxic law school atmosphere.

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After all, when the Halloween event first became known, administrators repeatedly failed to inform students of the actual intent behind the costume (of which they were fully aware), or of the professor's record as a defender of minority rights. And when these facts surfaced, officials doubled down by claiming that her intent did not matter, a position now echoed in the report.

The report contains student testimony showing the administration's clear responsibility for some of the ensuing damage, including:

"communications sent out by administration may have served to anger or confuse some students," that the "law school's response has...polarized the situation,"

"[the] law school's response has...polarized the situation,"

"the administration's response was...very inciting..." and "made [the professor] easy to vilify...,"

"the administration's communication characterized [the professor's] actions in a way that itself caused commotion on campus,"

"the administration had not been fair, because the response was a blatant mischaracterization of [the professor's action]."

But the report draws no legal conclusions from this damning information, dismissing the testimonies with the note that, "It is unlikely that any investigation would be able to meaningfully evaluate how much of the resulting impact was caused directly by [the professor] and how much of the impact is connected to these other factors." Unknown indeed. But that "resulting impact" is the basis for the report's conclusion that the professor's speech is constitutionally unprotected.

Why was the administration's response so conducive to inflaming rather than calming emotions? Admittedly, some misguided administrators may actually have believed the professor's intent in donning the costume simply didn't matter.

But we should also note that the professor in question was one of seven law school professors who had complained to university officials about the managerial performance of the law school dean. Isn't it often the case that the settling of personal scores underlie ideological purification campaigns?

Whatever the reason for administrators' responses, let's not forget what's at stake in this sordid affair. According to the university, a professor is guilty of racial discrimination and harassment for donning a costume that sought to advocate for racial equality. And that act of political expression is not protected by the rights to free speech nor by academic freedom.

This is a sad day for the freedom of speech and expression at the University of Oregon.

Ofer Raban is a professor of law at the University of Oregon.
DEEP SEA FISHING.JPG

A worker filets fresh tuna at West Bay Seafood in San Francisco in a 2003 file photo.

(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/File)

By the editors of Bloomberg View

The high seas -- all that deep water beyond 200 nautical miles from a coastline -- are this planet's last frontier. And like all previous frontiers, they're ripe for plunder. But there may be a surprisingly simple solution to the scourge of overfishing on the high seas: a ban on commercial fishing in international waters.

The proposition may sound radical, but it has the backing of scientists who have shown how much a ban could restore coastal fisheries and the global fishing industry. In fact, it could raise the value of the world's fisheries by $13 billion.

The world has tacitly approved high-seas fishing because it has long been assumed that, without it, the global catch would not be adequate to meet demand. Some 10 million tons of fish, about 12 percent of the worldwide total, are caught on the high seas each year. Fishermen have pushed past depleted coastal fisheries to take coveted bluefin tuna, shark and swordfish in great quantities.

But stocks have been thinning out, with tuna and mackerel declining by 60 percent in the past half century. And now two California scientists have shown that a high-seas fishing ban would boost populations of migratory fish by 42 percent, more than enough to restock coastal fisheries.

The high seas would become, as one group of researchers put it, the world's fish bank.

Even if the idea is simple, making it work wouldn't be. One issue is that the benefits would not be spread evenly around the globe, accruing mainly to the majority of coastal countries that don't fish the high seas. (The relatively small number that do -- just 10 countries are responsible for 62 percent of the high-seas catch -- includes such powerful nations as the U.S., China, Japan, South Korea and Spain.) But countries that do fish the high seas would still see more fish closer to their coasts, and their governments could end their subsidies to the high-seas fishing industry, which requires bigger ships and more fuel.

Enacting such a ban would also be a challenge. No single country has jurisdiction, so a United Nations process would be needed. Countries have already created marine protected areas covering nearly 4 percent of the world's oceans, close to their coasts. A high-seas ban would be like one big international marine protected area.

Or, countries could agree to create a number of somewhat smaller ones: protected zones that cover heavy-fishing areas, though not the entire high seas. Enforcement would not be a difficult as it might seem, given how easy technology has made it to track fishing vessels globally.

Either way, the benefit to humankind -- not just those who catch fish, or even just those who eat fish, but anyone who believes in keeping Planet Earth a sustainable place -- would be worth it.

(c) 2016, Bloomberg View
Obama5.JPG

President Barack Obama

(AP Photo/File)

By Jonathan Capehart

Talking to Valerie Jarrett about her time as senior adviser to President Barack Obama and specifically about that time he sang "Amazing Grace" in Charleston, S.C., on June 26, 2015, got me to thinking about other amazing moments of the Obama presidency. So, before Obama nostalgia hits full-tilt after New Year's Day, here are nine "amazing" moments from his presidency.

"Donald Trump is here tonight!"

Donald Trump loves being the center of attention, even negative attention. But as we learned this year, the roasting of the Big Apple builder by Obama at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Association dinner "accelerated [Trump's] ferocious efforts to gain stature within the political world."

"Donald Trump is here tonight! Now, I know that he's taken some flak lately, but no one is happier, no one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than the Donald. And that's because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter -- like, did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac?"

On Nov. 8, Trump went from butt-of-the-joke to president-elect.

"The United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden."

What made Obama's focus on Trump on April 30, 2011, all the more extraordinary was what was happening at the exact same time. Unbeknownst to anyone except senior aides, the president authorized the operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaida leader who unleashed horror on the United States with the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The president's late-night announcement on May 1 of the mission's success led to celebrations in front of the White House and in New York.

"You lie!"

Nothing personified the peevish relationship between congressional Republicans and the president more than this remarkable moment during a joint session of Congress on Sept. 9, 2009. It proved to be a harbinger of disrespectful things to come.

Obama was trying to save his push for health-care reform. "There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants," he said. "This, too, is false - the reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally." Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., yelled, "You lie!" It was a stunning breach of decorum and protocol that left then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., agape and Vice President Biden shaking his lowered head. Obama glared and continued, "It's not true."

The president was right.

"I have no more campaigns to run."

The reticence that Obama displayed amid Republican taunting in the well of the House of Representatives in 2009 was gone during his State of the Union address in 2015. As he called on the nation to pursue "a better politics," the president reminded the gathered, "I have no more campaigns to run."

The ensuing GOP-led applause evoked a moment of epic presidential shade. Looking over at the Republicans, Obama said, "I know because I won both of them." And did he. Obama is the first president since Dwight Eisenhower to win at least 51 percent of the vote twice.

"Every time I think about those kids it gets me mad."

The murder of 20 schoolchildren and six teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14, 2012, shocked the national conscience. But not enough to spur Congress to pass any legislation that could possibly keep guns out of the hands of folks who really shouldn't have them. Nearly four years and many more mass shootings later, Obama announced new executive actions on gun control. Yet, the emotion of Newtown was still present as tears streamed down the usually stoic president's face when he mentioned the lost little ones.

"First-graders. And from every family who never imagined that their loved one would be taken from our lives by a bullet from a gun.

"Every time I think about those kids it gets me mad. And by the way, it happens on the streets of Chicago every day.

"So all of us need to demand a Congress brave enough to stand up to the gun lobby's lies. All of us need to stand up and protect its citizens. All of us need to demand governors and legislatures and businesses do their part to make our communities safer. We need the wide majority of responsible gun owners who grieve with us every time this happens and feel like your views are not being properly represented to join with us to demand something better."

"Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago."

When the president walked into the White House press briefing room on July 19, 2013, he caught the press corps by surprise not only with his presence but also by what he had to say. The nation was reeling from the not guilty verdict against George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African American teenager, in Sanford, Fla., on Feb. 26, 2012. And what Obama did was give voice to the frustration and fear that had gripped the black community then.

"You know, when Trayvon Martin was first shot I said that this could have been my son. Another way of saying that is Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago," the president said. "And when you think about why, in the African American community at least, there's a lot of pain around what happened here, I think it's important to recognize that the African American community is looking at this issue through a set of experiences and a history that doesn't go away."

A year later, starting with the July 2014 death of Eric Garner captured on video by a bystander, the American people would see one too many times what African Americans had been railing against for generations.

"I want to know if my hair is just like yours"

While walking through the West Wing of the White House in 2009, I saw what has remained my all-time favorite photo of the Obama presidency. Jacob Philadelphia, then 5 years old, was in the Oval Office with his family to take a photo with the president. The little guy had a request. "I want to know if my hair is just like yours," Jacob asked Obama. Hands in his pocket, the president bowed his head for Jacob to have a touch.

There is a lot going on in that photo that stopped me dead in my tracks when I saw it nearly eight years ago. For a host of reasons owing to the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow, we African Americans are sensitive about our heads and our hair. So Obama allowing his head to be touched by a stranger was already remarkable.

But what got me is the obvious connection the little guy was making between himself and the black man who was also president of the United States. As I wrote after Jackie Calmes of The New York Times reported on the picture, what White House photographer Pete Souza was able to capture was how Obama addressed so much about race without ever opening his mouth.

Edmund Pettus Bridge with John Lewis

On March 7, 1965, John Lewis and many others were savagely beaten by law enforcement at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge as they started the Selma-to-Montgomery, Ala., marches for voting rights. Fifty years later, Lewis, a leader of that march, returned to the site of "Bloody Sunday" as a 15-term member of Congress from Georgia and as a guest of the nation's first African American president.

There, in that setting, those two men represented how far our nation has come since its not-so-distant Jim Crow past. That one is president and the other is a member of Congress shows what the American people are capable of when they see their fellow citizens being violently abused for demanding basic civil rights and human dignity. Obama's 2015 speech commemorating the Alabama marches was masterful in its clear-eyed view of our ongoing journey toward a more perfect union.

June 26, 2015

You'll recall that this was the date the president flew to Charleston and sang "Amazing Grace" while eulogizing Clementa Pinckney, the pastor of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church who was murdered with eight parishioners by avowed racist Dylann Roof a week earlier. But that was also the day the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples had a constitutional right to marry.

Everyone saw this coming. Over the years, lower court rulings in favor of marriage equality and actions by various states to legalize same-sex unions laid the groundwork for that historic decision. Still, to have it officially happen, to have marriage equality become the law of the land, marked a high point in our nation's effort to be more just and more fair.

From ending the ban on LGBT service members from serving openly in the military to no longer defending the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) against constitutional challenge, Obama earned his honorary "first gay president" moniker from Newsweek.

But as sweet as the Supreme Court victory was, nothing was more moving than what happened at the White House that evening. As darkness crept over Washington, the residence became aglow in the rainbow colors of the LGBT pride flag. Never before had the people's house been so adorned. Never before had the dignity of LGBT people been so publicly supported by their president. Amazing.

As an openly gay African American man who will marry his partner next year, I will forever be grateful to this president for fighting for me, for us.

(c) 2016, The Washington Post

Jonathan Capehart is a Washington Post columnist and editorial writer.
Incoming Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen made several appointments this week.

Arntzen beat Democrat Melissa Romano with 52 percent of the vote in November to become the first Republican superintendent in 28 years. She was a school teacher in Billings for 23 years and served in the Legislature for six terms.

On Thursday, Arntzen said she planned to ensure the Office of Public Instruction retains local control and the Every Student Succeeds Act meets the needs of Montana students. She declined to comment on her priorities for the legislative session regarding school choice, publicly funded preschool and Common Core.

After she won the election, Arntzen told the Billings Gazette she would review contracts with testing vendors to determine whether efforts made by teachers to administer the tests are worth it. Romano campaigned against Arntzen by discussing her legislative votes in favor of tax credits for donation to private schools and education savings accounts, which could redirect money allotted for public schools to private schools. Arntzen didnt clarify her position during the campaign.

Arntzen was criticized by Romano for voting against Gov. Steve Bullocks Early Edge bill, a proposal to fund public preschool during the 2015 legislative session.

Arntzen also told the Gazette she plans to create a bipartisan education caucus and was looking forward to having all parties at the table.

Arntzen said her first week in office includes an all-staff meeting with OPI, meetings with legislators and an Indian Education for All event.

Staff appointments include:

Dr. Tim Tharp, interim deputy superintendent: Tharp is the superintendent of Hobson Schools. He received his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Montana and was a teacher and superintendent in various Montana school districts for more than 20 years.

Jim Standaert, contractor, to advise on budgetary matters: Standaert worked for the Legislative Fiscal Division for 23 years. He analyzed OPI's budget and forecast property taxes and income taxes for the state. He worked on legislative matters concerning school districts after retiring in 2013.

Patrick H. Beddow, contractor, to advise on State Land Board matters: Beddow, a consultant minerals landman from Billings, has been involved with oil, gas, hard minerals, coal and land-title related issues for over 38 years.

Randy Vogel, senior policy adviser: Vogel worked in law enforcement before serving as state director for both Rep. Denny Rehberg and Rep. Ryan Zinke. He also served in the Montana Legislature, on the staff of Congressman Steve Daines, and is a small business owner.

Kyle Moen, chief legal counsel: Moen is an associate attorney at the Raffiani Law Firm where he specializes in family law and criminal defense. He received his J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School.

Dylan Klapmeier, federal policy director and media assistant: Klapmeier completed his Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Montana and previously served as an education liaison and field representative for U.S. Sen. Steve Daines.

Sam Rubino, director of policy and planning: Rubino previously served as a congressional staffer and the field director for grassroots campaign initiatives.

Alisha Marstaeller, executive assistant: Marstaeller previously worked in hospitality and administration for Billings-area organizations.

Susan Kohn, senior office administrator: Kohn is the constituent casework manager for Rep. Ryan Zinke. She previously worked in human resources in the private sector.
DECATUR  The first time Richard Dick Ferry's picture appeared in the Decatur Herald, he was with 17 other newsboys, enjoying a picnic in Nelson Park, before heading downtown to begin his route.

The year was 1940, his age was 13, and he was nowhere near done with newspapers.

Besides a distinguished career as an education professor at Millikin University for more than 40 years, the Decatur native was a prolific contributor to the Herald & Review's Prairie Talk column, publishing nearly 185 of them since the feature debuted 30 years ago. I absolutely have to write, he said when submitting the first in 1986.

Ferry died Nov. 10, about three months shy of his 90th birthday.

Gerald Jerry Redford, 85, of Decatur, the dean emeritus of the College of Arts and Sciences who joined Millikin's faculty the same year as Ferry, in 1961, remembers his friend as an enthusiastic teacher but also as a frustrated journalist who couldn't get his hometown newspaper to hire him after three years running the Wood River News Bureau for the Alton Telegraph.

So Ferry went back to Millikin, where he graduated in 1949 and was encouraged to pursue a graduate degree in education, Redford said. The rest is history, he said. Even though he was short of stature, we all looked up to him.

Retired philosophy professor Arvid Adell, 81, of Roscoe, Ill., was longtime friend who told funny stories about their campus escapades at a memorial service Nov. 19 at First Presbyterian Church. Dick had an unabated zest for life, Adell said.

The first line of Ferry's first Prairie Talk about a Bo Derek relative was hard to resist: Who would have thought that Mary Collins someday would become the grandmother of a sex goddess?

The Herald & Review's Jeana Matherly remembers enjoying Ferry's columns from the start and liked working with him after she became Life editor in 2000. He was one of my favorites, she said. I didn't know him very well but felt like I knew him through his writing.

Perhaps Ferry's best-known column appeared on Feb. 4, 1988, when he declared his infatuation with the Scottish voice of an automated teller machine downtown. The Herald & Review tracked down the owner of that voice: Sally Masterson, who subsequently visited Decatur, which led to a stint as co-host of WDZ radio's Breakfast Club.

Ferry's last Prairie Talk appeared on July 23, 2014.

His younger sister, Alice Wasem of Decatur, said Ferry used to give her a quarter a week to help him deliver newspapers. He was very caring and always looked after me, she said. He loved to write and was writing all the time.
MOWEAQUA  When Jeffter arrived at a Haitian orphanage, he was malnourished and physically and mentally disabled.

At 3-years-old, the little boy wore the smallest diapers available with extra room to move. He was brought to the orphanage by a woman who could no longer care for him.

His family had already given up on him. He arrived with nothing  no clothing, toys or food. Equipment commonly used by disabled children in the United States was not available. But that would soon change for the little boy.

A group of 19 volunteers left Moweaqua for Haiti on Nov. 26 to help the staff of Children of the Promise Orphanage. The orphanage is home to 53 youths; most of which have special needs.

The volunteers brought tools and equipment used to repair buildings and other structures.

We did a lot of structural work or little fix-it jobs, said Mary Jesse.

But, perhaps most importantly, the group also brought medical equipment, including two wheelchairs designed for children. As a physical therapist, Jesse has worked with many in the medical community. She was able to obtain the wheelchairs donated by two Decatur families.

Mary Jo Fromm offered her daughter's wheelchair after the child had out grown it. Heaven was born 15 weeks early with multiple health problems, including Spina Bifida, Epilepsy and Cerebral Palsy.

At age 2, Heaven was diagnosed with Precocious Puberty, a condition in which her body advances into puberty early than other children. The now 7-year-old has already grown out of two chairs.

The donated wheelchair was made to fit the little girl's conditions with a head rest, back support, harnesses, lap belt, foot rests and a tilting option.

Mary Jo often donates medical items her daughter can no longer use. I would rather donate it than put it by the curb, she said. I try to help as much as I can.

The second wheelchair was donated by Virginia Muhleman. Her daughter Mya was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus, or water-on-the-brain. She grew to the size of a toddler with multiple physical problems. She couldn't walk, talk or stand.

"But she laughed and smiled," said Muhleman.

The little girl attended William Harrison School. She was also given physical therapy throughout her life. Otherwise, Mya was in her wheelchair.

Mya died at age 7 in 2014.

Her mother kept the child's wheelchair in the garage after Mya passed away. After two years, she knew it as time to give the chair to someone who could use it.

I couldn't stand to see it sit there and go to waste, Muhleman said.

The physical therapists for both families contacted Jesse in hopes the wheelchairs would be taken on the mission trip to Haiti.

At first, Jesse did not know if anyone would be able to use the chairs. We knew someone could use them, but we didn't have any one in mind, she said. Then, on the third day of the week-long trip, Jeffter arrived.

Traveling with the mission group were two pediatric physical therapists, Abby Allen and Morgan Spears. When they first assessed the little boy, they could see he was uncomfortable simply lying on a mat. Spears described the little boy as malnourished and thin.

You could see the bumps on his sternum, she said. And he had symptoms of Cerebral Palsy, with stiff limbs.

The two therapists kept their professional composure during the evaluation, but as soon as they were left alone with the little boy, their emotions got the better of them.

We both were crying, Spears said. It's hard not to.

Children with Jeffter's condition have multiple physical problems. According to Jesse, the children need to be placed in various positions throughout the day in order to breathe.

When children lay flat, it is easier to aspirate, get pneumonia and have respiratory problems, she said. We think the wheelchair will avoid a lot of issues for his breathing alone, because he will be upright.

The little boy received Mya's wheelchair.

The chair also will be able to help with the little boy's many physical problems. The headrest helps Jeffter with his lack of head control. Since he is unable to move, he can be positioned at various angles while in the chair.

It will tilt back and avoid pressure sores, Jesse said. All of these things are needed when they are going to sit in the chair a lot.

For 20 years, Jesse has traveled to Haiti on other mission trips. She has met many children after they arrive at the orphanage.

When they first come in, they don't always interact with you, she said. They don't make eye contact.

The physical therapists know when patients are upright they can be stimulated by what's going on around them, instead of just looking at the ceiling. Spears saw a physical change in Jeffter after he was placed in his new wheelchair.

Within 30 minutes of being in the chair, he relaxed and fell asleep, she said.

Before the volunteers left for home two days later, they saw more changes in the little boy who was smiling and looking at the people around him.

Jeffter continues to advance physically and gain weight. Although the volunteers have returned to Moweaqua, the orphanage will provide physical therapy for the little boy through other volunteers and medical support.

Jesse has been in contact with the families since the group has been home. She gave pictures of the wheelchairs being used to the mothers.

"It brought tears to my eyes," Muhleman said. "It's nice to see it being used."
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Legislation signed this week allows animal shelters to weed out animal abusers among potential owners by way of background checks through a state database.

Shelters may now search the Michigan State Polices Internet Criminal History Access Tool database before adopting out animals, without being charged the normal $10 usage fee.

If they are on that list they cannot adopt another animal from a shelter for five years, State Rep. Paul Muxlow, R-Brown City, a primary sponsor of the package of bills, told The Times Herald in Port Huron. You could still buy one at a pet store, but not at these shelters.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Midland-area shelters say they may take advantage of the safeguard.

The Humane Society of Midland County handles about 2,000 adoptions every year. It does not do background checks on potential owners beforehand. At $10 per use of the ICHAT system, $20,000 a year when were already operating in the red just isnt feasible for us, said Beth Wellman, shelter director at the Humane Society of Midland County. Wellman said the nonprofit relies solely on money taken in locally without funding from the county, taxpayers or any entities, and that every cat costs $150 to get ready for adoption.

But if shelters allowed free background checks, obviously if that were the case, wed use it gladly, she said.

Currently, with the help of local authorities, the shelter keeps its own database for people weve had issues with, she said. The shelter also speaks with local veterinarians and checks adopters histories and Facebook profiles.

We definitely want to be able to send animals to the best homes we possibly can, Wellman said.

Smart Paws Animal Rescue, which runs a much smaller operation without a shelter, vets potential owners by checking references. At last count, earlier this month, its five board members and three foster families were giving shelter to about 60 cats. The nonprofit rescue formed in April 2015 with the goal to have a sanctuary and adoption center serving Midland County to help take the load off the Humane Society.

SOS Animal Rescue is another local, small and shelter-less nonprofit that founded in 1997, dedicated to reducing the number of unwanted pets in Midland County. Volunteers focus on placement, public education and spay and neuter programs. SOS adopted 220 cats and dogs to families in 2015. The rescue does not do background checks.

Volunteers check with veterinarians, visit homes and charge $175 to adopt dogs.

We feel pretty comfortable with those three (safeguards), said Joann Taylor, SOS president.

They also interview and turn away potential owners when warning signs appear.

That actually happens more than you think, Taylor said.

Cats come with a $75 price tag. Volunteers consult veterinarians, but dont visit homes of those looking to adopt.

Anyone who is going to pay that much for a cat is probably not going to mess with it, she said, citing the vast number of free and cheaply priced cats posted online.

Taylor said she wasnt aware of any reports of abuse either before adopting to new owners or to those who had adopted in the past. An SOS policy allows owners to return animals at any time. If in the first week, owners would get a full refund. Even five years after adopting, owners can still return the animal.

If this allows us one more step in the process, I think its a great idea, said Shelley Park Cluff, the nonprofits vice president. I do strongly feel that people adopting an animal should be checked to make sure that we dont have any repeat offenders of animal abuse  or people with a history of animals being short-lived in their home.

A Senate Fiscal Agency analysis estimates there were 194 animal abuse charges and 148 convictions in Michigan in 2013.

The package of bills signed into law on Wednesday had bipartisan support. House Bill 4353 passed by an 81-27 vote in the House and 30-7 in the Senate. House Bill 4355 passed by an 84-24 vote in the House and 31-6 in the Senate.

Midland-area legislators were split in their votes. Sen. Jim Stamas, R-Midland, and Rep. Gary Glenn, R-Midland, voted against both bills. House Speaker Kevin Cotter, R-Mount Pleasant, voted in favor.

The bills also allow a state agency to write rules establishing minimum standards for large-scale dog breeding kennels and the housing, care and handling of animals, and people will not be able to operate a large-scale dog breeding kennel unless they register the business by paying the state $500 annually, the Associated Press reported.
Former Midland resident Gary Dorrien was recently named the recipient of the 2017 Grawemeyer Award in Religion for his book, The New Abolition: W.E.B. Du Bois and the Black Social Gospel.

The Black Social Gospel emerged from the trauma of Reconstruction to ask what a new abolition would require in American society. It became an important tradition of religious thought and resistance, helping to create an alternative public sphere of excluded voices and providing the intellectual underpinnings of the civil rights movement. This tradition has been seriously overlooked, despite its immense legacy.

In his book, Dorrien describes the early history of the Black Social Gospel from its 19th-century founding to its close association in the 20th century with W. E. B. Du Bois. He offers a new perspective on modern Christianity and the civil rights era by delineating the tradition of social justice theology and activism that led to Martin Luther King, Jr.

The book earned Dorrien the 2017 Grawemeyer Award in Religion. Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, jointly with the University of Louisville, awards the $100,000 prize to honor and publicize creative and significant insights into the relationship between human beings and the divine. The award also recognizes ways in which this relationship may inspire or empower human beings to attain wholeness, integrity, or meaning, either individually or in community.

We urgently need this historical and theological account in our religious communities and public discourse, said Tyler Mayfield, faculty director of the Grawemeyer Award in Religion and the A.B. Rhodes Associate Professor of Old Testament at Louisville Seminary. Dorriens book highlights a disremembered part of American religious history, one that holds relevance for contemporary discussions about race and U.S. religion. His compelling narration of the Black Social Gospel as a profoundly religious tradition of thought and activism underscores the crucial connections among the Black Church, social Christianity, the creation of black institutions, and the struggle for freedom.

Dorrien is the Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary in New York City and professor of religion at Columbia University. An Episcopal priest and lifelong athlete, Dorrien is the author of 17 books and about 275 articles that range across the fields of ethics, social theory, theology, philosophy, politics, and history. Philosopher Cornel West describes him as the preeminent social ethicist in North America today, and philosopher Robert Neville describes him as the most rigorous theological historian of our time.

Dorrien is among the five Grawemeyer Award winners being named this week pending formal approval by the universitys board of trustees. The University of Louisville presents the prizes annually for outstanding works in music composition, ideas improving world order, psychology and education and presents a religion prize jointly with Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The 2017 winners will present free lectures about their award-winning ideas when they visit Louisville in April to accept their $100,000 prizes.
Calling it a highlight of my life, Commissioner Al Kloha is leaving the Midland County Board of Commissioners after serving for one term.

I made a lot of friends on the staff. They have helped me understand what is happening in the county. Everyone here has been just wonderful to me, said the Republican.

Kloha was first elected in 2014 when incumbent Nick Finley withdrew just before the primary due to family and work commitments. Kloha did not face any opposition in the general election as he won election to represent the district that includes Edenville, Geneva, Jerome and Warren townships along with the village of Sanford and the city of Coleman.

Looking back, finding quality people to fill county positions was a major area of focus for Kloha before election.

I also know how hard it is to find qualified workers to fill available jobs. Developing a skilled workforce to fill these openings will help Midland continue to grow, said Kloha, during a 2014 Daily News interview.

That desire came to fruition as the board hired three department heads: Mosquito Control Director Dr. Carl Doud, Parks and Recreation Director John Schmude and Emergency Manager Coordinator Jennifier Boyer.

We made some really good hires for the county while Ive been here. Theyre going to take our county a long ways, Kloha said. I like our staff, they are wonderful.

Healthwise, Kloha struggled with a staph infection during his term, which forced him to miss some meetings.

When I had my health problems they were extremely kind to me. They kept me informed of what was going on, he said of county staff and board members. Service to Midland County will not cease for Kloha as he was appointed to the Midland County Road Commission for a six-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2017.

People dont know this, but 30 years ago, I worked for the road commission for a year. I was a shop foreman, or maintenance manager. When I started Circle K, I had to leave the road commission to do it, he said.

He founded Circle K in 1986 and now together with his son, Rod, leads a workforce of 20 skilled workers in both the building and servicing of emergency vehicles and other heavy machinery.

Hell also have more time to spend with wife, Carol Park, as they participate in their favorite pasttime, dancing.

Kloha was born and raised on a farm in the area and has been an active participant in many organizations, such as Associated Builders and Contractors, Midland Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee, National Federation of Independent Business, Sanford Lake Governmental Affairs Committee and National Federation of Independent Businesses, as well as being a lifetime member of the NRA.

What advice would he give incoming commissioners?

Make sure you keep watching the unintended consequences when you make a decision. You try and minimize those and try to look ahead to what might happen. Sometimes, you want it to happen, Kloha said.

Republican Jeanette Snyder succeeds Kloha in January as the representative for District 1. Snyder narrowly defeated Kloha in the primary by 11 votes. Instead of requesting a recount, Kloha threw his support behind Snyder, which surprised others, and helped her to victory in the general election.

Jeanette will do a great job, Kloha said.

Commissioner Jim Leigeb, R-3rd District, is also leaving the board after choosing to not seek reelection. He declined request from the Daily News for an interview.
A few days before Christmas, a colleague stopped me in the hallway at work as I was hurrying to a meeting. I hadnt seen him in a few years.

Right away I knew something was different. His face looked stressed, and he explained life had been a series of trials since wed last seen each other. Both his parents had died and his long-term marriage had ended in painful divorce.

This was not just a passing hello in the hall. The meeting can wait, I thought, and shifted my full focus to the man in front of me.

I read in the newspaper about the challenges you experienced in 2015, he said.

Ah, yes. 2015. My annus horribilis.

At this time last year I wrote a reflection of the trying times my family had experienced. Wed staggered from crisis to crisis, including illness, death, conflict and sorrow. Just when I thought we might be able to catch our breath, another wave hit us.

Lets put it this way. Even when we did something positive, like replacing the exterior of our home, it poured rain and the basement flooded.

My friends shook their heads in compassion and said, Next year just has to be better for you.

They were right. 2016 was much better.

Last week as I listened to my co-worker describe his journey, I empathized with his struggle.

Im not the same person you knew from years ago, he said.

When we go through life-changing challenges, none of us remains the same, I said. We emerge as different people, many times even stronger!

It sure didnt feel like it at the time, but amid my own sorrow, I actually grew. I learned that when hard times come, you must make decisions about what really matters to you.

Have hope, I told my friend. It will get better. Look ahead to the new year.

Jan. 1 is often a time of reflection and resolution. Theres a sense of optimism in the air.

Sure, our heads may tell us turning the calendar page from one year to the next is merely the difference of one day. But our hearts tell us the New Year is a time of renewal and hope. It is the fresh start we sometimes long for and a chance to hit the reset button on our lives.

On Dec. 31, 2015, I wearily dragged myself across a mental finish line, feeling bruised and beaten. Unlike previous years, I did not make any New Years resolutions.

I thought of my great-aunt Josie, who always had a patient ear and sage advice. A positive and optimistic person, she was the embodiment of hope. In fact, she was born on New Years Day.

When I was a young adult filled with drama and angst, Josie would listen to my cares. Then shed stroke my face and say, Life is good. Slow down. Just coast for a while.

Last Dec. 31 I wrote in my journal, No resolutions; just coast.

Throughout the year, my family began to recover. We passed the first birthday, the first holidays without our lost loved ones and time began its healing. The cloud that seemed to hang over our days lifted, and the sun returned.

On this New Years Eve I offer those who are suffering a reminder of hope. Both joy and pain are temporary. Sorrow, too, shall pass.

Not long ago, a friend sent a comforting note and tucked inside was a quote from Helen Keller. Its now posted on my bulletin board: "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it."

Happy New Year. May 2017 be happy and healthy for you, dear readers.
BLOOMINGTON  An assistant professor at Illinois Wesleyan University asked that his arraignment on weapons charges be delayed Friday until he can hire a private attorney.

Darryl L. Brown, 51, is accused of firing 13 shots into the doorknob of a bedroom where a woman and three children were hiding during a Dec. 11 dispute at his Bloomington home.

During a brief court appearance, Brown told Judge Casey Costigan that he intends to hire private counsel before his next court appearance on Jan. 13. Brown declined the services of the McLean County Public Defender's office.

He faces charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm and endangering the life of a child.

According to authorities, Brown was drinking heavily in the hours before the incident at his home on Downing Circle and became upset with a comment the woman made while watching a movie.

The argument became heated after Brown returned from buying more alcohol and found the house locked. He threatened suicide-by-cop and broke into the house where he found the woman and three chailren  ages 2 through 7  hiding in a bedroom, said police.

Previously, State's Attorney Jason Chambers said Brown fired 13 shots into the doorknob of the bedroom. He told police he shot the doorknob because he knew no one was directly behind the door, said the prosecutor.

At a previous hearing where Brown was told he must post $30,035 to be released, he told a judge he was on unpaid leave from IWU where he is an assistant professor of accounting and financial services. The university has declined to disclose the reasons for Brown's leave or his status with IWU.
When Cindy Hunter received her Medicare card in the mail last spring, she said she didnt know a lot about Medicare. She and her husband, retired teachers who live in a Philadelphia suburb, decided she didnt need it because she shared his retiree health insurance, which covered her treatment for ovarian cancer.

We were so thankful we had good insurance, she said. So she sent back the card, telling officials she would keep Medicare Part A, which is free for most older or disabled Americans and covers hospitalization, some nursing home stays and home health care. But she turned down Part B, which covers doctor visits and other outpatient care and comes with a monthly premium charge. A new Medicare card arrived that says she only has Part A.

When Stan Withers left a job at a medical device company to become vice president of a small start-up near Sacramento, Calif., he took his health insurance with him. Under a federal law known as COBRA, he paid the full cost to continue his coverage from his previous employer. A few years earlier, when he turned 65, he signed up for Medicares Part A. With the addition of a COBRA plan, he thought he didnt need Medicare Part B.

Hunter and Withers now know they were wrong and are stuck with medical bills their insurance wont cover. Hunter called it an honest mistake and said there was nothing in the written materials she and her husband received indicating that if they had Medicare Part A, his retiree coverage could not replace Medicare Part B. Withers had no idea he made a bad choice.

Thousands of seniors unwittingly make similar mistakes every year, believing that because they have some type of health insurance, they dont have to worry about signing up for Medicare Part B. Generally, insurance other than that provided by a current employer will not exempt them from Medicares strict enrollment requirements. Seniors advocates and some members of Congress want to fix the problem, backed by a broad, unlikely group of unions, health insurers, patient organizations, health care providers and even eight former Medicare administrators.

Medicares Part B enrollment rules havent changed since the program was created in 1965. Seniors can enroll only when they first become eligible  usually three months before and after the month they turn 65  or when their job-based insurance ends. If they miss this opportunity, they have to wait until the months of January through March to enroll and then coverage only begins July 1. Most wont be allowed to buy any other health insurance policy during that time.

And if they delay signing up for 12 or more months after becoming eligible, many will be hit with a permanent penalty added to their Part B monthly premium. In 2014, about 750,000 beneficiaries paid late penalties, raising their Part B premiums an average of 29 percent, according to the Congressional Research Service.

The rules have not changed, but our lives have, said Joe Baker, president of the Medicare Rights Center, an advocacy group that is leading the effort to update the enrollment process. When Medicare began, the government wanted seniors, especially younger and healthier people, to sign up quickly and so the deadlines and late penalties were incentives to get them in the program.

But these days more seniors work past the Medicare eligibility age, get health insurance through their employer or their spouses, or have coverage through the health insurance marketplaces, Baker said. The problem isnt that people are going without insurance. The confusion that we really see is with how Medicare interacts with other insurance coverage, he said.

Hunter, 62, became eligible for Medicare earlier than 65 because she gets Social Security disability benefits. Shes receiving two chemotherapy drugs to control a second reoccurrence of ovarian cancer. This fall, her oncologists office told her theres something going on with your insurance, she recalled. After many calls to her husbands retiree plan, Social Security, Medicare and even her congressman, she learned that her insurance would only pay a share of the bills for her cancer treatment after deducting the amount the insurer said was Medicares responsibility. But Medicare isnt paying because I dont have Part B, she said. So Hunter is probably responsible for that portion.

Withers thought the health plan he purchased through his old employer would count as job-based coverage, but COBRA is not a substitute for Medicare Part B, a point no one mentioned when he submitted his paperwork. He should have signed up for Part B when he left his previous job.

How could there be a rule that no one knows about? Withers asked.

In addition, the private plan has refused to pay thousands of dollars in medical bills because the company argued that he should have had Part B and those are Medicares responsibility.

Confusion over COBRA is just one of many reasons that people miss their opportunity to enroll in Part B. Others think, incorrectly, that getting Veterans Health Administration benefits, job-based health insurance from a company with less than 20 workers, retiree coverage from a former employer, or coverage from the health laws insurance marketplace exempts them from Part Bs lifetime late penalties and waiting periods with no insurance.

To help seniors avoid such mistakes, bipartisan legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate that would allow people who miss their initial Part B enrollment deadline to sign up in the fall, when millions of seniors already in Medicare are choosing private drug or medical policies. Part B coverage would begin the month after they enroll, said Stacy Sanders, federal policy director at the Medicare Rights Center. It would also allow most people who enroll late to apply for retroactive coverage to their initial eligibility date and request a waiver of the late penalties if they can prove they were misled by an employer, health plan, insurance broker or state official (currently, an exemption may be based only on misinformation from a federal government representative).

Because I didnt ask Social Security and they didnt give me the wrong information, there was nothing they could do, Hunter said. They said if they had given me the wrong information, they might be able to do something.

Seniors shouldnt face penalties or gaps in their Part B coverage simply due to bureaucratic snafu, said Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., who co-sponsored the House bill. Ive had seniors contact my office and say they simply had no idea of existing deadlines  or that they faced penalties down the road for missing them.

The legislation also would require Medicare officials to notify all Americans prior to their 65th birthday about signing up for Medicare. Currently, the federal government and some states notify only those 64-year-olds who have health insurance though the Affordable Care Acts marketplaces.

Although the bill appears unlikely to see action before the end of the current congressional session, Meehan said he will reintroduce it in 2017.

Getting an official government notice before turning 65 explaining when to sign up for Part B would absolutely help, said Withers. There should be something that tells people what they need to do.
Madison Paper Industries Mill Assets Sold to Investor Group Joint venture of New Mill Capital Holdings, Perry Videx, and Infinity Asset Solutions will look to repurpose the mill site for alternative uses. Dec. 30, 2016 - A Joint Venture of New Mill Capital Holdings of New York, Perry Videx of Hainesport, New Jersey and Infinity Asset Solutions of Toronto has acquired the mill assets of Madison Paper Industries from UPM-Kymmene Inc. and Northern SC Paper Corp. The acquisition includes the real estate of the main paper mill site as well as all mill equipment. "We are excited to be the new owners of the Madison mill and look forward to working with local and state officials to identify new uses for the mill site," said Gregory Schain, Principal of New Mill Capital Holdings. "Bringing new economic life to the property is a key component to this investment for us, and we feel the site's ample infrastructure and the strong area labor force will be attractive for new industries." In mid- March of 2016, UPM announced the end of its partnership with Northern SC Paper Corp. and as a result, the partnership's paper business  Madison Paper Industries  would close by the end of May at the latest. Production of paper at the mill ceased on May 21. The closure reduced UPM's capacity of supercalendered (SC) paper in the U.S. by 195,000 tons. The mill employed 214 people. The new owners plan to sell certain mill assets that are no longer usable on the property, as well as demolish some structures that are obsolete. Once that process is complete, the property will be remarketed for alternative industrial uses. Given the site's abundant supply of both power and natural gas, as well as a clear height of over 50 feet, the property is a uniquely attractive asset for a variety of heavy industries. Our joint venture specializes in sales and partnerships that put idled industrial assets back to productive use, and that will be our primary focus here as well, said Leslie Amoils, President of Infinity Asset Solutions. Because most of the mill was built in 1980, both the buildings and equipment assets are among the newest of any shuttered paper mill in the Northeast, added David Goodman, Executive Vice President of Perry Videx. Additionally, they have been maintained extremely well over the years. The transaction closed on December 29, 2016, for an undisclosed price. New Mill Capital provides comprehensive asset solutions for the industrial marketplace. Primary services include turnkey acquisitions of closed industrial plants, industrial redevelopment and value-add real estate acquisitions, equipment liquidation and monetization, webcast and online auctions, and traditional sales transactions. SOURCE: New Mill Capital Holdings, and UPM-Kymmene See related story:

 UPM to Close Madison Paper Industries in Maine by End-May (March 16, 2016)
Billie Lourd has been honoring her iconic mother Carrie Fisher the TV series "Scream Queens," which airs via Fox. There's a special reason why her character, Chanel 3, always wore ear muffs in nearly every episode.

The actress said that she saw the ear muffs during the cast's fitting sessions and no one from the other actresses she worked with chose the pieces for their wardrobe. But she "gravitated" towards it and felt like she was destined to wear the accessories. It reminded her of the famous hairstyle her mom had on "Star Wars" as Princess Leia.

"They are a little bit of a Princess Leia homage," Billie Lourd said about the ear muffs, according to People. From then on, the pieces belonged to Chanel 3's wardrobe and became her tribute to her mother.

Chanel #3 is ready to slay tomorrow on a brand new #ScreamQueens! A photo posted by Scream Queens (@screamqueensfox) on Dec 12, 2016 at 11:01am PST

The 24-year-old budding actress is very close to Carrie Fisher. Her proud mother would always share photos of the two of them or sing praises for her daughter's work on her Twitter.

Billie Lourd is Carrie Fisher's only daughter from her partnership with celebrity agent Bryan Lourd. They were together from 1991 to 1994. Though christened as Catherine, Billie eventually earned her nickname as a testament to her mother's nature.

"She raised me to not think of men and women as different," the young actress said in an interview with Teen Vogue. "She raised me without gender."

Billie Lourd is also close to her grandmother, Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher's mother. She told People in a separate interview that the old Hollywood royalty is a fan of her show. "She loves the costumes. [She's] obsessed with fur and ear muffs and all of that," Billie Lourd revealed.

The young star lives in the same compound as her mother and grandmother. The deaths of Carrie Fisher on Tuesday, Dec. 27, and Debbie Reynolds the following day, might have shaken the world but it doesn't compare to the loss that Billie Lourd could be experiencing at this moment.

But her uncle, Todd Fisher, believes that Billie Lourd will be alright. "She's handling this with amazing strength," Fisher told New York Daily News.
Depression can be a debilitating illness but researchers have discovered that a simple heart-to-heart talk between those suffering from depression and "grandmothers" through the so-called "Friendship Bench" could ease the effects of the mental disorder. The study, which involved "grandmothers" or trained medical workers, could make a big difference in the millions of Africans suffering from depression.

A result of the study published in JAMA shows that those who suffered from depression have shown lesser chances of exhibiting depression symptoms, anxiety as well as suicidal thoughts after they took part in six therapy sessions for problem-solving. Around 86 percent of the participants were women, 40 percent of whom are positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and 70 percent have suffered from illness and domestic violence.

The program called "Friendship Bench," according to Fox News, has already helped in the treatment of 27,500 people found in over 72 clinics all over the country. With the program's success, they are eyeing its expansion in Africa's sub-Saharan areas where people are suffering from the burden of common mental disorders.

"In many parts of Africa, if you are poor and mentally ill, your chances of getting adequate treatment are close to zero," said Dr. Karlee Silver of Grand Challenges Canada. US News said the study shows that the country only has 25 psychologists and psychiatrists despite the fact that 25 percent of those in Zimbabwe suffer from depression. The therapy offered by the Canadian government-funded "Friendship Bench" program has been effective in the treatment of common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Psych Central said the patients were given either the standard care and the "Friendship Bench" program. The study showed that 48 percent of those under standard care still showed depression symptoms compared to only 12 percent of those under the Friendship Bench program exhibiting the same symptoms.


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DECATUR  Ten-year-old Hunter Sekosky of Decatur was correct when he said examining the leaves is one way to identify a tree.

The trouble is, most of them are on the ground this time of year, brown and decaying underfoot.

So Richie Wolf, manager of the Rock Springs Nature Center, directed the gaze of Hunter and five other boys in his charge a bit higher and asked them to hold their arms out to their sides.

Your arms come out opposite of each other, don't they? This tree is one of the few that has branches that grow the same way, he said. It's a maple, specifically a sugar maple.

That was but one of many lessons learned by a half-dozen Webelos Cub Scouts on their way to earning their Into the Woods pin Thursday afternoon at Rock Springs.

They also learned that the white pine is the only evergreen in Illinois that has five needles per bundle and the hackberry and shagbark hickory have distinctive-looking bark, the former's featuring bumps and the latter's appearing to peel away the older the tree gets.

Finally, the Webelos learned how animals and humans use each tree.

People used to use the sassafras tree to make root beer, said Brycen Smith, 9, of Decatur. Hunter, meanwhile, knew that wood from a shagbark hickory is so strong, it's used in making tool handles.

Waving a roll of toilet paper, Wolf said Thursday's workshop would cover what common household items are made out of wood.

Other native plants and some that are not native to Central Illinois were also part of the curriculum.

Native trees and plants belong here and have always been here, but non-native trees and plants don't really belong here, Wolf said. They were brought here from another part of the world.

Native plants the group encountered outside included goldenrod, grape and raspberry vines and poison ivy. A plentiful nonnative species they encountered was bush honeysuckle.

Other boys who participated in Thursday's workshop included Dominick Belmontes and Gabriel Craycroft, both 10 and from Decatur, and Zander Cicenas, 9, of Clinton.

The activity the boys seemed to enjoy most was tossing handfuls of little bluestem grass seed around a stand of native prairie near the pine forest. We're going to 'broadcast' the seeds by hand, Wolf explained.

Robbie Collins, 10, of Decatur chased each of his tosses with an exuberant Yessss! before bounding back to Wolfe for more seed.
Local Mormons plan PR blitz to counter savage musical

Peter Meurs higher calling with Mormons

You may or may not have a difficult time accessing this second article, which is about Elder Peter Meurs, an extraordinarily successful Australian engineer and businessman who was sustained as a General Authority in April 2016. I was able to read it myself without any problem once or twice, but, for some reason, cannot now. But you might give it a shot. (Also see this little sketch.) Elder Meurs is a remarkably accomplished man who, with his wife, has made real sacrifices to serve.

For what little its worth, I stayed at the home of Brother and Sister Meurs during my first lecture tour in Australia and New Zealand, when he was serving as a stake president in Perth, Western Australia. They were remarkably hospitable. Good people.

I get a kick out of claims, by critics, that the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are in it for money and power.

(Incidentally, one of the Saints in Perth told me that its the furthest inhabited place on Earth from Church headquarters. If you go any further, youre getting closer. I havent checked that, but they also say that, while Perth isnt at the ends of the Earth, you can see the ends of the Earth from it.)

Posted from Carlsbad, California
Moses and Aaron with the Ten Commandments: Creechurch Lane Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue, London (1674), painted by Aron de Chaves [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]

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(9-4-04)

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This is a critique of an anti-Catholic article, entitled, Catholic Religion Purposely takes out one of Gods Ten Commandments. It listed alternate numbering of the Ten Commandments as follows:

First Commandment [Catholic]

I, the LORD, am your GodYou shall not have other gods besides me.



First Commandment [KJV]

I am the LORD thy GodThou shalt have no other gods before me.



Second Commandment [Catholic]

You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain.



Second Commandment [KJV]

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them. [bolding in original]



Third Commandment [Catholic]

Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.



Third Commandment [KJV]

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.



Fourth Commandment [Catholic]

Honor your father and your mother.



Fourth Commandment [KJV]

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.



Fifth Commandment [Catholic]

You shall not kill.



Fifth Commandment [KJV]

Honor thy father and thy mother.



Sixth Commandment [Catholic]

You shall not commit adultery.



Sixth Commandment [KJV]

Thou shalt not kill.



Seventh Commandment [Catholic]

You shall not steal.



Seventh Commandment [KJV]

Thou shalt not commit adultery.



Eighth Commandment [Catholic]

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.



Eighth Commandment [KJV]

Thou shalt not steal.



Ninth Commandment [Catholic]

You shall not covet your neighbors wife.



Ninth Commandment [KJV]

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.



Tenth Commandment [Catholic]

You shall not covet your neighbors house.



Tenth Commandment [KJV]

Thou shalt not covet.

I found the following information by simple recourse of a fifteen-minute perusal of my own library.

First of all, lets get one thing straight right out of the starting-gate: the Bible itself does not lay out with precision, the numbering of the Commandments. In fact, it does not do so at all. The set is indeed referred to as ten (Ex 34:28, Deut 4:13, 10:4), but the exact numbering is not given in the two slightly different versions of it recorded in the Bible (Ex 20:2-17 and Deut 5:6-21; see also an expanded elaboration of the principles in Ex 34:11-28). This is as true of the King James Version as of any other. Therefore, no one has any license to be dogmatic about the exact numbering and division, based on the Bible alone  let alone to make a charge of dishonesty and removal.

This being the case, Christian groups have differed through the centuries, as to numbering. This is no Catholic conspiracy. Thus, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2nd ed., edited by F. L. Cross and E. A. Livingstone, Oxford University Press, 1983, Commandments, The Ten, 318-319), notes:

. . . in the prohibition of covetousness, Ex. classes a mans wife with his other domestic property, whereas Deut. treats her separately.

. . . There is a difference in the enumeration in the different Churches. In the C of E [Church of England] as well as in the Greek and the Reformed (Calvinist and Zwinglian) Churches the prohibitions relating to false worship are reckoned as two, whereas the RC Church and the Lutherans count them as one. Thus the enumeration of the subsequent Commandments differs, e.g., the fourth (Anglican, etc.) Commandment on the sanctification of the Sabbath is reckoned as the third by those following the RC method. The number ten is made up by splitting up the last Commandment forbidding covetousness into two.

So immediately we find that Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism, and the Lutherans (no Catholics, they) are in on the Romish conspiracy to subvert the Ten Commandments. That makes the elegant anti-Catholic conspiratorialism not quite as simple and straightforward as is made out.

The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary (edited by Allen C. Myers, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1987)  also no organ of the Catholic Church , in its article on the Commandments (p. 993), concurs:

At what points the Decalog is to be divided into precisely ten commandments has long been a matter of disagreement (e.g., some traditions regard v. 2 as the first commandment, combining vv. 3 and 4-6; others take vv. 3-6 as the first and divide v. 17 into two commandments). Debate also focuses on just where to divide the commandments into two tables (cf. 32:15; 34:4,28; Deut 4:13) . . .

The Protestant New International Dictionary of the Christian Church (edited by J. D. Douglas, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, rev. ed., 1978, 243) sheds further light on the differences in enumeration:

The Talmudic tradition held that the commandments against idolatry and the forbidding of images formed one long, indivisible unit. Augustine, who was followed by the Roman and Lutheran traditions, accepted this suggestion and found two commandments under the rubric thou shalt not covet. A further tradition, following the lead of Origen, separated the commandment against images from that against idolatry; this is the view of Calvin and the Reformed tradition.

(cf. #2066 in Catechism of the Catholic Church)

Ah; how the plot thickens now! Or, rather, how many unanswered questions arise! The great St. Augustine: practically the patron saint of all Protestants, now has espoused (and it looks like he actually originated) the great plot to change the Commandments, so as to allow idolatry to flourish in Catholic ranks. The anti-Catholic choices here reduce to only a very few:

1. Boot St. Augustine out of the pantheon of Protestant heroes, due to his joining in the wicked conspiracy (or at the very least, include him, when making the condemnation).

2. Admit that he started this, but that the theory itself is bogus, and drop the charge altogether.

3. Claim that he was hypnotized by evil Romish priests and wrote what he did under compulsion; it wasnt his true view on the subject.

Of course, the same would apply to Martin Luther and Lutherans to this day, which creates even more obviously thorny problems for a Protestant making this (ridiculous) charge. Another absurdity derives from the fact that the Orthodox follow the non-Lutheran Protestant enumeration, yet they fully accept veneration of images, just as Catholics do. So they apparently missed the trick that the Catholics devised, to hide their devious practices. Luther was against such veneration (in the main), yet followed the Catholic tradition on this score. Go figure.

Thus in his famous Large Catechism (my version is from Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1935), Luthers numbering (like Augustines before him) is precisely that of the Catholic Church. The relevant section can be found on pages 44-112. The Small Catechism is the same. Both are normative for Lutherans; they are included in the confessional Book of Concord (1580). The First Commandment is written in these works as: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. The Second Commandment is listed as: Thous shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain (pp. 44, 53 of Luthers Large Catechism). Anti-Catholicism always involves this sort of outrageous double standards and hiding of the full truth of the matter.

The claim is that Catholics deleted the Commandment about graven images and idols. But this is understood (by Augustine, Luther, and Catholics) as included within the first commandment. Its not excluded. There is merely a shorthand to remember the first commandment, in the shorter version, just as Thou shalt not covet in the non-Lutheran Protestant versions is shorthand for the longer, more explicit biblical version.

There is no subterfuge here at all. We can go back to the 16th-century Catechism of the Council of Trent to prove this (my version is translated by John A. McHugh and Charles J. Callan, published in New York by Joseph F. Wagner; second revised edition, 1923). Part III, the section on The Decalogue, runs from pages 357-477. On page 366 The First Commandment is written out in a very long form: it covers the entirety of Exodus 20:2-6. This is quite strange if the Council of Trent was in on this conspiracy to keep the Catholic unwashed, ignorant masses ignorant of the basic theology of monotheism and prohibition of idolatry. Didnt they know that the Catholic Church was supposed to kill people with Bibles? This great Catechism explains the rationale for the numbering of the Catholic First Commandment:

Some, supposing these words which come next in order to constitute a distinct precept, reduce the ninth and tenth Commandments to one. St. Augustine, on the contrary, considering the last two to be distinct Commandments, makes the words just quoted [Ex 20:4-5a, or the non-Lutheran Protestant 2nd Commandment] a part of the First Commandment [Super Exod. quaest. 71, and in Ps. xxxii, serm. ii]. His division is much approved in the Church, and hence we willingly adopt it. Furthermore, a very good reason for this arrangement at once suggests itself. It was fitting that to the first Commandment should be added the rewards or punishments entailed by each one of the Commandments. (p. 373)

Augustines (and the Catholic) outlook is not quite the reason that the anti-Catholic authors of this hit piece would have us believe (deceit, deception, etc.) . . .

Likewise, the recent Catechism of the Catholic Church, in listing the First Commandment (#2083; cf. #2128-2132) incorporates Exodus 20:2-5a (including the graven image material). So we see that the writers of this hugely influential work are in the dark as to the conspiracy supposedly at play here to suppress one of the Commandments.

We can even go back to St. Thomas Aquinas, in the 13th century. His catechism has the long version of the First Commandment [see link to the left and further elaboration by St. Thomas]. Here is an objective look at the differences, without the silly polemics and charges of dishonesty.

The entire theory is ludicrous. This is some of the most ridiculous reasoning Ive ever seen, even by rock-bottom anti-Catholic standards of scholarship and fairness.

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Practical Matters: Perhaps some of my 3,900+ free online articles (the most comprehensive one-stop Catholic apologetics site) or fifty books have helped you (by Gods grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church , or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them.

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Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist , and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.
2016. What a year! There were moments when I felt blogging was the only way I could pour out my distress and anger at what I saw happening around me, and other moments when I wanted to close my computer and turn off the internet forever.

Below are my top ten most-read posts of 2016, in reverse order. Most were written in 2016, but a few are old favorites from past years that continue to be widely read.

1o. Women Are Already Being Prosecuted for Having Abortions. This is a very, very serious problem, and one we need to draw more attention to.

9. Norways Bodnariu Children Removed over Child Abuse, Not Christian Indoctrination. This story has a lot to tell us about the maintenance of the evangelical persecution narrative and the creation of internet myths.

8. Christian Homeschool Leader Announces Conference for Arranging Child Marriages. Why are some conservative religious communities so fixated on marrying off their children at a young age? The answer isnt pretty.

7. What No One Said about Rey (Star Wars Spoilers!). Last years Star Wars reboot reflected interesting changes in the public performance of gender.

6. The Problem with Gender Roles. That this post from 2011 has become a time-tested favorite continues to surprise me, but it has become a staple nonetheless.

5. Nagmeh Abedini, Franklin Graham, and the Silencing of Evangelical Abuse Victims. I found this story profoundly troubling when it surfaced last year, and Im glad it gained attention. Unfortunately, the leadership refuses to budge.

4. How I Lost Faith in the Pro-Life Movement. This 2011 post is my all-time most read post, and its just as relevant today as it was five years ago.

3. No, Minecraft Does Not Have a Sex Mod. This was one internet rumor I couldnt not rebut. I absolutely abhor misinformation.

2. This Pro-Life Simone Biles Meme Gets It All Wrong. I wish those in the pro-life movementwould put real effort into improving the lives of children.

1. Josh Harris Apologizes. Unfortunately, the famous purity culture advocates apology still leaves much to be desired.

What will 2017 bring? If the same writers are in charge of 2017 that wrote 2016, things could get only worse. But I refuse to be so pessimistic. This election brought out a lot of ugliness, but it also woke a lot of people up to the continuing problems our country faces. Along with the hatred, I saw renewed support for womens rights and immigrant rights, refugee advocacy and religious minorities. All is not over.

If Obama was A New Hope and Trump is The Empire Strikes Back, we need to organize and prepare the way for The Return of the Jedi.

Heres to many new posts in 2017!

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News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
Iranian Lawmaker Warns About Hunger Striker's Condition

12/31/16

Source: RFE/RL

An Iranian lawmaker has warned the government that a prominent jailed dissident is in serious condition on a hunger strike and should be released. Reformist parliamentarian Elias Hazrati wrote to Judiciary chief Sadeq Larijani that Arash Sadeghi is in critical condition after going 70 days without food and that his death could result in "serious" political consequences for Iran, the ISNA agency reported on December 31.





Arash Sadeghi (left) and Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee





Sadeghi began the hunger strike to protest the prosecution of his wife, Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, who was arrested on October 24 for writing a fictional story about a stoning in Iran after a man burns a Koran. The story was never published.



She was convicted of "insulting Islamic sanctities" and spreading propaganda.



"Two prisoners are currently risking their lives in protest of the status quo [in Iran]," wrote Hazrati, who is also a journalist.



Amnesty International called her trial "grossly unfair."



Thousands of Iranians and many reformist lawmakers and activists on social media have called for the two to be released.



Sadeghi was arrested on June 7 for "assembly and collusion against national security."



He later received a 19-year prison sentence for "endangering national security and disseminating propaganda."



Sadeghi has been compared to prominent Northern Irish hunger striker Bobby Sands, who died while on a hunger strike in 1981.



Based on reporting by dpa, ISNA, and dailydot.com
Two people were arrested then cited after sheriffs officials say they unwittingly sold illegal fireworks to deputies in Moreno Valley in two separate incidents on Thursday.

Raul Rosas of Perris and Sean Romero of Moreno Valley were both issued citations after they sold the items, according to a Riverside County sheriffs news release.

The busts were part of an effort to cut down on illegal fireworks by the deputies in Moreno Valley, according to officials.

Deputies searched social media postings and found several instances of people selling the illegal items.

After arrangements were made, fireworks were purchased from both Rosas and Romero in different parts of the city.

Uniformed deputies arrested the men in both cases after the purchases were made.

Law enforcement agencies in the region have been encouraging members of the public to enjoy New Years Eve in a way that doesnt affect the safety of others.

That means not shooting firearms, launching illegal fireworks or drinking and driving.

Sheriffs officials are asking anyone with information about illegal fireworks in the city to contact the Moreno Valley station at 951-486-6700 or the watch commander at 951-247-8700

Contact the writer: 951-368-9693, agroves@scng.com or @AlexDGroves on Twitter.
It was a year that saw Coronageddon and the culmination of a yearslong tussle over control of an airport.

As 2016 gives way to what many hope will be a brighter year, Inland residents can look forward to the completion of a monstrous highway project and, perhaps, more flying options.

But huge decisions remain as cities struggle to maintain an appropriate level of police and fire protection amid sharply rising costs.

91 transformation in Corona nearly done

The story: Were nearing completion of the three-year, $1.4 billion project transforming the 91 in Corona into a web of sweeping bridges, freeway decks and toll lanes. Hoping to ease the crush of traffic on the crucial artery linking Orange County and the Inland area, the Riverside County Transportation Commission launched the project in early 2014. In February, the freeway closed for 55 hours in what was dubbed by some as Coronageddon.

What could happen in 2017: Construction is expected to focus on the flyover connector linking the eastbound 91 tolled express lanes with southbound I-15 and the area around Main Street. The new and improved 91 should open by late spring.

Why it matters: The 91 is one of Southern Californias most congested freeways and the route many Inland commuters travel to jobs in Orange and Los Angeles counties. Traffic volume continues to swell as the Inland population grows.

Quote: When you drive out there right now, you can definitely see the overall size and scope of (the project), said John Standiford, the commissions deputy executive director.

Ontario airports new chapter

The story: Capping a bitter, yearslong legal and very public battle between Inland officials and Los Angeles over control of struggling Ontario International Airport, L.A. formally transferred ownership to the Ontario International Airport Authority in November.

What could happen in 2017: Existing airlines could expand service, and those that dont fly out of Ontario could start doing so. Progress is expected in crafting a master plan for 700 acres of undeveloped property, which could boost non-aviation revenue.

Why it matters: Increasing non-aviation revenue could lead to lower fees for airlines, which could lower air fares. For years, Inland passengers have bypassed Ontario in favor of airports with cheaper fares.

Quote: Passengers are looking for increased flights, especially direct flights. And its our goal to provide that, authority President Alan Wapner said.

Sales taxes rising

The story: Four Riverside County cities struggling financially or expecting to down the road persuaded voters in November to OK 1-cent sales tax increases. One was Menifee, which has worked to make ends meet since a legislative maneuver several years ago siphoned away money.

What could happen in 2017: The sales tax rate in Hemet, Menifee, Riverside and Temecula will go from 7.75 percent to 8.75 percent on April 1. Neil Winter, Menifees mayor, said his citys sales tax increase will generate $7 million a year and more than make up for its annual $4.2 million loss from the legislative maneuver. The four cities each intend to pump money into public safety but also could spend more on streets.

Why it matters: Police and fire protection budgets could be more stable. Shopping will become more expensive in Hemet, Menifee, Riverside and Temecula, but officials insist shoppers wont flee to neighboring cities.

Quote: Nobody who comes here for tourism is going to give that even a second thought, Temecula Councilman Mike Naggar said.

Paying for fire protection

The story: Soaring costs for fire protection are making it difficult for Riverside County cities, especially smaller ones that contract with the county fire agency, to balance budgets. In Canyon Lake, the problem closed the citys only fire station. In San Jacinto, officials are exploring options. Calimesa may end its relationship with the Riverside County Fire Department and CalFire and set up its own department.

What could happen in 2017: San Jacinto and Calimesa could decide on the future of fire service. Canyon Lake could reopen its fire station.

Why it matters: The level of fire protection could be at stake.

Quote: Were dealing, just like a lot of cities, with the fact that every year our costs go up, San Jacinto Mayor Scott Miller said.

Bye to bankruptcy

The story: San Bernardino got approval from a judge to move forward from a lengthy bankruptcy. Officials took steps to place the city on stronger financial footing. It cut deals with unions to save $100 million-plus, contracted for services once handled by city employees and hired a fire district to take over fire protection.

What could happen in 2017: In December, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Jury cleared the way for a bankruptcy exit, expected in March.

Why it matters: Bankruptcy has crippled the city since July 2012.

Quote: The city is poised and setting the stage for quite a bit of continued growth and improvements for 2017, Mayor Carey Davis said.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9699 or ddowney@scng.comTwitter: PE_DavidDowney

http://www.pressenterprise.com/articles/bankruptcy-820287-exit-bernardino.html
UPDATE: A previous version of this story directed people to donate to the fire victims through the Red Cross.

Three weeks after a Riverside high-rise fire forced nearly 200 elderly residents to evacuate in the middle of the night, some have not yet returned and fear theyve lost everything.

An 89-year-old WWII vet who is a diabetic double amputee remains hospitalized after sitting in his wheelchair in a Riverside motel room for four days after the fire. He could not get out of the chair to get food, use the bathroom or clean himself.

Veteran K. Wallace Wally Longshore and 19 other seniors were displaced by a Dec. 8 fire that heavily damaged the 10th floor of Mount Rubidoux Manor, the citys tallest building.

Manor management dropped Longshore off at the motel, said American Red Cross spokesman Tony Briggs.

He could have sat in that room and died. Very easily, said his sister, Peggy Vonk, 82, of Green Valley, Ariz. The more I talk about it, the more furious I get.

The 16-story building for low-income seniors and the disabled is owned by Riverside First Baptist Homes through First Baptist Church of Riverside, and managed by American Baptist Homes of the Wests Beacon Communities.

Manor Administrator Don King and Beacon Communities could not be reached for comment Friday. King was off-site working on special projects, the manor receptionist said.

Fire officials said flames broke out before 12:30 a.m. Dec. 8 when a woman using an oxygen tank and smoking in bed dropped a cigarette that then hit an oxygen hose.

Longshore and the rest of the displaced residents havent been able to return to their apartments to retrieve belongings, said Nancy Hatzidakis, casework lead for Riverside County American Red Cross.

Longshore and his sister cant get in to get his glasses, checkbook or a check that must be deposited.

Josette Alexander, 82, said Dec. 16 she was without her glasses, teeth and clothing, forced to even borrow underwear.

On Wednesday, Dec. 28, Georgia Ferguson sat on a motel bed wearing the same nightgown she wore when she fled the smoke and fire and said she has no way to know if anything is salvageable in her apartment, which was directly across from where the fire broke out.

Whatever was in my apartment is probably all smoke-damaged, said Ferguson, 86, at the Comfort Inn. Nobody  absolutely no one  is allowed on that floor, from what I understand.

Remediation by management and testing must be done before residents would be allowed back, City Councilman Mike Gardner said.

The citys Building and Safety Division and Fire Prevention Bureau must do inspections before anyone could return, said Riverside Fire Prevention Bureau Division Chief Jennifer McDowell.

TOO WEAK TO HELP HIMSELF

Five firefighters and/or police officers carried Longshore down 10 stories during the manors evacuation.

The Red Cross gave Longshore and other displaced seniors emergency money to cover a two-night motel stay, food and other immediate needs. The manor paid for additional nights.

A lifelong environmentalist who served as Los Angeles Councilman Art Snyders press secretary, Longshore had no cell phone and was given a number to call the Red Cross later.

A Red Cross caseworker later went to the manor to inquire about the displaced residents and was told Longshore was being taken care of, Briggs said.

But Longshore was left sitting in his own waste without enough food at the Comfort Inn until Riverside fire paramedics transported him Dec. 12 to the Loma Linda Veterans Administration hospital, said Vonk by phone as she sat at the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County offices.

She was reunited with her brother Friday after she and her son, Ken Vonk, drove to Riverside and visited the housing council to talk with the agencys Executive Director Rose Mayes.

For two or three days, Longshore was in a motel room not equipped for the handicapped. He couldnt use the toilet or phone, get into bed or out the door to a restaurant. He was moved to a room for the disabled but was then too weak and immobile to care for himself, he said by phone Friday.

Motel staff brought him breakfast and helped him call his sister, but in his weakened state, he didnt tell her what was happening.

My mind didnt grasp the difficult problem I was involved in, Longshore said on Friday, Dec. 30. Any plans or ideas of what I should do were inadequate to meet my problem.

He later called for help from a manor caseworker. Shed visited him earlier at the motel, and King brought yogurt and soup, but Longshore said he couldnt get to the refrigerator to get it.

His blood sugar levels were out of control because he didnt eat, his sister said.

The caseworker saw Longshore had a bed sore from sitting in his wheelchair and called paramedics. He was at the hospital still recovering from the bed sore, weakness and sepsis Friday.

Vonk said shes working with the VA to get her veterans housing for her brother.

FEW RETURN TO MANOR

The 10th floor is un-occupiable. Damage was initially estimated at $1 million, but Beacon Communities spokesman James Park said no estimate was available.

About 185 residents escaped the fire  many with help from firefighters and police.

The woman whose cigarette started the Dec. 8 fire was hospitalized and two others were treated and released from a local hospital after all three suffered mild smoke inhalation.

The Fire Department sounded a general alarm, which is higher than a five-alarm fire, calling all Riverside firefighting apparatus except one fire truck because of the blazes threat to seniors and disabled people, Riversides Deputy Fire Chief La Wayne Hearn said.

A general alarm is the biggest we go in our city, said Hearn.

The woman who lived in the unit where the fire started isnt being allowed to return and was still in the hospital Dec. 16. She lost everything, including furniture and her electric wheelchair, said Hatzidakis of the Red Cross.

The fire was an accident. The woman wont be charged, Hearn said.

Smoke likely damaged other peoples belongings  especially clothing, furniture, bedding and towels, said McDowell.

Park said two residents returned to different manor units. Three will return next month. Seven are moving to other Beacon properties in Redlands. Eight moved in with family, he said.

Anyone who would like to donate to the Red Cross for disasters big or small can go to redcross.org/donate.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9444 or shurt@scng.com
Leo Coales business card speaks to the spirit happening at Reliance Church in Temecula: May all living things be happy and safe.

Coale; his wife, Joan; and about 10 other volunteers are doing their part to live up to the message with their weekly Sunday afternoon appointment to feed them and provide staples to the homeless.

About 25 clients, as Coale calls them, are gathered in the Canyon Lake Community Church sanctuary, dining on ham, green beans, potatoes, salad, rolls and cookies. Even appetizers  chips, salsa and fruitcake  are served.

The volunteers, known as The Brook, have been around about a decade helping the local homeless.

Its fashionable for groups to provide meals to the needy in the holiday season that is winding down. After this weekend, most folks retreat to their busy lifestyles of working, raising a family and making ends meet, letting the local needy slip from their thoughts. Isnt that a big-city problem?

The Coales are on the job year-round. Besides the regular Sunday meal, they serve bag lunches provided by St. Marthas Community Food Pantry in Murrieta at noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in Old Town Temecula.

Retired accountant Barbara Escalante of Murrieta is another regular volunteer. God sent us out, thats the only reason why, she says. Love the people. They need help.

Frank On-Eil Ray is one benefactor. He has been homeless six months and sleeps at a shelter in Temecula. Coale estimates there is a homeless population of about 100 in the city.

Ray, 53, calls himself a laborer as he rattles off his job skills. Hes been out of work about four months.

Life has its way down, he says. We all make mistakes. It just happens. It just happens.

He looks forward to the weekly meal at the church, as well as the short sermon before, this time from Bob Ritchie, a deacon at Reliance.

The homeless gather under a shade structure to listen. Theyre young and old, men and women, a diverse group. One man translates Ritchies words into Spanish. Several bikes are parked nearby, the only transportation for some.

I talked to two men who decline to give their names. Both are cordial and speak of how they just need a break to get back to where they were. One shows me the pickup truck he calls home.

Ritchie says his talks are designed to give support.

Our focus is on the people, the predicament that they are in, he says. Theyre just like all of us. These people just need somebody to give them hope.

Hope is in the meal in the sanctuary. Holiday music is played and volunteers serve food and sit with the homeless. Later, holiday bags with toiletries, socks, a grapefruit and other necessities are distributed.

Bins filled with clothes and shoes are available for anyone in need.

Nobody leaves hungry or naked, Leo Coale says with a smile.

As I walk to my car, I see a man leave on his bike. I catch up as I turn on Ynez Road to go to my big two-story house with too much stuff. The man, probably about my age, 58, heads another direction in more ways than one.

Contact the writer: carllove4@yahoo.com
Being accepted to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade is an arduous task, but Jeanne Candelario of Hemet got in with just a phone call.

Candelario and her family, who operate So Cal Mini Horse Sanctuary, came to the rescue of another miniature horse group when its animals became too ill to participate in the annual New Years parade.

Six of their horses will march Monday, Jan. 2 in Pasadena under the banner of Seven Oaks Farm Miniature Therapy Horses.

The Hamilton, Ohio-based group was accepted to participate in the parade, but as founder and president Lisa Moad was driving her horses across the country, they became ill and had to return home.

When Moad flew back to California and explained her dilemma, she was given 24 hours to find replacements.

Members of the parades equine committee gave her names of horse owners and she found Candelario, who was having dinner in Temecula when she received a call at 8 p.m. Dec. 23 asking if she had six parade-ready mini horses.

I said we do, she responded excitedly in recalling the conversation almost a week later.

The Candelarios horses even look similar to Moads, and the rose-strewn costumes will transfer easily.

Everything seemed to fall into place, said Moad, who wasnt going to settle for just any replacements.

This is who I am and this is on the world stage, she said. If I couldnt find horses equally trained as mine, it was a no-go.

The women called it serendipitous that they found each other, as the parades theme is Echoes of Success, which celebrates selfless contributions of others.

Its two teams coming together, Candelario said. Its our minis marching, but they did everything to make it come together.

Jeanne and Carlos Candelario and their oldest of three sons, Fabian, 17, will participate in the parade along with members of the Seven Oaks team.

The So Cal minis marched in the recent Temecula and Canyon Lake holiday parades, but have not done anything to the scale of the five-mile Rose parade route, where they will be No. 59 out of the 94 entries.

To get ready, the horses have been practicing all week.

The Candelarios use part of their sprawling ranch in northwest Hemet as So Cal Mini Horse Sanctuary, what Jeanne said is the largest mini horse rescue in the country.

Miniature horses are a specific breed and are not the same as a pony, which are larger. Mini horses stand in the range of 3 feet tall and weigh 200 to 250 pounds on average. They cannot be ridden, but can pull carriages.

So Cal Mini Horse Sanctuary houses 70 miniature horses and adopted out 50 this year. All were rescued from slaughter houses, auctions or poor conditions, Candelario said.

We love these little guys, she said. No one was rescuing these minis. This exists because there is too much breeding, too much neglect.

She called the effort, which the family operates with minimal donations, a labor of love.

Im so proud of these guys for what theyve been through and where theyre going, Candelario said.

Seven Oaks Farm Miniature Therapy Horses applied for entry into the parade about one year ago and was accepted in August. After filling out applications and other forms and designing costumes, a team of 30 people came to California to march or assist in the event, mostly at their own expense.

We were all excited and ready to go, Moad said Thursday. Its been a very long process.

The organization operates a number of therapy programs using the mini horses and also participates in community events in the Cincinnati area. Moad turned the trip into an outreach, making stops at childrens centers and military facilities along the route.

At some point, the horses contracted strangles, a contagious upper respiratory tract infection. So Moad drove the horses home  where she said they now are recuperating  and returned to California.

The illness is not related to the outbreak of the Equine Herpes virus in Los Angeles County, which forced the Tournament of Roses to cancel its annual horse show, EquestFest.

Both women hope to let people know about their programs through the parade, which is watched by millions around the world.

Mainly its to increase awareness of what a therapy horses is all about, Moad said. The goal and the theme of this years parade fit in so well.

Both also said donations and volunteers can help them expand their programs.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9086 or cshultz@scng.com
Three people, including an infant and a pregnant woman, suffered serious injuries Friday, Dec. 30, in a rollover crash near Blythe that prompted the shutdown of all eastbound lanes of I-10.

The crash, involving two vehicles, was reported at 12:33 p.m. west of Mesa Road, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department said.

The highway was closed so three medical helicopters could land on the freeway. All three patients were flown to hospitals; the infant went to a hospital in Arizona.
As the New Year is upon us, its time to reflect and formulate meaningful lists of goals for the coming months. Better habits often make up the list  less ice cream, more kale; less couch, more stairs; less computer, more face-to-face communication.

Read more novels, write poetry, or my personal suggestion: Dive into language. Not the language you speak everyday but a new language. Or if you speak a language other than English, teach that language  to a friend, your partner, your children. Make the learning or teaching into a journey, make it fun.

My fun journey started thirty years ago, when I married a Frenchman and moved to Paris. Though I had taken French in college, my rudimentary vocabulary was limited to the invention of such useful statements, as the cow in the field likes to roller-skate.

I could order a coffee with milk and ask for the bill. I could not, however, understand how much money I owed the waiter or how to make my way to the restroom from his directions.

I persevered. I spent a lot of time at the open-air markets shopping for food. My sentences became more complex, sometimes too complex and the shopkeeper might respond: Your French is not comprehensible (Read: You need to learn the subjunctive tense properly. Or he might say, American? Yes? We are so grateful for your help in the war. Or, American? Yes? You should be ashamed of your governments actions in the Middle-East. Off-putting as these exchanges seemed at the time, I loved language and experimenting with it.

When our children were born, my husband and I resolved that they would speak both French and English. The idea was simple, and with the oldest, easy. I spent the most time with her and English became her first language. My son, on the other hand, spoke better French than English from the start. Sometimes when I spoke to him in English, he answered in French  a hard-to-follow conversation for a bystander, to be sure.

It was hard work for me to keep up my English  I had to make sure that I was speaking properly, not falling into slang, shorthand grammar, or mixing the two languages into Fringlish lest my children develop bad habits. Again, I persevered. Eventually, both children grew up to be as good in one language as the other, and as an added bonus, both were able to learn third and fourth languages. Now that they are grown, they are making an effort to teach their children a language besides English.

I admit I fell into my language journey. I was interested in France, I married a Frenchman, I learned the language and taught my children. Though my path was a bit unusual, it seems to me that as our borders expand, the greatest gift one can give oneself and by extension ones children is the means to communicate with people in other cultures in other languages.

There are many good ways to start with such a language journey. A class at a local community college is one good way, and though classes can be intense and time consuming, the discipline can be motivating. There are radio stations that broadcast in slow Spanish, Italian, or French  with even a smattering of vocabulary, its amazing how much one can pick up. Of course, theres the omnipresent cell phone and a plethora of apps. I like Duolingo  its fun and simple and free.

Its a new year and time for challenge and expanding horizons beyond the myopic focus of the day-to-day. As I work on my list of goals for 2017, Ill be mindful of formulating an exercise plan, consuming a weekly ration of kale and limiting net surfing time, but Ill look forward to having some fun on a new language journey.

Charlotte Davidson has published poems and stories in various journals and anthologies including The Santa Monica Review, Faultline and Poemeleon.
In the past two years, 60 kids in the Jurupa Unified School District have benefited from a restorative justice program that gives kids a second chance through a jury of their peers.

Youth who have admitted their guilt in situations that may include disruption or defiance may have an opportunity to set things right. Referred offenders who otherwise would have been sentenced to juvenile hall or faced expulsion from school stand before a jury of six-eight middle school and high school students to explain their situation.

The jury asks the respondent questions about the incident, school attendance, grades and home environment. The students then deliberate and come back with a disposition to follow that may include apologies, community service, after-school programs and/or counseling.

WomanWonderWriters, one of the programs partners, then works with the child for the next three months to complete the conditions of the disposition. According to Debra Postil, deputy district attorney in the domestic violence unit and co-founder of WomenWonderWriters, the program has been a success.

What is great about the Jurupa court is that the kids are really empathetic and want to understand and get to the root of the problem, Postil said. Its one thing to hear it from adults or law enforcement and another to hear from your peers.

Youth who agree to be given a disposition also must agree to come back to serve on the jury along with student volunteers. The volunteers participate in training in which they work through hypothetical situations and learn critical thinking skills. They also work with an adult from the Riverside District Attorneys Office that participates as a judge, assisting and presiding over the proceedings.

The program ties well into the mission of WWW, which is dedicated to supporting juvenile justice and education systems with creative alternatives to suspension, expulsion and incarceration. Much of the programming involves using cultural arts.

One of these programs is The Write of Your L!fe. The 12-week program gives youth in juvenile hall the opportunity to express themselves creatively through journals, poetry writing, visual arts, team building and public speaking. The program graduated 147 students this year.

Postil stated that many students undergo a positive changes when they are able to express themselves and feel they have a voice. The program culminates with a published anthology that includes all of the participants work, and Postil is always amazed by the depth and quality of the writings. Many of the participants also go on to participate in reading and events after their incarceration, sharing their experiences and encouraging peers.

It is a powerful transformative experience to a child, Postil said. That positive impact is not only in their family and for future generations but in keeping our community safe.

The group, which depends on community donations to continue programming, recently received funding from the Youth Grantmakers Program at The Community Foundation, but Postil noted that finding funding continues to be challenging. The organization is also always looking for mentors, speakers and volunteers.

Because we are still a startup organization, we are limited to what we can apply for and yet we are also growing rapidly, Postil said. There is a need for our programming in many other areas of the county.

Information: WomenWonderWriters.com or info@WomenWonderWriters.com

The Community Foundations mission is to strengthen Inland Southern California via philanthropy.

Contact the writer: community@pressenterprise.com
Silicon Beach is approximately 90 minutes from the Inland Empire. But theres more than congested freeways between them. Theres also a digital divide.

Riverside and San Bernardino counties are not known for tech potential. But there are people working to change that perception.

There are a lot of entrepreneurs and a lot of mentors and a lot of tech folk in the Inland Empire, but there doesnt seem to be critical mass in any particular location, said Larry Morgan, director of technology partnerships at UC Riverside.

Education, access to capital and networking are among the factors that create a climate for high-paying tech jobs, according to 2016 State Technology and Science Index, released in October by the Milken Institute.

California came in fourth, behind Massachusetts, Colorado and Maryland.

Researchers praised California for its unrivaled ecosystem for research commercialization. The state rated No. 1 on the reports Risk Capital and Entrepreneurial Infrastructure index but No. 11 on its Human Capital Investment Index. That spot was actually a jump from No. 17 on the 2015 index, showing that the state can not only attract talent but create it locally as well.

The index identifies Californias tech centers as along the coast: the Bay Area, San Diego, and Silicon Beach, a cluster of communities around Santa Monica.

To bring more high-paying jobs inland, the region needs a better educated workforce to attract businesses, local experts say.

Visiting UC Riverside in September, state controller Betty Yee identified the Inland Empire as a part of the state in danger of being left behind in the digital revolution. She saw a digital divide in California, meaning that many of its residents dont have enough computer access to become tech literate in a digital workplace.

A new basic

To compete, young people need to know more than how to use a smartphone.

The behind-the-scenes to make (the phone) do what its doing is where a lot of the money is, said Lea Deesing, chief innovation officer for the city of Riverside. A lot of skills need to be refined at a very young age to get them interested in not just using the technology but programming it.

In general, children need STEM education  science, technology, engineering, and mathematics  to prepare for tomorrows jobs. Specifically, they need the ability to write computer code, according to Deesing and other supporters of Computer Science for All.

CS For All is a White House initiative to promote computer science as a new basic skill.

For that to happen, communities need broadband, schools need computers, and teachers and parents need to be able to teach computers.

Riverside Unified School District has embraced the concept and recently hosted an inaugural Inland CS For All summit. Speakers included representatives from Girls Who Code, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works.

The Inland initiative began a year ago with nine school districts from as far away as Covina participating. It has since trained 150 teachers, and its efforts, including family code nights, have been praised in a White House blog.

CS For All has another goal, to get more girls engaged in coding to increase diversity and build up the workforce.

The underrepresentation in CS is a bummer, said Julie Flapan, executive director of the Alliance for California Computing Education for Students and Schools, at the summit.

On the plus side, this industry is growing, growing, growing. The jobs cant be filled. Theres a huge need.

Hot right now

Digital literacy could open doors for young people to a wide number of jobs.

There are so many non-tech jobs that require tech skills, said Deesing. If youre an auto repair mechanic, you probably need to have some tech skills.

Deesing affirmed that there is apt to be a huge job market for qualified people.

Were looking at a million jobs that are unfilled in the USA by 2020. Thats according to the White House. I think that number is a little bit low.

Right now, we have a million jobs unfilled in cybersecurity  as we speak. And thats going to grow to 6 million by 2019. Cybersecurity is really hot right now.

Deesing called the Cyber Security Center at Cal State San Bernardino a success story for local education.

It is an interdisciplinary program whose students have backgrounds in project management, accounting, finance, economics, law, enterprise architecture, intelligence, supply chain, computer forensics, ERP systems, business intelligence, asset tracking and more, according to the CSUSB website.

The centers mission includes forging government and industry partnerships.

It is not alone. Other local colleges have advocates in Inland business.

Among them are Gordon Bourns, chief executive officer of Bourns, Inc. and a benefactor of engineering schools at UCR and California Baptist University, and Esri, which has collaborated with the University of Redlands on geographic information system programs.

The initiative that Larry Morgan is helping to launch has a broader base. It is called the Entrepreneurial Proof of Concept and Innovation Center, or Riverside EPIC, and it is a partnership between the university, the Riverside County Economic Development Agency and several cities.

It is designed to help researchers get their concepts to market but it is not limited to university professors and students.

Officially launched in October, it has already held seminars and lunch-and-learns with more than 100 attendees and is working with 20 to 30 entrepreneurial teams within the university, Morgan said in a phone interview.

Loma Linda University is starting an even newer incubator to match medical researchers with entrepreneurs. It is headed by Michael Samardzija, who said in a separate phone interview that he wants to encourage an atmosphere of risk-taking in the medical community  financial risk-taking, that is.

It isnt that there is a lack of entrepreneurs per se. Theres a lack of innovators who want to be entrepreneurs.

The next level

Most tech startups require both an innovator and an entrepreneur, someone who can organize, grow and market a business.

Tech people dont have to fill both roles, Morgan said.

Those folks are more technical than entrepreneurial. They just think outside the box, but they dont have that business skill to necessarily run the company and bring it to the next level. 

The expression, Do you want to be rich or do you want to be king? is applicable.

Stephen Espinosa, a Murrieta entrepreneur whose ventures have included selling tablets for children on the autism spectrum, was more emphatic.

There are tech positions for different kinds of skill sets. If youre an artist, you can be a graphic designer. If youre really good at math, you could be a data scientist. And if youre good with multiple things you can be an engineer. If you have a people sense, an organizational sense, a business sense, you can own a company.

You dont need to be an entrepreneur, and most people arent. Theres a connotation, oh youre in tech, you should start your own company. Its wrong.

But people in tech probably need to be collaborators. Networking is the foundation of CS For All and the incubators.

Samardzija worked in Houston and the Bay Area before Loma Linda.

Im drawing from my network, both in Texas and in Northern California, he said.

Morgan said it doesnt hurt that the Inland Empire is within driving distance of Silicon Beach, but its not essential.

Money finds opportunities, and it doesnt make a difference where its located geographically.

Contact the writer: fbuck@scng.com or 951-368-9551.
SAN BERNARDINO  Its been busy at San Bernardino International Airport this year.

A cluster of seven single- and twin-engine propeller-driven airplanes on the landing apron in front of Luxivair SBD, the airport-owned and operated fixed-base operator that serves private and charter pilots, hints at a major change from past years.

No previous year had exceeded 30,000 aircraft operations until 2015, said Mark Gibbs, director of aviation for the San Bernardino International Airport Authority, referring to takeoffs and landings.

In 2015 there were 40,217 aircraft operations and this year is on pace to see even more, he said. He noted there will be between 46,000 and 47,000 general aviation aircraft takeoffs or landings, which nearly doubles the number in 2012 and is likely to be more than 14 percent above 2015s record year.

This is a pretty cool place, said Pius Choi, 29, a Chino resident who passed his instrument rating test at SBIA on Wednesday.

In addition to the 10,000-foot runway, capable of accommodating the largest cargo and passenger aircraft in the world, the Luxivair pilot facility has a conference room, small movie theater and business office.

They even have a nap room, said Choi, who is working toward passing the commercial pilots license test early next year.

A civilian air traffic control tower opened at the former Norton Air Force Base in late 2008. Accurate air traffic numbers began for a full year the following year, Gibbs said.

Federal Aviation Administration records show that for the first four years, between 2009 and 2012, airport flight operations were flat, registering between 24,000 and 25,000 annually.

Then, 2013 marked a turning point in air traffic activity, with consecutive year-over-year traffic records realized every year since, Gibbs said.

In 2015 there were 40,217 aircraft operations, representing an increase of 37 percent above 2014s record.

Within the general aviation group, air charters  generally jets carrying business executives  are the fastest growing segment, increasing from 532 flights in 2014 to 4,448 in 2016, records show.

The turnaround came from focused marketing of the airport and its services, according to Adrian Fox, managing director of BFT International Inc., a Florida-based aviation-oriented marketing consulting firm.

This included placing advertising in targeted trade publications highlighting the airports location and the quality of its independent fixed-based operator, Luxivair SBD, as a low-cost and convenient entry point for the Southern California business market, Fox said.

From a time standpoint, Fox said that a private jet passenger would probably come out ahead landing at SBIA if doing business in eastern Los Angeles County or downtown Los Angeles.

Gibbs noted that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility on-site makes clearances for airplanes entering the United States fast and painless compared with Los Angeles International Airport.

Gibbs said workers are refurbishing a building that will house a flight school at SBIA that is likely to open in the spring.

Some 30 hangars will be ready to house private aircraft in early 2017 as well, Gibbs said, marking the first time SBIA has been able to house general aviation aircraft.

Contact the writer: jsteinberg@scng.com or Twitter: @JamesDSteinberg
The President of the Brong Ahafo House of Chiefs, Pimapim Yaw Kabrese, who doubles as Yejimanhene, has appealed to President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to forgive all those who made disparaging statements about him in the run-up to the December polls.



Pimapim Yaw Kabrese made the appeal last Friday when Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and his entourage paid a courtesy call on the regional house of chiefs to thank them and the subjects for supporting him.



It would be recalled Pimapim Yaw Kabrese and other chiefs in the Brong Ahafo Region openly threw their weight behind President Mahama.



The Omanhene of Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Bosoma Aso Nkrawire IV, whose prediction for Mahama, caused confusion in the region was also present at the meeting.



Nana Bosoma Aso Nkrawire IV had predicted that President Mahama would win 80 percent of the total valid votes.



Addressing the President-elect and his entourage, Pimnapim Kabresey asked Nana Addo and the NPP to forgive all those who said negative things about him or the party.



He said Nana Addos conduct ensured peaceful elections in the country.



He called on the President-elect to appoint indigenes who have the requisite qualifications and expertise as ministers.



On his part, the President-elect thanked the people of the region for giving him their unflinching support.



He said the regions 57% popular vote enabled him to win the presidency.



Nana Addo also thanked the chiefs and people for voting for 20 NPP parliamentary candidates during the elections.



He said he would fulfill all his campaign promises and revive the cashew industry.



Nana Addo also reiterated his pledge to refund the deposits of all customers of DKM Micro Finance.



The President-elect was accompanied by Vice President-elect, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, Womens Organizer National, Otiko Afisa Jaba and some leading members of the party.

Source: Daily Guide









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17 fishermen have been arrested around the Tema Harbour area for engaging in light fishing in a dawn swoop by the Easter Naval Command.



A total of 33 generators were impounded during the swoop which was in collaboration with the Marine Police Unit and the Fisheries Enforcement Unit.

The arrest was effected during a dawn operation at high seas on Friday making it the second biggest arrest within a period of three years.

The arrested fishermen will be handed over to the marine police for further investigation and prosecution.

In an interview with Martin Asiedu-Dartey on TV3s Midday Live, the Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Moses Beick-Baffoe said the fishermen took advantage of the holidays thinking that our patrol vessels would not be there. So when we got the tip-off we deployed one vessel there and effected the arrest.

Asked what happened to the other cases of arrests, the Commodore said the earlier arrests were handed over to the Fisheries Enforcement Unit and the culprits were prosecuted.

But along the line it was discovered that the fine imposed on such offenders was GHC 6,000 and the Commission realised that the amount was not deterrent enough so it has been reviewed and increased to a maximum of one million dollars (GHC4m) for such offences.

Light fishing is an illegal act where ship/canoe owners use powerful lights to attract fishes in the sea at night and catch them.

Although the act has been banned, some persons still engage in it forcing the authorities to intensify their patrols.

The naval command has cautioned fishermen to desist from indulging in the banned operations at high seas.

Source: 3news









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It was a journey that 39-year-old Mr. Kwabena Ntiamoah wished he hadnt undertaken.



A journey, walking from the Nigerien city of Agadez, through Mount Hogar, the Sahara Desert, to Tripoli, Libya, and then going on a risky boat on the Mediterranean sea in an attempt to get to Italy to seek greener pastures. He did not succeed and nearly died.



Three of the eight friends whom he started the journey with from Ghana died on the way - two on the Sahara Desert, and one when the balloon boat on which they traveling, capsized on the Libyan side of the Mediterranean Sea.



Those who survived, including him, were lucky to have been rescued by the Libyan Naval patrol.



After one more failed attempt on the Mediterranean Sea, he stayed and worked in Tripoli, Libya, for one year, gathered his savings and returned to Ghana by air in 2010, one year after going on the perilous journey.



Deaths on the irregular routes through the Mediterranean to dreamlands in Europe have been on the rise. Statistics from the Missing Migrants Project (MMP) shows that 4,901 irregular migrants died during the journey this year and 3,777 died in 2015.



The data, which are compiled by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN agency for migration, showed that in Africa, the nationalities of some of the irregular migrants to Italy were Ghanaians, Nigerians, Eritreans, Guineans, Senegalese, Ivorians, Malians, Sudanese, among others.



In Ghana, an investigation has shown that migrants who use irregular routes go through three main origin: the northern part of Ghana through Burkina Faso; Brong Ahafo region; and the southern part of Ghana through Togo to Niger.



Their demographics show that they are people with little or no education, some with education up to the Senior Secondary School level; majority of them being male with a few females, and are within the age group of 22 to 35 years old.



They get together through informal networks often after hearing stories from those who either tried but couldnt make it to their final destination or are first timers.



Some start the journey with as little as 800 Ghana Cedis (about $200), some food, and lots of pain killer medication which they mix with water and drink as they walk through the Sahara Desert.



The mixture serves two purposes  to quench their thirst and overcome the excruciating pain from the weeks, and sometimes, months of walking from Niger through the Sahara Desert to Libya.



They undertake the perilous journey in search of greener pastures and they use the irregular routes because they cannot afford the cost of traveling by regular means  they may not get a visa and do not have the money to buy an air ticket.



Some say that if economic conditions are better at home, in Ghana, they would not undertake the perilous journey. In Ghana, a number of interventions are being made to stem the tide and tackle the root cause of irregular migration.



In April this year, 2016, Ghana launched the National Migration Policy, a comprehensive framework aimed at addressing, among other issues, regular and irregular migration.



While tackling the root cause of irregular migration is key to stemming the tide, embarking on public education is also important to bring awareness to the issue to enable potential migrants make informed choices.



In this regard, the efforts of both state and inter-governmental agencies, including the IOM in Ghana to sensitize potential migrants, are commendable.



The IOM has established a Migration Information Centre in Sunyani, the capital of the Brong Ahafo region, a high migrant exit area to provide information to potential migrants to facilitate effective decision-making.



This article was brought to you by the Africa Centre for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) and Panos Institute West Africa, two non-profit and nonpartisan organisations in Ghana and Senegal respectively, with support from the European Union.

Source: Chris Joe Quaicoe/ email: [email protected]









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Deputy minister of communications, Hon. Felix Ofosu Kwakye has described disputations over President Mahamas last round of activities as naked politicking.



The outgoing Minister, who spoke to pressmen yesterday in Accra, said the basis for such concerns lacked fair, sound and objective analysis.



He opined that the contretemps over governments business were the actions of some people who have chosen to View the presidents activities with political lenses.



According to Mr. Ofosu Kwakye, the same attitudes were portrayed by opposition forces against the presidents appointment of Supreme Court Justices as well the EC boss sometime back.



So  what you see is a partisan trend, not an objective, fair, candid analysis of the situation, he said.



Adding, It appears to me that therere some people who simply do not respect the decisions and mandate of president Mahama, and that to me is at the heart of this kind of politicking.



Presidents must function until end of tenure



The minister expressed that the president was being unnecessarily challenged over basic routine functions that other presidents before him in the past, performed.



It cannot be said that some presidents before or after him (John Mahama) can exercise their mandates up until the end of their tenure, but president Mahama must be denied same. It is wrong and disrespectful of Ghanas constitution and cannot be accepted in the normal course of running this nation, he asserted.



The Minister also remarked that the claims being made were equally influenced by ignorance on the parts of some party fanatics who think that once their party wins an election, the functions of the outgoing government must immediately cease.



Mahama still president



He stressed that Mr. John Mahama remained president of the republic of Ghana and as such was allowed by the constitution to carry on with government business until January 7 when he shall hand over to Nana Akuffo-Addo.



Mr. Ofosu Kwakye maintained that the processes leading to the review of the national service allowance and wages of public sector workers, begun months before the elections and therefore could not be described as a last-minute gambit.



Appointments and increment wont cripple new govt



In any case, how does the appointment of an NCCE boss or the review of allowances and wages inhibit or stop a new government from functioning? he averred.



He said the NDC government in like manner inherited certain appointments and contracts from former president John Kuffuor, and lived with it for 8 years, thus was not a strange thing.



The minister argued that if NPP claimed they would restore the allowances of trainee teachers and nurses running into hundreds of millions of cedis, they must not be consternated by the slight increment of the recent salaries and allowances.



Mr Kwakye who said the cost implication of the increment in the National Service allowances was Ghc14 million per year, according to him, was not grave to hamper the functioning of the incoming government.

Source: Clifford Yaw Frimpong/Ghanaweb









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A vice president of policy think tank IMANI Ghana, Kofi Bentil, has appealed to President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to use the New Patriotic Partys parliamentary majority to scrap the Council of State.



According to him, the continuous existence of the council is taking an unnecessary toll on the finances of the country and, therefore, must be abolished.



The Council of State is a small body of prominent citizens which advises the president on national issues. It was established by Articles 89 to 92 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana which said: "There shall be a Council of State to counsel the President in the performance of his functions.



It is supposed to include a former Chief Justice of Ghana, a former Chief of Defence Staff and a former Inspector General of Police and the President of the National House of Chiefs. Each region of Ghana also has an elected representative. The President of Ghana also appoints 11 members. Members stay in office until the term of office of the president ends.



However, Mr Bentil is of the view that this establishment serves no purpose but rather drains the economy.



He wrote on his Facebook page: Dear Nana, please use your parliamentary majority to amend the constitution and abolish the Council of State. ...We won't miss it! Its an expensive and unprofitable albatross on our finances! If you do this, we will thank you!

Source: classfmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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This is the blog of comics critic Rob Clough, who also has a column of the same name over at The Comics Journal website (TCJ.com).
Despite the election of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as vice-president of Ghana, following the victory of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2016 elections, his image as a liar and one who makes unsubstantiated claims remains, the National Democratic Congress Koku Anyidoho has said.



Mr Anyidoho, the NDCs Deputy General Secretary, has been the most consistent critic of the former Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, daring him on several occasions to come up with evidence to back his assertions, notably that Ghanas electoral roll contained many aliens.



Dr Bawumia, while leading the charge by his party in 2015 for a new voters register for the 2016 polls  a request later turned down by the Electoral Commission  had said the NPP, after comparing the electoral registers of both Ghana and Togo, had uncovered the names of more than 76000 citizens of neighbouring Togo on Ghanas voter roll, promising to provide more names as it undertook an audit of the poll roll.



But the former spokesperson to late president John Atta Mills insisted that Dr Bawumias failure to use the 2016 voter exhibition to prove his case and the denial by the Togolese Electoral Commission that it had given out a copy of that countrys register to any political organisation in Ghana dented the credibility of the now vice-president-elect.



Mr Anyidoho also insisted that the campaign promise by Dr Bawumia and the NPP to provide every constituency in the country with $1million was another indication that the renowned economist had a penchant for being economical with the truth.



Speaking on Accra FMs morning show, Ghana Yensom, on Friday December 30, 2016, in the aftermath of the NDCs electoral loss, which will see it return to opposition for at least the next four years beginning January 7, 2017, Mr Anyidoho said his views on Bawumia remain the same despite the latters imminent elevation to the position of the second most powerful man in the country.



Nothing changes. I made those statements based on facts. Nothing changes, the NDCs Deputy General Secretary told Francis Xavier Sosu, who co-hosted a special edition of the show with Chief Jerry Forson.



He continued: The main issue at hand was the issue of the Togolese register. Will he be able to produce that evidence?



I insist that Bawumia has brought no evidence to show there are aliens on the voters register. At the end of the day it was the same register used in conducting polls which they won. Will Bawumia say the votes of foreigners aided their victory?



According to him, Dr Bawumia now has the opportunity to prove me wrong regarding his claims and electoral promises now that he will be at the helm of affairs.



Mr Anyidoho assured he would grant Dr Bawumia due regard as vice president of the country, insisting however that it does not invalidate the fact that many of the claims he made as vice-presidential candidate were, in his view, false.



So nothing has changed. Yes, he is going to become the vice president of the Republic of Ghana, he is going to occupy that high office. Whatever respect that we must accord him as the vice president of the Republic of Ghana, we shall accord him, because we are according the respect to the office and not the person. So we shall give it to him but itdoesnt take away from the fact that there were no truths in the things he said previously, he added.

Source: classfmonline.com









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Margaret Ansei, the Suhum Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), who contested the 2016 elections on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress and lost to the NPP Member of Parliament (MP) Frederick Opare Ansah, has packed out of her official bungalow and fled the town.



Margaret Ansei aka Magoo, who is currently based in Accra, on 12th December, 2016 packed her belongings from the official residence after organizing a party for NDC members.



Sources at the Suhum Municipal Assembly confirmed to DAILY GUIDE that she had abandoned her office.



Senior staff at the assembly who are preparing handing over notes are finding it difficult to get her to sign documents and hold meetings, she disclosed.



Prior to the general elections, the NDC mounted pressure on the former MCE Samuel Kwabi to resign to allow the defeated NDC parliamentary candidate to take over.



Magoo, the former GYEEDA Coordinator in the Ashanti Region, lost by 5,000 votes to the incumbent MP, Frederick Opare Ansah.



Magoo reportedly hired some unemployed youth said to be party members in the area to assault innocent people in the constituency.



The Magoo boys, who were the talk of town before the elections, went on rampage, destroying equipment of the Electoral Commission (EC).



They also assaulted chiefs, journalists and members of the New Patriotic Party.



The conduct of the thugs called Reinforcement Team, who were housed and fed at the MCEs official residence, caused fear and panic among the indigenes.



They also defaced NPP posters, banners and billboards in the constituency.



The Suhum NPP branch executives and the incumbent MP also called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest them prior to the elections.



The MCE allegedly influenced the Police to arraign some NPP loyalists before Suhum and Koforidua High Courts.

Source: Daily Guide









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It seems distant now, but there was a time when it seemed like Donald Trump could never be a viable candidate to snatch the presidency of the United States of America, and yet here we all are.

In this strange new world, whos to say that tiger blood-haver and violent torpedo of truth-rider Charlie Sheen cant become the notional leader of the free world?

Earlier this week, Sheen caused a minor internet kerfuffle via his Twitter feed, when he responded to the recent rush of celebrity deaths with a spicy: Dear God; Trump next please!

Former Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz admonished Sheen for his bad joke and offered him some biblical guidance, because thats where political discourse is at in 2016:

Glad to see @charliesheen seeking God & following the admonition of 1 Timothy 2:2, but somehow I dont think thats what the verse means. https://t.co/8aihNrwGmn  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) December 29, 2016

Based solely on the fact that Ted Cruz noticed him (I assume), Charlie Sheen is now plotting a presidential run in 2020, with the conservative Texan senator as his VP. He has a logo and everything:

Cmon,@tedcruz,

in 4 years

we can unseat this guy!! You bring the AWESOME,

Ill bring the WINNING!!

#SheenCruz2020 pic.twitter.com/dXxGPKVX5m  Charlie Sheen (@charliesheen) December 30, 2016

Cmon Ted Cruz, the former Two And A Half Men star wrote. In 4 years we can unseat this guy!! You bring the AWESOME, Ill bring the WINNING!! Thats as coherent a political platform as weve heard in recent times, so sure.

Apparently, since he was knocked out of the race for the Republican nomination, Ted Cruz has been sitting at home honing his sass, because he snapped back with what well admit is a pretty fkn solid bit of repartee:

Glad to see @charliesheen embracing conservative principles, but Americans just rejected another political dynasty. https://t.co/uvGN566yhm pic.twitter.com/Yxq0Mddwgn  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) December 31, 2016

We can all laugh about it now but we wont be laughing in fkn January 2021 when Charlie Sheen is solemnly swearing to execute his duties as President of the United States. Interesting times, people.

Source: NY Times.

Photo: David M Bennett / Getty.
Police in Tasmania are investigating reports of three separate sexual assaults at the Marion Bay leg of Falls Festival, an hour outside of Hobart.

Detectives from the Bellerive CIB are investigating the alleged incidents, two of which are said to have occurred in the mosh pit area at the festival.

One assault took place on a young woman during a Hot Dub Time Machine DJ set on Thursday night, and another took place during a performance by Illy.

The third incident under investigation took place in the camping grounds on Thursday night.

Police have urged members of the public to come forward with any information they might have about these incidents, and Inspector Doug Rossiter told patrons:

If you become isolated and feel unsafe at any time, go straight to the nearest police officer, security guard and talk to them.

This news comes after reports out of the Lorne leg of the Falls Festival, where more than 60 people were injured in a crush last night as crowds filed out following DMAs set.





Source: ABC News.

Photo: Falls Festival / Instagram.
"The Spanish called it 'Isla del Fuego' (Island of Fire) because of the glow caused by thousands of fireflies during the night. The place is still shrouded in mystery and mysticism, as there still are, to this day, healers and sorcerers brewing potions in the mountains. Siquijor Island is dotted with white sand beaches, mangroves, forest walks, caves, and falls. The Philippines' signature sunset called for the use of the classic Kaimal!"

Mike Rosales

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Israel United Nations

Instead of casting a veto to support Israel, as it almost always does on council resolutions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the U.S. abstained.

(Mahmoud Illean/Associated Press)

By Alvin S. Goodman

The United Nations' Security Council's unanimous action condemning Israel for wanting to build homes in its land which Palestinian Arabs consider to be their territory is the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. We know that the UN has been anti-Israel for years.

And the United States' abstaining from the vote was the same as voting for the anti-Israel resolution.

Claiming that Israel is to blame for blocking a peaceful solution to establish a separate State of Palestine is 100 percent false.

Israel is a peaceful country where Christians, Muslims and Jews live and work.

When the so-called West Bank area and the ancient walled city of Jerusalem were under Arab rule for 19 years, Israelis and Jewish tourists from around the world could not enter Jerusalem and pray at the Western Wall, also known as the wailing wall and the "kotel."

Since 1967, when Israel took back the West Bank that was illegally occupied by its Arab neighbors after the UN approved Israel's establishment, it and East Jerusalem have been open to all.

So long as there is a Hamas, which took over the Gaza Strip along the Mediterranean coast, and a Hizbollah, in Lebanon, there will never be a chance for a peaceful solution.

These terrorist organizations don't want half of Israel and its capital; they want all of Israel. And in case you didn't notice, they and other hostile Arab nations such as Iran say "Death to Americans", the only country which until now was its only ally.

President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry may claim they had nothing to do with drafting or passing the UN resolution. But both have gone on record as saying Israel should return to its 1967 boundaries when the ceasefire took effect when Israel recaptured the illegally occupied territory from its hostile neighbors during the Six-Day war in June of that year and give it, along with Jerusalem, its capital, to a new state of Palestine.

President-elect Donald Trump should tell the U.N. that the US will ignore the resolution and fully support Israel in its claim to the West Bank.

Furthermore, he should recommend that the U.N. relocate to another country. It no longer represent America, Israel and other peace-loving nations, and we should immediately end our financial support.

Alvin S. Goodman, a former Patriot-News reporter, writes from Lower Paxton Twp.
comet 45p.jpg

Comet 45P will make a New Year's Eve appearance near the moon.

(NASA)

A New Year's Eve comet will appear next to the crescent moon shortly after sunset tonight.

Although forecasted cloud cover could blot out the comet, it will be in the sky for a few hours before setting with the moon.

The comet will be too dim for viewing with the naked eye. However, weather permitting, it should be easy to see through a telescope or a strong pair of binoculars.

It will appear as a blueish green object trailing a fan-shaped tail.

Comet 45P, also known as Comet Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova, has been moving across the night sky for several weeks, en route to its rendezvous with the crescent moon tonight.

Also in tonight's night sky, Venus will be the brightest object after the moon. Mars will appear as a red dot higher in the sky than Venus. With telescope or binoculars, Neptune will be found close to Mars.

Comet 45P will disappear from the night sky early in the new year, as it passes behind the sun. It will reappear in February, although viewing it still will require a telescope or pair of binoculars.
New Zealand's U.N. Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, left, and Russia's ambassador to the U.N., Vitaly Churkin, raise their hands as they join other members of the Security Council at the United Nations headquarters on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, voting to pass a resolution supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end violence in Syria and jumpstart peace negotiations. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
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President Obama declares Bears Ears National Monument, Indian Creek and Utah climbing protected

31.12.2016 by by Planetmountain

On 28 December 2016 the President of the United States Barack Obama established the Bears Ears National Monument. This proclamation permanently protects a region which includes Indian Creek, Lockhart Basin, Arch Canyon, Texas Canyon, and many other sandstone climbing areas and is the first bill that specifically acknowledges rock climbing as an appropriate and valued recreation activity.

2016 comes to a close with outstanding news from the USA, where President Barack Obama has just declared the Bears Ears region of southeast Utah a National Monument. While this may at first glance mean little to many, the effects of this permanent protection of this 1.35 million acre site for the outdoor community in general and the climbing community in particular are far reaching as it is home to a substantial amount of world-class climbing, such as the internationally renowned sandstone haven Indian Creek.

Access to this, as well as Lockhart Basin, Texas and Arch Canyons, Comb Ridge, Valley of the Gods and dozens of other areas was at risk due to proposed privatisation in order to extract the area's natural resourses. Realising the gravity of the threat, years ago the American Access Fund - which represents the interests of American climbers - teamed up with the Native American community and earlier this year even appealed to climbers for support. In truth The Bears Ears area had been proposed for protection by members of Congress, Secretaries of the Interior, State and tribal leaders, and local conservationists for at least 80 years. A legislative solution was sought through the "Utah Public Lands Initiative", but Congress failed to vote on this before it adjourned on December 8. Interestingly, this political stalemate was broken when President Obama took matters into his own hands and signed the bill. Just as interestingly, rock climbing is specifically mentioned in the official proclamation, meaning that climbers - and specifically the Access Fund - will be able to play a part in the multi-year process to develop a monument management plan.

In its recent press release, the Access Fund stated "For years, this exceptional landscape has weathered impacts from resource extraction and irresponsible public use, especially the looting of Native American cultural sites We applaud and thank President Obama for establishing Bears Ears National Monument. It was the only viable way to permanently protect the invaluable cultural resources and recreational opportunities found throughout the region."



- Read the National Monument Proclamation on www.whitehouse.gov
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One of humanitys weakest links, Fox News Todd Starnes, objects in a column posted to his website, to Mormon Tabernacle Choir conscientious objector Jan Chamberlin, who resigned rather than perform at Trumps inauguration, which she compared to throwing roses to Hitler.

She could have simply chosen to not go rather than resign, but she has the courage of her convictions and said the performance would taint the choir.

Todd Starnes, a fan of shrieking man-boy Donald Trump, whose bigly hissy fits are an almost daily source of mockery for those on the left, gets a little shrill himself when he says,

Ms. Chamberlins shrieking is similar to the hysterics coming from Radio City Music Hall  where several Rockettes pitched a hissy fit over their participation in the inauguration.

Im pretty sure nobody who supports Trump is in a position to point a finger at somebody else over shrieking or hysterics.

What really got Starnes goat, however, was comparing Donald Trump, who gives the Hitler salute and demands personal oaths of loyalty and repeats Hitler tropes in his speeches, to well, Hitler:

For the record, President-elect Trump has never invaded a sovereign nation, nor has exterminated millions of innocent people.

And to compare the next president of the United States to Hitler is not only intellectually dishonest  its downright repulsive.

President-elect Trump is no Nazi, Ms. Chamberlin  but your argument is a few notes shy of a stanza.

Wow. He must have forgotten all those times President Obama was compared to Hitler and Stalin, and even the anti-Christ. In some cases, all Obama had to do was stand for gun control.

In fact, Starnes himself has compared atheists and non-religious people to Nazis. He is not really standing on any high ground here.

It goes without saying all the intellectual dishonesty here is coming from Starnes himself. Sure Trump hasnt invaded anybody. Hes never run a country before. But give him time.

Besides, he likes arms races. Hitler liked arms races too. And Hitler also wanted nukes. And nukes do exterminate a lot of people and can be set off by a single irresponsible tweet.

There is also the little matter of Trumps Nazi supporters. Sure, you cant pick your supporters but you can denounce them, and Trump has declined to denounce Nazis of all things. If there is anything in this world you should always denounce its Nazis.

No, what is repulsive is not comparing Trump to Hitler but Trump giving Hitler salutes and repeating Hitlers words in his speeches. THAT is repulsive.

And Starnes, ignoring all the facts of the case, is being intellectually dishonest is pretending there are no comparisons to be made.

If Trump and his supporters dont want to hear him being compared to Hitler, the best thing to do is to stop sounding like Hitler.

Until then, Starnes needs to stop whining.
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Donald Trump used his position as president-elect to praise Fox News for their pro-Putin coverage while criticizing two other networks who reported the facts about Russian spying activities in the US.

Trump tweeted:

Russians are playing @CNN and @NBCNews for such fools  funny to watch, they don't have a clue! @FoxNews totally gets it!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2016

What exactly is Fox News doing that is making Trump so happy?

Fox is reading Putins statements nearly verbatim on the air:

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

Fox News is going full rah-rah on Trump and Putin while booing Obama:

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

Much of the Fox News coverage is centered around the myth that Donald Trump will stand up to Russia and be respected by Putin.

An earlier tweet demonstrated the sort of strength that Trump is going to project to Russia:

Great move on delay (by V. Putin)  I always knew he was very smart!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2016

It is clear who the boss is in the Trump/Putin relationship, and it isnt Trump.

Meanwhile, CNN and NBC have earned the wrath of Trump by reporting on Russian spying activities in the US.

There were two dangerous precedents established by Trumps tweets. First, the president-elect is using the power of his position to criticize media outlets. Second, media outlets who report the truth about Russia are being criticized by name by Trump.

Donald Trump rewarded the network that pushed the pro-Trump/pro-Russia position and punished the press outlets that reported the truth.

Trump is engaging in a textbook endangerment of the free press, and if anyone thinks that his bowing down to Russia is a sign of strength, Ive got a bridge in Moscow to sell you.
Front-loaders are used to fill digester chambers with organic material at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh anaerobic digester plant.
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As we come to the end of 2016, we face the willful rejection of reality so terrifying that we hope we havent also come to the end of American democracy.

It is not only Donald Trumps shocking rejection of reality that is worrisome but his followers rejection of all the evidence of the Donald Trump who really is. So many excuses have not been heard since the Nuremberg trials.

I want to talk about this:

Russians are playing @CNN and @NBCNews for such fools  funny to watch, they don't have a clue! @FoxNews totally gets it!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2016

Damned by his own words, but doing what he does best, accusing somebody else of doing precisely what he himself is guilty of.

Donald Trump has become the beacon for all those who think their beliefs and preconceptions should have the same truth value as objective and verifiable observations. They do not: Facts are things that have been consistently and repeatedly confirmed. Wishful thinking substitutes what people want to be true; it is a rejection of those objective and verifiable observations.

As columnist Ruth Marcus wrote at The Washington Post,

The most disturbing thing about Russias interference with the U.S. election  whether or not it had the desired effect  is Russias interference. The second most disturbing thing  and now that he is about to be president, it is a pretty close second  is Trumps obstinate, unyielding refusal to accept the unanimous conclusion of U.S. intelligence experts that Russia was behind the hacking.

Reuters Jonathan Landay remarked on a disturbance instance of this the other day, tweeting that,

Kelly Ann Conway tells CNN that Russian military intelligence doesnt keep assets in the US. She doesnt know what shes talking about.

Howard Deans response is strikes at the heart of the problem we are addressing here:

Terrifying to have her in the WH. This is willful ignorance. https://t.co/9kfF3CGBLv  Howard Dean (@GovHowardDean) December 30, 2016

Russia not only has military intelligence deployed in the United States but it is hacking our power grid: the Grizzly Steppe code, a name given it by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has been found in a Vermont utility, The Burlington Electric Department.

It is the same code used to hack the DNC. The FBI and DHS Joint Analysis Report traces it to Russian military intelligence body known as GRU, and APT 29. The same people Conway insists had nothing to do with it.

Vermonts governor, Peter Shumlin said in a statement:

Vermonters and all Americans should be both alarmed and outraged that one of the worlds leading thugs, Vladimir Putin, has been attempting to hack our electric grid, which we rely upon to support our quality-of-life, economy, health, and safety.

Conway is not the only dilettante to claim to know more than the experts. We see this also in Rudy Giulianis assertion that, Theres no question that the intelligence that President Obama has been getting has either been incompetent or politicized. Cybersecurity experts dont know what theyre talking about, but a former mayor does.

Of course, as Ruth Marcus says it is Trump who cannot look past politics, and there has probably never been a day Rudy Giuliani did not politicize every word that came out of his mouth.

If what needs to be true is suddenly more important than what actually is, were all in a lot of trouble. It used to be that you could sh*t in one hand and wish in the other and know with scatological certainty which would fill first, but as 2016 comes to a close, you would be profoundly wrong.

Facts like these revelations about the extent of Russian hacking upset the Trump narrative. We dont know the reasons for Trumps obstinate, unyielding refusal to accept these facts or any other.

He may simply be a chump (i.e. Useful Idiot Trump) or be putting his own Russia profits ahead of national security (Conflict of Interest Trump), or he may be Vladimir Putins agent provocateur (Meat Puppet Trump).

Any one of the three is terrifying in a president. If there are other dimensions, all three of these fellows might be inflicting themselves on innocents somewhere but what matters is which Trump will be revealed in 2017.

To get back to Trumps tweet, it is Fox News that is being played for fools. And all of Trumps followers, of course. And possibly Trump himself.

That depends upon the truth and not the wishful thinking of his connection to Putin, though the more Trump opens his mouth the more he damns himself as Meat Puppet Trump.

Sure hes a big crybaby. But the smart money is on him being Vladimir Putins crybaby.
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The president-elect is already personally profiting from the presidency, as Trump sold tickets to a New Years Eve party that will be held at his private club and attended by the Trump family.

Politico reported, Mar-a-Lago, the pricey private resort in Palm Beach, Florida, sold hundreds of tickets at more than $500 a piece to an annual New Years Eve extravaganza planned for Saturday night that will feature a very special guest: the president-elect of the United States of America and his family. President-elect Donald Trump owns the members-only luxury resort, which each year sells tickets to swank parties it throws on holidays and special occasions, including New Years Eve, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Trump sold 800 tickets whose prices ranged from $525 to $575, which means that at a minimum the president-elect personally took in $420,000 from his New Years Eve party.

The fact that the Trump family is still holding events at their private club for profit is problematic. The bigger issue is that the president-elect is attending the New Years Eve party. A selling point for the event was Trumps attendance.

It doesnt take a presidential ethics expert to understand what is happening. Trump is selling his status as president for personal or family financial gain. The doors are not only open to corruption, but there is a big red neon sign hanging over the door that says graft here.

Presidential ethics groups and experts are warning that Trump is setting the stage for massive conflicts of interest, and have warned that the president-elects belief that he is above ethics laws is flat out wrong.

The presidency is for sale, and Donald is wasting no time before he cashes in.
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On Thursday, People For the American Way, joined by Americans United For the Separation of Church and State filed a brief as a friend of the court in a case that dates back to anti-Muslim discriminatory policies of the Bush Administration in direct contradiction to settled law.

It is well settled that the government is prohibited from doling out punishment based on religion. And it is equally established that government cannot officially disfavor any particular religious group or denomination. Petitioners did both.

While there are some provisions in the constitution that only apply to citizens, such as voting rights, most constitutional protections apply to all people, regardless of citizenship status. Equal protection and due process provisions are among them.

This case is being heard in a climate of hatred toward Muslims and all minorities, a climate fostered by Donald Trump. Its a climate that is hostile to rights for anyone who isnt a member of the Trump cult. Yet, this case serves as a necessary reminder that hatred toward Muslims is a long established practice by Republicans.

The PFAW brief chronicles how even seemingly innocuous laws can be used to persecute a targeted group. The respondents in this case were arrested for alleged immigration law violations at a time when being a Muslim, Arab or looking like a Muslim or Arab was enough for authorities to suspect the individual of being a terrorist. In reality, immigration law and other areas of the law were used as a basis to detain Muslims, Arabs and those who looked like them. Once detained they were treated as terrorism suspects solely because they were Muslim or looked like they might be.

Former Attorney General John Ashcroft and former FBI Director Robert Muellers policy included deliberate isolation of detained Muslims/suspected Muslims from the outside world and delay of their immigration hearings. They informed subordinates the detainees were suspected terrorists who needed to be encouraged in any possible way to cooperate.

The detainees were held in horrifying conditions for prolonged periods of time, including an especially harsh form of solitary confinement. This was happening in New York  not Abu Graib, not Gitmo or the many dark sites around the world.

They spent more than twenty-three hours per day in tiny cells, were subject to sleep deprivation (a form of torture). Guards would yell offensive comments at them. The detainees suffered severe physical abuse including being slammed into walls, having their limbs or fingers twisted. They were shackled when moved and sometimes the detainees were lifted by the chains or guards would step on their leg chains.

Detainees also faced psychological abuse. Muslims had to wait weeks for a Koran if they received one at all. They were denied access to Halal food. Guards refused to tell them the date, leaving detainees unable to determine when Ramadan began. There were no clocks and guards refused to tell detainees the time so they could pray per the requirements of their faith. When they did pray, guards would bang on cell doors, screamed derogatory remarks or tell them to STFU.

This conduct flies in the face of the equal protection and freedom of religion clauses of the Constitution. Yet, it is probable that as of January 2017, the reality show entertainer will reinstate these policies and add others.

Were entering a period of darkness in which this case could either stop it cold or green light Trumps reign of terror toward Muslims and others.

As it stands, Nazis are planning armed marches against Jews, Jewish businesses and the decent people who support them. The LGBT community faces the reemergence of bullying, harassment, and stigmatization.

Children face daily bullying and chants about Trumps xenophobic wall on a daily basis  in school. Racists jokes about Blacks, Asians and Hispanics are becoming routine. Some of these children live in constant fear that their parents will be deported, others live in fear of being shot by the police.

Some of this is an ongoing problem, getting worse in an America where some Supreme Court Justices believe racism no longer exists.

This is the America that Trump is trying to normalize, an America where there is a hierarchy of rights based on who you are or how you pray. Ultimately, thats what this case is about. Its a case about government officials discriminating against Muslims because they are Muslim. If the Bush administrations conducted is ruled within the Constitution who knows who will be the next to see their civil rights shredded because of who they are or how they pray.

Argument in this case, Ziglar v. Abbasi, is scheduled for January 18, 2017  two days before Trumps inauguration.
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*The following is an opinion column by R Muse*

By now some Americans are aware that many of the things dastardly Don Trump promised throughout the presidential election were blatant lies to garner votes, and because his malicious mendacity is pathological. One area he is holding fast to is his 2015 statement calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims enter[ing] the United States until our countrys representatives can figure out what is going on. That statement is still front and center on the Trumps website.

As recently as last week, Trump reiterated his intent, one that ISIS leaders hope he fulfills, to take some severe action against Muslims he claims are slaughtering Christians. He knows that is not the case, but it didnt stop him from reminding reporters that he still hates Muslims and intends to punish them as he has indicated to audiences far and wide for the past year-and-a-half.

Last week after being asked if he will rethink or reevaluate your plans to create a Muslim registry or ban Muslim immigration in the United States, Trump replied: Hey, youve known my plans all along and its, theyve proven to be right. 100 percent correct. Whats happening is disgraceful.

It may be the case that one of George W. Bushs advisors whispering in the Trumps ear had alerted him to a Bush administration program specifically created to register Muslims in America. It may also be the case that the Trump figured that since there is a Muslim registry program already in place, he could just sign an executive order and proceed terrorizing people he says are involved in the wrong religion. It is too bad for Trump, but that Bush program was quietly, and unceremoniously, dismantled last week by President Barack Obama

Since dirty Donald is so enamored with and embraces the Bush administration actors, advisors, and policies, he likely was planning on using the anti-Muslim registry Bush created and implemented shortly after the terror attacks on 9/11 as a tool to terrorize Muslims in America in 2017.

The program, known as the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS), has been in place since a gang of mostly Saudi criminals hijacked and flew commercial passenger jets into American buildings, but its operations were suspended in 2011. Although NSEERS was still in place, it was suspended after 25 countries, 24 of which were Arab nations or majority Muslim populations, along with North Korea were taken off the registration list. With no list, there was no need for NSEERS.

That program originally required all men over the age of 16 from the listed countries to register and be fingerprinted when arriving in America; they also had to regularly check in with the immigration police. The initial Bush rules were considered too burdensome so the regular check-in aspect of the program was narrowed down to apply only to targeted check ins by 2003; eventually, it was entirely suspended.

However, the NSEERS program still existed and no doubt deceitful Donny figured he would take credit for creating it in 2001, and then begin tyrannizing Muslims as he has pledged to do to fulfill ISIS leaders expectations of a fascist in the White House. Now, despicable Don will actually have to create his own anti-Muslim registry program in its entirety because President Obama dismantled NSEERS so as not to make Trumps anti-Muslim crusade any easier.

There were legitimate concerns that the Trump was going to use NSEERS as the means of a mandated registry mechanism targeting people from nations with large Muslim populations, but those concerns should be put to rest after the Presidents action; at least for the near future.

Actually, last month while Trump was meeting with one of his transition officials, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, Kobach presented the Trump with a fabulous plan for Homeland Security that focused entirely on reviving NSEERS as a tool against Muslims; Kobach helped create NSEERS during the Bush administration. At the time of the meeting, a former Homeland Security policy official said it would be logistically easy for dirty Don to revive the program even though it was costly and ineffective. Of course, if there is a Republican-created program that is costly and ineffective, the Trump transition team intended to embrace it as a weapon against Muslims.

It is noteworthy that NSEERS did not result in even one single prosecution while it was in place. It is an unchallenged fact that even Kobach acknowledged in 2004 when the 9/11 Commission criticized the effectiveness of the anti-Muslim program. Still, Kobach was pimping the program to Trump to demonstrate that he was on board the tyrannical Trump train and had a plan in his hot little hand to expedite Trumps plan to punish Muslims.

President Obama took that plan out of commission and described it not only as out-of-date but also an inefficient waste of resources. Jeremy Stahl over at Slate thought that it might be possible for Trump to try to revive the program, but at the very least the logistics for bringing it back to life will be incredibly more complicated than he might think.

Throughout the Trump transition, President Obama has been quietly putting obstacles, traps, and in some cases, firewalls to all of the terrible and detrimental Trump plans to make America into a hostile nation to any human being who isnt filthy rich, white, or Christian. At least in the near future, any of Trumps plans to satisfy and aid ISIS leaders by institutionalizing anti-Muslim tactics will have to be of his own making because President Obama dismantled a program the Trump depended on to tyrannize people who adhere to Islam.
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President-elect Trump delivered a bizarre New Years message where he claimed that the majority of voters who voted against him are his enemies and losers.

Trump tweeted:

Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2016

The message above was delivered by the next President Of The United States. Trump eschewed the traditional message of hope and unity for a victory lap and a shot at his enemies. Trumps list of enemies and losers obviously includes the more than 65 million Americans who voted against him.

The reality is that the people who voted against Trump know exactly what to do. They are mobilizing in an unprecedented effort to fight his agenda. Never has a president-elect taken office with a net negative approval rating. Donald Trump is going to begin his term as one of the least popular presidents in U.S. history. Fifty-four percent of all voters in the 2016 presidential election voted against Donald Trump.

Donald Trump continues to live in the past and is using his Electoral College win as the ultimate ego stroke. It is Trump who has unpopular secret plans that he wont discuss publicly and has yet to articulate a clear idea of what he is doing.

Trump has an enemies list, and there are nearly 66 million names on it. The problem for the president-elect is that those voters are getting ready to push back.
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
The pandemic stressed us all, but its impact was compounded among pregnant women and those who had just given birth; their rates of mood and anxiety problems doubled during that time. That should not come as a major surprise, given how the stresses around this life-giving, life-changing even Read moreEditorial: Important outreach to SC's expectant and new mothers
LOS ANGELES  The gig: Chris McIntyre is co-founder of EagleRider, the world's biggest motorcycle tourism company. EagleRider, based outside Los Angeles, offers bike rentals and sales, guided tours, branded apparel and related merchandise. Operating in 27 U.S. states and offering tours from 30 global locations, the company serves more than 100,000 customers annually.

Origin story: In 1992, McIntyre and his friend Jeff Brown were working white-collar jobs and riding motorcycles on the weekends when they met a bunch of European tourists near Big Sur, Calif. The tourists said they wanted to rent bikes and tour the California coast. McIntyre and Brown told them there was no way to do that  and then realized that there should be. Two years later, after adding a third partner in Peter Wurmer, they opened a shop stocked with four Harley-Davidsons, one of them the bike that McIntyre had been riding that day in Big Sur, available for rent.

Slow start: It was a solid plan  Brown had written his MBA thesis on the motorcycle rental business  but the partners had trouble getting financial assistance. "All the things that exist in the automobile business  financing, insurance  the answer was 'no,'" McIntyre said from the company's enormous headquarters. "The biggest hurdle in our growth was convincing banks and insurance companies to support us."

How it works: Renters can choose from more than 20 motorcycle models, from small scooters to massive cruisers, including bikes made by Harley-Davidson, Indian, Triumph, BMW and Honda. Guided tours include riding Harley-Davidsons the length of Route 66 and piloting snowmobiles around Jackson Hole, Wyo., at rates between $99 a day for a self-guided ride to $355 a day for a fully-curated event.

Plug and play: The EagleRider model is full service. Show up with a valid motorcycle license and the company does the rest, supplying the rider's chosen bike, renting helmets, jackets and gloves, and offering guided or self-guided tours of any duration. The company will also rent customers a trailer to haul the bike and a support vehicle to follow the ride, and will sell riders extra clothes to wear in cold weather, a GoPro to record their adventures and branded merchandise to help them remember the ride. "We aren't really in the motorcycle business," McIntyre said. "We are in the experience business. We rent dreams. That's our trademark. It's copyrighted."

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Two-wheel challenges: EagleRider's target customer can be a stickler. Prospective renters may have traveled thousands of miles, chasing a years-old dream, planning to spend many thousands of dollars to fulfill it. They want what they want. "Motorcyclists are very particular," McIntyre said. "They want a certain manufacturer. They want a certain model. A guy who wants a Honda Gold Wing really wants a Honda Gold Wing."

McIntyre admitted there have been unhappy customers who reserved a certain machine, then showed up to find it wasn't available. "Sometimes a bike is in an accident or needs maintenance or isn't safe to ride, or a shipment we were expecting from the dealer didn't arrive on time," he said. "We've had people who got really upset." The solution? EagleRider now offers a "motorcycle model guarantee" policy. For an extra $18, above the $99 to $249 a day rental rate, the customer is guaranteed that a specific make and model will be waiting.

Side business: EagleRider has ruffled some feathers. Local motorcycle dealers don't like the fact that the rental company also sells used bikes, cutting into their sales. McIntyre calls it "de-fleeting" and defends the practice. "We don't want to be in the bike sales business, and we don't want to impact dealers in our backyard," he said. But the more popular motorcycles often have to be sold after they've been in the field eight months or less. "If you're talking about 200 bikes in four locations, you can just sell them when you need to," McIntyre said. "But if you've got 800 bikes in your Las Vegas location alone, and you have 60 locations, you need a sales strategy."

Personal: McIntyre, 50, has been married for 18 years and is the father of three kids. He still rides. Eagle 1, the Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail he was riding that day in Big Sur, is in his home garage. But when he and his wife, June McIntyre, take a spin, it's more likely to be on a new Harley-Davidson Street Glide or an Indian Roadmaster.

Getting bigger: In February EagleRider announced a partnership with Main Post Partners, a deep-pocketed San Francisco private equity firm. With Main Post funding, McIntyre and Brown bought out many of their original partners and became poised for new growth. This fall the company inaugurated Club EagleRider, a subscription-based motorcycle membership scheme. Customers who pony up $29 a month, and a one-time $39 initiation fee, get one free bike rental day a month, plus deep discounts on motorcycle rentals and tours and a variety of perks. McIntyre said Club EagleRider has signed up more than 5,000 members since its November launch.

"It's like a health club," he said. "You don't have to have a basement full of weights and machines to get in shape if you belong to a club. Same with Club EagleRider. Bikes are expensive. They take up a lot of space. This is a great price point into the world of two wheels."

Wisdom: McIntyre credits timing, hard work and luck in hiring for his good fortune. "It's not that we're that good or we're that smart," he said. "It's just that we're passionate and have the best people."
As the story is told 

A middle-age man completely disgusted with his life walks up to Jesus and says, "Jesus, the cross you have given me, which is my life, is too much for me. Can I please have another?

Jesus says, "Yes, my son, you can. But, first, I want you to walk through this warehouse full of crosses and determine which one you would rather have!"

Hours go by, but the man finally returns to Jesus with a cross he thinks he can handle. Jesus smiles when he sees the man coming and says, "THAT is exactly same cross you came here, with!"

We tend to think our life is so hard until we compare it to some of the crosses other people are carrying. We really have no idea what other crosses co-workers or friends are dealing with until they feel comfortable enough to share it with us. I think this is an important reason to not judge others and to respect and love all the "others" we come in contact with every day.

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Love of the other is deeply spiritual. Jesus even commanded us to "love one another as I have loved you".

Our society is full of doom and gloom. We really only need to turn on the evening news to be bombarded with it. Yet, our faith challenges us to hold onto hope. Hope is believing in the good in each of us. And, there is much good in our world, but sometimes we just need to look a little harder for it.

The other day, I met a very inspiring high school student. For the past 9 years, he has been hosting an annual summer lemonade stand for Family Promise Rochester. (Family Promise provides short term housing for homeless families in our community) In 9 years, he has raised more than $10,000 from a simple lemonade stand for this valuable outreach in our community.

Hope is sometimes very hard to find, but it does exist. If you need any help with your "hope" become active in your local congregation. I am so impressed by the good so many congregations do in our community.

One such example is the collaboration between St. Francis Church and school and Resurrection Catholic Church in assembling more than 100 Thanksgiving baskets for families in need in our community.

Hope is the fuel that keeps our faith alive. And, the best place to keep your hope alive is by visiting your place of worship weekly.
When our seats started shaking, rockets began bursting in the air and a rumbling roar filled the theater, the little girl next to me grabbed my arm. "We're taking off," she said excitedly.

Well, not really. But the space liftoff experience at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis definitely tries to duplicate the thrilling feeling. The new exhibit, Beyond Spaceship Earth, was modeled after the International Space Station, the largest human-built structure in space.

"We wanted children to experience what life is really like in space," said astronaut David Wolf, scientist in residence at the museum. "Who knows  there might be a future astronaut among the children visiting here."

Spanning more than 6,300 square feet, the $8 million exhibit took more than 10,000 hours of labor to complete. Founded in 1925, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest children's museum in the world.

The idea for the new exhibit, Wolf said, is to help boys and girls have fun but also to interest them in science, technology, engineering and math (known as STEM) and, perhaps, to interest them in a future in space.

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According to the U.S. Department of Education, the United States ranks 17th in science and 25th in mathematics, as compared with other industrialized countries. The goal is to significantly improve America's ranking.

"We know how important it is to provide STEM programs and to let girls know that science is for girls, too," said Kimberly Harms, museum public relations director. "This exhibit does both."

Genesis of the space exhibit

Museum CEO Jeffrey Patchen got the idea for the program about four years ago. He talked it over with Wolf and the genesis for the plan took place. With an astronaut on staff and Indiana's rich contribution of astronauts and engineers, the exhibit seemed a natural for the popular Hoosier museum.

"Children learn without even knowing they're learning because they're having so much fun doing the experiments," said Wolf, an Indianapolis native who worked at NASA and spent nearly 170 days in space.

In a 1993 space shuttle mission, Wolf worked on cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal and other research. Some of Wolf's own spaceflight artifacts, including one of his crew notebooks and his Russian dictionary, are on display.

The Indiana Astronaut Hall of Fame at the exhibit showcases more than 30 astronauts and NASA engineers with ties to Indiana, including Neil Armstrong. One of the most well-known astronauts, Armstrong was a Purdue graduate and the first man to walk on the moon. On July 20, 1969, he stepped off the lunar landing module Eagle and spoke to more than a billion people listening 240,000 miles away on Earth: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Armstrong died Aug. 25, 2012, at age 82.

'Watch me do this'

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For 6-year-old Arianna Scott, the exhibit was an exciting chance to put on a spacesuit and test her strength and skills to simulate the tasks of astronauts. "Watch me do this," she said, using a robot arm to safely land a virtual spacecraft with a joystick.

Wearing a spacesuit, her 8-year-old brother, Trey Scott, was testing out a space-station exercise machine that has a side-by-side comparison of a barbell used on Earth.

"Astronauts use a special machine (Advanced Resistance Exercise Device) because there is no gravity in space," Trey explained, reading aloud about the challenges of exercise in space.

Children are invited to crawl into a tiny area to tighten some bolts on a space craft. They can help a plant survive in outer space by changing the levels of light, water and nutrients. They can learn how and what astronauts eat in space and use a hose to clean up floating drops of spilled grape juice.

"The food doesn't look that good to me," said 9-year-old Andrew Thompson, of Indianapolis.

The biggest and most exciting item, all three youngsters agreed, was the Liberty Bell 7 space capsule on display in The Schaefer Planetarium & Space Object Theater. The Liberty Bell 7 was operated in 1961 by Hoosier native Lt. Col. Gus Grissom, born in Mitchell, Ind. An Air Force pilot and engineer, Grissom was to direct the first Apollo mission in 1967 but died in a flash fire during a test flight.

A short film about the Liberty Bell 7 plays in the dome-shaped theater. Interactive elements make the audience feel as though they are aboard the space capsule when it takes off.

"These astronauts are heroes and amazing scientists," Harms said. "They risk their lives to help make our lives and our planet better."

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More information:Contact The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 317-334-4000, childrensmuseum.org.
Economic interest in Rochester and the fruits of the Destination Medical Center initiative fueled the year's top stories in local government: Hundreds of millions were spent on commercial and residential real estate developments; outside money reached into local elections; and urban influences clashed with historic neighborhoods.

If 2016 was any indicator, the city and the surrounding region are in for the same  and much more  in the year to come.

"Rochester has certainly reached a new threshold, I think," Rochester City Council President Randy Staver said. "I think in many respects, we still think of ourselves as a small town, but clearly because of the things we're doing, because of our economic strength, we are generating a lot of interest."

That interest was manifest in what was likely the most expensive election cycle in Rochester's history. It was certainly the highest spending cycle in the past decade, according to a Post Bulletin review of city records. Two races topped $80,000 each in spending by supporters, campaign teams and outside interests.

Outside spending gave the election a different flavor. Attack ads run by an independent spending group in Ward 2 more closely resembled national tactics than small-town campaigning. Some worry that the big spending and negative ads might scare away potential candidates in the future.

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Real estate interests were closely tied to the election issues. City council candidates debated preservation and development issues, and when independent expenditures entered the races, a large portion came from the National Association of Realtors Fund. A local Realtor representative, Karen Becker, told the Post Bulletin in October that the candidates who received political spending support would "do the best job to protect property rights and encourage growth in Rochester."

It is likely that economic interest in Rochester will continue to drive political interest, as well.

"Whether you like it or not, I think that will increase in the coming years. It's just reflective of what Rochester has accomplished and our potential," Staver said.

Rochester's potential

What is fueling the economic interest in Rochester? The city's potential is laid out in hundreds of pages of publicly available planning documents: the DMC Development Plan. Based on the promise of continued investment in Rochester by Mayo Clinic and public investment to match, developers have set their sights on the city.

On its website as of Friday, DMC was tracking 14 "active" commercial and residential building and renovation projects in the district, together worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

"We are very pleased with the private sector's continued interest in Rochester and the DMC District to pursue projects that are consistent with the vision of the DMC Development Plan," said Lisa Clarke, DMC Economic Development Agency executive director.

"We are excited for 2017 as several significant construction projects will be moving forward in Rochester, including the Alatus project in St. Mary's Place and the Mortenson project in Discovery Square," Clarke said.

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While each new development is good news for DMC and the economic development agency, local governments have a broader responsibility to the public. Government has a responsibility to pursue the well-being of all of its citizens, not necessarily the economic interests of a few.

"I think that is part of the effort that you're seeing take place across the entire government is making the initiative successful for everyone," city council member Nick Campion said.

"And that certainly means helping to make the economic initiative successful, and it also means broadening the scope to make sure we're defining successful in terms of the entire community."

In terms of local governance, the challenge to turn economic interest into positive outcomes is not about adapting, Campion said; it is about making the right investments.

"I think I really look at it as opening some opportunities to take a look, again, at what has made Rochester successful and reinvest in those parts of our community that we all cherish," he said.

As Staver said, Rochester might still think of itself as a small town. But can that quixotic vision live on in the reflection of a booming economic center? A change in identity, it seems, is inevitable.

"It's a pretty exciting time in terms of things that are on the horizon or potentially on the horizon," Staver said. "And that means change, and change is sometimes uncomfortable, and I think we just have to work through it together."
LEWISTON  On Nov. 22, the Winona County Board of Commissioners did something no other county in Minnesota  likely in the nation  had done. On a 3-2 vote, the board approved final language of an amendment to the Winona County Zoning Ordinance that effectively banned the mining, storage, processing and transportation of silica sand for fracking.

In the public gallery, as she had done for most board meetings, sat Johanna Rupprecht, the Lewiston native who was a key player  if not the key player  in making this historic moment happen.

After about 17 months of work focused on a ban in Winona County, Rupprecht said it took a moment or two for the final vote to sink in.

"It had been such a long process," she said. "In spite of the threats and pressure from the frac sand industry, just the fact we built something so strong, that people built a case for it."

Passing the ban showed an example of democracy working the way it should, she said. That means people expressing their opinions and policymakers listening to their constituents to act upon their wishes. "For the vast majority of the people involved in this, it's about the big picture," she said -- the beauty of the land, the reduction of the use of fossil fuels and the environmental degradation both in Winona County and where the hydraulic fracturing occurs.

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Her commitment to the cause was key in her selection as the Post Bulletin's Newsmaker of the Year.

Ban beginnings

Rupprecht grew up in Winona County on the family farm just north of Lewiston and has lived in Winona County most of her life.

"I'm just like everybody else who lives here," she said. "This is my community, and I didn't want to see this kind of harm happen here."

After college, she found herself back home. She began working for Land Stewardship Project in 2012. She took up the frac sand issue beginning that fall but did not turn her focus  and LSP's focus  on Winona County until the spring of 2015.

"She was involved in this as a young college graduate," said Bruno Borsari, an agronomist and biology professor at Winona State University. Borsari and his wife, Julie Chiasson, volunteered with LSP, and he recalled seeing a shy Rupprecht turn into a confident advocate for ending frac sand mining in Winona County. "She was the primary mover and shaker."

During a meeting of LSP staff, volunteers and other interested parties, the group came to the decision to try for a ban in Winona County, said Bobby King, policy program director for LSP. "Johanna brought the members together 17 months ago," he said.

Rupprecht said the first step was setting that goal. About 90 people came together and made the decision to fight for what they believed in. Once the decision was made, LSP, with Rupprecht leading the way, began to engage the public about the issue.

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Campaign worker

King said Rupprecht worked with a steering committee of nine LSP members, engaging with hundreds of community leaders and rallying thousands of people to get their voices heard to help pass the ban.

"This was a big campaign and an ambitious goal, and she took it on," he said. "She really stepped up to get this done."

That meant attacking the issue on several fronts. A drive around Winona County reveals hundreds of yard signs and bumper stickers supporting the ban. That, King said, was Rupprecht at work.

"They set ambitious and large goals toward outreach," he said. That included placing 450 yard signs throughout rural Winona County.

From organizing meetings and rallies ahead of public hearings to encouraging county residents to make their voices heard, Borsari saw Rupprecht taking the lead on many fronts.

"She had the materials ready and available," he said. "At meetings, she'd have postcards ready for people to write the county commissioners."

Marcia Ward, who voted against the ban, said she had a stack of the postcards. Behind that stack, she said, was Rupprecht. "She was the lead on it."

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Not that Ward agreed with everything Rupprecht did. Ward disagreed with the facts presented by LSP, and she questioned the change in the organization from helping farmers better take care of the land to trying to set policy.

"Their focus over the years has changed," she said. "Their next policy is health care. So they've gone from small farms and small landowners to where now they're getting involved in public policy."

But that, said George Boody, executive director for LSP, is all part of working with farmers to care for and better manage their land.

"We do quite a bit of work with getting farmers to participate in policy at the local, state and federal levels," he said.

The organization's 3,900 member households consists mostly of rural landowners in Minnesota and Wisconsin, Boody said. The nonprofit's budget comes from memberships, individual donations and government or foundation grants.

Writing a ban

Perhaps the best strategy LSP employed in making the ban happen was writing a sample ban to show how one could survive a legal challenge, one of the complaints often cited by those opposed to a ban.

That sample ban  which was the outline followed by Winona County in writing its own ban  helped lay the framework for the commissioners to vote yes, King said.

"It showed the county does have the right for doing this," he said. Working alongside the attorneys who wrote the ban language, he said, was Rupprecht.

"That came from seeing problems in other places," Rupprecht said. "That legal report we worked on with an attorney said, yes, it is allowed under Minnesota law. Here is an option for how you would do this."

It was the LSP's ban that was first forwarded to Winona County Attorney Karin Sonneman. Sonneman made some adjustments that made LSP's example even stronger, Rupprecht said.

Borsari said the whole process was a classic example of the public letting lawmakers know how they felt, with Rupprecht leading the way.

"She played a pivotal role," he said. "And with all great grassroots movements, nothing can happen without the role of the team."

Rupprecht said she she was just leading a cause in which she believed.

"The land has inherent value, not just to be used for profit by a few," she said. "Frac sand mining is too destructive. People see what it does to the land and the local communities, and they did not want that."
Top five stories this year:

1. Outside money pours into local elections

Races for four Rochester City Council positions drew the attention of outside interests and kicked up a flurry of local spending. Candidates concurred the outside interest was spurred on by the growing economic opportunities in the city. Two races in particular, for the council's at-large position and the Ward 2 race, went down as the most expensive in the city's history; races for those two seats topped $80,000 each in political spending.

2. High profile projects

Residential and commercial real estate developers lined up to propose a number of high profile projects in Rochester  Alatus, Miracle Mile, Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Flats on Fourth, 501 on First and others. These projects tested the city's preparedness in its zoning and land-use policies, as well as its comprehensive planning. The developments also created tensions with neighborhoods and homeowners, where traditional values and character clashed with high-density, urban design.

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3. Plans for public spaces and places

Few topics drew as much attention in 2016 as the public spaces and places that were expected to change, this year and in coming years. The city of Rochester made plans for the purchase, renovation and re-use of the Chateau Theatre. Private groups made pitches for new uses of the Rochester Armory building. The city and Olmsted County grappled with future plans for the Rochester Public Library and its request to grow in place.

4. Local policymaking

When residents clamored for the latest in private services to be made available in Rochester  Uber, food trucks, Airbnb  the Rochester City Council took it upon itself to create new policies for the contemporary services to fit local needs and demands. The council put in place a food truck policy that drew little interest from vendors (it later revised the policy), and its Uber policy will be finalized early next year. Short-term rentals and Airbnb could be a topic for next year.

5. Health services stress local systems

Olmsted County has struggled to meet demands from the state of Minnesota to accept a greater share of health care and mental health services roles, while the added responsibilities have often come without additional state funding. The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners was forced to pick up the tab when costs soared for administering Medical Assistance programs, and the board is closely monitoring shifting costs and outcomes in the county's child protection and foster care systems.

Top five trends to watch next year

1. Top-dollar developments

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Projects will continue to be proposed and built in Rochester and the surrounding area, with the greatest intensity in the Destination Medical Center boundary area. Projects from Bloom, Titan, Opus and Harbor Bay are all in the pipeline, ready to spring up in 2017.

2. Planning milestones

The city should take major steps in implementing its renewed comprehensive plan, DMC Design Guidelines could be adopted and benchmarks in long-term DMC transit studies should give residents a better idea of how the city will function in the future.

3. Prototyping is here to stay

A prototyping festival was introduced in Rochester this year as a way to test public space improvements. The concept will be a popular one next year, too, for DMC-related groups and other area leaders as they look for solutions to pressing issues like transit and housing.

4. Public broadband

Local policymaking will turn to public broadband internet options. The Rochester City Council in 2016 considered plans for a municipal broadband network and ordered further studies. Those studies will return in 2017, and the council will be faced with a decision.

5. Affordable housing

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Action will come from a coalition of public and private agencies. The Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Rochester Area Foundation, the city of Rochester and other major players have prepared to address the critical shortage of affordable housing in the area. Each agency will be called on to make progress on the issue in 2017.
ST. PAUL  Lawmakers return to the Minnesota Capitol on Tuesday with a lengthy political to-do list in front of them.

Legislators need to work with Gov. Mark Dayton on a two-year budget and decide how to spend a projected $1.4 billion surplus. Then there is the matter of soaring health insurance rates in the individual market. Lawmakers also are faced with last session's unfinished work, including a tax-cut package and $1 billion public works bill.

The start of the session also heralds a shift in the state's political landscape. Republicans will take control of the Minnesota Senate with a razor thin 34-to-33 majority. In the House, Republicans' majority will grow to 76. On Jan. 20, Republican Donald Trump will be sworn in as president. His administration is likely to push for big changes in federal policy that could have a major impact on the state  especially when it comes to the Affordable Care Act.

One of the biggest questions heading into this year's legislative session is if the GOP-controlled Legislature and DFL governor can work together. The last time Dayton and a GOP-led Legislature tried to reach agreement on a two-year budget, it resulted in the longest state government shutdown in recent memory in 2011. Recent attempts by Dayton and GOP House Speaker Kurt Daudt to cut a deal on a special session also failed, with each blaming the other for the gridlock.

House Taxes Committee Chairman Greg Davids is not optimistic about 2017 and points the finger at Dayton.

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"There's no leadership in the executive branch. I think we could be looking at a shutdown," the Preston Republican said.

Rochester DFL Rep. Tina Liebling agrees the stage is set for a difficult session but said Republicans are the ones with a track record of inaction.

"I'm thinking it's going to be pretty contentious. When the GOP was in control before  they pretty much showed on a lot of things they didn't have real proposals," Liebling said.

Health care tops political agenda

Local lawmakers generally agree that overhauling the state's individual health insurance market and helping people overwhelmed by skyrocketing premiums needs to be priority number one. For months, legislative leaders and the governor talked about calling a special session to pass a rebate to help those struggling with high insurance costs. Those efforts failed.

"I've received many, many phone calls, emails from people who are pretty upset and certainly have the right to be when they are paying $2,500 a month for premiums. I was disappointed we weren't able to come to an agreement and take care of that in a special session, but I certainly believe that needs to be addressed as soon as possible," said Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin.

Those hit hard by the premium increases are the roughly 196,000 Minnesotans who buy health insurance in the individual market but do not qualify for federal tax subsidies.

Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, also wants to see quick action.

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"The individual market needs relief right away," Nelson said.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle generally agree a short-term fix is needed in addition to long-term changes to the individual health insurance market. But there's plenty of disagreement over what changes are necessary.

What to do with $1.4 billion?

Also expected to dominate the session is the debate over what to do with the state's projected $1.4 billion surplus. Republicans want a hefty chunk of those dollars to go toward tax cuts.

Sen. Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, said he supports phasing out the statewide business property tax. He also will push once again to get rid of the income tax on Social Security.

"More and more, I heard about people who are actually moving out of the state in their retirement years because of this issue," Senjem said.

Liebling said she is concerned Republicans may seek to cut taxes too deeply, which could lead to budget deficits in the future. She said she wants to make sure tax cuts are focused on people who need them  not the rich.

"In Minnesota, wealthier people are doing well, but it is not a shared prosperity. A lot of people are still struggling, and we have to make sure that if we are going to make tax cuts, that we actually direct the tax cuts very carefully to help the people that need the help the most," Liebling said.

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There are plenty of other budget areas that will be vying for increased state dollars  K-12 schools, nursing homes and colleges, to name a few. Some lawmakers say funding roads and bridges needs to be near the top of the priority list.

Rep. Duane Quam, R-Byron, said he would like to see up to a third of the state's budget surplus spent on roads and bridges.

"I like the idea of using a quarter to a third of any surplus to knock off additional road and bridge projects. It's just like when you get a little extra money and you've got your list of things to do on your house," Quam said.

Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, agrees it is important to fund transportation. However, she said she wants to see a long-term transportation plan that includes some new revenue, such as a gas tax increase.

Poppe added, "We need to raise some revenue and then really target what we can do."
There are plenty of issues Minnesota lawmakers will be grappling with in the 2017 session. Here is a look at just some of the topics expected to get attention when the session starts on Tuesday

Affordable housing

Local leaders are warning lawmakers about a growing lack of affordable housing in Rochester and Olmsted County. Meanwhile, other communities in greater Minnesota do not have enough housing for workers coming to town. Affordable housing advocates are expected to push for funding as part of a statewide construction bill.

Budget

Lawmakers and the governor will need to reach agreement on a two-year budget. Making that potentially easier is the fact they won't have to worry about a deficit. The state is projected to have a $1.4 billion surplus. Still, expect clashes between the governor and the GOP-led Legislature on how best to spend those dollars. If a budget deal is not reached by June 30, that would trigger a government shutdown.

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Construction projects

Last session, a $1 billion public works bill failed in the final moments of the legislative session. What is unclear is whether the GOP-led Legislature will back a sizable bonding bill in 2017 or not. Some, including incoming Senate Capital Investment Committee Chairman Dave Senjem, want to see a hefty bill passed. But other Republicans, including House Speaker Kurt Daudt, have suggested there will not be a big bonding bill in 2017. Several local projects are vying for state dollars including Rochester International Airport's U.S. customs expansion, Winona State University's Education Village and the Lanesboro dam  just to name a few.

Education

Expect a push to boost spending for K-12 education in the upcoming session. Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, will be chairing the Senate E-12 Finance Committee. She said education finance makes up 42 percent of the state's budget, and spending is expected to go up 4.4 percent even if nothing is done. Nelson said she backs additional spending but also wants to make sure those dollars are being spent wisely. On the campaign trail, several lawmakers talked about the need to revamp the state's funding formula to make sure schools in Greater Minnesota get a greater share of Minnesota's education dollars. Meanwhile, Dayton is expected to continue his push for universal pre-K funding. Republicans generally prefer targeted pre-K scholarships instead.

Health care

Health care is expected to loom large in the upcoming session. Lawmakers and the governor have talked about providing relief to Minnesotans faced with hefty insurance premiums in the individual market. Several other proposal are expected to be discussed including bringing back Minnesota's high-risk insurance pool, allowing residents to buy health insurance sold in other states and seeing waivers from the federal government. Legislators also will decide what to with MNsure, the state-run health insurance exchange. Some Republicans want to scrap the exchange and moved to the federally-run system. Democrats and some Republicans want to stick with MNsure.

Higher education

Rising tuition remains a major concern for lawmakers. Some, including Rochester DFL Rep. Tina Liebling, say the state needs to step up and provide more funding for higher education. She wants the state to re-evaluate how much the state spends on a program that allows high schoolers to take college courses. She said those dollars could potentially be used to help provide two free years of community college for students. Others, including Nelson, back that program and see it as an opportunity to help students limit tuition costs by getting college credits in high school.

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Mental health

The growing number of people with serious mental health problems showing up in jails and in local emergency rooms has prompted several lawmakers to say it is time to make a major investment in this area. Senjem said he will support efforts to include substantial funding in a bonding bill for additional mental health facilities.

Taxes

Republicans are expected to push for sizable tax cuts for businesses, farmers and homeowners. Tax cuts expected to be on the table include phasing out the income tax on Social Security, reducing the statewide business tax and limiting the amount of property taxes farmers pay for local school building projects.

Transportation

For two years, efforts to reach a long-term transportation deal at the Capitol have failed. Advocates are expected to push once again for a robust funding plan. The areas of disagreement will likely be the same. Democrats, including Dayton, have supporting raising new revenue via a gas tax hike. Republicans have fiercely opposed those efforts. They instead want to see money from existing auto-related taxes redirected from the general fund to transportation. Lawmakers have also historically disagreed over how much money should be spent on transit versus roads and bridges.

Workforce shortage

With Rochester's unemployment rate hovering around 3 percent, employers are having increased difficulty finding enough workers to fill vacant jobs. There is also a shortage of workers for some skilled trades like welding. Expect efforts to do a better job connecting students with private businesses for internships to continue. There is also increased talk about the importance of investing in technical education tailored for the jobs of tomorrow.
3 of 4 charged in drug slaying also accused in similar case

MINNEAPOLIS  Prosecutors say three of four people charged in a drug-related slaying in Minneapolis also are defendants in a similar fatal shooting in Shakopee.

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office says three people from Minneapolis and another from Blaine are charged with killing 31-year-old Richard Ambers in October.

County Attorney Mike Freeman says Ambers was trying to sell marijuana at a SuperAmerica station on Oct. 29 when he was taken to the home of one of the defendants and shot in the car. Ayan Wahab, Derrick Smith, Tyrel Patterson and Brandy Jaques are charged in Ambers' death.

Jacques, Smith and Patterson also are charged with killing 42-year-old James Herron at his Shakopee home on Nov. 23. Prosecutors say Herron was a drug dealer the three were robbing when he was killed.

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Microbrewer alleges trade secret conspiracy

ST. PAUL  A St. Paul microbrewer is suing an executive who helped the company grow into one of the largest in the country.

Summit Brewing Co. has accused Jeffrey Spaeth and another longtime employee, Timothy Daly, of conspiring to sell the brewer's trade secrets to a direct competitor.

Spaeth was hired in 1986 and later became vice president of sales. Daly was hired in 2000 as sales market manager.

In the lawsuit filed Thursday in Hennepin County, Summit alleges that Spaeth and Daly had access to confidential information, including plans for sales, marketing, pricing and distribution. Spaeth left the company in May and was hired as a consultant for a competitor. The lawsuit says Daly emailed trade secret information to Spaeth after he left the company.

Messages left at phone listings for Spaeth and Daly were not immediately returned.
BRECKENRIDGE  Authorities say a man accused in a shooting at a residence in Breckenridge has been arrested.

The Breckenridge Police Department says the shooting happened about 8:30 p.m. Thursday night. KFGO radio reports the victim was taken to St. Francis in Breckenridge and later flown to a Fargo hospital. His condition has not been released.

Police say the suspect was arrested without incident about 2:45 p.m. Friday at a mobile home park in Wahpeton, N.D.
ST. PAUL  Training camp for state Capitol tour guides is nearly finished  and with little time to spare.

A crush of visitors is expected when the building reopens early next month after a four-year, $310 million restoration. They'll be shown around by a mostly new crop of guides who have spent the past few weeks preparing customized routes, fun facts and tour themes.

"We don't have scripted tours. We don't give every interpreter, 'Here is 10 pages you have to talk about,'" said Brian Pease, the Capitol site manager for the Minnesota Historical Society. "It really is an intensive training process because we're having them build their tours from the ground up."

Tour construction has been occurring as the actual construction winds down.

The guides have had to dodge ladders, shimmy around scaffolding, scoot past tape blocking off corridors and crowd into rooms where antique furniture is lined up before it can be moved to its permanent spot.

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The soon-to-be blazer clad guides are intent on getting comfortable with the old and the new of the 112-year-old Minnesota Capitol, which reopens to the public on Jan. 3.

Only a couple of Pease's past guides are back after the inside-and-out restoration that halted tours for a year-and-a-half. That means about a dozen staff members will be new to the job.

"They're all skilled people. They'll be doing a good job," he said. "They'll be looking at how the building functions and putting all the art, the architecture and the government process all together as they prepare for their tours."

The team is a mix of fresh-out-of-college history majors, retired teachers, actors and government buffs.

They work for $13 an hour and have to be ready to tailor their tours to everyone from elementary school kids to visitors from abroad.

Each guide is responsible for developing a one-sentence objective and building a tour around that.

It can be a tribute to the vast artwork, an emphasis on government at work, a focus on patriotism or a hunt for the symbols scattered around the building.

Former guide David Sandager told the rookies he honed his objective to highlight the building as a showpiece of Minnesota.

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"When you walked around the first floor of the Capitol, you might have seen all of the stars, or the stars in the Governors Reception Room, or the M's on the railing, or L'Etoile du Nord, or the Civil War generals and figures on the second floor all being Minnesota," he said. "So all these uniquely Minnesotan aspects to the Capitol were what I came to for my tour."

There's a lot to take in  from the gilded molding and grand chandeliers in the governor's office to the zodiac murals high inside the dome  which is the second-largest unsupported marble dome in the world.

And when the Capitol reopens, the public will have more room to roam.

The restoration opened up almost 40,000 square feet as public space. That includes new group gathering areas in the basement level and a hideaway lounging spot on the third floor. A grab-and-go lunch counter will provide an alternative to the often-crowded Rathskeller Cafe.

For the guides, capturing the old features is just as important as highlighting newer aspects. But there's a thin line between delivering a few memorable facts and stories and overloading visitors with mundane details.

To prepare, the guides-in-training have dissected literature about tours that have gone horribly wrong. They've also analyzed the attributes of old Big Mac containers as part of an exercise aimed at putting objects in historical context.

Kerry Foerster, who previously worked at radio stations and hospitals, took the training as a refresher. He's one of the returning guides.

"I've had a lot of jobs in my life. I'm a restless soul, and this has been my favorite," Foerster said. "So I'm really eager to get back."

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He describes it as performance art, but with purpose.

"I love giving tours, especially to kids who when they first come into the building, they are awed by it. But then they see, 'He's our tour guide, there's this old guy, he can't be very fun.' And then I make them laugh or surprise them somehow," Foerster said. "And all the sudden their eyes go wide. Then they know they better pay attention or they're going to miss something. And I know I've got them!"

On some days in the spring, the team will be responsible for showing around 1,200 school children  150 an hour  plus adult walk-ups.

General tours run about 45 minutes and start on the hour. They're free, but a $5 per person donation is encouraged.

Elizabeth Phyle is one of the new guides. The University of St. Thomas history graduate who spent her first two years out of college teaching English in Japan is anxious to get started.

"I was so excited that there was a job where I could geek out about history and government at the same time," she said, "in a place that was so historical but also had so much living history going on."

___

Information from: Minnesota Public Radio News, http://www.mprnews.org
MINNEAPOLIS  Prosecutors say three of four people charged in a drug-related slaying in Minneapolis also are defendants in a similar fatal shooting in Shakopee.

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office says three people from Minneapolis and another from Blaine are charged with killing 31-year-old Richard Ambers in October.

County Attorney Mike Freeman says Ambers was trying to sell marijuana at a SuperAmerica station Oct. 29 when he was taken to the home of one of the defendants and shot in the car. Ayan Wahab, Derrick Smith, Tyrel Patterson and Brandy Jaques are charged in Ambers' death.

Jacques, Smith and Patterson also are charged with killing 42-year-old James Herron at his Shakopee home on Nov. 23. Prosecutors say Herron was a drug dealer the three were robbing when he was killed.
RENWICK, Iowa  Once-bustling Renwick, Iowa, lost its grocery, hardware store, school and Ford dealership years ago, but when its sole bar closed last June, it seemed to some residents there wasn't much of a town left.

So a group of seven friends and spouses who had met for beers at the bar for decades took matters into their own hands. One of them bought the place and the others pooled their money to fix it up, showing up after work to replace floors and walls on steamy summer nights before reopening in September as the Blue Moose Saloon.

It was an impressive achievement but one that is becoming more common as population continues to trickle away from rural America. Residents of some towns are scrambling to hold on to at least a few places where people can still get together. It's not just bars but groceries, cafes and other stores.

They don't expect to turn around their communities' prospects, but after watching so many businesses shuttered, they feel they had to draw the line somewhere.

"There are two places not too far, over in Lu Verne, but it's not our place," said one of the Blue Moose owners, Ron Oberhelman, a 59-year-old farmer who has seen the population fall from about 500 to 235 residents. "It's not our home town.

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"When your local place closes up, you're pretty much lost."

Renwick's wide streets are usually empty, apart from a trickle of people who stop at the small post office, do business at the towering silver Gold Eagle grain elevators or work at a seed production plant. But cars and pickups begin pulling up to the Blue Moose not long after it opens each afternoon at 4, offering a refuge from the icy December wind that blows off the snowy farmland surrounding the community about 90 miles north of Des Moines.

It's a similar situation in the Missouri River village of Decatur, Nebraska, where a dozen people put up money to help the owners rebuild when the Green Lantern Steakhouse burned in 2008. The restaurant, established in 1956, was what brought people into town and served as the main meeting spot in the community of 450 an hour's drive north of Omaha.

"It's not very easy to have a strong, active small town," said Matt Connealy, who lives on a farm just outside town. "You have to do things that don't always make the best sense financially."

Once reopened, the restaurant resumed its place as the community's hub, home to high school graduation parties and baby showers. Near the entrance, notices cram a bulletin board, so as Connealy notes, "If you want to find out what's happening, that's where you go."

U.S. Census figures show more than one-third of rural counties have lower population now than in 1930. In Iowa, about two-thirds of the state's 99 counties have lost population for decades. In addition to fewer potential customers, businesses in rural areas face stiff competition from online shopping and from urban chain stores offering big savings for those willing to drive another 30 or 40 miles.

Charles Fluharty, who heads the Rural Policy Research Institute at the University of Iowa, said he's seen an increase in rural neighbors joining to save local spots. Some create cooperatives or seek government and private grants.

Without gathering places, the residents fear that people in town won't know each other. They won't know who's getting married, who's sick, who needs help.

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"There's a sense of, "We've got to take care of ourselves, and that means we've got to take care of one another because we're all we've got," Fluharty said.

In Kiester, Minn., the 486 residents went so far as gaining approval from the Legislature for the city to own the local food store. Residents later formed a co-op, and the Kiester Market sign notes, "Proud to be community owned."

Marcia Dahleen, until recently the market manager, said the grocery store relies increasingly on volunteer help. It delivers to elderly people at home and takes special orders for meat.

"We try to bend over backward to help people in town," she said.

Residents of Bowdon, N.D., population 135, also created a co-op to save a meat-cutting plant after the owner died. Although it only employed a few people, co-op board member Larry Crowder said it was "the busiest place on Main Street," and that residents feared Bowdon's cafe and co-op grocery could fail if the plant wasn't there to draw people into town. They managed to sell 100 shares at $5,500 apiece to fund a new plant along with grants.

"They did it to save the town," Crowder said.
MADISON, Wis.  The state Department of Natural Resources has quietly removed language from its website that said humans and greenhouse gases are the main cause of climate change.

The website now states the cause of climate change is debatable. Gone are sentences attributing global warming to human activities and rising carbon dioxide levels. Also gone is language saying that scientists agree the Great Lakes region will see longer summers and shorter winters, decreased ice cover and changes in rain and snow patterns if climate change continues.

The new language states: "As it has done throughout the centuries, the earth is going through a change. The reasons for this change at this particular time in the earth's long history are being debated and researched by academic entities outside the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources."

The blurb goes on to state that the DNR's responsibility is to manage Wisconsin's natural resources through whatever event presents itself and the staff is ready to adapt its strategies to protect lakes, waterways, plants and wildlife.

Most scientists agree burning fossil fuels has increased greenhouse gases and caused global warming. A 2014 United Nations report found that human influence on climate is clear. The report also found global warming is unequivocal and unprecedented.

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Republican Gov. Scott Walker controls the DNR. He and his fellow Republicans have been critical of President Barack Obama's climate change initiatives. Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel joined other states in a 2015 federal lawsuit challenging limitations on power plant carbon emissions. The DNR has removed other online information about global warming since Walker took office, including a trove of information compiled by former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle's global warming task force and a teaching guide on climate change. The agency turned that guide over to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

DNR spokesman James Dick told the Journal Sentinel that the climate change language revisions "reflects our position on this topic that we have communicated for years, that our agency regularly must respond to a variety of environmental and human stressors from drought, flooding, wind events to changing demographics."

Joel Bammeier, president of the Chicago-based Alliance for the Great Lakes, said he doesn't understand why the DNR made the climate change revisions.

"To me, it looks like they are trying to cover up a debate that really isn't happening."

Paul Robbins, director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies said the revisions don't surprise him.

"When climate change gets so politicized" he said, "you can imagine agencies and its leaders haggling over wording."
MADISON, Wis.  Repeat drunken drivers will face more time behind bars in Wisconsin starting New Year's Day under a law the state Legislature passed overwhelmingly nearly a year ago.

The new law doesn't make the first offense a criminal violation, leaving Wisconsin as the only state that treats a first offense as a civil violation. Advocates for sober driving say lawmakers need to go further in the upcoming session, starting by expanding ignition interlock use.

"(The new penalties are) just closing some loopholes that currently exist," said Frank Harris, state government affairs director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "By the time someone's a repeat offender prosecutors need every tool in the tool box."

The new law, sponsored by Rep. Jim Ott, a Mequon Republican, makes a fourth drunken driving offense a felony punishable by up to six years in prison regardless of when it's committed. Right now a fourth offense is a felony only if it's committed within five years of a third offense.

The law also increases the maximum sentence for fifth and sixth offenses from three years to five. Maximum sentences for seventh, eighth and ninth offenses will increase from five years to seven years and six months. The maximum sentence for a 10th or subsequent offense will increase from seven years and six months to a decade in prison. The new penalties will go into effect Jan. 1.

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Drunken driving has plagued Wisconsin for decades. The state Department of Transportation has tracked more than 4,000 alcohol-related crashes every year from 2012 through 2015. Eighty-five people died in alcohol-related crashes last year, according to the state agency's data.

The state's drunken driving laws have been notoriously lax. Wisconsin is the only state where a first offense is treated similar to a speeding ticket. The offender can lose a driver's license but doesn't face any jail time and can obtain occupational licenses allowing travel to certain destinations during certain hours.

Prohibitive cost estimates and resistance from powerful Tavern League lobbyists have scuttled attempts to create harsher penalties. The Department of Corrections, for example, projects it may have to spend as much as $129 million annually as well as another $157 million to construct a dozen drug abuse centers to accommodate the additional offenders under the new law.

Still, sober driving advocates seem to be gaining some momentum. Ott has insisted the cost estimates are exaggerated and the Tavern League registered in support of the new law. The Senate passed the measure in January on a voice vote, a procedure reserved for non-controversial legislation, and the Assembly passed it 95-1 in February.

MADD's Harris wants more. He wants to see Sen. Van Wanggard, a Racine Republican, reintroduce a bill that would allow first-time offenders to obtain a special license allowing them to drive wherever they wish if they install ignition interlock devices on their vehicles.

The devices work like breathalyzers. The driver blows into it and if his or her breath exceeds a certain alcohol content the vehicle won't start. Under the bill, a license holder who drives a vehicle without such a device could face six months behind bars.

A fiscal estimate attached to the bill found fees for the new licenses would generate about $1.1 million annually but the measure never got a floor vote last session.

Harris said 28 other states already permit such a practice, which he called "an in-car probation officer."

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Wanggard said Tuesday he'll bring the bill back this session, adding that the measure will encourage people to stay sober. He said he also plans to bring back a proposal to revoke a person's license permanently if he or she has five or more operating while intoxicated offenses.

Ott, meanwhile, plans to reintroduce bills that would require a minimum 18-month prison sentence for fifth and sixth offenses and a mandatory seven-year sentence for committing a homicide while driving drunk.

"By working to close loopholes and strengthen sentencing," Ott spokesman Ryan Augustyn said in a statement, "we send the message that OWI is a serious offense with potentially life-changing consequences."
MADISON, Wis.  A new state transportation study found that installing tollways on Wisconsin interstates could raise billions of dollars, but that substantial upfront investments would be needed and federal approval is uncertain.

The Department of Transportation study also found that Gov. Scott Walker's road-funding plan for the next two years puts Wisconsin roads on path to worsen "severely" over the next decade.

Wisconsin lawmakers and Walker commissioned the study last year as part of the 2015-17 state budget. Its findings were released Wednesday.

A day earlier, Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb announced his resignation, effective next month, with little explanation.

Walker's office didn't immediately respond to the newspaper's request for comment on the study Wednesday.

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Lawmakers are expected to address state transportation funding in the upcoming 2017-18 legislative session.

Assembly Republican leaders have said toll roads should be considered in Wisconsin. No toll roads currently exist in Wisconsin.

The study gave a broad overview of its pros, cons and how toll roads would be implemented. The study assumed tolls would be collected electronically, eliminating the need for drivers to stop to pay a toll, and for toll plazas that restrict highway access.

The study does not give a recommendation for or against the implementation of tolls.

It would take about four years to implement any plans for a toll system. Upfront capital costs for a toll system in Wisconsin would range between $350 million to $400 million.

The state could take in between $14 billion and $41 billion from tolls on interstates from 2020 through 2050 depending on the chosen toll rate. The revenue would come from motorists, including in- and out-of-state residents.

Federal permission to toll U.S. interstates would be needed to move toll road plans forward in Wisconsin, even if approved by state leaders.
Michael Moderski will take over as president and chief operating officer of McFarland State Bank on Dec. 31.

Moderski succeeds Steven Swanson, who is retiring from those positions. Swanson, 58, has worked at the McFarland bank for 32 years -- 11 of them as president and COO -- and will stay on the board of directors.

Moderski, 46, joined the bank in 2009 and has served as vice president and chief financial officer. He has a bachelor's degree in economics and business administration from Carroll College, Waukesha.

Ami Myrland, currently controller, will be McFarland State Bank's acting chief financial officer.
As the last page turns on 2016, it's a good time to consider possible changes for the new year.

As we have in the past, we're taking the liberty to offer a few suggestions.

Newly elected officials:Resolve to keep your campaign promises, but also consider the ideas and issues that drew voters to the other name of the ballot.

Public officials:Embrace opportunities to share your meetings with the public. Consider recording them when possible and posting those recordings online. They may not receive the clicks of some social media posts, but the effort will show residents you want them to be informed.

Citizens:Resolve to attend a city council, township board or other public meeting. Let your elected officials know you are listening and want to participate when difficult decisions arise.

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Minnesota Legislature:Consider finishing work early. There's no law that says you have to push final decisions to the last day. Set budget targets early and try to get done with time to spare.

State lawmakers:Work to stop highlighting what divides the rural and metro areas of the state. Instead, look at what unites us and drives us to improve.

Parents:Resolve to volunteer at your child's school. Consider spending at least an hour a month to connect with your student's teachers and daily activities.

In the City for Good:Continue your organization's work to spur grassroots efforts amid change in Rochester, but also work to increase community involvement and find ways to raise awareness of your efforts.

Social media users:Resolve to not say anything online that you wouldn't say in public. After all, most sites are a public forum.

Rochester City Council:Resolve to make a decision on the future of the Armory that supports community involvement and ensure the historic structure maintains an active role in downtown life.

Potential advocates:Speak out and join the efforts that exist, whether it's Rochester for Justice, We Bike Rochester, various arts groups or any number of other organizations that can benefit from added voices. If the right group doesn't exist, consider creating one.

Post Bulletin readers:Resolve to write a letter. We printed more than 1,000 this year, and will strive to make room for more in 2017. Guidelines are available online at www.postbulletin.com/opinion.

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Everyone:Find ways to help. Whether it's volunteering or simply lending a neighbor a hand, work to make 2017 better for someone else and it will be better for you.
The Obama administration is retaliating against Russia for hacking into Debbie Wasserman-Schultzs email account. It would have been much better if the administration had reacted when Russia hacked into the White Houses and State Departments computers in 2014, but, as Glenn Reynolds says, at that time only national security was at stake, while now, its something really important: the Democratic Partys power.

So yesterday the administration released its long-anticipated report on Russian hacking. The Associated Press explains the reports importance:

The U.S. on Thursday released its most detailed report yet on Russias efforts to interfere in the U.S. presidential election by hacking American political sites and email accounts. The 13-page joint analysis by the Homeland Security Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation was the first such report ever to attribute malicious cyber activity to a particular country or actors. It was also the first time the U.S. has officially and specifically tied intrusions into the Democratic National Committee to hackers with the Russian civilian and military intelligence services, the FSB and GRU, expanding on an Oct. 7 accusation by the Obama administration.

So the report is really important. I read it yesterday, and had to triple-check to verify that this is the document the administration has been hyping.

The report can fairly be characterized as a joke. To begin with, 8 1/2 of its 13 pages consist of boilerplate advice to IT professionals, e.g.:

A commitment to good cybersecurity and best practices is critical to protecting networks and systems. Here are some questions you may want to ask your organization to help prevent and mitigate against attacks.

Right. So how about the Russians and Debbie W-Ss account? The information provided is absurdly thin. The bottom line:

The U.S. Government confirms that two different [Russian civilian and military intelligence Services] actors participated in the intrusion into a U.S. political party. The first actor group, known as Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) 29, entered into the partys systems in summer 2015, while the second, known as APT28, entered in spring 2016.

The U.S political party is of course the Democratic National Committee. But what is the evidence that the Russian government was behind the hack?

In summer 2015, an APT29 spearphishing campaign directed emails containing a malicious link to over 1,000 recipients, including multiple U.S. Government victims. APT29 used legitimate domains, to include domains associated with U.S. organizations and educational institutions, to host malware and send spearphishing emails. In the course of that campaign, APT29 successfully compromised a U.S. political party. At least one targeted individual activated links to malware hosted on operational infrastructure of opened attachments containing malware. APT29 delivered malware to the political partys systems, established persistence, escalated privileges, enumerated active directory accounts, and exfiltrated email from several accounts through encrypted connections back through operational infrastructure. In spring 2016, APT28 compromised the same political party, again via targeted spearphishing. This time, the spearphishing email tricked recipients into changing their passwords through a fake webmail domain hosted on APT28 operational infrastructure. Using the harvested credentials, APT28 was able to gain access and steal content, likely leading to the exfiltration of information from multiple senior party members. The U.S. Government assesses that information was leaked to the press and publicly disclosed.

I assume that these claims are probably true, but they are conclusions, not evidence. Does the administration provide any evidence? This is as close as we get:

Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) IOCs associated with RIS cyber actors are provided within the accompanying .csv and .stix files of JAR-16-20296.

Yara Signature

rule PAS_TOOL_PHP_WEB_KIT

{

meta:

description = PAS TOOL PHP WEB KIT FOUND strings:

$php =  20KB and filesize < 22KB) and #cookie == 2 and #isset == 3 and all of them }

I am not competent to interpret this information. No doubt some of our readers will weigh in, in the comments. But really: is this the best evidence the administration has that the Russian government hacked Debbie W-Ss email account? It seems remarkably feeble. The administrations claim may be true. I have no idea whether it is or not. But the thinness of any persuasive evidence in a 13-page report that consists mostly of boilerplate advice to IT personnel inspires very little confidence.
By just about everyones reckoning, the so-called signature achievements of the Obama years are the enactment of Obamacare and the Iran nuclear deal. They have a lot in common. Both are ruinous and both were founded on an edifice of bald-faced lies. President Obama is the lyin king and these are the lyin years.

We recall the foundational lies of Obamacare: If you like your insurance plan, you can keep it. If you like your doctor, you can keep him. Obamacare will save the average family $2500 a year. Obama enunciated these lies in a manner suggesting that anyone who disputed them was an idiot. The compilation below documents Obamas incessant reiteration of the lie about keeping your health care plan. Our familiarity with it should not dull our contempt for the liar, his partisan allies and his mainstream media adjunct.

The same applies many times over to the Iran nuclear deal. In the first sentence of his statement announcing it (video below), Obama asserted that it constituted a comprehensive, long-term deal with Iran that will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The truth, however, is that in a best case scenario under the deal, Iran will have nuclear weapons in little over a decade.

Moreover, Iran will finance its nuclear weapons program and other murderous activities with the billions of dollars it obtains pursuant to the agreement, much of it delivered in in cash on pallets as ransom to induce Irans agreement to the deal. The Wall Street Journals Jay Solomon and Carol Lee follow the money this week in Inside the 37-year standoff over Irans frozen US dollars and in A tally of Iran sanctions relief includes more than $10 billion in cash, gold. As Churchill said on Munich, though Obama lacks Chamberlains good faith and the United States lacks Britains excuses, we should know that we have sustained a defeat without a war, the consequences of which will travel far with us along our road

The money adds to the shame and humiliation implicit in the deal. It is indeed worse than Munich; Britain didnt pay Hitler.

Obama again enlisted the assistance of his mainstream media adjunct in selling the big lie of the Iran deal. Obama national security flack Ben Rhodes even bragged about it to David Samuels.

In the Obama administrations parting betrayal of Israel in the United Nations we see the same operation at work. We see the mainstream media offering up Ben Rhodes to comment. You might say weve been down this Rhodes before. It represents Obamas modus operandi.
This isnt the only reason, but it is an important one: Mexican man charged with raping a 13-year-old girl on a bus had NINETEEN deportations and removals.

Liberals dont ride buses, but the rest of us are horrified:

A Mexican man accused of raping a 13-year-old girl on a Greyhound bus that traveled through Kansas had been deported 10 times and voluntarily removed from the U.S. another nine times since 2003, records obtained by The Associated Press show.

There used to be something called the rule of law. But under President Obama, the rule of law has largely disappeared. Laws that Obama favors are enforced, or if necessary made up out of whole cloth, while laws that he doesnt favor, like those relating to immigration, are ignored, in violation of Obamas oath of office. Never in our history have we had a president like this.

Its not unusual to see immigrants with multiple entries without legal permission, said David Trevino, a Topeka immigration attorney also representing Martinez-Maldonado. Most of Martinez-Maldonados family lives in Mexico, but he also has family in the United States, and the family is devastated, Trevino said.

I am sure that illegal entry into the U.S. is not unusual. The family of Martinez-Maldonados rape victim apparently was unavailable for comment, but I suspect that they, too, were devastated. Likely even more so than the perpetrators family. But the Democratic Party has nothing to say to them. The Democrats priority is open borders, with the objective of importing millions of Democrat voters. Which is a major reason why Donald Trump will be our next president.
When Sandra David, a 29-year-old staff of the Bank of Agriculture, was in March diagnosed with gall bladder complications requiring surgical correction, she asked for only a few days off work and headed for the Federal Staff Hospital, FSH, Abuja.

The facility was established by the federal government primarily for the care of its public servants, but also other residents of the Nigerian capital.

We all expected the treatment and recuperation to take a short period and that she would return to work very quickly, recalled late Ms. Davids sister, Sophia.

But days ran into weeks and she was still at the hospital. Rather than tell us the truth about her situation, they waited and waited for my sister to die, said Sophia, in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES.

PREMIUM TIMES obtained the results of medical tests conducted on Ms. David the first day she walked into the hospital. It showed that she had Cholelithiasis.

The condition entails presence of gallstones in the gall bladder, and multiple uterine fibroid, which refers to non-cancerous growths in the muscular wall of the uterus.

According to medical experts, the treatment of gall stones depends on the stage of the problem when reported; while multiple uterine fibroid had the tendency of causing the patient to develop swollen stomach.

As also indicated by the medical reports obtained from the FSH, Ms. David was expected to stay at the hospital for four days after surgery, before returning home to continue recuperation.

But trouble began after the surgery when Ms. David reported pains in her stomach.

After the surgery, she was complaining of stomach pains but they said it would be fine, said Sophia.

Three days after the surgery, they asked us to go home, that everything was okay. A few days later, she complained (again) of pains but they said she should not worry, that she would get better.

According to Sophia, her sisters pain persisted, however, and her stomach grew in size as if she was pregnant. So five days after the complaint, they returned to the hospital and Ms. David was rushed back to the theatre.

They told us this time that my sister was retaining water and that she lacked protein in her body, said Sophia.

It was later found that the patient was retaining bile. Her body was opened up again to remove the accumulated water and to transmit fluids of protein into her.

But in the process, her sister alleged, the surgeons punctured her lungs, resulting in another complication that caused Ms. David to pass out temporarily.

Immediately they came in and resuscitated her; but in that process they bruised her lungs, so she had blood clot on the lungs, explained Sophia.

Ms. Davids treatment at the FSH had by then lasted over three months.

On June 20, they told us that the hospital staff were on strike and that we should go home. They didnt even suggest that we take her to another hospital.

We had to ask for a referral, which they reluctantly gave. But they failed to state the actual condition she was in before leaving the hospital.

They just said she had a bile leakage. They did not state that they had punctured her lungs and that she had blood clot around her lungs. Such things were not stated, the sister of the deceased recalled.

Sophia said her family only got the true picture of Ms. Davids grave condition when they arrived the Nizamiye Hospital, the Nigerian-Turkish medical facility in Abuja.

When we arrived at the Nizamiye Hospital; they told us that she had only about 30 per cent chance of survival; that she would have to undergo several surgical operations which would cost N6 million to N8 million.

The family managed to raise over half the needed money from after an appeal for help was made to the public through the social media.

But the surgery came too late to save Ms. Davids life.

For several weeks at the hospital, she battled seizure of breath, memory loss and other severe complications at Nizamiye Hospital.

On July 2, 10 days after her birthday, Ms. David suffered another seizure.

This time, it was fatal. She died.

The doctors came and told us that they were sorry, said Sophia, her voice cracking from suppressed sobs.

She added that the doctors explained to the family that her sisters death was caused by complications from the blood clot and the bile leakage which could not be stopped completely.

A surgeon in the team that treated Ms. David at the Nizamiye Hospital told PREMIUM TIMES that the patients condition was complicated by the spread of secreted bile around her abdomen and liver.

The surgeon, who preferred anonymity because he is an expatriate who would not like any problems with his Nigerian colleagues, explained that his surgical team tried to remove the excess bile in Ms. Davids body and to create a passageway, to curb the spread.

We tried to reduce the bile leakage from as high as 650mills to less than 200 daily, he said.

The surgeon added that the leakage could not be completely contained, because it was difficult to trace the source.

He said blood supplements were given to the patient to create a natural healing process. But all the efforts to save her life failed.

We had told the family that she had an enormous chance of dying, when she came, said the surgeon. In spite of the nature of the complication; the hospital did its best, he said.

The medical negligence in Ms. Davids death is already being investigated by the regulator, the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council.

Officials at the Council declined to speak on the matter. An official, who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES on condition of anonymity, said the council had written the Federal Staff Hospital as part of its investigations into Ms. Davids death, a fact later confirmed by a staff of FSH.

OTHER CASES OF NEGLIGENCE

It was not only the David family who had unpleasant stories to tell about FSH, considered one of the top medical facilities in the Nigerian capital.

Eddy Pious is another bitter former patient of the hospital.

He told PREMIUM TIMES that he registered with the hospital in 2008. But it was in 2015 that he suffered his worst experience of what he alleged to be the hospitals inefficiency.

Mr. Pious said his doubts about the hospital first occurred in 2014 when his wife had to be rushed to the hospital.

She had been given a drug, Leonat, for the treatment of malaria.

After three days, she started bleeding profusely and we rushed her to the hospital. They ran a pregnancy test and discovered that my wife was seven weeks pregnant.

The pregnancy came eight years after their marriage, so the family considered it a special development.

Mrs. Pious received antenatal care at the FSH and had no complications until the last days of the pregnancy.

On May 24 we ran a scan and it was found that my wife was 38 weeks and three days pregnant. That was on a Monday. The following day, she started complaining of pains and it was as though she was going to be delivered of her baby at that point.

Mr. Pious said he rushed his wife to the hospital but that he had to make a distress call after waiting 40 minutes in the hospital before they attended to her.

My wife was in pains and I became desperate. I saw on the wall a number for people to call if they were dissatisfied with the hospital for any reason. I called the number.

He said the recipient of the call told him someone would come over to attend to him. A couple of minutes later, some men walked into the consulting room and confronted the attendants. It was not until then that they demanded Mrs. Pious hospital card for her to be checked in, the husband said.

They told us that we should return home after checking my wife; that her pregnancy was not yet due. It was about 1 p.m.so I was very reluctant to take her home. I asked them to admit her, but they refused, recalled Mr. Pious.

That night, Mr. Pious said his wife noticed blood when she tried to urinate. But when they returned to the hospital, they were again told that she was not due for delivery.

On June 1, Mrs. Pious was finally taken into the theatre for the delivery.

But when they came out, they told me that my baby had died in the womb, that his heart had stopped, said Mr. Pious.

They said that June 1 was her EDD (Expected Date of Delivery), but they also knew that EDD could either be seven days earlier or later. My wife was already 38 weeks pregnant, yet even with the pains, they refused to remove the baby.

They didnt even refund the extra charge for the caesarean operation they had suggested, despite the fact that my wife was delivered of the baby without CS.

Mr. Pious said his family was still expecting a child after the still-birth, and10 years after their marriage.

MORE SORRY CASES

Another patient, John Paul, a lawyer, said it was his wife that prevailed on him not to institute a legal action against the FSH after losing their baby at the hospital.

My wife had an early labour after 26 weeks of pregnancy. They delivered the baby alive and my wife said she could see her baby breathing after it was delivered.

But they handed me a dead child in a nylon bag, like everything was alright. They gave no explanations, nor did they attempt to show any sympathy.

Happily, Mrs. Paul was successfully delivered of a baby a year later in 2015, but not at FSH.

She had a similar experience when in her 29th week she entered into labour. This time, the National Hospital took better care of the baby and he is a year old today, said Mr. Paul.

Another patient, who sought anonymity because she does not want publicity, also narrated her experience at the hospital.

The woman, a mother of one, said she registered with the hospital when she was about six months pregnant.

A week after she registered, the woman said she felt ill and went to the hospital to check her health.

I was actually seeing a private doctor; a personal gynaecologist, but I wanted to be on a safe side so I registered with the hospital.

A week later, I felt funny so I went to the hospital; they said I had slight pneumonia and they gave me antibiotics. After taking the drug I felt even weaker and I called my brother in-law who took me home.

That night I felt very bad. I also began feeling pains under me. I returned to the hospital, where it was found that I had contraction. After they discovered this, I was made to wait for about one hour before they asked me to trek through a two-story building, upstairs.

At the ward, they put a drip on me and abandoned me. There was an ongoing strike action at the time. They said they only had about two nurses available and as such they could not attend to me. Even when my water broke, it took over 40 minutes before they came to me. At that time my baby was already dead, said the woman.

She further said although she had paid over N50,000 a week before, the hospital was ill prepared for her delivery and almost used a blade to cut her through.

They were asking for blade to cut me up. Fortunately for me the placenta came out on its own, she added.

HOSPITAL WONT COMMENT

For about one month, PREMIUM TIMES tried to get the management of the Federal Staff Hospital to react to the various cases of alleged medical negligence that caused the death of the victims.

In all cases, our efforts were rebuffed.

After a visit where our reporter was blocked from seeing the Chief Medical Director, Chinwe Igwilo, an official letter was delivered on December 5, stating our findings and demanding an interview.

Officials at the hospital on that day said Ms. Igwilo was not in the country and promised to contact PREMIUM TIMES when she returns.

The hospital never got back.

Subsequent calls made through the hospitals spokesperson, Kayode Olomofe, were initially answered, saying Ms. Igwilo was not around.

Mr. Olomofe ignored subsequent calls and would not reply text messages.

A senior official at the hospital, however, told PREMIUM TIMES that at least one of the cases was being investigated by the management.

We have already been communicated by the (Ms. Davids) familys lawyers and the Federal Medical Council is already looking into the matter, so we cant talk to you about it, the official said.

As for the other people, we are not aware of any complaint.
A startup company that is working to fight cancer is moving to Madison from Chicago on Jan. 1, and is bringing along its first round of funds from investors.

Capio Biosciences has developed technology that can identify cancer cells in the bloodstream, said co-founder and president Seungpyo Hong.

By taking blood samples, or liquid biopsies, as a cancer patient goes through treatment, Capios device, the OncoSense CTC, can pinpoint cancerous cells and measure them to see how the patient is responding to the treatment, Hong said.

He said its faster, easier and less expensive than conventional tumor biopsies or body scans.

Hong joined the UW-Madison faculty this week as a professor of pharmaceutical sciences; he had been at the University of Illinois-Chicago campus.

Hong and Capio co-founder Andrew Wang, an associate professor of radiation oncology at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, started brainstorming the project in the 2006-2008 time period, when they were both working in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology lab of Prof. Robert Langer. Langer is one of the most celebrated U.S. biotechnology researchers, with more than 1,000 issued or pending patents and a long list of awards.

Hong and Wang formed Capio Biosciences in 2013 and have been developing their nanotechnology-based device.

In pilot studies conducted by Wang so far, 50 to 60 patients have been monitored, most with advanced head and neck cancers, and by reading the CTC, or circulating tumor cell numbers, the company has been able to identify which treatments have been effective, Hong said.

We have shown our device can be used for many different types of cancer cells, especially those that metastasize through the blood, Hong said.

The company is renting space at 505 S. Rosa Road, in the MGE Innovation Center at University Research Park. Its first investors  a Chinese pharmaceutical company and angel investors  have provided $2.9 million, the first part of a $4.5 million financing round. The rest, Hong said, will come after the company reaches certain milestones.

Hong said Capio  whose name is derived from the Greek word meaning capture  hopes to apply for federal clearance for its technology in two or three years.

As a cancer researcher whose own family has a history of the disease, Hong said his goal is to try to help at least one patient. Thats the dream of my career..

NorthStar Medical

adds federal funds

NorthStar Medical Technologies is the parent company of NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, which is working on two technologies to produce molybdenum-99, a radioisotope that decays into technetium-99m, which is used in millions of medical diagnostic procedures.

NorthStar, formerly of Madison and now based in Beloit, says it has received another $6.7 million, for a total of $11.1 million from the agency.

The latest funding advances one of two agreements between NorthStar and the U.S. Department of Energy agency, one for each of the technologies.

The agreements call for the company and the federal agency to each come up with $25 million, for a combined pot of $50 million.

The first such agreement already is fully funded, at $50 million.

NorthStar already is producing molybdenum-99 at the University of Missouri Research Reactor in Columbia, Missouri.

The company also is building a plant in Beloit.
ATLANTIC CITY  State officials overseeing the citys government have called on the police and fire departments to make major concessions in salary and potentially cut ranks, including up to 100 jobs in the citys Fire Department.

The demands came last month, but the information became public only last week, when a copy of an email from the police union head was leaked.

City police and fire unions had gone to Trenton for their first official negotiation since the state takeover. The unions knew when the state took over they were likely facing significant changes.

But the level and depth of the cuts the state asked for was more than they anticipated, said police union President Matt Rogers.

During the meetings they received a laundry list of demands the state believes the departments need to take, Rogers said.

Were going to continue to negotiate in good faith, said Rogers, president of Local 24. It just seems like every time we go in there, they ask for a little bit more.

For the Police Department, the state is looking for a pay cut across the board, a 15-step salary guide with smaller incremental raises and pay capped at $90,000. The state is also seeking increased health care contributions from members and asking officers to work 12-hour shifts.

In the email to union members Wednesday that was leaked, Rogers said the state also alluded to cutting the department from 277 to 250. That doesnt include the 30 Class II officers paid for by a $1 million Casino Reinvestment Development Authority grant.

For the Fire Department, the demands are similar, but the staffing cuts are deeper, as many as 100 firefighters, said City Councilman George Tibbitt and Mayor Don Guardian.

A state Department of Community Affairs spokeswoman declined comment Friday, as did the citys police and fire chiefs.

Guardian said Friday the states proposal was why the city fought so hard against a takeover.

I feel that this is very unfair to both the police and firefighters, he said.

Both unions are preparing a response, Guardian said, and are set to meet with the state again Jan. 9.

Some of the states demands were similar to a new contract the city and the unions had agreed on earlier this year. That contract was never signed because the state, in advance of its takeover, objected to it.

Tibbitt said both departments must continue to make cuts to help the city but added what the state is asking is unreasonable in some instances and could threaten public safety.

Data from State Police show Atlantic City saw a 17.8 percent increase in violent crime in 2015 from the previous year.

Police officers and firefighters make up two-thirds of the citys salary cost, according to a May 6 city employee list. More than 400 public-safety workers earn more than $92,000 in base salary.

The city hasnt addressed the rich benefits and the salaries of the police and fire departments, Gov. Chris Christie said in March, arguing for the takeover.

The unions say theyve come to agreements twice in the past year that save money for taxpayers while maintaining what they believe is a necessary level of service.

The state took over in November after rejecting a last-ditch attempt by the city to avoid total state control. Christie tapped longtime ally and former state Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa to run the turnaround.

Under the takeover, the state can sell city assets, hire and fire employees and veto the minutes of government meetings, among other powers.

Chiesa has been relatively quiet on his plans for the city, saying first he planned on meeting with all of the groups involved and focusing on tackling the citys $500 million debt.

However, in the states November rejection of the citys plan to avoid a takeover, it specifically notes police and fire staff reductions may be needed.

Cuts in the citys police ranks dont sit well with Elias Nammour, who worked the register Friday at Cedar Market on Baltic Avenue.

Thats bad, he said when he learned of the possible cuts. Atlantic City needs more police in this area.

Staff Writer Christian Hetrick contributed to this report.
AVALON  Visitors to this Cape May County beach community will, if they arrive near 30th street in the heart of the borough, be able to find parking, restrooms and a boardwalk on their way to the beach.

The parking lot has room for about 100 cars, and the borough has discussed plans to enlarge it. The lot is just feet from the sand, and the distance from there to the water is only a few hundred feet.

But wander outside this area, and the path to the beach gets more complicated, as visitors have to find parking and walk the small trails tucked away at the ends of quiet streets lined with private homes. In fact, there is practically no area of the island without private beachfront property.

This is in stark contrast to Wildwood, just a few miles south.

The beach is our calling card, said Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. When you come to town, we want to make sure its not a difficult experience. Why have a beach if people cant get to it? In Wildwood, parking and public restrooms abound, beach access is impossible to miss and shops on the Boardwalk keep things lively into the night. Along the beach, instead of ornate private homes, countless places rent out rooms to tourists in season.

The two towns could hardly be more different when it comes to beach access. Yet for many years, the state Department of Environmental Protection has sought to enforce uniform beach access rules along the states entire coastline. The essence of the rules was that shore towns had to provide access lanes every quarter-mile, with restrooms and parking every half-mile.

The DEPs one-size-fits-all beach policy has been evolving since 2012, when the agency gave individual municipalities greater control in designing access plans. Although these rules have been contested, the latest version is working its way through the agency.

Avalon has long supported less centralized control over the beaches, and Scott Wahl, the boroughs business administrator, expressed approval for the DEPs proposed measures.

This public access issue is one that Avalon was deeply involved in, Wahl said in a statement. Essentially, we are very supportive of the NJDEPs common sense-based approach on municipal access rules in the state of New Jersey. Previously the state had tried to force towns to provide access, provide bathrooms, and also provide 24/7 access to the beaches without assuming any of the liability. Avalon sued, and we won.

The current administration in Trenton recognizes that municipalities know their communities better than anyone else.

One group that has opposed the DEPs new policies from the beginning is the Sierra Club. Jeff Tittel, president of the clubs New Jersey chapter, believes giving Avalon and other like-minded towns greater control over drafting access plans could ultimately result in measures designed to keep the public off beaches.

The challenge is getting people from private areas onto these public lands (the beaches), Tittel said. If a town doesnt build bathrooms or provide parking, they can effectively stop people from accessing these lands. If they have the access points where no one can find them, they stop people from accessing the land.

Tittel praised Wildwood as an example of a town with great beach access. Named by New Jersey Monthly last July as one of the best beaches in the state, Wildwood has gained recognition as a destination with open public access.

Since Wildwoods beaches are free and easy to get to, notes Troiano, changes to access rules should not affect the city.

Wildwood enjoys a wide beach that accommodates events such as volleyball tournaments. But that also mean a lot of sand to trudge across, and Troiano proudly points to the tram system the city started to help visitors get near the water.

Up in Avalon, lifelong resident Samuel Wierman acknowledges his town is different from towns such as Wildwood, but does not believe the Sierra Clubs fears are valid.

Every town is unique and what works somewhere else may not work here, Wierman said. That doesnt mean were trying to discourage tourism. Were a beach town. Tourism is our lifeblood. Thats why we sell beach badges.

The DEPs new rules were closed for public comment Nov. 5. According to the agencys press office, the public comments will now be reviewed. Depending on the nature of the comments, the DEP will either propose further amendments or enact the new rules. This process can take several months to an entire year, depending on the complexity and technical sophistication of the comments.
A South Jersey highway that gained recent attention for its increasing number of fatalities is again under scrutiny, this time for the potential environmental impact of its proposed extension.

The New Jersey Sierra Club is opposing the extension of Route 55 from its southern terminus in Port Elizabeth, Cumberland County, to Cape May County shore resorts, a plan long favored by tourism officials.

The most recent push for the extension occurred last year, and involves a bill in the Legislature that would allocate $8 million for a conceptual drawing for the project, said state Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic. The bill is still pending in the Legislature, he said.

The proposed extension of about 20 miles would cut through significant wetlands, open spaces, internationally recognized bird habitat and the Pinelands National Reserve, according to Sierra Club. That would increase traffic and pollution in an environmentally sensitive region of the state, the club says.

Route 55 should never be extended, which is why we have been fighting it for over 30 years, said the clubs director, Jeff Tittel. This road is even more unnecessary given the clear alternatives that can be taken, like widening other county roads, creating a reversible third lane on Route 47 and increasing mass transit.

Van Drew said he understands the environmental concerns.

It doesnt mean we cant do it, he said.

Van Drew said the project can be done in such as way as to be mindful of the environment.

There have been several studies and proposals on building what would essentially be the last of three segments of Route 55. The other two segments run between Port Elizabeth and Route 42 in Deptford Township, Gloucester County.

Concerns about the projects impact on the environment have been raised for decades. One proposal that proponents claim would reduce those impacts involves building an elevated highway.

But theres another problem facing the extension plan: the projects cost, which some state estimates put as high as $2 billion.

Tittel also contends addressing safety issues on the existing stretch of Route 55 should take precedence over the extension plan.

We need to be fixing the existing northern part of Route 55, which is one of the most dangerous highways in New Jersey, before extending this unneeded and destructive road through the Pinelands, he said.

In actuality, state Department of Transportation records indicate Route 55 crash rates for the 10-year-period from 2005 to 2014 are among the lowest of the roads for which DOT keeps records. Only once in that period  in 2014, the last full year for which statistics are available  did the crash rate exceed 1 crash for every 1 million vehicle miles.

However, State Police records show fatalities on Route 55 have increased almost annually, to 11 in 2016 from 2012, when no deaths were reported.

The most recently fatal accident occurred Dec. 5. Thats when 61-year-old Philadelphia resident Lloyd Rudleys car crossed the median and collided head-on at milepost 22.2 in Millville with a State Police patrol vehicle driven in the northbound lanes by State Trooper Frankie Williams.

Williams, 31, of Egg Harbor Township, and Rudley died in a crash that one veteran Millville police officer called one of the most horrific collisions hes ever seen.

Officials with the State Police, DOT and state Division of Highway Traffic Safety all declined to say what might be a significant cause of the accidents that occur on Route 55. The agencies said it would take some significant research to make that determination.

Tittel contends there are too many existing problems for Route 55 to warrant an extension.

We will continue to come out against this project, because it will not only open up the area for more sprawl and development, but is a huge waste of taxpayer money, he said. The project is not only a tragedy to the environment but robs the taxpayers when other alternatives are on the table.
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For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME.

Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.

Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III.





to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever.





Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation.





View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union.

Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history.

Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words.




DALLAS, Dec. 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Marcus Hiles, an acclaimed property developer, advises apartment hunters to be on the lookout for a clear presence of recreational pathways throughout the site of the unit. As the Chairman and CEO of Western Rim Property Services, a company that has designed and currently manages more than 15,000 rentals in cities across Texas, Hiles appreciates the benefits multi-use walkways hold for residents.

Western Rim's luxury townhomes and loft-style apartments are built within the state's expansive green spaces, located within easy reach of urban centers. Marcus Hiles upholds eco-friendly construction practices that maintain the serenity of the environment, bettering it by establishing walkways and parks. An abundance of trees and vegetation surrounding these areas offer tremendous benefits, as they remove air pollutants while storing and sequestering carbon dioxide. The USDA Forest Service trust 'trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent.'"

Marcus Hiles encourages renters to pick locations with footpaths, as tenants who take advantage of even mild exercising on the paths enjoy healthier lives. A 2008 study by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests people who live near park areas tend to have a lower risk of obesity; while a 2010 study by the journal Social Science and Medicine concluded people who reside near larger amounts of green space were more relaxed than others who spent less time outdoors. Trails also promote a sense of closeness among neighbors, with pathways encouraging spontaneous meetings and interactions.

Founder of Western Rim Property Services, Marcus Hiles, Dallas news regular is a respected property development authority and philanthropist who has spent more than three decades creating properties that embody his vision of luxury living. Having successfully planted a total of 30,000 trees in the last 10 years, Hiles' environmentally minded goal of continuing to plant 2,500 trees annually is part of Western Rim's long-term objectives. Marcus Hiles remains devoted to giving back to the state of Texas; he has personally donated over 59 acres of parkland to the general public to preserve wildlife habitats and offer residents accessible green spaces.

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

SOURCE Marcus Hiles
Patna, Dec 26 : Two days ahead of formal launch of protest against demonetisation, RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his family have taken to social media to drum up support for the party's campaign against 'notebandi'.

The Bihar's number one political family has been using Facebook and Twitter, for the first time, to denounce Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation move and its impact.

Demonetisation has created joblessness, slowed down businesses, hit hard farmers and common people, who are struggling to withdraw their own money, the family members of Lalu Prasad have said on social media.

Rich people and corporates who hoard black money are not worried and are enjoying after demonetisation, they said.

Lalu, his wife and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, their two sons Tej Pratap Yadav and Tejaswi Yadav, who are ministers in the Bihar cabinet, and elder daughter Misa Bharti have been active on social media with slogans and short statements against the central government's move, its negative impact on the economy and employment.

Tej Pratap, 28, who is Bihar Health Minister, Tejaswi, 27, who is the Deputy Chief Minister, and Misa, a Rajya Sabha member from the Rashtriya Janata Dal party, have been targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to propagate their party's protest against demonetisation.

The RJD will on December 28 stage a sit-in at all district headquarters across the state. Lalu and Rabri Devi will join the sit-in in Patna. The party will hold a huge rally here early next year.

Lalu has been attacking the Prime Minister for flop demontisation show and his government's failure to implement the decision properly.

"Demonetisation has caused harm to the country, affected the economy and poor have been struggling," Lalu posted on Facebook.

Lalu on Sunday tweeted: "The government has been looting poor in the name of demonetisation... Poor people have been standing in queues and the rich are partying."

Rabri Devi posted on Facebook: "The corrupt are enjoying and the poor are struggling."

Tejaswi has urged people, particularly the youths, to ensure success of the "mahadharna" and awaken the Modi government from its deep sleep to help the rich and corrupt.

Tej Pratap has asked whether it was the "achche din" that the BJP had promised. "The blind king is enjoying after taking away employment of the youths and poor people."

Misa on Facebook posted Forbes's statement against demonetisation to highlight the opinion of the world's leading business magazine.

Lalu Prasad last week attacked Modi for openly "advertising" for Paytm, which is co-owned by a Chinese company.

"Has there been any Indian Prime Minister who openly advertises a Chinese company and says do Paytm," he tweeted.

Earlier, he targeted Modi's decision saying it has failed and would meet the same fate as the Congress' forced sterilisation in the mid-70s during the Emergency period.

"Demonetisation will meet the same fate as forced sterilisation," the RJD chief said.

"It is not 'notebandi' but the 'farzibandi' that has put common people in deep trouble," Lalu Prasad said, adding that Modi has cheated people.

The leader reminded Modi of his promise made ahead of the Lok Sabha polls of bringing back the black money stashed abroad.

"The black money has not been brought back and the Rs 15 lakh, which Narendra Modi promised, has not been deposited in anyone's bank account yet."

Lalu Prasad has been opposing the move to demonetise the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes ever since its announcement on November 8, unlike Janata Dal-United President and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who is supporting it.

Lalu a few days ago claimed that Kumar will review the impact of demonetisation after 50 days and respond to the central government accordingly.
Kolkata, Dec 28 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday conveyed her greetings to the Indian National Congress party on its 132nd Foundation Day.

"Greetings and warm wishes to all at @INCIndia on their 132nd Foundation Day," Banerjee tweeted.

She addressed a joint press conference with the Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday in the national capital.
Guwahati, Dec 29 : Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia has sought the intervention of Union Minister Mahesh Sharma over the chanting of religious slogans by the RSS cadres at Kareng Ghar, an important historical monument, a few days ago.

Saikia referred to the fact that the RSS had recently organised a training session at Kareng Ghar, a historical monument dating back to the Ahom Kingdom, located in Upper Assam's Sivsagar district and protected by the ASI, a few days ago and said that it is a violation of set norms by the RSS cadres.

"Since the monument is one of the very few centrally protected monuments in Assam and a symbol of Assam's secular identity, there has been widespread reaction over the action of the RSS cadres," Saikia said in his letter sent to the Union Minister of Culture on Thursday.

He said that the monument had earlier been damaged by the British forces after 1826 and also subsequently due to natural calamities. "The monument is already in bad shape due to lack of maintenance and the act of the RSS workers had further damaged it," he said.

Saikia also requested the Union Minister to invoke Article 49 of the Constitution of India which has provided for Protection of Monuments and places of National importance and appealed him to initiate proper legal action against the action of the RSS workers.
New Delhi, Dec 30 : Asking the banks to report collections of demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes on December 30 itself, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday notified the closure of the deposit and exchange of the old notes.

"With the closure of the facility of exchange of specified bank notes, all banks should report information on collection on December 30, itself. Banks should make arrangements to gather the information from all its branches accordingly," the RBI said in a notification here.

From next week onward, those still holding the scrapped currency can deposit it only with the RBI till March 31, 2017.

All bank branches, except district cooperative central bank (DCCBs), which have accumulated old notes at the close of business on Friday, are required to deposit these in the office of the RBI or a currency chest on Saturday, the RBI said.

The old notes cannot form part of banks' cash balances from the close of business as on Saturday, the central bank added.

However, DCCBs may retain the demonetised currency received between November 10-14, till further instructions.

The government had on November 8 announced that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes were no longer the legal tender.
Chennai, Dec 30 : The All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) that is holding its four day national conference here is managing its cash needs with the help of its members, said a top union official.

"Around 4,000 people are expected to attend the four day conference scheduled to start on January 8. We have to pay cash for local transport of delegates and others. Similarly other workers - conference venue sweepers, workers of caterers and others - have to be paid in cash," AIBEA General Secretary C.H.Venkatachalam told IANS.

While the union has sufficient amount in its bank accounts, it is not able to withdraw cash beyond Rs 24,000 per week, the limit announced by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for all the bank account holders, Venkatachalam said.

"We have requested some members to withdraw cash from their accounts and give to the union to meet the conference expenses while the union will reimburse the amount to the members by cheque," Venkatachalam said.

"I am afraid to imagine the plight of ordinary people in meeting the marriage expenses of their daughters given the cash crunch. As a banking sector union, we can seek our members to help out. But such facility is not available for a normal individual," he noted.

According to him, there was no last minute rush in banks to deposit the demonetised Rs 500 or 1,000 notes.

"But the cash crunch continues. Most of the ATMs are dry. If the government relaxes the withdrawal limit upwards from Rs 24,000 per week, then the situation may turn tougher," Venkatachalam said.

According to K.Thamaraiselvan, General Secretary, Andhra Bank Employees Union Madras, the number of cheques coming for clearance has gone up several times putting the staff at the cheque clearing centres to great difficulty.

"Prior to demonetisation the number of cheques that would come for clearance in Chennai clearing centre of Andhra Bank was around 20,000 per day. But now it has gone up to 70,000 cheques per day," Thamaraiselvan said.

He said the staff strength has not gone up.

Union officials said the bank employees across the country were involved in managing the cash position for the past 50 days and may be doing so for some more time to come.

They said there was no time to attend to loan proposals and this quarter results may not be good for the banks.
Athens, Dec 30 : Investigations are continuing into the disappearance of Greece's ambassador to Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis since Monday, Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Yannis Amanatidis said here on Friday.

The minister, however, did not confirm the media reports that a charred body found inside a car in Rio de Janeiro on Friday was Amiridis, and instead hoped the diplomat will be found alive and safe, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to Brazilian police, the car was rented by the ambassador who was visiting the city of Rio for the Christmas and New Year Eve holidays.

The Greek Foreign Ministry on Thursday said its embassy in Brasilia, Brazil's capital city, was informed on Wednesday by the ambassador's family that they had not been able to contact him since Monday.

The 59-year-old diplomat assumed duty as Greece's ambassador to Brazil in January 2016. He once served in Rio de Janeiro as consul from 2001 to 2004.

According to the Greek Foreign Ministry's website, Amiridis also was Greece's ambassador to Libya in 2012. He is married and has a daughter.

The Greek Foreign Ministry said Amiridis reportedly went missing during a trip to Rio de Janeiro on Monday.

His family reported no contact for a ransom in the past days, but the police did not rule out the possibility of kidnapping.

It is highly possible that Amiridis has been killed, Brazilian authorities said on Thursday.
Dubai, Dec 30 : The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia said it has got "strong indications" that Father Tom Uzhunnalil, the Indian priest who was kidnapped by Islamic State terrorists in Yemen earlier this year, is alive.

The church said it is making "all efforts to secure a safe release" of the priest kidnapped from Aden in March, Khaleej Times reported on Friday.

A video of Father Uzhunnalil had surfaced this week in which he made an appeal to the Indian government, Pope Francis and Bishop Paul Hinder (the current Vicar Apostolic of the Vicariate), to save his life.

In the video, Uzhunnalil said that there have been reports in the media that everything was being done to secure his release "but in reality nothing seems to have happened".

However, the church said it has made countless appeals from the highest levels to secure Father Uzhunnalil's release as well as made concrete efforts by way of working in close collaboration with both international and local diplomatic channels.

"Paul Hinder is in touch with the different channels, which are working and leading the dialogues to secure a safe release. More details cannot be disclosed at this stage," the church statement said.

The bishop has led calls for prayer throughout the churches in the Vicariate for Father Uzhunnalil.

On March 4, the Salesian Order priest from Kerala was kidnapped after IS terrorists barged into a Missionaries of Charity care home in Aden of which he was the caretaker and shot dead many people, including four nuns, one of them from India.
New Delhi, Dec 30 : The ordinance on old notes, that was approved by President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday, calls for a penalty of Rs 10,000 or five times the amount of the demonetised notes held, whichever is higher, after March 31.

"To prevent any continued parallel transactions with the specified bank notes by unscrupulous elements, after this period (March 31), holding, transferring and receiving them will attract a fine of Rs 10,000 or five times the amount of the face value of the old notes involved in the contravention, whichever is higher," the Finance Ministry said in a statement here on Friday.

The ordinance was approved by the Union Cabinet on December 28.

"The President of India has approved the promulgation of the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Ordinance, 2016 today i.e. on December, 30," the statement added.

The provision of depositing old high denomination currency with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) would continue till March 31.

The person seeking to deposit old notes with the RBI after December 30 will have to give an explanation as to why he or she could not deposit them earlier.

The details of the declaration and statements that are required to be submitted along with the old notes at the time of deposit in RBI offices will be separately announced. Any false declaration will invite a fine of Rs 50,000 or five times the amount of the face value of the old notes, whichever is higher, the statement noted.

Indian citizens who were outside India from November 9 to December 30 can deposit old notes at specified RBI offices till March 31, it said.

"For those citizens of India who are not resident in India, this facility would be available till June 30, in order to allow them adequate time to plan a visit as per their convenience.

"The facility would be subject to the regulations of Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations, 2015," the statement said.

As per these regulations bringing back such currency into the country is restricted to Rs 25,000 per person. Separate FEMA provisions are applicable to persons in Nepal and Bhutan which would continue to apply.

At the time of return to India, the number and denominations of the old notes will need to be declared to the customs authorities at the airports and other entry points. Necessary form for such declaration will be given out by the Central Bureau of Excise and Customs.

"After the period of exchange is over, the liabilities of the Reserve Bank and the guarantee of the central government towards the old notes will stand extinguished," the statement said.

The ordinance is a follow-up to the decision to cancel the legal tender after demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8.
Chisinau, Dec 31 : Moldovan President Igor Dodon has conferred state honours to four mothers with more than 11 children each, media report said.

Two women each with eleven children were awarded the Order of the Republic, while the other two with 12 and 13 children respectively, received the Order of Honour, the presidential press service announced.

The landlocked country of Moldova in Eastern Europe, bordered by Romania on one side and Ukraine on the three other, suffers from "a very serious demographic problem".

The awards were conferred as a sign of high appreciation to these women for consolidating the family institution and contributions towards creating socially responsible family, Xinhua news reported on Saturday.

Dodon said that it was high time to encourage through special mentions and financial support the families with many children in the country where in many villages no child was born in a year.

The President also said he would initiate legislative amendments to ensure support for the families with many children.
New Delhi : Year when a disunited opposition tried, but could not strike (2016 In Retrospect)

By Prashant Sood

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) The Narendra Modi government came under increasing attack by opposition parties through the year over a range of issues, including demonetisation, but larger opposition unity remained elusive due to the competing interests of political outfits opposed to the ruling BJP-led alliance.

The year also saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regaining its electoral momentum after its emphatic victory in the Assam assembly polls and the main opposition Congress unable to halt its downslide as it lost power in Assam and Kerala.

Demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, suddenly effected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, emerged as the biggest political issue of the year with opposition parties vigorously focusing on the plight of people forced to stand in unending queues to withdraw their own money.

Opposition parties also found an issue to personally target Modi and sought an inquiry into allegations that he received money from the Sahara and Birla corporate houses when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Demonetisation is set to be a key issue in the forthcoming assembly elections in five states, with people, specially the poor and middle classes, expecting tangible results from the massive exercise that forced them to endure hardships in getting cash and also affected jobs and businesses.

Both the opposition parties and the government have been using demonetisation to rally people behind them. With the responsibility of delivering results squarely on his shoulders, Modi, in his speeches, has been seeking support by terming demonetisation as a struggle of the honest tax-paying citizens against unscrupulous elements out to usurp money meant for the welfare of the poor. He also has been reaching out to people through radio and social media on demonetisation and other issues.

There was no effective debate on demonetisation during the winter session of parliament but several opposition parties came together to target the government on its impact on the people, the frequent change in rules and "shifting goalposts". But the unity was not visible outside due to competing interests of parties ahead of assembly polls in the crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, expected early next year. Besides Uttar Pradesh, assembly elections will also be held in Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa.

Even as they targeted the government on demonetisation, there was no unanimity in the demands of opposition parties. The Aam Aadmi Party and the Trinamool Congress demanded a rollback of demonetisation while the Communist Party of India-Marxist said that old notes should be allowed till the crash crunch was over. Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as also Biju Janata Dal leader and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik welcomed demonetisation.

Also, despite demonetisation affecting people in every nook and corner of the country, the opposition could not stage a mass nationwide protest.

The Left parties, JD-U, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Nationalist Congress Party did not attend a meeting called by the Congress to target the Prime Minister over demonetisation and the Birla and Sahara papers.

The Congress, which suffered a debacle in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, has not won any major assembly election in the past over two-and-a-half years. In the assembly polls held this year, it could win only Puducherry in alliance with the DMK. The AIADMK returned to power in Tamil Nadu and the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.

The BJP, which lost the assembly polls in Delhi and Bihar in 2015 but regained its momentum, also performed credibly in civic election polls held during the year in some states.

Much is at stake for the BJP in the assembly polls in the five states, particularly Uttar Pradesh, which sends the largest number of parliamentarians to the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

The year also saw opposition parties finding a slew of issues to target the Modi government including the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, "failure" of ruling alliance's Pakistan policy, arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Kanhaiya Kumar, suicide of Hyderabad University student Rohith Vemula, the Centre's action in relation to the assemblies of Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh and the "politicisation" of surgical strikes carried out on terror launch pads across the Line of Control in Kashmir.

The Congress and some other parties also accused the government of "helping" liquor baron Vijay Mallya leave the country despite being probed for loan defaults.

Political commentator and senior journalist S. Nihal Singh said the opposition ineffectiveness has been because it was unable to get its act together.

"There are conflicting views. Too many differences, ambitions by each leader," Nihal Singh told IANS.

He said the Congress does not appear to be in a position to effectively challenge the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and Nitish Kumar could emerge as a possible choice of opposition parties.

Political analyst and senior journalist Kuldip Nayar said that "people are beginning to realise there has to be another alternative. An alternative to the Congress and BJP."

"I think an alternative will emerge by the next Lok Sabha elections in 2019. I think people will vote for regional parties rather than all-India parties," he said.

Nayar said the BJP may not be able to fulfill all its election promises and the Congress has still not come out of dynastic politics. "So people are not yet convinced. If there was some other leader, Congress probably would have become (more) relevant."

He said opposition parties can come together in future on a common minimum programme but there is no indication of this happening as yet.

(This is a part of a series of articles from IANS that look back at the year that was. Prashant Sood can be contacted at prashant.s@ians.in)
Imphal, Dec 31 : A solution to the two-month-old crippling Naga indefinite economic blockade of Manipur is nowhere in sight with Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and the United Naga Council (UNC) not budging from their respective stands, officials said.

The UNC had imposed the indefinite blockade on November 1 in protest against the government's plan to create two new districts.

According to the UNC, several "lands of the Nagas" will be usurped by the new districts.

However the government responded by creating seven, and not two, new districts.

All sections of people welcomed it saying that apart from administrative convenience this has been their long standing demand for speedy development.

Ibobi told IANS that first UNC should call off the blockade and give an assurance that it will not be repeated. Only after that can talks be held and Gaidon Kamei and Stephen Lamkang, two UNC leaders, may be released to create a conducive atmosphere.

Chief Secretary Oinam Nabakishore said: "One of the conditions of UNC is that the talks should be held in the district headquarters of Senapati".

In response Ibobi said, "The UNC is a club of a handful of persons. If the government goes to Senapati district all other organisations may put such conditions in future. At the most we are ready to go to Delhi for the proposed tripartite talks".

Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, recently said that the Manipur government is not serious about ending the blockade. However Ibobi denies it saying that there was no question of playing politics since it is a question of starving the people of the state.

Manipur has been without consumer items, baby foods, building materials and other items since November 1 as a result of the blockade.

Rijiju who said that the "blockade is totally unacceptable" had despatched additional paramilitary personnel who are being used to escort trucks and oil tankers along NH 37.

But the UNC said that it shall intensify the agitation.

From Saturday, it is picketing government offices in the Naga dominated areas in the hill districts.
Baghdad, Dec 31 : At least 28 persons were killed and 53 injured in twin suicide bomb attacks in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Saturday, a source said.

A suspect blew up his explosive vest at the crowded car spare parts market in Sinak area and another suicide bomber detonated himself near a post office in the same area, the Interior Ministry source told Xinhua news agency.

Earlier in the day, the source said the attacks were carried out by roadside bombs and put the toll at 19 dead and 45 injured.

The Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Terrorist acts, violence and armed conflicts killed 2,885 Iraqis and wounded 1,380 others in November across Iraq, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said.

The attacks came as the Iraqi security forces backed by an anti-IS international coalition are carrying out a major offensive to drive out the IS from its last major stronghold in and around Mosul.

Many blame the current chronic instability, cycle of violence and the emergence of extremist groups such as the IS on the US, which invaded and occupied Iraq in March 2003.
New Delhi, Dec 31 : President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday greeted Sudan on its Independence Day.

"I have the pleasure to extend warm greetings and felicitations to Your Excellency and to the friendly people of Sudan on the occasion of your Independence Day," Mukherjee said in his message to his Sudanese counterpart Omar Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir.

"India and Sudan have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations. I am confident that our co-operation will be further strengthened in the years to come," he said.

Sudan is a North African country and celebrates its Independence Day on January 1.
New Delhi, Dec 31 : Budget passenger carrier IndiGo on Saturday said that it has taken the delivery of 13 Airbus A-320 Neo aircraft on December 27 and also announced the launch of 10 additional frequencies.

According to the airline, with the latest additions, its fleet size has grown to 125 aircraft in its 125th month of operations.

Besides, the low cost carrier (LCC) announced additional flight operations, which it termed as being "in-sync with its organic growth in route network" and in response to the growing demand on its existing routes.

The additional frequencies will come into effect from January 1, 2017. The new schedule will see 10 additional frequencies connecting Hyderabad to Goa, Coimbatore, Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam.

"The delivery of the 125th aircraft in the 125th month of our operation is indeed a landmark occasion for us. It reinforces our commitment towards the industry and living our promise of providing the best flying experience to our passengers," Aditya Ghosh, President and Whole Time Director, IndiGo was quoted in a statement.
New Delhi : Indian diplomacy: Year of some highs, a few lows (2016 In Retrospective)

By Aroonim Bhuyan

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) If signing of the trilateral agreement on developing the Chabahar port in Iran, the civil nuclear deal with Japan and the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (Lemoa) with the US marked the major highlights of Indian diplomacy in 2016, deteriorating relations with Pakistan and China stalling India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) are the negatives.

With two major cross-border terror attacks from Pakistan and the Islamic State's attacks in Europe, the fight against terrorism figured majorly in India's diplomatic initiatives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Brussels in March fresh after bombs ripped through the Belgian capital's airport and a Metro station, claiming dozens of lives, including that of an Indian techie, and injuring an Indian air carrier's staffer.

Modi's visit to Brussels also marked the resumption of summit-level talks with the European Union after a gap of four years following the case of two Italian marines being charged with killing Indian fishermen off the coast of Kerala.

Though India managed to draw the support of Switzerland, Mexico and South Africa for its membership of the NSG during Modi's visits in June and July, China stalled New Delhi's bid on the ground that for a country to be a member of the 48-member bloc, it has to be a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Despite two rounds of discussions between India's Joint Secretary (Disarmament) and the Chinese Director General leading the NSG talks, Beijing continued to block New Delhi's membership bid.

This, when India and Japan signed a historic civilian nuclear deal during the Prime Minister's visit to Tokyo for the annual bilateral summit. Japan being an active player in the civil nuclear market, the agreement will help major companies like GE and Westinghouse of the US in setting up nuclear plants in India.

Though China said the test firing of the Agni V intercontinental ballistic missile earlier this month should help the strategic balance in South Asia, Beijing's blocking of New Delhi's NSG membership should be seen in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) perspective. India has raised concerns over the CPEC that passes through Pakistan-adminsitered Kashmir (PoK) ending at the newly-developed Gwadar port in southwest Pakistan.

Against this, what can be seen as a major boost to New Delhi's Act East Policy is its strengthening of ties with Myanmar that has newly acquired democracy. After Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) assumed power in March, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Nai Pyi Taw in August which was followed by a visit to New Delhi by Myanmarese President U Htin Kyaw within a week.

India's relationship with Southeast Asia was further emphasised with Modi's visit to Vietnam in September during which the bilateral relationship was elevated from "Strategic Partnership" to "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership". India also offered a $500-million defence credit line, part of which will be used for the construction of offshore patrol boats by Larsen & Toubro.

This came in the wake of the an international arbitration tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague ruling in July that China violated the Philippines' rights in the South China Sea, one of the world's busiest commercial shipping routes.

India urged all stakeholders to follow the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea (Unclos). During Indonesian President Joko Widodo's visit to New Delhi earlier this month, both sides agreed to ensure safety and security of the sea lanes while prioritising defence and security cooperation.

On the western front, India's ties with Pakistan dipped to a new low with two major cross-border terror attacks at an Indian Air Force Base in Pathankot in Punjab in January and at an Indian Army base at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir in September. A peace initiative that was launched by Sushma Swaraj's visit to Islamabad in December 2015 and Modi's visit to Lahore on Christmas Day the same year was thrown completely off the tracks.

But New Delhi gained significant upper ground when it signed a trilateral agreement with Kabul and Tehran for developing the Chabahar port in Iran, boosting connectivity with Central Asia.

Modi visited Iran in May after inaugurating a redeveloped mega dam in Afghanistan signifying India's Neighbourhood First policy with its western neighbour. In December last year, Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani jointly inaugurated a new building of the Afghanistan parliament that was built with Indian aid.

India's engagement with its extended neighbourhood in the west can be gauged from the fact that the Prime Minister visited Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar across May and June in quick succession.

Following the India Africa Forum Summit hosted by New Delhi in October last year, Modi made his first trip to mainland Africa visiting Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya. India-Africa ties were further boosted by the visits of President Pranab Mukherjee to Ghana, Ivory Coast and Namibia, and Vice President Hamid Ansari to Tunisia, Morocco, Nigeria and Mali.

India's growing ties with the US got a significant boost with the signing of the Lemoa. Earlier this month, the US made India a "major defence partner" during the visit to New Delhi of US the Defense Secretary. What India-US ties will see in the incoming Donald Trump administration is the subject of much speculation On the multilateral front, India hosted the annual BRICS (Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa) Summit in its role as the chairman and the Sixth Ministerial Heart of Asia Istanbul Conference on security and development.

(This is a part of a series from IANS that look back at the year that was. Aroonim Bhuyan can be contacted at aroonim.b@ians.in)
New Delhi, Dec 31 : Outgoing Army chief General Dalbir Singh on Saturday said he had promised "more than adequate, immediate and intense" response to any action, and the Indian Army had delivered on it during the two and a half years he was at the helm.

He said that the Indian Army was fully prepared and well trained to undertake any challenge, be it external or internal.

As many as 141 terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir this year alone, General Dalbir Singh said.

General Singh, who retired on Saturday, inspected a Guard of Honour on the lawns of the South Block in the morning, before handing over charge to his successor General Bipin Rawat.

Addressing the media, the outgoing General thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for giving the Army a "free hand" in conducting operations and also thanked the citizens for respecting the Army that boosted their morale.

General Singh saluted the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation, the soldiers who serve in challenging areas like "Siachen, icy mountains, scorching deserts and dense forests" and those fighting insurgency and terrorism in the northeast and Jammu and Kashmir.

"I express my sincere gratitude to the honourable Prime Minister and the government for their full support and for giving free hand in conducting operations; for giving impetus to modernisation and for granting 'One Rank One Pension' to the ex-servicemen," General Singh said.

"I also thank the citizens of this country for supporting and respecting the soldiers which has enhanced the morale of the Indian Army immensely," he said.

"As you are aware, I have never given any TV interview because I strongly believe that actions must speak louder than words. The day I took over as Chief of the Army Staff I had said that our response to any action will be more than adequate, immediate and intense," he said.

General Singh, when he took over as the Army chief on August 1, 2014, had said India's response to any aggression from Pakistan will be "more than adequate".

"The Indian Army has delivered that in the last two and a half years. The Indian Army is the finest and the strongest Army in the world. Our leaders are most competent and unit leaders lead from the front and soldiers are bravest. I want to assure the nation that Indian Army is fully prepared, well trained to undertake any challenges, be it external or internal," he said.

General Singh said the focus of the Army was on operational preparedness and training during his headship.

Asked about the attacks like that in Uri, in which 19 soldiers were killed, and Nagrota, in which seven soldiers were killed, the outgoing Army chief said the attacks and infiltration have increased, but the Army has also killed double the number of terrorists compared with last year.

"We have displayed the power of firmness, resolve, ability and will power... as far as casualties are concerned, the infiltration attempts have increased. If we leave the casualties caused in those two incidents (Nagrota and Uri), the casualties are not so high," General Singh said.

"In 2012, we killed 67 terrorists, in 2013 we killed 65 terrorists... this year, only in Jammu and Kashmir, we have killed 141 terrorists. There are more incidents of infiltration, but we have killed more terrorists, almost double the number," he added.
Vijayawada, Dec 31 : The Andhra Pradesh police have no information about Maoists keeping an eye on the movements of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during his visits to Delhi, the state police chief said on Saturday.

Director General of Police N. Sambasiva Rao, however, said a general alert was received from the Union Home Ministry about the increased threat perception a month ago.

The DGP was replying to queries at a media conference here about reports that Maoists were keeping an eye on the movements of Naidu during his visits to the national capital.

According to reports quoting Delhi police sources, Maoists in the garb of media persons might attack Naidu at Andhra Bhavan.

Delhi police also reportedly alerted AP Bhavan over the loopholes in his security.

Sambasiva Rao said the police were taking all necessary steps for the Chief Minister's security.

The DGP said the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a general alert following the killing of 30 Maoists in a gunfight with the police in the Andhra-Odisha border area in October and also keeping in view the fact that Naidu had survived an assassination bid in 2003.

He said police kept evaluating the situation and taking additional security measures whenever required.

The police chief said the state police was capable of taking care of the situation.

Following the killings of Maoists in the Andhra-Odisha border area, a letter purportedly written by the outlawed CPI (Maoist) was sent to media houses in which it threatened to take revenge on Naidu.

The outfit had threatened a suicide attack on Naidu and his son Lokesh.

Currently, Naidu is under 'Z plus' category protection and his security detail includes members from the elite National Security Guard apart from Andhra Pradesh police's Intelligence Security Wing.

Naidu had survived a claymore mine attack by Maoists on October 1, 2003 in Tirupati.

Naidu, who was then the Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, had sustained injuries in the blast.
Lucknow, Dec 31 : In an anti-climactic development for its political rivals, the Samajwadi Party on Saturday revoked the expulsion of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav.

Only hours earlier, on Friday, both were ousted from the party for six years on charges of indiscipline and anti-party activities.

The decision to revoke the expulsions was taken soon after meetings to broker peace between SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh Yadav were held at the senior Yadav's 5 Vikramaditya Marg residence here.

After a closed-door meeting between Mulayam, Akhilesh, minister Azam Khan and state unit chief Shivpal Singh Yadav, orders were issued to withdraw the expulsions with immediate effect.

The Samajwadi Party soon removed the expulsion letters of both Akhilesh and Ram Gopal from its website.

"As per the directions of Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav), the expulsion of Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav has been revoked with immediate effect," Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav tweeted.

Shivpal Singh Yadav, who is Akhilesh's uncle, said the SP will fight the 2017 assembly elections unitedly to defeat the communal forces.

He also said that a new list of party candidates would be discussed and released later on.

Shivpal, who was backing his brother Mulayam Singh in the party infighting, said all was now well within the party.

Earlier, a meeting of party MLAs was called by the Chief Minister where almost 200 legislators turned up, signalling that Akhilesh enjoyed the support of a majority of party legislators.

Following a poor turnout at its own meeting, the Mulayam camp cancelled it and Urban Development Minister Azam, who is one of the founding members of the party, began brokering peace between the warring father-son duo.

Azam Khan was sent to the Chief Minister's camp with a message that he should show some flexibility. Soon, Azam Khan drove back to Mulayam's residence along with the Chief Minister.

Akhilesh reportedly touched Mulayam's feet and said he wanted to gift him an electoral victory in the state.

"The two got emotional and the stage was set for Akhilesh's return to the Samajwadi Party fold," a source told IANS.

Mulayam was reluctant to take back cousin Ram Gopal Yadav, but yielded after persuasion by his son.

Mulayam, however, stood his ground on senior party leader Amar Singh's retention in the party. The SP supremo, a former Chief Minister and ex-Defence Minister, refused to throw Amar Singh out of the party, as demanded by Akhilesh.

Yadav senior reportedly wondered aloud what wrong had Singh done to the Chief Minister.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, however, accused the SP's first family of enacting a drama to take public attention away from the real issues.
Rio De Janeiro, Dec 31 : Greek ambassador to Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis' wife, Francoise Amiridis, was arrested for ordering the envoy's death, Brazilian police has said.

Francoise had the help of local policeman Sergio Gomes Moreira Filho, her lover, and his cousin Eduardo de Melo, Xinhua news agency quoted police as saying on Friday.

They confessed to the murder and were arrested as well.

Investigators said Melo confessed that the ambassador's wife had offered 80,000 reais ($24,400) for his help in the crime.

However, Filho denied Francoise's participation in the crime. Francoise also denied her participation in the murder, but police confirmed her involvement.

The ambassador was last seen alive on Monday, but his wife only reported his disappearance on Wednesday. On Thursday, Amiridis' rented car was found burnt, with a corpse inside.

Police here on Friday said the burnt body was of Amiridis.

It believed Amiridis was killed inside his house in Nova Iguacu here. Investigators reportedly found blood stains on a sofa at the house.

Filho said he fought with the ambassador and killed him with Amiridis' gun.

According to neighbours, they did not hear any shots and police are investigating whether Amiridis was shot to death or stabbed.

Filho used Amiridis' rented car to take the body from the house and dispose off it.

Security cameras confirmed that both Filho and Melo were in the ambassador's house on Monday night and in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Brazilian government on Friday sent a message of condolences to Greece over the murder of the ambassador.

The Brazilian Foreign Ministry published a message regretting the ambassador's death and offering condolences to his friends and family, as well as to the people and the government of Greece.

"Amiridis was serving in Brazil for the second time. At the helm of the Greek embassy to Brazil, he had been carrying out an intense work to deepen the relations between the two countries," it said.

Brazilian President Michel Temer also sent personal letters to Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, assuring that the country's authorities were conducting an investigation into the murder and that the government was willing to fully cooperate with Greece.
New Delhi : What good monsoon brought, demonetisation snatched away (2016 In Retrospect)

Saurabh Katkurwar

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) A "normal" monsoon brought much-needed relief to farmers after two consecutive years of drought. However, the demonetisation drive during the harvest season has devastated them, with one expert estimating they would need a bailout package of a staggering Rs 3 lakh crore ($44 billion), slightly less than India's defence budget.

India received 862 mm of rainfall this monsoon, just three percent less than the average of 887.5 mm, spelling good fortune for farmers who had suffered losses and agony in the past few years due to insufficient crop yield.

Barring exceptions in a few states, the average rainfall translated into surplus agricultural produce.

However, farmers' hopes of earning profits or compensating for the losses they incurred during past drought years were wiped out due to a huge dip in the prices of agriculture produce -- a fallout of the tremendous cash cruch that followed the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

According to farmers, almost all crops lost their reasonable prices, with tomato growers being the worst hit.

Data issued by the National Horticulture Board showed the average monthly wholesale price of tomatoes went down to Rs 374 per quintal at Pimpalgaon market in December -- the lowest in the country -- compared to Rs 1,675 per quintal in the same month last year.

In Delhi, the tomato prices in December this year were Rs 653 compared to Rs 1,925 during the same month last year.

Similarly, the average monthly wholesale price of onions plummeted to Rs 540 at Varanasi and Rs 711 at Bhopal, where the lowest price last year was Rs 926.

Noted agricultural policy analyst Devinder Sharma termed the impact of demonetisation more severe than that of the past two droughts combined.

"In last two droughts, farmers suffered a lot, but they were prepared since they could see it coming. After the normal monsoon this year, they had expected profits and improvement in their monetary condition and livelihood. However, demonetisation has caused a 60-70 percent drop in agriculture prices," Sharma told IANS.

"The fallout of demonetisation has crippled the rural economy. Just imagine the condition of the farmers who have suffered losses when profits were expected after a long time," he added.

Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Karnataka and Gujarat are among the states which received deficient rainfall this monsoon. However, it did not have any visible impact in Punjab and Haryana as these states have sound irrigation systems -- 98 percent assured irrigation in Punjab and 82 percent in Haryana.

Demonetisation, however, changed the scenario even in these two states. Farmers felt the pinch as their yield did not get reasonable prices after demand plummeted. They claimed that their yield had to be sold below the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and they did not have money to buy seeds for the rabi crop, sowing for which is currently under way.

Narendra Singh, a farmer from Rachedi in Haryana's Ambala district, said: "Due to lack of enough currency notes during the harvest period, there was a drop in demand from traders. Being the festive and wedding season, we had no option but to sell our yield quite below the MSP."

What fuelled the slowdown in demand from traders was the traditional cash-based transactions. And the negative impact on the income of the farmers would severely impact their spending power.

Shaam Singh Maan of Karnal district said most farmers in his area did not have enough money to buy seeds for the rabi crop. "My rice yield could fetch just Rs 1,250 per quintal when the MSP was Rs 1,470. Since we are under previous loan burdens, we do not have enough money to buy seeds for the rabi season," Maan told IANS.

The southern states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, too, were badly hit due to three consecutive droughts and demonetisation.

Don Bosco, a farmer and social activist from southern Karnataka, said the region witnessed a huge dip in agriculture produce. "Due to short and low rainfall, paddy and ragi output was too low. Farmers were already in distress. Now, demonetisation has added to our woes. We are banking on summer rains now," he said.

Meanwhile, the government has released rosy data of wheat sowing -- a major rabi crop. The figures provided by it show that the area sown under wheat was 27.86 million hectares till end-December, compared to 25.94 million hectares in the same month last year.

And, if one is to believe Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, the sale of seeds and sowing for the rabi crop were not only unaffected but, rather had increased. "As per the data provided by the state governments and agencies, the sale of seeds has increased this year. So is the sowing area," Singh told reporters.

Experts, however, differed. Analyst Sharma said farmers cannot afford to keep their land barren and sought a relief package for those affected by demonetisation on the lines of drought or flood relief packages.

"The rural economy is totally shattered. The farmers, already suffering from a financial burden due to two consecutive years of drought, don't have any money. The bureaucrats sitting in Delhi don't appreciate the plight of farmers. In such a situation only a relief package of Rs 3 lakh crore will help the farmers," Sharma said.

Concurring, Yudhvir Singh, General Secretary of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), demanded a loan waiver for farmers to ease their financial burden.

"The government has shown no sympathy for the problems of farmers post-demonetisation. Many farmers have taken loans from private money lenders to buy seeds and fertiliser for the rabi crop. The government should waive off farmers' loans," he said.

(This is the last of a series of articles from IANS that looked back at the year that was. can be contacted at saurabh.k@ians.in)
Vijay Antony, the music director turned actor arrived in the big screen as a star. Having a huge fan base across Tamil and Telugu after his films 'Pichaikaran' and 'Saithan', production houses of all sizes were keen to sign up Vijay Antony for his coming projects.

But the actor opted to allot his dates to a relationship that has professional as well as an emotional attachment beyond years  thus he signed his latest film with producers popular actor and producer Sarath Kumar and Radhika Sarathkumar. The film is stated to be made in both Tamil and Telugu.

'It is a sort of home coming to me. I had started my career as a music director in the campus of Radaan TV only. The efforts I put in combined with blessings and wishes has elevated me to what I am today, the actor said. Radaan Mediaworks is a media production house founded by Radhika Sarathkumar, which produces numerous blockbuster mini-screen contents across all South Indian states and many movies.

As a principle I am never in a hurry to sign a film. Signing a film is not just an indication of growth in my economical status. It is an indication of growth in human values too. The success that I have had today has many reasons and one of the most important among them are Radhika Madam and Sharath Sir|

Vijay further went on to add that as a professional actor, he needs producers who can approach a project with passion and professionalism and that the star-couple as producers had proved their forte decades ago.

The script of the debutante director Seenu Vasan demanded a well oiled machinery as a production unitto produce this film. Making a duel language film by no means is a easy job. Considering the growing clout of films that release across the states of Tamilnadu/Andhra /Telangana simultaneously I am particular and clear in not compromising on quality, cited Vijay.

The shoot commences from this February and the title is still a surprise, quipped up the actor.
New Delhi, Dec 31 : As the nation waits for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on Saturday, the Congress party demanded that he should acknowledge the "devastation unleashed upon the people" due to demonetisation.

December 30 was the 50th day of demonetisation, the deadline given by the Prime Minister for the situation to normalise in the country.

"Already he has announced a lottery. He (Modi) is likely to announce incentives for using digital mode of transactions both for traders and consumers. This is something that any government could have done at any point in time," Congress leader and member of parliament Rajeev Gowda told the media.

"It is something absolutely meaningful in the longer run. We don't need demonetisation for that.

"These are measures that the government will announce to try and correct some of the damage unleashed on the people of India. We hope he comes up with measures including an acknowledgement of the devastation that he has unleashed on the people," Gowda said.

"What the Prime Minister is going to do is to throw some more measures that are likely to continue in this pattern of shifting goalposts, changing the original goals of demonetisation, coming up with something new to distract the people of India," he added.
New Delhi, Dec 31 : The Congress said on Saturday it will contest all seats in Uttar Pradesh, adding it was a good sign that the internal feud within the Samajwadi Party was resolved.

"The Congress never comments on the internal divide of another political party. The feud happened within the party and it has been sorted out. It is a good sign," said Congress leader and communication department in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala.

Asked if the internal divide within the party was scripted, Surjewala said: "It is very difficult to say about it."

On the question of alliance with Samajwadi Party, Surjewala said: "There was no question of alliance earlier too. Congress is ready to fight all seats in Uttar Pradesh and we are preparing to fight all seats. I do not think today is a day to speak about alliances at all."

"Congress is capable, competent and the party workers are enthused to carry forward the politics of development bereft of anyone else."

In an anti-climactic development for its political rivals, the Samajwadi Party on Saturday revoked the expulsion of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav.

Both the leaders on Saturday were ousted from the party for six years on charges of indiscipline and anti-party activities.
New Delhi, Dec 31 : The opposition on Saturday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over what appeared like a "budget speech" on the New Year eve but didn't reveal the amount of black money collected after the government's demonetisation drive that caused unprecedented currency crunch in the country.

The Congress hit out at Modi and said that the 45-minute speech was "much ado about nothing".

"No deadline, only headline, this has become the character of the Prime
Itanagar, Dec 31 : Arunachal Pradesh, which witnessed dramatic political fluctuations throughout the year, on its last day saw the formation of a BJP government as 33 PPA legislators, including Chief Minister Pema Khandu, on Saturday defected to the party.

This development led Bharatiya Janata Party to form its 10th government in the country and the second in the northeast after Assam.

After 33 MLAs joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, Khandu paraded them in front of Speaker Tenzing Norbu, along with 12 existing party legislators and two independent MLAs.

Khandu said : "Lotus has finally bloomed in Arunachal Pradesh. The people of the state see a new dawn of development in the New Year."

"The people of the state see a new dawn of development in the New Year."

BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav welcomed the People's Party of Arunachal MLAs joining BJP.

"Arunachal Pradesh becomes 10th BJP ruled state and 14th with BJP alliances. Congratulations to CM Pema Khandu and welcome into BJP Parivar. Arunachal has a BJP govt now. CM Pema Khandu, with 33 MLAs merges PPA in BJP. BJP govt has 45 BJP+2 ind MLAs support in a 60-member Assembly," he tweeted.

The announcement of Khandu and 32 legislators from the PPA joining the BJP was earlier announced by state BJP President Tapir Gao, who told IANS that the state will have a strong BJP government now.

The BJP government now has total of 47 MLAs - 33 PPA, 12 existing BJP and 2 independent- - in the 60-member assembly.

With the development, PPA is left with 10 MLAs while the Congress has the strength of 3 MLAs, including former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki. Regional player PPA called the merger illegitimate and threatened take all legal measures.

"We will move a court against those MLAs who have joined the BJP," its chief Kahfa Bengia told IANS.

Meanwhile, Gao, asked about the remaining PPA MLAs including the richest legislator Takam Pario, said: "It is for them to decide what they have to do."

The political development in Arunachal Pradesh took a turn on Thursday when Khandu was suspended from the PPA along with six other MLAs. As Bengia said Pario would be the new Chief Minder, Khandu and the others walked into the BJP.

The PPA is a constituent of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led North East Democratic Alliance. However, it was not immediately clear whether the PPA remains a constituent of the NEDA.

Khandu, son of former Congress Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, has become second BJP Chief Minister in the northeast after Assam's Sarbanand Sonowal.

Khandu, who took over as the Chief Minister from Nabam Tuki in July, had quit the Congress along with 42 MLAs to join the PPA in September.

Meanwhile, Congress said this has been the usual practise of the BJP to get backdoor entry in all states, but it is not going to work in the long run.

"They want backdoor entry everywhere. It may may work for sometime. But there are limits to that. When people realise that democracy is being highjacked then there is a problem," said Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan.

"This nemesis will catch up with those who are involved in these kind of activities bacause democracy is vibrant and you can't curb democratic practices by these kind of illegal actions through money power and muscle power," he added.
Kolkata, Dec 31 : In a major reshuffle, the West Bengal government promoted and transferred fifteen IPS officers on Saturday.

According to a notification issued by the government, Siddh Nath Gupta, IGP (O) was promoted to ADG and IGP (Establishment) while Sanjay Singh was promoted to ADG and IGP, EB.

Singh will also hold the additional charge of Inspector General of Police, CID-1.

Vishal Garg who was Joint Commissioner of Police, STF Kolkata, was made Additional Commissioner of Police-V, Kolkata as additional charge of Joint Commissioner, Crime. Joint CP, Armed Police, Kolkata Satyajit Bandyopadhyay would take charge of Additional Commissioner of Police -VI, Kolkata with additional charge of his old post.

Shakeel Ahmed who was Deputy Inspector General of Police, Intelligence Bureau, was made Inspector General of Police-II, with the same responsibility while DIG, AP, Durgapur, Kalyan Bandyopadhyay would be Inspector General of Police, Coastal Security in the state.

Member Secretary WBPRB Anil Kumar was made IGP (O), and Silliguri's Police Commissioner Chelling Simick Lepcha was promoted to IG rank from DIG.

Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate DC, (Headquarters) Nishant Parveez was made DIG, CID (Operations) while Sugata Sen who was would take charge DIG, IB, WB.

Barrackpore Police Commissionerate DC (Headquarters) Humayun Kabir was made Joint CP, Kolkata.

Pranab Kumar Das would take charge of DIG (P&W) WB while Dipankar Bhattacharyya would be DIG, AP, Durgapur.

Dipankar Rudra was made DIG, SCRB, WB and Chirantan Nag would hold charge of Member Secretary, WBPRB in the rank of DIG.
Ramallah, Jan 1 : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday said that the Israeli settlement on the territories of the state of Palestine will demise.

Xinhua news agency quoted Abbas as saying in a speech aired on Palestine TV that the recent UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution 2,334 had clearly called on Israel to halt all its settlement activities "without making any change to the demographic composition".

"The no changes include the character and the status of the land of the State of Palestine occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem," said Abbas, who lit the torch that marks the 52nd anniversary of his Fatah Party in Ramallah.

Last week, 14 UNSC members voted in favour of a resolution that condemned Israeli settlement activities in the Palestinian territories and called on Israel to halt all settlement activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Abbas said the Palestinians thank very much the four countries which applied the resolution for voting in the UNSC and also to the United States and to the countries which voted in favour of the resolution.

Abbas called for 2017 to be the year for the international recognition of the state of Palestine, adding, "We hope that the new year will be the year of ending the Israeli occupation and establishing the independent Palestinian state."

The 82-year-old Palestinian leader stressed that the hands of the Palestinians "are still extended for peace", adding that the Palestinians won't accept anymore transitional solutions or accept a state with temporary borders.

He also expressed the Palestinian leadership's readiness to work closely with the new US administration, mainly with President-elect Donald Trump "in order to achieve peace in the region based on the two-state principle".
Jerusalem, Jan 1 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Middle Eastern security and -- especially -- the situation in Syria, according to an Israeli government statement.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening ... spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders discussed developments in the region, with emphasis on Syria and continued security coordination in this sphere, which has already proven itself in preventing misunderstandings," EFE news quoted the Israeli premier's office as saying.

The Russian President's office added that the pair also spoke about the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, without providing any further details, an issue that the Israeli communique did not mention.

The two countries maintain strategic ties, given that there are 1.5 million Russian-speaking Israeli residents, and in 2016 they celebrated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The Kremlin recently tried to spur peace negotiations, proposing Moscow as the site of a meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Netanyahu, but those talks were ultimately postponed at the request of Israel.
"His lifetime of nurturing talent and giving back to the jewelry industry are a large part of why the GEM Committee will honor him with a Lifetime Achievement Award, - Norman Miller, Chair of GEM Awards.

Tiny Jewel Box, the historic family run jewelry business, which has grown substantially in the last year, has been notified that Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, and the GEM Awards Committee plan to award the stores Chairman, Jim Rosenheim, the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 15th annual GEM Awards on Friday, January 13, 2017, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.

The GEM Awards gala honors the outstanding achievements of individuals or companies whose work raises the visibility and status of fine jewelry and watches. The GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement is granted to an individual who has accumulated a careers worth of contributions to the fine jewelry and watch industry. Honorees set a standard of excellence that serves as an inspiration to industry colleagues.

Jim Rosenheim has helped his family grow Tiny Jewel Box, a three-generation jewelry business, into an iconic Washington, D.C., institution and internationally renowned jewelry store. His career at Tiny Jewel Box began at the age of 12, working by his parents side, and by 18, he was a lapidary and bench jeweler. Today, he leads the store as its Chairman. Jims vision was to transition Tiny Jewel Box from a resource of primarily antique jewelry to a fashion-forward store with the best jewelry at a wide range of price points. He was one of the first jewelers to bring bold, Italian jewelry to the forefront in the U.S. and is credited with discovering designers from David Yurman to Alex Sepkus.

Jim is no stranger to awards, he has received a plethora of recognition in the jewelry industry, but this award is monumental for him. Jim explains, The Lifetime Achievement Award from Jewelers of America, a pillar organization in our community, is incredibly humbling. To me, it means that my lifes work has had a positive impact on others.

Jim earned a BS from Syracuse University, an MBA from the American University, attended Georgetown Law Center and holds a Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America.

Jim Rosenheim is one of the most respected individuals in the jewelry industry. He is passionate, kind and a dear friend to many. The success of Tiny Jewel Box is only one aspect of his achievements. His lifetime of nurturing talent and giving back to the jewelry industry are a large part of why the GEM Committee will honor him with a Lifetime Achievement Award, says Norman Miller, Chair of GEM Awards.

In addition to the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement, JA will reveal winners of several other GEM Awards live during the ceremony. The other GEM Awards categories and their nominees will be announced soon.

For details on GEM Awards, visit http://www.jewelers.org/gemawards.

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About Tiny Jewel Box

Tiny Jewel Box is a three-generation family jeweler established in 1930. The store offers a unique collection of premier designer and vintage jewelry, fine Swiss watches, one-of-a-kind gifts, and exclusive corporate items. It enjoys a reputation among Washington area shoppers for quality craftsmanship, welcoming personalized service, and an emphasis on one-of-a-kind creations.
Pyramid Healthcare, Blair Drug & Alcohol Partnerships, the law offices of Edgar Snyder & Associates, and WTAJ-TV 10 announce the return of their annual Take a CabWell Pay the Tab! campaign.

The campaign, brought back annually for more than 20 years, provides free rides to New Year's Eve revelers. This Saturday, December 31 from 10PM  3AM, Pyramid Healthcare will provide Blair County residents with free, safe rides from sober drivers. The free rides can be taken anywhere in Blair County from bars, clubs and restaurants to private residences.

To use the service, Blair County residents are instructed to call (814) 947-6805 anytime between 10PM and 3AM on Saturday, December 31. Rides cannot be reserved in advance and passengers are responsible for providing and installing a child safety seat for each accompanying child. Voicemails left at the Take a Cab number cannot be returned, those who wish to utilize the service are encouraged to call back until they speak directly with a representative to schedule a ride.

The campaign is a continued effort to reduce alcohol-related traffic violations, accidents and fatalities that occur during the holiday season.

For more information on the 2016 Take a CabWell Pay the Tab! campaign, visit https://www.pyramidhealthcarepa.com/blog.

About Pyramid Healthcare

Pyramid Healthcare, Inc. is a premier provider of behavioral healthcare founded in 1999 and headquartered in Altoona, PA. Pyramid Healthcare operates over 80 treatment facilities and schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and North Carolina, offering a variety of treatment and recovery services for teens and adults. Its facilities are CARF accredited and staffed by licensed and qualified professionals. For more information, visit http://www.pyramidhealthcarepa.com.
As we started to reflect on 2016 as a brand and look forward to our hopes of 2017, we thought this would be a great exercise to allow the people of Boston to reflect with us.

In December 2016 IM Boston conducted a social experiment entitled #ShareYourHope in an effort to engage with Bostonians and have them reflect on the past year as well as look forward to the year to come. This video focuses on the incredible responses pertaining to the question "What got you through 2016?" It celebrates the amazing, diverse people of Boston who engaged in the event!

The video features participants who cite family, friends and even wine, as factors in helping them make it through 2016. But, above all, it seems as though the major themes for the year were those of love and hope. Read more about how inspirations are a universal language: https://imboston.com/universal-inspirations-throughout-2016/

Make sure to visit the IM Boston website to learn more about the #ShareYourHope initiative: https://imboston.com/.

About IM Boston: IM Boston is an online magazine and community that was born out of the idea that everyone has a voice and should be heard. No matter who you are; your nationality, background, living situation, income level, what path you chose for your career, you have a story. Its interesting when you stop and actually listen to the people around you, the people of Boston, youll be amazed at what stories youll find.
Two visitors from Paris sat recently in a glass-walled room in New York City, signing their names in a work written by a 19th-century nobleman. The view was of 55th Street and Broadway, but the gray sky and steady rain were purely Petersburgiana fitting scene for the Leningrad-born Larissa Volokhonsky and the American Richard Pevear, who met in Manhattan in 1976, married, moved to France in the late 80s, and have since become the most prolific and prominent contemporary translators of Russian literature. The book they were autographing, Novels, Tales, Journeys: The Complete Prose of Alexander Pushkin (Knopf, Nov.), includes all the novels, tales, and journeys of the title, as well as several fragments, which were left unfinished in 1837 when Russias greatest poet, not yet 40, died in a duel.

I always wanted to translate Pushkin, Volokhonsky says. Outside of Russia, Pushkin is known for his poetry, if he is known at all.

For their own pleasure, Pevear and Volokhonsky once worked on one of Pushkins long poems for children, The Tale of a Preacher and His Man Bumpkin. (Later, the poem, accompanied by Pushkins doodles and an essay about translating Tolstoy, was published in the Cahiers Series of books on translation, put out by the American University of Paris, where Pevear is distinguished professor emeritus.) But Pushkins stories, a significant part of his achievement, remained always in their sights.

For readers and writers of Russian, Pushkins poetry and his prose are inevitablenot a celestial body to gravitate toward, but gravity itself. Young Russian aristocrats of the early 19th century, including Pushkin himself, read French, German, English, and Italian literature, often in the original or in French translation. Russians after Pushkin read Pushkin, in Russian, and wrote in Russian, a newly literary tongue that he had helped create.

It is Pushkins three-dimensional prose, as Nabokov described it, that Pevear and Volokhonsky hope to reconstruct in their English rendering. We read the [translated] text aloud at least twice, Volokhonsky says. Richard reads aloud, and I follow with the Russian text. Theres a certain cadence to it, a certain rhythm. Pushkin himself was as conscious of the rhythms and other formal elements in his work as he was eager to use his formal innovations to establish a new Russian literary tradition, distinct from the European literature of the time. He joked about the popular passion for, and follies of, European literature in The Queen of Spades, perhaps the best known and most popular of his stories.

The only novel Pushkin properly finished was Eugene Onegin, which is written in versein a type of stanza he invented. A short historical novel, The Captains Daughter, appears in the translated collection, along with two unfinished novels that are no less interesting for being incomplete. But the brevity of Pushkins career has proved inversely proportional to the intensity of engagement it inspired. Tolstoy first glimpsed the possibility of Anna Karenina in The Guests Were Arriving at the Dacha, one of the fragments included in Novels, Tales, Journeys; Nabokov considered his English translation of Onegin half of his literary legacy. In his preface to Novels, Tales, Journeys, Pevear quotes the Russian emigre writer Andrei Sinyavsky, who calls Pushkin an eternally flowering past to which [literature] returns to be rejuvenated.

For Pevear and Volokhonsky, Pushkin was an occasion to reinvent our own skill as translators. After 30 years of working on Russian literature, there are habits, a certain acquired craft, translating certain things in a certain way, Volokhonsky says. But with Pushkin, there is some kind of incredible freshness about the writing.

For writers, Pushkin can provide direct inspiration (as in the Tolstoy example above). The writer Daniil Kharms satirized Pushkins omnipresence in Russian literature in a short, fantastic scene, in which Pushkin and Gogol literally trip over each other onstage, falling down and cursing one another. Sinyavsky, whom both Pevear and Volokhonsky admire, spent years in a Soviet prison camp for his novels. He wasnt allowed to write, but he could write letters, Pevear explains. The curious thing is that they didnt limit the length of the letters. So he wrote books by writing letters to his wife, and one of them became Strolls with Pushkin (whence the quotation above regarding an eternally flowering past originates).

The trouble with Pushkin, Pevear adds, is that hes perfect.

Over three decades of collaboration, Volokhonsky and Pevear have been alone together with Dostoyevsky, Gogol, and Tolstoy, and also with Bulgakov, Chekhov, Leskov, Pasternak, and Turgenev. In a now-famous story, they were brought to the public consciousness when Oprah picked their Penguin Classics translation of Anna Karenina for her book club. As theyve often explained in interviews since then, their work happens in separate offices. First, Volokhonsky, a native speaker of Russian, produces a complete first draft. Then Pevear, whose spoken Russian is not fluent, revises the draft, working to reproduce the writers style coherently in Englishwhat the French call the language of arrival, he says. This process is repeated as necessary, draft by draft. Translation is a craft that sometimes becomes an inspired craft, Volokhonsky explains.

There are some translators who are experts in a language, and you can see that they work sentence by sentence, Pevear says. They finish a sentence and they start on the next one. Its all very accurate but somehow doesnt live. And that life is very difficult to define, and the most important.

The life of Pushkins prose has to do with its lucidity and specificity, what the literary historian D.S. Mirsky called Pushkins great concern for the good balance of a sentence. This can come out in translation as banal, Pevear says. Pushkins words are exact; theyre never banal. Volokhonsky adds that Pushkin is very precise, and very terse, very compact.

Compactness is evident in The Tales of the Late Ivan Petrovich Belkin, five short stories included in Novels, Tales, Journeys that Pushkin originally published in 1831. The stories updated popular literary tropes, but subtly. Mirsky wrote that Pushkin intended them to be models for the future story-teller. Their language was plain, and their setting rural Russia. Pushkin also included a publishers preface attributing the stories to the fictional Belkin, claiming that they were mostly true and heard by him from various persons.

And nobody even noticed them, Pevear marvels. Nobody ever mentioned them. Finally, Pushkin admitted that he wrote them, and the critics, set on being right, told him to stick to poetry. They thought the stories were trivial, Volokhonsky adds. Critics since have reconsidered. What Pushkin does is take a familiar subject, something that has been treated in literature, and does something completely different, Volokhonsky says. Like Shakespeare, he takes already-existing subjects and does something of his own.

The short story The Stationmaster, for example, is a total reversal of the prodigal son, Volokhonsky says. The stationmasters young daughter runs off with a passing traveler, but instead of returning in disgrace, she marries her abductor; it is her abandoned father who perishes. The emotion is pure, its real, its not sentimental, Pevear says. And the parable is inscribed into the story elegantly, as a decorationa set of prints that the narrator, another traveler, sees hanging in the stationmasters house.

For Pevear and Volokhonsky, the translators task is to transport that crucial ambiguity out of its language of departure and into a different tongue and time. Pushkin writes with perfect ease and simplicity, Volokhonsky says. But, Pevear adds, theres nothing simple in there once you start looking.

Elina Alter is a writer living in New York.
When I began writing news stories about Mexican immigration a long time ago, I quickly learned that every word is a potential land mine.

In Memphis, where I live, some advocates for immigrants harshly criticized me for using the phrase illegal immigrant (which was standard at the time) rather than undocumented. The advocates quoted Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, who said, No human being is illegal. The AP Stylebook changed, and I eventually switched to the term unauthorized.

Meanwhile, opponents of illegal immigration blasted me for telling the stories of unauthorized immigrants. Some said I was glorifying lawbreakers. One reader said I should call federal agents and get the immigrants deported. Whose side are you on? he asked.

I remembered these negative reactions as I sought permission to work as an embedded reporter at Kingsbury High School in Memphis, which enrolls hundreds of children of immigrants. A couple of young immigration advocates advised the principal not to let me in.

I understood their concerns. I was a white outsider; the Mexican-American experiences I was writing about were not my own. Unauthorized-immigration status was just one of many serious social problems affecting the community I was writing about. Families were dealing with domestic violence, imprisoned loved ones, teenage runaways. But the principal said yes, the paperwork cleared, and I began my year inside.

I soon met 18-year-old Isaias Ramos, a brilliant high school student trying to decide whether to go to college or work as a housepainter alongside his parents, unauthorized immigrants from Mexico. He was so bright that he went on TV to represent the school in a quiz-bowl competition, and his unusual ability illustrated the bigger story I was trying to tell: the potential contained in this huge generation of children of immigrants coming of age in America today.

I followed Isaias through the corridors of his high school, on to painting jobs, and into smoky bars where he played gigs with a punk rock band called Los Psychosis. I interviewed his parents in Spanish (which I speak fluently) at their kitchen table. Then I traveled to Isaiass hometown in Mexico, where I visited his old house and tracked down his friends and relatives, including his childhood best friend, Ponchito. I attended the burial of his mothers sister. On my return, I kept up with Isaias and other students for more than two more years.

The Book of Isaias touches on sensitive subjects such as child abuse and drug trafficking, and before publication I took steps to check the accuracy of my text. I reviewed tricky parts of the Spanish-language interviews with a professional interpreter and shared the manuscript with many of the people I wrote about. Overwhelmingly, they supported the work.

The central person in the book, Isaias, agreed to speak at the books launch. Now 22, he told the audience: I was a teenager at this point. I wasnt the smartest person; youre going to read about that. Its nerve-racking, but its me. Its honest. Its really an honest story. So I appreciate that Daniel did that.

I received the same warm reception from Hispanic audience members at other talks. In Mississippi, at Off Square Books in Oxford, a Hispanic high school student bought a copy, and at the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville, a young man told me the book resonated with him, because he was born in Mexico.

The We Need Diverse Books movement has highlighted the fact that the publishing industry produces few works about people of color compared to their numbers in society. And today, according to the Pew Hispanic Center, the proportion of Hispanics among young people in America is roughly one in four, or well over 17 million.

Im grateful that many Hispanics respect the work Ive done. But I didnt write this book only for them. When Donald Trump takes office next year, large-scale deportations might become a very real prospect. Big swaths of our society and economy are bound up with the lives of Mexican immigrants and their children. Understanding their stories will matter for everyone.

Daniel Connolly is the author of The Book of Isaias: A Child of Hispanic Immigrants Seeks His Own America (St. Martins) and has reported on Mexican immigration for the AP.
Kensington Re-ups Wiseman

John Scognamiglio, editor-in-chief of Kensington, acquired world and audio rights to two books by Ellen Marie Wiseman in a new-contract deal negotiated by Michael Carr of Veritas Literary. According to the publisher, Wisemans 2014 book with Kensington, What She Left Behind, about a woman who becomes immersed in the diaries of a psychiatric patient living during the Great Depression, was one of Kensingtons bestselling digital and trade titles of the past two years, with half a million copies in print. Wisemans next novel, The Life She Was Given, will be published in summer 2017. The first of the two books acquired in this deal will be published sometime in 2019.

Ace Buys Books in Two Series by Hunter

Jessica Wade, a senior editor at Ace Books, acquired world English rights to four novels by Faith Hunter in a six-figure deal negotiated by Lucienne Driver of the Knight Agency. According to the publisher, two of the novels will continue the authors Jane Yellowrock series, about Cherokee skinwalker and rogue-vampire hunter Jane Yellowrock. The other two will continue the authors Soulwood series, a spin-off of the Jane Yellowrock series. Ace plans to publish the first Soulwood book that is part of the new deal in April 2019 and the first Jane Yellowrock book in December 2019.

Rosenbloom Brings M.L.K. Book to Beacon

Gayatri Patnaik, editorial director of Beacon Press, acquired North American and audio rights to Redemption: The Last Journey of Martin Luther King, Jr. by investigative journalist Joseph Rosenbloom, in a deal brokered by William Clark of William Clark Associates. According to Clark, the book centers on the last 31 hours of Dr. Kings lifefrom when his flight landed in Memphis on April 3 of 68 to his murder the following afternoon and includes photos and never-before-used interviews. Rosenbloom has been a reporter and editorial writer for the Boston Globe and Frontline and has received Emmy and Peabody awards for his work. Redemption is set to be published in April 2018 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Kings death.

Europa Nabs Four Books by French Crime Novelist Bussi

Sandro Ferri, publisher of Europa Editions, acquired North American rights to four novels by Michel Bussi, a French crime novelist, in a deal brokered by Alexandra Buchman of Place des Editeurs. Bussi, who according to Europa is known for his signature twist endings, was ranked the third bestselling author of 2015 by Le Figaro. Europas first Bussi book will be Time Is a Killer, about a grief-haunted woman who returns to Corsica to exorcise her past. Its set to be published in spring 2018.

Atria Picks Up Civil RightsFocused Debut Novel

Todd Hunter of Atria Books acquired world English rights to Columbia-M.F.A.-graduate Malcolm Hansens debut novel, They Come in All Colors. Jaida Temperly of New Leaf Literary & Media did the deal. According to Temperly, the book was pitched as The Secret Life of Bees meets Paul Beatty and tells of a biracial teenage boy whose life in N.Y.C. is disrupted by childhood memories of growing up in the Deep South during the early Civil Rights Movement. Its set to be published in spring 2018.

Journalist Takes Domestic Violence Book to Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury executive editor Anton Mueller and assistant editor Callie Garnett bought North American rights, in a preempt, to Rachel Louise Snyders No Visible Bruises, in a deal arranged by Susan Ramer of Don Congdon Associates. According to the publisher, the book offers a look at the national and global scope of domestic violence, how we have misunderstood it, what it portends about other types of violence, and what we can doand what is being doneto work against it. Synder is a journalist who has written for publications including the New Republic, the New Yorker, and the New York Times Magazine. Bloomsbury plans to publish the book in spring 2019.

Pegasus Acquires Sex-Toy History

Iris Blasi of Pegasus Books acquired world rights to Hallie Liebermans Buzz: A Stimulating History of the Sex Toy, in a deal brokered by Lydia Shamah of the Carol Mann Agency. According to the publisher, the book touches on everything from lube in ancient Greece to the role of sex toys in the fight against HIV/AIDS, offering a microhistory that ultimately charts our changing sexual mores and contributing to a trend of feminist nonfiction that is becoming a new market of its own. The author is a historian who received her doctorate in sex-toy history from the University of WisconsinMadison (according to the publisher, its the first degree of its kind). The book is set to be published in fall 2017.
Despite the contentious presidential election, sales at indie bookstores are expected to be up slightly last year, edging out what had been for many a record year in 2015. If sales hold steady in 2017, that would be good news for many booksellers. In his holiday letter late last month, American Booksellers Association CEO Oren Teicher predicted that most indie stores would end 2016 on a positive note, with sales up nearly 5% overall compared to 2015.

That still left a number of stores with flat sales in 2016. The election did suck out all the air, said Michael Tucker, president of Books Inc., a bookseller with 11 stores, headquartered in San Francisco. October was strong, November so-so. Were looking to finish the year without any growth. We had a bump with Harry Potter and Bruce Springsteen. Sidelines for us are doing very well. Its trade paperback and hardcover that arent seeing growth. Even remainders are up.

Tucker is not anticipating a big change in 2017. He misses the sales boost his stores once got from media outlets, such as the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, that promoted books and authors. You cant live off of NPR, he noted. Were budgeting for flat again. I budget very conservatively.

Although BookPeople in Austin, Tex., beat its 2014 figures, sales in 2016 werent strong enough to continue the stores streak of six consecutive best-ever years. Its not like we cratered, said CEO Steve Bercu, who noted that BookPeople had several best-ever months, including October. Unfortunately, that strong October was followed by a 17% drop in November; June was also weak.

Bercu is already working on a plan to turn 2017 into a record-setting year. He recently added a 4,000-sq.-ft. warehouse so that the store can stage book fairs and expand its school business. I have to get back on track, Bercu said. He also anticipates a boost simply from more people going out now that the election is over.

At Carmichaels Bookstore, with two general stores and a kids store in Louisville, events and marketing manager Kate Weiss is concerned about the ramifications of the presidential election, particularly when it comes to protections for freedom of speech for authors, publishers, and readers. In terms of sales in 2017, the biggest challenge for her will likely come from Amazon and other online discounters. We will dig in our heels and excel at the things that online retailers cant do, she said, pointing to customer service and a curated selection. We see the need to be ever-more agile, streamlined, and willing to support and give back to the community that has supported us for almost 40 years.

Amazon has also been a negative factor for Hudson Group, North Americas largest travel retailer. It operates Hudson Booksellers and frequently partners with indies at airportsfor example, it runs two Book Soup bookstores at LAX, which are among Hudsons top-performing locations. Amazon and other giants continue to drive customers to believe that media content of all types should be free or cheap regardless of its quality, said Sara Hinckley, v-p, book purchasing and promotions at Hudson. Shes also concerned about digital audio, a category almost exclusively owned by Amazon. Still, Hinckley said, I am feeling pretty positive [about 2017]. She added, Airport traffic is good, and travelers are buying books.

Northshire Books, which saw modest growth at its 40-year-old flagship location in Manchester Center, Vt., and flat sales at its newer store in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., in the year, is planning to double down on magic in 2017, according to co-owner Chris Morrow. My goal is to have most of the people who come into our stores leave with the feeling that being there was not an ordinary experience, that it was memorable and nurturing.

Morrow has begun to work on enhancing the customer experience in both stores and will change both floor plans in 2017. Much of his focus has been, and will continue to be, on physical elements. In Vermont, he took out an office to build a loft where kids can curl up and read. It is very cool, Morrow said, and it is now a beloved feature of the kids section. It builds memories for the kids. There are a few elements like these [in the stores already], but there need to be more.

The future of bookselling looks good now, said Roxanne Coady, owner of RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, Conn., who defined now as the next three yearsand possibly forever. Obviously, a [physical] bookstore is still something that people want, she said. Coady signed an agreement in mid-December with Wesleyan University to open a 7,000-sq.-ft. bookstore in downtown Middleton, Conn., in May, and RJ Julia handles the buying, website, and events for BookHampton in East Hampton, N.Y.

As the late ABA CEO Avin Domnitz used to say in The 2% Solution, his popular seminar on bookstore profitability, the problem is in the payroll. And that was before minimum-wage laws in some communities, particularly the Bay Area, began jumping workers to $15 per hour with little or no progression. Stores such as Books Inc. anticipated the increase and have been proactive in raising salaries over the past year. Still, its a challenge, said Tucker. It means everybodys getting paid the same, part-time and full-time [employees alike]. Ultimately we know well be shrinking staff by attrition.

The minimum-wage increase also means that Books Inc.s system of bringing up management through the ranks (two-thirds of Books Inc.s management staff were promoted that way) could end. Tucker said that if he has to pay $15 per hour, he would rather hire someone with more experience, whereas at a lower hourly wage, he could hire someone with less experience who could then grow into the job.

Housing has also proved to be an intractable problem for retailers in fast-growing urban areas such as San Francisco, where a one-bedroom apartment rents for $2,500 a month. Austin is like a mini New York, said BookPeoples Bercu. No people can afford to live there. [They] have to live farther and farther from the city. Weve got to have something happen. He regards housing as the biggest issue facing booksellers, and one that the entire city government of Austin has to help resolve.

A smaller issue, but a real one nonetheless, said Carmichaels Weiss, is when publishers work directly with organizations in a community rather than routing those sales through the communitys local bookstore. We want to work with publishers, not be in competition with them, Weiss said. As publishers continue to do more direct-to-consumer business and offer bigger discounts than we can offeror sometimes even receivewe cant help but see them as competition instead of partners.

Bercu has an additional request of publishers: We need publishers to get us the information on [forthcoming books] in a timely fashion, so that no online retailer gets the news first. BookPeople relies on preorders to fuel online sales and has to have the same books at the same time as Amazon. Together with signed books and gift cards, preorders generate most of BookPeoples online orders. In 2013, online sales for BookPeople doubled and have since grown to become a significant source of income, Bercu said. Last year, BookPeoples online sales declined slightly, which Bercu attributed to a drop in preorders.

For many stores, online is still a very small part of their overall business, but booksellers would like to see it grow. At Northshire, Morrow acknowledged that online sales could be larger, but said that the store doesnt market its website as well as it should. One online program that is working for Northshire is Northshire Selects, its book-a-month gift-giving program.

Books Inc.s online sales mainly come from people who order a book and pick it up in-store. To ensure that customers get the latest information on which books are available, the bookstore updates its online inventory twice daily. It also offers free shipping on orders over $50 and has begun shipping via USPS instead of UPS to save customers money.

I still feel that none of us have quite figured out what experience online people want from an independent, said RJ Julias Coady, who delayed the launch of the bookstores new website until 2017. I dont think our industry has figured out how to use technology. A joke I make is that our idea of data analytics is running a bookstore. What people really want is a [personal] connection online. Weve figured it out in the store, but not online.
The release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child helped lift sales in the childrens/YA category 31.1% in July over the same month in 2015, according to figures released by the Association of American Publishers as part of its StatShot program. Cursed Child gave a particular spark to the segments hardcover format, where sales soared 95.2%. The other formats in the childrens/YA category all declined in the month. Sales in the adult book segment fell 5.4% in July. The biggest decline came in hardcover, with sales falling 22.2%. Last July, Go Set a Watchman was a huge hit in hardcover. The brightest spot for the adult segment was digital audio once again, with sales up 23.2%. E-book sales fell again, dropping 12.7%. For the entire publishing industry, sales fell 17.9% in July compared to the previous year. Sales figures are based on reports from 1,208 publishers.

Category Change July Change YTD Adult Hard -22.2% -7.4% Adult Paper 9.1% 9.0% Mass Market 11.4% -0.8% Physical Audio -6.6% -11.7% Audio Download 23.2% 31.0% Adult E-book -12.7% -17.3% Childrens/YA 31.1% 6.3% Religious Presses -5.5% 8.3% Professional -21.4% -19.4% K12 Materials -20.2% -8.9% Higher Ed. -27.1% -18.1% University Presses -11.7% -3.9%

(Comparisons of $ sales against same periods in 2015)
Based in Cleveland, Ohio, OverDrive has worked exclusively to distribute digital content since 1986, becoming one of the first companies to be involved in supplying digital content to libraries, first with audio and then with e-books. Its digital distribution platform now has more than 3.3 million titles, and OverDrive has relationships with 5,000 publishers and 34,000 libraries, schools, retailers, and OEMs. As OverDrive continues to grow, it has also expanded into digital content in Spanish.

At the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) last December, PW spoke with Steve Rosato, the business development executive, and Elissa Miller, a digital library adviser, about OverDrives presence at FIL. This was not the first year that OverDrive attended FIL, but it was the first year that it had its own booth. Rosato and Miller explained that their purpose at FIL was trifold: first, to meet with libraries from Latin America that are considering a digital platform; second, to speak with some of their current U.S. clients that were visiting the fair; and finally, to acquire Spanish-language content from publishers.

What are you looking to accomplish at FIL?

EM: What we really want to accomplish is to grow and augment our Spanish catalogue, which already has over 55,000 titles. As you know, the strength of our business comes from offering titles not just from the big publishers but also from the midsize and smaller publishers, which often have material that reflects some of the new literary trends, particularly in childrens literature. Those are the publishers that we really want to reach, because it helps us to meet the needs of librarians from Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina, as well as our U.S. clients that have to provide for the needs of their culturally diverse communities.

You mentioned that OverDrive currently offers 55,000 titles in Spanish. From which publishers do most of these titles come from?

EM: Much of the catalogue comes from the large multinational publishers such as Planeta, Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, and Fondo de Cultura Economica. We are also working through Libranda, an e-book distribution platform of books in Spanish that aggregates many of the publishers400 publishersfrom Spain and Latin America; so through them we have books from publishers such as Ediciones B and Salamandra, as well as many from the midsize and smaller publishers. For example, this year we added childrens titles from Fondo de Cultura Economicas and Grupo SM.

What are some of the smaller and midsize publishers that are available on OverDrive?

EM: One is Editorial Pax from Mexico. Although not a small press, it is an independent press, and it will be doing its entire digital content through IPG, which is fabulous for us and for our catalogue, because we work with IPG. We are also working to obtain more digital books from Colombia, Argentina, and Chile.

What is the biggest pushback you have gotten from publishers in Latin America?

SR: I wouldnt say we get pushback. Once we sit down with publishers and explain how it works, [doing business with OverDrive] becomes a no-brainer. We are just a different sales channel that a publisher otherwise wouldnt have access to. Really, the challenge is getting in front of the right person when they are ready to hear the messagethen the response is, Why wouldnt we do this?

EM: Many are not digitally ready, but they are moving toward that. [Distributing e-books and digital audio to libraries] is also not in the usual frame of distribution that they would use[using OverDrive] is just a much more seamless distribution, and there is no exclusivity.

SR: This is something that OverDrive initially overcame about 10 years ago: the fear among publishers that digital would cannibalize print or that library sales would cannibalize their retail sales. Now publishers realize that all of this can coexist.

EM: Sometimes publishers from Latin America think that their titles are too localnationaland that a book like that would not appeal to a U.S. audience. For example, a book from Chilethe publisher might think that it will only appeal to Chilean readers, but many times publishers are surprised to learn that Hispanics in the U.S. read writers not only from their countries of origin but from all over Latin America and Spain. Readers are also looking to read a more diverse group of writers. What we can provide to publishers is visibility for titles that might have a niche audience in countries other than their own.

What is OverDrives goal when it comes to books in Spanish?

SR: Our goal isnt necessarily about reaching a certain number of titles in Spanish. For us, its about servicing the libraries and their communities. That is the commitment of OverDrivewe really do make the readers needs our priority, and as long as we are taking care of the reader and meeting the requests of the libraries, we dont need to be reactionary; we already have content in the pipeline to meet those needs.
After a quiet 2015 with only modest mergers-and-acquisitions activity in the trade book market, deal making picked up last year. Four of the Big Five trade publishers were involved in transactions in 2016, the largest being the Hachette Book Groups purchase of the publishing arm of the Perseus Books Group. The acquisition involved all nine of Perseuss book imprints and added about $100 million in annual sales to HBGs publishing program. Simultaneous with HBGs purchase, Ingram bought the four groups that composed Perseuss distribution business, making Ingram the distributor for 600 publishers. A similar deal was called off in August 2014.

Penguin Random House was involved in three deals during the year, but in all three PRH was the seller, not the buyer, divesting itself of noncore assets.

The first sale was officially completed Dec. 31, 2015, but announced in early January; it involved PRHs self-publishing division, Author Solutions, which went to private equity firm Najafi Companies. Author Solutions was acquired by Penguin prior to its merger with Random House and was never a priority for the combined PRH.

A second substantial deal for PRH was the sale of Fodors, the companys travel-publishing unit, to Internet Brands. Although PRH made significant investments to turn Fodors into a digital business, management felt that it had taken the unit as far as it could and that Fodors would do better in a more digital-centric company.

The third sale was of Random House Studios to Freemantle Media North America. Originally founded in 2007 as Random House Films, the goal of the division was to develop RH titles for movies and television, but the unit had met with only limited success.

Though PRH shed a self-publishing unit last year, Macmillan bought one, acquiring Pronoun in May. Founded as Vook, Pronoun is a self-publishing platform that, prior to the sale to Macmillan, had gone on its own mini acquisition spree during which it bought several digital startups.

The fourth member of the Big Five to make a purchase last year was Simon & Schuster, which bought Adams Media from F+W Media.

The biggest acquisition in the publishing field in 2016 was Folletts purchase of Baker & Taylor, which further consolidated the wholesaling and distribution segment.

Several companies also made multiple acquisitions in the past year. The Quarto Publishing Group USA made three purchases, the biggest of which was for the book publisher and packager Becker & Mayer. Quarto paid

$9.8 million and agreed to provide up to $1 million for capital considerations, as well as another $1.3 million based on the financial performance of Becker & Mayers educational-toy division, SmartLab, in 2018 and 2019. Half of Becker & Mayers $19.8 million in revenue in 2015 came from the childrens market, an area that Quarto has targeted for expansion.

Readerlink also made more than one acquisition last year. The company, which is the countrys largest book distributor to mass merchandisers and wholesale clubs, beefed up that part of its business with the acquisition of ANconnect. Formerly part of the Anderson Companies, ANconnect added about 3,600 Walmarts and 644 Sams Clubs to Readerlinks distribution network.

Readerlinks second purchase, the acquisition of Studio Fun Internationals assets, bolstered its publishing operation. Before it was restructured and rebranded by parent company Trusted Media Brands, SFI was known as Readers Digest Childrens Publishing. Among the assets acquired by Readerlink were Studio Funs branded and nonbranded trade and religious formats, its packaging formats, and its international co-edition formats.

A third player to make multiple purchases was an industry newcomer, North Star Editions. The company, which plans to release its first titles for the childrens and young adult market in 2017, bought Flux, the YA fiction imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide. North Star followed up that purchase with the acquisition of Jolly Fish Press, shortly after the independent press announced that it planned to close.

Publishing Acquisitions, 2016
The United Arab Emirates imports some $125 million worth of books each year, most of them in English. But the U.A.E. publishing industry has always aimed to be more than a consumer market, and over the past decade it has poured money and resources into its cultural industries.

Taking the lead has been the Emirate of Sharjah, which runs several prominent events, including the Sharjah Childrens Reading Festival and the Sharjah International Book Fair, which has become a major hub for rights sales in the region. In 2016, there were 1,460 rights deals done at the fair, with 140 from Arabic to different languages, says Ahmed Al Ameri, chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority, which administers the fair and related activities.

This spring, Sharjah gets one step closer to reaching its stated goal of becoming the world capital of books with the opening of Sharjah Publishing City. The 200,000-sq.-ft. facility will offer administrative and logistical support for those looking to publish, print, and distribute books throughout the world. There are no restrictions to doing business in the Publishing City, says Al Ameri. The idea is that you can set up and open for business in as little as 48 hours.

As of December, 320 of 380 available offices had already been taken, with three U.S. publishers signed on to participate. Others who have taken space are coming from China, India, the Middle East, South Korea, Turkey, and the U.K.

In addition to publishers, the facility will host editors, translators, printers, accountants, attorneys, and other staff that supports publishing. In 2017, we expect about 1,500 people working there but anticipate it may grow to as many as 10,000, as all the functions come on line, Al Ameri says. With Sharjah Publishing City we hope to attract a diverse and dynamic group of publishers to live and work in the U.A.E., he adds.

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WASHINGTON  Mitch McConnell will be Washingtons most important player in 2017. Not President Donald Trump or House Speaker Paul Ryan or the lobbyists or the big money donors.

McConnell is the Senate majority leader, the man charged with building consensus among 52 Republicans with their own differing agendas and constituents. All it takes to trigger gridlock is for three Republicans to join the 48 Democrats, and Cabinet nominees will be blocked, Trump initiatives will stall and Washingtons reputation for ineptness will persist.

McConnell, R-Ky., has long been a master of solutions, of knowing when to be defiant and when to be compliant. Hes a head counter, said Tripp Baird, who was floor assistant for Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss.

When the 115th Congress begins Jan. 3, Republicans will control both the legislative and executive branches of government for the first time in 10 years. They will have a 241 to 194 majority in the House.

We have an opportunity to do big things and tackle some that are not traditional, said Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., who will chair the Houses Republican Study Committee, its influential conservative caucus.

Before Congress digs into overhauling the tax code, the Affordable Care Act or immigration, the Senate faces confirmation hearings and votes on Trump nominees.

McConnell wants to approve as many as possible by the time Trump takes office, as the Senate usually does, but the path to 51 votes is loaded with political dynamite. Civil rights activists are upset with Attorney General-designate Jeff Sessions. Consumer interests worry about Treasury-designate Steven Mnuchins Wall Street ties. Obamacare advocates shudder at the prospect of Obamacare repeal enthusiast Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., the nominee for health and human services secretary.

And most ominously, theres Russia.

Trump has expressed approval toward Russia. McConnell told reporters this month, Russia is no friend of ours.

In response to President Barack Obamas sanctions against Russia over the election-related hacking, Trump said Thursday: Its time for our country to move on to bigger and better things. McConnell will have the Senate Intelligence Committee look into the reports.

Thats not good enough for incoming Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and John McCain, R-Ariz., who all support a special bipartisan investigative panel. So far, McConnells not budging.

Concern over Russia could spark the biggest early test of the Senate-Trump relationship. Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson, who has close ties to Russia and President Vladimir Putin, faces an unpredictable confirmation hearing.

Based upon his extensive business dealings with the Putin government and his previous opposition of efforts to impose sanctions on the Russian government, there are many questions which must be answered, Graham said.

Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., a top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he was deeply troubled by Tillersons close personal relationship with Putin.

Winning approval for budget matters is not expected to be difficult in the House, where rules allow Republicans to more easily cut off debate and limit amendments.

The Senate is a different matter. Most policy changes require 60 votes to cut off debate, and the political pressure has a different hue. While all 435 House members are up for re-election in 2018, the middle of Trumps term, two-thirds of the senators dont face voters again for at least four years.

They can be less tethered to party orthodoxy and to Trump. It means McConnell will have to work at times independently of Trump to find majorities.

Its going to be a complicated relationship, said Darrell West, vice president and director of governance studies at Washingtons Brookings Institution, a research group, of McConnell and Trump.

McConnell says he agrees with Trump on far more than he opposes.

We have a terrific relationship, the senator said. Hes very, very accessible; very energetic.

He finds Trumps nominees pretty impressive. Hes all for repealing key parts of Obamacare and says the Senate will take up a tax overhaul.

He likes Trumps proposal to improve infrastructure, but wont commit to any precise approach. Im interested in seeing what the administration is going to recommend, McConnell said. His wife, Elaine Chao, is Trumps nominee for transportation secretary.

McConnell has staked his own ground on some matters. Trump wants a wall between the U.S. and Mexico. McConnell wont go that far. I want to try to achieve border security in whatever way is the most effective, he says.

The president-elect has questioned whether the U.S. should continue in NATO. No, says McConnell. I will say for myself the NATO alliance is every bit as important today as it ever was, he says.

Translation: The Senate, as it traditionally does, will move at its own pace.

The day after Trump won the election, McConnell offered a subtle declaration of independence. I think in a day when people were voting for change, he said, they didnt decide they wanted to change the Republican Senate.
She was a princess, a senator and a general, and her unflinching competence inspired rebel soldiers, starry-eyed dreamers and scruffy-looking smugglers to trust her with their lives. Swashbuckling Jedi did her bidding.

When captured by the most terrifying creature in the galaxy, she scolded him like a child: Darth Vader, only you could be so bold. The Imperial Senate will not sit still for this. And no one, not once, ever looked down at her -- very young and almost fragile -- and asked, Who do you think you are?

Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan always knew exactly who she was. As we pay our respects to the woman who created her, we cant allow ourselves to confuse the two women, one real and one not, but perhaps we can be excused for occasionally allowing that line to blur.

Carrie Fisher gave Leias voice its grit. She carried off the costume, flawlessly designed for a rebel princess on the move with its high and tight neckline, easy-to-move-in flowing skirt, and sensibly flat-heeled boots. She convinced us that this was a princess who fought on the front lines and fomented espionage. And she did this at a time when the women watching her on the big screen lived lives that were limited in ways that are hard to grasp today, even for those of us who remember 1977.

There were no women in the U.S. Senate when Star Wars brought us Imperial Sen. Organa. In fact, no woman had ever been elected to a full term in the Senate without her husband having previously served in Congress. Nancy Kassebaum achieved that milestone a year later. There had never been a female general in the United States Marine Corps and the swearing-in of the first female Army general was only seven years in the past.

How did Fisher, living in that world, make us believe that she was a critical leader in a galactic rebellion? I have no idea, but Im glad she did. I was a 15-year-old girl sitting in the audience watching Star Wars in 1977, imagining my own exciting future, and I had no idea that Harvard was only then preparing to begrudgingly admit its first women. My world was doing its best to throttle any dreams I might have, but I was blissfully unaware of it because I was watching Princess Leia save the galaxy.

She was the princess I was looking for, and I cant move along without saying so.

I cannot tell you how many times my sister, Suzanne, and I have watched the original Star Wars movie, but every time Princess Leia picked up a blaster and announced to her clueless rescuers that, Somebody has to save our skins, Suzanne said, I want to go to the princess school that she went to!

So did I. Dont you?

Heck. The woman didnt just wield a blaster. When the spaceship standing between her body and the heartless vacuum of space got damaged, she didnt get flustered or fall apart. She picked up a welder and she fixed it.

Its not just our imaginations that blur the line between Fisher the actress and the iconic character who dominated her life but whom she never came to resent. Fishers surviving Star Wars script shows that she edited her own dialogue, helping create a smart, sharp-tongued, articulate character who had more than a little in common with the woman who has kept company with Leia for all these years.

She was the princess I was looking for, and I cant move along without saying so.

Because she was open about her troubles, we know that Fisher struggled for the rest of her life with mental health issues that would have floored most of us. She was Hollywood royalty, so she could have traded on her fame for the rest of her life. Instead, she acted and wrote and spoke out about important causes. She lived her life. She played the cards she was dealt.

In the end, isnt that what Leia did? When a fascist empire threatened, she fought back. When it destroyed her home, her family, her entire planet, she picked herself up and went on. She lived her life. She played the cards she was dealt. We could all learn a lot from Princess Leia and Carrie Fisher.

Rest in peace, Your Worshipfulness.
The Davenport Police Department on Thursday seized more than 800 marijuana plants valued at approximately $2.5 million from a Davenport business and home.

Three employees of QC Honey Do at 930 S. Rolff St. were arrested in connection with the ongoing drug investigation, according to Davenport Police Department news release.

Shawn Michael Manning, 43, of 3216 Indian Road, Davenport, is charged in Scott County District Court with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, a Class C felony; conspiracy, a Class D felony; failure to affix a drug tax stamp, a Class D felony; and felon in possession of a firearm, according to court documents.

Lester Jack Monkus, Jr., 31, of 1102 Minnie Ave. Davenport, is charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, a Class C felony; conspiracy, a Class D felony; and failure to affix a drug tax stamp, a Class D felony.

Jessica Ann Dorsey, 32, of 3216 Indian Road, Davenport, is charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, a Class C felony; conspiracy, a Class D felony; and failure to affix a drug tax stamp, a Class D felony.

The Tactical Operations Bureau of the Davenport Police Department executed a search warrant at QC Honey Do at 11:18 p.m., according to court documents. Inside a large warehouse officers discovered an "elaborate and sophisticated marijuana grow operation." They located marijuana, hash, wax, marijuana oils, packaging material, digital scales, time cards, grow schedules, ballasts, grow lights, grow chemicals, trimming materials and documents about grow operations.

The marijuana plants failed to have the proper tax stamp affixed to the packaging, court documents say.

A later search of Mr. Manning's residence yielded additional marijuana and a .9 mm Springfield XDM handgun.

Agents with DEA and Federal Gang Task Force assisted with the investigation.

As of Friday afternoon Mr. Manning, Mr. Monkus and Ms. Dorsey were being held in Scott County Jail.
Reminder: BHC closed until Tuesday

All Black Hawk College locations and facilities will re-open Tuesday.

Registration begins Tuesday for professional, continuing education classes

Black Hawk College Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) offers short-term career programs, professional development, community education and online learning.

View Spring 2017 PaCE classes at www.bhc.edu/pace. Registration begins Tuesday.

To register, call 309-796-8223, go online at bhc.edu/pace or visit the colleges Outreach Center at 301 Avenue of the Cities in East Moline from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Get overview of BHC health care career programs Jan. 24

Considering a career in health care? Not sure which program is right for you?

Come to an informational session Jan. 24 and learn about Black Hawk Colleges short-term health care training programs.

Health Care Career Programs: An Overview will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the colleges Quad-Cities Campus in Moline.

Instructors will give an overview of programs such as medical receptionist, medical scribe, medical Terminology, EKG Technician, Home Health Care, Phlebotomy Technician, Physical Therapy Aide, pharmacy technician and animal care assistant.

This is a free program, but registration is required. Call 309-796-8223.

BHC welding classes begin Jan. 17

Black Hawk College is offering Production MIG welding and Stick/TIG welding classes beginning Jan. 17.

Both classes are 140 hours. The first 40 hours are classroom training. The remaining 100 hours are in the weld lab with hands-on experience and demonstrating the proper use of materials.

Classes will be Monday through Friday, Jan. 17 to Feb. 22, with two Saturday classes Feb. 4 and Feb. 11. Day and evening classes are available.

Cost is $2,300. For more information, call the Business Training Center at Black Hawk College at 309-796-5718, or visit bhc.edu/welding.
The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce is looking at a consolidated net loss of $1.2 million for fiscal year 2016, according to the chairman of the organization's finance committee.

The loss, according to John DeDoncker, CEO of Triumph Community Bank, Bettendorf, is for the fiscal year spanning July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016.

Mr. DeDoncker said the losses are for the entirety of the chamber's operations. That includes activities of the Quad Cities Chamber, Quad Cities First, Grow Quad Cities Fund-Iowa, Grow Quad Cities Fund-Illinois and Quad Cities Foreign Trade Zone.

The losses come in a number of areas resulting from cash investments, depreciation funding and reserve increases to a one-time change in how the chamber accounts for investor dues at the end of a five-year capital campaign.

Mr. DeDoncker said it would be more appropriate to say, "that these are expenses taken against gross revenue versus 'cash losses.'"

One cash loss/expense includes a $250,000 investment by the chamber in the short-lived direct flights to Washington, D.C., from the Quad-Cities. Mr. DeDoncker said the transaction was approved by the chamber board as a priority investment to assist the Rock Island Arsenal and other key employers doing business in Washington.

Another is a $150,000 expense related to the amount of money the chamber added to its reserves for accounts receivable. That is also known as a bad debt reserve. There is also a $130,000 loss from not funding depreciation.

"The 'depreciation funding' basically recognizes that the chamber has depreciated things like buildings, computers, furniture, etc., but has not replenished the amounts taken as an expense," he said.

Mr. DeDoncker said there are also noncash losses, for instance, a one-time $450,000 noncash change in how the chamber accounts for or recognizes revenue from investor dues/accounts receivable at the end of a five-year capital campaign.

"The chamber is not losing significant amounts of cash, by any measure," Mr. DeDoncker said via email.

He said at the conclusion of its fiscal year on June 30, 2016, the cash position was better ($1,438,000) versus June 30, 2015 ($1,332,000).

Mr. DeDoncker explained some of the challenges the chamber faces moving forward. One is with lead investor dues.

"Lead dues are those of $5,000 or higher amounts," he said. "There are lead investors who invest $5,000 per year all the way up to $100,000 per year to support the economic and community development work we lead.

"After the first three months of our fiscal year (9/30 financials), we have seen a reduction of around $135,000 in lead investments from what we expected YTD due to some companies scaling back investments to the chamber and other organizations because of the downturn in the ag economy."

But, Mr. DeDoncker said the chamber expects to make up some, "or all of this ground," in the remaining nine months of the fiscal year (October through June). It will also look at trimming expenses to accommodate any revenue shortfall, he said.

He said with the contraction of the agriculture economy and its impact on some of the chamber's top investors, "we expect to see a reduction in some of their investment amounts, but we understand these business and economic cycles and can plan for them like any not-for-profit organization must."

Despite the losses, Mr. DeDoncker said the chamber remains in a strong financial position with 90 percent membership retention, higher than the national average for Chambers.

"Our board is engaged, informed and highly involved in budgeting, finance and auditing processes throughout the year," he said. "Yes, to date, we have received slightly less in contributions than we had budgeted," he said. "We hope to fill the gap in donations.

"If we do not, we will take appropriate efforts to reduce certain costs without materially affecting the services provided by the chamber."

The "990" federal tax form nonprofit entities use to file with the Internal Revenue Service shows there were 39 chamber employees in 2014-15. Total salaries, other compensation, and employee benefits was listed at $2,327,064, more than half of the $4,038,089 in total expenses for fiscal year 2014-2015.

According to the federal forms, Tara Barney, CEO and president of the chamber, has seen her total compensation increase from $254,852 in 2012-13 to $297,808 in 2014-15.

Ms. Barney could not be reached for comment, nor could board chairman Rob Woodall and past chairman Kelli Grubbs.
GENESEO -- The Revs. Matthew and Laura Kamprath have been called to serve at First Lutheran Church in Geneseo.

The church was without a full-time pastor for more than a year before the husband and wife team -- known by the congregation as Pastor Matt and Pastor Laura -- arrived in late November.

The couple said being a part of peoples journeys of faith is the most rewarding part of their work.

"I get to baptize babies, visit the dying, teach teenagers about faithful living, celebrate with couples preparing to be married and study scripture with people of all ages, Rev. Laura Kamprath said.

The couple shares the First Lutheran duties -- preaching and presiding, teaching, leading staff leadership, coordinating volunteers, making pastoral visits and handling baptisms, weddings and funerals -- as well as everything that comes to them in the day-to-day life of the congregation.

Rev. Laura Kamprath said she was in high school when she felt prodded to consider ordained ministry.

"The saints of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Champaign), St. Matthew Lutheran Church (Urbana) and Grace Lutheran Church (Champaign), as well as my parents, helped shape my faith as I grew and they also helped me respond to the call to ordained ministry, she said.

"As a student at Augustana College, my faith was nurtured and my call was affirmed by my professors -- particularly in the religion department -- the campus ministry staff and the Center for Vocational Reflection, she said.

She said when she entered seminary, she was surrounded by a supportive community of peers and mentors who reflected Gods love in Christ.

"My academic adviser, Dr. Kurt Hendel, and my internship supervisor, Rev. Jane Halpern, were both influential as I developed my own pastoral identity, she said.

Rev. Matt Kampraths father, the Rev. Thomas R. Kamprath, also is an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pastor, serving four congregations in north central Kansas. Rev. Matt Kamprath said his call to the ministry began in his youth, but did not fully blossom until he was in his 20s.

At college and seminary, I was mentored by some amazing people who helped to show me how God was working in my life," he said. "I am forever grateful for their passion, direction and help.

Before First Lutheran, the Kampraths were co-pastors at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Campbell Hill, for two years. Rev. Matt Kamprath then became solo pastor at St. Luke Church for the next four years, and his wife accepted a call to the congregations of the Wartburg Parish, where she served for four years,

My primary pulpits were St. John Lutheran Church in Campbell Hill and St. Peters Lutheran Church in Steeleville, she said.

Services at First Lutheran in Geneseo are 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and 8:30 and 10 a.m. Sundays.
RFE/RL, December 30, 2016

Sikh and Hindu communities in Afghanistan have demanded authorities investigate attacks against members of their communities, after a local Sikh community leader was shot dead in the northern city of Kunduz.

Narmang Singh, a shopkeeker also known as Dilsoz, was killed by gunmen on his way to work on December 29, the second deadly attack against members of the Sikh community in Afghanistan since September.

Senator Anarkali Honaryar, who represents the Hindu and Sikh minorities in the upper house of Afghanistans parliament, says the attack has deeply affected the communities.

"The incident has left a serious negative psychological impact on the Hindus and Sikhs. We urge authorities to investigate this incident as well as past attacks against the Hindus and Sikhs," Honaryar told RFE/RL on December 30.

Police in Kunduz say three suspects were arrested in connection with Singhs killing.

On September 30, a Sikh man was abducted from his home and shot dead by suspected militants in the eastern city of Jalalabad. The killing sparked protests by the Sikh community.

A vast majority of Afghanistans Hindus and Sikhs -- whose were estimated to number around 220,000 in the 1980s -- have left the conflict-torn country in the past three decades.
RAWA.org, December 31, 2016



Michael Hartmann, UNAMAs Rule of Law chief. (Photo: UNAMA) Michael Hartmann, UNAMAs Rule of Law chief. (Photo: UNAMA)

One of the outcomes of the US and NATO invasions in other countries, is the installation of the most corrupt figures and forces in power, and promotion of the culture of corruption. In Afghanistan too, after the US and NATO invasion, corruption and bribery has run its roots throughout the puppet government, making Afghanistan one of the most corrupt governments in the world. The Jehadi-mafia government, government organizations, and the civil society, have addressed this issue from time to time, but each time, the issue has ended with the arrest of a few low-ranking and poor government workers, while the real culprits, Sayyaf, Younis Qanooni, Atta Mohammad, Ismail, Farooq Wardak, Fawzia Koofi, Zia Massoud, Wali Massoud, Omar Zakhilwal, Suraya Dalil, Qadir Fitrat, Zahir Qadir, and other criminal drug kingpins, enjoy full immunity and freedom in running their smuggling networks and taking illiterate gangsters on their payroll to run their activities.

Recently, even the foreign backers of Ghani and Abdullahs government could not cover up the scandals and huge embezzlements of the puppet government. Michael Hartmann of the UNAMA office in Kabul, smashed his pen in anger while talking about corruption in the highest ranks of the Afghan government, and said, No former or current minister or even deputy minister has been prosecuted for corruption till now.

Yes, Mr. Hartmann, these ministers and deputy ministers have not been prosecuted till now, and will not be prosecuted in the future, for they have always been the loyal lovers of the US and acted to secure its interests in our country. This is why not only are they not prosecuted for their corruption and embezzlement, but hundreds of other treacheries committed by them are also covered up.

It is funny that you are expressing your anger  and doing nothing more  after 15 years of roughshod riding by the Jehadi mafia in Afghanistan, which UNAMA and the US and its allies have absolutely known about. Did you not know that Qadir Fitrat from Jamiate Islami party escaped to the US after the scandal of his embezzlement from the Afghanistan Bank and Kabul Bank broke out, and continues to live comfortably there without facing prosecution or accountability? Did UNAMA not know that Younis Qanooni had embezzled 25 million US dollars from the international aid donated for the education sector of Afghanistan? Malalai Joya mentioned the issue in front of this criminal himself in the Parliament, but we saw that Qanooni went on to become the first deputy of the president. No international organization, including UNAMA, protested how a murderer and thief could become the second most powerful figure of a government. Siddique Chakari, who has a famous past of burning down libraries and books, embezzled millions of dollars, but because he was an English agent and citizen, nobody has held him accountable till today. When SIGAR exposed the millions of dollars embezzled by Farooq Wardak and Suraya Dalil from ghost clinics and schools, everything was as still as ever. UNAMA and other organizations did not question this Dostumi woman was given a post in the Swiss embassy. The famous traitor and corrupt Omar Zakhilwal, became the Pakistani ambassador after the scandal of his million dollar embezzlement broke out. UNAMA, and the so-called international community have maintained their deadly silence towards drug kingpins such as Atta Mohammad, Ismail, Gul Agha Sherzai, Mahmood Karzai, Fahim, Zia Massoud, Wali Massoud, and others. We believe that while these mafia traitors backed by the US are dominant in our country, no minister or other official will be prosecuted for corruption.

Now, Mr. Hartmann, if you are truly serious and not making cruel jokes with our sorrowful people, you should investigate the few cases mentioned here, out of hundreds of such cases, so the people of Afghanistan can believe that you are truly outraged.

Originally published on Dec. 2, 2016
Putin has declared victory in his war on modern culture, which gives him the right to call himself the most powerful man in the world. That description has generally been part of the definition of a different jobthe one to which Trump has in fact just been elected. One suspects that having two men who believe themselves to be the most powerful in the world can't go well. Signs of trouble have already appeared.
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Sops for middle class, poor and farmers on cards.

Arup Roychoudhury, Sanjeeb Mukherjee and Archis Mohan report.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on New Year's Eve, will address a nation expecting promised 'gains' after 50 days of note ban 'pain'.

The word from the government is people won't be disappointed.

He is set to announce populist measure, the focus of which would be the poor -- particularly women and farmers -- the middle class and small merchants.

While a few measures are expected to be announced on Saturday, a lot many could follow in the run up to the Budget.

Some of the eye-catching announcements could be a year's supply of free gas cylinders to Below Poverty Line households, and, possibly, an income-transfer scheme for almost 100 million extremely poor families, both in the rural and urban areas.

There could also be packages for various stressed sectors. The Budget for 2017-2018 could be the 'most populist' in recent times, according to some sources.

Officials said a lot of such steps would involve the extensive use of DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) to ensure that funds reach the targetted beneficiaries.

The PM is also likely to provide relief to small entrepreneurs and traders, which have suffered the brunt of demonetisation, and to the farming sector.

It couldn't be known if the PM might take the opportunity to also indicate relief in direct tax to the middle class.

But on Friday, the PM, addressing the DiGi Dhan Mela, yet again spoke about how corruption and black money had exploited the poor and the middle classes.

Beyond the sops, the PM is also likely to unveil the next steps in his government's fight against corruption and black money, particularly the crackdown on benami properties.

This could be done by linking all land records to the Adhaar database in coming days.

Just as the PM took ownership of the note ban decision by announcing it in an address to the nation at 8 pm on November 8, he would also take ownership of announcing the schemes for welfare of the poor on Saturday evening.

Sources said the PM could advance his address to the nation to late afternoon.

The PM and his closest advisers, sources said, were conscious of the need for a sustained campaign to shape the political narrative on the note ban, and the entire month of January, culminating with the Union Budget on February 1, will see the government reach out to select sectors.

With the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh repeatedly flagging the losses faced by its traditional support base of small traders, merchants and small and medium entrepreneurs, there are expectations of relief for these as well.

The government is also working on increased allocations for health and education sector, while the PM's dream of housing for rural and urban poor by 2022 might also get a boost.

The Budget 2017-2018, according to some officials, could cap it all and could be one of the 'most populists' Budgets in recent times.

"Starting from tomorrow onwards, one should expect many schemes, programmes and initiatives to show how the government is well utilizing the extra funds collected from demonetisation and also which lower the pain," a senior official remarked.

Officials said a scheme is being thought out to bring over 1 million poor families out of poverty over the next 3 to 4 years.

These families have already been identified in the rural and urban areas through the Socio-Economic Caste Census.

On DBT, officials said the plan as of now is to ensure that all basic services are provided to citizens of this country through DBT.

The government plans to bring 200 schemes under DBT by March 31, 2017 and as many as 500 by December 31, 2017.

"There would be special attempts to make DBT popular as is this government's first attempt to digitise the economy," an official explained.

"Most basic services would be brought under the ambit of DBT in the coming weeks," the official explained.

The PM in his speech could also thank the people of India for their support for demonetisation and thereafter assure them that his government would do all possible to lower the pain demonetisation.

The PM is likely to laud people that no significant incident of unrest has taken place in the last 50 days.

In a recent interview, the PM has said that note ban was a decision taken 40 years too late, and how if it was delayed the problem would magnified exponentially in size and complexity.

The PM has also said that note ban could have only be taken when the economy was doing well.

Sources said the PM will explain how most of the demonetized money has returned to the banks.

On Thursday, senior Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the government wanted the money hidden to be back in the system and it has left behind a financial trail. At his public rally in Dehradun on December 27, Modi has spoken about how the money deposited in banks doesn't automatically become 'white money' and that deposits will be scrutinised.

The PM is also likely to share his vision of India where the farmer is happy, the trader is prosperous, every woman is empowered and the youth gainfully employed.

In his interview to newsmagazine India Today, the PM said he wished to see 'an India where every family has a house and every household has access to the basic amenities of electricity, water and a toilet. An India, which is Swachh, from all forms of filth."
'Even if the government didn't plan for demonetisation properly, it could have taken steps on a war footing later to ensure the situation improves.'

Tinesh Bhasin reports.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

The initial euphoria of the middle class over demonetisation in which the narrative was 'let's go through some pain for future gains,' seems to be fast fading.

A recent survey of 8,526 people by LocalCircles, a citizen engagement platform, has found that the number of people supporting the move and its implementation is down to 39% from 51%, three weeks ago.

A family mall (a small mall that only stocks basic daily goods) in Kannur, Kerala, did almost zero business for the first 10 days of demonetisation.

The mall owner's crime: He did not have a card-swiping machine.

"Customers are unwilling to part with even Rs 20 to Rs 30 in change because they don't know when there will be cash in the banks and ATMs," he says. He had called his local bank several times, but they had no time to come and install a point-of-sale machine in his shop.

Over a month later, things haven't changed much.

Most banks branches are still unable to dispense the entire Rs 24,000 a week limit.

Many ATMs aren't dispensing cash either. The few ones, which are working, are giving out only Rs 2,000 notes.

"Even if the government didn't plan for demonetisation properly, it could have taken steps on a war footing later to ensure the situation improves. It's been more than a month-and a-half and banks are still turning us away," says Delhi resident Premnath Kohli, 65, a retired government employee.

And, if standing in queues wasn't enough, the government kept citizens on their toes by changing rules frequently -- 60 times in 50 days.

The initial exchange limit was Rs 4,000 on November 8, and it was supposed to be reviewed after 15 days. But within a week, the government changed its mind and reduced it to Rs 2,000.

On November 25, exchange of notes over-the-counter was completely banned.

The Reserve Bank of India declared on December 19 that people depositing more than Rs 5,000 would be able to do it only once and would need to explain why they did not deposit earlier, and this despite assurances from Finance Minister Arun Jaitley that there was time till December 30 to deposit old notes.

This decision was reversed after citizens cried foul and industry sources say that even bankers were extremely uncomfortable with this line of questioning to their existing Know-Your-Customer-compliant clients.

People who were planning to get married had a harrowing time. The government allowed them to withdraw a generous amount of Rs 250,000.

But the conditions laid down by the apex bank like establishing that the persons who the payments were being made to did not have a bank account made things extremely difficult.

The pain was not limited to standing in queues and adjusting to changing rules. Several people died.

Horror stories did the rounds of a newborn's death because the doctor refused to accept old notes in Mumbai and several senior citizens dying of heart attacks while standing in lines.

Frustrated mobs attacked bank branches in many cities.

The worst hit is the informal sector where small-and-mid-sized businesses are unable to pay cash to their workers. This has led to reverse migration.

The ever-changing narrative from getting rid of black money and counterfeit notes to going cashless hasn't happened. But people have, indeed, started going digital in the absence of cash.

As a State Bank of India research report points out, going cashless has resulted in lower per-value transactions.

The average transaction at PoS terminals was Rs 1,714 for November and Rs 1,643 for December compared with Rs 2,229 in October.

However, the experience has not been too good for many as cost is a major factor.

"The government fails to realise that the transaction costs are much more when one opts for digital payments. We have to shell out 20% to 30% more for vegetables and fruits when bought at a supermarket," says Anita Verma, a housewife in Mumbai.

Also, the banking infrastructure is ill equipped to handle large volumes of card transactions.

Even Paytm, which has been advertising heavily to promote cashless transactions, has faced several problems. It has lost around Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) to fraudulent refund claims. Several customers have lost money while transacting through the app.

Using less cash is still possible in metros. But in many parts of the country poor connectivity, low per capita income and a thin banking network is creating hindrances for people who want to go digital.

*61 actually. On Friday night, the government raised the withdrawals at ATMs.
From powering a cause to taking a bold social stand, these designers have proved that fashion can indeed impact many lives.

It wasn't just the beautiful models who did India proud this year.

A bunch of desi designers also did their bit to put India on the global map in 2016.

Scroll down to find out how Archana Kochhar, Anita Dongre, Suket Dhir and others made Indians swell with pride.

1. Archana Kochhar

IMAGE: Mumbai-based designer Archana Kochhar took fashion to another level when she got two iconic showstoppers -- Sunny Leone and acid attack survivor Reshma -- for her show at New York Fashion Week.



Photograph: Kind courtesy Pearl Media Communications

The acid attack survivor who walked the ramp in New York

2. Vaishali Shadangule

IMAGE: Vaishali S also made her debut at the New York Fashion Week promoting Indian weaves on the ramp. Like Kochhar, she also did her bit by walking alongside Reshma amidst thundering applause from the audience.

Photograph: Paresh Gandhi

3. Manish Arora

IMAGE: Manish was awarded the 'Knight of the Legion of Honour', the highest French civilian distinction, for his contribution to the world of fashion this year.



Photograph: Parivartan Sharma/Reuters

10 reasons why we love Manish Arora



4. Naeem Khan

IMAGE: Naeem Khan has been a favourite of the Obamas for a while.

Earlier this year, Michelle Obama made a fashion statement in a Kashmiri embroidered creation with Indian floral motifs, designed by Khan at a state dinner for Cuban President Raul Crasto.

For their last White House Christmas Card, daughters Malia and Sasha Obama wore gowns created by the Indian-American designer.

Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Can you spot the Indian connection?

5. Anita Dongre

IMAGE: The Dutchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton's India visit would have incomplete without help from this Indian designer. Remember the charming tunic dress, with Jaipur inspired motifs? Well, it reportedly caused designer Anita Dongre's site to crash, because of all the attention from the press.

Photograph: Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Kate Middleton's wardrobe for India tour

6. Waris Ahluwalia

IMAGE: New York City declared October 19, 2016 as Waris Ahluwalia day in recognition of the Sikh-American designer for countering ignorance and advocating for religious understanding and tolerance.

Here, Waris Ahluwalia, centre, accepts the honour from New York City Mayor Bill de Blassio and his wife Chirlane at Gracie Mansion.

Phptograph: Kind courtesy Mayoral Photo Office

Why New York honoured this Sikh designer!

7. Suket Dhir

IMAGE: Suket Dhir received 'The International Woolmark Prize' for his menswear collection on January 13, 2016 in Florence, Italy.

He is second designer from India, after Rahul Misra, to win the Rs 48.5 lakh (Australian $ 100,000) worth prestigious prize. Dhir was selected from among 70 designers from across the world.

Photograph: Stefania D'Alessandro/Getty Images

Indian designer wins International Woolmark Prize

8. Rachel Roy

IMAGE: Rachel (third from right) was the most googled designer of 2016. Wondering why?

While some believe it could be Beyonce's song 'Sorry' that mentioned her as 'Becky with the good hair', we'd like to give the designer more credit for her talent.

Roy was one of the panellists on The International Woolmark Prize team alongside Troy Costa and Manish Malhotra among others.

In November, the designer who's dressed Michelle Obama and Melania Trump spoke on diversity at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Next Gen Summit in Laguna Niguel, California.



Photograph: Rachel Roy/Instagram

9. INIFD graduates
'Akhileshji has to protect his political turf and if it means confronting his father, snapping ties with him and forming another party, so be it.'

Radhika Ramaseshan reports.

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday expelled his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as well as General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years for 'gross indiscipline,' a decision that will lead to a political crisis in Uttar Pradesh.

Making the announcement at a press conference in Lucknow, Mulayam said the new chief minister will be chosen by the Samajwadi Party.

Flanked by brother Shivpal Yadav, who has been at loggerheads with the chief minister, Mulayam said he had taken the action against Akhilesh and Ram Gopal to save the party which he had built through strong efforts.

Earlier, Akhilesh had rejected a 'compromise formula' proposed by Mulayam at their meeting on Thursday to try and cap a fresh bout of family jousting before the state assembly election.

Egged on by 'loyalists' and supporters advocating a "fight to the finish," Akhilesh reportedly also told Mulayam he must be unambiguously named the party's CM candidate.

On Wednesday, the father had said his party 'traditionally' had never anointed a leader before an election.

While senior party leaders like Kiranmoy Nanda and Naresh Agarwal were trying to prevail on Mulayam to take back his decision, a source close to Akhilesh said there was no question of the son reconsidering his decision even if Mulayam were to retract the expulsion.

The Akhilesh group is to pursue the line that the episode has exposed those elements in the party -- including Amar Singh, Shivpal and Mulayam himself -- who for reasons best known to them were taking orders from the Bharatiya Janata Party, what is a repeat of the way the BJP had engineered infighting in the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal-United in the run-up to the Bihar assembly elections in November 2015 by engineering a revolt by Jitan Ram Manjhi.

Akhilesh, Ram Gopal said, will be declared the national president of the SP at a meeting of its legislators on Saturday.

The Akhilesh group will also approach the Election Commission to have a freeze on rhe SP's election symbol (a bicycle), and would try to get the mashaal (torch) symbol to fight the UP elections.

The mashaal symbol had belonged to the Samata Party, founded by George Fernandes and Nitish Kumar in 1994, in Bihar.

While BJP Lok Sabha member Adityanath called for President's Rule in Uttar Pradesh, government sources in New Delhi said the Centre was "watching" the developments in Lucknow.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured her support to Akhilesh, while the Congress is also in touch with the UP chief minister.

A possible Akhilesh-led SP, Congress and Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance for the polls is also being talked about.

On Thursday evening, Mulayam served a show cause notice to Akhilesh, asking him to explain why he had issued his own list of candidates, a day after the father had announced an official list of 325 candidates.

Akhilesh's principal backer Ram Gopal Yadav retaliated by calling a meeting of party workers in Lucknow on Sunday, ostensibly to demonstrate Akhileshs "strength."

This cycle of events could lead to a split in the SP that Mulayam had founded in October 1992.

The latest developments were triggered by Mulayam's unwillingness to project Akhilesh as the CM face of the party in the coming poll, insinuations that daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav, named as candidate from a Lucknow seat, was also a contender for the top job, and dissensions over candidate selection.

Mulayam gave an impression to his party that he was part of the alliance forged between his wife and Aparna's mother-in-law Sadhana Gupta (She is not Akhilesh's mother; he's a son from Mulayama's first wife), his brother and Akhilesh's adversary, Shivpal Yadav, and Amar Singh, his former confidant who is trying to stage a comeback in the family's reckoning.

"Earlier, Netaji (as Mulayam is known in his party) came across as neutral. This time, this is not the case," a party official said.

Mulayams 'formula' consisted of identifying the candidates for the assembly election whose names had figured both on the lists released by him and Akhilesh after the latter rebelled against the exclusion of ministers and legislators perceived as close to him, retaining the common nominees, and seeking a place for those discarded by him and his son.

It is reliably learnt from Samajwadi Party sources that Akhilesh was firm on keeping Aparna Yadav out after he "gathered" that Mulayam and wife Sadhana Gupta considered projecting her as the CM.

Aparna is married to Prateek, Mulayam and Sadhana's son.

She was named as a candidate from Lucknow Cantonment in the first list of candidates, issued in October.

Akhilesh also wanted Atiq Ahmed and Amanmani Tripathi, who came with criminal antecedents, out of the list, saying their presence buttressed the notion that the SP 'patronised goondas.'

Mulayam said of the ministers and legislators he had junked for allegedly being 'close' to Akhilesh, he could re-nominate three of the 53 rejects.

"What sort of a resolution is this?" asked an aide of Akhilesh.

Asked if a split was irrevocable, the aide quoted Ram Gopal, who on Thursday alleged 'some elements in the party were out to prevent Akhilesh from becoming the CM again and, therefore, they must be fought.'

Ram Gopal, expelled for overtly siding with Akhilesh in the first round of the family conflict, was then reinstated, but relegated to the margins of decision-making. He is Mulayam's cousin.

Party sources said "sensing" that Akhilesh, his nephew, was spoiling for a fight to retain his turf in the shifting Samajwadi Party terrain, Ram Gopal resurfaced and openly declared allegiance with Akhilesh.

Opinion in the party was unclear on whether Akhilesh could salvage his standing if he broke away from his father.

Uttar Pradesh, historically, places a premium on family bonds and never challenges dynasty-based politics.

A member of Akhilesh's core team, in the legislative council, argued that in politics, familial ties were never sacrosanct.

"Politics is about politics and not about one's father or mother. Mulayam Singhji is equally neta to me and Akhileshji. He is his father only within their home. Akhileshji has to protect his political turf and if it means confronting his father, snapping ties with him and forming another party, so be it."
IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal greets Anil Baijal after he was sworn in as the New Lieutenant Governor at Raj Niwas in New Delhi on Saturday. Photographs: Atul Yadav/PTI Photo



Amid escalating tension between the Aam Aadmi Party government and the Centre, career bureaucrat Anil Baijal on Saturday took over as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and struck up a cautious note on his future relationship with the Kejriwal government.

70-year-old Baijal, however, said that he will work together with the AAP government for betterment of Delhi.

On being asked about his relationship with the AAP government after taking oath, he said, This is a speculative thing and I dont know how the relationship will improve.

"We will sit together and talk," he said and also thanked President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him the responsibility of the Lt Governor.

"Delhi is a megapolis city which has several problems like women safety, law and order, huge population, infrastructure, civic agencies and congestion.

"We all know these problems. We will sit together and work to solve them," he told reporters in New Delhi.

Baijal was administered the oath of office and secrecy of Lt Governor by Chief Justice of Delhi High Court G Rohini.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and New Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi attended the oath-taking ceremony.

IMAGE: Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal is administered oath by Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Justice G Rohini.

Baijal, a 1969 batch IAS officer, had served as Union Home Secretary under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government besides holding key positions in other ministries.

Baijal had retired from service in 2006 as Secretary, urban development ministry. He is a former vice chairman of Delhi Development Authority.

He was actively associated with the designing and roll-out of Rs 60,000 crore Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission launched by the Manmohan Singh government.

The former bureaucrat was also on the executive council of the think-tank Vivekananda International Foundation, several of whose former members have been appointed to senior positions by the Modi government including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
A Bharatiya Janata Party government was installed in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday after 33, out of 43 Peoples Party of Arunachal members of legislative assembly led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, joined the saffron brigade in this politically fragile state.

Khandu paraded the MLAs before assembly Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok who accepted their joining.

The high-voltage political drama began since late Thursday night after PPA President Kahfa Bengia temporarily suspended Khandu, his deputy Chowna Mein and five legislators from the primary membership of the party for alleged anti-party activities.

The PPA, an alliance partner of the North East Democratic Alliance government in the state, on Friday selected Takam Pario as the new chief minister of the state.

However, the political equation changed when majority of the PPA MLAs who initially extended support to Pario, later shifted their allegiance to Khandu.

The PPA on Saturday also suspended four other party MLAs including Honchun Ngandam, Bamang Felix, Punji Mara and Pani Taram.

Lotus has finally bloomed in Arunachal. The people of the state will see a new dawn of development in the new year under the new government, Khandu told reporters in the assembly premises.

Elaborating on the decision to merge with the BJP, the chief minister said that circumstances compelled the MLAs to take the decision in the interest of the people and the state.

After several years of Congress misrule we observed that there was no visible development in the state. We joined the PPA with the intention to take the state to progress and prosperity, but there too, we find similar condition where the party president treated the MLAs undemocratically.

So with focus on development, our MLAs decided to join the BJP for overall progress of the state, the chief minister said.

Terming the decision of the PPA president to suspend the MLAs as undemocratic, Khandu said that before such a move the party leadership should have issued show cause notice to the MLAs.

There was no significant development in the state since last year due to political turmoil, but now with the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government at the Centre, the state will witness a sea change in the coming years, Khandu said adding, the decision to join the BJP is a blessing in disguise for the people and the state.

Until and unless there is stability in the government, no development could take place. There will be no more dissident politics and we shall now only focus on development, Khandu asserted.

When asked about the court case filed by Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Padi Richo against the joining of Congress MLAs with PPA which is pending with the Gauhati High court and which would be taken up on January 7 next, Khandu said that the joining was done in accordance to the Constitution.

Khandu said that he had written a letter to the state governor for dropping of Takam Pario, Tanga Byaling and Rajesh Tacho from the council of ministers.

On allegation by PPA president that BJP hijacked its candidate Dasanglu Pul in November 19 bye-poll to Anjaw constituency, the chief minister denied the charge and said that after discussion with BJP and PPA before the election, Pul was selected as the consensus NEDA candidate from BJP ticket.

Responding to a query whether PPA would continue to remain as an alliance partner of the BJP-led NEDA, BJP state President Tapir Gao said that the matter would be discussed with NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma after he returned from Kenya on January 3 next.

When asked whether the party would welcome the remaining 10 PPA MLAs if they desired to join, Khandu said that he had no authority to take any decision.

Khandu broke away from the Congress along with 42 lawmakers in September this year.

The border state has been struggling with political instability since last December when Congress dissidents revolted against former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki.

After a series of dramatic developments, which included a special session held at a hotel to vote out the chief minister, Congress rebel Kalikho Pul became chief minister in February with the help of 11 BJP lawmakers.

The Congress moved the Supreme Court, which turned the clock back and restored Tuki's government. But Tuki was out within days as he did not enjoy a majority in the 60-member assembly.

Pul, who insisted that he should be reinstated as chief minister, was left alone at the last minute when the lawmakers supposedly backing him shifted their loyalties to Khandu.

Pul committed suicide in August and a month later, Khandu walked out of the Congress with 42 lawmakers and joined the PPA. With the new development, the strength of BJP legislators in the 60-member House rose to 47 MLAs including one associate member and an independent while, the PPA has ten MLAs and Congress three.

*****

PPA slams BJP for 'hijacking' its MLAs

The Peoples Party of Arunachal on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of hijacking its MLAs to instal its government in the state, after Chief Minister Pema Khandu joined the saffron party with 32 MLAs.

Addressing media persons at Arunachal Press Club in Itanagar, PPA president Kahfa Bengia criticised North East Democratic Alliance convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma for remaining a silent spectator during the political crisis.

PPA is a partner of the NEDA.

The NEDA convenor instead of coming to the state to resolve the ongoing crisis went to Kenya. He should have deputed somebody to sort out the differences between the MLAs of the party, Bengia said.

The PPA is not comfortable with NEDA in the state and we are going to discuss the issue with other constituent members of the alliance soon, PPA central working committee chairman Kamen Ringu said while supporting Bengia.

Criticising the BJP for its conspiracy to dislodge the PPA-led NEDA government in state and to instal a full-fledged BJP government, Bengia alleged that the party even hijacked the PPA candidate for the November 19 by-poll to Hayuliang assembly constituency and forced her to contest from a BJP ticket.

Most of the MLAs treat PPA as a transit camp. Well not allow it any more. Well try to strengthen the lone regional party of the state and will come out strong in the 2019 elections, Bengia said.

Most of the leaders are not to lead the state but to loot, Bengia said, adding that the party had enough legal aspects to teach lessons to those who had been maintaining equal relation with PPA as well as the BJP.

IMAGE: Chief Minister Pema Khandu talks to reporters after joining the BJP on Saturday. Photograph: ANI
IMAGE: Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav in Lucknow. All of us together will fight communal forces and we will once again form a SP government in UP with full majority, Shivpal said. Photograph: Nand Kumar/PTI Photo

Faced with an imminent split which could have drastically reduced his clout, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Saturday revoked the expulsion of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Ramgopal, just a day after they were sacked for indiscipline.

With the writing on the wall loud and clear after Akhilesh mustered an overwhelming majority of party MLAs in his support, Yadav asked his younger sibling and state SP chief Shivpal to announced revocation of the expulsion of the two.

On the SP supremos directive, expulsion of Akhilesh and Ramgopal from SP is being revoked with immediate effect, Shivpal Yadav, who has a running feud with the chief minister, tweeted after hectic confabulations.

IMAGE: Akhilesh Yadav. Photograph: Nand Kumar/PTI Photo

I am coming after having met party chief Mulayam Singh along with CM Akhilesh Yadav. Netaji has given the order that the suspension orders of Akhilesh and Ram Gopal are terminated with immediate effect, Shivpal said.

"All of us together will fight communal forces and we will once again form an SP government in UP with full majority. These are my orders. We will hold discussions within ourselves and decide, and prepare for the upcoming elections, he said.

"All matters have been resolved and we will fight the upcoming polls together. We will all sit together with Netaji and I am sure all problems will be resolved, he said.

With the change of scenario, the emergency national convention of the SP, called by SP General Secretary Ramgopal Yadav in Lucknow on Sunday is likely to become a show of solidarity.

IMAGE: A supporter of Akhilesh Yadav tries to immolate self outside the chief minister's residence against the latter's expulsion from the SP. Photograph: PTI Photo

Party insiders said a new list of candidates, bearing the stamp of Akhilesh and his father, might be prepared to present a show of unity in the party which has become synonymous with factional feuds every now and then.

On a day of fast-paced developments, Akhilesh earlier in the day convened a meeting of SP legislators where over 200 of the 229 party MLAs turned up expressing their loyalty with the chief minister, a day after he was expelled from the party for indulging in indiscipline, pushing the ruling party to the brink of a vertical split.

Some SP MLCs and senior party functionaries loyal to Akhilesh also attended the meeting at the chief ministers official residence at 5-Kalidas Marg.

Senior SP leader and UP cabinet minister Azam Khan then arrived at the CMs residence and, after a brief stay, they drove to Mulayams bungalow nearby.

IMAGE: Supporters of Akhilesh Yadav clash with cops. Photograph: Sandeep Pal.

High drama was witnessed outside the chief ministers residence where young supporters of Akhilesh assembled in large numbers to vent their fury over his expulsion and that of his uncle Ramgopal Yadav.

Akhilesh supporters tried to break the cordon outside the CMs residence and clashed with police.

Some of his loyalists also exchanged blows with supporters of Shivpal Yadav outside the party headquarters in the high-security VIP enclave which looked like a battle zone with heavy police deployment.

As the embattled Samajwadi Party faced its worst ever crisis, Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad sought to bring the warring groups together by speaking to Mulayam to broker peace.

Lalu telephoned Mulayam, who happens to be his relative too, to ensure that the feuding leaders buried the hatchet.

IMAGE: Akhilesh supporters tried to break the cordon outside the CMs residence. Photograph: Sandeep Pal.

Mulayam had on Friday expelled his son Akhilesh and Ramgopal from SP for six years after they put up candidates against the official nominees and summoned a party meet on Sunday, pushing the ruling party to the precipice of a split just ahead of the assembly elections likely to be announced soon.

Mulayam had said he took action against Akhilesh and Ramgopal to save the party which he had built through hard work.

We have to save the party. The party comes first. That is why we are expelling both Akhilesh and Ramgopal, he said.

He explained that the decision was taken after Ramgopal, in his capacity as general secretary, called an emergency meeting of the party on January 1 and Akhilesh supported it.

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, who many including Akhilesh, blame for creating bad blood within Saifais ruling Yadav clan, termed the crisis in the party as unfortunate and asked its members to support Mulayam in the family feud.

I appeal to the party members to stand with Netaji (Mulayam). Whatever is happening is very unfortunate, Singh, who recently made a comeback to the party after a long exile, said.

IMAGE: Cops try to pacify Akhilesh's supporters. Photograph: Sandeep Pal.

However, as the squabbling first family of the Samajwadi Party appeared to have made peace, Singh quickly changed the tune saying, Mulayam Singhji has done the right thing. He has given a message through his decision that he will not let either the Samajwadi party or his family breaks till he is alive. Those people who wanted the party and the family to break, their conspiracy has failed.

Now we will get together and with each others cooperation will ensure that the SP once again forms government with full majority in UP elections to fulfil Mulayam Singhjis dreams and expectations, he said.

I want to congratulate Akhilesh, Ram Gopal Yadav and all party workers. It is my humble request to all those people, who think I am reason for the feud in party, I am not here to break the party and instead I want to unite it, he said.

Singh said if somebody was still hurt due to him, he was ready to sacrifice himself for unity in the party.

Azam Khan, a bitter critic of Amar Singh and SPs Muslim face, expressed his happiness over the patch up between the feuding SP top brass.

We have been successful in resolving our issues. I dont know how long this peace will last but action against the CM has been withdrawn. I am happy that the CM met SP president and there was no bitterness in the talks between the two. It was just like a miffed father talking to his son, he said.

For me, the suspension of Akhilesh and Ramgopal was a big news and could have created a problem we might not have an answer to. Even I was unhappy with this action (the suspensions) and felt it should be taken back. This is what has happened, he said.

Khan said Muslims were facing "threat" under the BJP-led government at the Centre and that it would be detrimental to them if SP failed to retain power in UP.
IMAGE: Gen Dalbir Singh hands over the command to 27th COAS Gen Bipin Rawat at South Block on Saturday. Photograph: @adgpi/Twitter

Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat on Saturday took over as the 27th chief of the Indian Army, succeeding Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, who retired after 42 years of service.

Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa also took charge as the 25th Air Force Chief replacing Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha.

Gen Rawat superseded two senior most Lt Generals, Praveen Bakshi and P M Hariz.

Lt Gen Bakshi, who heads the Kolkata-headquartered Eastern Command, announced full support to the new chief and told theatre officers through video conferencing he will continue to lead with full professional sincerity as hither-to-fore.

IMAGE: Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha hands over to Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa at Air HQ, New Delhi on Saturday . Photograph: @IAF_MCC/Twitter

I convey my best wishes and full support of Eastern Command to Gen Bipin Rawat on having taken over as the Chief of Army Staff, he said.

Earlier, there was speculation that Lt Gen Bakshi may resign or take premature retirement. He had also met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar recently.

He requested that speculation and trolling in media and social media should stop and everyone should focus on contributing their best to the betterment of the army and the nation.

The Eastern Commander called the new Army chief to congratulate him on taking over the reins of the army.

Speculation is rife that Lt Gen Bakshi may be given the new post of Chief of Defence Staff, pertaining which Parrikar will meet Prime Minster Narendra Modi next month.

Sources, however, have indicated that no such development will take place.

Gen Suhag, who superannuated on Saturday, said army is prepared to meet any challenge as he thanked the government for providing a free hand and implementing the One Rank One Pension scheme.

He said that infiltration bids had increased during the year and the number of terrorists killed was nearly double the previous year.

The General said the army focused on operational preparedness during his tenure.

Suhag said that when he had taken over he had asserted the response of the army to any action against our interest would be immediate, adequate and intense.

Indian Army has done that in the last two-and-a-half years, he said.

Later at noon, he handed over the charge to Rawat, who was commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles in December 1978 from IMA, Dehradun. He was awarded the Sword of Honour at the academy.

Earlier in the day, Gen Suhag and Air Chief Marshal Raha paid tributes at Amar Jawan Jyoti and inspected the guard of honour.

The new IAF chief, Air Marshal Dhanoa, had developed the countrys aerial targeting philosophy against potential adversaries and transformed the concept of air operations of the air force into contemporary war fighting practices.

He has mainly flown Kiran and MiG-21 aircraft though he has the experience of flying the entire spectrum of fighter aircraft from Jaguar to state-of-the-art MiG-29 and Su-30 MKI.

The Air Marshal has many feathers in his hat. As the commanding officer of a frontline ground attack fighter squadron, he led the IAF punch during the Limited War against Pakistan to drive the enemy out of their dug in defences in the icy heights of Kargil region.

During the conflict, under his leadership and supervision, the squadron devised unique and innovative methods of bombing at night at altitudes never before attempted in the history of air warfare, the IAF said.

Prior to the attack, the squadron had been adjudged as the best fighter squadron of western Air Command for its high degree of professionalism and peace-time training. After the conflict, it emerged as the most decorated IAF unit of Kargil War.

He also holds the highest flying instructional category in the IAF and was handpicked to establish the IAF Training Team abroad.

Gen Rawat has vast experience in high altitude warfare and counter-insurgency operations.

He commanded an infantry battalion, along the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Sector, a Rashtriya Rifles Sector and an Infantry Division in the Kashmir Valley, a Corps in the Eastern theatre and the Southern Command.

He has tenanted instructional appointments at Indian Military Academy and at Army War College, Mhow.

IMAGE: Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa inspects guard of honour. Photograph: @IAF_MCC/Twitter

Gen Rawat has held important staff appointments at Directorate General of Military Operations and Military Secretarys Branch at Army HQ.

He has also been Major General General Staff at HQ Eastern Command.

The General commanded a Multinational Brigade in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While serving with the United Nations, he was twice awarded the Force Commanders Commendation.

An alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, he has been awarded various medals of high honour for gallantry and distinguished service in a span of over 38 years in uniform.

He also attended the Command and General Staff College course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, the United States.

IMAGE: Outgoing Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha being sent off by colleagues in New Delhi on Saturday. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/PTI Photo



Academically inclined, Rawat has authored numerous articles on national security and leadership, which have been published in various journals and publications.

He was awarded M.Phil in Defence Studies from Madras University. He has a Diploma in Management and another Diploma in Computer Studies.

IMAGE: Gen Dalbir Singh inspects guard of honour on his last day as the COAS. Photograph: @adgpi/Twitter

Gen Rawat has also completed his research on military media strategic studies and was awarded Doctorate of Philosophy from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut in 2011.
I don't know how many young women come to this blog or how many are parents of teenage or young adult women, but here are some safety tips from Kelsey's Army:

T

I

P

S

1. Trust your instincts - If something feels wrong then something probably is wrong.2. Know your surroundings - know who and what is around you.3. Always have a plan for where you would go and what you would do if a situation arises.4. Be willing to make a scene in order to be noticed.5. Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.Remember the acronym TIPS:ake Chargenform others of your whereaboutsrepare for any situationurvival Mentality (role play situations so you will respond should they happen)For more information, go to Kelsey's Army
Center for Performance is finished, more to do at Hall of Fame Village
Authorities in the northern Chinese province of Henan have handed a death sentence to one petitioner and a three-year jail-term to his wife on public order charges after the death of a police officer while they were in his custody.



Veteran activists Zhang Xiaoyu and Xu Youchen were initially both detained on suspicion of killing a police officer on July 17, 2014 as they were being escorted home from Beijing to prevent them from complaining about the local government.



The couple were both formally charged with intentional homicide on Aug. 2, but Zhang Xiaoyu's charges were later changed to "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble."



Xu was sentenced to death for the killing of a police officer on Dec. 12 by the Sanmenxia Intermediate People's Court in Henan, and is now preparing his appeal, his lawyer said.



Zhang was sentenced to three years' imprisonment after being found guilty by the Wuzhi County People's Court in Henan on the same day as Xu, her lawyer and brother told RFA on Friday.



"They found her guilty of picking quarrels and stirring up trouble, basically because of her petitioning," Zhang's brother said.



"That's how local governments crack down on people [who complain about them]."



'Not guilty'



Zhang's lawyer Chang Boyang said he disagreed with the verdict and the sentence.



"We argued that she is not guilty," Chang told RFA. "All she did was lodge complaints and petitions. That doesn't amount to a crime."



He said Zhang's health is now very poor following her long incarceration in a police-run detention center.



"She hasn't entirely lost her vision for now ... but her health has been very badly affected," Chang said. "She is trying to battle on through, and her mood isn't too bad, and she remains very determined."



On arrival back in their hometown of Jiaozuo in Henan province, Xu and Zhang were severely beaten during detention, according to an urgent action statement released by Amnesty International at the time.



Zhang Xiaoyu nearly lost her eyesight as a result of the beating, while Xu Youchen had serious injuries to his face, the group said.



Xu's lawyer Liu Jinbin said his client had admitted intending to injure the police officer, but that the court had failed to prove that he intended to kill the man.



"He has admitted to intentional injury and apologized to the family of the deceased, so we think the court should take his attitude into account, as well as the mistakes made by the government in the handling of his case," Liu said.



"Overall, we think the court should take this into account, and also current policy to limit the death penalty, and issue a suspended death sentence," he said.



Rights groups have also cited procedural irregularities with the handling of the policeman's death.



Authorities cremated the body of the policeman allegedly killed by the couple just four days after he died, making it impossible to re-examine the exact time and cause of death, Amnesty International reported.



Reported by Hai Nan for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Xin Lin for the Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.




This past year in Central Asia proved every bit as interesting as it was predicted to be.

The economic downturn took various tolls across the five countries; one of the region's longtime leaders died; the echoes of war in neighboring Afghanistan were increasingly heard on the Central Asian side of the border; and detentions and arrests on charges connected to terrorism increased in Central Asia.

It was also a year when most of the region's governments intensified crackdowns on political opponents, rights activists, and independent journalists, while presidents honed their cults of leadership and personality.

It would be difficult to categorize them as "winners" and "losers." More accurately, there are those that "survived" and those that are barely holding on as the year comes to a close.

The latter category comprises Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, both of which might seem to be heading toward "failing state" status.

Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan fell deeply into economic crisis in 2016. Natural gas is really the country's only source of revenue, and world prices for gas are half what they were less than three years ago. Turkmenistan lost Russia as a customer at the very start of 2016 and discovered that the contracts it signed with its two remaining gas customers -- Iran and China -- bring in little revenue. Iran pays in the form of goods and services for the first $3 billion of the gas it imports. The problem is that Iran will import somewhere between 8 and 9 billion cubic meters (bcm) of Turkmen gas this year, which is less than $3 billion.

That didn't stop Turkmenistan from demanding at the end of 2016 that Iran pay a roughly $2 billion gas debt that Tehran denies it owes.

China loaned Turkmenistan money to develop the giant Galkynysh gas field and to build the pipelines to carry Turkmen gas to China. Turkmenistan will (possibly) export 30 bcm to China this year. It has never been clear what China pays for gas, but it almost certainly is less than $200 per 1,000 cubic meters, and an unknown percentage of Turkmen gas goes toward paying off the multibillion-dollar debt Turkmenistan owes China.

It was clear massive layoffs in the oil-and-gas sector were taking place during 2016. Unofficial estimates claim more than 50 percent of the eligible workforce is now unemployed. Reports of wage arrears are now common and the government is said to be garnishing paychecks of those who are still employed to help pay for prestige projects that really do nothing for the population. There are shortages of basic goods -- flour, sugar, and cooking oil among them -- and photographs show long lines of people waiting outside stores to buy their rations of these basic goods.

And there are security problems along Turkmenistan's 744-kilometer frontier with Afghanistan, which the Turkmen government denies but which the Afghan media and the government confirm. Russia was so concerned, it sent Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to Turkmenistan in June, the first visit by a Russian defense minister to Turkmenistan since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Turkmen government doesn't acknowledge any of these problems. According to President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov and his government, Turkmenistan is still in a "Golden Age."

Turkmenistan's official policy of neutrality, the policy used to isolate the country from the rest of the world, seems to prevent the Turkmen government from requesting outside financial help. The government has built an image of being all-powerful and told the public that outside help would never be needed.

How could the Turkmen government explain to the country's people that foreign loans were now needed to keep the country afloat when the Turkmen government hasn't admitted to its people that there is any economic problem?

There's also the possibility that if Ashgabat did seek foreign loans it might not find many interested lenders. Turkmenistan has not been a player in the international community for a quarter of a century. Who would help?

Tajikistan

Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon showed in 2016 that he was not much different from his Turkmen counterparts, past or present. In December 2015, Tajikistan's parliament passed a law giving Rahmon the title "Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation." In May, voters approved amendments to the constitution that removed a term limit for Rahmon, who has already been elected president four times in votes that no Western observer missions endorsed.

Tajik authorities cracked down hard on all perceived political opponents during 2016. The country's largest opposition party, the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, went from being a parliamentary party at the start of 2015 -- as it had had been for 15 years -- to dissolution as a party, then an outright ban, then its listing as an extremist group. Trials of the party's leaders started in early 2016, and eventually they were all convicted and imprisoned. Lawyers who tried to defend them were themselves charged with crimes and imprisoned.

Campaigns against independent media outlets in Tajikistan intensified. Many journalists fled the country, at least two independent newspaper closed, and many fear it is only a matter of time before all independent media outlets are shut down.

Tajikistan's economic situation has never been good. It has been a donor-dependent nation since its birth. But much like Turkmenistan, state money is spent on bizarre projects, such as what was -- briefly -- the world's tallest flagpole. Rahmon has more recently approved a project to build a large city in a sparsely populated area of northern Tajikistan. (It is sparsely populated because there is no water there, but that has not stopped government plans for the new city.)

Tajikistan's banking system was in crisis in 2016. By year's end, after failing to attract international financial assistance, the government had to come up with some $250 million to bail out the country's second-largest lender, Tojiksodirotbank. Depositors at the bank had been experiencing difficulties all year trying to make withdrawals.

Tajikistan is the most remittance-dependent country in the world. But most of that money was sent back from Russia and, owing to Russia's economic problems, remittances are less than half of what they were in 2013.

Meanwhile, members of Rahmon's family continued taking up places in the government. Rahmon's daughter Ozoda was reportedly made chief of the presidential staff in January, but in May she was elected to a recently vacated seat in the Senate. Presidential son Rustam Emomali was still head of the anticorruption agency in 2016, but an amendment to the constitution in May lowered the age of eligibility to become president from 35 to 30. (Emomali turned 29 on December 19.) The next presidential election is scheduled for 2020.

Tajikistan probably won't fail because the government has powerful friends. Russia has a military base in Tajikistan, and China has a border with Tajikistan and fears the spread of extremism from Afghanistan through Tajikistan and into western China, where a significant proportion of the population is Muslim.

Uzbekistan

The biggest news of the year from Central Asia came with the death of Uzbek President Islam Karimov, announced on September 2. (Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev is now the last of the region's Soviet-era leaders still in power.)

Karimov's death raised many possibilities for Uzbekistan's future. He was succeeded by his prime minister, Shavkat Mirziyaev, who was quickly, and arguably unconstitutionally, named interim president before being elected to the post by popular vote on December 4.

Mirziyaev's regional foreign policy aims at mending fences damaged by Karimov during his 25 years as president. Uzbekistan's Central Asian neighbors are clearly pleased with the changes so far, and Uzbekistan stands to benefit from closer regional relations as well.

The timing is good because, despite what Uzbek officials say, the country's economy needs help. It is difficult to obtain reliable economic figures from Uzbekistan, but information from inside the country indicates salaries are not being paid on time. There are shortages of cash, shortages of gasoline, and disruptions of gas and electricity supplies.

Mirziyaev has made many promises -- currency convertibility among them. On the black market, the national currency, the som, trades at twice the official rate to the U.S. dollar. Mirziyaev has said Uzbekistan is looking for foreign investors, but so far no one except Russia has shown much interest.

Mirziyaev was Karimov's prime minister for 13 years. While there are hopes for progress, social and political reforms do not seem to be on the new administration's to-do list.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan was a survivor, though during the first half of 2016 there were moments when the situation looked shaky. Kazakhstan's economy is dependent on oil exports, and in August 2015, as the price of oil on world markets was plummeting, the government allowed the national currency -- the tenge -- to float. The tenge's value fell from about 180 to $1 to 360 to $1 by mid-January 2016.

Mortgage holders who had taken out loans based on U.S. dollar rates were among the first to feel the bite. Small protests started in January, but the Kazakh government diverted attention that same month by announcing snap parliamentary elections.

The reason given for early elections was the need to have new deputies with fresh ideas to confront the economic crisis. In the end, the parliament that was elected comprised the same three political parties with each in control of almost the same number of seats. According to RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, known locally as Azattyq, 43 percent of deputies from the previous parliament kept their seats.

The distraction of the March elections didn't last long. By April, the issue of land reforms was causing new social discontent, especially as rumors spread that farmland available for lease would be snatched up by the Chinese. The rumors were mostly unfounded, but with buying power decreasing for most people in Kazakhstan, there were legitimate questions about who had sufficient funds to lease or buy Kazakhstan's land.

Protests broke out at the end of April, with many other complaints added to the concerns about land reforms. Despite efforts by authorities to prevent any further exhibitions of public discontent, even larger protests were held across the country on May 21.

Questions were raised about Kazakhstan's future stability. A bizarre outbreak of violence in the western city of Aqtobe in early June seemed to confirm such concerns, as a group of young men robbed a gun shop, then launched an amateurish attack on a military post. Most of the attackers were killed. Kazakh authorities called it a terrorist attack and said the men had links to Islamic extremism, although there is scant public evidence to support this.

But by year's end, the situation had stabilized. The tenge was holding steady at somewhere between 330 and 340 to the U.S. dollar. Some oil workers were finally being laid off, something the government had been careful to try to avoid, but the restart of the long-delayed Kashagan oil and gas field in Kazakhstan's sector of the Caspian Sea toward the end of 2016 brought the promise of new jobs and badly needed revenue for state coffers.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan was a survivor, too. At the best of times, the country has financial difficulties. But Kyrgyzstan is a net oil and gas consumer, so the fall in world prices for those commodities was a benefit. There were problems with foreign investors in Kyrgyzstan's mining industry, mainly gold mining, but that has been true for more than two decades now.

Kyrgyzstan joined the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in August 2015. Trade among the members -- Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia -- has fallen consistently, but EEU membership did help Kyrgyzstan's migrant laborers working in Russia. Kyrgyzstan's remittance dependence is one of the highest in the world, but while Central Asian states Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (also with large numbers of migrant laborers working in Russia) registered sharp declines in remittances in 2016, remittances to Kyrgyzstan actually increased.

But President Almazbek Atambaev might have given himself and his former (technically) political party, the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan, a self-inflicted wound. Atambaev backed holding a referendum on amendments to the constitution in December, although the constitution, written in 2010 after the ouster of former Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev, specified no changes should be made until 2020.

The referendum proved a contentious issue. It was rushed through parliament for approval. The people had little opportunity to debate the amendments and, as RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, known locally as Azattyk, showed through its reporting, few people knew much about the changes they were being asked to approve as they went to polling stations.

Plans for the referendum split the former political allies that took power after Bakiev was chased from office in 2010. Eventually, it caused the collapse of the ruling coalition in parliament.

The referendum passed in a vote in December, but less than half of eligible voters cast ballots. With a presidential election scheduled for late 2017, it seems almost inevitable that the issue of the early referendum will come up again soon.

Central Asia made it through 2016, but the potential for trouble is still there.

Kazakhstan has some breathing room, but the other four face serious challenges in 2017. And next year might not be any better.

With contributions from RFE/RL's Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Turkmen, and Uzbek services

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the deportation of Ukrainian citizens from Russian occupied regions in southern and southeastern Ukraine.

"The Russian occupation administration has begun mass forced relocation of residents of the left bank [of the Dnieper River] of the Kherson region...to the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea or the Russian Federation," the ministry said in a statement on November 3.



Similar deportations are also being carried out by Russia in the Zaporizhzhya, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions, as well as in Crimea, the ministry said.



Volodymyr Saldo, the Russian-appointed head of Kherson, announced on October 31 an expansion of what Russia has called the evacuation of Ukrainian citizens.

Saldo said he was moving people further into the region or to Russia because of the risks of a "massive missile attack."



Just three days earlier, Russian-installed officials announced that the evacuation process in Kherson region had ended.

Kyiv reiterated on November 3 that it saw the move as a "deportation." It also said reports continue circulating about the alleged mining of the Nova Kakhovska hydroelectric power plant by Russian troops.



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy previously said that Ukraine suspected Russia had mined the dam and units of the power plant on the Dnieper River in southern Ukraine, and if it were blown up, more than 80 settlements, including Kherson, would be in danger of flooding.



The Foreign Ministry statement also accused Russian troops of looting industrial, cultural, educational, and medical institutions, as well as private houses and apartments.



The ministry called on the international community to condemn the forced relocation, to introduce new sanctions against Russia, and to increase military aid to Ukraine for the liberation of its occupied territories.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

The Ukrainian military's General Staff also said on November 3 that Russian forces continued the so-called evacuation of the local population in the Kherson region and accused them of taking away civilian and communal property, even equipment from hospitals, as they carried out the evacuation.



Russian forces also removed the roadblocks in Kherson. The head of the Kherson regional military administration, Yaroslav Yanushevich, believes that they did this to create an illusion that they have left the city.



It was also reported that the Russian flag was removed from the Kherson regional administration building. The head of the joint coordination press center of the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine, Natalya Humenyuk, said that this could be a provocation.



Russian troops captured Kherson in March in the early days of the war. Its loss to Ukrainian troops would signal a significant retreat.



U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, asked to comment on the battlefield situation in southern Ukraine, said Ukrainian forces in the Kherson region "have the capacity" to retake the territory on the west side of the Dnieper River and Kherson city from Russian troops.



Austin, speaking at a news conference at the Pentagon, did not answer a question about whether Russian forces were preparing to leave, but he expressed confidence in the Ukrainian troops' ability to beat back Russian forces.

With reporting by Reuters
Four Russian skeleton athletes were provisionally suspended by the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federations for allegedly doping at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The federations said on December 30 that they took action after being informed by the International Olympic Committee that investigations had been opened into the athletes.

The federations did not identify the athletes, but the R-Sport website said they are 2014 men's gold medallist Aleksandr Tretyakov, Olga Potylitsina, Maria Orlova, and Elena Nikitina, who was a bronze medalist in women's skeleton at Sochi.

The announcement follows the publication earlier this month of a second World Anti-Doping Agency report which detailed state-backed cheating in Russian sport that included swapping athletes' tainted samples for clean urine through the testing laboratory at Sochi.

The federations said the Russian Bobsleigh Federation was cooperating in the investigation of the suspended athletes.

But TASS reported that Russian federation President Alexander Zubkov expressed "disagreement" with the decision.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP and TASS
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
Twin suicide bombings at a market area in central Baghdad killed at least 28 people and wounded dozens of others on December 31, officials and medics said.



Police officials said two suicide bombers carried out the morning attacks within minutes of one another at a market selling electrical equipment, car accessories, and other goods in the Iraqi capital's Al-Sinak district.



The extremist Islamic State (IS) group later claimed responsibility for the attacks. It has carried out dozens of such attacks in Baghdad this year, killing hundreds of people.



A police colonel told AFP that 53 people were wounded in the attacks.



The IS group has lost large parts of the territory in northern and western Iraq that it seized in 2014 and is under siege by Iraqi and U.S.-backed forces in the northern city of Mosul, the Sunni group's last major stronghold in the country.



Reuters cited police and medics as saying that four people were killed in a third attack in the city's eastern New Baghdad district when a minibus loaded with explosives blew up in a crowded commercial street.



The Baghdad attacks were the deadliest in the city since Iraqi forces launched an offensive to recapture Mosul in October.



Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces said on December 31 that they successfully stopped a suicide car bombing targeting Kadhimiya, a mainly Shi'ite district in northern Baghdad.



"Acting on intelligence information, Iraqi forces in northern Baghdad tracked down a car bomb with two suicide bombers, who planned to detonate it in Kadhimiya," Baghdad security forces said in a statement, dpa reported.



"The forces ambushed the car, blew it up, and killed the two bombers inside," the statement added.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa, and The New York Times
Had he read his tea leaves, Arshad Khan could not have foreseen the drastic turn his life would take in 2016.

The teenager entered the year manning a tea stall at a market in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. Today, he is still affectionately known as Chaiwala, or Tea Seller, but he has evolved into one of the country's most recognizable personalities and a budding film star.

He shot to fame in October when a freelance photographer, Jiah Ali, snapped the blue-eyed Khan serving tea. She posted the photo on Instagram with a caption reading "hot-tea" and signed off with a wink. Within hours, Khan was an instant Internet sensation.

Within four days, he held a sponsorship contract with a major online retailer. Leading brands showered him with modeling offers. His burgeoning career led to appearances in two music videos and on the catwalk of a bridal show featuring some of Pakistan's top models.

Now 18, Khan was ranked among "Asia's sexiest men" by a British newspaper and is set to embark on a film career.

"Khan has signed a film and shooting will start in January," his media manager Malik Faheem announced on December 29. The film is expected to hit cinemas in September, in time for Eid al-Adha, the Islamic holiday celebrated at the end of the hajj.

Faheem said Khan will head to Dubai in January to begin shooting the film, which will also take the phenom to London.

The movie -- Kabeer -- is about a man from humble beginnings who takes on a life of crime but redeems himself to become good again. Khan plays a prominent role as the hero's younger brother.

Khan's foray into the film industry is somewhat surprising, considering his conservative Pashtun background and his earlier rejection of the idea.

"It is not honorable work. Pashtuns always look for work that is honorable," he told Pakistan's Express Tribune in October. "If I can find some clean, honorable work, I will certainly do it."

In November, Khan appeared in a rap video titled Chaiwala. The song charts the teenager's journey to stardom and how his good looks and blue eyes made him popular with girls:

His prospects looked bleak before his discovery.

The illiterate Khan moved from his native city of Mardan, near the Afghan border, years ago. He first sold fruit, vegetables, and used clothes at a flea market in the capital.

He went on to join the ranks of Islamabad's ubiquitous tea sellers, manning a stall in Itwar Bazaar for four months. A typical day, working from early morning to sunset, earned him about $4.

Khan has said he never went to school because he needed to financially support his large family. Khan is one of 17 siblings.

"My mother often used to tell me that one day you will become a famous man, Khan told The National in late October. "I always thought it was a wish and nothing else. But now I feel it is due to my mother's prayers that I have become a model from a tea seller."
The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution welcoming a cease-fire brokered by Russia and Turkey and a bid to kick-start peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition.

The resolution was endorsed unanimously by the 15 members of the council following closed-door discussions on December 31.

The final text dropped a formal endorsement of the ongoing cease-fire announced by Russia and Turkey earlier this week that was seen as largely holding on the ground in Syria despite sporadic fighting.

But it says that the Security Council "welcomes and supports the efforts by Russia and Turkey to end violence in Syria and jump-start a political process."

The adopted resolution also welcomes a plan to hold peace talks next month between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government and the opposition in the Kazakh capital of Astana.

Those talks would be held with the backing of Russia and Iran, who support Assad in the conflict, and of Turkey, which is supporting rebel groups. They would be held ahead of peace negotiations brokered by the UN that are set to be held in Geneva in February.

Following the vote, several delegates on the Security Council said they welcomed the truce but said that maintaining it could be difficult, Reuters reported.

The resolution also calls for "rapid, safe, and unhindered" delivery of humanitarian assistance in Syria.

The Kremlin said earlier in the day that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rohani spoke by telephone and agreed to coordinate closely on bringing an end to the war in Syria.

The two leaders stressed the importance of the current cease-fire and the planned Astana talks, the Kremlin said.

The latest cease-fire is the third so far this year aimed at bringing an end to the nearly six-year-old war.

There were reports that sporadic fighting continued in parts of Syria on December 31 despite the cease-fire, as rebel groups accused government forces of "continued violations" and warned that the truce could be voided.

Prior to the adoption of the Security Council resolution, activists and monitors said Assad's forces were pushing forward on a number of fronts despite the truce.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said the cease-fire remained largely intact.

But several rebel groups said in a statement that "continued violations" by Assad's forces and attacks on "areas under the control of the revolutionary factions will make the agreement null and void."

The government and the opposition have blamed one another for cease-fire violations. Russia accused the rebels on December 30 of violating the truce a dozen times in a 24-hour span.

With reporting by AP, AFP, dpa, TASS, and Reuters
Russian diplomats departed two countryside vacation retreats outside Washington and New York City without fanfare on December 30, in compliance with orders from the White House.

The Russians, who were accused of using the vacation spots to spy, were given until noon to vacate the compounds in Centreville, Maryland, and Upper Brookville on Long Island, New York. By early afternoon, small convoys of trucks, buses, and black sedans with diplomatic license plates had left.

"The premises have been vacated and it's under control of the government," said Elliot Conway, the mayor of Upper Brookville. "They've been quiet neighbors."

In Maryland, some passengers in a convoy smiled and waved as they rode away from the sprawling waterfront estate, which is located in a wooded farm area with winding narrow roads.

The White House said the compounds had been used for intelligence-gathering. Their closure was one of a series of punitive measures against Russia for what the White House says was Moscow's interference in the November presidential election through a hacking campaign.

Russia's United Nations Ambassador Vitaly Churkin called the move "scandalous," especially coming during the Christmas holidays when school is in recess and families had planned spend time relaxing at the facilities.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
A Vermont electric utility said it found on one of its laptop computers a malware code the U.S. government says is used by Russian hackers.

The Burlington Electric company said on December 30 that U.S. utilities were alerted by the Department of Homeland Security of a malware code used by Grizzly Steppe, the name given to a Russian campaign to hack U.S. Democratic Party institutions this year.

The company said it found the malware on a laptop that was not connected to its power grid. It said it took "immediate action to isolate the laptop and alert federal officials" and is working with them to prevent other attempts at infiltration.

While hackers apparently did not use the malware to disrupt the utility's operations, U.S. authorities consider any penetration of the nation's electrical system as significant because it represents a potentially serious vulnerability for citizens and the economy.

Officials said the hackers in Vermont may have been testing whether they could penetrate a portion of the U.S. electrical grid.

Russia was blamed for a hack of Ukraine's power grid a year ago that knocked out electricity for about 250,000 people, in the first successful cyberattack on a nation's grid.

Russia has denied the hacking allegations.

Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and the Washington Post
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Of the hundreds of protests that peppered the Divided States of America in 2016, the battle against the Dakota Access oil pipeline was the longest and, to me, the most fascinating.

It highlighted the fact that even if the multibillion-dollar, 1,100-mile project is halted or shifted, this thirsty nation is already totally dependent on nearly 200,000 miles of fuel pipelines that saturate our land like a circulatory system.

These pipelines cross earthquake zones, rivers, farms  just about every kind of terrain possible  and occasionally with disastrous results, as we saw in Alabama this year.

And guess what?

We can blame it on the Nazis!

Thats right. Two weeks from now  Jan. 13  marks the 75th anniversary of Germanys launch of seven months of submarine warfare that targeted merchant ships off our East Coast.

More than 200 vessels were destroyed. Twice as many lives were lost in these attacks than during the Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor weeks earlier.

And nearly one-quarter of our tanker ships went up in flames or sank to the ocean floor.

The old way of shipping crude oil to refineries in the Northeast was no longer viable.

And thus we got busy with pipelines. Great big ones  32 inches in diameter and larger, big enough to shoot through medium-sized humans  and much smaller ones the size of fire hoses.

We have lots of them: under pressure, pumping gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, aviation fuel, natural gas and other liquid fuels across and mostly under this land quickly and at a fraction of the cost (and risk, supporters say) than by ship, truck or train.

While watching the persistent protests to prevent potential harm to the nearby Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation and the tribes drinking water, I couldnt help but wonder:

What about the rest of us?

Googling fuel pipelines in North America brought up maps, photos, lists and timelines of the frequent disasters over the years.

Were talking hundreds of failures  millions of gallons of fuel dumped into the environment along with lots of explosions and deaths.

Virginia and the Richmond area have some of the biggest and oldest pipelines.

The Colonial pipelines, which run from Houston to New York, pass right through the suburbs of Richmond. And theres the Plantation pipeline system that stretches from Alabama to Northern Virginia. Most of the fuel for our cars and trucks comes through these pipelines.

This year, a Colonial pipeline failure led to an explosion in Shelby County, Ala., that killed one worker, injured several others, and jacked up fuel prices for a little while in the South.

A hidden leak in one of those lines this year also led to the spill of a quarter-million gallons of fuel.

Thats roughly the same amount that was dumped into the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg during a 1980 Colonial pipeline failure that led state lawmakers to pass legislation tasking the State Corporation Commission with inspecting some of these interstate and intrastate pipelines. (The rest are watch-dogged by the feds.)

Which led me to the SCCs offices at 13th and East Main streets, where I met Massoud Tahamtani, director of utilities and railroad safety.

Hes in charge of the team that inspects new and old pipelines.

Tahamtani said owners and operators have a strong, vested interest in properly building and maintaining their pipelines because of the enormous costs, as well as human and environmental damage, associated with failures.

SCC inspectors are part of a multilayered system that includes regular inspections by torpedo-like robots called smart pigs (pipeline inspection gauges) that travel through the lines.

New and old lines are inspected and tested. Yes, they find weak or bad spots, he said, as he showed me photographs and pipeline maps. Precise locations of the pipelines are not widely disseminated to the public because of concerns about terrorism.

So were constantly looking at them, Tahamtani said. Theyre constantly looking at themselves and, all of that, in our opinion, has translated to a pretty good safety record in Virginia.

But pretty good is far from perfect.

A 2013 Wall Street Journal report indicated that smart pigs arent so smart after all and can miss crucial age-related corrosion, the cause of about three-quarters of annual pipeline failures.

The paper reported a national surge in pipeline failures in 2009 and 2010, although it fell during the next three years.

Tahamtani said another big factor in failures  accidental damage during excavation  has been reduced dramatically by marking and detection technology and awareness programs.

Theres no doubt were seeing a surge in pipeline construction as our domestic crude oil and natural gas extraction has surged. We are now largely free of our dependence on foreign oil  no small thing.

But pipelines are scary. Many planned lines, like the one in North Dakota, are fought bitterly.

In western Virginia, many residents in Highland and Bath counties are trying to shift or stop the Atlantic Coast Pipeline natural gas conduit that would fuel parts of Virginia and North Carolina.

Its a tough issue: part NIMBYism, part human and environmental protection.

But its also a tale of a nation that has not done enough to reduce its world-class thirst for fossil fuels.

Were all part of this.

Just remember, when you turn on your gas stove or put that gasoline nozzle into your cars fuel tank, you are acting as a terminus of our vast circulatory system of liquid-fuel pipelines that feeds our thirsty nation.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
RICHMOND  A draft environmental impact statement issued Friday for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission says Dominions proposed 600-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline would have some adverse and significant environmental impacts, most of which would be reduced to less-than-significant levels with mitigating measures proposed by the partners building the pipeline and by the commissions staff.

The statements executive summary, which covers alternative routes, endangered species, wetlands, groundwater, the nearly 2,000 surface water bodies the pipeline will cross, potential effects on public and recreational lands and other factors, acknowledges potential hazards that include sinkhole-prone karst terrain and a route that includes more than 100 miles where slopes greater than 20 percent pose increased potential for landslides.

However, based on a review of the pipelines proposed construction methods, impact avoidance and minimization measures and consultations with state agencies and others, the FERC staff concluded the potential for the pipeline to initiate or be affected by karst conditions would be adequately minimized.

The report says the pipeline builders have yet to finish field surveys, analyses and final measures related to slope hazards and recommends they file those studies and identify mitigation that would be implemented during construction and operation of the projects.

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which would angle southeast through Virginia from Highland, Bath, Augusta and Nelson counties to Hampton Roads and on into North Carolina, is one of two projects with regional significance that are seeking approval from the federal government to transport natural gas extracted from Marcellus and Utica shale fields in the Appalachian Basin.

FERC released a draft environmental statement for the Mountain Valley Pipeline on Sept. 16. That 303-mile project would move natural gas from Wetzel County, West Virginia, to another pipeline in Pittsylvania County. En route it would pass through Giles, Montgomery, Craig, Roanoke and Franklin counties.

Leslie Hartz, vice president of pipeline construction at Dominion Energy, called the draft report, the result of two years of study and community engagement, a very significant milestone in the timeline of the $5.1 billion project, which formally applied for federal approval a year ago. The pipeline would deliver up to 1.5 billion cubic feet of Marcellus shale gas to customers in Virginia and North Carolina.

While we have to review the draft further, we believe it confirms that the project can be built in an environmentally responsible way that protects the public safety and natural resources of our region, Hartz said. We have worked constructively with landowners and agencies to address the important environmental issues that have been raised. As the draft report demonstrates, weve taken meaningful steps to avoid or minimize impacts and incorporate public input in many important areas of the project.

Hartz said Dominion has made more than 300 route adjustments and more than 250 miles of rerouting to avoid environmentally sensitive areas and many other features of individual properties.

The draft statement will be open for public comment until April 6, said Tamara Young-Allen, a spokeswoman for FERC. She said the commission expects to present a final Environmental Impact Statement by June, after which the commission, which is responsible for approving the construction, operation and maintenance of interstate natural gas transmission pipelines, will issue a ruling.

Young-Allen said that final ruling will address three areas: the environmental impact, the projects need and if the deliverable gas will be at just and reasonable prices. Dominion hopes to begin construction next fall.

Opponents of the pipeline located along the proposed route voiced disappointment Friday with many of FERCs recommendations in the draft statement.

This [draft statement] holds the seeds of the demise of this entire project, because so much of it can be challenged, Friends of Nelson President Ernie Reed said.

Sharon Ponton, a Nelson County resident and Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League member, said, Its typical of FERC, in my opinion, to just rubber-stamp projects. Theyre not taking seriously the concerns of not only residents but of grassroots groups and other groups. 

Theyre not taking any of that seriously, and they have just basically brushed aside any of those concerns.  Its just so typical of FERC to not take peoples concerns seriously and to bow to the industry and do whatever the industry wants.  In general, the individual landowners are just being abused.

Nelson County resident Richard Averitt agreed, saying he doesnt believe the compensation offered by Dominion makes up for the potential losses . Averitt said if the pipeline is approved, he will leave Nelson County.

When I walk out my front door, I will no longer see the land that I love; Ill see an abomination of it, and I will no longer stay there.

Averitt also is the owner of 100 acres near Spruce Creek along the proposed route. He has planned to build a development there which would include cottages, a public market, resort and restaurant.

Averitt said more than a year ago that he could begin construction as early as fall 2016, which did not happen. After purchasing the land in 2013, Averitt said he had worked with a landscape architect on development plans for more than a year, and the project was approved by the Nelson County Board of Supervisors in January.

Averitt said Friday the project is at a standstill. Now were stuck, he said. He said no money has been raised to fund construction because the pipeline would bisect his property . Pipeline construction would permanently damage the area, Averitt said.

In the executive summary and other portions of the draft statement, FERC specifically addressed concerns about the pipeline related to Averitts resort plan and disagreed with his assessment.

We believe that construction of ACP and development of the Spruce Creek Resort and Market could be accomplished such that impacts associated with ACP are reduced or mitigated for, while maintaining the appeal of the area, as demonstrated by other residential and commercial developments in the area and similar projects throughout the country, the report says.

Averitt said he believes FERC doesnt have the experience with such projects to say the resort project could move forward even with the pipeline. He said if the pipeline is approved, he would not continue the project, which he claims will generate $15 million to $20 million in revenue annually.

Exactly when did the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission become a real estate resort developer? Averitt asked. On what basis can they say that this project wont be impacted?  Where do they have any basis for that? Have they ever built a resort project? Of course not. They dont have any idea of [what it takes for a] place where people will want to come and enjoy themselves.

The entire premise of this project is a celebration of the land as it exists, of the sense of place, all the reasons why people [come] to Nelson County is to drink in the bucolic atmosphere. When you clear cut 150 feet directly through the center of the property, youre going to completely take away that experience. [It would mean] a radically different view of the place.

Ponton said pipeline opponents wont abandon their fight.

I think in the last few months, the opposition has grown. Maybe part of that is Standing Rock, and people have gotten a bit of hope from what happened at Standing Rock, Ponton said, referring to the Sioux reservation in North Dakota and South Dakota where people camped to protest the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline.

The Army Corps of Engineers in early December decided not to grant a permit necessary for construction of the DAPL, which would pass near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation.

I think that people are generally tired of just being taken for granted. These kind of big projects are being pushed through against the peoples wishes. I think the opposition is only going to grow.

Averitt echoed that attitude.

We will fight this thing absolutely every single way we can. First is [comments] to refute how absurd the DEIS is. Then well fight in court and sue every single one of them.  They will have to physically remove residents of Nelson County before they cut the first damn tree.

I firmly believe that if we dont quit, they cannot win. Itll look like Standing Rock all over again. We wont lose.

Kirk Bowers, a retired professional engineer and the pipelines campaign coordinator for the Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club, questioned why FERC conducted a lengthy environmental review before settling the question of whether the pipeline is needed.

They havent addressed the need for the pipeline, which is a major issue, he said, adding many of the customers who have already signed up for gas delivery are Dominion affiliates. Its not needed. We know its not needed. ... FERC is basing the need on their affiliate contracts. We dont know whether the affiliates need the gas or not because theyre all part of the Dominion network.

Cathryn McCue, a spokeswoman for Appalachian Voices, which also has opposed the pipeline, said the study reveals that FERC has ignored evidence that the massive, expensive fracked-gas pipeline is not needed to meet demand, meaning the projects clear threat to human life and to rural communities, the taking of private property and the permanent environmental destruction it would cause are wholly unjustified.

Bowers pointed out the draft statement is missing documentation the developers of the pipeline, which will pass through the George Washington and Monongahela national forests, have not yet provided, including information requested by the U.S. Forest Service to assess project-induced landslide hazards and risk to public safety, resources and infrastructure.

Its missing components that are essential for the review and required by the National Environmental Policy Review Act. Its deficient in many areas, he said, adding FERCs assurances about the pipeline builders mitigation measures amount to feel-good propaganda.

Bowers said hes more interested in seeing slope stability analyses and other detailed engineering data from Dominion and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

Dominion says the pipeline is critically important to meeting the growing energy needs of utilities in Virginia and North Carolina, essential to economic development and the transition to a cleaner energy future.

The Roanoke Times and The (Lynchburg) News & Advance contributed to this report.
Tom Garrett , who starts his congressional career next week, said hes ready to work for his 5th District constituents as one of the U.S. House of Representatives newest members.

Among some of the Republicans plans going into the first term are pushing his student loan debt solution idea, working in whatever committees or roles he would be most effective in and making sure he keeps a connection to constituents.

The 115th Congress convenes Tuesday.

Garrett, who was a state senator for the 22nd District, won the election with 58.2 percent of the vote, compared with 41.6 percent received by his Democratic opponent, Jane Dittmar, a former Albemarle County Board of Supervisors chairwoman.

The 5th District seat has been held by Robert Hurt for the past three terms. Hurt, a Republican, did not seek re-election, clearing the way for Garretts campaign and eventual win.

Garrett campaigned on an initiative called Student Service. According to the plan, an individual with student loan debt can get a portion of it forgiven every year if they agree to defer their Social Security disbursements, according to Garretts congressional campaign website.

Another area Garrett said hes interested in focusing on is finding ways to cut back on regulations that he says are hurting innovation in businesses, including some in the 5th District.

Even though hell be spending a large amount of time in Washington, Garrett said he wants to keep in touch with his constituents in the 5th, which includes Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Madison and Nelson. Though he said it might be difficult, given what he calls the busiest congressional calendar in history, Garrett said hell have to find time to come back to the district as much as he can.

One of the things Im trying to do, I want to get to every single high school government class in a public school in the 5th District every year, he said.

Elliott Harding, chairman of the Albemarle County Republican Committee, said he hopes and expects for Garrett to earn the votes of those in the district who didnt vote for him in November.

I think that he will be a champion for all of his constituents, and so I think the few on the left or those who might not have liked him the first time around will be pleasantly surprised as to how much hes willing and ready to listen to them and advocate for their issues, as well, he said.

Even with some strong goals and promises made on the campaign trail, Garrett said that as a newcomer on Capitol Hill, hell work on projects and issues where he fits in best and will take the committee assignments that he believes hell be most effective in.

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginias Center for Politics, said that because of Garretts freshman status in Congress, his expectations should be modest and that making progress takes time for any incoming member  regardless of where they come from or their party affiliation.

He will be a freshman, and you can only expect so much in a first term, Sabato said. That is, he can only expect so much, and his constituents can only expect so much. You have to be there a while.

Sabato said president-elect Donald Trumps performance could play a factor in Garretts re-election chances in 2018.

If Trump is popular, obviously that will help him, Sabato said of Garrett, who supported Trump during the campaign. If Trump is unpopular, then it will make his race potentially more competitive.

But for right now, Garrett said, hes mostly concerned with the coming tasks in Washington.

I think the best way to get re-elected is to not constantly worry about what you have to do to be re-elected and do what you said you thought was right because you thought it was right, he said.
A GROUP of solicitors swapped the courtroom for the streets when they completed an 85-mile trek to raise money for Cancer Research UK.



GWB Harthills Alexa Wortley, Hester Russell, Sarah Martin and Sharon Bradford - who named themselves Gallant Women Bruised Hooves - handed over a cheque for more than 4,000 after walking from Sheffield to Flamborough Head in the summer.



Alexa said: Eighty-five miles may have been a long way but it was worth every step if we can in some way help fight this disease.



We have all lost close friends and family to cancer and although we cannot find a cure ourselves we can at least help fund those who can.



We spent many days, and nights, training before the walk and the support we received from both the staff and partners at our firm was absolutely immense.



Sarah Mattison, Cancer Research UKs local fund-raising manager for South Yorkshire, said: We cant thank them enough for all their support and for raising such a phenomenal amount to beat cancer sooner.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter on Friday to offer praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The tweet from Trump came after Putin made it clear his government will not retaliate for U.S. punitive action against its 35 diplomatic officials.

"Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!" Trump said in the post on the social media site.

The Russian Foreign Ministry submitted a proposal to Putin to declare 35 U.S. diplomats - 31 personnel in the U.S. embassy in Moscow and four in the consulate general in St. Petersburg - persona non grata.

However, Putin did not accept the Foreign ministry's recommendation, saying Russia "will not resort to irresponsible 'kitchen' diplomacy but will plan our further steps to restore Russian-U.S. relations based on the policies of the Trump Administration."

"The diplomats who are returning to Russia will spend the New Year's holidays with their families and friends," Putin added. "We will not create any problems for U.S. diplomats. We will not expel anyone."

Putin concluded his statement by offering season's greetings to President Barack Obama and his family as well as Trump and the American people.

The decision by Putin came after Obama announced Thursday he has ordered a number of actions in response to the Russian government's alleged aggressive harassment of U.S. officials and cyber operations aimed at the U.S. election.

The actions ordered by Obama include sanctions on nine entities and individuals, including two Russian intelligence services, the GRU and the FSB.

Four individual officers of the GRU and three companies that provided material support to the GRU's cyber operations were also sanctioned.

Obama said the State Department is also shutting down two compounds used by Russian personnel for intelligence-related purposes and ejecting 35 Russian intelligence operatives from the U.S.

(Photo: Gage Skidmore)

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Saudi aggression fighter jets continues strikes on citizens' private, public properties





SANA'A, Dec. 31 (Saba) - The US-backed Saudi aggression continued their fierce crimes against citizens' private and public properties in several provinces overnight, a military official told Saba on Saturday.



In Jizan province, the Saudi aggression fighter planes launched a strike on al-Dahrah village in al-Khubah area, while Saudi military sites of al-Tawalaq and al-Dawd hit by Saudi army's missiles, using cluster bombs.



In Sa'ada province, Two citizens were killed by Saudi aggression border guards fires in Aiash area of Monabah district.



Meanwhile Saudi army's missiles fired on various area of Razah district.

Meanwhile, the aggression fighter jets hit Al-Saifi area of Saher district three times, Mahdadah and Yasnam areas of Baqim district twice and a raid hit al-Hasamah area of al-Dhaher district.



In Ibb province, the war planes waged strike on Mahaly area.



In Hodiedah province, the enemy's air forces launched three strikes on air defence an al-Jabanah area.



In province of Taiz, the aggression fighter jets waged a raid hit Yakhtal area of al-Mocha district.



In Dhalaa province, the war planes struck Nasah Mountain in Murais district.



In Sana'a province, the fighter jets launched three strikes on al-Madfon and al-Sanany areas in Nehm district.



In Hajja province, the enemy's war planes hit areas of Haradh and Midi customs.

AA



Saba

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[31/December/2016]
By SA Commercial Prop News

SA Commercial Prop News Media Director, Ortneil Kutama accepts the prestigious SAPOA Journalism Award for Best Digital Publication category.



SA Commercial Prop News, once again scooped the best digital publication of the year at the 2016 South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa) Property Journalism Awards  which were presented at galler dinner in Johannesburg.

The awards, presented in 4 categories, aim to recognize the countrys top writters and publishers  in terms of quality, newsworthy content as well as careful investigation.



Sponsored by JHI Properties, the award winners of the prestigious and hotly contested were announced in June at the 50th annual SAPOA Convention and Property Exhibition in Sandton, Johannesburg.



In the Property News Journalist category, Moneywebs Ray Mahlaka, was praised for his unwavering standard of quality journalism, newsworthy content and thorough investigation into pertinent property issues.





Former winner in the category and esteemed property journalist Joan Muller from Financial Mail received a special mention in this group.



In the Property Feature Journalist category, Joan Muller, features writer for the Financial Mail, won the award for her fresh style of writing and thought-provoking articles that the judges felt were well presented.





Earning a special mention in this category were Francini van Staden from Earthworks and Anne Schauffer from Property Professional and Business Day Homefront.



Scooping up the Best Digital Publication Award  for the 5th time in a row since 2012, SA Commercial Prop News impressed judges with its comprehensive website, which they felt presented a wide variety of current and topical property information. Its neat, visually appealing, easy-to-navigate structure earned it top place in the category.

Runner-Up in this category was Africa Property News (www.africapropertynews.com)  SA Commercial Prop News' sister publication launched in 2015. The online publications relevance to the sector scored it paramount with the judging panel.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Ortneil Kutama Media Director at SA Commercial Prop News, said: We all feel extremely gratified and honoured to be selected as the winners of this award.



Winning the coveted Magazine Publication, Architect & Builder was a clear winner for what the judges described as a good range of informative and well researched content.





Earning a special mention in this category was the Earthworks.

The two winning journalists will each walked away with R20000 and a trophy, while winning print and digital news sources received trophies.

SAPOA was established in 1966 by the leading and large property investment companies to bring together all role players in the commercial property field aiming to create a powerful platform for property investors.



Today its members control about 90% of all commercial and combined portfolios in excess of R500-billion
The biggest private employer in Samoa, Yazaki Eds Samoa (YES), is set to close its doors for the last time this year. From employing thousands of Samoans to the 700 on its payroll today, its undeniable that Yazaki has become an integral part of Samoa for the past 25 years.

In the beginning when the company arrived, they were looking for Samoans to work in its management team and one person they had their eyes on was Funefeai Oliver Vaai.

At the time, Funefeai was the Airport Manager for Polynesian Airline in 1993.

He was approached by the then Y.E.S. Managing Director, Peter Ray and he said yes. The rest as they say is history.

I think he (Peter Ray) saw me so many times at the airport and asked me what time I get off work, said Funefeai.

At that time when he asked me about Yazaki, Polynesian Airlines was getting into (financial) trouble then I decided to leave because my wife was already there and one of us had to get out.

As of today, Funefeai has been with Yazaki for 23 years. During that time, he has become the face of the company.

From being an Airport Manager to managing the night shift at Yazaki, Funefeai said it was hard at the beginning.

It was a big shock for me when we started working there, he recalled.

It was a totally different ball game. Coming from something that I knew to somewhere I had no knowledge about, I needed training and Ray trained me. I went to Japan in 1996 for one year.

At one point, Yazaki employed up to 4,000 people. And with that many employees, the challenges were enormous.

When the company was just opened we had about over 2000 people working dayshift and more than 1000 in night shift, he said.

It was a real eye opener with the many faces you see but I suppose those are the moments you take with you. The challenges are always the different excuses from our people about the normal Samoan traditional faalavelave."

But we gotten through that. Our management team were used to it its part of operation in Samoa.

One of the things about Yazaki is that it is very disciplined operation where you take each step from one, two going up to six.

But with Samoans, our people want to do one, two and jump to five and six. I suppose its our environment that we live in that we can go from house to house to visit which makes it very difficult to have a disciplined workforce."

We have come a long way. People had to accept that you live different lives at home and when its time to work, its different.

According to Funefeai the drastic drop in the number of employment throughout the years had something to do with skills from the workers.

He explained that the number of work done by 700 people today is equivalent to double the number of people having to do the same work back in the days.

The skills have really escalated and we are doing very good job for our customer, he said.

I think Yazaki is the only company that makes it a procedure for new employment to go through trainings and monitor them."

If they fail we dont turn a blind eye and bring in someone else we stick with them and observe them and follow procedure to train people and put them through tests."

We do on the job training and do evaluation again and monitor for another month before they can get accepted and issued license to work.

Having worked for the company for more than 20 years, Funefeai said it still hasnt sunk in to him that it is closing next year.

It still hasnt hit me that I wont be going to the same place that I have routinely gone to, he said.

I suppose its a sad thing but it still hasnt sunk in the fact that I cannot go there anymore its a job where I have met so many people and the lessons learnt there is invaluable.

Although it is a sad reality Yazaki is closing, Funefeai said he is happy it is not closing down because of the management. He said the decision is the result of a chain of things, which has nothing to do with how they have handled the work in Samoa.

Asked what he plans to do after the company closes, Funefeai said he is ready to take a break and enjoy life with his family.

From the villages of Vaisala, Sataua Savaii and Solosolo, Funefeai is sure of one thing.

The memories I have from Yazaki are lifetime memories, he said. I will take those with me wherever I go.
What will Samoa ever do without him?

Its fair to say that this is the million-tala-question right now as Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi leads the nation in what could well be one of his last terms in Parliament.

But then should he decide to continue forever, he definitely can. After all, who wants to leave when a party you are leading is doing so well?

You see in March last year, the Human Rights Protection Party enjoyed another landslide victory in the General Election. It was perhaps the H.R.P.Ps most impressive election victory in history, completely annihilating the opposition party.

But that wasnt the only feature. Three of more than 20 women candidates won seats with Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa making up four women in Parliament. Another woman was added to take the number of seats in Parliament to 50.

Tuilaepa, since 1998, has been the driving force behind the H.R.P.Ps success.

But dont say this is a one party state. In his victory speech, Tuilaepa maintained that the H.R.P.Ps total dominance is democracy at work.

As leader, and on behalf of the Human Rights Protection Party, I would like to extend my gratitude to all of Samoa for the support, and the overwhelming vote of confidence in our vision for this country, he said.

I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge and commend the Leadership of the Opposition, the Tautua Party. This has not been an easy journey, and I congratulate you for the commitment and effort to representing your constituency and your party with such dedication.

Tuilaepa also acknowledged those that did not pull through.

My sympathy goes out to the Members of Parliament, especially the Cabinet Ministers who have been unsuccessful in retaining their seats, he said.

They deserve our thanks for their commitment and hard work to meet the needs of their constituents, as well as fulfilling their duties and service as Cabinet Ministers.

But that is the nature of elections. You can only do your best, and hope that voters will choose you again. But as we see time and again, its often unpredictable.

Looking at the results, about half of Parliaments seats are going to change. This is democracy at work.

Tuilaepa said the support shown for the H.R.P.P proves that the country trusts their leadership.

H.R.P.P. has been leading Samoa for a very long time and there are many developments done during that time. The country is mindful of it.

As if they needed another blow, the wounded Opposition party copped one from Tuilaepa who said the Tautua Party dug a hole for itself due to the negligence of its leaders.

He recalled that looking back in the past five years, people have been taking notes about the work by the Opposition in and outside parliament.

Take for example the debates in Parliament, he said.

You have to follow the procedures which means your statements should be guided by your understanding of the Standing Orders. That is one major failure of the Oppositionthey did not have a strategy and did not have a plan.

On the occasion where the members were not confusing themselves, no one intervened during their time on the floor in parliament, Tuilaepa said.

The Prime Minister added that the government cannot just sit around and allow the Tautua to make false statements in Parliament.

As for the H.R.P.P, Tuilaepa said the key is engagement with votes and people in the rural communities.

What we did from the beginning is that we go out in the rural areas and talk to people about our candidates for general election, the Prime Minister said.

As for claims about bribery and election votes being bought with money and chicken legs, he said this is not a new issue.

There were briberies from 1982 and that is why we amended the Act to prevent it from influencing the decision by the voters, he said.

This is another big task that we dealt with to stop bribery during election period. We amended the law to stop the oo (traditional presentation) from taking place and that it is only allowed after 12 months of election.

Tuilaepa is also adamant that his government is not a dictatorship.

He maintained there is nothing to worry about and there is nothing they can do if the public have expressed their desire through their vote.

Even though there are not enough opposition (M.Ps), four is enough, he said.

What can we do if this is what the country wants? If there is no Opposition, then the other members from our side can speak as Opposition members.There are many ways to skin a cat.

He assured that there are checks and balance mechanisms in place to ensure that does not happen in Samoa.

That is not new. In this political party, there are intense internal discussions about all matters, he said. There is a check and balance that cannot be taken away. What you have to remember is when you talk about good governance, transparency and accountability, those are always the bait used by oppositions.

- See page 12 for Tuilaepas New Year message.
The big island of Savaii is often referred to as the real Samoa.

Relatively untouched, its natural beauty and the peoples seemingly laid-back lives is what makes it extra special.

There is more to it than that. Savaii is a scenic treasure trove, with beautiful sandy beaches, unspoiled marine life, breath-taking waterfalls, rainforests teeming with birds, and a variety of attractions for tourists to see.

It explains why we so often hear people say that if you havent been to Savaii, you havent been to Samoa. Behind the effort to make the Savaii experience more memorable is the Savaii Samoa Tourism Association. The group strongly believes in the mantra that whats good for Upolu is also good for Savaii.

Since 2012, the group made up of passionate tourism operators from Savaii banded together to become a unified voice for the improvement of Savaii.

Secretary of S.S.T.A, Elisabeth Siaosi said they have had strong support from overseas countries including NZ from the beginning.

And so with such encouragement, S.S.T.A was formed as a platform to advocate for our unique needs of our members and as well as improve the visitor experience to the Big Island, said Mrs. Siaosi.

The association has come a long way to get recognition as a strong voice within the industry and for now we would like to be able to continue to stand on our own feet and continue to advocate for what we know our Savaii paradise needs.

The famous line from the late Tofilau Eti Alesana which has been used by the H.R.P.P over the years is what drives their work.

It inspires us to continue to campaign for what we know is good for the Big Island.

Lack of opportunities is still high for our people particularly those in rural areas. Tourism in Savaii needs much more investment as we are provide jobs for those who want to work in the tourism and hospitality as well as trades such as building, maintenance, landscaping and air-con refrigeration just to name a few.

We provide income to small and big farmers and in general provide many more opportunities than any other industry for those of our population who live outside of the capital of Apia.

The association is headed by a volunteer executive committee and membership is made up of more than 50 members from accommodation (hotels, resorts and beach fales), tour operators, restaurant/cafes, transport as well as natural sights and attractions all over Savaii and the list is growing.

However, theyve included a few local produce farms to their list in 2016.

What else do they do?

Our activities span from running a permanent Visitor Information Office in Salelologa, local co-op print and online marketing campaigns, advocating for Savaii based member training and development as well as running regular Keep Savaii Beautiful Clean Up days around tourists hot spots.

When it comes to accessibility of information for our members the scope is wide & varied with the majority still not using email or internet. For this reason we also do member visitations and deliver a bi-lingual newsletter to our members to keep our members informed of industry happenings and opportunities.

Mrs. Siaosi said their greatest achievement since the association was established, is knowing that they are making positive changes to help grow the tourism industry in Savaii.

The road has been not easy and since the beginning the little income we have acquired has purely been collected through subs from members, donations as well as some small grants from NZ Aid and M.C.I.L.

But we try to make the most of what we have and the resources we have to keep moving forward. Our membership in Savaii includes many of the pioneers of the tourism industry to Samoa who have been here in the beginning to build a solid industry that would now become a contender as the mainstay industry of the economy.

Within the Savaii tourism industry there is a wealth of experience and although S.S.T.A is a young association we are not just a fresh face to the industry.

What was the main highlight of their work in 2016?

Being hosts to the Miss Pacific Islands pre-tour in November, said Mrs. Siaosi.

It was a rare and wonderful opportunity which we wanted to make sure happened for the people of Savaii.

It was the first time in the 30year history of the event for the contestants to come to Savaii. The tour visited Don Bosco high school then went to Safune and the ladies were treated to a traditional ava ceremony which they could not stop raving about their experience about over the pageant week.

It provided a wonderful launching pad to share the beauty and rich culture of our island to not only the people of Samoa but also to the rest of the world. S.S.T.A hosted a corporate fundraising dinner while the contestants were here and the immediate support shown by our local business community was extremely humbling and very moving.

Would they ever consider hosting a national beauty pageant in Savaii?

Why not, said Elisabeth.

There are many events we want to host and for those wanting a picture postcard backdrop Savaii is the perfect stage to host not only the Miss Pacific contest but many major events held only on Upolu. Teuila Festival stages have only ever been held in Upolu but we would like to see more promotion done here in Savaii as we know how much tourists enjoy the authenticity and slow pace of Savaii.

Lastly, Elisabeth said that their plan for the future is to improve their work and find opportunities to help the tourism industry in Savaii.

Our plan is to keep moving forward and look for opportunities to better help our members and communities.

We know from listening to our guests over many decades that our island Savaii offers a experience that is truly authentic, unique and what the modern world is looking for. This is where we get our motivation from.
Quenjule Slaven is a teenager who loves Filipino movies, has a thirst for learning and in her own words, makes mistakes.

Quenjule is also a 15 year old from Moamoa who is a top student at St. Marys College who will go from Year 10 to Year 12 in 2017; is learning guitar, Chinese and sign languages; goes to tutorials from time to time and is in the choir at her church.

She is an award-winning story writer; a Newspapers in Education columnist for the Samoa Observer; has won regional poster competitions and was selected by her school to be an ambassador for Samoa Stationery and Books.

Oh, and on Monday and Tuesday afternoons after school, you will find her at the Nelson Library in Apia, running an educational programme for child vendors which she started at the beginning of 2016.

Quiet and unassuming but with a steely determination and commitment, Quenjule is not only an observer in life, she is a full-on participant, activist and leader.

In an interview earlier this year with Samoa Observers, Vatapuia Maiava, Quenjule described how she became a teacher and a source of hope for other children at the age of 14. It all started when I was in town and I would always see child vendors everywhere instead of being in school getting an education for a brighter future, she said.

I saw them at McDonalds and Sunrise restaurant; I asked my mom Mom why arent they in school? and she said because their parents cant afford it and these kids support and provide for their families.

Not knowing the question she just posed was a germinating Good Samaritan seed, she continued on with life.

After I participated in the human rights poster competition sponsored by the Ombudsman, I realized that these kids also have human rights, she said.

The right to an education, the right to have a voice on the issues in their lives; and so my parents helped me, they were my inspiration.

Once we decided what to do, we came here and asked the manager of the library if we could use their facilities and once they approved it, we began the following Monday.

I also visited the Ombudsman who supported the idea and his staff has also come on board as volunteers.

I feel that it is important to walk the talk; we shouldnt get drawn in to only speaking about the problem, but instead we need to act on fixing it, she said.

And as for her age, I believe you can make a difference at any age.

Martin Luther King once said faith is taking the first step even when you dont see the whole staircase its not about how bad the situation is; its what we do about it that matters most.

I know that these children have a hard time on the streets, but I believe we all have the ability to turn each and every one of their lives around.

And the programme is definitely not a one way process.

It has really helped me with my Samoan language, she admitted. At midterm, I got 18% and at the end of year it was 30%.

I have also found I love teaching.

I realise that to get ahead in life its about challenging yourself and not drawing comparisions with others.

Her parents and family members she says, ensure she stays grounded.

My parents remind me this is not about me and my sister often mocks me, she said.

Experiencing the smiles and delight of her students as they progress, Quenjule has attracted funding from friends and supporters which will enable her to give full, school scholarships to eight of her 14 regular primary school age students in 2017.

The scholarships will be paid from a bank account suggested and set up by Justice Vui who was one of her earliest supporters.

As for the children, They are so quick at Maths, theyre eager to learn; they get mad easily; theyre eager to please and they are affectionate and grateful, she said.

They know someone cares about them. In the future, Quenjule hopes that programmes like her own, will spread out to Vaitele and further afield after seeing the impact learning has had on the children who have attended classes.

One girl came ninth out of her class of 50 this year. Her grandmother told me she studied all night. She had never seen this behaviour before. She values education.

To make changes and as the eldest in her family, it is important to be a role model, Quenjule says.

She too has her own role models.

Mine are my parents, grandparents and family  theyre always supporting and encouraging me and they are the most hard-working people I know.

I also admire the nuns of Samoa because they have dedicated their whole lives to helping others and serving God.

With 2017 fast approaching Quenjule said her goals are to prioritise her time better, admitting she has ended the year exhausted.

I need to learn to cut down on some things and to say no.

This may simply mean that there will not be so many Filipino movies in the coming year.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Ban Ki-Moon joked to hundreds of diplomats and U.N. staff as he left United Nations headquarters Friday for the last time as secretary-general that he feels "like Cinderella  tomorrow at midnight, everything changes."

Flanked by the presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, the native South Korean thanked U.N. workers for their hard work and commitment over the course of his 10-year tenure, which ends at midnight Dec. 31.

"Tomorrow night on the eve of the new year, I'll be in Times Square for the ball drop. Millions of people will be watching as I lose my job," he said with a broad smile.

He told his colleagues he had two words for them: "Thank You."

As the top U.N. official over the last decade, Ban fostered a global agreement to combat climate change and new U.N. goals to combat poverty and inequality. However, he leaves amid continuing conflicts from Syria and Yemen to South Sudan and Libya.

Ban urged staff members to stay focused on advancing U.N. development goals and working to address issues ranging from climate change to gender empowerment.

"Keep the focus on people  on people's rights and people's dignity," he told them.

Ban will be succeeded by former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Guterres, who begins a five-year term on Sunday.

Ban was thronged by U.N. staff as he made his way out of United Nations headquarters for the last time. At the top of the escalator leading out of the building, a line of staffers held up signs saying "We We Love Love You You SG and Madam," using the initials for secretary-general and paying tribute to his wife Yoo Soon-taek.

At the bottom, a line of top U.N. officials said farewell, many receiving hugs from Ban.

The visibly emotional secretary-general, when asked about the sendoff before walking out the door and getting into his car, said: "It's very moving. I'm so grateful for the support and friendship that they have shown me. ... I'm honored to have served this great organization."

Ban returns to South Korea amid widespread speculation he will be a candidate to replace the country's president, who has been impeached.
Free 2016 tax preparation for senior citizens and low-income earners in East County will be available next year starting Feb. 1 and running through April 15 from the American Association of Retired Persons Foundation Tax Aide Program.

Backed by the Internal Revenue Service, this years AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program will be held throughout California and across the nation, including spots in El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee.

Sites and phone numbers for appointments are:

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El Cajon Library, 201 E. Douglas Ave., (619) 401-7645; La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center, 8450 La Mesa Blvd., (619) 667-1322; and Edgemoor Hospital, 655 Park Center Drive, Santee, (619) 873-7887; Spring Valley Library, 836 Kempton St. (619) 463-3006; and Rancho San Diego Library, 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, (619) 660-5370

Unlike years past, tax prep help at the Alpine Community Center will not be available. The Ramona County Library at 1275 Main St. will be a site for tax help this year. For an appointment there, call (760) 788-5270.

Since 1968, the AARPs volunteer-based program has helped more than 50 million low- to moderate-income taxpayers.

Maureen Keeling, district coordinator for AARP Tax Aide in East County, said more than 700 returns are annually processed at the groups El Cajon library site.

AARP Tax Aide volunteers complete a class schedule and a workshop that includes new tax laws. They prepare the returns for free and also e-file the returns at no cost.

According to AARP, 50 percent of the nations adult population lacks the skills to prepare their own tax returns, and 20 to 25 percent of low-income workers dont claim earned income tax credit.

The program is particularly aimed at seniors 60 and over, but families and others with low and moderate income who are in need are also welcome. Keeling said the program doesnt have an actual limit on income for those desiring assistance, and that they are only wary of complex tax returns.

Myriad other places throughout San Diego County will offer the same free tax preparation service.

For more information, email taxaide@aarp.org, visit aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/ or call (888) OUR-AARP (888-687-2277).

karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com
Whether you considered it a three-ring circus or a welcome change of course, more than anything, 2016 will be remembered as the year that American politics made a sharp turn into the reality-television spectacle it always threatened to be. And it was all underlined by the election of a reality TV star to the highest office in the land.

But theres bad news for anyone expecting a break from the tumultuous political landscape theyve come to know and hate: 2017 isnt a fresh start; its merely Season 2.

Whether you love or loathe the incoming commander in chief, you cant deny that The Apprentice alumnus Donald Trump has a keen understanding that American culture thrives on spectacle.

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Thanks to surprise appearances by Billy Bush, a former beauty queen and John Podestas risotto recipe, America: The Reality Show garnered huge ratings, setting the stage for another round of antics. And for the second season we have the congressional hearing to look forward to.

The last months of 2016 have revolved around President-elect Trumps cabinet picks, several of which will likely face extremely trying (and televised) confirmation hearings.

As though knowing that controversy loves coverage, Trump stacked his cabinet with characters sure to cause a stir.

There will be plenty to hijack our attention in the coming months, from the Senate struggling with questions about Gen. James Mad Dog Mattis eligibility to be Defense secretary to potential Secretary of State Rex Tillersons overtly friendly ties to Russia. And then theres attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions pleading his case that he is less racially problematic than he was in 1986, when the Senate blocked his nomination for federal judgeship.

America loves a televised hearing, be it Benghazi or Iran-Contra or Clarence Thomas, so America: The Reality Show looks to have plenty of material to keep the masses hooked in Season 2.

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour 

libby.hill@latimes.com

Twitter: @midwestspitfire
Growing up in Philadelphia, Zeinabu Davis father took her to a lot of plays, which is how she grew to love the arts. Still, she had plans of becoming a lawyer while a student at Brown University before an internship at a local PBS station changed her mind. She went on to get her masters in film and video production at UCLA in the late 1980s and was part of a group of black filmmakers known as the Los Angeles Rebellion. Her latest film, Spirits of Rebellion: Black Cinema from UCLA, highlights a number of her fellow filmmakers from this movement as they discuss their work and black cinema itself.

My collaborator (Andy Rice) and I really wanted to make sure that this group was documented in cinema history, she says. Too many times, people of color are erased or forgotten about.

Davis, 55, lives in the Oak Park neighborhood of San Diego with her husband and their two daughters. Shes also a professor in the communications department at UC San Diego. Spirits (spiritsofrebellion.com) has been on the festival circuit this year, winning awards for best diaspora documentary and best film directed by a woman of color. It will be screened at 2 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. She took some time to talk about her work, being part of this group of artists and why she tells these stories.

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Q: Tell us about Spirits of Rebellion.

A: The film documents a small group of critically acclaimed, but relatively unknown, black filmmakers who were named by historians as the Los Angeles Rebellion. All of the filmmakers associated with this movement  including myself  attended UCLA between the Watts riots of 1965 and the urban uprising in Los Angeles that followed the Rodney King verdict in 1992. These filmmakers collectively imagined and created a black cinema against the conventions of Hollywood and Blaxploitation films. They are the first sustained movement in the United States by a collective of minority filmmakers who re-imagined the production process to represent, reflect and enrich the daily lives of people in their own communities.

Q: What did the L.A. Rebellion give you, as a filmmaker?

A: Being a part of the latter half of the group gave me a sense of history and a place. I knew that there were filmmakers who I could collaborate with in Los Angeles and who I could rely on for assistance when it was needed. Before I thought about film school, I was lucky enough to see Rain by Melvonna Ballenger, and it was one of the first films I had seen by a black woman filmmaker. That experience must have planted a seed and made me think that I could make films, too.

What I love about Oak Park ...

Its diversity. There are families of different races and ethnicities on my block, which I am very grateful for.

Q: Why did you want to become a filmmaker?

A: To tell stories of people that you generally dont see in mainstream media. I was fortunate when I was at Brown that I got to study abroad. I went to Kenya in East Africa and studied with the famous writer Ngugi wa Thiongo. While I was there, we would see filmmakers from Belgium and Germany making films about the wildlife of Kenya but not the people. Kenya is an amazing country with 17 different ethnic groups that generally get along with each other. They are fascinating, but even today, you rarely see anything in the mainstream media about Kenya unless it is about violence or poverty, but thats not all that there is.

Q: Your work has been described as being focused on the depiction of African-American women. Would you agree with this?

A: Yes, I generally place women at the central core of my films because I dont always see this reflected in mainstream media. There are more roles for black women on television now, but not in theatrically released films.

Q: This year, in popular media, there have been a lot of passionate opinions on a couple of works depicting African-American women: Beyonces visual album, Lemonade and Ava DuVernays scripted family drama, Queen Sugar. What was your reaction to Lemonade?

A: Lemonade was very powerful and has helped to bring more attention to L.A. Rebellion filmmaker Julie Dashs masterpiece film, Daughters of the Dust. One of the film directors behind Lemonade, Kahlil Joseph, has cited his love of the L.A. Rebellion films and specifically pays homage to Daughters of the Dust with beautiful homage scenes of women in white dresses and walking by the water  all important scenes that were in Dashs film.

Q: And to Queen Sugar?

A: Very powerful and essential storytelling. I really appreciate the complexity of the characters and the attention to detail with the setting in Louisiana. I hope to be considered as a director for an episode in the future.

Q: After watching Spirits of Rebellion, what do you hope people will get from the discussion in this film?

A: An appreciation of black cinema in general; an understanding of what it may really mean to be an independent filmmaker. I also hope that people come away with an increased respect and value for public education; the L.A. Rebellion could not have existed if public education and access to a university film program had not been available.

Q: In the trailer, the question of what is black film is posed. What is it to you?

A: Black film represents the community of black people from across the globe  not just the United States  as honestly as possible, in its good and bad and all its complexities.

Q: Whats been challenging about your work in film over the years?

A: A lack of funding to pursue ideas or stories. I use part of my salary to support my filmmaking. I have a lot of scripts that my husband has written that we have not been able to produce because of lack of funding.

Q: Whats been rewarding about the work?

A: Seeing the aha moment when people put things together or understand the message or appreciate the art of what you do. I will forever be a teacher, so giving back to my students will always be essential and important. Seeing my students flourish and be able to tell their own stories is a real joy. My daughters are also now interested in media production, so that is gratifying as well. They worked on Spirits as production assistants and my oldest daughter was an assistant editor.

Q: What have you learned about yourself as a result of your work?

A: Ive reluctantly learned to be more patient with myself. I always want the films to be done quicker than they are, but there is always a reason why things may take longer than they do. For instance, with Spirits, I wanted it to be done a lot earlier, like in 2014. But guess what? In 2015, all this amazing footage of the Watts riots reappeared out of the blue in time to commemorate its 50th anniversary. Accessing these new visual materials helped the film tremendously and provided context as to why and how the L.A. Rebellion happened.

Q: What is the best advice youve ever received?

A: Fellow filmmaker Kasi Lemmons (director of Eves Bayou, Black Nativity, Talk to Me) said you have to collect a pearl necklace of no before you get the yes. Even though filmmaking seems very glamorous, it is a very tough business. You have to really believe in yourself and your vision in order to keep doing it.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?

A: I like to do oil paintings.

Q: Describe your ideal San Diego weekend.

A: I would do lots of activities that would include food. Eating out across the globe with fabulous Ethiopian, Mexican and Asian cuisines in my neighborhood. The days would be capped off by going to see a good film at the Media Arts Center San Diego Digital Gym or a theatrical production at Community Actors Theatre or Moxie Theatre, visiting the beach and Balboa Park.

Email: lisa.deaderick@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @lisadeaderick
It took a while to call up adjectives to describe the various emotions I experienced during my first visit to Alaska.

Enchanting, magical, unbelievable, overwhelming and awe-inspiring, were some of the words that coursed through my brain as I sat down to write this narrative of a remarkable travel adventure.

I think I finally settled on mystical.

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Yes, Alaska had been on my places to visit list for years. Id heard friends wax poetic about their Alaskan travel experiences, recounting their impressions as they came face-to-face with pristine wilderness for the first time. Only in retrospect, once I myself had my spirit lifted by images of surreal landscapes and unending forests and tundra, could I understand their reaction to being as close to untouched nature as many of us urban dwellers will ever get.

My epiphany came one evening on the deck of the Safari Endeavor, operated by Un-Cruise Adventures, one of the premier boutique adventure cruise lines conducting small ship cruises through Alaskas Inside Passage. It was late evening and some 80 passengers, crew and a National Park ranger (assigned to our ship to help share the wonders and history of the bay and answer our endless questions), stood in awe as we soaked in the glory of Glacier Bay National Parks Margerie Glacier, shimmering blue in the midnight sun.

That mystical evening, NPS Ranger Amy Brobeck definitely struck a chord in my soul when she stood on the bow and quoted a text from renowned naturalist John Muir. Her words rang out clearly as passengers from all walks of life and countries around the world quietly listened: Wilderness is not only a haven for native plants and animals but it is also a refuge from society. It is a place to go to hear the wind and little else, see the stars and the galaxies, smell the pine trees, feel the cold water, and touch the sky and the ground at the same time .

We did all of that, and more, on this phenomenal travel adventure.

Our discovery started in Juneau, hub for all Alaska cruise ship departures, big or small. Blessed by glorious May weather, my husband, Tony, and I spent several pre-cruise days in this charming town, which is also the capital of Alaska.

Talk about starting out with a bang. The day of our arrival, we walked a few blocks from our hotel to the historic Juneau waterfront and boarded a Wings Airways float plane to experience a five-glacier discovery tour. We took off gently from the water under azure blue skies and soared over the Tongass National Forest (the largest national forest in the United States) and five majestic glaciers that make up the 1,500-square-mile Juneau Icefield.

If I didnt have the photos to prove it, I certainly would not believe I was privileged to see nature in all its wonder as I did that day. Like a bird in the sky, I gazed down on magnificent glaciers, fjords, snowcapped mountains, vernal lakes and an expanse of wilderness as far as the eye could see. As an added delight, our visit to the remote Taku Glacier Lodge included not only a freshly caught salmon feast, grilled to perfection, but our very first bear sighting in the Alaskan wilderness.

This was actually the first of many I cant believe I am seeing this visitor experiences on our Alaskan journey.

Our next stop, on land this time, was the Mendenhall Glacier, one of the worlds few urban and drive up glaciers. Located less than a half-hour drive from Juneau, this world wonder can be easily admired from the expansive visitor center observation deck. We opted to get a closer look and set off on the relatively easy (but unbelievably picturesque) Nugget Falls Trail, which led us past pristine forest glens, cascading waterfalls and breathtaking glacier views.

A ride on the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway is another must do on a visit to Juneau. Cable cars rise 1,800 feet from the cruise ship dock in downtown to the mountain peak, which offers expansive views of Juneau and the Gastineau Channel. Not content to stop here, we hiked up a glorious sub-alpine meadow path, resplendent with spring flowers, and enjoyed a spectacular 360-degree view of Juneau and the magnificent channel below.

After our vigorous hike, we enjoyed a fresh seafood dinner on the terrace of the tramways Timberline Bar & Grill, munching on crab tacos as we gazed out on miles and miles of old forest and kept our eyes out for bald eagles gliding from tree to tree. We also spent some time meandering through the unique Raven Eagle Gift Shop, which is not your typical tourist gift store, but more of an educational museum experience. Many of the exquisite artifacts for sale are produced by native local artisans and are one-of-a-kind objects made from indigenous artifacts.

Juneau is a delightfully picturesque town, and we enjoyed leisurely walks through the quaint historic neighborhoods cascading up the mountainside; savored memorable seafood dinners in the local dining establishments; enjoyed an eclectic shopping experience in the diverse stores lining Franklin Street, the main thoroughfare; and even learned much about the colorful history of the region, and its indigenous people, in the Juneau-Douglas City Museum.

If you have the time to rent a car to drive Out the Road, (a colloquial term to describe the 45-mile highway that leads past some of Juneaus backcountry until it dead-ends at Echo Cove), you will be rewarded with more breathtaking scenery. The highway winds past charming coves and majestic mountain vistas. Interesting stops en route include the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, the Jensen-Olsen Arboretum, and the Shrine of St. Therese. The Eagle Beach State Recreation area is located at the end of the road and offers a perfect spot for beachcombing, hiking, bird-watching and viewing the whales, sea lions and other marine wildlife easily visible from the shore.

Before we knew it, we were ready to board our adventure cruise ship, Safari Endeavor, and join fellow passengers from around the world in our exploration of the Alaskan wilderness. We sipped Champagne and nibbled on succulent fresh shrimp and crab hors doeuvres as we made our way through the Gastineau Strait, in the glow of a magnificent Alaskan sunset.

Each day that followed offered one memorable travel experience after another. The first day, we sailed nearly 60 miles up-bay to the Margerie tidewater glacier, a highlight of our cruise through Glacier Bay National Park.

Traveling on a boutique adventure passenger cruise has more benefits than may meet the eye. The relatively small size of the ship allows entry into fjords and inlets not accessible by larger cruise ships. An added bonus is the ability to enjoy off-ship excursions daily, which include kayaking, skiff boat tours and bushwhacking experiences  not to mention top-notch wining and dining and spectacular scenery right outside your cabin door.

And we certainly made use of these wonderful on-ship adventure offerings! Tony and I kayaked through glacier ice floes; marveled at breeching whales from a skiff boat; hiked through the rain forest at Glacier Bay National Parks Bartlett Cove; bushwhacked with a guide through pristine Alaskan landscapes to learn about the unique flora and fauna only found in this part of the world; gently glided through breathtaking fjords on a SUP, and photographed majestic bald eagles as they soared in the skies above.

While I love adventure, I also love my creature comforts at the end of an activity-packed day. After peeling off our boots and waterproof pants, it was definitely a joy to return to our comfortable cabin and await the call to Happy Hour. This was the time to meet up with our fellow passengers and share tales of our daily exploits. We then convened in the dining room (no assigned seating so we sat with different passengers at each meal) to enjoy a multicourse menu that focused on locally sourced ingredients. Fine wines accompanied each meal, and our on-board pastry chef made certain that each sumptuous repast ended with a heavenly dessert.

True to its name, a boutique adventure cruise is a combination of the excitement of actively communing with nature, while being pampered afterward with five-star service and amenities. Our cruise even included a luxurious, one-hour massage  sheer bliss for our aching muscles after kayaking for hours around ice floes.

One of our last stops was a visit to Dawes Glacier, in Alaskas rugged Endicott Arm. As we enjoyed our dinner of fresh-caught Alaskan halibut, we gazed out the ships expansive picture windows (which are, incidentally, washed every day to ensure an un-marred vista from all the common areas) to marvel at cliff-walled fjords, azure blue inlets, and scenery widely acclaimed as one of the most beautiful in Alaska.

The next morning, while we sipped our cappuccinos on the upper deck, we heard a rumbling roar and watched a huge section of the Dawes glacier fall into the ocean right before our eyes. It took me a moment or two to realize we had actually witnessed a calving, something I had read about, but never thought we would experience.

Chalk calving off my bucket list!

That night, as our ship sailed back to Juneau, we celebrated at a festive farewell dinner. Champagne glasses were raised in a salute to a remarkable journey. There was a communal camaraderie in the dining room, fueled no doubt by our collective experience in together discovering the still untouched wilderness of Alaska.

Ill never forget standing on the deck outside our berth that night, hand-in-hand with Tony. The heavenly sky in this wilderness defies description. Without any external lights to mar its glory, the night sky above was a jet black globe peppered with glowing stars and constellations of an amazing clarity, rimmed by the majestic Alaskan mountains that provided a perfect frame for that memorable scene.

Now that I think about it, mystical is, without doubt, the right word to describe this extraordinary adventure.

If you go

 Check out Un-Cruise Adventures (www.un-cruise.com) for information on boutique adventure cruises through various regions of Alaska, as well as other destinations around the world.

 Learn more about Juneaus attractions at the Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.traveljuneau.com) the official resource for comprehensive visitor information on the city and surrounding area.

 For the flight of a lifetime over Alaskas magnificent glaciers, coupled with a succulent fresh salmon bake, contact Taku Glacier Lodge & Flightseeing (www.wingsairways.com)

 Goldbelt Mt. Roberts Tram information can be researched at www.mountrobertstramway.com

 Juneau restaurant pick: Though it is a bit off the beaten track (just a few blocks uphill from Juneaus restaurant row), SALT (www.saltalaska.com) offers creative and unique Alaskan cuisine in a chic modern setting.

DiBona is a freelance travel writer.
Violent crime increased in Los Angeles for the third straight year as police tried to stem a rash of homicides and gang-related shootings while dealing with a growing homeless population.

With more than 290 people killed in the city this year, homicides also rose for the third year in a row. Still, the city remains far safer than a decade ago, when 480 people were killed and there were 46% more robberies than this year.



For the record: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated there were two homicides in Oakland in 2016 through Dec. 18, nine in 2015 and seven in 2014. There were 80 homicides in 2016 through Dec. 25, 83 in 2015 for the same time period and 78 in 2014.

According to statistics from the Los Angeles Police Department, robberies were up by 13%, aggravated assaults were up by 10% and rapes were down by 4% through Dec. 17, compared with the same period last year. Homicides were up by 5%.

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Overall, violent crime was up by 10% over last year and 38% over two years ago.

Property crime also went up for the third consecutive year, with a 4% rise that was driven by double-digit increases in car-related thefts.

The upward trend of the last several years marks a reversal of a steady decline that began in the early 1990s, when crime was at all-time highs. In 1992, 1,094 people were killed in Los Angeles.

Similar trends were evident in the areas policed by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, where violent crime was up by 9% and property crime was up by 6% through Nov. 30 . It was the second year in a row that crime increased in sheriffs department territory, which includes unincorporated parts of the county as well as cities such as Compton and Lancaster that contract for law enforcement services.

Elsewhere in the state, crime decreased in some Bay Area cities. San Francisco saw an increase in homicides and rapes, but robberies were down 13% and crime was down 10% overall through the end of November. Through Dec. 25, Oakland had 80 homicides, compared with 83 in 2015 for the same time period and 78 in 2014. Overall, crime in Oakland was down 6%.

Early this year, in response to a spike in homicides and shootings, the LAPD sent extra platoons of elite Metropolitan Division officers to South Los Angeles and intensified its use of daily crime statistics to identify problem spots.

By the time the emergency operation ended on Oct. 1, the rate of violent crime had stabilized in South L.A. But with resources concentrated there, some other parts of the city experienced upticks in crime.

Recently, the situation in South L.A. worsened  October was the worst month of the year for homicides  and the Metropolitan Division has increased its presence there again, said Asst. Chief Michel Moore, who oversees the LAPDs patrol operations.

South Bureau, which includes much of South L.A. as well as the San Pedro area, finished the year with a 6% increase in homicides, 6% more rapes, 10% more robberies and 19% more aggravated assaults.

Overall, violent crime in South Bureau was up 15% over last year and 34% over two years ago.

The efforts of police officers on the streets have had an effect, but the root causes of crime  joblessness, homelessness, substance abuse  are deep and require the communitys help to solve, Moore said.

It is like fighting fires  spot fires, he said. We have a finite number of resources, and at the end of the day, the LAPD isnt going to fix this.

The number of shooting victims in Los Angeles  1,152 as of Dec. 17 -- was up 6% over last year and 23% over two years ago.

Any one of those could have been a homicide by another inch or centimeter, Moore said. Our most pressing matter right now is shooting victims.

Crime was up even in some parts of the city that are traditionally considered safe. In West Los Angeles, robberies were up by 16%, and motor vehicle theft was up by 31%. The LAPDs Topanga Division saw a 41% increase in robberies and a 21% increase in motor vehicle theft.

Moore attributed the crime jump in Los Angeles to a combination of factors, including a resurgence in gang violence and the growth in homelessness. He also pointed to criminal justice reforms such as Proposition 47, which was approved by California voters in November 2014 and reduced some drug and property offenses from felonies to misdemeanors.

In Los Angeles County, the jail population has decreased, from 18,500 inmates just before Prop. 47 passed to about 16,500 inmates this November. Narcotics arrests have dropped, as busy police officers decide that the time needed to process a case is not worth it.

The result, some law enforcement officials say, is that more criminals are now on the streets instead of in jail and are not receiving the drug and mental health treatment the measure had promised. Without the threat of a felony prosecution, they say, defendants are less likely to choose treatment as an alternative to serving time.

Unfortunately, we see that these programs are sold to the voters as having some positive impact, and so far in two years we havent seen that positive impact, said Assistant Sheriff Jacques Anthony La Berge, who oversees patrol for the Sheriffs Department.

But supporters of Prop. 47 dispute the theory that crime increases are connected to the measure. Misdemeanors can still result in sentences of up to a year in jail, and it is up to police officers and prosecutors to enforce those penalties, said Michael Romano, a lecturer at Stanford Law School.

The idea that Prop. 47 has been responsible for an increase in crime in California over the past year or two is fake news, as far as Im concerned, he said. Theres not one shred of evidence supporting the idea that Prop. 47 has had any impact on crime one way or another.

The recent crime increases have also coincided with steep increases in homelessness. The latest homeless survey shows an 11% rise in the city of Los Angeles between January 2016 and the previous year, with a 5.7% jump countywide.

Homeless encampments can provide cover for chronic predators, and many homeless people are victims of crime, said Moore of the LAPD.

This year in Los Angeles, 13 homicide victims were homeless  up from six the previous year  and there was a 23% increase in aggravated assaults in which transients were the victims, Moore said.

The LAPDs Central Division, which includes parts of downtown, skid row and Chinatown, saw a 59% increase in violent crime in 2015. This year, violent crime was down by 5% in Central, which Moore attributed to inroads made by police officers and social workers in homeless camps.

But crime statistics can sometimes obscure the realities of living in Los Angeles, where a single police station can serve dozens of square miles and hundreds of thousands of people.

Brent Page said his neighborhood of early 20th century Spanish and English Tudor cottages near the Inglewood border defies the image of South L.A. as a dangerous place.

At the neighborhood council meetings he leads, which are often attended by officers from the LAPDs 77th Division, residents typically complain about minor issues such as street vending and illegally parked cars.

Page sees violent crime as largely confined to gang circles.

A lot of people on these blocks know each other. Theyre like family, Page said of his neighborhood, Morningside Circle. I know what the crime stats might say, what the perception might say, but its good to talk to people actually breathing and living in an area instead of going to the LAPD website and making generalizations.

In Compton and nearby unincorporated areas, which are policed by the L.A. County Sheriffs Department, homicides were up by 61%, with 37 through the end of November this year compared with 23 last year.

Most of the killings were gang-related, according to sheriffs officials, including that of a 1-year-old girl in her crib who was hit by a bullet likely meant for her father.

The spike marks a return to the violence of years past: The Compton area had 32 homicides in 2014 and 40 homicides in 2013. Capt. Michael Thatcher, who runs the Compton Sheriffs Station, said an increase in gang conflicts is a likely cause.

I take it personally, Thatcher said. Its our responsibility. Every deputy that works in that station understands that thats something thats very troubling for us.

Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report.

cindy.chang@latimes.com | Twitter: @cindychangLA

maya.lau@latimes.com | Twitter: @mayalau

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A toucan that became a local sensation while living wild much of the year in Southern California has finally been captured.

The brightly colored female bird named Fern was spotted Tuesday in the rafters of a Yorba Linda auto repair shop.

A service advisor made calls to animal experts including Omars Exotic Birds, which dispatched an employee to capture Fern.

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The bird escaped in May from an aviary in Courtney Chapmans Fullerton home after Fern and a male toucan were delivered by a breeder.

Chapman told the Orange County Register that she had been told the chances of getting the toucan back were slim.

Shortly after the escape, Chapman joined a private social network app for neighbors, and soon photos were being posted of Fern spottings across town.

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Mark Powell will take a seat on the San Diego County education board in two weeks after winning a close and expensive election that pitted charter schools against unions.

In the days before he is sworn into office, Powell is planning how to implement his political platform, which has little to do with charters and their advocates who helped him get him elected.

When it comes to charters, all they want is a fair shot, said Powell, 55. Im not going to rubber-stamp charters, but I will give them a fair shot because its important to give parents options when it schools.

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At the top of Powells agenda is term limits for county education trustees. He wants to study the agencys $600 million operating budget to determine its fiscal soundness. And Powell also wants to help many of the countys 42 districts assess and improve school safety  with potential training and assistance improving anti-bullying policies and stepping up security personnel.

Our campuses could be a little more secure, said Powell, a former reserve police officer.

A recent report by The San Diego Union-Tribune raised questions about whether or not students feel comfortable reporting bullying. Some 60 percent of San Diego County school districts and charter organizations report zero harassment or intimidation on the basis of race, sex or disability, according for federal data.

Schools should be places where students are accepting of other students, Powell said. We have smaller districts that dont have a lot of resources and might need help with anti-bullying and tolerance training.

With help from the California Charter Schools Association, Powell and Paulette Donnellon defeated their union-backed opponents. The industry advocacy group spent millions up and down the state to help elect charter-friendly candidates in local and state races.

The charter associations efforts failed to shift the power of balance of the board, as Guadalupe Gonzalez, who was appointed to office last year, was elected outright in June with help from organized labor. Rick Shea was also elected with help from labor, narrowly beating charter-backed former legislator Mark Wyland in November. Both candidates were backed by big money from their respective supporters.

Not up for election this year was Alicia Munoz, who has been supported by unions in the past.

The San Diego County Office of Education provides curriculum support and financial oversight for the regions 42 school districts. But the county boards, with their role reviewing petitions for countywide charters and deciding on appeals from charters rejected by their local districts, have been seen as increasingly important in the effort to expand charters. The board is set to hire a new superintendent, a position that could set a tone when it comes to charters.

The states charter association has argued that quality charters were denied their appeals by the county board due to bias.

Publicly funded and independently operated charters have fallen under intense scrutiny amid a series of unfavorable reports, high-profile incidents of mismanagement and court rulings.

The main source of labor support for county trustees has long come from the American Federation of Teachers, Guild Local 1931, which represents San Diego and Grossmont-Cuyamaca community college faculty.

Former county superintendent Randy Ward resigned in November after being put in paid leave when the board launched an audit of Wards compensation in response to legal challenges. Powell believes Ward was improperly forced out since he had already announced plans to retire in June. However, Powell did not take issue with the boards decision earlier this month to nearly double the pay for interim superintendent Edward Velasquez to match Wards $331,736 salary.

maureen.magee@sduniontribune.com

Twitter:@MaureenMagee
Tamil Nadu may soon have a new chief minister in Sasikala, who took over as the general secretary of the AIADMK. A log-time associate of late Jayalalithaa, Sasikala today became the second woman to hold the top post in AIADMK.

By Pramod Madhav: VK Sasikala broke down during her first address as the AIADMK general secretary in Chennai on Saturday.

Sasikala became the sixth general secretary of the AIADMK and the second woman to hold the post.

"I am 62 years now. I have been living with her (Jayalalithaa) since I was 29," Sasikala said while she broke down addressing the AIADMK cadre.

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READ| Sasikala's first address after taking charge as AIADMK chief

"Her place can never be filled even after a thousand years. It cannot be filled at all; cannot be," Sasikala said adding, "In those times male chauvinism was at its peak and there was no other leader except Indira Gandhi. Amma showed the way for women here."

#WATCH: Sasikala Natarajan breaks down while talking about #Jayalalithaa after taking charge as AIADMK General Secretary. pic.twitter.com/DhtSfVWKE4 ANI (@ANI_news) December 31, 2016

Sasikala also invoked to MGR during her speech. She said, "MGR and Amma guided this organisation without caste and religion. This is how it will continue."

Sasikala later announced that MGR's birth centenary celebrations will start January next year, adding that "This is the people's government."

With Sasikala taking over the mantle of the party after Jayalalithaa, the whisper is getting louder in Chennai that there will be a change of guard in the government as well.

This government is people's government; We will follow the path shown by our Amma: Sasikala Natarajan pic.twitter.com/MtYIgnzscb ANI (@ANI_news) December 31, 2016

Keeping in tune with the AIADMK tradition, Sasikala is said to be considering about heading the government. A formal announcement is expected soon.

Interestingly, Sasikala appeared at the famous balcony from where Jayalalithaa used to greet the cadres at the party headquarters.

"My life is Amma. She struggled for 75 days but God called his loved child to him," Sasikala later told the party workers.

Akka(Jayalalithaa) did you go to kotai (fort St george)? Akka did you eat? I always kept thinking about her - Sasikala Natarajan pic.twitter.com/16uZK7ech7 ANI (@ANI_news) December 31, 2016

--- ENDS ---
San Diego officials are launching a comprehensive effort this year to determine the economic and aviation potential of Otay Mesas Brown Field and Kearny Mesas Montgomery Field, two city-owned airports that critics call underutilized eyesores.

The $1.7 million effort was prompted partly by a 2015 city audit that said years of mismanagement at the two airports has prevented them from generating more revenue and becoming economic catalysts for the region.

The Federal Aviation Administration contributed $1 million toward the effort, which will provide the city with up-to-date master plans for each of the two airports for the first time since 1980.

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City Councilman Chris Cate said the new master plans dovetail with efforts over the last three years by San Diego to evaluate the condition and potential of all city facilities, from buildings to parks to streets.

Were trying to lay out what our long-term vision is and weve never had that before in San Diego, said Cate, whose council district includes Montgomery Field. We want these airports to live up to the standards we have for everything else in the city.

Cate said a new master plan will spur investment in Montgomery Field by creating a long-term vision, while also allowing the city to gauge the potential of the airport, which covers 456 acres just east of state Route 163.

We want to see what are the opportunities to maximize whats already there, what improvements can be made and how much that will cost, and whether there are there folks who will come in and make those investments for us, he said.

At Brown Field, significant upgrades will come more quickly than at Montgomery if developers of the Metropolitan Airpark can clear up environmental litigation that has stymied that project since the City Council approved it in 2013.

The four-phase development would cover about 330 acres of the 880-acre facility with hangars for private aircraft, more than 1 million square feet of industrial buildings, restaurants, retail businesses and possibly a hotel.

Charles Black, chief executive of Metropolitan Airpark LLC, said on Friday that hes confident a resolution will come soon to the litigation, which focused on how the project will affect vernal pools, burrowing owls and state targets for greenhouse gas emissions.

Our project is in the final throes of the entitlement process and we should begin construction during calendar 2017, said Black, who helped develop Petco Park.

Even if the Metropolitan Airpark project moves forward, its slated to take 20 years to complete and covers less than half of Brown Fields acreage, making a new master plan for the airport still vitally important, officials said.

Rob Hixson, chairman of the Otay Mesa Community Planning Group, said his group was frustrated when the city wouldnt allow them to include Brown Field in a recent community plan update for the area.

Wed like to see something happen there because in our opinion its kind of an eyesore, said Hixson. They dont keep very good care of it and thats why we were hoping it would be part of our Community Plan update.

Hixson said Brown Field could be a key asset for Otay Mesa by spurring economic activity and cross-border commerce, noting that Baja California is home to several businesses making airplane parts and related products.

That could be the seeds of a binational aviation cluster, said Alejandra Mier y Teran, executive director of the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

There could be a lot of synergies between the aerospace community in Brown Field and Tijuana, she said.

An improved Brown Field would also help companies in Otay that ship products by plane, particularly produce distributors.

And a better airport might encourage more quality companies with high-paying jobs to locate in Otay, said Mier y Teran.

I think anything the city does to improve that airport is welcome to our community, she said.

Upgrading the two airports could also make them more competitive with Palomar-McClellan Airport in Carlsbad, which has become increasingly popular with owners of private aircraft in recent years.

Black said dwindling capacity for flights at San Diego International Airport  Lindbergh Field could make Brown Field, Montgomery Field and other airports supporting general aviation steadily more important in the future.

Councilman Cate said hed like to see Montgomery Field, which is officially known as Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, become more competitive with Palomar so that fewer residents with small planes have to drive up there.

Another key to the Metropolitan Airpark project is the improved infrastructure it would create around Brown Field, bolstering the potential for more cross-border commerce and other area businesses to prosper, Black said.

We are responsible for many pieces of the Otay Mesa infrastructure puzzle, said Black, mentioning road widening and freeway onramp construction as examples of projects included in the Metropolitan Airpark development deal.

Creating the two master plans, which will include gathering public input at multiple forums, may take several years. Cate urged residents to be patient.

You have to know where you are and where youre going before you start investing significant dollars, he said. I know people want results tomorrow but these things take time. At least were making the investment to see what the road map may look like.

There are typically about 200,000 flights per year at Montgomery Field and about 90,000 per year at Brown Field.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick
Figurines of two sheep have been rustled out of the Nativity display at the Balboa Park Organ Pavilion.

The animals were two of the 31 figures depicting the birth of Jesus that were painstakingly restored by volunteers over the past year.

Paul Schmidt, chairman of the Balboa Park Christmas Committee, and the restoration artist discovered the theft on Thursday.

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He said he had checked on the Nativity display on Tuesday, and someone else saw it intact on Wednesday. When Schmidt returned to the park at midday on Thursday, one sheep was missing from the manger scene and another from the shepherd scene.

Who is the Grinch who stole those sheep? Schmidt asked. We dont know whether someone did it as a prank or to put them in their nativity at home.

The life-sized papier mache figures of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, shepherds, angels and others who form the narrative of the Christmas story were originally created more than 70 years ago by noted Los Angeles sculptor Rudolph Vargas.

They have been displayed at the park through Christmas seasons since 1953, arranged in eight dioramas with painted canvas backdrops. Donations cover rent to the city for space at the park, insurance, and repair costs.

Over the decades, many of the animal and human figures became tattered, faded or broken. Santee artist Barbara Jacobson offered to fix them for free.

The task of reinforcing the statues with fiberglass, putty and new coats of paint took Jacobson and two helpers, Betty and Woody Whitlock, 10 months. Schmidt estimated that value of her professional skills plus materials could have totaled $50,000.

Schmidt said when he and Jacobson were looking over the dioramas, he noticed the sheep missing from its position next to a cow, in a stable where a baby Jesus lay in a manager.

I asked, Where is the sheep? and she said, Oh, its gone! She was just shaken and said, I spent days and days on them, to strengthen them, said Schmidt.

We are so unhappy about this, we can hardly see straight, Jacobson said Friday. Its very sad.

She said each animal weighs 15 or 20 pounds.

Im hoping some mother in San Diego is wondering where these crazy lamb statues in her front yard came from, Jacobson said. Or, they find them in the park.

A city parks official said if anyone knows anything about the missing sheep, they should call police. Schmidt said he was filing a theft report with San Diego police, and park rangers have been alerted to be on the lookout for the missing figures.

He said tipsters could also call him at (619) 886-1824.

No questions asked, just put them back, Schmidt said. Or let me know and Ill go get them.
A 50-year-old man was shot three times on a street in the Lincoln Park neighborhood Friday night, San Diego police said.

The victims injuries initially were considered life-threatening, but he later was listed in stable condition at a hospital, police said.

People called 911 to report hearing gunshots and seeing a man down about 9:30 p.m. near the intersection of Euclid and Imperial avenues, police said.

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Officers found the victim lying on the ground, suffering from three gunshot wounds to the upper torso, Sgt. Michael Tansey said. Paramedics took him to a hospital.

Police did not release a description of the suspect.

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Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez
Commercial property owners in La Jolla have filed a lawsuit against the City of San Diego in an attempt to undo a newly-approved taxing authority designed to spruce up local streets and sidewalks.

The lawsuit filed in San Diego Superior Court claims that the city has fallen short in providing general maintenance of La Jollas coastal business district, forcing taxpayers to take matters into their own hands.

In November, 56 percent of voters approved creation of the La Jolla maintenance assessment district, a legal mechanism that allows residents to tax themselves and fund additional maintenance in their area through outsourced vendors.

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Single-family homeowners will pay $87 a year, and the cost to owners of apartments and commercial property will vary by square footage.

Former City Attorney Michael J. Aguirre, who is representing a dissident group of property owners, said the district violates California law because its collecting funds for several services taxpayers already pay the city to deliver.

If the city is providing the base level of maintenance, then taxpayers can legally create a district to go above and beyond that, Aguirre said. What you cant do is re-tax people for the same service theyre already supposed to be getting.

According to the San Diego charter, the city has an obligation and responsibility to provide various services to its residents, including regular maintenance of capital assets such as land, buildings, equipment and infrastructure.

The new tax assessment is expected to raise about $500,000 a year for trash collection, litter pickup, power-washing sidewalks and landscape maintenance.

According to a preliminary engineering report on the districts proposal, services will include shrub and ground cover maintenance, watering of plants and weed control, all of which make parks, sidewalks and streets cleaner and more attractive to visitors.

That is absurd, Aguirre said. The City of San Diego already has an obligation to take care of its own parks. Those are all things the city should already be doing.

City spokeswoman Katie Keach declined to comment on the pending litigation.

Councilwoman Barbara Bry, who was elected Nov. 8 to represent La Jolla and other parts of northwestern San Diego, also declined to comment. Bry previously spoke in favor of the special tax and called the district a necessary change that would make the area cleaner, safer and more attractive.

The village of La Jolla is a treasure enjoyed by all San Diegans and people from all over the world, and the formation of the maintenance assessment district will ensure we keep it the special place we all want it to be, Bry told The San Diego Union-Tribune in November.

Enhance La Jolla, a non-profit organization, was the driving force behind the district. Voters also chose Enhance La Jolla to manage the district, with city oversight of its administration.

Phyllis Pfeiffer, a board member of Enhance La Jolla, said the organization has the funds to start improving the neighborhood but was restricted by city regulations and codes.

For example, the city collects garbage in public areas twice a week, Monday through Friday, Pfeiffer said, but bins near popular tourist destinations were already overflowing by the end of a weekend. This trash would then spread throughout surrounding parks and streets.

The La Jolla Community Foundation offered to pay for trash pickup on the weekends.

We were told we couldnt touch the city trash cans because its a liability, said Pfeiffer, president of the Union-Tribunes community news operation.

Other improvements include planting more trees and flowers, adding more benches and uniform flower pots across city parks.

Those trees and flowers are going to die if we dont have anyone to water and maintain them, she said.

Pfeiffer said waiting for the city to provide similar services would be like Waiting for Godot, a play by Samuel Beckett, in which two characters wait for the arrival of someone named Godot who never arrives.

We had to ask, Are we going to wait for the city to get around to it, or are we just going to do it ourselves? she said. Everybody wants more from the city, but the city is strapped for cash right now. Most cities are.

Lincoln Foster, a commercial property owner in La Jolla, said he was against the district right away and is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit with the city.

Foster said hes in favor of capital improvements in La Jolla, but feels the district will enable the city to divert more funds away from the already-dwindling maintenance services.

It basically takes the city off the hook, he said. Its just not fair and its not the right thing to do. Dont come to me and ask me to pay a second time when youve already spent the money on something else.

According to the lawsuit, the something else is the citys growing pension obligations.

The city is contributing $261 million for pension costs this year, a figure that is expected to grow to $311 million next year.

According to the lawsuit, the city has a financial incentive to push through a maintenance assessment district.

Rather than fund all necessary maintenance, the city has continually underfunded its maintenance services in favor of establishing as many maintenance assessment districts across as many areas of the city as possible, the complaint said.

There are currently more than 60 maintenance districts in the city.

For the La Jolla district, commercial properties will cover 85 percent of the $502,400 bill, with condominiums and single-family homes contributing the remaining 15 percent. Its boundaries are the Pacific Ocean, La Jolla Boulevard, Pearl Street, Girard Avenue and Torrey Pines Road.

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The City of San Diego used to have a performance measure for its handling of public records requests.

The Human Resources Department, which processes such inquiries, listed percent of public records act requests completed within mandated timeline as a key performance indicator in city budgets.

In 2013, about 75 percent were completed in the required 10 days. The measure increased to 84 percent in 2014 and 85 percent in 2015.

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The figure has not been updated more recently. Measurement of progress on this metric halted earlier this year, when the city rolled out NextRequest, an online portal for residents to request city government documents. The new online tool was touted as part of a transparency push.

The online records portal is powered by a San Francisco-based vendor of the same name, at a cost to the city of $22,400 per year.

The software allows city officials to track progress toward fulfilling requests by checking an administrative screen, which they do. It also allows for more in-depth monthly reports, which city officials are not using.

Officials said they are not using such reports yet to monitor or track progress toward any performance metrics, although they plan to in the future.

Because records of the requests are now in a database controlled by a vendor, public access to the requests themselves has declined.

U-T Watchdog asked early this year for a log of records requests as part of a region-wide effort to assess open government practices. The city was able to provide a detailed database, which included the requesters name, date received, and details of what was requested.

After the launch of NextRequest, city officials said they had no possession of any such documents.

To be clear, the PRA request was not denied, said Katie Keach, director of San Diegos communications department. There were no responsive documents.

According to Tamara Manik-Perlman, the co-founder and chief executive officer of NextRequest, city staff are able to export data, tracking progress on records requests with the click of a button.

An administrative view of NextRequest has a dashboard of basic performance metrics, including the total number of requests that are new, the number that are closed, and the average amount of days to close, Manik-Perlman said. The vendors main website says the portal allows management to make data-driven decisions through analytics and reporting tools.

Keach said the city relies only on the dashboard to monitor progress. These performance metrics are not publicly available either.

The city does not export any data or generate reports to perform a more in-depth analysis of its compliance and use of resources either, she said.

Business performance experts say such reports can help organizations reach efficiency goals.

The most important thing that a business can do to improve efficiency is to have a well thought-out business plan, said Larry Miller, president of San Diego-based Business Performance Consultants. And then they need to find out how to track their compliance under that business plan.

Keach said the city stopped monitoring its progress toward meeting the 10-day response time, which is required by state law, since more accurate reports would soon be generated through NextRequest.

The reports are expected to be generated early next year, she said, but will not be released to the public because the city plans to first confirm the reports are accurate.

We have not ruled out the possibility that at some point the reports will be a public record, Keach said. However, our first goal is to ensure that the reporting tool provided by the vendor conveys accurate data.

Responding to requests through the online portal represents a massive coordination of city resources.

According to a database compiled by U-T Watchdog using information from about 2,100 requests posted publicly on NextRequest, at least 82 city employees from 45 departments help fulfill requests through the portal. They take an average of 14.5 days.

Staff within the Human Resources Department monitors submissions and responses, and reviews all released records.

Sacramento County launched its NextRequest portal in January of this year, according to county governmental relations and legislative analyst Elisia Debord.

Right now I use it for big-picture monitoring, she said. Im using the information to manage [employees] at the department level, stay in compliance and address issues to avoid late responses.

For example, Debord said a team of employees help send reminders to department coordinators when a request is almost due, or has been pending for too long.

The group is also notified when a request is marked overdue, which means a department coordinator did not fulfill or respond to the request within 10 days.

Debord said that, as in San Diego, staff has yet to export request data and use it for a more in-depth analysis. She hopes to do so in January, when the portal has one years worth of data and staff reconvenes for public records training.

Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35

Contact Lauryn Schroeder via Twitter or Email.
For almost two years, Customs and Border Protection Officer Hector Rodriguez was the key part in a smuggling ring that brought in hundreds of undocumented immigrants through the San Ysidro Port of Entry, according to federal court documents.

Rodriguez, his longtime friend, Gerardo Rodriguez, and Vanessa Moya, all made their initial federal court appearance in San Diego Monday. They are charged with conspiracy and smuggling.

U.S. Magistrate Judge David Bartick ordered them held without bond pending a hearing Thursday. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor White said the three should be detained because they might flee if let out.

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Hector Rodriguez, 45, was arrested at the port while on duty Friday. A complaint detailing the charges said that since September 2010 through last week the trio made at least 37 crossings into the U.S. in vehicles loaded with undocumented immigrants.

One person who was smuggled and became a confidential informant said the fee for a guaranteed crossing was $10,000. Another informant smuggled at a later time paid $15,000. Neither was identified in the court records.

FBI Special Agent Terry Reed Jr. wrote in the complaint that the term guaranteed crossing, when used by smuggling organizations, indicates that a federal Customs and Border Protection employee is involved.

The same term was used in a smuggling organization that federal authorities allege was headed by former Border Patrol agents and brothers Raul and Fidel Villarreal in 2005 and 2006.

Coincidentally, as Rodriguez was appearing in court on the first floor of the federal courthouse, the trial of the Villarreal brothers was ongoing just one floor above, with testimony from undocumented immigrants who had paid $12,000 for a guaranteed crossing into the U.S.

In Rodriguezs case, authorities said he would tell Gerardo Rodriguez, 42, and Moya, 29, what lane he was scheduled to work in.

Then when vehicles driven by the pair would come through the lane, Hector Rodriguez would enter bogus information about the vehicles  including false names and birth dates for the driver  into the agencys computers.

In one instance, in October, he entered the name Barbara Walters into the database when Moya crossed just after 7:30 p.m.

After crossing, Gerardo Rodriguez would drive the immigrants to a hotel, collect cash and release them.

On Friday, just after 1:30 a.m., agents arrested Moya and Gerardo Rodriguez, along with 14 undocumented immigrants they had smuggled, at the parking lot in an apartment complex where Hector Rodriguez lived. Prosecutor White said Gerardo Rodriguez had paid rent on the apartment with proceeds from the smuggling.

He also said that the border officer received gifts from Gerardo Rodriguez, including use of a 2008 Hummer and 2009 Jaguar. A search of Gerardo Rodriguezs Chula Vista apartment yielded other luxury items such as Rolex watches, computers, and flat screen televisions.
Though the exact number of those present at the meeting was not immediately known, insiders maintained that a majority of the 229 SP MLAs were present.

By Press Trust of India: Setting the stage for a show of strength, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who was expelled from Samajwadi Party (SP) by his father and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, today held a meeting at his residence where a majority of the 229 party MLAs were present

Though the exact number of those present at the meeting was not immediately known, insiders maintained that a majority of the 229 SP MLAs were present. Besides, some SP MLCs and senior party functionaries loyal to Akhilesh attended the meeting.

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HERE IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: Akhilesh is expected to meet his supporters and party workers later in the day to prove his strength. The CM's 5-Kalidas Marg residence appeared to be the hub of high drama with youth supporters of Akhilesh assembling in large numbers to vent their fury over his expulsion and that of his uncle Ramgopal Yadav. Political activities hotted up right from the morning with a series of meetings planned during the day, when Mulayam will meet party candidates announced by him and state SP chief Shivpal Yadav, the warring uncle of Akhilesh. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh termed the crisis in the party as "unfortunate" and asked party members to support Mulayam in the family feud. "I appeal to the party members to stand with Netaji (Mulayam). Whatever is happening is very unfortunate," Amar, who had recently made a comeback to the party after a long exile, said. Mulayam had yesterday expelled his son Akhilesh and Ramgopal from SP for six years after they put up candidates against the official nominees and summoned a party meet tomorrow, pushing the ruling party to the precipice of a split just ahead of the UP Assembly elections likely to be announced any day now. Mulayam had said he took the action against Akhilesh and Ramgopal to save the party which he had built through hard efforts. "We have to save the party. The party comes first. That is why we are expelling both Akhilesh and Ramgopal," he said. He explained that the decision was taken after Ramgopal, in his capacity as general secretary, called an emergency meeting of the party on January 1 and Akhilesh "supported" it.

Also read: LIVE UPDATES: Akhilesh Yadav gets emotional, says will win UP as gift to father

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Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapur have reportedly been approached to star in the Hindi remake of The Fault in Our Stars, to be produced by Karan Johar.

A still from The Fault in Our Stars (L), Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapur (R)

By India Today Web Desk: If there is one man who is on the lookout for good foreign, Hollywood and regional films to adapt for the Bollywood audience, then it's Karan Johar.

Karan Johar's Dharma Productions has earlier remade the Hollywood films Stepmom (We Are Family) and Warrior (Brothers). In Dharma's slate of upcoming productions, there is the French film The Intouchables and Marathi blockbuster Sairat, waiting to be remade.

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ALSO READ: Nagraj Manjule's Sairat to be remade by Karan Johar

ALSO WATCH: Shraddha-Aditya's 'Aashiqui' is the high point of the OK Jaanu trailer

ALSO READ: Did not sign for The Fault in Our Stars remake, says Varun Dhawan

Now, according to latest reports, Karan might be remaking the 2014 film The Fault in Our Stars based on the John Green novel of the same name.

Mumbai Mirror reports that Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapur have been approached to play the leads in the remake.

"Alia was always the first choice for the film. In fact, the project had been planned with her in mind. Now, impressed with Aditya's performance in OK Jaanu, the production house has approached him for the male lead. If everything goes as planned, the film should take off around June-July 2017," A source close to the production team was quoted as saying.

The film revolves around a sixteen-year-old cancer patient Hazel who falls in love with a fellow cancer patient Augustus. Made on a budget of $14 million, the film has grossed $307.2 million worldwide.

ALSO WATCH: Freedom of expression is a joke in India, says Karan Johar

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The Yellowstone National Park's geyser, the Old Faithful, is erupting snow instead of spewing regularly a boiling water. This is due to the extremely cold weather in the area.

Old Faithful Geyser is situated in the Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming in the United States. It is part of the Old Faithful Historic District. It steams every 74 minutes on average, and since 2000, it has erupted every 44 to 125 minutes. The boiling water could reach up to 95.6 degrees Celsius (204 degrees Fahrenheit). Meanwhile, the steam cloud can get over 177 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) and reach 43 meters in height.

A strange thing this month is that the famous geyser is erupting snow. It is reported that the region has a temperature of -18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit) just a few days ago.

So, why is it the Old Faithful geyser blasted out snow rather than the regular boiling water? This is due to the extremely cold temperatures that affect the geyser, in which the hot water freezes faster than cold water.

The hot water is instantly forming a cloud as it hits the air outside. Then, the cloud starts to snow. The boiling water condenses fast. This is because it is evaporating into steam and the water vapor quickly stamps together in the air outside and shapes a cloud. The water vapor becomes so heavy and starts to fall back on the ground as snow, according to Science Alert.

Mark Seeley, a meteorologist from the University of Minnesota, explained that when it is cold outside, there is hardly any water vapor present in the air, whereas boiling water emits vapor very readily -- that is why it is steaming. He further explained that when you throw the water up in the air, it breaks into much smaller droplets, so there is, even more, surface for water vapor to come off.

The cold air could hold water vapor molecules very low and has less space for the vapor molecules. Once the boiling water was thrown up, the minus 22 air has more water vapor that it has room for and the vapor precipitates out by clinging to microscopic particles in the air and forms crystals. The formation of snowflakes goes into this process, according to Seeley.
Conspiracy theorists claim that the strange object underneath the surface of Antarctica could be "Nazi UFO bases." A team of researchers from Ohio State University that examined the area of Antarctica for gravitation anomaly discovered the mysterious object in 2006.

The team found a huge "mass concentration" in the middle of a 300-mile-wide impact crater underneath the ice cap. Some scientists theorized that the mass concentration known also as mascap is the remains of a giant meteorite. This is about three times larger than the size of Chixculub asteroid that vanished the dinosaurs, according to Mirror.

On the other hand, there are more conspiracy theories that the Nazis shared secret UFO bases with reptilian alien species in WWII, which they said that they experimented with flying saucer technology. It is reported that United States Secretary of State Jerry Kerry visited the Antarctica to investigate the remains of a secret of a Nazi UFO base. It is also claimed that a Nazi UFO base could be seen in the images of the Antarctic captured by NASA, Express reported.

Secure Team 10, a YouTube user, posted a video and claimed that the anomaly could be a secret Nazi UFO base and could be left over from the Second World War. The team stated that some evidence of this have come to light in recent years, purporting to show various entrances built into the side of mountains that hold a saucer shape and are not to mention at a very high altitude.

Tyler Glockner, who narrated the videos of Secure Team 10, said that to this day, the scientists have no idea or way to discover exactly what is buried deep under this thick ice shelf. He further said that this continent has been shrouded in a mystery of its own for years now.
"I appeal to the party members to stand with Netaji Mulayam Singh. Whatever is happening is very unfortunate," Amar Singh, who had recently made a comeback to the party after a long exile, said.

By Press Trust of India: Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh today termed the crisis in the party as "unfortunate" and asked party members to support Mulayam Singh Yadav in the family feud which has seen Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav being expelled.

"I appeal to the party members to stand with Netaji Mulayam Singh. Whatever is happening is very unfortunate," Amar Singh, who had recently made a comeback to the party after a long exile, said.

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CRISIS IN SP

He was asked about the crisis in the party after supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav expelled his son Akhilesh Yadav and general secretary Ramgopal Yadav for six years. They put up candidates against the official nominees and summoned a party meet today. He said, "The foundation of this party was laid by Mulayam Singh with much dedication and hard work. I have said this earlier and will say it now, that Mulayam Singh is the chief of SP and the father of Akhilesh Yadav as well."

Mulayam had yesterday said that he had taken the action against Akhilesh and Ramgopal to save the party which he had built through hard efforts.

"We have to save the party. The party comes first. That is why we are expelling both Akhilesh and Ramgopal," he had said.

He explained that the decision was taken after Ramgopal, in his capacity as general secretary, called an emergency meeting of the party on January 1 and Akhilesh "supported" it.

Ramgopal called the meeting after a showcause notice was issued to him and Akhilesh by Mulayam for releasing a list of candidates, parallel to the one issued officially by Mulayam.

"How can he (Akhilesh) release the list when the party has declared its candidates? Both Akhilesh and Ramgopal want to finish the party. I will not let it happen. I have built this party through hard work," Mulayam said.

#WATCH London: Amar Singh extends support to SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav pic.twitter.com/mzjMlGPivi ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016

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The NASA's NEOWISE mission detected celestial objects also referred to as comets traveling in the inner Solar System. They might turn so bright and will be seen through binoculars or with the naked eye between this time to Jan. 14.

Paul Chodas, manager of NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object (NEO) Studies, said that the comet known as C/2016 U1 NEOWISE has a good chance of becoming visible through a good pair of binoculars. On the other hand, they cannot be sure because a comet's brightness is notoriously unpredictable.

Comets are so cool pic.twitter.com/zX86eSGgzC  Best of Galaxies (@BestGalaxyPics) December 26, 2016

Science Alert reports that C/2016 U1 NEOWISE will reach its closest point to the Sun in its orbit on Jan.14, 2017. The detected comet is around 140 million kilometers (87 million miles) away and about 350 times farther away from the planet Earth than the Moon. This means that there is no possibility that it will hit the Earth.

There is another comet that is detected by NASA's NEOWISE mission. This second celestial object is called 2016 WF9, that will pass the Earth in the coming weeks. It is discovered on Nov. 27 and nearing the orbit of Jupiter. It would take about 4.9 years for a complete orbit. On the other hand, the astronomers are uncertain if the 2016 WF9 is an asteroid or a comet, according to CBC.

A comet is icy that when it passes near the Sun it goes into a process known as outgassing, in which it warms and begins to evolve into gasses. It may appear bright as seen from the Earth without any telescope. Meanwhile, the asteroids are minor planets that are rocky or metallic. They are referred to as the minor planets of the inner Solar System that includes the co-orbital with Jupiter.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 31 (PTI)

Amid escalating tension between the AAP government and Centre, career bureaucrat Anil Baijal today took over as the Lt Governor of Delhi and struck up a cautious note on his future relationship with the Kejriwal government.

70-year-old Baijal, however, said that he will work together with the AAP government for betterment of Delhi.

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On being asked about his relationship with the AAP government after taking oath, he said, "This is a speculative thing and I dont know how the relationship will improve."

"We will sit together and talk," he said and also thanked President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him the responsibility of the Lt Governor.

"Delhi is a megapolis city which has several problems like women safety, law and order, huge population, infrastructure, civic agencies and congestion.

"We all know these problems. We will sit together and work to solve them," he told reporters here.

Baijal was administered the oath of office and secrecy of Lt Governor by Chief Justice of Delhi High Court G Rohini.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and New Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi attended the oath-taking ceremony.

Baijal, a 1969 batch IAS officer, had served as Union Home Secretary under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government besides holding key positions in other ministries.

Baijal had retired from service in 2006 as Secretary, Urban Development Ministry. He is a former vice chairman of Delhi Development Authority.

He was actively associated with the designing and roll-out of Rs 60,000 crore Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) launched by the Manmohan Singh government.

The former bureaucrat was also on the executive council of the think-tank Vivekananda International Foundation, several of whose former members have been appointed to senior positions by the Modi government including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. PTI BUN IKA

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Celebrity Equinox sails from PortMiami, and Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Reflection and Celebrity Infinity will operate round-trip Port Everglades, while Celebrity Summit will sail from San Juan.

During winter 2018/19, Celebrity Equinox will offer a four-port eastern Caribbean cruise featuring the new destination of Punta Cana. Other stops are San Juan, St. Thomas and Nassau.

Celebrity Infinity will offer short cruises from Port Everglades, with four- and five-night sailings that alternate visits to Key West and Cozumel or Nassau.

Celebrity Silhouette will operate nine- and 12-night southern Caribbean sailings, with the shorter cruise calling at Grand Cayman, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, and the longer one at St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica and St. Kitts.

Celebrity Reflection will offer the 10-night 'Ultimate Caribbean' voyage with calls at Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia and an overnight at St. Maarten.

Three 11-night 'Ultimate Caribbean' sailings visit Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Colon (Panama), Cartagena (overnight), Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Four 11-night 'Ultimate Caribbean' cruises overnight at Aruba and stop at Bonaire, Curacao, Grand Cayman and Cartagena.

From San Juan, Celebrity Summit has a roster of varied routes. These include alternating seven-night southern Caribbean cruises, one visiting St. Croix, Dominica, St. Maarten, Barbados and Grenada, the other calling at Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Kitts and St. Thomas.

A 10-night Lesser Antilles voyage charts St. Vincent, Grenada, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Maarten and Antigua, while an 11-night version features St. Croix, St. Kitts, Curacao, Aruba (overnight), Bonaire and St. Thomas. Additional 12-night Dutch Antilles itineraries call at alternate ports, including Fort-de-France (Martinique) and Ponce.
Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said "thank you" to UN staff here at UN headquarters before his departure and encouraged them to keep working hard on UN causes and never give up.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday bid farewell to the United Nations where he has worked for 10 years.

Ban said "thank you" to UN staff here at UN headquarters before his departure and encouraged them to keep working hard on UN causes and never give up, Xinhua news agency reported.

A crowd of UN officials, staff members, diplomats gathered here to see him off.

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Ban told the crowd that he will join the New Year celebration at the Times Square in New York City on Saturday.

He will push the button beginning the official 60-second countdown to the New Year, and call on people worldwide to take actions in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"Millions of people will be watching as I lose my job," he quipped. "Now I feel a bit like Cinderella. Tomorrow at midnight, everything changes."

Ban's tenure as the eighth UN Secretary-General started on January 1, 2007 and will end on December 31, 2016.

Portugal's Antonio Guterres will succeed Ban on January 1, 2017.

Also readUN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urges India, Pakistan to de-escalate tensions; offers to mediate

Ban Ki-Moon asks Sharif, Modi to address outstanding issues

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For one tiny heartbeat at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, a minute will be 61 seconds long.

World clocks will officially add a "leap second" at 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is the time standard set by highly precise atomic clocks. These official clocks, which set the time standard for the world, will shift to 23 hours, 59 minutes and 60 seconds before turning to midnight on Jan. 1.

The extra second of party time is designed to reconcile two ways of keeping time: atomic clocks and clocks based on the Earth's rotation. [5 of the Most Precise Clocks Ever Made]

"Earth is slowing down over geological time, and that can lead to a problem when you've got a ton of clocks," Demetrios Matsakis, chief scientist at the U.S. Naval Observatory's Time Service Department, told Live Science last year. "What do you do when the day gets longer?"

10 New Year's Traditions from Around the World

Historically, time was hung on the rotation of the Earth in relation to far-flung celestial objects. However, the moon's tug on the Earth slows the planet's spin.

In the past century, however, scientists have shifted to using highly precise atomic clocks to count the ticking of the seconds. These atomic clocks, which are often pegged to the vibration of atoms, are so frighteningly precise that they may not lose a second over the entire age of the universe. The current official atomic clock for the United States bases the second on the vibrational frequency of the cesium atom.

As a result, every day, the rotation-based time loses between 1.5 and 2 milliseconds relative to the atomic clock. That adds up to a full second every 500 to 750 days, Live Science previously reported.

To keep these two types of time in sync, in 1972, the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), which keeps time for the world, has snuck 26 leap seconds into atomic clock time. The previous bonus second was added on June 30, 2015.

These leap seconds are always added on either June 30 or Dec. 31, according to the IERS.

More From LiveScience:

Originally published on Live Science.

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A top Russian diplomat on the West Coast blasted President Obamas order to expel four San Francisco consulate employees Friday, saying the move was unwarranted and inhumane.

Consul General Sergey Petrov brushed aside allegations by the White House that the ejected employees were working as intelligence operatives, describing one of them as the consulate chef and lamenting the absence of his culinary abilities for the offices New Years celebrations.

We will have to cook ... without his help, Petrov said during an impromptu news conference at the Green Street consulate in the Cow Hollow neighborhood of San Francisco.

Eleven people were packing Friday for their trips home, he said, including the relatives and children of the four consulate employees. Petrov said the employees were bitter and did not have enough time to get their affairs in order.

The consulate office  which serves Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah in addition to California  may be slower to process visas and conduct its other duties because of the reduced staff, Petrov said, adding that consulate staff processed more than 20,000 visas in the past year for U.S. citizens.

The persona non grata designations of 35 Russians were made Thursday alongside tough new sanctions by the Obama administration against Russia and its spy agencies for cyberattacks that U.S. intelligence officials have said were intended to influence the 2016 election.

These actions follow repeated private and public warnings that we have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behavior, Obama said in a statement Thursday.

But the expulsions were technically a response to what a State Department briefing paper described as harassment of U.S. diplomats in Russia that has gone far beyond international diplomatic norms of behavior. Complaints of harassment have grown since Russia was slapped with international sanctions for its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

We consider these sanctions completely unsubstantiated, unreasonable, very detrimental to bilateral relations between two neighbors, Petrov said, referring to the actions announced Thursday. Its just not human, frankly.

Later on Facebook, San Francisco consulate officials said in a post they were feeling very undiplomatic and that the expulsions were bizarre and ridiculous.

Petrov said he was inspired to speak publicly by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said Friday he would not immediately retaliate against the United States and instead wait to see how President-elect Donald Trump handles relations between the two countries.

I always knew he was very smart! Trump said of Putin in a tweet Friday, appearing to side with a foreign adversary over the White House.

Petrov expressed hope that the incoming administration would improve U.S.-Russian relations so the two nations can tackle climate change and fight terrorism. Echoing Putins invitation for children of American diplomats to celebrate the New Year and Orthodox Christmas next week with him at the Kremlin, Petrov invited reporters to the consulates own holiday festivities.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Hopefully, this is the lowest we can go, and we hope that we will be able to restore our relations, Petrov said.

Among the actions announced Thursday, the Treasury Department said it will sanction two Russians for allegedly misappropriating significant U.S. funds through cyberspace.

According to the FBI, one of the two, Alexsey Belan, has an open fraud case in the San Francisco office of the U.S. District Court of Northern California. He allegedly hacked into three major e-commerce companies based in California and Nevada in 2012 and 2013. Federal investigators accused Belan of stealing user databases and millions of encrypted passwords.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office handling the case said he had no public information to provide.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov
Five prisoners escaped from Central Jail in Buxar in Bihar, late Friday night.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: Five prisoners escsaped from the highly secure Buxar Central Jail yesterday night, raising questions over security of jails in the country.

All the inmates who escaped were hardened criminals and one of them was facing death sentence while four others were serving life imprisonment.

These five criminals whose name are Pradeep Singh, Deodhari Rai, Sonu Pandey, Upendra Shah and Sonu Singh were lodged inside the hospital ward of Buxar jail for last few days where they were undergoing treatment. HOW DID THEY ESCAPE

They escaped from the toilet in the hospital ward

According to police sources, these prisoners had used a bed sheet, a towel and an iron road to escape. According to information, these 5 jail inmates had plotted there escape few days back and with the help of the iron rod they manage to break the window of the toilet and later used the bed sheet to scale the high-rise walls of the jail and flee.

The police and district administration have now begun investigation into the entire matter and have launched a massive search in the area to apprehend these 5 prisoners. The police is also investigating the role of any insider who could have helped these prisoners escape from the jail.

It may be noted that Pradeep Singh, one of the prison of escaped is facing death sentence and his mercy petition is pending before the President while the remaining 4 were serving life sentence.

3 wardens suspended

The incident has once again raised questions over security of jails in the country.

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Lift a Sunday morning cup of strong coffee to the New Year. It looks like well need it. ... And pause for a moment to say good riddance to 2016.

Its hard to forget a year like the one that just ended. And now its gone, like the Christmas trees when Christmas is over. Like the outgoing tide on the last day of the year.

But 2016 was notable for the end of some of San Franciscos small institutions, like lights blinking out at the end of the day. Drewes Meats on Church Street closed after a run of 127 years. Rising rents and changing times killed off the beloved Fog City Market on Telegraph Hill.

Late in the week, I dropped in to see Lou Briasco, who was the owner and guiding spirit of Michael Bruno Luggage, a small store with a big reputation on upper Market Street in the Castro.

The last day of the old year was the end of the line for his shop. It had been in business for 34 years, but now Briasco was closing it down. Its time, he said.

It is also time to make note of the shop, which offered luggage, picture frames and gifts, the epitome of a small business. One of the neighborhoods beloved businesses, the website Hoodline called it.

Briasco said hes closing for a combination of reasons. His health is a worry, he said. At his age  hes 69  running a six-day-a-week operation was becoming more difficult. He saw a rent increase on the horizon. And the Internet had eaten into his business.

I think the days of brick-and-mortar stores like this are limited, he said.

People want to buy merchandise online and have it delivered to their door, Briasco said. Internet companies dont have the same overhead, or sometimes the same taxes. It made it tough to compete, he said, especially on price.

Thats an old story, of course, and a dour one. But in telling it, Briasco brightened a bit. I didnt have the cheapest luggage in town, but I liked to say I had the best luggage at the cheapest prices, he said.

The trick, of course, was salesmanship. Briasco is a charmer, a storyteller, a born salesman. He never advertised, not once. He depended on referrals or word of mouth.

I have the most loyal customer base you can imagine, he said. He got five stars on Yelp and hundreds of nice comments.

Briasco is full of stories: Of how he sang in the choir in his native Boston, how he was an academic in New England, how he tired of campus politics and went into the luggage business, how he moved to San Francisco and set up business with only $25,000 in capital. There was the day a kind landlord actually lowered his rent, the time a customers dog somehow chewed the zipper off a piece of luggage and how the manufacturer honored a guarantee, no questions asked.

He likes to point out that there was no Michael Bruno at Michael Bruno. Michael is the name of a friend, and Bruno is Briascos middle name. His own name would never do.

Briascos sounds like a pizza parlor, he said.

There is also the familiar San Francisco story these days: how the city has changed.

It used to be much more of a small town, Briasco said. People knew each other and looked out for each other. Its different now.

For his part, Briasco looked out for his adopted city.

He became fond of the F-Market Muni streetcars that passed his shop every few minutes. They wore the colors of different cities, and he particularly noted the car painted in Boston colors. It reminded me of the trolleys in my hometown.

Briasco said the historic cars also brought tourists and customers to his shop. And when sales of picture frames lagged, he put pictures hed taken of the streetcars in the frames. Customers love them. I must have sold 3,000, he said.

So Briasco decided on his own to send a portion of his sales income to the Market Street Railway, the nonprofit that helps Muni with the historic cars. I must have sent nearly $7,000, he said.

The checks were a complete surprise to the nonprofit. We were simply blown away with his generosity, said Rick Laubscher, president of the Market Street Railway. It is really a very San Francisco thing to do.

Briascos shop went dark for good Saturday.

Id been told about Michael Bruno Luggage before, but put off going to see it until it was too late. And thats a bit of free advice for the new year. Dont wait to check out something you might enjoy. Nothing lasts forever.

Carl Nolte is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. His column appears every Sunday. Email: cnolte@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @carlnoltesf
A state parole panel has put off a decision on whether to release Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel, convicted of seven murders with the Manson cult in 1969, to investigate her lawyers contention that as a teenager Krenwinkel was browbeaten and intimidated by Manson.

Krenwinkel, 69, Californias longest-serving female prisoner, has been denied parole 13 times. After a hearing that lasted all day and into the evening Thursday at the California Institution for Women in Chino, a panel of the Board of Parole hearings postponed a decision because they felt information discussed at the hearing was cause for an investigation, said the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

At an earlier hearing, Krenwinkel testified that when she met Manson at a party at age 19, she became infatuated and left everything behind to join his so-called family. Keith Wattley, her lawyer at the parole hearing, said Friday he wants the panel to consider whether Krenwinkel was suffering from intimate partner battering, formerly known as battered-womens syndrome, at the time of the murders.

I pointed out that, despite decades of reports of the ways in which Mr. Manson controlled his followers, the parole board had never conducted an investigation into the degree to which abuse through violence, threats and other coercive tactics influenced behavior in these crimes, Wattley said by email.

He noted that state law requires the parole board to give great weight to any evidence that shows an inmate seeking release was being abused by an intimate partner at the time of the crime.

According to media accounts of Krenwinkels past parole hearings, the board has commended her for good behavior in prison, for earning a college degree and for counseling other inmates, but said she could still pose a danger to the public in light of her role in the crimes.

Even if the board approves Krenwinkels release, it wont have the last word. Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed the paroles of two other Manson followers, Leslie Van Houten and Bruce Davis, citing the horrific nature of their crimes.

The only Manson acolyte to be paroled is Steve Grogan, who took part in the 1969 slaying of movie stuntman Donald Shorty Shea and helped police find Sheas body in 1977 at the Spahn Ranch in Chatsworth, west of Los Angeles. Grogan was freed in 1985, three years before California voters empowered the governor to override parole decisions. Manson himself has never been approved for parole.

Krenwinkel was convicted of the murders of actress Sharon Tate and four others, at Mansons orders, in August 1969, and of the murders of supermarket executive Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, the next day.

Prosecutors said Manson hoped the killings would trigger a race war that he called Helter Skelter, after the Beatles song. Witnesses said the words Death to Pigs and a misspelled Helter Skelter, scrawled in blood at the LaBiancas home, were written by Krenwinkel.

Krenwinkel, Manson and three others were sentenced to death for the murders, but the sentences were reduced to life with the possibility of parole after the state Supreme Court struck down Californias death penalty law in 1972. Legislators reinstated capital punishment over Browns veto in 1977, but the law does not apply retroactively.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
Fifty years after becoming a U.S. state, a century of unbounded growth lay ahead.

The Chronicles front page from Dec. 31, 1899, covers Californias future on the cusp of the 20th century.

The papers editors published reports on what expansion will do for the Golden State. While they predicted the 1900s would change California, they couldnt have predicted the transformation that would come to the West.

At the turn of the century, the population wasnt quite 1.5 million. By 1910 it would grow by 60 percent and by 1920 the population had tripled.

The Chronicle pictured the vast bounty of the San Joaquin Valley flowing south into the Los Angeles area. Little could the newspaper have known that L.A. would vault into the top five most-populated cities in the nation by 1930.

San Franciscos bustling waterfront scene was captured in a striking illustration on the page, but the rapid succession of transportation advances and the sprawl they would allow were near-impossible to predict.

Market Street was pictured, with buildings standing tall. But no one knew that the Great Quake of 1906 would lay waste to the city, and that the City by the Bay would rebuild stronger than ever.

What The Chronicles editors could foresee, however, was that San Francisco would continue to be a world-class city in a state that would soon take its rightful place on the global stage.

See more front pages: Go to SFChronicle.com/covers to search a database of hundreds of Chronicle Covers articles that showcase the newspapers history.

Chronicle Covers highlighting one classic Chronicle newspaper page from our archive every day for 366 days. Library director Bill Van Niekerken and producers Kimberly Chua, Alexandra Irving and Jillian Sullivan contributed to the project. Tim ORourke is the executive producer and editor of SFChronicle.com. Email: torourke@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TimothyORourke

(Click to enlarge)




The federal appeals court in San Francisco has four vacancies, giving President-elect Donald Trump a chance to nudge one of the nations most liberal tribunals somewhat to the right. A half-dozen U.S. District Court seats in California are also open, thanks in part to Republican stonewalling of President Obamas nominees. The states four U.S. attorney positions could soon open up to Trump as well.

But although Trumps choices will go before a Senate controlled by his fellow Republicans, Senate rules and practices preserve significant influence for Democrats  particularly Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who will become her partys leader on the committee that reviews judicial nominations.

Under long-standing policies of the Senate Judiciary Committee, both Feinstein and her newly elected Democratic colleague, Kamala Harris, will have the power to veto nominees to federal trial courts and seats formerly held by Californians on the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Feinsteins in the catbird seat, said Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor and close observer of judicial nominations. And although Republicans will control the vote on Trumps nomination to succeed the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Tobias said they wont ignore concerns by Feinstein, who in two decades on the Judiciary Committee has reached across the aisle to approve some controversial Republican nominees.

With more than 100 vacancies in the nations lower federal courts  nearly twice the number that Obama inherited from President George W. Bush in 2009  Trump will still be in a position to reduce or reverse Democratic judicial majorities that exist in most regions. But the 48 Democrats in the 100-member Senate may be able to slow the pace of any rightward shift.

Minority-party influence over lower-court nominations rests on the blue slip, a practice followed by the Senate Judiciary Committee for most of the last century.

When the president nominates a judge, the committee chairperson delivers blue-colored papers to the nominees two home-state senators, regardless of whether they are on the committee. Unless both signal their approval by returning the slips, the committee will not consider the nomination.

Republican senators have used blue slips to torpedo Obamas court nominees in states such as Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and Arizona. Since Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has promised to continue the practice, Feinstein and Harris, who is not slated to be on the Judiciary Committee, will have the power to block Trumps picks to fill federal court vacancies in California.

The blue slip is an important historical tool that prevents the president from forcing a federal judge, U.S. attorney or U.S. marshal through the Senate, and is designed to ensure nominees are qualified and well-suited to serve their states, Feinstein said in a statement Friday.

Michael Troncoso, co-director of Harris Senate transition team, said, If nominees for judge or U.S. attorney lack appropriate experience or have extreme views, thats the reason you have a blue slip.

Current vacancies include five seats on the 24-judge U.S. District Court in Los Angeles  where two candidates Obama nominated in 2015 have gone without confirmation votes  and one seat on the 12-judge court in San Diego. There are no vacancies on the 14-judge court in San Francisco, although one would have opened if the Senate had confirmed Obamas nomination of U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The four openings on the 29-seat Ninth Circuit, which rules on federal cases from California and eight other Western states, include one created by the 2015 decision of Judge Harry Pregerson of Los Angeles to transfer to senior status, with a reduced caseload. Feinstein and Harris will be given blue slips for his successor.

The other three vacancies are in Oregon and Hawaii, which both have two Democratic senators, and Arizona, which has two Republicans.

Blue slips also apply to nominees for U.S. attorney, the top federal prosecutor in each region of the state who traditionally submits his or her resignation when a president of a different party takes office.

Aside from their influence in screening appointees, home-state senators also play a role in choosing the judicial candidates the president submits to the Senate.

When both senators are in the presidents party, as in California for the past eight years, they decide whom the president can consider for federal trial courts, submitting one or more names to the White House. Feinstein and retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer established bipartisan committees to screen judicial candidates and took turns with each new vacancy.

The senators can also recommend candidates for the appeals court, though presidents traditionally have more leeway to make their own choices  subject, as always, to a home-state senators blue slip.

The rules are less clear-cut when the president and both senators are from opposing parties. During the Bush administration, a commission with representatives from the Republican leadership and from Feinsteins and Boxers offices negotiated agreements on prospective judges. In other states, U.S. House members from the presidents party have recommended their own candidates, alongside those from the home-state senators.

Trump could follow those examples or go his own way.

Its still a bit of a black box, what approach hes going to use, said Troncoso, the Harris transition co-director. In the meantime, he said, he expects Harris and Feinstein to be tightly aligned on judicial nominations.
This could be a big year for Californias power grid: If state lawmakers assent, California could start merging its grid with those of its neighbors to create an enormous Western power market. That would slash consumer bills and speed the deployment of renewable energy. And even though the grid could expand, the resources that produce, consume and store power could shrink. This is also poised to be the year when distributed energy resources  like solar panels on your rooftop, batteries in your garage or smart appliances in your kitchen  explode in popularity.

The Legislature will take up the grid expansion in January. The first step is for Californias electricity market to encompass PacifiCorp, a utility whose network stretches across six states including Utah, Wyoming and Oregon. This wont be the first attempt at merging the power grids of the American West. For two decades, interstate squabbles, state suspicion over federal overreach, and the trauma of the 2000 California energy crisis have doomed such initiatives. But this time theres a new impetus: the urgent need to deploy clean energy to combat climate change.

California has set an ambitious target of procuring by 50 percent of its electricity from solar, wind and other renewable sources of power, by 2030. Without expanding its grid however, California risks getting stuck with energy generated whenever the sun shines or the wind blows but not necessarily when consumers demand it. If California could export renewable energy, then it wouldnt have to overbuild solar and wind farms and discard the excess power. And in neighboring states, there would be strong incentives to build renewable energy to sell into Californias market, whereas coal power, which would face a carbon pollution fee to enter California, would continue to decline. A fully integrated Western power grid could save California consumers more than $1.5 billion annually through lower power rates. So write your state legislator to encourage him or her to support grid expansion.

This year also could usher in a smarter and more decentralized grid in California. Under the traditional model  more than a century old  central plants generate power that travels through transmission lines, bulky transformers and neighborhood circuits before powering local electrical loads. But in the grid of the future, consumers will generate much of their own power using fuel cells or solar panels. Batteries will store that energy, and devices from smart thermostats to controllable water heaters will automatically adjust their consumption based on when power is available. Thanks to recent plunges in the cost of batteries and solar panels, along with the proliferation of Internet-connected electrical devices, this new model makes economic sense.

Still, even if the new economics pencil out, utilities retain the old incentives to build power lines and substations. Last year, New York and California regulators led the nation in developing new rules to encourage utilities to shift from a centralized to a distributed model. This year, their efforts could bear fruit. For example, under a California pilot program, utilities will earn incentive payments for replacing centralized projects with distributed energy resources. Achieving this at a larger scale will require new technologies that enable utilities to monitor and manage the grid, but it should not require higher rates. California has a head start over other states in that its utilities already have invested in rolling out smart meters; they now will need to get much better at handling the torrents of data streaming in from those meters.

All of this should give consumers more say over their energy choices. If you want to install solar panels on your roof, charge an electric vehicle at home or power your business with fuel cells, the grid of the future should be able to efficiently integrate those choices, whereas the old model of the grid might struggle. But those arent the only ways to go green. In fact, from a societal perspective, it is often much cheaper to reduce emissions by building centralized solar plants rather than subsidizing rooftop solar, and PG&E now offers a program where ratepayers can purchase 100 percent centrally generated solar power. So ask the California Public Utilities Commission to design electric rates tailored to what energy choices individual consumers make and where they live, so that the grid of the future is fair both to consumers with distributed energy resources and those without them.

Varun Sivaram is the Douglas Dillon fellow and acting director of the Program on Energy Security and Climate Change at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, D.C. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at http://bit.ly/SFChronicleletters.
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The former egg capital of the world is poised to gain official recognition as a premium wine region.

The Petaluma Gap is on track to be named Californias newest American Viticultural Area. A public comment period ended Dec. 27, with no opposition. Now its up to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to issue final approval, expected in the next few months.

Stretching over 203,000 acres of Sonoma and Marin counties, the Petaluma Gap AVA would extend from the coast at the northern tip of Tomales Bay to Sonoma Mountain. It would be the 17th sub-AVA within Sonoma County  and to the petition drafters knowledge, the only AVA in California defined by its wind patterns.

The wind is our constant, said Rickey Trombetta Stancliff, president of the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance and owner of Trombetta Family Wines.

Passage of the AVA would be a huge boon to Stancliff and the other vintners who make wines from the Petaluma Gap. An AVA brings marketing possibilities, codifying the areas distinctiveness for consumers. One vintners success becomes the AVAs. Not to mention that AVA-designated wines usually command higher prices.

An AVA, in basic terms, is a government-designated geographic boundary for grape- growing. Essentially, its a labeling issue. If you grow your grapes within the official borders of the Napa Valley AVA, for example, you can label the resulting wine Napa Valley.

That process owes much to the appellation systems of Old World winegrowing countries like France and Italy. But unlike the French AOC system or the Italian DOCG system, which sometimes dictate how you can make the wine, and which endorse an explicit hierarchy of vineyard sites (some are grand cru, for instance; some merely village), American Viticultural Areas impose no restrictions other than physical boundaries.

To approve an AVA, the Tax and Trade Bureau requires evidence that the area in question is geographically distinct from its immediate surroundings. Consider Healdsburgs Russian River and Dry Creek valleys: Though adjacent, the former gets shrouded in fog, the latter pounded relentlessly by sun, and as a result they grow different grape varieties (Pinot and Zinfandel, respectively).

When people talk about Petaluma Gap, the wind is the first thing that comes up, said Doug Cover, a home winemaker in Petaluma who drafted the petition on behalf of the Winegrowers Alliance. Even the AVAs name is a reference to whats called the wind gap. The major cooling influence isnt the fog, like a lot of people think, but the wind tunnel.

Wind blows in from the Pacific Ocean and funnels through this low-lying gap, nestled among coastal mountain ranges, until it hits Sonoma Mountain. A powerful wind continues to channel south toward San Pablo Bay. As in Santa Barbaras Santa Rita Hills, the wind pattern runs west to east, as opposed to north to south  rare for California.

High winds can lead to smaller berries and thicker skins, which affect the wines skin-to-juice ratio. Crucially, the vineyards included in the Petaluma Gaps boundaries get afternoon winds of at least 8 mph for much of the growing season. Cover cites studies that show 8-mph winds to be the threshold for stomatal conductance. In other words, high-speed winds can actually cause the plant stomata to close, slowing photosynthesis. That can result in a longer hang time for the grape: more flavor development.

The terrain has its challenges. Extremely poor clay soils dominate the San Pablo Bay-adjacent southern portions, which used to be marshland. The western extremities of the proposed AVA are probably too rugged for grape-growing, excessively cold and brutally windy.

The Petaluma Gaps sweet spots are its eastern edges, near Sonoma Mountain, Bennett Valley and Carneros. The areas Chardonnays generally show yellow apple, baked pear, lemon, salinity. Many of the Pinot Noirs feature lush, opulent black and red fruit.

We get the triumvirate, said Evan Pontoriero of Fogline Vineyards. Great natural acidity, concentration of flavors and lower alcohol.

Michael Macor/The Chronicle

Much of Petaluma and its surrounds remain dairy and cattle land. Despite the boom of vineyard development in the past 30 years, the area is better known as the birthplace of the chick incubator than as a wine region.

The areas vintners were long content to be part of the sprawling Sonoma Coast AVA. Established in 1987, the Sonoma Coast has become a powerful brand, fetching high wine prices and conveying to consumers around the world cool-climate, Burgundian-styled Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. But the AVA is poorly defined, covering an astonishing 500,000 acres, much of which is not coastal.

The Sonoma Coast AVA is way too big; it doesnt mean anything, said Bill Price, owner of Gaps Crown Vineyard. It helped in the early days, when Sonoma Pinot took off on a growth trajectory, but at this point consumers are more sophisticated.

Ana Keller, of Petalumas Keller Estate, agreed. But because its already established by law, we cant redraw the boundaries of the Sonoma Coast AVA, she said. We can only refine our definition of it.

Other regional groups within the Sonoma Coast are attempting the same: There are petitions in the works for Freestone-Occidental, West Sonoma Coast and Sebastopol Hills AVAs. But all of these face challenges related to overlapping boundaries with other AVAs, making their passage look more complicated than Petaluma Gaps.

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Whereas some AVAs can take many years to gain approval  the 11 sub-appellations of Paso Robles, for instance, took nearly seven years to pass  the Petaluma Gap process has proceeded relatively quickly.

The Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance took shape in 2005. A lot of the growers here were struggling with winds, and how to get the fruit ripe, said Cover. They felt the need to form a community, but it wasnt until 2012 that some area vintners organized a comprehensive tasting of Petaluma Gap wines. At the time, they found about 40 wines. Now, Keller believes there are 120.

From there, it evolved into lets help each other promote these wines, says Cover.

The Winegrowers Alliance convened a meeting in February 2014 to gauge their peers interest in going forward with an AVA proposal. Cover  a retired environmental consultant, not professionally in the wine business  took on the gargantuan task of writing the petition and defining the boundaries. He submitted the petition in early 2015. Though he worked pro bono and the actual submission is free, they raised $20,000 for research costs and consultant and legal fees.

The $20,000 question: What, exactly, do the vintners of the Petaluma Gap stand to gain from the AVAs approval?

For one thing, the region can become a brand, with all the profit potential that entails. From a marketing perspective, you have a group of people telling the same story about why a particular area is special, said Price. The hope is that wine consumers will get a coherent message about what distinguishes Petaluma Gap wines.

An AVA can provide an identity for individual wineries. It helps our consumer understand where our wines are coming from, said Stancliff, whose Trombetta winery makes just 1,500 cases each year.

It can also provide credibility to lesser-known vineyards. An under-the-radar enterprise gets a big boost from associating with world-famous Gaps Crown.

But spend some time with the Petaluma Gap vintners, and its clear that behind these financial motivations are emotional ones. Their fundamental desire is to see their terroir get official endorsement  affirmation that their wines do, indeed, show a sense of place.

For us, its about a sense of pride, says Foglines Pontoriero. Ive lived in Petaluma a long time. I love this place. I wanted to create something that couldnt be outsourced, that people had to come here for. Something irreplaceable.

Esther Mobley is The San Francisco Chronicles wine, beer and spirits writer. Email: emobley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Esther_mobley Instagram: @esthermob
A young Los Angeles couple never returned home from a holiday trip to Big Sur, prompting police to ask for the publics help finding them on Friday.

Olivia Hannah Gonzalez, 20, and her 21-year-old boyfriend Brian Fernandez were last seen Dec. 23 after leaving for the scenic coastal region 300 miles north of Los Angeles, police said.
Advertising on the Internet has never been easier. Data and automation increasingly allow companies large and small to reach millions of people every month, and to tailor ads to specific groups based on their browsing habits or demographics.

Now, however, the marketing industry is facing a moral quandary in the face of a national debate over the role that fake news played in the presidential election, and the realization that many websites that promote false and misleading stories are motivated by the money they can make from online advertising.

In the zeal to follow people wherever they may roam on the Internet, advertisers now risk bankrolling sites that are toxic to society, whether by amplifying manufactured political stories or by spreading conspiracy theories virulent enough to drive a man to walk into a Washington pizzeria with a gun. That has inserted a new ethical cost into the automated advertising equation, which promises companies large, desired audiences at low prices with little need for human intervention.

I would much rather pay a little premium as a brand and go for verified sites, Raja Rajamannar, the chief marketing officer of MasterCard, said, noting that the company mostly advertises on sites it has evaluated and approved. But its a question again of how much and where. And I think all brands are doing this soul-searching at this point in time.

The problem is, most advertisers do not have the size or the financial wherewithal of MasterCard to simply opt out of the automated system as it exists. And even if they do, there are tantalizing financial incentives to stay put.

Much of online advertising capitalizes on the lure of the long tail of the Internet  sites that draw relatively small but attractive audiences, like blogs for new parents or forums for truck enthusiasts. Advertising on those sites costs a fraction of what it does on more prominent online destinations, which typically deal directly with advertisers.

Money is funneled to smaller sites through a complex system of agencies and third-party networks, which can resemble a stock exchange. This system, known as programmatic advertising, allows brands to collect many millions of impressions  an industry term that generally indicates that an ad has been displayed and can be viewed.

But the lack of human oversight in this nascent industry has also led to confusion and mistakes. Technology has emerged to protect brands from showing up on sites that traffic in, say, pornography or spam, but those measures have been found wanting when it comes to disinformation. That kind of content is more difficult for security firms to detect than open hate speech or nudity or violence or any of the normal stuff that you would stay away from, said John Montgomery, executive vice president for brand safety at GroupM, part of advertising giant WPP.

Joe Marchese, president of advertising products for the Fox Networks Group, said the system, set up to reward clicks and impressions, had fueled the growth of low-quality sites well beyond those focused on made-up political news.

Honestly, the long tail is to advertising what subprime was to mortgages, he said. No one knows whats in it, but it helps people believe that there is a mysterious tonnage of impressions that are really low cost. But low-cost impressions would mean low-cost human attention. How can any publisher of quality content survive on low-cost impressions?

Marc Goldberg, CEO of Trust Metrics, an ad safety vendor, said the effort to remove bad actors ignores the fact that many advertisers value impressions over everything else. They would rather not choose and monitor what websites they are appearing on, he said, because they worry they will miss out on potentially lucrative destinations.

What theyre doing is introducing all of these bad sites into our ecosystem and not having the means to monitor them appropriately and effectively, he said. The big problem in our industry is our expectations of scale are not aligned with reality.

Relatively speaking, the money going to fake political news is minuscule, but it has taken on outsize significance because it reflects a world in which marketers are often not paying attention to where their ads show up.

Teenagers overseas and entrepreneurs in the United States discovered last year that they could earn thousands of dollars a month by writing wholly fictionalized or wildly exaggerated partisan political news intended to be spread on Facebook. They then reaped money from Google Ads and other networks after credulous readers in the United States clicked through to their sites.

A lot of ad-buying systems are trying to show the right ad to the right person at the right time, and you see that mantra of those three variables across the industry, said Michael Tiffany, the CEO and a founder of White Ops, an ad fraud detection company. Note how on the right site doesnt make the list.

Workable, a software startup in Boston, recently joined companies like Kellogg and Allstate in pulling ads from the ultraconservative website Breitbart and blaming automated ad technology for their appearance.

It is also watching out for its ads on fake news sites, which can slip through the cracks. Workable has about 110 employees and 6,000 customers, but advertises on more than 50,000 sites a month through Google.

Typically, Google has done a good job of keeping us off of low-quality sites, said John Short, vice president for demand generation at Workable.

He added, With fake news sites, or whatever you would like to call them, we need to be more alert.

Facebook and Google have both said they plan to step up efforts to identify misinformation. Facebook announced last month that it is experimenting with allowing users to report false stories and forging partnerships with outside fact-checking organizations.

Robert Thomson, the CEO of News Corp., which owns the Wall Street Journal, recently described the digital ad market as dysfunctional.

At a conference held by UBS, Thomson said ad agencies should be responsible for the audiences that theyre creating, and then what theyre serving those audiences and how theyre serving those clients, because weve sort of gone from the era of Mad Men to mad metrics.

Instead of using television networks, newspapers and magazines as proxies for reaching certain groups of people, many media buyers have been trained by automated advertising to use data and technology.

Andrew Casale, CEO of Index Exchange, an advertising exchange, estimated that all the titles owned by the top 50 traditional media companies, including the Washington Post, Hearst (owner of The Chronicle) and Conde Nast, probably accounted for 5 percent or less of the trillions of ad impressions available for sale each day.

Overall spending on automated banner displays and video ads will grow to $18.7 billion this year worldwide, and the United States will account for half of that, according to Magna Global, a major ad-buying firm.

The problem, I think, for marketers is theyve been trained to value media universally, Casale said. Fake news sites have really, really low prices and rates and tons of scale, so its almost like a drug.

Tiffany of White Ops described one lure of automated buying: Say an advertiser wants to reach readers of the Atlantic or the New York Times who are in the market for a car. A relatively nondescript site might offer a price for 1,000 impressions that is one-fifteenth to one-twentieth what the Atlantic or the Times would charge, promising to deliver the same people who read the Atlantic or the Times, just later in the day.

Such transactions, occurring in real time en masse, open the door to fraudulent operators that use robots to impersonate people clicking on digital ads, Tiffany said, which can give buyers a false expectation of the real achievable reach at a given price point.

Thomson said he expects such programmatic advertising to come under even greater scrutiny.

I would expect not only theres an existential debate about news and fake news, he said at the UBS conference, but for that to flow into an existential debate about the role of advertising in society.
A decade ago, a group of biologists, venture capitalists and computer whizzes gathered under the name clean tech. They hoped to overturn polluting industries with microorganisms cheerily excreting industrial chemicals through the miracle of reprogramming natures genetic code.

The idea lost billions of dollars. Genes may indeed be programmable code, akin to computer software, but it turned out nature was more complex than first believed.

Now, with less fanfare, a few clean-tech companies are aiming for a comeback. And the big idea has not changed much: Create cheap, safe and natural materials for fuel, cosmetics and other goods, much the way yeast ferments sugars into alcohol.

This time around, they believe they have better tools for editing genetic codes, measuring results and automating how chemicals are produced at a large scale. They have also set their sights lower, for now targeting just a few chemicals, not remaking how the world powers cars.

Most strikingly, the way they propose to create their bio-based software parallels recent changes in the way computer software is written. Instead of grand, complex projects, they are targeting little changes at a fast rate and adjusting as clever analysis yields more information  a concept high-tech firms call agile programming.

This is like agile programming, but for biology, said Eric Steen, a co-founder of Lygos, a Berkeley startup creating yeasts that make malonic acid, an ingredient in fragrances commonly derived from cyanide. Evolution is the most powerful algorithm ever, but you have to figure out how to stack it in your favor.

In agile programming, small teams reinforce positive signals about the way their code is working online. The Lygos version of this is to rapidly measure the performance of a novel yeast strain and quickly build on those results with gene-editing tools that are 100 times faster than when Steen was in graduate school, 15 years ago.

Its a big data problem, he said, echoing one of the trendiest terms in computing. Theres 2,000 genes in this yeast, and each gene may use 300 amino acids. Theres well over a million variants. Our first successful strain had just a tiny poop of malonic acid as a byproduct, but we seized on that, and kept building on it.

The company, which Steen and others spun out of UC Berkeley, in 2011 with a $150,000 grant from the Energy Department, recently secured $13 million, on top of $8 million it got from the government and a few private investors over the years.

Lygos plans to use the money to make its acid at an industrial scale, sometimes in partnerships with larger producers working in this new system. It is enough, Steen said, to make tons of the chemical next year and rail-car sizes within two years.

It is natural to look at genetic engineering and think of H.G. Wells Dr. Moreau, creating an island of miserable and dangerous freaks. At the same time, altering genes is what mankind has done for millenniums, breeding wolves into Chihuahuas and cobs of loose-podded maize into big, uniform ears of corn.

What is different, and troubling to some, are the tools and the time scale. Directly altering the genetic makeup of plants and animals means the creations happen 1,000 or more times as fast.

Lygos and other contemporary bio-based manufacturers benefit in particular from a tool called Crispr, which can snip into a sequence of DNA and insert desired features, like a propensity to create malonic acid. The process underlying Crispr was first observed in bacterial behavior and then experimentally demonstrated in 2007, too late for the first bio-based chemical companies.

This capability, commonly spoken of as the genetic version of cutting and pasting in a word-processing program, bypasses the slow adjustments to a complex ecosystem that happen when nature brings forth a new species.

Natures complexity is one reason clean tech fell short. Amyris, a clean-tech pioneer in Emeryville, first worked on anti-malarial drugs with backing from Bill Gates, then set out to make biofuels. Amyris found that organisms created in a California lab behaved differently in a Brazilian factory. The company spent $250 million trying to figure out the problem while regular oil prices fell.

It turned out we had to track every part of the process and automate as many things as possible, Peter Denardo, a company spokesman, said. Weve hired a lot more software and analytics people.

It has also moved from competing with big oil companies to making things like patchouli, used as a base chemical in fragrances. Even so, its stock, now worth pennies, trades 98 percent below its 2011 high.

Early on, Amyris had scientists transfer yeast with toothpicks from one dish to another, creating all sorts of unseen variations and errors. Now, the company has enzymes that act as sensors where material is produced and takes measurements of every part of the lab and production building, so it can trace any problems.

Lygos and others appear to have learned something from the clean-tech crash. Steens modest lab, a few blocks from a brewery and a mile or so from the university where he studied, has lots of sensors and programs measuring and predicting which yeast strains will be productive and robust.

Elsewhere, scientists toil with petri dishes and automated pipettes to test new strains. Small piles of malonic acid, a white crystal in refined form, mark the way to a wall of deep freezers, where the champion strains await industrial vats.

Though Steen never worked for Amyris, his college adviser, Jay Keasling, helped found the company.

I was involved with them as a grad student, Steen said. Trying to tackle gasoline was too much; it doesnt make sense to compete at first with someones core product for over 100 years. He figures that his product, malonic acid, has a market worth $250 million  small enough that there has not been too many thoughts about efficiency.

At least some big producers agree that these new tools and styles of genetic coding are reviving the clean-tech field.

We have better tools, better computational biology, said Markus Pompejus, who runs a biotechnology program for BASF, the German chemical giant. The whole thing is very real. Its already getting big.

His company uses fungi to make vitamin B2 and has a license agreement with Genomatica, a company that spent $300 million on biofuels in the first wave and now fashions E. coli bacteria to spit out the basics of biodegradable shopping bags.

Still, Pompejus said, petrochemicals wont go away.

We make 3,000 metric tons of B2 a year; thats a specialty amount of production, he added. When you talk about things like citric acid, or lysine for animal feeds, youre talking about 200,000 metric tons a year.
The gypsy on which MoS Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir took the salute, had the tricolour metallic plate placed upside down on its bumper.

By Chayyanika Nigam: The Border Security Force (BSF) ordered a departmental inquiry after Mail Today reported the goof-up about an inverted tricolour on a gypsy during its 51st Raising Day parade.

On December 1, during a parade in the BSF's Chhawla camp, MoS Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir took salute at the force's 51st Raising Day Parade. However, the gypsy on which he took the salute, had the tricolour metallic plate placed upside down on its bumper. Mail Today reported the goof-up after an activist named Aniket filed an RTI with the Home Ministry and BSF.

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INQUIRY ORDERED

But in its reply, the MHA had said that no representation of the incident was received in its public grievance section.

On December 28, Lakhwinder Singh Bal, DIG (G)/CPIO replied in the RTI that a departmental inquiry has been ordered to investigate the matter. The reply further adds that suitable disciplinary action will be taken on the outcome of the inquiry report against the defaulter under provision of BSF Act & Rules.

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When out-of-town patients used to travel to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, some would find that their best option for staying close to the hospital for early-morning surgery involved a trip over the George Washington Bridge from New Jersey.

Enter the Edge Hotel, a 54-room property that opened in the fall of 2015 in Upper Manhattan, an area with few other lodgings.

As patients increasingly travel to and across the United States for medical treatment, developers are seizing on the benefits of situating hotels near major medical centers, many of which are in hotel-starved outskirts.

About 8 miles from Times Square, the Edge has exceeded expectations, said Ari Sherizen, the operating partner of Edge Property Group, its developer. The hotel has had a steady occupancy rate of more than 80 percent since it opened a block and a half from the hospital, Sherizen said.

And NewYork-Presbyterian, which has ties to Columbia and Cornell universities, has proved to be a valuable partner by referring people to stay there. About 90 percent of the Edges customers have had ties to the hospital, including potential medical students, visiting professors and pharmaceutical sales representatives, Sherizen said.

The Edge, which cost $20 million to develop and is operated by Trust Hospitality, has had to meet challenges many hotels might never face. On a recent afternoon, when Sherizen was in the lobby waiting to meet a contractor, he observed a guest from the Midwest sobbing because her son had died, prompting a hug from the receptionist.

Our staff has to be really attuned to what people are going through emotionally, he said.

While medical tourists have been around for years, seeking out treatment at specialized hospitals far from their homes, their numbers have increased as Baby Boomers age, creating more customers.

Medical procedures that used to require multiple stays are now being done in much less invasive ways, and they require a lot less recovery than they used to, said Daniel Peek, a senior managing director at HFF, a commercial real estate firm. And if a recovering patient needs to go back just twice a week, its probably better for the hospitals if they stay in a hotel.

While the Edges rates of $100 to $300 a night may appeal to a range of travel budgets, the InterContinental Houston Medical Center luxury hotel, which is under construction across the street from the Texas Medical Center, is seeking a higher-end clientele in an area where a handful of mid-market options already exist.

Rising on a former parking lot between a Wyndham hotel and a Best Western property, the 353-room, 21-story InterContinental is the creation of a partnership of Greystar and TRC Capital Partners, and Medistar Corp., a development firm that typically builds medical facilities but is branching into hospital-hotels.

The American health care system has more international appeal than ever, said Kelly Lindig, the vice president for development and acquisitions at Medistar. And a place like the MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of several facilities clustered at the sprawling Texas Medical Center, is a huge draw globally, Lindig said.

Selecting InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, a British company with hotels in dozens of countries, to run the place was a logical choice. It is a brand that is uniquely perceived overseas, he said.

And InterContinental  owner of brands like Holiday Inn and Candlewood Suites, which offers extended-stay properties  is capitalizing on the medical tourism market. Seven of its properties, including in Irvine, Phoenix and Kansas City, Kan., have opened on hospital campuses or right next to them in the past 16 years, said Ada Hatzios, a spokeswoman.

At the Houston hotel that is under construction, amenities being considered include an on-site lab where guests can have their blood drawn in advance of checkups at the hospital, which is across the street.

Medistar is also looking to provide options for patients who need to stay in Houston for many months for, say, chemotherapy treatments. For them, it is constructing a 375-unit, 34-story apartment building that will share a lobby with the coming hotel. Rooms, with washers and dryers, will be rentable by the month, and studios will start at about $1,300, Lindig said. Three-bedroom apartments for families will also be available. The $200 million combined project is set to open in late 2018.

The needs of patients also factored prominently into the design of the Holiday Inn Cleveland Clinic, a 276-room, nine-story property that opened in May at the hospital, a few miles from the citys downtown.

Developed and owned by Murphy Development Group, based in Chicago, the $50 million hotel sits on land leased from the hospital that used to contain a church. Its rooms replace those lost when the clinics Guesthouse, a dated brown-brick structure, was demolished to make way for Case Western Reserve University educational buildings.

Tables in a lobby-level cafe are positioned at different heights, to accommodate those who might be in wheelchairs, said John Murphy, the companys chief executive officer, and rooms have more electrical outlets than usual in case people need to plug in respirators or other equipment. In 2016, about 60 percent of hotel customers were patients or family members of patients, he said.

For hospitals, the economics to get patients out from under their roofs is compelling, Murphy said. Housing some patients can cost up to $2,500 a night; the Clevelands new Holiday Inn is around $250. And patients are often more comfortable outside a hospitals walls, too.

Its very rewarding to see this stuff work, said Murphy, whose firm has historically been focused on traditional condos and rentals, but is switching gears to construct more hospital-hotels. What appears to be a pioneering trend for the few will soon become a minimum must-have for many hospitals, he said.

While other hospital-hotel projects are planned or under way in Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Rochester, Minn., home to the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic seemed to grasp the trends potential early on.

In 1974, during a major expansion, it added the Park Plaza Hotel, which had 450 rooms, many of them tiny, and a medieval-themed restaurant. Later known as the Omni International Hotel, it was demolished in 2000 to make way for the 294-room InterContinental Cleveland, which the clinic owns. It offers a 500-seat amphitheater and is connected to the hospital by an enclosed bridge. In 1998, the hospital added the 152-room InterContinental Suites Hotel Cleveland, also on the property.

At a hospital where the average length of stay for inpatients is seven days, the hotels are a very nice complement, said William Peacock III, the chief of operations for the clinic, which is known for its cardiology care and organ transplants.

We treat some of the sickest of the sick, and they travel far and wide, he added.

Many of those stay-over patients come from overseas. While foreign patients make up less than 1 percent of the total at the hospital, their numbers are growing. In 2015, there were 4,700 international patients, up 6 percent from 2014; 51 percent came from the Middle East, according to the hospital.

And the clinic, which employs staff members who can speak 18 languages, lifted its global profile last year when it opened an outpost in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Peacock said.

Long-term guests at that hospital? Perhaps unsurprisingly, they are encouraged to stay at a 189-room Rosewood hotel, which has a corridor that connects to the facility and is dedicated for use by hospital patients.
Investors who once poured money into the nations startups with abandon began to tighten their belts last year.

The amount of money that flowed into U.S. startups fell in 2016 for the first time in four years as the number of deals struck tumbled to their lowest levels since 2011.

But the technology world has high hopes that 2017 will prove to be brighter, as the parent company of Snapchat and other high-fliers prepare to go public and venture capitalists amass huge new war chests.

About $67.8 billion was invested in startups in 2016, according to PitchBook, down 15 percent from last year. And just 7,841 deals were struck, down 25 percent from the period a year ago.

Much of 2016 proved to be a less ebullient time for the once red-hot startup market.

In years past, investors and media alike delighted in anointing new unicorns, the once-ballyhooed term for a startup valued at more than $1 billion.

Last year brought a healthy skepticism  while the apocalypse hasnt arrived, leaner times are ahead. Startups have tightened their belts, laying off staff and focusing more on reaching profitability rather than skyrocketing user growth.

Just 12 companies joined the unicorn club, according to data provider CB Insights, a 70 percent drop from 2015.

And initial public offerings  one of the primary ways that investors in startups can harvest their gains  tumbled sharply during 2016 amid uncertainty and tumult in the stock market. Just 105 offerings priced during the year, according to Renaissance Capital, down 38 percent from 2015. Those deals raised $18.8 billion, also a 38 percent drop from last year.

Both hedge funds and big mutual funds, which have been among the most enthusiastic new backers of new private companies, continued to largely show reluctance in venture investing, according to CB Insights.

Moreover, a few of Silicon Valleys most prominent startups suffered significant blows in the past year. Theranos, the once highly lauded blood-testing company, laid off about 40 percent of its workers and closed its laboratory operations amid heightened skepticism about its technology.

Zenefits, a San Francisco business software startup, replaced its CEO after it was found to be using unlicensed health insurance brokers and software that allowed them to cheat on state tests. Zenefits has since settled investigations with a number of states, and the company has sought to turn itself around.

Of course, heavyweight startups had little trouble raising money. Uber got $3.5 billion from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, putting its cash hoard from outside investors at more than $11 billion. Lyft, Palantir and Snap Inc., the parent of Snapchat, all raised enormous sums as well, as did big non-American startups like Chinese ride-hailing service Didi Chuxing.

And some startups sold out to bigger companies at multibillion-dollar valuations. Jet.com, an e-commerce company that began selling goods only within the last two years, was bought by Walmart for $3.3 billion.

Investors are betting that 2017 will be better. Renaissance Capital pointed out that the average total return of IPOs in 2016 reached 23 percent, a sharp reversal from the negative 2.1 percent return of 2015 offerings and surpassing the 21 percent return of two years ago.

And some big names are expected to begin trading in the public markets this year, potentially providing ballast for a bigger wave of startups. Leading the way could be Snap, expected to have issue shares in March with a valuation that could exceed $30 billion.

Others, like Spotify, the music-streaming darling, are also expected to hold IPOs in 2017.

And there is a healthy amount of money waiting to be invested. Venture capitalists raised about $40.6 billion in 2016, according to PitchBook, the biggest amount in at least a decade. That includes new funds created by venture capital giants like Andreessen Horowitz and Founders Fund.

Perhaps the biggest of all is a $100 billion investment fund being raised by SoftBank, a Japanese technology conglomerate (it owns most of Sprint) in partnership with the likes of Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.

More money pouring in will not necessarily save the most troubled startups, however. In April, investor Bill Gurley of Benchmark Capital warned that the sheer amount of money sloshing around Silicon Valley and other tech hubs was propping up weaker firms and potentially harming returns.

More money will not solve any of these problems, he wrote in a blog post. It will only contribute to them.
A footnote in the casting history's of one of the biggest film series in cinematic history reveals a funny little fact: actor and comedian Robin Williams really wanted to play the role of Hagrid, the bumbling half-giant wizard that whisks Harry Potter away to Hogwarts to begin his magical training.

As a new Huffington Post interview with casting director Janet Hirshenson reveals, Williams phoned director Chris Columbus (who also directed "Mrs. Doubtfire") to enquire about the role, but as it turned out, he didn't even have a shot. The series had a strict "British only" casting rule, and Columbus and creator J.K. Rowling already favored Robbie Coltrane for the role anyway.
1 Taiwan politics: Taiwans president will transit through Houston and San Francisco next month while traveling to Central America, stops that will probably irritate Beijing, which has urged Washington to prevent the self-ruled islands leader from landing in the United States. President Tsai Ing-wen and her delegation will stop in Houston on Jan. 7 and San Francisco on Jan. 13, Taiwans official Central News Agency said Friday. China has repeatedly urged the U.S. not to allow Tsai to transit through the U.S. to avoid sending the wrong signal to Taiwanese independence forces. Beijing regards the self-governing island as part of China.

2 Officer wounded: A Texas police officer shot another officer and a man he was trying to arrest during a confrontation after a traffic stop in the town of Weatherford, authorities said Friday. Officer Chris Bumpas was conducting the stop Thursday night when he discovered there was a warrant for the arrest of one of three people in the vehicle. The man became combative and struck the officer in the head with a metal flashlight, police said. The second officer couldnt subdue the suspect using a stun gun so he drew his firearm and fired multiple shots, striking Bumpas and the suspect. Bumpas was recovering Friday from surgery on his abdomen. The suspect, whose name wasnt released, was in guarded condition.
WICHITA, Kan.  A Mexican man accused of raping a 13-year-old girl on a Greyhound bus that traveled through Kansas had been deported 10 times and voluntarily removed from the U.S. an additional nine times since 2003, records obtained by the Associated Press show.

Three U.S. Republican senators  including Kansas Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts  demanded last month that the Department of Homeland Security provide immigration records for 38-year-old Tomas Martinez-Maldonado, who is charged with a felony in the alleged Sept. 27 attack aboard a bus in Geary County. He is being held in the Geary County jail in Junction City, about 120 miles west of Kansas City.
According to close relatives of the Dalit woman, the staff displayed an indifferent attitude towards them. When she complained of severe pain, a nurse insisted that she needed to urinate to reduce the pain.

By Indo-Asian News Service: In a shocking incident of medical apathy, a Dalit woman delivered a baby in the toilet of a medical college after a nurse sent her to relieve herself instead of taking her complaint of pain seriously, her family said today.

According to close relatives of the woman, admitted to the Manjeri Medical College and Hospital, the staff displayed an "indifferent attitude" towards them.

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THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED: When she complained of severe pain, a nurse insisted that she needed to urinate to reduce the pain, said a close relative. "She went to the toilet. She could not sit and cried out in pain. An attendant rushed to the toilet and took the baby out," the relative mentioned. The mother and the baby were later shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy expressed shock over the incident, while State Health Minister K.K.Shailaja told the media that the Malappuram district medical officer has been ordered to submit a report on the incident and action will be taken for any lapses.

Also read: Kerala woman makes man pay Rs 25,000 in charity for declaring her 'available' on Whatsapp

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IRWINDALE, Los Angeles County  Christian Guntert was lying on his back, gluing seeds to the bottom of a giant faux pizza for a Rose Parade float when a teenager made a casual comment about his wife.

When the 58-year-old Guntert told the girl that he and his longtime girlfriend actually werent married, she screamed: Youre not married?!

The shocked question reverberated in the 80,000-square-foot California warehouse last December, where teams of volunteers were building a dozen floats for the annual, nationally televised parade in Pasadena.

Soon, volunteers had surrounded Guntert and his girlfriend of 17 years, 56-year-old Susan Brown, offering their various skills to make a wedding happen right then and there on the float. One said he was an ordained minister and could perform the ceremony, another offered to sing during the wedding, and a photographer said she could snap photos.

Susan kind of looked at herself and at me, we were all dirty and covered in glue and flower parts, Guntert said. Susan said, You know, Id really like to have a pretty dress.

So the couple decided to postpone the wedding for a year. Now Brown has a pretty dress, they have a perfectly good float, and the same team of volunteers will help make the ceremony happen Saturday, two days before the 128th annual parade.

The couple will say I do on top of a float to be ridden by the parades queen and her court. The float will be festooned with thousands of flowers beneath a giant gold crown, which will serve as a makeshift altar for the ceremony.

The unique setting is appropriate for Guntert and Brown, who have spent the past decade volunteering to decorate Rose Parade floats  an endeavor that has them working 12-hour days between Christmas and New Years on what would be vacation time from their jobs as government workers in San Bernardino County.

Over the years, the couple has formed what they call their float family, people theyve grown close to but only see once a year for the annual decorating. The entire group will be at the ceremony, along with family members and other friends.

The wedding will come 17 years after the couple first struck up a conversation online, when Internet dating was in its infancy. Though neither was looking for romance, their conversations grew into a friendship and not long after, love.

Guntert was living in Northern California at the time, and Brown and her then-6-year-old daughter were a six-hour drive south in Victorville, about 70 miles northeast of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert.

After a three-year long-distance relationship, Guntert relocated to Victorville. The pair talked about marriage over the years, but Guntert never quite got around to getting down on one knee and proposing  one of Browns few requirements.

It took their Rose Parade float family and their near-impromptu wedding last year to spur Guntert into action. On Valentines Day morning this year, he brought a cup of coffee and a ring to Brown and formally proposed marriage.

He put a ring on it, Brown said. It made me cry.

Though the wedding setting on the queens float carries a great deal of meaning for the couple, Guntert said the location doesnt make too much difference.

Ive been waiting for this a lot of years, and I couldnt be happier, he said, his arm around his soon-to-be bride. So long as shes next to me, nothing else matters.
The demonetisation deadline of 50 days is over but the cash crunch continues in several parts of the country including the national capital. Many areas in Delhi still don't have ATMs having enough cash.

By Parvina Purkayastha: While the RBI has given a major respite by raising the ATM withdrawal limit from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,500, many still continue to live with the fear of queues outside banks in Delhi.

With December 30-deadline for the demonetisation hardship gone, people are getting desperate to resume 'normal currency life'.

Scrapping the old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations on November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured the nation that things would be normal after this period.

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READ| PM Narendra Modi's exclusive interview: First since demonetisation

WHAT DELHI SAYS

"To increase the ATM withdrawal limit was very important because twice a week I would spend hours in front of an ATM, now my time is saved and I won't have to suffer in Delhi's chilly winters" said Raj, a medical representative.

The usual complaint in Delhi has been since demonetisation that the ATMs don't have cash. The problem is more severe in Outer, North and Old Delhi areas, where ATMs are still don't have enough cash.

WATCH:

This is what Sanjeev, an engineer, said: "I came from Mukherjee Nagar, North Delhi to Central Delhi to withdraw money from ATM. Just increasing the limit doesn't help but to bring more cash in the system and to start the operation of every ATM will help and smoothen the system."

Just a raise in the ATM withdrawal limit signals that normalcy is still not in sight, he said.

READ| RBI increases ATM withdrawal limit to Rs 4,500 w.e.f January 1

THE BANKERS' PROBLEM

There are many banks, whose ATMs are not replenished with sufficient cash, especially in the denominations of Rs 100 and Rs 500. This remains a challenge even after 50 days of demonetisation.

Banks were in the favour of extending the curb on ATM withdrawal for longer duration. One banker explained why: "It will take at least three months to have enough cash into the system."

Printing currency notes take time. Thereafter, banking system needs time to make the cash available to people.This could be the reason behind RBI not raising the weekly cash withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000.

READ| Demonetisation a hurried decision, no nation can be cashless: Amartya Sen

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Though Californias Proposition 64 makes it illegal to possess an open container of marijuana while driving, two state lawmakers claim it left a legal loophole that would allow cannabis consumers to keep one hand on a joint and the other on the wheel.

State Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, and Assemblyman Evan Low, D-San Jose, introduced a bill Thursday they claim would eliminate the flaw by explicitly prohibiting inhaling a puff or popping an edible while operating an automobile, boat or plane.

The bill would grant a judge discretion to mete out an infraction, or fine, or a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail, for those found guilty. Judges also may assign drug education classes or counseling sessions to offenders.

The proposed legislation also takes aim at those sipping a beer while driving by boosting the potential penalty from an infraction to a misdemeanor, which Hill says is necessary to treat buzzed driving the same as drunk driving.

I would look at it as a more serious offense than just having an open container of marijuana, said Hill, who helped pass legislation last year requiring certain convicted DUI offenders to install temporary breathalyzers to start their cars. The judge should be able to look at it as a misdemeanor. Thats the reason why we have an open-container law and a drinking while driving offense.

More for you New Bill Would Explicitly Prohibit Marijuana Consumption For...

Brian Welch, assistant district attorney for Santa Clara County, whose office suggested the bill, said hes concerned about more stoned drivers hitting the road once recreational marijuana dispensaries start to open throughout the state  especially considering that police officers lack a scientific means to test for marijuana intoxication and must rely on contested field sobriety tests to make their case.

The new bill also raises civil-liberties questions at a time police nationally face scrutiny for disproportionally targeting people of color, as well as overly citing them for marijuana possession. Under the legislation, a police officer might have probable cause to pull someone over for smoking a cigarette that looked like a joint.

Welch said itll be incumbent upon police officers to exercise discretion in enforcement and pull people over for more than one factor, such as witnessing a driver weaving in and out of lanes and then determining that the driver held a lit joint.

Police cant start pulling people for eating some kind of baked good that could be construed as a pot brownie, he said. But he expressed confidence in their discretion.

I dont think we have police officers pulling people over just because theyre drinking a can of soda, and the officer says, Oh, well, you could have alcohol in that can, Welch said.

At least one pro-legalization group strongly opposes Hills bill, seeing it as a thinly veiled attempt to sweep away Proposition 64s protections against additional legal penalties for cannabis possession. There are already adequate laws with steeper penalties on the books for drugged driving, said Lynne Lyman, the California director for the Drug Policy Alliance, a national drug policy reform group.

Lyman said shes not against an officer pulling over a driver clearly hunched over the wheel with a joint or a bowl. But, she added, if the offender is not intoxicated, he or she should receive only the citation for having an open container, not the jail term that could be handed down by a judge.

Though the California Highway Patrol received a grant to study how to improve testing under Prop. 64, much of impairment when it comes to marijuana tests will be at the discretion of the officer, an uncomfortable concept to Lyman.

The idea that you could be actively smoking a joint, and they would not be able to find any excuse (to find you impaired) would be really unlikely, Lyman said.

Someone driving with a lit joint, in other words, could and most likely would be arrested on suspicion of DUI, regardless of the proposed bill, she said.

If someone is driving impaired, whether or not they have the joint lit, its illegal, and theyre going to suffer the same DUI consequences they would for alcohol, Lyman said. I feel like were covered on every which end, so what theyre trying to do, therefore, is actually increase penalties for possession.

As to whether the legislation will pass both houses of the state legislature  a vote on which wont be held until July at the earliest, if it moves out of committee  Hill said he thinks so.

He added, Im sure well have a conversation in the legislature over the misdemeanor aspect of it.

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michael_bodley
Just before 1 pm each weekday he would instruct a carrier to shinny up a tree with a radio aerial so he could listen to the latest episode of Blue Hills transmitted on shortwave by the ABC.

Even while patrolling the remotest parts of the country, Paul sought to maintain his cultural connections with Australia.

In 1962 he successfully applied for acceptance as a cadet patrol officer and after initial training found himself at Bolubolu, PNG, in 1963.

PAUL Milton Jones, who died in Canberra just before Christmas, was born in Sydney in 1942 and grew up with a love of bush-walking and no inkling that he would get more than his fill of it in the mountains of Papua New Guinea.

His feeling of independence as a single man was undermined when he met Brenda McInherny, a young Australian girl teaching at the Ladava Mission School in Milne Bay. They were married at Port Macquarie in 1967.

Returning to PNG to a posting at Morehead, Paul was selected to undertake the 12 month long course at the Australian School of Pacific Administration in Sydney.

Here he was trained in local government and law, which added magisterial duties to his other roles. He returned to a post in Popondetta and was there until he resigned in 1971.

After a short time with the Blue Mountains Council west of Sydney, Paul joined the Australian Capital Territory Police - later absorbed in the Australian Federal Police.

Here he undertook a wide range of duties including two years in London as a liaison officer attached to the Australian High Commission. He had a long and successful career of 26 years, opting for early retirement in 2000 with the rank of Superintendent.

Toward the end of his career Paul worked closely with community agencies engaging with young people on the edges of society through Project Saul near Wee Jasper, a cause close to his heart.

He remained committed to many smilar roles including volunteering as a guide at Old Parliament House, Lifeline and the University of the Third Age but never neglecting his love of boats and travel.

In recent years Paul experienced cardiac problems, one of which prevented him leaving a cruise ship visiting Alotau.

On 18 December 2016, in the words of his family, Paul "passed away peacefully at home in the arms of love".

A devoted family man, Paul is survived by his wife Brenda, three children and two grandchildren.
The police do not have adequate manpower and resources to control the situation, especially when 1 out of 5 people drink and drive in the capital during the festive season.

The research found that enforcement took place in only about 0.45 per cent of the total drink-driving cases.

By Harish V Nair: Authorities have failed to put the brakes on drink-driving in Delhi as a mere 0.45 per cent of the violators are prosecuted, a study indicates, while cops gear up to manage a rush of tipsy motorists around New Year's Eve.

Recommending stricter enforcement of rules to curb the menace, the report urges the government to ensure heavy police deployment in plain clothes at markets and other public places. The study by the NGO Community Against Drunken Driving (CADD) - which has been working with the Delhi Police for 14 years-found that the highest prosecution in the past half decade was on New Year's Eve last year at 608.

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POLICE LACKS MANPOWER

The figures were 346, 418, 489 and 532 in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. "Plain clothed police personnel will help in a big way as people tend to sober up and behave well the moment they see a policeman in uniform," says the report.

"A special force should be created to strictly enforce the laws against public drinking in a cohesive manner at least for the next six months so that people develop an attitudinal change towards public drinking."

The research found that enforcement took place in only about 0.45 per cent of the total drink-driving cases. The police do not have adequate manpower and resources to control the situation, especially when 1 out of 5 people drink and drive in the capital during the festive season.

It is shocking that almost all JJ clusters are dens of alcohol consumption in public and the resultant drink-driving, molestation, eve teasing, gambling and even cases of snatching and looting is very common," said activist and CADD founder Prince Singhal.

"Even if a police picket or a PCR van is stationed there, they are not equipped to check alcohol presence and just act in case of a complaint", said Singhal.

"To counter the menace of drink-driving and public drinking, the Delhi Police should practice zero-tolerance, there should be deployment of police teams, pickets at every 2.5 km. Even the chase-and-challan squads, PCR vans should be equipped with breath analysers? Most importantly those caught should be immediately arrested, their license should be cancelled and vehicle impounded with immediate effect." Singhal added.

Also read: DU girl dies after drunk Uber driver rams into a truck in Noida

Also read: Delhi: Drunk driver dies after his car jumps off flyover

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By PTI: Shirdi (Maha), Dec 31 (PTI) The mortal remains of former union minister and senior Congress leader Balasaheb Vikhe Patil were today consigned to flames at Pravaranagar in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.

Vikhe Patil yesterday passed away at his residence in Loni village in Ahmednagar district following prolonged illness.

He was 84.

The cremation took place with full state honours at the ground of Padmashree Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil Co-operative Sugar Mill in Pravaranagar.

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, state Minister Girish Mahajan, Ram Shinde, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ashok Chavan, MPs Dilip Gandhi and Sadashiv Lokhande paid their last respects to Vikhe-Patil.

Vikhe Patil largely kept away from public life in the last couple of years due to his illness. His son Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil is a senior Congress leader and currently is the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly.

Though a Congressman for most of his career, Balasaheb was elected to Lok Sabha on a Shiv Sena ticket in 1998 and became Minister of State for Finance in the NDA government. He was subsequently elevated as Minister for Heavy Industries.

Earlier, thousands of people paid their last respects to Vikhe Patil at Pravaranagar. PTI COR HVJ NRB ANB

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By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 31 (PTI) The first meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries between India and Sri Lanka took place here today ahead of the second round of ministerial level talks to be held on Monday.

The day-long meeting was co-chaired by secretaries for animal husbandry and fisheries department of the respective countries. Members of External Affairs Ministry, Coast Guard, Indian Navy and officials of Tamil Nadu government were also present at the JWG meeting.

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"The issues related to release of detained fishing vessels, modalities for handing over of apprehended fishermen, mutual cooperation in fishery sector among others were discussed in detail," according to official sources.

The outcome of the JWG meeting will be further discussed at the ministerial talks to be held on January 2 in Colombo.

Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh will be attending the meeting. It is not yet clear if External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would attend the meeting as she is recuperating from an operation.

During the first round of ministerial talks held in New Delhi in November 2016, India and Sri Lanka decided to set up a JWG on Fisheries to meet every three months and hold a meeting between the Ministers for Fisheries every six months to find a permanent solution to the emotive issue of fishermen.

There have been several alleged incidents of Sri Lankan Navy personnel firing at Indian fishermen fishing in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats.

The Palk Strait, which is a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both the countries. PTI LUX ABM

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By PTI: threat

From Harinder Mishra

Jerusalem/New Delhi, Dec 31 (PTI) Israels Counter- Terrorism Bureau has warned Israelis travelling to India to be on "alert", citing an immediate threat of attack against Western and tourist targets particularly in the south-west of the country.

In a statement released by the Prime Ministers Office, the Counter-Terrorism Bureau singled out Western and tourist hot-spots as being at heightened risk.

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"Israeli tourists travelling in India are asked to stay alert and to pay attention to local media reports and security agencies. Furthermore, families with relatives in India" are asked to update them about the travel warning and recommendation, the statement said yesterday.

"We ask to focus on events in the coming days related to the Christian New Years holiday, placing particular emphasis on beach parties and clubs, where there is larger concentration of tourists," it said.

The south-west part of the country -- which covers popular holiday destinations like Goa, Pune, Mumbai and Cochin -- are particularly at risk, according to the advisory.

The warning is defined a "concrete basic threat," according to Israels Channel 2 television.

Security sources in Tel Aviv said that the trance parties on new years eve on the beaches of Goa are very popular among Israeli youngsters and other western tourists. Such gatherings can be easy targets of certain hostile Islamic groups.

Israel has in the past also issued such warning, especially for Goa, but this time security sources feel all such places frequented by large number of western tourists in south and west of India can be a target of terror attack.

The advisory coming out on Friday evening after the start of Jewish Sabbath has been noted by the local media as a bit "unusual" and by some also as sign of a "serious threat".

An Israeli Embassy spokesman in New Delhi confirmed the warning and said, "Israel has issued a travel advisory surrounding New Years Eve celebrations events in south-west India, with specific regard to beach parties, clubs and highly-populated tourist sites. Israeli tourist are advised to avoid such events and other densely-populated areas."

In addition, it recommended avoiding markets, festivals and crowded shopping areas.

The bureau did not specify what prompted the warning, however, additional security arrangements have been made all around the world for New Year eve in view of the Berlin terror attack on a Christmas market last week that killed 12 people.

India remains a popular tourist destination for Israeli citizens and according to Jewish Post an estimated 20,000 former Israeli soldiers travel to India every year.

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Israeli citizens and Jewish sites in India have been attacked in the past, the most infamous incident occurred during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack when members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group targeted the local Chabad House, among other sites, in Mumbai.

In 2012, Tal Yehoshua Koren, the wife of an Israeli Defense Ministry representative, was moderately wounded in an explosion in her car near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi. PTI HM PYK ASV ZH AKJ ZH

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Raise a glass and bend your mind around this California New Years resolution: In 2017, lets become more tolerant of political corruption.

While the idea of tolerating dirty deal-making may sound strange, so are the ways we make decisions in California.

Over the last century, weve designed a highly complex government with the primary goal of preventing corruption by limiting the power and discretion of elected and appointed officials. That is the channel connecting our states rivers of regulations, oceans of laws, and tsunamis of formulas for budgets that defy human navigation.

All these obstacles have worked to a point: We have a low rate of public corruption convictions by American standards. But, perversely, in keeping our government clean of politicians small crimes, weve opted to accept large-scale, incapacitating societal wrongs.

In California, among the richest places on Earth, we tolerate Americas highest poverty rate, an enormous and expanding shortage of affordable housing, and dangerously decayed roads and waterworks. Our schools offer too little education, and our tax system, by bipartisan acknowledgment, isnt fair.

Yet, attacking such big problems is considered wildly unrealistic. There are too many rules standing in the way of large-scale action. And if we got rid of those rules, we fear we would abet corruption.

Which is why we so desperately need a new attitude toward corruption.

Samuel Huntington, the great 20th century political scientist, famously observed: The only thing worse than a society with a rigid, over centralized, dishonest bureaucracy is one with a rigid, over centralized, honest bureaucracy. A society which is relatively uncorrupt  may find a certain amount of corruption a welcome lubricant easing the path to modernization.

California needs such lubrication. The Golden State must expedite the building of affordable housing, homeless housing, housing on lots already zoned for housing  even if it means paying off opposing interests and handing out exemptions to zoning and environmental laws like party favors.

The poor state of Californias roads also cries out for some big corrupt deals, damn the environmental reviews. For years, the state has failed to address a $130 billion-plus backlog in state and local road repairs. Raising taxes to cover repairs requires a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature, and getting to two-thirds in cases like this requires buying votes with spending. Democratic leaders should resolve to do the required vote-purchasing in 2017.

Roads and housing arent the only contexts where we prioritize following the rules over meeting real needs. In education, state leaders make a fetish of meeting the very low requirement of the constitutional funding formula for schools  instead of finding ways, kosher or not, to lengthen our short school year (just 180 days) and offer students more math, science and arts.

The stakes of our anticorruption fixation get higher in 2017. California finds itself in a confrontation with President-elect Donald Trump. Politicians say they will fight Trump if he attacks California policies or threatens vulnerable people. But California is at a disadvantage in a battle with the rich, powerful federal government. In Sacramento, some veteran political players argue privately that California should instead buy off Trump  either personally or in his presidential role  given the president-elects love of negotiations and his lack of interest in ethics. Of course, such creative deal making runs up against Californian rules and sensibilities.

Thats why the change we need is not legal  its cultural. We must realize that big progress in governance usually involves actions that are not entirely forthright.

So, as we greet 2017, lets raise a toast to deal making that brings real progress, even when its dirty.

Joe Mathews writes the Connecting California column for Zocalo Public Square. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at http://bit.ly/SFChronicleletters.
NEW YORK  Posing for a photographer in the lobby of the Rubin Museum of Art on a December afternoon, actor Josh Radnor was plainly ill at ease. He may have spent nine seasons starring in hit CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, but Radnor  in New York from Los Angeles to play the lead in Richard Greenbergs new comedy The Babylon Line at Lincoln Center Theater  has yet to learn to be comfortable having his picture taken.

Which is weird, because I have to have it taken a lot, he said a short while later, his voice hushed as he ascended the spiral staircase to the galleries. You know when someone tells you, Oh, youre a funny person or Youre a serious person, and you feel reduced to one thing, and it limits your complexity? I feel like sometimes photographs can do that.

Articles, too. Before he set foot on those stairs, he stopped at the bottom to ask about me. He inquired further throughout the interview, and while he was amiable about it, this wasnt flattery or deflection. He was trying to gauge how his words would land  not a standard technique, but a smart one. To Radnor, it would be odd not to be curious about the consciousness thats processing you.

Meeting at New Yorks Rubin, a six-story trove of art from the Himalayas and the surrounding region, had been his idea. Its abundance of Buddhist and Hindu works jibes with his deep interest in spirituality. A tranquil place, it feels safe to him, like a little oasis in the midst of some madness, he said.

Dont Buddha sculptures calm you down? he asked, standing in front of one. I have some around my house. Its not that I think that the sculptures themselves are inherently holy. Its that they trigger something within yourself that can remind you, either Breathe or Quiet down or, you know, Drink some water. It reminds me of simplicity, a little bit.

Unlike some of his co-stars on How I Met Your Mother  Jason Segel, Alyson Hannigan and Neil Patrick Harris  Radnor, 42, was largely unknown before the shows premiere in 2005. Fame was an adjustment (Theres stuff that comes along with it thats really nutty, he said), and while he is grateful for the series, he found himself actively depressed by the end of the second season.

Thats when he began reading widely in spiritual traditions  Hindu; Buddhist; Sufi; Christian; and his own, Jewish  for perspective, and guidance on how to live. He had been meditating for a couple of years, ever since a breakup that kind of knocked me on the floor, he said. Through meditation, which he still does every day, something opened up in me.

Talking about all this, Radnor worried that he would seem spiritually pretentious. But in three hours at the Rubin, he came across as thoughtful and genuinely searching  a digressive, intellectually curious conversationalist, and easygoing once the camera was gone.

Raised in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, he was educated at an Orthodox Jewish school. Consulting sacred texts makes sense to him.

I just feel a little existentially restless, he said. Theres something about these ancient philosophies and ideas, wisdom traditions, that lands on me. They kind of comfort me when I feel adrift.

Aaron Port, his character in The Babylon Line, knows that unmoored feeling. Most of the play is set in 1967, when Aaron, a New York writer with a desultory career, commutes to Levittown, Long Island, to teach an adult-education class. His much-older self narrates the play, letting the audience know that Aaron will later flourish. But in 1967, he cant see that his misery is temporary.

Radnor finds solace in the notion of an older man saying, Things turned out wonderfully, and a younger man saying, Things are a disaster. I think we can get really bullied by the present, like This is whats happening now, and its always going to be this way.

Shortly before he was cast in How I Met Your Mother, Radnor performed in the world premiere of Jon Robin Baitzs The Paris Letter in Los Angeles, coincidentally opposite Harris. Greenberg remembers hearing back then, from friends who saw it, that Radnor was the discovery of the evening.

After the sitcom ended in 2014, he quickly returned to the stage, in a developmental production of The Babylon Line at New York Stage and Film in Poughkeepsie, then in Ayad Akhtars Pulitzer-winning Disgraced on Broadway.

Plans for another Broadway outing, in She Loves Me last season, fell through when the musical revival conflicted with Radnors PBS series, the Civil War drama Mercy Street, in which he plays a morphine-addicted surgeon.

Lately he has been trying, as an artist, to make his favorite things. Thus the songs he has been writing with his friend Ben Lee, a musician, for their coming album, Love Songs for God & Women. Thus also The Seeker, the dialogue-free movie he shot last year with the band Cloud Cult.

A film he acted in this year, F People, poses a slight obstacle with its unprintable title, which hes hoping will be changed. He gave up swearing a while back, bothered by what he called the resonance of negativity in the words.

As for his own movies  two so far that he has written, directed and starred in  the adverse reviews for the first, Happythankyoumoreplease (2011), are still a tender subject. He attributes the critical response in part to the fact that he was a sitcom actor directing a film. People get uncomfortable if you dont stay in your lane, he said.

His second movie, Liberal Arts (2012), did better, and found a fond defender in Roger Ebert. In both films, Radnor said, the central tension is between trying to be something in the world and trying to get better at being yourself a little bit. That is, of course, their authors ongoing dilemma.

He intends to direct more of his own screenplays and has begun writing plays, one of which, Sacred Valley, had a reading at New York Stage and Film this summer.

He questions how much he wants to continue to act, wondering if writer-director is the more adult occupation. He also believes, though, that he has returned to the theater a wiser actor than when he started there.

I couldnt have played this role 10 years ago, he said over a cup of tea  the blend was called Balance  in the museums cafe. I wasnt dinged up enough. I didnt have enough hurt in my life, enough heartache, enough failure. I went out and got some of those things.

And thats a plus?

You need those things, he said. Our wounds, on some level, are what make us relatable.
Guitarist Jhanu has released a metallic cover of superstar Rajinikanth's Neruppu Da, which was originally composed by Santhosh Narayanan.

By India Today Web Desk: Among the independent music circuit in Chennai, guitarist Jhanu is a popular name. Earlier this year, the world witnessed the Kabali madness when the teaser of Neruppu Da was out.

WATCH: Kabali deleted scenes

SEE PIC: Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan wishes fans on New Year

As a new year treat to Rajini fans, Jhanu has released the heavy metal version of Neruppu Da, which is now creating waves on social media.

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It must be noted that music composer Santhosh Narayanan, who was mighty impressed by Jhanu's work, signed him as the lead guitarist for Neruppu Da.

Despite opening to mixed reviews from critics and fans, the Rajinikanth-starrer shattered the box-office records with its collection.

Interestingly, Kabali is the third highest grossing film of 2016 after Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's Sultan and Aamir Khan's latest release Dangal.

Directed by Pa Ranjith, Kabali tells an emotional journey of a gangster Kabali, who attempts to redeem his past. The film also stars Radhika Apte, Kalaiarasan, Dinesh, Dhansika and Winston Chao.

It must noted that superstar Rajinikanth and Pa Ranjith are coming together once again for Kabali 2, which will be bankrolled by Dhanush's home production Wunderbar Films. Reports also suggested that Pa Ranjith has already began works on Kabali 2.

Here's the song:

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WASHINGTON  President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to reset relations with Russia, may have been tossed a lifeline Friday by President Vladimir Putin. The Russian leader, skilled at keeping several steps ahead of his adversaries, announced he would not retaliate in kind against the Obama administration for imposing new sanctions and expelling Russian diplomats from the United States.

That clears the way for Trump and Putin to declare that they are starting anew  just what both men have publicly called for.

Putin is going out of his way to not take Obama seriously, said Rolf Mowatt-Larssen, who spent decades in the CIA tracking Russia while Putin was rising in the KGB. Instead, he said, he is making a good-will gesture, presumably with the hope and expectation that Donald Trump will respond in kind.

On Friday afternoon, Trump did just that, on Twitter.

For effect, Trump pinned the post to the top of his Twitter feed, ensuring that it will remain the first message seen on his page. The Russian Embassy in Washington re-tweeted the post within minutes.

Now, the question is whether the mutual admiration pact will open new chapters on issues like Syria, Ukraine, the Middle East, the future of NATO and the development of new classes of nuclear weapons.

But moving too far, or too fast, in that direction would create enormous risks for Trump, from Capitol Hill to Europe.

No one is more suspicious of Putin and his intentions than members of the Republican Party establishment. And they, like Obama, are certain to see Putins gesture  including inviting the children of U.S. diplomats to enjoy the Christmas trees at the Kremlin  as a ploy.

The investigations into the Russian hacking efforts to influence the 2016 election are also a major impediment. It is unlikely that Trump can derail them, and they have been embraced by most of the Republican leadership.

Still, Trump will most likely be receptive to Putins overtures. In recent days he has told associates he sees little upside to what he considers needless fights with Russia.

The question is whether Trump and Putin can work a trade: a relaxation of tensions in return for a relaxation of the sanctions that have helped cripple the Russian economy since the U.S. and its allies imposed them over the annexation of Crimea and the shadow-war in eastern Ukraine.

And in Syria, unless a political settlement is achieved that eventually eases President Bashar Assad out of power, Syria may continue to be magnet for extremists and insurgency, perpetuating the problem that Putin and Trump say they are trying to solve.

While the Obama administration was not included in recent cease-fire discussions, Russias foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, extended a hand to Trump, who has never objected to Moscows growing influence in the Middle East and has talked about the possibility of greater cooperation with the Kremlin in fighting the Islamic State.
MEXICO CITY  The holiday season has been a little less merry for car owners in Mexico as gasoline shortages in many parts of the country have forced grumbling customers to contend with hours-long lines.

In hard-hit parts like Leon, in Guanajuato state, filling up your tank often means driving around from one station to the next just to find one that has fuel.

Its chaos, said Guadalupe Lopez, a customer service worker in Leon who visited eight stations recently before she finally found a pump that wasnt dry. One worker told me they had gone a day and a half without supply.

Rumors are swirling of gas station owners hoarding fuel ahead of a price deregulation that takes effect Sunday, and will let them sell it for as much as 20 percent more. Stories abound of Mexicans stocking up as much as they can before the hike kicks in.

Officials are largely downplaying the problems, citing factors such as pipeline theft, increased holiday demand and unforeseen shipping delays, and have sought to reassure consumers that theyre working hard to get the fuel flowing. But even with conditions improved somewhat since Christmas, analysts say a neglected fuel infrastructure is finally catching up with the country, and theres no quick fix in sight.

Jorge Pinon, an energy expert at the University of Texas, Austin, said Mexico is refining less than 1 million barrels of crude per day this year, down from 1.065 million per day last year. More and more the country is importing its gasoline  about half its current consumption  but state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, lacks adequate distribution and storage capacity.

We are up against a total collapse of the refining system of Pemex, Pinon said.

As examples, he pointed to tankers backed up in the Gulf of Mexico because the port of Veracruz is a bottleneck for offloading, and said pipelines that carry gasoline to central parts of the country are in poor shape and vulnerable to illegal taps.

Fuel theft is big business for organized crime groups such as the Zetas drug cartel, which has a strong presence in the oil-producing Gulf coast region, and officials estimate it accounts for $1.4 billion in losses per year.

The 2017 price deregulation  part of a broader energy reform passed two years ago under President Enrique Pena Nieto allowing some private investment and ending more than seven decades of state monopoly over the sector  establishes 90 different tariff zones where prices will be allowed to fluctuate.
1 Journalists killed: The International Federation of Journalists says that 93 journalists and media staff were killed in targeted attacks, by bombs or by crossfire in 2016 while a further 29 died in two plane crashes. The Brussels group said in its annual report released Friday that the number was down from 112 in 2015. Iraq still had the largest number of media killings with 15, ahead of Afghanistan with 13 and Mexico with 11.

2 Baseless reports: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied what he calls baseless reports that he received gifts from two businessmen. He said Friday that all these so-called scandals have turned out to be baseless and the same will be regarding the allegations published in the media now. Israels Channel 2 TV reported Thursday that Netanyahu accepted favors from businessmen in Israel and abroad, and is the central suspect in a second investigation that also involves family members. It said a criminal probe is expected next week. An opposition lawmaker is campaigning for Netanyahu to be investigated for corruption over suspicions that donors improperly transferred money for his personal use.
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BEIRUT  The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and jump-start peace negotiations.

The resolution approved Saturday also calls for the rapid, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Syria. And it anticipates a meeting of the Syrian government and opposition representatives in Kazakhstans capital Astana in late January.

The resolutions final text dropped an endorsement of the Syria cease-fire agreement reached Thursday, as Western members of the council sought changes to the circulated draft resolution to clarify the U.N.s role and the meaning of the agreement brokered by Moscow and Ankara.

Meanwhile on the ground in Syria, rebels warned Saturday that cease-fire violations by pro-government forces threatened to undermine a two-day-old agreement intended to pave the way for talks between the government and the opposition in the new year.

Air strikes pounded opposition-held villages and towns in the strategically-important Barada Valley outside Damascus, activists said, prompting rebels to threaten to withdraw their compliance with a nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey.

Rebels also accused the government of signing a different version of the agreement to the one they signed in the Turkish capital of Ankara, further complicating the latest diplomatic efforts to bring an end to six years of war.

Nearly 50,000 people died in the conflict in 2016, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which maintains networks of contacts on all sides of the war.

If the truce holds, the government and the opposition are expected to meet for the first time in nearly a year in Astana in the second half of January. The talks will be mediated by Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

Iran and Russia have provided crucial military and diplomatic support to Syrian President Bashar Assad throughout the conflict, while Turkey has served as a source of supplies for the opposition.
JAMPUR, Pakistan  Mohammad Ramzan can neither hear nor speak, and he has a childlike mind. But he knew his wife, Saima, was too young when she was given to him as a bride.

The 36-year-old Ramzan smiles, eager to please, as he uses his fingers to count out her age when they married. One, two, three ... until 13, and then he stops and looks at her, points and nods several times.

The girls father, Wazir Ahmed, says she was 14, not 13, but her age was beside the point. It mattered only that she had reached puberty when he arranged her marriage as an exchange: his daughter for Ramzans sister, whom he wanted to take as a second wife.

His first wife, Saimas mother, had given him only daughters, and he hoped his second wife would give him a son. But Sabeel wouldnt marry him until her brother had a wife to care for him.

She would be a bride in exchange for a bride.

We gave a girl in this family for a girl in their family, Ahmed says. That is our right.

In deeply conservative regions such as this one in the south of Punjab province, the tribal practice of exchanging girls between families is so entrenched, it even has its own name in Urdu: Watta Satta, which means give and take.

A girl may be given away to pay a debt or settle a dispute between feuding families. She might be married to a cousin to keep her dowry in the family or, as in this case, married for the prospect of a male heir.

Many believe that their Islamic religion instructs fathers to marry off their daughters at puberty.

If it is not done, our society thinks parents have not fulfilled their religious obligation, says Faisal Tangwani, regional coordinator for the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in nearby Multan.

Ahmed sees the hand of God in his daughters marriage to a disabled man.

It was by Gods will that he was chosen, he says. It was her fate.

Ahmed sits inside the mud-walled compound where he lives now with his two wives. Outside, stray dogs roam in packs of three and four. They bite, Ahmed warns.

He says that the fact that Ramzan is nearly three times his daughters age is irrelevant. But the legal marrying age here is 16, and in a rare move, police did investigate Saimas marriage after they received a complaint, possibly from a relative involved in a dispute with her father.

Ramzan and Ahmed were jailed for a few days, but Saima testified in court that she was 16 and they were released. She says she told the authorities she was 16 to protect her father and husband.

In Saimas world of crushing poverty, where centuries-old tribal traditions mix with religious beliefs, a crippling cycle traps even the perpetrators with a lifes burden: a father who longs for a son to help support his family; a wife who must provide that son; a daughter who must become a mother even when she is still a child.

Back at Saimas old home, her 7-year-old sister, Asma, wanders around, shoeless, her hair matted with dirt and dust.

Asma already has been promised to her cousin, who is about 10. They will marry when she reaches puberty.
RAMALLAH, West Bank  After a pair of diplomatic victories, the Palestinians are now setting their sights on a Mideast peace conference in France next month in a bid to rally support as they prepare for the uncertainty of the Trump administration.

The Palestinians are hopeful that a strong international endorsement in Paris will insulate them from what they fear will be a close alliance between President-elect Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

With their hopes for gaining independence in a deep freeze, the Palestinians had a rare week of optimism. First, the U.S. allowed the U.N. Security Council to adopt Resolution 2334, which declared Israeli settlements on occupied lands illegal. Then, Secretary of State John Kerry delivered a farewell speech that harshly criticized Israeli settlements, saying Israels continued construction was imperiling hopes for a peace agreement and endangering the countrys democracy.

Palestinian officials say they are now counting on the French-hosted Mideast peace conference to build on the momentum and set clear terms of reference for any future negotiations with Israel. Some 70 nations are expected to attend, although Israel and the Palestinians will not be participating.

The tools we have now are Security Council Resolution 2334, the Kerry speech and the Paris conference, said Husam Zumlot, a senior adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The Palestinians seek the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories captured by Israel in the 1967 war, for an independent state. They say that Israeli settlements in these areas, now home to about 600,000 Israelis, are threatening their hopes for independence by taking in lands where they hope to establish their state.

The latest U.N. resolution, along with Kerrys speech, essentially endorsed the Palestinian position by calling for the pre-1967 lines to serve as the reference point for a final border. Netanyahu, who opposes a return to the 1967 lines, has condemned the moves as skewed and shameful. He says all disputes must be settled through direct negotiations without any preconditions, and that any international pressure undermines the negotiating process.

On Thursday, Netanyahu dismissed Israels conflict with the Palestinians as a marginal issue. The real issue, he said, is the collapse of entire nations, of entire states in internal conflict, and in the wars of radical Islam over the future of the Arab world and the Muslim world.
In an attack on Amarinder, Kejriwal alleged that the Congress leader was again trying to befool the people of Punjab on the pretext of providing employment by filling up fake job cards.

By PTI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today alleged that the Congress and the Akali Dal have a secret alliance for the 2017 Punjab Assembly polls and state Congress chief Amarinder Singh and Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia have decided not to take action against each other.

Votes polled to the Congress will be votes for the "drug dealers" of Punjab, AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal told rallies at Kalanaur and Kahnuwan in this district.

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He was accompanied by AAP candidates from Dera Baba Nanak and Qadian--Gurpartap Singh Khushalpur and Kanwalpreet Singh Kaki respectively.

Here is you need to know Kejriwal alleged Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Amarinder have "looted the state in turns" and the people, in the absence of any other option, had to vote for one of them, adding that with the emergence of AAP, the voters of Punjab now have a healthy option to save the state. After AAP forms the government in Punjab, the status of historical city will be given to Kalanaur. As per the requirements of the people, a government college, a modern hospital, a sports stadium, a sugar mill and a museum for Christians will be constructed at Kalanaur, he said. In an attack on Amarinder, Kejriwal alleged that the Congress leader was again trying to befool the people of Punjab on the pretext of providing employment by filling up fake job cards. Quoting the notification issued by Amarinders government in the state in 2002, he alleged that right after taking charge in March, the former chief minister had held a cabinet meeting in April to ban recruitments in the state. Captain Amarinder was the one who started the contract system in government jobs in Punjab and passed orders to ban recruitment in government jobs. The old pension scheme was abolished by him during his 2002 tenure, alleged Kejriwal. He claimed that as per the Congress leaders promise of providing a government job to every family, the government would have to create 60 lakh new jobs. Does he have any plan for creation of new jobs?, he asked. Kejriwal said AAP has promised to give jobs to 25 lakh youths and claimed that it has a detailed plan for that. Saying old age pension, widow pension and handicapped pension will be raised to Rs 2,500 per month, he also promised to revive the old age pension scheme for government employees. The AAP leader assured the people that his party would get their money swallowed by chit fund companies back by impounding properties of those companies. He dubbed Amarinders promise to curb the drug menace in state as fake alleging that it was the Congress leader who had opposed to a CBI inquiry against drug lord Majithia. Whenever I talk about sending Majithia to jail, Captain Saab comes to fight with me. Both Sukhbir Singh Badal and Captain are challenging me to contest the election against them, but I will continue to fight against the mafia raj and drugs, said Kejriwal.

ALSO READ: Captain Amarinder Singh dares Kejriwal to contest Punjab polls

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By Indrajit Kundu: This New Year's Eve Kolkata is gearing up to put on its party hat as Bollywood diva Sunny Leone is all set to sizzle at a gala event in the city. The actress will be landing in Kolkata on Saturday morning and perform at her first-ever New Year's event in the city at an amusement park in the evening.

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"Get into the party mood because this year it's going to be the best," the actress promised in a video message to her fans in Kolkata.

While the country may be gearing up for December 31 deadline post demonetisation, partygoers in Kolkata refuse to let it dampen their spirits. Organisers of the event say the Centre's sudden decision did come as a huge setback but they somehow managed to keep the event on track.

WATCH | Raees's Laila Main Laila: Scintillating Sunny Leone oozes oomph

"It did come in as a blot from the blue but we somehow got all stakeholders together and kept the plan alive. Rather than going for cash payment for vendors, we opted for barter options with them and it helped," says Abhishek De Sarkar, the event's organiser.

Titled "Rush Hour with Sunny", the organisers remain tight-lipped about the amount the Bollywood actress charged for the event. With a budget of Rs 40 lakh, tickets for Kolkata's most sought after year end bash has been pegged at Rs 3500 at the lower end, while it goes up to Rs 8500 for the premium seat.

With a capacity of two thousand guests, the organisers say they are inching close to selling almost half the tickets. "We gave several early bird discounts to those who booked tickets online. Now, we are giving 10-15 percent discounts to offline purchases," Sarkar said.

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By PTI: London, Dec 31 (PTI) A third of new scientific findings are published in languages other than English, contributing to biases in our understanding and hinderances to the advance of science and research, a new study has found.

English is now considered the common language of global science. All major scientific journals seemingly publish in English, despite the fact that their pages contain research from across the globe.

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Language hinders new findings getting through to practitioners in the field and causes the international community missing important science, said researchers from the University of Cambridge in the UK.

They argue that whenever science is only published in one language, barriers to the transfer of knowledge are created.

The researchers call on scientific journals to publish basic summaries of a studys key findings in multiple languages and universities to encourage translations as part of their outreach evaluation criteria.

The researchers point out an imbalance in knowledge transfer in countries where English is not the mother tongue - much scientific knowledge that has originated there is available only in English and not in their local languages.

Researchers surveyed the web platform Google Scholar in a total of 16 languages for studies on biodiversity conservation published during a single year, 2014.

Of the over 75,000 documents, including journal articles, books and theses, some 35.6 per cent were not in English.

Of these, the majority was in Spanish (12.6 per cent) or Portuguese (10.3 per cent). Simplified Chinese made up six per cent and three per cent were in French.

Random sampling showed that only around half of non-English documents included titles or abstracts in English.

This means that around 13,000 documents on conservation science published in 2014 are unsearchable using English keywords.

This can result in sweeps of current scientific knowledge - known as systematic reviews - being biased towards evidence published in English, researchers said.

This, in turn, may lead to over-representation of results considered positive or statistically significant, and these are more likely to appear in English language journals deemed high-impact.

In addition, information on areas specific to countries where English is not the mother tongue can be overlooked when searching only in English.

For environmental science, this means important knowledge relating to local species, habitats and ecosystems - but also applies to diseases and medical sciences.

"Native English speakers tend to assume that all the important information is available in English," Amano said.

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"On the other hand, non-native English speakers tend to think carrying out research in English is the first priority, often ending up ignoring non-English science and its communication," he said.

The research was published in the journal PLOS Biology. PTI MHN SAR MHN

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Speaking to officers, Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi put to rest all speculation about his resignation by stating that he will continue to lead Eastern Command with full professional sincerity hitherto fore.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Indian Army's Eastern Command chief Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi today squashed speculation about his resignation, and called up to congratulate General Bipin Rawat as the latter took charge as the new Army chief.

"Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi today greeted all ranks of the Army's Eastern Command on New Year Eve. Speaking to officers, he put to rest all speculation about his resignation by stating that he will continue to lead Eastern Command with full professional sincerity hitherto fore," an official statement said.

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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: "I convey my best wishes and full support of the Eastern Command to General Bipin Rawat on having taken over as the Chief of Army Staff," Lt General Bakshi said. The Lieutenant General is one of the top Army Generals to be superseded in the selection of the new Army chief to succeed General Dalbir Singh on the latter's retirement on December 31 requested that "speculations and trolling in the media and social media should stop and everyone should focus on contributing their best to the betterment of the Army and the nation." He was the senior most Army officer after General Dalbir Singh but was superseded to make way for General Bipin Rawat, who took over as the Chief of the Army Staff today. Southern Army Commander, Lt General PM Hariz, was the other superseded officer. There had been speculation about Lt General Bakshi's resignation, which were fuelled further when he recently met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and also went on a three-day leave.

Also read: Government may assign post at par with Army chief to superseded Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi

Also read: Gen. Dalbir Singh retires after 43 years in service, Bipin Rawat to take charge

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For many, 2016 is

. The death of so many cultural icons, a divisive U.S. election for the history books, the rise of nationalism, Syria, lone wolf terrorist attacks, Harambe, etc. But others think we've failed to put the past year into historical context and that says nothing about next year -- fraught with political uncertainty, the possibility of economic instability and it's not like Hollywood stars are getting any younger. It could get worse.

What do you think?

PERSPECTIVES

It's not just in your head. 2016 saw a spike in celebrity deaths, and they skewed younger than normal. It's worth noting that this year was front-loaded and the last six months were in line with normal statistics. But add the amplification effect of social media, and it feels like everyone we know and love is dying. Let's just hope it's an anomaly.

We should probably put 2016 within historical context. We've had a lot of bad years. What about World War II or the year "Howard The Duck" was released?

MORE: Pretty much every year was the worst year ever

2016 was the worst. Let's remove the whole celebrity death thing. We're talking massive political upheaval on a scale no one has seen in a lifetime. The total rejection of globalism. The collapse of the status quo. Countries are retreating inward, projecting "us versus them" and electing populists with authoritarian streaks.

We had Aleppo and Nice and the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. Tragedy at every turn, with folks powerless to stop it. The house was burning down and we just sipped coffee.

MORE: Why 'This Is Fine' Is the Meme This Year Deserves

Ever year is the worst year ever. Humans rarely learn from history. We repeat mistakes. Tragedy is cyclical.

The grim reality is that many of the radical political changes the Western world voted for in 2016 -- like Trump, Brexit, etc. -- won't take effect until 2017 and beyond. So if you thought 2016 was bad, hold on to your butts.

It's in the nature of years to feel exhausting in retrospect. The world is punishing; we have short collective memories and a cognitive bias that makes us recall bad events more vividly than good ones. The awful folkways of social media -- which encourage us to call out bad things in dramatic fashion and then pretend that we've been helpful -- have led to something of an annual conclusion. Google searches for "worst year ever" spike each December. Every year is the worst year ever, we've started to say.

Many, many people are convinced that 2016 is the worst year ever.

2016: the year all the good celebrities died and the worst celebrity on the planet was elected president. Rest in peace Carrie Fisher.  Zack (@ChiChiGordita) December 27, 2016

i think we can all agree 2016 has been the worst year ever we have lost so many wonderful n talented ppl it's so saddening   (@DAREDEVllLS) December 27, 2016

Did anyone try unplugging 2016 and plugging it back in?  zeynep tufekci (@zeynep) July 22, 2016

Hey, 2016 ... 2017 would like a word with you.

2016: I was the worst year



2017: Hi pic.twitter.com/INZfCz5pOl  Moochar (@AsliBinLaden) December 18, 2016

Other people think calling 2016 the worst year ever is a bit naive.

If you think 2016 is the worst year ever because a few celebs died then you've lived a pretty easy life. #realtalk  Lauren  (@missscottfraser) December 28, 2016

So, 2016 was the "Worst. Year. Ever." and you "can't even"? 1665 seemed worse since everyone got the plague and literally couldn't even.  Matt Sebek (@MattSebek) December 28, 2016

The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Digital, Inc. property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say.
Michael Grimm

Staten Island's former congressman, Michael Grimm, who was convicted for tax evasion has asked a federal appeals court to reinstate his law license. (AP Photo/Kevin Hagen)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y -- Former Congressman Michael Grimm, who was convicted for tax evasion, is appealing a federal court ruling to reinstate his law license in the southern district of New York, where he was previously disbarred.

Attorneys for Grimm maintain that he should get a one-year suspension instead of disbarment from practicing law in the federal court system in the southern district of New York, said a source who requested anonymity.

Grimm voluntarily agreed to a two-year suspension of his law license in the state of Connecticut, and an interim suspension in New York state, as of September, said the source.

New York state's appellate division has yet to hand down a final disciplinary action against Grimm. But federal grievance officials in the southern district of New York disbarred him.

Grimm's lawyers argue others convicted of worse crimes have eventually been allowed to practice law again, and they want the federal court to hold off on its disciplinary action until the state rules on the case.

"Federal court always defers and waits for discipline actions until the state (court) is done, because the state has the ultimate jurisdiction over your license," said the source.

Grimm was released from a Pennsylvania prison on April 27, three weeks earlier than his original May 20 release date.

The former Marine and undercover FBI agent served a few weeks fewer than the eight-month sentence he was given last year for pleading guilty to one count of 20 in a federal indictment related to his former health food restaurant. Grimm won re-election to Congress in November 2014 while under indictment, pleaded guilty in December of that year and resigned.

Associated Press material was used in this report.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Which stories did Staten Islanders read -- and share -- the most this year? We have the answers.

The borough was home to plenty of positives and negatives in 2016. Below is our list of the five most read stories on SILive.com, as well as the most shared on social media.

MOST READ

1. Home Depot worker's 'America was never great' hat sparks social media rage: In May, a social media image showing a Staten Island Home Depot worker in a white "America Was Never Great" hat dominated digital feeds on Twitter and Facebook. The worker, 22-year-old St. George resident Krystal Lake, told the Advance, "The point of the hat was to say America needs changing and improvement. I don't think it's a positive message to say, 'Let's look to the past.'"

2. Lawsuit: Woman miscarried after cops 'battered' her during 'false' arrest: An explosive lawsuit lands in the No. 2 spot. This February story that took off among readership highlighted a lawsuit from a pregnant woman who claimed police "battered" her, causing her to miscarry, during an incident at her home in 2014.

3. Big Ang's wake: A Staten Island superstar is mourned: Arguably one of Staten Island's most popular personalities, Angela "Big Ang" Raiola, the "Mob Wives" star and beloved-though-controversial community member, died in February. She was 55. Big Ang, a Ward Hill resident, lost her battle with stage 4 lung cancer. Hundreds of family members, friends and fans paid tribute to her.

4. Despite rumors, Big Ang is still alive, surrounded by family and husband: The story that preceded her death skyrocketed, as tens of thousands were stricken with grief upon learning that Big Ang was close to death.

5. Powerball winning numbers: Live results for $1.586 billion drawing (Jan. 13, 2016): Nothing stirs up interest like a massive jackpot. In this case, a Powerball prize of more than $1.5 billion drew scores of readers who were eager to learn if they had won the big jackpot.

MOST SHARED

1. 9/11 victims with ties to Staten Island: Every year, the Advance recognizes the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks. Every year, tens of thousands of readers read our list and learn about the 274 Staten Islanders who perished that late summer morning. It was our most shared social media item of 2016.

2. Big Ang wake: Paying respect to a Staten Island superstar: Hundreds of family members, friends and fans packed a Brooklyn funeral home in February to bid farewell to the beloved Big Ang. The gallery attached to the story was one of the most popular items shared on social media platforms.

3. 1990s nightlife on Staten Island: The clubs, the hair, the memories: We rolled out a glorious slideshow highlighting 1990s hangouts on Staten Island. Back when Ace of Base was the bomb and La Bouche was all that and a bag of chips, places like The Wave and Redspot were jammed with folks looking to dance away the night.

4. 20 Staten Island restaurants we miss: They're gone, but not forgotten. Pal Joey's, Victory Diner and the Corner House are just three of many listed in this slideshow. Take a glimpse into the borough restaurants that diners loved, but unfortunately lost.

5. Staten Island Mall: Rare photos of the way it used to be: The Honeycomb. The echoing fountains. Oh, the throwbacks! The Staten Island Mall vintage photo gallery lit up social media when it was unveiled in April. While the days of Waldenbooks are history, it's never too late to look back at these classic Mall images.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - It was 25 years ago today that a fire, followed by an explosion, united a North Shore community.

On New Year's Eve, 1991, a fire displaced 32 residents from an apartment building at 2065 Richmond Terrace, near Port Richmond Avenue.

The apartment building was attached to Sam's Car Service, where workers already had begun evacuating children by the time firefighters arrived, according to Advance archives.

Firefighters and workers then evacuated the remaining six children in the building together.

"The workers -- from nearby construction and container yards, a lumber store and a building-renovation site -- awoke the sleeping inhabitants of the burning apartment buildings in Port Richmond Square by yelling, honking horns, breaking windows and knocking down doors," reported the Staten Island Advance, in its coverage of the event on Jan. 2, 1992.

As firefighters worked to extinguish the flames, an explosion thought to be caused by a ruptured gas line blew firefighters off of their perches and into the street.

Residents who already had been rescued teamed with local workers to evacuate the remaining adults from the building, the article states.

Multiple firefighters were injured, but no one died.

In the days that followed, neighbors and workers in Port Richmond assisted newly-displaced residents, while area businesses took up collections for families and promised donations of food, clothing and furniture.

A new building now stands at 2065 Richmond Terrace. The other buildings in the same intersection remain, though many of the businesses have since changed.
New Delhi hit back at Beijing saying China's decision is surprising as China too had been affected by the scourge of terrorism and had declared opposition to all forms of terror.

By Gaurav C Sawant: Much to India's chagrin, China has yet again blocked India's efforts to have Jaish-e-Muhammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations.

Earlier too, China had repeatedly put a technical hold on the sanctions list seeking more deliberations on the subject but with barely 48 hours before the hold lapsed, China, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council blocked India's move.

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New Delhi hit back at Beijing saying China's decision is surprising as China too had been affected by the scourge of terrorism and had declared opposition to all forms of terror.

"The international community is aware that the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed, which is proscribed by the United Nations, has been responsible for innumerable terrorist attacks on India including the Pathankot Air Base attack. The inability of the international community to list its leader Masood Azhar is an unfortunate blow to the concerted efforts to effectively counter all forms of terrorism, and confirms prevalence of double standards in the fight against terrorism," Vikas Swaroop, spokesperson for the external affairs ministry said.

China was the only country in the 15-member UN Security council blocking sanctions against Masood Azhar. Twice this year, China has extended a technical hold on sanctions - the first time in April and the second time in October. In fact Syed Akbaruddin, India's Permanent Representative at the UN had hit out at the UN SC calling it unresponsive and indecisive.

Akbaruddin said that UNSC had become unresponsive to the needs of our times and ineffective to meeting the challenges (of terror) it is confronted with. "JeM is a designated terrorist organization. There is evidence in public domain of its involvement in terror activities. However China repeatedly blocks sanctions against its chief despite India repeatedly putting evidence in public domain," sources said.

China in the past has indirectly accused India of pursuing political interests in the name of countering terror, a charge India has denied.

Undeterred, India intends to pursue building a strong case against Masood Azhar and his brother Rauf. The NIA chargesheeted the two for the Pathankot terror attack along with two others - Shahid Latif and Kashif Jaan - all Pakistani terrorists.

China has also invested heavily in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor connecting Xinjiang to the Arabian Sea port of Gwadar. Had China not blocked sanctions against Azhar, it would have been seen as a set back to the much touted all weather friendship.

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The first section, a compilation of writing, concerns relationships  how they operate, become dysfunctional and can be revived.

The collection of 70 essays includes commentaries, stories and poems by 40 writers and has been elegantly organised to provide a comprehensive insight into the range of issues that affect women in PNG today.

The book, of more than 200 pages, is published by Pukpuk Publications and will be launched in Port Moresby and Brisbane in March.

EDITED by Rashmii Amoah Bell, My Walk to Equality, the first ever collection of womens writing from Papua New Guinea, has entered the final stages of production.

Then follows contributions on self-awareness and self-empowerment, two significant psychological phenomena that determine the efficacy with which women can cope with and manage the discrimination and prejudice they all too often confront.

The third section consists of works on breaking the glass ceiling - challenging societys views about women.

And the final segment looks at legacies, stories on what the women of today have been bequeathed by some great female role models who went before them.

In addition to this abundance of writing, there are forewords by Elvina Ogil and Tanya Zeriga-Alone and an introduction by Rashmii Bell backgrounding the book, highlighting its themes and referring to some of the contributions that stood out for her.

As I write this, it seems we have not succeeded in gaining financial support for book distribution from either the United Nations Development Program or the Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea.

UNDP was never keen, despite its stewardship of the United Nations sustainable development goals which PNG is seeking to achieve and which this book articulates.

My Walk to Equality also falls squarely into two of the critical objectives of all external development assistance to PNG  the elimination of violence against women and the promotion of gender equality.

The Australian representatives in PNG expressed enthusiasm for the concept but have so far made no firm commitment. Im still hoping

That said, the project continues, albeit on a smaller scale than we would want, and we again thank Jo Holman and the Paga Hill Development Company for their support.

They appreciate the important statement the publication of this book makes about Papua New Guinean women receiving recognition and support in the struggle against prejudice and their striving for equality in society.

My Walk to Equality offers both direct action and the opportunity to be a catalyst for even more positive developments.

Meanwhile, the publication in PNG Attitude of stories from the book has attracted much positive comment from readers of the blog and elsewhere in social media.

It seems what this book has to say is already having an impact especially in assisting to empower those women who are in a position to take a lead.
By Arpan Rai: The Metro is coming to Delhi's tony South Extension, but at a price. The inordinate delay in construction and the resulting traffic mess is driving away both shoppers and businesses. With the top spot occupied by Khan Market, South Extension ranked third on the list of most expensive retail locations in the Capital just a year ago. But the mass transit project that was expected to bring more business to the area is now squeezing the life out of the once-booming market. Due to the ongoing construction by DMRC, the entire stretch has become a traffic nightmare as motorists arrive through three lanes but are forced into a narrow passage.

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The choke point leaves no space for shoppers to move around as the footpath too has been dismantled. The absence of parking lots has compounded the problem.

"The Metro construction has paralysed the demand as footfall has gone down tremendously. Forget demand, shopkeepers are fleeing market and at least 10-12 shops have called it a day," Rajeev Rastogi, chairman of the South Extension market, told MAIL TODAY. Sources said top brands that set up shop here struggled at first and then called it quits, moving their stores elsewhere.

"My business has dipped by 80 per cent. Of this I lost more than 50 per cent before demonetisation and due to the traffic mess. As secretary of the market association, I do not advise construction by DMRC in flourishing markets. I will simply advise other markets to stop DMRC and not give them any space," said Sudhir Ahuja, who also owns Kudos, a bag store. Shop owners said the golden period for business used to begin for South Ex- as the market is popularly known- from September and ended in January. But times have changed, for the worse.

NO DIWALI FOR SOUTH EXTENSION

"The business hit rock bottom during Diwali, having been reduced to a mere 20 per cent of what we used to see in the past. During the wedding season business used to spike, but this year it was reduced by almost 70 to 75 per cent of the usual," said a retailer.

"My business has come down to just a fourth of what it was before the construction began. No one wants to come here now. Customers can't walk, can't park vehicles. A project of two and a half years has taken five years, enough to impact our business immensely," said Rakesh, owner of RK Jewellers. Retrenchment of employees is in the hundreds now, he told MAIL TODAY.

The Metro station, located almost 20m under the ground, will straddle both part South Extension I and II markets. "A primary reason behind the delay in the ongoing work is the traffic problem," said Praveen Yadav, an official from the construction firm, Pratibha Industries.

CHOKED ROADS, FOOTPATHS DISMANTLED

DMRC officials told Mail Today that work has entered the final stages, though the situation will remain chaotic for many months to come. "Ninety per cent of the work on the South Extension Metro station is over and we have started the restoration of footpaths. Hundred metres of barricades have been removed and remaining will be removed in the next four or five months," said a DMRC spokesperson.

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Metro officials also said they have tried their best to ensure visibility of the market by removing barricades. The latest deadline proposed by officials now stands at July 2017, with a trial run scheduled in June.

Residents from neighbouring localities were initially against the project, fearing trespassing. Now, they say, they are paying the price for agreeing to the construction as their parking spaces have been encroached upon by outsiders. "The roads in this market have been choked to such an extent that in case of any mishap or fire, there is no space for fire brigade to enter," said Rastogi, who lives in the vicinity.

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Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Mini liquor bottles photographed Thursday December 22, 2016. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Mini liquor bottles photographed Thursday December 22, 2016. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Mini liquor bottles photographed Thursday December 22, 2016. Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Mini liquor bottles photographed Thursday December 22, 2016. Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Simon Robson, a resident of the U.K., looks over alcohol for sale prior to his trip Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Minibottles of alcohol for sale at the Duty Free Americas shop at the Salt Lake City Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Simon Robson, who is about to fly to Amsterdam, takes a sample from assistant store Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Simon Robson chooses a large bottle of Grey Goose Vodka from the Duty Free Americas Scott Sommerdorf | The Salt Lake Tribune Minibottles of alcohol for sale at the Duty Free Americas shop at the Salt Lake City Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Mini liquor bottles photographed Thursday December 22, 2016.
(Ed: Please pardon me for the wall of text, but that last entry annoyed the heck out of me.)

You know how in your teenage and college fantasy where you played Dustin Hoffman in All The Presidents Men? Remember when you dreamed of getting that one little lead and following breadcrumbs from point A to Pulitzer Prize? Yeah, network security and audits are a lot like that. Your problem is that you've had eight years of getting used to reading gov't reports and taking for granted that they tell the story. Stenographers 'R Us, in a nutshell.

When you talk about IT or whether to 'believe' intelligence reports about it, do better than read a 13pp PDF directed to network admins. You should really look at the data supplied too.

This page released by CERT (that's important) is the Joint Analysis Report released by the FBI and DHS. At the bottom is the link to the 13 page PDF that they released. What the author of the Rolling Stone article linked to in the last entry failed to do is look at the other file on that page. It's available in a handy CSV file format if you don't grok STIX XML. The CSV is utterly redundant. CERT only needs to distribute the STIX format as that's what admins will use to harden their networks. The CSV is there for reporters.

Back to CERT, which is one of the most trusted of information disseminating entities in the world of IT. For the most part, they send out weekly bulletins about security related patches for firmware, OS's, services, and applications. Occasionally they'll send out flashes of things, but that is rare and a big deal when they do.

To say yesterdays publication via CERT is unprecedented may be accurate, but to question the make up of a document that is light on 'facts' misreads the purpose of the document. It was aimed at security and network professionals on the front-lines. It wasn't written for reporters. If every administrator of machines and networks followed the recommended security setups and procedures in that document no one would ever be talking about hacking.

Now, rather than write an article complaining how not enough data was spoon-fed to you, you could look at the actual data files, contact some of the owners of the IP addresses and maybe figure out why the intelligence services are confident in their claim.

Email spam is already well-known. Targeted email is a different beast. If the target is a hunter then the crafted email they get looks like an email from Cabela's. The hit ratio goes way up. Most people would just think that google sold their search info instead of them being the target of a malicious attack. In actuality the website the email links to goes to one of the domains below and hosts a malicious website made to look like Cabela's site. It has javascript in it that infects your computer. Even worse, the link in the email is a shortened form link. 'bty.com/276dfgr, 'tco.com/erfgh' or 'ln.com/badlink' so the target can't verify the end point by looking at it. Anyone can make these.

These domains were used in targeted email spoofs.

www.cderlearn.com - 209.236.67.159 - WestHost, Inc. - Providence UT, USA

ritsoperrol.ru - dead domain name

littjohnwilhap.ru - dead domain name

wilcarobbe.com - dead domain name

one2shoppee.com - dead domain name

insta.reduct.ru - 146.185.161.126 - Digital Ocean, Inc., New York, NY

editprod.waterfilter.in.ua - 176.114.0.120 - FOP Sedinkin Olexandr Valeriyovuch - Boyarka, Ukraine

mymodule.waterfilter.in.ua - dead domain name

efax.pfdregistry.net - dead domain name

Of the 249 identified IP addresses, these are Canadian: (Any CDN reporters wanna call McGill? For kicks, maybe?)

167.114.35.70 - OVH Hosting - Montreal - McGill College

198.50.177.202 - OVH Hosting - Montreal - McGill College

142.10.38.212 - Ontario Hydro

69.70.199.50 - Videotron Ltee - Montreal

207.176.226.8 - Rigstar Communications Inc - Calgary

66.158.142.2 - MORGAN SCHAFFER INC. - Lasalle, Quebec

See below the fold for a numerical count of IP's by country.
The number of homes in Canberra being listed on Airbnb has more than doubled in the past year.

New figures have revealed more than 700 homes or apartments were listed on the home-sharing website in 2016.

Tim van der Linden and Panatda rent out their Acton apartment on Airbnb Credit:Rohan Thomson

The figures also showed that 27,000 people used the service in the past 12 months, as Airbnb continues to grow in the capital.

Airbnb Australia country manager Sam McDonagh said he expected more Canberrans to open up their homes to guests in the coming year.
Calwell resident, Ian Williams captures ''air glow'' another colourful natural phenomenon in our night sky, just out of Tuggeranong. Credit:Ian Williams According to Williams, "the sky doesn't get properly dark until the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon, which is about one hour after sunset," however, it's clear his love of the outdoors means he doesn't mind arriving early. "It's great to watch the birds fly to their roosts and the wombats emerge from their hollows," remarks Williams, adding "we're only 10 minutes from Tuggeranong but out here it feels a million miles [or should that be light years!], away." Ian Williams' stunning photo capturing the pinkish red Aurora Australis and Zodiacal light over Mt Tennent on September 27, 2016. Credit:Ian Williams With all his equipment at the ready, the waiting game begins.

"Where are the donuts," I joke as Williams pours me a cuppa from his trusty thermos. Ian Williams, aurora chaser in his bush ''office'' near Tuggeranong earlier this week. Credit:Ian Williams Well, it is a stake-out of sorts, isn't it, and given Williams sometimes stays out until 3am, we could be in for a long night. "You're just lucky it's not mid-winter," points out Williams, warning, "some nights out here the ice settles on my head and you need hand warmers for the camera lens to prevent condensation building up." Sitting in shorts and t-shirts and squatting the odd mosquito, while it's clear that I've definitely picked the right night weather-wise for my inaugural aurora chase, it appears as if lady luck has failed to deliver on high solar winds, one of the most critical celestial conditions required to create an aurora.

"It's not looking good," says Williams analysing real-time data downloading on his laptop which is used to predict the extent of a possible aurora. "The speed, density and direction of the solar wind with respect to the Earth's magnetic field all influence the likelihood of an aurora," explains Williams, exclaiming, "you should have come last week when there was a solar winds got up to 600 km/second  that's from here to Brisbane in two seconds flat!" Concerned I might be disappointed, Williams explains, "auroras aren't the only lights that can be seen in Canberra's night sky, you can also spot two dwarf galaxies, namely the large and small magellanic clouds as well as several nebulae," adding, "Oh, and I'm still trying to get a decent shot of a big shooting star." But I'm far from downcast, in fact, I'm just chuffed to be soaking up a balmy summer evening in the great outdoors. Between listening to an owl fidgeting in its roost in the closest gum and the call of distant fox, Williams reveals that his fascination for the night sky began when at the age of 14 he built a "15cm reflective telescope".

After following a career in the legal profession for the best part of three decades, earlier this year Williams finally quit his day job as a principal lawyer in a government agency to pursue his love of astrophotography. "I'm now studying a master of teaching and hope to help others appreciate the art of astrophotography," he explains. With the thermos now empty, and the readings on the laptop confirming I'll remain an aurora australis virgin at least another night, Williams announces, "it's time to pull stumps". Crunching through the fallen gum leaves I wander over to the camera for one last check through the lens. The screen is filled with a yellow glow. My heart skips a beat. "It can't be, can it?"

"Oh, that's a common mistake," explains Williams. "It's not an aurora, but is air glow, the emission of light by atoms and molecules excited through chemical processes in the upper atmosphere." Wow! Well, if that's just air glow, I'm hooked. Imagine the beauty of an aurora. Sure, watching the fireworks light up Sydney Harbour or over Civic is colourful, but for me, nothing beats a night out in the bush under the spell of our night sky. Tips to photographing an aurora Did Santa bring you a new digital SLR camera for Christmas? Here are some tips from Ian Williams to photographing an aurora.

Before setting out on a field trip, check websites such as spaceweatherlive.com/ and various Facebook pages such as 'Aurora Australis NSW/ ACT /SA' on the likelihood of an aurora. Always use a tripod and preferably a wide angle lens such as 24mm to 35mm. Set the camera to manual so you choose the exposure length and aperture. Start with a 20-25 second exposure (if there is no moon) with your camera to the widest (fastest) lens opening eg: f2.8 or f3.5. Auto focus and image stabilisers should be switched off and the lens focused manually, it is best to get the focus as sharp as possible by either taking some test shots of stars or by using live focus on a bright star if you have it. Take photos as you wish or set the camera to take multiple exposures or a time-lapse. Williams is happy to provide advice to anyone wanting to photograph an aurora. He can be contacted on: ianmwillo@gmail.com CHAMPAGNE MYSTERY The remains of the bottle of champagne smashed over the bow of the MV Dolphin at Huskisson in 1936. Credit:Jervis Bay Maritime Museum

The curious ''Canberra'' cork from a bottle of champagne smashed over the bow of the MV Dolphin at Huskisson in 1936. Credit:Jervis Bay Maritime Museum While champagne corks aplenty will be popping all over Canberra this New Year's Eve, spare a thought for the dedicated folk at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum who will mark the passing of another year, remaining intrigued as to the origins of a 1936 'Canberra' branded champagne cork. According to Graham Hinton, curator at the Huskisson-based museum, "at the launch of the MV Dolphin into Currambene Creek in 1936 a bottle of champagne with a 'Canberra' cork was used to christen the vessel." The Shoalhaven News and South Coast Districts Advertiser provides further insight into the launching of the vessel, which at the time "was the second largest wooden craft built in Australia since the Great War". The paper's August 8, 1936, edition (p3) reports that Miss N. Mottram, of Numba, christened the vessel MV Dolphin [renamed Duranbah shortly afterwards], "by breaking a bottle of champagne on the bow as she slipped from the stays into deep water, the whole of the surrounding scene being lit up by flare lights." Although the cork, it's metal seal clearly embossed with 'CANBERRA' has been part of the maritime museum's collection "for many years", its origins have remained unknown.

"So far we have been unable to discover any vineyards in the Canberra region that would have produced sparkling wines at that time," explains Hinton. In an attempt to solve the maritime mystery, earlier this week this column tracked down Canberra wine luminary Ken Helm. But even he is stumped. "The Canberra Cork Plantation started in 1914 and could have been producing some cork bark by 1936," reports Helm. "I do not have any records of the bark being used for wine corks let alone champagne corks." Further, according to Helm, "in 1936 the main Australian champagne producers were Seppelts Great Western, Minchinbury, Penfolds and Lindemans so perhaps [it]could have come from one of them?" he ponders. At the time of writing, none of these champagne producers have been able to shed any light to the origins of the cork. Surely someone must know.

Note: If you are headed to the coast for some salt water therapy this holiday season, you can check out the remains of the champagne bottle, including the cork, for yourself at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, arguably one of the best of its kind in regional Australia. On the waterfront, Woollamia Road, Huskisson. Ph: 4441 5675 or web: jervisbaymaritimemuseum.asn.au/ PHOTO OF THE YEAR Bogong moths fill the night sky in the Brindabellas. Credit:Peter Blunt At this time each year, this column announces its much anticipated 'photograph of the year'. There are only two criteria. Firstly the photograph must have appeared on these pages during the past 12 months and secondly it must shine the spotlight on the natural or social heritage of our region. Although published on January 23, 2016, this year's winning photograph was taken almost 12 months ago to the day, when Peter Blunt, of Theodore, celebrated the start of 2016 by clambering up a peak in the Brindabellas.

As Blunt and his wife and daughter approached the summit of Mt Gingera just after sunset, he "heard what sounded like a semi-trailer working its way up a long hill - a low thrum". Once atop the lofty peak, the origins of the curious sound were revealed. "The summit was a swarming frenzy of bogong moths," reports Blunt. "They seemed to be buzzing around the area generally, not flying off in a group to some other destination, they were all around and often bumped into us." Blunt managed to video the scene and when he snapped some photos with his digital camera. "The flash went off automatically and captured the moths in flight against the darkening light in amongst the rocks and bushes." Adding to the light show were "the orange street lights of the city which seemed to flicker through the haze," which according to Blunt, "looked like the embers of a distant bushfire, a reversal of the same scene we had seen in 2003 when we had looked from Tuggeranong towards Namadgi on the evening of the fires." If Blunt returns to Gingera this New Year's Eve, he'll be hard pressed to beat his photographic record from last year. Stunning.

WHERE ON THE SOUTH COAST? Where is this on the south coast? Credit:Tim the Yowie Man Cryptic Clue: Fill 'er up. Degree of difficulty: Medium Where on the south coast last week. Credit:Tim the Yowie Man
Immunisation rates for some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the ACT have fallen to be the lowest in the country, while rates for the overall population stayed relatively in line with national averages.

Statistics from the Australian Immunisation Register, formally the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register, showed the rates of five-year-olds fully immunised fell by six per cent, to be below the national average for the first time in four years, and the lowest of any state or territory.

The rate of fully immunised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Canberra aged one and two increased from 2015 to 2016, but for two-year-olds the number was still below the national average.

ACT health minister Meegan Fitzharris said the government was investigating options to enhance coverage rates for children.

She said due to the low number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children residing in the ACT, there has historically been significant fluctuations in the immunisation coverage rates
CRUDE oil prices raced higher at the weekend, with the New York contract closing at a fresh two-year peak as traders watched heavy fighting in Libya, particularly in the oil-important east.

New York's light sweet crude for April delivery closed at $US104.42 a barrel, a hefty $US2.51 gain.

The benchmark WTI contract has added about $US18, or more than 21 per cent, over the past two weeks. It hit an intraday peak in the latest trading at $US104.60, the highest level since September 29, 2008.

In London, Brent North Sea crude for April gained $US1.18 to settle at $US115.97.

"New investors are going to hit the market," said Rich Ilczyszyn of brokerage Lind-Waldock.
When Kenan Toker enrolled to study electrical engineering specialising in power generation, he thought he would be training for a job in a growth industry full of opportunities.

But after graduating with his engineering degree earlier this year, Mr Toker, 24, from the Sydney suburb of Mosman, struggled to find a job.

"When I started studying I thought of it as the up-and-coming area," he said. "A lot of electrical power infrastructure around Sydney needs to be replaced over the next 10 or 15 years. That was a big part of me choosing that field.

"But there seem to be very few opportunities available."
I am puzzled by the continuing and frequent references to the City to the Lake project.

In June, The Canberra Times revealed that engineering consultants had delivered to the government in December 2014 a report that estimated the cost of lowering and covering Parkes Way at more than $460million ("Lowering Parkes Way priced at $460m", June 22, p2).

This cost exceeds that of the Majura Parkway and the GDE combined and was noted by the consultants to have a very poor cost/benefit ratio. At this point the City to the Lake project was, using the words of a former prime minister, "dead, buried and cremated".

It would be kind to Chief Minister Andrew Barr to describe this proposed project as a thought bubble or a pipedream that he has been reluctant to let go of. If this was the case, it would be a very expensive one, with millions of dollars spent on overvalued acquisitions, numerous and ongoing studies and with the destruction of two of Canberra's best-loved institutions: the paddle boats and bike hire businesses.
If the ratios are unnerving  the notion that the fates of so many could be determined by so few  then the line-up is downright Kafkaesque.

Amid all this frivolity, though, is a list that's genuinely frightening  a troubling sign of what the world has become, or maybe just a grim reminder of what it's always been. Forbes magazine's " Most Powerful People ": an index of 74 individuals  one for every 100 million people on the planet  " whose actions mean the most ", according to Forbes contributor David M. Ewalt.

It's that time of the year again. In an effort to celebrate or sum up  or maybe just expunge  the events of a year that's just wound up, we've become obsessed with rankings.

Russian President Vladimir Putin: No. 1 on the Forbes list of most powerful people. Credit:Alexei Druzhinin

It's worth a look, though, at the close of a year that, according to one BBC broadcaster, "punched truth in the face", because the candidate right at the top is Russian president Vladimir Putin, who's not too busy denying his complicity in Syrian war crimes to plot the release of a cache of 19,000 emails hacked from Democratic National Convention, thereby clinching electoral victory for none other than No. 2 on Forbes' list, US President-elect Donald Trump; a man whose disregard for the truth has become the pivotal theme of 2016.

That these two contenders have clawed their way to pinnacle of this dubious list says less about their worthiness than their willingness to wield power  to do whatever's required to get it, and to hang on to it at all costs. And if there are some admirable inclusions  such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, one of only six women  that's little comfort. The fact remains that Forbes' list is populated by such a disturbing number of criminals and psychopaths and it reads like a who's who of global tyranny.

For budding megalomaniacs out there who want to know what it takes to make their way into such exalted company, you'll need power  read: control  over lots of people and in lots of places. You'll also need resources. Read: money. But, hey, the two usually go together. For a lesson in the bifold benefits of power and money, refer to this year's winner and runner-up, both of whom have made an art form of hitching their business dealings to their political interests.

And if you're lucky enough, or maybe corrupt enough, to have found your way to absolute power, you'll also need to be prepared to flex your muscle, according to Forbes, because, goodness knows, there's no point sitting idly by, twiddling your thumbs. Kim Jong-un, for instance, gets the big tick because, according to Ewalt, he's prepared to "punish dissent with death". Hats off, then, to the North Korean dictator. And to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, too, who has earned himself a spot on the coveted list despite, or maybe because of, his enthusiasm for extrajudicial killings, some by his own hand.
I write this huddled in a corner of my office cuddling a stack of vinyl records that have been on constant repeat as a dirge to 2016.

Beside me is an open bottle of wine and a spare, just in case, along with enough cheese to constipate a giant.

On the wish list: Sonia Kruger. Credit:Channel Nine

You see I can't move from this spot until midnight tonight. I dare not to. There has been butterfly effect enough this year. I shall not flap, just in case.

There shall be no Auld Lang Syne here when the clock strikes 12. I'm still torn between playing Bowie's All the Young Dudes and Cohen's Hallelujah. But hey, it might be George Michael's Careless Whisper or Prince's 1999.
By PTI: Colombo, Dec 30 (PTI) India and Sri Lanka will hold the second round of ministerial-level meeting here next week to find a solution to the vexed fishermen issue, Lankan Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has said.

Ahead of the ministerial-level talks here, a Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting will take place in New Delhi tomorrow which will be co-chaired by seceteraies for animal husbandary and fishiries department of the respective countries.

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The members of External Affaitrs Ministry, Coast-guard, Navy and officials of Tamil Nadu government will also take part in the JWG meeting.

First round of discussions was held in November in New Delhi with a view to arriving at a permanent solution on the issue. The delegation comprised Amaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera and other senior officials.

The second round is scheduled to be held on January 2, 2017 here, Amaraweera said. Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh is expected to attend the meeting. It is not yet clear if External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would attend the meeting as she is recuperating from an operation.

"We have held Indian boats for doing illegal fishing here. We have released people while confiscating boats. This has helped us reduce the number of illegal fishing incidents by 50 per cent," Amaraweera said, adding that over 120 boats of Indians indulging in illegal fishing in the Sri Lankan waters are being currently held by Sri Lanka.

India and Sri Lanka on November 4 decided to set up a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries to meet every three months and hold a meeting between the Ministers for Fisheries every six months during the first round of extensive ministerial-level talks held in New Delhi on possible mechanisms to find a permanent solution to the emotive issue of fishermen.

There have been several alleged incidents of Sri Lankan Navy personnel firing at Indian fishermen fishing in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats.

The Palk Strait, which is a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both the countries.

The fishermen associations of India and Sri Lanka had held talks on the issue here last month where the delegation from the island nation rejected demands for relaxation of norms for fishermen from Tamil Nadu to use fishing trawlers. PTI CORR UZM PYK AKJ SUA MVV

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"[A]ny softening of approach by the government in relation to unauthorised arrivals in this country, including their custody, will be an invitation to persons without genuine claims to pursue the same route."

This warning against boat people echoes the politics of Tony Abbott's "stop the boats" campaigns of 2010 and 2013, and the so-called "Tampa" election of 2001, won by John Howard after his government tried to stop a boatload of refugees from reaching the Australian mainland.

A group of Vietnamese boat people arriving in Australia.

Yet the words belonged to then Labor immigration minister Gerry Hand in April 1992, who implored his cabinet colleagues to introduce mandatory detention of asylum seekers who arrived by boat.

Newly released cabinet archives show that Mr Hand, from Labor's Left faction, also warned that, if the government failed to "maintain strict border controls and regulate who is allowed into the ... community, there is a grave potential for Australia to become an easy target for spontaneous mass movement".
A 49-year-old career criminal who hasn't set foot in New Zealand since leaving at the age of 13 months is about to be deported from Australia.

Pio Steve, moved to Australia with family as a baby, and despite having no family or friends in New Zealand, is about to be sent back by the Australian government.

Pio Steve, bottom right, in a picture taken inside the Villawood Detention Centre.

He has lived in Australia with his immediate family, and it's unclear whether he has any family left in New Zealand.

But with Australia's continued clampdown on non-citizens with criminal records, Steve, like many other Kiwis, will soon find himself deported after the country implemented tough changes to its Migration Act at the end of 2014.
Catherine Raffaele, lead educational designer at the Hatchery, says the program helps students adapt to a changing job market. "Jobs that we thought five years ago were immune to automation are now becoming prime candidates for digital disruption," she says. "Jobs of the future will require people to create their own work, be flexible and solve problems." Raffaele, who is also completing her PhD on entrepreneurial learning and co-working practices, says the program is very experimental and is constantly adapting to suit student needs. And UTS isn't the only university to pick up on this trend; Sydney's UNSW as well as Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology and Monash University are also putting entrepreneurial skills at the forefront of their teachings. The trend is also filtering through to primary schools, with a number of schools around Australia making use of programs like Club Kidpreneur, a not-for-profit social enterprise that teaches children aged 8-12 how to think like entrepreneurs. The company launched in late 2010, and the idea has grown ever since, with the company now catering for over 8400 kids and 489 schools all over the country. "We're planting seeds and sparking interest so children can have access to this kind of thinking from a young age," says Gemma Alker, general manager of Club Kidpreneur. "We teach kids about problem solving, budgeting, how to use financial maths in a practical way and that businesses can be used for social good  skills that are useful no matter what industry they end up working in."

Alex McCauley, CEO at StartUp Aus, a not-for-profit organisation hoping to transform Australia's future through technology entrepreneurship, has praised the efforts of those trying to implement entrepreneurial education. "It's great that this content is being taught right throughout the schooling process," he says. "There's definitely room for this kind of teaching in the formal curriculum too; as the workforce changes, skills like problem solving and creative thinking will have the most value." A Deloitte study found 65 per cent of the Australian economy is based on industries that are likely to be altered by the improvement of digital technologies. Industries like finance, retail, media, information and communications technology are already heavily affected but miners, construction groups and manufacturers are likely to also face incremental disruption. Guy Abelsohn, another Hatchery graduate, has just returned from a Landing Pad program in Tel Aviv, where he was developing his own business, MyInterview, and is hoping to change the way companies recruit employees. "MyInterview is a site that enables employers to interview candidates over video," says Abelsohn, who started the site in 2014 with co-founder Benjy Gillman. "After the candidate has been shortlisted, an employer will send them a list of questions and the candidate has 30 seconds to view the questions and two minutes to reply." The site allows employers to speed up the recruiting process and interview potential employees from all around the world. "Recruitment is changing dramatically and it's becoming increasingly important that an employee's personality is compatible with the business," Abelsohn says. "Often you can't gauge that with just a piece of paper."
Christopher Pearce, a Melbourne GP and president of the Australasian College of Health Informatics, sees a widening role for machine learning in everyday patient care. Credit:Simon Schluter Google Glass is alive and kicking; San Francisco health start-up Augmedix is refining the internet-browsing eyeglasses to give doctors real time access to patients' electronic health records and the web. And Google Glass is compatible with apps, such as Isabel, that can compute the likely top diagnoses from a patient's symptoms and, according to a 2016 review, even improve on the accuracy of clinicians. The day of humans looking at chest X-rays may be numbered. In a world where the volume of healthcare data, including patient notes, lab tests, medications, imaging, and research articles, will soon be counted in yottabytes  that's 10 to the power of 24 Gigabytes and enough, according to IBM, to fill a stack of DVDs that would stretch from Earth to Mars  it's understandable doctors could use a little help.

But the march of technology is causing frissons of nervousness in medical circles, not just about how to incorporate it into everyday practice but, ultimately, whether jobs now done by doctors could one day be taken by machines. Samsung is attempting to patent a contact lens with a built-in camera. "There is the universe of what we know, and then there is what I know," says Herbert Chase, a physician and professor of medicine at Columbia University. "Medical practitioners can't be expected to master the opus required to recognise all diseases," Chase says. Andrew Bradley, a professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Queensland, is working with Breast Screen SA on an algorithm that combines the results of the mammogram, ultrasound, and MRI to improve breast cancer diagnosis.

"In terms of knowledge, diagnosis, optimal treatment, guideline-based care, I'm pretty sure that machines are already, in some ways, much better than we are." Chase is referring to a branch of AI that promises a tectonic shift in how medicine is practised: it's called machine learning. Machine learning is a way of training computers to tell things apart that leaves the "learning" bit up to the computer itself; its artificial neural networks forge "knowledge" much like our own brains. Take the question of whether a shadow on a chest X-ray is a cancer or something less sinister. A typical machine-learning approach would feed the computer a massive database of chest X-rays with shadows that had been proven cancerous or benign.

The computer would then come to its own conclusions about what features of the X-rays robustly predicted cancer. What's revolutionary is that, because the computer "sees" differently to a radiologist  it objectively applies statistics to millions of pixels  it could, theoretically, discover features in an X-ray not previously thought to flag cancer. With machine learning, according to a September editorial in The New England Journal of Medicine, "we let the data speak for themselves". Letting the data speak for themselves has, this year alone, delivered lung cancer prognoses with greater accuracy than pathologists and, in a study lead-authored by Google scientists published in JAMA, predicted diabetic eye disease better than a panel of ophthalmologists. And it may have saved its first life.

IBM has a $1 billion contract to overhaul computing at the Department of Human Services but has failed to sign onto the government's tax transparency reforms In August Japanese doctors reported using IBM's super computer Watson to crunch through a patient's myriad genetic mutations to diagnose a rare leukaemia. The task would have taken a person two weeks; Watson took 10 minutes. And the stakes couldn't be higher. A May report in the British Medical Journal concluded that, after heart disease and cancer, medical error is the third-highest cause of death in the US, accounting for a staggering 251,000 lives.

Wrong diagnoses make up nearly a third of all medical errors, and at least part of the problem is that human medical thinking can be derailed by cognitive biases. "Anchoring", for example, describes our tendency to fixate on a first piece of information or idea. "Humans get stuck on diagnoses. It's called premature closure, and you just don't expand the differential diagnosis enough. That's where many errors are made," says Chase. Computers, by contrast, consider all possible diagnoses on a level playing field. Data crunching might also help doctors detect illness earlier.

Chase has built an algorithm that combs patients' notes for the telltale symptoms of multiple sclerosis, such as numbness and tingling. He presented his findings at the American Medical Informatics Association conference in November. "We found that about 40 per cent of patients with documented MS were identified by the machine up to two years before it was recorded in their notes that they had MS," Chase says. "They had the signs and symptoms of MS well before the diagnosis was made." But, while diagnosis is important, Chase thinks the potential for machine learning to improve treatment is a game changer.

"There are not that many new diagnoses that have been discovered in my lifetime. The explosive side is therapy ... what is the cutting-edge therapy of common diseases?" Chase gives the example of choosing drug A or B for high blood pressure. Each has a given probability of effectiveness, of side effects and of interacting with the patient's other medications; the average American over 65, according to Chase, takes seven. Do the maths and the decision tree starts to look very gnarly, so how do you work out which drug is better? "A human can't compute that," Chase says, "this is a space where a machine can accomplish something a human can't."

A closely related space is the one in which we gauge a patient's response to treatment. Dr Ben Glocker, a lecturer in medical image computing at London's Imperial College, is using machine learning to refine how we measure the size of brain tumours. "It is relatively easy to see if someone has a tumour or not. But often you need to monitor progression, to see if a treatment such as a drug is successful or not," Glocker says. "Doctors are very good at pattern recognition. What humans don't do so well is to see change," he says.

Doctors currently use the relatively blunt measure of a tumour's maximal diameter to see if it is shrinking or growing; Glocker's algorithms drill down into a tumour's complex structure  including dead or swollen tissue as well as active cancer cells  to give a much more detailed picture of any change after treatment. And Glocker is applying the same fine-grained analysis to the brain scans of people after head trauma, with the aim of linking findings such as swelling and bleeding to outcomes including cognitive and memory impairment. The research, part of the Europe-wide CENTER-TBI study, might in future, for example, help determine the optimal lay off for a head-injured rugby player. "If you take information from the image that a radiologist can't routinely measure and add it to your prediction model you get more accurate predictions," says Glocker. But for all these tangible advances there remains a major hurdle to implementation.

Andrew Bradley, a professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Queensland, is working with Breast Screen SA on an algorithm that combines the results of the mammogram, ultrasound, and MRI to improve breast cancer diagnosis. "For any of the machine-learning techniques to be useful to clinicians they can't just be a black box. They have got to explain themselves to some degree, so that the clinician can look at it and go 'Oh, that's why'," Bradley says. The big danger of the black box is that when it does silly things, nobody can see. And in machine learning, right up there on the silly scale are things called "adversarial images". To explain, say you take a digital image of a bus and layer it with a second image that is just pixel "noise" (imagine the old TV test pattern given a makeover by Jackson Pollock).

To you and me the new image will still look like a bus, but to a computer it could look like an ostrich. And while in every day computing these adversarial images arouse curiosity, "in the medical context they frighten the bejesus out of people', Bradley says. That's because with just a smattering of noise a mammogram with an obvious cancer might no longer even look like a breast to a computer, and so the tumour could be missed. "Nobody expects the mammography system to be 100 per cent accurate. There will always be false negatives and false positives," Bradley says. "It's when the mistake is a stupid mistake that a first-year med student could pick up people get unhappy. That's when you lose any credibility you once had. It's a death blow," he says.

One antidote to the inscrutable black box is, Bradley says, a white box that makes the workings of the medical machine transparent. Bradley is involved in a study, led by radiologist and University of Adelaide PhD candidate Luke Oakden-Rayner, that shines light into the black box. The study reviewed 48 people who had chest CT scans in 2009, half of whom died by 2014. Just by analysing specific parts of the scans such as muscle, fat, heart and lungs a machine-learning model predicted with 65-70 per cent accuracy which patients would die over the five-year span. Critically, the study also showed the machine's predictions could be linked back to scan changes  calcified blood vessels, emphysema, bone thinning  that a doctor could use as a "face value" check that the black box was credible.

"This is one way to make the black box white. To highlight those parts of the image that contributed to its diagnosis," Bradley says. "Even if it gets it horribly wrong doctors could see why it made the mistake, and perhaps forgive it," he says. Back in the consulting room, Dr Christopher Pearce, a Melbourne GP and president of the Australasian College of Health Informatics, sees a widening role for machine learning in everyday patient care. "Say you have a patient with asthma. The system could trawl through the data, pick up subtle changes in patterns of medication usage, and predict a greater risk of hospital admission," Pearce says. Ultimately GPs might use that information to adjust medication, arrange district nursing or schedule tests to avoid the need for hospitalisation.

Pearce doesn't see machines pinching his job anytime soon, but the zephyr of change is being felt more keenly in radiology circles. Melbourne-based Capitol Health recently invested $10 million in health start-up Enlitic, founded by a local data scientist Jeremy Howard, to deploy its machine-learning algorithms throughout its radiology suites. Melbourne expatriate Jeremy Howard, who founded start-up Enlitic, a medical data company in the US. According to its website, Enlitic's technology "detected lung cancer nodules in chest CT images 50 per cent more accurately than an expert panel of radiologists." It's this kind of claim setting radiologists' nerves on edge.

Dr Mark Michalski, a radiologist and director of the Centre for Clinical Data Science at Massachusetts General Hospital, attended the November conference of the Radiological Society of North America. "I talked with a number of people who are very concerned. The predominant question was, 'will AI subvert radiologists?' " Michalski says. Michalski himself is involved with technology that might make his colleagues edgy. He chairs the Medical Advisory Board of Butterfly Network, a start-up that's building a smartphone-sized ultrasound that will enable non-specialists to diagnose conditions such as a bleeding ectopic pregnancy, a potential life-saver in areas with limited access to imaging services. "The hope of this technology is to make ultrasound cheaper and more effective, and to make it possible for ultrasound to be democratised," Michalski says.

But Michalski rejects the suggestion it could replace radiologists. "There is no solution today that allows us to have a radiologist in a box," he says. Glocker's take is that radiology is a specialty in transition. "At some point we probably won't need humans looking at chest X-rays," Glocker says. "But that doesn't mean we won't need radiologists. Radiologists will perhaps become more like data scientists, using the data from machines to make better decisions."

Pearce also sees doctors as having indispensable qualities. "Humans have access to a different set of data. It's the soft stuff, the look of the patient, the way they talk. All data has a social context," he says. "Machine learning is better at using the data it gets. We're better at using the data we get." A thorny question remains, nonetheless, whether doctors practising without machine-learning assistance, including diagnostic apps such as Isabel, can maintain patient care as the technology sets new benchmarks. "Standard of care is not a single line in the sand. The line moves over time," Bradley says.
It's undoubtedly one of the busiest nights of the year for Uber, with the ride sharing service expecting millions of people around the world to use the company to travel home from New Year's Eve celebrations.

But revellers are once again being warned about the company's surge pricing, which will take effect between midnight and 3am, with price hikes expected to be more than three times the normal rates.

Following complaints and horror stories from previous years - in one notorious case a trip home from the Sydney CBD to Coogee that would normally cost $35 surged to $213 - the company has rolled out tips to help make the night run smoothly.

An Uber spokeswoman, Katie Curran, said the company's goal is to ensure "anyone, anywhere can push a button and get a ride within minutes, even on the busiest nights of the year".
"Passengers on Qantas flight QF 2 from Dubai to Sydney have been put up in hotels due to an engineering issue with the aircraft," a spokesman for Qantas said. "The engineering assessment is continuing and, once resolved, we'll be able to provide an updated arrival time. "We're keen to get passengers on their way, but only when it's absolutely safe to do so. We thank everyone for their patience," the spokesman said. "Gutted that I'm missing NYE in Sydney," one passenger posted to Facebook as he used the social media site's "check-in" function at a Dubai hotel. One delayed flyer told Fairfax Media she woke up to find a letter pushed under her hotel room door advising she will be departing on a flight at 4.30pm Dubai-time (11.30pm AEST), in contrast to information accessed on her smartphone on the Qantas app which pointed to an earlier 11am flight, which was then pushed back 20 minutes.

An update from Qantas puts the departure time of Flight QF2 at 11.20am Dubai-time (6.20pm AEST). Passengers have since reported that after being brought to Dubai International Airport by coach, they were told the planned flight had been cancelled, and are now queueing to be re-routed. The quiet delivery of a letter fits in with a wider complaint of a lack of access to any Qantas representatives - something which seems to be only adding to the stress as minimal information filters through. "I think we're all frustrated to be missing New Year's Eve as we'll now be spending it on a plane," the passenger said. "Qantas ought to have had someone at the hotel to answer our questions but instead have been nowhere to be found. That's the frustrating part."

"No one has seen anyone from Qantas. When I called the Qantas service desk this morning they had no idea what was happening and had to put me on hold a few times to try to find out. The hotel put letters under our door," she said. Another Sydneysider caught up in the delays, Mia Parkes-Talbot, told Fairfax Media of the "zombie-like" state of many passengers as hours and hours went by. She said updates came only as new estimates appeared on overhead screens, while Emirates staff were unable to provide further information - with Qantas staff unavailable. Ms Parkes-Tablot describes herself as one of the lucky ones, spending hours in a premium economy lounge after using frequent flyer points - points she hopes are refunded. "Economy was in a holding bay! We saw them wheeling in bottles of water and snacks after about 6 hours," she said. "They were stuck - not even in the airport with food and shopping."

Late on Sunday night, Qantas released an update on the Flight QF2 delay situation, stating that the affected 480 passengers will be flown back to Australia on alternative Qantas services as well on other airlines. In the meantime, affected passengers "will continue to be put up in hotels at Qantas' expense until they can be booked on another flight," the statement said. A handful of travellers, their friends and family members have left angry complaints and requests for updates on the Qantas Facebook page. "I've been delayed for 8 hours in Dubai airport. You sent people that you delayed yesterday off on my plane and now I'm stranded [sic],' read a post on the Qantas Facebook, which appeared at approximately 10 pm Friday (AEST). "Stuck in Dubai over night due to the cancellation of flight QF2 caused a technical malfunction (second day running) [sic].
Prime Minister Paul Keating announced homosexual men and women would no longer be banned from serving in the Australian Defence Force in November 1992 but only after an internal battle in cabinet.

The Minister for Defence Senator Robert Ray strenuously opposed lifting the ban.

Internal disputes: Minister for Defence Robert Ray with Paul Keating in the early 1990s. Credit:Andrew Taylor

He tabled a report on November 23, 1992 seeking to defer further consideration of homosexual policy in the ADF until a comprehensive survey of attitudes and opinions held by ADF commanders and members was completed.

"The proposal will be supported by ADF members and ex-service organisations," Senator Ray said.
Eighteen years since independence, Papua New Guinea was starting to cut ties with Australia and the Keating government was struggling with ways to maintain the relationship.

PNG prime minister Paias Wingti was trying to diversify foreign and commercial relations away from Australia, under the banner of "Look North".

Former PNG prime minister Paias Wingti was pursuing a "Look North" agenda. Credit:Palani Mohan

Since his 1992 election he had postponed his first official visit to Australia, but a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade report to the cabinet in November 1993 noted he had visited Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Nauru and devoted a lot of energy to developing relations with Malaysia, including encouraging a Malaysian logging company to set up a newspaper, and seeking to secure Malaysian investment in the Lihir gold project.

"The Wingti government is more aggressively nationalistic and reformist than its predecessors," DFAT said.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull must use May's 50th anniversary of the referendum recognising Australian Aborigines to finally deliver the promises that have been broken by governments since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

This was the call of Robert Tickner, the Keating government's minister for Aboriginal affairs, who was in charge of implementing the royal commission's 339 recommendations.

"These are fixable social problems, but things won't change and won't be prioritised much unless our current and future prime ministers seize the agenda and become its champion in the same way Paul Keating did for Mabo," Mr Tickner said when addressing a National Archives of Australia media conference on the release of selected cabinet records for 1992 and 1993.

"I think Malcolm Turnbull is a good and decent person who wants to do the right thing in Aboriginal Affairs, but expressed good intentions are not enough without the necessary leadership to generate real change, and I desperately hope he seizes the moment on this.
David Hill with his young son David Dungay Hill in the early 1990s. Dungay Hill's back story is all too common among Indigenous inmates. "It is fair to say that the prisoner comes from a very underprivileged and dysfunctional community where unfortunately he and others end up in custody and in juvenile institutions from a young age," the trial judge remarked when Dungay Hill was sentenced in June 2009. David Hill with his son David Dungay Hill, who died in custody in Long Bail jail in December 2015. Dungay Hill's crimes were serious by any measure. Three weeks after his 18th birthday, he was involved in a violent robbery in which the homeowner was bashed. Two months later, he was arrested by police for the attempted rape and assault of his girlfriend. He was jailed for 9 years after his sentence was increased on appeal.

"He knew he had done wrong," Mr Hill says. He doesn't dismiss his son's past, but remains deeply anguished he was never able to prove he could change. "He didn't get that opportunity to just walk out the gates rather than coming out in an ambulance. It's heart-wrenching. I can't think about it too much, because it just draws me back into depression." Mr Hill was 18 when his then-partner Leetona Dungay gave birth to David Junior. The couple separated six years later, and Mr Hill, who lives in Ipswich, Queensland, saw his son sporadically in the following years after Ms Dungay relocated to Kempsey on the Mid North Coast of NSW, taking young David and his sister Cynthia. "The hardest part is knowing I won't be seeing him again," Mr Hill says. Many times over the past year, Mr Hill's thoughts have drifted to his son's last moments. His grief sharpens and hardens around the detached, clinical description of the death in the incident report by the NSW Health Department.

"The patient was a 26-year-old Aboriginal male," it reads, "who died during a use of physical restraint and rapid tranquillisation in an inpatient mental health unit." According to the report, Dungay Hill had been admitted to the psychiatric ward of Long Bay hospital one month before and was being treated for chronic paranoid schizophrenia. He was diagnosed as experiencing hallucinations "which culminated in non-compliance and aggressive behaviour". The report noted he had a history of violence towards staff. Complicating his health problems, he was an insulin-dependent diabetic and he struggled to manage the condition while in jail. On the morning of his death, things were looking up. He was still mentally ill, the ward psychiatrist noted, but his psychotic symptoms had eased and his behaviour had improved. The positive signs in the psychiatric report jar with the rapid succession of events that led to Dungay Hill's death. It began with a seemingly banal trigger: biscuits. In the early afternoon, Dungay Hill was eating Tim Tams in his cell. When guards ordered him to stop, perhaps concerned about the complications they may pose for his diabetes, he refused. At this point, Corrective Services decided to move him into a different cell equipped with CCTV, a move which would require a SWAT team to perform what is known as a "cell extraction".

The incident report is brief in its reasons for the cell extraction, noting only that the decision was made "due to the patient's increasingly aggressive behaviour". Corrective Services declined to comment for this story, citing an upcoming coronial inquest. No dates have been set, but when the inquest gets under way the coroner will be handed Dungay Hill's autopsy report. While the cause of death is listed as "unascertained" the report also zeroes in on "several abnormalities" which may have contributed to it. Among them is the physical force used by guards to restrain Dungay Hill.

During the cell extraction, guards twice placed Dungay Hill in a face-down position, potentially restricting his breathing. "[T]he compression of the torso in a prone position [face down] may reduce the air entry into the lungs. This may result in hypoxia/cardiac arrest," the autopsy found. Because he was overweight, he was at greater risk as his bulk could crush his diaphragm and further restrict his ability to breath, the report said. But when Dungay Hill told the guards he couldn't breathe, an officer told him the fact he could talk was evidence he could. CCTV footage recorded the exchange. This comment, Mr Hill says, still makes him seethe.

"A professional person wouldn't say something like that. He was being sarcastic about it. After that, Junior was dead." The autopsy report also concluded that compression to Dungay Hill's neck may have contributed to his death. Pathologist Kendall Bailey, who performed the autopsy, found that although the body showed no "definitive evidence" of neck compression, "it cannot be excluded considering the scenario documented in the police report provided". While the detail of the police report remains unknown, the NSW health incident report reveals that as Dungay Hill was escorted to the new cell he continued to complain about his breathing. Inside the cell, he was again held in a face down position on the mattress. Shortly after a nurse gave him a shot of the sedative Midazolam, he stopped breathing. At 3.42pm, after 40 minutes of CPR, ambulance officers declared him dead.

The autopsy also found the presence of food in his lungs, possibly the result of vomit being blown back into his airways during CPR, and the report concluded it could not be ruled out as a contributing factor. The coronial inquiry will likely examine the connection between the injection and Dungay Hill's death, but the autopsy report tentatively concluded the drug's slow onset meant it was "unlikely to have had a significant effect". On Thursday, Mr Hill quietly marked the one-year anniversary of his son's death. His grief is still potent, but manageable, he says. Loading Six weeks ago he started working again after securing a job at Murri Watch, a community organisation aimed at preventing deaths in custody in Queensland. There, with his wife, he works on the night shift at a diversionary centre in Brisbane designed to keep at-risk Indigenous adults out of jail.
Dadar branch of Kotak Mahindra Bank alleged that fake notes worth 74 thousand were deposited by customers, post the announcement of demonetisation drive.

By Saurabh Vaktania: After the demonetisation drive was announced by the prime minister on November 8, many banks advertised about identifying fake notes, but it is amusing how people deceive bank officials and deposit fake notes.

Kotak Mahindra's Dadar branch filed a complaint with the Mumbai police that huge amount of fake currency is being deposited in their bank by customers. Investigation is ongoing and customers who may have deposited the money are being interrogated.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW The branch alleged fake notes worth Rs 74,000 were deposited. The complaint says that post demonetisation, customers were depositing fake Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The bank officials informed the police that sometimes huge amount of fake notes have been deposited by a single person. Those who deposited fake notes, did so by giving the notes in a bundle, mixed with original ones. The cops are currently taking down statements of bank officials and investigating the matter.

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ALSO READ: Demonetisation's rude shock: There may not be any black money

--- ENDS ---
It is the most Sydney of court cases, heard in one of the harbour city's most exclusive makeshift courtrooms.

A dispute between neighbours over trees  par for the course in the Land and Environment Court  was heard by the water in Birchgrove so the court could take in the spectacular views of the harbour.

Streets in Birchgrove offer spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge.

"At one point ... counsel for the respondents described the vista before us as a 'cracker of a view'," Acting Commissioner David Galwey said at the start of his judgment.

"Nobody disagreed."
A 23-month-old child has been killed after being struck by a car in a driveway on Wootten Street, Colyton, in Sydney's west.

Emergency services were called to the premises just after 7pm after the young boy was hit by a Mazda 3 in the driveway of the home.

The child died at the scene, while the 23-year-old driver of the vehicle involved has been taken to Nepean hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.

Police are continuing inquiries, with a crime scene established to be examined by forensic specialists.
A man has died and another is at risk of losing his eyesight after trying to light fireworks following New Year's Eve celebrations across NSW.

Police largely praised the behaviour of NYE revellers, many of whom flocked to the Sydney Harbour foreshore and streets across the city to watch the world famous fireworks display unfold.

However the night was not without some trouble.

On the Central Coast, a man was killed after he was hit in the head by a firework at Budgewoi Beach.
Sunshine Coast's Jimmy Davis managed to score five minutes on stage at Pineapple lounge last year and has returned to the Woodford Folk Festival this year as a fully-fledged performing artist.

Davis explained how he 'hustled' his way onto the stage last year.

"I convinced the guy backstage to let me perform," the previous X-Factor contestant said.

"I think he could see the desperation in my eyes. I looked like that squirrel from Ice Age, just staring at that nut.

"When he agreed to let me play a few songs I had to sprint to my car grab my guitar and run all the way back to the lounge."

The 23-year old-singer has been busking at the festival on and off since he was 15 and said that his first show this year was 'something really special'.

"I've been having the best time."
Numerous young people were injured on Friday night during a crowd crush at Falls Festival in Lorne.

The festival, held on a farm about two hours' drive from Melbourne, is popular among people in their 20s who want to celebrate the start of the new year.

Here's what we know so far.

How did the crush happen?
Claremont victims Ciara Glennon (left) and Jane Rimmer (right). Investigation into the disappearance of Sarah Spiers (middle) is ongoing. So who else will be looking at recent developments and hoping for a breakthrough in their particular family mystery - either through a DNA breakthrough or new evidence from a witness? Undoubtedly the family of Sharon Fulton will be among them. The then 39-year-old disappeared in 1986. She was last seen on March 18 in Wangara around 9.30am. She was supposed to meet friends at 11am that day but didn't turn up and was never seen again. Advancements in DNA technology has led to Paul Nicholas Sayer being convicted. A year later, in 1987, Sally Greenham disappeared from the streets of Perth leaving no clue as to what may have happened to her or where she may have ended up.

Missing Persons files say the Geraldton woman was last seen getting out of a car in Adelaide Terrace in the early hours of August 20, 1987. Then there is the case of Julie Cutler who went missing in 1988. She disappeared after going to a work party at the Parmelia Hilton. Two days later her car was found upside-down in the ocean off Cottesloe Beach. Superintendent Ron Carey, who investigated the case, said the back seat of the car had been washed out of the vehicle and was found on a nearby beach. "If the back seat could wash out why didn't Julie's body if she was in the car? Why didn't her shoes, handbag or some other item of property wash up?" he said while being interviewed for the Channel Nine documentary "To Catch a Killer" ten years ago. "I believe she was never in the car when it went off Cottesloe Groyne. I believe that Julie was murdered and that the body was buried or secreted somewhere else before the car was dumped in the ocean."

Julie Cutler's family, and those of Kerry Turner who disappeared in 1991, have called on police investigating the Claremont serial killings to have a fresh look at their daughters' cases too, according to The Weekend West. Kerry Turner disappeared from Victoria Park on June 30, 1991, after a night out with friends. Her body was found in bush near Canning Dam a month later. Detective Darren Bethel who was also interviewed for the Channel Nine documentary, described the last time Kerry was seen. "Around 4am she left Pinochio's nightclub and caught a taxi but the driver dropped her off at the Causeway when she told him she had no money," he said. "Witnesses saw her standing on the side of Shepperton Road for a couple of minutes when another vehicle stopped beside her. She hopped into this vehicle straight away and the vehicle left heading south on Shepperton Road.

"We have never located that vehicle and no-one ever came forward stating that they had picked Kerry up." Then there are the cases of Lisa Brown, Sarah McMahon and Darylyn Ugle. Lisa Brown went missing in 1998. She was a prostitute working the streets in Northbridge when she disappeared. Chris Page, the Detective Senior Constable who investigated her disappearance as part of a cold case review, said the 19-year-old was extremely vulnerable at the time. "Lisa had become estranged from her family. She had a couple of children that she didn't have custody of and she'd developed a heroin habit," he said.

"In addition she was walking the streets late at night dealing with and speaking to strangers. "She had to have been one of the most vulnerable people in the community." Sarah McMahon disappeared in 2000. Police say she left her work at a reticulation shop in Claremont on November 8 and drove to Bassendean after which she was never seen again. In 2012 a man who was serving a lengthy sentence for attempting to strangle a woman was questioned about her disappearance but denied all knowledge of the case. Darylyn Ugle disappeared in 2003. She had been working as a prostitute and was last seen leaving a friend's flat in Bulwer Street.

Five weeks later, in April 2003, her body was found by bush walkers under a burnt out tree close to Mundaring Weir. Her mother Jessie also agreed to be interviewed for the Channel Nine program. Her comments paint a picture of the kind of suffering common to all the families of those who are missing or were murdered. "Maybe when they find the killer, maybe I'll get a life again," she said. "If your child died after she was sick, or was in a car accident and died, at least you know what happened. "But to have someone snatch them off the side of the road and kill them, it's so hard to live with.
US President-elect Donald Trump has made no secret of his admiration for Russia's Vladimir Putin. Credit:AP After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the Russian Federation that emerged entered into an extended period of decline and, inevitably, friendship with the United States as a kind of junior partner. That "junior" aspect rankled, however, particular after Obama went from seeking to reset relations to dismissing Russia as a "regional power." America's best new friend? Russian President Vladimir Putin. Credit:AP The latest crisis began in 2014, with a revolution in Ukraine that Putin labelled a US plot - he, as many Soviet leaders did, sees the hidden hand of Washington everywhere. Putin annexed Crimea and armed rebels in eastern Ukraine, prompting Western economic sanctions, which Trump has disparaged.

The last confrontation under the Obama administration between Moscow and Washington came to a head in the fall after US intelligence agencies concluded that hacking by their Russian counterparts had breached national security, cracking open the computers of the Democratic National Committee to reveal emails that embarrassed Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Trump initially encouraged the Kremlin to hack even more, breaking with all precedents, not least the Republican tradition of painting Russia as the evil empire, as Reagan called it. Obama waited to react until last week, and it looked as if he might leave his successor a diplomatic tempest, until Putin, long the master of the unexpected stroke, defused it. Trump suddenly gained room to manoeuvre. "Trump's spirit is already here, and already changing Russia's policies," said Igor M. Bunin, director of the Centre for Political Technologies, a Moscow research institute. "This will be a great plus for future relations." There are still potential pitfalls, however, not least that Congress does not share an affectionate view of Putin.

Republican Senator John McCain plans to open hearings Thursday on Russia's efforts to manipulate the presidential election. Much of the Republican establishment in Congress endorsed the new sanctions imposed against Russia, putting them at odds with Trump. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, was with McCain and Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican, last week to tour the Baltic states, which fear being the next target of the Russian military. "The Russian cyberattack, and the misinformation and propaganda - they have been living with this for decades," Klobuchar said in an interview. US voters have heard Trump praise Russia, and some in the far right have hailed Putin as a hero for espousing conservative values. Yet old instincts die hard. "I worry about what our relationship with other countries is going to be with a Trump presidency, if we buddy-buddy up to Russia and a leader who is not so democratic in nature," said Alexis Matter, 35, walking through a Denver shopping mall.

In Sandy Springs, Georgia, Chase Williams, 26, manager of a pet supply store, acknowledged that Russia had fallen off the radar in recent years. His fears now were less of the old Cold War over a nuclear weapons attack than a sense that Putin could outfox the US administration. "When I say Russia scares me, it's not because I'm scared of them coming over here and doing something," Williams said. "I'm scared when I see a chess player playing checkers -- and we are checkers." Putin has made no secret of the fact that he would like to re-establish the consensus reached with the United States at the 1945 Yalta conference that carved the globe into spheres of influence. Russia no longer has the might needed to assert its right to be a superpower, analysts say, but if nothing else, cyberattacks have underscored that you do not need nuclear weapons or a strong economy to assert global influence. Some Russian analysts wonder what Putin can offer Trump. A former KGB agent, he tends to view the world order as a series of special operations, coming from a different arena than Trump's world of business deals. "I don't think that Putin has a plan," said Gleb Pavlovsky, a political analyst and former media adviser to Putin. "I think that he is stunned by the number of bonus points that he has gotten."

In Syria, President Bashar Assad is on the verge of reasserting control over much of the country, thanks largely to Putin's intervention. Ukraine presents some problems, but has essentially boiled down into the kind of frozen conflict that Russia uses to destabilise independent-minded neighbours. And all of the attention on the cyberattacks made Putin look strong. In those successes, analysts see the fodder for Putin to offer Trump a manner of foreign policy success that would give the US leader something tangible to crow about at home in an arena where he lacks experience. Russia, Iran and Turkey cut Washington out of the Syria negotiations, so Putin could bring the United States back in and forge a deal on fighting the Islamic State. Trump has stated that he wants to join forces with Russia in crushing the jihadis. Or the Kremlin could offer some manner of cyberspace deal. "I think that Putin is in a strong position," said Nicolai Petrov, a Russian political scientist. "He looks strong in relation to the United States and he has freedom to manoeuvre, and he can do what he wants to demonstrate that the United States should recognise that Russia is not a regional power but a great power that should be taken into account." So, for the moment, Putin appears a potential friend to Trump.
FIVE air traffic controllers sent by Australia to assist the emergency effort in Haiti have been stranded in Miami for two weeks after failing to get approval to enter the earthquake-ravaged country. The controllers from the air force's surveillance and response group left Australia on January 27, 15 days after the earthquake, but arrived too late to enter Haiti with the initial influx of disaster-relief workers. Devastated  the scene in Port-au-Prince on Thursday. With the emergency rescue phase over, normal entry procedures have resumed. Credit:AP The Defence Force said yesterday that the controllers had been ''training and liaising'' with US counterparts in Miami while they awaited permission to enter Haiti. ''Immediate emergency aid was required in the initial aftermath of the earthquake, which is why some countries were able to enter Haiti quickly,'' a Defence Force spokesman said. ''Since the emergency phase has concluded, regular diplomatic processes have recommenced, with which participating nations are expected to abide.''

The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, announced the deployment of the controllers on January 23, as the United Nations said the emergency phase of the relief effort was ending. Australia has pledged $15 million in aid to Haiti, including $10 million for immediate humanitarian needs such as food, water and sanitation. In Port-au-Prince, the judge deciding whether 10 US missionaries should face trial on charges of trying to take a busload of Haitian children out of the country said he would recommend that the Americans be released while the investigation continues. Judge Bernard Saint-Vil said on Thursday that he was making his recommendation after questioning the missionaries and hearing testimony from parents that they willingly gave their children to the Americans, believing they would educate and care for them. His recommendation will be sent to the prosecutor, who may object but the judge has the final say on whether the Americans are released. It is not clear whether their release means they will be allowed to leave Haiti.
Berlin: European capitals have tightened security ahead of New Year's celebrations, erecting concrete barriers in city centres and stepping up police numbers after the Islamic State attack in Berlin last week that killed 12 people.

In the German capital, police closed the Pariser Platz square in front of the Brandenburg Gate and prepared to deploy 1700 extra officers, many along a party strip where armoured cars will flank concrete barriers blocking off the area.

"Every measure is being taken to prevent a possible attack," Berlin police spokesman Thomas Neuendorf said. Some police officers would carry sub-machine guns, he said, an unusual tactic for German police.

Last week's attack in Berlin, in which a 24-year-old Tunisian ploughed a truck into a Christmas market, has prompted German lawmakers to call for tougher security measures.
Israeli supporters of Donald Trump hold a rally in Jerusalem in October. Credit:AP Withholding US contributions to the United Nations could be done in different ways. There are discretionary funds Congress can easily cut off, but the bulk of US support is obligatory, mandated by treaties that Congress has ratified, making them de facto US law. Depending on how drastic the funding cuts are to be, Congress may have to pass new legislation to undo some of the obligations. Senators are also looking at ways to withhold US aid to the Palestinian Authority or perhaps punish the Palestine Liberation Organisation representative office in Washington. Republicans in the Senate don't plan to wait until Trump is actually in office; aides said to expect action as soon as senators return to Washington next week. US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, centre, raises her hand to abstain during the UN Security Council vote on 23 December. Credit:AP "We will make a very strong attempt to do something immediately," one senior GOP Senate aide said. "It is a real moment to re-examine the relationship with the United Nations and what it really does."

Not all involved agree on whether the effort is simply about pressuring the Security Council to reverse course on the settlements resolution, or to fundamentally challenge a broad range of UN practices and reorient the US approach to the United Nations overall. Bannon was fond of showing his disdain for refined Washington by wearing baggy cargo pants through the streets of the capital, shaggy and unshaven. Credit:AP Rick Santorum, who served in the Senate the last time the United States refused to pay its dues in full, said the coming crisis in US-UN relations was the perfect chance for those who wanted to dismantle the organisation altogether. "This has opened up the opportunity for those of us who are very anti-UN, who think it has passed its prime, it's not serving any really good purpose, it's not helping legitimate governments around the world and it's outlived its usefulness," he said. "To the extent we can deconstruct it, the better." US President-elect Donald Trump. Credit:AP

During the presidential campaign, most observers predicted that if elected, Trump would focus his international-organisation ire on NATO, which he often criticised as being obsolete and a burden on US taxpayers. Now, Santorum said, the United Nations could be first up for action. "The focus will come off NATO and will move squarely onto the UN," he said. "It's going to be a very raucous time. Barack Obama, with this move, did more damage to the United Nations than he did to Israel." Members of the United Nations Security Council vote in favour of condemning Israel for its practice of establishing settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Credit:United Nations/AP Some Republicans in Congress are comparing the coming US response to the anti-settlement resolution to the US opposition in 1975 to a UN General Assembly resolution that equated Zionism with racism. US ambassador Daniel Patrick Moynihan led the US opposition to that resolution and gave a famous speech defending the Jewish state from international persecution. That resolution was eventually repealed. Other Republican foreign-policy experts see the coming battle as more akin to the effort by then-senator Jesse Helms to withhold portions of America's UN dues in order to pressure the body into reforms. After years of tension, Helms eventually joined with then-senator Joe Biden to pass legislation restoring US funding in exchange for a compromise on reforms.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Credit:AP President Bill Clinton signed the Helms-Biden legislation, and the Clinton administration negotiated many but not all of the reforms with UN leadership. In January 2000, Helms became the first US senator ever to speak directly to the UN Security Council, after the deal was struck. "The interests of the United States are better served by demanding reform and seeing that reform takes place than by removing our influence from the UN," Helms said at the time. "It may surprise people to know that I advocate the reform of the United Nations, not its abolishment." President Barack Obama speaks to media during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York in September. Credit:AP Danielle Pletka, who served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff under Helms, said the lesson of that episode was that taking on the United Nations could be done, but not without costs and the risk of retaliation. The UN could stop doing things that the United States sees as important. Allied countries that value UN operations will be upset if those programs are affected. Also, the dues don't just go away.
Sombhai Modi, 75, was on the dais at a function organised by an NGO in Pune in 2015 when the compere let slip that he was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's eldest brother. There was some excitement in the audience until Sombhai, who runs an eldercare facility in Modi's ancestral town Vadnagar, stepped up to clarify. "There is a screen between me and Prime Minister Modi," he said. "I can see that screen, but to you it is invisible. I am the brother of Narendra Modi, and not the prime minister. For Prime Minister Modi, I am only one of the 125 crore people of India who are his brothers and sisters."

The PM's eldest brother Sombhai, 75, with residents of the old-age home he runs in Vadnagar

This wasn't mere hyperbole. Sombhai hasn't met his younger brother in the past two-and-a-half years. The brothers have only spoken on the phone. His younger sibling, Pankaj, an officer in the Gujarat information department, has been luckier. He got to meet his famous brother because their mother, Heeraben, stays with him at his modest three-room house in Gandhinagar. (The prime minister met his mother Heeraben twice in the state capital in the past six months and hosted her at his Delhi residence for a week this May.)

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India's prime ministers have traditionally been family men. Nehru lived with Indira, his successor Lal Bahadur Shastri moved into 1 Motilal Nehru Place with the extended Shastri clan, including children and grandchildren. Indira Gandhi's children Sanjay and Rajiv and their families stayed with her. Even bachelor prime minister A.B. Vajpayee had company. When he moved into 7 Race Course Road in 1998, his adopted foster family, Namita Bhattacharya and her husband Ranjan, moved in with him.

Prime Minister Modi, the third of six children, born to a tea stall owner, Damodardas Mulchand Modi, and his homemaker wife Heeraben, wears his familial detachment on his sleeve. It's a useful foil to remind people of his 'selfless' image. As recently as November 14, barely a week after announcing the demonestisation move, Modi hit an emotional note at a public function in Goa. "I was not born to assume a chair of high office. Whatever I had, my family, my home...I left it for the nation..." he said, holding back tears. Arguably, Modi's detachment has helped to blunt any personal allegations against him in the debate on demonetisation.

Just how far behind he has left his family is evident from a visit to Gujarat. The Modi clan continues to live the life of middle-class obscurity they did when their famous family member first became chief minister in 2001. Another of the PM's elder brothers, Amrutbhai, 72, retired as fitter for a private company, drawing a salary of less than Rs 10,000 a month in 2005. He leads a quiet, retired life in his four-room middle class dwelling in Ahmedabad's Ghatlodia locality with son, Sanjay, 47, a small entrepreneur, and his wife and two children. Sanjay's son Nirav and daughter Nirali are both engineering students. An ITI certificate holder, Sanjay fashions small engineering spare parts at his lathe machine shop and makes a modest living. The family car, bought in 2009, is parked outside the house, covered. It is sparingly used as the family mostly travels by two-wheeler.

Elder brother Amrut Modi, 72, with the iron used by the PM while staying with him in Ahmedabad from 1969-1971 Elder brother Amrut Modi, 72, with the iron used by the PM while staying with him in Ahmedabad from 1969-1971

Sanjay's family, who confess they are yet to see the inside of a passenger plane, have met Modi only twice-once in 2003 when, as CM, he hosted a family gathering at his Gandhinagar home, and then on May 16, 2014, the day the BJP fashioned that historic Lok Sabha victory (again at his Gandhinagar residence ). Everyone in the Sattadhar tenement society where they stay knows Amrutbhai is the prime minister's brother. But as a local anecdote goes, officials at the bank where Sanjay has an account, don't know this. His son Priyank was recently spotted in a long queue to withdraw money.

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Sanjay's most cherished possession is a memento that recalls his uncle's early obsession with wearing well-ironed clothes. Modi apparently used the iron while he lived with Amrutbhai in Ahmedabad between 1969 and 1971. Sanjay says he stopped his parents from selling it for scrap in 1984 (indeed, he seems to be one of the earliest believers in his uncle's greatness). "If Kaka ( Modi ) sees this iron today, he might feel the same way a Titanic survivor would...after seeing the personal effects retrieved from the sunken vessel." The house also has another exhibit which might serve well for a future museum for their famous uncle: a Cinni brand table fan that Modi used to beat Ahmedabad's summers.

In keeping with the RSS ideal, which requires a pracharak to maintain a distance from family members, Narendra Modi started cutting himself off in 1971, focussing more on his work with the Sangh and leading a celibate life. And over the years, this is how things remained as he began his ascent up the political ladder. His relatives, nevertheless, regard him with some pride. The sentiment is reciprocated by the prime minister, evidently relieved as he is at not being besieged by relatives seeking favours. "It is indeed to the credit of my brothers and cousins that they have continued to live a simple life and never pestered me for anything. In today's world, it is an extremely difficult thing," Prime Minister Modi says.

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Some of the family members, though, maintain a distance from Modi's youngest brother, Prahlad Modi, a fair price shop owner and president of the Gujarat State Fair Price Owner's Association. Prahlad was a vocal critic of his elder brother's drive for transparency in the PDS system when he was CM, holding public demonstrations against the 'raid raj' on shop owners.

Stories of the rest of the Modi clan-the PM's brothers, nephews and nieces or his first cousins-are of simplicity and struggle. In fact, some of them struggle to make ends meet. Modi's first cousin Ashokbhai (son of Modi's late uncle Narsinhdas) used to sell kites, crackers and snacks on a four-wheeled push cart in Vadnagar's Gheekanta bazaar. He now rents out a tiny 8x4 ft shop for Rs 1,500 a month to sell the same articles. The shop earns him about Rs 4,000. With wife Veena, he earns another Rs 3,000 working at a weekly free food outlet for the poor run by local Jain businessmen. Ashokbhai cooks khichdi and kadhi and his wife washes the utensils at the outlet. They live in a ramshackle three-room house in town.

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His elder brother, Bharatbhai, 55, leads an equally tough existence. He works as a petrol pump attendant, earning Rs 6,000 a month, at Lalawada village near Palanpur, over 60 kms from Vadnagar. He comes home every 10 days or so. In Vadnagar, his wife Ramilaben sells eatables, grocery and miscellaneous items from their small home in old Bhojak sheri, earning some Rs 3,000 a month. A third brother, Chandrakantbhai, 48, works as a helper at a charitable gaushala in Ahmedabad.

All for scraps: PM Modi's first cousin Arvindbhai, 64, makes around 9,000 a month collecting used oil tins, boxes and other waste material by going house-to-house and then selling them to big scrap dealers

Arvindbhai, 61, the fourth brother of Ashokbhai and Bharatbhai, is a scrap dealer who collects old oil tins, corrugated boxes and other waste items, going house-to-house in Vadnagar and nearby villages and transporting them by auto-rickshaw or state transport bus. He makes Rs 6,000-7,000 a month, which he says is enough to sustain him and wife Ranjanben (the couple do not have children. Bharatbhai is the highest earner amongst the offspring of Narsinhdas. He and Ramilaben sometimes manage to earn as much as Rs 10,000 a month.

The eldest son of Narsinhdas, Bhogibhai, 67, also has a grocery shop in Vadnagar. Incidently, none of Narsinhdas' five sons studied beyond matriculation. Like his brother Damodardas, Narsinhdas too ran a tea stall near Vadnagar railway station. Damodardas had four brothers apart from Narsinhdas-Narottamdas and Jagjivandas, both of whom have passed away, and Kantilal and Jayantilal, both retired teachers. Jayantilal is now retired and settled in Gandhinagar, while his daughter Leena is married to a bus conductor in Visnagar town near Vadnagar. Says Bharatbhai Modi, an RSS worker in Vadnagar who belongs to the PM's caste, "No one in Vadnagar or Ahmedabad has ever seen any of Narendrabhai's relatives throwing their weight around ever. This is a unique thing in today's world."

Amrutbhai has very fond memories of Narendra Modi's "evolution". In 1969, he used to run a canteen at the Gujarat State Road Transport headquarters near Geeta Mandir in Ahmedabad when Modi started working alongside him. The canteen contract actually belonged to their mother's brother Babubhai Modi. As Amrutbhai remembers, "Since my one-room house near the canteen was very small, Narendrabhai used to sleep in the canteen. He would finish the day's work and in the evening go to the state RSS headquarters to serve the elder pracharaks in any way he could. He would come back very late to the canteen, eat the dinner sent from our home in a tiffin before making his bed on a canteen table."

Amrutbhai gets nostalgic while recalling how Narendrabhai met him for the last time in February, 1971, before leaving for the mountains on a spiritual quest. "When he told me he was now leaving family life forever, I was moved to tears by the prospect of losing him. But he himself was calm and stoic."

Half tank please: Cousin Bharatbhai Modi, 55, is a petrol pump attendant at a gas station in Lalawada village, some 60 kms from his home in Vadnagar

There are people who believe the prime minister is too harsh on his relatives. "Narendrabhai should have had a family gathering after becoming PM like he did when he was CM in 2003," says a political analyst who has known him for many years. But the PM clearly believes that any truck with power would only corrupt their innocence. There's also the matter of his own projection as an incorruptible, nepotism-free leader. Perhaps another reason he believes the family must be kept at a distance.

Follow the writer on Twitter @UdayMahurkar

Photographs by Shailesh Raval

--- ENDS ---
Vatican City: Pope Francis in his year-end message urged leaders on Saturday to do more to tackle youth unemployment, saying a generation was being lost to desperation, migration and joblessness.

At his last public event of 2016, an evening vespers service in St. Peter's Basilica, the 80-year-old Francis said doors had to be opened for young people "so that they can be capable of dreaming and fighting for their dreams".

"We have condemned our young people to have no place in society, because we have slowly pushed them to the margins of public life, forcing them to migrate or to beg for jobs that no longer exist or fail to promise them a future," he said in his homily.

Youth joblessness in Italy stands at more than 36 percent and tops 18 percent among the 28 European Union states.
The campaign is complicated by the fact one of the candidates, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok, who is the first openly ethnically Chinese and Christian governor of Jakarta, is facing trial for allegedly insulting Islam. The outcome of his blasphemy trial will be seen as a test of Indonesia's pluralism and much-vaunted religious tolerance, amid fears he will be convicted to appease thousands of Muslims who have staged mass rallies demanding he be jailed. Indonesian security authorities will also be on high alert for possible terror attacks as Islamic State fighters in Syria return to Indonesia with new combat skills. Approximately 800 Indonesians have travelled to Syria to join IS and more than 150 have been deported trying to reach the war-torn country. - Jewel Topsfield, Indonesia Correspondent Mabini (Johnson) Reef part of the disputed islands China has built up in the South China Sea. Credit:New York Times China

One thing to watch in 2017 will be the political jostling and manoeuvring that will heat up ahead of a key Chinese leadership reshuffle at the 19th Party Congress to be held towards the end of the year. All eyes will be on any signalling of a potential future successor to President Xi Jinping, though speculation continues to firm that Xi plans to defy party convention and remain in power beyond the end of his second five-year term in 2022. Taiwan looks set to pass a marriage equality bill allowing same-sex couples to wed, a move overwhelmingly backed by popular sentiment. Despite a stagnating economy and strained cross-strait relations, becoming the first Asian jurisdiction to legalise same-sex marriage will reinforce its reputation as one of the region's most progressive, vibrant and confident democracies. The South China Sea will remain the region's flashpoint with growing concern about the potential for conflict. Incoming US President Donald Trump has already raised questions about the "One China" policy after making a telephone call to Taiwan's leader. What happens in the strategic waters of the South China Sea, where most of Australia's trade passes, will depend on how Trump sets the parameters with China's thin-skinned communist rulers in 2017. - Philip Wen, Beijing Correspondent; Lindsay Murdoch, South-East Asia correspondent A Rohingya man living in Malaysia cries during a December 4 protest in Kuala Lumpur against the persecution of Rohingyas in Myanmar. Credit:AP

South-east Asia South-east Asia is now as volatile as it was when the Asian financial crisis struck in 1997. Security analysts fear the region faces a potentially new phase of terrorism as battle-hardened jihadists recruited from countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines return from Syria and Iraq. In Malaysia, Prime Minister Najib Razak is courting more hardline religious leaders and policies to boost his support among the majority Muslim/Malays, a dangerous game in his multi-race nation, as he struggles to fend off allegations of massive corruption. Najib, who has ruthlessly purged his critics, may call an early election in 2017, which could turn ugly. Thailand faces a new uncertain era after the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej amid doubts the ruling military junta will allow democracy to return in 2017, leaving power in the hands of a conservative elite. Political freedoms have been squashed as the junta's muddled policies fail to instil confidence in its ability to handle the region's second largest economy. The Philippines appears headed for a rough-ride after being Asia's rising economic star over the past couple of years. Newly-installed president Rodrigo Duterte has upended the country's foreign policies, raising serious questions about his country's relationship with the US, its long-time ally. While bodies continue to pile up in Duterte's war on drugs the foul-mouthed president will remain a pariah among Western world leaders.

In Myanmar, the government headed by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi faces bloody ongoing conflicts between the country's military and ethnic rebel groups in border areas and allegations of ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims in western Rakhine state. Myanmar's persecution of more than one million Rohingya is threatening to tear down the long-held principle in the Association of South-East Asian Nations that member states do not interfere in the affairs of other member states. In Cambodia, there is growing alarm about strongman Hun Sen's ruthless crackdown on his political opponents, including exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who was sentenced to five years jail in December. Corrupt cronies will remain firmly in control of one of the world's most impoverished nations. - Lindsay Murdoch, South-East Asia correspondent Marine Le Pen, leader of the French National Front, is considered an outside chance in next year's presidential election in France. Credit:Marlene Awaad/Bloomberg Europe

Worst-case scenarios seem to have popped up quite a lot recently, which is a worry, because the worst-case scenario for Europe in 2017 is the effective collapse of the European Union. Under the continuing threat of terrorist attacks and the pressure of incoming refugees from Africa and the Middle East, politics is turning insular. Nationalism is on the rise. On the eastern front, European states will continue to openly flirt with Russia, or bristle with worry about Donald Trump's commitment to NATO and their security. Key elections will test whether the mood is merely grim or actually apocalyptic. Geert Wilders' anti-Islam, anti-immigration party will threaten to seize a share of power in the Netherlands, and the National Front's Marine Le Pen is likely to go head-to-head with social and economic conservative Francois Fillon in the French presidential race. Italy may also go to the polls, with the anti-euro Five Star party in rude electoral health. Then later in the year, Angela Merkel faces a tough fight to prove Germany's political centre can still command a majority.

Meanwhile, Britain will continue to tie itself in knots over what Brexit is going to involve, and how on earth it can actually be turned from a radical idea into a not-complete-debacle. Oh, and, Eurovision is in Kiev this year. That's going to be weird. - Nick Miller, European Correspondent Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in Ankara on Friday hoped the ceasefire in Syria holds and turns into lasting peace. Credit:AP Middle East

The incoming Trump administration has made no secret of its plan to return to unqualified support of Israel, a position that will bring the White House into line with Congress and US conservatives, especially on the religious right, but will put Washington at odds with its European, Middle Eastern and Muslim allies. The advent of a Trump administration also puts in doubt the Obama administration's main diplomatic achievement in the Middle East - the historic six-nation nuclear accord with Iran. Here too the international consensus is likely to be tested, especially if Trump accepts the Israeli government's stated view - one not shared by its military - that what he has called "the worst deal ever negotiated" was a strategic mistake. Obama sold more weapons to the Middle East than any president since World War II, yet such largesse did not seem to give his administration influence over key issues. It now seems that Russia, Turkey and Iran will decide what happens in Syria and that the Arab regimes will continue to beat back calls from their own populations for regime change. Yet the fact remains that 60 per cent of the Arab world's population are under the age of 30. Their aspirations were neglected under decades of autocratic rule and even in a political landscape riven by displacement and lethal violence they will continue to make themselves felt. - Farid Farid, Cairo India's opposition Congress party vice-president Rahul Gandhi waves at his supporters. Credit:AP

India Can Rahul Gandhi finally cut the mustard? The heir of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty has been a political apprentice for so long, it looks as though he's never going to graduate. As vice-president of the Congress Party he has effectively taken over the daily running of the party from his mother Sonia Gandhi but has been unable to make his presence felt in politics. Few take him seriously; he has developed no core ideology; he scampers from one controversy or issue to another, thundering and booming in the hope of getting some traction but none of it amounts to anything significant. However, the last few months have been a new Gandhi in one respect  he is coming across as more vocal, confident, and persistent. If he can hook these new traits to a fundamental cause or idea in 2017, he may just come good and that will be a good thing as India needs an effective opposition to counter a rather smug government. In 2017 India will implement its biggest tax reform in 25 years - the new Goods and Services Tax which will be a game changer for the economy. Till now, the country has had an intricate mosaic of taxes, duties and rates in its 29 states, making life a nightmare for anyone running a business. The new tax will be uniform for the entire country creating a single common market. It is unlikely to be implemented by April 1, however, there is too much preparatory work left to do. But after a six-year delay, it will be great news for the economy. Experts say it may add 1-2 per cent to the nation's GDP. - Amrit Dhillon, Delhi A pedestrian walks across the Simon Bolivar Bridge from Colombia into Venezuela The border has been shut and reopened in response to economic woes. Credit:Bloomberg Latin America

Central and South America will also not escape the Trump factor in 2017. In Mexico, relations with the US are on notice ever since Trump promised to deport thousands of migrants and build a border wall at Mexico's expense. His vow last week to "buy American and hire American" will make Mexico and Mexicans - a large labour force supplier to the US - nervous with possible negative consequences to the Mexican economy. In Cuba, the death of Fidel Castro and the election of Trump who has expressed disdain for the US rekindling its relationship with the country, will be factors in 2017. While Raul Castro is unlikely to change the government course of recent years, wider exposure to the US market and the world will likely make an impact on the Cuban population and economy. With its state-run economy in meltdown, socialist Venezuela will continue to find it difficult to make ends meet in 2017. With a shortage of food and medicine, and crime and misery on the rise, the country has turned to the military which in turn are believed to be undertaking increasingly violent measures to maintain order. Analysts fear a grim outlook, with crackdowns on democratic freedoms and political opposition as President Nicolas Maduro clings to power at least until elections in 2018. In Brazil the political climate will continue to be dictated by widespread corruption investigations into hundreds of politicians, including President Michel Temer, and government suppliers. Temer will attempt to improve the economy after several cost-saving measures were approved in 2016, but may be forced out of office before late 2018 elections, triggering Congress to appoint a successor until the end of his term. Unfortunately, no improvement to law and order are immediately forecast for the high-crime rate country this year. The expectations are better in Colombia where, after a historic peace deal with FARC guerillas was finally approved, public spending is likely to give the economy and the national mood a little lift. Expect some struggle as the government adjusts to the process of allowing former rebels to participate in the democratic process. The country will also be watching what a Trump administration will do to its traditionally substantial aid funding from the US.
Washington: The United Nations Security Council welcomed a ceasefire in the Syrian civil war, but rebel groups threatened to abandon the two-day-old truce if violations persisted.

A resolution welcoming the ceasefire, the third truce this year seeking to end nearly six years of war, was adopted unanimously by the 15-member Council, meeting in New York on Saturday.

The deal, brokered by Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides, reduced violence, but firefights, air strikes and shelling went on in some areas.

A twin suicide bombing killed at least two people in the Syrian coastal city of Tartous in an area under government control and in President Bashar al-Assad's coastal heartland shortly after midnight on Sunday, state media and monitors reported.
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PHILIPSBURG: --- Its that time of the year when media houses have the task to select a person, company or organization that stood out during the year. This year, 2016 several things happened and while people would gossip on social media and even threaten to protest against some of the injustices on the island, most of the times these threats and gossips never get anywhere other than on social media while the injustices continue at the expense of the people. Therefore, it is necessary when one man stood up against what he believe was wrong and even went as far as filing an official complaint with the Public Prosecutor, and Attorney General against those he felt were breaking the law, at the expense of the defenseless which are the pensioners on St. Maarten, then it is only fitting to give that person credit for his stance and principles.

That man is no other than Dr. Michel Petit who has served St. Maarten for several years not only as the only Obstetrics and Gynecology (often abbreviated to OB/GYN) medical specialist but also as a prosperous businessman and also on several boards on the Dutch side of the island even though Dr. Michel Petit is a French national who could have chosen to dedicate his career on the French side.

For those who do not know Dr. Michel Petit, hes a man who is down to earth but stands on the principles he believes in. Based on in-depth research on finding information on Dr. Michel Petit, SMN News came up with some very factual information which would shed light on the doctor that delivered thousands of babies on St. Maarten and cared for many women with gynecological diseases.

Dr. Michel Petit after attending primary school in Marigot left to go to Martinique then Guadeloupe at the age of 10 years old to finish his secondary education. At age 19 he left to Paris where he graduated including an internship from PARIS VI medical school in 1979. He then started his Obstetrics and Gynecology specialization in 1980, but quickly he decided that he wanted to continue his education in the United States. He completed the entry exam that allowed him to move to the USA successfully in 1980 and continue with his specialization in the USA. Michel as he is well known to many or Dr. Petit enrolled in the Harvard University in late1980. After completing his specialization, he completed the required examination which allowed him to practice medicine in the USA. Dr. Petit a young vibrant man back then practiced in the USA for one year, then he returned to St Maarten to serve and care for his people. In 1983 Dr. Petit opened his private clinic in Orange Grove Cole Bay while working at the then St. Rose Hospital. At that time Dr. Petit was the only gynecologist on St. Maarten, he even assisted the French hospital in emergency surgical cases when that hospital could not reach the OB/GYN specialist on call due to poor communications systems at that time on St Martin / St Maarten.

Sometime in 1990, Dr. Petit assisted the Health department with the preparation to move the St. Rose Hospital to the then new St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), a process that took almost a year and on many occasions he had to close his private clinic to dedicate his time to the moving of the St. Rose Hospital.

When the move was completed, Dr. Petit served on the management board of SMMC, but about a year later he resigned from that position and also closed his private clinic in Cole Bay and rented space at SMMC where he practiced as a private OB/GYN specialist. Noteworthy, to mention here that Dr. Petit worked for 12 years as the only gynecologist on St. Maarten, later he brought in Dr. Tjon Kon Fat and after Dr. Roumans.

Another major step Dr. Petit took when the medical Director of SMMC resigned he had to again dedicate his time and neglect his private practice to assist management of SMMC in decisions making since there was no director, he took it on his own spending his own monies and went before the court to get the court to make sure that a director was appointed, at first the court declined his petition since he chose to appear before he court without legal representation and made a few procedural mistakes but that did not stop Dr. Petit, he persisted and hired a lawyer at his expense and approached the court for a second time and his request was granted. Shortly, after that Dr. Scot was appointed Director of SMMC. Doctor Petit worked until December 2010 but after many conflicts with management he felt uncomfortable and unhappy working at the Sint Maarten Medical Centre, he resigned and move his practice to Anguilla where he is still practicing.

Even though not working on the Dutch side, Dr. Michel Petit was appointed on the USZV board in June 2011 as an independent board member, after a 3 months gap he was reappointed Chairman of the USZV in December 2015. When he returned in 2015 at USZV, Dr. Petit saw the need to have a director formally appointed at USZV because the entire structure of USZV was not in order. With his board and in following his recommendation the board nominated the current Director Glen Carty and he made sure the candidate he submitted to the Minister was screened. However, not long after Dr. Petit realized persons in management were not following proper procedures especially when they chose to invest the AOV funds without the necessary law in place to do so. Research showed that Dr. Petit advised the director as well as the Minister of VSA who acknowledged that he was right when he pointed out to them that the AOV law does allow using that fund who is only to be used to pay the pensioners and that procedures were not being followed ,the supervisory board was not informed about several investments or intention to invest the AOV funds and that he as chairman of the board learned of the investments of the monies belonging to pensioners via the media.

On August 8th 2016 when Dr. Petit realized that if he stayed on the supervisory board of USZV and did not act he could be held accountable but also would have to deal with his own guilt if the pension funds were jeopardized, therefore he resigned from the Supervisory Board of USZV and went to the Public Prosecutors Office and Attorney General and filed an official complaint against the director he nominated and also against the Minister of VSA who felt that he could do whatever he wants with the monies belonging to the elderly.

It is an outright shame that the justice system did not see it fit to even investigate a Minister who knowingly authorized the Director of USZV to commit an unlawful act in writing. A Minister giving illegal directives to a private entity which case was not even reviewed by the Prosecutors office even though the monies that were spent belonged to pensioners. Besides that the Prosecutors Office chose not to act and not protect the funds belonging to pensioners but instead to inform the two persons that an investigation into the complaint filed by Dr. Petits was not going to be conducted. Had it not been for SMN News who emailed the prosecutors office for an update, neither Dr. Michel Petit nor the people of St. Maarten would have ever known of the decision taken by the Prosecutors Office. It is even more disrespectful that the media got a press release the same day when Dr. Petit received a letter from the prosecutors office that they have chosen not to investigate or follow up on the complaints he filed.

The action of the Prosecutors office has sent the wrong message to the people of St. Maarten in this particular case since several persons failed the screening process when someone filed a complaint against them for years and it was never investigated or substantiated. Persons even failed the screening by association. However, it appears as though justice and the screening are done depending on who you are, and allegedly with whom you are aligned to or maybe the color of one's skin.

Even though Dr. Petit did not get to protect the peoples money especially the elderly and poor people that worked for years for a meager pension SMN News saw it fitting to nominate Dr. Michel Petit as the person of the year for 2016.

Dr. Petit has given his service to this island in so many ways medically but also found the time in the 1980s to be the guest on a television program for two years educating women on gynecology and Obstetrics.

Due to services and the care, Dr. Michel Petit gave to women and even went as far as filing a complaint to protect the nickels and dimes for the elderly it is only fitting for SMN News to award Dr. Michel Petit with the person of the year award.

To you Dr. Michel Petit, while this will come to you as a huge surprise, we at SMN News wants you to know that the women and people of St. Maarten are more than grateful for your years of dedicated services, as such we wish you all the very best in the New Year and your future endeavors.
PHILIPSBURG:--- 2016 by all means answered to the characteristics of a leap year. A year marked by great losses, controversy and political instability, and yet through it all many in our community pushed forward with tenacious positivity and belief in this country and our potential. The people of St. Maarten have in the face of adversity worked in the interest of the country undeterred by all ills and set the trend of a way forward. In the absence of a stable and supportive Government, the country moved, forward or backward dependent on personal perceptions, at a very slow almost invisible pace. This pattern however is not sustainable and if continued will not only halt our progress, but reverse much of what we have achieved.

COCI has throughout 2016, overcoming its own challenges, worked with consistency on the improvement of its data registry system, human resources and the further development of its services launched in 2015. COCIs objective to enhance access to its services and to better support the business sector reached a higher standard in 2016, but is considered a continuous objective requiring work to attain higher standards each time. In 2016 COCI reached out to other Governmental bodies in an effort to synchronize processes and procedures so that the overall business incorporation /start-up process could be shortened. Investors are often discouraged by long and cumbersome processes and seek environments that meet World Bank standards of business incorporations within 1 day. Initiatives were also undertaken to understand and synchronize the needs of the business sector and with the available human resources in the labor market in an effort to establish courses and training programs as sectors may dictate. The objective to develop new career opportunities, supports a healthy growth of the business sector as well as a socio growth of the community. COCI further in its undertakings strived towards a more secure business environment and sought collaborations to enhance compliance by the business sector in St. Maarten. These initiatives, be it due to a lack of understanding, are not yet embraced by our Government and have hampered the implementation of business ratings in St. Maarten thus far. COCI in 2016 continued to partner with law enforcement to enhance safety and security in St. Maarten, and organized programs in this regard. COCI will in the coming years, with increased focus on this subject matter, make proposals and launch initiatives for a continuous enhancement of security within St. Maarten. On the front of business development, COCI throughout 2016 encouraged, and supported small business entrepreneurs in their effort to establish businesses and maintain businesses in St. Maarten. Concerns raised by the large business sector were heard and after thorough research initiatives were developed for launching in 2017 and beyond.

Based on the following statistics and a comparison with statistics of the previous year we may conclude that confidence in our market potential has remained steady. An increase in new business registrations with a decrease in business closures, translates in the conclusion of an exponential growth in 2016.

Category 2015 2016 Remarks

New Businesses 732 849 The majority in business closures can be found in the Sole Proprietorship category. The main reason for closure is financial difficulty.

Closed Businesses 111

Sole Proprietorships 212 259

Limited Liability Comp 350 461

COCI has noted that there is a need for facilities through which entrepreneurs are educated on fiscal obligations/compliance, on maintenance of consistent business administration, on marketing tools and business development possibilities. COCI will as of 2017 offer such business support tools to the business community of St. Maarten.

Whilst COCI with its partners/members continues to work on the development of the economy of St. Maarten, a proper interaction with - and working relationship with the Government of St. Maarten is direly needed. COCI trusts that the new year will bring a closer working relationship with the Government of St. Maarten in the interest of the country. To the entire community of St. Maarten COCI Board of Directors, Management and Staff extends its well wishes. A Prosperous and Healthy 2017 to ALL.

Peggy Ann M. Brandon

The President.
MAHO:--- (DMF) DOW MUSICAL FOUNDATION and EBONY STEEL ORCHESTRA 25th year annual concert celebration took place on Monday night December 26th, 2016 at Maho Royale Ballroom.

The Tallahasse-St. Maarten Foundation Inc. (TLH-SXMF) presented an award to Prime Minister William Marlin under the banner of: POLITICIAN OF THE YEAR 2016.

The house was packed to capacity at the annual Steel Pan Concert and extravaganza celebrating the DOW MUSICAL FOUNDATION and EBONY STEEL ORCHESTRA 25th concert anniversary, according to TLH-SXMF Executive Director Arthur Lugisse.

Lugisse continues: Current Prime Minister of Sint Maarten William Marlin was first sworn in on November 19, 2015 and after serving one year he was again recently sworn in on December 20, 2016 as Prime Minister in the Red, White and Blue coalition government comprising of the Democratic Party, the National Alliance and the United St. Maarten Party.

William Marlin entered the political arena over 35 years ago, as one of the founding members of the St. Maarten Patriotic Movement  SPM on December 15, 1979. It however, took him until 1987 to win a seat in the Island Council of Sint Maarten. He has served ever since, uninterruptedly as a Member of the Island Council, a Commissioner, a Member of Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles and since 2010 as a Member of Parliament of Sint Maarten and as Minister and now Prime Minister.

Following the referendum of 2000 Sint Maarten had been negotiating to obtain a new status within the Kingdom. Marlin became Commissioner on June 8, 2009 with responsibility for Constitutional Affairs and within one year he secured a change in our constitutional status and Sint Maarten became a Country within the Kingdom on October 10, 2010  also referred to as 10-10-10.

Even though Marlin steered his National Alliance party to an unprecedented clean sweep in the last election for the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles in January of 2010, winning all three seats allotted to Sint Maarten and in the first election for Country Sint Maarten held eight months later, the National Alliance captured seven of the 15 seats, but his party was left out of government.

In May of 2012, following the breakup of the countrys first coalition Marlin was sworn in as Minister for the first time in a government that lasted for just one year, as Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure. He was also the Deputy Prime Minister.

Following snap elections held on September 26, of this year, the National Alliance, again led by its leader William Marlin, captured five of the 15 seats and the same Red, White and Blue coalition of the Democratic Party, the National Alliance and the United St. Maarten Party, remained in office with William Marlin once again taking the oath as Prime Minister for the second time.

On July 2, upcoming, William Marlin hopes by the grace of God to celebrate 30 years of uninterrupted elected service to the people of Sint Maarten. Marlin has accomplished much for the people of Sint Maarten. In his first years as an opposition Member in the Island Council he forced government at the time to be more accountable to the people and to be more transparent; Let the People Know was continually heard coming from him on the floor of the Island Council. And as Commissioner and Minister, Marlin was always identified with, A Promise Made is a Promise Kept!

His most recent promise that was made and kept was to complete the New Government Building and move in. William Marlin has quite an impressive list of accomplished, just to mention a few:

 He bought land to build, schools, homes, community centers

 He spearheaded the first and only expropriation of property for the construction of Link 1, which has helped to alleviate traffic

 He also negotiated for the free transfer of much needed land for the construction of Link 1

 He secured the transfer of the Great Salt Pond from the Central Government for a mere 1 Guilder

 He secured the water rights from the Central Government for the construction of the St. Maarten Port

 He had the Mighty Bin created and secured the first garbage bins on St. Maarten

 He initiated the Road Paving Crew and paved most of the dirt roads on the island

 He cleaned up the Fort Willem Area, hooked all the homes to the sewage plant, paved all the roads and put all cabling underground

 Marlin secured the funding for the isolation of the garbage dump to prevent further pollution of the Great Salt Pond

 Marlin installed street lights and built Round-A-Bouts to alleviate traffic

William Marlin has a long list of achievements while serving the people of Sint Maarten selflessly, and we are confident he will get so much more done. This is the first time William Marlin will be in government at the start of a four year term.

For the first time, we have chosen a Politician of the Year and we are proud of the choice we have made in the person of William Marlin, our current Prime Minister of Sint Maarten.

The St. Maarten Tallahassee Foundation Inc. in collaboration with DMF presented its Veteran Businessman of the year award to Imran McSood Amjad on December 26, 2016.

For over 30 years a young man who came to St. Maarten with all his zeal, vigor, vitality and educated to the core, was able to partner with a few prominent St. Maarten businessmen and build the still existing Nagico Group of Companies in St. Maarten and the Caribbean. Not only did he create a giant in the Caribbean with NAGICO INSURANCES but also expanded to real-estate and the Auto Business.

His success in business has been applauded by many and the Tallahassee- St. Maarten Foundation Inc, see it as A SUCCESS STORY to honor Imran McSood Amjad.

The Tallahassee-St. Maarten Foundation Inc, also seized the opportunity to present a well deserving award to the Might Dow on behalf of the Dow Musical Foundation celebrating their milestone concert for quarter of a century.

Mighty Dow organization DMF for their 25th Anniversary of their Steel Pan Concert "Pan in Paradise"

The DMF event was a tremendous success. The regional invited guest gave some classic renditions that you would take your hat off to. The mighty Dow also did a masterpiece solo tune that was enjoyed by everyone showing is super talent on Steel Pan.

Well wishes and words of complements cannot explain what the youth of EBONY STEEL ORCHESTRA did! They brought the house down, rendition after rendition. They were fabulous and we could not ask for more as they really did a spectacular job of pan playing. St. Maarten youth has talent and more support should be showed towards them and DMF. In 365 days December 26, 2017 they will be celebrating again bigger and better bringing Steel Pan Music extravaganza.

When we look at the Mighty Dow 24/7 contribution to our youth we see one accomplishment that is presently needed to create a DMF Academy building to enhance his efforts and his ongoing teaching to our youth.

DMF is looking forward for the continued support of both Public & Private sectors to embrace their efforts to enhancing our Culture by way of the musical art form of Steel Pan Music.

The Mighty Dow took a group of 15 youngsters to Hollywood, Los Angeles, in 2006 to participate in Kemet Production's, Road to Stardom.

Besides his local performances, he has performed in Aruba, Curacao, Saba, Antigua, Anguilla, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Thomas, St. Eustatius, St. Barthelemy, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Colombia, the Netherlands, New York, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Texas, North Carolina, San Diego, England, Canada, Hollywood California, Cuba, Suriname, and Hawaii.

Dow gave credit to and praises his father, steel pan maestro, Chester York, for his influence on his musical career. He recollects that his father was not keen on his children focusing mainly on music and pushed them more towards the academic field. However, Dows love for music and his consistency and undoubtedly his outstanding ability to create, compose and arrange music, has paid off and made us all proud.

Not only is the Mighty Dow considered one of the best steel pan players in St. Maarten but also the driving force behind training the youth to play steel pan which he started learning at the tender age of eight. The Mighty Dow always acknowledged and contributed his ongoing success to his Father Chester York, his wife Ruth York, his children, brothers, extended family, friends, and the people of Sint Maarten.

Today he has a school DMF with over 1000 kids, and due to that growth he presently brought in teachers to assist with the training of the students and continue to showcase their efforts and skills by way of an annual Steel Pan Concert and extravaganza every year, December 26th, celebrating the DOW MUSICAL FOUNDATION and EBONY STEEL ORCHESTRA Steel Pan Concert PAN IN PARADISE.

The Tallahassee -Foundation President Bernard Hunt and Executive Director Arthur Lugisse continue to market and promote Sint Maartens positive citizens and organizations.
By PTI: From Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Dec 31 (PTI) President Mamnoon Hussain today conferred Pakistans highest civilian honour Nishan-i-Imtiaz on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat and Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa in recognition of their services.

The generals were awarded at a ceremony held at the Awan-e-Sadr (President House).

According to a statement by the President House, the President conferred Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on General Hayat and General Bajwa "in recognition of their services."

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Last month, President Hussain appointed Bajwa as Chief of Army Staff and Hayat as the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee on the recommendation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence) is one of the state organised civil decorations of Pakistan.

It is the highest honour given to any civilian in Pakistan based on their achievements towards world recognition for Pakistan or an outstanding service for the country.

The award can also be given to military personnel. PTI SH MRJ ZH MRJ

--- ENDS ---
Constellation Software Announces Agreement with Hikari Tsushin

TORONTO, ONTARIO  (Marketwired)  12/30/16  Constellation Software Inc. (Constellation) (TSX: CSU)announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Hikari Tsushin, Inc. for the incorporation, management and operation of a joint venture company. The joint venture company, to be named Constellation Software Japan, will seek to invest in, acquire and manage vertical market software companies with a primary place of business in Japan.

About Constellation

Constellation Software Inc. (TSX: CSU) is an international provider of market leading software and services to a select number of industries, both in the public and private sectors. Constellations mission is to acquire, manage and build market-leading software businesses that develop specialized, mission-critical software solutions to address the specific needs of particular industries.

Contacts:

Constellation Software Inc.

Jamal Baksh

Chief Financial Officer

(416) 861-9677
Capstream Announces Building Executive & Management Team and Stock Option Grants

Posted by Publisher Software

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA  (Marketwired)  12/30/16  Capstream Ventures Inc. (Capstream or the Company) (TSX VENTURE: CSP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Grant Kim as Executive Director of the Company and Craig Rollins as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company. The Company has also added to its management team a director of business development and a director of finance, Mssrs. Mark Saft and Chris Bagguley respectively.

As Mr. Kim was previously an independent director of the Company, please see the Companys latest AGM information circular available at for Mr. Kims biography. Mr. Kim will work closely with the Companys executive team to oversee Capstreams strategic and business development activities.

Mr. Rollins brings over seven years of experience at a leading Vancouver law firm where he focused on securities, finance and M&A. Todd Bonner said, We are excited to have Craig join our team. He worked with us extensively last year and proved himself as a strong and experienced transactional lawyer. Likewise, he knows our company very well. Craig will play an important role in helping us through our next phase of growth in 2017. Mr. Rollins replaces the Companys former Corporate Secretary, Erin Walmesley, who recently resigned. The Company thanks her for her outstanding work and wishes her the best of luck in her future endeavours.

Mr. Saft shall spearhead the global sales of Capstreams IP portfolio, including the landmark games developed by Axion Games, a subsidiary of the Company. Mr. Saft has extensive global contacts from his previous executive experience based in Japan, North America, and Southeast Asia, and he is expected to play a key role in the newly announced formation of the joint venture with True Incube Co., Ltd.

The Company also announces that its Board of Directors has approved the granting of an aggregate of 13,300,000 incentive stock options to directors, officers, employees, and consultants (the Options) pursuant to the Companys Stock Option Plan. The Options are exercisable at a price of $0.50 per share, expire on December 30, 2021 and vest over a three (3) year period.

On behalf of Capstream Ventures Inc.

John Todd Bonner

Chief Executive Officer

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibilities for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

John Todd Bonner

Chief Executive Officer

604.687.7767
By PTI: Washington, Dec 31 (PTI) Contrary to the popular perception, subjective patient satisfaction ratings may actually lead to lower-quality care in some situations, according to new research.

"Increasingly used as a measure of physician performance, patient satisfaction data can be flawed and not broadly applicable," said Terence Myckatyn of Washington University School of Medicine in the US.

"While patient satisfaction is important, we think that better rating tools are needed to measure it," said Myckatyn.

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Myckatyn and colleagues share some concerns about the trend towards using patient satisfaction ratings as a measure of physician performance.

The focus on patient satisfaction is driven by the fact that the US spends more than any other nation on health-care, but lags behind in outcomes, researchers said.

Patient satisfaction is now among the quality of care indicators used in "pay for performance" programmes tying financial reimbursement under Medicare and the Affordable Care Act.

However, using patient satisfaction ratings in this way is having some unintended consequences, the researchers said.

For example, some hospitals are upgrading their physical facilities and adding luxury amenities, in an attempt to improve patient satisfaction scores.

"One could argue that these costly expenses have more to do with the perception of health-care quality rather than actual outcomes," Myckatyn said.

There are even anecdotal reports of doctors altering their medical judgement to improve patient satisfaction and minimise negative reviews - for example, prescribing antibiotics or strong pain medications to keep patients happy and move them quickly through the system.

"Behaviour motivated by patient satisfaction becomes especially dangerous when ratings are directly tied to compensation," researchers said.

Meanwhile, it is unclear whether satisfaction and other measures of patient experience are correlated with traditional measures of health care safety and quality.

"The truth is that there is little high-level evidence to support that patient satisfaction surveys will provide Americans with improved medical outcomes, but there are plenty of contradictory data," said Myckatyn.

Some studies even suggest that higher-intensity health-care is associated with increased patient satisfaction but also with increased mortality, with no impact on objective quality measures.

While other studies have linked higher satisfaction to better outcomes, interpretation of these studies is limited by the fact that patient satisfaction is "inherently subjective and labile."

Plastic surgery does not have a strong body of research on patient satisfaction and its relationship to outcomes. Yet especially for aesthetic surgery, plastic surgeons have always been attuned to the importance of patient feedback.

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The research was published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. PTI SAR SAR

--- ENDS ---
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One of the world's most famous steam trains will be touring the United Kingdom next year and there will be several opportunities for those of us in Somerset to get a glimpse of it.

The Flying Scotsman will be in action throughout 2017 and tours will be running from the beginning of April to the end of September.

The train was originally built in Doncaster for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), emerging from the works on 24 February 1923 and initially numbered 1472.

It was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley as part of the A1 class  the most powerful locomotives used by the railway.

It holds two world records  one for becoming the first steam locomotive to be officially authenticated at reaching 100 miles per hour on November 30, 1934, and one for the longest non-stop run by a steam locomotive when it ran 422 miles on August 8, 1989.

The renowned train will be visiting locations such as Cardiff, York, Carlisle, Newport, and Edinburgh.

For those of us in Somerset however, we'll be able to see it on three separate occasions.

Where and when will I be able to see it in Somerset?

May 23  Bristol to Minehead

This is the best and longest opportunity you have to see or ride on the train in Somerset.

The trip offers fans the chance for a day out with the Flying Scotsman. The train will take travellers to Minehead, offer them a short break and then travellers will be returned to Bristol.

Premier Dining passengers will receive a three course evening meal, with Pullman Style Dining passengers receiving a four course evening meal.

If you want to watch the train it will pass locations such as Taunton and Weston-super-Mare.

Note that the trip will be diesel hauled between Minehead and Bristol Temple Meads on the return journey.

May 26  West of England Tour from Minehead

The tour will start out from Minehead for a glorious trip around Somerset, with views of the Bristol Channel and the Mendip Hills, before heading back to Bishop's Lydeard. From here it will be possible to passengers to continue to Minehead on a West Somerset Railway train.

Question - 1 of 9 Score - 0 of 0 The Hogwarts Express famously departs from Platform 9  at Kings Cross but where does this service terminate (assuming no replacement broom service)? Hogsmeade Station

Hogwarts Station

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May 26  West of England Tour from Bishop's Lydeard

This trip will take passengers through the best of Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire by steam

Leaving Bishops Lydeard, it will head south toward Taunton, where observant ones can catch a glimpse of the attractive buildings of Taunton School.

From there it heads northwards, and the scenery quickly changes as the train passes the Mendip Hills on one side and the Bristol Channel on the other.

The train then turns inland to pass through Bristol and on through the beautiful city of Bath. Following the River Avon it heads south towards Westbury before heading back to Bishops Lydeard.

Of course you need not ride the train to get a glimpse of it in action. Fans can wait at stations, at a safe distance, to witness it pass through.

Can I ride the train?

Yes. Tickets for the Bristol to Minhead day trip range from 67 for a child fare to 205 for a Pullman style dining table for four.

A first class adult ticket will set you back 125.

The West of England morning and afternoon trips from Minehead and Bishops Lydeard respectively have tickets for adults starting at 79.

Again a Pullman style dining table for four is the most expensive at 205. To buy tickets see here.

Do I have to buy a ticket to see it?

You can watch the train pass through the county from a distance.

Organisers of the tours understand that interest for the Flying Scotsman will be extremely high, but they are urging those wishing to view it on its tour dates to do so from a safe vantage point.

A spokesman said: "It is vital that spectators do not venture onto the railway, particularly when it is on the mainline as a full timetable of regular services will also be running."

Where else is the train touring?
Water shutoffs in South Bend resume in December. Money is available.

Shutoffs and late fees for water service were paused in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic but will resume in December.
The way PPA cheated legislative members, more than two-third MLAs decided to join BJP, a decision that turned into a blessing in disguise, said chief minister Pema Khandu at a press meet in capital Itanagar today.

BJP MP and party's northeast in-charge Ram Madhav tweeted, "Arunachal has a BJP government now. CM Pema Khandu, with 33 MLAs, merges PPA with the BJP."

With this, the BJP will have a two-thirds majority in the 60-seat Arunachal Pradesh assembly.

BJP already had 12 MLAs and with the addition of 33 new lawmakers and 2 Independents, the party's tally will go up to 47.

The decision to break away from PPA comes at a time when the regional alliance partner of the BJP in Arunachal suspended 11 of its MLAs for anti-party activities.

On Thursday, PPA president Kahfa Bengia had written to the state assembly speaker, intimating him about his party's disciplinary action against seven lawmakers and placing them under temporary suspension. Subsequently, four more MLAs were suspended on Saturday morning.

The PPA leadership was unhappy with a faction of Congress lawmakers, who had earlier defected from the party to join PPA led by Pema Khandu.

Speaking to India Today, PPA president Kahfa Bengia had said that a section in his party was concerned about the autonomy of the party in running the government due to the control wielded by the BJP as a national party.

Of late, PPA members have been irked by the growing proximity of newcomers from Congress under Pema Khandu with alliance partner BJP.

However, terming the PPA president's decision whimsical, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said that the highly suspicious action of suspending Arunachal CM Pema Khandu had created uncalled for disturbance in a smoothly-running PPA-BJP government.

Ram Madhav added that the PPA leadership stood exposed as a majority of their MLAs supported chief minister Pema Khandu's leadership.
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Let me tell you about Marion Meadows laugh. Like the man himself, its genuine and down to earth. Its warmth has a way of welcoming you into the conversation. It eases the dialogue, and soon youll be talking with him like youve been best friends for life.

I had a chance to converse with Meadows at length recently. We talked about a lot of things, and throughout our chat, inserted like laid-back exclamation points, was that laugh. I caught up with the jazz star in early December, as his year was winding down and before he headed off to Hawaii, where hes got a residence. He was in Nashville, Tenn., his most recent home stateside, having moved there recently from Arizona, prior to living in New York City.

Traveling is a constant. It certainly needs to be for his music.

If they call me and say tomorrow were playing in Moscow, Ill be packing my bags, he says, and theres the laugh. This year he was in South Africa twice. Next year? Possibly China, South Africa again, Eastern Africa, Australia, Indonesia and the U.S. Hey, as long as they want me.

And they do want him. Meadows is an internationally recognized soprano saxophonist, composer, Grammy winner and recording artist whose music meets Billboards chart-topping approval ratings on a regular basis. His latest disc, Soul Traveler, is ranked as one of Billboards best albums of 2016 in the Smooth Jazz category, although Meadows prefers being recognized as a contemporary jazz artist. Hes also a lecturer and educator. Maybe its the teacher in him, but when Meadows explains how he came to become a working and successful jazz artist, you realize how astutely he understands the importance of mentoring in education. He tells you, unprompted, he didnt get where he is now without help and guidance.

Meadows was born in West Virginia, but he spent his formative years in Stamford. He attended the old Rippowam High School and graduated in 1972. Looking back on those days, one important name always comes up.

Tony Truglia was our high school band teacher, but he was more than that. He was like our mentor, Meadows says about the former state senator, who has a theater named in his honor, the Anthony D. Truglia Theater, at Rich Forum, part of the Stamford Center for the Arts complex.

He would stay after school and help the kids out, especially if he saw that you had some problems. He was a very special man. I would say my musical growth grew by leaps and bounds after meeting Tony Truglia. He got it, Meadows says. When he saw a kid who was really interested in being a musician, or being a better musician, he would spend that extra time with you. But he would also talk to you about your home life, if everything was going good at home, all that kind of stuff. I felt that he was really there for me.

Truglia organized high school band tours to Europe half-a-dozen times. Meadows was on two of those trips. He also took his students to Berklee in Boston, where somehow he arranged for his students to audition at the prestigious music college during their visit. He organized music programs for children that included summer camps and an after-school initiative for inner-city youth called Project Music. More on that one shortly.

Even kids who werent planning to go to music school got to go to Berklee on a field trip that he arranged with our high school band, and do an audition. I mean, how awesome was that? And the funny thing about it was, in high school I was really more of a science student, Meadows says. I didnt think I was going to go into music as a career. It was because I auditioned for Berklee on this field trip and got accepted, that I started to think about the idea of going to music school. When I did make this decision, I walked into Berklee a prepared student because of this man. And this is why I get so passionate about doing anything in his name.

Meadows is on the board of directors of a modern-day Project Music, named in honor of Truglias original program. Using all caps in its name, the new PROJECT MUSIC, launched in 2014, is making an impact on many inner-city school children in Stamford. Housed in the Chester Addison Community Center/Domus, the program offers free after-school music instruction and instrumentation to more than 80 K-6 students, four days a week.

The original Project Music was begun by Truglia in the late 60s and continued after his death in 1987. But without him, its city-subsidized funding was cut sometime prior to 2013. An energetic and enthusiastic Stamford native and former Truglia student, Joyce DiCamillo, had the perfect resume to be handed Truglias baton. The talented jazz pianist, composer and educator has been involved with music education in Stamford in many forms her whole life. Shes very close to Meadows, too, so close that growing up together she often considered him a younger brother. DiCamillo is a founding member and chairs the new PROJECT MUSICs board.

Tony really was the catalyst to bring us all together. Fast forward to now, and Christel can tell you that we are all Tonys kids, says DiCamillo, referring to Truglias wife, Christel Truglia, who shared her late husbands love for childrens education. Christel, also a former state representative, became another founding member of the PROJECT MUSIC board, and serves as its vice chair.

Yet another power player, Mort Lowenthal, former police commissioner, came onto the scene. Hes PROJECT MUSICs board treasurer. Mort, Christel and I were really the catalysts for bringing Project Music back, but we brought it back with a new, 21st century model, DiCamillo says, one that we thought Tony would approve of, and one we felt would accomplish his mission in todays world.

When it came time to form a full board of directors for their new project, Meadows name rose to the top of the list. We called, and he was there for us immediately, DeCamillo says.

Meadows corroborates. If Im called by the people who are the seeds of where I came from and how I got to be, then shame on me for not rallying to the call. I said yes immediately. It was really a no-brainer, he says.

I knew I was going to be up for a challenge because of the amount of traveling, and the other stuff I do. But I made it a point to spend the time, and make the time. And look what the rewards are already. We have children playing instruments, bro. It is amazing.

Mike Horyczuns Sound Surfing music column appears every Saturday in the Norwalk Hour. He can be reached at: news2mh@gmail.com
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STAMFORD  Christine Wayne had believed anxiety caused the chest pain, trouble breathing and nausea that prompted her to dial 911.

Getting ready for a night out, Wayne had stepped into the shower one day last month and felt an unfamiliar pressure in her chest, followed by acute fatigue.

I started coughing, Wayne said. It wasnt a surface-level cough. It was deep, almost like I popped something. From that moment on, everything happened in slow motion. Getting the conditioner out of my hair took so much energy.

Wayne stumbled out of the shower, felt nauseous and threw up. Wrapped in a towel, she called her mother and 911.

In minutes, firefighters and EMTs arrived at Waynes Harbor Point apartment to take her to Stamford Hospital. She did not know she had suffered a heart attack and would soon go into cardiac arrest.

Everyone thought I was just stressing out, she said. They kept telling me to calm down.

Perhaps because a heart attack is the last thing anyone expects in an otherwise healthy, 37-year-old woman.

Waynes experience is uncommon, but not unthinkable. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women older than 20 in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. More than 600,000 people die each year from heart disease, and half are women.

Traditionally, women have been an ignored group for heart disease, said Dr. Arun Nandi, chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Stamford Hospital. People think that women cant have heart disease, especially young women.

Doctors are still unsure what caused the blocked artery responsible for Waynes Dec. 15 heart attack. She did not have a blood clot. She doesnt smoke or use drugs. Doctors ruled out spontaneous coronary artery dissection, in which a tear forms in one of the hearts blood vessels  causing a heart attack, abnormal heart rhythm or sudden death.

Self (mis)diagnosis

What doctors do know is that quick action saved her life. Wayne didnt any waste time calling 911 and getting to the hospital, where she went into cardiac arrest several times before undergoing a stent procedure.

Her heart was barely functioning when she came in, said cardiologist Dr. Thomas Nero, who raced to Stamford from his home in Wilton to treat Wayne. From her coming through the door to the opening of her artery was less than 30 minutes.

More than 50 percent of people who suffer heart attacks die before receiving any medical care, Nero said.

Her early call to 911 was key, he said. Even though she didnt know what was going on, wed rather have someone come 10 times and have it be a mistake than miss one person.

Many women  more than half nationwide  who dont realize heart disease is their top killer can easily misdiagnose their symptoms.

Women are also more likely to experience atypical heart attack symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, back or jaw pain and anxiety.

Its very common to have a vague symptom thats hard to describe  something internal, a pressure, a fullness  and the fact that its hard to describe may be its descriptor, Nero said.

Wayne hopes to use her experience to educate women about heart disease. She shared with friends and family on Facebook the details of her seven-day hospital stay.

I felt like I was witnessing my own memorial, Wayne said. I was in the hospital and people were posting prayers for Christine and I was thinking, Im still here. 

Stroke of luck

Less than two weeks after leaving the hospital  and one fever scare that sent her back to the ER  Waynes heart is already completely normal, Nero said. She still needs to undergo cardiac rehabilitation and has not returned to her marketing job.

A lot of people keep telling me to slow down. Its not in my nature. I create stress, she said. Im trying to be very in the moment. Im staying at my parents house and all I wear are pajamas and sweatpants.

On Thursday, Wayne visited the emergency room staff who treated her that first night. Many hardly recognized her with styled hair and red lipstick.

You look great, ER nurse Cynthia Cessar said as she embraced Wayne. Im so glad youre all right. You look so different and healthy.

Wayne is still in disbelief about her medical scare. She walks with her hand on her chest  because its sore and her hand acts as protection, she said.

Its very rare what happened to you, Nandi told Wayne. You were lucky. Technology is great, but you also need to have a slice of luck.

eskalka@scni.com
The states budget czar has recommended against state funding for construction of the new New Lebanon School, a key element of the towns plan to correct racial imbalance in Greenwich public schools.

The proposed state cut may be a blow to town finances, but its reasoning makes sense.

The state should not step in to pay for a new school - which may or may not solve the problematic racial disparity within the Greenwich District - until the town has made much greater efforts to find a remedy within its existing school infrastructure, wrote Benjamin Barnes, secretary of the state Office of Policy and Management, in a Dec. 29 memo to key state legislators.

Barnes is essentially telling the Greenwich school board that it can solve racial imbalance through redistricting, using empty classrooms in Greenwich elementary schools - there are approximately 15 empty rooms available in the district - instead of adding more capacity with a new building. Redistricting is not a word the school board wants to hear.

Greenwich is expecting to receive about $21 million from the state, or just more than 60 percent of the new schools $37 million price tag. This year the town is spending $2.85 million for design and engineering costs. It expects to allocate $34 million for construction of the new elementary school building in the fiscal year that begins this July.

Barnes, who is Gov. Dannel Malloys closest adviser, is asking the state legislatures School Construction Committee to remove New Lebanon funding from the list it must submit to the state Bonding Commission.

Malloy and Barness move, made late in the sluggish holiday week, seems to have come as a surprise to Greenwich officials and the towns state legislative delegation.

State Sen. Scott Frantz will be a key player in the coming debate over dollars for New Lebanon. He sits on both the legislatures School Construction Committee and the state Bonding Commission, and has clashed with Malloy over what the Greenwich Republican says is excessive state spending. Malloy, through Barnes, has now put Frantz in the position of having to defend an expensive new school that the governor thinks is an example of the wasteful spending Frantz decries. I could not reach Frantz for comment on the matter.

Newly appointed Board of Education Chairman Peter Sherr said Saturday morning that he had just heard about this yesterday from a constituent who sent me a copy of the Barnes memo. Barnes and the governor are now calling into question the racial imbalance plan that we agreed to with the state Department of Education three years ago.

The school board chairman said he was surprised at the scope of Barness recommendation.

The state budget chief not only said the new school was not needed, but added that the policy of reimbursing school districts for building new schools when they have empty classrooms rewards districts for avoiding the difficult decisions around redistricting and school reconfigurations.

It was not good policy then (in 2011, when diversity schools were given higher reimbursement percentages) and it is not good policy now, Barnes said. If solutions lie with the redistricting of students and/or reconfiguring schools, rather than building new schools or adding unnecessary capacity to a district, they should be strongly favored. We should also find new ways to encourage towns to join together to address their  needs.

This issue also figured into last Junes ruling by a Connecticut Superior Court judge that the state is defaulting on its constitutional duty to provide a good education to all children. Among many funding faults identified by the court was the generous state reimbursement policy that pays for a substantial percentage of expensive new buildings in towns with decreasing enrollments and empty classrooms.

Sherr said he was still reviewing the state OPM secretarys opinion, and would have to meet with my board and other town officials to see how we navigate through Hartford in the future.

The state Board of Education first identified Hamilton Avenue and New Lebanon schools as having racially unbalanced enrollments more than a decade ago. Those same schools are consistently at the lowest end of the performance scale. That is not a coincidence.

Maybe, just maybe, if the town has to pay for New Lebanon with local tax dollars, it will reconsider building new buildings, and focus instead on how to improve student performance. There is no evidence that new buildings have an impact on student performance, but there is plenty of evidence that integrating schools does.

Bob Horton can be reached at bobhorton@yahoo.com.
According to social engagement platform LocalCircles, the survey's results are based on around 3.5 lakh responses and have been astonishingly the same over the last 50 days.

By Prabhash K Dutta: The demonetisation deadline, as spelt out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has ended but 'currency normal' situation is still weeks, if not months away.

Notwithstanding the cash crunch that still continues, an online survey done over the period of 50 days shows that support for PM Modi has not dwindled.

In the survey, conducted by social engagement platform LocalCircles, 97 per cent participants are still with Modi on the question of demonetisation.

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Also read | PM Modi's mega New Year sops ahead of crucial state elections: Highlights

The survey result is astonishingly the same over the last 50 days. According to LocalCircles, the survey's results are based on around 3.5 lakh responses. It also says that more than 1 lakh citizens participated in the debates and discussions on demonetisation before the final results were drawn.

However, the participants' frustration showed up in the response about implementation of demonetisation. While 51 per cent citizens found implementation of note ban a good step in the second week of demonetisation, only 30 per cent were satisfied with the agencies dealing with cash crunch.

A large chunk of the respondents complained about the non-availability of low and middle-value currency notes. As many as 68 per cent people said that they were yet to get a Rs 500 note.

While Rs 2,000 notes are seemingly in good supply, close to 60 per cent people said that they were not using denomination as frequently.

About 14 per cent stated that they were saving Rs 2,000 notes for any future emergency needs. Another 45 per cent said they were using Rs 2,000 notes only when it became an absolute necessity for them to do so.

In a way, thus, 59 per cent people reported hoarding of Rs 2,000 notes in December. And, they were not the usual suspects for black money holders.

Another interesting finding of the survey was that about 75 per cent people gave a clean chit to PM Modi for demonetisation troubles.

While 25 per cent of the respondents said PM Modi was responsible for demonetisation woes, others blamed the RBI, local banks and the finance ministry for the poor handling of cash crunch.

WEEKLY WITHDRAWAL LIMIT STAYS AT RS 24,000

The RBI has relaxed the ATM withdrawal limit from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,500 a day per debit card, which is expected to give some respite to people. However, the weekly withdrawal limit stays at Rs 24,000.

There are reports that almost 90 per cent of the demonetised currency has been replenished. However, there is no official word on it.

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Also read | PM Narendra Modi's New Year address: Politicians must abandon holier-than-thou attitude', poll funding should be reformed

The Reserve Bank of India has not made public the data about how much money has been infused back into the banking system after demonetisation of 86 per cent of the existing currency on November 8.

The last data available in public domain corresponds to the money supply as on December 19, till when the RBI had infused Rs 5.92 lakh crore of currency into the banking system.

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S hocking footage shows the moment a huge blaze tore through a block of flats in east London leaving terrified families trapped.

Firefighters rescued two adults and three young children by escorting them onto the roof of the building while crews battled the raging fire from the ground.

Video, taken from a neighbour, shows firefighters using water hoses to douse the flames which raged for two hours at a block of flats in Great Eastern Road in Stratford.

Six fire engines and 35 firefighters from five stations, as well as paramedics, raced to the scene shortly after 11pm on Thursday.

Carly Fenton/Twitter

Witnesses told of the terrifying moment the fire ripped through the block as people screamed at the residents to get out.

Carly Fenton, 32, whose mother lives in the opposite apartment block, said she was watching TV with her brothers when she heard a big bang.

She said: There was people already outside banging on saucepans telling the others to get out and there were a few people on the roof of the flats.

They were screaming for anyone who was in the flats to get out. It was really scary.

Pictures of the aftermath of the fire in Stratford / London Fire Brigade

She added: The fire brigade did an amazing job to get everyone out safe and sound and get the fire under control.

Father-of-three Istiak Ahmed who lives in the building told the Newham Recorder: Straightaway I ran away with my children. It was very scary. My children were really shocked. People were screaming and crying.

London Fire Brigade said the adults and three children suffered from smoke inhalation and were treated by paramedics at the scene.

Around 30 other residents managed to escape the building and firefighters brought the blaze under control by shortly after 1 am.

Pictures of the aftermath of the fire show burnt-out flats in the smoke-stained building.

The fire brigade said one first floor flat was completely gutted in the fire, while others were badly damaged.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

A spokesman for Genesis Housing Association, which owns the building, said: It must have been a frightening ordeal for the residents of this block - our staff were on site very quickly and worked with the emergency services to make sure everyone was looked after.

We have been able to successfully and quickly move those residents immediately affected to temporary accommodation while we review the situation.

As the fire safety posters inside the buildings clearly show, the flats are designed in such a way as to contain fires as far as possible.

Time needs to be taken to assess this incident properly, but we are clear the block complies with relevant fire and building regulations. We will now await the report from the Fire Brigade.
A teenager has been charged with attempted murder after an 18-year-old man was stabbed next to a childrens Christmas fair in south London.

The 18-year-old man was left fighting for life in hospital after he was knifed next to the fairground in Windrush Square, Brixton, on Tuesday evening.

Collins Adesoji, 18, has been charged with attempted murder, Scotland Yard said.

Police said the victim remained in a critical condition in hospital with stab wounds.

He was found by officers called to the scene in Rushcroft Road, near to the junction with Windrush Square, at about 6.15pm on Tuesday.

Adesoji, from Lambeth, was due to appear in custody at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on Saturday.


A man is fighting for life and a police officer has been injured following an assault outside a DLR station in east London in the early hours of New Years Eve.

The victim, aged in his 30s, was found with head injuries close to Star Lane DLR station shortly after 4.45am on Saturday.

He was rushed to a hospital in east London where he remains in a critical condition.

A man was arrested at the scene in Bidder Street on suspicion of attempted murder.

A car then ploughed through a police cordon outside the station and mowed down a police officer, Scotland Yard confirmed.

He was treated by paramedics before being taken to an east London hospital with minor injuries shortly after 5am.

The driver of the car has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, police said.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: Enquiries continue.

Whilst a scene remains in place, trains will not be stopping at Star Lane DLR station.
T his is the moment an armed thug raided a newsagent in north London after allegedly threatening two shop workers with a carving knife in a terrifying attack.

CCTV footage, released by police, shows the man stealing cash and cigarettes from the store in Islington as he wielded the huge knife.

Scotland Yard said two employees were closing the shop when they were forced back inside by a man threatening them with the carving knife.

He ordered them to lie on the ground during the robbery at the Budgens newsagent in Packington Square at about 11pm on December 11.

Raid: CCTV footage shows a knifeman inside a newsagent in Islington / Metropolitan Police

Police said one of the workers managed to escape out of a side exit, while another hid inside a cloakroom.

In the video, the knifeman was seen pulling an empty black sack from a bin and filling it with items.

The footage showed the thief stashing cigarettes in the bag before he failed to prise open a till behind the counter with his weapon.

Robbery: The knifeman attempts to prise open a till with the weapon / Metropolitan Police

He was also seen in the video rifling through the main office and trying to open the store safe.

Police said he fled the shop using a side entrance which opened onto Packington Street.

He made off with some cash, bottles of alcohol and a backpack.

The Met released the footage in a bid to identify the man who they would like to speak to in connection with the robbery.

He was described as a white man, aged in his 20s, and around 5ft 10inches tall.

Appeal: Police want to speak to this man in connection with a robbery / Metropolitan Police

Police said he wore a dark jacket with a chequered lining, dark trousers, dark trainers with light stripes, black gloves, and a black holdall bag.

The suspect may have had an accomplice acting as a lookout outside.

DC Alex Simmons of Islington Police said: "This was a planned and terrifying attack which left the victims in the greatest fear for their safety.

The knifeman is thought to reside locally, so we urge anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV images, or has any information that may assist our investigation, to contact."

Anyone with information can call Islington CID via 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit the crimstoppers-uk.org website.
H eartless thugs riding mopeds allegedly smashed through the doors of a trendy coffee shop and a hairdressers in a leafy west London street on Christmas Day.

The owners of popular Chiswick cafe and street vending van, The Coffee Traveller, spoke of the trauma of learning callous thieves had caused 8,000 worth of damage to their business during a raid which lasted less than a minute.

Neil Vanstone and his wife Rebecca, 35, were woken by Metropolitan Police officers just before midnight to be told their shop had been broken into.

The pair had gone to bed after travelling back from Kent where they had been enjoying festivities with Mr Vanstones family.

The 45-year-old told the Standard: Its not something you expect, especially on Christmas Day.

The first thought you have is about your family, it is quite traumatic.

'Traumatic Christmas': Moped-riding thugs ram-raided The Coffee Traveller on Christmas Day / The Coffee Traveller/Facebook

Police believe two suspects used a black moped to ram through the door of the coffee shop and witnesses reported hearing five loud bangs.

Mr Vanstone said: The neighbours said they heard five loud bangs when they were ramming into the door of the shop.

Theyve destroyed the door and the surround but they were in and out in less than a minute.

Nothing was taken from inside the cafe, which opened last summer.

Dramatic images posted on social media showed a smashed-up till strewn across the floor.

The owner added: They were clearly looking for cash but we never leave cash inside overnight.

They have broken the till which is going to cost us around 2,000 to replace.

On Christmas Day of all days, what makes people stoop that low?

Just minutes later the same suspects are believed to have smashed the vehicle through the door of Cascade Hairdressing, also on Thames Road, as the owners slept upstairs.

Mr Vanstone added that neighbours reported hearing two loud bangs before the raiders crashed through the door.

He said: It took them slightly less time to get into the hairdressers but the owners were sleeping upstairs and confronted them before chasing them off.

The couple, who have been married for four years, said the alleged burglary had ruined Christmas and left them feeling alone and vulnerable.

However, they hailed customers for their unwavering support.

Mr Vanstone said: Weve had messages of support on Facebook, Ive had texts, emails, people inviting us for coffee.

Its like having your family around you. Thats whats made it bearable for us, having an excellent community around us.

I just want to catch these people are get them off our streets and away from our neighbourhood.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: Police were called shortly before midnight on Sunday,

December 25 to reports of two suspects on a black moped who were seen to break into a coffee shop and hairdressers.

Despite causing extensive damage, no money or property was stolen during the burglaries.

Detectives from Hounslow CID are investigating and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the suspects fleeing from the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101.
A young man was stabbed to death in the street outside a block of flats in Peckham.

The victim, aged in his 20s, was knifed outside the Deerhurst House apartment block on Friday afternoon.

Medics fought to save him but he was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Murder detectives have launched an investigation following the fatal stabbing in Haymerle Road at about 5.30pm.

Scotland Yard said the mans next of kin have been informed but he has not yet been formally identified.

A post-mortem was scheduled to take place on January 1.

A Met Police spokesman said: An incident room has opened under Detective Chief Inspector Lee Watling of the Homicide and Major Crime Command.

Detectives would like to hear from anyone who was in the area of Haymerle Road at the time who may have information that will assist the investigation.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Anyone who witnessed the assault or moments leading up to it are asked to contact the incident room on 020 8721 4205 or via 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
In his 40-minute New Year address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a slew of sop for the poor, farmers and senior citizens.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra addressed the nation on New Year's eve today. In his televised address, the PM announced a slew of sops for the poor, farmers and senior citizens.

The PM described his November 8 demonetisation move as "historic cleansing ritual", and said people of the country had taken the biggest "shuddhi yagna" after Diwali.

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Modi, in his 40-minute speech, announced that the government would give rebates of four and three per cent for home loans of up to Rs 9 lakh and Rs 12 lakh, respectively, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in 2017.

He said that the government has decided to enhance the credit guarantee for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore.

Possibly keeping in mind the model code of conduct that will come into force once elections to five state assemblies, including in Uttar Pradesh, are announced next week, the Prime Minister flagged off several schemes aimed at helping the poor.

Farmers who have taken loans from district cooperative banks and societies have been granted waiver on interest for a period of 60 days. "The amount of the 60-day interest waiver will be directly transferred to the farmers' accounts," he said.

HERE'S WHAT PM MODI ANNOUNCED:

India has undertaken a historic cleansing drive against black money. People have borne pain to vanquish the evil of corruption. There is a reason why the spirit of India can never be extinguished. After Diwali, our country took an important decision to curb black money which will have long term benefits. Overwhelmed by the support received for demonetisation drive. Indians have shown spirit of sacrifice to fight black money. The problems which the people have faced for the betterment of the country is an example in itself. Demonetisation forced even the honest to suffer. Acknowledge the pain and difficulties citizens had to undergo in last 50 days. Corruption, black money, counterfeit currency had crippled common man. Trying to bring normalcy in banking operations as soon as possible. Data says only 24 lakh people in the country have declared that their salary is above Rs 10 lakh under Income Tax. In 2017, 4 per cent rebate on interest on Rs 9 lakh loan, 3 per cent rebate on interest rate on Rs 12 lakh loan taken for construction of homes. In 2017, if poor people want to expand their homes, they will be given Rs 2 lakh at an interest rate of 3 per cent less than normal. Small scale and medium enterprises play important role in increasing job opportunities. Credit guarantees by government increased to Rs 2 crore. Scheme for senior citizens: For 10 years up to Rs 7.5 lakh senior citizens will be capped at 8 per cent. So that lower deposit rates don't hurt: PM Modi Politicians should abandon their holier-than-thou attitude and work for country's development together.

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(With inputs from IANS)

ALSO READ:

PM Modi's New Year address to the nation: All you need to knowPM Modi's New Year resolution: Make banking system normal amid demonetisation

WATCH

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A young woman was viciously attacked by a group of hooded men as she lay in bed in her own bed north London.

Scotland Yard have launched an investigation after the gang of five men reportedly forced their way into an address in Wembley.

Two women were woken by hammering at the front door of the property in Station Grove around 3am on November 24.

One woman opened the door to find a man wearing a grey hooded jumper and a balaclava outside, along with four other men.

They forced their way inside, despite the womans efforts to close the door, police said.

The group then ran into the other womans bedroom.

The masked man reportedly jumped onto the bed and punched and kicked the victim in the head.

The terrifying attack lasted around 15 minutes while the four other men stood around watching before fleeing the building, police said.

The 23-year-old was taken to Northwick Park Hospital with facial injuries.

Detective Constable Jo Trist, from Brent CID, said: "This was a particularly vicious and terrifying assault on the victim in her own bed.

The suspects claimed to know her, but as yet we have been unable to identify any motive for the attack.

I am therefore appealing for any members of the public who may have information to come forward. It may be that other residents in the street saw the suspects arrive at or leave the address."

The investigation team at Wembley can be contacted on 020 87333 737 or via 101. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A rmed police patrolled Londons streets as security was stepped up ahead of the capitals New Year celebrations.

Police armed with machine guns were deployed in central London on Saturday in response to the devastating lorry attacks in Berlin and Nice.

Extra officers were drafted into the capital while concrete barriers were put in place to block traffic from crowds as hundreds of thousands prepared to celebrate the start of 2017.

Armed police also travelled on London Underground trains for the first time ever to move between jobs.

On patrol: Armed officers are deployed on London streets / PA Wire

Firearms officers are usually deployed at mainline stations but will use the Tube from New Year's Eve onwards to travel between jobs to counter the terror threat and reassure the public.

It comes as Britain faces a severe threat from terrorism in the wake of massacres across Europe, most recent of which took place in Berlin when 12 people were killed at Christmas markets when a hijacked lorry careered off the road into crowds of people.

Keeping London safe: More officers have been drafted in to the capital ahead of New Year celebrations / PA Wire

British Transport Police Superintendent Andy Morgan said attacks in Berlin and in Nice in July prompted a re-examination of security measures.

Supt Morgan said: "We developed and improved our security plan for last year's New Year's Eve event following the atrocities in Paris in the previous November and we, of course, have looked at good security, a thorough security boost following a different type of threat in Nice back in July.

"In general, we have a good eyeline on what could happen, we've got very, very good assets both covert and overt deployed out within the footprint and across London, almost joined at the hip with our colleagues from the Metropolitan Police to make sure that we're working together to provide that security blanket across London."

Scotland Yard announced on Wednesday that up to 3,000 Met Police officers would patrol the capital as hundreds of thousands of people flock the banks of the River Thames to watch the Mayors firework display.

Thousands of police officers were poised to provide a protective ring around the city's centrepiece celebrations.

When the clock eventually chimed midnight in London, a total of 12,000 fireworks were due to paint the night sky during the Mayor's showcase display on the banks of the Thames, watched by around 110,000 people.

Some of the stars the world lost in 2016 were set to be honoured during the 12-minute spectacle, as David Bowie, Prince and the Two Ronnies, which included the late Ronnie Corbett, were to feature in the soundtrack.
D ozens of firefighters were tackling a blaze that ripped through a fifth floor flat at an apartment block in south London.

Dramatic images taken at the scene showed smoke billowing from the flat in Brixton on Saturday afternoon.

London Fire Brigade said six fire engines and 35 firefighters were sent to the tackle the blaze in Crownstone Road near to the junction with Effra Road shortly before midday.

Firefighters wore oxygen masks to tackle the flames and all the residents left the apartment block before crews arrived at the scene.

Emergency vehicle at the scene in Crownstone Road

An LFB spokesman said half of the flat, which is spread across five rooms, was damaged in the fire.

Station Manager Lee Sparks said: As I arrived on the scene flames were coming out of the side of the building.

Blaze: Firefighters at the scene in Crownstone Road / Lambeth MPS

"Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus worked really hard to bring the fire under control quickly.

One Twitter user wrote: Fire on a block in Brixton, I hope everyone made it out safely."

Another wrote: Big fire in flats on Effra Road, Brixton. Very bad.

He later added: Thank goodness for @LondonFire @FireLambeth, flat fire on St Matthews quickly under control. Huge respect. Hope all safe. #Brixton.

Fire crews from Brixton, Clapham, West Norwood, Peckham and Lambeth attended and brought the fire under control by 1.45pm.

No-one was reported injured and the cause of the fire was under investigation.
T he year 2016 will always be remembered as a turning point in world history.

In just 365 days, the political landscapes of Europe and the US have changed irrevocably.

In June Britain voted to leave the European Union, prompting David Cameron to resign and the Conservatives to choose the second ever female Prime Minister in Theresa May.

But the EU referendum also revealed how deeply divided the UK is and the Brexit battle continues to be fought in the High Court.

Last exit: David Cameron leaves 10 Downing Street with his family / Stefan Rousseau/PA

Meanwhile in America, billionaire businessman Donald Trump defied the odds to win the Republican nomination for president. Then, in perhaps the greatest upset in US political history, he defeated Hillary Clinton in the bitter battle to replace Barack Obama.

Shock win: Donald Trump / Joe Raedle/Getty Images

This has all been set against a backdrop of increasing hatred, fear and division in the world. France, Germany and Belgium have suffered mass killings, from Bastille Day in Nice to the Christmas market carnage in Berlin.

Outside of Europe, Turkey has suffered time and time again from acts of terror while much of the Middle East has been mired in conflict. Syria and its capital Aleppo have born the brunt of a vicious civil war.

But 2016 will also be remembered as the year many treasured figures of popular culture passed away, from David Bowie to Prince and from Leonard Cohen to George Michael.
N ew Years Eve revellers have been warned against drinking cheap, fake alcohol that could cause permanent blindness and even death.

Council across the UK have seized counterfeit vodka laced with potentially lethal ingredients which are found in cleaning products and pain solvent, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.

Drinking the alcohol could lead to vomiting, permanent blindness, kidney or liver problems and, in extreme cases, death, the LGA said.

Telltale signs of fake bottles included unfamiliar brand names, crooked labels, spelling mistakes and very low prices which are "too good to be true".

Simon Blackburn, chairman of the LGA's Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: "New Year's Eve is the biggest drinking night of the year but people need to avoid suspiciously cheap, fake alcohol at all costs because it could seriously harm your health, and even kill you.

"Counterfeit alcohol also harms legitimate traders and threatens livelihoods, with the black market trade helping to fund organised criminal gangs.

The alert comes after Halton Borough Council in Cheshire prosecuted a taxi driver who was found to have 26 litres of fake vodka unfit for human consumption and 108 bottles of illicit wine in his vehicle and in a storage unit.

Cheshire East Council's trading standards team seized 800 bottles of suspected fake vodka in Crewe, and Staffordshire County Council's team seized bottles of fake Glen's Vodka from an off-licence in Burton.

Lincolnshire County Council's Trading Standards officers helped seize 3,570 litres of beers, wines and spirits - most believed to be counterfeit - from 20 premises as part of an operation with police and HM Revenue and Customs, and Brighton and Hove City Council imposed licensing restrictions on a pub in Brighton after more than 170 bottles of alcohol were seized.

Anyone who thinks they have consumed fake alcohol should seek medical advice.

The incident should also be reported to the local environmental health officer by calling Citizens Advice on 03454 04 05 06 or the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.
R ail passengers were left stranded on a train in north London after it caught fire soon after leaving St Pancras.

Travellers on an East Midlands Trains service from London to Nottingham were stuck as the train broke down in Cricklewood soon after it departed at around 12.15pm on Saturday.

The blaze broke out a under one of the train's power cars following a "technical issue" which has caused significant delays for passengers.

Those on the train told how they were left stranded for more than an hour before they left the train.

Katie Calderwood told the Standard: The train stopped mid-track in Cricklewood and we are waiting for an engineer to come from London.

The fire has been extinguished but it's not safe to move - so they're either going to take us back into London or take us to Cricklewood station to sort out alternative transport.

West Ham fan Hayden Fowle was travelling to Leicester for his teams New Years Eve clash at the King Power stadium when the train broke down.

He said: We were told over the speakers that there was a fire on the rear power cart where the brake pads had seized up and caused a fire.

The train has been at a standstill for over an hour and we are waiting on an engineer who's "stuck in traffic".

It looks like I'm going to miss the West Ham game which is a new year tragedy for me.

A spokeswoman for East Midlands Trains said: "The 12.15pm St Pancras to Nottingham service was delayed due to a technical issue which occurred near Cricklewood and resulted in a small fire underneath one of the train's power cars.

"The power cars do not hold any passengers and, as the fire was extinguished very quickly by the driver, there was no immediate safety risk to customers on the train.

"However, unfortunately the incident resulted in a significant delay to the service while the necessary checks were made before the train could be moved. All passengers have now disembarked the train at Cricklewood and we are providing onward travel for them.

"Safety is our absolute priority and we are very sorry for the disruption this incident has caused."
T he man credited with discovering the Beatles, Allan Williams, has died aged 86.

The owner of the Jacaranda Club in Liverpool took the fledgling musicians under his wing after employing them to clean and decorate his business.

He then drove the foursome to Hamburg, Germany to hone their skills and kick-start their path to stardom.

The Jacaranda announced the death of the stalwart of the city's music scene on Friday, writing on Facebook: "Today is one of the saddest days in our history.

First manager: Allan Williams has died aged 86 / The Jacaranda Club/Facebook

"The Jacaranda's original owner and the man who discovered The Beatles, Allan Williams, has sadly passed away at the age of 86.

"All of our thoughts and wishes go to his family and his wife Beryl.

"His legacy has allowed us to remain at the heart of the Liverpool music scene for almost 60 years and his memory will live on through every band that plays our famous stage.

"Allan, you will be missed."

When the band first asked to play at the Jacaranda, Mr Williams instead gave them jobs renovating the venue in Slater Street before deciding to send them to Hamburg.

From David Bowie to Fidel Castro: the most significant deaths of 2016 1 /68 From David Bowie to Fidel Castro: the most significant deaths of 2016 David Bowie: The year had only just begun when the world was shook with news of world-class musician David Bowies death on January 10. Brixton-born Bowie, 69, described as one of the most extraordinary and influential musicians of his time, had kept his 18-month battle with cancer private, releasing his 25th and final album Blackstar just days before his death. His illustrious career spanned decades from the release of his first album in 1967, through Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke. After his death he was described as a great star and extraordinary artist whose influence stretched far beyond music into fashion and popular culture. Yui Mok/PA Alan Rickman: Actor Alan Rickman, star of the Harry Potter and Die Hard films, died on January 14 from cancer at the age of 69. His distinctive drawling voice was immediately recognisable and he was described as a man of such talent, wicked charm and stunning screen and stage presence by contemporary Stephen Fry. Acton-born Rickman, who will forever be remembered for his role as Severus Snape, was also a long-standing member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and won awards including a Golden Globe, BAFTA, Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award. He wed his long term partner of 50 years in a secret New York ceremony in 2012. Yui Mok/PA Glenn Frey: Guitarist and founding member of the Eagles, Glenn Frey, died aged 67 on January 18 due to complications from rheumatoid arthritis, colitis and pneumonia. The Eagles were one of the most successful bands of the 1970s following hits Hotel California and New Kid in Town. Frey, from Detroit, became a household name and the band was enrolled in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 after winning six Grammy Awards and five American Music Awards. Rick Diamond/Getty Images Terry Wogan: Broadcasting veteran Sir Terry Wogan died aged 77 on January 31 after a cancer battle which was described as short but brave. The longstanding BBC Radio 2 presenter and Children in Need stalwart was called a national treasure and loved by many across Britain. His death even sparked a tribute from the then-Prime Minister David Cameron, who called him a huge talent who many felt was their own special friend. He was also known for his chat show Wogan, game show Blankety Blank and being the voice the UK heard during the annual Eurovision Song Contest. Richard Saker/Rex Harper Lee: To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee died in her sleep on February 19, aged 89. The Pulitzer prize-winning author, who was a childhood friend of Truman Capote, managed to keep herself away from the public gaze for most of her life. She only released her second novel, Go Set a Watchman, an earlier draft of bestseller Mockingbird, in 2015. To Kill A Mockingbird, published in 1960, was an immediate success and is widely considered a classic of American literature. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Frank Kelly: Father Ted star Frank Kelly, who played foul-mouthed Father Jack in the much-loved sitcom, died on February 28 aged 77 after being diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease the previous November. His role as heavy-drinking priest Father Jack in the sitcom was his best-known character but Kelly spent a total of 60 years on screen and stage. His more recent roles included Emmerdale and Mrs Browns Boys DMovie. Niall Carson/PA Tony Warren: The mastermind behind Britains longest-running soap Coronation Street died on March 1 aged 79 after a short illness. Warren, who was awarded an MBE, was called a legendary creator and acclaimed writer by ITV, who confirmed his death. He was reportedly just 24 when he came up with the idea for the show, which was originally titled Florizel Street. The first episode aired on December 9, 1960. ITV Nancy Reagan: Actress and ex-First Lady of the United States Nancy Reagan died aged 94 on March 6 from congestive heart failure. She was the wife of former President Ronald Reagan, who led the US from 1981 to 1989 and died in 2004 from Alzheimer s disease. During the 1940s and 1950s she was a Hollywood actress under the name Nancy Davis before meeting her husband, who was then also an actor. Haraz N. Ghanbari/AP Sir George Martin: March 8 saw the death of Sir George Martin, the legendary record producer known as the fifth Beatle. Sir George, who helped the band find global success while at the helm of Parlophone record label after hearing their 1962 demo tape. The Liverpool foursome had been turned down by every record company in the music business before Sir George, from Highbury in London, heard their music. Following his death aged 90, former Beatle Ringo Starr said on Twitter Sir George would be missed and thanked him for all his love and kindness. Fred Prouser/Reuters Paul Daniels: TV magician Paul Daniels died on March 17 aged 77 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in February. The Middlesbrough-born entertainer became a household name when he presented the Paul Daniels Magic Show for 15 years from 1979 on the BBC. He was loved by many for his self-deprecating humour and magic tricks. His famous catchphrase was: Youll like this not a lot, but youll like it. He met his second wife Debbie McGee via his hit show, who was his magicians assistant. BBC Ronnie Corbett: Scottish actor Ronnie Corbett died on March 31 aged 85. The legendary comic  who was known for his work with Ronnie Barker in The Two Ronnies  had been hospitalised with gall bladder problems in 2014. Known for his short height at 5ft 1in, Corbett lived between his homes in Croydon and Gullane, East Lothian. Corbett started his film, TV and stage career in the mid-1950s before becoming a regular on Crackerjack. He began working on The Frost Report which is where he met long-term collaborator Ronnie Barker. Rex Johan Cruyff: Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff died at the age of 68 from cancer. The former Barcelona inspired the theory of 'total football' which helped guide the Netherlands to the 1974 World Cup final. He was described as one of football's most significant figures and later became considered an excellent manager. Getty Images Denise Robertson: The agony aunt for ITV show This Morning died aged 83 on March 31 from pancreatic cancer. Robertson was a stalwart of the morning show since it first aired in 1988 and dealt with over 200,000 letters from viewers over the course of her career. In 2006 she was given an OBE for services to broadcasting. Philip Schofield led the tributes and said he was heartbroken at the news. Ken McKay/ITV/Rex/Shutterstock Douglas Wilmer: March 31 also took Sherlock Holmes actor Douglas Wilmer, who died aged 96 in Ipswich after suffering from pneumonia. Born in Brentford, Middlesex, Douglas Wilmer, was best known for playing Sherlock Holmes in the popular 1965 TV series. Aside from his starring role as the detective, Wilmer was a supporting actor on both stage and in film. PA Howard Marks: Welsh drugs smuggler Howard Marks, known as Mr Nice, died aged 70 on April 10 from bowel cancer. The smuggler, who was described as a modern-day folk hero, lived under up to 43 aliases and was sentenced to 25 years at one of the toughest prisons in the US before being released on parole after serving seven years. He became a prominent campaigner for the legalisation of cannabis, toured a comedy show and also stood for parliament in four separate constituencies. Ian Gavan/Getty Images David Gest: April 12 saw the death of reality TV star and music producer David Gest. The 62-year-old American star, and former husband of Liza Minnelli, became famous in the UK after appearing on Celebrity Big Brother and the 2006 series of Im a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. He was also known for being a close friend of singer Michael Jackson. Gest was found dead in the five-star Four Seasons hotel in Canary Wharf. Later reports suggested he had died from a stroke. Arnold Wesker: Stepney-born playwright Arnold Wesker died aged 83 on April 12 after suffering from Parkinsons Disease. The prolific playwright was known for his works including Chicken Soup with Barley, Roots and Im Talking About Jerusalem. He also wrote four books of short stories as well as essays, childrens fiction, poetry and an autobiography. Associated News Victoria Wood: Comedian Victoria Wood died at her north London home on April 20 after a short but brave battle with cancer. The 62-year-old BAFTA award-winning writer, director, actor and comedian was called a shy genius after a celebrated career in British comedy which saw her receive an OBE. She rose to fame after winning talent show New Faces and became one of Britains most popular stand-up comedians. She later went on to star in shows including Victoria Wood As Seen on TV and ITVs Dinnerladies as well as Wood and Walters with Julie Walters. Donald Maclellan/Getty Images Prince: Legendary musician Prince died aged 57 in Minnesota on April 21. The iconic performer was one of the best-selling artists of all time, selling more than 100 million records and recording 39 albums over a career which spanned three decades. He released his first album For You in 1978 before releasing Purple Rain, 1999, Dirty Mind and tracks including Kiss and The Most Beautiful Girl in the World. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame  where he was inducted in 2004  said he rewrote the rulebook. Chris O'Meara/AP Carla Lane: TV sitcom writer behind the Liver Birds Carla Lane died in a nursing home in Merseyside aged 87. Lane created hit 1980s Liverpool sitcom Bread, on TV screens for seven series between 1986 and 1991, and also penned Butterflies. The Liverpudlian was a staunch animal rights activist and lifelong vegetarian, running a sanctuary in Sussex where she cared for around 1,000 animals. Hundreds paid tribute to her, including Piers Morgan, who said: RIP Carla Lane, who made us all laugh. Ben Stansall/Getty Images Muhammad Ali: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali had lived with Parkinsons disease for 32 years but died aged 74 on June 3. The three-time world heavyweight champion, who was known fondly as The Greatest, died in Phoenix, Arizona. The last public appearances before his death revealed Ali to be looking frail from the Parkinsons, which doctors say was likely caused by the thousands of punches Ali took in a career spanning decades. George Foreman, Alis friend and rival, said he also wanted the boxer  born Cassius Clay  to be remembered for his humanitarian work which included trips to the Middle East to promote peace. Len Trievnor/Express/Getty Images Dave Swarbrick: Musician Dave Swarbrick was best known for singing with folk band the Fairport Convention and writing many of their songs. The New Maldon-born songwriter died aged 75 on June 3 after being seriously ill for some time. Rex Anton Yelchin: American actor Anton Yelchin, best known for his role as Chekov in the rebooted Star Trek, died tragically on June 19 aged just 27. The star was portrayed on screen posthumously in Star Trek Beyond, a film recorded before his death in a freak car accident at his Los Angeles home. The Russian-born actor, whose parents were both figure skaters, was known for the 2009 film Star Trek and its 2013 sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness. 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The actor, who was just 3ft 8in tall, became famous when he took on the role of the robot character in 1977. He reclaimed the role again in 1991 and 2005 with The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The Birmingham-born actor appeared in other blockbusters including the Elephant Man, Time Bandits and Flash Gordon. Rory Gilder/Rex Sonia Rykiel: French fashion designer Sonia Rykiel died on August 25 aged 86. Nicknamed the queen of knitwear for her stripy sweaters, Rykiel had been suffering from Parkinsons disease before her death. She started her career as a window dresser in 1948 before making her breakthrough in 1962. She opened her first store in Paris in 1968. Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images Gene Wilder: August 28 saw the death of Gene Wilder, the star immortalised as Willy Wonka in the original film adaptation of Roald Dahls Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Wilder died in Connecticut at the age of 83 after suffering from Alzheimers disease. His film career saw him take up roles in classic comedies including Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. The Oscar-nominated star also did charity work to promote ovarian cancer awareness after his wife died from the disease. Warner Bros Shimon Peres: The Nobel Peace Prize-winning former Israeli president Shimon Peres died on September 28 aged 93. The political giants career spanned seven decades but he died after suffering a stroke. He won the highly prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for his role in peace negotiations with Palestine during 1993. US President Barack Obama was among the world leaders paying tribute to Mr Peres, calling him a dear friend. Oded Balilty/AP Jean Alexander: Former Coronation Street actress Jane Alexander, who played Hilda Ogden in the long-running soap, died aged 90 on October 14. Alexander took up the role in 1964 and continued until 1987, was once voted Britains greatest soap star. Nearly 30 million people watched her farewell episode. Her fans included a number of celebrities including Sir Laurence Olivier and Sir Michael Parkinson who founded the British League for Hilda Ogden. Granada Television Raine Spencer: October 21 saw the death of Raine Spencer, the stepmother of Princess Diana, aged 87. Countess Spencer  whose husband Earl Spencer, Dianas father, was the second of her three husbands - died at her London home after a short illness. She married Earl Spencer in 1976 when she was a Westminster Conservative councillor and were together until he died in 1992. She was on the Harrods board of directors and was occasionally seen working in store. Dave Benett Richard Nicoll: Top London fashion designer Richard Nicoll died aged just 39 on October 21. The Central St Martins graduate was found by paramedics at his home in Sydney, Australia after a suspected heart attack. The London-born fashion designer spent his childhood in Perth, Australia. His entire graduation collection was famously purchased by Dolce and Gabbana and he went on to work for the likes of Louis Vuitton, and Topshop. AFP/Getty Images Jimmy Perry: Jimmy Perry, the creator of comedy classics including Dads Army and Hi-de-Hi died on October 23 aged 93. The Barnes-born writer was a member of the Home Guard in World War Two and worked as one of Butlins holiday camp Redcoats  both experiences which were channelled into his sitcoms. His career spanned decades and he was called a Goliath of British comedy writing by the BBCs controller of comedy commissioning. Dave J Hogan/Getty Images Pete Burns: Dead or Alive frontman Pete Burns died on October 23 aged 57. The singer, who found cult celebrity status in the 1980s and later as a TV personality on Celebrity Big Brother died from a heart attack. Group Dead or Alive were founded in 1980 and found mainstream success in 1985 with the hit track You Spin Me Round. Yui Mok/PA Leonard Cohen: November 7 saw the death of legendary Canadian singer and poet Leonard Cohen aged 82. The songwriter, who is best known for the classic Hallelujah, died just weeks after the release of his acclaimed 14th studio album You Want It Darker. His career spanned six decades with hits including Bird On A Wire and Suzanne and in 2008 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cohen, who lived on the Greek island of Hydra and studied Zen Buddhism, published books of poetry and released novels. Joel Sagat/AFP/Getty Images Sir Jimmy Young: Veteran BBC Radio 2 broadcaster and singer Sir Jimmy Young died on November 7 aged 95. The presenter was one of the original Radio 1 DJs, joining in 1967. He moved onto Radio 2 to fill the early afternoon slot and carried on until his retirement in 2002. His music career saw him duet with Petula Clark as well as release a number of top 10 hits including Chain Gang and More. Johnny Green/PA Robert Vaughn: Oscar-nominated star of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. died from leukaemia aged 83 on November 11. The US actor became a familiar face on British TV portraying Albert Stroller in BBC drama Hustle from 2004 to 2012. He also appeared in Coronation Street as Milton Fanshaw and carried on working into his 80s in Gold Star and The American Star. His Academy Award nomination was for his role in 1959 film The Young Philadelphians. Phil McCarten/Reuters Jim Delligatti: The US businessman who invented the Big Mac died on November 28. The 98-year-old opened his first McDonalds restaurant in 1957 and his burger creation garnered him instant success before going nation in 1968. Gene J. Puskar/AP Andrew Sachs: On December 1 it was announced well-loved comic actor Andrew Sachs, best known for playing Spanish waiter Manuel in Fawlty Towers. The 86-year-old, who lived in Kilburn, died from dementia  an illness he had kept private from the public. The dad-of-three was most-loved for his role as clumsy Manuel alongside John Cleese, Prunella Scales and Connie Booth. He also appeared in Doctor Who, Coronation Street and Casualty. BBC Fidel Castro: Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro died aged 90 on November 25. The socialist revolutionary  who was famously the target of numerous assassination attempts by US spoes  stepped down 10 years ago after a severe gastrointestinal illness. Castro led a coup in 1959 to overthrow the US-backed regime and remained hostile to the USA for most of his life. In later years relations between the two nations began to improve thanks to Castros brother. Alejandro Ernesto/EPA Greg Lake: British musician Greg Lake, 69, who fronted band the King Crimson, died on December 8 from cancer. The singer and guitarist was also a member of Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Lake, who sang lead vocals on King Crimsons 1969 album Court of the Crimson King, also is known for the 1975 festive hit I Believe in Father Christmas. Rex Features Ronnie Barker (Fletcher) with Peter Vaughan (Harry Grout) in Porridge BBC AA Gill: Food writer AA Gill died aged 62 on December 10 just weeks after he revealed he was suffering from cancer. The Sunday Times restaurant critic said in the newspaper in November: Ive got an embarrassment of cancer, the full English. The Edinburgh-born writer, who studied at the Slade School of Art in London, was a former alcoholic before seeking treatment. He was previously married to the now-Home Secretary Amber Rudd. Before his death he became engaged to his partner of 22-years and mother to his two children, Nicola Formby. Rex Zsa Zsa Gabor: Hollywood actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor died aged 99 on December 18. Hungarian-born Gabor, who is the great-aunt of Paris Hilton, was known for flaunting her wealth and fame as well as her nine marriages. She had suffered from ill health for a long time after being partly paralysed from a car accident in 2002 and a stroke in 2005. Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images Rabbi Lionel Blue: Rabbi Lionel Blue, the broadcaster, journalist and the first openly gay British Rabbi, died aged 86 on December 19. The Radio 4 Thought for the Day regular came out as gay in the 1970s and is credited with paving the way for many other Rabbis and Jews. Rabbi Blue, who lived in Finchley, was ordained in 1960 and was well-known for his liberal teachings. Rex Rick Parfitt: Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt died aged 68 in a Spanish hospital on Christmas Eve. The musician was planning to launch his solo career with an album and autobiography in 2017. The Surrey-born guitarist found success globally with band Status Quo with hits including Rockin All Over the World and Whatever You Want. More recently Parfitt was forced to pull out of the bands tour following a heart attack in the summer. Pictured: Rick Parfitt (left) and Francis Rossi of Status Quo perform at The Prince's Trust Rock Gala 2010. Ian Gavan/Getty Images Liz Smith: Actress Liz Smith, who starred in hit TV series the Royle Family, died at the age of 95 on Christmas Eve. Tributes poured in following the death of the Bafta award-winning actress, who played Nana in the comedy show. She also had roles in Lark Rise to Candleford and 2point4 Children as well as voicing Mrs Mulch in Wallace and Gromits the Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images George Michael: The UK was left reeling when news broke of George Michaels death aged just 53 on Christmas Day. Pop superstar Michael rose to fame as a member of Wham! who were known for hits including Club Tropicana and Wake Me Up Before You Go Go. Michael, who grew up in Kingsbury in north London, sold more than 100 million albums through a career which spanned nearly four decades. He was set to release a documentary in 2017 but was found dead at his home in Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire on December 25. PA Richard Adams: The novelist who penned Watership Down, Richard Adams, died aged 96 on Christmas Eve. The writer, who grew up in Berkshire, published his novel in 1972. It later became one of the best-selling childrens books of all time and was adapted into an animated film six years later. Adams conjured up the tale  which is about a family of rabbits whose home is under threat  when asked by his daughters to tell them a story on a car trip. The book has since sold tens of millions of copies. A remake of the film by the BBC and Netflix is expected to air in 2017. PA Carrie Fisher: Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher died on December 27, four days after she suffered a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles. Fisher was best known for her role as Princess Leia in the science fiction films and was made an international star when the 1977 Star Wars blockbuster came out. She later went on to appear in three Star Wars sequels including 2015s the Force Awakens as well as When Harry Met Sally, Hannah and her Sisters and the Blues Brothers. The 60-year-old, who had bipolar disorder, recently made headlines after claiming she had a three-month romance with Harrison Ford when she was 19. Lucasfilm Debbie Reynolds: Actress Debbie Reynolds tragically died just one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher. The Hollywood star, 84, suffered a suspected stroke and died on December 28. Reynolds was just a teenager when she starred in 1950 film Three Little Words, for which she won a Golden Globe for the most promising newcomer. She is most famous for playing Kathy Selden in 1952 musical Singin In the Rain alongside Gene Kelly. Reuters

Mr Williams, from the Sefton Park area, parted ways with the band - then comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best - in 1961.

Sir Paul described him in The Beatles Anthology as "a great guy, a really good motivator".

They signed with Brian Epstein the following January.

The Beatles - In pictures 1 /66 The Beatles - In pictures 1963 The Beatles on stage at the London Palladium Getty Images 1963 A group shot of the Beatles, Ringo Starr (in the background), George Harrison (1943 - 2001), Paul McCartney and John Lennon (1940 - 1980), pictured during a performance on Granada TV's Late Scene Extra television show filmed in Manchester, England on November 25, 1963 Getty Images 1962 John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison of The Beatles live on stage circa May 1962 at the Star-Club in Hamburg, GermanY Redferns 1963 British pop group The Beatles holding their silver disc in 1963 Getty Images 1963 The Beatles rehearse for that night's Royal Variety Performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre, 4th November 1963 Getty Images 1963 The Beatles with their Variety Club award for Showbiz personalities of the Year in 1963 PA 1963 Princess Margaret meeting pop group The Beatles at the 1963 Royal Variety Performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre PA 1963 Liverpudlian beat combo The Beatles, from left to right Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), and George Harrison (1943 - 2001), performing in front of a camera-shaped drum kit on Granada TV's Late Scene Extra television show filmed in Manchester, England on November 25, 1963 Getty Images 1964 The Beatles at a press conference at London Airport, 2nd July 1964, following a tour of Australia. Getty Images 1964 The Beatles soon after their arrival in Washington, USA, playing in the snow outside the Coliseum Getty Images 1964 John Lennon plays his guitar while the other Beatles and manager Brian Epstein relax in a hotel room in Paris. Getty Images 1964 The Beatles take a fake blow from Muhammad Ali while visiting the heavyweight contender's training camp in Miami Beach Rex 1964 Drummer Ringo Starr performing with The Beatles on the television pop show Ready, Steady, Go in 1964 PA 1964 The Beatles wearing Eskimo outfits for their Christmas Show at the Odeon, Hammersmith, London in 1964 PA 1964 The Beatles, home after their successful American tour, when they were welcomed by 4,000 screaming teenagers at London Airport in 1964 PA 1964 The Beatles performing live in the USA Getty Images 1964 The Beatles, from left to right: Paul McCartney, George Harrison (1943 - 2001) and John Lennon (1940 - 1980), in concert in America Getty Images 1964 Pop group The Beatles George Harrison, Paul McCartney and John Lennon with fans, circa 1964. Getty Images 1964 The Beatles set sail from Miami Beach, Florida Getty Images 1965 British pop group The Beatles, from left to right; Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), Paul McCartney and George Harrison (1943 - 2001), outside Buckingham Palace, London, after receiving their MBE's (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from the Queen Getty Images 1965 Beatles fans try to break through a police line at Buckingham Palace in London AFP/Getty Images 1965 Strolling hand-in-hand are Ringo Starr, the Beatles drummer, and his bride, the former Maureen Cox on their wedding day in 1965 PA 1965 John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and George Harrison of The Beatles on Salisbury Plain during the filming of 'Help' in 1965 PA 1966 British rock group The Beatles perform live on stage in front of a circular lit backdrop at the BBC TV Centre, June 1966 Getty Images 1966 Portrait of British pop group The Beatles (L-R) Paul McCartney, George Harrison (1943 - 2001), Ringo Starr and John Lennon (1940 - 1980) at the BBC Television Studios in London before the start of their world tour, June 17, 1966 Getty Images 1967 At the EMI studios in Abbey Road, as they prepare for 'Our World', a world-wide live television show broadcasting to 24 countries with a potential audience of 400 million Getty Images 1967 The Beatles celebrate the completion of their new album, 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' Getty Images 1967 The Beatles at a recording session in London in 1967 PA 1968 Three Beatles; from left to right John Lennon (1940 - 1980), George Harrison (1943 - 2001) and Paul McCartney, record voices in a studio for their new cartoon film 'Yellow Submarine'. Getty Images 1968 Beatle Paul McCartney gives the thumbs up during production of the new Beatles film, a feature length cartoon called 'Yellow Submarine'. Getty Images 1968 Celebrity devotees of the Mahareshi Mahesh Yogi and friends, at his academy in India, high up in the Himalayas, where they are studying transcendental meditation, March 1968. From left to right, Patti Boyd, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), Mike Love of The Beach Boys, Mahareshi Mahesh Yogi, George Harrison (1943 - 2001), Mia Farrow, John Farrow, Donovan, Paul McCartney, Jane Asher, Cynthia Lennon. Getty Images 1968 John Lennon and Paul McCartney, of The Beatles, arriving at London Airport, 16th May 1968. They are both dressed in white and carrying apples to promote their new company Apple Corps. Getty Images 1968 English drummer Ringo Starr with his wife Maureen Cox (1946 - 1994) and English guitarist George Harrison (1943 - 2001) with his wife Pattie Boyd at Heathrow Airport, London Getty Images 1968 Beatles members Ringo Starr and George Harrison (1943 - 2001) pose with a model of a Blue Meanie, a character from the group's animated film 'Yellow Submarine', at a press review at Bowater House, Knightsbridge. Getty Images 1968 Beatle John Lennon (1940 - 1980) and his Japanese girlfriend Yoko Ono with Beatle Paul McCartney, right, at the premiere of the new Beatles film 'Yellow Submarine' at the London Pavilion. John and Paul hold apples, the symbol of their newly formed company, Apple Corps. Thousands of Beatle fans brought traffic to a standstill in Piccadilly Circus as they waited to see the group arrive at the premiere. Getty Images 1968 Crowds outside the Apple boutique, run by the Beatles' Apple Corps, on the day of its closing, when all its remaining stock was given away, London, 31st July 1968. The shop, on the corner of Baker Street and Paddington Street, was opened the previous December. Getty Images 1968 Beatles singer, songwriter and guitarist John Lennon (1940 - 1980) and his partner artist Yoko Ono, leaving court surrounded by police. Getty Images 1969 Beatles star Paul McCartney weds American photographer Linda Eastman (1941 - 1998). With them is daughter Heather. Getty Images 1969 British rock group the Beatles performing their last live public concert on the rooftop of the Apple Organization building for director Michael Lindsey-Hogg's film documentary, 'Let It Be,' on Savile Row, London, UK, 30th January 1969; singer-songwriters Paul McCartney and John Lennon (1940 - 1980) perform at their microphones, and guitarist George Harrison (1943 - 2001) on the right. Lennon's wife Yoko Ono sits at right. Getty Images 1969 British rock group the Beatles performing their last live public concert on the rooftop of the Apple Organization building for director Michael Lindsey-Hogg's film documentary, 'Let It Be,' on Savile Row, London, UK, 30th January 1969; drummer Ringo Starr sits behind his kit, singer-songwriters Paul McCartney and John Lennon (1940 - 1980) perform at their microphones, and guitarist George Harrison (1943 - 2001) stands behind them. Lennon's wife Yoko Ono sits at right. Getty Images 1969 British singer-songwriter John Lennon (1940 - 1980) of Beatles fame sings a song, while his wife Yoko Ono lies in bed beside him. The couple are staying in bed in a hotel in Canada, receiving the press and media, as part of a peace protest. Getty Images 1969 Beatle Paul McCartney puts a protective arm around his wife Linda (1941 - 1998), as they struggle through the crowds gathered outside Marylebone Register Office, where they have just married. Getty Images 1969 Beatle John Lennon (1940 A 1980) and his wife of a week Yoko Ono in their bed in the Presidential Suite of the Hilton Hotel, Amsterdam, 25th March 1969. The couple are staging a 'bed-in for peace' and intend to stay in bed for seven days 'as a protest against war and violence in the world'. Getty Images beatlesfabfourextra171121 Reuters beatlesfabfourextra171121 Reuters beatlesfabfourextra171121 Reuters beatlesfabfourextra171121 Reuters beatlesfabfourextra171121 Reuters

The Beatles Story exhibition said Mr Williams' role as their first booking agent and manager "helped shape the band in to what we see and know today".

Its director Martin King said: "Allan was a friend to many of us at the Beatles Story and his legacy will continue to be told for years to come."

Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn tweeted: "No Allan Williams, no Hamburg. No Hamburg, no Beatles."
D onald Trump taunted his enemies with a bizarre New Years message shared with his Twitter followers.

The President-elect took to social media as he prepared to celebrate the New Year in Florida.

He wrote: Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just dont know what to do. Love!

It is just three weeks until Mr Trump takes office on January 20 2017, also known as Inauguration Day.

Mr Trump has planned to spend his New Year's Eve at his private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach.

He was throwing a private party that was expected to draw hundreds of guests, including action star Sylvester Stallone.
M ore than 20 thrill-seekers were left stranded nearly 150ft in the air for eight hours after a ride in a US theme park became stuck.

Firefighters rescued 21 people, including seven children, who boarded the Sky Cabin at Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park, California on Friday.

The ride came to a standstill around halfway up the tower at around 2pm, which left people stranded 148ft in the air.

Passengers had to be winched down one-by-one by emergency rescuers with everyone safely on the ground at around 10pm.

Winched: Firefighters brought all 21 people down safely from the Sky Cabin ride in California

Orange County Fire Authority Captain Larry Kurtz told ABC7 Eyewitness News: "We have firefighters in the cab with the occupants.

No one is in any medical distress, so we're going to affix a harness on to each one of them and one at a time we're going to lower them down to the ground.

It sounds scary but these guys, they train for this all time. We have very, very strong ropes that have 9,000lbs of breaking strength on them."

The cause behind the fault is unknown at this time.

In a statement to Eyewitness News, officials at the theme park said rides are always checked.

They said: Each of Knott's rides is inspected, check-listed and properly maintained daily.

"Sky Cabin will remain closed until the park's investigation into the cause of the incident is completed.
Rahul Gandhi took to twitter to declare his holiday plans. He tweeted, 'I will be traveling for the next few days. Happy New Year to everyone, wishing you and your loved ones success and happiness in this coming year.'

By Mausami Singh: The Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi will be travelling abroad on New Year and will return in a few days. Rahul's short vacation comes in the backdrop of the Prime Minister's address to the country.

A tweet from his official handle confirmed the same.

I will be traveling for the next few days.Happy New Year to everyone,wishing you and your loved ones success & happiness in this coming year Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 31, 2016

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In the past Rahul Gandhi has been caught in the eye of a storm when he went on a vacation during the time when his party needed him the most like the first leg of the budget session in 2015 and second time during the Bihar elections in September the same year. Thereafter Rahul has made it a practice to tweet before he leaves.

Also read: Rahul Gandhi jets off for New Year vacation, likely to be back by Jan 4

The congress party is saying that Rahul has a private life, Randeep Surjewala defended his absence by saying that Rahul Gandhi is not working in any company and is the Vice-President of a political party. He is available on phone and is involved in every decision making.

FOUR REASONS WHY RAHUL GANDHI'S NEW YEAR TRIP IS ILL TIMED YET AGAIN:

1) Modi vs Rahul phenomenon: Rahul has taken the lead to pitch himself against the Prime minister. The latter has an image of working 18 hours a day 365 days a year. Rahul loses out in the perception battle yet again.

2) The PM's address: Rahul Gandhi will be absent when the PM makes his second important address to the country within 60 days. That leaves a void ready to be filled by the likes of Arvind Kejriwal.

3) Break in Congress Earthquake: The Congress released a notebook titled the Earthquake and has planned an aggressive campaign. His absence also puts a break on the momentum gained by the Congress on the demonetisation issue. Congress has planned a protest of party workers on January 2 and 3 which Rahul will give a miss. The message down the party line will not be effective in the absence of their leader.

4) Sahara diary lost in travel: Rahul Gandhi will also indirectly ease the pressure on the PM as far as 'allegations of personal corruption is incensed'. With the Sahara diary tirade, Rahul had managed to target the PM and change the public discourse.

Also read: Congress party enlists its expectations from PM Modi's New Year address

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AUBURN  The Appellate Division has affirmed the convictions and sentences of several defendants prosecuted in Cayuga County.

In a press release Friday, Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann said the following five cases have been upheld on appeal:

 In September 2011, Christopher J. Kelly pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder for attacking his ex-girlfriend in 2010. Kelly was sentenced Nov. 23, 2011, to 15 years in prison and five years post-release supervision.

"We are gratified that the defendant's conviction and sentence remain in place, and society will be protected from this violent individual for the foreseeable future," Budelmann said.

 In December 2014, Roosevelt R. Coleman, Jr., pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal contempt. Coleman was sentenced in February 2015 to two to four years in prison. While the Appellate Division affirmed the defendant's conviction and the sentences imposed, it directed the court to address a technical issue regarding the length of an order of protection.

 In January 2015, Brett F. Copes pleaded guilty to third-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Copes was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison and 1 1/2 years of post-release supervision in July 2015. In addition. Copes had to forfeit his interest in nearly $3,000 cash, which the police recovered from his residence.

"Copes was a major drug dealer, now convicted of his third drug felony," Budelmann said. "(He) was sentenced fairly and appropriately for his newest crimes."

 In February 2015, Kyle Hunter was convicted of first-degree promoting prison contraband after a jury trial. He was sentenced to three to six years in prison.

 In April 2015, Michael German was convicted of two counts of second-degree assault after a jury trial. German was sentenced to six years in prison and five years post-release supervision.

"These cases show our commitment to protecting (corrections officers) and other staff by prosecuting inmates who possess dangerous, illegal weapons and/or who assault corrections staff," Budelmann said.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Chris Valdina handled the Kelly, Coleman and Copes appeals while ADA Brian Leeds prosecuted the Hunter and German appeals.
Rahul Gandhi took to twitter to declare his holiday plans. He tweeted, 'I will be traveling for the next few days. Happy New Year to everyone, wishing you and your loved ones success and happiness in this coming year.'

By Supriya Bhardwaj: After spearheading anti-demonetisation campaign from last 50 days, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is going on a vacation abroad.

Rahul Gandhi extended New Year greetings to all and revealed his plan to go on a holiday. He tweeted, "I will be traveling for the next few days. Happy New Year to everyone, wishing you and your loved ones success and happiness in this coming year."

I will be traveling for the next few days.Happy New Year to everyone,wishing you and your loved ones success & happiness in this coming year Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) 31 December 2016

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According to our sources, Rahul Gandhi has left on a Jet Airways flight for Heathrow airport.

Last year, on December 28, before going abroad for New Year celebrations, Gandhi had tweeted: "I will be travelling to Europe for a few days. A very Happy New Year to everyone."

He tweeted again on June 20 this year, saying: "Travelling out of the country for a few days on a short visit."

Also Read:

Weekly cash withdrawal limits must go, tweets Rahul Gandhi

--- ENDS ---
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.
A tractor-trailer driver escaped injury Friday afternoon after his truck knocked down a utility pole and caused a mile-long backup for travelers on U.S. 21 south of Troutman.

The northbound and southbound lanes in the 1500 block were closed for a couple hours after the US 1 Logistics truck driven by Paul Oldenburg, 56, of South Carolina, caught the roads shoulder about 12:40 p.m., said N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper B.M. Campbell.

Campbell said the truck was traveling southbound before it went off the road, struck a mailbox and slammed into the pole.

He estimated the trucks speed at between 48 and 50 mph.

The wires on the pole touched after it snapped in half and caused a small fire on the nearby grass, firefighters said. It took under a minute to get the fire under control.

Oldenburg stayed in the truck for about 45 minutes before he was rescued due to concerns about the electricity on the pole.

As Oldenburg waited to be freed, other travelers were stuck behind him. Some vehicles detoured on a makeshift trail around the accident, while others waited it out.

Andrew Peterson lives next to the crash and said it sounded like an earthquake.

"The whole house shook a couple of times too, he said. Petersons mailbox was obliterated by the truck.

The accident cut Petersons wi-fi, but his power remained on, he said.

To remove the empty truck, which was reportedly on its way to pick up a load, Campbell said the power had to be turned off briefly.

Randy Phelps was behind the truck when it crashed, but didnt witness the accident. He said Oldenburg looked shook up and frightened when he finally got out of the truck.

Oldenburg was charged with failure to maintain lane control, Campbell said.

Mooresville Fire & Rescue, Shepherds Volunteer Fire Department and Iredell EMS responded to the accident. Duke Energy and Altec Inc. were also on scene to help remove the truck.
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The Affordable Care Act  President Barack Obamas landmark health reform bill  took some hits in 2016, but it could be in for a real beatdown this year.

The decision last year by some of the nations most powerful insurance companies to pull out of the health exchanges left consumers with fewer choices. Premiums and deductibles are up for 2017 coverage, both on and off the exchanges. And taxpayers are facing a bigger bill to help cover people eligible for subsidies.

The insurer exits, premium hikes and dwindling choices prompted critics to declare doom for the law known as Obamacare by opponents and some supporters. But the Obama administration has rejected any doomsday talk and has vigorously defended the benefits of the bill that has brought uninsured rates to historic lows.

Its unclear what will become of the Affordable Care Act under a Donald Trump presidency. Trump has vowed to replace the law with something else, but has backpedaled on his comments by admitting he favors some of the laws more popular elements, including language on pre-existing conditions and allowing children to remain on parents policies until age 26.

It was a difficult year because of the departures by insurers, said Paul Ginsburg, director of public policy at University of Southern Californias Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. The ironic thing is that the exchange seems to be stabilizing.

The majority of Americans have employer-based coverage and premium growth there remained relatively low in 2016, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. But while premiums may have remained stable, workers are still paying more as deductibles continue to climb.

The real challenge here is health care in the U.S. is incredibly expensive and beyond the reach of the average family, said Larry Levitt, a Kaiser executive.

Exits from HealthCare.gov

UnitedHealth Group Inc., the nations largest insurer, said it would no longer offer individual health insurance in Missouri starting in 2017. The company said it would only participate in a handful of states in order to stem its financial losses due to enrolling older and sicker individuals than expected.

Months later, Aetna said it too would back away from its exchange business, including in Missouri. Aetna does business as Coventry here.

For Missouri consumers it means less competition and choice, factors tied to higher prices. For Missourians, Aetna and UnitedHealth leaving means 96 of Missouris 114 counties will only have one insurance carrier in 2017.

For 2017 coverage, consumers in the St. Louis area have a choice of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield or Cigna. And the two have drastically different networks. Generally, Cigna only covers BJC HealthCare, while Anthem covers SSM Health.

And to complicate matters further, Anthem is in the process of acquiring Cigna, a threat to competition in the area in the future. The Justice Department is currently fighting the merger in court along with the other mega-merger between health insurance giants Aetna and Humana.

Critics have said the exits, fewer choices and increased prices mean HealthCare.gov and the law isnt working. The Obama administration has said vigorously denied that characterization.

As of late December, 6.4 million Americans picked a health insurance plan for 2017, ahead of last years pace, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said. Thats a clear sign doomsday predictions were not accurate, HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell said in a December conference call.

Missouri enrollment increased by 3 percent, compared with the same period last year, officials said.

But while many of the nations largest insurers have knocked the exchanges and the ability to make money, Clayton-based Centene has found success. The Medicaid managed-care contractor considers the exchange business a lucrative niche to its core business.

There are a number of signs that the marketplaces, while fragile up until now, are stabilizing  enrollment is up so far for 2017 and there are reports that more insurers are starting to make money, Levitt said. If left alone, insurers would very likely be profitable next year in their marketplaces and the individual insurance market, overall, would be sustainable over the long term.

employer-based coverage

While premium increases held relatively steady in 2016, deductibles continued to grow, according to Kaiser.

Average annual premium increases for individual coverage was $6,435  for both the worker and employers contribution. For a family, that figure is closer to $18,000. And thats just for premiums.

The average annual deductible for an individual increased to $1,478 in 2016, up from $1,318 the year before, according to Kaiser.

Now that there has been a movement toward higher deductibles to suppress the growth of premiums I start wondering about how many peoples finances are being wrecked by having an illness thats not even that bad but costs them a few thousands dollars a year, Ginsburg said.
How do you narrow down what you are looking for? Here are a few criteria to consider.
By Manogya Loiwal : Trinamool Congress MP Tapal Pal, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Rose Valley chit fund scam on Friday, was taken to Bhubaneswar in Odisha early today morning.

The MP was taken straight to the CBI office in transit remand.

The Rose Valley Group, of which Tapas Pal was a former director, had received over Rs 10,000 crore in public deposits from several people across the country, especially from eastern states including West Bengal and Odisha. It could not repay a substantial part of it.

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Also read: Trinamool Congress MP arrested by CBI in chit fund scam, Mamata cries vendetta politics

The former director will be kept at the CBI office in Bhubaneswar and will be presented before the CBI court after the paper work is over.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee feels the arrest was made to intimidate TMC party members. She said that it is a political vendetta which the Centre is fulfilling through the CBI.

Also read: CBI sends second lookout notice to TMC's Sudip Bandyopadhyay; Tapas Pal too summoned

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ST. LOUIS  A man was dead and a woman injured after a stabbing Friday evening in the Dogtown neighborhood near Forest Park.

The stabbing occurred just after 5 p.m. in the 1000 block of Art Hill Place, police said. The location is a block south of the Turtle Playground sculpture park in Forest Park and a bus stop at Art Hill and Oakland avenues.

The man had multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The woman had at least one stab wound but was conscious and breathing when police found her. She was given medical treatment at the scene.

A male suspect was seen leaving the scene shortly after the stabbing. Police did not have a detailed description of the suspect.

Homicide detectives were called to investigate. Investigators remained on the scene late Friday night.
St. Louis County Police are searching for a man who robbed Reliance Bank at 13033 Olive Boulevard on Friday.

Police said a man entered the bank at 2:45 p.m., passed a note to a teller and was given an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing. Police said no weapon was displayed and no one was injured.

Police released a surveillance picture of a man they are seeking in the robbery. The bank is just west of Fee Fee Road and just north of Creve Coeur.

Anyone with information regarding the robbery is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477 or St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210.
JEFFERSON CITY  Under current Missouri state law, a person who passes a bad check for more than $500 and another who kills someone while driving drunk are charged with the same class of felony.

Ten years ago, a group of prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed that didnt make a whole lot of sense.

It hit us like a ton of bricks, said Jason Lamb, executive director of the Missouri Association of Prosecutors and a co-chair of the team that first began re-examining the states criminal code.

The old sentencing range for felonies starts at the bottom with a D class, Lamb explained, which are punished with a maximum of four years in prison. Class C felonies carry up to seven years in prison. The next level, a B felony, can carry up to 15 years, and a class A felony warrants 30 years to life.

A and B are pretty well stair-stepped, Lamb said. But there was a big gap between C and B.

Thats finally about to change, after years of vetting, 30 public hearings in the Legislature and a two-year waiting period to work out kinks before implementation.

The first major overhaul of Missouris criminal code since the 1970s takes effect Sunday.

Highlights include the addition of a fifth felony class, an E felony, that will allow a more stair-stepped approach to punishment, tougher sentences for drunken drivers and the elimination of jail time for first-time offenders convicted of possessing 10 grams or less of marijuana.

The changes also have been lauded as tough on crimes against children, adding incest as an aggravating factor in child sex abuse cases and increasing the number of felony child molestation charges.

And this overhaul will correct a legislative oversight leading to confusion in the statutes regarding felony stealing. Conflicting guidelines were pointed out by the Missouri Supreme Court, mobilizing the states public defenders to pursue getting their clients charges knocked down to misdemeanors.

At one point, both sides of the courtroom  lawyers who prosecute crime and lawyers who defend alleged offenders  pored through the states crime laws word by word, line by line.

The result of that is a lot of cleanup and consolidation, such as condensing Missouris 25 assault statutes, said Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, who co-sponsored the package.

The change over marijuana possession in particular could save taxpayers money and relieve an overburdened system of public defenders, Dixon said.

Some argued that were going to send the wrong signal. But many of us, including myself, thought a fine was better [for possession of small amounts of marijuana] than a criminal record, which can make it more difficult to get a job, Dixon said.

But the bipartisan bills greatest accomplishment, Dixon said, has more to do with the larger picture than any specific change.

It was a legislative process that really is an example to future legislators, in my opinion, he said.

But although its supporters applauded the revision as an example of compromise at work, others had misgivings, including Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, who raised concern about the size and scope of the project. Along with some lawmakers, he wondered if the 1,000-page bill would be better broken up into several smaller measures.

Nixon never signed the end product but didnt veto it either, allowing it to quietly become law.

Others, including former state Rep. Kimberly Gardner, D-St. Louis and the incoming St. Louis circuit attorney, had hoped the bill would address expunging nonviolent felonies.

Recently, the coming changes have stirred confusion and alarm in area schools. Some school districts, including Hazelwood and Ferguson-Florissant, have interpreted the new laws to mean that students can be charged with a felony for getting into a fight at school, because that could be considered third-degree assault. But several legal experts have called that an inaccurate interpretation.

Lamb points out that current law has a provision saying any assault on school property is an automatic felony, which will be eliminated in the update. There will be a stricter definition of third-degree assault, reducing the number of instances in which school altercations can be considered felonies.

Lambs hope now is that the criminal code is revisited more often, so future updates dont have to be so drastic.

You learn the lessons of the past so you dont repeat it in the future, he said. The key going forward is not to wait another 30 years and have another 10-year process.

Dixon encourages all current and future legislators to study the code before introducing tough on crime bills.

Thats what caused the code to be messed up in the first place  introducing new crimes without looking at the whole thing, Dixon said.

Kristen Taketa of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report from St. Louis.
WASHINGTON  The St. Louis County Police Association is calling a painting placed in the U.S. Capitol complex by Rep. William Lacy Clay a punch in the mouth for depicting police officers as animals.

Clay, D-St. Louis, said he would not take it down, despite criticism from conservative bloggers and a call from a Fox News commentator for it to be taken down.

The painting, which has hung for months in a tunnel that connects House office buildings with the U.S. Capitol, was chosen the winner of Clays annual art competition for St. Louis students last spring. It was done by then-Cardinal Ritter Prep senior David Pulphus.

Untitled #1 is a visually stunning acrylic painting on canvas, Clay said at the time. It shows multiple images depicting conflict involving police and other people. Two figures in police uniforms are prominently displayed with guns drawn, near a sign that says Stop Kill. The police figures are shown with animal-like heads that some critics on the internet interpreted as pigs.

Clay issued this statement through a spokesman late Friday:

Members of Congress support student art competitions in our districts but we do not select the young artists and we do not judge the artwork.

I had no role in selecting the winner of this student art competition and I would never attempt to approve or disapprove artistic expression.

The U.S. Capitol is a symbol of freedom, not censorship. The young artist chose his own subject and the painting will not be removed.

Many members of Congress support annual art competitions, and the winning pieces are displayed along a long tunnel that connects the Longworth House Office Building with the Capitol. Untitled #1 hung for several months before bloggers and Fox News personality Eric Bolling on Friday called attention to it.

Take it down, Bolling said, telling viewers to call your congressman or call Lacy Clays office.

Joe Patterson, president of the St. Louis County Police Association, said that we are not about censorship, but good art and good taste are sometimes not the same thing.

This is an extraordinarily disrespectful piece at a minimum, he said.

We in the law enforcement community have been continuing to work to build bridges and come to a better understanding with our minority communityand then we have irresponsible leadership from elected officials pouring gasoline on bridges havent even finished being built yet, Patterson said of Clay. Hes picking at these wounds that were trying to heal.

When the winning piece was chosen last spring, Clay told the St. Louis American that he considered it the most creative expression that Ive witnessed in the last 16 years of the competition.

Pulphus, the artist, told the St. Louis American then that it is hard to imagine that as a young African-American man from St. Louis, I could receive such a prestigious award by the U.S. Congress.

The father of the artist, Jonathan Pulphus Sr., said the family had received only positive feedback about the painting. He said he was unaware of anyone upset about it until he was contacted by a reporter on Friday.

It is art, Pulphus said. It is meant to evoke emotion and a perspective.

Ashley Lisenby of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
JEFFERSON CITY  When Missouri lawmakers descend on the Capitol for the start of their annual five-month session Wednesday, theyll find a new political landscape under the dome.

Republicans who hold supermajorities in the House and Senate will no longer have to contend with a Democratic chief executive wielding his veto pen when they send potentially controversial proposals to the governors office on the second floor.

Thats not to say Missouris 56th governor, Republican Eric Greitens, will be a rubber stamp for the GOP-dominated Legislature after he is sworn in Jan. 9. But early indications signal the legislative and executive branches are on the same page on some key issues.

That starts with labor reform, said Greitens senior adviser Austin Chambers, on a call with reporters on Thursday.

Both Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard and House Speaker Todd Richardson say one of the first issues expected to be acted upon will be transforming Missouri into a right-to-work state.

Under a right-to-work law, employees would not be required to join a union as a condition of their employment. Its been high on the GOP wish list for years, but Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon has squelched previous efforts to put it on the books, arguing that it will weaken unions and hurt the middle class.

Richardson and his fellow Republicans disagree.

Were going to be focused on an agenda thats targeted at getting Missouris economy moving at a faster rate than it is today, said Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff.

After an election that saw anti-union mega donors such as Joplin roofing company owner David Humphreys pour money into the campaign to take the governors office and keep Republicans in power, Richard outlined a laundry list of pro-business initiatives he expects to push through in the early days of Greitens term as governor.

Along with right-to-work, Richard expects lawmakers to alter prevailing wage laws and take steps to make it harder for plaintiffs in lawsuits to win large awards, another early priority for Greitens.

Businesses shouldnt fear being sued at every turn, Chambers said. We shouldnt make (Missouri) a trial lawyers heaven.

Richard, however, said Greitens has not provided many other specifics on what he wants from the Legislature. During the campaign, the political newcomer offered few specific policy proposals outside of pushing for ethics reforms.

Asked about Greitens call for changing state tax policy, Richard said he is unsure what the new governor wants.

We dont know what that means. I cant comment on that until he gives me more meat on the bone, Richard said.

School choice on agenda

Supporters of school choice in Missouri are hopeful that the new chief executive might be more amenable to their plans than his predecessor.

Several bills have been filed that would allow for the accrediting of schools by individual building rather than district, letting students from unaccredited schools transfer to other schools in their district or nearby communities.

The bills are likely to again spark debate over whether public money should be spent on private schools, with backers contending that parents should have more of a say in where their children are educated, and that too often, poor students of color are the ones stuck in failing schools.

Nixon has been a roadblock to similar legislation in the past, arguing that allowing students to attend other schools at their home districts expense siphons money from public schools that need it.

Weve passed bipartisan education reform legislation twice before, only to have those bills vetoed, said Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-St. Louis, who is sponsoring one of the 2017 student transfer bills. Now that we have a new governor, Im optimistic we will finally deliver long-overdue results for the children of Missouri.

Greitens hasnt spoken out about the school transfer bills specifically, but Chambers on Thursday hinted that the governor-elect might be open to the ideas lawmakers have already laid out.

The governor is committed to making sure that education revolves around the child, and that means making sure there is choice for that childs education, Chambers said.

Chappelle-Nadals bill is wide-ranging  beyond just governing transfers, the measure also aims to provide assistance to struggling districts. Similar measures are backed by Sen. Scott Sifton of St. Louis County and Rep. David Wood, R-Versailles.

Greitens is also seriously looking at education savings accounts, an idea floated by Richardson in recent weeks that would allow parents to pay for tuition and other expenses for certain private schools, with the approval of the state.

Richardson has also said he hopes Greitens will push for an expansion of charter schools.

Its certainly going to be one of our priorities, Richardson said.

More abortion restrictions?

It wont be the only familiar debate in Jefferson City this session. Lawmakers could again discuss how fetal tissue should be disposed of after abortions.

Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake Saint Louis, has filed legislation laying out requirements for tissue disposal, a need he says was highlighted by revelations uncovered by the Senate Sanctity of Life Committee investigation in 2015.

The panel had been convened by Senate Republicans to investigate Planned Parenthoods practices, mirroring similar probes in other states after videos surfaced nationally alleging that the womens health care provider illegally sold fetal tissue.

Onders proposal also protects whistleblowers in abortion clinics, and requires annual on-site inspections of abortion providers.

Its among several abortion restrictions proposed for the new year. Others include bills that would protect alternatives-to-abortion agencies, restrict selective abortions relating to sex, race or Down syndrome, and prohibit a person from transporting a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion without the consent required by state law.

Budget, ethics questions

The rush to implement GOP-friendly legislation in the wake of Nixons eight years in office will come at the same time Greitens is grappling with a volatile budget situation.

With tax revenue failing to meet expectations, Nixon has already slashed $200 million from the states $27 billion spending blueprint. Greitens is expected to have to take quick action to cut more after the glow of his inaugural festivities fades.

There is no question that it is going to be a difficult budget environment, Richardson told the Post-Dispatch.

Although the Legislature spent much of the 2016 spring session debating ways to clean up the image of the capital city, Greitens is expected to push for his own ethics initiatives, including a ban on lobbyist gifts and a longer cooling-off period for lawmakers wanting to become lobbyists.

Ameren, the states largest utility company, is again expected to push for legislation that would make it easier for the utility to raise rates on customers in exchange for upgrading its infrastructure.

One issue that dominated the 2016 session apparently wont be on the Republican agenda.

Onder recently said he would not revive an attempt to protect some businesses opposed to same-sex marriage. The proposed constitutional amendment would have barred government penalties against businesses such as florists that cite religion while denying some goods and services for same-sex weddings. It also needed voter approval.
BELLEVILLE As a young child, Ron Bayer would visit Harters Hobby House after school to see what new items were in stock.

At 13, he started working for the stores then- owner, Navy veteran Walter Harter. Bayer, now 79, hasnt left since.

In 1959 he bought the shop, working over the years to ensure it continued to be a destination for train enthusiasts and amateurs alike. Now, after 70 years in business, Harters is closing.

Though Bayer is not saying farewell to his interests in model cars and trains, he is retiring from the store at 10th and Main streets, which opened in 1946.

Young people just arent interested in this type of merchandise anymore, Bayer told the Post-Dispatch Thursday.

But word of the store closure quickly reached many people during the week, attracting a wave of shoppers to buy discounted items, Bayer said. Shelves that once held more than 300 half-priced Lionel freight trains at the back of the store carried only one by Thursday. The store, which also sells paints, will open for the last time to customers Saturday.

Rick Hoeffken, a friend of Bayer and a longtime Harters customer, came by to drop off a kit catalog and pick up two O Gauge train engines. He said his interest in trains started at age 8, when his father bought him his first train set.

Ive never seen this place so barren, said Hoeffken, as he looked at the mostly empty shelves and display cases around the store. I hate to see you go, but it doesnt surprise me.

Bob Herman worked at the store as a teen in the 1960s and eventually cultivated a friendship with Bayer in subsequent years over their shared interest in model cars.

While Harters outlived neighboring hobby shops such as Bollmeiers Hobby Shop and Westside Hobbies, Herman said he believed big-box stores, online retailers and a new generations interest in digital games were among the reasons why small, brick-and-mortar stores such as Harters couldnt survive.

Chris Keller, of Swansea, brought his 5-year-old son to the store in search of a memento from the shop Keller frequented as a child.

When he was born, I told my wife I would make a train layout for under the tree, Keller said. He loved it. Every year, its something we do together.

Keller said it was sad to see the store go. Bayer recognized the bittersweet moment too.

I really dont want to leave, but its just the sign of the times, Bayer said. Our time has come and gone.

As customers  most of them adult men  circled the store searching for a remnant of childhood years gone by, two young boys stood inside looking at a window display depicting nostalgic scenery of what an American small town would have looked like in the 1960s  nestled in rolling hills, encircled by train tracks.
By PTI: From Anisur Rahman

Dhaka, Dec 31 (PTI) Unidentified miscreants today shot dead a ruling Awami League lawmaker at his constituency in northwestern Gaibandha, police said.

They said 48-year-old Manzurul Islam Liton was shot at his village home as he was holding a meeting with local activists.

He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition at neighbouring Rangpur district where doctors declared him dead.

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"He (Liton) was brought here (Rangpur Medical College Hospital) with wounds but he possibly died somewhere on his way to the hospital," acting director of the facility Dr Ajay Kumar Roy said.

Police said unidentified miscreants on motorbikes shot Liton from a close proximity at his village home at Masterpara near Bamondanga railway station.

"Three assailants arrived at the yard of Litons house where he was holding a meeting with some people. One of them fired two shots from a pistol," Gaibandhas additional police Superintendent Abdullah Al-Faruk said.

He said the miscreants fled the scene using the motorbike. PTI AR SUA AKJ SUA

--- ENDS ---
 Ernest Coombes of Stratford Ambulance Association, Shakespeare Lions president, Anne Turner, David Dumper, Adam Beese, the groups teacher, and John Barlow. (Submitted photo)

SHAKESPEARE Lions Club, assisted by Stratford-upon-Avon Ambulance Association, have continued their ambitious project to train Stratford school leavers in life support skills, including CPR and defibrillator usage.

To achieve this Lions volunteers were trained by Wideawake Training to an NVQ certified standard.

The extensive equipment needed was purchased using a generous grant from the Municipal Charities for 2,000.

Recovery from sudden cardiac arrest (out of hospital) in the UK averages less than ten per cent.

In some Scandinavian countries the average is nearer 25 per cent and is widely recognised as being due to CPR being taught compulsorily at school.

The first school to benefit was King Edward VI School in May, and recently year 11 students at Stratford School.

Here the training was particularly timely as it also helped meet the students Duke of Edinburgh requirements. Shakespeare Lions propose to roll out this project to the remaining senior schools in Stratford in 2017.
Will UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav be made the national president of Samajwadi Party at the national council meet called by Ram Gopal Yadav? Whisper has it that Akhilesh supporters want Mulayam Singh Yadav as 'Sanrakshak' only.

By Balkrishna: While the fate of Samajwadi Party hinges on a seemingly uncomfortable truce between the two warring factions, clamour is getting louder within the party to make UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as the national president.

Sources close to the Akhilesh Yadav have said that the proposal will be mooted during the national council meet called by Samajwadi Party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav on Sunday.

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"In the meeting, it will be demanded tomorrow Akhilesh Yadav be made the national president of the Samajwadi Party. Mulayam Singh Yadav should become 'Sanrakshak' (patriarch)," sources said.

READ| Is Mulayam Singh fighting for family and Akhilesh Yadav for Samajwadi Party?

Meanwhile, Ram Gopal Yadav made it clear that the national council meet called by him would be held on Sunday as scheduled.

"Our meeting will take place tomorrow. We were expelled yesterday but he national council meet was decided earlier," Ram Gopal Yadav said.

WATCH:

Earlier, while revoking the expulsion of Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav from the Samajwadi Party, Shivpal Yadav refused to make any comment on the status of the meeting called by the other faction.

READ| Mulayam watches as Akhilesh Yadav wins, Shivpal bruised again

"All those things are behind us now," Shivpal had said when asked about the national council meet.

Samajwadi Party's U-turn on the expulsion followed separate meetings of the legislators by the warring factions in Lucknow.

While Akhilesh Yadav claimed the support of about 200 MLAs, not too many legislators attended the meeting called by Mulayam-Shivpal faction.

ALSO READ|

Akhilesh has his say, Samajwadi Party to release fresh list of candidates

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The Ashraf Ghani government in Kabul has invited Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on a visit to Afghanistan as the latter phoned the top leadership to convey his best wishes for the year ahead.

While speaking to the leadership, including the Afghan president, the countrys chief executive and army chief  Gen Qamar pledged to work together for sustainable peace in the region.

#COAS said that peace in both countries is in greater interest of the Region. Afghan ldrship invited COAS for a visit to Afghanistan.  Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) December 31, 2016

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) said that peace in both countries is in greater interest of the region, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

On December 17, the army chief arrived in Saudi Arabia on a maiden three-day official visit. It was General Qamars first ever official visit to any foreign land since he was appointed as the COAS.

#COAS called Afg President, CE & Army Chief on tel. Conveyed best wishes for 2017 & pledged to work together for peace in the region. Cont..  Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) December 31, 2016

Upon arrival, the army chief was received by the Saudi Assistant Defence Minister Muhammad bin Abdullah al Ayesh. During the trip to the kingdom, the army chief met senior military and civil leadership of the oil-rich kingdom.
Controversial Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has now labelled US ambassadors as spies who work for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). This is Duterte's latest diatribe against the United States government, especially that of the Obama administration.

The remark seems to be aimed towards Philip Goldberg, the former US ambassador to Philippines, UPI reported. He was responding to a Manila Times report, which cited a document received from a "highly placed source" that claims a former US ambassador to the Philippines made a "blueprint to undermine Duterte.

Manila Times alleged that Goldberg had "strategies" that would have Duterte removed in a time frame of one and half years. The US State Department has termed the allegations in the report as "false."

Following his initial response to Manila Times, Duterte later expanded his accusations to include all the US "professional ambassadors."

"In the matter of the credible news, maybe you may have an inkling on how this guy operates. Because most ambassadors of the United States, but not all, are not really professional ambassadors... at the same time they are spying. They are really connected to the CIA," said Duterte.

"The ambassador of a country is the No. 1 spy, but there are ambassadors of the United States to undermine governments. That's what happened to Bolivia," he added.

Goldberg was the US ambassador to Philippines from December 2013 to November 2016. True to what Duterte said, Goldberg worked with the US Department of State as an assistant secretary for intelligence and research, before he was appointed to Manila as US' top envoy.

Before his Manila stint, he was appointed as the US ambassador to Bolivia in 2006. Goldberg was declared persona non grata in September 2008 after he was accused by the Bolivian government headed by President Evo Morales of shelling out money to leaders of the opposition and think tanks who opposed Morales.

Those allegations against Goldberg were also termed baseless by the US State Department.

Previously, Duterte has shown his hatred towards US President Obama, who has been highly critical of the Philippine President's war on drugs. Previously, Duterte had told Obama to "go to hell" and called him a "son of a whore."
Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav had expelled Akhilesh and Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for 6 years yesterday evening after Akhilesh Yadav refused to back down and released his own list of candidates for the UP Assembly Election 2017.

By India Today Web Desk: At the end of the day and year, Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh blinked first as the tide of popular support turned in favour of his son, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. Mulayam Singh Yadav and his brother Shivpal Yadav revoked the expulsion of Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav, a cousin of Mulayam Singh and the party's leader in Rajya Sabha.

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Samajwadi Party's National President Mulayam Singh Yadav had expelled Akhilesh and Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for 6 years yesterday evening after Akhilesh Yadav refused to back down and released his own list of candidates for the UP Assembly Election 2017. The list differed from the official list of candidates released by UP party chief Shivpal Yadav.

The day began with both the sides (Akhilesh and Shivpal) calling their own meetings of supporters. Mulayam and Shivpal had called party MLAs and senior leaders for a meeting at 10.30 am. Akhilesh had called the same MLAs to his house for a meeting at 9.30 am.

Also read | LATEST UPDATES: Mulayam backs down, Akhilesh, Ram Gopal's expulsion revoked

This was supposed to be a show of strength and Akhilesh came out as the clear winner, with more than 190 MLAs choosing to attend the chief minister's meeting. Less than 20 went over to Mulayam Singh's meeting. By noon, it was crystal clear that Akhilesh Yadav had beaten his father Mulayam and uncle Shivpal by a huge margin.

Amid talk of an immediate breakup, party's Muslim face Azam Khan decided to not attend either of these meetings and began talks with both parties for a rapprochement. The feared split in the party has been avoided, for now.

HERE'S HOW THE DAY PROGRESSED After the expulsion, there was a talk of floating a new party by the Akhilesh faction. Akhilesh wants to fight to the finish to claim the SP name and the cycle symbol. Congress leaders sent positive signals to Akhilesh Yadav that in case of a split, Congress will support his government. With 70-plus sitting legislators dropped from the party's official candidate list for the 2017 assembly polls and many office-bearers shown the door by the party in the past few weeks, Akhilesh was largely counting on these "rebels" to strengthen his position. Some senior party leaders have requested the party chief to revoke the expulsion. Sources told India Today that the Uttar Pradesh chief minister was in touch with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who is said to be on a vacation in London. Mulayam said the new chief minister will be chosen by the Samajwadi Party. Both the sides call meetings at Akhilesh Yadav's official residence and Mulayam Singh Yadav's residence. In his meeting attended by nearly 190 MLAs, Akhilesh gets emotional, says will win UP as gift to Netaji. Akhilesh Yadav demanded that the 'pre-September 12' status be restored in the party. Akhilesh Yadav was then the president of the state unit of the Samajwadi Party. Word came from the Mulayam meeting that the expulsions would be revoked. Shivpal Yadav addresses a press conference saying the party remains united and will win the election. There is no official word yet on the Samajwadi Party national council meeting called by Ram Gopal Yadav. The meeting is supposed to take place on Sunday at 11 am. However, Ram Gopal Yadav reiterated that the party's national council meeting would be held as scheduled.

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WATCH VIDEO

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The ringleader of the Nigeria-based Boko Haram terrorist group has urged the militants to beef up extreme violence against people, denying recent claims by the government that the group has been crushed.

In a video posted on YouTube purportedly by Boko Haram on Friday, a man, standing in front of almost a dozen armed men and a couple of pickup trucks in an undisclosed location, identified himself as Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the terror group, and read a statement, calling on his fellow militants to "kill, slaughter and abduct all the infidels... and detonate bombs everywhere."

"I am here, well and alive," he said, rejecting the Nigerian government's earlier reports that he had been fatally wounded in anti-terror air raids.

He also denied that the army had ultimately defeated terrorists after it captured Boko Harams last major stronghold. "The battle is just beginning."

"You should not be telling lies to the people," he said, referring to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who announced on Christmas Eve that the terrorist group had been defeated and driven away from its last known bastion deep inside the thick Sambisa Forest in the northeastern volatile state of Borno.

President Buhari, who came to power in 2015, under the motto of crushing Boko Haram, also said the terrorists were on the run and no longer had a place to hide.

The group, whose name means "Western education is forbidden," has pledged allegiance to Daesh, a terrorist group operating mostly in Iraq and Syria. Back in early August, Daesh reportedly terminated Shekaus seven-year-long leadership by replacing him with Abu Musab al-Barnawi, a former spokesman for Boko Haram.

Shortly after the announcement, Shekau released an audio message saying, "People should know we are still around," apparently defying Daesh and the decision to oust him.

This video grab image, created on August 14, 2016, from a video released by Boko Haram, shows a militant at an undisclosed location standing in front of schoolgirls kidnapped from Chibok, Nigeria, in April 2014. (Via AFP)

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 countrys 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 group.

Over the past several months, Boko Haram had resorted to carrying out sporadic raids against villages and bomb attacks against civilians in urban areas, killing hundreds of people.

Following the seizure of the Sambisa camp, Nigerias military declared that the former game reserve would be converted to a military training base in an attempt to prevent the militants from returning.

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. In the Fridays video, Shekau made no mention of the remaining captive girls.

Boko Haram terrorists have so far killed more than 20,000 people and forced over 2.7 million others from their homes.
The livelihood of natives of Dipudanga village in West Midnapore district of West Bengal, who stitch leaves into plates and bowls and sell them to earn their daily bread, has been severely hit following this move.

By Manogya Loiwal : Even as the 50-day deadline set by PM Modi himself to put an end to the inconvenience faced by people in the wake of his demonetisation decision ended yesterday, the common man's troubles are far from over.

The livelihood of natives of Dipudanga village in West Midnapore district of West Bengal, who stitch leaves into plates and bowls and sell them for a living, has been hit really hard and there seems to be no solution in sight.

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"As we have no fertile land, we are totally dependent on the nearby forest for our livelihood. All of us are now engaged in collecting leaves from forest, stitching those leaves to make plates, bowls etc. and export these to Barasat, Asansol, Ranigangh and many other parts of the state, including neighbouring states like Odisha and Jharkhand. Before demonetisation, we were able to export 3 to 4 trucks of products and earn Rs. 150/- to Rs. 200/- per day per head," said, Himangshu Mahata, one of the initiators of the production.

VILLAGERS FINDING IT TOUGH TO GET BY

The villagers, who used to earn an amount good enough every day to suffice their essential needs, are now left with no money and are just somehow eking out a living. "Now it's become very difficult as cars don't get loaded. The whole problem started since demonetisation. It's difficult to carry out business this way. Everyday we used to get Rs 150 and now we get some money only after a week or two. It is difficult to pay for our child's school fee and find two square meals a day", said Artie Mahata, a local.

Also read | Demonetisation a hurried decision, no nation can be cashless: Amartya Sen

Since demonetisation, trucks have not got loaded, enough money has not been provided by banks and so the entire economy of the village has come to a standstill.

"The produce today is much lesser than it used to be earlier. Our stock gets stopped in transit. We don't get enough money. Even the orders that we had are not getting delivered. We wonder what can be done. We are facing problems but there seems to be no end to our woes. The notes that banks gave are useless because it is difficult to find change for the same and the minimum that we need is at least 1500-2000 rupees everyday. But we are not getting that much from the bank. We hope the situation improves," said another local Himangshu.

PAYMENT NOW ONCE A FORTNIGHT

The villagers now get paid only once in a fortnight as compared to getting daily wages earlier.

"According to how much one works, one earns. Around Rs 200-250 everyone earns daily. Because of demonetisation, we are not getting enough money. Earlier, we used to get paid daily. Now we are paid only after a fortnight, sometimes even after a month. Carrying out the daily chores of life is difficult. We just hope our lives can return to normalcy," hopes Kavita Mahata, another native.

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Also read | Demonetisation: Relief on withdrawal limit will be a good new year gift', say Delhiites

The villagers were hoping that the situation would get better after 50 days of the drive as promised by the Prime Minister. However, much to their disappointment, they will probably have to wait longer for their good old days.

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Flying out? Be at the airport 5 hrs ahead! View(s):

SriLankan Airlines, in a flurry of advisories to travel agents, said all passengers flying out must check in at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) five hours prior to departure  instead of the usual 2-3 hours  to avoid queues or delays during January 6 to April 6 when urgent renovations are effected to the runway.

The airline said check-in counters will close 90 minutes prior to flight departure and noted that passengers can check in online, or via the mobile application or automated kiosk and thereafter to proceed to the baggage drop area.

SriLankan also said that during the 3-month period, flights UL868 and UL866 to Beijing and Shanghai will be routed via Mattala and also re-numbered as UL1868 and UL1866. The stopover in Mattala will be for periods ranging from approximately 4-5 hours.

Lounge facilities will be provided for Business Class passengers and all passengers will receive meals/meal vouchers at Mattala. The airline said passengers are also welcome to board these flights at Mattala. In the meantime, the embarkation tax for departing passengers has been revised to Rs. 7,000 per person from January 1, up from Rs 4,250.

The Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) said, due to the airport renovations, it was closing its Foreign Employment registration counter at the airport until further notice from today (January 1). The FEB said registrations can be made at the head office or FEBs provincial offices.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 31 (PTI) Hitting out at Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh today said the AAP national convener was trivialising the states drugs problem to divert the attention from substance abuse charges against his partys leaders.

"AAP workers are themselves making allegations of drugs abuse against their party leaders, many of whom are caught in corruption and sex scandals. Kejriwal was now resorting to diversion tactics by indulging in blatant lies against the Congress," Singh said.

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Rebutting Kejriwals allegation of drug peddling against Congress, the former Punjab chief minister said the AAP leader was resorting to falsehood in a desperate bid to divert the attention from drug abuse charges against his partys leaders.

Congress is committed to fight the drug menace in Punjab and the state party chief is committed to wipe out drugs from Punjab within four weeks of assuming power, a statement from the party said.

Singh also blamed Kejriwal for ditching the people of Punjab on key issues such as Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

Again challenging Kejriwal for an open debate on issues vital to Punjabs interest, Singh said he was ready to debate him on all issue - including drugs and SYL.

"Kejriwal should debate instead of making unfounded allegations and resorting to cheap gimmickry," Singh added.

The people of Punjab want Kejriwal to convince them of their seriousness in the matter, especially given his track record of changing his mind 10 times a day, he claimed adding that the AAP leader should make his stand clear on the drug problem in the state. PTI JTR ABH

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Global young leaders peace camp 2016 View(s):

On December 1 to 5 young leaders from 10 countries met here to learn about the different religions and cultures that revolve around different cities in Sri Lanka.

The event highlighted different religious sites including a Buddhist Temple, Hindu Kovil, Church and Mosque, the organisers said.

The activities were held in Belihuloya where participants were taught about leadership, peace, religious harmony and how the city of Belihuloya houses the four different religious parties in one city spreading peace and harmony between the people of Sri Lanka.

Religion plays a very important and central role in everyones daily life. To most of us who believe, religion guides us to the path of honesty, integrity, high morals and inspires us to live a righteous life. Many people around the world are driven by their religion to keep themselves away from bad deeds and do good things.

If we looked closer into the different scriptures we note that most of them are centered around one notion: do good. Each religion makes a point to teach us to be more loving, kind and compassionate to one another. And therefore religious harmony holds the key to a peaceful and progressive world, said one participant.
Govt. reiterates no sale of private banks stakes By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):

Having learnt a bitter lesson in the Bank of Ceylon (BOC)-Seylan Bank drama, the government is to issue clear and immediate guidelines on stakes in private banks coming under the purview of the Ministry of Public Enterprises.

Minister of Public Enterprises, Kabir Hashim told the Business Times that his ministry will issue a fresh circular to all state-owned-enterprises (SOEs) under his purview almost immediately making clear the governments stance on private bank stakes held by these SOEs. The new circular will clearly say that until such time that its communicated, these holdings in banks will not be sold, he said reiterating that it will also clearly say that this will be state policy. This new circular will cover Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, BOC, Peoples Bank, National Savings Bank (NSB), etc. He added that as a policy, the government made a decision that the shares of Seylan bank which belong to the government will not be sold. This was a tactical decision, he said

As for the committee to probe this matter, Mr. Hashim said they were appointed on Wednesday. However what is unclear are the stakes that the EPF and the ETF have in banks and whether these stakes too would be restricted in any sale.

Another interesting situation that emerged in this latest CSE drama is the fact that BOC acts as its own custodian bank. A custodian bank holds customers securities for safekeeping to minimise the risk of their theft or loss. One of the most important functions a custody bank helps to perform is to segregate customers money (and securities) from its own, or from investment managers. In the BOC -Seylan saga, BOCs custodian of Seylan shares is BOC itself. They should appoint independent custodians, another analyst noted.

Its learnt that theres a strong call by the capital market to the regulators to direct BOC and all other institutions that dont have independent custodians, to do so. The CSE and SEC had a meeting to this effect after the Seylan transaction, informed sources told the Business Times. They said that the two parties are gearing to revisit this area.

Govt. stakes in private banks in 2015 Commercial Bank HNB EPF 9.73 % SLIC 11.74 % SLIC (Life) 5.04 % EPF 7.84% SLIC (General) 4.34 % NSB  2.31% Sampath Bank Seylan Bank EPF 9.97 % SLIC 15% ETF 0.93 % EPF 9.86% SLIC (Life) 0.93 % BOC 7.50 % NSB 0.67% ETF  1.81% Note: BOC also has stakes in NDB
Solar power to be harnessed for power generation By Jayampathy Jayasinghe View(s): View(s):

HAMBANTOTA  Sri Lanka is to switch over to alternate energy sources such as solar and wind power by 2050 in lieu of thermal energy to reduce the carbon footprint of the country. However some professionals like engineers are bemused and skeptical whether solar and wind power can fulfil the total energy requirements of the country, said the Deputy Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Ajith Perera following the commissioning of the first utility scale solar power plant at Baruthankanda, Hambantota last week.

He said the governments intention however is to contribute to the reduction of global warming for sustenance of the future of mankind. The plant was commissioned by the Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Ranjith Siyambalapitiya at a ceremony attended by government and private sector officials. The LOLC Group and Sagasolar Power (Pvt) Ltd built the solar plant at a cost of Rs. 2.6 billion to generate 10 MW of power for the countrys main power grid. The project is a collaboration between LOLC Group and Faber Capitol Ltd as key equity providers and was financed by DFCC Bank, Commercial Bank and the HNB.

Mr. Perera said that President Maithripala Sirisena who represented Sri Lanka at the recent Paris Climate Conference was a signatory to the accord to reduce noxious gas emissions in the country that contribute to global warming. He said the future aim of the government was to purchase power from the private sector solely based on a competitive price formula. Research done by many scientists have found that solar power was the least expensive source of energy required for a country and our aim is to protect environmental degradation of the country. The government will provide facilities and other incentives to the private sector to develop alternate energy sources such as solar and wind power, he said.

The massive plant was built on 45 acres on a desolate area which was declared as an Energy Development Area by a gazette notification 1720/ 5 on 23rd of August 2011 under Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority Act. The solar project is said to be over seven times larger than other existing solar projects in the country and will supply 20 GWh to provide annual electricity needs of 15,000 typical homes in the country. The hallmark of the project is it reduces carbon dioxide emission from power generation associated with the national electricity generation by a margin of 11,000 tonnes per year. The Ministry of Power and Energy with the Ceylon Electricity Board launched its first 1.2 MW Pilot solar power project around seven years ago with assistance from Japan and Korea and declared 600 acres of land at Hambantota as an energy development area by a gazette notification.

Minister Siyambalapitiya said Sri Lanka has received the lowest rainfall during a 10-year period that had adversely affected the cultivation of crops and have reduced hydropower generation of electricity, causing a drinking water problem in rural areas.I am happy that two private companies at this juncture have ventured into power generation to supply the national grid. We also invite private companies to find new innovations to contribute to the development of the country. We have received many proposals to make use of unutilized land in rural areas to build new highways and waterways to breed fish.

Deputy Chairman, LOLC Group Ishara Nanayakkara stated that renewable energy has gained prominence in the Sri Lankan economy and the LOLC Group is poised to play a key role in enhancing commitment to environmental stewardship.We are highly excited to venture into solar power generation of this magnitude by the private sector.

Managing Director of Faber Capitol Dilshan Hettiarachchi said that they were honoured to be involved in the development of Sri Lankas first utility scale solar project. He said generation of energy from solar power is the next frontier in Sri Lankas energy generation journey.
Sri Lanka signs $75 mln social safety net project View(s):

Sri Lanka has signed a $75 million World Bank credit to support the countrys welfare programmes. The project includes an integrated system to better manage the selection, administration, and payments to beneficiaries. It will help improve the equity, efficiency and transparency of the social safety net system, according to a World Bank media release.

The project will allow the government to develop a single registry of citizens with information on family structure and economic characteristics. The Welfare Benefits Board, set up to manage the selection and payment of beneficiaries, will develop new selection criteria based on data in the registry. This will make identification fairer and more transparent, and ensure that benefits reach the intended households. The project will also strengthen the governments capacity to monitor and improve welfare programmes.

Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives and R.H.S. Samarathunga, Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance, signed the project on behalf of the World Bank and the government. She said, Safety net programmes are a safety valve for Sri Lankas poor and vulnerable populations. By increasing the efficiency of expenditures, the project will make social spending more sustainable, while ensuring that targeted households receive the full benefit of the programmes. Over time, it will also help the government refine programmes to address emerging fiscal challenges, such as an aging population.

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Finance in partnership with the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Social Empowerment and Welfare, and the Information and Communication Technology Agency.

Today, Sri Lanka has more than 30 welfare programmes operated by 11 different ministries. A lack of digital record-keeping limits their capacity to coordinate, monitor and evaluate, and prevent fraud and mismanagement. While programme costs have risen gradually over time, coverage of the poorest households has fallen. Analysis by the World Bank shows that the programmes have had a decreasing impact on poverty over the past decade. This poses a challenge when the population is aging, a shift that is likely to increase demand for social assistance in coming years.

Data in the registry will be updated periodically, with records reviewed to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries remain in the programmes. To prevent fraudulent applications, each individual will be identified using biometric

technology.
Sri Lankas largest insured property, moves from risky to real insurance via CGSA View(s):

Crescent Global South Asia (CGSA) recently brokered, on behalf of the National Insurance Trust Fund (NITF), the new risk reinsurance cover for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).

CGSA director Indrajith Fernando said the company has transferred the risk liability of the CPC to A  Rated Lloyds Syndicates and to A-rated underwriters specialising in energy insurance.

In line with insurance market practices, the local insurer NITF will no longer retain 100 per cent of the risk. The cover in place is not only supported by Lloyds markets, but also by leading reinsurers from Singapore, and the global marine and energy insurance market, according to a CGSA media release.

CPC will be utilising the expertise of the reinsurance market leaders supporting the programme to carry out comprehensive risk analysis, improving the risk quality of the insured property. The recommendations of these A-rated securities will help to reduce the size and frequency of future claims. Risk assessment of this standard is particularly important when handling a volatile commodity such as crude oil, and its derivative products such as petroleum.

Everybody was doing a regulation job neglecting to innovate, do the right thing and also do the necessary hard work. For instance, there were no mandatory covers which are a must for specialised installations such as the CPC. But now while there would be risk surveys being carried out, the liability too is being taken by Lloyds Syndicates with A-rated securities from the worlds premier insurers, entailing substantial savings in premiums, said CPC Chairman T. G. Jayasinghe.

CSGA will be advising CPC officials on the finer aspects of their insurance programme, which will assist in improving the risk quality of CPCs assets. Most notably, they would be providing their expertise on the handling of claims related to CPCs technically sophisticated installations.

In the event of an accident at the refinery or a storage calamity, the comprehensive insurance programme in place would ensure repairs and restitution are carried out efficiently, reducing the potential for any negative effects on Sri Lankan consumers and businesses.
SriLankan Airlines  Try, try try and fly View(s):

They say try, try and try and you will succeed, but for this near-2-year old government success appears elusive.

The latest on the pot is the SriLankan Airlines saga. It seems that the decision makers havent ruled out other avenues to revamp the cash-strapped national carrier. This is mainly due to them being not too thrilled about the three shortlisted bidders vying for a management stake in the national carrier, sources said.

The three shortlisted companies  Super Group Partners, Peace Air and Texas Pacific Group or TPG  is being analysed by a special committee appointed by the Cabinet, along with National Savings Bank (NSB) team which is the lead manager to this process under the aegis of the Ministry of Public Enterprises. From the current lot, the NSBs recommendations will be on whether to go with one or two shortlisted candidates combined, its learnt.

The ministry will put it to the special committee appointed by the Cabinet with a report by the NSB which will have the complete picture. But, its understood that the government isnt entirely happy with these three parties, a source told the Business Times.

The NSB was further checking the documents last Thursday, the source said, adding that they would present their report to this committee soon.

In the event the shortlist candidates fall below expectations, the Public Enterprises Ministry will explore other avenues, he added.

By this they mean that the Request for Proposals (RFP) process will be closed. There was an idea to extend the RFP, but its not on the table anymore, the source said.

The next step, he added is to approach airlines directly on a state level. Apparently the West Asian carriers didnt like the RFP process due to the bad experience that Emirates, a one-time partner of Sri Lankas national carrier, had.

If nothing works via the RFP, the government through the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Enterprises will approach individual airlines especially in the West Asian region, the source said. - (Duruthu)
And now you are telling us View(s):

Well what do you know! Politicians do, now and then, tell the truth. Sometimes it is varnished, sometimes not. But at least the truth does out, wittingly or unintentionally, however embarrassing it might be to those who ply the trade. The other day the Minister of Labour and Trade Union Relations W.D.J. Seneviratne is reported to have told a gathering at some certificate-awarding ceremony that politics is the only job for which no qualifications are necessary.

At least Minister Seneviratne should be thanked for publicly uttering a truth which many people knew for years but did not mention for fear of encountering a white van, an irate politician or any of those belligerent types in uniform who have been collectively raised to the stratosphere as national heroes.

Well I would not try to grab exclusivity for being in the only job that did not need a qualification even though I would be loath to make such pronouncements in public lest the little respect people have for this vocation drops through the bottom of the scale.

I can think of at least a couple of other jobs that require no minimum educational qualification  grave diggers and scavengers for instance. But then why insult these two groups of persons who are doing useful jobs without duty-free car permits and recently enhanced emoluments for the denizens of Diyawanna Oya who readily voted in favour of such increases. No surprise there of course proving that the late Sir John K was quite dismissive when he told politicians to serve themselves generous portions when the spoon was in their hands for he knew they needed no exhortation from him to dip their podgy fingers into the peoples kitty.

The only problem is that the amount that disappears from state resources has risen so sharply that those who originally kept count of the thousands that vanished have over the years had to add more zeroes to the figures that they are now counting billions of unaccountable and unaccounted for state funds.

Minister Seneviratne might lament that he had to study hard to become a genuine lawyer and not an air-conditioned one with extra security while others with no qualifications to add after their names except MP are seated cheek by jowl with those who earned their way up the ladder by hard work and perseverance.

Several months back I remember mentioning the figures quoted by the chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board or some similar-sounding organization who exposed the paucity of parliamentarians with educational qualifications. If I remember correctly he said that 95 MPs of the 225 in the 2010 parliament that ceased to exist after last years parliamentary election had failed the GCE O Level and 145 had failed A Level.

Now I dont know whether these statistics are correct or not. But anybody who has had the misfortune to listen to what passes for debates in parliament and on TV involving MPs would surely concede these figures seem correct. The standard of measurement should not be the GCE O level but perhaps the 8th standard or lower still.

That would provide a more accurate estimate of the intellectual level of that crop of MPs who made and passed laws for the progress of this nation. That a highly literate people were ready to allow a bunch of politicians with minimum intelligence, hopefully, to decide the future of Sri Lanka surely calls into question the political judgment of those who sent these people to parliament.

The conduct of some MPs in the last parliament and in the current one is not only atrocious but an object lesson to the hundreds and hundreds of students who sit in the galleries on what is uncivilized behaviour that should be eschewed and forgotten.

One wonders what impressions young students carry back to school and home after their encounters with the law makers of their country.

The disgraceful language and raucous behaviour could hardly provide a learning curve to impressionable minds as they watch the august assembly in action. It is too well known that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has often had to alert and even warn MPs to conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to their station.

But such warnings go in through one ear and out of the other with an ease that seems to suggest there is little between the ears to stop them.

Sometime last year Zulkifli Nazim writing for a website reminded us about the interesting collective nouns in the English language. A group of cows, as we know, is called a herd of cows and group of lions a pride of lions. But what is not generally known is that a collection of baboons is called a parliament of baboons.

Now that is not surprising at all. Baboons are a loud, raucous, quarrelsome lot with little intelligence. The collective noun, if it is correct, is singularly appropriate.

This raises an important question which Im sure has been discussed at other forums and on other platforms. Should there be minimum qualifications for a candidate intending to contest parliamentary elections?

On a couple of previous occasions I have mentioned the case of Thailand where an earlier constitution had laid down a candidate must be a university graduate or have five years of continuous education at an institute of higher learning. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said some days back that persons of a better quality should be attracted to politics and parliament. One way of doing so might well be to lay down minimum educational qualifications.

After all if the free education system that Sri Lanka has enjoyed even before independence and has produced highly qualified persons in a whole range of professions and vocations could serve the country why should it not throw up decent well-mannered and educated politicians to replace the rubbish that has dominated the political scene for decades.

What has happened to Sri Lankan politics that the learned and professional parliamentarians that once adorned both sides of the House are now few and far between? Is it because the greedy and avaricious are making it impossible for the talented, decent individuals to associate themselves with a political class that thrives on crony capitalism and the fruits thereof.

When all those promises to wipe the slate clean and lead the country along a new path of righteousness have been torn asunder and a new age of brigandage has been foisted on Sri Lanka by those who emerged from the wings determined to grab several fists full of dollars is it any wonder people who value their reputation and independence keep away from the political sewers.

The attempt to push through a highly controversial Development Bill that will circle the wagons immunizing even officials from the process of law and open the doors wide to the proliferation of a new lot of shady dealers is not what leaders promised in late 2014 and in early January the following year.

It was President Junius Jayewardene who said let the robber barons come when he introduced a free-market economy. Well the robber barons are here amongst the people and attempts are being made to push through laws that will allow robbers even within officialdom to flourish at the expense of the state and the people.

Only the alert and vigilant in society can stop this slide to what might be called economic totalitarianism to be firmly ensconced in the hands of a few.

One must disagree with Minister Seneviratne when he says there is no minimum qualification to enter politics. Of course there is. The qualification is servility to the party leader and the party machine, to the money machines that finance election campaigns and is quick to inform that it is pay-back time.

Is it any wonder then that some MPs are clamouring for liquor licences to let their favourite mudalalis fill the populace with their inebriating brew. With local elections and referenda due, it is time to oil the money machines.

It is a forlorn hope if it is expected that talented, qualified and decent people will enter politics. To do what? Fraternise with a parliament of baboons, as the collective noun goes.
Gin-Nilwala diversion project: Rs. 4.1 billion paid to Chinese firm but no work View(s):

Payments amounting to more than Rs. 4.1 billion have been made to a Chinese contractor for the Gin-Nilwala Diversion Project, but no work has been carried out, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake has told ministerial colleagues.

In a note explaining the current situation over the project, he has said that a Committee of three senior officials had conveyed the copy of a report to the Department of National Budget in July last year. In terms of that, payments were made on December 30, 2014 Rs. 998,576,311, on January 6, 2015 Rs. 2,000,342,335 and January 7, 2015 Rs. 1,003,136,336. This had totalled Rs. 4,011,054,982.

How such a huge amount was paid to the contractor and those responsible in the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management have become the subject of an investigation by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID). They are now recording statements from the officials concerned.

Noting that the present Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister had forwarded a Cabinet Memorandum in July last year on the project, Mr. Karunanayake has noted that there is no reference in that to another memorandum dated February 16 last year.

In that, the Minister had sought approval to resume the project and urged the Finance Ministry to expedite negotiations to obtain credit facilities from the Exim Bank of China. Mr. Karunanayake has added that the Cabinet of Ministers was informed that even though a commercial contract has been signed with China Camce Company Limited, it had not become effective as finalisation of the loan agreement with the Exim Bank of China, which is one of the main conditions for Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract, has not been fulfilled.

Now, Finance Minister Karunanayake has sought ministerial approval to appoint a Special Committee comprising senior administration, finance, engineering and contract law officials to study the developments. They are to ascertain whether the contract agreement where payment has been made could be implemented without any additional cost to the Government. The Committee will also study the negative impact and costs if one party wanted to terminate the agreement unilaterally.

In keeping with the FCID investigations, Minister Karunanayake also wants the Committee to ascertain whether those officials involved have violated any financial regulations, government procedures and circular instructions.He also wants to determine whether the advance payment could be recovered without any adverse implications.

An official source said yesterday that the FCID probe came at the instance of a senior police official dealing with personal security. Though funds were paid, no action has been taken to pursue the matter further. Thus, the chances of anyone benefitting from the advance payments was highly unlikely, the source pointed out.

Former SLAF chief to Afghanistan

Former Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal (Rtd) Gagan Bulathsinghala will appear before the Parliamentary High Posts Committee which examines suitability of persons appointed to state service and state corporations.

This is after he was named Sri Lankas Ambassador to Afghanistan.

Utter confusion over abortive day of mourning

There was utter confusion this week as the Government tried to decide whether or not to declare the occasion of former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremananayake's funeral on December 31 as a National Day of Mourning.

The saga started sometime in the morning of Wednesday, December 28, when the Home Affairs Ministry announced that yesterday would, indeed, be a National Day of Mourning.

This would mean that all bars would be closed till midnight on New Year's Eve and that the hospitality industry would be barred from serving alcohol to the thousands of revellers who would be out on the town that night. This was hardly going to invoke blessings upon the recently departed.

This unpleasant reality seems to have dawned rather quickly on the Home Affairs Ministry because shortly afterwards it was announced that the National Day of Mourning had now been shifted to December 30. But the country barely had time to let out a collective sigh of relief. A few hours later, the same Ministry stated that there would be no Day of National Mourning at allonly a funeral for the late Mr. Wickremanayake with State honours!

Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena had the decency to sound sheepish when contacted for an explanation of these bizarre events. He confided that when the first decision was taken that morning, there had been insufficient time to coordinate with the deceased's family. He did not explain how, or why, the date was advanced but said the final decision was made because Mr. Wickremanayake's next-of-kin did not wish any inconvenience upon the public.

Economist Deshal de Mel had this to say on Twitter about the administration's wavering: "Maybe GoSL can declare it a 'National Day of Somewhat Upset' if not outright mourning."

Palestine issue: Smart move by Rajapaksa

The passage of the United Nations Security Council resolution reiterating that Israels settlements in occupied Palestine are a violation of international law has some political importance to Sri Lankan politicians also.

No sooner the resolution was adopted on Friday December 23, with the United States abstaining, than former President Mahinda Rajapaksa telephoned Palestinian ambassador Zuhair Hamdallah Dar Zaid to congratulate him and express his happiness. The former President, who was once the president of the Sri Lanka-Palestine Solidarity Movement, asked the ambassador to convey his warmest congratulations and best wishes to Palestine Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the people of Palestine.

In political circles, the former presidents gesture was seen as a smart move aimed at winning over and placating the Muslims, most of whom did not vote for him at the last presidential election because of his failure to check the activities of anti-Muslim groups. And, Mr. Rajapaksa is not politically naive not to know that the Muslims are expressing their displeasure at the present government also because it abstained from voting when a pro-Palestinian resolution was taken up at a UNESCO meeting in October.

Pay more, wait longer at BIA

From today, embarkation tax for international flights originating from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will be Rs. 7000 or US$ 50.

On top of that, passengers have been warned that they should turn up five hours ahead of a flight. This is in view of repairs now being carried out to the runway.

As one irate passenger pointed out, it would take him six hours or more to fly to the South Indian City of Chennai  a flight lasting 55 minutes.

Lady director removed from five star hotel board

The Treasury has removed a lady member from the Board of Directors of a leading tourist hotel in the city where it holds the controlling interest.

The surprise move came last week. Her appointment to the position, it was claimed earlier, was part of a settlement over issues related to the hotel.

However, a Treasury source said yesterday they had the legal authority to make the change.

Unlike Trump, Sirisena highlights climate change in New Year message

The major highlight of President Maithripala Sirisenas message for 2017 is on global warming.

Though some world leaders like for example US President-elect Donald Trump have pooh-poohed the dangers of global warming, Sirisena firmly believes in what it portends.

He said, The adverse effects of climate change show us the imperative need to be prepared for weather uncertainties. We have to be determined this year to live with nature and not above or against it.

Of course, there is also another message Mr. Sirisena is delivering. The Cabinet of Ministers has been repeatedly warned of an impending drought that could hamper paddy production and lead to a rice shortage. Ministers have decided that the public should be kept informed of the situation from time to time.
Not allowing the option of jury trials in politically excitable cases View(s):

Consternation accompanied by fervent chest beating on the part of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in regard to the acquittal of suspects (including three Navy intelligence officers) charged with the murder of TNA parliamentarian and lawyer N. Raviraj in Colombo in 2006, is an instructive lesson in regard to the evils of political game-playing.

Notably this vehemence had been absent regarding the unconscionably delayed legal inquiries into the killings of five Tamil students in Trincomalee and seventeen aid workers in Mutur during that same year. Neither was a whimper raised when the Unity Government deafeningly trumpeted that the independence of the judiciary in Sri Lanka had been restored subsequent to the defeat of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2015. On the contrary, this outrageous claim was fully supported by the TNA at the time.

Greater prudence not seen

Thus the single act of sending a sitting Chief Justice home by executive fiat (notwithstanding the many evils perpetrated by that worthy) and sitting in his place, a Chief Justice of Tamil ethnicity was paraded as having addressed minority concerns. While the (unfortunately) un-blinkered among us took this assertion with a grain of salt, it resonated with an international community which was too relieved to have seen the last of the Rajapaksas to seriously question this preposterous assertion. Suffice to say that this mischievous propaganda spin was backed enthusiastically by the Governments political partners and cheered on by its civil society supporters, including most reprehensibly by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka which should have exercised greater prudence.

Two years later, this profound lack of foresight if not manifest political dishonesty haunts us. Failures of justice range from the dismal performance of the hyped anti-corruption effort and inability to seize the ill-gotten gains of the Rajapaksas to spectacular failures of justice in regard to extra judicial executions, enforced disappearances and torture. This is precisely why the state party report before the United Nations Committee against Torture (CAT) some months ago was a weary litany of the same justifications and excuses put forward by its predecessor. This is also the same reason why state agents responsible for the most grievous abuses during the Rajapaksa decade reinvented themselves as yahapalayana flagbearers.

And last but least, this was why the worst counter-terror draft law since Sri Lankas independence was drafted in secret even while the initial draft to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) by the Law Commission of Sri Lanka was unceremoniously discarded. Ironically (given its conservative bent), the Law Commissions draft, albeit with gaps including its ambivalence on giving a suspect the right to legal counsel at the very first stage of arrest, is far better than the other secretive counter terror draft .

Leaving the Rule of Law dysfunction untouched

In whole, the change in Government switched faces around in power but left much untouched under the surface, particularly where the prosecutorial and legal process was concerned. Grave concerns of the Rule of Law were kept in abeyance. No effort was made to separate outstanding concerns regarding the countrys dysfunctional justice institutions from political spin. The Raviraj acquittal is the most recent manifestation of this.

Let us take the central premise of the objection relating to the acquittal which focuses on the all-Sinhalese jury that heard the matter and came to the conclusion (reportedly) that the accused cannot be convicted based solely on the fact that they were identified by several witnesses in the case. Certainly this is not the first case which involves the prickly issue of acquittals of (Sinhalese) accused by all Sinhalese jury trials in cases involving atrocities perpetuated on Sri Lankas minorities.

There is a long string of such cases, including the Mylanthanai Case where the accused Sinhalese soldiers opted for a jury trial with a Sinhala speaking jury. Witnesses were brought all the way from Trincomalee in the Eastern province to the capital Colombo for the trial. The accused were acquitted on 25 November 2002.

The acquittal occurred despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary as buttressed by (then) High Court Judge, the late S.Sriskandarajahs observations urging the jury to reconsider its decision in the light of several factors in the evidence placed before it. However, the same verdict was returned by the jury.

Trial-at-bar more suitable in excitable cases

More recently we had the acquittals of the accused in the mass murder of twenty four Tamil villagers including women and children of the Kumarapuram village in Trincomalee in the same circumstances. So there is a pattern which cannot be airily brushed aside on the assumption that these acquittals were right and proper because they were arrived at through a legal process.

That said, to focus solely on the argument that the Raviraj acquittal poses a crisis of credibility where gross atrocities relating to Sri Lankas minorities are concerned raises the risk of missing the wood of Sri Lankas dysfunctional justice system for the ethnic trees so as to speak. This caution against jury trials applies across ethnicities. As expounded by (the late) Justice T.S Fernando way back in the early 1960s, the introduction of trial without jury in cases which up to that time had been triable by jury was based on the rationale that the chances of ensuring an unbiased jury at times when public feeling is profoundly disturbed, whatever be the cause, are considerably lessened.

If diligent scrutiny takes place of the many historical markers in that regard, this caution was true, for example, of jury trials in relation to cases where (Sinhalese) suspects were acquitted in the killings of (Sinhalese) civilians by all Sinhalese juries as well. The fundamental (and commonsensical) principle here is that a trial-at-bar is the most appropriate mechanism for cases that give rise to excitable public opinions.

Sober reflections in order

As 2016 draws to a close, sober reflections are in order. As last weeks column pointed out, Sri Lankas justice system works when it has to. It does not work when there are other considerations in play, most notably the lack of political will and the convenient subversion of the legal process by interested parties, including judges, prosecutors and others with vested interests. Civil society pressure is most useful in changing that dynamic provided that there is a basic element of genuineness in responding to the problem.

It is time to deal with the crisis of justice as a core national concern instead of cosmetically or only as a concern confined to the countrys minorities.
War declared against the king View(s):

This article is part of a continuing series on Sri Lankan history



In 1644, the Dutch got organized for the herding of elephants. For this purpose, they obtained four tame elephants from the Portuguese on a loan basis. They were able to catch the elephants but half of them were given to the Portuguese with the intention of catching elephants in the following year too.

He forcibly took the tame elephants of the king. King Rajasinghe was also looking for an opportunity to start a war. He sent a strong letter to the Dutch leader. He organized his army and marched towards the Dutch camp in the village of Pannare, in the Seven Korales.

They thought this will enable them to get all the elephants that will be caught the next year. On these grounds, they were contemplating starting a quarrel with the Portuguese. It is at this time that Jan Thyszoon, named as the Governor of Victory, declared war against the King of Kandy.

The Dutch leaders in Batavia were not at all happy about this declaration of war. They then appointed a new governor to Sri Lanka. He was Jan Maetsuyker by name. Immediately on his arrival, he sent a letter to King Rajasinghe.

He begged pardon for the wrongs committed by the Dutch. He further informed the king that these faults resulted in the recalling of

Jan Thyszoon.

He further stated in the letter that the elephants seized from the king would be returned. Though he said so in his letter, nothing of the sort happened. Jan Thyszoon was not removed from his post nor were the elephants caught by force returned to the king. The Dutch took action to leave the camp in Pannare.

By Halaliye Karunathilake

Edited and translated by Kamala Silva

Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila
A multiple talent with a Divine calling By Susitha R. Fernando Givantha Arthasad-Father of animation filmmaking in Sri Lanka View(s): View(s):

Multi-talented television and cinema artistes and pioneer in cartoon and animation filmmaking in Sri Lanka, Givantha Arthasad was recently awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Sri Lanka Press Association.

The citation for his award noted on his contribution to cinema and television art. He was instrumental in creating an animation film camera and Special Effects and Optical Printer. He was also honoured for creating first animated cartoon film in the Sri Lanka film industry with his Dutugemunu in 1979.

Givantha is multiply talented and has mastered eight different fields including painting, printing, animation filmmaking, make up and cinematography.

I have seven teachers and eighty fields in my life, says Givantha with contentment. As he was an expert in different field it is hard to find what is his forte is. But he has managed to be the top in all the fields he worked.

For example, Givantha a completely self taught printer today is a lecturer in printing at the University of Sri Jayawardenapura. There he shares his vast knowledge acquired through his own experiments and vast reading.

A man who loves his work and fully dedicated to what he does, Givanthas motto is the world is my field, the very motto of Revd. John Wesley, an Anglican cleric and theologian who co-founded Methodism.

He believes that the religious upbringing and his life dedicated to faith has helped him overcome all odds in life and be success in everything he started.

My father wanted to make me a pastor because my parents had made a promise to God. This was after my elder brother died immediately after birth. So when I was to be born my father had made a promise that I would be dedicated to God, says Givantha reminiscing about his life.

But having realised that I would not pursue a religious life my father gave me the freedom to decide on my future, says Givantha who thinks that it was his fathers guidance made him to be what he is today.

Having completed GEC ordinary level, Givantha realised that there was no education institute to pursue what he was yearnig to learn.

Started education at Methodist College Katunayake, Givantha had a colourful and memorable childhood. His both parents were teachers and he was brought up among children who visited his house everyday after school.

My father was a teacher and he was handling scouts. Children used to come to learn art from my mother. I can remember my mother used to turn old gramophone discs to beautiful decorations and I was memorised with this world, says Givantha elated by his memories.

At the age of 3, I was able to read the newspaper and at the age of four my father told me to read the newspaper upside down and I was able to do that too says Givantha how his father moulded him to be different person.

At the age of 5 we got a radio and my father told me to read what is in the newspaper in style of news reading in radio. So I was following the giants in the radio art like Cyril Rajapaksa and Karunaratne Abeysekera, Givantha said.

Several decades later what Givantha was taught by his father has yielded and today he is being used to record the Bible for dramatized reading by the Ceylon Bible Society.

For 2nd standard clasee Givantha came to Wesly College and that was the turning point in his life. My class teacher was great actor Cyril Wickremage who was 22 years elder to me, said Givantha.

In the next standard there was a teacher called Miss Ivy Marasinghe. That was Prof. Walter Marasinghes aunt. She was a good artist. She was my class teacher and I was in the hostel. We were given the opportunity to watch 16 mm cartoons films during the weekend and there I first witnessed the cartoon characters like Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. I inquired from the teacher as to how to make a cartoon film and teacher asked me whether I was really interested in learning it. And two weeks later she gave me a comprehensive lesson on cartoon film making. I later came to know that she had gone to the British Council and had read about cartoon filmmaking and this was just to answer my curious question, says Givantha who was ever grateful to Ms. Ivy for introducing him to the world of cartoon.

This lead Givantha to make a cartoon film and he met filmmaker Bermin Lylie Fernando. It was 1971 and I have the basic drawing and I did Andare. Since there was no animation camera we used to shot the each drawing with film camera, cut frames and glue them to make1440 frames for one minute of the film. It was shot in small parts, develop it and negatives are glued, Givantha explained the magic of animation filmmaking.

It was the time when short films like Dharmasena Pathirajas Sathuro, D. B. Nihalsinghes Bakthi and Sunil Ariyaratnes Saragee, Parakrama Silvas Bhagna Asha, P. V. Pereras Manasgee were screened. The screenings were organised by the Film Critics and Journalists Association and there were writers like Sunil Perera, Leslie Botheju and Gamini Haththottuwegama who were writing on them. Givantha got an opportunity to screen my film among above mentioned film.

Before making Dutugemun, Givantha made about ten short films and he believes that it was this experience seasoned him to make the cartoon film.

Givantha is grateful to Dr. Lester Peries and Mrs. Peries who gave him the idea of making an Optical printer. After making the animation film, I went to meet Dr. Peries and it was he who gave me the idea to make the optical printer.

When the television medium was started in 1982, Givantha had to do a leading role in the television industry. He was all rounder working in almost all the departments. He was instrumental in introducing two Christian programmes Sudasuna or Bonavista for Christian and Supuwatha made by Fr. Benedict Joseph for Catholics. Even the thematic music of the Catholic programme made by me is played, Givantha said.

However several years ago Givantha had to prematurely retire from SLRC as he was facing a problem with vision. This was against the decision of many of his seniors has his knowledge, experience and dedication was irreplaceable.

Years later Givantha still continue to work and share his knowledge and he believes that it was Gods calling and he was serving in His field.
Docs thrash out pros and cons of abortion By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Jury still out  no verdict given View(s): View(s):

The hills of Kandy came alive, not with the sound of music, but with arguments and counter-arguments on two major and controversial but timely issues surrounding life and death.

Abortion and euthanasia, were the burning topics discussed in friendly debates by doctors that took up the whole morning of Wednesday, in an event organised by the forward-thinking Mid-country Psychiatrists at the Tourmaline Hotel.

At the end of the debates, the jury was still out, like in the country, and no clear verdict issued on whether abortion and euthanasia should be legalized.

We, the Mid-country Psychiatrists, meet once a month to discuss teenage pregnancies, plight of the Sri Lankan male etc. Abortion and euthanasia have been in the air for awhile, said Senior Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Ranil Abeyasinghe based in Kandy, pointing out that politicians dont touch these issues. Its a political graveyard and ordinary people dont want to hear it. So it is our duty to debate these topics and carry forward these issues, with reason and science prevailing.

Explaining that there are tests to identify foetal abnormalities, he asked what could be done if such tests were positive. Affluent parents will go to Singapore and get abortions performed but the other parents went home with the babies who have such abnormalities.

Lauding the efforts of Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Gihan Abeywardena attached to the Kurunegala Hospital and his team for seeing to all the behind-the-scenes arrangements for the debates, Dr. Abeyasinghe said the Mid-country Psychiatrists were an informal group drawn from Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Mahiyanganaya, Kurunegala and Nikaweratiya.

Thereafter, two groups of six doctors each locked horns to hotly debate abortion and euthanasia moderated by Prof. Varuni de Silva and Prof. Raveen Hanwella, both Professors in Psychiatry at the Colombo Medical Faculty, respectively.

While a majority of the debaters were Psychiatrists including two from Australia, the exceptions were an Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, an Anaesthetist and a Forensic Specialist from other medical fields and a Psychologist from the non-medical arena.

The first debate on The woman should have the legal right to abortion in Sri Lanka then took off. The pro-abortion (proposing) team comprised Leader and Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Kalyana Rodrigo from Canberra, Australia; Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Sardha Hemapriya of the Kandy Teaching Hospital; and Senior Lecturer in Forensic Medicine Dr. Induwara Gooneratne of the Peradeniya Medical Faculty. The anti-abortion (opposing) team comprised Leader and Consultant Psychiatrist/Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry Dr. Shehan Williams of the Ragama Medical Faculty, Kelaniya University; Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Jayan Mendis of the National Institute of Mental Health, Angoda; and Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Sajeewana Amerasinghe of the Tangalle Base Hospital.

The pro-abortion team put forth the view that as people can decide when to have a child, the choice whether to terminate a pregnancy should not be taken out of the womans hands. Dr. Kalyana Rodrigo with his hand on his heart asked the audience whether they would decide on the sanctity of life of the foetus if their mothers, wives or daughters were raped and the morning-after-pill did not work.

The choice should be the womans and we need to support her, whatever decision she takes, whether to terminate the pregnancy or bring up the child, he said, adding that life began four billion years ago, but human life has been around only for 2.5 million years.

We have grandiose ideas and have endowed ourselves with human rights, he said, adding that in the bigger scheme of things, however, bacteria are more important than humans.

Dr. Rodrigo also argued that nothing is black and white, there should be a case-by-case decision on abortion and for that Sri Lanka should have enabling legislation to let the woman decide.

This is while Dr. Sardha Hemapriya elaborated along with disturbing photographs the suffering of mothers-to-be when the foetus has serious issues such as anencephaly when the brain is not developed, the foetus has its organs developing out of its body or when there are genetic abnormalities. We can detect abnormalities through tests such as amniocentesis but there is no law allowing termination. If we can terminate such pregnancies at around 11 to 13 weeks we can alleviate much suffering for the mother, he said.

Currently, around the world there are seven causes which would permit the termination of a pregnancy. They are: To save a womans life; to preserve a womans physical health; to preserve a womans mental health; in the case of rape or incest; because of foetal impairment; for economic or social reasons; and on request. Sri Lanka allows termination only to save a womans life but we need to consider several other causes which merit a termination, he urged.

Referring to the fact that many maternal deaths are due to serious heart conditions, Dr. Hemapriya said heart disease and several other illnesses such as pulmonary hypertension are conditions in the medical world which are contraindications for pregnancy. If the pregnancy continues, the mother will die and as such termination is the only option.

Dr. Induwara Gooneratne said that anti-abortionists were stuck between assumption, fiction and reality. If the argument is that people should resort to contraception as against abortion, everyone is aware about the failure of contraception sometimes.

He also spoke at length on how science has not yet solved the problem of when life actually starts in the womb and the law must decide on pragmatic evidence.

Reiterating that abortion is happening in Sri Lanka under trained and untrained hands, Dr. Gooneratne said that when the woman is given the choice by law her safety would be ensured.

This is also an issue affecting the poor, he said, adding that when a rich woman needs an abortion she can go to Singapore and get it done, but the poor woman has to face the burden of bearing the baby, feeding the baby and also taking care of the baby.

He asked whether any woman who is the victim of rape, gang-rape or incest would want to have a baby from that terrible, life-changing experience.

Contraception answer to killing helpless foetusPointing to a beautiful image of a foetus in the womb, the anti-abortion team leader Dr. Shehan Williams strongly defended the right to life of that innocent little, helpless and voiceless being with the potential of becoming like all those in the room that day.Contraception is the answer to abortion, he said, stressing that abortion is about human rights and this is why the sanctity of life needs to be given consideration.Allowing the woman to make the choice of abortion is a male chauvinist way of washing the hands off the issue and getting the woman to do the dirty work and not taking responsibility for not using a condom. We allow life to be destroyed but we are not ready to take the responsibility, said Dr. Williams. How can we teach our children about murder if we allow a foetus throbbing with life to be killed, he asked, adding that there is evidence of a silent scream from the foetus when the vacuum goes in and takes its life. What of the sanctity of life? As human beings, we need to protect human kind. Countering the argument that his team was against sex, Dr. Williams was quick to point out that they are not against love. We dont condemn it, but say condom it, he said, drawing much laughter. Abortion will lead to selections, leaving only the Usain Bolts (the Jamaican sprinter considered the fastest man) of this world alive or members of a super race, said Dr. Williams citing the Nuremburg Trials (held to bring Nazi war criminals to justice for crimes against humanity). Do we want to go down that path? He added that the law is simplistic and the legal framework can be manipulated. Any decision on abortion should be built-up on common values, ideals and rights. Dr. Jayan Mendis pointing out that they were not talking about a few percent of foetal abnormalities or women with certain medical conditions who have been told not to conceive, said that just because contraception use could not be promoted, the answer should not lie in killing off normal foetuses. In Sri Lanka, he said, there is a claim that there are 650 abortions a day. Are all these abortions performed on foetuses with anencephaly or congenital heart disease? They are performed on well-formed normal foetuses. A foetus is a living, complete human being. This is why abortion is wrong. Foetuses can feel pain, Dr. Mendis reiterated, asking why the decision to terminate should be left only to the mother. What about the father? Then it should be the decision of both. He was adamant that abortion, also called foetal homicide or foeticide, will reduce peoples respect for life and abortion should not be made a substitute for contraception. Its immoral to kill the unborn child for convenience, he said, quoting the Hippocratic Oath which all doctors swear by that nor will I give a woman a pessary to procure abortion. Dr. Sajeewana Amerasinghe, meanwhile, pointed out that induced abortion causes depression in a woman and can lead to an increased suicide risk. Abortion is associated with mental health issues. Citing the case of India, he said that for every legal abortion there were 10 illegal abortions. Sex-selective abortions of female foetuses became worse in both India and Nepal. Quoting studies in Sri Lanka, he said that contraceptive use was only 16.3% among women undergoing unsafe abortions, while 29% had repeat abortions. He argued that an improvement in the womens educational level was the most important factor and not the legal status of abortion. The way to reduce illegal abortion is to improve sex education, increase contraceptive knowledge and availability, promote adoption and empower single mothers by reducing stigma, promoting their continuation of education and also providing flexible working hours and financial support, added Dr. Amerasinghe.

(Next: Spotlight on euthanasia)
Farmers direct fury at irrigation officials for worst drought in seven years By Kasun Warakapitiya View(s): View(s):

Farmers are accusing Government officials of being unprepared for the worst drought in seven years, which has roasted thousands of hectares of paddy lands and put drinking water sources in peril.

Many farmers are turning their hand to other activities and some are even looking for other jobs away from their traditional rice-growing areas, farmer groups say. They say officials had not warned farmers of the severe drought conditions, which are expected to continue.

For two successive quarters now agriculture-related activities have shrunk in the country. The price of rice, meanwhile, has risen.

Director of Irrigation S.S.L Weerasinghe told the Sunday Times that water levels in irrigation tanks and canals had shrunk to 33 per cent of normal levels.

He said agriculture officials had been warned of water shortages.

Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Hambantota, Trincomalee, Vavuniya and Ampara have borne the brunt of the drought.

The District Secretariats of areas baked by the drought said there were plans to provide water to farmlands.

District Secretary of Anuradhapura R.M Wanninayake said the water levels of major irrigation tanks have fallen to 30 per cent of normal levels.

He revealed that only 32,248 hectares of rice had been cultivated out of an estimated one million hectares in the past rice-growing season. He said 48,678 hectares were to have been used for growing vegetables but only 27,900 hectares were cultivated.

Farmers would be provided subsidies and they would be employed to repair tanks, he said.

Wanninayake said he had asked farmers to look for other sources of water for drinking before the drought worsens.

The District Secretary of Batticaloa Ms P.S.M Charles revealed that more than 586,000 people do not have access to drinking water.

Farmers had cultivated only 62,000 hectares, which is 1,000 hectares less than what they would have cultivated.

This is the worst drought we have experienced since I took office about seven years back, she said. Water supply officials had been asked to provide drinking water to families through tankers. Next week we plan to meet with the divisional secretaries to discuss ways to face the drought, she said.

Hambantota Divisional Secretary Sumanthi Edirisuriya said families badly affected by the drought had been asked to register, while farmers were urged to conserve water.

Some farmers are not too pleased that the water that remains in tanks are not being released for cultivation.

Anuradhapura farmer Susantha Kumra Nawaratna complained that authorities claim to preserve water for drinking and other uses.

He revealed that Kala Wewa, Nuwara Wewa, Galnewa and Nachadauwa tanks have run dry.

Nawaratna said rice growers are exploring chances to grow other crops to survive

Even I have decided to find a job as a labourer to support my family. I told my father to manage the crop while I work in town, he said.

Farmer Jayanath Sandaruwan Rajapaksha, who lives near Hurulu wewa said even the waters of the Mahaweli were not enough to cultivate the Yala and Maha seasons.

Farmers have been inconvenienced because of the Irrigation Department. They have not even repaired the Hurulu wewa for 28 years, he said adding that five other tanks have been abandoned.

He is also thinking of leaving for Colombo in search of a job.

Farmer Asoka Wimalasuriya also from Anuradhapura said farmers were planning to cultivate other crops.

He said that the Nachchaduwa tank overflowed in May when it rained heavily, then dried up later.

P.B. Sarath, a farmer from Polonnaruwa alleged that there was sufficient water in some tanks but what remained was being used for power generation.

He said Mahaweli project officials were giving priority to electricity generation rather than growing rice.

There was enough water in large reservoirs such as the Parakrama Samudraya, Minneriya and Kawdulla, but officials were preserving the water, he noted. Sarath blames incompetent water management by irrigation and Mahaweli officials for the crisis.

Meanwhile, the All-Island Farmers Federation, national organiser Namal Karunaratne said the Government was ill-prepared for the drought.

He added that due to lack of support from the Government, most farmers have begun to look for other ways to make a living.

The Director General of the Department Agriculture Dr. Rohan Wijekoon told the Sunday Times that 150,000 hectares had been abandoned in the wet zone.

We plan to encourage farmers to cultivate the lands in the wet zone, he said.

Power crisis looms in new year Sri Lankans will have to once again prepare for power shortages, especially in the first four months, the energy regulator has warned and the loss-making state-run power utility, the Ceylon Electricity Board, says it will purchase 60 megawatts from private suppliers. CEB General Manager Y M Samarasinghe said tenders have been called. The board will pay Rs 36 per unit. Having warned of a power crisis, the energy regulator, the Public Utilities Commission, recommended full use of all thermal generation plants, tapping energy from generators, and adding new generation plants. The energy regulator recommended that the CEB speed up procurement of 50 mobile generation units after closing the bids on January 4. Amid multi-billion rupee losses, the CEB is facing challenging times in the new year. We fear that the dry season will continue for six months from the beginning of the new year. Thermal plants are also on standby, Samarasinghe said. Samarasinghe assured mechanics and engineers will be prepared. We are planing to provide uninterpreted power during the drought, she promised.
Former PM Ratnasiri Wickremanayakes last rites; Honest and humble he was an example to all politicians: President Sirisena View(s):

The last rites of former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake were performed yesterday at the Horana Urban Council Grounds, with the participation of a host of dignitaries and large crowds of mourners. President Maithripala Sirisena, former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan were among the mourners and addressed the gathering.

The former Prime Minister and Kalutara District MP was accorded a State funeral in his native Horana.

Delivering his condolence message, President Sirisena eulogised the late Prime Minister as an honest and humble individual who was an example to all politicians. Current politicians, especially, have a lot to learn from his character, he emphasized. The President said, he himself had learned a lot from Mr Wickremanayake, due to his long association with him in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

The President observed that Mr Wickremanayake had served in many positions as a peoples representative, going onto become an MP, Deputy Minister, Minister, Opposition Leader and Prime Minister. He also served as General Secretary of the SLFP for a long period, successfully guiding the party through one of its most turbulent periods in the early 1980s, Mr. Sirisena added.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in a condolence message read out at the ceremony by Minister of Tourism and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga, noted that Mr Wickremanayake worked tirelessly to safeguard Parliamentary traditions. He also recalled having the honour of working with the late Prime Minister for many years, adding that, the late premier never let party politics get in the way of working together.
High-level concern over Htota project View(s):

Chinese ambassador meets President

President Maithripala Sirisena has included his own nominee in a committee negotiating the concession agreement for the Hambantota port privatisation.

While the Government proposes to sign the final deal with China Merchants Port Holdings Company (CMPort) in Hambantota on January 7, no finality has been reached on its terms and conditions.

By inducting one of his advisors into the committee of ministry secretaries formulating the agreement with CMPort, the President has made it clear that he wants to be kept posted regularly of the decisions made. The advisor, Dr. Sarath Rajapatirana, was appointed on Friday, just days before the scheduled date of signing. He is a governing board member of the Institute of Policy Studies and an economic advisor to President Sirisena, who has been in consultation with Chinas Ambassador Yi Xinliang.

The Presidents move came amidst complaints by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) that it had little influence in the negotiations being carried out with CMPort, the sources said. Representations had been made in this regard to the President and a set of documents handed over.

The Government hopes to finalise the concession agreement as soon as possible, Development Strategies Minister Malik Samarawickrama confirmed to the Sunday Times yesterday. He said the committee would hold meetings throughout next week. He claimed not to know further details saying, My job is over. My job was to bring the investor in.

The objective of the Government is to sign the concession agreement for the Hambantota port on January 7 but the finer details have not been released. On that day, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will also preside over the launch of the Hambantota Development Programme, organised by the Ministry of Law and Order and Southern Development. Invitations have already been sent out.

CMPort was formerly known as China Merchants Holdings (International) Ltd or CMHI. Its name was changed in April last year. It is the same entity that signed an agreement on September 16, 2014, with the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration to develop the Hambantota port.

These details transpired during a meeting between President Sirisena and Chinese Ambassador Yi on Wednesday when the latter met the President to raise concerns over corruption allegations related to the Hambantota deal.

In 2014, a Supply, Operate and Transfer (SOT) agreement for the Hambantota Port Phase II was entered into between representatives of CMHI, China Construction Company Ltd and the SLPA in the presence of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. The partners in the SOT project were to have been CMHI, China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd and the SLPA.

Under the deal, a company set up by the SLPA in partnership with the two Chinese firms was to have brought in equipment and operated container berths and yards in Hambantota Port Phase II for 35 years. One terminal was to have been run by the SLPA. But after annulling that arrangement last month, the Government consented to sign over an 80 percent stake in Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port to a single Chinese company for 99 years.

The SLPA will now hold 20 percent equity in the joint venture to be set up with China Merchant Port Holdings Company Ltd. CMPort will pay a transaction value of US$ 1.4 billion to the Government and will consider a request from the SLPA for royalties only when port utilisation reaches a mutually-agreed level of performance. The new arrangement will cover the entire port and its services.

At Wednesdays meeting, the Chinese Ambassador expressed concern over allegations by the Governments coalition partner Jathika Hela Urumaya that certain ministers connected to the US$ 1.4 billion Hambantota port deal had visited China to get their commissions for fixing the project. Mr. Yi had explained the transaction and connected matters, the sources said.

According to the latest framework agreement, the CMPort is not bound to pay any dividends from the port for 15 years to the Sri Lankan partner even after becoming a commercially viable venture. The company will also enjoy tax free benefits during the same period.

Amidst all this, the Lands Ministry has suspended the surveying of 15,000 acres earmarked to be handed over to CMPort under the privatisation deal. The interruption is temporary and was prompted by public protest in Hambantota, Lands Ministry Secretary I.H.K. Mahanama said. In recent days, there have been demonstrations prompted by fears that the massive land acquisition plan will lead to loss of livelihood and homesteads.

Minister Samarawickrama has been quoted as saying that the 15,000 acres project will go ahead as most of the land is owned by the State. Compensation will be paid for any private properties that are taken over.

The Surveyor Generals Department had started demarcating the boundaries based on areas identified by the prospective investor. They were earmarked and we got ready to see whether we can go forward, a Lands Ministry official said. The Prime Minister instructed us to survey the boundaries. When we began that, the people opposed it.
Lottery ticket sellers up in arms against price increase By Chris Kamalendran View(s): View(s):

Though lottery dealers and agents are threatening to stop selling tickets, the Government is going ahead with the decision to increase the price of lottery tickets from tomorrow (2).

Currently, there are 300,000 street lottery sellers including disabled persons. Last week, lottery agents threatened to stop selling tickets if the price was increased. They say that, even at the current rate of Rs 20, they find it difficult to sell tickets.

National Lotteries Board (NLB) Chairperson Shyamala Perera told the Sunday Times that the price increase was a 2017 Budget proposal. We too are aware that sales may drop and consequently, our revenue may also reduce. With the increase of Rs10, the NLB has to pay Rs 5 per ticket, to the Treasury as excise duty, she revealed.

We give many benefits to the lottery sellers, including life insurance cover, promotional work and materials. We are also accept return of unsold tickets. Currently, dealers are paid Rs 3.50 as sales commission per ticket, which will become Rs 4, with the price increase, and agents will be paid cents 30 per ticket. We spend 50% of the total revenue as prizes, while 16% goes to the consolidated fund. Another 15% is paid as Value Added Tax (VAT).

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the All Ceylon Lottery Sellers Association said, Even at the rate of Rs 20, we find it difficult to sell the tickets, and are currently paying Rs 2.50 per ticket to street sellers. Hence, we end up with only Re1 as sales commission. With that commission, we have to pay our employees and cover other overheads. The price increase will have a negative effect on the entire lottery industry. We have urged the President to intervene and reverse this decision on the price increase, he said.
Poaching: Lanka wants high priority for bottom-trawling issue By S. Rubatheesan View(s): View(s):

With the Indo-Lanka Joint Working Group (JWG) due to hold its second round of meetings in Colombo tomorrow, Sri Lanka will ask India how effectively it would address the bottom trawling practice in the Palk Strait, a Sri Lankan delegation official said.

We agreed on certain proposals at the last JWG meeting in New Delhi. These included Indias assurance that it would put a full stop to bottom trawling. We will follow up on this ahead of the Ministerial level talks next week in Colombo, the official said.

Prior to the Ministerial level talks, a high level discussions co-chaired by the Secretary of Sri Lankas Fisheries Ministry and Indias Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries took place yesterday in New Delhi. Fisheries Ministry Secretary W.M.M.R. Adikari led the five-member Lankan delegation which includes Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard officials.

The Joint Working Group was set up to find a sustainable solution to the issue of poaching by Indian fishermen.

Indias Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh will be heading a high level Indian delegation while the Sri Lankan delegation will be headed by Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera. Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samarweera is also to participate along with representatives of the Navy, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and the Attorney Generals Department.At the first meeting, both governments agreed to a request by Fishermens Associations that there should be no violence and no loss of life in the handling of fishermen by the navies and coast guards of the two countries.

It was also decided to expedite the transition towards ending the practice of bottom trawling at the earliest, working out the modalities for the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handing over of arrested fishermen, and ascertaining possibilities for cooperation of joint patrolling of the two countries Navies.

According to the Fisheries Ministry, the trespassing of Tamil Nadu trawlers into Lankan waters in recent months has gone down by half, as the Navy and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard took tough action. They continue to arrest the poaching fishermen and seize the vessels.

Usually nearly 5,000 Indian fishing vessels enter Sri Lankan waters at least three days per week and make a fish catch of about 6,000 metric tonnes a week. This amounts to an annual loss of Rs. 9,000 million to Sri Lankas economy, a ministerial note says.

The Ministry has decided to release the arrested Indian fishermen on humanitarian grounds following legal action, but the seized vessels will not be released. Some 130 trawlers seized by the Navy are now in Sri Lankas custody.

Meanwhile, the Northern fishermen have expressed fears that compromises could be made at official level because the scheduled meeting was shifted to New Delhi from Colombo without prior notification.

There has to be procedural justice when negotiations are taking place at government level by giving enough time for both parties to negotiate a win-win solution. Fishermen are sceptical about these talks as they were not informed of the change of venue and it might create deep concern among the fisher folk communities, said Thiyagaraja Waradas, an adviser who took part in the recent fishermen level talks.

An Indian High Commission spokesperson confirmed that Indias External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would not participate in the second round of ministerial level talks in Colombo due to health concerns as she had undergone a kidney transplant operatio early this month.
Religious observances, charity, dinner-dances herald 2017 View(s):

Religious programmes, charitable events and dinner dances ushered in 2017 in most parts of the country, with police on alert for traffic violations.

Religious events were organised in temples, churches, kovils and mosques to coincide with the dawning of new year.

Devotees started gathering from last morning at places of worship including the Jaya Shri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura, Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and in Kataragama, while Catholic and Christian services were scheduled for midnight yesterday and thismorning.

Distribution of dry rations, food parcels, school books and clothes to the poor were among charitable events organised in various parts of the country, coinciding with the new year.

For some 3,000 prisoners in Welikada, a special programme has been organised today commencing with a pooja in the morning, followed by a breakfast organised for the inmates at Welikada, the prison hospital, and the womens section.

Leading hotels in Colombo and suburbs, Kandy, Negombo and Galle had organised grand New Years Eve gigs with lavish parties charging high prices from the revelers to make merry throughout 31st night, till the wee hours on the 1st.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic) Palitha Fernando said that, from midnight yesterday, for the next three days, police have launched an operation against those violating traffic laws.

He said some 300 policemen were deployed in Colombo city.

During the Christmas season there were 450 detections of speeding and drunk-driving within Colombo city. Therefore, the focus will be on detecting those responsible for these offences, he said.

Kingsbury Hotel had its Retro Fusion with Doctor and Marians at the Balmoral for Rs. 20,000, while their Sky Lounge Odyssey party sold for Rs 25,000 per head. Hilton dished out their New Year Party Disco Party at the poolside with Sri Lankas top DJs for Rs 9,000, while its Grand Ballroom Hilton sold for Rs 22,000. Mount Lavinias Moonlight Magic came alive at the poolside for Rs 19,000 per person.

Galle Face Hotel and Cinnamon Garand opted foreign acts (The Live ABBA tribute show and Beatlemania  The ultimate Beatles concert experience at Cinnamon Grand), instead of local musicians, sold for Rs 12,500 and 18,000 per head respectively.

The popular group Gypsies, came alive at Pegasus Reef Wattala and the dinner-dance tickets were priced at Rs. 10,000 per person

Waters Edge in Colombo saw Magic Box Mixup and Manilal perform at their new restaurant with a dance floor. The charge for the dance was Rs 9,000 per person.

Kandy too was vibrant this year with popular band Kurumba at Grand Kandyan Hotel for Rs 5,000 per head, while Duruthu Udanaya at Amaya Hills too sold for Rs 5,000 inclusive of dinner. Earls Regency Hotel had their party with Annesley Malewana for Rs 8,000 per ticket.

Negombo dances ranged from Rs 4,000 to Rs 12,000 per head, with dinner and breakfast
Rs. 3.9 billion loss on coal tender, but ministry goes ahead with controversial deal View(s):

By Namini Wijedasa

The Auditor Generals Department will state in its report on a controversial coal tender that the deal had cost the Government billions of rupees in losses, authoritative sources told the Sunday Times.

The report is expected to be presented to Parliament and will reveal that the losses were in excess of Rs 3.9 billion. In June 2016, the Supreme Court held that the same coal contract awarded to Swiss Singapore Overseas Enterprises Pte Ltd was flawed and had shocked the conscience of the Court. It ruled that Lanka Coal Company (LCC), the Governments procurement arm, may terminate the contract and call for fresh bids following competitive bidding procedure.

Despite this, Power and Renewable Energy Ministry has instructed LCC to place an order from Swiss Singapore for a fresh consignment of coal by January 7 this year. This is the date on which the purchasing of coal through spot tenders ends. Swiss Singapore will be called upon to supply 1.1 million tons of coal under its long-term contract with LCC.

For half a decade, procurement for the Lakvijaya coal power plant has been dogged by allegations of corruption and bid rigging. The last contractfor two million tons of coalwas awarded in July 2015 to Swiss Singapore by a Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee (SCAPC). But confidential documents which found their way into the public domain demonstrated that Swiss Singapore had secured the multibillion rupee deal by directly and illegally interfering with SCAPCs evaluation process.

The Supreme Court held in its judgment that the SCAPCs decision to award the tender to Swiss Singapore cannot stand valid in the eye of the law. It said act or decision made by SCAPC was outside its jurisdiction and, therefore, null and void for all purposes. It also said the Cabinet of Ministers had been misled.

But the Ministry maintained that the use of the word maywhich is discretionaryin the Supreme Court ruling left it open to interpretation whether or not the contentious tender should be cancelled. Ministry Secretary Suren Batagoda sought an opinion from the Attorney Generals Department in this regard. The AG affirmed on July 18, 2016, that the Supreme Court did not make any order/direction to cancel the impugned Agreement entered into between LCC and Swiss Singapore.

The AG also advised the Ministry to apprise the Cabinet of these matters and possible legal implications which have arisen. He offered three options: Cancel the agreement forthwith after giving requisite notice and call for fresh long-term tenders; consider the more financially viable spot tenders; or call for fresh tenders to take effect after the existing agreement with Swiss Singapore expires on April 30, 2017.

Two meetings were subsequently held between the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, Swiss Singapore and LCC. The coal trader refused to consider a cancellation of the contract and or to reduce the quantity of coal bought under the contract. It had already committed with mine owners to buy the coal required by Sri Lanka, it said, also rejecting a discount on agreed prices. Swiss Singapore warned it would go for international arbitration if the tender was revoked.

In August 2016, the Ministry presented a memorandum to the Cabinet painting two scenarios. The Government could implement the agreement until its expiry in April 2017 (a few months down the line) and then call long-term tenders for coal procurement. Or it could cancel the agreement with Swiss Singapore, risking international arbitration.

It also said that, If a minimum period of 3 months out of these 7 months is given for the company before the cancelation of the agreement, only a further 4 months period will remain. In unilaterally cancelling that 4 months period and going for international arbitration, a financial benefit is not foreseen. The Ministry recommended continuing with the contract.

It remains unclear why the Ministry told the Cabinet that notice of termination was required three months in advance. The relevant section of the coal supply agreement seen by the Sunday Times states that it may be terminated by giving thirty (30) days notice by either partya vital detail that Cabinet was misled on. Based on information provided by the Ministry to the Cabinet, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management decided in October to continue with the Swiss Singapore agreement till its expiry and to call fresh bids thereafter.

Accordingly, LCC was notified in November 2016 that the Cabinet had granted approval to continue to procure coal under the supply agreement signed with Swiss Singapore until the final date of the contract.

But the coal deal is now the subject of a fresh Supreme Court challenge. In October, Journalist Subash Jayawardena of Sathhanda petitioned the Court saying the Cabinet had been misled several times regarding the coal tender, including in the Cabinet memorandum of August 2016. He stated that grave financial loss will be incurred by the Government of Sri Lanka and its people if the Cabinet of Ministers does not have the benefit of the facts presented to them in a fair manner in order for the Cabinet to take an informed and well-considered decision.

Among other things, Mr. Jayawardena requests the Court to direct the first respondentPower and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiyanot to submit to teh Cabinet any memorandum that does not fully disclose all facts which would allow the Cabinet to make a well-informed and considered decision.
Sapugaskanda modernisation: CPC goes ahead despite objections View(s):

By Damith Wickremasekara

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation is going ahead with its call for bids to modernise its Sapugaskanda refinery, ignoring the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management recommendation that the project be held back until an attractive investment is found.

Accordingly, the CPC has received 28 bids from international companies, including companies from India, the UAE, Iran, Singapore, the United States, Italy and China. Petroleum Resources Minister Chandima Weerakkody said the project had to be expedited due to the urgent need to modernise the refinery and ensure energy security.

The Economic Committee headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had wanted two separate committees to study the proposal for the modernisation of the refinery. One of the committees approved the proposal while the other is yet to submit its proposal regarding the possibility of attracting private partnership.

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake earlier said the Government was looking at other proposals to get better investors for the project.

Mr. Weerakkody said that after an evaluation of the Expression of Interests, a report would be submitted to the Cabinet. Under the modernisation plan, the number of barrels refined each day is to be increased from 50,000 barrels to 100,000, thereby reducing the import of refined fuel.
Talk to India about buying Trinco oil tanks, says IOC View(s):

The Government will go ahead with acquiring three of the oil tanks at the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm in China Bay in keeping with a recent Cabinet decision, Minister of Petroleum Resources Chandima Weerakkody said.

He said the decision to acquire the tanks was taken to obtain additional diesel and fuel oil stocks which will be needed with the impending drought.

The Cabinet decision was based on a national requirement and we have informed Indian Oil Company (IOC) of this decision in writing. We do not want a dispute with a neighbouring country but a company has no right to interfere with a Cabinet decision, he said.

He said CPC officials would visit the tank farm next week to inspect the tanks.

Meanwhile Lanka IOC Managing Director Shyam Bohra said an agreement had been reached between the two governments and if Sri Lanka wants to acquire any of the tanks, they would have to negotiate with the Indian government.
Photo focus: Whales, dolphins in troubled waters View(s):

Whales and Dolphins that frequent the countrys waters, especially off Mirissa in Matara, face many man-made threats.

It is only in Mirissa that people are able to see these marine mammals everyday of the year. However, the situation has deteriorated to such an extent that the very existence of these species is under threat.

Dolphins and whales tend to become entangled in the large nets used by fishermen. Authorities have further noted that some fishermen are also in the habit of hunting these creatures illegally for their meat.

In addition, over 200 ships sail everyday along the busy shipping lanes that crisscross Sri Lankan waters. Many dolphins and whales are also known to have died after being struck by vessels.

Appeals are further being made to immediately regulate the whale and dolphin watching-commercial operations around Mirissa. Officials say there are far too many boats engaged in this practice in the area and that competition among them means they venture far too close to the creatures, causing them distress and increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Are you born or Kohomada? By Gyan C A Fernando View(s): View(s):

I wonder if it has come to your notice, like it has come to mine, that Foreigners (tourists) visiting our lovely country say and do rather funny things. I was in the chaotic ticket office queue at Colombo Fort Railway Station at 0600hrs trying to get tickets to Kandy and there were two obviously foreign and blonde girls in short-shorts, skimpy tops and heavy back packs in front of me. They turned around, smiled, put their palms together and asked me if I was born!

Although this question came as a total surprise to me, I am well over 60 years of age and therefore definitely born many, many years ago; I recovered my poise and said Yes, I was born. Thank you! They looked puzzled. Obviously it was the wrong response on my part! They then got their turn at the counter and they asked the same question from the young ticket clerk, who looked a little bit embarrassed, smiled and just said Good Morning, Madam!

This is when the penny dropped! The two foreign girls were trying to say Ayubowan.

Admittedly, many years ago and in the 1950s to be precise, we greeted our school teachers by saying Ayubowan Sir or Ayubowan Miss but these days no one says that. Take this scenario for instance: Group of Japanese tourists get off a luxury bus, enter a supermarket in Kandy, the city where I live, and greet the checkout girls with, Haa! Ayeyu bon? Girls giggle, cover teeth with right hand, recover composure and respond by saying Good Morning! The result is a bunch of confused Japanese.

Nobody in Sri Lanka ever says Are youbornerI mean Ayubowan anymore; more about that later. So why do foreigners struggle to say that?

My scientific research identified two sources of serious misinformation: Firstly, travel guide books such as the Lovely Planet and secondly the lovely Peacock Sari-ed air hostesses of SriLankan Airways. Lovely Planet is out of date! They have not heard of the commonly used greeting of Kohomada Machang! which we regularly used in University. As for the lovely Hosties of SriLankan Airways, they are forced to say Are You Born? or they lose their jobs.

On the streets of The Old Republic it is different. My old mates greet me as Ado! Kohomada? or Kohomada Yako? Others, not on such familiar grounds with me, greet me as Kohomada Sir? or Kohomada Mahattaya? The operative word here is Kohomada? with an interrogation at the end of it.

My opinion is that this greeting should now officially replace the traditionalAre you born. (A word of warning though: Kohomada Hullo! is a challenge and not a greeting. Avoid this situation, especially late at night in Colombo.)

Lorenzo de Almeida et al

When in 1505 Lorenzo de Almeida, an adventurer from Lisbon, made landfall in Sri Lanka with his drunken shipmates, the locals are most likely to have greeted them in typical Sri Lankan fashion: Ayubowan! and the chances are the response from Lorenzo et al was Como estas? Nice and friendly and just means How are you? and in the informal. This of course is the same as Kohomada Machang? and is probably the origin of Kohomada?

Fairly soon, relations between Lorenzo and the natives got a bit soured up and expressions like veinte con losvientos! from the Portuguese (Translation: Take yourselves off with the winds!) were no doubt countered by Palayang Yako! and Mokada Hullo? by the locals thus setting off the rather unpleasant situations that we all know about. We then had the Dutch and the Brits, the later going around saying Good Morning, old chap! which further confused the natives. Anyway, all that is in the past.

Practical advice for foreigners

By all means do learn how to say Are You Born? but do try to drop the interrogation or question mark. Use this greeting only when greeted similarly by the aforementioned Sri Lankan Airways peacock-sari clad lovely hosties.

At Immigration, just dont bother. You could however start using Kohomada? with the lovely, over-made up and over-friendly girlies of the Duty-Free shops.(There are two Duty Free shops competing for gullible customers which explain their friendliness.)

Once outside the airport just use a friendly Kohomada? except when taxi touts try to Shanghai you in which case Mokada Hullo? or Palyang Yako! is more appropriate.

****

Now you know. Welcome! Enjoy your stay! Have A Nice Day! Take Care! Do come back! And dont forget to say Bye Bye! when you leave.
The unitary Constitution needs to be preserved for posterity View(s):

By Lt Col. Anil Amarasekera (Retired)

If a new Constitution will allow secessionist objectives to be realised the majority in this country will reject such a new Constitution or even an amendment to the present Constitution that would encourage the secession of their island nation. Many may be unaware that secessionist aims were born long before independence. Moving an amendment to the address of thanks to the Throne Speech in the first House of Representative on 26 November 1947, Mr. S.J.V. Chelvanayakam Q.C. said, If Ceylon is fighting to secede from the British Empire why should not the Tamil people if they feel like it, secede from the rest of the country? This was perhaps the first instance where the idea of a separate Tamil nation was articulated in this country.

However the term Tamil nation was first used in the Vaddukoddai Resolution of 14 May 1976 and in the Tamil United Liberation Front manifesto for the general election of 1977. Subsequently various organizations with separatist intentions including the LTTE referred to this so called Tamil Nation as Tamil Eelam. The word Ilam (Eelam) is apparently being used by separatists to connote the impression of a land of the Tamils. Indeed, the Tamil word Ilam was never before used in that sense. On the contrary, this Tamil word ILAM did not refer to Tamil land but to the land of the Sinhala people. Nothing establishes this more clearly other than the Tamil lexicon published under the authority of the highest seat of Tamil learning, namely the University of Madras. Page 328 of this Tamil lexicon says that Ilam means the land of the Sinhala people. The Tamil word given as the meaning of Ilam reads Sinhalum. The term ila in Tamil means Sinhala, having its origin in the word hela, by which term the ancient people of Lanka were known. Thus ilakkachu in Tamil means Sinhala coins- ila means Sinhala, kachchu means coins. Similarly, since nadu means land, ilandu means the Sinhala land. According to the said lexicon the word ilandu was derived from ilam. The foregoing establishes the fact that the word Ilam (Eelam) never referred to any Tamil land but always signified the Sinhala land. Therefore if one were to ask for Ilam (Eelam), what is being asked for is the traditional homeland of the Sinhala people.

The LTTE under the leadership of Velupillai Prabhakaran was able to rule over the Northern Province and certain parts of the Eastern Province for nearly three decades during a period in which the country had four executive presidents namely Mr. J.R. Jayewardene, Mr. R. Premadasa, Mr. D.B.Wijetunga and Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga. All of them failed to give the necessary political leadership to the security forces to defeat LTTE terrorism and separatism. It was however President Mahinda Rajapaksa who gave the necessary political leadership to the security forces to achieve a convincing military victory over LTTE terrorism and separatism in this country. Though Prabhakaran and the LTTE military leadership were annihilated in Sri Lanka on 19 May 2009 the LTTE supporters in the Tamil diaspora living abroad were able to keep the Eelam dream alive. They together with western vested interests are now active in supporting those who said the war against the LTTE can never be won and who now hold political power in Sri Lanka to either promulgate a new Constitution or to amend the existing Constitution to surreptitiously usher in federalism. Such an effort must be resisted by every patriotic citizen of this country and never be allowed to see the light of day given the fact that over twenty seven thousand security forces personnel sacrificed their lives and a similar amount were disabled to protect and preserve the unitary Constitution of our nation for posterity. The sacrifices made not only by the security forces but also by the police, the Civil Defence Force and even the innocent villagers living in LTTE threatened villages cannot and should not be cast aside for political expediency.

It is true that much pressure is being brought by the so called international community consisting of mainly western countries and India upon the politicians now in power for constitutional reforms. However the blame for an effort to devolve power to Provincial Councils beyond the 13th Amendment cannot be attributed only to those now holding political power. The former President Mahinda Rajapaksa too has to take part of the blame. He had an opportunity to end the Provincial Council system that was proving to be a white elephant by repealing the 13th Amendment soon after defeating LTTE terrorism. The 13th Amendment to the Constitution was introduced sans the approval of the people as a result of the Indo Lanka agreement that was forced upon this country by India. One of the conditions in the said agreement was that India would undertake to disarm the terrorists. India failed to honour the letter and spirit of the Indo Lanka Agreement and Sri Lanka ultimately had to defeat LTTE terrorism.

Therefore Sri Lanka had every right after defeating separatism to repeal the 13th Amendment that pushed the country a step closer to federalism. Not only did President Mahinda Rajapaksa fail in this regard he also allowed corruption and nepotism to grow after defeating LTTE terrorism. The people therefore lost the confidence they had in him and he was defeated at the presidential election held on 8 January 2015 and his party the SLFP failed to obtain a clear majority at the general election held on 17 August 2015. Since a mandate was not received from the people either at the presidential or the general election for a new Constitution the government is now trying to implement at least some constitutional reforms to please those western countries and India that supported the regime change.

It is very unfortunate that some candidates defeated at the last general election have crept into parliament through the back door and have even been appointed ministers in the present regime. However the President and the Members of Parliament either voted by the people or appointed through the national list will be considered traitors by the people if they allow constitutional reforms that would pave the way for the division of this country in the future. To avoid such an eventuality the National Joint Committee has very correctly articulated twelve requirements that must be followed by the government if constitutional reforms are inevitable. These requirements are as follows:

1. Prohibit the establishment of a separate state or a federal state within the Republic of Sri Lanka and for that purpose the 6th Amendment to the present constitution should be incorporated into the new constitution after suitably adjusting it, Article 2 dealing with the unitary character of the state and Article 9 giving Buddhism the foremost place in the present constitution should remain without any amendment.

2. The supremacy of parliament should be secured for the purpose of maintaining the unitary character of the state and therefore the legislative power of the people exercised by parliament should not be in any way restricted. Any other body exercising legislative power must operate subject to the supremacy of parliament. The parliament should have the power to repeal or amend any statue or by-law made by such body in the same way the parliament could repeal or amend any ordinary law made by parliament. Existing provisions of the constitution which restrict the legislative powers of the parliament should not be included in the new Constitution.

3. The executive power of the people including national defence must be vested with the President and/or the Cabinet of Ministers. If any other body is vested with executive power such power must be exercised subject to the executive power of the President or the Cabinet of Ministers. Henceforth as long as the Provincial Councils are in operation in this country, the executive power must be exercised by the Governor under the supervision, control and direction of the President.

4. Judicial Power within the Republic of Sri Lanka should never be exercised by a person who is not a citizen of Sri Lanka or by a foreign institution. No court including any constitutional court should be established outside the court structure of Sri Lanka and no appointment should be made to any such court based on ethnicity.

5. No administrative or political unit should be established within the territory of Sri Lanka based on race, religion or language. The Northern Province and Eastern Province should not be amalgamated as such a move would lead to separation. Existing provisions in the present Constitution to this effect should be removed forthwith and should not be incorporated into the new Constitution.

6. The power of the Government of Sri Lanka with regard to maintenance of public order and police powers at any time should not be delegated to a body governing a province or any region. The police should operate within the entire territory of Sri Lanka under the direction and control of the Inspector General of Police who is the head of Sri Lanka Police Force.

7. Power with regard to State land must always be vested with the Republic of Sri Lanka, and rights in and over land tenure, transfer and alienation of land, land use, land settlement and land improvement should continue to be vested in the government of Sri Lanka.

8. A concurrent list has been included in the Constitution to enable Parliament, the President and the Cabinet of Ministers to intervene in respect of 36 subjects to prevent any misdeeds of the provincial council and/or its provincial board of ministers. Such an arrangement is necessary specially to protect the rights of regional minorities. Therefore, if the provincial council system is to continue it is important to retain the concurrent list.

9. The composition of the constitutional council or similar institution established for the purpose of making appointments to high posts and to commissions established by law, should be by a body composed of individuals nominated proportionately by recognised political parties of parliament and such nominations should be approved by parliament. The President should not make any appointment without the approval of majority of members of parliament in respect of such appointment.

10. Parliament should have full control over public finance and no institution should be permitted to receive funds without the approval of the President or the Cabinet of Ministers from any foreign source. The government of Sri Lanka should have the right to allocate funds to any institution at its discretion.

11. The District Secretaries, Divisional Secretaries and Grama Niladharies who are appointed by the government of Sri Lanka function as the link between the central government and provincial administration. Any attempt to remove such officers from the central government and bring them under the provincial administration will adversely affect the smooth functioning and cooperation between them.

12. The government of Sri Lanka must reserve the right to determine the national policy with regard to any subject. Moreover, the government of Sri Lanka must also have the right to determine any matter not specified in any list incorporated in the Constitution.
Farmers are being encouraged to keep children safe on farms over the school holidays with a heightened risk of accidents on farms.

Accidents involving children on the farm peak over December and January, account for more than 22 per cent of injuries to those aged 15 years and under. Seven children died as a result of accidents on farms between 2013-2015. In the 12 years leading up to 2015, almost 20,000 children were injured on the farm.

WorkSafes agriculture sector leader Al McCone says children are a vital component of farming family life and it was important this tradition continued.

We do not want to stop children having fun on the farm or helping out mum and dad with jobs, however farmers are responsible for ensuring children are not put at risk.

Farms come with big machines, big animals and big pressures. Children and their parents need to be aware of the risks farms present and work to manage those risks.

Managing the risks for children is different from managing them for adults, says Al.

The younger the child, the less risk averse they are, and the more attention needs to be paid by parents or carers.

Many risks can easily be managed by, for example, using vehicles suitable for passengers, fencing artificial ponds, covering pits, or even creating safe kid zones in dairy sheds, or working together with neighbours as farmers have always done.

This means farming parents can still keep their children safe during busy work times.

Parents or carers should lock doors to stop children getting into areas they shouldnt and remove keys from vehicles children arent to drive.

Even if you have safety guards on machinery, these may still have holes small enough for children to put their hands through.

Many farmers were used to working alone for much of the year, but it was a good idea to think about health and safety when children joined them on the farm, says Al.

Over recent years, of the 14 deaths of children under the age of ten, seven involved the child being near the parents working. If youre used to working alone, and get stuck on a job or problem, then its easy to forget about the kids.

All three deaths involving children aged between five and 15 since 2013 involved a child operating a quadbike.

Kids love playing around vehicles like the quad bike or the tractor so walk around the vehicle first and check children are a safe distance away before starting the engine. A few seconds extra care will prevent what could be a tragedy.

Only those trained and experienced should operate a quad bike, says Al.

Quad bike riders under 16 years are 2.5 times more likely to be injured compared to drivers aged 1634 years old. Although those aged under 16 years old represent just 16 per cent of users, they account for between 37 per cent-50 per cent of all injuries.

There are plenty of useful tips and guidance on keeping children safe on farms in WorkSafes guide Managing Health and Safety  a guide for farmers which includes a section on children on farms. The guide and other farm health and safety resources are available at www.saferfarms.org.nz
If you are planning on taking your pooch out for a walk in the sand this summer, make sure you know the rules around dogs and beaches.

There are specific rules for specific beaches as well as a handful of general rules for all dogs and dog owners.

If your dog is likely to be dangerous or cause a fuss, it must be kept on a leash. Carrying a leash at all times when out in public with your dog is a wise idea in case it needs to be restrained.

However, dogs must be leashed if you are taking them for a stroll in the Matua salt marsh and the Papamoa dune wilderness area; between the Papamoa Domain and Tyler Rd.

And as far as beaches go, its always a good idea to check the Tauranga City Council or the Western Bay of Plenty District Council website before taking your dog out.

Currently, dogs are not allowed on the Mount Maunganui Main Beach from Moturiki Island to Mauao, Pilot Bay from Mauao to Salisbury Ave, Omanu Beach within 200m from the Omanu Surf Club premises, and Papamoa beach within 200m from the Papamoa Surf Club premises.

Beach here means any land on or adjacent to the seacoast and includes any walkway, boardwalk, the foreshore and dunes.

This means dogs are not allowed on dunes, grass or boardwalks at Mount Maunganui Main Beach or the grassed area between the road and beach at Pilot Bay.

Dogs are also not permitted in the Elms Reserve, Mauao including the base track, Moturiki Island, McLaren Falls Park, Papamoa Hills Park, or the Otumoetai Pa Historic Reserve.

In the Western Bay of Plenty District Council area dogs are not allowed at Waihi Beach, expect at the year-round dog zone between Albacore Ave and Plom Rd. Dogs can be taken on a leash at Island View Reserve until March.

Also, dogs arent allowed at the sandbars off Cooneys Reserve or Omokoroa Domain Foreshore until Easter Monday.

And dogs are prohibited from around the Maketu Surf Lifesaving Club and the historic reserve until February 7. For a list of dog walking parks in the WBOP, see: www.westernbay.govt.nz/our-services/animal-services/dog-walking-parks

Its always a good idea to keep an eye out for no dogs signs posted along dog-free zones, and if you are still unsure, check each councils website.

And if you are taking your pooch out, make sure you always have something to clean up after it!
Emerging photographers have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at three media companies during a week-long internship thanks to a regional photography exhibition.

The TrustPower Photographic Exhibition invites budding and professional photographers to submit their snaps that showcase people and places in Western Bay of Plenty.

A judging panel will select the winning photos to be displayed in a large outdoor photographic exhibition on The Strand, Downtown Tauranga, from January to April 2017.

With more than $10,000 in prizes up for grabs, organisers are hoping to attract some of our best amateur and professional photographers to take part.

We have cash and travel prizes up for grabs and we are especially excited to announce that UNO. Magazine, The Weekend Sun and Media Works are joining forces to offer two Creative Media Internships for the winners of the Student and Young Photographer sections, says Downtown Tauranga project manager Sally Cooke.

These internships will offer two emerging photographers the chance to get some hands-on learning in the three media houses during a week-long internship.

That will be an incredibly empowering and potentially game-changing opportunity for the winners.

All photos must be taken within the WBOP and entrants can choose one of four categories: Our People, Land and Sea, Our Heritage and Emotion.

Prizes will be awarded for first and second in the four categories, plus judges will award prizes for a Young Photographers section (18 and under), a Student section (for full or part time students) and a digital section.

The supreme winner of the exhibition will win a travel prize to New York, Rome, Paris or London and five nights accommodation plus a travel feature in UNO. Magazine. Theres also cash prizes up for grabs.

TrustPowers marketing communications and programme manager Carolyn Schofield says this is very much a community initiative, designed to encourage both professional and amateur photographers to take part.

Being involved in the community has always been an important part of who we are as a company and were delighted to support this competition and exhibition. Its especially exciting that the competition will provide opportunities for young photographers to be recognised and to share their work with the public.

The exhibition will be a celebration of what makes Tauranga and the Western Bay a special part of New Zealand  our wonderful environment, our heritage and the people  and Im really looking forward to seeing the entries.

Judges include TrustPowers Carolyn Schofield, UNO. Magazines Jenny Rudd, The Weekend Suns Claire Rogers, Media Works Belinda Francis, Tauranga Art Gallerys Karl Chitham, BOP Films Anton Steel, Tourism BOPs Kristin Dunne, Tuskany Agencys Tara Fowler and Paul Bryne from the Tauranga Photographic Society.

The competition is open from December 20, 2016, until January 20, 2017. The TrustPower Photographic Exhibition opens on The Strand, Downtown Tauranga, on January 27-April 9.

The free exhibition will also include a Peoples Choice section, asking the public to vote for their favourite photo.
According to Police reports so far, there was only minimal trouble as people celebrated the New Year.

A Tauranga Police spokesperson says it was a quiet night for Police. Its been reported only two arrests were made before 10pm on December 31, 2016, including one in Papamoa and at an under-18 event at ASB Baypark.

The spokesperson believes statistics on exactly how many arrests were made during and after the countdown to the New Year have not yet been collated.

Despite a reputation of associating trouble with New Year festivities, no major problems were reported at celebrations in Mount Maunganui despite large crowds.

New Years Eve celebrations which traditionally attracted thousands of people to Mount Main Beach were cancelled in 2016 after being deemed by Tauranga City Council to be too costly and unsafe.

An increase in serious offences, including sexual offending and assaults were noted by Police during New Year celebrations at the Mount in 2016.

This year was the first year Tauranga City Council introduced an event for under 18-year-olds at ASB Arena, Baypark.

A family-friendly countdown to 2017 was also held at Taurangas Waterfront, with a free New Years Eve Barbecue on the Waterfront and two fireworks displays at 9.30pm and midnight.

Parts of Mount Main Beach, including Moturiki (Leisure) Island and Mount Drury were fenced off overnight to help protect the environment. Security vehicles and ambulances were parked behind Mount Maunganui Police Station ready to be called in to action.
Liz has been awarded the British Empire Medal by the Queen for services to British nationals living in Andalucia

Liz Parry. SUR

The 2017 New Year's Honours List includes a familiar name for British residents in southern Spain. The former editor of SUR in English, Liz Parry, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to British nationals living in Andalucia.

Honours lists are published twice a year, on the Queens official birthday in June and at New Year, and recognise extraordinary achievement and service to the UK. The Queen awards the honour after submitted nominations have been reviewed by an honours committee.

A statement issued by the British Embassy in Madrid said that her "outstanding achievements" ensured that Liz stood out among the many nominations for this year's New Year Honours list.

"I was amazed and delighted to get the call from the Ambassador asking me if I would accept an honour," Liz told SUR in English on Friday. "I am extremely grateful to whoever nominated me or wrote letters in support of the nomination."

The Embassy also stressed the important role Liz has played, through this newspaper, in helping British nationals to integrate into Spanish society and avoid some of the potential problems that moving to another country might present.

Liz points out that this contribution is summed up by the slogan she came up with when the newspaper's staff were discussing what they believed SUR in English stood for: Linking Communities.

"If I have contributed to a greater understanding, solidarity and that wonderful Spanish word 'convivencia' among the international community in southern Spain, then I am immensely grateful to have had that opportunity, and proud of what the newspaper has achieved," she said.

Liz, who retired earlier this month, joined SUR in English in 1985, just a year after the newspaper was launched in 1984, in response to a need among the English-speaking community for reliable information in their own language.

During her more than 30 years of service Liz went from translator and assistant editor to Editor before taking partial retirement at the end of 2013. For the last three years she has been the newspaper's Consultant Editor. Under Lizs command, the weekly paper grew from 3,000 copies and 24 pages to 50,000 copies and an average of 72 pages.

"I want to thank the people at Prensa Malaguena who entrusted the SUR in English project to me, particularly the current Director of Publications, Pedro Luis Gomez, and Juan Soto, and also the many people in the international community who have supported the newspaper - and all the great professionals who have worked on SUR in English over the years and shared the vision of a newspaper which 'links communities', Liz added.

Roger Cooke

Another British resident in Spain, Roger Cooke, latterly President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain and resident in Madrid, has been included in the New Year's Honours List. Roger has been appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to British business in Spain and British-Spanish trade and investment.

The British Ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, said: "I am delighted that the achievements of Liz Parry and Roger Cooke have been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen in this way, whether it be Liz through her distinguished journalism and consistent promotion of Britons' integration into Spanish society, or Roger and his leadership of the British Chamber, our principal partner in strengthening a 46 billion bilateral commercial relationship".

An active member of the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) in Spain since 1992, Roger Cooke took on the non-remunerated post of President in April 2012, at the height of the economic crisis.

During his Presidency, Roger not only ensured the stability of the operation but revitalised the institution, dedicating a significant amount of his personal time to build stronger relationships with external partners, such as the Spanish government and major British companies operating in Spain. Having stepped down as President of the BCC earlier this year, Roger remains committed to promoting relations between the UK and Spain.

He is an active member of the British Hispanic Foundation, an organisation which promotes cultural links between the two countries, and a strong supporter of the British Benevolent Fund, a British charity which supports British nationals in need in Spain.
AUBURN  Eight years ago, Auburn Police Sergeant Greg Dann had an idea.

The supervisor of the Auburn Police Department's School Resource Officer program, Dann and his officers had been trained to identify and mentor children who had problems in home and school. But as the SROs established personal relationships with the students who struggled, Dann realized some students were being left out.

"I felt that there was a need for my officers to interact with the good kids because we're in there interacting with troubled kids all the time," he said. "I wanted to interact with the kids that are doing all the right things in school, whether it's acting as a role model, getting good grades or just behaving on a daily basis."

That's why Dann decided to create Student Appreciation Day, a day dedicated to celebrating students with good behavior.

For four years, the police department sponsored the celebration during winter break, inviting nearly 200 elementary and middle school students in the district to bowl at Polish Falcons Lanes in Auburn. But in 2011, after Chief Gary Giannotta retired, new administration pressed pause on the project.

"It just wasn't a priority anymore," Dann said. "So for years, we didn't do it."

Now, after a five-year hiatus and another change in administration, Student Appreciation Day has been brought back as Chief Shawn Butler said he believes it's an important part of policing.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for us to reward the kids that we don't have contact with all the time in schools because they do the right thing," he said. "They don't always get that pat on the back and that's what this is for  to say thank you."

According to Dann, the SROs work with teachers in the district to decide who to invite. And as the bowling alley has limited space, the officers invite 100 elementary school students and 100 middle school students for two separate sessions of bowling.

On Friday, Dec. 30, roughly 75 fourth through sixth graders from Owasco, Genesee, Herman, Seward and Casey Park elementary schools and another 80 students from Auburn Junior High School showed up at Polish Falcons Lanes for bowling, soda and pizza, all funded by the APD. There was also a raffle, giving students the chance to win gift cards to McDonald's and Taco Bell  sponsored by the police union  and a grand prize: a brand new XBox, courtesy of the chief.

"This is an opportunity to interact with them on a personal level ... and for us to give something back to them," Dann said. "And parents are thrilled. ... They're happy their child is being recognized for doing all the right things in school."

"It's something that we as a police department ought to be doing and I think it's a good example of community policing at its finest," Butler added. "The SROs and Sgt. Dann are really passionate about this ... and it's a great opportunity for us to interact with these kids in the community."
This Account has been suspended.
Blog_Christian McCaffrey.JPG

Christian McCaffrey

(Auburn police)

AUBURN, N.Y. -- Officials are seeking help finding a teenager who has been missing since he ran away this week.

Auburn police said Christian McCaffrey, 15, ran away from Cayuga Centers, 101 Hamilton Ave., on Thursday and has not been seen since. Police said they believe he may be trying to return to the Buffalo area.

McCaffrey is described as a 5-foot-8-inch white male weighing about 145 pounds. He has a slender build, blonde hair and hazel eyes. He is wearing unknown clothing.

Police asked anyone with information on McCaffrey's whereabouts to contact 315-253-3231.

Previously called the Cayuga Home for Children, Cayuga Centers was established in 1852 as an orphanage. The organization now provides a variety of counseling, residential and support services to children and families in Central and Upstate New York.
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) celebrated the anniversary of Falcon 9's successful launch and upright landing in Cape Canaveral on Dec. 21but, just as the history-making machine seemed ready to make more history, 2016 reminded it that success comes from learning from failures all throughout the year.

Take a look back at SpaceX's rocky 2016 after its historical upright landing of Falcon 9.

First Quarter

Elon Musk announced on his Twitter account that the Falcon 9 has been inspected is ready for another launch merely 11 days after its historical feat. Of course, Musk meant every word because the rocket was prepared for another launch on January 17. This time, it was to test for landing on an autonomous spaceport drone ships (ASDS) after launching the JASON-3 satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The satellite launch was successful but the landing, not so.

Falcon 9 back in the hangar at Cape Canaveral. No damage found, ready to fire again. https://t.co/7w6IfJGtXM  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 1, 2016

Falcon 9 landed about 1.3 meters from the center of the target and this could have been temporarily acceptable and could be fixed with a few tweaks but stage one tipped over in shame and was destroyed. According to reports, the landing leg collet failed to lock despite its smooth landing and the failure was attributed to Vandenberg's foggy atmosphere which caused frozen condensation. Despite the early failure, Musk and SpaceX decided to let it go and move on to the next mission.

Well, at least the pieces were bigger this time! Won't be last RUD, but am optimistic about upcoming ship landing. pic.twitter.com/w007TccANJ  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 17, 2016

Second Quarter

On April 8, SpaceX launched the Falcon 9 for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of a series of Commercial Resupply Services mission (CRS-8). This time, its mission is to send supplies loaded in the Dragon to the International Space Station (ISS). After releasing stage 2 to deliver the payload, stage 1 descended and successfully landed on ASDS Of Course I Still Love You which was floating in the Atlantic.

SpaceX was back in business with Falcon 9 and on May 6 and 27, the company launched satellites for SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation (Japan) and THAICOM 8 and, in both instances, landed perfectly on ASDS Of Course I Still Love You.

On June 15, however, after launching Falcon 9 to send the EUTELSAT and ABS satellite into orbit and successfully detaching stage 2, stage 1 experienced some issues and ended up getting destroyed again.

Third Quarter

As always, Musk and SpaceX were not deterred and, on July 18, Falcon 9 and Dragon were launched once again for another resupply mission to the ISS and, luckily, stage 1 was unharmed during landing this time.

On August 14, SpaceX sent another communications satellite into orbit for SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation and all was well.

Just when things seemed to be on the upswing, SpaceX was hit with an anomaly that many considered to be an epic failure. On September 1, during Falcon 9's static fire test for the Amos-6 communications satellite launch mission, an "anomaly" occurred on the launch pad and resulted in the loss of both the vehicle and its payload. It was not only an epic failure but an expensive one at that; however, no one was injured so that should probably count for something.

Fourth Quarter

Due to the September 1 AMOS-6 mission failure, SpaceX has been delaying its next launch until the investigation is complete and a full report could be made. The company, however, considered the possibility of a mid-December launch but it was, again, delayed to January 2017.

We will just have to wait and see what is next for SpaceX as the curse of 2016 comes to an end.

We'll start a cadence of sending Dragons to Mars in two years. Will be like a train leaving the station pic.twitter.com/Jpjwn3hWax  SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 27, 2016

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At this point, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 mobile processor is no longer a novelty in the tech world as it has been long confirmed, leaked, and dutifully hyped. No one was, therefore, surprised when Qualcomm posted a teaser at Twitter, confirming the widely circulated rumor that the chip is indeed going to debut at CES 2017.

Snapdragon 835 At CES 2017

The post included a brief statement that stated how the Snapdragon 835 will come into focus at the annual electronics show. To be fair, this post can still qualify as a teaser considering the fact that it does not directly acknowledge that the chip will be launched.

In addition, there is also the possibility that the "come into focus" phrase could mean Qualcomm will merely discuss the latest mobile computing technology without presenting a device that actually runs the chipset, one that the public can touch, use, and scrutinize during the event.

Snapdragon 835 Specs And Features

Overall, it seems that there is very little left to know about the Snapdragon 835 if all the rumors and leaks will prove to be correct.

For example, Samsung has already confirmed that it has collaborated in producing the chip. This detail is further complemented by the official confirmation that the next generation SoC is being manufactured using the South Korean company's new 10nm FinFET process.

This technology purportedly makes connections at a molecular level, which leads to the production of a chip that has a higher performance but lower power consumption.

Specifically, Qualcomm claims that the new Snapdragon 835 is capable of a 30 percent improvement in terms of area efficiency and a 27 percent improvement in performance, while reducing power consumption by up to 40 percent at the same time.

Information via a GFXbench benchmark leak also revealed key specifications such as the octa-core CPU, which runs at 2.2 GHz.

Quick Charge 4 Technology

Qualcomm also posted another Twitter teaser confirming the previous rumor that the Snapdragon 835 will support Quick Charge 4 technology. This technology is said to be capable of offering up to 20 percent faster battery charging. It can purportedly provide a handset up to five hours battery life in just five minutes.

"Quick Charge 4 addresses that need by providing up to 50 percent battery charge in roughly 15 minutes or less, so you don't have to spend all day chained to your charging cable," Alex Katouzian, senior vice president at Qualcomm, said.

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Samsung wants to really get a crack at the automated vacuum cleaner market, which is currently dominated by products such as iRobot's Roomba. Amazon seemed to have given the South Korean company a bright idea after it announced that at CES 2017, a new vacuum cleaner will debut with Alexa compatibility.

Skilled Samsung Vacuum Cleaner

Dubbed as the Powerbot VR7000, the robotic vacuum cleaner will reportedly be at Alexa's beck and call via the Amazon Echo. You may be sure it will follow all of the smart assistant's commands short of hopping when Alexa says jump.

Samsung is not very forthcoming how everything will work because, truth be told, things sound a bit complex in our book. It seems that users need to turn to the Amazon Echo first, trigger Alexa and command it accordingly so it can finally instruct the vacuum cleaner to go about its task.

All things considered, Samsung could end up setting its consumers their own little bureaucracies at home, complete with a hierarchy where instructions had to filter down the ranks to reach the intended target.

Specs And Power

Fortunately, there is more to the Powerbot vacuum cleaner. Samsung, for instance, touted that the device can reach hard-to-reach places, which is primary concern for those in the market for an automated vacuum cleaner.

This is complemented by the cleaner's suction power, which can purportedly eliminate any requirement for manual cleaning.

"VR7000 ensures thorough cleaning by generating up to 20 watts of suction power while covering areas that hand-operated vacuum cleaners miss, like under beds or other furniture," Samsung said.

Other notable features include its thinner real estate and voice controls.

Smart Home Credentials

As is customary for automated home appliances today, the VR7000 also boasts of intelligent features that help guarantee efficiency and successful automated performance.

This is largely based on the device's Visionary Mapping Plus and FullView Sensor, which help the vacuum cleaner learn and be familiar with the topography of your home.

As it grows smarter in the context of its workspace, it can start making decisions on its own such as the way it is able to prod itself toward dirty areas or what particular areas need to be thoroughly cleaned. It can also learn to avoid and detect obstacles.

Finally, the VR7000 is also capable of automatically tweaking settings. For example, if it finished working on a wooden surface and found itself cleaning a rug, it will promptly adjust suction power.

There is no word yet about pricing and availability but these details should all be sorted out come CES 2017, which is happening from Jan. 5 to 8. Samsung will also unveil other products, including the Galaxy S8.

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Does U.S. President-elect Donald Trump have an aversion to computers?

It is no secret that Trump's seemingly limited interaction via computer and almost anything related to it  save for his rampant tweets on a mobile phone, maybe  has become the butt of jokes.

In fact, in November, a community of Redditors started a thread calling for Trump's impeachment because of the kind of technology he uses.

Now, the president-elect himself revealed that computers have a more negative effect on society  and he is not even talking about the Russian hacking controversy.

Confusion In The Computer Age

Technology is changing people's lifestyles at a quick pace. While some thoroughly enjoy the convenience and advancement that technology brings, Trump is not too comfortable with how technology, especially computers, seemingly make life more complicated because it causes more confusion in the present age.

"We have speed. We have a lot of other things but I'm not sure you have the kind of security that you need," Trump commented this week.

To be fair, Trump has a valid point in the sense that the rise in cybercrimes is alarming and cybersecurity measures should be able to keep up, minimize the damages, and be at least a step ahead of cyber criminals.

However, this is not always the case and, more often than not, cybercriminals have already victimized a handful of people and institutions before the alarms even go off.

But Did Russia Hack Clinton's Emails To Help Trump Win?

Then there is the attack on the United States political system, which is also a huge cause of concern.

U.S. Intelligence officials may have reason to believe that the hacking of the Democratic Party and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's emails was Russia's way to discredit the Clinton campaign and help Trump win the presidency.

Russian President Vladimir Putin considered the hacks a public service but vehemently denied that he had anything to do with it.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham believes that the U.S. should sanction Russia for undermining the U.S. elections, but Trump did not share the sentiment.

'Nobody Knows Exactly What's Going On'

When reporters asked him if the U.S. should sanction Russia for the hacks, Trump gave a somewhat confusing answer.

"I think we ought to get on with our lives. I think that computers have complicated lives very greatly. The whole age of computer has made it where nobody knows exactly what's going on," Trump said.

The president-elect also admitted that he had not spoken to Senator Graham, and he was still unaware of the statement he made with regard to handing down sanctions on Russia.

Talk about people not "knowing exactly what's going on." Perhaps this is why people are trying to figure out if Trump has even ever used a computer in his life.

"For a candidate who says he is an authority on modern business, Mr. Trump is slow to adopt technology," Gizmodo writes. "In 2007, he said he had no home or office computer." .

Trump Tech Summit

People do have to consider, however, that the president-elect has made efforts to reach out to Silicon Valley with his recently concluded tech summit to pave the way for future endeavors in the sector.

But it does make one wonder how the most powerful man in the nation may be limiting his own personal growth and refusing to understand the impact technology has on his own work in the Oval Office.

It is difficult to take Trump's perception of computers seriously when advancements in technology bring both comfort and complication.

More so is it difficult to take Trump's conviction seriously when he seems to prefer being rooted in his old ways rather than learning and adjusting to what the world of technology can offer.

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There's good news for owners of Samsung's latest flagship smartphones the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, as new reports indicate that the Android Nougat software upgrade for the devices is imminent.

That also means good news for owners of Samsung's former flagships like the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, and Galaxy S6 edge Plus, which should be next in line to receive the Android Nougat update.

Samsung Galaxy S7 And S7 Edge Beta Testing Program Ending

We reported back in November that Samsung was in the process of preparing the Android 7.0 Nougat update for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge and had begun a Galaxy Beta Program of the software for owners of the devices. Now, reports indicate that the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge Galaxy Beta Program is coming to a close, which means that Samsung should be releasing the final build of Android 7.0 Nougat to all users of the smartphones shortly.

Samsung delivered the fifth build of Android Nougat to participants in the beta program a few days ago, and new reports indicate that that is indeed the last beta version for testers before the final build is released to the public.

While the time frame for that release has not been firmly established, it shouldn't be more than several weeks at the latest before Samsung pushes out its Android 7.0 Nougat software upgrade to Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge owners. That's also in line with Verizon's earlier guidance that its customers who use the devices would be receiving the Android Nougat update in January. Vodafone Australia also moved the smartphones into the carrier testing phase recently, another indicator that the software upgrade is imminent.

Builds Vary For Different Models And Regions

As we previously reported, Samsung is expected to skip the earlier Android 7.0 Nougat build and move directly to a release of Android 7.1.1 Nougat. That information was released directly by a Samsung rep to a beta tester earlier this month.

However, a conflicting report, again courtesy of a Vodafone rep, indicated that not all models and regions will receive the later version upon release, and Australian Galaxy S7 and S7 edge owners will in fact get the earlier Android 7.0 Nougat build.

Former Flagships: Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, And Galaxy Note 5

Samsung has been following the usual protocol by planning the release of Android Nougat to users of its current flagship smartphones first, but with that release now around the corner, the company should now begin focusing on its former flagships, namely the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge Plus and Galaxy Note 5.

There's no official word on a timeline for those releases, but the sooner the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge Android Nougat updates make their way to users, the sooner owners of the former flagships can expect to receive their Android Nougat software updates.

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The search for extra-terrestrial life is one of the most mysterious subject areas one can study. The vastness of the universe is much too unfathomable for some, but even with the theory of its never-ending expansion, scientists are not perturbed and are continuing in their search for alien life.

SETI Signals

The name SETI stands for "search for extraterrestrial intelligence," which is exactly what many scientists are doing. It is the general term used in the search for any signs of communications from any extraterrestrial civilization. This connotes the use, for instance, of radio signals or electromagnetic radiation to detect possible signals sent by intelligent life from other places in the vast universe.

Many institutes and projects have been built through the years in support of the ongoing search for neighbors. Kepler's space telescope is one such project used to detect alien signals but so far, all detections are deemed as mere radio frequency interferences.

Just this 2016, news spread that in May 2015, a possible alien signal was detected by a Russian RATAN-600 Radio Telescope. Astronomers and enthusiasts were excited about this development and many initially thought that the signal came from a neighboring star. However, it was recently decided that the signal had, in fact, come from earth.

Alien Artifacts

Considering the possibility of intelligent life in other parts of the universe, the assumption is that if they are anything like the human race, they would possess the same innate curiosity to search for extraterrestrial life. That is the notion that motivates the search for alien artifacts. With that in mind, there is also the possibility of them leaving a little something behind for us to find. However, as stated, the vastness of the universe is much too great to find such artifacts easily.

We are currently just in the beginning of exploring other planets for alien articles. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is the best example for such explorations, but even with the most modern equipment it cannot be denied that there are still challenges to be faced. For one, humans are still not completely familiar with other planets' terrain. Added to that is the fact that should alien artifacts litter space, we might not even be able to recognize them and even if we do, the question then would lie on the appropriate response. For now, the search remains and with so many projects already underway, many are hopeful for a positive result.

Our Sun's Match

What makes the earth the hospitable place that it is, is its location in relation to the sun. It is this massive star that gives us all the energy that is required for life. Our own star is only one of 10 billion in our galaxy alone, but given its life-giving capabilities, scientists are also looking into stars that are identical to ours for the possibility of alien life. The logic seems sound. Our sun gives life, then a similar star could also give life to its surrounding planets.

Astronomer Jorge Melendez from Brazil discovered our sun's twin, HP 56948. It is not just identical to our own sun in chemical composition, temperature and mass, but it is also just 200 lightyears away. The question now is if it is surrounded by the twin of earth, too. It is definitely an exciting prospect even if current expeditions still point to the notion of earth's uniqueness as it lies on the Goldilocks Zone.

SETT and Artificial Planets

SETT stand for Search for Extraterrestrial Technology. It vastly differs from SETI because, in a manner of speaking, SETI's focus is on signals and more indirect evidence of alien life. On the other hand, SETT is focused on more concrete evidence, specifically alien technology and artificial planets. It also varies from the search of alien artifacts by the simple fact that the search for alien artifacts involves mapping out a celestial body whilst SETT sets out in search of alien technology and possibly even crafts that serve as artificial planets.

A solid example for SETT is, once again, through the use of Kepler. As it journeys through space, Kepler takes note of shadows that pass through or block the light of a star. Kepler analyzes and records the findings on these shadows and, should the telescope find a particularly uniquely shaped "planet," it could point to signs of extraterrestrial workings.

Search for Alien Footprints

This crowd sourced endeavor aims to look for extraterrestrial evidence on the surface of the moon. The very idea for this is fairly simple. Through the efforts of Robert Wagner and Paul Davies, prominent scientists from Arizona State University, the plan is to take advantage of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's excellent photos of the surface of the moon and to outsource the images for a faster and more thorough search for evidence.

Though the chances are slim for SETI to find traces of alien activity on the moon, the science stands on their side. With no atmosphere to disturb any trace evidences on the surface of the moon, should there be a sign of alien activity, it will remain undisturbed for ages until it is found.

Lighthouse Hypothesis

A recently published study offers yet again another look at SETI. Traditionally, SETI use radio waves to detect signs of alien life. However, this new study is considering the idea that should aliens try to send a message, it is possible that they are sending the said message via light pulses instead of radio waves, like lighthouse beacons to let us know that they're out there.

It's a plausible idea considering instances of recorded inexplicable bursts of pulses coming from places that are lightyears away. However, the problem lies with detecting and distinguishing the said pulses. In addition, with the seemingly small likelihood of life in relatively nearer systems, the chances are that any pulses sent by other civilizations will remain lost in the vastness of the cosmos.

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By now, even the public must be feeling the fatigue of having to hear about Samsung's troubles for 2016.

But as the year draws to a close and CES 2017 looms near, Samsung is now in a better position to charter a new course. It was able to effectively address the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco and it is already poised to introduce a slew of tech products in the largest annual gadgets show on Earth.

What CES Means For Samsung

When Samsung finally takes its spot at the CES stage next year, it will be the South Korean company's first public appearance since the nightmarish days spent answering questions and apologizing for the exploding Note 7 handsets. During the CES on Jan. 4 to 8, it will likely introduce its latest and greatest smartphone to date, the Galaxy S8, and possibly drop hints about the Note 8 as well.

The exploding batteries will most probably still occupy the public's mind, but if Samsung has really pulled out all the stops for these devices as indicated by past rumors and leaks, that particular image could immediately get wiped out right then and there.

Public Perception After The Note 7 Crisis

It is easy to say that Samsung's reputation has been left in tatters and that consumers are feeling wary about its trustworthiness, but there are factors that point to the way the company has maintained and earned the loyalty and even respect of its customers.

For example, despite the combined efforts of Samsung, U.S. federal agencies, and telecommunication companies to pull the device out of consumers' hands, the Galaxy Note 7 remained a popular high-end device, trouncing the likes of the LG V20 and the OnePlus 3T in terms of usage in the last quarter of this year.

There are also surveys that reveal how consumers have been largely satisfied about Samsung's response to the Note 7 issue, with some showing how previous users express a willingness to buy its products in the future.

If Samsung is aware of these points then it will likely work to reinforce them further. One of the ways to do that is by simply introducing truly excellent products, and CES provides the best opportunity to do just that.

Failing to do so could spell serious repercussion especially when a recent survey revealed a particularly troubling insight about consumer outlook.

In a research conducted by MAi Research and Luminoso, it was found that the number of consumers planning to purchase a Samsung device has declined "at a statistically significant level for every Samsung product line with the exception of its fitness bands." The existing consumer ambivalence is certainly understandable at this point.

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Foxconn, a prominent Apple supplier, started a massive automation effort for its factories in May by replacing 60,000 human workers with robots.

In a new report by DigiTimes, it seems that Foxconn is ramping up automation in its factories, with the initiative to be rolled out in three phases.

Automation Of Foxconn Factories

According to Foxconn Automation Technology Development Committee general manager Dai Jia-peng, phase 1 of the automation of its factories will involve setting up automated work stations that will carry out tasks, which are dangerous or are unwilling to be done by human workers.

For phase 2, Foxconn will be automating whole production lines to decrease the number of robots required for the company's manufacturing processes.

Lastly, for phase 3, entire factories will undergo automation. Upon completion of the shift into automation, factories will only have a minimal number of human employees who will be assigned to roles in logistics, production, testing, and inspection.

Foxconn's Progress For Automation

The plans of Foxconn to automate its factories are not just starting out but rather are already well advanced. According to Dai, Chinese Foxconn factories in Chengdu, Shenzhen, and Zhengzhou are either in the second phase or third phase. In some factories, there are already 10 production lines that are fully automated.

In addition, the company has already deployed 40,000 so-called Foxbots, which are industrial robots that were developed by Foxconn itself.

Foxconn is capable of producing about 10,000 Foxbots annually to support the move into automation. The company is also involved in the development of robots that can be used in medical care.

The Pros And Cons Of Automation

The automation plan for Foxconn highlights the growing trend in the tech manufacturing industry of replacing human workers with robots for more efficiency and productivity. There is also the long-term benefit of reduced costs, after the initial investment needed to develop and implement the necessary technology.

Foxconn's automation efforts would also give some sense into the company's plans to expand into the United States, a move that was previously seen as a factor that would increase the price of iPhones due to higher labor costs in the country.

However, with the goal of only hiring human workers for a minimum number of roles and thousands of people already having lost their jobs, the economy of entire communities might be affected by the replacement of human employees with robots.

The move into automation is a particularly sensitive topic for Foxconn due to the reports of abysmal working conditions that employees suffer from while working in its factories. By replacing humans with robots, Foxconn will no longer need to address its worker welfare-related problems, which could be either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it.

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The U.S. Department of Defense is urging soldiers to ease up on drinking too much energy beverages as it could lead to serious damaging of the body.

The military noticed that a growing number of servicemen choose to drink energy beverages over water, especially during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Researchers examined data collected from soldiers serving during 2010's Operation Enduring Freedom and discovered that as much as 45 percent of those deployed downed at least one energy drink a day.

The findings also showed that nearly 14 percent of U.S. soldiers serving in the conflict consumed three or more drinks a day.

Negative Health Effects Of Drinking Too Much Energy Drinks

Energy drink manufacturers choose to market their products to young Americans, including those in the armed service. Some of the most popular beverages can even be found on military facilities.

Health experts, however, warn that these drinks contain high amounts of caffeine, which could cause serious negative effects on the body such as insomnia, irritability, restlessness, nervousness, faster heartbeat and even muscle tremors.

Previous studies have also suggested that drinking too much caffeine can lead to early death, particularly among young adults.

Prof. Patricia Deuster of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, said servicemen should avoid taking in more than 200 milligrams of caffeine every four hours.

They should also be aware of just how much caffeine they have already consumed through energy drinks and other kinds of caffeinated beverages, such as soft drinks and coffee.

Deuster said if the caffeine content of an energy beverage is 200 milligrams or more, then it should not be consumed.

Experts also warn female military members about the dangers of drinking energy beverages. Since women tend to have smaller bodies compared to men, they consume high concentrations of caffeine without realizing it.

Consumers should watch out for the high sugar content of energy drinks as well. Some popular variants contain as much as 27 grams for every can, which is already two-thirds of the daily recommended amount for men and 2 grams higher than what is recommended for women.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person's intake of extra sugars should be kept at least below 10 percent of his or her calorie total for the day. Taking in too much added sugar can lead to increased blood-sugar levels.

Energy beverages that claim to be sugar-free should also be avoided as these still contain artificial sweeteners, which could raise sugar levels in the blood as well.

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The U.S. government recently officially accused Russia of interference in this year's presidential election through hacking attacks, with outgoing President Barack Obama issuing sanctions and expulsions over the matter.

Moscow has constantly denied that Russia is involved in any hacking attacks against the United States and the presidential election. The Kremlin promised that it will be retaliating against the sanctions and expulsions lodged by the Obama administration, with an official statement and countermeasures to soon be released.

Russia's Response To Hacking Sanctions

The Obama administration has issued sanctions against two Russian intelligence agencies, while also expelling 35 suspected Russian intelligence operatives in the United States who were serving under diplomatic cover.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his official statement, said that he will not be resorting to "kitchen" diplomacy in dealing with Obama's sanctions for the alleged hacking activities.

Putin added that while Russia has the right to launch a retaliation against the Obama administration, the Kremlin would instead be planning the restoration of the relations between the the two governments once the Trump administration is sworn into power.

Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, previously suggested that Russia would retaliate by likewise expelling 35 diplomats from the United States who are in Moscow and St. Petersburg. However, Putin decided against the idea, as he reportedly chose "not to dignify the measures taken against Russia with a response," according to Wilson Center globe fellow Michael Kofman.

How Will Trump Handle The Hacking Allegations?

Incoming President Donald Trump will have to choose between seeing through Obama's sanctions, as key Republicans in Congress have supported them, or push forward with his campaign promise of improving relations with Russia.

"It's time for our country to move on to bigger and better things," said Trump in a statement after the sanctions were released by the Obama administration, but in the interest of the United States and its people, Trump will meet with the country's intelligence agencies to learn the facts of the alleged hacking.

After Putin released his statement that he will not retaliate against Obama's sanctions, Trump praised the Russian president.

"Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!" tweeted Trump.

Did Russia Really Hack The Election?

The United States government has previously accused the Russian government of interfering with the national elections, with media outlets now repeatedly reporting that the presidential election was hacked by Russia.

The statement that "Russia hacked the elections" is up for debate though. While United States intelligence agencies claimed that Russia sponsored the attacks that targeted organizations and personnel of the Democratic Party, there has been no evidence or allegations that the hacking attacks actually tampered with the results of the presidential elections, which is what the above statement could be understood as saying.

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Apple has just been slapped with a lawsuit that alleges its FaceTime application caused a fatal crash that happened in Texas last 2014.

The case, which has been filed before the Santa Clara County Superior Court in California last Dec. 23, cited that the company has failed to implement a critical feature that it already has patented.

Complaint Based On Apple Patent

James and Bethany Modisette, the complainants, allege that such a feature could have prevented the accident from taking place. The incident claimed the life of their daughter and caused serious injuries to several members of the family.

The identified technology involves the patent that Apple submitted in December 2008, which has the capability to lock FaceTime when its user is driving a motor vehicle. It was approved in April 2014, eight months before the accident.

Texas Car Crash

The Modisettes' case arises from the incident that transpired on Christmas Eve of 2014. The couple and their two children, Isabella and Moriah, were on board a vehicle traversing the Interstate I-35 in the outskirts of Dallas.

Another car slammed into it and critically injured James and Moriah. Both were rushed to a nearby hospital, but the young girl eventually died due to her injuries. She was only 5 years old when the incident happened.

FaceTime And Apple's Purported Liability

According to the driver of the motor vehicle that collided with the Modisettes, he was distracted by FaceTime, which was still open on his iPhone 6 Plus when first responders arrived at the scene.

"Defendant Apple Inc. has had the technology to prevent these events, and the Modisettes' injuries, specifically since at least Dec. 12, 2008, when it filed an application with the U.S. Patent Office for a 'driver handheld computing device lock-out," the complaint against Apple stated.

The complainants further claimed that Apple's responsibility rests on its failure to manufacture and sell the iPhone 6 Plus with the safety feature that is already available to it. It also pointed out that the company was not able to warn its consumers about the danger posed by its devices and applications when used or misused.

Defective Product

For these reasons, the Modisette family accuses Apple of letting a device it considers to be defective roll out of its facilities. The complainants further stressed that the action and the liability of the driver who caused the crash is inextricably intertwined with Apple and its culpability.

The Modisettes also noted how Apple already has the technology for years and the patent granted to it that guarantees the company can exploit the feature without competition for 20 years.

Apple is yet to issue an official statement about the case. The company, however, has already encountered disputes concerning another FaceTime patent, as well as its other technologies in the past. The company is also constantly refining the application due to emergent threats and vulnerabilities.

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Google managed to capitalize on Apple and Samsung's weak performance this year. While Samsung's attempt at smartphone dominance literally blew up on its face and Apple was mediocre at its best this year, Google managed to successfully enter the lucrative hardware market by coming up with a slew of premium hardware products.

Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL

After six years of working with different phone manufacturers to produce Android phones under the Nexus brand, Google finally launched its own line of smartphones under Pixel. The Nexus replacement is a beast of a phone, and aims to showcase the best of what Google and Android has to offer.

It comes equipped with top-of-the-line hardware, sleek design, bright HD display, and great camera. If you are disappointed with Samsung's exploding phones and Apple's mediocrity, the Google Pixel will serve as a breath of fresh air.

Daydream VR

You can now transform your Android phone into a virtual fantasyland with the help of the Daydream VR headset. Enjoy 360 degree games, movies, and panoramic photos simply by fastening your phone into the device. Unlike the control buttons located on the Samsung Gear VR handset, the Daydream comes with a separate controller that you can use to wield and navigate your way into a game.

At $79, the Daydream is also more affordable than its main competitors, and is covered in soft material, making it more convenient to wear.

Google Home

If you want to ask help from Google without having to type on a keyboard or tap on a mobile screen, Google Home is your answer. Google Home is a voice-controlled speaker that allows you to use Google' services, even if you aren't with in front of a computer or a phone.

It can answer questions, wake you up in the morning, control the thermostat, and do a lot of other tricks. This device looks a lot like Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, and Microsoft's Cortana.

It currently works with a limited number of smart home devices such as Philips Hue bulbs and Nest, as well as IFTTT recipes.

Chromecast Ultra

If you want to stream 4K HDR video to your UHD TV, there is no better option than the Chromecast Ultra. It offers fast and powerful streaming in a nifty device. It also comes with an attached ethernet port built into the power adapter, allowing videos to load and play faster.

With a plethora of hardware products launched in 2016, Google is definitely no longer just a software company. This was a great year for Google all in all, considering its successful entry in the hardware industry.

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With CES 2017 approaching, we have been seeing a number of smartphone leaks and announcements about products being showcased at the event. Especially, we have been hearing various rumours about iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy S8, and Xiaomi Mi 6 along with many other smartphones.

This week, we saw a couple of those rumours coming our way, and some of them were very much interesting for sure. We came across a report that suggested Samsung may ship wireless in-ear headphones with Galaxy S8 in 2017, while other rumours hinted at Redmi Note 4X, Nokia TA-1000, and ZTE Blade 8.

Another rumour also hinted at a dual rear camera setup that may come with Xiaomi Mi 6, while LG announced a couple of products to be unveiled officially at CES 2017. We even heard that five Nokia smartphone may come into the market in 2017. Having said this, let us take a sneak at how this last week of the year was, before we step in and celebrate the beginning of 2017.

While a top 10 listicle would definitely not be enough to sum up this week, here's our try as we put in 10 best stories we have covered this week in consumer technology.

Samsung May Ship Wireless In-Ear Headphones With Galaxy S8

We all know that Samsung is working hard on its much rumoured smartphone Galaxy S8, so that the company can win back the trust of its loyal customers, after its Galaxy Note 7 debacle. While we have been witnessing a number of rumours and leaks about the new and interesting features that might come with the Galaxy S8, heres one more to the list.

Read The Full Story Here

Samsung May Be Working On A Foldable Smartwatch

Smartwatches with foldable display - isnt it futuristic? Well, we dont think so. A couple of recent patent filings hint at such designs, being developed by Samsung. According to Patently Mobile, two designs have been filed by Samsung: one may be a more sport and fitness oriented smartwatch while another seems to be sporting a foldable display. According to the patent images, we can see that the foldable smartwatch may be a slap-on bracelet.

Read The Full Story Here

2016: The Year Of Tech Acquisitions

2016 has been quite an interesting year for the tech world. The smartphone space was dominated by Apple and Samsung. In next-gen computers, Microsoft challenged Apple with its sleek Surface line-up. In gaming, despite new hardware from the Xbox camp, Sony continued to rule the segment. However, this year's biggest headlines were around acquisitions.

Read The Full Story Here

We May See Five Nokia Android Smartphones On Road In 2017

Almost every Nokia fan is waiting for its comeback into the smartphone scenario after almost a decade. Until now, we have come across rumours that three Nokia smartphones running on Android operating system may be unveiled during the MWC 2017, to be held in February.

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NASA Exploring The Possibility To Use Ice Shelters On Mars

In addition to Tesla and Boing, NASA too is optimistic about landing humans on the red planet. The American space agency is well aware of the harsh conditions on Mars and is working towards building possible shelters for the explorers. NASA's team at Langley Research Center, believes that ice is the ideal material to protect the humans from the high-energy radiation and extreme temperatures.

Read The Full Story Here

Microsoft May Soon Introduce 'Game Mode' In Windows OS

When it comes to computer operating systems, Windows has always been the weapon of choice for gamers. MacOS never supported graphics intensive gamers. Moreover, Windows had advantage of Direct X system. Now it seems Microsoft is going a step further by adding a Game Mode to its operating system. When activated, this mode will prioritise system resources for games to squeeze out more performance from your rig.

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Five Stupendously Expensive Gadgets You Could Buy In 2016

Gadgets are created by using the technological ingenuity, which enables us to perform daily tasks efficiently. Sometimes though, these devices want to marry luxury and the outcome is ridiculously expensive price tags. The sole purpose then is, well, to flaunt the hordes of money one doesnt know how to spend.

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Chinese Phones That Dominated The Indian Market In 2016

It has been quite an interesting for the Indian smartphone market. With the launch of affordable 4G handsets, LTE connectivity saw rapid expansion. The boom in the e-commerce sector further facilitated the mobile phone business to grow. Mobile phones with biometrics became readily available at cheaper rates, which once seemed like a distant dream a few years back. Of course, all this was spearheaded by emerging brands from our neighbouring country. Xiaomi, OnePlus, Lenovo, Honor, and Le Eco received warm welcome in India.

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Xiaomi Mi6 May Sport Dual Camera Setup

Ever since Xiaomi Mi Mix was launched, no much speculations have come up about the companys upcoming flagship device, the Mi 6. However, a recent leak hints at a new feature that could be available on the smartphone. Accordingly, the Xiaomi Mi6 will be sporting dual camera setup, which is actually the trend today. The phone may also feature a double-curved design and fast charging as well, according to the rumours.

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Israeli Scientists Develop A Breathalyser That Can Detect 17 Diseases

Israel is hard to beat when it comes to innovations. A team of scientists at the Israel Institute of Technology, led by Hossam Haick, have built a breathalyser that that can diagnose up to 17 diseases including certain type of cancer.

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Top 10 Stories
Hold up your new year celebrations! 2016 will be a second longer

You may have to hold your new year celebrations for a little bit longer, by a whole second. With just more than a day to go for the year 2016 to come to an end, the countdown to 2017 will last one second longer than the 11:59:60 mark tomorrow. According to scientists, the leap second is needed to compensate for a slowdown in the Earths rotation and to ensure that our clocks stay exactly in sync with Earth days.

This extra second, or leap second, makes it possible to align astronomical time, which is irregular and determined by Earths rotation, with UTC which is extremely stable and has been determined by atomic clocks since 1967, the IERS (International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service) at the Paris Observatory said in a statement.

Countries that use Coordinated Universal Time, which include several West African nations, Britain, Ireland and Iceland will add the leap second during the midnight countdown to 2017 making the years final minute of 2016 will last for 61 seconds long. For others, the timing will be determined by the time zone they live in, relative to UTC.

The sequence of dates of the UTC second markers will be: 2016 December 31 23h 59m 59s, 2016 December 31 23h 59m 60s, 2017 January 1, 0h 0m 0s, the IERS website states.

The IERS in Paris decides when leap seconds are needed, and they are always announced about six months in advance. This is done because the extra second can be a nightmare for communication networks, financial systems, and other applications that depend on exact timing, so they need to be programmed into computers to prevent mistakes.

Peter Whibberley, a senior research scientist at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, said: Leap seconds are needed to prevent civil time drifting away from Earth time.

Although the drift is small  taking around 1,000 years to accumulate a one-hour time difference  if not corrected it would eventually result in clocks showing midday before sunrise.

Dr.Leon Lobo, of NPLs time and frequency group, said: Most people wont even notice, although everyone will probably be celebrating New Year a second too early this year.

People might also notice problems with mobile phone networks as they work on atomic time and, with the increased traffic on New Years Eve, there could be potential issues.

Inserting a leap second is necessary because the Earth is wobbling and slowing down and over time that divergence could cause problems.

This will be the 27th time that the leap second has been added to clocks in history since its introduction in 1972, which means that over the past 44 years everyone has gained 27 seconds. The last leap second was added 18 months ago on June 30, 2015.

To sum it up, you will need a wait a second longer to bid adieu to the Year 2016 and welcome 2017.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro assured on Thursday that the time has come for his country to return to the Andean Community of Nations with all the productive and commercial capacities... | Read More
VILLE PLATTE  The practice of putting people "on ice" began so long ago in Evangeline Parish that no one still wearing a badge can recall its origin. But over the years, the so-called investigative holds became as much a part of policing here as pat-downs and parking tickets.

For as long as anyone can remember, the U.S. Justice Department reported recently, anyone walking the streets could be taken into custody for questioning if detectives had the slightest hunch they knew something about a crime  or perhaps knew someone who did. They were jailed indefinitely without probable cause or charges, let alone access to a telephone or an attorney.

The Ville Platte Police Department and Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office conducted more than 900 of these unconstitutional arrests over a single three-year period, federal authorities found. Suspects, witnesses, persons of interest  and their relatives  were strip-searched and detained for days in cells without beds. At least 30 of these cases involved juveniles.

"The willingness of officers in both agencies to arrest and detain individuals who are merely possible witnesses in criminal investigations means that literally anyone in Evangeline Parish or Ville Platte could be arrested and placed 'on hold' at any time," the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division wrote.

The government used words like "staggering" to describe the prevalence of illegal confinement in this northern corner of Acadiana, raising concerns about the specter of "coerced confessions."

Both agencies engaged in a "pattern or practice of unconstitutional conduct," the feds alleged, eroding the community's trust in law enforcement and potentially tainting an untold number of criminal convictions.

Ville Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue doesn't deny the practice was widespread. But to hear him tell it, no one in a position of authority here ever suspected that investigative holds flew in the face of the 4th Amendment, which requires authorities to have probable cause to detain people. It's just how things were handled, he insisted, passed down through generations of local law enforcement like a recipe for boudin sausage.

"We never intended to violate anyone's constitutional rights," Lartigue said in an interview with The Advocate last week. "This went back way before my administration and any administration that I worked under here in the past 25 years. We were all trained into it."

Alex Chapman Jr., the parish's public defender, said he was not aware the holds were used so broadly in part because many of the people who were illegally detained were never booked and thus had no need for a lawyer.

Report: Evangeline sheriff, Ville Platte police held people in jail cells without cause in 'disturbing' pattern The U.S. Department of Justice in a report released Monday alleges the Evangeline Parish She

Part of 'the old ways'

Like Lartigue, Chapman said he did not believe the authorities willfully disregarded the law, describing investigative holds as part of "the old ways" that permeate the small town. He said the police enjoy a certain immunity due to the "color of their uniform."

"I don't know that they realized that citizens who are not even accused of a crime have basic rights and that you can't infringe on that," Chapman said. "A human being becomes a different person when they have total control and no consequences for what they do."

But the contention that the culprit is institutional ignorance, rather than willful disregard for the law, has been a hard sell among some Ville Platte residents, and some of them are demanding consequences. Several residents said they were frustrated that the federal investigation has not yielded criminal charges.

"This has been going on for too long," said Arthur Sampson, a longtime activist and former NAACP president in Evangeline Parish.

The report comes at a tumultuous time for the parish's law enforcement, which has struggled with high rates of turnover and mounting mistrust among residents, especially in African-American neighborhoods. Earlier this year, third-term Sheriff Eddie Soileau, citing a financial emergency, sought an opinion from state Attorney General Jeff Landry on whether he could "legally operate without having law enforcement duties"  in other words, give up police work.

Landry's office reminded Soileau of his mandate to uphold the law, adding that "no public official may choose to shrug a yoke his office bears by constitutional decree." Soileau, who was re-elected in 2015 with 59 percent of the vote, did not return calls for comment from The Advocate.

Elected officials largely played down the Justice Department report, even as they accepted the government's demand that the Police Department and Sheriff's Office adopt detailed written policies forbidding the use of investigative holds. City leaders have taken "laudable steps" in that direction since the investigation began in April 2015, the Justice Department said, but "more work remains to be done."

"I dont think the city is trying to avoid addressing the problem, and I think, in large part, they didn't know that they had a problem," said state Sen. Eric LaFleur, D-Ville Platte.

LaFleur, who also serves as city attorney here, said he believed that in many of the cases in question, officers actually had probable cause to make an arrest but just failed to properly document it and ensure the detainee received a timely court hearing.

"To anybody that it happened to, it's a major problem," LaFleur added, "but I just don't see it as widespread as maybe the report would make it sound."

'Target the leadership'

U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, R-Alto, said he was disappointed by the government's findings, saying the report "cast a shadow on the great work that the vast majority of our wonderful police force does." He stopped short of calling for the sheriff and police chief to step down, but he added, "I think you have to target the leadership here."

"They have to take most of the responsibility," Abraham said. "Things have got to be set straight."

The Justice Department report includes shocking anecdotes, including a 2014 case in which Ville Platte police detained a woman they believed had witnessed an armed robbery and shooting while she was grocery shopping. Even after she told investigators she had no information about the crime, the police came to her home and took her  along with her boyfriend and a 16-year-old  into custody.

"Officers strip-searched the woman, who was menstruating at the time, and forced her to remove her tampon," the report says, adding that the woman was then placed in the jail's general population for hours without sanitary products before being questioned by detectives. Meanwhile, the woman's boyfriend and the 16-year-old were placed in separate cells and detained for hours.

"None of these individuals were suspected of having any connection to the robbery or shooting," the report says, "yet detectives incarcerated them for significant periods of time before showing them a line-up and asking them questions about what they may have witnessed."

Without naming him, the Justice Department report says "the district attorney" participated in the woman's interrogation following her unlawful arrest. District Attorney Trent Brignac, who was first elected in 2008, did not returns calls from The Advocate seeking comment.

A former FBI agent first alerted the Police Department and Sheriff's Office in 2014 to the "unconstitutionality of their holds practices," the Justice Department said. "Although the FBI agent encouraged both agencies to stop using investigative holds, both agencies continued to employ the practice for many months thereafter."

The Justice Department launched its civil-rights probe the following year, examining arrests made between the beginning of 2012 and the end of 2014. "We spent probably two months pulling files from archives, making sure they had every arrest record," said LaFleur, the state senator and city attorney.

The investigation found that the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office, which polices about 33,000 residents, had listed "investigative hold" as the lone basis for more than 200 arrests during that period. The Ville Platte Police Department, which polices 7,300 residents, used the holds more than 700 times.

The Justice Department reviewed thousands of pages of reports and booking logs at both the city and parish jails. Both agencies kept such poor records that the government said it was "unable to quantify the full scope of constitutional violations."

While Chapman, the public defender, said he believed that black residents had been disproportionately affected by the investigative holds, the Justice Department said a lack of documentation prevented it from assessing "the impact of the hold practice on particular racial, ethnic or other demographic groups."

Into 'the bullpen'

The investigative holds happened when detectives instructed patrol officers to go out into the community and bring in a person for questioning. At the parish jail, these detainees were placed in a holding cell referred to as "the bullpen," where they would sleep on a concrete floor or metal bench as they waited to be interrogated. The technique became known as "putting them on ice," and investigators hoped that the experience would encourage cooperation.

The holds often lasted for three days or longer, but one deputy recalled a detainee being held for more than six days "without a warrant or a probable cause determination." Louisiana law requires a probable cause determination to be made within two days of a warrantless arrest.

The Sheriff's Office would not allow persons "on hold" to make phone calls to their family. Detectives threatened jailers with retaliation "if the officers allowed detainees to make phone calls," the report said.

"One EPSO jail officer described an incident in which an EPSO detective reprimanded him after the jail officer provided toothpaste and other personal supplies to a person locked in the holding cell," the report said.

Authorities said the holds made it easier to develop evidence in many cases, and one detective told the feds "he has used investigative holds experimentally, testing whether a crime wave subsides while a particular person is in jail."

The Justice Department, however, said it has "grave concerns that this longstanding, coercive practice has led to wrongful convictions based on false information."

The report also highlighted a mistrust and fear of law enforcement that was evident in interviews last week, particularly in Ville Platte's black community. Several residents told The Advocate they have been harassed by police, particularly by officers enforcing a remarkable 2010 city ordinance that requires pedestrians to wear reflective gear while walking around at night. Violators can be punished with a $200 fine and up to 30 days in jail.

"They only use that to search your pockets," said Tevin Thomas, 24, who has been ticketed for failure to wear reflective gear. "They're basically trying to catch a drug charge on you. It's not right around here."

The city previously enacted a controversial "walking curfew" that forbade travel by foot from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. on weekends. The American Civil Liberties Union challenged that ordinance in court, prompting its revocation and a consent decree requiring any further curfews "be the least restrictive measure necessary to achieve a compelling need."

"They come in our community looking to arrest," said Alonzo Leday, 35, referring to the police. "There's no jobs and no businesses. It's like it's set up for us to commit crime, and that's how they make money."

Lartigue, the Ville Platte police chief, who was last re-elected in 2014, said he was not embarrassed by the Justice Department report but was "glad to be able to correct" the department's arrest protocols. He now requires officers to complete probable cause affidavits "before you put anyone behind the bars."

The chief said he is working with the Justice Department to implement new policies forbidding investigative holds so that "in 15 years, when we're all retired, it won't start up again."

"When it come about that, 'Hey, fellas, y'all doing this wrong, you can't do this,' we took immediate action," Lartigue said. "We've brought things to where they need to be; we just need a more in-depth policy. We're here to uphold the law."
EDITOR'S NOTE: The JG-TC staff chooses the Top 10 news stories each year based on a number of factors. The rankings are affected by things such as impact to the area, uniqueness and level of interest among readers both in print and online.

CHARLESTON -- The struggles of Eastern Illinois University have been chosen as the JG-TC's No. 1 story in the Coles County area for 2016.

In February, as Illinois moved into its eighth month without a budget, Eastern announced plans for an estimated 200 layoffs of non-instructional employees -- as well as furloughing all administrative and professional staff additionally in March to make it through the spring semester.

The layoffs, along with cash flow reserves and budget cuts and freezes, were enacted to push Eastern through the semester.

A large group of Charleston community members and Eastern students and staff later rallied on campus with a theme of "Fund EIU" to push for change in Springfield to get financial support for the university.

During the summer, Eastern received an influx of state funds. A six-month spending plan approved June 30 released $1 billion for higher education; Eastern received $26.2 million.

Coupled with the state's total $350 million in operating money from an emergency funding measure in April, the stopgap brought the schools hit hardest by the impasse -- including Eastern -- up to 90 percent of what they received for the 2014-15 school year.

In September, EIU saw the largest deficit in enrollment in comparison to that of recent years. A press release stated the numbers show fall total enrollment sitting at 7,415 students. A year prior, the number of students taking on- and off-campus classes was 7,616 and 904, respectively, for a total enrollment of 8,520. It was the largest drop-off of students in the past decade.

While a decrease in enrollment has been steady for a while, Eastern officials largely attributed this latest loss of students to the negativity surrounding state budget issues.

Coming up, the university plans to utilize information from its Vitalization Project to better identify what efficiencies and innovations Eastern can make to remain competitive in the market.

But, at the state government level, a six-month spending plan that has kept schools afloat through the fall semester runs out Dec. 31.

The other stories in the JG-TC Top 10 for 2016 are as follows.

2. Mattoon GE plant announces plans to close.

MATTOON -- GE Lighting informed employees at the Mattoon Lamp Plant in mid-October that a final decision has been made to close the facility by the end of August 2017.

The announcement followed an "idea generation period" with employees exploring cost-saving alternatives to the closure, reported GE Lighting spokeswoman Alicia Gauer at the time.

"Ultimately, no viable solutions were found to offset dramatic, and continuing, decline in volume for products produced at this plant," Gauer reported.

The Mattoon Lamp Plant, 1501 S. 19th St., opened in 1946 and employed approximately 1,800 workers at its peak, but the workforce has dwindled over the years to less than 150.

On Aug. 11, GE Lighting announced plans to phase out operations at the Mattoon Lamp Plant by late August 2017 unless the "idea generation period" yielded an alternative to closure.

GE Lighting reported that, in the last decade, the lighting industry has seen a major technology pivot away from traditional lighting products, including incandescent, halogen and specialty linear fluorescent lamps.

3. County-wide sales tax referendum passes.

CHARLESTON -- The Coles County School Facility Occupation Tax was approved by voters Nov. 8, imposing a 1-percent sales tax exclusively meant for school facilities improvements and repairs.

The referendum allows schools to pull from a new revenue source. According to unofficial election results, the tables were flipped in comparison to previous attempts to pass the tax, with 54 percent of citizens voting for the tax this year.

After the issue was defeated twice before, the public might have now seen a greater need for the sales tax money, Charleston school district Assistant Superintendent Todd Vilardo said.

"The public is more aware of the financial difficulties that the state of Illinois has put public schools in," he said.

The money received from the tax will be dispersed based on student enrollment. According to the school districts, Mattoon schools would get an estimated $2.5 million in sales tax revenue annually; Charleston schools, an estimated $2.05 million; and Oakland schools, an estimated $118,252.

4. Property donated for new PADS shelter.

MATTOON -- The Mattoon Area PADS community organization received a gift of property in late January that it plans to use as the site for construction of a new homeless shelter and soup kitchen.

The donated property at 1812 Western Ave. will be used to replace the existing leased shelter at 2017 Broadway Ave., a former doughnut shop building that PADS has reported is too small to provide adequate shelter for homeless families. PADS has since received a city special use permit to construct the shelter at 1812 Western and has demolished the vacant warehouse that had been located there.

PADS, a nonprofit group, reported that the land was donated in memory of late Mattoon businessman Adolf Kull by his widow, longtime Mattoon resident Victoria Kull, and his son, Mark Kull.

The donated property is located in the downtown commercial district, about two blocks from the current shelter facility. Plans call for a 4,000-square-foot shelter building to be constructed once a fundraising campaign is completed.

The donation of the land brought an end to PADS' more than year-long search for a new shelter location in Mattoon.

5. Former Charleston day care owner found not guilty of charges alleging she severely injured child in her care.

CHARLESTON -- In July, faced with conflicting evidence about what caused Piersen Eaker's injuries, a jury found Patricia Brant not guilty of charges accusing her of injuring the boy at the Charleston day care she operated.

After lengthy deliberations that took part of two days, the jurors apparently found enough doubt in the prosecution's contentions that the 22-month-old boy's injuries could only have been caused by being shaken.

Brant continually denied harming the boy and said she believes he fell while trying to climb out of a play pen in which she left him on the day he was injured, Feb. 14, 2014.

During police questioning and in her own testimony at the trial, Brant said she returned from using the bathroom to find Piersen on the floor, unresponsive and gasping for breath.

However, she was arrested the following day on charges of aggravated battery of a child.

That resulted because, according trial evidence, doctors who treated Piersen said his injuries were too serious to be from a fall and had to be from being shaken by an adult. They said Piersen will suffer permanent disabilities because of the injuries.

During his closing remarks to the jury, lead defense attorney Todd Reardon urged the jurors not to "ignore the science" behind the experts' testimony.

Experiments a bio-mechanical engineer conducted, specifically involving children falling from play pens, showed such a fall could create enough force to result in the types of injuries Piersen received, Reardon noted.

Reardon also noted that a pathologist concluded that the bleeding and other damage in Piersen's brain likely came from a fall.

The jury reached its verdict after about 11 hours of deliberations, one of the longest jury deliberations for a criminal trial in Coles County in several years.

6. Fatal shooting of woman in Mattoon leads to murder charges against two men, one not accused of actually shooting her.

CHARLESTON -- Two suspects in the June fatal shooting of a woman in Mattoon were charged with first-degree murder.

Shawn D. Adamson is accused of firing a gun during an armed robbery attempt, an incident that led to the death of Ciara J. Faires at a Mattoon residence on June 18.

Another man accused of a role in the incident, James Todd Shafer, 24, for whom court records list an address of 413 1/2 N. 20th St., Mattoon, was charged with first-degree murder.

Shafer reportedly fired shots through a closed door while he was inside the residence and Adamson and two other suspects were outside.

Faires had just left the residence at 313 S. 21st St., and was also outside and was hit by gunshots, according to court case records. The 23-year-old Charleston woman was later pronounced dead at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.

Adamson, 33, for whom records list addresses in Kankakee and on Charleston Avenue in Mattoon, is accused of being armed with a gun and going to the South 21st Street residence with the other suspects with plans to rob or confront Shafer.

Coles County State's Attorney Brian Bower said Adamson was charged with first-degree murder because he's allegedly responsible for the incident that eventually caused Faires' death.

Since Adamson was committing a "forcible felony" that led to the fatal shooting, "it doesn't have to be his exact act that causes the death," he explained.

Allegations in the murder charges against Shafer are that he fired the shots intending to kill Faires or another person, or that he knew that a death was possible.

7. Charleston school district cuts budget, more in response to state funding problems.

CHARLESTON -- The gifted education program in the Charleston school district was spared but school board members approved nearly all the rest of the proposed budget cuts with which they were presented in March.

Considering a list of possible reductions totaling about $1.4 million, the board voted unanimously to keep the gifted education program, with members contending it addresses a need for a group of students that couldn't otherwise be met.

The budget considerations followed four months the board spent in seeking input on how to address expected budget shortfalls, largely due to the state's lack of school funding and its own budget impasse.

In April, for the second year in the row, the district decided to borrow against upcoming tax revenue to carry it over until that money's received.

The Charleston school board authorized the issue of up to $4 million in warrants, which board members were told will be needed to meet expenses before the district's next fiscal year.

Superintendent Jim Littleford listed a variety of reasons for the move, including that there's been no state budget since June and the possibility of one not in place for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

8. Young Radiator structures demolished.

MATTOON -- The citys lawsuit against the owner of the former Young Radiator property was dismissed in April after the former factory structures at this site were demolished in January.

Attorneys for the city and the property owner, Magna Tax Service Co., filed a motion in Coles County circuit court stating that the two parties agreed that the lawsuit Mattoon filed in 2010 against Magna should be dismissed. The suit's aim was to get the remaining structures on the long-vacant property, 120 N. 14th St., demolished.

The Young Radiator property stretches from 14th to 12th streets and from just north of Broadway Avenue to just south of Richmond Avenue. The property had been an industrial site for more than 60 years. The city has reported that the facility was originally the site of Chuse Engine Works, which closed in 1927. Atlas Diesel made munitions for the military at this location during World War II, the city reported.

Young Radiator purchased the property in 1948 and operated there until its Mattoon facility closed in 1986, the city reported. Magna purchased the property in 1987 at a sale of real estate taxes through Coles County.

9. Consolidated to double in size with acquisition.

MATTOON -- Consolidated Communications is set to double in size through its planned acquisition of FairPoint Communications, a move that was announced in early December.

Consolidated Chief Marketing Officer Michael Smith has said their service area will grow from 11 to 24 states and their fiber optic network will increase from 14,000 to 35,000 miles once the merger with FairPoint, based in Charlotte, N.C., is completed. He has said Mattoon-based Consolidated will become one of the top 10 fiber providers in the United States.

In addition, Smith has said Consolidated's workforce will increase from 1,800 employees, including the 307 based in Mattoon, to 4,400. He has said the combined company will generate more than $1.5 billion in annual revenue, up from $755 million for Consolidated by itself.

Consolidated has reported that it will remain based in Mattoon.

10. Coles County officials renew consideration of courthouse annex

CHARLESTON -- The Coles County Board is considering revamping an existing nearby building as an annex to the Coles County Courthouse.

In December, board members learned that several renovations would be needed for a building on the courthouse square to be used as a courthouse annex, but that would cost less than building a new one.

That's according to an inspection report on the Charleston Transitional Facility building that county officials are considering as a place to relocate county offices not directly connected to the courts.

The architect's report says the CTF building, at the northeast corner of Seventh Street and Jackson Avenue, directly east of the courthouse, is structurally sound and could serve as a courthouse annex.

But the county's contract with the architect, the Upchurch Group in Mattoon, also calls for a second phase of inspections, and Coles County Board Chairman Stan Metzger said a decision likely won't come soon.
A former Angola corrections cadet was arrested Friday for sexual misconduct with an offender that occurred while he was on duty, according to the Louisiana Department of Corrections.

Pernell J. Glover, Jr., 20, of Baton Rouge, was booked on a count of malfeasance in office and sexual contact prohibited with persons in the custody and supervision of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, according to the department's news release.

Glover allegedly performed oral sex on an offender Dec. 17, according to the news release. The offender photographed the act on a contraband cellphone and then shared the photos with a relative and his attorney, who then shared them with department officials Dec. 20.

The offender told officials he destroyed the cellphone, according to the report, but officials are still working to locate it.

Glover was arrested by West Feliciana sheriff's detectives who, according to the news release, have been working "closely" with corrections officials in investigating the case.

Glover began as a cadet Oct. 17 and resigned from his job at the Louisiana State Penitentiary Dec. 20, before officials were aware of the photos, according to the news release.

The report states that Glover met or exceeded all requirements for the position, including a criminal background check.
Don't expect evictions of American Can tenants on New Year's Eve, attorney says
A woman charged with hitting a police officer after she was arrested on a warrant has been ordered to comply with directions from Mental Health Services.

An arrest warrant was issued for the 34-year-old woman, who has schizophrenia, after she failed to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court on December 14.

Prosecutors alleged the woman struck a constable as he tried to arrest her then attempted to spit at his partner on Friday.

She was charged with common assault, unlawful possession of cannabis, and failure to appear in court.

Prosecutor Brian Ngugi opposed having the defendant sent to a mental health facility to decide whether immediate treatment or care was required.
New Year's Eve revellers at Circular Quay have been granted a bit of early excitement as a large plume of smoke rose over the area, stemming from a fire near the Cahill expressway.

Despite the dramatic smoke strewn sky, the blaze is understood to be under control and posing no threat to tonight's celebrations.

Smoke rises from at fire near Circular Quay on New Year's Eve. Credit:Andrew Hornery

Firefighters attended to a fire at the Four Seasons Hotel on George Street after being called at about 7.40pm as a result of an automatic fire alarm, which was started by an air conditioning unit in the pool area.

Fire & Rescue NSW Superintendent Greg Rankin said the incident was assigned plenty of resources, while the matter was under control without reports of any injuries.
A Queensland woman who accidentally ran over her infant son at a funeral south of Brisbane is unlikely to be charged, police say.

The seven-month-old was in a pram hit by the woman's car as she was reversing on St Pauls Drive, Woodridge, just before 2pm on Friday afternoon.

The boy's mother was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was not hurt, police said. Credit:9News / Twitter

He was rushed to Brisbane's Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in a serious condition but died a short time later.

"The investigations are ongoing but it's unlikely they're going to charge a mother over something like this," a police spokeswoman said on Saturday.
Police in Queensland's far north have a "tail" to tell after a three-and-a-half metre crocodile swaggered up the street and into the backyard of a house on New Year's Eve.

The crocodile wandered into the backyard of a property at Karumba, in Queensland's gulf country, enjoying basking in the sun in the backyard for a few hours from about 6am.

Police boxed in a crocodile at Karumba with hay bales and wheelie bins while waiting for wildlife experts from Cairns to arrive on New Year's Eve. Credit:McLeod.ChrissieL[CCC]

He then made the snappy decision to move out to the front gate, where he remained for the rest of the day.

Creative police officers and locals initially built a barrier out of wheelie bins in an attempt to funnel the crocodile back towards the water.
Puffing Billy in 1975. Credit:Fairfax Photographic Either way, Whitehead was able to consistently abuse children for decades between 1959 and 1990  and well into the 2000s, he remained an influential figure at the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre and was able to mix freely with children. "He [Whitehead] told me he had protection. That he was royalty," said Smithers, who was indecently assaulted by Whitehead at Puffing Billy in the Dandenong Ranges in the early 1980s. "[He said] there was no point in me saying anything because no one would do anything." Wayne Clarke was abused by Robert Whitehead when he was 13. Credit:Simon O'Dwyer Detectives did not launch an investigation into Whitehead until 2014, after Wayne Clarke told them of the sadistic abuse he'd suffered as a 13-year-old at the disused Taradale station Whitehead leased from the government. Police searched their records, but could find no mention of the once physically imposing railway man.

This did not seem that unusual until Whitehead's siblings asked police if they were aware of their brother's stint at Melbourne's notorious Pentridge Prison in 1959. That sentence had been imposed after he was convicted of abducting and molesting a boy scout. The news came as a bombshell for both the detectives and Whitehead's victims. Robert Whitehead (left) Credit:ARHS (Vic) Archive & Robert Carlisle Back in 1959, the Scouts movement had the sense to expel Whitehead immediately. But the same cannot be said for Whitehead's employer, the Victorian Railways department, where he was a rising star. As The Age revealed last year, it was Bolte government minister Sir Murray Porter, a friend of Whitehead's father, who successfully lobbied the state's railway chiefs to give Whitehead a second chance. Their re-hiring of Whitehead was a fateful and life-changing decision for at least six boys. In the railways, it seemed, Whitehead could do no wrong. He was appointed train controller at Melbourne's busy Spencer Street station and was among the state's most senior volunteer rail officials. The position won him the admiration of boys and the respect of their parents. At that time in Victoria there was a big cross-section of people involved in both the government railways and the volunteer network.

As Whitehead rose through the ranks, his 1959 conviction was forgotten. Clarke accepts that it is possible that the passage of time was enough reason for all police records of that conviction to go missing. But he is more sceptical about the apparent lack of police records about Whitehead's activities at North Williamstown's Australian Railway Historical Society in 1976 and Puffing Billy a decade later. Both organisations had other paedophiles in their ranks at the same time as Whitehead, and Whitehead's behaviour was the subject of a number of complaints to police. In an email to Victoria's police chief commissioner, Graham Ashton, Clarke has asked for an explanation as to why sex crimes detectives in 2014 could find no records of any of it. . "I can only think that he has had one or a handful of people on the inside looking out for him for some reason," Clarke said.

The police commissioner's office has promised to investigate Clarke's concerns. Bill Elms was one of those who had complained. He recalls making statements to police about Whitehead's frightening sexual abuse in the 1980s. Elms, who works in Victoria's railways, said years later he tried to tell a senior manager about Whitehead but was told to keep quiet or risk losing his job. Elms' mother, Alice, said in the 1980s, she had repeatedly told Puffing Billy's long-serving president Lon Wymond about Whitehead's predatory behaviour. No action was taken. At the time, Whitehead was secretary of the Puffing Billy board. Whitehead was booted out of the Puffing Billy organisation in 1990, around the same time as Wymond was replaced as president. No reason was given for his expulsion and no one reported Whitehead to police. This allowed him to move on, and he became an influential member of Seymour's historical rail society during the 1990s and 2000s. Wymond, who received an Order of Australia for his Puffing Billy work, died in 2010 and cannot answer questions.

In fairness to Wymond, one Puffing Billy volunteer from Whitehead's time is adamant the former president did act on reports about another paedophile operating at Puffing Billy, Tony Hutchins, by calling the police. "I know he did that because I reported Hutchins to him. We'd all had our suspicions about Whitehead as well but I can't say what Wymond did or didn't know in respect to him," the volunteer said. But Whitehead victim John Smithers said Wymond did not react well when he tried to complain about Whitehead's abuse of him at Puffing Billy in the 1980s. "Wymond told me that how dare I say such things about such a great man as Whitehead and that I'd better keep quiet if I wanted to go anywhere in the Puffing Billy movement," Smithers said. Smithers, who still works for Victoria's railway department, said Whitehead did not forget his complaint, and had enough influence in the department to exact revenge. .

"I was in at the old head office building in Spencer Street and had got a school-leaver position to be trained as a driver. But then Whitehead saw me in the office and went in to talk to the men who had just offered me a job, and all of a sudden the job was gone. I'll never forget Whitehead standing on the stairwell above me saying: 'I told you that you should've bent over for me'. "He was a bastard," Smithers said. Clarke has been at pains to get answers from the Victorian government about how a convicted child sex abuser such as Whitehead was able to secure leases on railway buildings in Brighton and Taradale, which is where he was subjected to a terrifying series of ordeals in 1975. "There are Victorian Railway records that show they were aware of his 1959 conviction and yet this didn't stop them leasing railway buildings which he used to take boys away to and abuse them. That staggers me," Clarke said. He has been frustrated by a lack of response from various government departments and agencies. Victoria's Minister for Tourism and Major Events, John Eren, agreed that the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources should have acknowledged a letter from Clarke far earlier than it did.
Brussels: British Prime Minister Theresa May has condemned a blunt speech this week by US Secretary of State John Kerry on the state of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an unusual move likely to boost Britain's relations with the incoming Trump administration at the expense of President Barack Obama.

The rare diplomatic spat between Britain and the United States, which was met with surprise by the US State Department, highlighted the fast-collapsing influence of the White House in Middle East peace negotiations. It also pointed to a vast reordering of international affairs expected after President-elect Donald Trump takes office in three weeks, as US allies position themselves to curry favour with the incoming administration.

The transatlantic split was particularly unexpected given that May's government acted as a key broker between US and Palestinian interests ahead of a UN Security Council vote last week to declare Israeli settlement construction "illegal". British diplomats worked as go-betweens in shaping the measure to ensure that the language was acceptable to the United States, Britain's Guardian and Israel's Haaretz newspapers reported this week.

Kerry on Wednesday offered a harsh assessment of the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that "his current coalition is the most right wing in Israeli history, with an agenda driven by its most extreme elements." He criticised persistent Israel settlement expansion on the West Bank as a threat to the "two-state solution" under which Israel and a new Palestinian state would coexist side by side.
Queen (then Princess) Maxima of the Netherlands wears the star tiara (Sion Touhig/Getty Images)

The year is 2002, and Maxima Zorreguieta Cerruti is preparing to marry the heir to the Dutch throne. If youre a royal bride, you can play the wedding tiara game a few ways: you can opt for a safe choice (like the Duchess of Cambridge), you can wear an heirloom tiara (like Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden), you can go for no tiara at all (never something Id personally advise), or you can go big. Maxima, being Maxima, went for major sparkle.

(Michel Porro/Getty Images)

Maxima chose something of a frankentiara  a piece that features elements of two different items of jewelry mixed together to make a new tiara  for her wedding day. First, she selected the base of one of the Dutch royal familys existing tiaras: the Pearl Button Tiara (worn above by Princess Margriet). Theres a debate about the actual age of the Pearl Button: some think that it was made in the twentieth century, while others argue that its base was a part of a coronet worn by Queen Sophie of the Netherlands, which would make it an earlier creation.

(OLAF KRAAK/AFP/Getty Images)

Rather than wearing the tiara with the pearl buttons (like Princess Margriet did at her wedding), Queen Maxima chose to wear it on her wedding day with five of the diamond stars that belonged to Queen Emma. Emma had been given two sets of diamond star brooches when she married King Willem III in 1879. One set has stars with ten points; the other has stars with twelve.

(Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Maxima chose the ten-pointed stars for her wedding tiara. On occasion, she also wears the twelve-pointed stars in other ways, including as pins on order sashes. Above, she wears the tiara at the wedding of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark in 2004.

(JERRY LAMPEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Maxima wore the tiara frequently in the early years of her marriage, but in more recent years, shes only worn it for one public outing: a dinner during the 2013 Israeli state visit.

So far, only three members of the Dutch royal family have worn the star version of this tiara: Maxima, Princess Beatrix (who wears it above at a diplomatic reception in 2015), and Princess Margriet. Its not a tiara that every princess could pull off  you need an element of pizzazz about you to make the stars work. But its practically perfect for Maxima, who absolutely oozes joie de vivre.

Note: This is an updated version of an earlier post, with new text/images.
During President-elect Donald Trumps recent Thank You tour he repeatedly took time to thank the countless African-American voters who decided not to vote. He categorized the disenfranchisement of black voters as great and he wanted to thank black voters for staying at home.

We did great with the African-American community, said Trump at a rally in Hershey, Pennsylvania. They didnt come out to vote for Hillary. They didnt come out. And that was a bigso thank you to the African-American community. The predominantly white audience at the rally applauded loudly in response.

As 2016 comes to a close and the new year dawns, and as Americas first black president prepares to leave the White House, African Americans, and the rest of America, must confront the fact that our incoming president celebrates when Americans, specifically black Americans, do not vote. With each passing day, it becomes clearer what Making American Great Again means to Trump.

Trumps victory comes with the help of a concerted, systematic agenda by Republican-controlled states to implement voting restrictions that disproportionately harmed black voters. Throughout the South, in areas with high populations of African Americans, black voter turnout decreased from 2012. Nationally, in areas were African Americans make up over 30 percent of the population, voter turnout dropped by nearly 5 percent.

Following Shelby County v. Holder and the nationwide rise in voting restrictions there was an inevitability about the reduction in black voter participation. These additional obstacles made it less likely that Obamas voter coalition would stay intact.

Yet voter suppression is not the only reason for this reduction. Many black voters simply did not like Hillary Clinton. Clintons unfavorables remained high for the duration of her campaign. Her super-predators comment from the 1990s made her candidate non grata to segments of black voters. Other potential black voters argued that civil disobedience was the best method for creating change and they opted to abstain from voting. Others complained that neither candidate was good enough and that both would ignore the black community. This lack of acknowledgement or perceived disrespect from the candidates indicated to some voters that their voices and lives did not matter, so it seemed illogical to believe that their vote could suddenly matter, too.

With no Barack Obama spearheading the Democratic ticket the black electorate splintered and created an opening that Trump could exploit. In 2016, this splintering definitely harmed the Democratic Party and emboldened the Republicans who celebrate our increased disenfranchisement.

Black Lives Matter also made a vocal impression on this election cycle, but its decentralized structure made it nearly impossible for the movement to convert its passionate supporters who steadfastly work toward criminal justice reform into a mobilized unified voting bloc. In many ways, the emboldened, passionate, engaged, yet electorally fractured nature of the Black Lives Matter movement represents a microcosm of the grander dilemma black voters face as we head into 2017.

In January, the image of the Obamas leaving the White House will probably hit the black community harder than many of us anticipate. Throughout his presidency the GOP wanted to defeat him and destroy everything that he had created. Compromise was rarely a consideration. The fact that they couldnt defeat Obama and that he will leave the White House as a very popular president will fill black voters with pride. Yet watching Obama yield to Trump and a GOP that is still committed to destroying his legacy will be a hard pill to swallow.

Yet by the time this trauma occurs the GOP may already have the wheels in motion to further disenfranchise and marginalize black voters. Trumps nominee for attorney general, Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, will have his senate confirmation hearings on Jan. 10-11. Civil rights advocates have legitimate concerns about Sessions, including the likelihood that he will severely cut the civil rights division of the Justice Department that Obama and Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch revitalized.

In the new year, the black community will wake up to an America where the powers that be seek to minimize our voices. We will have to reacquaint ourselves with the struggles and progress of the 1960s and the 1860s to make sense of this new America as we combat regressive forces that aim to return us to a more oppressive era.

There will be a yearning for a unifying black leader to emerge from the black community. Many may want Obama to continue to carry that torch. He will still live in Washington, and the image of Obama standing up to Trumps bigotry in the nations capital could inspire many. Rev. William Barber, his Moral Mondays movement, and his opposition to North Carolinas radical, racist, and anti-democratic politics might become the champion many black voters unite around. Politicians Cory Booker and Keith Ellison could obtain more influential roles nationally within the black community. The Black Lives Matter movement will continue to energize especially younger African Americans. There remain many significant voices that could potentially unite the black electorate in the years to come, and I am confident that we will remain vocal in championing racial equity and progressive change.

But the lessons of 2016 should show us that regardless of the existence of these galvanizing individuals or movements, the black community still faces the same basic threat of systematic disenfranchisement. American democracy has largely been structured around legitimizing and striving to find common ground with those who want to oppress black Americans and instituting structures that prevent us from having a voting electorate strong enough to influence any facet of our democracy. And sadly this has not changed.

The progress that Obama represented masked this ever-present threat, and gave black voters greater encouragement to express our individual liberties. Yet America responded with increased white tribalism and white supremacy, the rise of Trump, and a country that increasingly celebrates the disenfranchisement of African Americans.

Inevitably new black leaders will emerge when Obama leaves office, but the galvanizing, unifying message of the black community has already been defined by the Republican Party and Trump. From here on out, black voters can ill-afford to stay at home or not vote against the voices that celebrate and describe our increased disenfranchisement as great for America.
While the U.S. media and political establishment were focused on Russias hacks of the recent U.S. presidential electionand the retaliatory sanctions the outgoing Obama administration announced on Dec. 29the Chinese navy was moving aggressively into the contested waters of the strategic South China Sea.

In a move that combined actions and words, Chinas sailed its aircraft carrier boldly through disputed waters while prominent Chinese figures voiced rhetoric significantly escalating Beijings global ambitions.

It will mostly fall on president-elect Donald Trump and his administration to formulate a response.

Its customary for Beijing to tease an incoming U.S. presidential administration with some kind of military or diplomatic demonstration. American experts expected the Trump administration to face some kind of challenge. And indeed on Dec. 15, the crew of a Chinese navy ship briefly hijacked a U.S. Navy underwater research drone, drawing a flurry of indignant and contradictory tweets from Trump.

But the far greater challenge came 10 days laterand could represent a sneak peak of Chinas forceful approach to the United States military and diplomatic posture for at least the next four years.

The first obvious sign of Chinas big move came on Christmas Day, when Japanese forces detected Liaoning, the Chinese navys first and so far only aircraft carrier, sailing out of the East China Sea into the Western Pacific for the first time.

China is currently building a second carrier, and has said it will eventually begin construction on a third flattop. The U.S. Navy possesses 10 large carriers plus nine carrier-like assault ships that can carry a modest number fixed-wing planes.

Liaoning, a former Soviet vessel that China acquired and rebuilt at great expense starting in 1998, entered Chinese navy service in 2012. Normally based at Dalian in northern China, Liaoning has spent the past four years periodically venturing into coastal waters for training. The Christmas Day sortie qualifies as the 1,000-foot vessels first frontline deployment.

With fighter jets and helicopters arrayed on her deck and accompanied by five heavily-armed escort vessels, Liaoning cut an arc through the Pacific just 60 miles off the coast of Japans Okinawa prefecture before heading southwest.

The Obama administration reacted with a practiced shrug. U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner pointed out that all countries have the right the sail their warships in international waters. Its freedom of navigation, Toner said.

Taiwan was less sanguine as the Chinese flattop closed to within 90 miles of the island country on her way back toward China. The defense ministry in Taipei announced it will pay close attention to [Liaonings] future movement.

Tensions between the United States, Taiwan and China lately have been running higher than usual. On Dec. 2, Trump shattered decades of protocoland drew protest from Beijingwhen he spoke on the phone with Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen.

Since 1979, the U.S. government has carefully avoided officially recognizing Taiwan as a fully independent countryin order to avoid inciting the wrath of China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has threatened to invade if the island ever makes official its own independence.

Its possible to read Liaonings passage near Taiwan as a forceful retort to the Dec. 2 phone call. Even then, Beijing wasnt done.

Sailing into the resource-rich South China Seawhere China, The Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei have all asserted overlapping, and unresolved, territorial claimsLiaoning hailed at Hainan, an island province of China in the South China Sea southwest of Taiwan.

Starting in 2012, China massively expanded Hainans port facilities to accommodate not just one full-size carrier but two. By contrast, the United States keeps just one large carrier and one assault ship in the Western Pacific. Both vessels are homeported in Japan.

Liaoning briefly stopped at Sanya on Hainan in 2013, at a time when tensions in the South China Sea were arguably much lower. The flattops visit three years later served as a clear reminder to nearby countries and the United States that, before too long, China will be able to quickly deploy naval power in the South China Sea that roughly matches Americas own naval contingent in the region.

And in a sharp break from the past, a Chinese official matched his countrys swelling military might with new, bombastic rhetoric. The South China Sea is Chinas ancestral sea and also Chinas territorial waters, Xing Jincheng, a Chinese-military political commissar on Hainan, wrote in a Dec. 29 op-ed.

Xing, who was appointed in 2013 to oversee Hainans naval militia, wrote that he considered it his job to wage the first battle for the rights to the South China Sea.

That kind of rhetoric is becoming more prominent among Chinese officials and government proxies. In a Nov. 12 speech, Dr. Zhu Feng, the director of the prestigious China Center for Collaborative Studies of the South China Sea at Nanjing University, spoke forcefully about Chinas rise as a global military power.

In recent years, Chinese leaders have shied away from describing Beijings ambitions as global, instead insisting that the country merely wants to be a regional powerin other words, a force incapable of challenging Americas worldwide military dominance.

To become a successful country, one must be a global power, and the global powers must be the worlds military powers, Zhu said.

Describing the Hainan carrier base as Chinas most important naval port, Zhu predicted that the sea route from Hainan into the South China Sea would become the worlds most important channel.

Just one force stands in the way of Chinas free access to the South China Sea, Zhu stated. For China to become a maritime power, we must limit the United States global naval freedom of intervention.

I tell you very frankly that the South China Sea dispute has just begun, Zhu added.
The Second Avenue Subwayor lack thereofhas been the laughingstock of New York for nearly 100 years: the critical project that the most ambitious city in the world never could build.

Today, New Years Eve, if all goes well, Gothams mythical subway will become reality. As he prepares to take the inaugural ride on the train route, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is trying to transform the subways saga from a symbol of infrastructure failure into one of infrastructure success.

But New Year's Eve is always more depressing than it is uplifting, and the Second Avenue Subway's minutes-to-midnight debut is still more about our failures than triumphs. Figuring out what went wrong could help the country build more stuff right.

***

Back in September 1929, New Yorks real-estate investors thought they were pretty smart. Brokers told The New York Times that every Second Avenue owner approached by them the day of the announcement of the proposed Second Avenue subway last week either withdrew his property from the market or raised his price about 50 percent.

The subwayalready promised off and on for nearly a decadewas finally coming. Stretching from the East Bronx to Brooklyn, it would mean higher property values for owners in between. In the next month, a dozen properties along the route would change hands, as speculators sought to control entire tenement blocks.

What happened after that was, well, nothing. In 1930, the city held public hearings on the planned route. In 1931, New York started preliminary construction workbut the work was so preliminary that neighborhood businesses formed a joint civic committee to force the city into making specific construction plans, including realistic cost estimates. By 1934, one resident warned that it probably wasn't a good idea to tear down the elevated transit line until the city provides us with that Second Avenue Subway. (The city tore it down anyway, six years later.)

The next year, in 1935, the subway project collapsed, not with a grand announcement but with some whimpering. The city's transportation chief told a Brooklyn audience that because the Depression had hurt property values even as it had forced the city to increase debt, further postponement was almost inevitable. Forty years later, the state, which had recently taken control of the subways from the city, re-started the project. But a new fiscal crisis ended that attempt, too.

***

The early failures of the Second Avenue Subway were two-fold. First, until the late 1970s, the city had no financial checks and balances. New York's approach to its subways and everything else was simple and short-term: Gotham funded projects on a day-to-day basis out of one big pot of money, without consideration for priorities or long-term costs. Then, when it ran out of money, it stopped. (Though private-sector monopolies ran the first subways, and not very well, the city paid for their construction.)

Second, the city suffered from national trends, and its own lack of vision. By mid-century, federal money went toward suburban highways, to help people leave outdated, dirty cities. The federal money that went to cities was for social spending on public housing and welfare, not infrastructure. The city spent its own transit money on good union jobs and on trying to keep fares flat, rather than investing in physical assets.

The good news is that we've admitted both of those problems, if not exactly solved them. New York today has excellent financial checks and balances, including a well-scrutinized annual budget and a 10-year budget for major capital projects. A state-run public corporation, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, runs the transit system separately from both the city and state budgets. This structure theoretically insulates money that the city needs for transit infrastructure from the relentless pressures of day-to-day government spending.

And though other cities continue to struggle, New York has thrived. Even the more obtuse public officials dimly understand the need for infrastructure investment to support a record, and growing, population. The city is also so flush with tax revenues that it can spend more than $9.8 billion on worker pensions annually and $7.5 billion on health and welfare for the poor, and still have a little money left for infrastructure.

***

A decade ago, then, New York was in a healthy enough position to re-start that Second Avenue Subway, to public skepticism that it could ever complete the project. We've made enough progress since then so that just before Christmas this year, Gov. Cuomo could say that the new subway would remind New Yorkers that this is the greatest state in the United States of America. We dont make excuses. We make the impossible happen Were going to run these trains on Jan. 1, and were going to remind New Yorkers that there is nothing that we cannot do in this state when we put our mind to it and were not going to take no for an answer.

The sentiment is noble, but the reality is not. In 2007, the MTA said it could do the job for a little under $4 billion, and would be finished by the summer of the 2014. It's now December 2016, and these three stops have cost $4.5 billion.

Budget and time overruns were not even the biggest problem. Come 2017, New Yorkers won't have a full Second Avenue Subway from the Bronx to Brooklyn, as promised by our forefathers. They will have just three stops, from 96th Street to 72nd Street, feeding commuters who live in this area into the existing stop at Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street to bring people further downtown to their jobs.

True, the stops are climate-controlled, accessible to the handicapped, and nice and newbut they're still just three stops. These three stops, the MTA says, will alleviate crowding on the overpacked lines to the West. But they're also likely to draw new people to the subway, causing more crowding further down the line.

So what went wrong with the new, improvedand, come Saturday, existentversion of Second Avenue Subway? Lets disabuse ourselves of a romantic notion: that we can go back to the way things were a century ago, when cities threw up bridges and buildings in months. That wasnt even true back then; the citys first subwaythe ones we actually builttook more than a decade to plan and build. Thats despite an advantage the city had back then but doesnt have now: Back then, it didnt have to spend billions each year to maintain infrastructure that was decades old. It was building all-new infrastructure.

Construction firms could work faster back then, though, because society didn't have the same regard for human life, or the knowledge of how to protect life: In one subway-construction incident in 1903, the worst such catastrophe in New York history, 10 workers were killed.

Nor did firms have to follow any environmental regulations. Firms could work all night and day simply digging out dirt and flinging it to the side under cut and cover construction. Today, they must do their work with some minimal consideration for the neighbors, burrowing deep underground to avoid destroying what is above, and testing air quality and easing night work for the unavoidable above-ground work.

***

Still, we can do a better job within modern-day constraints. First, we should stop hyper-cyclical planning. Though the state-run MTA didnt officially start the latest Second Avenue project until 2007, the city and state began planning for it around the turn of the century (the new century). Thats because around the year 2000, the national, state, and local governments were flush with cash. The federal government, which paid for a third of the project, was looking at indefinite budget surpluses; the city was nearing the end of a stock-market boom that had sent employment in the financial industry to a level its never surpassed.

New York thus went from building nothing in three decades to building everything at once: not just the Second Avenue Subway, but a new commuter-rail link to East Midtown and faster work on a new water tunnel. Starting all of this work at the same time by itself pushed up costs. The city has only so many contractors who can bore tunnels, and multiple projects were competing for those contractors, driving costs up. At the same time, we were competing with China for raw materials such as steel and cement, pushing those costs up, as well. (The rebuilding required by the 9/11 attacks, a year later, didnt help.)

Second, the city must be more realistic about labor costs. In New York, because of both state and federal laws, a basic laborer earns $79.63 an hour, including benefits; an ironworker earns $96.69. These are hard jobs to do, and merit good pay. But union rules keep productivity low. New York requires twice as many to five times as many workers on a tunnel-boring machine compared to non-union states and European countries.

Third, obscure federal mandates cost money. On the Second Avenue Subway, for example, the federal government and New York's MTA bickered for more than a year about whether a fire-suppression system met longstanding federal buy America mandates. The MTA, through a contractor, had sourced part of its fire-suppression system from Finland.

The state tried to argue that the components made in Finland were not an end product. The Finnish had made pipe tubing, valves, and nozzles, but the Americans had made pipe fittings, a controller unit, alarms, and measuring tools. The federal government, however, ruled that the system was out of compliance, and that the MTA had to replace it. It's hard to believe that the purpose of our long-standing mandates on American companies are to protect us from well-paid Finnish workers. Nevertheless, one-off problems such as this one add up.

Fourth, the Second Avenue Subway, like other New York projects, suffered from the MTA's inability to properly coordinate the private-sector contractors who do much of the public-sector's construction work. As one group of workers finishes one section of project, another group of workers should be ready to step in to start work on another section.

Yet over and over, one contractor's delay cascades into delaying other contractors from starting their work. New York could address this problem by allowing public agencies to award design-build contracts, under which a contractor takes on the responsibility of completing an entire project, shouldering the risk of non-coordination itself. Yet New York, in part because of union pressure, restricts design-build contracting.

Finally, New Yorks infrastructure projects continue to suffer from pressure from other types of spending. Separating the transit system from the rest of the city and state budgets was supposed to ameliorate this problem, but it hasnt. Consider: If New York City could reform its public-sector pension benefits, and spend just $7 billion on pensions annually instead of $9.8 billion, it would have enough money, in three years time, to build three more stations of the Second Avenue Subway. But separating infrastructure spending from other spending has had a perverse effect: It prevents politicians from thinking in such terms.

***

If New York doesn't address some of these problems, it's not unreasonable to think it will be another 100 years before we have a full Second Avenue Subway. But these aren't lessons just for New York. From Boston's Big Dig to San Francisco's Bay Bridge, America's major projects come in decades late and billions over budgetharming the public's support for more infrastructure investment. Though each mega-project fails in a slightly different way from all the rest, they share commonalities, including inefficient labor practices and subservience to expensive federal mandates.

The tale of the Second Avenue Subway, then, is a lesson for President-elect Donald Trump, as he embarks, perhaps, on a trillion-dollar infrastructure scheme. The very act of building too much at once itself pushes costs up, and signing provisions such as even tougher Buy America requirements into law to protect American workers are complex and expensive to implement.

In the meantime, though, New Yorkers should celebrate their new subway line. One thing is for sure: they won't be getting another one come next New Year's Eve.
Yes, Simon's Cat is between the covers again The new book is called Simon's Cat vs the World and you can win your own copy, acco...
CASERTA, ItalyThe smell of exotic spices hangs in the air around the Via Virgilio in the rundown periphery of Aprilia north of Naples. The area is made up of low, flat houses and apartment blocks, dimly lit coffee bars and gambling halls along pot-holed streets where groups of Tunisian and Moroccan men often gather to wait for local vegetable farmers to come looking for undocumented workers for their fields and hothouses.

More than 200 Tunisians live along this small stretch of road, according to the local head of the intercultural association La Palma Del Sud. This is also where Anis Amri, the author of the gruesome Christmas market attack that killed 12 in Berlin Dec. 20, is thought to have spent his first four months of freedom with fellow Tunisian Yakoubi Montassar, a man he met in Lampedusa and with whom anti-mafia authorities say he stayed in contact with after being released from prison in Sicily in 2015.

Amri was shot and killed during a routine document check in Sesto San Giovanni train station outside of Milan last week, with just $150 in his pocket and two bullets in his 22-caliber pistol. He was wearing three pairs of pants and two sweatshirts, presumably so he could quickly change clothes if someone spotted him.

Authorities now believe he took a bus from the Netherlands to Lyon, France, likely because passengers are rarely checked for documents on buses like they can be on trains. Then, according to surveillance camera footage that picked him up in Lyon, he took a train to Turin and then on to Milans central station where he may have used an internet point, apparently to reach out to a yet-unknown contact. In Italy, all internet point users are supposed to show a document to log on, but it would appear that whoever was on the night shift in Milan didnt follow the rules if, in fact, Amri used the internet at all.

The house Montassar reportedly rented with other Tunisians, along with another home nearby and an apartment in suburban Rome to the north, were searched in early morning raids on Thursday as authorities in Italy try to piece together Amris troubled past and failed plans for his future. A dozen Italian contacts were found on the phone he abandoned in the truck he used for his killing spree in Berlin, which led investigators to the houses they searched on Thursday.

Montassar wasnt home, having been apparently hauled to prison in July on what is being described as earlier offenses. But Gianlorenzo Bernini, a self-described local councilman in the area, has taken on the role of fielding questions to journalists to assure the public that the area is not a haven for criminals. There are no terrorist cells here, he says, assuredly. The Tunisians who live here are peaceful and not troublemakers.

It is unknown if Amri was planning to return to the somewhat squalid suburb of Aprilia to find shelter once again, or if he was planning to head to elsewhere. Authorities also believe he had spent time with a woman he met in Rome when he left prison, who may or may not be connected to the searched houses. Buses from the Sesto San Giovanni station where Amri was killed could easily have taken him all the way to Morocco and Tunisia with little more than a glance at a document. They could have also taken him straight to Rome or Aprilia with even less notice. When he was stopped he said he was from Calabria. Buses from Sesto San Giovanni were also headed there.

Italys anti-mafia authorities (who double as the countrys anti-terrorism detectives) told reporters on Thursday that they believe Amri was in dire need of support, including falsified documents, a specialty of the Neapolitan Camorra that has lately been connected to a number of terrorists carrying out attacks in Europe. Italy has deported 66 people on terrorism suspicion, including a Tunisian man who was deported from the northern town of Brescia the same day police searched the house where Amri stayed.

Speaking to La Repubblica, Franco Roberti, Italys chief anti-terrorism prosecutor, said that Italy is incredibly useful for terrorists. Not only is Italy a center for producing false documents the countrys criminal gangs and mafia have ample opportunities for terrorists to raise money through the drug trade or spend it through the illegal arms racket. He says there are also plenty of safe houses and underground networks to hide and move people undetected. We are not just a transit country, he said. Those who want to carry out attacks can find a support system in our country.

He says that Italys thriving organized crime network lends itself to both lone-wolf attackers and those who are part of larger terrorist cells. He also said that the immigration crisis gripping the country continues to provide fertile ground for radicalization. Terrorists dont arrive on the boats, he said. But after years in the system, desperation and isolation and marginalization lead to radicalization.

Amri, who was radicalized during his four years in prison in Sicily, is a prime example of what can go wrong. But Roberti warns that he is not the only example. Italys Justice Ministry estimates that there are at least 400 men in Italian prisons who have been radicalized during their incarceration. Whether they act on their new ideology once they are released is what worries Roberti most. And with limited resources, there seems little anyone can do to stop it.
Sure, flutes of Champagne are traditional, but I think you should try mixing up a cocktail or two at your New Years Eve celebration tonight. And to help make your 2017 as spirited as possible, Ive gotten recipes from three top bars across the country. So, whether youre in the mood for a twist on a bubbly classic, a caffeine-spiked whiskey or a piping hot concoction from frozen North Dakota, youll be ringing in the new year in style.

Irish Bump

True to its name, LAs Big Bar goes, well, big on New Years Eve, kicking off its annual party at 3 PM. It serves a different special cocktail each hour inspired by a part of the world where its already midnight. The Irish Bump created by bar manager Cari Hah will be available starting at 4 PM Pacific, which is when theyll be toasting the new year in Dublin. It features the caffeine punch of cold-brew coffee, paired with cinnamon syrup and a Jameson whiskey that gets extra coffee notes from time spent in barrels that have held stout beer. A cloud of Angostura Bitters-spiked whipped cream on top makes this simple cocktail extra-special.

INGREDIENTS:1.5 oz Jameson Caskmates Irish Whiskey3 oz Cold-brew coffee.75 oz Cinnamon syrup (1 part sugar, 1 part water, steeped with broken-up cinnamon sticks for 15-20 minutes)

Glass: Double Old-FashionedGarnish: Angostura whipped cream*

DIRECTIONS: Add all the ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake, and strain into a double Old Fashioned glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a dollop of Angostura whipped cream.

*To make Angostura whipped cream, combine 8 ounces of cream with 1 ounce of Angostura Bitters. Whip until stiff peaks form.

Hot Buttered Popcorn Rum

In Bismarck, N.D., Fridays forecast calls for a balmy high of 18 degrees Fahrenheitand thats during the day. The winter weather makes cocktail menus in the frigid town a bit different: Here, hot drinks reign supreme, says Kate Gerwin, who manages a trio of the best bars in Bismarck (which all just happen to share the same building): Humpback Sallys, Luft and the hidden speakeasy 510.2. Gerwins festive twist on Hot Buttered Rum, which uses popcorn-infused rum and a rich, spiced butter-and-cream batter, will be on the menus at all three this New Years Eve. The recipe below makes enough batter for a good 18-20 drinks, and you can store any extra in the freezer for monthslong enough to survive even a North Dakota winter!

INGREDIENTS:2 tbsp. Rum Batter*2 oz Very hot water2 oz Popcorn-infused Don Q Anejo Rum**Lightly whipped cream

Glass: MugGarnish: Caramel popcorn

DIRECTIONS: Add the Rum Batter and water to a mug, and stir until the batter melts and dissolves. Add the rum and top with cream whipped until slightly thickened. Garnish with a few pieces of caramel popcorn.

*Rum Batter

INGREDIENTS:8 oz Cream1 oz Powdered sugar1 stick (4 oz.) Butter, softened4 oz Brown sugar.5 tbsp. Molasses1 tbsp. Ground cloves1 tbsp. Ground cinnamon1 tbsp. Ground nutmeg

DIRECTIONS: In a stand mixer, whip the cream and powdered sugar on high speed until stiff peaks form. Set aside. Stir together the remaining ingredients and fold into the whipped cream mixture. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks (or longer in the freezer).

**Steep 1 (750-mL) bottle of Don Q Anejo Rum with about 3 ounces of popped popcorn overnight, then strain and rebottle.

Airmail

In Manhattans East Village this year, neighborhood restaurant Virginias is planning a decadent six-course dinner for New Years Eve featuring oysters, foie gras and suckling pig, with a set of creative cocktails to match by bartender Eric Smades. His Airmail is sort of a mash-up of two classics from the early 1900s: the floral Aviation and the bubbly French 75. Its a refreshingly tart gin drink with a touch of violet liqueur and a topping of celebratory sparkling wine.

INGREDIENTS:1.5 oz Gin.5 oz Creme de violette.75 oz Lime juice.5 oz Simple syrup (1 part sugar, 1 part water)1 Egg whiteSparkling wine

Glass: FluteGarnish: Lime-twist rose

DIRECTIONS: Add all the ingredients except the sparkling wine to a shaker and shake hard (without ice). Open the shaker, fill with ice and shake again. Strain into a flute glass and fill with sparkling wine. To garnish, roll up a lime twist to look like a rose and secure with a cocktail pick or skewer.
The only British institution to have had a good year in 2016 is the monarchy. After the Brexit vote to leave Europe everything else fell apart. Her majestys subjects are deeply divided between small-minded Little Englanders and dismayed Europhiles. But the queen, having celebrated her 90th birthday and overtaken Queen Victoria as the longest reigning British monarch, remains beloved and serenely above all the rancor and hate-mongering.

And her world-wide fan club has been boosted by the first season of the Netflix bio-drama The Crown. The royal family has been given the full Downton Abbey treatment (gob-smacking wardrobes and sets) with the added frisson that this was no fictional brood of Granthams but a real and even more fevered clan called the Windsors.

It was gripping to see how a young and largely unprepared woman rose above the insidious, scheming courtiers, a political class paralyzed by the whims of the living but infirm legend Winston Churchill and grim post-war austerity to become the credible figurehead of a national revival.

Of course, this is history as soap opera, albeit very superior soap opera. The creator of the series and its writer, Peter Morgan, is a skilled romancer of events and characters. But in this impeccably staged pageant of the life and testing times of the House of Windsor there was one piece of air-brushing that needs more attention than it has received.

It concerns the role of the familys lurking albatross, the former Prince of Wales, King Edward VIII and subsequent Duke of Windsor. In The Crown he appears as a cross between a tailors dummy and a drawling, embittered old toff that the family called David. Morgan uses him as a kind of noises off tribune who, at key dramatic points, delivers soliloquies of commentary to the audiencesometimes with touches of editorializing by Morgan, like rather ungraciously pointing out that the queen was not exactly a towering intellect.

But we see nothing in the flashbacks of Davids darkest self, his flat-out infatuation with Adolf Hitler or, indeed, of the plot that the Nazis hatched to kidnap him (they assumed he wouldnt offer any resistance) and hold him in reserve until such time as the kingdom was subjugated under German occupation and he would return to the throne as a puppet kaiser. This would, they thought, be in keeping with the German roots of the royal family once called Saxe-Coburg and Gotha until they adopted the name of Windsor in World War I.

If that scheme sounds harebrained its as well to remember that war introduces many harebrained schemes and that this one was, in fact, deadly serious and very nearly executed.

The Prince of Wales became King Edward VIII on the death of his father, George V, at the end of 1935. He ruled for less than a year. At the end of 1936 he abdicated after being told that under the constitution he could not marry his American mistress, Wallis Simpson, because she was divorced. It was at this point that he took the title of the Duke of Windsor and she became the duchess.

The duke had always been close to his German cousins. Influenced by them he had been an early admirer of Hitleras were many members of the British aristocracy that he moved among. As Prince of Wales he had proclaimed his sympathies for the working classes (somewhat unconvincingly, given his personal taste for luxury) and he was easily gulled into thinking that German National Socialism was a progressive solution to social inequities.

Given this past, and now free to roam the continent with Wallis Simpson, whom he married in France in 1937, he turned out to be a perfect useful idiot for Nazi propaganda to manipulate. The duchess was more of an accomplice in this process than anybody knew at the time.

During Edward VIIIs short reign Simpson had been the focus of an investigation by the British security services. She was a close friend of the German ambassador in London, Joachim von Ribbentrop. Ribbentrop frequently visited her lavish London apartmentit was rumored but never proved that they had a long-running affair.

From their own spies in Berlin British intelligence knew that secret assessments of the Nazi regime sent to London by the British ambassador in Berlin were being fed back, through Ribbentrop, to the Nazi leadership. The king received the same Berlin messages in his red box, as part of the daily briefings given to the monarch by the government.

Agents in the royal household discovered that the king was careless with these papers, leaving them openly on his desk where Wallis Simpson could read them. Once this breach was confirmed official dispatches from Berlin were removed from the papers sent to the king.

While king, the duke had toured poorer districts of London in a motorcade and some of these streets were lined with members of the black-shirted British fascist movement who gave him the fascist salute. Then, in October 1937, when the duke and duchess arrived in Berlin for a state visit, he was greeted with the real thingthis time the crowds were screaming Heil Windsor! and Heil Edward!

The duke was now ready to give as well as receive; his own right arm had apparently been twitching for some time, and finally got its release when the pair arrived to see the graduates of a military academy that prepared an elite group of thugs for their future, the Deaths Head Division of the SS. Before inspecting their ranks the duke gave them an all-in Hitler salute.

The climax of this visit was staged as a classic Nazi tableau: The Windsors were driven up a mountain road to be greeted in person by Hitler at his Bavarian eyrie, the Berghof. They spent nearly two hours together, but in a slightly farcical situation. The duke spoke fluent German but Hitler insisted on having him speak in English through his own interpreter. The duke frequently complained that the version of what he said being relayed to Hitler was incorrect. Well never know actually what was said because, like so much of the record of the dukes conversations with the Nazi leadership, no transcriptions have survived.

In fact, seeking the truth of the dukes fascist flirtations and what followed in the summer of 1940 is frustrating for historians. The official reports on the duke and duchess and their involvement with the Nazis were disappeared at the end of World War II in both Britain and Germany. The German archives in Berlin were weeded by a team that included Anthony Blunt, who led a double life as both an art historian working for the royal family and a Soviet spy, before being unmasked in 1979 as the long-sought Fourth Man in a cell of traitors who compromised British security for decades.

To this day, the few historians who have been granted permission to work in the royal archives at Windsor Castle persistently complain that they have been denied access to anything political dating from 1918 onward.

The efficiency of this censorship and purge suggests that there was more to the dukes behavior in Germany than is indicated by the picture of him that is usually presented, as a vainglorious dupe. (In The Crown Peter Morgan conveys the vainglorious behavior and also someone with a shrewd grasp of palace politics, but nothing darker.)

What we do know is that the plot to kidnap the duke and duchess was hatched by Simpsons old confidante, Joachim von Ribbentrop who, in 1940, was Hitlers foreign minister. The Germans knew that the duke was involved in back channel negotiations for a peace deal between Britain and Germany using as a conduit Mussolinis foreign minister, Count Ciano, who also happened to be one of the duchesss many former lovers.

After Winston Churchill became prime minister these negotiations came to nothing.

When the Germans invaded northern France that summer, the duke and duchess were at their mansion in Paris. Without waiting for instructions from London the pair with their entourage took flight to the French Riviera, on roads packed with fleeing refugees. From there British diplomats arranged for them to travel on to Madrid.

Technically Spain was neutral in the war but the country was under the brutal fascist fist of Generalissimo Francisco Franco and the capital was a nest of international intrigue. In London Churchill, furious that the duke had bolted from Paris, wanted to get him and the duchess out of Spain to Portugal, where a boat would be sent to get them and take them into exile.

Ribbentrop hoped that they would remain in Spain. He needed time to move agents into place and to explore how, with Spanish help, the duke and duchess could be lured into a place where they could be persuaded to defect.

Certainly, the duke didnt seem to be in any hurry, and the foreign diplomatic corps in Madrid were soon aware of his views. The American ambassador to Spain, for example, reported that the duke complained that the war was a disaster for Britain and that the nation was on the brink of a catastrophic defeat.

The most important thing to be done now is to end the war before thousands more are killed or maimed to save the faces of a few politicians, he was reported saying.

Finally the duke acceded to the pressure from London and the pair arrived in Lisbon on July 3. But Lisbon was just as thick with foreign agents as Madrid and within a few days the German minister there told Ribbentrop: The Duke is convinced that if he had remained on the throne the war would have been avoided, and he characterizes himself as a firm supporter of a peaceful arrangement with Germany.

A fog of deception and counter-deception now descends on the story. By now Ribbentrop had signed off on a plot that involved Spanish friends of the duke arranging a hunting trip near the border of Portugal and Spain, where they could be abducted out of reach of the British agents who usually escorted them and taken to Spain to await a move to Germany.

Once more, the duke and duchess lingered. The duchess had gained the assent of the Nazis to send her maid back to their Paris mansion to collect silver, china, and linen that she wanted brought to Portugal and she would not leave without it.

Churchill, more exasperated than ever, sent one of his most skilled lawyers and fixers to end the dallying, with an admonitory letter to the duke that read, in part: Many sharp and unfriendly ears will be picked up to catch any suggestion that Your Royal Highness takes a view about the war, or about the Germans, or about Hitlerism, which is different from that adopted by the British nation and Parliament.

In fact, the British nation and Parliament, facing their darkest hour, wanted no part any more of the duke and duchess of Windsor. Nor, for that matter, did the royal family. The queen (the present queens mother) was particularly vitriolic toward the duchess and remained so for the rest of her long life.

Churchill appointed the duke as the governor of the Bahamas, and on Aug. 1, 1940 the pair sailed from Lisbon aboard an American ship, The Excalibur. Ten cabins and a suite were taken by them, their staff, and their minders, displacing a number of other people anxious to escape from Europe to the United States.

In the Bahamas the Duke and Duchess mingled with a decadent group of aristocratic British expats who managed to inhabit a bubble of luxury undisturbed by the horrors of world war. It was not, however, luxurious enough for the Duchess. The Duke, as ever pliant to her demands, sat down and personally typed a letter to Churchill, complaining that the colonial authorities in London had forbidden her from taking a trip to New York to do some personal shopping.

Churchill, with surprising forbearance, given that at that time he was unsure that Britain could even survive, patiently explained that the moment was not right for the trip.
For years, the FBI rented a cottage across from the 14-acre estate in Upper Brookville that is one of two luxury Long Island retreats owned by the Russian government.

But following the election of Barrack Obama, agents were told they would no longer be keeping watch on the estate even though it was customarily the residence of the New York head of Russian foreign intelligence.

They were not happy about leaving, a law enforcement officer reports.

The cottage was vacated in 2009 as we began what was supposed to be a new, less truculent era in which the guiding word was hope. The Russians continued to come and go from the estate as they had since buying it in 1954, enjoying its indoor and outdoor pools and the balcony off what had become the top spys suite, where one occupant was known to hoist a few with junketing generals. The only obvious trouble was an occasional complaint of loud music phoned into the police. A radio car would no sooner pull up to the front gate than the music would be turned off.

Theyre quiet neighbors, Upper Brookville Mayor Elliot Conway told the Daily Beast.

On Friday, people with other badges were at the front gate. They were with the U.S. State Departments Bureau of Diplomatic Security and they were there to secure the gate and prevent anybody from passing through as of noon.

President Obama had ordered the estate vacated in retaliation for Russian hackers having interfered with the U.S. presidential election. The Russians had departed by the deadline and the era of hope ended with the estate standing as empty as the cottage the FBI once occupied just across Mill River Road.

As darkness neared, the State Department agents were in the estate and they had discovered that there was no electricity. They tried the circuit breakers to no avail and concluded that the Russians must have shut off the power on the way out. The agents called the local utility company to get the lights turned back on.

Other State Department agents had closed a similar luxury retreat in Maryland as part of punishments that included expelling 35 Russian diplomats.

But the Russians have another, bigger Long Island estate, this one in Glen Cove. The SVR big is not likely to end up in one of the cramped apartments in the Russian Missions 20-story tower on a Bronx hill top. That building was constructed on the cheap in the 1970s and one of its exterior walls began to separate from the main structure and had to be secured to the structures core with cables that are reported by Pete Earlys Book Breaking With Moscow to bisect some of the rooms, forcing the more unlucky residents to duck down as they move about. The walls are hollow so neighbors can hear each other sneeze, and there is said to be asbestos in the ceilings.

As for the mass expulsions, President Obama is only repeating our response back in the times when the FBI did things like keeping watch from the cottage across from the Upper Brookville estate. We expelled a total of 80 Russian diplomats in 1986 as part of a tit-for-tat that began with the arrest of a Soviet spy in New York. American officials grumbled at the time about the Russian operating a huge listening network that included antennas on the uppermost floor of the hilltop high rise in the Bronx and the Russian mission to the United Nations in Manhattan and the estate on Glen Cove.

Currently, more than half of all telephone calls in the United States made over any distance are vulnerable to interception, a 1986 U.S. Senate report noted. Additionally, Soviet and other hostile intelligence services try to gain access to office or communications equipment in order to read our mail.

We expelled 50 more diplomats in 2001, after an FBI agent was found to be a Russian spy. President Bush was perceived as trying to make himself appear tougher on the Russians than President Clinton had been.

New administrations always revise the policies of their predecessors, Russia President Putin remarked at the time.

Putin could not have imagined in his most megalomaniacal dreams 15 years ago that he would play a considerable role in putting a new American administration in office. It became an increasingly real possibly as the Russian hackers took reading our mail to another level.

The big shift came as the Russians went from simply gathering our secrets to then making them public in such a way as to influence American public opinion and therefore the course of our democracy. Putin must marvel at the fervently patriotic, flag-waving Americans who shrug at the near certainty that a foreign power had subverted the electoral process that is at the heart of Americas true greatness.

Had Hillary Clinton been the one about to assume office, Putin almost certainly would have responded to this weeks expulsion of 35 Russians in the usual way, by expelling a similar number of Americans.

But, with his candidate coming in, Putin chose a ploy similar to the one Trump pulled on election night. Trump had no sooner won than he suddenly proclaimed himself a great uniter who wanted to be a president for all the people. Trump thereby sought to make those who continued to oppose him appear to be the haters and dividers.

Putin had hacked his way into the very soul of our democracy and now sought to pass himself off as a great reconciler. Putins ploy began with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov calling for him to retaliate immediately. That had added to the theatrical surprise of Putins subsequent declaration, which should have been no surprise at all.

"We will not create any problems for US diplomats, Putin said. We will not expel anyone. We will not prevent their families and children from using their traditional leisure sites during the New Years holidays.

Putin then outdid himself.

"Moreover, I invite all children of US diplomats accredited in Russia to the New Year and Christmas childrens parties in the Kremlin."

The master provocateur called our current president provocative, and declared, Although we reserve the right to retaliate, we will not stoop to the level of irresponsible kitchen diplomacy, and our further steps to restore Russian-American relations will be based on the policies pursued by the administration of President Donald Trump.

Putin proceeded to "offer my New Year greetings to President Obama and his family.

"My seasons greetings also to President-elect Donald Trump and the American people, Putin said. "I wish all of you happiness and prosperity."

Putins ploy had been presaged by a tweet from the Russian embassy in Britain, saying President Obama expelled 35 [Russian] diplomats in Cold War deja vu. As everybody, incl [American] people, will be glad to see the last of the hapless Admin. The tweet was accompanied by the image of duckling emblazoned with a single word.

LAME.

That appeared to be a monosyllabic homage to Trumps habitual SAD. The Russian tweet was followed by a tweet from Trump:

Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!

On Saturday, an American security detail usually assigned to the United Nations and headed by a retired NYPD lieutenant is expected to take over the Upper Brookville estate. Trump may reopen it for the Russians when he becomes president in three weeks.

If that does not happen for some reason and if the Russians remaining Long Island estate is too crowded, maybe the New York head of the SVR can just move into Trump tower.
It says something about the ingrained rivalry between the various fiefdoms of Russian espionage that the founder of Soviet military intelligence, Leon Trotsky, had an ice-ax driven into his head in Mexico by an agent of Stalins foreign intelligence service.

Ever since, in the long dark history of Soviet and Russian spookery the militarys Main Intelligence Directorate, or GRU, has been overshadowed by a succession of more powerful, famous and infamous organizations known by a succession of acronyms, most famously as the KGB and, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the FSB and SVR.

But on Thursday the GRU suddenly emerged from the shadows when the waning Obama administration imposed sanctions on the four top-ranking GRU officers for their roles hacking the private email correspondence of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clintons campaign chief John Podesta. The entire spy agency, along with the FSB, was also sanctioned institutionally.

The Glavnoye razvedyvatelnoye upravleniye, as it is formally known, was founded in 1920, assuming the mantle of its prior incarnation, the Registration Directorate for Coordination of Efforts of All Army Intelligence Agencies, after the Red Army's fiasco invasion of Poland that year. Its first director, Yan Berzin, was appointed by Felix Dzerzhinsky, the inaugural head of Lenin's Cheka. Yet somehow, unlike the KGB, the GRU managed to endure the rocky transition from communism to democracy to authoritarian kleptocracy with its acronym intact.

In Soviet times, as historian and journalist John Barron argued, the GRU was wholly subordinate to the KGB. As Barron noted in a revealing 1974 book, The GRU may not employ anyone, either as an officer or agent, without prior clearance from the KGB. In addition, the KGB uses coercion and bribery to recruit informants among GRU officers, just as it does in every other element of Soviet society. Moreover, the KGB can veto any proposed assignments of GRU personnel abroad.

But historically there were plenty of those assignments to be made. Virtually all Soviet military attaches belong to the GRU, Barron observed, as do a large number of the Soviet citizens staffing Aeroflot offices abroad.

When Donald Trumps spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway tells CNN, as she did Thursday, that Obamas sanctions on GRU officers are pointless because the GRU operatives dont travel much to the United States or keep any assets here, shes missing the point. The heads of the GRU are comfortably ensconced in Moscow, but their networks overseas are extensive, very likely including now as in Soviet times the military attaches serving in the Russian embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Russian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Today it is believed that the GRU has an enormous network of agents abroad, built up over decades and rivaling that of the SVR, Russias contemporary foreign intelligence service.

The GRU has been always seen as a more competent, adventurous and ruthless service in comparison with the KGB or SVR, said Andrei Soldatov, a Russian journalist who has covered his countrys intelligence services extensively.

***

In the early 1960s, the GRU was very much on the mind of the Kennedy administration.

For starters, Oleg Penkovsky, a GRU colonel and a close friend of then-KGB chairman Ivan Serov, was a double agent being jointly run by Britains MI6 and the CIA.

He had passed critical intelligence to the West about Soviet military capabilities and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchevs overseas plans, particularly the bold decision to station nuclear missile bases in Cuba, which Khrushchev hoped the U.S. wouldnt notice until it was too late. Washington had uncovered the construction of the missile bases on its own, using U-2 spy planes, but Penkovsky provided the original plans and other corroborating material.

When Penkovskys betrayal was discovered it cost him his life, and cost Serov his job. In the aftermath the KGB chairmans replacement, Lt. Gen. Petr Ivashutin, staffed the GRU with KGB men rather than military officers, making it even more of a suzerainty.

Yet the Main Intelligence Directorate had its marked successes, too. Beginning in May 1961, Col. Georgi Bolshakov, who posed as the head of the Washington bureau of the Soviet news agency TASS, was assigned to palaver on a biweekly basis with Robert Kennedy.

As we know from the Mitrokhin File, an enormous tranche of handwritten internal documents smuggled out of the Soviet Union by KGB archivist Vasili Mitrokhin, Bolshakov cultivated the U.S. attorney general, who happened to be the younger brother of the president.

As Mitrokhin and his co-author Christopher Andrew wrote in The Sword and the Shield, Bolshakov succeeded in persuading Robert Kennedy that, between them, they could short-circuit the ponderous protocol of official diplomacy, speak straightly and frankly without resorting to the politickers stock-in-trade propaganda stunts and set up a direct channel of communication between President Kennedy and First Secretary Khrushchev. Forgetting that he was dealing with an experienced intelligence professional who had been instructed to cultivate him, the presidents brother became convinced that an authentic friendship grew between him and Bolshakov.

Robert Kennedy himself attested to the closeness of the relationship and later confronted Bolshakov, who had insisted that Khrushchev had no such belligerent designs on Americas hemisphere, when the evidence produced from Penkovsky and the U-2s made those denials untenable. The GRU colonel had been running a careful game of deception directly with the two most powerful men in the United States.

Finally, it was Main Intelligence Directorate, not the KGB, that snagged the highest-ranking American ever recruited by the Soviet Union. An intelligence advisor to the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Willian Henry Whalen, was arrested by the FBI in 1962 after having provided his handlers with a gold mine of extremely sensitive information about U.S. military capabilities and the thinking of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, much of it having to do with the familiar subject of how the U.S. gathers intelligence electronically. For all the severity of this breach, Whalen served just six years in prison.

***

The GRUs fortunes waned considerably after the Cold War and, as of only three years ago, it was considered inside Russia as a mostly spent force. It had been severely weakened after 2008, some say, because KGB veteran Vladimir Putin was fiercely critical of the GRUs performance during the invasion of Georgia that same year. Others attribute the locust years to a package of reforms which reduced the GRUs staff by 1,000 and cut the agency divisions from eight to five. That is in the wider context of the General Staff itself being more than halved in size. Still, as other spy services coffers grew, the GRUs budget was conspicuously diminished.

All that changed very quickly, however.

Now theyve come back, a former CIA operative stationed in Moscow told The Daily Beast. Theyve come back because Putin, like Stalin, likes to have a variety of organs around him that compete with each other. And their roles often overlap with the roles of the Chekists from the FSB or SVR.

From Putins point of view, the GRU had one unmitigated victory: the seizure and annexation of Crimea in 2014.

***

More than those other two services, the GRU has been responsible for running Russias dirty war in Ukraine, making it Putins suddenly preferred secret weapon, as Mark Galeotti, a specialist on the Russian security services, wrote in Foreign Policy in 2014.

The Crimea takeover, he noted, was based on plans drawn up by the General Staffs Main Operations Directorate that relied heavily on GRU intelligence. The GRU had comprehensively surveyed the region, was watching Ukrainian forces based there, and was listening to their communications.

And of the so-called little green men who mounted that takeover and later turned up to try a repeat performance in Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine, many were actually officers in GRU Spetsnaz with extensive battlefield experience in Afghanistan, Chechnya, and the Balkans. An early giveaway was the characteristic Vintorez rifle that only the GRU Spetsnaz troops are outfitted with. Then came sanctions.

Igor Strelkov, the former commander of the Donetsk Peoples Republic, was blacklisted by the European Union as a GRU operative, even though he has elsewhere stated on social media and in public speeches that he is a former FSB officer.

Harder evidence of the GRUs expansive involvement in the Ukraine theater came in May 2015 when Evgeniy Erofeev and Alexandr Alexandrov, two GRU commandos arrested by the Poroshenko government for their orchestration of units in Lugansk, were exchanged for Nadiya Savchenko, the Ukraine army aviation pilot whose capture on native Ukrainian soil and subsequent show trial in Russiacomplete with her flipping off the judge and waging hunger strikesmade her both a cause celebre and an elected parliamentarian back home. Swapping a prisoner of an undeclared war for two spies otherwise disavowed as agents of that war was a particularly fine touch, even for Vladimir Putin.

Also noteworthy is the fact that the only Russian intelligence head to be sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for the invasion of Ukraine was Maj. Gen. Igor Sergun, another former embassy attache, whose appointment three years earlier as the lowest-ranking head of the GRU struck many as curious. Sergun died last year, apparently of heart failure (although naturally there are rumors in both Ukraine and Russia that he was murdered for a less-than-ideal managing of the separatists in the Donbass), and his replacement Igor Valentinovich Korobov now finds himself on a similar sanctions list, along with his three top deputy chiefs, this time for interfering with an American presidential election.

***

As it happens, that interference and ongoing hostilities in Europe share a common participant.

Two weeks ago, the intelligence firm Crowdstrike, found that the GRU had honed its cyberwarfare capability on the Ukrainian battlefield by delivering malware to an Android app created by a Ukrainian officer, Yaroslav Sherstyuk, to aid howitzer crews in targeting. It was distributed on military forums from the summer of 2014 through 2016. The app contained a new Android variant of malware implant called X-Agent, associated by Crowdstrike with Fancy Bear, the very same GRU team the firm earlier identified as having hacked the DNC and John Podestas emails.

Thus, Russian military intelligence has been able to monitor not only the approximate GPS positions of Ukrainian soldiers, but also gather their SMS messages, call logs, contact lists, and internet data. The scale of the infection is unknown. The creator of the app claimed that it had around 9,000 users, all operating the D-30 howitzer (a mainstay of Ukrainian artillery). There is no data indicating how many of those installations were the compromised versions.

This revelation, if confirmed, makes one wonder if the speed with which East Aleppo was retaken two weeks ago by pro-Assad forces in Syria similarly owes to electronic sabotage. Even before Russias direct military intervention in Syria, in September 2015, there were reports of GRU officers embedded with the regime. In one underreported case, a former operative, now a judge, was shot in the face while vacationing in the war zone.

Since Putins second war got underway, the duties of the GRU have become if not quite transparent then less plausibly deniable. One of the dozen or so Russian military fatalities sustained in Syria was that of Captain Fyodor Zhuravlev, a GRU special forces operator who was killed in action in November 2015. We cant know how many assets the agency has since sent to Syria, but a likely estimate would be in the hundreds.

Putins secret weapon is not such a secret anymore.
More than a century old, the traditional New Years Eve ball drop is as much a part of a quintessential NYE as a kiss or a glass of champagne. This year, Ryan Seacrest is back again to host another Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve (NYRE) at the center of it all: Times Square in New York City.

ABCs coverage of the extravaganza will begin at 8:00 pm EST on Saturday, December 31 with the traditional primetime party from New York and Hollywood. Seacrest, as official host, will be stationed in Times Square interviewing various guests and emceeing the nights star-packed lineup.

In addition to Seacrest, comedian Jenny McCarthy will be reporting live from Times Square and Fergie will host the Billboard Hollywood Party.

The joint event will include performances from DNCE, Thomas Rhett, Gloria Estefan and the cast of her Broadway musical On Your Feet!, along with One Directions Niall Horan, Shawn Mendes, and Emeli Sande.

Mariah Carey is set to sing in the last big performance of 2016 and Lionel Richie will make an appearance from his concert in Las Vegas, minutes after midnight, to perform his song All Night Long, immediately following the Times Square celebration.

The rest of the west coast lineup will include Lukas Graham, Fifth Harmony, Kid Ink, and Ty Dolla $ign. Whats more, the first ever NYRE live central time zone countdown will be broadcast from New Orleans and feature performances from Jason Derulo, Panic! At the Disco, and an appearance by Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale. Demi Lovato will also be performing during New Years Rockin Eve from her celebrity cruises concert in St. Maarten.

In addition to ABCs Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve, a variety of other major networks including NBC, Fox, and CNN will be hosting New Years Eve specials with live coverage from Times Square.

NBC will also be ringing in the New Year with an hour-long special, NBCs New Years Eve with Carson Daly at 11:30 pm EST. The broadcast, hosted by Daly and former Spice Girl Melanie Brown (Mel B), will feature performances from superstars Alicia Keys, Pentatonix, and Blake Shelton.

So tune in on Saturday, December 31 at 8:00 pm EST to watch Ryan Seacrest and friends ring in the New Year and Carson Daly and guest musical talent at 11:30 pm EST. Just dont forget to catch the ball drop at midnight!

How to Live Stream the 2016 New Years Eve Ball Drop

Viewers with a cable login can live stream the NYRE show on ABC and Carson Dalys live special on NBC, or watch the ball drop live on Fox or CNN. Those without cable can live stream the ball drop and Dick Clarks NYC Rockin Eve thanks to guides from Cut Cable Today.

Catch all the action live streaming and on various social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter (by following #RockinEve).

(If you dont have access to any of the above options, but have an Internet connection, you can live stream the ball drop from either TimeSquareNYC.org or TimesSquareBall.net, both of which will broadcast without narration.)
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.
BROKEN BOW  The Broken Bow Public Library expansion and renovation project is gaining some headway after the city council approved bid openings at Tuesdays meeting.

Joan Bernie, library director, said the project has been a long time coming and it was good to see more progress.

The city has put $500,000 toward the $2 million project to get it going. Bernie said the project has been talked about for about 10 years, but fundraising and planning started about two years ago. Between donors, the fundraising committee and grants, the library has a little more than $1.7 million for the project. In July, the library received a $375,000 grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

The renovation and expansion project will add more than 4,000 square feet to the current building.

Bernie said the renovations and addition will allow more opportunities for the community. She said it will allow space for presentations and small performances, as well as sufficient room for childrens programs.

The city councils decision to approve opening bids for the construction project was passed unanimously, Bernie said.

It was a really exciting feeling, Bernie said. Now it seems more real.

It took a little longer for this to soak in, Bernie said. Weve done so much talking and planning.

Bernie said the architect firm, JEO Consulting Group Inc., estimates starting construction in March. Bernie said JEO Consulting Group advised the library to temporarily move during construction. The library will move in February, she said.

Itll be like moving a house, she said.

Bernie said she was pretty sure on a location the library would temporarily move to, but she wasnt at liberty to say where yet. During the move and at the temporary location, the library will still offer all of its services.

That was our goal, Bernie said about offering regular services and programs during the transition.

Bernie said many people have donated to the project, including those who dont live in the city anymore. She said everyones contributions make the project possible.

She said the renovation and addition will allow the library to incorporate a lot of makerspace-type equipment for children, as well as provide multipurpose space with upgraded technology for meetings and presentations. She said its provided to the community at minimal to no cost for the communitys benefit. The library will also have charging stations for mobile devices.

Not only will the project provide more room and more opportunities, it will further fulfill the librarys mission statement and add to the community culture.

We just see it as a way to enhance all of the downtown improvements that have gone on in Broken Bow, Bernie said.
CAIRO  Dorothy Lee (Sorensen) Heckman, 84, of Cairo died peacefully early in the morning of Dec. 29, 2016, at the Good Samaritan Society in Wood River. She was with her daughter, Libby, when she passed, and was in the loving company of her devoted husband, family and wonderful caretakers much of the previous day.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the Cairo United Methodist Church, with Pastor Catherine Love officiating. Burial will be in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery immediately following the service.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the church. Memorial contributions to the Cairo United Methodist Church in Dorothys name would be gratefully accepted. Online condolences can be sent to www.livson.com. Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

Dorothy was born to Helen (Hulett) and Wesley Sorensen in Grand Island on Oct. 8, 1932. She and her sister, Ruth, grew up in Cairo, where their great-grandfather had homesteaded two miles south of town in 1874. Her father worked for the State Bank of Cairo, now Pathway Bank, from 1925 until his death in 1961.

Dorothy graduated from Cairo High School in 1949, attended Doane College, and was then encouraged to further her education. She received her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Arizona in Tucson, and worked as a social worker for the Alameda County Tuberculosis Association in Oakland, Calif., and the Douglas County Assistance Bureau in Omaha. After moving back to Omaha, she was a ballroom dance instructor for the Arthur Murray Studio and in later years was known to twirl around her kitchen while cooking, singing show tunes.

Dorothy was working for the Nebraska Childrens Home Society in Omaha, placing babies for adoption and delivering them to their new homes around the state, when she met and married the love of her life, Richard Dick Heckman in 1965. They started a family  Libby was born in 1967 and John in 1970  and in early 1971 they moved back to Cairo, where Dick began work at the bank. Dorothy, with perfect pitch and a beautiful alto soprano voice, returned to singing in the choir at the United Methodist Church, where she first sang at the age of 14. She worked as secretary to the Superintendent of the South Central District Office of the Methodist Church, as an assistant at the bank, and was a Methodist Youth Fellowship leader and second mom to many. In the 1990s, she volunteered to take on the responsibility of Volunteer Coordinator for Hospice at St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island. She cared deeply for the program and devoted many years and countless hours to education and training.

Dorothy was a member of Eastern Star, Chapter EH of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and the United Methodist Women. She also served many years on the Centura Board of Education and the board of the Nature Conservancy. Her faith and constant search for spiritual growth, her love and support for her family and community, her fierce intelligence, and her unshakable belief in the goodness of humanity were inspirational to all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband, Dick; sister, Ruth (Robert) Larson; children, Libby (Scott) Tipping and John (Tricia) Heckman; grandchildren, Amelia, Callie and Turner; and nieces, Seanne (Tom) Emerton and Mary (Paco) Diaz, and their spouses, children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Robert Larson.
When the chips are down, I have Israels back.

 Barack Obama, AIPAC conference, March 4, 2012

WASHINGTON  The audience  overwhelmingly Jewish, passionately pro-Israel and supremely gullible  applauded wildly. Four years later  his last election behind him, with a month to go in office and with no need to fool Jew or gentile again  Obama took the measure of Israels back and slid a knife into it.

People dont quite understand the damage done to Israel by the U.S. abstention that permitted passage of a Security Council resolution condemning Israel over settlements. The administration pretends this is nothing but a restatement of long-standing U.S. opposition to settlements.

Nonsense. For the last 35 years, every administration, including a re-election-seeking Obama himself in 2011, has protected Israel with the U.S. veto because such a Security Council resolution gives immense legal ammunition to every boycotter, anti-Semite and zealous European prosecutor to penalize and punish Israelis.

An ordinary Israeli who lives or works in the Old City of Jerusalem becomes an international pariah, a potential outlaw. To say nothing of the soldiers of Israels citizen army. Every pilot and every officer and every soldier, said a confidant of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, we are waiting for him at The Hague. I.e., the International Criminal Court.

Moreover, the resolution undermines the very foundation of a half-century of American Middle East policy. What becomes of land for peace if the territories Israel was to have traded for peace are, in advance, declared to be Palestinian land to which Israel has no claim?

The peace parameters enunciated so ostentatiously by Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday are nearly identical to the Clinton parameters that Yasser Arafat was offered and rejected in 2000 and that Abbas was offered by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in 2008. Abbas, too, walked away.

Kerry mentioned none of this because it undermines his blame-Israel narrative. Yet Palestinian rejectionism works. The Security Council just declared the territories legally Palestinian  without the Palestinians having to concede anything, let alone peace.

The administration claims a kind of passive innocence on the text of the resolution, as if it had come upon it at the last moment. We are to believe that the ostensible sponsors  New Zealand, Senegal, Malaysia and a Venezuela that cannot provide its own people with toilet paper, let alone food  had for months been sweating the details of Jewish housing in East Jerusalem.

Nothing new here, protests deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes: When we see the facts on the ground, again deep into the West Bank, beyond the separation barrier, we feel compelled to speak up against those actions.

This is a deception. Everyone knows that remote outposts are not the issue. Under any peace, they will be swept away. Even the right-wing Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who lives in one of these West Bank Settlements, has stated publicly that I even agree to vacate my settlement if there really will be a two-state solution. Wheres the obstacle to peace?

A second category of settlement is the close-in blocs that border 1967 Israel. Here, too, we know in advance how these will be disposed of: Theyll become Israeli territory and, in exchange, Israel will swap over some of its land to a Palestinian state. Wheres the obstacle to peace here?

Its the third category of settlement that is the most contentious and that Security Council resolution 2334 explicitly condemns: East Jerusalem. This is not just scandalous; its absurd. America acquiesces to a declaration that, as a matter of international law, the Jewish state has no claim on the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, indeed the entire Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem. They belong to Palestine.

The Temple Mount is the most sacred site in all of Judaism. That it should be declared foreign to the Jewish people is as if the Security Council declared Mecca and Medina to be territory to which Islam has no claim. Such is the Orwellian universe Israel inhabits.

At the very least, Obama should have insisted that any reference to East Jerusalem be dropped from the resolution or face a U.S. veto. Why did he not? Its incomprehensible  except as a parting shot of personal revenge on Benjamin Netanyahu. Or perhaps as a revelation of a deep-seated antipathy to Israel that simply awaited a safe political interval for public expression.

Another legacy moment for Barack Obama. And his most shameful.
Guns, money and illegal drugs were found recently at a home in Edwardsville.

No charges have been filed although prosecutors are continuing to look into the case.

It began on Dec. 9 when the U.S. Postal Inspectors Office contacted members of the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois about a package they suspected contained illegal items, according to documents filed in Madison County Circuit Court.

The package had been shipped from California and was headed to a home on Homestead Court in Edwardsville.

It arrived there on Dec. 12 after which drug agents showed up at the home and received permission to search it.

They allegedly found nearly 42 grams of cocaine, about 1,500 grams of marijuana, two pistols, and $4,700 in cash, according to court documents.

Four days later, MEGSI agents approached the Madison County States Attorneys office and presented a case for requesting a judge to order the homeowner to forfeit the cash under the Controlled Substances Act, the Cannabis Control Act, and the Illinois Drug Asset Forfeiture Procedure Act.

The homeowner acknowledged not having a job.

The request claims that the cash was found near illegal drugs and/or drug paraphernalia, and was substantial and inexplicable.

It also claims that "the homeowner and others questioned in the investigation made statements that authorities felt were 'inconsistent and lacking in veracity,'" according to paperwork filed by the States Attorneys Office.
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, December 31 2016

Words and Photos Richard Horstman

During the Hellenistic Period, 4th  1st century BC, the Greeks first developed the taste for art collecting, valuing it for aesthetic purposes rather than religious or civic significance.



The impulse to invest in art however is a new phenomenon. The 17th century diarist John Evelyn, noted that even Dutch farmers pay high prices for paintings, which they resell at very great gains.



The digital era is increasingly driven by finance and commodification while art is progressively recognized as a commodity, and being marketed as a lifestyle choice. The commercialization and popularity of the global art market has increased due to its links to the fashion and design industries. Art fairs, now one of the preeminent social and lifestyle events for the wealthy (including collectors, celebrities, tastemakers and influencers) greatly impacts upon art commerce, along with the activities of auction houses.



While people are becoming more sophisticated in their financial and estate planning there is a global trend in fine art being considered as an alternative investment class for the well-diversified portfolio. There are, however distinctions that set art as an asset class apart from the rest.



Globalization means an enormous and constantly expanding art market, with multiple levels and categories, increasingly open to new investors with small or large budgets. Access to information and buying is easy via auction houses, estate sales, fairs, galleries, dealers, advisors, and data portals, with increased exposure to digital platforms extending the knowledge, reach and sales of art.



In1987, Vincent van Goghs Irises sold for US$53.9 million at Sothebys New York. It was purchased 40 years earlier for $84,000, which is less than $0.5 million expressed in todays money terms. This purchase has thus generated an annual real rate of return of about 12 % to the owner.



Weronika Adamowska at the University of Rotterdam, in her 2008 Masters thesis Art as an Investment comments upon the above mentioned sale, The question is whether this case is representative of the whole art market, or just a notable exception. If the answers were given based solely on the news in the media, one could conclude that art outperforms other forms of investment.



The hype about other exceptional sales at auction, she continues, Nourishes the widespread belief that money invested in art might yield extraordinary returns. However, as this view is based solely on the superior performance of one particular market segment, it may not necessarily apply to other parts.



Art is philosophy, psychology, symbolism, politics, beauty, connoisseurship, language, status, a social structure, an addiction, a lifestyle, and so much more than an asset class, said Evan Beard, the National Art Services Executive with U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management



Beard states in a July 2016 interview one significant factor. Ive yet to see a work of art that sold for tens of millions of dollars not accepted by a large swath of the academic and art critical community as historically important or influential.



The time-tested value appreciation happens for works of art of historical significance and more importantly, the rare intrinsic quality of their aesthetics. Art value appreciation generally occurs over a long-term period (20-30 years), while certain skill sets are crucial in recognizing the next master, or to evaluate and purchase an authentic work at a realistic price. A strategy may then be required to fully capitalize on the investment.



Art valuation is sensitive to economic cycles, but proven works of timeless masters are less prone to this. Art investing usually goes against economic downturns, therefore, it is used as a safe haven (a safer place to put free cash), when the stock market or the economy are bleak, or going through a market bubble.



Art is illiquid. Buying art incurs expenses; advisors and appraisers may be required, insurance, transport, storage, installation, and framing, even restoration. The undeniable fact, or savings in art that is offered is something that others investments cannot, the opportunity to sit back and enjoy your purchase. The true art lovers objective in collecting art is also to preserve the art and support the artistic talents of a nation, or culture throughout the ages.



Veteran British art dealer Robert Landau once said: The impulse to collect art arises from a complex amalgam of aesthetic pleasure and connoisseurship, along with status-building and investment. As the market has boomed, the latter factors have become prominent. The decline in connoisseurship means few buyers understand the process.



The digital era has witnessed a shift in the paradigm away from the elite who once controlled the art market. With global real time information now available and the latest data from every market category open to masses, and real time bidding available on auctions, the power of control is reversed. The customer is now in the drivers seat. Connoisseurship is essential, however, along with buying the best work and buying early.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, December 31 2016

IMPORTANT NOTE TO MOTORISTS If I turn on the windscreen wipers of a rental car, this indicates that I am turning right or left; please memorize.

Mind you, I have just spent time in China, where the Highway Code appears to have only one rule: the biggest vehicle has right of way.

Trucks take precedence over cars which take precedence over motorbikes which take precedence over bicycles which take precedence over humans. If an alien intergalactic mothership landed in that country, all 1.4 billion residents would automatically be found guilty of breaking the Failing to Get Out of the Way of a Big Flashy Conveyance Ordinance.

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Linkedin (Associated Press) Beijing  Sat, December 31, 2016

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday that his government would continue to focus on poverty alleviation at home and resolutely defending China's territorial rights on the foreign front.

Xi made the televised remarks in his annual New Year's Eve address, in which he touted China's scientific accomplishments, highlighting its large new radio telescope and space missions, and the country's growing role as a leader in global affairs.

Standing before a mural of the Great Wall, Xi said his administration successfully hosted a G-20 summit, pushed forward with China's "One Belt One Road" pan-Eurasian infrastructure project and established the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

China has upheld its peaceful development while resolutely defending its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, Xi said, making a reference to an international tribunal ruling last summer against China's claims in the contested South China Sea.

"If anyone makes this an issue of question, the Chinese people will never agree!" he said, one of the few points in his 10-minute address when his voice rose noticeably.

For most of his address, Xi struck a populist tone, saying he was above all concerned about the living conditions of the people and vowed that improving employment, education, housing and health care would be a responsibility that his ruling Communist Party would never shirk from. China lifted 10 million people out of poverty in 2016, Xi said.

"On this new year, I am most concerned about the difficulties of the masses: how they eat, how they live, whether they can have a good New Year, or a good Spring Festival," Xi said, as the television broadcast cut to footage of his visits this year to impoverished rural areas.

Xi also promised to shore up Communist Party discipline and "unwaveringly" maintain his anticorruption campaign against high- and low-ranking officials alike. He said that "supply-side" economic reforms were making progress and that the party would continue to push reform and rule by law during the 19th National Congress, scheduled for late 2017.

"As long as the party forever stands with the people, we will be able to walk the long march of our generation," he said.(bbn)
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Linkedin Theresia Sufa (The Jakarta Post) Bogor, West Java  Sat, December 31, 2016

Activists are calling for tougher efforts to conserve the silver gibbon, locally known as owa Jawa, as its population is getting close to extinction because of damaged natural habitats and ongoing excessive wildlife hunting of the species endemic to Java Island.

There is a widespread trade in owa Jawa, a species acknowledged for its great role in forest conservation, in which youngsters are often sold as pets.

Citing research reports, Conservation International Indonesia (CII) West Java program manager Anton Ario said it was estimated that the number of owa Jawa left in parts of Central Java and West Java forests reached only between 3,000 and 5,304 individuals.

With such figures, it might seem there are still a lot of owa Jawa living in their natural habitats. In fact, the smallest entity in Owa Jawa populations is not an individual but a family, in which one family consists of three to five individuals, comprising a pair of parents and two or three children.

This monogamous family and territorial system has led owa Jawa to the brink of extinction, said Anton in a recent interview.

Protecting wildlife  Workers carry out their daily activities at a rehabilitation center of silver gibbon, locally known as owa Jawa, in Bedogol Resort in Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park (TNGGP). (JP/Theresia Sufa)

Owa Jawa is categorized as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Founded by the Environment Ministry and its several partners, including the CII and the Owa Jawa Foundation, in 2003, the Javan Gibbon Center (JGC) has released 15 individuals of owa Jawa to their natural habitats. A pair of owa Jawa was released to Patiwel forests in Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park (TNGGP) while the others were dispatched to Mount Malabar protected forests in Bandung, West Java.

Currently, 20 individual  nine females and 11 males -- owa Jawa are being rehabilitated at the JGC.

The owa Jawa is an important indicator of the healthiness of forests. It plays a role in natural reforestation, which is important for the sustainability of human life, said Pristiani Nurantika, a veterinarian at the Owa Jawa Foundation. She said owa Jawa could be called forest farmers because they helped to spread plant seeds through their feces. (ebf)

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Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 31 2016

Regulators have been urged to immediately impose legal certainty on the use of crypto-currencies, which have penetrated deeper into the Indonesian market, in a bid to further boost the countrys e-commerce potential in the future.

Crypto-currencies, or digital currencies that use cryptography to make transactions anonymous, have gained ground globally in recent years, including in Indonesia.

Online transactions using them are considered simpler by many compared to using traditional debit or credit cards, as they do not require repetitive authentication during the process.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 31, 2016

The Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG) will require forest concessionaires to restore 1.4 hectares of peatland starting in January 2017.

The move is set to affect 650,389 hectares managed by 36 forest concessionaires in five provinces, namely South Sumatra, Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, Riau and Jambi, BRG head Nazir Foead said.

The areas to be restored are equivalent to 26 percent of the total peatland restoration target, he said on Friday as quoted by Antara.

(Read also: Indonesia proposes three strategies in COP 22 to restore peatlands)

Established by President Joko Jokowi Widodo to decrease forest fires, the agency has set a goal to recover 2.49 million ha of peatland of which about 1 million ha is located in protected forests, conservation forests and community forests.

During execution, the companies would have to comply with technical guidelines set by the government and install a monitoring censor for water surface with technology developed by the agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), Nazir said. BRG would closely monitor the implementation of the measure, he added.

Indonesia, home to the worlds third-biggest tropical rain forest after the Amazon and the Congo Basin, has dealt with concurrent forest fires in recent years, causing a spread of haze to neighboring Malaysia, Singapore and even Thailand.

This incident has been attributed to massive expansion of oil palm plantations. (lnd)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 31 2016

Incumbent Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama has apologized to residents of Jati Padang subdistrict, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, who are still affected by the recent flooding as a result of the ongoing rainy season.

Ahok visited the subdistrict on Friday as part of his reelection campaign for the Jakarta gubernatorial election on Feb. 15.

I apologize to everyone for the flooding that is still affecting [your area.] We have managed to reduce flood prone areas from 2,000 to 400, and we will keep working, said Ahok during the door to door campaign to residents of the Jatipadang subdistrict as reported by kompas.com.

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Linkedin Theresia Sufa (The Jakarta Post) Bogor, West Java  Sat, December 31, 2016

Indonesia continues to lag behind other countries in biosphere reserve branding as it is still quite difficult to raise public awareness about the importance of branding in assisting the marketing process of biosphere reserve products, an expert has said.

Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) deputy chairperson for life sciences Enny Sudarmonowati said only five products of the Cibodas Biosphere Reserves had so far received biosphere reserve branding, which was launched for the first time in Indonesia earlier this week.

The biosphere reserve products we are pushing forward to immediately get branding are from the Cibodas Biosphere Reserve. Determined by UNESCO in 1977, the Cibodas Biosphere Reserve, which is located at TNGGP, is the oldest biosphere reserves in Indonesia. It also connects to other biosphere reserves in the world, said Enny, who also chairs the Man and Biosphere National Committee at UNESCO Indonesia, during the launch on Thursday.

Among the five Cibodas Biosphere Reserve products are organic vegetables produced by the Mandiri farming group from Sarongge village in Cianjur, organic soaps from the Kartini home industry, also in Sarongge village, and instant dried noodles produced by the Indung Nyalindung home industry. The branding was also given to the Edelweis cooperative, which develops environmentally friendly guesthouses, and Sanggabuana Resort and Convention, which adopts environment conservation principles.

Guidelines for the branding of products from Indonesian biosphere reserves was also launched in the event. Cibodas is one of 11 biosphere reserves in the country.

Branding could help promote products of Indonesian biosphere reserves on international markets. Branding is one of the indicators of the success of sustainable development in Cibodas Biosphere Reserve, Enny said. (ebf)

Preserving the biosphere  Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) life sciences deputy chairperson Enny Sudarmonowati (fourth from left), Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park (TNGGP) head Suyatno Sukandar (third from left) and West Java-chapter TNGGP head Supriyatno (second from left) take a picture after the launch of Cibodas Biosphere Reserve branding in Bogor, West Java, on Thursday(JP/Theresia Sufa)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 31, 2016

The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry said on Friday that it will create a new policy next year that allows informal workers to obtain housing mortgages with low down payments.

Maurin Sitorus, the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry's directorate general of housing finance, said that the new policy is a type of house financing support based on bank savings. In the new scheme, the government will waive the cost of down payments that is usually pegged at 30 percent of the house price.

With this new scheme, the government will provide down payment assistance. However, informal workers are initially required to save their money in banks for six months to a year, he said at a press conference in Jakarta.

After their workers savings reached 5 percent, then their down payment is considered paid off since the government would pay the remaining 25 percent, he explained.

Then, the participants can pay the remaining 70 percent by installments with commercial rate loans, he said.

Maurin said that the final decision on whether the participant is able to get the financing support or not depends upon the banks assessment of the fluctuations in the workers savings.(jun)
Final day: Posing during the last trading day of 2016 are (left to right) Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) president director Tito Sulistio, Financial Services Authority (OJK) chairman Muliaman Hadad, Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution, Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Agus Martowardojo and OJK commissioner for capital market supervision Nurhaida. The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI)  the IDX benchmark  closed at 5,296.71 on Friday, rising more than 15 percent throughout this year. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)(left to right) Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) president director Tito Sulistio, Financial Services Authority (OJK) chairman Muliaman Hadad, Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution, Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Agus Martowardojo and OJK commissioner for capital market supervision Nurhaida. The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI)  the IDX benchmark  closed at 5,296.71 on Friday, rising more than 15 percent throughout this year. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 31, 2016

The Jakarta administration has said it will cancel the car free night initially planned along two main thoroughfares, Jl. M.H. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman, during the New Years Eve celebrations from 5 p.m. on Saturday to 1 a.m. on Sunday.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said on Saturday that the police supported the city administrations decision because the New Years Eve celebrations in the area would disrupt the mass Rapid transit (MRT) project development.

The other reason for the cancelation is to make the celebration more modest, Argo said in Jakarta on Saturday as reported by kompas.com.

With the cancelation of the car free night, the police will not reroute the traffics as planned before, but the police in cooperation with the Jakarta Transportation Agency will monitor the traffic flow before enforcing possible traffic engineering, he added.

Initially, the city administration was to have set up five stages for bands and other entertainers to entertain the people during the celebrations, while the police would have rerouted the traffic that would pass through the main thoroughfares to neighboring roads.

Instead, the New Years Eve celebrations will be centered in the five municipalities: Ancol for North Jakarta, Arsisi Square for Central Jakarta, Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII) for East Jakarta, Setu Babagan for South Jakarta and Old Town for West Jakarta.

Tens of thousands of police personnel from sub-precincts to the Jakarta Police headquarters will secure the New Years Eve celebrations, Argo said. (bbn)
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Linkedin Fachrul Sidiq (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 31, 2016

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Sri Hartini, the regent of Klaten, Central Java, and another official as suspects for their alleged involvement in a bribery case related to the rotation of officials at the regency administrations working units.

After carrying out a 24-hour questioning session, KPK investigators named two suspects in the case, KPK deputy chairman Laode M. Syarif told a press briefing at the anti-graft body headquarters in Jakarta on Saturday.

Laode added that the investigators had named Suramlan, an official of Klaten Education Agency, a suspect for allegedly bribing the regent.

(Read also: KPK seals three offices following arrest of Klaten regent)

On Friday morning, KPK investigators arrested Sri and Suramlan at the formers official residence. Around Rp 2 billion (US$ 148,809) in cash was confiscated during the raid.

Apart from arresting the two, the investigators also arrested six other people, identified as Nina Puspitarini, Bambang Teguh, Slamet, Panca Wardhana, Sukarno and Sunarso.

Laode said the investigators would further interrogate the six others to find out their involvement in the case.

Sri and Suramlan face a maximum of 20 and five years imprisonment, respectively, for allegedly violating the Corruption Law. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 31, 2016

Transportation Minister Budi Karya has offered an apology to the public for an incident in which a Citilink pilot was removed from a Citilink QG-800 flight from Surabaya, East Java, to Jakarta on Wednesday, allegedly because he was drunk.

On the Citilink incident, I am concerned and apologize to the public over the appalling incident, Budi said in Banyuwangi, East Java, on Saturday as reported by kompas.com.

I also thank the people who have given information and criticism and reported the incident, the minister added.

Following the incident Citilink president director Albert Burhan submitted his resignation to the minister. Budi appreciated Alberts decision with the hope that the incident would become a valuable lesson for relevant parties.

(Read also: Citilink top executives resign after 'drunk pilot' incident)

I appreciate his decent decision. It is a lesson that safety is number one. It could be an opportunity to improve the condition of [Indonesian] aviation, he added.

If the Citilink management implemented all the procedures for the flight crew members before the flight, including checking the health of pilots, such incidents would never happen, he said.

There will be an evaluation about the implementation of the aviation regulations to make sure that such incidents will never happen again, he stressed.

The pilot of low-cost carrier Citilink was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol after he made a garbled announcement just before the plane was due to take off from Juanda International Airport. (bbn)
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Linkedin Hotli Simanjuntak (The Jakarta Post) Banda Aceh  Sat, December 31 2016

The local administration in Aceh has again stated that it forbids residents in the province from celebrating New Years Eve, saying that it is not in accordance with Islamic law.

It has asked people not to be outside during New Years Eve and not to hold any kind of gathering to celebrate the coming of 2017, including in their respective homes.

The prohibited activities include religious gatherings as well as parties with fireworks or games. Aceh is a province that implements sharia and the celebration of New Years Eve is not in accordance with Islam, said acting mayor of Banda Aceh, Hasanuddin.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 31, 2016

Police have arrested Bambang Tri Mulyono, the author of a book titled Jokowi Undercover. Bambang has been accused of spreading hatred against President Joko Jokowi Widodo.

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Rickwanto said in Jakarta on Saturday that the suspect was being held at the Jakarta Police detention center after being arrested and interrogated on Friday.

Everything written in the book Jokowi Undercover and on social media is based on his personal opinion, Rikwanto said as reported by kompas.com on Saturday, adding that it was not based on valid data and was without any supporting references.

According to the book written by Bambang, Jokowi had falsified data before he registered himself as presidential candidate in 2014. Bambang also wrote that Giriroto, Boyolali regency, Central Java was the basis of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), which was disbanded in 1966.

Giriroto is reportedly the village where Jokowis mother, Sujiatmi Notomiatdjo, was born.

Bambang also claims that Jokowi and Jusuf Kalla were elected as president and vice president because of the success of the press in fooling the public.

The motive of the suspect is based on his wish to make the book more interesting and to get public attention, Rikwanto added.

Bambang has been accused of violating Article 16 of Law No. 40/2008 on the elimination of racial and ethnic discrimination and Article 28, paragraph 2 of Law No. 11/2008 on electronic information and transactions, by spreading hatred. (bbn)
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Linkedin Fachrul Sidiq (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 31, 2016

Against the backdrop of an escalating number of hoaxes and false news spread online, experts have warned the public to be more thoughtful in reading news particularly sourced from social or unknown media outlets.

The chairman of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), Suwarjono, said that if the news contained or promoted hate fueled-messages against certain religious or ethnic groups, the credibility should be questioned.

We have to be aware of websites that pretend to be online media news portals but which produce provocative, one-sided and biased content. Unlike mainstream media, those sites do not follow the journalism code of ethic, he said on Friday.

(Read also: Jokowi declares fight against disseminators of fake news)

President Joko Jokowi Widodo has repeatedly conveyed a deep concern about the proliferation of fake news circulating online, prompting him to convene a Cabinet meeting with relevant ministries to find the best possible solution to clamp down on it. One of the most recent false news stories, according to the President, was about the influx of millions of Chinese workers who were alleged to have entered the country and taken the jobs of locals.

Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers) executive director Nawawi Bahrudin said the government might need to form an independent team consisting of experts in relevant subjects to evaluate unregistered media.

"It's important, for example, to find out whether the online media sites have patrons, organizational structures and offices, he said.

Press Council chairman Yosep Adi Prasetyo has revealed that of 43,400 Indonesian online media sites, only 234 have been registered with the council.
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Linkedin Edith M. Lederer (Associated Press) United Nations  Sat, December 31, 2016

Russia urged the UN Security Council on Friday to quickly adopt a draft resolution endorsing the cease-fire agreement in Syria and reiterating support for a roadmap to peace that starts with a transitional government.

The draft also calls for "rapid, safe and unhindered" access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country. And it looks forward to a meeting in late January between the Syrian government and opposition in Kazakhstan's capital Astana "as an important part of the Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations."

Russia and Turkey, who brokered the cease-fire agreement, circulated the text to Security Council members Thursday night.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin formally presented the draft at a closed council meeting Friday morning. In response to comments from council members, Russia circulated a revised text late Friday and Churkin said he hopes for a vote on Saturday morning.

The cease-fire agreement, if it holds, would mark a potential breakthrough in a conflict that began in 2011 with an uprising against decades of rule by President Bashar Assad's family and has left over 250,000 dead and more than 13.5 million people in need of urgent assistance, and triggered a refugee crisis across Europe.

The draft resolution reiterates "that the only sustainable solution to the current crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process based on the Geneva communique of June 30, 2012," which was endorsed by the Security Council.

The communique, adopted by key nations, calls for the formation of a transitional government with full executive powers "on the basis of mutual consent" and steps leading to elections.

Churkin told reporters "there is no competition" between the talks in Astana and negotiations that the UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, hopes to arrange between the government and opposition in Geneva on Feb. 8.

"As you know Staffan de Mistura had trouble reconvening the talks, so Russia and Turkey obviously decided to give the United Nations a hand in pushing things forward, and this is what we see happening," Churkin told reporters.

He said de Mistura has been in contact with the Russian government and "indicated his eagerness to help organize the Astana meetings. ... So we expect the United Nations to be fully involved in the preparations of the meetings."

If the Astana meetings are successful, Churkin said, "they could move on to Geneva as far as I am concerned, so we don't see any competition there or overlapping of the two processes."

Churkin said Russia and Turkey have made clear they want other countries to participate in the Astana meetings.

He said Iran will definitely participate "actively" in preparing the Astana meeting and in Russia's view Egypt can also join the preparatory process right now.

Churkin said there are other very important players who are welcome including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar  and "we do expect the Trump administration after it comes into the White House on Jan. 20 will be an important participant." (bbn)
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Linkedin Dave Bryan (Associated Press) United Nations  Sat, December 31, 2016

Ban Ki-Moon joked to hundreds of diplomats and UN staff as he left United Nations headquarters Friday for the last time as secretary-general that he feels "like Cinderella  tomorrow at midnight, everything changes."

Flanked by the presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, the native South Korean thanked UN workers for their hard work and commitment over the course of his 10-year tenure, which ends at midnight Dec. 31.

"Tomorrow night on the eve of the new year, I'll be in Times Square for the ball drop. Millions of people will be watching as I lose my job," he said with a broad smile.

He told his colleagues he had two words for them: "Thank You."

As the top UN official over the last decade, Ban fostered a global agreement to combat climate change and new UN goals to combat poverty and inequality. However, he leaves amid continuing conflicts from Syria and Yemen to South Sudan and Libya.

Ban urged staff members to stay focused on advancing UN development goals and working to address issues ranging from climate change to gender empowerment.

"Keep the focus on people  on people's rights and people's dignity," he told them.

Ban will be succeeded by former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Guterres, who begins a five-year term on Sunday.

Ban was thronged by UN staff as he made his way out of United Nations headquarters for the last time. At the top of the escalator leading out of the building, a line of staffers held up signs saying "We We Love Love You You SG and Madam," using the initials for secretary-general and paying tribute to his wife Yoo Soon-taek.

At the bottom, a line of top UN officials said farewell, many receiving hugs from Ban.

The visibly emotional secretary-general, when asked about the sendoff before walking out the door and getting into his car, said: "It's very moving. I'm so grateful for the support and friendship that they have shown me. ... I'm honored to have served this great organization."

Ban returns to South Korea amid widespread speculation he will be a candidate to replace the country's president, who has been impeached. (bbn)

Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.
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Linkedin Riyadi Suparno (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, December 31 2016

Cirebon is getting more popular for weekend visitors from Jakarta, particularly during long weekends such as during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Accessible on-land from Jakarta, Cirebon offers various attractive destinations, especially its famous batik center, Trusmi.



Destinations in Cirebon include two famous palaces, the Kasepuhan and the Kanoman palaces, and some Cirebon-original culinary joints. Out of all these destinations, Trusmi is the most appealing for those who like shopping, and batik.



Located a few kilometers west of Cirebon downtown, Trusmi is easy to find. It is located in Trusmi village in Plered subdistrict. Most batik stores are located along Jl. Syeh Datul Kahfi, Jl. Trusmi and Jl. Panembahan Ratu, which are connected to each other.



Arriving in Trusmi, you can be easily overwhelmed by the many batik stores along the roads. However, after visiting some of them, you can easily find your preferred spots.



Notable stores found in Trusmi include Pesona Batik Cirebon, Pusat Grosir Batik Trusmi, Batik Nofa, Batik Salma, Batik Lia, Batik Annur, Batik Heygens and Gallery Batik Mahkota Trusmi.



Once inside your favorite stores, you will easily forget the time and can be distracted for hours, picking up your favorite batik shirts or clothes from dozens or even hundreds of options.



Batik prices in Trusmi vary from below Rp 100,000 (US$7.7) a piece for batik produced using the copper stamp method with simple coloring called batik cap to over Rp 5 million for the refined batik tulis.



Prices depend on a number of factors: the fabrics, the technique used batik cap or batik tulis  and in the case of batik tulis, the intricacy of the works and how many colors were utilized.



In some stores, however, you need to bargain, as the prices are not fixed. Other stores, like Pesona Batik Cirebon, Pusat Grosir Batik Trusmi and Batik Salma, offer fixed prices.



If you have ample time, you can also visit batik workshops, where you can see directly how batik workers operate. You can also learn how to make batik, and even ask the batik masters about the designs they produce.



Cirebon is one of Indonesias famous Batik centers, mostly in Java, which creates their own styles. The other centers are Solo, Pekalongan and Lasem  all in Central Java  Yogyakarta, Madura in East Java and Garut in West Java.



The Cirebon styles are created from distinct patterns derived from the two Cirebon palaces. The famous Cirebon pattern is mega mendung (dusk cloud), which batik lovers can identify it easily. Other patterns include patran keris, singa barong, paksinaga liman, ayam alas, sawat penganten and many more.

How to get there



Reaching Cirebon from Jakarta is a lot easier now, with the toll road now linking Jakarta to Brebes in Central Java, passing Cirebon. Driving from Jakarta to Cirebon takes around four hours, depending on the traffic.



The other alternative is to travel by train. The choices of trains also vary as many trains from Jakarta to destinations in Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java mostly pass Cirebon.



Where to stay



Cirebon has plenty of hotels. According to official figures, Cirebon has more than 60 hotels. Despite the wealth of options, there are no five-star hotels in Cirebon.



Eating



Cirebon has plenty to offer in terms of cuisine. Local foods must be tried, including the famous nasi jamblang (rice with different kinds of side dishes). The side dishes are put on display for you to pick and choose.



Other delicious local dishes are empal genthong (meat soup with rich coconut milk) and tahu gejrot, deep fried tofu served with a clear sauce and mixed with pounded shallots and chili.



Best time to visit Trusmi



If you like big crowds, the best time to visit Trusmi is during the Prophet Muhammads birthday, when Jl. Syah Datul Kahfi is transformed into a temporary market flocked to by thousands of people.



During holiday seasons or just long weekends, Trusmi is also busy with local tourists shopping for batik.



But if you dont like the hassle of people, then visit Trusmi during the low season.



Food as gift



Besides batik, you can bring home some delicacies from Cirebon. Toko Daud, not far from Trusmi, provides a lot of choices of traditional dried food and beverages.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 31, 2016

A city tour bus service is set to launch in Bogor in West Java during the New Year's Eve celebrations.

Bogor Mayor Bima Arya Sugiarto told Antara news agency on Thursday that the launch ceremony would be held at the Kujang Monument, which is a popular place among the locals to celebrate New Year's Eve. "[The service] will start operating in 2017," he added.

Unlike Bandung's similar service called Bandros, Bima said Bogor's city tour bus would not be a double-decker because of the city's thunderstorms and the tall trees along the roads. "We're still discussing the route and the party that will manage the bus. The plan is to have the bus pass by Bogor's tourist attractions."

(Read also: Five places to go with city tour bus)

Meanwhile, the city administration's regional secretary, Ade Sarip Hidayat, said that the bus, which was manufactured in Bandung, would arrived in Bogor on the night of Dec. 31. "We will create some kind of a welcoming ceremony in addition to the launch event," he added.

The blue bus is said to be able to accommodate 25 passengers and will have an open design on the left and right.

Ade said that the administration still needed to prepare some things prior to the bus' operation, such as holding a competition to name the bus, planning the route, determining the fee (whether it would be a free or paid service), installing the vehicle license plate and assigning the management. (kes)
(lead article, news analysis)

UN Israel vote registers blow to Palestinian national fight

In a departure from Washingtons long-standing bipartisan policy, the Barack Obama administration decided not to block a resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council Dec. 23 condemning the continual expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian land.

The resolution states in part that the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution.

The vote in fact registers a blow to the decades-long struggle of the Palestinian people against national oppression. It reinforces the dead-end course of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas leaderships to rely on Washington and other imperialist powers to pressure Tel Aviv, while shackling the Palestinian masses as passive bystanders. It gives a boost to forces in Israel pushing for greater inroads into Palestinian territory.

It reflects the absence of any Palestinian leadership fighting for a way forward  a negotiated agreement that includes recognition of the state of Israel, coupled with recognition of a Palestinian state, as it exists today, as a stepping-stone to the fight for a single, contiguous homeland for the Palestinian people. Only this fight can provide the basis for advancing the interests of working people of all nationalities in the region today.

Educating and mobilizing Palestinian workers and farmers to campaign to reach such an agreement could break the cycle of past years of war, bloodshed and more settlements.

This would open the door to their renewed involvement as actors in history. As the Militant said in its August 25, 2014, editorial, it would open space to fight the balkanization of Palestine, for jobs for the unemployed, for land and water rights and for Palestinians freedom to travel, including the right to cross into Israel to work. It would provide stronger footing for economic and social development in Gaza and the West Bank. And it would create political space for the class struggle and the advancement of working-class solidarity in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

Emboldened by the Security Council vote and the continued lack of political mobilization in the West Bank, Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett said he would introduce legislation to annex a substantial part of the West Bank. Bennetts pro-settlement Jewish Home party is in the governing coalition headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud party. Netanyahu has backed expanding many settlements, while giving lip service to support for negotiating a two-state agreement.

The vote in the Security Council was 14-0. For decades, the U.S. government, a permanent Security Council member, used its veto to block any resolution critical of its ally in Tel Aviv. Washingtons abstention provoked sharp debate within the U.S. ruling class, including between the Obama administration in its final days and President-elect Donald Trump.

The resolution set off a flurry of diplomatic protests and recriminations by Netanyahu against members of the Security Council. He recalled Israels ambassadors to New Zealand and Senegal, whose representatives sponsored the resolution, and canceled scheduled trips to Israel by the Senegalese foreign minister and Ukrainian prime minister.

Netanyahu accused Obama of staging a shameless ambush with the vote, and said he looks forward to working with Trump. The Obama administration has often been at odds with Tel Aviv, as it has shifted priorities in the Middle East, looking to an agreement with the Iranian government to slow down its nuclear program as a stepping stone to new alliances in the region in search of stability for U.S. imperialist interests. Obama refused to meet with the Israeli prime minister when he spoke to Congress against the Iran deal, and openly opposed his re-election in March 2015.

Dead-end course reinforced by UN

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas praised the resolution as offering the legal basis to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal called it a step in the right direction. In the name of internationalizing the struggle, Abbas has increasingly looked to intervention by imperialist governments and institutions, such as the United Nations and European Union, to put pressure on Tel Aviv.

Now the Palestinian leaders say they will use the resolution in international bodies, the New York Times reported Dec. 26. Neither has the perspective of turning to and mobilizing the Palestinian toilers to fight effectively for their social and political rights, much less mutual recognition, which is the only way to push back the seizure of more land by Israeli settlements.

Some 580,000 Israeli Jews now live in these areas beyond the 1967 border, in settlements scattered throughout the West Bank and in housing developments built up around eastern Jerusalem, ringing the citys Arab neighborhoods. These include 123 settlements authorized by Tel Aviv and about 100 unauthorized outposts, carving up Palestinian land right up to the border of Jordan.

Both the Palestinian Authority and the reactionary Islamist Hamas have organized and encouraged terrorist actions and provocations, including unconscionable attacks on civilians, handing Tel Aviv a pretext for murderous repression and leading to demoralization of Palestinian workers and farmers. The course of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas treats the Palestinian toilers as cannon fodder and undercuts the ability to win support among working people inside Israel  where growing social contradictions point toward coming class battles.

Thats why fighting for an agreement that starts with recognition of Israel as well as a Palestinian state as it exists today is an essential immediate demand working people should back.





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(front page)

Cuban solidarity has been extraordinary

Namibian envoy speaks on Fidel Castro at UN

Friend or foe, one must acknowledge that Fidel Castro was an extraordinary person. For who but Fidel Castro could imagine taking on the Batista army with 13 armed men, only to go on to put in place the Cuban Revolution, said Linda Scott at a Dec. 20 special event at the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate Fidel Castro (see excerpts page 6). From him we learned that one can compromise on anything except ones principles.

Scott, deputy permanent representative at Namibias U.N. Mission, was one of nearly 30 speakers representing national governments and global and regional organizations of more than 100 countries, who paid tribute to Castro and the Cuban Revolutions internationalism. Peter Thomson, ambassador of Fiji and president of the General Assembly, chaired the event, with the overwhelming majority of participants coming from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The meeting highlighted Washingtons failure to isolate Cuba in the world. Speaker after speaker pointed to Castros political leadership on a global scale and hailed the solidarity extended to their peoples over decades.

The number of representatives from Africa was particularly striking. Like Scott, they stressed the decisive importance of the 425,000 internationalist Cuban volunteers during their 16-year mission aiding the people of Angola and Namibia fighting apartheid South Africa. The volunteers were instrumental in consolidating Angola as a sovereign state, winning Namibias independence in 1990, Nelson Mandelas release the same year and the subsequent dismantling of the apartheid state.

Its no coincidence that Nelson Mandela made his first foreign visit to Cuba, said Ambassador Yemadaogo Eric Tiare from Burkina Faso, representing the African Group at the U.N.

Speakers pointed to Cubas achievements in health and education and many of them described Cuban medical missions in their own countries. They pointed out that Cuba extended this solidarity despite Washingtons political and economic war against the island and called for lifting the ongoing U.S. embargo.

This would be the greatest homage we could pay to Fidel, Tiare said.

Several speakers highlighted the Cuban governments swift response when the Ebola epidemic hit West Africa in 2014. As soon as the request for aid came from the World Health Organization, the Cuban government issued an appeal for trained medical personnel. Within three days, more than 12,000 volunteered. Of these, 256 were selected and trained. When they arrived in Sierra Leone, one of the hardest hit countries, the mortality rate was 80 percent. The treatment they helped provide brought it down to less than 30 percent.

The timely intervention of Cuba helped save the lives of many people, Sierra Leones U.N. Ambassador Vandi Chidi Minah told participants.

He raised the flag of the Non-Aligned Movement, said Rafael Ramirez Carreno, Venezuelas U.N. ambassador, one of many who spoke to Castros leadership of this movement, championing the call for cancellation of the mainly African, Asian and Latin American member countries debt to Washington and other imperialist exploiters.

Cuba was one of 25 founding members at the Non-Aligned Movements summit in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in 1961, two years after the victory of the revolution. In a blow to the U.S. rulers attempts to isolate Havana, the movement opposed Washingtons embargo, its military occupation of the Guantanamo Naval Base and affirmed Cubas right to determine its own future. Castro served as the movements chairman from 1979 to 1983 and again from 2006 to 2008.





Related articles:

Cuban soldiers gave their lives for our independence

Cuban Revolution was guide to a lifetime of action







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(front page)

Trump support grows while Democrats face

divisions, fights

Since his election, Donald Trump has broadened his support based on appeals to the working class as he continues to assemble a Republican administration. The Democratic Party, on the other hand, is splintered, facing a fight for leadership and perspectives. As Trump prepares to take power, millions of workers are engaged in a broad discussion of how to go forward as the bosses and their government place the burden of the continuing capitalist crisis on their backs.

Trumps approval rating has risen to over 50 percent as he has agreed to union contracts at some of his hotels, publicly engaged in arm-twisting to force aerospace giants Lockheed and Boeing to slash their bills to the government for F-35 warplanes and a new Air Force One, and announced plans to dissolve his charitable foundation and put family holdings in trusts.

Trump backed down his supposed buddy Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said Dec. 22 he was thinking of building up Moscows arsenal of nuclear weapons. The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes, Trump replied publicly. The next day Putin backed off.

U.S. consumer confidence hit its highest point in more than 15 years, even though long-term participation in the workforce is the lowest in modern history. The gain in confidence was entirely due to rising expectations following Trumps election, Reuters said Dec. 27.

This puts wind in Trumps sails as he looks to confirm his cabinet nominees and enact legislation after the inauguration Jan. 20.

He will face a fight. After the post-election hysteria around vote recounts and an Electoral-College-coup attempt flopped, heterogeneous elements in the Democratic Party are now planning to try and block his administration at every turn. In response, hes looking to divide Democrats and draw some of them toward him.

For example, he intervened in the sharp debate on U.S. policy around the recent U.N. Security Council vote condemning Israeli settlements on the Palestinian West Bank and East Jerusalem. As the Barack Obama administration abstained, allowing passage of the vote Dec. 23, Trump denounced the move. At the U.N., things will be different after Jan. 20th, he tweeted.

New York Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer, his partys incoming Senate leader, also denounced the administration vote, called it extremely frustrating, disappointing and confounding. Democratic senators from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Oregon and Delaware also opposed Obamas decision.

Foreign policy moves like this offer Trump opportunities to push forward.

With the Democratic Party in disarray after Hillary Clintons defeat, leaders of different currents within it, with their eyes on the 2018 Congressional elections, are scrambling to learn from the lessons of her loss and take over.

In an op-ed piece in the Dec. 26 New York Times, David Paul Kuhn disputed those who say Trump won because he galvanized support from racist white workers.

The fact that the civil rights movement overthrew Jim Crow segregation and changed social attitudes in the country forever was reflected in the election of Obama. Barack Obama won more support among white men in 2008, including the working class, than any Democrat since 1980, Kuhn said.

By 2016, Mr. Trump personified the vote against the status quo, one still not working out for them, he said.

[M]uch of the white working class decided that Mr. Trump could be a jerk, Kuhn said, pointing to concern over his demeaning views on women. Absent any other champion, they supported the jerk they thought was more on their side.

Sanders revolution

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who had the Democratic nomination stolen from him by the rigged Democratic super-delegate setup, is one of the leading contenders to seize the leadership in the party. Asked by talk-show host Conan OBrien Nov. 29 if he would have beaten Trump, Sanders said, I wish to God that I had had that opportunity.

The goal now is to mobilize millions of people around a progressive agenda, Sanders said in a Democracy Now! interview released Dec. 26. It would be a tragic mistake to believe that everybody who voted for Donald Trump is a deplorable. Theyre not, Sanders said.

During her campaign, Clinton called workers who backed Trump deplorables, as well as racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic.

The soon-to-be commander-in-chief of U.S. imperialism will face the same intractable crisis of the capitalist system as his predecessors. On a world scale, capitalism is in a long contraction of production, trade and employment that no policies, including Trumps plans for tax cuts, eased regulations and infrastructure spending, can change.

No solution to capitalist crisis

Nobody knows, nor can know, how this financial crisis will unfold, Socialist Workers Party National Secretary Jack Barnes wrote in 2008, as the Great Recession unfolded. But its not the result of mistaken policies. It is a product of the workings of the laws of capitalism itself. Its a consequence, not a cause, of finance capitals development. Barnes article is included in

Since the 2008-09 crash, there is a growing openness among working people to talk and debate with each other about the broadest social and political questions facing our class, our unions, and our allies, writes SWP leader Steve Clark in the books introduction. Workers everywhere are looking for an explanation of capitalisms grinding and destructive decline, and, even more importantly, how to chart a way forward to combat its consequences.





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Momentive strikers in NY: Solidarity keeps us strong!

Daily Gazette/Marc Schultz

They thought wed break going into the holidays, but weve only gotten stronger every day, striker Kevin Alderman told a WRBG-TV reporter as workers maintained round-the-clock pickets at entrances to the sprawling Momentive Performance Materials chemical plant in Waterford, New York.

Some 700 members of International Union of Electrical Workers-Communications Workers of America Local 81359, who struck Nov. 2 after voting down several concession contract proposals, continue to receive solidarity. Area unions are donating firewood.

Operation Keep Them Warm is led by strikers wives, Local 81359 President Dominick Patrignani told the Militant. Hundreds of gifts have been donated for Momentive families to pick up at the American Legion Post in Mechanicville, a town just north of the plant where many strikers live.

Six days before Christmas no more gifts were needed and the union is now requesting warm clothes for children instead. We continue to receive plenty of food donations, including homemade soups and chilis, said Patrignani.

Four strikers spoke at a Christmas party meeting of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 236 in Albany Dec. 6. A motion to contribute $3,000 to the strikers cause, amended to $5,000 from the floor, passed enthusiastically.

Strikers told the electricians they were getting support from a wide variety of area groups. Just before coming to their meeting, striker Michael Leonard said, they got a donation of food from the Capital District Coalition Against Islamophobia. This was a bit of a surprise, he said. Were getting culturally diverse  its a growing, big circle of friends.

Strikers also got support from Faith on the Line, a group of Christian clergy that held a solidarity service outside the plant Dec. 22.

Momentive has hired strikebreakers and has refused to back down on demands to increase medical costs for working union members and retirees and cut 401(k) contributions.

The company has agreed to begin negotiations again in January, Patrignani told the Militant.

Donations may be sent to IUE-CWA Strike Defense Fund, P.O. Box 339, Waterford, NY 12188.

Ray Parsons from Delmar, New York, contributed to this article.





Related articles:

On the Picket Line







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Militant files appeal against third seizure of paper

at Attica

On Dec. 27 theappealed a decision by officials at Attica Correctional Facility in New York to impound the Nov. 21 issue of the, refusing to deliver it to subscriber Jalil Muntaqim. Muntaqim is a former Black Panther and founder of the Jericho Movement, which campaigns for amnesty for political prisoners.

This is the third time since mid-October that the prisons Media Review Committee has censored the Militant in violation of the Bill of Rights and the New York State Department of Corrections own rules and regulations.

Attica officials constantly shifting, unexplained and inexplicable grounds for censorship of the three issues, the Militants lawyer, David Goldstein, writes, is arbitrary and capricious. Goldstein is from the prominent civil liberties law firm Rabinowitz, Boudin, Standard, Krinsky & Lieberman.

The first issue of the Militant that prison officials impounded was the Oct. 3 issue, which featured an article on the 1971 Attica prison rebellion. Attica officials claimed that issue had offensive portions that could incite rebellion against government authority. The Militants story was a factual news article, like dozens of others that appeared in papers, magazines and TV stations all across the country, covering the anniversary as an event of historical importance.

One month later Attica impounded the Oct. 31 issue of the paper, claiming a short article on the Militants appeal of the previous censorship could incite disobedience.

The latest notice of censorship claimed that the paper was banned solely because of what appears on P. 6 top right. That refers to a reduced image of the front page of the Oct. 3 issue. The Inmate Disposition Notice impounding the issue claims that this image could incite violence against prison staff. The notice makes no mention of the article on the fight against censorship at Attica, which the picture illustrates.

New York prison regulations say that its policy is to encourage inmates to read publications from varied sources. The publications may not incite disobedience or advocate or present a clear and immediate risk of lawlessness, violence, anarchy, or rebellion against Governmental authority. They include the Militant in a list of papers that are specifically to be allowed into the prison.

Attica authorities make no such case against the Militant, Goldstein notes. The reason is obvious, he says. No reasonable, fair minded review could conclude that any of the articles advocate violence against prison officials.

Its difficult to conclude that the pattern of impoundments amounts to anything other than a blanket ban on any mention of Attica, of the Attica uprising, or of prisoners constitutional rights, unless parroting a viewpoint approved by prison officials, Goldstein states.

Goldstein has not received any response from New York prison authorities to the Militants appeals.

A wide range of organizations and prominent individuals have issued statements calling on Attica to reverse its censorship of the Militant. They include the American Friends Service Committee; the Gathering for Justice and Justice League NYC; Mothers and Families, New Market, Alabama; National Lawyers Guild; New York Civil Liberties Union; Pen America; Yusef Salaam, one of the Central Park Five; San Francisco Bay View monthly; and Heather Ann Thompson, author of Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy.

Muntaqim, also known as Anthony Bottom, has faced many other restrictions on his constitutional rights from Attica officials. Last year books sent to him, including a volume of his own poems, were blocked. Prison officials have been interfering with his mail. And in December he was sentenced to four months in solitary confinement for historical comments he made about the Black Panther Party and gang violence during a class he teaches to fellow inmates on Black history.

If Attica and New York state prison officials think they can tire us out by stalling and refusing to rescind their censorship of the Militant, they are mistaken, said Militant editor John Studer. We will continue to fight for the freedom of the press and for the constitutional rights of all workers behind bars.





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The calendar may have changed, but the numbers all U.S. farmers will work with this new year are little different from the numbers everyone worked with last year.

For example, 2016s corn production was baked-in last fall and so too are most of 2017s options. We grew a staggering 15.3 billion bushels last year, will use 11 billion bushels here this year, will export 2.2 billion bu., and will still have 2.4 billion bushels in the bin when the new harvest begins.

Which means, forecasts the U.S. Department of Agriculture, cash corn prices will average a thin $3.30 per bushel during the current marketing year.

The numbers for the coming 2017-18 crop year, according to USDA forecasts, improve only slightly: 1.1 billion fewer bushels produced, 1 billion bushels less domestic usage, a relatively small (300 million bushels) drop in exports, and an average projected price of $3.60 per bushel.

Thats what 2.4 billion bushels of 2016 carryover does to the 2017-18 market; its long, long tail irritates prices for a long, long time.

Soybean forecasts for 2016-17 are equally bland: 4.3 billion bushels produced, 1.9 billion bushels crushed domestically and 2 billion bushels exported. As such, cash prices are forecast to average a very modest $9.20 per bushel for the year. And thats the good news.

The bad news is that the relatively big, 480-million bushel carryover into the new crop year  added to above-normal 2017 acres and back-to-normal yields  will drain market prices. USDA sees little chance of a price breakout; it forecasts 2017-18 beans to average a dismal $8.75 per bushel.

Wheats coming year will be marginally better. Market forecasters see this years average price climbing from a bleak $3.90 per bushel to a little less bleak $4.50 per bushel next year.

But it could get worse, cautioned USDA in its Nov. 30 issue of Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade. The election of Donald Trump as U.S. President has introduced an element of uncertainty as the emphasis of the next administrations economic policy agenda is unknown, it explained.

A month later, it remains unknown. Christmas brought no farm and ranch news from the Trump team  no national economic plan, no secretary of agriculture, no global trade plan.

Moreover, USDA sees President-elect Trumps better-known views just as troubling as his unknown ones: A change in the U.S. trade relationship with China and Mexico is of particular concern for agricultural competitiveness. Together, these two countries were the destination for an average of almost one-third of total U.S. agricultural exports from 2013-2015.

In fact, USDAs analysts add, China alone was the destination for roughly 60 percent of U.S. soybean exports, on average, during this period.

How do U.S. farmers and farm groups reconcile what appears to be a growing breach between one of their biggest, best food customers and their about-to-be inaugurated president? Two ways.

First, most write off President-elect Trumps tough China talk as campaign-fueled overstatement that will become, they hope, more diplomatic once he assumes the presidency.

Maybe, but two-thirds of the way through the transition he continues to confirm (most recently through a tweet on a submersible U.S. drone China already had said it would return) that his hard China line isnt softening. Indeed, the word still used to explain his China policy is reset, not return.

The second way, again hopefully, is that Trumps apprentice ambassador, Iowas Gov. Terry Branstad, will keep the grocery pipeline to China open and full no matter his bosss rhetoric because of Branstads extensive ties to China and a personal friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping that dates back decades, noted the Dec. 7 Washington Post.

Thats the way its supposed to work, sure. Given the earth-rattling, precedent-shattering politics of 2016, however, anyone willing to bet that it will work like that in the new year?

Either way, American agriculture has a lot riding on Donald Trump in an already tough-looking 2017. Any hiccup, stumble, or tweet  either intentional or accidental  will carry a steep cost for everyone.
So here we are at the end of another momentous year in Fashion  we might even go as far to say, the most momentous of the Century so far.

2016 has not only seen the rise of Gigi Hadid, the swift exit of skinny jeans and taken our lips a full-tone darker  but it has also celebrated some far more revolutionary and, we hope, long standing maturities in the driving forces of fashion.

While your wardrobe may seem to have slipped back into the 90s with your metallic ankle boots, velvet blazers and renewed collection of neck-chokers, the vivacious attitude to our dress has this year come together with some important messages about inclusivity and breaking boundaries.

Important changes were forecast back in the spring when the worlds most iconic fashion doll embraced a new makeover. From now on Barbies new body designs will encourage young girls everywhere to embrace their individuality, rather than aspire to unrealistic aesthetic ideals. Barbie invited us to open-up about public issues and private insecurities surrounding body-image, and going by Vogues first 2017 cover girl, plus sized model Ashley Graham, has already helped us take that first important step away from size zero and towards embracing the versatility of beauty in all shapes and sizes.

But 2016 has also been a year in Memoria, with Vogue celebrating its 100-year anniversary in some serious style. From the photography exhibition 'A Century in style', which opened in February 2016, to the release of Alexandra Shulmans personal memoir in September, Vogue celebrated widely and inclusively. It also opened itself up to fly-on-the-wall documentaries as well as documenting interviews with former Vogue assistants from across the Sixties to the Nineties, allowing us an exclusive insight into the inner workings of Britains most powerful fashion force.

And if that wasnt enough, the Centenary edition of the magazine featured a cover shoot with none-other than the Duchess of Cambridge herself. Celebrations dont get more ostentatious than that  even in the fashion world!

This year we used our clothes to strip back notions of identity, femininity, ethnicity and gender. The AW16 fashion week series saw male and female models walk the runway together in clothes designed to be worn by both.

Harper Bazaars designer of the year, Simone Rocha used her 2016 collection to reimagine the classical feminine image, teaching us all how to evoke feminine appeal among her contemporaries increasingly androgynous approach to the catwalk. Meanwhile, Grace Wales Bonner, the humble winner of Bazaars Breakthrough Designer award set out to test the boundaries of gender and ethnicity and the beautiful Malika Firth, named Model of the year, became our icon of diversity going forward into the new year.
This is a Student Travel Writer 2018 competition entry

The value of art has always been something that struck me as peculiar. Ive often wondered how someone could determine what art is valuable and what art is a little less so. What even is art, anyway?

Upon my visit to Liege, it was refreshing to visit the exposition 21 rue la Boetie in the La Boverie museum; an exposition where the art dealer rather than the artist takes center stage.

The exposition in fact is based on the eponymous book by Anne Sinclair, a detailed recount of the story of her grandfather, Paul Rosenberg, one of the greatest art dealers of all times. As the museum La Boverie underlines, the book and the exposition consider a crucial turning point in the history of art: the shift of the center of artistic gravity from one side of the Atlantic to the other, due of course to the upheavals caused by the Second World War.

After visiting the museum, Ive understood that the constant fight for art carried out by art dealers is an interesting story that isnt recounted enough.

The expositions story goes something like this.

The French Paul Rosenberg (1881  1959) and his brother Leonce were sons of a famous antique business director, and as their father passed away they established themselves in the business separately, Paul setting up in, indeed, 21 rue la Boetie. Their plans thrived and, as they built more and more contacts in the industry, Paul also grew true friendships with his artists, Picasso specifically, for example.

Gaining momentum in the situation, Paul Rosenberg opened a branch in London and started trading and storing in America, as he felt the war approaching and he feared for the security of his precious art.

Although his plans were proceeding steadily, by the time of the 1940 Nazi invasion of France he still had over 2,000 pieces in the country, which were looted and or confiscated as degenerate art. The Rosenburg family, being Jewish, fled to New York through Portugal, setting up a base in the US from which the art dealer reclaimed as much of his work as possible when the war was over. This enabled commerce between the Europe and America, leading in an exchange of valuable art throughout the whole world.

The fight was fervent but not always successful. Today, some 70 of his paintings are missing. The Rosenberg heirs still fight for the artwork till this date, recovering the great art dealers works by filing lawsuits against privates, galleries and museums all over the globe. Wish them luck!

In order to provide no entrant with an unfair advantage, Student Travel Writer 2018 competition entries are edited for grammar only - stylistic choices and headlines are solely the work of the writer in question and not of The National Student's editorial staff.
Instagram  thanks to its filters  has always been a great place to show off your travel photos in their very best light. As part of its annual Year in Review, the Facebook-owned site has released details on the biggest posts to the site this year and that includes a list of the most Instagrammed locations of 2016. The top 10 makes for a pretty good shortlist of possible holiday destination for 2017. 1. Disney World Its the place where dreams come true, so its probably not surprising that Disney World and all its various locations around the world is the most popular location to post to Instagram. 2. Universal Studios Much like Disney World, Universal is full of very good photo ops, especially now Diagon Alley is part of the attraction. 3. Central Park The green heart of Manhattan should be on the checklist of every first-time visitor to New York, just so you can tick off the customary nature-laden Instagram post. 4. Times Square Another New York must-visit but for very different reasons, Times Square is the neon nerve centre of city. Which looks great when filtered. 5. Eiffel Tower One of the most photographed structures in the world, it would be something of a shock if the icon of Paris didnt make the list. 6. Louvre Museum Another must-see Parisian landmark, which has just as much to see outside (that glass pyramid) as it does inside (the Mona Lisa, among other things). 7. Las Vegas Strip The home of iconic hotels and casinos, the Strip also offers several scaled-down versions of the other landmarks on this list, so you could tick off a few at once. 8. Santa Monica Pier Being more commonly shot ahead of the Hollywood sign, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive and the Walk of Fame tells you just how great it is by the coast in Los Angeles. 9. Brooklyn Bridge Back to the east coast of the US and the most famous of all New Yorks 2,000 bridges. 10. Vystavka Dostizheniy Narodnogo Khozyaystva (VDNKh) Perhaps not an instantly recognisable name, but this is an open space and amusement park in the centre of Moscow, housing some amazing architecture as well as plenty of potential for thrills, thanks to its various rides.
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Nine movies have taken in more than $300 million at the box office in 2016 -- four superhero
Chinese tourist with serious heart condition found dead in Phuket hotel pool

PHUKET: Police are investigating the death of a 28-year-old Chinese tourist whose body was found in a hotel pool at Kamala early yesterday morning (Dec 30)

Chinesedeathpolicetourism

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Saturday 31 December 2016, 12:06PM

Friends stand by the hotel pool after attempts to resuscitate fellow Chinese tourist Dong Jian failed. Photo: Kamala Police

Capt Prasert Thongprom of the Kamala Police was notified of the mans death at about 3am.

Police arrived to find the body of Chinese national Dong Jian by the hotel pool, reported Capt Prasert.

Police did not name the hotel.

We found no marks or wounds on his body, Capt Prasert said.

His friends told us that Mr Dong and nine of his tour group went out for dinner at a nearby restaurant the night before, where Mr Dong drank two large bottles of beer, he added.

Mr Dong returned to the hotel at about 2:40am, and changed to go for a late-night swim in the hotel pool.

His friends arrived and found him floating unconscious in the water. They pulled him out of the pool and began CPR, but Mr Dong failed to respond, Capt Prasert said.

Emergency workers soon arrived, but also failed to resuscitate Mr Dong, he added.

His friends explained that Mr Dong had a heart condition and recently received hospital treatment in China before coming to Phuket on holiday, Capt Prasert said.

We believe that the alcohol might have affected his system, causing him to drown, but we have had his body taken to hospital for further medical examination before close the case, Capt Prasert said.
Greek ambassador to Brazil murdered by wifes cop lover: police

BRAZIL: Greeces ambassador to Brazil was murdered in a plot hatched by his Brazilian wife and her police officer lover, who confessed to the crime, officials said Friday (Dec 30).

homicidepolicepoliticsviolence

By AFP

Saturday 31 December 2016, 11:13AM

A man looks at the burned-out rental car of missing Greek ambassador to Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis, at a parking lot outside the police station in Belford Roxo, in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, on December 30, 2016, a day after it was found with a body inside. Photo: AFP

The envoy, Kyriakos Amiridis, 59, was killed on Monday (26) by the officer, Sergio Gomez Moreira, Rio homicide division chief Evaristo Pontes told a news conference.

Amiridis charred body was found Thursday in Rio in his burned-out rental car, a day after his wife, Francoise de Souza Oliveira, declared him missing.

Oliveira, 40, and Moreira, 29, both admitted to having an affair, police said.

The pair are in custody, along with Moreiras 24-year-old cousin, Eduardo Tedeschi, who allegedly also took part.

According to the homicide division chief, Oliveira denied participating in the murder itself, but confessed she knew of the crime.

Family vacation

Amiridis, who was named ambassador this year, had been on a family vacation with his wife in the north of Rio de Janeiro since December 21. They had been due to fly back to the capital Brasilia on Jan 9.

His wife had originally told police that he had left the Rio apartment they were staying in, taken the car and not returned.

But her version had contradictions, and after Amiridis body was found in the burned-out car under a bridge, police took Oliveira in for more questioning, and also detained Moreira.

Traces of blood were reportedly found on a sofa in the apartment Amiridis and Oliveira had been using, leading investigators to believe he had been killed there, then his body was placed in the rental car and driven to the spot it was found.

Pontes said that Oliveira had offered Tedeschi the equivalent of $25,000 (B894,900) to help with murdering the ambassador.

Moreira acknowledged that he and Amiridis had had a physical fight, and that he had strangled the ambassador in self-defence.

Young daughter

Amiridis had previously served Greeces consul general in Rio from 2001 to 2004, where he met Oliveira.

The couple have a 10-year-old daughter.

A Greek police team was headed for Brazil to take part in the investigation, while Greeces ambassador in Argentina was travelling to Brasilia, Athens said.

In a letter to the Greek government, Brazilian President Michel Temer sent his condolences and conveyed his government's commitment to conducting a rigorous investigation.

The Brazilian people do not accept this type of behaviour and we apologise to the entire Greek population, said the director of Rio's homicide division, Rivaldo Barbosa.

He called the murder "isolated" and a "crime of passion" that he said has nothing to do with Rio's elevated levels of violence.

Rio de Janeiro, though picturesque, has a reputation as a dangerous place. The 2016 Olympic host city has seen crime rates soar in recent months, fueled by drug gang violence.

Hit hard by Brazil's worst recession in more than a century, Rio de Janeiro state is facing bankruptcy and struggling to deal with the violent crime that has long dogged the area.
Sparking a fervent debate: Afghan woman pilots asylum bid triggers storm of criticism

AFGHANISTAN: The shock announcement of Afghanistans first woman fixed-wing pilot to seek asylum in the US has touched off a spirited national debate on the countrys most vexing issues: insecurity, womens rights and mass exodus of young people.

culturemilitaryreligionviolence

By AFP

Saturday 31 December 2016, 11:00AM

Afghanistans first female pilot, Niloofar Rahmani, poses for a photograph at an Air Force airfield in Kabul in April 2015. Photo: Shah Marai/AFP

Niloofar Rahmani, a 25-year-old pilot lionised widely as the Afghan Top Gun after the 1986 Tom Cruise film on flying aces, was scheduled to return to Afghanistan last week after a 15-month training course with the US air force.

But on the eve of her departure, she declared she will not be returning citing fears for her safety, triggering a storm of criticism in Afghanistan for betraying her nation but also garnering support from activists.

What she said in the US was irresponsible and unexpected. She was meant to be a role model for other young Afghans, defence ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanesh said on Monday (Dec 26). She has betrayed her country. It is a shame.

Rahmani became a symbol of hope for millions of Afghan women when she surfaced in the press in 2013 after becoming Afghanistans first woman pilot since the Taliban era, dressed in tan combat boots, khaki overalls and aviator glasses.

The once-unimaginable feat last year won her the US State Departments Women of Courage Award.

But with fame came death threats from insurgents and she routinely faced contempt from her male colleagues in a conservative nation where many still believe that a woman does not belong outside the home.

In an interview in Kabul last year, Rahmani said she always carried a pistol for her protection and though she has grown accustomed to the ogling eyes of men, she never left her airbase in uniform, lest it make her a target.

Rahmanis lawyer Kimberly Motley said her decision to seek asylum in the US had been a heartbreakingly difficult decision.

Niloofar and her family have received vicious threats which have unfortunately confirmed that her safety is at significant risk if she were to come back to Afghanistan, Motley said.

The real betrayal to Afghanistan is against those who threaten her life, her familys life, and also to those who continue to oppress women.

But some of the most virulent criticism over her decision has come from women.

Dear Niloofar, do you think your problems are bigger than that of millions of other Afghan women? photojournalist Maryam Khamosh wrote on Facebook.

I sometimes wish I were Niloofar and could soar in the sky and bomb the enemies of my people. But you, Niloofar, who touched the skies from the ashes of our land have shamed our flag.

NATO forces also took umbrage at her media comment that the security situation in Afghanistan is getting worse and worse.

Afghan security forces have seen definitive progress... and their performance in 2016 was better than 2015, and we expect 2017 to be better than 2016, the military coalition said.

But that sentiment hardly resonates with the Afghan youth, who have continued to flee the countrys escalating conflict in record numbers.

On Monday many Afghans decried another symbol of violence and impunity  social media images of dreaded warlord Faryadi Sarwar Zardad relaxing in a public bathhouse.

Infamous for once keeping a human dog that savaged victims on his command, Zardad was unexpectedly deported from Britain this month following his early release from jail.

When someone like Zardad can roam freely in Kabul then Niloofar has the right to not come back, said an Afghan man on Facebook.
Car, pickup top lucky draw prizes at Phukets popular New Year Red Cross Fair

PHUKET: The annual Red Cross Fair, underway at Saphan Hin, on the outskirts of Phuket Town, was officially opened by Phuket Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan last night (Dec 30).

charityculturetourism

By The Phuket News

Saturday 31 December 2016, 11:37AM

Governor Chockchai in officiating the formal opening of the fair called on all people in Phuket to honour, remember and respect the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away on Oct 13. Photo: PR Dept

As part of the the proceedings, Gov Chockchai signed a work of art in the form the Thai numeral 9 to honour the late King Bhumibol, who as Rama IX was the Ninth Monarch of the Chakri Dynasty. Photo: PR Dept

Among the guests of honour at the very popular annual event were Raweewan Dejamornthan, who as the Governors wife is the head of the Phuket Chapter of the Red Cross in Thailand, and Phuket Vice Governors Teera Anantaseriwidhya and Siwaporn Chuasawad.

The Red Cross Fair began Thursday (Dec 29) and will conclude on Jan 8.

Governor Chockchai in officiating the formal opening of the fair called on all people in Phuket to honour, remember and respect the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away on Oct 13.

As part of the the proceedings, Gov Chockchai signed a work of art in the form the Thai numeral 9 to honour the late King Bhumibol, who as Rama IX was the Ninth Monarch of the Chakri Dynasty.

Gov Chockchai also led those present in singing Sansoen Phra Barami to honour King Bhumibol.

Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Thawornwat Khongkaew in his speech said, The purpose of the the Red Cross Fair is to promote tourism, create jobs, promote the culture of Phuket and promote food sales.

However, the traditional role of the Red Cross Fair, which is held in every province in the country at different times throughout the year, is to raise funds for their charity work, which includes providing emergency relief to victims of floods and other disasters and to run their continual blood-drive campaigns to help people in critical life-endangering conditions, including many road-accident victims in Phuket.

In addition to the many regular fun fair stalls, this year the fair features an exhibition highlighting the many great achievements of the late King Bhumibol.

There will also be food contests to highlight the local food of Phuket and many market fun fair booths, Mr Thawornwat said.

Each night at the fair many stars perform live on stage, including celebrities from Bangkok, drawing many visitors to the fair.

The renowned lucky draw prizes, the main means of fund-raising at the annual fair, this year are expected to help drive the fund-raising efforts.

This year the top prizes are a Toyota Vios and Hilux Revo pickup truck.

We also have five motorbikes and 10 bars of gold each worth just under B20,000 as main luck draw prizes, Phuket Regional Blood Centre (PRBC) chief Pornthip Ratchak told The Phuket News today.

Of course we have many of our usual great prizes up for grabs, including refrigerators, microwave ovens, TVs, fans and bicycles  and 11 more motorbikes up to be won in separate lucky draws, she added.
SKANEATELES  Rex Ramsgard told the Skaneateles Sunrise Rotary Club that there is one question he hates to answer about his gap year in which he first sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and then explored four Southeast Asian countries in three months: "How's your gap year?"

It's just too hard to describe the experience, he said, but he found a way out of that answer by instead finding a way to describe his experience in one word  sonder.

"The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness," Ramsgard said, reading what he called his favorite poetic definition of his favorite word. "An epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that youll never know existed, in which you might appear only once as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk."

As the guest at Thursday's Sunrise Rotary meeting at Hill Top Restaurant in Skaneateles, Ramsgard  a 2016 Skaneateles High School graduate  spoke to the gathering about his gap year in which he sailed across the Atlantic last summer with a group of about 30 people, came home and worked at Doug's Fish Fry, then traveled around Southeast Asia for three months with a group of 12 people and now will soon head to Cape Town, Africa to get his Yachtmaster Offshore license to work on a boat.

"That's my way of saying that this gap year has opened my eyes to so many new ideas, so many new places and so many issues, especially on this past trip," he said of his use of sonder. "The silver lining to these problems is that there are many hardworking, dedicated people struggling to overcome them on a daily basis."

With that in mind, rather than simply talking about his own experiences, Ramsgard said he wanted to share the experiences of the people he met while visiting China for three weeks, Vietnam for three weeks, Cambodia for a month and Thailand for three weeks.

In Kunming, China  an industrializing city with many construction sites  Ramsgard said he and his fellow students met a 20-year-old woman who lives there in a one-room home with her husband, who works at one of the construction sites, and their child.

The woman must pay for her daughter to attend public school, as she does not attend school in the province in which she was born. The woman herself had dreams of being a teacher but now washes clothes to support the family.

"Most students only make it to middle school," Ramsgard said. "Very few students go to high school, and even fewer students go to college from the rural areas."

Ramsgard said the students asked the woman why the family does not move back to their rural hometown where the daughter could attend school for free. She told them the education system is better in the urban areas.

The students also asked the woman if she is happy and got a surprising response.

"She said yes. We weren't really expecting that answer," Ramsgard said. "She said because of her health and average lifestyle. That took a couple of us back for a little bit. In the end, that's a very inspiring message that she's happy with what so many of us take for granted every day."

In a more rural part of China, Ramsgard said the students learned about the cycle of poverty  how the poor education system leads to poor opportunities for young people, which leads to poverty and a repeat of the cycle.

They met a young girl who is the brightest student in her class and expects to graduate from middle school at the top of grade, but she may not get to attend high school unless she gets a scholarship because her family cannot afford to continue her education.

"The situation that's going on does not allow for there ever to be any kind of gain in the social status that will get them out of the poverty cycle, so they're stuck in it," Ramsgard said.

He observed "a clear contrast between the urban setting and the rural setting" in the China. The urban image of China is the one most seen by the rest of the world and the one China wants the world to see.

"It looks like many of our major cities. It looks modern," Ramsgard said. "But, as soon as you take a bus four hours outside the city, you're in the middle of nowhere. It's as rural as it gets."

In Vietnam, Ramsgard and his fellow students worked with a nongovernmental organization called Friendship Village that people deal with the effects of Agent Orange, which the U.S. military used during the Vietnam War to destroy forest cover and expose Viet Cong soldiers.

But, the defoliant proved to be toxic, he said, and now now 8 million people  Americans and Vietnamese alike  are affected by birth defects and a range of diseases. At the center, the students got to work with some of the children attending school there.

They also got to meet and speak with six Vietnam War veterans of North Vietnam, many of whom had never met an American before.

"I think all of us were feeling a little guilty knowing that we were Americans and that our government had willingly done that to them," Ramsgard said. "They essentially responded that we should not feel guilty for the war and that it was not our fault. Nobody wanted the war to start. They told us not to hold grudges but to analyze consequences. They also said that they never felt that the Americans were the enemies, but the war was government to government not person to person."

In an one-on-one interview with one of the veterans, Ramsgard said he thought of the Vietnam War as the Revolutionary War for the North Vietnamese as it allowed them to have their own country.

But, the veteran saw things differently.

"He felt no pride that they won the war. He wished the war hadn't happened," Ramsgard said. "They very much saw their dark past, but they wanted to get past it."

After completing his training in South Africa, Ramsgard said he would like to get a job with it and will eventually go to school.

"The gap year will end, unfortunately," he said. "I can't spend my parents money forever. Honestly, it's opened a lot of new doors for me. It's great, but I kind of regret it at the same time because there's more to choose from now."
After 20 years as the Codington County auditor, Cindy Brugman retires

Codington County Auditor Cindy Brugman will see through one more election night ballot count before passing her title down to Brenda Hanten.
The list of merchandise celebrating Nebraskas 150 years of statehood keeps getting longer.

In addition to the .45-caliber commemorative rifle, Mason-type cookie jars, coffee cups and playing cards, the Friends of the Nebraska 150 Foundation is now offering silver and bronze medallions.

The collectibles -- measuring about 1.5 inches across -- depict on one side the art-deco ear of corn that has become the states official sesquicentennial logo, and on the other the celebrations seal, a collage with Chimney Rock, the Platte River and a pair of sandhill cranes.

The cost for a 1-ounce silver medallion with 24-karat gold plating is $250; $150 for a 1-ounce silver medallion; and $100 for five bronze pieces. The two silver pieces come with imitation leather presentation cases.

Quantities are not limited, said the foundations Amanda Mobley Guenther.

We hope these medallions will be popular and well have the demand to make them available all year along.

They join about two dozen items -- including caps, clothing, pens and pocketknives -- already for sale on the Nebraska 150 Celebration's website.

The cheapest: one of four ceramic coasters for $3.85. The costliest: a Henry Big Boy lever-action rifle, finished with 24-karat gold, shiny nickel and black chrome, its receiver engraved with scenes and symbols rooted in Nebraska history.

Only 150 rifles will be issued at a cost of $3,195 each. And theyve already sold about half, Guenther said, including one given as a Christmas gift to Gov. Pete Ricketts.

The foundation will use the money it makes to support community sesquicentennial programs and events in 2017, including the Painting the Legacy of Nebraska art exhibition and A Salute to the Good Life, a public celebration along Lincolns Centennial Mall next fall.
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 ...
A man says to me, "How do you like that car?" I'm standing by a little green Kia. "It's not mine, it's a rental," I say. I'm in the town of Okeechobee, Florida, parked on the main drag in front of Nutmeg's Cafe. "Where you from?" he says.

"Minnesota."

"I hear they just got more snow up there."

"How do you like that car?" is a classic opening of a casual conversation between two men who don't know each other and it can lead in various directions, if the two have the urge to talk.

He's from Connecticut, I find out, and has lived in nearby Fort Pierce for several years. He thought when he moved to Florida that he'd be spending a lot of time on beaches but he hasn't been on a beach much at all. He drives a 1947 Packard convertible that he fixed up himself. He moved here because Florida is better for the Packard and also to see to his father who is 87 and also to get away from a broken romance. He and his dad have breakfast together every Thursday morning. He misses the North, the big winter storms, the bracing chill in the air, but Florida is OK. He is thinking of buying property in Okeechobee. He likes small towns. He recommends I see Fort Pierce and drive the Indian River highway down the coast.

He offers all of this in one brief encounter standing on the sidewalk and when we say so long, I have no idea what his politics are, if he attends church, what he does for a living, how he feels about climate change, but I do feel warmly about Okeechobee.

These common social moments aren't as common as they used to be. For one thing, so many people wear headphones and you'd have to tap them on the shoulder and have something serious to say, like "Your pants are on fire." An older man avoids striking up a conversation with a younger woman, for fear it will be misconstrued, or with younger men because their default response is "Hnnph." You stand in line at a store counter, people are busy texting, Googling on their phones, checking their inboxes, you hesitate to say, "Beautiful weather we're having." Or "Those are good-looking boots you're wearing." Or "How do you like that car"?

I hitchhiked a lot back in my teens and remember the men who gave me a lift and how talkative they were. I was a shy kid and so older people opened up to me. It was a hitchhiker's job to shut up and listen: That was how you paid for the ride. They complained about their jobs, talked about the war, gave you advice about women and life. But nobody hitchhikes anymore, and thanks to the universality of gizmos, small talk has become rare, and a person comes to feel he's living in a hostile world, which is not true at all.

When I lived in Denmark, small talk with a stranger was the hardest language to get a handle on -- the big declarative textbook sentences don't work in that context -- so much is conveyed by tone, by harrumph and sigh and nonsense sounds, the Danish equivalents of "Oy" and "Uff da" and "Yikes." Flying back to New York and walking through JFK, I felt immersed in small talk, like a sea lion returning to the herd.

My dad loved Florida. His Minnesota life was constrained by family and church and job, and in Florida he went into business as an itinerant knife-sharpener, working a long route of restaurants, meeting strangers, making small talk, which he dearly loved. He was a Christian fundamentalist, bound by strict doctrine, but on the knife route, he could talk about weather, children, sports, cars, without reference to the Rapture and the Millennium. It was the freedom to be ordinary.

The Indian River highway was a disappointment: a two-lane road along a solid phalanx of mansions behind gates and no place to stop and admire the Atlantic. But the conversation with the guy curious about the green Kia was memorable. Two weeks have passed since and I haven't had another encounter like it. They say the country is bitterly divided. Maybe so, but that's no reason to be rude. My mailman likes to banter and so do the guys at Lloyd's Automotive and the cabdrivers. So what's going on with you? Cat got your tongue? Where'd you get that sweater? What's that product you put on your hair?
With the two superseded lieutenant-generals indicating that they are continuing in service, the expectation that one of them is going to be made permanent chairman, chiefs of staff committee is soaring.

Gen. Bipin Rawat took charge of the Indian Army on Saturday morning from Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag, while Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa took charge of the Indian Air Force from Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha.

Lt-Gen. Praveen Bakshi and Lt-Gen Hariz, both of whom have been superseded, have so far indicated that they will work with Rawat. Bakshi, who is the eastern army commander and the senior of the two, extended his best wishes and full supportto new chief. The eastern command's spokesman has also put out a statement that everyone should focus on contributing their best to the betterment of the army and the nation.

With the retirement of Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, the senior-most among the three chiefs, Admiral Sunil Lanba had become chairman of the chiefs of staff committee. Raha had handed over the chairman's baton to Lanba on Friday. At present, the senior-most among the three chiefs holds the post of chairman of the chiefs of staff committee.

Now, there is speculation that the government will finally create a permanent post of chairman, chiefs of staff, in a few weeks and that a four-star officer, the same rank as the three chiefs, will be give that post. He would be only notionally senior to the other three, but would not be in command of the forces. His role would be essentially confined to modernisation, procurement, and giving military advice to the government. The three chiefs would continue to the operational commanders.

Several committees had earlier recommended creation of a permanent chief of defence staff with a five-star officer (field marshal, admiral of the fleet or marshal of the air force) holding the post. But the services themselves had resisted it. Finally two recent committees, one headed by Naresh Chandra and the other by Lt Gen. D.B. Shekhatkar (retired) had recommended creation of a permanent chairman, chiefs of staff committee.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar too has indicated several times that a major restructuring of the higher defence organisation is in the works.
Picture the commute of the future: You live in Palo Alto, California, but work 350 miles away in Los Angeles. After your morning latte, you click on a smartphone app to summon your digital chauffeur. An autonomous car shows up at your front door three minutes later to drive you to a Hyperloop station in downtown Mountain View, where a pod then transports you through a vacuum tube at 760 mph. When you reach the Pasadena station, another self-driving car awaits to take you to your office. You reach your destination in less than an hour.

That is the type of scenario that Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) Chief Executive Dirk Ahlborn laid out for me as we were preparing to speak together on a panel at the Knowledge Summit in Dubai on Dec. 5. He was not talking about something that would happen in the next century; he expects the first of these systems to be operational in the United Arab Emirates by 2020. The Abu Dhabi government has just announced that it has been working with his company to connect Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, two UAE cities separated by 105 miles, using the Hyperloop system.

A proposal for this mode of transportation came from Elon Musk in August 2013, in a paper titled "Hyperloop Alpha." Musk envisaged a mass transit system in which trains travel as fast as 760 mph in pressurized capsule pods. These would ride on an air cushion in steel tubes and be driven by linear induction motors and air compressors. He claimed that the system would be safer, faster and cheaper than trains, cars boats and supersonic planes, for distances of up to at least 900 miles, and said that it would be resistant to earthquakes and generate more energy through its solar panels than it would use.

Straight out of science fiction it may be, but two start-ups took up Musk's challenge to develop the technology: HTT and Hyperloop One. These companies have raised more than $100 million each and say they will have operational systems in three to four years and that they have governments backing them. Hyperloop One demonstrated elements of the technology in the Las Vegas desert in May 2016.

Even if the Hyperloop technology doesn't pan out, the digital chauffeurs surely are coming. Self-driving cars such as the Tesla that I drive can already take control of the wheel on highways and are able to monitor traffic around them better than humans can - because their sensors enable them to see in 360 degrees and communicate with each other to negotiate rights of way.

By 2020, self-driving cars will have progressed so far that they can drive safely at speeds as fast as 200 mph in their own partitioned lanes on highways. In these circumstances, the commute to Los Angeles from San Francisco would take only an hour and a half - without the need to catch a connection to a supersonic pod. From Abu Dhabi to Al Ain or Dubai could take the car 30 to 40 minutes, door to door. In other words, Elon Musk's self-driving cars and HTT's short-haul Hyperloops may be competing with each other. I'm one of those who would prefer the convenience of having their car come with them so that they can keep extra stuff in the back and be working uninterrupted on the commute. In any case, for longer journeys, say from New York or San Francisco to Miami, catching a Hyperloop will make more sense than riding in the self-driving car.

The point, though, is that we are on the verge of a revolution in transportation. For decades - actually, centuries - we have been dependent on locomotives and, more recently, airplanes to take us long distances. The technologies have hardly advanced. The entire industry is about to be disrupted. Many of us will choose to take the shared cars and Hyperloops; others will own their own cars. But we will take fewer rides in trains and planes.
Before 5:30 in the morning, Omaha attorney Dan Rock was already sweating in the sweltering Texas heat.

He adjusted his tie just so. His suit stuck to his skin. Alongside his son, Nick -- a law student -- and other visiting pro bono lawyers, they packed up their suitcases and got in their cars.

Rock drove, avoiding the tumbleweeds that bounced across the streets.

You cant see this place and then all of a sudden, a very tall, chain-link fence appears, Rock said.

The prison-grade fence surrounded what appeared to be a large lot with parking lights that looked like they went on for miles.

The lot had an expanse of mobile homes, all part of the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas.

The center is a product of CCA, a private-prison corporation recently under fire for having inferior management of prisoners.

The residential center houses up to 2,400 asylum-seekers fleeing Latin America. As of September, 1,759 women and children lived there, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Nearly 950 were children.

Rock and Sister Kathleen Erickson of Omaha spent time volunteering at the South Texas Family Residential Center, and both recounted that the place felt surreal.

The trailers had names like purple hippos, green frogs, brown bears," Erickson said. There were colorful fair-like signs to direct the women from trailer to trailer.

Disney movies played in a never-ending loop, and the women wore new sneakers and brightly colored T-shirts to differentiate which trailer they lived in, Rock said.

The happy-go-lucky aesthetic in juxtaposition with the constant guard and camera surveillance, along with the fact that detainees weren't allowed to leave, made Rock and Erickson uneasy.

They had a playground, but a playground you cant leave is like a nightmare," Rock said.

Rock and Erickson, along with other Nebraska groups, are getting out the word about the detention center and the potential for psychological damage to asylum-seekers.

The groups organized and attempted to have 500 Nebraskans pledge to call state officials to oppose the private detention centers on a national level. The phone campaign went through September and ended in a Nebraska candidates' forum in November where organizers expressed their worries about immigration issues.

Now, a month after their campaign, news that hundreds of women and children were released from both CCA Texas detention centers makes the group hopeful. The release comes after a Texas judge found the centers did not meet Texas' child care licensing standards.

For the Nebraskans who have visited the centers, this was no surprise.

Petition organizer Jeanne Schuler of Omaha Together One Community said the news about the release of detainees could partly be attributed to the time spent on the campaign in Nebraska as well as throughout the country.

"Lots of people were sending out calls and we're taking that as a successful campaign," she said. "We think that the calls were part of the government's decision to request an investigation and (campaigns) were happening all over the country, we weren't alone."

But Schuler said the organizing and spreading awareness doesn't stop with this one success.

Schuler said its unclear where President-elect Donald Trump will stand on private detention centers, but she thinks it's likely in favor of them.

Hes very much focused on the wall, deporting and all of these things," Schuler said.

Trumps second point of his 10-point plan for immigration reform is anyone who illegally crosses the border will be detained until they are removed out of the country. Trump hasnt addressed his views of private detention centers, but the stock of CCA and other major private prison companies did rise 43 percent the Wednesday after Trumps election.

Erickson said "there's nervousness" among the immigrants and refugees she works with.

Trump makes a statement one day and says something different the next day and creates a whole lot of anxiety."

* * *

Detention centers like the one in Dilley, Texas, are relatively new to the U.S. asylum process.

It was a response to a mass influx of people coming into the country in the summer of 2014. Its estimated that around 68,000 families and many unaccompanied children fled to the U.S. then because of heightened danger in some Latin American countries.

Theyre like war zones, said Schuler. Theres extortion, kidnapping and killing and the gangs are running parts of the country.

In order to respond to the number of people fleeing violence, the government resorted to private detention centers, Schuler said. There are currently three centers -- two in Texas and one in Pennsylvania.

(The idea was) maybe if we start locking up people who are crossing the border, theyll stop coming, she said. Well, they didnt."

Detention centers for refugees are inconsistent with international rules, Schuler added.

The U.S. Refugee Act of 1980 states that people have a right to flee their countries and have their cases heard to receive asylum.

Schuler says theres a major difference between refugees and immigrants. Refugees leave their countries to try and stay alive, while immigrants are people searching for better lives.

Theyre both important issues, she said. But theyre distinct and the politics of today lumps them all together.

The current model of detention centers can keep asylum-seekers there for months while they await trial or a meeting with a lawyer. Before the new system in 2014, asylum-seekers would schedule a court date after making it through processing, with the freedom to live where they pleased.

Processing occurs after a person comes to the border asking for asylum. They are interviewed to see if they can move forward with the asylum process. To do so, they must prove that they have a credible fear.

There are much more humane, less restrictive and less expensive ways -- and more traditional ways -- to do this than locking them up, said Schuler.

CCAs South Texas Family Residential Center disagrees, saying the current model is the most effective and humane option.

ICE ensures that these residential centers operate in an open environment, which includes medical care, mental health care, play rooms, social workers, educational services, and access to legal counsel, CCA said in a statement through its public relations department.

But the new centers arent cheap for the Department of Homeland Security, costing $3.3 billion dollars last year, according to the DHS 2016 Fiscal Year Budget-In-Brief.

This cost makes it possible for the private detention centers to supervise roughly 87,000 people, identify and apprehend immigration fugitives, and increase family beds to meet an increasing number of migrating families.

Some corporations have managed to take a chunk of U.S. refugee policy and turn it to profit, said Schuler.

Erickson, who is on the immigration and refugee action team Omaha Together Once Community, also criticized the for-profit system saying she had an inkling that meeting quotas kept some of the wrinkles in the system from being smoothed.

There isnt an incentive to smooth out the system, and get the people moved in, she said. I think its money.

Additionally, detention centers are found to be psychologically damaging for people who have endured past traumas.

A study by the ACLU found that detainees who are survivors of trauma could be re-traumatized due to detention or the inability to obtain necessary mental health treatment.

Trust the people that study the impact of confinement on people who are already traumatized, said Schuler. This is destructive for children.

After learning the stories of local activists, Nebraska groups got more involved by signing a letter from the National Immigration Justice Center to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson requesting the discontinuation of detention centers.

Out of the 231 organizations that signed the letter, including the ACLU, three were from Nebraska: Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest, Catholic Democrats of Nebraska and the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.

* * *

Rock got to the residential center at 7:30 a.m. every morning; court started at 8 a.m.

It took him more time than the female pro bono lawyers to get through cases since many of the women at the center were uncomfortable talking with men, Rock noted.

I wished many hours many days that I was a woman so that I could help more, he said.

But gradually, after about half an hour, they began to trust him, he said. Quietly they told Rock about their experiences in their home countries.

If theres not a man in the household, (the women) are fair game, he said. The gangs will come in and if a woman has a business, a man will come in and say, youve got to pay my rent, and if one day she cant pay, he moves in and she has to cook for him and they take all her money, Rock said.

He said this story was common. Mothers fled with their kids so that their sons wouldnt be forced to join the gangs, and some women told him that if she refused for her son to be initiated into the gangs, another family member may end up killed.

So they physically pick up their kids and start walking, he said.

If a couple comes to the border seeking asylum, theyll be split at the border and the men will either go to the all male detention center or be released after processing.

Rock remembers a time when a woman asked him if he could figure out where her husband was. He says they located the womans spouse and would have a guard call up the woman.

We said, your husband is in California,' and she broke down crying, he said.

Rock said its hard for the women to relax in this facility because someone is always watching them if they leave for outside legal assistance or to call friends.

He says he remembers walking out of court one day at the center. Hed lost four cases within the span of an hour and there were four women crying on his shoulder, being shackled and sent back to their respective countries.

I bet you I have 25 sweatshirts while these women maybe have one, Rock said. I looked up at the sky and said, we have got to share.
This year will be remembered by many as one of the strangest and most tumultuous in recent times with Brexit, Donald Trump and celebrity deaths dominating the news.

But it will also go down at This is Money HQ as the year in which we discovered Britain is a nation addicted to coins and notes.

Many of our best read and widely shared stories, often copied by our rivals, have been about physical cash. Perhaps we should change our website name to 'This Really is Money'.

Checked your wallet? We revealed earlier in the year that new fivers with a serial number starting AA01 were worth hanging onto

It all started in January. We unearthed a ruse that saw one reader buy commemorative coins in bulk on his credit card to gain Avios points and then cash them back in at his local bank branch.

The Royal Mint cottoned on to this and told banks to stop accepting the coins as 'legal tender'.

It transpired that commemorative coins could not be cashed in at a later date after all  and it had our readers in uproar. 'Another con nailed by the Mail' commented one.

That is where it all began  readers were suddenly in touch about coins and we realised many had an interest.

Since then, we were the first to tell you to hang onto the new Churchill 5 notes with the AA01 serial number as they were trading for large sums on online marketplaces.

We published a round-up of the most valuable coins that could turn up in your change in our sister newspaper title Money Mail  a story which exploded, with nearly 80,000 shares, millions of reads, and plenty of rivals copying.

However, we've never been convinced that the 5 note with AK47  or any other serial number  is worth more than a fiver, or that a Benjamin Britten 50p coin was worth thousands of pounds.

Collectively, the AA01 note story, our valuable coins guide and the Benjamin Britten 50p piece have had more than 3million hits since they were published  a truly staggering number.

Furthermore, This is Money has discovered that coins and the plastic 5 notes appear to be more popular than our own relatively new Prime Minister, Theresa May.

Using new wizardry on Google Trends, more people have searched for coins and 5 notes than the PM since the end of August.

The blue line is the number of times 5 has been searched in Britain, the yellow line coins and red line Theresa May, with surprising results:

Here is a full round-up of our top ten coin and notes stories from 2016.

We wish all numismatists (and ones in denial) a very happy New Year  we have much to look forward to in 2017, including a new 12-sided 1 coin and plastic 10 note featuring Jane Austen...




English sparkling wine exports are fizzing as industry sales increased to 100million in the last year and the number of overseas markets grew by one third, according to trade figures.

Producers have also secured contracts with some of the worlds most exclusive restaurants and hotels, including the Ritz in London and the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

The UK, meanwhile, collected 120 medals at this years International Wine Challenge, the International Wine and Spirit Competition and Decanter World Wine Awards, the industry said.

Lovely bubbly: Chapel Down, based in Kent, said it was an 'exciting time' for its wines after a successful harvest saw it gather its highest quality fruit to date.

And listed UK winemaker Chapel Down this week announced that its sparkling wine will replace Champagne as the official bubbly of the Oxford and Cambridge boat race.

Bottles of Chapel Down  which is based in Kent and supplied wine to the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge  will be handed over to the winning crew.

Bollinger has supplied Champagne to the event for the last four years, including in 2016.

Chapel Down last month said it was an 'exciting time' for its wines after a successful harvest saw it gather its highest quality fruit to date - and said that 2016 could be a vintage year.

SUPERMARKET FIZZ PRICE WAR Aldi slashed the price of its award-winning Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut by 20 per cent yesterday, bringing it down to under 8  the cost of a decent bottle of prosecco. Hot on the heels of the discounter is Tesco, which is offering both its Andre Carpentier Non Vintage and Louis Delaunay champagnes for 8 a pop. And Morrisons, Asda and Lidl were all offering bottles of champagne for as low as 10. Marks & Spencer has a case of Louis Chaurey Champagne for half price, at 99. Sainsburys champagne offers included 8 off the usual 25 cost of Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top Brut  a price matched by Asda. However, Britains largest wine retailer Majestic Wines chief Rowan Gormley recently warned that imported wine prices in the UK will rise in the coming months because of the fall in the pound.

The winemaker said that the warm summer had helped boost the ripeness of its grapes, providing the perfect balance of acidity and intense flavours that would allow it to create more award-winning high-value wines in the years to come

Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said that with major producers on track to deliver a 10-fold increase in exports: Our vintners are set for huge success in 2017 with wineries growing and more bottles on supermarket shelves.

Chalky soils, south-facing slopes and warm temperatures mean conditions are ideal for producing wine in parts of the UK.

Growing demand has led to land under vine doubling over the last 10 years, with 30 vineyards opening in the last two years alone.

It has also sparked interest from champagne producers in France with Taittinger buying land in Kent in 2015.

English Wine Producers chairman Simon Robinson said: It's boom time for English wines. The growing trend on the high street shows the retailers have really got behind them and the wine consumers of Britain are responding.

Our export sales are also on the up, with new markets opening up around the world. We're looking forward to even more wines coming on to the market next year.

Ambitious target: Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said that major producers are on track to deliver a 10-fold increase in exports

Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) chief executive Miles Beale said: As we always expected, the word has spread and English wine is now internationally recognised as a premium quality product and very much in demand.

The WSTA were proud to lead the first ever English wine roundtable in March 2016 when the major producers committed to ambitious targets of increasing exports tenfold to 2.5 million bottles by 2020. It is fantastic to hear we are well on our way to achieving this.

New markets for English sparkling wine in 2016 included Austria, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, China, Italy, Ivory Coast, Spain, Taiwan and UEA, according to English Wine Producers.
RENWICK, Iowa  Once-bustling Renwick, Iowa, lost its grocery, hardware store, school and Ford dealership years ago, but when its sole bar closed last June, it seemed to some residents there wasn't much of a town left.

So a group of seven friends and spouses who had met for beers at the bar for decades took matters into their own hands. One of them bought the place and the others pooled their money to fix it up, showing up after work to replace floors and walls on steamy summer nights before reopening in September as the Blue Moose Saloon.

It was an impressive achievement, and one that is becoming more common as rural America's population continues to decline. In some places, residents are scrambling to hold onto at least a few places where people can gather. It's not just bars, but groceries, cafes and other stores.

They don't expect to turn around their communities' prospects, they say, but they feel they have to draw the line somewhere.

"There are two places not too far, over in Lu Verne, but it's not our place," said one of the Blue Moose owners.

"It's not our hometown," said Ron Oberhelman, a 59-year-old farmer who has watched the population of Renwick slide from about 500 people to 235. "When your local place closes up, you're pretty much lost."

Renwick's wide streets are usually empty, apart from a few that stop at the small post office, the towering silver Gold Eagle grain elevators or a seed production plant. But cars and pickups begin pulling up to the Blue Moose not long after it opens each afternoon at 4 to offer a refuge from the icy December wind that blows off the snowy farmland surrounding the village about 90 miles north of Des Moines.

The situation here is similar to that in the Missouri River village of Decatur, Nebraska, where a dozen people put up money to help the owners rebuild when the Green Lantern Steakhouse burned in 2008. The restaurant, established in 1956, was what brought people into town and served as the main meeting spot in the community of 450 an hour's drive north of Omaha.

"It's not very easy to have a strong, active small town," said Matt Connealy, who lives on a farm just outside Decatur. "You have to do things that don't always make the best sense financially."

Once reopened, the restaurant resumed its place as the community's hub, home to high school graduation parties and baby showers. Near the entrance, notices cram a bulletin board.

"If you want to find out what's happening, that's where you go," said Connealy.

U.S. Census figures show more than one-third of rural counties have lower populations now than in 1930. In addition to fewer potential customers, businesses in rural areas face stiff competition from online shopping and from urban chain stores offering big savings for those willing to drive another 30 or 40 miles.

Charles Fluharty, who heads the Rural Policy Research Institute at the University of Iowa, said he's seen an increase in rural neighbors joining to save local spots. Some create cooperatives or seek government and private grants.

Without gathering places, they fear people in town won't know each other. They won't know who's getting married, who's sick, who needs help.

"There's a sense of, "We've got to take care of ourselves, and that means we've got to take care of one another because we're all we've got," Fluharty said.

In Kiester, Minnesota, the 486 residents went so far as gaining approval from the Legislature for the city to own the local food store. Residents later formed a co-op, and the Kiester Market sign says: "Proud to be community owned."

Marcia Dahleen, until recently the market manager, said the store relies increasingly on volunteer help. It delivers to elderly people at home and takes special orders for meat.

"We try to bend over backward to help people in town," she said.

Residents of Bowdon, North Dakota, population 135, also created a co-op to save a meat-cutting plant after the owner died. Although it only employed a few people, co-op board member Larry Crowder said it was "the busiest place on Main Street," and residents feared Bowdon's cafe and co-op grocery could fail if the plant wasn't there to draw people into town. They managed to sell 100 shares at $5,500 apiece to fund a new plant along with grants.

"They did it to save the town," Crowder said.
The First Friday reception from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Old City Hall, 920 O St., will mark your final opportunity to see the Nebraska by Heart artists proposals which have been sponsored, as well as a chance to sponsor a Nebraska artist before the Jan.15 deadline.

The goal is 93 sponsorships; almost 60 proposals have been sponsored.

We've nearly arrived at 2017  the year Nebraskans will be celebrating our states 150th anniversary  our Sesquicentennial. Proud Nebraskans seeking a way to participate in the celebration may enlist as a sponsor for Nebraska by Heart, a public art project which features 6-foot fiberglass Hearts (and in some cases, steel and bronze hearts). It promises to be a bigger-than-life component of our states 150th anniversary. The Heart symbolizes Nebraska as the Heartland of America and focuses on Nebraskans love of their state and the pride they feel to call Nebraska home.

Nebraska by Heart is part of a statewide celebration and endorsed by the Nebraska Sesquicentennial Commission and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Since Nebraska has 93 counties, the goal of this project is to see 93 6-foot hearts sponsored and displayed near the State Capitol, Centennial Mall or on the UNL campus.

We are more than half way to our goal, and because of the pride we feel about our great state were certain that Nebraskans will support this opportunity to be a part our statewide Sesquicentennial celebration  and our goal of 93 will become a reality.

A sponsorship is a tax-deductible $3,000 per sculpture, which pays for the manufacturing costs, a materials stipend for the artist and project expenses. The Hearts will be exhibited May 1 through September 2017 and auctioned in October 2017, with funds raised divided equally between participating artists and two non-profit sponsoring organizations, Hope College Center, (a program of Boys Hope Girls Hope) and the Sadie Dog Fund.

Reasons to sponsor a Heart:

1) Support of the statewide 150th Anniversary Celebration by individuals, businesses, neighborhoods, organizations and communities

2) Recognition of friendship, family or a loved one

3) It's a tremendous marketing tool. Sponsors will be noted as the artists/projects patron and be recognized on the sculptures plaque, project website, in news releases, and on a map showing the heart locations and in the auction booklet. If underwritten, a book about the project will be created and offer patrons additional recognition.

4) Patrons of Nebraska by Heart will feel immense pride because, as a result of their generosity, a Nebraska artists two-dimensional idea on paper will become a 3-dimensional sculptural reality.

Artists proposals available for sponsorship may be seen at the First Friday reception Jan. 6 or by going to the project website www.nebraskabyheart.org (click on Available Designs under the sponsorship column) or by appointment.

Nebraska by Heart Questions: contact Liz Shea-McCoy (402) 430-5923 liz_shea@windstream.net
I must say that this year has gone by too fast. But we shall always stay grateful by the way it has turned out to be, even if it wasnt really a good year as we have lost a lot of loved ones.



However, they say that everything happens for a reason and with that said I know that the Lord God Almighty has got a lot of good things to unpack for each and everyone of us in 2017.

What do you hope for in 2017?



Peace, prosperity, a house you can afford with enough bedrooms so kids dont have to sleep in the kitchen?

What we hope for in the new year, of course, all depends on our wishes and dreams for the future. Gcwala has compiled a list of the things that we hope would happen in the upcoming year. Yes, theyre probably influenced by some of our wishes that fell woefully short in 2016, but you cant give up hope, particularly in todays world.



what We hope for in 2017:



1. That we will see not just plans for the new high school, but also shovels in the ground  and no bones sticking out.

2. To live long enough to see The Kings Vision, Vision 2022.

3. To see Swaziland finally have a mineral to sell to other countries. Docks dump their coal facility plan because, honestly, by the time they do build it, that coal will be diamonds.

4. Someone will have figured out how to keep icebergs and oil from dropping on cars from the supports on the Malagwane road. We think the government is just stalling until climate change kicks in.

5. For Illa Penboy to finally fill up Mavuso, actually to see artists in the music industry supporting each other.

6. The city revisits (or just visits for that matter) our dream of seeing the Hotel being built next to Nandos Mbabane, to host international celebrities.

7. To have the lottery back, we cannot be this broke guys!

8. More street lights on our streets, they must also be on wheels so we can be rotated around the city so other neighbourhoods can also wake up to the cheerful sounds of folks arguing over beer bottles at 5am.



9. That people who spend their precious life trolling other people on Facebook discover the universe is just one big computer, and the big IT guy in the sky is keeping track of all those nasty, petty and mean comments. And, finally;

10. We hope real news continues to have real value in our very real city because, if it doesnt, were just going to have to start making a whole lot of stuff up  and Martian cat videos will be our top priority.



Weve learned a lot this past year. We have experienced corporate, public grief, following the accidents that have claimed lives on these public roads. And we have experienced personal grief. We know we are not the only ones who grieve, though sometimes we have felt all alone. And still we survive, even though at times we questioned if the struggle was worth it. We have tasted the bitterness of loss but have not allowed it to destroy us. And together we will rise out of the ashes of grief and say YES to life. None of us can do it alone. We need each other to lean on and celebrate our newness.



Our hope for those in the throes of fresh grief is that someday your days will again bring you more joy more music...more laughtermore gratitudemore friendsmore surprisesmore memories.

As we sign off, here is a quote from Mama Oprah that would help you live your best life this coming 2017.

Step Away from the Mean Girls and say bye-bye to feeling bad about your looks. Are you ready to stop colluding with a culture that makes so many of us feel physically inadequate? Say goodbye to your inner critic, and take this pledge to be kinder to yourself and others.



This is a call to arms. A call to be gentle, to be forgiving, to be generous with yourself.

The next time you look into the mirror, try to let go of the story line that says youre too fat or too sallow, too ashy or too old, your eyes are too small or your nose too big; just look into the mirror and see your face. When the criticism drops away, what you will see then is just you, without judgment, and that is the first step toward transforming your experience of the world.

Oprah Winfrey
MBABANE  It is the Ministry of Education versus the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) on the debate about positive discipline and corporal punishment.



The ministry feels positive discipline works, while teachers dearly miss corporal punishment which is being phased out in schools.

Pat Muir, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training said they have noted that positive discipline removes some of the tension among pupils and allows them to learn in a freer environment.



Muir further said they had also seen a decline in the dropout rate of pupils in early grades compared to before, with the main reason being fear of being punished by the teacher.



Discipline



Positive discipline, according to him, allowed for interaction between teachers and pupils which could encourage communication even on other issues.

However, SNAT Secretary General Zwelithini Mndzebele views this from a different perspective as he argued that even though teachers would embrace positive discipline, they would never forget the good works of corporal punishment.



Punishment



Mndzebele pointed out that it wouldnt be fair to say corporal punishment was rubbish just because they were progressing from it to a new form of discipline.

He said corporal punishment made their work easier because it would deter pupils from committing offences and would also eliminate repeated talk over the same issue.
MBABANE  Swazis have won. That was the declaratory statement from Swazi Mobile Limiteds Victor Gamedze following the Swaziland Communications Commission (SCCOM) decision to award the company an operating licence.



The decision was announced yesterday. This means Swazi Mobile will be authorised to roll out a national network and provide voice, data and value added services on a national basis.



The decision confirms Swazi Mobile Limited to be the third telecommunications service provider in the country, joining Swazi MTN Limited and the Swaziland Post and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC).



Gamedze, who is not new to the telecommunications industry, was modest in his response as he said it would be wrong if he were to celebrate and state what the companys plans for the future were.



He respectfully declined to take for Swazi Mobiles success by winning the tender, beating Mauirtius Telecom Limited, sdnet  a partnership between Data Network Services (Pty) Limited and Ndlaphu Financial Services (Pty), and The Viettel Global Investment Joint Stock Company.

Instead he paid respect to the people of Swaziland he said were behind the company as it belonged to them and not him alone.

This is for the people of Swaziland because they are the ones who prayed for it to happen and only assigned me to go and bid on their behalf. They had belief in that I would succeed because Im already in the field, so if there is anyone to thank then its the people of Swaziland.



Following the companys success in winning the tender, Gamedze said this was an opportunity for Swazis to be part of big business and also participate in it. He noted that in most instances Swazis limited themselves to smaller projects and were seemingly afraid of getting involved in big business.
Nebraskas 93 counties will kick off the states 150th birthday in photographs as part of the Sesquicentennial traveling photo exhibit, Bridges: Sharing Our Past to Enrich the Future"  sponsored by Hildegard Center for the Arts of Lincoln in collaboration with the Nebraska Tourism Commission and Nebraska State Historical Society.

Endorsed by the Nebraska 150 Commission as a Signature Event, the three organizations invited amateur and professional photographers to capture images of historic sites or hidden treasures throughout Nebraska. Over 800 photo submissions were received. The winning 93 photographs, one from each county, represent a cross-section of Nebraska.

The photo exhibit premieres Friday (Jan. 6) at the Great Plains Art Museum, 1155 Q St., with a free public reception from 5-7 p.m.

Tour schedule

The Venue/Exhibit Tour schedule for 2017 is:

Great Plains Art Museum in Lincoln: Jan. 6 - March 25

Seward Civic Center: June 1 - July 28

North Platte Prairie Arts Center: Aug. 1 - Sept. 22

Norfolk Art Center: Sept. 7 - Oct. 26, 2017

Carnegie Arts Center in Alliance: Sept. 26 - Nov. 10

Durham Museum in Omaha: Nov. 24, 2017 - Jan. 7, 2018

Jurors

Jurors for the Bridges Photo Call included a contributor to National Geographic Magazine and NEBRASKAland Magazine, Joel Sartore; University of Nebraska-Lincoln Professor Emeritus George Tuck; and regular contributors to Nebraska Life Magazine, Bobbi and Steve Olson.

The Olsons remarked: The Bridges project has been a wonderful opportunity to personalize Nebraska on a county-by county basis. Shown together, the photographs weave a fascinating story showcasing the history and beauty of the state as a whole. We thoroughly enjoyed the pictorial journey around the state.

Digital catalogue

Available January 2017 at the Hildegard Center website (www.hildegardcenter.org) will be a digital catalogue of the winning photographs, a virtual exhibit of all submitted photos and a link to Instructional Resources (based on State Social Studies Standards) for classroom use. Story Map technology will allow students/teachers to click on a Nebraska county to access the winning photo along with accompanying instructional resources that will enrich a variety of curricular areas.

The Nebraska Tourism Commission has also featured 14 of the photos in its 2017 state calendar. The 93 winning photographs and narratives are included in Omaha World Heralds newly published book titled Nebraska: 150 Years Told Through 93 Counties," available in stores. (Note: HCFA will not receive any profits from the sale of this book.)

The Sesquicentennial Traveling Photo Exhibit and Instructional Resources are supported in part by the following statewide sponsors:

Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment; the Nebraska Sesquicentennial Commission; Nebraska Tourism Commission; Nebraska State Historical Society; Johnson Hardware Company; the Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation; and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Local regional sponsors include Union Bank and Trust and the Sandhills Publishing Company. For a list of regional sponsors, visit www.hildegardcenter.org.

Bridges Project Committee members include: Cathy HarringtonProject Chair, Alexandra Alberda, Angela Carroll, Kim Einspahr, Jenn Gjerde, Rita Kean, Erin Lenz, Bob Puschendorf, Marilyn Stadler, Angela White-Sears, Donna Williams and Anne Woita.

Bridges Educational Sub-Committee members include: Donna Williamsproject chair, Rita Kean, Cathy Harrington, Kim Einspahr and Anne Woita (Hildegard Center for the Arts); Bob Puschendorf and Sharon Kennedy (Nebraska State Historical Society); Harris Payne (State Department of Education); Paul Hunt (University of Nebraska at Omaha) and Ann Bilesbach.
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.
As 2017 approached, we asked pastors from throughout Racine County to share their thoughts about what our community could or should resolve to do in the coming year. The following are some of their visions for New Years resolutions for Racine County, as a whole.

Realizing potential

Maybe this year we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives not looking for flaws but potential.

These words of Ellen Goodman provide us with a challenge for this new year of 2017. Plenty of people want to look for the flaws and will happily point them out. But what of our potential as individuals and as citizens of this community that we call home here in Racine?

Within every one of us there is potential for goodness. If we were to fulfill that potential then Racine could be transformed. At the beginning of this new year may we all realize our potential, living lives where we respect and care for one another, where all are made welcome and none are forgotten. Let us make our resolution to make Racine the best it can be so that it may be known as a community where justice, love and respect are shown to everyone.

 The Rev. Gillian Weighton, First Presbyterian Church, Racine, (www.firstpresracine.org)

Safety and peace

My resolution for all of Racine County in 2017 would be to become a safer, more peaceful community  safer and more peaceful not only for those families affected by violence, whom I have met through the prayer vigils held by the Racine Interfaith Coalition, but for all members of our community.

My hope is that Racine can become a Sanctuary City, where children who have lived here all of their lives would not have to worry about their undocumented parents being deported. May we also resolve to be a safe, interfaith community, where whether you are Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Atheist, Agnostic, Hindu, Sikh, Pagan or Buddhist you are not only welcome, but appreciated. And, a community where gay couples who have been married wont need to worry that their marital status will be legally revoked.

Rather than focusing on and fearing our differences, if we resolve to see the unity in our diversity, we will be a safer, more peaceful community.

 The Rev. Tony Larsen, Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church, Racine, (www.obuuc.org)

Resolution revolution

For decades, we have watched human self-destruction safely from afar, taking place in Russia, Germany, Poland, Armenia, Libya and Syria. It has rarely touched us here like that. But we are at a tipping point  again. We have cultivated a shaming culture.

Its a blood sport, and the sport is turning into a bloody, ugly war. Its learned at home, practiced at school and made viral on Facebook. Black versus Blue. Progressive versus Conservative. Gay versus Straight. Blue versus Red.

With the Peace on earth, goodwill to men of Christmas still ringing in the air, I believe this will come to pass one day. But until it happens One day out there, it can happen inside us here today.

Heres how  A Resolution Revolution:

Humility: I resolve that I am no more important than any other human being.

Dignity: People have infinite value because they are the objects of Gods infinite love. I resolve to build the dignity of others, near and far.

Civility: Tolerance is meaningless when it includes only those who share my opinion. I resolve to honor others with my words, no matter their political persuasion, their sexual orientation, or their personal position.

We cant change the whole world. We can only change ourselves into something that makes the rest better, that puts a dent in the depravity that haunts us all.

 The Rev. Robert Hughes, Riverwood Church, Burlington (www.riverwood.net)
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Apparently great minds do think alike.

The reader choice for the top local news story of 2016 echoed the selection of Times Union newsroom editors and reporters: political corruption in Albany.

Here are the overall results of our reader poll. (Only eight stories garnered votes.)

1. Political corruption (37% of vote)

Top state government insiders and business development executives, including SUNY Poly president Alain Kaloyeros and president of Columbia Development Corp., Joseph Nicolla, indicted in pay-to-play corruption probe, scorching Gov. Andrew Cuomo's hallmark upstate economic initiatives. http://www.timesunion.com/corruption/

2-3. UAlbany bus attack (tie, 26 % of vote)

Three female students face charges for falsely reporting an allegedly racial attack on late-night CDTA bus ride back to campus. A public part of that case was video footage shown from that early morning January incident.

Crumbling infrastructure (tie, 26 % of vote)

Water main and sinkhole woes plague Troy and Albany, beginning in January. In Albany's case, a sinkhole was big enough to swallow an SUV that had been parked nearby.

4. PFOA (16% of vote)

A U.S. congressional committee has launched an investigation into the state and federal governments' handling of the widespread contamination of public and private water supplies in Hoosick Falls and other areas of eastern Rensselaer County. http://www.timesunion.com/environment/

More Information The TU Top 10 Go to http://www.timesunion.com/topstories to see the full list of Top 10 local stories as selected by the Times Union newsroom, plus reporter videos, offbeat news and timesunion.com top stories. See More Collapse

5-6. Sa'fyre thanks community members (tie, 11% of vote)

In July, fire victim Sa'fyre Terry thanks law enforcement officers and civilians at a fire station in Schenectady for efforts in sifting through thousands of Christmas and gift cards.

Her mother and St. Johnsville man Edward Leon were sentenced to prison for perjury in the case of the 2013 fire that killed Sa'fyre's siblings and father.

$15 minimum wage in New York (tie, 11% of vote)

The fight for $15 minimum wage prevails, moving New York ahead of every state save California in the initiative.

It was approved by the legislature with the passage of the state budget.

7-8. Medical marijuana (tie, 5% of vote)

Medical marijuana goes on sale in New York but program is slow to take off.

The state, however, is seeking to expand program, beginning January 2016.

District attorney under fire (tie, 5% of vote)

Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove had a year of turmoil and could face removal by the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo after a series of apparent missteps.

These include his handling of a case in which a Troy police officer fatally shot an unarmed man, his alleged politically motivated treatment of defendants involved in the leak of a 911 call; and the dismissal of felony cases because his office failed to meet state speedy trial deadlines.

Times Union staff reports
President-elect Donald Trump plans to attend an inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, following the tradition of many past presidents.

The National Prayer Service, set for Jan. 21, the day after the swearing-in, is the last of the official inaugural events announced Wednesday (Dec. 21) by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

"The Inaugural Prayer Service is a moment for our next president to pause and contemplate the incredible responsibility he has been entrusted with and to listen as the faith community offers prayers for the office of the president," said Kevin Eckstrom, the cathedral's chief communications officer, in a statement.

Trump's planned presence at the cathedral comes after a divisive campaign in which 81 percent of white evangelicals voted for him and religious leaders of a range of faiths expressed concern about his stated plans to register Muslims and ban Muslim immigrants from entering the U.S.

Details of the service at the cathedral are not yet available but an Archdiocese of Washington spokeswoman confirmed that Cardinal Donald Wuerl plans to attend.

"He's been involved in some of the planning," said archdiocesan spokeswoman Chieko Noguchi of Wuerl. "It's still in the early stages."

The cathedral has been the site of inaugural prayer services since 1933, when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was first inaugurated. In more recent times, it's most consistently been the location of such services since President Reagan's inauguration in 1985. However, President Clinton chose Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church for his inaugural services.

St. John's Episcopal Church, across Lafayette Square from the White House, has often been the choice for a private service for the president-elect on the morning of the swearing-in.

Hayden Bryan, the church's executive director for operations, said Trump is expected to attend a service there on Jan. 20.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has announced that it will sing at the swearing-in, marking its sixth time for such a performance.
WATERFORD

A Connecticut man who police say drove an 18-wheel truck at on-strike Momentive workers was arrested Friday.

The Saratoga Count Sheriff's Office says Igor P. Semenyaka, 46, of West Hartford, Conn., nearly struck a worker while leaving the plant after making a delivery. More than 700 members of Locals 81359 and 81380 have been on strike around the plant's entrances since Nov. 2, protesting cuts to retirement benefits and vacation times, among other things. The ongoing saga this month drew the ire of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who blasted the company for gutting benefits while its CEO drew more than $5.4 million in compensation.

Semenyaka was charged with reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor.

RDownen@timesunion.com - 518-454-5018 - Follow @RobertDownenTU
Good government groups hail "best state ethics/campaign reform package ever"

Trump tweets State of Union to Congress: "Mostly, I was just kidding!"

More Information To comment: tuletters@timesunion.com or at http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion See More Collapse

Hoosick Falls new water voted best in state

States, Congress forge 21st century infrastructure blueprint

GE barge runs aground in Champlain Canal; company agrees to dredge

Congress replaces Obamacare with Medicare for all, declares health care a right

Paladino quits Buffalo school board, politics, closes social media and email accounts

Putin email hacked; Russian president resigns over revelations

Capital Region unemployment rate near zero

Big league fail for Trump Muslim registry

Trump nominates moderate pick for U.S. Supreme Court

Region's animal shelters almost empty as adoptions, spay/neuter soar

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter.

N. Korea suspends nuke program; leader "heavy into" Grand Theft Auto V

Israel, Palestine hail two-state solution

Albany County legislators pass real independent redistricting plan

ISIS "virtually destroyed"

After 10 month probe of Legislature, Preet Bharara declares: "I got nothin'"
In a recent speech, Carl Gershman, president of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), warned that young people living in Western democracies show less commitment to democracy than their parents and grandparents. To back up that claim he quoted an article published by NED in July (The Danger of the Deconsolidation) that showed that only 30 percent of millennials think it's "essential" to live in a democracy, compared to 72 percent of those born before World War II; 24 percent of millennials think that democracy is a bad way to run a country; among all age cohorts, the share of Americans who think it's best to have "a strong leader" who doesn't have to bother with a parliament or elections has steadily risen, from 24 percent in 1995 to 32 percent in 2011; in 1995, one in 16 respondents felt that it would be a good idea for the army to rule while today that figure is one in six.

The authors of the article say that democratic breakdown is "extremely unlikely" in a world where citizens fervently support democracy, but that "is no longer certain ... that this is the world we live in (today)." That's food for thought as we enter a new era in American politics where fake news, immoderation and a man given to authoritarian tendencies is coming into the White House.
Roscrea Enterprise Centre Development & Business & Innovation Centre Launch.

A lot of meetings took place on this initiative over the past twelve months.

While the result to date has not gone exactly as planned the positives are that (a) The Council has acquired the former 26 acre Business and Innovation Park in Benamore which was previously owned by Shannon Development and (b) The Chamber still hopes to pursue the Enterprise Centre development which most likely will be located at an alternative site to that initially envisaged site at Benamore. The Chamber also hosted a brainstorming session during the year which was well attended by local businesses.

It is hoped that the business community will be supportive of the Chambers plans to pursue the development of a new enterprise centre for the town.

Roscrea Tourist Office

The Chamber was delighted to be involved in the successful launch of the Roscrea Tourist Office last year. The Chamber provided financial support for the project at the time. The Chamber has now made representations to Leader with a view to establishing a community employment scheme in 2017 that would employ two people to work and develop the tourist office which has now moved to a more permanent location on Castle Street thanks to the support of Paul Fogarty.

The Chamber would like to thank the students that temporarily maned the office for the 2016 tourist season.

Shopping Bonanza Week

In the build up to Easter the Chamber successfully hosted a Roscrea shopping bonanza week. This week fed into the Chambers general shop local campaign. As part of the bonanza week many retailers came on board to offer consumers great deals. A big thank you to all who supported us in any way.

Roscrea Enhancement Awards

As part of the Roscrea Enhancement Awards, an award was presented for the best presented businesses which is sponsored by Roscrea Chamber.

All local businesses were encouraged to show their support for the Tidy Towns by simply keeping their business premises clean and tidy.

Any other efforts such as hanging baskets etc that make the premises even more presentable were welcomed. A big thank you to all who made such a big effort this year. The winner was Roscrea Travel. Best wishes to Trudi and all her staff.

Roscrea Enhancement Plan

Brian King gives the Chamber regular updates at the monthly meeting on how the plan is progressing.

Although progress is slow it is obvious that inroads are been made in terms of developing the signage strategy in addition to developing plans for the overall public realm with some exciting plans for main street and castle street in particular.
CenturyLink Recognized for Business VoIP Growth

By Michael Guta , Contributing Writer

The North American IP communications market is the most competitive and mature in the world. For service providers, it means having innovative products, quality service and the best customer experience if they want to be relevant and have any type of longevity. In giving CenturyLink the 2016 North American Hosted IP Telephony and Unified Communications-as-a-Service (UCaaS) Growth Excellence Leadership award, Frost & Sullivan is recognizing the company as one of the best in the region for providing business VoIP services.

According to Frost & Sullivan, this award is given after it conducts an extensive research and evaluates the industry to determine the leading performers across the entire value chain of the services they offer. Frost & Sullivan brings almost 50 years of experience in evaluating companies across virtually every industry with disciplined research and best practice models for powerful growth strategies.

In addressing the competitive market, Elka Popova, global program director, Frost & Sullivan, said, "Achieving leadership in growth is extremely difficult in today's marketplace due to competitive intensity, customer volatility and economic uncertainty. Even in light of these challenges, CenturyLink has excelled among service providers with one of the highest growth rates in the North American hosted IP telephony and UCaaS market."

As a global communications, hosting, cloud and IT services company, CenturyLink has one of the most extensive fiber networks in the world with 250,000-route-mile U.S. and 300,000-route-mile international transport network. This, along with more than 55 data centers in North America, Europe and Asia gives the company the ability to deliver innovative technological solutions, including network and data systems management, big data analytics and IT consulting.

The business VoIP communications solution offers as part of its hosted IP telephony and UCaaS platforms are available in local markets throughout the US with best-of-breed VoIP technology features.

The UCaaS solutions from CenturyLink provides a comprehensive business VoIP communications platform with multi-protocol label switching (MPLS), advanced audio and web conferencing services, multi-channel contact center, workforce optimization offerings, IP long-distance and IP toll-free services, premises-based communications along with integration of managed office and managed enterprise solutions.

"We believe this recognition by Frost & Sullivan helps validate our vision to simplify business communications and connect people to the power of the digital world. Connecting mobile workers seamlessly and unifying the user experience across all devices for a broad set of communications and collaboration tools are keys to success for many organizations today," said Troy Trenchard, vice president, product management, CenturyLink.

According to Frost & Sullivan, this is the type of comprehensive and one-stop shop offerings organizations are looking for today in order to avoid compatibility issues with devices, platforms and systems.

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Edited by Maurice Nagle
RACINE  Its time to crown Miss Racine 2017.

Miss Racine 2016, 20-year-old Park High School graduate Haley Schonter, will pass her crown onto a new winner at this years Miss Racine Pageant, set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Preservation Hall, 740 Lake Ave.

Schonter, whose community service platform was One Big City, One Big Family  Domestic Violence Awareness, has spent much of the past year participating in events that bring focus to mental illness recovery, female empowerment and domestic violence awareness.

The young woman named Miss Racine 2017 will advance to the Miss Wisconsin competition in June.

The Miss Racine Scholarship Program, which has been in existence since 1960, is a local affiliate of the nonprofit Miss America Organization, which describes itself as one of the nations leading achievement programs and the worlds largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women.

In addition to the crowning of Miss Racine 2017, Miss Southern Lakes will also be crowned.

Tickets cost $15 and will be available at the door.

For more information about the pageant or how to book Miss Racine for community appearances, send an email to missracinepageant@gmail.com or go to www.missracine.com.
Petition seeks to 'Keep Abby and Libby arrest evidence sealed'

A petition on Change.org urges the prosecutor to keep the probable cause affidavit sealed in Richard Allen's arrest in the Delphi double homicide.
1 SUV torched, another vandalised in Capital

Two government vehicles came under attack during a protest rally organised by Youth Association Nepal (YAN), the youth wing of CPN-UML, in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu, on Friday afternoon.
25MW Upper Madi starts generation

The Upper Madi Hydroelectric Project began commercial generation of power on Friday after Energy Minister Janardan Sharma inaugurated the 25 megawatt plant located at Sildujure in Kaski district.
TKC DOES NOT ENDORSE, CONDONE OR SUPPORT VIOLENCE AGAINST ANIMALS FOR ANY REASON!!!

April is our person of the year not for the charge against her or the probation and community service to which she was sentenced BUT because the dramatic circumstances surrounding her hot mess alleged horse slap EXEMPLIFY Kansas City politics this year.

- Her critics obsessed about nasty pix online and thereby revealed that they spend most of their time searching the Internets for revenge pr0n.





- She took it from both ends as PETA denounced horse slapping and fellow liberals turned her in . . .





- The Trump Rally ACCURATELY PREDICTED BY TKC was fun but not really that important given that the Prez-Elect won Missouri and Kansas by resounding margins.





- While the KCMO Democratic Party leadership rages against Trump, none of them were willing to take to the street like April and voice their concerns.





- The Radical Left and PYO Protesters are planning more demonstrations to challenge Prez-Elect Trump as his inauguration looms and controversy surrounding his Presidency and controversial Russian connections continue . . .

This burg has counted 125 murders in 2016 and so much rage over a nasty run-in with a Kansas City police animal whilst battling the political ambitions of a reality TV star reveals that this really is a one horse town that's not a "smart' city after all.

First and foremost, we want to start this post with a caveat . . .Protesterr stood in Council Chambers and denied allegations from Kansas City Police claiming that she slappedand spoke of her upbringing that involved caring for animals.But more to the point . . .Controversy over slapping a horse amid a smallish protest and clash with police over anger against Trump in the middle of Red State country kind of defines Kansas City during 2016.Moreover . . . The controversy involving April vs. Dan the KCPD horse also epitomizes so much about the current state of our political discourse in Kansas City and beyond . . .But more than anything . . .You decide . . .
Jason Kander: What Being A Progressive In A Red State Has Taught Me

Jason Kander: "As Democrats consider the way forward as a party out of power, my humble suggestion is this: Lets start by being unafraid to make our argument to everyone. Im not interested in conceding a single voter to the Republicans. Lets never again focus on getting enough voters to win. Lets get back to trying to win every single vote. My experience as a progressive in a red state has taught me this: Voters will forgive you for disagreeing with them on something so long as they know you are genuine in your belief and that they are included in your vision for the country. Democrats need to get back to doing that again."

Hillary Clinton probably cost him a big jump forward in his career as Kansas City's favorite native son politico shares a bit of advice with the Huff Post given that he didn't really talk or take any tough questions from local media during this cycle . . .Money line . . .Will this advice bring band the Super minority party in Missouri amid a horrific losing streak that Kander helped to create afterto run for SecState reelection???You decide . . .
CHECK NORTHLAND COUNCIL LADY HEATHER HALL SHOWING HER CONNECTION TO THE CONSERVATIVE TIDAL WAVE THAT HAS SWEPT ACROSS THE NATION WITH THIS SURPRISE KANSAS CITY VISIT FROM THE GOV. ELECT!!!

Governor-Elect Eric Greitens to visit Kansas City Regional Police Academy!

Kansas City, MO - - Councilwoman Heather Hall announces a visit by Governor-Elect Eric Greitens, who will be making a stop as part of his Heart of Missouri Service Tour at the Kansas City Regional Police Academy, 6885 NE Pleasant Valley Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64119 on January 3, 2017 at 5 p.m. He will deliver remarks of thanks to first responders at 5 p.m.





A reception and a meet-and- greet will follow the remarks . . .

#########





After the Hillary Clinton campaign went down in flames this year . . . It was mistakenly believed that Kansas City would be on the outside of Red State Country politics thanks to resoundingly Democratic Party entrenched leadership.Here's a bit of alternative thinking . . .The new reality is that Conservatives are bringing the big guns to KCMO nowadays.Take a look . . .You decide . . .
The Kuwaiti government has allocated funds for 28 major infrastructure projects including the development of roads, highways, and bridges across the country in 2017, said a senior ministry official.



Of these, 15 projects are set to be in the awarding stage, nine under preparation and processing for the offering and four under signing, revealed Ahmed Al Hussain, assistant undersecretary for Road Engineering Sector in the Ministry of Public Works.



There are also four consulting agreements in offing that will involve studying, designing, and developing several highways and main roads across the country, he stated.



Work will soon start on development of Kabad and Sulaibeya roads besides construction and maintenance of several intersections and infrastructure of the industrial area in Alnaim area of Kuwait.



Al Hussain said in addition to this, the government is also working to raise the network efficiency to assimilate the expected traffic density resulting from the recent population and urban increase, in addition to the establishment of the new housing cities outside the urban areas.



The ministry aims to speed up the work on these vital projects to coincide with the timetable of the housing plan and the state development plan, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a host of new schemes for various sections of society even as he urged the people to continue supporting the government in the fight against corruption and black money.



In his televised address on the eve of New Year, his first since the surprise November 8 announcement, PM Modi offerered relief to the poor, middle class, small businesses, farmers, senior citizens and pregnant women, reported Times of India.



PM Modi set out a stern warning of tough action against the "dishonest" people even as he assuaged the honest people that the government will act as a friend to them so that their difficulties are eased.



Under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana, those belonging to the poor, lower middle and middle classes in cities will be eligible to four per cent discount on housing loans upto Rs 9 lakh. Loans of upto Rs 12 lakh will receive interest subvention of 3 per cent, PM Modi announced.



Saying that banks should work for the benefit of poor, lower and middle classes, the credit guarantee scheme for small, medium and micro enterprises (SME) will be enhanced for loans up to Rs 2 crore.



Highlighting the six per cent increase in sowing during the last season, Modi declared that the government will bear 60 days' interest incurred on farmer loans. This amount will be directly transferred to the farmers' bank accounts.



The Prime Minister also said that 3 crore farmers' credit cards will be converted to RuPay cards in the next 3 months for ease of buying and selling at any time.



For senior citizens, a new scheme assures an interest of eight per cent for 10 years on deposits up to Rs 7.5 lakh.



In order to further lower the pregnancy mortality rate, Rs 6,000 will be transferred into the accounts of pregnant women in 650 districts for vaccination and pre-natal care, said the report.



Praising the citizens for their patience and unstinting support during this 50-day period, PM Modi said, "We cannot allow this fight against black money or corruption to slow down," he said.



Lauding the effort of the average Indian, he said what the country had witnessed over the past few weeks was unprecedented in the history of the world.



Modi also thanked everyone who helped make the move a success, especially the bank employees who worked hard to help people convert their hard earned money.



In the same breath, he also admonished those who tried to throw a spanner in the works by helping the corrupt launder their money. He said such people would not be spared.



In the New Year eve speech, Modi saluted people for enduring hardship for the common cause of cleansing society of black money.



He pointed out the benefits of demonetization and again explained why such a drastic step was necessary. However, the speech was devoid of any big bang decision which many were hoping for to back up the drastic demonetization step taken by PM Modi on November 8, said experts.



For now PM clearly is looking to enhance the tax base, to ensure that the nuts and bolts of the monetary system works well and leakages are minimised to boost the overall economy of the country, they added.
Citizens of the UAE can now travel to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas without prior entry visa and can stay for a period not exceeding 90 days, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation (MOFAIC) has announced.



According to Ahmed Saeed Al Dhahiri, assistant undersecretary for consular affairs at the ministry, the UAE and the Bahamas have signed a memorandum of understanding on mutual visa waiver, which allows Emirati citizens with diplomatic special, mission and regular passports to enter the territory of the Bahamas without prior entry visa requirement. This has become effective from December 27, a Wam news agency report said.



"This decision shows the evolving relations between the UAE and the Bahamas, and will contribute to further solidifying joint co-operation in the future," the foreign ministry official added.
The Bahrain government is creating a new tourism database that will contain key data on the hospitality sector and its contribution to the kingdoms economy, according to a report.



It is intended to shape government policy and supply important information to companies operating in the field, helping them better understand the market, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

For further details, visit http://www.gdnonline.com
Cashing in at Chandigarh

A recent visit to the beautiful Indian city of Chandigarh was a revelation of sorts. Everywhere I turned, I seemed to run into fellow Nepalisat hotels, at restaurants, street food stalls, the banks and even government offices.
Vienna and Greece are two of the best tourist destination in the world. If one is planning to go to vacation to these two places, there are a lot of things he can do.

For art connoisseurs, a visit to Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna is not that bad. Kunsthistorisches Museum holds a vast art collection that the Habsburg family has collected throughout the years. It will give art lovers a look at the 16th and 17th century world.

People who are going to Vienna on vacation can visit Stadtkind and Cafe Central. Telegraph reported that Stadtkind is the latest addition to the trendy spits of Vienna, while, Cafe Central seemed to be going string despite its first opening 130 years ago.

The site reported that Cafe Central offers a wide variety of menu including snacks and a wide variety of gateaux, rich cake. This famous cafe also offers a live piano music during the afternoons.

This report can be considered a good news for Australians.Travelers Today reported that in April 10, 2017, Australian Airlines will link Vienna to Los Angeles, California. From April 10 to June 12, Australian Airlines will link Vienna in their Los Angeles flight five times a week. This will be more frequent from June 13 onwards.

According to Andreas Otto, Chief Commercial Officer of Austria, they will fly to the West Coast with their current staff. He explained this will be good during summer where people can visit Vienna using the Los Angeles- Vienna route.

Well, that is enough of Vienna because there are other great spots people can visit like Greece. The country is known for its historical sites and wonderful beaches.

According to Lonely Planet, one can visit Athens and emerge on its cafes and museums. The site reported that the National Archeological Museum, Byzantine and Christian Museum and Benaki Museum are usually uncrowded.

After that, visitors can go island hoping and emerge on natures' beauty. Whether, one decides to go to Vienna or Greece it is important to have fun and spend time with once friends or family.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Days before entering 2017, many companies now offer their trips across the most beautiful places on Earth through cruise ships. In case you look for the best destinations, experts revealed some of the most promising places to visit in Italy, which may not yet included on your list.

Aside from its rich culture and history, Italy is known for its heart-pounding sceneries and beautiful landmarks surrounded by bodies of water. The Telegraph suggests 10 of the best places yet to discover in the land which one must look on their cruise itinerary as well as the companies offering such. Some of which we had enlisted below for you to ponder upon:

Considered to be the most remarkable place in the Mediterranean, the Amalfi coast bears an 11th century cathedral and a breath-taking view of the seaside. While many companies do not include such in their destinations, the Oceana cruises gives you a chance to grasp fresh air and enjoy the place along with Positano on its May 2017 itinerary.

Along with these places, the said cruise also takes you to Barcelona and Venice and other places in Italy. With only 2,289 per head, you may enjoy a 2-night trip across the said country.

Often underestimated, Sicily bears cities known for their food, baroque style of architecture as well as their beautiful archipelago. The Telegraph also considered Sicily as one of the best places you never thought you have to visit once in Italy.

Some companies offering a cruise stop to Sicily are Sea Cloud II which will sail October and the Noble Caledonia which also include trips to Noto and Ragusa (Unesco-listed baroque towns) as well as to the Aeolian Islands (Lipari) in a round-trip in Malta.

Feel like a character in the "Game of Thrones" or any ancient-themed movie with a trip to one of the oldest amphitheaters in the world located in Malaga, Sicily, Pompeii as well as in Rome, Segasta, Syracuse and Taormina Italy. If you are more appreciative of history and archeology, then take cruise that offers such in their itinerary.

You may visit such places through Voyages to Antiquity's cruise ships with fees starting from 3,295 per person. This 18-night holiday offer will sail off in May 11, 2017.

The Aeolian Islands--the infamous volcanic archipelago is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, North of Sicily. Though largely ignored, the place has many things to offer including an adventure to Gran Cratere which erupted last in 1890 or a mud bath.

Silversea offers a cruise trip in the said islands along with two ports in Sardinia (Cagliari and Alghero) where cruisers could unwind and relax over some wine tasting tours and stroll to its Medieval-themed towns. The cruise offers a seven-day trip departing in June 24, 2017 for only 3,285 per head.

More of Italy's finest taste of style belongs to Umbria. Being the "green heart" of Italy, Umbria lets you have a relaxing and soothing nature feels with its sleeping hills as well as make you go loco over their local cuisine and wines.

Regent Seven Seas offer cruise that will allow you to explore more of Italy's wonders like Capri, Pompeii, Ancona and two Umbrian cities Urbino and Taormina. The cruise offer seven-night trip for 3,629 per person and set to depart on April 19, 2017.

While you think sailing on a cruise ship to Italy only entails a visit to Venice, Rome or Barcelona, there is actually more to see which are equally beautiful and mesmerizing. So the next time you set for a cruise ship, be sure to check these places and mark them on your list. Visit Travelers Today for more tourist destinations as well as helpful tips in travelling.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Traveling alone does not signify that you are a lone wolf. Everyone has that moment where they need to be alone and get hold of themselves through self-reflection and a little bit of soul searching. Traveling alone helps you break free off your comfort zone and explore a better version of yourself. When wanting to be alone and travel elsewhere to have a self-reflection these are recommendations of the places you can go to.

According to Vogue, Thailand that had been previously known for the military coup is now a place viable for visiting. Moreover, people in Thailand consider those tourists traveling alone as seekers or people who have come for a pilgrim and they are highly respected. In Thailand areas worth visiting are Bangkok for its historic sights, temples, the Mo Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and other smaller towns around the cities.

Covered with great scenery and friendly environment, Canada the getaway during election time is the best place to visit alone next year. In the coming year, Canada will be having celebrations which are Canada's 150th anniversary and the Montreal 375th anniversary both marked with artistic exhibitions.

Reported by Businessinsider, having the honors to enjoy best Olympics for 2018, South Korea has beautiful scenery to have self-reflection. Having to eliminate the language barrier the best place to be in is a major touring spot where lanterns are lit and roam in the sky to mark Buddha's birthday. For 2017 the celebration is said to be in the late April.

Colombia having recovered from its dangerous reputation, it is now one of the recommended places to visit due to its geographical nature comprising mountains and jungles and above all a chance to host great festivals like the black and white carnival. Colombia has happy people who share the joy with everyone.

France being one of the most populated cities and mostly the white sand beaches in Paris. Although Paris now seems scary due to the attack, still it is the best and safe place to go and above all when you need a breathing space.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Meet the man who decided to run away from home and started traveling the world at the age of 13. Today, he is ranked as the second man who has traveled to a lot of places based on The Best Traveled website.

Jorge Sanchez, a man who is an inspiration and a major goal among the aspiring travelers humbly says that he is nothing compared to the other competitive travelers as he traveled the world without a lot of money in his pockets. Sanchez said that he wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth. At the age of 13 he dropped out of school and since then decided to travel across the globe.

He worked in restaurants and other low-paying jobs such as carpenter, dishwasher and even worked on a farm back in Australia. He also went through a lot of unstable jobs just to support himself throughout his life and his traveling.

How did he become such an inspiration and an ultimate goal, though? It is because the man managed to travel around the globe and visit 193 countries despite the fact that he never had a stable job and has nearly-empty-pockets. Furthermore, the 67-year old traveler had also been to every region of the countries that he visited.

How was he able to survive every day? Sanchez said that he went through his everyday life by relying on strangers' kindness and generosity. He slept in telephone booths in China, under the bridges in India, up a tree in Brazil and even in morgues and prisons.

When asked, Jorge said that he knew he wanted to travel and explore the world ever since he was young and that he'd look at his father's atlas every night, dreaming of crossing the globe. So when he was 13, he ran away, thinking that his actions will definitely break his parents' hearts; but left them a note saying that he is going and he'd be back. Check out Travelers Today for more travel news.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
One of NBC's hit American drama series "Timeless" Season 1 would be having its 11th episode entitled "The World's Columbian Exposition". The upcoming episode was scheduled to have its return on the small screen by January 16, 2017. On episode 11, it is speculated that Lucy's life will be in danger with Flynn. Meanwhile, NBC Network still decides whether season 2 be renewed nor canceled.

Lucy Preston is one of the main protagonists of "Timeless." Her character is being played by "The Haunting In Connecticut 2: Ghost of Georgia" star Abigail Spencer. As it shown on the previous episode of "Timeless" Season 1, Lucy was with Flynn. Lucy stopped Flynn from killing John Rittenhouse, the son of David Rittenhouse. Flynn wanted to kill the young boy but Lucy let John escape. Flynn was in doubt with Lucy's action.

As Lucy let John escaped from the hands of Flynn, it was speculated that Lucy's life be in danger as Flynn finds himself doubting everything. In fact, he no longer thinks that Lucy would still be her ally and may decide to kill her. On an interview with the executive producer Eric Kripke with TV Line, he teased some scoop about Lucy and Flynn on the upcoming episode of "Timeless" Season 1.

"So now Flynn finds himself doubting everything. He doubts whether this journal is accurate. He begins to doubt whether he's, ultimately, going to ally with Lucy. And if that all turns out to not be true, then it escalates the stakes of our show and makes it more dangerous, because now Lucy isn't someone he's trying to partner with.", Kripke said.

On the other hand, NBC Television Network still decides whether "Timeless" Season 2 be renewed nor canceled. According to TV by the Numbers, the show has recently found its stable standing, when it reached a 1.36 rating among viewers ages 18-49.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
, kebab pizza surprisingly originated from Sweden, and uses kebab meat on the usual pizza ingredient suspects including kebab sauce. Order the "Viking Pizza" and watch the crew fold up the pizza into something resembling a Viking boat.

In Glendale is a hidden gem for kebab pizza -- a strange-sounding pizza with a rich taste. According to The Local
David and Victoria Beckham is enjoying a quiet time in Maldives with their four children where the family is spending their holiday vacation. They are joined there by family friends Gordon Ramsay and family.

The proud mother of four children shared a cute photo of their youngest, Harper, on Instagram with the caption "Kisses from my baby girl." The photo shows their youngest, who is five-years-old, writing on the sand "I Love mommy and daddy" with three flowers drawn around it.

The designer was not the only one posting pictures of the family's vacation in Maldives, as David also posted a picture of harper on his Instagram account. The photo shows Harper swimming in a swimming pool with a mermaid. David captioned the photo "My Little Mermaid."

Mail Online reports that the Beckhams are in Maldives with renowned British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and his family. The Ramsays are a good family friend of the Beckhams.

Victoria also shared a video of her son, Cruz, 11, jamming and tapping his legs to The Weekend's song "Starboy." Brooklyn also made a short appearance on the video to jam with his brother.

Cruz, who is a pop star himself, was also sharing a photo of their vacation on Instagram. He shared a photo of him and Gordon's daughter, Tilly, 15, swimming on top of Turtles with the caption "Hanging out with @tillyramsay01 #ifeverydaywaschristmas."

He also shared a photo of himself wakeboarding and tagging his brother Brooklyn and father David in the photo. He captioned the photo "Wake boarding with @brooklynbeckham @davidbeckham."

Maldives, which is in the middle of the Indian Ocean, is a good vacation spot, offering tourists a beautiful tropical paradise that should be visited at least once in their lifetime. The problem, though, is that Maldives has a reputation for being expensive, but it doesn't have to be as there's a way to visit this tourist destination on a budget. Check out the wonderful video of Dilara Ozcan who recently went to Maldives.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
, This woman is known as the "Breast Milk Saint" -- often given tribute with empty, discarded water bottles. Named the "Sanctuaries of Difunta Correa", Correa was a mother who died from dehydration likely due to breastfeeding her child but not having enough nutrients.

In the city of Caucete in Argentina lies a statue of a woman with a child feeding on her bosom wrapped with a rosary. According to Atlas Obscura
Zsa Zsa Gabor was a famous Hungarian-American actress and a socialite. She began her career stage in Vienna was even crowned being Miss Hungary in 1936. Being famous for her glamorous lifestyle, Gabor has also been known for having many marriages. She just died yesterday in Los Angeles.

In recent news, a mid-century palm spring homes where this socialite and beauty queen resided has been listed for a good price of $969,000. The place has been surrounded by rocky desert landscapes near the downtown, and it has been equipped with two bedrooms as well. The palm spring home comes with glass walls from its floor toward its ceiling, a kidney-shaped pool, a fireplace, and an outdoor fire pit, with 1,784 square feet two-bathroom home according to NBC Washington.

The listing by the TTK Represents says that Gabor's home has long linear architecture and is surrounded by natural beauty of the desert hillside and mountain terrains. Gabor, who was known to die with a heart attack on Sunday at the age of 99, used to live on the Palm Spring Home residences way back in 1960s.

Some of the Out editors took a tour inside the spring home of the famous Hollywood legend. The home was known to be built in 1958, and was well-preserved since then up to the present. It has sliding doors, linear floor plan which directs you towards the mountainous views and landscapes. There is also a separate glass casita that sits on the other side of the kidney pool while Gabor might have spent a lot of her hours under the sun.

Gabor's palm spring home residences is said to be located at 19 Cahuilla Hills Drive. According to the Curbed, Gabor definitely had a marvelous taste in terms of houses. It is now out on listing for a good price of $969,000.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Cong, Morcha to push charter amendment bill

The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha has agreed to support the constitution amendment bill in its present form, with major ruling party Nepali Congress pledging to table the bill as soon as possible.
India opens first school for transgender pupils

A residential school for transgender people has been opened in the Indian city of Kochi, to help adults who dropped out of school finish their education.
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 31

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP, the AAP today accused the Modi government of misusing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for intimidating leaders of AAP.

On Friday the CBI had raided the office of Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Kumar Jains former OSD Dr Nikunj Agarwal claiming that he was appointed OSD by throwing all norms to the wind.

Addressing mediapersons in the city today, Jain said if the Modi government needed any clarification they should have asked him rather than stooping so low.

He said it was the prerogative of a minister to appoint OSD of his choice. Moreover, he said, Agarwal was removed two months ago.

He said the growing popularity of AAP among the people in the country had been giving sleepless nights to the Modi government. He said the SAD, BJP and the Congress leaders in Punjab were also spending sleepless nights as the AAP was getting tremendous response here. He claimed that AAP would take over the reins of Punjab with full majority.

Why the Modi government is not conducting CBI raids in Punjab where drug abuse is rampant, he questioned.

Answering a media query on farmers suicide, Jain said farmers in Punjab were suffering due to anti-farmer policies of Badal and Modi governments. While there is no policy to compensate the loss to the farmers of Punjab, Kejriwal-led Delhi government provided Rs 50,000 per acre to the farmers of Delhi for crop loss.

The Congress and the SAD were hand in glove with each other and share common business interests due to which the Akalis let off Capt Amarinder Singh in corruption cases while the Congress government did not take any action against the Akalis, he alleged.
Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 31

A 120-member delegation of the United States based Sikh Dharma International (SDI) has initiated Raj Khalsa Yatra to Gurudwara Sri Patna Sahib to celebrate the 350th Gurpurb of Guru Gobind Singh. Today, they paid obeisance at the Golden Temple.

Members of the group have been drawn from various countries, including Canada, Brazil, Germany, France and others.

The visiting delegation was led by Bibi Inderjit Kaur Khalsa, wife of late Bhai Harbhajan Singh Jogi Khalsa, founder of the SDI. They were felicitated with siropas, models of Golden Temple and religious books written by SGPC general secretary Amarjit Singh Chawla and secretary Harcharan Singh.

After visiting various historic Sikh shrines in the state, the delegation will leave for Patna to celebrate Gurpurab.

They also visited the campus of Miri Piri Academy here. SDI president Bhai Sahab Kirtan Singh Khalsa said they believe in the supremacy of Akal Takht. He said they believe in the Dasam Granth and at the same time respect the view of the Akal Takht over it. He added that the late Bhai Jogi also used to believe in Dasam Granth as composed by the tenth Sikh Guru.

To commemorate the birth anniversary and beginning of the year 2017, members of the Raj Khalsa Yatra gathered and praised the teachings of Sikh Gurus.

The session is aimed at ending the year with peace and oneness with God and begin the new year with positivity and blessings from the Gurus.

In the early seventies, Yogi Bhajan, who would later be known as Sri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji began to teach in the United States. Through his inspiration, insight and example, many westerners began adopting the Sikh way of life, attracted by the spiritual practices of Sikh Dharma and its egalitarian teachings that respect all religions.

Since 1973, the SDI has been a recognised non-profit religious organisation in the United States and an effective vehicle for spreading the teachings of the Sikh Gurus in every direction of the world.

The headquarters for Sikh Dharma International is located in the beautiful Espanola Valley in northern New Mexico, at Guru Ram Das Ashram.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 31

On the eve of New Year, Tajender Singh Luthra, Inspector General of Police, approved the promotion of 182 police officials on the recommendations of the Departmental Promotion Committee of the Chandigarh Police.

A total of 71 Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) have been promoted to the rank of Sub-Inspectors, 52 Head Constables to the rank of ASIs and 59 constables to the post of Head Constables. This is a New Year gift to the promoted officials and their families, which will build up the morale and confidence of the promoted police personnel, who were awaiting their due promotions, said the IGP.

Besides, five police personnel (one Head Constable and four constables), who were under suspension, have been reinstated.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 31

This year, around 3,000 migratory birds from far away countries have arrived at Sukhna Lake and other water bodies in the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. The birds started arriving here in early November and will stay till March or April, depending on the climatic conditions. This was revealed by a forest official.

UT Chief Conservator of Forests, Santosh Kumar, said last year, the number of migratory birds was around 2,000, but this year, around 3,000 migratory birds have arrived here. The main reason for the increase in the number of migratory birds is the increase in shallow waters in Sukhna Lake, he said.

The migratory birds seen here are bar-headed geese, gadwals, northern shovellers, ruddy shelducks, tufted duck, grey heron, great cormorant and others, he said.

The Chief Conservator of Forests said the department has also created a page on social media site Facebook on migratory birds at Sukhna Lake, where people can find information about them.

The migratory birds reach Chandigarh every year by mid-November from Siberia, Central Asia, China, Afghanistan and the upper Himalayas and their stay lasts till March or April.

The UT Forest and Wildlife Department has already directed its officials to keep vigil on activities like poaching and human feeding, which are harmful for migratory birds.
Nitin Jain

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 31

Come 2017, the Chandigarh international airport in Mohali will be spreading its wings by connecting two new international destinations and four new domestic stations with direct flights from here.

While two more international direct flights to two most sought-after global tourist destinations  Singapore and Bangkok will start taking off from Chandigarh in March, the direct flights to and fro from Goa, Pune, Chennai and Hyderabad will also start taking off in February and March.

With this, Chandigarh will have four international flights (two international direct flights to Sharjah (thrice a week) and Dubai daily are already flying since September this year), while the number of domestic flights daily will go up to 25.

Today, Chandigarh was connected directly to Leh with Air India (AI), launching a flight between Leh and Chandigarh. The first flight (AI-457) departed from Leh at 08:05 hours and arrived here at 09:00 hours. In the return journey, the flight (AI-458) took off from Chandigarh at 09:40 hours and landed in Leh at 10:20 hours. The flight, operated by an A-319 Airbus, will fly on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday every week.

Sharing the airport expansion plans for 2017 with The Tribune here today, the airport CEO, Suneel Dutt said besides adding more international and domestic flights, as per the demand and viability, a duty-free shop and more retail shops would also open at the international terminal in the coming days. Also, the international cargo and another aerobridge, which will be the third here, would begin operations in 2017. The domestic cargo and two aerobridges are already functioning here.

The airport CEO said there are also plans to beautify the international airport terminal further with the expansion of its green belt in the New Year.

The newly-constructed integrated terminal building of Chandigarh international airport had already bagged the prestigious Vishwakarma Award for best construction project.

The new terminal had been awarded for being the best project for well-developed landscapes and interior with art, paintings and mural works. Inaugurated on September 11, 2015, the new international airport had taken off in September, 2016, with the operation of two international flights to Sharjah and Dubai.

The terminal building can handle 1,600 passengers during peak hours, with an annual capacity of 4.5 million. Fully air-conditioned and equipped with modern facilities, the new building has the facility of three aerobridges, four baggage carousels, 14 elevators, six escalators and 48 check-in counters. The parking area has the capacity for 500 cars and a separate provision for VIP car park and bus parking. Aircraft parking main apron and the cargo apron has a capacity of 10 C-type aircraft and one E-type aircraft at a time. The interior of the airport is decorated with art and mural works depicting the heritage and culture of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

AI to launch intl flights

While two new international flights to Singapore and Bangkok will be operated by Air India, the operators for four new domestic flights to Goa, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai are in the stage of being finalised. We have got the requisite clearances for direct international flights to Singapore and Bangkok from Chandigarh and they have been scheduled to take off before the end of March next, Air India Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), Ashwani Lohani, said.

Keeping in view the potential destinations, Air India will launch direct flights between Chandigarh and Singapore, Bangkok thrice a week.
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 31

The Union Home Ministry has cleared a proposal to add 15,000 more personnel to the Delhi police and handed over it to the Finance Ministry for its nod.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said termed its strength as inadequate at Alankar Samaroh, Delhi Police Investiture Ceremony at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

At the function, ranks were awarded to 24 personnel out of the 27,000 promoted this year.

It is for the first time that so many police personnel have been promoted. I am also experiencing such a large gathering and a mega show like this for the first time. I have written to the Finance Ministry for proposing to create 15,000 more vacancy in the Delhi police, said Rajnath.

Emphasising on crime in the city and making Delhi a safe place, the Home Minister asked the policemen that the voice and problem of the common man should be heard.

He stressed that no innocent should feel harassed, and a criminal must be punished at any cost.

According to him, the force should not work under any pressure. The Home Minister also spoke about his recent visit to Shanghai, China, where he was informed that around 80,000 CCTV cameras had been installed in the city and that the police reached the place of occurrence within minutes.

He further wished that the city police should also function in this way and ensure that all efforts were made to achieve this.

He said he would conduct a meeting with the police officials as well as retired police officers to chalk out a plan on how to make the national Capital a safer place for the citizens.

The event also saw the presence of Ministers of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir and Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Verma, senior officials, inspectors, constables and their family members.
Shimla, December 31

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said the Rs-105 crore drinking water supply scheme was being executed for the Shimla Rural Assembly Constituency on war-footing to meet the needs of the people.

He said the Sainj Nallah-Gadoh-Ghandal-Basantpur scheme would be dedicated to the public soon and would benefit 41 gram panchayats. He was addressing a a public meeting at Khatnol in the Shimla Rural Assembly constituency after dedicating and laying foundation stones of various development works worth crores of rupees.

The Chief Minister said steps would be taken to popularise the Bhimakali temple, Shali and a road would be constructed up to the temple to facilitate the pilgrims and tourists, besides construction of Serai Bawan and a PWD rest house at Khatnol. He said possibilities would also be explored for developing a ropeway so that more tourists visit the place.Virbhadra said the Shimla Rural Assembly segment had witnessed unprecedented development during the past four years as a number of development projects, including roads, drinking water and irrigation schemes, health and educational institutions had been dedicated to the people.  TNS
India to supply 80MW power from tomorrow

India will start supplying an additional 80MW electricity to Nepal from January 1, 2017, through the Dhalkebar (Nepal)- Muzaffarpur (India) transmission line, according to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 31

While there has been a manifold increase in militancy-related incidents this year, the major concern for the security agencies continues to be the spurt in local recruitment into militant outfits.

This year nearly 90 local youths have taken up arms  the highest in a single year since 2013.

According to official figures, the highest number of local youths who joined militancy this year were from south Kashmirs four districts  Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian. These four districts, which are the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) bastion, have turned a fertile ground for militancy in the past few years. These districts were also the epicentre of the unrest this year that was triggered by the killing of local militant commander Burhan Wani.

There has been a spurt this year in local recruitment into militant outfits as compared to 2015, a senior police officer said.

This year nearly 90 youths joined militant ranks, including some ex-militants, he said.

The officer said the joining of local youths was on the rise since 2013 and it was a cause for concern for them. The trend of Kashmir youth, including educated boys, picking up the gun mainly began after Burhan Wani joined militancy in 2010.

In 2013, official figures revealed that 20 youths had joined militancy. A year later there was a sudden jump when 56 youths took up arms, including 53 fresh recruits. The next year the number rose to 72. The figures showed this year that nearly local 90 youths joined militancy. A few of newly recruited militants were also killed during gunfights. These newly recruited militants are associated with Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashker-e-Toiba militant groups.

After the unrest broke out following the killing of Burhan, nearly 50 youths joined militancy.

These newly recruited militants, the police said, were given basic arms training locally. To arm the new recruits, militants have resorted to looting of weapons in the Valley.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has been repeatedly asking the police not to kill local militants during gunfights and instead try to bring them into the mainstream by capturing them alive. In fact, forces have been able to persuade three newly recruited local militants to surrender.
Jammu, December 31

Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar in his farewell speech asked the Jammu and Kashmir Police to continue working selflessly with zeal and zest for the people of the state.

He remembered the sacrifices made by the J&K Police while fighting the arms insurgency in the state and earning a place of one of the best police forces in the state.

Rajendra retired today from the police force after 35 years of illustrious career in which he held important posts in the J&K Police and spent two and a half years as the police chief of Indias most vulnerable state. A parade was organised to bid farewell to the DGP at Gulshan Ground, near Police Headquarters.

Remembering his early days, when after joining the IPS he was allotted the J&K cadre, Rajendra said, I was not aware of the demography of the state but with the support of my colleagues and police force I was able to overcome the hurdles. This state became my home and love and affection which I have received here will remain with me forever.

He said the J&K Police had made many sacrifices while fighting the arms insurgency and laid their lives for the integrity of the country. He asked the police force to continue working with professionalism and for the people of the state.

Though the situation is calm and under control, you will have to remain alert so that anti-national elements dont succeed in their nefarious designs, he added.

He thanked Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for her support to the Police Department.  TNS
Tribune News Service

Patna, December 31

Five convicts, including four serving life imprisonment, escaped from the Buxar Central Jail in Bihar by scaling the prison wall in the wee hours today.

Three jail warders have been suspended. The incident has come close on the heels of two recent jailbreaks in Punjab and Madhya Pradesh and raises a question mark over security of jails.

The escapees are Sonu Pandey and Upendra Sah of Arah, Sonu Singh of Buxar (all murder convicts), Pradeep Singh of East Champaran (rape convict) and Devdhari Rai of Saran (serving a 10-year term for kidnapping). The escape came to light during routine counting of inmates at 6 am. A dhoti, iron rod and a pipe were recovered from the site from where the convicts are suspected to have scaled the wall.

District Magistrate Raman Kumar said, The jailbreak took place between 12 midnight and 3 am. Three officials have been suspended and a departmental inquiry initiated against them.

In 2005, a jailbreak had taken place in Jehanabad after the prison was attacked by Maoists to free an inmate. Six inmates, including Khalistan Liberation Force chief Harminder Mintoo, had escaped from the Nabha Jail in Punjab on November 27. In October, eight SIMI operatives had escaped from the Bhopal Central Jail, but they were later gunned down by the police in an encounter.
Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, December 31



When the sun sets on Saturday it will not only bring 2016 to a close, but also signal the end of the Mulayam Singh Yadav era in the Samajwadi party.

Virtually eating his words, SP national president Mulayam Singh Yadav popularly called netaji agreed to revoke the six-year expulsion of son Akhilesh and cousin Ramgopal from the party, which he had announced on Friday evening for alleged anti-party activities and breaking the party discipline.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The U-turn followed a rude reality check given by son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Of the partys 229 MLAs, 209 were in attendance at the meeting summoned by him at his residence on Saturday morning.

Over two dozen ministers, MLCs and party district presidents were also present at the CMs residence making it clear that Akhilesh was not only at the helm of affairs in the government, but also in the party.

In contrast, barely 128 of the 325 SP candidates declared by Mulayam two days ago and only 28 MLAs arrived at the Samajwadi party headquarters where Mulayam had summoned them for a meeting at 11am.

Even at the party office Akhilesh supporters raised slogans in support of Akhilesh.

Sensing the changed mood inside the party and on the streets, Mulayam decided to stay away from his own meeting, which was later postponed and eventually addressed by Shivpal alone.

Working out a face-saving formula to arrest further damage and humiliation for netajisenior minister and founder member of the Samajwadi Party Mohd Azam Khan succeeded to bring father and son together to sort out their differences.

Azam had publicly expressed his anguish at the turn of events in Yadav family following Akhileshs release of his own list of candidates. He claimed that the rift had been fostered by fascist forces and would ultimately wreak havoc for the future of Uttar Pradesh.

Azam first visited Mulayam and spent some time with him and then drove to Akhileshs residence where he convinced him to meet his father.

Leaving the meeting with the MLAs, Akhilesh accompanied Azam to his fathers house where an emotional reunion reportedly happened.

Despite his new-found stature following the backing of the MLAs, Akhilesh touched his fathers feet and sought his blessings, and the ageing patriarch obliged.

During the 45-minute meeting Akhilesh reportedly put forward his demands after which Shivpal was summoned.

Within no time Shivpal through a tweet announced the revocation of the expulsion of both Akhilesh and Ramgopal on the orders of Mulayam.

He also expressed the determination to unitedly fight communal forces.

It is believed that the fate of Amar Singh as the national general secretary and Shivpal as state party chief has also been sealed but a formal announcement may be made on Sunday.

As expected earlier, the national convention called by Samajwadi Party national general secretary Ramgopal Yadav has not been cancelled.

Returning to his residence after the meeting with his father, Akhilesh reportedly told them that he would speak at Sundays convention which would take place as scheduled.

He also assured them that action would be taken against those conspiring against the party.

Expecting a large turnout, the venue of the convention has been shifted from Dr Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University to the 376-acre Janeshwar Mishra Park in Lucknow.
Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, December 31

As the sun sets on 2016, it may well be the end of the Mulayam Singh Yadav era in the Samajwadi Party. Virtually eating his words, the SP national president today revoked the expulsion of his son Akhilesh and cousin Ram Gopal from the party. The two were expelled for anti-party activities on Friday.

This U-turn came post a reality check  of the partys 229 MLAs, as many as 209 marked their attendance at a meeting called by Akhilesh at his residence this morning. So did 24 ministers, MLCs and party district presidents, leaving none in doubt as to who the boss was both in the government and the party.

In contrast, barely 128 of the 325 party candidates declared by Mulayam and 28 MLAs turned up at the Samajwadi Party headquarters, where party workers repeatedly raised slogans in favour of Akhilesh. Sensing the mood within the party and on the streets, Mulayam decided to keep away from the meeting that he had himself summoned. Later, the meeting was addressed by state president Shivpal Yadav.

Working out a peace formula, senior minister and partys founder member Mohd Azam Khan succeeded in bringing the father and son together. Azam had publicly expressed anguish at the turn of events, claiming that the rift had been fostered by fascist forces and would eventually destroy Uttar Pradesh.

Azam first visited Mulayam and then drove to Akhileshs residence. Leaving his meeting with the MLAs midway, Akhilesh, accompanied by Azam, left for his fathers house. The reunion was an emotional one. Akhilesh touched his fathers feet and sought his blessings. The aging patriarch obliged.

During the 45-minute interaction, Akhilesh reportedly put forward his demands following which Shivpal was summoned. Within no time Shivpal tweeted that the expulsion of both Akhilesh and Ram Gopal had been revoked. He also said the party was determined to unitedly fight communal forces.

Observers say Amar Singh may now be removed as national general secretary and Shivpal as state president. A formal announcement is expected when the party national convention meets here tomorrow.

Returning to his residence, Akhilesh reportedly told the waiting legislators that he would be addressing the partys convention tomorrow. He also said action would be taken against those conspiring against the party, a reference to Amar Singh and probably uncle Shivpal.
Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 31

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhis much talked about earthquake came today, but only in the form of a booklet titled earth (economy in Hindi) quake.

Carrying a subhead 8/11 attack on Indian economy, it highlights the Congress charges against the PM Modi-made demonetisation disaster, which had brought miseries to the people, damaged the economy and destroyed jobs.

The booklet was launched by party leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala and Rajeev Gowda, who also announced a month-long nationwide campaign to expose the biggest scam of Independent Indiademonetisation.

During the winter session, Rahul had claimed that he had information on PMs personal involvement in corruption, and that his remarks would cause an earthquake in Parliament.

Surjewala said the Congress would hold the month-long campaign in January to expose the Modi governments biggest scam. He said the protests would be held in three phases from January 1 and 30, each phase divided in 10 days.

Surjewala said the first phase had begun and on January 2-3, all state leaders would visit district headquarters and expose the real face of demonetisation. Mahila Congress activists would also stage countrywide protests, the theme of which would be Garib ki jeb khali, bajao thaali.

Alleging the formation of a new black market post-demonetisation, Surjewala said one market is to convert old notes into new notes for commissions ranging from 20 to 30 per cent, which is happening with tacit and at times active complicity of the government and its officials, as various raids have exposed. Another black market was selling new currency notes while the ordinary people struggled for cash.

On the BJP dismissing Congress charges as repetition of old baseless allegations which had been addressed several times in the past few days, Surjewala said none of the charges levelled by the Congress against the PM and BJP chief Amit Shah had been answered by them.
Jabalpur: A fire broke out at Bharat Petroleum's depot here on Saturday , causing injuries to six employees, a police official said. The incident took place while the employees were filling diesel in a tanker. The fire fighters immediately brought the blaze under control and the injured were admitted to government medical college here and their condition is reported to be out of danger, the official said. PTI
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 31

General Bipin Rawat today took over as Chief of Army Staff and Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa as Chief of the Indian Air Force. They succeed General Dalbir Singh Suhag and Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, respectively. Separate ceremonies were held on the South Block lawns and at the Air Headquarters.

Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, who was superseded by his junior General Rawat, said he would continue to lead the Eastern Command with full professional sincerity. Addressing all ranks through video-conferencing from his office at Fort William, Kolkata, he said: I convey my best wishes and full support of the Eastern Command to Gen Bipin Rawat.

He requested that speculation and trolling should stop and everyone should focus on contributing their best to the betterment of the Army and the nation.

In New Delhi, Gen Dalbir Singh, after inspecting a guard of honour, said: I strongly believe that actions must speak louder than words. The day I took over, I had said that our response to any action will be more than adequate, immediate and intense.

Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa, the 25th IAF Chief, in his address to the air warriors, stressed on training and equipping the IAF to deter unconventional threats.

Commissioned into the IAFs fighter stream in 1978, Dhanoa, who has flown various types of fighter aircraft and is a qualified flying instructor, commanded a fighter squadron during the Kargil operations.

Meanwhile, Air Marshal SB Deo, who was heading the vital Delhi-headquartered Western Air Command (WAC), has been appointed Vice-Chief of the IAF. Air Marshal C Hari Kumar, who was heading IAFs Shillong-based Eastern Command, has been moved to the WAC.

Lt Gen Sharat Chand, South-Western Army Commander, may be appointed Vice-Chief, say sources.
Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 31

Amid high drama, Punjab Education Minister Dr Daljit Singh Cheema staged a dharna outside the Punjab Raj Bhawan late this evening in protest against the failure of the Chandigarh Police to evict protesting ETT teachers from his official residence here.

It was only late in the night that Cheema ended his dharna on the intervention of Punjab Governor-cum-UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore. The Governor summoned IG Tajendra Singh Luthra and asked him to inquire into the matter and get the minister's house vacated.

A livid Cheema, accompanied by Akali leaders, had reached the Raj Bhawan and launched a dharna there. I am protesting against the callousness of police and civil officials of the Chandigarh Administration who are busy celebrating the New Year rather than ensuring law and order. If a Cabinet Minister has to stage a dharna to ensure police action on his complaint, one can well imagine the plight of the common man in Chandigarh, he said, even as the police cordoned the high-security zone to ensure that the minister's supporters did not join him in the dharna.

As many as 109 ETT teachers of Punjab, who have not been given permanent jobs, gathered outside the minister's residential complex at noon. They managed to enter the complex and then the residence on the pretext of meeting the minister. Once inside, they refused to budge.

Perturbed, the minister called up top police officials several times, but to no avail. A posse of cops remained stationed outside his house, but no effort was allegedly made to remove the protesters.
New Delhi, December 31

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday demanded the removal of the weekly cash withdrawal limit with immediate effect and revealed his plan to go on a holiday.

He also extended New Year greetings to all via Twitter.

I will be travelling for the next few days. Happy New Year to everyone; wishing you and your loved ones success and happiness in this coming year," Gandhi said on his official Twitter account.

There are reports that Gandhi might have gone to London on a private visit.

"Destroyed in the last 50 days: trust in the Prime Minister's word. Weekly cash withdrawal limits must go," Gandhi tweeted.

In another tweet, he posted a picture demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi compensate for the loss suffered due to demonetisation.

Gandhi demanded that the Centre give a compensation of Rs 25,000 to below poverty line families.

He also said that income tax and sales tax rebate of 50 per cent should be given to small shopkeepers and businessmen.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the scrapping of high-denomination currency notes on November 8, and subsequently sought 50 days to put things in order.  Agencies
Iraq Baghdad: 21 dead as twin bombs rip through market

At least 21 people have been killed and 40 people wounded in a double bombing at a busy market in the centre of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, officials say.
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 31

Stoutly defending his decision to abolish high-denomination notes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced sops for the poor, farmers, women, senior citizens and small businesses.

In a thanksgiving address to the nation at the end of the demonetisation drive that he announced on November 8, the PM warned that those who had misused the 50-day period to launder money would not be spared.

Expanding the scope of financial reforms to usher in a clean economy, he asked all political parties to sit together and find ways to bring about transparency in funding.

It is time that all politicians and political parties respect the feelings of the honest citizens and understand their anger... political parties must shed the holier than thou attitude and sit together to increase transparency and get rid of black money and corruption, he said, even as he batted for simultaneous Lok Sabha and state elections. In his 45-minute address, he announced interest subvention on housing for the urban and rural poor, enhanced credit guarantee to small traders and MSMEs, a 60-day interest waiver on select farm loans and higher interest earnings on deposits by senior citizens.

Directing the now cash-rich banks to go out of their way to help the not-so-privileged, the PM announced a rebate of 4 and 3 per cent for home loans of up to Rs 9 lakh and Rs 12 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. He said the government had decided to enhance the credit guarantee for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore.

Keeping in mind the coming elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, the PM flagged off several schemes aimed at helping the poor. Farmers who have taken loans from district cooperative banks and societies have been granted a waiver on interest for a period of 60 days.

The amount of the 60-day interest waiver will be directly transferred to the farmers accounts, the PM said.

Calling demonetisation a historic cleansing ritual, Modi said the people had seen the biggest shudhi yagna after Diwali. Warning that dishonest bank officials, who may have helped people illegally convert their illicit wealth, wont be spared, he said: The priority of the government now is how to help the honest, protect them, and ease their difficulty.

He did not give any figures on the amount of old currency deposited in banks.

My effort is to take the banking system to normalcy as fast as possible in the New Year. I have asked all officers to pro-actively resolve the problems in rural and remote areas, he said.

Modi said what had been done in India had no precedence globally and that over the last 10 to 12 years, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes were used more for the parallel economy.

Ignoring Jawaharlal Nehru and the Gandhis, he said had the great sons of India such as Lal Bahadur Shastri, Ram Manohar Lohia and Kamaraj been alive today, they would have applauded the patience, discipline and resolve of our countrymen.
Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 31

Two years after his arrest from Thailand, Jagtar Singh Tara, an accused in the Beant Singh assassination case, has alleged that Babbar Khalsa International head Wadhwa Singh, reportedly based in Pakistan, is getting Sikh youths arrested and smuggling drugs into Punjab.

In a letter to the Sikh Panth, sent to various media organisations by his lawyer Simranjit Singh, Tara has accused Wadhawa of revealing his secret identity and whereabouts in Thailand to the Indian security agencies, who got him arrested in January 2015. Tara, who is lodged in the Model Jail here, alleged that Wadhawa was gathering funds for the Sikh cause but was actually hand in glove with the intelligence agencies.

Tara has named several persons whom Wadhawa allegedly got killed at the Indian border or arrested by the Punjab Police. He has accused Wadhawa of running a racket of smuggling chitta into Punjab. A senior police officer said Tara, during his interrogation, had accused Wadhawa of giving him away to Indian agencies.
Shonali Prakash

When the emotional profundity of an author goes beyond his words, it transcends geographical and political barriers to settle for universal soul searching.

Lawyer-turned-human rights activist-cum-writer Burhan Sonmez deftly uses his pen to beat the proverbial mighty sword in his third novel that was published in Turkish in 2015 and translated to English by Umit Hussein in 2016. Sonmez, who himself suffered torture for being vocal about his countrys aspirations, dwells on hope and lifeand death in his latest novel.

Istanbul Istanbul is set in a tiny underground windowless dark cell with a small iron grille, an iron gate and a narrow corridor. Its characters are four prisoners, the heroes and their nameless wardens, the villains. The four are  Demirtay the student, a doctor, Kamo the barber, and uncle Kuheylan. The 10 chapters of the story revolve around 10 days of their captivity. Though they are unaware of the time and day, each day starts with a story, riddle or parable told by a prisoner and ends with him or another being tortured, surviving just about enough to see another day. We warmed ourselves by huddling together, like puppies. Because time had stood still for several days, we had no idea if it was day or night. We knew what pain was, every day we relived the horror that clamped our hearts as we were led away to be tortured, says the student Demirtay in the first chapter.

On the face of it, the text seems like surreal fiction as it fluctuates between storytelling and torture sessions. But one realises that the conversation is not mere stories told by a son, husband or father, but the characters understanding of the transition of the city  from a simple, but culturally rich past to a seemingly ugly present  marked by chaotic urban development. Yet not all the characters are judgmental about this transition. When the doctor argues that Istanbul was growing fat on the sins that would one day lead to her downfall, and buildings were replacing mountains, it is Uncle Kuheylan who defends the process. The novel in its entirety is a beautiful balance of all elements as they are, leaving the reader to derive his or her own conclusions.

The conversation delves deeper, focusing on the two different worlds  the oblivious real Istanbul above ground and the obviously forgotten one below. When pain divided the world in the same way as it divided the mind, people thought of this place as the location of pain, while the Istanbul above was the painless location. While the walls of the houses above grew roots and reclined on the walls of the underground cells, the inhabitants of those houses clung to a false happiness.

The author intersperses elements of literary classics in the characters. While Kamo the barber relates to the Karamazov family in Fyodor Dostoyevskys The Brothers Karamazov, all of them find a connection with Italian author Giovanni Boccaccios The Dacameron, wherein a group of men and women fled the city to escape from a plague epidemic and took refuge in a cottage. They sat by the fire and told stories to dilute their fear of the plague. But Sonmezs characters feel The Dacamerons characters were luckier than them for they fled and escaped death.

The crux of the novel is in using imagination and hope to overcome immense physical pain. . We told stories, drank raki and listened to songs. We turned our heads and gazed at the undulating lights on the sea  the camaraderie tugs at the readers heart for its hope in sheer hopelessness.

Though one hopes that they survive the ordeal, the conclusion remains realistic vis-a-vis symbolic representation. While Kamo the barber dies of torture, the end of the others remains unclear  leaving us with a feeling of restless emptiness.

Despite its underlying tragic element, the book is a masterpiece on the human mind and its power.
Saba Naqvi

Hope is one of the best words to describe human endeavor. We live on hope and we die a thousand deaths when hope gives way to hopelessness. A New Year should ordinarily be a moment of Hope for something better than what has just passed. Perhaps its the dull foggy north Indian winter, a personal loss or a sense of foreboding following the devastation and incomprehension I see in peoples eyes when they are told of cashless digital India following the demonetisation jolt.

I enter 2017 vaguely apprehensive even as we are given the spectacle of income tax raids across the country to make us feel better about our own misery. Perhaps the bright winter sun will break through and this too shall pass. My right brain that apparently processes emotion certainly hopes so.

But my left brain that works with logical reasoning seriously doubts it. In 2016 Oxford dictionaries chose Post Truth as the word of the year. The phrase notes an age when objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal beliefs/prejudices. In the West the phrase got great currency in the year gone by because of Donald Trump winning the US election in spite of uttering so many falsehoods and because of the Brexit vote in Europe.

In India we have been living in the era of post Truth for quite a while. Weve had grand diversions and entire political strategies in the name of hatred and faux nationalism, even as we largely ignored the sheer poverty and vulnerability of many Indian citizens. We rarely talk of corporate greed shaping public policy in conventional media but hope lies in the robust alternative media thats taken off in recent years.

Demonetisation is however arguably the Mother of Post Truth politics. First, it was supposed to be about fixing black money and counterfeit currency. Its unlikely to fix any of these problems and instead international investors have firmly suggested that in one fell swoop we are in danger of becoming a Quack republic (such as some nations in Latin America) instead of a regular economy growing at a normal pace. The most lethal piece has come from Steve Forbes, the editor of Forbes magazine that argues against the economic wisdom of the policy that he describes as Nazi style Eugenics. The title of the piece is self explanatory: What India has done to its Money is sickening and Immoral.

Hope lies in those who go against the boundaries set by traditional media to ask: Was this done to get our money in the banks that were going bust because of huge loans to large infrastructure private companies? Was this done to steal our money so that the government can then throw a few loaves at us that they imagine the people would scramble for? Was this done to benefit a few companies who will thrive in the Forced March to Digital?

The defence of demonetisation is based not on facts but on presenting good versus evil. Those who complain are hoarders of illicit wealth. Those who critique are against the nation. There are few legitimate facts that would stand serious scrutiny with regards to demonetisation but there is a lot of posturing and promising. The raids, I fear, are just designed to show the public that there is some purpose to this exercise thats disrupted so many lives and sectors of the economy.

But fundamentally the defence of demonetisation is based on that old stratagem that the policy is good because The Leader says so and The Leader is always right and to hell with everyone else! Thats what is really disturbing about what is happening to India as we enter the New Year. The worlds largest democracy has indeed turned into the laboratory for the experiments of one individual.

The real story about Demonetisation therefore is not the opposition to it as articulated by traditional parties, regional or national, who are opposed to the current regime. The real story is still slow cooking inside the tradition from which The Leader comes. Among the hardest hit by demonetisation are the shopkeepers, manufacturers, traders who have been the traditional backers and funders of the Sangh parivar. The RSS, one of the largest cadre organizations in the world, would eventually be deprived of its own financial base, should this great disruption work. Corporate India in any case dealt directly with the PM and the ruling party. More power to him therefore and a zero balance for the cadre!

Finally, a fascinating story I was told about how demonetisation has slowed down the activities of the cow protection brigades. Their modus operandi was extorting money from trucks legitimately moving cattle to slaughter houses, since meat export is a growing sector in our economy. But like other businesses this too has taken a huge hit since there is no cash to pay farmers for their cattle, the first stage in the cycle of this business. Even if a truck is moving its difficult to extort what is so scarce anyway. Besides, as my RSS source quipped, even the VHP people have to stand in ATM queues now.

Therefore, I must conclude that in 2017, I am a short-term pessimist but a long-term optimist.
Jupinderjit Singh in Chandigarh & Nitish Sharma in Ambala

Of late, the vibrant city of Ambala, home to a rich and diverse cloth market, the cantonment area and the Railways divisional headquarters, has suffered a location drawback: it is increasingly becoming a transit point of drugs.

The reason appears simple: increased police vigil in Punjab, and Ambala being the easy access and exit point for five states: Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, UP and Uttarakhand, plus Chandigarh and Delhi. The Narcotics Control Bureau has gone on a high alert. NCBs Zonal Directorate in Chandigarh is keeping a close watch on the movement and meetings of smugglers in Ambala and passing the information on to the local authorities.

The Ambala police figures are alarming: 142 people were arrested under the NDPS Act in 2016, almost twice the number in 2015, when they arrested 76 people on charges of drug peddling. Kaustubh Sharma, NCBs Zonal Director in Chandigarh, says dhabas along the highways connecting the city with Delhi, Amritsar and Chandigarh have always been the converging ground of the smugglers. Last year, we nabbed a dhaba owner who facilitated the drugs exchange. We have inputs linking the citys location to the facilitation of drugs transiting through here.

He says a number of seizures in the recent months made in Chandigarh have been traced to exchanges having taken place in Ambala. We are investigating a trail of drug flow that has a connection to Kasol -- the drug haven in Mandi district of Himachal. The trail takes us further to smuggling in Punjab and Delhi via Ambala. Interrogation reports of some of the arrested have revealed a nexus in Ambala and its vicinity especially the town of Shahbad Markanda. The dhabas near Shabad have been most notorious, he said.

The Ambala police have registered 101 cases in 2016 so far and recovered over 13 kg opium, 1kg 690 gm charas, over 2 quintals poppy husk, over 3kg smack, 44kg ganja, 211 gm sulfa, 50 gm cocaine, nearly 994 gm brown sugar/ heroin, 7,320 Alprex tablets, around 100 bottles of cough syrup and over 6,000 tablets of a controlled substance/prescription drug (Lomotil).

The NCB Zonal Director said the recovery of the tablets and syrups have direct links with some discotheques in Chandigarh. The clubs in the city are becoming the hub of drug users. We recently arrested the son of a local politician, who informed us about the large network of drug smugglers. They bring charas and cannabis from Kasol and supply psychotropic drugs like tablets and syrups in Chandigarh.

The counter intelligence wing of the Punjab Police has also red-flagged Ambala. It is the base for drugs that arrive from different states, including Punjab. But not much attention has been given to it. We have information that drugs supplied in clubs and discotheques in Delhi and Chandigarh are routed via Ambala, said a state intelligence source.

An Ambala police report has already raised the hackles of security agencies. It says: Due to its location, Ambala has become a major transit point for drug smuggling in the region. Drug peddlers from Haryana, Punjab, Himachal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Uttarakhand have been using Ambala as their major route to deliver narcotics. While opium is arriving from Punjab, heroine is coming from Delhi, charas from Himachal and capsules from Uttar Pradesh.

Sources said a major part of the total recovery is in the form of tablets and capsules. These are cheaper, so their demand is growing. Several local people from slum areas engaged in this trade have been arrested this year. Recently two Nigerians were also arrested with heroine.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Suresh Kaushik says several joint raids were conducted this year. Some locations have been identified, he said. Since Ambala is located on the National Highway, it is impossible to check every vehicle. But regular patrolling is on, said the DSP.
By K. Natwar Singh

The Peoples Republic of China is a super power. Yet, it follows every move of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with anxiety and suspicion. Why the unease by so surefooted a country? What injury can an 82-year-old, saint-like individual do to harm China? China conquered Tibet in 1951. When life became intolerable, His Holiness made a dramatic escape from Lhasa in March 1959. It is one of the most dramatic events of the 20th century. India gave him asylum. China was outraged.

The Dalai Lama was then 25 years of age. He has a winsome personality, a charming smile and a delightful sense of humour. Indians revere His Holiness, as do millions all over the globe. It goes against my grain to say that Chinas hounding the Dalai Lama does no credit to a super power which was largely Buddhist till 1949. Why cant China just leave him alone? He may survive a few years more. He is, after all, the last Dalai Lama.

I spent two years in the Peoples Republic (1956-1958). There were about 25 embassies in Peking (I am using the old spelling) at that time. Even young diplomats could run into Chairman Mao, President Liu Shiao Chi, Marshal Ch De, Chou En Lai, Ten Hsia Ping at banquets, cultural functions etc. the likes of me were invited to fill the dining hall. Premier Chou would go to every table to toast every guest. I must have met Mao a dozen times, and, Chou En Lai more frequently.

I first met His Holiness in April 1959 at Hyderabad House, where he was staying. I was appointed liaison officer attached to him. He did not speak a word of English. His personality is so benignly incandescent that it is impossible not to like him.

I have written about his meeting with Pandit Gobind Ballabh Pant, the Home Minister. It is worth repeating, his Holiness called on Pandit Pant at his residence. The Dalai Lama was narrating the travails and hardships his people were undergoing. It was a top secret meeting. Half way Pantji asked the Dalai Lama to sop. He pointed his finger towards me. In Hindi, he said not you. He asked the man sitting behind me who he was. Sheepishly he said he was from the PTI. I thought that the Home Minister would ask the man to leave the room. He did not and asked the alarmed Dalai Lama to continue.

At the end of the meeting, Pantji asked the PTI intruder to stay back. What followed was told to me by Raja Pant, who was at the meeting. His father read the riot act to the intruder and warned the man thus, If a word appears in any paper, you will be dismissed.Not a word was published the next day.

Liberalism is out. Nationalism is in. That is now the unstated mantra from the Trump Tower in New York and Europe. The Left is history. The Right has returned. America is a divided nation, Europe a confused continent.

The level of national political dialogue has descended to name-calling at the highest level in India and the USA. The vice-president of the Congress party goes after the Prime Minister each day. He should emulate his great grandfather and grandmother. A member of the BJP called a former lady chief minister a Vaishya. The Chief Minister of Delhi called the Prime Minister a psychopath.

In the US, the First Lady is subjected to abuse in racist terms. Several insignificant Trump followers want Obama dead. The President-elect and the incumbent are at each other in unseemly ways. I cannot imagine F.D.R or J.F.K behaving in this manner. But times have changed.

The President-elect was a superb businessman. He is a self-made billionaire, with no experience of governance. When he enters the White House in twenty days, he becomes the most powerful and most important man in the world. He is anti-establishment, disdainful of the Ivy-Leaguers and the East Coast elite. He will shake the system or the system will tame him! Wait and see.

Fidel Castro died on November 26 at the age of 90. He became a revolutionary in his early twenties. When he was sentenced to jail for attacking the government of the corrupt Batista, Castro proclaimed: Condemn me, it does not matter. History will absolve me.

Fidel Castro inspired hundreds of millions of people round the globe. I am one of them. He outlasted 10 US Presidents and survived dozens of attempts on his life. He held Nehru in high esteem. For Indira Gandhi, he had genuine affection, for Rajiv Gandhi, an avuncular approach.

I met President Castro several times and consider him one of the great men of the 20th century.

Goodbye 2016 and good riddance.

Welcome 2017.
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, December 31

Over 100 villages of Dharchula and Munsiyari subdivisions of Pithoragarh district, dependent on postal mail to communicate with their relatives following lack of mobile towers in the border region, have demanded that modern communication facilities in the New Year should be provided as in the absence of these, they feel as if they are living life in eighteen century.

Chandra Singh Laspal, a villager in Laspa village of Munsiyari, said, The villagers have demanded to install mobile towers in two subdivisions soon as in the absence of the mobile towers, the villagers are dependent on Nepalese SIMs as neighbouring countrys towers caught signals in this region.

Over 67 villages in Munsiyari alone are without mobile signals and they have to trek to a hill to get clear signals, said Laspal.

BSNL sources said two mobile towers, proposed at Pangos and Namik in Munsiyari region, had not yet been installed which had forced them to depend on Nepalese SIM.

Twelve villages of Banagapani subdivision are dependent on Nepalese SIM for their communication as Indian towers do not exists there. We want BSNL or private company towers be installed in the area in 2017, Says Harish Dhami, former Dharchula MLA and senior Congress leader in the area.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 31

Members of the Manorama Dobriyal Sharma Memorial Foundation staged a demonstration outside the RBI office on Rajpur Road here today.

Led by foundation president Asha Manorama Dobriyal Sharma, the demonstrators asserted that despite completion of 53 days of demonetisation, there was still a scarcity of cash in Uttarakhand.

They said several remote villages of Uttarakhand did not have any banking network, making inhabitants of these villages to walk several kilometres to go to the nearest bank.

They said even cashless transactions were a big trouble in cities due to poor internet connectivity. Harjit Singh Minto, DP Singh, Radhika Sharma, Rahul Sehgal and Puja Saxena were among the demonstrators.
Neena Sharma

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 31

Along with ushering in a New Year, the people of Uttarakhand will elect a new government in early 2017.

Politically, the year 2016 was an action-packed one for the Congress and the BJP. Now, as the state gets into election mode with the Assembly poll due in early 2017, the people of the state are hopeful that there will not be a repeat of the political upheaval like in 2016.

While electing a new government will continue to be high on the agenda of the people in early 2017, there is hope that Uttarakhand as a state will also grow. Sounding optimistic, Govind Singh Kunjwal, Speaker of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, told The Tribune that he had full faith in the wisdom of the people of the state. Our voters are wise, I am sure whatever choice they will make in 2017, it will be in the interest of the state. We will abide by their decision, he said.

However, after witnessing instability last year, there is a general sense that whichever party comes to power, it should come with a full majority on its own without having to depend on others to form the government.

We are hopeful of performing well in the Assembly poll and our numbers will be more than the Congress, said Uttarakhand BJP chief Ajay Bhatt.

On the other hand, the Congress that witnessed a rebellion last year within its own ranks is not ready to give up just yet. We will get back to power on the strength of our performance during the last five years, said PCC president Kishore Upadhyaya.

Improving traffic movement and decongesting roads during peak hours will continue to be our top priority. Besides, we will present an affable face of the police in the city, said Sweety Agarwal, SSP Dehradun.
York: In the latest incident of censorship, Facebook temporarily restricted journalist Kevin Sessums account after he called US President-elect Donald Trumps supporters a nasty fascistic lot in a post. Known for two best-selling memoirs, Sessums was notified that the post violated Facebooks community standards and was barred from posting for 24 hours. IANS

Justice Saqib Nisar sworn in as Pak CJ

Islamabad: Justice Mian Saqib Nisar took over as the 25th Chief Justice of Pakistan on Saturday. He replaces Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali. Justice Nisar has been a senior judge of the Supreme Court since September 10, 2015. He has served as a judge of the Lahore High Court. ANI

China to ban ivory trade by end of 2017

Beijing: China, the biggest ivory market in the world, will ban trade and processing of all domestic ivory by the end of 2017 in a bid to save the fast dwindling tusker population, a move hailed as historic and a game changer for African elephants. The decision came after China imposed a three-year ban on ivory imports in March this year. PTI
PHOENIX  The mother of one of the firefighters killed in the Yarnell Hill blaze has no right to sue the state for her son's death, the state Court of Appeals ruled Friday.

In a unanimous opinion, the judges said Marcia McKee presented no evidence that the actions of the state that 2013 day amounted to "willful misconduct'' by anyone involved.

Appellate Judge Andrew Gould acknowledged that McKee's allegations show "a series of negligent and grossly negligent acts'' that, if proven, culminated in the death of her son, Grant, and 18 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew. But he said McKee provided no evidence that these acts "were done knowingly and purposely with the direct object of injuring the firefighters.''

That distinction is critical in this case.

Gould said that McKee and his fellow firefighters, who were employees of the city of Prescott, were effectively working that day as employees for the state. And workers who are killed on the job are not entitled to sue but instead get only those benefits provided under the state's workers' compensation system, meaning a set percentage of what the person was earning.

Arizona law, however, does permit lawsuits against employers in cases of "willful misconduct.''

Attorney David Abney said he has evidence that a ground supervisor and an air tactical supervisor, both state employees, went home in the middle of the blaze, leaving their duties to less-experienced underlings. And that, he said, amounts to dereliction of duty.

But Gould said none of that matters unless Abney can show that the supervisors acted "with the deliberate intention of harming McKee or any member of the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew.'' Abney told Capitol Media Services he will seek Supreme Court review.

The firefighters were killed when the wind changed direction and they found themselves trapped in an unburned area.

McKee's lawsuit was one of several filed against the state.

Last year a dozen of the families agreed to settle for payments of just $50,000 each; seven other families that did not sue got $10,000 apiece in a settlement approved between the state Forestry

Division and the Industrial Commission of Arizona which regulates worker safety. But the commission left in place its findings there had been violations of worker safety rules.

One was that, at the time of the blaze, the state agency had vacancies in the positions of both safety officer and the planning section chief. Marshall Krotenberg, the lead investigator for the commission Division of Occupational Safety and Health, said that meant no one was available to pay attention primarily to the safety of the firefighters versus simply battling the blaze.

Commission members also said there was a failure to properly plan how to battle the blaze, especially after initial efforts at suppression failed.

But the most egregious violation, Krotenberg said, essentially came down to the Forestry Division having the wrong priorities.

"Folks were put in positions, overly hazardous positions, to protect property that was unprotectable under the current conditions of the extreme fuel, dryness, the drought and wind conditions,'' he told the commission. "The employer implemented (fire) suppression strategies that prioritized protection of non-defensible structures and pastureland over firefighter safety.''

In presenting his findings to the commission, Krotenberg said that was a "willful'' violation of worker safety laws. But stressed that, under state labor laws, that did not mean anyone at the Forestry Division intended to harm the firefighters or acted with malicious intent.

It is that distinction that the Court of Appeals concluded bars McKee from being able to sue.

Abney said the normal cases of willful misconduct occur in situations where an employer who does not like a worker consciously gives that person poor safety equipment with the expectation that the employee is going to get hurt. But he insisted that what happened that day still amounts to willful misconduct.

"There was a lot that happened that you could say was so far over the edge that it would amount to willful and wanton misconduct,'' he said.

"For instance, there was one of the ground division supervisors who simply abandoned his post, the command post, and failed to provide any sort of support'' for the hotshots, Abney said. And he said the air tactical commander went home "just as the hotshots needed aerial support.''

Abney said one reason McKee pursued her lawsuit and did not settle is she believes a trial would bring out all that information.

"She wanted to find out what happened,'' he said.

Gould said there was nothing in the claims Abney presented to support that contention.

The judges also threw out Abney's claim that the state is guilty of intentionally inflicting emotional distress on McKee.

That is based on claims that state officials hid certain facts regarding the whole incident in an effort to avoid blame for the deaths of the 19 firefighters. And Abney said Friday many facts surrounding what happened that day are still not known, which is why his client decided to sue rather than agreeing to the same settlement as the survivors of 12 of the other hotshots.

Gould, however, said none of that is legally relevant. He said Arizona law allows such claims in cases of someone's death only when the person filing suit was actually present at the time.

This lawsuit is separate from another case being handled by Abney awaiting an appellate court ruling. That involves claims by Yarnell residents whose homes were destroyed that the state was negligent in fighting the blaze.
Kohalpur tense after attack on YAN central member

Santosh Budhathoki, a central member of the CPN-UML-affiliated Youth Association Nepal (YAN), also in charge of Banke, was injured when he was attacked by an armed group in Kohalpur-11 on Thursday night.
Jerusalem/New Delhi, December 31

Israel has issued a warning for its citizens travelling to India ahead of the new year celebrations citing a "concrete basic threat" and advised to avoid parties and gatherings particularly in south-west part of the country.

"We are warning Israeli tourists in India of the possibility of imminent terrorist attacks against western targets and tourists, particularly in the southwest of that country," Israel's Counter-Terrorism Bureau said yesterday in a statement, released by the Prime Minister's office.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

"We ask to focus on events in the coming days related to the Christian New Year's holiday, placing particular emphasis on beach parties and clubs, where there is larger concentration of tourists," it said.

"Israeli tourists travelling in India have been asked to stay alert and to pay attention to local media reports and security agencies. Furthermore, families with relatives in India are asked to update them about the travel warning and recommendation," the warning said.

Security sources here said that the parties on new year's eve on the beaches of Goa are popular among Israeli youngsters and other western tourists. Such gatherings can be easy targets of certain hostile Islamic groups.

Israel has in the past issued such warnings too, especially for Goa, but this time the sources feel that all such places frequented by large number of western tourists in southern and western parts of India can be the target of a terror attack.

The south-west part of the country -- which covers popular holiday destinations like Goa, Pune, Mumbai and Cochin -- are particularly at risk, the warning said.

An Israeli Embassy spokesman in New Delhi confirmed the warning and said, "Israel has issued a travel advisory surrounding New Year's Eve celebrations events in south-west India, with specific regard to beach parties, clubs and highly-populated tourist sites. Israeli tourist are advised to avoid such events and other densely-populated areas."

In addition, it recommended avoiding markets, festivals and crowded shopping areas.

Notably, the travel warning was published on Friday, after the start of the Jewish Sabbath, when government offices close for business.

The bureau did not specify what prompted the warning, however, additional security arrangements have been made all around the world for New Year eve in view of the Berlin terror attack on a Christmas market last week that killed 12 people.

India remains a popular tourist destination for Israeli citizens and according to Jewish Post an estimated 20,000 former Israeli soldiers travel to India every year.

Israeli citizens and Jewish sites in India have been attacked in the past, the most infamous incident occurred during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack when members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group targeted the local Chabad House, among other sites, in Mumbai.

In 2012, Tal Yehoshua Koren, the wife of an Israeli Defense Ministry representative, was moderately wounded in an explosion in her car near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi.

PTI
Dhaka: Unidentified miscreants on Saturday shot dead a ruling Awami League lawmaker at his constituency in northwestern Gaibandha, the police said. They said 48-year-old Manzurul Islam Liton was shot at his village home as he was holding a meeting with local activists. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition at neighbouring Rangpur district where doctors declared him dead. "He (Liton) was brought here (Rangpur Medical College Hospital) with wounds but he possibly died on his way to the hospital," acting director of the facility Dr Ajay Kumar Roy said. pti
Islamabad, December 31

Pakistan has sought support of the US on the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with India as Secretary of State John Kerry called for an amicable settlement of the issue by New Delhi and Islamabad, media reported today.

The development came after Pakistan was irked by the World Bank pause in mediation to resolve differences over construction of two water projects by India.

The Express Tribune reported that Kerry made a phone call to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday night and discussed the row over the IWT implementation and the role of the World Bank (WB), which had brokered the treaty in 1960.

After Kerrys call, US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale also met Dar in Islamabad at the Finance Ministry. The back-to-back contacts highlight the importance of the water issue, which can potentially endanger regional stability if the situation slips out of control, according to sources at Finance Ministry.

The US would like to see an amicable solution to this (water) issue, a Finance Ministry statement quoted Kerry as saying.

Kerry told Dar that the WB president had informed him about Pakistans complaint against India on the IWT. The water dispute has catapulted the US back into Pakistans economic picture.

The American civilian and military assistance to Pakistan has drastically come down in recent months and its implications on Pakistans fiscal situation have started emerging in the shape of a larger-than-anticipated budget deficit.

Independent analysts argue that Washington may not play an effective role in resolving the water dispute as the Obama administration is preparing to hand over the White House to Donald Trump next month.

Senator Dar indicated that the US support on the principles and legal position of Pakistan will be greatly appreciated, stated the Finance Ministry.

Early this month, the WB had announced a pause in playing its legally binding role of mediator in the IWT implementation. In October, Pakistan had approached the WB seeking appointment of the Chairman of Court of Arbitration to resolve a dispute over construction of two mega hydropower projects by India in violation of the IWT.  PTI
Photo courtesy of Shell Rotella

Heavy Duty Trucking magazine brought its readers colorful photos from around the country in 2016, showing new vehicles, industry events, truck beauty contests, and a particularly important Christmas Tree.

Here are the most popular photo galleries from 2016:

1. 2016 Fleet Technology Expo in Pictures

The 2016 Fleet Technology Expo (FTX) gave fleet managers and stakeholders speakers and a ride and drive. Attendees had the opportunity to network and learn about the latest equipment and technology in the exhibit hall. Among the awards presented was the inaugural Fleet Visionary awards, which were sponsored by Merchants Fleet Management. Photos by Thi Dao, Jim Park, and Roselynne Reyes.

2. Pit Tests Fuel Economy With U.S. Xpress

The Pit Group is working with U.S. Xpress to test and verify emerging powertrain, fuel efficiency, and safety technology, as well as trucking-specific best practices both in the shop and in the cab. Photos: Jack Roberts

3. Photos: CFI Comes Full Circle

After three acquisitions, the Joplin, Mo.-based trucking company founded as Contract Freighters Inc. in 1951 is going back to its roots, resuming use of the CFI name and operating as an independent subsidiary of new owners TransForce.

4. Navistar's SuperTruck

Navistar's SuperTruck is the fourth and final truck to come from round 1 of the Department of Energy's SuperTruck funding initiative. Equipment Editor, Jim Park, caught up with the truck and chief engineer Dean Obermann at the annual conference of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Commercial Vehicles (SAE COMVEC), conference in Rosemont, Ill. in early October and captured these photos.

5. Volvo's New Greensboro Truck Dealership

One of the latest and most modern Volvo Truck Dealerships in the United States recently opened in Greensboro, North Carolina. Our European correspondent Sven-Erik Lindstrand was on hand to tour the crown jewel in Volvo's dealer network. Photos by Sven-Erik Lindstrand

6. First Look at Freightliner's Newest Cascadia

Freightliner Trucks revealed its next-generation Cascadia model for 2017 on Aug. 31, 2016, in Colorado Springs, Colo. The official launch date was Sept. 1, but Freightliner threw back the curtain a few hours early with 12 trucks in fleet colors as a tribute to the largest customers in the Cascadia stable. Jim Park was there and has these photos.

7. The Capitol Christmas Tree Journey

A specially-decaled Kenworth T680 transported the 52nd U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on a special cross-country tour to the U.S. Capitol. The tour visits 27 community celebrations during the 4,000-mile journey. Photos courtesy of Kenworth

8. 2016 Fleet Safety Conference in Pictures

The Fleet Safety Conference was an event for fleet, risk, safety, sales, human resources and EHS professionals that offered insights and practical education for improving fleet safety. Read the full story here. Photos by Mark Campbell Photography and Chris Wolski.

9. 34th Annual Shell Rotella SuperRigs

The Shell Rotella SuperRigs competition is a beauty contest for actively working trucks. Owner-operator truckers from across the U.S. and Canada will compete for cash and prizes in excess of $25,000. Photos courtesy of Shell Rotella

10. What Fleets are Spec'ing on Tank Trailers

In the October installment of our Trailers & Bodies department, we shared some trends on what fleets are spec'ing for productivity, safety and longevity on their bulk and liquid tanker trailers. Check out our photo gallery for more details and examples.
Renault Trucks has signed to agreements with Iranian importer Arya Diesel Motors.

Photo: Renault Trucks

The agreements cover the import of vehicles from the T, C, and K ranges, and the assembly of T range vehicles in Iran, according to Renault.

The first agreement covers the import, distribution, and after-sales service of the T, C, and K range trucks. The agreement furthers the working partnership between Renault Trucks and Arya Diesel Motors that began in 2006, according to Renault.

The second agreement is an industrial cooperation agreement. The manufacturing site of Arya Diesel Motors, which is located 90 km south-west of Teheran, will begin assembling Renault Trucks T, starting in Q3 of 2017. Prior to the 2012 embargo, the Arya assembly plant, which was built in 2009, assembled the Renault Premium and Kerax, according to Renault.

Iran is an important, historic market for Renault Trucks. We are now returning to the country with strong, reliable vehicles and a high-quality partner, Arya Diesel Motors. Our ambition is to eventually achieve a 15 % market share, explained Bruno Blin, president of Renault Trucks.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet
Leopards found in Manang

Leopards have been spotted in Upper Manang, much to the surprise of conservationists from the National Trust for Nature Conservation who were monitoring the movement of musk deer in the region.
Donald Trumps election as president has made many small business owners more upbeat about 2017.

Dean Bingham says hes cautiously optimistic because business picked up at his auto repair shop after the election  people who had put off fixing their cars have decided its time to get them serviced.

Over the last month, customers have been coming in with optimism that they didnt have the last few years, says Bingham, owner of a Mr. Transmission/Milex franchise in Greenville, South Carolina.

The shop has been so busy that Binghams looking to hire a seventh employee to help out front while he works on cars.

While many business owners are more confident because their revenue looks to increase in 2017 due to the overall improving economy, theyre also optimistic because they expect Trump to deliver on promises to lower taxes and roll back regulations, including parts of the health-care law. But owners may not be expecting overnight relief, and many recognize it will take time to see what the administrations plans are and what it will accomplish.

Business owners were considerably more optimistic about 2017 in a survey taken shortly after the election. Forty-six percent of the 600 questioned in the Wells Fargo survey said the operating environment for their companies would improve next year.That compares to 30 percent two years ago, after the last congressional elections. Just over half the owners said actions that Trump and Congress will take next year will make their companies better off. Twenty-six percent said the governments actions would have no effect, and 17 percent said their businesses would be worse off.

Nick Braun expects his pet-insurance business to benefit because he thinks consumers will feel more comfortable about buying nonessentials like health coverage for their pets.

I truly believe that 2017 will not only be a great year for our business but the U.S. economy in general, says Braun, whose company, PetInsuranceQuotes.com, is based in Columbus, Ohio.

Braun thinks promised changes to the health-care law will be one factor encouraging consumers to spend on things that arent their top priorities. Hes also hoping that changes to the law will make it easier for him to buy insurance for his six staffers, which he provides even though the law doesnt require him to. He says hes had to change carriers several times because many insurance companies havent wanted to write policies for small businesses.

Some companies that cater to other small businesses see the hopefulness in their customers, and its infectious.

The election does give me more optimism than I would have had otherwise, says Kurt Steckel, CEO of Bison Analytics, which does software consulting. Bisons inquiries from prospective clients, small companies that are looking to expand, have nearly doubled since the election.

Steckel is also upbeat about an overhaul of the health-care law. He says the cost of his small group insurance rose sharply when the law went into effect, and he had to stop offering coverage to his 10 staffers. He says if insurance were to become more affordable, hed restore coverage.

Among the other laws and regulations that small-business advocacy groups want to see eliminated or changed are the Department of Labors overtime rules that were scheduled to go into effect Dec. 1 but were put on hold by a federal court in Texas. Trumps nominee for labor secretary, fast-food company CEO Andy Puzder, opposes the regulations.

The decision to appoint Puzder as labor secretary is a big indication that theres going to be a significant rollback of Obama administration initiatives, says James Hammerschmidt, a labor and business lawyer with Paley Rothman in Bethesda, Maryland.

Federal laws and regulations are only part of the requirements that small businesses must comply with  state and local governments in some parts of the country have more stringent laws and rules. For example, while the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, many states and some cities have a higher minimum, with plans to raise it to as much as $15.

Small-business owners whose companies are located in more progressive jurisdictions or operate across local or state borders will have to deal with a patchwork of local and state employment laws that may be difficult, time-consuming and likely aggravating to navigate, Hammerschmidt says.

Many owners may be cautious in the first half of 2017 while they wait to see what the government does, particularly with health care, says Walt Jones, owner of a management consulting business, SEQ Advisory Group, whose clients include small companies. He also expects owners who do business with the government wait to see if federal agencies increase the number of contracts they award to small companies.

Jones is optimistic that Trumps pledge to improve the countrys roads and other parts of its infrastructure will mean more government contracts and, in turn, more business for his company.

As long as the administration sticks to the promises he (Trump) made during the campaign, I definitely see opportunities for small businesses, Jones says.
OKLAHOMA CITY  The revelation of sexual harassment allegations against Rep. Dan Kirby and the use of public funds to pay a former legislative executive assistants claim generated outrage.

But it remains unclear what possible punishments, if any, await Kirby, who has denied the claims made against him.

Speaker-elect Charles McCall, R-Atoka, on Thursday announced he would appoint the House Rules Committee to investigate a wrongful termination settlement, the allegations that led to it and the process of dealing with allegations of sexual harassment.

In addition, it would review the authority of the House to use operational funds to settle claims and all prior sexual harassment allegations against current members.

The action came after The Oklahoman reported that the House paid $44,500 to former legislative executive assistant Hollie Anne Bishop and her attorneys to settle a sexual harassment and wrongful termination claim she lodged against Rep. Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa. She is his former executive assistant and alleged she was fired after reporting it.

After initially resigning, Kirby rescinded his resignation letter saying it had been done in haste and based on bad advice. Kirby says he wants to clear his name.

Former House Speaker Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview, approved the settlement agreement, which has not been made public. Hickman has said an investigation into the matter found there was no sexual harassment, but a business decision was made to settle the suit because further litigation was expected to be costly.

The last time the Oklahoma House investigated a sitting member, it took no action.

In 2011, then-House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, formed a special House investigation committee to investigate former Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore. Terrill was charged in Oklahoma County District Court with offering a bribe, but had not yet gone to trial.

He was accused of offering then-state Sen. Debbe Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City, an $80,000 state job in exchange for her not seeking another term.

The panel concluded that no punishment or action could be taken against Terrill unless he was convicted, Steele said.

Terrill chose not to run for re-election in 2012. A jury in 2013 convicted Terrill and sentenced him to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine.

According to news reports, the outside attorneys who represented the special committee were paid $168,284, but that figure included other legal work as well.

Instead of a costly investigation, to prevent this from happening in the future, perhaps the Legislature ought to pass a bill that requires any payment of public funds to settle a lawsuit against a member of the Legislature to be approved by both houses and signed by the governor, said Bob Burke, a well-known attorney who has written 128 books on Oklahoma history.

The committee that was appointed to investigate Terrill did recommend the creation of a House Ethics Committee to look into complaints against members for inappropriate behavior, Steele said.

However, legislation to create it failed to garner enough votes in the House to proceed, Steele said.

At that point in time, I think there were a lot of deals being made to try to get votes in the next speakers race, and I think internal politics probably got in the way of doing the right thing, Steele said.

McCall has said all findings by the most recently appointed committee will be made public. In addition, the House will take any available actions against lawmakers warranted by the investigation, he said.

According to the Oklahoma Constitution, Each House (chamber) may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.

Burke said he can find no case that defines disorderly conduct.

The Oklahoma Constitution gives the House of Representatives broad authority to determine disciplinary action against members of the House for improper behavior and misconduct, and that discipline can range from a reprimand by a simple majority up to expulsion by a two-thirds majority vote, said Jason Sutton, a spokesman for McCall.

Oklahoma has no recall process for elected state officials, Sutton said.

Former longtime Assistant Attorney General Neal Leader said it was not immediately clear whether the offensive conduct had to occur during the term for which the lawmaker had most recently been elected.

Steele said while the state constitution does allow the Legislature to impeach statewide officers and Oklahoma Supreme Court justices, it does not apply to lawmakers.

If the House votes to impeach, a trial would be held in the Senate.

Steele said the House has no jurisdiction over members of the Senate, and the Senate has no jurisdiction over members of the House.

There is no way that the separation of powers would allow the House to actually impeach one of its own members, Burke said. I say that as a constitutional lawyer.

Some have suggested that an independent entity outside of the House be charged with the investigation.

The House in recent years has issued three reprimands:

 Terrill was reprimanded for threatening harm against Steele.

 Former Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, was reprimanded for making disparaging remarks about minorities during a debate on the House floor.

 Former Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, was reprimanded for interrupting the preacher of the day.

All three reprimands were doled out in 2011.
Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it.





I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends.





More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it.





The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity.





About me:

I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS.

Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line).

Age: 42

Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed.





I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it).
No Ukrainian soldiers were killed, but one serviceman was wounded in the ATO area in eastern Ukraine in last day.

Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Spokesperson for ATO Colonel Oleksandr Motuzianyk said this at a press briefing in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"No Ukrainian soldiers were killed, but one serviceman was wounded as a result of military hostilities in Donbas in last day," Motuzianyk said.

ish
Nepal Telecom to launch 4G service tomorrow

State-run Nepal Telecom (NT) is launching fourth generation (4G) telecom service in Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys on Sunday, in a bid to provide faster and higher quality data services to its subscribers.
National Joint Stock Company "Naftogaz of Ukraine" and the World Bank signed a loan agreement worth EUR 478,285 mln to finance the import of natural gas.

Chairman of the Board of "Naftogaz" Andriy Kobolev wrote this on his Facebook page.

"The last signature of this year," he wrote.

As a reminder, "Naftogaz of Ukraine" signed with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development a loan agreement on financing of import of natural gas.

ish
Turkey will provide the Armed Forces of Ukraine with USD 3.1 million aid in 2017.

This has been reported by Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkey Andriy Sybiha on Twitter.

"A wonderful end of the year, we signed an agreement with the Republic of Turkey. The Ukrainian army will receive USD 3.1 million in 2017. The strategic partnership is under way," the ambassador said.

Earlier, NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov said that Turkey was interested in developing cooperation with Ukraine in the field of defense industry.

ish
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko had a phone conversation with Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

This has been reported by the press service of the Head of State.

The parties discussed the state and prospects of bilateral relations and agreed to intensify political dialogue at all levels.

The interlocutors noted the importance of enhancing Ukraine-Georgia interaction, inter alia, in the framework of the international organizations. The Head of State highly evaluated consistent and comprehensive support for Ukraine and emphasized a significant importance of continuing cooperation in multilateral formats for the efficient protection of human rights and de-occupation of Ukrainian and Georgian territories.

Petro Poroshenko and Giorgi Kvirikashvili noted the expediency of intensifying cooperation in many areas, particularly enhancing economic dimension of cooperation.

ish
President Petro Poroshenko had a meeting with the delegation of the U.S. Senate headed by Senator John McCain. The delegation included Senators Lindsey Graham and Amy Klobuchar.

This has been reported by the press service of the Head of State.

The President awarded Senator John McCain with the Order of Freedom and presented the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise to Senator Lindsey Graham for their significant personal contribution to the enhancement of relations between Ukraine and USA.

The Head of State emphasized the importance of traditional bipartisan support for Ukraine in the U.S. Congress and noted that the delegation included representatives of both parties. This confirms that such support will further remain in the struggle against the aggression of Russia, preservation of sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine.

It is crucially important that our people, Parliament, Government stand side-by-side with the American people in this struggle. We feel this reliable support and assistance. This is extremely important in such difficult days for my country, the President said.

The parties noted the importance of continuing efforts to ensure the fulfillment of Russias commitments under the Minsk agreements and maintain the policy of international sanctions against Russia until full restoration of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea.

ish
Canada should provide financial support to Kyiv in order to help Ukraine in its confrontation with Russia.

This has been stated by shadow Canadian Defense Minister James Bezan, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We should continue to significantly support the Government of Ukraine and the civil society," Bezan said.

He welcomed the recent decision of Canada to allocate funds to Ukraine. "I am happy that the Trudeau government has made a few announcements regarding this issue in recent years. They still provide technical support and assist in reforming," the politician said.

ish
The current Government of Canada may terminate some programs of support for Ukraine in order not to irritate Russia.

This has been stated by James Bezan, the Official Opposition Critic for National Defence and member of Conservative Shadow Cabinet, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"I'm afraid that the government may cease to provide some military assistance to Ukraine," Bezan said.

He added that the Ukrainian community in Canada was very concerned about the desire of official Ottawa to resume dialogue with Moscow. "Minister Dion says that he wants to conduct a direct dialogue with Putin and Lavrov," the MP said.

ish
Austria's Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz will visit the east of Ukraine, in particular areas near Mariupol, after the start of presidency of his country in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) at the beginning of the year.

This has been stated in a statement of the Foreign Ministry of Austria on Saturday, December 31, DW reported.

According to the agenda, the Austrian foreign minister will pay a visit on January 3-4 of 2017. Kurz aims to get acquainted with the situation in the conflict zone in the east of Ukraine.

Earlier, the minister promised that during the chairmanship in the OSCE in 2017, Austria would make efforts to ease the EU sanctions against Russia.

ish
Nepals vegetable export potential still untapped

Nepals vegetable export potential largely remains untapped due to lack of harmonisation between Nepali and Indian food quality standards, a latest report says.
Syria conflict: UN to vote on Syria ceasefire deal

The UN Security Council will vote on a Russian resolution endorsing the ceasefire agreement in Syria.
Tamu Lhosar observed; Prez, Veep and PM extend wishes

The Gurung community across the country celebrated the Tamu Lhosar festival on Friday. The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the Nepali month of Poush which marks the New Year of the Gurung community.
Chef Ford Fry is known for his celebrity chef status. He currently owns nine restaurants in Atlanta and has worked with Chef Bobby Matos, too.

But Ford Fry recently returned home for a change. After graduating from Lamar High School, like most students, they had to leave their home town in order to make it big. While many have not returned, Ford Fry knows that Houston is definitely a welcome place to go back to, as reported by Culture Map.

He opened "State of Grace" in 2015 which offers a sneak peak into the Houston dining experience. "State of Grace" has become famous for its oyster bar. Ford Fry tells Food and Wine that there is always something new and exciting to find. For this celebrity chef, it is time to make it back home and make it huge.

Because of his profile, Ford Fry has touted a few dining spots that are exciting for diners. Some have actually gained national attention like "Underbelly." When asked what other dining spots Houston can offer, he points to the Vietnamese restaurant Le Colonial. If diners want some coffee and doughnut for the day, he suggests "Blacksmith" which is owned by David Buehrer and Ecky Prabanto. He also recalls one of his food adventures with other chefs to Mala Sichuan Bistro. He particularly loved the tea-smoked duck and the red-oil pork dumplings.

When asked if there are other restaurants that he thinks would make the map, he points to a few restaurants that have not even opened yet. He named "FM Burger" which Ryan Hildebrand owns and "Riel" which is owned by Ryan Lachaine.

There are definitely good things coming out of his hometown. The once curious Lamar High School student graduate who had a taste for the world and its excellence has made it a point to always follow and try dishes with global spins.

Learn more about Ford Fry below:
Trump released a statement that Sprint and OneWeb plans to hire a total of 8,000 U.S. workers which he believes is good news for the economy. The president-elect seems to be enumerating job announcements done recently, according to Los Angeles Times.

Sprint, a telecommunications company, and OneWeb, a satellite Internet start-up, are adding 5,000 and 3,000 offshore jobs, respectively, to the United States.

OneWeb has secured $1.2 billion in funding mainly from Japan's SoftBank Group Corporation, as reported in Reuters.

The head of Softbank, who also owns Sprint, said that the company has pledged to invest $50 billion in the U.S. in creating 50,000 jobs.

Trump said the deal was made possible when Masayoshi Son, Softbank's CEO, met with the president-elect earlier this month. The meeting produced the commitment and pledge of the Japanese billionaire and technology investor.

It has not been declared whether the $100 billion tech investment fund that Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and head of SoftBank would be the source of the $50 billion SoftBank investment, according to Business Insider.

Trump said that the move is a response to these jobs that were taken from other countries and bringing them back to the United States.

Sprint announced that these jobs would be a combination of reinstated and new positions.

Marcelo Claure, Sprint CEO, said that the company is excited to be a part of boosting economic growth by creating jobs in the U.S. The company believes that it is crucial that businesses and government should team up in creating more job opportunities in the U.S.

Trump promised during the presidential campaign to create or bring back jobs the US. Furthermore, he released a statement about keeping Carrier, manufacturer of furnaces, from outsourcing jobs to Mexico. He will allow Carrier to obtain $7 million in state tax incentives in exchange for keeping the jobs in Indiana.
US President Barack Obama has announced plans for a retaliatory strike in response to Russia's hacking of US elections. The US President has issued new sanctions against, ejecting 35 Russian diplomats from the Russian embassy in Washington D.C. and Russian consulate in San Francisco. Unfortunately, some security experts are not happy about this decision, including Intel Security Group.

US Announced Plans For Sanctions

According to Reuters, the US government is readying a retaliatory strike, a response to alleged Russian's hacking of US election last November. The US President has ordered a closure of Russian compounds in New York and Maryland in response to what the American official described was Russian harassment of US diplomats in Moscow, Russia. The Russian diplomats have just given 72 hours to leave the US soil, according to Business Insiders.

In doing this, President Obama has altered an executive order that he issued last April 2015, which allows the US to retaliate against any kinds of cyberattacks to include also those interfering with election processes.

The newly updated executive order has now fully authorized the US President to impose a sanction against nine entities, including individuals linked to GRU (Russia's foreign military intelligence agency) and FSB (Russia's primary security agency). The new sanctions target Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate or GRU and also FSB, for assisting GRU in the hacking operations, according to Wall Street Journal.

In addition, four other high-ranking officers of the GRU were also sanctioned along with the three companies that provided technical support to the GRU's cyber operations.

Intel Security Warns Obama Administration About Its New Sanctions Against Russia

Intel Security Group, one of the world's largest dedicated security technology company, has issued a warning that retaliation could have unintended consequences, including actual conflict.

In a recent statement, Intel Security Group Chief Technology Officer Steve Grobman warned that the US government must understand the catastrophic consequences of a digital conflict escalating into a more dangerous, conventional shooting war.

The Intel Security CTO also added that this kind of decision increases the risk to civilian lives as countries like Russia and US would see the need to retaliate or even escalate it into a shooting war.

The Intel Security Groups has encouraged the US government to expand the definition of the country's digital infrastructure to include the nation's digital election system. Intel has also urged US officials to strengthen security around the nation's digital election system to prevent another hacking and intrusion.

At this time, the Obama administration is considering other options like additional economic sanctions against Russia, leaking embarrassing information about Russian leaders, restriction of Russian diplomats in the U.S. soil and even disrupting Russia's internet access.

Based in Santa Clara, California, Intel Security Group is a leading computer security software company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Intel since February 2011. It's now part of its Intel Security division, according to Bloomberg.
There will be light

Nepalis had lost hope that their country, often and loudly flaunted as having one of the worlds richest hydro resources, would one day be able to liberate itself from the shackles of hours-long power outages.
United States of Nepal

Our corrupt and incompetent government tells us that we are a New Nepal where Kings dont rule anymore.
People gather near the site of a coal mine collapse near Lalmatia in Godda district, in eastern Jharkhand state on December 30, 2016. (Photo: AFP)

A massive mound of earth caved in late Thursday at the Lalmatia open cast mine in Jharkhand state, burying at least 23 miners and dozens of vehicles as hundreds of workers battled overnight to rescue them.

"Up till now, 10 bodies have been recovered after two more were pulled out. Coal mine authorities believe that there may be 2-3 more dead bodies inside," Jharkhand police spokesman, RK Mallick, told AFP.

"Total dead should not be more than 13 or 14, as per assessment."

He added that it was difficult to know how many may be trapped, but said close to a dozen were still unaccounted for.

Some of the workers had escaped the disaster site following the collapse, Mallick said, with unconfirmed media reports putting the number trapped at 50.

Images showed the dead covered with white sheets on makeshift quilts as colleagues and locals looked on at the rescue efforts.

Police and emergency workers used sniffer dogs, earth movers and their bare hands to remove giant rocks and mangled, overturned trucks to locate the trapped workers under tons of earth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief on Twitter, promising to help the state government in its rescue operations.

"Saddened by the loss of lives at a mine in Jharkhand. My prayers are with those trapped inside," he said.

Federal disaster and rescue authorities have dispatched more than 200 rescue workers to the site.

The mine is operated by the government-owned Eastern Coalfields Limited. Its top official, Niladri Roy, told AFP that more than 250 metres (820 feet) of the mine collapsed as workers headed towards the exit around 7:30 pm Thursday.

There was no immediate explanation for the collapse, but the government has launched an investigation into the "unprecedented" incident.

In a separate incident on Thursday, four miners were injured at a government-run coal mine in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district.

A mine official said the workers were hit after the roof of the Putki Balihari coal mine partially collapsed. Two of the workers were critically injured.

Jharkhand is one of the richest mineral zones in India, accounting for around 29 per cent of the country's coal deposits. However it is also one of India's poorest areas and the epicentre of a Maoist insurgency.

India has maintained a relatively safe record in mining-related accidents compared to neighbour China, which on average reports around 1,000 fatalities every year.

In 2015, India recorded 38 deaths across 570 mining sites.

The last major mining accident in India occurred in 1975, when 372 workers were killed following the flooding of Chasnala mine in Dhanbad.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon waves as he departs from UN Headquarters on Dec 30, 2016, in New York. (Photo: AFP/Kena Betancur)

"I feel a bit like Cinderella. Tomorrow at midnight, everything changes!" he joked to staff and colleagues as he wrapped up a decade leading the United Nations.

Beginning Sunday, former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Guterres, 67, takes over from Ban.

Guterres is the first former head of government to lead the UN, succeeding Ban for a five-year term.

Ban, in a more serious vein, said it has been a "privilege" to have been at the head of an organisation that endeavoured to tamp down global conflict and end suffering -- and said it was an honour to have shared that mission with his co-workers.

"You should be very proud - just as I am so very proud to call you my colleagues," the South Korean diplomat said.

He added that in his decade at the UN, he has endeavoured "to never give up. To keep dreaming, to keep believing, and to keep working hard until we achieve progress," he said.

Ban added that as UN chief, he also has been guided by a desire "to keep the focus on people - on people's rights and people's dignity ... and to stand up for those who are left behind."

As a first act after leaving the pinnacle of global diplomacy, Ban will ring in the new year at Times Square by formally launching the traditional New Year's Eve ball drop, to be attended by hundreds of thousands of revellers.

"Tomorrow night, on the eve of the New Year, I will be in Times Square for the ball drop - millions of people will be watching as I lose my job!" the outgoing UN leader joked.
Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone in HCM City. - Photo Manh Linh

Exports by companies situated in Industrial parks (IPs) and export processing zones (EPZs) are expected to top $6 billion next year, Tran Cong Khanh, head of the HEPZA office, told a press meeting on December 30.

HEPZA continues to encourage investment in four key industries, including -- mechanical engineering, electronics and IT, chemicals and food processing, and supporting industries -- he said.

To achieve the target, it plans to expand Le Minh Xuan IP and complete the third phase of Hiep Phuoc IP.

It will develop areas set aside for supporting industries in Hiep Phuoc, Le Minh Xuan No.3 and Automotive-Mechanical IPs.

Tran Viet Ha, head of the investment management department, said foreign direct investment halved this year to $255.61 million.

Investments by domestic enterprises were worth VND5.2 trillion ($237.71 million), a year-on-year decrease of 14 per cent, he said.

He attributed the decline to a shift in investment towards high-tech industries instead of labour-intensive sectors, meaning there was a fall in investment in sectors like textiles and footwear.

Exports by enterprises in IPs and EPZs were estimated at $5.86 billion.

A total of 1,385 projects with a combined investment of $9.22 billion, including 535 FDI projects worth $5.41 billion, are operating in IPs and EPZs.

They employ more than 285,700 workers, including 2,346 foreign nationals.

Tet bonus

The average Tet (Lunar New Year) bonuses to be paid by domestic and foreign enterprises in IPs and EPZs are respectively VND7 million (US$300) and 6.8 million (US$295), Khanh said.

The highest is VND1 billion (US$43,480) to be paid by a domestic company, he said.

The lowest is VND3.5 million (US$152).

A total of 6,000 workers will also get bus tickets to return home for Tet and gifts.
Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg departs after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Fla., on Dec. 21. Trumps threat to add a 45 percent tax on all Chinese goods entering the U.S. could lead to China not doing business with Boeing.
Sutter Brown, a Pembroke Welsh corgi christened Californias first dog by his owner Gov. Jerry Brown, died Friday following a brief illness. He was 13.



The dogs health had deteriorated rapidly in recent days and the decision was made to say goodbye, the governors press office said in a statement.



He passed away peacefully with the governor and first lady Anne Gust Brown at his side, and was laid to rest at the family ranch in Colusa County, where he loved to roam, sniff and play, the statement said.

Capitol star

Sutter was a fixture at the Capitol and on the campaign trail where he softened the image of the cantankerous governor and helped cut the tension between Democrats and Republicans in the midst of contentious negotiations.

Legislators, lobbyists and aides from both parties sought selfies with the short, pudgy, brown and white fluffy dog. Sutter obliged, starring in countless photos with his mouth open and ears perked.



A Twitter account in his name racked up more than 11,000 followers. Tweets show Sutter and younger sister Colusa, a corgi mix, lounging around the governors office or promoting his owners top priorities.



Sutter was rushed to an animal hospital October 7 and underwent emergency surgery, said Evan Westrup, a spokesman for Brown. Veterinarians discovered several masses suspected to be cancer in his intestines, lymph nodes and liver, but they were unable to remove them all.

Working dog

Sutter, who shares the name of the 19th-century pioneer who established Sacramentos earliest settlement, was the pet of Browns sister, Kathleen Brown, until she moved out of state following Jerry Browns election as governor in 2010.



The governor and his wife adopted Sutter and were often seen walking him from home to the Capitol in the morning.



Anne Gust Brown, who is her husbands chief adviser, joked in a rare public address in 2013 that Sutter is better known than she is.

Its hard in my household to get any attention between my husband and the dog, Brown said to laughter at the luncheon.



Sutters sister, Colusa Lucy Brown, will assume his duties as first dog.



The press office said goodbye in a tweet:



No colleague brought us more joy  & distraction  than you, @SutterBrown. Well miss you buddy. #GoodBoy






China says it will end all ivory processing and trade by the end of 2017. The plan has been welcomed by conservationists as a game changer in the effort to end illegal ivory trading that has led to a sharp decline in Africa's wild elephant population.

The worlds largest ivory market said Friday it plans to phase out all ivory processing and trade by the end of 2017, in a move widely backed by conservationists after calls to end a trade that has decimated wild elephant herds.

The plan, announced by Chinas State Council, commits China to a timetable to end the trade, after a joint pledge in 2015 between U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping to end the legal and illegal trade of ivory in their countries.

The council said it aimed to strengthen the protection of elephants and crack down on the illegal ivory trade. It called on law enforcement officials to take a tougher stance on the sale, transport and smuggling of ivory.

'Game changer'

Conservationists broadly welcomed the move. The Wildlife Conservation Society in Asia, in a statement, called the decision a game changer for Africas elephants.

In Thailand, Steve Galster, director of the non-government conservation group Freeland Foundation, said the news marked a challenge to syndicates behind the elephant poaching gangs in Africa.

This is a fantastic move, and its definitely going to send shockwaves back into [criminal] syndicates that have been moving [illegal ivory] from Africa to other parts of Asia, to China for decades, especially in the last few years, said Galster.

He called it the best New Years present that conservationists and elephants have had in a long time.

The ivory trade was banned internationally in 1989.

Loophole exploited

The United Nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) created a loophole, however, allowing Southern African states with stable elephant numbers to sell stocks of tusks aimed at funding for conservation.

But the policy proved to be a disaster for elephant populations. The Great Elephant Census, a continent wide count of elephants released in August, reported a 30-percent slump or some 144,000 fewer African elephants from 2007 to 2014.

In 2008, CITES granted China permission to buy ivory legally from several southern African countries. Analysts say the legal trade became a cover for poached ivory.

There also has been an explosion of demand in China for ivory and other illegal wildlife buoyed by a growing economy, rising wealth and consumption.

Kraisak Choonhavan, chair of the Freeland Foundation, said Chinas decision to ban all ivory processing and trade followed years of campaigns by conservation groups.

If China wants to have a better image in conservation of this very planet that China is a member  obviously its very good news. I mean weve been agonizing for years and years that China is the biggest consumer of illegal animals trade, Kraisak said.

Animal conservation

He added that China could do much more in animal conservation, though, in which it remains a major market for wild animal parts. This includes tigers, snakes and mammals, such as pangolins, which are prized for their meat while their scales are used in traditional medicines.

U.N. officials say the illegal wildlife trade is often linked with criminal syndicates dealing in other areas of illegal trafficking. U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, Asia regional representative Jeremy Douglas called Chinas announcement really encouraging.

They are banning the legal trade  this is great because it sends an incredibly strong signal from the worlds biggest market and this is no longer acceptable and to be phased out. Thats great, said Douglas.

He said he hoped the decision also would send a message to the Asia region where often the law is loose or the illegal trade is fairly open. He called on China to take steps in dealing with the underground market.

Thailand has often played the role of a transport hub in the trafficking of wildlife from Africa to China.

Skepticism persists

Increased policing in Thailand and improved transport infrastructure has been marked by seizures of ivory, rhino horn and animal parts being uncovered in Cambodia. Vietnam also is a key target market for illegal animal trafficking.

But Edwin Wiek, of the Thai-based Wildlife Friends Foundation, is skeptical about the bans effectiveness, fearing loopholes in the law will allow the ivory trade to continue.

I dont see the victory yet, I have to be honest. I believe that this is just a political game for the Chinese to win some time again and the trade will just go on. I dont really believe that this is going to be a positive outcome, Wiek said.

Analysts also fear criminal syndicates, holding large inventories of ivory will seek out new markets in emerging economies in Asia. Three decades ago after a crackdown in Japan on illegal ivory, syndicates moved to tap into the then fast-growing market of China.
For the first time, the number of international students in the United States topped 1 million over the past year, according to a report by the Institute for International Education (IEE). But some educators and students say comments critical of China and other countries by President-elect Donald Trump have the potential to affect international enrollment in U.S. universities and colleges.

Comments made during campaign speeches  such as we're going to build a wall, it's going to be a real wall, and Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States  got a lot of attention from foreign students in the U.S., as well as international students thinking about attending U.S. colleges.

Erica Wang is one of 6,000 international students at the State University of New York at Buffalo. A second-year master's degree student in international trade, she says the concept of freedom is what attracted her to the U.S  an educational system that is open, encouraging and helpful to students choosing their own paths.

But now she is a bit worried.

I've heard a lot about what he [Trump] said when he was running for office, Wang told VOA. I would still be looking to see if he is going to do whatever he promised. Are his potential policy changes going to affect us? Because I have heard a lot of panicking among my friends, definitely.

Stephen Dunnett, the university's vice provost, says campaign rhetoric can be different than actual government policy.

This is a country of laws, checks and balances, so the president of the United States is not a dictator, not a king," he told VOA. "Some things he can decree, but many things will have to pass the Congress and some will pass the scrutiny of the courts.

Watch: International Students, School Recruiters Eye Trump Position

China

However, Dunnett, who just returned from China, says the recent call between Trump and the leader of Taiwan had many in China talking.

The Chinese were quite taken aback by what appears to them to be the sudden abandonment of the one China policy, he said. Some colleagues said to me, 'This will come at a price. There are an awful lot of our citizens studying in your universities. That's a huge capital outflow from our country, and if you are not going to be welcoming to us, then maybe our students shouldn't go there.' "

No U.S. president or president-elect had made direct contact with Taiwan since President Jimmy Carter cut formal diplomatic ties in 1979, recognizing Taiwan as part of one China.

In a Twitter post, Trump insisted he didn't initiate the call with the Taiwanese leader.

China sends more students to the U.S. than any other country. IIE reports there were 329,000 Chinese students in 2015-16, followed by almost 166,000 Indian students and 62,000 students from Saudi Arabia.

Other top places of origin include Vietnam, Taiwan, Iran, United Kingdom, Nepal, Nigeria, Kuwait, France, Indonesia, Venezuela, Malaysia, Colombia and Spain.

No drastic changes

Evelyn Levinson is the director of international admissions at American University (AU) in Washington, D.C., which has about 1,500 international students from 147 countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.

There is no crystal ball right now to say what will happen, but certainly a lot of questions were raised, she said.

In the meantime, AU has been working hard to continue to attract international students. The admissions staff has reinforced the school's message of tolerance to reassure potential applicants and their parents. And they have been traveling.

This fall, we went back out to cities in Europe, Levinson said. I personally was in the Middle East and in Central America, and someone else from our office was in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Right now, we are only off by 2 percent compared to last year, but I am confident the audience that has been interested in us is not going to wane. She added that after the admissions deadline, January 10, we'll have a better sense, but I'm not feeling any drastic changes.

Besides paying tuition, international students participate in local and state economies in many ways by paying rent, paying bills and shopping where they live, Levinson noted. But in a global world, more than money, she says, they bring valuable international perspectives into U.S. classrooms.

H-1B visas

During the campaign, Trump promised to curtail or end the H-1B visa program for high-skilled foreign workers, which might discourage international student enrollment because it would be harder for students to find jobs in the U.S. after graduation.

When you are thinking about your home and your possible future home in the U.S, it's not very certain anymore, said Joshua Ong, an economics student from Malaysia at the University at Buffalo. But Ong encourages people to study in America because the U.S. is a lot of fun.

IIE President Allan Goodman says he doesn't think international student enrollment will ultimately be affected. Nearly 100 years of data collection by the institute has shown no major changes, just a small drop for two years after the 9/11 terror attacks.

The trend in our experience through very difficult periods suggests that higher education sets its own foreign policy, Goodman told VOA, and it's not a foreign policy of isolationism.

We've looked at it through periods of recession and depression  war and conflict.

In 2005-06, 143 colleges and universities accepted 1,000 or more international students. In 2015-16, IIE reports, that number has increased to 255 institutions.

Goodman says people are coming to the U.S. because of the long tradition the country has in welcoming international students and because Washington doesn't run the country's higher education. What matters, he says, is what the individual campuses are doing during their outreach.
Money, and how to get it, has dogged French far-right presidential contender Marine Le Pen for years.

Now, as her National Front partys treasurer says its looking everywhere for the 20 million euros ($21 million) needed to fund upcoming campaigns, she may be looking to Russia for cash  again.

While foreign donations to French political parties are barred, loans are not. But its still a daring prospect for a party whose finances have drawn unwanted scrutiny.

Investigations, a trial

Alleged funding irregularities have prompted multiple legal investigations and an impending trial for several party officials and associates. Also, a 2014 loan from a Russian bank raised concerns over Moscows potential influence on French democracy. Not to mention the U.S. decision this week to impose sanctions and expel Russians over alleged cyber-meddling in the U.S. presidential election.



The French National Front says its the target of a smear campaign, and notes that other candidates have also had financial troubles.



Le Pens firm rejection of foreign influence would make fishing for finances outside French waters a no-go, were it not for her Russia-friendly stance and what party officials say is the refusal of French banks to lend money to the anti-immigration National Front.



Funds are needed to finance campaigning for the April-May presidential vote and June parliamentary elections. Party officials deny recent reports that they have received a new loan from a Russian establishment, but no one is denying that the party may be asking for one.



We are looking everywhere. We are working discreetly, party treasurer Wallerand de Saint Just told The Associated Press. Theyre not ruling out funding requests from sources including Russia, the United Arab Emirates, or even the United States, he said.

Moscow may be called

The party borrowed 9 million euros in 2014 from the small First Czech Russian Bank, but the banks license was revoked this year, Saint Just said. Other Russian banks might consider a new loan.



Moscow has courted far-right parties in Europe in an influence-building campaign as friction between Russia and the West has mounted over Ukraine and the Syrian civil war. Some leaders like Le Pen have hobnobbed in Moscow and at embassy events at home. Chieftains of Hungarys anti-Semitic Jobbik and Austrias Freedom Party also have made the trip.



In a shifting of views in Russias favor, some mainstream politicians, from Frances conservative Francois Fillon, a top presidential contender, to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, are sympathetic to a friendly approach to Moscow.

There is concern now that any new effort to tap Russian banks for loans could do just that, however, by making France vulnerable to influence from the Kremlin.
A U.S. congressman says Russian hackers malware found in a computer at a supplier of electricity in the state of Vermont is further evidence of rampant Russian hacking, but President-elect Donald Trump says such charges should be investigated carefully.

Democratic Rep. Peter Welch said Saturday that discovery of the computer intrusion two days earlier proves that Russian computer hacking of U.S. networks is systematic, relentless and predatory.

They will hack everywhere, even Vermont, in pursuit of opportunities to disrupt our country, Welch said. His statement came as criticism of Russian cyberspying escalated and support broadened for sanctions President Barack Obama has imposed on Moscow.

Trump skeptical

From Florida, where he has been spending the Christmas-New Year holidays, Trump spoke briefly to reporters late Saturday to confirm that he will be meeting with leaders of the U.S. intelligence community in the coming days on the Russian computer-hacking issue.

Well, I just want them to be sure, because its a pretty serious charge, Trump said as he entered the grand ballroom of his Mar-a-Lago club with his wife, Melania, for a gala New Years Eve dinner. ...I know a lot about hacking, and hacking is a very hard thing to prove.

Trump has been skeptical about the extent of Russian involvement in the past years computer intrusions, including those aimed at the Democratic Party and the campaign organization of his opponent in the U.S. presidential election, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Trump said he wants to be certain that American intelligence experts analysis of Russian hacking activity is correct.

He told reporters he wants to avoid a situation similar to what he said were badly mistaken intelligence estimates before the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003  specifically, about whether or how many weapons of mass destruction were controlled by the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Other states checking networks

Following the disclosure of Russian malware on a computer in Vermont, officials in the states of New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut say they are more closely monitoring computer networks belonging to state governments and to public utilities.

No other breaches have yet been identified publicly.

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin said Americans should, in his words, be both alarmed and outraged that one of the worlds leading thugs, (Russian President) Vladimir Putin, has been attempting to hack our electric grid.

When and why malware added

Officials said Friday it was not clear when the Russian code entered the utilitys computer, but that an investigation hopes to determine the timing and the objectives of the intrusion.

A report this week by two U.S. security agencies said the Vermont hackers, who could have been operating from anywhere in the world, used fraudulent emails to trick recipients into revealing their passwords.

In the waning hours of 2016, Russia had not yet commented on the Vermont code discovery, which followed months of controversy surrounding U.S. intelligence reports that Moscow-backed hackers earlier this year stole internal emails from the Democratic National Committee.

Those documents soon began appearing on the website of the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks, prompting widespread suspicion that Moscow had collaborated with the group in an attempt to undermine the presidential campaign of Clinton.

Russia denied involvement, and Trump has sought to discredit the hacking evidence since his election victory November 8.

Obama sanctions

Trumps decision to meet with intelligence officials came as Obama announced a series of economic sanctions against Russia and the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats and other officials from the United States.

Moscow had been expected to take a similar action against U.S. personnel in Russia, but Putin said there would be no immediate response to the U.S. expulsions  a move widely interpreted as evidence that the Kremlin hopes to see sanctions lifted after Trump takes office January 20.
Senator John McCain says that the United States will not strike a Faustian bargain with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid speculation that President-elect Donald Trump could scrap sanctions in a bid to improve ties.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Ukrainian Service in Kyiv Friday, along with two other U.S. senators, McCain, R-Ariz., said any possible deal with Putin would interfere with and undermine the freedom and democracies that exist today.

The U.S. Congress imposed sanctions on Moscow shortly after Russia forcibly annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in March 2014 and for its ongoing support for pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine.

What Congress plans

Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Congress would pursue in 2017 more sanctions against Russia, targeting the energy and banking sectors, as well as Putin and his inner circle.

Were going to do two things: Were going after Putin harder with tougher sanctions and were going to be more helpful to our friends, like here in Ukraine, Graham said.

McCain, Graham, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said there is strong support in Congress to provide Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons to help Kyiv in its fight against Russia-backed separatists in the east.

WATCH: McCain, Klobuchar, and Graham talk about the hacking scandal and the possibility of more U.S. sanctions against Russia



The senators faulted Moscow for failing to fulfill its obligations under the Minsk accords  a February 2015 agreement aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where more than 9,750 people have died since April 2014.

How can you have a free and fair election or debate about the power-sharing with eastern Ukraine when you have 700 Russian tanks [in eastern Ukraine]? Graham said.

Asked whether Trump may recognize Crimea as part of Russia, Graham said Congress would block any such move.

The president alone cant do this. And the reason the Congress will reject such a notion is because it undermines the rule of law, Graham explained.

McCain also called for tougher action against Moscow for its alleged involvement in hacking into Democratic Party e-mails before the November 8 U.S. presidential election.

We can make them a lot tougher, ranging from travel, to identifying individuals who have been involved in this hacking and specific organizations. There are a lot more stringent measures we should take, McCain said. After all, it was an attack on the United States of America and an attack on the fundamentals of our democracy. If you destroy the elections, then you destroy democracy.

Obama's sanctions

U.S. President Barack Obama on December 29 ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats and imposed sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies over what the administration says was their involvement in the hacking.

Putin said December 30 that Moscow would not respond in kind and would not expel any Americans from Russia, accusing the U.S. administration of irresponsible kitchen diplomacy.

On December 30, Trump praised Putin on Twitter for holding off on retaliatory actions, calling him very smart.

Trump has brushed aside allegations from the CIA and other intelligence agencies that Russia was behind the cyberattacks. But it is unclear whether he will seek to roll back Obamas actions.

If you have a hard time figuring out who is behind this, that doesnt speak well of you, Graham said. The Russians are doing it all over the world.

Klobuchar said it wasnt only the United States that was being targeted by Russian cyberattacks.

We have learned on this trip visiting Estonia and Lithuania and hearing about these cyberattacks in Ukraine  it has happened for years and years and years. And its a technique that can be used in the French elections or the German elections, Klobuchar said, referring to two key upcoming elections in Europe in 2017.
Much of the globe celebrated the beginning of 2017 with fireworks, parties and other festivities, though many were somber in reflecting on the politics and popular culture of the past tumultuous year.

Revelers gathered in Times Square, New York Citys iconic tourist attraction, to watch the famed crystal ball mark the seconds to the new year.



New York City officials positioned dozens of dump trucks filled with loads of sand among the towering Times Square skyscrapers. The trucks are meant to act as a protective barrier as an estimated 1 million revelers joined the countdown to fireworks and confetti to mark the beginning of 2017.

WATCH: Fireworks in Sydney, Hong Kong and Beijing

President Barack Obama, in his weekly address, reflected on the past year, and his two terms in office. He ended the address by saying and from the Obama family to yours, have a happy and blessed 2017.

President-elect Donald Trump tweeted out his New Years greetings: Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just dont know what to do. Love!

First to greet 2017

Hours earlier, New Zealand, nearby Pacific islands, Australia and Russia were among the first to ring in 2017.

One of the first prominent New Years celebrations to start 2017 was the annual fireworks show in Sydney, which drew a crowd of more than 1 million people, who lined the waterfront to watch a show dedicated to the late entertainers David Bowie and Gene Wilder  just two of the many celebrities who died in 2016.

Security a priority

Many countries were focused on security while anticipating big crowds at celebrations to ring in 2017.

In Istanbul, Turkey, celebrations were interrupted by an armed attack at a nightclub that killed at least 39 people.

Added security is in place in many cities after the December 19 hijacked truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market that killed 12 people, and other attacks during 2016.

The German capital has added concrete barriers and armored cars near the traditional Brandenburg Gate celebration venue to protect crowds from vehicle attacks.

WATCH: Celebrations From Dubai, Istanbul and Elsewhere

In Dubai, hundreds of thousands of people watched fireworks launched from the Burj Khalifa, at 828 meters the worlds tallest building. The fireworks show was also streamed online.

Private security guards were stationed every 50 meters and streets were blocked off from sidewalks to keep the roads clear for roaming emergency vehicles.

Putins message

In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said each person may become something of a magician on the night of the new year, by treating family members, co-workers, friends and those in need with respect and mercy.

This is the whole secret, he said, speaking in an address broadcast near midnight, in turn, in each of Russias 11 time zones.

French President Francois Hollande used his televised New Years message to warn against the risks of rising nationalism.

At Vatican City, Pope Francis called on his followers to help young people find a place in society, speaking during vespers marking New Years Eve. He said young people have been deprived of dignified and genuine work, leaving them to knock on doors that, for the most part, remain closed. He said young people should be allowed to take part in society rather than be pushed to the margins of it.

Paris canceled fireworks at the Eiffel Tower again this year, but a display was staged along the Champs-Elysees, which has been fortified by armed soldiers and traffic barriers.

In central London, armed police were deployed on board underground trains for the first time. Some armed officers have protected the subway system in recent years, but this is the first time officers with guns will ride the trains with passengers traveling to and from Trafalgar Square and the banks of the Thames River to celebrate the new year.
President Barack Obama will meet with Democrats in Congress on Wednesday to discuss ways to protect his signature health care law, which Republicans have threatened to repeal.

The president and Democratic lawmakers hope to devise a strategy to delay the Republican-controlled House and Senate from repealing much of the Affordable Care Act without providing a replacement plan.

House Republicans in Congress have voted numerous times to repeal all or parts of the law. The efforts were not taken up by the Senate.

While campaigning, President-elect Donald Trump vowed to gut the bill, and Republicans have indicated that their first act in 2017 will be a vote in Congress to begin dismantling the health care law that has provided coverage to millions of Americans.

Democrats, left stunned by presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's loss in the November general election, are now trying to organize a counterattack to preserve the law.

Democrats also hope to devise a plan to pre-empt bigger health care changes to Medicare and Medicaid that Republicans have suggested.

Signed into law in 2010

The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was signed into law by Obama on March 23, 2010. It was among the most significant expansions of the social safety net since Medicare and Medicaid were created 50 years ago.

It was passed during Obama's first term, when Democrats controlled both the House and the Senate.

Among the more popular parts of the law are measures that help people pay for their insurance coverage, allow parents to buy insurance for their children up to age 26, and ban denial of coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Other measures are not as popular, such as a fine against people who do not buy coverage.

After the election, Obama and Trump met at the White House, where Trump said Obama made a plea to save the health care act.

Trump admitted in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that he wanted to keep some parts of the law, including the ability of parents to insure their adult children and the ban on denying coverage.

But the law was designed so the expenses of the popular coverage items were balanced by the cost of less popular items. For example, the pre-existing condition protections are balanced by the law's mandate to get coverage, which tries to ensure that healthy people sign up and keep premiums from increasing.
Pakistan's new military chief spoke to Afghan leaders Saturday and promised to work for regional peace as mutual mistrust and suspicion continued to plague bilateral ties in the outgoing year.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa telephoned Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and Bajwa's Afghan counterpart, General Qadam Shah Shaheem, according to the Pakistan army's media wing.

It said that Bajwa "conveyed best wishes for 2017 and pledged to work for peace in the region," adding that peace in both countries was in the "greater interest of the region."

The Afghan leadership invited the Pakistan army chief for a visit to Afghanistan, the statement said, but did not mention any dates or other details for the proposed visit.

The Kabul government alleges that covert support the Taliban receives from Pakistan's military and its spy agency has enabled the insurgent group to prolong and expand its activities in Afghanistan.

Islamabad denies the charges, calling them an attempt to deflect attention from political controversies plaguing the Afghan national unity government and "deteriorating security situation" in the neighboring country.

In a separate statement Saturday, the army also released latest casualty tolls for its countermilitancy operations in volatile northwestern tribal areas on the Afghan border and elsewhere in Pakistan.

The military-led Zarb-e-Azb offensive has killed more than 3,500 terrorists since it was launched in June 2014, while around 600 soldiers have also died and more than 2,000 have been wounded, according to the statement.

Afghan officials say that militants fleeing the offensive have crossed to their side of the porous border, adding to the security challenges facing conflict-torn Afghanistan.
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Overcast skies and windy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph..

Tonight

Overcast skies and windy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph.
Pakistan says that the United States did not share evidence of wrongdoing before placing recent sanctions against certain defense-related Pakistani entities, but that it has pledged to work with Washington to address all concerns.

A December 15 notification by the Department of Commerce named the entities and added them to the Export Administration Regulations list, saying "these government, parastatal and private entities in Pakistan are determined to be involved in activities that are contrary to the national security and/or foreign policy of the United States."

The facilities in question are thought to be associated with Pakistan's missile development program, though officials in Islamabad have not acknowledged it. The U.S. government has not revealed details of violations these entities are alleged to have committed.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Nafees Zakaria told VOA on Saturday that the government was aware of the sanctions.

"This means that for any transfers of technology to these entities, U.S. exporters will need a license," he said, adding that Pakistani authorities were examining the case to ascertain the facts behind the listing.

Ready for discussions

Zakaria called the timing of the sanctions "intriguing." He told VOA that Pakistan was ready to work with the U.S. at the level of experts to devise mutually agreed-upon procedures for end-use guarantees.

"This will help in assuring nondiversion of high-technology exports from the U.S. without hampering our legitimate imports for socioeconomic development activities," the Pakistani spokesman said.

Pakistan officials insist their missile and nuclear programs are "completely indigenous," and that U.S. sanctions will have "little bearing" on them.

"It means nothing for us," said a senior official associated with the projects. He requested not to be named because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

The officials described the sanctions as a politically motivated move aimed at creating problems for the incoming Donald Trump administration's relations with Pakistan.

Islamabad has developed and equipped its armed forces with a variety of short-, medium- and long-range missiles, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.

The program has raised concerns in Washington about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, though Islamabad dismisses such issues as misplaced.
Peruvian shamans gathered Thursday to perform an end-of-the-year ritual and tell the world what lies in store for 2017.

Beating percussion instruments and chanting over pictures, the medicine men sang and danced on a sandy Lima beach. The shamans used the chance to look into the future, predicting that 2017 would be a turbulent year.

One of the shamans, Juan Osco, said the administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump would fuel continued war in the world and an alliance between Washington and Israel.

We have seen that the entire world will not be content, will not be in peace, because there will be problems, especially in Donald Trump's administration. He has said he would get rid of the immigrants, the illegal ones, but I see him leaning more toward supporting Israel, whom he will favor. He will support other countries regarding conflicts. We do not want that. We want there to be peace, he said.

In Latin America, Osco predicted a difficult year for Venezuela, which has been embroiled in a political and economic crisis, and for Chile.

I see that [Venezuelan President Nicolas] Maduro will not have a good year. He is not favored because he completely refuses to call for good elections or put his country in order. Famine will continue. Chaos will continue.

[Bolivian President] Evo Morales' government will have favor [in 2017]. He will once again try for another re-election, and it will go in his favor. Authorities will give him access to the sea. And we also see, aside from Nicolas [Maduro], the year will be favorable for [Ecuador President Rafael] Correa.

"What does look a bit gloomy to us is Chile. It will not be favorable for it. There will be earthquakes. There will be attacks. Something like that that will affect the country, he said.

Chile lies on a convergent plate boundary that causes regular earthquakes. On the Pacific Rim of Fire, it also has the second-largest chain of volcanoes in the world after Indonesia, including around 500 that are potentially active.

Last year, the shamans predicted unnecessary attacks in France and throughout Europe, a year of struggle for Venezuelans under Maduro and economic growth for Argentina under Mauricio Macri.

However, they also predicted the U.S. would lift its embargo on Cuba and that Trump would lose the election.
Two bombs exploded Saturday in a busy marketplace in central Baghdad, killing at least 25 people, Iraqi officials said.

Authorities said at least 50 people were wounded in the attack in the al-Sinaq neighborhood. They said the death toll was likely to rise.

At least one of the explosions was caused by a suicide bomber. The second blast went off minutes later.

The Associated Press reported that the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said involved two suicide bombers.

Baghdad has been on high alert since October, when its military started an offensive to retake the northern jihadist stronghold of Mosul.
A Singaporean blogger who is seeking political asylum in the United States said Friday that he regretted making inflammatory posts that landed him in jail twice in his home country.

Amos Yee, 18, now detained in Illinois, told Reuters that videos he filmed insulting Singapore's late prime minister and various religions were in bad taste.

"It is hate speech, it is overly rude, it isn't good activism," Yee said by telephone from the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility in Illinois. "I completely regret making those videos."

Yee's posts, and subsequent trials and convictions in Singapore, have stirred debate in the conservative city-state about censorship and free speech. Rights groups and the United Nations watched his trials closely.

Last year, Yee was convicted on charges of harassment and insulting a religious group over comments he made about former Singaporean Premier Lee Kuan Yew and Christians soon after Lee's death. His sentence amounted to four weeks in jail.

Another jail term

In September, Yee was sentenced to six weeks in jail after pleading guilty of posting comments on the internet critical of Christianity and Islam.

Yee arrived at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on December 16 and told U.S. customs officials he was seeking political asylum.

The blogger said that he wanted to live in Illinois and had no plans to return to Singapore, a Southeast Asian city-state that has compulsory military service for males, which Yee said he would not take part in.

Yee should have his first hearing in front of a judge within two weeks, according to his attorney, Sandra Grossman. Yee has had no contact with the Singaporean government since arriving, he said.

While highly critical of actions of the U.S. government abroad, particularly drone strikes in the Middle East, Yee said the country provided the best platform for spreading his political message of anarchist communism and ending private property and wage labor.

"It is not going to the best country. This is about going to the country that most effectively promotes my political philosophy of anarchical communism," Yee said.
Human rights activists say at least one person has died in sniper fire in Syria, where a cease-fire went into effect early Friday.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said reliable sources had reported that a person was killed by sniper fire in Eastern Ghouta, while explosions were heard in the countryside outside Daraa city. The activists said shells had fallen on Khabab village.

The observatory said most of Syria was calm, but shelling was taking place in parts of Hama, Idlib and Wadi Barada in Rif Dimashq governorate. The activists said there had been clashes between regime forces and their militia supporters and militant factions in the area.

The observatory said Syrian government warplanes had carried out at least 16 airstrikes against rebels in northern Hama province Friday. Observatory head Rami Abdulrahman said it was unclear who had started the clashes.

"Clashes erupted and are continuing ... with helicopters firing on positions belonging to the opposition and Fateh al-Sham Front," he said, according to AFP, adding that the clashes were "a clear violation of the truce, but it is not clear which party is responsible for starting it."

Fateh al-Sham, previously known as the al-Nusra Front, is the former al-Qaida affiliate that the Syrian government said was excluded from the Turkey- and Russia-backed truce. But the opposition group has said it understands that the truce applies to all of Syria.

The Syrian National Coalition, the main Western- and Gulf-backed political opposition group, said it would abide by the truce but warned it would respond to cease-fire violations.

Much remains unclear about the nationwide Syrian cease-fire that Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday  a truce that Moscow says can pave the way for Russian-brokered talks on a settlement of the five-year-long war.

But Turkey's participation gives the cease-fire added significance, say Western diplomats, who have been sidelined by the deal. Ankara can do much to strangle rebel militias that break the cease-fire, having the ability to block arms resupplies crossing its border.
The United Nations has confirmed that a Somali-born official who has been doing humanitarian work for 25 years will be the UNHCRs director for global emergencies, staff security, safety and supply services effective next month.

Ahmed Warsame has been a representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in South Sudan during the last three years. He worked in several hotbed humanitarian zones including Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda and Pakistan. During his time in Kenya, Warsame led UNHCR operations in Dadaab, the largest refugee camp in the world.

I feel very much honored, to be asked to serve in this capacity, I have not asked for this, he told VOA Somali.

Warsame's resume

Warsame will be covering three main components of UNHCR programs in emergencies, staff security and supply services.

In Pakistan, he led UNHCR assistance and protection programs for 1 million Afghan refugees and 1.5 million internally displaced Pakistanis. In Geneva he worked as UNHCRs humanitarian coordinator for Horn of Africa countries.

I was at the center of these emergencies in terms of preparedness and response and advocacy, and making sure that those who are affected by conflicted are respected and provided with security and safety, says the 54-year-old aid worker.

Covering Pakistan, South Sudan and Dadaab are basically major part of my strength.

His appointment comes at a time when the world is dealing with global refugee crisis in Syria, Iraq, Kenya and elsewhere.

I will be overseeing UNHCRs timely and quality deliveries, making sure that UNHCR in partnership and in collaboration with international, national organizations and with governments to respond to emergencies and the needs of the displaced populations in their home countries as well as those who cross into other countries, international borders, he said.

Our priorities he said are to make sure those who are affected by conflict and by man-made crisis and those who are subjected to flee their homes for fear of prosecution are assisted in a timely manner.

Somalis return home

Part of international crisis facing UNHCR is dealing with Somali refugees who are returning from Kenya after more than 25 years abroad as Kenya pushes for the closure of the Dadaab camps.

Somalia is part of our priority countries, we know many people are now returning from Dadaab camps back to Somalia, and they need help, they need to be assisted to be able to integrate into the communities in Somalia, safely and with dignity, he said.

Warsame will be based in Geneva and will take up his post January 15.
The U.N. Security Council on Saturday unanimously endorsed the cease-fire in Syria brokered by Russia and Turkey, but reports from the war zone said the truce was at risk.

Syrian rebels said repeated airstrikes by the Syrian government and its Russian allies could scuttle the two-day-old truce. Conflict monitors said warplanes were pounding rebel-held villages and towns northwest of Damascus, in the strategically important Barada Valley.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the civil war closely, said it had no immediate reports of casualties in Barada, but that the area had been hit multiple times since Friday, with 10 separate airstrikes during the morning hours of Saturday alone. Syria's military denied Friday that it had carried out such raids.

Reports from northern Syria said at least nine people, including four children, had been killed northeast of Aleppo, near the town of al-Bab. Witnesses said it was unclear whether the attacking warplanes were Syrian or Russian.

For all the reports of continuing violence, the latest cease-fire attempt could mark a potential breakthrough in the Syrian conflict, which began in early 2011 with an uprising against decades of autocratic rule by the Assad family  since the late Hafez al-Assad, the current president's father, seized power in 1970.

Since 2011, nearly 400,000 people have died in the Syrian war, according to the United Nations. It also has caused grave hardship for more than 13 million people, triggered a refugee crisis that has enveloped many European nations, and spawned terrorist groups that have staged attacks far from Syria itself.

The Security Council's resolution backed the Russian-Turkish cease-fire agreement, a plan for peace talks and "rapid, safe and unhindered" access to areas of the war-torn country where civilians urgently need humanitarian supplies.

The main rebel group in the civil war, the Free Syrian Army, had urged the U.N. powers to withhold their endorsement of the peace plan if airstrikes continued. The rebels said their next step might be abandonment of the truce.

A meeting scheduled for late January in Kazakhstan between the Damascus government and Syrian opposition groups is seen by some Security Council members as a key part of a political process that could resolve the civil war. Those talks would be mediated by Russia, Turkey and Iran.

However, a loose-knit coalition of Syrian rebels accused the Assad government Saturday of signing two different versions of the truce draft, one of which omitted key points that the anti-Assad forces felt were non-negotiable.

Some Western analysts have questioned the effectiveness of any truce between Damascus and non-jihadist rebels seeking to drive Assad from power. They expect fighting in the multisided conflict to continue.

Western skeptics point to varying objectives within the Syria-Turkey-Russia alliance, with Turkey's army targeting Islamic State extremists in northern Syria while trying to push Kurdish fighters away from Turkey's southern border. The largely Sunni Ankara government has also strenuously criticized the involvement in the civil war of Shi'ite militias backed by Iran.

Moreover, Kurds were not represented in truce negotiations ahead Saturday's deal, while several other jihadist groupings criticized truce provisions in recent days.
U.S. counterterrorism authorities are growing increasingly concerned about the activities of the student branch of a banned Pakistani militant organization that's seen as a threat to regional and U.S. interests.

The State Department this week announced it was adding the student wing of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to its list of foreign terrorist organizations.

The move against the student group, Al-Muhammadia Students (AMS), came as the U.S. Treasury Department added two LeT leaders to the U.S. list of specially designated global terrorists, subjecting them to sanctions that bar Americans from doing business with them.

"AMS is a subsidiary of LeT and has worked with LeT senior leaders to organize recruiting courses and other activities for youth," the State Department said in a statement.

LeT, or the Army of the Pure, is one of the largest and most virulent anti-India terrorist groups in Pakistan. It has been accused of orchestrating numerous attacks, including a 2008 assault in India's Mumbai that killed 166 people, including six U.S. citizens.

Operates through fronts

The U.S. designated LeT as a foreign terrorist organization in December 2001. It has repeatedly changed its name and continued operating through front organizations. After the U.S. designation, LeT changed its name to Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JUD) and began humanitarian projects in an attempt to circumvent restrictions from sanctions.

A predominantly Punjab-based group, LeT was formed in the late 1980s and has conducted operations against Indian troops and civilian targets in Kashmir, several high-profile attacks inside India, and operations against Western coalition forces in Afghanistan, according to a State Department report.

LeT's student wing and its several charitable organizations are trying to mask its terror activities by posing as reputable aid groups, according to Pakistani analysts. They provide emergency and humanitarian assistance during natural disasters.

"They are attempting to create a parallel system to the civil society by replacing NGOs, human rights groups and humanitarian organizations in Pakistan," Karachi-based journalist Ali Arqam, who covers security affairs, told VOA.

Militant organizations like LeT have an active presence in educational institutions across Pakistan as they seek to influence street politics by recruiting youths into their ranks.

Groups like LeT's student wing recruit new members and distribute literature at universities, and their student organizations hold regular meetings and discuss their on-campus activities. They often organize rallies and sit-ins.

"Just recently, [LeT's student wing] had a large gathering at a university in Jamshoro," Arqam said.

Diplomatic isolation

As militant groups continue to flourish in Pakistan, the government is facing threats of increasing diplomatic isolation from some U.S. lawmakers over its inability to curb homegrown militancy and the threat it poses to its neighbors.

And experts say the U.S. move on the student wing indicates that it remains concerned about the continued presence of extremist groups in Pakistan that threaten the stability of the region and beyond.

"The U.S. decision to designate a wing of LeT as a foreign terrorist organization is meant to put more pressure on Pakistan to take action against this group," said Michael Kugelman, a South Asia specialist at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington.

"Washington has frequently pushed Pakistan to do more to bring LeT suspects to justice, and this has a lot to do with the fact that Americans have been directly targeted by the group," he said, referring to the six Americans killed in the Mumbai attack.

Analysts say the U.S. move may push Pakistan to act more aggressively against terrorist organizations.

"The decision is significant in a way that the U.S. wants to increase pressure on Pakistan, and especially when Donald Trump takes over as president, he will increase the pressure more to act against such organizations," Pakistan-based security affairs Hassan Askari told VOA's Deewa service.

Dismissed as theater

Pakistan accuses U.S. lawmakers of diplomatic theater, saying the harsh anti-Pakistani rhetoric belies that government's efforts to root out extremism. Pakistani officials also say thousands of Pakistani lives have been lost in terror attacks.

But Islamabad's counterterrorism measures have widely been criticized by many Pakistani politicians who say the government has failed to formulate a counternarrative to extremism and terrorism.

"Among the range of legislative and administrative measures aimed at curbing terrorism, only the creation of military courts was fully implemented," veteran Pashtun politician Afrasiab Khattak said in an opinion piece for Radio Free Europe.

"Reforms in religious schools, preventing banned organizations from opening shops under new names, mainstreaming the northeastern tribal areas, and security sweeps against militants in the eastern province of Punjab were put on the back burner."
A member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir said she had resigned from the famed group over its decision to perform at next month's inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president.

Jan Chamberlin posted her resignation letter to choir leaders on her Facebook page Thursday. In it, she writes that by performing at the January 20 inaugural, the 360-member choir will appear to be "endorsing tyranny and fascism." She says she feels betrayed by the choir's decision to take part.

The choir is part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church spokesman Eric Hawkins told The Salt Lake Tribune that participation in the choir and the inaugural performance was voluntary.

Hawkins said last week that the choir's tradition of presidential performances wasn't "implied support of party affiliations or politics" but a "demonstration of our support for freedom, civility and the peaceful transition of power."

Chamberlin's decision earned praise from one of the most powerful Mormons in the country: Nevada Senator Harry Reid.

The retiring Democrat said Friday in a statement to the Tribune that he admired people like Chamberlin who "reject tyranny and fascism and do what they can to stand up for what is right."

Reid applauded her for refusing to "be part of the wave of hatred unleashed by Donald Trump."

"She should not be castigated or repudiated for acting on her sincere beliefs," Reid said.

Chamberlin, who didn't respond to Tribune requests for interviews, wrote on Facebook that her decision was a moral one.

"I could never 'throw roses to Hitler,' " she wrote. "And I certainly could never sing for him."
Even though partisan infighting made Congress virtually ineffective in 2016, a spate of new laws were still approved and will go into effect next year.

Nineteen states, including New York and California, will ring in the year with an increase in the minimum wage.

The increase in pay, for some of the lowest paid U.S. workers, will mean most for workers in Massachusetts and Washington state, where the minimum wage will go up to $11 per hour.

California will raise its wage to $10.50 for businesses with 26 or more employees. New York state is taking a regional approach, with the wage rising to $11 in New York City, to $10.50 for small businesses in the city, $10 in its suburbs and $9.70 elsewhere.

Voters in Arizona, Maine, Colorado and Washington approved increases in this year's election.

Seven other states, Alaska, Florida, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio and South Dakota, are automatically raising the wage based on indexing. The other states seeing increases are Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Michigan and Vermont.

Additional increases are slated for later in the year in Oregon, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

Marijuana use

Voters also approved the use of marijuana in several states. Revelers in California and Massachusetts can now ring in the new year with a glass of champagne and a joint.

Nevadans and Maine can join the party soon after that. Recreational marijuana use is legal in Nevada on January 1, but the state still has to establish the infrastructure to buy and sell it. In Maine, voters approved legalizing recreational marijuana. The governor hasn't signed the bill yet  he has until December 31  but even then, the law doesn't go into effect for 30 days.

Ailing residents of North Dakota, Florida, Montana and Arkansas will now be able to use marijuana for medical purposes.

Beer, taxes and more

Some other laws that will take effect in the new year:

In Illinois: It will be legal to catch catfish using a pitchfork, a speargun or a bow and arrow. Women will no longer have to pay a 6.25 percent "luxury" tax on tampons.

In California: Gun owners will be no longer be allowed to purchase semiautomatic rifles with evil features such as pistol grips, flash hiders and buttons that make it easier to remove and replace ammunition magazines.

In Utah: Online retailers will have to charge shoppers a 4.7 percent state tax at the point of sale.

In Tennessee: Beer lovers will celebrate as brewers will be allowed to make higher alcohol content brews without a specialty license. The new law increases the alcohol by volume limit from 6.2 percent to 10.1 percent.
The Flagstaff Police Department Citizens Liaison Committee will be hosting an open house meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the Flagstaff Aquaplex, 1702 N. 4th St. The public is invited to hear a presentation by Marianne Sullivan, Senior Assistant City Attorney with the Flagstaff City Attorneys Office, on Know Your Rights, Know an Officers Authority.

Attendees will have an opportunity to ask and submit questions to the committee on public safety, community relations and other issues affecting our community.

The Citizens Liaison Committee was formed as a volunteer community group following discussions in early 2014 and is supported by a grant from the Arizona Community Foundation, the Flagstaff Community Foundation and the Forest Highlands Foundation. Members work to improve communications between the department and the community.

Send an email to flagstaffpdclc@gmail.com for more information.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow will not expel U.S. diplomats in response to sanctions imposed Thursday by U.S. President Barack Obama for interference by Russian intelligence agencies in November's U.S. national election.

"We will not create problems for American diplomats. We will not expel anyone," Putin said in a statement released by the Kremlin. "As it proceeds from international practice, Russia has reasons to respond in kind. Although we have the right to retaliate, we will not resort to irresponsible kitchen diplomacy but will plan our further steps to restore Russian-U.S. relations based on the policies of the Trump administration," the statement continued.

A U.S. State Department official said in response, "We have seen President Putin's remarks. We have nothing further to add."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had suggested retaliatory action against the U.S., along with banning U.S. embassy personnel from using a country house and warehouse in the Moscow area.

Obama imposed sanctions on two intelligence agencies, expelled 35 Russian agents and closed two Russian compounds inside the United States. Russia immediately denounced the sanctions as unlawful and threatened to retaliate.

Obama called his actions "a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behavior."

The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee will conduct hearings next Thursday on foreign cyberthreats to the United States. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper Jr. is among those scheduled to testify.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who scoffed at allegations of Russian interference in the election, has said Washington should "move on to bigger and better things."

On Friday he praised Putin for his decision against expelling U.S. diplomats.

Trump, who has intimated he still has doubts about Russia's involvement, did say he would meet with intelligence leaders next week for a briefing on the situation. On Friday, a Trump spokesman said the president-elect had "nothing scheduled at this time" in terms of any talks involving Trump, transition staff and Moscow.

Obama's action coincided with the release Thursday of a 13-page joint analysis by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security that blamed Russia's intelligence agencies for hacks intended to influence the 2016 election and provided technical details, including samples of malicious computer code said to have been used in their hacking campaign.

Among the actions ordered by Obama are sanctions against nine Russian individuals and entities: the GRU  Russia's military intelligence agency; the FSB  its foreign intelligence service; four GRU officers; and three companies that provided material support to the GRU.

In addition, Evgeniy Bogachev and Aleksey Belan were sanctioned. The Treasury Department calls them "notorious criminals" who are responsible for the cybertheft of more than $100 million dollars from U.S. banks, companies and other American firms.

Thirty-five Russian government officials in Washington and in the consulate in San Francisco were given 72 hours to leave the United States for "acting in a manner inconsistent with their diplomatic status and consular activities."

Russian officials also will be denied access to what the U.S. State Department calls two Russian government-owned recreational compounds in Maryland and New York. This is after U.S. diplomats in Moscow were harassed and physically assaulted.

"In addition to holding Russia accountable for what it has done, the United States and friends and allies around the world must work together to oppose Russia's efforts to undermine established international norms of behavior and interfere with democratic governance," Obama said in announcing the sanctions.

Russia's U.N. ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, criticized Friday the U.S. sanctions decision, saying it affects Russian children who used the compounds that have been ordered closed.

"I think it's quite scandalous that they chose to go after our kids," Churkin said. "They know full well that those two facilities which they mention in their notes, they are vacation facilities for our kids. And this is Christmastime. This is vacation time for our schools from the first of January to the 10th of January. This is the time when the kids go to those two facilities. So to block our access to them just while the holidays were starting, you know, to me was rather cynical of them. So here go their family values," he added.

Putin, for his part, has invited all children of U.S. diplomats accredited in Russia to holiday parties at the Kremlin.

Not the end

A senior White House official said Thursday's publicly announced actions are not the end of the American response. He said other measures will be taken but not made public.

The official said there has been no debate within the Obama administration over whether Russia indeed interfered in the presidential election, primarily by hacking Democratic party emails to harm the campaign of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and boost Trump's chances of winning the November 8 election.

The official said the White House believes Russia is going to try to interfere in elections in other countries.

Obama also said he has no reason to believe Russia will not try the same thing again in future U.S. contests. The next major American election will be in 2018, for the entire House of Representatives and a number of Senate seats.

Send a signal

Trump has made no secret of his desire for better ties with Moscow.

But Emma Ashford, a foreign policy expert from the Cato Institute, told VOA that Trump would face a lot of opposition from Congress if he tries to undo the sanctions.

"Part of why this has been so difficult for the Obama administration is they were also trying to find something that Trump could not on his first day in office undo," Ashford said.

She added that the Obama administration must "try to send a signal that no matter what Donald Trump might say about how much he likes Vladimir Putin and how we're going to improve relations with Russia, that there has to be some sort of penalty for what the Russians tried to do in the election."

A State Department official said Thursday that reversing Obama's orders would be "inadvisable," adding that it makes no sense to invite Russian intelligence officials back into the United States.

Some political analysts note Russian officials and state media are raising expectations for Trump, whose own Republican Party leaders supported U.S. sanctions and continued tough action against Moscow.

Trump is in a very tough position, according to Pavel Sharikov, of the Russian Academy of Science Institute for U.S. & Canada Studies.

Since Russians still deny that they have anything to do with this hacking, they should suggest to the Trump administration full cooperation in [the] investigation [of] these hacking incidents and punishing whoever did this, said Sharikov.

Thirty-five is the second-largest number of Russian diplomats ordered out of the United States at one time since the end of the Cold War. President George W. Bush expelled 50 Russians in March 2001 for alleged spying. President Ronald Reagan deported a total of 80 Russian diplomats also suspected of spying during the fading years of the Cold War in 1986.

On the streets of Moscow Friday, Russians lamented the idea of tit-for-tat sanctions with the U.S. We need to make the opposite  not to separate our people, but to unite them, said a woman giving only her first name as Yulia.

I think that all the politics problems will be resolved and we will come to understanding, said a woman who also gave only her first name, Dasha. I want the people from Russia and America to be friends.
All 10 of the worlds nations with the youngest populations are in Africa, according to United Nations statistics, giving the continent a median age of just under 20 yearsor, roughly half the estimated median age of the United States, (37.9 years according to CIA estimates).

Yet, by latest count, at least eight African leaders have served in office for two decades, with an average age of 72.

Why is Africa so saddled with leaders who ought to be enjoying their retirement in peace and quiet, instead of in the unforgiving political corridors, campaign trails and taxing political brinkmanship that challenge even the youngest leaders? asked African politics scholar David Kiwuwa.

Kiwuwa, who teaches international studies at Princeton University, thinks that the willingness of many of the leaders to use violence to quash dissent is one key to their longevity. Kiwuwa, however, says such leaders still attract reverence and unbridled loyalty from their supporters. Equally, being seen as 'fathers of the nation,' who led independence or liberation struggles, makes them irreproachable, irrespective of their shortcomings, extending their tenure.

The result is that millions of African youth have known only one leader. In many cases, that leader is one who was born before the advent of social media and the internetand, in the case of 92-year-old Robert Mugabe, before the invention of television, electric razors and automatic bread slicers.

One effect is that many youngsters, such as 15-year-old Harare resident Saymore Johns, say theyre not inspired to enter public service.

Thats not something thats encouraging the youths, he said. Because now, some of the youths, some of them want to be president, but then when they know that our president is still there, they wont do anything about it.

In Cameroon, opposition politician Ndansi Elvis is similarly disillusioned. He was born in 1983, the year after Paul Biya became president. Elvis says when the 83-year-old Biya speaks, it would appear that he knows a lot about modernization and digitalization, but in reality cannot keep up with his population.

When young people use social media to send messages across to him and to let him know that, these are the problems they face, they call social media a weapon of mass destruction, said Elvis. So thats very contradictory. That shows exactly that this is a president who has lost touch with reality of todayAs to how I feel having one president in my entire life, I would say its disastrous. I feel like someone who has never experienced democracy. Because democracy, real democracy is when people can actually go to the polls for their leader and actually see the meaning of their vote.

Many of these leaders are still lionized for their roles in bringing independence to their people. Mugabe is the only leader independent Zimbabwe has ever hadsomething that 21-year-old Tavaka Nhikwe finds commendable.

Thirty-six years. That's a milestone, he said. I dont think there is any president that has ever done that. That ought to be put in the Guinness Book of World Records. I really love that. Because its so... exotic.

However, such political tenacity is anything but. Even in African nations that have seen leadership shifts, like Ghana, the new president, Nana Akufo-Addo, ran for the job in 2008 and 2012. Before that, he served as minister of foreign affairs and attorney general.

And it isnt just the victors who have stuck aroundmany notable opposition movements have been led for decades by the same man.



Mozambique's Afonso Dhlakama has led the opposition Renamo since 1979 and runs for president at every contest. Etienne Tshisekedi, opposition leader in the Democratic Republic of Congo, founded his party in 1982, serving as prime minister on three occasions in the 1990s and featuring prominently in several presidential elections. He is 84.



In Uganda, 60-year-old opposition leader Kizza Besigye ran unsuccessfully in the 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016 presidential elections. He lost every one of those polls to the man who has led Uganda since 1986, Yoweri Museveni. In South Africa, 88-year-old Mangosuthu Buthelezi founded the Inkatha Freedom Party in 1976, helping form South Africa's post-apartheid government in the 1990s, He's remained a fixture in parliament ever since.

Analyst Stephanie Wolters, head of the peace and security research program at the Pretoria, South Africa Institute for Security Studies, says the big names in African politics arent the problem. The issue, she says, is the lack of strong institutions.

It is something that really tells us about the kinds of political parties that we have in Africa, which are still very much centered on individuals, on big names, on leaders that have been around for a very, very long time and that havent really succeeded in building the kinds of structures, whether those are the institutional structures for their own parties and public participation in their parties, or even for succession within their parties, he said. And I think thats a really big challenge we have on the continent today in terms of the political parties here.

Here are 10 of Africas oldest and longest-serving leaders:

Equatorial Guineas Teodoro Obiang Nguema, 74; 37 years in power. Deposed his uncle in a coup in 1979.



Angolas Jose Eduardo dos Santos, 74; 37 years in power. Says he will not stand for the next elections in 2018.

Zimbabwes Robert Mugabe, 92; 36 years in power. Won his first election in 1980 and was recently chosen as his partys presidential candidate for 2018.

Cameroons Paul Biya, 83, who has spent 34 years as president, was previously prime minister. He removed term limits in 2008 by changing his nations constitution.

Ugandas Yoweri Museveni, 72; 30 years as president. Recently won a fifth term in a hotly contested poll.

Swazilands King Mswati III, 48; 30 years as Africas last absolute monarch. Took the throne of the landlocked southern African nation at the age of 18 after his fathers death.

Sudans Omar al-Bashir, 72; 27 years in power. Seized power in a 1989 coup.



Chads Idriss Deby, 64; 26 years in power after taking the helm after the ouster of a dictator. Recently re-elected to a fifth term.

Republic of Congos Denis Sassou Nguesso, 73; served as president for 19 years, but was also prime minister from 1979 to 1992.

Democratic Republic of Congos Joseph Kabila, 45; 15 years as president. Took power in 2001 after the assassination of the president, his father. His second presidential term was set to expire Dec. 20, 2016, but he has not set a date for new elections.
Photo: Pool/Getty Images

On Friday, lawyers for Bill Cosby filed a 12-page motion with a Pennsylvania judge asking that the pending criminal trial against Cosby be moved to another county. According to the New York Times, the lawyers claim that the intense local-media coverage surrounding Cosbys sexual-assault charges has tainted the jury pool in Montgomery County. While you may be thinking that the cat is out of the bag and everyone with a computer, television, or human contact already knows the allegations  that Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted a former Temple employee in 2004  youre right, but the lawyers claim it is particularly so in Montgomery. Last year, Kevin Steele, the district attorney of the county, ran television advertisements against his political rival Bruce Castor for never prosecuting Cosby when the allegations first appeared a decade earlier. The motion claimed that prospective jurors living in this area would have seen the advertisements and been uniquely subjected to extensive, sustained, and pervasive negative coverage of the case against Mr. Cosby. The judge has yet to announce whether there will be a change of venue for the trial, which is set to start in June.
After enjoying bargains at the gasoline pumps for much of 2016, Waco motorists are ringing in 2017 staring at prices about 35 cents higher per gallon than a year ago.

The petroleum market in recent weeks has been reacting to plans OPEC announced to curtail production, thus driving up the prices of both oil and gas. Whether members of OPEC will do what they say or flinch, as theyve done so often in the past, has fueled speculation and spooked speculators.

What we know for sure is that the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Texas increased 5 cents to $2.11 per gallon during the week ending last Thursday, which is when AAA Texas released its most recent gas-watch report. Statewide, motorists are paying 34 cents more than they were this time a year earlier.

The AAA report speculated that gasoline use would drop significantly during January, with the end of the holiday driving season. But AAA would not say if the declining thirst for gasoline would translate into lower prices. The world will be watching to see if OPEC indeed cuts crude production by 1.8 million gallons per day, according to AAA.

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and other Arab Gulf countries will stick to the deal, while Libya and Nigeria could potentially increase their production output if conflict in both countries continues, according to the AAA report.

In Waco on Friday, motorists were paying an average of $2.11 a gallon for regular unleaded, about 6 cents more than the going rate a week earlier, according to GasBuddy.com. That compares to an average of $1.76 a year ago and $1.88 just a month ago, a time of year when prices are typically going down, not up.

The gas prices, of course, are being driven by somewhat higher oil prices, which in turn reflect largely the efforts of the OPEC and non-OPEC countries to cut oil production, Waco-based economist Ray Perryman said by email.

Given the difficulties that lower prices were causing in many of these economies, it is likely that they will maintain discipline. The increase in prices is, on balance, beneficial to the Texas economy. Rig counts and other measures of the oil and gas sector are already picking up, and prices are getting close to the point, in terms of both pricing and duration, where substantial drilling activity becomes feasible.

Perryman said petroleum prices affect more than our attitude at the pump. They circulate throughout the economy.

People often forget that petroleum is a fundamental part of plastics, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, synthetic fibers, paints and many products, as well as a source for heating and cooling in many parts of the country, Perryman said.

Higher petroleum prices are typically a drag on the economy of the United States, although Texas is a net winner. Central Texas does not have a large presence of the oil and gas economy, and thus response is more like the U.S. as a whole.

On the bright side, AAA estimates U.S. drivers have saved about $27 billion at the pumps so far this year compared to the same period last year.

And though gas prices have been creeping up in recent weeks, U.S. drivers are expected to pay the second-cheapest New Years Day gas prices since 2009, when the national average was $1.62.

2 new restaurants

Greater Waco has seen the arrival of two new restaurants, including TeJun the Texas Cajun, a seafood restaurant now operating at 711 N. Robinson Drive.

TeJun serves Alaskan snow crab, lobster, Texas Gulf shrimp and large Atlantic white shrimp, according to its website and a Facebook posting announcing its arrival in Robinson.

The business operated out of a food truck in Robinson for years before choosing to build a permanent location. It also will serve Cajun sausage and farm-raised crawfish when available.

Hours of operation are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.

Restaurant manager Ashley Roper said the restaurant is owned by Joe and Tammy Reid, of Teague, who operate mobile food trucks in Corsicana, Fairfield and Mexia.

Robinson is the first community to have a brick-and-mortar restaurant opened by the Reids, Roper said.

Business so far has been good, she said.

Meanwhile, Mary Sues Diner has opened at 1001 Enterprise Blvd. in Hewitt to serve Southern comfort food and traditional Mexican dishes, said Monika Salinas, who owns and operates the restaurant with her husband, John Salinas. She said Mary Sues offers chicken-fried steak, burgers, hot tamales, menudo and daily specials.

Hours of operation are from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. or later Sunday.

Restoration 1 grows in 16

A venture local franchising veteran Gary Findley launched in 2008 has made waves around the country this year, reaching 100 franchising territories in 26 states.

Restoration 1 specializes in emergency services related to water extraction, mold remediation, drying and dehumidification, fire and smoke damage restoration, storm-response services and general maintenance and cleaning services, according to a company press release.

Findley founded the company in 2008, and it hit a growth spurt in 2016. Seventy-five of its 100 franchising territories have been sold in since January 2016, It hopes to add 100 locations a year for the next four years, according to the press release.

This milestone is a true testament to the brands appeal and the ever-growing demand for restoration and mitigation services, Findley said in the press release. Even as we grow, customer satisfaction is still our biggest priority, and we are excited to bring our reliable service to more communities throughout the nation.

Its been a great year for the company, and we anticipate many more milestones in 2017.

Entrepreneur magazine has named Restoration 1 as one of its promising brands in its 10 Hottest Franchise Business Categories list.

Findley, who serves as CEO of Restoration 1, has been involved in several franchising success stories, including that of Waco-based Curves International, founded by Gary and Diane Heavin.
Seeking: single men who can two-step or get down to polka.

Must make enough money for a $5 cover and not need liquid courage to hit the dance floor at the Sul Ross Senior Center, where the number of marriage proposals over the years is too high to keep track of.

Two area groups keep the old gym floor at Waco Drive and 15th Street hot while live bands keep the jams loud enough to put a halt to talking.

Wed like to have more single men there. Men tend to want to go have a beer while they dance. We have lots of single women, said Laura Rogers, with Boot Scootin Dance Club.

Having the word club in the name can be a little misleading because all ages are welcome to join the group from 7 to 10 p.m. each Thursday, Rogers said. The dance attracts mostly retired members, and 60 new members have joined in the past year, she said.

We have one man who comes from Evant. Its way west of Gatesville, Rogers said. Its a really clean, nice place to come and two-step and waltz and polka, and every once in a while theyll play a little old rock and roll. Everyone gets out there and does their thing. Its really fun to watch.

Meanwhile, from 7 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday, the Young at Heart Dance Club, which has been going strong since the 1970s, has a different variety of live bands, many who play country and western tunes, club president Milford Behringer said.

Both groups tout an average of 120 people per night, charge $5 to get in, take a break for refreshments at 8 p.m. and make announcements about any absences at 9 p.m., taking note of members who are ill.

You get so attached to those people, and they do the same with you, Behringer said. They miss you whenever youre not around, and we miss them. Its just like a big family. When somebodys missing, you automatically start worrying about them. Its the best thing that ever happened to me and my wife.

Keep on dancing

Despite the similarities, the two groups stand on their own, offering benefits for those who join the club. A yearlong membership costs $4 for Young at Heart and a $3 for Boot Scootin. Some dance both nights, but many stick to their chosen group.

Attending both Tuesday and Thursday night dances, Verneta Grohoske, 83, of McGregor, said she mostly attends by herself.

While she has met a lot of people over the years, she doesnt get to dance as much as shed like.

We just dont have enough men, Grohoske said.

But she keeps coming for the chance to waltz or two-step the night away.

My doctor keeps saying keep on dancing,  she said.

Virginia Booth also attends both Tuesday and Thursday nights to get in all the dancing she can.

Shes proud to see younger generations giving the dances a try, even if they lack rhythm, Booth said.

They dont dance. They just jump up and down and holler, she said.

For many couples, the evening serves as a date night.

Young at Heart president Behringer, 75, said hes been with the club for at least a decade.

Before discovering the Waco venue, Behringer and his wife of 50 years, Kathy, used to go dancing at Geneva Hall every Saturday, he said.

Behringer said while all ages can attend the dances, members must be ages 50 or older.

Right before Christmas, we had a bunch of Baylor students coming in. They just thoroughly enjoy it, he said.

Behringer said they always take the time to make an announcement if two of the dancers get engaged or married.

Weve had I dont know how many couples that met there and they ended up getting married, he said. Some have met there and they become friends and they might not get married, but they are with each other everywhere they go.

History

Laura Rogers, 57, and club president Billy Rogers, 62, are one of the many couples who found love on the dance floor.

Billy Rogers had attended the dances for several years before Laura Rogers walked in one night with a friend.

He walked over and asked me to dance and slipped me his phone number, she said.

But she didnt call. A few weeks later, she returned to the dance.

And he said, I sure am glad you came back. But why didnt you call me? I said, I dont call men. He said, Well, we dont like to ask ladies for their phone numbers because they dont know if were OK guys or crazy guys. So that night I gave him my phone number, and the rest is history.

The couple have been married a year and a half after dating for three years.

Boot Scootin Dance Club kicked off 35 years ago, and Laura Rogers has been going for about 20 years, she said.

People like coming to the dances because its safe  theres always a security guard  and because smoking and drinking are not allowed, Laura Rogers said.

They are also sure to make new guests feel welcome.

If I have new ladies, there might be a group of ladies that come, I have run out onto the dance floor and found Billy with whoever hes dancing with, say, New people, second table from the left. Hell go down there and ask each one of them to dance, she said. If I see a single man come in, we have name tags for the board members, so Ill go ask a single man to dance. Hell see my name tag so he wont think Im making a play for him.

Call for youth

Ed Vorderkunz, 95, claims he has sat in the same seat every Tuesday and Thursday for 11 years. He has missed maybe 20 dances in all that time, he said.

The veteran said he just enjoys dancing, and the events dont cost too much.

He learned to dance in the Army, or keep time to music, as he calls it. He enjoys a good two-step but tends to avoid the waltz, Vorderkunz said.

A lady asked me one time if I was good at math, and I said, Yeah, it was my best subject. She said, Thats why you cant waltz,  Vorderkunz said. Math is a pretty exact science, and I think waltz is an exact dance and I cant do it exactly, so Ive never learned to waltz.

Billy Rogers said Vorderkunz will go anywhere he can dance.

Rogers said before he was married he had the opportunity to dance with Vorderkunzs wife, Bernice Pankonien. Vorderkunz met Pankonien at Sul Ross, and they were married for 11 years before she died in 2016.

Describing his dance with Pankonien, Rogers said: She was telling me that Ed was going to be 89 that year. She was like a year or two behind him. I said, Bernice, what do you attribute your longevity to? She said, Lots of dancing and lots of good, hard loving. I just froze up. Couldnt walk. Couldnt keep time with the music. Im usually not at a loss for words, but she just wiped me out.

Rogers said he hopes they can continue to attract youth to the dance.

Lets face it, a lot of these people are in their 70s and 80s and probably, I probably wont make it that far. But theyre going to die off or have to go live with their kids or go live in a nursing home or whatever happens to them as time goes on, Rogers said. If you dont have new people in the front, it will just evaporate on its own.

Keeping up with grandma

When Roger Kirby, 67, of Elm Mott, isnt at the community center performing with his band, the Texas Heartbeat, hes there to dance. For the past decade, Kirby and his wife, Cherley, have taken to the dance floor to show off their own style.

We do more of a polka step to a country dance, which makes people wonder what in the heck were doing. My wife taught me to do that. Shes a full-blooded Czech, Kirby said. Its a fun place. Its not only a place to enjoy music and dancing, its like a social club in a way. It keeps you healthy, keeps you anxious to go do something.

Pat Blackwell, 75, of Robinson, said after her husband died she was invited to attend the dance. She said theres always good music, the environment is comfortable, and theres a lack of pressure with no alcohol. Blackwell said she attends the functions with her boyfriend, Aubrey Uppmore.

I called him my dance partner one day, and my daughter said, Mom, thats your boyfriend,  Blackwell said.

Beth Havis, 22, and Grace Havis, 31, attended the Tuesday night dance while they were in town visiting their grandmother, Ruth Havis, 87, of Waco.

Beth Havis said shes glad theres a dance her grandmother loves so much because it gets her out of the house two nights a week and provides positive activity.

Shes been toting us around introducing us to everyone, she said.

The granddaughters said they were a little surprised about their grandmothers enthusiasm for dancing, and they quickly had to learn to two-step to keep up with her.

She stays out on the dance floor the whole time, Beth Havis said. She loves it.

The idea the event might resemble an old-folks home kept Sharon Bakes, 72, away at first. Eight years later, she rarely misses a dance.

Down here, everyone is really like family, Bakes said. I think you spend more time with the people down here than you actually do with your family. Im serious.

Bakes said she would like to see some money invested into the community center. The tables chairs are falling apart, and the theater seats lining the gym are filthy, she said.

I just feel like if the city can get the skate ring thing over here going, why cant they do something for the seniors? she said about the $2.1 million Sul Ross Skate Park, which has an extensive in-ground concrete skate course that opened in 2015. I mean, we actually use this building more than they do at the skate board deal.

Randall Hauder, 72, and Catalina James, of Temple, met at a senior dance in Belton and have been dating for nine years.

She wont marry me, so I have to stick around. I proposed to her eight years ago and she turned me down. Im going to wait until she weakens a little bit, he said.

The duo said they enjoy the camaraderie at Sul Ross and will dance to just about any type of music.

Hauder said James will dance with anyone who asks her.

But he wont dance with other people. He just sits and watches and keeps an eye, she said.
A 24-year-old man was arrested on an attempted murder charge Thursday, the same day he was scheduled to be released from prison after serving six years on a burglary of a habitation conviction.

Christopher Henry Moomaw, of Uvalde, was arrested on a felony charge of attempted murder, accused of hitting a 21-year-old woman in the head with a tire jack after a January 2010 party in Waco. Moomaw had been in prison after being convicted in a Bosque County burglary of a habitation in August 2010.

According to the arrest affidavit for the attempted murder charge, Moomaw, who was 18 at the time, allegedly met a woman at a party Jan. 3, 2010, and she saw that she had a flat tire on her vehicle. Moomaw helped the woman change the tire and asked for a ride home to the 3700 block of Homan Avenue at the end of the party, according to the affidavit.

They both exited the vehicle after the suspect told the victim that he needed some help, the arrest affidavit states. As they walked to the rear of the residence, the suspect began to beat the victim in the head with something that she described as a tire tool.

The affidavit does not offer any explanation of a possible motive for the beating.

The woman reportedly suffered several lacerations to and around her head and bruises on her hands.

Waco Police officer Garen Bynum said the woman was able to get away from Moomaw and drive herself to a friends house. Her friends took her to Providence Medical Center, and police were called to the emergency room.

As police investigated, they identified the item used in the attack as a tire jack, the affidavit states.

A Waco police detective took the tire jack to the Texas Department of Public Safety lab for DNA analysis. Evidence submitted to the lab returned a DNA profile matching Moomaw in February 2011.

At the time of the DNA match, Moomaw was in custody on the Bosque County burglary of a habitation conviction.

Officers reportedly stayed in contact with the victim, who provided a statement saying she wishes to file charges against Moomaw.

Moomaw was booked into McLennan County custody Thursday after he was released from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Huntsville after serving six years of his eight year sentence. Bynum said Waco detectives sent a certified letter to authorities about Moomaws outstanding warrant and requested his transfer to McLennan County Jail pending his release.

Moomaw remained in McLennan County Jail on Friday in lieu of a $50,000 surety bond.
The carp herpesvirus is set to be released into Australian waterways in 2018, but Canberra fish hobbyists are concerned about the impact on ornamental species.

Keeping ornamental koi carp is a popular hobby in the ACT, NSW and WA - the only states and territories in Australia where it's legal to own the pest species.

The department of primary industries has ruled out a vaccine for ornamental carp like these, so koi in backyard ponds could possibly be affected by the introduction of the herpesvirus. PIctured Melissa Gray, manager Jem Aquatics. Credit:karleen minney

The virus is a particularly virulent strain which is said to only affect the noxious fish and is spread through contact or infected water.

It will be introduced by the federal government in a $15 million plan to rid waterways of the pest.
The Greek ambassador to Brazil was murdered by his Brazilian wife and her policeman lover in a "crime of passion" which they hoped would let them enjoy a new life together funded by the dead envoy's money, police have said.

Ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis was probably stabbed to death in the Rio de Janeiro suburbs by the Brazilian policeman, Sergio Gomez Moreira, who then rolled the body in a carpet, put it in a car and later set the vehicle alight, officers said.

Francoise Amiridis, the wife of Greece's Ambassador to Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis, arrives at a police station to be interrogated in connection with her husband's death. Credit:AP

"All our evidence suggests that her [wife Francoise Amiridis'] motivation was to use the financial resources left by the ambassador so she could enjoy life with Sergio," Evaristo Pontes Magalhaes, a police investigator, said.

He described the murder as "a tragic, cowardly act" which police are treating as "a crime of passion".
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Dec. 30, 2016 | FRANKFORT, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 30, 2016 | 11:39 PM | FRANKFORT, KY

With an overall goal of making the public safer, state Rep. Gerald Watkins has pre-filed three bills for the 2017 legislative session that would crack down on criminals committing some of the most serious crimes and strengthen consumer-safety protections.



The first of his bills would require anyone convicted of attempting to murder a peace officer or firefighter to serve at least 85 percent of his or her sentence before being eligible for probation or parole.



I am amazed that someone trying to kill one of these first responders is eligible for probation or parole after serving only 20 percent of their time, said Rep. Watkins of Paducah. Thats wrong, and my bill will make sure those convicted stay behind bars much longer. Our police officers and firefighters deserve nothing less.



During the 2016 Regular Session, this legislation cleared the House unanimously.



Watkins second bill would require a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for anyone who has received three or more independent convictions of a Class A or B felony, the two most serious of the four felony levels.



Those sentenced under this legislation would have used up every chance society has given them to turn their lives around, he said. As such, we need to make sure these repeat violent offenders are not able to harm anyone else for the rest of their lives.



Watkins final bill is a consumer-protection initiative that would stop the selling and/or marketing of wireless phone numbers without the individual subscribers written consent.



This would potentially benefit every Kentuckian with a cell phone, but were especially going after the unscrupulous telemarketers who target the elderly and other vulnerable citizens, he said. This is not a political issue, but it means a lot to me that a similar bill I had earlier this year drew unanimous support from both sides of the aisle in the House. Im hoping we can get this through the House and Senate in 2017.



Watkins said even though he was on the national "Do Not Call" registry for years, his own cell number was sold to others without his consent, and he got numerous unwanted calls from telemarketers who refused to stop calling him. Watkins said he reached out to the Attorney Generals office and learned the numbers were effectively untraceable.



The bill would establish penalties for those that sell mobile numbers without the subscribers written permission, with fines ranging from $1,000 and $10,000 for each violation. The bill would not penalize carriers if the numbers are stolen, nor would it stop carriers from providing numbers to affiliates, directory providers or others for the purpose of improving service to their wireless customers.



Watkins said that hes worked with AT&T, the Kentucky Telecom Association and the Kentucky Attorney Generals office to make sure the bill does not hinder normal commerce.



The 2017 Legislative Session convenes for the House of Representatives and the Senate on January 3 in Frankfort.
Rita Redmond was a true lady who felt that every pupil had something to gift to the world
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 30/12/2016 (2135 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ian Thomson flew a Halifax Bomber 44 times over enemy territory during the Second World War, and 44 times he flew back.

Many werent as fortunate as Lucky Thomson, who saw planes flown by his brothers in arms blown up in the skies around him. There were many crews that never returned to England.

Thomson, who turns 94 Saturday, returned home from the war more than seven decades ago. Since then  as a result of accidents, illnesses or old age  hes lost most of his comrades and legion hall friends.

Its sad to see them go, but I will be going soon myself, a chuckling Thomson says.

But theres nothing you can do, he says, paraphrasing verse by Omar Khayyam. The moving finger writes and, having written, moves on. Nor all thy piety nor all thy wit can cancel half a line of it.

What has been called the Greatest Generation, people who were raised through the Great Depression and came of age serving their country in a worldwide war, is fast shuffling off into the pages of history.

Its sad to see them go, but I will be going soon myself. -Ian Thomson, 94

Veterans Affairs Canada says more than one million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the countrys Armed Forces, Allied Forces or merchant navy between 1939 and 1945.

Of those, more than 47,000 Canadians died on the ground, on the water or in the air while battling Axis forces. For the lucky ones who made it back, the calendar has been the unstoppable foe.

As of March, there were only 61,300 veterans still alive. Thats down from 75,900 two years earlier.

Veterans Affairs says the average age of the ones who remain is 92.

As of Dec. 24, the Winnipeg Free Press obituaries of 191 people who died in 2016 noted their service as Second World War veterans. Thats an average of more than three a week. Within a decade, there will be just a handful, if any, left. (See list of those lost in 2016 below)

Thomsons wife, Carol, who was known as Carley Souchereau during her time with the Canadian Womens Army Corps Reserves starting in 1958, admits it is tough to watch the generation that was barely out of their teens in the Second World War fading away.

Its sad to see these people drop off as fast as they are, she says.

I think of the people who has served in Afghanistan. Weve lost so many people there, but nothing like the Second World War.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Ian Thomson flips through his pilots log, a photo of the Halifax Bomber her flew in the bottom right corner. He piloted bombing runs over Germany 44 times.

Before theyre all gone, the legion both Thomson and his wife are part of has decided to honour them.

The Royal Canadian Legion Henderson Highway, Branch 215, has put together a 13-month fundraising calendar to pay for a wall of honour and remembrance. The wall, which is already under construction inside the legions hall in East St. Paul, will use both static and video displays to pay tribute to veterans and members of the legion who are from the East St. Paul and North Kildonan areas.

You read the stories, and it is mind-boggling what they did. -Legion branch president Gord Machej

The first display is planned to be about Hill 70, the first battle Canadians fought during the First World War as a Canadian Corps and under the command of a Canadian general.

Its for remembrance, says Gord Machej, the legion branchs president. Its very important for us to do an appropriate remembrance of their sacrifices. The general populace is forgetting a lot.

You read the stories, and it is mind-boggling what they did we have to continue to encourage the population and the legion to remember, and not just on Remembrance Day.

Machej said the Second World War veterans he has met over the years all had one thing in common.

They certainly had no fear, and they had the commitment to do the job, he says.

Nicole Fanshaw, who runs the restaurant in the legion, said the calendar is $20 and is available at the branch. A thousand were printed, and about half were still available before Christmas.

Were very proud of the calendar because we want to honour the veterans, she says.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Carol and Ian Thomson are both Canadian veterans. He flew Halifax Bombers in the Second World War, while she served with the Canadian Womens Army Corps Reserves.

Each calendar page features a veterans military history and two photos  one current and one from when they served.

But theres time getting in the way again. Mike Slater, who is featured on the December 2016 page, died in September while the calendar was being put together.

Ive lost a lot of people I cared about, Fanshaw says.

He (Slater) was very excited to be in the calendar. One of the reasons were doing this calendar is because we need to remember them. What they said and what they did, many people dont remember.

Thomsons last bombing operation  mission is an American term, he says  was over Germany in February 1945.

When you see someone blown apart 100 feet ahead of you, you never forget. -Ian Thomson

On one of his 44 runs, the rear gunner of the plane on his nose gave him the thumbs up signal seconds before it blew up. He believes a bomb on-board the rear gunners plane blew up prematurely.

We flew through the debris  when you see someone blown apart 100 feet ahead of you, you never forget, he said.

Another time, enemy spotlights locked on to Thomsons aircraft, and he did what hed been trained to do  fly above another Allied plane to confuse the anti-aircraft crews below. It didnt work. The next thing he knew, the plane below him had been shot down.

Thomson still grieves for both those crews and thinks of them when he reminisces about the war.

He said the incidents show a combination of luck and skill determined whether you lived or died.

My nickname is Lucky, he says with a smile. But I had a wonderful crew  and they had a bloody good pilot, too.

Thomson says his greatest war honour came after the fighting.

My wireless operator named his first-born son after me.

Thomson says he is proud to have served.

It was never a job, he said. We thought it was our duty. We just did what we thought we should. I wouldnt be surprised if 98 per cent felt the same way.

I believe history has shown us that we were correct.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

Remembering those lost

Second World War veterans who passed away in 2016 and had obituaries in the Free Press which mentioned their service:

Jan. 3  Michael Petrynko, 91. Served in the Second World War at age 18 in the Tank Corp.

Jan. 4  Chester Lyons, 96. He served his country in the Second World War. Later had career in air force.

Jan. 6  James Forsyth, 96. During the Second World War he went to England and drove and serviced various transport trucks and vehicles. and received a Canadian Volunteer Service Medal.

Jan. 10  Willis Wilson, 98. He served as a RCAF flying officer with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan teaching new recruits basic flying.

Jan. 11  Bob Sutton, 89. He enlisted in the RCAF in 1944 and completed his training just as the Second World War was winding down and consequently he did not fly in active combat, something he regretted.

Jan. 11  Stefan Wawryk, 94. He served with the Royal Canadian Artillery, 3rd Field Regiment, 19th Battery, 1st Division in the battle of Ortona, Italy. He was wounded in battle and taken back to England.

Jan. 12  John Feschuk, 94. He served in the RCAF.

Jan. 13  Donald Robson, 91. He was a proud Second World War Navy veteran and member of the White Ensign Club.

Jan. 13  Andy Tough, 94. He joined the RAF and earned his pilots wings in Moose Jaw. He flew his first Spitfire in the United Kingdom before being deployed to India and Burma.

Jan. 13  Alex Patapow, 88. He was born in Russia and fought for Russia in the Second World War.

Jan. 14  Frank Rowan, 94. He served in the RCAF as an observer, flying missions over Germany. He was shot down in March 1945 and was a prisoner of war until the end of the war.

Jan. 14  Bert Moon, 91. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and served in the Merchant Marine.

Jan. 15  Gene Britton, 95. A Second World War veteran.

Jan. 16  Bill Giesbrecht, 98. He served with the 1st Battalion Saskatoon Light Infantry from 1939 to 1945.

Jan. 18  Chuck Steen, 91. He was very proud to be a Second World War veteran, serving on the 600 Wing Executive and participating in Remembrance Day services every year.

Jan. 19  Emil Litke, 92. While he was enlisted in World War Two he met and married the love of his wife Jean.

Jan. 19  Hugh Buskell. He was a proud Second World War veteran.

Jan. 20  Arthur Schwartz, 92. He was with the Royal Canadian Army Dental Corps from 1944 to 1947 stationed in the North Atlantic and England and commissioned with the rank of Captain.

Jan. 20  Palmi Sigvaldason, 96. He joined the Armed Forces and served with them for two and a half years.

Jan. 25  Arthur Wilson. He joined the RCAF in 1942. He was attached to the No. 410 Repair and Salvage Unit of the Second Tactical Air Force. This operated in support of the Army from Juno Beach to Central Germany.

Jan. 26  Larry Beeston, 81. Graduated from St. Pauls High School in 1942 and went directly into the Canadian Navy. He graduated from signalman school in St. Hyacinthe and served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres of war.

Jan. 28  Richard Hayward, 87. He enlisted as a cadet, learned mechanical skills and tank operation, but was never deployed because he turned 17 on V-E Day.

Jan. 28  Bernard Mills. He served with the RCAF.

Jan. 30  Peter Wiebe, 94. He joined the RCAF and served as a pilot during the Second World War.

Feb. 1  Larry Francis, 94. He was a member of the Lake Superior Regiment (Motor) during the Second World War and served overseas in England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

Feb. 4  Ray Daniels, 93. Joined the RCAF during the Second World War where he served as a navigator until he was seriously injured requiring two years of hospitalization and rehabilitation.

Feb. 5  Meredith Huston, 96. He served in the Navy on the HMCS Hespler in the Second World War.

Feb. 6  Bruce Kraeling, 97. He joined the navy and served as a communications sailor.

Feb. 6  Mick McLean, 89. He enlisted with the armed forces in 1944 and joined the RCAF and qualified as an air gunner special group with the rank of sergeant.

Feb. 7  John Chale, 92. He joined the RCAF, but after receiving his wings he was seriously injured in a flight accident and spent two years in hospital.

Feb. 8  Conrad Schwartz, 95. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy, serving on the HMCS New Glasgow and HMCS Chambly.

Feb. 8  Stanley Kloczkowski, 97. He joined the Polish 65 Light bomber Division which saw heavy fighting and retreated to Romania where he became a prisoner of war. He was able to escape with a false passport and get to England where he joined the 300 Squadron of the Polish Air Force.

Feb. 9  Fred Dubois, 90. He served with the Navy on both coasts during the Second World War.

Feb. 11  Wally Dunn, 93. He spent six months training before going overseas with the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. For a short period of time he drove a truck, lights turned off, to Scotland filled with ammunition. A beautiful young lady named Maggie went with him and drove it back to England. Turns out Maggie was actually Princess Elizabeth now Queen Elizabeth.

Feb. 13  Bill Jorheim, 92. He joined the 1st Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, and was shipped off to Britain to join the 57th Battalion. He saw action in Italy and then, in 1944, his unit joined the Canadian Army in northwestern Europe where a picture was taken of him and his crew which now hangs in the War Museum in Ottawa.

Feb. 17  John Lamont, 90. John enlisted at age 17 in the Royal Canadian Air Force and proudly served his country overseas during the Second World War.

Feb. 23  Arthur Beavis, 90. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy.

Feb. 23  Gord Peterson, 90. He was a veteran of the Second World War.

Feb. 23  Don Hasselfield, 91. He joined the navy and from 1942 to 1945 he rose from naval cadet to Lieutenant.

Feb. 29  Bill Dion, 94. In 1942, he joined the RCAF and proudly served his country until the end of the war.

Feb. 29  Douglas MacPherson, 91. Served in the Second World War.

March 1  Jack McGregor. Served in the Second World War.

March 4  Don Johnston, 91. He served in the RCAF.

March 6  Harold Sweetland, 97. He enlisted in Winnipeg Sept. 1939 with the Fort Garry Horse. He saw action with 12th Manitoba Dragoons armoured cars in Normandy, Germany, the liberation of Holland, and was mentioned in dispatches for gallant and distinguished service.

March 7  Jack Gilbert, 92. He was a member of the RCAF.

March 8  Harry Simpson, 98. He enlisted in the RCAF and attended No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School in Paulson. He was stationed at Torbay, NL, where the missions were to provide air cover for Allied convoys and patrol for U-boats.

March 9  Leo ONeill, 91. He joined the RCAF and trained as a bombardier before he went overseas.

March 10  Donalda Brekelmans, 91. She served in the navy during the Second World War signalling ships safely to shore at Halifax harbour.

March 10  Bill Carr, 92. He joined the Royal Canadian Army.

March 17  Dorothy Duguay, 91. She joined the Womens Navy (WRENS). She trained at Guelph, Ontario and served in Cornwallis and Halifax, Nova Scotia and then finally settled in Winnipeg.

March 18  Ruth Johnstone, 93. She served her country in the military in the Second World War, based in Ottawa as a military photographer.

March 18  Harry Tregobov, 91. He served as an infantryman.

March 23  Eric Gilbart, 92. Flt. Lt. Gil was a pilot in the RAF/RCAF during the Second World War.

March 23  Jack Westergard, 96. He was in the air force.

March 24  Issie Brass, 99. Served overseas with the Canadian Army during the Second World War.

March 24  Max Hatch, 91. He joined the air force in 1943 and served overseas in London for the duration of the war.

March 25  Ray Vadeboncoeur, 91. He was a Second World War veteran.

March 29  Laurie McGregor, 92. During the Second World War Laurie enlisted in the Air Force where he was a ground crew mechanic in squadrons stationed in Alaska and Vancouver Island.

March 29  Bert Friesen, 91. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at the age of almost 18. He was stationed in Whitehorse, Yukon.

March 31  Thomas Crothers, 91. Enlisted in the RCNVR in July 1943 and served until 1945.

April 1  Jack Hodges, 95. Following the outbreak of the Second World War, (he) enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940 and served until the end of 1945.

April 2  Ray Dorey, 90. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at the young age of 17 during the Second World War.

April 3  Henry deDenus, 91. Henry was a proud Second World War veteran.

April 4  Cecil Durnin, 93. Was a proud veteran of the Second World War, a pilot who served in England and India.

April 4  Donald MacDonald, 95. He enlisted with the RCAF in the Second World War and served several tours over France and Germany with 409 and 406 Squadrons, flying the deHavilland Mosquito aircraft as a night fighter/intruder pilot. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and is credited with destroying three enemy aircraft and damaging another.

April 4  Harold Murray, 91. He served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, remaining in the RAF Reserves after the war.

April 5  Joe Leibl. In 1941 he joined the army where he remained for five years.

April 5  Lawrence Graham, 98. Voluntarily enlisted to serve in the Second World War with the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders from 1942 to 1945.

April 8  Stanley Combe, 90. He was a pilot in the North Atlantic.

April 11  William Woodford, 92. He served with PPCLI as a Corporal in Canada, Britain, Central Mediterranean and northwest Europe.

April 12  Jack Sinnott, 93. He served in England, France, Holland and Germany.

April 14  Gusti Jacobson, 93. He was proud of being a flying officer in the Second World War and being the first local to graduate from Gimli Flight School.

April 15  Peter McGregor, 95. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1940. He served as a flying officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

April 16  Henryk Wiktorowicz. He was a Polish Second World War veteran. When Amnesty was declared in June 1941 (Soviet Union joined the Allies against Germany) he joined the Polish Army and joined the Polish Second Corps in Egypt which was part of the Allied offensive in the Italian campaign. He took part in the final and successful attack by the Polish forces at Monte Cassino. As a member of the signal corps division, he consistently risked his life by transporting ammunitions to the front lines.

April 20  Beatrice Sucharov. She worked in coded communications in the Second World War.

April 21  Peter Stefanko, 92. He served his country with four years in the military as an anti-aircraft gunner.

April 23  Harry Cohen, 93. He served in Burma during the war.

April  Edmond Roy, 92. After graduating from high school in St. Pierre he enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942, and served as a bomber.

May 1  Ed Duffy, 93. He enlisted in the RCAF in 1942 and served overseas in the U.K.

May 1  Percy Hannesson, 93. He served four years in the RCAF.

May 5  Harry Hampson, 91. Joined the service of the RCAF in 1943 and proudly served to 1946.

May 6  Peter Sawatzky, 94. He enlisted in the army and served overseas in the Second World War.

May 7  Herbert Renz, 91. Born in a small German village he served in the military and was badly injured in the Second World War.

May 16  Alex Matheson, 91. He enlisted in 1943 and served in the armed forces for 33 years.

May 18  Joseph Stoyanowski, 95. He enlisted in the army and got his training as a mechanic in the RCEME Corps.

May 21  Fred Langan, 92. He proudly served our country as a Private with the PPCLI during the Second World War.

May 22  Mary Philipps, 95. She served as a nurse in the Navy (WRENS) during the Second World War.

May 22  Len Jorgenson, 96. He was a Second World War veteran with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

May 23  John Koniak, 94. He enlisted in the army, serving with the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders in World War II.

May 23  Ellery Post, 91. He was a Second World War veteran who joined the Navy at 17 in 1942 and served on Royal Canadian Navy ships, including the Destroyer HMCS Huron. He was part of a crew whose role included protecting convoys bringing supplies into Russia on the Murmansk run.

May 25  Bruce Cameron, 92. He enlisted in the RCAF in October 1943. Training as an Air Gunner in Quebec, he was released as a Sergeant in January 1945 due to a surplus of airmen projected for 1945.

May 26  Lloyd OMorrow, 92. He was a pilot and flight instructor in the RCAF in the Second World War.

May 28  Hazel Campbell, 92. Born and raised in England she joined the Womens Land Army and worked very hard on the farms as the men were sent to war.

May 29  Arthur James, 92. He served with distinction in the British Army, particularly in Burma during the Second World War, and rose to the rank of Warrant Officer.

June 2  John Kuryk, 91. He served in the army, stationed across Canada from the west coast to the east coast.

June 3  James Cartlidge, 90. When the war started he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force where he earned his Officers Commission.

June 3  Herb Jackson, 92. He left the U of M to join the RCAF for the Second World War.

June 5  Donald Evans, 91. Grew up in Yorkshire, England. During the Second World War he served in the RAF 83rd Squadron as a flight engineer on a Lancaster Bomber.

June 13  George Gershman, 93. He served in the air force during the Second World War.

June 13  Albert Jacobs, 90. He was a child soldier during the Second World War, having lied about his age to enlist and seek adventure.

June 13  Ole Anderson, 92. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy.

June 14  Grant Wade, 93. He enlisted in the RCAF in 1942 and was in active duty as a bomb aimer on an Avro Lancaster situated on an RAF base (Squadron 101) in Ludford Magna. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross upon his return.

June 14  Ted Tacium, 94. He was turned away from the Royal Canadian Air Force because of his youthful appearance. He managed to join the Canadian Army, Ontario regiment, in 1940, and after training at Camp Borden, was initially stationed in Brighton, England. As a member of a tank regiment, he landed in Sicily and moved along with the armed forces through Italy in 1944.

June 15  Paula Henry. During the Second World War, she served in the Women in the Air Force as a balloon barrage specialist and as an instrument mechanic supervisor for automatic pilot controls.

June 16  Jim McLennan, 92. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1941 and served in France, Holland and Germany until his discharge in 1946.

June 17  Bryce Badgley, 91. He enlisted with the Calgary Highlanders at age 19, taking his basic training in Shilo, Manitoba and was sent overseas in 1944, serving in England, Holland and Germany.

June 19  Thomas Owen, 94. Tom joined the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War where he flew in Lancaster bombers.

June 21  Frank Williams, 93. At the age of 17 he enlisted and spent the next five years in the Navy on a corvette in the North Atlantic escorting convoys from North America to Britain.

June 21  Al Heaton, 92. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and in 1944 shipped overseas where he served in England and Germany.

June 29  Arthur Hornby, 90. At age 18, the war interrupted his apprenticeship when he joined the RCNVR.

July 2  David Ferguson. He bravely served his country during the Second World War.

July 2  Ruth Norris, 95. She served her country in the Second World War in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1943 to 1946.

July 4  Paul Martin, 96. He enlisted in the army and became part of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. He landed on the beaches of Normandy and was decorated several times, retiring from the military with the rank of Captain.

July 5  Lyndy Best. He served as a navigator in the RCAF.

July 8  Glenn Adlard, 98. He served overseas during the Second World War in the RCAF in England and Europe as an aircraft mechanic.

July 8  Vern Watson, 92. He joined the armed forces in 1943 and served four years.

July 11  Bud McLean, 93. He joined the Lord Strathcona Horse (Royal Canadians) and served overseas with his regiment in Italy and northwest Europe. He received the Military Medal at Buckingham Palace from King George VI in 1945.

July 18  Matthew Kolosinski, 95. He worked the family farm until duty called him to serve in the Canadian Forces in 1942. He had a long career in the RCAF in aircraft maintenance.

July 20  John Saunders, 96. A veteran of the Second World War.

July 22  Ronald Johnson, 92. He joined the RCAF in 1943 and was stationed with 418 Edmonton Squadron in England, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

July 24  Nicholas Kushnier, 92. He enrolled in the Navy and was proud to serve his country in the Merchant Marines.

July 30  Fredrick Knight, 93. He was a Second World War veteran.

Aug. 3  William Smerchanski, 93. He served during the Second World War Home Guard stationed in Montreal.

Aug. 11  Harold Mack, 97. He served three years in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Aug. 12  Lionel Hutlet, 91. He was a Second World War veteran and was wounded in battle in Northern Germany after crossing the Rhine River.

Aug. 18  David Silver, 94. After graduating high school he joined the Canadian Air Force, serving as a pilot during the Second World War.

Aug. 22  Tom Cuddy, 94. He enlisted in the RCAF in 1941 at the age of 19 and was sent overseas where he worked with the team developing radar.

Aug. 25  Logie Johnson, 92. He joined the Navy, the Second World War, sailing the Atlantic Ocean in an escort vessel and a convoy known as the Murmansk Run, just south of the Arctic Circle.

Aug. 26  John Lunney, 90. He joined the army at age 17 and was stationed at Camp Shilo.

Sept. 3  Lawrence McAllister, 97. During the Second World War he served in the Royal Canadian Navy.

Sept. 4  Harold Fraser. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War on the HMCS Canso and participated in D-Day.

Sept. 5  Gordon McIntosh, 90. Joined the army in 1944 and proudly served with the Princess Patricia Light Infantry.

Sept. 5  Albert Drayson, 91. He joined the Winnipeg Rifles in 1943 and served in France, Germany and Holland. He was wounded in Belgium.

Sept. 6  Alfred Landry, 96. At the age of 21 he joined the Royal Canadian Army. He was a fully trained infantry soldier serving with the Hull regiment from Hull, Quebec.

Sept. 11  Czeslaw (Chester) Toposzkiewicz, 101. He joined the Polish army at age 20. He was interned in a Siberian labour camp and after his release served in the Polish army during the Second World War in Iran, Iraq, Palestine and Egypt. He fought in the Italian campaign including the battle of Monte Cassino. He immigrated to Canada after the war.

Sept. 13  Len Kropioski, 98. He enlisted in the army on Nov. 22, 1940, and was honourably discharged on Jan. 5, 1946. Leo served alongside the U.S. forces in the Aleutian Islands campaign between June 3, 1942, and Aug. 15, 1943.

Sept. 15  Walter Netzel, 100. He was a veteran of the Second World War.

Sept. 18  Miran Olynyk, 92. He proudly served his country in the Second World War, first joining his brothers in the Army in 1941, then transferring to the Navy from 1943 to 1945 on HMCS Agassiz in the Atlantic.

Sept. 19  John Innes, 94. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Dragoon Regiment and did his duty in Italy, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

Sept. 20  Paul Moulden, 91. He served as a gunner in the Canadian Artillery serving in Italy, France, Holland, and Germany, including the Army of Occupation.

Sept. 22  Jim OToole, 93. He enlisted at age 18 after graduating from high school. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force and flew Hurricanes and Spitfires, among other aircraft,. He was a pilot with 443 Squadron, Wing 127.

Sept. 22  Marcel Asselin, 96. He was a pilot in the RCAF and earned the rank of Flight Lieutenant. As an instructor, he helped many recruits earn their wings while stationed in Dauphin, Regina, Terrace, BC and England.

Sept. 22  Bill McGowan, 92. He served with the Fort Garry Horse, as a Captain of a small tank division, during the Second World War.

Sept. 23  Jim Gosselin, 95. He served in the Second World War.

Sept. 23  Herb Britton, 97. When the Second World War came his biggest fear was that he would not accepted into the army. However he was. Herb served with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps and the Lincoln and Welland regiment for nearly six years, fighting in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

Sept. 24  Bill Douglas, 96. He served in the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, was a POW and a proud veteran.

Sept. 25  Bill Sawchuk, 90. When the Second World War broke out he joined the Navy from 1941 to 1946.

Sept. 28  Thomas Sykes, 95. He was a pilot of a Mitchell aircraft in Bomber Command overseas.

Sept. 29  Michael Slater, 92. He joined the PPCLI in 1944 and then volunteered for the elite 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. He joined the battalion in England, where it had just returned following participation in the D-Day Airborne Operation. He then deployed with the battalion to take part in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and The Ardennes. He also took part in actions in the Netherlands and Germany.

Sept. 30  Ray Labossiere, 92. In 1943 he enlisted in the army where he spent eight months as a POW near Munich, Germany.

Sept. 30  John Keysers, 96. He enlisted in the Winnipeg Grenadiers, 2nd Battalion Armed Forces, from Jan. 1942 to Feb. 1945, serving in Canada and the North Pacific area.

Oct. 1  Joe Katchur, 92. He joined the Air Force serving in Canada.

Oct. 1  Fred Tully, 91. He joined the army in 1944 and served overseas until 1946.

Oct. 3  Jack Brown, 96. He served with the RCAF from 1942 to 1945 and was stationed at Brandon where he served as an AERO engine mechanic.

Oct. 5  Peter Pozerniuk, 92. He served in the air force.

Oct. 8  Ray Thurlbeck, 92. He served as a heavy duty tank instructor at Camp Borden.

Oct. 12  Tom Talarico, 96. He served in the RCAF.

Oct. 12  Frank Aldwinckle, 97. Served with the Royal Fusiliers (City of London regiment) from 1939 to 1945.

Oct. 14  Earl McMillan, 93. He joined the RCAF in 1942 and served as a pilot flying from India and the Cocos Islands.

Oct. 18  John Pelletier, 94. He joined the army on June 18, 1940.

Oct. 19  Frederick Farmery, 96. He served in the Air Force during the Second World War in reconnaissance.

Oct. 19  David Moors, 91. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1944 and was trained as a torpedoman.

Oct. 22  Ivan Dobson, 95. In 1941 he joined the RCAF and trained in Canada to obtain his Observers Wing. In 1942, he arrived in the United Kingdom where his training was completed and he performed operations with RAF 192 squadron. However, the crew was split up and his new crew was sent to the Middle East to 104 RAF squadron where he completed 39 missions as Squadron Bomber Leader.

Oct. 22  John Shachtay, 97. He joined the Army and served in the Second World War.

Oct. 24  Bill Belcher, 92. He joined the Air Force and served during the close of the Second World War.

Oct. 26  Jim Henderson, 94. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1941 to 1945.

Oct. 29  Gilbert Simpson, 91. He answered the call to serve, joining the Royal Navy in 1944 and serving on the HMSC Prince Rupert.

Oct. 29  Alvin Raetzen, 103. He joined the RAF in 1941 and was a flight navigator on many missions. In 1944 his plane was shot down and he was captured and imprisoned in a German POW camp for a year.

Oct. 31  Marshall Webber, 95. He was a member of the Highland Light Infantry and served in battle from mid-1944 through to the end of the war.

Oct. 31  Margaret Cooney, 91. She entered the army and proudly served her country until the war ended.

Nov. 6  George Steffenson, 94. As a young man he joined the army and performed duties such as messenger and truck driver while overseas during the Second World War.

Nov. 7  Samuel Fletcher, 90. He served in the Second World War and the Korean War.

Nov. 8  Alexander Smaluk, 95. An instructor with the RCAF in the Second World War.

Nov. 8  Bill Everett, 95. In 1939 he was accepted into Royal Military College in Kingston. In 1941 he joined the Canadian Navy and was assigned to the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, England, where he graduated as a Midshipman. He joined the war effort aboard the British battleship HMS King George V and was later transferred to the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious. In 1943 he was assigned to serve on the HMCS Saskatchewan escorting convoys to Murmansk and later served on the HMCS Kootenay. By the time he left the Navy he had achieved the rank of Lieutenant and had been mentioned in dispatches for distinguished service.

Nov. 10  George Nobiss, 92. At the age of 16 he joined the army with the Winnipeg Grenadiers and fought in the Second World War in the Battle of Hong Kong. He was wounded in battle, captured, becoming a prisoner of war for almost four years in the Japanese prison camps where conditions and treatment were unbelievable.

Nov. 10  Thomas Ogilvie. He was a Second World War RCAF veteran.

Nov. 13  Marty Weiten, 91. Proudly served in the Second World War in the RCAF.

Nov. 15  Ralph Nixon, 94. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served from 1942 to 1945.

Nov. 19  Isaak Doerksen, 94. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corp. in 1940.

Nov. 19  Hershey Braunstein, 94. He served in the Navy in the Second World War.

Nov. 28  Norman Faulkneer, 91. He was a returning army veteran from the Second World War.

Dec. 1  Bill McElrea, 97. He trained as a pilot during the war but was grounded by a heart murmur after which he was stationed at Stevenson Airport as an electrician.

Dec. 2  Arkie Wilton, 95. He served as a Flight Engineer in the Second World War.

Dec. 2  Ora Hlady, 92. She served in World War II with the Air Womens Army Corps.

Dec. 3  Palmer Solvason, 98. He served in Halifax for the Canadian Army as a mechanic.

Dec. 9  Jack Kemp, 91. When he turned 18 he enlisted in the air force and was a radio operator during the war based in Winnipeg, Toronto, and then Vancouver.

Dec. 10  Dick Wright, 90. On his 17th birthday he joined the army and was assigned to the Infantry Corp. in the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. He was sent to Suffield, Alberta, where he was a test subject for gas experiments and war research for three months.

Dec. 13  Kitty Schaedlich, 95. She enlisted in the British Army.

Dec. 18  Charles DeGagne, 90. He enlisted in the Army in 1945.

Dec. 18  Charlie Whitehead, 93. He enlisted in the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic stationed in Claresholm, Alberta.

Dec. 20  Jim McNaughton, 94. He was in the RCAF and was the only survivor in a Lancaster Bomber that was shot down over France.

Dec. 22  John Kosie, 93. He enlisted into the Army on June 13, 1941.

Dec. 23  Irene Brownridge, 89. She volunteered to serve as a WREN and spent many of the War years in and around London, England.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Claude Gagnon (from left), Nicole Fanshaw, Al Mills and Gordon Machej with the fundraising calendar for the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 215.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 31/12/2016 (2134 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRANDON  At eight months pregnant, an expectant mother is filled with nervous anticipation as she prepares to welcome her child into the world.

For Wesene Wegaso, that excitement quickly turned to heartbreak when she was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.

Plans for a joyous maternity leave turned to a chemotherapy treatment schedule, and Wegaso was faced with agonizing questions: Am I going to see him growing up, or am I going to die?

Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun Wesene Wagaso and her son David in the living room of their home in Brandon. Wagaso is fighting cancer with no benefits while raising her young son as her husband works two jobs and attends school to better their lives.

Wegaso, 38, went into labour about a month early. She and her husband, Mulugeta Atomissa-Negaro, welcomed their son David in February, and he was sent to the Childrens Hospital in Winnipeg for a few weeks after birth.

The trauma of the devastating diagnosis, combined with the premature birth and time away from home, led to Wegaso missing the deadline to apply for her Blue Cross maternity benefits by two days, and she was denied.

This was another blow for the family, as they were financially prepared to care for a baby but not for the added expenses cancer brings.

It was only two days, Wegaso said with tears in her eyes. I need it the most, and I paid for it for six years. I thought they might cover something for me, for sure. But they didnt accept my cheque.

Wegaso has been living and working in Brandon as a health-care aide with Prairie Mountain Health since 2008.

When Wegaso was about 13 years old, she and her family were sponsored by a relative and were able to leave Ethiopia to start a new life in Canada.

My mom was a single mom, she had eight kids, and she didnt have enough income, she said.

Prior to moving to Brandon, Wegaso had been living in Winnipeg for a number of years. She was planning to go to Calgary to find work, but her sister suggested she put in an application in Brandon.

After three or four days I got called for interview. I was so excited. I was dressing like a million dollars, I was so happy.

Wegaso spoke about one of her happiest memories  when she married her husband in Ethiopia in 2012. It was a combined wedding day for the couple, along with Wegasos sister and her fiance, something she jokingly said she wouldnt recommend.

You have to share all of it, she said with a laugh.

Atomissa-Negaro was able to join Wegaso in Brandon two years after their wedding, in 2014.

The young couple didnt have the funds for a honeymoon, but they were excited for the life they were building together.

I wanted a house, I wanted kids, I wanted everything, Wegaso said.

Life had been falling into place for the couple. They bought a home in Brandon and were thrilled to be expecting their first baby. But as the months went by, Wegaso noticed something was off  instead of gaining weight, she was losing it. At a regular checkup she asked to have her breast looked at, as she noticed it was feeling tender. She had just chalked it up to pregnancy-related changes. After a few tests, she heard the devastating news: it was cancer.

When I heard that, I was just shocked. I couldnt say anything for almost 20 minutes, Wegaso said. I was thinking its a happy time for me and then its the other way.

I really feel for her, shes a new mom that may or may not see her child grow up They come to this country for a better life, and life is not fair

Westman Dreams for Kids heard about Wegasos story after a referral from a friend. The organization provided funding to help the family while David was in hospital in Winnipeg, as well as some home care through Daughter On Call.

Gail Freeman-Campbell, CEO and owner of Daughter On Call, was introduced to the family in August. She now goes above and beyond what the funding provides for, often volunteering her time.

I really feel for her, shes a new mom that may or may not see her child grow up, Freeman-Campbell said. Theyre the most grateful, thankful people ever. They come to this country for a better life, and life is not fair.

The bond between Freeman-Campbell and Wegaso is evident. What brings them even closer is the fact Freeman-Campbell went through breast cancer treatment recently as well.

Shes my family, Wegaso said, reaching for Freeman-Campbells hand across the kitchen table. She said, We can go through this, and well be together. Im sure nobody understands me better than her She gave me anything she has. Its just amazing to have a person like that.

The family continues to deal with mounting financial strain. Wegaso receives her modest employment insurance benefit, and Atomissa-Negaro works two jobs and is also going to nursing school. As a result, they dont see each other very often.

Atomissa-Negaro said his heart is broken, but he stays strong thanks to the supportive community.

I dont know how to pay (back) these people, to be honest, he said. Sometimes, communities teach you in ways you never expected Thanks to God, Im not alone.

Sadly, Wegasos cancer has spread to her bones and kidney.

Through all the tribulations of the past year, Wegaso still tries to stay positive. She is grateful for the support she has received and is thrilled to watch her baby grow and thrive.

Seeing him growing is the happiest days. I forgot sometimes what I have when I play with him, she said. Im a lucky person to live until now, I wasnt thinking Im going to survive.

Freeman-Campbell has set up a trust fund for the family at Sunrise Credit Union under the name Wesene and family. Donations can be made at any Sunrise Credit Union branch.

jaustin@brandonsun.com
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An educator whos helped lower the dropout rate, an arctic sea ice expert and an iconic comedian are among the Order of Canada recipients from Winnipeg.

The names of 100 new appointments to the Order of Canada, Canadas highest honour, were announced Friday.

Those from Manitoba include educator, activist and volunteer Strinivasan (Strini) Reddy, environmental scientist and arctic sea ice expert David Barber, former head of Manitoba Hydro Leonard Bateman, health research centre developer Dr. John Foerster, clinical child psychologist Dr. Rayleen V. De Luca and comedian David Steinberg, who now lives in California.

I was surprised, said Reddy, who came to Canada in 1971 after overcoming racial discrimination to become an educator in his native South Africa.

In Winnipeg, he co-founded a summer learning program to help children in poor neighbourhoods catch up academically to their economically advantaged counterparts. Named by the students themselves, the Community School Investigators program started in 2005 at two schools with 60 children. The program has grown extensively, helping more than 1,000 students at 14 schools. Reddy has worked as a teacher, principal, consultant, university lecturer and chief superintendent, and a volunteer. At age 78, hes still volunteering with Newcomer Youth Education Support Services in Winnipegs inner city.

In 2000, Reddy was among the first Manitobans to be invested in the Order of Manitoba, the highest honour the province can bestow on one of its citizens. Hes also been recognized by Gov. Gen. David Johnston with a Caring Canadian Award which recognizes those who volunteer their time to help others, building a smarter and more caring nation.

The champion of education opportunities for youth said Friday that he was kind of ambivalent about being made a member of the Order of Canada. Older people who serve their countries dont need honours and accolades, Reddy said.

Give them to the young people to encourage them, Reddy said. Well do this stuff anyway  its a habit.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Strini Reddy (centre) is surrounded by Lord Selkirk Summer Learning program students.

Barber is the lead scientist for the $32 million Marine Observatory project in Churchill to study arctic oil spills. The observatory will study the potentially profound environmental effects of industrializing the Arctic. About 20 scientists will live and work in Churchill to develop ways to detect oil in ice-covered waters, study the impact of oil on the northern ecosystem and come up with new technology to clean it up, in the event of a real spill. Barber is the University of Manitoba professor is the Canada Research Chair in Arctic systems science.

Bateman, an engineer and former head of Manitoba Hydro, was honoured for his contributions to advancing the development and distribution of hydroelectric power  of getting electricity from hydroelectric plants in northern Manitoba to load centres in southern Manitoba using high-voltage, D.C. transmission lines. When these lines became operational in 1972, then known as the Nelson River Bipole system, they were the longest and highest-voltage direct current lines in the world. Bateman was also responsible for the first interconnection negotiations with American utilities beginning in 1967-1968. Today, these connections allow Manitoba Hydro to export hundreds of millions of dollars in renewable energy annually, and import energy during times of drought or interruptions to the transmission system from northern Manitoba

KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Dr. David Barber

Foerster, was named to the Order of Canada for his contributions to health care administration, notably for developing a renowned teaching hospital and health research centre in Manitoba. In May he was inducted into the St. Boniface Hospital Research Hall of Fame. The Manitoba medical pioneer also earned the St. Boniface Hospital Foundations International Award and a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Manitoba  both in 2006. Foerster respected for his work in hematology (diseases of the blood) and oncology (the treatment and study of cancer), and for his administrative leadership and ability to attract funding and leading research personnel.

JODY MOROZ / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Dr. John Foerster.

One of Winnipegs most famous showbiz exports, Steinberg has been a standup comedian, an actor, a talk-show guest and host, a writer, a director and a producer. In the 1960s, his quick wit and willingness to challenge religious conventions and uncomfortable political truths made him one of the most controversial comedians of his generation.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

DAN STEINBERG / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES David Steinberg.
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Brian Pallister spent the holidays soaking up the sun in his Costa Rica vacation home, but hes been preparing for a big storm at the legislature when he gets back.

The premier has been warning Manitobans about the provinces dire fiscal situation since he was elected April 19, and in a year-end interview with the Free Press, the clouds were as dark as ever.

This is not happy days, lets not be naive here  we have a serious, serious challenge here; we have to fix our fundamentals, he said. Something has to give.

Photos by WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Premier Brian Pallisters gloom in describing the provinces financial situation has not brightened in his year-end interview.

He outlined the crisis: his government inherited a financial mess, the provinces credit rating has been downgraded twice, and the Tories are now staring down the barrel of a summary deficit forecast to exceed $1 billion for the fiscal year.

We cant fail to recognize there is a problem two credit downgrades in 18 months, a warning of a third. Were sending a hospital and a school to Toronto every year for the money lenders from now on because of those downgrades, Pallister said of the increasing borrowing costs Manitoba is paying each year.

In the coming months, decisions on capital spending, grant programs and other promises made by the Greg Selingers defeated NDP government will have to be made. A budget that clears the path for a promised reduction in the provincial sales tax by the end of his first term will have to tabled. A battle with union leaders over public-sector wages will be fought.

But Pallister vows he will do his best to protect front-line workers, make Manitoba the most improved province and fight alongside Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen for a better health-care funding deal from Ottawa.

The Progressive Conservatives made it clear earlier this year they arent afraid to stand up to the federal Liberals when Finance Minister Cameron Friesen refused to sign on to Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus Canada Pension Plan reforms until they listened to Manitobas proposed reforms.

Pallister doubled down on his governments defiance earlier this month when he didnt put his signature on Trudeaus national climate change plan.

Pallister said it came down to leverage; he had to use whatever tools he had to persuade the PM to call a first ministers meeting on health-care funding. The 3.5 per cent annual federal transfer offered to the provinces is not enough, he said.

It is the No. 1 priority of not only Manitobans, but Canadians, he said. What is on the table is frankly just not acceptable.

The new year will also bring the much-anticipated arrival of Pallisters value-for-money audit, along with a KPMG review to identify opportunities to eliminate waste and inefficiency in the health-care system. The province has also appointed four doctors to lead a task force targeting worsening wait times for diagnostic imaging, hip, knee and cataract surgery and emergency room care. The audit and review are expected to set the course for the upcoming budget and influence delayed spending decisions.

In the next year, the people running provincially funded grant programs such as Community Places and Neighbourhoods Alive! will find out whether they still exist; the programs cost the province almost $9 million annually. The Winnipeg Art Gallery will learn whether it can expect the $15 million promised by the NDP for its Inuit Art Centre. Past pledges for new daycare centres also hang in the balance, along with myriad other NDP-funded interests.

Then there is the anticipated battle with public-sector unions over a possible demand for wage freeze in upcoming contract negotiations. Finance Minister Cameron Friesen will face off with union leaders in a meeting in his office Thursday.

Pallister said neither he nor Friesen has uttered the words zero or freeze when discussing public-sector wages. But neither have they done much to allay concerns or correct suggestions thats where his government and public-sector workers are heading, including the possibility of opening up existing contracts.

Theres been lots of conjecture and I think the first order of business is to get together (with the unions), he said. I have committed to getting everyone to the table, where everything can be on the table.

Pallister admonished CUPE president Kelly Moist for issuing a news release after the November throne speech criticizing Pallisters calls for austerity, including the statement that, There is no budget crisis.

Crisis, what crisis? There is no problem? Cmon, get serious, Pallister said, mocking the news release.

Pallister said every attempt will be made to avoid layoffs of front-line workers, noting his government has attempted to set the tone by reducing cabinet from 18 to 12 ministers, cutting political staff by 30 per cent and eliminating 112 management jobs through retirement or layoffs.

We have had a half-year to indicate our belief that you trim at the top of an organization, he said. That is exactly where we started, with roughly 30 per cent shrinkage in our departments and personnel. That tone at the top matters. That is the indication of your belief and your sincerity.

Pallister has been warning Manitobans for some time Ottawa would come up well short of meeting the provinces health-care funding requirements and since forming the government has repeatedly told the NDP he cant afford to continue its promised spending spree, including demands to raise the minimum wage.

Yet hes far less supportive of the federal governments moves to cut spending.

Pallister said when Jean Chretien cut transfers to the provinces two decades ago  the last time a Liberal government did so  the reductions were dramatic, the impact was real, the damage was long-lasting.

Pallister said he plans to return to Costa Rica in January but doesnt anticipate heading south again in the first half of the year.

We have some major catching up to do, he said. These cost consequences are real, and protecting people is the first responsibility of government, right?

Repairing our services has been my top priority for the first half-year, but we have to move on fixing our finances if we want to sustain the kinds of investments we need to make in capital, education and health care.

kristin.annable@freepress.mb.ca

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca
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West End get-together

The West End Cultural Centre hosted its annual holiday dinner and concert on Dec. 22, 2016. More than 110 west-central area residents enjoyed a full turkey dinner with all the fixings, live music by local performers Double the Trouble and J.D. and the Sunshine Band and a visit from Santa, who brought gifts for kids in attendance. Dinner was prepared by the First Jobs For Youth program, through the Spence Neighbourhood Association, and served by more than 40 volunteers. Turkeys were donated by Vita Health Fresh Market, Shannons Irish Pub and Eatery and individual donors. Vegetables were provided by Jonathans Farm and the rest of the food was donated by FoodFare and Safeway. Gifts for the kids were donated by Indigo, Chapters and Coles, Fernwood Publishing and individual donors. To find out more about the WECC, which is located at 586 Ellice Ave., visit wecc.ca.

Got a local soiree the Free Press might attend? Email socialpage@freepress.mb.ca.

Photos by Jason Halstead / Winnipeg Free Press

JASON HALSTEAD / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Ryan Ross, 5, joins J.D. and the Sunshine Band musicians, from left, Ana Scott, Kirby Boucher and Shelley Marshall at the West End Cultural Centres annual holiday dinner and concert on Dec. 22, 2016. (See Social Page)

West End Cultural Centre volunteers Barb Remnant (right) and Debbie Hurrell serve dinner.

From left: Darnell Cook, 3, his brother Marshall Cook, 2, and their cousin Rosalie Mitchell, 10, visit Santa Claus.

Tommy Hastings, 6, visits Santa.

Emcee Ify Chiwetelu, host of Now or Never on CBC Radio One, gets a little help on stage from Gillian Coulter, 9, (left) and Ilsa Buchholz, 7.

Bradley Ross, 3, and her brother Ryan Ross, 5, join J.D. and the Sunshine Band musicians, from left: Ana Scott, Tom Fodey and Kirby Boucher.
Opinion

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In 2016, Manitobans witnessed one of the rarest of phenomena: a change in provincial government.

There have been just four such changes  and only five premiers  in the last 40 years.

This is a province that embraces the notion of political stability with fervour, so this was big news.

John Woods / The Canadian Press files Brian Pallister hugs his daughters at the Progressive Conservative victory party on election night in April. The landslide victory by the Tories completely changed the balance of power among the provinces major political parties.

Not surprisingly, Free Press readers identified Aprils general election, in which Brian Pallister and his Tories put an end to 17 years of NDP rule, as the Local Story of the Year.

It was not just a rare occasion; the spring election represented seismic change in Manitobas political landscape. It was a watershed event that led to a wholesale change in the power balance among the political parties.

The carnage is not hard to spot, even now, eight months on. Both opposition parties have been left leaderless and, for the most part, rudderless as well. The Tories, meanwhile, are struggling to relearn the fine art of governing with a caucus and cabinet almost completely bereft of experience on the government side of the legislature.

In retrospect, it certainly seems now that the result was little more than a foregone conclusion. The NDP was trailing significantly in pre-election polls. Then-premier Greg Selinger was badly wounded in December 2014 when five cabinet ministers demanded his resignation. That civil war culminated in an extraordinary leadership convention in which Selinger managed to win his job back, but at tremendous cost to party fortunes in the looming election campaign.

The NDP government had also been hounded by an anemic economy and a string of deficit-ridden budgets. Nothing the NDP tried seemed to work, including a reasonably tight rein on expenditures and a one-point hike in the provincial sales tax to provide new revenue to fund infrastructure and prime the economy. Those efforts were eclipsed by low GDP growth and continuing poor outcomes in health and education. It all added up to the NDP entering the spring campaign as the very image of a government that had lost its capacity to govern.

The NDP travails were exciting news for the Tories. And yet, in the nervous days of the pre-election period, many hard-core Progressive Conservatives began to wonder aloud: how could any PC leader lose? That put great expectations, and tremendous pressure, on Pallister to take advantage of what appeared to be an electoral sure thing.

If there was any intrigue during the campaign itself, it was found in Pallisters well-earned reputation as a loose cannon with a tenuous grasp of facts. That, and the fact his greatest advantage going into the campaign was not his own brand, but the shattered brands of his principal opponents. Oddly, his popularity among voters lagged well behind his partys, creating a source of anxiety for loyal Tories.

With Selinger clinging desperately to hope of some sort of miracle result, attention began to shift to the Manitoba Liberals and their youthful leader, Rana Bokhari. The Liberals had been relegated to the status of afterthought in provincial politics under former leader Jon Gerrard. Bokhari had no experience in politics but enjoyed a pre-election surge in support nonetheless, much of it because of the revival of the federal Liberals under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

This created an opening for the Grits not unlike the 1988 election in which then-leader Sharon Carstairs stole the hearts and support of voters to rocket from one seat to 20 and official Opposition status. Carstairs was the first woman to lead the official Opposition in any Canadian provincial legislature.

Liberals certainly saw the 2016 electoral universe aligning much in the same way it did in 1988: an NDP government with a damaged brand facing off against a PC party with a leader struggling with low personal approval ratings.

It was not to be. Bokhari quickly proved she did not have the stuff to make a serious appeal to voters. Her campaign was underfunded and stretched too thin, her campaign announcements frequently indecipherable and her performance in debates underwhelming. Small-scale scandals, including a series of gaffes by candidates of questionable integrity, undermined Bokharis credibility.

The Grits won three seats, up from just one before the vote, but Bokhari failed to win her own seat. She resigned a few weeks later, having become a what-if postscript to an election that started with such promise.

Where do we go from here? If history has taught Manitobans anything, it is elections like the one we had this year will cast a long shadow over future political events.

The NDP, official Opposition by title but barely functioning, will need years to repair the wounds from the battle over Selingers leadership and restore the party to any sort of competitive status. The NDP will not choose its next leader until the fall. Unless a new and dynamic candidate comes forward  one with no connection to the dysfunction and infighting that dominated Selingers last 15 months in office  this is a party that will spend a very long time in opposition.

A similar challenge awaits the Liberals who, given the NDPs troubles, have an opportunity to do great things in the upcoming year. That is, if a leader with solid retail political skills and a deeper grasp of the issues steps forward.

All this means the Tories will govern nearly unopposed for the next year. That could be a fruitful time, allowing the Pallister government to hone its message and get a grasp on finances.

However, the PCs will need to be cautious. A muddled message and clumsy management  hallmarks of the first eight months of Tory government  will not only hamper Pallisters ability to achieve his fiscal goals, it will also breathe new life into two moribund opposition parties.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
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Fleeing from Syria, the last thing you would think of grabbing would be a baby stroller  even if you had one.

But now, safe in Canada, two-year-old Arij Alanis, and her five-month-old brother, Mosatfa, born since their family arrived in Winnipeg almost a year ago, have a double stroller to be pushed in by their parents.

The stroller, and another single one used by another family that left Syria, the Khalifa family, are in their hands thanks to a grant from the Winnipeg Foundations Welcome Fund for Syrian Refugees to the Canadian Muslim Womens Institute.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - Wasel Alanis, his wife Gousoun Hamoud and ther daughter Arij 2yrs, and son Mosatfa 5 months, pose with the family's new stroller. Kevin ROllason story. - December 23, 2016

While Mosatfa sat in the strollers front seat and smiled and looked eyes wide at a Free Press reporter and photographer, and Arij sat in the rear seat mostly bored or shy about all the attention, parents Wasel Alanis and Gousoun Hamoud explained how something as simple as a stroller had made their new life in Winnipeg easier.

It is much easier to get around with two young kids, Wasel said through a translator.

It is so comfortable for them. I cant carry the kids and buy anything if I have to carry them.

The parents say there are times they even use the stroller to carry groceries home.

It is like a car  it is so useful. We dont have a vehicle and, because of the stroller, we dont have to carry them.

Neither of the families had strollers in Syria.

The streets were so bad there we couldnt get around with a stroller, Wasel said.

Farouk Khalifa agreed, saying it is easy to get his child around Winnipeg with it because the bus comes down. You get on the bus with the stroller and you go.

In Syria, drivers dont allow strollers on buses.

The Welcome Fund, an initiative of Community Foundations of Canada, of which the Winnipeg Foundation is a member, received its first donation from Manulife and then CN Rail, followed by General Motors and other community organizations. The Winnipeg Foundation received $500,000 from it.

Last month, at a meeting of Syrian refugees to hand out welcome kits, Megan Tate, the Winnipeg Foundations director of community grants, welcomed the people to the city.

As you know, Winnipeg can be cold, but I hope our chilly climate is more than made up for by the warmth of the people, Tate said.

Making a home in a brand-new city and country can be daunting  we hope these kits can help ease the transition.

More than 900 refugees from Syria have come to Winnipeg in less than a year.

So far, besides the grant to the Canadian Muslim Womens Institute, which funded the two strollers, other Welcome Fund grants have included $80,000 to the Societe Franco-Manitobaine for welcome kits and cultural-awareness programming, $150,000 to the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council for welcome household packages and $75,000 to the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba for directors of programming at its two locations.

Yasmin Ali of the Canadian Muslim Womens Institute said they received $475 from the fund, $375 of which went to buy the two strollers and $100 of which went to buy food for its Halal Food Bank.

There is a great demand for strollers, Ali said.

They come here with their suitcases, and that was about it. It makes these families mobile. They can get a kid in the stroller, and they can move around. It makes a big difference for them. This grant has been helpful from the Winnipeg Foundation.

Rita Chahal, executive director of the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council, which runs Welcome Place, said the grant they received allows them to provide household kits until the end of 2017.

Chahal said the kits receive what a family would need to get by on the first night in their new residence, including a couple of fry pans, kitchen utensils, bed linen, and towels.

They come with nothing, she said.

They cant bring anything other than clothes. This kit is the start of their lives here. It is a very basic package, but it is essential.

It makes them feel welcome.

Chahal said about 200 families have received the kits since they began arriving earlier this year.

The emotional price of it is important, she said.

Were very grateful to the Winnipeg Foundation. It is a huge help for these families.

Rick Frost, the Winnipeg Foundations CEO, said hes pleased the strollers have helped.

If you have a couple of small kids, it makes a difference, he said.

Its hard to believe this all began happening a year ago. We are proud to be part of this community initiative. It helped people get started out in the community. When you first come to a community, you need help. You need things to get you started.

It really does start with towels and baby strollers. They are basic needs.

Both Wasel and Khalifa say when their families no longer need the strollers they received, they will be passing them on to other families from Syria who need one.

A lot of Syrians see the stroller and they ask me about it, Khalifa said.

Were so thankful.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

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OTTAWA  When the New Year came around last January, the feel-good spirit that propelled Justin Trudeau into the prime ministers office remained in full force. But as any government finds once the reality of governing sets in, the rain clouds are impossible to keep away forever.

Amid the fray of Canadian politics in 2016, there were a few notable issues  and there are some that are sure to be notable in 2017.

ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIAN PRESS The Peace Tower is seen through the main gate on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Phoenix pay system

With almost 300,000 employees, the federal government is the single largest employer in the country. In February, it went live with a new computer system to pay those employees. It was supposed to save the government $70 million a year, in large part by laying off 700 pay clerks deemed unnecessary under the new system.

It has been a disaster.

More than a quarter of the people on the payroll were not paid properly and some werent paid at all for months. Ottawa has now spent more than $50 million trying to fix it, and as of early December, there were still 10,000 employees not being properly paid.

The system was bought and initiated by the former government, and inherited by the Liberals when they took office. They can try to place most of the blame on the Conservatives  and they have. However, it was the Liberals who had a choice to slow everything down when warned it wasnt ready. They chose not to listen.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Deputy Minister of Public Works and Government Services Marie Lemay listens to a question during a technical briefing on the Phoenix pay system on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016 in Ottawa.

Syrian refugees

Since Nov. 4, 2015, more than 37,000 Syrian refugees have arrived in Canada to start a new life. In an era when much of the world is throwing up roadblocks to refugees, xenophobia is rampant and fear is winning out over generosity, Canada has been held up, both here and abroad, as a standout on the refugee front.

How they are now settling in is the current issue, with almost two-thirds not speaking either English or French and many reporting long waits to get into language training. Only about half the adults (about 9,000 people) have found work thus far, and with the first year over, that is a crucial problem. Whether sponsored privately or by government, refugees have only one year of support after arrival. Those still without work will now become the responsibility of provincial income-assistance programs.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS More than 37,000 Syrian refugees have arrived in Canada since Nov 2015.

Assisted dying

On June 17, Canada became one of a handful of countries around the world where it is legal for medical professionals to provide assistance to a person who has requested help to end their life.

Responding to a Supreme Court decision from 2015 that overturned a previous decision barring assisted suicide, the government introduced and passed legislation in just three months last spring. Forced to fast-track it by the looming legal uncertainty that may have come had the Supreme Court ruling taken effect (the high court initially gave one year, and then extended that by four months until its decision became law) without government legislation and regulation, the bill may face more court challenges from those who feel it did not go far enough.

In the first four months after it was legal, about 200 Canadians legally received help to end their lives. That includes about 12 in Manitoba. However, we dont know much about them or anything at all about who is asking for help to die but is being turned away. The government has until next June to introduce regulations to govern the collection of data on how the law is being used.

CP The Supreme Court of Canada building is pictured, in Ottawa, on October 15, 2014.

Democratic reform

The Liberals promised that if they were elected, the 2015 election would be the last using the first-past-the-post electoral system, in place since Confederation. The government launched a $10-million consultation process, assigned MPs to hold town halls to talk to people, established a House of Commons committee to study it and developed a much-mocked online survey, all with a view toward figuring out what kind of system Canadians would like to use to elect their federal government.

Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef, a rookie MP and the youngest member of cabinet, has been drowning in the file, which seems to have been an example of a poorly thought out campaign promise. Now it seems the Liberals enthusiasm has waned, given they are in power and changing the system could upend that apple cart. Legislation was initially promised for spring 2017, but at this point it is very unlikely to be seen then, if ever.

Four things to look for in Canadian politics in 2017

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand Minister for Democratic Institutions Maryam Monsef talks with reporters after Question Period in Ottawa, Thursday, December 1, 2016.

Leadership races

Both the Conservatives and the New Democrats will choose new leaders this year.

The Conservative race, with 14 candidates at present, is the first on deck, with the winner to be chosen at the end of May. Nominations dont close until Feb. 24, meaning there may yet be new additions to the field. Its widely expected several of the current crop will drop out before then as fundraising proves difficult.

The NDP, who will choose their new leader next fall, so far only have one actual candidate in the race. Longtime MP Charlie Angus quit his critic role recently to pursue the position. Manitoba MP Niki Ashton, who finished last in the 2012 leadership contest, has been kicking the tires for months but hasnt officially made a decision. There is a lot of hope behind Ontario MPP Jagmeet Singh to jump in. But the enthusiasm to lead the NDP in 2017 is a far cry from that of 2012, when it was coming off its best electoral showing in history and believed it was the government in waiting.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan Participants prepare for the start of the Conservative leadership candidates' bilingual debate in Moncton, N.B. on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Conservatives vote for a new party leader on May 27, 2017.

Trump impact

On January 20, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. His style of politics has many around the globe on edge, wondering exactly how a Trump presidency might affect everything from global markets to international conflicts.

For Canada, the influence of the government of our only neighbour and largest trading partner cannot be underestimated. It seems clear the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal will die a quick death under Trump. He has also promised to tear up the North American Free Trade Agreement, and in a measure of conciliation after Trumps election win, Trudeau already promised to open it up to renegotiation.

With the two countries already at odds over softwood lumber, trade relations between Canada and the U.S. could turn decidedly frosty as Trump-era U.S. protectionism ramps up.

AP Photo / Evan Vucci President-elect Donald Trump listens to a question as he speaks to reporters at Mar-a-Lago, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, in Palm Beach, Fla.

Pot

The federal government has promised to introduce legislation that will legalize marijuana sometime in the spring. Its task force just publicly reported its findings and recommendations to government.

By next years end, its possible Canadians will be able to buy and smoke weed legally everywhere in the country. Exactly where they can buy it, and how much money the governments will make off it, are among the big questions to be answered next year.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Census

Canadians are clearly a bunch of data nerds. When the former government eliminated the long-form census, the outcry was strong. When the Liberals brought it back, Canadians were falling over each other hoping to be selected to fill it out.

Statistics Canada said 96 per cent of those who were selected did, in fact, fill it out, the best response rate the agency has had for the long-form census.

The results of the census will begin to trickle out in 2017, with population counts coming first in early February.

The lack of good data about Canadians in 2011, without the long-form census, was criticized by businesses and social agencies alike. They should be far happier as the new information now becomes available, allowing businesses, governments and community groups to better understand the needs and situations of the people they serve.

Mia Rabson is the Free Press parliamentary bureau chief.

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @mrabson
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This article was published 31/12/2016 (2134 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As the saying goes, hes a cheeky monkey.

Poncha, a white-faced Capuchin, is flitting between my wife and I and our 14-year-old daughter, wrapping his tail around our necks as he perches on our shoulders and stares longingly into our eyes.

Norwegian Cruise Lines At 19 decks high, the Norwegian Getaway is big enough to house 4,400 passengers and every possible diversion from pools, waterslides, climbing wall, an aerial ropes course and cigar lounge to numerous restaurants and bars, including an ice bar, theatre shows and comedy acts.

Of course, its all an act to be rewarded with peanuts and sunflower seeds, the little monkeys favourite edibles.

Capuchins are the most intelligent monkeys, says our guide Ryan Washington. These guys are wild, but they love to come out of the jungle for some treats and to be charming with humans.

Were also warned beforehand to take off all hats and sunglasses. Its a sport amongst these primates to steal headwear and shades and spirit them high into trees, where they model them as a taunt to their human victims.

Its a case of monkey see, monkey do, Washington says with a laugh.

My wife barely escaped having her Tiffany sunglasses becoming monkey fashion by not zipping up her purse fast enough.

Photos by Steve MacNaull / Winnipeg Free Press Barney the Great Military Macaw at Gumbalimba Preserve.

Yes, secure all bags because these fellas like nothing better than rifling through your stuff for additional food and anything shiny.

Were taking part in this monkey business as part of the Gumbalimba Preserve and Tabyana Beach excursion from the Norwegian Getaway cruise ship.

Were on Roatan, the biggest of Honduras eight Caribbean islands, where the monkeys inhabit a protected park covering both land and water.

The Getaway docked in nearby Coxen Hole, named after John Coxen, the gentleman England sent out to the colony to be governor from 1687-97. Instead, Coxen adopted the pirate life and had run ins with the likes of Blackbeard and Henry Morgan.

The day ashore on Roatan also includes an afternoon at the islands most famous and busiest beach, Tabyana. Were content to lounge, soak up the vibe and paddle in the shallows until Cory Bennett comes along. Master snorkel guide reads the hand lettering scrawled on his life vest with magic marker.

Photos by Steve MacNaull / Winnipeg Free Press Snorkelling guide Cory Bennett (centre) attacts fish with breadcrumbs over the coral reef at Tabyana Beach.

Were hesitant at first, but he convinces us to rent snorkelling gear and let him lead us to the barrier reef 100 metres offshore. The water is crystal clear, the corral abundant and the fish plentiful from grouper, snapper and angels to parrotfish, sergeant majors and blue tangs.

Bennett brought a cup of breadcrumbs with him to sprinkle intermittently to attract eye-popping colourful swarms of fish. It counts as one of the highlights of our seven-day Western Caribbean cruise on the Norwegian Getaway. The other is the stop at Norwegians new exclusive port island called Harvest Caye off the coast of the Central American nation of Belize.

The cruise line has developed the paradise with vast stretches of white-sand beach, a massive pool with swim-up bar, four restaurants, five bars and activities ranging from parasailing and ziplining to speed boating and stand-up paddle boarding.

The cruise will also stop at Costa Maya in Mexico so we can hang out at the old-school beach town of Mamahaul and Cozumel, also in Mexico, for more beach time and the best nacho chips and salsa.

The Norwegian Getaway itself is also a destination.

Supplied Steve MacNaull walks the plank 18 decks above the ocean on the Norwegian Getaway cruise ship.

At 19 decks high, the ship is big enough to house 4,400 passengers and every possible diversion from pools, waterslides, climbing wall, an aerial ropes course and cigar lounge to numerous restaurants and bars, including an ice bar, theatre shows and comedy acts.

We jumpstarted our vacation by arriving a day early for the cruise and overnighting in Miami. We stayed in the citys most famous neighbourhood, South Beach, where the party alternates from the stretches of sand and ocean on one side of the street to the bars, restaurants and Art Deco hotels on the other.

We stayed at The Besty, the top-rated grand dame of Art Deco hotels for easy access to the beach and the Ocean Drive scene.

Steve MacNaull is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association.
FALL RIVEREugene R. Gene Dykstra, 82, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, at the Columbus Community Hospital in Columbus.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 5, at the Columbus United Methodist Church, Columbus. The Rev. Kimberly Brumm will officiate. Interment will be in the Fall River Cemetery with full military honors by the John C. Brossard VFW Post 2219. Memorials may be directed to the Fall River Fire Department. A complete obituary is pending.
The Arizona Court of Appeals has upheld a ruling in favor of Mayor Coral Evans in a libel lawsuit that was filed against her by a developers spokesperson. The victory, which turned on a procedural motion and not the substance of the complaint, cost the city $46,393 in legal fees to defend Evans.

Joe Villasenor, a spokesperson for Landmark Properties, filed the lawsuit against Evans in 2014. He accused her of forwarding an email from North Country HealthCare Hermosa Vida Community Organizer Michelle Thomas.

In the email, Thomas calls Villasenor disingenuous, dishonest, and untrustworthy and made statements about Villasenors role in presenting The Standard, a 650-bed student housing complex, to the community that Villasenor said were inaccurate.

Evans forwarded the email to several others in the community.

Coconino County Superior Court Judge Mark Moran ruled on May 20, 2015, that Evans was acting in her official capacity as an employee of the city government when she forwarded the email and Villasenor should have filed a notice of claim with the city before filing a lawsuit against Evans.

Villasenor appealed the decision, saying Evans was an elected official, not a public employee, and had sent the email from her personal account, not her city email account.

The Appeals Court affirmed Morans ruling on Dec. 20. Villasenor can seek review of the Court of Appeals decision by the Arizona Supreme Court. The Supreme Courts review is discretionary.
A New Lisbon man faces three charges after allegedly threatening a law enforcement officer on Dec. 2.

Steven R. Williams, 49, was charged with making a threat to a law enforcement officer, telephone harassment, and disorderly conduct. The first offense carries a possible fine of $10,000 or imprisonment of no more than six years and the second charge poses a $1,000 fine or 90 days imprisonment. The disorderly conduct charge also carries the same fine and time in prison as the second charge, if convicted.

According to a criminal complaint, Williams made several calls to the Juneau County 911 dispatch center, as well as the non-emergency number. Responders called the number back and told Williams not to make any further calls unless it was an emergency. Williams allegedly told them he had a gun and would kill anyone that came to his door, including police officers.

The New Lisbon Police Department, along with officers from the Juneau County Sheriffs Office, went to Williams residence. He allegedly told them to go away and said he did not need help. He also stated he never called 911. After further conversation, Williams opened the door and let officers inside.

After entering the residence, Williams was ordered to the floor. He complied and was placed in handcuffs. While being arrested, Williams allegedly told officers he would put a bullet through their heads and they would all die. He also threatened to shoot a Juneau County judge.

As he was being transported to the Juneau County jail, he told an officer he would place a gun to his head and pull the trigger. He said the officer would not know when it was coming. Once at the jail, Williams mood was very up and down. He started yelling, being very non-compliant and tried kicking an officer. He also allegedly made vulgar sexual comments.

After being sent to Mile Bluff Medical Center for medical clearance, Williams, according to the report, pulled his pants down and exposed his buttocks to two female nurses.

Williams will have a pre-trial conference at the district attorneys office on Feb. 9 at 9:15 a.m. He is also scheduled to have a plea hearing at the Juneau County Justice Center on March 16 at 12:45 p.m.
S&P 500 3,719.89 DOW 32,001.25 QQQ 260.49 Harnessing Neuroplasticity Allows You to Actually Change the Way You Think. Here's How. How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) eBay or Etsy: Which Is The Better Buy? Paypal Shows Promise With Strong Buy Rating How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) Energy Transfer Raises Guidance, But Stock Lower On Revenue Miss Papa Johns Falls Flat On Earnings, Shares Set To Rise How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) Bank of England makes biggest interest rate hike in 30 years Mid-Caps CommScope, Dycom Outperform Broader Telecom Industry

S&P 500 3,719.89 DOW 32,001.25 QQQ 260.49 Harnessing Neuroplasticity Allows You to Actually Change the Way You Think. Here's How. How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) eBay or Etsy: Which Is The Better Buy? Paypal Shows Promise With Strong Buy Rating How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) Energy Transfer Raises Guidance, But Stock Lower On Revenue Miss Papa Johns Falls Flat On Earnings, Shares Set To Rise How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) Bank of England makes biggest interest rate hike in 30 years Mid-Caps CommScope, Dycom Outperform Broader Telecom Industry

S&P 500 3,719.89 DOW 32,001.25 QQQ 260.49 Harnessing Neuroplasticity Allows You to Actually Change the Way You Think. Here's How. How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) eBay or Etsy: Which Is The Better Buy? Paypal Shows Promise With Strong Buy Rating How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) Energy Transfer Raises Guidance, But Stock Lower On Revenue Miss Papa Johns Falls Flat On Earnings, Shares Set To Rise How High Can Copper Go? (Ad) Bank of England makes biggest interest rate hike in 30 years Mid-Caps CommScope, Dycom Outperform Broader Telecom Industry
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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. 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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. 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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. 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Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc.,      ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics.

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Michael McElroy, Attorney for the Town of Burrillville, addresses the Woonsocket City Council Thursday evening, voicing his opposition towards the proposed power plant in Burrillville, at Harris Hall. At right, is council member David Place.
Public Urged to Remember Animal Welfare as Part of 2017 Celebrations

This article is old - Published: Saturday, Dec 31st, 2016

RSPCA Cymru is reminding members of the public to consider the needs of pets, and the welfare of animals, as Wales prepares to welcome in 2017.

Fireworks are a common part of New Years festivities  however many animals can find them deeply distressing, and RSPCA Cymru is reminding the public of the many practical steps which can be taken to help protect their welfare.

Pet owners have been urged to plan ahead, with action such as sound-proofing and the provision of safe enclosures all able to help reduce firework phobia among Wales companion animals.

Lisa Richards, RSPCA welfare expert, said: As many of us celebrate the start of 2017, the festivities can also be stressful for many animals  including our pets. Fortunately, there are a lot of straightforward steps which people can take to help keep their pets safe, and to ease their pets fear of loud noises.

From making sure dogs and cats are indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off, to masking firework noises, and providing pets with a safe place to hide at all times, its so important pet owners plan ahead.

Small animals living outside should be provided with lots of extra bedding to allow for burrowing, whilst parts of their enclosure could be covered with a blanket to provide further sound-proofing and insulation.

Farm animals and wildlife can also be negatively affected by fireworks. RSPCA Cymru continues to urge organisers of events to avoid letting off fireworks near where animals are housed.

The charity is also reminding people as to the possible dangers of using sky lanterns, as part of any New Year celebrations. They can cause injuries to animals which lead to suffering, and even a slow, painful death.

Paul Smith, RSPCA public affairs manager added: Sky lanterns, commonly known as Chinese lanterns, present a significant danger to animals, and can cause injuries which lead to suffering and a slow, painful death.

The fact a majority of Local Authorities in Wales has banned these devices on their land only highlights the danger they can pose.

Risks to animals include ingestion, entanglement and entrapment; whilst lanterns can also cause fire, destroy habitats or damage animal housing and feed.

Whilst sky lanterns may look pretty, people need to remember that what goes up, must come down  so, for animals sake, were urging the public to give sky lanterns a miss this New Year.
Welsh Ambulance Service Staff Recognised in Queens New Years Honours List

This article is old - Published: Saturday, Dec 31st, 2016

There has been double delight for the Welsh Ambulance Service as two of its colleagues are recognised in the Queens New Years Honours list.

Both the Trusts Head of Research and Innovation, Nigel Rees, and its Senior Education and Development Lead (Head of Driving), Andrew Challenger, have been awarded the Queens Ambulance Service Medal.

Nigel, who has dedicated 24 years to the service, has been instrumental in the recent success of the Trust in winning two prestigious Research for Patient and Public Benefit grants.

Meanwhile Andrew, who has been with the service for almost 30 years, has led many significant educational projects that have resulted in substantial improvements for patients and staff alike.

Chief Executive Tracy Myhill said: We are extremely proud that both Nigel and Andrew have been recognised and its a testament to the sterling service they have provided to the Trust and to the people of Wales over the years.

Nigel joined the ambulance service in September 1991 as a cadet with Powys Ambulance Service, before progressing to Patient Care Services and then becoming an Emergency Medical Technician, working at various locations across South Powys.

He finally returned to his home of Ystradgynlais as a paramedic in 1993 and was Powyss first Advanced Paramedic Practitioner.

He has since taken up role as Head of Research and Innovation at the Trust, based in Cardiff, and is also working towards his PhD.

In his role Nigel has further developed the Trusts Research and Development Forum, created close working relationships with Swansea Clinical School and secured funding for many important research projects.

He is a regular speaker in worldwide events in ambulance research and was invited to speak at conferences in the United States and Sweden.

Andrews achievements include co-writing the Swansea University Diploma in Paramedic Science and he is currently leading the transition of paramedic education from diploma to degree-level, in collaboration with the university.

His distinguished career with the Welsh Ambulance Service spans 29 years and has evolved from a part-time Patient Care Service operative to Senior Education and Development Lead.

Andrew, who is based in Swansea, has been pivotal to the modernisation of ambulance education and is a valued member of the Trusts Senior Management Team and UK National Education Groups.

He has led driver education within the Trust for 13 years, designing and developing two innovative driver training vehicles, the concept of which has since been shared and adopted by other ambulance trusts.

He has also developed a team of driving and clinical tutors who are respected throughout the UK, due to their exemplary conduct and standards.

Chief Executive Tracy Myhill added: They are highly deserving of the award and I am delighted that their commitment has been acknowledged in such a distinguished way.

The Queens Ambulance Service Medal was introduced in 2012, when now retired Director of Ambulance Services, Dafydd Jones-Morris, was commended in the Queens Birthday Honours list.

In 2013, Mike Collins, then the Trusts Head of Service in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg area, also collected the medal for dedicating his 32-year career to the ambulance service in Wales.

There was a double celebration in 2014 when not one but two members of staff were recognised in the New Years Honours list; Andrew Jenkins, Consultant Paramedic and Deputy Director of Medical and Clinical Services, and Advanced Paramedic Practitioner Richard Hook.

In June 2015, the Trusts Assistant Director of Operations, Gordon Roberts, was recognised in the Queens Birthday Honours List, while Rob Jeffery, the Trusts Head of Operations responsible for the Hywel Dda and Powys areas, collected the medal in the 2016 New Years Honours list.

Both the Trusts Director of Operations Richard Lee, and Head of Operations  Resilience, Chris Sims were recognised in this years Queens Birthday Honours List.

*Pictured above  The Trusts Senior Education and Development Lead (Head of Driving), Andrew Challenger, was also recognised in the New Years Honours List.
Although technologies have sped upand made possiblemany things, they cannot by themselves overcome the gap between reality and its artistic assimilation and representation. That gap, in the first place, has an objective character.

As Leon Trotsky noted in Literature and Revolution, The nightingale of poetry, like that bird of wisdom, the owl, is heard only after the sun is set. The day is a time for action, but at twilight feeling and reason come to take account of what has been accomplished.  As a matter of fact, all through history, mind limps after reality.

The artistic mind is certainly limping along badly at present. In fact, for the moment the gap between art and reality is growing larger, as the economic and political contradictions intensify at an ever quickening pace.

This past year witnessed various political earthquakes: Brexit, a near coup in Turkey, the election of Donald Trump, the conflict in Syria, the anti-Russian hysteria of the American media, etc. A number of the events, in a contradictory manner, expressed mass popular disaffection and anger. Right-wing, nationalist parties have gained the most at this point, because of the utter worthlessness of both the traditional left parties and trade unions and the upper middle class pseudo-left, totally obsessed with race and gender. This is not a permanent situation.

For the most part, the film community in the US, at least on the surface, remains in thrall to racial and gender politics and the Democratic Party. This largely prevents it at present from doing anything truly sharp or innovative, or orienting itself to the most burning social questions.

However, whatever the conscious intentions of the filmmakers involved, both Free State of Jones (Gary Ross) and Loving (Jeff Nichols) cut across the racialist narrative in particular. Each in its own way demonstrated on the basis of historical experience that a struggle against oppression in America, including racism, is only possible on the basis of the highest, noblest ideals and the combined efforts of the entire working class population.

Oliver Stones Snowden, moreover, argued that the Obama administration represented a seamless transition from its predecessor in continuing to construct not merely the foundations, but the walls and floors of a police state.

The appearance of those three films had some significance. Appropriately, the overall critical and media response to Free State of Jones and Snowden was hostile.

A number of important foreign films from 2015 made brief appearances in North American movie theaters in 2016, including Colonia (Florian Gallenberger), about the horrors perpetrated by the Chilean military dictatorship and its ex-Nazi supporters, and The People vs. Fritz Bauer (Lars Kraume), on the hunt for Adolf Eichmann and the Frankfurt Auschwitz trials in the early 1960s. Also from 2015, less significant, but still intriguing, were Ixcanul [Volcano] (Jayro Bustamante), about a Mayan girl in Guatemala and her struggles, and Microb e and Gasoline (Michel Gondry), in which a couple of French adolescents try to make their way in the world.

We saw a number of films at film festivals this year that have not yet been released in the US. Most prominent among them were The Chosen (Antonio Chavarrias), about Trotskys assassination, Sami Blood (Amanda Kernell), on the subject of the aboriginal people in Sweden in the 1930s, Marija (Michael Koch), dealing with immigrants in Germany, and Lady Macbeth (William Oldroyd), which treats social oppression and stifling in the 19th century.

So here are three lists:

1. New films released in 2016 in the US

Free State of Jones (Gary Ross)

Loving (Jeff Nichols)

Snowden (Oliver Stone)

Certain Women (Kelly Reichardt)

Indignation (James Schamus)

Wiener-Dog (Todd Solondz)

If they are not successful films, Manchester by the Sea (Kenneth Lonergan) and Moonlight (Barry Jenkins), and perhaps Paterson (Jim Jarmusch), at least indicate a growing interest in the conditions and feelings of wider layers of the population, and not just the top 5 or 6 percent.

2. 2015 films released this year in the US

The Colony (Colonia, Florian Gallenberger)

The People vs. Fritz Bauer (Der Staat gegen Fritz Bauer, Lars Kraume)

Ixcanul, or Volcano (Jayro Bustamante)

Microbe & Gasoline (Microbe et Gasoil, Michel Gondry)

3. Films viewed at festivals this year and not yet released in the US

The Chosen (El elegido, Antonio Chavarrias)

Sami Blood (Sameblod, Amanda Kernell)

Marija (Michael Koch)

Lady Macbeth (William Oldroyd)

Past Life (Avi Nesher)

Radio Dreams (Babak Jalali)
In the wake of Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuettes announcement that his office was bringing criminal charges against two former Flint emergency managers and two Flint city officials over the citys lead-in-water crisis, Jeff Wright, drain commissioner of Genesee County and CEO of the Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA), issued a letter to community and elected leaders challenging the factual basis of the charges.

Wrights motive in issuing the letter is clear. In the wake of the indictment of top Flint officials in relation to the lead crisis in the city Wright clearly feels the noose tightening around him. While no officials of the KWA have yet been indicted, they were deeply involved in the criminal and reckless decision to switch Flints water source from the Detroit water system to the polluted Flint River. The switch ultimately resulted in the lead poisoning of the citys 100,000 residents.

In his letter, issued Wednesday, December 28, Wright challenges what he claims are three very foundational discrepancies in the request for warrant materials presented in the Michigan AGs brief December 20. However, an examination of Wrights complaints reveals that they contain little of substance and do not contradict the fundamental basis of the charges against Flint officials. All four officials are charged with felony counts of false pretenses related to their role in the issuance of bonds to pay for a portion of the KWA pipeline.

The first of Wrights challenges is based on the report contracted by Andy Dillon of the Michigan Treasurers Office by Tucker, Young, Jackson and Tull (TYJT), a consulting engineering firm, on the financial viability of Flints committing itself to the KWA pipeline project.

The AG brief noted that the TYJT report raised concerns about KWA cost estimates and system governance including the higher initial costs of switching to KWA, potential construction cost overruns and delays, KWAs inaccurate cost estimates for the pipeline construction, no backup power with KWAs plan, and less overall redundancy in Flints water supply systems.

Wright called this an erroneous report, which was possibly biased toward Detroit.

Wright has been the prime mover of the plan for an alternate pipeline for many years. During the entire decision-making process in 2013 to disconnect Flint from its longtime water source, supplied by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD), Wright was present at all the critical meetings, presenting projections of skyrocketing DWSD water rates.

He was a key player at the March 25, 2013 meeting of the Flint City Council that voted 7-to-1 to endorse moving the citys water supply to the KWA. His appeal has consistently been based on the claim that costs for construction of the KWA pipeline and improvements to the Flint water treatment plant would be less than those incurred by continuing to contract the DWSD to provide Flints water.

The second of Wrights complaints with the AGs charges is over the significance of the issuing of the administrative consent order (ACO) by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality officials to enable the City of Flint to override credit limits and acquire bonds to pay for its share of the KWA $285 million construction costs. A lime sludge lagoon cleanup, put forward as a calamity, was used as a pretext to use the states Home Rule City Act emergency bond clause to enable Flint, which was over its debt limit, to borrow tens of millions toward KWA construction costs.

In his letter, Wright asserts that contrary to the contention of the AGs brief, the KWA pipeline would have gone forward with or without Flints commitment of one-third of the construction costs. This is not the first time Wright has claimed this, but Wrights desired pipeline diameter of 66 inches was only financially possible based on the Ambroses contract to the KWA of 18 million gallons per dayeven though Council agreed to only 16.

Wrights third issue with the AG brief was reference to the potential loss by Flint of its water treatment plant to the KWA in the event of the citys failure to make bond payments. Wright said that was untrue.

The significant portion of the AGs brief, however, was a one-paragraph requirement that bound the city to use the Flint River as an interim water source, and the Flint Water Treatment Plant as the sanitizing and distribution center.

As per his usual modus operandi, Wright only professes knowledge related to the KWA pipeline project itself. In recent meetings, to the chagrin of Flint residents, Wright claimed no responsibility for additional costs and delays incurred to upgrade its water treatment plant or connect it to the newly completed pipeline. Likewise, his letter doesnt commit either way as to the culpability of the latest defendants, but only challenges the assertions, which point to the conspiratorial character of the KWA project.

Wright claimed that other local officials encouraged him to correct the AG errors at the basis of Schuettes criminal charges. His letter adds, I will mention, our attorneys will be in contact with AG officials to clarify these same items, in an effort to make sure all relevant facts are known to all parties involved.

Wright, declined comment beyond the content of his letter. His letter did say, however, that while KWA officials havent yet been charged, they have been mentioned thoroughly, both in the AGs press conference and warrant request against EMs Earley and Ambrose.

Other criticisms of the AGs charges center around the sweetheart administrative consent order issued to supersede the citys credit restrictions. One of the three signatories was Robert Reichel from the AG office. Lonnie Scott from the group Progress Michigan claimed this backed up their call from the beginning that an independent investigation was needed.

Why wasnt this wrinkle in the investigation brought to the public light by the AG? Hes quick to trot himself out in front of TV cameras for a self-congratulatory press conference, but cant be bothered to mention how his office was directly involved in the lead-up to this man made crisis?

Schuettes office said that they knew of the signature and called the accusation a tempest in a teapot, saying the AG offices sign-off was only as to form. Spokesperson Andrea Bitley said, The role of the Attorney Generals Office is to approve legal documents as to form, but we are never involved directly in the policy creation, and the point of the charges last week was that those charged hid their true motivation. We are continuing with our investigation and will continue to charge where the evidence leads.
At least seven people were reported killed Thursday when a US-led coalition warplane carried out an air strike against the Ibn-Al-Athir hospital compound in Mosul. The attack came as Iraqi government troops launched what has been described as the second phase of the bloody siege of Iraqs second-largest city, which was overrun by fighters of the Islamic State (ISIS) in June of 2014.

The US command of the Pentagons military operations in Iraq and Syria, dubbed Operation Inherent Resolve, issued a rare statement immediately acknowledging the attack on the hospital, a war crime. It claimed that the strike had been launched against a van into which ISIS fighters had been seen loading a recoilless rifle. The van was struck in what was later determined to be a hospital compound parking lot, resulting in possible civilian casualties, the US military declared.

This marks the second time this month that the US military has acknowledged the involvement of its warplanes in attacks on a hospital in Mosul. On December 7, an air strike was launched against the Al Salem hospital complex in East Mosul, the areas main medical facility, after the attack was requested by Iraqi ground forces. The Pentagon made no mention of civilian casualties in that attack, consistent with its response to most air strikes launched by US warplanes. According to some estimates, the US military has underreported the number of Iraqis killed in its operations by a factor of 10.

Thursdays attack on the hospital came in the context of a marked escalation of the violence being unleashed on the besieged Iraqi city. Now in its third month, the offensive to retake Mosul from ISIS has been bogged down, with scant progress and heavy casualties for the US-trained Iraqi Counter Terrorism Forces that have borne the brunt of the fighting. The past two weeks have seen a so-called pause or operational refit to allow the battered Iraqi forces to prepare for a resumption of their assault. Federal police units have been called up from Baghdad and other areas to the south to strengthen the governments depleted forces.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Iraqi government forces have begun shelling densely populated parts of the city. The newspaper wrote: Iraqs military has begun using heavy artillery in the crowded city, in spite of the risk to civilians. The Journal cited the commander of the Iraqi forces, Lt. Gen. Abdel Ghani al-Assadi, as saying that his units have begun using artillery in eastern Mosul for the first time, after the government dropped its initial objections when the offensive bogged down.

The US-backed Iraqi siege has been staggered by the fierce resistance mounted by ISIS, which in some cases has retaken areas previously captured by government forces. At present, the Iraqi troops hold only one half of eastern Mosul, while on the other side of the Tigris river, which bisects the city, ISIS remains in control of far more populous and crowded western Mosul. The US-led coalition has bombed out all of the bridges connecting the two sides of the city.

Previously, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi predicted that the government would retake Mosul by the end of this year. Earlier this week, he revised his prediction, saying that the siege would take another three months to complete. Many believe that this is once again an overly optimistic estimate.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the commander of US operations in Iraq and Syria, has estimated that it will take another two years to clear ISIS out of both Mosul and the Iraqi city of Raqqa and defeat what remains of its fighters in the region. Some 5,000 US troops have been deployed in Iraq. That number is expected to rise, and it is anticipated that those on the ground will be embedded more closely with the Iraqi security forces.

Part of the problem facing the US and the Iraqi military is that ISIS has significant roots in Mosul, a predominantly Sunni city whose population was largely hostile to the Shia-dominated government in Baghdad. Even before the Islamist militia swept into the city in 2014, leading the US-trained security forces to desert en masse, ISIS operated openly in some areas of the city. Its strength is a legacy of the bitter sectarian conflicts that were sparked by the US invasion of 2003 and the subsequent utilization of divide-and-rule tactics by the US occupation.

Iraqi government troops have come under fire in areas that they have supposedly retaken, fueling suspicion that ISIS fighters have melted into the local population. This in turn has led to the imprisonment and torture of civilians suspected of sympathizing with the Islamist group.

Conditions for the civilian population, estimated at up to 1.5 million, have grown increasingly desperate as the US-backed siege has dragged on. Civilian casualties, which have soared along with the growing number of air strikes, will undoubtedly increase even more rapidly with the use of artillery against the citys crowded neighborhoods.

According to Iraqi government estimates, at least 125,000 people have fled Mosul, with over 10,000 displaced in the last week alone.

Those remaining in the city are without electricity and clean water and face the threat of starvation as food stocks run out. Sewage is running in the streets and garbage piling up uncollected, creating the conditions for outbreaks of disease. Temperatures in Mosul are now falling towards the freezing point, under conditions where there are no means to heat homes.

Civilians in Mosul face a stark choice. If they stay, they risk hunger and being caught in the crossfire. If they flee, they risk being killed by snipers or landmines, Bruno Geddo, the representative of the UNHCR, the UNs refugee agency, said Thursday.

The US and other Western media, which only weeks ago were waging a hysterical propaganda campaign decrying a massacre and even genocide in the Syrian city of Aleppo, little more than 300 miles to the west, have for the most part treated the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Mosul with silence and indifference.

The stark contrast in the approach to the Russian-backed siege of eastern Aleppo by Syrian government troops and allied militias, on the one hand, and the US-backed siege of Mosul, on the other, is clearly rooted in the geostrategic interests of US imperialism, which the media faithfully serves.

The defeat of the Al Qaeda-linked militias in Aleppo represented a devastating blow to the US-backed war for regime change in Syriaand therefore was portrayed as a war crime. The death and suffering being inflicted on the population of Mosul, on the other hand, is in the service of the same essential aims that underlay the US war launched against Iraq nearly 14 years ago: the assertion of Washingtons hegemony over the oil-rich Middle East.
Recent reports have revealed an accelerating increase in imprisonment rates in Australia, a damning indicator of social distress and the repressive responses of consecutive Labor and Liberal-National governments, federal and state.

Nearly 40,000 people are now in prison around the country, compared to a total in 1975 of 8,900 prisoners. Historically, the national imprisonment rate between 1945 and 1985 remained relatively stable, averaging 65 prisoners per 100,000 adults. This figure has more than trebled since the 1980s to 208 prisoners per 100,000 adults in 2016.

There has been virtually no media coverage of this spiralling trend, because it raises serious questions about the connection with the rising level of social inequality over the same decades.

In its latest Prisoners in Australia report, released this month, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) says the number of prisoners in adult corrective services custody increased by 8 percent in the past yearfrom 36,134 prisoners at June 30, 2015 to 38,845 at June 30, 2016. The imprisonment rate rose by 6 percent from 196 prisoners per 100,000 adult population in 2015.

The ABS report highlights a stark rise in the number of unsentenced adult prisonersthat is, prisoners who are still waiting trial or sentencing but who have been denied bail. It states that this number increased by 22 percent, from 9,898 in mid-2015 to 12,111 in mid-2016, following a similar 21 percent increase from 2014 to 2015.

Some of the reasons behind this growth in imprisonment were studied by the Jesuit Social Services (JSS) in a report, States of Justice, also published this month. It showed that the imprisonment rate jumped by 25 percent during the past five years, despite the rate of offences remaining relatively steady.

States of Justice points to the social and economic roots of the trend. It found that 25 percent of prisoners are homeless when they enter prisons and 43 percent are homeless when they leave. Half are unemployed upon entering, and find it even more difficult to find work upon leaving, with 79 percent having to rely on welfare payments. The JSS report concludes: In many cases prison does not prevent crimeit may well nurture it.

Equally disturbing is the fact that almost half of the male prisoners and over 60 percent of the females have a reported history of mental illness. There is also a high chance that they have used illicit drugs, with related offences increasing by 40 percent from 200809, and most of the rise occurring between 2013 and 2015.

Just as revealing is the fact that the typical prisoner is highly unlikely to have finished secondary education. Only 16 percent of prisoners completed Year 12, and only a third finished Year 10.

There was also a disturbing rise in disadvantaged children being held in detention in the state of Victoria between 2010 and 2015. The proportion of detained children with prior or current involvement with Child Protection authorities increased from 51 percent to 64 percent.

As a result of all these factors, the recidivism rate is growing. Five years ago, 39.9 percent of prisoners returned to prison less than two years after their release. Now, the figure is 44 percent.

There are no rising crime rates to explain these results; in fact, the crime rate is either steady or dropping. The number of people committing crimes has risen only 1 percent since 2010, and the number of victims of crime has fallen by approximately 3 percent.

What has occurred are reactionary law and order campaigns with successive Labor and Coalition seeking to outdo each other in incarcerating people. The measures included ever-more draconian legislation, severe sentencing laws, restrictions on bail and jailing for non-payment of fines.

This has been accompanied by relentless media sensationalism about the supposedly soaring levels of violent crimes and the fraudulent war on terrora catchcry seized upon by governments around the world to bolster the state apparatus and attack democratic rights.

This offensive is having a serious impact on the most disadvantaged members of society, further exacerbating social inequality.

The Jesuit report mentions the promise of the Hawke Labor government to do better 25 years ago, upon receiving the report of its Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in custody. Since that time, however, the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people in custody has doubled.

Other figures show that the incarceration rate for indigenous people, who are the most oppressed section of the working class, has skyrocketed by 75 percent over the past decade, compared to a 33 percent increase for non-indigenous prisoners. According to the Jesuit report, the ATSI imprisonment rate stands 13 times higher than the rate for non-ATSI prisoners.

The Jesuit report recommends putting public spending to much better use by expanding investment into prevention, early intervention (especially early childhood services) and diversion. It calls for the reform of the justice system by introducing recidivism targets and more intensive transition support, and a more combined effort to collect data on the social crisis.

These calls are falling on deaf ears in the corporate and political establishment because Australia, like other countries, is embroiled in a pro-business assault upon working conditions, social services and basic democratic rights. Far from an exception, in terms of incarceration, Australia is, in fact, ahead of countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

Amid a worsening global economic crisis and mounting social inequality, the entire political establishment, which includes the Greens, has nothing to offer working people and youth except the threat of repression and imprisonment. Above all, the erection of an ever-greater police and prison apparatus reveals a fear of growing class tensions and an attempt to intimidate and suppress the development of popular unrest.

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[1 November 2000]
Asia

Bangladesh: Thousands of garment workers sacked after mass protest

At least 3,500 garment workers from the Ashulia industrial belt, on the outskirts of Dhaka, have been sacked following two weeks of mass protests and factory lockouts. Factory owners have filed several cases against 1,500 workers. Dozens of workers have been arrested while Awami League activists are raiding houses at night searching for workers named by factory owners and wanted by police.

The mass protests were sparked on December 11 when workers from the Windy Group plant walked out to demand an increase in the minimum wage. The strike rapidly spread to other factories in the industrial belt. At least 85 factories were shut down in an attempt to stop the unrest spreading. Police, supported by the notorious Rapid Action Battalion, used teargas and batons in an attempt to disperse protesting workers.

Most strikers returned to work on Tuesday after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered managers to open the factories. Protest leaders and union officials, however, are staying away or hiding, fearing reprisals from factory managers and police arrest.

The Ashulia industrial belt contains around 4,500 garment factories producing 77 percent of the countrys exports and employs over 3.6 million workers. The garment workers want their poverty wage of 5,300 taka ($US67) a month increased to 16,000 taka.

Burmese plastic factory workers strike in fifth week

At least 150 striking workers from the Shwe Mi plastic factory in Hlaing Tharyar township, West Yangoon, have announced that they will march into Yangons city centre if the regional government does not soon address their claims.

The strike, which involves nearly 300 workers, began on November 28. While five of the seven points of dispute have been resolved only 130 employees have returned to work. The remaining workers, who remain on the picket line, want a wage increase of 40,000 kyat ($US30) and compensation for exposure to dangerous chemicals.

The plastic factory workers allege that many of their former colleagues suffer from tuberculosis, blood cancer and miscarriages. They attribute these ailments to chemicals used in plastic production and for printing on plastic bags. They told media that the company had reduced the workforce from 420 to 310 but kept the same production targets. Workers want their wages lifted in line with the increased workload.

Nepalese doctors on strike

Some 80 doctors at the Gandaki Medical College (GMC) in Pokhara, Nepal walked out on Monday in a five-year dispute over several issues. Only emergency patients are being treated. Hospital management has announced it has a contingency plan and will begin hiring new doctors in six faculties, however doctors at other hospitals in the city said they will support their GMC colleagues.

The doctors want a salary increase, reinstatement of two expelled colleagues and permanent status for contract-based doctors. According to the Labour Act 1991, doctors who have passed the mandatory 240 working days should be granted permanent status.

India: Uttar Pradesh sanitation workers on strike

Around 600 sanitation workers hired by a private contractor have been on strike since December 20 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh to demand their monthly salaries be deposited directly into their bank accounts. They want the contractor bypassed because he charges 2.5 percent commission on each employees monthly salary. Around 300 workers are demonstrating at the Greater Noida authority office. Several entered the office to hold a sit-down protest.

The Greater Noida authority is ignoring the workers demands saying the workers dispute is with the contractor not them. It has hired 500 workers in an attempt to break the strike. The protesting sanitation employees said they will not let new workers collect or transport garbage until their demands are met.

Jammu power workers maintain strike

Contract and daily wage employees from the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (PDD) have been on strike since November 28 to demand permanency, a wage increase and the payment of all wage arrears. They are holding a daily demonstration outside the PDD complex at Canal Road in Jammu. Limited water supply is being maintained by temporary staff and volunteers.

A spokesman from the All Jammu Province Casual/Need Based Workers Union pointed out that over 3,230 casual/need based workers are employed in different divisions of the PDD, many for over seven years. The union also demanded an end to discrimination against workers from the Jammu region and they be treated the same as those from Kashmir.

Jammu Kashmir water utility workers still on strike

Jammu Public Health Engineering Department (PHE) daily wage and temporary workers have been on strike since September 15 in a long-running dispute over 40 months of unpaid wages and other demands. Striking workers held a protest march in Mendhar on Monday and presented their grievances to local government officials.

Over 23,000 PHE contract workers ended an 85-day strike in June after the PHE and government officials falsely promised to meet their demands. The workers wanted 35 months unpaid wages, regular pay every month and job permanency. In September members of the All J&K PHE Daily Wagers, ITI Trained & CP Workers Association walked out again over the same issue.

Bathinda sanitation workers walk out again

For the second time this year contract sanitation employees at the Municipal Corporation-Bathinda (MCB) and workers from the JITF contracting company in Punjab province walked off the job on Monday over their long-pending demand for job permanency and an end to employment contracts. According to a union representative the contract sanitation workers receive 6,000 rupees ($US88) per month compared with 6,000 rupees per day for permanent employees.

Around 400 sanitation workers, including sewer men with the Sewerage Board on daily wages, demonstrated outside the MCB office on Monday. MCB officials claimed they would pass on workers demands to the Local Bodies Department. The protesters who are members of the Sewerage Board Workers Union said they did not want false assurances but appointment letters.

The workers ended a three-day strike over the same issues in September after a local member of parliament claimed their demands would be met.

Filipino bus workers strike

About 700 drivers and conductors from the DLTB bus line, a provincial bus company in the Philippines Eastern Visayas region and including in Quezon and Laguna, have been on strike since Wednesday evening. An estimated 10,000 commuters are affected.

DLTB management claims the strike is illegal because the protesting drivers were not members of the union recognised by the Department of Labor and Employment.

The drivers want an increase in salaries which they say is well below the minimum wage. They say that they were paid 404 pesos per day when the company began operations six years ago. During the Aquino administration, their wages were cut to 370 pesos ($US7.45) per day. The drivers also want payment of their 13th month bonus which they claim has been withheld by management.

Australia and the Pacific

Queensland coal mine workers reject pay offer

Workers at Rio Tintos Hail Creek coal mine located in Central Queenslands Bowen Basin have rejected managements latest enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) offer. The coal company offered the miners $10,000 if they accepted the agreement. Fifty-eight percent of the workers who voted on December 19 rejected the deal. A spokesman from the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) accused the company of attempting to bribe workers.

The previous Hail Creek mine agreement expired in 2013 and negotiations have been ongoing for two and a half years. An initial offer made in May 2014 was rejected by workers. The miners want the redundancy clause strengthened in the EBA to prevent the company making permanent workers redundant and then employing casuals. They also want a guarantee that labour hire workers would be offered permanent or fixed-term jobs after a certain period.

New South Wales: Court orders mine workers to end industrial action

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that mass sick-leave protest by 81 Delta SBD labour hire employees at the South32 Appin coal mine, 70 kilometres south of Sydney, was unlawful and ordered that industrial action cease until January 16. The action, between November 28 and December 11, was in conjunction with an industrial campaign by the CFMEU to exert pressure on South32 and Delta SBD over attacks on wages and conditions.

The mass sick leave was sparked when Delta SBD offered to transfer employees at its subsidiary Delta Mining to its sister company Delta Coal after Delta Mining unsuccessfully tendered for work at the mine. The union claimed the company was forcing workers to accept substantially lower wages and conditions.

Around 300 contract workers from the South32 mine demonstrated in Wollongong on December 9 over cuts to wages. Workers were told at the Wollongong rally that contract companies were renegotiating contracts in the lead-up to Christmas, putting pressure on families to sign up for less pay or potentially lose their jobs. Workers have refused to sign contracts with Delta SBD and Mastermyne, which they say are illegal.
In a report issued this week, the Reuters news agency said it found nearly 3,000 areas in the United States with recently-recorded lead poisoning rates that are at least double those found in Flint, Michigan during the height of the lead poisoning crisis in that city caused by tainted water.

According to the findings, more than 1,100 of those communities had lead levels four times higher than those found in Flint. In some areas of Baltimore, Cleveland and Philadelphia the rate of elevated lead tested over the last decade was 40 to 50 percent.

The lead poisoning epidemic is rooted in a variety of causes, from antiquated lead water pipes, to toxic wastes left behind by industry to peeling lead-based paint from old homes. Children in at least 4 million US households are exposed to high levels of lead.

In Flint, 5 percent of children screened showed lead levels in excess of the 5 micrograms per deciliter threshold set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The worst-hit areas in the city had more than twice that level.

The report cites the case of St. Joseph, Missouri, where in one small neighborhood 120 children have been poisoned by lead since 2010. The neighborhood is filled with aging houses, whose lead-based paint poses a deadly hazard. From 2010-2015, more than 15 percent of children tested in seven census tracts had elevated lead levels, well above the statewide average of 5 percent.

In the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland, California, 7.57 percent of children tested had dangerous levels of lead.

The Reuters report notes that Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old from Baltimore, brutally murdered by police in April 2015, suffered from lead poisoning. In 2008 Gray and his family filed a lawsuit against the landlord of the row house where they were living in Baltimores Sandtown-Winchester area. According to legal filings, Gray and his siblings were exposed to lead and suffered developmental problems as a consequence. The case was settled for an amount that was not disclosed.

Pennsylvania had the highest number of individual census tracts, 1,100, where at least 10 percent of childhood lead tests were elevated over the last decade. In 49 census tracts, including areas of inner city Philadelphia and Harrisburg, at least 40 percent of children had elevated lead levels.

The Reuters report quotes Dr. Helen Egger, chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Centers Child Study Center. Dr. Egger said of the data, The disparities youve found between different areas have stark implications. Where lead poisoning remains common, many children will have developmental delays and start out behind the rest.

Children who test for lead exposure levels above the CDCs 5 microgram standard are considered at risk. The CDC estimates that nationwide, 2.5 percent of small children have elevated blood levels.

In its study, Reuters submitted requests to all 50 states for testing data on lead exposure. In particular it examined data in US Census tracts and individual zip codes in order to isolate areas of particularly high lead exposure. A census tract typically has about 4,000 residents, while the average zip code has 7,500. Reuters found 2,606 census tracts and 278 zip code areas with a prevalence of lead poisoning at least twice the rate in Flint.

Reuters was able to obtain meaningful data from 21 states containing about 61 percent of the US population. Some states said data wasnt available and some refused to share it, citing privacy laws or other concerns.

In many communities, money for lead testing is lacking or inadequate. Reuters cited the example of South Bend, Indiana, where lead testing is falling, despite evidence of a serious lead poisoning problem in the city. In one tract, 31 percent of children tested between 2005 and 2015 had lead levels more than 6 times Flints rate last year.

The impact of exposure to lead is well known. Children are most at risk and can suffer irreparable brain damage and harm to the nervous system, including cognitive impairment. In adults, exposure to lead can raise the risk of high blood pressure and cause kidney damage.

The CDC is currently considering lowering its threshold for lead exposure by 30 percent. Since 2012, the CDC has set a level of 5 micrograms per deciliter as its threshold for lead exposure in children under 6 years of age. No lead exposure is safe. However, the CDC sets that level as the point above which a public health response is warranted. The agency is now considering lowering the threshold to 3.5 micrograms. The CDC says the move is aimed at prodding states to take measures to reduce lead in the environment.

There has been a very significant drop in tested levels of lead in blood samples since the US government banned the use of lead in gasoline about 40 years ago. However, the experience of Flint residents and data from studies such as that conducted by Reuters demonstrate that the problem is far from resolved.

According to a CDC estimate, 500,000 US children have blood levels above the current threshold. However, there are virtually no federal resources to deal with the crisis. The current CDC budget for assisting states with safety programs is just $17 million.

Many states have not implemented programs to reflect the lower standard adopted in 2012, which saw the threshold reduced from 10 to 5 micrograms. For its part, the CDC does not have any regulatory authority to force states to act.
A massive deployment of US and NATO troops to Poland and the Baltic states is underway. According to a December 30 statement by the German Bundeswehr (Armed Forces) Press and Information Centre, As part of the NATO operation Atlantic Resolve, three US transport ships are expected in Bremerhaven in the first week of January.

The statement noted that in early November, Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade of the 4th US Infantry Division began loading the ships with vehicles and containers. Overall, more than 2,500 pieces of cargo (trucks, combat vehicles, trailers, containers) [were] initially shipped to Germany and then transported to Poland and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The materiel is to arrive in the period January 6-8 by maritime transport in Bremerhaven, and will then be transported to Poland by rail and military convoys by approximately January 20.

Earlier this month, the newspaper Kieler Nachrichten called the arms build-up the greatest redeployment operation of the US Army to Germany since 1990. More than 2,000 tanks, howitzers, jeeps and trucks are being deployed for NATO exercises in Eastern Europe that will continue for nine months.

According to statements by the US Army Europe, 4,000 additional troops and 2,000 tanks will contribute to and strengthen the alliances deterrence and defense. Colonel Todd Bertulis, deputy head of logistics of the Stuttgart-based US Command in Europe (EUCOM), said the operation will ensure that the necessary combat power is brought to the right place in Europe at the right time.

Lieutenant General Frederick Ben Hodges, commander of US forces in Europe, said, Three years after the last American tanks left the continent, we need to get them back. He made the statement during a visit to the Logistics School of the Bundeswehr in Garlstedt, Lower Saxony. He told journalists that the measures were a response to Russias invasion of Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Crimea.

Russia was preparing for war, the general claimed. All Russian ministries would, he declared, prepare accordinglymobilize, if you will. He continued, This does not mean that there necessarily has to be a war, none of this is inevitable, but Moscow is preparing for the possibility.

This presentation turns reality on its head. The deployment of US combat troops is part of NATO preparations for war against Russia, the culmination of a continual eastward expansion of NATO since the dissolution of the Soviet Union 25 years ago.

In Ukraine, it is not Russia that is the aggressor, but the US and NATO. Washington and Berlin, in close collaboration with fascist forces, organised a coup against the pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, in early 2014, installing a rabidly anti-Russian, nationalist regime in Kiev. That move sparked a separatist rebellion by Russian-speaking regions in the countrys east, which Moscow has supported and the Kiev government, backed by Western arms and money, has sought, unsuccessfully, to violently suppress.

The events in Ukraine were seized on by the US, the European Union and NATO to impose economic and diplomatic sanctions and dramatically expand NATO military forces along Russias western border.

In advance of the January 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who has called for a ratcheting down of tensions with Russia in order to focus US aggression more directly on China, opposed forces within the US military-intelligence and political establishment are seeking to escalate the confrontation with Moscow.

This week, Republican Senator John McCain toured the Baltic States to assure them of the continued support of the United States. In an interview broadcast by Estonian radio, McCain called for a further build-up of NATO forces against Russia and declared that every credible member of the US Congress viewed Russian President Vladimir Putin for what he is: a thug and a bully and a KGB agent.

In the dangerous escalation against nuclear-armed Russia, which poses the danger of a third world war, the Bundeswehr is playing a central role. Without the support of the [German] Army, we can go nowhere, Lieutenant General Hodges said during an appearance at the Joint Support Service of the Bundeswehr.

Lieutenant General Peter Bohrer, deputy chief of the Joint Support Service, agreed. In the past, he said, Germany was a frontline state. Today we are a transit zone, and one of our key tasks is to undertake common support We are open to carrying out these tasks together with our American partners.

After arriving in Germany, the American soldiers and their heavy equipment will be moved from Bremerhaven by rail through northern Germany to Eastern Europe. The Bundeswehr press office announced: Some 900 cars with military materiel will be transported by train from Bremerhaven to Poland. There are also about 600 pieces of freight that will be transported by train to Poland from the military training ground at Bergen-Hohne. Nearly 40 vehicles will travel directly by road from Bremerhaven to Poland.

Germany, which rolled over Eastern Europe in its war of extermination 75 years ago, is preparing to send combat troops to the Baltics. In January, 26 tanks, 100 other vehicles and 120 containers will be transported by train to Lithuania.

In an interview with the military newspaper Bundeswehr aktuell, General Volker Wieker confirmed that Germany had agreed with the United States, Canada and the UK at the NATO summit in Warsaw to take the lead, with each establishing a battle group. Germany will send the 122nd Infantry Battalion. He added that other supplies would follow, so that we will achieve a so-called Full Operational Capability by mid-year.

What is meant by full operational capability was underlined by a public Bundeswehr exercise in Grafenwohr, where the German battalion prepared for deployment. According to a video report by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the manoeuvres involved an enemy attack on the Lithuanian-Russian border.

The future commander of the NATO Battle Group in Lithuania, Lieutenant-Colonel Christoph Huber, explained the tactical purpose of the manoeuvres as follows: The comrades of the Second Company successfully carried out the battle herewinning time for their comrades and thereby destroying the enemy forces. This is high-intensity combat training.
On Thursday, US President Barack Obama announced a series of measures targeting Russia, presented as retaliation for alleged cyber attacks carried out by the government of Vladimir Putin. The moves include the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats and the imposition of economic sanctions against Russian intelligence agencies and officials.

The media, led by the New York Times, praised the actions, with the Times declaring in a lead editorial that there should be no doubt about the correctness of President Obamas decision to retaliate against Russia for hacking American computers and trying to influence the 2016 presidential election.

The US media does not see fit to mention that the government making the accusations against Russia runs the worlds largest hacking and cyber espionage program, the aim of which, according to documents released by Edward Snowden, is to collect or hack all the data in the world, under the slogan Collect it all Exploit it all.

This is the government that, with Israel, created and released the Stuxnet worm to attack Iran, and was shown to have tapped the phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and spied on Internet connections at the United Nations. As for influencing the elections of other countries, a history of the covert operations by the US and its intelligence agencies to manipulate political events, swing elections and overthrow elected governments around the world would comprise several volumes.

It does not take a great deal of imagination to surmise that Russia, like any other country, carries out espionage over the Internet. But in this case, the allegations that Russia hacked into the Democratic National Committee are unsubstantiated.

Neither the White House, nor the US intelligence agencies, nor the media, nor any private security firm has produced any information that would lead an impartial person with basic knowledge of communications technology to conclude that Russia carried out a major cyber attack against the United States.

In his statement announcing the moves against Russia, Obama declared, In October, my administration publicized our assessment that Russia took actions intended to interfere with the US election process.

Obama was referring, in a deliberately vague manner, to a statement published October 7 by James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, declaring that the Intelligence Community is confident that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from US persons and institutions, including from US political organizations.

The aim of Clappers statement, issued in the run-up to the November election, was to discredit the revelations published by WikiLeaks that the Democratic National Committee rigged the primary process to secure the victory of Hillary Clinton over her challenger for the Democratic Partys presidential nomination, Bernie Sanders.

Clappers statement, a mere three paragraphs in length, like all of the allegations by the White House on this issue, was characterized by its generality and lack of specific details. Its use of the term confident is highly significant, as it denotes a lower level of conviction than the word certain.

Simultaneously with Obamas statement on Thursday, Clappers Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a report on alleged Russian hacking in the 2016 election.

The document contains no specific allegations, much less evidence, of attempts to access confidential data. Given that the actual content of the document is so scanty, it is not surprising that the statement hedges its findings, declaring, The US Government can confirm that the Russian government, including Russias civilian and military intelligence services, conducted many of the activities generally described by a number of security companies.

The facts laid out in the document released by Clapper are so weak that the New York Times lead article on Friday was forced to point out that the evidence in the report fell short of anything that would directly tie senior officers of the GRU or the FSB [Russian intelligence agencies] to a plan to influence the election.

Why then, in the absence of any evidence, does the New York Times declare, It would have been irresponsible for [Obama] to leave office next month and allow President Vladimir Putin to think that he could with impunity try to undermine American democracy.

That there are no facts to justify such retaliation does not concern the newspaper of record. This is because it, like the rest of the US media, does not serve to question or check the false assertions of the US government, but rather to propagate them.

There are echoes in the present campaign of the Bush administrations false claims of weapons of mass destruction that were used to launch the war in Iraq in 2003. Then, as now, the Times and other publications not only repeated and amplified the administrations lies, but actively developed a false narrative of events as part of the governments propaganda effort to justify war.

Obamas latest actions are part of an extended anti-Russian campaign by the White House and the New York Times, which has been accelerated by the collapse of the US-backed regime-change effort in Syria.

This campaign takes place in the context of substantial divisions within the American state over the target of US military aggression. The faction for which the New York Times speaks is seeking a more direct intervention against Russia, while President-elect Donald Trump and the section of the state with which he is aligned see a conflict with Russia as a distraction from the real enemy: China.

To this end, the Obama administration has sought to create new facts on the ground before leaving office that would lead the Trump administration into a confrontation with Russia. Earlier this month, the White House announced that it was accelerating the deployment of 4,000 US/NATO troops to the Russian border, meaning they will be in place by the time the new administration takes office.

Alongside this military buildup, the White House, the Times and much of the American media have sought to whip up the most hysterical anti-Russian campaign since the 1940s and early 1950scarrying with it the stench of that periods McCarthyite witch-hunts. The main concern of the Times, as spelled out in an editorial published four days after Trumps election, is to ensure that the incoming administration does not go soft on Russia.
PART ONE | PART TWO

This is the first part of a two-part article. The concluding part will be posted Tuesday, January 3.

At a party conference held last May to mark its tenth anniversary, Quebec Solidaire (QSSolidarity Quebec) set itself the goal of forming Quebecs government within the next decade, on the basis of a program geared to economic growth. By using this code word, long associated with right-wing opposition to social spending, wealth redistribution and constraints on big-business profit-making, QS was sending a clear signal to the ruling elite that if entrusted with the reins of power, it will impose austerity and seek to make working people pay for the capitalist crisis.

QS was founded in 2006 by feminist, environmental and antipoverty activists, along with other left nationalists disappointed with the Parti Quebecois (PQ), including the Union des forces progressistes (Union of Progressive Forces). From the get-go, it enjoyed the full support and active participation of the Pabloites and other pseudo-Marxist groups.

Quebec Solidaire has since evolved entirely within the PQ-dominated Quebec sovereignist (pro-Quebec independence) milieu. It has repeatedly sought to forge an electoral alliance with the big-business PQ, and, at its most recent National Council meeting in November, responded to the PQs call for a progressive alliance to defeat the Quebec Liberal government at the next election by proclaiming its readiness to enter into dialogue.

Although it occasionally bemoans certain excesses of neoliberal capitalism, QS is a pseudo-left, pro-capitalist party that articulates the aspirations and grievances not of the working class, but of privileged sections of the upper-middle classacademics and other professionals, trade union functionaries and small business owners. It aspires to gain respectability in the eyes of the ruling elite and become a major player in official bourgeois politics.

Quebec Solidaires emergence is rooted in several interrelated global processes: the growing crisis of world capitalism; the mounting popular opposition to austerity and war; and the discrediting and increasing crisis of the moribund social democratic, Stalinist and trade union apparatuses, which for more than three decades have worked hand-in-glove with big business in slashing jobs and workers living standards and dismantling public and social services.

Under these conditions, the ruling class needs new political mechanisms to suppress the class struggle. Over the past decade, new left parties have emerged throughout the worldthe Left Party in Germany, Podemos in Spain and the New Anti-capitalist Party in France, to name a fewwith the stated goal of filling the space created by the discrediting of the traditional left parties of government. These new parties adopt left rhetoric so as to channel mounting social opposition into protest and parliamentary politics and block the emergence of an independent, that is, a revolutionary socialist, political movement of the working class.

A pivotal experience in this regard is that of Quebec Solidaires Greek sister party, Syriza (Coalition of the Radical Left). Syriza came to power in January 2015 pledging to end austerity. Predictably, it quickly capitulated to the demands of international capital and imposed a program of privatization and public service, pension and wage cuts far beyond that implemented by its right-wing predecessors. As a result, Greek workers and youth today confront conditions of social misery not seen in Europe since the end of the Second World War.

Common to all these new pseudo-left parties is hostility to the class struggle, rejection of the working class as the driving force of social progress, and the promotion of identity politicsfocused on nationality, race, gender or sexual orientationto divide workers and block the development of a socialist alternative to decrepit capitalism. It is no accident that Quebec Solidaire, while posing as a party of the left, presents itself as neither a workers nor a socialist party, but rather as a feminist, ecologist, sovereignist, antiglobalization and non-class citizens party.

Quebec Solidaire: A proponent of human rights imperialism

Quebec Solidaire and the new left parties that it touts as its sister parties are pro-imperialist.

Syriza supports Greeces membership in both the US-led NATO war alliance and the European Union, the instrument through which the most powerful sections of the European bourgeoisie have imposed brutal austerity since 2008 and are remilitarizing Europe. Germanys Left Party has joined with the rest of the countrys political establishment in promoting German rearmament and foreign military interventions and the call for Germany to once again act as a world power.

Quebec Solidaire, notwithstanding its advocacy of Quebecs secession from Canada, focuses almost exclusively on Quebec provincial politics. It rarely comments onlet alone criticizesCanadas imperialist foreign policy, including Canadas participation in virtually every war that the US has waged over the past quarter-century and the massive escalation in Canadian military spending since the turn of the current century.

This is not simply parochialism. It is a silence that bespeaks supporta support rooted in QSs class orientation and outlook as a nationalist, pro-capitalist party of the upper-middle class.

The Quebec sovereignty movement long ago renounced its pacifist pretensions and emerged as a vocal proponent of Canadian military intervention in the Middle East and Central Asia. The Bloc Quebecois (BQ), the PQs sister party in federal politics, hailed Canadas decade-long, neocolonial counterinsurgency war in Afghanistan as a noble cause. In the 2015 federal election, the BQ joined with Stephen Harper and his Conservatives in denouncing the New Democratic Party (NDP) for proposing that Canadas combat mission in Iraq be wound down.

On the rare occasions that QS speaks about Canadas role on the world stage, it echoes the PQ and BQ in lauding the so-called Pearsonian tradition in Canadian foreign policy. Under 1960s Liberal Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, Canada took a leading role in US-backed United Nations peacekeeping missions and promoted itself as a middle power and honest broker in world affairs, while serving as an anchor of the US-led NATO and NORAD war alliances against the Soviet Union.

Like the pseudo-left internationally, QS specializes in repeating and amplifying the liberal imperialist rhetoric that Canada, the US and other Western powers use to provide a humanitarian veil for the aggressive assertion of their predatory economic and geostrategic interestsincluding the wars that have blown apart entire societies such as Iraq, Libya, and now Syria.

This can be amply demonstrated by a review of Quebec Solidaires sparse, but highly revealing, public record on key foreign policy questions.

QS and American and Canadian imperialisms wars and regime-change operations

In early September 2006, just months after the formation of QS, its representatives attended the federal convention of the NDP, Canadas social democratic party, as special guests. In a demagogic maneuver aimed at appealing to mounting antiwar sentiment and concealing the NDPs longtime support for Canadas role in the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, the NDP leadership introduced a motion calling for the withdrawal of Canadian troops from Afghanistan. When asked to cast a consultative vote, the QS leaders in attendance refused to support the motion, declaring, If our soldiers can help protect Afghan people and assist in reconstruction, so be it.

This amounted to unequivocal support for the Canadian Armed Forces intervention in Afghanistan. This intervention had the double goal of staking a role for Canadian imperialism in energy-rich Central Asia and strengthening Canadas reactionary strategic partnership with Washington, including by freeing US troops to wage war in Iraq.

QS later sought to cover its tracks by calling for NATOs intervention in Afghanistan to be replaced by a new multilateral initiative under the supervision of the United Nations, another tool of imperialism.

Quebec Solidaire went on to welcome the efforts of Washington and its allies to mount a regime-change operation against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was deemed insufficiently subservient to Western interests. In early 2010, in the midst of a Western media campaign that denounced Ahmadinejads reelection as illegitimate and cast the opposition Green movement as the fount of democracy, a QS spokesperson said, It is clear to us that the Iranian opposition movement is a grassroots independent movement.

In fact, the Greens support came almost entirely from the most privileged sections of Iranian society, those most eager for an accommodation with US imperialism and the dismantling of what remained of the social concessions granted the working class and poor in the aftermath of the 1979 Revolution. Self-consciously employing Reaganite and Thatcherite rhetoric, the Green leaders railed against Ahmadinejads wasteful social spending.

The following year, QS backed the NATO war that, with the help of Islamist militias, overthrew the Libyan regime of Colonel Gaddafi. The NATO intervention was aimed at strengthening imperialist domination of the oil-rich North African country, strategically located between Tunisia and Egypt, where popular uprisings had just brought down pro-US dictators.

Amir Khadir, then Quebec Solidaires lone Member of the Quebec National Assembly, stood out for his vitriolic denunciations of Gaddafi. In February 2011, he authored a National Assembly motion in support of the civilians demanding genuine reforms and the end of dictatorship in Libya, thus painting Quebecs legislature, an integral part of the Canadian imperialist state, as a defender of the Libyan people. The following month, when NATO, under the leadership of a Canadian general, launched its air war against Libya, Khadir rushed to give the imperialist regime-change operation Quebec Solidaires support, shamelessly declaring that the Libyan people demand an intervention.

QS has similarly been complicit in the regime-change operation that Washington, with Canadas support, has sought to carry out in Syria, once again using Islamist militia as its proxies. Since 2011, the US, with the support of Saudi Arabia, other Gulf States and Turkey, has been seeking to overthrow Bashar Al-Assads Russian- and Iranian-backed regime by funneling weapons and billions in financial aid to anti-Assad Islamist groups, including those linked to Al Qaeda and those that went on to form ISIS.

In 2011, the QS supported the imperialist campaign for international sanctions against Syria, claiming they constituted material support for a popular revolution against Assad.

In October 2014, QS formally opposed the Harper Conservative governments decision to send Canadian fighter jets, in the name of opposing ISIS, to join US forces in bombing Iraq and Syria. But this stance had nothing to do with mobilizing the working class against imperialism, as attested by Quebec Solidaires praise for the federal opposition parties attempts to get the Conservatives to listen to reason. In fact, the opposition had only tactical differences with Harper over how best to uphold US hegemony over the Middle East and position Canada to partake in, and profit from, an imperialist repartition of the worlds most important oil-producing region.

The Liberals supported the Conservatives plans to deploy Canadian Special Forces to train Western-allied Kurdish militia in northern Iraq (and soon after coming to power in the October 2015 general election tripled their number), while the NDP wanted Canada to support the US war by arming the Kurds and providing humanitarian aid.

Subsequently, in March 2015, when questioned about Harpers extension of the Canadian Armed Forces Mideast combat mission for a further year, QS parliamentary leader Francoise David affirmed her partys support, as a matter of principle, for any Canadian action aimed at providing aid to societies striving to establish democracy. She criticized the government only for a lack of transparency as to its goals, while raising concern that its aidparticipation in a US-fomented war for regime change that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millionsmight benefit the current government of Bashar al-Assad.

Quebec Solidaire has also given tacit and at times explicit support to NATOs military-strategic offensive against Russia, which threatens to ignite a conflict between the worlds principal nuclear powers.

Canadian imperialism, under Harper and now the Trudeau Liberal government, has played a leading role in this campaign. Canada is one of the staunchest allies of the anti-Russian Ukrainian government that was brought to power in February 2014 by a US-orchestrated, fascist-spearheaded putsch. The Canadian military is training Ukrainian Army and National Guard troops and, in a show of political support for Kievs government, Ottawa has negotiated a free trade agreement. Canada has also played a leading role in NATOs threatening deployments on Russias borders, including taking responsibility for leading one of four new NATO forward deployed battalions to be stationed in the Baltic States and Poland.

One would search in vain for any exposure, or even mention, of Canadas aggressive and provocative role against Russia on Quebec Solidaires website or in it leaders speeches. However, QS was quick to denounce the referendum that resulted in Crimeas Russian-speaking majority voting to secede from Ukraine and rejoin Russia, lending its left voice to the imperialist campaign to label Russia an aggressor.

Ignoring the putsch that had overthrown Ukraines elected president and the long record of provocations by Washington that had preceded it, including the expansion of NATO hundreds of kilometers eastwards up to the borders of Russia, QS spokeswoman David condemned the military intervention of Russia in Crimea, which she termed a coup.

As for Canadas support for Washingtons military-strategic offensive against China, QS has uttered not a word. It opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade and investment agreement, which the Obama administration has touted as the economic arm of its anti-China pivot to Asia. But it does so only from the standpoint that the TPP will impinge on national sovereignty and hurt weaker sections of the Quebec bourgeoisie, not that it is part of an imperialist military-strategic offensive that threatens world war.

The second and concluding part of this article will examine Quebec Solidaires role in seeking to revive Quebec independantiste nationalism, which has been widely discredited within the working class due to the austerity policies of successive PQ governments, and in assisting the trade union bureaucracy in isolating and smothering the struggles of the working class.

But one further point needs to be made about Quebec Solidaires pro-imperialist character. In the 2015 federal election campaign, QS was a leading proponent of the trade union-spearheaded Anybody But Conservative campaign, which resulted in the return to power of the Liberals, long the Canadian ruling classs preferred party of government.

Over the past 14 months, QS has remained studiously silent as Justin Trudeau and his Liberals have continued and accelerated the resurgence of Canadian militarism. This has included the aforementioned expansion of Canadas role in the US-led Mideast war and its leading role in NATOs military build-up on Russias borders. But in addition, the Trudeau government has announced its intention to deploy troops to Africa, where Canadian mining companies have some $30 billion in investments. It has also ordered a defense policy review that is meant to lay the political groundwork for a more aggressive military posture, including major military spending hikes and Canadas participation in the US antiballistic missile shield.

To be continued
The number of people who have drowned fleeing to Europe via the Mediterranean this year has risen to more than 5,000, according to the official data of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

According to UNHCR spokesman William Spindler, the new tragic record means that on average, 14 people have died every single day this year in the Mediterranean trying to find safety or a better life in Europe.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that the actual number of victims is much higher than revealed by the UN statistics, which only record the officially registered death tolls. In particular there is a lack of reliable data on the route from North Africa to Spain, where many of the crossings across the Mediterranean remain undiscovered.

UNHCR reported that 3,777 refugees lost their lives on the Mediterranean Sea in 2015 and about 3,000 in 2014. The subsequent death toll was regarded as a necessary price to pay to deter other refugees from seeking to reach Europe.

The threshold of 5,000 official victims was exceeded on the night of the 22nd of December, when two boats capsized shortly before reaching the coast of the Italian island of Sicily. The Italian Coast Guard was able to rescue 80 refugees, while 57 drowned. On the other vessel, a dinghy, 40 of 120 occupants could not be recovered.

The Mediterranean is by far the deadliest zone for refugees. Although only a fraction of the worlds 60 million refugees seek to reach Europe, two-thirds of the worlds 7,400 deaths occur here. In addition, there are 1,440 refugees who have been killed in the escape routes leading to Europein West Africa, the Sahara, the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. In Turkey, more than 100 refugees were shot dead by border policemen.

The number of deaths has increased despite the fact that the number of refugees arriving in Europe has fallen by almost two-thirds, from over 1 million in 2015 to 358,000 in 2016. The rapid increase in deaths is a direct result of the European Unions closure of the Aegean and Balkan routes. The fugitives were thus forced to cross the much more dangerous routes via Egypt or Libya to Italy.

In the case of major boat disasters in the Mediterranean, such as in May when more than 1,000 refugees drowned within a week, European politicians regularly make hypocritical promises that such a tragedy should never happen again. In fact, the number of deaths has risen even further. And politically speaking, nothing, absolutely nothing has been done to curb this tragedy, Christopher Hein of the Italian Refugee Council explained.

The hypocrisy at work knows no limits. During the battle for Aleppo, politicians and the media accused the Syrian and Russian army of crimes against the civilian population. However, the same politicians have not lifted a finger to help bring the approximately 80,000 refugees from Aleppo to Europe. Instead, the EU has continued to set up new obstacles and expanded the measures to defer refugees to Europes neighbours. The driving force behind this policy is the German government under Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The border protection agency Frontex has been expanded to become the European Border and Coast Guard and has been given considerably more power. Dozens of warships patrol the Mediterranean. Their task is not to rescue refugees, but to destroy refugee vessels.

Internment camps have been set up in Greece and Italy, which are described as hotspots. Refugees have to stay there for months under catastrophic conditions and often have no way to apply for asylum. In Italy 120,000 people live in completely overcrowded camps. In Greece there are about 60,000, although a large number remain in tents in the winter, with snowfall and temperatures around the freezing point.

In March, Merkel negotiated a dirty deal with the Turkish government. As a result, Turkey erected fences and walls on its border with Syria and sealed off the border crossings. Since then, Turkish soldiers and border policemen have shot dozens of refugees, many have been ill-treated and brutally deported, according to human rights organizations. Nevertheless Merkel recently declared cynically that the deal with Turkey had saved lives every day.

Under the direction of the German Minister of the Interior Thomas de Maiziere (CDU), the EU has concluded so-called migration partnerships with African governments. Pressure has been applied to the respective African regimes by linking the payment of development aid to accepting deported refugees and the closure of borders.

While the German government claims that the migratory partnerships are fighting the causes of the crisis, their real purpose is forcibly preventing refugees from fleeing and deporting them en masse back to Africa. The German ruling party, the CSU, has recently taken up another initiative from de Maiziere, demanding that refugees who are rescued from distress be return to Africa although this is a flagrant violation of the Geneva Convention on Refugees.

According to the German government, similar agreements involving refugee repatriation are to be concluded with Tunisia and Egypt, as was the case with Turkey. The refugees are to be interned in camps in North Africa, although it is well known that the Tunisian and Egyptian regimes trample human rights underfoot and arbitrarily abuse refugees.

The EU regularly assigns blame for the deaths in the Mediterranean Sea to the people smugglers, claiming they lure refugees with false promises onto unseaworthy boats. In fact, there is no other way for refugees to seek security than to trust the smugglers, bearing in mind that the possibility of joining family members already in Europe is now massively restricted.

In addition, more and more immigrants are trying to escape from Libya. Flavio di Giacomo of the UNHCR in Rome said there are more crossings than usual this winter: This trend confirms the fact that the conditions in Libya are becoming increasingly dangerous for migrants.

Di Giacomo said: Many refugees have told us that they did not want to come to Europe when they left their countries of origin. Many of them just wanted to go to Libya. But there they have only experienced violence and abuse. As a result, they decided to come to Europe by sea and fell into the hands of unscrupulous smugglers, who forced them to go aboard unseaworthy boats. These people come to Europe on irregular routes because there are not enough regular routes.

The situation in Libya has been aggravated mainly by the devastating 2011 NATO regime change operation which plunged the country into chaos. The refugees thus become victims of the imperialist powers in a double sense. With the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen, the US and its European allies have robbed millions of people of their livelihoods and forced them to flee. At the same time, by blocking borders, revoking asylum law, and programmes of massive forced repatriation, they have prevented them from escaping the chaos.
Political tensions between the Sri Lankan government and the countrys provincial councils over its new foreign investment measures have deepened in recent weeks. Known as the Development (Special Provisions) Act, Colombos planned legislation aims to institute a range of measures that will encourage more foreign investment.

If adopted, the legislation will centralise all economic development activities in the hands of the Minister of National Policy and Economic Affairs, a new position. The minister will have the authority to declare any part of the island an economic development area and determine what activity can be conducted in that zone.

While it has already been approved by the cabinet and will be submitted to parliament in February, eight out of the nine provincial councils have rejected the legislation. The Eastern Provincial Council, which is due to vote on the bill on January 24, is also likely to oppose it. Under the Sri Lankan constitution, the act must be approved by the provincial councils before it can be adopted by the parliament.

Political conflict over Colombos foreign investment measures is another indication of the increasingly unstable character of the Colombo government, now approaching its second year in office.

The so-called National Unity Governmentan alliance between the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the countrys two main bourgeois partiescame to power in January 2015 in a US-led regime-change operation to oust the former President Mahinda Rajapakse. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe heads the UNP while President Maithripala Sirisena is the leader of the SLFP.

The provincial councils, which were elected before Sirisena and Wickremesinghe came to power, are still filled with Rajapakse supporters. Rajapakse also leads a group of SLFP parliamentarians unofficially known as the Joint Opposition and who defy the SLFP party whip. Seven of the councils that have rejected the new development bill are controlled by the SLFP-led United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA).

Sri Lankas deputy finance minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana, an SLFP parliamentarian, apologetically told a press conference on Wednesday that the government should have updated the chief ministers and obtained their views before presenting the Bill to the PCs [Provincial Councils]. If that was done the Bill would not have been rejected by the PCs and the government would not have been embarrassed with what happened.

Minister of fisheries and UPFA general secretary Mahinda Amaraweera also told Ravaya, a Sinhala-weekly, that although the UPFA supported a one-stop foreign investment facility, it would not allow the creation of a minister with super powers.

The new minister will have wide ranging authority to stimulate economic growth. Section 17 of the proposed act, for example, gives the new ministry power over numerous government departments, including the Board of Investment, Export Development Board, Information Technology and Civil Aviation Authorities, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Water Supply Board and Tourist Board.

Managing director of the new agency will be hand-picked by the new minister and can issue orders to other institutions, including the regional development bodies that currently come under the purview of the PCs.

Registration of new investors will also come under the new ministry. Once registered, the investing company can acquire all the land it needs and is not bound by current laws related to land alienationa dispensation not previously awarded to foreign investors.

The act also provides legal immunity to all members of the new agency whether they are government officials or drawn from the private business sector. Legal costs or fines incurred by any agency member found guilty of illegal activity will be paid by the Sri Lankan state.

The governments new development ministry and its wide-ranging powers further highlight Colombos desperate efforts to attract foreign investment.

Although the open market policies of Sri Lankan President J. R. Jayawardene in 1978 preceded similar measures by other South and South East Asian countries, Colombos three-decade communalist war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, dissuaded many foreign businesses from investing.

When the war ended in 2009 the Rajapakse government introduced similar foreign investment legislation but this was blocked by a Supreme Court decision. The court ruled that the planned laws had to be endorsed by a national referendum because some sections contravened the constitution.

The Rajapakse government responded by impeaching the chief justice. Although a replacement was found among the governments cronies in the legal profession, new presidential elections prevented the legislation from being tabled in parliament. A similar constitutional crisis is now brewing.

In an effort to dissipate these tensions Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has hurriedly called a meeting of the provincial council chief ministers to discuss the planned law and promised to make some changes.

While the provincial councils could be cowed to back the measures, as they were under the Rajapakse regime, the Sri Lankan economy is rapidly declining under the impact of the deepening world economic recession, falling export earnings and growing debts. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has declined substantially in recent years, from $933 million in 2013 to $681 million in 2015.

In an October policy statement, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe declared that the government had to focus on large-scale FDI and accelerated growth and creating a positive investment climate  Hurdles that stand in the way of achieving growth for business start-ups will be removed.

This is the desperate economic vision behind the Development (Special Provisions) Act. Colombo plans to establish 45 cheap labour economic development zones, privatise major government enterprises and reform labour laws to facilitate business growth.

The government has announced that it will allocate 15,000 acres in Hambantota District for a Southern Investment Zone. Early this month poor farmers in the area began protesting the planned handover of their land to foreign investors.

While the government will engage in various manoeuvres and dirty backroom deals to win provincial council support for its new foreign investment rules, the genuine concerns and grievances of poor farmers will not go away.
TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- The minimum wage in the Sunshine State is expected to rise by a nickel an hour starting January first. Florida will boast an $8.10 minimum wage. That's the fifth smallest hourly increase since the state first established a standardized minimum wage in 2005.

Florida's minimum wage was established in a statute that requires the state to adjust the pay in order to align with the Consumer Price Index. The new hourly wage in Florida of $8.10 is still well above the federal average of $7.25 an hour.

This increase in pay is so small that after an eight our work day, employees will only see an extra forty cents an hour. After a typical work week, hourly employees will have two extra dollars in their pockets.

While a pay increase of any kid is good for the employee, customers may worry that they'll be paying a little more at the register to compensate. The local businesses WTXL spoke to Friday assured us that IF customers see a price increase that it will be very small.

"I think this is good that we're having a minimum wage increase, but it's not going to affect the average employee," say Gregory Cohen, the owner of Lofty Pursuits. He goes on to say, "While I'm sure they're going to appreciate that dollar, I don't think it's going to affect their net spending. It's still half a cup of coffee."

Cohen did say the his customers may see a small increase in prices due to the rising costs of sugar and milk needed to make the ice cream, but that has nothing to do with the wage increase.

The local business owners agreed that this pay increase is so small that it is not expected to raise prices at the register.
YAKIMA, Wash. - A 27-year-old man accused of robbing a Moxee cafe and a Zillah gas station last week has been linked to a third robbery.
Scenes from the old Yakima County jail in downtown Yakima, Wash. Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. The building is slated to be demolished in 2017, makin
I grew up in a generation in which a proper Zionist response was building, raising children, farming and clinging to the land. The Jewish sumud (steadfastness in Arabic) to the Land of Israel.

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Heres a partial list of what was acceptable a long time ago and that I remember from the past: Kiryat Shmona, Yad Hahamisha, Givat Hashlosha, Hahotrim, Yad Hana, Havat Yair, Havat Gilad, Kfar Giladi, Ramat Raziel, Nir Etzion, Tkuma. All these communities were a response to terror attacks, to the killing of soldiers, to major events, or any crisis which raised questions. Facing all of that, practical Zionism knew how to provide a proper response. A response, instead of whining.

Ma'ale Adumim. Hold a public debate on the Israeli areas of consensus (Photo: Reuters)

And now 2016 is about to end, and the list of responses to every problem is the complete opposite. Large fires, some started by Arabs, and the Zionist response is a competition of Facebook posts between politicians. One calls it riots, the other declares that its the worst situation he has ever encountered. While thousands of Israelis were busy guarding forested areas, the Facebook likes were kept safe. Up until two decades ago, we would have seen a planting and construction boom for every case of arson; now we are seeing a spree of words.

This applies to the reactions to the United Nations Security Council resolution as well. MK Michael Oren, who is usually a serious person, says they are trying to destroy us, the ministers are competing over who will slam US President Barack Obama harder, MK Tzipi Livni refers to the situation as Masada, as if we are about to commit suicide in a minute, Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog calls it a tragedy, and finally, the proper Zionist response arrives in the form of reprimanding foreign representatives at the Foreign Ministry. Awestruck workers of the embassies facing awestruck workers of the Foreign Ministry. And Dan Shapiro, one of the best American ambassadors we have ever had here, meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a general conversation that ends with a formal rebuke.

There are a lot of things the State of Israel can to do in order to demonstrate that UNSC Resolution 2334 is irrelevant and present the absurdity in maintaining the 1967 borders as a criterion in the international community. We could convey a message through the construction of new agricultural communities on the old 1967 lines  from the north, through the valley to South Mount Hebron (at a time when agriculture is dying, this is a double message). We could move the government offices from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, next to the Justice Ministry, which  according to the Security Council resolution  is located on occupied territory. We could convene and hold a public debate on the Israeli areas of consensus: Gush Etzion, the northern Dead Sea, Maale Adumim. Bring the opposition together with the coalition to discuss agreements, and then hold an important debate about vision  yes, even a vision that includes partial annexation  a moment before Donald Trump enters the White House. We could call on the people of Israel to visit every place, and light Hanukkah candles in a different community each day.

And yes, on the diplomatic level we could do what Israel has always done behind the scenes. Turn to our friends at the Senate, call Trump, use the Jewish lobbys pressure, and mainly explain the lack of hope in such a resolution. Everything apart from being hysterical like a Jew from the previous centuries who found himself facing a group of Cossacks.

We like to say that prophecy is for fools, but this is whats going to happen: Contrary to Defense Minister Avigdor Liebermans declarations, Israel will not sever its ties with the Palestinian Authority. We are the ones who are holding them. Without us, they wouldnt survive. We transfer them money, we arrest Hamas people and we supply electricity. The Israeli interest is a diplomatic, not security separation. So even after the declaration (ask Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh), nothing is going to happen.

Japan and France will remain our allies. Ukraine, which has a Jewish prime minister for the first time, and Britain, which has a pro-Israel prime minister, will start receiving flattery delegations in two weeks from now to preserve the ties. And we will continue to fear Russia, which we prefer not to mess with. Ambassador Shapiro will leave with Obama, David Friedman and Trump will arrive, and Israel  which choses to write Facebook posts and reprimand  will find itself facing similar challenges in the future.

Obama was a catastrophe in terms of foreign relations. What he did in the past eight years is damage which will last for generations to come in the Middle East, but without a proper Zionist response we will continue to engage in gimmicks and whine.
The graduation ceremony of the 173rd Israeli Air Force pilots' course on Thursday was also an opportunity for the Israeli Air Force to show off its capabilities, with many of its aircraft taking part.

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From the IAF graduation (:  )

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During the ceremony, an F-15I plane fired in the air and practiced evading missiles. Two Apache helicopters simulated reaching enemy territory and fired machine-gun bursts at targets. A CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter also transported Airborne Rescue and Evacuation Unit 669 to simulate evacuated wounded from the field.

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Gadi Eisenkot addresses the graduates. (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

The aerial display opened with three Black Hawk helicopters flying past the crowd and displaying Israeli flags. Other aircraft on display were Beechcraft T-6 Texan II planes, F-16I planes and Spitfires (which the late President Ezer Weizman flew).





IAF aircraft circle above (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

(Photo: Motti Kimchi)

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

At the ceremony's climax, one of the IAF's new F-35s circled above the crowd. IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot commented on the new aircraft, saying that "our enemies view the IDF as a formidable foe. Just this month the IDF received an amazing plane which will keep Israel as one of the most advanced fighting forces in the world."





Pinning wings (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Benjamin Netanyahu warns of a dangerous world. (Photo: Reuters)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke at the ceremony, talking about the turmoil going on in the Middle East, and the endless waves of refugees fleeing the region for Europe.

The graduating class included Israel's fourth female fighter pilot, as well as an immigrant from the former Soviet Union who had previously served as a combat soldier and an officer.
An initiative of two Knesset members from both the coalition and the opposition would add clerics to the termination committee from which a woman seeking to end her pregnancy must attain approval.

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On Monday, the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality will consider the subject "the need to add clerics to the termination committee." The matter was submitted recently by two different MKsRabbi Yehuda Glick (Likud) and Abd al-Hakim Hajj Yahya (Joint List)in separate applications for a "rapid debate."

Under current regulations from the Ministry of Health, committees that are legally required for a woman to attain permission to have an abortion performed comprise three members: a gynecologist, another doctor and a social worker. At least one of the three must be a woman.

Abd al-Hakim Hajj Yahya (Photo: Knesset)

A "rapid debate" is a process in which MKs ask for a certain committee to discuss a given issue. This is usually done in preparation for a bill to be submitted on that same subject. Hajj Yahya confirmed that this is indeed his intention.

Glick's application for the debate, which he submitted to the speaker of the Knesset, reads in part, "It is very important that in addition to the professionals, a cleric relevant to the religion of the applicant be present in the committee."

Hajj Yahya wrote in his own application that he was concerned by the rise in the abortion rate amongst Arab women. He detailed, "There is an increase in the number of Muslim, Druze and Arab-Christian women who go to the termination committee, while there is a decrease amongst Jewish women."

Rabbi Yehuda Glick (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Speaking with Yedioth Ahronoth, Ynet's sister publication, Glick explained that it was Hajj Yahya who approached him presenting that data and who convinced him of the need to add a cleric to the committees. Hajj Yahya asked him to submit an application to add a rabbi for cases when the woman seeking to terminate her pregnancy is Jewish.

Glick claimed, "There's been an increase in apportions, and we understand that there's also a desire of women to have a rabbi or sheikh present in the committee to express a religious position. My goal is to prevent abortions when they're not necessary. Abortion is not a trivialityit's the process of almost taking a life. If there's a trend of trigger-happiness, and the termination committee issues approvals left and right, it needs to be restricted."

He further alleged, "The presence of a cleric on the committee may in some cases actually make it easier for women to have an abortion. In the case where the abortion is permitted according to the woman's religion, it's desirable that a cleric should make it clear to her so that she'll feel religious backing."

Asked if the rabbinic establishment in Israel might take advantage of his proposed situation to significantly restrict abortions, Glick replied, "I promise to come to the committee with an open mind and to listen to all the positions, and I'll decide my position based on that."

Regarding Sharia's stance on abortion, Hajj Yahya explained in his application, "If the abortion is performed when the gestational age is more than 120 days, than it is tantamount to killing."

Dr. Aliza Lavie (Photo: Oren Aharoni)

Running counter to Hajj Yahya and Glick's proposal is a draft bill being finalized by their colleague, MK Dr. Aliza Lavie (Yesh Atid), that seeks to ease the criteria for receiving approval from the termination committee at the earlier stages of pregnancy.

She was extremely critical both of the current status of abortions in Israel and her fellow parliamentarians' intentions, saying, "The existing legal situation is already trampling on the fundamental right of a woman to take decisions about her body. Amazingly, MKs Glick and Hajj Yahya are seeking to add insult to injury and add a cleric to the committee, as if it were their bodies being discussed.

"It baffles me that somebody without the tools and the ability to understand the significance of carrying an unwanted pregnancy is seeking to apply additional strictures."
Two American YouTube stars, Diamond and Silk, released a new video on Thursday to their channel, The Viewers View, in which they proclaim their support for Israel and condemn President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry.

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The duo, sisters with the real names of Lynette Hardaway and Rochelle Richardson, rose to international prominence when they began supporting US President-elect Donald Trump in his successful candidacy for the Republican nomination.

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Their video, entitled "We Stand With Israel. Kerry and Obama don't know where they stand," criticizes Kerry for his recent speech on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which was soundly dismissed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Diamond and Silk

Making a reference to the fortune of Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz, one of the pair jokes, "Kerry must be slipping in all of that Heinz Ketchupbecause he trippin'!"

Going on to criticize the outgoing US president, Silk and Diamond emphasize the importance of having Israel's back due to the two nations being allies and commitfor their part at leastto always have it.
CAIRO - Egypt's Forensics Authority says it has released the remains of ten crew members of the fallen EgyptAir Paris flight to their families, seven months after the plane plummeted into the Mediterranean Sea on its way to Cairo in May, killing all 66 passengers on board.

Authority spokesman Hisham Abdel Hamid told the Associated Press Saturday that the rest of the remains will be released by the end of next week, a delay the French authorities have repeatedly protested.
It was assuredly one of the busiest days in the annals of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Never before in the State of Israel have so many ambassadors been simultaneously summoned in such aggravated circumstances, and from friendly countries at that.

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One after another, representatives of ten countries were called in for formal reprimands following their governments' votes in favor of UN Security Council Resolution 2334 that infuriated Jerusalem by coming out against Israel's settlement construction. Of the ten representatives summoned, only three were ambassadorsall the others sent the "Number 2"s from their Tel Aviv embassies, with the Number 1s enjoying Christmas abroad and watching the diplomatic melodrama unfold from afar.

UN Security Council passing Resolution 2334 (Photo: AP)

The representatives summoned were those of Angola, China, Egypt, France, Japan, Russia, Spain, the UK, Ukraine, and Uruguay. Those countries supported the resolution, while those four that actually submitted the accepted resolution don't have representatives in Israel: Malaysia and Venezuela don't have diplomatic relations with the Jewish state, and the ambassadors from Senegal and New Zealand are non-resident.And so it came to be that this whole hubbub fell on the supporting characters in the affair. That said, Israel was very aware that Britain was extremely active behind the scenes and that it was Egypt that submitted the original draft resolution that was withdrawn after US President-elect Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu applied massive pressure on Egyptian President Al-Sisi.

Each conversation lasted ten minutes. The ambassador or the stand-in diplomat was received by the deputy director general responsible for their country and by the department director. The representative was taken to a meeting room in each branch. With a necessary handshake but without small talkno comments on the weather, cultural discussions or just personal courtesieswhich, in the diplomatic world, is understood to be a display of anger.

Arriving at the MFA for a reprimand (Archive photo: Gil Yohanan)

And if the verbal snub were insufficient, the diplomats weren't offered any refreshments, not even a glass of water. They could also forget about a flag from their country being displayed. However, to avoid repeating the infamous incident with the dressing down of the Turkish ambassador in 2010, the press corps was not assembled, and the ambassadors were chastened on Christmas morning on chairs of the same height as those with whom they were meeting.

The issue of summoning the diplomats on one of the Western Christian calendar's holiest days became a mini-diplomatic incident of its own. According to one version from the MFA, the timing was deliberately ordered from above to cause maximum annoyance. According to another version, however, it wasn't necessarily on purposeit simply was the first working day in Israel after the controversial resolution, and there was no reason to delay summoning the representatives.

The infamous reprimand with the then-Turkish ambassador seated on a lower sofa than the Israelis in 2010 (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Either way, nearly all those who were rebuked protested that they had been summoned on Christmas. One of them angrily said, "If you were called on Shabbat or Yom Kippur, would you come?" However, senior diplomats say in reply, "If they slap Israel in the face on Christmas Eve, they can't complain when they get summoned for a reprimand on Christmas Day."

Some of the diplomats tried to get out of having to attempt the meeting for a variety of excuses. Some claimed that they were in the midst of a trip somewhere in the country, but the MFA didn't cave and insisted that they arrive that very day. The Spanish ambassador tried to raise the banner of revolt from his vacation abroad, ordering his deputy by telephone not to come. However, when the deputy discovered that the rest of his European peers would be presenting themselves, Madrid took the decision to get in line with the others, and the deputy did show up.

Russia's ambassador, however, was not outraged at all by the December 25 summons. This is because the Eastern Christian Church celebrates the birth of Jesus on January 7 in keeping with the older Julian calendar. It may also be more evidence of a diplomatic spring between the Putin administration and Jerusalem.

The Spanish ambassador (L) who tried to raise the banner of revolt from abroad (Photo: Barel Efraim)

As regards relations with the Obama administration, on the other hand, the winter has never been more frozen. US Ambassador Dan Shapiro received special treatment: He was summoned separately to meet with the prime minister. Initial reports termed that a reprimand as well, but the Prime Minister's Offic rushed to qualify slightly: It was a clarifying discussion. Officially, the United States was the only country that abstained in the vote, but, then again, it didn't cast the veto that Israel so desperately needed and was even perceived by Jerusalem as having orchestrated the move

So what was said in the meetings? In each reprimand, the relevant jurisdiction's deputy director general read a set message formulated in coordination with the Prime Minister's Office. The text was repeated with minor changes here and there.

To give one example, the reprimand of the Spanish ambassador's deputy, according to records obtained by Yedioth Ahronoth, was delivered by the deputy director general for Western Europe in the MFA, Dr. Rodica Radian-Gordon. She opened the meeting by expressing deep anger with the resolution. She added that even if there are disagreements between friendly countries, they don't go to the Security Council. She further stated that the resolution was seen as that institution's moral bankruptcy and revealed the duplicity of its members.

Radian-Gordon also emphasized that the new administration in Washington is expected to express completely different views. The resolution runs contrary to the Quartet's position in advocating direct and fair negotiations and only makes it easier on the Palestinians not to return to the negotiating table, the deputy director general emphasized.

Rodica Radian-Gordon in 2010

In every one of the ten reprimands, the door "suddenly" opened and either the MFA's then-interim director general Yuval Rotem (who was appointed to permanently fill the position on Thursday) or the ministry's political director Alon Ushpiz would enter. Rotem or Ushpiz would then add further Israeli protest in the name of the prime minister and the government with the same message: Jerusalem is angry.

All the summoned diplomats took notes and said that they would convey the messages. Most of them asked not to respond on the spot and, at most, made due with protesting the timing.

Opinions in the MFA of Netanyahu's frenzy are divided: Some of the diplomats agree that a serious act took place that justified such a response. One ministry official said, "They put a mine in that resolution that says that anything beyond the Green Line is illegal. This will harden Palestinian positions, and now they'll also insist on an Israeli withdrawal from settlement blocs and neighborhoods in Jerusalem that are beyond the '67 lines: Ramot, Gilo, Pisgat Ze'ev and more. This will render the conflict insoluble."

Yuval Rotem (R) when he was still ambassador to Australia

On the other hand, other officials say that Netanyahu is seriously damaging the ability of those countries to work with Israel in following votes. The preceding Friday night saw senior officials in the ministry attempting to stop any far-reaching reciprocal measures put forward by Netanyahu's people, some even bordering on a break in diplomatic relations. This is particularly relevant to the two countries who submitted the resolution and with whom we have diplomatic relations, New Zealand and Senegal.

In New Zealand, the crisis reached the front pages, and the Jewish community there already reached out to Israel asking it not to close its embassy, which is one of the most active in providing assistance to Israeli travelers.

Regarding Senegal, as well, there are currently doubts about downgrading relations, and in the interim it was decided to cease the massive aid operations from Mashav (Israel's agency for international development cooperation run by the MFA). One Senegalese newspaper headlined an article, "Senegal at war with the Jewish state."
Jordan's Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mahmoud Freihat, warned in an interview with the BBC in Arabic on Saturday that ISIS fighters on the Jordan-Syria-Israel border in the Golan Heights have anti-aircraft missiles.

"This faction is a constant and close threat to Jordan. Some of the areas its fighters are in are a kilometer away from the border," Freihat said.

"They have tanks, armored vehicles, anti-aircraft missiles and machineguns that can hit the military posts on the frontline."
Parts of Syria saw continued fighting Saturday, on the second day of a nationwide ceasefire intended to pave the way for peace talks between the government and the opposition in the new year.

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Activists reported pro-government forces were pressing on several fronts against two strategically-located opposition pockets around the capital, Damascus, while Russia's military deployment to Syria reported twelve ceasefire violations it blamed on rebels Friday. Russia is a key ally of the Syrian government.

Nevertheless, the Russian and Turkish brokered truce held for the most part on a day marked by rain and overcast skies, preserving the possibility for peace talks in the Kazakhstan capital of Astana in the second half of January.





Ceasefire in Damascus (Photo: Reuters)

The resolution also calls for the "rapid, safe and unhindered" access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country.

The developments signal the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough after nearly six years of conflict that has drawn in world powers, displaced half the Syrian population, and killed more than 400,000 people. The parties have defied previous peace initiatives.

It follows months of talks between Ankara and Moscow that culminated in a ceasefire agreement that went into effect Thursday at midnight.

Ceasefire in Damascus (Photo: AFP)

Moscow along with Iran provides crucial military support to Syrian President Bashar Assad, while Turkey has long served as a rear base and source of supplies for the opposition.

The three powers, Russia, Iran, and Turkey, have agreed to sponsor talks between the government and the opposition in Astana if the truce holds holds.

Syrian rebel groups warned they would consider the ceasefire "null and void" if the Assad government's forces and their allies continued to violate it.

"Continued violations by the regime and bombardment and attempts to attack areas under the control of the revolutionary factions will make the agreement null and void," a statement signed by a number of rebel groups said.

Ceasefire in Damascus (Photo: Reuters)

The statement said government forces and their allies, including Lebanese terror organization Hezbollah, had been trying to press advances, particularly in an area northwest of Damascus in the rebel-held Barada Valley.

Rebels say the army is seeking to recapture the area, where a major spring provides most of Damascus's water supplies.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said at least two civilians and five militants have been killed in battles over opposition-held Eastern Ghouta and Barada Valley regions around Damascus, since the truce came into effect Thursday at midnight.

The Barada Valley Media Center said Russian and Syrian government aircraft struck villages in the water-rich region for the 10th consecutive day Saturday. The raids have coincided with a severe water shortage in Damascus since Dec. 22.

Ceasefire in Damascus (Photo: AFP)

Blasts from government shellfire were also heard in the southern provinces of Quneitra and Deraa, the Observatory said.

Each side blames the other for continued unrest. Russia's defense ministry said on Friday rebels had violated the truce 12 times in 24 hours.

In their statement, the rebels said it appeared the government and the opposition had signed two different versions of the ceasefire deal, one of which was missing "a number of key and essential points that are non-negotiable", but did not say what those were.

Meanwhile, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency reported the death of an Islamic State commander in a Turkish airstrike near the north Syrian town of al-Bab on Friday. The truce does not cover operations against the Islamic State or al-Qaida's Syria affiliate, the Fatah al-Sham front.

Anadolu identified the commander as Abu Ansari. The report could not be independently verified.
Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Friday slammed a UN Security Council resolution against Israel's settlement construction that was passed last week, saying it is "one-sided," "counterproductive" and "deeply unsettling."

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Turnbull attended a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony at the Central Synagogue in Sydney, where he told worshipers that his government supports "a peaceful resolution of the disputes between Israel and the Palestinians." Particularly, he said, "We support a two-state solution just as the government of Israel does."

According to the Australian Jewish News website, the prime minister stressed that a two-state solution "can only be negotiated between the parties," noting that "It is not assisted by one-sided resolutions made at the councils of the United Nations or anywhere else, and that is why Australia has not, and does not, support one-sided resolutions."

Australia's Prime Minister Malcoln Turnbull at a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony at the Central Synagogue in Sydney

Australia, he said, believes such resolutions "are not conducive to the successful conclusion of negotiations, which we urge the parties to undertake."

"These issues can only be resolved by the State of Israel and the Palestinian community," Turnbull added. "That is where the solution lies, when and where it is to be found."

Turnbull also declared that "Australia stands with Israel. We support Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East."

"Above all, we stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel in the fight against terrorists," the Australian leader added.
IDF and Shin Bet forces arrested five suspects in the West Bank over the weekend.

Three are suspected of opening fire at an IDF post on Friday and were arrested a few hours later in Ya'bad. The car believed to have been used by the suspect for the attack was seized.

In Yatta near Hebron, Israeli forces seized weapon parts and arrested the suspect in whose possession they were found.

Finally, at the Deir Sharaf Junction, IDF troops arrested a suspect who declared his intention to carry out an attack. A knife was found in his possession.
CAIRO - Egypt's Forensics Authority says it has released the remains of ten crew members of the EgyptAir Paris flight that crashed in May, killing all 66 passengers on board.

Authority spokesman Hisham Abdel Hamid told the Associated Press Saturday that the remains of the passengers will be released by the end of next week, a delay the French authorities have repeatedly protested.

Egypt's prosecution had announced earlier this month that it would release the remains in coordination with foreign embassies, after investigations revealed traces of explosives.

Flight 804 was carrying 30 Egyptian and 15 French passengers when it plummeted into the Mediterranean Sea, as well as others from Iraq, the UK, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Chad, Portugal, Belgium, Algeria and Canada.
A large Hanukkah menorah display outside a home in the city of Chandler, AZ was contorted into a swastika, local news station ABC15 reported on Friday.

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Police were called to the family's home at around 5:30am Friday morning and helped disassemble the Nazi symbol.

According to the Washington Post, Naomi and Seth Ellis's three children wanted their home decorated for the holidays, similar to their neighbors Christmas decorations.

The Hanukkah menorah contorted into a swastika

Their parents decided to build a 7-foot-tall (about 2 meters) menorah on their lawn using $100 worth of PVC pipe, nine solar-powered lights and shiny gold paint.

On the sixth night of Hanukkah, however, vandals dismantled the menorah and turned it into a giant swastika.

"Just waking up to see that first thing is kind of rattling," Seth Ellis told ABC15. "It just makes me sad and it makes me feel sick that's still how people look at the world in 2016," he added.

Thankfully, the children did not see what had happened to the menorah. Naomi Ellis said it was not easy to explain to her boysages five, seven, and ninewhat had happened.

"We talk a lot about the importance of equality and tolerance, loving everybody no matter what," she told the Washington Post. "I had to tell them that not everybody feels that way. Some people are ignorant, and this is what they do."

Naomi said she had to watch tears well up in her nine-year-old son's eyes as she told him what happened.

"This is the real reality that we live in: People hate us for no reason or want us to feel scared for who we are. Thats not something I wanted to have to tell them," Naomi told the Post.

Seth and Naomi Ellis spent part of Friday afternoon rebuilding the menorah.

"You have to put it back up," Seth Ellis told ABC15 reporter Megan Thompson. "I mean, what kind of statement is it for me not to put it back up, especially for my kids?"

He said that if his second menorah is also vandalized, he is determined to keep rebuilding it: "As many times as I have to."

Upon rebuilding it, the Ellis family invited their community to attend a "lighting" ceremony of the new menorah at their home.

So far, no arrests have been made and police investigators were questioning neighbors to see if they saw anything or captured the incident on security cameras.
PARIS - French President Francois Hollande on Saturday said he would visit Iraq on Monday to salute troops which are taking part in a US-led military coalition against the Islamic State.

"We're not done with the plight of terrorism. We have to keep on fighting it," Hollande said in a New Year address to the nation that was broadcast on French television.

"This is the reason for our military operations abroad, in Mali, in Syria, in Iraq -- Iraq where I'll be going the day after tomorrow to salute our troops."
BERLIN - German police say they have arrested a man who shouted "bomb, bomb, bomb" at Berlin's massive open-air New Year's party.

Using the hashtag "#nichtlustig" -- meaning "not funny" -- Berlin police tweeted Saturday that the unnamed man "is now celebrating #Welcome2017 with us."

Tens of thousands of people are celebrating the New Year near Berlin's Brandenburg Gate amid tight security.

Large concrete blocks have been place around the security cordon to prevent a repeat of the truck attack that killed twelve people in Berlin before Christmas.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday he is willing to work with US President-elect Donald Trump to reach a two-state solution to the conflict with Israel.

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"We want to emphasize our willingness to work with the newly-elected American administration... to achieve peace... based on a two-state solution" as well as the Arab peace initiative and international resolutions, Abbas said during an event marking the anniversary of his Fatah party.

Abbas thanked the US for its UN abstention vote last week, which allowed the Security Council to adopt a resolution declaring Israeli settlements in territory claimed by Palestinians illegal.

Palestinian President Abbas (Photo: AFP)

In a televised speech, Abbas demanded Israel to stop all settlement activities and to avoid making any changes to the demographic situation of "the land of the state of Palestine which has been occupied since 1967, including east Jerusalem."

The Israeli government "has been trying to overturn facts and mislead the international community while continuing to establish settlements maintaining one state solution and racial discrimination," he said.

Abbas dubbed 2017 "the year of international recognition for the State of Palestine" and said he was hopeful and looking forward to the international peace conference in Paris on January 15.

Earlier in the day, Abbas's spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh boasted of three significant achievements for the Palestinians at the end of 2016 and beginning of 2017: The UN Security Council resolution against the settlements, US Secretary of State John Kerry's recent speech about the conflictwhich was also very critical of the settlements, and the upcoming Paris peace conference.

There is no doubt that these achievements carried a clear message, not only to Israel, but also to the next US administration that says the entire world is unanimous in rejecting the occupation, settlements and mutiny against international decisions, he said in quotes published by the official PA news agency Wafa.

He added that he hoped the world, which is getting tired of Israeli government policies and violation of international law while holding on to occupation, will assist our people in its just struggle that will not stop before snatching our right to freedom and national independence.

The two-state solution has been the basis for peace talks under the past several US administrations.

Trump's election platform didn't mention a Palestinian state and his choice for ambassador to Israel has strong ties to the Jewish settlement enterprise.
The Yavapai County Attorneys Office has cleared of wrongdoing two Flagstaff police officers involved in the shooting death of Donald S. Myers in July.

The Flagstaff Police Department released a letter from the Yavapai County Attorneys Office Friday afternoon. The letter states, The evidence from your investigation indicates that Corporal Michael Lavelle and Officer Melissa Seay did everything they could possibly do during the incident to prevent the resulting outcome.

Officers shot Myers, 32, in July after responding to an open-line 911 call at around 4 a.m. The person who dialed 911 did not say anything but the departments policy is to respond just in case someone is in trouble. Dispatchers traced the call to the Relax Inn, 1500 E. Route 66.

Officer Seay responded to the call and interrupted a possible drug deal in the motel parking lot, according to the Flagstaff Police Department. As she was collecting the identities of each person, Myers, who had multiple misdemeanor warrants for his arrest, gave her his brothers name and birthdate. His brother also had a warrant.

Officer Zachary Syers arrived to help Seay arrest Myers. As they were trying to handcuff Myers, he pulled a gun and fled toward a mobile home park off North Switzer Canyon Drive. Seay and Lavelle, who had also arrived as backup, found Myers hiding behind an SUV in a driveway.

Seay and Lavelle told Myers several times to come out from behind the vehicle with his hands up. He refused several times and then suddenly stepped out from behind the SUV. According to police reports, Lavelle said he saw Myers reach for his waist, where he believed Myers still had his gun. Lavelle then fired five shots at Myers, three of which struck him and he died at the scene.

An autopsy and toxicology report on Myers showed that he had methamphetamine, opiates, marijuana and alcohol in his system. Officers located Myers gun a short distance away from the Relax Inn.

The Yavapai Attorneys letter goes on to state, Mr. Myers placed Corporal Lavelle in a reasonable apprehension of being seriously injured or killed (or others being injured or killed) if he did not act with immediate and appropriate force.
Hamas's military wing on Saturday released videos of a mock birthday party for IDF soldier Oron Shaul, who was killed during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge in Gaza.

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The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades said in a New Year's Eve statement that it had posted online "two video clips to mark the 23rd birthday of the Zionist soldier and prisoner Oron Shaul."

The statement went on to say the al-Qassam Brigades had previously announced that it had killed 14 Israeli soldiers and abducted Shaul in eastern Gaza on July 20, 2014.

A 36-second video shows six people in military fatigues sitting on chairs and surrounding another person on a wheelchair who is wearing a shirt bearing the number 102. Their faces cannot be seen.

In the middle of them on a table is a cake with three candles bearing a message written in Hebrew that reads: "Three years in Hamas jail."

In the background a choir sings in Hebrew: "Happy Birthday Oron."

In the second clip, which lasts 54 seconds, a person whose face has been digitally altered to that of Shaul's is seen sitting in a prison cell with their hands bound in ropes.

In the final scene, a man dressed as a clown and appearing to be Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enters the cell.

Messages written in both Arabic and Hebrew read: "A new year and the soldier Shaul is still away from his family" and "the decision is in the hands of the government."

The bodies of Shaul and fellow soldier Hadar Goldin, were snatched by the Islamist Palestinian movement Hamas during the ground operation in Gaza over two years ago.

In September, a senior Israeli official said that since Protective Edge, Israel had been holding 18 Palestinians from Gaza as well as the bodies of 19 others and "offered to swap them for the bodies of the two Israeli soldiers".

But Lior Lotan, who is in charge of prisoners and missing persons, said that Hamas rejected the offer.
Police have been trying to schedule a time to question Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding two unspecified issues under investigationbut so far have been unable to set a date.

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In recent days, the police's investigations department has tried to schedule a time with the Prime Minister's Office, to no avail.

Despite that, police officials say the questioning will likely take place this week.

Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: Reuters)

Netanyahu will therefore likely be exposed to all investigative materials that has been collected over the last few months during his first questioning session. That is why police prefer to have more than four hours to question the prime minister, rather than a shortened two-hour session.

"There's an issue with scheduling at the moment and we're hoping it would be resolved soon," said a senior police officer. "At this point, the attorney general is the one who decides everything and we can't do anything."

The Prime Minister's Office said in response: "All past alleged affairs have turned out to be baseless and the same will happen to the claims currently being reported in the media. We repeat: Nothing will happenbecause there is nothing."

Journalist Amnon Abramovich reported on Channel 2 that one of the 50 witnesses questioned as part of the investigation was billionaire Ronald Lauder, the president of the World Jewish Congress. Lauder was asked by police investigators to testify in late September, when he arrived in Israel for president Shimon Peres's funeral.

World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Lauder's lawyer said in a statement: "At the request of the police, Lauder gave a short testimony on September 28. Lauder has never been questioned under caution, he only provided testimony. From the time he gave his testimony, two days before Shimon Peres's funeral, Lauder has not been asked to give another testimony in the US."
News

Washington, DC - President Obama will designate two new national monuments, protecting sacred sites, spectacular scenery, and important natural and cultural resources in the desert landscapes of southeastern Utah and southern Nevada. The creation of the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah and the Gold Butte National Monument in Nevada follow years of robust public input from tribes, local elected officials, and diverse stakeholders, and draws from legislation introduced in Congress.

In addition to protecting more land and water than any Administration in history, President Obama has taken unprecedented steps to elevate the voices of Native peoples in the management of our natural resources. Todays actions build on this important work, and further demonstrate the Presidents commitment to protecting sacred sites and our land, water and wildlife for future generations.

Bears Ears National Monument

Encompassing roughly 1.35 million acres of Federal land, the Bears Ears National Monument will protect some of the countrys most significant natural, cultural and archaeological resources, including important ancestral grounds for numerous tribes, as well as incredible landscapes that support hiking, hunting, rock climbing and other world-class outdoor recreation opportunities. The area gets its name from the iconic Bears Ears Buttes, two distinctive geological formations in the center of lands that are considered sacred by tribes in the region. Based on ancestral ties to the landscape, five tribal governments came together in a historic coalition to urge protections for the broader area, which also includes ancient cliff dwellings, ceremonial sites, abundant rock art, and countless other artifacts that hold cultural significance.

In addition to protecting this sacred landscape and the regions wildlife habitat and natural resources, todays action establishes a Bears Ears Commission to ensure that management decisions reflect tribal expertise as well as traditional and historical knowledge. In recognition of the importance of tribal participation to the care and management of the monument, the Departments of Interior and Agriculture will engage with the Commission, which will help to inform management decisions by sharing traditional knowledge and providing recommendations.

There have been over 80 years of various efforts to protect the Bears Ears region, beginning with former Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes in 1936 and by Members of Congress, state, local and tribal leaders, and conservation groups in recent decades. Most recently the Hopi Nation, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah Ouray, and Zuni Tribe developed a proposal to protect the area, and U.S. Representatives Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz introduced the Public Lands Initiative, legislation that included a similar protection proposal for the Bears Ears landscape. Todays action responds to both of these recent proposals, recognizing the areas where there is broad agreement about the need for protections, tribal engagement, and allowances for historical uses such as grazing. Todays action also establishes a process for developing a management plan that will ensure robust opportunities for all interested stakeholders to provide input about how the monument should be managed.

Gold Butte National Monument

Located in Clark County, Nevada just northeast of the outskirts of Las Vegas, the Gold Butte National Monument spans nearly 300,000 acres and will protect significant cultural resources, important geological formations, and vital plant and wildlife habitat. The monument will provide critical protections for important Native American historical sites, as well as areas that are currently used for traditional purposes by tribes. Notably, the area includes abundant rock art, archeological artifacts, and rare fossils, including recently discovered dinosaur tracks dating back hundreds of millions of years. In recent years these resources have faced increasing damage from threats such as deliberate destruction and vandalism, and todays designation will help ensure that these cultural and archaeological treasures are better protected.

The monument will serve as an important connection between already protected lands, including Lake Mead Recreation Area and the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument across the Arizona border, protecting key wildlife corridors for large mammals such as desert bighorn sheep and mountain lions, and vital habitat for the threatened Mojave desert tortoise. Additionally, the monument will protect important historic resources. Structures that detail western ranching heritage can still be found in the Gold Butte area, as well as an early twentieth-century abandoned mining town and sites associated with Spanish explorers from the late eighteenth century.

Todays action follows decades of local support from tribes, local stakeholders and conservationists, and draws from legislation that was first introduced in 2008.
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Why is everyone whining that 2016 was the worst ever and it needs to end?

I mean, yeah I get it, bits of it sucked the big one. But also some great things happened! At least speaking from personal experience, 2016 was actually not a bad year for me. Now 2011, that was not a great year, but 2016? Well, it certainly didnt suck.

And Im betting it was a pretty good year for some of you guys too, if you really think about it.

I started musing about this today on my Instagram stories, which you should check out by the way, if you havent already. I was started to get a bit panicky, either from being back at home at my parents house in Virginia, which can bring forth all sorts of feelings and general unpleasantness in and of itself, but also because I was totally NOT ready for 2016 to be over yet.

I mean, hell, Ive got so much left that I want to do, that I didnt get around to finishing. Story of my friggin life, guys. Then I realized, I actually DID do a lot this year and I need to stop being negative and focus on being happy with what I accomplished and get excited for whats next. I think this is a lesson we all need to hear over and over again, especially in this day and age of never being good enough/never doing enough/never being the best.

Can we make that not a thing for 2017? Id be cool with that.

Anyways, in an effort to not dwell on what I didnt do, I thought Id go back and share 20 of my best experiences from 2016 that made me pinch myself and go is this real life? Because sometimes we need to remind ourselves of that, right?

1. Visiting the winter wonderland that is Alberta, Canada

I finally went on a proper visit to our great white neighbor to the north  big beautiful CANADA  and it knocked my socks off.

Just kidding, my socks stayed on as one does not have bare feet in Canada in January. Not if you want to keep your toes.

I spent almost two weeks exploring magical Alberta, and all I could think about it when I can come back and do it again. And again. And again. I loved Canada.

Walking out on frozen Lake Louise at sunrise after sleeping at the Fairmont Chateau, is not something Ill forget ever.

2. Gone glamping in Wanaka under the stars

Last summer a friend of mine started up her own glamping business in Wanaka called Explore Life Camping, which I was so beyond stoked about. I love glamping (fancy camping) when traveling and was all too keen to check out her spot in Dublin Bay on the lake.

It was a beautiful hot summer day when I headed up to the site, sat reading by the lake as the sunset and went for walks all night under a full moon. It was so magical and made me fall in love with my home in Wanaka all over again.

3. The most perfect powder day in Switzerland

Ive been snowboarding now for about 2 years, and I still suck. Though I am getting better. I am a big bundle of fear on the mountain, something Im determined to overcome one of these days.

Luckily for me, I was over in Switzerland in March this year and after a week of the shittiest weather ever, the gods listened and I ended up getting a meter bluebird powder day in the Alps around Interlaken. Can I get a HOLY CRAP?

It was one of my best day snowboarding to date. Feels like nothing can go wrong when the snow is that soft. And riding in front of the Eiger North Face? Talk about pinch me!

4. Almost seeing the northern lights in Finland

Guys, I have literally been in places where you can see the Northern Lights multiple times and NOT SEEN THEM! What gives?

I was in Finnish Lapland in March for a week which is primo aurora territory and it was overcast every single night, except for this night when the Northern Lights teased me on the horizon for a few hours.

One day, one day. And oh, Finland was ridiculously awesome otherwise.

5. Hiking the Kepler track in New Zealand

If I had to pick a favorite multi-day hike in New Zealand, it would have to be the Kepler Track. Hands-down, my favorite.

I got a call last minute from a friend at DOC who was planning to come down for it, and I was all like, Im totally coming too! A 60 kilometer walk over a mountain pass in Fiordland, its not for the faint of heart, though as a Great Walk, its not as challenging as most hikes in New Zealand either.

If you get to chose a hike in New Zealand, go for the Kepler if you can!

6. Celebrating three years in New Zealand and two years in Wanaka

I cant believe it, man does time fly. It seems like only yesterday I was announcing on here that I was moving down under, and boom, three years later and they havent kicked me out yet.

I celebrated by walking out to Rob Roy Glacier, a beautiful day walk in Wanaka, and it was the first walk I ever did when I moved there and its kinda one of the reasons I fell in love with Wanaka.

Heres to another amazing three years in New Zealandat least!

7. Sleeping in a glass house under the Milky Way in Canterbury

Over the years, Canterbury has quickly become one of my favorite regions in New Zealand. It packs a punch. I keep going back and back because its so close to Wanaka, and with fun cities, big mountains and epic coastlines, Im never bored.

But probably my favorite non-mountain Canterbury experience in 2016 was getting to sleep in a PurePod in Little River on the Banks Peninsula. A solid glass cabin in the middle of the wilderness, its such a special little spot!

8. Overnight hiking on Fox Glacier

Fox Glacier is by far one of my favorite places on the South Island, and one of the only places where you can easily access and go on guided adventures on a glacier. Since I love being in the mountains but am not a mountaineer, this is one of my happy places.

This year I got the chance to try out the new Extreme Heli Hike on Fox with friends, and it was so much fun! We spent two days in the hills, first flying up to Chancellor Hut and doing the Half Dome trek, my first guided mountain climb before overnighting in the historic hut and then doing the ice hike the next day.

So cool!

9. Meeting the 2016 kakapo chicks

You guys know that I am a big bird nerd after moving to New Zealand, and my absolute favorites are the kakapo. These native flightless nocturnal parrots are on the brink of extinction, but luckily with a lot of help from groups like Kakapo Recovery, DOC, Forest and Bird and now Meridian Energy, they are slowly but surely coming back.

And 2016 was a bumper breeding season with lots of new chicks bringing up the population to 154 birds! And I was lucky enough to go and meet some of them down in Invercargill, not something Ill likely soon forget. They just started naming all the new ones this year over on Facebook.

Arent they cute?

10. Frolicking in Arrowtown in autumn

I always make a point to be in New Zealand for autumn, especially April when the leaves change. My absolute favorite time of year! If only we had pumpkin spice lattes.

Im basic, sue me.

11. Hanging out in the Maldives

Ok, pretty much the whole time I was there, I was like IS THIS REAL LIFE? HOW IS THIS MY LIFE?

Enough said.

12. Tracking leopards in Sri Lanka

Ive gotten so into wildlife photography and animal conservation lately, so I knew I had to go try and see leopards in Sri Lanka, especially as this was my second trip over.

I spent a few days on safari in Yala National Park tracking leopards and elephants based at Cinnamon Wild Yala, and it blew me away!

That is until I got dengue. FML times a million.

13. Taking part in an AirNZ shoot at Mt. Hutt

So this one time, Air New Zealand asked me to be in one of their commercial videos snowboarding at Mt. Hutt and eating ice creams. Didnt have to ask me twice!

14. Working on my snowboarding all season at Treble Cone in Wanaka

Ive been working my butt off the past few years trying to become a better snowboarder, and finally am getting there. I spent a lot of days up the hill in Wanaka at my local skifield, Treble Cone, earning my turns and trying not to faceplant off the chairlift.

Bit by bit, Im getting there!

15. FINALLY visiting the polar bears in Svalbard

I had been dying, DYING to go to Svalbard for about 10 years at least, and finally had the opportunity to go this year on an expedition ship with Eclipse Travel. Svalbard is a very remote group of glaciated islands north of Norway in the Arctic Circle, and we spent almost two weeks circumnavigating it this year. And tracking polar bears on the sea ice.

Cue all the tears.

16. Roadtripping around the Lofoten Islands in Norway

Since I was already in Norway, I had to take the chance and head around the fjords in Northern Norway, especially to see the magical, mystical Lofoten Islands.

And holy crap were they just as amazing as you might have imagined!

17. Finally getting to know Rotorua

This spring I spent some time getting to know more of my own backyard in New Zealand, with a four day trip up to Rotorua on the North Island. A geothermal wonderland, I skipped out on more of the touristic spots in favor of exploring more of the hidden forests and lakes.

And I am totally already planning a trip back.

18. Eating my way through Dunedin

This spring I also spent time hanging out in nearby Dunedin, an amazing city by the sea on the South Island, which by the way, has the most amazing new foodie scene.

I havent written much about my time there yet, but stay tuned, Ive got some exciting new projects coming up around it I cant wait to share!

19. Celebrating our Travel Bootcamps in Sydney and the Gold Coast

Hey remember that one time in May where I casually mentioned that I was co-launching my own travel conference? Yeah that happened. Twice!

My partners and I wanted to launch our own travel conference where taught the specific ins-and-outs of getting paid to travel and work in the writing, blogging and photography fields, no bullshit, straight facts.

Our first Travel Bootcamp was in Sydney in June and was a great success, and then we launched our second conference on the Gold Coast in November, also a great success. We have a lot of exciting, secret plans around this in the works, and have quietly just released tickets to our next Bootcamp in Melbourne on April 29th, so if youre keen to learn how to get paid to travel like I do, sign up!

20. Roadtripping to Fiordland in an Aston Martin

Finally, I had to go out with a bang in 2016 on my last week in New Zealand for the year before flying home to the US for the holidays, by road-tripping to Fiordland.

My friend Sarah came to visit, and I wanted to surprise by organizing a rental for us in an Aston Martin with Ignition Self Drive in Queenstown so we could road-trip in style to Milford Sound and live out our James Bond fantasies.

2016, what a year! What is my life? Holy shit!

How did your 2016 shape up? Share one awesome positive experience you had in the comments or a great place you traveled to this year and what youre looking forward to for 2017!
This is the time of year when guests wear out their welcome.

Your kid comes home from college for Christmas and, after emptying the kitchen shelves and your coin jar, refuses to return to campus. Your aunts and uncles fly in from Antwerp for the holidays on open-ended plane tickets, and make you nervous by asking where they can file change-of-address cards. Your cousin Eddie shows up in his RV with a snot factory of a dog, insists upon emptying the toilet tank into your sewer and says something about leaving next month.

Wait, no, that last scene was from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Ive watched so many holiday movies this month, I no longer can differentiate reality from fiction.

If ever there were a year to disassociate oneself from reality, it was 2016. It was truly a horror, on par with Aunt Gladys fruitcake. We cant seem to go a week without losing a beloved celebrity, which is just one of many reasons why we cant wait for 2016 to take the hint and take a hike, already.

It was bad enough when we lost David Bowie and Merle Haggard and Glenn Frey. Not to mention Prince, Gene Wilder and Alan Rickman. As well as Gordie Howe, Arnold Palmer and Muhammad Ali. Then this month, 2016 delivered final blows with the deaths of Alan Thicke, John Glenn and George Michael. Truly there is no justice in a world where Prince, Ali and Wilder die and Ryan Lochte continues to live.

Of course, there are more important things in the world than celebrities deaths. Many Americans remain in mourning over the presidential election. Theyre certain the Cheetoh in Chief will dismantle democracy and nuke half the eastern hemisphere. Ill worry about that later: Surviving 2016 is a day-by-day affair.

Britains membership in the European Union didnt last the year, nor did Brangelina. Creepy clowns lurked everywhere, as did kids playing Pokemon Go. Which is the greater scourge? Let the Supreme Court decide: But with the death of Antonin Scalia, its split evenly between liberals and conservatives until the Cheetoh appoints a new justice, possibly Chewbacca Mom.

This was a turbulent year. Officers and suspects shot one another; protesters sought to block a pipeline; and terrorists attacked Brussels, Orlando and New York. You couldnt drink the water in Flint, Mich., and you couldnt swat a mosquito anywhere without worrying about contracting Zika.

Refugees flooded in from Syria, Harambe the gorilla was shot, and all of a sudden no one could figure out which bathroom to use. The Chicago Cubs won the World Series, and Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize. It was a confusing year, indeed.

There was good news in 2016. Americans can bring back cigars and shortstops from Cuba now without breaking a trade embargo. We invented self-driving cars and arrested El Chapo. Oh, and we all got 10 new Wells Fargo bank accounts.

But history will show this was a year to forget. Like cousin Eddie and the relatives from Antwerp and your precious little undeclared seventh-year senior, 2016 long ago wore out its welcome. Its time to move on.

RIP, 2016. The only thing about you that makes us happy is that youre almost gone.
GENOA, Wis.  Lane Peters knows when the wind is blowing 300 miles away in southwestern Minnesota.

As the manager of Dairyland Power Cooperatives Genoa 3 power station, Peters sees output fluctuate as grid dispatchers look for the cheapest electricity available to meet consumer demand.

When the wind is blowing, thats wind farms in places like southwestern Minnesota and the Dakotas, which dont require human operators or expensive fuel. When the wind dies, they call on plants like Genoa to pump more fossil fuels into their boilers to pick up the slack.

Thats all we do anymore is chase wind around, Peters said. Weve got to have these other assets to fill in the hole.

The 47-year-old plant still pumps out plenty of juice  enough to power about 153,000 Wisconsin homes in 2015  but output has dipped in recent years, and similar fossil fuel generators are being replaced by cheaper and cleaner energy sources.

For the better part of a century, Midwestern states have relied heavily on coal to generate electricity, but the fuel has fallen out of favor as advances in technology and government incentives have made natural gas and alternative energy sources more affordable.

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring back coal, but utility industry watchers are doubtful he will be able to reverse the trend.

I dont think were going to be building coal plants, said Brian Potts, an attorney who represents utilities and who writes about the industry for Forbes magazine. Basically the biggest driver right now in the industry isnt even regulations.

Utilities are making decisions based on cost. Natural gas prices are at historic lows, while wind and solar generators are increasingly competitive.

Nothing can compete with gas or wind right now, Potts said.

Utilities have been phasing out aging coal plants for more than a decade while putting up natural gas plants, wind turbines and solar panels.

Of the 26 million megawatts of new generation capacity expected to be added in 2016, more than 93 percent were renewables and natural gas, according to the Energy Information Administration. Solar represented the single largest addition, accounting for more than two thirds of the total.

The trend is expected to continue into the next decade, with natural gas accounting for roughly 60 percent of new generation planned and wind and solar making up another 32 percent.

Of the nearly 1,360 plants proposed, only six are coal fired.

The reason: natural gas prices have plunged, thanks in part to advances in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a drilling technique that has opened up vast new reserves; technology improvements have also made wind and solar generation cheaper and more reliable, while federal tax credits have made them some of the lowest cost investments around.

Utilities say they are responding to shareholders, consumers and state regulators who want reliable, cheap and increasingly clean electricity.

Our members want renewables, and they also want the very lowest price out there, said Dairyland CEO Barbara Nick. Thats our challenge.

Minnesota-based Xcel Energy is moving away from coal, in part through major investments in wind and solar in a strategy that Mark Stoering, president of the companys Wisconsin and Michigan division, calls steel for fuel.

Once built, theres no fuel cost to run a windmill.

We see wind as a good investment for the company and a great value for our customers, Stoering said. That new portfolio of wind can save literally hundreds of millions of dollars in energy costs for our customers over the next 20 years.

Clean Power Plan likely dead, impact unclear

Utility executives arent sure what to expect from a Trump administration, though he made coal a centerpiece of his campaign and pledged to rescind all job-destroying Obama executive actions.

Most agree he will put a halt to the Clean Power Plan, an effort to cap greenhouse gas emissions from power plants under the Clean Air Act.

While the plan was expected to accelerate the closure of coal-burning generators, the Energy Information Administration projects natural gas will still overtake coal as the predominant fuel for electricity generation by 2029.

Without the Clean Power Plan, utilities may hold onto coal plants a little longer, but most industry observers say the regulation wouldnt have major impact on resource decisions.

That changes the timing of some of these investments, but I dont think it changes the overall direction, Potts said.

There are things Trump could do through executive orders  like rolling back other pollution regulations  that could increase the amount of coal burned, Potts said, but its unclear if that would be enough to tip the scales.

Coal basically competes with gas, he said. The fuel cost kind of dwarfs the environmental compliance costs.

Trump has sent mixed signals on the federal tax credits attached to wind and solar generation. Eliminating them would put the brakes on those investments, but that would require an act of Congress, which many think is unlikely.

There will be Republicans from rural states who really like wind and solar, said Brian Rude, Dairylands vice president for external and member relations.

One such Republican is Iowas Sen. Chuck Grassley, who has said Trump would only get a repeal over my dead body.

The renewable energy sector also employs an estimated 600,000 workers, many in red states like Texas and Iowa.

They like these investments in their states, these jobs in their states, said Chris Kunkle, regional policy manager for the trade association Wind on the Wires.

Staying the course

Dairyland plans to keep its coal plants  in Genoa and Alma  running through 2030 in an effort to recover about $300 million in recent pollution control upgrades, but the La Crosse-based cooperative has become a state leader in clean energy investments, announcing plans this year for a 98-megawatt wind farm and more than 20 megawatts of solar arrays, which will more than double Wisconsins current solar capacity.

Nick said the company plans to announce additional renewable investments in 2017 and is looking at adding natural gas generation.

That hasnt changed with Trumps election.

Our strategy to have measured smart diversification of our energy resources is what we would do with or without the Clean Power Plan, with or without Hillary Clinton, with or without Donald Trump, Nick said. Thats only the best way to run a business, run a co-op, run your life Were going to work our plan and adjust if we need to.

Xcel, which in addition to adding 3,000 megawatts of wind and solar capacity has also announced plans for the early retirement of two huge coal-fired generators, also plans to stay the course.

Our directional strategy remains largely intact, Stoering said.

Thats partly because states play a bigger role than the federal government in regulating utilities. Under Minnesota law, Xcel will need to generate more than 30 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020, which the company is on track to exceed.

It also has to do with time: Presidents are elected on a four-year cycle. It takes decades to pay off an investment in a power plant.

We try not to react in the short-term, Stoering said. Being proactive with carbon management, being proactive with renewable energy, has positioned the company better. Weve got a lower risk energy supply portfolio for whatever regulation emerges.

The economics are looking good

Accounting for fuel prices as well as the costs to build and operate a power plant, coal-fired generation costs between $60 and $143 per megawatt hour, according to the financial consulting firm Lazard, which calculates levelized costs for different energy sources.

A modern natural gas plant can produce the same power for $48 to $78; with no fuel costs, a wind turbine can generate it for $32 to $62 per megawatt hour. Throw in tax subsidies and the cost can fall as low as $14.

Of course there are other considerations.

The wind isnt always blowing, and clouds can block the suns rays. To compensate, utilities rely on traditional fossil fuel and nuclear generators to provide base load and more flexible peaking plants to augment these intermittent sources.

That means utilities will have incentives to build new natural gas plants  and to continue burning coal in plants like Genoa.

But renewable energy advocates remain optimistic, in spite of any setbacks that could come from a Trump administration.

Kunkle, of Wind on the Wires, says improvements in turbine technology as well as forecasting will continue to make wind energy more efficient, and utilities are paying less attention to what happens in Washington and more to whats happening in the marketplace.

Tyler Huebner, executive director of the clean energy advocacy group Renew Wisconsin, is also optimistic.

Theres a lot of factors that bode well for renewable energy, he said. It really is coming down to economics, and the economics are looking good.

Of the 26 million megawatts of new generation capacity expected to be added in 2016, more than 93 percent were renewables and natural gas. Solar represented the single largest addition, accounting for more than two thirds of the total.
<b>This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis</b> <br><br> Truer words were never spoken! Patriotism, heroism, discipline, honour and courage are the words that best describe our Indian Army. Known for their valor and strength, the bravehearts of the Indian Army have attracted me since childhood. Their striking personality has always impressed me. These fine-looking youths after joining the Army inherit a glorious heritage and time honoured traditions. <br><br> Once my uncle  who himself is a retired Major  quoted Benjamin Franklin to describe the spirit of the Indian Army, Where liberty dwells, there is my country. Though I was too young to grasp the full meaning of the words, I did get the gist of it. That was when, I think, I fell in love for the first time in my life. Yes, my first love was the Indian Army. <br><br> I remember the days when, while crossing the Army cantonment area in my city with my papa on his scooter, I used to watch the Army men parading and exercising. The sight never failed to fascinate me. That love has still not faded; in fact, it has grown with the years. <br><br> You won`t believe it, but I joined an Army school just to better understand the army life. That proximity, in its turn, nuanced not only my understanding of the Army, but of life itself. <br><br> ``Be an Army man. Be a winner for life`` the words had a special meaning and inspiration for me. A job in the Army is one of the most difficult in the world. Their life is a struggle. Only a person imbued with passion, discipline and confidence can achieve their dignity and strength and earn the respect and admiration of his peers. <br><br> They are the apple of every girl`s eye and an object of envy for all boys. That they also cut a striking figure is of course an added advantage! <br><br> Till some time back I used to be amazed that there are people who can stay away from their family for long periods of time; though they are always aware that they can die any second. <br><br> All my opinions went through a course correction when I had a small chat with a young lieutenant who was posted in Leh. To quote: `Everyone knows that life is a continuous journey. It does not end when I die. That is what I tell my parents and the ones who care for me, when they worry about me. But I also tell them that even if I were to die and be born again, in my next birth I will again join the Army and serve my nation. Thats my motto for all lives to come. <br><br> His words were an eye-opener for me and I realized why Army men are so different from others. <br><br> Every Army man thinks that it`s his job to protect his motherland. Any enemy to the country is his foe and that gives him the strength to lead a bold and adventurous life. Just imagine if I lived with the possibility of dying the next day how would I behave. I would want to live every moment to the fullest and share the most with my loved ones. That is what they try to do. <br><br> They often serve at places of extreme temperatures. They are posted at Siachen, which is one of the coldest places on the planet, and in the burning deserts of Rajasthan. They leave the comforts of their home to share a minimal life with their colleagues in bunkers. <br><br> <b>Roles for all Goals</b> <br><br> The Army has played a prominent role throughout last year. Whether we talk of Bihar floods or the Mumbai siege, they have done their best to combat the worst situations. They are the ones who stay awake so that we may sleep peacefully. Can we ever forget Sandeep Unnikrishnan and others who gave their lives for the cause of saving Mumbai? <br><br> The Army was helpful even in resolving the recent episode of strikes by Oil PSUs. The Territorial Army monitored the events and maintained a balance especially regarding transportation and loading-unloading activities. <br><br> <b>Lifestyle</b> <br><br> Duties aside, their lifestyle is unusual. Smartly dressed, closely cropped haircut washboard belly and powerful physique makes them most charming and attractive. Adventure is certainly a way of life for them. Their eventful lives involve trekking, and all the daring games that we cannot even imagine in our dreams. Sometimes I just wish even I were a part of that life! <br><br> This world rests on the arms of heroes like a son on those of his sire. These lines speak volumes about heroism and courage of the Indian Army. One who fails to acknowledge this spirit can never understand the nation to which he belongs. <br><br> On thy grave the rain shall fall from the eyes of a mighty nation - Thomas William Parsons. <br><br> Thus, on the occasion of 61st Indian Army Day celebrations I salute our country`s Army men. Jai Hind!
Mental health advocates are hoping that the decrease in La Crosse County suicides this year signals a trend that will continue in 2017 and beyond.

The official count for 2016 stood at 15 Friday, an increase of one since Nov. 30, although two other potential cases still are being investigated, county Medical Examiner Tim Candahl said Friday.

Even if those two deaths land in the suicide category when the reports are finalized next week, the total would remain lower than the 22 people who took their own lives in 2015 and smaller than the record tally of 26 in 2014.

The statistics obviously do not include suicide attempts that did not result in death because such incidents are not recorded.

Candahl listed the methods of death as six by gunshot, four by hanging, three by drug overdoses, one the result of stabbing and one from huffing, which involves inhaling chemicals, usually those found in household products such as aerosol sprays, cleaning fluids, glue, paint and paint thinner, nail polish remover and similar agents. If the two still being probed are ruled suicides, drug overdoses probably will be the causes of death, he said.

Specific reasons for the ups and downs remain elusive, although Candahl suggested that awareness may have something to do with it  efforts of various groups to erase the stigma attached to mental health care and to encourage troubled people to seek help.

That sums up part of the hope of Debra Murray, a member of the board of The Mental Health Coalition of the Greater La Crosse Area, who cited several influences in curbing the numbers, including efforts of the 12-year-old La Crosse Area Suicide Prevention Initiative.

Weve had for several years the Suicide Prevention Summit, and I think that group works very hard to give people the tools and resources, said Murray, director of the MS Mental Health Counseling Program at Viterbo University in La Crosse.

Murray also noted the need to help people survive what she described as the trifecta of potential suicides:

Thoughts of taking their own lives.

Abuse of alcohol and other drugs.

Mental health concerns, combined with losing someone who is important in their lives.

The Affordable Care Act also has improved the chances of people who need access to mental health services, Murray said.

There now is a glimmer of hope  before, it wasnt even on the table, she said. I know access continues to be problematic, but there is hope that people can get help.

Despite waiting lists for mental health care, various agencies are collaborating to find creative ways to manage mental health issues in the meantime, she said.

In addition to the Suicide Prevention Initiative and the Mental Health Coalition, other avenues that have brought the issue to the fore include the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the nearly two-year-old Campaign to Change Direction, which helps people recognize the five signs of mental illness and urge those affected to seek help.

Being able to talk about it is huge, Murray said. The community has worked hard to provide more access and hope, and people are being more creative.

By the same token, she said, mental health advocates must remain vigilant and not relax because of encouraging statistics.

It doesnt take too much of a shift to lose the advantage, Murray said.
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
County officials across Minnesota are seeking a delay in implementing a law designed to prevent runoff pollution into lakes and streams.

Theres wide support for the concept of buffers, but counties say there is confusion and questions about details of the law for it to be successful.

Im not suggesting that this should go away because I think this is part of the solution, said Roseau County Commissioner Jack Swanson, but I think we need to understand better what it is that needs to be done instead of rushing to put it in place.

The buffer program, set to take effect in November, was a signature issue for Gov. Mark Dayton last legislative session. The idea is that 50-foot strips of permanent vegetation will filter runoff, mostly soil, fertilizer and chemicals from farm fields, before it reaches rivers and lakes.

Swanson, the past president of the Association of Minnesota Counties, said he heard from many county officials about the buffer law. A key concern is who will pay to implement and enforce the measure, he said.

Last year, the Legislature included $10 million in the tax bill to help counties cover the cost, but the governor vetoed the bill, leaving the program unfunded.

What Im hearing from counties, especially in the north, is if the moneys not there, the county has no interest in taking on that enforcement role, Swanson said. We have to make that decision by the end of March and it seems unlikely there will be a tax bill ready by that point.

If counties choose to not enforce the buffer law, that responsibility would fall to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources.

John Jaschke, the boards executive director, expects the Legislature will approve funding for counties to manage the buffer program.

It does make the most sense by a long shot to have something like this done as a local land management program, Jaschke said.

Another big issue for counties is how landowners will be compensated for land taken out of crop production and planted with permanent buffer vegetation.

Some farmers planting buffer strips now are able to enroll in the federal Conservation Reserve Program and get an annual per-acre payment for that land.

But after the state buffer law takes effect farmers wont be able to enroll the land in the CRP program. Jaschke said the state is negotiating with the federal government to adjust the rules.

Barry Nelson, a Becker County commissioner and chair of the Association of Minnesota Counties Natural Resource and Environment policy committee, sees adequate compensation for farmers as perhaps the biggest unresolved issue with the buffer law.

This is a taking. The state cant just take control of our land, he said. This is our livelihood so its a real concern for farmers and as you know the commodity prices are down and there are some struggling farmers out there so its a real problem.

Nelson farms near Detroit Lakes and has enrolled buffer strips in the CRP program. He estimates he could get $140 per acre in CRP compensation.

If youre only doing three acres, that doesnt sound like much, he said, but you multiply that over the whole state and thats a lot of money.

Jaschke said hes hopeful the federal government will agree farm land where buffers are required will be eligible for the Conservation Reserve Program.

But even if that happens, he said, theres no guarantee the federal government will provide enough CRP funding to cover all Minnesota farmers who want in.

Were also looking at trying to do everything we can to get additional federal and possibly state money to local governments to offer landowners some financial assistance if they want to use that as a way to accomplish getting the buffers installed, Jaschke said.

Another contentious issue BWSR is working to address is exactly what farmers need to do to comply with the buffer law. The law includes a provision for alternative water quality practices to mitigate the need for a buffer. Counties say theyve been getting confusing and sometimes contradictory information about what alternative practices are acceptable under the law.

BWSR is currently developing a list of examples farmers might use.

I think its very much more helpful to put some things out of that we can say are already considered to be sufficient alternative practices rather than wait for people to ask us, Jaschke said. We expect to have some of that out by spring.

Rep. Dan Fabian, R-Roseau, said he is willing to consider delaying or modifying the buffer law to address concerns raised by county officials. Fabian, the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance committee chair, said the law will need the support of local officials to be successful.
Next month, the World Meteorological Organization is expected to declare 2016 the hottest year in recorded history  just as the United States prepares to inaugurate a president who questions whether climate change is real.

While the election of Donald Trump has stunned the world, record warmth no longer feels surprising.

After all, the current record was set only in 2015, breaking the record set in 2014. Not including 2016, the 16 warmest years since record-keeping began in 1880 have occurred since 1998. So goes climate change: another year, another ominous superlative.

The rising temperature is just one foreboding example of how climate change and other environmental issues rattled the world, and particularly the Western U.S., in 2016.

While the year began on a note of relative harmony after nearly 200 nations agreed to the landmark Paris climate accord at the end of 2015, it also brought an immediate reminder of division  the intransigent fight over public lands in the West.

On Jan. 2, Ammon and Ryan Bundy, claiming they were protesting land policies and the plight of two ranchers imprisoned for setting fire to federal land, led what became a 41-day armed standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon.

The standoff ended with one man killed by law enforcement and more than two dozen people arrested. In October, the story took a surprising turn when the Bundy brothers and five others were acquitted in federal court in Portland on conspiracy and weapons charges.

Fossil fuel industries faced challenges. The price of oil and gas stayed low most of the year, though nothing suffered like coal. Cities and Indian tribes along the West Coast fought off the construction of export terminals, while the bankruptcy of major coal companies raised questions about whether they would be able to fulfill their obligations to repair land they had mined.

Lots of ice melted. In the spring, a study found that, by the end of this century, sea levels could rise 6 feet or more if nothing is done to reduce carbon emissions  with much of the rise attributed to the melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet. By December, the focus was on the Arctic, where average sea ice had hit record lows and the mean high temperature neared 30 degrees above normal.

Drought continued in much of the West, and the federal Bureau of Reclamation did something it had never done: In August, it forecast a shortage of water on the Colorado River, which provides water to nearly 40 million people, including in California.

The forecast did not apply until 2018, and the bureau later clarified that there was only about a 50-50 chance it would happen. Still, it underscored that the trend line is not good and added motivation for water managers who are trying to broker a new plan to conserve water in the rivers largest reservoir, Lake Mead.

The wildfire season in the West was not as bad as it was in 2015, but it had its moments in California and elsewhere  Alaska, in particular, burned wide and fierce. There was also the blaze that raced across much of northern Alberta, Canada, in May, forcing the chaotic evacuation of more than 80,000 people from the oil town of Fort McMurray. In October, scientists found that climate change had nearly doubled the acreage in the West that had been burned by wildfire in the last three decades.

By the end of the summer, a relatively little-known issue leapt into the headlines: the fight over the Dakota Access pipeline. Thousands of Native Americans and others joined the Standing Rock Sioux Indian tribe near their North Dakota reservation to protest the pipeline, which was slated to be constructed under a dammed section of the Missouri River from which the tribe gets its drinking water.

Violent encounters with law enforcement led to more than 400 arrests  and accusations of police brutality. In December, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers thrilled protesters and infuriated the company building the pipeline by announcing that it would explore other routes for the project.

By that point, Trump had been elected, throwing into question the fate of the pipeline and much of the rest of the environmental legacy President Barack Obama set out to create toward the end of his second term.

Trump has said he wants to cancel the Paris climate accord, which took legal effect in November, and that he wants to roll back environmental regulations, revive the coal industry and greatly expand oil and gas development. He named prominent climate change skeptics to top Cabinet positions, including to lead the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

Meanwhile, the president pressed forward with a flurry of new regulations and conservation measures, not all of which are likely to survive under his successor.

Since Election Day, the Obama administration has finalized a rule to reduce methane emissions from energy production, protected land in Montana from oil and gas production, limited gold exploration near Yellowstone National Park and, perhaps most notably, banned new offshore drilling activity in almost all of the Arctic and much of the Atlantic. This week, the president set aside more than 1.65 million acres of land in Utah and Nevada as national monuments.

There may be a bit of good news in 2017: Scientists say next year likely will not be quite as hot as 2016 because short-term factors like the El Nino weather pattern will not overlay long-term warming. However, 2017 is still expected to be among the hottest years in more than 130 years of record keeping, according to a forecast from the U.K. Met Office.

Since Election Day, the Obama administration taken several steps to extend climate protections, including finalizing a rule to reduce methane emissions from energy production, protecting land in Montana from oil and gas production and, perhaps most notably, banned new offshore drilling activity in almost all of the Arctic and much of the Atlantic.
I do so feel your pain. I can't be in any parent's place but my own, so take this for what it's worth, but I think a lot of the overwhelming nature of your experience comes from the "highly active" part. We used to have play dates with kids--toddler age, mind you--who would plop down on the floor and stack blocks for 20 min. Meanwhile, mine were ignoring all toys (except perhaps to break them) climbing not in the play structure but on top of it--all the better for imperiling leaps from the top--and abandoning even that after 5 minutes to run to the next thing, a process repeated on a 5-minute cycle from daybreak to evening collapse (ours and theirs).

I would just stare at the contented block-stacking child and wonder where those came from.

So with this in mind I agree that a temporary fix isn't going to do it.

I disagree, though, that "having a babysitter more" is a throwaway or temporary fix. On the contrary, I think the way to get through the exhaustion is to delegate the workload--both physical and emotional--as much as you possibly can and as responsibly as you can. That means more babysitting (not ad hoc, but as a standing appointment X days per week), more care via child-care center or preschool, more conversation with your spouse about whether the labor has been distributed evenly between you, more reliance on paid dog-walking, more *standing, scheduled* appointments with yourself for alone time away from the family so you can catch your breath, and for your husband, too. You both need ways to recharge.

These solutions generally aren't cheap, though you can find ways to economize (e.g. neighbor kid vs. professional dog-walker). But this immediate pressing need will pass and you can get out from under these extra expenses relatively soon, so as long as you can swing them with minimal or no deficit spending, do so without guilt. It's about bringing your best self to the job of raising your kids, which means getting through as safely and calmly as you can.
Just like we would cover any other statement from a person about to become president: Thoroughly.

You can hate Trump if you like and you can think his tweets are petty and pointless.

But, this is the person who is going to be the president of the United States. When he says something -- anything -- we need to pay attention. That his preferred medium is Twitter and that some of the things he decides to weigh in on are, um, different doesn't matter.

As for the allegation in liberal circles that the media is focusing on Trump's tweets while ignoring bigger policy issues, I say this: We can walk and chew gum at the same time.


Ronald Reagan

The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.

Albert Einstein

If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.

Winston Churchill





It isnt so much that liberals are ignorant. Its just that they know so many things that arent so.

With integrity nothing else counts; Without integrity nothing else counts.

Winston Churchill





Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself.

Harvey S. Firestone





It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office. H. L. Menken



Referenda insure all have a voice in land use decisions.

U.S. Supreme Court

Listen carefully to first criticism of your work. Note just what it is about your work the critics don't like - then cultivate it. That's the only part of your work that's individual and worth keeping.

Jean Cocteau
Morocco and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) are set to attach particular importance to cooperation in civil aviation on the backdrop of the growth in the number of passengers, said Moroccos Civil Aviation Director Zakaria Belghazi.

The passengers travelling through air between Morocco and the GCC countries exceeded 1 million in 2015 compared to 245,000 in 2006, said Moroccos news agency.

Air traffic between the two parties increased by 12.5 pc between 2004 and 2015, the news agency quoted Belghazi as saying.

Belghazi, who was speaking at a meeting in Rabat on cooperation prospects in civil aviation, noted that Morocco and the GCC aspire to give civil aviation special attention in their strategic partnership.

In this regard, he stressed the need for developing a framework for permanent and structured cooperation between the Kingdom and the GCC countries.

He also noted that the strategy adopted by the kingdom to develop and modernize its airport platforms attaches great importance to promoting the civil aviation sector as an essential pillar for the socio-economic development of the country.

Recently, Emirate airlines said it would switch to the iconic double decker A380 which will offer a total of 1834 additional seats per week, meeting a growing demand from travelers on the route.

The launch of the A380 flights will enable travelers from Casablanca to connect to onward destinations in the Emirates network, particularly in the GCC countries, east Asia and Australia, with many cities, such as Kuwait, Djeddah, Doha, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth also being served by the A380.
A year after Russian flights to Egypt were suspended in response to a fatal crash in Sinai, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisis office on Thursday said Russia would resume its flights to the North African nation soon.

The announcement follows a conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin who confirmed the news in a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart.

President Putin affirmed Russias intention to resume regular flights between Moscow and Cairo in the very near future, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

Flights to Egypt from Russia were suspended after a Russian plane crashed into the Sinai desert in October 2015.

Islamic State claimed it had placed a bomb aboard the plane, which was carrying Russian holidaymakers back to St. Petersburg from the Egyptian beach resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. The crash killed all 224 on board.

The suspension of flights was a major blow to Egypts economy, which relies heavily on tourism.

Tourism is a main source of Egypts foreign currency reserves, which have recently plummeted, producing a crisis for the government in its attempts to maintain the exchange value of the Egyptian pound and simultaneously invite foreign direct investment.

With almost 3 million visitors, Russia was the largest market for inbound tourism to Egypt.
Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
SALT LAKE CITY  Native Americans who have long bemoaned their lack of participation in federal land decisions scored a major victory when President Barack Obama designated a new national monument in Utah that gives five tribes an opportunity to weigh in on the management of their ancestral home.

But federal bureaucrats working under President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet appointees will still have the final say on all land decisions, and some tribal officials are concerned that the shared-management arrangement could quickly sour if the incoming administration charts a different course for the 1.35-million acre Bears Ears National Monument.

Navajo Nation lawmaker Davis Filfred, who hopes to be on the tribal commission helping to oversee the monument, said he and others are worried, but they are trying to stay hopeful that the administration will give the commission a legitimate voice.

Now is not the time to bash him, Filfred said, because I need him.

Federal officials will also create a different advisory committee made up of local government officials, business owners and private landowners to provide recommendations. That board will probably lean heavy with people who opposed the designation over concerns about adding another layer of federal control and closing the area to new energy development, a common refrain in the battle over use of the American Wests vast open spaces.

The language designating the monument creates a tribal commission composed of one elected official from each of five tribes. That arrangement falls short of the full co-management system the tribes requested, but they still considered the setup a significant improvement.

Its double, not a home run from the tribes perspective, said Kevin Washburn, a University of New Mexico law professor and the Obama administrations former assistant secretary for Indian affairs. But it gives the tribes an important seat at the table.

Obama has protected more acreage through new or expanded national monuments than any other president. But Trump is not expected to carry on that legacy. The Republican businessman has pledged to honor Theodore Roosevelts tradition of conservation in the West but has also said he will unleash energy production and has railed against faceless, nameless bureaucrats in land-management agencies.

Utahs Republican senators, Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee, vowed to work with the Trump administration to get the Bears Ears monument repealed.

On Thursday, state elected officials and county commissioners blasted federal officials at a protest in the small city of Monticello, Utah, declaring that the monument shows the Obama administration ignores the wishes of Utah residents.

The Department of the Interiors Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Agricultures Forest Service will co-manage Bears Ears. The red rock lands are home to an estimated 100,000 archaeological sites, including intact ancient cliff dwellings that attract visitors from around the world.

Obama also designated the Gold Butte National Monument in Nevada outside Las Vegas, protecting 300,000 acres of scenic and ecologically fragile area near where rancher Cliven Bundy led an armed standoff with government agents in 2014. It includes rock art, artifacts, rare fossils and recently discovered dinosaur tracks.

The monument designation allows current oil and mining within the boundaries, but it bans new activity. Grazing, hiking, hunting and fishing will still be allowed.

White House officials touted the tribal commission as a first-of-its-kind setup that will ensure management decisions reflect tribal expertise and traditional and historical knowledge. The commission will include one elected officer from each of the five tribes that formed a coalition to push for the monument: Hopi, Navajo, Ute Mountain Ute, Zuni and the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uinta Ouray.

The tribes will help set a new standard for collaborative management at the national monument, Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said. We look forward to the day when all national monuments on native lands are collaboratively managed with tribes.

The commission and monuments are part of a concerted push by the Obama administration to protect native lands and show respect for tribal voices, said Athan Manuel, Sierra Club director of lands protection in Washington, D.C. The Chimney Rock National Monument in Colorado, designated in 2012, is another example.

Politically, its a great message that Native American communities are being recognized this way, Manuel said.

Zuni councilman Carleton Bowekaty is optimistic that the commission will have a legitimate role in decisions no matter the political agenda of the White House because of specific legal language in the designation. It not only ensures that the commission cannot be scrapped but requires that the Interior and Agriculture secretaries give written explanations if they decide not to incorporate formal recommendations made by the tribal commission.

The first test will be the creation of a monument-management plan, a process that sometimes takes years to complete.

This is more than consultation, Bowekaty said. We believe its a very important step in making our voices known. This is definitely a milestone.
Effective Measure has released its November 2016 website traffic statistics, which show that South Africa had 43.7 million unique Internet browsers during the past month.

Effective Measure is the official traffic measurement partner of the IAB South Africa and provides accurate traffic and demographics statistics for South Africas top websites.

The latest statistics show that SAs top websites served 1.234 billion pages in November, with an average visit duration of 4 minutes and 22 seconds. 64% of these views came from mobile devices.

Since Octobers South Africa Online report, the metrics have increased for unique browsers, pageviews, and average visit duration, said Effective Measure.

The infographic below provides an overview of the November 2016 statistics from Effective Measure.

Now read: Simple chart shows why South Africa needs more fibre now
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YEREVAN.  Armenian and Azerbaijani societies are not ready to compromises and it is much more important than readiness of the authorities, Russian political scientist Alexander Skakov told Armenian News - NEWS.am.

In addition, Armenian population's confidence in its authorities is catastrophically low and it is steadily falling in Azerbaijan (or was falling before April war, and then it was managed to slow down the process). Nevertheless, social problems in Azerbaijan are growing, two devaluations were not in vain and, there is also a factor of the Islamic radicalism which is steadily strengthening the positions. In such conditions, hands of any government would be tied. Baku became the hostage to its military rhetoric, a lot has been said about war and hatred, and now it is late to speak about reconciliation, the expert noted.

As for Armenia, it is impossible to find another country in the territory of the former Soviet Union where people have that degree of distrust in their government, Alexander Skakov added.

Will the authorities go for a compromise in such conditions? It will be swept away at once, and events of the 2016 summer in Yerevan showed it clearly, the political scientist emphasized.
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%

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Biden says U.S. troops will stay in Europe for a long time

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Secretaries of CIS Security Councils to discuss nuclear security

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Pashinyan says Armenian government did a lot for revival of Armenian aviation

Oil falls in price

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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

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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

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Moody's downgrades outlook for banks in Germany, Italy, and 4 other countries to negative

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New Year address of Karabakhs President Bako Sahakyan:

Dear compatriots,

A few hours later we will say goodbye to 2016, the year during which we continued to build and develop our Motherland, registered successes and achievements, overcame trials and difficulties.

The events of the tense April days, the pain of loss and grief, the feat of our hero sons and brothers are still fresh in our memory. In the crucial hour, the Armenian people demonstrated an unprecedented unity consolidating in a very short period of time and defending their honor and dignity. A soldier standing on the border of the native country showed once again the power of his spirit and arm strength, rebuffing the unbridled adversary.

New heroes were born during the defense of their Motherland, whose names have been carved with golden letters in the history of our people. Their devotion and patriotism will always be a source of motivation and inspiration for the present and future generations. Eternal honor and glory to all our martyrs! Let only joy and prosperity further on prevail in their families, let their children rise under peaceful sky and in free, independent and developed Motherland dreamed of by their fathers.

Dear friends,

The New Year is a holiday of new hopes and expectations for all of us. We believe that with every coming year our life will change, become better and more prosperous, our hearth will be full of warmth and kindness, our Motherland will keep strengthening and developing.

The year of 2017 will be eventful for our people and state. We will mark the 25th anniversaries of our armys formation and the liberations of Shoushi, victories, that have become a turning point in Artsakhs life and possess a great meaning.

These victories and all our achievements gained during the years of independence became possible due to the joint efforts of our brothers and sisters from Mother Armenia and the Diaspora. We have been together and consolidated both in victories and ordeals. It has been so and so it will remain forever. This is the basis of our success.

Dear Artsakh people,

On this warm and festive day, I want to first of all congratulate the entire personnel of the Defense Army, those brave men who will celebrate the New Year in the trenches, guarding alertly and vigilantly the peace of our people. May our soldiers fulfill their service with honor and return home healthy and unscathed!

I congratulate all our compatriots, the entire Armenian people and wish peace, robust health, and welfare. Let 2017 be a year of implementation of the inmost dreams and goals for every family in Artsakh.

Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!
Pro-IS Group Threatens and Incites for Attacks in France on New Year's Eve
PHOENIX  Arizonans who like to rent out their homes to visitors and don't want local officials to stop them will benefit from a new law taking effect Sunday.

So will motorists who drive while drugged, speeders who get photo radar citations and individuals and corporations who don't pay their taxes on time.

Those are among new laws which take effect Jan. 1 along with more than a dozen others approved this past year by the Arizona Legislature.

One measure with potential implications for neighborhoods involves that issue of short-term rentals.

Sen. Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, originally wanted simply to eliminate the requirement that homeowners collect local taxes every time they rent out a room or a whole house through "sharing'' services like Airbnb. Now, online firms will collect the applicable taxes and forward them to the Department of Revenue which would send them to the affected jurisdictions.

But Lesko also tacked on language that says cities, towns and counties cannot prohibit or restrict these rentals simply because the property is not classified as a hotel.

In signing the measure earlier this year, Gov. Doug Ducey said the legislation provides "financial breathing room'' for families by allowing them to earn something extra.

The law, however, covers more than those renting out a bedroom  or even their whole home.

There is no limit to the number of properties an investor can buy and days a home could be rented out, all in the same area, potentially turning a neighborhood into a vacation rental zone. But the governor at the signing ceremony brushed aside questions of whether that could change an area's character.

"I'm not going to answer these hypotheticals,'' Ducey said.

The League of Arizona Cities and Towns agreed not to oppose the measure after it was amended to allow regulations to preserve local health and safety. But not everyone at the Capitol was convinced that allowing anyone to open up one or more homes to vacation rentals is in the best interests of others already living in an area.

"I didn't move into a neighborhood to have the house next door to me turned into a weekly rental property,'' said Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, in voting against the measure.

And Sedona City Attorney Robert Pickels, in testifying against the proposal, told lawmakers this is none of their concern. He reminded them of their objections when the federal government imposes its will on the state.

"We feel the same way at the local level,'' Pickels said. "The city of Sedona feels very strongly that the characteristics that are unique to Sedona and preservation of those characteristics are left to the city of Sedona.''

The practice of renting, though, appears popular  and potentially lucrative.

Airbnb spokeswoman Laura Rillos said her firm has about 7,900 "hosts'' in Arizona with a typical listing by a host being booked 44 nights a year. Rillos said a typical host earns about $4,900 a year.

Lawmakers also took another slap at photo radar.

Earlier this year lawmakers took photo enforcement off state highways. But that still leaves the option for cities, towns and counties to have speeding and red light cameras.

The new law which takes effect Jan. 1 bars the Motor Vehicle Division from suspending the licenses of people who fail to respond to citations delivered by "alternative service.''

"The government think it's OK to tape that notice to your door,'' said Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, with no proof that it didn't simply blow away. She said that means someone who has not seen it and did not go to court can have a license suspended without knowing it, meaning a possible arrest if pulled over.

Lawmakers separately agreed to carve out an exemption from existing law which require motorists convicted of driving while impaired to install an ignition interlock for at least six months. That device is designed to prevent a vehicle from starting unless the driver delivers a "clean'' breath sample.

This new law says that requirement is no longer automatic if the conviction was for driving under the influence of drugs. Proponents said the interlocks, which can cost up to $200 to install with monthly rental fees up more than $100, make no sense if the offense had nothing to do with alcohol, the only thing the interlocks can measure.

Another new law eliminates the ability of the Department of Revenue to impose penalties if someone substantially underpays the amount of money owed. That has been defined in statute as being short by at least 10 percent or $2,000.

Legislators accepted arguments by the Arizona Association of Certified Public Accountants, the people who are doing tax returns, that their clients should not be penalized if they come forward of their own accord. But the relief is not available if the taxpayer is already being audited by the state or it was the Department of Revenue that found the error.

Businesses that set up shop in the state's two largest counties can now escape the cost of having to publish their articles of incorporation and other legal notices in newspapers. Instead, they can now have their notices "published'' at a new web site set up by the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Rep. Steve Montenegro, R-Litchfield Park, limited his measure to Pima and Maricopa counties in part for political reasons: Similar bills in prior years to eliminate publication requirements statewide have been defeated as rural lawmakers sided with local publishers who complained that the loss of revenues could damage or even kill their newspapers. But future measures could expand the law statewide.

Another new law approved during the 2016 legislative session appears prescient.

State and local election officials must mail out pamphlets to every household with registered voters ahead of elections detailing the measures on the ballot. As of Sunday, future contracts for printing and distributing pamphlets must have a provision which fines the private firm a penny a day for each household that does not get the mailing on time.

Two months after the governor signed the measure Secretary of State Michele Reagan failed to get out about 200,000 of 1.9 million brochures before early voting started for the May special election. Press aide Matt Roberts said while the fault lies with an outside company that made up the mailing lists, the foul-up is Reagan's responsibility.

That foul-up drew an angry reaction from Mark Brnovich who said it "pisses me off, as an Arizonan, as the attorney general.'' An investigation by a former federal prosecutor to see if laws had been broken is ongoing.

Other new laws kicking in Jan. 1 include:

- Providing free vehicle registration to spouses or dependents of those in the military killed in action;

- Officially outlawing dog racing in Arizona; the practice actually halted earlier in 2016;

- A requirement that new rental agreements at mobile home parks specifically disclose in writing if the tenant and not the park is responsible for maintaining any trees in the space;

- Allowing candidates for local and federal offices to get all the signatures they need for nomination through an online portal maintained by the secretary of state instead of having to gather signatures on paper;

- Permitting city and town governments to sell off land worth up to $1.5 million without first getting voter approval; the current threshold is $500,000;

- Setting up a separate property tax category for vacant land which has a conservation easement that limits development by the owner.
While Donald Trumps crusade to win the White House was the top story of 2016, journalists in the Religion News Association saluted the brash billionaires opponents by giving their top honor to the Muslim parents who made headlines by denouncing him.

Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the Gold Star parents of Army Capt. Humayun Khan, who died in Iraq, shared the Religion Newsmaker of the Year honor. The Khans made a dramatic Democratic National Convention appearance to proclaim that Trumps proposed temporary ban on Muslims entering the country would be unconstitutional.

The RNA description of the annual polls No. 1 story stressed that Trump received strong support from white Christians, especially evangelicals. ... Many were alarmed by his vilifying Muslims and illegal immigrants and his backing from white supremacists. GOP keeps majorities in Congress.

The theme continued in the No. 2 story: Post-election assaults and vandalism target Muslims and other minorities. Some assailants cite Donald Trumps victory as validation. Critics denounce the appointment of Stephen Bannon as White House strategist over his ties to white supremacists. News related to Trump appeared in three other RNA Top 10 stories.

While white evangelical votes were crucial, I would have stressed two other religion trends linked to Trumps stunning win.

The first was captured in a midsummer Christianity Today headline that, citing Pew Research Center polling, stated, Most Evangelicals Will Vote Trump, But Not For Trump. Pew found that more than half of white evangelicals were upset about the 2016 White House options and said their aim was to defeat Hillary Clinton, not support Trump.

Election Night plot twists also showed that Clinton lost because she lacked support from Rust Belt working-class Democrats, many from Catholic, labor-union homes that twice backed President Barack Obama.

The RNA Top 10 selections did not include items linked to bitter battles over religious liberty, Obama White House orders on transgender rights or the Supreme Court opening caused by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. These issues were crucial in producing the strong Election Day turnout by religious conservatives.

Heres my take on the rest of the RNA Top 10:

3. With strong support from religious activists, Standing Rock Sioux members protest the Dakota Access Pipeline, which they say will foul water and sacred lands.

4. Creating new tensions with doctrinal conservatives, Pope Francis seeks  in the apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia  a vague, pastoral approach to Communion for Catholics who have divorced and remarried. He leads a symbolic Mass at the U.S.-Mexico border and tells reporters that Trump is not acting in a Christian manner when calling for a wall along that border.

5. At least 4,600 migrants are killed in shipwrecks while fleeing conflicts fueled by radicalized forms of Islam in North Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The crisis fuels tensions across Europe, including immigration policy debates before Englands Brexit vote.

6. Terrorists linked to, or inspired by, the Islamic State kill scores of civilians at airports in Istanbul and Brussels, at various German sites and in Nice, France. A terrorist killed 86 people in Nice by driving a truck through a seaside holiday crowd. Also, a suicide bomber killed 25 Copts  mostly women and children  during a Dec. 11 attack on worship in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, near Cairos main cathedral.

7. Some scholars hail the end of white Christian America and surveys keep showing growing secularism in the American population. Nevertheless, the former provide decisive votes for Republicans, while the left-leaning Nones (the religiously unaffiliated) fail to provide crucial votes for Democrats.

8. Backed by strong clergy support, #BlackLivesMatter protests continue after more police shootings of African-Americans. Religious leaders of all kinds play a prominent role in uniting communities after deadly attacks on police officers.

9. Although white evangelicals voted Trump by a 4-1 margin, their leaders split sharply  especially in the Southern Baptist Convention. Many evangelicals of color opposed Trump, although exit polls hinted at surprising support from Latino evangelicals. Supporters cited his pledges to oppose abortion, while opponents stressed character issues and his statements on race and immigration.

10. Claiming allegiance to the Islamic State, gunman Omar Mateen kills 49 at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Homegrown terrorists injure dozens at a Minnesota mall, at the Ohio State University campus and at New York-area targets.
The scene was hardly conducive to romance: she was a sick Iraqi in a wave of refugees trying to enter Serbia, while he belonged to the stern Macedonian police force keeping guard. But Noora Arkavazi, a Kurdish Muslim, and Orthodox Christian Bobi Dodevski quickly fell in love after they met at the muddy border in early March -- and celebrated their wedding four months later. Bobi recalls the rainy day he first saw Noora in no man's land between the two Balkan countries, when he was working only by chance after swapping shifts with a colleague. "It was destiny," the affable 35-year-old tells AFP over tea in his small apartment in the northern Macedonian town of Kumanovo, where he now lives happily with his young wife. Noora, 20, hails from Diyala, an eastern province plagued with violence in the Iraqi conflict. She says at one point Islamic State jihadists kidnapped her father, an engineer, and demanded thousands of dollars for his return. Early in 2016, Noora and her brother, sister and parents abandoned their home and began a long journey west, crossing the border into Turkey, taking a boat to the Greek island of Lesbos and eventually entering Macedonia. Their path was one well-trodden by hundreds of thousands of people escaping war or poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia -- and like many of their fellow travellers, the Arkavazis had set their sights on Germany. While her family continued on their odyssey, Noora stayed put in Macedonia after Cupid's arrow struck. "I had a simple dream to live with my family in Germany," she says. "I didn't imagine a big surprise for me here." - 'Just don't worry' - When she first met Bobi, Noora had a high fever and was desperate to know if her family could cross the border into Serbia. Balkan countries had just begun closing their doors to migrants, so the fate of those transiting through Macedonia was unclear. The other police officers all directed her to Bobi because he spoke good English, and he made sure she and her frail mother were taken care of with medical aid and blankets. "He said 'just don't worry, everything will be very good in your life'," Noora remembers, now laughing over the fact that he couldn't stop looking at her. Twice-divorced Bobi says he knew he had found someone special. "When I saw Noora for the first time, I saw something good in her eyes." In the coming days, while the migrants waited in limbo in the Tabanovce transit camp, Bobi and Noora spent more time together -- he would take her and her mother to local markets to buy food and clothes. Noora, who speaks six languages and began helping the local Red Cross, liked the way the tall policeman would play with the migrants' children, unlike some of his more serious colleagues. The Macedonian force has faced criticism for its treatment of migrants, particularly for firing tear gas at some of those trying to cross the border from Greece. - The proposal - One evening in April, Bobi invited Noora to a restaurant, where she recalls him being extremely nervous, drinking lots of water and shaking. Then he suddenly proposed. "I told him no, you're joking... but maybe ten times he repeated this, 'will you marry me?'." Noora eventually said yes, but she worried about her parents' reaction to her marrying a non-Muslim. She told them: "I chose a good man for my life and I will marry him. I don't want to marry another guy". But they were "so nervous and angry," she says. Noora is reluctant to talk about her family now, except to say she is relieved that they are living safely in Germany. - 'Beautiful wedding' - Noora and Bobi celebrated their wedding in Kumanovo on July 13, her birthday, in front of 120 guests of "every religion", including her Red Cross colleagues. The town is one of Macedonia's most ethnically mixed, with Muslim Albanians, Serbs, Roma, Turks and other groups as well as the ethnic Macedonian majority. "It was a very beautiful and fun wedding," says Noora, describing the live music and dancing that continued into the early hours. The couple now live with Bobi's three children from previous marriages, and Noora is expecting their first baby. As a sign of their commitment, the lovers have each other's names emblazoned on their forearms in matching swirly tattoos. - 'Believe in destiny' - Noora says she misses Iraq "very much", but the welcoming nature of her new neighbours reminds her of the Iraqi sense of hospitality. "I feel like it's my country, the life here is so easy. Nobody here watches me like I'm a refugee." Migrant numbers at the nearby Tabanovce camp have dropped off sharply since the so-called Balkan route was effectively shut down, although some still cross the region with the help of smugglers. Dejan Kladarin, senior protection officer at the United Nations refugee agency in Skopje, says around 200 people are now in Macedonian transit camps. Noora's experience "is a nice story and we would like to have more like this... but most of the people are eager to continue" to where there are better economic prospects, Kladarin says. Bobi hopes their romantic tale will encourage other young people to overcome barriers to be with the one they love. "Noora and I want to tell people to believe in yourself and believe in love -- and in destiny."
By Ben Blanchard and Benjamin Kang Lim BEIJING (Reuters) - China's military has become alarmed by what it sees as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's support of Taiwan and is considering strong measures to prevent the island from moving toward independence, sources with ties to senior military officers said. Three sources said one possibility being considered was conducting war games near the self-ruled island that China considers as a breakaway province. Another was a series of economic measures to cripple Taiwan. It was not clear whether any decisions had been taken, but the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Taiwan issue had become a hot topic within the upper echelons of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) in recent weeks. Trump, due to take office on Jan 20, angered Beijing this month by speaking to Taiwan's president by telephone, breaking decades of precedent and casting doubt on his incoming administration's commitment to Beijing's "one China" policy. Beijing fears this could embolden supporters of independence in Taiwan. "If Trump challenges 'one China' after becoming president, this would cross our red line," said another source, who has ties to China's leadership. China's defence ministry declined to comment. An official at the ministry's news department said China's position was clearly laid out in the 2005 Anti-Secession Law, which authorises the use of force against Taiwan in the event China judges it to have seceded. Asked about any possible aggressive moves from China, Taiwan defence ministry spokesman Chen Chung-shi said: "We are fully prepared, and plan for the worst while preparing for the best." China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its sacred and inviolable territory and is deeply suspicious of President Tsai Ing-wen, whose ruling Democratic Progressive Party espouses the island's independence. Tsai, who took power this year, says she wants to maintain peace with China, but China is unconvinced. Tsai said on Saturday that Taiwan will be "calm" when facing issues to do with China, but uncertainties next year will test the self-ruled island and its national security team. Beijing has also been angered by a trip planned by Tsai in January to Latin America in which she will transit through Houston and San Francisco. China has urged the United States to block the stopovers. Chinese officials have blamed Taiwan for creating trouble rather than Trump, and many of them believe he will be more accommodating to China once in office. "We're ready. If Taiwan wants to make trouble so can we. Let's hit them hard," said an official in Beijing who meets regularly with China's most senior military officers, including those who work directly with President Xi Jinping. "We can hold exercises close to Taiwan, and show them the damage we could cause. Taiwan will have to give in then," the official added, citing a recent conversation with one of the military officers. ONE CHINA POLICY The United States is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, but it's unclear if the United States would send troops in the event of war between China and Taiwan. Washington also acknowledges Beijing's position that there is only one China and Taiwan is its territory. A retired senior officer who maintains contacts with the PLA told Reuters that China probably wouldn't need to fire any missiles to bring Taiwan to its knees. China is Taiwan's largest trading partner, and Taiwan runs a huge trade surplus with China, worth $27 billion in 2015. "We can just cut them off economically. No more direct flights, no more trade. Nothing. Taiwan would not last long," the officer said. "There would be no need for war." In addition, any Western economic blockade of China put in place in the event of war with Taiwan would also be damaging to China, already dealing with a slowing economy. A U.S. defence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Chinese actions had been more provocative in the past month, since Trump won the U.S. election and made comments about Taiwan. This month, a Chinese naval flotilla headed by its sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, took part in drills that took it around Taiwan. Chinese air force jets have performed similar drills in recent weeks, flying close to the island, though China has officially called the air force and naval exercises routine. China also scored a diplomatic victory when tiny Sao Tome and Principe switched recognition to Beijing from Taiwan. (Additional reporting by J.R. Wu in Taipei and David Brunnstrom and Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
AFP News

Zhang Yao recalls the moment he realised something had gone deeply wrong at the Chinese mega-factory where he and hundreds of thousands of other workers assembled iPhones and other high-end electronics. In early October, supervisors suddenly warned him that 3,000 colleagues had been taken into quarantine after someone tested positive for Covid-19 at the factory. "They told us not to take our masks off," Zhang, speaking under a pseudonym for fear of retaliation, told AFP by telephone. What followed was a weeks-long ordeal including food shortages and the ever-present fear of infection, before he finally escaped on Tuesday. Zhang's employer, Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn, has said it faces a "protracted battle" against infections and imposed a "closed loop" bubble around its sprawling campus in central China's Zhengzhou city. Local authorities locked down the area surrounding the major Apple supplier's factory on Wednesday, but not before reports emerged of employees fleeing on foot and a lack of adequate medical care at the plant. China is the last major economy committed to a zero-Covid strategy, persisting with snap lockdowns, mass testing and lengthy quarantines in a bid to stamp out emerging outbreaks. But new variants have tested officials' ability to snuff out flare-ups and dragged down economic activity with the threat of sudden disruptions. - Desperation - Multiple workers have recounted scenes of chaos and increasing disorganisation at Foxconn's complex of workshops and dormitories, which form a city-within-a-city near Zhengzhou's airport. Zhang told AFP that "positive tests and double lines (on antigen tests) had become a common sight" in his workshop before he left. "Of course we were scared, it was so close to us." "People with fevers are not guaranteed to receive medicine," another Foxconn worker, a 30-year-old man who also asked to remain anonymous, told AFP. "We are drowning," he said. Those who decided to stop working were not offered meals at their dormitories, Zhang said, adding that some were able to survive on personal stockpiles of instant noodles. Kai, a worker at in the complex who gave an interview to state-owned Sanlian Lifeweek, told the magazine Foxconn's "closed loop" involved cordoning off paths between dormitory compounds and the factory, and complained he was left to his own devices after being thrown in quarantine. TikTok videos geolocated by AFP showed mounds of uncollected rubbish outside buildings in late October, while employees in N95 masks squeezed onto packed shuttle buses taking them from dormitories to their work stations. A 27-year-old woman working at Foxconn, who asked not to be named, told AFP a roommate who tested positive for Covid was sent back to her dormitory on Thursday morning, crying, after she decided to hand in her notice while in quarantine. "Now the three of us are living in the same room: one a confirmed case and two of us testing positive on the rapid test, still waiting for our nucleic acid test results," the worker told AFP. Many became so desperate by the end of last month that they attempted to walk back to their hometowns to get around Covid transport curbs. As videos of people dragging their suitcases down motorways and struggling up hills spread on Chinese social media, the authorities rushed in to do damage control. The Zhengzhou city government on Sunday said it had arranged for special buses to take employees back to their hometowns. Surrounding Henan province has officially reported a spike of more than 600 Covid cases since the start of this week. - Distrust - When Zhang finally attempted to leave the Foxconn campus on Tuesday, he found the company had set up obstacle after obstacle. "There were people with loudspeakers advertising the latest Foxconn policy, saying that each day there would be a 400 yuan ($55) bonus," Zhang told AFP. A crowd of employees gathered at a pick-up point in front of empty buses but were not let on. People in hazmat suits, known colloquially as "big whites" in China, claimed they had been sent by the city government. "They tried to persuade people to stay in Zhengzhou... and avoid going home," Zhang said. "But when we asked to see their work ID, they had nothing to show us, so we suspected they were actually from Foxconn." Foxconn pointed to the local government's lockdown orders from Wednesday when asked by AFP if it attempted to stop employees from leaving, without giving any further response. The company had on Sunday said it was "providing employees with complimentary three meals a day" and cooperating with the government to provide transport home. Eventually, the crowd of unhappy workers who had gathered decided to take matters into their own hands and walked over seven kilometres on foot to the nearest highway entry ramp. There, more people claiming to be government officials pleaded with the employees to wait for the bus. The crowd had no choice as the road was blocked. Buses eventually arrived at five in the afternoon -- nearly nine hours after Zhang had begun his attempt to secure transport. "They were trying to grind us down," he said. Back in his hometown, Zhang is now waiting out the home quarantine period required by the local government. "All I feel is, I've finally left Zhengzhou," he told AFP. bur-tjx/oho/je/mca/cwl
President Duterte has ordered the transfer of the joint Philippines-US amphibian exercises from the West Philippine Sea to somewhere in the Mindanao Sea in a bid to avoid offending China, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday.

He said the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex) and the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) courses are now under review, adding that the Balikatan exercises between the Philippines and the US would not be stopped despite Dutertes pronouncement that he is separating from the US.

The (Visiting Forces Agreement) will continue, except for the need to reformat two major ones. The Balikatan exercises at Fort Magsaysay will continue but the ones conducted in the oceans fronting the South China Sea will have to be transferred somewhere, we will move them in the Mindanao seas, Lorenzana said in a chance interview after the Rizal Day rites at Rizal Park in Manila yesterday.

The move is meant to not offend our neighbors, the defense chief said, without directly identifying Beijing.

So, lets be also sensitive of our neighbors, he added.

Following Dutertes declaration of pursuing an independent foreign policy that veers away from the US, the defense chief said he had explained to the President the need to maintain defense ties between the Philippines and the US.

In an interview the other day on GMA News, Duterte said he needed to establish bilateral relations with China to boost the countrys economic relations with the worlds second largest economy.

Even in fantasy, do you think we can win a war? he asked, admitting that the Philippines has no capability to declare war.

You know the reality of a war, and do not blame me if something happens here, he said, pointing out how he plays diplomacy with China and the US when he set aside the decision of the arbitral court in favor of the Philippines on the rights over certain areas in the South China Sea.

Duterte said he is ready to go to war with China provided that the entire Seventh Fleet of the US will be in place to ensure a victory. Without it, Duterte said there is no way that the Philippines alone can win against China.  Christina Mendez
This week, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte claimed that hed once thrown someone out of a helicopter  warning double-dealing politicians that he wouldnt hesitate to do the same to them.

If you are corrupt, I will fetch you using a helicopter to Manila and I will throw you out, Duterte declared during a televised speech to typhoon victims on Tuesday. I have done this before, why would I not do it again?

By Thursday, Duterte had backed away from the claim, first responding incredulously when asked about it during an interview with Philippine news channel ABS-CBN. He later denied the story to CNN Philippines, saying, We had no helicopter. We dont use that.

True or not, the helicopter story is just the latest in a growing record of outlandish, crass and often violent statements that have earned the Philippines president international headlines and plenty of condemnation at home and abroad.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Airport in Davao city, Philippines, September 2016. (Photo: Lean Daval Jr./Reuters)

If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself

The 71-year-old former mayor was elected president of the archipelago this spring after a campaign filled with profanity and threats of violence in a bloody war against drugs and crime.

Duterte briefly tempered his typically incendiary language for his first official speech after taking the oath of office in June, but by that night hed resumed threatening to kill drug addicts and even encouraged civilians to do so themselves.

These sons of whores are destroying our children. I warn you, dont go into that, even if youre a policeman, because I will really kill you, the newly minted president told an audience of about 500 people in a Manila slum. If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself, as getting their parents to do it would be too painful.

Police investigators inspect the body of a still-unidentified victim bound, wrapped in packaging tape, and dumped in a main thoroughfare in Pasay city, Philippines. (Photo: Jes Aznar/Getty Images)

Hitler massacred three million Jews.  Now there is three million drug addicts. Id be happy to slaughter them.

In September, Duterte made international headlines when he invoked Adolf Hitler while comparing his brutal drug war to the Holocaust.

Story continues

Hitler massacred three million Jews, he told reporters, incorrectly citing half the number of Jews actually killed under the Nazi regime. Now, there is three million drug addicts [in the Philippines]. Id be happy to slaughter them.

Police gather evidence during a shooting by unidentified gunmen in Manila. (Photo: Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images)

Please dont order me around

An average 1,015 people have been reportedly killed each month by police or vigilantes since Duterte took office on June 30. As of mid-December, the death toll in Dutertes war on drugs had reportedly surpassed 6,000  with the leader lashing out at anyone who dare try to get in his way.

The United Nations

In August, Duterte threatened to separate from the United Nations after two U.N. human rights experts called the Philippine presidents drug war an incitement to violence and killing, a crime under international law.

The European Union

Duterte dismissed the EU as hypocritical after the European Parliament condemned his violent antidrug initiative and urged him to stop the current wave of extrajudicial executions and killings this September.

Theyre taking the high ground to assuage their feelings of guilt, Duterte fired back, arguing that European leaders were simply trying to make up for the thousands of Arabs and others killed by their colonial predecessors. Now the EU has the gall to condemn me.

The Supreme Court of the Philippines

This August, Duterte went on television and announced who he believed to be narcos. His list included the names of several politicians, judges and police officers.

In a letter to the president, Maria Lourdes Sereno, chief justice of the Philippines Supreme Court, called the announcement premature and said shed recommend that the four judges on his list not report to the police until theyve been issued arrest warrants.

Please dont order me around, Duterte warned Sereno. Or would you rather that I declare martial law?

Alleged drug suspects cover their faces during a drug raid in Manila, Philippines. (Photo: Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images)

Son of a whore

Duterte was scheduled to meet with President Obama this September, while the two were in Laos for the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, summit. That was until the Philippine president called Obama a son of a whore.

The insult was hurled during a press conference ahead of the summit, when a reporter asked about the possibility that Obama might confront Duterte about the human rights concerns raised by his deadly drug war.

You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum, Duterte said, suggesting that he would not stand to be lectured about human rights. We will be wallowing in the mud like pigs if you do that to me.

The meeting was soon canceled, as Dutertes comments made Obama question whether such a meeting would be actually productive.

Duterte later expressed regret for insulting Obama, though it was hardly the first time hed called someone a son of a whore. In fact, he appears to throw the slur around quite often, using it to describe anyone from drug lords to the U.S. ambassador to the Philippines, and even the pope.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippines in December 2016. (Photo: Ezra Acayan/Reuters)

I was mad she was raped but she was so beautiful. I thought, The mayor should have been first.

Just one month before he was elected president, Duterte became the subject of widespread scrutiny after a video was posted on YouTube that showed him making jokes about a female missionary from Australia who was raped and killed during a prison riot in the southern city of Davao in 1989.

They raped all of the women.  There was this Australian lay minister.  When they took them out  I saw her face and I thought, Son of a bitch. What a pity  they raped her, they all lined up, Duterte, who was the mayor of Davao at the time, said in the video. I was mad she was raped but she was so beautiful. I thought, The mayor should have been first.

When I take Viagra, it stands up.

At a campaign event in April, Duterte boasted about his womanizing and spoke unabashedly about his use of the little blue pill.

I was separated from my wife. Im not impotent. Duterte told a crowd of businessmen. What am I supposed to do? Let this hang forever? When I take Viagra, it stands up.

Donald Trump is a bigot, I am not.

Despite their shared affinity for unfiltered, inflammatory rhetoric, Duterte rejected comparisons between his unconventional presidential campaign and that of Donald Trump.

Donald Trump is a bigot, I am not, Duterte told the Associated Press back in March.

Duterte appears to have at least softened his stance on Trump, reportedly promising to maintain  and enhance the bilateral ties between our two countries during a brief congratulatory call to the U.S. president-elect earlier this month.

Whether Dutertes deadly drug war came up during the seven minute conversation is unclear, though the two leaders reportedly extended invitations to each other to visit their respective countries next year.
2016 in Review: a recap of what happened at Skeptical Science

Posted on 31 December 2016 by BaerbelW

Considering what all our team of volunteers managed to get done in 2015 we didn't really go into 2016 with the expectation to "beat" it as far as productivity goes. But, as it turned out, this review article for 2016 is about the same length as last year's so we at least haven't taken a sabbatical! As this post is quite long, you can jump to the different sections via the following links:

Scholarly Publications and books

Other publications and activities

Our MOOC Denial101x

Conferences and presentations

Social Media and some homepage stats

Recognition

Scholarly Publications and books

On August 3 SkS founder John Cook received notification that his PhD thesis had been accepted without revision, so he's now Dr. John Cook (but I have a hunch that he still prefers to be called John, at least by his friends and colleagues!). You can download his thesis, aptly titled "Closing the consensus gap by communicating the scientific consensus on climate change and countering misinformation from SkS. It consists of 9 papers published in peer reviewed journals and other publications, the different chapters woven together into a single document by introductory comments. It makes for quite an interesting read! Congratulations to John for this accomplishment!

John co-authored the paper "The Alice in Wonderland mechanics of the rejection of (climate) science: simulating coherence by conspiracism" with Stephan Lewandowsky and Elisabeth Loyd. The three authors look at both rhetorical and scientific arguments put out by deniers and list examples of where these various arguments contradict each other as outlined in Graham Readfearn's explainer.

In October, John's in-depth article "Countering Climate Science Denial and Communicating Scientific Consensus" was published online in the Climate Science Oxford Research Enyclopedias from where it can also be downloaded as a PDF document.

Mark Richardson, Kevin Cowtan and Martin Stolpe from the SkS-team published "Reconciled climate response estimates from climate models and the energy budget of Earth" in Nature Climate Change with Ed Hawkins as another co-author. You can read more about this paper on Kevin's University of York webpage, where he published a background article.

Robert Way published "Underestimated warming of northern Canada in the Berkeley Earth temperature product" in the International Journal of Climatology with co-authors Frank Oliva and Andre Viau from the University of Ottawa.

Together with Daniel Bedford, John published the textbook "Climate Change: Examining the Facts". From the description:

"Climate change is one of the most controversial and misunderstood issues of the 21st century. This book provides a clear understanding of the issue by presenting scientific facts to refute falsehoods and misinformation?and to confirm the validity of other assertions. Is public understanding of global warming suffering from politically biased news coverage? Is it true that the global scientific community has not reached a consensus on whether humans are causing climate change? This important book addresses these questions and many more about global warming, identifying common claims about climate change and using quantifiable, evidence-based information to examine their veracity."

2016 saw continued interest in our consensus study (Cook et al. 2013) with the paper surpassing half a million downloads on ERL's website in early summer. As of this writing, the paper still gets downloaded about 2,000 times per week and currently stands at 570,000+ downloads from ERL, making it the most viewed paper in all of the journals published by the Institute of Physics (IOP). It also gets "talked about" on the net a lot as indicated by Altimetric.

In December, Cook et al. (2013) was included as one of the influential papers in ERL's special collection to celebrate its 10th anniversary publishing peer-reviewed scientific papers. ERL celebrated its anniversary with a reception at this year's AGU:

As a reaction to continued attacks on our paper - and especially a published comment by Richard Tol - we collaborated with the authors of 6 other consensus studies and published "Consensus on consensus: a synthesis of consensus estimates on human-caused global warming" in April (Cook et al. 2016). Both of our consensus papers have been consistently listed among the top 3 of ERL's most viewed papers since then and "Consensus on consensus" just passed 100,000 downloads sometime during the last week of 2016.

Several more publications are currently in the works and well let you know about them once theyve been published.

Other publications, activities and tools worth highlighting

We published more than 350 blog posts on Skeptical Science of which around 120 were articles written by 16 SkS-authors, John Hartz put together more than 100 weekly digests and news roundups and about 140 articles were reposted from elsewhere.

The Skeptical Science translator team collaborated with the authors of The Uncertainty Handbook from the University of Bristol and Climate Outreach (former COIN) to create German, Indonesian and Portuguese translations of this very helpful booklet.

In October, John was asked by Leonardo DiCaprio's Before the Flood team to provide some debunkings of often repeated climate myths for their website. You can find the links via "Debunking climate myths with Leonardo DiCaprio's Before the Flood".

Members of the SkS-Team also regularly published articles in various other outlets:

Material from and links to Skeptical Science also find their way into a wide variety of output, from University Curriculum, MOOCs, Textbooks, Scholarly Papers, Public Talks to Radio & TV, not to mention newspapers and blogs. For a sample, check out our Republisher Page.

Our MOOC Denial101x - Making sense of climate science denial

Our MOOC Denial101x - Making sense of climate science denial, co-produced with the University of Queensland was offered throughout the year both as self-paced and paced versions, so that it's basically available all the time in one of these formats. You can also watch all the lectures and interviews on YouTube or in a Wakelet collection if you dont want to take the MOOC itself (but youll lose out on many interactive activities, quizzes and forum discussions then!).

On July 18, edX announced that Denial101x made their list of 11 finalists for their very first edX-Prize. The winner was announced at their Global Forum held in Paris at The Sorbonne on November, 15 and the prize went to Arno Smets and his MOOC on solar energy.

Watch this video to get an idea what Denial101x is about:

Conferences and presentations

John Cook was invited to attend the IPCC Expert Meeting on Communication held in Oslo on February 9 and 10 where he did a presentation about The role of misinformation in undermining IPCC science and how to neutralize it (the video of his talk is available on Youtube). The IPCC also produced a full report about the meeting which includes mentions of John's contributions on pages 29 to 32.

John held several presentations and workshops throughout the year:

These and many older presentations are available on our Public Talks page.

The highlight for our team was this year's Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in San Francisco held from December 12 to 16 in the Moscone Center. After last year's rather small SkS-team, there were about a dozen team members presenting and participitating this year. You can read more about the meeting in this recently published article: Skeptical Science at AGU 2016: a recap.

Social Media and some homepage stats

In the summer, our Facebook page passed 175,000 likes. It has been very active since then and is likely to pass a new milestone of 200,000 net "Likes" sometime in the first quarter of 2017. The SkS Facebook page provides breaking news and timely information about climate-related matters from around the world. Its format allows readers to comment on and discuss each post, albeit in a more abbreviated form than the comment threads on the SkS website. John Hartz and John Cook create the bulk of the FB posts and other members of the SkS team respond to questions submitted by readers on a regular basis.

On Twitter we have 13,600+ followers, up by about 2,000 compared to a year ago (so theres still lots of room for improvement compared to Facebook!).

Since May 2014 we've been collecting our own site-statistics and we get between 250,000 and 477,000 unique visitors per month, with December 2016 setting a new "record" with more than 477,000 - but just squeezing by November which had seen 476,000+. It might just be one of those spurious correlations, but we have a hunch that a certain election-result had something to do with that uptick! By far the most traffic originates in the United States with other English speaking countries following suit. This year, Germany makes it to the 6th place as the first of many non-English speaking countries from where people visit our website.

Most visitors find our content via search enginges like Google, Bing and Yahoo looking for 40,000+ different keywords and 100,000+ keyphrases. We made a wor(l)d cloud out of the most often used words in those searches:

As far as downloads go, The Debunking Handbook gets downloaded more than 60,000 times per year in its English original and the handbook's translations also see quite a lot of interest, with 4,700+ for Spanish, 3,800 for German and almost 2,000 for Swedish. All versions taken together, the Handbook accounts for the bulk of all downloads with over 80,000 of them. The Scientific Guide to Global Warming Skepticism makes it to the 2nd place with more than 20,000 downloads for all versions.

Recognition

In May we were pleasantly suprised when the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) - a big non-profit organisation supporting teachers in the U.S. who want to teach evolution and climate science without interference from religious or political groups - named Skeptical Science as one of this year's recipients of their Friend of the Planet Awards. The other recipients are Katharine Hayhoe for her work as an atmospheric scientist and John Abraham and Dana Nuccitelli for their 97%-blog at The Guardian. So, Dana got "double-dippings"!

It was decided that the awards would be presented at the "SkS-Shindig", held on Monday evening, Dec. 12 when those from the SkS-team attending AGU's Fall meeting came together with many others interested in climate science. All the award's recipients were there and at around 8pm Ann Reid from NCSE started the proceedings and soon after all four recipients held their awards in their hands:

From the left: John Cook, Katharine Hayhoe, Dana Nuccitelli, Ann Reid, John Abraham (photo: )

As about a dozen folks from the SkS- and Denial101x-team were at the shindig we used the opportunity to also get a group picture:

From the left: Mark Richardson, Howard Lee, John Mashey, Collin Maessen, John Cook, Baerbel Winkler, Peter Jacobs, Rob Honeycutt, Sarah Green, Dana Nuccitelli, Keah Schuenemann, Dan Bedford

What will 2017 bring for Skeptical Science (and climate science in general)?

Just like you, we don't have a crystal ball to look into the future. But one big change will obviously be that John starts his new job at GMU's Center for Climate Change Communication (4C) around the time Donald Trump becomes President of the United States. So, at least two things are fairly certain: John will have his work cut out for him and the work we are doing as a team will become even more important! On top of that, we'll also have to come up with something to celebrate Skeptical Science's 10th anniversary in the summer of 2017.

Onwards and upwards!
If you plan to run a business in 2017, you need an online marketing strategy. And if you plan to up your online marketing game in the new year, you might be able to benefit from some advice from members of our small business community. Here are some of their top tips for upping your online marketing game in 2017.

Create Awesome Headlines That Convert

When creating content for the new year, you need to make sure you have strong headlines. Those headlines can draw peoples attention and help you ultimately gain more customers. Here, Hassan Ud-deen shares tips on creating headlines that convert on the Hardenbrook blog.

Get Customers to Trust Your Ecommerce Store

If you sell products online, then garnering trust between your business and potential customers is a must. If youre looking for your store to gain some traction, take a look at this post on Getentrepreneurial.com by Megha Parikh.

Promote Affiliate Offers on Facebook

Affiliate offers can be a great way to increase the income for your business. And Facebook can be a great platform to promote those offers. In this post on the No Passive Income blog, Erik Emanuelli points out a few methods you can use to promote affiliate offers on Facebook. And BizSugar members comment on the post too.

Use This B2B Marketing Strategy That Works

When marketing to business customers, your strategies might vary from businesses that market to consumers. But theres one simple strategy that you can use to increase your sales, as outlined in this post by Stefan Schulz on the Orpical Group blog.

Maximize Results for Your Products Using Technology

Technology can help you innovate and come up with new offerings. But it can also help you market and maximize results for those products. This Techlofy post by Nitesh Mishra includes some tips for using technology to make the most of your products.

Stop Trying to Innovate With Your Content

While content marketing can be a great strategy for all different types of businesses, some go about it the wrong way. In this Content Marketing Institute post, Marcia Riefer Johnston explains why you should stop trying to innovate with your content. And the BizSugar community also shares thoughts on the post.

Read More and Become an Expert Blogger in 30 Days

If you want to use blogging to market your business in 2017, then you need to become an expert blogger. And one of the best ways to improve your writing is to read more. This Process Street post by Ben Mulholland explains how you can accomplish that in just 30 days.

Generate More Comments to Your Blog Posts

Blogging is a great way to increase engagement between your business and customers. But if you cant start conversations, then it isnt likely to do your business much good. In this post, Ann Smarty of MyBlogU shares some tips for generating more blog comments.

Use These Resources to Up Your Webinar Marketing Mojo

Webinars can be another great resource for small businesses looking to gain traction online. And there are plenty of resources you can use to up your webinar game, like the ones listed in this Resonance Content Marketing post and podcast by Rachel Parker. You can also see commentary on the post over on BizSugar.

Drive More Repeat Visitors Through SEO

Repeat visitors are necessary for any business hoping to be successful online. And you can ensure some of that repeat business through the tips in a post about SEO by Neil Patel.

If youd like to suggest your favorite small business content to be considered for an upcoming community roundup, please send your news tips to: sbtips@gmail.com.
Cardinal Burke, former bishop of La Crosse, and Pope Francis seem to be at odds again.

The situation: The Order of Malta is a lay religious order founded at the end of the 11th century to defend the faith and assist the poor. The grand chancellor of the Order of Malta, Albrecht Boeselager, was fired from his position. Cardinal Raymond Burke, spiritual patron of this order, was involved in the sacking.

Pope Francis immediately created a high-powered commission to investigate whether this decision was justified. Members include Gianfranco Ghirlanda, a top Jesuit canon lawyer, Archbishop Silvano Tomasi and three lay members of the Order of Malta. Francis has asked the commission to report back in short order.

The context: Boeselager oversaw the charitable work of the order through the international charity Malteser International and was a member of its board. The Lepanto Institute, a research and educational organization dedicated to the defense of the Catholic Church, chose to investigate Boeselager. Lepanto President Michael Hichborn quietly submitted the results of its investigation through Burke.

The well-documented investigation uncovered that Boeselager had overseen the distribution of condoms. For example, page 29 of a 2005 UNAIDS report lists that he oversaw the distribution of 52,190 condoms.

Boeselager refused to resign because he believed he was faithful to the church. He was fired because authorities said he was not. To defend the action against Boeselager, Hichborn went public: For this kind of thing to happen under his watch, he is rightly removed from his post. If Albrecht Boeselager is permitted to regain his position by order of the Vatican, it would undo and potentially ruin any and all efforts to put an end to these gravely immoral practices.

The issue: Is providing condoms to help stop the spread of AIDS a gravely immoral practice?

Burke and Hichborn have church documents that support their position. In 1968, On Human Life (Humanae Vitae) by Pope Paul VI, stated that artificial contraception is intrinsically evil, meaning it is always wrong. In 1994, the Catechism of the Catholic Church repeated the same position.

On the other hand, the same Pope Paul VI supported that nuns in Africa at risk of wartime rape in the 1960s could use birth control. His argument, however, was based on the principle of self-defense against an unjust aggressor.

More recently, in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI conceded that condoms could be legitimately used to limit the risk of HIV contagion. Earlier this year, on his way back from Mexico, Francis was asked about using condoms to prevent the spread of the Zika virus. He responded that condoms are not the only method to fight this epidemic, but it is part of the answer. Father Lombardi, who often follows up on Francis comments, added, Contraceptives or condoms, especially in cases of emergency and seriousness, may also be the subject of a serious conscience discernment. Clearly these popes believe that use of condoms is not always wrong.

The moral arguments: Burke argues from the primacy of law. If artificial contraception is intrinsically evil, then the rule of law is that it is always wrong.

Francis argues from the primacy of conscience. As Francis has stated, The church is to help form consciences, not replace them. When faced with a moral conflict, persons with well-formed consciences enter the process of discernment. They study the law, reflect on all the circumstances, spend time in prayer and listen to what God, the ultimate author of both law and love, is telling them in the process. Like Jesus, who broke the law by healing on the Sabbath, people can conclude sometimes that love trumps the rigid interpretation of law.

Shortly after Francis appointed the commission, the Order of Maltas response was curt and to the point: The Grand Magistry of the Sovereign Order of Malta has learned of the decision made by the Holy See to appoint a group of five persons to shed light on the replacement of the former Grand Chancellor. The replacement of the former Grand Chancellor is an act of internal governmental administration of the Sovereign Order of Malta and consequently falls solely within its competence.

In other words, Drop dead. Its none of the Holy Sees business.

Burke has his supporters. Rorate Caeli, the most-read international traditional Catholic blog, states that Burke has done his canonical homework. If Francis decides to pursue his vendetta, he will have a real battle on his hands with a formidable, intelligent and articulate opponent. It adds, in his attempt to neutralize Burke, Francis will bring all this mischief down upon himself.

How will this end? Stay tuned.
ALBANY, N.Y.  It will be a happy New Year indeed for millions of the lowest-paid U.S. workers. Nineteen states, including New York and California, will ring in the year with an increase in the minimum wage.

Massachusetts and Washington state will have the highest new minimum wages in the country, at $11 per hour.

California will raise its wage to $10.50 for businesses with 26 or more employees. New York state is taking a regional approach, with the wage rising to $11 in New York City, to $10.50 for small businesses in the city, $10 in its downstate suburbs and $9.70 elsewhere. Some specific businesses  fast-food restaurants and the smallest New York City businesses  will have slightly different wage requirements.

This $1.50 increase, I cannot even comprehend or tell you how important this will be, said Alvin Major, a New York City fast-food worker. The 51-year-old father of four helped lead the fight for the increase in his state, one of several successful efforts by fast-food workers and other low wage workers around the country. The price of food has gone up. Rent has gone up. Everything has gone up.  This will make a difference for so many people.

Voters in Arizona, Maine, Colorado and Washington approved increases in this years election. Seven other states, Alaska, Florida, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio and South Dakota, are automatically raising the wage based on indexing. The other states seeing increases are Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Michigan and Vermont.

Additional increases are slated for later in the year in Oregon, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

In Arizona, the state Chamber of Commerce and Industry filed a lawsuit challenging the increase, which will raise the minimum wage from $8.05 to $10. On Thursday, the Arizona Supreme Court refused to temporarily block the raise.

Workers and labor advocates argue the increases will help low-wage workers now barely making ends meet and boost the economy by giving some consumers more money to spend. But many business owners opposed the higher wages, saying they would lead to higher prices and greater automation.

Some restaurant owners may consider reducing portion sizes or charging for side dishes that were once included in the price of a meal to absorb the increase, according to Melissa Fleischut, president of the New York State Restaurant Association.

Im sure prices will go up where they can, but restaurants want to avoid sticker shock, she said. Theyre going to have to get creative.

The adjustments in New York, California and several other states are part of a series of gradual increases to a $12 or $15 hourly wage.

The minimum wage will also go up this weekend in 22 cities and counties, including San Diego, San Jose and Seattle.

The high number of states and localities raising the wage this year reflects the successful work of fast-food workers and organized labor, according to Tsedeye Gebreselassie, senior staff attorney at the National Employment Law Project, as well as federal inaction on the wage. The national minimum was last raised, to $7.25, in 2009.

These arent only teens trying to make some pocket money, she said. Increasingly its adults who are using this money to support their families.

___

This story has been corrected to indicate Californias minimum wage will rise to $10.50 for larger companies, instead of $10 overall.
UNITED NATIONS  Russia urged the U.N. Security Council on Friday to quickly adopt a draft resolution endorsing the cease-fire agreement in Syria and reiterating support for a roadmap to peace that starts with a transitional government.

The draft also calls for rapid, safe and unhindered access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country. And it looks forward to a meeting in late January between the Syrian government and opposition in Kazakhstans capital Astana as an important part of the Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations.

Russia and Turkey, who brokered the cease-fire agreement, circulated the text to Security Council members Thursday night.

Russias U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin formally presented the draft at a closed council meeting Friday morning. In response to comments from council members, Russia circulated a revised text late Friday and Churkin said he hopes for a vote on Saturday morning.

The cease-fire agreement, if it holds, would mark a potential breakthrough in a conflict that began in 2011 with an uprising against decades of rule by President Bashar Assads family and has left over 250,000 dead and more than 13.5 million people in need of urgent assistance, and triggered a refugee crisis across Europe.

The draft resolution reiterates that the only sustainable solution to the current crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process based on the Geneva communique of June 30, 2012, which was endorsed by the Security Council.

The communique, adopted by key nations, calls for the formation of a transitional government with full executive powers on the basis of mutual consent and steps leading to elections.

Churkin told reporters there is no competition between the talks in Astana and negotiations that the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, hopes to arrange between the government and opposition in Geneva on Feb. 8.

As you know Staffan de Mistura had trouble reconvening the talks, so Russia and Turkey obviously decided to give the United Nations a hand in pushing things forward, and this is what we see happening, Churkin told reporters.

He said de Mistura has been in contact with the Russian government and indicated his eagerness to help organize the Astana meetings.  So we expect the United Nations to be fully involved in the preparations of the meetings.

If the Astana meetings are successful, Churkin said, they could move on to Geneva as far as I am concerned, so we dont see any competition there or overlapping of the two processes.

Churkin said Russia and Turkey have made clear they want other countries to participate in the Astana meetings.

He said Iran will definitely participate actively in preparing the Astana meeting and in Russias view Egypt can also join the preparatory process right now.

Churkin said there are other very important players who are welcome including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar  and we do expect the Trump administration after it comes into the White House on Jan. 20 will be an important participant.
Sandoval County commissioners ending their terms in office offered some parting advice to their replacements: Listen, learn and work together.

Nora Scherzinger in District 2, Glenn Walters in District 4 and Darryl Madalena in District 5 attended their final commission meeting on Dec. 8.

Their respective successors  Jay Block, Dave Heil and F. Kenneth Eichwald  were sworn into office on Friday.

The Observer caught up with the three departing commissioners last week to discuss their proudest moments in office, future plans and what advice theyd pass on to the new commissioners.

Walters, of Rio Rancho, said commissioners should try to always read the information thats presented to them and to go out visit the countys many facilities.

More than talking, youre listening to what is going on, he said. When you go visit different locations, you find out what the county really does.

Walters is most proud of the fact that in his eight years in office, the commission never raised taxes to pay operational dollars, he said.

Even with that, we increased the services we provided at the same time, he said. Weve done that in a variety of ways by leveraging dollars and allocating funds where the core services are.

He was a bit vague about what he plans to do next.

I have lots of opportunities, Walters said. I will view all of the opportunities and I will discern where my heart is  I will not be a stranger to Sandoval County.

Madalena, who chaired the commission multiple times during his years with the board, said the most important thing he could recommend to his successors is to work together.

Being in power is one thing; how to control it is another thing, he said. There will be times when you will not agree on a lot of things, but you have to control your emotions.

There are going to many issues this year, one of which will be how to fund the countys hospitals, he said.

Voters last month rejected continuation of a 4.25 mill levy to fund operations at Presbyterian Rust Medical Center and UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center.

We as a commission havent raised taxes in nearly 20 years, Madalena said. But with the mill levy not passing, wheres the money going to come from? So working together is going to be a big key.

Madalena, of Jemez Pueblo, said hes proudest of the fact that he was able to grow up on the commission, winning election almost straight out of college.

Just going from a 25-year-old kid to a 34-year-old adult is a big transition, he said. Maturity is a big accomplishment.

For now, parenthood is foremost on Madalenas agenda, with the addition of a baby boy, Micca, added to the family four months ago. But hes also got eyes on running for office again in two years.

Whos to say I cant run for office again, Madalena said. But being a family man and looking into other possibilities of upcoming interviews are whats next for me.

Scherzinger, who was vice chair the past two years, said the best advice she could give new commissioners is to listen carefully, and do whats best for the county.

Among the challenges facing the commissioners, she said, are the diversity of cultures and people from rural/urban areas and serving a county the size of Sandoval County.

Sherzinger said she was most proud to have worked with the county staff and the commissions adoption of a responsible balanced budget.

The commitment I felt from the staff of the county was a rare one, which I directly attribute the strong leadership of County Manager Phil Rios, she said.

Scherzinger, who was voted to the board of the domestic violence shelter, Haven House, plans to devote as much of her time possible supporting the shelter and staff now, she said.
New Mexico has an obligation to its people. The Journal, as the paper of record in New Mexico, needs to get it right; in their Dec. 23 editorial statement their description of the Land Grant Permanent Fund was not accurate.

The fund continues to grow. The state doesnt take a full 5 percent annually. What is withdrawn is a 5-year rolling average; the annual withdrawal is closer to 4.6 percent.

Comparing the fund to university funds is also erroneous. The fund grows by two sources, income from oil and gas (though prices are down, volume is up) and return from Wall Street investments. Combined, the income is 10.8 percent annually.

Also, university funds dont have billions of barrels of oil behind them. New Mexico sits over the Permian Basin, one of the largest oil reserves in the world.

Most importantly, universities dont have a state Constitution mandate to educate the children.

Increasing distribution by an additional percent for early childhood will not jeopardize the fund. The fund is strong; it has withstood the Great Recession, a drop in oil and gas prices and is still growing. The fund is $15 billion; it is the third largest in the country.

We are looking to diversify our portfolio and invest one percent in our children. Professor James Heckman, a Nobel Prize winning economist, has analyzed the cost benefit ratio for investments in human capital, with the conclusion that the life-cycle benefits of high quality, wrap around early child programs for disadvantaged children ages 0 to 5 found a 13 percent return on investment.

The approach must include parental involvement, high quality full-day care, home visiting and other services in a well-coordinated scaffolding of developmental support. Savings were found in high school graduation, employment, income and health.

The issue of our children is so important state Sen. John Arthur Smith, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has indicated the existence of a narrow goal post through which the sponsors can kick the proposed legislation. Additionally, in the 2015 accountability report on early childhood, the Legislative Finance Committee noted: Research indicates the most rapid period of brain development occurs in the first few years of life  . This means the earliest years may present the most significant opportunity but also the highest risk  Research also shows that later interventions may be less successful. As a result, programs that identify and support children and families who are most-at-risk for experiencing highly stressful environments can reduce or avoid the need for more costly and less effective remediation and support programs later.

The long-term solution to New Mexicos economic problems is to change the graduation rate resulting in a work force that attracts companies to New Mexico. Early childhood education and care is part of the formula of changing the state in the long run.

CHI St. Josephs Children doesnt take government money, as one of the largest private trusts in the state we use 5.5 percent of our trust for free services for the children of New Mexico.
CHARLESTON, S.C.  As usual, the years end brings reflections and ruminations on what was and what is to be. This time around, however, it feels as though an era is coming to an end.

That gentle frisson between past and future about which columnists customarily write feels vaguely apocalyptic as we approach the new year.

The usual regrets  too much ice cream, not enough exercise, too quick with a retort, not enough thank-you notes  all feel quaintly irrelevant juxtaposed against a collection of very real fears about the future. During a year and a half of bitter political infighting  sister against sister, neighbor against neighbor  weve lost a better part of ourselves and unleashed armies of vengeful strangers.

To put a fine point on it, Donald Trumps election has released a malevolent spirit upon the land. He invoked the magic message  essentially them vs. us  and the demons disembarked from their dark hiding places. He raided the lost ark, lifted the lid, and the whirlwind of humankinds worst impulses escaped.

Hyperbolic, yes. But when the next leader of the free world casually comments that we need to build up our nuclear arsenal  and seems to welcome a return of the Cold War  alarm expressed in the strongest terms possible is required.

When such alarm did find expression around the nation and the world, the president-elect huddled in his fake news bunker and claimed that his remarks were quoted incompletely. He took special aim at NBC News, tweeting that the network purposely left out this part of my nuclear qoute: until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes. Dishonest!

If NBC left out the balance of his tweet, shame on them, but the rest of what he said adds nothing to assuage the larger concern that he thinks we need more nukes.

Or, since this apparently needs pointing out, that he believes having more nukes will have no effect whatsoever until the rest of the world comes to its senses. My guess is the rest of the world is thinking the exact same thing: This president-elect is not in his senses  and he makes no sense.

Trumps complete original quote, as usual offered via Twitter, was: The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes.

Really? By greatly expanding our already huge nuclear arsenal, other leaders will come to their senses regarding nukes? Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed earlier on the same day that he wishes to boost his countrys nuclear strength, too. Just great.

And, really, again. Whats with making such war-mongering threats when youre not in the White House yet? Tweeting on matters of such import is unpresidential, not to mention unmanly. Also, its insane!

I could pause here and write verbatim the emails and social-media comments certain to follow these observations. Theyre as predictable as a 3 a.m. tweet from Trump Tower. This, too, is part of whats frightening as we take our leave of 2016.

People who voted for Trump refuse to critique his behavior through any lens but that of having won a contest.

We won, you lost  get over it is what now passes for a serious dialogue about matters of immense importance.

The notion that people who still express concerns  including a growing list of psychiatrists and psychologists whove signed a letter suggesting the man isnt well  are just sore losers is nonsense.

When the president-elect of the United States so cavalierly threatens to unravel the fragile threads that hold civilization together, there are no winners. He or she who is not worried is not paying attention.

My personal stake, other than the fears herein described, is well and good. Whats bad for the republic is good for columnists and cartoonists, though this time, I admit, the muses generosity is less enjoyable.

These are also not simple partisan fears.

Many Republicans I know are slightly terrified, as one Trump voter recently put it to me. That most, if not all, Democrats are, too, doesnt have to mean theyre all excessively disappointed, though many surely are. Nor, as the incensed have written, does my non-support of Trump translate to support for Hillary Clinton. We call that a non sequitur.

And when it comes to abusing logic, Trump wins hands down.

Copyright, Washington Post Writers Group; e-mail to kparker@kparker.com.
As my father would have said about the year 2016, So long, and dont let the door hit you in the rump on the way out! Although Dad surely would have used more colorful language.

It was a confusing, divisive and extremely frustrating year, wasnt it? Terror attacks on American soil, civil unrest in the streets and inflammatory uncivil discourse that, literally, split the country into two factions.

And now, following the most bizarre and costly presidential election the country has ever seen, America has become a nation full of destructive and instantaneous intolerance deepening a schism that may take generations to heal.

Its as if we would rather take pot shots at each other instead of tackling the countys pressing problems.

If you want to wallow in the current climate, well, Ive got nothing for you. But if youd rather put on your big boy/girl pants and see the country move forward, heres my crime and justice wish list for 2017.

First, with all this newfound interest in our political system, lets make some demands of our elected officials, shall we? I wish for voters to insist lawmakers stop partisan bickering and concentrate on what is best for the country not their political party.

I hope this next session of Congress begins to look at big-picture problems like the mess that is our immigration system. I wish Congress would reconsider mandatory sentencing guidelines that have packed U.S. prisons with, oftentimes, low-level, non-violent offenders costing us billions. I wish lawmakers would fund a massive Manhattan-type project to improve the nations cyber security so we never have to wonder which foreign power is trying to influence our elections or tamper with our power grid.

And wouldnt it be great if they also figured out how to block those ugly ISIS recruitment websites that attract lone wolf terrorists who attack in packed U.S. nightclubs or shopping malls?

I also wish for state lawmakers to cloak themselves in a new era of patriotic action, adopting legislation that actually helps citizens. I hope voters remove those who continue to play the same old political games.

I truly hope there is a genius out there somewhere who can figure out a way to determine which of the more than 310 million civilian-owned guns are in the wrong hands, because there is a murder epidemic under way in many locations.

Major crime rates have fallen nationwide, but major cities like St. Louis, Baltimore, Detroit, New Orleans and Birmingham, Ala., still have extraordinarily high per capita murder rates.

In Chicago, despite years of strict gun restrictions, there were more than 770 murders in 2016. Thats more than Los Angeles and New York combined. Clearly, more gun control laws have not stopped the carnage.

In 2016, police fatally shot way too many unarmed, mostly black, civilians and far too many police officers were deliberately injured or assassinated on the job. I want more parents to teach their children respect for human life and for the job law enforcement does for us.

But I also hope for swift punishment for officers who step outside the law. And for law enforcement academies to devise training methods that rely more on conflict resolution and less on gunfire.

Solutions to our crime and justice problems dont necessarily need a genius to fix them. Solutions can originate with us.

We are a country founded on the cherished ideals of freedom of expression, religion and political thought. I humbly suggest we all work to repair the ideological division we have created, dropping the snark-filled remarks aimed at those who hold differing viewpoints.

People who truly communicate and are tolerant of all viewpoints are rarely criminals.

Lets vigorously reinstate civics courses in our high schools and universities so knee-jerk protesters stop screaming in the streets for instant justice, displaying their ignorance about how the judicial, legislative and executive branches work.

I wish for a new era in which corporate, banking and business leaders adopt a new creed of honorable customer service and the ability to truly listen to whistleblowers instead of devising plans to destroy them.

I wish for defendants suspected of criminal activity to be brought before the court for judgment no matter how rich or famous they are.

And finally, I wish to abolish the current court imposed elder guardianship system that ensnares so many aging citizens, strips them of their civil rights, isolates their families and often depletes their hard-earned estates all in the name of protecting them. Nationwide, unscrupulous court appointees have created a cottage industry that systematically transfers wealth from the elderly and their heirs to the pockets of total strangers.

I hope quarreling families come to realize they should never turn to a lawyer or the courts to decide what to do with an elderly parent.

Naturally, there are many more issues to be dealt with in the coming year. I just know in my heart if we can find a more civil way to deal with each other, the problems wont seem so insurmountable. Happy 2017.

Diane@DianeDimond.com.
Residents can air their thoughts and concerns about the community as Republican legislators representing Rio Rancho hold their annual public forum on the upcoming legislative session.

The fourth annual forum, featuring capital outlay requests, takes place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, at the Rio Rancho Public Schools boardroom, 500 Laser NE.

At the forum, the lawmakers will share information about the upcoming legislative session and make public the proposals that are being submitted to area legislators for capital outlay spending, according to a news release issued by the New Mexico Senate Republican Office.

Those of us representing Rio Rancho are committed to making it as easy and as open as possible for the public to know about the proposals for capital outlay funding in our community. This is our open process and we believe the public is served very well by it, said Sen. Craig Brandt, who represents District 40. This year, we are featuring the public outlay requests within the public forum and have moved it to January so it would be closer to the opening day of the legislative session. We hope the public continues to find the forums informative, productive and that their concerns and priorities for the upcoming session are addressed.

Rep. Tim Lewis of District 60; Rep. Jason Harper of District 57; and Rep. Jane E. Powdrell-Culbert of District 44 will join Brandt in conducting the forum.
President-elect Donald Trump exploded a half-century of U.S. nuclear-arms policy in a single tweet last week: The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes. With that one vague message, Donald Trump, who hasnt even taken office yet, may have started a new arms race.

Trumps statement set off alarms around the world, necessitating a cadre of his inner circle to flood the airwaves with now-routine attempts to explain what their boss really meant. On MSNBC, Rachel Maddow confronted former Trump campaign manager and newly appointed Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway about the shocking tweet:

Maddow: Hes saying were going to expand our nuclear capability.

Conway: Hes not necessarily saying that 

Maddow:  He did literally say we need to expand our nuclear capability 

Conway: What hes saying is  we need to expand our nuclear capability, really our nuclear readiness, our capability to be ready for those who also have nuclear weapons.

The next morning, during a commercial break on the MSNBC program Morning Joe, Trump spoke by phone with Mika Brzezinski, as she and her co-host Joe Scarborough sat in pajamas on the Christmas-themed TV set. The call was not broadcast, but when the show came back from the break, Brzezinski quoted Trump as saying, Let it be an arms race  we will outmatch them at every pass and outlast them all.

Minutes after that aired, Annie Leonard, executive director of Greenpeace USA, told us on the Democracy Now! news hour: Every day, Trump says something that makes us worried, but this may be the most terrifying yet. A nuclear-arms race is the last thing that the world needs. I think about climate change. I think about economic inequality. I think about all of these major threats that were facing as a country and as a world. Why would we add on top of that a totally manufactured, unnecessary threat?

President Barack Obama delivered his first address on the U.S. nuclear arsenal on April 5, 2009, in Prague: Today, the Cold War has disappeared, but thousands of those weapons have not. In a strange turn of history, the threat of global nuclear war has gone down, but the risk of a nuclear attack has gone up. More nations have acquired these weapons.

Then, in 2016, he proposed a 30-year, $1 trillion nuclear arsenal modernization program.

While Obamas nuclear spending continues what Albert Einstein called, in 1946, the drift toward unparalleled catastrophe, it still adheres to the current in-force nuclear-reduction treaty between the U.S. and Russia, called New START. This calls for the reduction in the number of warheads in both nations stockpiles from the current amount of roughly 7,000 warheads each, to 1,550 warheads each by February 2018.

Trumps declarations suggest he would scrap New START and relaunch a new nuclear-arms race between the U.S. and Russia. This, in turn, could easily trigger the desire among other existing nuclear states, like India, Pakistan and Israel, to increase their stockpiles.

Trump also repeatedly stated throughout the presidential campaign that he supports the acquisition of nuclear weapons by other nations, including Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia.

In such an unstable world, with an increasing number of nuclear weapons, the likelihood only increases that someone, somewhere will hit the button.

Alarmed at the recent developments, one group has launched a petition urging the current president to take action. With the stroke of a pen, President Barack Obama could take our nuclear missiles off high alert, making sure that President Trump could not launch them rashly, writes Joe Cirincione, president of the Ploughshares Fund, a global security foundation.

Yes, Obama should take the weapons off high alert, but thats not enough. Donald Trumps finger on the nuclear trigger is a terrifying prospect. Its the anti-nuclear movement that needs to go on high alert to make sure that trigger never gets pulled.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate.
Friends, or at least allies with common interests, usually stick together. Thats been the case with the U.S. and Israel for decades.

But lame-duck President Barack Obama and soon-to-be former Secretary of State John Kerry have done their best to change that in the waning days of Obamas eight years as president, siding with the terrorist group Hamas and others dedicated to the destruction of the Jewish state and its people.

The stunning events of the past week have ignited a dangerous game that is further unsettling a turmoil-roiled Middle East that is in tatters in large part by this administrations disastrous foreign policy. As if the killing or displacement of millions of Syrians, including the fall of Aleppo and the leadership void that elevated Russia and Iran into positions of Mideast power, werent enough. Or the administrations role in the destabilization of Libya and Egypt. Or Obamas wrongful assessment of Islamic State as a JV threat that contributed to its dramatic rise, especially in Iraq and its expansive terror attacks on the West.

Now the administration has trained its failed foreign policy eye onto another target  blaming Israel for the breakdown of peace negotiations and attacking its settlement process.

Somehow forgotten are a nearly achieved two-state agreement forged in 2000 during the Clinton administration and a similar one offered by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in 2008. Both were rejected, the first by late PLO leader Yasser Arafat and the second by current Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. And it should be remembered that Israels return of the Gaza Strip to the PLO in 1994 has only resulted in its being used as a staging area for terrorist and rocket attacks on Israel and its people.

Last week, Obama allowed a U.N. Security Council resolution to go forward  the Israelis say the U.S. engineered the deal  condemning Israeli settlements on the West Bank and in East Jerusalem as illegal and in violation of international law. This was the first time the U.S. failed to veto such a move. The resolution lays open the possibility of reducing Israels negotiating hand with the Palestinians  land could no longer be traded for peace  and leaves Israelis open to prosecution in international tribunals.

On Wednesday, Kerry defended the U.S. abstention and launched into a tirade against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom President Obama has had a strained relationship during his administration and whom Obamas operatives tried to oust in Israeli elections. Kerry also laid out an outline for a possible peace solution he will not be able to oversee and warned that the favored two-state solution was in jeopardy.

Some Israelis also have concerns about whether a two-state solution remains feasible. But what is incontrovertible is that as a result of the Nazi Holocaust, in 1948 Jews were granted the right to create a safe state in lands their religious ancestors, like the Arabs ancestors, had occupied for millenniums.

It is deplorable that the Palestinian leaders long-stated goal is eliminating Israel as a state and driving all Jews out of the land.

In 1970, The Washington Post quoted Arafat as saying, We shall never stop until we can go back home and Israel is destroyed.  There can be no compromises.  We dont want peace, we want victory. Peace for us means Israels destruction and nothing else.

Nothing has changed  with the possible exception of the view held by our commander in chief.

While drawing predictable praise from France and Germany, the administrations inaction on the U.N. resolution sparked some rare foreign policy criticism from our nations closest ally.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement Thursday, We do not believe that it is appropriate to attack the composition of the democratically elected government of an ally.  We are also clear that the settlements are far from the only problem.  In particular, the people of Israel deserve to live free from the threat of terrorism, with which they have had to cope for too long.

Even key members of Obamas own party are expressing dissatisfaction with the change. While he may not have intended it, I fear Secretary Kerry, in his speech and action at the [United Nations], has emboldened extremists on both sides, incoming Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said last week.

It is reasonable to question Obamas and Kerrys motives for the decision to throw a last-second wrench into U.S. foreign policy. But it is unfortunate that the incoming president, like him or not, will have to deal with this.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
Copyright  2016 Albuquerque Journal

Albuquerque officials said theyve reached a tentative, multimillion dollar decision to have Taser International supply Albuquerque police with on-body cameras, but they said this deal is diametrically different from a prior one and still faces review by the inspector general and City Council.

Taser entered into a $2 million no-bid contract with the city in 2013. That deal led to a criminal investigation because the former chief of police started doing consulting work for Taser while on the citys payroll and other police officials received perks from Taser, like a free trip to Scottsdale, Ariz., the companys home.

Gilbert Montano, Mayor Richard Berrys chief of staff, said in a conference call with the Journal on Friday that Taser was chosen this time only after it responded to a competitive request for proposal by the city and a monthslong review of Taser and other camera systems by a selection committee that included police officers, city officials from various departments, a university researcher and a member of a Community Police Councils and a civilian police oversight investigator.

He said Taser would provide 2,000 cameras along with cloud storage. Each officer would be issued two of the devices under the three-year contract. He said there are two one-year renewal options, and protection under which the city would receive technology ungrades for no additional cost.

Montano said nine companies responded to the citys bid and the selection committee considered four. The city wouldnt name the other companies that responded to the bid.

Montano said the city still plans to have its inspector general review the deal and submit it to City Council for approval before its finalized.

We wanted to protect the integrity of the process but also maintain the practical need for these on-body cameras, Montano said. This process is diametrically different from the last process.

The new cameras are sorely needed, city officials said.

The current inventory is near the end of its useful life and City Attorney Jessica Hernandez said Friday that police may have to equip new officers with audio recorders until the new cameras arrive. She said the audio devices would meet requirements under the citys consent agreement with the Department of Justice.

At the earliest, Montano said the city and Taser can finalize the deal in late February or March and have new cameras in the field soon after.

Officials from Taser couldnt be reached for comment on Friday.

Albuquerque police in 2012 became one of the first big-city police departments in the country to equip all its officers with cameras. But the department came under fire after city and state watchdog groups found that former Chief Ray Schultz, whose administration negotiated the deal with Taser, made presentations on the companys products while on the citys payroll  although he was on early retirement. The Office of the State Auditor and the citys Inspector Generals Office and the Office of Internal Audit all found problems with the contract, including that Schultz may have violated state laws.

Attorney General Hector Balderas announced his office would investigate the city deals with Taser. Grand jury subpoenas served on city officials in 2015 showed that the grand jury was reviewing emails, payroll stubs, memos and other records about the contract. No indictments have been handed up.

James Hallinan, a spokesman for Balderas, said the investigation is ongoing.

Schultz, meanwhile, is the assistant chief of the Memorial Villages Police Department in Texas and has said he did nothing wrong.

Since they were rolled out in 2012, on-body cameras have become a large part of policing in Albuquerque. Recordings have been used to exonerate officers when people make unfounded complaints against them. Theyve also led officers to be charged with crimes, and they are often introduced as evidence in criminal cases.

Montano said no one from the chiefs office or the Mayors Office was on the selection committee that concluded the Taser cameras should be purchased, for an amount not yet determined.

The citys Request for Proposals was 64 pages and asked that the cameras have the ability to record for six hours at a time, have at least a 12-hour battery life, a one-touch recording system and safeguards to prevent them from accidently turning off.

The selection committees voting members were Stephanie Yarra, who works for the City Council, Sgt. Jim Edison, a Northeast Area command field services officer, Cmdr. Jeff McDonald, in the Scientific Evidence Division, Candace Bisanga, an officer in the Southeast Area command, Paul Guerin, a researcher at the University of New Mexico, Doug Brosveen, a member of the Community Policing Council and Paul Skotchdople, a lead investigator with the Civilian Police Oversight Agency.

As part of the review, officers who work in field services, gangs, narcotics and tactical teams tested various on-body camera products.
President-elect Donald Trumps vow to spend big on Americas infrastructure injects a new variable into Wisconsins already thorny debate on how to pay for roads, bridges and transit.

Throughout the 2016 campaign, Trump pledged to spend $1 trillion to improve the nations roads, bridges, airports and other infrastructure.

An infusion of federal infrastructure funds, should it come soon to Wisconsin, would arrive at an opportune time. A debate raged here well before the November election about how to address a mounting funding imbalance in the states transportation network.

Now that Trump is bound for the White House, some in Wisconsin say state lawmakers should pause that debate until its clear what, if anything, will come from Washington, D.C.  even if that means waiting months.

Mike Mikalsen, spokesman for state Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, said Nass has been very cautious just to say, we may have a major change coming. 

Before we say Cut everything under the sun, before we start raising all these fees, lets see what the new administration is going to put out there, Mikalsen said.

Others  particularly those who say the state needs more transportation revenue  fear Trumps plan could quell momentum for such an increase, which likely would come from increasing taxes or fees.

After years of inaction on transportation, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says, Wisconsin cant afford to wait further  even to see what will be done by his fellow Republicans in the federal government.

We would be foolish to wait for an answer from Washington, said Vos, R-Rochester.

Theres the potential that theyll be a partner. But I, at the same time, dont know that. And I dont want to wait around and then they dont do it  and then were in the same boat, or even worse.

Its wishful thinking

Vos and other Assembly Republicans have maintained that increasing the gas tax or vehicle registration fee, the two main revenue sources for the state transportation fund, should be considered to bring state road funding into balance.

Craig Thompson, director of Wisconsins Transportation Development Association, views the issue of federal help for roads similarly.

For people thinking its going to bail us out, I think its wishful thinking, Thompson said.

As road construction costs soared and transportation-fund revenues stagnated in recent years, the state increasingly delayed road projects or relied on borrowing to fund them.

Recent U.S. Department of Transportation data say the condition of Wisconsins roads lags other states. Outgoing Wisconsin DOT Secretary Mark Gottlieb has said the share of state trunk highways in poor condition would double in the next decade without an infusion of new money.

Thompsons association  an alliance of businesses, unions, local governments and other groups  advocates for more transportation revenue.

But the leading options to collect that revenue  a gas tax or registration fee increase  are politically fraught. Thompson acknowledges some lawmakers reluctant to increase taxes or fees might seize on Trumps plan as reason to stall.

They could use The feds are going to do something as an excuse, Thompson said.

Before state lawmakers get serious about Trumps infrastructure initiative, it remains to be seen if it will be embraced by a Republican Congress thats typically skeptical of big government spending.

How to pay for it?

U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan recently said infrastructure is one of our high priorities that were going to be addressing this year. But Ryan, of Janesville, has stopped short of endorsing Trumps preferred $1 trillion price tag for such a measure.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., flatly rejected that number, saying, I hope we avoid a trillion-dollar stimulus.

The sticking point on any infrastructure package would be how to finance it. In October, Trumps campaign offered the bare contours of a plan that would look to the private sector.

The proposal, prepared by two Trump advisers, calls for using federal tax credits to generate $1 trillion in private-sector infrastructure investment over a decade. Experts say its unclear how effective the unconventional proposal would be at generating the needed funds.

Thompson said any plan to privately finance roads in Wisconsin would require a revenue stream for investors, which he said likely would require tolling a practice to which the states motorists are not accustomed. Tolling on U.S. interstates, where it would generate the most revenue, also would require federal permission.

Most recently, some D.C. lobbyists have begun to question Trumps basic commitment to an infrastructure plan.

Trump, in a post-election interview with The New York Times, seemed to back away from the issue, saying infrastructure wont be a core part of the first few years of his administration.

Trump acknowledged that he didnt realize during the campaign that New Deal-style proposals to put people to work building infrastructure might conflict with his partys small-government philosophy.

Thats not a very Republican thing  I didnt even know that, frankly, Trump said.
New Mexico Secretary of Education Hanna Skandera blasted a Democratic legislators proposed 2-year charter school moratorium, calling the plan an irresponsible overreach that would harm students.

The governor and I feel very strongly about this issue, Skandera said. Our kids should come first every step of the way. What that means is every parent deserves a choice to give them an opportunity to make decisions in the best interest of their student, and charters provide that.

Under the bill introduced by Rep. Christine Trujillo, D-Albuquerque, no new charter schools would be approved in New Mexico from June 1, 2017, to Jan. 1, 2020. Skandera recognized that some New Mexico charter schools are not offering a high-quality education, but she said a moratorium is extreme and inappropriate.

That would be like taking the pendulum and having it swing way over and missing the point, she added. Whats the point of a charter school? Its giving students an option, a public school option, that allows for them to make sure that their needs are met.

Rather than halt all new charters, the state should hold low-performing schools to stricter standards and close them if they cant improve, Skandera said.

Trujillo argued that the state needs to take a breather to review the charter school system, which has been criticized for poor fiscal oversight and heavy use of public funds.

The retired educator and former American Federation of Teachers state president said she is not anti-charter, but wants more accountability.

I work with the charter schools; I am not an opponent of charter schools, said Trujillo, whose sister teaches at a Taos charter. We need to stop and reassess what is going on and how do we best address things for the community.

A number of organizations back some form of a charter school moratorium, including the New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders, New Mexico School Superintendents Association and New Mexico School Boards Association.

Joe Guillen, NMSBA executive director, has supported the idea for several years because he thinks the charter funding formula is unfair to traditional public schools.

According to a report from the Legislative Education Study Committee and Legislative Finance Committee, charters collect more from the state per student than school districts  $8,728 versus $7,639.

Districts and charters are essentially competing for students, who take funding with them if they leave a traditional public school for an alternative.

With oil and gas revenues decreasing, New Mexico doesnt have any money to spare this year. Every part of the state budget has been slashed to address a large deficit, and education is going to take a hit. Albuquerque Public Schools could lose up to $29 million for the current fiscal year, with more cuts to come for fiscal year 2018.

No. 1, what is leading generally to the initiative this year is a shortage of funding, Guillen said.

At the same time, a number of charters have gotten into trouble for racking up heavy debts. Two Albuquerque schools  Bataan Military Academy and La Resolana Leadership Academy  recently lost their charters after going several hundred thousand dollars in the red.

Charter school advocates point out that the states 97 charters include top institutions like the Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science, which is No. 1 based on three years of school grades.

AIMS and a second Albuquerque charter, Cottonwood Classical Preparatory, are Gold Medal schools, according to U.S. News and World Report.

In addition, the number of New Mexico charter schools has barely budged during the past few years.

Among the 42 states that authorize charter schools, only Maryland, Ohio and Arizona have added fewer charter schools than New Mexico since 2011, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

The New Mexico Public Education Commission and individual districts have the power to grant charters under state statute. During the past school year, PEC did not approve any new schools.
SANTA FE  Convictions in a high-profile vehicular homicide case involving the death of a baby born immediately after the accident have been reversed by the New Mexico Court of Appeals, which remanded the case to District Court for a new trial.

The first trial had resulted in a nine-year prison sentence for Ramon A. Hernandez, accused of driving drunk and causing the accident on Interstate 25 near Rowe, east of Santa Fe.

The Court of Appeals said District Judge Gerald E. Baca should have declared a mistrial in the case of Hernandez, who was convicted in 2013 in the death of the baby born after the mother was injured in the crash.

Hernandez was convicted of vehicular homicide, causing great bodily harm and reckless driving for the June 2012 crash. Police said the baby lived only about a minute following delivery after the woman from the other car was taken to Christus St. Vincent Regional Hospital. She was seven months pregnant, and doctors decided to deliver the baby immediately by Caesarean section.

During the trial, and contrary to a pretrial ruling by the judge, a New Mexico State Police officer testified that Hernandez had confessed to being behind the wheel when the wreck took place. Baca earlier had declared the purported confession inadmissible hearsay evidence.

We hold that the improper testimony regarding the purported confession was extremely prejudicial and warranted a mistrial, Court of Appeals Judge Timothy L. Garcia wrote in an opinion from last month.

Even though Judge Baca issued a curative instruction to the jury about the officers testimony, the Court of Appeals determined the instruction was vague and referenced an objection that never occurred. The Court of Appeals said that the officers testimony not only undermined Defendants overall credibility but provided erroneous corroboration for the States circumstantial evidence regarding who it claimed was driving at the time of the accident.

Its pretty devastating to us, to be honest, Aileen Smith of Colorado Springs, whose baby, Dimitri, was killed in the accident, said in a phone interview this week.

Going through the trial process once was gut-wrenching. To have to go through it again four years after the crash is tremendously upsetting.

Its unclear whether the case will actually be retried. Las Vegas District Attorney Richard Flores, whose office prosecuted the case, is out of the office this week and unavailable to take questions, a staff member told the Journal on Thursday.

Hernandezs attorney said he expects to file a motion asking the court to dismiss the case on grounds of double jeopardy.

High-profile case

Gov. Susana Martinez had used the case of the Smith baby to highlight the need to toughen the states DWI laws. Hernandez had at least three prior convictions for driving while intoxicated.

Two versions of Dimitris Law that aimed to stiffen DWI laws, especially for repeat offenders, died during the legislative session in 2013. The Smiths helped lobby for stiffer DWI punishments.

Although Smith said she understands that people make mistakes, she said it was also disappointing Hernandez was never submitted to a field sobriety test.

Thats because State Police didnt initially think he was the driver, based on statements made at the scene by Hernandez and a witness to the accident. Consequently, Hernandez, who was 43 at the time of the crash, was not asked to submit to standard field sobriety tests. The jury acquitted him of a DWI charge.

Its very disappointing that it came down the way it did, with the police officers testimony, Smith said. I understand that everyone there was so focused on me, getting me out of the vehicle, into an ambulance and to the hospital. But the police officers should have picked up the protocol.

The loss of a child is bad enough, but Smith said she and her husband have suffered in other ways.

Our personal lives havent reset back to where they were, she said. Its been expensive for us. Zach and I were almost homeless.

And although the couple have had two children since losing their first, both of them have had trouble, Aileen said. Doctors told them that due to the injuries she suffered in the accident, she might have trouble giving birth. One child was delivered by C-section six weeks early. The other was an asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction baby that went full term but weighed just 3 pounds, 12 ounces at birth.

Hernandezs attorney, Ben Andrew Mondragon, said he has mixed emotions about the prospect of having to retry the case.

Were excited about the Court of Appeals decision to overturn it, he said in a phone interview Thursday. However, our happiness is tempered by the death of the child.

Mondragon added that perhaps the hardest things he had to do in his career was to cross-examine Aileen Smith, but Im there to represent my client.

Hernandez, who has been in jail since 2012, is currently being held at the Roswell Correctional Center.

Hes an immigrant from Honduras who has been in the United States since at least 2000, when he was charged with his first DWI. He received a New Mexico drivers license in 2002, and Motor Vehicle Division and court records show he had been issued a Social Security number. But after his arrest, he was placed on a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer hold and remains on an immigration hold today.
As I walked into the office Tuesday, I announced to no one in particular that George Michael would be the last celebrity death for 2016.

Apparently, no one in particular was listening, because I didnt even make it to lunchtime before hearing that Carrie Fisher died. As Princess Leia, she was the ideal woman to a generation of geeky boys.

This is one of the great quotes about Princess Leia I read from her the other day: I got to be the only girl in an all-boy fantasy, and its a great role for women. Shes a very proactive character and gets the job done. So if youre going to get typecast as something, that might as well be it for me.

Im not sure why, but her death has hit me harder than a lot of the other celebrity deaths this year. My attitude has always been to never really get that worked up about the death of a celebrity. Its not like I know these people personally or that they would feel the same about me.

I certainly can feel empathy for anyone who is dealing with the death of a loved one, we all go through that eventually. It is a part of life.

And I certainly understand why many feel sadness when a celebrity they admire dies. Many famous people get that way through the arts or through actions that are admirable in some way. It makes sense that if you admire someone, you might feel sadness at his or her demise. I just dont get how ordinary people can have outright grief over the death of a celebrity. Of course it is sad, but I dont think anyone needs to miss a day of work to deal with that sadness.

So it surprised me that I found myself getting a little blue over Carrie Fishers death. Whether I like it or not, she was a part of my childhood, and Princess Leia wasnt a bad female role model. Leia was bad-ass, make no mistake. She could handle a blaster better than anyone, she took no guff from the boys, and killed Jabba the Hutt with her bare hands and a chain while wearing a bikini. She was no Disney princess, that was for sure.

Over the years, much has been made about that image of Princess Leia in the bikini. We know Carrie Fisher didnt like it, not only from interviews she had done over the years, but from the look of disdain on her face in those scenes. Yeah, she looked good, but you got the feeling that if you made too much of a big deal about it she would wrap the chain around your neck and give you the same treatment as old Jabba.

There is a segment of male science fiction fans who cant get past the bikini, though, on Princess Leia or any other female character. Carrie Fisher would have none of that, and from the photos Ive seen online, would be more than likely to shoot the middle finger at some sexist Neanderthal.

When she showed up in the new Star Wars movie last year, she complained that she was made to lose weight and then had to deal with online comments about how she had gotten old. As a science fiction fan, Im bothered by this type of treatment of women.

As I was growing up, liking science fiction put you in a category most people labeled other. You get called names like geek or nerd, and all you want to do is tell the world that these stories are really cool and universal. Then finally, the rest of the world comes around, except for the people who think women in science and science fiction should be seen and not heard. That women should only be in bikinis.

Carrie Fisher didnt believe that, and neither did Princess Leia, and thats what Ill miss about both of them.

UpFront is a news and opinion column. Comment directly to Rory McClannahan at 823-7102 or editor@mvtelegraph.com. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.
HONOLULU  Moscow is hoping Donald Trump will reconsider the sanctions the U.S. is levying in response to its finding of election hacking, a wait-and-see strategy bolstered by the American president-elects own approving words for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin has essentially put relations with the U.S. on hold until Trump replaces President Barack Obama on Jan. 20. Though his foreign minister encouraged him to slap back at Washington for the sanctions imposed by Obama, Putin decided that Russia wouldnt immediately retaliate.

Great move on delay (by V. Putin), Trump wrote Friday on Twitter. I always knew he was very smart!

Praise for a longtime adversary at odds with a sitting American president is remarkable for a president-elect  and the latest signal that U.S.-Russia relations, among other policies, could be getting a makeover from Trump.

Whether he steers the U.S. toward or away from Russia is shaping up as the first major test of his foreign policy disposition and his willingness to buck fellow Republicans, who for years have argued Obama wasnt being tough enough on Russia.

In response to the election hacking he blames on Russia, Obama ordered sanctions on Russian spy agencies, closed two Russian compounds and expelled 35 diplomats the U.S. said were really spies. Brushing off Obama, Putin said Russia would plan steps to restore U.S. ties based on the policies that will be carried out by the administration of President D. Trump. Not only would Russia not kick Americans out, Putin said, he was inviting the kids of all U.S. diplomats to the Kremlins New Years and Christmas parties.

At this point, theyre trolling Obama, said Olga Oliker, who directs the Russia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The Obama administration said it had seen Putins remarks but had nothing more to say.

Russia denies the U.S. intelligence communitys assessment that in an attempt to help Trump win the presidency, Moscow orchestrated cyber breaches in which tens of thousands of Democrats emails were stolen and later made public. Trump, too, has refused to accept that conclusion and insisted the country should just move on, though he has agreed to meet next week with intelligence leaders to learn more.

Notably, after the U.S. on Thursday issued a report it said exposed Russias cyber tactics, Putins aides didnt offer any specific rebuttal. The report included detailed technical information like IP addresses and samples of malware code the U.S. said Russia uses.

One utility company, Burlington Electric Department in Vermont, reported Friday that it had detected the malware on a company laptop that was not connected to its grid systems. Burlington said, We took immediate action to isolate the laptop and alerted federal officials of this finding.

Theres little certainty about how Trump will actually act on Russia as president. Though hes praised Putin as a strong leader and said it would be ideal for the two countries to stop fighting, he also suggested this month the U.S. might mount a new nuclear arms race, triggering fresh anxieties about a return to Cold War-style tensions.

Ambassador Michael McFaul, Obamas former envoy to Russia, said while Trump has defined his top objective as getting along with the Kremlin, Putin has higher goals, including the lifting of economic sanctions and, ideally, U.S. recognition of Russias annexation of Crimea.

Obviously, Putins not responding because hes waiting for Jan. 20, McFaul said in an interview. Hes got these much more important objectives to him than getting into a tit-for-tat response with the outgoing administration.

Trumps warm outreach to Putin, combined with picks for secretary of state and national security adviser who are seen as friendly to Russia, have left hawkish Republicans with a particularly unpleasant choice: look hypocritical for backtracking on their own tough talk, or risk a public rift with their partys new president.

In the House, many Republicans who have long called for tougher sanctions have been silent or vague about Obamas penalties and Trumps positions. But a handful of GOP senators have shown they have no intentions of letting up pressure on the Kremlin.

We intend to lead the effort in the new Congress to impose stronger sanctions on Russia, Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said in a statement. McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, scheduled a hearing next week on foreign cyber threats in an attempt to further spotlight Russias actions.

Even if Trump opts to pull back Obamas sanctions and overlook hacking allegations, he may find rapprochement with Russia isnt that simple. The past two presidents both tried to reach out to Russia early in their terms but left office with relations in no better shape.

Though Trump has suggested the U.S. and Russia should align strategies in Syria by focusing on their mutual enemy, the Islamic State group, Russias military campaign has almost exclusively targeted American-backed Syrian rebels, the U.S. has said. Nor is it clear whether Trump and Putin share a common approach to Europes security issues.

And if Trump follows through on his vow to renegotiate the Iran nuclear deal, he wont find a receptive audience in Moscow. Putins government brokered the deal with the U.S., Iran and other world powers and has no intention of slapping sanctions back on Iran.

___

Associated Press writers Nataliya Vasilyeva and Jim Heintz in Moscow and Lynn Berry in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP
The state's photo ID law was administered incorrectly in some places on Election Day and led several dozen voters to leave their polling place without casting a ballot, according to a new report from the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin.

The report, based on observations by 249 volunteers at 511 polling location, found the majority of voters experienced no problems at the polls, but noted there were some exceptions. In response, the report recommends more training for poll workers and more voter education about the photo ID requirement.

Republicans passed the photo ID requirement in 2011, though it was challenged in court and didn't take effect until this year after it was upheld by a federal court. The November presidential election was its biggest test yet and for the most part it caused only minor disruption.

But the League report, its eighth since 2010, noted a few cases where an ID wasn't requested or an invalid out-of-state ID was accepted. In 71 cases, voters without an ID cast a provisional ballot  meaning they had to go get an ID and show it to the clerk by the Friday after the election for their vote to count. But in 37 other cases a voter was offered a provisional ballot and refused, saying they wouldn't be able to obtain the necessary ID.

In 23 more cases, a provisional ballot should have been offered, but was not. One explanation given was that the chief poll inspector didn't know how to administer a provisional ballot, according to the report.

"While we have evidence that voters were turned away for lack of proof of residence and lack of acceptable ID, what cannot be counted is the number of eligible citizens who do not attempt to vote due to the unnecessary complications in registering and voting in Wisconsin," the reported concluded. "Our state election law should make it easier for all eligible citizens to cast a ballot in Wisconsin."

Observers witnessed 500 voters attempt to register on Election Day but be turned away for lacking the proper documentation. There were also 465 voters not listed in the registration rolls who claimed they previously voted at that location, some as recently as April.

The report noted typically when voters were unable to produce proper registration documents or photo ID, poll workers were courteous and went out of their way to be helpful. In only eight of the 416 reports were poll workers observed taking problematic actions.

Legislators who oversee election law committees didn't respond to a request for comment Friday.
The Irish Government feared a "big" loyalist bomb in Dublin during a bitter unionist revolt against the Anglo-Irish Agreement, then Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald said.

In a meeting with then Northern Ireland Secretary of State Tom King just three months after the historic accord, Mr FitzGerald (pictured) said people in Dublin were as worried as people north of the border.

"There was also a fear in Dublin of loyalist bombs and though our present information was that the loyalist paramilitaries were not yet ready to do anything big, we had to do what we could to minimise the dangers," he told the Northern Ireland secretary.

Mr King said he had been "rocked on his heels" by the unionist backlash to the agreement, signed the previous November, notes of the February meeting just declassified under the 30-year rule reveal.

He had not expected firebrand Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley to "capture and hijack" Ulster Unionist leader Jim Molyneaux along with "even ordinary moderate unionists".

Secrecy around negotiations leading up to the deal was "a disastrous mistake", he admitted.

"The unionists felt they had been treated like children and in reaction Ulster nationalism had reared its head," Mr King said, according to the State papers.

"Moderate unionists had been genuinely offended and people were now at the precipice."

In a mark of the fears of the time, Mr King said the backlash to the agreement, which gave Dublin an advisory role in Northern Ireland, could not be over-stated.

"The situation was now more dangerous than it was in 1974," he said, comparing it with the year of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, the bloodiest atrocity of the Troubles.

"Then the average unionist sat on his hands and done nothing, thereby enabling the extremists to take over. Now the average unionist was very angry and prepared actively to oppose the agreement."

Mr King was trying to fend off Dublin demands for a quick and explicit implementation of the agreement, believing a more subtle approach would stand a better chance of quelling mounting unionist outrage.

Unionist MPs had resigned their seats en masse, sparking Westminster by-elections, unionist-controlled councils refused to set "rates" - a local government tax - and a widespread strike had been called in a so-called loyalist Day of Action which descended into widespread violence.

Pressure to speed up the agreement was "hard to take" in the current environment, Mr King told Mr FitzGerald.

"There was a danger of sectarian killings - that would obviously not be a benefit to the minority," he said.

He added: "Northern Ireland had to be handled with care, day by day, minute by minute."

One of the real worries was that unionist leaders "were like fireworks going off in all directions", he told the meeting.

"Many decent unionists were looking over the precipice and were worried about what they saw," he said. "But they had no leaders, no cohesion and the DUP was in disarray."

Mr King also turned his ire on the SDLP's then leader John Hume.

Mr Hume "seemed happy to let the unionists suffer" but what was "particularly despicable" was his looking forward to a confrontation between the British government and unionists.

The Secretary of State said he understood the Irish Government "did not own the SDLP" but asked Mr FitzGerald if they could "persuade and cajole them".

Mr FitzGerald said he had assumed the British were keeping unionists more fully briefed about the negotiations that led to the Anglo-Irish Agreement than turned out to be the case.

A tactic of leaking details of the talks had not worked because unionists did not believe the leaks, he told the meeting.

"We had obviously got it wrong on that score," he said.

- PA
Emmett Gordon isnt one to procrastinate.

When he began his final semester at UW-Madison in fall 2015, on track to graduate with a bachelors degree in sociology with a concentration in analysis and research that December, Gordon also started his job search.

I definitely wanted to start looking for work when I saw I could be finished in December, said Gordon, a Madison native, who completed his bachelors degree in 3 years.

Although he didnt find a job before he graduated, he credited his early start for finding work in Madison in his field just weeks after receiving his diploma.

Its an approach Gretchen Rixie said all students close to earning their degrees should use, whether theyre graduating in December or May.

If a student knows he or she is graduating in December, the sooner they can start their job search the better, said Rixie, manager of the career and employment center at Madison Area Technical College. The idea that no one is hiring in December, I think, is a myth.

Rixie pointed to Wisconsin Tech Connect, an online job board supported by Wisconsins 16 technical colleges, which routinely has between 400 and 500 active job listings monthly.

What I really dont want to see is any student who waits until the month theyre graduating to begin their job search, she said.

Gordon wasnt too worried about whether he would find a job once he earned his bachelors degree from UW-Madison in December 2015.

The Madison native, whose family moved to Waunakee when he was 10, hoped serving two years as an intern with Madison-based CUNA would lead to a job. But he said the company had no openings at the time for someone with his skill set.

Although there were other jobs available, none immediately spoke to Gordon, a number cruncher who interprets data.

I didnt know too many people who had my specific degree, he said.

Today, he works for Healthgrades, a health care resource for consumers in Madison. He found the job through a listing on the online networking platform LinkedIn.

Rixies role at MATC is to help students not only find a job but market their education and skills to prospective employers.

Rixie and her team work with students on interviewing skills and developing an effective profile on LinkedIn.

If you look across higher education, not all (college) career centers are the same, but it is our mission to serve students who are close to graduating and alumni to help them find the right career path, she said.

Networking is key

Networking remains one of the most effective ways to find work, Rixie said.

College students who graduate in December may have a competitive advantage over students graduating in the spring, when a majority of degrees are awarded, she said.

Holidays tend to be a great time to network because you have more opportunities to see and be around more people than at any other time of the year, Rixie said, such as holiday parties and other events where students can connect with family friends and their co-workers.

Making connections early

Job fairs are another avenue for connecting with potential employers, and sometimes the timing works in favor of December grads.

UW-Madisons College of Computer Sciences hosts a job fair for students every September. Although the event is geared mostly at opportunities for the summer, openings occur year-round. And in some fields, there are more openings than graduating college students to fill them.

Our (computer science) students who earn bachelors degrees easily can find a job starting at $75,000 if they stay here in Madison, said Barton Miller, professor of computer sciences at UW-Madison and organizer of the job fair. If they leave and go to Silicon Valley, they stand to make a lot more.

Steve Schroeder, assistant dean of the Wisconsin School of Business at UW-Madison, said job prospects for any college graduate depends on the industry or major.

Some industries like retail and finance push for earlier hiring dates to fulfill their recruiting needs, so fall is their target regardless of graduation date, Schroeder said. Advertising and start-up companies are more just in time with their hiring needs, so graduates benefit from starting their search early and networking regardless of when they graduate.

Jeremy Ryder, talent acquisition manager for Waterloo-based Trek, was among the business representatives at the College of Computer Sciences job fair this fall. But the company recruits year round, so when someone graduates from college really doesnt matter to the company, he said.

Regardless of when students hit the job market, they should consider internships if their preferred job isnt within reach, said Matt Kulas, product consultant with Esker, a Madison-based software company. Kulas got his job through the Computer Sciences job fair.

Internships certainly can give you a leg up on your competition, Kulas said, giving both sides a chance to get to know each other  and sometimes leading to full-time employment.

In an effort to create more internships for Wisconsin college students, the state will soon launch the Wisconsin Fast Forward Internship program, an initiative of the Department of Workforce Development, the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. The aim is to encourage Wisconsin college students to stay in the state after they graduate.

Its one of our attempts to help college students build a more well-rounded portfolio so they become a more attractive job candidate, said Jeff Sachse, senior economist with the Department of Workforce Development.

Strong outlook

Students graduating from college in December are entering a strong job market, Sachse said. Wisconsins jobless rate in November was 4.1 percent, which was below the national rate of 4.6 percent.

The job market going into the first quarter is expected to stay fairly robust, he said. Companies are hiring for replacement needs rather than to sustain new growth.

Milwaukee-based Manpower in its latest employment outlook report said the nations employers plan to hire during the first three months of 2017. Its survey of 11,000 U.S. employers found 19 percent anticipated increasing staffing levels during the first quarter, which is down 1 point compared to the same quarter a year ago but still considered stable, according to Manpower.

Manpower said the best prospects are in leisure and hospitality, wholesale and retail trade, transportation and utilities and professional and business services.

Sachse said the best opportunities in Wisconsin are in information technology, skilled trades and engineering. Health care also is another profession in constant need of workers for a wide range of positions, he said.

Gordon is happy with how things turned out for him.

I dont think it matters what time of year youre looking because if companies are hiring in your area or field of specialty, there really is no wrong time to start applying, Gordon said.




Try it yourself, you may find it is not as difficult as you think!

But without giving you any code, I'll tell you how I'd do it: I'd create a struct to hold each distinct value and a sorted list of indexes in the array. I'd then fill out a collection of such structs - one for each distinct value in the array - and traverse the collection when complete to find the largest difference in indexes.



If you meet a specific problem, then please ask about that and we will do our best to help. But we aren't going to do it all for you!

Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...





HomeWork is not set to test your skills at begging other people to do your work, it is set to make you think and to help your teacher to check your understanding of the courses you have taken and also the problems you have at applying them.

Any failure of you will help your teacher spot your weaknesses and set remedial actions.

So, give it a try, reread your lessons and start working. If you are stuck on a specific problem, show your code and explain this exact problem, we might help.



As programmer, your job is to create algorithms that solve specific problems and you can't rely on someone else to eternally do it for you, so there is a time where you will have to learn how to. And the sooner, the better.

When you just ask for the solution, it is like trying to learn to drive a car by having someone else training.

Creating an algorithm is basically finding the maths and make necessary adaptation to fit your actual problem.

Patrice



Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler. Albert Einstein



any one work on sentiment analysis through google cloud library???please help



Member 12875047 wrote: please help

With what?

We have no idea what you have tried, what happened when you did, or what help you want from us.

Remember that we can't see your screen, access your HDD, or read your mind - we only get exactly what you type to work with.

Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...



Here[^] you go.

This space for rent



Member 12875047 wrote: please help

Help on what ?

You gave a question a problem ?

Patrice



Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler. Albert Einstein



Hi, I'm creating a custom VScrollBar and I have problem getting the exact Y position of the thumb like the Windows.Forms.VScrollBar, I have searched online and I found some examples of custom scrollbars like:



How to skin scrollbars for Panels, in C#[^]

Custom Drawn Scrollbar[^]



The problem with these examples are that they don't get the exact top position of the thumb comparing to the windows scrollbar. I am getting a Top position that while scrolling becomes less than the real position



Doesn't anyone know how to calculate this?



Member 10498254 wrote: Doesn't anyone know how to calculate this? How are you calculating it?





decimal ratio = ( decimal )((ClientRectangle.Height) - 2 * topButton.Height - ThumbSize()) / (Maximum - Minimum); int thumbTopPosition = ( int )((Value - Minimum) * ratio) + topButton.Height;





I tested my custom scrollbar with the Windows scrollbar with the same Maximum, Minimum, LargeChange and SmallChange, and when I get a Y position of 45 the other has a Y position little bit bigger than 45. The difference between the Y positions gets bigger as a set the Maximum value bigger.







I would avoid the decimal type, what you need is either float or double, since ratio could be a very small number; decimal is fine for monetary amounts, not for arbitrary scaling. Have you ever looked at the actual values while debugging?





Luc Pattyn [My Articles] Nil Volentibus Arduum



modified 31-Dec-16 8:05am.





int trackHeight = (Height - ( 2 * topButton.Height)); int thumbHeight = (LargeChange / Maximum) * trackHeight; I changed the values from decimal to float I ' m still getting the same result. the thumb never reaches the bottom. I think there must be something else to add to the thumb position than I' m not adding.



ratio is too small. As your math seems OK, I can imagine only two reasons:



1. a rounding down error, probably caused by a bad choice of data type (such as decimal only offering two fractional digits);



2. ThumbSize() returing too large a value; so please check and/or provide the exact code for that method.



Suggestion: take one example, note all the numbers, compare what they are (from logging or interactive debug session) with what they should be (manual calculation), you then should be able to see the error right away!





PS: ClientHeight isn't always the right value, e.g. when a HScrollBar appears, it reduces the VScrollBar's height!





Luc Pattyn [My Articles] Nil Volentibus Arduum



Hello those who are reading, I am a beginner in programmer and currently frequent in C#. I am working on building a cross-platform mobile application and I am confused on what to do. I know what I want my application to do and I am done with making the sketches and connecting them. Now I do not know how to proceed. ANY HELP/ADVICE WILL BE VERY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.


Farm leaders have spelled out their hopes for agriculture during 2017  including opportunities for the industry post-Brexit.

NFU president Meurig Raymond: There is no doubt in my mind that 2017 will be an historic, unique opportunity to present a new deal for farming in Britain.

Mr Raymond said he expected 2017 to be busy.

See also: Defra minister outlines Brexit plan for 2017

The NFU would reveal its expectations for a post-Brexit domestic farm policy early in the new year as part of its response to proposals expected from Defra on the industrys future, he said.

This must aim to create a policy that delivers world-class farming that is supported by a world-leading science base to ensure our post-Brexit future is profitable, competitive and productive for us all.

Tumultuous 2016

Mr Raymond said it was fair to say 2016 had been a tumultuous year for the farming industry  as it had been for the country.

We have seen continued extremes in market returns for many sectors, not least dairy, leaving family businesses staring over a precipice one moment to be replaced by recovering prices the next.

Alongside the economic realities the historic EU referendum looks likely to be a game changer for many as over 40 years of European policy is replaced by farm policy controlled at a UK level.

While the theme of 2016 has been one of growing uncertainty, for the sake of farming, 2017 must provide greater certainty and confidence.

Ill be looking to the government, as farmers look to the NFU, to provide this.

The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) highlighted the need for a better functioning food supply chain as a basic element of the UKs post-Brexit planning.

Dysfunctional supply chain

TFA chairman Stephen Wyrill said there was growing recognition the UK food supply chain was dysfunctional  and farmers too often bore the brunt of the problems this created.

Poor returns, last-minute changes in orders and specifications, unfair competition from abroad and poor labelling are all contributing to the pressures at farm level.

Sadly, well-meaning initiatives aimed at improving supply chain relationships on a voluntary basis have failed to have the necessary traction across the board.

It was important to deepen and broaden the powers of the Groceries Code Adjudicator to address problems that extended beyond the retail supply chain for groceries, said Mr Wyrill.

Brexit challenge

In Wales, NFU Cymru president Stephen James said Brexit would be one of the biggest challenges facing the industry  but leaving the EU meant opportunities too.

It was a unique opportunity to shape and develop policies that were fit for purpose, forward thinking and promoted a productive, progressive and profitable farming industry.

In the short term, the single most important issue for Welsh agriculture was securing the best possible access to European markets, said Mr James.

Domestic markets must also deliver for Welsh agriculture, he added.

We are committed to regular engagement with the major retailers and food buyers to ensure that Welsh food is front and centre on retail shelves and in the food service sector.

I am pleased with our successes in 2016, on lamb in particular, but recognise that there is much more to do to improve relationships and deliver better returns across the entire supply chain.
Canadas University of Windsor (UOW) researchers are testing therapeutic values of Ashtanga yoga for survivors of breast cancer.

A two-year study at UOW, jointly by its psychology professors Kendall Soucie and Josee Jarry, and kinesiology professor Cheri McGowan; aims to find out whether Ashtanga yoga benefits breast cancer survivors. They will test how survivors of breast cancer will respond  physically and psychologically  to Ashtanga yoga. It has received $70,000 grant from Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation, according to news published on its website.

The psychological aspect of the study will gauge mental health benefits by surveying participants on increased self-esteem, decreased anxiety and depression, and improved interpersonal relationships. A specialized yoga routine tailored to survivors of breast cancer will be developed, yoga sessions will be filmed and analyzed, and there will be focus groups; it adds.

According to Jarry: The research suggests that when healthy adults practice Ashtanga yoga, there is a significant improvement in self-esteem, body image and interpersonal functioning, as well as a reduction in depression and anxiety.

Survivors of breast cancer who are finished with chemotherapy and radiation treatments and are cleared for light exercise by their doctors may be eligible to participate in this study.

Meanwhile, Hindus have welcomed UOW efforts to explore yogas ability to help breast cancer survivors.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, yoga was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.

Yoga, referred as a living fossil, was a mental and physical discipline, for everybody to share and benefit from, whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out.

According to US National Institutes of Health, yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress. According to a 2016 Yoga in America Study, about 37 million Americans (which included many celebrities) now practice yoga; and yoga is strongly correlated with having a positive self image. Yoga is the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche, Rajan Zed adds.

Ashtanga Yoga (eight-limbed yoga) finds mention in Patanjalis ancient Yoga Sutra, foundational text of yoga. Outer limbs are yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara; while inner limbs are dharana, dhyana and samadhi.

Founded in 1857, UOW, which claims to be Canadas most personal comprehensive university, has 15,574 students from nearly 100 countries in 261 undergraduate-graduate-professional programs on a 125 acres urban campus on the banks of the Detroit River in Windsor (Ontario). Edward C. Lumley and Dr. Alan Wildeman are Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor respectively.

Source : From Our Correspondent
Viking Economics: How The Scandanavians Got It Right And How We Can Too

Date:

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Time:

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Event Type:

Speaker

Organizer/Author:

The Green Arcade

Email:

Phone:

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In his new book "Viking Economics: How The Scandanavians Got It Right And How We Can Too", retired Swarthmore College professor, George Lakey, who has lived and worked in Norway tells an uplifting story. What economists call the Nordic model puts Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden at the top tier of international ratings. That includes education, abundance of jobs, health care, and security for all people. Only Norway found substantial oil. All four Nordics were nimble in bouncing back from the 2008 crisis that still bedevils Europe and the U.S.



The book tells a human story: what is it like to be a professional in Norway, or a parent or student or worker or entrepreneur or farmer or retired person or immigrant? The reader will meet people from many walks of life, even the authors Norwegian family of in-laws.



Surprises in the book include the fact that Norway has more start-ups per capita than the U.S., and Sweden outpaces the U.S. economys innovativeness. Denmark is racing ahead to achieve carbon neutrality and already generates enough wind power to sell surplus to Germany. Icelands low crime rate is the envy of Europe; in the years since 2008 Iceland increased its already high economic equality.



Nordic societies are not utopian. Racial and ethnic diversity challenges them. Women have not fully broken the glass ceiling, although they have 40% of corporate board seats and give significant political leadership. For brief periods Swedes, Icelanders, and Norwegians did de-regulate their financial sectors, with disastrous consequences that forced them back to their Nordic model. The book tells the dramatic story of how they waged their own struggles for democracy and freedom, and opened the space to create a model that others learn from.
One of Arlene Foster's ministerial colleagues has claimed political rivals calling for her resignation as Stormont First Minister are more interested in a scalp than the truth.

Stormont Economy minister and fellow Democratic Unionist Simon Hamilton defended his party leader after a renewed wave of calls for her to step aside over her handling of a botched green energy scheme.

He accused opposition MLAs attacking the DUP leader over the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scandal of offering nothing more than "party political attacks and resignation calls".

"On the one hand they call for a process to establish the facts but they have already decided what the outcome should be," he said.

Mr Hamilton was reacting to the publication of a letter Mrs Foster sent to bankers about the RHI when she was economy minister in January 2013.

In it she said payments made under the scheme would be "guaranteed" - an assertion that prompted rivals to rubbish her current stance that half of the estimated 490 million overspend could be clawed back.

In the two-page letter to Northern Ireland's leading banks, Mrs Foster said the state-funded eco-subsidies offered applicants a "good return on investment".

Errors in the RHI have left Stormont facing a huge overspend bill over the next 20 years.

It was supposed to offer a proportion of the cost businesses had to pay to run eco-friendly boilers, but the tariffs were set too high, and without a cap, so it ended up paying significantly more than the price of fuel.

This enabled applicants to "burn to earn" - getting free heat and making a profit as they did it.

Claims of widespread abuse include a farmer allegedly set to pocket around 1 million in the next two decades for heating an empty shed.

Mr Hamilton, who issued a statement through the DUP, not his department, said Mrs Foster wrote the letter before the fatal weaknesses in the scheme came to light.

"These letters, issued in 2013, once again highlight the fact that there was a significant underspend in the early years of the RHI scheme and far from highlighting an awareness of the issues which have subsequently come to light, further reinforce the fact that the department was operating, at that time, under a serious misapprehension about the scheme," he said.

He added: "Had the scheme operated as described in the letter then the present problems would not exist.

"The DUP supports an investigation which can be entirely free from political interference and which can report speedily in order to assist public confidence."

Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice party, said: "So the DUP's latest excuse for the biggest taxpayer rip-off in our history is that Arlene Foster acted under a 'misapprehension' when she approved the RHI scheme.

"So incompetence in government is now the DUP's refuge - a commentary in itself."

Mrs Foster, who was in charge of the scheme's development during her time as economy minister, has faced down calls to quit from all the other main Stormont parties, including the DUP's partner in the ruling executive, Sinn Fein.

She has remained defiant amid the "ash for cash" furore and insisted the projected overspend can be halved.

That prediction was challenged after the contents of the bank letter were revealed on Thursday night.

She wrote: "Tariffs are 'grandfathered', providing certainty for investors by setting a guaranteed support level for projects for their lifetime in a scheme, regardless of future reviews."

Mrs Foster added: "The government support, on offer through the incentive schemes, is reliable, long term and offers a good return on investment."

The letter was written to encourage banks to lend to would-be RHI applicants who needed initial capital to purchase the costly green boilers.

Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt claimed the First Minister's leadership was characterised by "incompetence, ineptitude and haplessness".

"Mrs Foster has not only failed to do the honourable thing, by accepting the consequences of ministerial responsibility and resigning, she has spun a web in which she now finds herself trapped, ensuring a legacy of debt to be paid by children yet to be born, and leaving her reputation as a competent minister in tatters," he said.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: "Arlene Foster's instinctive resistance to calls for her to stand aside pending a public inquiry is understandable but it is fundamentally misguided.

"This is about more than the career of one politician. The longer the First Minister stays, the more lasting damage she does to the institutions and to faith in government.

"If Arlene Foster has done nothing wrong, as she claims, then she has nothing to fear from a public inquiry with full powers to compel witnesses and evidence."

It was originally envisaged that the Treasury would foot the bill for the RHI, but the costs spiralled well beyond London's financial commitment. The total RHI spend in Northern Ireland is estimated at 1,150 million over the next 20 years.

The Treasury is set to cover 660 million of that, with Stormont landed with the remaining 490 million.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Economy said Mrs Foster's letter was "reasonable and appropriate" given the context facing the minister in January 2013.

She said the flaws in the scheme were not well documented at the time the letter was written.
However, the laws will not be able to limit the prices companies impose on those at risk.

A Government minister said that the move may be considered if insurers refuse to adequately explain why they are still failing to provide flood cover in areas where defences are now in place, despite Fine Gael previously ruling out the possibility.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, junior minister at the Office of Public Works and Independent Alliance TD Sean Canney said that he will contact leading insurance industry groups early in the new year to seek answers on why they are still not covering specific areas.

Officials from the OPW have been in ongoing discussions with Insurance Ireland since widespread damage that was caused by Storm Desmond last winter.

Mr Canney said in areas such as Fermoy in Co Cork, where defences have been built and which did not flood last year, people are not being insured.

Saying that the issue cannot be ignored, the Independent Alliance TD said that he will summon insurers in the coming weeks to discuss the ongoing crisis affecting thousands of homes and businesses across the country.

In a best-case scenario Mr Canney said he hopes that insurers will be convinced of the need to help at-risk communities without the need for any formal intervention by the Government.

However, if necessary, he said that new laws forcing insurers to cover those in need will be considered  despite the fact that while you can legislate you cannot actually set the premium for how much people will be charged and that Fine Gael has previously ruled out the possibility.

It will come to a stage where I take a place like Fermoy and one or two more areas and say look, show me how many houses have been insured there and why you havent insured the rest of them. I will be bringing them in early in the new year.

You can legislate where you force them to bring in insurances, but you cannot actually set the premium.

Thats why the Department of Finance are actually loath to interfere because they cant actually set the premiums.

They could legislate to force companies and tell them what to do but they cannot say what to charge. You have to be very careful because you dont want to drive up the price for everyone, he said.

The OPW currently has 12 major schemes at construction stage in different parts of the country, with a further 23 at design development and planning stage.

A total of 430m has also been allocated for flood-risk management in its Capital Investment Plan for the period 2016 to 2021.

Mr Canney said that he still believes the best way forward is for the Government and companies to co-operate in order to eliminate fears that are there.

However, he said that in Fermoy and other areas where demountables (removable flood barrier) were fitted and there were no floods last year, homes and businesses are still unable to get cover, showing further action may be required.

While any future move by Government to force insurers to cover flood- affected areas would be welcomed by those in need, it poses hidden problems due to the inability to limit the charges involved and the potential impact on other households premiums.

During a Dail motion tabled by Fianna Fail and supported by Sinn Fein, AAA-PBP, Labour, and Independents calling for the same move last month, Fine Gael junior finance minister Eoghan Murphy said that the move could have the opposite effect than what is intended and will undermine the system of cover in the country.
OPW Minister Sean Canney said increasing calls for public sector pay rises are the biggest challenge facing the Government.

After an autumn dominated by gardai, teachers and nurses pay-related strike threats and, speaking days after Taoiseach Enda Kenny confirmed public pension levels will be put under scrutiny as part of the public pay commissions work early next year, Mr Canney said giving in to calls to speed up the restoration of pre-crash pay rates is not an option.

Supporting Fine Gaels view on the matter, the Independent Alliance TD said Government must be responsible and not give in to demands.

The single biggest challenge we have in the next term of the Dail and going forward will be public sector pay, and that is going to be the biggest challenge for us as a Government.

We dont have that money and, as a Government, we have to be responsible, we cannot say that we will go and borrow that money.

We cannot be going back to the bad old days.

There is this pressure from people who, justifiably, are looking for payback for what they did for this country. But it has to be done in a measured way and it has to be done in a gradual way, he said.

While the comment is likely to prove deeply unpopular among public service workers who are facing increased financial pressures due to rent, mortgage, car insurance, and tax demands, Mr Canney said the existing plan to restore salaries to pre-crash levels over the next four years should be respected.

Addressing the imminent nurses strike, plans by Siptu health workers to ballot for industrial action early next year and teachers union ASTIs continued calls for immediate pay rises, he said workers should come back in under that agreement for the benefit of the country.

If we have to find money to meet these demands we are going to have to find the money from existing budget.

So while there is a clamour to do something in health, there is a clamour to do something in housing, there is a clamour to do something on flooding.

If we have to pull money back in from those areas and if we have to say to people in disabilities that you cannot have your service plan because we dont have enough money for it, that is where we are going to have tough decisions to make.

It would put enormous pressure under us, he said.

The comments came days after Mr Kenny said the public pay commission which is examining the issue, and is due to report by early summer, will also be tasked with reviewing public worker pension rates amid concerns they are proving too costly.

While the move appears to contradict a new HSE nurses recruitment drive which points to strong pension benefits among other explanations for why nurses should return to Ireland, it follows an independent Government-commissioned report last month which claimed the average Garda receives 100,000 a year when pension entitlements are included.

Renegotiation of the Lansdowne Road Agreement is not due to begin until September.
The activists, calling themselves Premier Love Project, had taken over a building in Finglas and urged others to take similar action.

In a Facebook video, they had invited homeless people who had been on council housing lists for 10 years or more to take up residence at the 60-unit apartment block.

But gardai were called to the building at the former Premier Dairies site by security officers. The entrance of the building had been damaged and was being repaired yesterday evening.

In a video announcing the occupation, one of the alleged organisers, Colin McGettrick, outlined short-lived plans for the building.

We are offering housing to people who are living in desperate situations, people that this Government has failed to look after, people living in tents and vans and so on, he said.

Early yesterday, he appealed for support saying they needed 20 to 30 volunteers to work the doors of this place.

They had yet to kit out the building, he said, and so homeless people were not yet occupying the space.

Mr McGettrick spent a week helping out at Apollo House but said the Premier Love Project was a separate entity. He is on the housing list for 17 years and has not been housed.

He accused the Government of allowing people to die on the streets while they bailed out bankers.

Earlier this week, Home Sweet Home, the group behind the Apollo House occupation, vowed to continue its campaign against homelessness  and to take it nationwide. The High Court had, last week, ordered the residents to vacate the premises by January 11 after an action brought by receivers.

The campaign group and Irish Housing Network are not ruling out seeking an extension to the court-mandated deadline. Apollo House has been occupied since December 15 and up to 40 homeless people were staying in the building this week.
The Department of Housing confirmed the situation yesterday amid opposition party claims the Government is trying to bury bad news during the New Years Eve celebrations.

Details released as part of the departments latest homelessness update report show that at the end of November, a total of 6,985 people were officially considered homeless in Ireland.

The rate includes 4,436 adults, 2,549 children and 1,205 families nationwide, and means there are now 20% more adults homeless in Ireland and 30% more families and children homeless compared to November 2015.

According to the official figures, which do not include unofficial counts, people in Tusla (the child and family agency) facilities and others in State and private domestic violence support centres who cannot safely return to their homes:

3,024 adults, 1,023 families and 2,110 children are now homeless in Dublin;

287 adults, 40 families and 104 children in the South West;

74 adults, 22 families and 55 children in the Midlands.

In addition, between October and November, 27 more families and 79 children became homeless.

And while charities and campaign groups have previously warned that more than 7,000 people are without a home nationwide, the 6,985 latest figure is the first time Irelands homelessness crisis has officially reached such levels.

The department said while there have been significant increases in the rates of homelessness in recent times the root cause remains a shortage of accommodation.

However, Sinn Fein housing spokesman, Eoin O Broin claimed the rates are the direct result of inaction by Government and that the release of the latest update hours before the New Years Eve celebrations is an attempt to bury bad news.

The situation comes a fortnight after Housing Minister Simon Coveney announced plans to limit rent increases in Dublin and Cork, and as the Apollo House campaign continues to gather attention.

The takeover of Apollo House was organised by the Home Sweet Home campaign  a grouping of various trade unionists and the Irish Housing Network.

There is now a wellness team in situ at Apollo House to aid residents who would otherwise be sleeping rough.

Were here to support the residents.

A lot of them have been sleeping rough or going from hostel to hostel, and theyre in a state of overwhelm, so just to kind of allow them time to relax and unwind.

Lorna is doing foot massages; Im doing activation techniques, which is helping their muscles to release their tension, and helping them to breath better, said Beverly, one of the volunteers.

Weve also got a massage therapist coming in. And Im also here to support the volunteer staff, who are here working really really long hours, to help them get through the days and nights, she added.

Residents of Apollo House, have until January 11 by a High Court order, to vacate the building.
South Korea on Friday called for prudence in attaching excessive meaning to North Korea's upcoming New Year's message, saying Pyongyang has used such messages in the past for its propaganda campaign.



The North's New Year's message is closely monitored by South Korea and others as it offers clues to the repressive regime's annual policy goals. Since 2013, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has issued a verbal New Year's message through the country's state television and radio unlike his late father and former leader Kim Jong-il, who delivered his New Year's message in joint editorials carried by the nation's major news media every year.



Seoul's unification ministry said that Pyongyang has mainly focused on presenting policy guidelines at New Year's address to boost its internal solidarity.



"But when it comes to North Korea's message to South Korea and the outside world, we believe that its New Year's message is used as a means for its (deceptive) propaganda campaign," Jeong Joon-hee, a ministry spokesman, told a regular press briefing.



He said that Pyongyang has expressed a willingness to hold dialogue and improve ties with Seoul in its past messages for the new year, but in reality, it often walks down a path in the opposition direction.



In his 2016 New Year's address, the North's leader vowed efforts to improve the country's relationship with South Korea, saying he is open to talks with Seoul in an open-minded manner. The message also did not include any comment on the country's dual pursuit of nuclear and economic development.



But only a few days later, North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test following those in 2006, 2009 and 2013. In September, it also carried out another nuclear test.



Jeong cited examples of the North's 2014 provocations near the tense inter-Korean maritime border in the Yellow Sea as a piece of evidence backing Pyongyang's deceptive New Year's message.



"In that sense, we believe that it would be better not to attach too much significance to North Korea's message in the new year," the spokesman said. "We can use Pyongyang's message as just a guideline for its policy direction."



The year 2017 marks the current young leader's sixth year at the helm of the regimented regime since his father Kim Jong-il died of heart failure in December 2011.



Experts said that North Korea will likely make 2017 the pinnacle of the personality cult for its leader and may make more powerful provocations around the country's key anniversaries, including Kim's birthday in January. (Yonhap)




Samsung C&T officials build the frames of a building, as part of the company's overseas corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in Vietnam in this file photo. / Courtesy of Samsung C&T



Samsung C&T is widening its efforts to become a more socially responsible global citizen by offering free construction projects for countries with weak infrastructure.

The construction arm of Samsung Group said Thursday it is expanding its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities into such countries as Vietnam and Indonesia, holding a series of campaigns including "C&T village" and "Dream Tomorrow."

C&T village is a project aimed at improving housing conditions in countries suffering a weak housing environment, the company said.

"We started the project to help renovate houses with poor conditions around the world," a Samsung C&T official said. "We have also been providing sustainable CSR activities for them by offering a variety of education programs since 2014."

The company has so far expanded the campaign into Indonesia, India and Vietnam, renovating and establishing homes or sanitary facilities for residents there, according to the company.

Dream Tomorrow is the firm's education CSR project, started in 2013. The company has since established education infrastructure  including schools and libraries  in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The company also plans to expand the project into India and Mongolia.

"The project was launched to offer quality education for those in need, helping students there to foster hopes and dreams," the company official said.

This April, the company held a groundbreaking ceremony for the fourth Dream Tomorrow project in India. Samsung C&T plans to renovate classrooms and libraries at four schools there. To promote sustainable growth, the company will also help the schools run a variety of education programs.

This is set to be finalized this month, with the firm expecting more than 4,000 students there to benefit from the project.

"Samsung C&T will take more responsibility as a global company, and continue to offer more valuable and sustainable social activities for more countries," the official said.
Gender reassignment surgery and related gender identity services will be covered by insurance for transgender state employees in Wisconsin starting Jan. 1, but that coverage would be taken away if a series of legal developments occur.

The board overseeing state employees health benefits voted 7-2 Friday evening to reinstate exclusions in coverage for gender identity services, including counseling and gender reassignment surgery, as long as four contingencies are met.

The Group Insurance Board met late Friday afternoon to discuss how coverage for state employees may be affected by the upcoming ruling in a federal lawsuit filed in Texas by several health care providers and states including Wisconsin. The lawsuit opposes a federal rule that bans health care providers from discriminating on the basis of gender identity.

Deputy Commissioner of Insurance J.P. Wieske told members of the board it is the position of Gov. Scott Walker and his legal counsel that the rule was illegally implemented and violates the U.S. Constitution.

It is our understanding this rule will end up being changed down the road, Wieske said.

The governors administration and attorneys for the state Department of Justice urged the board to reinstate the exclusions, overturning changes that it approved in July to bring the states Group Health Insurance Program uniform benefits into compliance with the rule issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last spring.

The changes, set to take effect on Jan. 1, would remove exclusions in coverage for procedures, services, and supplies related to surgery and sex hormones associated with gender reassignment and for sexual counseling services  related to sexual transformation. They were recommended by the state Department of Employee Trust Funds and adopted unanimously by the board in July.

A ruling in the multi-state lawsuit was expected by the end of the month, but none had come by the time the board met on Friday.

Wieske told members of the board it would be easier for the state to reinstate the exclusions for now and reconsider removing them later if the federal rule remains on the books.

Asked by board member Nancy Thompson whether the state could make the decision on its own to remove the exclusions regardless of whether federal rules require it, Wieske said it could be done, but not without some cost.

After more than three hours of deliberation in closed session, the board voted to remove the transgender benefits if four contingencies are met: a court ruling or an administrative action that invalidates the federal HHS rule, compliance with state law, renegotiation of contracts that maintain or reduce premium costs for the state and a final opinion from the state DOJ that says removing the benefits does not violate the board's fiduciary duties.

To reinstate the exclusion would be mean-spirited, said Darla Lannert, transgender health consultant at OutReach, a Madison-based LGBT community center. Lannert said she thinks the atmosphere has changed since Republican Donald Trump was elected president, and said she believes Walker and the DOJ are bullying transgender people. She was one of dozens of transgender people and advocates who attended Friday's meeting.

What everybodys angry about is we have marriage equality, so they wanted somebody else to pick on, so they decided to pick on trans people, Lannert said.

Lannert, a Vietnam veteran who receives her health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs, said decisions like this make her wonder what will happen to her own health care. The agency in November scrapped a proposal to cover sex reassignment surgery for transgender veterans. Wieske noted that move in his comments to the board as an example of the uncertainty surrounding coverage for gender identity services.

Attorneys for ETF said in an August memo to the board that a failure to comply with the HHS rule would jeopardize the agencys ability to contract with health insurance issuers in the coming year and potentially take federal dollars away from the state.

They recommended the changes remain on the books and be revisited in a year to take into account subsequent court rulings or federal policy changes.

The cost of the changes is expected to be low, attorneys David Nispel and Diana Felsmann wrote in the memo. In addition, they said, the state policy still requires services to be medically necessary in order to be covered.

"The medical literature supports the fact that when people are allowed to live as their gender identity  this reduces the amount of eating disorders, substance abuse, mental health crisis, suicide rates," said Erica Rotondo, a Madison physician who provides care primarily to transgender and non-gender conforming patients.

By the time Rotondo sees most of her patients, she said, transitioning is a matter of necessity.

"This is life and death for people. I wouldnt deny somebody their blood pressure pills," she said, likening transgender care to any other medical care.

DOJ attorneys say the federal rule that spurred the changes is based on a misinterpretation of the federal Title IX law. Title IX prohibits sex discrimination, but federal guidelines issued by the Obama administration have ruled it also bans discrimination based on gender identity.

Wisconsin is among a group of states that have challenged that determination in court.

Then-deputy attorney general Andy Cook argued in an August memo that the HHS rule disrupts the states right to administer its own health policy, and that the changes adopted by the Group Insurance Board go beyond what the HHS rule requires.

Rotondo said overturning the rule change would negatively affect transgender peoples health.

We dont take a step back to things that would hurt people, Rotondo said. The idea that somebody wants to be a gatekeeper is just detrimental to human health.
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Innovation and entrepreneurship needed in educational pursuit

Koforidua, Jan. 3, GNA - Mrs Mawuena Trebarh, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), has noted that innovation and entrepreneurship could help improve the pursuit of education.

She therefore called for a shift in mindset, for education to provide a mix of creativity, experiential learning and skill building.

Mrs Trebarh was speaking in a speech read on her behalf in Koforidua at the first Education Camp Conference which brought educationists together to discuss issues about education challenges as well as successes.

Upper West Region recording poor results at BECE - Minister

Wa, Jan 5, GNA - Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper West Regional Minister, said the Region has been recording poor results at Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) for the past three years.

He said comparative analysis of performance of the Region at the BECE showed a gloomy picture as the results kept on worsening each passing year.

Non-professional teachers advised to upgrade themselves

Tamale, Jan. 20, GNA - Alhaji Mohammed Harun Cambodia, Northern Regional Director of Education, has advised non-professional teachers in the Ghana Education Service (GES) to upgrade themselves academically to fill the many vacant positions at the GES.

He has also advised volunteer teachers engaged by some non-governmental organizations to teach to also take advantage of the opportunity given to them to upgrade themselves in the profession so as to gain employment with the GES as professional teachers.

Alhaji Cambodia gave the advice in Tamale on Tuesday during the Community Volunteers Appreciation Day organized by Net Organization for Youth Empowerment and Development (NOYED-Ghana), a non-governmental organisation, to appreciate and reward the volunteers for the services they render to deprived communities.

Investment in tertiary education vital for development - Rector

Accra, Jan. 9, GNA - Professor Sylvester Achio, Rector of the Accra Polytechnic, has called for more investment into tertiary education and research as they are the main engine through which Ghana could achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

'At no point in history has it been more important to invest in higher education, as a major force in the eradication of poverty and the attainment of sustainable development than at this time', he said.

Speaking during the 23rd matriculation of 4,791 students at the Polytechnic on Friday, Prof Achio, said the current economic crisis that had hit many countries, including Ghana had affected the fortunes of the educational institutions as funding for its GETFund projects had delayed.

Gender parity in enrollment gaining grounds at UCC

Cape Coast, Jan. 12, GNA - The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor Domwini Dabire Kuupole has observed that the university's move for gender parity in enrollment is gaining grounds.

He said the gap between males and females narrows every year in the school.

His observation was grounded on a gender-based analysis of enrolment into various programmes at the university's College of Distance Education (CoDE) for the 2015/2016 academic year, which showed a total female enrollment of 8,205 as compared to that of 10,634 males.

Ghanaian student excels in an international competition

Accra, Jan. 22, GNA - Ms Elizabeth Amihere, 13, a student of Blessed School Complex in Dansoman, a suburb of Accra, has emerged the first runner-up in the basic level of the 20th Universal Concept Arithmetic System (UCMAS) ABACUS and MENTAL Competition.

The annual competition, which was held in New Delhi, India, last year, saw Master Augustus Maasonus Aleer, a student in Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region emerging the second runner-up in the Advanced Level out of 11,000 pupils from about 22 countries throughout the world, with a six-year-old Richel Laryea of Ranson Education Centre in Mamaprobi, Accra, also excelling in the Kindergarten category.

The competition organised by UCMAS ABACUS and MENTAL International for students between the ages of five to 14 years aims at building the concentration and strong memories of participants, Mr Roger Ohemeng, Chief Executive Officer, UCMAS Ghana Limited, stated in Accra on Thursday at a media briefing.

School enrolment up in cocoa growing areas

Hintado (W/R), Feb. 15, GNA - Enrolment in basic schools in some cocoa growing areas in the country has increased in the past five years.

Community basic schools in the areas also increased within the same period.

This came to light when the Ghana News Agency (GNA) toured selected cocoa growing areas in the Western, Ashanti and Central regions, where some pupils learn under cocoa trees due to large numbers.

More students to benefit from President's scholarship

Koforidua, Jan. 28, GNA - Over 50 brilliant but needy students from selected basic schools in the Eastern Region are to benefit from the Presidential Award this year.

The award, initiated in 2011, is organized annually to help support brilliant but needy students in the Region to finance their education at the secondary level.

Telecom University tops private universities

Accra, Feb. 15, GNA - The Ghana Technology University College (GTUC) has been adjudged the best private university in Ghana due to its quality publications, research and web presence.

The 2016 University Web ranking said GTUC beat also 59 public and private institutions to clinch the fourth topmost academic institution in the country.

The University of Ghana came first while the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology placed second. The University of Education, Winneba, clinched the third position out of 63 academic institutions ranked.

Use ICT to enhance academic work-Barton-Odro

Nyinasin (C/R), Feb.19, GNA - Mr. Ebo Barton Odro, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament (MP) for Cape Coast North Constituency, has advised pupils at the basic level to take advantage of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) to enhance their academic advancement.

He said ICT has over the years shown to be an important element that improves pupils' levels of understanding.

The First Deputy Speaker said this at a ceremony to commission an ICT centre at Nyinasin MA Basic School in Cape Coast aimed at developing interest of the pupils the study of science at the basic school level.

Technical University means new approach to training - NCTE

Ho, Feb 29, GNA - Mr Paul Dzandu, the Deputy Executive Secretary, National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) Saturday urged Ghana's pioneer technical universities to establish stronger linkages with industry to strengthen the competency base of academic staff and students.

Those institutions must also re-orient their staff, students and auxiliaries to the new culture that comes with their new status, he remarked at the 16th Congregation of the Ho Polytechnic.

Counsel students to accept technical education - President Mahama

Ada (GAR), March 7, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Monday tasked the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to step their counselling and guidance programme on Vocational and Technical Education.

He said the perception that Technical and Vocational Education was meant for students who were not able to make good grades to the Universities and other tertiary institutions was not tenable.

President Mahama said this when he cut the sod for infrastructural projects estimated at $124 million dollars under the Development of Skills for Industry Projects(DSIP ) for 13 Technical institutions at Ada in the Greater Accra Region.

GIJ holds maiden postgraduate congregation

Accra, March 19, GNA - The Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) on Friday held its maiden postgraduate congregation, during which 80 students graduated with Master of Arts in various disciplines such as Journalism, Public Relations, Media Management and Development Communications.

Of the total number, males constituted 43 and females 37; the breakdown of the list include Master of Arts Journalism - eight, Media Management 15, Public Relations - 27 and Development Communications 30.

Ghana to become preferred destination for higher education

Ho, March 17, GNA - Ghana is on the threshold to becoming Africa's preferred education tourism destination.

'...we will set Ghana to become Africa's number one education destination,' Mr Kwaku Kwarteng Yeboah, I-Texon Programme Co-ordinator, told the Ghana News Agency at the Volta Regional Higher Education Fair organized by the organisation in Ho.

Performance Contracts ensure good performance in Schools

Navrongo (UER), April 5, GNA - The leadership of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS), has called on the Ghana Education Service (GES), to make it mandatory for teachers in Government schools to sign performance contracts.

This would ensure that the teachers take up their duties seriously and students given effective lessons to help them perform well.

The Chairman of the GNAPS in charge of the Kassena-Nankana Municipal and the Kassena-Nankana West District, Mr Remy Affah Kamboe, made the call at the Association's week celebration held at Navrongo in the Upper East Region.

President Mahama cautions WAEC to protect integrity

Tarkwa (W/R), April 12, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama, has tasked the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to protect the integrity of its examinations by preventing the frequent examination leakages.

He said WAEC is an independent examination body therefore Government would not interfere in its operations and asked officials of WAEC to put its house in order.

GIMPA Faculty of Law wins Inter-Schools Debate

Accra, April 14, GNA - The Faculty of Law of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) has emerged the winners of the maiden 2016 GIMPA Inter-Schools Debate.

The event was organised for representatives of GIMPA's four Schools: The Faculty of Law, the School of Governance, the School of Technology and the Business School.

It was aimed at advancing sound argument on educative and intellectual discourse among the students.

UPSA Dean calls for strict adherence to quality culture

Accra, April 29, GNA - Professor Goski Alabi, Dean, Centre for International Education and Collaboration, University of Professional Studies, (UPSA) has called for strict adherence to quality culture at all levels of organisations.

She said looking at the global economic competitive index of 2015, out of 140 countries that participated in it, Ghana placed 111; and noted that that this would be made better by focusing on quality as a culture to reduce wastage in the system.

Prof Alabi made these remarks in Accra at the UPSA's Second International Conference on Business Management and Entrepreneurship Development.

Education Minister condemns threats on teachers

Accra, March 30, GNA - Professor Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Minister of Education, has condemned threats by some parents on teachers.

She said any aggrieved parent should report their grievances to the educational secretariat, rather than taking the law into their own hands.

She cautioned teachers and school authorities not to impose illegal fees on school children. since education at the basic level is free.

Tertiary institutions must strengthen quality assurance systems

Cape Coast, June 1, GNA - Professor George Kweku Oduro, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University Of Cape Coast (UCC), has urged tertiary institutions to strengthen their internal quality assurance systems to enhance the calibre of their products.

This, he said, would also help to meet the targets of their supervisory institutions.

He said quality assurance was the systematic review of educational programmes to ensure that acceptable standards of education, scholarship, finance and infrastructure were being upheld at all times.

Ho Polytechnic wins ICT quiz competition

Ho, May 16, GNA - The Ho Polytechnic Computer Science Association has won the maiden edition of the National Computer Science Students Association Quiz and Hackathon Competition.

The competition, facilitated and hosted by the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, is aimed at unearthing the 'next generation of leaders in computing and information technology'.

Institutions that competed in the maiden competition were the University of Cape Coast, Koforidua Polytechnic, Kumasi Polytechnic and Ho Polytechnic.

President Mahama advises graduates to be entrepreneurial

Koforidua, May 28, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday said much as government would not renege on its mandate to create jobs, tertiary institution graduates should also initiate entrepreneurial skills that could make them self-reliant and major employers.

He said with the rising graduate population in Ghana and the entire world, it was becoming extremely difficult for government alone to absorb them and, therefore, developing entrepreneurial skills would help in reducing the high incidence of unemployment.

President Mahama said this when he addressed the 16th and 17th graduation ceremony of 354 students of the All Nations University College, a private university in Koforidua, on the theme:"The Growth and Development of Private Universities, and the Impact on the Socio-economic Development of Ghana."

Takoradi Polytechnic Rector honoured

Takoradi, June1, GNA - Reverend Professor Frank Eshun, Rector of the Takoradi Polytechnic h has urged students to aspire for quality learning and research in order to develop their cognitive abilities.

'It will also help you find solutions to myriad of problems facing the society. Your time in school is not the time for enjoyment, take your studies seriously and you will not regret doing that in the near future,' he said.

School replaces corporal punishment with apology letters

Ho, June 08, GNA - The Ho Polytechnic Basic School has instituted the writing of apology letters to replace corporal punishment in the School.

Pupils now write apology letters, after a written report on the misdemeanor, and read them in front of their mates, with a promise not to repeat the wrongdoing.

The School authorities announced the initiative at a Parent Teacher Association meeting on Tuesday.

The authorities told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the initiative was in response to directives from the Ghana Education Service (GES) on the use of corporal punishment.

BECE candidate gives birth on examination day

Kwahu-Nketepa (E/R), June 16, GNA - A 19-year-old candidate in the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) from Kwahu Nketepa in the Eastern Region delivered a baby girl on Monday, a few hours before her first paper started.

The candidate and new mother still defied the odds to sit for all the papers for the day.

GES urged to pay attention to students with special needs

Accra, June 30, GNA -Ms Anita Neequaye, a 25 year- old lady with a condition called Muscular dystrophy (MD), has called on the Ghana Education Service (GES), to pay more attention to students with special needs who partake in examination.

MD is a group of muscle diseases that weaken the musculoskeletal system and hamper locomotion (walking or moving). The disease is characterised by progressive skeletal muscle weakness, defects in muscle proteins, and the death of muscle cells and tissue.

Guidance and counselling units in schools must be resourced

Cape Coast, July 8, GNA - Mrs Bridgette Nzima-Mensah, Central Regional Guidance and Counseling Coordinator, has expressed the need for effective and honest career guidance programmes if the country is to make full utilisation of its human resources.

This, she, said would prevent thousands of people becoming frustrated, disappointed and unhappy because of inappropriate career ambitions.

Mrs Nzima-Mensah was speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the side-lines of the opening ceremony of a two-day Career Guidance and Counseling seminar in Cape Coast on Thursday.

Government urged to adopt clear language policy

Tamale, July 19, GNA - Stakeholders from various sectors have called for the need for government to adopt a clear language policy to specify the roles of 'our Ghanaian languages and other languages in our national life'.

They said the need for a national language policy 'is a necessity and not a choice' adding that 'this policy must have a legal backing to ensure its enforcement'.

This was contained in a communiquA issued after a two-day language policy conference organised in Tamale by the Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation (GILLBT).

Government approves recruitment of lecturers to public universities

Ho, July 24, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday said government has given approval for the recruitment of 1,018 new lecturers in all public universities.

He said approval of the list presented by the institutions was to boost the faculties of the country's universities.

President Mahama said this at the maiden graduation ceremony of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho on Saturday.

Kofi Annan urges universities to tackle challenges of global peace

Accra, July 28, GNA- Institutions of higher education, have been entreated to address the deficits of democratic governance and the erosion of social cohesion by tackling the challenge of global peace and security.

Mr Kofi Annan, the Chancellor of the University of Ghana, said universities could play powerful roles in attacking contemporary challenges of global peace and security, which have been heightened by growing economic and social inequalities.

Government reviews students' loans upwards- President Mahama

Ho, Oct 20, GNA - Government has approved the upward adjustment of student loans administered by the Students' Loan Trust to range from GHa 1,000.00 and GHa 2,000.00, President John Dramani Mahama has announced.

He said government had also established Students' Loans plus to cater for needy but brilliant tertiary students throughout the county.

President Mahama announced this when he addressed students of the University of Health and Allied Sciences at the Trafalgar Hall as part of his four-day campaign tour of the Volta Region.

42 Community Day Schools ready to admit students - Minister

Accra, Oct. 18, GNA - Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Minister of Education has affirmed Government's commitment at building new Community Day Senior High Schools (SHS) as well as expanding the capacity of the existing ones in the country.

She said out of the 123 Community Day SHS under construction, the first batch of 42 schools is ready to admit SHS students for the 2016/2017 academic year, and some even admitted students well ahead of the completion schedule.

Ex-President Kufuor honoured by UG Alumni Association

Accra, Nov. 11, GNA - Ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor and four other prominent Ghanaians have been honoured with Membership into the University of Ghana Alumni Association.

At the 28th Alumni Lecture on Thursday, Professor Akilagpa Sawyerr, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana (UG), Emeritus Professor Mary Esther Kropp Dakubu, former Director of the Language Centre, UG, Professor John Owusu Gyapong, the former Pro-Vice Chancellor and Current Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, and Mr Kofi Esson, former Chief of Staff at Tullow Oil Ghana Limited, were honoured to become members of the Alumni.

Technical universities need funding - Professor Adei

Takoradi, Nov. 16, GNA - Professor Stephen Adei, the former Rector of GIMPA, has said technical education is the most expensive form of education and that the conversion of polytechnics into technical universities must receive funding from government.

He said the funding per students in technical universities must be much higher than that of students in the traditional universities.

University of Education develops new Masters programme

Winneba (C/R), Nov. 29, GNA -The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has come out new masters and degrees programme for postgraduate and undergraduate students to promote academic excellence.

Professor Mawutor Avoke, Vice Chancellor of the University made this known at the 21st congregation of the University in Winneba. GNA
Kinshasa (AFP) - DR Congo's government and the opposition are "on the verge" of concluding an accord to end a political crisis over President Joseph Kabila's refusal to quit power, the influential Catholic Church said Friday.

Kabila's second and final five-year term ended on December 20, but he has shown no intention of leaving office soon, sparking violent protests that have left at least 40 people dead, according to the United Nations.

The informal talks between the foes, mediated by the Catholic Church since December 8, resumed on Friday after a Christmas break.

The two sides "are on the verge of concluding an accord," said Marcel Utembi, president of the Congo National Episcopal Conference (CENCO), who had pushed for a deal earlier.

"The various delegates have reached agreement on the points where divergences lay," he said, adding that the pact "is set to be signed tomorrow morning".

The working document for the deal, seen by AFP, envisages a "political transition" with fresh presidential elections to be held at the end of 2017.

The vote was supposed to be organised this year, and the government had previously said it was impossible for it to be held before April 2018.

The deal also guarantees that Kabila will not seek a third mandate -- as is banned under the constitution -- and lays the groundwork for a "national transition council" charged with carrying out the agreement.

In return, the opposition headed by 84-year-old Etienne Tshisekedi, accepts that Kabila would stay in power until he hands over to an elected successor, having previously demanded an immediate departure from public life.

Kabila, 45, has been in power since the 2001 assassination of his father Laurent at the height of the Second Congo War.

He was confirmed as leader of the mineral-rich nation in 2006 during the first free elections since independence from Belgium in 1960, and re-elected for a second term in 2011 in a vote marred by allegations of massive fraud.

Constitutionally banned from seeking a third term, he obtained a controversial court ruling in May stating that he could remain in power until a successor was chosen.

DR Congo has never seen a democratic transfer of power following polls since independence from Belgium in 1960.
31.12.2016 LISTEN

Ho, Dec. 30, GNA - The Most Reverend Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, Catholic Bishop of Ho has described 2017 as loaded with blessings and calls for unity among the citizenry to enjoy the best of the year.

'2017 is full of blessings so we must all work together for the good of our motherland,' he stated in a New Year message through the Ghana News Agency.

He said unity of purpose was crucial for the rapid socio-economic development of the country and charged stakeholders to place the country first in their endeavours.

'The lack of unity breeds rivalry and division and this can degenerate into open conflict and destruction and we don't want this to take us back,' Bishop Fianu stated.

He said though the country had shown the world that it was peace-loving, it was important that the citizenry worked together to support the new government to improve the living standards of Ghanaians.

GNA
31.12.2016 LISTEN

Somanya (E/R), Dec. 30, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the construction of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development at Somanya, in the Eastern Region.

The President also announced that next week, he would be cutting the sod for the construction of five modern hospitals in the country in the Volta Region, one of which would be constructed in Somanya.

President Mahama said the 45 million Pounds Sterling for the construction of the university had been secured.

He said Parliament had approved the contract for the construction of a modern university, which would offer degree programmes in environmental studies, climate change, urban development and sustainable agriculture.

He said the main campus of the University would be in Somanya and would have a second campus in Donkorkrom in Afram Plains North.

The President explained that, the initial plan of government was to provide the Eastern Region with a public university but with the conversion of the former Koforidua Polytechnic into a technical university, the region now has two public tertiary institutions.

President Mahama thanked all those who worked tirelessly to ensure the fruition of the project and appealed to the people of Yilo Krobo and its environs to support the construction of the project, which would provide employment for them.

The President also thanked the chiefs and people of Yilo Krobo for donating 312 acres of land for the construction of the university.

He noted that all the necessary arrangement had been completed for the University of Development and would consist of three autonomous institutions.

Mrs Mavis Ama Frimpong Gati, the Regional Minister assured the outgoing President that the chiefs and people would remember him for the development projects that his government had provided.

The Acting Konor of Yilo Krobo Traditional Council, Nene Odorkor Tume I, thanked the President for honouring his promise to provide the Eastern Region with a public university and assured him that the youth of the region would take full advantage of the opportunity offered by the project.

GNA

By Edmund Quaynor, GNA
Accra, Dec. 30, GNA - The Samuel Amo (SA) Tobbin Foundation, formerly the Tobinco Foundation, has donated assorted items to children with cerebral palsy and organised a party to celebrate the Christmas festivity with them.

The party was organised by the Foundation in collaboration with the Givers Never Lack (GNL) Foundation over the weekend at Weija.

The more than GHE 20,000.00 worth donated items, which included bags of diapers, bags of toilet roll, bags of detergent, packs of drinks, Christmas souvenirs, boxes of potable water and packs of cooked food were donated in response to requests made by the beneficiaries through the GNL Foundation.

Mrs Millicent Akoto, Executive Director of the SA Tobbin Foundation said a party was also meant the caretakers of the children to make them enjoy the festivity with the public even though they received requests only to support with items.

Speaking to the caregivers, Mrs Akoto said: 'Our Foundation was told you need diapers, T-rolls, and detergents. Therefore we have brought all these items to be shared among you to reduce the financial constraint, purchasing of these items due to your children's situation sometimes put on you.'

She advised them not to feel ashamed to go to public places with their children with the condition, adding that how people would see them depended on how their caretakers treat them at every environment.

'I know of a person with cerebral palsy who is now the Chief Executive Officer of an organisation in the country, therefore having this condition doesn't mean your children are useless and hopeless because when you take good care of them, they will make you smile one day,' she said.

Mr Ebenezer Amankwaa, Founder of the GNL Foundation who received the items on behalf of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the SA Tobbin Foundation for heeding to their call when they approached them.

'Sincerely, the Samuel Amo Tobbin Foundation has surprised us because even though we have received donated items from other bodies, they are not as much as these and we will forever be grateful to you,' he said.

Sharing his experience at the party grounds, he said: 'I developed special interest in the lives of children with cerebral palsy when I gave birth to one and he was seen as a child of a bad spirit or child from the waters by people in the society and therefore mistreated by them'.

He said that made him feel what other children with the condition and their parents are going through, hence the establishment of the Foundation to solicit for support for the patients.

Mr Amankwaa told the caretakers to treat their children with special attention and love if they wanted to know their worth.

Some of the caregivers sharing their experiences said it even got to a point in life when they wanted to give up in life by wishing that their children die so they become free in life because they were going through a lot of societal torture and financial problem.

Others also said their spouses took to their heels when they gave birth to such children because they became the talk of their residencies, adding that the advice from the two Foundations as well as the financial and material support had made them have a sense of hope and love for their children again.

GNA
There is always a way and always hope in the next sunrise, and in the next second, and in the next minute (Ziggy Marley).

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: A REMARKABLE STORY ABOUT THE CORRUPT MINDSET OF THE TYPICAL GHANAIAN

It is quite obvious that we cannot seem to get over our grudging infatuation with institutional corruption and its negative implications for the nations development economics. This is largely because we do not think either the NPP or the NDC is the solution to our myriad structural problems.

For that matter, both the NDC and the NPP are a real stumbling block to the countrys economic and political developmenta cog in the wheel of national development. As a matter of fact this is not a self-serving understatement, rather, a statement borne out of the rational verdict of cold facts.

This author recalls with vivid and detailed intimacy some influential persons attempts to lure him to the camps of both the NPP and the NDC. These persons whose anonymity we promised to protect from the inquiring gossip tabloid of public intimacy, said they wanted to engage this authors research and writing services in advancing their parties propagandistic politickingin exchange for mouth-watering remuneration packages, including scholarships to study anywhere of his choosing.

The author then inquired from these persons how they were going to come up with these attractive remuneration packages. More often than not a response arrived in the form of tactical evasion or avoidance, or simply of grudging circumlocution. Yet, not to be outdone, this author did not let up on his insistence that he be thoroughly educated about the sources of these remuneration packages.

Eventually a response did come. The shocking answer was that by offering these services for a tenure of just one term under, say, a potential Akufo-Addo presidency or a Mahama incumbency, this author stood a chance of becoming rich. It is however our submission that Akufo-Addos stern warning if it has the power of institutional muscularity, that those who want to make money should not join his government but rather the public sector, certainly will not see the light of day in our reckoning.

When it is about kickbacks, we need not look further than the private sector. In other words it is rather the private sector where our corrupt politicians make most of their corrupt money, their hush money. We have seen this in the dubious disbursements of numerous illegal judgments debts to contractors and persons in the private sector. We should not also gloss over the fact that there exists as much incompetence and corruption and mediocrity in the private sector as in the public sector.

Thus let us not oversimplify the convoluted difficulties the private sector faces, unnecessarily raise our expectations as though the private sector is a model of excellence, and think the private sector is any better than the public sector for that matter. All the problems we face in the public sector are right there in the private sector. What is more, it is the same private sector that will be refilling Akufo-Addos emptied or dwindled campaign coffers. And it is our strong suspicion that this will be achieved through kickbacks. Both major political parties have done this. It is no close secret.

Significantly, though, it does not take rocket science to know these, and we therefore wonder why these basic facts are lost on Akufo-Addo. These basic facts also probably call into question Akufo-Addos much-vaunted commitment to the fight against institutional corruption.

Again, notwithstanding the foregoing reservations, these persons who had hitherto been reading this authors articles on social media and mistaken him for a staunch member of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), cited the examples of Kweku Baako, Jr., Freddie Blay, and Kwesi Pratt, Jr. to hammer their enticing points home, all of whom no doubt have become rich on account of their dissociation from the CPP.

In fact, they were shocked and even politically distraught when this author told them to their faces that as far as he was concerned, he was not, and has never been, a member of any political party in Ghana. And even as of this writing, this author is not a member of or linked to any political party in the country. As a matter of fact, we have always taken a keen interest in partisan politics purely for intellectual and philosophical reasonsno more.

Even so, they demanded a percentage cut from the proposed remuneration packages in advance once we agreed to accept their offers and they, in turn, had finalized our formal introduction to the honchos of their respective parties. We flatly rejected the offers on ethical and moral grounds.

On the other hand, we were also given the impression that our consistent moral sermonizing on social media did not stand a chance of changing the corrupt mindset of the average Ghanaian, let alone those of our politicians, and for that reason, and perhaps that reason alone, it will be in our best interest, in fact incumbent upon us to get on the bandwagon of institutional corruption as all Ghanaians have already done, were and are learning to do.

When all is said and done, we were never exactly told anything useful about the sources of those remuneration packages. This is rather unfortunate.

This further confirmed our suspicions that neither Akufo-Addo nor President Mahama is probably going to be able to bring about the change required to transform Ghanaian society for the better, at least if we should go by the deep-rooted corrupt mindsets of some of those influential persons, just like those anonymous persons we spoke to, who will eventually be working closely with one leadership or another of the country.

This is the more reason why we have consistently rejected our kleptomaniacal duopoly as we do not want to scar or put our conscience in jeopardy.

Far more importantly, though, Dr. Kofi Kiss Dompere was also right when he poignantly wrote that, Ghanaian politics, for all intents and purposes, operated along an emotional wavelength of cognitive imbecility.

This makes sense perfect sense given the troubling context of members of the ruling class who have mostly originated in the booboisie. Thus cognitive imbecility is the fulcrum on which our duopolistic idiocracy rotates.

Fact is, how can we be doing cheap propaganda with the lives of our hardworking citizens and their collective destiny when we should rather be seriously concerned about developing our country, improving the standards of living and quality of life of the masses?

Has the Ghanaian brand of duopolistic boobocrats any useful and pragmatic ideas to offer our citizens, Africa and the world at large?

Certainly not that we know of! That is, we dont think so!

OTHER PRESSING CONCERNS

Who does not want to make money when everyone else is making money? What if this money is legitimate?

Is Akufo-Addo using coded language or merely doing dog-whistle politics? How did he finance his campaign?

And who will be stupidly bold to declare his true intentions of making money as a potential member of an Akufo-Addo government before being assigned a political office as such?

Will an Akufo-Addo government make Madam Dzifa Ativor a member of his cabinet if she were to publicly give a prior indication of her intentions in the bus branding controversy?

In effect, then, Akufo-Addo may be sending the wrong signals to the international community, foreign investors, and Ghanaians as a whole. It is as though he has no intimate knowledge of the caliber of men and women who will be working in his government. It also tells Ghanaians on Akufo-Addos questionable leadership caliber.

But then again any intelligent, scheming person will hide his true intentions of illegally amassing wealth from Akufo-Addo until he or she formally assumes political office. For the foregoing reason, we believe Akufo-Addo may have forgotten too soon that potential political appointees could have learnt some useful life lessons from Victoria Hammahs scandalous experience.

AKUFO-ADDO AND THE SCHEMING AKYEM ILLUMINATI

Nigerians are beginning to learn about this phenomenon the hard way under the once-promising Buhari government.

We can recall the sensational revelation Buharis wife, Madam Aisha Buhari brought to the attention of the international community, that a gang of politicians had succeeded in hijacking her husbands party and that this same gang had been preferentially dishing out political offices and appointments to friends and colleagues without her husbands express knowledge of who those political appointees were.

That is, Buhari did not know who was being appointed for which political office. Likewise, in the NPP the Akyem Mafia and Akyem-related ethnocentric hegemonists and nationalists are alive and well.

Besides though not a member of the Akyem Mafia per se, a labile or volatile character like Kennedy Agyapong does not deserve any high-profile political appointment that directly interfaces with the international community. Ken for one is proverbially known for his political gaffes, moral and diplomatic unintelligence, and emotional dysregulation.

This brings us to the final point of primary concern to us: If Akufo-Addo truly wants to be president for all Ghanaians then he must as well be proactive, or else the Akyem Mafia and nationalists will forever exile expectations of ethnic representation in his government to a dystopian dreamland.

In fact, ethnic representation is more than required in the Akufo-Addo government to checkmate any potential materialization of nepotism and cronyism in which the Akyem Mafia or Illuminati particularly dominates. This is largely because we have witnessed one form or another of this troubling phenomenon in almost all the governments that have graced the Fourth Republic. Again, this phenomenon has sometimes bred mediocrity and corruption. Ghanaians should resist it.

He cannot but do the exact opposite of what Bobby Brown sings about on the trackMy Prerogative.

CONCLUDING REMARKS FOR PART 3

Ears that do not listen to advice, accompany the head when it is chopped off (An African proverb).

It is not even guaranteed that an independent prosecutor may perform assigned tasks free from the scourge of partisan bias.

Again, in Ghana everything is so politicized to the extent that the proposed office of an independent prosecutor could turn out a nominal designation only.

Our submission is that forensic investigators from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) may be contracted to provide these much-needed services.

Neither do we think a bipartisan approach to sorting out the messy epidemiological underpinnings of institutional corruption will work out for the common good. Conflict of interest, political partisanism, lack of transparency, and nagging undercurrents of political equalization are the primary problems here given also that the two major political have never worked well together.

We can probably understand why the outgoing NDC government is dishing out new contrasts, which we perceive essentially as a strategic and tactical replication of a controversial legacy the ethnocentric corruptocrat Kufuor left behind. Possible disbursements of illegal judgment loom large in the horizon!

Well, for all we know, the outgoing government may have acted within the remit of the law or the scope of its constitutional mandate. Whether this is actually the case, or whether such last-minute arrangements reek of bad faith and ignore the basic tenets of gentlemans agreement, time will tell.

Then again, in Ghana, truth and lies coexist in a state of destructive harmony or equilibrium. A Ghanaian tells the truth, and it is a pretentious lie. The reverse is always the caseboth situations responding so well to the Le Chatelier's Principle, so-called. Why Ghana continues to survive this deadly universal metastasis of institutional corruption in the bone marrows of her body politic defeats the imagination.

The institutional survival of the Ghanaian body politic under the Sisyphean burden of corruption and mediocrity defies the logic and locus of purposeful appreciation of the intricacies of statecraft. This comes against the backdrop that every institution in the country is hopelessly corrupt.

From religious institutions, to parliament, to the judiciary, to the executive, to educational institutions, to anti-corruption bodies such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), to security and intelligence outfits such as the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), institutional corruption reigns supreme and controls every pore of human existence. None of these institutions is independent.

Other than that institutional corruption is the oxygen that flows through the hemodialysis of social decay, of urban blight. Ghana is actually bleeding from the universal metastasis of institutional corruption yet it also appears to be surviving on the sheer basis of it, of institutional corruption, namely, perhaps the greatest irony of the century.

Like the unbearable stench of open defecation across the country, the conscience of the nation appears to be bleeding profusely from the debilitating contraindications of institutional corruption. Ghana, a once-beautiful country finds itself in a dire state of homeopathic contradictions.

Let us just state for the record that the sentence, Bugri Naabu cries out for justice for all intents and purposes, evokes a strong sense of figurative titularity for us, figurative because it represents institutional corruption in the Ghanaian body politic and the corruptibility of Bugri Naabu, of Akufo-Addo and of President Mahama, for which the country and its good citizens are crying out for justiceremedial or corrective justice.

Simply put, Buhgri Naabu is a carefully crafted Orwellian trope which eventually resolves itself into all that is woefully bad and even negative, morally reprehensible about Ghanaian leadership and society, as well as characterand deserving of the most radical of corrective solutions.

The only probable stumbling block to this pragmatic measure of corrective realization is the Ghanaians ossified resistance to real, sustainable change, an ossified attitude buried under interlocking rocks of general apathy, ignorance and superstition, religious naivety, and universal celebration of mediocrity.

Is there hope for Ghanaians, their leadership and aspirations, their collective destiny and for the Ghanaian society at large?

We do not know for certain. Only time appears to be in the know, although sadly enough man is not consequently of time let alone be or define the gracious epitome of time. What we do know for a fact is that time is both long and short and that it will surely tell somedaynonetheless.

In any case is Bugri Naabu listening? And if so, is it possible that he is crying out for justice in behalf of Ghana?

We shall return
Ex-President John Rawlings has blamed what he says is the humiliating defeat of the National Democratic Congress on corrupt, uncouth, and uncultured government officials.

According to him the incumbent government lost the elections way before December 7 but the arrogance of power blinded the Mahama led administration of seeing the writing on the wall.

In his address on the occasion of the 35th Anniversary of the 31st December revolution, the ex-president minced no words in chiding the outgoing administration of deviating from the core principles that brought the NDC into being.

The 31st December 1981 Revolution was the return of Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings to military power after a successful June 4 1979 uprising which led to the overthrow of the Supreme Military Council.

Barely two years after handing over power to the Hilla Limann led democratic regime, Flt Lt Rawlings returned with another successful coup in 1981. He stayed on for 11 years as a military leader under the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and transitioned into a democratic regime by winning two elections in 1992 and 1996.

His government however lost power to the NPP in 2000 but regained power in 2008 after a close fought election which brought the late President John Mills into the lime light.

After another eight years in power, the NDC has lost yet another election, this time in a humiliating defeat to the NPP led by Nana Akufo-Addo.

Revenge?

There was an uneasy calm between Mr Rawlings and the Mahama led administration but after a humiliating defeat, the man popular for his usual abrasive political pronouncements returned to his elements and chose a platform so popular, a platform which became a vehicle for his political leadership in Ghana to get back at his detractors within the Mahama led administration.

He fought back in critical fashion, sparing no political jab, and describing elements within the Mahama led administration as "uncouth" "corrupt" "uncultured" loose talkers whose conduct brought defeat to the NDC.
A lawyer who is defending a banker and another standing trial over GHC356,100.00 theft is lamenting over bail conditions meted out to his clients.

Andy K. Vortia said the bail conditions were albatross and that his clients were unable to execute the bail condition as a result of the justification and has prayed the court to review it.

An employee of the GCB Bank Limited, Ferdinand Kofi Amponsah and Issah Abdul aka Issah Alhassan have been charged with Conspiracy and Stealing from various accounts at the Bank.

The two had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges and were admitted to bail in the sum of GHC400,000.00 with four sureties each with a justification before the court presided over by Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku on December 14.

The accused persons are to deposit their passports to the courts registry and report to the Criminal Investigations Department every Wednesday.

Appearing before the substantive judge, Afi Agbenu, Defence counsel prayed the court to review the justification and include civil servants.

Mr Vortia questioned why the police were stilling keeping Issah Alhassan, an accomplice whom Amponsah accused wrongly.

According to him, the case investigator should have left Alhassan off the hook as he had been accused wrongly.

However, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) A. Yirenkyi who held a brief for the prosecution recounted that it was not the duty of the investigator to discharge Alhassan because the matter was before the court.

ASP Yirenkyi told the court that Amponsah in the morning had been able to meet the bail conditions but Alhassan had not been able to execute his bail.

The court, therefore, reviewed Alhassans bail by waving the justification. It ordered that the sureties should be people in gainful employment. The other conditions were however to remain.

The matter has been adjourned to January 19, 2017.

The prosecution had earlier told the court through Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) George Amega that Amponsah was stationed at the Takoradi branch of GCB and Abdul is an auto-mechanic and a customer of the Bank.

DSP Amega said during the period between September and November this year, Management of GCB Bank, Accra, received complaints on fraudulent withdrawals from various customers accounts.

According to the prosecutor, these withdrawals were carried out with cheques found to be cloned cheques, drawn on accounts located at the Banks branches in Accra.

Prosecution said it was established through investigations that while the true account holders had their genuine cheque books intact, replicated copies of leaflets bearing the serial numbers of leaflets not yet issued by account holders were produced with forged signatures.

DSP Amega said these cloned leaflets were drawn on the Bank and presented at branches outside Accra and various withdrawals made.

The Prosecutor said the Police established that four accounts of the Bank had fraudulent withdrawals made on them.

Police investigation revealed that Amponsah even though stationed at Takoradi at the Corporate Banking outlet used his identification number FC07072 which was assigned to him at Mampong to make several inquiries on the accounts prior to or after the cloned cheques were presented.

Based on that, the prosecution said Amponsah was nabbed and during Police investigations, he admitted the offence and disclosed that it was upon the request of Abdul that he made inquiries on the account.

According to the Prosecutor, Amponsah also indicated that he took photographs of signature mandates, cheque book serial numbers, photographs and other confidential details of high valued accounts holders, which he forwarded to Abdul and others.

It came to light that Amponsah in his current deployment was not permitted to check or query individual customer accounts of the Bank but he was engaged in these activities secretly in collaboration with accomplices to steal money from the Bank.

According to the prosecution, the cloned cheques presented at various branches of the Bank had resulted in the theft of GHC356,100.00.

It added that Amponsah had admitted receiving money from Abdul and claims to own two houses at Kasoa, which were built from the proceeds of the crime.

Also, the prosecution said seven other accounts have also been identified as being used by Amponsah and other staff of the Bank and huge withdrawals made.

Further investigations are underway, it said.
I havent lived so long and havent learnt so much to be able to diagnose Ghana of all of its problems, but I can tell for sure that one major problem facing Ghana today is the animal call article 71. This article has virtually made governance and politics in Ghana goldmine for the few.

The surest way of maintaining the current lack of patriotism and apathy amongst many Ghanaian workers leading to low productivity and the attitude of US (ordinary citizens) versus THEM (political class) is to maintain and uphold the spirit and content of article 71 of the 1992 constitution. This article forms the basis for the inequality, dishonesty and thievery that is been perpetrated against the ordinary Ghanaian by the ruling political class. It also forms the basis for the corruption, the mayhem and the deadly obsession of all sorts of miscreants struggling to enter the political class at all cost. I know the head of Judiciary and Legislature are not necessarily politicians but we also know the loudest mouth in this business of article 71 is the executive.

In 2013, public sector workers including teachers in particular were greeted with the bad news of non increment in salaries due to poor performance of the economy as if they were the cause of that poor performance. The normal Ghanaian worker and law abiding as usual accepted and swallowed the bitter pill. Beyond the stagnated salaries in 2013 till date, we have been slapped with all forms of taxes both direct and indirect on almost everything including necessities of life.

In all these, our executive president who superintend over the purportedly poor performing economy for which reason workers have been denied salary increment is exempted from paying tax per the article 71 of the 1992 Constitution. Isnt this funny? How can such a person feel our pain of been taxed to the bone? How can Me, who earn far less than two thousand Ghana cedes as a teacher pay a direct tax of more than ghc200 whiles the president who earn over ten times my salary, pay no tax? I mean this is absolute nonsense; it is a systemic irregularity and must be corrected.

How can anybody living in this kind of systemic dishonesty and deviousness be prepared to sacrifice? Sacrifice for what? If I will gain anything from the state by paying tax on my meager salary, what will the president loose by paying tax on his fat salary? What kind of example is being set by the presidents failure to pay tax as the first gentleman of the land? What happens to the cliche that says leadership by example? Why is it that what is good for the goose is not good for the gander?

Now we are told that there is an annual increment of 10% from 2013 to 2017 for the political class listed under the Article 71 of the 1992 constitution. This means that the president who takes home a non-taxable salary of GHC15, 972 has now been pegged at new 2016 salary of GHC22, 809 which translate into a 42.8% pay rise from 2013 till date. The legislative head as well as the head of judiciary are also taken a ridiculous amount of over GHC17, 000 each, and the payment is taken a retroactive effect from 2013 to 2017 with the explanation that the economy is robust enough to accommodate that payment and this apply to Ministers and Members of Parliament too. Remember the ordinary Ghanaian public sector worker has been promised just a paltry 10% rise starting January 2017. No even three months back pay this time!

Remember the errant tweet from the American embassy which sought to question the sacrifice our president and his appointees make for Ghana and the controversy it generated following the president and his appointees pay cut in 2013? Can we say the American embassy is been vindicated now? You cut your pay by 10% from 2013  2016, increase your pay by 10% in 2016 and pay yourself retroactively from 2013 to 2017 in an economy where children sit under trees to learn and others lay pastorate on their bellies to write. How do you call this?? God is watching!!

My problem with President Mahama in particular is his display of double standards on this article 71 saga when it generated debate in 2014 till date. In 2015, I authored an article titled, Mahama is not populist on article 71 as featured in the link bellow https://www.modernghana.com/news/618413/peter-suaka-writes-mahama-is-not-populist-on-article-71.html in support of his call on organize labor at the time to support the repeal of this article 71. In this article I authored, I chastised the opposition NPP for attributing Mahamas stands on article 71 at the time to populism when he demonstrated interest in repealing it due to the ridiculous recommendations from the Chenery Hesse committee as was constituted by the Kufour administration at the verge of NPPs exit in 2008. The question now to Mr. President is what has changed? Why the U-turn this time?

One thing is clear. The Ghanaian politician does not have the interest of the ordinary person at heart. They are greedy and selfish and will always deploy the weaknesses of our constitution to their selfish interest.

I therefore call on the civil society as well as the few independently thinking lawyers; Ace Anan Ankoma of Occupy Ghana, Kofi Bentil of citizen Ghana, Kofi Abotsi of GIMPA law school, Samson Laadi Anyenini of the Multimedia group and any other well meaning Ghanaian who can do something about this animal call article 71 to immediately initiate the process to repeal this law in the interest of the ordinary Ghanaian to disarm the dishonest politician.

Send comments and critiques via [email protected] , Face book: suaka peter, tweet; @suakapeter. WhatsApp; 0200922728
"...What we are telling Tullow is that they need to hold on the signing of all pending contracts until the new administration takes over... We are reliably informed, and let Ghanaians be too, that the outgoing ambassador of Ghana to...Saudi Arabia...is busily packing furniture and other properties belonging to the State...to be shipped to his residence in Egypt...Obviously, the (Tullow) vessel contracts are over-bloated and would have to be toned down to reasonable levels before any business continues... We serve notice that this is a criminal act against the government and good people...", Fadi Dabbousi, 29/31 Dec 16.

Dear reader, for those of us at the Ghana Institute for Governance and Security (GIGS) and the Fair-Trade Oil Share Ghana (FTOS-Gh/PSA) Campaign, who, warned Mr. Mahama and his NDC party that the predatory oil contract system they've used over the past 5 years for Ghana's oil have caused a loss of more than $6 billion in oil revenues to Ghana, the recent online antics by NPP propagandist, Fadi Dabboussi, is not only amusing, it is quickly getting to be a disgrace on the record-to-be of Akufo-Addo's in-coming government.

Therefore, all NPP supporters and fair-minded Ghanaians must stand up now and demand prioritized action by Akufo-Addo with respect to the crooked oil contract system left by Mr. Mahama and his defeated NDC government.

The FTO-Gh/PSA Campaign believe strongly that gaining $6 billion more in oil revenues for Ghana is a lot more important to Ghana than collecting second hand cars and used furniture from a ship on the docks in Saudi Arabia that the departing Ghana ambassador (Mr. Said Sinare) has reportedly ordered to be shipped to Egypt.

Therefore, considering Fadi Dabbousi's (1) baffling selective attention to contracts that he Fadi wants delayed apparently for his own benefit until Akufo-Addo assumes power, and (2) his agenda of nakedly cherry-picking minor cases to pursue when a major case of more significance to Ghana begs for attention, we must ask Serious Akufo-Addo (and Mr. Fadi Dabbousi) what exactly is their agenda with respect to Ghana's oil contracts.

Here are our 5 (five) questions for Nana Akufo-Addo Dankwa:

(1) Is Serious Akufo-Addo still in electioneering mode and being channeled by Fadi Dabbousi with those one-sided attacks on individuals and Tullow, effort that in our professional opinion, will most likely not amount to a hell of beans in the pocket book of Ghanaians?

(2) Is Serious Akufo-Addo (and Mr. Fadi Dabbousi) truly interested in getting to the bottom of the oil contracts and Act 619, the 2016 Oil Petroleum Exploration and Production bill enacted by Mr. Mahama and his NDC party barely 3 months before the elections that have thus far netted the foreign oil companies (KOSMOS and Tullow) over 80% of all oil revenues, whilst Ghana, owner of all that oil, got to keep just 17% of those oil revenues?

(3) Is Serious Akufo-Addo and the NPP, as the "new" government of Ghana, going to allow that predatory and fraudulent Act 619, the 419 Ghana Oil racket, and continued loss of oil revenues to Ghana of about $1.25 billion a year?

(4) Does Fadi Dabbousi really care about a Fair-Share oil contract system for Ghana? Does Fadi Dabbousi understand that unlike the so-called Ghana Hybrid System, under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) favored by GIGS, the FTOS-Gh/PSA Campaign, and the US Government Accounting Office, even if contracts are padded, those padded costs, however large, are reported to government as cost of doing business, that those over-charges can be denied and reversed by government?

(5) Or, is Serious Akufo-Addo (and Mr. Fadi Dabbousi) merely interested in Tullow "contract amount...$25,000 (twenty five thousand US Dollars) per vessel...to two companies to provide four vessels to conduct...repair works on the turret bearing...", and/or second hand furniture that may or may not be in a foreign port awaiting shipment?

Deal with the major, Nana Akufo-Addo Dankwa!

Deal with the major, not the minor, Mr. Fadi Dabbousi!

In closing, from GIGS, the FTOS-Gh/PSA Campaign, and all of our supporters and well-wishers, we say, give us a break, Fadi Dabbousi!

Even so, however we slice and dice it, in Fadi Dabbousi-speak, we are all inclined to agree:

"...the blood of the Ghanaian is rather being siphoned than the oil in our earth...".

But, clearly, a $6,000,000,000 billion loss in oil revenue over 5 years is a whole lot of money lost to Ghana than even 25 (twenty-five) $25,000 padded contracts during 365 days for work that must in fact be done on a bearing attached to an off-shore oil rig, cost that can be denied if Ghana were to institutionalize a PSA to regulate exploration and production of Ghana oil and gas.

Or, is Fadi Dabbousi on a Tullow shake-up mission, we must regretfully ask?

What gives, Nana Akufo-Addo Dankwa?

What gives, Ghana?

So it goes, Ghana!

Wishing all of you a super successful New Year 2017!

Peace!

Sources:

1. Fadi Dabbousi. Stop Tullow now! Do not sign pending corrupt contracts - Part I & II, (http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/Stop-Tullow-now-Do-not-sign-pending-corrupt-contracts-Part-II-497704).

2. Fadi Dabbousi. Said Sinare, Do not Steal Embassy Property in Saudi Arabia, (http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/Sa-id-Sinare-do-not-steal-Embassy-property-in-Saudi-Arabia-497314).

Visit www.GhanaHero.Com/Visions, for more information.

FOIB - Freedom of Information Bill (FOIB/FOI/Ghana), ( http://ghanahero.com/FOIB.html )

SUBJ: Tell us furniture collector Fadi Dabbousi is not Akufo-Addo's Gate-Keeper!, by Prof Lungu.

Support Fair-Trade Oil Share Ghana (FTOS-Gh) Campaign/Petition:

https://www.change.org/p/ghana-fair-trade-oil-share-psa-campaign-ftos-gh-psa/ .

Brought to you courtesy www.GhanaHero.com31 Dec 16.

(Powered by: www.GhanaHero.Com).
31.12.2016 LISTEN

Arid

Dusty

Hazy winds

Dawn shivers!

.

Dew-like

Cold-wind night

I yawn at dawn

Welcoming the Muezzins call

.

Lips like razors

Faces; pale and ail

Skin; wrinkled

Shea butter; the respite!

.

Lovers feast at dawn

Land tillers wish a holiday

Children fire dry fields

And hunters pounce fleeing game

.

Coughs

Bleating nostrils

Shrubs hibernate

Birds have no perching branch

.

Down countryside

The land is bare!

Rivers; empty!

Cheerless faces abound!

.

Harmattan!

.

Adama Bukari

31/12/2016  09:00 GMT

Ofankor
31.12.2016 LISTEN

The bible admonishes us not to be anxious for anything. But unfortunately, the Ghanaian approaches a new year with so much anxiety. It does look like we are always dissatisfied with the passing year and on the eve of the new year ,we would wish everything about the old year away and we would address ourselves with what we usually call our new year resolutions which normally are characterized by our high expectations. I think that the Ghanaian's fixation with new year resolutions is disincentive to him having a peaceful life.

The resort to new year resolution by the Ghanaian actually misleads the Ghanaian to think that once one has not achieved one's target in a year,then the year has been a failure to the individual. This belief is totally FALSE and unrealistic. This is because in real life,not everything can be achieved in a year. For instance, it would be unrealistic for one to have an objective to put up a building in a year.

Unless, one is expecting some huge lottery win in a year which one might use in beginning and completing a building in the year,we know that putting up a building might take some years. Thus one who decides to build in a year but was able to buy a plot and was able to secure some blocks on the land should be able to congratulate himself for a great beginning towards his building project in the year.One should be able to go to church and dance his modest but important achievement in the course of the year.

Likewise, the one who resolved to buy a car in the course of the year should be able to pat himself at the back even if he was only able to save only a third of the selling price of the car in the market. One should be excited about the passing year even if he couldn't buy the car because if for nothing, he is a thirty percent chance closer to acquiring his dream car. My argument is that not every dream can be achieved in a year. Unless, one is not setting higher goals for oneself.

The other thing we ought to know is that a good year should not necessarily have each day of the year bright. Some of the days in the year could be dark ,gloomy and unfruitful; but one has to take all the happenings in the year in totallity, to declare his year as blessed or worrisome. You might end the year badly in December, but an honest assessment of the entire year would still give you a cause to rejoice for the year. You might be a farmer who might have lost some farm plants to fire; yet in this same year you planted new cocoa seedlings which are growing well.

You should be able to dance into the new year because you know the years coming for you may be brighter. In deciding whether our year was fruitful or not,we must do what the banks do.In each year,banks post their financial standings and mostly they publicize their huge profits.

Any time we see huge profits posted by banks each year,we believe that the banks's profits are largely as a result of their prudent investment portfolios. But that is normally not the case. Most banks invest in ventures that bring no profit to the banks.They sometimes give loans to persons without the proper securities.

Thus they are unable to retrieve these loans.These the banks normally called bad debts.But in spite of these bad business deals that banks sometime engage in that bring debts to banks,you would find that at the end of the year,they still post their marginal profits in the year with pride.Life in the year should be assessed just as banks do.

You take stock of your blessings in a year minus your difficulties, then you would surely see that you made profits. That is for those who still are attached to achieving yearly targets. But the real truth is that our life here on earth would not be measured by minutes, hours, days,months or by a year.Our life here would be measured by the sum total of our existence here on earth. Jesus spent 33 years on earth.

We only heard about only three years of his life on earth. And yet, no human being has impacted the human race with his short life on earth than Jesus Christ.God indeed does not deal with us according to our earthly time.He has his own time for us. You may desire something in a year,but God may desire it for you in another year.Take for instance the people of Israel. This was a nation God himself has chosen.

He had promised their forefathers a home for this nation. He had promised them a leader who would lead them away from their earthly hardship. But it has to take about a thousand years for this promise to happen to the people of Israel. Whilst they wait for this promise, they had to live under Egyptian slavery for 430 years.Then when they had been liberated from slavery by Moses , they had to be ruled by different colonial masters for about 650 years.

Actually, the people of Israel had been under Roman Colonial rule for about 62 years when Jesus appeared on the scene.Unfortunately, the people of Israel did not recognize their savior because whilst they were expecting a millitary leader like Joshua, God had sent them a different kind of leader who was more interested in their souls finding peace than leading the people to fight their colonial masters - Rome.God's ways are not our ways.In life,our real desires have only a 50% chance of materializing. Someone controls everything.

He really doesn't work with our time.You might be excited by a new year called 2016; but God might just see it as one of the days he has willed for you on earth. Don't be anxious about a new year; it is just going to be another year. Pastor Mathew Ashimolo would say 'it ia not over untill it is over'.And he only keeps the time.And he keeps it to his chest.

PAUL ZOWONU

TUTOR- ACCRA.
Amidst many challenges, the extraordinary congress of the Jirapa Area Students Union came off on the 30th of December, 2016 at the credit Union hall. Students from various institutions both tertiary and second cycle converged to deliberate on pertinent issues relevant for the development of JASU as a union and also to elect a new sector board for the next academic year.

The theme for this years congress was Promoting Health and Education, the Role of the Student. The special guest of honor was the Honorable District Chief Executive, Mr Cletus Seidu Dapilah.

The program started with an opening prayer by Mr Jude Bongyia. He gave a powerful prayer calling on God to guide members to have a fruitful discussion. Mr Tinus Tuozie was introduced to chair the program for the day. The chairman accepted the task and led the gathering through proceedings.

The National president Mr Pius Doozie welcomed all members to the congress and asked for their cooperation throughout proceedings.

Next on the agenda was a speech by the outgoing president. The president in his speech spelled out the activities he and his colleague executives had planned to execute during their tenure as the sector board. According to him, they intended setting up a JASU secretariat, establishing a Students fund, what do you know competition for tertiary students, debates for SHS students, quizzes for JHS students and many others.

However, a few of these were accomplished due to the financial constraint. Even with the ones executed he was quick to add that those were funded using monies from the pockets of members of the executive board or borrowed from elsewhere with the intention of paying back later.

In fact, Mr Pius mentioned in his speech that the stakeholders of education in the district failed the union woefully. The district assembly showed little interest in the activities of the Union. The least talk about the Member of Parliament the better. He preferred using his money to campaign directly for votes rather than using it to sponsor student activities in the district. The Ghana Education Service as usual was not also in a position to help. All these three stakeholders mentioned failed to support the Unions activities financially despite the fact they were served with the Plan of Operation and budget long enough. This therefore had a huge effect on the success of the national sector board in terms of executing its planned activities. Attempts to raise funds from other sources did not also materialized.

The president however entreated the incoming executive board to take up those activities that could not be executed since they will benefit the Union in several ways especially establishment of the JASU secretariat.

The District Chief Executive in his address commended members present for their commitment to the activities of JASU. He apologized for the failure of the District Assembly to support the activities of the Union despite the fact that they were fully aware and have received the Plan of Operation early enough to allocate some funds for that. He also took the opportunity to touch on the security situation in the district taking into perspective the rising state of robbery cases. He entreated members to leave responsible lives and to do all they can to help fight crime in the district since its becoming a nuisance.

JASU KNUST was voted the next sector board and is expected to steer the affairs of the Union for the next academic year.

At A.O.B, members present were allowed to discuss ways of improving the activities of JASU. Members present came out with several suggestions that they think if kept in place will make JASU more proactive. Some including, the setting of a council of elders to advise the National Executive Board, organizing regular meetings, encouraging sub-unions to pay their dues, setting up committees that will audit the activities of NEC and many others.

Members present also drew the attention of the DCE to the several encroachments on government lands taking place in the district. Examples of such encroachment were identified at the Naayiri park, the post office, St. Augustines JHS etc.

The congress came to end with a closing prayer and members present moved to the FMM convent to take their refreshment and finally departed to their various destinations.

Handing over will however take place at a dinner on the 2nd of January, 2016. Members were entreated to purchase their tickets at a cool ghc15 for single and ghc25 for couple.
We the entire membership of Executive Youth Forum- Volta would like to congratulate the following persons, groups,writers and social media campaigners for the marvelous work done in the Volta region towards NPP's victory.

Though the Volta region region is a no go area for the NPP, they took the risk upon themselves to educate, exposed and gave hope to the youth in the Volta region to vote for change. They made them believe everyone campaign message from the Npp is doable.

1. Innocent Supremo Tetteh-Volta Youth for Development (VYD)

2. Allan Doegah- Agenda for Change (AFC)

3. Quarshie Egyer Joseph- Volta Youth for Development (VYD)

4. Wisdom Klutse Christo- Agenda for Change (AFC)

5. Madam Kiki- CYVON

6.Robert Ajase-Disappointed NDC members crossing Over to NPP

7. Queen Enam Wovenu- Loyal Ladies

8. Suleman Zain- Agenda for Change (AFC)

9. Teachers for Change - Volta Chapter

10. Northern Volta for Change

11. Prosper Fofo Ndekor- Volta youth for Development (VYD)

12. Nana Kojo Akwaa- Volta Youth for Development (VYD)

13. Volta for Change

14. Volta Corporate Group

15. Godwin Kwami Nanedo-Volta Youth for Development (VYD)

We thank you very much for the wonderful work done, May the good Lord shower his blessings upon you all. Merry Christmas and Prosperous Happy New Year.

.........Signed............

Volta Youth Alliance

Executive Youth Forum -Volta

William Forson Arhin (writer)

0505182135
31.12.2016 LISTEN

Suncity Radio in collaboration with a team of doctors, headed by Prof. Stephen Tabiri and the Sunyani West Health Directorate, Chiraa Traditional Council, will be organizing a special medical outreach at Chiraa on Sunday, 1st January, 2017.

The program, which aims to provide free screening and vaccination of Hepatitis B and other general consultations, is part of Suncitys unflinching commitment to provide medical relief to the people within the Brong Ahafo region and beyond.

Explaining the rationale for the program, the Managing Director of Suncity radio, Mr. Ransford Antwi, stated that the medical outreach, which has been a regular event within the region by the station in recent months, aims at giving back to society.

According to him, as a socially responsible radio station, Suncity radio will continue to undertake projects and programs which will provide relief and improve the wellbeing of the people within the Brong Ahafo region. He further stated that basic health care, which he believes must be a right to every Ghanaian, is sometimes elusive to a great number of people as a result of various challenges, including poverty. Such regular periodic medical outreach programs will go a long way to provide the much needed medical relief to the people, he added.

As part of Suncity Radios New Year program, Ghanas Music Maestro, Kojo Antwi, will, as part of his musical concert in Sunyani, visit the Chiraa Health Centre to support the project.

Mr. Antwi also expressed his gratitude to Professor Stephen Tabiri for his selflessness and passion towards service to the people in the region.

The full program outline is as stated below:

DATE: SUNDAY, 10TH JANUARY, 2017

TIME: 8AM-5PM

CASES- HEPATITIS B SCREENING AND VACCINATION/GENERAL CONSULTATIONS .
Member of Parliament-elect for the Keta constituency, Richard Quashigah has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has not yet taken any firm decision on who will lead the party in Parliament.

As the National Democratic Congress (NDC) prepares to take up the role of the Minority in Parliament, sources close to the party have revealed that there is intense lobbying for the various leadership positions in Parliament.

Some names have popped up on social media, indicating who will take up the role of Minority Leader among others.

Mr. Quashigah has however stated that the party will follow a more structured procedure in the selection of persons who will make up the Minority leadership in Parliament.

The resort to the media by certain faceless elements in the Party to fly kites and to test public opinion among party faithful can create confusion and disorganise the incoming minority front in Parliament. I would imagine that a more matured and reasoned procedures will be followed in the selection of those who make up the minority leadership in Parliament, a statement from Mr. Quashigah said.

These when done should create transparency and oneness of purpose as well as generating a needed working energy among the incoming minority Members of Parliament. What is out there in the media which has taken a life of its own is very much speculative and if left the way the issue is trending, may leave in its wake wrong perceptions of imposition of some persons on the elected members making up the minority side in Parliament; leading to pre-judgements even before the selection process starts as well as possible resentments at a time when members are expected to be a cohesive force with oneness of purpose in holding the government of the day in check.

The statement from Richard Quashigah is below

NDC MINORITY LEADERSHIP FOR THE SEVENTH PARLIAMENT BROUHAHA

The outcome of the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is one of shock and disbelief for key political watchers and analysts.

The nature of the defeat leaves the most ardent activists of the party and sympathisers alike scratching their heads in search of answers if not the solution to this mind-boggling puzzle. For those of us who were living witnesses to the party's defeat in the year 2000, we are in a very unique position to proffer some pieces of advice particularly as it relates to the future of this great political machine called the NDC.

Therefore, as the NDC embarks on soul searching and introspection, one of its largest political fortune in galvanizing support in waging a comeback in 2020, rests heavily on how its parliamentarians perform in the 7th parliament of the Fourth Republic.

The NDC has a blend of talent with the required intellectual and technical quality among the newly elected Members of Parliament. However, for the NDC minority in parliament to glitter and hit the parapet, will require a strong sense of unity of purpose and the striking of the required chemistry among all the segments. The only way to attain this unity and cohesion in order to hold the feet of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the fire demands high levels of transparency, collective consultation among the leadership of the Party and the Members of Parliament.

To this end, a very astute, sharp, and meticulous minority leadership acceptable to both the generality of the Party and more importantly the elected Members of Parliament should be a key driver. A well balanced and thoughtful selection is what the NDC in parliament needs in order to inspire in them the needed confidence, energy and strength to play forth the noble but critical role against incipient abuse of NPP majoritarian intolerance and its likely consequences of constitutional despotism.

Even before the Seventh Parliament swings into action come January 7th next year, it appears there is jostling for who makes it to the leadership of the NDC minority in Parliament in the media; creating discomfiture in and among the elected members. Sources of information by the media are not clearly defined except for allusions being made to the Party leadership.

The resort to the media by certain faceless elements in the Party to fly kites and to test public opinion among party faithful can create confusion and disorganise the incoming minority front in Parliament. I would imagine that a more matured and reasoned procedures will be followed in the selection of those who make up the minority leadership in Parliament.

It will be apt, therefore for the views of the following categories of persons to be sought going forward.

 The outgoing President and leader of the NDC.

 The views of the Council of Elders, most importantly the founder or founding father of the Party depending on which terminology suits ones' ear.

 The out-going NDC MPs.

 Regional leaderships of the Party should be asked to interface with their elected MPs before submitting proposed names to national leadership for further deliberation.

 Above all a dialogue with all elected MPs on the subject matter is crucially important.

These when done should create transparency and oneness of purpose as well as generating a needed working energy among the incoming minority Members of Parliament. What is out there in the media which has taken a life of its own is very much speculative and if left the way the issue is trending, may leave in its wake wrong perceptions of imposition of some persons on the elected members making up the minority side in Parliament; leading to pre-judgements even before the selection process starts as well as possible resentments at a time when members are expected to be a cohesive force with oneness of purpose in holding the government of the day in check.

Should the NDC stakeholders discharge this function of selecting leadership for its minority side in Parliament efficiently, it would give confidence assurance to the rank and file of the NDC that election 2020 would be exciting and eventful. We must be mindful that situations when in government are very different from when in opposition and so certain actions before they are taken must follow intense reflection and deliberation.

The coming year will be politically eventful so we must hold and bond together.

LONG LIVE THE NDC!

RICHARD QUASHIGAH

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

KETA CONSTITUENCY.



By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
31.12.2016 LISTEN

Accra, Jan. 25, GNA - Trial of Eugene Ashe aka Wisa, a musician who allegedly exposed his penis while performing at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), began at an Accra Circuit Court on Monday.

The court has ordered the Police to make available an electrical gadget that will show the alleged video tape containing the performance of Wisa on the day of the incident.

British murder suspect to stand trial in UK

Accra, Jan. 27, GNA - Arthur Sampson-Kent, a British national accused of killing his girlfriend and two children, is to be extradited to the United Kingdom to stand trial for murder.

A High Court in Accra which gave the green light on Tuesday ordered the Attorney General to compile the relevant documents to facilitate his extradition.

Court orders arrest of Wisa

Accra, Feb. 5, GNA - A circuit court in Accra has ordered the arrest of Eugene Ashe, aka Wisa, a hip life artiste for failing to appear before it.

Wisa is being held for allegedly exposing his penis while performing at the Accra International Conference Centre on December 24, last year.

Court hears recordings on alleged extortion from Gyan

Accra Feb. 9, GNA - Four audio recordings depicting how Sarah Kwablah and three others were planning how to extort money from the Black Star Captain Asamoah Gyan over alleged an sex tape has been played in court.

The audio tapes were played when Mr Samuel Anim Addo, Captain Gyan's Manager was cross-examined at an Accra Circuit Court.

Afoko goes to High Court over murder charges

Accra, Feb. 23, GNA - Gregory Afoko, the suspect who is being held over the death of Mr Adams Mahama, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Upper East Region Chairman, is to stand trial at the High Court in Accra.

The trial is expected to commence in a month's time.

Supreme Court gives AG, NMC 14 days ultimatum

Accra, March 2, GNA - The Supreme Court has ordered the Attorney General (AG) and National Media Commission (NMC) to, within 14 days, file their statement of cases in a matter requiring media owners to seek content approval from the Commission before publication.

The AG had gone to court with a motion on notice praying for extension to file their statement of case.

Supreme Court dismisses interim injunction against EC

Accra, March 3, GNA - An interim injunction seeking to restrain the Electoral Commission (EC) from going ahead with the limited registration exercise and the pending Abuakwa North Constituency by-election has been dismissed by the Supreme Court.

The court, presided over by the Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, however, said reasons for the dismissal would be incorporated into the final determination of the substantive suit.

Two Koala robbers appear before Circuit Court

Accra, March 14, GNA - Two out of the five of the Koala Shopping Centre robbers who were on admission at a hospital have appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

Stanley Obaliko and Okoe Quarcoe who sustained injuries during the robbery incident have been on admission since January 9, this year.

Chief of Banka re-trial begins on April 19

Accra, Mar. 19, GNA - An Accra High Court will on April 19 begin the re-trial of Nana Osabarima Twiampomah III, Chief of Banka, who allegedly misappropriated 150,000 dollars belonging to his subjects.

The accused person is the chief of Banka, a farming community in the Asante Akyim District in of the Ashanti Region.

Afoko appears before High Court

Accra, March 23, GNA - Gregory Afoko, the suspect being held over the death of Mr Adams Mahama, the New Patriotic Party (NPP)'s Former Upper East Region Chairman, has appeared before an Accra High Court.

The case was, however, adjourned to April 5 because the trial judge, Mr Justice L.L Mensah, was held up at the Court of Appeal.

Supreme Court rejects injunction against EC

Accra, April 6, GNA - The Supreme Court, for the second time, struck out an Interim injunction seeking to stop the Electoral Commission's Limited Registration Exercise slated on April 28.

This was after the New Patriotic Party's Brong Ahafo Regional Youth Organiser, Kwame Baffoe, withdrew the motion when the court sat over the case on Wednesday.

Wisa's case adjourned to April 27

Accra, April 9, GNA - The case involving Eugene Ashe, aka Wisa, a hip life artiste who is alleged to have displayed his penis on stage, has been adjourned to April 27.

Prosecution had prayed the court to oblige them a short adjournment to enable them to prepare their next witness.

Supreme Court restrains Media Commission over Law

Accra April 21, GNA - The Supreme Court on Thursday restrained the National Media Commission (NMC) from implementing the new law requiring media owners to seek content approval from the Commission before publication.

Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), had gone to Court over the new regulations praying the court to strike out the new law.

Mini Trial in Koala Robbery Case

Accra, May 3, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court hearing the Koala Robbery case is to conduct a mini trial to ascertain whether or not two of the accused persons statements were taken under duress.

This comes in the wake of defence counsel's objection to tendering of the statements of Michael Edor Ahiataku and Frederick Sedro Kwame saying they were brutalized by the police.

EC ordered to Clean Voters Register

Accra May 5, GNA - The Supreme Court has ordered the Electoral Commission (EC) to clean the current voters register in compliance with the 1992 constitution as well as other applicable laws.

Consequently, all persons who registered and participated in the 2012 polls with the National Health Insurance (NHIS) cards would have their names deleted in the current register.

UG sued for withholding salaries of Director

Accra May 9, GNA - The University of Ghana has been sued for re-assigning and withholding the salaries of its Deputy Director of Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate for over 19 months.

Daniel Otabo Ahene-Amanquanor contended his transfer to the College of Health Sciences in Korle-Bu was a form of demotion by the university.

Second MP murder suspect appears before Court

Accra, May 10, GNA - Vincent Bosse, a phone repairer, has appeared before an Accra District Court for allegedly assisting Daniel Asiedu, the alleged killer of Mr Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, in committing the crime.

Bosse, aka Junior Agogo, has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder; his plea was not taken.

"Wisa is ill" - Defence Counsel tells court

Accra, May 13, GNA - Eugene Ashe, aka Wisa, a hiplife artiste who is being tried for allegedly displaying his penis on stage, has taken ill.

Defence Counsel Jerry Avernogbor told an Accra Circuit Court that the accused mother informed him this morning that Wisa had been vomiting since last night and, as such, was unable to attend court.

Koala Robbery - Mini Trial ruling on May 23

Accra, May 16, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court hearing the Koala Robbery case will on May 23, rule on a mini trial conducted to ascertain whether or not statements of two of the accused were taken under duress.

This comes in the wake of defence counsel's objection to tendering of the statements of Michael Edor Ahiataku and Frederick Sedro Kwame saying they were brutalized by the police to obtain the statement.

MP's murder, facts don't tally - Lawyer

Accra, May 18, GNA - A legal practitioner has told the Police that the facts in the J.B Danquah Adu's Murder trial did not connect Vincent Bosso, the second suspect.

According to Mr Augustine s Obuor, the fact of the prosecution was also incompetent as such he did not see the role Bosso, aka Junior Agogo, played in the murder.

MP's murder suspect steals GHE20.00

Accra, May 18, GNA - Vincent Bosso, the second accused person in the case of the murdered former Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, on Wednesday produced in court GHE20.00 note he allegedly stole at a police cells in the morning.

Police officers contended the GHE20.00 went missing at the counter after the second accused and his accomplice Daniel Asiedu were being escorted to the Accra Central Magistrate Court.

High Court erred in Dr Zenator's case - Supreme Court rules

Accra, May 19, GNA - The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that an Accra High Court erred in law when it went ahead to interpret Article 94 (1) (a) in the case involving Dr Zenator Agyeman Rawlings and Nii Armah Ashietey, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle.

The Supreme Court, therefore, ruled that the High Court stay proceedings before it but granted the order of certiorari quashing the decision of the High Court which sought to interpret Article 94 (1) (a) of the 1992 Constitution.

Bukom Banku turns up in court

Accra, Sept. 6, GNA - Braimah Kamoko, aka Bukom Banku, a boxer and a musician who is being held on the charges of assault and causing unlawful damage, has appeared in court.

Bukom Banku is alleged to have demanded a kiss from a hairdresser in her shop but she declined.

State Attorneys to embark on strike

Accra, Oct. 11, GNA - The Association of State Attorneys have served a seven-day notice to embark on a nationwide strike if government fails to improve on their conditions of service.

'It's hereby given that effective Monday, October 10, 2016, members of the Association of State Attorneys are giving notice of our intention to resort to legal strike within seven days, if the commission and the respondents do not take steps to enforce the 28th September 2015 NLC 's Compulsory Arbitration Award and other condition of services for the state Attorney.'

PPP drags EC to Court

Accra Oct. 15, GNA - The Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) has filed a writ seeking an order of the court to restrain Mrs Charlotte Osei, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, from proceeding with the balloting for the position of Presidential Candidates for the December 7 polls.

Supreme Court Judge condemns attacks on judges

Accra, Oct. 25, GNA - A Justice of the Supreme Court has condemned erroneous and intimidating attacks meted out to judges and their families over the years after adjudicating cases.

According to him the attacks which sometimes border on criminality has come from both the opposition and sitting government agents under both civilian and military regimes.

Court to rule on PPP's case on October 28

Accra, Oct. 25, GNA - An Accra High Court will, on Friday October 28, rule on the case by the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) challenging the disqualification of its presidential candidate by the Electoral Commission for contesting this year's presidential election.

The PPP had gone to court to challenge the EC's decision to disqualify its flag bearer Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, from contesting the presidential elections.

Court quashes PPP's presidential candidate's disqualification

Accra, Oct. 28, GNA - An Accra High Court on Friday overturned the decision of the Electoral Commission (EC) to disqualify Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) flag bearer, from contesting the December presidential polls.

The court ruled that the denial of Dr Nduom by the EC was fatal and incurably bad and ordered the EC to allow him to make amends and alterations on his nomination form and same accepted by the Commission.

PNC goes to court over disqualification of flag bearer

Accra, Nov. 2, GNA - The People's National Convention (PNC) has finally appeared before an Accra High Court to challenge the Electoral Commission (EC) for disqualifying its flag bearer, Dr Edward Mahama, from contesting the December 7 polls.

At the court on Monday, the trial judge, Mrs Justice Afua Aryene Novisi, tasked representatives of the EC and the PNC to file their statements of cases, supporting affidavits and other relevant documents by Friday, November 4.

Alleged MP Killers docket sent to AG

Accra, Nov. 2, GNA - The Police have told a District Court hearing the matter of the two suspects in the murder of J. B Danquah, MP for Abuakwa North, that the docket has been sent to the Attorney General (AG) for advice.

According to Superintendent Francis Baah, who is prosecuting, the AG was yet to formally charge the accused persons.

GNA

Trial of Wisa begins
Wait and see.

Thats what Congressman Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, said of the period until congress goes back into session Jan. 2 during a visit to Tomah Tuesday.

We got a new administration coming in with President-elect (Donald) Trump ... then were kind of in wait-and-see mode because no one really has an idea of what his governing style is going to be like, what his agenda may be like, what he might be pushing (and) try to accomplish right away, he said.

Trump is a blank sheet politically, Kind said.

We have nothing to judge him on other than the way he ran his companies, he said. This is going to be new territory for him as well, having never been in elected office before. The oval office can be a sobering place, all the responsibility, the duties that you have.

Kind said if Trump pursues ideas of best interest for Wisconsin like economic growth and job creation in rural communities, hes willing to work with new president.

I will work with him or anyone else that wants to pursue a good job growth agenda, but I am not going to be afraid to stand up and fight for the most vulnerable of our communities as Ive always done, he said. I will act as a check against his darker impulses if for some reason he goes down that road, too.

Kind said hes disturbed that Trump is not accepting the national daily intelligence briefings offered to incoming presidents. He called members of the intelligence community the most non-partisan, professional people youll meet in your entire life.

Its a complicated and dangerous world out there, Kind said. Theyre just trying to gather facts to give to the policymakers so they can make good decisions with it. Now we have a president-elect whos even refusing to accept those intelligence briefings.

Trumps approach is perplexing, Kind said.

Every incoming president would be thirsty for this knowledge because this is the top of the top-secret stuff that only the president gets, because hes commander-in-chief, he said. For him to kind of poo-poo all that is, I dont know.

On the election, Kind said the results tell him that both parties have work to do to address pockets of people who feel left behind with the economic recovery, especially in rural areas. Kind represents a largely rural area in western Wisconsin that includes most of Monroe County, including the cities of Tomah and Sparta.

What we need to do to help create the conditions for good-paying jobs you can raise a family on, a good healthcare system that you can afford, good education system that you can send your kids to, broadband deployment in rural areas, too, so theyre not left behind, he said. Weve got to figure out a way to come together and put the partisan politics aside and start focusing on a really strong rural revitalization agenda.

Improvement to rural America will be a focus of Kinds moving into the next session.

Theres a lot that rural America has to offer  quality of life, the tight community bond that you get in rural America, he said. This could be an exciting opportunity, and I hope that both parties come together and try to find some common sense solutions to it because clearly there are areas in this country that have been left behind from this recovery. People are feeling frustrated, and I think thats why you saw the election results that we did, just over a month ago.

As of Tuesday, Kind said he has doesnt have plans to run for governor in 2018.

I think what we need right now is for everyone to hit the pause button and take a deep breath after this brutal campaign season, he said. I think the last thing people want to be thinking about is whats next, the next election cycle after what seemed like a campaign that took forever. So right now Im focused on the job I have before me and representing this district the best way that I can.
Navrongo, Dec. 31, GNA - The Centre for Social Mobilisation and Sustainable Development (CENSODEV), a Non-Government Organisation, has equipped some young entrepreneurs with business skills to effectively develop and market their products.

The entrepreneurs, who are into Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality of the Upper East Region, were taken through topics like product and service development and entrepreneurial skills.

They were also empowered with skills in decision making, forms of business ownership, planning tools for business, promotional tools, Communication Skills and Customer Care and Risk Management.

The Executive Director of CENSODEV, Mr Braimah Sanjage, at the closing ceremony, said apart from the training component, another major intervention was to help the beneficiaries to develop business plans to secure start-up capitals for their project.

He said the project would help link the beneficiaries to market their products by establishing website to serve as a major platform to market their products.

'As part of the project implementation, the project will establish a business start-up centre for those of you finding it difficult to set up your outfit and also conduct couching sessions to your shops and marketing centres to see progress with your businesses and to offer you some technical advice if there are challenges to improve your operations,' he added.

He said the NGO received sponsorship from Self Help Activation Responsibility Empowerment (SHARE) Foundation, a charitable organisation in Germany, to organise the training programme.

Dr John Bosco Azigwe, the Training Consultant, contested the opinion that unemployment was prevalent and said there were a number of opportunities that people who claimed were unemployed could exploit.

He said what was important was that one needed to study the needs of the environment and acquire some level of entrepreneurial skills through the 'Experiential model' to enable him or her to set up businesses.

Mr Kizito Akanyomse, the Municipal Assistant Director at the Ghana Education Service in charge of Planning and Development, said countries that had succeeded in terms of development had relied on vocational and technical training.

He said it was against this backdrop that the Government, together with stakeholders in education, was laying more emphasis on vocational and technical education.

Mr Alhassan Abdual-Baqi, the Assistant Development Officer of the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Assembly, who commended the NGO and SHARE Foundation for implementing the project, said government was overwhelmed with development challenges.

He expressed optimism that the empowerment of the young entrepreneurs with skills would help complement government's effort at job creation for the people, particularly the youth.

GNA

By Samuel Akapule, GNA
31.12.2016 LISTEN

Part I

Making references to and deductions from statements of secular essence and value made by other people is something I do not do in my writings or teachings. This is simply because my writings are always of spiritual intent and flavor and thus could be diluted or even polluted by secular thought.

In this article, however, I wish to quote the words of William Shakespear (1564-1616), without any intention to dilate on them!

Here goes the quote: There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseriesJulius Caesar, Shakespear, William.

This quote may be apt enough concerning the fortunes that were to come the way of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) in their bid for the Presidency in the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Election in Ghana, but which, sadly, they spurned. You may agree with me, by the time you have labored reading through the whole of this article, that this quote was of significance to the electoral fortunes of the CPP in the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in Ghana, and that it was a shame they lost the contest to spiritual ignorance!

When, on October 10, 2016, the Electoral Commission of Ghana announced its shortlist of four Presidential Candidates it had qualified to take part in the countrys Presidential Elections of December 7, 2016, out of a rather long list of seventeen, I straight away went into my spiritual closet to seek to know what the chances of winning of any of these parties were!

Of course, I closed my physical eyes to all the popularity, organizational issues and financial and logistical might of the two big political partiesthe National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP)which had also made it into this rather short list of four contenders!

The party that came first into my spiritual mind was the CPP!! Was I biased in any way or even being misled in my thoughts because everybody was crying for change after having tasted the puddings of both the NPP and the ruling NDC that had been served them??

Well, whatever the reasons were that caused the CPP to come up tops on my spiritual radar, I do not know, but I quickly observed that the year 2016 is the CPP Year of Jubilee from the overthrow of President Kwame Nkrumah of most blessed memory; remembering this dastardly overthrow of the Osagyefo on February 24, 1966! Also, it came to me almost immediately that the Fiftieth Birthday of the CPP Flag Bearer, Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet fell in the year 2016 as well! Wow!!

What it all meant was that the CPP Flag Bearer for the 2016 Presidential Elections was born in the very year that Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown in a bloody military cum Police coup detat! And to think that the Most High One kept him alive through childhood, for fifty years, preparing him to emerge as the flag bearer of the CPPand just in time to participate in a Presidential Election so he may, if he won, hopefully continue from where the Osagyefo was forced to stopmust be worthy of thought!

For me, I dont see these happenings to be some mere kind of a coincidence but, rather, as having a spiritual significance. I am inclined to believe that many other people may be in agreement with me in this regard!

From the instructions of Yahuwah in the Torah scriptures given to the children of Yisroelcf. Vayikra (Leviticus?) 25:8-17a Year of Jubilee must always be declared in all Yisroel in every fiftieth year which follows every seven Shabbat years, counting from the year that Yisroel entered the land of Canaan from their slavery years in Mitzrayim (Egypt?).

Now, according to this same scripture, every Year of Jubilee must be one of liberation from any kind of enslavementwhether spiritual, physical or financialand any land or landed property one might have lost to any fellow child of Yisroel in any deal within the previous 49 years must be restored back to the original owner at no cost to him! It was also commanded by Yahuwah Elohiym that any debts owed by anyone to a fellow member of the house of Yisroel ought to be canceled and written off in full in every Year of Jubilee!!

Note that when Yahushua the Savior of mankind was on Earth, he kick-started his preaching and healing ministry in Natzeret (Nazereth?) by first referring to this Year of Jubilee (or the acceptable year of Yahuwah) in his first preaching at a worship servicecf. Lukas (Luke?) 4:20, KJVwhich was to be later on followed by him going on a healing spree of the sick and disabled from all manner of ailments, in obvious testimony of the fulfillment of the Year of Jubilee in all Yisroel!

So then, was 2016 to be the year of liberation for Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet from a physical challenge and of his restoration to the perfect healthy life he once upon a time lived and enjoyed within the past 49 years prior to 2016, without anyone physically aiding him? Or was 2016 the set time of Yahuwah Elohiym for the restoration of the CPP to political power, in order for it to revive and continue with the partys pro-people policies which fueled and gave momentum to Ghanas Independence struggle and subsequent rule under Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of our dear Ghana, which unfortunately were truncated 49 years earlier on??

Or was 2016 going to witness both of these restorationsone for Mr. Greenstreet, personally, and another for the entire CPP?? For me, both restorations were not only feasible but also possible, only if the CPP were to make itself become as cohesive as an individual person and thus ask Yahuwah Elohiym for these restorations with one voice and mind, in holy and fervent prayer in faith!

It seemed to me that the year 2016 was a Year of Double Jubilee for the CPP, and thus was very significant in the CPPs bid for the Ghanaian Presidency! The certainty of any dream that is dreamed two times in one night being fulfilled in the futureas was so with the two similar dreams of same intent and meaning that were dreamed by a Pharoah of Mitzrayim in the days of Yosef Ben Yaakov (Joseph the son of Jacob?), recorded in Bereshiyt (Genesis?) 41:1-8, 14-36makes me know this about the CPP by this Double Jubilee Year they experienced prior to the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in Ghana!!

Now, please read from the scriptures of Vayikra (Leviticus?) 25:8-27 referred to above, again, and note that, there is a command of Yahuwah to sound a shofar (ram-horn trumpet) to be heard by all in Yisroel on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). And as you may know, Yom Kippur must always fall on the tenth day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar; and so, this date marks the beginning of the Year of Jubilee anytime a jubilee falls due! What I mean to say is that Yom Kippur always heralds the activities marking the Year of Jubilee whenever it is due!!

The year 2016 is, in fact, the year 5777 FC (reckoning From Creation) according to the Creators calendar in use by the children of Yisroel, and so is obviously not a Year of Jubilee in Yisroel! However, 2016 had Yom Kippur fall on October 11, for all children of Yisroel to remember, recognize and observe as such; and a shofar would have been sounded throughout all Yisroel on this day (October 11, 2016), if 5777 FC (or 2016 CE) were to be a Year of Jubilee for and in Yisroel.

Note that the next Year of Jubilee in Yisroel [and all over the world, for that matter] would be in the year 5800 FC or 2050 Common Era (CE); and preparations for this special Year of Jubilee in 5800 FC (2050 CE), which is only 23 years away, ought to have started in earnest now by all spiritually-minded holy people of Earth!

Well, on this day of October 11, 2016, in Ghana, a shofar did seem to have sounded throughout the country, announcing the confirmation by the Electoral Commission (EC), a day earlier, of the candidature of the CPP Presidential candidate in the forthcoming presidential elections!!

Was this just some rare kind of coincidence or an act of Divine significance in fulfillment of set times and seasons of Yahuwah the Most High One?? Could the inclusion of the CPP Presidential candidate within an unexpectedly short list of only four qualified contestants who met the criteria of the Ghanaian EC for filing as presidential hopefuls [out of the seventeen who showed interest by filing nomination forms], even when perceived able-bodied giants fell out of the contest, simply be by chance??

Part II

Was the landslide victory won by Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet in his partys presidential primaries without the hand of Yahuwah? Methinks all these successes came about because the hand of Yahuwah was leading him towards victory in the December 7, 2016 polls in Ghana!! I believe this because all things are possible for those who know the Creator and understand His holy ways and tap into them by faith!! However, it is not what I believe that matters but rather what the one standing for election believes!

And so, I suppose that if the CPP could use a bit of holy spiritual guidance offered to them by someone who had a good standing relationship with Yahuwah Elohiym and HaBen (His Son), Yahushua, it could have inured to their benefit at the polls! But then was there any such person in the land available to them to even be consulted by the CPP??

You see, such a spiritual consultant must of necessity be living strictly by the Torah of Yahuwah Elohiym in order for him to be trained to be likeminded with Him so as to understand His ways and plans for the inhabitants of the Earth to be able to be of blessing in spiritual matters to anyone!

Such a spiritual consultant who is worth his salt would not even call himself by any of the now defunct Ivrit (Hebrew) titles of navi (prophet??), kohen (priest??) or melek (king??) that were ever ascribed to any genuine servants of Yahuwah Elohiym in the years before the coming to Earth of Yahushua and before his ascension to Shamayim (Heaven?)!

Now, because, Yahushua HaBen HaYahuwah Elohiym is the only true and last navi foretold of by MoshEl (Moses??) in Devarim (Deuteronomy??) 18:15-18 to come to Earth, the only Kohen Gadol (High Priest??) who lives forever, the only true and holy melek who is the ever reigning Melek Tzedek (Melchisedec??) of Bereshiyt (Genesis??) 14:18-20 and Ivriim (Hebrews??) 7:11-21, and the only Melek ha melekim (King of kings??), anyone today who functions like, not as, a navi, melek or kohen of Yisroel did in days past, must ONLY be found to be existing, living or dwelling and functioning as a fruit-bearing branch in him (Yahushua) who is HaGefen HaAmittit (the true vine)!

Such a spiritual consultant would not be within the multitudes of earthlings who delight in draping themselves in glamorous clothes that would make even Shlomo (Solomon), dressed in his all royal regalia in his hay days, look like a pauper, while claiming to have power because they bear such Bethel-originated Goy (Gentile) titles as apostle, bishop, pastor, priest, prophet, etc, and are happy and allege to have become some kinds of human vessels they believe are filled with a so-called Holy Spirit!!

As was said earlier, such a holy spiritual consultant must be faultless in his obedience of the Torah and also be just as blessed as the children of the house of Yissakhar (Issachar??) were in their special holy service as spiritual guides or consultants to the children of Yisroel in their historic pastcf. Divrey HaYamin Ekhad (First Chronicles??) 12:32.

Above everything else, such a holy spiritual consultant must have the unction, power, and wisdom of Yahuwah Elohiym made available to him by the indwelling presence of Ruwakh HaQuodesh (not some Goy-named and thus Goy-personified so-called Holy Spirit, said to be associated with and claimed to indwell apostles, bishops, prophets, etc) and by his position and status as a branch in HaGefen HaAmittit (the true vine??).

I am sure that if the CPP knew of this string of blessings programmed and lined up by Yahuwah Elohiym to inure to their election fortunes in the 2016 Presidential Elections, and thus had found the type of holy spiritual consultant I have described here, they would have by now made history in Ghana; another kind of the change Ghanaians were clamoring for before the polls were conducted!

For, the first thing such a spiritual consultant would do for the CPP Presidential candidate would have been to aid him get Divine life and strength into his limbs! Such a spiritual consultant, relying on the facts that no disabled person is found worthy or permitted by Yahuwah Elohiym to lead or serve any peoplecf. Vayikra (Leviticus??) 21:17-23would have led the CPP Presidential Candidate to be healed by Yahuwah Elohiym of his disability in his lower limbs, in order to ever be considered worthy to stand before Him as President!!

Also, knowing that it is the perfect will of Yahuwah Elohiym that ALL who are sick or disabled be healed, especially in the Year of Jubilee, such a spiritual consultant would have led Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet to dip himself into the natural living waters of, Id suppose, the River Volta of Ghana to bring about a miraculous healing of his lower limbs!

This simple and single dip in any part of the River Volta would give spiritual and biological life to the defect-laden limbs of Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, in much the same way that it (River Volta) gives various kinds of lifefrom the drinking of its waters, the numerous Torah-compliant kosher (foods declared eatable by the Torah) fish its waters produce for mans consumption, light and power through hydro-produced electricity to serve as energy for mankind, etc!!

Now, because the Most High One is no respecter of persons, you can be sure that the end of Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet would have been the same as that of the 4-Star General of the Syrian Army by name Naaman, who believed and obeyed the instructions of a special spiritual consultant of Yahuwah Elohiym of Yisroel called Elisha, and made seven full dips of his body in the Yarden (Jordan??) River and was cleansed of an ailment that caused him shame and discomfortcf. Melekim Sheni (Second Kings) 5:1-19!

And this miracle, done by Yahuwah Elohiym for a Goy Army General, who even periodically fought and killed children of Yisroel and thus had bloodied his hands with holy blood, did not even happen in the Year of Jubilee!!

Also, a dip in the name of Yahuwah Elohiym in the River Volta by Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet would have produced the same results of being instantly healed, as was the case with any one of the physically challenged folks who raced to dip himself, the first among all others, into a man-made pool in YahuSalem in a place by name Beit Chessedmeaning, House of Mercy (Bethesda??)anytime a malak (angel?) of Elohiym came from Him to stir the waters of the poolcf. YahuKhanan (John??) 5:1-7!

You see, anyone who dips himself into natural living waters in obedience to the instructions of any genuine spiritual consultant of Yahuwah Elohiym, and thus shows faith in the name of Yahushua, comes out of the waters as a living miracle! His spiritual and physical transformations are thorough and made so as to last forever; and the benefits to him are simply fantastic, just as any gifts from the Creator are fantastic and irrevocable.

Anyone coming out of naturally flowing living waters after repenting of all his sins ever committed and purposefully dipping himself, momentarily, in the name of Yahushua, becomes born of water and filled with the Ruwakh HaQuodesh of Yahuwah instantlybut please, do not think to call Ruwakh HaQuodesh as Holy Spirit as Christians wrongly doso as to become sinless, thus sickness-free, and blessed with a sickness-proof body, forever! This is because his ruwakh (spirit) that dwells in his body becomes fused with Ruwakh HaQuodesh, thus giving him access to the life (health), power, wisdom, guidance and all the attributes of Yahuwah Elohiym, having now become, in effect, a new creation and the habitation of Yahuwah Elohiym and HaBen Yahushua on Earth!!

All these aforementioned blessings become visible or manifest in the one born of water and the Ruwakh of Yahuwah Elohiym because all of the following verses of scripture get fulfilled in the one by his purposeful single dip in any running natural living waters, in obedience to any genuine servant of Yahuwah Elohiym after the one has repented of the ones sins, in acknowledgement of the person and mission to Earth of Yahushua: These verses are YekhezkEl (Ezekiel?) 36:25-27, YahuKhanan (John??) 3:5, 15:5, Maasim (Acts??) 2:39-39, 17:28, Galatiyim (Galatians?) 3:27, Ephisiyim (Ephesians?) 5:30, YahuKhanan Ekhad (First John??) 3:2, 4, 6, 8-9!

Just read them, meditatively, to learn what fantastic stuff they reveal of the one who is saved in Yahushua HaBen Yahuwah Elohiym!!

So then, can you imagine how the news of a miraculous healing of the first-ever crippled Presidential Candidate of any political party in Ghanas history would have been received by the world?? And so, can you think of how news of such a miracle would have inured to the electoral fortunes of the CPP and its Presidential Candidate in the 2016 election??

Part III

The interpretation of such a miracle would be that the Most High One had resurrected the CPP into action in the fiftieth year following the overthrow of its first Presidentthe Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, arguably the most charismatic, decisive, selfless, visionary political leader ever seen in Ghanawhose party had been in hibernation and irrelevant to the politics of Ghana all these long, fifty years; almost completely forgotten!

The CPP would have had no need to mount any political campaign at all; this news would have been all they needed and it would have spread like wild fire by itself, without anyone spending a single pesewa! Every voter would have thought the Most High One had set Himself into action to advertise His choice of a leader to Ghanaian voters, at His set time and season, in Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreets miraculous healing!! Wow!

And then, which qualified voter would not have voted according to the revealed choice of the Most High One?? And thus, such an advertisement by Yahuwah Elohiym, gratis to the CPP, would inevitably have led to the biggest landslide win for the CPP!!

You see, we are living at a set time and season when the Most High has determined for the whole Earth to know His true name and is only programming the time and the instrument to bring this about! This intent of the Most High One had been told to the children of Yisroel in a nevuah (prophecy??) that He would make known His true name to all mankind, including all of the Goyim (Gentiles), before the end of all thingscf. YirmeYahu (Jeremiah?) 16:21!

Children of the Goyim who wrongly think to call Him variously as God, Theos, Deus, Nyame, Mawu, or Naamwin, etc, would find mercy to be taught His true names of the Ivrit (Hebrew) tongue, which are Elohiym and Yahuwah!!

Also, the Most High One is determined to make mankind know that His son was never named JESUS by Him, but Yahushua, and that there is no such thing of Him as Goyim Christians call Holy Spirit, but rather that Ruwakh HaQuodesh is of Him!!

The plan of Yahuwah Elohiym was to give a sweet victory to the CPP without the party firing a shot so He would use that victory to re-echo His name and that of His son on Earth! Oh my, and what a place to start fromGhana!!

After such a landslide victory for the CPP, the Most High One would stir the hearts of all bewildered by the victory to ask, albeit ignorantly, what God do you people of the CPP serve??, so they would be told the true name, Yahuwah Elohiym, and that of HaBen (The Son), Yahushua HaMashakhYahu (The Anointed One of Yahuwah; and not Masayah or even Messiah!), in attributing their victory to Them!!

The crowning of all the effort of making the entire Earth know this true name of the Most High One and HaBen would have come at the swearing of the Presidential Oath on the constitutionally scheduled date of January 7, 2017 for the investiture of the Fifth President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, when the whole Earth would have resonated with the words: I, Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, do in the name of the Almighty Elohiym swear . . . So help me Elohiym!

That would have been the greatest and most powerful oath ever sworn in Ghana, and in the world at large; and would thus have been the biggest news ever coming out of Ghana to the entire Earth!!

Now, since Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet and the CPP leadership were ignorant of all these plans of the Most High One for their political fortunes, and so did not direct their hearts in pursuit of them even after Yahuwah Elohiym had waited on them for a good while, He decided to look beyond the CPP to see if he would find a man to use in His plan of rebuilding the broken walls of Ghana.

So then, when Yahuwah Elohiym could no more continue to wait indefinitely for the CPP to come to terms with their spiritual advantages that had been lined up to favor them over all others in the election, and to take hold of them, He started looking beyond the CPP and outside the group of the four Presidential Candidates initially qualified by the EC to stand for the 2016 Elections for a replacement!!

This brought into focus the Presidential Candidate of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), who was aided by Him to win a court case against the EC challenging his disqualification from the Presidential race, thus reentering the race for President! This must have been an obvious spiritual replacement of the CPP Presidential Candidate from the celebration of victory, by all and sundry nationwide, when justice was seen to have been done the PPP in its suit against the EC, and from the better performance chalked by the PPP over the CPP in the elections!!

By the outcome at the 2016 Presidential polls, it is obvious that the CPP Presidential Candidate was moved from his first position (spiritually signifying the winning/winners slot??) as per the arrangement on the ballot paper, to the fourth position, and thus was completely outclassed by the PPP Presidential Candidate, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduomthe Pir Papa Preko man and Adwumawura of Edina in the Central Regin of Ghana!!

Perhaps, in coming articles of this column, I will shed light on why the fortunes of the PPP hit such a rock bottom low as exemplified by the poll results of the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections of Ghana; and possibly also on the NDC, the Peoples National Convention (PNC), and others.

Until then, however, let me say it now that at one point in time, just as political campaigns were about to be brought to an end, the ultimate winner and the first and second runners-up were perceived by me to be neck-to-neck in the spiritual rankings of Yahuwah Elohiymfor, none of them knew and kept the ways of Yahuwah Elohiym so as to be deemed His choice for President, His beloved or His anointed!!

What then enabled the winner of the 2016 Presidential Election of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to outsprint the other two to emerge as the winner of the poll may be found in an email I sent, as far back as July 18, 2013, to a childhood friend of mine about a dream I dreamed twice in one night in the same month of July 2013, the details of which email I may reveal to my dear readers someday!!

In all of this, someone may ask to know: If the Most High One wanted the CPP to win the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections of Ghana, and thus laid out all the coincidences of a double Jubilee Year and further made an announcement of these jubilee years on Yom Kippur of October 11, 2016, as taught in this article and all calculated to inure to the electoral fortunes of the CPP, then why at all did the party lose the Presidency or why did it perform so abysmally at the polls??. Well, the answer to this is very simple.

Part IV

You see, in all affairs of men on Earth, the Most High One comes in or acts in a mans favor ONLY when He is invited!! This is so, simply because when it comes to exercising dominion and rule on Earth, it is man who is fully in charge and must do so; and so, without being invited into the affairs of man, the Most High One is deemed an intruder or gate crasher if He comes into them at His will!!

So then, contrary to the popular thought that the Most High One can do all things, He is only seen as All Mighty on Earth by men ONLY when a man (or group of men in one mind) invites Him into the situation at hand, either verbally in prayer or by his (or their) actions! In Shamayim (Heaven?) where the Most High One dwells, however, the Most High One can do anything and everything He wishes there because He is fully in charge of and over all that exist and happen since they are all according to His will and to His Glory all the time! On Earth, the will of the Most High One must be drawn down into any situation by someone (or some people) requesting His intervention before He does so, in order for His Glory to be seen!!

When the Savior was on Earth and a tempest arose at sea attempting to sink the boat in which he was taking a nap in the company of his talmidim (disciples??) who were also aboard the boat, he scolded them when they woke him up for not having the wisdom and faith to either take charge as the representatives of Elohiym on Earth to command the storm to be still or to invite his Av (Father) in Shamayim into their situation to calm the storm on their behalvescf. Marqos (Mark??) 4:35-44 and Lukas (Luke??) 8:22-25!!

At another time when the Savior met a crippled man at the pool of Beit Khessed (Bethesda??), who had been there for a very long while desiring healing, he asked the cripple if he really wanted to be healed of his disability.

This is in the scriptures of YahuKhanan (John??) 5:1-9; and all that the Savior meant to teach him was that since he himself (the cripple) could not command healing into his crippled legs, he ought to have invited or drawn down the power and glory of the Most High One from Shamayim to Earth and into his condition through a prayer of faith in Him in order to have the healing he wanted, instead of waiting thirty eight long years for that one way to healing when the Most High One was willing and ready to heal him even on the first day of those years of waiting!!

Again, even though it was the will of Yahuwah Elohiym to have Yahushua heal people of every manner of disease and thus sent him to Earth, if people never invited Him and or His son into their situation, neither of them (Yahuwah Elohiym or Yahushua) could act by themselves to heal them! Remember the sad situation that occurred in the Saviors home country when the sick could not be healed simply because they did not invite any of them into their conditioncf. Marqos (Mark??) 6:1-6!!

In all of these situations, ignorance about the will and ways of the Most High One and how and when He acts was the bane of the people who needed His intervention in their lives! However, for those who truly know all about the will, ways and actions of the Most High One, and draw on them in a prayer in faith, they are able to do and achieve exploitscf. DaniEl (Daniel) 11:32!!

So then, concerning the affairs of the CPP in the 2016 Presidential/Parliamentary elections this was one clear example of My people are destroyed for lack of knowledgecf. Hosea 4:6; but did anyone in the CPP not know of any of this?? Well, I can confidently say that at least one person did!

In fact, if no one in the CPP knew of the aforesaid issues before the date of the elections, it would be absolutely unnecessary talking about them now since nothing would be learned from this by anybody! Besides, any talk about these issues now would simply be tantamount to locking up the stable after the horse has been left to bolt away!!

So then, let me say, dear reader, just for your information that even as I never considered myself the special spiritual consultant of Yahuwah Elohiym I described in this article, who I believe could have blessed the efforts of the CPP with spiritual guidance to win the polls, I made efforts to be in touch with the party with the issues raised here and, happily, managed to make one physical contact with the Flag Bearer!

Our meeting was at the studios of Viasat 1 in Accra where Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet was guest of Bernard Avle on The Ghana Report political talk show on October 17, 2016, which ended at 22:00 hrs GMT.

At a rather brief interaction late that night, I gave Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet a gist of much of what I have stated in this article and we agreed that I send an email giving fuller details of my interpretations or understanding of the scriptures! Happily, for the love of the Creator and of country, I was able to send him a comprehensive email on October 19, 2016.

On October 20, 2016, I received a reply from Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet promising we would meet not long from that date! Well, after waiting till November 03, 2016, I sent him an email, still reminding him of his promise to meet with me but never received a reply to it, thus ending our short relationship!!

Now, after all the election battles have been fought and won by only one winner, we shall in a few days time, witness His Excellency President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo swear his Oath of Office as the Fifth President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana and I do hope he does so with the words, I, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo do in the name of the Almighty Elohiym swear . . . So help me Elohiymthe first time ever that any Goyim leader would swear by the true name, Elohiym, of the Most High One; and my oh my, a contemporary Ghanaian at that!!

For, this is the ultimate in all the intentions of the Most High One concerning Ghana in the 2016 Presidential/Parliamentary Electionsto have His true name (Elohiym) made known and drawn into the spiritual psyche and life of every Ghanaian!!

You see, the real change the world so urgently needs is one that will correct and take mankind from the error and deception in God to Elohiym, from Jesus to Yahushua, and from Holy Ghost/Spirit to Ruwakh HaQuodesh!! For, the only true Change Managers in the universe are the Father and His SonYahuwah Elohiym and Yahushua HaMashakhYahuwho, working as one by the combined power of Ruwakh HaQuodesh in them, make a holy change possible in anyone and in every situation!

So then, all, like His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Afufo-Addo who has pledged to bring Positive Change to his countrymen, must begin and head this wayof Elohiym, Yahushua and Ruwakh HaQuodeshif whatever holy change that is desired by any people is to become real, lasting, sweet and blessed!

I pray His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Addo-Akufo-Addo himself gets onto this special way of and to Positive Change by swearing his Oath of Office in pledge to the name Elohiym; and that he resolves to lead all the citizenry in and by this name by first showing his intent to do so through the Presidential Oath he swears to Ghanaians, in accordance with The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana on January 7, 2017!

For, swearing the Presidential Oath by Elohiym, the true name of the Creator and Supreme Commander of the Universe, is the ONLY way and means by which the true Spirit of the Creator may be invoked upon the citizenry, and the entire Republic, to grant us the peace and prosperity we so much yearn for and deserve.

Shalawam!

PS: Should readers of this and any of my articles have serious questions or suggestions, they may contact me via e-mail by clicking on Contact on the Home Page of my website, http://sbprabooks.com/BongleBapuohyele You may also want to purchase a copy of my bookBeware of This False Doctrine: Of Reciting the Sinners' Prayer for Salvationvia the same web address so, together, we walk the narrow way to the presence of Elohiym. Shalawam aleikhem!
Having just got out of bed with intent to write about either the uncompleted but ongoing Kumawu hospital with all its attendant infrastructural defects and, or an advice to the Chief Justice, Mrs Theodora Georgina Wood, I miraculously chanced upon a publication on Ghanaweb titled, Lets be thankful to Mahama  Akufo-Addo to Ghanaians under their General News of Saturday, 31 December 2016.

The web link below takes any interested public reader to the full story.

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Let-s-be-thankful-to-Mahama-Akufo-Addo-to-Ghanaians-497880

I decided to suspend the other write-ups as aforementioned but to quickly publish my agreements and disagreements with President-elect Nana Akufo Addo on his views about the Outgoing President Mahama with regard to his peaceful concession to defeat after the results of the presidential Election 2016 unfolded to the greatest dismay and shock to the NDC with President Mahama inclusive, but to the overwhelming joy and expectation of the greater majority of discerning and economically-suffering Ghanaians.

Ghanaians had massively prayed for, campaigned for, and voted for a change of government from President Mahama and NDC to Nana Akufo Addo and NPP. I was on the ground and could give a first witness or eye account to what went on in Ghana before, during and after the Election Day (Wednesday 7 December 2016). The public euphoria to VOTE OUT President Mahama and his publicly obvious corrupt, incompetent, clueless and insulting government was beyond any reasonable persons gumption.

Ghanaians in their overwhelming numbers could no longer have President Mahama and NDC remain in office for even a single day going beyond 7 January 2017 hence the difference in both the parliamentary and presidential election results as seen in favour of Nana Akufo Addo and the NPP.

Therefore, President Mahama had, and has, no choice to resist the publics practically-expressed wish through the ballot, using their thumps power (kokromoti power) to send him fleeing the presidency. How could he have proved stubborn saying he was not going to concede defeat as former President Rawlings was once noted to be doing until prevailed upon and cajoled by international leaders and presidents to hand over power to then incoming or President-elect John Agyekum Kufuor? Rawlings was only behaving a fool since his two-term constitutional mandate had come to an end. He only feared about the skeletons in his closet knowing how he had wrongly maltreated or killed many innocent Ghanaians he perceived to be his political rivals, the usual stupid African politicians mentality of exterminating their political opponents to rather remain in office for good.

I know the voted against President Yayha Jammeh of Gambia, as stupid, assassin and undemocratic a leader as he is, is now refusing to concede defeat, reneging on his earlier concession of defeat to, and congratulatory message to Gambias president-elect Adama Barrow.

This attitude of fools like Yayha Jammeh should not move President-elect Nana Akufo Addo to praise the Outgoing President Mahama for showing a sense of majority by peacefully accepting his defeat and peacefully arranging to exit power. He had no choice but to do so. Did the special voters comprising the security forces, army and police and the media and other essential services workers not vote massively against him? Did the majority of Ghanaians not vote against him? Where then was his chance of succeeding if he had stupidly put up any resistance of refusing to hand over power?

Going back to the Gambian issue, President Yayha Jammeh risks being whisked to incarceration for the rest of his life by the new and ongoing world order as had happened to Charles Taylor of Liberia, former President Gbagbo of Ivory Coast and the capture, prosecution, imprisonment and death of then Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and his accomplice Radovan Karadzic charged with war crimes against humanity.

I shall neither condemn nor disagree totally with President-elect Nana Akufo Addo for praising Outgoing President Mahama for conforming to what is his obligatory duty of handing over power without having any second option unless he wanted to be treated in the same manner in the end like what happened to President Gbagbo and others.

Africans and Ghanaians especially, should learn not to praise stupid African leaders who reluctantly in the end yield in to pressure to do what is expected of them. Once you genuinely lose general elections, it is your civic duty and obligation to hand over power peacefully without resorting to any silly antics where you have to be diplomatically persuaded to perform what is required of you. I have no stomach for such stupid African behaviour or mentality.

President Mahama is a good riddance for Ghana, as corrupt, tribalist, incompetent and lawless as he was.

He does not deserve any praise for conceding to defeat unless he wanted to go to prison for the rest of his life like his other incumbent but clearly foolish colleague-Presidents as mentioned above.

Rockson Adofo

(Written on Saturday 31 December 2016)
The Outgoing President Mahama and his government among their purportedly numerous infrastructural developments across the length and breadth of Ghana most of which turned out to be complete farce, started constructing buildings for an intended new government hospital or polyclinic in Kumawu in the Ashanti region. This is a good idea and credible initiative by an otherwise most corrupt and incompetent President in the annals of Ghanas politics.

From a reliable information that reached me while I was in Ghana but time not being on my side to proceed to Kumawu to conduct investigations into the allegation, the hospital buildings are structurally defective right from their foundational levels.

The bible even acknowledges that any house built on sand but not on solid rock, will not be able to withstand the tempest when the wind blows but it will collapse; falling flat on to the ground.

What then is the problem, or are the problems, associated with the ongoing construction of the Kumawu hospital buildings? From the information carried to me by one of my reliable if not the most reliable confidant in Ghana, all the exterior walls of the buildings except probably the only one storey building among them, are built with shockingly low cost and completely substandard material never used anywhere in the construction of office/public blocks let alone, hospital buildings, where all sorts of patients of varied degrees of illnesses would attend for treatment. Some patients can be calm and amenable, others can be violent and destructive.

The exterior walls are all understood to be built with that type of foam protection but jet-sprayed with cement on both sides. These materials are those used to protect delicate objects like mirrors, computers and all other expensive furniture from damages during packaging, transport and delivery to their final destinations and purchasers.

Foam Protection: Kite Packaging stock a wide range of foam products to protect and cushion your goods ready for storage or shipping. From foam rolls, foam corner protectors and pre-lined foam boxes, we can provide all the foam protection products you require to safely package your goods. This little quoted explanation may point readers to what I mean as the material being used to construct the exterior walls of the Kumawu hospital buildings. Any aggressive or violent patient can give the wall a fist or foot knock and there will be seen a visibly gaping hole through the wall.

Such materials like plaster boards and what is being used presently for the exterior walls as mentioned can only be used for the internal partition walls but not the external walls that require solid materials in the form of cement blocks, bricks or concretes. Being an electrician with knowledge of construction works and other aspects of European structural building requirements, what is going on at Kumawu hospital if they are truly as communicated to me is absurdity and financial loss to the State at its highest.

The contractors, the architects and those who awarded the contract must be investigated and prosecuted if it turns out that the exterior walls of the hospital walls were, or have been, built with foams jet-sprayed with cement or cement pellets. Building exterior walls of hospitals in that manner does not conform to international or national standards. I am not talking about fence walls around the entire hospital facility but the actual individual exterior building walls.

Kumawu does not lie in the path of periodical cyclone/hurricane like in certain parts of America where buildings are built with wood to prevent major destruction to human lives when the yearly destructive hurricane or cyclone hits.

I was told a similar hospital has been built in either the Volta region or the Krobo area of the Eastern region which I am not certain of. Could all these be investigated and any such ongoing works stopped temporarily pending further investigations? Cement jet-sprayed foams should never be used to build exterior walls of hospitals anywhere in Ghana.

Manufactured concrete slabs can be assembled to put up houses and can equally be dismantled as and when the occasion arises. I could see such houses built in Lagos in the Ipaja-Idimu estate areas during the early 1980s. I can still see pre-fabricated concrete slabs used to build multi-storey office and housing accommodation floor-partitioning in Europe.

How can I call myself a proud son of Kumawu or Asiampa or Ghana if the good things I learn abroad are not made available to my country and people of Ghana to benefit from? I am not selfish, greedy, and would not want people to kowtow to me before drinking freely from my overflowing fountain of wisdom hence always socialising with people regardless of their status and also sharing my views in the public domain for whosoever want to benefit from them.

Stay tuned for more info from the proud son of Kumawu and Juaben-Asiampa. Could all my fans and the public help me carry my big thank you to Julie and her sons and daughter for looking after me, feeding me, and constantly contacting me on the phone to check on my health as I was not at all well when I went to Ghana to campaign for Nana Akufo Addo and NPP to come to power. They are in my good books and I pray God Almighty richly blesses them and replenishes whatever they might have lost on me - kindness, finances, time and energy. Amen.

They made my short stay in Ghana very enjoyable. I also remember the good things done to me by Kofi Basoah; sorting out my laptop for me and always being on my side to assist as and when I saw it fit. Kwaku Osei, Joe Diggie, Joyce, Theresa, Oliver et al were all great to me. What about my two Saviour Church of Ghana spiritual prophets? They did a marvellous job that I shall never forget. I say, God bless both of you and continue to shower His abundant mercies and blessings upon you.

As promised, and as long as God Almighty grants me safety and protection and long good health, the Kumawu chieftaincy case is next on my agenda until justice is done to the people of Kumawuman. There is no two ways about me not fulfilling this resolute determination of mine.

Rockson Adofo

(Written on Saturday 31 December 2016)
31.12.2016 LISTEN

Dear President-Elect Nana Addo

Safe Democracy Ghana welcomes you again for the second time. The first congratulation we offered you was in a Press Release published by Modern Ghana online on 20th October 2014 when you won the ticket as the standard bearer of the New Patriotic Party. We told you in that Press Release what was desired of you.

Now that you are the President of Ghana on November 7, we continue to appeal to you in person as the President of Ghana, the initiator of all bills and Acts of Parliament under this dispensation that, the 1992 Constitution is fraught with anomalies that requires political will and determination to correct; such that mother Ghana shall not be scourged with irate poverty as a result of the constitution under which we live.

We congratulate you once again and welcome you to the seat of the Presidency of the Republic of Ghana where the President of Ghana under Article 57 of the 1992 Constitution is the;

Head of State Head of Government and Chief Executive Officer of Ghana under Article 58 of the 1992 Constitution and; Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces

Articles 57 and 78 of the 1992 Constitution are straight forward anomalies under a State without a countervailing authority to challenge government ineptness, hence hasty, unwise and proscriptive laws being imposed on us since the inception of the 1992 Constitution.

Nana, the National Democratic Congress that signed the 1992 Constitution and admitted it into law saw the incompatibility it bore with our social norms, the irregularities of the Constitution pari-passu other constitutions of the world and caused the creation of the Constitution Review Commission with controlled terms of reference to cause to amend some sections of the Constitution 1992, a window dressing couture move.

Under President John Atta Mills (late) administration, a Constitution Review Commission was commissioned under Article 278 which was challenged in the Supreme Court because per the term of reference of the Constitution Article 289, the Parliament of Ghana has that capacity to initiate constitutional amendment. The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the government and by extension started a review exercise under its terms of reference, under President Mahama, a White Paper on the Constitution Review Exercise was issued. Both President Mills and President Mahama share the same opinion of social democrats and they did nothing good but limited the mandate and terms of reference of the Constitution Review Commission to the precepts of the Consultative Assembly which flagrantly comatose the purpose of the team of experts framers of the constitution and thereby forced a weak but exorbitant political governance scheme imbued with chaotic, hazardous and intrepid political arrogance that stirs ethnocentric sentiments and consequently have negative effects on Ghanas economy.

The Constitution 1992 has no characteristics of USA and UK democratic systems so much trumpeted by its proponents. What we have is a de facto Zambian Constitution and similarly France 1958 Constitution where the President is elected on the basis of more than fifty percent valid votes cast in his favour. Even then, the President of France is not the head of government; he is the Head of State and regardless of his party affiliations, he shall ceremoniously appoint the leader of the majority political party in the National Assembly as the Prime Minister. The government of France is constituted from the National Assembly.

No wonder, only 43 percent adult suffrage Ghanaians voted the 1992 Constitution into law against 56 percent contrary to the spirit of the law under Article 63.3 that calls for absolute majority win for a Presidential Candidate, a position akin to our natural laws as assigned to the head of the families.

Ironically Article 63 that generates and produces Article 57 is very contentious and the root cause of extreme corruption in this republic. It paves the way for inexplicable patronage sustained on the platform of Article 55.3. These are the bane of Ghanas democracy and constitutionality and we must fast resolve it not to lose our democracy before it becomes too late Jeremiah John Rawlings President of Ghana (1992-2000) on the eve of 31st December Celebration 2015.

We must create the political will and enabling posture to combat it through rigorous and forceful amendments where the National House of Chiefs shall elect from among them the President of Ghana whilst political parties in their Primaries shall elect their presumptive standard bearer and on their win of absolute majority in parliament, he assumes becoming the head of government appointed by the President of Ghana. Where a political party does not make a majority in parliament, they shall form coalition to obtain the absolute majority, hence democratic evolution and mass participation in decision making affecting majority of the people of Ghana.

The contest to win to occupy the office of the President of Ghana under the current dispensation is very strenuous, heinous, and cumbersome which it must not. Safe Democracy Ghana confidently repeats that, it is tenuous the people of Ghana are dolefully grilled to elect a person on the basis of more than 50% valid votes cast under Article 63 of the 1992 Constitution and adorn the person the powers to form government, then becomes the head of government himself under a single chamber parliament where he appoints majority of his ministers.

The conglomeration of these portfolios (the head of state, head of government and commander in chief of the Ghana Armed forces) in the hands of one person elected on a partisan political platform is mischief and an affront to mother Ghana where culture and traditions of the people is dignified and held high esteem.

All persons living in Ghana, including politicians, identify with and acknowledged chieftaincy institutions as an astute and indispensable institution of repute that cannot be ignored when it comes to social affairs and local government administration.

Surely it is great disservice to the people of Ghana and an affront to our culture and tradition not to have married, polished and made elegant our culture and traditions as the cornerstone and epitome of our constitution by having to admit into actions and practices, the spirits of Article 39 (1-4) contained in the directive principles of State Policy of the 1992 Constitution.

The Consultative Assembly I beg to differ with, run away from the true interpretation, translating and transmitting into the body politic, body language of the constitution the concept in the directive principle of State Policy contained under Article 39 of the 1992 Constitution to give grounds to our culture and tradition to hold sway in our political actions of elections and political administration.

Again Ghana, a nation that prides itself with its cultural heritage, Chieftaincy Institutions, natural hospitality that has long preceded Ghanas independence and all governments and Constitutions Ghana has ever seen including the Constitution 1992, must play a bigger role than the limited mandate provisioned under the 1992 Constitution and Act 758 (2000) such that our standard of living may improve.

It is upright, just and passable for reconsidering the chieftaincy institution guaranteed under Article 270 of the 1992 Constitution that, it merits holding the highest political office in Ghana; Ceremonial Presidency like our counterparts the Malaysians that the members of the National House of Chiefs shall elect from among them, the Head of State of Ghana.

This best translate Articles 39 and 276 of the 1992 Constitution and in their Ceremonial gown, power is demystified into cultural platinum for the invitation of tourist round the globe to see how Africans and for that matter mother Ghana thinks of political power when our festivities are redesigned in a Ceremonial form of transferring power from one traditional ruler to the other.

Indirect elections of persons managing the affairs of a nation are the accepted norm everywhere in the Western World democracies and it is Ghanaian because our chiefs are indirectly elected.

Australia, Canada, South Africa, Germany, United Kingdom, Denmark, Netherlands, Israel, India and the United States electoral scheme of electing their Presidents are akin to the Ghanaian cultural system of how our Chiefs and Kings are selected and made. This is also very true of the 1957, 1960 and 1969 Constitutions of Ghana where heads of governments were indirectly elected.

The reasons indirect elections are better-off and for that matter the United States Electoral College as Alexander Hamilton posit are that The Constitution is designed to ensure that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications. The point of the Electoral College is to preserve the sense of the people, while at the same time ensuring that a president is chosen by men most capable of analyzing the qualities adapted to the station, and acting under circumstances favourable to deliberation, and to a judicious combination of all the reasons and inducements which were proper to govern their choice. - Alexander Hamilton in the Federalist Papers No 10

Indirect elections of managers of Ghanas economy would yield great positive result, salvaged and save the good people of Ghana from exhaustive electioneering trauma, turbulent campaign idiosyncrasies and save millions of campaign fund directed into electing one person who becomes the President of Ghana.

In fact considering better alternatives available to this laborious electoral scheme under Article 63.3, Ghanaians must join hands with us to eschew stressful stretch and impudence of electoral malfeasance we have burdened ourselves with and suffered from since the inception of the constitution 1992. We must opt for indirect elections of our heads of governments and heads of state like it is done in other democracies.

The direct election exercise of the President of Ghana as it is under Article 63, is money consuming with inflates of higher economic burdens that finally becomes the burden of the lone citizen whose daily bread matters in an evolving democracy. The exercise further invokes the spirit of divisions of people once identified with a slogan that one people, one nation with common destiny. The trauma of ethnocentric remarks that polarized situations that affects investors conscience is the one damning blows our electoral system has carved for us with an intention to throw us into absolute disarray, confusion and tyranny.

As a result developed democracies, including the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, India and Japan eschew direct elections of persons who shall manage their economics for them  their Presidents and Prime Ministers.

It must be noted that, the President of France who is elected on absolute majority win like we do in Ghana here, is never the head of government of France. He is the head of State of France.

Arguably, we would desire that political will must include the will to engage in devolution of power and consider the President of the National House of Chiefs the Ceremonial President of Ghana who shall be elected by the National House of Chiefs as it stands today.

The government of Ghana would then make economic and social decisions affecting the people of Ghana and could do better as the government is of the absolute majority in Parliament.

Munir Saani
Court adjourns sine die review by Prophet Jehu-Appiah

Accra, Jan. 19, GNA - The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned sine die a review of judgment by Prophet Miritaiah Jonah Jehu-Appiah of the Musama Disco Christo Church (MDCC) against his removal as Head of the Church (Akaboha III).

The review of judgment by the Supreme Court was filed after the Supreme Court had a five-zero ruling on November 11, 2015 unanimously dismissing an appeal filed by Prophet Jehu-Appiah against his removal as Akaboha and Head Prophet of the MDCC.

Three justices sacked for stated misbehaviour

Accra, Jan 20, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama has directed the removal of Justice John Ajet Nassam and Justice Ernest Obimpeh as Justices of the High Court on grounds of stated misbehaviour.

Their indictment follows President Mahama's acceptance of the recommendations of a Five-Member Impeachment Committee, chaired by a Justice of the Supreme Court that investigated their conduct in accordance with article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.

Police Administration to support anti-crime campaign

Accra, Feb. 3, GNA - The Inspector General of Police, John Kudalor, says the Police will collaborate with Mr Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, Ambassador Extraordinaire of Prisons, in his effort to sensitise the public on the consequences of crime through prison documentaries.

He said the initiative would greatly complement efforts of the police in the fight against crime in the country.

Supreme Court dismisses Justice Dery's suit

Accra, Feb. 4, GNA - A five-member panel of the Supreme Court has dismissed Justice Paul Dery's suit which sought to declare as null and void the proceedings instituted by the Chief Justice to investigate an alleged bribery scandal by some judges of the High Court.

The panel, chaired by Justice Julius Ansah, stated that irrespective of the fact that Tiger Eye PI erred under Article 146 Clause 8 of the 1992 Constitution, by publishing the case, it does not in any way affect the process of enquiry into the petition.

Metro Mass Transit Company sued

Accra, Mar. 9, GNA - Mr Osman Alhassan, owner of the truck that collided with a Metro Mass bus on February 17 at Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo Region, has filed a suit at an Accra High Court against the Metro Mass Transit Company Limited for causing damages to its truck.

The suit, signed on March 2, stated that the truck with registration number AS 1544-16 was torn to pieces destroying all 144 cartons of tomatoes and other goods on board.

Three South African ex-police officers granted bail

Accra, March 25, GNA - An Accra circuit court has granted bail in the sum of GH20,000.00 to the three South African ex-police officers who were arrested on Sunday by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).

Major Ahmed Shaik Hazis (Rtd), 54; Warrant Officer Denver Dwayhe, 33, and Captain Mlungiseli Jokani, 45, were arrested for training private security personnel for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, and his running mate Dr Mahamadu Bawumia.

Judge expresses worry over delay of Afoko's trial

Accra, April 12, GNA - The Human Rights Court hearing the suit filed by Paul Afoko, suspended New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, challenging his suspension by the party, says undue delay of the trial could be detrimental to his rights.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Anthony Yeboah, cautioned both parties in the case and said the suit was about the human rights of an individual and, therefore, should not be unduly delayed.

Trial of Afoko's suit against the NPP starts

Accra, April 14, GNA - The Accra Human Rights Court hearing the suit filed by Paul Afoko, the suspended New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, challenging his suspension by the party, has set May 9 for trial on the suit to begin.

The court presided over by Justice Anthony Yeboah adjourned the case after the pre-trial where evidence that were not of any relevance to the case were expunged.

Supreme Court adjourns review case involving Akaboha

Accra, April 14, GNA - The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned the case in which Prophet Miritaiah Jonah Jehu-Appiah of the Musama Disco Christo Church (MDCC) is seeking a review of the judgment upholding his removal as Head of the Church.

When the case was called the court registrar announced that the case had been adjourned to April 28.

Supreme Court adjourns indefinitely Mosama case

Accra, April 29, GNA - The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned the case in which Prophet Miritaiah Jonah Jehu-Appiah of the Musama Disco Christo Church (MDCC) is seeking a review of the judgment upholding his removal as Head of the Church.

The court adjourned the case when it was called, saying one of the judges on the panel had taken ill and as such the case could not be heard.

Afoko gives evidence against NPP

Accra, May 9, GNA - Mr Paul Afoko, the suspended New Patriotic Party Chairman, on Monday gave his evidence in chief in the suit he filed challenging his suspension by the party, at an Accra Human Rights Court.

He told the court that he knew the defendants in the case, the NPP, as a registered political party in Ghana and Mr Freddy Blay as the first Vice Chairman of the party, adding that he had a relationship with the NPP as the elected National Chairman.

Defence counsel in Afoko case continues cross examination

Accra, May 13, GNA - Mr Paul Afoko, the suspended New Patriotic Party Chairman, has told an Accra Human Rights Court that he was not aware of Mrs Gifty Kusi's appointment as member of the National Council until he appealed to the court challenging his suspension.

He said the first time he saw her appointment letter was when the case had started, saying; "the reason why it was part of my appeal was because my lawyers told me about her presence on the panel".

Amoateng's judgement set for July 5

Accra, May 16, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court, has set July 5 for judgement in the case in which Eric Amoateng, a former Member of Parliament for Nkoranza North, is alleged to have forged a Ghanaian passport.

The case was adjourned to July 5.by the court presided over by Madam Ellen Amoah as counsel for the accused was yet to file his address and asked him to do so before the next adjourned date.

Court adjourns Afoko trial to June 1

Accra, May 18, GNA - Mr Paul Afoko, the suspended New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, has told an Accra Human Rights Court that appointment of all standing committees of the National Council (NC) is done by the Council.

He said it is not stated explicitly in the constitution but the Disciplinary Committee is the one that has its membership from various bodies.

Supreme Court dismisses Justice Dery's suit

Accra, May 26, GNA - The Supreme Court on Thursday in an unanimous decision dismissed the case in which two judges implicated in the judicial bribery scandal are challenging the Judicial Council for withholding their full salaries.

The two, Justice Paul Uuter Dery and Justice Gilbert Ayisi Addo, sued the Judicial Council, the Chief Justice and four other institutions for serving them notices to slash their salaries by half and also suspend payment of their allowances with the exception of rent allowances.

Ambassador of Prisons pleads for 72-year-old Prisoner

Accra, June 6, GNA - Mr Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng Ambassador Extraordinaire of Prisons, has urged the Attorney General (AG) to reconsider the case of a 72 year- old man, Emmanuel Tetteh.

Mr Tetteh was allegedly implicated in a murder case, a crime he claimed he knew nothing about and has since been in Prison custody since 1987.

MP seeks review of Supreme Court Ruling

Accra, June 7, GNA - Nii Armah Ashietey, Member of Parliament for the Klottey Korley constituency, has filed an application for judicial review of the Supreme Court's ruling stopping the hearing of his case at the High Court.

At the last sitting the Supreme Court ruled that an Accra High Court erred in law when it went ahead to interpret Article 94 (1) (a) in the case involving Dr Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings and Nii Ashietey.

Court adjourns DKM case to July 7

Accra, June 9, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court hearing the case involving the four Micro Finance Operators, on Thursday adjourned the case to July 7.

The case was adjourned to enable the prosecution have enough time for their investigations following the report that more people have lodged complaints against them.

Ex-GREDA Boss gets two years for SIM box fraud

Accra, June 9, GNA - Former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Real Estates Developers Association (GREDA), Dr Alex Tweneboah has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for engaging in SIM box fraud.

The Financial and Tax Court presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe further ordered him to pay a penalty of GHa 24,000.00, or in default serve an additional four months in prison.

Martin Kpebu gives evidence in Afoko case

Accra, June 13, GNA - Mr Martin Kpebu, a Legal Practitioner, has appeared before the Accra Human Rights Court hearing the suit filed by Mr Paul Afoko, challenging his suspension by the party, as the first prosecution witness.

The counsel for Mr Afoko presented Mr Kpebu as his first prosecution witness to give his evidence.

Afoko's case set for June 28

Accra, June 14, GNA - A High Court hearing the case involving Mr. Gregory Afoko, has set June 28, for commencement of trial.

The court set the date after the prosecution led by Mr Matthew Amponsah, Chief State Attorney pleaded for ample time to be able to coordinate and bring down all the witnesses from the Northern Region.

Court sets June 28 for hearing in Gregory Afoko's case

Accra, June 14, GNA - The Accra Criminal High Court hearing the case involving Mr. Gregory Afoko, has set June 28, for commencement of trial.

The court set the date after the prosecution led by Mr Matthew Amponsah Chief State Attorney pleaded with the court to give them ample time to be able to coordinate and bring down all their witnesses from the Northern Region.

S.C. dismisses Nii Ashietey's review motion

Accra, June 15, GNA - The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a review motion filed by Nii Armah Ashitey, the incumbent Member of Parliament for the Klottey Korley Constituency.

Nii Ashietey is contesting the eligibility of the party's parliamentary nominee for the constituency, Dr Zanetor Rawlings and at the last adjourned date, filed an application for judicial review of the Supreme Court's ruling stopping the hearing of the case at the High Court.

I am not interested in the matter - Justice Yeboah

Accra, June 16, GNA - Justice Anthony Yeboah, the presiding Judge, hearing the suit filed by Mr Paul Afoko, challenging his suspension by the party on Wednesday said he had no interest in the case.

He said he is handling the case to the best of his ability, mindful of the fact that whoever looses could go for an appeal.

Our next witness is unavailable - Osafo Boabeng

Accra, June 16, GNA - Mr Osafo Boabeng, the Counsel for Mr Paul Afoko, in a case filed at the Accra Human Rights Court by Mr Paul Afoko, challenging his suspension by the party had told the court that their next witness was not available.

He said: 'our next witness is unavailable, and as such this marks the end of the plaintiff's case.'

Supreme Court throws out Musama Disco Christo case

Accra, June 16, GNA - The Supreme Court has struck out the case in which Prophet Miritaiah Jonah Jehu-Appiah of the Musama Disco Christo Church (MDCC) is seeking a review of the judgment upholding his removal as Head of the Church.

The court disposed off the application without liberty for the defendant applicant to return to court with the same matter.

Court adjourns J.B Murder's case

Accra, June 17, GNA - An Accra District Court hearing J.B Danquah Adu's Murder case has adjourned to July 4, for continuation.

The case was adjourned on the instance of the defence counsel, who was out of the jurisdiction.

Murder Trial-Afoko's motion for bail on June 24

Accra, June 21, GNA - A High Court hearing the case involving Mr. Gregory Afoko, has adjourned the case to June 24 to hear the motion for bail.

The court was set to hear the motion for bail, filed by the defence counsel after they withdrew two other motions filed earlier on May 16 and 19, at the last adjourned date.

Govt has no formal agreement on Gitmo detainees

Accra, June 22, GNA - The Acting Solicitor General, Mrs Helen Ziwu, has told the Supreme Court that there was no formal agreement between Ghana and the United States prior to the arrival of the two former Guantanamo Bay detainees in the country.

She said the only form of agreement was a "Note Verbale", which is a diplomatic communication between the two countries.

NPP opens defence in Afoko suit

Accra, June 24, GNA - The Defence Counsel, in a case filed at the Accra Human Rights Court by Mr Paul Afoko challenging his suspension by the party, on Friday opened its defence.

Most Rev. Dr Samuel Asante-Antwi, Chairman of the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was the first defence witness presented by the defence counsel.

Court dismisses Afoko's bail application

Accra, June 28, GNA - A High Court hearing the alleged case of murder involving Gregory Afoko on Tuesday dismissed an application for bail filed by the defence counsel.

The court presided by Justice L. L Mensah in ruling on the motion said the court took into consideration the nature and severity of the offence.

Help EC with NHIS registered voters - Supreme Court

Accra, June 30, GNA - The Supreme Court on Thursday said it was the shared responsibility of all to provide the Electoral Commission (EC) with names or people who registered with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards for deletion.

The five-member supreme court panel in the case in which the EC is being challenged over the validity of the current Voters' Register said: 'It is the EC that has the mandate per our orders to delete the names, but if amongst you anyone has lists of people who registered with the NHIS card then please make them available to them to make their work easier.'

Afoko wanted to settle with petitioners

Accra, July 4, GNA - Most Rev. Dr Samuel Asante-Antwi, the Chairman of the National Disciplinary Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), said lawyers for Mr Paul Afoko tried to engage petitioners to withdraw the case from the committee.

He told the Accra Human Rights Court that, the petitioners said the lawyers for the plaintiff were trying to discuss the withdrawal of the case but they refused.

Wisa absent from court, case adjourned

Accra, July 13, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court hearing the case involving Eugene Ashe, aka Wisa, an artiste accused of displaying his penis on stage, has adjourned the case to August 3.

The court adjourned the case because the accused person and his counsel were absent when the case was called.

Chief Justice swears-in 13 High Court Judges

Accra, July 16, GNA - The Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood on Friday sworn into office 13 High Court Judges at a ceremony in Accra.

They were made up of eight men and five women.

Dr Zenator cleared to contest the Klottey Korle seat

Accra, July 18, GNA - The Supreme Court on Monday cleared Dr Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings, the Klottey Korle National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary nominee, to contest for the seat.

The five-member panel presided over by Justice William Atuguba also directed the High Court to give a ruling in line with the determination by the Supreme Court.

S.C. convicts Montie FM for contempt

Accra, July. 18, GNA - The Supreme Court on Monday convicted two radio panelists and the host of a talk programme 'Pampaso' together with the directors of an Accra-based radio station, Montie FM.

The five-member panel presided over by Justices Sophia Akufo convicted the defendants of contempt for threatening or scandalising the court, defying and lowering the authority of the court, and bringing the authority of the court into disrepute.

Gregory Afoko's murder trial begins

Accra, July 19, GNA - Prosecution in the case involving Gregory Afoko, who is alleged to have murdered Mr Adams Mahama, the former New Patriotic Party Chairman of the Upper East Region, on Tuesday opened its case.

Lead by Mr Mathew Amponsah, Chief State Attorney the first prosecution witness in the person of Mrs Zainabu Adams, the wife of the late Mahama started giving her evidence in chief.

J. B's murder- court adjourns to August 5

Accra, July 19, GNA - An Accra District Court hearing J. B. Danquah Adu's murder case has adjourned the matter to August 5 due to the absence of both the prosecution and the defence counsel when the case was called on Tuesday.

Daniel, one of the accused persons, was seen holding and reading the Holy Bible, an act he was not seen doing when the court process started.

Court frees Amoateng over fake passport

Accra, July 26, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday acquitted and discharged Eric Amoateng, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkoranza North, who was alleged to have forged a Ghanaian passport.

The presiding Judge Ellen Amoah in delivering the judgment said the State failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused did anything untoward in acquiring the fake passport.

Court sets August 15 for Afoko's judgement

Accra, July 26, GNA - The Accra Human Rights Court hearing the suit filed by Paul Afoko, the suspended New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, challenging the decision, has set August 15 for judgment.

The court presided over by Justice Anthony Yeboah adjourned the case to August 15 after both parties told the court that they had filed their written addresses as directed at the last sitting.

Supreme Court jails Montie FM trio

Accra, July. 27, GNA - The Supreme Court on Wednesday sentenced the two radio panelists and the host of a talk programme 'Pampaso' on an Accra based radio station Montie Fm to four months' imprisonment each.

The three convicts were also asked to pay a fine of GH10,000.00 each or in default serve another one-month imprisonment.

Release Gitmo agreement-SC. orders AG

Accra, July 28, GNA - The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the Attorney-General to release the agreement between Ghana and the US Government with regard to the ex-Guantanamo Bay detainees currently in the country.

The Attorney General had earlier told the court that the agreement was confidential and any disclosure in public or open court would violate section 1 of the State Secrets Act 1962 (Act 101).

S.C dismisses Karpower suit

Accra, July 28, GNA - The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a suit filed by Dr Mark Assibey Yeboah member of Parliament (MP) for New Juabeng South praying the court to annul government's contract with Karpowership.

The five-member panel presided over by Justice Jones Dotse said by a unanimous decision the court had dismissed the case in its entirety.

C A dismisses NDC"s stay of proceedings

Accra, Aug. 2, GNA - The Court of Appeal has dismissed a motion for stay of proceedings pending appeal filled by the National Democratic Congress and Mr Fiifi Kwetey, the Member of Parliament for Ketu South.

The court also awarded GH100,000.00 cost against the applicants.

Court dismisses Paul Afoko's case

Accra, Aug. 15, GNA - An Accra Human Rights Court has dismissed a case filed by Mr Paul Afoko, the suspended National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party against his indefinite suspension by the party.

The court presided over by Justice Anthony Yeboah also upheld the suspension saying the process was lawful, fair and just.

Court adjourns Afoko trial to November 1

Accra, Oct. 19, GNA - The Accra High Court hearing the case involving, Gregory Afoko, who is alleged to have murdered Mr Adams Mahama, the former New Patriotic Party Chairman of the Upper East Region, on Tuesday adjourned the case.

The case was adjourned on the instance of the absence of a member of the jury and the interpreter.

Dr Amoako-Tuffour and others sue EC

Accra, Oct. 25, GNA - Dr Kwame Amoako-Tuffuor, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and two others have filed a suit at the Supreme Court to compel the Electoral Commission (EC) to announce results of special voting on the voting day.

The three including Benjamin Arthur and Adreba Abrefa Damoa argued in their writ that section 23 of C.I. 94, the law which regulates the conduct of the 2016 general elections, was inconsistent with Article 49 of the 1992 constitution.

Give parties copies of collation forms - S.C. orders EC

Accra, Oct 27, GNA - The Supreme Court has ordered the Electoral Commission (EC) to create a portion on the collation forms for all party agents including returning officers to append their signatures after results are collated.

The seven-member panel also asked the EC to make available to the candidates and their representatives copies of signed collated results forms for both parliamentary and presidential elections at the various collation centres.

Court adjourns APC suit

Accra, Oct 31, GNA - An Accra High Court hearing the case in which Mr Hassan Ayariga, flagbearer of the All People's Congress was challenging his disqualification to contest this year's presidential election, on Monday adjourned the matter to November 1, 2016.

The case was adjourned after both parties apologized to the court for not being able to file their statement of case on Friday, October 28, as directed by the court.

Court orders for medical report on Afoko

Accra, Nov. 1, GNA - The Accra High Court hearing the case involving, Gregory Afoko, who is alleged to have murdered Mr Adams Mahama, the former New Patriotic Party Chairman of the Upper East Region, on Tuesday ordered for a medical report of Mr Afoko.

The court ordered the medical director of the Prisons Service to furnish the court with the medical report of the accused person.

Court to rule on APC suit on Friday

Accra, Nov.1, GNA - The Accra High Court hearing the case between the All People's Congress (APC) and the Electoral Commission (EC), has set Friday, November 4, for the final ruling in the case.

The court set the date after it had sought for clarification from both counsels on the specific nomination period set by the EC.

Court to rule on PNC disqualification case on Nov 10

Accra, Nov. 4, GNA - The Accra High Court hearing the case between the People's National Convention (PNC) and the Electoral Commission (EC) has set November 10, for the final ruling in the case.

The court set the date after both parties informed the Court that, they had filed their statements of cases, supporting affidavits and other relevant documents and it gave them five minutes each to give their oral submission on their statement of cases filed earlier.

Supreme Court to decide on PPP/EC disqualification case

Accra, Nov. 4, GNA - The Supreme Court has fixed Monday, November 7, to decide on an application by the Electoral Commission (EC) challenging the judgement of the High Court that overturned the Commission's disqualification of Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom.

The EC had gone to the highest court of the land to seek clarity following the decision of the High Court quashing the Commission's decision to disqualify Dr Nduom, the Presidential Candidate of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), from the presidential race on December 7.

S C orders extension of nomination period

Accra, Nov 7, GNA - The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the Electoral Commission (EC) to extend 2016 Presidential Election nomination period to Tuesday November 8 for all disqualified Candidates.

The Supreme Court in unanimous decision also ordered the EC to give all political parties fair hearing to amend or correct mistakes on their nomination forms.

Special Voting verdict on Monday

Accra Nov. 9, GNA- The Supreme Court has fixed Monday November 14 to deliver judgement in the case in which the Electoral Commission (EC) was being compelled to announce results of Special Voting on the same day it was held.

The date was announced after parties in the matter namely the Electoral Commission, the Attorney and Dr Kwame Amoaku-Tuffuor and two others had filed their memorandum of issues agreed on.

Bishop Obinim and others in Court for beating minors

Accra Nov. 10, GNA - Bishop Daniel Obinim, founder of God's way International Church on Thursday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly assaulting two adopted children in the presence of his congregation.

Two other pastors Kingsley Baah and Solomon Abraham who were him in the dock have also been charged with abetment of crime.

Six members of Shai Traditional Council in court for contempt

Accra, Nov. 11, GNA - Six members of the Shai Traditional Council (STC) have been hauled before an Accra High Court over contempt application.

The members are said to have refused to confirm Odeopor Martey Kodjoe Awah IV, the Paramount Chief of the Shai Traditional Council, to the National House of Chiefs.

EC apologises to Supreme Court

Accra, Nov. 14, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) has apologized to the Supreme Court over the absence of any of the Commission members in court on November 9, when the writ to compel the EC to declare results on Special Voting commenced.

Mr Amadu Sulley, EC Deputy Chairman in Charge of Operations, who rendered the apology said: 'it was not intentional. We are sorry. My Lords, this would not happen again'.

EC can't declare Special Voting results ahead of Election Day

Accra, Nov. 14, GNA - The Supreme Court has ordered that the Electoral Commission (EC) cannot declare the results of the Special Voting to be cast on December 1, immediately after the polls.

'If the results of the Special Voting were declared on December 1, ahead of the general poll on December 7, the sanctity and secrecy surrounding the elections would gravely be prejudiced, and as well prejudice the electoral fairness,' the Supreme Court stated in a ruling in Accra on Monday.

Court dismisses suit against privatisation of ECG

Accra, Nov. 15, GNA - An High Court has dismissed an application by a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Saaka Salia, seeking an interlocutory injunction to halt the privatisation of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

Mr Salia sued the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), arguing that it lacked the capacity to act as adviser in the concession arrangement for the ECG because its conduct breached Ghana's laws after it authored and circulated a draft tariff methodology.

Supreme Court dismisses Ward-Brew's case against EC

Accra, Nov. 23, GNA - The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday dismissed a suit filed by the flag bearer of the Democratic People's Party (DPP), praying the court to order the Electoral Commission (EC) to postpone the December 7, elections.

Mr Thomas Nuako Ward-Brew, in his suit, argued that he was not in the country when the apex court offered all disqualified nominees a lifeline to correct mistakes on their nomination form.

Bishop Obinim, pastors narrowly escape bench warrant

Accra, Nov. 24, GNA - Bishop Daniel Obinim, Founder of God's Way International Church, on Thursday narrowly escaped the penalty of a bench warrant issued against him and two other pastors for failing to appear in court.

Not long had the bench warrant been issued than Obinim and his two accomplices appear in court with Mr Ralph Opoku Edusei, who represented the accused persons, apologising to the court for being late and attributing it to traffic.

Woyome's cross examination adjourned to December 1

Accra, Nov. 24, GNA - The Supreme Court (SC) scheduled to witness cross examination of Mr Alfred Agbesi Woyome a businessman by Mr Martin Amidu, former Attorney General over the 51.2 million cedis judgment debt has adjourned the matter to December 1.

The adjournment came after the Court indicated that Mr Woyome had filed stay of proceedings to the order to that effect.

I don't need medical examination - alleges minor killer

Accra, Nov 29, GNA - The 22-year-old mason who allegedly strangled a seven- year old girl to death after having sex with her said he was conscious and did not need any medical care to determine his state of mind.

Lucas Agboyie said: 'My Lord everything is alright. I am conscious. I don't want any test to be conducted on my mind.'

Tsatsu Tsikata acquitted and discharged

Accra, Nov. 30, GNA - The Court of Appeal has acquitted and discharged Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), on five-year jail term handed down to him on June 18, 2008.

He was jailed by an Accra High Court.

I have found justice in the court- Tsikata

Accra, Nov. 30, GNA - Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, whose five-year conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal, said he had found justice in the court.

Reacting to the decision of the Court of Appeal, Mr Tsikata said he agreed with the court that a pardon was different from an appeal and that he had suffered substantial miscarriage of justice.

Court grants stay of proceedings in Woyome cross-examination case

Accra, Dec. 2, GNA - The Supreme Court has granted a temporal stay of proceedings on businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome's cross-examination by former Attorney General Martin Amidu over the GHa51.2 million judgement debt.

The court upheld Woyome's request to enable a three- member panel to be constituted to hear the review of his application compelling him to be cross examined.

Alleged wife killer secures counsel

Accra, Dec. 6, GNA - Thomas Kofi Owusu, a block manufacturer, who reported to the Police at Amasaman that he had killed his wife and injured his step son after locking them in a room has now secured the services of a counsel.

Owusu is alleged to have smashed the heads of the deceased and her son with a hoe several times following a misunderstanding.

Supreme Court adjourns Woyome review application sine die

Accra Dec. 6, GNA - The Supreme Court has adjourned sine die (indefinitely) the review of the decision of the sole judge requesting businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome to be cross-examined by ex-Attorney General Martin Amidu over the GHa51.2-million-cedi judgement debt.

The three-member panel said their attention had been drawn to application filed by one David K. Ametepe, a legal practitioner, seeking the interpretation of the 1992 Constitution as to whether a sole judge could interpret matters involving the constitution.

Supreme Court adjourns sole judge case to January 10

Accra Dec. 13, GNA - A case in which a legal practitioner is seeking the interpretation of the Constitution as to whether a sole judge could interpret constitutional matters has been adjourned to January 10, 2017 by the Supreme Court.

Mr David K. Ametepe had gone to the court seeking the interpretation of the 1992 Constitution as to whether a sole judge could interpret matters involving the Constitution.

Prosecution in Wisa's case given last chance

Accra, Dec. 15, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Thursday gave the Prosecution in the case of Eugene Ashe, aka Wisa, the hiplife artiste, who is being tried for allegedly displaying his penis on stage, the last opportunity to provide its witness to testify in the case.

The Court stated that: 'If the prosecution witness fails to turn up, it would close the case of the prosecution'.

Judicial anti-corruption compact agreement signed

Accra Dec. 21, GNA - A signing ceremony of Judicial anti-corruption compact agreement, which aims at mobilising an army of anti-corruption crusaders in judicial systems worldwide has been signed in Accra.

The compact agreement makes signatories to publicly express their abhorrence to judicial corruption while pledging their loyalty to the principles of professional integrity and ethical conduct in their various careers.

Donkorkrom Robbery suspects demand Ballistic Report

Accra, Dec. 28, GNA - Two policemen involved in the robbery of a bullion van belonging to the GCB Bank Limited at Mame Krobo in the Eastern Region are demanding the ballistic report currently in the custody of the Police.

According to General Corporal Solomon Elvis Mensah and General Lance Corporal Daniel Kissi Abrokwa although the ballistic report was in the custody of the Police, they have not been given the opportunity to have a look at it.

Alleged MP killer weeps in court

Accra, Dec. 28, GNA - Vincent Bosso, one of the suspects on trial in the murder of J. B. Danquah Adu, Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, broke into tears in court on Wednesday saying he was innocent.

According to Bosso he did not understand why he was being transported to court all the time when he was innocent.

GNA
Drought hits Dedeso Commnunities

Dedeso (E/R), Jan. 26, GNA - Chief Madjitey of Dedeso in the Fanteakwa District of the Eastern Region, has said communities along the Volta Lake in the Dedesawirako area have experienced a long period without rain.

He said the area was suitable for the cultivation of grains, and vegetables but for over eight months the farming communities have had no rain.

'As a result of the severe drought that has hit the area, large hectares of maize had gone waste', he said, adding that, a farmer who cultivated 12 hectares of maize, harvested only two bags of maize from his farm.

Ho Municipal Health Directorate achieves positive results

Ho, Jan. 28, GNA - The Ho Municipal Health Directorate has made significant successes in public health delivery in 2015.

The period saw a steady decline in maternal deaths from three in 2013, two in 2014 down to one in 2015. On the referred cases to the Regional Hospital, total deaths reduced from 19 in 2013; 12 in 2014; and 8 in 2015.

Geoex to conduct 2D seismic survey offshore Ghana

Accra, Jan. 30, GNA - Geoex International, in conjunction with Ghana Geophysical Company and other partners, have signed an agreement with Petroleum Commission- the State's regulatory body and concessionaire, to acquire 6,000 km of regional multi-client 2D seismic data offshore Ghana.

Mr Robertson Safi, Managing Director of Ghana Geophysical Company Limited, said in a statement issued in Accra at the weekend and copied to Ghana News Agency that the African equatorial transform margin, has proven to be an exciting exploration province over the last decade with the Upper Cretaceous deep water fan play in Ghana, so far proving the most successful part of the system.

African Indian Ocean Satellite Network (AFISNET) meeting opens

Accra, Feb. 17, GNA - The 23rd African Indian Ocean Satellite Network (AFISNET) Management Committee meeting has opened in Accra.

The five-day meeting is being attended by delegates from countries, including Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and South Africa.

Ghana launches Minerals and Mining policy

Accra, Feb. 25, GNA - The country's Minerals and Mining Policy developed to ensure that mining contributes to the structural transformation of the economy was launched in Accra by Nii Osah Mills, Minister of Lands, and Natural Resources.

The policy sought to link mining with other sectors to catalyse sustainable development, optimize revenue for mineral collection, generate skilled manpower as well as create demand for local goods and services.

Ghana likely to suffer shortage of natural water - Minister

Accra, Feb. 27, GNA- Natural supply of water is at risk of depletion if measures are not taken early to arrest the growing rate of the reduction caused by natural and human factors, Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, Minister of Water Resources has warned.

Some factors responsible for the reduction are catchment degradation due to farming along water banks, climate change and seasonal variability and increasing population growth and urbanisation.

Ghana commended for the peaceful application of nuclear science

Accra, Mar. 19, GNA - Mr Yukiya Amano, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has expressed his satisfaction at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission's (GAEC) numerous achievements in the peaceful application of nuclear science for national development.

Mr Amano, who is on a working visit to the country, said he was impressed by Ghana's performance so far in her application of nuclear science in solving major health, agricultural and educational challenges.

USAID donates vehicles, equipment to agricultural research institute

Tamale, March 31, GNA - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Thursday presented three Toyota Hilux pickup vehicles and 41 desktop computers to the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) at Tamale in the Northern Region of Ghana.

The vehicles and office equipment were donated to improve the effectiveness of SARI's agricultural research efforts in northern Ghana and to ensure smallholder farmers' access to quality seeds and technologies.

Orange-fleshed potato to boost households incomes

Bolgatanga, April 28, GNA - West Africa are working towards the promotion of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) in the Sub-region as a food security and livelihood commodity.

The countries - Ghana, Nigeria and Burkina Faso - are currently developing the project, 'Jumpstarting OFSP in West Africa through diversified markets' to promote sustainable and inclusive market-driven approaches for the commodity in the Sub-region.

Coalition advocates adequate budgetary allocation for MoFA

Abesim (B/A), May 03, GNA - The Ghana Trade and Livelihood Coalition, a civil society organisation on Monday advocated for an increase in the annual budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to enable it to perform the mandate of ensuring national food security.

It observed that though the government was making frantic efforts to revamp the agriculture sector and make it a driver of the socio-economic development, MoFA's annual budget that ranged between 0.94 per cent and 1.77 percent of the total national budget estimate was woefully inadequate

Govt to set-up committee to manage cyber security information sharing

Accra, May 31, GNA - The Ministry of Communications will soon set up a multi-stakeholder steering committee with private and public co-chairs to efficiently manage the sharing of information on the Ghana Cyber Security Information platform (GCISXP).

Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Communications explained that the project is to increase public private partnership in improving the nation's cyber security.

Fruit flies invade farms in Volta Region

Liati (V/R), June 28, GNA - Fruit flies have invaded high value horticultural crop farms across the Volta Region.

The greatly affected districts are Afadjato South, Kadjebi, Jasikan, South Tongu, North Tongu, Ketu North, Ketu South and Akatsi South.

AGRA announces $ 867,788 grants to boost agriculture

Accra, July 26, GNA - The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), has announced an $ 867,788 grant to Esoko Ghana for the implementation of MasterCard Foundation project to boost agro input supply for smallholder farmers.

The 36-month project is expected to support the deployment of an innovative technology solution called: 'Fasiba,' which aimed at helping more than 80,000 smallholder farmers to overcome challenges associated with access to affordable and quality inputs to increase productivity and incomes.

EPA distributes 100,000 assorted tree seedlings

Bolgatanga, July 28, GNA - The Upper East Regional Directorate of the Environmental Protection Agency, has begun the distribution of 100,000 assorted tree seedlings to traditional councils and schools in the Region.

The seedlings included Mahogany, Moringa, Albizia, Grilicidia, Sepium, Cassia Papao, Cashew, rosewood among others.

WACCI to release three new varieties of maize

Accra, Aug 27, GNA - The West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) of the University of Ghana will release at least three new high yielding varieties of maize to help boost production in West Africa.

The three new varieties coded - WACCI-M-1210, WACC-M-1205 and WACCI-M-1218 had been tried in Legon and Wenchi and would be scaled-up for delivery to farmers once the National Variety Release Committee approves of their release.

Fishmongers call for the enforcement of fishing laws

Agona-Nkwanta (W/R), Aug. 30, GNA - Fishmongers in the Western Region, have called on the Fisheries Commission to enforce the implementation of the marine and fishing laws to help curb the depletion of fish stock in the sea.

They said their livelihood depends greatly on the sea and everything possible should be done to protect the sea to prevent them from going out of business.

Partners should support science and innovation - President

Accra, Sept. 15, GNA- President John Dramani Mahama has urged development partners to work with Ghana in implementing some of her sustainable Science Technology and Innovation (STI) programmes for sustainable development and industrial growth.

'It is only through leveraging these partnerships that we will achieve our goals in an effective manner. Some of these partnerships could be in the form of knowledge sharing, capacity building and implementing joint research and development (R&D) programmes,' President Mahama said at the opening of the Science, Technology and Innovation Fair 2016, underway in Accra.

USAID introduces solar-powered irrigation systems in northern Ghana

Accra, Sept. 13, GNA - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has introduced solar-powered irrigation schemes in northern Ghana to safeguard farmers the trouble of relying on erratic rains for farming activities in the country's poorest regions.

'USAID is introducing solar-powered irrigation systems in northern Ghana, the US Ambassador, Mr Robert Jackson said, 'farmers will no longer have to rely on unpredictable rains to grow their crops.'

Chrisjoe Energy to transform energy crisis in Ghana

Accra, Oct. 1, GNA - David Olowoloba, Managing Director of CHRISJOE Energy, says biomass power solution is one of the best means to transform energy crisis in Africa.

He said biomass energy is produced by using feedstock derived from wood waste, palm kernel, coffee granule, maize curb, coconut, rice husk and other raw materials.

Africa needs strong legal framework on local content - Expert

Dar es Salaam, (Tanzania) Oct. 21, GNA - An international local content expert has expressed worry that local participation in oil and gas activities in Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania is significantly low.

According to Ms Neema K. Lugangira, a former Senior Supplies Officer (local content) at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals in Tanzania said robust policy and strong legal framework were required to improve the situation.

African leaders should make good deals in extractive sector

Dar es Salaam, (Tanzania), Oct 21, GNA - African leaders have been urged to make good negotiation deals to get desirable benefits from their natural resources.

A good negotiation deal, according to Mr George Lugalambi, the Media Capacity Development Officer of the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), an NGO in the extractive sector could be obtained if African governments placed priority on taxation and local impact when signing contracts.

Africa's transition to low carbon energy critical - AfDB

Accra, Oct. 27, GNA - Africa's transition to a low carbon energy future is critical for global sustainability, especially for addressing climate change, Dr Timothy Afful-Koomson, Principal Green Growth Officer, African Development Bank (AfDB) has said.

He said globally, about 47 per cent of the increased carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from 2000 and 2010 directly came from energy supply, with industry, transport and buildings contributing 30 per cent, 11 per cent and three per cent.

Experts meet to co-ordinate reports on Sahel Project

Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is holding an African Regional Meeting for the final co-ordination of the Sahel Project aimed at enhancing the scientific basis for the integrated management of shared aquifers of the Sahel region.

An aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock from which groundwater can be extracted using a water well.

Cyber security is the core of NITA's mandate

Accra, Nov 24, GNA - Security is at the core of the National Information Technology Agency's (NITA's) role as an information technology (IT) industry regulator, Mr George Atta-Boateng, the Director General of the Agency, has said.

He explained that with an oversight responsibility over the Electronic transaction ACT (ACT 772); used to cure cybercrime, NITA with support from stakeholders such as the law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, was empowered to ensure that the ACT was implemented to the letter.

Ghana hosts workshop for Africa-EU Climate Change Research

Accra, Nov 23, GNA - Ghana is hosting a two-day workshop aimed at creating an Africa-European Climate Change Research Platform to strengthen the capacities of researchers towards sustainable agricultural growth.

The vision is to develop a new crop of African researchers in climate change-related studies for agriculture intensification with studies that better reflect the needs of their local industries and policies in support of sustainable agriculture.

Heads of state issue Marrakech Action Proclamation

Marrakech, Morocco, Nov. 18, GNA - Heads of state, governments, and delegates gathered in Marrakech for the 22nd Session of the Conference of Parties have issued a Proclamation to signal a shift towards a new era of implementation and action on climate and sustainable development.

It said: 'As we now turn towards implementation and action, we reiterate our resolve to inspire solidarity, hope and opportunity for current and future generations.'

Deputy Minister calls for multi-sectoral approach to address agriculture sector challenges

Kintampo, (B/A), Nov. 04, GNA - Dr Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan, the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) on Friday called for a multi-sectoral approach to address emerging challenges in the agriculture sector.

He said challenges in the sector were enormous and required collective approach and contributions from the private sector to make the industry attractive, not only to increase food productivity but also encourage the youth to go into commercial farming as business.

e-Government workshop opens in Accra

Accra, Nov. 9, GNA - A two-day e-government workshop to deliberate on digital economy programmes has opened in Accra to foster government approach to e-government implementation in Ghana.

Organised by the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), the workshop also seeks to ensure collaboration and raise national awareness as well as understanding of stakeholder responsibilities in its implementation.

Agricultural sector asked to contribute one-billion-dollar investment gap

Sunyani, Nov. 4, GNA - The national challenges in the agriculture sector has impacted on the perception of the people leading to investment gap of one billion dollars, Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru Limuna, the Minister of Food and Agriculture.

These challenges, according to the Minister, included inadequate knowledge and skills in commercial farming, inadequate market-based risk mitigating interventions such as crop insurance, relatively high cost of profit, infrastructure.

Four countries of Volta Basin are indebted - Dr Fofana

Wa, Dec. 20, GNA - The Volta Basin Authority (VBA) says four out of the six countries sharing water resources on the Volta Basin are indebted to it.

Ghana and Burkina Faso, which had the larger landmass of 41 per cent and 42 per cent of the Basin had, for the past three years, not been able to meet their obligations.

Except Ivory Coast and Mali, which provided regular and prompt payments, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin are indebted with some in three years arrears.

Association to promote biogas development formed

Accra, Dec. 18, GNA - A new body, Biogas Association of Ghana (BAG), has been formed to promote the sustainable development of the biogas sector in Ghana.

Its objectives are to carry out, encourage and support research into the biogas technology and to ensure the development of quality standards by training actors in the industry based on modern approved practices.

Accra - Research project underway to enhance food security

Accra, Dec. 14, GNA - A four-day workshop aimed to promote research supported innovations that are applicable and contribute to the enhancement of sustainable food security for the most vulnerable populations has ended in Accra.

The workshop, organised by Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (WOTRO) Science for Global Development and the Food and Business Knowledge brought together 25 participants including government officials, private sector, farming based organisations, and academia to share experiences in an interactive way.

Stakeholders call for land use policy

Wa, Dec. 22, GNA - Stakeholders in the Upper West Region have called on Parliament to enact a land use policy as soon as possible to safeguard the environment.

The stakeholders said the lack of land use laws was a serious disservice to the land policy which alone could not provide the needed protection for the environment, especially water bodies and other water resources.

GIFEC installs VSAT Satellite Hub to aid remote areas

Accra, Dec. 22, GNA - The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) in partnership with Dizengoff Ghana Limited, has installed a VSAT Satellite Hub with the purpose of providing universal access to telecommunications services for remote communities.

The construction of the Satellite Hub would reduce the recurrent cost of providing internet service to more than 300 community information centres, senior high schools, and rural telephony sites in the long run.

GNA
Bolgatanga, Dec 31, GNA - The leadership and members of the United Kassena-Nankana East Association have congratulated the President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa- Akuffo Addo, for his overwhelming victory in the just ended presidential and parliamentary elections.

The group issued the congratulatory message in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Mr Prosper Akulia, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga on Thursday.

While congratulating the President-elect and wishing him a successful tenure of office, the statement appealed to Nana Akuffo Addo to include the illustrious sons and daughters of the Kassena-Nankana East area in his government.

It mentioned the creation of a separate district, the completion of major roads and the expansion of the Kassena-Nankana East Health Centre into a district hospital as well as irrigation dams for the youth and women to go into irrigation farming as some of their needs.

The statement expressed optimism that with the President elect's good vision and policies, he would help transform the socio-economic status of the country and entreated all Ghanaians to give him and his government the maximum support.

'A country with the population of about 27 million people with a greater per cent being the youth and mostly unemployed and in some cases not having employable skills, the challenge could be great but we know that with God Almighty on your side and the nation united behind you, you will deliver to the nation the needed development,' it said.

GNA

By Samuel Akapule, GNA
Ex-GPHA workers to demonstrate against Article 71 Emoluments

Accra, Dec. 31, GNA - Mr Stephen Ashitey Adjei, Leader of the former workers of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), had said he and his colleagues would protest against the pay rise for the President and other Article 71 office holders.

He said the recommendations by the Presidential Committee on Emoluments for a 10 per cent pay rise was in a bad state and so the former workers would demonstrate when it was recommended.

'I will handover a peaceful Ghana to successor' - President

Accra, Dec. 28, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama has given the assurance that he would hand over a peaceful and stable Ghana to his successor - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, come January 7 next year.

"I inherited a peaceful and stable country from my predecessor, the late President John Evans Atta Mills and will also hand over a peaceful and stable government to my successor, the President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo," he said.

African legal systems impede human rights promotion

Arusha, (Tanzania) Nov. 30, GNA - Dr Augustine P. Mahiga, United Republic of Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs, says the different legal systems in Africa are bottlenecks for effective implementation of the many legal obligations on the Continent.

Dr Mahiga asserted that it was incumbent upon all African Governments to work towards full harmonisation and synchronisation of the legal instruments.

Gender Ministry launches five-year strategic plan

Accra Nov. 30, GNA - The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has launched a five- year strategic plan that would re-define the Ministry's strategic direction from 2017 to 2021.

The occasion was also used to outdoor the Ministry's Friday Wear.

Nana Oye Lithur, sector Minister, who launched the plan, estimated it to cost GHa 220, 268, 049 for executing the plan during the five- year period adding that the plan was consistent with Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution.

Increasing numbers petition African Court for justice

Accra, Oct. 30, GNA - Over 119 individuals and institutions have petitioned the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (AfCHPR) as at October 1st, 2016.

The African Court at Arusha, Tanzania serves as the continental court established by African countries to ensure the protection of human rights in Africa and complements the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

Be extra cautious during the rains - Meteorologist advises

Accra, Sept. 30, GNA - The public has been cautioned to seek shelter whenever there is rainfall because the present rains are typically accompanied by thunder and lightning.

'The sun's present positioning has made the southern part of the country warmer, resulting in the formation of convective clouds which produce thunderstorms.'

Two thousand people affected in Koforidua floods

Koforidua, Sept 29, GNA - Two person lost their lives from floods that hit Koforidua and its environs on Sunday after heavy rains.

The two were among the more than 2,000 people who were affected by the floods.

Poor public response to TV license fee

Kumasi, Aug 31, GNA - Public response to the Television license fee is reported to be generally poor as many appear reluctant to pay.

Pastor Ebenezer Botwi, acting Director of Finance of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), said steps were being taken to ensure compliance.

Ghana launches AU Chapter on socio-economic policies

Accra, Aug. 31, GNA - Ghana has launched its chapter of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council, an advisory body comprising Civil Society Organisations, aimed at mobilising support for policies and programmes of the regional body.

Mr Emmanuel Bombande, a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, said Civil Society Organisations had an integral role to play if Africa was going to move forward with the goals and objectives of its Agenda 2063.

Artistes to help eradicate open defecation

Accra, July 30, GNA - Alliance FranAaise with support from UNICEF has launched a project to enable artistes in the country to come up with works that would help address the issue of open defecation.

The project, dubbed: 'Let's Talk Shit,' would give artistes the opportunity to come up with artistic art works that would project the actual situation to effectively communicate with the people on the need to put a stop to open defecation.

Civil society groups educated on local government issues

Accra, May 31, GNA - Nana Ofei Aboagye Agyemang II, a lecturer has urged civil society groups to liaise with their assembly members to get deeper insight into activities of their metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.

He gave the advice when he presented a paper at the Third Quarter Social Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability meeting at the Ledzekuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly in.

Rawlings prays for lasting justice for Ya-Naa

Accra, May 30, GNA - Former President Jerry John Rawlings, has decried the failure of successive governments to seek lasting justice for the late Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II, who was assassinated in 2002.

He said, he is hopeful that as other eminent persons received decent farewells after their demise, the late Ya-Naa would also receive justice and a befitting final funeral rite.

Desist from using abusive language - NCCE

Accra, April 28, GNA - The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has called on radio and television stations to desist from allowing panelists and politicians to use abusive language on their platforms.

The NCCE said allowing panelists to denigrate others would not create a healthy environment especially at the time the country is feverishly preparing for the November 7 elections.

Judicial Service Workers to lay down tools tomorrow

Accra, March 31, GNA - The Judicial Service Workers Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has said it would embark on a nationwide strike, effective Friday, April I, 2016 over the delays in the implementation of its members' emoluments plan.

'The withdrawal of services will continue until the demands are met,' the President of the Association, Mr Alex Nartey, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra, on Thursday.

Ghana likely to suffer shortage of natural water - Minister

Accra, Feb. 27, GNA - Natural supply of water is at risk of depletion if measures are not taken early to arrest the growing rate of the reduction caused by natural and human factors, Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, Minister of Water Resources has warned.

Some factors responsible for the reduction are catchment degradation due to farming along water banks, climate change and seasonal variability and increasing population growth and urbanisation.

Assemblies urged to take monitoring and evaluation seriously

Wa, Jan. 28, GNA - Metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs), have been urged to take monitoring and evaluation serious, as it helps in determining value for money on development projects being executed.

Mr John Baptist Atogiba, Chief Director of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) told representatives of the assemblies during a training programme on monitoring and evaluation for MMDAs organised by the RCC in Wa.

Veep commends Ghana Armed Forces

Accra, Feb. 29, GNA - Mr Kwesi Bekoe Amissah Arthur, Vice President, has said government would resource the Ghana Armed Forces to enable it carry out its duties efficiently.

The Vice President disclosed this in an address read on his behalf at the Army Officers End-of-Year Dinner Dance held at its Mess in Accra.

GNA
Nana Akufo-Addo to ensure election of MMDCEs

Cape Coast, Dec. 28, GNA - The President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said his Government would ensure the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in 2018.

This, he said, was to strengthen the local governance system and offer Ghanaians the opportunity to choose who they preferred to represent their interest as Chief Executive in the Assembly.

President John Dramani Mahama swears in two officials

Accra, Dec 20, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama swore-in two officials with the call on them to exhibit high level integrity, dignity and professionalism by educating Ghanaians on their rights and responsibilities.

The officials are; Joseph Whittall, Commissioner of the Commission of Human rights and Administrative Justice(CHRAJ) and Ms Josephine Nkrumah, Chairperson of the National Commission on Civic Education(NCCE).

EC declares Nana Akufo-Addo as President-elect

Accra, Dec. 9, GNA - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was declared the winner of the 2016 presidential election.

Mrs Charlotte Osei, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), who announced the results, said Nana Akufo- Addo polled 5, 716,026 votes (53.08 per cent) to cruise to victory.

President John Dramani Mahama, the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the presidential race, polled 4,713,277 votes representing 44.40 per cent of total valid votes cast.

President Mahama concedes defeat

Accra, Dec. 9, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama conceded defeat in the 2016 Presidential polls.

At exactly 2000 hours, President Mahama placed a call to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to congratulate him on winning the contest.

Electoral Commission pledges credible elections

Accra, Nov. 5, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) said it was resolute in doing everything to deliver lawful as well as credible, fair, transparent and inclusive polls on December 7.

Mrs Charlotte Osei, the EC Chairperson, said: "I am confident we will succeed. We have history with us; we have a reputation for delivery in Africa."

Supreme Court

Accra, Nov 7, GNA - The Supreme Court ordered the Electoral Commission (EC) to extend 2016 Presidential Election nomination period to Tuesday November 8 for all disqualified Candidates.

The Supreme Court in unanimous decision also ordered the EC to give all political parties fair hearing to amend or correct mistakes on their nomination forms.

CODEO trains trainers

Accra, Oct. 6, GNA - The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) as part of preparations towards the upcoming December polls, launched a three-day Training of Trainers workshop for its regional coordinators nationwide.

About 7,000 local monitors are expected to be deployed to observe the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections which have been highly predicted to be hotly contested.

Political parties urged to incorporate gaps in anti-corruption

Accra, Aug. 14, GNA - Mrs Linda Ofori-Kwafo, the Executive Director of Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), asked political parties to incorporate the gaps in anti-corruption legislation in their manifestos.

She said this is necessary because manifestos launched during pre-elections become the main development planning tool that is implemented after elections by the party that forms the government.

Chief of Defence Staff, Ghana Armed Forces

Accra, June 28, GNA - Air Marshal Michael Samson-Oje, the Chief of Defence Staff, Ghana Armed Forces asked journalists to be circumspect in their reportage to calm the rising political temperature before, during and after this year's elections.

He said if the media played its role effectively and efficiently devoid of any political inclinations the sustainability of peace would be assured.

NPP disappointed in Brong Ahafo Regional Police Command

Abesim, (B/A), May 4, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) expressed disappointment in the Brong-Ahafo Regional Police Command, following alleged attacks on its members in the limited voters registration exercise in the region

The leadership of the party in the region, said the Police had shown great bias towards members of the NPP, but cautioned that 'the National Democratic Congress (NDC) should remember that no amount of machinations and intimidations can stop the wind of change'.

Electoral Commission collaborates with unit committees

Takoradi, April 22, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) is collaborating with assembly and unit committee members to identify deceased persons within their electoral areas, to enable the Commission to expunge their names from the voters' register.

The assembly members and unit committee members were tasked to support their evidence with burial certificates, funeral invitations and obituary of the deceased persons, but with deceased Muslims, a Muslim cleric could testify.

Former President Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings

Accra, April 26, GNA - Former President Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, and his compatriot former President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, jointly expressed the hope that the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Ghana would be peaceful.

Former President Rawlings said the vigilance of the people and the determination of the law enforcement agencies to remain neutral would be key to the success of the elections.

Police officers asked to remain non-partisan

Kumasi, March 14, GNA - Police officers asked to remain non-partisan and act firmly within the law to protect the peace as the nation edges towards general elections.

The Director of the National Patrol Department, Police Chief Superintendent Obed Dzikunu, said the expectation was that they would stick to best practices and uphold high standards of professionalism.

NPP inaugurates 2016 election campaign team in Northern Region

Tamale, Feb. 22, GNA - The Northern Regional secretariat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) inaugurated a 2016 elections campaign team with a call on members to work hard to help wrest power from the ruling National Democratic Congress Party and exert good governance to Ghanaians.

Mr Daniel Bugri Naabu, the Regional Chairman of the NPP who is also the Campaign Manager of the 34-member team, said the team was poised towards winning more parliamentary seats and garnering more votes for the Presidential Candidate of the Party.

Minority in Parliament dissatisfied with information

Accra, Feb. 20, GNA - The Minority in Parliament dissatisfied with the information provided by Foreign Affairs Minister Hanna Tetteh on the two Yeminis transferred from the Guantanamo Bay Prison in Cuba to Ghana, at the closed sitting of the House.

A source close to the Minority told the Ghana News Agency after the meeting on Friday that the Government's briefing to Parliament on the matter was not convincing, hence a number of legislators on the Minority side stormed out of the meeting to register their displeasure.

Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister

Sunyani, Jan. 15, GNA - Mr Eric Opoku, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, said a collective responsibility is required in ensuring peaceful polls in November.

He called on followers of the various political parties to accommodate the views of opponents so that a secured atmosphere needed for peaceful elections could be created.

Mr Mark Woyongo proposes five-year tenure

Bolgatanga, Jan. 4, GNA - Mr Mark Woyongo, the Minister of the Interior, proposed a five-year presidential tenure of office for the country to ensure that the winning party fully executes its development agenda.

Mr Woyongo, also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Navrongo Central, made the proposal in anw interview with the GNA after his return from Burkina Faso wherein had gone to itness the swearing-in of Mr Roch Marc Christian Kabore, the new president.

GNA
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With the new year upon us, the state Legislature is getting ready to start another session. The 21,000-vote margin favoring Senate Democrats in the recent Wisconsin election shows that voters want a balanced approach to governing that addresses the needs of working families.

While weve seen strong national growth over the past several years, Wisconsins lagging economy and declining wages have compounded the challenges for working families. We need to start investing in the people of Wisconsin to help grow our economy, and Democrats stand ready with solutions to lower student loan debt, improve child care access and make health care more affordable.

Funding for schools needs to be a top priority in the states upcoming budget so local communities dont have to rely on referendums and higher property taxes just to operate our public schools.

Republicans also need to stop derailing long-term decisions on funding for roads. Costly credit card financing and repairs just to delay road replacement is reckless  six years of delays and inaction have put our roads in crisis condition. Without a safe and strong infrastructure, our economy comes to a sharp stop.

Weve listened to hard-working families, and our Democratic priorities are focused on solutions to strengthen the middle class, encourage community development and expanding economic opportunity all across Wisconsin. Im hopeful that 2017 will be a prosperous and positive year for you and your family.
- Nigerian Army says it will continue to protect lives and properties in the northeast of Nigeria

- President Buhari recieved the flag from Lucky Irabor, theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole

- Nothing was however, said of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau's video and the attacks in Borno early on Friday, December 30

The Boko Haram flag was recovered by troops of the Nigerian Army during the capture of the insurgents' Camp Zero in Sambisa.

President Muhammadu Buhari has been presented with the flag of Boko Haram that was recovered at the insurgents Camp Zero which was captured in Sambisa Forest days ago.

The handover ceremony by the Nigerian Army was held late on Friday, December 30 and was carried out by Major-General Lucky Irabor, the theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole.

READ ALSO: Brave: How Nigerian Military rushes aircraft to pick injured soldier from war front

The Cable reports that Buhari received the flag at exactly 10.30pm at 2016 regimental dinner organised by the presidential brigade of guards.

At the handover, Irabor affirmed that about 1,240 suspected Boko Haram members were arrested during a mop-up operation inside Sambisa.

President Buhari receiving the Boko Haram flag from the chief of army staff Tukur Buratai.

On his part, President Buhari recalled how he escaped death in the Army even before he was due for his first salary. He however revealed that he enjoyed his 25-year service before retirement.

The president said: I believe you are here because you want to be here and you cannot complain. We will do our best to build the national institutions in the country.

READ ALSO: DSS arrests 23 terrorists, kidnappers across Nigeria

There are 250 ethnic groups, so keeping Nigeria one is a task that must be done. So even for personal reason you must make sure this country stays one and remain strong.

The president and the Army commanders however kept silent on Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekaus denial of his defeat in a new video. Nothing was also said about the attacks in Borno earlier on Friday.

Chief of Army staff Tukur Buratai however assured that the Army would continue its duty of protecting lives and properties in the north-east.

Source: Legit.ng
Contrary to reports, the presidency has said that Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has not been removed from office.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has also denied reports that its acting chairman Ibrahim Magu has been sacked.

The anti-corruption agency tweeted on its official handle that the reports making the rounds were not true.

According to Sahara Reporters, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has submitted the report of his investigations into allegations against Magu to the president.

The Guardian reports that Malami has directed the acting EFCC boss to vacate his seat and hand over the reins to the director of operations at the commission.

READ ALSO: President Buhari to announce Ibrahim Magu's replacement in January

It was gathered that Magu has been redeployed back to Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to pave way for a new person to be presented by President Muhammadu Buhari as the nominee to head the anti-graft agency before the Senate.

There were reports that President Buhari was allegedly searching for a person to replace Magu, as the acting chairman of the EFCC The replacement may be announced as early as January next year..

The Senate recently rejected Magus nomination following allegations of graft levelled against him by the Department of State Security Service (DSS).

President Buhari subsequently directed the AGF to investigate the corruption claims against Magu and other senior government officials.

However, the Senate confirmed the nomination of the other 4 members of the EFCC and referred them for further security screening.

Source: Legit.ng
President Muhammadu Buhari is very excited that the Nigerian Army has been able to route out Boko Haram terrorists from Sambisa forest

- The president, while receiving the official flag of Boko Haram leader, Abu Shekau, asked the Army to help stop agitations in the east, Niger Delta and north-east

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that he would no longer condone the violence and political madness in the north-east, Niger Delta and the eastern parts of the country.

Buhari receiving Shekau's official flag from Buratai

All these political madness in the North East, the Niger Delta or in the East should not be allowed to cause division or any form of tension in the country.

There are 250 ethnic groups, so keeping Nigeria one is a task that must be done, even for your personal reason you must make sure this country remains united and stronger, the president said after receiving the official flag of Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram leader, from General Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff.

READ ALSO: DSS arrests 23 terrorists, kidnappers across Nigeria

In the north-east, Nigeria is faced with the issues terrorism, in the east, it has agitators including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB). In the Niger Delta, it is bedeviled by problems of militancy.

Buhari was hosted by the Nigerian Army to its Guards Brigade Regimental Dinner where he was presented with the flag recovered at Camp Zero in Sambisa forest, Borno state after its capture by the army.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also that the Theatre Commander, Major-General Leo Irabor, had disclosed that about 1,240 suspected Boko Haram terrorists were arrested during the operation by troops inside the Sambisa forest.

READ ALSO: Defense headquarters dismisses Shekaus video, warns Boko Haram fighters

Buhari challenged the armed forces to continue to ensure the unity of the country reminding them that no part of Nigeria can hold it hostage.

He further noted that Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups and must therefore be made a peaceful country for its citizens.

We will do our best to build the national institutions in the country, he said.

On his Facebook wall, the president also said: "Yesterday night I attended the Guards Brigade Regimental Dinner Night, at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess. Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Tukur Buratai presented the Boko Haram flag, recovered from Camp Zero, Sambisa Forest, when the Nigerian Army captured it last week.

"I also had a chance to do something that has become an annual tradition - briefly direct the Guards Brigade Band.

"And then one very important moment - the opportunity to express gratitude, on behalf of the entire nation, to Major General Leo Irabor, Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, the military operation against Boko Haram.

"Our gallant troops made us proud in 2016, and I'm confident that 2017 will be full of even more heroic exploits."

Source: Legit.ng
Although many will remember 2016 as a year of round-the-clock politics, 2016 was also a year that theatre flourished. The plays, both revivals and new, were groundbreaking. Each show on this list had something larger to say about humanity and had a particular focus on the parts of our nature that wed rather leave in the shadows. With the larger context of a divided America, these stage plays felt even more important and poignant.



Tony award-winning director Ivo van Hove made Arthur Millers 1953 play, which is set in the 1690s in the midst of a fictionalized version of the Salem witch trials, timeless. Originally meant as Millers commentary on 1950s McCarthyism, van Hove showed that a feverish fear can overtake everyone and anyoneeven silly schoolgirls. Two-time Oscar nominee, Saoirse Ronan made her Broadway debut as the vengeful Abigail Williams who not only wields her power of manipulation, but witchcraft as well, leaving audiences hoping that Ronan will come back to Broadway soon.



As promised by the plays title, The Humans examined the multifaceted nature of humanity. Written by Stephen Karam and directed by Joe Mantello, the new play chronicled a middle-class familys Thanksgiving dinner in Manhattan. Family dinners are never easy affairs, especially on that particular holiday. Striking the delicate balance between being humorous and devastating, the play provides an empathetic view of the familys very real struggles with money and personal expectations. But ultimately Mantellos show reminds us that every day is uncertain, for better or worse. Its no surprise that The Humans walked away with four Tonys, including the one for Best Play.



This off-Broadway play written by Lynn Nottage foreshadowed the 2016 election outcome while the majority of the media and political pundits were had their focus elsewhere. Following a group of manufacturing workers during the years 2000 and 2008 in a Pennsylvania city, Sweat shows a side of America that theatre doesnt often explore. Gritty and unflinching, the drama darkens as the economic futures of the characters exceedingly become more bleak, driving certain characters to desperate measures. The shows off-Broadway run was so successful that its transferring to the Broadway on March 26th at Studio 54.



Said to be one of the best adaptations of Othello in recent years, director Sam Gold brings the Shakespearean tragedy to the modern era, specifically to military barracks, but keeps the focus on the protagonist and antagonist. Starring David Oyelowo as Othello, the commander plagued by jealousy, and Daniel Craig as Othellos conniving, vengeful underling, Iago, the two men undergo a devastating and uber personal power struggle. Unlike other versions of Othello, Iago doesnt steal the show away with his schemes. Instead, Oyelowos Othello matches Craigs Iago and exhumes authority, which is a innate personality trait that the flinty-eyed Iago will never be able to master.



Set in a grimy office conference room with an overfilled garbage can, David Harrowers Blackbird brings two peoples gut-wrenching, grotesque transgressions back to Broadway. The 2016 version left audiences feeling unsettled and horrified, which might not be the emotions everyone wishes to experience after seeing a Broadway show, but it was one of the most powerful and charged shows of the year. Jeff Daniels reprised his role as the middle-aged office worker, Ray, who begins to implode after Una, played by Michelle Williams, finds him 15 years after their affair. Playing a not-so-sane young woman whos simultaneously seeking closure and revenge, Williams came off as a 12-year-old girl masquerading as a 27-year-old woman, showing that her characters emotional growth had been halted. As more and more details and secrets are forced from the lips of Ray and Una, the more quietly shocked the audience felt, showing that you cant necessary run from the past.



This play, written by Adam Bock, might have at first seemed like a close-up view of one mans life, but as the eloquently story unfolded, it becomes a testament to the way life often upends us unexpectedly. Beginning with a 25-minute-long monologue, Nate, played by David Hyde Pierce, makes the audience feel like his closest confidant, while detailing his experience as middle-aged gay man living in New York City, who finds himself alone after a breakup. But an unexpected death widens the scope of the play and has the main character looking to the stars for answers, though they are not necessarily sympathetic to this mans plight. This play left the audience wondering about their own existences.



Dementia is an undoubtedly terrifying disease, and The Father tackles it unflinchingly from the point-of-view of the increasingly unreliable narrator Andre, played by the legendary actor Frank Langella. Set in a bourgeoise French apartment, Andre cannot recognize the faces of family and frequently rages about his misplacement of objects, particularly his wrist-watch. Although Andres mind sometimes evades him, his ego is ever-present and grows larger under the exacerbation of the dementia. The brilliance of this play, written by French playwright Florian Zeller, is that Andre remains unsympathetic to the end.

Alicia Kort is Pastes Theatre Editor.
The hottest Christmas gift this year wasnt entirely new; it was a collection of videogames from 30 years ago. The NES Classic, released by Nintendo on November 11th, can play thirty NES games from a selection of their all-time greatest hits and it is an extremely affordable $60. Hearing about something and then actually being able to obtain it are entirely different matters, though. Nintendo once again left children disappointed and scalpers extremely pleased by failing to meet the demand for one of its products. Those familiar with the Nintendo brand can certainly remember that this isnt the first Christmas that they have underestimated demand. Launches of the Nintendo Wii and Amiibo figures were met with massive shortages and disappointment as well. Nintendo uses shortages to guarantee a sell-through of their product and for that reason they are genius.

The cultural phenomenon known as the Nintendo Wii arrived in 2006 with a huge splash and scarce availability. It wasnt only that one Christmas either, the product was in so high demand that scarcity continued for over a year. The Wii wasnt readily available in stores until May of 2008. Nintendo insisted that they were increasing production of the hot product, but obviously not at the capacity that would satisfy the incredible demand. The system became a hot commodity on eBay where re-sellers would typically sell the console for double of its MSRP price of $250.

Nintendo would have another hit product, but it was far different than what they normally sell. They decided to enter the toys-to-life genre with the Amiibo. These toys could connect to videogames and add additional functionality to the titles. The Amiibos would tap into Nintendos large library of characters, offer functionality across many different games and systems, and alongside one of Nintendos most popular titlesSuper Smash Bros. Perhaps more than their limited purpose, fans and collectors were interested in the product since it would be the first time many of these characters received a toy of any kind. They manufactured more than enough Mario figures since Nintendo knew he would sell, but less popular characters like Wii Fit Trainer quickly became difficult to find. Supply problems were further influenced by retailer exclusive figures that would only be available at specific stores. The $13 dollar toys were fetching $70 or more on eBay and consumers who wanted to collect all the characters certainly had a rough time of it. They did something right though because Amiibo still exist where Disney Infinity was discontinued.

Consumers dont have to look much farther than a basic supply and demand graph to understand Nintendos philosophy. As supply of a product increases, demand of said product decreases. They applied this to their previous product launches for the Wii and Amiibo and theres likely every reason to think they will continue it for the upcoming Nintendo Switch. Nintendo understands that at this very moment, the NES Classic is a hit product. It is inexpensive, features a terrific bargain of quality games, and is cute to boot. Its the perfect Christmas gift to give that thirty-something that has everything or wants an uncomplicated way to relieve gamings heyday. Nintendo has production plants working on creating these consoles, but they also know that after Christmas these units will be far less desired, so why should they increase production only to be left with extra units. A sell-through of product is good for Nintendoit looks good to their investors and the free advertising they are getting from their product being scarce is phenomenal. They are in the business of making money and theres little doubt they are making plenty with the NES Classic.

Nintendo is actually able to cover up some of the flaws inherent with the NES Classic by creating demand through scarcity. It is by no means a perfect product, as there have been complaints about controller cord length, the troublesome way users must reset the console to switch games, and compatibility with certain television sets. While no console is perfect, these negatives are overshadowed by the sheer demand of the unit. The Wii and Amiibo lines also had their many flaws, including a lack of compelling software, limited usage, and little longevity. All three of these products promised significant new ways to play videogames, but delivered little more than their original premise. A successful product is dictated by how the initial launch turns out. By that mark, Nintendo usually knocks anticipation out of the park regardless of quality.

Limited supply comes with limited damage. Nintendo expected the Wiis successor, Wii U, to be a big hit. They were able to meet all their sales targets at launch and while the console would never sell as many units as the Wii, Nintendo never really saw that much damage from the significantly lower sales. According to USA Today, Nintendo announced that it sold more than 425,000 units in November [2012] and more than 1.75 million systems (Wii U, Wii, 3DS, DS) in the U.S. [NPD analyst Liam] Callahan noted that Wii U sales generated 21% more revenue than the Wii launch in November 2006. Nintendo were well within their target for Wii Us sold, and even though demand was lower, they never manufactured enough units to have damage to their bottom line.

While Nintendo might be satisfied with the way the NES Classic is selling, consumers are once again frustrated with the company. When Nintendo announced the NES Classic over the summer, plenty of gaming websites reported high interest in the console. Polygon and The Verge said the console dominated their traffic charts in July. The only problem was that Nintendo didnt really plan on supplying very many units regardless of anticipation. Three months ago, the product was up for pre-order on Targets website unannounced and only for a brief period. Since then there have been no other ways to pre-order the system. Launch partners such as Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy all listed the product, but said it was unavailable until launch day. A cursory drive around town on November 11 showed that there were going to be many disappointed customers. The local Best Buy had about 40 units for the 80 plus people that lined up before opening. Target had received about 10 units for their crowd of over 60. Demand has consistently surpassed supply, leaving many to stand in the cold without obtaining a NES Classic.

Since the launch last month, there have been countless stories and guides about how to obtain the tiny console. People have resorted to frequenting Reddit groups, checking inventory at retailers, and using bots to buy excessive amounts for reselling. Just like the Wii and Amiibo, re-sellers are buying the NES Classic in bulk in order to make some extra money this holiday season. At one point the average for the $60 console was $250 on eBay, making a sizable profit of four times over the original price. Nintendo is leaving money on the table by perhaps not charging $100 for the system, although demand would certainly take a hit if it wasnt such an affordable gift. Nintendo has decided to live within the margin it deemed a success and although they could seemingly be making more money, they rather not take that chance.

Actually getting a NES Classic this holiday season was unlikely given the fervor for the product. The scarcity Nintendo has created has increased the value in many peoples eyes. Remember the NES Classic offers little more than the accessibility of playing thirty year old games on current televisions. The Wii offered an entirely new way to experience videogames and the Amiibo allowed Nintendo fans to collect figures of their favorite characters. They had functionality that was new and exciting. That being said, Nintendo had made something old seem new and exciting again with the NES Classic. Although their methods for achieving this incredible press and excitement might suggest they arent acting in the best interest of the consumer, Nintendo is using their business savvy to maximize profits. They are continuing the same strategy that theyve used on all their product lines. Whether or not that product is a huge success, Nintendo will not have saturated the market with consoles that will be returned. When their competition are producing far too many consoles and offering steep discounts, Nintendo has been able to play by their own rules. That is where the genius lies in their plan to control supply. Families might be disappointed this Christmas, but Nintendo wont be. They have been doing this a long time and know exactly what they are doing by managing scarcity. The NES Classic will likely be available in plentiful numbers come early 2017. Then supply will far exceed demand, but Nintendo will be sufficiently pleased.

Max Covill is a freelance journalist and columnist for Film School Rejects. He is the co-host of the ItsthePictures podcast. His bylines include Playboy, Movie Mezzanine and more. He tweets @mhcovill.
Psychologist writes on the recent presidential election and the current political landscape.

By: Positive Media Press

Contact

Tami Blodgett

***@positivemediapress.com Tami Blodgett

End

-- In the brand new ebook, SPARKS of INSPIRATION, Kindle Edition #1, William McConochie, Ph.D. shares a story about politics and the "Common Good."In a story titled, "Common Good from Paul to People," William uses his extensive background in psychology to explain the political psyche of the American voter.William says, "The majority of strong liberals and strong conservatives, as groups, tend to be rather close together on all major dimensions of political discourse, and, on the constructive side of each issue."Bill McConochie is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Eugene, OR. He continues his work in clinical evaluations for the Social Security Administration under contract, in political psychology research, and in other research projects. He "plays" at woodworking, jogging, canoeing, fishing, violin playing, Rotary International activities and writing poetry. He is a graduate of programs at Carleton College, Illinois Institute of Technology, Northwestern University School of Medicine and Stanford University. He is a member of the International Society of Political Psychology and a life member of the American Psychological Association.Twenty-one authors from all over the world came together in this inspiring digital book, sharing their personal SPARKS, in order to SPARK something in their readers.Through this collection of short stories, readers will be reminded of who they are, where they've been and where they are going.A gift for you at: http://positivemediapress.com/ soi-ebook-1- gift ABOUT POSITIVE MEDIA VENTURES, LLC.Positive Media Ventures is a new kind of media company. We strive to provide positive inspiration for everyday life and counteract the negativity that is rampant in today's media.Our media platforms include: Positive Media Press SPARKS of Inspiration eBooks and magazines Inspirational Radio Directory Inspirational Talk Radio Network Life SPARKS book programs SPARKS of Inspiration live and virtual eventsIt is our belief that every single person on this planet has a story to tell, one that will impact and inspire others. Our mission is to give everyone a platform to share their distinct message, lighting their spark that ignites inspiration in others, and soon that spark expands and becomes a flame of positivity that shines on the world.Submission applications are now open for SPARKS of INSPIRATION, Kindle Edition #2.Find out more at: http://www.positivemediapress.com/ kindle-submission/ Contact Name: Tami BlodgettContact Phone: 541-668-7526Contact E-mail: team@positivemediapress.com (mailto:team@authenticmessengers.com)
Civil Air Patrol 399th Composite Squadron holds Wreaths Across America Ceremonies at two Danbury cemeteries honoring veterans. By Major Peter Milano

C/Capt. Joe Taylor & 1st Lt. Devin Pedone place a wreath.Photo C/A1C E. Croxford

Contact

Major Peter Milano, Public Affairs Officer

399th Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol

***@399cap.org Major Peter Milano, Public Affairs Officer399th Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol

End

-- Members of Civil Air Patrol's 399th Composite Squadron held their annual Wreaths Across America Ceremonies in Danbury Connecticut at Old Kenosia Cemetery on December 17, and Wooster Cemetery on December 21, to honor veterans.Civil Air Patrol officers and cadets placed evergreen wreaths on the graves of 135 veterans in recognition and remembrance of their service to the nation. Forty of those wreaths were placed in Old Kenosia Cemetery, with the remaining 95 going on veteran graves in Wooster Cemetery. First Lieutenant Christina Posca, 399th Deputy Commander for Cadets and organizer of the events said, "We were able to place 135 wreaths, thanks to Cub Scout Pack 44 from Stadley Rough School in Danbury, who helped collect wreaths sponsors." Members of the public, veterans and Civil War reenactors assisted with the placement of wreaths at Wooster Cemetery.As a key partner in Wreaths Across America, Civil Air Patrol ensures the sacrifices of our nation's soldiers are not forgotten. Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization, began the tradition of laying thousands of Christmas wreaths on gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery in 1992. The ceremony now takes place every year during the holidays to honor veterans at cemeteries nation-wide. According to Wreaths Across America, 1.2 million remembrance wreathes were placed at 1,228 cemeteries across the country this year. The mission of Wreaths Across America is to "Remember the fallen; Honor those who serve; and Teach our children the value of freedom."The 399th Composite Squadron meets on Tuesday's from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Danbury Municipal Airport, 21 Miry Brook Road, Danbury, CT. For information about the local Wreaths Across America Ceremonies or the 399th Composite Squadron visit http://www.facebook.com/ 399thCompositeSquadron or email pao@399cap.org.Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force's Total Force, which consists of regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees. Civil Air Patrol, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 78 lives annually. Civil Air Patrol's 56,000 members nationwide also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Its members additionally play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. Performing missions for America for the past 75 years, Civil Air Patrol received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 in honor of the heroic efforts of its World War II veterans. Civil Air Patrol also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans.Visit http://www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.
Michael Schwitzer 1st Choice Inspection (President) and Kent Rice with The Brickkicker (Vice President elect) gives the Fisher House at the Milwaukee VA Center a $500.00 donation

By: Wisconsin Chapter of interNACHI

Media Contact

Michael Schwitzer, CMI

***@1stchoiceinspectionwi.com

414-463-8395 Michael Schwitzer, CMI414-463-8395

End

-- The local Wisconsin Chapter of interNACHI (Inter-National Association of Certified Home Inspectors) at the fall home inspection seminar collected monies from home inspectors attending the event. These funds were given to the Fisher House Milwaukee to help veterans in there time of need.It was an honor for both Kent Rice and myself to be able to give back to veterans and their families who stay at the Fisher House at no cost when they are receiving treatment at the VA Medical Center in Milwaukee. To better understand what the Fisher house does we received a tour of the facility. We were very impressed with what is being done to help those in need. The Fisher House is like being at home. The amenities are very comforting for everyone from a full kitchen to laundry facilities.Mr. Schwitzer wishes to thank all the inspectors who participated and the Wisconsin chapter of interNACHI for doing such a noble thing for our veterans. Our goal is to continue to support the Fisher House today and in the future.
Co-Founder of Fashions Finest, Deborah St Louis has launched Fashions Finest Media. Ms. St. Louis is expanding into film production as an extension of her existing digital Magazine, fashion trade show, and the Britain's Top Designer Award.

Media Contact

Melanie Jones PR

***@melaniejonespr.com

07961565933 Melanie Jones PR07961565933

End

-- The company is set to produce a fashion documentary series, which is set to broadcast on a UK channel for summer 2017. Fashions Finest two-day independent trade event during London Fashion Week and The annual Britain's Top Designer Award will form part of the program.Deborah St. Louis comments:"London is known as a hub of innovation and creativity. The British style is much admired and emulated the world over. Here, we set global trends. We have already captured the interest of a channel for our series. With the media landscape continually changing, this is a natural and much-needed progression from which our designers will benefit. I am excited to have started this joint venture with my business partners, Mr. Sola Oyebade and a silent partner; serial entrepreneur with a textile manufacturing company in Mongolia. We have more news in the pipeline but at this point, I can't disclose anything further".Fashion Finest has become the must-attend fashion event among fashion insiders and now trend-setting celebrities gathering national and international attention. 2017 is set to be an exciting year this platform.Founded by Deborah St. Louis, the Fashions Finest showcases during London Fashion Week was launched in 2010 following on from the setup of the Fashions Finest magazine in 2009. Since its inception, Fashions Finest has been promoting the diverse spectrum of the national and international fashion industry with primary focus on British designers.Growing from strength to strength, Fashions Finest provides a platform and supports designers that are self-taught as well as those beginning at the college level through to established designers. Fashions Finest is committed to helping designers develop their profile nationally as well as internationally, as previously demonstrated with their Fashions Finest Awards, and now continuous on its support with the annual Britain's Top Designer Awards every February as part of its Autumn / Winter showcase. Previous designers have received international press attention, grown their brand to include being stocked and sold nationally and internationally.has an audience between the ages of 18-45 year-old with their core being predominantly female, 25-40 year-old in the ABC1 category.Deborah St Louis is a fashion expert, events organiser and show producer. She is the co-founder of:Fashions Finest  independent trade showFashions Finest  digital magazineThe Britain's Top Designer AwardFashions Finest AwardsMore about Fashions Finest here: http://www.fashionsfinest.com
For the development of animals, nothing -- with the exception of DNA -- may be more important than oxygen in the atmosphere.

Oxygen enables the chemical reactions that animals use to get energy from stored carbohydrates -- from food. So it may be no coincidence that animals appeared and evolved during the "Cambrian explosion," which coincided with a spike in atmospheric oxygen roughly 500 million years ago.

It was during the Cambrian explosion that most of the current animal designs appeared.

In green plants, photosynthesis separates carbon dioxide into molecular oxygen (which is released to the atmosphere), and carbon (which is stored in carbohydrates).

But photosynthesis had already been around for at least 2.5 billion years. So what accounted for the sudden spike in oxygen during the Cambrian?

A study now online in the February issue of Earth and Planetary Science Letters links the rise in oxygen to a rapid increase in the burial of sediment containing large amounts of carbon-rich organic matter. The key, says study co-author Shanan Peters, a professor of geoscience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is to recognize that sediment storage blocks the oxidation of carbon.

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Without burial, this oxidation reaction causes dead plant material on Earth's surface to burn. That causes the carbon it contains, which originated in the atmosphere, to bond with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. And for oxygen to build up in our atmosphere, plant organic matter must be protected from oxidation.

And that's exactly what happens when organic matter -- the raw material of coal, oil and natural gas -- is buried through geologic processes.

To make this case, Peters and his postdoctoral fellow Jon Husson mined a unique data set called Macrostrat, an accumulation of geologic information on North America whose construction Peters has masterminded for 10 years.

The parallel graphs of oxygen in the atmosphere and sediment burial, based on the formation of sedimentary rock, indicate a relationship between oxygen and sediment. Both graphs show a smaller peak at 2.3 billion years ago and a larger one about 500 million years ago.

"It's a correlation, but our argument is that there are mechanistic connections between geology and the history of atmospheric oxygen," Husson says. "When you store sediment, it contains organic matter that was formed by photosynthesis, which converted carbon dioxide into biomass and released oxygen into the atmosphere. Burial removes the carbon from Earth's surface, preventing it from bonding molecular oxygen pulled from the atmosphere."

Some of the surges in sediment burial that Husson and Peters identified coincided with the formation of vast fields of fossil fuel that are still mined today, including the oil-rich Permian Basin in Texas and the Pennsylvania coal fields of Appalachia.

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"Burying the sediments that became fossil fuels was the key to advanced animal life on Earth," Peters says, noting that multicellular life is largely a creation of the Cambrian.

Today, burning billions of tons of stored carbon in fossil fuels is removing large amounts of oxygen from the atmosphere, reversing the pattern that drove the rise in oxygen. And so the oxygen level in the atmosphere falls as the concentration of carbon dioxide rises.

The data about North America in Macrostrat reflects the work of thousands of geoscientists over more than a century. The current study only concerns North America, since comprehensive databases concerning the other 80 percent of Earth's continental surface do not yet exist.

The ultimate geological cause for the accelerated sediment storage that promoted the two surges in oxygen remains murky. "There are many ideas to explain the different phases of oxygen concentration," Husson concedes. "We suspect that deep-rooted changes in the movement of tectonic plates or conduction of heat or circulation in the mantle may be in play, but we don't have an explanation at this point."

Holding a chunk of trilobite-studded Ordovician shale that formed approximately 450 million years ago, Peters asks, "Why is there oxygen in the atmosphere? The high school explanation is 'photosynthesis.' But we've known for a long time, going all the way back to Wisconsin geologist (and University of Wisconsin president) Thomas Chrowder Chamberlin, that building up oxygen requires the formation of rocks like this black shale, which can be rich enough in carbon to actually burn. The organic carbon in this shale was fixed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis, and its burial and preservation in this rock liberated molecular oxygen."

What's new in the current study, Husson says, is the ability to document this relationship in a broad database that covers 20 percent of Earth's land surface.

Continual burial of carbon is needed to keep the atmosphere pumped up with oxygen. Many pathways on Earth's surface, Husson notes, like oxidation of iron -- rust -- consume free oxygen. "The secret to having oxygen in the atmosphere is to remove a tiny portion of the present biomass and sequester it in sedimentary deposits. That's what happened when fossil fuels were deposited."
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More information about Belize is available on the Belize Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.

U.S.-Belize Relations

The United States and Belize continue to maintain strong relations. The United States is home to the largest Belizean community outside Belize, estimated at more than 85,000. An economically prosperous, democratic, and secure Belize is important to U.S. interests in the region. The United States and Belize are working as partners to strengthen border security and address transnational crime. The two countries have mutual legal assistance treaties with each other. Both governments seek to humanely manage the flow of irregular migrants to the United States through Belize.

U.S. Assistance to Belize

The United States works closely with the Government of Belize to fight narcotics, human and other types of illicit trafficking, and transnational organized crime. The U.S. government seeks to strengthen citizen security and improve the governments capacity to confront and disrupt criminal organizations. U.S. programs are assisting Belize to professionalize its police force, build its justice sector capacity, and improve its capacity to secure its borders. U.S. good governance programming focuses on strengthening civil society, improving health security and government service delivery, and building capacity within both civil society and government civil service. The Belize Defense Force receives military assistance from the United States, including training, humanitarian and medical assistance programs, and programs to construct and renovate schools. The U.S. military was also instrumental in establishing Belizes Coast Guard and continues to play a role in building its capacity.

The United States assists Belize with weather-related events and other natural hazards. Belize incurs annual losses of close to 4% of GDP due to natural disasters. Among small states, Belize ranks 3rd for susceptibility to natural disasters and 5th at risk for climate change. We work with Belize in the UN to advance climate action to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Peace Corps operates public health and education programs in Belize. U.S. Embassy Public Affairs programming promotes entrepreneurship, media literacy, and social and economic inclusion. Its robust youth programs also support the development of financial literacy and climate change awareness.

The U.S. Embassy in Belize also enjoys the support of a robust network of U.S. exchange program alumni who share their experiences in the United States through projects implemented on their return to Belize. For example, a popular talk show in Belize launched by a Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) alumnus aims to provide access to timely, accurate information to citizens around the COVID-19 crisis. COVID-19 WATCH, an emergency response national television and internet talk show series, brings together a collection of experts, officials, business owners, and concerned citizens to discuss the burning topics and share the latest updates that impact the country. The show, which is supported by an Alumni Rapid Response Fund grant through U.S. Embassy Belmopans Public Affairs Section, has played an important role in Belizes fight against the pandemic, providing important public health updates to nearly 40,000 viewers a day while combatting rumors and providing accurate information about the pandemic.

The United States strongly supports conservation efforts in Belize, most recently through the 2021 Blue Bond Agreement, an innovative debt-for-conservation deal made possible with U.S. International Development Finance Corporation-provided insurance. The United States further protects Belizes agricultural industry through the Belize Medfly Surveillance Program, which prevents the spread of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), one of the most destructive food pests in the world.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States is a principal trading partner and source of investment funds for Belize. Trade in goods between the United States and Belize totaled $ 479.7 million dollars in 2021. Tourism attracts the most foreign direct investment, although U.S. investment also is found in the agriculture and energy sectors. A Country Commercial Guide for Belize is available from the U.S. Embassys Economic/Commercial section.

Belizes Membership in International Organizations

Belize became a member of the United Nations following its 1981 independence from the United Kingdom. Belize and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.

Bilateral Representation

Principal U.S. embassy officials are listed in the Departments Key Officers List.

Belize maintains an embassy in the United States at 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel: 202-332-9636).

More information about Belize is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

CIA World Factbook Belize Page

U.S. Embassy

History of U.S. Relations With Belize

U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics

Export.gov International Offices Page

Library of Congress Country Studies

Travel Information
Norway has ordered five American P-8A maritime reconnaissance aircraft to replace six P-3 Orion and three DA-20 Jet Falcon aircraft. Like many NATO countries Norway felt little need to upgrade their ASW (anti-submarine warfare) aircraft. But now Russia has revived the Cold War and the Norwegians are responding. Until 2014 Norway planned to refurbish its P-3Cs so they could serve another 20 years. But once Russia began acting up, the more expensive option (P-8As) became more attractive. The two DA-20 aircraft are French business jets equipped for ELIMNT (intelligence collection) work. P-8As can also be equipped to handle that.

The P-8 Poseidon is based on the widely used Boeing 737 airliner. Although the Boeing 737 based P-8A is a two engine jet, compared to the four engine turboprop P-3, it is a far more capable plane. The P-8A has 23 percent more floor space than the P-3 and is larger (38 meter/118 foot wingspan, versus 32.25 meter/100 foot) and heavier (83 tons versus 61). Most other characteristics are the same. Both can stay in the air about 10 hours per sortie. Speed is different. Cruise speed for the 737 is 910 kilometers an hour, versus 590 for the P-3. This makes it possible for the P-8A to get to a patrol area faster, which is a major advantage when chasing down subs first spotted by distant sonar arrays or satellites. However, the P-3 can carry more weapons (9 tons versus 5.6). This is less of a factor as the weapons (torpedoes, missiles, mines, sonobouys) are lighter and more effective today and that trend continues. Both carry the same size crew of 10-11 pilots and equipment operators. Both aircraft carry search radar and various other sensors.

The 737 has, like the P-3, been equipped with hard points on the wings for torpedoes or missiles. The B-737 is a more modern design and has been used successfully since the 1960s by commercial aviation. Navy aviators are confident that it will be as reliable as the P-3. The P-3 was based on the Electra civilian airliner that first flew in 1954, although only 170 were built, plus 600 P-3s. Some Electras are still in service. The Boeing 737 first flew in 1965, and over 5,000 have been built. The P-8A will be the first 737 designed with a bomb bay and four wing racks for weapons. The P-8A for Norway costs about $230 million each.

The P-8 entered service in 2013. The U.S. is buying 122 P-8s and already has over 30 in service. India has eight with four more on order. Australia has one in service and 11 more on the way. Britain has ordered nine and several other nations are now interested because users so far are satisfied with P-8 performance.
Russia has acknowledged that its newest special operations unit, the KSO (Special Operations Command) has been operating in Syria. KSO was being discussed in Russia since 2013 but little was revealed officially. KSO appeared to be an elite Russian special operations unit more like the British SAS or the American Delta Force than the less selective special operations personnel Russia had favored in the past. It also became known that KSO has fewer than a thousand personnel, most of them operators (commandos) and all are volunteer professional soldiers who not only operate like their Western counterparts but have been seen using some of the same equipment. This includes special rifle sights, military rifles and high-end protective gear. Most of this stuff is available commercially, although often only to government agencies (to keep it away from criminals).

Like their Western counterparts Russian special operations troops are trained to do a variety of missions. These include reconnaissance (often deep into enemy territory), provide security for very valuable people or equipment and carry out direct action (raids).Russian spetsnaz (the less selective predecessor of KSO) did this in Afghanistan in the 1980s and in the Caucasus since the late 1990s but not in Syria. Thats because Russia wants to avoid casualties in Syria as these are very unpopular in Russia. Spectacular victories, on the other hand, are still popular and Russia had figured out how the West had used more highly skilled operators (like SAS and Delta) as a backbone or spearhead for other special operators in special situations, like Afghanistan in 2001 and for the effort to kill bin Laden and many other senior Islamic terrorist leaders and, more importantly, capture useful secrets most of these men had with them. It turned out that KSO was a key element in making the quick takeover of Crimea work. KSO is still a threat to Ukraine but it was apparently intel and advice from KSO operatives that prevented Russia from getting into even more trouble in eastern Ukraine (Donbas).

Russian special operations troops have been in Syria officially since October 2015 and unofficially up to a year earlier. Russia did not say much about what their operators were doing in Syria, which is standard for special operations forces. Initially the special operations forces were there to train their Syrian counterparts and help hunt down and kill ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) leaders. Any successes there were not publicized, which is, again, pretty standard for secretive commando operations. It was more difficult to hide the role Russian special operators played in helping improve the security around senior government officials in Damascus. That operation was also a success despite many efforts by rebels to get at the Assad family and their key allies.

Until KSO came along Russian commandos are generally similar to their foreign counterparts with one major exception. Russian spetsnaz (as Russia called military special operations) units contain a lot of conscripts, which is in sharp contrast to Western commandos who are all volunteer careerists. But the Russian spetsnaz conscripts were carefully selected and are volunteers for spetsnaz duty. While these conscript Spetsnaz are closer (in capabilities) to American Rangers, the KSO are world class.

The spetsnaz considers these conscripts as potential long-term operators and the short service of these men was considered an extended tryout. The veteran spetsnaz learned to make the most of the constant influx of conscript operators. There was a price to pay for that high turnover. Spetsnaz in Chechnya suffered about ten percent casualties for each tour. In Chechnya there were only a few hundred spetsnaz there at a time and when they were there about 80 percent of Chechen casualties were caused by spetsnaz. The spetsnaz were in Chechnya and Ukraine mainly to collect information on the rebels, locating their camps and travel routes. Artillery or bombers are called in to do the actual attacks. When the spetsnaz do run into rebel units, they inflicted far more casualties than they took. But the spetsnaz casualties are higher than with their foreign counterparts in large part because of the many conscripts. Often a third or more of the men in a spetsnaz unit in Chechnya and Ukraine were conscripts. It appears that no spetsnaz conscripts were sent to Syria, where the spetsnaz apparently included some of their Syrian counterparts (especially if they spoke Russian) in spetsnaz units. It later turned out that this was part of the cover for the presence of KSO in Syria.

The original Spetsnaz were organized more like a massive use of SAS (British commandos, the originals) raiding teams. A Spetsnaz brigade of 1,300 men could field about 100 8-10 man teams. A Spetsnaz company had 135 men further divided into 15 independent teams. Since the 1990s the lower level (company and below) organization appears to have remained unchanged. There are many different Spetsnaz organizations in Russia. The army has most of them but the navy, national police, Foreign Ministry and intelligence services all have Spetsnaz detachments that specialize in doing what their organization requires. Thus there are Spetsnaz who can carry out amphibious operations or protect embassies and diplomats overseas. There is even a special Spetsnaz detachment of super-snipers who can also be used to find and kill exceptionally effective enemy snipers.

FSO drew its personnel from all the special operations units in Russia with the assurance that they would be the best of the best and get pay, equipment, weapons and government support commensurate with that. Apparently that worked and Syria was the final exam.

There are still differences between Western and Russian special operations forces. Unlike the U.S., where the commandos have their own military command (SOCOM or Special Operations Command) in Russia the spetsnaz work more closely with the various intelligence agencies. GRU apparently had a 2014 plan for taking over Crimea in a way that would cause the least amount of diplomatic and military damage and the spetsnaz units GRU controlled were the key operators able to make it happen. KSO also got involved but GRU took the lead. KSO was the new player and performed well. A year later KSO showed up in Syria where KSO was the lead special operations unit there.

Crimea and Syria were also different types of special operations situations. Ukraine had 25,000 army, air force and navy personnel in Crimea but the GRU spetsnaz plan included persuading many of them to either just not fight to accept a generous offer to join the Russian armed forces. The 11,000 Russian troops normally stationed in Crimea are mostly support personnel for the naval bases of the Black Sea Fleet. The exception was 2,000 marines. These were reinforced by another 7,000 troops, mostly infantry and special operations forces flown in or arrived by ship by early March. These were followed by 15,000 more ferried across the 4.5 kilometer wide Kerch Strait that separates Crimea from southern Russia. By late March Russia had over 30,000 troops in Crimea, including over a thousand spetsnaz.

All this was right out of the old Soviet playbook, used by the communists to avoid the expense and mess of directly taking control of a newly conquered territory but instead using locals to be figureheads who answered to Russia. This is what happened in East Europe after World War II. That all fell apart between 1989 (when the East European nations Russian taken control of after World War II broke away) and 1991 (when the Soviet Union itself fell apart and most of the unhappy non-Russians forced to be part of the empire got their freedom). Russia is trying to use the old techniques to get their empire back. Thats not working out so well, although there have been some minor successes like Crimea. Creating KSO is part of an effort to upgrade and improve this historically successful technique.

The Crimea operation was something of a comeback for the spetsnaz who, after the sloppy Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008 were told that they were being downsized. This was especially bad news for the GRU spetsnaz who were feeling that they were not getting the respect and good treatment they deserved. This was made worse by the fact that the FSB spetsnaz units had better fringe benefits and pay. On top of that, the GRU spetsnaz spent more time in hell holes like Chechnya. Despite that, after Georgia some were getting layoff notices.

Down in the Caucasus, a lot of the actual fighting was between non-Chechens (al Qaeda types) and Russian commandos (GRU Spetsnaz.) Some 80 percent of the Chechen casualties are inflicted by the spetsnaz teams, who were the only troops that regularly patrolled the mountains where the Chechen rebels and their foreign allies hid out. Most of the dead and captured rebels were not Chechens. They were foreigners, many of them Arabs. This had largely quieted down by 2009, but the GRU spetsnaz were still doing six month tours down there and not feeling appreciated. They were becoming very good at what they were trained to do.

Because of the success in Crimea the planned (since 2009) cuts to GRU Spetsnaz were rescinded. Apparently the fact that the first spetsnaz units were the ones working for GRU and their long history of successful operations (many still top secret) did count for something. Now the GRU spetsnaz have more successes build on, mainly because of KSO. That explains why many of the best GRU spetsnaz joined FSO. They did so for the usual reason; to go from being good at what you do to being with the best.

This did not reflect poorly on the GRU spetsnaz. The successful Crimea operation will go down as one of GRUs biggest successes. The GRU Spetsnaz were the first (in 1957) of the spetsnaz units created and have now demonstrated that they not only can fight Islamic terrorists, but also carry out complex political operations as well. In fact GRU considers counter-terrorism ops, especially within Russia to be another form of complex political operation.

But for operations like the American and Western special operations operators have been handling for decades, and especially since 2001, Russia now has FSO.
ARTA BEACH, Djibouti - U.S. Marines with Tank Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 4th Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, drive an M1A1 Main Battle Tank to a forward operating base during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 9. The principal battle tank of the Marine Corps, the M1A1 provides armor-protected firepower in support of Marine ground forces. Alligator Dagger exercises the MEUs versatility to support missions across the full range of military operations to remain a flexible, adaptable and persistent force. Photo By: Robert B. Brown Jr

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BlackRock, Inc. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks. It also provides global risk management and advisory services. The firm manages separate client-focused equity, fixed income, and balanced portfolios. It also launches and manages open-end and closed-end mutual funds, offshore funds, unit trusts, and alternative investment vehicles including structured funds. The firm launches equity, fixed income, balanced, and real estate mutual funds. It also launches equity, fixed income, balanced, currency, commodity, and multi-asset exchange traded funds. The firm also launches and manages hedge funds. It invests in the public equity, fixed income, real estate, currency, commodity, and alternative markets across the globe. The firm primarily invests in growth and value stocks of small-cap, mid-cap, SMID-cap, large-cap, and multi-cap companies. It also invests in dividend-paying equity securities. The firm invests in investment grade municipal securities, government securities including securities issued or guaranteed by a government or a government agency or instrumentality, corporate bonds, and asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. It employs fundamental and quantitative analysis with a focus on bottom-up and top-down approach to make its investments. The firm employs liquidity, asset allocation, balanced, real estate, and alternative strategies to make its investments. In real estate sector, it seeks to invest in Poland and Germany. The firm benchmarks the performance of its portfolios against various S&P, Russell, Barclays, MSCI, Citigroup, and Merrill Lynch indices. BlackRock, Inc. was founded in 1988 and is based in New York City with additional offices in Boston, Massachusetts; London, United Kingdom; Gurgaon, India; Hong Kong; Greenwich, Connecticut; Princeton, New Jersey; Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Sydney, Australia; Taipei, Taiwan; Singapore; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Washington, District of Columbia; Toronto, Canada; Wilmington, Delaware; and San Francisco, California.
When Janina Schan lifted Lila into her arms, the dog felt lighter than air. And, in that instant, the terrible weight of what this dog had gone through crushed her. Schan, who founded Osa Peninsula Rescue in Costa Rica, cried all the way to the veterinary clinic, where she collapsed on the floor. It was, she would later tell her friend and fellow animal rescuer Anette Targowski, "the worst case of cruelty she had ever seen." Lila had been tied for days in a yard with food and water out of reach.

Osa Peninsula Rescue

"Lila was very close to death," Targowski tells The Dodo. "She could not stand. She was very weak. And on top of that, she had horrible mange. She was just skin and bones."

Dodo Shows Adopt Me! Scared Little Dog Is So Full Of Joy Now  And Looking For A Family

Osa Peninsula Rescue

Despite the ordeal she had gone through, Lila's heart proved powerfully intact. And, under the care of her rescuers, it beat more strongly every day. More than a year after Lila was rescued, she is fully recovered - a bouncy, gentle dog without a trace of her dark past.

Osa Peninsula Rescue

In that time, however, another, more subtle, tragedy has unfolded. Because foster homes are often crowded, Lila has bounced around from home to home while awaiting her forever family. But this is no country for mixed-breed dogs. "Dogs like Lila have a very hard time being adopted because they're not purebred," Targowski explains. "If you have a nice Doberman or German shepherd, you're going to adopt him in no time. "People in Costa Rica want large dogs. They want pure dogs. And dogs like Lila don't stand a chance." Which is why Targowski, who lives in Canada, has been sharing Lila's story everywhere she could on social media - hoping to find her a real home outside Costa Rica.

Osa Peninsula Rescue

This week, there was good news: several applications from Canadian families looking to adopt Lila. "We are still in the process of interviewing," Targowski says.

Osa Peninsula Rescue
It all started when Julie Dudley adopted a 10-year-old cattle dog named Sassy. Her previous owner no longer wanted her, so he called Old Dog Haven, an organization in Washington state that helps place homeless senior dogs with new families. If Old Dog Haven couldn't take Sassy, the owner said he was going to shoot her, according to Dudley.

Sassy | The Grey Muzzle Organization

After receiving a call from Old Dog Haven, Dudley, a foster caretaker for the organization, raced to the man's property to rescue Sassy. "I took one look at her, and she looked like an old teddy bear that somebody had abandoned," Dudley told The Dodo. "Half the fur on her back was missing because she also had a really bad flea infection." The flea infection, in addition to a food allergy issue, had wrecked havoc on Sassy's skin. "Her skin was so infected, she stunk," Dudley said. This had led the owner to keep Sassy outside all the time, and she probably hadn't gotten proper attention for years.

The Grey Muzzle Organization

When picking Sassy up, Dudley had brought along another one of her senior dogs - a black lab mix named Maxwell - thinking Sassy might like the company. "I thought, you know what, she's been lonely out in the backyard by herself the whole time," Dudley said. "I'll take both the dogs for a little walk in the park before they go home, and they can meet each other."

Dodo Shows Foster Diaries Scared Pittie Gets So Happy When He Meets This Guy And His Pack Of Dogs

The Grey Muzzle founder Julie Dudley with Maxwell | The Grey Muzzle Organization

Sassy had bad arthritis, but she leapt like a puppy when she met Maxwell. Then Dudley loaded Sassy into her car to go to the park, and Sassy immediately fell asleep and started snoring. "I got to the park and opened the trunk of the car, and she didn't even wake up," Dudley said with a laugh. "Sometimes these senior dogs, when they've been in a really traumatic situation, and they realize instinctively that they're safe, they just start sleeping it off because they don't have to stay awake and alert anymore. They're okay. They can relax. She slept the whole way home."

Sassy with the other dogs | The Grey Muzzle Organization

Sassy lived for two joy-filled years with Dudley and her husband. During this time, she loved snoozing on her bed by the fire, going for walks and spending time with her new family. "She was really enjoying life - going for walks with the other dogs and being with us," Dudley said. "She had so much to give. We really adored her." "We always made sure she was never alone," Dudley added. "Either one of the other dogs were with her, or us - we never, ever left her alone again."

The Grey Muzzle Organization

Sassy was particularly special to Dudley, but she knew that Sassy wasn't the only senior dog who had a lot to give. Dudley felt that all senior dogs deserved a second chance.

The Grey Muzzle Organization

With Sassy in mind, Dudley founded The Grey Muzzle Organization in 2008. The group helps improve the lives of senior dogs by providing funding to shelters, rescue groups, sanctuaries and other nonprofit organizations that care for older dogs. The Grey Muzzle doesn't just help senior dogs find homes - they also help them get access to things like dog beds, dental care and even water therapy.

The Grey Muzzle Organization

Now the organization has a network of over 75 volunteers, and over the past eight years, they've awarded more than $750,000 in grants to help senior dogs across the country. In 2016 alone, they gave $225,000 to 38 animal welfare groups.

The Grey Muzzle Organization

Besides helping senior dogs, The Grey Muzzle Organization also helps people understand why it's great to adopt senior dogs.

The Grey Muzzle Organization

"With senior dogs, you know what you're getting in terms of their personality, and this ensures that your bond will be forever," Lisa Lunghofer, the executive director of The Grey Muzzle, said. "Having a dog that's housebroken, and has some basic training - it's a lot less work than a puppy. Older dogs have a way about them, a sort of gentleness, a way of expressing their appreciation and getting a second chance, which I think is really very moving.

The Grey Muzzle Organization

Dudley couldn't agree more. "It was really neat to see that you don't need to give up on old dogs," she said. "They still have a lot of heart, and a lot to give to your heart. Every one of them is wonderful."

The Grey Muzzle Organization

The Grey Muzzle relies on public funding to improve the lives of senior dogs. To help support older dogs, you can make a donation to The Grey Muzzle here.
The colt was only hours old, but he was going to be put down. He'd been born without the bottom three bones in his leg, and the fourth bone wasn't fully formed. The Amish farmer who owned the baby horse knew he wouldn't be able to pull a buggy when he got older, so he had no use for him.

The colt - later named Trident - might have been born without leg bones, but he was born at the right place and at the right time. A midwife named Tuesday Lach was doing a health check on a woman at the Indiana farm when she heard about Trident and the farmer's plans to euthanize him. Lach's sister, Dawnell Kilbourne, is an animal caretaker at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary in New York. Tuesday contacted Kilbourne to discuss what they could do for Trident. Then the sisters reached out to Ronnie Graves of Veterinary Inclusive Prosthetics and Orthotics to see if Trident would be a good candidate for prosthetics.

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

Graves was located in Florida, but he travelled all the way to Indiana to take a cast of Trident's leg. Then, back in Florida, Graves fashioned Trident's first prosthetic and sent it to the farm.

While Lach and Kilbourne helped Trident, they made arrangements with the Amish farmer to keep Trident at the farm until they found him another home. Kilbourne's niece, who lived near the farm in Indiana, started working with Trident to get him used to his new prosthetic.

Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Rescued Animals Melt Into This Woman's Arms When She Sings To Them

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

But when the school year started a few weeks later, Kilbourne's niece could no longer work with Trident. Kilbourne and her sister tried to find a local horse rescue group that would take Trident, but they didn't have any luck. If they left Trident with the Amish farmer, he'd be put down, especially after the farmer realized how much time, money and attention Trident would require.

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

Hearing this, Kilbourne and Kathy Keefe, the director of Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary, decided to drive 12 and a half hours to rescue Trident and bring him back to the sanctuary.

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

Trident would be the first horse at Woodstock, joining a crew of goats, pigs, rabbits, cows, ducks, sheep, turkeys and cats.

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

Besides his deformed leg, Trident had other issues. "Trident was weaned from his mother at 3 months old, which is too young," Keefe told The Dodo. "His feet had not been taken care of ... His hooves needed trimming very badly. He was a little skittish but curious and came out of the stall with me without a problem."

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

Trident was a good traveler on the long journey to New York, and has adapted well to life at the sanctuary, as well as his new leg.

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

"He loves spending time outside, and you'll often see him prancing and running around with his prosthetic," Keefe said.

Trident might be the only horse at the sanctuary, but he's also making lots of friends. "Trident loves all of the cows!" Keefe said. "His neighbors at the moment are Ralphie, Dylan, Maybelle and Kayli. Trident is very curious and will stick his face through the fence to check everybody out."

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

Once Trident gets more accustomed to his brace, the Woodstock crew plans on rescuing another horse to give Trident a friend. "Trident will be able to live a full life now that he has found sanctuary with us," Keefe said. "He will always be a special-needs horse, but we will continue to fit him for new prosthetics as he continues to grow and gets older."

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

The vets at Rhinebeck Equine Hospital continue to work with Trident, and they're amazed to see how well Trident is doing with his new leg.

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

"They never see his type of case as most horses in his condition would have been put down," Keefe said. "They were skeptical until they saw Ronnie's work and saw that Trident could have a real life at the sanctuary. They repeatedly tell us that they could not imagine a better place for Trident to be."

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary

To help pay for Trident's care, you can make a donation to Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary here.
TORONTOAn Alberta man was charged Wednesday after a flight attendant was injured aboard an Air Canada flight en route to India, forcing the plane to return to Toronto.

The airline said the Boeing 787-8 was carrying 232 passengers when it took off from Toronto for Delhi on Tuesday evening.

The plane had to turn around about two-and-a-half hours into the flight due to an incident involving a disruptive passenger, a spokesman said.

A flight attendant sustained injuries requiring medical treatment, said Peter Fitzpatrick. Police met the aircraft after it landed about 2:20 a.m. Wednesday.

Peel Regional Police said a man had allegedly assaulted the flight attendant around 12:42 a.m. when the flight was over the Atlantic Ocean, just off the East Coast.

They say the 47-year-old was belligerent at the time, but was arrested without incident when the plane landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Jaskaran Sidhu was charged with assault causing bodily harm, endangering the safety of an aircraft and two counts of mischief.

He was set to appear in a Brampton, Ont., court on Wednesday.

The aircrafts diversion back to Toronto marked the second delay for passengers on the flight.

Poor weather had prompted Air Canada to postpone the flight earlier on Tuesday, shortly after it made it to the runway.

A rescheduled flight was scheduled to leave Toronto for Delhi at noon Wednesday.

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VANCOUVERA former elementary school teacher is suing a diocese of the Roman Catholic church, alleging she was sexually assaulted by a priest while working at a church-run school four decades ago in Kamloops, B.C.

The woman alleges in a notice of civil claim that she sought psychological and spiritual advice and counselling from Rev. Erlindo Molon soon after she began teaching at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

She alleges in the lawsuit filed in British Columbia Supreme Court that Molon, who was about 20 years her senior, exploited and sexually assaulted her several times over several months.

The sexual assaults ... were without her consent, resulting from his abuse of the power and exploitation of the trust and psychological intimacy inherent to the relationship between an older priest and a young pious parishioner, the statement of claim says.

Molon performed sexual acts upon her innumerable times, including intercourse, beginning in September 1976 for a period of eight months, the document alleges.

The womans lawsuit claims she reported the abuse to the Kamloops diocese in the spring of 1977 but the assaults continued and escalated in aggression until Molon was transferred to another posting in Ontario in May of that year.

The Canadian Press does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they give their consent to be identified. The womans lawyer could not immediately be reached.

None of the allegations has been tested in court and no statement of defence has been filed.

Efforts to reach Molon were unsuccessful.

The diocese of Kamloops declined to comment on the case.

The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount in damages from Molon and the Roman Catholic bishop of the diocese of Kamloops for psychological injury and the resulting loss.

The lawsuit says the womans numerous psychological injuries include an impaired ability to trust others, low self-esteem and loss of connection to the church.

It says she abandoned a medical doctoral degree as a result of the injuries and, if not for the alleged sexual assaults, she would have become a doctor.

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If you think Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will keep his repeated promise to change the voting system before the next election, consider this: Ottawa has flirted with reform for almost a century. At least eight reports on the way we vote federally have been produced since 1921, each recommending some form of change.

And yet, plus cest la meme chose.

But some Canadian jurisdictions have managed to toss out the voting system we inherited from Britain, where the person who receives the most votes in each riding gets elected. Aside from a smattering of municipalities that have experimented over the years, Manitoba and Alberta had alternatives to this first-past-the-post (FPTP) system from the 1920s to the 1950s. So did British Columbia for elections in 1952 and 1953.

Its a little-known history that political scientists and advocates for reform say is worth dredging, given the current brouhaha over electoral change in the capital.

I think its a fascinating story, very instructive, said Dennis Pilon, a York University professor who studies the history and politics of electoral reform. His big take-away: Its not about principle; its not about values  its about power.

The first wave of change came at a unique historical moment. New political forces were emerging as the First World War came to a close, particularly in the Prairies, where populist movements included groups of farmers who were tired of partisan politics and yearned for a more decentralized and direct form of democracy. There was also a push to extend voting rights to women, the strengthening labour cause and the fragmentation of the two-party system  Grits versus Tories  that had endured since Confederation.

Pilon argues that the political establishment of the time feared these trends. In 1919, roughly 30,000 people joined the Winnipeg General Strike, a mass show of dissatisfaction that fanned the sense of postwar unease among the dominant political and business players of the day, Pilon said. His view is that Manitobas Liberal government quickly moved to change the electoral system in 1920 to prevent the labour movement from taking power.

Harold Jansen, a University of Lethbridge political scientist, believes the Liberal government wasnt being so nakedly self-interested, yet recognized they were trying to placate the United Farmers of Manitoba, a nascent political movement with chapters in other provinces that was pushing for electoral reform (they actually won the Manitoba election in 1922).

At any rate, Manitoba eventually adopted a hybrid system, starting in the 1926 election, where the rules for voting in rural ridings were different from how ballots were counted in Winnipeg, the provinces major urban centre. Outside the city, elections were held using the alternative vote (AV). Rather than marking an X beside a single candidate, voters would rank them according to their preferences. Bottom-ranked candidates would be dropped after the first count, and ballots in their name would be redistributed to their voters second choices. This process would continue until one candidate got at least 50 per cent of the vote. As both Jansen and Pilon explained, this system went on to benefit the United Farmers, who already had strong support in rural ridings and were the second choice of many Liberal and Conservative voters.

Winnipeg got a different system, which began six years earlier in 1920: single transferable vote (STV). This variation of proportional representation is different from first past the post, in that the seats awarded to each party is closer to their share of the popular vote. Under FPTP in the 2015 federal election, for example, the Liberals were awarded a majority government (more than 50 per cent of seats) even though just 39.5 per cent of the electorate voted for them. That probably wouldnt have happened with a proportional system like STV.

Jansen explained that under Winnipegs STV system, voters ranked candidates and the entire city elected 10 candidates based on these rankings; victorious candidates had to receive a certain number of votes to get in, and once a candidate reached that threshold, surplus ballots with them as the first choice were redistributed according to voters preferences until 10 representatives had enough support. This was complicated and often resulted in several rounds of counting. In 1922, for example, it took 37 counts before 10 candidates were declared elected.

As University of Manitoba political scientist Christopher Adams argued, this system was meant to dilute support for left-wing candidates in Winnipeg, where the socialist and labour causes had recently demonstrated their strength with the General Strike. Their support was concentrated in the urban ridings, meaning they could have won several seats under the FPTP system with just 30 to 40 per cent of the vote in each riding. Under STV, the parties receiving the rest of the votes in those ridings would likely get some representation from the city, preventing a left-wing sweep of Winnipeg seats. And it worked  labour, socialist and social democratic politicians were routinely elected there, but so were Conservatives and Liberals.

They wanted to prevent a group being elected they didnt like: labour, Adams said.

Alberta adopted the same hybrid system in 1926: AV for rural ridings and STV for the urban centres, Edmonton and Calgary. Jansen said the logic was the same: The party in power  in this case, the United Farmers of Alberta  wanted a system to weaken the electoral prospects of their opponents. They divide their opposition in the cities and in the rural areas they devise a system that allows them to pretty much win every seat, he said.

Then there was B.C. in 1952. The provincial government at the time was a Liberal-Conservative coalition, fearful of the possibility of a victorious Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), which later became the NDP.

As Jansen explained, the B.C. coalition government decided to change the electoral system to prevent the CCF from taking power. In 1952, a bill was passed to scrap FPTP and bring in AV ranked ballot provincewide. There was even a rule that Liberal and Conservative candidates would be listed first and second, Jansen said, the assumption being that slack-jawed voters would have a tendency to rank these first and second. Jansen called it a very direct attempt to try and game the system.

Turns out, another upstart party was the second choice of many CCF, Liberal and Conservative voters: Social Credit. They swooped to power in 1952, won a majority under the new system in 1953, and then introduced legislation to return to FPTP. Aside from a brief period in the early 1970s, Social Credit held power in B.C. until 1991.

Alberta and Manitoba eventually returned to the FPTP fold too, in 1955 and 1953, respectively. Jansen said Winnipeggers felt overlooked because the system ensured elections were won and lost in the rural ridings, while Alberta dropped their system because there were too many spoiled ballots. The relevant question now is: what does this history tell us?

Kelly Carmichael, executive director of Fair Vote Canada, an organization that has been pushing electoral reform for more than a decade, said historys lesson is obvious: Party politics is a major factor.

Its about winning, this whole campaign and changing the electoral system, Carmichael said. Its partisan interest against democracy, and its unfortunate.

Jansen said thats true, but believes more is at play. In order for electoral systems to change, there is always a complex set of motives working together, he said  a combination of party interest and public pressure.

He added that, while many people foresee different parties gaining from different electoral systems  for instance, many observers agree that the Green Party would gain seats under proportional representation, because their disparate low level in each riding adds up to a lot of votes nationally, but rarely translates to the plurality needed to win in a single riding  its difficult to predict how the public would vote under a new regime. Just look at the B.C. coalition governments expectation that a new system would preserve their hold on power in 1952. They paid a big price for it, Jansen said, pointing out that the Conservatives have never again held power in the province, while the Liberals didnt win an election for 49 years.

For Pilon, if electoral change is ever going to happen federally, the party in power needs to perceive an existential threat to their ability to win. If thats the case, change can occur easily and quickly. Each province that reformed its electoral system did so by simply passing legislation  no referendum, no drawn out consultations, he said.

But now that Trudeaus Liberals have a majority, Pilon said his best guess is that party operatives no longer feel the way they did after the 2011 election, when the party was relegated to third place for the first time in its history.

Suddenly they were talking about a change to the voting system, Pilon said. Accident? Coincidence?

History, at least according to Pilon, would suggest it was not.

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Lonny Coote sweeps his hand over a snow leopard pelt and a tin of caviar, reaches past a stuffed parrot, exotic medicines, $11,000 alligator shoes, and points to a tiny white figurine.

Its ivory, delicately carved into a three-inch elephant and mounted on a little wooden platform. It sits next to a short elephant tusk.

These were seized from 888 Auctions, he says.

Coote is regional director of Environment Canadas Wildlife Enforcement Directorate, the government body that polices the trade of endangered and threatened species.

His teams evidence room, in a non-descript government building in Burlington, Ont., is the final resting place for hundreds of trophies, tchotchkes and fashion mistakes imported or exported illegally and confiscated by the government.

888 Auctions, a Richmond Hill-based seller of antiques, pleaded guilty on Nov. 14 to exporting the carved elephant, a small elephant tusk, and a leather case made from python skin.

The company and its director, Dong Heon Kim, were fined a combined $12,500 and sentenced to two years probation. Their endangered animal goods ended up in Cootes evidence room.

But there are still a staggering number of endangered animal products in basements, living rooms and vintage shops across the country and no shortage of Canadians with trinkets of ivory or antler or claw.

Because Canadas laws on animal products only stretch back 42 years, these heirlooms and antiques are totally legal, though their owners dont necessarily want them around.

Linda Bronfmans mother gave her a few pieces of ivory Netsuke, carved Japanese figurines, about 45 years ago when Bronfman was a young girl.

Bronfman, a self-described animal advocate from Toronto, has since inherited some of her mothers jewelry, including one or two ivory bangles.

I dont wear it, I dont display (the ivory), said Bronfman, who has campaigned against auction houses selling ivory.

Im waiting for the day when there is a Canadian ivory destruction and if the government would allow people to add their ivory to it I would add mine.

Canada is one of over 180 countries that have signed on to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)  a global agreement that regulates the movement of at-risk plant and animal products.

CITES and the Canadian laws that enforce it here, are a complex web of prohibitions and exemptions. There are different rules for different categories, which are determined by species population and risk.

In the simplest terms, though, its illegal to bring endangered species specimens into Canada for commercial purposes. Even if youre just buying a souvenir on holiday, you need a special permit.

Once an animal product has been brought into Canada illegally, its against the law to possess or sell it.

Unless, that is, you can prove the specimen was taken from the wild before July 3, 1975, when CITES came into use. Then its fair game.

So the ivory lapel pin you inherited from your grandfather or the rhino foot ashtray you bought in a Parkdale vintage store is probably legal. But not everyone who comes across these aged specimens wants them around, even if they are legal.

Ron Gray has run Canadian Ivory Inc. for about 10 years. The Vancouver-based company deals primarily in tusk and bone from Canadian Arctic animals  whales, narwhals, walruses.

Over the years, Gray has also purchased antique elephant ivory for resale, from people who want it out of their house.

Typically what we find is its someones grandfather or great grandfather has gone off on a hunt to Africa or Asia and brought a trophy back, Gray says.

And it probably sat in their living room and then  this got relegated by inheritance to the next generation and ended up in the rec room.

As society changed, Gray said, people have stopped wanting elephant trophies on display in their homes.

Elephant ivory is a difficult one, says Gray. It has all kinds of emotional charge to it.

But wildlife advocates argue buying and selling endangered animal antiques is problematic, even if it is technically legal.

Knowing that a dead elephant is behind every piece of ivoryregardless of whether its antique or newI personally wouldnt want it, says Rachel Kramer of TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring group created by the World Wildlife Fund and International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Bona fide antiques may not be a problem in and of themselves, Kramer adds. But as long as theres demand for ivory, criminals will try to launder new supply and pass it off as old (which) can be a real challenge for law enforcement.

Bronfman says she would like to see the Canadian government destroy its stores of ivory, and ban the sale of ivory regardless of its age.

It (would) spread the word: Canada is putting its foot down on this that there should be no market for this, she says.

In June 2015, U.S. Fish and Wildlife officers hauled a rock crusher into Times Square in New York City and fed into it over a ton of confiscated ivory.

It was a statement against the ivory trade in a jurisdiction, New York State, that has almost entirely banned the sale of any ivory product.

But American ivory destruction ceremonies are also an indication of how much illegal ivory U.S. authorities have to deal with, Baxter says.

Just the sheer volume of traffic into the United States would completely dwarf that in Canada, says Baxter. Its just demographics,

Canadian enforcement officers will destroy more common products, like leather from at-risk animals and highly processed products like medicinal powders and balms made from animal bone or organs.

These items are incinerated by a private government contractor, under the supervision of an enforcement officer.

Most other specimens, particularly ones from highly endangered species, are kept in the evidence room, essentially in perpetuity.

Theyre used for education purposes, says Coote, to teach law enforcement how to police illegal goods, or show the public what not to buy abroad.

And animal products with special cultural significance may be donated to a museum, Coote says.

Coote and Baxter speak of having respect for the specimen, protecting an endangered animal in death as in life.

We try to find a good home for it, says Coote.

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JUNIATA TOWNSHIP, PA.The suspect in the fatal shooting of a first-year Pennsylvania trooper was shot and killed after making threats to police who located him Saturday morning, authorities said.

Trooper Landon Weaver, 23, was killed responding to a domestic complaint Friday evening in a rural area in Huntingdon County, in central Pennsylvania. An overnight manhunt for the suspect ended Saturday morning when police found 32-year-old Jason Robison at an unoccupied mobile home in the area, authorities said.

Cpl. Adam Reed, a state police spokesman, said Robison refused orders and threatened officers on the scene, leading police to shoot him. His death was confirmed at about 10:30 a.m.

Weaver was responding to a reported violation of a protection-from-abuse order when he was shot. Details of that complaint were not immediately available, and Reed did not immediately know who owned the home where Weaver was killed.

The search for Robison was focused on an area around the home and nearby Raystown Lake.

He had been arrested more than a dozen times in the county, on charges that included making threats, assault, theft and driving on a revoked licence. Robison last appeared in court on Dec. 16, when he was released on theft and driving charges after posting $10,000 bail.

Weaver, originally from East Freedom in Blair County, was assigned to a patrol unit with Troop G in Huntingdon. He had joined the department in December 2015 and had graduated from the police academy in June. His survivors include his wife, Reed said.

Gov. Tom Wolf in a statement said Weaver will be remembered for his bravery, his sacrifice, and his willingness to serve.

Wolf also praised state police for working through the night and concluding the search without injuries to other residents.

Weaver was the 97th member of the Pennsylvania State Police to be killed in the line of duty.

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This is your lucky day. Why put yourself through a year of nervous waiting to discover what the biggest international news stories will be in 2017?

To end the suspense, here is a confidential peek at the Top 10 world headlines of the coming year.

The 21st century unravels

Decades from now, historians will remember 2017 as the year when everything changed. It will resemble 100 years ago when the First World War unleashed forces that ultimately produced the horrors of the 20th century. Donald Trumps election, by accelerating Americas retreat from its global role, will be the catalyst, with its echoes being heard worldwide. Undermined in the process will be the very democratic institutions and values that were put into place to prevent history from repeating itself.

Trumps presidency implodes

Donald Trump will begin his presidency with the lowest approval ratings in modern American history. And that may be his high mark. His proposed policies, which were incoherent and contradictory during the campaign, will be proven disastrous when he tries to implement them. Tax reductions for his friends, massive social spending cuts for the rest of Americans and a feckless foreign policy that places the planet at risk: except to the delusional, this is not a recipe for political success.

America risks war with China

All signs suggest that the first global crisis for the new Trump administration will be with China. It was no accident that Trump broke decades of American policy and spoke directly to the leader of Taiwan. Afterward, the president-elect indicated that he might scrap the one China policy if the U.S. doesnt get a better deal from China. Quarrelling with China over trade or military manoeuvres is one thing. Challenging China over Taiwan would risk war.

Russias Putin makes his move

The real winner in the U.S. election was Vladimir Putin. In his wildest dreams, he could not have expected that America would end up being led by a pro-Russian president with a secretary of state whom Putin regards as a personal friend. As Russia prepares to celebrate the centenary of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, what better time for Putin to indulge his fantasy of trying to regain control over Ukraine and other parts of the former Soviet Union? He will try.

Europes far-right parties surge

Fuelled by racism and a fear of immigrants, Europes once-marginal populist wave will achieve dramatic breakthroughs in 2017. Far-right political parties will surge in Dutch general elections in March, and in France later in the spring. In their aggressive effort to break into the mainstream, they will exploit the same angry, nationalist mood that Trump so effectively tapped. The only exception, although just barely, will be in Germany, where Chancellor Angela Merkel will eke out a re-election victory in spite of her pro-immigration policies.

Stain of Aleppo resolves nothing

There is little doubt that Syrian and Russian forces committed war crimes in December in the battle over the historic Syrian city of Aleppo. But the international uproar that this generated will not last. The Syrian civil war will continue, resembling the same ongoing insurgency that still plagues neighbouring Iraq. The only positive note is that the terrorist group Daesh, also known as ISIS, is on its way to being defeated, at least in Syria and Iraq. But, in all of the Middle East and beyond, the battlefields will still be littered with danger.

Irans nuclear deal survives

Against all odds, Iran and the worlds major powers, including the United States, reached a historic nuclear agreement in 2015. It shocked Irans enemies, such as Israels government and American conservatives, who predicted Iran would violate the deal. Iran has done no such thing. In the campaign, Trump promised to scrap the agreement. But there are increasing signs this will be reversed.

Turkey edges closer to dictatorship

Not long ago, Turkey was regarded as a model for the developing world. It was a secular Muslim nation, straddling Asia and Europe, proud of its democratic traditions. But that, it appears, is no more. Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is using a failed military coup to jail activists, leftist and any journalist that challenges him. As he increases his power, the haunting spectre of dictatorship looms large.

Britain loses faith in Brexit

Last June, Britain narrowly voted to leave the European Union. But polls suggest there are growing signs of buyers remorse. The route out of the European Union is proving to be long and tortuous, and the negative impact on the economy is already being felt. Meanwhile, Europe, for its part, says it will be tough and unforgiving when negotiations begin. Might there be a second referendum to ratify the final agreement? That possibility is no longer far-fetched.

The nuclear threat returns

Not since the Cold War has the fear of a nuclear strike been so genuine. U.S. military officials say that North Korea already has a nuclear capability, and some say it may be able to hit the western United States with a nuclear strike by 2020. In addition, if a Trump-led America retreats from its alliances, there will be talk in the rest of Asia  and in the Middle East  about whether they should explore their own nuclear option. The ticking of the Doomsday Clock resumes.

My track record

So how have I done in the past? On behalf of narcissists everywhere, I have taken the outrageous step of scoring myself. For my 2014 and 2015 predictions, I was correct on roughly 60 per cent of them.

This past year, I also scored 60 per cent. (Do I detect a pattern here?) I had six correct predictions for 2016, including on China, Europe and Latin America.

But the ones I got wrong were eye-popping  such as predicting that Hillary Clinton would win the U.S. presidency and that Britain would vote to stay in the European Union. In my defence, I quote an expression that I could imagine only Trump using if he were in my position: No one is perfect  thats why pencils have erasers.

Happy New Year.

Tony Burman is former head of Al Jazeera English and CBC News.

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Re: TTC seniors discount facing fresh opposition

TTC seniors discount facing fresh opposition

I am writing to express my opposition to efforts to axe the seniors discount that is currently available to Toronto seniors.

Seniors occupy the spectrum of income, needs, interests and activities. Many of us opt to use single tickets. Others enjoy the benefit of a discounted Seniors Metro Pass.

As a senior, I have chosen not to have a car for reasons of affordability and the fact I can access the city through the TTC. I can access services such as social, recreational, cultural and medical specialists through the convenience of my seniors pass. I can plan multiple stops on a single outing.

Without my seniors pass, Id be thinking twice whether I could afford to go, for example, to the doctor and other errands on the same day.

As a senior with the convenience and affordability of the senior special rate, I have the confidence to be fully active in the community.

I do appreciate the challenge the TTC is facing in funding the service. Earlier I suggested reinstating tickets for children, at a deeply reduced rate, such as 25 cents.

Carol Rawson, Toronto

The question of whether seniors should retain the long-standing TTC discount should go beyond whether we can afford to pay more. Likely many of us can. But should we?

The TTCs simplistic analysis of how much money they are losing with seniors fares is short-sighted. Most seniors travel during non-peak times, when trains and buses are less crowded, so there may be a seat for our weary old bodies. We have the luxury of choosing our travel times (and we dont clog the system) when its busy with commuters.

As the TTC acknowledges, many seniors can afford to pay full fare. We can also afford to drive. Does Toronto really want seniors to abandon public transit and take to the roads en masse?

Most successful businesses provide some form of seniors discount. It acknowledges the contributions seniors have made and it often applies when business is slower than normal, so it is a win/win: it brings in customers when business is slower than normal.

Like many seniors, I weigh my travel options carefully. I consider the longer travel times and less convenience of the TTC a trade-off for cheaper seniors fares. If the seniors discount is eliminated, the Take The Car option becomes increasingly attractive.

Brigitte Nowak, Toronto

TTC Chairman Colle thinks seniors are amongst the wealthiest people in Toronto and discounted TTC fares for seniors should be discontinued.

The people you are talking about Mr. Colle are driving their cars and not using the TTC. Most of us seniors that do use TTC are on fixed incomes and are amongst the hardest hit persons financially in the ever increasingly expensive Toronto. Try living on CPP and OAS and try to make ends meet monthly.

Heres some ideas to increase your TTC income: Why dont you do away with the free passes you six-figure-income TTC board and municipal politicians get? Why dont you make the high-paid TTC employees pay for TTC service like all the rest of the working stiffs? Bring back the zone system  you ride a longer distance, you pay more, like GO.

Ronald G, Smith, Toronto

When businesses offer discounts, they do so to attract customers at a time when their business may not operate at full capacity. Idle capacity costs money and more sales, even at discounted prices, enhance the bottom line.

When the TTC looks at the customer class called seniors, it should see not poor people but people who are retired and will not likely use the TTC during rush hour. These are customers they should seek to attract or retain.

Many seniors will choose to walk or stay home if they perceive fares to be expensive. Raising the fares for seniors may very well decrease revenue for the TTC. The cost the TTC calculates assumes that seniors will continue to take the same number of rides and pay the higher fares. However they may not do so.

David Hahn, Godfrey, Ont.

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Re: Lessons from the year of post-truth politics, Editorial, Dec. 27

Re:

Re: Why police cant stop Pizzagate and other fake conspiracies, Dec. 9

Lessons from the year of post-truth politics, Editorial, Dec. 27

You pay Donald Trump a very high compliment when you ask, How else to explain the rise of a U.S. president-elect who is known to be truthful roughly 16 per cent of the time? Voters know that a high proportion of the other 84 per cent of his utterances are clearly false, and they can deal with that.

Other politicians  names like Romney, Clinton, Obama and Bush come to mind  are so frightened the truth might turn away 16 per cent of the electorate that they invariably say things the truth of which is unverifiable or unquantifiable. They neither lie nor tell the truth, resorting instead to mush.

It turns out that many U.S. voters prefer a mix of 16-per-cent truth, 70-per-cent outright lies and 14-per-cent mush to pure unadulterated mush. Does this help to answer your question?

Patrick Cowan, North York

In the information war between fact and fiction, the United States has squarely come down on the side of creative writing. There are enough voters down South who will go with a narrative that fits their narrow world view rather than adjust their thinking to cold, hard realities like climate warming.

Who knew the Internet, while becoming a vast conduit of knowledge, would also allow ignorant people to gain strength in numbers.

I came across a simple Internet math problem that required knowledge regarding the order of operations. A lot of people were getting the wrong answer, which is fine.

The irksome part is, when people with the correct answer put in links to reputable sources that explained how to solve the problem, a lot of people were still insistent that their solution was the right one. A few even justified their answers and the ignoring of accepted rules by saying, How many people have to solve that problem in their day-to-day lives.

Since a lot of the respondents were from the U.S., I put in my answer that, up here in Canada, we would solve it this way. I quickly got a response from a Florida resident saying, Canada is wrong.

Sigh! This non-partisan, harmless math problem sums up the year 2016 for me.

Russell Pangborn, Keswick

The post-truth phenomenon of Trumputinism should come as no surprise to anyone. It has been the operational tool of leaders, messiahs and megalomaniacs since the beginning of recorded history and has most often been used to irrationally justify or incite violence against others to validate hidden agendas.

History is the record of these lies, exploits and Machiavellian manipulations of victorious, violent and vainglorious males in pursuit of their own twisted destinies.

In our modern information age, lies and deception have become more dangerous because they are more instantaneous, intensified and powerful in their influence on world events.

We have two current examples of this dangerous well-worn precedent in Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, two pathological liars. It appears from their recent statements that both are ready to immortalize their place in the history of human folly by reigniting the Cold War and the arms race, based on a repeat of the self-justifying lies about each other that sparked the last one, while ignoring the desperate social needs of their own citizens and their respective economies as a litany of world leaders before them have done.

Robert Bahlieda, Newmarket

Congratulations on an important editorial. I am reminded of a phrase my lawyer once told me bulls--t baffles brains. People believe what they want, whatever is easiest. We all need a course in critical thinking.

Harold Berenstein, Toronto

Your timely editorial on how to deal with inconvenient facts in post-truth politics teaches us that it is unwise to:

1. Accept only statements that confirm our opinions and prejudices. Although it may be comforting and flattering when others agree with us, this habit only entrenches our errors.

2. Confuse argument with debate. One is about winning, the other is about allowing competing views to be fully articulated.

3. Mistake science news for scientific findings. Facts are important to policy-making, but simplistic reporting misrepresents the labour and complexity of scientific work.

4. Assume that truth doesnt matter, so any opinion counts. Demagogues exploit emotion and scorn reason, using seductive statements to gain and use power.

What, then, would we be wise for us to do?

Have the humility to listen to those who disagree with us in order to learn from them. Educate ourselves to balance emotion with reason, and to understand what scientists conclude after painstaking study.

Learning to recognize what is trustworthy and who is truthful begins in childhood, but remains a lifelong challenge.

Salvatore (Sal) Amenta, Stouffville

This editorial is correct in stressing that, in the current social and political environment, it is important to tell the truth better than we have been doing.

We can all start by not inventing and using misleading words such as post-truth. Donald Trump and other similar practitioners did not deal in post-truth but in simple lies. Call it for what it is and lets not camouflage the intent.

Charles Campisi, Oakville

Your editorial about truth is rich, given how your paper relentlessly pounded Donald Trump during his campaigns. Your opinion and factual reporting were so unashamedly biased against him that you, with your collegial U.S. newspapers, have had to endure a month of criticism from a few unsleeping media critics.

Of course, you know that this will pass, as you begin to reposition your paper for a long, persistent battering of the Trump administration.

Your paper has succeeded in undoing decades of trust and truth. God help us if you convince the Canadian government to taxpayer-fund your newspaper.

I hope your editorial leadership has sufficient self-insight to recognize and begin to remediate these destructive habits of bias.

Philip Dabous, Toronto

Why police cant stop Pizzagate and other fake conspiracies, Dec. 9

I often wonder how dumb some American media outlets think their readers, viewers and listeners are. For the past month, the U.S. media has been charging Russia with interference in the presidential election. They go on and on about how the CIA and the NSA are sure it was Russia that hacked the Democratic Party computers. Thats why Hillary lost; Putin wanted Trump to win.

But the American media never writes or talks about what the American governments super sleuths are doing with their hacks into other countries affairs.

Edward Snowden blew the whistle on the NSA, telling Americans they were being spied on by their own government. Hes now considered a traitor. The American people should hail him as a hero but the U.S media would never allow that to happen. Its All-America all the time.

Joe Spence, Kanata, Ont.

If the Internet were modified to insert the senders correct name and location after every post and re-post, there would be a quick drop in anonymous insults, threats and plans for crime.

Even the dimmest reader would be less likely to accept fake news (e.g., a report on child sex slaves in caves under a doughnut shop) if he or she knew it was first created and sent by some British or Canadian teenager or Russian employee.

Free speech is protected by law and should be encouraged; free anonymous lies, not so much.

Simon Leigh, Toronto

I read with interest the fake news articles in the Star, as I am a news junkie spending many hours per day reading news from around the world. Most of my time is spent on mainstream media, such as the Star, BBC and others, as I had assumed their reporting is more accurate and reputable.

However, I now question this assessment after seeing some of the reporting by independent Canadian journalist Eva Bartlett. Her reporting provides a different, and at least as reputable, perspective as I get from my other sources.

So the question is, Who am I to believe? More importantly, as we are now seeing sites such as Facebook adding fake news filters, how are we to know that censorship of the truth is not taking place?

Rick Barber, Whitby

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Over the weekend German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung dropped the Panama Papers on the world. A leak vastly larger than the Wikileaks cache, these papers offer a glimpse into the inside world of offshore accounting and shadow money. The fallout, from protests in Iceland to a Justice Department investigation, has only just begun.

The image of banking secrecy has been most popularized by the idea of the Swiss banker, punctual men in trim suits who operate vaults beneath the earth where secrecy is more prized than gold. Offshore money has gotten a lot bigger than one mountain country though.

Tax havens are essentially an elaborate shell game.

The goal of a shelter is to create a taxable nexus for either personal or corporate assets in the lowest-rate jurisdiction possible.

Take, for example, a T-shirt company. It makes shirts in Peru for a dollar apiece, sells them in Great Britain for $5 and is owned by an American multinational. You, the multinational, would set up three companies: SewCo in Peru, SellCo in England and HoldCo. The last is a piece of paper in a shelter like the Cayman Islands.

SewCo now makes 100,000 T-shirts which it sells to HoldCo for $100,000. HoldCo then sells those t-shirts to SellCo for $500,000. The upshot is that your production company makes no money, it sold everything at cost. Your sales company makes no money for the same reason. Only your holding company is in the black... and it's based in a jurisdiction that won't tax those profits. The really ambitious can try to operate companies at a loss for the associated tax benefits.

It works the same way with individuals, who try hard to park their wealth generation and income sources outside of the country. A portfolio managed in the Cayman Islands, for example, will pay taxes on the islands capital gains. In other words nothing.

Now, this all is much more complicated in execution. Repatriation (bringing the money back into the country) can incur taxes, and regulators keep pushing back on these loopholes. But in essence, that's how a tax haven works: find a way to keep your profits local to a tax-friendly zone, and everything else in debt to that filing cabinet.

The annual Financial Secrecy Index, published by the Tax Justice Network, gives a rundown of the biggest offshore tax havens around the world, ranked by a combination of legal factors and economic impact. Here's where the rich are hiding their assets.

10. Dubai (The United Arab Emirates)

Described by the Index as unquestionably one of the worlds best known tax havens or secrecy jurisdictions, Dubai has capitalized on the legendary insularity of many Middle Eastern countries. A major center of trade, making it convenient for financial movement, the UAE is well known to resist pressure from outside governments on issues of disclosure and extradition. Paired with the countrys strong commercial culture, one which prizes transactions above regulation, this attitude has been referred to as see-no-evil when it comes to lawbreaking.

This accommodating environment is enhanced by the countrys political stability, a key factor among lawyers and bankers seeking financial havens. Particularly for clients who move hard assets such as cash and gold, it is imperative to find jurisdictions with little risk of coup or nationalization of assets. Dubai has historically delivered, making it a popular offshore destination.



9. Bahrain

The Kingdom of Bahrain is a stones throw from Dubai, located on the western coast of the Persian Gulf.

Its not surprising that Bahrain would find itself on this list. A historic trading center, making it already a convenient location for capital flow, Bahrain shares the legal insularity that makes Dubai a popular destination for offshore accounting. Companies, and often criminals, move assets here in no small part knowing that the government will not comply with requests from agencies like Interpol and the IRS.

That reputation keeps the island nation in business, with more than a quarter of the GDP coming from the financial sector. Much like other havens, Bahrain has no corporate or personal income tax and no capital gains tax. It also, according to the Index, has quite a wide network of tax treaties with a number of developing countries, despite there being no good commercial reasons to do so.



8. Germany

The sheer size of the German economy makes it a major player in tax avoidance schemes.

The key to Germanys place on this list is the ease with which it allows foreign banking. Foreign nationals and corporations can open and operate accounts with less scrutiny in Frankfurt than many other major economies. This makes the country a major destination for tax shelters. Aided by several elements of German law that restrict both the sharing and gathering of financial information, the country has become a meaningful player on the tax haven stage.

That said, its Germanys size which really makes the country stand out. Despite elements of secrecy in the banking code, this is still down to the sheer volume of money flowing through the countrys banks. By and large this is still a well regulated banking system which functions within international norms, with several loopholes.





7. Lebanon

Lebanon is an exception to the rule that banking seeks stability. Although the country handles a relatively modest volume of offshore accounting, its dedication to secrecy and proximity to Middle Eastern wealth makes it a significant player.

Also prominent is the Lebanese diaspora, individuals of Lebanese descent who live outside the country and substantially outnumber the local population. According to the International Monetary Fund, this diaspora is a major reason why the financial sector in Lebanon is so large, as it supports the economy, including through remittances and deposits placements. Thanks to the countrys 1956 banking secrecy law, banks are forbidden from sharing information about these clients to any third party, a level of absolute secrecy seen in very few countries even on this list.





6. Luxembourg

Finance drives the economy of this small nation, and as a result its a huge player in the shadow economy. Roughly 12% of the global market for offshore services passes through banks in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, enough to make it a player even if its banking laws were transparent.

Which they arent. While law abiding, Luxembourgs banks are dedicated to secrecy to the point where breaking a clients trust can result in criminal charges. It offers companies a low tax, business-friendly environment, and as a result hundreds of major corporations have based their headquarters in the tiny capitol city to operate on the continent with few, if any, taxes.

Unlike some other entries on this list, Luxembourgs role in offshoring is primarily as a tax loophole and shelter, rather than a jurisdiction for criminal tax avoidance.





5. The Cayman Islands

Second only to Switzerland in the legend of offshore banking, these days theres a fair argument that the center of gravity for illicit finance has moved from the mountains to the islands.

Located in the Caribbean roughly between Cuba and Jamaica, the Caymans are a tiny set of three islands that host a positively enormous number of companies on paper. Filing cabinets host the official headquarters of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of firms all to take advantage of the local governments hard-line stance on secrecy and taxes: plenty of the latter, virtually none of the former. Theres no income tax, business tax, inheritance tax or capital gains tax on the islands, making it a very popular place to manage wealth.

Now the worlds sixth largest banking center, between 5 and 6% of the worlds total offshore wealth moves through the Caymans, with varying degrees of legality.





4. Singapore

While proximity is less important in an age of electronic banking, it still matters. Singapores physical access to Asian markets and extremely high degree of civil and legal stability could alone make it an offshore player.

Thats not its only appeal, however. Singapore has built its success on trade. Lacking any natural resources (even, at one point, enough fresh water for its citizens) the city-state has thrived by transforming into a major financial hub.

As a result, millions of transactions flow through the citys banks and markets every day. Paired with the ease with which foreigners can open accounts and store assets, as well as very tight banking secrecy laws, the upshot is a market through which foreign governments cant trace assets. Unlike its more legitimate colleagues such as Luxembourg and Germany, however, Singapore also has a high degree of attraction for criminal elements such as money launderers and drug traffickers for these same reasons.





3. The United States

Despite being a major voice on the world stage for increased financial accountability, the U.S. has become one of the worlds largest offshore destinations for foreign money. There are many reasons for this, including the countrys vast system of corporate tax loopholes, but two major ones stick out. First, despite urging global standards for disclosure, America has fiercely resisted signing on to those standards.

Second is Americas federated system of states. Many have engaged in a race to the bottom to make themselves the most business friendly to try and draw more domestic employers, but as a result theyve also become a huge draw for international firms as well. Delaware, in particular, has long been known for its state laws which impose low taxes and very limited corporate liability. The result is a system similar to the Cayman Islands, with filing cabinets that serve as the technical headquarters for hundreds of firms worldwide in order to take advantage of a friendly legal and judicial system.

Given in particular that this patchwork of state laws is only likely to grow more business-friendly, the Financial Secrecy Index has judged it a jurisdiction of extreme concern for for global transparency initiatives.



2. Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two special administrative regions in China, areas of the country where different laws apply particularly in the fields of business and finance. Much like the rest of the country, its one of the fastest growing markets in both finance and offshore accounting, and currently accounts for roughly 4% of the global offshore total.

Hong Kongs local government has approached market regulation by promising to keep intervention into the way in which the market operates to a minimum. The result has been a network of laws designed to facilitate offshore accounting, including tax exemptions, currency exchanges to promote money laundering and easy creation of shell corporations. A 2014 expose by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (the same group involved with the Panama Papers) revealed nearly 22,000 accounts secretly held by Chinese mainland elites, all created specifically to avoid paying taxes.

Unlike many other financial centers, Hong Kong has aggressively resisted disclosure initiatives.



1. Switzerland

The Swiss remain on top.

Swiss banking still dominates the offshore world for its size, dedication to secrecy and a mix of clients using the system for both legitimate and illegal purposes. Despite a push for greater transparency as part of the European Union, Swiss banking secrecy laws remain largely intact, although the country has begun to make some exceptions for high level requests.

More than half of the assets in Swiss banks are estimated to have originated abroad, and the financial sector offers services that include tax structuring, corporate formation (for shell corporations) and asset management. This, combined with its political stability, geography and quality of life, has made Switzerland a hub for wealthy companies and individuals alike.

In years past Swiss banking was the gold standard because of the countrys steep mountains and deep vaults. Today an army of lawyers and bankers have picked up the torch, and theyre doing just as effective a job.
Restaurant Brands (QSR) just became the latest fast-food company to announce it will make a switch toward higher-quality food. This trend, spurred by the American consumers' increasing consciousness over what they eat, will have long-term effects for investors.

The company's share price fell slightly in Friday trading.

On Friday, Restaurant Brands announced that it will phase out antibiotic-treated chicken from menus in its Burger King and Tim Horton's restaurants. Many consumers, along with the FDA, believe that over-treating sick birds with antibiotics intended for humans causes the people who later eat those chickens to develop antibiotic resistance.

According to the FDA, as much as 50% of the medicine given to chickens is unnecessary. Roughly 70% of human antibiotics can be given to poultry.

As farmers use more antibiotics, instances of drug-resistant bacteria have been rising. These strains have led to life-threatening infections in humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calculate that roughly 2 million Americans are affected by drug-resistant strains every year.

Restaurant Brands says that it will stop using chicken that have received antibiotics "most critical in human medicine" in U.S. locations in 2017 and Canadian stores the following year.

Other restaurants and food processing companies have taken additional steps when it comes to the quality of the chicken they offer. McDonald's has completely removed antibiotics from its chicken chain, as well as transitioning to only cage-free eggs. Already, more than 50% of the chicken on the menu at the fast-food giant has been raised in a more humane manner. Starbucks has pledged to be 100% cage-free by 2020.

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And Panera Bread recently announced that it will be adopting the humane Global Animal Partnership's Broiler Chicken Standard, a five-step program for raising chickens without cages, crates or crowding.

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Meanwhile, Tyson Foods, the U.S.'s largest producer of chicken, has announced that it will cut out all human-oriented antibiotics from its chickens by October 2017.

As American consumers demand higher-quality and more "conscious" food choices, restaurants have no choice but to improve their offerings. Although this might add small costs to the companies at the initial adoption of better practices, in the long run it will pay off.

Restaurant Brands, which has also switched to 100% cage-free eggs, is smart to make the move toward better chicken.

Other fast food companies, such as KFC, a Yum Brands's chain, is the country's second most popular chicken restaurant, behind Chick-fil-A. Yet it has not removed antibiotics from its products. The company has said that it is currently reviewing its position on this matter.

Although investing in a chicken chain with responsible practices may be a good play for the long run, the restaurant industry is not without risk. We are in the beginning of a "restaurant recession," with the potential for the sector to take sizable losses. If you are allergic to risk, you may want to remain on the sidelines now.

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The author is an independent contributor who at the time of publication owned none of the stocks mentioned.
ThreeSixty Group on Friday said it had agreed to purchase the Sharper Image brand from Iconix Brand Group (ICON) in the hopes that it can revamp the struggling gadget maker.

The Irvine, Calif., consumer products company will pay $100 million in cash for the rights to the brand and related intellectual property assets of the specialty gifts retailer. Iconix in a separate statement said it planned to use proceeds from the deal and additional cash to pay down $115 million of outstanding debt.

Iconix anticipated the deal would close on Friday. Its shares were up 4.7% to $9.38 on Friday afternoon.

In connection with the deal, ThreeSixty said it planned to establish a new brands division to oversee the "development and expansion" of the Sharper Image and recently acquired FAO Schwarz. ThreeSixty, which is backed by private equity firm AEA Investors, bought the toy brand from Toys 'R' Us for an undisclosed amount in October.

Interestingly, both Sharper Image and FAO Schwarz passed through Chapter 11 in the previous decade, finding new buyers, before being sold in subsequent transactions.

"The goal behind the division is to enhance these brands, to support third-party licensees and to attract additional consumers and sales opportunities through investments in marketing, advertising, and product development," ThreeSixty co-founder Mike Roberts said in Friday's statement.

ThreeSixty hinted that additional deals may be on the horizon, saying the division will support any "future acquired brands."

ThreeSixty is the Sharper Image's largest licensee, licensing its products for nearly 10 years, the company said. ThreeSixty also designs, manufactures and distributes products from Smithsonian, as well as Discovery Communications' (DISCA) Discovery Kids and Animal Planet brands.

Iconix CEO John Haugh said in the statement on Friday that the brand no longer fits into the New York company's "go-forward strategy." The sale delivers "significant" return on investment and helps with further de-levering its balance sheet, Haugh added.

Iconix's other brands include Marc Ecko, Ocean Pacific, London Fog, Danskin, Joe Boxer and Umbro.

The acquisition, meanwhile, adds a new chapter to the Sharper Image's otherwise rocky history.

Founded in 1977, the Sharper Image was once a shopping mall favorite known for robotic vacuums, massage chairs and cutting-edge gadgets. Sharper Image Corp. filed for Chapter 11 on Feb. 19, 2008, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in Wilmington. A joint venture of Hilco Consumer Capital and GB Brands acquired the debtor's intellectual property assets and store inventory for $49 million on May 30, 2008.

With all of its brick-and-mortar locations gone, Sharper Image relaunched online a year later, phasing out quirky items such as mini-microwaves in favor of iPod docking stations.

In 2011, Iconix scooped up the Sharper Image IP for $65.6 million in cash, touting its more than 85% brand recognition in the consumer electronics sector at that time.

Sharper Image products are still sold at major retailers including Best Buy (BBY) and Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) , but it's a sharp drop from the more than 300 retail locations it once operated.

Representatives from Iconix did not return phone calls or emails seeking comment. ThreeSixty representatives were not immediately available for comment.

This article was originally published by The Deal, a sister publication of TheStreet that offers sophisticated insight and analysis on all types of deals, from inception to integration. Click here for a free trial.
Emergent Capital (EMG) , owner of a large life settlement portfolio, said the Securities and Exchange Commission has concluded its investigation of possible securities law violations without recommending any charges.

The Boca Raton, Fla.-based firm said in a Dec. 28 SEC filing that the agency had informed the company of its decision the day before. Emergent had reported the investigation in previous quarterly and annual filings with the SEC.

"I never thought there was anything there," said Phil Goldstein, board chairman of Emergent. "I think it's a good thing to have it [the investigation] formally over. I think it's been stagnant a long time."

Goldstein said the investigation was just piling on by the commission following a criminal probe by the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Hampshire, during which federal authorities raided the firm's office in September 2011 and seized documents. In April 2012, Emergent settled its case with the U.S. Attorney's Office by paying an $8 million fine and agreeing to get out of the premium-financing business.

Emergent avoided criminal prosecution for fraud in connection with misrepresentations that its agents facilitated or made on life insurance policy applications. The agents claimed that the applicants were not seeking premium financing when insurance carriers were likely to refuse to issue financed policies.

After Emergent settled the case, the U.S. Attorney's Office continued investigating three former Emergent employees, including former COO Jonathan Neuman. A federal prosecutor decided not to seek criminal charges against them a year ago. Instead, Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Aframe sought civil forfeiture of $6.5 million from Neuman, Jonathan Moulton and Jim Purdy.

Emergent, previously known as Imperial Holdings Inc., paid the forfeiture as part of its indemnification agreements with the former employees.
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.
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 Dave McIntyre

Peay Vineyards Pomarium Estate Pinot Noir 2014

Sonoma Coast, Calif., $66

From the northernmost winery on the Sonoma Coast, this lovely pinot is silky and voluptuous. At a D.C. tasting in August, Andy Peay said people had been skeptical when he and his brother planted their vineyard along the upper Sonoma Coast: They said it was too cold and wet, which has turned out to be true once or twice. Luckily, 2014 was a ripe vintage, as was the 2009, which Peay also poured that evening to show how the wine can age. Another pinot noir labeled simply Sonoma Coast is also excellent and may be easier to find in restaurants and at retail. Alcohol by volume: 13.8 percent.

Distributed by Elite: On the list in Maryland at Magdalena in Baltimore. Available in Virginia at Total Wine & More (Alexandria). Sonoma Coast is on the list in the District at Jaleo, Marcels. On the list in Maryland at Marcus in the MGM Grand. On the list in Virginia at Bazins on Church in Vienna, Del Ray Cafe in Alexandria, Patowmack Farm in Lovettsville.

Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Champigny 2015

Loire Valley, France, $24

From one of my favorite Loire Valley producers, and in a terrific ripe vintage, this wine from cabernet franc is delightfully savory, with earthy, mushroomy flavors balanced by black fruit and refreshing acidity. It is a food-friendly red that can match a wide variety of dishes. ABV: 13 percent.

Distributed by Elite: Available in the District at Arrowine & Spirits, Calvert Woodley, Connecticut Avenue Wine & Liquor, Cork Market, Gallagher & Graham Fine Spirits, MacArthur Beverages, Rodmans, Whole Foods Market (Tenleytown); on the list at Bar Charley, Barcelona, B Too, Chaplin, DBGB, Dirty Habit, Eno Wine Bar, Kapnos, Marcels, Petit Plats. Available in Maryland at Beer & Wine Cellar in Rockville, Bin 201 Wine Sellers in Annapolis, Mount Washington Wine Co. and Wells Discount Liquors in Baltimore, Pine Orchard Liquors in Ellicott City, Shawan Liquors in Hunt Valley, Viniferous in Frederick, Wine Merchant in Lutherville. On the list in Virginia at Bistro LHermitage in Woodbridge, Brabo in Alexandria.

Copain Tous Ensemble Pinot Noir 2015

Mendocino County, Calif., $30

Mendocino Countys vineyards are not as close to the coast as those in the West Sonoma Coast region, but because they are farther north, they are definitely cool-climate. And Mendocino grows some outstanding pinot noir, including this delicious blend. Copain has a reputation for elegant, balanced pinots and syrahs. I recently tasted the Tous Ensemble blends; others called Les Voisins are more widely available in the Washington area. The winery was recently purchased by Jackson Family Wines and is switching distributors, so availability should improve. ABV: 13.5 percent.

Distributed by Monument/RNDC. Available in the District at Bottle Shop.

GREAT VALUE

Domaine Vetriccie 2014

Ile de Beaute, Corsica, France, $11

I raved about the white wine from this Corsican producer last summer. This delightful, inexpensive red is a blend of niellucciu and sciaccarellu, two mouth-filling grape names, with a sploosh of merlot and syrah. The result is a smoky, savory wine that tastes more expensive than it is. Bravo. ABV: 12 percent.

Distributed by Siema: Available in the District at Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, Cork & Fork, Each Peach Market. Available in Maryland at Beer Wine & Co., Cork & Fork and Lances Beer & Wine in Bethesda; Cranberry Liquors in Westminster; Fenwick Beer & Wine in Silver Spring; Old Line Fine Wines, Spirits & Bistro in Beltsville; Quarry Wine & Spirits in Baltimore; Spin the Bottle Wine Co. in Frederick. Available in Virginia at Clifton Wine Shop, Leesburg Vintner, Little Washington Winery, Murphy Beverage in Winchester, the Whole Ox in Marshall, Wine Cabinet in Reston, the Vineyard in McLean; on the list at Northside Social in Arlington.

Techni Alipias Idisma Drios Assyrtiko 2015

Drama, Greece, $17

This assyrtiko is a rich, lovely white wine, riper and fuller than the racy style the grape achieves on the island of Santorini. Look for flavors of peach and apricot, with an attractive salinity that cries out for food. ABV: 13.5 percent.

Distributed by Dionysus: Available in the District at Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits, Rodmans; on the list at Agora, Farmers & Distillers, Iron Gate. Available in Virginia at Arrowine and Cheese in Arlington, Unwined (Alexandria, Belleview); on the list at Nostos in Tysons Corner, P.J. Skidoos in Fairfax.

Availability information is based on distributor records. Wines might not be in stock at every listed store and might be sold at additional stores. Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.
Dear Amy: My middle-school daughter recently came out to our family; we are all very supportive of her. She has a girlfriend the same age, and the girlfriends family does not know of their daughters sexuality.

The girls want to have a sleepover to celebrate a birthday, and I am inclined to say no to this.

I wouldnt let any of my other children have a boyfriend/girlfriend sleep over at this age. The girlfriends parents may question why, but I feel it is not my place to tell them.

If I allow the sleepover, and the parents later find out that I knew the situation, there could be fallout.

Worried Mother

Worried Mother: I agree that you should not permit this sleepover. I also wonder if middle school is a little early to be having a parent-sanctioned romantic relationship.

If your daughter is in middle school, I take it that she is in sixth, seventh or eighth grade. Aside from having crushes, did your other children have boyfriends/girlfriends at that age? This is the first issue I would clear up with her. And yes  I agree with your logic that romantic couples dont have sleepovers in your house.

It is not up to you to out this other girl to her parents. However, you should encourage her to be open, if it is safe for her to do so. She may be less sure of her sexuality than your daughter is, and you should not push her, or do this for her.

I applaud your supportive attitude toward your daughter. But it is as important for you to discuss relationships, dating and sexual behavior with her as it would be with any other child her age.

Dear Amy: I am 14 years old and currently on an exchange student program in Italy.

My last week (of six) has arrived. My parents have suggested that I skip school (with someone) and buy a train ticket to either Rome or Pisa to go sightseeing for the day.

They say it would be so simple, but I am feeling very uncertain.

I have explained to my parents that Im not comfortable with this idea, but they are pressuring me.

I am a rule-follower, have a horrible sense of direction and do not speak Italian. I do not really trust any of my classmates and am scared of all of the obstacles.

The kid Im staying with also has a bad sense of direction and is even more protected than I am. My parents havent talked to my host family about it.

Should I do what my parents want?

To Break or Not

To Break or Not: Your parents arent in Italy. You are. Do not do anything you think is unsafe  or that you dont feel comfortable doing. You can imagine that your folks want you to maximize your experience in beautiful Italy, but they should not be pressuring you to play hooky and jump on a train.

I am just like you: careful, and also terrible with directions. I would be so nervous about all of the details  and worried about getting lost, and feeling horrible about lying to my teachers  that I would not have a good time on my outing.

You have a duty to behave in the way you think is best for you. Always listen to your gut. This is good practice for other social and risk-taking pressure you will face through your teen years. Be true to yourself. That way, youll always know who to credit for your good times, and who to blame for your mistakes.

Dear Amy: I would like to respond to Still the Anxious Child, who asked how she can get past the history of abuse she suffered by her parents. Heres how I succeeded in doing just that.

More than 30 years ago, I went to a psychologist, told him my history and he said one sentence that changed my life: People who are abusive are that way because of their need to be abusive, not because of anything you say or do. There is nothing you can say or do to make them stop.

I was dumbstruck. The next time my father started in over the phone, I kept repeating to myself, Theres nothing you can do. I remained silent. My father eventually said to me, Are you there? I said, Yes. Then he said, And you have nothing to say? I said, No. And that was the last time he did it.

Recovered

Recovered: Great insight. Thank you.
THE DISTRICT

Arrest made in 1995 shooting death

D.C. police have arrested a man in a two-decade-old shooting death and charged him with killing his stepfather in a house in Garfield Heights in Southeast Washington.

Police had questioned the stepson at the time of the July 1995 killing, but they did not have evidence to make for an arrest, according to a court filing Friday.

In May, police said, an acquaintance of the suspects came forward with new information, including that he saw the suspect hide what looked like a gun after the acquaintance heard shots from inside the home.

Police charged Taron Oliver, now 42, of Oxon Hill, Md., with first-degree murder while armed. The victim was identified as Nathanial Williams, 41, of Southeast.

The affidavit says Williams was shot in a bedroom of his home in the 3100 block of 20th Street SE. Police said they do not know of a motive.

 Peter Hermann

MARYLAND

Man dies of injuries from 2006 shooting

A man shot in Oxon Hill 10 years ago died Dec. 24, and the death is being investigated as a homicide, Prince Georges County police said.

Maurice Benton, 29, was shot about July 29, 2006, in the 1300 block of Southview Drive in Oxon Hill, according to police.

A medical examiner ruled that the death stemmed from injuries he suffered in the shooting, police said. No suspect or motive has been identified.

 Lynh Bui

Bank official charged with $1.8 million theft

The former vice president of a Maryland bank was charged with embezzlement and wire fraud Friday for what federal prosecutors said was the theft of more than $1.8 million from customers over six years.

Three victims were at least 80 years old, according to prosecutors, and two accounts were for people who had died.

From 2010 to mid-2016, Melissa Strohman, 54, of Nottingham, was senior vice president at the now-defunct Hopkins Federal Savings Bank, which had branches in Pikesville and Highlandtown, federal court documents said.

 Justin Wm. Moyer

Hogan to attend Trump inauguration

Gov. Larry Hogan (R) will attend Donald Trumps inauguration, despite disavowing the president-elect during the campaign.

Hogans office said Friday that the governor and first lady Yumi Hogan received an invitation to the Jan. 20 event and that they look forward to attending.

The governor said when he voted in the Nov. 8 election, he wrote in his father, an 88-year-old former congressman and former Prince Georges county executive, for the presidency.

 Josh Hicks

Man killed in his Prince Georges home

A man was shot and killed Thursday night in his house in Capitol Heights, Prince Georges County police said.

They identified the victim as Khalil Wiggins, 44, of Byers Street. Preliminary investigation indicted that the crime was not random, police said.

 Martin Weil

VIRGINIA

McLean man dies in single-car crash

A man died Thursday in a McLean-area crash in which speed is thought to have been a factor, Fairfax County police said.

Police identified the man as Chad Cheatham, 33, of McLean. Police said Cheathams car left Lewinsville Road about 1:30 p.m. and crashed head-on into a utility pole.

 Victoria St. Martin
A flood of newcomers to the District from other cities and states over the past decade may be slowing to a trickle, according to demographic data recently released by the Census Bureau.

Washington saw a net increase of roughly 2,300 new residents from other states between July 2015 and July 2016, the Census Bureau reported in its year-end population estimates. The figure marked a steep drop-off from five years ago, when net migration to the city from other parts of the United States exceeded 7,000.

The citys population continued to grow at a steady rate overall, to just over 681,000 from 670,000. But most of that increase came from births and international immigration.

The data show a pronounced change to one of the most transformative social forces in the nations capital. In recent years, waves of young professionals from other parts of the region and country have fueled a boom in the Districts population and local economy.

They have also profoundly unsettled its cultural and political equilibrium, as longtime residents of the city  many of them poor and African American  lose ground to more-affluent new arrivals.

Demographers and bureau officials caution against reading too much into the agencys yearly population estimates, which are the result of complicated (though historically accurate) statistical conjecture instead of an actual tally.

The new estimates for U.S. states and the District of Columbia leave many questions unanswered about the people moving to or away from Washington, such as their ethnicity, income levels or  in the case of those coming from abroad  their country of origin. Census Bureau officials said it would probably be months before those details could be made available.

Experts, nevertheless, say the figures tell a story about peoples movement across state and city lines  what demographers call domestic migration  that is worth heeding.

Among the demographic components of population change, domestic migration is most closely aligned with the economy, said William Frey, a demographer and senior fellow at the Brookings Institutions Metropolitan Policy Program. It tells you where the labor force is moving and where the economy is doing well.

In the Districts case, Frey said, the figures are probably less a reflection of economic change for the city than of booming business elsewhere.

During the recession that followed the 2008 financial crisis, he said, Washington and some other cities became islands of prosperity that attracted workers from rural areas and the suburbs. The trend was reinforced as exurban housing development ground to a halt.

As the worst effects of this economic downturn fade, other parts of the country are again starting to look desirable, Frey said  especially compared with cities whose cost of living has soared.

Now that were coming out of the recession, D.C. as a metro area isnt growing as fast as it was before. There are simply fewer people coming to the District, Frey said. Those bigger forces that created this migration four or five years ago simply arent there anymore, and thats why were not seeing those bigger numbers.

Jeffrey Passel, a senior demographer at the Pew Research Center, said the drop in net migration to the District from other states should be kept in context: The city is still attracting more residents than it is losing.

By contrast, both Virginia and Maryland have seen a net loss of residents to other states over the past several years. Virginia had a net departure of 25,300 people to other states, while Marylands out-migration was 26,200. (Those losses were offset by net population increases from international immigration of 32,500 and 26,400, respectively.)

For decades, the District was losing population, Passel said. Today, he added, It is noteworthy that its getting both domestic and international migration.

The city remains distant from the historic highs reached by its population, which crested at about 900,000 during and immediately after World War II. But the influx of new Washingtonians has already reshaped the District in far-reaching ways.

The 2010 Census showed that African Americans  for decades the Districts dominant ethnic group  were a smaller part of a growing city. Over the decade preceding the census count, African Americans had dropped to 50 percent of the population from 59 percent, while whites grew to 35 percent of the population from 28 percent.

The Districts strong economy and rising population have had mixed effects. Flush with tax revenue, the city government has reached stable financial footing after years of lurching between crises. The homicide rate, despite ticking up over the past two years, has plummeted since the 1990s.

Demographic change has also stoked gentrification. Some on the front lines of the citys economy say it should come as no surprise that fewer people are choosing to move to or stay in the District when faced with its high cost of living.

Saied Azali, a longtime D.C. resident and restaurateur, said his business remains strong. But Azali  a co-owner of the popular restaurants Perrys, Mintwood Place and Convivial  said he knows proprietors of smaller restaurants who feel driven to leave the District for other states because of the high cost of doing business.

He said the plight of business owners has been aggravated by the citys elected officials, who in the past year alone have voted to raise the minimum wage and increase business taxes to pay for a program offering private-sector workers family and medical leave.

Do you want all D.C. to be rich people? Do you want all people to look the same? Azali said. Its so hard to do business in D.C. right now.

Ed Lazere, executive director of the left-leaning D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, said there is no validity to arguments that local legislation such as the wage increase or paid-leave program have or will hurt the citys economy.

Leading economic indicators  such as job growth and increases in total personal income  show the city continues to thrive, Lazere said.

The argument that were hurting our business climate is really baseless, he said. Its not based on any attempt at analysis or evidence.

Rather than fretting over the decline in newcomers to the District, Lazere said, public officials would be wise to pursue policies that make it easier for those already here to cope with a high cost of living.

Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) draws the same conclusion, according to her spokesman, Kevin Harris. He said the mayor was not alarmed by the decline in migrants to the District from other states, which Harris attributed to competition for new residents  especially those in their 20s and 30s  from economically recovering areas in other parts of the country.

He said in a statement that Bowser is more focused  through policies designed to increase the amount of affordable housing, create incentives for first-time home buyers and boost the quality of public education  on keeping people who have arrived from leaving.

The goal is not only to draw more people to the District, he said, but ensuring those residents who have been here the longest are able to stay and arent priced out.
Kenneth Edward Morris Jr., 31, was killed in Washington, DC when his car was struck by a carjacking suspect involved in a police chase. (Family photo) (N/A/Family photo)

Pictures of Kenneth Morris Jr. flashed onto a screen as mourners at a Maryland church grappled with how a young man who had made them laugh so many times could so abruptly be gone.

There was a photo of him at his graduation, another at a pool. Pictures of the 31-year-old smiling with his nephews, posing with his siblings. And lots of selfies.

In each photo, the lanky Morris was impeccably and boldly dressed. Bright shoes. Fitted and patterned pants. Oversize glasses.

He could just light up a room and shine and be so fly, Adarra Davis said as hundreds gathered Friday at Oxon Hill Church of Christ for the funeral of the man so many said was known for his desire to make others happy.

Morris was killed Dec. 23 when his car was rear-ended by a teenager in a stolen vehicle that was being pursued by D.C. police. Police say they spotted a Lexus that matched the description of one that had been stolen a few days earlier. They activated their emergency equipment and followed the speeding vehicle to the 4100 block of East Capitol Street Southeast. It was there that the back of Morriss Nissan Altima was struck by the fleeing car, causing the Altima to spin and hit a tree and another vehicle.

Four cars were involved in the crash; Morris was the only fatality.

Police said David Mclane, 17, was driving the Lexus and charged him as an adult with second-degree murder. Two passengers in the car fled.

Morriss mother, Angela Turner-Morris, said her son was driving home when his car was struck.

[D.C. police identify victim of deadly car crash at end of a high-speed chase]

My son Kenneth was a hard working loving man, Turner-Morris wrote in a text message, saying she was not yet ready to speak. My heart is broken.

Friends and family members gathered Friday to celebrate Morriss life while trying not to dwell on how he died. He was the man they lovingly called Kenny, Pooby, Nenzy and Kenzoe  mischievous and funny, a person who would do anything to make someone smile.

He enjoyed singing and turning any and all situations into a joke, even when it was uncalled for, the program at his Celebration of Life read. Kenny was a happy person who enjoyed life.

Morris, the second of four children  three boys and a girl  graduated from Eastern High School in Northeast Washington and later attended the University of the District of Columbia. Always into fashion, Morris went into retail, working at Nordstrom and most recently H&M. The pews at the church were filled with young people dressed in stylish and vibrantly elaborate outfits. More than two dozen of his co-workers from H&M, where Morris was a sales adviser at the chains Dupont location, attended.

He always gave off positive energy and put a smile on everyones face, said Cheyenne Brown, a former H&M colleague.

The Rev. Charles Lucas, who officiated at the service, described the Morris family as tightknit, headed by devoted parents who were active in their D.C. church. Kenneth Morris sang in the church choir as a child. Lucas laughed as he recalled how scrawny Morris was as a child, particularly compared with his big brother.

He was sooo skinny, Lucas said.

Morriss three siblings spoke at the ceremony, fighting through tears as they remembered their brother. We did everything together, we lived together, said Treaven Morris, the youngest brother.

Guye Turner, the oldest brother, turned to his faith to try to make sense of Kenneths death. He relayed a sermon he recently heard at another funeral, which taught that bodies are just temporary tents people occupy on Earth until they depart to heaven.

Then, paying tribute to his brothers taste for high fashion, he added that Kenneth Morris occupied a very fancy tent.
Ronnie Phillips, 17, sits on a bench in Southeast D.C. that he helped refurbish and decorate with confiscated guns. (T.Rees Shapiro/The Washington Post)

In his young life, Ronnie Phillips, a 17-year-old native of the Districts Woodland Terrace neighborhood in Southeast, has known six people who died in gun violence.

The teenager himself nearly became a victim one night, he recalls. While walking alone, a man approached and stuck a black handgun in his face, he said.

They pulled up and whipped it out, said Phillips, a senior at Friendship Tech Prep. Im used to it. You live around it every day.

But Phillips doesnt want it to always be that way.

This week, he took part in a public service project that turned confiscated guns into a community art display.

The result is a refurbished bench at a bus stop in front of the Woodland Terrace community center.

The wood-and-steel bench is decorated with 10 handguns seized by law enforcement and rendered nonfunctioning as part of the art project partnership between D.C. police and the Earth Conservation Corps called Guns to Roses.

Teenagers, including Phillips, took part by helping to melt down the weapons and welding steel neon yellow, green and pink flowers to their barrels.

John Mein, who began turning firearms into art with teens in the Guns to Roses program in 2008, said the project plans to place more art in the Congress Park and Lincoln Heights neighborhoods.

Sarah Nixon, a board member of the Earth Conservation Corps, said the program is meant to leave a positive effect in communities all too familiar with the ravages of gun-related crime. We go into dire situations, Nixon said, and we see potential.

Nixon said the Earth Conservation Corps has lost 26 youth volunteers to gun violence.

Thats not normal, Nixon said. But thats life on this side of the river.

The bench will serve as an aspirational touchstone in Woodland Terrace, Nixon said.

The 9mm Beretta, slim and pocket-size, melted onto the bench, will no longer be an instrument of violence. Neither will the Smith & Wesson revolver beside it or the snub-nosed six-shooter with the hammer cocked, as if frozen in the second before letting a bullet fly.

The 10 guns on the bench represent only a fraction of those taken by police every year. Just under 9,000 firearms were recovered by D.C. police between 2011 and 2015, department statistics show.

Earlier this month, officers confiscated a .25 caliber Phoenix Arms semiautomatic pistol with a chrome finish only a block away from Woodland Terraces community center, where the bench was placed. Two men have also died in shootings within a block of the community center during the past year.

Phillips said that he hopes the art project will help break a cycle of violence affecting young people.

We wake up, and we pray we are going to see another day, Phillips said. Growing up in Southeast is rough.

Phillips is lucky. When the gunman pointed the pistol at him, he told the teenager to run away. Phillips did. And he lived.

Now he wants the bench at Woodland Terrace to be a symbol of peace.

Instead of using guns in a negative way, were doing something positive, he said. I want people to know you can take anything and make it into art.
Those morning flakes werent the end of it. In the evening, still more flakes flew in Washington. And both squalls were noticed in a city where nothing in the way of weather commands more attention than snow.

On Friday, the last work day of the week and of the month, and the 365th and next to last day of this entire leap year, many people saw their first snowflakes of the season. The mere visual novelty of the days brief and wind-blown flurries created excitement in those who saw them.

It was true downtown, and on Capitol Hill and in Chevy Chase. It typefied Alexandria, and Darnestown and Bethesda and Silver Spring. Sometimes the flakes seemed sparse enough to count each one. In some places they seemed to last for mere seconds, elsewhere for minutes. In still other spots, snow seemed to be falling even while the sun was breaking through the clouds.

It was a pleasant surprise, said Victoria Eisenberg of the District, who seemed to express the reaction of many. It was, she added, like a little miracle that happened on a Friday.

While it fell  about 8 or 9 or 10 a.m. in various spots  the snow was coming down pretty fast, Eisenberg said.

Eisenberg, who blogs at Via Bella, is also a Scout leader, teacher and weather enthusiast. Her interest in weather possibly gave her an advantage in spotting the snow. It took alertness, because, as many said, it did not last long.

It is true that enough fell in places to give the ground a decidedly whitish hue.

The National Weather Service said it received a report of 0.4 inch in northern Howard County,

But for all the flakes that whirled and swirled, few places in the metropolitan area had enough to measure. The regions airports reported no more than a trace.

With no snow predicted in D.C.-area forecasts for Saturday, it appeared that Fridays trace might be the last officially recorded snowfall of the month and the last of 2016.

At Reagan National Airport, where official readings are made for the capital city, there has been no measurable snow this month. A trace was recorded once before this year, on Dec. 17.

The average snowfall amount for Washington in December is 2.3 inches. That is not a lot. But in December, it is tempting to scrutinize the snowfall in its silence, and to wonder whether it whispers any message to us.

Will the paucity of snow in December mean that the snows of January and February will also be benign? Will they too be charming in their way, and visually attractive, but present only minor obstacles to human mobility. There are no snows here that come without some difficulties in driving, and hindrances to traffic.

A glance at the records shows that sometimes copious snow in December does seem to foreshadow more of the same in later months.

For exmple, in 2009, Washington measured 16.6 inches in December. Two months later, according to Weather Service figures, February produced a total of 32.1 inches, a staggering figure.

On the other hand, less than average snowfall in December snowfall does not always presage less than average snow for the remaining weeks of winter.

It may be remembered that last December, Washington was without even a trace of snow. But the next month had a memorable blizzard, and before it all ended, the Jan. 2016 snow total was 18.8 inches.
How important is it to know your Christian creeds and confessions?

Not terribly, according to most Americans. Fifty-eight percent said they believe there is little value in studying or reciting historical Christian creeds and confessions, according to the 2016 State of American Theology survey conducted this year by LifeWay Research and sponsored by Ligonier Ministries.

But getting Christian doctrines right  exactly, precisely correct  matters a lot to enough others that 2016 was something of a banner year when it came to believers hurling charges of heresy at each other.

Perhaps thats understandable given that next year marks 500 years since Martin Luther  one of historys great heretics, or heroes, depending on your point of view  nailed his 95 Theses to a church door in Germany, launching the Protestant Reformation. Yet its still remarkable that believers today can find themselves embroiled in debates over theological questions, many of which seem to have been settled by the early church.

Here are a few of the heresies that made waves in certain Christian circles in 2016.

One God. But whose God?

Late in 2015, Larycia Hawkins  then a professor at Wheaton College in suburban Chicago  posted a photo of herself on Facebook wearing a hijab as a spiritual discipline during the Christian season of Advent, which leads up to Christmas.

It wasnt the photo that caught attention of authorities at the well-known evangelical Christian school so much as its caption: I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book. And as Pope Francis stated last week, we worship the same God.

Wheaton officials apparently did not agree and began termination proceedings against the professor, saying her statements seemed inconsistent with Wheaton Colleges doctrinal convictions. The controversy spilled over into this year, when the two agreed to part ways.

Not all might consider what Hawkins had to say heresy, though.

The Second Vatican Council affirmed in 1964 that Muslims together with us adore the one, merciful God, NPR noted. Most Americans (64 percent) also believe that God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam, according to the State of American Theology survey.

Latin for schism? Are Catholics now Protestants? On marriage, at least, thats what some of Pope Franciss hard-line critics started asserting this year.

The background to their complaint was a major document on family life, published in the spring, called Amoris Laetitia, Latin for The Joy of Love.

It was Franciss take on the deliberations of two major Vatican meetings, called synods, at which bishops and cardinals debated ways the Catholic Church could better welcome families that dont always fit the ideals of the catechism.

Conservatives were upset that the apostolic exhortation, as it is known, stressed the churchs commitment to accept any family in whatever situation rather than laying a greater stress on conforming to traditional sexual and marital norms.

But the hard-liners homed in on one passage, in particular, that seemed to allow pastors latitude to give Communion to Catholics who have divorced and remarried without an annulment.

This, the critics said, was tantamount to caving to Henry VIIIs demand that the pope allow him to divorce.

The Trinity, Part II

Usually when Christians debate submission, theyre talking about marriage. This year, though, they were talking about the Trinity, the doctrine that God the Father, God the Son (that is, Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit together make up one God.

The nature of the Trinity was key to the split between the Eastern and Western Christian churches nearly a thousand years ago.

Those disputes were given new life in a flurry of blog posts this summer, set off by a guest post on the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals blog by Liam Goligher, senior minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.

Goligher said Wayne Grudem, professor of theology and biblical studies at Phoenix Seminary and founder of the Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and other well-known complementarian theologians have presented a different God than that affirmed by the church through the ages and taught in Scripture. The theologians do this, he said, to justify biblical gender roles in which women are subordinate to men.

In short, Goligher wrote, their theology makes Jesus subordinate to God the Father.

Grudem responded in a post on the Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhoods blog that it is not contradictory to believe that Jesus is eternally God (equal to the Father in his being and in all attributes) and that he is eternally Son (subject to the authority of the Father in the personal relationships within the Trinity).

Most Americans (69 percent) affirm that there is one true God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, according to the State of American Theology survey. But they also seem split on questions of subordination, though their questions seem more about the Holy Spirit than about Jesus: 62 percent said Jesus is both truly God and truly man, and 51 percent said the Holy Spirit is equal with God the Father and Jesus.

The Bible doesnt tell me so?

The trouble began with an August sermon by Pastor Andy Stanley of North Point Ministries in Alpharetta, Ga.

So I need you to listen really, really carefully, Stanley said, and the reason is this: Perhaps you were taught, as I was taught, Jesus loves me. This I know  and lets all finish it together  for the Bible tells me so. This is where our trouble began.

Its also where Stanleys troubles began with more orthodox believers.

The popular preacher argued in that sermon that if the Bible is the foundation of Christian faith, then when Christians understanding of the Bible is challenged by scientific and archaeological evidence, their faith is challenged. But the Bible is no more proof of Jesus existence, he said, than a birth certificate is proof of a persons, and there is plenty of extra-biblical evidence for the claims of Christianity.

Therefore, Stanley said, Christians wrestling with parts of Scripture that seem to contradict themselves or modern science need not abandon the faith.

Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, fired back in an essay on his website, saying Stanleys views are an apologetic disaster and would leave Christians with no authoritative Scripture.

In the end, we simply have no place to go other than the Bible as Gods authoritative revelation. Christ, not the Bible, is the foundation of our faith  but our only authoritative and infallible source of knowledge about Christ is the Bible, Mohler wrote.

Americans are split on the question of biblical authority. Half believe that the Bible has the authority to tell people what to do, and 42 percent disagree, according to the State of American Theology survey.

On the question of biblical infallibility or inerrancy, they also are divided on whether the Bible is 100 percent accurate in all that it teaches: 47 percent agree, and 43 percent disagree, according to the State of American Theology survey. There is disagreement as well on whether the Bible contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true. On that question, 44 percent agree and 45 percent disagree.

The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy  written in 1978 by more than 200 evangelical Christians  affirmed that the Bible is without error or fault in all its teaching. The doctrine of inerrancy also was affirmed by the Second Vatican Council of the Roman Catholic Church, which states that the books of Scripture must be acknowledged as teaching solidly, faithfully and without error that truth which God wanted put into sacred writings for the sake of salvation.

The virgin birth

Stanley vs. Mohler makes the list again.

The two extended their theological exchange into the Christmas season after a Dec. 4 sermon in which Stanley downplayed the importance of the dogma that Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus.

If somebody can predict their own death and then their own resurrection, Im not all that concerned about how they got into the world because the whole resurrection thing is so amazing, Stanley said.

In fact, you should know that Christianity doesnt hinge on the truth or even the stories around the birth of Jesus. It really hinges on the resurrection of Jesus.

Mohler once again responded on his website, saying there is nothing more important than clarifying and affirming all that the Bible teaches concerning the birth of Christ and the truth of his incarnation.

If Jesus was not born of a virgin, if the account in the biblical book of Luke cannot be trusted, then that mistrust cannot be limited to how he came to us in terms of the incarnation, he said.

Mohler noted that questions about the virgin birth date back 1,500 years, to the time of Saint Augustine of Hippo, who wrote, The more impossible the virgin birth of a human being appears to them, the more divine it appears to us.

Nonetheless, the virgin birth is widely accepted by Christians. It is documented in two of the four Gospels: Matthew and Luke. It also was reaffirmed in amendments to the Nicene Creed made in 381 at the First Council of Constantinople and in the Apostles Creed, which has been dated as far back as the second century.

 Religion News Service

Religion New Service reporter David Gibson contributed to this report.
Saturday, 6 p.m.: New Years Eve Concert. Works by J.S. Bach, Handel and Gershwin, plus a world-premiere performance. . St. Columbas Episcopal Church, 4201 Albemarle St. NW. $20 donation; students free. Tickets at the door only. columba.org. 202-363-4119.

Saturdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: Food pantry. Volunteers are needed to help families in need. Teens may earn school credits. Work as often as you can: grocery shopping, stocking the pantry and setting up for Saturday. St. Johns Episcopal Church, Broad Creek, 9801 Livingston Rd., Fort Washington. 301-248-4290. Stjohns1692@verizon.net or stjohnsbroadcreek.org.

Sundays, 8 a.m.: Gospel music will be performed by the Welcome Table Choir and pianist. Healing prayers will be followed by a Welcome Table Breakfast. Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St. NW. 202-347-2635.

Sunday, 8 a.m.: The Rev. Elena Thompson will preach and preside at this Rite I service and Holy Eucharist celebration. All are welcome. Washington National Cathedral, St. Marys Chapel, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-537-2228. cathedral.org.

Sunday, 8:30 and 11 a.m.: A Low Mass at 8:30 a.m. and a Sung Mass with Choir at 11 a.m. All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church, 2300 Cathedral Ave. NW. 202-232-4244.

Sunday, 9 and 11:15 a.m.: The Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope will preach at the 9 and 11:15 a.m. services; the Rev. Andrew K. Barnett presides at the 9 a.m. service; the Rev. Canon Kelly Brown Douglas presides at the 11:15 a.m. service. Washington National Cathedral, Nave, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-537-2228. cathedral.org.

Sunday, 10 a.m.: A special prayer service will mark the 75th anniversary of the Jan. 1, 1942, service that included President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. History and photographs are available on the churchs website. Historic Christ Church, 118 N. Washington St., Alexandria. Free. 703-549-1450. www.historicchristchurch.org.

Sunday, 10 a.m.: A celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 6201 Dunrobbin Dr., Bethesda. Freewill offering. 301-229-3770. www.redeemerbethesda.org.

Sunday, 10 a.m.: The Rev. Lynn Jostes will preach on Fearing, Hoping, Trusting, and the sacraments of Communion and Baptism will be celebrated. Organist Julie Vidrick Evans and a soloist will provide music. This will be the days only service at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, 1 Chevy Chase Cir. NW. 202-363-2202. Free, donations welcome. www.chevychasepc.org.

Sunday, 10 a.m.: New Years Day worship service. Trinity Episcopal Church, 14515 Church St., Upper Marlboro. 301-627-2636.

Sunday, 10 to 11 a.m.: A family service with a choir performing Christmas Lessons and Carols for New Years Day. St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 228 S. Pitt St., Alexandria. 703-549-3312. stpaulsalexandria.com.

Sunday, 10:30 a.m.: New Years Day. All are welcome to join the regular worship service at Antioch Christian Church, 1860 Beulah Rd., Vienna. Information: cssweatman@gmail.com or antiochccvienna.org. 703-938-6753.

Mondays, 9 to 9:45 a.m.; Wednesdays, 4 to 4:45 p.m.: Senior strength and stretch. Wellness coordinator Judy Jurkowski teaches exercises to music that may improve strength and range of motion. Handheld weights are offered for resistance. A chair is used for seated and standing support. The class is geared to healthy seniors and those with joint, mobility or balance problems. Doctors approval is required. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Rd., Alexandria. 703-765-6555, ext. 626, or judy@aldersgate.net .

Mondays, 10 to 11 a.m.; Thursdays, 11 a.m. to noon: Gentle yoga. Certified exercise instructor Judy Jurkowski teaches classes designed to relax and soothe, renew and restore. Focus is on deep breathing, slow movement, gentle stretching and strengthening posture. Free. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Rd., Alexandria, Va. judy@aldersgate.net . 703-765-6555.

Most weekdays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.: A behind-the-scenes cathedral tour for those 11 and older. See gargoyles and stained-glass windows and climb lots of stairs to view the city from above. Tours offered on weekdays, except holidays. $26; children, seniors, students and military, $21. Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-537-6200. cathedral.org .

Mondays, 11 a.m.: Adult Bible study. Allen Stuhl leads the group. All are welcome. St. Pauls Episcopal Church, conference room on the third floor of Wilmer Hall, 228 S. Pitt St., Alexandria. stpaulsalexandria.com. 703-549-3312.

Monday, 5 to 7:30 p.m.: Grief support group. Chesapeake Life Center invites participants to create a series of collages to commemorate lost loved ones. Church of the Redeemer-Bowie, 7300 Race Track Rd., Bowie. $10, registration required. 301-560-3812.

Mondays, 7 p.m.: Monday night services have a less formal atmosphere, in a somewhat smaller setting, at a more convenient time. Celebration of Holy Communion. Refreshments after worship. Child care available. Lutheran Church of St. Andrew, 15300 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. mystandrew.org. 301-384-4394 or info@mystandrew.org .

Mondays, 7 p.m.: Sally Jones leads A Course in Miracles. Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church, 7400 Temple Hills Rd., Camp Springs. Free. dmuuc.org. 301-449-4308.

Mondays, 7 p.m.: Kirsten Norris leads yoga sessions. Bring a mat. Pilgrim Church, United Church of Christ, Social Hall, 2206 Briggs Rd., Silver Spring. Suggested donation, $5 to $10. The Rev. Jessie Lowry, jessdoerrer@gmail.com or 877-792-8479.

Mondays and/or Tuesdays, lunchtime: Volunteers are needed to serve an already prepared lunch to Alexandrias working poor and homeless on various dates through the year. St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 228 S. Pitt St., Alexandria. Email Rev. Ross Kane, ross@stpaulsalexandria.com. 703-549-3312. stpaulsalexandria.com.

Weekdays, open and on view all day: Artist Bjorn Skaarups Carnival of the Animals, an exhibit of eight bronze works displayed outside the cathedral, adjacent to the west front, inspired by Camille Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals and crafted to express a cheerful wit and whimsy. Washington National Cathedral, Walker Court at the West End, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Free. 202-537-6200. cathedral.org .

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:15 a.m.: Senior Fit, an exercise class for people 55 and older to build strength, fitness and cardiovascular health. Required physician consent form is available at the information center or by visiting the website. Lutheran Church of St. Andrew, 15300 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. Free. Call Marilee at 301-384-4394 or go to mystandrew.org.

Tuesdays, 5 p.m.: Listening for God. Holy scripture read in silence and shared with others in prayerful listening during this time of modified Lectio Divina, or holy reading. Washington National Cathedral, Bethlehem Chapel, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-537-2228. cathedral.org.

Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Bible study. Faith Shepherd Baptist Church, 3233 E St. SE. 202-582-0055.

Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.: Cathedral Labyrinth Walk: Movement and Meditation Beyond Words. Walk the labyrinth with music in the nave from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., or walk silently in St. Josephs Chapel on the crypt level. Laying on of hands for healing from 6:30 to 7:30 in Holy Spirit Chapel. End your evening with Compline (nighttime prayers) in the Great Choir. Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-537-6200 or nationalcathedral.org .

Tuesdays, 7 to 8 p.m.: Caregiver support group. Share joys, concerns and questions. Your knowledge and experience may be just what is needed by those with troubles. All are welcome. Lutheran Church of St. Andrew, 15300 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring mystandrew.org . 301-384-4394 or info@mystandrew.org .

Tuesdays, 7 to 8 p.m.: Family-friendly gentle yoga. Certified exercise instructor Judy Jurkowski teaches classes that focus on deep breathing, slow movement, gentle stretching and strengthening posture. All ages are welcome, but parents must stay to supervise children 13 and younger. Free. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Rd., Alexandria. judy@aldersgate.net . 703-765-6555.

Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.: Homework Helpers invites parents or guardians to bring children in first through eighth grades for free after-school tutoring, advice and homework help. The program is certified by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington through its mandatory Safeguarding Gods Children training program. St. Johns Church, Broadcreek, Bayne Hall, 9801 Livingston Rd., Fort Washington, Md. Free. Registration: Ruth LaBelle, program director, 240-461-5330 or hwhelpers@stjohnsbroadcreek.org.

Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m.: Holy Eucharist. A simple spoken service with readings from scripture, prayers, a brief sermon and Communion. Washington National Cathedral, Bethlehem Chapel (use the Good Shepherd entrance on the Woodley Road side, off the traffic circle), 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-537-6200 or cathedral.org.

Wednesdays, 7:40 a.m.: A celebration of Holy Eucharist, Rite II. Christ Church, Georgetown, Keith Hall, 31st and O streets NW. christchurchgeorgetown.org. 202-333-6677.

Wednesdays, 9 a.m.: Bible study. The opening study sessions will focus on Saint Pauls Epistle to the Romans and a commentary by Katherine Grieb, The Story of Romans. Christ Church, Georgetown, Keith Hall, 31st and O streets NW. christchurchgeorgetown.org. 202-333-6677.

Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Bible study. Three co-conveners meet for a reading of the gospel for the coming Sunday service, reflection and discussion. Neither preparation nor regular attendance is required. A healing service and an exploration of the lives of the saints follows. Free. St. Patricks Episcopal Church, 4700 Whitehaven Pkwy. NW. 202-342-2800.

Wednesday, 10 to 10:30 a.m.: Representatives of the military services will lay a wreath at the tomb of Woodrow Wilson on the 161st anniversary of his birth. Wilson is the only president buried within the District. Washington National Cathedral, main level, south side, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Free. 202-537-6200 or cathedral.org.

Wednesdays, 11 a.m.: A service of praise and prayer on the second and fourth Wednesdays. Pastor Moses Sangha and Pastor Richard Keller, a retired Methodist minister, will lead informal services that include singing, praying and a brief homily. Bring a sandwich for a light lunch after worship. Beverages and dessert will be provided. Glenn Dale United Methodist Church, 8500 Springfield Rd., Glenn Dale, Md. glenndaleumc@verizon.net. 301-262-2299.

Wednesdays, 11 a.m.: Holy Eucharist and healing service. St. Johns Episcopal Church, 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean. stjohnsmclean.org. 703-356-4902.

Wednesdays, 11 a.m.: A weekly service of healing and an exploration of the life of the saints. All are welcome at this 30-minute contemplative service. St. Patricks Episcopal Church, 4700 Whitehaven Pkwy. churchoffice@stpatrickschurchdc.org. 202-342-2800.

Wednesdays, noon: Worship service for anyone who finds the holidays difficult or who would like a simpler service. Church of the Redeemer, 6201 Dunrobbin Dr., Bethesda. 301-229-3770. redeemerbethesda.org.

Wednesdays, noon: A Low Mass with Healing Rite. All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church, 2300 Cathedral Ave. NW. 202-232-4244.

Wednesdays, noon: Brown Bags and Bibles. The Rev. Janice Mynchenberg leads a weekly study of the Gospel of Luke with the help of a commentary by N.T. Wright. Bring your lunch. Georgetown Lutheran Church, 1556 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Free. 202-337-9070 or glcpastor100@gmail.com.

Wednesdays, noon and 7 p.m.: Weekly Bible study. The Rev. Robert K. Pines teaches. All are welcome. First Baptist Church, Georgetown, 2624 Dumbarton St. NW. 202-965-1899. firstbaptistgtown.org.

Wednesdays, 3:45 to 5:45 p.m.: After-school tutoring program needs tutors, readers and snack coordinators. The program offers homework assistance to students in first through ninth grades. Contact Jerry Beyer at 703-399-1395. Annandale United Methodist Church, 7901 Heritage Dr., Annandale, Va. annandale-umc.org. 703-256-8330.

Wednesdays, 4 to 4:45 p.m.: Senior Strength and Stretch. Classes are open to those whose physicians have given approval. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Rd., Alexandria. 703-765-6555, ext. 626, or judy@aldersgate.net.

Wednesdays, 6 to 7:30 p.m.: Yoga classes. New participants are welcome. Christ Church, Georgetown, 31st and O streets NW. 202-333-6677. To register, email Cherie Jones at cjones@ttrsir.com or call 202-352-7529. christchurchgeorgetown.org.

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Weight Watchers meeting. Trinity Episcopal Church, 14515 Church St., Upper Marlboro. 301-627-2636.

Thursdays, 7:15 a.m.: Morning prayers (Matins) will be spoken. All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church, 2300 Cathedral Ave. NW. 202-232-4244.

Thursdays, 10 to 11 a.m.: Yoga classes taught by the Rev. Randy Lord-Wilkinson. Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 205 S. Summit Ave., Gaithersburg. Donation of $1 to $10 requested. 301-948-0122. ascensionmd.org.

Thursdays, 11 a.m. to noon: Gentle Yoga. Certified exercise instructor Judy Jurkowski teaches classes that focus on deep breathing, slow movement, gentle stretching and strengthening posture. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Rd., Alexandria. Free. judy@aldersgate.net. 703-765-6555.

Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Barnabas Bread Basket community meals. Lunch is served every Thursday. Dinner is served on the last Thursday of the month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free. First Baptist Church, 9258 Center St., Manassas. 703-368

Thursdays, 5 to 7 p.m.: Food distribution program. Help is needed for the distribution of food to the hungry on Thursday evenings. Annandale United Methodist Church, Heritage Drive Campus, 7901 Heritage Dr., Annandale. Betsy Clevenger, 703-425-6424. annandale-umc.org.

Fridays, 12:10 p.m.: A service of healing and Holy Eucharist. Christ Church, Georgetown, 31st and O streets NW. christchurchgeorgetown.org. 202-333-6677.

Fridays, 6:30 p.m.: Recovery ministry. Fellowship and refreshments. Twinbrook Community Church, 5906 Halpine Rd., Rockville, Md. The Rev. Aaron Howard, 301-204-5911.

Saturdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: Food pantry. Volunteers are needed to help families in need. Teens may earn school credits. Work as often as you can: grocery shopping, stocking the pantry and setting up for Saturday. St. Johns Episcopal Church, Broad Creek, 9801 Livingston Rd., Fort Washington. 301-248-4290. Stjohns1692@verizon.net or stjohnsbroadcreek.org.

For more religion events, visit washingtonpost.com/religion. Send submissions with event name, dates, times, exact address, prices and a publishable telephone number at least one week before our Saturday publication day to Religion Events, The Washington Post, 1301 K St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071; or email rpevents@washpost.com.
At least six men died at the Old Post Office  most of them by falling from a great height. (GSA)

On Christmas Day, the Answer Wife suggested that Answer Man start a rumor that the Trump International Hotel is haunted.

Of course, Answer Man refused. He is a man of science and has little truck with the supernatural. There are no such things as ghosts.

But if there were . . . .

The Fiendishly Difficult D.C. Trivia Quiz that ran in this space last week referenced the multiple men who met their demise while working on the building that today houses the president-elects hotel: the city post office.

[John Kellys Annual D.C. Trivia Quiz]

Answer Man said four men died, but he subsequently found a fifth. And that doesnt count the former city postmaster who died after the building was completed.

Construction on the building, designed by Willoughby J. Edbrooke in an ornate Richardson Romanesque style, began in 1892. It was the first in the city to utilize a modern iron and steel frame. It was that frame that seemed to cause problems in those pre-OSHA days.

The first victim was an ironworker named William Cook, who lost his life in a fall on Oct. 8, 1894. In fact, Cook fell twice that day. The first fall was around 9:30 in the morning, The Washington Post reported, when Cook dropped from a second-story beam into the basement, injuring his head.

That may have been a sign to take the rest of the day off, but Cook returned to work after getting bandaged at the hospital. Around 1 p.m. he fell again, from the first floor to the basement. He died three hours later.

Less than two weeks later, the Post Office claimed its next victim: Peter Nelson, a 26-year-old from Chicago who had been on the job for a week. A three-ton block of granite was being moved by a swinging derrick to its position inside the Post Offices front wall when it fell from a height of 30 feet, crushing Nelson.

It was thought a wire had snapped, but it turned out the ratchet on the derrick had slipped.

On Dec. 6, 1894, William Fielding, a mortar mixer, thought he could walk from one part of the building to another via a girder. He couldnt. He slipped on the iron, lost his balance and went over. Hed fallen almost all the way to the ground  50 feet  without striking anything, but his head hit a projecting girder right before the basement. He left behind a wife and four children.

After an ironworker named Charles Beach plummeted to his death from the seventh floor on Aug. 9, 1895, it was decided to do something that hadnt been done after the first three deaths: hold an inquest. Witnesses testified that Beach preferred to scramble about the structure on the girders, rather than on scaffolding that had been erected. He had chosen to bridge two girders with a wooden plank, but it was only an inch thick and it buckled under his weight.

Beachs death, the jury decided, was his own fault. However, several workers testified that it would be nice if rather than install the floors last, floors were built as the building went up. Then at least if workers fell, they wouldnt drop all the way to the basement.

Another year, another inquest. On May 13, 1895, workers discovered a mans body at the base of one of the post offices turrets. He looked familiar and turned out to be Thomas F. James, a plasterer who had been let go a few days earlier.

James had returned to ask for his job back, but the foreman thought he was drunk and sent him away. Apparently James came back and climbed to the top of a turret, possibly to get a good view of the parade in honor of the dedication of a statue of Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock.

James would prove the last worker to die during the Post Offices construction, but the building was not done extracting its blood toll. (If there is such a thing as a blood toll, which there isnt.)

On Sept. 30, 1899, two men had just boarded one of the buildings lobby elevators when they felt a tremendous jolt from above. It was the broken body of James P. Willett, a popular former city postmaster. The doors from several elevators had been removed and laid horizontally across each opening to allow furniture to be moved. Willett  weakened, it was said, from existing illnesses  apparently stepped or tripped over one of the doors.

Answer Man did find one happy ending: In 1906, a Post Office watchman named William Howland chased a trespassing cat across the second floor. The feline slipped through the safety grill of an elevator and fell down the shaft, landing with a thud in the basement below.

Poor thing! Im the cause, Howland moaned. Will I ever be forgiven?

The cats lifeless body was retrieved and a messenger sent to fetch a shoe box for burial  at which point the cat got up and walked away, chased by the watchman trying to shoo it outside.

Ill save the box, said the messenger.

Helping Hand

Weve entered the final week of The Washington Post Helping Hand, our campaign to raise money for Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Homestretch and Community of Hope. All three charities assist homeless families and youths in our area.

To donate online, visit posthelpinghand.com.

Twitter: @johnkelly

For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly.
Each day, the sisters of an order of nuns pass the cemetery lined with white crosses, where enslaved people who worked this plantation are buried.

This is sacred land, said Sister Maureen T. Carroll as she looked over its rolling hills 40 miles west of Richmond and worried about the future.

It was her religious order  the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament  that transformed a plantation that once profited from slavery into Catholic boarding schools for African American children. St. Emma Military Academy for boys and St. Francis de Sales School for girls are credited with educating 15,000 black students. But the schools were closed in the early 1970s, and now the order, headquartered in Philadelphia, wants to sell the 2,265 acres known as Belmead Plantation, or Belmead-on-the-James.

The remaining five nuns living here say they fear that the land, which has a county-assessed value of more than $8 million, will wind up in the hands of developers. They are waging a desperate fight to save it.

At night, Sister Beulah Martin said, she asks God to help them.

I cry, she said, standing near the James River that flows through the former tobacco plantation. No one can hear me, but I cry and I pray.

The five nuns  four of whom are white  range in age from 50 to 75. Three of the sisters live in a historical but dilapidated neo-Gothic mansion that sits atop a winding hill. Two others live in an old teachers cottage.

Carroll, 74, said the Virginia nuns understand the need for their superiors in Philadelphia to sell the land, but they are hoping that the order will give them time to raise the money to buy Belmead and run it as an environmental preserve.

The sale of the property is being managed by Plante Moran Real Estate Investment Advisors, which asked for proposals by Dec. 19 and will present them to the orders leadership in January.



Sister Beulah Martin vacuums the nuns living quarters. She prays that Belmead can be saved. (Julia Rendleman/For The Washington Post)

Sister Maureen T. Carroll sits on her mother's hope chest in her bedroom at Belmead. (Julia Rendleman/For The Washington Post)

The decision to put the land and historical buildings on the market mirrors the paths of other religious communities across the country that are selling churches, convents, schools and parishes as their populations decrease.

You had to build these big places for sisters to live when you had hundreds and hundreds of sisters, explained Sister Sandra Schmidt, who serves as a councilor on the Sisters of the Blessed Sacraments leadership team. Now you dont have hundreds and hundreds of sisters, but you have these big places.

The order is also selling its motherhouse in Bensalem, Pa., the site of the National Shrine of Katharine Drexel, who was canonized by the Catholic Church in 2000.

There are 100 Blessed Sacrament nuns scattered across the country and abroad, including 50 in Philadelphia and others in New Orleans, Arizona, Haiti and Jamaica. At the orders peak, there were 600.

The median age is 79, Schmidt said. Looking at the pool of sisters, there is no one to follow us in leadership roles.

[A young nun in a disappearing world]

Proceeds from the sale of the Virginia property and the motherhouse will be used to help take care of the elderly sisters as well as support their missions, she said.

The big majority are very supportive of the decisions we are making, Schmidt said. There is a sadness for all of us. We have taken nothing lightly.

The Virginia property has a rich history. Belmead was built in 1835 by Philip St. George Cocke, who commissioned architect A.J. Davis to build the manor house. About 150 slaves worked the land, growing tobacco and grains.

In 1861, Cocke, a U.S. Military Academy graduate, fatally shot himself at Belmead after commanding Confederate troops in the First Battle of Bull Run.

Years after the war ended, the plantation was put up for sale. In 1891, Katharine Drexel, an heiress who took her religious vows that year, founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People.



Sister Beulah Martin descends the staircase from the nuns living quarters. Martin said she prays at night that the manor will be saved. This is our home, she said. We live here. We dont want to move. (Julia Rendleman/For The Washington Post)

In 1895, Katharine Drexel, her sister Louise Drexel Morrell and brother-in-law Edward Morrell established two Catholic boarding schools on the property. Thousands of black students came from across the country to attend the schools.

This land and property embody extraordinary American history, African American history, said Patricia C. Gunn, a graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School and an associate professor of law at Ohio University. Its extremely important that we save it.

[One mans quest to preserve the haunting black history of Pocahantas Island]

In 2011, Belmead was placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservations 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The manor house, the two teachers cottages, a stone granary and the St. Francis de Sales school are the only structures still standing on the property.

During a tour, Carroll stopped at the red brick building that once housed the girls school. Vines were growing through the stained glass windows of the old chapel.

Since the announcement of the sale, the community and alumni have formed a nonprofit group, Belmead on the James, to mount a fundraising campaign.

What we need to do is show we have the ability to make a multimillion-dollar offer to the sisters in Philadelphia, said Demetrius Venable, a professor of physics at Howard University and president of Belmead on the James.

So far, they have raised $86,000. They are working with graduates of the schools and descendants of Belmeads slaves and urging their supporters to sign their change.org petition. They have written to philanthropists  including Oprah Winfrey  requesting help. Sister Donna Gould closes that missive with a plea:

We cannot lose this place of peace, justice and healing especially in this political climate. Oprah, I ask you to come and see, touch, taste, breathe and listen to the story being told by this land.

They have not heard from Winfrey. Not yet, Gould said. But she and the other nuns havent given up. They still believe their prayers will be answered.

Its always a challenge to keep believing, but we still do, Carroll said. That is the work of the spirit.
Here in the land of beauty and make-believe, its important to keep up appearances. Tracy Quinn sees it whenever she walks her dog: sprinklers irrigating pretty green lawns and wasted water bleeding across sidewalks during the states driest spell in centuries.

It drives me crazy, said Quinn, a water policy analyst for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

But now California is preparing for a dramatic change in how its residents use water. A water management plan that could be finalized in January is designed to make conservation a way of life.

I think its a really great way to go, Quinn said.

California is entering its sixth year of extreme drought, and it has enacted water restriction plans before. In 2015, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) declared that watering grass every day was going to be a thing of the past. He issued an executive order that forced the states 410 water agencies to cut up to 36 percent of their water use, compared with 2013.

Firefighters battle the Erskine Fire by lighting back fires in Lake Isabella in central California. Investigators say an electrical line in a tree sparked the devastating wildfire, which killed an elderly couple and destroying hundreds of homes. (Casey Christie/Associated Press)

The new plan would instead give each water agency a budget for how much water its customers are allowed to use. Each agencys allowance would be based on estimates from state officials of its demographics  population, economy, outdoor temperature, tree canopy and even the rate of water evaporation  to determine its need.

Many agencies will be forced to purchase costly technology that detects even the smallest leaks in water lines and to hire data analysts to record and report water use. An association that represents California water agencies said it has yet to examine the overall cost but predicted it would easily surpass $1 billion.

For the first time, farms in the state would be required to account for nearly every drop of water they pull from aquifers they are depleting, often to grow thirsty cash crops such as almonds and rice that require extensive irrigation in naturally dry conditions.

The proposal, Making Water Conservation a Way of Life, must overcome a slew of public and legislative debates over the next three years before implementation, but it is being embraced by strange bedfellows: the Association of California Water Agencies and environmental groups such as California Coastkeeper Alliance that often battle the association over water.

Its sweeping change that builds on the lessons learned during the drought, said Max Gomberg, the climate and conservation manager for the state Water Resources Control Board, which governs water agencies. We are setting new water efficiency targets for suppliers that serve 34 million people.

Were not telling them how to meet their budgets. Were just telling them they have to stay within their budgets, he said. If you stay under budget, kudos. If you go over budget, the state steps in.

Irrigation water runs along a dried-up ditch between rice farms in Richvale, Calif. (Jae C. Hong/Associated Press)

The penalty for going over budget is one of the many things that state water officials, lobbyists and lawmakers will have to negotiate. Whats important now, Gomberg said, is that there is a new path forward.

During the states emergency drought response two years ago, we realized . . . we didnt have a regulatory structure dealing with leaks in cities, Gomberg said, and we didnt know how much water was being lost in rural areas, where farmers were never required to report their groundwater use.

Scientists say there is no end in sight for Californias drought. The dry stretch that started in 2011 has killed more than 100 million trees, increased the chances of wildfires, wiped out dozens of farms, dried sections of rivers and threatened the states salmon fishery, killed unknown quantities of wildlife and left entire communities without running water.

San Diego County built the largest desalination plant in the nation, pulling salt water from the ocean. Santa Barbara is following suit, seeking to restart a mothballed desalination plant as a reservoir that serves the county, Lake Cachuma, goes almost dry. In East Porterville, near Fresno, residents couldnt bathe or flush their toilets after their wells stopped pumping.

Setting water budgets will involve a lot of technical work in the nations most populous state  and, before the drought, one of the most irresponsible when it came to water management.

For example, until recently even major cities, including the capital, Sacramento, did not require homes and businesses to have water meters. Now California will require thousands of sophisticated meters and will combine satellite technology and aerial flight data to study the states topography to see which areas have the most pavement, grass and even the most shade to determine how much irrigation they need.

Foggy San Franciscos water budget will be different from dry and highly populated Los Angeless, Gomberg said. Bakersfield, near the relatively wet Sierra Nevada, will have a budget that differs from Riverside, near dry desert mountains.

Im not going to say its perfect, said Quinn of the Natural Resources Defense Council, but the framework the governor put out is smart, and the potential implementation is smart for the way we manage water in California.

The executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies, Tim Quinn (who is not related to Tracy Quinn), was equally positive. Were fully supportive of this effort, he said.

Association members are not of one mind on the proposal, but one reason a lot of our members like this budget-based approach is . . . we believe it allows agencies to adapt to their own circumstances rather than facing a one-size-fits-all solution.

But some smaller agencies that lack money for pricey gadgets and new staffers are worried. In webinars held by the association, member agencies that serve few customers have wondered aloud whether the old order  reducing a percentage of water use  would allow them to sidesteps the costs.

No one is looking for a way out; were just having a discussion . . . about whats the best way to do it, Quinn said.

At the Moulton Niguel Water District in south Orange County near Laguna Beach, which already monitors nearly every drop of water, the cost of new meters, leak detection equipment, a consulting analyst and increased staff work hours amounted to $78,000 yearly.

But the investment was worth it, said Joone Lopez, the districts general manager. Leaking water is money down the drain. Its not only the water loss but also loss in revenue, so it makes sense to do water audits for a variety of reasons, Lopez said.

That is why big agencies that fought the executive order to cut at least a quarter of their water use in many cases prefer the new approach. Cutting water use hurt revenue and profit margins, sometimes resulting in losses. A budget based on their needs and their ability to monitor and account for water puts destiny in their own hands.

Californians should expect a drier future, said Sara Aminzadeh, executive director of the California Coastkeeper Alliance, based in San Francisco. Were going to be experiencing more drought, and more severe drought with less rain and snow.

Scientists at Stanford University predicted that the states temperatures will keep rising as precipitation falls, and scientists at NASA and Columbia University said that if the climate continues to warm without decreases in greenhouse-gas emissions, California and the Southwest will face a megadrought  extreme dry conditions that last 30 years.

The proposal, Aminzadeh said, is a new ethic for our state, that water conservation is part of our way of life. Were not just lurching from one drought to the next. Were putting in place a long-term plan. It just feels like things are coming together.
??Across the country, thousands of children use medical marijuana for a range of ailments including intractable epilepsy, pain, anxiety and symptoms of multiple sclerosis. As the number of pediatric medical users grows, so do issues that confront parents, patients, doctors and policymakers. There are no federal laws specifically covering childrens use of medical marijuana, and state laws on the subject are a complex and sometimes contradictory patchwork.

Twenty-nine states and the District have made medical marijuana of all kinds legal. Among those state is Maryland, which has not yet set up a system for distribution.

Another 15 states, including Virginia, allow people to use cannabis containing high levels of CBD and low levels of the psychoactive component THC. In large part, these laws have come in response to pressure from parents of children with severe epilepsy and other illnesses that may be treated with CBD. However, none of these states has a distribution system with licensed dispensaries. As a result, parents are left to find cannabis through other sources, either buying it in another state and bringing it home or buying it from a dealer  both of which are illegal under federal law.

[A powerful new form of medical marijuana, without the high]

(Florida has CBD-only dispensaries, and it will be expanding to full medical marijuana as the result of an amendment to the state constitution that was approved by voters in November.)

Some states require that parents get permission from two doctors before their children can receive the drug rather than the single practitioner required for adults. Many states limit pediatric use to high-CBD doses. Advocates say that this limits options for children who may find relief with higher levels of THC. They also note that states rarely limit childrens access to medicines that can have powerful psychoactive side effects, such as opioids and stimulants.

At the same time, many doctors are unwilling to prescribe medical marijuana to children. They tend to be very suspicious of it, says Beth Collins, senior director of government affairs for Americans for Safe Access, an advocacy group for wider access to medical cannabis. Moreover, she says, many hospitals are worried about legal liability, and discourage their practitioners from helping pediatric patients get marijuana.

Parents who want to try this for their kids have more options than they did five years ago, she says. But there are still a lot of hoops to jump through, a lot of hurdles to get over.
The night sky for the year 2017 busily begins with beautiful planets and shooting stars.

Venus and Mars loiter in the west-southwestern sky after sunset. The vibrant Venus, a spectacular beacon at -4.4 magnitude (very bright) gets more luminous toward Januarys end, and the dimmer, red Mars at 0.9 magnitude (bright) becomes slightly less bright.

The sliver of a young moon approaches Venus and Mars on Sunday  as the moon will be on Venus side. On Monday, the slightly thicker moon hangs out between the two planets.

By mid-month, Venus and Mars appear closer by a few degrees in the west-southwestern sky after dusk and may need a cosmic chaperon to keep them apart. In the waning days of January, the far-less bright Mars and the ebullient Venus are about 5 degrees away from one another.

Jupiter  hanging out near the star Spica in the constellation Virgo  rises in the east at about 1 a.m. now. In the middle of January, the big gassy planet rises just after midnight. At dawn now, it will be high in the south. Jupiter is conspicuous at -1.9 magnitude (quite bright) early in January and -2 magnitude late in the month.

The ringed Saturn rises just ahead of the rising sun by mid-month in the southeast, and the fleet Mercury makes a cameo appearance in the morning sky  also, just ahead of the sun in mid-month  in the east-southeast.

Shooting stars! The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks on Tuesday morning, according to the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The official peak occurs during morning daylight hours in the eastern United States, but devoted stargazers here may catch meteors in the hours before sunrise.

Generally, meteors occur when Earth passes through dusty comet trail. For the Quadrantids, asteroid 2003 EH1 (perhaps a comet, says Geoff Chester of the U.S. Naval Observatory) likely forged the granular path.

The sun sets at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Jan. 4 here  thats the first 5 p.m. sunset weve seen since Nov. 7. Until Jan. 9, the sun rises here at 7:27 a.m., the latest sunrises of the year, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory. New Years Day offers 9 hours and 30 minutes of official sunlight for the Washington area, but Jan. 31 provides 10 hours and 14 minutes of glorious solar gleam.

Down-to-Earth events:

Astro-Bots: Astronomy  Budding engineers  ages 6 and up  can design, build and test robots that may explore space at the National Air and Space Museums Making STEM Magic. The dates: Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the museums Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, Va. Free. Parking $15. airandspace.si.edu.

Jan. 5  A Brief History of Dutch Astronomy, a talk by astronomer Peter Teuben, at the University of Maryland at College Parks observatory, 8 p.m. Enjoy the wintry night sky full of stars through telescopes afterward, weather permitting. astro.umd.edu/openhouse.

Jan. 6  JUNOs Exploration of Jupiter, a lecture by the Jet Propulsion Labs Scott Bolton, the missions principal investigator. The Philosophical Society of Washington presents the lecture at the John Wesley Powell Auditorium, adjacent to the Cosmos Club, 2170 Florida Avenue NW. 8 p.m. philsoc.org.

Jan. 8  Chemical Ingredients for Life on Mars, a talk by NASA space scientist Jennifer Stern, at the regular meeting of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club, 163 Research Hall, George Mason University. 7 p.m. novac.com.

Jan. 9  Savor Januarys heavens at Stars Tonight, at the David M. Brown Planetarium, 1426 N. Quincy St., Arlington. 7:30 p.m. $3. friendsoftheplanetarium.org.

Jan. 14  Does the Earth Orbit the Sun?  Fairfax County physics teachers Dean Howarth and Jeff Jones breathe life into a debate  using replica instruments  between 17th century German astronomer Johannes Kepler and 16th century Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. At the National Capital Astronomers meeting, held at the University of Maryland at College Parks observatory. 7:30 p.m. capitalastronomers.org.

Jan. 20  A Look Into High-Mass X-ray and Gamma-ray Binaries, a talk by astronomer Joel Coley at the University of Maryland at College Parks observatory. 8 p.m. Afterward, enjoy the heavens through telescopes, weather permitting. astro.umd.edu/openhouse.

Jan. 28  How Are Stars Born?  a program at the Montgomery College planetarium, Takoma Park, 7 p.m. bit.ly/2huueYS.

Friedlander can be reached at PostSkyWatch@yahoo.com.
Brent Scowcroft served as national security adviser to Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush. Thomas R. Pickering is a former undersecretary of state and served as ambassador to the United Nations and Israel, among other places. Scowcroft and Pickering are chairman emeritus and the current chairman, respectively, of the U.S./Middle East Project.

In recent days, the Obama administration has undertaken two significant actions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue. It refrained from vetoing a resolution at the U.N. Security Council that, among other things, detailed the devastating impact that Israeli settlement expansion is having on the prospects for a two-state peace agreement. And in a landmark speech, Secretary of State John F. Kerry warned that the trend toward a one-state reality is becoming increasingly entrenched, and he set out principles for a lasting peace based on a two-state solution.

He rightly pointed out that the demise of the two-state option is to nobodys benefit  Israeli, Palestinian or American. We share Kerrys concerns and applaud the Obama administration for having set out the conclusions of its peace efforts in a transparent and compelling manner.

Over decades in and out of government, we have shared with great conviction the United States commitment to Israel and its security. We have also followed with increasing concern the inability to secure the kind of peace that Israelis and Palestinians alike so deserve and that would best advance U.S. goals in the region and beyond. No side is blameless for the absence of peace, but the relentless confiscation of Palestinian land and expansion of Israels presence in the territories occupied since 1967 have created facts on the ground that are the proximate cause of fear that a two-state deal might soon be impossible to attain.

Kerrys speech and the U.S. decision to abstain at the United Nations on Resolution 2334 have stirred controversy, at home and abroad. We feel it is important to offer reminders of certain simple truths.

Support for Israeli-Palestinian peace predicated on an Israeli withdrawal to a border based on the 1967 lines and opposition to Israeli civilian settlements in occupied territories have been long-standing bipartisan principles of U.S. policy. The Carter administrations determination of the illegality of settlements under international law has never been reversed by succeeding Republican or Democratic presidents. No administration has been fond of having the United Nations take the lead on this issue, given its own record on Israel, but all administrations since 1967 on occasion have voted in the Security Council contrary to the wishes of the government of Israel.

As Israelis and Palestinians themselves made progress with U.S. support, a bipartisan consensus emerged in favor of a two-state solution. Just because something is a consensus does not necessarily make it right. But in this instance, the shared pursuit of a two-state peace is based on solid ground. It is not only the best option available to Israel and to those Palestinians seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but also it is the best option for Americas own national interests.

Even in a region so destabilized, flare-ups on the Israeli-Palestinian front strike a particularly radicalizing cord. If a two-state peace accord is permanently off the agenda, and a protracted and increasingly violent conflict develops in the occupied Palestinian territories, the ramifications for U.S. national security interests would be disturbing, particularly given our commitment to Israels security.

When U.S. presidents assert their opposition to settlements and reaffirm their support for two states, they are doing what their oath of office requires  serving U.S. national security interests. Our commitment to Israel is right and unshakable, but it cannot extend to committing ourselves to erroneous policies that undermine U.S. interests, well-being and security.

We believe that a rejection of peace and the promotion of settlements are also bad for Israel. If we lose the two-state option, then we may well lose the ability to base the U.S.-Israel relationship on shared values. The permanent disenfranchisement of millions of people on an ethnic-national basis  keeping the Palestinians separate and unequal, in Kerrys words  does not conform with American values. This is not something to be taken lightly.

The Obama administration, in line with its predecessors, is right to be doing its duty to advance dignity for both peoples stability and security. It is also right to speak truth, even when it may be inconvenient, to our closest of allies.

We also understand that administrations and their preferences change, and we celebrate that part of our democracy. Experience tells us that campaigning and even transitioning are one thing, but that governing is quite another. The incoming Trump administration, like its predecessors, will face challenges and thorny dilemmas across the globe, not least in the Middle East. We would hope that when it comes to weighing the alternatives, our new leaders will come to see the wisdom in advancing the only viable option for peace: a sovereign and contiguous Palestine alongside a secure and democratic Israel, with an agreed border based on the 1967 lines.
SOME OF the most spectacular scenery in the world lies in southern Utah, a wonderland of rust-red rock shaped by channels of cool water, punctuated by craggy buttes and Native American ruins and artifacts. After Wednesday, more of this priceless landscape will be formally protected  if, that is, the countrys incoming Republican leaders do not allow anger at President Obama to impair their judgment.

The White House announced Wednesday that Mr. Obama designated 1.35 million acres of breathtaking lands  known as Bears Ears, after two buttes that jut prominently into the air  a national monument. The designation caps a presidential term that saw conversion of several natural and culturally significant areas into protected zones, achievements that may turn out to be the most persistent element of Mr. Obamas legacy.

Utah leaders responded with fury, arguing that the president is behaving imperiously, and promised to push for a rollback. In fact, Mr. Obama took a moderate approach, and his critics should take a deep breath.

The president did not set aside as much land as he plausibly could have  and much less than a coalition of local tribes asked him to. The lines he drew hew more closely to those Utah officials proposed previously. Some nearby people who make their living off the land worry about their livelihoods. Yet the presidents order allows locals who currently use the area to graze their livestock or extract minerals to keep their resource privileges.

Mr. Obamas action also was hardly a usurpation of Congresss prerogatives, despite some of the overheated rhetoric from the presidents critics. He used powers Congress duly designated to the White House under the Antiquities Act. It is hardly unprecedented for presidents to use this power to set aside large chunks of land or sea. Legal challenges nevertheless seem likely, based on the acts stipulation that national monuments should only be as large as is necessary to protect the treasures in question. Yet, in the case of Bears Ears and many other monuments, much of the point is to preserve sprawling, unspoiled landscape  not just a few archaeological sites.

Moreover, it is hard to blame Mr. Obama for using Antiquities Act authorities after Congress failed to consider its own conservation proposal. Time is a factor: Looters and tourists have marred precious archaeological sites in the area, despite wide agreement that they should be preserved.

There is no place quite like it. Its beauty and cultural significance deserve better than petty, partisan fights. Congress can and should still have its say: Lawmakers should write protections for the area specifically into the law, insulating them from legal challenge. But any reasonable legislative proposal would end up looking a lot like what Mr. Obama has already done. Further federal action cannot become a back-door ploy to significantly erode the protections already extended.
An inmate uses a phone in the visitation area of the Central Detention Facility in Washington. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post)

Making predictions is risky business, but heres what is in store for our city in the new year:

In the District, there will be at least 100 homicides, 300 sex-abuse offenses, 2,000 assaults with a dangerous weapon, 2,000 robberies and 2,900 burglaries. These are low-ball projections based on comparisons of crime figures for 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) says that Washington is safer and stronger. Overall crime is down.

But the projected numbers, which are lower than the results of 2014-16, tell another story: Community-shattering violence remains too high, and it isnt going away. Neither is the plague of repeat violent offenders being allowed to return to the streets to rape, rob and kill, all because of a fractured D.C. criminal-justice system.

Forecasting reforms in the citys Youth Rehabilitation Act, the second-chance law for youthful offenders, is an even more treacherous undertaking. That its application needs investigating is, however, not at issue.

As The Post reported this year in the in-depth series Second-Chance City, since 2010, 121 defendants previously sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act have been charged with murder  1 in 5 of all suspects charged with murder during that period. Whats more, a quarter of the killings occurred when the suspects were on probation, often in lieu of any prison sentence. And thats not counting the more than 200 sentenced for multiple violent or weapons offenses, and at least 136 convicted of armed robbery.

Theres cause to be skeptical about forthcoming changes in the law, however.

Bowser, stirred by The Posts series, which showed how the application of the lenient law for youthful offenders has jeopardized public safety, has called for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) to study the measure and produce reforms for consideration next year.

She turned to a weak link in the criminal-justice system for help.

The CJCC consists of the heads of nine local and federal law enforcement and offender supervision agencies, the chief judge of the D.C. Superior Court and D.C. political leaders. They preside over a system in which the city writes the criminal laws, D.C. police make arrests, congressionally funded courts and prosecutors handle the cases, and local offenders serve time in federal prison and are federally supervised during their release.

Since 2003, the CJCC has received $21 million from Congress to help resolve major D.C. public safety issues that cut across agency lines.

As I noted in a recent blog post , Bowser chairs the CJCC but has never attended a meeting, instead sending Kevin Donahue, her deputy for public safety.

Heres the problem: The CJCC was asleep at the switch, and it missed problems with the Youth Rehabilitation Act until they surfaced in The Posts series.

Moreover, a major CJCC participant, the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, appears to be a large part of the repeat violent offender problem.

The court agency, with an annual federally funded budget of $182 million and nearly 800 employees, is responsible for supervising about 17,000 offenders traversing through the criminal justice system.

The Post reported this week that about 150 times a year, the agency loses track of offenders it classifies as high risk. Several hundred additional offenders classified as lower risk also go missing, and scores turn up as suspects in new crimes.

In August 2015, nearly half of the suspects that D.C. police were charging in killings were offenders under court agency supervision or were free pending trial. Offenders under CSOSAs supervision were charged with nearly 1,500 crimes of violence in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, The Post reported.

And the agency acts as a world unto itself.

Created two decades ago by Congress, the court agency makes its own rules and doesnt have to report to Bowser or the D.C. Council or the Justice Department. So to whom does it report?

That story is told in The Posts series: Donahue wanted to get the court agency to share more information with the police. Not sure who was in charge of probation and parole, he asked Director Nancy Ware, Who is your boss? Ware answered: I report to the president of the United States.

Indeed, Ware holds a six-year presidential appointment. The court agency is under congressional oversight, but lawmakers on Capitol Hill, The Post learned, have not called a hearing on it in nearly four years.

Year after year, a bipartisan Congress has rubber-stamped the court agency budgets passed along through the White Houses Office of Management and Budget.

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council that Bowser wants to handle Youth Rehabilitation Act reforms is co-chaired by the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency director.

Not only the Youth Rehabilitation Act but also the split local-federal criminal-justice system created by Congress need repairing.

There are two options: Congress should turn over the D.C. courts, along with the federal offender incarceration and supervision systems, to the District of Columbia and provide sufficient resources to do the job  my preference. Or Congress should undertake the reforms: After all, Congress created this unwieldy and unaccountable system.

Something, however, must be done, and in 2017. The D.C. criminal-justice system, as it now functions, endangers public safety.

kingc@washpost.com
In his Dec. 26 op-ed,  Overriding the wishes of the American people , E.J. Dionne Jr. said that the electoral college must be abolished. He apparently thinks the popular vote should be the determining factor in electing a president because, a few times in our countrys history, the president was elected by a majority of the electoral college without a plurality of the popular vote.

The popular vote in a national election is meaningless. The Constitution provides for a federal republic because if the United States were a direct democracy, a few large states could elect a president by themselves. That would be a disservice to the remainder of the nation.

The electoral college divides the presidential election into 51 separate contests. We may not like its winner-take-all aspect, but nevertheless the electoral college does preserve each states ability to influence the election of a president. These past few presidential elections have taught me why the electoral college, in whatever form, is necessary. We should not get rid of it.

Sheldon Dan, Memphis

A guy as smart as E.J. Dionne Jr. could come up with a better counter to George F. Wills pro-electoral college op-ed [Our excellent electoral vote system, Dec. 18] than votes counting more in Wyoming than California. Majoritarianism currently puts the election at 104 electoral votes  New York, Illinois and California  for the Democratic candidate before we vote.

Wyoming, with its three electoral votes, is not going to determine the outcome of a national election, especially with the District getting three votes.

You could salve the unfairness wounds foisted on the majoritarianism view by proposing that the electoral votes be split similar to how it is done in Maine. It would weaken the 104 electoral-bloc vote, but the red wall also would not be as solid, even in Wyoming. We could even get a few votes for the deplorables in Virginia, where my conservative vote in Northern Virginia doesnt count as much because of overwhelming cultural changes in population in the 21st century.

Bob Orlosky, Fairfax Station

E.J. Dionne Jr. repeated the current mantra that, because Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton received more popular votes nationwide than did President-elect Donald Trump, the electoral college should be scrapped. He didnt say that under the official state popular-vote count, Ms. Clinton received more than 4 million votes more in California than Mr. Trump, but in the other 49 states Mr. Trumps popular vote count was more than 1 million votes higher than Ms. Clintons.

Would Mr. Dionne have California alone deciding who becomes president?

John DAgostino, Elizabethtown, N.C.

E.J. Dionne Jr. and other writers coming out against the electoral college show little knowledge of U.S. history. America is a federal system that the original 13 Colonies joined into a structure of united states. Later, people joined the United States as states, not as individual Americans.

The Constitution contains a well-designed system for amendments, which is where people who want to change the electoral college should focus their attention.

As a federal system, our government gives power to the states, including small states, so there is little likelihood smaller states would vote for such an amendment and give up their power. There are major benefits for the country when all states are involved in the process, rather than just the two or three high-voter states of California, New York and Massachusetts. If a few large states tried to get five justices of the Supreme Court to kill the electoral college on their own, we probably would see our second civil war.

Robert Youker, Rockville

Reading E.J. Dionne Jr.s Dec. 26 op-ed and other pieces on the electoral college led me to ask: Is The Post a newspaper or a journal of political science? The subject of changing the way we choose presidents is purely academic. The probability of this happening in the foreseeable future can be computed quite precisely. It is zero.

Peter Wolfe, Seabrook, Md.
Naureen Shah is director of security and human rights at Amnesty International USA.

The Obama administration is dismantling a homeland security program created to track immigrants from Muslim-majority countries in an attempt to prevent President-elect Donald Trump from fulfilling his campaign promise to create a Muslim registry. As an American Muslim and human rights advocate, I am hoping against hope that retired Gen. John F. Kelly, the homeland security secretary nominee, will not reassemble the program.

Kelly is not an obvious champion of human rights. As head of U.S. Southern Command, Kelly oversaw Guantanamo, where he frequently dismissed human rights concerns. Dozens of people languished in detention without charge, and many were force-fed after going on hunger strikes. But he could be our best hope in the Trump administration.

While at Southern Command, Kelly invited critiques from human rights groups. Every year, he asked Amnesty International and other organizations to join him for a frank roundtable discussion. After one meeting, he took me aside to explain his point of view and hear me out. Dialogue and decency: In todays hyper-polarized political climate, these are as rare as unicorns.

And they matter. If I could talk to Kelly today, I think hed listen. I would tell him that people are afraid. Activists worry that if they speak out, the government could retaliate or put them under surveillance. Trumps idle tweets about stripping people of citizenship for flag-burning are eerily reminiscent of foreign dictators threatening to jail people for peaceful dissent.

People like me  ordinary Americans with Muslim names and ancestry from Muslim-majority countries  fear being put on a watchlist, barred entry into the United States, even banned because of who we are. Many people  African Americans, Jewish Americans, Muslim Americans, immigrants whove spent most of their adult lives here  spent the holidays swapping stories of threats, harassment and even violent attacks by fellow Americans who think the election has given them license to act on hatred.

I believe Kelly would listen to me, not because he has ever agreed with me, but because he has been willing to talk. And a top national security official who values dialogue over diatribes is what we need to put the brakes on Trumps most frightening counterterrorism proposals.

Kelly must not revive NSEERS (the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System). He is a smart man  he knows that a special registry would make for bad counterterrorism. Law enforcement officials need people to trust them and tip them off, not fear and avoid them. A special registration would send shockwaves through immigrant communities, inviting uncertainty and anxiety, more fear of law enforcement and less safety.

Unlike some of Trumps other national security advisers, though, Kelly does not appear to be infected with bizarrely virulent anti-Muslim prejudice. And more than anything, the proposed Muslim ban, internment and special registration proposals are about prejudice  not safety. They cater to bigotry and fear, which fly in the face of our countrys most precious values. They tear at the seams of our commonality by implying that only some people are included in the ideals of liberty and justice. They drive people even farther apart from each other, after an election that already has left us fragmented.

It may be naive to think that Kelly  or anyone else in the Trump administration  would risk his career to stand in the way of anti-human rights proposals. But many of these proposals, only a short while ago, would have been considered unimaginable. They threaten to return this country to the grimmest chapters of our history, like the mass imprisonment of U.S. citizens and noncitizens of Japanese descent. They are the stuff of dystopic novels, of nightmares.

Kelly could reject the bigotry and irrationality of these proposals, and senators at his confirmation hearing should call on him to do so. The next secretary of homeland security can refuse to carry forward Trumps anti-Muslim policies, and also decline to cooperate with the FBI or any other agency on the surveillance of activists, immigrants or particular communities. Perhaps most important, the general could use his position to counteract advisers who may tell Trump that he neednt listen to the millions of Americans who support human rights and civil liberties.

Kelly was always willing to listen to the human rights community. Now, Im hoping that the president-elect will listen to him.
Richard Cohen and his fellow hawks need to stop watching John Wayne movies and pick up a history book [Bloodless Obama, bloody Aleppo, op-ed, Dec. 27]. Some of us remember the Vietnam War, its cost in blood and treasure and its disastrous ending. The Iraq War also ended in disaster.

President Obama was right to acknowledge that our ability to police the planet has serious limits. He should be remembered well, as is Dwight D. Eisenhower for not having gotten us into war over Hungary in 1956. We need to free ourselves from the fantasy that we are world saviors or even successful cops. Even in World War I, the one-sided peace we helped create only led to World War II. We should learn to stay home.

David Williams, Lincoln, Va.

I disagree with Richard Cohens analysis of President Obamas Syrian policy. Mr. Obama kept the United States out of another endless war in the Middle East, for which I am grateful. The Syrian quagmire can entangle the countries that it directly affects. That includes Europe and the countries that border Syria. They can try to resolve that endless civil war.

The United States failed to do this in Vietnam, and were up to our neck in the endless Afghan civil war. Why do we need another? It is wise to stay out of other countries civil wars.

Bruce Krebs, Arlington
Eight years ago, we learned that Michelle Obamas mother, Marian Robinson, would move into the White House with the first family to help with the care of her two young granddaughters. Since then, we have heard little about her and even less from her. Although she has kept a low profile, we can assume she has provided the stability for the Obama girls that has allowed the first couple to do the nations business without the push/pull between work and family that so many parents experience.

Grandparents at every socioeconomic level in modern American society step up to nurture their grandchildren. From the neediest to the most powerful in the nation, many adults depend on help from their parents in raising their children. These grandparents deserve our recognition. The Obamas are widely praised as a model family. Surely, Grandma has mattered. So, to quote Simon & Garfunkel: Heres to you, Mrs. Robinson.

Bernadette Nakamura, Lansdowne, Va.
ALTHOUGH PRESIDENT Obamas sanctions against Russia for interfering with the U.S. presidential election came late, his action on Thursday reflected a bipartisan consensus that penalties must be imposed for Moscows audacious hacking and meddling. But one prominent voice in the United States reacted differently. President-elect Donald Trump said its time for our country to move on to bigger and better things. Earlier in the week, he asserted that the whole age of computer has made it where nobody knows exactly what is going on.

No, Mr. Trump, it is not time to move on. U.S. intelligence agencies are in agreement about what is going on: a brazen and unprecedented attempt by a hostile power to covertly sway the outcome of a U.S. presidential election through the theft and release of material damaging to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. The president-elects dismissive response only deepens unanswered questions about his ties to Russia in the past and his plans for cooperation with Vladimir Putin.

For his part, Mr. Putin seems to be eagerly anticipating the Trump presidency. On Friday, he promised to withhold retaliatory sanctions, clearly hoping the new Trump administration will nullify Mr. Obamas acts. Then Mr. Trump cheered on Twitter: Great move on delay (by V. Putin)  I always knew he was very smart!

For any American leader, an attempt to subvert U.S. democracy ought to be unforgivable  even if he is the intended beneficiary. Some years ago, then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned of a cyber-Pearl Harbor, and the fear at the time was of a cyberattack collapsing electric grids or crashing financial markets. Now we have a real cyber-Pearl Harbor, though not one that was anticipated. Mr. Obama has pledged a thorough investigation and disclosure; the information released on Thursday does not go far enough. Congress should not shrink from establishing a select committee for a full-scale probe.

Mr. Obama also hinted at additional retaliation, possibly unannounced, and we believe it would be justified to deter future mischief. How about shedding a little sunshine on Mr. Putins hidden wealth and that of his coterie?

(Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

Mr. Trump has been frank about his desire to improve relations with Russia, but he seems blissfully untroubled by the reasons for the deterioration in relations, including Russias instigation of an armed uprising in Ukraine, its seizure of Crimea, its efforts to divide Europe and the crushing of democracy and human rights at home.

Why is Mr. Trump so dismissive of Russias dangerous behavior? Some say it is his lack of experience in foreign policy, or an oft-stated admiration for strongmen, or naivete about Russian intentions. But darker suspicions persist. Mr. Trump has steadfastly refused to be transparent about his multibillion-dollar business empire. Are there loans or deals with Russian businesses or the state that were concealed during the campaign? Are there hidden communications with Mr. Putin or his representatives? We would be thrilled to see all the doubts dispelled, but Mr. Trumps odd behavior in the face of a clear threat from Russia, matched by Mr. Putins evident enthusiasm for the president-elect, cannot be easily explained.
Annie Duflo and Jeffrey Mosenkis are the executive director and senior policy communications associate, respectively, at Innovations for Poverty Action, a nonprofit that researches and promotes solutions to global poverty problems.

By conventional wisdom, 2016 has been a horrible year. Only someone living in a cave could have missed the flood of disheartening headlines. However, if 2016 continues the global trends of previous years, it may turn out to have been one of the best years for humanity as a whole.

Those of us who live in the world of poverty research and rigorous measurement have watched many global indicators improve consistently for the past few decades. Between 1990 and 2013 (the last year for which there is good data), the number of people living in extreme poverty dropped by more than half, from 1.85 billion to 770 million. As the University of Oxfords Max Roser recently put it, the top headline every day for the past two decades should have been: Number of people in extreme poverty fell by 130,000 since yesterday. At the same time, child mortality has dropped by nearly half, while literacy, vaccinations and the number of people living in democracy have all increased.

Emergencies and bad news tend to command our attention, so its easy to miss humanitys remarkable ability to improve its own lot. At the research and policy nonprofit Innovations for Poverty Action, we work with academics and field researchers to test which programs help the poor. Here are four things weve learned in 2016:

First, give the poor cash. Studies in Kenya and elsewhere show that the simplest way to help is also quite effective. We also know that if we give cash, the poor wont smoke or drink it away. In fact, a recent look at 19 studies across three continents shows that when the poor are given money, they are less likely to spend it on temptation goods such as alcohol and tobacco. More and more research shows that when the poor come into a windfall, they spend it on productive things  sending their children to school, fixing the roof thats letting in the harsh weather or investing in a business. Based on this evidence, a cash revolution is taking hold in the humanitarian world. Even refugees in places such as Lebanon and Turkey increasingly carry ATM cards provided by aid organizations, which are periodically loaded with cash to spend on whatever they need  including shoes, food and rent.

Second, innovative health-care delivery can dramatically improve outcomes. Despite the recent drops in child mortality, an estimated 5.9 million children younger than 5 died in 2015, often due to conditions that would be easily treatable elsewhere, such as diarrhea. The nongovernmental organizations Living Goods and BRAC Uganda have been training women in Uganda to make a living by going door-to-door selling over-the-counter medications and health products. They function as franchisees in an Avon lady-style business. But these small-business owners also perform basic health checks for children to look for symptoms that warrant getting the child to a clinic. One randomized evaluation released this year concluded that taking this health care to peoples homes reduced child mortality (for those younger than 5) by an astounding 27 percent and infant mortality (less than a year old) by 33 percent.

Third, access to mobile money may lift people out of poverty in large numbers. In many parts of the world, cellphone signals are reaching remote areas, and with that new forms of electronic services. In Kenya, the M-Pesa mobile money system, introduced in 2007, allows anybody with a mobile phone to transfer money through a text message. Research from this year shows that as M-Pesa became more available in a local area, households became less poor  particularly households run by women. The study estimates that 185,000 women changed professions from subsistence agriculture to business and retail and that 194,000 households were lifted out of extreme poverty.

Finally, mobile phone technologies are leapfrogging the reach of traditional telecom infrastructure, and text message reminders are proving to be effective at helping people follow through on things they want to do. One study found that they helped the poor save money. Another in Ghana aimed at combating drug resistance found that such reminders helped people to finish all of their antimalarial drugs. Researchers in Ghana also found that text message quizzes improved girls understanding of reproductive health, resulting in fewer reported pregnancies. In Kenya, another interactive text message system offering support for teachers helped reduce student dropouts by 50 percent.

This is not to say that poverty research is a continuous parade of celebratory findings. Many programs dont work, but knowing what does work allows governments, investors and aid organizations to move toward the more effective programs. Heres to a 2017 thats even better for humanity than 2016.
Hungarian-born actress Zsa Zsa Gabor in a scene from her 1953 film Story of Three Loves" with American actor Farley Granger. (-/Handout via Agence France-Presse)

Dan Zaks Dec. 20 Style article, Just Zsa Zsa being Zsa Zsa, was a terrific appreciation of Zsa Zsa Gabor.

Gabor was an American original from Budapest who reinvented herself in a country that grants a second act. As a young reporter for the Cleveland Press, I interviewed her for the evening newspaper in 1969. She came to Cleveland to promote her cosmetics line. I was a Hungarian refugee as well, and we hit it off splendidly. Im not sure if she was serious, but Gabor suggested I marry her daughter. I politely declined, noting that I was newly married. No regrets there.

Frank T. Csongos, Fairfax
Their hair wrapped in side buns, wielding lightsabers and dressed as Wookiees, stormtroopers and other characters, thousands of people turned out to honor Carrie Fisher, the actress famous for her iconic role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies.

Fisher, whose tough-talking princess defied Empire generals while tossing off one-liners like Into the garbage chute, flyboy, died Tuesday at age 60.

In New Orleans, where death is marked by mourning and merriment, the Mardi Gras group called the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus organized a parade Friday in honor of the woman they consider royalty.

This is a public demonstration of our love for Princess Leia, said Brooke Ethridge, one of the founders of the Leijorettes, a dancing group of fans who dress like Princess Leia. Our first instinct was to hit the streets and parade and celebrate Princess Leia and Carrie Fisher.

1 of 26 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  See photos of the life and career of Carrie Fisher (1956 - 2016) View Photos The former Star Wars actress, daughter of actress Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher, best-selling author and activist died at age 60. Caption The former Star Wars actress, daughter of actress Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher, best-selling author and activist died at age 60. June 14, 1958 Singer Eddie Fisher and wife Debbie Reynolds cuddle their two youngsters, 4-month-old Todd, left, and 19-month-old Carrie. Carrie played Princess Leia in Star Wars films and later wrote books about her fight against drug and alcohol addiction. She died Dec. 27, 2016, after suffering an apparent heart attack Dec. 23 on a flight between London and Los Angeles. AP Wait 1 second to continue.

Chewbacchus is dedicated to all things related to sci-fi and fantasy and has always drawn inspiration from the Star Wars movies. The groups logo features the head of Chewbacca, the furry Wookiee who was Han Solos close friend and co-pilot.

Fisher had been hospitalized since Dec. 23 after suffering a heart attack aboard a flight and being treated by paramedics at a Los Angeles airport. One day after Fishers death, her actress mother, 84-year-old Debbie Reynolds, died as well.

Reynoldss son Todd Fisher said mother and daughter will be buried together. They will have a joint funeral, but it will be private. Todd Fisher said the actresses will be interred at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, the final resting place of numerous celebrities, including Lucille Ball, Dick Van Patten, Liberace, Florence Henderson, David Carradine and Bette Davis.

A public memorial is being contemplated, but no plans have been finalized.

The New Orleans parade was led by the Leijorettes, followed by a brass band playing the Star Wars theme, as hundreds of people  many in costume or carrying lightsabers  walked behind them. Fans lined the road, taking photos.

I didnt know her. But as an iconic character and as a person, a writer and a smart, funny, fantastic woman and role model, I was heartbroken and devastated, Dale Hrebrik said.

But even in a crowd where Fishers Princess Leia role was front and center, many pointed out the contributions Fisher had made beyond her Star Wars role. One marcher in the crowd held a sign calling Fisher a mental health advocate; the actress had spoken publicly about her struggles with bipolar disease.

The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, the Leijorettes and others celebrated the late Carrie Fisher at a parade on Friday in New Orleans. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

Jacquelyn Ryan came with her husband and two children. Her hair was wrapped in the two side buns Fisher wore in the first Star Wars movie, but Ryan said she was more impressed with Fishers other contributions.

Probably my first introduction to her was Star Wars, but she as a person was really important. Her activism, her mental health awareness, her activism for women, her unapologetic attitude about youth and beauty in Hollywood really spoke to me, Ryan said.
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., left, shown with Justice Anthony M. Kennedy at President Obamas State of the Union address in January 2015, steered clear of controversy in his year-end report. (Mandel Ngan/AFP)

The federal courts in general and the Supreme Court in particular have been a focal point of the contentious 2016 election campaign, but Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. continued to steer well clear of controversy in his year-end report issued Saturday.

Roberts did not mention that the court has been shorthanded since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February nor the Republican-controlled Senates refusal to hold a hearing for President Obamas nominee to the court, U.S. Circuit Court Judge Merrick Garland.

[Trumps election has enormous consequences for Supreme Court]

That action kept the seat open for an appointment by President-elect Donald Trump, and will retain a conservative majority of Republican nominees on the Supreme Court.

Instead, Roberts used his Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary to focus on what he said was the underappreciated role of federal district judges, who conduct trials and serve at the first level of the justice system.

While the Supreme Court is often the focus of public attention, our system of justice depends fundamentally on the skill, hard work, and dedication of those outside the limelight, Roberts wrote.

Trump has the chance to fill an uncommon number of vacancies in the federal courts in addition to the open Supreme Court seat, giving him a monumental opportunity to reshape the judiciary after taking office.

[Trump has chance to substantially influence federal judiciary]

The estimated 103 judicial vacancies that Obama is expected to hand over to Trump in the Jan. 20 transition of power is nearly double the 54 openings Obama found eight years ago following George W. Bushs presidency.

There already are 84 vacancies at the district level Roberts was writing about, with about another dozen openings expected early in the year.

There are 673 district judgeships authored by Congress around the nation, and Roberts said they are aided by more than 500 senior district judges, who are eligible for retirement with full pay but still continue to work part time.

Unlike politicians, they work largely outside of the public eye, Roberts wrote. The typical judge has a docket of about 500 cases, he said, and is responsible for all aspects of moving a lawsuit toward resolution.

The judge must have mastery of the complex rules of procedure and evidence and be able to apply those rules to the nuances of a unique controversy, he wrote. As the singular authority on the bench, he must respond to every detail of an unscripted proceeding, tempering firm and decisive judgment with objectivity, insight, and compassion. This is no job for impulsive, timid, or inattentive souls.

The most challenging part of the job is sentencing those found guilty of a criminal offense, Roberts wrote, balancing the perspectives of prosecutor, defendant and victim and guided by legislative directive and sentencing guidelines.

At the end of the day, the sentence nonetheless critically reflects the judges wisdom, experience, and educated grasp of what he observed firsthand in the courtroom, Roberts wrote. In delivering the sentence, the judge speaks as the voice of the community.

Despite the encomium from Roberts, district judges are a rarity at the Supreme Court. Although they often rise to the regional appellate courts, only Justice Sonia Sotomayor on the current Supreme Court served as a district judge.

She often references her experiences running a courtroom and sentencing defendants in exchanges with her colleagues. She has said that if she ever left the high court and continued to hear cases in retirement, she would like to return to the district court, rather than serve on appeals courts as other retired justices have done.

District judges are constrained in their interpretation of the law not only by Supreme Court precedent but also the decisions of the circuits in which they are based. But their power has been shown recently when conservative states have challenged Obama administrative actions.

Three judges, all in Texas, have issued nationwide injunctions stopping administration proposals regarding deportation policies, accommodations for transgender students in public schools and overtime rules.
Several federal agencies are accelerating hiring in the final days of the Obama administration to ensure that as many new employees as possible are in place before President-elect Donald Trump imposes a promised hiring freeze.

Leaders at these agencies are filling open positions with transfers and outside hires and are making internal promotions before Trump takes office Jan. 20, according to internal documents and interviews.

The hiring could increase tensions between the Trump transition team and the Obama administration  a relationship that has grown worse in recent days due to disagreements over how the United States should handle its relationship with Israel and the issuance of new sanctions against Russia over its role in hacking incidents tied to the election.

Sean Spicer, the incoming White House press secretary, said in an interview late Friday that an agreement was struck in November that no new hires would be made after Dec. 1.

After the election, the current administration notified us there would be a hiring freeze as of Dec. 1, he said. The understanding was that there would be a full accounting of anyone put on the payroll after then.

White House Office of Management and Budget spokeswoman Shannon Buckingham said in an email early Saturday, On Dec. 7, the administration imposed a moratorium on the hiring of senior executives within the civil service, known as the Senior Executive Service or SES.

This policy is consistent with previous transitions and is intended to ensure that incoming agency heads have the opportunity to make or approve executive hiring decisions that will impact the agencys performance in the next administration, she added.

According to an OMB official who asked for anonymity to discuss a private conversation, OMB senior adviser Andrew Mayock told Trumps transition team executive director Rick Dearborn at a Nov. 21 meeting that the administration intended to halt any new SES hires as of Dec. 7. While Dearborn asked for a list of any new hires in that category after the election, and Mayock acknowledged that request, the official said, Mayock did not commit to providing such a list.

The moratorium also applies to promotions from non-Senior Executive Service civil service positions, the official added.

Spicer declined to say whether he believes the administration has broken the agreement it made on hiring because the transition team has yet to be given any details about new hires and whether job offers had been extended after Dec. 1. Spicer later added that Trump transition team officials were told by Mayock that there would be a hiring freeze, but he did not elaborate.

(Whitney Shefte/The Washington Post)

The internal pressure to hire is so intense in some corners of the government that at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is bringing on hundreds of employees, human-resources officials were ordered to cancel their year-end holiday vacations to process paperwork and make offers to new hires.

An internal agency update there, issued on Nov. 17, instructed officials that all involved should be ready for an all hands on deck approach to implement the 45-day Hiring Plan (Plan) to address a potential hiring freeze.

The agencies rushing to bring on new employees include not just Fish and Wildlife but also the Transportation Security Administration, the National Park Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and parts of the Agriculture and Labor departments.

Administration officials are not creating new positions to bolster their ranks, according to several interviewed, and they are complying with existing federal rules in ways such as providing preferences to veterans.

But the hiring highlights the anxiety that many federal employees, managers and high-ranking political appointees feel as they prepare to hand off their agencies to a president who has called many of their missions into question  and pledged to halt future hiring. By filling positions left open by end-of-the-year retirements and attrition, officials hope to secure the cushion they want when the new administration takes office.

If an agency is already significantly understaffed and a hiring freeze is applied, it could exacerbate the staffing problem and make doing the business of the agency difficult or impossible, said Randy Erwin, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, which represents about 110,000 civil servants.

Trump has promised that in his first 100 days in office he will freeze hiring by not replacing employees who leave, regardless of their workload or workforce needs. The military and employees serving in public health and safety roles would be exempt, according to the president-elects Contract with the American Voter. The president-elect described the freeze as part of a broader effort to cleanup the corruption and special interest collusion in Washington, DC.

The president can freeze hiring without congressional approval, by executive order.

A spokesman for the Office of Personnel Management, which sets hiring policy for the government, said agencies make their own decisions on when to hire and how many jobs to fill, provided that they have enough money in their budgets. Since the election, OPM spokesman Samuel Schumach said, no agency has been given new authority to make hires.

Federal agencies have the authority to hire at will if it is necessary to carry out their mission and if their budget allows for onboarding personnel, he said.

USAJobs  the largest federal job board  posted 8,410 more open positions in November and December than during the same period last year, according to the OPM. That represents an increase of more than 16 percent compared with 2015.

From positions as high as senior executives down to entry-level biologists, nervous agencies are advertising jobs for periods of as little as five to six days so that they can bring employees aboard by mid-January. The span of six months to a year that it usually takes to hire candidates into full-time positions has been compressed since the election, often to two or three weeks.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe said his agency is filling existing, vacant positions that have been approved and funded, and his approach was not directly related to the possible halt of new hires. But given the fact that there were hundreds of vacancies, he said, Im going to do everything I can to hire that person before that hiring freeze comes into effect.

[In a race to the finish, Obama presses ahead with ambitious rules]

NOAA, which is part of the Commerce Department, is racing to hire dozens of employees to fill vacancies, particularly at the National Weather Service, whose forecast offices are open around the clock and have been hit by a wave of retirements, said an administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters.

There is definitely concern about a freeze, the official said. If youre down one person in some of the forecast offices, its much harder to carry out the mission.

After the election, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell told leaders of the agencys nine departments to pay attention to filling open positions even as they scramble to finalize key regulations and other policy priorities, according to multiple individuals who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

The Department of the Interior has maintained regular hiring procedures in line with past practices, said spokeswoman Jessica Kershaw. This includes regularly reviewing and onboarding qualified candidates to help fulfill our mission throughout the department.

Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk said his agency lost numerous positions to retirements in 2016, particularly after the agencys centennial celebration. He is trying to fill 10 percent of the slots within his overall staff, which numbers more than 300, by Inauguration Day.

Weve been very concerned about getting key positions hired in the parks across the service, Wenk said. Were just trying to be as prepared as we can for a hiring moratorium.

The approach to bringing more employees on board has varied, depending on the department or individual agency.

The Agriculture Department did an internal review a few months ago to determine what openings were available, according to an individual briefed on the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters and now is rapidly working to fill them.

A USDA spokeswoman declined to comment.

The TSA has filled a few dozen senior executive positions in recent weeks through promotions, according to internal agency announcements obtained by The Washington Post.

Its extremely rare to have this many high-level promotions so quickly, said Andrew Rhoades, an assistant director in the agencys Office of Security Operations at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Theyre front-loading them. Were putting major personnel and structural changes in place before Trump takes office.

[Republicans eye Obama appointees seeking to burrow into the bureaucracy]

The OMB has told outgoing Obama officials to have new hires in place by the final pay period before Inauguration Day, according to multiple administration officials.

Such a move would make it harder for the next administration to rescind employment offers if it makes a freeze retroactive to Election Day, which is what President Ronald Reagan did after taking office in 1981. Federal employee unions challenged the move, but Judge Charles Richey of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in Reagans favor, saying that an accepted job offer was not a binding contract.

[How Trump plans to shake up the federal government]

Not all agencies are accelerating their hiring pace. Some, such as the Internal Revenue Service, say that they have no money to hire new employees. Others, with intelligence missions, say that it is unrealistic for them to expedite the process, given how long it takes to complete background checks for security clearances.

But within agencies that are hoping to fill vacancies quickly, according to documents and interviews, officials are using an approach known as direct hire or noncompetitive authority, which allows them to waive some standard competitive-hiring procedures.

Its the single fastest way to get people on board, said Jeffrey Neal, a former personnel chief for the Department of Homeland Security and now a senior vice president for ICF International.

You can snap a finger and say, Youre hired. 

lisa.rein@washpost.com

juliet.eilperin@washpost.com

Read more at PowerPost
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Saturday that Taiwan will be calm when dealing with China, but uncertainties in 2017 will test the self-ruled island and its national security team, even as she recommitted to maintaining peace.

China is suspicious of Tsai, who it thinks wants to push for the formal independence of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing regards as a renegade province.

Speaking at a year-end news conference, Tsai said Taiwan was a sovereign, independent nation, repeating her governments regular mantra, and open to fresh talks with China, but added that recent developments had not helped China-Taiwan ties.

Faced with some uncertainty, we will maintain peace and stability, while trying to find new possibilities, Tsai said.

This will test the resilience of all of our national security team and the overall government.

President-elect Donald Trump angered China last month when he spoke to Tsai in a break with decades of precedent and cast doubt on his incoming administrations commitment to Beijings one China policy.

Chinas military has become alarmed by what it sees as Trumps support of Taiwan and is considering strong measures to prevent the island from moving toward independence, sources with ties to senior military officers said.

Relations between China and Taiwan have worsened since Tsai, who heads the ruling pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president last January, even as she has pledged to maintain peace with China.

Beijing wants Tsai to concede to its one China principle, that Taiwan is a part of China, but seven months since she took office in May, Tsai has not done so.

Beijing suspended official communication channels with Taipei in June and last month reestablished ties with small African state Sao Tome five days after it broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

China also sailed a group of Chinese warships, led by its sole aircraft carrier, around the island in exercises it called routine.

Some things have happened between [Taiwan and China] or this region. Even though we have felt it, we will calmly face them, Tsai said. She said both sides should be flexible and that there was room to talk with China.

Taiwans pledge to maintain peace and stability has not changed and its goodwill toward China has not changed, she said, adding that Taiwan will not be pressured.

Cross-strait relations are certainly a challenge for the people of Taiwan and for this country, she said. But dont forget that we are a sovereign, independent nation and this is a recognition by the collective in Taiwan, Tsai said.

Defeated Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan in 1949 at the end of a Chinese civil war, and Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.

Further drama looms with Tsais transit through the United States this month for a Latin America trip. China has called on the United States to block the transits.

Tsai said the transit was unofficial, and speculation about it excessive.

 Reuters

Read more:

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Police cars wait as officers stand guard outside a court in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Jan. 29, 2016. (Reuters)

In China, allegations of police torture are the stuff of everyday life. But to the countrys growing middle class, the reports long remained remote  a scandal affecting mostly protesters, activists and, occasionally, Communist Party cadres accused of corruption.

That perspective shifted after the death in police custody last May of Lei Yang, a 29-year-old environmental researcher, and a recent decision not to prosecute the officers involved, despite evidence of a coverup. The case has sparked a rare show of anger from other middle-class urban professionals and fueled anxiety about a capricious legal system that many now fear can ensnare almost anyone.

The Lei Yang case has completely destroyed the middle classs trust in the governments commitment to rule of law  and its sincerity, said Li Shu, a partner at the Anli Partners law firm in Beijing.

The death of Lei, who worked for a state-backed environmental organization in Beijing and was a graduate of the prestigious Renmin University of China, sparked a social-media outcry at the time and a call from President Xi Jinping to improve police conduct. But the decision not to charge the police officers involved, announced Dec. 23, has reopened the controversy.

Thousands of alumni of Renmin and other top universities have signed petitions asking for criminal charges to be reinstated, while lawyers, academics and business executives have defied censors to speak out publicly on the matter.

For Chinese people who think critically, when they saw the result of this case, they can see the authorities stubbornness and evil, said Yu Li, a signatory and Renmin graduate who works in the IT industry. If a human being doesnt even have the most basic right  the right to life  and the country doesnt protect that right, why cant we use the word evil to describe such a country?

Leis family says he left home on the evening of May 7 to pick up relatives from the airport. The police say he was caught soon afterward in a raid on a massage parlor by plainclothes officers, adding that they have proof he paid for sexual services. They initially claimed he fell unconscious after repeatedly and violently resisting arrest, then died of a heart attack.

But the story soon seemed to fall apart. Family members, in a statement released online, said that his body, which they saw at the police station, was bloodied and bore severe bruising on the head and legs. Internet commenters ridiculed police claims that Lei, in his struggle, had smashed the camera or cellphone they used to record the arrest and that the closed-circuit television cameras in the neighborhood were broken.

Then an autopsy, performed as part of an investigation by prosecutors, found that Lei had not suffered a heart attack but had choked to death on his own vomit.

In their Dec. 23 report, prosecutors concluded that the officers had exceeded reasonable limits in trying to subdue Lei, had failed to give him emergency medical aid or take him to a hospital promptly and later deliberately fabricated facts, concealed the truth and obstructed the investigation.

But after two officers were arrested for dereliction of duty, prosecutors declined to press charges  on the grounds that the offenses were minor, Lei had resisted arrest, and the officers had admitted their crime and showed repentance.

As the news broke, censors stepped in. Websites and social-media apps were instructed to strictly control comments on the case, while searches for Lei Yang case were blocked on Sina Weibo, Chinas equivalent of Twitter, according to the China Digital Times website. Hundreds of Weibo posts were deleted by censors. Hong Kong Universitys Weiboscope censorship index  measuring the proportion of published posts that later vanish  reached a three-month high.

Still, outrage spread. An open letter from Renmin alumni has attracted some 2,400 signatures, while another from alumni of other universities has garnered 1,000 signatures, organizers say. Dozens of groups have sprung up on the WeChat social-messaging app to share legal opinions, news and essays, while leading lawyers offered to represent the family if they chose to sue.

Li said the case marked a rare instance of agreement in the legal community that a decision by prosecutors was untenable.

On Thursday, Beijing police announced that the most senior officer involved had been dismissed and that another officer had been transferred. Three contractors were let go.

According to human rights groups, torture in police custody is common in China, notably affecting political dissidents, party members who have fallen out of favor and poorer members of society protesting perceived injustices. Lawyers advocating for those with complaints against the system, including farmers and migrant workers, have been rounded up and accused of being part of a foreign plot to destabilize the government.

But none of that seems to have resonated with the middle class, or even with the wider legal community, as this case has done.

If similar cases happen in rural areas, there wont be a reaction, said Zhang Wen, a social commentator. But many people are just like Lei Yang. If it could happen to him, why couldnt it happen to them?

The Communist Party relies heavily on the police to enforce order and maintain social stability, and many officers are poorly paid. Authorities apparently decided to ride out the storm of public outrage and stand by the police rather than risk losing their support and provoking an even more serious law-and-order crisis, legal experts said.

Wu Qiang, a former Tsinghua University professor who helped draw up a petition after Lei died, said he was hoping to harness popular dissatisfaction into a wider movement aimed at winning protections for civil rights and curbing police powers. He likened it to the movement that led to the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy demonstrations  albeit with more limited goals.

We received high-level education and graduated from good universities, he said. Of course we need to stand up. This sense of mission is the same as the students who walked into Tiananmen Square. However, this time our aim is lower.

Frustrations among Chinese were sharpened last year by a stock market crash, widely seen as badly handled by authorities. Meanwhile, concerns about poisonous air, adulterated food and an ultracompetitive education system loom large in many peoples lives. Increasingly, those who can are sending their children or some of their money abroad.

But it would be wrong to expect a middle-class uprising, said David Goodman, head of China studies at Xian Jiaotong-

Liverpool University in Suzhou.

In simple terms, thats because the middle class is largely embedded in the party-state, he said. Most owe their power, prestige and wealth to their position in the party-state.

Many middle-class Chinese people work in the state sector or use their party contacts to conduct profitable private business; they also fear what might happen if the system collapsed.

When people protest, what most of them want is not to end the party-state but for the party-state to function more effectively, Goodman said.

Leis parents, meanwhile, have abandoned plans to sue the police because of pressure, according to their lawyer, Chen Youxi.

It is beyond what we, especially two old people, can take, Chen said they told him.

Jin Xin contributed to this report.

Read more

The rules are flawed: Chinese stock crash leaves investors cynical

China sentences activist lawyer to 12 years as relentless crackdown continues

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Supporters of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh hold his posters at a rally marking one year of the Saudi-led coalition in Sanaa, Yemen, in March. (Hani Mohammed/AP)

The slim, brown-suited man with the handlebar mustache nodded approvingly.

He stood behind a chair at a ceremony in the summer, watching as his loyalists and rebels signed a power-sharing deal to rule the country. Never mind that peace talks were underway at the time, or that the United Nations had expressed concerns that the deal violated the constitution.

Yemens former longtime ruler, Ali Abdullah Saleh, was back.

Ousted during the Arab Spring uprisings, one of the Middle Easts wiliest politicians has risen up again. He is taking advantage of the chaos of conflict and the political inexperience of the rebels to deepen his influence, officials and analysts say.

Saleh was once a vital counterterrorism ally of the United States and Saudi Arabia, but they abandoned him in favor of the youthful revolutionaries who launched the mass protests that toppled him in 2012.

Then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh waves to supporters during a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, in April 2011. (Muhammed Muheisen/AP)

Today, he is one of the biggest obstacles to U.S. efforts to broker peace in Yemen and threatens Washingtons influence in the Middle East. American efforts to contain Yemens al-Qaeda branch, viewed by U.S. officials as the terror groups most menacing affiliate, have dramatically been scaled back.

Saleh also stands in the way of Saudi Arabia, whose military is deeply involved in a campaign against the rebels. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemens war after the rebels ousted the government last year. The rebels are widely thought to be backed by Iran, Saudi Arabias rival in the region. The war has cost the Saudis billions of dollars at a time of shrinking oil revenue, and has yielded few political results so far.

[Life and death in Yemens hospitals]

Saleh is accustomed to confusion, crisis and fear. Some analysts say he thrives under such conditions.

For 33 years, he ruled with an iron fist over a country beset by rampant corruption and security threats, from a northern rebellion to a southern secessionist movement. After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Saleh entered into a wary relationship with the United States. In exchange for economic and military aid, he allowed the U.S. military and CIA to strike at al-Qaedas branch, known as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

These days, portraits of Saleh remain visible across a capital battered by war, and hes referred to as the Godfather in some circles. He regularly appears on his partys TV channel, holding meetings and giving speeches.

Saleh is trying to see himself as the kingmaker, said Jamie McGoldrick, the top U.N. humanitarian official in Yemen. Hes re-emerged as a force, whether you like him or not.

A State Department official said Saleh retains considerable influence in the country and could play a constructive role in bringing the conflict to an end, if he so chooses. A military spokesman for the coalition, as well as officials from Yemens internationally recognized government, did not respond to requests for comment.

Citing security concerns, Salehs office declined requests for an interview, but his advisers say he has no aspirations to rule again. Analysts say he might be trying to put his eldest son, Ahmed Ali, in position to take the countrys helm one day.

At the very least, Salehs actions suggest that he wants to remain a central political figure in the region, protecting his family, his legacy and billions of dollars amassed over his rule, according to U.N. investigators.

Hes a survivor, said Hisham Sharaf, a former minister in Salehs regime.

Staying relevant

Of all the autocrats toppled in the Arab revolts, Saleh is the only one whose fate has not yet been resolved. Tunisias Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali fled into exile. Egypts Hosni Mubarak is being detained in a military hospital. Libyas Moammar Gaddafi was brutally killed.

[A Libyan arms dealer chased by Gaddafis legacy]

Saleh, 74, has also outlasted the opponents who removed him from office: the protest movement leaders, a powerful army general who turned against him, a rival tribal family and the countrys most powerful Islamist party. All have been diminished.

And in June 2011, Saleh narrowly escaped a bomb attack on his presidential compound, suffering burns and other injuries.

Salehs shrewdest move, perhaps, was his ability to stay in the country despite U.S. and international efforts to force him into exile after he handed power to his vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, in February 2012.

With his political party intact, and his loyalists in the new government, Saleh meddled behind the scenes, his critics say.

Hadi gradually chipped away at Salehs power, removing his family members from key military and security posts. But as northern rebels gained more territory, Saleh soon saw an opportunity.

When the rebels, known as the Houthis, seized the capital last year, Hadi fled to the southern city of Aden. Since March, 2015 the Saudi-led coalition has tried to bring him back to power.

The United States is aiding the coalition with weapons, intelligence and other support to bolster Saudi Arabia, its valued ally, as well as regain its ability to counter al-Qaeda.



The conflict has worsened a humanitarian crisis and left thousands of civilians dead.

The power vacuum has allowed al-Qaeda and a nascent Islamic State affiliate to expand and stage numerous attacks, while political, regional and tribal divisions widen.

During his rule, Saleh, a secularist, fought six civil wars against the deeply religious-minded northern Houthi rebels, who have long viewed his regime as corrupt and blamed it for most of the countrys problems.

But Saleh made an unlikely alliance with the Houthis to survive.

It was a marriage of convenience, said Nabil Al-Soufi, a political analyst who is close to the General Peoples Congress, the party Saleh still leads.

[A cluster bomb made in America shattered lives in Yemens capital]

Today, well-trained and equipped Yemeni soldiers loyal to Saleh work with Houthi fighters on the front lines. With cash and charisma, he has gotten powerful tribes and political allies to accept the Houthis rule.

In their self-proclaimed government, known as the Supreme Political Council, Salehs loyalists and the Houthis jointly run ministries and other parts of a bureaucracy.

They control northwest Yemen, while Hadi and forces nominally loyal to him oversee portions of the south and east.

Saleh meets regularly with Houthi leaders, securing the influence of his party through his political skills, and deftly uses social media.

We benefit a lot from his presence, said Faiqah al-Sayed, a top official in Salehs party. Perhaps, it is the wisdom of God that hes still here with us.

Saleh has declared on television that his alliance has enough weapons to wage war for another decade, if the peace talks dont go its way. He has remained defiant, even under U.N. sanctions imposed on him, rallying hundreds of thousands of supporters in street protests.

Hes now in the strongest position since he left office, said Riyadh al-Ahmedi, a Yemeni political analyst.

But tensions between Saleh and the Houthis appear to be growing. They have clashed over the governing of ministries, while Houthi officials have expressed displeasure at some of Salehs public statements, analysts and Western officials say.

Their goals and ambitions appear to be in conflict with each other, said the State Department official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as per diplomatic protocol.

Salehs aides and Houthi officials deny there is any friction, saying such reports were instigated by the Saudi-led coalition. Its natural for us to disagree, said Abdulmalik Al-Ajri, a senior Houthi political official. But theres no conflict between us and the GPC.

Saleh, whose houses have been struck by coalition airstrikes, never sleeps in the same location for more than a night straight, his aides say. Yemen, they warn, could become even more chaotic without its godfather.

If you kill Ali Abdullah Saleh, Sharaf said, youll have a thousand Ali Abdullah Salehs looking at you as an enemy.

Read more:

Yemen suffers its own cruel losses, far from Aleppo

In Yemeni capital, signs of hatred toward Americans are everywhere

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
A firefighter works to extinguish an oil well set on fire by fleeing Islamic State members in November in Qayyarah, Iraq. (Chris Mcgrath/Getty Images)

The Islamic State starts the new year with a drastically depleted bank account, counterterrorism officials say, following months of intensified efforts to deprive the Islamists of oil profits and other revenue used to finance military operations and terrorist attacks abroad.

Coalition aircraft in the past 15 months have destroyed more than 1,200 tanker trucks  including 168 vehicles struck in a single air raid in Syria in early December  while also using new weapons and tactics to inflict lasting damage on the terrorists remaining oil fields, U.S. and Middle Eastern officials say.

The military strikes are being paired with new measures intended to shut down financial networks used by the Islamic State to procure supplies and pay its fighters, the officials say. Two weeks ago, the U.S. and Iraqi governments announced the first coordinated effort to punish Iraqi and Syrian financial services companies used by the terrorists to conduct business.

The campaign has slashed profits from oil sales, traditionally the biggest revenue source for the Islamic State, U.S. officials say, and deepened the economic pain for a terrorist organization that until recently was regarded as the worlds wealthiest. One sign of the financial strain, the officials say, is a shrinking payroll: After cutting salaries by 50 percent a few months ago, the Islamic State now appears to be struggling to pay its workers and fighters at all.

We are destroying ISILs economic base, Brett McGurk, the Obama administrations special envoy to the 67-nation coalition arrayed against the Islamic State, said at a news briefing recently, using one of the common acronyms for the militants. Just a year ago, the militants were luring foreign fighters with promises of generous paychecks, but today that is not happening, he said.

(Jorge Ribas/The Washington Post)

Their fighters are not getting paid, McGurk said, and we have multiple indications of that.

Coalition planes have been bombing the groups oil fields and tanker fleet for more than two years, but the most notable successes in recent months have come from military operations that targeted individual oil wells, including well casings and other underground infrastructure, according to U.S. and Middle Eastern officials familiar with the new strategy.

The tactics make it all but impossible for the Islamic State to repair the wells or extract oil through makeshift techniques, the officials said.

[Satellite photos show ISIS building scores of makeshift refineries]

Previous airstrikes crippled the Islamic States oil-producing capacity, but the militants consistently found ways to pump and refine oil in smaller batches using primitive methods, said a senior U.S. counterterrorism official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. Now, even the small-scale operations are struggling, he said.

We can take them back to the 19th century, but people were still able to extract oil in the 19th century  it bubbles up to the ground and they find a way to bottle it and sell it to someone, the official said. The new approach involves inflicting the maximum amount of damage with the right weapons so it will not be easy or quick for them to repair, the official said.

The improved targeting comes against a backdrop of ongoing airstrikes on tanker trucks used to haul oil and refined products such as gasoline and diesel. The bombing campaign, dubbed Operation Tidal Wave II, initially focused on large tanker convoys before the Islamic State leaders switched tactics and began relying on smaller vehicles, often traveling alone and hidden or camouflaged by day to elude detection.

Yet on Dec. 8, U.S. warplanes spotted and destroyed a caravan of 168 tankers near the terrorist-held Syrian city of Palmyra, in the largest raid of its kind since the conflict began. The U.S. pilots dropped leaflets warning the drivers  typically civilians and local conscripts  of the impending attack before A-10 Warthog jets swooped in to strafe the convoy.

While the Palmyra raid was exceptionally large, the attacks themselves are a regular occurrence, said Daniel L. Glaser, the Treasury Departments assistant secretary for terrorist financing. This has been an ongoing campaign over the past year to target those tanker trucks.

[Iraqi forces resume offensive against ISIS capital]

As the result of such raids, oil revenue for the Islamic State is now a tiny fraction of the estimated $1.3 million per day the group was earning in early 2015, U.S. and Middle Eastern officials said. Still, small truckloads of oil, mostly from the Syrian side of the militants self-proclaimed caliphate, continue to find their way to the black market, aided at times by corrupt officials in Syria and Turkey, two countries that are officially at war with the Islamic State, the officials said.

ISIL is still selling oil to [Syrian President Bashar] al-Assad, said a Middle Eastern official familiar with operations against the Islamic State, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence. Its an important revenue source, and we see Assads people continuing to facilitate.

Destroying the Islamic States financial underpinnings has been a primary objective for the U.S.-led coalition since 2014, although progress at times has been halting.

Unlike al-Qaeda, the Islamic State is largely self-financed, deriving most of its income from oil sales and criminal enterprises, as well as from money taken through taxes and fees extracted from local residents and businesses in the territories it occupies.

The terrorist group also benefited initially from the vast hard-currency holdings it confiscated when it seized banks in Iraqi and Syrian cities in 2014. The cash windfall  at least $500 million initially, according to U.S. estimates  has largely vanished, in part because of U.S. air raids that targeted the bunkers where the money was stored.

[Airstrikes send millions of dollars in ISISs holdings up in smoke]

A more challenging target for U.S. and Iraqi officials has been the network of small, loosely regulated exchange houses traditionally used by Iraqis and Syrians to wire funds and exchange local dinars for Western currency. U.S. Treasury officials have been working with Iraqi counterparts for more than a year to identify and shut down key exchange houses used by the Islamic State to make purchases, collect oil receipts and pay its fighters and employees.

In the coordinated action by U.S. and Iraqi officials in early December, Baghdad banned one Iraqi exchange house from accessing Iraqs financial system and froze the companys assets. Treasury officials simultaneously slapped sanctions on the firm, identified as Selselat al-Thahab Money Exchange, and on a Syrian businessman accused of acting as a banker and financier for the Islamic State in that country.

ISIL relies heavily on exchange houses and transfer companies to move and gain access to funds, said Treasurys Glaser, and these designations represent the opening of another front in our effort to combat ISILs tentacles into the formal financial system.

Keeping up the pressure on the groups financial networks is particularly critical at a time when the Islamic State is suffering military defeats and territorial losses in Iraq and Syria, counterterrorism officials said.

Even in a depleted condition, the Islamic militants financial assets are judged to be more than sufficient for carrying out terrorist operations abroad. Indeed, the Islamic States signature terrorist strikes  including the attacks in Paris on Nov. 13, 2015, that killed 130 people  are believed to have cost no more than a few thousand dollars each.

Yes, were hurting them financially, the Middle Eastern official said. But Im not yet seeing such impacts on their covert activities.

Iraq struggles to treat huge numbers of civilian casualties in Mosul

On the front lines in Raqqa: Preparations underway for key assault on ISIS

ISIS may have picked up its first antiaircraft missile system
Last week, the chief of staff of the French armed forces, General Pierre de Villiers, called for raising French defence spending to 2 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), instead of the 1.77 percent currently planned for 2017. This would require the state to spend 8 billion more each year on the military.

In a column published by the financial daily Les Echos, de Villiers dismissed the Socialist Party (PS) governments defence budget increases planned for the 2013-2019 period as insufficient, declaring: From now on, for the armed services, this effort must lead to a gradual increase of the defence budget to meet the target of 2 percent of GDP before the end of the next [presidents] five-year term.

De Villiers added that this is an international engagement that France has made, as well as its international partners, that cannot be either reduced or postponed.

To justify the multibillion-euro defence spending increase, de Villiers claimed that after the terror attacks of January and November 2015, France is plunged into a war on terror with no end in sight. He wrote, The break represented by the years 2015 and 2016 was a change of historical eras. It is the end of the easy times. Peace no longer is automatic; it must be conquered; we must get out of the trap whose two jaws are complacency and despair.

This call for a massive rearmament of French imperialism is based on political lies. The attacks that hit France in 2015, and Belgium and Germany this year, were committed by the same Islamist networks that the NATO powers have mobilised in their imperialist proxy wars, first in Libya and then in Syria. It is these wars, and the 2014 NATO-backed coup in Ukraine led by far-right forces supported by Washington and Berlin against a pro-Russian Ukrainian government, that drastically increased the danger of war between NATO and Russia.

The Islamist terrorists were all closely watched by the intelligence services, and benefited from their passive complicity to commit the attacks in France and across Europe. The ruling class then exploited these attacks, imposing a state of emergency intended not to halt terrorist networks, but to attack democratic rights and repress youth and workers, notably in France during protests against the PS regressive labour law. This war on terror has served to legitimise attacks on Muslims and migrants, and to shift the political atmosphere far to the right.

By demanding a substantially faster rise in the French defence budget than that planned by the PS military planning law for 2013-2019, de Villiers is preparing for a major escalation of the imperialist war drive. This would, in the future, involve conflicts directly between powerful and well-armed states.

According to de Villiers, The return of state power cannot any more be denied. At the gates of Europe, in Asia, in the Near and Middle East, more and more states are acting on strategies that rely on the threat of force, or on confronting adversaries with faits accomplis. Everyone is rearming.

De Villiers statements must constitute a warning for working people that preparations for major wars are highly advanced. In a context of deep economic and social crisis, future governments intend to defend their interests by armed force, both inside and outside of Frances borders. The French army and bourgeoisie are preparing for vast wars, or even world wars, in the hopes of extracting the maximum profit for French imperialism.

The fallout from the 2008 economic crisis has vastly intensified interimperialist rivalries, and pushed US imperialism to an ever more aggressive stance towards China and Russia to assert its strategic interests. The election of Trump, who is signalling a very aggressive policy towards China and has threatened to use nuclear weapons in Europe, should anyone cross the United States, points to the very high risk of nuclear conflict.

Trumps coming to power next month will not only intensify conflicts with China and Russia, but also exacerbate rivalries between the European imperialist powers, who twice already in the last century plunged the globe into world war. The European powers are all seeking to rearmabove all Germany, Europes hegemonic power, which declared in 2014 the end of a policy of military restraint that it had pursued since the destruction of the Nazi regime.

In this context, the French army is seeking to boost military spending far more than President Francois Hollandes government, which implemented a highly militarist policy, already has.

Hollande responded to de Villiers by stressing that his government had already given over huge resources to the army. The defence budget, he declared, has already been raised throughout my term in office. Spending levels mandated by the military planning law were increased. That is the first time in the Fifth Republic [i.e., since 1958] that this law was revised to raise spending. We now have adequate resources for our current objectives, but we will have to make more efforts in the coming years.

De Villiers intervention is motivated in large part by the May 2017 presidential elections, the campaign for which will begin in a few weeks. The army wants to set down its agenda for the candidates who allfrom Marine Le Pen of the neo-fascist National Front or Francois Fillon of the right-wing Republicans, to the PS candidates and Left Front leader Jean-Luc Melenchonall have close ties to the army.

Frederic Coste, an analyst for the Strategic Research Foundation (FRS), wrote: The tempo [of de Villiers announcement] is very well chosen. The period during which the army will be obliged to be reserved will soon begin and force the armed services chief of staff to be far more discreet. And what he has to do is to lay out his relationship with all the presidential candidates. Indeed, given the debate that is starting and the depth of international threats, the different candidates will presumably be forced to take into account a double imperative: exercising security responsibilities inside and outside the country, while maintaining a firm grip on public spending.

The state will attempt to fund increased military spending through even harsher attacks on the working class. As Les Echos reports, for the year 2018, the state will need to find 2.2 billion more, as the halt to job cuts decided by Francois Hollande after the November 13 [2015] attacks will automatically lead to an overflow of spending.
The 2004 disappearance and death of mom Lauri Waterman rattled the small town of Craig, Alaska. But even before the truth of what happened was revealed, people were noting the behavior of her 16-year-old daughter, Rachelle.

By Monday morning, most of Craig, Alaska, knew that Lauri was missing. They were sort of surprised to see Rachelle show up at school that day,explains PEOPLE Executive Editor Cynthia Sanz in Monday nights episode of People Magazine Investigates, on Investigation Discovery. The episode will focus on Lauris murder.

Rachelles emotions the day after are all over the map, a case expert says on Mondays episode. At times shes crying, at times shes angry, at times shes inappropriately giggling and silly.

Shes just thinking all kinds of crazy thoughts.

As PEOPLE Senior Editor Alicia Dennis explained during a Friday appearance on People Now, in a video above, the investigation into Lauris death uncovered tension between her and Rachelle.

Eventually, police said, they found a deadly bond between Rachelles boyfriend and his friend.

The People Magazine Investigates episode on Lauris death, The Darkest of Nights, airs Monday night (10 p.m. ET) on Investigation Discovery.




Newly released court documents, obtained by PEOPLE, detail the violent death of Tricia McCauley  who vanished in Washington, D.C., while on her way to a Christmas dinner  and her suspected killers statements following his arrest.

Adrian Duane Johnson, the 29-year-old who is accused of McCauleys murder, told police a bizarre story after he was taken into custody, according to the documents: He claimed McCauley, 46, killed herself after the two met on Christmas, had sex and she said he could have all of her money.

An autopsy revealed that McCauley died from ligature strangulation and blunt force trauma. Police have dismissed Johnsons claims about the circumstances of her death.

She was suicidal and hung herself in the car, Johnson told officers shortly after they spotted him standing by McCauleys white Scion IQ outside a CVS Pharmacy in D.C. at 11:19 p.m. on Monday, as hundreds of her friends and acquaintances scoured the city for the vibrant woman who worked as an herbalist and yoga instructor.

When questioned by police about why he had been spotted driving her car, Johnson said that prior to killing herself, told that he could have all her belongings, including credit cards, money and her car.

In the hours after her death, Johnson drove around the city, making purchases with McCauleys credit cards as her body lay in the backseat, he told police. At one point, he even picked up a prostitute.

He told police that the reason he kept McCauleys body in the car was because he was convinced she was sleeping and might wake.

Her bruised body was discovered wedged in the backseat of her vehicle, authorities say. Her legs had been tied together, her stockings and underwear torn and her body showed signs of being sexually assaulted.

PEOPLE has been unable to reach McCauleys family, but her friends have remembered her as a beautiful spirit who was in good spirits the day she vanished. She appeared in several D.C. stage productions and worked as Jenna Dewan Tatums stand-in in Step Up.

Story continues

She loved to laugh and find the light in every situation, one friend said. She lived everything fully.

 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

Immediately after his arrest, questions were raised over why Johnson  who has a lengthy arrest history, including for theft and assault  was allowed to be walking free.

Days before McCauleys slaying, a local judge ordered him to begin wearing a GPS monitor after being arrested for theft on Dec. 17 at a CVS store. But he was reportedly not wearing the monitor at the time of his arrest.

Johnsons next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 13. He has reportedly not entered a plea and remains in custody. It was unclear if he has retained an attorney.




Rumble

Hammerhead sharks are one of the top predators in the Galapagos Islands. Large and powerful, they swim where they please, with little to fear. They eat fish, octopus, sea lions, and stingrays. A large part of their diet is made up of stingrays. The shark's head is designed to help them capture prey such as stingrays on the seabed. These divers have positioned themselves on a rock ledge to get a look at schooling hammerheads as they pass by on the current near Wolf Island in a very remote and beautiful part of the ocean. The sharks congregate hear in great numbers, feeding on the abundant fish and rays in this area. To watch these apex predators patrolling within a few metres is an exhilarating experience. But the scuba divers here are witnessing something that is quite rare. A spotted eagle stingray has managed to swim through the mass of sharks without being eaten. The spotted eagle ray heads directly for the scuba divers and swims among them, possibly to gain protection from the sharks that are gathered in the deeper water just beyond where the divers are perched. It's very possible that the stingray understands that the sharks will not want to come within arm's reach of the humans. Another possibility is that the stingray is very curious about the diver with the camera. Solon is a seasoned scuba guide and dive master and he has completed well over 15,000 dives in these waters. The stingray that we see here has unique injuries on its left wing that make it recognizable as one that Solon has been seeing near this site for at least 8 years. The stingray seems to recognize Solon and it often makes a beeline for him, seemingly less interested in the other divers that accompany Solon. Intelligent and curious, these animals possess impressive intellect and understanding. It is possible that the stingray can distinguish one diver from another. Solon also has a relaxed and calm presence that might be obvious to the stingray. Whatever the reason for this close pass near Solon, the experience of seeing such a beautiful creature looking into your eyes is a beautiful and unforgettable one. Moments like these make scuba diving one of the most fascinating and thrilling sports in the world.
Two people were killed and two more injured on Friday night when shots rang out at a Connecticut concert for rapper Meek Mill, according to multiple reports.

Wallingford police said the concert at Oakdale Theater was coming to a close when shots were fired outside the venue, according to ABC News. Two men were taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Police responded to a call of a victim with a leg wound at around 11:15 p.m., Lt. Cheryl Bradley said during a Friday news conference.

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During the news conference, Bradley described the scene as chaotic and noted that police are looking into vehicles that may or may not have been involved in the shooting.

Bradley said that no one was in custody early Saturday morning, according to The Record-Journal. She gave no details about the deceased victims, but said police interviewed the injured men, according to the newspaper.

The Wallingford Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PEOPLE.

Police are working to determine what prompted the shooting and whether the victims knew one another, Bradley said during the news conference.

In a video taken outside the venue that was posted to Twitter, a person is heard saying Look, theres Meek, before what sounded like a gun shot.

Mill, whose real name is Robert Williams, has not spoken publicly about the incident. A rep for the rapper did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PEOPLE.




WASHINGTON (AP)  Republicans' grip on all levers of power stands as a mandate to the GOP-led Congress, which will move swiftly to try to undo eight years of outgoing President Barack Obama's agenda.

With Republican President-elect Donald Trump weeks away from assuming office, GOP lawmakers plan to open the 115th Congress on Tuesday and immediately take steps to repeal Obama's health care law. Beyond that, they'll look at a tax overhaul, reversing Obama-era environmental regulations and other conservative priorities.

Republicans will face some obstacles. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says Democrats "stand ready to fight vigorously" to protect health care and other priorities, and Republicans will have to compromise with Senate Democrats to move major legislation through that chamber.

A look at what the 115th Congress will be up to in 2017:

___

NEW MEMBERS

New members of the House and Senate will be sworn in on Tuesday, the first day of the new Congress.

In the Senate, five Democrats and two Republicans will be sworn in for the first time, joined by returning members who won re-election in 2016. After those members are sworn in, there will be 52 Republicans, 46 Democrats and two independents who caucus with the Democrats.

The House will have 52 new members  27 Republicans and 25 Democrats. There will be 241 Republicans in the House and 194 Democrats.

___

CONFIRMING A NEW CABINET

Trump is sworn in on Jan. 20, and Republicans in the Senate will spend the first days and weeks of his presidency pushing to confirm his Cabinet picks. Democrats changed the rules and curbed the filibuster in 2013, making it easier for Republicans to move nominations. But even though they won't be able to block Trump's nominees, Democrats have pledged to fight many of them anyway, highlighting what they say is the hypocrisy of Trump's populist message and his wealthy, corporate-favoring nominees for several posts.

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___

REPEALING OBAMA'S HEALTH CARE LAW

The Senate plans to begin repealing Obama's health care law on Tuesday, Congress' very first day, with consideration of a procedural measure that will shield from Democratic filibusters legislation annulling much of that statute.

Lawmakers will then spend the next few months working on legislation canceling broad swaths of the law. Likely to go are its mandate that people buy health insurance or face IRS fines, and its expansion of Medicaid coverage to more lower-earning Americans. Some elements of the repeal likely wouldn't go into effect for two to four years.

Republicans will then begin the more complicated task of building a new system. The GOP will have to craft new programs for the nation's $3 trillion health care system and make sure insurance markets don't collapse while the transition is under way.

___

TAX OVERHAUL

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., want a massive overhaul of the tax system with the goal of simplifying a complicated tax code that rewards wealthy people with smart accountants as well as corporations that can easily shift profits and jobs overseas.

It would be the first major tax overhaul in 30 years. Trump has also advocated a tax overhaul, but with fewer details. He promises a tax cut for every income level, with more low-income families paying no income tax at all.

___

SUPREME COURT

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died 11 months ago, but the Senate still hasn't considered a replacement. That's because McConnell blocked consideration of Obama's nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, saying the next president should make the pick. The strategy paid off, and the Republican Senate will consider whomever Trump nominates.

___

MEDICARE CHANGES

Ryan is the most powerful advocate in Washington for an overhaul of Medicare and a premium-support approach that would, over time, remake it into a voucher-like program that could force some seniors entering the program to buy health insurance on the open market instead of getting coverage through the traditional open-ended program.

But his ideas likely will run into a political reality. Trump said on the campaign trail that he wouldn't cut the program, and Senate Republicans haven't been as enthusiastic either.

Candidate Trump also initially promised not to cut Medicaid  the federal-state health insurance program for low-income and severely disabled people. During the campaign, Trump seemed to shift, backing "block grants" that limit federal funding.

___

SOCIAL SECURITY

Like Medicare, some House conservatives have said they want to overhaul Social Security and slow the program's growth to curb spending. But Trump has said he doesn't want to touch those programs, and Ryan told CBS' "60 Minutes" in December that he has no plans to change Social Security.

___

REVERSING REGULATIONS

Republican leaders have complained throughout Obama's presidency about burdensome regulations, a theme Trump used frequently during the campaign as well. GOP lawmakers now want to undo some of Obama's regulations and executive orders using the Congressional Review Act, a rarely invoked procedure.

Many of the regulations they are targeting are environmental rules put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency, including the Clean Power Plan to cut carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants, a clean water rule that has drawn the ire of farmers and another rule imposed in December to protect nearby streams from coal-mining debris.

___

INFRASTRUCTURE

Trump made rebuilding the nation's aging roads, bridges and airports a major part of his job-creation strategy in the presidential race. But those plans appear to have fizzled, somewhat, as GOP leaders have questioned the spending.

___

Associated Press writers Alan Fram, Matthew Daly and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar contributed to this report.
- By Shuda Xia





Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA), Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV (FMX), VF Corp. (VFC) and Cerner Corp. (CERN) have reached their three-year lows.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA) reached $36.25

The prices of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries shares have declined to $36.25, which is only 4.6% above the three-year low of $34.57.





Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is an Israeli international pharmaceutical company that specializes in generic drugs. Other business interests include active pharmaceutical ingredients and proprietary pharmaceuticals. It is the largest generic pharmaceutical drug manufacturer in the world and among the top 15 largest pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has a market cap of $36.79 billion; its shares were traded around $36.25 with a P/E ratio of 20.95 and P/S ratio of 1.68. The trailing 12-month dividend yield of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stocks is 3.76%. The forward dividend yield of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stocks is 3.77%. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries had an annual average earnings growth of 11.20% over the past 10 years.

On Dec. 22, Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries announced the conclusion of negotiations with the U.S. government over violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Teva and the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission have agreed to a solution to resolve disclosed investigations into conduct relating to Ukraine, Mexico and Russia.

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV (FMX) reached $76.21

The prices of Fomento Economico Mexicano shares have declined to $76.21, which is only 2.5% above the three-year low of $74.29.

Fomento Economico Mexicano is a Mexican based international beverage and cocktail retail company. It operates the largest independent Coca-Cola (KO) bottling group in the world and also owns the largest convenience store chain in Mexico. In 2014, it was the fifth largest company in Mexico by revenue.

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Fomento Economico Mexicano has a market cap of $27.27 billion; its shares were traded around $76.21 with a P/E ratio of 30.74 and P/S ratio of 1.55. The trailing 12-month dividend yield of Fomento Economico Mexicano stocks is 1.75%. The forward dividend yield of Fomento Economico Mexicano stocks is 1.69%. Fomento Economico Mexicano had an annual average earnings growth of 3.50% over the past five years.

On Oct. 25, Fomento Economico Mexicano reported a 13.9% rise in third-quarter profit, which was a result of fewer foreign exchange losses, lower taxes and higher prices to consumers. The company's profits rose to 2.265 billion pesos in the quarter, from 1.988 billion pesos in the same period a year ago.

VF Corp. (VFC) reached $53.35

The prices of VF Corp. shares have declined to $53.35, which is only 3.0% above the three-year low of $51.76.

VF Corp. is an American based international apparel and footwear company that owns more than 30 brands. Its brands are organized into five broad categories, including Outdoor and Action Sports, Jeanswear, Imagewear, Sportswear and Contemporary brands.

VF Corp. has a market cap of $22.07 billion; its shares were traded around $53.35 with a P/E ratio of 20.21 and P/S ratio of 1.81. The trailing 12-month dividend yield of VF Corp. stocks is 2.87%. The forward dividend yield of VF Corp. stocks is 3.13%. VF Corp. had an annual average earnings growth of 9.00% over the past 10 years.

On Dec. 7, VF Corp. announced that Karl Heinz Salzburger, vice president and group president of the company, will retire at the end of 2017. Salzburger will remain in his current position until the end of the first quarter of 2017, when he will become a special advisor to the chef executive officer.

Cerner Corp. (CERN) reached $47.37

The prices of Cerner Corp. shares have declined to $47.37, which is only 0.8% above the three-year low of $47.01.

Cerner Corp. is an American based international supplier of health information technology solutions, services, devices and hardware. As of 2015, its products were in use in 18,000 facilities around the world and the company employed around 22,000 employees globally.

Cerner Corp. has a market cap of $16.08 billion; its shares were traded around $47.37 with a P/E ratio of 25.20 and P/S ratio of 3.47. Cerner Corp. had an annual average earnings growth of 15.20% over the past 10 years.

On Nov. 14, Cerner Corp. announced an agreement with American Well to deliver a virtual health care experience that promises to integrate the American Well platform with Cerner's electronic health record system. The integration will allow providers to manage the health and care of patients beyond the limits imposed by physical health centers.

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.






Celebs brought attention to breast cancer, lupus, postpartum depression, and more. (Photos: Getty Images)

Like it or not, celebrities are a major force in American culture. That can be a bad thing when famous people spread misinformation (just because youre known, doesnt mean youre in the know), but it can be a truly great things when celebs use their platform for good. In 2015, there were a handful of celebrities who did just that by sharing their own health struggles. In turn, they raised awareness about diseases affecting people around the world. Here, seven people who opened our eyes this year, and what we learned from them.

Angelina Jolie

All the way back in March, Angelina Jolie Pitt wrote a touching New York Times op-ed about her decision to have preventive surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes, just two years after having a preventive double mastectomy. Jolie Pitt carries a mutation in the BRCA1 gene that gives her an 87% chance of developing breast cancer and a 50% chance of developing ovarian cancer. Her first preventive surgery dramatically reduced her risk of developing breast cancer, and the latest surgery will likely keep her safe ovarian cancer.

Related: 12 Things That Actually Dont Increase Your Risk for Breast Cancer

What made her story truly inspiring was that a cancer scare was what prompted the surgery, and she was able to speak so movingly about a feeling so many people have experienced: I went through what I imagine thousands of other women have felt. I told myself to stay calm, to be strong, and that I had no reason to think I wouldnt live to see my children grow up and to meet my grandchildren, she wrote. She was also adamant about the need for other women with BRCA mutations to educate themselves about the many options available to find the one thats right for them.

Selena Gomez

In an October interview with Billboard, Selena Gomez answered rumors that she was treated for addiction during a 2013 hiatus, revealing that in fact, she took some time off to be treated for lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease.

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Gomez admission raised the profile of the potentially life-threatening disease that is often hard to diagnose, and started conversations about what its like to be seriously sick without looking like it. I was diagnosed with lupus, and Ive been through chemotherapy. Thats what my break was really about. I couldve had a stroke, Gomez told Billboard. I wanted so badly to say, You guys have no idea. Im in chemotherapy. Youre aholes. I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again.

Lesson: never assume you know what others are going through.

Related: 9 Celebrities With Lupus

Jimmy Carter

In August, former President Jimmy Carter announced that he was being treated for melanoma that had spread to his brain. The sad news (followed by an awesome recovery) brought attention to a new form of treatment for the diseasepembrolizumab (Keytruda). The drug is part of a rapidly growing class of drugs called immunotherapy, which uses the bodys immune system to fight cancer. Keytruda received accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for advanced melanoma in 2014, and this year the agency granted the drug the same for treating certain lung cancers.

This month, President Carter announced that he is now in remission.

Avril Lavigne

After ominously hinting at her health issues in a series of vague Twitter posts, Avril Lavigne opened up to People about her experience with Lyme disease. I could barely eat, and when we went to the pool [at my 30th birthday party], I had to leave and go lie in bed, she explained in an April interview with the magazine. My friends asked, Whats wrong? I didnt know. After months, she finally got a diagnosis; her suffering was likely the result of the tick-related infection. By speaking out about her condition, Lavigne not only spread knowledge about the disease itself, but also about the importance of taking anti-tick precautions like bug spray and staying in the center of hiking trails.

Chrissy Teigen and Tyra Banks

After getting bombarded with questions about having kids over the years, Chrissy Teigen got real about her struggle with infertility on an episode of FABlife. She later told E! News, usually Im getting crap from people [on social media], but the amount of stories that were shared was really cool to see.Since discussing her struggle, Teigen announced that she and husband John Legend are expecting a child.

Related: 15 Factors That Affect a Womans Fertility

Charlie Sheen

In November, Charlie Sheen announced in an interview with Matt Lauer that he is infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Sheen told Lauer on-camera that he decided to announce his status to end an extortion campaign that cost him millions of dollars, adding I have a responsibility now to better myself and to help a lot of other people, and hopefully with what Im doing today, others may come forwards and say, Thanks, thanks, Charlie. The day of the interview social media exploded, with many commending him for making a public declaration about a disease that still carries an unfortunate stigma.



Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere has no shame about her struggle with postpartum depression, and shes been outspoken about how it shouldnt be swept under the rug. During an interview on Live! With Kelly and Michael in September she touched on the shame associated with the disease. She also explained that its more than just baby blues.

Its something I think needs to be talked about, and women need to know theyre not alone, and that it does heal, Panettiere said.

In October, she checked into a rehab facility to get help for the disorder.

By Lindsey Murray

More from Health.com:

13 Ways to Stop Drinking Soda for Good

20 Ways to Fall in Love All Over Again

21 Things You Should Know About Vitamin B12 Deficiency
So this is how to actually open up a champagne bottle  just in time for NYE

Its always exciting to close the door on one year and say greetings! to the next  and this is especially true as we bid farewell to 2016, the year that gave us Donald Trump and took away some of our most beloved celebrities. When it comes to that super important midnight toast, we all know that things can go awry because how to actually open up a champagne bottle remains a mystery to many of us. But, that wont be a problem as we ring in 2017, because weve got you covered with champagne popping directions.

First things first  make sure the champagne is properly chilled to around 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

If your bubbly isnt cold enough, the cork releases faster than the speed of light (okay, maybe thats a slight exaggeration) and the cork will fly sky high  and itll potentially lodge itself in the ceiling. (Something I learned from personal experience.)

Next, make sure all the excess foil beneath the bottles large lip is removed  a wine key is the best way to do this. Then, put a napkin or kitchen towel over the cage and the cork, because we can never take too many safety measures to ensure that the cork doesnt fly directly into the ceiling  or the eye of an unfortunate bystander.

When its time for the actual opening, its very important that you hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle and untwist the cage counterclockwise.

Be sure to put pressure on the cork so it doesnt pop out prematurely. Then, twist the bottle  not the cork. When the cage is loosened, its time to extract the cork by keeping pressure around it while you twist the bottle.

When the bottle is loosened from the cork and begins to spin freely, dont get too overzealous  slowly pull the cork away from the bottle until it begins to move on its own. Then, push against the cork gently so (you guessed it!), it doesnt release too quickly and fly across the room.

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Now that youve successfully gotten this far and the bottles pressure is driving the cork out, its time to show off a bit to your fellow partygoers  if you separate the cork slowly, itll make that impressive gentle hiss noise that proves you know how to open champagne like a pro.

Then, give the bottles lip a quick wipe-down, fill up those champagne glasses, and make a toast to ring in 2017  and dont be afraid to throw in a humblebrag about your exemplary champagne-opening skills.

The post So this is how to actually open up a champagne bottle  just in time for NYE appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Allan Williams, the Beatles' first manager who became known as "The Man Who Gave the Beatles Away" from the title of his gritty autobiography, has died in Liverpool at age 86, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Williams opened a coffee bar in Liverpool called the Jacaranda where he first met Beatles John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Stuart Sutcliffe. He didn't have much faith in them originally.

"I thought the Beatles were a right load of layabouts," he wrote in his book, The Man Who Gave the Beatles Away.

One day, he said, John Lennon pitched the idea of the group playing at the Jac, as it was called. "You and (Larry) Parnes were talking the other night about using groups. How about us?," Williams recalled in his book. At the time, the group didn't have a drummer, so they added a local named Tommy Moore, rehearsed doing a lot of Chuck Berry numbers and had their first date at the Grosvenor Ballroom. They also took on a new name, the Silver Beatles, at the suggestion of Brian Casser of the Cassanovas.

They were paid 10 pounds, roughly $12 USD, for the show. Williams wrote he was paid a pound for his commission. He also hired the Beatles, who were desperate for money, to paint the Jacaranda's ladies' bathroom.

Williams helped the band get other gigs as well, including a short tour of Scotland with Johnny Gentle, but he and the Beatles got into a dispute after the group took on an extended engagement at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg and refused to pay Williams the commission he believed he was owed. The dispute was the beginning of the end of their association.

"I am very distressed to hear you are contemplating not paying my commission out of your pay, as we agreed in your Contract for your engagement at the Top Ten Club," he wrote them on April 20, 1961. "May I remind you you are all appearing to get more than a little swollen-headed, that you would not even have smelled Hamburg if I had not made the contacts, and by Law it is illegal for any person under contract to make a contact through the first contract." After threatening to report them to a music agents' group, he wrote, "I don't want to fall out with you, but I can't abide anybody who does not honour their word or bond, and I could have sworn you were all decent lads, that is why I pushed you when nobody wanted to hear you."

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When the group returned to Liverpool, now with Pete Best as drummer, they came to the attention of Brian Epstein, who was running a local record shop. Epstein told Williams he was thinking of managing the Beatles. Williams told him about the commission dispute and how unpredictable they were. "Yes, yes, Allan you're right," Epstein told him, "but I feel here (tapping his chest) that together the Beatles and I could make something really big. So big that ..."

"Brian, as far as I'm concerned, they're all yours. I've finished. And bloody good luck with the Beatles," he relayed telling Epstein in his autobiography."

Years later, Williams worked to get tapes of the Beatles recorded while they were playing at the Star-Club in Hamburg released. The Beatles later won a court case to have the tapes taken off the market. In more recent years, he met with groups of Beatles fans traveling through Liverpool.

Liverpool author David Bedford (The Fab One Hundred and Four, Liddypool) told Billboard, "I was with Allan just a few weeks ago and he was in good spirits. We were talking over those days in 1960 when he got the Beatles a drummer and drove them to Hamburg. I said to him; do you realize that without you we wouldn't have The Beatles? He smiled and said, 'I never thought of it like that.' I told him it was true, because Allan took John, Paul, George and Stuart, gave them somewhere to play, got them a drummer in Tommy Moore, plus Norman Chapman and then Pete Best, and, with his business partner Lord Woodbine, drove them to Hamburg. As every Beatles historian will tell you it was Hamburg that made The Beatles. That, for me, will be Allan's legacy. Without him, we wouldn't have The Beatles. He was a larger than life character whose contribution is often overlooked in Beatles history."

Beatles journalist and co-host of the Beatles radio show Things We Said Today Allan Kozinn told Billboard, "Allan Williams was the Beatles manager only briefly, and he clearly wasn't the guy who could get them the record deal they needed, or mold them into the phenomenon they were. But he did make one absolutely decisive decision for them, which was to send them to Hamburg, where they transformed themselves from a mediocre dance band into the tight, hard-rocking group that mesmerized the world."

And Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn, author of The Beatles: All These Years: Volume 1: Tune In, put it concisely when he tweeted Friday, "No Allan Williams, no Hamburg. No Hamburg, no Beatles. The Beatles' first manager died today age 86."

One of the tributes to Williams came from former Beatles drummer Pete Best on Facebook. "I'm stunned that I am writing something in the same context within days. Just heard Allan Williams whom I had a great relationship with starting back in 1960 on our maiden voyage to Hamburg, where we cut our teeth and learnt our craft has passed away. My deepest condolences to the Williams family. God bless you Allan and thank you. Pete."

The Jacaranda posted a tribute to Williams today on its Facebook page. "Today is one of the saddest days in our history. The Jacaranda's original owner and the man who discovered The Beatles, Allan Williams, has sadly passed away at the age of 86. All of our thoughts and wishes go to his family and his wife Beryl. His legacy has allowed us to remain at the heart of the Liverpool music scene for almost 60 years and his memory will live on through every band that plays our famous stage. Allan, you will be missed." The Cavern Club, where the Beatles played numerous times before they were famous, posted, "We have just heard the very sad news about the passing of Allan Williams. Sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time."

Williams' death marks the second passing in recent weeks of someone closely associated with the early days of the Beatles. Sam Leach, who booked many early Beatles shows, died Dec. 21 after a long illness.

Today our founder and the man who discovered the Beatles passed away at the age of 86

Allan Williams, you will be missed pic.twitter.com/Mh7sq5Er4q- The Jacaranda (@jacarandalpool) December 30, 2016
BUENOS AIRES, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Argentina will loosen regulations in the telecommunications sector in a bid to increase competition among providers and modernize the country's internet service, a government source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters on Friday.

For months, companies in the sector have been preparing for a more competitive market. The government has said it expects the reforms to attract $20 billion in investments over four years.

The new rules will allow satellite TV company DirecTV to provide satellite internet services and let cable operator Cablevision SA provide 4G mobile telephone services, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"We are defining clear rules so that the telecommunications market develops under conditions of competition and companies make investments that bring work and connectivity to the whole country," Communications Minister Oscar Aguad said in a statement provided by the ministry on Friday.

The telecom reform is one of many changes on President Mauricio Macri's agenda as he tries to drive investment into an economy that was highly regulated, cut off from capital markets and largely ignored by investors for a decade before he took office and started implementing reforms a year ago.

Telecom Argentina and Telefonica de Argentina announced investments this year, while Argentina's largest media conglomerate, Grupo Clarin, is spinning off subsidiary Cablevision SA, saying in August it could better face competition as a stand-alone unit.

(Reporting by Eliana Raszewski; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Asthma risk reduced by 29 percent for children born to mothers taking omega-3 supplements

A Danish study has recommended that expecting mothers take omega-3 fatty acid supplements to reduce the risk of their children becoming asthmatic.

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen followed 700 women from the 24th week of pregnancy until their children were five years old.

During the third trimester of pregnancy, when their babies' lungs were developing, the test subjects were given a daily dose of either 2.4 grams of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish oil) or 2.4 grams of olive oil.

According to the results observed after five years, 17% of the children whose mothers had been given fish oil were troubled by a persistent wheeze or asthma, as opposed to 24% of the children whose mothers had been given olive oil, or 119 children as opposed to 168 -- a 29% difference.

Lower incidences of bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections were also observed in the "fish oil" group of children.

Omega-3 recommended in case of a family history of asthma

As a general rule, omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce inflammation, which is why they can play a preventive role in respiratory complaints.

However, the authors of the study also pointed out that the most positive results were observed among mothers who had the lowest blood levels of omega-3 at the start of the study.

The average person currently does not consume enough fatty acids, which play an important role in cognitive, cardiovascular and immune system health. The dose of omega-3 administered for the purposes of the study was 15-20 times higher than the amount consumed by the average American, for instance, noted the authors.

In conclusion, the researchers suggest that omega-3 supplements -- which are free from side effects -- should be administered to expecting mothers who have a family history of asthma.

A new University of Kansas study has demonstrated that sufficient vitamin D in the second trimester of pregnancy could also reduce the risk of asthma in children later on. Exposure to 10 minutes of sunshine per day is enough to enable pregnant women to obtain a daily dose of vitamin D from dermal synthesis.

At the same time, breastfeeding during the first year of a child's life can modify the expression of genes linked to asthma and reduce the genetic risk of developing respiratory symptoms by 27%, according to a European Lung Foundation study presented at the European Respiratory Society's International Congress in September 2016.

A summary of the Danish study is available in the New England Journal of Medicine (the complete results are available to subscribers of the journal).
Brazilian authorities said Friday they detained two people in connection with the suspicious disappearance of the Greek ambassador to Brazil, including the diplomat's wife, after a body was found in a burned car rented by the envoy's wife in Rio de Janeiro, according to Reuters.

The 59-year-old Greek ambassador, Kyriakos Amiridis, had been missing since Monday when authorities found a corpse Thursday in a vehicle matching the license plates of one rented out by his wife, Francoise Amiridis, under an overpass near a major Brazilian access road. The Rio de Janeiro homicide division requested a warrant for the arrest of four suspects, including the diplomat's spouse and a military police officer, Sergio Gomes Moreira Filho, Brazil's Veja magazine reported.

Filho reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime as well as having intimate relations with the ambassador's wife after investigators filmed him sneaking in and around the diplomat's vacation home in Nova Iguacu, 25 miles north of Rio de Janeiro. The diplomat was reportedly in town for New Years celebrations at Copacabana beach when he left the house Monday without stating where he was going and never returned, according to his wife's testimony Thursday. She reported him missing Wednesday. Police suspect the diplomat's wife could be involved in his disappearance, Veja reported.

Kyriakos Amiridis was appointed the Greek ambassador to Brazil earlier this year and had previously served Greece's consul general in Rio de Janeiro from 2001 to 2004 and later served as ambassador to Libya from 2012 to 2016. The envoy reportedly resides with his wife and daughter in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil, especially Rio de Janeiro, has long been plagued by high rates of violent crime. Kidnappings are also reportedly common outside banks and ATMs, however, no ransom was sought in the ambassador's disappearance, leading police to suspect foul play.

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Who needs a rose when youve got a whole bouquet?

Selma Alameri, who competed on Sean Lowes season of The Bachelor, has found her happily ever after with Patrick Daniels, whom she married in a low-key city hall ceremony on Thursday.

The 29-year-old San Diego real estate developer took to Instagram to make the announcement.

Getting married! she captioned a photo of herself in a knee-length white dress, black heels and a bouquet of red and white flowers. The bride wore her hair loose and kept her makeup simple with a pop of red lipstick.

In another photo that shows her getting a kiss on the cheek from her new husband, Alameri wrote, Its official!!! Mr. and Mrs. Daniels!! adding the hashtag #cityhallstyle.

Her final post of the big day showed her looking adoringly at her husband as they held champagne flutes overlooking a beautiful view of the ocean.

I get to love him forever and ever! Alameri gushed. Sorry guys- last one I promise!

Alameri shared the engagement news in June by showing off her stunning diamond ring on Instagram.

He promised me forever!! she captioned the photo, adding the hashtags #mybestfriend and #MrsDaniels.

Alameri made waves during her stint on The Bachelor by refusing to kiss Lowe due to her strict Muslim upbringing.

I dont believe showing affection in public is a bad thing, but my mom does, the reality star told PEOPLE after getting booted off the show. Her one simple request was dont make out with somebody on television. We have such a strong culture and my family is big in my life, so I needed to test Sean to see if hed respect my family and culture.

Alameri said she didnt regret the decision.

Honestly, I never regret anything, she said.  afraid that hed take that as I dont really like him. But Sean is such an amazing man that he totally understood.




Bethenny Frankel famously wasnt invited to her Real Housewives of New York City costar Luann de Lesseps New Years Eve Palm Beach nuptials. But the 46-year-old SkinnyGirl mogul still took a trip down south this weekend  ending 2016 with a family vacation in Cancun, Mexico.

With her 6-year-old daughter Bryn and boyfriend Dennis Shields by her side, Frankel documented much of the trip on social media  including their sunny beach day alongside Frankels BFF (and former maid of honor) Teri Gevinson.

Feelin a little beachy today, Frankel captioned an Instagram selfie of of her beach look.

Her sexy swimsuit was snapped in full by photographers on Friday, as the reality-star began to towel-off from a trip to the ocean in her blue-and-white bikini.

On the beach, Frankel enjoyed serrano margaritas and snacked on lobster quesadillas  turning her Snapchat camera on Shields and Gevinson from time to time.

Unfortunately, it wasnt all rainbows and sunshine a rainstorm sent Frankel and friends inside. There, she sang along to The Sugarhill Gangs Rappers Delight and played with Bryns purple Hatchimal.

On Saturday, it was back to the beach  sipping tropical drinks in a red hot two-piece and showing off her new sarong to fans.

Despite claiming she was in dating purgatory in December, Frankel and Shields are still going strong. The two began dating earlier this year.

Hes very cute, Frankel gushed to PEOPLE of Shields while at the N.Y.C. launch of B Strong, a new initiative that provides assistance to women in crisis, in partnership with the nonprofit Dress for Success.

I love him, I care about him and hes amazing, she added. Hes supporting me  hes here, which speaks for itself.

RELATED VIDEO: Real Housewives of New York City Star Bethenny Frankel Wants to Help Women be Independent

Though happy in her relationship, Frankels said the message of B Strong is about womens independence versus being defined by relationships.

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Men can be wonderful partners, but they dont define us, she explained. For the first time, I realized that I have to save myself and then help save others. That is my priority.

The reality star finalized her contentious divorce battle with ex-husband Jason Hoppy in July. She said if a womans success intimidates her partner, then theyre not the right men.

What this is about is not dumbing yourself down for a man  not being weaker and meeker for a man, Frankel explained. Its time for women to rise up.

As for Shields? Well, he thinks being with a woman as strong and independent as Frankel is unbelievable.




Chicago (AFP) - For a few days in December, no one was shot dead in Chicago.

In most US cities, that would be the norm. In the Windy City, where blood has stained the streets all year, it's an aberration.

Sure enough, after the mid-month lull, the city tumbled back into a grueling and seemingly endless series of killings, with 15 people gunned down in subsequent days.

Chicago, effectively the capital of America's Midwest, is hurtling toward the end of its deadliest year in nearly two decades, with more than 750 murders and 3,500 shootings.

By comparison, America's two biggest cities, Los Angeles and New York, had about 600 murders combined.

The shootings in Chicago, which spiked nearly 50 percent in 2016, were concentrated mostly in historically segregated, economically struggling and predominantly African-American and Latino neighborhoods.

As 2017 arrives, there are few clear answers as to how to staunch the bleeding, but city officials are looking at a number of new -- and rehashed -- plans.

- Guns and gangs -

Chicago police chief Eddie Johnson spent much of 2016 hammering home a key idea: Gangs, guns and an outmatched police force were a toxic brew.

With the support of the city's Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Johnson intends to hire almost 1,000 additional officers over the next two years.

"This will make us a bigger department, a better department, and a more effective department," Johnson said in September when he announced the plan.

The first class of new recruits will graduate in 2017 and join a force under increased scrutiny and pressure.

The department is facing a federal civil rights probe, the outcome of which could change how officers operate, adding a measure of uncertainty in the new year.

The force already has difficulties dealing with a wary African-American population. Some do not cooperate in murder investigations out of fear of retribution or distrust of police.

The department solved only about a third of the murders committed in 2016.

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Tensions intensified when a video became public in late 2015 showing a white police officer fatally shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald.

Jason Van Dyke, who was later charged with murder, shot McDonald 16 times, continuing to fire his gun even after the 17-year-old had fallen to the ground.

- Police less proactive -

The resulting political uproar led Emanuel to fire then-police chief Garry McCarthy, leaving the department's leadership team in disarray.

At about the same time, the department changed its policy for stopping and searching people, requiring officers to fill out more complicated paperwork.

Police activity dropped. Gun violence did not.

"It wasn't until March-April that we started seeing (police) activity increase," police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told AFP in November.

But a dozen current Chicago cops admitted to the CBS news program "60 Minutes" that they remain less proactive than in the past.

"Aggressive patrol, when you're out looking for people breaking the law -- that's not happening as much as it was," said Brian Warner, a former officer who counsels current cops.

Whether a police department on the defensive has contributed to the rocketing murder rate is up for debate.

But Chicago police say the true measure is how they deal with the approximately 1,400 people who perpetrate the majority of the gun violence.

Targeting this group  identified through past arrests on firearms charges, and surveillance of real-world and social media associations  is effective, police argue.

A new proposal, to be taken up by the Illinois state legislature in January, would increase prison sentences for repeat gun offenders.

The theory is that if they are behind bars for longer periods, the number of shootings and murders would decline.

"Our biggest problem in Chicago is the gun problem and the culture that allows offenders to commit gun crime after gun crime. So we need better accountability," Johnson said in November.

- A public health issue -

This is not an idea all Chicagoans support.

"Are people not in prison for long enough already? Have we not used policing as much as is possible?" asked Gary Slutkin, a former World Health Organization epidemiologist and founder of the group Cure Violence, which treats gun violence as a public health issue.

"You have to come at the problem from a different angle," he said.

Slutkin's group turns former gang members into counselors, teaching them to talk to at-risk youths and convince them to avoid resolving disputes with guns.

Chicago's murder spike directly correlated with cuts in state funding for his group, he said. The funding loss affected all non-profit organizations with state contracts.

"At that exact moment, I mean within a week, the shootings and killings turned the corner from going down to going up," Slutkin said.

Government, philanthropic and community leaders are now back at his doorstep, he said, looking to find the money for the group to resume its work.

"This really has to be managed like an epidemic with some urgency," Slutkin said.

On that point, there is agreement with the police chief, who has repeatedly called Chicago's violence a societal issue.

"The violence in Chicago... is not just for police to resolve," Johnson said.

Still, he believes his officers can be more effective.

In late December, Johnson visited the New York Police Department to learn about some of their policing techniques.

"I liked what I saw in New York," Johnson told the Chicago Sun-Times after his visit, adding that he will test out some of the Big Apple's ideas in the coming year.
By Paulo Prada RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - A Rio de Janeiro policeman confessed to murdering Greece's ambassador to Brazil in what investigators on Friday called a "cowardly act" carried out at the direction of the diplomat's Brazilian wife with whom the officer was romantically involved. Ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis, 59, was missing since Monday night. Francoise, his Brazilian wife and the mother of their 10-year-old daughter, reported him missing to police on Wednesday. Officer Sergio Moreira, 29, confessed to police on Friday that he killed the ambassador late Monday night in the Rio de Janeiro home the Amiridises owned in Nova Iguacu, a hardscrabble neighborhood in the city's sprawling, violent northern outskirts. Investigator Evaristo Magalhaes told reporters that Francoise, 40, and Moreira had arranged the murder a few days in advance. Both Amiridis' wife and the officer are in custody. Police have also detained a cousin of the officer, who Magalhaes said acted as a lookout while the crime was committed and helped carry the body from the house with the promise that he would be paid 80,000 reais ($25,000). "This was a tragic, cowardly act, but we worked tirelessly to crack this case as soon as possible," Magalhaes told a news conference. "It was a crime of passion." Brazilian President Michel Temer, in a letter addressed to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, said the ambassador's killing had caused him profound sadness and he extended his condolences to the ambassador's family, friends and the Greek people. The Greek embassy in Brasilia declined to comment. In Athens, Greek foreign ministry spokesman Stratos Efthymiou said the government also had no comment. Amiridis served as Greece's consul general in Rio from 2001 to 2004. He was Greece's ambassador to Libya from 2012 until he took the top Brazil post at the beginning of 2016. BLOOD ON COUCH Magalhaes said that blood was found on a couch inside the home and the ambassador was likely stabbed to death as no shots were reported in the area. However, he said it was not yet possible to determine the exact cause of death because the policeman had burned the ambassador's body in an attempt to cover up the crime. A burned corpse was found on Thursday evening inside the car that Amiridis and his wife had rented. It was parked under a highway overpass in the area where the couple had been staying. On Thursday, police confirmed that the ambassador had been missing since Monday night, when he was last seen leaving the Rio home he shared with his wife, which was located near her family's residence in Nova Iguacu. The incident is another blow to Rio's image, just four months after it hosted the Summer Olympics. Crime in Rio has been rising and the state is deeply indebted, often unable to pay police and other salaries on time, if at all. The neighborhood where the car was found is dominated by powerful and politically connected armed groups comprised mostly of off-duty or retired police and firefighters who control vast areas. They often extort residents in exchange for keeping drug gangs from taking over the areas. The armed groups have grown for several years and often curry favor with local politicians by promising to deliver votes from entire neighborhoods as long as authorities allow them to carry out their crimes. ($1 = 3.2532 reais) (Additional reporting by Brad Brooks in Sao Paulo and George Georgiopoulos in Athens; Editing by Toni Reinhold and Mary Milliken)
Carrie Fisher's autopsy has been completed.

The Los Angeles Coroner's office confirms to ET that they conducted an examination on Fisher Friday morning, before releasing her body to "a mortuary selected by the family." The cause of death will be determined in several weeks after toxicology tests are completed.

WATCH: Todd Fisher Hoping Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds Will Have a Joint Funeral

Fisher died on Tuesday morning, days after going into cardiac arrest during a flight from London to Los Angeles. She was 60. Her mother, Debbie Reynolds, died on Wednesday after a suspected stroke.

In a new interview, Todd Fisher, Carrie's brother and Debbie's son, said that he is hoping for a joint funeral for his late family members, though the decision hasn't been finalized. Todd was spotted on Thursday at the Westwood Village Memorial Park and the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

"That is my preference," he told E! News about a joint funeral. "Obviously it's not finalized, but I think that sounds like a grand idea given the beautiful story between them."

A source close to the family told ET on Friday that the family is in the process of making funeral plans, but there is no doubt that Carrie and Debbie will be laid to rest by each other's side.

EXCLUSIVE: Inside Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds' Unique Mother-Daughter Relationship

Todd previously told ET that his mother's last words were that "she missed Carrie and wanted to be with her" just 15 minutes before having a stroke. An ambulance responded to a call from the 84-year-old actress' Beverly Hills home at 1:02 p.m. on Wednesday and transported her to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she later died.

See more in the video below.

-- Reporting by Steve Wilks.

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Star Wars alum Carrie Fishers full autopsy report has already been completed and handed to her family members.

According to E! News, the release of the report was put on hold just a few days ago, but it had already been finalized on Friday morning. Fishers body has been released from the Los Angeles Coroners office in the afternoon so her family can decide a mortuary service for the late actress.

Previously, Fishers cause of death was declared to be cardiac arrest. Despite the finalization of the autopsy records, other details leading up to her death are being kept private.

Fisher passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 27. A day later, her mother, Debbie Reynolds, also passed away due to cardiac arrest. At the time, she was on a plane flying back to Los Angeles from London.

Fishers brother, Todd, recently hinted on the possibility of holding a joint funeral for his sister and mother. This is my preference. Obviously its not finalized, but I think that sounds like a grand idea given the beautiful story between them, he said.

Fisher and Reynolds have a very close relationship with each other. In her memoir, Wishful Drinking, the former revealed that she and the rest of her family loved spending time with the latter. When my mother was at home on weekends, we stayed with her as much as possible, which frequently meant we were involved in watching our mother, she wrote.

Fisher and Reynolds were set to star in HBOs documentary, Bright Lights: Starring Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher in the next couple of months. At present, there are talks to have the documentary released much earlier than scheduled or to make it part of the mother-daughter tandems funeral service.

Carrie Fisher

Photo: REUTERS/DANNY MOLOSHOK

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GLASGOW, Scotland (AP)  Celtic surged 19 points clear of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership after coming from behind to beat its Glasgow rival 2-1 in Saturday's Old Firm derby.

Scott Sinclair sealed Celtic's 15th successive victory on its march toward a sixth title in a row by tapping in Stuart Armstrong's cross in the 70th minute.

Celtic fell behind in the 12th when Kenny Miller scored for the hosts at Ibrox, but Moussa Dembele leveled by striking a bouncing ball into the top corner in the 33rd.

The two foes, which have a combined 101 top-flight league titles, were temporarily separated when Rangers was forced to start again in the bottom tier of the Scottish game in 2012 after a financial meltdown.

Rangers scrambled back up the four-division league pyramid to the top tier this season.
The U.S. National Park Service has been celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016.

Woodrow Wilson, Americas 28th president, established the National Park Service in 1916 to protect the wild and wonderful landscapes in the United States.

But it is an earlier leader who is considered the father of the Americas national parks. In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt, Americas 26th president, signed the American Antiquities Act. The law permitted him  and future presidents - to take immediate action to protect important cultural or natural resources.

The Antiquities Act led to the creation of many of the 413 sites within the National Park Service today.

No president has played a bigger role in protecting the countrys natural and cultural resources than Theodore Roosevelt. During his time in office, he established five new national parks and 18 national monuments. In all, he protected over 93 million hectares of public land.

He became known as the conservationist president.

Roosevelts concern for the land and environment came from the time he spent in the Dakota Territory, beginning in the 1880s.

The area where he traveled is now the state of North Dakota. Today, you will find a national park there named in his honor. The park protects badlands, wildlife, [and] scenic views, as well as two ranches where Roosevelt himself once lived.

Welcome to Theodore Roosevelt National Park!

Theodore Roosevelt came to Dakota Territory in September 1883. He was a young, married man from New York, where his political career was just beginning. He came to Dakota in hopes of hunting huge animals called bison. He also had a great interest in the Western frontier lifestyle.

Roosevelt soon developed an interest in raising cattle. Cattle ranching in Dakota was a big business in the 1880s. Cattle fed on the lands healthful grasses. He and a partner entered the business. Roosevelt invested $14,000 to build the Maltese Cross Ranch.

Roosevelt returned to New York while workers constructed the ranch. He resumed his political duties in Albany, the state capital. But, in early 1884, he experienced two great personal losses. His mother and wife died of illnesses on the same day, February 14. Roosevelt described the pain and loss in his diary with only one sentence: The light has gone out of my life.

Roosevelt again headed west in the summer of 1884. He sought to escape the reminders of his recent losses. He arrived at his newly built Maltese Cross Ranch. He also decided to build a second ranch in a quieter, more remote area. He called that ranch Elkhorn.

Roosevelt traveled between New York and Dakota, working both as a state lawmaker and a cattle rancher. In late 1884, he helped form an organization in Dakota to help protect ranchers rights.

In 1885, Roosevelt published his first book about his experiences as a rancher and hunter. In it, he predicted that the cattle industry of the Dakota Badlands was not sustainable. In other words, it would not last.

Roosevelt was right.

Severe weather struck the area in 1886 and 1887. In the winter, a terrible freeze killed many cattle. The animals that survived the cold soon starved. Roosevelt himself lost over half of his cattle. He decided to get out of the business.

The experience, however, shaped Roosevelts beliefs about the need for conservation in America. Those beliefs, in turn, helped shape his policies as president.

Visiting the park

Visitors to Theodore Roosevelt National Park today can experience the badlands just as Roosevelt did hundreds of years ago. They can also visit the Maltese Cross Cabin as well as the Elkhorn Ranch area.

The park has three main areas -- the South Unit, the North Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit.

In the South Unit, visitors can drive along the Scenic Loop road. It offers many places to see wildlife and the surrounding badlands. Badlands are very dry places with little vegetation. Wind and water shape badlands, mainly through erosion. The process leaves behind high, flat-topped hills of clay and other soft rock.

Many visitors stop to look at Painted Canyon. It gets its name from the colorful exposed rocks there.

Trails near the canyon offer visitors a chance to see animals, from the huge American bison to small black-tailed prairie dogs.

These animals are not really dogs. They are rodents. Roosevelt described prairie dogs as the most noisy and inquisitive animals imaginable.

The North Unit also offers several hiking trails. Some paths are short and easy. Others may take two days to complete.

The Achenbach trail is a 28-kilometer-long path. It crosses the Little Missouri River and takes visitors into the heart of the Theodore Roosevelt wilderness.

The third area of the park is the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. This is what Roosevelt described as his home ranch.

He wrote of the ranch in this way: My home ranch-house stands on the river brink. From the low, long veranda, shaded by leafy cotton-woods, one looks across sand bars and shallows to a strip of meadowland, behind which rises a line of sheer cliffs and grassy plateaus.

Today, the Elkhorn cabin itself no longer stands. Visitors will find only stone rocks where the cabin once was. The area that surrounds Elkhorn, however, is among the most beautiful, wild and quiet places in the badlands of North Dakota.

It is this peace and beauty that appealed to Roosevelt after the deaths of his mother and wife.

But the Dakota badlands did more than just help Roosevelt overcome his pain. They helped shape the kind of president he would later become.

In the words of Roosevelt himself, "I would not have been president had it not been for my experience in North Dakota."

Im Ashley Thompson.

And Im John Russell.

Ashley Thompson wrote this story with materials from the National Park Service. Caty Weaver was the editor.

Editor's Note: Each week in 2016, VOA Learning English has been exploring some of the many sites within the National Park Service. While this is the final week of our America's National Parks series, we will continue to write about this topic in the future! Let us know if you have any ideas or suggestions.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

badlands - n. a region in the U.S. where weather has worn away rocks into strange shapes and where there are very few plants

ranch - n. a large farm especially in the U.S. where animals (such as cattle, horses, and sheep) are raised

cabin - n. a small, simple house made of wood

frontier - n. a distant area where few people live

sustainable - adj. able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed

erosion - n. the gradual destruction of something by natural forces (such as water, wind, or ice)

conservation - n. the protection of animals, plants, and natural resources

inquisitive - adj. having a desire to know or learn more

veranda - n. a long, open structure on the outside of a building that has a roof

strip - n. a long, narrow piece of something

sheer - adj. almost straight up and down

plateaus - n. a large flat area of land that is higher than other areas of land that surround it
Baghdad (AFP) - Twin bomb blasts ripped through a busy market area in central Baghdad Saturday, police said, shattering a relative lull in attacks in the capital and marring preparations for New Year celebrations.

Two suicide bombers attacked the Al-Sinek area, killing at least 27 people and wounding 53, a police colonel said.

An officer in the interior ministry and a hospital official confirmed the toll from the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group via its propaganda agency Amaq.

"Many of the victims were people from the spare parts shops in the area, they were gathered near a cart selling breakfast when the explosions went off," said Ibrahim Mohammed Ali, who owns a nearby shop.

Torn clothes and mangled iron were strewn across the ground in pools of blood at the site of the wreckage near Rasheed street, one of the main thoroughfares in Baghdad, an AFP photographer said.

"Twin terrorist attacks were carried out by suicide bombers in Al-Sinek neighbourhood," an official from Baghdad operations command told AFP.

The area is packed with shops, workshops and wholesale markets and usually teeming with delivery trucks and labourers unloading vans or wheeling carts around.

Baghdad has been on high alert since the start on October 17 of an offensive, Iraq's largest military operation in years, to retake the northern jihadist stronghold of Mosul.

IS has tried to hit back with major diversionary attacks across the country but has had little success in Baghdad. Saturday's twin bombings were the deadliest in the capital since the start of the Mosul offensive.

- Mosul slog -

Huge crowds were expected to gather on Saturday evening in Baghdad's streets to celebrate the New Year for only the second time since the lifting in 2015 of a years-old curfew.

Last year revellers turned out for celebrations that lasted most of the night despite an already tense security backdrop.

"On the last day of 2016 and as Iraqi people are preparing to receive the new year with hopes of peace, the terrorists struck once again at innocent civilians," the UN's top envoy in Iraq, Jan Kubis, said in a statement.

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A year on, the IS jihadist group appears to be on its last legs and is defending its last bastions in Iraq but the going has been tough for the tens of thousands of Iraqi forces on the ground.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had vowed earlier in 2016 that his forces would rid the country of IS by the end of the year but the Mosul operation has been slower moving that expected.

This week he told a televised news conference that Iraqi forces would now require at least another three months.

The jihadists are vastly outnumbered in Mosul but they have had more than two years to build up their defences in the city where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a "caliphate" in June 2014.

The Pentagon said Friday Baghdadi and was still alive and leading the organisation and stressed that the coalition was actively hunting down the Iraqi-born jihadist supremo.

"We're doing everything we can. This is something we're spending a lot of time on," spokesman Peter Cook told CNN.

Air support by the US-led coalition has been hampered by the continued presence of hundreds of thousands of civilians inside Mosul.

Elite Iraqi forces have battled their way into the city mostly from the eastern side, going house-to-house in densely populated areas, but they barely control half of the city's eastern sector more than 10 weeks into the offensive.

One of the top Iraqi commanders in the Mosul area announced on Thursday that the offensive to reconquer the eastern bank of the Tigris in Mosul had entered a new phase.
Children were heard screaming at their father to stop in a 911 call made from the a South Carolina state legislators house, and the resident was charged with beating and aiming a gun at his wife afterward, according to local media.

Republican Rep. Chris Corley, of Graniteville, known for advocating to keep the Confederate Flag flying at the South Carolina Statehouse, was charged following two Monday night 911 calls reportedly involving the representative, the Augusta Chronicle reports. In the first call released by the Aiken County Sheriffs Office, children and a woman can be heard pleading with a man called Chris, and in the second in a woman, identified later as Corleys mother-in-law, said he had a gun and hit his wife.

Just stop, daddy. Just stop, a child could be heard saying in the first call, in which no one spoke directly to the operator. Daddy, why are you doing this?

According to the incident report, Corley allegedly hit his wife in the face and threatened to kill her in front of their children, before retrieving a gun, pointing it at her and then threatening to kill himself.

Corley was arrested and charged with pointing a firearm at a person and first-degree criminal domestic violence on Tuesday, according to the Aiken County Sheriffs Office, the Washington Post reports. He could face up to 15 years in prison if he is convicted, according to the AP.

[Washington Post]
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China, the world's largest market for ivory, announced this week that it will shut down its trade in such goods by the end of 2017. This will close down the world's largest commercial ivory market, and could help elephant populations stabilize and recover in Africa.

The decision to close down its domestic commercial elephant ivory trade is being hailed as a potentially transformative step toward protecting Africa's elephants, which are being slaughtered for their valuable tusks that are made of ivory.

SEE ALSO: The world's fastest land animal is even more threatened than we thought

This is a game changer for Africas elephants, said Aili Kang, the executive director for Asia at the Wildlife Conservation Society, in a statement. "I am very proud of my country for showing this leadership that will help ensure that elephants have a fighting chance to beat extinction."

The action comes as a global movement to shut down the ivory trade has come closer to succeeding, even as elephant populations teeter on the edge of critically low levels.

An elephant walks through the bush at the Southern African Wildlife College on the edge of Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Image: AP

Africa's elephant population numbered as much as 1.2 million 35 years ago but is down to as few as 350,000 now, according to the WCS and the recently concluded Great Elephant Census.

In July, the United States implemented a near-total domestic ban on the trade in African elephant ivory. In addition, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) voted to support the shutdown of all domestic ivory markets. However, that organization does not have authority over what national governments choose to do.

In 2015, Chinese president Xi Jinping and President Obama pledged to end the elephant ivory trade in their respective nations.

According to the statement from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the language used in the announcement from the General Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China is particularly significant.

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For example, the State Council said that "ivory carving groups will be encouraged to change their business; and ivory carving masters will be encouraged to work for museums to do work related to culture relic restoration."

China is vowing to step up enforcement actions to crack down on illegal processing sites and cutting off illegal trading.

The decision to move forward with a national ban on commercial elephant ivory sales is a major departure from China's previous position on this issue, which held that cultural and business traditions necessitated continued use of elephant ivory.

Poachers kill between 20,000-30,000 African elephants each year for the illegal ivory trade, which is primarily run by organized crime syndicates with money funneling to them from demand in Asia.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, Africa's elephants have declined by more than 20 percent in the past decade.

While China's announcement is positive news for elephant conservation, there is concern that more demand will shift to other Asian nations, such as Japan.
By Ben Blanchard and Benjamin Kang Lim

BEIJING, Dec 31 (Reuters) - China's military has become alarmed by what it sees as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's support of Taiwan and is considering strong measures to prevent the island from moving toward independence, sources with ties to senior military officers said.

Three sources said one possibility being considered was conducting war games near the self-ruled island that China considers as a breakaway province. Another was a series of economic measures to cripple Taiwan.

It was not clear whether any decisions had been taken, but the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Taiwan issue had become a hot topic within the upper echelons of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) in recent weeks.

Trump, due to take office on Jan 20, angered Beijing this month by speaking to Taiwan's president by telephone, breaking decades of precedent and casting doubt on his incoming administration's commitment to Beijing's "one China" policy. Beijing fears this could embolden supporters of independence in Taiwan.

"If Trump challenges 'one China' after becoming president, this would cross our red line," said another source, who has ties to China's leadership.

China's defence ministry declined to comment. An official at the ministry's news department said China's position was clearly laid out in the 2005 Anti-Secession Law, which authorises the use of force against Taiwan in the event China judges it to have seceded.

Asked about any possible aggressive moves from China, Taiwan defence ministry spokesman Chen Chung-shi said: "We are fully prepared, and plan for the worst while preparing for the best."

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its sacred and inviolable territory and is deeply suspicious of President Tsai Ing-wen, whose ruling Democratic Progressive Party espouses the island's independence. Tsai, who took power this year, says she wants to maintain peace with China, but China is unconvinced.

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Tsai said on Saturday that Taiwan will be "calm" when facing issues to do with China, but uncertainties next year will test the self-ruled island and its national security team.

Beijing has also been angered by a trip planned by Tsai in January to Latin America in which she will transit through Houston and San Francisco. China has urged the United States to block the stopovers.

Chinese officials have blamed Taiwan for creating trouble rather than Trump, and many of them believe he will be more accommodating to China once in office.

"We're ready. If Taiwan wants to make trouble so can we. Let's hit them hard," said an official in Beijing who meets regularly with China's most senior military officers, including those who work directly with President Xi Jinping.

"We can hold exercises close to Taiwan, and show them the damage we could cause. Taiwan will have to give in then," the official added, citing a recent conversation with one of the military officers.

ONE CHINA POLICY

The United States is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, but it's unclear if the United States would send troops in the event of war between China and Taiwan.

Washington also acknowledges Beijing's position that there is only one China and Taiwan is its territory.

A retired senior officer who maintains contacts with the PLA told Reuters that China probably wouldn't need to fire any missiles to bring Taiwan to its knees. China is Taiwan's largest trading partner, and Taiwan runs a huge trade surplus with China, worth $27 billion in 2015.

"We can just cut them off economically. No more direct flights, no more trade. Nothing. Taiwan would not last long," the officer said. "There would be no need for war."

In addition, any Western economic blockade of China put in place in the event of war with Taiwan would also be damaging to China, already dealing with a slowing economy.

A U.S. defence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Chinese actions had been more provocative in the past month, since Trump won the U.S. election and made comments about Taiwan.

This month, a Chinese naval flotilla headed by its sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, took part in drills that took it around Taiwan.

Chinese air force jets have performed similar drills in recent weeks, flying close to the island, though China has officially called the air force and naval exercises routine.

China also scored a diplomatic victory when tiny Sao Tome and Principe switched recognition to Beijing from Taiwan.

(Additional reporting by J.R. Wu in Taipei and David Brunnstrom and Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
The Great Elephant Census documents a rapid decline in the species. (Great Elephant Census via YouTube)

Chinas pledge to shut down commercial trade in ivory within a year comes as welcome news to conservationists who have been fighting for years to save endangered elephants  including Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

The Chinese governments announcement on Friday laid out a plan to close domestic trade in elephant ivory by the end of 2017, following up on a commitment made by President Xi Jinping in 2015. The ban will be phased in starting in March, and will apply to physical sales as well as online transactions.

China already has been taking steps to counter the illegal trade, including widely publicized ceremonies during which authorities have crushed down tons of elephant tusks and carved ivory. The country is nevertheless considered the home of the worlds largest ivory market.

Researchers estimate that more than half of Africas smuggled ivory ends up in China to be carved into ornaments.

Embed from Getty Images

Poaching for the illegal ivory trade is considered a major factor behind an alarming decline in African elephant populations  as documented by the Great Elephant Census, which received more than $7 mlllion in funding from Allen.

The unprecedented census estimated that those populations were shrinking by 8 percent per year. Based on that census as well as other studies, conservationists say there are as few as 450,000 African elephants left. Tens of thousands of the animals are killed every year for their tusks.

In a statement released today, Allen applauded Chinas latest move and said he hoped data from the Great Elephant Census contributed to the decision.

In the end, we can only judge our success by one measure: Can we save elephants and ultimately contribute to their recovery? Allen said. My hope is that enough countries will unite to save the elephants, as China has done, before its too late.

In addition to funding the census, Allens Vulcan Productions created a Netflix documentary about the ivory trade, titled The Ivory Game. Another Vulcan film, Naledi: A Baby Elephants Tale, tells the story of a baby elephant born into a rescue camp in Botswana.

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Conservation activist Hongxiang Huang, whose efforts to end the ivory trade were featured in The Ivory Game, said this weeks announcement was like the best Christmas gift.

I always tried to share with people that to save the elephants, China needs to be part of the solution, and we should engage Chinese in the fight, he said in a statement. Now I have finally witnessed the turning point: From now on, China will not be the problem, in fact, it could be the solution to this global problem.

If China follows through fully on its pledge, the focus of the global campaign against the ivory trade is likely to turn to Japan. Ivory is widely used there for traditional name seals known as hankos.

More from GeekWire:
BEIJING (AP)  State broadcaster Central China Television has rebranded its international networks and digital presence under the name China Global Television Network as part of a push to consolidate its worldwide reach.

CCTV on Friday unveiled several new mobile apps under the CGTN brand, and visitors to CCTV's non-Chinese language websites are directed to a new http://www.cgtn.com site. The broadcaster says it made the move to "integrate resources and to adapt to the trend of media convergence," with foreign language channels, video content and digital media falling under the new group.

The broadcaster published a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping on Saturday urging the newly launched CGTN to "tell China's story well, spread China's voice well, let the world know a three-dimensional, colorful China, and showcase China's role as a builder of world peace."

The government has long grumbled about the Western news media's hold on international discourse and has spent vast sums in recent years to enhance its own influence and shape global opinion, with CCTV as one of its spearheads. The broadcaster has channels in English, Arabic, French, Spanish and Russian, and production centers in Washington and Nairobi.

The international-facing makeover will be extensive. CCTV's international newscasts will now carry CGTN logos, while CGTN has unveiled two new smartphone apps: one that contains mostly news articles and one for live broadcasts. CCTV's social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Tumblr  all of which are aimed at international audiences, because the platforms are all blocked inside China  have all been rebranded as CGTN.

In the past year, Xi has tightened the ruling Communist Party's control over state media outlets while re-articulating their core mission to serve as the government's mouthpiece. Xi memorably sat in the evening news anchor's chair himself during a high-profile tour of CCTV's Beijing headquarters in February when he urged journalists to ramp up their coverage of positive news and pledge complete loyalty to the party.

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Major state media including CCTV and the official Xinhua News Agency have expanded aggressively in recent years with dual missions of becoming globally credible media heavyweights while sustaining their roles as vital propaganda organs of the Communist Party.

According to a 2009 South China Morning Post report, China's government planned to earmark 45 billion yuan ($6.5 billion) to help spread its message abroad. The spending was never officially confirmed, but in recent years CCTV and Xinhua have invested heavily in newsgathering and broadcasting and raising their international visibility.

In 2011, Xinhua leased a giant display in New York's Times Square that has, among other things, broadcast videos arguing China's position on the South China Sea territorial dispute.

The outlets have also deployed vast numbers of journalists to produce extensive daily reports from around the world, including from countries in the Middle East, Latin America and Africa where Western media presences are shrinking amid vanishing budgets.

Their swift inroads have at times raised concerns among some domestic media in Australia and politicians in the U.S. In early December, President Barack Obama signed into law a "counter-propaganda" bill that its sponsor, Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, said was aimed at propaganda from "Russia, China and other nations."
2016 was a hard year for Flip or Flop star Christina El Moussa, but shes trying to stay positive and is looking forward to what the new year has in store for her. Over the weekend, Christina shared an Instagram post reflecting on how crazy this year has been for her.

2016 has been a crazy year of highs and lows. A lot of things have changed but one thing will always remain constant in my life and that is the love I have for our children their genuine happy spirit is always the light at the end of the tunnel, she posted Saturday. May 2017 be a start to a fabulous year ahead and bring happiness, peace, joy and new adventures to you all.

Earlier this month, Christina and her husband Tarek El Moussa announced they were separating after seven years of marriage. It was reported that the breakup happened after a bizarre May 23 incident in which Tarek left their home with a gun in his backpack.

Reports said Tarek, 35, hopped over the fence in their backyard and walked to Chino Hills State Park in California. Christina was so upset over the incident that she was crying and shaking. According to People magazine, police and a helicopter were used to locate Tarek, who said he walked to the park to cool down. As for the gun he brought with him, the HGTV star said it was to scare off any wild animals that may have been lurking in the woods.

In a joint statement to People magazine, Christina and Tarek said they decided to give their marriage a break so they could reevaluate things. We believed this was in the best interests of the children and the best way to determine a path forward, they said. The most difficult part of the decision to separate was the kids. We want the best for them, and were doing everything we can to ensure that.

On Friday, Tarek shared an Instagram post gushing over his two kids, Taylor and Brayden, and his niece Malia. Okay #world How #freaking #cute are our kids!!!! Ive learned that every #second with them must be #appreciated!! They #complete #me and make me want to be the best #Dad possible and savor every moment I get with them.. #myloves. And I absolutely love my adorable niece Malia, he posted.

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Tarek and Christinas show Flip or Flop airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. EST on HGTV.

Christina and Tarek El Moussa split

Photo: Getty Images

Related Articles
College students in India are standing up to their schools sexist rules

Gender-based discrimination is an issue that has long transcended counties and oceans, but theres one issue that female students protest around the world: sexism in schools.

One of the obvious infractions in the U.S. has revolved around institutions sexist dress codes. You might remember them from elementary, middle or high school school days. School districts touted dress codes as ways to foster a conducive learning environment. But as female students know, the gender bearing the brunt of the dress code responsibility, and disciplinary action, are women.

The archaic cover-up-so-boys-arent-tempted mentality is so obvious that calling out BS dress codes that unfairly target girls clothing has become somewhat of a trend among school-age women across the United States. Teens are holding signs that read I go to a school where the length of my shorts is more important than my education. Theyre launching petitions, starting hashtag campaigns like August 2015s #IAmNotADistraction and #IfAnythingSchoolTaughtMe and posting their unapproved outfits on social media.

Oh, I'm sorry that I like my ripped jeans. How is my knee distracting to you? Or my shoulders? #IAmMoreThanADistraction  b // 186 days (@hiastronomy) August 21, 2015

Thanks to a movement on the rise in India, the world is seeing more clearly that gender discrimination in a supposed placed of learning is not something to take lightly  and women have had enough.

In Delhi, India, female students speaking out against their colleges sexist rules has become a full-on movement. They dubbed it Pinjra Tod, or the Break the Cage movement.

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The group of women and male allies formed in August 2015 when female students posted in a Facebook group about the unfair curfews on campus. A month letter, the vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, a college in New Delhi, received an anonymous letter in regards to the gender-based rules on campus.

Since then, students have taken to the streets in protest and created social media pages to spread their initiative. According to their Facebook page, the group is an autonomous collective effort to ensure secure, affordable and not gender-discriminatory accommodation for women students across Delhi.

Among the discriminatory practices are sexist dress codes and gender-based curfews.

Masrook Dar sent us this amazing piece of news yesterday from Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad:... Posted by Pinjra Tod: Break the Hostel Locks on Tuesday, October 13, 2015

On the Vellore Institute of Technology campus, first-year women allegedly cant leave campus for at least the first three months of school. The Facebook page reads:

There is biometric attendance system for exiting and entering, while no such provision exist in the Mens hostels. As for punishments, all leaves may be cancelled if she exceeds the two hour time period of outing on weekdays. They can visit local guardians only once a month.

Unlike male students, one school also prohibits women from using the library after hours. So even if they want to study, they cant. Which then puts them behind in the workforce. You know the drill. Women are not happy about it. In response to the discrimination, female students broke the locks of a hostel with a 6:30 p.m. curfew for women.

Today in an unprecedented move both male and female students joined hands against the draconian rules and regulations imposed by the totalitarian MANUU Admin, the hostel-centric Facebook group for the movement posted in October.

This November, women from Sree Keralavarma, Thrissur, Keralatook colleges orchestrated a sit-in at a hostel to protest their 4 p.m. curfew.

The goal is quite simple: equality.

Pinjra Tod spokesperson Devangana Kalita told Reuters that they need schools to see them as autonomous adults.

We want universities to recognize that we are adults, and that they should not be curbing our freedom and mobility. Providing a safe environment for women goes beyond just imposing rules.

But protest isnt the only way members of Pinjra Tod are fighting back.

Last year they created a petition addressed to Swati Maliwal, the Chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women. They asked that their organization support their movement and listed their specific goals. We wish to bring to your attention that such sexist practices and regulations are not limited only to Jamia Milia Islamia University, but are an integral feature of colleges and universities all across Delhi and the country in general, the petition read.

The Delhi Commission for Women did not immediately respond to HelloGiggles request for comment.

Despite the support and unity among college women and men since the movements inception over year ago, however  the Facebook group has more than 18,000 fans  few action has been taken by the schools or hostels.

According to Live Mint, a member of the University Grants Commission (UGC) tried to create a committee to reverse the prevention and prohibition of sexual assault complaints from female staff and students on campuses. Apparently, there was a low voter turn out.

Still, women in Delhi refuse to stay silent and have expanded their equality goals beyond college campuses. On December 16, members had a walk the streets protest in response to a recent gang rape of a 23-year-old woman.

We assert that the justice we fight for and the freedom we desire is that of equality and nothing less. Freedom not only from something but freedom to be somethingequal, the event page reads. And this equality does not mean asserting a unified single experience of women, but asserting our freedom to be different and at the same time to reject any hierarchy on the basis of differences.

Tell em, ladies.

The post College students in India are standing up to their schools sexist rules appeared first on HelloGiggles.
By Benoit Nyemba and Aaron Ross KINSHASA (Reuters) - Congo's opposition leaders signed a deal with the party of President Joseph Kabila on Saturday that will require him to step down after elections that must take place before the end of 2017. Mediators from the Congo's Catholic church had been heaping pressure on both sides for weeks to sign an agreement aimed at averting a slide into anarchy and possibly another civil war over Kabila's decision not to step down despite his mandate expiring more than a week ago. If they stick to it, the agreement will deliver Democratic Republic of Congo's first peaceful transfer of power since independence from Belgium in 1960. "Today, we are happy to head up a political compromise," said Marcel Utembi, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, before representatives of Kabila's party, including Mines Minister Martin Kabwelulu and Interior Minister Emmanuel Shadary, and its main opposition alliance, signed the deal. Huge hurdles remain, however. The electoral commission has said elections may not be possible before 2018, and many doubt Kabila really intends to stand down. Several of his supporters have floated the idea of changing the constitution to enable him to run for another term, as other African leaders have done. Any failure to implement the deal would worsen instability that has seen scores of people killed over the past four months, many of them protesters shot dead by security forces. Police and military killed around 40 people last week protesting when Kabila's mandate ran out on Dec. 20. "Now that all pretexts for various plots against the republic have been removed, I call everyone to ... to create conditions of true peace and stability throughout the country," Kabila said in a year-end address to the nation, which however did not directly address his own view on the talks. Diplomats fear growing unrest could trigger a repeat of the wars between 1996 and 2003 that killed millions, unleashed dozens of predatory armed groups and drew in more than half a dozen neighboring armies. (Writing by Tim Cocks; editing by Diane Craft)
The United States and Israel have exchanged criticism over the issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

On December 23, the Obama administration allowed the United Nations to pass a resolution that declared Israels growing settlements in the occupied territories illegal. Until that vote, the Obama administration had blocked resolutions criticizing Israel by using its veto power in the UN Security Council.

Days later, on December 28, Obamas secretary of state, John Kerry, gave a speech in support of what is known as a two-state solution for the area.

Kerry started the speech by saying the U.S. remains committed to Israels security. He criticized Palestinian leaders for not doing more to stop terrorist attacks on Israel.

But he said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had supported a policy on the settlements driven by the most extreme elements in his country.

By settlements, Kerry meant Israeli efforts to build new housing in the West Bank. Israeli leaders say religious history and security concerns justify the housing.

Palestinian leaders and many world leaders consider Israels West Bank developments as a barrier to a peace deal. Such a deal would give the Palestinians their own state in exchange for lasting peace with Israel.

In his speech, Kerry said, Lets be clear: Settlement expansion has nothing to do with Israel's security. Many settlements actually increase the security burden on the Israeli Defense Forces.

He said the Israeli settler movement ignores the legitimate hopes of the Palestinian people for their own state.

Republican Donald Trump replaces Democrat Barack Obama as U.S. president on January 20. In a post on the social media site Twitter, he suggested the Obama administrations Israeli policy will not continue.

We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect. They used to have a great friend in the U.S., but not anymore. He added: January 20th is fast approaching.

Trump recently named lawyer David Friedman as his U.S. ambassador to Israel. Friedman has been a strong supporter of Israels settlement movement.

Obama and Netanyahu have not had a friendly relationship for much of Obamas eight-year presidency. Netanyahu took the unusual step of delivering a speech critical of the U.S. president to the U.S. Congress in 2015.

The speech criticized the nuclear deal the Obama administration and leaders of other nations were about to sign with Iran.

Netanyahu Delivers Speech Responding to Kerry

Netanyahu gave his own speech one day after Kerrys. He was critical of Kerry and the Obama administration.

What he (Kerry) did was to spend most of his speech blaming Israel for the lack of peace by passionately condemning a policy of enabling Jews to live in their historic homeland and in their eternal capital, Jerusalem, Netanyahu said.

He accused Kerry of not doing enough in his speech to discuss the campaign of terrorism by Palestinians against Israel over a long period of time.

Kerry, in his speech, said the Obama administration has been Israels greatest friend and supporter. He said he and the president have continually spoken out against terrorism against Israel.

But he said the U.S. had no choice but to criticize the growing Israeli settlements that, he said, threaten a two-state peace agreement. He said the number of Israeli settlers on the West Bank increased by 100,000 since Obama became president.

Now, one thing we do know: if Israel goes down the one-state path, it will never have true peace with the rest of the Arab world, and I can say that with certainty, Kerry said.

In defending his criticism of a U.S. ally, Kerry said: Friends need to tell each other the hard truths.

Im Bruce Alpert.

VOA News reported on this story. Bruce Alpert adapted the story for Learning English and did additional reporting. Mario Ritter was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

commit - v. to say someone will definitely do something

justify - v. to provide a good reason for doing something

burden - n. someone or something that is very difficult to accept, do, or deal with

legitimate - adj. allowed or understandable

passionately - adv. having, showing, or expressing strong emotions or beliefs

enable - v. to make someone able to do or to be something

eternal - adj. lasting forever
Conor Kennedy, the former boyfriend of Taylor Swift and grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct early Thursday morning after he was in a fight with another man outside a Colorado nightclub.

But according to his cousin Matthew Max Kennedy, Jr.  who police say was on the scene at the time  the incident was actually a two-on-one battle with Conor defending himself from two aggressors who had earlier used homophobic slurs to offend their gay mutual friend.

In an interview with PEOPLE, Max, 23, describes the events outside the Bootsy Bellows nightclub in Aspen, Colorado, as a lot of chaos.

There was a lot going on , he claims  noting that he had first seen police pull the two men off of someone they were choking before the duo engaged in fisticuffs with Conor.

The unidentified men, who Max claims were between 23 and 24 years old, were strangers to both Conor and Max. But Max claims that he heard them use the word f towards his gay friend.

The treatment was continuous and vaguely threatening, he says. I cant speak out to how felt at all  thats completely up to him. But they were definitely seeking to intimidate him.

Max  who is the son of Max Kennedy Sr., the brother of Conors dad, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  claims he witnessed Conor approach the two men to address their homophobic slur and ask them to apologize before the fight began. Max says he was the only person in the immediate vicinity of the conversation, probably two feet away when the fight broke out.

It began as a two-on-one fight, Im positive, he claims.  definitely got punched.

The fight wasnt very long at all  between 10 and 15 seconds, by Maxs estimate.

Aspen police said in a news release that they were originally called to the scene of Bootsy Bellows for a report of a person who was refusing to leave the premises. While responding to that incident at about 1:40 a.m, they witnessed the fight occurring between Conor and another man.

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Officers said they witnessed Conor throw approximately four or five punches to the head of the other party before separating the two men. Conor, who was continuing to struggle, was restrained by an officer with the help of a bystander. No injuries were reported for either party.

Asked why police said there was only one other person fighting with Conor at the time of his arrest, Max claims that one of the other men fighting Conor was knocked down and might not have been actively fighting by the time the officers were involved.

 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

Conor was booked on a municipal disorderly conduct charge and was later released from jail after being issued a court summons. He has a court appearance set for Feb. 22. He has not entered a plea. His charges carry a possible penalty of up to a year in jail and up to $2,650 fine, according to police.

Conors attorneys told PEOPLE in a statement that multiple witnesses to the incident have reported that two men assaulted Mr. Kennedy after he rebuked them for directing a homophobic slur and bullying his close friend.

They added Conor was cooperative, compliant and respectful toward police and that Mr. Kennedy looks forward to a full airing of the incident.

Robert Kennedy, Jr.  Conors father  also told PEOPLE, Like any father, I dont want to see my son fighting or involved with the police. But on the other hand, Im proud that he stands up to bullies.

The Aspen police tell PEOPLE that Robert and Maxs story about him defending a friend who was called a homophobic slur was consistent with what Conor had told them after the incident, but that the friend in question has not come forward to the police to report being harassed.

The police also say that it was possible that the altercation started as a two-on-one fight but that officers only witnessed Conor fighting with one unidentified man. They have not yet interviewed that unidentified man, but they plan to.




Havana (AFP) - Cuba welcomed a record four million tourists in 2016, up 13 percent over last year, with much of the increase thanks to a crush of visitors from the US and Europe, officials said on Saturday.

Havana's Ministry of Tourism said in a statement published in the Granma official newspaper that the island set a record for international visitors this year, exceeding projections by some six percent.

Tourism is the number two source of revenue on the cash-strapped island, second only to the export of doctors and other medical services.

Officials in Havana say the surge in US visitors is a result of the restored relations with the United States -- a thaw first announced by US President Barack Obama and Cuba's President Raul Castro almost exactly two years ago.

Although a decades-old US economic embargo remains in place, Obama has chipped away at many trade and travel restrictions, easing access to the communist island for many Americans.

The first US cruise ship to come to Cuba in more than 50 years docked in Havana in May. Regular flights between the two countries have resumed.

US companies like Airbnb and Netflix now operate in Cuba, and hotel group Starwood opened a Sheraton in Havana in June.

Nearly 137,000 Americans came to Cuba in the first half of 2016, an 80 percent surge from the same period in 2015.
Nicosia (AFP) - Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades on Saturday urged Turkey to live up to its responsibilities and help to reunify the divided island when crucial peace talks resume next month in Switzerland.

Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci are to hold talks in Geneva from January 9 after negotiations broke down last month.

If all goes well they will be joined on January 12 by the guarantor powers of Cyprus -- Britain, Greece and Turkey.

The talks "will be the first time that Turkey will be brought face to face with its own responsibilities," Anastasiades said in a televised New Year's message.

Turkey "will have to demonstrate whether its public rhetoric about wanting a solution to the Cyprus problem will be transformed into a specific proposal," he said.

Any such proposal must "respect international legality and be consistent with the status of the Republic of Cyprus as an EU member state."

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded the island in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece.

The breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognised by Turkey.

It is hoped the outline of a peace deal can be reached in Geneva after 19 months of UN brokered talks between the rival Cypriot leaders.

But Anastasiades said the task ahead was a difficult one.

"There remain significant differences on substantive issues fundamental to a Cyprus solution," he said.

It has long been agreed that some of the territory currently controlled by the Turkish Cypriots will be ceded to Greek Cypriot control in any deal.

But just how much and which land they should give up has bedevilled four decades of peace talks.

Turkish Cypriots made up just 18 percent of the island's population in 1974, but they control more than a third of its territory.

The two sides remain far apart on several issues, including how many Greek Cypriots could return to homes they fled in 1974 and future security arrangements.

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Anastasiades wants all Turkish troops to withdraw but Akinci is determined to keep some on the island.

Greece, like Britain, has said it is willing to give up its right of intervention as a guarantor power.

Turkey has said it is ready to discuss security issues in five-way talks but is not ready to accept preconditions.
Quick  theres only a few more hours in the 2016 to tell friends how on fleek they look.

Since 1977, people from around the world have nominated hundreds of words and phrases to be included in Lake Superior State Universitys annual List of Words Banished from the Queens English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness  and the 2017 list has just dropped.

In the past, the list of purged lexicon  released each year as the world celebrates the new year  have included popular phrases like break the internet, giving me life, too big to fail and think outside the box. Buzzwords on the list? Bae, stakeholder, YOLO, and secret sauce.

This years 42nd annual list gets a little more political with in the inclusion of post-truth and bigly.

Ironically, Oxford Dictionaries named post-truth its Word of the Year for 2016  stemmed largely from its usage surrounding Britains Brexit referendum and 2016 presidential election. Its meaning, according to Oxford? Relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.

Bigly came from a President-elect Donald Trumps usage for the phrase during the debates. The word became a highly-debated and mocked term throughout the election cycle  helping land itself on another year-end list: Merriam-Websters Top 10 Words of 2016.

Also political in nature? The term town hall meeting, as candidates seldom debate in actual town halls anymore.

Of course, not everything on Lake Superior State Universitys list has to do with politics. Theres 831  a texting encryption of I love you meant to symbolize its 8 letters, 3 words, and 1 meaning. And get your dandruff up  a phrase used when someone might be feeling anger or angry.

Two favorites? Dadbod  a term used to turn dads flabby, non-chiseled bodies into the new male ideal, and ghost  meaning to abruptly end communication with someone over social media.

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And then theres on fleek  which got the chop along with focus, historic, manicured, you, sir, bete noire, guesstimate, echo chamber, listicle, selfie drone, disruption and Frankenfruit.

The List of Words Banished from the Queens English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness was started by public relations director W.T. (Bill) Rabe  as an attempt to get the new institution in Northern Michigan to get noticed.

According to its website, the international reaction from news media and the public was so big that first year, Rabe knew it would go on forever.

Way to be on fleek, Rabe.




On December 31, 1999, the United States officially handed the Panama Canal over to Panamas government, ending a long saga that had started a century and a half earlier.

canalnewyorkherlad

American dominance over the Canal started to wane in 1978, when the United States and Panama approved the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. The Panama treaty talks were initiated in the Nixon administration and supported by President Gerald Ford. Jimmy Carter changed his public stance against the treaties after becoming President, leading efforts to gain Senate approval in 1978.

The treaties specified that the Canal would be turned over to Panama on December 31, 1999, but the United States had the right to defend the Canals neutrality, if needed.

Plans for a trans-Isthmus canal had their roots in the 1850s, when the U.S. and Great Britain negotiated the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty for a canal through Nicaragua. French attempts to build a canal failed in the 1880s, with an estimated 20,000 lives lost in the effort.

The United States effort started in 1901 when Theodore Roosevelt assumed office and made the canal a top priority for his administration.

The Panama Canal would not have been started if I had not taken hold of it, because if I had followed the traditional or conservative method I should have submitted an admirable state paper occupying a couple of hundred pages detailing all of the facts to Congress and asking Congress consideration of it, Roosevelt told an audience in 1911.

In that case there would have been a number of excellent speeches made on the subject in Congress; the debate would be proceeding at this moment with great spirit and the beginning of work on the canal would be 50 years in the future. Fortunately the crisis came at a period when I could act unhampered. Accordingly, I took the Isthmus, started the canal and then left Congress not to debate the canal, but to debate me.

In his first State of the Union address in 1902, President Roosevelt made it clear that the canal was a top priority for his administration.

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No single great material work which remains to be undertaken on this continent is of such consequence to the American people as the building of a canal across the Isthmus connecting North and South America, he told Congress. It is emphatically a work which it is for the interest of the entire country to begin and complete as soon as possible; it is one of those great works which only a great nation can undertake with prospects of success, and which when done are not only permanent assets in the nations material interests, but standing monuments to its constructive ability.

In 1903, the United States supported a bloodless revolution in the Colombian province of Panama after the Colombian government rejected a U.S. treaty to acquire land in Panama to build the canal. The United States Senate offered $10 million for the land; the Colombian government wanted $25 million.

As the Colombian government sent troops to put down the rebellion, a U.S. warship, the Nashville, appeared with a contingent of Marines off the Panamanian coast, along with other U.S. naval vessels. The next day, Panama declared independence and Roosevelt quickly recognized Panama as a Republic and offered it protection.

Philippe Bunau-Varilla, a French citizen, acted as Panamas agent and negotiated a new canal treaty with Secretary of State John Hay, which was ratified by the Senate in February 1904. The United States government gave the $10 million offered to Colombia to the Panamanians as part of a new treaty. It also supplied a constitution to Panama that gave the American government the right to intervene in any part of Panama, to reestablish public peace and constitutional order.

The Presidents actions didnt go unopposed back home, with some calling it an act of sordid conquest. But the United States started its Panama Canal project that year. The 10-year project cost $375 million and 5,609 lives, and to many it became the new symbol of American imperial power.

On August 15, 1914, the Panama Canal officially opened for business, during the administration of President Woodrow Wilson.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Debbie Reynolds' son said Friday his mother and sister, actress Carrie Fisher, will have a joint funeral and will be buried together.

Todd Fisher said the actresses will be interred at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, the final resting place of numerous celebrities, including Lucille Ball, Dick Van Patten, Liberace, Florence Henderson, David Carradine and Bette Davis.

The son said no date for the funeral has been set, but it will be private. A public memorial is being contemplated, but no plans have been finalized.

Earlier Friday, the Los Angeles coroner's office released Carrie Fisher's body to her family. Chief of Operations Brian Elias says an examination of Fisher was done, but he stopped short of calling it an autopsy and would not provide any details on what tests were done.

Elias said there was no timetable for when an official determination on what killed Fisher would be made.

Todd Fisher said the family wasn't clear on what coroner's officials had done during the examination, but was glad his sister's body had been released to Forest Lawn. "My mother and my sister are together right now," he said.

Carrie Fisher, 60, an actress and writer who starred as Princess Leia in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, died Tuesday after suffering a medical emergency Dec. 23 aboard a flight from London. Reynolds, 84, an Oscar-nominated actress who shot to fame after starring in "Singin' in the Rain" at age 19, passed away Wednesday after being briefly hospitalized.

"She said, 'I want to be with Carrie,'" Todd Fisher, told The Associated Press. "And then she was gone."

In an ABC News interview that was to air Friday, Todd Fisher said that his mother joined his sister in death because Reynolds "didn't want to leave Carrie and did not want her to be alone."

"She didn't die of a broken heart," Fisher said in the "20/20" interview. "She just left to be with Carrie."

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Reynolds wasn't inconsolable over her daughter's death, he said, and instead simply expressed love for her.

___

AP Television Writer Lynn Elber contributed to this report,

___

Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP
Debbie Reynolds did not die from grief, she just wanted to be reunited with her daughter Carrie Fisher, according to the actresss son, Todd Fisher.

She didnt die of a broken heart, Fisher, 58, told ABC News 20/20 in an episode that aired Friday. She just left to be with Carrie.

Fisher, who said he was sitting with his mother when she died, described her final hours saying, It wasnt that she was sitting around inconsolable, not at all. She simply said that she didnt get to see Carrie come back from London, she expressed how much she loved my sister.

He continued, She then said she really wanted to be with Carrie. In those precise words, and within 15 minutes from that conversation she faded out and within 30 minutes, she technically was gone.

RELATED: Singin in the Rain Star Debbie Reynolds Dies One Day After Daughter Carrie Fisher

Fisher said he was sitting with his mother when she died, and that it seemed like she just closed her eyes and went to sleep.

His sister was aboard an 11-hour flight from London to Los Angeles on Friday when she went into cardiac arrest. She later died Tuesday in the hospital at the age of 60. His mother, screen icon Reynolds, died a day later. She was 84.

According to Fisher, his mother wouldnt have it any other way.

He explained, From the familys perspective, this is Debbies destiny. She didnt want to leave Carrie and did not want to her to be alone.

Fisher added, Were broken-hearted, those of us that are left behind. We also are happy that theyre together. Its horrible, its beautiful, its magical they are together, its beyond words, its beyond understanding.

As for their funeral arrangements, Fisher said he is planning a joint service with Billie Lourd, 24, his niece and Fishers daughter. According to Fisher, his mother and sister will be buried among friends, including Liberace and Bette Davis, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

Fisher wants his mother to be remembered as a great, strong person and an amazing champion of women. Like Molly Brown, which Fisher said was his mothers favorite role, Reynolds was the eternal optimist. He joked, Im not sure that even Molly Brown was Molly Brown compared to my mother.




UPDATE, 4:14 PM: As we were saying, in re reality-tv POTUS and TV news reporters struggling to adjust to a Donald Trump world, the President-Eledct subsequently tweeted this:

Russians are playing @CNN and @NBCNews for such fools  funny to watch, they don't have a clue! @FoxNews totally gets it!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2016

PREVIOUS, 1:53 PM: TV news anchors and reporters continue to struggle as they adjust to a reality-TV POTUS, this afternoon reacting with forced credulity to Donald Trump heaping praise on Russia President Vladimir Putin via Twitter, while continuing to dismiss U.S. intelligence reports that Russia was involved in the election-cycle hack of the Democratic National Committee.

This afternoon, about 24 hours after President Barack Obama slapped new sanctions on Russia, Trump tweeted:

Great move on delay (by V. Putin)  I always knew he was very smart!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2016

The Russian embassy in Washington quickly retweeted Trumps gush. It came not long after Putin said he would not pursue irresponsible diplomacy and instead work to rebuild relations with Washington after Trumps swearing in. But he reserved the right to respond to Thursdays new U.S. sanctions, including the expulsion of 35 diplomats from the U.S. The Obama administration said the measures were in response to intelligence that Russia tampered with the U.S. presidential election. The diplomats and their families were given 72 hours to leave the country, and two compounds used by Russia  in Maryland, and in New York  were ordered closed.

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Further steps towards the restoration of Russian-American relations will be built on the basis of the policies carried out by the administration of President Trump, the Kremlin said in todays statement.

Trump surrogates have been telling news outlets that Obamas sanctions are a distraction intended to undermine Trumps win, and to box in the President-elect.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that he has decided not to expel American diplomats from his country.

Russias foreign minister had suggested expelling United States diplomats and other measures to answer U.S. sanctions against Russia.

On Thursday, President Barack Obama ordered 35 Russians to be expelled from the United States and other measures.

The moves came after U.S. intelligence agencies said Russia hacked Democratic Party computers and released stolen emails. The agencies said this was done to interfere with the U.S. presidential election.

Putin said Russia has reasons to take action against the U.S. But he said he will wait to plan out further steps based on the policies of the incoming administration. Republican Donald Trump will replace Democrat Barack Obama as president on January 20.

The Russian officials were ordered to leave the country within 72 hours. In addition, Obama ordered the closing of two Russian properties inside the U.S. He also ordered sanctions against nine Russian individuals, companies and agencies, including the Russian intelligence service.

All Americans should be alarmed by Russias actions, Obama said in a statement. He said the theft of computer emails and other data, and their release through WikiLeaks, were done to interfere with the 2016 U.S. election.

A senior Obama administration official said the United States believes Russia will continue to interfere with elections in other countries and in future U.S. elections.

Trump also released a statement after Obamas announcement. He said, It's time for our country to move on to bigger and better things.

Trump added: Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and its great people, I will meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week in order to be updated on the facts of this situation."

When Trump becomes president, he could move to cancel the sanctions ordered by Obama. But he might find opposition from Republicans in Congress who have called for punishments against Putin and his government.

Putins decision not to take action against the new U.S. sanctions came as a surprise. Just hours before Putins announcement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested Russia would remove 31 American diplomats and take other action.

Putin said he decided against any actions -- for now.

The Russian diplomats returning home will spend the New Year holidays with their relatives and dear ones, Putin said in a statement. We will not create problems for U.S. diplomats. We will not expel anybody.

Putin said he is inviting all children of U.S. diplomats to holiday parties at the Kremlin.

Dmitry Trenin is director of the Carnegie Moscow Center. Trenin said Putins decision not to act against the U.S. sanctions appears to be an investment in the possibility of better relations with President-elect Donald Trump. Trenin made his comment on Twitter.

Im Jonathan Evans.

Daniel Schearf reported on this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted this story for Learning English and did additional reporting. Mario Ritter was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page.

__________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

sanctions n. diplomatic or economic measures taken against a country to punish it for actions considered wrong or illegal

hacking - n. to secretly get access to the files on a computer or network in order to get information, cause damage

further - adj. additional

alarm - v. to be worried

theft - n. the act or crime of stealing

nevertheless - adv. in spite of what has just been said
Anyone who has watched TLCs My 600-lb Life has probably noticed that every patient goes to the same surgeon: Dr. Younan Nowzardan, who is called Dr. Now for short. One of those reasons is because hes an executive producer on the show, but the other is because he was the first doctor in the Houston area to take on super-morbidly obese candidates who were previously considered inoperable.

Dr. Nowzardan graduated from University of Tehran, Iran in 1970. He has nearly 20 years of experience in Laparoscopic surgery and six years of experience in Laparoscopic Bariatric surgery.

The doctor describes his program in the following way on his website: Our comprehensive weight loss program is directed by Younan Nowzaradan, M.D., F.A.C.S., one of the most experienced and knowledgeable weight loss physicians. Dr. Nowzaradan is a general and vascular surgeon, that has been in practice in Houston, Texas for many years.

Like in past seasons, he will be featured on Season 5 of My 600-Lb Life. He gets stern with one of the participants family members. It doesnt look like he lost any weight, he says in the trailer from the new season. Youre killing him!

This season, one episode will show the weight-loss journey of twin sisters. The trailer shows that one of them suffers a medical emergency. Whats wrong with my sister? one of the twins yells as her sister is wheeled away on a hospital bed. I love you, Candy. When the twin is informed about her sister, she is told Candys heart stopped and she might have brain damage.

Viewers of My 600-Lb Life can expect to see the subjects struggle with daily routines, like showering, overeating and ultimately their journey to hopefully losing hundreds of pounds.

Will all 15 participants get healthy in the end? Find out when Season 5 of My 600-lb Life premieres Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 9 p.m. EST on TLC.

My 600 Pound Life

Photo: TLC

Follow me on Twitter @mariamzzarella

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Kinshasa (AFP) - Opposition parties reached an agreement Saturday with the government on a deal to end a political crisis over DR Congo President Joseph Kabila's fate that has caused months of deadly unrest, a church mediator and officials said.

The talks were launched by the Roman Catholic church to ward off violence as Kabila's second and final mandate ended on December 20 with no sign of him stepping down and no election in sight.

"We have reached agreement on all points," said Marcel Utembi, who chairs the Episcopal Conference (CENCO) overseeing the talks.

"There will be a plenary session at 8:00pm (1900 GMT) to formally adopt it and a solemn signing ceremony at 8:30pm."

Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba confirmed a deal had been reached, saying: "Everything is settled."

However a spokesman for Kabila's longtime rival, Etienne Tshisekedi, said negotiators would submit the deal to the 84-year-old opposition leader for approval before returning to sign the accord.

"We want to be absolutely sure" (of Tshisekedi's response), said his advisor Valentin Mubake.

A working document for the deal previously seen by AFP proposed a "political transition" with fresh presidential elections to be held at the end of 2017. A prime minister would come from opposition ranks.

That document also guaranteed Kabila would not seek a third mandate.

In return, the opposition would accept that Kabila remain in office until he hands over to an elected successor.

The opposition had previously demanded his immediate departure from public life.
By Frank McGurty

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of merrymakers converged on Times Square on Saturday evening, hours before the giant New Year's Eve ball makes its midnight descent, a century-old New York tradition unfolding this year under an unprecedented blanket of security.

As many as 2 million people, surrounded by a ring of 40-ton sand trucks and some 7,000 police, are expected to gather in the "Crossroads of the World" to watch the glittering sphere complete its midnight drop, marking the beginning of 2017.

By sunset, a veritable sea of humanity had already streamed into the V-shaped plaza, where police herded them into temporary corrals designed for crowd control, each holding about 3,000 revelers. Anyone who leaves, even for a bathroom break, will lose his or her spot, according to the official website.

Michelle Adkins was so excited to be there that she left her sleepy friend behind at the hotel and headed for the bright lights long before the witching hour.

"I've waited my whole life to see Times Square," said Adkins, 51, who works in a tire manufacturing plant in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. "I didn't come to New York to sleep! I ain't got no time for sleep!"

Even though city and federal officials say they are not aware of any credible threats, a protective perimeter of 65 hulking sanitation trucks filled with sand, as well as about 100 other smaller vehicles, will encircle Times Square throughout the evening.

Placed in strategic positions, the "blockers" are intended to prevent a repetition of the truck attacks in Berlin and Nice earlier this year, officials said.

Despite the heavy police presence, or perhaps because of it, throngs of people, many from overseas, arrived hours early to get a prime view of festivities, which will include live musical performances by Mariah Carey, Thomas Rhett and Gloria Estefan.

For New York in winter, temperatures were relatively comfortable at just above 40F (5C) under cloudy skies, though the city warned of intermittent wind gusts of up to 40 mph, raising the threat of flying debris.

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John O'Leary, 57, his wife, Claire, 51, and their two children were passing through Times Square on Saturday afternoon during a visit from their native England.

"It's just amazing," O'Leary said. "I just can't believe how they can manage all this, in terms of security."

At 11:59 p.m. (0459 GMT), the Waterford Crystal ball, five feet in diameter, will begin to slide down a pole that sits atop a building at the point where Broadway crosses Seventh Avenue. When it completes its descent at midnight, a giant "2017" sign will illuminate and a shower of fireworks will light up the sky.

Authorities used the same strategy at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade after Islamic State militants encouraged followers to target the event, which drew about 3.5 million people to the streets of the city.

Since Donald Trump's election in November, blocker trucks have taken up positions on occasion near Trump Tower, his Fifth Avenue headquarters and residence, which are a short distance from Times Square. The president-elect is spending the holidays in Florida.

In addition, New York has deployed heavily armed police teams, snipers, bomb-sniffing dogs and helicopters. Coast Guard and police vessels will patrol waterways surrounding Manhattan.

U.S. defense and security agencies said they believed the threat of militant attacks inside the United States was low during the New Year's holiday, though the possibility of an attack, no matter how remote, was "undeniable."

Likewise, New York Police Commissioner James O'Neill said at a briefing this week that there were "no direct concerns" related to this year's festivities in Times Square.

Even so, he said, "we are going to have one of the most policed, best protected events and one of the safest venues in the entire world given all the assets we deploy here."

Chicago, San Francisco and other big cities across the country have also put heavy security in place to protect crowds expected to gather at public fireworks displays and other "first night" events.

In Washington, where federal budget cuts have done away with traditional New Year's Eve fireworks on the National Mall, no major events were planned. District of Columbia police declined to comment on any special security plans, saying only that events across the world are monitored for their potential impact on the U.S. capital.

(Additional reporting by Chris Francescani in New York; Ian Simpson in Washington; Editing by David Gregorio and Steve Orlofsky)
By Mohamed Abdellah CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian appeals court on Saturday upheld an agreement to give control of two islands in the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia, providing a boost for the government in a case that has prompted rare street protests. The territorial deal, announced in April, caused public uproar among many Egyptians who said the uninhabited islands of Tiran and Sanafir belonged to their country. The case has become a source of tension with Saudi Arabia, which has provided billions of dollars of aid to Egypt but recently halted fuel shipments amid deteriorating relations. Last week, the Egyptian government approved the deal to hand over the islands and sent it to parliament for ratification, despite the legal dispute over the plan. On Saturday, the appeals court in Cairo upheld a verdict by a lower court that annulled a ruling by the administrative court, which had said the agreement to hand over the islands was void, judicial sources said. The administrative court had said the agreement violated Egypt's constitution, which prohibits giving away any part of Egyptian territory to another country. A more senior tribunal, the higher administrative court, is due to issue a verdict on Jan. 16. Tiran and Sanafir are in the narrow entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba leading to Jordan and Israel. Saudi and Egyptian officials say the islands belong to Saudi Arabia and were only under Egyptian control because Riyadh asked Cairo in 1950 to protect them. Many Egyptians reject the government argument, accusing it of selling part of their homeland. Lawyers who oppose the handover say Cairo's sovereignty over the islands dates to a 1906 treaty, before Saudi Arabia was founded. (Writing by Giles Elgood; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
CAIRO (AP)  Egypt's Forensics Authority says it has released the remains of ten crew members of the EgyptAir Paris flight that crashed in May, killing all 66 passengers on board.

Authority spokesman Hisham Abdel Hamid told the Associated Press Saturday that the remains of the passengers will be released by the end of next week, a delay the French authorities have repeatedly protested.

Egypt's prosecution had announced earlier this month that it would release the remains in coordination with foreign embassies, after investigations revealed traces of explosives. Flight 804 was carrying 30 Egyptian and 15 French passengers when it plummeted into the Mediterranean Sea, as well as others from Iraq, the U.K., Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Chad, Portugal, Belgium, Algeria and Canada.
Emmy Rossum is ringing in the new year like the princess she is

From what we know, Emmy Rossum had a pretty good year. She had a lot of success on Showtimes seventh season of Shameless, and recently we were all on our feet cheering when Rossum demanded equal pay for Shamelesss season 8. Its a victory Emmy totally deserved. The show wouldnt be the same without her, and she works just as hard as her costar William H. Macy.

But now that Decembers almost over, Emmys kicking back in style.

This holiday, Rossums ringing in the New Year in New Zealand. Shes been posting a few pics in the last few days showing us all how much fun she and her fiance are having in kiwi land. Theyre fly fishing, climbing mountains, visiting beaches, and just generally enjoying themselves as they kiss 2016 goodbye.

And, of course, celebrating New Years Eve in a tiara, because, well, shes basically a real-life princess. Duh.

Happy New Year from New Zealand aka the future!!!! A photo posted by Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) on Dec 31, 2016 at 3:30am PST

Happy New Year from New Zealand aka the future!!!! Emmy captioned the pic. Um, the pearls. The pink heart-shaped jewel. That tiara was made for you, Emmy. And youve got eyelashes for days. Were just waiting for you to share her secret skin routine with us as well  we want that glow, please and thank you!

TBH, were totally jealous of all of her vacation pics.

From seeing gorgeous sites to staying in amazing places and going on incredible adventures, it seems like shes having the best time.

Top of the world A photo posted by Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) on Dec 26, 2016 at 1:11am PST

NZ A photo posted by Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) on Dec 25, 2016 at 8:53pm PST

A photo posted by Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) on Dec 25, 2016 at 12:45pm PST

Up we go A photo posted by Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) on Dec 25, 2016 at 3:31pm PST

A photo posted by Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) on Dec 25, 2016 at 9:07pm PST

Rossum also caught this enormous fish!

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It looks like Rossum is having the best time in NZ, and we hope shes getting all the relaxation she deserves on her vacation so shes ready to take 2017 by the horns. We have a feeling shes going to do (even more) great things this coming year.

The post Emmy Rossum is ringing in the new year like the princess she is appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Tim Cook

2016 was a bit of an off year for Apple.

iPhone sales were down for the first time in the product's history.

The iPhone 7 turned out to be a great phone, but Apple upset a lot of people by removing the headphone jack.

The AirPods were delayed two months, meaning most people couldn't get them in time for the holidays. (You'll have to wait until February 2017 for them to arrive if you order them now.)

And Consumer Reports torched the new MacBook Pro for its inconsistent battery life.

So what does 2017 look like for Apple? Here's what I predict will dominate the conversation around Apple's products next year. It's not an all-inclusive list, but it's the stuff you'll likely care the most about.

New iPads

ipad pro keyboard cover 9.7 inch

It feels like an eternity since Apple had anything to say about the iPad. We got the new 9.7-inch iPad Pro this past spring, but every other iPad model is one to three years old at this point.

The lineup is well overdue for a refresh, and it sounds like that may be coming soon.

Rumors are all over the place, but it sounds like Apple is planning to release some new iPad models in the spring of 2017. Some reports say the new iPads will have slightly larger screens (10 inches, up from 9.7 inches), and that the non-Pro models will work with the Apple Pencil.

Unfortunately, the early reports about the new crop of iPads are so consistent that it's tough to lock down exactly what Apple will end up launching. But it is pretty clear Apple's 2017 will start with the iPad.

A greater emphasis on Siri

cookie monster

Two of Apple's biggest rivals doubled down on voice assistants this year, leaving Siri in the dust.

Google launched its excellent new Assistant on the Pixel phone and Google Home speaker. Assistant can tap into Google's vast library of internet knowledge to bring you the answers you want.

Amazon continued to define the voice assistant category by expanding Alexa to new Echo devices like the Dot and Amazon Tap. Plus, third parties started integrating Alexa into their gadgets. (Expect to see so much more of that in 2017, by the way.)

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Despite its five-year head start on the competition, Siri still feels woefully behind. Apple added limited third-party support for Siri, but there are few signs it's really taking off.

What could we see from Siri in 2017?

The good news for Apple is it's sitting on a lot of excellent AI and voice control technology, especially thanks to its purchase of a UK-based startup called VocalIQ. I wrote about VocalIQ way back in May. The technology would allow users to control all their Apple gadgets with just their voice, which will be useful in the home, car, and while using the AirPods.

Here's what I reported at the time:

Because VocalIQ understands context so well, it essentially eliminates the need to look at a screen for confirmation that its doing what you want it to do. Thats useful on the phone, but could be even better for other ambitious projects like the car or smart-speaker system Apple is reportedly building. (VocalIQ was being pitched as a voice-controlled AI platform for cars before Apple bought the company.)

In fact, VocalIQ only considers itself a success when the user is able to complete a task without looking at a screen. Siri, Google Now, and Cortana often ask you to confirm tasks by tapping on the screen.

2017 would be a great time for Apple to start incorporating VocalIQ's technology into Siri, considering how far ahead the competition is today.

Another dull year for the Mac

Macbook Pro

The only thing of note to happen with the Mac this year was the launch of the new MacBook Pro. And even that was met with a lot of anger. Many were upset that they had to purchase a lot of adapters to get their accessories to work with the new Thunderbolt 3 port. And then everyone learned the MacBook Pro's battery life was nowhere near as good as Apple claimed.

Bummer.

It doesn't look like much more is in store for the Mac in 2017. The iMac could get a spec bump and the battery life on the MacBook Pro could (and should!) get fixed, but don't expect much else.

Modest improvements to the Apple Watch

Apple Watch 2

Apple learned a major lesson with the Apple Watch, and has since scaled back expectations for the device and focused on health and fitness instead with the new Apple Watch Series 2. It's unlikely the Apple Watch will get a significant update in 2017, but I wouldn't be surprised if a new model showed up with 4G connectivity so you could use it without your iPhone.

A major iPhone refresh

Apple India Salesman iPhone

2017 will mark the iPhone's tenth anniversary, and it sounds like Apple is gearing up for a blowout.

The next iPhone is said to be a major refresh with an all-glass design, no bezels around the screen, and possibly a version with a curved display. Not to mention wireless charging, the death of the home button, and a new screen technology called OLED, which provides deeper, richer colors. By now there are so many reputable reports backing up these claims that it's silly not to believe them.

The iPhone is Apple's most important and profitable product. If it feels like the company has shifted focus from other categories to focus on the iPhone, it's easy to see why. It's the product you're going to care the most about and spend the most money on. Expect to start seeing the first design leaks early in 2017.

Rebound?

After a year full of various stumbles, Apple is exiting 2016 on shakier ground than it started. Besides the next iPhone, there doesn't seem to be too much coming in the pipeline to get super excited about. The big challenge for Apple in 2017 will be to unlock more potential from its products by continuing to improve where it's always been the weakest: AI, software, and other digital services.

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Port-au-Prince (AFP) - The cholera outbreak that hit Haiti after Hurricane Matthew slammed the island has been contained but persists due to lack of funding, according to the United Nations.

An epidemic of the waterborne disease -- which spread after a massive earthquake shook the nation in 2010 -- saw a resurgence after Matthew devastated the country in early October.

The number of recorded cholera cases more than doubled in Haiti between September and October. Almost half of the patients were in the two southern departments hardest hit by the hurricane -- areas that until now were not major focal points of the fight against cholera.

Suspected cases of the disease fell 25 percent -- from 2,400 to 1,800 -- between October to November, according to the latest report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Haiti.

The UN says the situation has improved thanks to a three-fold increase in the deployment of emergency teams, the delivery of drinking water aid and a vaccination campaign.

But funding is critical to support the humanitarian needs of the poorest country in the Americas, said Mourad Wahba, the deputy special representative for the UN's stabilization mission in Haiti.

No funds have been set aside yet beyond the first quarter of 2017, which OCHA said could lead to a heightened risk of hospital mortality if none are ultimately allocated.

"The rainy season will return and inevitably there will be an increase in the number of cholera cases," said Wahba.

"I'm optimistic, but it all depends on the funding."

Cholera struck nearly 40,000 patients between January and November, killing 420 of them. On a global scale, Haiti's cholera epidemic is the most vicious in recent history.

The disease causes acute diarrhea and is transmitted through contaminated drinking water -- a major challenge in a country with poor sanitary conditions.

According to numerous independent experts, cholera was introduced to Haiti by infected Nepalese UN peacekeepers sent to the Caribbean country following the earthquake.

Since October 2010, the epidemic has killed more than 9,400 Haitians and infected more than 800,000 people.
HELSINKI (AP)  A children's event on Saturday at the National Opera kicked off a year of festivities in Finland to celebrate 100 years of independence from Russia.

Celebrations will culminate Dec. 6, the day Finnish Parliament declared independence in 1917.

Saturday's events included a concert paired with New Year's Eve fireworks over Helsinki, the capital. Finland's Foreign Ministry lit up in the winter darkness by illuminating its facade in the Finnish flag's blue and white colors.

Throughout 2017 there will be hundreds of events in this Nordic nation of 5.5 million  from films, dance parties and environment-related events to concerts and activities linked to Finland's renowned sauna tradition.

The government has earmarked 19 million euros (USD20 million) for the celebrations, including a new national park  the nation's 40th  that will be opened in June, highlighting Finns' affinity to nature. Finland also claims it will become the first country in the world to have an official flag day for its environment on Aug. 26  also as part of the centennial festivities.

Nordic royals and political leaders are expected to gather in Helsinki to celebrate the centenary in June.

After 700 years of Swedish rule, the area known as Finland served as a battlefield for Russian-Swedish conflicts, and it fell into Russian hands in 1809. However, as an autonomous grand duchy of the Russian Empire, it was allowed to develop politically, eventually leading to independence in the turmoil surrounding the Russian Revolution in 1917.

Finland shares a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border with Russia. President Vladimir Putin on Friday congratulated Finland for the country's centenary in a phone conversation with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto. Also the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump extended his wishes to Finns earlier December.
London (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Allan Williams, the first manager of The Beatles who drove the band on their formative trip to Hamburg in 1960, has died at the age of 86, his old club announced.

The Jacaranda Club in Liverpool, northwest England, posted the news late Friday on its Facebook page, saying his death earlier that day was "one of the saddest days in our history".

"The Jacaranda's original owner and the man who discovered The Beatles, Allan Williams, has sadly passed away at the age of 86," it said.

The band were frequent visitors to the Jacaranda and John Lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe were tasked by Williams to paint a mural in the club, according to The Beatles Story exhibition.

They went on to play there several times and Williams organised their first residency in Hamburg in Germany.

"No Allan Williams, no Hamburg. No Hamburg, no Beatles," said Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn in a tribute message on Twitter.

Williams parted ways with the band in 1961 and they went on to sign with Brian Epstein.
CALGARY, Alberta -- Penalty troubles cost both the Calgary Flames and Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night in losses on home ice for the respective teams.

While the Flames (19-17-2) surrendered two power-play goals in a 3-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, the Coyotes (11-20-5) allowed the New York Rangers to score four times on seven chances with the man advantage during a 6-3 loss.

Players on both teams vowed that they'll be more disciplined heading into a matchup between the two Pacific Division rivals at the Scotiabank Saddledome on New Year's Eve.

"We can play five-on-five with any team," said Calgary goalie Chad Johnson, who's looking to bounce back after losing his past four starts. "When you're short-handed, you're not going to score goals and it's going to be hard to get momentum. When you take penalties, it just kills you.

"Even late in the third (against the Ducks) when it's a 2-1 game, we're taking penalties. It just can't happen. We're fighting to get points here."

Center Sam Bennett said that continual trips to the penalty box, six of which resulted in power plays, cost the Flames against the Ducks.

"We took the momentum away from us and we gave it to them and we couldn't come back after that," Bennett said. "There's a couple plays that are just undisciplined and we've got to be better as a group. We talk about it and talk about it, but at the end of the day, we have to go out there and do it."

After Arizona's sixth straight setback and fifth in a row on home ice, the Coyotes held a players-only meeting to address the situation.

"It's got to stop," said left winger Anthony Duclair, who has found the back of the net in two straight games after going through a 21-game drought without a goal. "We've got to put an end to it. It's just embarrassing."

Right winger Tobias Rieder, who also scored against the Rangers, said the Coyotes have to find a way to stop taking bad penalties against top teams.

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"We've got to work harder, we've got to stick together as a team and find our way out of it," Rieder said. "We've just got to find a way to be better."

Veteran center Martin Hanzal, an alternate captain with the Coyotes, took full responsibility for two undisciplined penalties he took against the Rangers.

"The leadership's got to be better starting with myself," Hanzal said. "It's just not good enough right now. My penalties (were) stupid penalties. It was just unacceptable."

The Flames are hoping to have defenseman Dougie Hamilton back in the lineup against the Coyotes on Saturday. Hamilton missed Thursday's game against the Ducks and also didn't attend Friday's practice at the Saddledome because of illness.

Meanwhile, the Coyotes loaned defenseman Kevin Connauton to the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners for a conditioning assignment on Friday. Connauton has one assist in nine games with the Coyotes this season.
Ready to put 2016 behind you? Youre not alone; Christina El Moussa is right there with you.

Flip or Flop star El Moussa, who split with her husband and co-star Tarek El Moussa after a gun-related incident earlier this year, took to Instagram on Saturday to reflect on the tumultuous year that shes experienced.

Accompanied by a photo collage featuring pictures of her family, El Moussa wrote, 2016 has been a crazy year of highs and lows. A lot of things have changed but one thing will always remain a constant in my life and that is the love I have for our children

2016 has been a crazy year of highs and lows. A lot of things have changed but one thing will always remain a constant in my life and that is the love I have for our children their genuine happy spirit is always the light at the end of the tunnel.. May 2017 be a start to a fabulous year ahead and bring happiness, peace, joy and new adventures to you all. ???????? A photo posted by Christina El Moussa (@christinaelmoussa) on Dec 31, 2016 at 7:54am PST

Also Read: Will 'Flip or Flop' Couple Reunite? 'Millionaire Matchmaker' Patti Stanger Weighs In (Exclusive)

The reality TV star continued, their genuine happy spirit is always the light at the end of the tunnel.May 2017 be a start to a fabulous year ahead and bring happiness, peace, joy and new adventures to you all.

According to the El Moussas, they broke up following a May incident during which law enforcement responded to a call of a possibly suicidal male with a gun. The call was made after Tarek retrieved a gun from the couples Orange County, California, home and wandered into Chino Hills State Park.

Tarek told deputies that he headed to the park to blow off some steam, and that he brought the gun with him as protection against mountain lions and rattlesnakes.

Also Read: 'Flip or Flop' Star Christina El Moussa Completely Done With Tarek (Report)

According to paperwork obtained by TheWrap from the Orange County Sheriffs Department, Christina El Moussa was crying and shaking during the incident.

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The couple has acknowledged that they have been dating other people since the split, with Christina reportedly taking up with Gary Anderson, a contractor who worked on flipping houses with the couple, according to TMZ. Anderson was reportedly a witness to the gun incident.

The El Moussas, who wed in 2009, have two children, daughter Taylor and son Brayden.

Flip or Flop, which premiered in 2013, revolves around the El Moussas, real estate agents who buy distressed properties and renovate them.

In a statement to TheWrap, HGTV, which airs the series, said that the show will continue production as scheduled.

We admire and appreciate Tarek and Christinas great work on Flip or Flop,' HGTV said. When it comes to matters related to their own family, we respect their privacy and honor any decision that works best for them and their children. HGTV is currently airing episodes of Flip or Flop and the series will continue production as scheduled.

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Will 'Flip or Flop' Couple Reunite? 'Millionaire Matchmaker' Patti Stanger Weighs In (Exclusive)

From 'Flip or Flop' to 'Fixer Upper,' 25 HGTV Shows Ranked by Ratings (Photos)

'Flip or Flop': Here's HGTV Show's Most Profitable Project (So Far)
Beijing (AFP) - Taiwan tech-giant Foxconn plans to build an $8.8-billion factory in China, state media said Saturday, amid reports its billionaire boss is cooling off on future US investments.

Foxconn, a major Apple supplier, will spend the vast sum on an industrial complex in the sprawling southern city of Guangzhou.

The factory will make large-screen liquid crystal displays (LCD), the firm said at an event in the Chinese city on Friday. It will be operational by 2019.

"We have in China a government that knows how to be efficient and supports new technology," said Foxconn president Terry Gou in an interview with Chinas 21st Century Business.

"As to whether we'll invest in the US in the future I've no idea. As a matter of fact, the new administration isn't in office and its new policies aren't in place," Gou added.

Foxconn employs around a million workers at its factories across China and has operations in more than 10 countries.

In the US, it has a plant in Virginia for packaging and engineering which employs over 400 people.

Earlier this month Foxconn confirmed it was in talks over a new US investment, while Japanese telecoms giant SoftBank shares soared after President-elect Donald Trump unveiled a $50 billion deal with the two firms.

Trump announced the agreement -- which he said would bring 50,000 jobs -- in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York.

Gou said he would only divulge details after discussions with relevant US authorities, but made no mention of it during the factory announcement Friday.

The Guangzhou plant will be jointly run by Foxconn and Japan electronics firm Sharp, which Foxconn has a 66 percent stake in.
PARIS (Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande on Saturday warned against the risks of rising nationalism in his last New Year address ahead of the election of his successor next spring. Hollande, who said this month he would not seek a second term in 2017, defended his legacy as president and addressed the policies of the anti-immigration and anti-euro National Front, whose leader Marine Le Pen is set to make it to the second round of the election, if recent polls are correct. "There are periods in history when everything may change dramatically. We're in one of them," Hollande said an address that was broadcast on French television. "How can we imagine our country being curled up behind walls, reduced to its internal market, going back to its national currency and, on top of that, discriminating between its own children according to their origins?" he said. Hollande, who did not directly name the FN, mentioned British voters' decision in June to leave the European Union, and the U.S. presidential election won by Donald Trump in November, as events that demonstrated that democracy, freedom and peace were "vulnerable and reversible". He also warned against the calling into question of the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change. "France will not let anybody or any state, be it the biggest one, call into question this major achievement of the international community," Hollande said. U.S. President-elect Trump has called global warming a hoax and has promised to quit the Paris Agreement, which was strongly supported by outgoing Democratic President Barack Obama. Hollande's comments on Brexit in particular echoed those made earlier on Saturday by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Merkel, seeking a fourth term as chancellor in 2017, described 2016 as a year that gave many the impression that the world had "turned upside down". In her address, she compared Brexit to a "deep incision" and said that even though the EU was "slow and arduous", its member states should focus on common interests that transcend national benefits. In a statement following Hollande's address, Le Pen brushed off his criticism. "Talking of isolation for a project that, on the contrary, takes part in the flow of history, after Brexit and Donald Trump's election ... is a clear misunderstanding of the world's evolution and peoples' deep aspirations," Le Pen said. (Reporting by Mathieu Rosemain and Emmanuel Jarry; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Diane Craft)
Paris (AFP) - French companies will be required to guarantee a "right to disconnect" to their employees from Sunday as the country seeks to tackle the modern-day scourge of compulsive out-of-hours email checking.

From January 1, a new employment law will enter into force that obliges organisations with more than 50 workers to start negotiations to define the rights of employees to ignore their smartphones.

Overuse of digital devices has been blamed for everything from burnout to sleeplessness as well as relationship problems, with many employees uncertain of when they can switch off.

The French measure is intended to tackle the so-called "always-on" work culture that has led to a surge in usually unpaid overtime -- while also giving employees flexibility to work from outside the office.

"There's a real expectation that companies will seize on the 'right to disconnect' as a protective measure," said Xavier Zunigo, a French workplace expert, as a new survey on the subject was published in October.

"At the same time, workers don't want to lose the autonomy and flexibility that digital devices give them," added Zunigo, who is an academic and director of research group Aristat.

The measure was introduced by Labour Minister Myriam El Khomri, who commissioned a report submitted in September 2015 which warned about the health impact of "info-obesity" which afflicts many workplaces.

Under the new law, companies will be obliged to negotiate with employees to agree on their rights to switch off and ways they can reduce the intrusion of work into their private lives.

If a deal cannot be reached, the company must publish a charter that would make explicit the demands on and rights of employees out-of-hours.

Trade unions in France which see themselves as guardians of France's highly protected workplace and famously short working week of 35 hours have long demanded action.

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But the new "right to disconnect", part of a much larger and controversial reform of French labour law, foresees no sanction for companies which fail to define it.

- Work-life balancing act -

Left-leaning French newspaper Liberation praised the move in an editorial on Friday saying that the law was needed because "employees are often judged on their committment to their companies and their availability."

Some large groups such as Volkswagen and Daimler in Germany or nuclear power company Areva and insurer Axa in France have already taken steps to limit out-of-hours messaging to reduce burnout among workers.

Some measures include cutting email connections in the evening and weekends or even destroying emails automatically that are sent to employees while they are on holiday.

A study published by French research group Eleas in October showed that more than a third of French workers used their devices to do work out of hours every day.

Around 60 percent of workers were in favour of regulating to clarify their rights.

But computing and work-life balance expert Anna Cox from University of College London (UCL) says that companies must take into account demands from employees for both protection and flexibility.

"For some people, they want to work for two hours every evening, but want to be able to switch off between 3-5 pm when they pick their kids up and are cooking dinner," she told AFP.

Others are happy to use their daily commute to get ahead before they arrive in the office, she explained.

Furthermore, the world of work is changing as rapidly as technology, with more and more employees working remotely or with colleagues in other time zones.

"Some of the challenges that come with flexibility are managing those boundaries between work and home and being able to say 'actually I am not working now'," she said.

One of the positive effects of the law will be to encourage "conversations with people working together about what their expectations are."
HOUSTON, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Contract workers will return next week to Huntsman Corp's Port Neches, Texas, petrochemical complex after a two-week furlough, according to the company.

"During the final two weeks of 2016, we reduced the contingent workforce at Huntsman's Port Neches Operations (PNO) to meet business critical needs only," the company said in a statement this week.

No Huntsman employees were furloughed, the company said. The contractors are scheduled to return on Tuesday.

The workers were furloughed to cut costs, said a source familiar with the company's operations, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

A company spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

The contractors perform maintenance work on units in the petrochemical complex, which a company website calls "a major production facility with two main sites."

The company recently completed an expansion of the ethylene oxide plant at the Port Neches complex.

(Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Cody Garbrandt won the UFC bantamweight title Friday night, battering champion Dominick Cruz to earn a surprising decision victory in the co-main event at UFC 207.

Garbrandt (11-0) remained unbeaten with a virtuoso performance to claim the belt held for the past 11 months by Cruz (22-2), who ended up with a gaping cut over his left eye.

Garbrandt used precise striking, multiple takedowns and remarkable charisma to win over the judges, who all favored him by scores of 48-46, 48-46 and 48-47.

Cruz hadn't lost an MMA fight since March 24, 2007, winning 13 straight bouts in a career marked by multiple comebacks from major injuries.

The 25-year-old Garbrandt is a native of Uhrichsville, Ohio, who trains in the Sacramento-area gym of veteran fighter Urijah Faber.

Cruz and Garbrandt taunted each other repeatedly during the promotion of their bout, and their genuine dislike translated into a frenzied five-round fight. Garbrandt lived up to his boundless promise with a resourceful effort against Cruz, who was favored to defend his belt.

Instead, Garbrandt landed more shots and did more damage from the opening round. Both fighters landed significant strikes in the first two rounds, but Garbrandt turned the fight in his favor early in the third round during the exchange that opened the cut on Cruz's face.

Garbrandt put on a performance in the fourth round, repeatedly knocking down Cruz when he wasn't dancing away from the champion. The unfriendly rivals congratulated each other after the bout, but Cruz didn't appear surprised when Garbrandt's hand was raised.

After receiving his belt, Garbrandt wrapped it around the waist of Maddux Maple, a 10-year-old leukemia survivor from northern Ohio who has been his motivational talisman.

Garbrandt won his belt on the undercard of Ronda Rousey's comeback fight for the 135-pound title against Amanda Nunes at T-Mobile Arena.

Garbrandt's first title defense could be against T.J. Dillashaw, who dominated John Lineker in a unanimous-decision victory moments earlier at UFC 207, winning 30-26 on all three cards. Dillashaw (15-3) showed off precise striking and a superior ground game to trounce the Brazilian brawler.

"Come try me!" Garbrandt shouted at Dillashaw afterward.
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP)  The son of former vice presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro has been pardoned by the governor of Vermont nearly 30 years after he was convicted of selling cocaine to an undercover officer.

John Zaccaro Jr. was a Middlebury College student when he was arrested in 1986 and accused of selling $25 worth of cocaine to an undercover state police officer. He was convicted in 1988 and served four months under house arrest. At the time, Ferraro accused prosecutors of unfairly targeting her son because of her high profile after becoming the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 1984.

Outgoing Gov. Peter Shumlin, a Democrat, pardoned Zaccaro and nine others Saturday.

Zaccaro didn't immediately respond to messages left for comment.

Ferraro died in 2011.
ACCRA (Reuters) - The Bank of Ghana said the yield on its weekly 91-day bill rose to 16.7459 percent at an auction on Friday from 16.4281 percent at the last sale on Dec. 23. The bank said it had accepted 767.98 million cedis ($179.85 million) worth of bids of the 771.48 million cedis tendered for the 91-day paper, which will be issued on Jan.2. For full details, click here: https://www.bog.gov.gh/privatecontent/Treasury/Auctresults%201518.pdf ($1 = 4.27 Ghanaian cedis) (Writing by Kwasi Kpodo; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
Danny Strong capped off his 2016 with a marriage proposal.

The Gilmore Girls star asked his girlfriend Caitlin Mehner for her hand in marriage during the couples vacation in Hawaii. On Friday, Strong, 42, announced the happy news with an Instagram photo of his bride-to-be showing off her new diamond ring.

3 and a half years ago I saw the cutest girl Id ever seen and got up the nerve to talk to her. She gave me her phone number but it was missing a digit. I was convinced she had to have made a mistake (delusional?) so I tracked her down and asked her out, the Empire co-creator recalled his first meeting with Mehner.

Then last night I got up the nerve to ask her to marry me and she said yes! The moral of the story is never be deterred by a missing digit. Love you @mehns, he concluded.

Strong was one of the many Gilmore Girls stars who reprised their roles for the four-part Netflix series Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. His character Doyle McMaster, who appeared in the spring and summer episodes, was the editor of the Yale Daily News and a love interest for Paris Geller, played by How to Get Away with Murders Liza Weill.

Mehner, who was featured in an episode of The Blacklist, also shared a photo from their Hawaiian getaway, posting a shot of Strong enjoying the sandy beaches.




VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 30, 2016 / GONZAGA RESOURCES LTD. (GN.V) ("Gonzaga" or the "Company") announces Greg Davis has resigned as President, CEO, and Director of the Company, effective December 30th, 2016. Gonzaga would like to thank Mr. Davis for his services.

In conjunction, the Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeffery R. Wilson as Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company. Mr. Wilson brings over 20 years of experience in the mineral exploration and mining investment industry, and a wealth of contacts throughout the investment community including institutional investors, retail brokers, investment bankers, mining analysts, and private investors. During his career, Mr. Wilson has served as a Director and Officer of several mineral resource companies and has been instrumental in numerous equity financings, ranging from IPOs to private placements and syndicated brokered financings.

ON BEHALF OF GONZAGA RESOURCES LTD.

"Adrian Fleming"

Adrian Fleming, Chairman

For further information please contact (236) 521-0944

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Gonzaga within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements with respect to management changes disclosed herein. Gonzaga provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections, or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those identified and reported in Gonzaga's public filings under Gonzaga's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Gonzaga has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Gonzaga disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

SOURCE: Gonzaga Resources Ltd.
The promotion of fake news is a big problem that sites like Facebook and Google are scrambling to fix. Both companies have made efforts to bury bad links from their algorithms, but some stories are still slipping through.

Right now on Google, if you type in "can a president run a third term," the top result shown is fake.

An answer from the site NewsExaminer.net pops up in Google's featured snippet section and claims that President Obama "shocked the country this morning" by announcing he'd be running for office again.

Which of course, a president of the United States cannot do.

google fake news president obama third term

Google says articles for its featured snippets and summaries section are chosen programmatically (by algorithms, not humans). "When we recognize that a query asks a question, we programmatically detect pages that answer the user's question, and display a top result as a featured snippet in the search results," the company writes in its description of featured snippets.

Google Home, Google's personal assistant hardware, uses top Google snippets to populate the messages it reads back to listeners. I tested the same question, "can a president run a third term," on my Google Home and got the same NewsExaminer story. You can watch my Google Home give me the fake news answer, below.

When asked "Can a president run for a third term?" Google Home did say the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, enacted after President Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected four times, now imposes a two term limit, citing InfoPlease.

Part of the fake news problem

The fake news article isn't just showing up in the featured snippet, either. The NewsExaminer.net article also appears as the third Google search result on the page.

This isn't the first programmatic fake news problem Google has had. Google recently decided to sunset its "In the News" feature after it was scrutinized for showing a false article about the US election results. In November, the top Google result for a "final election count" search declared that Donald Trump had won the popular vote (he didn't). It was written by a Wordpress blog and had been picked up by Google's "In The News" algorithm.

Story continues

Google CEO Sundar Pichai told BBC's Kamal Ahmed that fake news could have influenced the election, and that it needs to be stopped. "From our perspective," Pichai said, "there should just be no situation where fake news gets distributed, so we are all for doing better here."

Google has not yet returned a request for comment.

NOW WATCH: 'We watched our kids cry on Christmas': Parents are furious after disaster with the holidays' hottest toy





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Kinshasa (AFP) - The government and opposition parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a deal Saturday to end a political crisis over President Joseph Kabila's fate that has caused months of deadly unrest.

Under the terms of the deal, Kabila will stay until the "end of 2017" but a transition council will be established, headed by opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi.

In addition, a prime minister will be named from the opposition ranks.

The talks were launched by the Roman Catholic church to ward off violence as Kabila's second and final mandate ended on December 20 with no sign of him stepping down and no election in sight.

The final deal was signed after 13 hours of negotiation on Saturday and only after several last-minute hitches nearly derailed an accord.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  A former radical who drove a getaway car during a Brinks armored car robbery that led to the deaths of two police officers and a security guard will be eligible for parole next year after Gov. Andrew Cuomo commuted her sentence on Friday.

Judith Clark, a former Weather Underground member, has served 35 years of a 75-years-to-life sentence for her role in the robbery at a mall in suburban Rockland County.

The commutation from will allow Clark, 67, to appear before the Board of Parole in early 2017. Under her previous sentence, she would not have been eligible for parole consideration until she was 106.

In announcing the decision, the Democratic governor's office noted that Clark "received one of the longest sentences of her six co-defendants, the majority of whom are either deceased or no longer in custody" and "received the same sentence as one of the known shooters."

Cuomo's office also said Clark has been a model prisoner, tutoring other inmates, training service dogs and founding an HIV/AIDS education program while behind bars.

But the governor's decision outraged Michael Paige, whose father, Brinks security guard Peter Paige, was killed in the $1.6 million holdup. Less than an hour after Paige's killing, two Nyack police officers, Waverly Brown and Sgt. Edward O'Grady, stopped a truck at a roadside checkpoint and were killed in an ambush.

Michael Paige said 35 years isn't enough time for Clark  "No. It's never enough time."

"For Governor Cuomo to even think of commuting the sentence of a triple murderer who murdered police officers and my father  that, to me, is the gravest form of injustice to these three men, who were killed standing their ground and protecting us," Paige said by phone.

The Weather Underground was a 1960s group of increasingly violent anti-war activists. Clark, at the time of her trial, called herself a freedom fighter, insisted on representing herself and then refused to go to court, remaining in a cell.

In a 2002 sworn statement, she expressed regret and said she had rejected her radical beliefs.

Ann Jacobs, director of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice's Prisoner Reentry Institute, said the commutation reflects the value of "giving second chances, of recognizing that the measure of a person is more than the worst they have done, but what they have done to learn from their mistakes and to give back."
Will & Grace star Leslie Jordan has confirmed that, yes, the beloved comedy is making a comeback.

Jordan, who won an Emmy for his portrayal of Beverley Leslie, told San Diego radio station KPBS what we've kind of suspected all along -- or at least since the series checked in for a special election webisode in September, 10 years after it wrapped its eight-year run on NBC.

RELATED: 'Will & Grace' Returning to TV?! Megan Mullally Says There's a 'Very Good Chance'

"It's back," Jordan said, informing the show's diehards that, no, this isn't a drill. According to the veteran actor, a revival really is happening.

When the interviewer suggested the show was "perhaps" coming back, Jordan interjected to say, "not perhaps absolutely." The 61-year-old thespian then revealed that NBC has ordered 10 episodes of the iconic sitcom, which he said will begin shooting in July.

RELATED: A 'Will & Grace' Revival Is Reportedly in the Works!

In early December, Will & Grace regular Megan Mullally, who plays boozy socialite Karen Walker, all but confirmed the Emmy-winning show was returning to its original network, NBC.

"All I can say is that there is a very good chance that that might happen," Mullally told PrideSource. "It's not happening right this second. I mean, we're not rehearsing or anything like that. But there is a very good chance that something is going to materialize."

WATCH: Debra Messing Remembers Her 'Will & Grace' Mom Debbie Reynolds: 'I Loved Her Dearly'

New episodes, Mullally said, would continue to riff humorously on the current state of American politics and social affairs. Considering there will be a President Donald Trump by the time the show begins shooting this summer, "it couldn't be a better time" for its return, she also noted.

While promoting her new film, Why Him?, the 58-year-old actress told ET that her character Karen would "probably be Secretary of State" for Trump.

Story continues

Watch the video below for more scoop on the much-anticipated Will & Grace revival.

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The Daily Beast

Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesDonald Trumps desperate attempts to escape the wrath of the New York Attorney General were halted Thursday when a state judge there took the remarkable step of putting the former presidents company under court supervisionand preventing the billionaire from quietly shifting his money to avoid paying millions in fines.Justice Arthur F. Engoron intervened at the AGs request, ordering the appointment of an independent monitor to ensure that the company cant sec
COZAD--Cozad Fire and Rescue members are excited about their newest addition.

A new Furno INX stretcher bed should enter service in early January.

CFR members said the equipment was purchased with money from the department's general fund, at a cost of about $42,000, from Danko Emergency Equipment.

The Furno INX is no ordinary stretcher bed.

It is a state-of-the-art piece of machinery, with its own touch pad screen and hydraulic system with built-in sensors and lasers.

The Furno INX has the capability to raise itself up to a vehicle, semi-truck or the back of an ambulance, said Gary Banzhaf, a CFR member.

Once settings are programmed into the equipment, the INX can automatically sense the height of an ambulance with the use of sensors and lasers and lift itself up to the right height without the need of a command, he said.

The INX's built in hydraulic system not only automatically adjusts itself to balance weight when used going up or down stairs, it can also allow one CFR member to load a patient with one hand, Banzhaf said.

"This will help us with manpower. This is a wish list item we are very fortunate to have. A few of these are popping up in Nebraska. Loop City, Curtis and Gothenburg have one," he said.

The use of the INX takes the need of lifting weight away from the first responder and transfers it onto itself, Banzhaf said. This alone can pay back the cost of the equipment because a worker's compensation claim for a back injury can easily cost $20,000 or more, he said.

The INX is also completely collapsible and has lights on side that can be activated at night. It also has extendable flaps that can make a smaller sized patient more comfortable or the bed can expand for a larger sized patient, Banzhaf said.

CFR Rescue Chief Marlene Williams said her department was extremely grateful for the funding support from the City of Cozad and the responsive relationship from the Cozad City Council, which caters to the department's needs.
Paris (AFP) - President Francois Hollande said he would on Monday visit French troops fighting Islamic State jihadists in Iraq, as he warned that the terrorist threat within France was still live.

"We are not yet finished with the scourge of terrorism. We must continue to fight it abroad -- that's the reason for our military operations in Mali, Syria and Iraq, where I will travel the day after tomorrow to greet our troops," Hollande said.

France has around 500 troops fighting alongside coalition forces in Iraq, backed by Rafale fighter jets.

In the last New Year message of his presidency, Hollande paid tribute to those killed in terror attacks in France this year, including the 86 mown down in the Bastille Day attack in Nice and smaller-scale attacks on a priest and two police officers.

The fight against terrorism is also domestic, stressed Hollande, citing efforts to foil attempted attacks, closely watching "dangerous individuals" and fighting against radical extremism.

"I know that you are worried about the terrorist threat which has not diminished as shown by what happened in Berlin," where a Tunisian jihadist smashed a truck into a Christmas market on December 19, killing 11 people and also shooting dead the lorry's registered driver.

This was Hollande's last New Year appearance after he announced earlier this month he would not stand for re-election in presidential polls next year.
Photo: Instagram

Darren Mohr lived a life of luxury  Rolls Royce, Monaco, Superyachts. Youd find all this and more if you browsed his Instagram account (now deleted). That was before he was swept up in a cocaine bust by Australian authorities.

The 42-year-old was arrested Christmas Day as he walked down a pedestrian footpath in Sydney and stands accused with 14 other men of being a part of Australias largest cocaine cartel.

Police uncovered 1,100 pounds of coke, with a street value of $15 million, on a boat in Sydneys Parsley Bay. The bust was the product of a three-year investigation with officers surveilling members of the alleged cartel sometimes for days on end.

From my perspective, the success of this operation has been the tenacity of the entire team and all the officers involved. They have been extraordinary, said police investigation coordinator Detective Chief Inspector Jason Smith of the New South Wales Police Department in an interview with the Telegraph.

Police followed the men to more than 100 meetings, where they would speak in code and plot cocaine trafficking with encrypted BlackBerrys. The operation used fishing boats to smuggle cocaine into Australia from South America via the Sydney Fish Market.

According to police, in the runup to the bust, the cartel members allegedly discussed maps, routes, distribution, and recruitment to move more than a ton of cocaine. Arrests were also made in Queensland and Tasmania, expanding the drug conspiracy far beyond Sydney.

The arrests were a joint effort between the New South Wales Police, Australian Federal Police, and the Australian Border Force. Those arrested include a 1980s Australian rugby star, a Sydney businessman, and two commercial fisherman. One New Zealand citizen was also caught up in the sting.

The men face life in prison if convicted; Mohr was denied bail at a hearing on Wednesday.

He posted photos and videos of a life bought, apparently, with drug money. In one photo he flashes a Hublot wristwatch worth $17,000; in another he lounges on Versace pillows, a huge black dog at his feet, a macaw on his shoulder. In an ironic twist, the cocaine recovered by police was wrapped in Giorgio Armani branding.
NEW DELHI (AP)  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended his government's decision to demonetize the country's highest-value currency bills last month in an unusual New Year's Eve message to the nation Saturday.

Modi called India's massive demonetization drive, which withdrew 86 percent of the country's currency bills from the system, "a historic purification ritual" to cleanse the system of tax evasion and corruption.

"This will play an important role in changing the direction of the nation in times to come," he said in the speech, which was televised live.

In an announcement that caught the country by surprise on Nov. 8, Modi said in a similar address to the nation that India was withdrawing 500- and 1,000-rupee bills as legal tender in order to crack down on the country's massive amounts of "black money," or untaxed wealth.

The deadline for exchanging or depositing the old currency in bank accounts passed Friday.

When the government announced its demonetization plans, it also announced a cap on the amount of money people could withdraw from ATMs and bank accounts, while the central bank printed new currency bills to fill the gap created by the erasure of a majority of the country's notes.

At that time, Modi said that by Dec. 30, normalcy was likely to return. However, on Friday, the Reserve Bank of India announced that that it would continue to control how much money people can withdraw from ATMs and banks for now.

According to a statement from the central bank, the daily limit on ATM withdrawals will go up to 4,500 rupees ($66) from 2,500 ($37) rupees, but the weekly cap on withdrawals from bank accounts will remain at 24,000 rupees Saturday onward. It wasn't clear how long the limits would be in place.

Since the announcement that the old high-value bills were no longer legal tender, banks and ATMs have seen massive lines of people. It's not unusual for ATMs to not be refilled for days and for banks to run out of cash within a few hours of opening.

Story continues

A majority of Indians earn and spend in cash, either due to habit or because they're too poor to have access to banks.

Experts say only about 40 percent of the country's ATMs are equipped to start giving out the new 2,000- and 500-rupee bills.

In his speech Saturday, Modi said that his government hopes that banks will get back to normal business as soon as possible, but gave no deadline for that.

Modi lauded the nation for "bearing with the inconveniences with extreme patience."
BHUBANESWAR, India (Reuters) - The death toll in an Indian coal mine collapse rose to 16 on Saturday and could rise further, officials said, as some people are still feared trapped at a coalfield run by state-owned Coal India Limited. The accident occurred in Jharkhand state on Thursday evening at the Lalmatia mine, one of the country's largest, which is owned by Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL). "At night (on Friday), the rescue operation was slow due to fog," R.R. Amitabh, a senior officer at ECL, told Reuters, adding that about 30 percent of the collapsed mine waste had been removed. Coal India has a poor safety record, with 135 accidents reported last year, killing 37 people and injuring 141, the company said in a report. Operations at the mine in Godda district, about 280 km (175 miles) from the state capital, Ranchi, have since been stopped, Amitabh said. The state police spokesman R.K. Mullick said the number of people still trapped may be less than the nearly two dozen assumed earlier, based on the number of families who were searching for their kin. The mine has an annual capacity of 17 million tonnes and accounts for about half of ECL's coal production. Last month, ECL accounted for about 9 percent of Coal India's total production of 50 million tonnes. The federal coal ministry has ordered an investigation and announced some cash compensation to the families of miners who died in the accident. (Reporting by Jatindra Dash; Writing by Malini Menon; Editing by Mike Collett-White)
By Rupam Jain and Malini Menon NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a series of incentives to the poor, farmers, women and small businesses on Saturday in a New Year's address, and defended his recent decision to abolish high denomination bank notes. The televised speech was widely seen as an opportunity for Modi to shore up support after a radical move on Nov. 8 to withdraw all 500 and 1,000 rupee bills, accounting for 86 percent of currency in circulation. Millions of Indians were forced to queue outside banks for hours to deposit old money and withdraw as much new currency as was permitted, causing widespread anger and raising concerns about India's economic growth in the current quarter. The so-called "demonetization" was designed to crush India's huge shadow economy, increase tax revenues and promote the use of bank accounts and digital transactions, but perceptions that the ambitious operation was botched have hurt Modi's standing. It comes only weeks before Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state with 200 million people, holds an election that will test whether the popular leader has been significantly weakened. Modi praised Indians for their forbearance. "In this fight against corruption and black money, it is clear that you would like to walk shoulder to shoulder with us (the government)," Modi said. "For us in government, this is a blessing ... Corruption, black money, and counterfeit notes had become so rampant in India's social fabric, that even honest people were brought to their knees." The prime minister, who swept to power in 2014 on the back of promises to root out graft, said the authorities would continue to stamp it out. "Serious offences by bank and government officials have come to light. No one will be spared," he said. NO "BIG BANG OFFERINGS" Among the measures announced on Saturday was an offer of a 4 percent discount on interest rates for home loans for up to 900,000 rupees ($13,200) taken out in 2017 by middle class Indians. Modi also said the government would increase credit guarantees for small businesses and provided additional incentives for digital transactions. There were steps to help pregnant women and senior citizens, as well as financial support for farmers, an apparent bid to win backing among the huge rural population of Uttar Pradesh that has been hit hard by the cash overhaul. Modi did not say how the government would pay for the measures, although economists said the package was unlikely to be too costly. It was unveiled as the government gears up to announce its annual budget, probably some time in February. "It's clear that Modi is chastened and he had no big bang offerings today," said Mohan Guruswamy, chairman of the independent economic think-tank Centre for Policy Alternatives. "He is clearly doing this to win back political support." The Uttar Pradesh poll will be a litmus test for Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, and will go some way to determining the prime minister's chances of winning a second term in office in national polls scheduled for 2019. While he has introduced several major reforms to Asia's third largest economy, the cash ban is seen as his biggest political gamble to date. Members of the main opposition Congress party were quick to criticize the speech. One senior member, Prithviraj Chavan, said the address was vague and lacked accurate accounting details. "It was his day to present a report card and specifically disclose the benefits of 'demonetization', but clearly the entire drive has been a failure," he said. In his speech, Modi sought to cast the move as something all Indians should support. "I urge all parties and leaders to move away from a 'holier than thou approach,' to come together in prioritizing transparency, and take firm steps to free politics of black money and corruption." (Additional reporting by Suvashree Dey Choudhury; Writing by Rafael Nam; Editing by Mike Collett-White)
An Indonesian pilot who stumbled through airport security and repeatedly dropped his belongings before making a slurred announcement to his 154 passengers from the cockpit has been fired, officials said on Saturday.

The CEO of budget airline Citilink, a subsidiary of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, had also offered his resignation to take responsibility for the incident.

YouTube footage showed 32-year-old pilot Tekad Purna staggering through a metal detector at airport security and dropping his bag and belongings several times after arriving late for his flight on Wednesday from the city of Surabaya to the capital Jakarta.

After hearing a garbled and slurred announcement from the cockpit, scared passengers reported the pilot, accusing him of being drunk or on drugs.

The flight took off later with a new pilot but several of the passengers decided to cancel.

"The result of the investigation so far is sufficient for our management to take a firm decision and fire the pilot," Citilink spokesman Benny Siga Butarbutar told AFP Saturday.

"In the aviation industry, we believe in zero mistakes."

The airline had yet to establish if the pilot was under the influence of drink or drugs but Citilink said his conduct was serious enough to merit dismissal on the grounds of endangering passenger safety.

During a press conference late Friday announcing the pilot's dismissal, Citilink CEO Albert Burhan also tendered his resignation.

The airline's spokesman said the company had yet to decide whether to accept Burhan's resignation.

Indonesia has a poor aviation safety record and has experienced several air disasters in recent years.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone Saturday with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the conflict in Syria and "continued security cooperation", his office said.

The talks came as the 15-member UN Security Council unanimously voted to back a Russian-Turkish peace plan for a ceasefire in Syria and the launch of new peace talks for the war-wracked country.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening... spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin," the premier's office said in a statement.

"The two leaders discussed developments in the region, with emphasis on Syria and continued security coordination in this sphere, which has already proven itself in preventing misunderstandings," it added.

During a visit to Moscow in April, Netanyahu discussed with Putin military cooperation between the two countries aimed at preventing confrontations between their warplanes in Syrian airspace.

In June, Netanyahu visited Moscow again and talks with Putin centred on "the implementation of these arrangements," the premier's office said at the time.

Russia is a key ally of the Syrian government and has been fighting to bolster the Damascus regime since last year.

Along with Turkey, which backs the armed opposition, they brokered a ceasefire across Syria that entered its second day Saturday and held despite sporadic clashes in parts of the country.

Moscow and Ankara also say the truce aims to pave the way for peace negotiations later next month in Kazakhstan, also organised by Syria regime ally Iran.

Turkey and Russia have said the talks in the Kazakh capital Astana aim to supplement UN-backed peace efforts, not replace them.

Israel is opposed to the Syrian government and has sought to limit its involvement in the conflict.

But Israel has carried out sporadic sorties against the militant Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, which is fighting alongside the Syrian regime.

Israel fought a devastating war with the Iran-backed Hezbollah in 2006.
By Steve Scherer ROME (Reuters) - Italy will seek to deport more migrants who have no right to be in the country and will open new detention centers to hold them before their expulsion, according to a written directive and a ministry source. Police chief Franco Gabrielli sent a two-page directive to stations across the country on Friday ordering them to increase efforts to identify and deport migrants a week after Berlin Christmas market attacker Anis Amri was shot dead near Milan. The directive, seen by Reuters, says police should take "extraordinary action" before the "growing migratory pressure in an international context marked by instability and threats" to "control and remove irregular foreigners." Interior Minister Marco Minniti plans to open several new detention centers that hold migrants prior to their expulsion, a ministry source said, in line with repeated requests by European Union partners. The tougher migrant stance, which several Italian papers ran on their front pages on Saturday, is the first major policy change made by Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni's government since it took power in mid-December, and comes on the heels of a record year of boat migrant arrivals. It also comes less than a month after the Berlin truck attack by Amri that killed 12, including an Italian woman. The Tunisian Amri came to Italy by boat in 2011. Italy later tried without success to deport him back to Tunisia. He was then released from a detention center and ordered to leave the country in 2015. Gentiloni's predecessor, Matteo Renzi, agreed to set up "hotspots" to identify and fingerprint migrants who arrived on Italian shores, but he refused to build large detention centers to hold migrants who did not qualify refugee status. Only four pre-deportation detention centers with about 360 beds are now functioning. The Interior Ministry is aiming to open up about 16 more with at least 1,000 more spots, the source said. That would still accommodate only a fraction of migrants without permits of stay estimated to be living in Italy. Of the more than 27,000 expulsion orders handed out in Italy in 2015, fewer than 5,000 were deported, according to Eurostat figures. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has also called for greater efforts to deport those who do not qualify for international protection, but the process is slow and expensive, and it requires bilateral agreements with the countries of origin. Italy currently has bilateral agreements with only a handful of African countries. (Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by Stephen Powell)
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan has approached China and South Korea about holding a trilateral summit in Tokyo in February aimed at deepening cooperation on such issues as a free trade deal, the environment and counter-terrorism, Kyodo news agency reported on Saturday.

Disagreements over North Korea and historical issues have long dogged relations between the three Asian powers, though they have held several such trilateral meetings since 2008, most recently in Seoul in 2015.

South Korea is enthusiastic about participating in the proposed Tokyo summit while China has yet to clarify its position, Kyodo said, citing unnamed diplomatic sources.

China is unlikely to announce its decision before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's policy on Asia becomes more clear, Kyodo said.

If the summit does go ahead, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, in lieu of recently-impeached President Park Geun-hye, are expected to meet around February 10, Kyodo added.

Japan and South Korea said earlier this month they would impose new unilateral sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, but China has expressed its opposition to such measures.

Beijing also opposes a decision by South Korea and the United States to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system to counter missile threats from North Korea.

China and South Korea have both been angered by the Japanese defence minister's decision on Thursday to visit a controversial shrine to Japan's war dead. Beijing and Seoul see the Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo as a symbol of Japan's militarism and a reminder of its wartime atrocities.

Japan had originally intended to host the trilateral summit this year, but it postponed the plan due to political uncertainty in South Korea. Tokyo proposed the meeting to Seoul in mid-December following Park's impeachment, Kyodo said.

(Reporting by Minami Funakoshi; Editing by Gareth Jones)
It is often asserted that the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 proved that HWA was right and he really did see the future.

This of course is nonsense. Herbert W. Armstrong said that Christ would return within twenty years in his book Mystery of the Ages. (PCG has since deleted those words so someone in there knows HWA spoke nonsense.) How convenient for them to forget this.

Also Herbert W. Armstrong never said the Soviet Union would collapse. He thought it would survive intact until a few years after Christ's return. It shows how biased some many in the COGs are that they never seem to notice this. This inconvenient truth is just tossed into the memory hole.

It is true that HWA said that some Eastern European states would break away from Moscow's orbit and join the European Empire he said would arise at any moment. But he never talked of the Soviet Union collapsing. He did not teach that. Also he portrayed the rise of the European Empire to be far quicker then what has actually happened. In Mystery of the Ages Christ was supposed to return by 2005 at the most.

So assertions that the fall of the Berlin Wall somehow prove that HWA was right is just complete nonsense spread by people who, for whatever reason, are still in denial that HWA was a false prophet who merely talked out of his own "human reasoning".
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan has approached China and South Korea about holding a trilateral summit in Tokyo in February aimed at deepening cooperation on such issues as a free trade deal, the environment and counter-terrorism, Kyodo news agency reported on Saturday. Disagreements over North Korea and historical issues have long dogged relations between the three Asian powers, though they have held several such trilateral meetings since 2008, most recently in Seoul in 2015. South Korea is enthusiastic about participating in the proposed Tokyo summit while China has yet to clarify its position, Kyodo said, citing unnamed diplomatic sources. China is unlikely to announce its decision before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's policy on Asia becomes more clear, Kyodo said. If the summit does go ahead, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, in lieu of recently-impeached President Park Geun-hye, are expected to meet around February 10, Kyodo added. Japan and South Korea said earlier this month they would impose new unilateral sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, but China has expressed its opposition to such measures. Beijing also opposes a decision by South Korea and the United States to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system to counter missile threats from North Korea. China and South Korea have both been angered by the Japanese defense minister's decision on Thursday to visit a controversial shrine to Japan's war dead. Beijing and Seoul see the Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo as a symbol of Japan's militarism and a reminder of its wartime atrocities. Japan had originally intended to host the trilateral summit this year, but it postponed the plan due to political uncertainty in South Korea. Tokyo proposed the meeting to Seoul in mid-December following Park's impeachment, Kyodo said. (Reporting by Minami Funakoshi; Editing by Gareth Jones)
The nation's leading Muslim civil rights advocacy group has demanded a New Mexico convenience store remove a sign that reads Obama & other Muslims Not welcome here. The store previously displayed a sign that ready "Kill Obama." It also sells the signs to customers.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations said the not welcome sign was anti-Muslim and anti-President Barack Obama. Obama is Christian, but critics often claim he is Muslim.

While everyone has the First Amendment right to free speech  even offensive speech  we urge the stores owner to remove the sign in the interest of common decency and of our nations unity at a time of increasing divisions, said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

The sign has been called offensive and racist by customers on Facebook who also demanded the Mayhill, New Mexico, store owner reconsider the sign.

Its been here a long time, Marlon McWilliams, who used to work at the store, told local media. Theyre offensive to me from time to time, but you know thats my opinion. Thats the way I feel.

As it turns out, the store is up for sale for $359,000. If the store doesn't remove the sign, critics suggest someone else buy the store and make the change themselves.

I wish somebody would buy it, said McWilliams. I really do, because it would be a great asset for somebody to be there to run it. Because thats the only place you can go to get milk and bread.

Hate crimes have been widely reported in cities across the nation since Republican Donald Trump won the presidential election in November against Hillary Clinton. There were more than 1,000 bias-related incidents from Nov. 8 through Dec. 12, the Southern Poverty Law Center reported.

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Auntie KiKi has arrived!

Kim Kardashian made a rare outing on Friday to visit her friend Joyce Bonelli at the hospital, giving the celebrity makeup artist's twins their sweet "first kiss."

WATCH: Kanye West Shares Adorable Christmas Family Photo With Kim Kardashian, North and Saint -- See the Pic!

In a short video posted to Bonelli's Instagram account, Kardashian, dressed casually and sporting minimal makeup, holds the newborns close before showering them with a little love.

"The Boys 'First Kiss' From Auntie KiKi @kimkardashian WELOVEYEEWW  #BonelliTavernitiTwins #ILOVEMYFAMILY," Bonelli wrote.

RELATED: Kim Kardashian's Makeup Artist Got Very Intimate While Preparing Her Sexy Wet VMA Look: Pics!

Bonelli, who works with Kim and her sisters Kourtney, Khloe and Kylie, made headlines on Tuesday for sharing an intimate snap of herself breastfeeding both of her baby boys at the same time.

"TWINS. This is no joke!" she captioned the pic. "I surprise myself in my own ability to adjust and rise to the occasion while being still in my chaos I love so much and pull through for my babies. I as a mother will do anything to provide for my babies. No Matter My Fear. Never give up, Keep the strength. Dig even deeper if you must."

RELATED: An Open Letter to Kim Kardashian: Please, Please, Please Come Back to Social Media in 2017

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But back to Kim.

The 36-year-old reality star also stepped out last weekend for her family's annual Christmas Eve party. Will 2017 see Kim's grand return to the spotlight?

See the star all glammed up in the video below.

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The subjects of a TV documentary series about the Ku Klux Klan abruptly canceled last week by A&E allege to Variety that significant portions of what was filmed were fabricated by the producers.

Some KKK leaders divulged that they were paid hundreds of dollars in cash each day of filming to compel them on camera to distort the facts of their lives to fit the documentarys predetermined narrative: tension between Klan members and relatives of theirs who wanted to get out of the Klan.

The findings are based on an exclusive Variety investigation based on interviews with over two dozen individuals in and around the KKK who cooperated with the documentary in at least six U.S. states.

Originally scheduled to air Jan. 10, Escaping the KKK: A Documentary Series Exposing Hate in America was produced by Venice, Calif.-based production company This Is Just a Test.

The KKK leaders who were interviewed by Variety detailed how they were wooed with promises the program would capture the truth about life in the organization; encouraged not to file taxes on cash payments for agreeing to participate in the filming; presented with pre-scripted fictional story scenarios; instructed what to say on camera; asked to misrepresent their actual identities, motivations and relationships with others, and re-enacted camera shoots repeatedly until the production team was satisfied.

The production team even paid for material and equipment to construct and burn wooden crosses and Nazi swastikas, according to multiple sources including Richard Nichols, who is one of the featured subjects of the documentary series as the Grand Dragon of a KKK cell known as the Tennessee White Knights of the Invisible Empire. He also said he was encouraged by a producer to use the epithet nigger in interviews.

We were betrayed by the producers and A&E, said Nichols. It was all made uppretty much everything we said and did was fake and because that is what the film people told us to do and say.

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Asked about allegations, a rep for A&E declined comment beyond issuing a statement that made clear the company is going to take the additional step of conducting a probe of the production: A&E had already made the decision to cancel this documentary series based on recently discovered payment practices of the producers in the field and we are conducting a full independent investigation into the production.

Production company TIJAT also issued a statement in response to the allegations, which suggested participants are being intimidated into tarnishing the show.

We take these allegations very seriously and in partnership with A&E we will be looking into them fully, a portion of its statement read. We have been told that participants in the series have received threats and coerced into speaking out against the authenticity of the show.

Led by principals Aengus James and Colin Miller, TIJAT is a prolific producer of unscripted TV series for cable networks such as TLCs I Am Jazz and Animal Planets Project Grizzly, as well as theatrical documentaries and commercials. TIJAT is currently negotiating with A&E to get the rights back to Escaping the KKK with the intent of shopping it to another network. Producers told KKK leaders who participated in the documentary prior to the cancellation that a second season was being discussed with the network.

The allegations are in stark contradiction to how the eight-episode series was positioned to the public by both A&E and TIJAT.

This show is not rehearsed or prepackaged, said Rob Sharenow, executive vice president and general manager of A&E and Lifetime told The Hollywood Reporter on Dec. 19. These filmmakers knew that they werent going in making a reality show, they were making a hard-hitting series about a provocative subject.

The purported quality of the program, originally known as Generation KKK, helped draw the support of organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and Color of Change, which A&E publicized. But that didnt keep Generation KKK from being accused on social media of providing a platform for a hate group. The network subsequently retitled the series, a decision Sharenow explained to Variety on Dec. 23 reflected its standing as a pure documentary.

But the very next day Escaping the KKK was suddenly canceled. As its Dec. 24 announcement revealed, the cable network made the surprise move after being made aware of payments made by the production company to Klan members, contrary to assurances the company said were made to advocacy organizations that supported the series and the public.

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, read a statement issued by the network.

The cancellation occurred less than 24 hours after this reporter contacted several producers at TIJAT with the allegations contained in this story. Those same producers, according to multiple KKK members who participated in the documentary, subsequently warned them not to speak to this reporter if contacted.

But sources close to the production also cast doubt on the testimony of KKK leaders, describing them as inveterate liars motivated by an agenda to scuttle a series that could make them look bad if it ever aired and prone to confusing being manipulated with aggressive questioning from producers.

What prompted Nichols to share his life with TV viewers was a solicitation via email from a TIJAT producer, which he summarized as saying, We want to show everyone the real truth about the Klan. Nichols, who can trace his lineage back to one of the founding members of the KKK, said he allowed TIJAT into his home in Pulaski, Tenn., and the KKK circles in which he traveled for anywhere from three to eight days at a time each month for a period that lasted four or five months in mid-2016.

But as Nichols describes it, the production had little interest in accurately reflecting his life. Instead, he says TIJAT producers manipulated nearly every aspect of what appeared on camera, right down to making sure his choice of words during interviews was sufficiently objectionable.

They kept asking me, wanting me, to use the word nigger, said Nichols, who alleged he was paid $600 per day by producers to participate. I was sitting down being filmed and interviewed with the lights and the backdrop set up, and I said something and used the word blacks. Then the producer interrupted me and said No, no, no. We want him to use the word nigger!

TIJAT producers went so far as to orchestrate more than one cross-burning ceremony in Pulaski, though it is presented in the documentary as if the KKK is actually hosting the event. Weve been allowed special access to film this secret induction, reads a title card that precedes one of the cross-burning scenes.

It was the producers who told me they wanted a cross-lighting, recounted Nichols. In fact they made two cross-lightings cause they wanted to reshoot some scenes. They bought everythingthe wood, the burlap to wrap around the wood, the diesel and kerosene for my cross lighting. They even brought all the food for everyone.

Nichols storyline in the documentary series involves his efforts to recruit a young man, Cody Hutt, into the KKK. But their dynamic was also less than truthful: Hutt made it clear to the producers he was never seriously considering joining the KKK, but he was willing to take $200 per day from them to act the part. From the first day, I sat them (down) and told them I had no interest in joining the Klan, said Hutt.

As TIJATs cameras capture, the tension between Nichols and Hutt reaches the boiling point when Hutt brings an anti-hate activist, Bryon Widner, to Nichols home to help convince Nichols to leave Hutt alone. When Nichols learns who Widner is, he angrily demands he leaves the house, even threatening to kill Widner.

But Nichols and Hutt say the scene was a fabrication. That was 100% the TV guys idea and staged, said Nichols.

When me and Richard had a fall(ing) out and he was mad because I wouldnt jointhey staged that all, said Hutt.

Nichols is one of four separate Klan members who are the focus of the documentary series, which also chronicles separate cells of the hate group operating in Mississippi, Georgia and Kentucky.

The Klan activity in Tennessee was not the only one with fabricated elements; sources knowledgeable of what transpired among all four featured Klan groups where TIJAT shot described similar circumstances.

In Kentucky, which unlike the other three areas is not depicted in the first four episodes of the series provided to TV critics, TIJAT producers werent above turning its documentary subjects into fictional characters.

They told me to find someone who was family that was against my beliefs, said Dan Elmquist, the Imperial Wizard of the Kentucky-based Nordic Order of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, who reports getting $500 a day to participate. They were trying to get my wife and me to say that my wife didnt like me involved in Klan stuff, but my wife is a member of the Klan. So we filmed with my Nighthawks wife saying she was my cousin and acting as the anti-Klan person. A&E knew she wasnt my cousin or against the Klan.

The Nighthawkwhich is KKK terminology for a clans chief of securityfor the Nordic Order Knights who confirmed Elmquists account in an interview is Chris Brasher of Bowling Green, Ken. (When Elmquist and Brasher refers to A&E, they are not referring to the network, but producers from TIJAT. )

A&E would give me an order of what to sayit was scripted, said Brasher, who also reported getting $500 per day. My wife isnt a member of the Klan. A&E was telling her to say to me If you dont leave the Klan I am going to leave you. I dont want to leave my husband, but if he doesnt leave the Klan I will. It was a joke, really. My wife and I get along fine. She was never going to leave me because I am in the Klan. A&E made that all up and told us what to say.

But sources close to the production say that whatever interviews Brasher sat for were not intended for the documentarys first season, and that it could have been for a demo reel for another season.

A&Es payment policies for unscripted series have already created other problems for the network. Citing Escaping the KKK earlier this week, an attorney representing the Church of Scientology accused A&E of hypocrisy by alleging that two of the participants in the docuseries Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath were paid to appear on camera. The network hasnt responded to the Churchs charge.

On the Tennessee shooting location of the KKK documentary, Nichols and Hutt describe being paid by a man with a blue, rectangular bank money bag, which he would unzip and hand out $50 or $100 bills.

Of the leaders of the four Ku Klux Klan groups featured on the TV series, only one denied receiving payments for his participation. I was never paid a dime but I wished they did, said Steve Howard, Imperial Wizard for the North Mississippi White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, on Dec. 24.

But on Dec. 26, Howard lashed out on his Facebook account demanding $100,000 payments from A&E and the film production company for money he said was promised and owed him. Tomorrow by 11 I start singing. So someone better take care of it. I want lost wages, wrote Howard. They can buy me out or I start singing.

Howard took down his Facebook posts less than 24 hours later.

What is still unclear is which entities had foreknowledge of the fabrications. While it is conceivable A&E could have learned what was going on via communication between the network and production during the shoot, it is also possible that the network was kept in the dark. Even the principals of the production company itself may not have had complete knowledge of how individual producers were conducting themselves on the ground at shoots.

But the documentary raises troubling questions as to how much responsibility and oversight a network should have over the content of programming it licenses to air.

In addition, the series exposes the often blurry line in TV programming between the traditional documentary, in which filmmakers typically take a fly-on-the-wall approach minimizing interference in the action unfolding in front of their cameras, with so-called reality TV like A&Es own hit Duck Dynasty, which may appear to be cinema verite to unsophisticated viewers but is almost as controlled by producers as scripted dramas or comedies, with real people essentially functioning as paid actors.

The lure of easy money certainly has its allure to KKK members and their families living in some of the poorest regions of the country. Hutt, a 22-year-old high-school dropout who lives with his mother, readily admits that getting paid by producers was his motivation for helping distort the truth.

Hey, I loved the money. Dont get me wrong; I wanted them to come back, he confessed. Now I dont want anything to do with them.

Nate Thayer is a freelance journalist based in Washington D.C.

Related stories

Church of Scientology Slams A&E for Yanking KKK Docuseries While Promoting Leah Remini's Show

A&E Cancels KKK Documentary Series, Says Participants Were Paid in 'Direct Violation' of Policies

A&E Changes 'Generation KKK' Title, Partners With Color of Change
Liverpool (AFP) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed Georginio Wijnaldum's "wonderful" goal after the Dutch midfielder's early header earned his team a 1-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday.

Wijnaldum met Adam Lallana's cross with a bullet header in the eighth minute at Anfield to cut Chelsea's lead back to six points and give Liverpool a four-point advantage over third-place City.

"It was difficult. We couldn't create too many chances. We defended really well. It was a wonderful goal," Klopp said.

"The quality of Man City, the situation a- when you invest so much in a game like this, at the end you want to have it all. Thank God we got it because we play again on Monday (at Sunderland).

"We probably had the bigger chances. The second half, our biggest problems were when we gave the ball away. I don't know of any real chances for them."

Liverpool left-back James Milner conceded his side had not been at their fluent best, but drew encouragement from the way they dug in.

"Arguably it's one of the worst performances for how we want to play. But it was a gutsy performance," he told BT Sport.

"We had to grind out the result. You can't always win games the way you want. It's a massive victory. There's a long way to go, but it's pleasing to be up there."

City have now been beaten four times in the league this season and although they improved in the second half, they never seriously looked like forcing their way back into the match.

"We started really good. The first chance they have, they score, so it was always difficult," City manager Pep Guardiola told the BBC.

"First half we didn't create much, second half we were a little better. It is what it is. There were not too many clear chances. In these kind of games, the little details make the difference.

"We have to focus on the next game, not on the target or the Premier League. Now it is Burnley (on Monday). Now we start the second road and see what can happen."
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Their hair wrapped in side buns, wielding lightsabers and dressed as everything from Wookiees to stormtroopers, thousands of people turned out to honor Carrie Fisher, the actress famous for her iconic role as Princess Leia in the "Star Wars" movies.

Fisher, whose tough-talking princess defied Empire generals while tossing off one-liners like "into the garbage chute, flyboy," died Tuesday.

In New Orleans, where death is marked by both mourning and merriment, the Mardi Gras group called the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus organized a parade Friday in honor of the woman they consider royalty.

"This is a public demonstration of our love for Princess Leia," said Brooke Ethridge, one of the founders of the Leijorettes, a dancing group made up of fans who dress like Princess Leia. "Our first instinct was to hit the streets and parade and celebrate Princess Leia and Carrie Fisher."

Chewbacchus is dedicated to all things sci-fi and fantasy related and has always drawn inspiration from the "Star Wars" movies. The group's logo features the head of Chewbacca, the furry Wookiee who was Han Solo's close friend and co-pilot.

Fisher had been hospitalized since Dec. 23 after falling ill aboard a flight and being treated by paramedics at the Los Angeles airport. One day after Fisher's death, her actress mother, 84-year-old Debbie Reynolds, died as well.

Reynolds' son Todd Fisher said the mother and daughter will be buried together. They will have a joint funeral, but it will be private. Todd Fisher said the actresses will be interred at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, the final resting place of numerous celebrities, including Lucille Ball, Dick Van Patten, Liberace, Florence Henderson, David Carradine and Bette Davis.

A public memorial is being contemplated, but no plans have been finalized.

A few dozen fans, many wearing costumes, gathered Saturday in Hollywood for a memorial for Fisher outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre, where the original Star Wars movie premiered in 1977.

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The New Orleans parade was led by the Leijorettes, followed by a brass band playing the "Star Wars" theme as hundreds of people  many in costume or carrying light sabers  walked behind them. Fans lined the road, taking photos.

"I didn't know her. But as an iconic character and as a person, a writer and a smart funny fantastic woman and role model, I was heartbroken and devastated," Dale Hrebrik said.

But even in a crowd where Fisher's Princess Leia role was front and center, many pointed out the contributions Fisher had made even after her "Star Wars" acting wound down. One marcher in the crowd held a sign calling Fisher, who spoke openly about her struggles with bipolar disease, a mental health advocate.

Jacquelyn Ryan came with her husband and two children. Her hair was wrapped in the two side buns Fisher wore in the first movie, but Ryan said she was more impressed with Fisher's other contributions.

"Probably my first introduction to her was 'Star Wars,' but she as a person was really important. Her activism, her mental health awareness, her activism for women, her unapologetic attitude about youth and beauty in Hollywood really spoke to me," Ryan said.

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Follow Rebecca Santana on Twitter @ruskygal.

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AP writer Anthony McCartney and AP television writer Lynn Elber, both in Los Angeles, contributed to this report.
HONOLULU (AP)  The Latest on President Barack Obama's family vacation in Hawaii (all times local):

2 p.m.

President Barack Obama and his family are attending a luau at his friend's home on Oahu's famed North Shore.

The first family's close friends and some White House staff are also attending the Friday afternoon gathering at Bobby Titcomb's Waialua residence.

Titcomb is Obama's longtime friend and has hosted luaus for the first family during their previous Hawaii vacations.

As the presidential motorcade drove through Waialua town, many people came out to their front yards to wave.
DETROIT (AP)  You, sir, (or ma'am): Focus, if you will, on a historic, on fleek listicle containing words nominated for bigly banishment. But don't convene a town hall meeting or get your dandruff up in the echo chamber over them.

Northern Michigan's Lake Superior State University on Saturday released its 42nd annual List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness.

The tongue-in-cheek, non-binding list comes from suggestions to the Sault Ste. Marie school. It includes "you, sir," ''focus," ''town hall meeting," ''historic," ''echo chamber," ''on fleek," ''bigly," ''listicle" and "get your dandruff up," an apparent substitute for "dander," its hair-and-skin kin.

The others were "Frankenfruit," ''bete noire," ''guesstimate," ''ghost," ''dadbod," ''selfie drone," ''manicured," ''post-truth," ''disruption" and "831"  a texting encryption of "I love you" (eight letters, three words, one meaning).

The divisive 2016 election influenced nominations, and was reflected in the inclusion of "bigly" and "post-truth."

"Bigly" also made Merriam-Webster's Top 10 for 2016. President-elect Donald Trump was fond this year of saying "big league" but making it sound like "bigly," an archaic adverb or adjective dating to around 1400.

"Post-truth," a term sometimes used to describe the current political climate, is Oxford Dictionaries' word of the year.

John Shibley, Lake Superior State spokesman and list-compiler in chief, said "lots of political vitriol" came in this year, with people wanting to ban "President Trump," ''Crooked Hillary" and "Electoral College." Shibley said he "made an editorial decision not to wade into that swamp,"  drained or otherwise.

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He said all words that made the final list garnered 200-300 votes apiece, and the top vote-getter was "echo chamber," with more than 500 submissions.

Overall, the university received submissions from about 8,000 people and maintains an archive of more than 850 words.

Another Michigan school takes the opposite approach: Detroit's Wayne State University attempts through its Word Warriors campaign to exhume worthy words that have fallen out of favor. This year's list included "absquatulate," which means to discreetly and abruptly leave a place, such as a gathering or party, without informing the host. That's an old-school analog to "ghost" on the banished words list.

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Follow Jeff Karoub on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffkaroub . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/author/jeff-karoub .

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Online:

http://www.lssu.edu/banished/
A local pastor described being first to come to aid of Evan LaLanne, an 18-year-old who was left paralyzed from the waist down after falling almost 30 feet from on Bishop Peak near San Luis Obispo, California.

Pastor Bryan Stupar told KSBY that he was watching the sunset on the trail with his 20-year-old daughter when LaLanne, who was using a drone with a friend, fell.

I was looking off in the distance saw him at the corner of my eye, and thats when I just saw him disappear and the thud, he said.

Pastor Stupar hurried to the teen and knew the situation was serious immediately.

It was a mixture of pure  just anxiety and adrenaline. I just rushed to him. I knew it was severe, especially when I got to him, he recalled.

LaLanne had fallen into a crevasse and his backpack  with his drone inside  was making it difficult for him to breathe, the pastor said. Pastor Stupar pressed the quick release on the bag to lessen the strain.

He said the teen appeared to be breathing, but LaLanne couldnt move his legs.

I asked him to then, see if he could move and he couldnt move his legs and the position of his body was such that it was literally at a 45-degree angle, legs up in the air, head down, said Pastor Stupar.

Emergency crews made their way to the victim after his friend and Pastor Stupars daughter called 911. Around 8 p.m., SLO City Fire tweeted that emergency responders were hiking back down to the base of the peak after airlifting LaLanne by helicopter to a hospital.

On scene top of Bishops Peak with a patient with major injuries from a fall. 2 helicopters, 6 engines and @SLO_City_Fire assisting  CAL FIRE SLO (@CALFIRE_SLO) December 30, 2016

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Santa Barbara County Fire Copter 3 assisting hoisting Pt from Bishops Peak. Ground crews will be hiking back down to the base. pic.twitter.com/mxz0dburs4  CAL FIRE SLO (@CALFIRE_SLO) December 30, 2016

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According to a GoFundMe page created to help the victim, LaLanne is currently paralyzed from the waist down but it is unknown at this time if this will be permanent. The Cal Poly student also suffered injuries to his neck and back and is recovering from spinal surgery at Stanford Hospital, according to KSBY.




GaneshaSpeaks





Aries ( 21st March to 20th April ) : As the year begins, take time to mentally compartmentalize your life, resolving to take care of each sub-set with due diligence. While, its great to be focused on ambitions and career, or for that matter, your key relations  you must not forget aspects like health and me-time. Stars bring fresh impetus (Read More)





Taurus ( 21st April to 21st May ) : You begin the year on a slightly laid back note. Put it all on your Sign ruler Venus that has joined the dual-might of Sun and Saturn in Capricorn. Although, this is a decent placement for Venus  especially this happens in the 9th House (House of Fortune) from your Sign, things may seem to be moving at a turtles pace. Blame it on (Read More)





Gemini ( 22nd May to 21st June ) : The year begins on a busy note with many areas of your life simultaneously seeking your time and attention. Given your multi-talented abilities, it wont be very difficult for you to attend to it all, though, feels Ganesha. In fact, it would be a good thing to keep yourself occupied. Saturn traverses through the 8th House from your (Read More)





Cancer ( 22nd June to 22nd July ) : You may start the year on a cautious note. There are chances that your confidence will not be up to the mark, thus delaying growth at the career front. Instead of worrying about it, set your priorities right and formulate a strategy that will benefit you in the long run. Mars is in its own Sign, Scorpio, traversing through the 5th (Read More)





Leo ( 23rd July to 22nd August ) : Soaring expenses may be a cause of concern for you this week. Should I go shopping or should I not? A pragmatic approach will help you make the right decision. However, at the personal front, your partners behavior might leave you puzzled. Their unemotional and unpredictable conduct may not be easy to handle but (Read More)





Virgo ( 23rd August to 22nd September ) : It is certainly not the best time for all those in a serious love relationship. The planetary movements suggest some emotional turbulence. But your convincing power shall come handy and you shall successfully ward of all negativity, assures Ganesha. At the same time, around mid-week, there are chances that (Read More)

Story continues





Libra ( 23rd September to 22nd October ) : You have been putting in greatest efforts to make your mark at the career front. But the monotony is now getting too much to handle. Venus, your ruling planet, is combust at the beginning of the week and it is due to this position that you are feeling so worked up. Let Venus come out of combustion and you will (Read More)





Scorpio ( 23rd October to 22nd November ) : The full Moon at the beginning of the week indicates an emotional churn in your life. Moreover, Moon is in Cancer - your 9th House. This signifies some more emotional twists and turns. But apart from this, the Moon also indicates financial strength. You shall make important investment related decisions. Icing (Read More)





Sagittarius ( 23rd November to 21st December ) : Gear up for some ups and downs on the financial front. You might be in seventh heaven as you inherit some wealth or a property. However, some obstacles on the way may not let you enjoy the moment so soon; a little more patience is expected. You may experience a strange uneasiness, as you sense (Read More)





Capricorn ( 22nd December to 20th January ) : Three important planets camp in your Sign, as the year begins. Saturn, your Sign ruler, will stay for the whole year. There are a plenty of good things and vital lessons lined up, along with opportunities and insights. But all that will have to wait, for a while  so dont worry, when the pace of things seems too slow to (Read More)





Aquarius ( 21st January to 18th February ) : Take time to make a nice and detailed list of resolutions, as the year begins. Dont be in a hurry to put them in practice, though. Things may be a bit slow overall  but dont let this trouble you. Yes, your mind may seem a bit muddled, but its most likely temporary. Also, blame it all on cosmos. With ruler of your (Read More)





Pisces ( 19th February to 20th March ) : Are you in some kind of a hurry, as the year begins? For starters, its against your basic nature, and secondly, the short cuts always seem to come with hidden pitfalls and potholes. So, be careful; try not to get tempted into quick buck schemes or lose weight in a fortnight plans. When Moon traverses in (Read More)





Source : www.GaneshaSpeaks.com
Fireworks are no longer just for the Fourth of July. In recent years, cities around the world have boasted impressive fireworks displays to ring in the new year, and some of the most incredible can be found in Las Vegas, Dubai, Sydney and Rio. The four cities saw massive crowds on New Year's Eve ring in 2016 by watching the shows.

Las Vegas shuts down its entire bustling strip each year to make way for its $500,000 fireworks display. Financed by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, fireworks are launched from the rooftops of seven hotels, including the MGM Grand, Aria, Planet Hollywood Resort, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, the Venetian and the Stratosphere. Last year, around 300,000 people gathered to watch the fireworks, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and this New Year's is expected to draw even larger crowds. The eight minute and 11-second choreographed show includes around 80,000 fireworks.

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Massive crowds gather each year in Dubai beneath the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, to ring in the new year. Dubai broke the world record in 2014 for longest and largest fireworks display and more than 650,000 people are expected to watch the 10-minute show at midnight Saturday.

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Sydney boasts two separate fireworks displays on New Year's each year: one for the early birds and children and another for night owls who make it to midnight. The first takes place at 9 p.m. when fireworks choreographed to children's music are launched from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and four barges in the harbor. The second show is at midnight, a 12-minute display in which fireworks are released from seven barges, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

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Celebrations spring up all over Rio on New Year's Eve. Brazil attracts an estimated two million people each year to celebrate the holiday, according to its tourism bureau. Fireworks displays are shown in a variety of areas, the most notable being Copacabana Beach. Fireworks there start at the stroke of midnight and are synchronized to music for eleven minutes.

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new years times square police

Massive dump trucks filled with sand will line the streets surrounding New Year's Eve celebrations in New York City this weekend. The 20-ton vehicles will hold an additional 15 tons of sand, the Associated Press reported Thursday night.

The trucks provide a dense, protective barrier in the event of a bombing. It is part of comprehensive antiterrorism strategies law-enforcement officials deploy to ensure public safety.

The Times Square New Year's Eve event is already a heavily policed affair, but the stakes are even higher this year after a series of terrorist attacks erupted in Europe  some of which involved the use of heavy vehicles.

A Tunisian man who drove a heavy truck into a Christmas market in Berlin this month killed 12 people and injured 56 others. His attack followed a more deadly assault in Nice, France, in July that left 86 people dead when a man drove a 20-ton refrigerated truck into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day.

Officials cited by the Associated Press said they were unaware of any specific threats against Times Square.

Here's some of what you might see there on New Year's Eve:

65 sand-filled dump trucks

100-plus patrol cars

7,000 officers

Specially armed counterterrorism units and bomb-sniffing dogs

The truck tactic has been used before.

Garbage-haulers were parked around Trump Tower and Hillary Clinton's election headquarters on Election Day in November.

dump truck trump tower

Similar preparations are being made for New Year's Eve festivities in Las Vegas.

New York Police Department Chief Carlos Gomez told the AP, "As we formulated this year's plan, we paid close attention to world events and we learned from those events." The NYPD's commissioner, James O'Neil, echoed the sentiment, saying, "It can't just be, 'What happens in New York, what happens in the United States?' It has to be more, 'What happens worldwide?'"

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NOW WATCH: Watch Times Square test its New Years confetti in the rain to make sure it can withstand any weather condition





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In Memoriam: Movie Stars We Lost in 2016

While Hollywood is still mourning the recent deaths of screen icon Debbie Reynolds and her daughter Carrie Fisher, there were many other notable big screen stars who passed away in 2016.

Alan Rickman, one of the most prolific actors of the last two decades, died of pancreatic cancer at age 69 on January 14. Rickman made his big screen debut in 1998s Die Hard, playing the villain Hans Gruber opposite Bruce Willis. From that film on he took on varied roles, from the noble Colonel Brandon in the period piece Sense and Sensibility to the faux-alien Dr. Lazarus in the sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest. But most will know him as the antihero Severus Snape from the Harry Potter movies. Emma Thompson, who starred with Rickman in five films, called him the finest of actors and directors. (Read his obituary here.)

George Kennedy, who won a Best Supporting Oscar for playing Dragline opposite Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke, died on February 28 at the age of 91. He was also known for his roles in four Airport films, which inspired the satirical Airplane! comedies. (Read his obituary here.)

Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin was killed in a freak car accident on June 19, just weeks before the release of Star Trek Beyond. He was only 27. The young actor had assembled quite an impressive resume up to that point; in addition to the blockbuster Star Trek series, Yelchin had roles in films ranging from Alpha Dog to Terminator Salvation to The Smurfs. (Read his obituary here.)

Another prolific actor  Gene Wilder  died on August 29 from complication from Alzheimers. Gifted with impeccable comedic timing, Wilder brought the laughs in many memorable roles, including Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, and the title character in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. He limited his work after the 1989 death of wife Gilda Radner, whom he met in the 1982 movie Hanky Panky (he would later direct her in The Woman in Red). He later won an Emmy for a guest appearance on Will & Grace in 2003. (Read his obituary here.)

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As noted above, the mother-daughter duo of Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher died in late December. Carrie, who famously played Princess  and later General  Leia  in four Star Wars films, died after a heart attack at age 60. She had completed filming on her fifth Star Wars movie before her death. Throughout her life, she spoke openly about battling addiction and mental illness with her trademark candor and wit. (Read her obituary here.)

Sadly, Fishers mother Debbie Reynolds died on December 28, one day after her daughters death. She was 84. One of the last surviving stars of the studio system, Reynolds starred in hits like Singing in the Rain and The Unsinkable Molly Brown. She also found herself in the middle of one of the biggest celebrity scandals when husband Eddie Fisher left her for her best friend Elizabeth Taylor. Reynolds continued to act and sing for decades, even playing a version of herself on Will & Grace. She was also a champion for mental health and preserving Hollywoods heritage. (Read her obituary here.)

We also lost pop icon Prince, who starred in the 1984 cult classic Purple Rain, as well as comedian Garry Shandling and The Godfather actor Abe Vigoda.

Behind the camera, Hollywood bid farewell to directors Gary Marshall (Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries), Michael Cimino (The Deer Hunter), and Robin Hardy (The Wicker Man).

To see more notable deaths from 2016, check out the gallery below.

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Film Review: 'Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds'

How a Younger Generation Embraced Debbie Reynolds Through 'Kim Possible,' 'Halloweentown' and 'Rugrats'

Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher to Be Honored With TV Specials This Week
Miranda Kerr was a bridesmaid at her brothers wedding, and it was adorable

Wedding bells are ringing a lot around Miranda Kerr these days. Not only is the stunning supermodel getting ready to walk down the aisle herself, Miranda Kerr was a bridesmaid over the holiday week at the wedding of her younger brother Matthew Kerr and his longtime boyfriend Jeremy Wright. So Miranda got to do double duty as doting sister and proud bridesmaid  and the photos are almost too sweet to believe.

Alongside her beaming parents and a host of excited family and friends, Miranda Kerr was obviously delighted to play the part of bridesmaid for her little brother. The outdoor ceremony was held in the familys native Australia, and the natural beauty of the land down under is the perfect backdrop for the happy couple.

For her role as big sister bridesmaid, Kerr donned a lovely white dress that managed to be light and breezy without coming across as informal. A crown of flowers and a brightly colored bouquet finished off the playful style, and perfectly complemented the charming outfits worn by the newlyweds.

They decided on forever... @mattykerr26 @jimmykerr2611 @mirandakerr @nannakerrs @thedivinecompany A photo posted by Therese Kerr (@theresekerr) on Dec 30, 2016 at 7:45pm PST

Even though shes used to having all eyes on her while she struts down the catwalk, Kerr was more than happy to stick to the sidelines and let her brother have his day in the sun with his new husband. And its very likely that the two siblings have been trading wedding tips and ideas: Kerr is engaged to Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel.

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They decided on forever... @mattykerr26 @jimmykerr2611 @mirandakerr @nannakerrs @thedivinecompany A photo posted by Therese Kerr (@theresekerr) on Dec 30, 2016 at 7:45pm PST

Spiegel popped the question to the supermodel back in July, and the two have been planning their big day ever since. No word yet on whether Kerr is going for a relaxed outdoor affair like her younger brother, or if shell have a more formal setting for when she says I do. But for now, it looks like Kerr is content to let her brother enjoy his happy day  and were sure to see him as a member of her wedding party as well!

The post Miranda Kerr was a bridesmaid at her brothers wedding, and it was adorable appeared first on HelloGiggles.
2016 was a turbulent and exciting year for the fashion industry. As well as the increasing numbers of brands shunning the traditional fashion week timetable for unisex catwalk shows or see-now-buy-now collections, there was a considerable amount of reshuffling amongst the top ranks. Here is a recap of the hottest promotions of the past 12 months.

Lanvin

The year was off to a dramatic start with the announcement in March that Paris designer Bouchra Jarrar had been named the new artistic director of Lanvin. Jarrar replaced Alber Elbaz, who had left the luxury fashion label under a cloud of controversy the previous October. Her debut collection, for Spring/Summer 2017, was widely applauded.

Yves Saint Laurent

YSL revealed in April that ex-Versus Versace creative director Anthony Vaccarello would be filling the position vacated by Hedi Slimane. Vaccarello made his debut for the legendary French house during the Spring/Summer 2017 shows, with a glamorous, sexy collection that stayed true to the brand's roots.

Dior

Dior named Maria Grazia Chiuri as its new creative director in July, several months after Raf Simons had stepped down from the role in October 2015. The ex-Valentino designer, who worked alongside Pierpaolo Piccioli at the Italian brand, is the first woman to hold the position at the prestigious French house -- a fact that was highlighted in her debut Spring/Summer 2017 collection, which included t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan "We should all be feminists." Her move to Dior also made Piccioli the sole creative director of Valentino.

Calvin Klein

Just one month later, US powerhouse Calvin Klein snapped up ex-Dior designer Raf Simons as its new chief creative officer. The Belgian designer will oversee all aspects of the brand's output, including its ready-to-wear, underwear, jeans and home furnishings. His first collection for the house is expected to debut for Fall/Winter 2017.

Oscar de la Renta

There was still room for one more big promotion before the end of 2016, and September brought the news that Monse founders Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia would be taking up the reins at Oscar de la Renta as co-creative directors, following the departure of Peter Copping. The duo, who worked at the house for 12 and six years respectively, will reveal their debut collection for Fall/Winter 2017.
Leijorettes marching group participates in the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchuss Princess Leia Tribute Parade honoring actress Carrie Fisher. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)

A group calling itself the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus held a parade on Friday in New Orleans in memory of Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher.

This is a public demonstration of our love for Princess Leia, said Brooke Ethridge, one of the founders of the Leijorettes, a dance group that dons the white robes and hair buns of Fishers iconic character, in an interview with the New York Daily News, Our first instinct was to hit the streets and parade and celebrate Princess Leia and Carrie Fisher.

Fisher passed away earlier this week at the age of 60 after suffering a massive heart attack while traveling by plane from London to Los Angeles.

Fishers mother, Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds, suffered a stroke and also passed away within a day of her daughters death. A joint funeral for the two women has been announced.

Hundreds of people in costumes marched in the streets alongside Star Wars-themed parade floats. Many women in attendance wore Princess Leias instantly recognizable costume (and hairstyle) from 1977s Star Wars: Episode IV  A New Hope.

Fisher is remembered as not only the fiery galactic heroine but also a passionate mental health advocate. In life she suffered from bipolar disorder and a long struggle with substance abuse.

Fisher was also the author of autobiographical fiction and nonfiction that explored her struggles, in titles like Postcards From the Edge and Wishful Drinking. She also was a successful Hollywood script doctor.
Following the 2016 U.S. presidential election, many began to talk of the Nostradamus predictions and their validity in the wake of Donald Trumps win.

French physician and astrologer Michel de Nostradamus had penned a verse prophesizing what some believers consider to be a forecast of the 2016 presidential election.

History.coms translation tells of the The masculine woman who would exert herself to the north, and also of The great shameless, audacious bawler, / He will be elected governor of the army: / The boldness of his contention, / The bridge broken, the faint from fear.

Nostradamus was born in 1503 and has since been credited, centuries later, for predicting some of the worlds most poignant and devastating events. The astrologer was said to have accurately predicted the French Revolution, Adolf Hitlers ultimate rise to power and even the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to History.com.

Nostradamus eventually began to write his visions and penned almanacs devoted to his predictions of the future. Ten volumes were produced, each one containing 100 predictions that would foretell events throughout the next 2,000 years (he predicted the world would end in 3797). The prophecies he published under Les Prophesies, were each written in four-line verses, or quatrains.

As the New Year has approached, believers in the Nostradamus predictions have advised of his forecasts might hold some truth in the coming year.

Instability for the United States is one prediction believers have determined, according to News.com.au. The country could become more ungovernable under the Trump administration. One translated verse reads, The false trumpet concealing madness will cause Byzantium to change its laws. From Egypt there will go forth a man who wants to edict withdrawn, changing money and standards, which could be a reference to Trumps potentially disastrous interference in European and foreign policy.

Other predictions include one where the astrologer forecast peace between Russia and Ukraine and that China may make bold moves to cure the economic imbalance, according to Daily Express.

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Tough economic times for Italy were also predicted, as well as the prospect of a surmounting matter referred to as the Hot Wars. Some have taken this to refer to climate change and global warming.

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An iconic New York City deli is closing its doors for good after nearly 80 years in business, despite concerted efforts to save the Big Apple hotspot.

The legendary Carnegie Deli, known for its towering hot pastrami and corned beef sandwiches (combine them and you get the famed Woody Allen) and cheesecake, will serve its last meal at midnight on Friday, after its owner rejected a $10 million bid by Sammy Musovic, who once was employed at the deli as a dishwasher.

I did the best that I could, we initially made an offer for 5 million, it wasnt good enough. So you know what I said, lets not fool around, lets double the offer, shes thinking about it [Marian Harper]To me it's an institution, its a landmark, its like taking the Empire State Building from New York City, he said to the FOX Business Networks David Asman.

Musovic also discussed how Carnegie Deli propelled him to become the successful restaurant entrepreneur he is today.



The father Milton Park [Founder of the Carnegie Deli] was the one who actually just encouraged me. Im in the food business because of him, he said.

Though the deli on 7th Ave., which opened in 1937, is closing, other locations in Las Vegas, Connecticut and Pennsylvania will remain open.



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As a presidential candidate, Barack Obama promised to embrace Americas allies and extend a hand to its adversaries. As president, he has made remarkable progress in engaging longtime foes, restoring relations with Cuba and negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran. But the same cant be said for all the countrys traditional friends. Obama certainly strengthened alliances with Western European nations turned off by George W. Bush, and worked closely with other countries to fight ISIS and reduce climate change. But on his watch ties have frayed with several countries previously considered U.S. partners, including Egypt, Israel, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The bitter back-and-forth this week between U.S. and Israeli leaders on Israels settlement policy is just one illustration of this trend.

These ties have frayed in part because of events outside Obamas control, such as the Egyptian Revolution and, in the case of the Saudis, the American shale-oil revolution. Theyve frayed because of the emergence in many of these countries of leaders who are personally and ideologically at odds with Obama. But theyve also frayed because of the unique way in which the Obama administration has treated adversaries and allies. The prevailing logic within the administration appears to go something like this: Adversarial governments dont want what the U.S. government wants, so constructive relationships with them must initially be based on opportunities for dialogue. Eventually, sustained engagement may help produce or identify areas of convergent interest.

In light of the Cultural Revolutions horrors, Nixons meeting with Mao appeared inexcusableand yet it surely helped set China on a path where millions of its citizens have been lifted from poverty and connected to open societies, Obama declared in accepting the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. [W]e must try as best we can to balance isolation and engagement, pressure and incentives. Such logic helps explain why Obama has said, in reference to the Iran nuclear agreement, that you dont make deals like this with your friends, and why, during a visit to Havana, he emphasized the importance of diplomacy despite his many differences with the Cuban government.

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By contrast, Obama seems to believe that the United States and its allies shouldin an ideal world, at leastshare interests and values. When an ally acts in ways he disapproves of, Obama has been more willing than his recent predecessors to publicly criticize or marginalize it. Often this takes the form of Obama suggesting that while the ally ultimately wants what the U.S. wants, it is going about things the wrong way. Hence Obamas claim that he and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte share a desire to crack down on drug trafficking, but that Duterte isnt doing it the right way; or his assertion that steadfast U.S. support for Saudi Arabia against Iran isnt good for the Saudis, even though they think it is; or his advice, as a friend and partner of Turkeys, that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan avoid an anti-democratic overreaction after a failed coup attempt.

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Nowhere has this tendency been more evident than in Obamas relations with Israel, and specifically his longstanding disagreements with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the nuclear deal with Iran and the construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Here, for instance, is how Obama defended the Iran accord last year:

I do not doubt [Netanyahus] sincerity. But I believe he is wrong. I believe the facts support this deal. I believe they are in Americas interest and Israels interest. And as president of the United States, it would be an abrogation of my constitutional duty to act against my best judgment simply because it causes temporary friction with a dear friend and ally. I do not believe that would be the right thing to do for the United States. I do not believe it would be the right thing to do for Israel.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry expressed a similar sentiment this week in a speech on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Friends need to tell each other the hard truths, Kerry argued, and the hard truth in this case was that Israeli settlements are endangering a two-state peace deal with the Palestinians. Thats why the United States had declined to veto a recent UN resolution condemning Israels settlement activities, Kerry explained:

This friend, the United States of America, that has done more to support Israel than any other country, this friend that has blocked countless efforts to delegitimize Israel, cannot be true to our own valuesor even the stated democratic values of Israeland we cannot properly defend and protect Israel, if we allow a viable two-state solution to be destroyed before our own eyes. And thats the bottom line: The vote in the United Nations was about preserving the two-state solution. Thats what we were standing up for: Israels future as a Jewish and democratic state, living side by side in peace and security with its neighbors. Thats what we are trying to preserve, for our sake and for theirs. In fact, this administration has been Israels greatest friend and supporter, with an absolutely unwavering commitment to advancing Israels security and protecting its legitimacy.

These critiques of allies policies may well be justified, but often they havent produced the changes that Obama has sought. The leaders of many of these countries have expressed resentment about the American president telling them whats in their own best interests. Israels settlement construction and the Philippines brutal drug war continue apace; Turkeys president is as authoritarian as ever; Saudi Arabia remains rigidly opposed to Iran.

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One possible explanation for this lack of progress is that, when it comes to inevitable disagreements with allies, Obama has occupied a middle ground between the relatively gentle public prodding of his recent predecessors and the unpredictable iconoclasm of Donald Trump.

Trump, like Obama, has at times been quite critical of traditional U.S. allies. But, unlike Obama, Trump doesnt seem to be especially concerned about allies sharing U.S. values, or to expect allies to broadly share U.S. interests; he wants to partner with Vladimir Putin even though he doesnt happen to like [the Russian political] system, and he routinely accuses U.S. allies of exploiting Americas generosity in pursuit of their own selfish goals. And, unlike Obama, Trump has suggested that he might seriously consider alternatives to these alliance arrangements should his criticisms not be addressedthat the United States could, say, withdraw its security commitments to Japan or NATO countries if they dont invest more in their own defense. These positions have introduced destabilizing uncertainty into Americas intricate alliance system. But they also played a role in Japans prime minister hopping on the first plane to Trump Tower, and NATOs European members ramping up military spending, shortly after Trumps election.

Obama, on the other hand, typically pairs his criticism of allies with a restatement of his strong commitment to the alliance. This is the complicated legacy the president leaves behind. He has succeeded in forging deals with hostile nations after decades of estrangement, and emphasized the importance of collaborating with allies to address international challenges, while nevertheless leaving a number of allies feeling estranged. Its premature to assess Obamas tenure; the bets hes placed will take years to pay off. But he leaves office amid signs, however faint, that Trump could be more effective at changing the behavior of some American allies than Obama, who often valued those alliances too much to jeopardize them.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
By Ethan Lou

(Reuters) - Oil prices settled slightly lower on Friday, the year's last trading day, but attained their biggest annual gain since 2009, after OPEC and partners agreed to cut output to reduce a supply overhang that has depressed prices for two years.

A two-rig rise in the oil rig count in the United States, the ninth weekly increase in a row, as reported by oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Inc (BHI.N), added to bearish sentiments. [RIG/U]

But the total count of 525 for the week, the last for the year, was still below last year's level by 11 rigs.

U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) (CLc1) crude futures were down 5 cents, or 0.1 percent, at $53.72 a barrel, while Brent (LCOc1) fell 3 cents, or 0.1 percent, to $56.82.

"Some profit-taking ... very light trading - a lot of people have already done what they needed to do for the year." said Elaine Levin, president of Powerhouse, an energy-specialized commodities broker in Washington.

Brent rose 52 percent this year and WTI climbed around 45 percent, the largest annual gains since 2009, when the benchmarks rose 78 percent and 71 percent respectively.

Oil prices have slumped since the summer of 2014 from above $100 a barrel. The price rout, due to an oversupply thanks in part to the U.S. shale oil revolution, was accentuated later that year when Saudi Arabia rejected any deal by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cut output and instead fought for market share.

But a historic OPEC agreement struck over three months from September that will reduce production from Jan. 1, marked a return to the 13-country group's old objective of defending prices.

Oman told some customers it will reduce term allocations by 5 percent in March, but did not say whether the supply reduction would continue after that.

The rise in prices can be seen as "proof of international credibility," for OPEC and partners, said Igor Yusufov, founder of the Fund Energy investment firm and a former Russian energy minister.

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He said the rise, a "ponderable New Yew present" for producers, is propelled by expectations of oil demand growth.

Analysts at JBC said major forecasters diverge on their specific predictions.

"We see a big variation in demand growth assessments for 2017, ranging from +1.22 million bpd (barrels per day) ... to +1.57 million bpd," they said in a note to clients.

(This refiled version of the story deletes repeated words in third-last paragraph.)

(Reporting by Ethan Lou in Kingston, Ontario; Additional reporting by Sabina Zawadzki in London and Mark Tay in Singapore; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Chizu Nomiyama)
The oldest male panda in the world died this week but he lived a full life as a hero father

Six months after being diagnosed with cancer, Pan Pan, the worlds oldest male panda died this week. He was 31. Really, 2016 took all the greats. Pan Pan, who was born in the wild of the Sichuan province of China has lived there in captivity for most of his life. In addition to being the worlds oldest panda (31 in panda years is the equivalent to 100 human years) he is also father to more than 130 pandas they account for a quarter of the worlds panda population in captivity. Which is a pretty big deal for the troubled species. Some of his descendants live as far away as California, Washington D.C., Brussels and Edinburgh.

Because of this Pan Pan earned the moniker hero father. Adorable.

It has been well documented in the news that pandas have trouble breeding in captivity it is hard to predict when a female panda will be ovulating, and female pandas are prone to phantom pregnancies or even faking their pregnancies to improve their quality of life. Known for his virility, Pan Pan was able to impregnate female pandas because of his wild nature according to the Panda Conservation and Research Center.

SMH, 2016.



The worlds oldest male panda, Pan Pan, has died. He was 31. pic.twitter.com/6GdX3JQOJi  AJ+ (@ajplus) December 30, 2016

The Huaxi City Daily paper reported that he was one of only four male pandas capable of natural mating. He began breeding in the late 1980s before fathering his first child in 1991.

In 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature downgraded pandas from endangered to vulnerable. There are now 2,000 pandas in the wild and hundreds in captivity according to the IUCN via NBC News. Pan Pan, whos name means hope or expectation should be proud to know that he was a large part of that.

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In a statement to CNN, a spokesperson from the Panda Conservation Center said:

He had a strong physique. Pan Pan was really fast and agile when he was young, Pan Pan brought hope to the center. In a group of sluggish, feeble pandas, Pan Pan stood out. He was always full of energy and vitality.

He reached his peak mating in the late 1990s and eventually was taken out of rotation due to his advanced age.

His health declined rapidly in his final days, and the center said that watching it was heartbreaking. It is so sad that he succumbed to his battle with cancer, but how lucky are we to get to celebrate his life through his future generations.

The post The oldest male panda in the world died this week but he lived a full life as a hero father appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Oliver Stone warned against the dangers of readily accepting "fake news" and "mainstream media propaganda" in a lengthy essay posted Friday to his Facebook account about recent claims that Russian president Vladimir Putin meddled in the U.S. presidential election to secure a victory for Donald Trump.

In the essay, the Snowden director writes, "When one groupthink controls our national conversation, it becomes truly dangerous."

Stone takes issue with The New York Times' reporting of the Russian hacking claims and its "stagnant Cold War vision of a 1950s world where the Russians are to blame for most everything - Hillary's loss, most of the aggression and disorder in the world, the desire to destabilize Europe, etc."

"The Times has added the issue of 'fake news' to reassert its problematic role as the dominant voice for the Washington establishment," the essay reads. "Certainly this is true in the case of Russia's 'hacking' the 2016 election and putting into office its Manchurian Candidate in Donald Trump."

The director writes that he doesn't agree with the conclusion that the CIA, NSA, FBI, DNC, Hillary Clinton and multiple other groups have made in blaming Russia and "singling out" Putin over Trump's win.

Stone then poses the question, "If a black youth in our inner cities were killed or a Pakistani wedding party were murdered by our drones, would President Obama be singled out as a murderer, bully, thug? Such personalization is a sign of sickness in our thinking and way beneath what should be our standards."

Read more: Trump Agrees to Intelligence Briefing After Russian Hacking Sanctions to be "Updated on the Facts"

The filmmaker continues: "My God, the ghost of Izzy Stone is back from the 1950s! For that matter, so is Tom Clancy from the '80s. False thrillers will now be written about the Russians hacking the American elections. Money and TV serials will be made. I've never read such hysterical junk in the New York Times (call it what it is - 'fake news'), in which the editorials have become outrageous diatribes of alleged crimes by Russia. This type of thinking has clearly influenced the Pentagon and many of our Generals' statements, and has pervaded mainstream media reporting."

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Stone emphasizes that though he mostly disagrees with Trump, "he's right now target number one of the mainstream media propaganda." The director ultimately fears the "hot-headed" president-elect will head into a state of war with Russia over "some kind ofintelligence or misunderstanding cooked up by CIA."

Providing links to relevant think pieces, he writes, "I urge you to read the following articles and stay calm in your thinking. But bring it to bear in some way."

Stone concludes his essay: "As a believer in what the Dalai Lama says, every single one of us, even through our prayers, can add to the betterment of this world. I never thought I'd find myself praying for the level-headedness of a Donald Trump."

Read the post in full here.
In a rare interview from her home in southern Oregon, Wendy Maldonado  who was released from prison in March after spending a decade behind bars for killing her abusive husband  tells PEOPLE that not a day goes by when she doesnt savor her freedom.

It hasnt worn off, the 47-year-old mother of four grown sons says. It probably never will.

Maldonado told police that she had no choice but to kill her husband Aaron in the early morning hours of May 1, 2005, after enduring years of relentless, sadistic abuse. On that morning, she and her then 16-year-old son Randy slipped into her sleeping husbands bedroom in their Grants Pass, Oregon, home and crushed his skull with a hatchet and a hammer.

She called 911 and confessed to the murder moments later. During her trial the sickening, shocking extent of the abuse she received from Aaron  which included regularly being strangled until she blacked out and having 17 of her teeth knocked out  was graphically detailed.

The worst case of domestic violence that any of us has seen is how the judge who sentenced her described what she  and her four sons  had endured over the years.

Her case made national headlines and was the subject of the HBO documentary One Minute To Nine.

If I hadnt done this, I know wed all be dead by now, she told PEOPLE during an interview from prison last year.

Since her release from the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, Oregon, on March 5, Maldonado has been reunited with her four boys, including Randy, who spent 75 months in prison as part of a plea agreement.

Besides cooking, working at her new part-time job, shunning social media and spending time with her sons and other family members, the fiercely private Maldonado is in constant awe of her new life outside of prison. Sometimes Ill just get in the car and ride somewhere, she says. Ill go to the store or to work and Ill suddenly think, In the last five minutes Ive gone farther than I got to go in ten years. 

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Maldonado understands that shes still adjusting to freedom, but worries that shes not doing enough to help other women who find themselves trapped in the same situation that she endured during her 18-year marriage to Aaron.

Her goal, she insists, is to one day begin speaking in public and sharing her powerful, yet tragic story in the hopes of preventing further tragedies.

Its over for me, she says. But there are other women out there going through the same situation I went through. I keep thinking that if I could help just a few of them not have to go through what I did, then maybe all this happened for a reason.




Allan Williams, the club owner known for discovering the Beatles and serving as their first manager, only to part ways with them before they rocketed to superstardom, has died at age 86. The Jacaranda Club, a Liverpool music venue Williams opened as a coffee bar in 1957, announced the news on social media.

Williams met the fledgling band  then consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Stuart Sutcliffe  when they asked to play the Jacaranda. He wound up working with the group from 1960 to 1961, booking gigs locally and in Hamburg, Germany, until they had a falling out.

A decade and a half later, Williams published a memoir titled The Man Who Gave The Beatles Away.

More recently, in 2010, he told the Liverpool Echo, I was just glad to have been there in the 60s, at the start of it all. People say to me, You should be a millionaire, and I say, But I am a millionaire! Then they ask How come? Has Paul McCartney given you some money? And I tell them Im a millionaire of memories.

He added, Ive always been proud of the Beatles and proud and happy to have been just a small cog in the wheel of the most famous group in the world.

Today our founder and the man who discovered the Beatles passed away at the age of 86 Allan Williams, you will be missed pic.twitter.com/Mh7sq5Er4q  The Jacaranda (@jacarandalpool) December 30, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
By Elida Moreno PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Panama does not expect any change in its relations with Taiwan or China, a senior official from the isthmus nation said on Friday, despite increased pressure from Beijing on Taiwan's allies to sever ties. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen will visit Latin America next month, against a tense backdrop after news of her phone call with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump angered China earlier this month. Panama is one of Taiwan's oldest friends but some diplomats in Beijing have said the Central American country could become the next nation to break ties. "Relations with Taiwan are good, in excellent condition as always," Panama's Deputy Foreign Minister Luis Miguel Hincapie said in an interview. "They've been a cooperative partner of Panama for many years, and will continue to be so." Tsai will not visit Panama on her trip, which will encompass Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. Hincapie also stressed that the country's relationship with China was "excellent," and did not comment on whether there had been any pressure from China to break with Taiwan. "China is an investor in Panama, a user of the canal, a very important user of the canal," the minister said. Asked about what impact Trump's support for Taiwan could have on Panama, Hincapie said: "We have relations with Taiwan, the United States does not ... so it's an issue for the United States." Tsai will transit through the United States on the trip, her office said on Friday, prompting China to repeat a call for U.S. authorities to block any such stopover. Since the mid-1990s, almost a third of Taiwan's allies have broken ties. It now has formal relations with just 21, mostly smaller and poorer nations in Latin America and the Pacific. (Additional reporting by J.R. Wu in Taipei; Writing by Christine Murray; Editing by Sandra Maler)
LIMA (Reuters) - Peruvian president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said on Saturday that he is evaluating the possibility of suing Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht [ODBES.UL] for damages after the company admitted to using bribes to secure public contracts in the Andean nation.

Odebrecht, Latin America's largest construction outfit, acknowledged in a U.S. settlement earlier in December to having doled out hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes to public officials in 12 nations.

That led the Peruvian government to announce on Wednesday that the company would not be permitted to participate in the country's future public works tenders.

"We're analyzing various alternatives. Without doubt one of them is that, but it has to be looked at case by case," Kuczynski said in an interview with local radio station RPP, when asked about the possibility of suing the company.

"Because otherwise, we're going to get into interminable judicial processes with terrible complexities."

Odebrecht, which could not immediately be reached for comment, has won contracts worth some $12 billion in Peru in the last decade and paid $29 million in bribes between 2005 and 2014, according to the U.S. settlement. It began operations in the nation in 1979, its first foray into markets outside of Brazil.

(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Gram Slattery; editing by Diane Craft)
By Rupam Jain and Malini Menon

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a series of incentives to the poor, farmers, women and small businesses on Saturday in a New Year's address, and defended his recent decision to abolish high denomination bank notes.

The televised speech was widely seen as an opportunity for Modi to shore up support after a radical move on Nov. 8 to withdraw all 500 and 1,000 rupee bills, accounting for 86 percent of currency in circulation.

Millions of Indians were forced to queue outside banks for hours to deposit old money and withdraw as much new currency as was permitted, causing widespread anger and raising concerns about India's economic growth in the current quarter.

The so-called "demonetisation" was designed to crush India's huge shadow economy, increase tax revenues and promote the use of bank accounts and digital transactions, but perceptions that the ambitious operation was botched have hurt Modi's standing.

It comes only weeks before Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state with 200 million people, holds an election that will test whether the popular leader has been significantly weakened.

Modi praised Indians for their forbearance.

"In this fight against corruption and black money, it is clear that you would like to walk shoulder to shoulder with us (the government)," Modi said.

"For us in government, this is a blessing ... Corruption, black money, and counterfeit notes had become so rampant in India's social fabric, that even honest people were brought to their knees."

The prime minister, who swept to power in 2014 on the back of promises to root out graft, said the authorities would continue to stamp it out.

"Serious offences by bank and government officials have come to light. No one will be spared," he said.

NO "BIG BANG OFFERINGS"

Among the measures announced on Saturday was an offer of a 4 percent discount on interest rates for home loans for up to 900,000 rupees ($13,200) taken out in 2017 by middle class Indians.

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Modi also said the government would increase credit guarantees for small businesses and provided additional incentives for digital transactions.

There were steps to help pregnant women and senior citizens, as well as financial support for farmers, an apparent bid to win backing among the huge rural population of Uttar Pradesh that has been hit hard by the cash overhaul.

Modi did not say how the government would pay for the measures, although economists said the package was unlikely to be too costly. It was unveiled as the government gears up to announce its annual budget, probably some time in February.

"It's clear that Modi is chastened and he had no big bang offerings today," said Mohan Guruswamy, chairman of the independent economic think-tank Centre for Policy Alternatives.

"He is clearly doing this to win back political support."

The Uttar Pradesh poll will be a litmus test for Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, and will go some way to determining the prime minister's chances of winning a second term in office in national polls scheduled for 2019.

While he has introduced several major reforms to Asia's third largest economy, the cash ban is seen as his biggest political gamble to date.

Members of the main opposition Congress party were quick to criticise the speech.

One senior member, Prithviraj Chavan, said the address was vague and lacked accurate accounting details.

"It was his day to present a report card and specifically disclose the benefits of 'demonetisation', but clearly the entire drive has been a failure," he said.

In his speech, Modi sought to cast the move as something all Indians should support.

"I urge all parties and leaders to move away from a 'holier than thou approach,' to come together in prioritising transparency, and take firm steps to free politics of black money and corruption."

($1=67.9445 Indian rupees)

(Additional reporting by Suvashree Dey Choudhury; Writing by Rafael Nam; Editing by Mike Collett-White)
MIAMI (AP)  Florida law enforcement officials are investigating after a white police officer in suburban Miami shot a black man who they say was carrying a gun.

In a statement early Saturday, Miami-Dade police Detective Robin Pinkard said two white officers saw a car driving erratically Friday evening in the West Perrine neighborhood.

Pinkard said a black male passenger fled when the officers stopped the car. Police spokesman Carlos Rosario told The Miami Herald (http://hrld.us/2iou1IH ) that the car's driver then jumped from the car and "produced a firearm."

According to Pinkard's statement, shots were fired and the black male driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police were searching for the passenger. Authorities didn't release the officers' names. The Herald reported that relatives identified the driver as 21-year-old Jamal Rollins and they said he didn't own a gun.
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis in his year-end message urged leaders on Saturday to do more to tackle youth unemployment, saying a generation was being lost to desperation, migration and joblessness. At his last public event of 2016, an evening vespers service in St. Peter's Basilica, the 80-year-old Francis said doors had to be opened for young people "so that they can be capable of dreaming and fighting for their dreams". "We have condemned our young people to have no place in society, because we have slowly pushed them to the margins of public life, forcing them to migrate or to beg for jobs that no longer exist or fail to promise them a future," he said in his homily. Youth joblessness in Italy stands at more than 36 percent and tops 18 percent among the 28 European Union states. In Africa, the continent with the world's youngest population, youth unemployment probably increased in 2016, and was near 30 percent in North Africa, according to the International Labour Organization. Poverty and lack of opportunity in Africa is driving migration, particularly to Europe. Almost 5,000 men, women and children died attempting to reach Europe by boat from North Africa in 2016. Among the more than 181,000 boat migrants - mostly African - who reached Italy in 2016, 25,000 were unaccompanied minors, double the number who came in 2015. At the end of the service, Francis walked across St. Peter's Square, stopping to shake hands and pose for pictures, as he paid a brief visit to the life-size nativity set up outside. On Jan. 1, the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics will say a Mass to mark the Church's World Day of Peace. (Reporting by Steve Scherer, editing by Philip Pullella and Adrian Croft)
Outrage over Japans punishing work culture has led to the country  which coined the term karoshi or death by overwork  launching a Premium Friday campaign, allowing employees to finish work early on the last Friday of every month to relax and have fun.

Scheduled to start on Feb. 24, the initiative by the Japanese government and business groups comes soon after the issue came into the spotlight after Tadashi Ishii, head of Japans biggest advertising agency Dentsu, resigned over the suicide of Matsuri Takahashi, a 24-year-old employee who committed suicide in December 2015 after she went into depression from overwork.

According to data from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Japan had worked the third-longest hours among the Group of Seven countries in 2015 but ranked as having the worst productivity of the G-7 nations in the same year, according to the Japan Productivity Center.

Japan is still a country where working long hours is considered a virtue, said Kazunari Tamaki, a lawyer who specializes in karoshi, told Japans Kyodo. But we need to focus on improving efficiency within fixed hours to boost productivity.

According to a Bloomberg report, it is not known how many companies will participate in the campaign but Keidanren  the Japans biggest business lobby  has encouraged its over 1,300 member companies to take part in Premium Friday.

The concept will give a boost to spending and if most workers participate in the campaign, the countrys private consumption could rise by almost 124 billion yen ($1.6 billion) on each Premium Friday, according to Toshihiro Nagahama, chief economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute in Tokyo.

However, in practice, the campaign may not achieve its objective as many smaller companies may require their employees to make the time up on other days. In a country that has 16 annual public holidays higher than the likes of U.S. and France  as its workers usually use only half of their annual paid leave, the implementation of the Premium Friday scheme may be a challenge.

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UPDATE with DGA reaction: The only federal tax incentive designed specifically to keep film and TV production in the United States is dead.

The program had been giving significant tax breaks to investors in shows shot in the U.S. for more than a decade, but it will end on the first day of 2017. For Hollywood, its the first casualty of the new political reality.

Enacted as part of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, Section 181 of the Internal Revenue Code was designed to stem the flow of runaway production to foreign countries that were, and still are, offering generous tax breaks to lure away American productions.

The MPAA has called Section 181 an important provision that promotes domestic film production, but it was not a permanent fix; it had to be renewed by Congress every two years. And this year, the lawmakers let it die. A House bill was introduced to extend it, but it died in the Ways and Means Committee. The incentive still could be renewed retroactively next year or the year after, as it was in 2010, but under a Donald Trump presidency, there might be little political will to do so.

It was one of the greatest jobs acts we had, lamented attorney Hal Corky Kessler of the Chicago law firm of Deutsch, Levy & Engel, one of the industrys leading experts on the federal tax break. Hes still hopeful, however, that Congress will see the merits of reinstating it. At some point it will come back, he predicted. I dont know if it will be next year or the year after, but by the end of this year, its going to die.

RelatedDwayne Johnsons Ballers Makes California Move Official With Big State Tax Credit

The Directors Guild of America, which played a key role in lobbying for Section 181, also weighed in on the programs pending demise.

In the face of film and television production leaving the U.S., the DGA led the fight for the creation of Section 181 as part of the Jobs Act of 2004, and has continued the fight for its improvement and extension five times since then, the guild said in a statement to Deadline. We are disappointed in the failure of the current Congress to extend the larger tax package of which 181 is a part. We will continue our efforts to push for legislation that keeps the U.S. competitive in film and television production.

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Passed to encourage film and TV production to stay in the U.S., the law substantially reduced the risk of investment by giving investors a 100% loss against taxable income in the year or years the money is spent. For example, a producer or investor who put up $1 million for a film who was in the 30% tax bracket could save $300,000 in taxes, while someone in the 35% bracket could save $350,000. Coupled with a share of the tax incentives offered by various states, a smart investor can be assured of a 50%-70% return on investment regardless of whether the project was a success.

The IRS allowed this deduction on the first $15 million invested in every qualified project  and up to $20 million if its shot in certain low-income areas. But not anymore.

RelatedOprah Winfrey-Starring A Wrinkle In Time Among 28 Films Awarded Latest California Tax Credits

The law was a much needed, if tepid, response to the flood of shows fleeing to Canada to take advantage of 35% tax credits there  an exodus triggered by the cultural exemption contained in the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement that allowed Canada to subsidize its film and TV industry while undermining Americas.

Last year, when it was lobbying for its extension, the MPAA reminded the co-chairs of the Senate Finance Committee that Congress enacted Section 181 in light of the job-creation, economic growth and other benefits that flow from filmmaking in the United States.  Recognizing the economic benefit of film production to their local economies, many of our major trading partners, (e.g., Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom) offer significant wage credits and other above-the-line incentives to attract film productions and jobs abroad.

Section 181, the MPAA told the senators, helps to respond to these foreign film incentives and encourages feature film and television productions to remain in the United States.

But not anymore.

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The United Nations Security Council will vote on a Russian resolution Saturday backing the Moscow- and Ankara-brokered ceasefire in Syria. The draft resolution urged rapid, safe and unhindered access to deliver humanitarian aid to the millions of Syrians seeking it.

The draft resolution also indicated its support for the upcoming peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition forces in Kazakhstans capital Astana calling the January talks an important part of the Syrian-led political process facilitated by the United Nations.

The Syrian ceasefire, which came into effect Friday, is already threatening to unravel with rebel groups alleging violations on the part of the government.

Continued violations by the regime and bombardment and attempts to attack areas under the control of the revolutionary factions will make the agreement null and void, a statement signed Saturday by a number of rebel groups reportedly read.

U.K.-based monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Saturday that despite ceasefire violations in certain areas, the ceasefire was observed for the most part.

Rebels alleged that forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad were pressing on with their efforts to retake rebel-held area northwest of Damascus. They also claimed that the government and the opposition had signed two different versions of the deal, one of which missed a number of key and essential points that are non-negotiable.

The rebels did not elaborate on what these essential points were.

syria ceasefire

Photo: REUTERS/AMMAR ABDULLAH

The deal, brokered by Assads allies Russia and Turkey, does not include the Islamic State terrorist group. The Jabhat Fatah al-Sham rebel group, which was once affiliated to al Qaeda, also wasnt part of the deal, the group claimed refusing to recognize the ceasefire.

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We did not negotiate a ceasefire with anyone, the solution is to topple the regime through military, the group wrote in a statement adding that a political solution to end the nearly six-year war would be a waste of blood and revolution.

The multi-faceted conflict began as a peaceful protest, part of the Arab Spring revolution, in 2011 but quickly descended into civil war, leaving thousands dead and millions displaced. The war also involved international players including the U.S., Russia, Turkey and more, supporting different factions.

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While in the United States, celebrating the New Year generally involves fireworks, dropping balls and drinking enough alcohol so you dont remember Dec. 31, other countries around the world do things very differently. Heres a look at some of the ways 2017 will be rung in across the globe.

Japan



While drinking as much as you can may be a tradition in much of the West, in Japan food plays the key role in the festivities. Perhaps the biggest tradition is eating a bowl of soba noodles on New Years Eve called toshikoshi. While soba noodles are thought to represent strength and resilience, the toshikoshi noodles are also easy to cut, signifying the end of the hardship of the previous year. Traditionally, it is thought long noodles represent longer life.

Italy



In Italy, the bells ringing in midnight are followed by eating a portion of lentils. They are thought to symbolize wealth due to their brown color making them appear like gold coins, and prosperity, courtesy of the fact that they are long lasting. But lentils are not the only food that is served: A spicy pork sausage known as zampone is also eaten.

Grapes Spain

Photo: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images

Spain



Spaniards have a very specific way of welcoming in the new year. For each of the 12 chimes of the clock at midnight, a single grape is eaten. The 12 grapes tradition is thought to date back to 1909 when some growers in the port city of Alicante popularized it as a way to sell a surplus grapes. Eating them is thought to lead to a year of prosperity and, whats more, should be done wearing red underwear given to you by someone else.

Mexico And Latin America



In Mexico and across Latin America, the sight of people running around the block on New Years Eve is not as unusual as it may sound. For those desperate to get away, the tradition is said to bring more travels in the year ahead.

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Philippines



For Filipinos, New Years Eve means a dinner party called Media Noche, which literally translates as midnight. Traditional dishes include Lechon, a whole roasted pig, and a beef stew. But the dinner party also has a dress code, with polka dots considered prosperous, once again because of their resemblance to coins.

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MILAN (AP)  Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Or else.

An orchestral director lost his job at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome after telling an audience filled with children that the man in the red suit who delivers gifts to good girls and boys does not, in fact, exist.

The news agency ANSA said Saturday that Giacomo Loprieno lashed out at the young audience for failing to applaud following a performance of "Frozen" on Thursday.

The theater underlined the severity of the offense with a Facebook posting of the production's new orchestral director alongside Santa Claus.

On social media, the firing has been both applauded for protecting children's fantasies, and derided for punishing someone telling the truth.
Beirut (AFP) - A ceasefire held across most of Syria as Russia and Turkey secured unanimous passage of a UN resolution backing their efforts to "jumpstart" talks aimed at ending the nearly six-year conflict.

The Security Council resolution aims to pave the way for talks next month in Kazakhstan's capital Astana, under the aegis of Russia and Iran -- both Syrian government supporters -- and of rebel backer Turkey.

Turkey and Russia say the talks will supplement, not replace, UN-backed peace efforts, including negotiations set to resume February 8 in Geneva.

The text of the UN measure "welcomes and supports the efforts by Russia and Turkey to end violence in Syria and jumpstart a political process". It hails the Astana talks as "an important step".

The measure also calls for the "rapid, safe and unhindered" delivery of humanitarian aid in Syria.

Russia and Turkey brokered the current ceasefire and, while backing opposing forces in the conflict, have been working increasingly closely on Syria, including to allow evacuations from the besieged city of Aleppo.

The Syrian conflict has occasionally spilled over into neighbouring Turkey, with several attacks blamed on Islamic State jihadists or Kurdish militants.

In the latest bloodshed, at least 35 people were killed and 40 wounded when gunmen reportedly dressed as Santa stormed an Istanbul nightclub where partygoers were celebrating the New Year.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

Turkey has launched an incursion into Syria to oust IS and Kurdish militants from the border area.

Washington has been conspicuously absent from the new process to end the Syrian conflict but has called the truce "positive." Moscow has said it hoped to bring US President-elect Donald Trump's administration on board once he takes office in January.

Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin had earlier voiced hope the Security Council would endorse the planned talks in Kazakhstan and back the resolution unanimously.

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But several council members had demanded clarifications over the reach of the resolution, what it would mean for the UN talks, how it might affect rebels recently ousted from Aleppo, and what it would mean for humanitarian aid.

The French foreign ministry expressed hope the ceasefire would be "fully respected," calling for a prompt resumption of political negotiations brokered by the UN.

"The unanimous adoption of Resolution 2336 demonstrates how important implementing a ceasefire in Syria truly is for the international community," the statement added.

- Truce largely holds -

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor of the war, said most of Syria remained calm, despite limited clashes.

Two children were killed in the evening by regime artillery fire targeting rebel territory near Aleppo, the observatory said.

Separately, in the coastal town of Tartus two suicide bombers who were trying to join New Year festivities blew themselves up at a security roadblock, killing two members of the regime forces, it said.

The government in Damascus called the ceasefire a "real opportunity" to find a political solution to a war that has claimed more than 310,000 lives and displaced millions since it began in March 2011 with protests against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Clashes were reported around Wadi Barada near Damascus, and the southern city of Daraa, where one opposition fighter was killed.

The fighting in Wadi Barada has led to water shortages that have affected four million people in the capital.

Five rebel fighters and two civilians have been killed in Wadi Barada and the rebel bastion of Eastern Ghouta near Damascus since the truce started on Friday, said Syrian Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman.

The Observatory said a total of 60,000 people were killed in violence across Syria in 2016, more than 13,000 of them civilians.

The forces in Wadi Barada include Fateh al-Sham Front, previously known as Al-Nusra Front. That group and the Islamic State group are excluded from the truce.

- Iran urges 'vigilance' -

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem held talks in key ally Iran with President Hassan Rouhani and the Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Shamkhani.

Rouhani said "vigilance" was needed to ensure the rebels did not reorganise.

The official IRNA news agency also quoted Shamkhani as warning that any political solution to the Syrian conflict must not lead to "the weakening" of the Damascus government.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he would reduce Moscow's military contingent in Syria, which has been fighting to bolster the government since last year.

But he added Russia would continue to fight "terrorism" and maintain its support for Assad's government.
Putin (DC)

Russian hackers breached a Vermont electrical utility, The Washington Post reported on Friday.

Investigators found malicious code associated with the hackers during an analysis of Russia's cyberattacks against Democratic Party organizations.

That code was apparently discovered on a laptop at the Burlington Electric Department in Vermont, the Burlington Free Press wrote on Friday.

The code was apparently not used to disrupt operations at the Vermont utility, and officials there said the laptop in question is not associated with the operation of the electrical grid.

"The grid is not in danger," Vermont Public Service Commissioner Christopher Recchia told the Burlington Free Press. "The utility flagged it, saw it, notified appropriate parties and isolated that one laptop with that malware on it."

Officials interviewed by The Post said it is not clear how hackers may have intended to execute the malware, if at all.

One of the biggest threats with breaches of utility sites is the potential to disrupt the US electrical grid en masse. Such an attack could have a devastating effect on emergency services nationwide.

A senior Obama administration official told The Post the malicious code was shared with utilities throughout the country. People at the Vermont utility identified the code within their system, the newspaper said.

Russia is at the center of a US federal investigation into widespread hacking that targeted organizations associated with the Democratic Party during the presidential election.

Russia has denied any involvement. President Barack Obama on Thursday announced new sanctions against the Kremlin as a result  which included the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats from the US.

NOW WATCH: Putin will not retaliate over US sanctions after his foreign minister recommended ejecting 35 US diplomats





More From Business Insider


GaneshaSpeaks

Rohit Gurunath Sharma, 30, right-handed India opener is a cricketer who has been going through a phase of tremendous form, having recently notched up his third ODI double century, while no other cricketer in the world has scored even two. Rohit Sharma, who is also an occasional right-arm off break bowler, is a Mumbai cricketer and plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Rohit's first double ton came against Australia, 209 in 2013; the second, 264 against Sri Lanka, came in 2014; and the third, 208 not out also against Sri Lanka, earlier this month. Rohit Sharma is the only Indian cricketer who has scored a century in all three formats of the game -- Tests, ODIs and T20s. Ganesha analyses Rohit Sharma's horoscope to find out his future prospects. To find out, read on.



Planets Have Helped Rohit Get Fame And Fortune

Rohit Sharma has exalted Sun placed with Mercury. The Sun gives him force, the power of will, success and good fortune. The exalted Venus is placed with strong Jupiter. The benevolent influence of Venus favours accumulation of wealth, fame and success. Adding to this exalted Moon is placed with Mars. This conjunction indicates his aggressive and positive mind-set.



Rohit Sharma Likes To Play The Lofted Shot

Rohit Sharma likes to play lofted shots and take risks in the shorter format of cricket and has been very successful in the format with his approach. Do you want to know the future of your career? If yes, buy the Career Ask A Question Report and get the clarity.



Jupiter Will Continue To Support Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has recently set new records and he will continue to get tremendous support from the transiting Jupiter in Libra. This is going to help him in a big way as is also seen from his Zodiac sign Taurus.



Rohit May Be Inconsistent In The 1st Quarter Of 2018

Even though he will be in good form, his performance will remain inconsistent during the first quarter of 2018. Rohit Sharma's impulsive approach and wrong stroke selection due to a rush of blood may cause some problems.



However, Rohit Sharma Will Still Hit Some Big Knocks

However, we can expect Rohit Sharma to play one or two big innings but he will not be able to do justice to his potential and talent as is seen in the Astrology. Also read about Ravichandran Ashwin.



Rohit Sharma Will Play Better After April 2018

He will play well after mid-April 2018 and may become Indias most accomplished batsman. Also, Rohit Sharma will have plenty of planetary support during the latter half of the year 2018. Success in sports also translates into more money. Do you want to know the future of your business? Get the Free 2018 Business Report.



Despite Injuries, Rohit Will Get Full Support From Fans

However, Rohit Sharma may also feel that his energy is somewhat exhausted and he will also be prone to injury or fitness issues during the middle part of year 2018. He will garner tremendous appreciation from his fans all over the world during year 2018.



With Ganesha's Grace,

Tanmay K. Thakar

The GaneshaSpeaks.com Team
At least one member of Team Scorpion will be ringing in an unhappy new year when the show returns Jan. 2 (CBS, 10/9c).

Despite the fact that Paiges beau, Tim, is relocating to Jordan for a new job, Walter will be no closer to a relationship with the former waitress than he was when they first met.

RELATEDJanuary TV Premieres, Returns, Finales and More: Save the 130+ Dates!

According to executive producers Nick Wootton and Nick Santora, Scorpions first 2017 episode will find Paige giving Walter major cold shoulder for the way hes treated her boyfriend. (In case you need a refresher: Walter has actively tried for months to exclude Tim from the team, even going so far as to give Tim an office in the elevator. Feeling unwelcome, Tim opted to take the job offer in Jordan, where he can have actual authority over a team.)

Scorpion Season 3

Paige is furious at first, Wootton tells us. Walter, meanwhile, feels terrible about the whole Tim thing and tries to be sweet and kind to Paige with the purest of intentions.

Paige will ultimately get love life assistance from the last person you (or she) would expect: her con artist mother, played by Switched at Births Lea Thompson.

Continues Wootton: Eventually, Paige realizes that if Walter is going to make any emotional headway, she needs to follow advice that her mom gave her. And when [Walter] is trying to be kind to her without any ulterior motives, interesting developments arise.

RELATEDThe Good Wife Spinoff Trailer: Get Your First Look at CBS All Access The Good Fight

In other words? If youre a Waige fan, you should probably keep a close eye on the second half of Season 3. Although Santora assures us that Tim wont be completely out of the picture  he and Paige will have daily connections via online video chats during his time in Amman  Walter will continue trying to win over his longtime crush in the episodes ahead.

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Walter and Paige is the true relationship of the show, Santora teases. Despite the Tim tension, that relationship is the one that the show will focus on, despite it having its occasional speed bumps.

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Sacrificing animals for your gain is the wackest shit I've ever heard. Get ahead by being awesome, kind and working hard.  sia (@Sia) December 30, 2016

It looks like Sia broke rule number one when it comes to dealing with Azealia Banks: Dont feed the trolls. The Chandelier hitmaker incurred the wrath of the angry rapper when Sia tweeted about her chicken sacrifices. Just to recap a bit, Azealia wasnt kidding when she said she was a witch who practiced brujeria which apparently involves gutting Chicken Little for bloody rituals. Well, Sia, a vegan was disgusted to learn about what goes on in Azealias closet and tweeted about it.

Sacrificing animals for your gain is the wackest shit Ive heard. Get ahead by being awesome, kind and working hard, the animal rights activist tweeted after video of Azealia sandblasting dried blood and chicken feathers went viral on Friday. Never been one to keep her mouth shut, Azealia retaliated back and told SIA to have some respect for her traditional African religion. This is AB were talking about so you bet your voodoo doll her clapback was much more venomous than that.

Azealia Banks fires back at Sia: "Your ugly pasty dry white lady winter skin face is the ugliest face I've ever seen" pic.twitter.com/y21KgGbZpf  Pop Crave (@PopCrave) December 30, 2016

And your ugly pasty dry white lady winter skin face is the ugliest [face] Ive ever seen that must be why you hide it all the time. HAVE SOME F*CKING RESPECT FOR MY F*CKING TRADITIONAL AFRICAN RELIGION YOU POMPOUS WHITE B*TCH, Azalea lashed out before offering her services to the 41-year-old. Call me and let me crush up some maravilla and some honey and cascarilla and make a salve for that chapped face of yours. Dont you ever in your pompous white life ever fix your stupid chapped face to say anything sideways about my religious beliefs or practices. This is your first warning.

Im sure there wont be a second time for Sia since shes currently focused on divorcing her husband of two years.

Now if youll excuse me, I have to go wash myself in the bloodah of Jeeesusah to fend off whatever hexes AB will be throwing my way for reporting this story.
More than half a million South Koreans marked New Year's Eve with a massive protest Saturday calling for the immediate arrest and ouster of impeached President Park Geun-Hye.

Candle-carrying and banner-waving protestors marched towards key buildings in Seoul including the presidential Blue House and the prime minister's office.

Police figures were unavailable but organisers estimated crowd numbers to be more than 600,000.

"Park Geun-Hye step down. Go to prison now," they chanted.

Parliament voted on December 9 to impeach Park over a corruption scandal in which she allegedly colluded with her friend, Choi Soon-Sil, to wrest donations from large conglomerates to two dubious foundations.

The case is now being considered by the Constitutional Court, which has up to 180 days to rule on the impeachment.

"I came here to help usher in a new year that has no Park Geun-Hye", Kang Jae-Chun, who was at the protest with his two children, told AFP.

Demonstrators also planned to take part in a midnight ceremony in which a large bronze bell in the city centre is rung to herald in the new year.

It was the tenth protest calling for Park's immediate departure from office.

But Park, who has been suspended from her duties since the impeachment vote, has remained defiant, declaring she will wait until the Constitutional Court arrives at a decision.

Earlier on Saturday, former health minister Moon Hyung-Pyo was arrested under a court order in a widening probe to determine whether Park and Choi took bribes from businesses including Samsung.

Moon, who is now head of the National Pension Service (NPS), admitted to pressuring the state-run fund to back a controversial merger of two Samsung units -- Cheil Industries and Samsung C&T -- last year when he served as health minister.

The acquisition was seen as a crucial step to ensure a smooth father-to-son power transfer to Lee Jae-Yong, scion of Samsung's founding family.

Critics said it undervalued Samsung C&T stock but NPS -- the world's third largest public pension fund and a major Samsung shareholder -- backed the deal, allegedly incurring hundreds of millions of dollars in losses for NPS subscribers.

Investigators reportedly plan to question Lee next month to determine whether he told Samsung Electronics executives to funnel millions of dollars into questionable foundations and companies controlled by Choi in return for NPS' backing.

Lee said at a parliamentary hearing this month he was not aware of the money transfers.
(BEIRUT)  Syrian rebels warned on Saturday that cease-fire violations by pro-government forces threatened to undermine a two-day-old agreement intended to pave the way for talks between the government and the opposition in the new year.

Airstrikes pounded opposition-held villages and towns in the strategically-important Barada Valley outside Damascus, activists said, prompting rebels to threaten to withdraw their compliance with a nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey last week.

Rebels also accused the government of signing a different version of the agreement to the one they signed in the Turkish capital of Ankara, further complicating the latest diplomatic efforts to bring an end to six years of war.

Nearly 50,000 people died in the conflict in 2016, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which maintains networks of contacts on all sides of the war. More than 13,000 of them were civilians, according to the Observatory. Various estimates have put the wars overall toll at around 400,000 dead.

If the truce holds, the government and the opposition will be expected to meet for talks for the first time in nearly a year in the Kazakh capital of Astana in the second half of January. Those talks will be mediated by Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem and Major General Ali Mamlouk, head of the National Security Bureau, were in Tehran Saturday to discuss developments with their Iranian counterparts, according to Iranian state media. They met with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council.

The Kremlin meanwhile said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani confirmed their commitment to negotiations in Astana, in a phone conversation between the two leaders.

Iran and Russia have provided crucial military and diplomatic support to Syrian President Bashar Assad throughout the conflict, while Turkey has served as a rear base and source of supplies for the opposition.

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The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to meet at 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT) to vote on a resolution to endorse the cease-fire and the Astana talks, in line with previous agreements mandating a transitional government for Syria.

The resolution also calls for rapid, safe and unhindered access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country.

The developments follow months of talks between Ankara and Moscow that culminated in a cease-fire agreement that went into effect Friday at midnight.

But in a statement issued by a coalition of 11 rebel factions, including the powerful Army of Islam group operating in the Damascus countryside, rebels said they could not abide by the cease-fire if the government continued its assault on Barada Valley.

The statement also complained that the governments version of the agreement signed in Ankara last week had deleted a number of essential and non-negotiable points.

It said the opposition had agreed to a cease-fire encompassing the whole of Syria, without any exceptions to region or faction.

The Barada Valley Media Center said Lebanese Hezbollah militants were firing on villages and towns in the water-rich region as Russian and government aircraft carried out raids for the 10th consecutive day Saturday. The Lebanese militant group is a key ally to President Assads forces.

The Barada Valley is the primary source of water for the capital and its surrounding region. The government assault has coincided with a severe water shortage in Damascus since Dec. 22. Images from the valleys Media Center indicate its Ain al-Fijeh spring and water processing facility have been destroyed in airstrikes. The government says rebels spoiled the water source with diesel fuel, forcing it to cut supplies to the capital.

The Observatory reported at least two civilians and five militants have been killed in battles over opposition-held Eastern Ghouta and Barada Valley regions around Damascus, since the truce came into effect Thursday at midnight.

The Syrian military on Friday denied attacking the valley, saying it respected the Russian and Turkish brokered truce.

Meanwhile, Turkeys state-run Anadolu news agency reported the death of an Islamic State commander in a Turkish airstrike near the north Syrian town of al-Bab on Friday. The truce does not cover operations against the Islamic State group or al-Qaidas Syria affiliate, the Fatah al-Sham front.

Anadolu identified the commander as Abu Ansari. The report could not be independently verified.

___

Associated Press writers Zeynep Bilginsoy in Istanbul, James Heintz in Moscow, and Mohammad Nasri in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
Voters in eight states passed marijuana legalization laws following the 2016 presidential election, giving pot legalization the required momentum for more states across the country to carry out discussions on the decriminalization of cannabis in 2017.

Here are the states that may legalize marijuana in the coming year:

Delaware

The recreational legalization of marijuana is expected to be discussed by the states officials in early 2017. Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, during a Medical Marijuana Act Oversight Committee meeting in October, said: Its time to certainly look at it.

The senator is responsible for drafting the states medical marijuana bill and Delawares Democratic Governor-elect John Carney also supports the decriminalization of marijuana in his state.

Rhode Island

After neighboring state Massachusetts fully legalized pot for adults over 21, Rhode Island is expecting marijuana legalization in 2017.

Were looking at it, said Rhode Island Gov. Raimondo, Providence Journal reported on Oct. 29. If I could get myself comfortable that we, the state, could legalize in a way that keeps people safe, keeps children safe, folks aren't getting sick, then I would be in favor.

New Jersey

Despite Gov. Chris Christie being opposed to marijuana legalization, lawmakers are ready to explore the possibility. After visiting Colorado in October to evaluate the impact that legalization has had on the state, Sen. Nicholas Scutari, who was a part of the delegation, expects a vote in 2017.

We want to learn from their experiences and improve on it as much as we can. This is not a joke this is big money and it's great savings to the state, Scutari said, according to local news source NJ.com.

marijuana 2017

Photo: REUTERS/David McNew/File Photo

Texas

Texas is making decriminalization a priority on its 2017 lawmaking agenda. State officials will consider reducing charges for possession by adopting a model that fines people $250 without giving them a criminal record.

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Virginia

Gov. Terry McAuliffe has expressed his inclination towards legalizing medical marijuana and told local radio station WTOP in October: I do support it for medicinal purposes. I will sign any bill you can get to me, because I'm a big believer in that.

Kentucky

The time of laughing and snickering about marijuana and marijuana cigarettes is over. We've got serious businessmen who have approached me on this now and say they are taking it to the governor, Sen. Perry Clark told The Courier-Journal last year.

Clark filed for a bill  called the Cannabis Freedom Act  to legalize medical marijuana use in the state, which will be presented to the people of the state in 2017.

New Mexico

Rep. Bill McCamely has suggested the state could use marijuana legalization as a way to resolve New Mexicos $600 million deficit and, according to a poll conducted by the Albuquerque Journal in October, 61 percent of New Mexicos voters would support the recreational use of marijuana, increasing the possibility of a new bill being presented to the state during the 2017 legislative season.

Vermont

Bernie Sanders Vermont almost passed adult-use legalization this year and is expected to take up the issue again when the next session opens in January.

Missouri

After local advocacy groups failed to meet a deadline to garner the 157,788 signatures required to put medical and adult-use cannabis measures on the November ballot, they are expected to regroup in 2017 and push a medical or adult-use measure on the ballot in 2018.

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By John Davison BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian rebel groups said on Saturday they would consider a ceasefire deal brokered by Russia and Turkey "null and void" if the Damascus government's forces and their allies continued to violate it. Russia, which supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has urged the United Nations to give its blessing to the fragile ceasefire, the third truce this year seeking to end nearly six years of war in Syria. Clashes and air strikes have persisted in some areas since the ceasefire began on Friday, though the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said on Saturday the truce was still largely holding. "Continued violations by the regime and bombardment and attempts to attack areas under the control of the revolutionary factions will make the agreement null and void," a statement signed by a number of rebel groups said. The statement said government forces and their allies including Lebanese Hezbollah had been trying to press advances, particularly in an area northwest of Damascus in the rebel-held Wadi Barada valley. The Observatory, which is based in Britain, said government forces and the rebels had clashed on Saturday in Wadi Barada. Rebels say the army is seeking to recapture the area, where a major spring provides most of Damascus's water supplies. Several people were killed in violence there on Friday, the Observatory said. Blasts from government shellfire were also heard in the southern provinces of Quneitra and Deraa, the Observatory said. Each side blames the other for continued unrest. Russia's defence ministry said on Friday rebels had violated the truce 12 times in 24 hours. PEACE TALKS Russia and Turkey, which backs the armed opposition to Assad, brokered the ceasefire agreement in the hope of preparing the way for peace talks in Kazakhstan in the new year. In their statement, the rebels said it appeared the government and the opposition had signed two different versions of the ceasefire deal, one of which was missing "a number of key and essential points that are non-negotiable", but did not say what those were. There has been confusion over which groups in the opposition are included in the ceasefire. Islamic State, which has made enemies of all sides in the conflict, is not included. The Syrian army said on Thursday the militant group formerly known as the Nusra Front was not part of the truce. However, several rebel officials said the group, which has been renamed Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, was also included in the ceasefire deal. (Reporting by John Davison; Editing by Gareth Jones)
* Taiwan says 2017 uncertainties to test national security

* Recent issues don't help China-Taiwan ties

* Taiwan open to talks with China, seeks to maintain peace

* Chinese military considers strong measures against Taiwan-sources (Adds Taiwan president quotes, Chinese military concerns)

By J.R. Wu

TAIPEI, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Saturday that Taiwan will be "calm" when dealing with China, but uncertainties in 2017 will test the self-ruled island and its national security team, even as she recommitted to maintaining peace.

China is deeply suspicious of Tsai, who it thinks wants to push for the formal independence of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing regards as a renegade province.

Speaking at a year end news conference, Tsai said Taiwan was "a sovereign, independent nation", repeating her government's regular mantra, which was open to fresh talks with China, but added that recent developments had not helped China-Taiwan ties.

"Faced with some uncertainty, we will maintain peace and stability, while trying to find new possibilities," Tsai said.

"This will test the resilience of all of our national security team and the overall government."

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump angered China this month when he spoke to Tsai in a break with decades of precedent and cast doubt on his incoming administration's commitment to Beijing's "one China" policy.

China's military has become alarmed by what it sees as Trump's support of Taiwan and is considering strong measures to prevent the island from moving toward independence, sources with ties to senior military officers said.

Relations between China and Taiwan have worsened since Tsai, who heads the ruling pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January, even as she has pledged to maintain peace with China.

Beijing wants Tsai to concede to its "one China" principle, that Taiwan is a part of China, but seven months since she took office in May, Tsai has not done so.

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Beijing suspended official communication channels with Taipei in June and this month re-established ties with small African state Sao Tome five days after it broke diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

China also sailed a group of Chinese warships, led by its sole aircraft carrier, around the island in exercises it called routine.

"Some things have happened between (Taiwan and China) or this region. Even though we have felt it, we will calmly face them," Tsai said. She said both sides should be flexible and that there was room to talk with China.

Taiwan's pledge to maintain peace and stability has not changed and its goodwill toward China has not changed, she said, adding that Taiwan will not be pressured.

"Cross-strait relations are certainly a challenge for the people of Taiwan and for this country," she said. "But don't forget that we are a sovereign, independent nation and this is a recognition by the collective (in Taiwan)," Tsai said.

Defeated Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan in 1949 at the end of a Chinese civil war and Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.

Further drama looms with Tsai's transit through the United States next month for a Latin America trip. China has called on the United States to block the transits.

Tsai said the transit was unofficial, and speculation about it "excessive".

(Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry)
Bangkok (AFP) - Thailand's new King Maha Vajiralongkorn urged his subjects to unite in a New Year's Eve speech delivered on Saturday, his first major address to the politically-split nation since ascending to the throne.

Thailand has been gripped with grief ever since the October passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, a profoundly revered monarch who steered the country through seven decades of political turmoil.

His only son Vajiralongkorn, who has spent much of his life abroad, does not enjoy the same level of adoration.

Yet like his father the 64-year-old is shielded from criticism by a harsh royal defamation law that effectively blocks public scrutiny of the monarchy.

As a result, little is known about what Vajiralongkorn will do with a crown that is granted few legal powers but became a position of vast influence under his father's charismatic reign.

In the nationally-televised speech on Saturday, Vajiralongkorn urged his countrymen to find common ground as they head into the new year.

"No matter what types of obstacles, problems, or irregularities occur, if we unite then all of them can definitely be resolved", he counselled from behind a desk in Bangkok's Dusit palace.

The monarch added that he was "overwhelmed and impressed" by the outpouring of grief sparked by his father's death.

"This is a testament to how Thais are grateful, kind, compassionate and patriotic," he said.

Bhumibol charmed Thais with his reputation as a hard-working king who dedicated himself to rural development projects for the poor.

His also delivered annual speeches that were peppered with moral guidance to a country battered by political protests and military coups.

But the revered monarch largely retreated from public life as his health declined over the past decade, while Thailand became increasingly engulfed by a bitter power struggle between a royalist elite and a rural poor.

The new king has inherited this fractured kingdom, now firmly in the grip of an arch-royalist junta that has clamped down on pro-democracy voices.
Mark Rylance, Naomie Harris, and Patricia Routledge are the big names from the world of acting to receive recognition in the 2017 New Years Honours.

But many actors and directors are not so happy about royal recognition. Heres some rather more reluctant movie stars, and their reasons for snubbing a Royal honour.

John Cleese

In 1999 comedy legend Cleese was offered a Life Peerage, and a seat in the House Of Lords, for his services to The Liberal Democrats.

However Cleese declined the honour, and the bonus title of Baron, telling the Sunday Telegraph in 2011 I realised this would involve being in England in the winter and I thought that was too much of a price to pay.

Well, its as good a reason as any. Cleese had previously turned down a CBE in 1996, stating I think theyre silly.

Danny Boyle

The Trainspotting director was offered a knighthood for masterminding the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony, but he turned it down.

Its just not me, Boyle recently admitted, I thought it was wrong, actually.



The 56-year-old would-be Sir didnt want to be seen to take full credit for the event: You can make these speeches about this is everybodys work, blah blah blah. And youve got to mean it, and I did mean it.



Albert Finney

Acting veteran Finney, who starred in the last Bond effort Skyfall, declined a CBE in 1980, and a knighthood in 2000.

In a scathing attack on the honours system, Bourne and Big Fish star Finney described the idea of knighting people as a disease, adding that it perpetuates snobbery.

Jim Broadbent

Ever loveable Jim turned down an OBE in 2002, humbly stating that he wasnt comfortable with actors receiving Royal recognition.

I think [honours] ought to go to those who really help others, he told the Telegraph. Besides, I like the idea of actors not being part of the Establishment. Were vagabonds and rogues.

Broadbent then went on to take issue with the systems subtext, saying: I dont think the British Empire is something that I particularly want to celebrate.



Michael Winner

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In 2006 it emerged cult director Winner had been offered an OBE for his dedicated campaigning for the Police Memorial Trust, and not his once controversial movies.

Winner declined, telling the Sunday Times: An OBE is what you get if you clean the toilets well at Kings Cross Station. Ever the charmer, Winner then mocked the rubbish who accepted honours: When you look at the absolute non-service they have given to the nation other than financing or working for political parties, you say, What company am I in? Adding: At least if you go straight to the House of Lords you can wear fancy dress and have a giggle.



Honor Blackman

Theres more to Blackman than Pussy Galore. The iconic Bond girl is a vocal supporter of Republic, the campaign for an elected head of state in the UK  so its hardly surprising that she turned down a CBE from her never-to-be-best-mate monarch in 2002.

Blackman has also publicly criticised fellow Bond star Sir Sean Connery for his tax evading habits. I dont think you should accept a title from a country and then pay absolutely no tax towards it, she said in 2012, I dont think his principles are very high.



Ken Loach

Literally the least likely person to accept a Royal honour, its surprising outspoken socialist Loach was ever offered one in the first place.

The proudly left-wing director turned down an OBE in 1997, later explaining his reasons in a 2001 interview. Its all the things I think are despicable, he told the Radio Times, Patronage, deferring to the monarchy and the name of the British Empire, which is a monument of exploitation and conquest.

Loach cheerfully described the honour as not a club you want to join when you look at the villains whove got it.



Other movie types that turned down British Honours include: Trevor Howard, Alan Rickman, Malcolm McDowell, Hattie Jacques, Paul Scofield, Ian McDiarmid and Bill Nighy.





Picture credits: Press Association


NEW YORK (AP)  Confetti fell, fireworks boomed and TV cameras rolled as a massive crowd in Times Square said goodbye to a dizzying year dominated by a bitter presidential election and gave a full-throated cheer to the prospect of a better 2017.

A sea of revelers that stretched for blocks hugged and kissed after watching the drop of a glittering crystal ball signal midnight.

"Everything is going to be new. I just want to find happiness this year and leave all the bad things behind," said Maria Raimilla, of Richfield Park, New Jersey, just after midnight.

Jason Magee, of Manahawkin, New Jersey, said the year had highs and lows. As the clock struck midnight and confetti fell on the crowd, he kissed his girlfriend and said, "It's a clean slate. Let's go!"

Lori Haan, from Tucson, Arizona, and her husband were on their first trip to New York. She said she's looking forward to 2017.

"This is a great start to the new year," she said. "We are doing something new and exciting, and I hope that it's a theme for the rest of the year."

For more than two decades, security has gradually been tightened for the event. Recent deadly truck attacks in Germany and France brought about another security upgrade this year. Dozens of 20-ton sanitation trucks weighted with an extra 15 tons of sand blocked off streets leading to the celebration zone.

About 7,000 police officers, along with specially armed counterterrorism units and bomb-sniffing dogs, were on guard, police said.

"We're well prepared," police Commissioner James O'Neill said. "All New Yorkers should feel safe, especially if you're in Times Square. It is going to be the most protected place in the city."

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pushed the Waterford crystal button that began the 60-second countdown to 2017.

The highlight performance of the evening was supposed to be Mariah Carey performing "Emotions," but she stopped singing after appearing to experience technical problems, and then she paced the stage urging the audience to belt out the lyrics instead.

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"I'm trying to be a good sport here," she said.

After the song finished, she looked exasperated.

A representative for the singer confirmed there were technical difficulties that hampered the performance.

"Unfortunately there was nothing she could do to continue with the performance given the circumstances," said spokeswoman Nicole Perna.

Carey took to Instagram after the performance saying, "Here's to making more headlines in 2017."

Other featured acts included pop-rock band DNCE, country star Thomas Rhett and Gloria Estefan and the cast of her Broadway musical, "On Your Feet!"

After the ball dropped, cleanup began: A small army of city employees including 235 sanitation workers, 45 police officers and two deputy police chiefs immediately began the task of clearing the area of confetti and other garbage.

Last year, the crews removed more than 44 tons of debris.
Todd Fisher said that it was Debbie Reynolds destiny to be with Carrie Fisher, and we think thats such a beautiful sentiment

Well, this might be the most beautiful thing weve ever heard. Todd Fisher says it was Debbie Reynolds destiny to be with Carrie Fisher and were trying not to tear up over here.

In one days time, Fisher lost both his sister Carrie  aka our forever Princess Leia  and his mother Reynolds and our hearts go out to him. Despite having to say goodbye to the most important women in his life this week, Fisher has stayed strong and given some perspective on his mother passing one day after his sister.

In fact, he revealed that he is comforted by the fact that they are together, which is so sweet and heartbreaking at the same time. My mother wouldnt have it any other way, Fisher told ABC News 20/20 about the Unsinkable Molly Brown star dying within 24 hours of her eldest child.

From the familys perspective, this is Debbies destiny, he explained. She didnt want to leave Carrie and did not want her to be alone.

Okay, now we are in full crying mode. This is such a beautiful perspective.

She didnt die of a broken heart, Fisher continued. She just left to be with Carrie. Carrie was a force of nature in her own right, you know, it took another force of nature to bridle and work with that and she was great with her.

Despite reports that the Singin in the Rain actress died of a broken heart, her son says it wasnt like that at all. She chose to be with her daughter.

It wasnt that [Reynolds] was sitting around inconsolable, not at all, he revealed. She simply said that she didnt get to see Carrie come back from London, she expressed how much she loved my sister.

On Wednesday, before Reynolds passed away, Fisher recalls what he considers her choice to join Carrie in heaven. She then said she really wanted to be with Carrie, he said. In those precise words, and within 15 minutes from that conversation she faded out and within 30 minutes, she technically was gone.

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Fisher might understand his mothers decision to be with the Star Wars legend, but the family is definitely heartbroken over losing two of the leading ladies in their own lives.

Were broken-hearted, those of us that are left behind, he said. We also are happy that theyre together. Its horrible, its beautiful, its magical they are together, its beyond words, its beyond understanding.

Wow, we couldnt have said it any better ourselves. We, too, are still reeling from the tragic losses, but the fact that they left this world together is horrible, beautiful, and yes, in some ways, magical.

The post Todd Fisher said that it was Debbie Reynolds destiny to be with Carrie Fisher, and we think thats such a beautiful sentiment appeared first on HelloGiggles.
(Reuters) - An explosion that leveled a house, killed two people including a convicted murderer and injured up to nine in a Toronto suburb in June was a double suicide, local police said on Friday. The explosion was the result of natural gas, and fire investigators determined two supply lines of the gas had been intentionally disconnected from a water heater in the house, Peel Regional police said in a statement. Photos posted on Twitter of the location showed a large plume of smoke rising above houses in Mississauga, just west of Toronto, while the road and roofs of neighboring houses were strewn with debris. Investigators have identified the dead as Robert Nadler and Diane Page, residents of the leveled house. They did not specify on Friday the reason for the alleged double suicide, but said they ruled out an accident, a double murder and a murder-suicide. "The cause of death for both was determined to be blunt force trauma, consistent with having been near the epicenter of the explosion," police said. Police confirmed at a news conference on Friday that Nadler was a convicted murder. He killed his best friend in June 1979, according to the Toronto Star newspaper. Several homes adjacent to the one leveled were left with only half of their structures still standing and numerous other homes in the neighborhood suffered serious damage, police said. (Reporting by Ethan Lou in Kingston, Ontario; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Donald Trump

On the final day of 2016, President-elect Donald Trump sent a New Year's message of "love!" on Twitter, including to his "many enemies" and everyone who has "lost so badly."

The tweet came after another that praised Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday for not launching a tit-for-tat sanctions to respond to those issued by US President Barack Obama's administration this week in retaliation for Russia's suspected election-related hacking.

In his New Year's address on Saturday, Putin expressed hope that the two countries will "take their interaction in the international arena to a whole new level" once Trump takes office January 20 and Obama is no longer in power.

"It is regrettable that the Obama administration is ending its term in this manner," Putin said in a statement addressing the sanctions on Friday. "Nevertheless, I offer my New Year greetings to President Obama and his family."

Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2016

This year's tweet followed a tradition of Trump including "haters and losers" in his New Year's wishes, as he did in 2014 and 2013:

To EVERYONE, including all haters and losers, HAPPY NEW YEAR. Work hard, be smart and always remember, WINNING TAKES CARE OF EVERYTHING!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2014

I'd like to wish all of my friends--and even my many enemies--a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2013

In 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010, and 2009, Trump was more measured:

I would like to wish everyone A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR. WE MUST ALL WORK TOGETHER TO, FINALLY, MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN AND GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2015

Make sure to have fun and celebrate NYE with friends and family. Happy New Year everyone!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2013

Happy New Year everyone...it will be an interesting one!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2012

WIshing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2010

From Donald Trump: Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday & a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year. Lets think like champions in 2010!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2009

NOW WATCH: Here's how much the presidency ages you





More From Business Insider


PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP)  President-elect Donald Trump says that "no computer is safe" when it comes to keeping information private, expressing new skepticism about the security of online communications his administration is likely to use for everything from day-to-day planning to international relations.

Trump rarely uses email or computers despite his frequent tweeting.

"You know, if you have something really important, write it out and have it delivered by courier, the old-fashioned way. Because I'll tell you what: No computer is safe," Trump told reporters during his annual New Year's Eve bash. "I don't care what they say."

Trump has repeatedly cast aside allegations by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia tried to influence the presidential election through hacking. President Barack Obama earlier this week ordered sanctions on Russian spy agencies, closed two Russian compounds and expelled 35 diplomats the U.S. said were really spies. The Russian government has denied the allegations.

Trump, who has said that he plans to meet with intelligence officials next to week to learn more about the allegations, said he wants U.S. officials "to be sure because it's a pretty serious charge." He pointed to intelligence failures over the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq before the U.S. invasion, and declared himself an expert in the area.

"I know a lot about hacking. And hacking is a very hard thing to prove, so it could be somebody else," he said.

He added, cryptically, that he also knows "things that other people don't know. And so they cannot be sure of the situation."

Trump made the comments during his annual New Year's Eve bash at his Mar-a-Lago club. Hundreds of guests gathered in the club's grand ballroom, including action star Sylvester Stallone and romance novel model Fabio. Reporters were invited to watch as guests arrived.

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Earlier in the day, Trump ditched his press pool, traveling to play golf at one of his clubs without a pool of journalists on hand to ensure the public has knowledge of his whereabouts.

A member of Trump's golf club in Jupiter, Florida, posted a photo on Twitter of Trump on the greens Saturday morning and said about 25 U.S. Secret Service agents accompanied the president-elect. Reporters had not been advised of the visit to the club.

Transition aide Stephanie Grisham confirmed that Trump had made a "last-minute trip" to Trump National Golf Club Jupiter, which is about a half-hour drive from Mar-a-Lago, where Trump has been spending the holidays. He returned to the estate at midafternoon.

Grisham said that she and other aides weren't aware of the trip and "appreciate everyone's understanding."

"We are in the home stretch of this transition period and don't anticipate any additional situations like this between now and inauguration," she said in a statement.

Trump, both as a candidate and during the transition, has often scoffed at tradition, such as allowing a group of reporters to follow him at all times to ensure the public knows where he is. Not long after his election, Trump went out to dinner with his family in Manhattan without informing the pool of his whereabouts.

The practice is meant to ensure that journalists are on hand to witness, on behalf of the public, the activities of the president or president-elect, rather than relying on secondhand accounts.

The White House also depends on having journalists nearby at all times to relay the president's first comments on breaking news.

Trump aides appear to have made an effort in recent weeks to offer additional access, allowing reporters to camp out outside a doorway at Mar-a-Lago to document staff and Cabinet candidates' arrivals and departures. Aides also are providing information about his meeting schedule.

Every president and president-elect in recent memory has traveled with a pool of journalists when leaving the White House grounds. News organizations take turns serving in the small group, paying their way and sharing the material collected in the pool with the larger press corps.

Before he went golfing Saturday, Trump tweeted an unusual New Year's message to friends and foes: "Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!"

With the arrival of 2017, another New Year's message moved on Trump's Twitter account at about midnight.

This one was decidedly more upbeat and carefully prepared  illustrated with a photo that included his holiday message next to it, including a hashtag and abbreviation referring to his campaign slogan: Make America Great Again.

"To all Americans- HappyNewYear & many blessings to you all! Looking forward to a wonderful & prosperous 2017 as we work together to #MAGA."

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Follow Colvin on Twitter at https://twitter.com/colvinj
NIMRUD, Iraq (AP)  The giant winged bulls that once stood sentry at the nearly 3,000-year-old palace at Nimrud have been hacked to pieces. The fantastical human-headed creatures were believed to guard the king from evil, but now their stone remains are piled in the dirt, victims of the Islamic State group's fervor to erase history.

The militants' fanaticism devastated one of the most important archaeological sites in the Middle East. But more than a month after the militants were driven out, Nimrud is still being ravaged, its treasures disappearing, piece by piece, imperiling any chance of eventually rebuilding it, an Associated Press team found after multiple visits in the past month.

With the government and military still absorbed in fighting the war against the Islamic State group in nearby Mosul, the wreckage of the Assyrian Empire's ancient capital lies unprotected and vulnerable to looters.

No one is assigned to guard the sprawling site, much less catalog the fragments of ancient reliefs, chunks of cuneiform texts, pieces of statues and other rubble after IS blew up nearly every structure there. Toppled stone slabs bearing a relief from the palace wall that the AP saw on one visit were gone when journalists returned.

"When I heard about Nimrud, my heart wept before my eyes did," said Hiba Hazim Hamad, an archaeology professor in Mosul who often took her students there. "My family and neighbors came to my house to pay condolences."

Perhaps the only vigilant guardian left for the ruins is an Iraqi archaeologist, Layla Salih. She has visited it multiple times in recent weeks, photographing the destruction to document it and badgering nearby militias to take care of it. Walking with the AP across the broad dirt expanse of the ruin, she was calm, methodical and precise as she pointed out things she'd seen on previous visits that were no longer in place.

Still, Salih does not despair. She searches out reasons for optimism.

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"The good thing is the rubble is still in situ," she said. "The site is restorable."

To an untrained eye, that's hard to imagine, seeing the extent of the destruction that the Islamic State group wreaked in March 2015. Salih estimated that 60 percent of the site was irrecoverable.

The site's various structures  several palaces and temples  are spread over 360 hectares (900 acres) on a dirt plateau. A 140-foot-high ziggurat, or step pyramid, once arrested the gaze of anyone entering Nimrud. Where it stood, there is now only lumpy earth. Just past it, in the palace of King Ashurnasirpal II, walls are toppled, bricks spilled into giant piles. The palace's great courtyard is a field of cratered earth. Chunks of cuneiform writing are jammed in the dirt. Reliefs that once displayed gods and mythical creatures are reduced to random chunks showing a hand or a few feathers of a genie's wing.

During a Dec. 14 assessment tour by UNESCO, a U.N. demining expert peered at a hole leading to a tomb that appeared to be intact. It might be rigged to explode, the expert said, and the UNESCO crew backed away.

The militants boasted of the destruction in high-definition video propaganda, touting their campaign to purge their self-declared "caliphate" of anything they deemed pagan or heretical.

They dismantled the winged bulls, known as lamassu, as purposefully as any decapitation in Raqqa or Mosul. The bearded male heads of the statues are missing  likely taken to be sold on the black market as IS has done with other artifacts. They then wired the entire palace with explosives and blew it apart, along with the temples of Nabu and of the goddess Ishtar.

It was a brutal blow to a site that gave the world a wealth of startling Mesopotamian art and deepened knowledge about the ancient Mideast.

Nimrud was a capital of the Assyrians, one the ancient world's earliest and most ferocious empires. Known at the time as Kalhu, the city was the seat of power from 879-709 BC, an era when Assyrian armies expanded out across the Levant, capturing Damascus and other cities, crushing the kingdom of Israel and turning its neighbor Judah into a vassal.

A British-Assyrian team first excavated Nimrud in 1945, then it was re-excavated in the 1950s by Max Mallowan. Though famous in his own right at the time, Mallowan is better known as the husband of Agatha Christie , who accompanied him and photographed and filmed the digs.

"It's just one of the most beautiful sites in the Middle East, or at least it was," said Georgina Herrmann, a British archaeologist who worked at Nimrud with Mallowan. "It used to be covered with wildflowers. You'd be there and there'd be bits of ancient sculptures sticking out."

Besides the reliefs and statues, archaeologists dug up hundreds of stone tablets written in cuneiform letters containing everything from treaties to temple and palace records. The tombs of queens yielded troves of gold and jewelry. Iraqi archaeologists also made a grisly find: more than 100 skeletons inside a palace well, including some with shackled hands and feet, possibly prisoners dumped in when Nimrud was sacked in 610 BC.

Salih, 40, came to Nimrud a few days after IS fighters were driven out in early November. So far, she is the only Iraqi antiquities official to visit. Ancient Assyria is not even Salih's field; she specialized in Islamic art and architecture. But there was no one else to do it. Half of the 50-odd government archaeologists in Mosul are still trapped there under IS rule.

She confirmed what satellite images had already shown: Sometime between Sept. 1 and Nov. 4 as international forces closed in, IS bulldozed the ziggurat.

It had never been explored by archaeologists. "What exactly was inside it only ISIS knows," said Herrmann.

Touring the site, UNESCO's representative to Iraq, Louise Haxthausen, called the destruction "absolutely devastating."

"The most important thing right now is to ensure some basic protection," she said.

But the government has many priorities right now. It is still fighting IS in Mosul. Moreover, there is a long and expensive list of needs in rebuilding the country from the Islamic State group's legacy. Tens of thousands of citizens live in camps. Large swaths of the western city of Ramadi were destroyed in the offensive to wrest it from IS control. Mass graves are unearthed nearly every day in former IS territory, with more than 70 discovered already. Other ancient sites remain under IS control, including Nineveh  another ancient Assyrian capital  in the heart of Mosul.

Nimrud is in an active war zone, on the edge of the Tigris River valley south of Mosul. To reach it, one drives through checkpoints of multiple armed groups fighting IS  the Iraqi military, Shiite militias, Kurdish peshmerga and Christian fighters.

None of those forces is assigned to guard Nimrud. The first three times the AP visited, Sunni and Shiite fighters eventually showed up after an hour, apparently after hearing of the team's presence.

During the UNESCO tour, Salih noticed that some of the ancient bricks from the palace rubble had been neatly piled up as if to be hauled away. She questioned two Shiite militiamen about them.

"Both of them told me different stories," she said in exasperation. One said Islamic State extremists did it, intending to sell the bricks; the other said the militia members themselves stacked them to protect them. Salih believes neither story and thinks someone had hoped to take the bricks to repair homes damaged in fighting.

It's hard to say what's missing, because no one even knows what's in the piles of rubble to know if it's being stolen.

Two locals were recently arrested with a marble tablet and stone seal from Nimrud, presumably to sell. The men remain in custody.

The artifacts seized from them, however, are harder to track down. The police insisted they were at a lab in Irbil, the capital of the Kurdish region in northern Iraq. The lab said it knew nothing about them. The Antiquities Ministry in Baghdad said they were safe in the Ninevah government offices, while an official in those offices said they were with the police awaiting transit to Baghdad.

It was a perfect circle of confusion  one that makes it easy for someone to simply steal items.

Salih is working to get international funding to pay someone to guard the site. But she recognizes that job will have to go to one of the militia factions. She has no illusions that the militias will provide full protection.

But she has grown used to compromises that once would have been unimaginable. Before she fled her home in Mosul soon after the IS takeover in 2014, she and other archaeologists pleaded with the militants to let them destroy the city's ancient tombs that the group so despised. At least that way, the buildings housing the tombs could be spared.

The plea was futile, and IS detonated the buildings and tombs.

So she will negotiate now with the militias to do as much as they can to preserve Nimrud. On the final visit with the AP, wind-whipped winter rains sent rivulets of water through the loose dirt, further dislodging the remains.

"There isn't another choice, as you see," she said.

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Associated Press photographer Maya Alleruzzo and videographer Bram Janssen in Nimrud; and Salar Salim and Mohammed Nouman in Irbil, Iraq, contributed to this report.

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Read previous reports in the AP's series "A Savage Legacy" chronicling the impact of the Islamic State group at: https://www.ap.org/explore/a-savage-legacy/
* IS, losing territory, hits back in Iraqi capital

* Iraqi forces advance amid resistance in and around Mosul

* U.S. military advisers more engaged in second phase (Adds IS claim, Mosul fighting)

By Kareem Raheem and Stephen Kalin

BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Two bombs claimed by Islamic State killed 25 people in central Baghdad on Saturday, as fighting intensified in the northern city of Mosul where government forces are trying to rout the jihadists from their last major stronghold in the country.

The blasts, including one suicide attack, tore through a busy market in the Sinak neighbourhood, police said. A pro-Islamic State news agency said the assailants had targeted Shi'ite Muslims, whom they regard as apostates.

Islamic State has continued to launch attacks in the heavily fortified capital, even after losing most of the northern and western territory it seized in 2014.

The recapture of Mosul would probably spell the end for Islamic State's self-styled caliphate, but the militants would still be capable of fighting a guerrilla-style insurgency in Iraq, and plotting or inspiring attacks on the West.

The second phase of a U.S.-backed offensive launched on Thursday following weeks of deadlock has encountered fierce resistance. Conventional U.S. forces deploying more extensively in this phase are now visible very close to the front lines.

The third day of the renewed push saw heavy clashes on the southeastern and northern fronts.

BATTLE FOR MOSUL

An elite Interior Ministry unit continued to push on Saturday through the Intisar district, where a U.S.-trained army unit had struggled to advance for after entering the southeast district last month.

Heavy gunfire was audible and attack helicopters fired overhead as hundreds of civilians fled their homes, a Reuters cameraman said.

In the north, a separate army unit pressed towards the border of Mosul proper after recapturing several outlying villages in the past two days.

"There is a battle in Argoob area, which is considered the gateway to Hadba," Lieutenant Colonel Abbas al-Azawi said by phone, referring to a strategic northern neighbourhood.

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Since the offensive began on Oct. 17, elite forces have retaken a quarter of Mosul in the biggest ground operation there since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said the group would be driven out of Iraq by April.

Although the militants are vastly outnumbered, they have embedded themselves among Mosul residents, hindering Iraqi forces who are trying to avoid civilian casualties. Despite food and water shortages, most civilians have stayed in their homes rather than fleeing as had been expected.

One resident reached by phone late on Friday said a rocket had landed on a house in the eastern Mithaq district, killing six members of one family.

"We have not seen Daesh since the Iraqi forces restarted their offensive," he told Reuters. "We hear the sounds of large car bombs. Today I heard no fewer than 10 huge explosions."

(Reporting by Kareem Raheem and Ahmed Rasheed; Writing by Stephen Kalin; Editing by Michael Perry and Andrew Heavens)
By Kareem Raheem and Ahmed Rasheed BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Three bombs killed 29 people in Baghdad on Saturday as fighting intensified in the northern city of Mosul, where Iraqi government forces are trying to rout Islamic State militants from their last major stronghold in the country. Blasts, including one suicide attack, tore through a busy market in the Sinak neighborhood, police said. A pro-Islamic State news agency said the target was Shi'ite Muslims, whom the militants regard as apostates. A third blast later in the day killed four people in the eastern New Baghdad district, where a minibus packed with explosives blew up in a busy commercial street, police and medics said. Islamic State has continued to launch attacks in the heavily fortified capital, even after losing most of the northern and western territory it seized in 2014. The recapture of Mosul would probably spell the end for Islamic State's self-styled caliphate, but the militants would still be capable of fighting a guerrilla-style insurgency in Iraq, and plotting or inspiring attacks on the West. The second phase of a U.S.-backed offensive launched on Thursday following weeks of deadlock has encountered fierce resistance. Conventional U.S. forces deploying more extensively in this phase are now visible very close to the front lines. The third day of the renewed push saw heavy clashes on the southeastern and northern fronts. An army officer deployed in the southeast said there was fierce fighting on the edge of Intisar district on Saturday and advances were slowed by heavy machine gun fire, snipers and rockets attacks by militants entrenched in houses. The officer said Islamic State fighters were firing from houses with white flags raised over the roofs, falsely indicating they are civilians to avoid being targeted by Iraqi forces and coalition airstrikes. "The more we advance the tougher it becomes. The job of differentiating between fake and real houses with civilians inside is becoming more painful to our troops," he told Reuters by phone. BATTLE FOR MOSUL An elite Interior Ministry unit continued to push on Saturday through the Intisar district, where a U.S.-trained army unit had struggled to advance far after entering the southeast district last month. Heavy gunfire was audible and attack helicopters fired overhead as hundreds of civilians fled their homes, a Reuters cameraman said. In the north, a separate army unit pressed towards the border of Mosul proper after recapturing several outlying villages in the past two days. "There is a battle in Argoob area, which is considered the gateway to Hadba," Lieutenant Colonel Abbas al-Azawi said by phone, referring to a strategic northern neighborhood. Since the offensive began on Oct. 17, elite forces have retaken a quarter of Mosul in the biggest ground operation there since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said the group would be driven out of Iraq by April. Although the militants are vastly outnumbered, they have embedded themselves among Mosul residents, hindering Iraqi forces who are trying to avoid civilian casualties. Despite food and water shortages, most civilians have stayed in their homes rather than fleeing as had been expected. One resident reached by phone late on Friday said a rocket had landed on a house in the eastern Mithaq district, killing six members of one family. "We have not seen Daesh since the Iraqi forces restarted their offensive," he told Reuters. "We hear the sounds of large car bombs. Today I heard no fewer than 10 huge explosions." (Reporting by Kareem Raheem and Ahmed Rasheed; Writing by Stephen Kalin; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Stephen Powell)
(Reuters) - Two people were shot and killed and two others were wounded on Friday after a rap concert in southern Connecticut, local media reported.

Gunfire erupted at about 11:15 p.m. local time following a Meek Mill rap concert at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut, about 90 miles (145 km) northeast of New York City, the My Record Journal newspaper reported.

Two people who were wounded were taken to local hospitals in the area with non life-threatening injuries, the newspaper said, citing police.

A dispatcher told Reuters that it was an ongoing situation and that she could provide no information.

A video posted on Twitter purportedly showed rapper Meek Mill leaving the concert hall moments before gunfire rang out and a man, who appeared to be a police officer, telling people to "get down."

Police did not have anyone in custody, the newspaper said.

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee)
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Two suicide bombers detonated their explosives, killing at least two security officers in the Syrian coastal city of Tartous, Syrian state television reported after midnight on Sunday. It said the officers were part of a security patrol that stopped the bombers, who then blew themselves up. Others were injured in the blasts, including civilians, state TV said. It gave no further details. Tartous has not been targeted for several months, and has largely escaped the violence that has engulfed other areas of the country. The city is part of President Bashar al-Assad's coastal heartland. The incident took place as a fragile Russian and Turkish-backed ceasefire entered its third day with ongoing violations including clashes and air raids. (Reporting by John Davison; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
By John Davison BEIRUT (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council on Saturday welcomed a ceasefire in the Syrian civil war, but rebel groups threatened to abandon the two-day-old truce if violations persisted. A resolution welcoming the ceasefire, the third truce this year seeking to end nearly six years of war, was adopted unanimously by the 15-member Council, meeting in New York. The deal, brokered by Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides, reduced violence, but firefights, air strikes and shelling went on in some areas. Factions belonging to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) - a loose alliance of militias excluding more radical Islamist groups - said government forces and Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah fighters had been trying to push rebels back in the Wadi Barada valley, northwest of Damascus. "Continued violations by the regime and bombardment and attempts to attack areas under the control of the revolutionary factions will make the agreement null and void," said a statement from the rebel groups. The rebels and political opposition said the government side was massing forces to launch a ground attack in the area. There has been no new announcement by the military since it launched operations in the area last week. FSA factions said in a separate statement that they would abandon the truce deal if Russia, whose air power has helped President Bashar al-Assad to turn the tide of the war, did not use its influence to halt the Wadi Barada attacks by 8 p.m. (1 p.m. ET). Later, two rebel officials said air raids around Wadi Barada had stopped just before 8 p.m. and that the ceasefire therefore still held, although clashes in the area were continuing. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group confirmed that there had been fighting in the area, source of most of the capital's water, and said there had also been government shelling in the southern provinces of Quneitra and Deraa. PUTIN-ROUHANI CALL Russia's Defence Ministry said on Friday that rebels had violated the truce 12 times in 24 hours. Much of Friday's violence took place along the border between Hama and Idlib provinces in northwest Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani agreed in a telephone call on Saturday to work together to try to end the Syria crisis and make a success of peace talks planned for the Kazakh capital Astana, the Kremlin said in a statement. The British-based Observatory said the level of fighting had fallen on Saturday, and the truce was not currently at risk, although one rebel official said it was "in serious danger". In their statement, the FSA factions said it appeared the government and opposition had signed two different versions of the ceasefire deal, one of which was missing "a number of key and essential points that are non-negotiable", but did not say what those were. The ceasefire deal is the first not to involve the United States or the United Nations. The Security Council welcomed the truce despite being urged by the FSA factions not to endorse the deal until the Syrian government and Russia had shown they would respect it. The resolution also welcomed plans for the talks in Kazakhstan before a resumption of U.N.-brokered talks in Geneva in February. The war has killed more than 300,000 people and made more than 11 million homeless. Even with a successful truce between Assad and the main armed opposition, the multi-sided conflict will continue. In particular, Turkey is trying to push back Kurdish forces and the jihadist Islamic State, both excluded from the deal, from areas south of its border. The position of other Islamist groups such as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and Ahrar al-Sham with respect to the ceasefire is unclear; both have criticized it. (Reporting by John Davison and Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in Beirut, Polina Devitt in Moscow, Yeganeh Torbati in Washington and Michelle Nichols in New York; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Adrian Croft)
By Tom Polansek CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. officials are urgently seeking an agreement with South Korea that would allow imports of American eggs so farmers can cash in on a shortage caused by the Asian country's worst-ever outbreak of bird flu. The two sides are negotiating over terms of potential shipments after South Korea lifted a ban on imports of U.S. table eggs that it imposed when the United States grappled with its own bout of bird flu last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If an agreement is reached, U.S. shipments could bring some relief to South Koreans who have faced soaring egg prices and rationing since the outbreak there began last month. The egg shipments also would help U.S. farmers cope with an oversupply that is depressing prices. The opportunity to profit by filling South Korea's shortfall with U.S. eggs has sent brokers and traders into overdrive. About 26 million birds, more than a quarter of South Korea's poultry stock, have been culled to control the outbreak, and most of the birds have been egg-laying hens. Strains of bird flu, which can be spread to poultry by wild birds, have been detected across Asia and in Europe in recent weeks. Two people in China and one person in Hong Kong have died in the outbreaks. The United States could reach agreement to open trade with South Korea as early as next week, said Mark Perigen, national supervisor for shell eggs for a division of the USDA. "Everybody's working hard to get it done," Perigen said in an interview on Friday, adding that USDA employees had worked during holiday vacations on the issue. "They're desperate for eggs over there, and the government realizes that," Perigen said. South Korea's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment. Glenn Hickman, chief executive of Hickman's Eggs in Arizona, has received calls from brokers searching for U.S. eggs to ship to South Korea. "Everybody in Korea who needs eggs has Googled everybody in the world who might have eggs," Hickman said. "We're getting calls from brokers who have no idea even the right questions to ask us," he added. "It's just somebody who knows how to freight stuff from the U.S. to Korea." With no agreement yet between the two countries, Hickman is asking employees to take contact information for the potential customers. United States Egg Marketers, a cooperative of farmers that was established to export eggs, has received "numerous inquiries about this already, including from people who have never exported anything in their lives," said Eka Inall, the group's president. "Our phone is blowing up, our email is blowing up," she said. Last year, U.S. food companies imported eggs from Europe after bird flu ravaged domestic chicken flocks and sent egg prices to record highs. Since then, U.S. prices have tumbled as farmers have ramped up production. The United States produced 7.44 billion table eggs in November, up 11.5 percent from a year earlier, and there were 312 million hens laying table eggs on Dec. 1, up 8 percent from a year before, according to USDA. On Dec. 26, the average price for a dozen large white U.S. eggs was $1.17, down from a high of $2.88 in August 2015, according to market data firm Urner Barry. "Current conditions in the U.S. are definitely a motivating factor to get this thing done," Brian Moscogiuri, an Urner Barry egg analyst, said about U.S. efforts to start shipments to South Korea. If South Korea begins importing U.S. eggs, its residents may need to adjust to a different appearance of the food staple. Jim Sumner, president of the U.S. Poultry and Egg Export Council, said many Koreans prefer brown colored eggs, while the United States mostly produces white eggs. "As they say, beggars can't be choosers," he said. (Editing by Matthew Lewis and Michael Perry)
(BEIRUT)  The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and jump-start peace negotiations.

The resolution approved Saturday afternoon also calls for the rapid, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Syria. And it anticipates a meeting of the Syrian government and opposition representative in Kazakhstans capital Astana in late January.

The resolutions final text dropped an endorsement of the Syria cease-fire agreement reached Thursday, as Western members of the council sought changes to the circulated draft resolution to clarify the U.N.s role and the meaning of the agreement brokered by Moscow and Ankara.

Meanwhile on the ground in Syria, rebels warned on Saturday that cease-fire violations by pro-government forces threatened to undermine a two-day-old agreement intended to pave the way for talks between the government and the opposition in the new year.

Airstrikes pounded opposition-held villages and towns in the strategically-important Barada Valley outside Damascus, activists said, prompting rebels to threaten to withdraw their compliance with a nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey last week.

Rebels also accused the government of signing a different version of the agreement to the one they signed in the Turkish capital of Ankara, further complicating the latest diplomatic efforts to bring an end to six years of war.

Nearly 50,000 people died in the conflict in 2016, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which maintains networks of contacts on all sides of the war. More than 13,000 of them were civilians, according to the Observatory. Various estimates have put the wars overall toll at around 400,000 dead.

If the truce holds, the government and the opposition will be expected to meet for talks for the first time in nearly a year in the Kazakh capital of Astana in the second half of January. Those talks will be mediated by Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

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Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem and Major General Ali Mamlouk, head of the National Security Bureau, were in Tehran Saturday to discuss developments with their Iranian counterparts, according to Iranian state media. They met with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council.

The Kremlin meanwhile said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani confirmed their commitment to negotiations in Astana, in a phone conversation between the two leaders.

Iran and Russia have provided crucial military and diplomatic support to Syrian President Bashar Assad throughout the conflict, while Turkey has served as a rear base and source of supplies for the opposition.

The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to meet at 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT) to vote on a resolution to endorse the cease-fire and the Astana talks, in line with previous agreements mandating a transitional government for Syria.

The resolution also calls for rapid, safe and unhindered access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country.

The developments follow months of talks between Ankara and Moscow that culminated in a cease-fire agreement that went into effect Friday at midnight.

But in a statement issued by a coalition of 11 rebel factions, including the powerful Army of Islam group operating in the Damascus countryside, rebels said they could not abide by the cease-fire if the government continued its assault on Barada Valley.

The statement also complained that the governments version of the agreement signed in Ankara last week had deleted a number of essential and non-negotiable points.

It said the opposition had agreed to a cease-fire encompassing the whole of Syria, without any exceptions to region or faction.

The Barada Valley Media Center said Lebanese Hezbollah militants were firing on villages and towns in the water-rich region as Russian and government aircraft carried out raids for the 10th consecutive day Saturday. The Lebanese militant group is a key ally to President Assads forces.

The Barada Valley is the primary source of water for the capital and its surrounding region. The government assault has coincided with a severe water shortage in Damascus since Dec. 22. Images from the valleys Media Center indicate its Ain al-Fijeh spring and water processing facility have been destroyed in airstrikes. The government says rebels spoiled the water source with diesel fuel, forcing it to cut supplies to the capital.

The Observatory reported at least two civilians and five militants have been killed in battles over opposition-held Eastern Ghouta and Barada Valley regions around Damascus, since the truce came into effect Thursday at midnight.

The Syrian military on Friday denied attacking the valley, saying it respected the Russian and Turkish brokered truce.

Meanwhile, Turkeys state-run Anadolu news agency reported the death of an Islamic State commander in a Turkish airstrike near the north Syrian town of al-Bab on Friday. The truce does not cover operations against the Islamic State group or al-Qaidas Syria affiliate, the Fatah al-Sham front.

Anadolu identified the commander as Abu Ansari. The report could not be independently verified.

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Associated Press writers Zeynep Bilginsoy in Istanbul, James Heintz in Moscow, and Mohammad Nasri in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
While on a trip to Ukraine on December 30, GOP Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar denounced the alleged Russian hacking of Democratic Party email accounts in the run-up to the US presidential election.

Speaking to the US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Ukraine, the senators called for tougher sanctions against Russia in response to the allegations.

The senators traveled with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to Shyrokyne, a Baltic sea village in Donetsk Oblast, south of Russian-backed, separatist-held Donetsk, for a photo opportunity with Ukrainian soldiers.

Both GOP senators have said they will work to impose even stronger sanctions against Russia, in contrast to President-elect Trump, who has said the US should move on from the issue.

McCain and Graham were both vocal critics of Trump during the campaign, although McCain supported Trump until early October reports showed that Trump had made comments in which he boasted about sexually assaulting women. Credit: YouTube/President of Ukraine via Storyful
Jordan Greenway #12 of Team USA skates against Team Russia during a preliminary game at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship at the Air Canada Centre on December 29, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Team USA defeated Team Russia 3-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Jordan Greenway of Team USA had two power play points, including the Americans second goal, before Team Canada even had their first shot on goal in Saturdays New Years Eve showdown.

First, Greenway made this nifty saucer pass that bounced its way onto the stick of Colin White, who buried it past starting goaltender Connor Ingram to give the Americans the early 1-0 lead.

Less than two minutes later, on the Americans second straight power play, Greenway got the puck down low and slid it through the legs of Ingram to put Team USA up 2-0 early.

The Americans dominance with the man advantage was the difference after 20 minutes as they only held a 6-4 edge in shots.

Though both countries have the top two spots in group B locked up, the importance of this game shouldnt be understated. Saturdays winner will finish first in the group and face a significantly easier path to the gold medal game, while second place will likely have to go through Sweden, who have steamrolled their way to a 4-0-0-0 record while finishing atop group A.
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Only a year ago, this stretch of the Ciliwung river in Indonesia's capital was foul-smelling and clogged by a thick layer of floating plastic and other trash. Now, after a clean-up involving hundreds of volunteers, the river hosted a wedding ceremony for a young couple who grew up on its banks in a bid to inspire others to help preserve Indonesia's fragile environment. "We have shown our love for our language, culture, now we should start to show our love for the environment," said the groom, Novanto Rahman. His bride, Sandra Fidelia Novianti, is a volunteer for the Depok Ciliwung Community that launched the clean-up with the local government in 2015. The couple made their wedding vows on an inflatable boat decorated with flowers that was paddled down the Ciliwung on Dec. 18, something that previously would have been impossible due to the piles of trash in the water. The Ciliwung, which runs more than 100 km (60 miles) from its source in West Java to Jakarta bay, has played an important role in the livelihood of the city since the 17th century. Despite the dire water quality, poorer communities living by the river have used its water to wash clothes and shower. The Ciliwung, however, became a dumping ground for trash and barely able to flow into Jakarta bay. This contributed to flooding on the swampy plain of greater Jakarta, which has sunk 4 meters (13 feet) over the past three decades. Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama has relocated some illegal settlements along its banks in a bid to allow the river to flow. The founder of the Depok Ciliwung Community, Taufiq Deso, said he hoped community help in cleaning up the river would focus the city government's attention on the problem. About 4,000 city workers retrieve trash from 13 rivers and hundreds of canals zig-zagging through the city of 10 million people, according to Jakarta's Sanitation Department. Even though there has been a reduction in surface trash on the Ciliwung, an environmentalist said better enforcement of existing laws against polluters was needed to improve water quality. "Despite evidence that showed a few companies are guilty of releasing waste into the river, these companies are still able to continue their operations," said Dwi Sawung of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment. (Reporting by Heru Asprihanto and Angie Teo; Writing by Ed Davies; Editing by Paul Tait)
A woman has been arrested in connection with the shooting that left a 21-year-old Papa John's delivery driver in critical condition on the day after Christmas.

Police said Alisha Genva Wilson, 26, called in a phony order to a Papa Johns Pizza location in Georgia to lure a delivery driver to the Bloomfield neighborhood so she could rob her.

Read: Couple Wins Free Pizza for a Year But Decides to Donate It to Homeless Shelter

Brooklyn Rouse, 21, was shot in the left cheek, her neck and head just after 8 p.m. while delivering the two pizzas after she was called into work on her day off, according to police.

The shooting came just a week after another employee, 23-year-old Duncan Siror, was shot in the shoulder while out on a delivery in the same area.

Police are still looking for 19-year-old Jacob Elijah Miller, who is accused of shooting Rouse as she stood outside 2443 Vivian Drive.

Rouse had only been working at the location for two weeks when the shooting occurred. She had reportedly come home for the holidays from Georgia Southern University to make a little cash.

Emergency responders found Rouse lying on the ground in pain and she was transported to the hospital, where she was listed in critical condition.

Rouse had surgery on the night that she was shot and her aunt, Latavia Coleman, said shes doing better, according to reports.

Read: Teen Dies in Snowmobiling Accident Days After His Family's Christmas Presents Were Stolen

She opened her eyes Tuesday evening and looked over at me... and she reached out and grabbed me, Coleman told Macon.com. Thats something [doctors] didnt want her to do right now, because they want her to rest and dont want her stimulated. But that one thing made me feel so good, like, OK. She realizes this is me.

Coleman said she doesnt know the people who allegedly shot her niece but she hopes that Miller does the right thing.

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"I dont hate these kids," she said. "I teach, and so Im around young kids all the time. They just need guidance... Its not always the kids' fault that they were never taught right from wrong. But I do want justice for my niece. I want the young man to turn himself in.

It is not clear whether Siror's shooting was connected to Rouse's.

Coleman set up a GoFundMe to help with Rouses medical costs. The campaign has already raised more than $13,000.

Watch: Teen Learning to Walk Again After Being Shot in the Head 3 Times and Stabbed

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Zenith takes its Pilot watches on a trip away from aerospace.

I had in mind this tattooed guy, mid 40s or 50, gray hair with leather pants, riding his bike, just cruising down the street, muses watch designer Marcus Ellinger about his rather unusual inspiration for Zeniths latest Pilot watch. These people like simplicity and this is what our watches have. While Ellinger runs his own design studio outside Zurich, he has in recent years become a key player on Zeniths product development team. In particular, the companys Pilot watches, the product family the brand introduced in 2012, bear his design stamp. But while the first models retain the black dial and white numerals typical of historical pilots timepieces, new models have seen Ellinger experiment with materials and colors outside this orthodoxy.

In fact, we never wanted to be limited to strictly aerospace, he explains. Pilot for us is also the pilot of a motorcycle or a car. These are pilots as well, and we had this in mind already when we started. These watches have always been playful. The brands original Montre dAeronef Type 20 was already a head-turning watch at 57.5 mm and became an immediate success with collectors. The brand followed it up with nonaerospace modifications such as a sapphire model as well as smaller versions that mixed a rose-gold bezel and lugs with a titanium middle case section. It looked like a pilots watch, but crossed over into fashion or jewelry, claims Ellinger. It got far away from the purely serious, sometimes boring side of being a pilots watch.

The brands latest Pilot model, called the Ton-Up, takes the progression much further by drawing from a completely different design universe. Ellinger, who is a motorcycle enthusiast, wanted to tap into the aesthetics of European vintage motorcycle culture. He summoned up the so-called cafe racers (the original name of the model before it was altered to Ton-Up, a slang term for a bike capable of speeds in excess of 100 mph), which bear a functional, stripped-down appearance.

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To match these, Ellinger tried to create the look of steel that has been worn and aged. If you remember in the 80s there were the stonewashed jeans, says Ellinger. This was exactly the effect I wanted to achieve. It looks like its been used, but it still looks very fresh and jewelry-like with a high value. This was really tricky because as soon as you start to tear off some of the coating, you can get a cheap look very quickly. Zenith experimented with a number of different coatings and treatments to both the case and dial before settling on a final procedure.

In many ways the Ton-Up is one of Zeniths most daring watch designs to date. Both the design inspiration and the execution are significant departures from the conventional luxury environment in which the Swiss brands feel comfortable. In moving away from aerospace, Zenith is opening its newest family to a potentially limitless array of inspiration and audiences. The Pilot watch is the playground, says Ellinger. This is where we can explore materials, image, and colors, and there are interesting things to follow next.

Zenith, 800.321.4832, (zenith-watches.com)

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Zsa Zsa Gabor ashes were scattered from a Louis Vuitton bag because she was the queen of style

At 99, Zsa Zsa Gabor died earlier this month, claimed by 2016 after suffering a heart attack. Many know her for her role in Moulin Rouge, but probably even more people know Zsa Zsa Gabor from her extravagant lifestyle. If you thought her glamorous reputation would end in death, youd be sorely mistaken. Her ashes were carried to her funeral, held at Beverly Hills Church of the Good Shepherd, in a Louis Vuitton bag. People are humorously wondering whether this was inspired by the 2 Chainz song Birthday, where he says If I die bury me inside that Louis store.While its a funny coincidence, were pretty sure that Zsa Zsa Gabor wanted her stylish reputation to extend after death before giving 2 Chainz a tribute.

Gabors husband, Frederic von Anhalt, gave a 40-minute eulogy that focused on Gabors thirst for the limelight. I want to remember the way she walked the red carpet, von Anhalt said. She loved it so much. Her life was only red carpet, nothing else. A priest contrasted Gabors public persona with her private life. She epitomized and personified Hollywood glamour, Father Edward Benioff said. She could write. She could act. She had many, many talents.

After the eulogy, Gabors husband took a gold box containing Gabors ashes and placed them inside the bag to take them to a private ceremony at the nearby Westwood Village Park Memorial Cemetery. He told the press that her final resting place will be in Budapest near her father.

Von Anhalt urged mourners to remember Gabor for her glamour and love of the Hollywood lifestyle.

Keep her in your heart, the way she was, he said. The way she was in Hollywood.

The post Zsa Zsa Gabor ashes were scattered from a Louis Vuitton bag because she was the queen of style appeared first on HelloGiggles.
In just a few days, 2016 will set an enormous record for mobile shopping. The question is... will it be surpassed next year, or are we seeing a near-term peak?

Let's look at the numbers behind this tremendous growth before we try to answer. According to the folks at Internet Retailer, total mobile sales in 2015 were $143.7 billion and have crossed $220 billion this year, representing monster 53% annual growth.

Part of that leap is due to the expansion of mobile apps. Mobile sales from apps increased from $35.48 billion in 2014 to $59.86 billion in 2015  a staggering 68.7% advance. And 2016 looks poised to hit nearly $78 billion, up 30%. We'll come back to why apps could make a larger contribution going forward.

All this sales data is for Internet Retailer's "Mobile 500" which includes 383 US companies who will grow their mobile (smartphone and tablet) sales an estimated 24% to $109.0 billion in 2016 from $87.6 billion in 2015.

According to Katie Evans, Chief Technology Editor at IR "Thats particularly impressive because many of these retailers have had strong mobile operations for years and their annual mobile sales growth rates are likely tapering."

It's also impressive that the 117 non-US companies, less than 1/4 of the 500, represent half of the total $220 billion in sales. I suspect that is being driven by a giant Asian retailer like Alibaba (BABA).

From Whence the Growth?

The explosive 53% global growth in mobile sales (both via app and web browsers on mobile devices) is likely stealing share from "traditional" desk-top shopping, but it may just as well be expanding the pie of total shopping and not just replacing a visit to the stores themselves.

In other words, the growth in mobile shopping is partly due to the proliferation of powerful devices and apps that make it so easy to tap and buy. As Amazon (AMZN) pioneered one-click shopping many years ago, I'm sure there are retailers with apps that have a one-tap shopping feature.

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But it's not just about how easy (or fun) it can be to shop from a mobile device these days. It's also about how rewarding and personal of an experience savvy retailers are learning to make shopping.

For instance, retailers that tailor offers to your past purchases or search behavior are finding renewed success and increased sales. And this goes beyond what we are used to with Google and Facebook (FB) tracking our browsing activity and showing us paid advertising.

This is about retailers making your mobile experience with them as personalized as they can using all the data and tools they have available.

Consumers Surrender

Remember when it was weird to be tracked by websites and see ads targeted to you based on something you had searched for (or "accidentally" clicked on) the day before? But how many of us really bother to clear our web history and cookies to stop Big Brother from watching anymore?

TopRank Marketing reported data from a survey as long ago as 2013 that fully 85% of people know that websites track their online shopping behavior but understand that tracking enables companies to present offers and content that match their interests.

And 75% of respondents actually preferred that retailers use their personal information to improve the shopping experience.

This clearly explains the success of Facebook ads, which are on track to grow 55% this year to $26.5 billion, and which specialize in "social targeting" based on your personal profile and browsing and buying behavior.

The opportunity that retailers have now is to personalize your experience in their native app where you are giving them permission to collect your information and track your behavior. And clearing cookies can't break that relationship because it's one bond people want to maintain.

Mobile Is Personal

This 2015 quote from Andy O'Dell of the digital marketing agency CLUTCH sums it up pretty well...

"Because my mobile phone is where I have my most personal and private communications, I don't look at it as a commercial device. Rather, I look at my phone as a personal device, so if Im downloading an app, I expect that app to have that same level of personalization. It can not if its not integrated into a centralized retail brain that can make sense of how I behave across all touch points and buying channels."

And Taru Bhargava, writing for AppVirality in January 2016, got retailers off to a great start for the year with a list of key app innovations to get personal in her article Why 2016 Is The Year For Personalization In Retail Apps...

1) Personalized Onboarding: The first experience with your app is a pivotal moment for the user. Clearly, you cant make them feel like a headless chook!

2) Personalized Content & Product Recommendations: One of the most significant ways of personalization is via the content that you share with your users. An interesting way of incorporating this in your mobile app is via behavioral targeting. The most common method of doing so is by studying a users click behavior -- which product categories appeal to them, what kind of search interests him, are a few ways in which app content can be personalized.

3) Personalized Post Event Interactions: A sale on a retail app is successful only when marketers get pushy, however without compromising the shopping experience. A great way doing it is by wrapping the communication in subtle and light-hearted packaging.

4) Personalized In-App Features: When a user is exploring your app for the first time, he is scrolling the catalogs, browsing through various channels-quite frankly this can overwhelm him. While personalized onboarding can help in soothing his nerves, personalized In-app features can enhance his interactions with the app, adding to an apps stickiness.

Be sure to read Taru's full article linked above to understand all her recommendations and to see how many of the apps you are using one year later have incorporated them.

Engagement & Loyalty

It becomes obvious that successful personalization isn't just about collecting and utilizing data on your consumer. If you can't creatively engage them with your website or app, they won't stick around long enough for your "personalized" experiences to matter. And they certainly won't be opening your emails anymore.

So the retailer's challenge comes with taking their big, bold, and hopefully beautiful website experience and crunching it down to make it work on a mobile web browser or in an app. That's where speciality app firms like Azetone and Clearbridge come in to create the best mobile customer experience for brands.

Or there's the modern, techno-hip ad agency Prolific Interactive who has helped companies like Angie's List (ANGI), BlackRock (BLK), Sephora, and Saks Fifth Avenue create their mobile strategies and platforms.

You know whose app gets some of the highest user ratings? Groupon (GRPN), that's who. I never would have guessed, since I'm not an active customer and the business and stock price have struggled so much. But they obviously figured out a secret sauce for pleasing their app users.

Groupon ranked at the top in a study this year of over 1.2 million App Store and Google Play reviews by ARC from Applause, a software firm that provides digital testing and analytics to app developers.

And ModCloth, the women's vintage-inspired clothing site -- and a Prolific client -- scored #3 out of 50 top retail apps. The bottom line is that a great mobile experience creates its own loyalty with customers.

In-Store Experience... and Beacons?

And that loyalty is probably the key to keeping traditional stores like Macy's (M) thriving and bustling instead of struggling and closing stores.

Retailers have a twofold problem, said Localytics CMO Josh Todd in a March 2016 Digiday article by Hilary Milnes. They want people to buy within the app, but they also want to drive people into stores. Smart retailers use the app to do both by emailing customers about their in-app shopping cart or wish-list items, and offering in store incentives to buy.

And the possibilities for engagement and personalization are just beginning with in-store experiences. Here was Dan Kosir, Senior Marketing Manager at Clearbridge Mobile, an Ontario-based app developer, describing the evolving trend in 2015...

"Beacons are fast becoming a highly effective and lucrative technology for retailers. Having hardware in-store that communicates with user devices provides an unprecedented ability to communicate and engage shoppers on a highly personal, contextual level. Already, retailers have found success using beacons to boost their sales, and with the technology expected to influence $44.4 billion in retail sales by 2016 (in the US alone), there is ample opportunity for retailers to get a piece of the pie."

The Next Wave

I don't know much about beacons, but the big technology trend they are a part of, which is supporting the success of the mobile app as a shopping experience, is called the Internet of Things (IoT). Billions of devices collecting and transmitting information feed the retailers' hunger for consumer data of all kinds.

The firms that can organize, process and utilize this data will always be ahead of the crowd in experimenting with new ways to engage consumers and their wallets. For companies that make the RF (radio frequency) chips required for all these devices to communicate, like Skyworks Solutions (SWKS), the future seems bright.

And then there are the software applications that make data even more useful with predictive analytics and so-called "artificial intelligence" systems like IBM's (IBM) Watson Cognitive Analytics. In Katie Evans' September 2016 article Mobile Experiments, she highlighted one conventional big-box store innovating on these frontiers...

"Staples is testing how consumers react to it incorporating machine learning in its Easy Button that enables shoppers to press the button to order a product by voice, or to ask common questions, such as when an order will be delivered or the status of a return. Machine learning is a technology that develops computer programs to teach themselves to grow and change when exposed to new data instead of being programmed by an individual."

Shopping is Soma

The brave, new world of shopping now has even more Big Brothers, besides Alphabet (GOOGL) and Facebook, watching us. And many of us seem to like it.

So, back to my lead-off question: Will 2016's mobile shopping record of $220 billion, representing 53% annual growth, be surpassed in 2017, or are we seeing a near-term peak?

I think a telling foreshadow might be Facebook's ad sales of $26.5 billion in 2016, representing 55% growth from 2015. Wall Street analysts are currently forecasting a slow-down in Facebook's 2017 ad sales to only about 35% growth -- "only" another $9 or $10 billion.

That seems normal after an explosive year. Thus 2016 may be viewed soon as the "Year of the App" for retailers because a slow-down from 53% growth would be normal.

So maybe we've seen a peak in the growth rate. But mobile sales will still likely top $220 billion in 2017 as all these trends of retailers scrambling to innovate probably won't slow down.

And I would bet that in a year or two at most, certainly before 2020, we will be talking about much bigger numbers than $78 billion from app sales as a portion of that total mobile pie. That means retailers who haven't mastered a platform to engage their customers will be left behind.

Kevin Cook is a Senior Stock Strategist for Zacks Investment Research. Find him on Twitter @KevinBCook

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Bringing manufacturing jobs back to America might be one of the tentpoles of Donald Trumps presidential campaign, and Apple might be at least studying the feasibility of manufacturing the iPhone in the US. But Foxconn, the company that actually produces a significant portion of the iPhones out there, is looking to replace human workers with fully autonomous robotic lines, which adds yet another obstacle in Trumps quest for an American-made iPhone.

Don't Miss: Heres what a Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus looks like after 3 months without a case

This isnt the first time weve heard that Foxconn is deploying robots inside its factories. But a new report indicates that Foxconn already has no less than 10 fully automated production lines building various products in China.

The company operates more than 40,000 Foxbots, which are industrial robots developed and produced in-house, according to Digitimes.

Turning its production lines into fully-automated lines is a process that requires several steps. First, Foxconn aims to set up individual workstations in factories for tasks that are either dangerous, or that workers are unwilling to do. Then Foxconn will automate entire lines, and eventually entire factories. Human workers will be needed in different capacities, related to logistics, testing, and inspection.

According to the report, the automated lines currently manufacture tablets, all-in-one PCs, and LCD monitors. Theres also an automated CNC line in China. Foxconn is able to produce 10,000 Foxbots a year, as well as other robots that could be used in fields including medical care.

Even so, human workers are still indispensable, according to Foxconns Automation Technology Development Committee general manager Dai Jia-peng. Foxconn cant completely replace them, as humans still have qualities robots lack, including the ability to quickly switch from one task to another.

These fully automated lines arent producing iPhones yet, but that may happen in the future. In the meantime, Apple has reportedly asked Foxconn to investigate the feasibility of manufacturing some of its products in America.

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See the original version of this article on BGR.com
Google is fighting back against Holocaust-deniers in a really important way

Id venture a guess that most of us have never Googled the question did the Holocaust happen? because, you know, the answer is so glaringly obvious. Unfortunately, its not a huge surprise that certain people do enter this query into their search boxes  so Google is fighting back against Holocaust-deniers in an important way.

Earlier this month, Fortune reported that the top search result for that question was a neo-Nazi site claiming the atrocity never happened. (Yes, really.)

After receiving a great deal of well-deserved public criticism, Google has altered its algorithm so the white supremacist site run by Holocaust-deniers now appears lower in the search results.

Google was built on providing people with high-quality and authoritative results for their search queries, the company told Digital Trends. We strive to give users a breadth of diverse content from variety of sources and were committed to the principle of a free and open web. Judging which pages on the web best answer a query is a challenging problem and we dont always get it right.

Although this is absolutely a step in the right direction, the neo-Nazi website still appears on the first page of search results. The company told Fortune that they only remove content from search results if it contains illegal content, malware and violations of our webmaster guidelines.

So, although its been knocked from the number one spot, dangerous white supremacist propaganda is allowed to remain in Googles search results.

anne frank

But, plenty of people are committed to fighting the good fight until this morally reprehensible content is removed completely  and its an especially important fight right now, because America has seen a surge in anti-Semitism throughout Donald Trumps presidential campaign and eventual victory.

Facebook is getting slaughtered on the fake news front, but in many ways, this Google problem is more insidious, Heidi Beirich, intelligence project director for the Southern Poverty Law Center told NBC. People might assume that what theyre getting is vetted, and that certainly is not the case.

Google took action after the publics initial outcry, so the best thing we can do is to continue to hold the site accountable  a neo-Nazi site has no place on the search engine, whether its in the top spot or the thousandth. Based on the companys swift response to Fortunes report, Im hopeful theyll continue to fight Holocaust-deniers if we make sure our message is heard loud and clear.

The post Google is fighting back against Holocaust-deniers in a really important way appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Governments shut down the internet on more than 50 occasions in 2016 in attempts to censor citizens, impact elections, and hide atrocities.

As internet access becomes more prevalent around the world, so too do attempts to suppress it. According to digital rights organization Access Now, there were more than 50 attempts by governments to shut down the internet during 2016.

Access to internet was cut for a variety of reasons throughout the year, including several attempts to stifle dissent and affect outcomes of the democratic process.

Deji Olukotun, the senior global advocacy manager at Access Now, told the Inter Press Service an internet shutdown was imposed in Uganda by President Yoweri Museveniincluding a blackout of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter on the morning of election day.

Other African countries experienced similar crackdowns on access to social media, including Congo-Brazzaville, Ethiopia and Chad.

Just this month, the presidential election in Gambia was mired by online interference as a rare challenger to president Yahya Jammeh emerged. Internet access and all international calls were suspended by the country in the day leading up to the election, which resulted in Jammeh being re-elected to continue on his 22-year rule over the nation.

Other nations opted to cut access to the internet to solve much smaller problems. At least three countries blocked the internet in order to prevent students from cheating on exams, including Iraq, which has a history of shutting down the internet for this very purpose.

In the most troubling cases, the internet was blocked in order to hide atrocities committed by the government. This was the case in Ethiopia, where a consistent blockade on the internet and social media has reportedly attempted to hide the deaths of hundreds of protesters attempting to express their grievances against the government.

The shutdowns are costly endeavours for the countries that attempt to implement them. According to a recently published paper from the Brookings Institute, internet shutdowns cost $2.4 billion in 2015.

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Luckily, many countries are spending a considerable amount to expand access to the internet rather than suspend it. On the whole most governments want to expand internet access, Olukotun said. Many of them see it as an opportunity to participate in the global economy and be competitive.

Efforts by companies like Google and Facebook to expand access have helped bolster interest in connectivitythough arent without their own challenges and tools like Virtual Private Networks and encrypted messaging apps have made it easier for citizens of oppressive governments to continue to communicate online despite limited access.

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On the night of the 9th of December 2016, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo was announced the winner of the general elections, thus becoming the president-elect of the Republic of Ghana scheduled to take office officially on the 7th of January, 2017.

Get the latest news from Ghana here

READ ALSO: Mahama will not contest 2020 elections

However, the road to this historic victory for Nana Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was not an easy one. The presidential candidate who contested in the elections 3 times before succeeding had to travel the entire country, sometimes under the worst conditions to win the votes of Ghanaians.

Here are 7 pictures that prove that Nana Addo really suffered for the presidency.

1. When he had to at some point during one of his campaign tours, travel on foot through shallow rivers to reach some constituents.

2. When Nana Addo, even though Christian, had to join an Islamic worship session fully dressed and posed. Morale: When you want to win an election, you have to pray through all channels to make sure God hears you.

3. He had to console wailing mourners even when he wasn't in the mood to do so... or so it seems from this photo.

PAY ATTENTION: yen.com.gh has the latest political news from Ghana

4. He had to play a game of cards out on the streets to prove he could "roll on all levels" and could be a president for all.

5. When eating kenkey and hot pepper communally becomes essential for your reputation, you leave you "fork and knife" behaviour at home and dig in with your fingers like a real Ghanaian. It's not easy.

READ ALSO: Let's thank Mahama for his maturity after defeat - Nana Addo

6. After that you push it down with a chilled sachet pure water even though you are used to bottled water in your home.

7. And for refreshment, sometimes the most convenient is what is available and if you have to drink that juice like a thirsty man trekking in the Sahara desert, why not?

So after all the suffering, who is smiling now? Onaapo!

Source: YEN.com.gh
BHUBANESWAR, India The death toll in a coal mine collapse in Jharkhand rose to 16 on Saturday and could rise further, officials said, as some people are still feared trapped at a coalfield run by state-owned Coal India Limited.The accident occurred on Thursday evening at the Lalmatia mine, one of the country's largest, which is owned by Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL)."At night (on Friday), the rescue operation was slow due to fog," R.R. Amitabh, a senior officer at ECL, told Reuters, adding that about 30 percent of the collapsed mine waste had been removed.Coal India has a poor safety record, with 135 accidents reported last year, killing 37 people and injuring 141, the company said in a report.

Operations at the mine in Godda district, about 280 km (175 miles) from the state capital, Ranchi, have since been stopped, Amitabh said.The state police spokesman R.K. Mullick said the number of people still trapped may be less than the nearly two dozen assumed earlier, based on the number of families who were searching for their kin.

The mine has an annual capacity of 17 million tonnes and accounts for about half of ECL's coal production. Last month, ECL accounted for about 9 percent of Coal India's total production of 50 million tonnes.

The federal coal ministry has ordered an investigation and announced some cash compensation to the families of miners who died in the accident. (Reporting by Jatindra Dash; Writing by Malini Menon; Editing by Mike Collett-White)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Islamabad: Pakistan has sought support of the US on the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with India, as Secretary of State John Kerry called for an amicable settlement of the issue by New Delhi and Islamabad, media reported on Saturday.

The development came after Pakistan was irked by the World Bank pause in mediation to resolve differences over construction of two water projects by India.

The Express Tribune reported that Kerry made a phone call to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday night and discussed the row over the IWT implementation and the role of the World Bank (WB), which had brokered the treaty in 1960.

After Kerry's call, US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale also met Dar in Islamabad at the Finance Ministry.

The back-to-back contacts highlight the importance of the water issue, which can potentially endanger regional stability if the situation slips out of control, according to sources at Finance Ministry.

"The US would like to see an amicable solution to this (water) issue," a Finance Ministry statement quoted Kerry as saying.

Kerry told Dar that the WB president had informed him about Pakistan's complaint against India on the IWT.

The water dispute has catapulted the US back into Pakistan's economic picture.

The American civilian and military assistance to Pakistan has drastically come down in recent months and its implications on Pakistan's fiscal situation have started emerging in the shape of a larger-than-anticipated budget deficit.

Independent analysts argue that Washington may not play an effective role in resolving the water dispute, as the Obama administration is preparing to hand over the White House to Donald Trump next month.

"Senator Dar indicated that the US support on the principles and legal position of Pakistan will be greatly appreciated," stated the Finance Ministry.

Early this month, the WB had announced a pause in playing its legally binding role of mediator in the IWT implementation.

In October, Pakistan had approached the WB seeking appointment of the Chairman of Court of Arbitration to resolve a dispute over construction of two mega hydropower projects by India in violation of the IWT.

The Finance Minister told Kerry that the IWT was an international commitment and it was the WB's responsibility to make sure India honoured the treaty and the water rights of hundreds of millions of Pakistani people were protected, said the finance ministry.
When cariocas (Rio de Janeiro locals) pack Copacabana to bring in 2017, they will experience a fireworks display, live musical performances and beefed-up security. For the first time, however, the traditional 16-minute firework show will be reduced to 12 minutes because of the state's financial crisis.

Reveillon de Copacabana, as cariocas call it, is considered to be one of the best New Years Eve parties in the world. Rios outgoing secretary for tourism Antonio Pedro Figueira de Mello, explains that the Reveillon de Copacabana is one of the largest outdoor New Year's Eve events of its kind in the world, and it is an event that has great emotional resonance for Rio. Apart from Copacabana, there are nine other places in Rio where cariocas celebrate New Years.

When the clock strikes 12, fireworks in the shape of hearts, daisies, palm trees and smiley faces will erupt, triggered by a computerised process, and last for 12 amazing minutes. Pirotecnia Igual Brasil, the Spanish company that is responsible for the firework show, has already assembled 11 ferries containing fireworks, a few hundred meters from the Copacabana shore. The party attracts close to a million people from all over the world who pack the Copacabana beach in Rio to see the fireworks, and the count down to the New Year. There are also musical performances by traditional Brazilian artists.

Mukesh Kumar from Ludhiana, Punjab, has been living in Brazil since 2012. He says that the New Years Eve party at Copacabana is among the best experiences of his life and the fireworks show is a class apart. He admits that with the party in Rio, there are security concerns, but the city does reinforce the police cover during this time of the year.

Brazil is one of those countries that celebrates the New Year in summer. Thus the temperature in Rio  around 40C  is perfect for beach parties. Nicole Paque, a French tourist, arrived in Rio a couple of days ago. It is her second visit to Rio and during her last trip she was greeted with cloudy skies and consistent rain. Clear blue sky and hot weather  I love Copacabana!" bikini-clad Paque told us. "I am lucky that I can take a dip in the sea and get a nice sun tan. It makes me really happy.

Secretary de Mello says that in previous years, sponsors would queue up to pay the reveillon expenses. This year, the ongoing crisis has made finding sponsors difficult. "We have invested almost $ 1.5 million this year. We are expecting close to 8.65 lakh tourists in Rio over the next few days, generating a revenue of $ 690 million for the city. Thus our investment in Reveillon de Copacabana is important for Rio and for Brazil. We would like to sign off by celebrating the great moments the city has lived in the last eight years and hope for a better future for Rio and for Brazil," he says.

The celebrations usually leave behind a big pile of trash. Last year, the sanitation crews got to work right on the early hours of 1 January, mopping up the aftermath of the celebration, working through the night to rid the area of an estimated 300 tons of trash. More than 1100 workers were involved in the action that lasted for more than 4 hours over an area spread across 5 km. Will the celebrations this year be cleaner? We'l just have to wait and watch.
Editor's note: This article is part of a series of newsroom diaries by various members of the Firstpost team. These diaries will provide you with the journalist's recollections of a particular bit of news coverage in 2016 in which she/he was deeply involved.

The year gone by was an aphrodisiac for a news junkie like me. Each day was unpredictable: it challenged us, surprised us, shocked us, and sometimes it even made us weep.

The Mumbai editorial desk of Firstpost is no less than a war room. Strategies are planned over the counter  the editor shouts out directions, and you get to work. Stories are published while the news is still breaking. Bigger follow-ups are planned and every news story is inspiring. Nothing beats the sprinting energy of breaking news and in a digital newsroom like Firstpost's it gets exceptionally interesting. Its rigorous  to the point that it can send you in a tizzy  especially on the copy desk, the bulwark of any newsroom, which strives to keep every item of written or spoken news grammatically stout, factually correct and understandable.

And 2016 was here to test us.

The year started with Assembly elections in five states. The coverage at Firstpost was ambitious, with live debates, live blogs and constant updates on social media, we did everything that a team as small as ours was not expected to. I was keenly involved in the election coverage: travelling to Tamil Nadu, reporting on issues that had the potential to sway the mandate, and I thought this is when I would hit my crescendo, my high note, my piece de resistance. That wasnt it, but I was very close.

In terms of national politics, 2016 was defined by Sturm und Drang. A priceless moment was when J Jayalalithaa returned to power. Significantly, this was the first time in 32 years that a chief minister was selected to serve consecutive terms. The AIADMK front won 136 seats as opposed to DMK alliances 98. It was going to be a crucial year for the party and all eyes were on the iron-willed lady, who despite all odds, rallied to victory and was reduced her rivals to rubble. However, 2016 had just begun.

Then came September  and the first reports of Jayalalithaas frail health began making headlines. On Firstpost, we published reports analysing the AIADMK's secretiveness about Ammas health. Those who follow Tamil Nadu politics know how private a person Jayalalithaa was, and any news outlet trying to breach that boundary of secrecy was threatened with defamation suits. Her unknown illness gave a fillip to the rumour mills as well.

The shelf life of a news story is fleeting  it does not depend on the relevance of the development, but on when the next big one comes along. Reportage on Jayalalithaas health petered out as time went by, except for the occasional news alerts which told us she was recovering and out of danger. Once bitten, twice shy, the press largely restricted itself to publishing handouts from the hospital.

It was in early December, when we in the newsroom were still hungover from stories about Donald Trumps unexpected victory and reeling under demonetisation reports, that Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital once again, having suffered a massive cardiac arrest. That was 4 December, a Sunday.

I was at a friends place when it happened, and it was as if news channels werent giving us enough information. I called up my contacts in Chennai and tried to get some information  but what they were able to tell me was mixed, and frustrating.

By the evening of 5 December, talk around Jayalalithaas declining health had reduced. The world had again moved on to other stories  long queues at ATMs, the Opposition slamming the prime minister, etc.

At 11.30 pm on 5 December (Monday), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa passed away. It did not surprise us; it was cathartic, in some way. Once reality dawned, we realised what a big task was on hand. The Firstpost newsdesk wraps up work by 11 pm and every editor was either on their way home, or at home. But the website had to be changed, it was too huge a development not to be reported till the next morning.

While Jayalalithaas death roused many emotions in me, the only one that I could identify at that point was the adrenaline of rushing to work in the middle of the night to get a live blog up and running so that the flow of news and information wouldnt stop. My editors words to me at 12.30 am on the intervening night of 5-6 December were: We should have all the information for those who wake up and want to know about it.

As a colleague and I rushed to the office in the dead of the night to make sure that the website was active and updated, I knew I had hit my crescendo, my high note, my piece de resistance.

Digital journalism is free of several things that hamper the print medium: there is no limit on word counts, the possibilities are immense. We tapped into this and the result was beautiful. It was a very different experience from covering the Assembly elections in May. While the newsroom was charged up in May, the mood on that December night was quiet and sombre. The floor was empty except for a few security guards and the two of us.

Towards morning, the first visuals started coming in from Chennai  the city stood still as the swelling crowd tried to catch a glimpse of their Amma. I had seen Jayalalithaa only once, from afar, and while I was relentlessly keying in words on our live blog, I couldnt help feeling a sense of loss. The lane off the ever-buzzing Cathedral Road was mostly quiet. Save for the police post right at the entrance, the road, dotted with rambling bungalows and high-end apartments, was remarkably nondescript. I had lived in Chennai for six years and it was surreal to acknowledge that Jayalalithaa was no more. It was as though a family member had been lost.

It was bittersweet and symbolic when gentle dawn broke as the cavalcade took Jayalalithaa's remains to the Rajaji Hall. Even as the sun set on her life and her career, a new sun rose in Tamil Nadu.

My 'day' ended after 15 hours of gruelling, thrilling work.

2016, honestly, was a boon for journalism and I was more than glad to be part of it. This year  despite the news carousel which has still not stopped moving (and I hope to God it does not)  set me off on a journey of news coverage which was scary, and satisfying. I have never experienced anything like this in my journalistic career so far. It left me exhausted  and exhilarated. Even as I conclude this personal account, I should add that it was so difficult to choose just one subject to write about  because you cannot move on from a news story that youve closely covered. It becomes a part of you.

Jayalalithaas death will always remain that night when I rushed to the newsroom and put in my best as a journalist.
Editor's note: This article is part of a series of newsroom diaries by various members of the Firstpost team. These diaries will provide you with the journalist's recollections of a particular bit of news coverage in 2016 in which she/he was deeply involved.

Defining 2016 with only a couple of major events is difficult, especially if you are part of a highly charged, often opinionated and slightly irreverent newsroom. Whether it's the Samajwadi Party family feud or the story of the Persian Hulk, the enthusiasm almost remains undiminished. There are days when we passionately explore the pros and cons of a news story, sometimes we just have to stop ourselves from going down rabbit hole dealing with a particularly complicated issue and there are days when we just manage to keep up with the breaking news. Our coverage of the five Assembly elections that were held between April and May probably explains this cycle the best.

With four major states with different political players and dynamics  the challenge was to bring out the critical issues pertaining to each state and present it to a national audience. Like any typical Bengali household, I grew up on a healthy dose of politics and Darjeeling tea, the Left-Trinamool Congress decades-old battle was definitely not an unfamiliar territory for me. What was unfamiliar was the politics of Kerala  the state that I was assigned to cover. The initial work began at a very basic level  understanding the state's political topography, the major players and the contentious issues.

Not just covering the ongoing developments, we had to concentrate on the critical issues specific to each of the state and decode the changing political climate. In fact, in some states, it was not the issues, but the political personalities that took the centre stage. We had to map the state elections keeping in mind the broader implications of the outcome.

In West Bengal, the biggest question was who would be Mamata Banerjee's challenger? While in Assam, the focus was on the BJP making inroads in the North East. In Kerala, it was whether the incumbent government will be able to recover from the corruption charges and in Tamil Nadu, it was all about the cult politics and what sops have the two major parties  DMK and AIADMK  have promised to woo the electorate.

The voting process that took place in phases in some states like West Bengal was covered with ground reports, analysis, social media packages, live reports, but it all culminated to the counting day. It was all hands on the deck for our first ever five-hour live web cast  Decode 2016. Senior political editors, analysts and experts were all on board for the live coverage, the news desk along with the multimedia team worked on the video packages and infographics.

My focus no longer was only Kerala, we had to prepare a comprehensive list of key issues and the main political players of the four states and one union territory. With less than 10 days, we had to create 20 video packages, make profiles of the key players and sift through mountains of data and numbers to finalise the talking points. For the next few days, we forgot everything else and concentrated on Decode 2016. The work kept mounting, the hours kept stretching and since this was a pilot venture mistakes were made, bloopers happened, but we soldiered on. Months after the web-cast, I would flinch every time I heard anything related to election, constituency, vote bank. With less than three hours of sleep, our day on 19 May started at 6 am. In addition to the live coverage, we ran live blogs and put together snap analytical copies. It was a great show, but on that day we put the celebrations on hold to catch up on some much-deserved sleep.

Looking back, the state elections were a big learning curve: Researching on the key issues and the king makers helped me understand the political landscape of the states and it's impact on a national level. Lessons on managing resources and time just came along with it.

Long hours, continuous work, keeping a track of news breaks  being in a newsroom is mostly elating and sometimes exhausting. But I can bet that in our newsroom no one would trade it for something less challenging or mundane. Of course, we did not dwell long on the success of our state election coverage. Once the results were out, we quickly moved on. The elections were held at the beginning of the year, Brexit, surgical strikes, US election, demonetisation, Taimur Ali Khan were waiting for us.
By Paulo Prada

| RIO DE JANEIRO

RIO DE JANEIRO A Rio de Janeiro policeman confessed to murdering Greece's ambassador to Brazil in what investigators on Friday called a "cowardly act" carried out at the direction of the diplomat's Brazilian wife with whom the officer was romantically involved.Ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis, 59, was missing since Monday night. Francoise, his Brazilian wife and the mother of their 10-year-old daughter, reported him missing to police on Wednesday.Officer Sergio Moreira, 29, confessed to police on Friday that he killed the ambassador late Monday night in the Rio de Janeiro home the Amiridises owned in Nova Iguacu, a hardscrabble neighbourhood in Rio's sprawling, violent northern outskirts.Investigator Evaristo Magalhaes told reporters that Francoise, 40, and Moreira had arranged the murder a few days in advance. Both Amiridis' wife and the officer are in custody. Police have also detained a cousin of the officer, who Magalhaes said acted as a lookout while the crime was committed and helped carry the body from the house with the promise that he would be paid 80,000 reais ($25,000)."This was a tragic, cowardly act, but we worked tirelessly to crack this case as soon as possible," Magalhaes told a news conference.Brazilian President Michel Temer, in a letter addressed to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, said the ambassador's killing had caused him profound sadness and he extended his condolences to the ambassador's family, friends and the Greek people.

The Greek embassy in Brasilia declined to comment. In Athens, Greek foreign ministry spokesman Stratos Efthymiou said the government also had no comment.Amiridis served as Greece's consul general in Rio from 2001 to 2004. He was Greece's ambassador to Libya from 2012 until he took the top Brazil post at the beginning of 2016. BLOOD ON COUCH

Magalhaes said that blood was found on a couch inside the home and the ambassador was likely stabbed to death as no shots were reported in the area. However, he said it was not yet possible to determine the exact cause of death because the policeman had burned the ambassador's body in an attempt to cover up the crime.A burned corpse was found on Thursday evening inside the car that Amiridis and his wife had rented. It was parked under a highway overpass in the area where the couple had been staying. On Thursday, police confirmed that the ambassador had been missing since Monday night, when he was last seen leaving the Rio home he shared with his wife, which was located near her family's residence in Nova Iguacu. The incident is another blow to Rio's image, just four months after it hosted the Summer Olympics.

Crime in Rio has been rising and the state is deeply indebted, often unable to pay police and other salaries on time, if at all. The neighbourhood where the car was found is dominated by powerful and politically connected armed groups comprised mostly of off-duty or retired police and firefighters who control vast areas. They often extort residents in exchange for keeping drug gangs from taking over the areas.The armed groups have grown for several years and often curry favour with local politicians by promising to deliver votes from entire neighbourhoods as long as authorities allow them to carry out their crimes. (Additional reporting by Brad Brooks in Sao Paulo and George Georgiopoulos in Athens; Editing by Toni Reinhold and Mary Milliken)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Baghdad: A pair of bomb blasts targeting a market in central Baghdad on Saturday killed at least 28 people and wounded at least 54, according to police and medical officials

The attacks took place early this morning in al-Sinak, a busy market selling car accessories, food and clothes as well as agricultural seeds and machinery.

Two bombs targeting a market in Baghdad kill at least 28 people. https://t.co/shv5prezad  The Associated Press (@AP) December 31, 2016

Details were sketchy in the immediate aftermath. Police at first said a pair of back-to-back roadside bombs exploded.

Later a police official said first a roadside bomb exploded, then a suicide bomber detonated his device amid the crowd that had gathered. Finally police concluded that the carnage was the work of a pair of suicide bombers.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to release the information.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts, but the Islamic State group has launched near-daily attacks in the capital in recent months.

Iraq's premier on 27 December had said that security forces would need another three months to eliminate the Islamic State group from the country after launching their offensive against IS in October.

"The available data indicate that Iraq requires three months to eliminate Daesh," Haider al-Abadi told a televised news conference, referring to the jihadist group by an Arabic acronym. Previously, he had vowed that the IS-occupied city of Mosul would be retaken "before the end of the year", a goal that is no longer possible.

The jihadist group overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces backed by US-led air strikes have since regained much of the territory originally lost to IS.

With inputs from AFP
By Frank McGurty

| NEW YORK

NEW YORK What will become a veritable sea of humanity has begun to converge on Times Square on Saturday to experience the annual descent of the New Year's Eve ball, a century-old tradition that will unfold this year under an unprecedented blanket of security.As many as 2 million people, surrounded by a ring of 40-ton sand trucks and some 7,000 police, are expected to gather in the "Crossroads of the World" to watch the glittering sphere complete its midnight drop, marking the beginning of 2017. Michelle Adkins was so excited to stand at the crossroads of the world on New Year's Eve that she left her friend behind at the hotel and headed for the bright lights. "I've waited my whole life to see Times Square," said Adkins, 51, who works in a tire manufacturing plant in Rocky Mountain, North Carolina. "I didn't come to New York to sleep! I ain't got no time for sleep!"Even though city and federal officials say they are not aware of any credible threats, the specter of two deadly truck attacks in Europe looms over the Times Square rite of winter, which has attracted merrymakers since the early 20th century.In devising the security plan, New York police officials say they heeded lessons from recent holiday attacks in Germany and France, where suspected militants intentionally plowed vehicles into crowds of pedestrians, killing dozens.Despite the heavy police presence, or perhaps because of it, throngs of people, many from overseas, arrived hours early to get a prime view of festivities, which will include live musical performances by Mariah Carey, Thomas Rhett and Gloria Estefan.

Although skies were cloudy, temperatures were expected to hold at a comfortable 40F (5C), with no rain in the forecast.John O'Leary, 57, of the Midlands, England, his wife, Claire, 51, and their two children were passing through Times Square on Saturday afternoon."It's just amazing," O'Leary said. "I just can't believe how they can manage all this, in terms of security."At 11:59 p.m. (0459 GMT), the Waterford Crystal ball, five feet in diameter, will begin to slid down a pole that sits atop a building at the point where Broadway crosses Seventh Avenue. When it completes its descent at midnight, a giant "2017" sign will illuminate and a shower of fireworks with light up the sky.

Throughout the evening, a protective perimeter of 65 hulking sanitation trucks filled with sand, as well as about 100 other smaller vehicles, will encircle Times Square. Placed in strategic positions, the "blockers" are intended to prevent any repetition of the truck attacks in Berlin and Nice earlier this year, officials said.Authorities used the same strategy at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade after Islamic State militants encouraged followers to target the event, which drew about 3.5 million people to the streets of the largest U.S. city. Blocker trucks have also taken up positions across town near Trump Tower since President-elect Donald Trump was elected in November.In addition, New York has deployed heavily armed police teams, snipers, bomb-sniffing dogs and helicopters. Coast Guard and police vessels will patrol waterways surrounding Manhattan.

U.S. defense and security agencies said they believed the threat of militant attacks inside the United States was low during the New Year's holiday, though the possibility of an attack, no matter how remote, was "undeniable."Likewise, New York Police Commissioner James O'Neill said at a briefing this week that there were "no direct concerns" related to this year's festivities in Times Square.Even so, he vowed, "we are going to have one of the most policed, best protected events and one of the safest venues in the entire world given all the assets we deploy here."Other big cities around the country, including Chicago and San Francisco, put heavy security in place as well to protect sprawling crowds expected to gather at public fireworks displays and other "first night" events. In Washington, where federal budget cuts have done away with traditional New Year's Eve fireworks on the National Mall, no major events were planned. District of Columbia police declined to comment on any special security plans, saying only that events across the world are monitored for their potential impact on the U.S. capital. (Additional reporting by Chris Francescani in New York; Ian Simpson in Washington; Editing by David Gregorio)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Editor's note: This article is part of a series of newsroom diaries by various members of the Firstpost team. These diaries will provide you with the journalist's recollections of a particular bit of news coverage in 2016 in which she/he was deeply involved.

The year 2016 with Firstpost was a roller coaster ride, it started out with the budget coverage and our rigorous coverage on the assembly elections  Tamil Nadu, Assam, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal  with 'Firstpost Decode'. It was a phenomenal experience to be part of a team that was pushing the boundaries of digital journalism and redefining what a digital newsroom looks like. 2016 was dramatic for me, at least as a new media journalist. I remember sauntering into office on (what I had hoped would be a lazy) Saturday, some much-deserved respite from all the 'breaking news', but I was to have none, as a coup was attempted in Turkey against state institutions, the government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. That's the thing with being in the business of news, you don't get to have lazy Saturdays or lazy anyday. At Firstpost, there's barely a minute that goes by that's not dedicated to tracking important news globally and from all parts of India and at the risk of speaking for others, we would not have it any other way.

The US election towards the end of 2016 was one of my most ambitious projects at Firstpost  it kicked my butt, gave me immense joy and also the most pain. I think I lived in the office for almost half a month. And if I was asked to do it again, I would do it in a heartbeat. There is a different kind of joy that comes out of editorial work  almost unparalleled. It was a challenging task to capture the imaginations of readers in India and to also try and acquire a new readership abroad.

Editorially, we sketched out a coverage plan that would cover the drama and intrigue around the election through the campaigns, and candidate surrogates. We put in our best efforts to understand the manifestos, policy changes that each candidate wanted to bring about. My colleagues and I would come into work at 6 am (a huge shout out to Karan Pradhan, Harsh Pareek and Anshu Lal!) on debate nights to do a live coverage of the presidential debates. It was hard work and a tough task to get out of bed early in the morning to hear Donald Trump yell words like 'Yuge!', 'Bigly' and 'Nasty Woman', but necessary. It helped us realise that the election was increasingly putting the candidates in sharp focus. A terrifying game of words  he said, she said. What was meant to be policy driven became personality driven.

And, Donald Trump made for easy news. He wrapped it up in a beautiful ribbon and handed it over to the media. While it would have been an easy path to outrage on all the ridiculous things he said, we sought to find a critical voice that didn't fall into the regular trappings of a typical Trump coverage. We roped in a women's editor from the US  Padmini Parthasarathy  to write on Trump, write about the larger impact of his words. A host of other contributors from North America wrote engaging, analysis-based copies for our special US page. This was also an election where the millennials had a big role to play, our series  My idea of America  provided vignettes of what America means to its citizens and what young men and women seek from their politicians.

When you're handed a project like the US election, it is hard to not be 300 percent invested. The stories from another part of the world become your world. Following an election that showed the divisive politics and social matrix of a country that proclaims to be the 'Land of the Free' was exhausting. The American exceptionalism was not just showing cracks, it seemed like it was in a dilapidated state. The outcome wasnt what I hoped for, as an objective journalist youre never allowed to let your personal feelings come in the way of your work. It was a balancing act that I had aced. On election day, however, I did take a moment to just be myself and allowed myself to feel. It was about women, it was about the rise of the right, I knew how to feel, but there was a disconnect between what I should have been feeling and what I felt. What does the win mean? What does this mean for women? What does this mean for my American friends and family? Were people okay with calling a man who once said he should grab someone by the p***y, their president? It didnt make sense. I wrote about my feelings and that's that, I was back to work.
On the eve of 2017 we have yet another natural moment for annual evaluation and projecting hopes for the coming days.

Like the dawning of any new year, we get a moment from the Author of time to reflect and consider. Not everyone will see this moment of pinning a new calendar on the wall as a spiritual or eternal moment; but to those that do, may I offer a few thoughts?

I get that a healthier physical body is something that is a pursuit of many at the start of the year. I would even go so far as to agree that it should consume some of your consideration, both for you and your family.

Its good to set goals for personal order such as organizing your home, cleaning out the car, finally going through all the boxes that have not been opened since your last move, establishing a reading goal for the year (including reading the bible through).

These are not bad things to consider as we face the dawn of 2017.

But greater than the changes we hope to make by breaking bad habits and establishing new goals, is the matter of joy.

What is the source of your joy?

Getting your house in order, losing 2040 pounds, running a 5K, or any other temporary matter will only bring about temporary joy. It doesnt settle the core matters of life. So long as we put temporal goals as our primary pursuit in life, we will always have something left undone or unsatisfied.

What is it that brings humanity our greatest joy?

Contentment in this temporal day is difficult to achieve until we address the eternal matters of our eternal being.

And listen closely, not just any eternal pursuit will do.

Not all paths are equal.

Its true that many people journey different paths and we live in a blessed land that allows all to pursue their paths equally. We can live in respect of each other in this while noting at the end that only one source of all truth exists.

May I encourage you to give consideration to the greatest pursuit of your life?

There is lasting, eternal joy, only in the Lord, Jesus the Christ, the son of the Living God. He is a gracious land owner, a redeemer and savior.

To know Him, you have no greater source than the Holy Bible. May it be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. There are people all throughout the Magic Valley who are in pursuit of eternal joy in Christ Jesus, the LORD. They meet with other believers throughout the valley on the Lords day in organized locations for the purpose of worship in fulfilling their longing for joy. Not just any kind of worship, but the worship of God, the creator of all things and the redeemer of the souls of repenting men, women, boys, and girls.

Not all places of worship are equal in their object of worship.

Be sure that you gather in places where salvation is in Christ alone, through faith alone. Be sure that the source of this salvation is from the recorded pages of the Holy Bible alone. Any other path, by any other means, by any other source, is not a path of eternal joy.

O may you taste the eternal goodness of God this year!

Happy New Year
Elder Leonard and Sister Debra Beck have returned from serving a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were called as missionaries to the Minneapolis Minnesota mission, they were assigned to serve in Wisconsin. They will forever cherish the lifelong friendships they developed while serving. Elder and Sister Beck will be speaking Sunday, January 1, 2017 at the Star 2nd ward at 11:00 a.m.
TWIN FALLS  A Salt Lake City man in custody on $100-million bond slashed at his victim with a knife without apparent motive or provocation, the victim testified Friday.

Mulugeta Zemu Mana, 32, was in court Friday for the first time since August after receiving treatment at a state hospital to ensure he was mentally competent to understand court proceedings and aid his defense.

After Fridays preliminary hearing, 5th District Magistrate Judge Roger Harris ruled there was sufficient evidence for the case to move to district court and eventually a trial.

Mana is charged with a felony count of battery with intent to commit a serious felony. During his confrontational arraignment the day after the alleged stabbing, prosecutors asked his bond be set at $1 million. Mana said he didnt care and said the judge can even make it $100 million. The judge did just that.

Mana appeared in court a week after his arraignment and finally accepted the help of the public defenders office. He denied his right to an attorney during his first hearing. In the months since, he was ordered to undergo mental health treatment. Last week, the chief of psychology at State Hospital South in Blackfoot found that Mana was fit to proceed with the case.

During Fridays preliminary hearing, Samuel Gebreegziabher, who says Mana slashed at him, and Twin Falls Police Officer Dzevad Mustafic both testified. Gebreegziabher said he and Mana were part of the same diaspora and had met in a refugee camp in another country before coming to Twin Falls. Both men speak Tigrinya, a language spoken in the African horn nations of Eritrea and Ethiopia, and both were helped by an interpreter during Fridays hearing.

Gebreegziabher testified that he and Mana were nothing more than acquaintances and never had a close enough relationship to have any sort of disagreement or conflict. He said he hadnt seen Mana for more than three years before the day of the alleged stabbing July 28.

The victim and defendant were sitting outside another mans apartment, Gebreegziabher testified, when Mana suddenly walked toward him and tried stabbing him in the abdomen while shouting I will kill you.

Twin Falls County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Suzanne Craig seemed to probe Gebreegziabher for a possible motive, but Gebreegziabher said there was none.

He did say you try to walk above us, you think we are inferior to you, but I dont know what he meant by that, Gebreegziabher testified. He said he was going to attack others as well.

Gebreegziabher testified that he was able to block Manas attack and wrestle the knife out of Manas hand during a kerfuffle, a brawl. He then ran to Washington Street Pawn where he asked an employee to call 911 and noticed a cut on his right palm.

Mustafic, who is also a refugee from Bosnia and Herzegovina, said he was the one who interviewed Mana because English was also his second language, and he was able to empathize with Manas struggle to speak with and understand officers.

Mustafic testified that Mana told him Gebreegziabher and other men in Twin Falls ruined his life and he was homeless because of them. Mustafic said Mana told him he returned to the area from Utah to kill the men because he had nothing else to lose.

Ben Andersen, the chief deputy in the public defenders office, offered a hint of a possible defense for Mana when he questioned Mustafic  or at least a possible defense against police evidence gleaned from Manas interview. Andersens questions to Mustafic centered on whether or not Mana understood his Miranda rights  Andersen could try to block police testimony during a trial if Manas rights were violated  and whether or not Mana used the word kill and knew what it meant.

I dont remember if he said verbatim he was coming to kill them, Mustafic answered. But when I asked if he came to kill them, he said yes.

Neither Craig nor Andersen made arguments after the witnesses testified, and Harris found there was sufficient evidence for the case to be bound over to district court. A date for Manas district court arraignment, where hell be asked to enter a plea, has not yet been set. He faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted  up to 20 years for the felony charge, plus an additional 15 years for the use of a deadly weapon.
Cassia County

Felony sentencings

William Patrick Berkeley; felony grand theft, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; felony unlawful possession of weapon by convicted felon, guilty, $245.50 costs, one year determinate time, two years indeterminate time; misdemeanor petit theft, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Elecia C. Flores; felony controlled substance - manufacture or deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver, guilty, $535.50 costs, $100 restitution, 48 months probation, two years determinate time, five years indeterminate time, eight days credited, penitentiary suspended; felony controlled substance - manufacture, deliver or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver with child present, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; felony injury to child, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Veronica Marie Ochoa; felony controlled substance - manufacture or deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver, guilty, $535.50 costs, $100 restitution, 48 months probation, two year determinate time, five years indeterminate time, ten days credited, penitentiary suspended.

Veronica Marie Ochoa; felony possession of controlled substance, guilty, $285.50 costs, $100 restitution, 48 months probation, two years determinate time, two years indeterminate time, 56 days credited, penitentiary suspended; felony accessory - harbors and protects a person who committed a felony, charged with/convicted of felony, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; misdemeanor drug paraphernalia - use or possess with intent to use, dismissed on motion of prosecutor,$100 restitution; misdemeanor possession of controlled substance, $100 restitution.

Angel Rose Swon; felony injury to child, guilty, $495.50 costs, 36 months probation, two years determinate time, three years indeterminate time, 30 days credited, penitentiary suspended; misdemeanor possession of controlled substance, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; misdemeanor drug paraphernalia - use or possess with intent to use, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Rigoberto Montoya Chacon; felony possession of controlled substance, guilty, $535.50 costs, $100 restitution, one year determinate time, 0 years indeterminate time, 67 days credited; misdemeanor drug paraphernalia - use or possess with intent to use, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; $100 restitution.

Felony dismissals

Veronica Marie Ochoa; felony controlled substance - manufacture or deliver, possess with intent to manufacture or deliver, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; felony destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; misdemeanor drug paraphernalia - use or possess with intent to use, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; misdemeanor controlled substance - frequenting place where used, manufactured, cultivated, held, delivered, given, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; misdemeanor possession of controlled substance, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Estephen Rey Esposito; felony battery - domestic violence inflicting traumatic injury, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Driving under the influence sentencings

Timothy Irvin Miller; misdemeanor driving under the influence (second offense), guilty, $1,000 fine, $500 suspended, $202.50 costs, 24 months probation, 365 days jail, 345 days suspended jail, one day credited, must report to jail on January 4, 2017 @ 12 p.m. to serve 19 days.

Frank Delane Page Jr.; misdemeanor driving under the influence, guilty, $500 fine, $205.50 costs, 90 days driver's license suspended, 12 months probation, 120 days jail, 118 days suspended, two days credited, five days discretionary community service, alcohol evaluation in 30 days; misdemeanor alcoholic beverage consume or possess open container by driver, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Mario V. Hurtado; misdemeanor driving under the influence, guilty, $300 fine, $205.50 costs, 90 days driver's license suspended, 12 months probation, 90 days jail, 88 days suspended, one day credited; misdemeanor alcohol beverage - consume or possess open container by driver, guilty.
Elizabeth J. Betty Greenwood, 72, of Buhl, died Thursday December 29, 2016, at St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center. Arrangements are pending Serenity Funeral Chapel Life Celebration Center & Cremation Services of Idaho, Twin Falls.

James R. Whitey White, 78, of Twin Falls, passed away December 26, 2016, at Twin Falls Center in Twin Falls, Idaho. Arrangements are under the care of Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home in Twin Falls.

Theodore Lavern Dean, 87, of Hazelton, passed away December 28, 2016, at St. Lukes Magic Valley Regional Medical Center in Twin Falls. Arrangements are under the care of Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home in Twin Falls.

Curtis Scott, 69, died December 29, 2016, at St Luke Magic Valley Medical Center, Twin Falls. Arrangements are under the Direction of Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home, Twin Falls, Idaho.

Archie Irwin Adamson, 83, of Twin Falls passed away Friday December 30, 2016, at his home. Arrangements are under the direction of Rosenau Funeral Home.

Justina A. Saba, 86, of Twin Falls passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at St. Lukes Magic Valley Hospital in Twin Falls. Arrangements are under the care of White Mortuary, Chapel by the Park, Twin Falls.

Daniel James Douglas, 50, Jerome, died December 28, 2016. Arrangements are under the Direction of Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home.

Curtis Thomas Scott, 69, of Jerome, passed away December 29, 2016 at St. Lukes Magic Valley Regional Medical Center in Twin Falls. Arrangements are under the direction of Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls.
Angolas Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a petition filed by the opposition of the oil rich nation to annul the appointment of the presidents daughter as head of the national oil company, Sonangol.

The plaintiffs opposed to the appointment claim that public officials and the head of state have no right to appoint members of their families to key positions.

However, the court unanimously approved, on Thursday, the appointment of Isabel, President Jose Eduardo dos Santos daughter who was put in charge of Sonangol in June this year.

According to the decision of the Supreme Court, the appointment of Isabel dos Santos by her father does not violate the law on public probity or the Angolan Constitution, opposition spokesman, David Mendes was quoted to have said.

The judgment of the Supreme Court has many shortcomings and does not satisfactorily answer the questions we have asked, so we will appeal this decision to the Constitutional Court.

Dos Santos became president in 1979, making him Africas second-longest serving leader  one month short of Equatorial Guineas Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

He had already appointed one of his sons to head the state sovereign wealth fund.

The latest appointment of Isabel is viewed as a move to cement his dynastic grip on the power in the southern Africa country.
For picture posts from 2010 and earlier, see the Earlier Picture Posts Page
CHICAGO  There are charms and revelations to each of Chicagos neighborhoods and many of them stay hidden in the past, barely a whisper. The West Loop with its buildings (small and tall) and its stories (touching and terrifying) and the thousands of people (good and evil) who have lived and loved and prowled there do more than whisper to Connie Fairbanks. They shout. There is just so much to ...
ALTOMUENSTER, Germany  It was filthy, cramped and in major disarray, but when art historian Eva Lindqvist Sandgren entered the library in Altomuenster Abbey, off-limits to all but the German monasterys nuns for more than five centuries, she immediately knew she was looking at a major treasure.

The dusty shelves held at least 500 books, by her estimate, including precious illuminated manuscripts from the 16th century, chants used by the uniquely women-led Bridgettine Order and processionals bursting with colorful religious and ornamental decoration in their margins.

Unlike most Bridgettine libraries, the tomes had survived the Protestant Reformation, the 30 Years War and Germanys secularization, when the state took most church property. It represents the most complete collection of the order known today.

I had entered a time capsule, said Lindqvist Sandgren, a senior lecturer at Swedens Uppsala University.

Surprised by the spontaneous decision by Sister Apollonia Buchinger, Altomuensters last remaining nun, to open the library, 20 scholars including Sandgren made plans to return and meticulously catalog the remarkable collection. But before they could, the Vatican ordered the abbey in the Bavarian town of 7,500 closed and locked up the library, which also contains some 2,300 statues, paintings and other works of art.

If plans go ahead to close it down, all of the abbeys property  the books, the artworks, the city block-sized abbey, and the acres of forests and fields that make up the monastery grounds would be turned over to the dioceses of Munich and Freising.

Altomuenster is the end of a subway line from Munich, one of Germanys most expensive cities, and its land alone is thought to be worth tens of millions of euros  assets that Sister Apollonia thinks the dioceses are eager to get their hands on.

***

Since 1496, the former Benedictine abbey in Altomuenster has housed a female religious order founded by Saint Bridget in Sweden in the 14th century. It is one of three monasteries of the original branch of the scholarly, monastic order operating today. But with its numbers in decline, Sister Apollonia now lives there alone. The Vatican requires at least three nuns to train novices to become nuns, prompting the decision to shut the abbey down.

The Franciscan nun the Vatican put in charge of the closure, Sister Gabriele Konrad, says the collections are just being kept safe, but shes refused to grant the scholars or anyone else access to the books.

The value of the library is the ensemble, because its never been taken apart and probably nobodys removed a significant number of books  its a working library, said Corine Schlief, an art historian at Arizona State University who visited the library with Sandgren. If this should be taken apart and divided up between books that collectors would give tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for and those only of interest to scholars, it would lose a lot of its value.

Schlief, Sandgren and other academics have written an open letter to the Vatican, Sister Gabriele and the Munich dioceses  which will inherit Altomuensters property once its closed  urging that the library be kept together and made available to the public and offering to catalog it.

Volker Schier of Arizona State University, another expert, estimated the Altomuenster collection represents around 80 percent of all known Bridgettine books.

Sister Gabriele and the Munich dioceses insist there is no plan to sell the books, and that their experts are perfectly qualified to handle them.

***

Scholars had known previously there was a library and had been able to ask nuns to bring them specific books to study in common areas of the monastery. But in October 2015, with such a large group of Bridgettine academics visiting, Sister Apollonia decided it made more sense for them to just look for themselves.

After the Vatican, a month later, ordered the monastery closed and Sister Apollonia appealed for more time, the 62-year-old nun with rosy cheeks appealed to the public for support, starting a blog, a Facebook page and a Twitter account to generate interest. She also gave the Associated Press unprecedented access to areas in the labyrinthine monastery previously restricted to nuns.

Sister Apollonia is convinced that, with help from other Bridgettine Orders to bolster her numbers, she can again start training her own novices. She currently has one postulant, a 38-year-old who left a law career last year, but she cannot advance to become a novice without more nuns to train her.

They say there are too few, but there are some other women who want to join, Sister Apollonia said, expressing hope that perhaps the Vatican might be reconsidering the order to shut down.

The Vatican office in charge has refused to comment on its plans.

***

Sister Gabriele says the decline of Altomuenster has been going on for decades and previous attempts to bring in others had failed. Two Bridgettines from Mexico came in 2012, only to return home after two weeks because they were homesick.

Munich-Freising Vicar General Msgr. Peter Beer, Cardinal Reinhard Marxs deputy in charge of administration, dismissed speculation of any land-and-treasures grab by the dioceses. He said for cultural, social and religious reasons it was the dioceses responsibility to preserve monasteries when they close.

Theres a false impression that were taking in riches and gems and gold and everything imaginable  thats nonsense, he told the AP at his office in Munich. We are taking on costs more than anything.

His office also downplayed the librarys potential value or historical significance, telling the AP it includes a large number of antiphonaries from the 18th century, most in very used and some in damaged condition, and that six antiphonaries  books containing religious chants  from the Middle Ages have already been studied by scholars.

Thats made the group of scholars who wrote the open letter and others even more suspicious. From the hundreds of photographs they took, they know theres much more  including an illuminated manuscript from the 1500s in Belgium, which might be expected to fetch 100,000 euros ($105,000) or more if sold to a private collector, said Schier.

Schier noted that even financially insignificant books are historically important. Ledgers, cookbooks and even antiphonaries help tell how the nuns lived over the centuries.

Altomuenster is the holy grail, he said.

Beer bristled at the offer of help from the group of scholars.

You can be assured that we do not need any help from the U.S.A. to understand how to treat cultural assets of significance for Europe. We have a slightly longer history and slightly longer experience, Beer said.

Referring to the letter from American and European academics, he added, Its a little irritating to have things thrown out in public in an open letter without the facts.

The dioceses plan to digitize all books dating from before 1803 and make them available online for researchers  but Schlief says thats not enough.

Digitization is laudable, but it never replaces the books themselves, which now need to be carefully studied and catalogued, she said.

For her part, Sister Apollonia said if the Vatican decides to give her more time in the monastery, shed be more than happy to open the library to the scholars again.

They need to be made available to the public, Sister Apollonia said. Maybe we could charge a fee and it could be a source of income.
With an approved fairgrounds plan in hand, the Missoula Board of County Commissioners is looking for someone to bring it to fruition.

Next week they interview three candidates for director of fairgrounds development, the modified name for the fairgrounds director position.

Former director Todd Garrett resigned in July and the county put out a job posting in October.

Chief Operating Officer Chris Lounsbury, who oversees the fairgrounds department, said the county had seven applicants, a list that was whittled down to three finalists.

Those are Patty Kent, Emily Bentley and Bill Ogg.

Kent was an affordable housing developer with Western Montana Mental Health Center until her retirement in April.

A Missoulian article recapping her two-decade career credited her with building more than $21 million worth of housing with more than 200 beds for people with mental illnesses. The mental health center serves 17 Montana counties.

Kent emphasized practical results, without patience for bureaucracy or long-term plans.

"I could spend six months writing a housing plan, or we could go develop some houses," Kent recalled telling her boss at the mental health center.

In 2014, she received a lifetime achievement award from the Montana Statewide Housing Partnership, memorializing her career-long dedication to her work.

Bentley, currently representing Ward 3 on the Missoula City Council, chairs the land use and planning committee.

According to applicant bios Lounsbury provided to the Missoulian, Bentley is an active member of the Missoula Midtown Association and works for the nonprofit Compassion & Choices, a death with dignity group, as a multistate campaign manager.

She was responsible for fundraising and financial planning for the Compassion and Choices' campaigns, also working on passing legislation, advocating for the groups cause.

Ogg, a Worland, Wyoming native, has more than 35 years of fairgrounds management experience, according to his LinkedIn page, starting with the Wyoming State Fair, before directing Great Falls Montana ExpoPark and State Fair two separate times; from 1989 to 1997 and 2003 to 2009.

Between those stints, he directed the Kansas State Fair, where he resigned after a controversy over lumber he took from a demolished building.

He most recently ran the Greeley Stampede, a rodeo and western celebration in Greeley, Colorado, from 2009 to 2012, where he brought the fair into the black after several years of declining attendance, according to an article from the Greeley Tribune.

Lounsbury, who interviewed and selected the three finalists, was purposefully vague talking about the applicants Friday, not wanting his thoughts to bias the commissioners.

All the candidates have a good background in public/private partnerships, Lounsbury said, a key asset for a fair director tasked with raising a new grounds out of very little county capital.

They all come from that school of collaboration-building, he said, adding they all emphasized the agricultural heritage of the Western Montana Fair, offering creative ideas to keep that heritage and add new events.

Since 2002, the fair director job description and title has changed twice for three directors, from the yearly-event focused fair manager, then the fairgrounds director.

The fairgrounds development directors main goal will be implementing the new fairgrounds plan, according to the job description, along with developing the grounds as a community resource and year round asset.

Notice theres not any language about actually running the fair  that, and other event planning will fall to another newly created post: the events coordinator.

That position will be filled next, Lounsbury said.

The fairgrounds director will focus on what Lounsbury called the outward-facing piece, working with partners and local groups to raise money, as well as overseeing actual construction and community support for the changing grounds.

We have some financing in place for some of the buildings, but theres still a long way to go, he said.

Within the next five to seven years, the grounds (will) look significantly different.

Lounsbury said the county hopes to have a director in the office by Feb. 1, after the Jan. 4 interviews.
Usifu Bangura returned from his native Sierra Leone earlier this year with plans to launch a nonprofit to help the small west African country.

Bangura, who reunited with his mother on the trip, will close out the year having met his goal to set up an official nonprofit called The Bangura Project, an organization designed to start addressing the needs of people in the Kambia region where he conducted a needs assessment.

"The most important thing I want is the help of the people of Missoula to get this off the ground, and I know they've been really helpful in the past," Bangura said in a recent interview. "This would be really meaningful to me and to the people of Sierra Leone."

In 2004, Bangura's mom gave him up for adoption in Sierra Leone because she couldn't give him the best life in the war-torn country. Eventually, Bangura landed in Montana, but when he learned about the Ebola crisis overseas, he pledged go back to help.

Now, The Bangura Project is registered in the United States, and Bangura, who works for Jackson Contractor Group, is sharing its mission and hoping to raise $8,000 for one of its first projects. The Hellgate High School graduate will take large water filters to Africa, continuing the work he began on his first trip to Sierra Leone in the spring.

Bangura became interested in providing clean water there because he remembered how far his mother used to walk to find potable water. According to a synopsis of the pilot project (online with this story), The Bangura Project is focusing its initial work on water access and purification because data from the assessment showed the need is great.

"In the Kambia district of Sierra Leone, it is primarily (almost entirely) the women who bear the burden of collecting water that must be transported over a long distance from the water resource location to their households," reads the synopsis.

"They are tasked with carrying heavy buckets of water over these long distances, which puts strain on their bodies and depletes much needed energy to complete the rest of their daily tasks."

Bangura aims to provide "hippo water rollers," containers that can roll over different terrain carrying 24 gallons of water, to the small district, home to some 50 people. The rollers carry five times as much water as a person could transport in one trip, they cost $295 each, and they last five to seven years with no upkeep, according to the synopsis.

"These water rollers would allow women to transport a much greater quantity of water at a time to their homes, saving them additional physical labor and time that instead can be spent on other things such as contributing to the village and economic growth of the village."

Children, who would otherwise be helping haul water, can focus on education.

The water in the Kambia district isn't drinkable without purification, and The Bangura Project also has a goal to provide a water filtration system for roughly $150.

"With both of these products being used together, the people of Kambia could see a drastic transformation in the way their time is spent and the quality of their drinking water," said the project synopsis.

Partnerships are an important element of The Bangura Project. Bangura said the ministry of health in Sierra Leone is interested in working with him, and he's looking for a partner, possibly a University of Montana student, to help him with data analysis on his next trip, planned for May 2017.

He's particularly grateful for the help of Philanthropy Northwest, which held a conference in Missoula, Axiom IT Solutions, and Dennis and Angela Lind. For more information and a pledge form, go to The Bangura Project website and the PDFs posted online with this story.
In all the presidential campaign uproar over international trade, a little-noticed agreement with Nepal will have a direct impact on Missoula.

President Barack Obama signed a proclamation on Dec. 15 implementing a trade preference program for Nepali knitwear, shawls, travel goods and other items, allowing them to enter the United States duty free. Thats good news for Missoula-based Everest Designs, which imports handmade clothing and bags from Nepal and sells them to outdoor gear stores throughout the nation.

If our cost per hat is $5, and you tack on 60 cents to every one of them, it adds up over time, Everest Designs owner Matt Skousen said. This frees up dollars that can be used elsewhere, like marketing and design.

Obama used a provision of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 to authorize a Nepal Preference Program for 10 years. The move was in response to a series of catastrophic earthquakes that hit the country in April and May, 2015. The Ghorka earthquake and its aftershocks killed at least 9,000 people and destroyed at least 500,000 homes.

The legislation provides a unique opportunity for Nepali businesses to expand their exports to U.S. markets, said U.S. Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz. These trade preferences will provide some support, but ultimately Nepals broader economic development will be achieved through policy reform that incentivizes investment, an improved business environment and labor reform that supports all sectors.

The program was originally set up in February, but needed time to certify that the products were eligible for preference. That means checks to ensure manufacturers arent using child labor, exploitative practices, or unfairly competing with domestic producers.

The news came just as Skousen was scrambling to prepare a display for a major outdoor clothing industry trade show in Portland, Oregon, next week. The industry has grown challenging, he said, as a gulf widens between giant companies like North Face and Columbia that deal in huge volumes, and small producers like Everest Designs that work on a much more personal scale.

Most of the hats, sweaters, handbags, skirts, gloves and other garments Skousen imports get made at the Himalayan Knitwear factory in Bhaktapour, a short distance from the Nepali capital Kathmandu. That factory employs several hundred workers. Some items also get hand-made in home craft shops.

Because Nepal is landlocked along the Himalayan Mountains, all its goods must be shipped through India to reach ships for transport to the United States. Skousen said hes placing orders now for items that wont be made and delivered until next year.

On sweaters, we pay a 12 percent import tax, Skousen said. Under this deal, that would go away.
HELENA  Montana Gov. Steve Bullock will kick off his second term Monday with a swearing-in ceremony to be held hours before the state Legislature convenes in a session that is expected to focus on a tightening state budget.

Bullock and Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney will be the only Democrats among the statewide elected officials taking the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda. In November's election, Republicans took the offices of secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction and state auditor, while Republican Attorney General Tim Fox was re-elected by a wide margin.

Bullock also will be facing a Republican-led legislature whose leaders are skeptical of the Democrat's proposed two-year spending plan in the face of less-than-expected state revenue.

Bullock has proposed increasing state spending 1.4 percent over the next two years and boosting revenue by increasing taxes on the wealthy, tobacco and wine, and adding a new medical marijuana tax. The governor's budget plan also includes a $293 million infrastructure package and new initiatives like a statewide preschool program.

Republican Senate leaders have already said they want to scrap the preschool program and use the money to make sure highway projects stay on track, instead. Incoming Senate President Scott Sales and House Speaker Austin Knudsen have also said they aren't interested in raising taxes, and that spending would have to be reduced beyond Bullock's plans in order to balance the budget.

They also said they plan to take a hard look at Bullock's infrastructure package, which would help roads, water and sewer systems in eastern Montana, but also includes other projects previously rejected by GOP lawmakers. The package would be partially paid for with state bonds, and some Republicans have previously resisted going into debt to pay for infrastructure projects.

The House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees will hold a joint meeting Wednesday to take an initial look at the state spending plan and outline their budget priorities.

Lawmakers are also expected to consider a variety of bills that include prison sentencing reforms and reshaping the state's troubled public defender's office. Bills also have been requested to respond to a voter initiative that expanded medical marijuana distribution, to give communities more say on refugee resettlements and to blunt the economic effects of a planned shutdown of two of the Colstrip power plant's units by 2023.

But lawmakers from both parties say the main focus will be on the budget crunch caused by a downturn in the energy industry, which led to drops in production taxes and less-than-expected corporate income taxes and individual income taxes collected by the state.

"We're here to get an infrastructure bill passed, to make sure our tax system is fair and to balance the budget," incoming House Minority Leader Jenny Eck, D-Helena, said in a recent interview. "Those are the priorities."
One lane of of Montana Highway 308 has reopened after a jackknifed semitrailer crashed between Belfry and Red Lodge, according to a road update email from the Montana Department of Transportation.

The vehicle is near mile marker 2 and at one point was blocking both lanes, Diana Walker, an MDT road reporter, said in the email sent shortly after 3 p.m. In an update sent at 4:35 p.m. one lane of the road had opened, Walker said.
HELENA  Many of Montanas most vulnerable residents who already fear the states court system feel they have nowhere to turn to get help with legal problems.

Those who earn low to moderate incomes, as well as the homeless population, Native Americans, veterans, senior citizens, domestic violence victims, children, and people with disabilities dont know how to access legal assistance or overcome other hurdles such as daunting paperwork and bad past experiences with the courts.

Between October 2015 and October 2016, the Montana Supreme Courts Access to Justice Commission held public forums in seven towns around the state to hear from Montanans about their struggles with legal problems.

The commission found that many poor people in legal crisis over housing problems, parenting and custody disputes, domestic violence and debt collection often deal with other non-legal problems at the same time. Things like mental illness, substance abuse, threats to safety and lack of transportation can intensify legal problems, and legal problems can exacerbate already challenging situations.

An inability to access services can turn many civil legal problems into criminal legal problems, made worse by an inability to access programs and services, the commission found.

Many homeless people remain so due to legal issues such as violent crimes, scams, illegal hiring practices, and civil and criminal fines, the report found. Without a permanent address its difficult for people to access assistance. In every community where forums were held, which included Kalispell, Great Falls, Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Butte and Helena, people discussed housing problems as connected with civil legal problems.

Native Americans often experience the legal system in a punitive way and fear unfairness, the report says. Theres a lack of social services on many of the states seven reservations. And many Native people face significant levels of incarceration and hurdles to being released from prison, including an inability to meet sentencing requirements, lack of mental health services, suspended drivers licenses and other issues. Native Americans represented 17 percent of adult offenders in the Department of Corrections, though their population as a percentage of the state is closer to 7 percent, according to a 2015 report by the department.

The report found there is only one statewide organization focused on addressing the legal needs of Montanas disabled population, which totals 148,000. People with disabilities face challenges including abuse and neglect; lack of access to programs, facilities and mental health services; employment discrimination; education needs, and housing issues.

Montana is facing a rising need in the area of elder law, the report says. The number of people 65 and older has increased 21 percent from 2000 to 2010, according to the U.S. Census, with many living in rural areas. Seniors are vulnerable to scams and can face health-care problems that cause financial challenges. Many cannot navigate services online and have no link to legal aid organizations or volunteer attorney programs.

The report also said veterans, and children younger than 18 without parents or guardians, struggle to deal with the legal system.

The commission made several recommendations, including developing a statewide inventory of services and programs available in each region, and creating a way for people who need help to get in contact with the services. It also recommended promoting a better understanding that civil legal needs can have a negative effect on health, housing, school attendance, job performance, the transition for returning veterans, the re-entry into the community for offenders, and the protection of seniors.

It also recommended securing stable funding to create a continuum of services from self-help programs to civil legal aid, mediation and resolution dispute.
Review Policy

Because this blog is aimed at librarians and patrons of school libraries, I use E ARCs provided by Netgalley and Edelweiss, and physical ARCs if provided by major publishers. All books reviewed should be available in hard cover from vendors like Follett. I do not earn any money from this blog, and any books I receive are donated to my school library or other libraries in my district. All opinions are my own and do not reflect anyone else's.
MISSOULA  Rancher Deb Kolbeck will dry off any lambs that come into the world during the Arctic front as quickly as possible.

"The faster you can get 'em up and moving and suckling mama, the better you are with them," said Kolbeck, of Drummond. "That gets something warm in their tummy, and it gives them a little energy boost."

Wally Congdon will give his hairy Scottish highland cattle near Dell some extra straw before the cold sets in to the western Montana valleys.

"It's not like it's the most nutritious thing in the world," Congdon said. "The point is, calories for heat. And it's just like a person drinking a beer."

An Arctic front is going to bear down on parts of Montana and Idaho next week, with temperatures dropping to as cold as 40 below zero or colder in the valleys along the Continental Divide, according to the National Weather Service. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to be the chilliest days of the week.

"High temperatures will struggle to reach zero in many areas, with some not getting out of the single digits," reads the forecast.

The cold weather means some extra work and preparation for ranchers, although Kolbeck wasn't impressed with the projected three days of chill.

"Actually, that's not that cold," Kolbeck said. "When I was growing up over here in Drummond and Hall, we had 40 to 50 below for two or three weeks," she said. "You could lay in bed and hear the ground pop and heave.

"These winters we have now are nothing compared to what we used to have. We used to get cold."

If the tractors don't start, she'll feed all the livestock by hand, she said. She'll put down lots of straw and wood chips so the sheep can bed down and stay as toasty as possible.

The animals won't go inside a shed, either, Kolbeck said. Indoors, body heat rises and freezes, and the air ends up 20 degrees colder than outdoors, she said, so she won't put the sheep in the barn.

"You'll freeze them up. You'll cause pneumonia," she said.

Kolbeck is hoping her two mamas don't give birth soon, but if they do, the shelter of hay bales, heat lamps and tarps stands ready.

"I'm hoping we don't have anybody until the end of the month, but this type of weather sometimes brings it on a little earlier," she said. "I think it's just the stress of the cold. Animals know it's coming."

She herself will just cover up and deal with the cold.

"That's living in Montana, I guess. It's just the facts of life for most of us."

***

In Potomac, Russel Hudson will keep an entire menagerie as warm as possible, including 25 sows and 60 feeder hogs, with extra food and straw.

"We have pigs, horses, cattle, dogs, cats and one rabbit," Hudson said. "It (the rabbit) gets to come in the house and stay in one of the dog kennels when it's cold."

Saturday, he's driving to Fairfield to pick up eight or nine tons of straw for his pigs, and he's hoping for 18,000 pounds in all. He'll load up 10 round bales onto the bottom of a trailer, another eight on top, and drive the 28-foot load home so the pigs can snuggle into the straw.

"If there's several pigs and they have plenty of straw, then they'll do fine," Hudson said.

A pig on its own needs additional heat, and pigs without straw pile up on each other and create problems, he said. Hudson is also hoping a couple sows hold off on babies for a couple more weeks.

"Anything that's born  doesn't matter whether it's a horse, cow, sheep  that's born when it's below zero, you have about 10 minutes to get them dried off. If you don't have that thing dried off and warm, it's going to freeze to death."

The window might be 15 minutes for a hundred pound calf, but even a big baby needs to get dried off and warmed up quickly.

Hudson is also hoping to finish hauling grain, as much as possible, before the cold snap. He hauls a lot of wet brewery grain to feed the animals, and the water drips out of the grain and freezes.

He's pleased to have some time to prepare for the frigid spell.

"It's actually a blessing that we know that it's coming so we don't get hit with it as a surprise," he said.

One bonus of the cold weather is it's easier to keep the animals dry because the snow isn't wet at those temperatures, he said. And the wind is more cruel than the cold itself, but Potomac is often more gentle in that regard.

"It's imperative when it's that cold that you keep them out of the wind, and normally in Potomac, we don't get wind," Hudson said.

As the biting air hits, the animals will get extra food, too.

"When it gets that cold, they feed 'em extra because it takes extra energy for the horses and cattle to keep warm," he said.

***

Congdon knows cold well, including the fact that 40 below is the same in Fahrenheit as it is Celsius. He's fed 550 head of cattle under a cloudless sky when it was 54 degrees below zero for three days in a row in 1984.

"You could have heard a pin drop a mile away," Congdon said.

Next week, the rancher will make sure his cattle have extra straw for calories, and he'll plug in the diesel tractors and put in a little additive. If animals don't have spring water, it's time to make sure their water source doesn't freeze.

At night, the cattle will hunker down and stay out of the wind when it gets really cold, 30 below, or 35 below, he said. They'll move their feet, just like people do, to stay warm.

"And you can listen to them," Congdon said. "When it's really, really cold, you can hear the snow. 'Cause you know how crunchy it gets then? You hear this crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch."
Notice of sale of disposition pursuant to 578.1 of Iowa Self Storage Lien Act. The disposition or sale of the following tenants property located at R&R Self Storage, 3630 Park Avenue West, Muscatine, Iowa, on or about 9:00 a.m., January 15, 2017.
Car insurance is required to drive legally in nearly all states, so its helpful to know what you can expect to pay for coverage. Forbes Advisor found the average cost of car insurance is $1,601 for full coverage and $513 for state minimum coverage. We analyzed rates from the best car insurance companies to get []
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MUSCATINE, Iowa  Fresh ingredients and attention to detail are on the menu at DaBeets Bistro and Wine Bar. The talents of local chef Awad Dabit (original spelling of name) are artfully on display at the new restaurant. Guests enjoy dishes made from scratch and paired with spirits from a list of 19 wines that bring out the French and Italian-inspired flavors of Dabits creations.

I serve fine dining food and a casual atmosphere, said Dabit, who makes from scratch all of the desserts, pasta, breads and even the beef, veal and vegetable stock he cooks with. I want to offer affordable prices with high-end foods.

The presentation of the food, drizzled with flavorful sauces and sprinkled with bright, fresh garnishes, add to the ambiance of DaBeets romantically lit, modern dining room located at 128 E. Second St. Dishes range from $12-$25 per plate on a menu scheduled to change seasonally.

Dishes are prepared with care, such as the Bistros crab cakes, freshly shelled in-house, mixed with dill, mustard, homemade mayonnaise, a citrus zest and avocado puree. Dabit specializes in taste and appearance and offers entrees not typically found elsewhere in Muscatine.

Coq Au Vin is free-range, organic chicken cooked on the spot because it makes a difference, Dabit said.

Craving meat and potatoes? DaBeet Bistros beef short ribs are braised for 18 hours in homemade stock, red wine and vegetables and served on mashed potatoes. Pasta lovers may opt for the cannelloni; a dish of homemade, rolled pasta stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese and topped with bechamel sauce.

Dabit, 36, was accepted in 2004 to the Northwest Culinary Academy in Vancouver, Canada. Becoming a chef was Dabits dream and he was able to travel through Canada while receiving hands-on training from popular Canadian chefs. Dabit enjoyed living and working at exclusive, five star fishing and ski resorts where he prepared food for vacationers and enjoyed the majestic beauty of the Canadian outdoors.

I honed my skills a lot. While youre out there, all you do is a great experience for the guests and you have fun, Dabit said. I got to enjoy the fishing. Most of the time I enjoyed experimenting with the recipes; many French dishes.

DaBeets Bistro and Wine Bar opened on Nov. 1, 2016, and has been receiving rave reviews online. While the restaurant is open 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, Dabit spends long hours, usually from around 9 a.m. to midnight, daily, working on preparing the business for bustling nights.

We nearly sell out. We maybe serve 400-500 plates per week. Majority on weekends, said chef Dabit, who is proud to say that people from out-of-town, including from the Quad Cities, are coming to dine at his bistro. That is very, very good.

Though reservations arent necessary, it is recommended to call in advance for seating, particularly on weekends at 563-260-9396 and customers can view the menu at www.dabeetsbistro.com. The restaurant offers a party room and a chefs table, where patrons have a kitchen-area seat in which to interact with the chef.

Dabit has enlisted the help of chef Brian Long, 32, who has been classically trained in French cuisine. Long, originally from New Boston, Ill., was working at a bistro in Oregon after attending college and serving in the United States Air Force.

I wanted to come back to the area and saw the ad online that Awad had posted. It looked like a good fit for me, Long said.

Dabit also credits, and is very thankful for, the City of Muscatine for helping him open the restaurant by granting a $21,000 forgivable downtown improvement loan.

Dabits uncle, MCC instructor and local community leader, John DaBeet, had encouraged him to come to Muscatine from Palestine in 1999 to attend MCC. It was his relationship with the people of Muscatine that brought Dabit back in to town in 2015. His good friends, Salvatore Sam and Francesca Vitale of Sal Vitales Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria have played an integral role in his passion for food and achievements to date.

They encouraged me to go to culinary school. Sam and Francesca paved the road for me, said Dabit, who had worked in the Vitales kitchen. I like Muscatine. I am here for the people. Sam had told me before, I am not here, in Muscatine, for the weather, I am here because I love the people. I agree with what he said. The people are good.

Melissa Caliger is a free lance writer for the Muscatine Journal. She can be reached at melissacaliger@gmail.com.
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DELHI, Iowa - Lake Delhi Dam received the top award, the Grand Conceptor, in the annual engineering excellence competition held by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Iowa. The annual competition recognizes engineering projects that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation, complexity, achievement, and value.

Designed by Stanley Consultants, the reconstructed dam features a labyrinth spillway, the first of its kind in Iowa and one of the largest in the Midwest. Rarely seen in the Midwest, the labyrinth design can pass high volumes of water across a short distance without using mechanical gates or electrical systems. The accordion shaped spillway makes it possible, tripling its capacity to pass water as compared to a conventional spillway design.

A community-wide celebration was held at Lake Delhi last summer to mark the dams completion and the lakes rebirth. It also marked the restoration of the small lakeside community. The event was held exactly six years from the devastating day when 12 inches of rain caused lake levels to raise 8.5 feet. The floodwaters overtopped and breached the earthen dam. In just a matter of hours the popular recreational lake had drained, and the regions economic engine was reduced to 450 acres of muck.

The community rallied, determined to rebuild the dam and restore the 9-mile-long lake, raising $1.7 million as seed money for the rebuilding. Lakefront property owners taxed themselves to the highest extent possible for a 20-year, $6 million dam reconstruction bond.

Rebuilding the dam met with opposition on multiple levels. Stanley Consultants, an Iowa-based engineering firm, played an essential role navigating the $13 million project through multiple roadblocks for the next six years. Completing the vast array of classification, permitting, and funding requirements took four years, followed by two years of construction.

During those six years the community of Delhi, pop. 470, and the entirety of Delaware County, felt the economic impact caused by the loss of the lake. Property tax revenue plummeted, property values plunged, construction around the lake slowed to a stop, and income streams for local businesses who depended on the lake traffic dried up. The recent reopening of the lake has reinvigorated the community. The lake is a beehive of recreational activity, construction has resumed, and local businesses are struggling to keep up with demand.

In October 2016, just weeks after the lake reopened, the dam was put to the test by the lakes fifth largest recorded flood. The automated gates performed flawlessly and the floodwater passed with no significant rise in the water level near the dam
Waverly public schools is looking for a new superintendent.

Bill Heimann announced earlier this month that he'll leave School District No. 145 to become administrator of Educational Service Unit No. 1 in Wakefield after the current school year, pending approval of the ESU's board.

Becoming administrator at the ESU is a good way to serve a greater number of school districts, said Heimann, who has led the Waverly district since 2009.

A native of Fremont, he began his career as a high school social studies teacher and principal in Randolph, which is in the ESU 1 district. He later was a principal and superintendent for the Wakefield school district.

Upon his return to northeast Nebraska, Heimann will oversee an ESU responsible for serving 22 school districts and 11,000 students in areas including counseling and special education.

The Waverly school board accepted his resignation at a special meeting on Dec. 12, and his last day there will be June 30.

Heimann said he feels fortunate to have been a part of the Waverly district.

During his tenure there, enrollment grew by 1 to 2 percent annually. This year, the district has just more than 2,000 students and a budget of about $22 million.

In 2009 when I arrived, I believe our student enrollment was about 1,750 students, Heimann said. Its been steady growth, which for us means about 40-50 new students a year.

A 2014 bond issue has paid for renovations across the district, and the third phase of the project should be set in motion by the time the next superintendent is hired.

On Thursday, the District 145 board announced it has hired the McPherson & Jacobson search firm to help find a successor for Heimann.

Consultants Mike Lucas, who is superintendent of York Public Schools, and Pat Nauroth, superintendent of Beatrice Public Schools, will hold a community input forum on Jan. 18 in the Waverly High School library.

An online questionnaire asking what qualities district patrons want in the next superintendent will be available Jan. 19-24, district officials said.

Waverly will accept applications for the superintendent position through Feb. 1 and expects to name four finalists on Feb. 15.

Interviews with those four are expected to be done Feb. 20-22, with a new hire to be made by March 7, consultant Lucas said.

We accomplished a lot of good things here," Heimann said, "and I know one of the reasons people live here is for the school system.
Pilloried for their role in the epidemic of prescription painkiller abuse, drugmakers are aggressively pushing their remedy to the problem: a new generation of harder-to-manipulate opioids that have racked up billions in sales, even though there's little proof they reduce rates of overdoses or deaths.

More than prescriptions are at stake. Critics worry the drugmakers' nationwide lobbying campaign is distracting from more productive solutions and delaying crucial efforts to steer physicians away from prescription opioids  addictive pain medications involved in the deaths of more than 165,000 Americans since 2000.

"If we've learned one lesson from the last 20 years on opioids it's that these products have very, very high inherent risks," said Dr. Caleb Alexander, co-director of Johns Hopkins University's Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness. "My concern is that they'll contribute to a perception that there is a safe opioid, and there's no such thing as a fully safe opioid."

The latest drugs  known as abuse-deterrent formulations, or ADFs  are generally harder to crush or dissolve, which the drugmakers tout as making them difficult to snort or inject. But they still are vulnerable to manipulation and potentially addictive when simply swallowed. National data from an industry-sponsored tracking system also show drug abusers quickly drop the reformulated drugs in favor of older painkillers or heroin.

In the last two years, pharmaceutical companies have made a concerted under-the-radar push for bills benefiting the anti-abuse opioids in statehouses and in Congress, where proposed legislation would require the Food and Drug Administration to replace older opioids with the new drugs.

The lobbying push features industry-funded advocacy groups and physicians, along with grieving family members, who rarely disclosed the drugmakers' ties during their testimony in support of the drugs.

Besides the tamper-resistant pills, ADF opioids are being rolled out in other forms, including injectable drugs and pills that irritate users when they're snorted or contain substances that counteract highs.

Making painkillers harder to abuse is a common-sense step. But it's also a multibillion-dollar sales opportunity, offering drugmakers the potential to wipe out lower-cost generic competitors and lock in sales of their higher-priced versions, which cost many times more than conventional pills. The big companies hold multiple patents on the reformulated drugs, shielding them from competition for years  in some cases decades.

Though abuse-deterrent painkillers represented less than 5 percent of all opioids prescribed last year, they generated more than $2.4 billion in sales, or roughly a quarter of the nearly $10 billion U.S. market for the drugs, according to IMS Health. The field is dominated by Purdue Pharma's OxyContin, patent-protected until 2030.

"We at Purdue make certain that prescribers and other stakeholders understand that opioids with abuse-deterrent properties won't stop all prescription drug abuse, but they are an important part of the comprehensive approach needed to address this public health issue," Purdue spokesman Robert Josephson said in a statement.

Like a spokeswoman for Pfizer Inc., Josephson also noted that some public health officials, including the Food and Drug Administration, have endorsed using ADFs.

"We need every tool that we can have in our toolbox," said Kentucky state Rep. Addia Wuchner, a Republican who has worked on several bills to benefit reformulated opioids. "The extra steps are worth the effort in order to prevent this escalation of more addiction."

The current industry campaign draws on the same 50-state strategy that painkiller manufacturers successfully deployed to help kill or weaken measures aimed at stemming the tide of prescription opioids, a playbook The Associated Press and Center for Public Integrity exposed in September.

The reporting detailed how opioid drugmakers and the nonprofits they help fund spent more than $880 million on lobbying and political contributions at the state and federal level over the past decade, eight times what the gun lobby reported for the same period. The money represents the drugmakers' spending on all their legislative interests, including opioids.

The FDA has approved a handful of the reformulated drugs but has not yet concluded that any reduce rates of addiction, abuse or death, and the evidence gap has led to diverging views among health authorities.

Whereas FDA regulators emphasize the potential promise of reformulated painkillers, other government officials stress that they contain the same heroin-like ingredients as traditional opioids. An estimated 78 Americans die from heroin and prescription opioid overdoses every day.

"'Abuse-deterrent' sounds to people sometimes like 'Oh, maybe it's not addictive.' But it's no less addictive," said Dr. Tom Frieden, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Survey results published this year in the Clinical Journal of Pain showed nearly half of U.S. physicians incorrectly believed that reformulated opioids are less addictive than their predecessors.

Many experts see a key role for ADFs in reducing the number of people who first begin abusing opioids, and some say the abuse-deterrent formulations should be the default painkiller for patients with histories of drug use, anxiety or depression. But even they worry that some drugmakers are overselling the technology. They stress that separate measures are needed for the majority of opioid abusers who ingest the pills orally.

"The way they're handling the ADF is that this is the answer. And it's not the answer  it's part of the bigger puzzle," said Theodore Cicero, a psychiatry professor at Washington University in St. Louis, who has authored several studies on the drugs.

___

'You can't put a price tag on anybody's life'

Two years after the overdose that killed her 21-year-old son, Terri Bartlett traveled to Illinois' state capital to champion an unlikely cause: revamped painkillers.

Bartlett's son Michael became hooked on Vicodin and later graduated to heroin. In emotional testimony last year, she urged lawmakers to support a bill that would prioritize the new harder-to-crush pills, saying she believed her son would still be alive if abuse-deterrent formulations had been on the market then.

"You can't put a price tag on anybody's life," she said.

Bartlett didn't know then that she had been recruited into a wide-ranging lobbying campaign. A public relations firm hired by OxyContin-maker Purdue had helped recruit her to support the bill, along with local sheriffs and fire chiefs.

Her words, and similar testimony from parents of drug abusers elsewhere, reflect a tactic used by the drugmakers across the country. For instance, Purdue paid nearly $95,000 for similar lobbying efforts in New York, state records show.

And the industry's fingerprints are easy to spot in other areas. Of more than 100 bills dealing with the drugs introduced in 35 states in 2015 and 2016, at least 49 featured nearly identical language requiring insurers to cover abuse-deterrent drugs, according to an analysis of data from Quorum, a legislative tracking service. Several of the bill sponsors said they received the wording from pharmaceutical lobbyists.

Since 2012, at least 21 bills related to the drugs have become law, including five that require insurers to pay for the more expensive drugs in Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Florida and West Virginia.

Wins in such states will give drugmakers momentum to successfully push for copycat laws elsewhere, noted Paul Kelly, a federal lobbyist who has worked on multistate lobbying campaigns for drugstores and major retailers.

"It's like a foot in the door," he said.

Drugmakers have found fierce opposition to their ADF legislation from insurers and employers who would be on the hook for the far pricier opioid variations.

The Illinois bill  and the 48 strikingly similar measures in other states  would require insurers to cover the drugs in the same way as other opioids, which the insurance companies argue would allow drugmakers to charge whatever they want for them.

"That is not the best use of our medical care resources," Vernon Rowen, vice president of state government affairs for the insurance company Aetna, told Illinois lawmakers after Bartlett testified. "It totally eliminates our ability to negotiate discounts with manufacturers."

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie both vetoed such insurance mandates in the past year, citing the high costs and lack of evidence that the drugs help.

Federal health officials also have pushed back against requirements to cover the drugs, citing the "staggering" costs. For example, a 30-day supply of Pfizer's abuse-deterrent Embeda, a combination drug containing morphine, costs $268, while a 30-day supply of a generic morphine costs roughly $38, according to data compiled by Truven Health Analytics, a company that tracks drug prices set by manufacturers.

The Department of Veterans Affairs' Dr. Bernie Good estimated that converting the 8.8 million patient system exclusively to the new reformulations would increase opioid spending more than tenfold, to over $1.6 billion annually. Good, who co-directs the VA's program for medication safety, said the vast majority of veterans are not at risk for snorting or injecting their medications.

"Would the excess money to pay for abuse-deterrent products  mostly to pay for it in cases where it wouldn't be necessary  be better spent for drug treatment centers?" he asked at a recent federal meeting on the drugs.

Federal estimates say at least 2.2 million Americans are addicted to prescription opioids or heroin, yet only one in five actually receives treatment, according to a Surgeon General's report published last month. That's despite some $35 billion already spent annually on substance abuse programs by private and public health providers.

State lawmakers who support the abuse-deterrent bills often defend them as an important piece of solving the opioid puzzle, preventing more costly overdoses and hospitalizations.

And Fred Brason, executive director of Project Lazarus, a North Carolina-based group that promotes anti-addiction policies in several states, called the focus on the drugs' cost too narrow.

"You're already spending that money at the back end," he said. "You're spending it at the emergency department." He also noted the costs of addiction treatment.

When critics raise alarms about higher costs and limited evidence, drugmakers can rely on groups they support financially to argue their side, including the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, the Academy of Integrative Pain Management and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. Representatives from those groups have testified in favor of abuse-deterrent legislation in at least seven states.

NADDI president Charlie Cichon acknowledged his group receives funds from several ADF-makers, but said it views the drugs as a proven part of the solution to the opioid crisis. "We're not testifying for Purdue Pharma's product or Endo's product," he said.

And Bob Twillman, executive director of the Academy, said, "Increased use of abuse-deterrent opioids makes it more likely that those patients who need opiates to treat their pain will be able to get them."

The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Physicians with financial ties to drugmakers play similar roles. Dr. Gareth Shemesh, a pain specialist, testified in support of a Colorado bill last year brought to the sponsoring legislator by Pfizer. Shemesh had received more than $13,500 from Pfizer that year in speaking fees, travel and meals, and more than $5,000 from Purdue the year before. He did not respond to repeated calls for comment, but Pfizer said he was not paid to testify and did not speak on behalf of any specific product.

Purdue and Pfizer also have ramped up contributions to the Republican and Democratic attorneys general associations, which raise unlimited funds to help elect AGs across the country. In 2015 and 2016, they gave a total of $950,000  more than in the previous four years combined.

To date, 51 attorneys general from U.S. states and territories have signed at least one of two National Association of Attorneys General letters to the FDA, urging the agency to favor abuse-deterrent drugs.

The pro-ADF playbook even includes a bit of political theater. In at least seven states, lawmakers or advocates have pounded the reformulated pills with hammers to demonstrate how difficult they are to smash.

In Illinois, it was Democratic Rep. Sara Feigenholtz wielding the hammer on the same committee that heard Terri Bartlett's testimony. The main sponsor of the bill prioritizing ADFs, Feigenholtz ranked second-highest among legislative recipients of money from Pfizer since the start of 2010, according to an analysis of data from the National Institute on Money in State Politics. The $6,200 she received during that period was more than she had received in the 14 previous years combined. Her bill passed the committee but later stalled in the Legislature and remains pending.

She did not return multiple requests for comment. Pfizer said its contributions to Feigenholtz go back 20 years and it would be "inaccurate and misleading" to suggest a tie to any one piece of legislation.

Bartlett said she doesn't mind that Purdue was ultimately responsible for her invitation to testify, even though she didn't know that at the time. She still supports the bill.

"I want to believe that in every pharmaceutical company there still remains some sort of humanity," she said. "Saving life is expensive."

___

'An addict can find a way'

The FDA has walked a careful line on the new drugs, promoting them as a promising approach to discouraging abuse while acknowledging their real-world benefits remain largely theoretical.

Earlier this year, the agency highlighted the drugs in its "opioids action plan," issued after scathing criticism from some members of Congress that the FDA wasn't doing enough to combat the epidemic.

Thus far, the agency has approved seven drugs with labeling suggesting they are "expected to" discourage abuse, based on studies conducted by pharmaceutical companies.

But the FDA has not yet concluded that any of the products have a "real-world impact" on measures like overdose or death, according to Dr. Douglas Throckmorton, an agency deputy director. He and other regulators predict, however, that the reformulations will eventually translate into public health results.

"We stand by those predictions," Throckmorton said at a recent public meeting on the drugs. "We're confident in the science, we're confident in the assessments we conducted."

Even some former FDA advisers who support expanded use of the drugs say they are only part of the solution. Dr. Lewis Nelson, who previously chaired an FDA panel on drug safety, notes that the drugs don't deter the most common form of abuse: swallowing pills whole.

"Certainly, you might not eat one and get high," he said. "You eat three and get high."

At least one study found that while OxyContin's reformulation coincided with many abusers switching to other drugs, other users still were able to defeat the pills' technology and snort or inject the contents.

David Rook, a 40-year-old Henrico, Virginia, resident who now operates a recovery facility, was among them. Before entering treatment, he said, he would break down abuse-deterrent OxyContins and crush-resistant Opanas using water, lemon juice and a microwave.

"The truth is an addict can find a way to abuse a medication one way or the other," he said.

A recent HIV outbreak in rural Indiana illustrates the sometimes unpredictable effect of ADFs on abusers' behavior.

Approximately 210 people have tested positive for the virus in Scott County since 2014, a public health crisis linked to needle-sharing among abusers of Opana. Endo Pharmaceuticals received approval for a reformulated version of the drug in 2011, making it harder to crush. As a result, many abusers switched from snorting the drug to injecting it with syringes, leading to the spread of the blood-borne HIV virus, according to the state health commissioner and other officials.

Endo spokeswoman Heather Zoumas Lubeski declined to comment on the outbreak, but issued a statement saying, "Patient safety has always been a top priority for Endo and we are committed to providing patients with approved products that are safe and effective when used as prescribed."

The FDA declined to approve labeling claims for Opana's anti-abuse features, noting that the drug still can easily be cooked and injected.

Pfizer, Purdue, Endo and Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. spent more than $20 million between 2012 and 2015 on federal lobbying efforts that included support of a bill that would require the FDA to gradually replace current opioids with harder-to-abuse versions that become available. Teva declined comment.

Rep. William Keating, D-Mass., first introduced the bill in 2012 and tried again in 2013 and 2015. Like his colleagues at the state level, he employed the hammer-smashing routine to illustrate the medications' crush-resistant properties.

Keating said the industry played no part in spurring the bill, even though the head of a nonprofit association funded by abuse-deterrent drugmakers spoke at the press conference introducing his legislation. He also received $2,500 in political contributions from makers of reformulated opioids in 2011 and 2012, a small fraction of his overall fundraising haul.

"My interest in this stems from when I was a district attorney and I got to see the lives that were lost," Keating said in an interview.

While Keating's bill has not received a vote in Congress, the FDA already has begun moving in the direction suggested by companies, mapping out a process for removing older opioids from the market when newer versions are shown to be more effective at thwarting abuse.

"You don't have to pass a bill, necessarily, to change policy," said Dan Cohen of the Abuse Deterrent Coalition, which represents smaller abuse-deterrent manufacturers.

The lack of real-world data on reformulated opioids is the main reason some federal officials haven't embraced them.

The CDC did not recommend ADFs in its landmark opioid guidelines this year, the first-ever federal recommendations for doctors prescribing the drugs. Why? Frieden, the agency's director, said his staff could not find any evidence showing the updated opioids actually reduce rates of addiction, overdoses or deaths.
As a United States attorney in Alabama serving under President Ronald Reagan in 1986, the 39-year-old Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III was charged with enforcing civil rights laws. But he said then that he didnt have much of a problem with what the Ku Klux Klan stood for, musing that he thought the KKK was OK until I found out they smoked pot.

Sessions takes office as U.S. attorney general in a matter of weeks, at the same time President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into the office he won with far less than a plurality of popular votes last fall.

Because he has not changed his opinion of pot over 30 years, Trumps new attorney general, recently a solidly anti-civil rights Republican senator, could be headed for major confrontations with new California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the chief legal officers of seven other states that have legalized recreational use of marijuana.

How much antipathy for the weed does Sessions harbor? Now 70, he observed in April that Good people dont smoke marijuana and that it is a very real danger that is not the kind of thing that ought to be legalized. He has called pro-pot laws like last falls California Proposition 64 a tragic mistake and blasted outgoing President Obamas attorneys general, Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch, for announcing they would not prosecute most marijuana offenses, and then making that their policy.

Its a policy that can, and very likely will, be overturned quite soon.

This makes it entirely possible that federal agents will go after pot growers and dealers, even the fully permitted retail outlets that sport big neon green cross signs in many parts of California.

Thats because California is the fattest, most prominent target among the eight states with fully legalized marijuana, which include Colorado, Alaska and Washington, among others. California also provided Democrat Hillary Clinton her entire 2.8 million popular vote margin in the fall vote, and more.

Sessions authority on pot is based on the constitutional principle that federal laws always preempt those of individual states. So long as pot  both for medical and recreational use  remains verboten under federal rules, arrests can happen here anytime the Trump administration likes.

One thing that might make legalized pot easier for Sessions to go after is the fact that of the eight fully-legal-cannabis states, only one  Alaska  voted for Trump. So Trump loses no critical support if he goes after Californias law and the new crop of businesses taking advantage of it.

Sessions could act by suing in federal court to have Proposition 64 invalidated. There is certainly plenty of precedent for this tactic. Most recently, after the anti-illegal immigrant Proposition 187 passed by an even wider margin in 1994 than Proposition 64 did, federal judges dispatched almost all its provisions as unconstitutional, including sections banning the children of undocumented immigrants from public schools, denying emergency medical care to them and more.

What worked for liberal lawyers in the late 1990s would most likely work as well for conservative ones now, while marijuana remains a federal Schedule 1 drug, right alongside heroin, ecstasy and LSD. By contrast, the likes of morphine and methamphetamines are mere Schedule 2 villains, judged by federal authorities to be one step less pernicious than pot.

A concerted federal campaign against cannabis would certainly get little or no aid from most state or local police in California. It would make terrible investments of the many millions of dollars spent over the last year or so on land and infrastructure to grow and distribute legal pot. And if hes resolute in defending Proposition 64 and any Californians targeted by Sessions and his corps of U.S. attorneys for acting on it, Becerra could become a hero to the 60 percent of Californians who backed Prop. 64.

All this is safe to contemplate because theres absolutely no evidence Trump would order Sessions to desist from prosecuting the pot establishment here and in other legalized states.
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Addressing a press conference here he said, "The amending DTAAs have buried route of black money into India, and there have been apprehensions that old provisions were being used for round-tripping and revisiting DTAAs was important to tackle black money."

He further said that the government had earlier amended DTAA's with Mauritius and Cyprus, and with effect from 2019, Switzerland will also start giving the real time info on investments by India or Indian entities in Switzerland in 2018.

"Must say that 2016 has been historic because three double taxation avoidance agreements, which provided routes to evade taxations have been blocked," added the minister.

Adding to this, Arun Jaitley said that 2019 will see the entire capital gains tax flowing back to India.

He said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is adding high denomination notes every day, and from tomorrow all currency in recirculation will augment existing currency stock.

"Demonetisation data is yet to be tabulated but the situation has normalized to quite an extent, crowds at banks have reduced significantly," added the minister. (ANI)
India and Singapore have amended the DTAA for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, by signing a Third Protocol today. This is in line with India's treaty policy to prevent double non-taxation, curb revenue loss and check the menace of black money through automatic exchange of information, as reflected in India's recently revised treaties with Mauritius and Cyprus and the joint declaration signed with Switzerland. The Protocol for amendment of the India-Mauritius Convention signed on 10th May, 2016, provides for source-based taxation of capital gains arising from alienation of shares acquired from 1st April, 2017 in a company resident in India. Simultaneously, investments made before 1st April, 2017 have been grandfathered and will not be subject to capital gains taxation in India. Where such capital gains arise during the transition period from 1st April, 2017 to 31st March, 2019, the tax rate will be limited to 50 percent of the domestic tax rate of India. However, the benefit of 50 percent reduction in tax rate during the transition period shall be subject to the Limitation of Benefits Article. Taxation in India at full domestic tax rate will take place from financial year 2019-20 onwards. The revised DTAA between India and Cyprus signed on 18th November, 2016, provides for source based taxation of capital gains arising from alienation of shares, instead of residence based taxation provided under the DTAA signed in 1994. However, a grandfathering clause has been provided for investments made prior to 1st April, 2017, in respect of which capital gains would continue to be taxed in the country of which taxpayer is a resident. It also provides for assistance between the two countries for collection of taxes and updates the provisions related to Exchange of Information to accepted international standards. Fighting the menace of Black Money stashed in offshore accounts has been a key priority area for the Government. To further this goal, the 'Joint Declaration' for the implementation of Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) between India and Switzerland was signed in November, 2016. It will now be possible for India to receive from September, 2019 onwards, the financial information of accounts held by Indian residents in Switzerland for 2018 and subsequent years, on an automatic basis. The India-Singapore DTAA at present provides for residence based taxation of capital gains of shares in a company. The Third Protocol amends the DTAA with effect from 1st April, 2017 to provide for source based taxation of capital gains arising on transfer of shares in a company. This will curb revenue loss, prevent double non-taxation and streamline the flow of investments. In order to provide certainty to investors, investments in shares made before 1st April, 2017 have been grandfathered subject to fulfillment of conditions in Limitation of Benefits clause as per 2005 Protocol. Further, a two year transition period from 1st April, 2017 to 31st March, 2019 has been provided during which capital gains on shares will be taxed in source country at half of normal tax rate, subject to fulfillment of conditions in Limitation of Benefits clause. The third protocol also inserts provisions to facilitate relieving of economic double taxation in transfer pricing cases. This is a taxpayer friendly measure and is in line with India's commitments under Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action Plan to meet the minimum standard of providing Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) access in transfer pricing cases. The Third Protocol also enables application of domestic law and measures concerning prevention of tax avoidance or tax evasion. (ANI)
As the demonetisation deadline arrives on Dec 30th, approximately 46 percent citizens who visited ATMs last weekend still could not find a cash dispensing ATM. These were the findings of the survey done by citizen engagement platform LocalCircles in which over 7500 citizens from over 220 districts of India participated. While there was some improvement in the percentage of citizens able to find a cash dispensing ATM as compared to the first two weekends of December when percentage of citizens unable to find cash were 66 percent and 61 percent, the improvement is not happening at the pace it should. The percentage of people unable to find a cash dispensing ATM had dropped from 61 percent to 48 percent on the third weekend of December per the LocalCircles survey and it was expected to fall further but the 46 percent number indicates that situation is seeing only limited improvement. Upon an on ground survey done by LocalCircles, it appears that less than 10 percent of the ATMs are being replenished every day. The LocalCircles members and team spoke to several bankers and one can easily conclude that the banks are disbursing cash through the account withdrawal route leaving ATMs dry. Managers of three different banks confirmed that this way they are able to serve their own bank's customers as 90 percent of the customers who visit ATMs are other bank's customers. Industry checks done by LocalCircles suggest that daily cash supply through the ATM network is one fourth of what it was pre-demonetisation. In a discussion on LocalCircles, citizens are suggesting that RBI needs to take charge here and clearly segregate cash that needs to be disbursed through withdrawals versus ATM network. Every bank branch should be receiving separate cash for disbursal through account withdrawals versus ATM. According to citizens, the lines at ATMs are leading to poor perception of demonetisation exercise. The same has become visible via the LocalCircles survey on demonetisation implementation where the support has dropped from 51 percent in mid November to 39 percent early December and to 32 percent in late December. (ANI)
Global headwinds such as macroeconomic factors, currency volatility and disruptive technologies impacted the resilient Indian IT industry in 2016, forcing Nasscom, its apex body, to lower the growth rate for fiscal 2016-17. "The IT industry is going through a transient phase with global and domestic factors impacting its performance. While the effect of short-term factors may show for a couple of quarters, the worst is behind us," Nasscom President R. Chandrashekhar told IANS. The single-digit growth of global software majors like TCS, Infosys, Wipro and HCL for the July-September second quarter made Nasscom revise its industry export revenue guidance to 8-10 per cent ($117-119 billion) in November from 10-12 per cent ($119-121 billion) it projected in February. The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) has, however, maintained the domestic revenue growth at 11-13 per cent to achieve Rs 1,560-1,590 billion ($22.9-23.4 billion) by March 31,2017. "This year has been an interesting one for the industry owing to various global and domestic factors. Increased adoption of digital technology by consumers, e-commerce and start-ups has driven the industry's growth in the domestic market," Chandrashekhar asserted. Though India accounts for 56 per cent of global sourcing with seven per cent market share of the world's software and IT services, currency volatility and innovative technologies like artificial intelligence, automation, Internet of Things and machining have disrupted the industry's traditional products and solutions to enterprises worldwide. "To stay globally competitive, the industry needs to invest and enhance its digital capabilities. This entails a mix of reskilling, domain and platform capabilities coupled with acquisition-led competencies," Chandrashekhar maintained. Recovering from the fallout of the global financial meltdown in 2008-10, the Indian IT-BPM (Business Process Management) industry flourished to grow in double digits (12-14 per cent) on a wider base over the last couple of years, thanks to its adoption of cloud computing, big data, analytics and mobility. As a result, the industry's revenue grew 12-13 per cent in the 2015-16 fiscal to $143 billion, including $108 billion from exports, while domestic revenue increased by 10 per cent to Rs 1,41,000 crore. For the first time in many quarters, IT bellwether Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) reported flat sequential growth for the second quarter, which made its Chief Executive N. Chandrasekaran admit that growing uncertainties in the environment was creating caution among customers and resulted in holdbacks in discretionary spending. Similarly, Infosys lowered its annual revenue guidance to 8-9 per cent for this fiscal due to uncertain business outlook and currency volatility from 10-11.5 per cent on June 30 and 11.8-13.8 per cent it projected in April. Unlike its peers TCS and Infosys, Wipro projected flat revenue from its IT services for October-December third quarter due to weak demand and uncertainty in technology spend. The government's push towards digitisation for a digital economy and enhancing the ease of doing business through administrative overhaul and tax reforms, however, augured well for the industry. Looking forward, Chandrashekhar said 2017 would be the year of re-adoption for the industry, with technology disruptions reshaping enterprises and providers focusing on building technology-led platforms that can redefine services delivery. "Trends like consumerisation of IT, SMAC (social, mobile, analytics and cloud), changing lines of business and new under-penetrated markets will alter the future of the industry." Industry hiring also took a beating, with the IT majors deferring recruitment of freshers from campuses, holding back appointments for laterals and postponing joining dates for new techies. The industry employee base reached 3.7 million, with an addition of 200,000 employees in 2015-16. "The industry is looking for talent from 'qualification' to 'skill-based' with greater focus on hiring 'knowledge and expertise'-based talent," Chandrashekhar noted. (This is a part of a series of articles from IANS that look back at the year that was. Fakir Balaji can be contacted at fakir.b@ians.in) --IANS fb/vm/sac/ky ( 652 Words) 2016-12-31-12:06:07 (IANS)
The old Pungo District Hospital has been razed. As of today, December 30, 2016, it is no more: Above.

On Wednesday December 21, 2016 Judge Gregory McGuire heard the complaints filed by some of the stock holders against the Pantego Creek, LLC managers. The managers are Brantley Tillman, Lynn Dilday Ross, Debra Sparrow and Darren Armstrong.Plaintiff's Mildred Bowman, Albert and Bertha Baker, Ronnie Clark, Julian Goff, O. C. Jones Jr., Sonya Y. Jones and W. Axon Smith requested a Temporary Restraining Order until their complaints regarding the managers, failing to truthfully and accurately inform all of the members of the LLC about the financial status and the status of various offers made to purchase the hospital property. Albert and Bertha Baker along with Sonya Y. Jones have pulled out of the suit. A temporary restraining order was signed by Judge Grant in Williamston on the 28th of November. The restraining order stopped demolition of the hospital until issues in the lawsuit could be decided. The Managers through their Attorney John M. Martin with Ward and Smith petitioned to have the case moved from Superior Court to Business Court in Raleigh. Business Court is a special court designed to handle business cases.Judge Gregory McGuire opened the summary (without a jury) hearing by stating that he had read all of the more than 250 pages submitted by the parties. He allowed two hours to hear arguments.Rather than give a blow by blow description of what happened during the trial, I will give you my impressions of what I heard and saw. There were about 50 spectators. About 40 were from Belhaven with about 10 other people who were friendly to one side or the otherOne of the Attorneys of Record was removed from the case on the petition of the Plaintiffs because of conflicts of interest. John M. Martin and attorney with Ward and Smith was allowed to remain behind the bar but was admonished by Judge McGuire not to participate in the case or to have communication with his former co-council, Michael J. Parrish during the hearing.I got the impression Judge McGuire had made up his mind before he got to court. He displayed some glaring examples of mis-information. The Judge congratulated the four Managers on their business skill and on their fore thought. He believed they had a business plan done early on so they knew that a hospital could not be successful in Belhaven. This conclusion is totally false. It was the Town of Belhaven that had not one but as many as three financial and marketing studies done. All showed a hospital could be successful in Belhaven. That is how it became known that the hospital had two employees for every one they needed. Those studies are the basis for the loan commitment made by the USDA. The USDA finances many hospitals. They have a lot of experience in this area. Judge McGuire made these statements during the time allotted to Ward and Smith. Not once did Michael J. Parrish, Attorney with Ward and Smith try to correct the record.The "so called condemnation" of the hospital building by the Beaufort County Building inspector was a big hit with the Judge. He mentioned it as many as ten times. He was totally insensitive to any argument that the letter signed by Brandon Hayes was anything but a condemnation. Hayes asserted the roof and floors are caving in and the place is a fire trap. The judge believed all of this. He even talked about the good deed Hayes did in trying to save the houses surrounding the hospital building. We all know better. Two sides of the hospital are on the water, it is about 100 feet on one side to a building and the other side is a town street. This was a political move by Beaufort County. Hayes had already issued the necessary documents to demolish the building, so why does anyone need a building inspection. The County does building inspections only when new construction is going on. Every approach make by the members attorney, Geeta Kapur, to clear this up was met with a rebuff.The judge was in a hurry and on one occasion sort of giggled or maybe even laughed at the members Attorney, Geeta Kapur. Attorney Kapur made the argument that the Managers were derelict in their fiduciary duty because they did not make the membership aware of all the offers to purchase the building. He cut her off and allowed that she did not understand the law and he would set her straight. He allowed that Pantego Creek, LLC managers were not obligated to make the members aware of these offers because they decided the offers were not good offers. The Judge missed the big points. Number one, the Managers do have a fiduciary responsibility to the members. The big deal that he missed and failed to understand was that Attorney Kapur was arguing that all of these offers were in the range to be considered. Should offers for $500,000 on a property that the LLC's own appraiser says is worth about $650,000 be within the range of being responsible. Or would an offer for ten dollars of even one hundred thousand dollars be responsible offers.Because Judge McGuire did not bother to consider any of Attorney Kapur's arguments about fiduciary responsibility relevant and he did not hear other important arguments. One of these could have been, when does fiduciary responsibility become relevant. The LLC had a zero investment in the property. If there is a zero investment, does fiduciary responsibility become important when the offer is for even one dollar?Coupled with the above arguments is the fact that the LLC is a non profit whose only function is to provide medical care for the citizens of the Belhaven area. The Pantego Creek, LLC managers argue that the doctor's offices built by Vidant provide adequate medical care. There is a fiduciary argument that a full service hospital with an emergency room and acute care beds is not the same thing as a doctors office. Is the LLC carrying out it's fiduciary duties, considering the tax advantages given by the people to them as a non profit, when they deliberately provide a much lower level of service. The Judge, in is wisdom cut her off, snickered and sailed off into his sea of ignorance.At one point, Judge McGuire asked Michael J. Parrish, attorney for the LLC,(this is not a direct quote). One could feel things go tense in the room as Attorney Parish avoided answering the question by talking about the high costs to the LLC.Finally Judge McGuire landed hard on the 57 affidavits of stock holders (members) presented by the Pantego Creek, LLC managers. My opinion is these sworn statements say that there is nothing that has been with held or misrepresented that would have changed those who signed affidavits mind about voting to destroy the hospital. These are powerful statements on their face. Some could argue that these are irresponsible statements. However, examination of the list of names could show there are significant conflicts ranging from several people who are employed by or otherwise whose families receive benefits from Vidant, to those who within themselves or their families stand to benefit from the destruction of the hospital. Some past and present Vidant board members signed affidavits, is this a conflict? It is possible the number of conflicts would reduce the vote to less than 50 percent of the stock holders, who favor the destruction of the hospital.The Judge shut down the trial after about two hours, leaving many points not addressed. Of those court arguments that I have seen, when the judge was in hurry and failed to provide adequate time for argument, he usually had his mind made up before the trial began. This is law and not justice. Contrary to common sense, Law and justice are two different things. Justice is much more personal. All judges should be able to stand at the pivot point of a balance beam with law on one end and justice on the other. At the end of the day, after the decision is handed down, the beam should be perfectly balanced.Technocrats tend to hand down the law. This is very impersonal. It only requires the ability to mechanically assemble some facts that fit the opinion. Wise judges in these kinds of conflicts understand that in order to see through the smoke and mirrors offering to spit the baby brings out he truth.At this writing Judge Gregory McGuire has not rendered his opinion. The question remains,
Amending the tax treaties with foreign governments shows the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led governments attitude to plug treaty shopping by many multinational companies (MNC) and foreign institutional investors (FII), said an expert. "The recent amendment in tax treaties underscores government's no-nonsense approach with respect to innovative treaty shopping or treaty abuse presently being followed by many MNC/FII investing in India," Amit Agarwal, Partner, Nangia and Co, an international tax advisory and accounting firm, told IANS. "Notably, India is one of the active participants to the BEPS (Base Erosion Profit Shifting) project, one of the action plans of which is to discourage practices of treaty abuse or treaty shopping," Agarwal added. The government on Friday announced amending of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Singapore for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, by signing a Third Protocol. This is in line with India's treaty policy to prevent double non-taxation, curb revenue loss and check the menace of black money through automatic exchange of information, as reflected in the nation's recently revised treaties with Mauritius and Cyprus and the joint declaration signed with Switzerland. "Singapore route was widely used for treaty shopping as investors were used to create shell companies claiming it to be a resident of Singapore. Thus, this loophole is plugged to cover for revenue loss and control black money routed via this route," Rakesh Bhargava, Director, Taxmann, said. In the recent past the government has taken many crucial decisions to tackle black money whether it be a demonetisation drive or revising of treaty with Mauritius and Cyprus, Bhargava added. "Under this Protocol, India will get the right to tax capital gains arising on transfer of shares acquired on or after April 1, 2017," Agarwal said. A two-year transition period from April 1, 2017, to March 31, 2019, has been provided during which capital gains taxation in the source country will be limited to half the normal rate. But that is subject to fulfilment of conditions specified under the existing Limitation of Benefits (LoB) Article in the India-Singapore Tax Treaty, Agarwal said. "For shares acquired prior to 31 March 2017, grandfathering will be applicable and capital gains derived thereon will be taxable in the state of alienator i.e. where seller is a resident of Singapore, the same shall be taxed in Singapore," he added. Taxation in India at full domestic tax rate will take place from financial year 2019-20 onwards. "However, it will be interesting to read in the fine print as to what the withholding on interest under the revised treaty would be which is not mentioned in the press release (government statement). The Mauritius treaty provides for 7.5 per cent vis--vis 15 per cent in the India Singapore treaty," Girish Vanvari, National Head of Tax, KPMG in India said. "This is clearly a watch point for investors from Singapore investing through debt instrument," Vanvari said. According to Vanvari the amending the tax treaty will be a big boost to foreign exchange flows into the country. "All eyes now on what is the final take on the withholding rate of interest under the revised India- Singapore treaty in the fine print," Vanvari reiterated. According to Agarwal, the Third Protocol also inserts provisions to facilitate relieving of economic double taxation in transfer pricing cases to meet the BEPS minimum standard of providing Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) access in such cases. It also enables the application of domestic law and measures concerning the prevention of tax avoidance/evasion. "Overall this is an important step in resolution of transfer pricing and international taxation disputes through competent authorities and paves way for elimination of economic double taxation," Agarwal said. --IANS vj/ksk/bg ( 630 Words) 2016-12-31-16:52:07 (IANS)
US President-elect Donald Trump will see out 2016 with a lavish party at Mar-a-Lago, his private club north of Miami, together with 800 guests including actor Sylvester Stallone, his transition team announced on Friday. In a conference call with the media from the exclusive club in Palm Beach County, Florida, where Trump has spent the holiday season, EFE quoted a spokesman for his transition team as saying that the New Yorker will begin 2017 with a party that will last until 1.00 a.m. on New Year's morning featuring cocktails, a gala dinner, dancing indoors and partying around the pool. Trump will be accompanied by wife Melania, his son Barron and special guests like Stallone and producer/composer/musician Quincy Jones. Local media recently reported that the star of "Rocky" was on the list of possible candidates to head the National Endowment for the Arts, though the actor himself said he would turn down the offer should it come his way. This Sunday, Trump will be back in New York and on Tuesday will resume his agenda of meetings to form his Cabinet. Sean Spicer, representative of the transition team and future White House spokesman, said in a conference call that Trump will have four meetings this Friday, the first with Republican Susan Combs, former Comptroller of the Texas Agriculture Department, who joins the list of candidates for the next US Secretary of Agriculture. He will then meet with ex-Texas Congressman Henry Bonilla, entrepreneur Howard Lorber, President of the Vector Group, and Allan B. Hubbard, ex-Adviser to former President George Bush and Director of the National Economic Council. The transition team made no comment about Russia's reported interference in the US presidential election. Nonetheless, Spicer said when questioned by the media that next week details of Trump's meetings with US intelligence agencies will be announced, but for now, neither the New York magnate nor members of his transition team have scheduled talks with their Russian counterparts. "The priority right now is for the President-elect to get an update from the intelligence community," Spicer said. --IANS lok/ ( 354 Words) 2016-12-31-00:42:08 (IANS)
"The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement of yesterday is absurd even by their standards. Labelling Indian bonafide political parties, social, cultural organisation as terrorist organisation seems a desperate attempt to deflect international focus from Pakistan's own complicity in sponsoring internationally prescribed organisation like Lashkar-e-taiba, Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Jaish e Mohammad which continue to target Pakistan's neighbours from territory under Pakistan's control," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup told ANI here.

Earlier on December 29, spokesperson of Pakistan's Ministry of External Affairs on called the Indian political parties like RSS, Vishwa Hindu Prasad, Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal as terrorist element.

"Occupying forces, joined by the terrorist organizations such as RSS, Vishwa Hindu Prasad, Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal and other terrorist elements are engaged in the drive to change the demography in Kashmir, which is a blatant violation of UN Security Council's Resolutions on Kashmir and fundamental human rights. We condemn unabated violation of UNSC Resolutions on Kashmir by India," according to the statement by the Pakistan Foreign Affairs office. (ANI)
"Daily we are collecting around 3000 water samples from all areas where Hyderabad metro water supply reaches and this samples are being tested and check is done," Rama Roa said.

The Minister also added that the government is planning to build new sewerage treatment plants in the city and would seek help from the Centre.

"We will also plan to build new sewerage treatment plants in city and if needed we will seek help from central government for this," he said.

He said while replying to a query posed by BJP MLAs Chintala Ramchander and Dr Laxman, TDP MLA Kuna Vivek, and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen MLA Jaffar Hussain about city sewerage system and water supply. (ANI)
The political instability in the sensitive border state of Arunachal Pradesh since December 2015 continues, justifying the unanimous truth of kissa kursi ka. The ruling Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA) late on Thursday night temporarily suspended chief minister Pema Khandu, deputy CM Chowna Mein and five other legislators from the primary membership of the party with immediate effect for alleged anti-party activities. The Other five MLAs shown against their assembly constituency are Jambey Tashi (Lumla), Passang Dorjee Sona (Mechuka), Chow Tewa Mein (Chowkham), Zingnu Namchom (Namsai) and Kamlung Mossang (Miao). However, the spokesman of the state government, Bamang Felix, told press persons at the Press Club that Khandu-led government had the support of 49 legislators in the 60 member house. The supporters included 35 PPA, 12 BJP and 2 independents. On the possibility of joining BJP, Felix said that "We are still member of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA)." While PPA president Kahfa Bengia, in his suspension order, said prima facie he was satisfied with the proof of their indulgence in gross "anti-party" activities and "Khandu now ceased to be the leader of the PPA Legislature Party", Felix claimed that the PPA president had issued a circular for a party meeting on December 20 last which was not received by any MLA. "Just not attending the party cannot be termed as anti-party activity or if the decision to suspend seven MLAs was unanimous PPA or individual decision is not known ," Felix said. Asked about difference in the party, floating the name of sitting minister Takam Parior as next PPA leader and dropping of few ministers including Pario from the ministry, Felix clarified that "the difference could be personal not at party level and doors are open to wipe out the differences. The dropping of ministers would be made public soon". Bengia had directed party MLAs and PPA functionaries not to attend any meeting called by Khandu, and said any member failing to comply with the order will have to face disciplinary action. He, in a letter to assembly Speaker T Norbu Thongdok, requested him to declare the suspended MLAs as unattached members of the House and arrange separate sitting for them and communicate the development to the governor. In the 60-member house, PPA had 43 MLAs, BJP 12, Congress-3 and independent 2. The strength of BJP had increased from 11 to 12 with the election of former CM late Kalikho Pul's wife Dasanglu Pul on November 22 to Hayuliang assembly seat by-election as BJP candidate with 944 votes. With Indian politicians adding "everything is fair in politics' to common adage "Everything is fair in love and war" to redefine government - by the people, of the people and for the people - the political upheaval in the state has been getting murkier by brining state's development process to a grinding halt. Pul was forced to resign in July 16 following the apex court verdict and had joined the PPA with 29 dissident Congress MLAs on March 3, 2016. After serving as CM from 19.02.16 to 13.07.16 he had committed suicide in CM's bungalow here on August 9. The then Governor J P Rajkhowa had preponed assembly session from to January 14-18, 2016 from December 16-18, 2015 without consulting then chief minister Nabam Tuki and his council of ministers, that had set the political instability ball rolling. However, the Supreme Court in its historic July 13 verdict had reversed the clock to December 15, 2015 by terming all decisions taken by the Governor as "illegal and unconstitutional" and ordered restoration of previous government. The Congress Legislature Party leader Nabam Tuki, while chairing CLP meeting on July 16 last, had resigned and proposed the name of Pema Khandu as new leader. In a volte-face, ousted CM Kalikho Pul, had returned to the Congress fold with 29 dissident MLAs. Khandu, 37, the son of late Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, was sworn in as the eighth Chief Minister by Governor Tathagata Roy at Raj Bhavan here on July 17 last marking the culmination of fast-paced political developments in the state while Chowna Mein was sworn in as the DyCM. Khandu sprung a surprise on?September 16 by leaving the Congress and joining the PPA along with 42 MLAs. In a House of 60 members, with an effective strength of 58, the PPA had 43, BJP 11 and Congress one, independent two and one seat vacant. But the PPA joined the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), formed on May 24 last as part of the NDA with Himanta Biswa Sarma as its convenor, on September 18. Sarma, after chairing a joint legislature party meeting with 43 PPA, MLAs, 11 BJP MLAs and two Independents at Itanagar on September 18, had told reporters that "It will be decided at the BJP National Executive meeting at Calicut this week on whether BJP will continue to extend its outside support or be a part of the PPA government led by Khandu." While blaming the Congress high command for the mess in the party, state BJP president Tapir Gao on had said party president Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi should have taken care of this. on the possibility of PPA MLAs merging with the BJP, Gao said the party's door was open. The Congress, however, had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of "foul play" and committing a "fraud on democracy" after Khandu along with 41 Congress MLAs quit the party and joined PPA. "Modi's and BJP's foul play and fraud on democracy has come to a full circle in Arunachal Pradesh today," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala had told reporters in New Delhi. "PPA is the illegitimate child of the BJP's diabolical design to decimate democracy," he alleged. With severe criticism of Rajkhowa and Congress squarely blaming him Union MoS Kiren Rijiju for toppling Congress government, the Centre was left with no other alternative but to pressurize Rajkhowa to quit but he refused prompting President of India Pranab Mukharjee to remove on September 12 last. With the induction of BJP Legislator Party Leader Tamyio Taga on October 14 last into Khandu ministry, Arunachal Pradesh had become the 14th state with the BJP is in power and the sixth state where it shared power with regional parties. (ANI)
Terming China's decision to again block a proposal to list Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist under the 1267 sanctions committee of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as "surprising", India on Friday said the decision confirms the prevalence of double standards in the fight against terrorism. "This decision by China is surprising as China herself has been affected by the scourge of terrorism and has declared opposition to all forms of terrorism. As a consequence of this decision, the UNSC has again been prevented from acting against the leader of a listed terrorist organisation," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup told ANI. "We had expected China would have been understanding of the danger posed to all by terrorism and would join India and others in fighting the common challenge of terrorism," he added. Describing the decision as "unfortunate, Swarup said Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad which is proscribed by the UN has been responsible for innumerable terrorist attacks on India including the Pathankot air base attack. "The inability of the international community to list its leader Massod Azhar is an unfortunate blow to the concerted efforts to effectively counter all forms of terrorism and confirms prevalence of double standards in the fight against terrorism," Swarup added. Swarup further asserted that India would use all its options available to bring perpetrators of terrorist violence to justice. China is the lone member among the 15-member UNSC to oppose the ban on Azhar. Previously, while opposing the ban against Azhar, the Chinese Foreign Ministry had said that the country firmly supports combating all forms of terrorism, stronger international cooperation against terrorism, and supports the central and coordinating role of the UN in international counter-terrorism cooperation. (ANI)
The Enforcement Directorate on Friday registered a cases against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and his NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) on the basis of the earlier FIR registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The cases have been registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The foundation had first come under the scanner after terrorist responsible for Dhaka attack earlier this year in an online post had said that he was inspired by the Naik's speeches. Naik has been out of the country since reports emerged that his sermons influenced a few Bangladeshi attackers, who targeted an eatery in Dhaka on July 1. The Dhaka cafe attack, where 10 gunmen had taken several people hostage had left 28 people dead. The NIA had in November registered a case against Naik and others under sections 10 (Penalty for being member of an unlawful association) and 13 (Punishment for unlawful activities) and other various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), said the spokesperson. The Union Government had declared the IRF as an "outlawed organisation" under the anti-terror law for its alleged terror activities, following which the Maharashtra Government said it would keep a close eye on locals and organisations funding the IRF and would be treated as "anti-social elements". However, the IRF said it would be arguing before a Central government tribunal against the validity of the ban imposed on it and invoking of the UAPA. (ANI)
Paul has been summoned over his alleged connection in the Rose Valley chit fund scam.

The agency has charged several TMC members in its probes against chit fund companies including Saradha.

Earlier this week, the CBI has summoned two Trinamool Congress MPs, Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Tapas Paul, in connection with the scam case.

The legislators were told to present themselves before the CBI team on December 30.

The development comes days after the Trinamool Congress accused the Centre of using the probe agencies to put pressure on its leaders, who have been protesting against demonetisation.

The CBI had earlier this year filed a charge sheet against Rose Valley chairman Gautam Kundu and three other accused.

The firm was charged with defrauding depositors from across the country of Rs 17,000 crore, out of which Rs 450 crore was received by the ponzi firm from Odisha alone. In its chargesheet, CBI had claimed that it was still probing the role of "influential people" in the scam. (ANI)
The Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs. five lakhs each to the families of those killed in Friday's mine collapse here. A press statement issued here said, "CMD Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) has reported that an incidence of overburden dump slide/subsidence has occurred in the second shift of 29.12.2016 at about 7,30 P.M, In the Rajmahal Open Cast Expansion Project In district Goda, Jharkhand causing the unfortunate demise of seven workers. It added that the company has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs. five lakhs each to the family of the deceased in addition to the amount to be paid under the Workmen's Compensation Act. The statement said that two persons have met with injuries and are being treated in the Area Hospital while, one of them has been sent to Durgapur for further treatment. "Prima facie, it is observed that the incident is unprecedented that an area of 300 m length by 110 m wide solid floor of the Over Burden dump area has slid down by about 35 m involving around 9.5 million cubic meters of earth material. This could be due to failure of the bench edge along the hidden fault line/slip," said the statement adding that senior management of ECL and state government officials have been supervising rescue operations. An inquiry has also been ordered in the incident by the Director General of Mines Safety and a High Level Committee of Experts has been constituted by Coal India Limited to investigate into the causes of the accident. Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das has also announced Rs. two lakh compensation to the families of the deceased and Rs. 25,000 for the injured. (ANI)
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Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Saturday said that there was no specific terror alert received by the state government from central intelligence agencies related to New Year festivities. Parsekar said that the travel advisory issued by Israel could be generic in nature and not specific to Goa, which is one of the top beach and nightlife tourism destinations in the country. "In the first place, such routine advisories have become common in recent times. Respective governments feel it their duty to alert their citizens," Parsekar told reporters here, amid reports that Israel had issued a travel advisory for its citizens asking them to be cautious while travelling in South Western India. "As far as we are concerned, out police department is completely in touch with the central home agencies and there is no threat alert or anything of that kind," he said. "We are well geared to take care of our tourists... Security has been stepped up in view of the increasing tourism footfalls in Goa," Parsekar added. The coastal state attracts more than four million tourists every year, with half a million tourists being foreign nationals, most of them from Russia and the UK. --IANS maya/ksk/bg ( 208 Words) 2016-12-31-12:26:07 (IANS)
The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Saturday termed the crisis in the party as 'unfortunate' and asked party members to support Mulayam Singh Yadav in the family feud which has seen Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav being expelled for six years. "Netaji (Mulayam) had said yesterday that if the chief minister admits his fault, then he will try to end the matter. When in 2012, Netaji made Akhilesh Yadav chief minister, then both of them didn't think that such thing will take place," senior party leader Madhukar Jetley told ANI. "This was very unfortunate. Both Akhilesh Yadav and Mulaym Singh did not imagine this would happen. Mulayam Singh Yadav had made many efforts and struggled a lot to make the party. I hope that he will handle the situation very nicely. I am hopeful that Akhilesh Yadav will realise these things in the future," he added. Echoing similar sentiments, former cabinet minister Raj Kishore Singh said party members have been working with Mulayam Singh's party for 14 years, and therefore, will always stand by him. "We have got information from the party that there is a meeting. So, we came here. Netaji called us for a meeting that is why we came. We are with Netaji and will always support him," he added. Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh has called a meeting of all 393 candidates today. Akhilesh, too, has convened a meeting of MLAs as a showdown against his father to establish that the majority of Samajwadi Party MLAs are with him. Mulayam yesterday expelled Akhilesh and national general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years over indiscipline. This move comes after Akhilesh had released a list of 235 candidates out of the total 403 seats for upcoming state assembly elections on Thursday, rejecting the list announced by Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday. Akhilesh's name did not figure in the first list. Mulayam said his son, being the chief minister, can contest from any assembly seat he wishes to. (ANI)
In a daring pre-dawn jailbreak, five hardcore criminals escaped from the Central Jail here in the wee hours today exposing chinks in the armour of the high security prison. While One of them was facing death penalty, three were facing life imprisonment in a murder case and another was an undertrial, jail sources here said adding they were identified as Sonu Singh, Upendra Shah, Deodhari Rai, Pradeep Singh and Sonu Pandey. The jail break came to the notice of the prison authorities when they were taking count of the inmates.Preliminary investigations revealed that broke open the window of the toilet in medical wall and scaled the wall . District Magistrate, Raman Kumar said that iron rod, pipe and rope have been found at the spot from where the prisoners scaled the wall.Mr Kumar said that a massive manhunt had been launched and inter-district borders sealed to nab the criminals who also took advantage of the thick smog in making good their escape. Meanwhile, taking a serious note of the incident, Inspector General (Prison) Anand Kishore said that three wardens of the central jail have been suspended on the charges of dereliction in duty and stern action would be taken against the guilty after a thorough probe into the jail break.UNI IS AKC CJ 1205 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0432-1088315.Xml
A team of researchers has found that by removing senescent cells, it may bring us one step closer to the "fountain of youth". However, experts warned that an anti-ageing serum could be a few years off yet as the drugs may be unsafe for elderly people. A drug has previously been found to help elderly mice regrow their hair, run faster and live for longer. It works by removing cells in skin tissue that naturally accumulate as the rodents grow older. But the senescent cells - which are unable to reproduce themselves and prevent tissue growth - are also found in humans. The study was published in the journal Trends in Molecule Medicine. "This strategy may bring us one step closer to the "fountain of youth," but it's important to be cautious and not hype," said researcher of aging Peter de Keizer of the Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands. They noticed that these permanently arrested cells accumulate in mature tissue and that some of them secrete factors that are harmful to tissue function and impair their neighboring cells. To explain what causes this noise in the system, de Keizer proposes a "senescence-stem lock model" in which the chronic secretion of pro-inflammatory factors by these senescent cells keeps neighboring cells in a permanent stem-like state and thereby prevents proper tissue renewal. "A perfect anti-senescence therapy would not only clear senescent cells, but also kick-start tissue rejuvenation by stimulating differentiation of nearby stem cells. This may be complementary with, for instance, the exciting approaches recently made in the field of transient expression of stem cell factors," de Keizer stated. There's still much basic research to be done before humans visit their local rejuvenation clinic for their annual shot of anti-aging serum. Senescent cells do have a temporary role in wound healing, so you don't want to eliminate them when you are injured or at the wrong point in time. "I would also advise caution for claiming too much, too soon about the benefits of the fast-growing list of therapeutic compounds that are being discovered. That being said, these are clearly very exciting times, and I am confident we will find applicable anti-senescence treatments that can counteract age-related pathologies," de Keizer explained. Researchers will also need to think about when such treatments should be administered (such as before or after the onset of certain conditions) and who would benefit the most. The potentially high cost of an anti-aging therapy, as well as off-target toxicity, could also be limiting factors for widespread market use as it is translated. De Keizer, who plans to co-found a start-up based on the discovery of anti-senescence compounds from his lab, is hopeful that cell-penetrating peptides that can block specific activities of these retired cells could be the path forward over broad-range inhibitors. (ANI)
In a delayed bizarre incident, a husband reportedly doused his wife with diesel and set her on fire on Thursday night in the Naga Hospital Colony in the state, critically injuring the wife. According to the report the victim was rushed to Naga hospital.The sources said both husband and wife were locals, residing at the Naga hospital colony. The incident occurred inside the house at night after a hot debate heard by the neighbour, sources added. Till the time of filing this report no further details were divulged, stating that the case was sensitive and the victim's side were yet to register a complaint at the Police Station to know about the details. UNI AS RN 1300 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0311-1088426.Xml
The show of strength between father and son to take hold of the Samajwadi Party has taken aback the party legislators and ministers though it seems that the son Akhilesh Yadav has an edge against his father and party president Mulayam Singh Yadav. The meeting of the legislators called by Akhilesh has started this morning at 1030 hours where around 200 MLA,s MLCs and ministers have marked their presence, this will be followed by a meeting of the candidates for the coming elections convened by Mulayam Singh Yadav. The meeting has started at the CM's official residence where Ram Gopal Yadav, Dharmendra Yadav and other leaders are present along with Akhilesh Yadav. Several other ministers including Awadesh Prasad, Ahmed Hassan, Ram Govind Choudhury, Arvind Singh Gope, Pawan Pandey, Kamal Akhtar, Shankh Lal Manjhihabe are also present in the CM residence. According to the eye witness, the presence of leaders at the residence of Akhilesh has created some concern for the Mulayam- Shivpal camp as there are very less leaders at the state party office for their meeting. Mulayam's meeting would be held at the state party office at 1100 hours for the 393 party candidates announced by the party this week. Several ministers have openly sided with Akhilesh while some of the veteran leaders like Amar Singh, Beni Prasad Verma and others have come in support of Mulayam after the SP president yesterday sacked both Akhilesh and Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years. Senior SP leader and MLC Madhukar Jetley said that there are still ways to sort out the differences though the leader is said to be a staunch support of Mulayam. Atiq Ahmed, who got the ticket from Kanpur(Cantonment) seat by Mulayam which was an immediate reason for annoyance of Akhilesh also said that though his leader is Mulayam ,he thinks his choice for CM will always be Akhilesh. " If I am the reason for the dispute then I am ready to withdraw myself from contesting the assembly polls," he added. Atiq was at the state party office to attend the meeting of the candidates called by Mulayam. The Akhilesh faction which had called University auditorium to Janeshwar Mishra Park at 1100 hrs. The delegate meeting has turned into a public meeting and it is expected that Akhilesh would be announced as the President of the party. However, now the main fight between the two factions will be to get the cycle as the election symbol for which both the groups have approached the elections commission. A close associate of Mulayam hinted that they want that Akhilesh should be removed from the CM post and President's rule should be imposed and elections should be held under central rule. But a setback for the Mulayam camp, SP district president of Azamgarh, the parliamentary constituency of the SP president, Havaldar Yadav along with several party leaders have resigned from the party in support of Akhilesh. Similarly horde of leaders including spokespersons Juhi Singh, Naveed Siddique have also put down their papers. Reports of demonstrations and blockade of roads in different parts of the state was also pouring in with Akhilesh supporters protesting in Mainpuri, Etawah, Ghaziabad,Moradabad and other places. The fresh dispute between Mulayam - Akhilesh started from Christmas when Akhilesh handed over his list of candidates and later on Wednesday last Mulayam released the party's candidates list in which Akhilesh's supporters were ignored.UNI MB CJ 1306 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-1088267.Xml
Fight for power in a political family is not new and it is being repeated in Uttar Pradesh after a tussle took place between daughter and mother in the Apna Dal. The fight between Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and his chief minister son Akhilesh Yadav has reached to such a point of no return after Mr Mulayam Singh sacked his son from the party yesterday. However, if numbers are of any indication, Akhilesh has an edge as most of the relatives, having political inclinations, including RJD chief Lalu Prasad's son-in-law and Mainpuri MP Tej Pratap Singh, Badaun MP Dharmendra Yadav and his uncle, are supporting him and his political strategist Ram Gopal Yadav while Mulayam has the support of his younger brother Shivpal Yadav and few family members. The show of strength held today by both the groups also gave a clear picture that Akhilesh Yadav has held his fort while Mulayam Singh did not get such support which he was expecting. Of the 229 MLAs, around 200 are with Mr Akhilesh Yadav and only 20 have sided with the party patriarch. Several MLAs are still assessing the situation including senior minister Mohammad Azam Khan, who has called a meeting of Muslim legislators at his residence this afternoon so that an amicable solution is reached. Apna Dal of late Sone Lal Patel was also on the verge of collapse in the fight between daughter Anupriya Patel, a Union minister, and her mother Krishna Patel, who is the president of the party. Now the Election Commission has ceased the official symbol of the party till the matter is resolved. The Apna Dal supported the BJP in 2014 and got two seats in return. But, soon after the polls, a factional feud emerged between Ms Anupriya Patel and her mother over the control of the party. Relations soured to the extent that in May 2015, Ms Krishna Patel expelled her daughter from the party after they disagreed over the appointment of her sister Pallavi as the party's national vice-president. Since then both have staked claim to be the party president and a legal battle is on over it. While Ms Krishna Patel contends that her daughter no longer has a stake in the Apna Dal, the MP's bio-data on the Lok Sabha website still shows her as an Apna Dal member. The BJP has tried to project Ms Anupriya Patel as the true heir of Sone Lal Patel's legacy and party president Amit Shah even addressed a rally in Varanasi on the 67th birth anniversary of the Kurmi leader and her father Sone Lal Patel.UNI MB RSA 1314 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-1088311.Xml
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COLUMBIA, Mo.  Support of Donald Trump from white evangelical Christians in his surprise election as president of the United States was voted the No. 1 story of 2016 in the Religion News Association's annual Top 10 Religion Stories of the Year Poll.

Trump's election alarmed many on account of comments in which the president-elect vilified Muslims and illegal immigrants and in which white supremacists enthusiastically supported him. But others said they voted for the GOP candidate because of his stances against abortion and illegal immigration and in favor of gun rights and conservative judicial nominations, as well as concerns over the economy and terrorism. Support for Trump was strong among white Christians, especially evangelicals, despite disagreement among their leaders.

Religion Newsmaker of the Year honors are shared this year between Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the Muslim Gold Star parents of U.S. Army Captain Humayun Khan, who was killed in Iraq. The Khans appeared at the Democratic National Convention this July where they denounced Mr. Trump's proposed ban on Muslims entering the country as unconstitutional. President-elect Trump was runner-up in the newsmaker poll, while members of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, who gained national attention while protesting a pipeline route through what they consider sacred lands, received third place.

This also marks the first time in four years that Pope Francis hasn't landed at the top of the newsmaker list. He was voted Newsmaker of the Year three consecutive years beginning in 2013.

Religion News Association members have voted in the annual poll for nearly four decades. RNA is an international journalism association for people who write about religion in the news media. It offers training and tools to help journalists cover religion with balance, accuracy and insight.

Here are the top 10 stories:

1. Donald Trump gets strong support from white Christians, especially evangelicals, in an upset presidential election. Many were alarmed by his vilifying Muslims and illegal immigrants and his backing from white supremacists. GOP keeps majorities in Congress.

2. Post-election assaults and vandalism target Muslims and other minorities. Some assailants cite Donald Trump's victory as validation. Critics denounce the appointment of Stephen Bannon as White House strategist over his ties to white supremacists.

3. Standing Rock Sioux members demonstrate against the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota, which they say will foul water and sacred lands. Clergy and religious activists from around the country join in protests.

4. A busy Pope Francis urges a pastoral approach to the divorced-and-remarried in the apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia. His Mass at the U.S.-Mexico border supports immigrants; he speaks of Donald Trump's proposed border wall as not Christian.

5. At least 4,600 migrants are killed in Mediterranean shipwrecks while fleeing conflicts, many with religious dimensions, in Africa and Asia. The ongoing crisis fuels anti-migrant, rightward political shifts in Europe, including Brexit.

6. Terrorists linked to, or inspired by, the Islamic State kill scores and injure hundreds in Turkey, Belgium, France and Germany.

7. Left-leaning religious "Nones" fail to deliver needed votes for Democrats in the election.

8. #BlackLivesMatter protests continue with clergy and religious participation following high-profile shootings of African-Americans by police. Clergy also play a prominent role in uniting communities after deadly shootings of police officers.

9. Although white evangelicals voted Trump by a 4-1 margin, their leaders split sharply. Many evangelicals of color opposed him. Supporters cited pledges of conservative policies and court picks; opponents his alleged misconduct and racist comments.

10. Omar Mateen, claiming allegiance to the Islamic State, shoots and kills 49, wounds 53 at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Other home-grown terrorists injure dozens at a Minnesota mall, Ohio State University and the New York City area.
"I have the pleasure to extend warm greetings and felicitations to Your Excellency and to the friendly people of Sudan on the occasion of your Independence Day," Mukherjee said in his message to his Sudanese counterpart Omar Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir.

"India and Sudan have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations. I am confident that our co-operation will be further strengthened in the years to come," he said.

Sudan is a North African country and celebrates its Independence Day on January 1.

--IANS ruwa/ksk/bg

( 104 Words)

2016-12-31-14:20:07 (IANS)
Governor E S L Narasimhan.Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, his Cabinet Colleagues, top Civil and Defence officials were among those who saw the President off at the Airport at Hakimpet in Secunderabad.

During his sojourn, the President had attended a number of functions in the city and in Karnataka and Kerala.

On the eve of his departure, Mr Mukherjee hosted the customary 'At Home' on the lawns of Rashtrapathi Nilayam in Bolarum last evening which was attended by Mr Narasimhan, Mr Rao and eminent people from various walks of life.UNI SMS CS 1451

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Commissioner of Police N S Megharik said over 10,000 policemenand officers have been deployed across the city. This includeReserve police, and Armed state police of over 50 platoons.

Besides hundreds of CCTV cameras have been installed across themetropolis and watch towers set up at strategic points. The tradersin downtown Brigade Road and M G Road have been cooperating andinstalled surveillance systems on their own, he said.

''We will keep strict vigil against anyone causing trouble.Anyone break law and order will be dealt strictly. They will beimmediately detained and reported to the courts.

''Especially, we will crack down on drag racing and 'wheeling' byyouth riding on two-wheelers. This menace will be dealt withseriously,'' he said.

Traffic restrictions have been imposed at various places besidesdowntown area and other roads include Kamaraj Road, CommercialStreet, Cubbon road, Shivajinagar and other busy areas.

Dog squads made rounds in place that will see heavy congregation of revelers, while bomb disposal squads were also kept ready for any eventuality, the top Cop said. UNI RS MSP CS 1530

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In an anti-climactic development for its political rivals, the Samajwadi Party on Saturday revoked the expulsion of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav. Only hours earlier, on Friday, both were ousted from the party for six years on charges of indiscipline and anti-party activities. The decision to revoke the expulsions was taken soon after meetings to broker peace between SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh Yadav were held at the senior Yadav's 5 Vikramaditya Marg residence here. After a closed-door meeting between Mulayam, Akhilesh, minister Azam Khan and state unit chief Shivpal Singh Yadav, orders were issued to withdraw the expulsions with immediate effect. The Samajwadi Party soon removed the expulsion letters of both Akhilesh and Ram Gopal from its website. "As per the directions of Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav), the expulsion of Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav has been revoked with immediate effect," Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav tweeted. Shivpal Singh Yadav, who is Akhilesh's uncle, said the SP will fight the 2017 assembly elections unitedly to defeat the communal forces. He also said that a new list of party candidates would be discussed and released later on. Shivpal, who was backing his brother Mulayam Singh in the party infighting, said all was now well within the party. Earlier, a meeting of party MLAs was called by the Chief Minister where almost 200 legislators turned up, signalling that Akhilesh enjoyed the support of a majority of party legislators. Following a poor turnout at its own meeting, the Mulayam camp cancelled it and Urban Development Minister Azam, who is one of the founding members of the party, began brokering peace between the warring father-son duo. Azam Khan was sent to the Chief Minister's camp with a message that he should show some flexibility. Soon, Azam Khan drove back to Mulayam's residence along with the Chief Minister. Akhilesh reportedly touched Mulayam's feet and said he wanted to gift him an electoral victory in the state. "The two got emotional and the stage was set for Akhilesh's return to the Samajwadi Party fold," a source told IANS. Mulayam was reluctant to take back cousin Ram Gopal Yadav, but yielded after persuasion by his son. Mulayam, however, stood his ground on senior party leader Amar Singh's retention in the party. The SP supremo, a former Chief Minister and ex-Defence Minister, refused to throw Amar Singh out of the party, as demanded by Akhilesh. Yadav senior reportedly wondered aloud what wrong had Singh done to the Chief Minister. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, however, accused the SP's first family of enacting a drama to take public attention away from the real issues. --IANS md/tsb/bg ( 466 Words) 2016-12-31-16:04:07 (IANS)
Baijal was administered the oath of office by Delhi High Court Chief Justice G. Rohini at the Lt. Governor's Office here.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his cabinet colleagues and senior officers of the Union and Delhi governments were present at the ceremony.

Soon after, Kejriwal took to Twitter to welcome Baijal's appointment.

"We welcome you sir. We look forward to work together for Delhi's development," Kejriwal tweeted.

Jung, who resigned on December 22 was at loggerheads with Kejriwal and his ministers ever since the Aam Aadmi Party swept to power in the national capital in February 2015.

In his first message to Delhi residents soon after taking charge as Delhi's Lt Governor, Baijal extended his greetings to the people for the New Year.

"On New Year Eve, Lt. Governor Anil Baijal extends his warmest greetings to all the residents of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the citizens of India," a statement said.

Baijal, a 1969-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, retired from service in 2006.

In his 37-year-long career as a top bureaucrat, Baijal held several posts, including those of the Union Home Secretary, Chairman and Managing Director of Indian Airlines, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Joint Secretary and Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

--IANS vv/tsb/bg

( 248 Words)

2016-12-31-16:58:07 (IANS)
They said militants fired at a police naka party at Handwara in Kupwara, resulting in injuries to one policeman, identified as Abdul Kareem.

The injured was immediately taken to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

The militants managed to escape. They said, a massive search operation has been launched to nab the militants responsible for the attack.UNI ABS SHS SHK 2007

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HELENA  Montana Gov. Steve Bullock will kick off his second term Monday with a swearing-in ceremony to be held hours before the state Legislature convenes in a session that is expected to focus on a tightening state budget.

Bullock and Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney will be the only Democrats among the statewide elected officials taking the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda. In November's election, Republicans took the offices of secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction and state auditor, while Republican Attorney General Tim Fox was re-elected by a wide margin.

Bullock also will be facing a Republican-led legislature whose leaders are skeptical of the Democrat's proposed two-year spending plan in the face of less-than-expected state revenue.

Bullock has proposed increasing state spending 1.4 percent over the next two years and boosting revenue by increasing taxes on the wealthy, tobacco and wine, and adding a new medical marijuana tax. The governor's budget plan also includes a $293 million infrastructure package and new initiatives like a statewide preschool program.

Republican Senate leaders have already said they want to scrap the preschool program and use the money to make sure highway projects stay on track, instead. Incoming Senate President Scott Sales and House Speaker Austin Knudsen have also said they aren't interested in raising taxes, and that spending would have to be reduced beyond Bullock's plans in order to balance the budget.

They also said they plan to take a hard look at Bullock's infrastructure package, which would help roads, water and sewer systems in eastern Montana, but also includes other projects previously rejected by GOP lawmakers. The package would be partially paid for with state bonds, although some Republicans have previously resisted going into debt to pay for infrastructure projects.

The House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees will hold a joint meeting Wednesday to take an initial look at the state spending plan and outline their budget priorities.

Lawmakers are also expected to consider a variety of bills that include prison sentencing reforms and reshaping the state's troubled public defender's office. Bills also have been requested to respond to a voter initiative that expanded medical marijuana distribution, to give communities more say on refugee resettlements and to blunt the economic effects of a planned shutdown of two of the Colstrip power plant's units by 2023.

But lawmakers from both parties say the main focus will be on the budget crunch caused by a downturn in the energy industry, which led to drops in production taxes and less-than-expected corporate income taxes and individual income taxes collected by the state.

"We're here to get an infrastructure bill passed, to make sure our tax system is fair and to balance the budget," incoming House Minority Leader Jenny Eck, D-Helena, said in a recent interview. "Those are the priorities."
Following are the key highlights of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on New Year's eve, where he set the road map for the country post-demonetisation of Rs.1000 and Rs.500 currency notes: Crores of Indians wanted freedom from stifling corruption. Intellectuals will later discuss how citizens step out to fight internal impurities Hardship faced by citizens will be a shining example of how foundation for a bright future is laid. This is a historic example of how govt and citizens are together fighting for truth and virtue. What India has done is unprecedented in world history. Yes, lack of cash gives pain, but more cash is more painful. Only 24 lakh people in India have declared that that their income is more than 10 lakh per annum. Will anyone accept or digest this? See the large number of cars and bungalows. There are lakhs of such people in each city. The money that was outside the economic mainstream is back. Technology has helped. Terrorism, naxalism, Maoism, drug trade, human trafficking, etc that rely on black money have been attacked by this decision of demonetisation. Bank employees and authorities along with people have done exemplary work, yes there have been reports of a few indulging in corruption. Home loans for poor and middle class of upto Rs nine lakh to get four percent exemption on interest and those upto Rs 12 lakh to get three percent exemption under PM Awas Yojana. Also, on Rs. 20 lakh loan, two percent rebate will be given. Three crore kisan credit cards will be converted to Rupay cards. Also, 60 days of interest will be given and credit to their accounts. For Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), increase in credit guarantee for them to two crore from one crore. NBFC loans will also be covered under this scheme. Rs 6000 assistance will be provided to pregnant women for registration, delivery, vaccination, nutrition. The assistance money will be transferred to their account For senior citizens - on up to 7.5 lakh Rs deposit, yearly eight percent interest will be there for 10 years. The BHIM app was started and I urge people to make use of it. Let all scholars evaluate these policies of ours. In 1917, there was Gandhi's Champaran Satyagraha. After 100 years too, there is value for honesty in India. Today there is no Gandhi but his path is relevant. We have youth, ability, resources. Let's all come together and develop India.(ANI)
Police arrested eight criminals, involved in murder of Mukhiya of Nirpur Panchayat Sivendra Kumar, in Nalanda district. Police Superintendent Kumar Ashish said here today that eight criminals involved in murder of Mukhiya, were arrested at various places in Patna and Nalanda district by a special team constituted to crack the case. " Two pistols, few live cartridges, one car, one motorcycle and seven cell phones were recovered from the possession of the arrested criminals," Mr Ashish said adding that they were being interrogated in this connection. As it is, Mukhiya of Nirpur Panchayat Sivendra Kumar was shot deadwhile he was on way to Noorsarai station on November 30 in Nalandadistrict.UNI XC KKS BM -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-1089324.Xml
Stating that political parties, political leaders and electoral funding figure prominently in any debate on corruption and black money, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his second address to the nation in 51 days, said Saturday that the time has now come that all political leaders and parties respect the feelings of the nation's honest citizens, and understand the anger of the people. "It is true that from time to time, political parties have made constructive efforts to improve the system. I urge all parties and leaders to move away from a "holier than thou approach," to come together in prioritising transparency, and take firm steps to free politics of black money and corruption, Modi said during his 43-minute-long address. On the issue of electoral funding, he said, "In our country, people ranging from the common man to the President, have at some point or another, advocated simultaneous conduct of state and national elections. This is to break the endless cycle of elections, reduce election expenditure, and minimise pressure on the administrative machinery. The time has come for this to be seriously considered and debated. Emphasizing that positive change has always found space in India, Prime Minister Modi said, "We can now see a positive momentum towards digital transactions in India. More and more people are transacting digitally." In this regard, he made a special mention of what he called the new swadeshi platform for digital transactions - named BHIM after Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. "BHIM stands for Bharat Interface for Money. I call upon the youth, the trading community, and farmers to connect with BHIM as much as possible. Friends, the developments, decisions, and policies that were put in place after Diwali, will of course be evaluated by economists. It will be good if social scientists also do the same. Prime Minister Modi had last addressed the nation on November 8, when he suddenly abolished 500 and 1,000 rupee notes in a decision aimed at combating corruption and black or undeclared money. The Prime Minister's move took out 86 per cent of the money in circulation and he had requested people to allow him 50 days to ease the cash crunch that followed, promising that the "short term pain" would be followed by long-term gain." A deadline to exchange old notes at banks ended yesterday (Friday, December 30.) As part of the demonetisation drive, how much money can be withdrawn from ATMs and banks will remain controlled for now. Starting tomorrow (January1), the daily limit on ATM withdrawals will go up to Rs. 4,500 rupees from Rs. 2,500, but the weekly cap on withdrawals from bank accounts stays capped at Rs. 24,000 rupees. The Reserve Bank of India has not indicated when the limits will be relaxed or removed. The opposition united in attacking him for failing to anticipate how hard the notes ban would affect people, particularly in rural India where banks are tough to access. While cash shortages have eased somewhat, bankers and analysts said the situation is far from normal and could last at least another six months. They said the move could hit economic growth and lead to job losses and a drop in demand for goods. The government has refuted these predictions. (ANI)
Rami Abdulrahman, Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said the ceasefire between forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and opposition groups was being respected in around 90 per cent of the areas included in the deal.

According to the Observatory, a man was killed by a sniper in the rebel-held eastern Ghouta areas of Damascus making him the first death since the ceasefire came into effect.

The Observatory registered a few other violations of the ceasefire by rebels in the southern province of Daraa and by government forces in the Damascus, Hama and Idlib regions.

In the Christian-majority town of Khabab, in northern Daraa and under government control, several people were injured by mortar fire launched by rebel groups.

The SOHR also informed of Syrian Army bombings against areas in the north of Hama province, in the south of Aleppo and in the Barada river valley in Damascus.

The ceasefire agreement, hammered out between Russia and Turkey, was backed by the Syrian Army's General Command, the Syrian Armed Forces and rebel factions.

The deal aims to lead the way towards a new round of peace talks, scheduled to begin towards the end of January 2017 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

--IANS lok/

( 246 Words)

2016-12-31-01:36:07 (IANS)
Jamiat Ulema-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that if military courts were given a permanent status, it would tantamount to confessing that the government has failed to achieve the targets of the National Action Plan (NAP) which was set up to crack down on terrorism. The JUI-F chief said his party didn't support such move and wanted the government to strengthen civil courts, reports the Dawn. "The grant of extension to military courts will be a confession on part of the government that it has failed to achieve the goals of the NAP during the last two years," he said. Rehman said not only giving military courts a permanent status would create an impression that the judges of civil courts were not bold but also it would be an insult to the judicial system. The military courts were initially setup for two years following the December 2014 Peshawar Army Public School attack that killed 132 children as part of the NAP. The tenure of these courts is to expire on January 7 but according to reports, the Pakistan Interior Ministry has decided to grant permanent status to them. The Interior Ministry has prepared the draft of a new law, integrating the Protection of Pakistan Act and Anti-Terrorism Act, and sought opinion of the Law Ministry on it. The draft will be presented in parliament after final approval from Law Minister Zahid Hamid. Rehman also complained that military courts were set up to try the people associated with different religions, which was totally unfair. He added that seminaries and specific people in society were targeted under the NAP. The JUI-F chief said other factors for terrorism were ignored and that military courts were tasked with conducting trial of the people involved in religious terrorism. Asked if he'd taken up the issue of military courts with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the recent meeting, he said a summary regarding the extension was sent to the interior ministry after his meeting with the premier. He claimed 'innocent people' tried in military courts had been executed. (ANI)
A Pakistani Senator has warned that the withdrawal of Protection of Minorities Bill, unanimously passed by elected members of the provincial assembly, due to mounting pressure of the clerics, will create a worrying precedent. Senator Farhatullah Babar, while speaking at a conference on 'Challenges to civic freedoms in Pakistan' on Thursday, said: "Withdrawing a bill before the governor has put his signature on it won't be a proper step." He said the legislators should have waited till the governor had signed the bill and then they could have carried out the required and necessary amendments, reports the Dawn. "Plus, the reservation of the religious bloc against the bill that declared marriage of anyone under the age of 18 as unconstitutional is not reasonable. Removal of this clause will undermine the law," he added. Some parts of the recent legislation did not go down well with the clerics, which the speakers pointed out and discussed at length. Sindh Human Rights Commission of Pakistan chairperson retired Justice Majida Rizvi said: "If the age factor is taken out of the bill, it will mean depriving the law of its teeth." She said it was the duty of civil society and the stakeholders to raise their voice whenever the authorities failed to implement the law. "I don't know why the government is paying heed to the clerics. It's probably because of the elections but these sections don't [form] a large vote bank," she argued. (ANI)
Two women each with eleven children were awarded the Order of the Republic, while the other two with 12 and 13 children respectively, received the Order of Honour, the presidential press service announced.

The landlocked country of Moldova in Eastern Europe, bordered by Romania on one side and Ukraine on the three other, suffers from "a very serious demographic problem".

The awards were conferred as a sign of high appreciation to these women for consolidating the family institution and contributions towards creating socially responsible family, Xinhua news reported on Saturday.

Dodon said that it was high time to encourage through special mentions and financial support the families with many children in the country where in many villages no child was born in a year.

The President also said he would initiate legislative amendments to ensure support for the families with many children.

--IANS in/

( 176 Words)

2016-12-31-08:18:07 (IANS)
China's military has become alarmed by what it sees as US President-elect Donald Trump's support of Taiwan and is considering strong measures to prevent the island from moving toward independence, sources with ties to senior military officers said.Three sources said one possibility being considered was conducting war games near the self-ruled island that China considers as a breakaway province. Another was a series of economic measures to cripple Taiwan.It was not clear whether any decisions had been taken, but the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Taiwan issue had become a hot topic within the upper echelons of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) in recent weeks.Trump, due to take office on January 20, angered Beijing this month by speaking to Taiwan's president by telephone, breaking decades of precedent and casting doubt on his incoming administration's commitment to Beijing's "one China" policy. Beijing fears this could embolden supporters of independence in Taiwan."If Trump challenges 'one China' after becoming president, this would cross our red line," said another source, who has ties to China's leadership.China's defence ministry declined to comment. An official at the ministry's news department said China's position was clearly laid out in the 2005 Anti-Secession Law, which authorises the use of force against Taiwan in the event China judges it to have seceded.Asked about any possible aggressive moves from China, Taiwan defence ministry spokesman Chen Chung-shi said: "We are fully prepared, and plan for the worst while preparing for the best."China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its sacred and inviolable territory and is deeply suspicious of President Tsai Ing-wen, whose ruling Democratic Progressive Party espouses the island's independence. Tsai, who took power this year, says she wants to maintain peace with China, but China is unconvinced.Tsai said today that Taiwan will be "calm" when facing issues to do with China, but uncertainties next year will test the self-ruled island and its national security team.Beijing has also been angered by a trip planned by Tsai in January to Latin America in which she will transit through Houston and San Francisco. China has urged the United States to block the stopovers.Chinese officials have blamed Taiwan for creating trouble rather than Trump, and many of them believe he will be more accommodating to China once in office."We're ready. If Taiwan wants to make trouble so can we. Let's hit them hard," said an official in Beijing who meets regularly with China's most senior military officers, including those who work directly with President Xi Jinping."We can hold exercises close to Taiwan, and show them the damage we could cause. Taiwan will have to give in then," the official added, citing a recent conversation with one of the military officers.ONE CHINA POLICYThe United States is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, but it's unclear if the United States would send troops in the event of war between China and Taiwan.Washington also acknowledges Beijing's position that there is only one China and Taiwan is its territory.A retired senior officer who maintains contacts with the PLA told Reuters that China probably wouldn't need to fire any missiles to bring Taiwan to its knees. China is Taiwan's largest trading partner, and Taiwan runs a huge trade surplus with China, worth 27 billion dollars in 2015."We can just cut them off economically. No more direct flights, no more trade. Nothing. Taiwan would not last long," the officer said. "There would be no need for war."In addition, any Western economic blockade of China put in place in the event of war with Taiwan would also be damaging to China, already dealing with a slowing economy.A US defence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Chinese actions had been more provocative in the past month, since Trump won the US election and made comments about Taiwan.This month, a Chinese naval flotilla headed by its sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, took part in drills that took it around Taiwan.Chinese air force jets have performed similar drills in recent weeks, flying close to the island, though China has officially called the air force and naval exercises routine.China also scored a diplomatic victory when tiny Sao Tome and Principe switched recognition to Beijing from Taiwan. REUTERS AKC RK0928 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0432-1088220.Xml
Greek ambassador to Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis' wife, Francoise Amiridis, was arrested for ordering the envoy's death, Brazilian police has said. Francoise had the help of local policeman Sergio Gomes Moreira Filho, her lover, and his cousin Eduardo de Melo, Xinhua news agency quoted police as saying on Friday. They confessed to the murder and were arrested as well. Investigators said Melo confessed that the ambassador's wife had offered 80,000 reais ($24,400) for his help in the crime. However, Filho denied Francoise's participation in the crime. Francoise also denied her participation in the murder, but police confirmed her involvement. The ambassador was last seen alive on Monday, but his wife only reported his disappearance on Wednesday. On Thursday, Amiridis' rented car was found burnt, with a corpse inside. Police here on Friday said the burnt body was of Amiridis. It believed Amiridis was killed inside his house in Nova Iguacu here. Investigators reportedly found blood stains on a sofa at the house. Filho said he fought with the ambassador and killed him with Amiridis' gun. According to neighbours, they did not hear any shots and police are investigating whether Amiridis was shot to death or stabbed. Filho used Amiridis' rented car to take the body from the house and dispose off it. Security cameras confirmed that both Filho and Melo were in the ambassador's house on Monday night and in the early hours of Tuesday. The Brazilian government on Friday sent a message of condolences to Greece over the murder of the ambassador. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry published a message regretting the ambassador's death and offering condolences to his friends and family, as well as to the people and the government of Greece. "Amiridis was serving in Brazil for the second time. At the helm of the Greek embassy to Brazil, he had been carrying out an intense work to deepen the relations between the two countries," it said. Brazilian President Michel Temer also sent personal letters to Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, assuring that the country's authorities were conducting an investigation into the murder and that the government was willing to fully cooperate with Greece. --IANS py/bg ( 374 Words) 2016-12-31-16:06:07 (IANS)
Britain's decision to leave the European Union has fuelled an 80-fold increase in the number of British Hispanic Jews seeking Portuguese citizenship under a recent law. The law is intended to make amends for their ancestors' expulsion from the Iberian Peninsula more than 500 years ago. Last year both Spain and Portugal brought in legislation to facilitate the return of the descendants of the thousands of Jews who were forced from the countries at the end of the 15th century, reports the Guardian. The Spanish government said the offer of citizenship was intended to right the "historical wrong" that saw the country's Jewish community exiled, forced to convert to Catholicism or burned at the stake. Portugal said that while there was no way to make up for what had been done, the offer of citizenship represented "an attribution of a right". In the wake of June's Brexit vote, however, a rapidly increasing number of British Sephardic Jews have been applying for Portuguese citizenship as a way to deal with the uncertainty created by the leave victory. According to the Jewish Community of Oporto - which, along with the Lisbon Jewish community, is certifying applicants - demand from the UK has soared since 23 June. Dr Michael Rothwell, a delegate to the community, said it had received just five applications before Brexit compared with 400 in the two months following the vote. "I think people are a bit nervous about this and therefore feel that having a European Union passport would be an advantage even if they are not necessarily planning to move to Portugal," he said. "Having citizenship of an EU country has its benefits." (ANI)
More than 3 inches of snow on Friday pushed the city of Billings over a December snowfall record set in 1955 and put totals for the month hovering below 30 inches, according to the National Weather Service in Billings.

As of 4 p.m., snowfall for Friday measured 3.3 inches at the airport and put the total for December at 29.8 inches, said Julie Arthur, an NWS meteorologist in Billings.

Arthur said NWS records for Billings date back to 1934. "It's pretty big," she said, of breaking the 1955 record of 28.8 inches. Snowfall for December 2016 surpassed totals for the entirety of the previous winter when Billings experienced a combined 28.1 inches of snow, Arthur said.

Speaking at around 6 p.m., Arthur said snowfall for the day was expected to taper off soon and that New Year's Eve should be precipitation free, with a high of 30 and an overnight low of 11.

"Then everything changes on Sunday," Arthur said. "We have an Arctic cold front coming south out of Canada that's going to usher in snow and much colder air."

Beginning in the late morning and early afternoon on Sunday, snow will again fall over Billings, dropping between 4 and 6 inches before tapering off Monday evening, Arthur said.

Despite the snow, Arthur said blizzard conditions are not expected for Billings.

Sunday's temperature should peak around 18 and fall throughout the day. Monday Billings will see a high of 3 and an overnight low of negative 14, and a windchill factor possibly dipping down to negative 25 by Tuesday morning. The high for Tuesday is expected to be negative 4, Arthur said.

Temperatures will rise gradually throughout the week, making a high of 10 possible on Thursday and a high of 9 possible on Friday, but the cold is expected to stay. Forecast models showed below-average temperatures as far out as three weeks, Arthur said.

"Unfortunately there's not too much warming predicted on the horizon," Arthur said. "It could be quite a prolonged cold period."
Two bombs claimed by Islamic State killed 25 people in central Baghdad today, as fighting intensified in the northern city of Mosul where government forces are trying to rout the jihadists from their last major stronghold in the country.The blasts, including one suicide attack, tore through a busy market in the Sinak neighbourhood, police said. A pro-Islamic State news agency said the assailants had targeted Shi'ite Muslims, whom they regard as apostates.Islamic State has continued to launch attacks in the heavily fortified capital, even after losing most of the northern and western territory it seized in 2014.The recapture of Mosul would probably spell the end for Islamic State's self-styled caliphate, but the militants would still be capable of fighting a guerrilla-style insurgency in Iraq, and plotting or inspiring attacks on the West.The second phase of a US-backed offensive launched on Thursday following weeks of deadlock has encountered fierce resistance. Conventional US forces deploying more extensively in this phase are now visible very close to the front lines.The third day of the renewed push saw heavy clashes on the southeastern and northern fronts.BATTLE FOR MOSULAn elite Interior Ministry unit continued to push on Saturday through the Intisar district, where a US-trained army unit had struggled to advance for after entering the southeast district last month.Heavy gunfire was audible and attack helicopters fired overhead as hundreds of civilians fled their homes, a Reuters cameraman said.In the north, a separate army unit pressed towards the border of Mosul proper after recapturing several outlying villages in the past two days."There is a battle in Argoob area, which is considered the gateway to Hadba," Lieutenant Colonel Abbas al-Azawi said by phone, referring to a strategic northern neighbourhood.Since the offensive began on Oct 17, elite forces have retaken a quarter of Mosul in the biggest ground operation there since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said the group would be driven out of Iraq by April.Although the militants are vastly outnumbered, they have embedded themselves among Mosul residents, hindering Iraqi forces who are trying to avoid civilian casualties. Despite food and water shortages, most civilians have stayed in their homes rather than fleeing as had been expected.One resident reached by phone late on Friday said a rocket had landed on a house in the eastern Mithaq district, killing six members of one family."We have not seen Daesh since the Iraqi forces restarted their offensive," he told Reuters. "We hear the sounds of large car bombs. Today I heard no fewer than 10 huge explosions."REUTERS SW VP1615 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0101-1088711.Xml
Syrian rebel groups threatened today to abandon a two-day-old truce if violations continued, and urged the UN Security Council not to endorse the deal until the Syrian government and its ally Russia had shown they would respect it.The deal, brokered during the week by Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides, reduced the level of violence, but firefights, air strikes and shelling continued in some areas.Factions belonging to the Free Syrian Army - a loose alliance of militias excluding more radical Islamist groups - said government forces and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters had been trying to push rebels back in the Wadi Barada valley, northwest of Damascus."Continued violations by the regime and bombardment and attempts to attack areas under the control of the revolutionary factions will make the agreement null and void," said a statement from the rebel groups.The rebels and political opposition said the government side was massing forces to launch a ground attack in the area. There has been no new announcement by the military since it launched operations in the area last week.FSA factions said in a separate statement later on Friday they would abandon the truce deal if Russia did not use its influence to halt the Wadi Barada attacks by 8 p.m. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group confirmed clashes in the area, source of most of the capital's water, and also said there had been government shelling in the southern provinces of Quneitra and Deraa.Russia's Defence Ministry said on Friday that rebels had violated the truce 12 times in 24 hours. Much of Friday's violence took place along the border between Hama and Idlib provinces in northwest Syria.THIRD CEASEFIREThe British-based Observatory said the level of fighting had fallen on Saturday, and the truce was not currently at risk, although one rebel official said it was "in serious danger".In their statement, the rebels said it appeared the government and opposition had signed two different versions of the ceasefire deal, one of which was missing "a number of key and essential points that are non-negotiable", but did not say what those were.The ceasefire deal is the third this year, but the first not to involve the United States or the United Nations, as Russia and Iran have turned the tide of the war in favour of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.Russia urged the U.N. Security Council on Friday to give its blessing to the deal, due to be followed by peace talks in the Kazakh capital, Astana, and requested that a vote be held on Saturday.Diplomats studied the text overnight, but it was not clear whether a vote would be held later.The conflict has killed more than 300,000 people and made more than 11 million homeless.Even with a successful truce between Assad and the main armed opposition, the multi-sided conflict will continue.In particular, Turkey is trying to push back Kurdish forces and the jihadist Islamic State, both excluded from the deal, from areas south of its border.The position of other Islamist groups such as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and Ahrar al-Sham with regard to the ceasefire is unclear, although both have criticised it.REUTERS SHS AN2242 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0329-1089360.Xml
Speaking of the eventful Turkey in 2016, Erdogan mourned the victims killed in attacks by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Islamic State (IS) militants as well as in the failed coup attempt on July 15, Xinhua news agency reported.

Turkey is in "a new independence war", Erdogan said, vowing that Turkey will take measures to ensure domestic security and democracy.

The coup attempt was "undoubtedly" the vilest terror act and an invasion attempt within Turkey's republican era, he said.

The Turkish President stressed that Turkey will continue to clear all Gulenists through lawful means in 2017.

He also pledged that all these terrorist activities would not divert Turkey from its path to the 2023 goals, when the country would celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding.

Turkey is entering the new year with "new hopes and expectations", Erdogan said.

In 2017, Turkey will not only destroy terrorist organisations but also achieve greater economic success, he said.

--IANS lok/

( 195 Words)

2017-01-01-03:20:08 (IANS)
BAGHDAD, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces on Friday continued grueling clashes with Islamic State (IS) militants in the second day of a renewed advance to retake control of the city of Mosul, despite strong resistance by the extremist militants, the Iraqi military said.

Members of the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) continued their slow advance to clear the remaining parts of al-Quds, districts of eastern Mosul, while managed to make a progress in the nearby al-Karama amid heavy clashes with the militants, a statement by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said.

In northern front, the soldiers of the army's 16th Division cleared new areas, including a medicine factory and a poultry slaughterhouse near the northern outer edge of Mosul, the statement said.

In southeastern Mosul, the federal police with the soldiers of the 9th Armored Division continued their fierce clashes with IS militants and managed to push the IS front line back and gained control of new buildings in the three neighborhoods of al-Entisar, al-Salam and al-Shaimaa, the statement added.

For the second day of heavy clashes, the troops made limited progress inside the three neighborhoods, which already were battleground of fierce clashes between the troops and IS militants in the past weeks.

According to the statement, IS militants carried out several counter-attacks against the attacking troops in an attempt to foil the troops' operations and to inflict heavy casualties among them.

Dozens of IS militants, backed by booby-trapped cars, attacked the federal police and the 9th Division soldier in southeastern part of the city, but the troops repelled their attacks, killing some 98 militants, according to the statement.

The troops also destroyed 15 booby-trapped cars, in addition to destroying a vehicle carrying heavy machine gun, it said.

Another IS attack was repelled by the 16th Division soldiers and U.S.-led coalition aircraft when the extremist militants attacked their positions in the northern edge of the city, leaving some 70 IS militants killed and 12 car bombs destroyed, the statement said.

In eastern Mosul, the elite CTS forces fought back an IS counter-attack during the day, leaving 50 IS militants killed and destroying two suicide car bombs and two vehicle carrying heavy machine guns, it said.

The battles in Mosul came as the elite CTS forces, army troops and federal police launched in the early morning the second phase of a major offensive to free Mosul, and the troops made their new push into several neighborhoods in the eastern side of Mosul, locally known as the left bank of the Tigris which bisects the city.

For the second day of a new push to free the remaining neighborhoods of the eastern bank of the city, the troops are facing stiff resistance by the extremist militants. The elite CTS forces have pushed in eastern Mosul since late October, but regular army and federal police forces tasked with advancing from north and south made slower advance and failed, so far, to reunite with the CTS troops inside the city.

In the past few weeks, the battles in Mosul were slowed amid grueling fighting inside Mosul with extremist militants, who used the city's civilians as human shields, carried out brutal counter attacks in small groups moving quickly throughout the districts, and resorted to suicide car bombs, in addition to mortar and sniper attacks.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Oct. 17 announced a major offensive to retake Mosul, the country's second largest city.

Since then, 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 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.
Journalists are seen outside the Russian Embassy to the United States in Washington D.C., the United States, on Dec. 29, 2016. The White House on Thursday announced sanctions against Russian entities and individuals over alleged hacking during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. In addition, the U.S. State Department on Thursday announced ejection of 35 Russian government officials from the United States. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Friday praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as "very smart" for holding off on retaliatory actions after Obama administration's new sanctions.

"Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!" Trump wrote on Twitter.

Putin said Friday that Russia will not expel anyone despite Washington's latest sanctions, according to the Kremlin press service.

"We will not create problems for American diplomats. We will not expel anyone," Putin said in a statement.

Three weeks before leaving office, U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday struck back at Russia over alleged election hacking.

Nine Russian entities and individuals, including two Russian intelligence services, were sanctioned for their alleged interfering with the U.S. election, Obama said in a statement.

In addition, the U.S. State Department on Thursday announced ejection of 35 Russian government officials from the United States, calling them "acting in a manner inconsistent with their diplomatic status."

Two Russian government-owned compounds, one in U.S. State of Maryland and one in New York, would also soon be shuttered, according to the State Department.

Putin regretted that Obama was finishing his term by imposing new sanctions against Moscow, saying that Moscow considered new unfriendly steps of the outgoing U.S. administration a "provocation aimed at further undermining the Russia-U.S. relations."

Related:

Putin says Russia not to expel anyone despite U.S. sanctions

MOSCOW, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Russia will not expel anyone despite Washington's latest sanctions, according to the Kremlin press service.

"We will not create problems for American diplomats. We will not expel anyone," Putin said in a statement. Full story

Spotlight: U.S. sanctions Russia over alleged election hacking, Moscow threatens to retaliate

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Three weeks before leaving office, U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday struck back at Russia over alleged election hacking in a move to box in his successor Donald Trump who had so far showed willingness to work with Russia.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Police in Rio de Janeiro announced on Friday that a burnt body found earlier this week was identified as Greek ambassador to Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis, and that a local policeman, who had been having an affair with the ambassador's wife, confessed to his murder.

The police issued arrest warrants against four people: Francoise Amiridis, the ambassador's wife; her lover, policeman Sergio Gomes Moreira Filho; and two unidentified people.

According to the police, the ambassador was killed inside a property in Nova Iguacu, near Rio, with his body then taken from the site in a car he had rented, which was burnt and abandoned.

Amiridis was stationed in Brasilia, but was spending his Christmas holidays in Nova Iguacu, where his wife's family lives. He had reportedly bought a house near the home of his in-laws.

Amiridis'wife originally said he left the family home on Monday without saying where he was going and had not seen him since. However, she only reported the ambassador missing on Wednesday.

On Thursday, a car matching the description of Amiridis' rented vehicle was found in Nova Iguacu, with a body inside.

Kyriakos Amiridis, 59, was the Greek ambassador to Brazil since early 2016. Before that, he had served as Greek consul in Rio from 2001 to 2004. Francoise and Kyriakos Amiridis were together for 15 years and have a 10-year-old daughter.

Related:

Greek ambassador missing, his car with corpse found in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- It is highly possible that Greek Ambassador to Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis has been killed, Brazilian authorities said on Thursday.

The ambassador went missing during a trip to Rio. A car matching the description and license plate of the one driven by Amiridis was found earlier in the day in Nova Iguacu, Rio metro area. Full story
Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (front), bids farewell to the UN staff at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 30, 2016. Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday bid farewell to the United Nations where he has worked for 10 years. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday bid farewell to the United Nations where he has worked for 10 years.

Ban said "thank you" to UN staff here at UN headquarters before his departure and encouraged them to keep working hard on UN causes and never give up.

A crowd of UN officials, staff members, diplomats gathered here to see him off.

Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (front), hugs his chef de cabinet Edmond Mulet before he leaves the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 30, 2016. Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday bid farewell to the United Nations where he has worked for 10 years. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

Ban told the crowd that he will join the New Year celebration at the Times Square in New York City on Saturday. He will push the button beginning the official 60-second countdown to the New Year, and call on people worldwide to take actions in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"Millions of people will be watching as I lose my job," he quipped. "Now I feel a bit like Cinderella. Tomorrow at midnight, everything changes."

Ban's tenure as the eighth UN secretary-general started on Jan. 1, 2007 and will end on Dec. 31, 2016.

Portugal's Antonio Guterres will succeed Ban on Jan. 1, 2017.

Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (front), bids farewell to the UN staff at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 30, 2016. Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday bid farewell to the United Nations where he has worked for 10 years. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
PRAGUE, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A plane flying from Spain to Warsaw made an emergency landing over a bomb threat at the old Prague-Ruzyne airport in Prague on Friday, Czech Television (CT) reported.

According to CT, a pilot reported that a man threatening with a bomb was on board the aircraft, which arose during the pilot's communication with air controllers during the flight.

It was a Boeing 737 flying from the Canary Islands to Warsaw, with about 160 people on board, the report said. They were all evacuated.

Czech Interior Minister Milan Chovanec arrived at the airport after the bomb threat.

Chovanec said the man, a Pole, threatened with a detonating system and has been detained by police. But he did not specify whether the detained man really had the bomb. The plane would stay in Prague until Saturday morning for a thorough safety check.

Authorities have asked for a full alert, assistance of a bomb disposal unit and an anti-terrorism team, the interior minister said.

He said the emergency landing at the old Ruzyne airport had not affected the air traffic at the new part of the airport used for routine flights.
Photo taken on Aug. 28, 2016 shows the home-made airplane of David Hu making a test flight in Naperville, west suburb of Chicago, the United States, on Aug. 28, 2016. In a community in the western suburbs of Chicago live a group of aviation enthusiasts who turn the backyards opening into a mini airport and park small airplanes in garages. Among those planes, one was built by a Chinese-American engineer. Being an engineer of Nokia, David Hu started to make an airplane in 2006. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Authorities found the wreckage Friday morning of a small plane that went down the previous night in Western Washington state, killing all four people aboard.

The Washington State Department of Transportation, which coordinated the search, said the finding in Jefferson County was made possible by using radar forensics data and the single-engine Cessna's emergency location transmitter.

The plane left Boeing Field in Seattle, the largest city in Washington, around 6 p.m. local time Thursday for Port Angeles, on the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, and lost contact with air traffic control at 6:44 p.m.

While confirming that there were no survivors in the crash near the Hood Canal, less than half way of the planned flight, authorities said they would not release the names of the victims and more information would be provided at a later time by law enforcement or the medical examiner's office.
BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A tango show in Argentina, a caipirinha in Brazil, a delicious ceviche in Peru, or a weekend beach break in Mexico. All these pleasures may soon be paid for with a wad of crisp 100 renminbi (RMB) bills.

This is a consequence of the growing presence of the Chinese currency in Latin America thanks to the region's deepening financial cooperation with China and the internationalization of the RMB.

On Oct. 1, the RMB was added to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s Special Drawing Rights basket, a supplement to a shortfall of preferred foreign exchange reserve assets, namely gold and the U.S. dollar.

This has brought the Chinese currency to a new level of international fame, and it is now not unusual to see shopkeepers in Buenos Aires' antiques markets accept RMB from Chinese tourists.

The 100-RMB notes are already frequently used in commercial exchanges in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Suriname, countries with which China has currency exchange agreements.

The growing cooperation also allows China's UnionPay bank cards to be used in 12 Latin American countries, including Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Peru.

Beyond having the UnionPay logo added to signs that traditionally welcomed only Visa, MasterCard and American Express, the Chinese rival is also seeking to launch UnionPay cards in local markets.

Speaking to Xinhua, Argentinean international relations expert Jorge Castro said the IMF's decision is positively impacting Argentina.

For Castro, who leads the Institute for Strategic Planning, "the use of the RMB as a global currency will accelerate the promotion of Argentinean agricultural exports. Furthermore, the currency will play a larger role in Chinese financing in Argentina."

Juan Pablo Scasserra, director of foreign trade for HSBC Argentina, said earlier this year that "operating in RMB allows Argentinean exporters and importers to negotiate better conditions with their Chinese counterparts, among other benefits."

"Argentina and China have reached a new political level in their relationship, which makes them strategic and integral partners," Gustavo Girado, director of Asia & Argentina consultancy, told Xinhua, adding that the RMB joining the IMF's elite currency club can bring about more opportunities for both countries.

According to Inter-American Development Bank Vice President Alexandre Meira da Rosa, the bank also sees the internationalization of the RMB in Latin America as a positive step, which can make trade easier and open up alternative lines of financing.
Rita Wells still remembers her dad leaving for the night shift at Western Sugar.

He got out at midnight, 20 below zero, and just did his job, she said.

He was also a staunch union member, a tradition that Wells has carried on. She took over as president of the Billings Education Association, the local teachers union, in the midst of contract negotiations last spring.

A 26-year orchestra teacher, Wells will leave the classroom to be a leading voice for teachers on issues like evaluations, professional development, school funding and curriculum changes. Its a time of change for each of those issues.

School District 2 is considering implementing professional learning communities and a teacher collaboration model, and is rolling out changes to middle school curriculum in several subjects as all sixth-graders move into middle schools over the next year. State budget proposals have left schools preparing to tighten their belts. Talks about a new teacher evaluation and mentorship program fizzled last school year after levies failed in May.

And for the first time in nearly 30 years, the state Office of Public Instruction is led by a Republican in Elsie Arntzen, who, while a former BEA member, has consistently described the state teachers union as a special interest group.

But the reason Wells took the job has more to do with one-on-one relationships and teamwork, she said.

Theres people that see us as a big kind of defense against management, but I dont like to look at it that way, she said, citing collaborative projects like the evaluations. I dont think Id want this job if it were a sit-on-the-sidelines, do what you want and were going to watch and catch you when you do anything wrong.

Another part of the job is recruiting new members.

Broadwater Elementary special education teacher Rebekka Montgomery has been part of the BEA for each of her five years in teaching.

I was a part of the union, I paid my dues, but I didnt really know what it could do for me, she said.

Wells was one of the teachers who helped recruit her to get more involved. Montgomery is now a building representative for Broadwater.

Like many music teachers in SD2, Wells taught in multiple buildings each school year; she figures shes taught in every elementary and middle school except the new Medicine Crow Middle School.

I think it showed me the bigger picture, she said. I was always kind of a hermit crab.

Accordion lessons

Wells grew up on Billings' South Side and attended the now-closed Taft School, where her older brother was a teacher. She'd often hang out in his classroom after school.

She began playing the accordion in elementary school; a neighbor taught lessons.

When she was selecting a stringed instrument, her mom nixed the cello.

She said 'No, it was too big, Ive been dragging your accordion to lessons,' Wells said.

Wells went with the violin instead, which is still her specialty as an orchestra teacher.

Jerry Kessler, a former Senior High history teacher who taught Wells, recalled her as an enthusiastic student dedicated to music.

She was pretty sensitive to kids and just wanted to be a teacher, he said.

Teaching music gave her a chance to combine her passions, and she got a degree from Eastern Montana College (now Montana State University Billings). But political advocacy took more time to develop.

Shes not one I would have expected to take the political route, Kessler said.

Wells ran for the Montana Legislature as a Democrat representing the Billings Heights in 2012, but lost to an incumbent Republican. Shes been active in several BEA roles over the years. Montanas teachers union spent heavily to defeat Arntzen, a former Billings teacher who won the state Superintendent of Public Instruction.

I didnt see that there was a lot of support for public education in her voting record, Wells said. She hoped Arntzen would work with unions to find common ground, she said.

The BEA has taken an active role in local school elections, typically pushing for levy passage.

I think people dont always like to hear that word, 'mill levy', she said. The tax raises support SD2s general fund, which pays for a variety of day-to-day educational expenses, including teacher salaries. Montana law asks local taxpayers to fund school budgets beyond a mandated minimum.

Whether or not thats right, its just kind of the reality, Wells said.

Its her job also to be the unions public face outside election time, a role thats grown more challenging as several states have rolled back collective bargaining rights for state employees.

Montgomery said Wells is well suited for working with community members who may not see things her way.

It can be super challenging but I think she handles it with grace, she said. Shes very personable. She can talk to anybody.

Wells couldnt put her finger on why now was the time to move from teaching to union representation.

It was a good fit at the right time, she said.

Similarly, Kessler couldnt think of specific reasons that pushed Wells toward music.

I think its just inborn  its a natural, inborn tendency that some of us have and some of us dont.
HOUSTON, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A passenger plane was evacuated on Friday afternoon at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport due to smoke in the cockpit.

After reporting the smoke, the pilot also requested emergency vehicles as a precaution due to the possibility of hot brakes, according to local TV station ABC13.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the incident, which occurred in the afternoon local time, saying in a statement that the plane taxied safely to the gate.

There was no injury reported and passengers boarding the plane were transferred to another plane.

The cause of the smoke and the name of the airline were not revealed.
BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- A total of 278 overseas institutions have received quotas amounting to 87.3 billion U.S. dollars under the Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFII) program to move money into the country's capital account, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange said.

As of Dec. 28, the quota in the RMB Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (RQFII) program came in at 528.5 billion yuan (76.1 billion U.S. dollars).

China's currency, the yuan, is convertible for trade purposes under the current account, while the capital account, which covers portfolio investment and borrowing, is largely run by the state in efforts to control capital flows in and out of the country.

To gradually open the capital account, the government introduced the QFII and RQFII programs in 2003 and 2011 respectively. They give foreign investors the right to move money into the account, to encourage controlled flows.

The RQFII program is currently open to 18 countries and regions, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Britain, Singapore, France, the Republic of Korea, Germany, Qatar, Canada, Australia and Luxembourg.
BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Saturday exchanged congratulatory messages on the coming New Year.

On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, Xi extended sincere greetings and good wishes to President Putin and the Russian people.

The two countries marked the 15th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation and the 20th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination in 2016.

Taking the anniversaries as an opportunity, Xi said China and Russia have carried forward the concept of friendship between the two peoples from generation to generation, enhanced communication and cooperation in various fields and coordination in international affairs, thus led the development of bilateral ties with new fruitful results.

Xi pointed out that the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has been an important force in promoting peace, development and stability in the region and the world.

In the new year, the Chinese president said he is willing to continue to make joint efforts with Putin in maintaining close high-level bilateral exchanges, consolidating strategic and mutual trust, promoting the Belt and Road construction and alignment with the Eurasian Economic Union, deepening practical cooperation and successfully holding the media exchange year.

China will also work with Russia to strengthen strategic coordination in international affairs and keep the stable, sustained and high-level development of their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, so as to bring benefits to the two peoples, Xi said.

Putin congratulated President Xi on the coming New Year and the Spring Festival in his message, and wished the Chinese people happiness and health.

In 2016, the president said, Russia and China have carried out effective collaboration as always.

The two sides successfully implemented the third program under the Russia-China Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, and effectively pushed for resolving major global and regional issues with coordination and collaboration, Putin said.

The president said he believes that in the coming New Year, the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination will further flourish, which will benefit the two peoples and contribute to strengthening international security and stability.
by Xinhua Writers Zhai Xiang, Cheng Zhuo and Shi Yucen

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Working in the Palace Museum where visitors are constantly told not to touch the invaluable cultural artifacts, Qu Feng spends every day in restoring treasures dating back hundreds of years.

Qu works for the Palace Museum's conservation department, which is responsible for the conservation, restoration and research of over 1.8 million cultural treasures.

Stories of treasured Chinese antiques and artifacts given a new lease of life emerge constantly from his busy department.

Qu and his colleagues are now better known as the "masters in the Forbidden City."

MASTERS IN THE FORBIDDEN CITY

Qu, head of the department's wood conservation studio, is working on a piece called "Plum Recess," a wooden plaque inlaid with gold wire and two jade characters.

The plaque, made during Emperor Qianlong's reign (1736-1795), once hung inside the Forbidden City's Hall of Mental Cultivation, where emperors of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) resided and handled state affairs.

When the hall was closed for a four-year renovation, the plaque was removed for conservation.

Some of the plaque's jade had fallen off; sticking it back proved far more difficult than anyone expected.

Qu had to use a special type of wax, made of beewax and rosin, as other adhesives could corrode the jade over time. The recipe to produce this special wax had once been lost, and the museum depended exclusively on the wax it had in stock.

After years of effort, the conservation department managed to reconstruct the recipe through chemical analysis.

However, even with all the right ingredients on hand, Qu and his team still had to wait, as the old, frail plaque and its frame had been partially damaged by expansion and contraction caused by heat.

"If it is restored now [in winter], thermal expansion may cause even greater damage next summer," Qu said.

Earlier this year, "Masters in the Forbidden City," a documentary series that profiled the work of the museum conservationists, became a surprise online hit. It has racked up over six million views and scored an impressive rating of 9.5/10 on a major video-streaming website in China.

A film version was released on Dec. 16, on the heels of the TV series' success.

The conviction, inner peace and persistence of the technicians have made them heroes among many of China's post-80s and post-90s generations.

SPIRIT OF CRAFTSMANSHIP

According to Shan Jixiang, director of the Palace Museum, the documentary's popularity resulted in a surge of applications for jobs with the restoration team.

This year the museum received 15,000 job applications for 20 vacancies.

However, becoming a qualified conservation worker takes time.

Wang Hongmei specializes in restoring tarnished paintings that are often disfigured by stains, mold and holes.

First coming to the museum to build on her knowledge of the essence of Chinese culture, Wang, who draws exquisite classical Chinese paintings, has worked in the museum for 16 years.

"I found conservation of paintings extremely challenging at the beginning when I often had to stand for hours all day long due to the nature of the work," Wang recalled. "Commitment and time gradually calmed down my heart."

It takes a seasoned conservationist like Wang a whole year to restore just three to four paintings. Sometimes the work could take even longer.

A scenic painting over 170 square meters in size, depicting purple wisteria, cranes and pines, was posted to the wall and ceiling of the Studio of Exhaustion from Diligent Service, commissioned by Emperor Qianlong for his retirement.

Fashioned under the guidance of Jesuit missionary and artist Giuseppe Castiglione, it is an exceptional painting.

From 2003 to 2008, Wang and her colleagues spent five years restoring the tattered painting to its previous brilliance.

The craftsmanship required for such work pushes conservationists to their limits and becomes a process of self-discovery, said Qu, who has spent 10 years within the Forbidden City's red walls.

"When it comes to conservation, one has to have patience, learning and dexterity," Qu said, adding that a qualified craftsman must love his work, toil tirelessly and stay humble and informed.

The public now has a chance to glance into this painstaking and once mysterious profession.

The Palace Museum unveiled a conservation workshop Thursday, which will enable the public to observe first-hand how the museum goes about its conservation of China's cultural heritage.

The workshop, a new site of the museum's conservation department, is currently the largest cultural heritage conservation center in China. It uses traditional techniques but is also equipped with advanced scientific facilities.

It conserves relics, including textiles, wood, lacquer, ceramics, metal, clocks, books, Thangka and murals. It also replicates calligraphy and painting.

The workshop, named the "Hospital for Conservation," will open to the public on an appointment basis.

The museum hopes to further spread understanding of cultural heritage protection, Shan said.

LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE

"The Hospital for Conservation is the first major conservation center in China to offer access to the public," Wang said, noting the importance of passing on such craftsmanship to future generations.

"It helps spread respect for Chinese craftsmanship and heighten public awareness of traditional Chinese culture," she said, adding that the public's presence would also be a welcome source of motivation for her at work.

"The Palace Museum treasures are not simply individual items, but legacies of the craft and spirit passed on by the artists, collectors and conservationists of the past," Qu said.

"Strengthened conservation efforts symbolize increasing national power and pride. If we can protect our cultural heritage to the best of our abilities, our nation will come to believe in itself more firmly," Qu said.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Francoise Amiridis, wife of Greek Ambassador to Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis, was arrested for ordering the ambassador's death, Brazilian police said Friday.

Francoise had the help of local policeman Sergio Gomes Moreira Filho, her lover, and of a cousin of the policeman, Eduardo de Melo, police told a press conference on Friday evening.

The two men confessed to the murder and were arrested as well.

Investigators said that Melo confessed that the ambassador's wife had offered 80,000 reais (24,400 U.S. dollars) for his help in the crime.

However, Filho denied Francoise's participation in the crime. Francoise also denied her participation in the murder, but police confirmed her involvement.

The ambassador was last seen alive on Monday, but his wife only reported his disappearance on Wednesday. On Thursday, the ambassador's rented car was found burnt, with a corpse inside, also burnt.

Police in Rio de Janeiro announced on Friday that the burnt body was identified as Amiridis.

Police believed Amiridis was killed inside his house in Nova Iguacu, Rio de Janeiro metro area. Investigators reportedly found blood stains on a sofa at the house.

Filho said he fought the ambassador and killed him with Amiridis' own gun. Neighbors said they did not hear any shots, and police are investigating whether Amiridis was shot to death or stabbed.

Filho said that he used Amiridis' rented car to take the body from the house and dispose of it.

Security cameras confirmed that both Filho and Melo were in the ambassador's house on Monday night and in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Brazilian government Friday sent a message of condolences to Greece over the murder of the ambassador.

The Brazilian Foreign Ministry published a message regretting the ambassador's death and offering condolences to his friends and family, as well as to the people and government of Greece.

"Ambassador Amiridis was serving in Brazil for the second time. At the helm of the Greek embassy to Brazil, he had been carrying out an intense work to deepen the relations between the two countries," it said.

Brazilian President Michel Temer also sent personal letters to Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, assuring that Brazilian authorities were conducting a full investigation into the murder and that the Brazilian government is willing to fully cooperate with Greece. Enditem
BRUSSELS, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The year 2016 has seen a dramatic rise in the far-right political force, fueled by a populist trend in western European countries that calls for a response from the European Union.

The EU reaction is badly needed as its major economies such as France, Germany, the Netherlands and possibly Italy, are entering into presidential elections in 2017.

FAR-RIGHT CLOUD LOOMS

In an Italian referendum held in early December, a crushing rejection to a proposed constitutional reform prompted the resignation of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. The populist, euro-skeptic Five Star Movement, the second biggest party after Renzi's Democratic Party, is leading in a clamor for advancing Italy's presidential elections to 2017.

In France, National Front party leader Marine Le Pen is seeing rising support. The anti-immigrant far-right party vows to remove France from the eurozone. Elections in that country are set for the spring.

A eurozone without its major economies France and Italy would be doomed and further endanger the European Union following the exit of Britain determined in a June referendum.

On top of these, populist groups currently account for almost one-fifth of seats in the European Parliament. This reality has plunged the bloc into deeper economic difficulties, a refugee crisis and repeated terrorist attacks.

While Green Party-backed Alexander Van der Bellen won over his anti-EU rival in Austria's presidential runoff in early December, providing a sliver lining for the far-right cloud looming over Europe, Angela Merkel's pursuit of her fourth-term of chancellory in Germany's 2017 elections, if successful, is expected to continue safeguarding European integration.

FRUSTRATIONS FUEL POPULISM

Populism has repeatedly raised alerts for Europe, especially when Britain voted in June to quit the EU, and when Donald Trump in November was elected the next president of the United States.

Both events were deemed to feature anti-establishment moods in older, white, poorly-educated people, who, dissatisfied with their living conditions, fear the influx of immigrants.

Frustrated by the EU-wide economic recession, the refugee crisis and increasing terrorist attacks, average Europeans are also seeking perceived stability and protection from populist parties.

Former EU Commissioner for Agriculture Franz Fischler said European populist parties have intentionally and effectively harnessed people's worries, and managed to reinforce and enhance their status mainly through simplifying matters or offering simplified solutions.

They are indifferent as to whether or not their proposals are implemented since their purpose is merely to stir and incite nationalism, Fischler said.

SWIFT EU REACTION NECESSARY

Populism has worsened social tensions as a result of the influx of immigrants and increases in the number terrorist attacks. In Germany, it poses a severe threat to the re-election of Merkel whose refugee policies have brought down her support ratings.

The refugee issue is expected to remain a huge challenge to the EU and calls for a collective effort of member states, towards reliable external border management, burden-sharing and legal routes for migration.

To curb the surge of populism across Europe, the EU and member governments should make every effort to meet the needs of the disadvantaged people who are afraid of the future and globalization, said Knut Fleckenstein, vice-chair of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, the political group of the Party of European Socialists (PES) in the European Parliament.

It is meanwhile crucial to expose the "empty, misleading" promises of populist groups, he said.

Social injustice is believed to be among the key factors to shift European voters to the anti-establishment populism. The PES blames "increasing inequality" over the years in part for providing a "fertile ground for despair" in Europe, appealing for establishing European social protection networks to ensure universal access to quality health services and a minimum wage for a basic decent income.

Moreover, there are calls for mainstream European parties to change their approach to voters in order to build stronger links with them.

Despite a lack of funds, populist groups are gaining high profiles as they resort to face-to-face communications with voters, according to a research report by Chatham House, or the Royal Institute of International Affairs, an independent think tank based in London.
SHANGHAI, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Two Chinese companies must pay compensation to Disney Enterprises, Inc. and Pixar for intellectual property right infringement and unfair competition, according to a recent Shanghai court verdict.

Disney Enterprises, Inc. and Pixar, holders of the copyrights of animated comedies "Cars" and "Cars 2" as well as the character images, sued G-Point in Beijing, and Bluemtv in Xiamen in eastern China's Fujian Province, after they found the images, title and posters of animated movie "The Autobots" resembled those of "Cars" and "Cars 2."

"The Autobots" screened last July was produced by Bluemtv and released by G-Point.

The case was heard in Shanghai Pudong New District People's Court in June.

The court ruled an immediate stop to the infringement act and ordered compensation of over 1.35 million yuan (194,440 U.S. dollars).

Bluemtv was asked to pay 1 million yuan to cover the plantiffs' economic losses, of which G-Point has joint liability for 800,000 yuan. The two companies were also asked to pay 350,000 yuan to cover the legal expenses of the plaintiffs.

The court said the images of the main characters in "The Autobots" -- "K1" and "K2" -- infringed on the copyright of the characters "Lightening McQueen" and "Francesco Bernoulli" in "Cars" and "Cars 2."

The court said the Chinese title of the movie has a different meaning to the Disney productions and should not be seen as unfair competition, but the resemblance in the visual effect of the movie's name on the poster constitutes an act of unfair competition, although the overall design of the posters is different.
A farmer in the remote mid-western Ugandan district of Buliisa harvests cotton from his farm, Dec. 29, 2016. Uganda is striving to revamp the ailing cotton industry to be able to save more than 888 million U.S. dollars spent on annual textile imports. (Xinhua/Ronald Ssekandi)

BULIISA, Uganda, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Prices may rise and fall, but in the eyes of 76-year-old Michael Zade, a Ugandan farmer, the crop has never failed its job as the family's breadwinner.

Over the last 40 years, Zade has been growing cotton, a practice he got from his father, in the remote mid-western district of Buliisa. For him, the crop paid tuition fees for his five children and funded the construction of a permanent house.

A worker monitors the machines at a cotton ginnery in the mid-western Ugandan district of Hoima, Dec. 28, 2016. (Xinhua/Ronald Ssekandi)

Cotton is Uganda's third largest export crop after coffee and tea, as well as the main source of income for some 250,000 households like Zade's.

For many of them, hopes are high that the industry would embrace a boom after the Ugandan government launched a campaign to support cotton and other local industries.

GOOD OLD DAYS

Before the onset of stiff competition from Asia, Uganda's textile industry had been a flourishing industry way back to the 1960s.

Zade refers to the time as the "good old days" when a good cotton harvest meant merry making for the whole village.

There were structures and systems right from growing to marketing cotton, and extension workers could traverse villages teaching farmers how to plant and harvest cotton.

The price of cotton at the farm-gate was paid by the ginneries or co-operatives in most cases, and the government would provide a subsidy. This system always encouraged farmers as a good price was guaranteed.

At the national level there was the Lint Marketing Board (LMB), which had the monopoly to trade in all the lint and cotton seed. As a result, production reached the highest level, of 470,000 bales of lint, in 1969/70, according to government figures.

During the early 1970s to mid-1980s, however, war and economic turmoil that befell Uganda disrupted the cotton production.

In order to revamp the industry, the government in 1994 liberalized the cotton sector, replacing the LMB with the Cotton Development Organization (CDO), a state agency charged with monitoring the production, processing, and marketing of cotton.

In the process of liberalization, the government had been anticipating that opening up the sector would make it more efficient and boost production.

This however exposed the farmers to the price fluctuation in the global market as over 90 percent of Uganda's cotton is exported.

Figures from the Bank of Uganda, the country's central bank, show in recent years, whereas the quantities of cotton have gone up, the value is not stable.

While exported cotton rose to 63,512 tonnes in 2015 from 40,671 tonnes in 2014, the value for exported cotton fell to 20 million U.S. dollars in 2015 from 22 million dollars in 2014.

The government is striving to revamp the sector, arguing the crop can still be one of the country's top foreign exchange earners and generate much of the revenue internally.

Earlier this year, President Yoweri Museveni called for supporting Uganda's local industries and directed all uniforms for the army, the police and prisons service be bought locally.

He said the country spends 888 million dollars on annual textile imports, money that would have been used to revamp the industry locally.

Banking on a recent decision by East African Community member states to ban importation of used clothes, Uganda believes it can still reap big from the crop.

The country is already reaping from the available international markets where it can export its textile materials tariff and quota free.

According to CDO, Uganda now has 40 ginneries and a total installed seasonal ginning capacity of around 1 million bales of lint production (200,000 tonnes). This is above the maximum production achieved in the last two decades.

Despite many opportunities awaiting local farmers, Zade urges the government to help them cope with the harsh climate change effects besides declining soil fertility. He said the last two seasons have not been good due to prolonged dry spells and infertile soils.

He said farmers need to be provided with good-quality seeds and fertilizers to ensure good yields.
A giraffe is seen at the world's famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, on Nov. 29, 2016. (Xinhua/Pan Siwei)

NAIROBI, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- African countries imported fewer goods from Kenya this year, leading to reduced earnings for East Africa's biggest economy.

The decline, both in the East Africa Community and Comesa (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) trading blocs, is the third in a row since 2014, official economic data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) showed on Thursday.

Kenya exports its products to Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Rwanda, among others.

Total exports to the African countries, according to the CBK data, stood at 2.3 billion U.S. dollars, down from 2.5 billion dollars in a similar period (from January to October) in 2015 and 2.7 billion dollars in 2014.

Uganda, top importer of Kenya's products, recorded the biggest decline in the period under review.

The CBK data showed exports to the nation fell to 605 million dollars during the period from 707 million dollars in 2015, a decline of 10.4 percent.

Kenya exports to Uganda include meat and milk, manufactured goods, common salt, beer, fuel through Mombasa port and construction materials like cement and steel bars.

Similarly, exports to Sudan fell from 59 million dollars in 2015 to 54 million dollars in 2016, a drop of 0.9 percent.

South Sudan imports from Kenya recorded a fall of 2.8 percent from 179 million dollars in 2015 to 161 million dollars in 2016 while exports to DR Congo and Rwanda fell by 3.5 percent and 2.9 percent from 213 million dollars to 203 million dollars and 180 million dollars to 167 million dollars respectively.

Only Tanzania, Somalia and Egypt recorded marginal increases in imports from Kenya. Tanzania's rose from 346 million dollars to 350 million dollars, Somalia from 148 million dollars to 167 million dollars and Egypt from 199 million dollars to 214 million dollars.

Analysts attributed the decline to increased imports of cheaper goods, especially from Asia, to the African countries.

"This, therefore, locks out goods from Kenya, which now has to rely on mainly agricultural exports like coffee and tea as exports," said Henry Wandera, an economics lecturer in Nairobi.

Kenya's imports are mainly textiles, industrial machinery, vehicles, electronic goods, pharmaceuticals, motorcycles and semi-processed goods.

Exports outside Africa too did not do well during the period, according to the CBK data, falling to 3.47 billion dollars from 3.48 billion dollars in 2015 and 3.54 billion dollars in 2014.

The Netherlands is the top destination of Kenya's exports outside Africa, absorbing 476 million dollars worth of goods that include cut flowers, coffee and tea during the period. This was a rise of 8.2 percent from a similar period last year.
Photo taken on Aug. 16, 2013 shows a herd of zebras in the Serengeti National Park, northTanzania. (Xinhua/Zhang Ping)

DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian conservationists have said there was alarming proof that Tanzania's wildlife populations could be wiped out in the near future as a result of over-hunting for bushmeat consumption.

Apart from the widely reported elephant and rhino poaching incidents, conservationists now warn that there is a much bigger but under-reported crisis involving the poaching of other wildlife animals such as impalas, wildebeest and zebras for bushmeat.

They estimate that up to 50 per cent of Tanzania's total wildlife population has already been decimated for bushmeat, which apart from being consumed locally is also reportedly exported to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), war-torn Somalia, Burundi, Sudan and other neighbouring countries.

A recent study by co-authors Silvia Ceppi and Martin Nielson revealed that there was regular bushmeat consumption by a large proportion of Tanzania's tribal populations.

The 2014 research titled "A comparative study on bushmeat consumption patterns in ten tribes in Tanzania" warns that some native species are at risk of becoming endangered, or even going extinct, as a result of over-hunting due to the prevalence of bushmeat consumption in the country.

"Many tribes (in Tanzania) believe that wild meat is healthier than domestic meat, increasing the demand for bushmeat. It has been estimated that between 40,000 and 200,000 animals are illegally harvested each year in the Serengeti ecosystem (alone)," said part of the study.

"Extrapolating from these estimates ... suggests that the value of the bushmeat trade originating in Serengeti is between 1 and 5 million US dollars per year," according to the study.

With growing demand from the increasing human population in surrounding communities, these numbers are likely to be higher today, said the study.

The study showed that antelope was the most frequently mentioned type of bushmeat consumed in Tanzania, followed by dikdik, duikers, hare and guinea fowl.

Pratik Patel, a leading Tanzanian conservationist who works with the Friedkin Conservation Fund, confirmed that there was a bushmeat crisis in the country.

Gaudence Milanzi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, said that research conducted by his own ministry had established that the majority of the people who hunt wild animals do so for bushmeat and not for any other reason.

He admitted that the malpractice was there, but not to the extent of 50 per cent of animals being killed as claimed by conservationists.
HELENA  Montana's commissioner of political practices will remain in office beyond the expiration of his term Sunday until a state judge rules on a lawsuit seeking to keep him in office for a full six years.

District Judge Kathy Seeley approved an agreement Wednesday allowing Motl to disregard the Jan. 1 termination date set by Gov. Steve Bullock when he appointed Motl in May 2013. Bullock appointed Motl to complete the final three years of a six-year term that also included three other Democratic appointees who were not confirmed by the state Senate.

The lawsuit filed earlier this month argues that Motl's appointment and confirmation creates a new six-year term that should expire in mid-2019. The plaintiffs are Democratic Sen. Christine Kaufmann, departing Secretary of State Linda McCulloch, former Republican Rep. Jesse O'Hara, Al Smith of the Montana Trial Lawyers Association and a group called Montanans for Experienced Judges.

The agreement between the plaintiffs' lawyer, James Goetz, and Bullock attorney Andrew Huff noted the difficulty of arranging a court hearing during the holiday season before the Jan. 1 expiration of Motl's term. The deal approved by Seeley agrees that the governor won't enforce the term's expiration and that Motl will stay on until the judge makes a ruling on the plaintiffs' argument or decides to dissolve the agreement.

The commissioner's office enforces campaign and ethics laws and has been the subject of intense partisan wrangling when past appointments were made. Jan. 1 marks six years since the last confirmed commissioner, Dennis Unsworth, left office after a full term.

Motl said Friday that he wants to stay on, and that the case will affect the appointment of future commissioners.

"I think this issue is extremely important to determine and it's bigger than my term," he said. "I'm going to do what is best for this office and for future commissioners."

State Sen. Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville, said Friday he was taken aback by the decision and said Motl should step down while the lawsuit makes its way through the court.

It seems to me that the court action entirely, the lawsuit, the judges decision, is a gross manipulation of the law, and it undermines the credibility and integrity of that office and the person in that office.

Thomas said Motls appointment by the governor and confirmation by the Senate both have an end date of Jan. 1, 2017.

The commissioner accepted this appointment that ends on 1/1/17. He agreed to the resolution that was adopted by the Senate confirming him that his term ends on 1/1/17 and he has the audacity to ignore all this?

Thomas added theres zero credibility to a claim the lawsuit makes the failure of the Legislature to approve appointees between 2010 and 2013 erode public confidence in the office.

After Unsworth, then-Gov. Brian Schweitzer appointed Jennifer Hensley, who was not confirmed by the Senate. Schweitzer appointed Dave Gallik in 2011, but he resigned amid a dispute with the commissioner's staff over running his law practice out of the state agency.

Jim Murry was Schweitzer's final appointment in 2012, and he resigned a year later because he did not expect to be confirmed by the Senate.

Motl was appointed by Bullock to serve out the remainder of the six-year term that began with Hensley's appointment. Republicans opposed the Helena lawyer's appointment because of his past work on state ballot initiatives and past donations to Democratic candidates, but he was confirmed in 2015 when eight GOP senators broke ranks to vote with 21 Democrats.

Since his appointment, Motl and his staff have cleared a backlog of campaign complaints, created regulations requiring more campaign disclosures by candidates and brought a high-profile case against a sitting legislator, Rep. Art Wittich, R-Bozeman.

A jury found that Wittich took illegal campaign contributions from an anti-union organization and its affiliates.

Wittich denied any wrongdoing and appealed to the Montana Supreme Court, where the case is pending.
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, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong (R) and Liu Qibao (L), a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attend the launching ceremony of the China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 31, 2016. Chinese President Xi Jinping offered congratulations to CGTN launched Saturday, urging it to "tell China stories well" to the world. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping offered congratulations to a media organization launched Saturday, urging it to "tell China stories well" to the world.

"The relationship between China and the rest of the world is undergoing historic changes. China needs to know better about the world and the world needs to know better about China," Xi said in a congratulatory letter to the China Global Television Network (CGTN).

Set up by China Central Television (CCTV) as a rebranding of CCTV news, CGTN will integrate resources as part of the trend in media convergence, and be a multi-language, multi-platform media group.

It will consist of six TV channels, three overseas branches, a video content provider and a digital media division.

The president said CGTN should be culturally confident, news-focused, audience-aware, and to use integrated media.

CGTN should tell stories about China well and spread China's voice well; enable the world to see a multidimensional and colorful China; present China as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and an upholder of international order; and make efforts to build a community of common destiny, Xi said.

Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said CGTN should take responsibility for bridging China with the rest of the world.

CGTN should put news content first, highlight new ideas and strategies of state governance with Xi as the core, tell stories about China's development, explain China's path, theory and contribution, and have a voice in major global affairs and international issues, Liu said.

Liu called on CGTN to encourage media integration and use new technology to become a media brand with global influence.

In February 2016, Xi called for innovation in concepts, content and methods while visiting the country's three leading media institutions -- the People's Daily, the CPC's flagship newspaper; Xinhua News Agency, the state news agency; and CCTV, the country's broadcaster.

Xi told media groups to use the new media's edge in reaching people, turn up their voice on the international stage, tell stories about China well, and build flagship media groups with strong global influence.
This file photo taken on October 10, 2016 shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) speaking to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) as they attend a press conference in Istanbul.(AFP photo)

ANKARA, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- A total of 23 Islamic State (IS) militants were "neutralized" in northern Syria on Saturday, the Turkish General Staff said.

The Turkish Army said in a statement that Turkish jets destroyed 12 IS targets in al-Bab, Kabr al-Mukri, Bzagah, Tadif and abu-Jabbar and killed 12 IS militants.

Other 11 militants were neutralized in ground clashes, the military said.

The operation was focused on capturing al-Bab district of Syria, with intensified land and air attacks, the statement said.

The statement added that a total of 172 IS positions had been targeted and besieged.

Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the person in question was either killed or captured.

According to the army, since the launch of Operation Euphrates Shield, around 1,300 IS militants and 306 militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party and the People's Democratic Union have been "neutralized."

Turkish explosive disposal teams have defused 2,556 handmade explosives and 42 mines in areas cleared of IS since the beginning of Operation Euphrates Shield.
BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- China will strengthen housing market supervision to ensure healthy development of the sector, an official statement has said.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development reported violations of 21 real estate developers, which in hopes of boosting sales, spread rumors, published false information, operated without licenses, or hoarded unsold homes.

The companies will face administrative penalties ranging from business suspensions to fines, with serious cases being transferred to the police.

The ministry said it will continue to act tough on such activities to expel "black sheep" from the market.

It is the latest move by the central government to improve market order in the property sector after irregularities were highlighted when the sector was booming.

The housing market in major cities has shown signs of cooling as a spate of measures were rolled out by local authorities.

Policymakers have called for varied approaches to regulate the property market in the next year, damping speculation and building a long-term housing mechanism.
Chinese President Xi Jinping extends New Year greetings to all Chinese compatriots and people around the world in his New Year speech in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 31, 2016. President Xi said 2016 was an extraordinary year for China as it achieved progress in every aspect, and urged the international community to join hands to build a more peaceful and prosperous world.(Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday extended New Year greetings to all Chinese compatriots and people around the world, saying hard work and joint efforts in 2017 will make China and the world better.

He said 2016 is an extraordinary year for China as it has achieved progress in many aspects, urging the international community to work together to build a more peaceful and prosperous world.

In the address transmitted by state broadcasters and on the Internet, Xi extended good wishes to Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, overseas Chinese, as well as people in other countries and regions.

"To Chinese people 2016 is an extraordinary and unforgettable year, as the country has made a good beginning of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020)," the president said.

China actively promoted economic growth, fully deepened reform, achieved breakthroughs in national defense and military reform, promoted rule of law, advanced strict governance of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and resolutely cracked down on high-ranking and low-level corruption, Xi added.

He said China made great progress in its space program in 2016, and its athletes gained excellent achievements in the Olympics Games. Reforms have facilitated urbanization and the school conditions of children in poverty-stricken areas have improved.

At the G20 Hangzhou Summit, China contributed its wisdom and solutions to addressing global issues. The Belt and Road Initiative is advancing in fast paces, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank went into operation, Xi said.

"We adhere to peaceful development, and resolutely safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," Xi said. "Chinese people will never allow anyone to get away with making a great fuss about it!"

The president also expressed his condolences to victims of natural disasters and accidents in 2016 as well as Chinese soldiers having sacrificed their lives in UN peacekeeping missions.

He said the 95th anniversary of founding of the CPC and the 80th anniversary of victory of the Long March were commemorated in 2016. "We will always bear in mind our predecessors who made contributions to the Chinese people and the Chinese nation, and stay true to the mission and move onwards."

In 2017 the 19th CPC National Congress will be convened, and the country will make more efforts in building a well-off society in all respects, deepening overall reform, rule of law and strict governance of the Party. "There is no such thing as a free lunch, and only hard work will make dreams come true," Xi said.

Although 10 million more people were lifted out of poverty in 2016, Xi said what he cared most about was impoverished people. It is the Party and the government's duty to address people's difficulties in employment, children's education, health care, and housing, among others.

He urged the whole Party and the whole of society to continue to help people in poverty, so that the outcomes of reform and development will benefit more people.

"As long as our 1.3 billion-plus people are pulled together for a common cause, as long as the Party stands together with the people and we roll up our sleeves to work harder, we will surely succeed in a Long March of our generation," Xi said.

The Chinese people hope for a better life for people in other countries as well as for themselves, Xi said, noting that at the present time people in some countries and regions are still plagued by wars and poverty, and many people have been stricken by diseases and disasters.

"I sincerely hope that the international community can join hands and uphold the concept of a community of shared future for mankind in a bid to make our planet more peaceful and more prosperous," the Chinese president said.
TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem arrived in the capital Tehran on Saturday for talks on the recent developments in the Arab state, official IRNA news agency reported.

Muallem, accompanied by the head of the Syrian National Security Bureau of the Ba'ath Party Ali Mamlouk, will meet with the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Shamkhani, and the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the report said.

The meeting aims at reviewing the latest security and operational developments in the process of cooperation between two countries in fighting terrorism, the report said, adding that both countries will also negotiate on joint political measures to maintain truce in Syria and to prepare the ground to start inter-Syrian political talks.

Syrian government and opposition on Thursday reached a cease-fire agreement, as peace talks brokered by Turkey and Russia are due in Kazakhstan in January, in an attempt to find a final end to the conflict.
BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday called on BRICS countries, namely, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, to deepen their partnership for a brighter future.

Xi made the call in a letter sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin, South African President Jacob Zuma, Brazilian President Michel Temer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to brief the leaders on China's blueprint for promoting BRICS cooperation during Chinese presidency over the bloc in 2017.

China will host the ninth BRICS leaders' summit in Xiamen, a coastal city in southeast China's Fujian Province, in September, Xi said.

Over the past decade, BRICS countries have made joint efforts to yield fruits in cooperating on politics, economy and people-to-people exchanges, Xi said.

BRICS countries have also made great strides in their leaders' summits, which has injected new dynamism into their cooperation, he added.

"The BRICS cooperation, a model for cooperation among emerging markets and that among developing countries, has brought benefits to people of BRICS nations and made great contributions to boosting global economic growth, improving global governance and promoting the democratization of international relations," Xi said.

In the second decade for BRICS cooperation starting in 2017, BRICS nations will make greater progress in their cooperation and play a bigger role in international affairs, the Chinese president said.

Facing growing uncertainties and instabilities in international situation, BRICS countries need to enhance solidarity and cooperation and safeguard common interests, he said.

Xi said the Xiamen summit will focus on four aspects -- deepening pragmatic cooperation for common development; enhancing global governance to jointly counter challenges; carrying out people-to-people exchanges to consolidate public support for cooperation; promoting mechanism building to construct broader partnership.

"In accordance with an open, inclusive and win-win BRICS spirit, China will work with other BRICS countries to make the Xiamen summit a success and move forward BRICS cooperation to a new level," Xi said.

The BRIC cooperative mechanism was established in 2006. The first BRIC summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. South Africa was admitted by the other BRIC leaders in 2010, adding the "S" to the original grouping. Eight BRICS summits have taken place so far.
A new train stops at a railway station in suburban Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Oct. 1, 2016. The Chinese-built Ethiopia-Djibouti railway is expected to help landlocked Ethiopia improve access to the sea and speed up a burgeoning industrialization process. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)

NAIROBI, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- From electrified railways to hydro power plants, a number of Chinese projects continued to spring up and boost development in Africa this year amid blossoming Sino-African cooperation.

The following is a Xinhua review on major Chinese-built or Chinese-funded infrastructure projects that began or finished construction in sub-Saharan Africa in 2016:

Ethiopian attendants participate during the opening ceremony of Ethiopia-Djibouti railway at the Lebu station in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Oct. 5, 2016. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)

ETHIOPIA-DJIBOUTI RAILWAY

Ethiopia on Oct. 5 launched its first electrified railway linking its capital and Djibouti, with officials hailing the Chinese-built rail as the latest testament to the Sino-African friendship.

The 752.7-km Ethiopia-Djibouti railway, also known as Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway, will avail landlocked Ethiopia a faster access to the sea (via Djibouti port), reducing travel time from seven days on roads to about 10 hours.

The railway was hailed by Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang as the "Tazara railway in a new era," referring to the railway linking Tanzania's Dar es Salaam with Zambia's Kapiri Mposhi that China sent over 50,000 workers to build in the 1970s despite its own economic difficulties.

Constructed by China Railway Group and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, the railway features the use of a complete sets of Chinese equipment and standards. It is also the second trans-national railway built by Chinese in Africa, following the Tazara.

NAIROBI-NAIVASHA RAILWAY

Kenya on Nov. 19 launched the Nairobi-Naivasha Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project, being built by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and funded by China's Exim Bank.

The project is the phase A of Nairobi-Malaba SGR Project and an extension of the Nairobi-Mombasa SGR. The 120.4-km line starts from the Kenyan capital city to Malaba, a border city between Kenya and Uganda.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said the modern railway line would catalyze Kenya's industrial transformation and position the country as an investment hub.

A train is pictured at a train station in suburban Abuja, in July 2016, as Nigeria's first completed standard gauge railway modernization project assisted by China, opened for commercial operation. (Xinhua/Yang Hongjie)

ABUJA-KADUNA RAILWAY

The Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge railway, linking Nigeria's capital Abuja and the northwestern state of Kaduna, was open for commercial operation in July.

The 186.5-km line was built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation with nine stations and a designed speed of 150 km per hour.

The railway is part of the railway modernization initiative by Nigeria to replace the existing narrow gauge system with the wider standard gauge system, while allowing high-speed train operations on the railway network.

Two boatmen look at Kigamboni Bridge Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on April 19, 2016. (Xinhua/Pan Siwei)

NYERERE BRIDGE

Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam added a new urban landmark on April 19 when the Chinese-built Nyerere Bridge, or Kigamboni Bridge, opened to traffic as the largest cable-stayed cross-sea bridge in East Africa.

The 680-meter-long, six-lane bridge now offers a shortcut from Dar es Salaam's CBD to the Kigamboni district. Prior to its opening, many local residents have relied on wooden boat ferry to cross the creek separating the two places.

Tanzanian President John Magufuli has named the bridge Nyerere in recognition of the country's founding leader -- Julius Nyerere.

It was built by China Railway Construction Engineering Group in a joint venture with China Railway Major Bridge Group.

GIBE III HYDRO POWER PLANT

Ethiopia on Dec. 17 inaugurated the Gibe III hydro power plant, which will further enhance the country's reputation as a hydro powerhouse in East Africa.

The Gibe III project boasts a generating capacity of 1,870 MW, which will raise Ethiopia's power generation capacity to more than 4,260 MW.

Located in the Southern Regional State, Gibe III has been contracted by Salini Impregilo of Italy for the civil works, and Dong Fang Electric Corp. of China for the electromechanical works. A loan from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) financed 60 percent of the cost.

Passengers are seen boarding a plane at the new terminal of the Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe, Dec. 11, 2015. Some new facilities of the airport expansion project had been completed and opened to service before its commissioning in 2016. (Xinhua/Wang Yue)

VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls International Airport, upgraded and expanded with support from China, was commissioned on Nov. 18 with the hope of ushering in more tourists to the country.

The upgraded airport can now handle 1.5 million passengers per year, up from 500,000, and boasts new facilities including a new international terminal building, a new 4-km runway, extended parking areas for aircraft and new road networks.

The airport is the gateway to Victoria Falls, a world heritage site.

The project was done by China Jiangsu International and financed through a 150-million-U.S.-dollar-loan from China EXIM Bank.

TEMA PORT AND KOTOKURABA MARKET

Ghana's eastern port of Tema on Nov. 16 began expansion, undertaken by the China Harbor Engineering Company, amid a drive to become a more efficient gateway to Africa.

Under the project, a total of 120 hectares of land would be reclaimed from the sea. The project will also see the upgrading of the two-lane Tema-Accra Expressway into a six-lane road to ease traffic flow.

Ghana on Nov. 29 commissioned the new Kotokuraba market, whose construction was financed by China EXIM Bank and undertaken by China Railway Construction Engineering Group.

The market in the ancient capital Cape Coast features modern facilities including a 200-capacity parking lot, a solar system for emergency lighting and CCTV security cameras.

The market renovation and construction is expected to ease congestion in the former Kotokuraba market, which had suffered two major fires with heavy losses.

BURUNDI'S DIGITAL TV MIGRATION

Burundi on Dec. 19 inaugurated a digital television project by Chinese media company StarTimes after its construction completed. The project has helped Burundi to become the first in the East African Community to achieve a complete migration from analog to digital television.

The project will allow broadcasting of high-quality images and sounds and a wider national, regional and international coverage of the Burundi national television.

On the same day, Chinese tech giant Huawei also marked the completion of its metropolitan area network project in Burundi, which involves laying 220 km optical fiber in the capital Bujumbura.
A Palestinian protester uses a slingshot to hurl stones towards Israeli security forces during clashes following a demonstration against the expropriation of Palestinian land by Israel in the village of Kfar Qaddum, near Nablus, in the occupied West Bank on December 9, 2016. (AFP/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian presidency said on Saturday that the recent international support for the Palestinians, including a Security Council resolution condemning the Israeli settlement activity, sends a message to Israel and the coming U.S. administration regarding the world's position against the Israeli occupation and violation of international legitimacy resolutions.

Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeinah said in a statement carried by the official Palestinian news agency WAFA that the Palestinian leadership has achieved three highly significant consecutive goals that "completely failed" the Israeli policy.

He explained that those three achievements are the UN Security Council resolution affirming the illegality of Israeli settlement activity, then the U.S. administration's speech that considered the settlements the real reason behind ending the peace process and hindering the two-state solution and now standing at the verge of the international peace conference in Paris, which Israel is still trying to fail it.

Abu Rdeinah said those achievements were realized at a time when the entire region is going through historical changes.

He expressed that the world is "fed up with the Israeli policies, government and disregard to international law, while holding on to the occupation and will assist the Palestinian people in their just struggle that will not stop until we realize our right in freedom and national independence."

In his speech on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that the recent UN Security Council resolution against the settlement was intended to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.

Kerry called on both Israel and the Palestinians to accept the two-state solution in accordance with 1967 borders.

The speech came Just 22 days before Kerry's administration hands office over to the newly-elected President Donald Trump.

An international peace conference is expected to be held in Paris on Jan. 15, and will be attended by 70 foreign ministers and UN organizations, but no representatives of Palestinians or Israelis will take part.

Paris hosted an international ministerial meeting on June 3, which was attended by the foreign ministers of 25 countries, including four Arab states. It debated the revival of the stalled peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.

The last round of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, sponsored by the U.S., collapsed in April 2014, after nine months of futile efforts.
CAIRO, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Middle East has rarely been a region for optimists. The year 2016, if anything, only made the pessimists more pessimistic.

Bloodshed persisted in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict ground on. Terrorism also reared its head in Egypt and other parts of the region.

POLITICAL SOLUTION IN SIGHT FOR SYRIA?

As the year draws to an end, a countrywide cease-fire, brokered by Russia and Turkey, appeared to be largely holding in Syria, thanks to efforts by Russia, Turkey and Iran.

On Saturday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution welcoming the cease-fire arrangements and plans for talks between Syrian government and opposition representatives scheduled for next month in Astana, Kazakhstan, hailing them as "an important step" ahead of the resumption of negotiations under UN auspices in Geneva.

The UN resolution struck a positive year-end note, lending weight to efforts toward a political solution to the nearly six-year Syria war that killed more than 300,000 people and displaced nearly 11 million others.

But much harder work lies ahead if meaningful peace is to return to this violence-inflicted region.

MOSUL OPERATION PUSHES IRAQ INTO YET ANOTHER VIOLENT YEAR

In Iraq, the operation to seize Mosul, the country's second largest city, from Islamic State (IS) control, turned out to be harder than the government had expected.

The advances on Mosul were slowed in the past two weeks amid grueling fighting inside Mosul with extremist militants, who used civilians as human shields and resorted to suicide bombings, in addition to mortar and sniper attacks.

IS militants continued to wreak havoc in other parts of the country, the latest happening in Baghdad on Saturday, when a wave of blasts killed 30 people and wounded 59 others, culminating another violent year that left more than 16,000 civilians dead.

TRAGIC YEAR FOR YEMEN

Some describe the humanitarian situation as "catastrophic" in Yemen, where airstrikes by a Saudi-led coalition and fighting on the ground have killed more than 10,000 people, many of them civilians, and injured over 35,000 others. More than 2 million people have been displaced, according to humanitarian agencies.

Despite repeated efforts to end hostilities and many broken cease-fire deals, violence raged on in Yemen. The only positive news by year-end was that Jordan is considering hosting talks aimed at de-escalation, rather than cease-fire.

UNREST, POLITICAL DIVISION IN LIBYA

One year after Libya's rival parties signed a UN-sponsored political agreement, the North African country remained trapped in unrest and political division, which features two rival governments and parliaments, with worsening basic services, faltering economy and continued attacks by IS militants in the erstwhile oil-rich country.

ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict did not come any closer to an end in 2016 and the following year does not bode well either.

More than 200 Palestinians and dozens of Israelis have been killed in low-intensity conflict that started in mid-2015.

Israel's insistence to continue with settlement construction despite UN censure further dims hopes of a two-state solution.

TERROR ATTACKS IN TURKEY, EGYPT

Elsewhere in the region, Turkey and Egypt both suffered frequent violent attacks in 2016. Many of the attacks in Turkey were blamed on Kurdish rebels and those in Egypt on local groups affiliated with the IS.

As many of the underlying causes remain unsolved and because of the involvement of outside players in local conflicts, 2017 looks set to be another year of chaos and bloodshed for much of the Middle East.
Dear Mr. President-elect:

Your position on universal health insurance has been admirably clear. You support it. You did before you ran for president and continued to do so in the campaign.

In 2000, you wrote, We must have universal health care. In a Fox News debate last year, you said, We have to take care of the people that cant take care of themselves. On 60 Minutes, you said, Everybodys got to be covered.

I am writing to you now because I am concerned that Republicans in Congress do not share your goal and are not giving you good advice on this issue. Im worried that they are not acting in the best interests of your presidency or the country. I encourage you to be skeptical of them.

It is entirely possible for you to sign a conservative health care bill that lives up to your belief in universal coverage. Its a bill that you could celebrate as a replacement of Obamacare. But it would be quite different from the bills that congressional Republicans are pushing.

When they claim that their bills will not take health insurance away from millions of people, theyre engaging in magical thinking. They are trying to fool the media, voters and you.

They are focusing on a strategy of repeal and delay, in which major parts of Obamacare will remain for months or years. In the intervening time, they say, they will somehow keep people from losing insurance.

But they do not have a realistic plan, despite years of talk. Nor, to be blunt, does your choice for secretary of health and human services, who is one of those congressional Republicans. And a repeal is likely to undermine insurance markets long before its effective date.

Mr. President-elect, you are a businessman. You understand that savvy executives dont simply live in the present. They look to the future. Theyre fond of quoting Wayne Gretzky: Skate to where the puck is going, not where it has been.

Insurance executives can see through the magical thinking of politicians. They know that a functioning insurance market must include both healthy and sick people. There are very few ways to guarantee this combination. Without Obamacares subsidies to help people buy coverage and its mandate (weak as it is) to require they have coverage, markets will break down. The healthy will leave, the sick will stay and costs will soar.

After a repeal is signed, the uncertainty will give insurers reason to exit quickly. As Nicholas Bagley, a leading expert at the University of Michigan, says, If youre an insurer, youre likely to head for the hills.

The chaos runs a high risk of leaving millions of people without insurance early in your presidency. Many of them will be members of the white working class who voted for you.

As you know, the Republican leaders in Congress have never been your biggest fans. I think its fair to say that they care more about being able to brag that they got rid of Obamacare than about your political standing. The bills they are considering threaten your standing.

But you have alternatives.

The crucial first step is to avoid repealing the insurance expansion without simultaneously replacing it. The new Congress comes to Washington next week, and its members should know where you stand from the beginning. It wont work to promise millions of people health insurance on spec.

If you avoid this trap, you can then push both parties toward a different version of universal health coverage.

There is a ton of policy space for compromise, as Bagley says. There is room for a really interesting discussion and potentially a breakthrough that could rebrand Obamacare and replace some of the portions of it that most set Republican teeth on edge. You will like this, Mr. President-elect: Bagley also says you are the kind of politician who could cut a really interesting deal.

That deal could give states more flexibility to meet the top-line coverage goals. It could rely more heavily on subsidies to bring healthy people into the market  and ultimately scrap the mandate. It could permit insurers to charge young people less (and older people more). It could create incentives for personal responsibility, allowing higher prices for people who have voluntarily gone without insurance.

I will be honest that I do not favor some of these ideas and worry that they would cause hardships. But I was not elected president, and you were. And all of these ideas are within the realm of serious debate about our health care system.
Man survives shooting attack

Kenderson Ras Gay was a marked target as he sat on the bonnet of his car outside Coppers Bar in Valencia which was the scene of several shootings and murders this year.

Eyewitnesses said the shooter laid in waiting as Gay was liming with friends outside the bar.

After the shooting, the assailant escaped through a residents yard and over a fence.

Gay was rushed to the Sangre Grande District Hospital where he was listed in a critical condition. The latest police report stated that he was at the Intensive Care Unit of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.

Valencia Police officers were still searching for the gunman and no motive has yet been ascertained.

In an unrelated incident, a 34-year-old man, identified as Bevon Mackie of John John, Laventille, was found bleeding from gunshot wounds near the St Phillipa RC School, Laventille.

He was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was listed in critical condition.

However, he succumbed to his injuries at about 11am yesterday.

.
Archbishop Harris, Bishop Berkley: Strengthen families in 2017

I also hope that families  we wont have peace unless families in Trinidad and Tobago are strengthened  begin to live a family life in a different and more authentic way, he said.

Meanwhile Anglican Bishop Claude Berkley told Newsday that his wish for the citizenry is to arrive at consensus on national issues such as how to respond to crime, the recessionary times, and how to strengthen the family.

Wishing the nation good health, prosperity and a peaceful 2017, Berkley said, We need have more prayers, more imagination, and more creativity to help us in the upcoming struggles. Due to a contracted economy, Berkley said that the marginalised will be needing help.

Asked about tonights midnight worships, both Harris and Berkley said that many are no longer held at midnight due mainly to parishes and their congregation taking safety precautions to guard against criminal elements, as well as to enable families to celebrate the New Year together.

Speaking about tonights midnight mass Harris said he will celebrate mass at the Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception in Port-of-Spain from 9pm. He will be preaching about Mary, the mother of God and our mother to place emphasis on motherhood and the role of the family. It is expected that the mass will end about an hour or an hour-and-a-half later.

We have not been having mass at midnight a long time now. Since I have been back to Trinidad and Tobago in 1987, I have not seen many midnight masses. Masses used to be at 10 pm and 11 pm to end at midnight, he said.

He continued, Now they have come forward a little bit earlier, I think because of the crime situation.

People dont want to be out of their homes too late. He noted, however, that St Finbars RC Church in Diego Martin still holds a traditional midnight mass. While most churches are full for the midnight masses, Harris said that the Cathedral is never overflowing.

I suspect that this year, because we also have the unveiling of the statue of our Lady of Fatima, there will be more people at the Cathedral, he said.

The unveiling of the statue, he said, will coincide with World Day of Peace which is observed on January 1 each year.

Berkley said that because of the crime situation most of the Anglican churches this year held Christmas Eve services before midnight and it is expected that they will also hold their services before midnight on New Years Eve.

He will, however, be celebrating the Holy Eucharist at St Andrews Anglican Church in Tobago from 11pm.
WASA repairs burst main at St Francois Girls

A release from WASA said that workmen were carrying out emergency repair work that was due to be completed by 6 pm yesterday.

The affected areas included St Barbs, Carr Street, and Regents Street and environs.

WASA apologised for the inconvenience caused during the period of interruption.

Yesterday residents expressed relief that WASA was finally carrying out repairs to the line from which water had been flowing for the past three months.

One resident told Newsday that she had been in contact with the office of the Authoritys chief executive officer, and had written letters to the chairman of the board of directors and to WASAs legal counsel. She had been assured that the situation would have been rectified but to no avail.

The situation had become dire, she said, as water began to flow into peoples yards, including hers, and was eroding the walls of a nearby house.

The resident said that it was also eroding the foundation of the schools driveway.
Praedial Larceny Squad unhappy over relocation

However, the approximately 18-member northern squad is dissatisfied with the move claiming that the location is unsuitable and not compliant with provisions in the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OSHA).

When Newsday visited the office, currently located at the Vehicle Management Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (VMCOTT) Compound, Beetham Highway, Port-of- Spain, boxes were on the floors as the officers have already packed in preparation for their move.

The officers were reluctant to speak but confirmed that they were in fact moving to St Helena.

It was said that the breeding site in El Carmen, St Helena, approximately two years ago, was rat and bat infested and, although improvements were made, it is still unsuitable for habitation.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one source said, That is where they placed animals when theyre brought in to the country.

It was infested and OSHA shut it down.

They started doing some work but it is still not suitable for human beings. There are officers who went there and said there is not enough bathrooms for female officers and when it rains there is constant flooding. The Praedial Larceny Squad was established in November 2013 under the then Peoples Partnership administration and was initially housed under the then Ministry of Food Production headed by Devant Maharaj. In 2015 the Praedial Larceny Squad was moved solely to the Ministry of National Security, a move which Maharaj criticised, saying it was tried before and it failed. Attempts to contact Acting Commissioner of Police, Stephen Williams, were unsuccessful.
Minister: Pan players money paid

Questioned by Newsday, on the matter, Gadsby-Dolly said, Five million dollars were released to Pan Trinbago by the National Carnival Commission (NCC) in October for this purpose. This represented the last tranche of 2016 subventions to Pan Trinbago.

Government has therefore supplied the entire 2016 subvention to Pan Trinbago and expects they would remit what is outstanding to the members of their organisation. On Wednesday, Pan Trinbago President Keith Diaz told Newsday that Pan Trinbago received $5 million on October 28, which was a shortfall of $2.7 million and which was spent on the steelband from Tobago for hotel, meals and transportation. He added, I did not want to start paying panmen and end up in a situation where all would not have received their remittance but this exercise will begin shortly. In Wednesdays meeting, it was reported Diaz said that Minister Gadsby-Dolly was unwilling to meet with Pan Trinbago to discuss the allocation of money.

Asked about it, Minister Gadsby- Dolly said, I continue to be accessible to all persons as much as possible. In some instances, when I am not, the Permanent Secretary and/or Deputy Permanent Secretary stand in and meet with groups and/or individuals. Attempts to contact NCC chairman Kenny de Silva and Pan Trinbago president Diaz yesterday for fresh comment were unsuccessful.

Minister Gadsby-Dolly said that $168 million was allocated for Carnival 2017 and given to the NCC.
Cuffie: No counterclaim against QRC

Cuffie said QRC principal, David Simon, must draft a letter to apply for use of the site, which will be considered by Cabinet.

A statement later from Cuffies Ministry said the QRC head was buoyed by the talks, held at the Education Ministry with the two ministers, plus Minister of State, Dr Lovell Francis.

Cuffie said QRC will make a claim for the site to the Education Ministry. The ministry will examine and, if they support that claim, will in turn make a request to the Ministry of Public Administration which, if they agree, can prepare a Cabinet note for him.

If he supports it, he can take it to Cabinet to make the ultimate decision.

Cuffie said he cannot presume what Cabinets decision will be.
Opposition meets early in new year on FATCA

This was the word yesterday from Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh. He told Newsday that as far as he was aware, the Opposition has not planned any caucus for this week.

Indarsingh said once the festive period is over, he was certain that Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar and the UNCs National Executive will determine an appropriate date to meet.

The House of Representatives resumes its sittings on January 6 at 1.30 pm with the continuation of deliberations at the committee stage on the Tax Information Exchange Agreement Bill 2016. Yesterday in a letter to the editor, Naparima MP Rodney Charles objected to statements made by former Peoples National Movement (PNM) public relations officer (PRO) Ronald Huggins about the two walkouts which the Opposition staged in the House when the FATCA legislation was being dealt with. Charles said in the second walkout on December 9, he was ejected from the House by Speaker Bridgid Annisette- George when he expressed solidarity with Persad-Bissessar after Annisette-George turned down a request by Persad-Bissessar to debate crime.

He claimed Huggins comments represent, the kind of knee jerk and not well thought out commentary that passes for comprehensive analysis in our country. Saying he supports the passage of the FATCA legislation and has no financial accounts in the United States or any other country, Charles declared, I am fully compliant with the Integrity Commission and so are all Opposition MPs. He also said the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), already exists to deal with the exchange of suspicious financial transactions involving US and TT citizens. On December 22, Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, Stuart Young, disclosed that for this year, the FIU has reported that 182 nationals may be involved in financing the activities of terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State (ISIS). The FIUs report is expected to be laid in Parliament on January 6. Young is the current PNM PRO.

Charles reiterated the Oppositions position for the FATCA legislation to be sent to a joint select committee (JSC). The Banker Association, the American Chamber of Commerce and other business groups have agreed with the Governments position that a JSC is not required to treat with the legislation.
California just decriminalized child prostitutes beginning Jan 1 legalization stirs outrage

Our world is so twisted today that fake news is deliberately written by the Washington Post and New York Times to sound like its real, but real news is so bizarre that it seems fabricated at first glance. Such is the case with Californias new law  SB 1322  that officially legalizes child prostitution beginning January 1. SB 1322 decriminalizes prostitution charges for minors, explains a press release from California lawmakers (link below).

SB 1322, entitled SB-1322 Commercial sex acts: minors, spells it out in plain language: (click here to read the text of the law yourself)

Existing law makes it a crime to solicit or engage in any act of prostitution. Existing law makes it a crime to loiter in any public place with the intent to commit prostitution.

This bill would make the above provisions inapplicable to a child under 18 years of age who is alleged to have engaged in conduct that would, if committed by an adult, violate the above provisions.

SB 1322 was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on September 26, 2016. Instead of being treated as criminals, youths to get supervision and counseling services, explains a government press release.

The law does not legalize adults soliciting sex with children, of course. Instead, it decriminalizes children and teens who engage in prostitution themselves. The idea, according to California lawmakers, is that such children should receive counseling instead of criminal charges.

Notably, there is no age limit on how young a legalized prostitute can now be, meaning that even children as young as 12 years old can legally sell their bodies for sex under California law. Or even nine year olds!

Gov. Brown, by the way, is the same politician who also signed SB 277, the vaccine mandate law that causes young African-American boys to be neurologically damaged and made autistic. That link has already been publicly admitted by a top CDC scientist.

Prostitution is still a crime if youre 18 or older, but its legal if youre 17 or younger huh?

Now, thanks to Gov. Brown, 17-year-old boys and girls in California have legal immunity to engage in open prostitution. But when they turn 18, suddenly theyre criminals.

Meanwhile, prostitution clients are considered rapists or sex offenders if they engage in sex acts with children under the age of 18. So now, according to Californias totally insane Governor and legislature, 17-year-old prostitutes can openly stand on street corners and sell their bodies with complete legal immunity all in the name of compassion from a safe space California culture that has gone so far off the deep end, the rest of the country desperately hopes #CalExit will succeed.

Governor Jerry Brown even brags about legalizing child prostitution, saying it will stop the exploiters and help the exploited. No one outside the fairy tale land of Collapsifornia understands how that logic works. If prostitution is legalized for children, how does that stop the exploiters who would then rush to recruit under-age children to serve as sex workers with the benefit of legal immunity?

If California really wants to stop the exploiters, why doesnt the state just legalize all consenting acts between adults and stop criminalizing adult prostitution altogether? To maintain the criminality of sex acts between adults while legalizing sex acts sold by minors seems so completely insane that it could only come from a place like Collapsifornia  a delusional bubble of artificial reality run by Big Brother meddlers and an endless parade of do-gooder nanny state libtardocrats who still havent learned a single thing about why good intentions alone are never enough.

Pimps rejoice as Californias lunatic liberal lawmakers open the floodgates to exploiting young teens for the sex trade

The unintended but predictable consequence of how the real villains  pimps and other traffickers in human misery  will respond to this new law isnt difficult to foresee, writes the Washington Examiner. But legalizing child prostitution will only incentivize the increased exploitation of underage girls. Immunity from arrest means law enforcement cant interfere with minors engaging in prostitution  which translates into bigger and better cash flow for the pimps. Simply put, more time on the street and less time in jail means more money for pimps, and more victims for them to exploit.

The Examiner adds:

As Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley, a national leader on human trafficking issues, told the media, It just opens up the door for traffickers to use these kids to commit crimes and exploit them even worse. Another prosecutor insightfully observed that if traffickers wrote legislation to protect themselves, it would read like SB 1322.

In other words, California legislators, via a Democrat supermajority, just passed exactly the type of law that child sex traffickers would have written themselves if they ran the legislature. Come to think of it, maybe they do!

Thank goodness California also passed SB 277, the vaccine mandate law, because otherwise all those child prostitutes might spread the flu to their paying sex partners. Yep, thats Californias health code for you: Vaccinate all the children before you send them onto the street corners as legalized prostitutes.

Glad to know California has its priorities straight.

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Brazil policeman confesses to killing Greek ambassador

Brazil,Crime/Disaster/Accident,Diplomacy, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Rio De Janeiro, Dec 31 (IANS) Police in Rio de Janeiro announced on Friday that a burnt body found earlier this week was identified as Greek ambassador to Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis, and that a local policeman, who had been having an affair with the ambassador's wife, confessed to his murder.

The police issued arrest warrants against four people: Francoise Amiridis, the ambassador's wife; her lover, policeman Sergio Gomes Moreira Filho; and two unidentified people, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the police, the ambassador was killed inside a property in Nova Iguacu, near Rio, with his body then taken from the site in a car he had rented, which was burnt and abandoned.

Amiridis was stationed in Brasilia, but was spending his Christmas holidays in Nova Iguacu, where his wife's family lives. He had reportedly bought a house near the home of his in-laws.

Amiridis'wife originally said he left the family home on Monday without saying where he was going and had not seen him since. However, she only reported the ambassador missing on Wednesday.

On Thursday, a car matching the description of Amiridis' rented vehicle was found in Nova Iguacu, with a body inside.

Kyriakos Amiridis, 59, was the Greek ambassador to Brazil since early 2016. Before that, he had served as Greek consul in Rio from 2001 to 2004. Francoise and Kyriakos Amiridis were together for 15 years and have a 10-year-old daughter.

--IANS

lok/
Aniston, Theroux to go on vacation to save their marriage

United States,Cinema/Showbiz,Hollywood, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Los Angeles, Dec 31 (IANS) Actors Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux are reportedly trying to fix their broken marriage. Aniston is planning a getaway with her husband to save their marriage.

"The honeymoon has been over for a while. Less than two years after Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux said 'I do', they are already feeling the strain in their marriage," a source told OK! Magazine, reports aceshowbiz.com.

"But despite the pain, Jen is committed to making things work, and is planning a warm getaway, just for the two of them.

"Jen just wants it to be an intimate, romantic vacation for two," the source said, adding that the 47-year-old actress "hopes it will go a long way toward smoothing over their myriad marital problems".

The pair got engaged in August 2012, after 18 months of dating. They got married in 2015.

--IANS

sas/sug/bg
President greets Cuba on its National Day

Delhi,National,Politics,Diplomacy, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday greeted Cuba on its National Day.

"It gives me great pleasure to felicitate you on the happy occasion of the National Day of Cuba," Mukherjee said in his message to the President of Cuba, Raul Castro.

"Relations between India and Cuba are based on strong foundations of shared values and convergence of views," he said.

Mukherjee said the meeting between Raul Castro and India's Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari in Margarita, Venezuela, in September 2016 had added further "impetus to our ongoing cooperation".

"Our two countries now look forward to a closer partnership in various areas of our shared interest including biotechnology, wind energy, power co-generation among others."

Cuba is a Caribbean island nation and celebrates its National Day on January 1.

--IANS

ruwa/ksk/bg
Army's response adequate, immediate and intense: Gen. Dalbir Singh

Delhi,National,Politics,Defence/Security, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) Outgoing Army chief General Dalbir Singh on Saturday said he had promised "more than adequate, immediate and intense" response to any action, and the Indian Army had delivered on it during the two and a half years he was at the helm.

He said that the Indian Army was fully prepared and well trained to undertake any challenge, be it external or internal.

As many as 141 terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir this year alone, General Dalbir Singh said.

General Singh, who retired on Saturday, inspected a Guard of Honour on the lawns of the South Block in the morning, before handing over charge to his successor General Bipin Rawat.

Addressing the media, the outgoing General thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for giving the Army a "free hand" in conducting operations and also thanked the citizens for respecting the Army that boosted their morale.

General Singh saluted the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation, the soldiers who serve in challenging areas like "Siachen, icy mountains, scorching deserts and dense forests" and those fighting insurgency and terrorism in the northeast and Jammu and Kashmir.

"I express my sincere gratitude to the honourable Prime Minister and the government for their full support and for giving free hand in conducting operations; for giving impetus to modernisation and for granting 'One Rank One Pension' to the ex-servicemen," General Singh said.

"I also thank the citizens of this country for supporting and respecting the soldiers which has enhanced the morale of the Indian Army immensely," he said.

"As you are aware, I have never given any TV interview because I strongly believe that actions must speak louder than words. The day I took over as Chief of the Army Staff I had said that our response to any action will be more than adequate, immediate and intense," he said.

General Singh, when he took over as the Army chief on August 1, 2014, had said India's response to any aggression from Pakistan will be "more than adequate".

"The Indian Army has delivered that in the last two and a half years. The Indian Army is the finest and the strongest Army in the world. Our leaders are most competent and unit leaders lead from the front and soldiers are bravest. I want to assure the nation that Indian Army is fully prepared, well trained to undertake any challenges, be it external or internal," he said.

General Singh said the focus of the Army was on operational preparedness and training during his headship.

Asked about the attacks like that in Uri, in which 19 soldiers were killed, and Nagrota, in which seven soldiers were killed, the outgoing Army chief said the attacks and infiltration have increased, but the Army has also killed double the number of terrorists compared with last year.

"We have displayed the power of firmness, resolve, ability and will power... as far as casualties are concerned, the infiltration attempts have increased. If we leave the casualties caused in those two incidents (Nagrota and Uri), the casualties are not so high," General Singh said.

"In 2012, we killed 67 terrorists, in 2013 we killed 65 terrorists... this year, only in Jammu and Kashmir, we have killed 141 terrorists. There are more incidents of infiltration, but we have killed more terrorists, almost double the number," he added.

--IANS

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'Assassin's Creed': Visually impressive but fails to excite (IANS Review, Rating: **)

Delhi,Cinema/Showbiz, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Film: "Assassin's Creed"; Director: Justin Kurzel; Cast: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Charlotte Rampling, Michael K. Williams, Ariane Labed, Callum Turner, Brendan Gleeson, Essie Davis, Denis Menochet; Rating: **

With a tired, tried and over abused premise of finding peace among humanity, "Assassin's Creed" is an original story that expands the series' mythology. Oscillating between the Spanish Inquisition circa 1492 and the present, it is an action adventure film based on the video game franchise of the same name.

The tale follows a convicted criminal, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender), who is executed and brought back to life, by a group of people who are the modern day incarnation of the Templar Order. From them, he learns that he is a descendant of a secret order of the Assassins, who are protecting the Apple of Eden, which implanted the first sin, in order to subjugate the human race.

The Assassins and the Templars have been at war for centuries and they have captured Callum in order to find the whereabouts of the Apple. They do this by connecting Callum to a machine that allows him to go back in time and revive his memories.

The plot smoothly oscillates between the past and the present, giving the film a spectacular blend of a period epic and a modern day sci-fi film.

It is a cool film that is moderately engaging but offers nothing exceptional. In fact, during the first two acts, the narrative propels with force, but during the last act it loses momentum and simply seems to disintegrate, leaving you unsatisfied.

As for the performances of the ace cast, one does not invest in them, simply because this is an action oriented film. And, the film does offer adrenaline packed action sequences, which over a period of time tend to be mechanical.

Nevertheless, the film is Michael Fassbender's canvas and he shines as Callum Lynch and the moody sullen warrior Aguilar de Nerha.

Visually the film is stylishly designed and aesthetically shot. Production Designer Andy Nicholson and Costume Designer Sammy Sheldon Differ eloquently reproduce the two distinct settings, which are efficiently captured by Cinematographer Adam Arkapaw's lens. His frames especially the aerial shots are worth a mention. Also his live action shots seamlessly merge with the computer generated images.

The background score by composer Jed Kurzel elevates the viewing experience, especially during the action sequences - the roof top chases, when Callum escapes the Templars. The bells chiming in the background add that extra chutzpah to the traditionally orchestrated score.

The editing by Christopher Tellefen is razor sharp and seamless. The transitions back and forth between the two eras are exquisite.

Overall, the film is visually impressive but fails to excite even the fans of the video games.

--IANS

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Courtesy Sophia Lindner(PHILADELPHIA) -- One sugar-loving cat was caught red-pawed trying to sneak a cinnamon roll, and the photos tell the tail of the thieving tabby.



Sophia Lindner snapped the purr-petrator  her sneaky 6-year-old cat, Percy  reaching for the rolls her family traditionally makes on Christmas morning, in hilarious photos.



She captioned the photos, shared on Twitter, "merry Christmas here's my cat getting busted for taking a cinnamon roll 2 seconds after we told him no."



The photos have been retweeted more than 140,000 times.



Lindner, a 19-year-old student from Ardmore, Pennsylvania, told ABC News that Percy looked as if he was up to no good when she grabbed her phone to capture the moment.



"My mom had put [the rolls] on this TV table, and I could see him eyeing them from underneath," the University of Pennsylvania freshman recalled. "He knows the word 'no,' and he knows the words 'get down,' so I told him, 'Nooooo,' and he looked at me with that face, because he knows."



Lindner said her sneaky cat sprinted into the next room after getting caught.



Still, she loves him just the same.



"He'll be naughty one day, and the next day I'll wake up, and he's curled up next to me or sleeping with me," she gushed. "It's Christmas. What's the point of getting mad?"

Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Calm prevails amid Syria ceasefire

Syrian Arab Republic,Defence/Security, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Damascus, Dec 31 (IANS) Calm prevailed in most of the Syrian territories where a truce between the Syrian army and rebel factions came into force on Friday, a monitoring group reported on Saturday.

However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) also said it has registered violations of the ceasefire in several provinces, Efe news reported.

Rebel groups violated the ceasefire 12 times in its first 24 hours, according to the Russian coordination centre located at Hamimim military base, in the Syrian province of Latakia.

The SOHR recorded clashes in the Barada river valley in Damascus between government forces and allied militias and the Conquest of the Levant Front, the Syrian affiliate of Al Qaeda, and other Islamist rebel groups.

Damascus has insisted that the Conquest Front should be excluded from the truce, while opposition rebels believe that it should be included as it is present in many areas along with other armed factions, with which they sometimes fight shoulder to shoulder.

The NGO also reported that regime forces have used heavy submachine guns to attack rebels in several areas of the town of Alma, in the southern province of Deraa.

In this province there have also been fights between armed men loyal to the Syrian president, Bashar al Assad, and rebels and Islamists.

The ceasefire agreement, hammered out between Russia and Turkey, was backed by the Syrian Army's General Command, the Syrian Armed Forces and rebel factions.

The deal aims to lead the way towards a new round of peace talks, scheduled to begin towards the end of January 2017 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

--IANS

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PM must acknowledge devastation due to demonetisation: Congress

Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) As the nation waits for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on Saturday, the Congress party demanded that he should acknowledge the "devastation unleashed upon the people" due to demonetisation.

December 30 was the 50th day of demonetisation, the deadline given by the Prime Minister for the situation to normalise in the country.

"Already he has announced a lottery. He (Modi) is likely to announce incentives for using digital mode of transactions both for traders and consumers. This is something that any government could have done at any point in time," Congress leader and member of parliament Rajeev Gowda told the media.

"It is something absolutely meaningful in the longer run. We don't need demonetisation for that.

"These are measures that the government will announce to try and correct some of the damage unleashed on the people of India. We hope he comes up with measures including an acknowledgement of the devastation that he has unleashed on the people," Gowda said.

"What the Prime Minister is going to do is to throw some more measures that are likely to continue in this pattern of shifting goalposts, changing the original goals of demonetisation, coming up with something new to distract the people of India," he added.

--IANS

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Baijal takes oath as Delhi's Lt. Governor, Kejriwal welcomes him (Roundup)

Delhi,National,Politics, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) Former Union Home Secretary Anil Baijal on Saturday took over as the new Lt. Governor of Delhi with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hoping for better relations with him compared to his predecessor Najeeb Jung.

Both Baijal and Kejriwal expressed hope to work in coordination with each other and resolve any issues that may arise by "sitting together".

Soon after taking the oath of office, Baijal told reporters here he will try to resolve problems being faced by Delhi, and will sit together with Kejriwal to resolve the conflict between his office and the elected government.

"I don't know how they (relations with Aam Aadmi Party government) will improve and whether they will improve. We will sit together and find out how to go forward," he said.

Welcoming Baijal, Kejriwal, who attended his oath ceremony, said he hoped for cooperation from the new Lt. Governor to resume "stalled work".

"I welcome him on behalf of the Delhi government and hope to work with him in the coming days for Delhi's development," he said.

"During the last few months, many of Delhi's works were stopped. We hope that in the coming days, we will be able to resume them with the same pace with which they were being carried out earlier," he added referring to Jung's intervention in many of Delhi government's decisions.

Baijal's predecessor Jung was at loggerheads with Kejriwal and his ministers ever since the AAP swept to power in the national capital in February 2015.

In September, Jung set up a committee to review over 400 files related to decisions taken by the Delhi government.

Baijal on Saturday morning was administered the oath of office by Delhi High Court Chief Justice G. Rohini at the Lt. Governor's Office here.

Kejriwal, his cabinet colleagues, many judges and senior officers of the central and Delhi governments were present at the ceremony.

In his first message to Delhi residents soon after taking charge as Delhi's Lt Governor, Baijal extended his greetings to the people for the New Year.

"On New Year Eve, Lt. Governor Anil Baijal extends his warmest greetings to all the residents of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the citizens of India," a statement said.

Baijal also wished for health, happiness, progress, peace and prosperity for all.

Baijal, a 1969-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, retired from service in 2006.

In his 37-year-long career as a top bureaucrat, Baijal held several posts, including those of the Union Home Secretary, Chairman and Managing Director of Indian Airlines, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Joint Secretary and Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

He succeeds Najeeb Jung, who resigned on December 22.

Jung is a 1973-batch former IAS officer and also Jamia Millia Islamia University ex-Vice Chancellor. He had assumed charge as Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on July 9, 2013.

--IANS

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Goa on Jaish, LeT radar, Israel warns citizens to stay away

India,National,Defence/Security,Terrorism, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Panaji, Dec 31 (IANS) Goa Police on Saturday deployed its anti-terrorism squad and reserve police in anticipation of a possible terror attack by Jaish-e-Mohammad or Lashkar-e-Taiba. The move came a day after Israel issued a travel warning for India, in the wake of possible attempts to carry out attacks against Western tourists.

The terrorists might strike along the North Goa beach belt, a popular beach party destination, especially on New Year's Eve, according to intelligence sources.

The Israel's counter-terrorism bureau recommended that Israeli tourists in India avoid attending New Year's events or visiting marketplaces, festivals or crowded shopping centres.

Speaking to reporters, Director General of Police Muktesh Chander while confirming the threat said: "Yes, we have received this specific intelligence input."

Police sources said that the anti-terrorism squad and reserve police units have been deployed along the North Goa beach belt, especially in Anjuna, Calangute and Baga beach villages, which host a majority of the New Year's Eve parties which were patronised by thousands of tourists, including foreigners.

"Special security arrangements have also been made to secure areas which see a high density of tourists on New Year's Eve," police sources said.

The coastal state attracts more than four million tourists every year, with half a million tourists being foreign nationals, most of them from Russia and Britain.

Earlier on Saturday, Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said there was no specific terror alert for Goa area.

Police sources, however, said, the new specific terror alert issued by central intelligence agencies, was received by Goa police around noon on Saturday.

"The Chief Minister has been briefed again about the new input subsequently," informed sources said on condition of anonymity.

In 2008 militants killed 166 people, among them five Israelis, in a series of attacks in Mumbai, targeting hotels, a central train station, popular cafe and a Chabad house.

--IANS

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Opposition targets Modi over cash withdrawal restrictions

Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) With his self-imposed 50 day deadline having ended, Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued to be targetted by the opposition on demonetisation as both the Congress and the Trinamool Congress on Saturday assailing him over the continued restrictions on cash withdrawal.

Leading the assault, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said the trust in Modi has been destroyed in the last 50 days and put forth a charter of demands that included compensating all bank account holders with a special interest at 18 per cent per annum till the time the restrictions on withdrawal continue.

"Destroyed in the last 50 days: trust in the Prime Minister's word. Weekly cash withdrawal limits must go," Gandhi tweetedr.

Gandhi, who has been leading his party's charge against Modi, demanded the prime minister to compensate Below Poverty Line (BPL) families with Rs 25,000 besides abolishing charges on digital transactions.

Former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram also took to Twitter to target Modi, questioning the continuance of restrictions on withdrawal even post the 50 day deadline.

"Will all ATMs be functional and have sufficient cash from January 2? If not, why not?

"Will there be no demand hereafter for black money capitation fee for admission to medical and engineering colleges. Will no bribes be given or taken after January 2?" he wondered.

The Congress, which will undertake a month-long nation-wide anti-demonetisation campiagn across the country, said the decision to spike the Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes was a disaster which will slow down the economy in 2017.

Congress leader Rajeev Gowda said the "disaster" of demonetisation has "decimated" autonomy and authority of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and claimed the all the economic indicators will see a "drop" in 2017.

"Rather than creating jobs, Modi has destroyed jobs," he said.

Pointing to the regular change and reversal of rules concerning demonetisation, Gowda said: "We have seen a mockery of governance in every sense".

The Congress on the day also unveiled a book 'Demonetisation- Attack on India's Economy' that provides a "detailed analysis of everything that has gone wrong in implementing demonetisation".

Trinamool supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who has been calling for Modi's resignation held him responsible for the alleged 112 deaths post demonetisation.

"Modi Babu, public are not beggars of your Government. Why are there still restrictions on cash withdrawal ? 50 days are now over. How can you take away the rights of citizens to withdraw their own hard-earned money," she tweeted.

"Modi babu, you are totally arrogant. You are responsible for 112 deaths," said Banerjee who will lead her party's statewide campaign beginning January seeking Modi's removal as the prime minister.

--IANS

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Congress to launch 3-phase stir against demonetisation from Jan 2

Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) The Congress on Saturday announced it will launch a nationwide movement in three phases from January 2 to expose the November 8 demonitisation, which it dubbed the "biggest scam of Independent India".

Demonetisation was projected by the Prime Minister as a measure to fight black money but instead ended up creating two more markets of black money -- exchange of old scrapped notes with new notes and also the sale of new notes running into hundreds of crores of rupees.

"To expose this entire scam and expose how the national income and GDP (Gross Domestic Product) will be affected, the Congress has decided to launch a nationwide programme," said Randeep Singh Surjewala, incharge of the Communication Department of the All India Congress Committee.

"Till today (Saturday), our national and state leaders have already fanned out to various state capitals and held elaborate press conferences," he added.

Surjewala said all state leaders will fan out to their respective districts on January 2 and 3 and put out the material which, the party claimed, will exposes the scam.

The Congress leader said they will also expose the deficiencies and attack on India's economy, poor, farmer, the middle class and traders and shopkeepers by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"On January 6, the Congress workers will hold district-level 'gherao' of Collectorates across India," said Surjewala.

"Simultaneously, state-level Pradesh Congress Committee meetings will be held. On January 9, 'Garib ki jeb khali, bajao thali' protest will be held. The Mahlia Congress and all other frontal organisations of the party will participate in the pan-India agitation," he added.

He said the second phase of agitation will be between January 10 and 20 and the third phase between January 20 and 30.

"One market to convert old notes into new notes at commissions ranging from 20 to 30 per cent, which is happening with tacit complicity, and sometimes with active complicity, of the government and its officials as various raids have exposed," said Surjewala.

"Second, the sale of new currency notes running into hundreds of crores of rupees as the ordinary people continue to face a withdrawal ceiling of Rs 2,500 and now Rs 4,500 every day," he added.

"So, instead of attacking black money, demonetization has actually given birth to a new market of black money," Surjewala said.

--IANS

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Rs 6,000 aid for pregnant women: Modi

Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy,Health/Medicine, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a scheme to provide pregnant women financial aid of Rs 6,000 as part of efforts to bring down the maternal mortality rate.

"The scheme will be applicable across the over 650 districts of the country. Under this scheme a pregnant woman will be provided with Rs 6,000 for covering hospital admission, vaccination and nutritional food," said Modi in his special address to the nation on New Year's Eve.

"The money will be directly transferred to pregnant women bank accounts," he said, adding that it "will greatly help in bringing down maternal mortality rate".

Currently the scheme is being implemented on a pilot basis in 53 districts with the benefit amount being Rs 4,000.

--IANS

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PM offers sops to poor, farmers, traders ahead of assembly polls

Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a slew of sops for the poor, farmers and small traders, the groups perceived to be worst hit by the November 8 demonetisation that caused widespread economic upheaval in the country.

In a New Year eve address that sounded more like a budget speech, Modi announced interest subvention on housing for the urban and rural poor, provided enhanced credit guarantees to small traders and MSMEs, gave a 60-day interest waiver on select farm loans, and ensured higher interest earnings for senior citizens.

He also directed cash-rich banks to go out of the way to help the not-so-privileged.

Modi, in his 45-minute speech -- first in Hindi and then English -- announced that the government would give rebates of four and three per cent for home loans of up to Rs 9 lakh and Rs 12 lakh, respectively, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in 2017.

He said that the government has decided to enhance the credit guarantee for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore.

Possibly keeping in mind the model code of conduct that will come into force once elections to five state assemblies, including in Uttar Pradesh, are announced next week, the Prime Minister flagged off several schemes aimed at helping the poor.

Farmers who have taken loans from district cooperative banks and societies have been granted waiver on interest for a period of 60 days. "The amount of the 60-day interest waiver will be directly transferred to the farmers' accounts," he said.

Striking an emotional note in a speech where he lauded India's "125 crore people" for bearing with the pain of the demonetisation fallout, he said thousands of people had written to him about the hardships they faced.

Terming demonetisation as a "historic cleansing ritual", Modi said people of the country had taken the biggest "shudhi yagna" after Diwali, and had, through their stoicism in the face of adversity, proved that a majority of Indians wanted freedom from corruption.

He thanked people for standing by him despite all the inconveniences which have been brought about by the policy of banning Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

He said the note-ban policy was aimed at the dishonest and to rid the nation of black money.

He also said that dishonest bank officials, who may have helped people illegally convert their illicit wealth, won't be spared.

The Prime Minister, however, didn't give any figures on the amount of old currency deposited in banks after the demonetisation.

--IANS

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Rajnath hopes for 1 lakh men in Delhi Police by 2017

Delhi,National,Politics,Defence/Security, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said he has written to the Finance Ministry, proposing to create 15,000 more vacancies in Delhi Police and expressed hope that the force will have 1 lakh men by the coming year.

He was speaking at the "Alankaran Samaroh" organised by the Delhi Police at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium to honour its 25,827 personnel, including 9,337 constables and 9,556 head constables, who have been promoted to next rank within last eight months.

"It's the first time in the country that so many police personnel have been promoted. It's the first time I am experiencing such a large gathering and a mega show like this. I have also written to the Finance Ministry proposing to create 15,000 more vacancy in the Delhi Police," Rajnath Singh said.

The minister expressed his hope that "by the coming year the force will have around a lakh men".

Emphasizing on crime in the city and making Delhi a safe place, Rajnath Singh asked the policemen that the voice and problem of the common man should be heard, and stressed that "no innocent should feel harassed, and a criminal must be punished at any cost".

He said that the force should not work under any pressure.

Recalling his recent visit to Shanghai, he said that he was informed that around 80,000 CCTV cameras have been installed in the city and that police reaches the place of occurrence within minutes. He wished that the Delhi Police would also function in this way.

He further added that he would have a meeting with police officials as well as retired police officers to chalk out a plan on how to make the national capital a safer place for the citizens.

The minister asked "all the wives and sisters of police personnel" to enquire from them about their day-to-day work and productivity towards the society, and that the force should work with honesty and interact with people regularly.

"Policing requires interaction with the common man and hence they (Delhi Police personnel) should be connected well with them (people)," he said.

--IANS

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Jharkhand coal mine cave-in: Toll touches 16

Bihar,National,Politics,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Ranchi, Dec 31 (IANS) The toll in Thursday's Jharkhand coal mine cave-in has risen to 16 with the recovery of five more bodies on Saturday, police said.

"Five more bodies have been recovered on Saturday. Two bodies were recovered in the morning and three in the afternoon. The rescue operation is going on," a police spokesperson told IANS.

"There are chances of some more people still trapped in the debris," the spokesperson said.

The tragedy occurred at the Rajmahal Opencast Project of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) around 7.30 p.m. on Thursday.

The relatives of those killed took the visiting ECL officials hostage on Saturday morning at the accident site. Police, however, managed to rescue them after three hours.

Rescue operations were being carried out by the National Disaster Response Force with assistance from the ECL, Bharat Cooking Coal Limited (BCCL), the state government and experts.

In a statement, the Coal Ministry said that senior officials from the Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS) were at the site and have started an enquiry into the incident.

The Coal Ministry has termed the incident "unprecedented".

An area of 300 metres length by 110 metres width solid floor of the overburden dump area slid down by about 35 metres involving around 9.5 million cubic metres of earth material.

"This could be due to failure of the bench edge along the hidden fault line/slip," it said.

Besides the probe by the Director General of Mines Safety, a "high level committee of experts" was constituted by Coal India Limited (CIL) to investigate the causes of the accident.

The Raghubar Das government in Jharkhand has also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 25,000 for the injured.

--IANS

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Modi's address a flop show, says Lalu

Delhi,National,Politics, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Saturday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on New Year's eve a "flop show" and said that people will again wait in queues from Monday to withdraw money.

"Tain Tain Fiss! The people of the country will again stand in queue from Monday. Modi speech was emotionless, ineffective, boredom and a pre- budget speech which was crawling on the knees," the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief said in a Tweet.

"If you have courage, ask your capitalist friends to make a sacrifice," he said.

Prasad added that Modi did not express any emotion even after killing over a hundred people and making 25 crore people jobless.

Terming Modi a Twitter king, he also said that the Prime Minister did not apologise for his "mistakes".

--IANS

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Truce in SP after Akhilesh, Ram Gopal re-inducted (Roundup)

Uttar Pradesh,National,Politics, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Lucknow, Dec 31 (IANS) Curtains came down on the ongoing fight in Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party on Saturday with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav re-inducted, a day after their dramatic expulsion.

Party chief and family patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav ordered his younger brother Shivpal Singh Yadav to announce the decision after an emotional meeting between him and his son Akhilesh.

The development followed a definitive show of strength by Akhilesh as more than 200 party legislators turned up for a meeting convened at his official residence, and senior party leader Azam Khan playing peacemaker.

With the multitude of supporters outside and the lawmakers vouching their support for Yadav junior, it became clear by noon that he enjoyed more popularity among the party.

With the numbers dwindling at the party headquarters at Vikramaditya Marg where barely two dozen MLAs and a handful of the 393 candidates announced showing up, it was clear that Mulayam Singh would have to retreat.

The wrestler-turned-politician realised that his decision to expel Akhilesh Yadav was boomeranging on him and sought to fashion a compromise. Long-standing colleague and Urban Development Minister Azam Khan provided just the man for it.

He met Mulayam Singh and tried to convince him that not only was his Friday decision taken in haste, it was also politically not prudent, but Mulayam Singh asked him to rather try to make Akhilesh realise that he was jeopardising his political career by defying the party and him.

Sources said Azam Khan saw this as an "opening window" for some communication between the duo. After his closed-door meeting with the party chief, he drove straight to 5, Kalidas Marg residence of the Chief Minister and was closeted with him for over 20 minutes.

Azam Khan and Akhilesh then went to meet Mulayam Singh at his residence, just a few hundred metres away. The father-son had an emotional meeting, with Akhilesh touching his the senior Yadav's feet and Mulayam Singh patting him gently on his shoulder.

But in the meeting, Akhilesh Yadav sought a "sammaanjanak waapasi" (honourable return) for himself and uncle Ram Gopal Yadav into the party fold and expulsion of the "conspirators" (in a reference to Amar Singh).

While Mulayam Singh accepted the first condition, he stuck to his guns on Amar Singh, and wondered aloud what harm Amar Singh had done to Akhilesh that he was after his scalp.

Shivpal Singh was soon summoned to the meeting by Mulayam Singh and after a brief discussion, asked to announce that the expulsions of the two leaders was being revoked. The first signals of a patch-up came as the official party website removed the expulsion letters of the leaders. Moments later it was public news.

Shivpal Singh later told reporters that the differences had been ironed out and that the party will now contest the forthcoming state assembly polls unitedly with a single purpose of "defeating the communal forces". He also said the convention called by Ram Gopal Yadav on January 1 stands cancelled.

However, Ram Gopal Yadav announced that the convention, which sparked off their expulsion, would actually now be held in a larger place - the Janeshwar Mishra park - as scheduled. There was no official reaction from the Mulayam-Shivpal camp.

Earlier in the day, RJD chief Lalu Prasad had called up Mulayam Singh and asked him to reconsider his decision to expel his son. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav had also reportedly spoken to Akhilesh and expressed their solidarity.

Though there was some confusion in the party rank and file whether the differences have been resolved or it was yet again a temporary truce, but most workers celebrated the revocation of Akhilesh Yadav's expulsion.

Opposition parties however claimed that the entire episode was scripted and well-orchestrated drama.

Bharatiya Janata Party state General secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak said in absence of anything worthwhile to show, Mulayam Singh had scripted the drama to weed out opposition in the party against his son and also to distract people.

Shrikant Sharma, the BJP's media cell head in Delhi, told IANS that Akhilesh may have returned to the party but "the Samajwadi Party will not return to power" in Uttar Pradesh.

The Bahaujan Samaj Party also slammed its arch rivals for the "power struggle drama" and said a party which cannot trust each other should not expect people to trust them.

(Mohit Dubey can be contacted at mohit.d@ians.in)

--IANS

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Government enhances credit guarantee scheme for up to Rs 2 crore: PM Modi

Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the enhancement of credit guarantee scheme for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) for loans up to Rs 2 crore.

"Just as agriculture is vital for the economy, so are the medium and small scale enterprises also called the MSME sector.

"Government has taken some decisions in the interest of small and medium businesses, which will also boost employment," he said in an address to the nation on New Year's Eve.

Noting that the central government underwrites loans given by banks to small businesses through a trust, he said that loans were covered up to one crore rupees and this limit was now being doubled.

"Earlier the scheme only covered bank loans. Hereafter it will cover loans given by NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Companies) as well. This decision will enable better access to credit for small shop-owners and small enterprises.

"Banks and NBFCs will not levy high interest on these loans, as Government of India is bearing the cost of underwriting them," he said, adding banks to raise the credit limit for small industry from 20 per cent of turnover to 25 per cent.

"Many people connected with this sector have made cash deposits in the last few weeks. Banks have been asked to take this into account when deciding on working capital."

He said that a few days back, the government had announced a major tax relief for small businesses.

"Income of businesses with turnover of up to Rs 2 crores was calculated at 8 per cent of the turnover. Now, for such businesses income from digital transactions will be calculated at 6 per cent. This will effectively reduce their tax liability by 25 per cent," he said.

He also said that progress of the MUDRA (credit guarantee fund for micro units development refinance agency) Yojana has been "very encouraging".

--IANS

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Opposition slams PM's 'budget' speech on New Year eve (Roundup)

Delhi,National,Politics, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) The opposition on Saturday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over what appeared like a "budget speech" on the New Year eve but didn't reveal the amount of black money collected after the government's demonetisation drive that caused unprecedented currency crunch in the country.

The Congress hit out at Modi and said that the 45-minute speech was "much ado about nothing".

"No deadline, only headline, this has become the character of the Prime <inister," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, adding to be in the headline always had become Modi's craving.

The Congress leader said the schemes announced by the Prime Minister in his pre-recorded speech were like repackaging of the programmes launched by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

"He always talks about the poor, but makes policies for the 50 industrialist families of the country," Surjewala said.

Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a strident critic of Modi, called it a "budget speech".

"The PM deviated from actual agenda of black money and demonetisation. He just took over post of Finance Minister and made pre-budget speech.So the Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley) was missing from this advance budget speech by the Prime Minister.

"Modi babu, empty vessels make the most noise," Banerjee said in a series of tweets.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the Prime Minister had "betrayed the nation" but not revealing how much of the targeted black money had returned to the banking system.

"Not a single penny of black money has been recovered. There has been no reduction in corruption level. Modiji has lost all credibility," Kejriwal tweeted.

The AAP leader added that the nation patiently listened to Modi's "boring speech" in a hope that he would announce when "we'll be able to withdraw our money without any restrictions".

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad questioned if Modi could seek sacrifices from his "capitalist friends".

"Tain Tain Fiss! The people of the country will again stand in queue from Monday. Modi speech was emotionless, ineffective, boredom and a pre- budget speech which was crawling on the knees," the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief said in a tweet.

"If you have courage, ask your capitalist friends to make a sacrifice" for the nation.

The RJD Chief added: "Why didn't Modiji say how much loss did the economy suffer, how would this loss be fulfilled, what was the fall in FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) and how much was spent on printing new notes."

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Mohammed Salim said the Prime Minister was "unrepentant and ignorant on people's sufferings".

"People sacrificed, waited and disappointed. No substance in speech, no apologies for 100 deaths, no information on what all this yielded," Salim tweeted.

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja told IANS that Modi "failed" to tell the nation what the government achieved after demonetisation.

--IANS

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Indians will start 'deModitisation', end demonetisation in 2017: Mamata (Third Lead)

West Bengal,National,Politics, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Kolkata, Dec 31 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for deviating from the actual agenda of black money and asserted Indians will resolve to "deModitise" the nation.

"End of Demonetization & Start of DeModitization. The year 2017 will mark the year of Demoditization. This will be the New Year Resolution of all 125 crore people of this great country," Banerjee tweeted.

The Trinamool Congress supremo demanded the figures on recovery of black money.

"Where are the figures of #DeMonetisation? How much of black money recovered? What did the nation gain after 50days of excruciating pain?" she added.

"PM deviated from actual agenda of black money & #DeMonetisation PM just took over post of Finance Minister and made pre- Budget speech. So the FM was missing from this advance Budget Speech made by PM. Modi babu, empty vessels make the most noise," the Bengal Chief Minister said.

In a Facebook post, she said: "PM who runs nation in the name of Suddhikaran just underwent Buddhiharan. Promises broken. Promises derailed. People are not beggars. He has snatched common man's financial rights."

"Financial Emergency continues in the name of black money cleanup. Money not available in banks. Still no concrete solutions to problems. In the name of addressing the nation, Modi Babu is serving his selfish personal agenda," she said.

Banerjee added, "Heartless,baseless speech. Forgot to even pay respects to 112+ citizens who died in queues. Saying Nation Address and doing political vendetta."

--IANS

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India to supply 160MW power to Nepal from January 1

Nepal,Business/Economy,Diplomacy, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Kathmandu, Dec 31 (IANS) India will start supplying an additional 80MW electricity to Nepal from January 1, 2017, through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said.

Nepal currently imports 80MW of electricity through the transmission line and with the additional import, the quantum will reach 160MW, The Kathmandu Post reported on Saturday.

During his recent visit to India, Energy Minister Janardan Sharma had held discussions with Union Power Minster Piyush Goyal, requesting to arrange additional power to Nepal, the embassy's statement said.

The supply of the additional energy was made possible after the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited installed an additional 220/132kV, 100MVA transformer at Muzaffarpur substation in India, the embassy said.

The supply of the additional electricity from India would give Nepal Electricity Authority's (NEA) drive to make the Kathmandu valley a loadshedding-free zone a major shot in the arm.

However, under the existing infrastructure, the imported electricity cannot be transmitted to Kathmandu. But NEA has said it was upgrading its distribution system in such a way that the imported electricity would cover areas up to Hetauda.

"After the upgradation, we don't have to supply electricity produced along Marshyangdi and Trishuli corridors to Hetauda and surrounding districts. Instead it can be used in Kathmandu," NEA Spokesperson Prabal Adhikari had told the Post.

Moreover, NEA's capacity to import energy from India would increase substantially following the completion of the under-construction Dhalkebar substation.

The 320MVA substation, which would be completed by February, would be able to handle up to 280MW, enabling NEA to import an additional 120MW power.

The Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line was currently being operated at 132KVA capacity. After the completion of the substation, the power line can be operated at 220KVA.

During a meeting of the Joint Steering Committee in New Delhi in June, India had expressed its readiness to supply additional electricity to Nepal through Dhalkebar, and had stressed the substation be completed at the earliest.

NEA currently imports 345MW from India through four major transmission lines as domestic production falls short of demand.

Of the total imports, 80MW is received through Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur, 120MW through Kataiya-Kushhawa, 30MW through Tanakpur-Mahendranagar and 25MW through Ramnagar-Gandak transmission lines.

--IANS

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Germany beefs up security on New Year's Eve

Germany,Defence/Security, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

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Berlin, Dec 31 (IANS) German security forces are on high alert as the country prepares to ring in the New Year, days after 12 people were killed in a truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market, media reports said.

At Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate, a traditional gathering point to welcome the New Year, concrete blocks would protect revellers from potential vehicle attacks, France 24 news said.

Similar barriers, and a heightened police presence, would be in place in Cologne, where hundreds of cases of sexual assault were reported during New Year's Eve celebrations in 2015.

For the first time in Germany, there would be cameras monitoring citizens as they set off firecrackers and light up the night sky with sparkling rockets at midnight on Saturday.

Parties from Munich to Berlin would be secured by additional police officers, as Germans bid farewell to a year when terrorism reached their homeland, the New York Times reported.

On New Year's Eve a year ago, roving groups of men, most of them from migrant backgrounds, took advantage of a chaotic scene in Cologne, in northwestern Germany, and in other cities to harass, grope and sexually assault women.

On December 19, a man professing allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) drove a truck into a Berlin Christmas market, killing 12 people in the country's worst terrorist attack in decades.

In light of those crimes, and in response to the continuing concern about security and terrorism, Germany has taken the new precautions in advance of this weekend's celebrations.

--IANS

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Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher to be buried together

United States,Cinema/Showbiz,Hollywood, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Los Angeles, Dec 31 (IANS) Actor-filmmaker Todd Fisher said that his late mother Debbie Reynolds and sister Carrie Fisher will have a joint funeral and will be buried together.

Todd said that the actresses will be buried at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, the final resting place of numerous celebrities, including Lucille Ball, Dick Van Patten, Liberace, Florence Henderson, David Carradine and Bette Davis, reports independent.co.uk.

"My mother and my sister are together right now," Todd said.

No date for the funeral has been set, but it will be private, he added. A public memorial is being contemplated, but no plans have been finalised.

Carrie's body has been released to her family by the Los Angeles coroner's office. Brian Elias, chief of operations, said an examination of Carrie had been completed. He stopped short of calling it an autopsy and did not provide any details on what tests were done.

Todd said the family wasn't clear on what the coroner's officials had done during the examination, but was glad his sister's body had been released to Forest Lawn, reports independent.co.uk.

Carrie, an actress and writer who starred as Princess Leia in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, died two days before Christmas after falling ill aboard a flight from London.

Her 84-year-old mother, an Oscar-nominated actress who shot to fame after starring in "Singin' in the Rain" at age 19, passed away just over 24 hours later.

--IANS

sug/bg
No specific terror alert for Goa: CM

Goa,National,Defence/Security, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Panaji, Dec 31 (IANS) Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Saturday said that there was no specific terror alert received by the state government from central intelligence agencies related to New Year festivities.

Parsekar said that the travel advisory issued by Israel could be generic in nature and not specific to Goa, which is one of the top beach and nightlife tourism destinations in the country.

"In the first place, such routine advisories have become common in recent times. Respective governments feel it their duty to alert their citizens," Parsekar told reporters here, amid reports that Israel had issued a travel advisory for its citizens asking them to be cautious while travelling in South Western India.

"As far as we are concerned, out police department is completely in touch with the central home agencies and there is no threat alert or anything of that kind," he said.

"We are well geared to take care of our tourists... Security has been stepped up in view of the increasing tourism footfalls in Goa," Parsekar added.

The coastal state attracts more than four million tourists every year, with half a million tourists being foreign nationals, most of them from Russia and the UK.

--IANS

maya/ksk/bg
What are the things to do in Tawau, Sabah? Many travellers may be asking this common question due to not much publicity on this coastal city on the East Coast of Sabah, Borneo.



Tawau (), the third-largest town of Sabah, was originally one of the earliest ports of east Sabah being active since the late 1890s.



The British had a strong influence on the British North Borneo Chartered Company (BNBC), where trading was one of the main industries.





Tawau is also connected via roads from most cities around Sabah, and the Tawau Airport with direct flights here from Kuala Lumpur and other major cities of Malaysia.



While most people would transit in Tawau as the main gateway to Sipadan and Mabul Islands, the airport sits in between Semporna and Tawau; therefore, this list of things to do in Tawau was created for general interest, especially for travellers wanting to explore further into one of Sabah's old cities.





Things to do in Tawau

Teck Guan Cocoa Museum in Tawau



1. Visit Teck Guan Cocoa Museum





The only cocoa museum in entire Malaysia has a complete history of this unique plant and seed exported all over the world.



The Teck Guan Cocoa Museum, which opened in 2004, is about a 20 to 30 minutes drive from Tawau city and is best visited in the mornings. Here, you will be introduced to the world of Cocoa, its origins, processes and what it can be made into.





A guided tour by the museum staff will take you to an audiovisual room to watch a short video and then one level up to see the original cocoa-producing machinery.



After that, you will be brought to the cocoa sampling kitchen before finishing your tour in the cocoa products room. Did you know that Teck Guan Cocoa is exported to the makers of Godiva chocolates for knowledge sake? That shows the quality of the local cocoa from Sabah.





The Teck Guan Cocoa Museum also provides a special Cocoa Village Stay experience where you can spend a night or two and experience seeing the cocoa plants in their natural habitat while enjoying a special cocoa lunch and a famous Tawau seafood dinner. You need to contact Teck Guan Cocoa Village for this experience.





Teck Guan Cocoa Village Stay

Email: emas@teckguan.com

Ms Ivy Yap +6 019 883 0173

Ms Selena Khoo +6 012 801 0228





Teck Guan Cocoa Museum Opening Hours:

Monday to Saturday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Closed on Sundays





Pasar Tanjung Tawau, the largest indoor market in Malaysia



2. Visit Tawau Market (Tawau Tanjung Market)





Known as Malaysia's largest indoor market with over 6000 stalls, this is one really huge market that sells dry produce and the famous Tawau dried seafood.



The Tawau Tanjung Market sits in the main part of the city area, and the building is so huge, you will not miss it. It is also currently the Tawau UTC Centre which shares the market area.





Most Malaysians who visit Tawau will definitely stop here to buy the famous dried seafood that is touted to be the cheapest in Malaysia.



The ground floor of the market is where you will find the dry produce and vegetable sellers, while in the front of the market, you will find kitchenware and food souvenirs, loads of them.





Tawau dried seafood is found on the first floor, where you will see about 20 stalls selling all kinds of this dried seafood.



You can buy various types of salted fish, dried fish, squid, anchovies, abalone, sea cucumber and even dried stingray here. Those travelling on flight back, just let them know as they will pack the dried seafood, especially for flights.





Pasar Tanjung Tawau and the UTC Tawau Center



The next level is a mezzanine level, which sells fabrics, clothes and local beauty products with some exceptions of toys and general items.



Going up to the second level, you will find the local food court with about 40 vendors selling Chinese and Muslim food and drinks.



This new food court was opened in October 2016. Finally, the highest level will be the UTC Centre of Tawau. The next level is a mezzanine level, which sells fabrics, clothes and local beauty products with some exceptions of toys and general items.Going up to the second level, you will find the local food court with about 40 vendors selling Chinese and Muslim food and drinks.This new food court was opened in October 2016. Finally, the highest level will be the UTC Centre of Tawau.





The best time to visit here is also in the mornings when it is lively. If you are planning to buy food souvenirs like the Tawau dried seafood, make this place your last stop before you depart.





Pasar Tanjung Tawau Address

Along Jalan Dunlop and Jalan Persisiran,

Tawau City Centre Roundabout,

Tawau, Sabah





Standing to one of the tallest rainforest trees in the world at Tawau. Photo by Wong Chun Xing.



3. Visit Tawau Hills National Park





For nature lovers, the Tawau Hills National Park is one of two parks found in this part of Sabah. Located about 24 kilometres from town, it takes around 30 minutes to get to this 27,972-hectare park.



It is also recommended that you engage a tour guide to visit this park, especially if you want to know more about the rainforest flora and fauna. One of the highlights of Tawau Hills Park is seeing one of the world's tallest tropical trees.





There are camping sites, trails, basic chalets and a picnic area for day-trippers at the Tawau Hills Park.



Those planning some extreme outdoors can climb Mount Magdalena, which is 1,312 meters high and requires two days to reach the summit and back, while the other is Mount Lucia (1,202 meters) and Mount Maria (1,083 meters).



There is also the Bombalai Hill at 530 meters high, a popular spot to trek up. There is the Bukit Gelas Waterfalls and you can also explore the Sulphur Springs which is about a three-kilometer trek from the main entrance.





Actually, Tawau Hills Park is quite complete in terms of flora and fauna; therefore, if you are a hardcore nature lover, this is one of the recommended places to visit. There are park rangers to guide you around and a night walk for frogging and nocturnal animals is also available.



Birding or Bird Watching in Tawau is mainly done around here as there are many species of Bornean birds spotted here. Serious or casual bird watchers will find this place quite interesting for bird watching as it is said that you can spot six of the eight hornbill species of Borneo here.





To go to Tawau Hills Park, you need to either take a taxi (RM 30 to RM 40 one way) or engage a tour company with a nature guide.



Unfortunately, not many tour agents sell this product hence I am highlighting this here, hoping that someone would see this and capitalize on the Tawau Hills Tour Packages.





Tawau Hills Park Address:

Bal Estate, Tawau

Tel: +60 89 768 719 or +60 89 925 719

Email: info@sabahparks.org.my





Admission:

MyKad holders (18 years and above): RM 3.00

MyKad (below 18 years): RM 1.00

Foreigners (18 years and above): RM 10.00

Foreigners (below 18 years): RM 6.00





Tawau Handicraft Centre or Pasar Gantung



4. Visit the Tawau Handicraft Market (Pasar Gantung)





Known as the Tawau Old Central Market or Pasar Gantung (Hanging Market), this attraction now serves as a handicraft market but more clothes and fabrics are seen sold here.



When I walked around here in December 2016, there were around 50-60 vendors who were selling pearl jewellery, souvenirs, batik, ladies and men's clothing, kids' clothes and a number of other local items.



The reason why it's called Pasar Gantung or Hanging Market is simple, almost everything you see in the market is hung high up, probably due to space constraints.





A small food court in the same structure sells local Tawau food and gets lively at night.



The Tawau Handicraft Market would be one of the places where you can find a lot of imported items from the Philippines and Indonesia, namely the fabrics and pearls, but for local tourists, this is a decent place to explore for an hour or so.



The walkways are narrow with vendors close by each other, and they are not aggressive traders that bother you. Prices are reasonable, and you can try your luck to bargain a little.





Souvenirs sold at the Pasar Gantung Tawau



My opinion for this place is that more emphasis should be put on making the Pasar Gantung or Tawau Handicraft Market into a proper tourist attraction, like the Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market.



By doing so, this would help in increasing the tourist numbers to Tawau, but the ministry or council should put in some funding to properly manage this potential spot and create awareness and giving it a fresh new look and approach. My opinion for this place is that more emphasis should be put on making the Pasar Gantung or Tawau Handicraft Market into a proper tourist attraction, like the Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market.By doing so, this would help in increasing the tourist numbers to Tawau, but the ministry or council should put in some funding to properly manage this potential spot and create awareness and giving it a fresh new look and approach.





Tawau Handicraft Market Address:

Along Jalan Klinik,

Bandar Tawau, Tawau.

Open: 7.00 AM till 5.00 PM





Sabindo Plaza, Tawau's first shopping centre. Image from eTawau.com.



5. Shopping in Tawau





I will be sincere here, shopping in Tawau is not something people look forward to as if there are not enough shopping malls from where you come from?



Well, Tawau being on the other side of Sabah is a very local place, and currently, there are only two shopping malls in Tawau.



One being Sabindo Plaza which has been around since 1999 and is more of a bazaar-like concept, and the other being Eastern Plaza, a three-story mall that opened in 2009.





Eastern Plaza seems to fit the shopping mall concept where they have a supermarket as the main tenant while the first two floors cater to shops selling smartphones, accessories, ladies' clothes, and men's fashion. The truth be told, you will not miss anything if you do not visit this place.





My suggestion is to explore the Fajar area in Tawau city center as this is the liveliest and trendiest part of Tawau with many new concept shops, cafes, and bakeries.



Anyway, most of the popular hotels in Tawau are located around this area too. But for fashion and accessories, Tawau is still not as advanced as Sandakan or Kota Kinabalu.



So, in general, Tawau is great for some Sabah food souvenirs or Oleh-Oleh Sabah, like dried seafood.





A beautiful sunset in Tawau, taken at the Tawau Waterfront



6. Visit the Tawau Waterfront





When evening falls, you can head to the Tawau Waterfront or Tawau Esplanade to catch the beautiful Sabah sunset.



Along the main road of Jalan Persisiran, there are many spots you can choose to watch the sunset, and along with you, there will be many locals that come here to enjoy the magical moment that ends daylight.





In December 2016, I made it a point to explore the Tawau Waterfront to catch the famous Sabah sunset and well, it was worth it, not as amazing as the ones at the Kota Kinabalu Waterfront, but good enough.



Along the waterfront, locals are seen selling freshly cut young mango as snacks so you can give it a try if you like.





To catch the Tawau sunset, I chose a spot near the Tawau Ferry Terminal as it was convenient, due to me renting a car and moving around here.



The result of the sunset is as you can see in the photo above. Not too bad if you ask me.





Tawau Waterfront Address:

Along Jalan Persisiran,

Sabindo Area, Bandar Tawau





Kam Ling Seafood, one of the most popular seafood restaurants in Tawau



7. Eating in Tawau





This is probably the top thing to do in Tawau as the food here is very Indonesian-Sabah fusion due to Tawau being neighbours to Kalimantan Indonesia.



Tawau is also well known for its cheap seafood, where you can find some of the freshest seafood around Sabah.



There are numerous seafood restaurants in Tawau where one of my personal favorites is located in the Sabindo area, at a place called Kam Ling Seafood in Tawau.



Choices of fish, crabs, shells, prawns, and lobsters make you think hard of which to order, and what style. But the menu provided is of great help too.









These dishes are all made from bananas, deep-fried and coated with cheese and chocolate, and found at a place called Indo Cafe, you can find probably the best One thing Tawau is famous for is the Pisang Cheese, Pisang Coklat, and Sanggar Pisang, which is of Indonesian origins.These dishes are all made from bananas, deep-fried and coated with cheese and chocolate, and found at a place called Indo Cafe, you can find probably the best Pisang Cheese in Sabah . For locals, this is no doubt a must-try. And if you have tried it elsewhere, try it here and make that comparison.





Another must-try famous Tawau food is the Nasi Kuning Tawau at Restoran Haji Tamrin, who has been running this place for the last 20 years.



The Tawau Nasi Kuning originates from Indonesia and locally in Malaysia; they call Nasi Kunyit or Turmeric Rice.



The beauty of Restoran Haji Tamrin is that they use raw turmeric and no artificial flavors or ready-made turmeric powder for cooking their rice, which is accompanied by a choice of chicken, fish or beef with a hard-boiled sambal egg.





Other well known Tawau food is the original Pork Noodles (San Nyuk Mian), 6 Star Steamboat, Nasi Payau Rice, and many others.



For more food in Tawau, read my upcoming article on the best food in Tawau, where I experienced some of the highly recommended places in December 2016.





The first mosque in Tawau 8. Other Places of Interest in Tawau





While there are a few more places in Tawau that may fit in this list, we are just highlighting them here, just in case you want to explore more.



The Masjid Al-Kauthar Mosque, located in the city area is also Sabah's largest mosque which can accommodate up to 17,000 people.



This beautiful mosque which cost RM31.5 million and opened in 2004, is also a beachfront mosque with a view of the Cowie Straits.





Masjid Bandar Tawau or Masjid Waqaff Ahmad Bin Daing Mapata, located in the main city area. This mosque was also opened in 1963 and is Tawau's oldest mosque.



A mysterious attraction is the Bell Tower of Tawau, built by a Japanese businessman in 1918, during World War I, it was used by the police guards and rung at intervals.



According to history, a bronze bell was used, but it disappeared, and no one knows where the bell is now, so there is only a six-sided oriental shaped tower standing about six meters high.



Food Souvenirs at the Tawau Market



Another beautiful mosque in Tawau is theor Masjid Waqaff Ahmad Bin Daing Mapata, located in the main city area. This mosque was also opened in 1963 and is Tawau's oldest mosque.A mysterious attraction is the, built by a Japanese businessman in 1918, during World War I, it was used by the police guards and rung at intervals.According to history, a bronze bell was used, but it disappeared, and no one knows where the bell is now, so there is only a six-sided oriental shaped tower standing about six meters high.





Tawau has always served as the main gateway to Semporna to get to Sipadan and Mabul Island. Maliau Basin is the closest city to catch a flight and then travel overland the mentioned places.



For more information, you can also check out the official



In general, the above is probably some of the best things to do in Tawau, after researching and talking to locals, based on my recent trip here in December 2016.Tawau has always served as the main gateway to Semporna to get to Sipadan and Mabul Island. Maliau Basin is the closest city to catch a flight and then travel overland the mentioned places.For more information, you can also check out the official Sabah Tourism website

One of Tawau's many roundabouts







I love the concept of how you can find old-style businesses here, and people are friendly and not too caught up with the current modernization.



If you are planning to visit Sabah next year, read my article on



Conclusion If you want to experience a real Sabahan city and how things were back in the day, Tawau is the best place to do so as the city is developing at a much slower pace than most other cities in Sabah.I love the concept of how you can find old-style businesses here, and people are friendly and not too caught up with the current modernization.If you are planning to visit Sabah next year, read my article on where to go in Sabah as it narrows down a number of places for tourism.





This list of things to do in Tawau is timely. More people are looking for new places to explore and discover, especially on the food tourism side as Tawau offers some pretty interesting local food to experience.



A Tawau food trail would be great to explore if you are headed here. If you have any comments or feedback, please do share them in the comments below.



I hope you enjoyed this article for things to do in Tawau, and if I missed out on anything, let me know. Happy travels.
Akhilesh goes to meet Mulayam, Azam plays peacemaker

Uttar Pradesh,National,Politics, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Lucknow, Dec 31 (IANS) Amid a raging battle for supremacy in the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP), Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday morning went to meet his father and party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

According to informed sources, the move was a last minute bid to save the party from imminent split ahead of the 2017 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

The patch-up bid was brokered by state Urban Development Minister Mohd. Azam Khan, one of the founding members of the Samajwadi Party and close to the father-son duo.

Azam earlier met the SP supremo twice and apparently went to the Chief Minister with a message from the former.

Clearly unhappy with Akhilesh, Mulayam reportedly told Azam to communicate to the Chief Minister to fall in line and not breach party discipline as it would do him no good.

On Friday, while expelling Akhilesh and his cousin Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years on charges of "indiscipline and anti-party activities", Mulayam Singh Yadav lamented that the Chief Minister was spoiling his political career by getting carried away in a conspiracy hatched by Ram Gopal.

Earlier in the day, Akhilesh met more than 170 SP legislators at his 5, Kalidas Marg, official residence here and told them that while he has been expelled from the Samajwadi Party, "no one can separate me from my father".

The Chief Minister is learnt to have got emotional during the speech and heard out the party MLAs about the political developments in Uttar Pradesh.

Akhilesh has urged his supporters to remain calm and not indulge in any hasty actions.

Meanwhile, two Samajwadi Party workers sustained burn injuries late on Friday night when they allegedly attempted self-immolation in support of Akhilesh Yadav.

They doused themselves in kerosene outside 5, Kalidas Marg, and set themselves afire even before security personnel deployed at the Chief Minister's residence could react.

Both -- Rahul Singh and Satyendra Tiwari -- were admitted to the Cvivil hospital where their condition is stated to be but out of danger.

"They have sustained burn injuries on their hands, legs and chest and are being treated," a police official told IANS.

Rahul Singh was earlier Vice-President of SP Chatra Sabha, but was sacked recently by SP state unit President Shivpal Singh Yadav.

Several supporters of Akhilesh were also seen weeping in public, some even torched posters of Shivpal Yadav and Amar Singh.

--IANS

md/tsb/vm
Five escape from jail in Bihar

Bihar,National,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Patna, Dec 31 (IANS) Five inmates escaped from a jail in Bihar by scaling the prison wall, officials said on Saturday.

"Five prisoners have escaped from Buxar Central Jail taking advantage of darkness and dense fog late Friday night. Jail officials have recovered an iron rod, pipe and 'dhoti' from the site of the jail break," District Magistrate Raman Kumar said.

According to Superintendent of Police Upendra Sharma, those who escaped include Pradip Singh, who is convicted and sentenced to death.

His mercy petition is pending with the President.

Besides Singh, three of the other escapees were serving life sentences and the fifth a 10-year jail term.

"Raids are being conducted by three police teams in the district to nab all five," Sharma said.

Kumar said district borders have been sealed.

"We have asked police headquarters to alert other districts and also approached Uttar Pradesh police to arrest them," Sharma added.

--IANS

ik/ksk/bg
Lindsay Lohan trying to make 'Mean Girls' sequel happen

United States,Cinema/Showbiz,Hollywood, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Los Angeles, Dec 31 (IANS) Actress Lindsay Lohan is eager to make a sequel of her 2004 comedy film "Mean Girls".

She has already written a treatment for the film and has a cast in mind.

Lohan shared her plans during a Facebook Live chat from Dubai, where she is celebrating New Year, reports variety.com.

During the chat, Lohan expressed her interest in reprising her role of Cady Heron in a sequel.

"I have been trying so hard to do a 'Mean Girls 2'. It is not in my hands. I know that (writer) Tina Fey and (producer) Lorne Michaels and all of Paramount are very busy I will keep forcing it and pushing it on them until we do it," Lohan said.

Lohan also said that she has already written a treatment for the sequel and would love Jimmy Fallon and her "Freaky Friday" co-star Jamie Lee Curtis to have roles.

"I just need a response," she joked.

--IANS

sas/sug/bg
Only Anna, MGR and Jayalalithaa will be projected: Sasikala

Tamil Nadu,National,Politics, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

Chennai, Dec 31 (IANS) The ruling AIADMK's newly elected General Secretary V.K. Sasikala on Saturday said the party would not project any individual other than late party founder M.G.Ramachandran, late C.N. Annadurai and the late J. Jayalalithaa.

Sasikala formally took charge as the party's General Secretary after she was elected unanimously on December 29 at the AIADMK's general council meeting.

A close aide of late Chief Minister and party General Secretary J. Jayalalithaa for the past 33 years, Sasikala came to the party headquarters and took charge signing some papers.

Addressing party members, Sasikala said Annadurai, MGR and Jayalalithaa are the identities of this massive organisation.

"Other than these people nobody else will be projected in the forefront," Sasikala said.

She said MGR and Jayalaltihaa were leaders beyond caste and religious lines and the party would continue to follw their path.

Sasikala said the birth centenary of party founder MGR begins on January 17, 2017 and the party would celebrate that in a grand manner throughout the year.

She said the party would urge the central government to issue a commemorative stamp and also a currency coin with MGR's image.

In her first public speech, Sasikala recalled her more than three decade long association with Jayalalithaa and paid rich tributes to the late leader.

Sasikala said the loss of Jayalalithaa is a personal loss for her and cannot be described in words.

Earlier arriving at the party office, she garlanded MGR's statue installed there.

Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, state ministers, party leaders and legislators greeted her. Outside the party office there was a sizeable crowd of party cadres who greeted Sasikala.

--IANS

vj/in/bg
Amar Singh urges SP workers to back Mulayam

Delhi,National,Politics, Sat, 31 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) Blamed for the onging infighting in the Samajwadi Party (SP), its leader Amar Singh on Saturday dubbed the recent developments as "very unfortunate" and urged his supporters to back party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.

"Whatever is happening in the Samajwadi Party is very unfortunate. I appeal to party members to stand with Neta ji (Mulayam Singh)," he said.

The SP leader quipped: "Ram Chandra keh gaye Siya se aisa Kalyug aayega, beta karega raj bechara baap jungal jayega."

Amar Singh was admitted into the SP fold after a long exile. He is considered close to Mulayam Singh but does not have the same equation with his son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, whose supporters have blamed him for the political rift between Akhilesh and his father.

Mulayam Singh on Friday expelled the Chief Minister and party General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav for six years for "indiscipline and anti-party activities" after the latter called for an emergency meeting of the SP's National Council on January 1.

The latest round of the crisis was sparked when Mulayam Singh released the names of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, ignoring Akhilesh's recommendations. The Chief Minister hit back by releasing his own list of candidates.

Amar Singh said the party foundation was laid by Mulayamn Singh with much dedication and hard work.

"I have said this earlier, and I am saying it again -- Mulayam Singh Yadav ji is the father of the Samajwadi Party and also the father of Akhilesh Yadav," he said.

He also condemned Samajwadi Party workers protesting against the party chief and said: "Those who are going against him (Mulayam) are immoral and wrong and I condemn them."

Earlier on Saturday, Akhilesh held a meeting with party legislators at his official residence in state capital Lucknow. Later, he went to meet Mulayam Singh Yadav, who had called a party's Parliamentary Board meeting later in the day.

--IANS

aks/bns/tsb/sac
PM strives to be in headlines always: Congress

Delhi,National,Politics, Sun, 01 Jan 2017 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) Congress, hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said that his much-awaited New Year's Eve speech on Saturday, was insipid and it has become his character to be in the headline always.

"No deadline, only headline, this has become the move, image and character of the Prime Minister," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, adding the party again urged him to withdraw the restrictions imposed on withdrawals post demonetisation.

"Maybe it'll take at least one year to withdraw the rectrictions on the withdrawals," he added saying Modi did annouce any deadline for withdrawing the restrictions.

Surjewala also said: "We are disappointed with PM's speech, many questions were left unanswered. His decision has paralysed the economy. Country can't run this way."

"The schemes he announced were like like making a mountain out of a molehill. He always talks about the poor, but makes policeis for the 50 industrialist families of the country," he said.

"BJP had a target of one crore houses till 2018. Modi spoke about housing for the poor (PM Awas YOjana), but in first 30 months just 1,623 houses have been constructed out of a target of 7 lakh houses."

Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha tweeted: "Modi is a monumental disaster. Today is irrefutable evidence of that. #Jumla_e_Modi . Total waste of national time and resources."

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, in a series of tweets, said: "PM's address was very disappointing. Our five demands have not been met, neither there was any road map on when will cash crunch ease.

"No new announcements.Schemes for maternity benefit,housing and credit guarantee repackaged or expanded.Implementation remains a concern.

"PM failed to acknowledge the agrarian distress and did not announce farm loan waiver. Mere 60 day interest waiver will not help farmers plight," he said.

"The Prime Minster's address to the nation has left us with no option but to intensify our agitation and go to the people."

--IANS

sid/vd
Netanyahu, Putin talk by phone about regional security, Syria

Israel,Politics,Diplomacy, Sun, 01 Jan 2017 IANS

Jerusalem, Jan 1 (IANS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Middle Eastern security and -- especially -- the situation in Syria, according to an Israeli government statement.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening ... spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders discussed developments in the region, with emphasis on Syria and continued security coordination in this sphere, which has already proven itself in preventing misunderstandings," EFE news quoted the Israeli premier's office as saying.

The Russian President's office added that the pair also spoke about the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, without providing any further details, an issue that the Israeli communique did not mention.

The two countries maintain strategic ties, given that there are 1.5 million Russian-speaking Israeli residents, and in 2016 they celebrated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The Kremlin recently tried to spur peace negotiations, proposing Moscow as the site of a meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Netanyahu, but those talks were ultimately postponed at the request of Israel.

--IANS

lok/
Erdogan vows to continue anti-terror fight in 2017

Turkey,Politics,Terrorism, Sun, 01 Jan 2017 IANS

Ankara, Jan 1 (IANS) Turkish President Erdogan President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday in his new year message that Turkey will continue to fight terrorist organisations in 2017.

Speaking of the eventful Turkey in 2016, Erdogan mourned the victims killed in attacks by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Islamic State (IS) militants as well as in the failed coup attempt on July 15, Xinhua news agency reported.

Turkey is in "a new independence war", Erdogan said, vowing that Turkey will take measures to ensure domestic security and democracy.

The coup attempt was "undoubtedly" the vilest terror act and an invasion attempt within Turkey's republican era, he said.

The Turkish President stressed that Turkey will continue to clear all Gulenists through lawful means in 2017.

He also pledged that all these terrorist activities would not divert Turkey from its path to the 2023 goals, when the country would celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding.

Turkey is entering the new year with "new hopes and expectations", Erdogan said.

In 2017, Turkey will not only destroy terrorist organisations but also achieve greater economic success, he said.

--IANS

lok/
LPG, jet fuel prices hiked

Delhi,National,Business/Economy, Sun, 01 Jan 2017 IANS

New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS) State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) on Saturday hiked the price of subsidised cooking gas, or LPG, along with kerosene and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).

The three state-owned OMCs revise rates of LPG, Kerosene and ATF on the first of every month, based on global oil prices and the foreign exchange rate.

This is the seventh straight month of increase in cooking gas cylinder prices -- a subsidised 14.2 kg cylinder will become expensive by Rs 2 to Rs 434.71 in Delhi, as against Rs 432.71 earlier.

In a move to reduce its LPG subsidy outgo, the government, in July, had decided on small hikes of around Rs 2 per cylinder every month.

The price of non-subsidised LPG, which consumers buy after exhausting their quota of 12 cylinders in a year, was also hiked on Saturday by Re 1 to Rs 585.

Meanwhile, kerosene will became dearer by 26 paisa to Rs 19.43 per litre in Kolkata.

The ATF, or jet fuel, will be hiked by 8.60 per cent to Rs 52,540.63 per kl in Delhi. Prices vary at airports depending on local taxes.

--IANS

rv/vd
RBI to announce facility for NRIs to exchange old notes

Delhi,National,Business/Economy,Diaspora, Sun, 01 Jan 2017 IANS

New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Saturday said that it will introduce a facility for exchange of old specified bank notes for Indian residents and NRIs, who were abroad from November 9 to December 30.

According to a RBI notification, Indian residents, who were abroad during November 9 to December 30, 2016 can avail the new facility up to March 31, 2017, while NRIs can avail it up to June 30.

"While there is no monetary limit for exchange for the eligible resident Indians, the limit for NRIs will be as per the relevant FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) regulations," said the RBI notification.

"They can avail this facility in their individual capacity once during the period on submission of ID documents, such as Aadhaar number, Permanent Account Number (PAN) etc, and on submission of documentary evidence showing they were abroad during the period and, that they have not availed the exchange facility earlier."

The country's central bank elaborated that third-party tender will not be accepted under the new facility.

"On fulfilment of the terms and conditions and the genuineness of the notes tendered, admissible amount will be credited to the tenderer's KYC (know your customer) compliant bank account," the notification said.

"The facility will remain open for residents from January 2, 2017 to March 31, 2017 and for NRIs from January 2, 2017 to June 30, 2017. This facility will be available through Reserve Bank offices at Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Nagpur."

The notification added that Indian citizens residing in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and Bangladesh cannot avail this facility.

--IANS

rv/vd
The Burlington Electric utility company in Vermont reported on Friday that it had found malicious software purportedly linked to state-sponsored Russian hackers on one of its laptop computers. The laptop was not connected to the utilitys power-grid system, and the power grid was never compromised. It is also not yet clear how the malware ended up on the computer. The municipally owned utility discovered the software after being prompted on Thursday to scan for the malware code by the Department of Homeland Security. The laptop was immediately isolated and federal authorities are now investigating the incident. According to the Washington Post, unnamed U.S. security officials allege that the malicious code found on the laptop is associated with the Grizzly Steppe Russian hacking operation that the Obama administration says was involved in attempts to interfere in the recent U.S. presidential election. Assuming the software was indeed deliberately installed on the computer in order to target the utility, it remains unclear what the alleged hacking was intended to accomplish, and U.S. officials will now attempt to determine the purpose, timing, and nature of the possible intrusion.

Our team is working with federal officials to trace this malware and prevent any other attempts to infiltrate utility systems, Burlington Electric announced in a statement. Vermont lawmakers like Governor Peter Shumlin and Senator Patrick Leahy, both Democrats, are characterizing the incident as a deliberate cyberattack by Russian intelligence services.

It is not yet clear if this is an isolated infection. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI reportedly alerted executives from 16 U.S. business sectors this week about the alleged Grizzly Steppe code. The code was shared with executives in the utility, financial, and transportation industries, but so far it seems that Burlington Electric is the only business to report finding it on any of their computers. There is no indication that the infected laptop posed any risk to the utility or Vermonts power grid at this time, but as the Post notes, American authorities have long been tracking efforts by foreign powers to infect the computers of U.S. utility companies with malicious code.

On Thursday, President Obama issued sanctions against members of Russias intelligence services and expelled 35 Russian intelligence officials from the U.S. over what the Obama administration and U.S. intelligence community allege were attempts to interfere in the recent presidential election on behalf of President-elect Donald Trump.

This post has been updated to link to the DHSs confirmation that the utilitys power grid was not put at risk.
Photo: AMAL KS/Hindustan Times via Getty Images

Several colleges in India have long had curfews for women  between 6 and 8 p.m. for most, with either a later or no curfew for men  but with the addition of a no ripped jeans policy at St. Xaviers College in Mumbai, women are taking to the streets to protest strict and sexist rules for female college students.

Recently, St. Xaviers College, a Jesuit university in Mumbai, added a no ripped jeans policy to its already-strict dress code for women. (It also includes no sleeveless tops, shorts, or short dresses.) Pinjra Tod, a campaign against these strict rules, has expressed its discontent with the unfair new policy. Via Reuters:

In the name of safety, you cant police women and impose these patriarchal, discriminatory rules, said Devangana Kalita, a former Delhi University student who is part of Pinjra Tod, or break the cage, a Delhi-wide campaign protesting such rules.



We want universities to recognize that we are adults, and that they should not be curbing our freedom and mobility. Providing a safe environment for women goes beyond just imposing rules, she said.

Kalita also told Reuters that the curfews imposed on women at colleges are preventing them from accessing internships, employment opportunities and campus activities. Staff at St. Xaviers College did not return a request for comment to Reuters.
Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Simon & Schuster has been the subject of vehement backlash on all sides since news broke of the publishing giants deal with alt-right writer and editor Milo Yiannopoulos. The Chicago Review of Books and even the publishers own authors have been openly critical of the deal, which is worth what Yiannopoulos referred to as a wheelbarrow full of money.



The company issued a short statement to the AP yesterday, and later followed up with a longer statement on Twitter that doubles down on its decision.

As per the Associated Press:

In a statement to the AP, Simon & Schuster said Friday that it does not condone discrimination or hate speech and that readers should withhold judgment until they have had a chance to read the actual contents of the book.

Heres the longer statement posted to Twitter:



Dangerous is slated to hit shelves on March 14, 2017. In the meantime, people are already calling for a #GrabYourWallet-style boycott of the publishers books.


Looking at the world through the eyes of the Web
Sportsgambler.com - The Ultimate Sports Betting Guide

Sportsgambler.com is a leading sports betting information website brought to you by a team of industry professionals. Our mission statement has always been simple. To provide you with all the information you need to place informed bets across a wide range of sports and hopefully make a good return on your investment.

The website specialises in free betting tips, predictions, match previews, odds, stats, team news, lineups, injuries, bonus and free bet information. Weve been shortlisted twice for an EGR Operator Award and more recognition is sure to come considering that we provide readers with a first-class service.

Sportsgambler.com has the most popular sports and leagues covered irrespective of where you are based. This includes Premier League and Champions League football, Indian Premier League cricket, while we showcase ATP and WTA tennis all year round. We also focus on American sports including NFL, NBA basketball, NHL ice hockey and MLB Baseball.

Responsible Gambling is Very Important

It nearly goes without saying that Sportsgambler.com is committed to responsible gambling. Several of our team have worked for various bookmakers and understand that sportsbook customers should only bet with money that they can afford to lose. Readers should also know that when the fun stops, they should stop betting.

Every online bookie is now obliged to give bettors the chance to set deposit limits when they open an account. Existing customers can also log into their account and set these limits at any stage, with daily, weekly or monthly limits available and we recommend everyone doing so.

We believe that online gambling should be a fun and entertaining experience. No bettor is going to win with every bet they place, although by following the advice on this website and using the various information and tools at your disposal, you will give yourself a stronger chance of doing well with your online bets.

As youll see from the bottom of our website, we are Gamble Aware and encourage anyone experiencing gambling problems to seek immediate help and ensure that they become self-excluded with any betting site where they hold an account.
Shakira performed for Pope Francis at the UN today (Friday), Shakira - Imagine (Live at the UN's General Assembly 2015) : The text a...
Name a new Supreme Court justice. Trump will use former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's "nuclear option" to name a successor to the late Justice Antonin Scalia  and other vacancies as they arise.

Trump will use former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's "nuclear option" to name a successor to the late Justice Antonin Scalia  and other vacancies as they arise. Repeal ObamaCare. Yes, parts of it will stay. Trump himself has said that popular pre-existing condition coverage and letting parents keep kids on their insurance until age 26 will likely remain. Democrats can block outright repeal. But by using the budget reconciliation process, major parts of ObamaCare can be defunded and replaced with market-based alternatives, such as health care savings accounts.

Yes, parts of it will stay. Trump himself has said that popular pre-existing condition coverage and letting parents keep kids on their insurance until age 26 will likely remain. Democrats can block outright repeal. But by using the budget reconciliation process, major parts of ObamaCare can be defunded and replaced with market-based alternatives, such as health care savings accounts. Reform Dodd-Frank. Many economists think this is the most pernicious financial regulation in decades. We agree. Trump and Congress should kill off as much of it as possible  beginning with the laughably misnamed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau  and start over.

Many economists think this is the most pernicious financial regulation in decades. We agree. Trump and Congress should kill off as much of it as possible  beginning with the laughably misnamed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau  and start over. Reform corporate and individual taxes. The current top tax rate of over 35% will be slashed to 15% or so. Trump has advocated a one-time 10% tax on corporate earnings stashed overseas to encourage the estimated $2 trillion overseas to return to the U.S. On individual rates, the lower and flatter the better.

The current top tax rate of over 35% will be slashed to 15% or so. Trump has advocated a one-time 10% tax on corporate earnings stashed overseas to encourage the estimated $2 trillion overseas to return to the U.S. On individual rates, the lower and flatter the better. Drain that swamp. The federal government should stop subsidizing uncompetitive businesses and industries. But more important, we need civil service reform that will end the bureaucracy's current power to create nonsensical laws that we all have to live by, without any say by voters, Congress or the president. While they're at it, why not kill off the utterly useless Energy and Education Departments, which, respectively, neither make energy nor educate a single student.

The federal government should stop subsidizing uncompetitive businesses and industries. But more important, we need civil service reform that will end the bureaucracy's current power to create nonsensical laws that we all have to live by, without any say by voters, Congress or the president. While they're at it, why not kill off the utterly useless Energy and Education Departments, which, respectively, neither make energy nor educate a single student. Tame the regulatory state. Regulations, by one widely used estimate, now cost the U.S. $2 trillion a year. President Obama has added over $100 billion to that total. It's time to reinstate a simple cost-benefit rule: No regulation should be imposed with a cost exceeding its benefits. And all regulations should have a sunset period of, say, five years.

As we come to the end of 2016, I've heard more than a few liberal friends express thanks that this "horrible year" is over. Of course, they're not talking about the true humanitarian disaster that has come to pass in Syria, or the complete and dangerous collapse of Venezuela under still another failed socialist government, or the continuing rise of Iran as a Middle East hegemon, or Islamic terror attacks in the U.S. and many European cities, or the shameful Obama administration complicity in the anti-Israel vote at the U.N. Those things couldn't possibly be "horrible" because they were enabled by the inaction or the actions of Barack Obama and his vaunted Team of 2sand they only dothingsright?Nah, the "horrible" year they're alluding to is all about the election of Donald Trump and the trouncing of the Democrats in the 2016 elections. After all, the Russians "hacked" the election or James Comey submarined Clinton or ... by now you know the list. And all of that wasIn my view, 2016 was neither horrible nor wonderful. It was typical. At an individual level, Americans lived their lives, suffered joy and pain, worked hard, paid their rent or mortgage, tried not to overspend, and generally ignored the goings-on in Washington, D.C. They have learned that the mainstream media cannot be trusted to provide accurate news, that the pundit class is as clueless as the guy next door, that social media, for all its faults, allows direct communication between those who attempt to lead and those who follow, without the biased filter of the alphabet soup of media organizations.So as progressives look backward and wring their hands over 2016, the rest of the country looks forward, hoping the Donald Trump will do some good things while knowing that he'll probably say and do some dumb things as well. If he simply works to 'make American great again' he'll fulfill the expectations of many. Investor's Business Daily suggests a "wish list" for 2017:If a Trump administration accomplishes or begins to accomplish even one or two of those goals in 2017, it will have done more in one year than the Obama administration did in eight.Looking forward to 2017, I'm hopeful that a different tone in Washington will result in different and better results for our country. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.Happy New Year!
Tis the season for Milwaukee merriment and BMO Harris Bank is bringing you happy holiday stories all season long.

In a revival of an old custom, bells of Milwaukee will ring in unison at midnight on New Years Eve as a message of peace.

This is in part due to the efforts of The Bells of Milwaukee, Inc., an IRS tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation founded by Russell Klisch, the president, founder and owner of Lakefront Brewery.

Klisch founded the organization to combat a recent New Years practice of celebrating the turn of the year by the firing of guns.

"Once people start hearing bells, they will want to hear bells instead of gunshots. Thats our hope," Klisch says.

Crucial support has come from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Its 196 member parishes include a majority of the bells in the community.

The response has been encouraging, Klisch said, with churches as far away as Kenosha ready to participate.

Two of Milwaukees most prominent churches  the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and the Basilica of St. Josaphat  will also ring their bells at midnight.

"In fact," Klisch says, "the Basilica has never abandoned that venerable tradition."

Participating secular bells include City Halls Solomon Juneau, a massive 20,000 pound bell that first rang at midnight on New Years Eve, 1895-96.

Also to be heard is the Chamber of Commerce bell in the Mackie Flats, 225 E. Michigan St. The 1880 bell has been silent since at least 1962 and has recently been rehabilitated with the building best known for housing the Grain Exchange Room.

Videos of bells are regularly posted on the groups Facebook page.
From WSWS

In an executive order accompanied by a series of official statements, US President Barack Obama has sharply escalated the campaign against Russia, based on unsubstantiated claims of Russian government hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Hillary Clinton campaign in the presidential election.

Obama has imposed sanctions on top Russian government officials, blacklisted several Russian IT companies and expelled 35 Russian diplomats stationed in the US, giving them only 72 hours to leave the country. Two Russian-owned facilities, in San Francisco and Maryland, are being shut down with less than 24 hours' notice.

"These actions are not the sum total of our response to Russia's aggressive activities," Obama declared. "We will continue to take a variety of actions at a time and place of our choosing, some of which will not be publicized." This indicates that secret retaliatory measures, possibly including cyber-warfare actions to disrupt Russia's economy, finances or infrastructure, are being taken.

The text of the executive order, as posted on the White House website, contains vague, sweeping language that has ominous implications for the democratic rights of the American people. Any political activist opposed to the official two-party system could face sanctions or even criminal charges for actions "with the purpose or effect of interfering with or undermining election processes or institutions."

Is uncovering internal documents of the Democratic National Committee or the emails of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta "interfering with or undermining election processes or institutions"? Evidently so, since that is the principal crime alleged against the Russian government.

It is quite possible, however, that the documents were made public thanks to leaks by disgruntled DNC staff, perhaps angry about the content of the emails, which showed a deliberate effort by the DNC leadership to block the campaign of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and insure Clinton's nomination. Would such leaks now be criminalized?

What about making those documents widely available, as the WikiLeaks organization did? What about publishing excerpts or the full texts of those documents, as virtually the entire American media did? Where do "interfering with or undermining" end and freedom of speech and freedom of the press begin? Obama's executive order makes no distinction.

The corporate-controlled media, ever compliant with the dictates of the US military-intelligence apparatus, has made no challenge to the legality or constitutionality of Obama's order. It has not criticized the refusal of the White House to provide a single fact to substantiate its claims of Russian hacking directed against the Democrats.

Obama's executive order takes the form of an amendment to a previous executive order, issued in April 2015, in response to alleged North Korean hacking of Sony Corporation offices in Los Angeles, after the company made a film whose plot revolved around a CIA assassination attempt against North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

With little publicity, Obama declared a "national emergency with respect to significant malicious cyber-enabled activities" on April 1, 2015. Under the terms of Executive Order 13694, the secretary of the treasury, in consultation with the attorney general and the secretary of state, may designate for economic sanctions, including freezing of all property and bank accounts in the United States, any person they designate as a target.

Anyone "responsible for or complicit in, or... engaged in, directly or indirectly, cyber-enabled activities" directed or originating "from outside the United States," whose purpose, in the judgment of these officials, would harm the US infrastructure, disrupt computer networks, cause misappropriation of funds or affect the US elections, is a potential target for US government retaliation.

Given that virtually all human interaction in economically developed countries is "cyber-enabled," and that the World Wide Web is by definition a global entity "outside the United States," this language is a mandate for the exercise of essentially unlimited, arbitrary power.

While the executive order details a series of measures that US officials are empowered to impose on anyone they see fit to target, Obama provided no evidence of the Russian hacking which is the supposed cause of this "national emergency."

Instead, he refers to the finding of the US intelligence agencies, issued October 7, declaring they were "confident that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from US persons and institutions, including from US political organizations."

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By Oregon Senate Republicans

SALEM- State Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Central Oregon, and state Rep. Knute Buehler, R-Bend, announced today they are declining the governors unilaterally directed 2.75 percent legislative salary increase.

Establishment politicians have said Oregon has a budget crisis. If thats true then the governor and legislators need to lead by example and not add to the problem, Knopp said. We should not be receiving pay increases when important programs are being cut or going unfunded.

Even though Gov. Brown wants billions in new taxes and has proposed cuts to veterans services, closing a new hospital for the mentally ill, and is under funding our schools she still believes the legislature deserves a pay raise, said Buehler.

Knopp and Buehler will be introducing a measure in the 2017 session to rescind the pay raises. While the law currently does not allow legislators a choice in accepting the pay increase Knopp and Buehler will be donating their raises to charities in Central Oregon starting with the public school education foundations in their districts.

We believe its important to bring the pay hikes to the publics attention so they can weigh in on the matter, added Knopp.
By Reagan Knopp

A diverse group of Republican lawmakers and party activists from across the state gathered in the Senate Chamber of the Oregon State Capitol on Friday for a truly historic event. Public seating was standing room only and spilled into overflow areas as Dennis Richardson (R-Central Point) was officially sworn in as Secretary of State, becoming the first Republican elected statewide in 14 years.

Congressman Greg Walden (R-Hood River)  who previously served with Richardson in the Oregon House  was a featured speaker at the ceremony.

Dennis has a sharp eye for budgets and numbers, and an even sharper pencil. But he also proved he can work with others across the aisle.  Congressman Greg Walden

After taking his oath of office, Richardson showed bipartisanship to his fellow Oregonians, noting that his goals were not focused on a party agenda, but good public policy.

As a secretary of state, I will be functioning as an Oregonian. It is my commitment that you will not know whether I have an R or a D by my name.  Dennis Richardson

State Treasurer-Elect Tobias Read and Senate President Peter Courtney were the only notable Democrats in attendance.

(Quotes sourced from Oregon Public Broadcasting)
Evolving Regional Security Dynamics and Impact on Pakistans Security 31 December, 2016 By Asif Haroon Raja

Till as late as 1990, India remained a close knit strategic partner of former USSR and it kept belittling the US imperialist policies and its provision of military assistance to Pakistan on all international forums. It fully supported the Soviet military intervention and occupation of Afghanistan. Paradoxically, today India is among the most trusted strategic partners of USA and the US together with Israel have become Indias major suppliers of arms.



Since 2006, the US has been investing in a long-term strategic partnership with India. In addition to civil nuclear deal to India in 2008, and signing 10-year Defence Framework Agreement in June 2015, the US Congress approved H.R. 4825, in March 2016, better known as the US-India Defence Technology and Trade Partnership Act (DTTPA).



The specific steps both sides have taken to improve defence cooperation include expanding collaboration under the DTTPA by setting up five new joint working groups. These include: naval systems; air systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; chemical and biological protection; and other systems; increasing indigenous production in India; exploring new opportunities to deepen cooperation in maritime security and maritime security objectives in support of the India-US Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region; military-to-military relations; expanding knowledge partnership in the field of defense and regional and international security matters of mutual interest.



In August 2016, three military Indo-US agreements were inked: 1. Logistics Exchange Memo of Agreement (LEMOA). 2. Communication Interoperability & Security Memo of Agreement (CISMOA). 3. Basic Exchange & Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Information & Data (BECA).



The LEMOA permits military forces of each country to resupply, replenish and stage operations, using others military bases. It also empowers Indian Navy to expand its presence in Indo-Pacific region. The CISMO allows integration of communication networks, enabling the two sides to mount military operations jointly. BECA allows exchange of sensitive information gathered by sensors and satellites.



The US has not only opened all its military and technology doors to India, and institutionalized the US-India security partnership, but has also encouraged Israel and other allies to do so as well. For the past eight years, India has been the worlds largest arms importer, buying over $100 billion in weapons each year, two-thirds of which are deployed against Pakistan. Moreover, US military and political support emboldens India in its confrontational comportment towards Pakistan and China.



The legislation seeks to uplift India to the same status as America's allies in the NATO, as well as its other major treaty partners like Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Israel. According to Senator Mark Warner, "As an important partner with a flourishing economy, India has huge potential as a market for American defense manufacturers." On December 8, 2016, USA designated India as its major defence partner with a view to expand bilateral defence cooperation between both nations. This was announced by visiting US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter in New Delhi. The designation has placed India among the closest allies and partners of the US.



Forgetting that Nehru had raised a storm when Pakistan had become part of SEATO and CENTO in 1954, asserting that the pacts posed a threat to Indian security, and on this plea had taken a U turn on his pledge to grant right of self-determination to the Kashmiris, India has felt no qualm in signing defence agreements with USA which have a direct bearing upon Pakistans security.



Some analysts in India are viewing these defence agreements with skepticism and are expressing fears that it will reduce India to a client state and also render India more vulnerable to Jihadis because of presence of US troops on Indian soil.



In line with its traditional policy of appeasement, Pakistan had kept quiet when the discriminatory Indo-US nuclear deal was inked in 2008. It again raised no objection over these provocative agreements which are more threatening than the Indo-Soviet Peace and Friendship Treaty signed in August 1971.



Pakistan had a strong reason to join western pacts since India is five times bigger in size and resources, has five-time larger armed forces with a strong defence industrial base, and above all it had adopted a belligerent posture. Pakistan also had to contend with unfriendly Afghanistan espousing the stunt of Pakhtunistan and refusing to recognize Durand Line as an international border. India on the other hand has no external threat since all the South Asian neighbors are smaller in size and militarily weak.



China threat is just a bogey created by India to extract maximum benefits from the US led West by pretending to be acting as a bulwark against China. In real terms, India is enjoying friendly relations with China and both have put the border dispute on the back burner to promote trade. The two are having trade worth $70 billion, which is likely to shoot up to $100 billion in near future. Chinas military policy is defensive and its foreign policy is based on peace and friendship. It has no aggressive designs against any country. Had India been threatened by China, it would have deployed bulk of its armed forces against China and not against Pakistan? On ground, over 70% of Indian strike formations and airbases are poised against Pakistan. Its Cold Start doctrine is also Pakistan specific.



Even after cutting Pakistan into two and after a lapse of 70 years, India has still not reconciled to the existence of Pakistan. Its sinister designs are evident from its massive covert operations launched in FATA, Baluchistan and Karachi with the help of proxies since 2003. It is resorting to coercive tactics by keeping the Line of Control in Kashmir and working boundary in Sialkot sector heated up through unrelenting firing in contravention to 2003 ceasefire agreement, carrying out false flag operations in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), fake surgical strike in Azad Kashmir, intrusion by drone and submarine and hurling threats. Recently, Indian Home Minister Jagnath Singh chimed that Pakistan will be broken into 10 pieces. It has now started to reduce the water flow in the three Pakistan specific rivers emanating from IOK to make Pakistan barren. India has spurned peace overtures of Pakistan and refuses to talk on the core issue of Kashmir, which has become a nuclear flashpoint.



India has all along aspired to become a world power and still nourishes the myth of Maha Bharat woven in 19th century. For the accomplishment of its ambitions, India considers Pakistan as the only stumbling block and a thorn in its flesh. It keeps hatching conspiracies how to remove the thorn and undo Pakistan. India cannot reconcile with politically stable, economically and militarily strong Pakistan equipped with nukes. Construction of CPEC and Gwadar Port have unnerved India since the project has the potential to rupture Indias grand design to debase, isolate, encircle and destroy Pakistan. India is desperately finding ways how to scuttle this project.



One of the reasons of boosting trade with China is to pull it away from Pakistan. India has succeeded in spoiling Pakistans relations with Afghanistan and in creating misgivings in Pak-Iran relations. Forging closer ties with Saudi Arabia and Gulf States were also aimed at isolating Pakistan. However, India failed to spoil Pak-China relations that are scaling new heights after the commissioning of CPEC.



As if the irritant of CPEC was not enough, ongoing uprising in IOK has rattled India. In sheer frustration, it has stepped up propaganda campaign to get Pakistan declared as a terror abetting state. To this end, Narendra Modi has missed no opportunity to demean Pakistan. He tried to garner the support of the members of BRICS at Goa and of Heart of Asia Conference at Amritsar but Russia bailed out Pakistan on both occasions by rebuffing Indias vilification and appreciating Pakistans role in combating terrorism.



However, India managed to get a favorable response from the US administration by way of increased pressure on Pakistan to deal with Haqqani network and Afghan Taliban leaders allegedly based in Pakistan. Release of close support fund has been made conditional to action against the US nominated militants. Indian lobby in USA was behind the passage of resolution by the US Congress declaring Pakistan as a terrorist state.



Afghan peace process pursued by USA, China, Afghanistan and Pakistan has been scrapped and a new group comprising USA, India and Afghanistan formed. Purpose was to lower the importance of Pakistan and to promote India. It is so far a non-starter.



The silence by the US over increased violations by India across the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, targeting civilians including passenger buses and ambulances in AK, as well as its brutal campaign of repression in Kashmir points to the fact that it has willfully overlooked these transgressions by India in the light of its growing alliance partnership with India. Pressure has even been exerted on China not to transfer advanced weaponry and technologies to Pakistan.



Worse, the US appears to be encouraging closer ties between India and the GCC states, especially Saudi Arabia. The US had a hand in Indo-Saudi and Indo-UAE high profile economic deals. There may be an Iranian gambit as well. Given Indias close relations with Iran and informal US-Iranian cooperation against the militant Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, collaboration between the US, India and Iran to stabilise Afghanistan cannot be ruled out.



Unless this dynamic is changed, Pakistans capabilities for conventional defence and nuclear deterrence against India could be significantly eroded.



Seen in this perspective, the US alliance with India has negative implications for Pakistans security. Although there may be rough times ahead in the relationship with the US, Pakistans diplomacy will have to be both dynamic and imaginative.



Much to the chagrin of India, Russia is slowly and steadily getting nearer to Pakistan. Russia and Pakistan held their first-ever consultation on regional issues on December 14, 2016 in Islamabad. During the consultations, a wide range of regional issues as well as key areas of mutual interest, including economic cooperation and connectivity were discussed.



In the wake of Russia evincing interest in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), there is a distinct possibility that sooner than later, Russia will jump on to the bandwagon of CPEC in pursuit of its age old dream of reaching the warm waters. Once that happens, it will open vistas for an alliance between Russia, SCO countries, China and Pakistan. This grouping will turn into a bigger magnet to attract Iran, South Asian and Middle East countries. 64 countries are likely to join CPEC. Pakistan by virtue of its strategic location will become the hub of the strategic corridor. Reason why Iran will get tempted is Chahbahar seaports shallowness and India losing interest in its development. The route from China to Chahbahar via Afghanistan suffers from insecurity since it passes through Taliban controlled regions over which the Afghan troops have negligible control.



Another factor which is drawing Russia, Central Asian States and Iran toward Pakistan is the threat of terrorism and Pakistans admirable role in tackling the menace. Its achievements outmatch all other countries engaged in counter terrorism since 2001. Unstable and insecure Afghanistan doesnt suit any regional country.



The US and India are stoking terrorism in Afghanistan and exporting terrorism from Afghanistan into neighboring countries particularly Pakistan. The duo, viewed as spoilers, teamed up with corrupt and inefficient unity govt in Kabul, despite being on a weak wicket want peace on their terms and is pressurizing Pakistan to force the Taliban to agree.



Having read the ill intentions of USA and India, Russia has offered its services and a new group comprising Russia, China and Pakistan has come into being to broker peace in Afghanistan. This group has better prospects since all its members have better understanding with the Taliban. Possible inclusion of Iran will further fortify this group.



The US-India DTTPA underlines the dramatic change in today's political environment. For India, access to advanced US weaponry and technology means that it can now pursue an aggressive military modernisation. Military balance in the region gets further disturbed due to continued supply of arms to India by Russia.



The US growing tilt towards India must be seen in the context of limited convergence of interest with Pakistan and the new administration under Donald Trump that will be taking over the White House on January 20, 2017. Pakistan aligned with China doesnt fit into the security paradigm of Washington.



Alongside an assertive diplomatic offensive, Pakistan's military response too must also be well-calibrated and considered in order to meet these adverse developments. At the military level, Pakistan must ensure a defensive and asymmetrical capability, including the credibility of its nuclear deterrence that would preserve its ability to deter any conventional Indian military adventures. Pakistan's missile capabilities must be multiplied along with ensuring the availability of anti-aircraft and ballistic missile defence systems. On the sea, while it may not be possible to go in for the expensive option of an aircraft carrier, Pakistan would need to upgrade and add to its submarines, fast missile boats, as well as anti-submarine warfare capabilities.


"challenging fun"

- Entertainment Weekly

Dear Paul, I just dreamed of airships flying between raindrops. I just returned from 2042 CE, where I sold my hardcover copy offor seventy million Neo-Euros, because it had your response to this e-mail from way back in 2007 scotch-taped onto the inside of the cover. A Paul Levinson collector paid top Neo-Euro, because of the authentic archaic e-mail printout from you. It turns out that not many of your e-mails from before your tenure as CEO of HBO/Cinemax and terms as United Nations Secretary General will survive that far into the future. So, please respond to this e-mail, to help found my great-grandchildren's fortune. My Will will stipulate that they must share with your great grandchildren. Thanks! Tom
Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the American Authors Association

Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the Military Writers Society of America.
Business / Economy

by Staff Reporter

Remittances by locals from abroad are now Zimbabwe's second source of external capital inflows with calls to implement policies aimed at increasing foreign direct investments increasing.Data compiled by the fiscal authorities indicate that while exports have contributed 65 percent of the total inflows averaging US3 billion this year, remittances from the Diaspora accounted for 30 percent.The major exports include gold, tobacco, platinum among other goods and services with concern being however raised over the drop in foreign direct investment contributions to the external revenue inflows.An economist Dr Nyasha Kaseke says the government and other critical authorities should focus on policies to improve business confidence.The government has already finalised a Diaspora policy aimed at tapping more funds from locals living abroad.
MOREAU  The town has totally failed an audit of its stormwater management plan, Supervisor Gardner Congdon said.

He predicted at a Town Board meeting this week that the town would be fined, but he later said he expects to defend the town and avoid a fine.

DEC conducted the audit on Dec. 16 and is currently drafting a report on its findings, which will not be ready until next year, according to DEC spokesman David Winchell. That means there will be no word of fines until then either.

But Congdon isnt worried.

I have no concern there will be any fines because Im the one who pointed out the shortcomings, he said.

The plan was written by consulting engineer Garry Robinson, who faced heavy criticism from Congdon over it.

Congdon vowed to never hire him for any other work after he turned in the plan earlier this year.

After the audit, Congdon said he wrote a list of criticisms about the plan and sent them to DEC along with the plan, which he had to sign as supervisor.

He also made it clear he didnt want to sign the plan.

It said I had to sign, under pain of a $1,000 fine or a year in jail, for me, he said. I was verifying the plan had been done correctly. I looked at it and realized many of the things that had been (reported) accomplished were not accomplished.

Among the problems: The plan said that 100 percent of town employees were familiar with the plans policies for stormwater, which must be contained on-site. DEC has new regulations for stormwater in an effort to keep water from picking up road salt and other contaminants and then flowing into rivers and lakes.

But the new policies to ensure that the towns waterways wouldnt get polluted were not widely disseminated.

I went around and asked and none of them knew, Congdon said.

The plan also said that 100 percent of the stormwater blockages in culverts throughout the town had been resolved. So Congdon drove through the town, checking on culverts he knew were often blocked by debris, and found many problems.

When he heard about the audit, he told an employee that he was confident DEC was responding to his criticisms. But the employee, who he chose not to name, gave him startling news.

He said hed photocopied the report to keep Congdons signature but removed his written comments.

I said, You must take care of this right away and email me the documentation, Congdon said. But the employee left for vacation without sending Congdon that email, and wont return until Jan. 9.

Congdon added that he thinks the new stormwater regulations are unnecessary, but that he planned to follow them.

He had to pay an engineer $3,000 to certify that the towns new fuel tank is not leaking, among other requirements, he said. He objected to the fact that an engineer had to do the inspection, which vastly increases the cost.

Its ridiculous, he said. We should do these things, but point out what the cost is to the taxpayer, what the value is to the taxpayer, and bemoan having to do it. Dont just say, Well, its a mandate. 
QUEENSBURY  Defense lawyers for the man who faces homicide charges for last summers fatal boat crash on Lake George have asked a judge to suppress the blood test that provided evidence for the charges against him and dismiss the charges, alleging procedural deficiencies that violated his constitutional rights.

Lawyers for Alexander M. West, of Lake George, also claimed that there was insufficient evidence of Wests alleged drug impairment to support the vehicular manslaughter, vehicular assault and boating while ability impaired charges against him, and they also alleged that the grand jury presentation that resulted in his indictment was defective. For those reasons and others, the charges should be dismissed, the defense claims.

West, 24, faces a 12-count indictment that includes charges of manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, boating while ability impaired and leaving the scene of an accident for the July 25 boat crash on Lake George that killed 8-year-old Charlotte McCue. He has pleaded not guilty.

Wests lawyers filed the pre-trial motion earlier this week.

Much of the motion involves requests for pre-trial hearings, judicial review of grand jury minutes and claims of insufficient evidence.

But lawyer Kathryn Conklin wrote that an inconsistency with the search warrant that Warren County sheriffs officers received to take a blood sample from West for drug and alcohol testing should result in the warrant and evidence generated from it being suppressed.

Wests blood sample was taken July 26, but the search warrant was dated July 27, she wrote. A copy of the warrant dated July 27 was filed in court along with the motion.

By the time the chemical analysis and application were executed, Mr. Wests 4th Amendment rights had been violated, Conklin wrote.

Conklin wrote there was also insufficient evidence of recklessness on Wests part to support the manslaughter count.

Any statements made to police should be suppressed because they were involuntarily made, Conklin wrote.

Suppression of the evidence would bar prosecutors from using it at trial.

Warren County District Attorney Kate Hogan said Friday that she had no comment on the motion.

Her office is scheduled to respond to the motions next month, with Warren County Judge John Hall to rule afterward and schedule pre-trial hearings.

No trial date has been set.

West is accused of hitting a boat that Charlotte was on, then fleeing the scene. Police later determined he had been drinking and using drugs in the hours before the crash at the annual Log Bay Day party on the lake, court records allege.

He gave a blood sample more than 12 hours after the crash, when he turned himself in to the Warren County Sheriffs Office amid a massive manhunt for him.

West is free on bail, and faces up to 22 years in state prison if convicted of the weightiest charges.
Government watchdog Robert Schulz has asked to be removed as a plaintiff in the federal lawsuit that challenges the legality of the Warren County Board of Supervisors system of government amid questions over whether he can claim he is a resident of Warren County.

Schulz wrote a letter to U.S. District Judge Glenn Suddaby last week asking to withdraw from the lawsuit because he said he did not want the issue of my standing to get caught up in and detract from an early determination of the pending challenge to Warren Countys legislative apportionment.

He would not have legal standing in the lawsuit if he is not considered a resident of Warren County, and he was not listed as a plaintiff in documents filed in the case late last week.

The issue of where Schulz lives was first raised in November, after the Warren County Board of Elections learned he was registered to vote in both Washington and Warren counties, Queensbury Supervisor John Strough said this week.

A Warren County sheriffs officer was sent to his home as part of the inquiry, and Schulz was later removed from the Warren County list of registered voters.

He lives on a 65-acre piece of land off Route 9L that straddles the Warren-Washington counties line in the towns of Queensbury and Fort Ann.

The home sits on the Fort Ann portion.

Schulz, who has been involved in dozens of constitutional law-related lawsuits, has long been referred to in media reports as a resident of Fort Ann.

Schulz said he switched voter enrollment after he was told in October by a representative of the Warren County Board of Elections that he could register in Warren County when owning property, as he does in two counties. He said his children were registered to vote in Warren County using his address.

He said he plans to challenge the Board of Elections removal of him from the Warren County voter rolls.

In his letter to the court, he defended his decision to register to vote in Warren County, pointing out the North Queensbury firehouse polling station is a quarter-mile from his home and his address and entrance to the property are in Queensbury.

Schulz has criticized Stroughs role in the scrutiny of his place of domicile, as Strough  as a member of the county Board of Supervisors  is a defendant in the lawsuit.

Strough acknowledged that the Board of Elections listed him as its complainant when it looked into the matter, but said the issue came up during an unrelated legal matter, where he noticed that Schulz referred to himself as a Queensbury resident, when in the past he had called himself a Fort Ann resident.

In checking on that issue, he contacted the Warren County Board of Elections to try to determine where Schulz was registered to vote, and the Board of Elections began looking into it and learned he was registered in two counties.

Strough said it was clear to him that Schulz lives in Washington County, as his STAR property tax exemption is in Washington County.

Ive read enough about Bob Schulz over the years to have seen various references to his home in Fort Ann, Strough said.

Schulz, though, wrote that there is no road access to his home from Fort Ann, and his personal, family and business ties are to Warren County.

The only entrance to the land that my house sits on is in Warren County, Schulz wrote.

He said he has not found any case law that covers his situation.

Warren County Democratic Commissioner Beth McLaughlin said Schulz registered in Warren County on Oct. 14, and the state was to remove him from the Washington County voter rolls but hadnt as of the general election.

She said where a persons home sits is where they are required to register, so Schulz is no longer registered in Warren County, and it was a mix-up that led to him registering in Warren County.

Schulz was one of six plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which claims that Warren Countys Board of Supervisors system violates the U.S. Constitutions one person, one vote requirement.
News / Local

by Staff Reporeter

Zimbabwe's urban council's have given their thumps on governments plans of setting up tollgates in all centers.The Urban Councils' Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) gave its full support to the idea first mooted in 2013.In 2013, the then Transport minister, Obert Mpofu announced the proposal to introduce urban tollgates soon after his appointment.The proposal was received with mixed reactions from different interested parties but government insisted that the system had more merits than disadvantages.Interested parties felt government needed to complete establishment of tollgates on the highways while others said urban tolls could worsen congestion.UCAZ president and Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni said there should be transparency in the management of revenue collected from the tollgates."We don't mind a cost-effective revenue collection set-up provided the end value is guaranteed, unlike now, where motorists are asking what their licence fees are doing for them," Manyenyeni said.